Oh How I Treasure, Our Quiet Times Together

Oh How I Treasure, Our Quiet Times Together

My early morning times with God are always special to me. The in between dark of night and light of morning, the quiet being broken through by the chirping birds, the kitchen lights of neighbors going on as they prepare for their work day…it all seems so sacred.  I was remembering the various places I celebrated this sacred time; at the beach, at camp, at West River, in my many homes. I especially treasure the out door celebrations, listening and watching nature celebrate its re-creation every day and immersing myself in it as I became one with all of it. 

I miss that oneness as the years have made me more suited to the creature comforts of a bed instead of the ground, air conditioning instead of a cool morning breeze, and an electric stove instead of a crisp morning fire.  My body is old and frail and demands more attention to comfort.  But my soul is ageless and longs for the oneness of creation on its terms.

It is in these early mornings that I feel closest to You.  Before the events of the day begin, I sit with You in silence and I feel present in Your Presence.  Sometimes we speak; often we don’t, simply enjoying the communion.  All the questions, all the petitions, all the theology, all the religious acts are no where to be found during these morning times.  It’s just Presence…Yours and mine, and it is precious.  

WHAT DO PEOPLE REALLY NEED?

WHAT DO PEOPLE REALLY NEED?

Mark 11, 12

The chief priests, scribes, and elders of the religious system “were afraid of the people; feared the people.”  They knew that Jesus “was true and did not care about anyone’s opinion; not swayed by appearances but truly taught the way of God.”  In the end they gave Jesus over to the people and they killed him.

Are not the churches of today doing the same thing?  Those in authority want numbers and to fill their buildings, and to do that they offer the people what the people say they need and want.  Often it seems like their needs are the ways of the world, only dressed up in religious garb.  People aren’t going to say or think they need to die to self, give everything away, or truly obey the laws of God.  They resemble the rich young man who said, “all these things I have kept from my youth” but was told by Jesus, “you lack one thing; go and sell all that you have.”

Good parents don’t ask their children what they need.  They, in good authority, give their children what they know their children need so that they will grow into healthy and whole adults.  Good churches would be wise to follow that pattern.  Fear of losing members or offending people is a terrible motivation and ends poorly in the long term.

People today, as always, need to be “truly taught the way of God.”  That way is not the most traveled way, not the most popular way, and not paved by human opinion.  It is narrow and it leads to death of self.  But in the end it provides a selfless self, is enriched by the love and laws of God, and leads to God himself, who is the one and only true need of us all.

It is time for the churches to stand tall, in truth, and fearlessly teach the way of God.  People’s eternal souls depend on it.

Just Look Around You

JUST LOOK AROUND YOU

God is mysterious

But not aloof

Just look around

And see the proof

He’s all around us everyday

He’s always there

To show the Way.

He’s not a bully

He won’t barge through

But he is patient

He waits for you

To stop all the rustling, stop the race

To sit awhile

And seek his face.

So come away

And rest awhile

Open your eyes

Enjoy his smile

His love is real

His love is deep

Your precious soul

He’ll always keep

Safe from danger

Safe from harm

He’ll hold you tightly

In his arms

God is mysterious

He’s not aloof

Just look around

And see the Truth.

OUT OF MY AM-NESS

“And Jesus charged them to tell no one…” (Mark 7:36).  “And Jesus sighed deeply in his spirit and said, ‘Why does this generation seek a sign?”(Mark 8:12).  These verses remind me of Carrie Newcomer’s song, Geodes.  “And when my life on earth is through, it’s what I AM not what I DO.” 

God wants a simple loving relationship with his children.  That is what I was created for.  It’s not the healing, the casting out of unclean spirits, or the answered prayers.  It’s HIM and me IN HIM that is the desire of God’s heart and is also my desire.  I try so hard at doing what I think I need to do and yet always seem to fall short.  It just doesn’t work that way. When I give up the obsession to be the best Christian, the best example of Jesus to the world, then I am. Out of that ‘am-ness’ I do what needs to be done out of a simple and pure love of him.  And I believe that is where he wants me.

Relationship is a response, not a fulfilling of requirements.  It is a response to an incredible love.  A loving response will fulfill the requirements in the spirit they were meant to be fulfilled. So simple!  It’s that way with people too. The more I simply respond, the less I try, the more I do.

CONNECTED TO ETERNITY

“The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork” (Psalm 19:1).

When I was living down here before, the ocean was my focus of attention.  Everyday I would watch the waves, sometimes high white caps and sometimes gentle and almost invisible.  This year it has been the sky that has captured my attention.  It is simply stunning.  It is dynamic in the morning when the night clouds are broken through by the sun’s rays.  Then in the evening the moon and stars make their appearance in various phases and shapes.  Then there are the storm clouds that appear at will, anytime, moving quickly with purpose, to bring the rain or the snow to keep the vegetation on land well watered.

It is the movement and the expansiveness of both the ocean and the sky that moves me to ponder them.  The energy so prevalent in both pulsates in my soul and takes me out of the physical boundaries of my body.  My body is old and weighed down by aches and pains, and limitations.  But my soul is free to ride the waves of the ocean, or soar on the wind currents in the sky.  It is the expansiveness of God that surrounds and envelopes me.  I feel freed from the pettiness of my mind and the painfulness of my body.  The expansiveness is immeasurable and unteathered; it is holy and it is sacred; and when I sit in its Presence, immersed in its energy, I know that it is God who surrounds me and connects me to eternity. 

'Right Over the Horizon'

Life itself is rhythm and seasons, ebbs and flow, consistent yet

ever changing.

The ocean is everyday the same, yet everyday different; as is the sky.

Life isn’t a painting, stationary in time.

It’s easy to freeze moments in time and then frame them in our mind,

Then label them ‘the good ole days’.

But each of those ‘good ole days’ had their moments of

happiness and hardships.

When all is said and done, they were days just like these days;

No better, no worse.

So find the present rhythm, the present flow

And ride it to its fullest.

The next one is right over the horizon making its way to you.

"The Invisible Child Who Leaves No Trace"

The invisible child
Who leaves no trace
But fruit pops up
From place to place.

No one saw
And no one knew
But fruit popped up
Without a clue.

No mighty words
No amazing show
Just a catching glance
And then they know.

Their spirits clicked
The Presence known
They were aware
The seed was sown.

And it will grow
At first the root
But in due time
Will come the fruit.

The invisible child
Who leaves no trace
Except the fruit
From place to place.


“Beware of practicing your righteousness before other people, in order to be seen by them…Your giving should be in secret, pray to your Father who is in secret, fast only seen by your Father…
And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.” Matthew 6