RESPONSIBILITY

"Behold I am doing a new thing. . . .
I am making a way in the desert
and streams in the wasteland." Isaiah 43:18

This is the time of year when we see signs of new life in nature all around us; and we are reminded that we have a responsibility to the earth to keep it healthy and productive.We have a personal responsibility to care for those we are near to and to live out what I want everyone in the world to do. Ethical behavior calls for respect, generosity, compassion and kindness, peace and humility. I cannot be responsible for the whole of humanity but neither can I float above it and ignore what is going wrong.

I am responsible for my own health and happiness and being aware of my needs emotionally as well as spiritually and physically help me to receive the love that I was created for. There are reasons beyond our understanding for why we are the way we are. Our cells carry memories that we are not aware of and yet they are a part of who we are. There is a gift that God would give to each one of us and that is His Love for us that is our mystical inheritance. This becomes new to us in the wonder of nature that can take our breath away. A sunset, a mountain, a flowing stream, a beautiful flower touch something deep within us and I have felt the serenity of unconditional love and the peace that passes understanding.

William James, the father of American psychology and author of "The Varieties of Religious Experience" tells us that the first characteristic of mystical experience is ineffability-it cannot be explained -it is a state of feeling-a memory that lingers within us.

I have a responsibility to care for and to have a reverence for all life.

"If humankind would accept and acknowledge this responsibility and become creatively engaged in the process of evolution [as co creators] consciously as well as unconsciously a new reality would emerge and a new age could be born."
-Jonas Salk

We are all one and we are all a part of a vast cosmic whole.

I love the story of the researcher looking into the healing experiences of those who were healed at Lourdes. He reported that the common element in the miracles, at the moment of cure, the person receiving the spontaneous healing was praying for someone else.

"Son, you are always with me, and everything I have is yours." Luke 15.

Teachers like Joel Goldsmith invite us to become aware of the mystic within. He wrote about the Infinite Way that is a walk of grace and blessing.

DETACHMENT

I love to listen to the pond bubbling away and the birds singing as I wash the windows. The birds are nesting in our little bird house again. I am also praying for those who are on our prayer list with extremely difficult health problems. From a month old baby to a 90 year old it is a blessing to be able to support them in my heart with prayer. The source of all life gives to each one of us continually and we then have the privilege of sharing.

I am trying to be healthy but also to enjoy life. One way to do this is to keep life simple and to be able to cultivate a spirit of detachment.

Calvinism and capitalism have been mixed together to create our obsession for self-improvement, so that we can be "saved". Detachment goes against this striving that continually makes us unsatisfied. As I look around my home I see many extra things that I do not really need. There are objects that I do not need just to be comfortable but I also know that beauty brings joy to the soul helping us to transcend beyond materialism.

I know there are times when I buy impulsively without stopping to think whether it is necessary. The culture in which I am living seems to encourage this. I have an attachment to values I have picked up over my lifetime; some of these are emotional. I can become attached to my resentment and anger even though I know forgiveness sets me free. Negative feelings are toxic and can make us sick.

I am working at not being attached to material things or the opinions of others. I am also finding I need to let go of spiritual attachments to religious beliefs and dogma that have been passed down through church teachings. I have a difficult time letting go of sacred texts that have in the past influenced my life. This does not mean that I cannot find inspiration in what I am reading and studying.

I have much to learn about detachment!

JOY

It is hard to believe our daughter Carol is a grandmother.
What joy being grandparents has brought into our lives.
Now it continues with Morgan and Ben our greatgrandchildren!

SMILE

I know it is good to take natural pictures and sometimes they work out pretty good!

HEALTHY

Using my new garden tools to plant some seeds.


I am thankful for all the creative ways to find wholeness and healing. There have been many discoveries in the field of medicine and I am reminded that it is good to work with the doctor to try and prevent illness and to cure sickness and pain. I am taking some herbal "Intestinew" which promises to support a healthy intestinal lining. I would like to have more energy and to be free of nausea; so I will try this and see.

I believe that being healthy spiritually is good but I also must be emotionally and mentally and physically healthy. There needs to be a balance that restores strength and healing in all areas.

Yesterday I got busy working and making about in the yard so it was hard to stop and get cleaned up to go out for lunch. Our Bible study group was having a wind up lunch at the new White Spot. Once I got there I was glad I had made the effort. On the way home stopped in for a short visit with Shirley. We got talking about childhood experiences, some disappointmments but we felt they made us better people in the end.

AUTHENTIC

As I enjoy the morning sunshine I see the dust and dirt that has collected on my windows through which the sun is shining. I can still see the beauty outside but I am distracted by the film that makes things seem dim. I look for authentic spiritual truth but am distracted by harsh reality and literal religious thought.
I see that I need to be set free from slavery to the past, to risk going through the sea, to reach a land of promise. I can read the old stories without getting drawn into arguing over facts. This allows the story of the parting Red Sea and the escape of the ancient Hebrews to have a deeper meaning.

I am discovering in Jesus a mystical reality that awakens the imagination through stories and parables that are authentic. We may question the words of Jesus but just like a story stays with us I believe that those who heard and listened with their hearts and minds would have a lasting memory.

Jesus was a Jew who had heard stories like the Passover repeated over and over again. He started questioning as a young boy visiting the temple discussing with the wise the mysteries of faith.

PRECIOUS MOMENTS

Time goes by so very quickly as we enjoy having Mary here for a visit. We all had so much to talk about as we visited together at the park. It is amazing to see our grandchildren become so mature and so delightful and fun to be with.

We were very fortunate to have such a perfect day for a picnic. Mikie's parents joined with us and we learned that they are now facing health problems as so many things had happened in their lives since we last talked to them.

Ben and Morgan enjoyed playing and climbing over the playground equipment. It was fun keeping an eye on them and seeing how they amused themselves; while we sat around eating and talking.

Visiting with Mary the following day was precious time as we learned more about her and Michael John and what they are doing and their future plans. They were very sad to have to put to sleep one of their little kittens. I know the feeling of unbelief that comes when you no longer have the presence of an animal that you have gotten use to. We still expect to see them.

My prayers go with Mary and her mom as they drive the long road through the mountains to Edmonton.

Carol and Panteli are going through the stress of selling their home so it was a good time for Carol just to get away and forget all that had to be done and trying to think of where they would live in the future.