PARADOX

This is me trying to climb up into this giant tree on our Saturday afternoon walk in the park.  We went into another unfamiliar entrance and stay right on the main paths so did not get lost at all.  We are becoming very sensible in our old age.  Today was another pretty nice day but dad did not feel like going into the park so I just walked down to the store.  I wanted some of my bread and of course I took pictures on the way.  I was gone over an hour which was surprising.

Enjoyed church today although we were sorta late because had to make sure the towels were clean etc just in case the bath renovators come over.  We do seem to be slow in the mornings as I guess we are used to not hurrying.

I fineshed reading my chapter.  Rick can read a book very quickly it seems; and I feel proud of myself
 reading a chapter.  But then I am reading about the history of religion and God and finding in the last two pages it is a paradox. 

In the writings of Denya he insists that God is nothing because He does not possess "being" in any sense that we could understand.  But Gid is also "Everything" because every single creature that God informs becomes a theophaney, a manisfectation of God.  We are reminded of the inadequacy of all theological language, even words of scripture.  There is a time when a community benefits from a litergy that can be beautiful and full of symbolisum, and there is a time for a silence that allows us to forget ourselves and want to be open to the presence of God that may surprise us and fill us with wonder.

Augustine insisted that there should be no unseemly quarreling about scripture as people who engage in acrimonious discussion of religious truth were simply in love with their own opinions and had forgotten the main teaching was to be loving; of neighbor and of God.

I have had trouble finding this picture because it was not where it was suppose to be.  O well.

Now we are off to Bible study or book study driving to Nick and Drena in Langley.  We srart and end early so that is good for us early birds.  Early to bed and early to rise!

I made it up into this tree but sure needed a hand down.  Some people walking by also volunteered!

THE TRINITY

This beautiful quilt made with patient love expresses the patchwork that makes us who we are.  We are all so different and yet in the end we are seeking love, and peace and food both spiritual and physical.

The Trinity cannot be put into words but can be created in a picture.

"One of the most famous icons of all times is the picture of the "Old Testament Trinity" based on the story of the three angels [messengers of God]  and Abraham.  But one can see it as the Trinity as the three angels approach in unity but aware of the presence of the other.

"There is no self hood in the Trinity; instead there is silence and self-forgetfulness".  The father has emptied his life by the power of the spirit into the son who then becomes the word.  The word will leave much unsaid so that the spirit must be our teacher as well.

"There is a light [a pure radiance]that shines on my soul that no place can contain,
a sound is uttered no time can take away,
a fragrance that no breath of wind can disperse,
a savior given forth that eating cannot blunt. . . . . .
this is what I love in loving my God."     -- Augustine writing in  "Confessions".

"As in God, the three different faculties_memory, understanding, and love_constitutes one life, one mind and one essence" within ourselves.  This activity in our minds is a pale reflection of the Spirit, the bond of love between the Father and Son."    --Karen Armstrong_  The Case For God.

THE CASE FOR GOD

This is our study book by Karen Armstrong.

This week the chapter is on silence.

There have been many voices that contributed to our understanding of Go, of Jesus, the logos and of scripture.  There were Arius who believed that the Word and Wisdom of God, the Father, was the first and most priviledged of creatures.  He believed that Jesus had been promoted to divine status and would become the perfected word through divine obedience.

  Alexander, the Bishop of Alexanria, and his brillant young assistant disagressed.  Arthanasius wanted to safeguard the liturgical practice of the church which regularly referred to Jesus as divine  There are many other voices like Anselm of Canterbury, the group who made up the Nicene council under the orders of Constantine. 

Words built on words.The desert monks would learn to still the mind so they could cultivate an attentive listening silence.  Maybe the Quakers have it right after all.  What I believe is that although God is a mystery He wants to communicate with us.  There is a level within us that I think is the soul which is beyond the subconscious and deeper than our emotions.

Jesus took time to spend forty days in lonely silence to process the religious experience of his baptism and what the call of God would mean on his choice of paths.
It can be in times of quiet meditation, or experiencing the beauty of creation, it can be when some one shares from their heart and goosebumps; that does not sound very spiritual, but there is a stirring within me that knows there is a presence like a breath of wind that comes out of nowhere and gentle blows.

This will be continued but comment if you have some thoughts.

Gregory of Nyssa [331-95] became involved in the political turmoil of the Arian disputes.  "Theology depended on practice, and its truth could be assessed only by people who allowed doctrines to change them.

He saw that Moses, who had first experienced a vision of God in the burning bush would later climb a mountain into the darkness of the clouds to understand the way that God would now have him lead his people. These ideas where being expressed elsewhere.  The importance was in the leaving of the world of words and actions and controversy and conflict to be alone with "the invisible and incomprehensible."  He was engaging in a disciplined contemplation that would allow all that he knew and had experienced to find "in the silence of otherness that reached beyond the reach of words and concepts." 

He saw clearly that idols must not be made of any God; but our human nature wants to make God an image we can define and understand.

Although we have the spirit within us we still walk in a fog of unknowing.
The world is so silent early in the morning in the fog and one can feel so alone,

HUMILITY

The greatest lesson Jesus taught and lived was to walk a humble path.

Humility is often expressed in our willingness to learn.  Jesus encouraged his listeners to become like a little child and a picture comes to my mind.  To play with my great grandchildren I often have to sit on the floor or crawl into some tiny place they have found.  It is seeing the world in a whole different way.  Humility is in fact a new kind of intimacy that listens and is willing to enter into the experiences of others.

My afternoon yesterday was spent with a beautiful group of ladies, full of life, full of talent, full of faith.  Each face told a story of their lives, some had a shadow of sadness, lines of worry, others poor health and disability, and yet in all there was a willingness to serve with our gifts no matter how small they may be.
The singins was heavenly as only a group of women can sing together the songs they know and love.
The service was written by a group of women in Chili who had to gather from distant areas to meet over a lengthy time to pour their hearts and their experiences into this service of prayer.  As women they had suffered the cruelty of life that came with poverty and injustice and struggle.  Baking bread helped them to cope and gave them something to share.

Jane and myself had a fun day and it was good to make new friends and see some faces that we have met before.  Larry had picked up some Chinese food rice and vegetables because he knew I would be hungry.

We all have our ways of coping with life and humility and wisdom go together.  Jesus taught out in the open fields and encourage people to share their loaves and fishes and this would be a miracle as Jesus blessed the little they had and there was enough for all.

I loved the services we had in the park and at the beach when we went to the Vineyard Church.  Sitting on the grass and seeing the children running around and singing in the fresh air was a joyful experience.

PATHWAY

There are so many beautiful places in my world that would be a joy to paint.

Yesterday was a a lovely morning for a walk in the woods.  Dad and I went into the Watershed Park from a different entrance, the one that you have to cross the railroad tracks, that say danger fast coming trains and through a hole cut in the chain fence.  We were looking for the artisan springs and I think I found the one I had found many months ago but then the water all around it was higher and it was shouting up much higher.
The sky was an amazing blue colour that is reflected in this little pond. 

You can walk all the way around the outside of this park and if you want a fast walk that is the way to go.
Although Ken you walk fast even on the trails.  Ahead of us where a couple with their dog who was having a great time chasing a ball and wagging his tail.

After a quick lunch which consisted of my strange menu of organic Quinoa, vegtables and fish that dad shared too; we went off to the hospital to visit Doug who hs been through a very difficult time after surgery.
The hospital is just a mess of sick people everywhere and we are so thankful just to be visiting.

Dad had had two pieces of pumpkin pie at lunch so going for a walk does make you hungrier but he was not hungry for supper but I was.  I was happy to finish my left overs and he had his soup later.

Today Jane and I will be reading at the World Day of Prayer which includes many churches and many countries.  It is written by the women of these country, this year Chili, and we learn about their culture as well as their faith.  They have such strong faith in the midst of their difficult circumstances. 

This service has all the different churches taking part and this year it is a bit confusing.  Jane and I have also confused ourselves by changing the parts we are taking turns reading.  Hopefully we will go up and down at the right places.  I have met such nice people at these services and I am reminded again of all the good people in this world and that my life has been touched by so many.

I came home to read "Rabbi Jesus" by Bruce Chilton which is difficult to read but I am finding that seeing the life of Jesus from a very Jewish point of view fascinating.  I understand why Jesus taught outside the synagogue and how his ministry differed from John the Baptist.  Bathing and baptizing had become a ritual that allowed people to enter the worship service after they had been washed.  Jesus would share a meal with outcasts and those who where called unclean because he believed in the purity that God saw within them which he also saw.  He truly did take down the religious barriers that those in high places had made into rituals.

Jesus opened the way to a simple path for any to see and follow and find the spirit of God.

" When our inner selves convert distinctions into a perceived right to dimish others,

 we are not on a Holy Path."  A.Shaia

HAPPINESS

I had a dream that I was given lots of money, not thousands or millions, but just enough to go back and buy every book I wanted in the bookstore.  It was a very happy dream and I am so thankful that I enjoy reading so much.  I went back the next day just to take a picture, hoping that no one saw me, but what is the worse that they could think that I was a spy or maybe just a little idiosnytric.  And while I was there I just happened to pick up a few more books.  Happiness is sitting in my chair with all my books around me wanting me to read them.  There are so many wonderful ideas in the world and so many stories to be told.

I am reading another book about Jesus and it is from an entirely different perspective.  The story weaves into the life of Jesus experiences that gave him the insights into the lives of others.  He may have been shut out of the synagogue because of his doubtful birth, he may have been beaten by a Roman soldier as he wander along the road trying to find his way in life, he knew what it was like to have no home and to have others make fun of him.

This makes the experience he had when he was immersed in the water and baptized by John the Baptist so powerful.  The heavens open and a voice spoke saying "You are my beloved son in whom I am well pleased."

In ancient Jewish thought the heavens are view as a hard shell to protect the earth; and the earth was a disk-shaped bubble surrounded by water.  Not only was this a vision of a miracle that would now give Jesus the words to declare to the world that God's powerful presence could not be contained by superstition and false belief but was free to move through the earth to release spiritual power to set people free and to bring them happiness in whatever situation they were in.

Jesus received a new heart that day, I believe, and he would tell this story to his disciples to share with them that the promise of Ezekiel of a new heart and a new spirit was a gift that all could receive.

STORMY WEATHER

One look at the darkening sky tells the story of what to-morrow will be like.

It was suppose to get very windy last night but I did not hear any loud wind.  We are ready with our candles and our energy machine if the power goes out.  I think dad maybe hopes it will go out.
How did I feel when I got the news that my intestines were still unhealed?  I felt annoyed and frustrated because I have been making such a big effort.  I appreciated the doctor phoning me at home in the evening to gently tell me the news.  I was told when I was first diagnosed that it looked so damaged they, the doctors, were doubtful they would completely heal.  I was so happy to find out what was causing my miserable existence I did not really listen.

I did improve slowly and I put on weight and my blood was built up but I never got the energy that I longed for.  I tire easily like yesterday dad and I went to the store to so a big shopping and I felt so tired I walked home and let him finish.  But then the poor guy had no money to pay so he had a quick trip home to get his wallet.

I am facing the fact that I will never make the go go grannies [lol] and I am thankful that I have an understanding family who are helping me.  I got a book by Elizabeth Hazzeback who found out after she was on the Survivors that she had celiac because she felt better even though she was starving.  It helps to read her story and identify with all the problems she had in being diagnosed.

I am thankful for the good days and I will stop letting little things stress me and enjoy life! !

"There is no duty we so much underrate as the duty of being happy."   Robert L. Stevenson.