REFLECTIONS

                 I think there was a full moon but I couldn't capture the moon shining on the clouds.

                                   The odd time I wish I had a better camera.

Ken and Melina I am sorry you are all still sick.  Hopefully the medication will get rid of those nasty bugs.  Yes you are in my prayers.

Nancy-Lou how are you doing with that broken toe?
Some of our neighbors are getting ready to leave for the long week-end.  Others have had their plans changed as their mom had a bad fall, out walking dogs, and broke her nose.  Rosanna is preparing to move into a senior/s home and is feeling very sad and stress.  She should not be alone.

Dad wants to watch the girls soccer and he thinks he has the right time and hopefully the right channel.

I am waiting to hear when people may be here and wondering what to feed them.  Only Oliver arrives and is in a big hurry but it was great to see him.  He looks good and he looks happy.

Life does not always work out as planned.  We can learn to learn from the past and put our faith and trust and energy in the future.  I need to find the truth to believe and have faith; aware that it is not stationary but always changing.  Complex and complicated.  It may be easy to say I love you but what are the reasons I find you lovable. Do I love what is good and what is annoying about you?  Faith is involved in every area of our lives.

There will always be uncertainty in our certainty even for believers and skeptics!

Life happens and you adopt or you're lost.

I believe that something out of the ordinary happen when Jesus came to be one of us.

 Touch is healing and he touched lives both by his words and his actions.  He literally reached out in love.  He broke with tradition to bring us into a new reality of truth.
If we could only learn to live by his words. 

As I was walking early in the morning I was given a very stern and angry look by an older man (what's his problem ) I think but I smile back.  Further on a young chap with a toque on his head and his hair flying out beneath it gives me a thumbs up.  I laughed. (I like your style I thought).

He has been rock climbing The Chief  by Whistler.  He is going back on the boats again.

                                                  Dad and I are very happy for him.
Kim has returned tonight and is going out with Theresa to-morrow night.  The weather is finally warm enough for her.

Jane and Geof and dad and I are going out Sat. to-morrow to celebrate our joint birthdays.

SUPERSTITION

                                       Superstition darkens the mind and heart.

 Emily Carr in the book "The Forest Lover" discovers this as she enters into the world of the native people.  Religion used it's power to frighten people who already were very superstitious.  For instance a dead body was never removed out the front door but planks were taken down in the wall to take the body out.  So that death will not come in the front door.  .

( We recognize it in other faiths but do we see it's power in our own?)

To the Native people their totem poles told a story and were a reminder of past glories and of healthy communities.  Emily decides to preserve the totem poles in her paintings.  The missionaries had already burnt some down in some religious Christian frenzy. 

Learning what the animals were and what they represented the less bizarre they became.  Chiefs of the different nations were even competitive in making impressive poles.  Emily was determined to paint the poles exactly as they had been created.

Religion has wrought untold misery using superstition and bigotry to create oppressive ideology.  The critics have also used prejudice and ignorance to rationalize their views.  Both sides are wrong.  I believe that it is possible to use the knowledge of science and philosophy to purify religion and to allow it to improve the human condition of us all.  Getting to know and understand a person is so important.

An artist will see the beauty in the midst of the grayness and not need to be forced to draw within the lines we may call theology. 

Now I have to stop and think and find out more from my reading of a very unusual person.

So dad and I had our doubts that Oliver may or may turn up at our home.because in our family plans often change.  He is going to drop by this morning I think.  We enjoyed our supper out in the back yard and both of us did our walks.

Sandra is having physio and may drop by.    The mornings are getting darker and cooler.

OLYMPIANS

I am amazed  by so many of our young people.  They show a caring and generous spirit.

The people participating in the Olympics do such  feats of endurance and skill that it boggles your mind.
Just think of all the hard work and training they have gone through.  They are all winners just being there!

I wonder if being together and getting to know others from a different nation and culture will help bring understanding instead of  suspicion and prejudice and fear.  Can we dream about a new world where there is honest dialogue? 

We live in a world where there is much darkness and we need the light of compassion to help us find our way.  We are held captive by our deceptive egos that can so easily respond to flattery or criticism.
We feel sad when we want to feel happy; aware of our lack of inner resources.  Worry makes us feel that there are no answers and that we have no choices that will restore harmony and peace.

"When the power of love overcomes the love of power the world will know peace." Jimi Hendrix

The awful thing is that there is still so much inequality in the world, between the rich and the poor, the educated and the uneducated and between male and female ; especially in other countries.


Reading about Emily Carr and her struggles to be different; especially as a woman and an artist make me appreciate what a privilege we have as women today.  She was so different than her mother and her four sisters.  She saw beauty in the world of nature and wanted to capture it.  Her father disapproved of her ways.  She liked to travel alone so that she could paint unrestricted.
Sometimes when we feel like we have lost our way then we find something better.  Like dad does in the forest.

I went outside to read my book in the warm sunshine but kept noticing how overgrown the garden was and the lawn needed cutting again.  So I started working pulling and digging and cutting.
I got a sore back so I came into the kitchen.  It was so nice to see it all cleaned and spotless from dad's hard work   I felt so good later in the day when a lady walking by said how much she enjoyed my garden.

When I go through times of sadness and then a sense of happiness returns I appreciate it even more.
I think that I am a happy person and I know for me it has been spiritual wisdom that has helped me the most.

INNOVATIVE

Kim makes us a lovely supper, very inovative!

Even when we are miles apart she has a special palace in our hearts.

She is back out in Chilliwack for a few days.

What is real?  Just look and you will see for yourself. 
Children are so full of questions.  Their faces so full of wxpressions.

                                        Fact to one person can be only an opinion to another.

Today we are encouraged or even forced to set aside our preconceived ideas and be open to more innovated thinking.  We are still on the same path but hopefully with new humility and be open to new truth.  I can never say I have arrived at the place of truth.

Christianity is losing it's influence on ordinary people so those of us who have believed have to address some of their criticism
Fredrick  Heiler said: "That there can be no doubt at all that prayer is the heart and center of all religion and certainly Christianity." 

Well for me I like to keep things simple.  Prayer is expressing our need and the need of others; knowing it is not a way to get what I want but to help me relinquish fear and worry.  Prayer changes the person praying  and releases me from that isolated feeling of being alone.

Genuine prayer has the power to enable me to embrace life and finding a place in whatever the outcome may be.  Yes, there may be reasons beyond reason.  We enter the mystery.  It gives to me a holy purpose to life.  Understanding suffering or healing are beyond me so I find it helpful to pray.

I am continuing to read "Amen" a modern view of prayer that is striving to be innovative.  I have accepted that scripture is not the authoritative word for all time but rather a human,y constructed collection of writings by an ancient people trying to interrupt life as it happens around and within them/  When I sink to my knees and fold my hands or even in extreme anxiety touch my forehead to the floor I am relying on a firm foundation of my belief in prayer.

Acknowledging the potability of a source of all goodness brings a sense of wonder, awe, amazement and joy into my heart.  It helps me to keep hopeful and to handle difficult situations better.

"Others can seek out wonder, identity, belonging and hope without tying them all neatly back into a scriptural or religious reference."  from the book Amen

Yes, that is also true but for me prayer helps me face the darkness in my soul and the negative thoughts in my mind.  I hope it helps me to see the goodness in others and to continually be thankful for what I hav/   Everyone needs to be reassured they are loved especially when they are at their most unlovable.  Easier said than done.

As parents we always said I am doing this for your own good!  We tried to do what was right.

I have had a big walk and now will sit out and read my book about Emily Carr.. 

LAUGHTER

 Kim is ao much fun to have around.  We go for an evening walk in tghe Watershed Park.

           Learning to laugh at ourselves is good and helps me keep things in focus.. 

We are laughing at the sketches of Mother Brown.  Hilarious!  Thanks Nancy.

Sunday morning I walked through the park and stopped to take a few pictures.  I was weaving around trying to get the right shot and then noticed a man across the street staring at me.  I wanted to wave and tell him I am fine but he turned away.

I was trying not to get the garbage pail in the picture.

Dad did go to church with me but was sleeping when the offering was taken and had to be woken up to pass the plate.

We drove our car which has a security beeping system which is suppose to keep other cars and people away.  I could hear it beeping inside the church and thought O No.

Maybe I should spice up my blog a bit and when I go out for my walk I should sing and dance
"O What a Beautiful Morning" and everyone will think I have been taking stuff they recommend on T.V.    Now that would impress my 40 year old young man I meet on my walk!

Dad has started to pass gas in the most awkward places and very frequently.  Kids always think this is funny.  I guess this is one of the lowest common denominators for humor, and I finally learn to join in the laughter.

I have started waking up in the middle of the night with the hick-ups which is very annoying for both dad and myself.  But we have been given some cure all tea so it will probably help us both!

Maybe I am hoping no one will read this.  You only live once so why not have fun.

Kim made us a delicious supper and we ate outside with candles and wine glasses.  We asked Sandra over but she had had an exhausting day with washing skunk smelling dogs.

Dad and I finished our day with another walk with Kim in the Watershed Park.  Dad is doing so much better and seems like a new man.  Most important he is softer in his approach to life and more appreciative!

I was up in the night chasing the raccoon; feet flying down the stairs,  heart pounding, nightgown flapping, hands clapping  the chase is on;   away   from our garbage can because I could hear it rolling and banging on it.  It has no food in it but I did not want it making the mess of the few things in it.
Then I really should have had a diaper on.

I think whoever created all the strange creatures that we share this world with must have had a sense of humor.

Tuesday morning and I am fighting the urge to forget about praying and walking and go back to bed,
///but I will get dressed and that is my answer.

RELAXED

Sandra relaxes after a busy morning preparing a delicious lunch for us all.  We were able to eat out side and that made it even more enjoyable. She sure makes a big mess in her kitchen,probably a sign of a great cook. At first we wanted to be sitting right out in the sun but soon needed a little shade.  Her excuse for not being spotlessly clean in her appearance,  was that the hot water heater had quit.  She was fortunate to find some very good men able to come and re pare. it the next day.

We thought she looked fine.  It was too bad more of the family could not join us as there was so much good food.  There was a noodle dish, the name of which is unpronounceable, but very tasty.

We relaxed and had a fun time.  Dad spun us a few yarns, unbelievable of course..  Although he admits to being more forgetful and I know I am too.  True stories are the best and enrich our lives time and time again.  We treasure the happy moments of our past and find that in reliving we are reminded of what is important in life.  So much more to life than reason alone can explain.

Our sermon in church was about roots of faith that ground us in God's love and help us through difficult times.  If we are willing to listen and accept the abundance of God's love for each one of us even those who are wounded will find healing peace.

 Our uniqueness is what gives our lives value and meaning.

...thank you Sandra...

Today Kim is off shopping.  I need to rewrite the blog from yesterday.  The 75 year old was me meting and greeting a young 40 year old man and I try to walk a bit faster when I see him.  I have slowed down in my walking but I keep doing it everyday.

STRETCHING

                        I now find that I need to stretch my thinking about God and the Bible.

Words now have to take on new meanings.  I use to believe that God was holy and almighty and all  knowing and would protect bad things from happening to good people.  Now I am being told this is the story of elementary Christianity and that grappling with new concepts will be a stretch.

The best theological schools expose students to the work of contemporary academics and researchers.  The problem is in trying to put forth these new ideas in a way that people can accept without these new ideas leaving people feeling comfused and  betrayed.

For years what has made people like me feel comfortable and safe is believing that God intervenes, and that the old stories were true.  I still believe that in some mysterious way God is with us when we hurt.  He knows our prayers before we speak.

"For the purpose of this book "Amen" god with a little g can mean a concept, as in the idea of god or a supernatural being in the general sense of the word.  Not to be domesticated into a relationship with us." 

Without prayer there is no relationship.  I feel that I am freed from heavy doctrine and ecclesial structure but still want to dance with the wonder of creation and be open to mystery of prayer.

I realize that God has been made into many images.  I will still talk to God like he is listening.  I think that there are hidden resources within me that in some way are able to tune into God.  Image if no one ever told you that they loved you or that you are worthy of being loved ; or acted in a loving manner towards you. it would be hard to understand the word love.  In fact you would think there was no such thing as love; .I can sense that there is compassionate love  in the air and it feels good.  I like my protective bubble that has nurtured me and been a shelter of grace for me.

When I hear the words of Jesus and learn of the healing things he did and he tells me that God is working through him then I can picture something that is real.  Justice and social action make up a big part of my faith.  I am trying to be more open to changing church theology and yes it is a stretch.
I do do my own reading and like to use my imagination but encourage others to work out their own spiritual path.  It energizes me and helps me to be more alive, I think.

I put some pictures on last night.  Now it is Sunday morning and time for a walk and a prayer!