Silverwalk Hermitage

I echo the sentiments of the day. It is easy to get caught up in the tasks/imagined needs of each day, letting days and weeks go by without progress. This is why I find it hard to read blogs recommending “no goals.” I am not there yet! I need to start setting simple, easily obtained goals.

Being thankful each day is the best start:

• Waking up, breathing, another day ahead, is a blessing – no matter what the day portends!
• Prayer: I read once Martin Luther, on waking or rising, crossed himself as a reminder of his Savior. I like this image, this practice, perhaps more so since I did not grow up in a faith using the physical action of crossing oneself. It reminds me of the mezuzah on Jewish doorposts: remember the Lord your God.
• Work, both fiduciary and non-profit, daily is a blessing in any economy.  In my life, both are service centered reminding me “it’s not all about me!”
• Church attendance is something I lacked this past year; I gave up several duties previously performed mostly because this turned into a searching year…when led to commit to something, I want assurance it comes from God and my heart, not purely the suggestion of another (which I too often have blindly followed).  Missing is participation with like and un-like minded believers, the loving support, the opportunities to serve. My prayer is for a resolution of my personal dilemma by year’s end.
• Community of family, friends (physical and online), conversation, colleagues, is always a blessing and a gift; I find it hard to seek community yet when I do, I experience joy; an ongoing lesson.
• Animal welfare is wonderful, blessed, and frustrating; I remember everyone is on a learning curve – I certainly am. The dogs here at Silverwalk are a trust to me by God and others; the community of rescuers, adopters and foster homes are a daily blessing of unexpected friendships.

I hope and pray you have a wonderful Thanksgiving Day – today and everyday.

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• Blessings in Disguise* – a Thanksgiving Devotional (jimdavenport.wordpress.com)
• Gratitude Talk (teresacollins.typepad.com)
• Thin Times (blessedsilence.wordpress.com)

I look at this current “theme”  - blueberry Fruitshake – and wonder why the dark blue?  It came to me this evening blue is restful – a calm, gentle sharing of navy hues sparked by the energetic stars of Van Gogh.  Be still and know I am God.  Be still.  Let it be.  I AM.   The purpose of this blog is withdrawal from the demands of the world to reflection and inner work of the soul.  Sometimes I have been successful in this; more often, I am not.  I will be still for a bit, rest in these calm colors and begin to know again Who God is.

Mark 12:16: And they brought one.

Mark 12:13-17 (NRSV)

13 “Then they sent to him some Pharisees and some Herodians to trap him in what he said. 14 And they came and said to him, ‘Teacher, we know that you are sincere, and show deference to no one; for you do not regard people with partiality, but teach the way of God in accordance with truth. Is it lawful to pay taxes to the emperor, or not? 15 Should we pay them, or should we not?’ But knowing their hypocrisy, he said to them, ‘Why are you putting me to the test? Bring me a denarius and let me see it.’ 16 And they brought one. Then he said to them, ‘Whose head is this, and whose title?’ They answered, ‘The emperor’s.’ 17 Jesus said to them, ‘Give to the emperor the things that are the emperor’s, and to God the things that are God’s.’ And they were utterly amazed at him.”

Paying taxes is not a bad thing.  Taxes pay the salaries for our troops, both at home and overseas in harms’ way.  Taxes pay for bridges, roads and yes, too much Federal government.  To me, Jesus brushes off the taxes, they are of the world; He points to God – asking us to give to God what is God’s – that is, ourselves, our souls, bodies and hearts.  Jesus points beyond the state, whatever it is, to His Father, Ruler of the Universe (and beyond for all we know), “I AM.”  As the 2012 election is already revving up (oh, I wish we had the 6 week election cycle such as in the UK), let us remember to whom our lives truly belong even as we pray for our elected leaders.

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• An attack on the emperor (johnmeunier.wordpress.com)

Laying on of Hands

Most of the posts here reflect God in some form or other.  Actually, I think any part of our lives reflect God – at least for those of us who believe and seek to follow.  God touches every part of our lives; She is not remote from hearing and responding to our fears, concerns, joys and triumphs.  ”I AM” is always with us – always.

I just came off essentially a five night work week – one scheduled night, two nights of call (both nights called in), a night “off,” and two scheduled nights.  Some were way more disorganized than others.  When a life is on the line, your normal procedural routine can go right out the window  - we do what needs doing at the time and get to the mundane later.   I still don’t believe I am not working tonight.  I am half-asleep but don’t want to sleep too much today so I can sleep tonight and return to a more regular schedule for a few days.

Now is the time for paperwork (home, bank, etc.), for dogs (who to bring in and who to deny), study (an orientee found a great website with lots of good information for those of us on the look-out for good material), rest, prayer, and  joining in community.

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• I digress- Ordinary Life (tonielizabethstyles.wordpress.com)