A New Mantra

I write this quickly today as I am leaving in 10 minutes to do a funeral.  I got the call when I was in New Mexico and knew I would be home in time to meet with the family which I did yesterday.

The family was the daughter of an 80 year old man who died of COPD from a lifetime of smoking.  He was - like all of us - ordinary - a  man who drove a truck and cared about his home, his family, his pets. And he was - like all of us - a man with opportunities for goodness that will be remembered well beyond his lifetime.  He and his wife were unable to conceive a child and adopted his daughter when she was five years old.  He then became - in her words - "the best daddy in the world."  She is grieving mightily and at the same time exhausted from caring for him physically and emotionally.
This is the way it is.

So, I spent a little time praying this morning for all who are grieving - and I can think of many.  I opened my Richard Rohr book and happened upon an underlining that really speaks to me.  I think it is a good mantra for today - and maybe forever

TRUST GOODNESS, HOPE FOR MORE TO BE REVEALED AND LOVE WHAT IS.

I am blessed to be able at times to be part of the celebration of a person's life. What I keep learning is that whatever we see in the moment is partial - but it helps me to know that God is always at work.
I can trust in God's goodness and that there is always more to see and experience in this life that I have been given.

Soar we now .....

That is the beginning of the 4th verse of "Jesus Christ is risen today" and I stood in a church sanctuary this morning next to my granddaughter and sang these words -

Soar We Now Where Christ Has Led....Alleluia

Today is Easter afternoon and I sit here at my computer and reflect on how the words - "soar we now" really speak to me today.

Yesterday I returned from an amazing family trip to Bluff Utah.  The occasion was our celebration of the 70th birthday of my brother Wayne.  Chuck and I joined Wayne and Gail, my brother Geoff and his wife Vicky and Wayne's daughters Elyssa and Hannah and their families for a wonderful week in the American southwest.

There were twelve of us who ranged in age from 4 to 81 and we ate together, talked, played games, celebrated the birthday, hiked, took pictures, and rafted together.  I had no idea what the week would bring, but it was just an opportunity to "soar" together in learning about native American rock art, see vistas of canyons, bluffs, ridges, mountains and boulders that were almost transcendent and experience a magnificent river rafting experience that was unforgettable.

 We first saw examples of "Rock Art" Monday morning guided by a gentle and wise  man named Joe who has spent a life discovering and documenting these primitive drawings that gave us a glimpse into life for native americans thousands of years ago.  .  Later when we went on our rafting trip we saw more panels that were simply fascinating.

On Tuesday we did a lot of exploring the area and seeing the natural vistas and the canyons. I knew as I was taking pictures that they would not be able to capture the wonder and the grandeur of it all but here are a few.

Wednesday was our rafting trip that was a gift to us from my brother Wayne.  It was peaceful at times and thrilling at other times.  Not only were we awed by seeing the canyons up close but also the wildlife - sheep, burros, ravens, an egret.   Often when we were driving or walking or on the river the song "How Great Thou Art" welled up in me as my soul soared and sang at the beauty of this land.

I am  home again and after church spent some time at Innis Woods metro park with Marnie and her family.  And again - in the beauty of the flowers and the trees and the blue skies and my grandchildren - my spirit soars.

It is Easter Day and the tomb is empty and Christ is Risen.
Alleluia!

Not your own doing

I have not written for a couple of days because I have found myself pretty busy with a whole variety of activity - facilitating  boundary training for the region, leading a murder mystery birthday party for a friend, preaching in Sidney Ohio, and entertaining Lisa, Chuck's daughter from Toledo.  Maybe it doesn't sound like much but I have sort of lost my morning routine in which writing in the blog happens.

But here I am this morning and back at it.  Caught as I look at the day's scripture by this line from Ephesians 2

For by grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God– not the result of works, 

The grace of God and the ongoing flow of creative love in my life and in this world  is   - to use an overworked word - awesome.  As I look back on these last few days I see it, I taste, I love it.  The grace that enables me to be present, to see beneath the surface, to savor the moment.  Which all sounds lovely.

This morning I read an interesting quote by Julian of Norwich:
"Only in the falling apart of your own foundation can you experience God as your total foundation and your real foundation." 

And what I have learned over time is that when what I think is a "foundation" starts to crumble is when I really do find God is there in the chaos and the crisis and the cleanup.  That is when it is really clear that grace is "not my doing."  

I have a meeting this morning as a regional elder in which I imagine we will talk about the future of the region in the light of the sudden resignation of our regional pastor.  There is a sense with many people that things are changing and almost crumbling in the church.  My faith that reminds me that there is a foundation beneath what we think is foundational is always foundational!  I certainly don't have answers here - any more than I have answers nationally as I worry about the leadership of our country.  However, I trust that God is at work even though it sure looks on the surface like we are falling apart.

My Mantra for today - TTRUST IN THE GIFT OF GRACE

I will include this Psalm that always speaks to me in times of change.

God is our refuge and strength,
    an ever-present help in trouble.
² Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way
    and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea,
³ though its waters roar and foam
    and the mountains quake with their surging.^[c]

⁴ There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God,
    the holy place where the Most High dwells.
⁵ God is within her, she will not fall;
    God will help her at break of day.
⁶ Nations are in uproar, kingdoms fall;
    he lifts his voice, the earth melts.

⁷ The Lord Almighty is with us;
    the God of Jacob is our fortress.

⁸ Come and see what the Lord has done,
    the desolations he has brought on the earth.
⁹ He makes wars cease
    to the ends of the earth.
He breaks the bow and shatters the spear;
    he burns the shields^[d] with fire.
¹⁰ He says, “Be still, and know that I am God;
    I will be exalted among the nations,
    I will be exalted in the earth.”

¹¹ The Lord Almighty is with us;
    the God of Jacob is our fortress.