Class Dismissed!

The 10-week group Reading the Bible as a Storybook has come to an end.
YAY!

It was good for me. Not only did it allow me to share my perspectives on the Bible and on several bible stories, but it got me back to some critical examination of the Bible. 
I probably should have kept better notes on the stories we covered and questions that were asked and discussed. While doing so would make a repeat class or a follow-up class easier, I'm not sure that I really want to be the person to lead another class. Most of the time I felt like I was struggling to find a place somewhere between teacher and facilitator.
It wasn't pretty.
Giving up control made me feel unprepared as a teacher, and I've never felt very comfortable as a facilitator. It's not really my thing. It was, however, nice to make some personal connections to The Venues. It's been a while.

This morning's meditative time is reflecting on where and how I best connect to God. Looking out at the gathering clouds on this last day of May and hoping for a little of the forecasted rain is a thread that weaves through the tapestry of connection to the world around me and to The Creator. 

This moth was resting on the front window this morning. Such a beautiful little creature!

And the walk out to the front porch to take the pic led me to this beautiful sunrise pic...

"...thy kingdom come...
...on earth as it is in heaven."

I really believe that the story of the Bible is the story of God (through Jesus) bringing heaven to earth. 
I really believe that our story continues to be a story of connecting God to the people around us -- by the way we live and the way we love. 

John

Monday

It's summer!

Well, not officially, but it is Memorial Day weekend in the US and that is pretty much the summer kickoff weekend. As usual, we have no plans for a Memorial Day observance or gathering with others. Other than a moment of personal reflection, today is just another Monday in the simple life of John.

If you are one of the few that follow my other blog (I haven't been linking it to social media recently), you'll know that I've managed to lose 15 pounds since May 1st. A part of my meditative balance has been to bring the body element of mind/body/spirit back into balance and harmony with the rest of myself. It's weird how much easier it seems to connect mind and spirit to nature than to bring the physical body into connection. It's probably more a lack of practice on my part than anything. I know that many people have a normal kind of regular physical connection where body and nature are in regular communion with one another -- not so much for me.

But it is summer (sort of) and I am ready and willing to make more of an effort along those lines. The simple mindful connection that watering plants and gardening brings is a good place to connect with earth and remind myself of our connection with all of creation. I'm using an active meditation this morning as I contemplate the life giving power of water to the flowers and vegetation in the various garden spots around the yard and in pots on the porch and deck.

Have a good week.
It's summer!

John

Pause

The pause in posting for the past couple of days hasn't been entirely intentional. It just hasn't been a priority. I've still been enjoying my morning quiet time, coffee, and sitting with the morning sounds of nature. This morning provided the additional treat of deer at the treeline. It has been a little while since I've seen any deer back there so that was cool. Maybe I should put a salt lick out there.

There really isn't much to our simple life, here. I have been starting to get to my daily yardwork earlier and then having the hotter part of the day to relax in the shade and comfort of the deck. I think I'm not going to get to see most of my flowers until I'm home from my Mexico trip. I am hoping for some nice June showers while I'm gone to keep everything well watered. It's kind of weird how nature seems to take care of itself until we interject ourselves into it and then there is either not enough rain or too much rain or whatever!

In keeping with the simple life, it's time to put a little morning water into some garden beds and get to work in the yard. Be at peace with nature and with one another. Reach out to an old friend or a family member today and tell them you love them. 

Touch the ground. Feel the energy of the earth.
Breathe in the air. Sense the spirit of nature.
Listen to the sounds of the world around you. While I can hear the manmade sounds coming from the nearby highway, most of the noise I hear is from the birds and bugs of nature. They tell me I belong here.

Pause.

John

"...your body is a temple..."

If I didn't know better I'd think I was building a freakin' mega-temple! 
I started the month of May at my heaviest yet (270 pounds, 122.5kg) -- about the size of a freakin' temple! 
Ugh!
Always a struggle.

Anyway I got busy and managed to lose some weight pretty quickly, had a few bad days and regained half of what I had lost, am now back on track and at minus 12 pounds (5.5kg) for the first three weeks of the month. I've been updating weekly on my other blog, Healthy Living (by an unhealthy guy). 
You can follow my struggles on that blog or on Twitter. I'm @magicianary.

If I keep up the pace, I'll be down to 250 (113.5kg) by the time I get to Mexico in a couple of weeks. Not exactly beachbody material, but that won't stop me from enjoying some time on the beach. I'm just happy to be back on track!

So this morning's scale inspired good mood has me thinking about Paul's admonishment in 1 Corinthians 6:19 
Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you,...)

There are actually several places that Paul uses this comparison and in different contexts. This morning I am remembering an old preacher that once told me, "John, if I would have known I was going to live this long, I'd have taken better care of myself."
Looking around at active older people you don't see fat people living well into their 90s. Maybe there is something to that. 

Today's meditation is focusing on this temple of mine and how I might continue to do a little renovation to bring it back to its intended glory. 

How is your health?
How is your body holding up?
Is your temple in good condition?
...Or in need of some renovation?

John

Sometimes we miss things; sometimes we miss people.

Wow.
I'm a little unsettled this morning. Overnight I received a message (timestamped 2:47am). I just read it. It was pointed and critical and was from someone that I missed, someone that I didn't really see.

Sometimes we get pretty focused on one thing and the actions we take to accomplish that task or goal impact others in ways that we are unaware of. Not always a good thing. That was the case with this person. The things I did (or didn't do) took place several months ago. I can only assume that the ripple effect has reached a critical point or that something happened at 2am that triggered the need to reach out (lash out) and express themselves.

I'm not going to beat myself up over this. If you don't know, you don't know.
But I am going to sit with it for a little while. I think that would be a good thing.
And I may be more careful about collateral damage.

John

The Quiet Life

I know the quiet life isn't for everyone. Many people would be bored with my humble existence, but it suits me quite well. It's Friday night and I'm on the deck with a good cigar, a cold drink, and the sound of a light rain falling outside. I suppose we could be out listening to music or maybe we could have gone out for dinner, but we stayed home like boring (or maybe satisfied) old people.

I finally got one of my two lawn mowers back from the shop today. The delivery driver commented that I needed a much larger zero turn mower for the amount of lawn I mow -- one that would easily cost about 4 times as much as the mower I have. I told him I'm retired so it doesn't really matter how long it takes me.
He responded by telling me that he's retired too, but can't just sit around so he does delivery for the shop.

Well, by the time he got there with my mower I had already planted two berry plants, hung a bee house, potted marigolds, two small ferns, and potato vines, and planted petunias in the front flower bed. Now I was going to finally get started mowing my field. And in spite of having plenty to do -- I can just sit around! It's what I am doing now.
I didn't get much mowing done because of the gentle rain that has been falling most of the day, but sunshine is forecast for the weekend so I'll be back at it tomorrow. And I still have two small trees to plant.

Since I couldn't work in the yard this afternoon, we picked up a few more plants for Chris's big flower pots. She will get to those in the coming days. She'll be spending the day with friends at the lake tomorrow and I'll be enjoying some Pandora Classic Rock Radio in my earbuds as I mow the field that hasn't been cut since last fall. I should probably catch up on a few Spanish lessons, too.

All is well.
Retirement does not suck.

John

Friday flowers

I'm going to do a little planting and repotting today. That will be my meditation and time for centering.

Yesterday I bought some plants -- tomatoes for the garden, a blackberry and a raspberry bush, a sweet potato vine, four coleus plants and a small flat of petunias. I bought a few marigold varieties to plant in pots for the deck rail to help keep away the pesky insects. I also bought a flowering crabapple tree and a redbud tree. I put up a wire cage for the pole beans and cucumbers and re-potted the four tomato (two cherry, a big beef, and heirloom) plants. 

I don't know if I would call digging in the garden fun. I do enjoy it, but it's probably more therapeutic than fun. There is something about the earth connection that seems to bring the body's energy and vibration frequency back to what it is supposed to be. 

And the results can be so very rewarding. Truthfully, I am as satisfied watching the bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds at our flowers as I am at eating tomatoes or other produce from our garden. Our perennials are beginning to grow again and Chris just planted this year's zinnias and cosmos in the downspout flower beds. I am really looking forward to the added color around the house. 

"Nature's peace will flow into you as sunshine into trees." --John Muir

John

The coleus in a repurposed plastic container (my weak attempt at crafts)

Thursdays are for Thanksgiving

Actually, all days are for thanksgiving and I am finding that gratitude is so good for the spirit and outlook on life. I suppose that I could find plenty to complain about if I set that as a daily goal, but how much better to be thankful and appreciative of life?

In the bible, Paul writes:

Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.  --1 Thessalonians 16-18

Today I woke up well rested and feeling much better than I did yesterday.  I am relatively healthy (and minus 10 pounds for the month) and enjoying my coffee and quiet time from the comfort of the screened in deck. The hummingbirds are at the feeder and the continuing territorial battle for one of the bird houses continues between the bluebirds and the sparrows.
My Achillies tendon is finally starting to feel better and I am hesitant to mow today for fear of aggravating it again. I think I'll give it another day. Maybe by then I'll have my rider back from the shop and can do it the easy way -- sitting on my butt!

In any case, I am grateful for today. 
I don't expect much in the way of people interaction, maybe a trip to the store for some plants and garden stuff.
Not much in the way of people interaction is always something to be thankful for.

My gratitude journal prompt for today was -- How do you feel when you wake up in the morning?
I feel rested.
One of the greatest benefits of retirement is that I wake up when I'm finished sleeping. 
And yes! I am extremely grateful for an early retirement and a comfortable one.

What is something that you are thankful for?
What fuels your attitude of gratitude today?
Maybe it's something as simple as a cup of your favorite tea or coffee. 
Think about it. Meditate on it for a little while. Enjoy the moment like a bird with a french fry!

John


 

Mind Over Matter

Today's morning meditation is a little personal and self healing.
I woke up a few hours ago feeling chilled and achy, but I am aware that this is no doubt a reaction to the three vaccines I got yesterday -- COVID booster, shingles, and tetanus. I went back to bed, covered up, and slept for a couple of more hours.

Now I'm up and spending my morning time inside. I have a sweat suit on, am covered up with a throw, and have a space heater on in a small room. I'm actually feeling quite cozy right now. 

Because I'm old, I was thinking of an image from the old television show, Kung Fu. Kwai Chang Caine teaches another man how to survive their hot box punishment by using mind of matter techniques/

https://youtu.be/cW5bShSt9tg

I do believe that the mind holds great power over the physical world. 
My meditation text for today:

"Your body can stand almost anything.
It's your mind you have to convince." --Unknown

John

Are our differences too great?

Maybe.
Or maybe they seem too great because we no longer see our similarities.
And I think that's exactly the way the powers that be want it -- Focus on the differences so that we can't get along.
If we can't see past the manipulation, we are -- well, easier to manipulate.

I don't know if there is a national solution to the great divide that has come about in our (the US) political system or not. The powers that control the narrative want it to be exactly the way it is. Maybe the change has to happen in individuals, or in finding like minded individuals to challenge the current representation.

What I do know is that I need to work on myself.

Today's meditation text:

If we have no charity and no tolerance, we shall never settle our differences. -- Mahatma Gandii

John

Finding peace

It is a difficult thing to find peace in a world that worships strife. While I understand that fear and strife sells, and why media outlets and advertisers on media outlets love stories that appeal to the most base side of humanity, I still fail to see why we (as a people) are so devoted to giving airtime and headspace to things and people that rob us of joy and contribute to the chaos of life rather than affording much needed moments of peace to each of us.

Oftentimes we tend to direct our focus to the things that distract us rather than the desires of our hearts. 
When trail riding, you don't focus on the trees, rocks, or obstacles - you focus on the trail. When motorcycle riding the winding roads of the Ozarks, you don't watch the ditches or shoulder drops - you keep your focus on your lane of the road ahead of you. 
Fear keeps our focus on what can go wrong. Peace and confidence (and often success) come from focusing on the task at hand.

Today's meditative verses come from Paul's letter to the Philippians. In his closing he reminds them to keep their thoughts on gratitude, God, and good, honorable things. 
He writes:

Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your minds and your hearts in Christ Jesus.

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me -- practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.

May your thoughts bring you peace on this day.
Guard your thoughts. Focus on what is good and honorable and worthy of your time.
And rejoice!

John

Making a quiet space...

I get it. It isn't always possible to isolate yourself for a quiet time -- at least not in the conventional ways. This morning finds me making due with being away from home. I assume the hotel coffee is like typical hotel coffee (not good). I thought I'd venture across the highway to the Dunkin Donuts for coffee. It turned out to be a drive-thru/walk-up only with no tables or chairs, even outside.
Sacrebleu!

There was another restaurant in the plaza across the parking lot with tables and chairs on their patio so I sat there and enjoyed my coffee for a little while. I'm back at the hotel now (still avoiding the coffee) and sitting at a table in the breakfast area. There is a TV on and there has been a steady flow of guests down for breakfast.

The thing is -- I can tune out the distractions rather easily. 
I know that it is difficult for some people to tune things out. I think that many people tend to focus on the things they are trying to tune out rather than focusing on what they want to think about. A quiet place isn't always necessary for a quiet time. If you have earbuds (especially noise cancelling ones) a little soft instrumental music or nature sounds might do the trick. Otherwise, I find that focusing on my breath and breathing to be good for isolation in not so isolated places.

Square breathing is a good relaxing and focusing practice. Find a comfortable seated position (or laying down if you are using it as a pre-sleep calming device). I use a five count, but parts of it can be difficult. A four count might be a better place to begin. 
Still yourself and breathe in deeply on a five (four) count. 
Hold for a five (four) count.
Exhale for a five (four) count.
Pause for a five (four) count.
Repeat.
In my head, it sounds like this:
In - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5
Hold - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5
Out - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5
Pause - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5

The hold and the pause are the most difficult parts and might take more focus.
If you are using it for a pre-sleep ritual, try four or five cycles before shifting to a more simple deep inhale/pause/slow exhale/pause pattern to sleep.

Three cycles at a five count is around one minute and can easily be used as a moment to pause and refocus anytime throughout the day. 

If you are using a meditative reading or verse to contemplate -- read the verse first, square breathe for a couple of minutes, shift to a more simple breathing pattern and contemplate.
It won't seem like much, but a simple five minute practice is a good place to begin. A couple of minutes of breathing practice and three minutes of thought might seem like a long time. You might want to use a timer. You might not need one. Using those three minutes to think about nothing is also a good practice. You might just listen to your heart or sounds of nature -- or nothing.

Breathing is something we do all day, every day, and never really give it a thought.  Practiced breathing can help us to breathe better -- even when we are not thinking about it.
Give it a try.
Let me know what you think.

John

There are no small things...

There is a harmony in nature -- the birds, the animals, the flora -- all seem to live with and for one another. Even the pesky insects are a great part of the overall picture of life.
It seems strange that we humans sit at the top of the natural food chain and yet often fail to see our connection to nature and our role in the grand picture. We seem much more intent on ruling over everything than in being a part of it all. 

I'm not much of an environmentalist and I'm a pretty poor philosopher. This morning I'm just an observer and wondering about the ways of the small slice of nature that I see. I hear the highway noise in the background and marvel at the advances of humans and the price we have paid for those advances and wonder what would happen if some things changed.

Think about this -- 
I am sipping coffee that was grown in Ethiopia. It was likely harvested by hand, processed in a simple mill and dried on a concrete slab. Somehow, by sea or by air, it made its way halfway around the world to a roaster in the US. From there it was roasted, bagged and shipped (by truck) to a grocery store where I purchased it. The impact to the world economy and to the environment was quite significant when you consider that it literally costs me cents per cup of this life giving nectar. 
How is that possible?
And what happens if we (in the US) decide to stop drinking coffee?
How is the environment impacted with no shipping or moving of the freight? 
What happens to the farmers that lose their US market?
What happens to the commodity dealers that trade and profit from the sale of coffee?
And how do millions of Americans start their day since coffee only grows in tropical regions?

It is weird where my mind goes when I examine the impact of simple actions. We're going to add to our carbon footprint today as we hop across the state to visit family. Mobility has separated families by greater distances and staying connected has greater costs and effects than it once had. I've become more aware of the impact that seemingly small things have on the world around me.

It seems that there are no small things.

Hmmm...

John

Writing

I ran into an old friend yesterday. Well, she is not really an old friend, she's a young friend that I just hadn't seen in some time. While we were catching up, she told me she is writing a book, a novel. I think that is great. 
Although there have been different people along my journey that have suggested that I write a book, I see a couple of problems with that:
To write a novel you have to be creative -- and I'm not.
To write non-fiction you have to be willing to do a little research and mental organization -- and I'm not.
To do either takes some discipline of writing daily and sticking to a writing schedule -- and well, ...I don't know about that, either.

But I think writing a book would be cool. 
So, I was thinking -- what about a daily meditation/devotional kind of book? 
Although I could work ahead, what if I just journaled my morning meditations into a collection of thoughts, and then after a year I'd have a book of 365 inspirational quotes, verses from the bible or other texts, and the accompanying thoughts that I had for that particular day?
I could design each day to take no more than fifteen minutes or so and even throw in a few tips for meditation, focus, or grounding. 

I'm going to give myself some time to consider this. In fact, I'm going to give myself one month. Call it a birthday challenge. On June 13th, I complete my 63rd trip around the sun and begin number 64. Maybe I can use it as a 365 day journey that would make any day a perfect starting point. I won't be dated to begin on January 1st, but could begin on your birthday making it an acceptable anytime gift and a perfect birthday gift.
I suppose that has its drawbacks. Following the calendar allows for seasonal meditations that a non-calendar schedule won't. I don't know. Something to consider. 
I'll probably just do them daily and then figure out numbering/ordering them later.

Hmmm...
Thoughts?

John

It's not just my place

I know I talk about the deck like it is my place -- and it is, but it's not just my place.
Last night I arrived home to a dark house. There were no lights on outside, nor inside the house. When I raised the garage door I expected Chris's car to be gone, suspecting that she must be out. Nope - the car was there.
Chris and Groucho the cat were sitting on the deck - Groucho laying on the floor and Chris scrolling on her phone while sitting on the futon. The night sounds were playing in the background and evening light had faded into night without anyone getting up to turn on the lights..

Groucho loves being out here as much as either of us and especially likes days when the temperature is cool enough that we don't use the A/C so that the door is open and she can go in and out at her leisure. When it gets hotter, we will put a bowl of water out here for her and she will still spend hours each day on the deck, by herself or with me. Chris is less likely to be out here when the temperature is either hot or cold. Groucho and I are much more likely to be found out here throughout the warm days of summer.

During the cooler weather Groucho usually gets up when I do but then goes back to bed with Chris after eating her daily portion of canned food. Now she comes out here and goes back to sleep on a chair or on the floor after watching the hummingbirds and other birds for a little while.

She woke up enough to raise her head a bit when she sensed me stirring to take her pic, but is back to dozing again. 

     * * * * *

My morning contemplation:

Thoughtfulness is the beginning of great sanctity -- Mother Teresa

What does this mean to you?
Thoughtfulness about one another?
                       ...about nature?
                       ...about God?
Maybe they are all connected or the same.

John

It feels like Friday

I know it's only Thursday but for some reason, it feels like it should be Friday.
Maybe it has something to do with actually going out and people-ing every night this week
...and I'll be out people-ing today and again this evening!
All of that interaction makes this morning deck time feel like a holy place and time.

My morning coffee and quiet time generally feels like that anyway. I'm a little more aware of it and more appreciative of it during weeks like this, but I rarely take it for granted. I probably need to find a better way of sharing my time on the deck. So often when I am asked what I've been doing lately or if I've been doing anything for fun I respond by saying that I haven't been doing anything at all. And while sitting on the deck and appreciating the nature around me feels like I'm not doing anything, I do know that it brings peace to my spirit and connects my soul to the world around me.

Maybe a simple, "I have been enjoying my retirement," would be a better answer.
Or, "I'm working on being a better John than I was yesterday." Nah...that might be true, but it sounds pretty corny.
"Watching the hummingbirds at the feeder," or "Watching my flowers grow," sounds a little better than not doing anything, but not much.

I do realize that there are people that might be envious of a guy that can sit and watch hummingbirds feed or appreciating the growth of flowers, but I feel like I should have something more to share. It's probably more about how we have been conditioned to be productive in Western society. Being contemplative and philosophic is much more accepted and revered in more Eastern cultures. Although I have been using quiet time/meditation/contemplation in some form or fashion for a long time, I do wish I would have been more purposeful or taught about its benefits as a young man rather that struggling through life without the calming and peaceful effects of a regular practice of meditation -- not to mention the healthful effects of such a practice.

Today -- I am grateful.
I am excited about the flowers and vegetables that have sprouted and am seriously watching them grow.
I enjoy my time watching the humming birds at the feeder and am particularly drawn to one that keeps hovering at the screen and looking into the deck. I talk to him like a crazy old guy every time he does. 

Do you have a regular practice of quiet time or meditation?
Do you have an irregular quiet time that you wish was more regular?
Maybe I'll start sharing some simple practices that can help you get started. 
Or maybe not. I realize that mindfulness is still considered to be a pagan practice by many of my old evangelical acquaintances and most of the people where I live. (shakes head and sighs)
What do you think? Yes or no to sharing some meditative techniques?

John

Monday Morning Meditation

No news or thoughts about what is in the news tis morning. I am enjoying a quiet (except for the birds and a little background highway noise) morning on the deck with a cup of coffee. I've spent the last two nights sleeping on the deck and it has been quite wonderful. I hope to do this often this month since I expect nights to be a little too warm and uncomfortable when I return home in July.

This morning's meditation is from the Tao Te Ching.

Heaven is long-enduring and earth continues long.
    The reason why heaven and earth are able to endure and continue thus long is because they do not live of, or for, themselves.
    This is how they are able to continue and endure.

    Therefore the sage puts his own person last, and yet it is found in the foremost place; he treats his person as if it were foreign to him, and yet that person is preserved.
    Is it not because he has no personal and private ends, that therefore such ends are realised?

Hmmm...
I'm going to ponder that.
Do we flourish best when we exist for others?

John
    

Tell me about your god.

Yeah, I know. The little "g" god was intentional. It's not meant to be disrespectful of the big "G" God; it's meant to recognize that the object of our worship is very often something or someone different from the big "G" God. Maybe I'm more interested in knowing what or who you worship than I am in hearing about your god, but either way I think I'll get a pretty good idea of what or who you worship and idolize.

I don't want this to be a post that is strictly about guns or Christian Nationalism, but it is about both -- sort of. It's more about the Christ I try to follow and how I think his image has been replaced with something evil, sinister, and very much the antithesis of the Jesus of the Bible.
I live in what is often referred to as the buckle of the Bible belt. Southern Missouri is home to the world headquarters of two conservative Christian denominations -- General Baptists in Southeast MO, and Assemblies of God here in Southwest MO. There are a number of conservative colleges and universities as well as churches, both very large and very small throughout the area. You can't cast a stone without striking someone that has been judged and condemned by our conservative, evangelical brothers and sisters. 

There is also a weird sense of patriotism that boasts a God and Country theme while simultaneously flying the colors of the Confederacy and defending insurrectionists. It is a weird mentality that can be so strongly supportive of two very contrasting ideals.

The strong faith in God (I think it's a big "G" God, but I'm really not sure) and the worship of a country founded on, based on, and maintained by military force (violence) confuses me more than I can reconcile and so I am looking for help. 
The military force that guards us is something that I can understand to a point.
The worship of private ownership and need to carry weapons of war (and even hand guns) in public is beyond what I can grasp in this little pea-sized brain of mine -- especially for someone that claims to follow the Christ that I believe in.

Stand your ground and turn the other cheek seem to be opposing directions, one a construct of man and the other the words of Jesus. I have a very difficult time picturing Jesus packing a sidearm on a trip to the grocery store or Starbucks or even to church, and yet that's what you can expect here in the Ozarks.

Would Jesus advocate for more guns or fewer guns?
Would Jesus arm teachers and security guards or tell us to put away our swords (guns/weapons)?
Would Jesus say that our right to unfettered access to guns is more important than the lives of school kids or citizens at public events?

I know a lot of conservative, flag waving, gun toting Christians that don't care much for the way this liberal, loving follower of Jesus thinks, but I am having a difficult time understanding how we (Christians) can often be at odds when it comes to living and loving according to the instructions of Jesus. 
As citizens of The Kingdom of Heaven, do we honor the borders of our earthly country more than the command to love and care for our neighbors? Do we reject different people in our midst or do we reconcile differences and love and advocate for those that others in society oppress?
Does God approve of our violence -- even if it is a response to violence?

Tell me what matters most to you and I will tell you about your god. 
Better yet, show me your beliefs and I will know your god (or God). 

John

Sunday Morning Challenge

The challenge or at least the question I ask myself every Sunday morning--
Get ready and go to church?
Stay home and listen to the online stream?
Skip it for now and listen to it later?

Hmmm...

I have to admit that the deck is pretty comfy this morning. Somebody is mowing already, but it is far away enough that sound is just background noise. The dominant sound is the morning sound of the birds chirping as they eat and feed their babies in the bird houses and nests around the house. The hummingbirds are always entertaining at the feeders we have around the house - one in front and one in back. I have Pandora's Classical music for studying channel playing softly and I'm thinking that moving from this spot isn't going to be easy.
Getting ready, riding into Springfield, riding home and changing clothes again adds a couple of hours to the one hour service and the 20-30 minutes of exchanging greetings with people I know. I really like living out here in this rural environment, but it does make simple things like going to church less simple - unless I just don't go.
I think the pandemic changed life for a lot of people that now take full advantage of technology and travel less to do the things they used to have to do in person. I fully embrace things like online church or pajama church as some have called it.

Checking the clock now looks like I'm too late to easily make it to church on time so I guess I'm looking at either option 2 or 3 now. Maybe I'll be joining my neighbor in mowing and catch the service later. In any case, it is another Sunday morning at home church.
To be honest, this is the place where I feel closest and most connected to Creator, Nature, God, Universe, or whatever you choose to call that Higher Power. Going to a place to have church has really become more about seeing other people than about worshiping God. 
I do have to say that at The Venues, seeing God in other people has been very good for me. Maybe that's the kind of connection that is necessary for many people that are compelled to actually go to church. 

My hope is that you find a connection to God today - through a gathering of people, a quiet time in nature, some meditative practice, or a simple act of kindness. 

John

Spring Cleaning

It's a foggy morning in the Ozarks. I imagine it will be pretty humid when the sun finally breaks through to bring about one of the first hot (88f, 31c), humid days of the season. Yay! I'm ready.

I did some spring cleaning and rearranging of the deck yesterday. There is much more spring cleaning that needs to be done. We have a basement full of crap that we need to get rid of. I suppose I could become a FB Marketplace or Craig's list dealer and just start listing stuff to see what happens. Or we could become weekly or monthly garage sale people. I could use a little cash for trash exchange. There is quite a bit of stuff.

I think the lack of a real plan is the biggest obstacle for a thorough spring clean. Maybe that's what I really need to do. Knowing what needs to go and having a plan for getting rid of it are different things. I should make a plan.
Any marketplace/Craig's list sellers here?
Good experiences?
Nightmare experiences?
Do I need to price to negotiate or will a firm, fair price work just as well?

In my head I think that listing and selling items would be easier because you can do just one or several items at a time. Garage sales are a pain in the ass - in preparation, sale days, and getting rid of what's left!
Maybe I'll try a few things and see how it goes.

The fog is starting to lift a little. I can now see the treeline that is about 1/4 mile (<.5 km) away. I was going to ride the motorcycle to run a couple of errands this morning, but I'll need the visibility to increase before hopping on the bike. I have plenty to do while I wait.

Have a great weekend!

John

A Two-fer Tuesday Question

It's almost 10pm in SWMO and I have a little Classic Rock radio playing on Pandora, a little bit of bourbon, and am contemplating and assessing tonight's Reading the Bible as a Storybook group gettogether/small group/class. 
It was good -- at least from my perspective.

I am really pleased at how the group is participating in the discussion and feeling free to share their tough questions and perspectives on how we reflect or share love to the world around us. I kind of liked tonight's format -- tell the story, give a little background, let them tell me what it means to them.
The old evangelist in me sometimes still feels compelled to somehow draw a line from every Old Testament story to Jesus, even when it doesn't really make sense to do so. Tonight's line of questions and comments did come around to Jesus and was very organic and natural. It was kinda cool.

So let me ask you what I asked them:
What do you think happened to the other thief on the cross?
I'm just curious about your theology on that. No criticism or correction coming from me since I don't really know for certain, but I'm wondering what others think and why.
Anybody care to share?

John

Two Gods?

To the southeast of Springfield MO, in the community of Ozark, sits a megachurch that has been in the news frequently. Several years ago they hosted an annual Fourth of July celebration that eclipsed the City of Springfield's party to the point of shutting it down. Maybe we should have recognized the Christian Nationalism for what it was, but back then it was just the normal patriotic kind of stuff blown up in a way that only a megachurch could do it. 
"God bless America" didn't always mean God bless America -- only.
This past weekend they hosted a grand men's conference -- complete with a military tank cruching cars, patriotic pyrotechnics, and loads of other toxic masculinity inducing garbage. 

Meanwhile, on the northeast side of Springfield a small community church is transitioning from using their church buildings as a place of weekly worship to a place that shows the love of God by surrendering their buildings to serve people in need. They are converting all of their buildings into transitional housing to create a pathway from homelessness to housed and productive members of society. 

After spending the night at the current shelter, I had the opportunity to talk with the current residents over coffee this morning. They were excited about the work that was before them for the day. They shared their stories of addiction, jail/prison, losing jobs, housing, even children, and the hopelessness of living on the street.
And they shared their hope.
They shared what it means to have a place - a bed - to come "home" to every night.
...to have a purpose for going out each day.
...to have a path to making permanent housing a reality.

Thousands of people weren't there to hear their simple stories.
There were no fireworks, no bands playing music, no big show to draw attention and scream "Look at what we are doing in the name of God!" 
There was no flag waving.
And nobody preached that they had to follow Jesus or burn in hell.
They were given a safe place to sleep, a sense of self-worth and value, a purpose for each day, and they are given an abundance of love.

There is so much contrast between the gods of these two Christian churches that I have a difficult time reconciling them as the same god. One god seems to be about elevating us and the other is about helping others. One seems to divide us into those that follow and those that don't and the other seems to say we are all the same and of equal value and worth. One place looks like a carnival or theme park and the other looks like a simple, but safe shelter from the elements. 

I really don't know what God looks like anymore. The images that I grew up with and the images that I shared as a preacher don't work for me today. In fact, I've pretty much decided that I can't imagine God as a being. I don't know if that's because God is beyond my imagination or because I've begun to sense God as a presence rather than as a person. 
When I sense God, I feel peace - never violence.
...I feel love - never hatred.
...I feel profound joy - never anything else.

Is God a being or presence of our own creation?
I know many that would say - yes.
I still believe that we are beings of God's creation, and that we are connected to God and to each other.

John