An eagle rises up to catch the wind and soars heavenward. Native people believe that seeing an eagle is a sign that the Great Spirit hears their prayers. They offer tobacco to the earth as a sign of their gratefulness when they see the eagle. I look for the eagle each day.
There is a large eagle's nest in a tree that I can see from the highway as I am on my way to work each day. I have been watching this nest and its inhabitants for a few years now. Over the past few months, I watched the adult eagles (recognizable by their white heads) prepare the nest for this years hatching. I would love to be able to get a glimpse of the fledglings; but this Spring has been so warm that the trees have leafed out early and it is much harder to see. There are about five nests that we are aware of and we try to watch them whenever we are in the various locations.
When I was young, it was a very rare sight to see a bald eagle because of the use of DDT and other chemicals which poisoned their food supply and also them. Today, Minnesota has the largest populations of eagles in the contiguous 48 states and seeing them is almost a daily occurrence. We have seen many gathered together on the ice in the Spring as the ice is going out to feed on the winter-kill of fish. Each time I see one I am still amazed at their strength, their beauty and their grace.
This morning as I drove into work my mind was wandering elsewhere and I missed the opportunity. I am reminded that these sightings, though they may be fairly often are truly a gift. Acknowledgment to me that my Creator does in fact hear my prayers. How often do I miss other messages from God because I am distracted by the routine daily life? He reveals Himself to us in so many ways.
A huge orange moon on the horizon over the lake.
An intricate Spider's web glistening with dew in the morning light.
The call of a loon at dusk.
Do you listen? Do you see? Can you smell the freshness of His breath?
There is something sacred happening all around reminding us of His presence. We just need to pay attention and be aware!
Friday, May 28, 2010
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
Storms
A nearly full moon didn't have the strength to shine through the clouds that had thickened during the evening hours blocking out all light from the heavens. Suddenly, the flashes of light on the horizon and bolts of lightening connected earth to sky. Sounds of angels rolling bowling balls shook the walls and the rains came down to refresh and cleanse the earth. I love sleeping with the sound of rain on the roof and the distant booms of thunder.
Awakening to a sunny morning and the smell of the the fresh post thunderstorm air, I notice how much brighter the sun shines after the storm. Drops of water on the leaves glisten in the warming light. Birds sing louder and with more fervor, animals scamper with new purpose. It always seems calmer and more beautiful on these days.
Just four years ago I was stuck in the middle of a storm that I never thought would end; or if it did, that I would not survive. Life is like that sometimes. First we find ourselves overcome by darkness as clouds block the light from Heaven. Then the lightening and thunder pound our minds to the point where we can no longer think clearly, or act with any sanity. Our waters are riled and we overflow, flooding the innocent land that surrounds us and sweeping away those in our path. Some drown; others learn to swim to the safety of shore hard and fast.
Today, the sun shines much brighter and the light from Heaven illuminates my path. My world is cleansed and fresh again. Green shoots spring forth from what was barren earth and the flood waters recede to show new life. It is like awakening to a new dawn after a storm.
I know of someone who is caught in the midst of the same type of storm today. I pray that she may be able to see her way through. To ask and accept the help she needs in this time of turmoil; and with a hopeful ray of light from Heaven to see the dawning of a new day in her life. A day after the storm where the sun shines forth and life is refreshed from the rain.
Monday, May 24, 2010
Spirit of Pentecost
The prevailing winds were out of the south and that made for huge white caps on our side of the lake. As the Spring warmth rushes from the south to push the cold of winter back north where it belongs, we can experience some turbulent weather. This weekend was no exception with thunderstorms and battering wind that broke branches and even toppled trees. The power of the wind is often mind boggling. How can something we cannot see be so powerful.
"When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting."(Acts 2)
As the disciples gathered to celebrate Shavuot, a Jewish festival that celebrates the giving of the torah, they encounter this wild and forceful wind filling the house.
The Hebrew word for wind ruach, is also translated as spirit. The Hebrew nomads were very familiar with the wind patterns as they would follow a prescribed path indicating the coming season. From this word comes the idea of breath as it is the wind of man which also follows a prescribed path of inhaling and exhaling. The ancient Hebrew saw the breath as an essential part of the man, just as much as the mind is.
As our breath is such an essential part of us, so is the spirit that we were given on Pentecost. This spirit is the most powerful. The Spirit of love.
The power to heal isolation and brokeness.
The power to solidify relationships.
The power to overcome resentment.
The power to forgive.
Friday, May 21, 2010
Still Water
Smooth stillness of the water reflecting a sky just turning light. The warmth of the water rises up as a soft blanket against the chilling morning air. He leads me beside still waters. The words of the Psalmist written on my heart now ring forth in my mind. Words of comfort in a world of turmoil.
Think of what the words; "still water" meant to the Psalmist. Living in a barren and desert land, more than likely a herder of sheep; what did this phrase hold for this brother from long ago? When the rains did quench the thirst of the earth, they probably came in torrents causing flash floods and threatening his cherished flock. How he longed lie in pastures of green beside the calming waters as his flock drank and ate of the green grass. How much easier would his life be if this were the case instead of constantly searching for even a scraggy patch of grass through the dry rock and rubble.
He restores my soul. A promise that echoes across the centuries and is even more relevant today. Can we not only believe, but truly have the faith that it takes to put our will and lives in His hands. Not my will but thy will be done.
My cup overflows. Have you checked your cup lately? It is with these words that I review the "cup of expectation" that I hold; Are my expectations realistic? As the Psalmist dreamed of green pastures and still water; what dreams does your cup hold? Some may view their cup as half full, and others as half empty; but as I count the multitudes of blessings that I have received, the cup that I hold overflows. My soul is restored.
Wednesday, May 19, 2010
Windows
Our soul is like a house with many windows. This is an adaptation of a quote by Robert Louis Stevenson, and reveals to me the options that we have for viewing our world. When we look out a window that faces a world view of pain and despair; is that our only option? The media today seems to point us in that direction. Could we instead look out of a window that faces hope and opportunity? Are we so set in our ways or so tired that we can't move our chair to a new view? So many times we are overwhelmed by our life experiences that we forget to look out another window or that we even have the choice to see things differently. We focus on the misery of self, and miss the beauty that shines through when we surrender ourselves to the care of others and the loving care of God working through them.
A recent article in the St Paul Pioneer Press http://www.twincities.com/ci_15089161?IADID=Search-www.twincities.com-www.twincities.com&nclick_check=1 featured a friend, Todd Fultz, who was injured in a life threatening and life changing automobile accident in the summer of 2008. His recovery has been long and very painful, yet Todd continues to exude life in each and every small victory that he achieves. I remember him telling of the very first victory after the accident and coma. The simple act of drinking a small glass of juice. He cherished these small victories as he progressed through his ability to walk on his own, playing with his young children again and even making them a hot breakfast each morning. Some call this fortitude and a will to survive, but more than that Todd is grateful each and everyday for the gifts and blessings he has been given. He does not dwell on what is missing, but on all that he treasures in life. His family, his friends and his very life. He shows us the power that we can receive by the Spirit. The power to not only survive but to thrive with beauty and grace.
As we approach Pentecost, the time in which our Lord gave us the power of His Holy Spirit, we are given the power to see through a new window. Each Spring, many of us set about cleaning the windows of our homes which have grown dirty over the winter. It is also a time to clean our souls with a fresh breath of Spirit that was a gift to us from the Father, through the Son. Don't be overwhelmed by the vision of the past, but find a window that lets in the sun and gives new light to your day! Our past only describes what was, it does not define what is or what will be.
Throw open that freshly cleaned window and let the Spirit fill your life with amazing power; feel the fresh breath of His Spirit on your face!
A recent article in the St Paul Pioneer Press http://www.twincities.com/ci_15089161?IADID=Search-www.twincities.com-www.twincities.com&nclick_check=1 featured a friend, Todd Fultz, who was injured in a life threatening and life changing automobile accident in the summer of 2008. His recovery has been long and very painful, yet Todd continues to exude life in each and every small victory that he achieves. I remember him telling of the very first victory after the accident and coma. The simple act of drinking a small glass of juice. He cherished these small victories as he progressed through his ability to walk on his own, playing with his young children again and even making them a hot breakfast each morning. Some call this fortitude and a will to survive, but more than that Todd is grateful each and everyday for the gifts and blessings he has been given. He does not dwell on what is missing, but on all that he treasures in life. His family, his friends and his very life. He shows us the power that we can receive by the Spirit. The power to not only survive but to thrive with beauty and grace.
As we approach Pentecost, the time in which our Lord gave us the power of His Holy Spirit, we are given the power to see through a new window. Each Spring, many of us set about cleaning the windows of our homes which have grown dirty over the winter. It is also a time to clean our souls with a fresh breath of Spirit that was a gift to us from the Father, through the Son. Don't be overwhelmed by the vision of the past, but find a window that lets in the sun and gives new light to your day! Our past only describes what was, it does not define what is or what will be.
Throw open that freshly cleaned window and let the Spirit fill your life with amazing power; feel the fresh breath of His Spirit on your face!
Monday, May 17, 2010
Tragedy
Stealthily in the night the killer slipped in and ravaged the house killing all the little ones in their sleep. The remnants of the massacre the next morning were all too noticeable to the mothers as they returned to find their home a bloody mess. They could not enter the house as the scene was too horrible, so they just remained outside wondering what could have happened.
We look forward to the return of wood ducks to our nesting box each Spring. These beautiful ducks usually show up shortly after the ice is out and begin to ready the box for their eggs. Unlike most other waterfowl they nest in tree cavities or nesting boxes. Wood ducks are egg dumpers, so a nesting box can have up to 20 eggs and a two or three attentive hens. This year was no exception and just around April 13th they appeared and started their activity. The gestation period for wood ducks is just about 30 days, so we have been like first time parents awaiting the day. Since they only spend about 24 hours in the nesting box after they hatch, it is extremely difficult to catch the moment the babies drop from the box (15 feet in the air) to the sand and then scurry off to the lake and their awaiting mommas never to return.
When we arose on Saturday, we noticed two hens and a drake on the dock. The hens would fly toward the box and when near the hole, would veer off to land on a nearby branch. This activity was very strange and we thought she must be trying to lure the babies to the door of the box for their free fall to the earth. This went on for over an hour before we finally noticed the bloody eggshells on the ground below the nest. Upon further examination, it appears a raccoon must have ravaged the nest during the night.
The two mother hens and the drake kept vigilant watch throughout the day on Saturday and Sunday to see if possibly any of their young had escaped this tragedy. Like mourners they kept watch on the nesting box by sitting on adjacent branches or on top of the box, but would never enter in. Today they were gone. They have moved on for this year, without the peeping little ones they had watched over so carefully for the last month.
Nature is often very cruel to observe; the lioness capturing the injured zebra or the crocodile taking the young wildebeest in a river crossing. The circle of life is often violent in nature, but can also be beautiful in that life is ever re-creating life. God created all plants and animals so that they could re-create themselves over and over again. It is the inherent beauty in our world and where we find solace in knowing that even though tragedy continues to strike, the world goes on.
The wood ducks have moved on from their tragedy and will spend the rest of their summer dabbling in the water, possibly taking care of another broods' babies and then making their migration over the winter months to warmer climes and back again in the Spring. I will clean out the nesting box, repair the damage and put fresh cedar chips in it to welcome them back home again. Life goes on and we have been given a sacred view of something in our own backyard!
Keep watch for the sacred is happening all around you!
We look forward to the return of wood ducks to our nesting box each Spring. These beautiful ducks usually show up shortly after the ice is out and begin to ready the box for their eggs. Unlike most other waterfowl they nest in tree cavities or nesting boxes. Wood ducks are egg dumpers, so a nesting box can have up to 20 eggs and a two or three attentive hens. This year was no exception and just around April 13th they appeared and started their activity. The gestation period for wood ducks is just about 30 days, so we have been like first time parents awaiting the day. Since they only spend about 24 hours in the nesting box after they hatch, it is extremely difficult to catch the moment the babies drop from the box (15 feet in the air) to the sand and then scurry off to the lake and their awaiting mommas never to return.
When we arose on Saturday, we noticed two hens and a drake on the dock. The hens would fly toward the box and when near the hole, would veer off to land on a nearby branch. This activity was very strange and we thought she must be trying to lure the babies to the door of the box for their free fall to the earth. This went on for over an hour before we finally noticed the bloody eggshells on the ground below the nest. Upon further examination, it appears a raccoon must have ravaged the nest during the night.
The two mother hens and the drake kept vigilant watch throughout the day on Saturday and Sunday to see if possibly any of their young had escaped this tragedy. Like mourners they kept watch on the nesting box by sitting on adjacent branches or on top of the box, but would never enter in. Today they were gone. They have moved on for this year, without the peeping little ones they had watched over so carefully for the last month.
Nature is often very cruel to observe; the lioness capturing the injured zebra or the crocodile taking the young wildebeest in a river crossing. The circle of life is often violent in nature, but can also be beautiful in that life is ever re-creating life. God created all plants and animals so that they could re-create themselves over and over again. It is the inherent beauty in our world and where we find solace in knowing that even though tragedy continues to strike, the world goes on.
The wood ducks have moved on from their tragedy and will spend the rest of their summer dabbling in the water, possibly taking care of another broods' babies and then making their migration over the winter months to warmer climes and back again in the Spring. I will clean out the nesting box, repair the damage and put fresh cedar chips in it to welcome them back home again. Life goes on and we have been given a sacred view of something in our own backyard!
Keep watch for the sacred is happening all around you!
Friday, May 14, 2010
Breathe
Breathe, just breathe. These are the words of wisdom that I gave my wife last night after a meeting at church where the comments from one of our members made her stomach do flip-flops. These are the same words that EMT's tell the victims of an accident, a heart attack or other trauma. Life saving words! Studies have shown that if a person in this situation is able to focus on their breathing, they have a much higher success rate.
Breathing is something our subconscious controls, but when we are disturbed or injured our breathing usually becomes quick and shallow. Most people take about thirteen breaths per minute when the suggested proper breathing rate (one that delivers the most oxygen and nutrients to our blood) is about six breaths per minute. My experience with meditation and mindfulness always focuses on breathing. Breathing that comes from the diaphragm, your Xi, a place in the center of your body, behind your navel.
The Greek word, pneuma, means breath. It also is the same word that the Greeks used for Spirit. As we breathe, we breathe in the Spirit and the Spirit gives us life. As God created Adam from the earth, He blew into him the breath of life. God's breath - Our Spirit!
Pastor Rob Bell of Mars Hill Bible Church has a series of videos entitled Nooma. In one of these videos, he talks about the early Hebrews and the name that they used for God. The name was so holy that they just used letters to identify God in their writings. The letters YHVH would be pronounced ya-heh-veh-heh (most of us say Yahweh, but there is no "w" sound in Hebrew). When said slowly they actually sound like a person taking breaths. It's an interesting concept that each time we breathe, we speak the name of God.
Breathing is another thing that we all take for granted! Try not breathing for a while and see how you do. Become aware of your breath and the rate at which you breathe today. Slow your breath down to the proper rate, breathe from your Xi and reflect on the idea that with your first breath you called out the name of God and with your last breath you will speak the name of God. All the while that we are alive we are filled with the Spirit.
Breathe, just breathe!
Breathing is something our subconscious controls, but when we are disturbed or injured our breathing usually becomes quick and shallow. Most people take about thirteen breaths per minute when the suggested proper breathing rate (one that delivers the most oxygen and nutrients to our blood) is about six breaths per minute. My experience with meditation and mindfulness always focuses on breathing. Breathing that comes from the diaphragm, your Xi, a place in the center of your body, behind your navel.
The Greek word, pneuma, means breath. It also is the same word that the Greeks used for Spirit. As we breathe, we breathe in the Spirit and the Spirit gives us life. As God created Adam from the earth, He blew into him the breath of life. God's breath - Our Spirit!
Pastor Rob Bell of Mars Hill Bible Church has a series of videos entitled Nooma. In one of these videos, he talks about the early Hebrews and the name that they used for God. The name was so holy that they just used letters to identify God in their writings. The letters YHVH would be pronounced ya-heh-veh-heh (most of us say Yahweh, but there is no "w" sound in Hebrew). When said slowly they actually sound like a person taking breaths. It's an interesting concept that each time we breathe, we speak the name of God.
Breathing is another thing that we all take for granted! Try not breathing for a while and see how you do. Become aware of your breath and the rate at which you breathe today. Slow your breath down to the proper rate, breathe from your Xi and reflect on the idea that with your first breath you called out the name of God and with your last breath you will speak the name of God. All the while that we are alive we are filled with the Spirit.
Breathe, just breathe!
Wednesday, May 12, 2010
The Potter's Hands
This past weekend my wife and I joined a group of friends to attend the St Croix Valley Pottery Tour. This has become a highly anticipated annual event for us and commenced with a wonderful breakfast together and talk of the artists we wanted to meet and the many various works we wanted to peruse. Although the weather was dreary, there was no shortage of seekers looking for new pots, plates, cups, vases and other vessels. Some pieces rough in form and some very fine and made of porcelain, all waited on shelves and tables to serve those who chose to claim them for their individual beauty.
The art of pottery has always intrigued me. A potter takes a lump of clay, matter of the earth, kneads it until it is ready and then plops it on a spinning wheel; expectantly waiting his caressing hands. As he pulls here and pushes there, pinches and forms; that former lump of clay starts to take shape and form. Sometimes during the process the form starts to collapse on itself and no matter how hard the potter tries to keep the shape going, he must start over. This can happen almost at once or when the work is almost finished. Without anger or malice, he lovingly kneads and readies the clay once again. With greater care and understanding of this particular lump of clay he begins again to pull, push and pinch it into form. I am like this lump of clay that so stubbornly refuses to be molded and formed by the potter’s hands. If only I could give in to his gentle touch and persistent urging to become the beautiful form that he has in mind for me. Are you like a lump of clay as well?
I wait expectantly to be molded and transformed by the potter’s hands today so that I can become a beautiful vessel willing to serve. To help serve those that are hungry, quench those that thirst or perhaps just to provide a comforting presence. We are all works of art in the potter’s hands. Some rough and functional, some fine with an elegant beauty, some just a crazy artsy mix. We all have our function and purpose.
As I am crafted and shaped by His hands today, I am comforted by the scripture verse; “He who began a good work in you, will be faithful to complete it”. He’s not finished with me yet!
The art of pottery has always intrigued me. A potter takes a lump of clay, matter of the earth, kneads it until it is ready and then plops it on a spinning wheel; expectantly waiting his caressing hands. As he pulls here and pushes there, pinches and forms; that former lump of clay starts to take shape and form. Sometimes during the process the form starts to collapse on itself and no matter how hard the potter tries to keep the shape going, he must start over. This can happen almost at once or when the work is almost finished. Without anger or malice, he lovingly kneads and readies the clay once again. With greater care and understanding of this particular lump of clay he begins again to pull, push and pinch it into form. I am like this lump of clay that so stubbornly refuses to be molded and formed by the potter’s hands. If only I could give in to his gentle touch and persistent urging to become the beautiful form that he has in mind for me. Are you like a lump of clay as well?
I wait expectantly to be molded and transformed by the potter’s hands today so that I can become a beautiful vessel willing to serve. To help serve those that are hungry, quench those that thirst or perhaps just to provide a comforting presence. We are all works of art in the potter’s hands. Some rough and functional, some fine with an elegant beauty, some just a crazy artsy mix. We all have our function and purpose.
As I am crafted and shaped by His hands today, I am comforted by the scripture verse; “He who began a good work in you, will be faithful to complete it”. He’s not finished with me yet!
Tuesday, May 11, 2010
Reflecting Pools
As the cool rain falls, it makes puddles on the ground. Puddles reflecting the fullness of God's blessing and a well-spring of Spiritual water that comes from within to quench our thirst. Water is a gift that we all take too much for granted. In the land of 10,000 lakes it is as ubiquitous as mosquitoes in July. In a parched and barren desert, it is quite a different scene. Water means life or death for the plants and animals.
Today, as the tragedy in the gulf continues to pump thousands of gallons of crude into the water, threatening our sea and coastal life, I reflect on how careless we have become with our water. I have been in African villages where clean water was only a dream and bacteria filled murky water a reality that was still a three kilometer walk away. How guilty do you feel running the tap as you brush your teeth or water your beloved lawn. How can we conserve the gift that we have in clean water.
One of my favorite quotes (and I don't know where it comes from) is "Even a pool of water needs to be perfectly still in order to reflect". I was reminded of this today as I looked out over the rippled lake and watched the steady rain fall and replenish that which had been evaporating over the last several dry weeks. There was no reflection, only constant motion on the water.
The chaos and activity that fills our day makes it hard for us to really reflect and be grateful for all the gifts that the Spirit gives us. Even without the raging white caps of the storms that sometimes fill our lives, the daily dribble interrupts our ability to reflect. We need to find that quiet place today so that we can reflect and see the reflection of what God wants us to be. He has made us in His image so that we might reflect His love, His goodness and the hope He brings to us each day.
Happy Reflecting!
Today, as the tragedy in the gulf continues to pump thousands of gallons of crude into the water, threatening our sea and coastal life, I reflect on how careless we have become with our water. I have been in African villages where clean water was only a dream and bacteria filled murky water a reality that was still a three kilometer walk away. How guilty do you feel running the tap as you brush your teeth or water your beloved lawn. How can we conserve the gift that we have in clean water.
One of my favorite quotes (and I don't know where it comes from) is "Even a pool of water needs to be perfectly still in order to reflect". I was reminded of this today as I looked out over the rippled lake and watched the steady rain fall and replenish that which had been evaporating over the last several dry weeks. There was no reflection, only constant motion on the water.
The chaos and activity that fills our day makes it hard for us to really reflect and be grateful for all the gifts that the Spirit gives us. Even without the raging white caps of the storms that sometimes fill our lives, the daily dribble interrupts our ability to reflect. We need to find that quiet place today so that we can reflect and see the reflection of what God wants us to be. He has made us in His image so that we might reflect His love, His goodness and the hope He brings to us each day.
Happy Reflecting!
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