The inspiration for this post came from a piece called Tending the Garden of the Soul...
The garden. Saints and poets have found inspiration there. The word
garden, for some, evokes a mental image of a peaceful place, a haven and
sanctuary. A garden in this context is reflected in a quote by Mexican
architect, Luis Baragan…A garden must combine the poetic and be
mysterious with a feeling of serenity and joy.
Having grown up a "city" girl, I was thrilled when, as a young bride, my husband and I took over care of the family farm. What joy to live and work with the soil and the livestock! I quickly found that my vegetable garden was the place I found the most peace. I could work the soil and tend the plants in silence, all the while working out whatever issues were in my life.
Every year, for the last 30+, the entire family has enjoyed eating the "fruits" of my labors...but it looked as if this year I might not be able to enjoy this pleasurable experience. The land we use for the garden is right behind our house but it takes someone more skilled than I am on the tractor (namely my Hubby) to turn the ground. As he just recently had surgery and has had a slow recuperation, he wasn't able to be on the tractor.
Although I was disappointed, these things happen and I had reconciled myself (and the family) to the fact we wouldn't have fresh tomatos, squash and cucumbers this year. That is, until I had a flash of brilliance (and I can promise you I know where those come from)! I remembered that we have four old troughs we used to use when feeding our cattle down at the barn. Just sitting there, in the way.
I'm happy to report they are now filled with dirt, potting soil, tomatoes, cucumbers and squash. While it's not near the variety I usually grow, it is enough. To give me the peace and joy that comes from raising the vegetables, to put the glorious taste of some of our favorites on the dinner table and to use some equipment that had been quite useless until now. And I can follow the author's advice from the article linked above:
As you tend this living example of God’s creation, reflect on the
possibilities for the growth of the interior garden of your spirit.
What does your spirit need to grow and thrive? How might you make
subtle changes in your life to accommodate your hopes and dreams, to
grow your soul. With autumn’s arrival, you may be surprised to discover a
bountiful harvest of blessings, not only in your own backyard… but in
your radiant spirit, as well.
Wednesday, June 13, 2012
Tuesday, June 12, 2012
The strangest wedding...
I've seen so far! But if they're happy, we should be too! If you listen closely, you can hear the soft strains of Ave Maria being played in the background as the "I-Fairy" robot conducts the service!
The nuptials at this ceremony were led by "I-Fairy," a 4-foot tall seated robot with flashing eyes and plastic pigtails. Sunday's wedding was the first time a marriage had been led by a robot, according to manufacturer Kokoro Co.
You can read the rest here....
The nuptials at this ceremony were led by "I-Fairy," a 4-foot tall seated robot with flashing eyes and plastic pigtails. Sunday's wedding was the first time a marriage had been led by a robot, according to manufacturer Kokoro Co.
You can read the rest here....
Crusader!
His name is know the world over, he has been an adviser to Presidents and now he's taken his Crusade for Christ to the internet...
The basic premise is simple: Use search engines to find people who are looking for answers to life's big questions and direct them to a website, www.peacewithgod.net. From there, seekers are led through a series of readings and videos loosely tied to John 3:16: "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life."
At the end of the series, they are offered a chance to pray and to accept Jesus. Those who do become a little point of light on a Google Earth application, showing more than 476,000 souls around the world who have been saved through the site since it went live last year.
Although the site has been running in a beta mode, it is expected to be fully functional within a month. At that point hundreds of volunteers will also be online, doing everything from answering basic questions about God and Christianity to leading interested visitors through a 5-week online discipleship course.
This news doesn't surprise me. I'm most surprised that Billy Graham hasn't been on line for years!
The basic premise is simple: Use search engines to find people who are looking for answers to life's big questions and direct them to a website, www.peacewithgod.net. From there, seekers are led through a series of readings and videos loosely tied to John 3:16: "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life."
At the end of the series, they are offered a chance to pray and to accept Jesus. Those who do become a little point of light on a Google Earth application, showing more than 476,000 souls around the world who have been saved through the site since it went live last year.
Although the site has been running in a beta mode, it is expected to be fully functional within a month. At that point hundreds of volunteers will also be online, doing everything from answering basic questions about God and Christianity to leading interested visitors through a 5-week online discipleship course.
This news doesn't surprise me. I'm most surprised that Billy Graham hasn't been on line for years!
Sunday, June 10, 2012
Excellent Sermon!
Note: The Rev. Baughman preached this sermon June 3, at opening worship of Annual Conference 2012 of the North Texas Conference. (Read the entire sermon here)
Greetings beautiful people of the North Texas Annual Conference....
...I have hope for the United Methodist Church because this is a time, yes, for young visionaries and yes for young prophets, but this is also a time for old dreamers. We need the dreams of those who are wise to hold us firm to the story of God and God’s people. Without dreams, we will not find the promised land and may succumb to the temptations of the wilderness.
I have hope for the United Methodist Church because no matter how bad things get, we have the eternal promise from God in this scripture: “I will not let my holy one see decay!” Even if a congregation dies, if a pastor is ‘deemed ineffective’ even if our denomination as a whole collapses the body will not see decay. We follow a resurrection God for whom death is never the end!
I have hope for the United Methodist Church because all of the warning signs that give others despair give me hope upon hope. That’s the way God works! This is the God of the great reversal where the last are first, Alpha is Omega, the high are brought low, the low are brought high and a child shall lead them. The ground may remain fallow for a time but only to prepare for the great harvest of God.
We are a thirsty church in a thirsty world, but look to the wisdom on Peter in our text for Annual Conference. “When the crowd heard Peter they were cut to the heart and said to Peter ‘what shall we do?’ ‘Repent and be baptized.’ Peter’s prescription is water.
It is time to stop storing up resources for a rainy day. I’m talking relationship capital, I’m talking financial capital. It’s time to stop storing up resources for a rainy day because it’s already raining and God wants us to join in the downpour.
The downpour of justice
The downpour of God’s spirit
The downpour to end evil, oppression and injustice in whatever form they present themselves
The downpour of new ministries and new faith communities
The downpour to free the oppressed, welcome the immigrant and work towards economic justice
The downpour of salvation being offered to those who do not know Christ
Are you ready for the downpour?
Saturday, June 9, 2012
Feast day
Today is the feast day of St. Columba (521 - 597):
He was born in Donegal, Ireland to a royal clan and is known as one of the 12 Apostles of Ireland.
He received a monastic education, studying under St. Finnian. He became a monk and eventually ordained a priest. During this time he is said to have founded a number of monasteries, including ones at Kells, Derry, and Swords.
In the middle of his life, Columba traveled with twelve companions by small boat from Ireland to the island of Iona off Scotland's coast. Despite Iona's remote location, the monastery Columba established there was an important part of the evangelization of Scotland and England, and for many years after his death, Celtic Christians continued to follow Columban traditions and the Columban Rule.
During his more than thirty years on Iona Columba trained monks, offered spiritual direction, and made hundreds of copies of sacred texts. He served as a peacemaker between warring clans and traveled as a missionary to the northern Picts, among others.
Columba was known for his beautiful voice, deep prayer life, and charismatic personality as well as for his work with sacred texts. He is the patron saint of Scotland and Ireland.
He was born in Donegal, Ireland to a royal clan and is known as one of the 12 Apostles of Ireland.
He received a monastic education, studying under St. Finnian. He became a monk and eventually ordained a priest. During this time he is said to have founded a number of monasteries, including ones at Kells, Derry, and Swords.
In the middle of his life, Columba traveled with twelve companions by small boat from Ireland to the island of Iona off Scotland's coast. Despite Iona's remote location, the monastery Columba established there was an important part of the evangelization of Scotland and England, and for many years after his death, Celtic Christians continued to follow Columban traditions and the Columban Rule.
During his more than thirty years on Iona Columba trained monks, offered spiritual direction, and made hundreds of copies of sacred texts. He served as a peacemaker between warring clans and traveled as a missionary to the northern Picts, among others.
Columba was known for his beautiful voice, deep prayer life, and charismatic personality as well as for his work with sacred texts. He is the patron saint of Scotland and Ireland.
Friday, June 8, 2012
Amazing!
Most people think stained glass adorns only the windows of churches. But this amazing piece of art graces the NY skyline:
His monumental sculpture, Watertower, is built out of salvaged plexiglass and steel, and is mounted high upon a water tower platform located in DUMBO, Brooklyn.
You can view this stunning public installation from Lower Manhattan, FDR Drive, and the Manhattan and Brooklyn Bridges.
More here
Beating the Odds...
LAWNDALE Dawn Loggins returned from a prestigious academic camp
last summer and discovered her parents had abandoned her.
So she did the only thing she knew. She adjusted...
“In my family, I saw people taking advantage of one another,” she says. “I don’t want to take advantage of anyone. I just want a chance to succeed. And I’ll have that at Harvard.”
She has not only adjusted, she is thriving! Read the story here...
So she did the only thing she knew. She adjusted...
“In my family, I saw people taking advantage of one another,” she says. “I don’t want to take advantage of anyone. I just want a chance to succeed. And I’ll have that at Harvard.”
She has not only adjusted, she is thriving! Read the story here...
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)