Someone once recommended that one day of each week be set aside for being grateful. I embrace this day as my own day of gratitude and I share this with you.
I AM GRATEFUL...
... for the possibility of being positive. Yes, this world is difficult and we experience hardships, pain, disillusionment, lack of faith, disappointment, desoluteness, loneliness and all those negative elements that continuously weigh us down , yet the possibility of being positive always remains. It is the hope which we know we have but which involves a difficult switch of paradigm. It' s oh so hard, but the possibility is indeed there.
... for being positive today as I resolve to notice all the good things in my life and say a prayer of thanks:
... for my life. I have a body and a mind perfectly designed to experience all that God has granted. I embrace today in its entirity.
... for my health. The years of battling are but a walk of knowledge. Today I am pain free and am allowed to experience my life happily.
... for my family. They are my perfectly provided companions, witnesses and Godly designed support structure. Each of them are unique, beautiful people with talents, visions and traits of their own. They provide a solid kaleidoscope of human posibility. I am grateful for their perspectives and the enrichment they bring to my life.
... for my friends; those special people who hover around the fringes of my life, but are invaluable in their objective perspective, encouragement and stability.
... for my provision. I want for nothing except to experience the goodness and fullness of life. I am not hungry, thirsty, cold nor hopeless and I am thankful.
... for my faith. I know I am loved, cared for and that God is next to me. I feel embraced and whole.
... for my talents and the opportunity of being creative. As a human being, I am constantly developing and finding new abilities. This is challenging and invigorating and intricately part of my humanity.
... for the planet and its multitude of creatures, plans, colours and landscapes. The sunrise, the sunset, moon, planets, stars and all the wonders of the universe. The waters of the earth and the abundance of lives which they support. The animals which live on our planet and the facination which they hold. The plants; their perfect ability to adapt and survive. And indeed - for humanity - and the potential which we all bring.
So today I am grateful for all these things and all the things I have forgotten, but am soon to remember. Thank you God!
Friday, July 18, 2008
Friday, July 11, 2008
THE TREE
I have come to recognize the trees on my regular walking routes as being my static companions. I have always been fascinated with these beautiful structures. On Monday, as I came to the most distant point of my circuit; the tree that marked this milestone had been invaded. There were six men in its branches and around its gigantic stem. Some of the men were armed with chainsaws and my heart ached.
It got me thinking about trees and the parallels they share with humankind:
We all need foundations for survival. The trees echo this in their roots which anchor them throughout their lives. Without these strong root structures, the tree would not exist. The roots provide much needed nutrients; water which sustains them and minerals which ensure the tree’s growth and strength. Where are our foundations?
We all need vision in our lives. A tree grows towards the sunlight. It knows its source of energy. The sunlight provides vitamins for its leaves to make chlorophyll. Sunlight communicates the seasons to the tree; telling it when to rest (winter) and when to grow (spring), when to flower and when to wait. Sunlight too is one of the main ingredients for its survival. In our own lives, there is a time for everything; where do we get our guidance?
The growth of the tree depends on it keeping itself balanced. It sends out both roots and branches to this end. Balance enables it to continue its life and reach its full potential. Without balance in our own lives – physical, emotional, spiritual, social, work, etc – our lives will fall apart. What is the answer to maintaining our own equilibrium?
The tree enables other life; giving freely to the creatures which rely on it. It also provides oxygen to man and absorbs carbon dioxide. It hosts a myriad of creatures in its branches and is indeed an entire exosystem. Birds rest there, ants make their home in its bark, so too do spiders, scorpions, slugs and other creatures. Even the insects depend on its existence. How do we support our own world?
The tree is so finely tuned into its environment. It receives from it and supports it. It doesn’t adorn itself with clutter and filigree. It takes only what it needs. Where does our own human greed leave us?
Remember too that the tree germinated from a tiny seed. Some seeds are so small, but they grow into structures which are magnified millions of times. In order for the seed to germinate, it was necessary for the seed to die. It shriveled up first, then a miracle happened and the green shoot and small root appeared. How did our spiritual lives begin and to what degree do they grow whilst in this world?
As I watched those chainsaws tackle their task of demolishing that huge tree, I said a silent prayer of thanks – for the provision of the tree and for the lesson it taught me. I am thankful for the shade it provided and for the creatures it sustained. Perhaps in time we will appreciate and be awe-inspired by the blessings of the tree.
I have come to recognize the trees on my regular walking routes as being my static companions. I have always been fascinated with these beautiful structures. On Monday, as I came to the most distant point of my circuit; the tree that marked this milestone had been invaded. There were six men in its branches and around its gigantic stem. Some of the men were armed with chainsaws and my heart ached.
It got me thinking about trees and the parallels they share with humankind:
We all need foundations for survival. The trees echo this in their roots which anchor them throughout their lives. Without these strong root structures, the tree would not exist. The roots provide much needed nutrients; water which sustains them and minerals which ensure the tree’s growth and strength. Where are our foundations?
We all need vision in our lives. A tree grows towards the sunlight. It knows its source of energy. The sunlight provides vitamins for its leaves to make chlorophyll. Sunlight communicates the seasons to the tree; telling it when to rest (winter) and when to grow (spring), when to flower and when to wait. Sunlight too is one of the main ingredients for its survival. In our own lives, there is a time for everything; where do we get our guidance?
The growth of the tree depends on it keeping itself balanced. It sends out both roots and branches to this end. Balance enables it to continue its life and reach its full potential. Without balance in our own lives – physical, emotional, spiritual, social, work, etc – our lives will fall apart. What is the answer to maintaining our own equilibrium?
The tree enables other life; giving freely to the creatures which rely on it. It also provides oxygen to man and absorbs carbon dioxide. It hosts a myriad of creatures in its branches and is indeed an entire exosystem. Birds rest there, ants make their home in its bark, so too do spiders, scorpions, slugs and other creatures. Even the insects depend on its existence. How do we support our own world?
The tree is so finely tuned into its environment. It receives from it and supports it. It doesn’t adorn itself with clutter and filigree. It takes only what it needs. Where does our own human greed leave us?
Remember too that the tree germinated from a tiny seed. Some seeds are so small, but they grow into structures which are magnified millions of times. In order for the seed to germinate, it was necessary for the seed to die. It shriveled up first, then a miracle happened and the green shoot and small root appeared. How did our spiritual lives begin and to what degree do they grow whilst in this world?
As I watched those chainsaws tackle their task of demolishing that huge tree, I said a silent prayer of thanks – for the provision of the tree and for the lesson it taught me. I am thankful for the shade it provided and for the creatures it sustained. Perhaps in time we will appreciate and be awe-inspired by the blessings of the tree.
Monday, July 7, 2008
THE COMING OF NAUGHT
THE COMING OF NOUGHT
We clustered together, in mission,
Searching the western skies.
Strangers connected, hopeful
To answer all the cries.
Hype; contagious, rumour fuelled
Somewhere out there, Unseen,
A call to witness the Artist in action
And glimpse what He’s always been.
The sky glowed red in Majestic light
As our world gave up its day.
We watched in awe, in silent space
As the Prophetic star pointed our way.
A Trinity shape, in silver hue
It marked the sunset sky.
We watched; each other, ourselves, the heavens,
Could it be, after all, no lie?
Plunging through the sky that night
His powerful path, maintained.
Elusive, misunderstood, beautiful Light;
A vision to be framed.
Breathless, the scene was gone,
Our minds, in Unity stained.
The story would be told for years to come-
“Your Call unanswered; then nothing gained!”
CAM
The appearance of Comet McNaught 15/1/2007-22/1/2007
We clustered together, in mission,
Searching the western skies.
Strangers connected, hopeful
To answer all the cries.
Hype; contagious, rumour fuelled
Somewhere out there, Unseen,
A call to witness the Artist in action
And glimpse what He’s always been.
The sky glowed red in Majestic light
As our world gave up its day.
We watched in awe, in silent space
As the Prophetic star pointed our way.
A Trinity shape, in silver hue
It marked the sunset sky.
We watched; each other, ourselves, the heavens,
Could it be, after all, no lie?
Plunging through the sky that night
His powerful path, maintained.
Elusive, misunderstood, beautiful Light;
A vision to be framed.
Breathless, the scene was gone,
Our minds, in Unity stained.
The story would be told for years to come-
“Your Call unanswered; then nothing gained!”
CAM
The appearance of Comet McNaught 15/1/2007-22/1/2007
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