“The power-holder [them]self does not create power; instead, it is given to [them] by others in their daily cooperation and support. The necessary act of choice by the subordinate, the leader’s weaknesses and the possibilities of resistance are all manifested in the power-holder’s position of dependency.”—Stellan Vinthagen
“When the earth is saturated and drenched with rain, its verdancy invites us to consider the dry places of our own souls needing the gift of vigor and life through the element of water.”
— Christine Valters Paintner, PhD,The Self-Study Online Retreat ~ Water, Wind, Earth and Fire: Praying with the Elements
How are you being invited to reinvigorate yourself? Which practices cultivate the greenness of your soul?
“The ancient desert monks knew that one day they would have to leave behind the familiar and venture out into the wilderness to seek a space of radical encounter with God.”
— Christine Valters Paintner, PhD,Sacred Seasons: A Yearlong Journey through the Celtic Wheel of the Year – A Self-Study Online Retreat
What are the familiar and safe things in your life which you need to leave behind as you prepare to venture into the wild unknown, seeking an encounter with God?
Verse of the day
Be strong and courageous; do not be frightened or dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.
– Joshua 1:9
Voice of the day
I have learned over the years that when one’s mind is made up, this diminishes fear; knowing what must be done does away with fear.
– Rosa Parks, Quiet Strength (1994)
Prayer of the day Even when I’m afraid, give me courage to seek justice.
“He who passively accepts evil is as much involved in it as he who helps perpetrate it. He who accepts evil without protesting against it is really cooperating with it.”—Martin Luther King
Verse of the day
When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you.
– Isaiah 43:2
Voice of the day
Where is your fire? / You got to find it and pass it on.
– Sonia Sanchez, “Catch the Fire”
Prayer of the day May our source of heat warm our bodies until our faces shine.
– Common Prayer: A Liturgy for Ordinary Radicals
The past thirty-six hours have been tremendously difficult for us. You don’t realize how much a wee puppy impacts your life until she is gone. Pixie’s physical body is gone but she is so present with us in memories and in our hearts.
Looking for signs of life when you are walking through the Valley of the Shadows can be a challenge (can you say massive understatement?!). Beginning in January of this year we have said good-bye to Denise’s close friend Joyce, her Dad, her former mother-in-law and our close friend Betty, and now Pixie. We buried and held hands of so many who were dying in Florida and Colorado as a part of my calling as a pastor. Denise was with my Mom when she died and we were with her Mom who waited until the family was getting some food to take her last breath.
As I reflect… as I shed tears… as I search my heart for the Spirit’s wisdom and strength… I found comfort in today’s reading from A Year With Thomas Merton.
And while I was standing there, quails began to whistle all over the field and in the wood. I had not heard any for weeks and thought sure they were all dead, for there have been hunters everywhere. No, there they are! Signs of life, of gentleness, of helplessness, of providence, of love. They just keep on existing and loving and making more quails and whistling in the bushes. (A Search for Solitude, November 7, 1965)
As the Gospel of John says… The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. (John 1:5)
Shine your light of life, hope, and grace dear Lord in our hearts.
“I do feel that God is with the movement of noncooperation. I have no special revelation of God’s will. My firm belief is that God reveals himself daily to every human being, but we shut our ears to that ‘still small voice.’ We shut our eyes to the ‘pillar of fire’ in front of us.”—Mohandas Gandhi
Verse of the day
Happy are those who observe justice, who do righteousness at all times.
– Psalm 106:3
Voice of the day
Good morning, Revolution: / You’re the very best friend / I ever had. / We gonna pal around together from now on.
– Langston Hughes, “Good Morning Revolution”
Prayer of the day Bring a revolution where we can actively question established systems that oppress and marginalize people. Help us to bring transformation.
Tonight is difficult for Denise and for me. Our hearts are broken. We keep looking for Pixie… especially when popcorn is around. She made us laugh, she gave more love and joy to our lives than you can imagine… especially for a puppy who only weighed 4.5 pounds. She crossed the rainbow bridge this morning. She knew how much we loved her and that love surrounded her as she took her last breath.
In honor of our beloved Pixie, I offer this quote from Thomas Merton’s book, Love and Living: Love is not just something that happens to you: it is a certain special way of living and being alive. Thank you Pixie for loving us and for being such a wonderful blessing to us.
