Listening to music this evening
The Beatles singing Let It Be
Whisper words of wisdom
As I reflect on life and ministry
As I reflect on the Valley of the Shadows
As I reflect upon all whom we walk with
I seek your divine whisper, Lord
Speak, Lord, for your Servant is listening
Speak your words of comfort and love
Speak your words of presence and love
Speak, Lord, that I may share your wisdom
Speak, Lord, for your Servant is listening
“In the desert, Celtic and Benedictine traditions, it was considered essential to have some kind of soul-level relationship with another person who was further along the path of conscious awareness and spiritual practice . . . . the Gaelic term [for this is] anam cara, which means ‘soul friend.’”
— Christine Valters Paintner, PhD, The Artist’s Rule: Nurturing Your Creative Soul with Monastic Wisdom
“You have to take the bad with the good.”
That’s how my mom usually responded to my kvetching about my circumstances. When I was disappointed, flabbergasted, outraged, or frustrated, those words never failed to infuriate me…
Radical Liberation
The sun has set and the Vesper Lights flicker and glow
As I ponder the events of today
Visitation with a dear family
Walking through the Valley of the Shadows
Leading worship as a family says farewell
A witness to faith and the resurrection
Now as we wind down for the night
I lift this humble prayer to you, Lord
Dona Nobis Pacem
Grant Us Peace
A wee prayer from the heart of your Padre…
Alongside the river
You have seen so much pass by
You have offered comfort and peace
A place to shed quiet tears of grief
You have offered shelter
Shelter from the storms of life
You have hosted celebrations
Celebrations of life and of love
Some see a building
A building made of cold stones
I see possibilities
I see wonder
I see so much more
As I reflect with you
Along the River
***********
Inspired by the poetry of Christine Valters Paintner in her book, “Dreaming of Stones” available online at Dreaming of Stones
Picture was taken at Viestenz-Smith Mountain Park
The sun has set and the Vesper Lights flicker and glow
As we approach the end of the day
As the darkness of night comes
As the worries and weight of the world descend
Circle us, Lord
Keep Peace within
Keep Chaos without
Keep Light within
Keep Darkness without
Keep Joy within
Keep Sorrow without
Even as we walk through the Valley of the Shadows
May your Loving Heart guide and sustain us
Lord, in your mercy, hear this humble prayer
Dona Nobis Pacem
Grant Us Peace
A wee prayer from the heart of your Padre…
“Our ancestors shared stories while gathered around the warmth of blazing flames, underneath the ink-blue darkness splattered with fiery stars.”
— Christine Valters Paintner, PhD, Water, Wind, Earth, & Fire: The Practice of Praying with the Elements
The sun has set and the Vesper Lights flicker and glow
Easter blessings continue to unfold
Time spent with our Community
Time spent with our Church family
Time spent dreaming and visioning
Time spent looking with hope to the future
May the Holy Breath of Your Spirit blow, Lord
May you equip and encourage us
May you challenge us to think outside of the box
Lord, we also pray
For those whom we love
Those walking through the Valley of the Shadows
May we be your light and your love
May they know your loving presence
Lord, for all of your children around this world
For they are indeed my Sisters and Brothers
For all I lift this humble prayer
Dona Nobis Pacem
Grant Us Peace
A wee prayer from the heart of your Padre…
“There is a playfulness and spontaneity to the season of spring that invites us to join this joyful abandon…We are called to both listen deeply to the blossoming within ourselves as well as to forget ourselves — setting aside all of our seriousness about what we are called to do and simply enter the space of being.”
— Christine Valters Paintner, PhD, Sacred Seasons: A Yearlong Journey through the Celtic Wheel of the Year – A Self-Study Online Retreat
The sun has set and the Vesper Lights flicker and glow
Thank you, Lord, for a day of rest
Thank you Lord, for a day of reflection
Thank you Lord, for time with dear friends
Thank you Lord, for worship this evening
Now, as my eyelids grow heavy
I lift this humble prayer to you
Dona Nobis Pacem
Grant Us Peace
A wee prayer from the heart of your Padre…
