Meditations on Place and Time

 

Along the Road

Thoughts . . . like a country road—it takes you somewhere interesting, and these meditations in and of the city in which I live and the places I frequent. . . .

2/21

In this late-February day, only the last vestiges of snow (in banks, shoveled into piles) are left after a long freeze and storm.

Melted gradually, seemed out of place. . . .

But things, in the created world, take time to change—sometimes changing so slow it is barely visible. 

But change they do, and we find there is order and restoration in the universe once again.

3/21

The street lights fail to diminish the glow of downtown—skyscraper and far-off radio-tower lights—showing signs of civilization both near and far. . .

Reminds me of, as a kid, coming home from vacation with my sister and I lying down in the back of our Volvo station wagon, seeing street signs and street lights until we finally turn the corner onto our street, into a welcome and quiet, as-if-waiting house, bringing feelings of the comfort of return to what is familiar, but not quite wanting to let go of the fun and adventure also of seeing family in a far-away state.

3/21

Here in The Dalles, we meet—you and I, or you and someone else—at the frontier, at the confluence of paths, like the name says, of different currents and rapids gliding over rocks and between shores. . . .

Friendly people, an historic downtown: we meet kind of an openness—open people—open to the sky, to the mountains and river nearby.

Kids grow up there wanting to push their borders, expand beyond, to places like Portland—if not to live there, at least to visit this bustling city with all of its cosmopolitan vibe and attractions.

3/25/21

. . . Here we were, in the parking lot of Carl’s Jr., 

Praying for each other, praying for our families, for the good things change has brought our way, trusting our Maker truly cares for us. . . .

4/21

Seeing the Denny’s where so many of the older generation frequent, I’m reminded of each generation’s life, of their aspirations, their accomplishments and legacy. . . .

The heritage we share—how it matters, the details as well as the esprit de corps, the “ebb and flow” of relationship and communication.

10/21

Tonight the air is warm and balmy in this late-October, mid-fall day, after rain.

Leaves of various types cover the streets . . .

Children are beginning to get used to school and have anticipation of trick-or-treating or other activities on Halloween.

Families together think of fall activities—get-togethers with friends and hikes, reminding us again of what is most important.

2/22

Tonight, I’m thankful for the friendly man who “checked me out” at the food register, who seemed to “see” me, although we had never met before. . . 

That my mom was willing to stop here, to get some berries.

. . . For the friendly nurse at the orthopedic doctor’s office, for getting through a somewhat-painful appointment, for growing to learn and live in love.

2/22/22

This winter is definitely warmer than last winter, when we had the huge snowstorm.  Now, by looks but not in temperature, it seems to be spring or summer. . . .

Flowers are already shooting upward in various “earth colors”— yellow, purple, pink, light green, lavender, orange, white and various shades of blue.

 

2/24/22

The Northern Flicker outside my window nibbles and pecks at the vegetation in the garden box.

“Spring is coming!” It seems to herald—“Look all about and you will see signs of life—of rebirth and blossoming.”

3/11/22

Mom and I went to the French Quarter in Multnomah Village. . . I had a good time hanging out, being in the moment, seeing people with their dogs. . . .

Getting my muscles massaged. . . . My sister had gotten us gift certificates for massages, and it was time to use them. . . .

. . . hanging out, enjoying the decor, the friendly people and the food carts. . . .

Eating, making memories. . .

All in all, I would say this was a day of discovering a new “esprit de corps.”

What Color are Your Relationships?

 

Colors have meaning.

And here is a meditation on colors and how they relate to relationships. . .

Today I choose and look to friendships with a hue of deep, turquoise or royal blue. . . .

Like a sky and sea blending into each other with a host of cumulus clouds above. . . .

There is peace, there is continuity in the ebb and flow, kind of like the coming-in and going-out of the ocean’s tide.

I prefer these relationships, where trust is hard-fought, steady, and sure, to any pink cotton-candy fluff—as in a Facebook “like” or “thumbs-up” or all the glittery love songs on the radio.

Instead of floating up into the clouds like the Light Princess (see George Macdonald), I choose somewhere in the middle, holding steady and true, ready to rise and fall according to the need/desire of the moment.

A cool blue rather than a hot pink or loud yellow.

I choose to look past the latest fad to the time-held truths of stability and traditional values and knowledge. . .

Life can be a journey and it only makes sense to seek out the meaning in it—seek out the truths—the things our world and culture have hidden.  (Check out “A Place to Stand” and “Damascus Road” by Rich Mullins).

Reflecting on Friendship and “The Power of the Other.”

 

Thoughts on Friendship and Interpersonal Ministry

One book I am looking forward to reading is, “The Power of the Other: The power other people have on us and what you can do about it” by Henry Cloud.

I am finding this in old friends with whom I have continued to keep in touch and share life with, as well as family members with whom I share a friendship. . . .

Good friends can remember things for you, which is a big source of stability. 

I think of how amazingly thankful Noah must have been after the flood as the waters dissipated and he made an altar to the LORD for remembering him and his family. . . .

In fact he said at that time, “The LORD remembered us.”

Indeed, for God formed the first rainbow in the sky to show His love, faithfulness and covenant He made with mankind after that, saying that He would never again destroy the world with a flood, with a “deluge.”

Indeed, this showed that God was doing a New Thing and renewed the face of the earth. 

 In 1 Peter as the apostle Peter talks about how the saints (what believers are called in the New Testament) as living stones are being built together into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ (1 Peter 2:5), he said, “Whoever speaks, let him speak, as it were, the very words of God” (1 Peter 4:11).

This is the sacerdotal (priestly) ministry believers can have with each other as they obey Jesus Christ (1 Peter 1:2).

One thing my dad said to me once, and which I believe, is that “God brings back that which has gone before” (Ecclesiastes).

In other words, nothing is wasted. . . .

Indeed, it is a joy to be a source of friendship and affirmation to friends in reminding them of the truth—a friendly word, an encouraging reminder, and as I have said before, having friends who know me well and can encourage/affirm me, a.k.a. “Telling me the Truth,” is a source of stability. . . . I think this is part of what Cloud is talking about in “The Power of the Other.”

And I believe this dynamic can and should continue as we go through life with new experiences, transitions, relationships, opportunities, etc.

Can I hear an Amen?!

A Poem about a Serendipitous Occasion

 A Welcome Sight

Nathaniel Lawrence

Seeing you there tonight reminds me of

Seeing you before,

In the cool breezy rain,

Walking with a friend,

And how happy I was to see

A friendly face . . . 

Someone I’d seen before, 

Someone who was committed to the 

Common good, like I am . . .

And made me thankful

For things that we shared, were aware of,

Like the changing of seasons

The changing of weather,

And how everything matters, 

Amongst our human community.

And that there is a Creator who started everything, 

Planned for,

And gave of the earth

That we are still called to work,

To love and share and appreciate 

With our family both near and far,

From here on after . . . 

Like seeing you here on this corner,

Alongside irises and day-lillies

That seem to bow and nod,

As if in reverent greeting 

Or sacred watchfulness. 

A poem on reality as I see it

Here is something I wrote a number of years ago after reading a book. . . . It is called, “Telling Yourself the Truth,” and the main idea was “how to find out the way you are thinking in order to change the way you think.” 

The thing I didn’t realize at the time though, was that, for someone with obssessive-compulsive tendencies like me, a person can get obsessed with the process of “trying to find out what you are thinking.” And although I wouldn’t recommend this book to someone with OCD-tendencies, I finally came away impressed at the God-centeredness of the life which the authors proposed—with the joy and peace, thanksgiving and happiness that includes.   And I felt inspired at the writing of this book of the vision and possibility that it proposes.  And so I wrote this poem. . . .

How It Is

God in the middle. . .

Me in the periphery.

With me in the middle, things don't make sense. . .

Out of place . . .

Not the way it's meant to be.

God in the middle,

Greater than even my own awareness. . .

Higher than all is where God reigns.

Those who speak and those who listen and all involved 

are all judged—and provided for, watched over and delighted in as well,

One 

Creator.

Does it seem strange that I set my heart, my mind, my intentions

On Someone you can’t see and have coffee with,

Like me sitting here beside you?

Yet He's here and He is real

More real than even me or you.