dreaming?

Maybe the dreams that we have are nothing but illusions of the mind performed to pass the night away. Maybe some dreams really are messages from the divine One. How does one know the difference? Can we know the message? Can we know the meaning? What people, places, or things in the natural cause the dreams to come alive and find their place? What do we do with passages in the Bible like Daniel who was given the ability to know the mysteries of the king’s dream? What is the purpose of the mystery? Is it to know the dream or the Dream Giver?

Have you ever had a weird dream that came true?

the deep roots

How long does it take to see the shape in the thing that is right in front of my face? When will I be able to see the outline of the truest form of who I am? Wrestling with the roots of my own life, I want get down to the core of me.

Live generously. Ask yourself what do you want people to do for you; then take the iniative and do it for them.

May you as you struggle to look deep into your roots see the wounds and pains that have shaped you and find that just beyond the scars there is the One who is wholeness. May you find the One mending and repairing the truest shape of you. May you recognize yourself for the first time being made whole. This is the sound of Life coming from the deep. 

the rhythm of everyday liturgy

today i went to service with a very close friend of mine. i haven't been to a liturgical service in many years. there are some beautiful elements of this expression of faith.

today we read responsively psalm 90. i think i was more engaged in this portion of the service than anything else, besides communion. i loved reading in response with others the desperate cry of Moses as he laments for himself and the people of God. the practical expression of faith displayed in the congregation engaging the sacred text with one another is so beautiful.

i left service and made my way home. as i drove i thought, as beautiful as the service was, if that is it, just one hour of one day once a week, no wonder so many people have walked away from church buildings and church services. if church is only about going to a place, or attending a service, or listening to someone speak, how does that really intersect our daily life?

i have been thinking more and more about the people in whom i have unplanned routine contact with, and yet i have no meaningful conversation with them. i have also been thinking about the many people who are wandering around this city asking themsleves, where are the "real ones"; the real ones who want to serve and love God and naturally display that devotion in service to others.

therefore i must pray the words that have been prayed for generations by those who hope that the divine is best seen in the ordinary events of the average day:

"Clean the slate, God, so we can start the day fresh!Keep me from stupid sins,from thinking I can take over your work; Then I can start this day sun-washed,scrubbed clean of the grime of sin." psalm 19:13 the message

"May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer. " psalms 19:14 NIV

And so the service continues today as i move onto the next expression of faith in my everyday liturgy: kickball in the yard with the neighborhood kids!

peace to you