Cherishing the Divine Within

Cosmetics, Sports, and More

cherishingthedivinewithin — Fri, 30 Apr 2010 17:40:30 +0000

I had two separate experiences recently with a similar result. In both cases I happened to be at a coffee shop – guess which one – reading a book and doing some writing. In each instance my attention was drawn to the animated conversation of other patrons. The first involved a woman apparently training a young woman in the sale of cosmetics. You would have thought, from the woman’s demeanor, animation and excitement, that she really believed these cosmetics could somehow literally transform the world. The other involved a couple of men speaking with such precision and seriousness about baseball and players and statistics and strategies you would have thought that they were coaches in the American League. Theirs, too, was an equally passionate discussion.

My initial response to each of these was some fascination and a little touch of humor. But the curiosity quickly turned itself around and pointed itself in another and unexpected direction. I became quite curious about how often – or not – we have such spirited and passionate conversations with someone about other kinds of things like beauty or love or any one of those other things we say in moments of thoughtfulness are so very important to us? Then I wonder what it might be like if we did…

Lord, perhaps today?

Black Car Becomes Yellow

cherishingthedivinewithin — Thu, 15 Apr 2010 14:45:29 +0000

As I was putting the key into my car door this morning I noticed that the night had brought subtle changes to the color of my car. It was no longer simply black… it had taken on a distinct yellow hue! As you have rightfully guessed the change in color was due to the ever increasing amounts of pollen floating through the air and settling on everything in sight. Normally, I would have then opened the door, got in and went about today’s business. But I didn’t. For some reason (and I wish I knew why!) I lingered for just a moment longer with this pollen that was coloring my car and then acknowledged to myself the true wonder of this pixie dust. Each of those millions upon millions of pollen grains was on a unique journey seeking the right flower that would allow it to fulfill its destiny. And what a destiny… to create a tree that a child will climb in some wild adventure; to burst forth in a flower that will speak to someone of love; to sprout grass that will be a soft, green couch for someone to lie upon and gaze thoughtfully into the sky… and so very much more.

This little moment this morning has made me question all day whether other wonders might reveal themselves if I would just linger a moment longer. And my thought at the closing of this day is that lingering is a much underappreciated power in our lives.

God, let me linger a bit today… and tomorrow – here and there – but especially with You… amen!

The Letter of St. Paul to the Colossians 3:1

cherishingthedivinewithin — Mon, 05 Apr 2010 01:27:15 +0000

Scripture Passage

“If then you were raised with Christ, seek…”

Prayer

what more can I say…

the adventure has been renewed
the course is now charted
all that’s needed… to rise
to set my feet upon the path
to walk with You again
in the evening breezes… amen

Holy Saturday, April 3, 2010

cherishingthedivinewithin — Sun, 04 Apr 2010 01:26:07 +0000

Prayer

in this emptiness
something is afoot
You are at work
all emptiness is thus made holy… amen

The Gospel of John 18:36

cherishingthedivinewithin — Sat, 03 Apr 2010 01:25:11 +0000

Scripture Passage

“My kingdom does not belong to this world.
But as it is, my kingdom is not here.”

Prayer

it’s a topsey turvy
surprising us into openness
portending some wondrous exchange

I thought all along
this is the way things are
will always be
the way I am & will be

then him
this
something other
waiting to be
to rise

here… amen

The Gospel of John 13:5

cherishingthedivinewithin — Thu, 01 Apr 2010 13:59:15 +0000

Scripture Passage

“Then he poured water into a basin
and began to wash the disciples’ feet
and dry them with the towel around his waist.”

Prayer

thoughtful & generous
gentle & humble
cleansing us, refreshing us
relieving us even of specks of dust
unburdening and preparing
for what? why?

I can only begin to imagine…
for them
for me…
some type of rising… amen

The Prophet Isaiah 50:4

cherishingthedivinewithin — Wed, 31 Mar 2010 13:12:47 +0000

Scripture Passage

“The Lord GOD has given me
a well-trained tongue….”

Prayer

and I thought
I’m of halting and unsure speech
unable to speak well
of holy things

how much of me
how much of life
is well trained
in the things of the Kingdom
waiting anxiously
simply to be recognized
to emerge, be released
to change everything

today I ask for the belief
the courage
to speak of You… amen

The Prophet Isaiah 49:5

cherishingthedivinewithin — Tue, 30 Mar 2010 13:24:55 +0000

Scripture Passage –

“…and I am made glorious in the sight of the Lord….”

Prayer –

let me see

glory unfolding
in unexpected ways
in him, these days

a revelation…
something is spreading
overtaking me

could it be
me
made glorious

all things glorious
all thing made new… amen

The Prophet Isaiah 42:1

cherishingthedivinewithin — Mon, 29 Mar 2010 15:16:16 +0000

Scripture Passage

“…he shall bring forth justice….”

Prayer

justice
what is just…

judgment…sentencing…punishment…
isolation… a tortured heart…
a mind occupied… with failure

justice
might it be something else, different
richer and holier
akin to You

bring it forth
from deep within me
these just words
just deeds
just living… amen

The Prophet Isaiah 50:4

cherishingthedivinewithin — Mon, 29 Mar 2010 15:13:36 +0000

Scripture Passage

“…that I might know how to speak…
a word that will rouse them.”

Prayer

rouse them
from what
waking sleep
blind seeing

not to know life as fractions and parts
but only a glorious whole
and not for a moment
or an hour
rouse them
forever… amen