Meditation Moments: X marks the spot

If you're not careful, the newspapers will have you hating the people who are being oppressed, and loving the people who are doing the oppressing.  
                 ~ Malcolm X * [1925-1965 ]




           I don't want to read a newspaper, magazine, or social media, listen to a radio station, or watch a tv program that will make me crazy angry because of its extremes in political or religious or whatever viewpoint. But I also realize that if I only accept what I want to hear, I may miss something important that may alter my thoughts by opening my mind. And besides, if I already know my mind, why would I be afraid to hear another idea? 
          OH, the dilemma! Dear Lord of all Critical Thinking, grant me the patience to hear other voices and not be quick to reject them without thinking through the points they make. Push me, also, not to blindly follow the directives of the voices I like better. Your Gospel gives me the criteria for listening to the opinions of others who set themselves up as authorities of all information. To Love your neighbor as [if s/he is] yourself [Mark 12:31] is, for me, the standard by which I try to look at my own thoughts and actions and, those engaged in the public information business attempting to sway my opinions.
             Sometimes, no matter how difficult the message or the messenger is at the time, there may still be truth, wisdom, and a new perspective to be gained when my mind is open. I don't have to change my opinions - but I'm free to. I don't have to listen to the disagreeable stuff all the time, either - right?
          Malcolm was a child of You, God of Abraham, and spoke a truth we don't always want to hear even now. But in this case, as with searching for truth as a treasure, X marks this spot very clearly. Please help me to stop, think, and reflect, and, to remember that I must re-evaluate regularly how I accept, reject, and act on an uncomfortable truth. amen.                   


*Malcom X was born as Malcolm Little and after a more than difficult childhood and later imprisonment, he converted to The Nation of Islam becoming a minister and a very outspoken, radical, and controversial human rights activist. After traveling in the Middle East and Africa and changing affiliations from The Nation of Islam to Sunni Islam, he repudiated many of his early beliefs and teachings. He said, "I did many things as a [Nation of Islam] Muslim that I'm sorry for now. I was a zombie then ... pointed in a certain direction and told to march." He was assassinated by three members of The Nation of Islam in 1965.




Please feel free to request a prayer or meditation to be composed for a particular person, concern, or topic for posting in this space. You may leave your request in the comments section or contact me directly at Leeosophy@gmail.com All compositions remain the property of the owner of this blog but may be used with attribution as long as they are not sold or charged for in any way. If you would like the weekly Prayers of the People prior to its appearance on the blog, please send me an email. Personal prayer requestors will remain anonymous.

Meditation Moments Interruption for TEN THOUSAND THANK YOUs!

           Eight months ago I was asked by the rector of my Episcopal parish to try my hand at writing the Prayers of the People for two Sundays, Advent 1 and 2. And then 3, 4, and...I'm still doing them. My first surprise was learning that they're being used in several places regularly besides my own parish, and in other places now and then or in bits and pieces. 
          Having circulated a few of the pieces early on among a trusted few, I was strongly encouraged to post them on Facebook and then in this space that was created for me by a very pushy (and much appreciated) friend. And so it grows.  The blog was established on December 10, 2013, I began writing every day in Lent, and today I reached an unbelievable (to me) milestone of more than 10,000 page views!!
           Thanks to all who have read a page or two, a big Thank You to those who show up regularly, Great Thanks to those who read and share on Facebook, Twitter, or elsewhere, and Especially to those who have chosen to "follow" me.  I am continually amazed. This has turned into a prayer discipline for myself and the day is never complete for me now unless I've been writing. Writing regularly is something I've long wanted to do but have never allowed myself the time until just one more prompting (at the top of a long list over many years) finally pushed me over an edge. 
           If you have liked something I've written or not, (some pieces are better than others, for sure!) please drop me a line and let me know.  Any requests? I've done a few, not all are published here. I'd love to hear from some of you - email address is at the bottom.
          Meanwhile, again, THANK YOU!  Tell your friends, and, please stay tuned!  Many blessings to all of you who have blessed me by your presence.

Please feel free to request a prayer or meditation to be composed for a particular person, concern, or topic for posting in this space. You may leave your request in the comments section or contact me directly at Leeosophy@gmail.com All compositions remain the property of the owner of this blog but may be used with attribution as long as they are not sold or charged for in any way. If you would like the weekly Prayers of the People prior to its appearance on the blog, please send me an email. Personal prayer requestors will remain anonymous.

Meditation Moments: Que sera is now and again

for everything there is a season ~ Ecclesiastes 3:1-8

It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness...it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair...in short, the period was so far like the present period... 
                     
                                                                                                                                  ~ Charles Dickens* [1812-1870]       

What has been is what will be, and what has been done is what will be done; there is nothing new under the sun.    ~ Ecclesiastes 1:9 


O God of Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow ~       

               Just about the time I get very discouraged about the world - which is pretty much every day at the moment - I remember the piece from Ecclesiastes 1:9 which leads me to the piece that opens Dickens' A Tale of Two Cities from 1859 - sigh, not much does change does it? Wars, poverty, diseases that should be gone are coming back, squabbles and bitter debates in governmental corridors over basic human needs and decent wages vs. corporate greed and excessive profit...us vs them at home and everywhere else and, O Dear God - the children - the terrible things happening to the world's children. If I go on with those thoughts I could lose hope.

              But then I remember there is Ecclesiastes 3:1-8: For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven...and I can breathe again, while the storms of the world rage around me, even if only briefly. I will step my foot in wherever I can to rage back as productively as possible, to help if only in meager ways but always striving to move past what I think I can manage. And in the midst of all the terror, injustice, anguish, and despair, there still is beauty, joy, goodness, and love. Help me keep my jar of hope cleansed with faith and filled with the essence of wonder. Grant me the strength of heart to love well, care deeply, live in gratitude, and act with positive purpose, and, always in Your name. Que sera sera. amen.

*Charles Dickens, English born Victorian author is still known for many of his 15 novels but most popular today, among them, is A Tale of Two Cities and A Christmas Carol. Many of his short stories, novels, and articles chronicled the class distinctions and severe poverty and hardships of his day.







Please feel free to request a prayer or meditation to be composed for a particular person, concern, or topic for posting in this space. You may leave your request in the comments section or contact me directly at Leeosophy@gmail.com All compositions remain the property of the owner of this blog but may be used with attribution as long as they are not sold or charged for in any way. If you would like the weekly Prayers of the People prior to its appearance on the blog, please send me an email. Personal prayer requestors will remain anonymous.

Prayers of the People: Pearls and Mustard, 7th Sunday after Pentecost

for July 27, 2014, 7th Sunday after Pentecost, Readings: Gen 29: 15-28; Ps 105: 1-11, 44-45; Romans 8:26-39; Mt 13:31-52

         When morning came, there was Leah! So Jacob said to Laban, 'What is this you have done to me? I served you for Rachel, didn't I? Why have you deceived me?' 
                                                                                                         [Gen 29:25 NIV]

     The Kingdom of Heaven is like a mustard seed...like yeast...like treasure hidden in a field...[and] like [a pearl] of great value...     [Matthew 13:31, 33, 44, 45 NIV]

         A Taste of Creation this week - 
the deceiver is deceived, and there is more sibling rivalry and jealousy. In using imperfect people to show us to ourselves, we also see that we are still counted among all those that God loves, regardless of our flaws. 
       Jesus lets us know there is something for everyone in God's Kingdom whether we are planting the tiny mustard seeds to grow into large trees that birds will flock to, mixing yeast with flour to expand the dough, finding buried treasure in the field, or discovering a pearl so perfect that we sell all we own to buy it. 
        One message is that there is no perfection in humanity but our smallest efforts can grow and yield a large return. All we have to do is recognize that God is always here, we just have to look, and sometimes that requires a little digging. We have to work pretty hard to be separated from the love of God through Jesus, even with all of our faults. So even when we start small, all that we do will expand, and we'll be able to achieve the greatest possible reward. After all, If God is for us, who can be against us? [Romans 8:31b]   Only us.

LET US, GOD’S PEOPLE, PRAY

Leader:  ~ O God of Strength and Presence, the hidden gems in Your Creation:  the smallest seeds yielding the largest trees, the yeast that expands the dough, the treasure for which we buy the field, are all markers of Your bountiful love that begins in small ways and fills our souls beyond measure.  Catch us in Your net, keep us worthy, and gather us into the good basket of Your bountiful harvest.

                                Spirit of God, search our hearts, know our minds

RESPONSE:     Help us, O Lord, in our weakness

~ O God of Strength and Presence, enjoin the political leaders of this world, our country, and our community, to stop the wars, provide the basic necessities for Your neediest people, and live into the ethics of acting on what is best for all whom they govern, not merely some. We pray especially for Barack, our President; Jack, our Governor; Tom, our County Executive; and Dennis, our mayor.

                            Spirit of God, search our hearts, know our minds

                            Help us, O Lord, in our weakness

~ O God of Strength and Presence, ease the burden of illness, injury, or affliction for those who suffer, and bring relief to those who give them care.  We pray especially for:

                            Spirit of God, search our hearts, know our minds

                            Help us, O Lord, in our weakness

~ O God of Strength and Presence, give shelter to those who are weary with grief, and let those we have lost, find themselves now shining in the sun of Your covenant, nesting in Your Tree of Eternal Life. We pray especially for:

                            Spirit of God, search our hearts, know our minds

                            Help us, O Lord, in our weakness

~ O God of Strength and Presence, we pause in this moment to offer You our other heartfelt intentions and petitions, silently or aloud…..

                            Spirit of God, search our hearts, know our minds

                            Help us, O Lord, in our weakness

~ O God of Strength and Presence, for those who You and we have called upon to lead us in Your church, bestow the gift of grace-filled respite and the reminder that, “We know that all things work together for good, for those who love God...” We pray especially for: Katharine, our Presiding Bishop; Wayne, our own Bishop; David, our rector; Lloyd, our Rector Emeritus; and Peter, our Associate Priest.

                            Spirit of God, search our hearts, know our minds

                            Help us, O Lord, in our weakness

The Celebrant adds: O God of Abraham and Sarah; Jacob, Rebekah and Leah; David, and Judas, to fulfill Your covenant, You use imperfect people who argue, are jealous, greedy, and disobey Your Law, so that we might see ourselves among those You love. Guide us to remember that You are always for us and nothing but our own selfishness will separate us from the love of Christ.  We ask Your continued blessing through Jesus, our Redeemer and the Holy Spirit, our Sanctifier who fill the heavens with You as One God, now and forever. Amen.



Please feel free to request a prayer or meditation to be composed for a particular person, concern, or topic for posting in this space. You may leave your request in the comments section or contact me directly at Leeosophy@gmail.com All compositions remain the property of the owner of this blog but may be used with attribution as long as they are not sold or charged for in any way. If you would like the weekly Prayers of the People prior to its appearance on the blog, please send me an email. Personal prayer requestors will remain anonymous.

Meditation Moments: Sure'n up

Piglet sidled up to Pooh from behind.  “Pooh,” he whispered.

“Yes,” said Pooh.

“Nothing,” said Piglet, taking Pooh’s paw, “I just wanted to be sure of you.”*

 

Well, Dear God of all Hunny Bears and Other Sweet Creatures, 

            I’m having one of "those" days and weeks and even a month! It's been such a busy time, so very much stuff going on, some happiness here, a worry or two there, and a few other things. I might not have been paying as much attention to You lately as I could have, even missed church once or twice or...but here I am now, just sidling up to You. It seemed like it was past time for us to take a walk together and for me to check in. I just want You to be as sure of me as I am of You - ok, that might take some work on my part so here I am sure-ing things up with You. Thanks for being here even when I've wandered a little bit away. I'll try not to let it happen again but in case it does, I promise [again] to remember You quicker the next time and then I'll be sure to reach up. amen.

 

 

 

*Winnie-the-Pooh and Piglet came from the fertile imagination of English-born playwright, author, and child's poet, A. A. Milne [1881-1956], who based the main character, Pooh, on the teddy bear of the same name belonging to Milne's son, Christopher Robin Milne.  


Please feel free to request a prayer or meditation to be composed for a particular person, concern, or topic for posting in this space. You may leave your request in the comments section or contact me directly at Leeosophy@gmail.com All compositions remain the property of the owner of this blog but may be used with attribution as long as they are not sold or charged for in any way. If you would like the weekly Prayers of the People prior to its appearance on the blog, please send me an email. Personal prayer requestors will remain anonymous.

Meditation Moments: Inside, Outside, or Circular?

THINK DIFFERENT. But don't believe everything you think.
               ~ Charlie Chaplin* [1899-1977]





           I'm always certain that my thoughts are on track and correct, except when I stop to think about my thoughts. Then, I realize I might, possibly, perhaps, have a bias or two or, at the very least, an untested expectation that affects what I'm thinking. Often I think that you think that I should think one thing or another, but I've never asked you so maybe you don't think that at all but something else instead. But if I ask you, will you think I just don't know what I'm thinking? All this thinking stuff gives me a headache. Can't I just breeze through life thoughtlessly?
           Dear Most Excellent Thinker of Thoughts, please help me to work more diligently on how to think critically, objectively, and constructively. Let me recognize and understand the biases and emotions that influence my thoughts and, after some analysis (which may include advice from several others), feel comfortable moving forward anyway or, to change direction entirely. I do know that my thoughts, human as they are, will always be flawed in one way or another. Grant me the ability to be open to changes in my opinions and positions based on new information. Let me work calmly through criticism - fair or not - and accept the outcomes of my actions while learning new lessons for the future. Whether my thinking is inside or outside of any given box, let me not recycle the same ways of understanding life in ever smaller circles with ever smaller thoughts, or, in other words, don't let me believe everything I think. amen. 
          

*Charlie Chaplin, born in England, an actor, comedian, director, writer all of the first magnitude with a huge fan base on both sides of the Atlantic and elsewhere that helped him survive adoration and controversy. His brilliance in his early silent films is still being admired today. His most famous character, The Tramp, propelled him to icon status. 



Please feel free to request a prayer or meditation to be composed for a particular person, concern, or topic for posting in this space. You may leave your request in the comments section or contact me directly at Leeosophy@gmail.com All compositions remain the property of the owner of this blog but may be used with attribution as long as they are not sold or charged for in any way. If you would like the weekly Prayers of the People prior to its appearance on the blog, please send me an email. Personal prayer requestors will remain anonymous.

Meditation Moments: STOP THE WAR! a reprise of sorts...

Some will remember this medallion
from the Viet Nam protests in the 1970s
It still is true

           The following is from an original post that has had over 120 hits in the last 10 days alone with the words prayers/Palestine being the most frequent search words used. The readers are from all over the world including the Middle East. I cannot tell who reads, only what country they represent. With all that is happening, especially this week, I thought it was time to reprise part of what I had written in April with a few little changes. The link to the original post is at the bottom.
           Let us join together in prayer for all the turmoil in the Middle East, the Sudan, the Ukraine, and everywhere that there is war - not for "sides," but for peace, especially for the sake of the children:

         After the discoveries and acknowledgement of the horrors of the Nazi Holocaust, a homeland for the Jews was sympathetically promoted for Palestine as "A Land Without People for People Without A Land" except the flaw in the ointment of the great repatriation was that there were people already there, a few Jewish people and also non-Jewish people - Muslims, Christians, and non-believers. The debates, the wars, the persecutions, the walls, the guns, the bombs, the bloodshed continue and escalate on a daily basis....and yet, Who does any of the Earth really belong to? We cannot take the land with us when we die but so many are willing to die - or to kill - to prove it belongs to them.


 God of Heaven and of Earth, and of all the Universes known and unknown:
           We grieve for the pain and suffering, the torment and anger on all sides of this and every other blood feud over who can, must, should, shouldn't, can't live here or there. Deep as the core of this earth, is the anguish that belongs to everyone. We are all Your people - please, we implore, we beseech, we beg You - show Your care for us, Your children, and help us learn to care for each other and to live together in peace, safety, and freedom.  Open our eyes, our hearts, and our souls to see ourselves in each other's faces and especially in the faces of all of our children. 
          For today I must give up worrying more about fixing blame and take on learning more about the history of all sides of a conflict whether in the Middle East, or in any country including my own, my city, or even my family. I pray for the courage to support those who abhor violence and who will encourage dialogue and other non-violent remedies to promote understanding among us all. I entreat You through the Saving Love of Jesus the Christ and the Wisdom of Your Holy Spirit who live and reign with You as One,The God of Abraham, for now, for tomorrow, for eternity. amen.




The original piece which includes maps showing the time changes in the maps of Palestinian holdings in Israel since 1917 and a quote from Dr. Naim Ateek, can be found at:
http://prayersofthepeople.blogspot.com/2014/04/prayers-for-lent-day-33-give-up-take-on.html




Please feel free to request a prayer or meditation to be composed for a particular person, concern, or topic for posting in this space. You may leave your request in the comments section or contact me directly at Leeosophy@gmail.com All compositions remain the property of the owner of this blog but may be used with attribution as long as they are not sold or charged for in any way. If you would like the weekly Prayers of the People prior to its appearance on the blog, please send me an email. Personal prayer requestors will remain anonymous.