Blog Archives

In awe of God's light through the dark~

8/30/2011

Portree, Skye

As I passed the ominous Cullin Hills on the bus to Portree yesterday, I was struck by how much more I appreciate God’s Light when I see it in contrast to the dark. These hills are a constant reminder of the power and necessity of all that we humans consider negative—evil, anger, tragedy, illness, you name it. The sun may not be shining today, but because of its light, I can see the hills. God is Light, but I walk with God in the mix.

(Sorry, I couldn’t take a picture of The Cullins from the bus. I’ll post one in a few days.)

Standing in awe on Skye~

8/28/2011

As I wrote in my CBTS blog, the entire trip to Skye was a soft breeze. “Thank you, God.” Today I have walked in the wind, experienced intermittent sprinkles, and returned to my cozy cottage-near-the sea and to a warm bath; I have heard of power outages, flooded cellars, as well as loving acts of kindness happening on the east coast of the U.S.A.. What am I to make of all of this as far as God is concerned? Right now I know for certain that God Is. Oh, I can ask my small, human God not to flood my basement or to make sure that my flight is on time, and sometimes I do just that. But when I experiences the vastness of the weather and the “beauty of the earth”, I mainly stand in awe of my large, Divine God, and think of Job going through the good times and the awful times with just such a God. God is present through it all; it is up to me how I respond.

Graditude and Thanksgiving

8/27/2011

I'm filled with gratitude and thanksgiving for my safe, care-free journey and for all the blessings I am feeling. Even being sooo tired seems to be God's handiwork.. An so, to bed.

On my way to Scotland~

8/26/2011

I’m on my way to Scotland-- first stop, Philadelphia Airport. Whew! I exert a huge amount of nervous energy when I travel. Let’s face it, travel is intense, even as I love every minute of it—well almost every minute. For the next twenty-four hours, my challenge is to remember to walk with God as I travel to my cottage near the sea on Skye, Then I trust that I will be able to settle in solitude, silence and simplicity. Um, I wonder what specifically will be in store for me.

Don’t worry if I don’t appear for a good twenty-four hours. It’s not because of the storm; I’m flying away from all of that. But I won’t have wifi access until I reach Skye, and it’s going to take me most of tomorrow to get there.

More about praying for weather~

8/24/2011

I can’t get away from this idea of praying for the weather--my perfect weather! Anyway, last evening was all about the Hurricane Irene and the possibility that she might be traveling this way. So, of course I got into my particulars and went straight to, “Oh, what if my flight to Philly and then on to Glasgow is cancelled on Friday?” It was totally personal, without a thought to the devastation that Irene might dump along the way.

How can any prayer for good flying weather be serious? It can’t be, although when I’m in my chatting mode with God, I feel fine telling God that I’d like a clear and easy trip. Regardless of the situation that befalls me, however, I pray that I will accept what it is and embrace God’s guidance. I’d love that response to be as simple as a “Thank you, God,” but more likely it will be, “Help me God to see your way, your will, and to stay connected to you.”

Post Title.

8/21/2011

This is the first time that I written one post for both of my blogs (www.acottagebythesea.net) but I think you’ll see why. I can’t wait to wander around Scotland talking to God.

         A week from yesterday, if plans go according the schedule, I will have landed at the Glasgow Airport, taken a bus to Ft. William, driven myself through Glen Shield, one of the most beautiful glens in Scotland, crossed over the Skye Bridge, and arrived at the self-catering cottage that I have rented for two weeks. Before coming home on September 16, I’ll spend four nights on the Isle of Iona.

    My grandfather came from Glasgow, and my mom used to tell us that that made her father a “Glaswegian”. When I go to Scotland, I feel that pull that says, “You’re home,” as I imagine myself standing in my croft door looking out to sea.

     I traveled to Scotland way back when with my parents and sister, several times with my mom after my dad died, and once with my husband. Then in 1996 I started taking my solitary trips there. This is the first time I’ve rented a place; I wonder what I’ll discover at this cottage-near-the-sea? Don’t worry, I’ll let you know: the place has wifi. I made sure of that.

Inspiration from the Othona Community~

8/19/2011

Othona Community

"In the power of the Spirit we make ourselves available” (Norman Motley).

      Maybe that’s the ultimate prayer, just making ourselves available to God, which reminds me of Isaiah, “Here I am Lord, send me” (6.8). A sense of letting go, a confidence in whatever happens. I know that’s the way to pray, but I also know that it is the kind of abandonment that doesn’t happen without all sorts of on-going human discussion and bargaining with God.
        For example, recently in the news I read about a big prayer meeting called to pray for the “right” weather. As you know from my previous blogs, I don’t believe in that kind of prayer, but I grapple with the idea. And, am I the only one who dares confess to finding myself praying for a parking space? At the moment. I am praying for a miracle, a cancer cure for a friend, and I feel just fine about that.
       Getting involved in God’s business is a very human affair, which I’m thinking has got to be a necessary part of the prayer process. if I want to arrive at that place of surrender, of open, exposed availability, I have to do my human part. I find that after I pray for my particulars, I am more apt to end by saying, “ Well, there it is God. I’m available for whatever the power of the Spirit offers.”

      In my interest to learn about Norman Motely, I came the the Othona Community. From it’s website: http://www.othona.org/

       “The Othona Community had its origin in the work of Norman Motley as an RAF chaplain in the Second World War. He started what became known as the 'Nails Movement', which offered people a chance to debate issues arising from their wartime experience.”

Who is like you, O Lord?

8/17/2011

      Who is like you, O Lord, among the gods? Who is like you, majestic in holiness, awesome in splendor, doing wonders? Exodus 15.11

      When this verse from Exodus 15 appeared in my daily readings this morning, I didn’t think of praise or the awesome things that God has done. No, what came to mind were the many people I know who, at this very moment, are grappling with extremely difficult personal situations. Oh, we know that we “should” start by praising and thanking God, but it sure is a stretch at times. How can we even think, “Thank you, God!” when our house may be foreclosed, when we have no break from caring for the multiple needs of our children, when our aging parents take all our time and energy, when…? It’s not simply that we have to deal with these situations, but that we don’t envision any good outcome or solution, any holiness, splendor or wonder. That’s despair!!
     But there’s got to be hope. Our Christian faith is all about hope, which we can find throughout scripture. However, if we only hold onto the hopeful, positive words, they begin to feel hollow in times of despair. Nor should we wallow in the laments or “sin-filled” stories. I feel most faithful when I read a variety—the good, bad, and hopeful; the Old and New Testament; the Torah, Prophets, Psalms, Gospels and Epistles. God in all God’s complexity.

Chatting with God~

8/16/2011

This morning I sat down for my meditation time and heard myself saying, “Well, God, I don’t feel very connected to you right now, but I figure you’re used to that. But I know you’re standing by, just waiting.”

Wow, I thought, “Here I am chatting with God as if he were some very (human) good friend.” It made me grin because of all my blogs that address my BIG question about the omnipotence of God. And yet today, without analyzing, I began conversing with God. Well, if Jesus was fully human and fully divine, I see no reason not to consider God in that full array. If the Psalmists can talk comfortably and honestly with God, why can’t I?

It's all in the wink~

8/14/2011

During Joys and Concerns today in church I shared the joy that my mom winked at me yesterday when I visited. Seems that all the chatter is leaving her mind and she is left with the essence of who she is with God. She called me by name, and while gesturing toward me, said to one of her helpers, “My daughter.” That was about it for any words that she came up with. However, I wrote out a couple of messages to her, which she read slowly, before nodding in acknowledgment. Before I left I pointed back and forth between us, mouthing, “You …’Me.’ That’s when she winked.