Commonplace Book

But going back to salt, I figure this can actually be linked with capacity fairly well.  If we are to flavor life, to make it attractive to others, we need to realize that not everyone is attracted to the same flavors – some enjoy spice, others sweet; some are as we would describe “salt of the earth” and others as “salty” and still others “old salt”.  Each of us have personalities that attract different types of people.  And for people to feel comfortable, they have to know that their particular personality or flavor or salt will be welcome among the family of God – if only appreciated by a few.

No. Generally one of the first words we use as children – mostly because parents say it so often to us.    Makes you wonder how often God had to say it to us when the world was new.  People tend to generally understand that when God says no, or not right now, it’s because He has a greater plan for us, or it’s not something that would be good for us in the long run, or perhaps it’s as simple as – God’s time is not our time. So the question then becomes, how do you know when it’s God saying no, or the “Church” saying no – and is there a difference for the average parishioner?  Today’s commemorations at morning prayer were about  Anna Julia Haywood Cooper  and  Elizabeth Evelyn Wright , two educators (eventually) associated with the Episcopal Church.  Interestingly, Cooper was the fourth black woman to ever achieve the degree of doctorate in the United States, although she had to get it at the Sorbonne in France.  She believed that you should expect excellence, and your students w

“If religion were contrary to logical reason then it would cease to be a religion and be merely a tradition. Religion and science are the two wings upon which man’s intelligence can soar into the heights, with which the human soul can progress. It is not possible to fly with one wing alone! Should a man try to fly with the wing of religion alone he would quickly fall into the quagmire of superstition, whilst on the other hand, with the wing of science alone he would also make no progress, but fall into the despairing slough of materialism. All religions of the present day have fallen into superstitious practices, out of harmony alike with the true principles of the teaching they represent and with the scientific discoveries of the time.” From Abdu'l-Baha, Paris Talks, 1914

Today is the Saint’s Day for Vincent of Zaragoza (spellings can be varied, just ask  Mark Twain  *grin*), and it occurred to me that there are a few interesting things to note about Vincent.  First, he was appointed Deacon to Valerius of Zaragoza, the Bishop, who is said to have had a speech impediment, and therefore did not speak often in public.  As Deacon, it was his job to preach about Christ and assist conversions, but he also took upon himself to speak on behalf of Valerius.  Valerius had the higher station, and yet when both were arrested by Diocletian, Vincent was the one put to death.  At that point in time, I would have to believe that Diocletian would have considered Vincent the greater threat, as he was eloquent, and spoke of the “One God” and of Christ, convincing others through his teachings of the truth of the Faith.  Valerius, while having greater authority, could not or would not speak in such a way as to accomplish the same.  Vincent even convinced his prison guard

The commemoration today was about Li Tim-Oi, the first woman to be ordained to the priesthood in the Anglican Communion in 1944.  There are many fascinating things about this woman, born in Hong Kong in 1907 and dying in Canada in 1992.  She was a woman who worked tirelessly with refugees from China, and having attended a four-year college, had worked for years as a Deacon.  Only after three years had passed when there was no priest available to bless the eucharist did the Bishop of Victoria, Ronald Hall, call her to become ordained.  Interestingly, ordaining a woman was compared with Peter’s conversion of Cornelius, the Roman centurion considered to be the first convert among the Gentiles. Within the Episcopal Church, it appears that there’s an average of 20 to 25% women priests, and incoming priests are approximately 50/50 male and female.  Interestingly, it is the liturgical Protestant churches and “liberal” Jewish (Reform and Conservative) which ordain women – orthodox Protesta

Zeit der Stille  Zeit ohne äussere Betriebsamkeit,  Zeit, während der wir mit dem innern Ohr, unserer Seele,  den Gedanken und Träumen lauschen. Zeit der Stille  Zeit ohne äussere Betriebsamkeit  Zeit, um den leisen ewigen Tönen  in unserm Innern zu lauschen,  unsere Seele nährend aus der Stille. Das heilige Schwingen – der Heilige Geist,  die Ur-Stimme Om, Aum, Amen,  das Wort, das heilige Naam,  uns ansprechend als Stimme des Vertrauens,  immer mit uns, bei uns,  in allen Wechselfällen des Lebens. Wenn wir leiden und nicht bei uns sind,  nehmen wir uns Zeit, Zeit der Stille,  und suchen unseren Wesenskern,  uns stärkend durch Linderung und Trost. Sitzend in Meditation oder  liegend in entspannter Haltung:  höre auf deinen inneren Begleiter,  er scheint in dir zu leben.  Horche, horche, horche… und  behalte die sanfte Melodie. So wie du lauschest  dem Wind oder Regen und ihrem lindernden Trost,  so lausche der sanften Stimme in dir.  Je mehr du der innern Stimme horchst, 

You see it on signs, everywhere: The reason for the Season, for those who care. Yet it felt missing in this climate so warm With no snow in sight, nor hint of rainstorm, And driving today in the overheated car, Carols playing, thinking of loved ones so far Away, and Christmas nearing; it all felt wrong. And then on the radio, I heard a song About a little boy buying shoes for his Mom, Who’d been sick for so long, but with aplomb, He wanted her pretty if she met Jesus that night. And suddenly the signs were a little less trite. With little money or things we have to give, Christmas is more about how we should live. To honor the memory and sacrifice above, That God granted with a Son given in love. He is the reason this season exists, And we can’t let that meaning get lost in an abyss Of commercial slogans and Santa Claus; The birth of a child is the reason and cause. The gifts we give honor each Divine spark From the image we’re made in to the life we embark, Each

Story by Tess Haranda .  Story of 9/11.

Listening to God

Oh God, my God, you are the Most Great Physician.  My Lord, by your Word, all illness can be healed. Lord, my body has aged before its time, my soul is weary. My spirit is drained; Lord, my bones feel as dry as the dust. Crippled and bent, my fingers contort into shapes you did not design. Weak and without strength, my hands struggle to lift so much as a cup. Arms that carried babies now move sluggishly to obey my thoughts; Feet that once danced, shuffle painfully, step by agonizing step. My mind, once sharp and clever, is dulled through pain and fear: I wade through dense fog to understand. God, I know that all suffering has a purpose, That my torment is but tool for a lesson I have not yet grasped. And sometimes subtle instructions  are beyond my meager understanding. I know that you would not leave me like a branch struck with lightning, Like a tree, you have always nourished my growth. Lord, I would ask that you heal my body, so that I may serv

Sunday’s child is full of grace, Monday’s child is fair of face; Tuesday’s child loves to race, Wednesday’s child is kind of heart; Thursday’s child is very smart, Friday’s child will never part; Saturday’s child is good of heart. Sunday’s child is full of grace, God-touched heart gives warm embrace. And while the Sun gives light and heat, The Son Himself makes the child complete. Born on Sunday, blessed be For blessed are you by One in Three. Monday’s child is fair of face, Attractive to the human race; And while outer beauty’s by design, Inside is where you really shine And beauty’s mien lasts all life long, Extolled in poem, story and song. Tuesday’s child loves to race And blessed with energy and grace, You’re rarely still, your movements free As like to run as climb a tree. You’ll live a life of adventure and fun Stopping only when you’re ready and done. Wednesday’s child is kind of heart Whose wisdom is seen from the very start. An “old soul” is likely what you’ll be ca

It absolutely amazes me how hard we work, and truly, we do accomplish a great deal, but we are just a drop in the bucket of an ocean of things that need done! We need more funds to be able to accomplish these goals that we set, that Regional set, that National set. We *need* more volunteers, hands to do the work that has to be done. I know that at some point, my husband’s going to put his foot down about how much time I’m spending here, but really! It’s the work of the Church – he can’t object to that. Oh, but a weekend away would be lovely. We just need more time to get everything done! Take a step. And as you take that step, think about your reason for doing what you do. Is it because of an expectation of (fill in the blank – your priest, your church, the other volunteers, the people you help, etc.)? Set aside other people’s expectations. Take the next step. What are your assets? The current people you have working with you, the materials you have available, the time you ha