hope is the washing of the earth with rain
between planting in harvest
seed in place
joy is the sunshine on the warm sprout
husk shed, dirt broken, new leaf unfurled
roots digging
love is the bathing of new growth in the elements
sunshine, dew, warmth of day, mist of moon
flowering fruition
then the transformation is complete
soaring begins –
the young bird leaps from the nest
an idea reveling in its own exposure
soar, arise, mount up
the waiting done renewal complete
these wings flutter, then glide, then lift
above to heights
the feet of one upon the perch
in heaven’s domain unseen
soar, arise, mount up
freedom, determinate, autonomy
liberty unrestrained uncomformed sovereignty
lit up by the rush of a wellstream
it overflows – release cannot wait
blustery promise breaks loose
soar, arise, mount up, pinnacles
arise mystic, arise lover
arise to soar, soar to mount up
soar to joy, soar with hope
arise
This week my friend Michelle provided most of the questions; thank you, Michelle!
The idea is to write a brief love letter ...
This weeks theme – Patient Love
Write a love letter and share it...
Okay here's my " Patient Love" letter.
what a puzzle, many pieces
rents too high, can’t pay leases
when it comes to hearts consider
where they break they fit together
strange confidence, leaving fixes
may be, what about stitches
when it comes to hearts consider
where they break they fit together
there’s no way, this doesn’t work
we’ll both wind up, oh very hurt
when it comes to hearts consider
where they break they fit together
god uses scalpel gentle graces
takes away needy places
brings healing in hearts He’s formed
with his touch, both blessed and joined
The post below is a real life story. I wrote it out some time back. The telling of the story is a reminder of life and a means of going on with life.
The Popsicle Incident
By LarryG
On
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Having been admitted to the hospital (again) with the usual low blood counts, there was the additional problem of nausea. Now the nausea itself is not so bad, but the liquid diet was particularly difficult for Pam this time around. She told me how hungry she was and asked if I had any idea when they would allow her to have some food. I did not.
About the second or third day of this nonsense I had gone to work during the day and a friend, Kelly, was sitting with Pam. Pam who rarely complained told Kelly how hungry she was getting. Kelly suggested that she might have a Popsicle.
She said “I’ll ask the nurse, what flavor Popsicle would be good?”
“Grape”, Pam said, “I would really like a grape Popsicle.”
So off Kelly goes to find retrieve a grape Popsicle. On arrival at the nurses station Kelly asks about the Popsicle and is directed to the nearby freezer. Where there is indeed a box of Popsicles. Unfortunately, the box is plainly labeled banana.
So the nurse tells Kelly she can go to other floors to find a grape.
But Kelly says, “I’ll take one of these. If it doesn’t work out I can go hunt for a grape.”
So back to the room Kelly goes bearing the banana Popsicle.
Pam’s face quickly changes from joy to disappointment with the announcement that there was only a box of banana Popsicles available.
“Pam, I’ll go find you a grape one if you want me to,” consoles Kelly.
“This will be fine,” Pam replies, unable to hide the disappointment.
Then taking the Popsicle she tears open the plain white wrapper, and can you imagine the surprise to find a “grape Popsicle.”
“Kelly, were you tricking me?!” Pam exclaimed.
“No, Pam” Kelly replies in surprise.
Then composing herself, Kelly says, “Let’s be thankful for small miracles.”
clearing the head and ridding clutter
optimal thinking or undue flutter
is there room or is it stagnant,
no growth ideas, or many pregnant
soap and water wash dirt down drains
neglecting crap caught on brains
messy thoughts stuck in mud
how to strip away cerebral crud
using appropriate contemplation
to consider thoughts plus derivation
simplicity, speak words uplifting
then write down what comes in drifting
discover power to cast out doubt
put the bad thoughts out! out! out!
sweet words to self give a response
tells the story, shows how we dance
is self talk demeaning to my own goals
get out what’s said by inner trolls
do all you can to flush bad thoughts
it’s worth the effort once they’re caught
clean up the mind with full attention
helps to reach your peak condition
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today felt like one of those days where i needed to get rid of some bad thoughts.
i ran across my friend's sage advice from Sir Froggie's Positive News Network
Someday – words flow, meld and mesh
Someday – grounded randomness anxiety releases
Someday – gain balances loss
Someday – broken edges smoothed or filled with joys
Someday – weight is not a problem
Someday – minor aches, chronic pains relieved
Someday – motivation streams through with gusto
Someday – is today
1) What is the hardest secret you've ever had to keep? "We're having a baby!"
2) If your soul were to be represented by a color, what color would it be? "I am a rainbow"
3) Define the word "hypocrite." "A traitor to the cause... whatever cause that might be"
4) If you had to trade closets with someone you know, whose wardrobe would you like to have? (assume the clothes would magically fit) "this is tough for a guy, my brother, he seems to have it together, someone who wears a lot of sports shirts and permanent press :)"
5) Show and Tell. What comes to mind first when you see this picture? Or, tell a story if it reminds you of one.
Dear Lord, today I thought of the words of Vincent Van Gogh: “It is true there is an ebb and flow, but the sea remains the sea.” You are the sea. Although I experience many ups and downs in my emotions and often feel great shifts and changes in my inner life, you remain the same. Your sameness is not the sameness of a rock, but the sameness of a faithful lover. Out of your love I came to life; by your love I am sustained; and to your love I am always called back. There are days of sadness and days of joy; there are feelings of guilt and feelings of gratitude; there are moments of failure and moments of success; but all of them are embraced by your by your unwavering love.
My only real temptation is to doubt in your love, to think of myself as beyond the reach of your love, to remove myself from the healing radiance of your love. To do these things is to move into the darkness of despair.
O Lord, the sea of love and goodness, let me not fear too much the storms and winds of my daily life, and let me know that there is ebb and flow but the sea remains the sea. Amen.
~excerpt from “A Cry for Mercy” by Henri Nouwen
On any given school day this and more could be in the kid's lunch sack.
My Dear J,
The whisper of your touch, lips against my neck brushing lightly, tells the secret my soul has been longing to hear.
Your face turns to mine in earnest anticipation.
Eyes pause … then lost in gaze response.
Oh, how deep calls to deep when souls harmonize.
Fingertips move slowly over skin.
Soft spring rain falls on gardens new green.
Gently the moments shed; we soar to heights.
The scaling of mountains unthinkable, moving through clouds, floating heavens.
The diving into depths of passion, below oceans, oneness comes in the darkest places.
Existence transcends barriers of body.
Synchronizing in space brings pulse.
Time, the outcast, sulks away, elapsed - deflated.
Thought serves only to inform this mysterious oneness: mingling of mind, fusing of soul, intricacy of sensations.
This tenderness, yes,
all the way through,
just what we’ve been hoping for.
We giggle, then laugh, ... uncontrollably.
And I love you,
L
The wounded roam about,
unknowing healing possibility
unsuspecting healing potential
no idea how the wound takes them down.
the lance is applied to
the scabbed over
infected soreness inside
peels the grimy puss
laden layers away
cauterizes the un-
hygienic impureness
love heals the heart
and i didn't even know i had a problem...
The soul never speaks without a picture.
-- John Holland
The door need
not close, with a
slam like, screen
door on spring, but
with gentlest tug
while knob is twist-
ed to allow
secure rest
in frame as
knob is released, with
no need to be locked.
http://curiousasacat.blogspot.com/2008/08/week-number-131.html
1) If you could have any number of siblings, how many would you have, and of what gender?
3 - one same, two opposites
2) When was the time in your life when you felt the most repressed? military service
3) What's the best thing to do right after sex? cuddle and whisper
4) Which phobias do you have? none profoundly, but rejection and being alone creep in at times- and i am fear of being unrestrained in high places, but i am ok with flying and being in tall buildings, etc
5) Show and Tell. What comes to mind first when you see this picture? Or, tell a story if it reminds you of one.
notes dependent
on the former
and the latter
sharing identity
defined not by self
defined by relationship
cascade lifting ascension
each sound anticipates the next
pronouncing light irresistible
every pitch in love
with the next
arpeggio
Here we go:
The idea is to write a brief love letter ...
This weeks theme – "Absent Love"
Theme for the first one was New Love
Write a love letter and share it.
Link it back to here.
Okay here's my " Love Absent" letter.
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Dear A,
I can’t believe you’ve been gone such a short time, it feels like forever.
To think that you’ll be away for 12 months. I feel so hopeless, it’s seems more than I can bear.
I knew we had love, I know we are in love, yet I am already bursting to see you here again. Just to feel your gentle touch.
I long for the harmony of our conversation and the poetry of the notes we write each other.
Thank God for telephones. Even though we can only speak once a week or so, I wish we could talk for hours on end.
Why must love be absent! for it is not. Yet you are absent and I love you.
How I need you, now.
Hurry back, I am afraid that I will disappear.
I love you,
L
tests or trials in many ways
incident gives birth to perseverance
inside scoop on deliverance
well call it growing pains
losses simply eclipse gains
unencounter growing up
wondering how to fill the cup
easy said – hard to see
what brings pure joy to me
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1) When you walk past mirrors or large windows, what's the first thing you check in your reflection? the big picture - but looking for details, a close shave, none of the recent meal on my chin, shoe strings, the fly, etc
2) When you were ten years old, how did you spend your free time? outside on a bicycle, or in a creek, the woods, playing ball (season dependent)
3) What person in your life defines the word "kindness"? my pastor
4) How does purple (the color) make you feel? it's a favorite, so I feel good about purple
5) Show and Tell. What comes to mind first when you see this picture? Or, tell a story if it reminds you of one.
your stillness... and then a whisper
like prayer ... to close a vesper
it was here ... and now its buried
touch of grace ... should we be married
hugged as friends ... amazing lover
hard to leave ... or to recover
tell me again ... how we got here
i can't believe ... yet we are still near
Long before Jesus told his parables to help us understand things, God the Father had told one of cosmic dimensions and as deep as the abyss: the parable of life…
The listener was immersed in this parable without any possibility of escape, for its “words” were made of things themselves and these could in no way be denied.
“Who can gainsay the sun?” asks the sundial indicating the passing hour.
When the sky speaks – above your head with its billions of stars; and the earth you tread speaks – the sensible basis of living experience: how can you escape logic which surrounds you?
How can you ignore the harmony and beauty of things, or disregard the energy and power of storms and earthquakes?
How can you escape the “absent presence” of a secret entity, the designer of a creative will and indisputable unity, of which you yourself are aware of being a part?
- From Why, O Lord? by Carlo Carretto
You Are a Colon |
 You are very orderly and fact driven. You aren't concerned much with theories or dreams... only what's true or untrue. You are brilliant and incredibly learned. Anything you know is well researched. You like to make lists and sort through things step by step. You aren't subject to whim or emotions. Your friends see you as a constant source of knowledge and advice. (But they are a little sick of you being right all of the time!) You excel in: Leadership positions You get along best with: The Semi-Colon |
Thirteen John Wayne Quotes
1. "I won't be wronged, I won't be insulted, and I won't be laid a hand on. I don't do these things to other people, and I require the same from them." (The Shootist)
2. Speaking to his young cavalry lieutenants: "Don't apologize—it's a sign of weakness." (She Wore a Yellow Ribbon)
3. "Fill your hand, you son of a bitch!" (True Grit)
4. "That'll be the day!" (The Searchers - Spoken several times; inspired Buddy Holly to write a song with that title.)
5. "Pilgrim." (The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance - Reportedly he used the expression "Pilgrim", as in "tenderfoot" or "dude" or "amateur", 23 times in that film, and once also in McLintock!. It became a catchphrase for impressionists such as John Byner, and Rich Little)
6. "I haven't lost my temper in 40 years; but, Pilgrim, you caused a lot of trouble this morning; might have got somebody killed; and somebody oughta belt you in the mouth. But I won't. I won't. The hell I won't!" (He belts him). (To Leo Gordon in McLintock!).
7. "You can call me Dad, you can call me Father, you can call me Jacob and you can call me Jake. You can call me a dirty old son-of-a-bitch, but if you EVER call me Daddy again, I'll finish this fight." (To his son, played by his real-life son Patrick Wayne, in Big Jake).
8. "Don't say it's a fine morning or I'll shoot ya!" , in McLintock!
9. “Life is tough, but it's tougher when you're stupid.”
John Wayne quote
10. “If you've got them by the balls their hearts and minds will follow.” John Wayne quote
11. “Talk low, talk slow and don't say too much.” John Wayne quote
12. “There were great numbers of people who needed new land, and the Indians were selfishly trying to keep it for themselves” John Wayne quote
13. “Tomorrow hopes we have learned something from yesterday.” John Wayne quote
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I have a ton of compassion in my heart for folks. But that said, I really like quotes no 9 & 10.
We have been watching John Wayne movies the past month or two.
It has been lots of fun to see the way it used to be, how politically incorrect they were back in the 50s -60s and even 70s :)
SECRETS OF ADULTHOOD
(by G. Rubin)
It’s okay to ask for help.
for Randy
the inspiration you've given continues...
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the net broke the fall
giving stark realization
it’s safe to attempt the struggle
though success is not guaranteed
we build a system every day
to encourage risks all along
the way – so when one finds
a brick wall to confront
the truth there tells them
don’t give up, crucial needs
bring gains for all nations
pass the value to each and every
generation
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thursday thirteen