explore spirituality

I was active in a local Episcopalian Parish. I loved the Church. I was a Stephen Minister, belonged to a family study group, on the facilities committee and was working to get a children’s community garden plot dedicated, plus with the parish priest we were talking about putting my cooking program for the children in the school.

About the time B and I split the church went through major turmoil over differences of basics beliefs. Being the conservative South this particular Diocese decided to vote against the liberal changes that the Church had made and basically succeeded from it.

Being more liberal I did not see eye to eye with the leaders of that Diocese. Which became a mute point, because I moved to the wilderness.

When I got here I was in no hurry to connect. I wanted to go home. Recently I have been visiting churches but have avoided the Episcopal Church because of the turmoil I had left behind me. A friend who studying to be a minister suggested I give it a try. She said that the Rector here is someone that has similar viewpoints that I have.

So today I went to the 11 am service. I was pleasantly surprised. It was more what I envision my church home to be. The people were warm and friendly. There were lots of children. The Rector is very personable. He even stopped the service to wait for parents with a new baby to get seated and asked for us to respectfully clap for them. That was quite nice.

After the service we spoke for a few minutes about the church’s recent convention and he told me how surprised he was that Fort Worth had sent delegates and they joyfully participated. I was sooo happy to hear that they have changed their minds.

We are also like minded about our purpose of bringing the love of Jesus to everyone. I may have actually found a place to call my church home here in the wilderness. :)

where there are no young families, no children, no Sunday School or Choirs singing? No teens planning ministry trips abroad? No children! I was amazed…none running through the hall laughing. No childish laughter and glee in a house of the Lord?

There are pictures of happy smiling teens on their website dated from 2005-2007. They went to San Antonio, New Orleans to help the Katrina survivors and Mexico.

The congregation is warm and friendly but very elderly. I went to the fellowship hall after the service and visited with some lovely ladies who are very, very sad that all of the young people have left this church. It seems it had something to do with the last pastor leaving but since this was my first visit I didn’t get many details.

Ironically, I walked through the park on the way home. It was filled with young parents, grandparents and the laughter and joy of children ringing in the air.

That made me a little sad for the ladies I just left. They really seem to miss having young people in church with them.

My first instinct was to say this isn’t the church home for me. But there is a nagging feeling maybe God directed me there this morning for a very important reason. I had no intentions of going until I woke up this morning and couldn’t shake the feeling I needed to be at that particular church today.

I have visited a handful of churches and haven’t found one that I feel I can call my church home. When I first arrived thought about visiting the Presbyterian Church.

For some reason I haven’t been there yet. Up until now my plans were to go home to Fort Worth to my church there. What would the point be of joining one here?

It is across the park from me so Ithink I’ll walk over and see why I am having such a strong pull towards it this morning.

My best friend in Texas has 2 sons. My best friend in Montana has 2 daughters. I have 2 sons. All six were born at the same hospital in Denver, Colorado. No lie!

My friend in Texas and my friend in Montana have never met. Our children have never met, but are the same age group. I am the connection. Very strange but really cool!

After Denver we went on to have full lives raising our children oblivious to each other for many years then pow! I meet them and become really good friends before we realize our children were born at the same hospital…
Wonder what this may mean?

Today’s Word from Joel and Victoria Osteen

Are you facing a challenge today that seems overwhelming? Through faith and patience, you will see God’s promises come to pass in your life. Understand that the enemy always fights the hardest when he knows you are closest to your breakthrough. He’d leave you alone if he thought you were going to live in mediocrity. If you keep pressing on toward your promise, through faith and patience, you will get there. Don’t be like the Israelites in the Old Testament who were right next to their promised land when they talked themselves out of it. They said, “There are giants in the land. It’s too difficult.”

No, don’t look at the obstacles in your life today; lift up your eyes because you serve Almighty God. Follow the example of Abraham who believed God even when his circumstances looked impossible. Remember, God rewards the people who seek after Him. Stand in faith and keep believing because God will take you places that you never dreamed. As you press toward the promise, you will see God’s hand of blessing in your life and live in the victory He has prepared for you.

in order to enable society to develop, all its members have to assume responsibilites and make their contribution. If we do not make collective contributions then there will be no development.”

-His Holiness the Dalai Lama

As from a blazing fire thousands of sparks
Leap forth, so millions of beings arise
From the Lord of Love and return to him.

-Mundaka Upanishad

I have a friend from my teenage childhood that made contact with me about 6 years ago. We lived far away from each other living totally different lives but e-mailed when we could sharing the joys and sorrows of the day…he was mostly the shoulder I could virtually cry on…he always answered my rambling e-mails with words of hope and God’s strength.

Well I moved back to the wilderness of my roots – seems his too. Anyway when B and I split ,I started praying for a man like my friend to share my life with -

Lo and behold I don’t think God heard me right …I said like my friend… 2 weeks ago God literally sent him to my door. I don’t know if this will amount to anything more than the love of our friendship but the friendship we share is stronger than most family ties.

God does work in mysterious ways. :)

“For some reason songs are running through my mind tonight.”

I need a sign
To let me know you’re here
All of these lines are being crossed over the atmosphere

I need to know
If things are gonna look up
‘Cause I feel us drowning in a sea spilled from a cup

And there is no place safe and no safe place to put my head
When you can feel the world shake
From the words that I said

And I’m calling all angels
And I’m calling all you angels

And I won’t give up if you don’t give up
I won’t give up if you don’t give up
I won’t give up if you don’t give up
I won’t give up if you don’t give up

I need a sign
To let me know you’re here
‘Cause my TV set just keeps it all from being clear

I want a reason for the way things have to be
I need a hand to help build up some kind of hope inside of me

And I’m calling all angels
And I’m calling all you angels

When children have to play inside
So they don’t disappear
While private eyes solve marriage lives
‘Cause we don’t talk for years
And football teams are kissing queens
And loosing sight of having dreams
In a world alone
Want is only what we want until it’s ours

And I’m calling all angels
And I’m calling all you angels (And I won’t give up if you don’t give up)
And I’m calling all angels (I won’t give up if you don’t give up)
And I’m calling all you angels (I won’t give up if you don’t give up)
Callin all you angels (And I won’t give up if you don’t give up)
Callin all you angels (And I won’t give up if you don’t give up)
Callin all you angels (And I won’t give up if you don’t give up)

“and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.”

The Parable of the Lost Sheep

“See that you do not look down on one of these little ones. For I tell you that their angels in heaven always see the face of my Father in heaven.

“What do you think? If a man owns a hundred sheep, and one of them wanders away, will he not leave the ninety-nine on the hills and go to look for the one that wandered off?

And if he finds it, I tell you the truth, he is happier about that one sheep than about the ninety-nine that did not wander off.

In the same way your Father in heaven is not willing that any of these little ones should be lost.