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Journal — May, 2004 |
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AN ONGOING
SPIRITUAL WEBLOG
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May 28, 2004
Summer doesn’t officially start until June 21, but here in the states
we typically consider Memorial Day weekend as the start of the season.
People get outdoors and barbeque, picnic, swim, boat, camp and generally
visit families and friends. And that’s all good. But, the real reason
for this holiday is a remembrance of those who gave their lives in war.
I don’t care for war, but I do love my fellow man, including all
those members of our Armed Forces. Originally Memorial Day came about after
the U.S. Civil War when the graves of fallen soldiers were decorated with
flowers, etc. (originally known as “Decoration Day”). Please
remember those who laid down their lives – and by extension all who’ve
passed on. And pray for our troops, especially for those in current armed
conflict in Iraq and Afghanistan. Pray for our leaders. And most especially,
pray for peace.
Tom Gilbert
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May 27, 2004
Love precedes being. It is the foundational pattern of reality – the
very nature of God. This love nature is continually creating life and our
invitation is to join in the endless circle of praise.
The Trinitarian nature of God – three persons in one – is a
constant dance of absolute and mutual affirmation of each. Each is also
continually deferring to the other. God the Father, God the Son and God
the Holy Spirit in the perfect communion of giving and receiving.
Do you see how God is calling us to join in the circle? It’s surprising
that the Trinity is not explored more by us. Perhaps we shy away from the
mystery because of the difficulty in comprehending it. We shouldn’t – we
should embrace the mystery because God is teaching us about God and about
who we really are through this mystery. Paul writes eloquently about it
in Romans 8.
Trinity Prayer
God For Us, we call You
Father,
God Alongside Us, we call You Jesus,
God Within Us, we call You Holy Spirit.
You are the Eternal Mystery
That enables, enfolds and enlivens all things,
Even us, and even me.
Every name falls short of your Goodness and Greatness.
We can only see who You are in what is.
We ask for such perfect seeing.
As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be. Amen.
(prayer by Richard Rohr, OFM)
Accept the invitation and join the circle of praise and go with the constant
flow of perfect love.
Tom Gilbert
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May 26, 2004
Every day we must “suit up and show up” for life. As the saying
goes, life is not a dress rehearsal.
There’s a temptation, I suppose, with a web site like ours to give
the impression that it’s easy to deal with problems. I’ve found
it’s dangerous to oversimplify things, so please don’t think
we offer an easy black and white solution to every problem you face. So
much of our life is dealing with challenges. What I think is important
and needs to be clear for each of us is that we do have a choice on how
we will face life. What we mean by living in the solution rather than the
problem is that we must never ever give up hope in the One who came into
our world to show us that embracing reality by being vulnerable, compassionate
and accepting of life (including all the problems) IS the solution. Christ
leads the way and He never leaves us behind!
Tom Gilbert
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May 24, 2004
Yesterday I drove about two hours to a prison near Santa Rosa, New Mexico
for the closing of a Kairos weekend
(a Christian prison ministry). It was a privilege to be there and witness
how God is working in these men’s lives. Being incarcerated is not
something any would typically choose, yet who among us does not relate
to being a slave to self, imprisoned by our sinful nature. Just as these
men testified, we can be free through the grace and love of Jesus Christ.
Tom Gilbert
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May 21, 2004
In this election year in the U.S. there are more “religious” issues
than abortion and gay marriage. Starting Sunday evening, May 23, through
Tuesday afternoon, May 25, a gathering in the nation’s capitol is
raising the awareness that poverty is a “religious issue” and
an electoral issue in 2004. Speakers will include Jim Wallis, Rev. Dr.
James Forbes, Jr., Bill Moyers and others.
At our Special Cause section
we spotlight this gathering, part of Call
to Renewal. Also, check out our new feature article, Goodwill
Is Not Enough.
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May 19, 2004
From time to time I report on what Tom Terry is doing. He’s a media
man (maybe even a type of Renaissance man) currently living in Mongolia
with his family. He’s worked in radio and television and in various
mission efforts. He writes some pretty interesting stories. And he’s
quite a fine web designer.
His latest site, mongolialife.com,
gives us a peek into the world of Mongolia and the people there and it
is fascinating. Recently he was given the privilege of exclusive access
to Mongolia's State Great Hural (Government House) to shoot photos of artwork,
diplomatic rooms, State treasures, and the Presidential Ger. It was the
first time a foreigner was granted access to the Government House for this
purpose. He was even given access to areas previously denied to outsiders.
Learn more about Mongolia, and its heritage and politics, and see the special
online tour of the State Great Hural here.
Tom Gilbert
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May 17, 2004
I’m currently reading a novel by Michael O’Brien, Father
Elijah. It’s an apocalyptic novel, but not the
literal Left
Behind interpretation of Revelation. As the author admits
in the introduction, it’s more a novel of ideas and presents the
Cross and Christ.
One of the intriguing lines from the main character in a conversation with
another is that we cannot fight evil with the weapons of evil. Doesn’t
that ring true? And it is very timely with all the violence around the
world filling up the headlines.
I understand why we want to have a strong military and why it “seems” right
to oppose evil with such force. But, we have to ask honestly ask ourselves
does it work? Is the world less violent; are we at peace? Yes, Hitler is
gone. So is Saddam Hussein. However, the violence is raging in Iraq and
an “eye for an eye” doesn’t seem to be stopping this
cycle of violence.
Please understand that I support our men and women over there. I’m
not anti-American. I love my country. But, I love God and Jesus and we
are commanded (yes, Jesus used that word) to love one another.
One of the premises of Living the Solution is that we believe in real and
practical solutions to life’s challenges. Certainly the threat of
evil is such a challenge. The solution: fight evil with love.
Tom Gilbert
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May 13, 2004
Believe that God wants the best for you...and from you!
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May 12, 2004
If you are a parent of a teenager then you know the pain, anger, fear and
doubt that you and your child sometimes experience. It’s a challenging
relationship and a delicate dance. Sometimes you are at the end of your
rope and searching for options and trying to decide the best course to
take.
A troubled teen or adolescent needs love, encouragement…and discipline.
You may have heard of boot camps, boarding schools, therapeutic programs,
treatment centers, wilderness camps and other types of schools. Granted,
this should be considered only after exhausting the best “at home” solutions,
but if it comes to pursuing that option you need to have some good guidance.
Here are a couple of web sites that offers that guidance:Troubled
Teen Options and Successful
Programs for Troubled Teens.
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May 11, 2004
Now that the weather is warmer the door to the chapel where I go for centering
prayer is left open. This morning as a group of us were in silence a noisy
humming bird flew in and then got confused and trapped at the ceiling by
the large sculpted glass window. I’m sure the sunlight streaming
in attracted the small bird and it continued to beat its wings and search
for the way out.
After our quiet time one person shared how she often is attracted to the
light but trapped in the box of her limitations. How profound. I can relate.
Eventually the hummingbird tired and settled on the window ledge. Someone
was able to calmly cup the bird in her hands and take her outside where
the bird joyfully sprung from her hands and flew away. God’s message
is revealed in many wonderful ways!
Tom Gilbert
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May 7, 2004
Mother’s Day is this Sunday. I
hope you are remembering and demonstrating your love
and gratitude. Please do read last year’s article
from Angie Ledbetter – Big
Mama.
We’ve also got some good information/resources for Mother’s
Day featured at our Spotlight Specials page.
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May 6, 2004
Last night I attended the first of three talks Richard
Rohr, OFM, is giving on the Mystery
of the Trinity. As he noted at the beginning, most believers
aren’t really embracing this mystery. Oh, we believe in one God alright.
But, we don’t get this “three-in-one” idea.
It’s not surprising. The concept of one God in three persons is something
that has been struggled over and grappled with for centuries. There’s
a bit of a clue there for us. We can wrestle with the idea but at some
point we must do what one does with all mysteries – accept it/embrace
it/fall into it.
There were several good things said in this talk. Rohr talked about how
we must get out of our regular way of trying to understand things (our
head knowledge) when we approach the mystery of God. And, we must approach
God first from the Trinitarian viewpoint. When you start with the Three
you can move to the One in a way that you can’t if you begin with
the One. Next, we best get in touch with God through both “awe and
wonder” and “suffering”. These are the things that move
us beyond our normal perceptions and self.
Additionally – and this was a very key point – God is relational.
Everything in the universe – all matter, beings and created things – shows
us this. It is the Great Cosmic Dance; it is God loving you in and through
you! The Divine presence of God in each of us loves you and loves God and
loves others. This completes us and makes up our relationship with this
truly awesome God Trinity.
Tom Gilbert
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May 4, 2004
Mother’s Day is this Sunday. You
did get your card in the mail, right? I admit I’m
often doing that at the last minute. But, as much time
as our mums have invested in us we should spend a few
minutes (or more) writing some heartfelt comments.
If you need a bit of inspiration…and a chuckle or three…head
over to Peggie’s
Place. Her web site is always fun and profound at the same
time. She’s got some interesting Mother’s Day content including
the top ten questions that moms typically ask their kids.
May we all be grateful and show it to all the wonderful mothers in our
lives.
Tom Gilbert
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May 3, 2004
The National Day of Prayer is this Thursday. It’s
an annual event the first Thursday of May and this year’s Bible verse
is . Of course, prayer is good any and all the time. But, you
can find out more at the official
web site.
My prayers include breaking down the barriers and obstacles to poverty,
hate, fear and division. Let’s pray we can go beyond politics and
denomination to extend Jesus’ call to love to everyone.
Tom Gilbert
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Scripture taken from the
Holy Bible, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®.Copyright © 1973,
1978, 1984 International Bible Society. All rights reserved
throughout the world. Used by permission of International
Bible Society.
NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION® and NIV® are registered trademarks of
International Bible Society. Use of either trademark for the offering of
goods or services requires the prior written consent of International Bible
Society.
Scripture quotations marked (NLT) are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living
Translation, copyright ©1996. Used by permission of Tyndale House
Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, IL 60189, USA. All rights reserved.
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PSALM 118:24
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"This
is the day the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad
in it."
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(NIV)
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