I have a friend that is inspiring me right now. She is facing a potentially difficult stretch of life due to illness. She is viewing this as an adventure and a road - a road less travelled.
Isaiah 57:14
And it will be said:
"Build up, build up, prepare the road!
Remove the obstacles out of the way of my people."
As I thought about this passage, several thoughts have flitted through my head.
We are all on a journey through life. God is already in front of us, building up our road, preparing it for us to travel on to our various destinations. We each have our own, individual road. While our ultimate destination is heaven, our short term destinations will be unique from one person to another.
We all will deal with obstacles as we travel the road of life - disappointments, illness, people who let us down, dreams that seem to go unrealized, difficult people, physical limitations, even aging. We have some choices as to how we will react when we encounter our obstacles. Will we give up and quit - not reaching our destination? Will we find a way to go around the obstacle or destroy the obstacle? Will it be an obstacle that we must wait patiently in expectation for God to remove?
I found myself encouraged with this concept of God removing the obstacles out of the way of his people. It gives me confidence to keep patiently walking the pathway that God has set before me, knowing He will guide me to the destination he has planned specially for me.
Showing posts with label Christian thought. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Christian thought. Show all posts
Friday, April 03, 2009
Wednesday, August 22, 2007
Teaching God's Word
At the end of our African trip, we are visiting our friends, the Gregersens at Namwianga Mission. I am looking forward to having opportunities to teach African women.
I keep debating exactly what I'm going to teach. And I'm human . . . I have not met these women, I have not experienced their culture. I want to do a good job. While I have experience teaching women at home, I also have a good idea what their "issues" are and I have an idea how to present topics that will be beneficial. With the African women, I'll have to make guesses. If I get to go back a second time, I will have a better idea what to teach. And, after teaching at the first village, I'll know what adjustments I need to make to my lessons.
But . . . I do have ideas - I have many Bible stories or object lessons I could teach. I've been planning to teach from the Life Lessons Book I've written - changing it from "the desert of grief" to "suffering from loss - dealing with grief", "suffering caused by sin," etc. And while some people have told me they think the African women have already mastered those lessons, I got confirmation again from one of the women at my church who has been over there six times. These women deal with a lot of grief in their lives. They are just as human as we and they hurt as badly as we do when their loved ones die. And most of them have lost someone in their family recently due to all the health problems there. And perhaps - the lessons need to focus on the story of Job interwoven on other passages that are encouraging to me when I'm dealing with grief.
I will also be doing a workshop teaching younger women on being good wives and mothers. My topic immediately came to mind - I'm going to use Timothy's mother and grandmother and talk about teaching your children. I'm going to keep that topic as my back pocket idea to use elsewhere.
I've always used music in teaching children and women. For one thing, it is an element of worship. It is also a bonding experience. I've already learned one song in Tonga. I got music and words tonight. Hopefully, I will be able to get the women started singing (I've heard they will greet us singing as they walk). My desire is to let them know I've come to worship God with them. I want the songs to be an ice breaker to unite us as sisters in Christ. I'm sure I will want the words in front of me so my "middle aged" memory won't fail me at a critical time. I'm sure as well that I will mangle the pronunciation of some of the words.
Every time I've prayed asking God's guidance so I can do meaningful lessons, I seem to hear the words from the gospels - I don't need to worry too much (other than good preparation) - God will give me the things to say that will touch these women and help us grow closer to him.
As I prepare to travel, please join me in prayer that this trip will glorify God - both in the photography, in the blessed time spent with the Gregersens, and in the teaching ministries.
I keep debating exactly what I'm going to teach. And I'm human . . . I have not met these women, I have not experienced their culture. I want to do a good job. While I have experience teaching women at home, I also have a good idea what their "issues" are and I have an idea how to present topics that will be beneficial. With the African women, I'll have to make guesses. If I get to go back a second time, I will have a better idea what to teach. And, after teaching at the first village, I'll know what adjustments I need to make to my lessons.
But . . . I do have ideas - I have many Bible stories or object lessons I could teach. I've been planning to teach from the Life Lessons Book I've written - changing it from "the desert of grief" to "suffering from loss - dealing with grief", "suffering caused by sin," etc. And while some people have told me they think the African women have already mastered those lessons, I got confirmation again from one of the women at my church who has been over there six times. These women deal with a lot of grief in their lives. They are just as human as we and they hurt as badly as we do when their loved ones die. And most of them have lost someone in their family recently due to all the health problems there. And perhaps - the lessons need to focus on the story of Job interwoven on other passages that are encouraging to me when I'm dealing with grief.
I will also be doing a workshop teaching younger women on being good wives and mothers. My topic immediately came to mind - I'm going to use Timothy's mother and grandmother and talk about teaching your children. I'm going to keep that topic as my back pocket idea to use elsewhere.
I've always used music in teaching children and women. For one thing, it is an element of worship. It is also a bonding experience. I've already learned one song in Tonga. I got music and words tonight. Hopefully, I will be able to get the women started singing (I've heard they will greet us singing as they walk). My desire is to let them know I've come to worship God with them. I want the songs to be an ice breaker to unite us as sisters in Christ. I'm sure I will want the words in front of me so my "middle aged" memory won't fail me at a critical time. I'm sure as well that I will mangle the pronunciation of some of the words.
Every time I've prayed asking God's guidance so I can do meaningful lessons, I seem to hear the words from the gospels - I don't need to worry too much (other than good preparation) - God will give me the things to say that will touch these women and help us grow closer to him.
As I prepare to travel, please join me in prayer that this trip will glorify God - both in the photography, in the blessed time spent with the Gregersens, and in the teaching ministries.
Tuesday, August 14, 2007
Taking things for granted
We go through our days - there is a rhythm, a routine. Get up, eat breakfast, read the email, read the news, to do lists, lunch, supper, go to bed. But we tend to do these normal things running on "automatic." We get up, walk around the house, eat, sleep - all without thinking a lot about it.
I've got two friends in the hospital right now. These normal routine things I do take on more meaning and significance after visiting the hospital. One friend has had a lot of pain and has had a lot of problems with her digestive system. She was able to eat and enjoy a small supper last night. When I sat down to eat my supper, I was grateful that I still have an appetite (yes . . . an overactive one, but I can still eat and enjoy my food).
We take for granted some basic things that are really the simple pleasures of life - being able to walk around, go outside, watch the birds, smell the roses. Two friends, two different medical situations, two small hospital rooms, IV's, monitors, oxygen, walkers, ambulance rides. For one, it was a gradual decline in health, the other a matter of days from feeling healthy to being kept alive on machines under sedation. But both have been taken out of the mainstream of life. Both families have new routines that include getting to know the hospitals intimately - the best place to park, the best route through the hospital, where the popsicles are, the "senior discount" for parking. But there is joy in small things - being able to breathe unassisted, being able to get out of bed for a short trip to the bathroom, small slices of bread with jelly, having a room where the sunshine can come in, having friends who care.
I am lucky - I can go home, I can eat a tasty meal, I can walk unassisted, I am relatively healthy. And . . . I'm getting ready to go on a big adventure. I am blessed.
But do I remember to thank God for these every day blessings?
I've got two friends in the hospital right now. These normal routine things I do take on more meaning and significance after visiting the hospital. One friend has had a lot of pain and has had a lot of problems with her digestive system. She was able to eat and enjoy a small supper last night. When I sat down to eat my supper, I was grateful that I still have an appetite (yes . . . an overactive one, but I can still eat and enjoy my food).
We take for granted some basic things that are really the simple pleasures of life - being able to walk around, go outside, watch the birds, smell the roses. Two friends, two different medical situations, two small hospital rooms, IV's, monitors, oxygen, walkers, ambulance rides. For one, it was a gradual decline in health, the other a matter of days from feeling healthy to being kept alive on machines under sedation. But both have been taken out of the mainstream of life. Both families have new routines that include getting to know the hospitals intimately - the best place to park, the best route through the hospital, where the popsicles are, the "senior discount" for parking. But there is joy in small things - being able to breathe unassisted, being able to get out of bed for a short trip to the bathroom, small slices of bread with jelly, having a room where the sunshine can come in, having friends who care.
I am lucky - I can go home, I can eat a tasty meal, I can walk unassisted, I am relatively healthy. And . . . I'm getting ready to go on a big adventure. I am blessed.
But do I remember to thank God for these every day blessings?
Monday, April 09, 2007
Science & Prayer
Having a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Texas and having attended science fiction conventions all these year, I am well aware of the conflicts between science and religion. After writing and posting last night, I did a google search to find the reference I remembered reading about the scientific studies of prayer and sick patients. I found myself "correcting" my post, because I could not find the study I thought I remembered. Instead, I found hostile articles from atheistic and agnostic scientists.
Christians often leap onto studies that support their beliefs - much to the chagrin and irritation of more empirical researchers. However, I find that these pure scientists also work under assumptions that require faith in their methodology as well. Sometimes I see "science" substituted for faith in God. Scientific theories change over time as new things are learned or found.
As Christians, I think we need to be very careful that we respect the role of science in our world. We need to be accurate when using science in our Christian lessons. Everytime a Christian misuses a scientific study or ridicules science, we put a barrier between scientists and Christ. I do not want to be a stumbling block that prevents someone from meeting Christ. If I am talking with a science oriented person, I need to be careful and talk their "language." I need to be respectful.
I believe that God created the earth. Whether he did it in 6 literal (24 hour) days - or 6 days in God's reckoning is not an issue for me. 2 Peter 3:8 "But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day." I believe that God created the natural forces that scientists study. I believe fossil records.
But I also believe that humans are spiritual beings as well as physical. Many of our illnesses occur when we are stressed over the events that happen around us. I like the medical practices that seek to treat the whole person. I think there is much science still has to learn about how the spirit and physical are connected. Many of our alternative medical treatments come from Eastern thinking.
I also found mention of a study on MIT - music, imagery, and touch therapy. Once again this fits in with the Biblical concept of the laying on of hands. And, it is also something that science has a hard time quantifying and measuring.
Both scientists and Christians need to overcome their prejudices so we can learn more about how God set up this glorious world - and how we can live happier, more productive lives in harmony with his plan.
Henry found one study for me - it is unique because it went out and evaluated 17 other scientific studies. I think it interesting as well that it comes from a social work perspective. Anyone who studies psychiatric and social work knows that different people respond very differently to psychological stimulus and treatment.
Our universe is a complex place. Humans are one of the most complex species. I think we need both science and religion.
Christians often leap onto studies that support their beliefs - much to the chagrin and irritation of more empirical researchers. However, I find that these pure scientists also work under assumptions that require faith in their methodology as well. Sometimes I see "science" substituted for faith in God. Scientific theories change over time as new things are learned or found.
As Christians, I think we need to be very careful that we respect the role of science in our world. We need to be accurate when using science in our Christian lessons. Everytime a Christian misuses a scientific study or ridicules science, we put a barrier between scientists and Christ. I do not want to be a stumbling block that prevents someone from meeting Christ. If I am talking with a science oriented person, I need to be careful and talk their "language." I need to be respectful.
I believe that God created the earth. Whether he did it in 6 literal (24 hour) days - or 6 days in God's reckoning is not an issue for me. 2 Peter 3:8 "But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day." I believe that God created the natural forces that scientists study. I believe fossil records.
But I also believe that humans are spiritual beings as well as physical. Many of our illnesses occur when we are stressed over the events that happen around us. I like the medical practices that seek to treat the whole person. I think there is much science still has to learn about how the spirit and physical are connected. Many of our alternative medical treatments come from Eastern thinking.
I also found mention of a study on MIT - music, imagery, and touch therapy. Once again this fits in with the Biblical concept of the laying on of hands. And, it is also something that science has a hard time quantifying and measuring.
Both scientists and Christians need to overcome their prejudices so we can learn more about how God set up this glorious world - and how we can live happier, more productive lives in harmony with his plan.
Henry found one study for me - it is unique because it went out and evaluated 17 other scientific studies. I think it interesting as well that it comes from a social work perspective. Anyone who studies psychiatric and social work knows that different people respond very differently to psychological stimulus and treatment.
Our universe is a complex place. Humans are one of the most complex species. I think we need both science and religion.
Wednesday, April 04, 2007
Death and Dying
A visitation last night, a funeral today, another church family death last night, and one of my photography friends tragically lost a young adult daughter.
I've lost both my parents and my mother and father-in-law are in their "elderly" years. Those years where health declines - and while it may get "better," better may mean better than the worst, but not as good as before.
The thought crossed my mind that there is a difference between suffering and sorrow.
Suffering occurs when you are ill, feeling pain, hurt. Suffering can be both physical and mental - and sorrow and grief are subsets of suffering.
Sorrow is more mental . . . sadness, grief, a sense of loss - which can be from losing a person in your life, losing a job, changing from one part of life to another - we grieve over many things.
We hate to watch our loved ones suffer - whether from illness or the consequences of poor choices. We grieve when our loved ones pass from this plane of existence to the next. Since it is a one way door, we don't know where they go or what happens next. We only have our faith structure to give us comfort.
I'm Christian . . . so it is of great comfort to me to visualize my loved ones in heaven in the presence of God. I've heard that Christian nurses say that the death of a Christian is so much easier than the death of a non believer. I can believe that because a Christian would not have the fear that death is THE END. Christians have confidence that death is just a transition from the earthly existence to a heavenly one.
But all human spiritual thought - regardless of faith - concludes that humans are more than flesh and blood - that there is a spirit within. While I want to preach Christ and his resurection - I also want to fulfill the exhortation to comfort those who are mourning.
God is bigger than I - God can see with much more clarity than I. While I don't understand why some people die young and others live richly through their old age, I believe that God has a plan for each one of us. And that plan includes our birth, our parents, our genetics, the chance events, the joys, the sorrows, the suffering, and finally our deaths. I believe that God is faithful - and that he will provide a beautiful existence for those that go on before us to the heavenly realms and that He will also provide comfort and peace to those of us left mourning here on earth.
I've lost both my parents and my mother and father-in-law are in their "elderly" years. Those years where health declines - and while it may get "better," better may mean better than the worst, but not as good as before.
The thought crossed my mind that there is a difference between suffering and sorrow.
Suffering occurs when you are ill, feeling pain, hurt. Suffering can be both physical and mental - and sorrow and grief are subsets of suffering.
Sorrow is more mental . . . sadness, grief, a sense of loss - which can be from losing a person in your life, losing a job, changing from one part of life to another - we grieve over many things.
We hate to watch our loved ones suffer - whether from illness or the consequences of poor choices. We grieve when our loved ones pass from this plane of existence to the next. Since it is a one way door, we don't know where they go or what happens next. We only have our faith structure to give us comfort.
I'm Christian . . . so it is of great comfort to me to visualize my loved ones in heaven in the presence of God. I've heard that Christian nurses say that the death of a Christian is so much easier than the death of a non believer. I can believe that because a Christian would not have the fear that death is THE END. Christians have confidence that death is just a transition from the earthly existence to a heavenly one.
But all human spiritual thought - regardless of faith - concludes that humans are more than flesh and blood - that there is a spirit within. While I want to preach Christ and his resurection - I also want to fulfill the exhortation to comfort those who are mourning.
God is bigger than I - God can see with much more clarity than I. While I don't understand why some people die young and others live richly through their old age, I believe that God has a plan for each one of us. And that plan includes our birth, our parents, our genetics, the chance events, the joys, the sorrows, the suffering, and finally our deaths. I believe that God is faithful - and that he will provide a beautiful existence for those that go on before us to the heavenly realms and that He will also provide comfort and peace to those of us left mourning here on earth.
Tuesday, December 12, 2006
Politics
At our congregation, we have Care Groups that meet in homes once a month. I have a wonderful group this year. We meet in one of my close friend's homes. Her hospitality and love are very encouraging and special to me. The group is congenial as well, with a pleasant mix of friends I know well and people I am just getting to know. Ron and Linda encourage us to linger and enjoy the fellowship and conversation with each other. I am blessed each time I go.
But sometimes, the conversation heads into politics. This was an election year. And there are many things in our current world that are of concern to Christian people. And there are probably good reasons why people often avoid discussing both politics and religion. God created us to be passionate people. These strong emotions can compel us to make our world a better place. But we are also created as unique beings. We enter life with different personalities. We grow up in different households, in different parts of the country, or even other parts of the world. Our families of origin can be loving and nurturing or cold and harsh. There are many contributing factors to our natural biases. Yes, biases. We think we are fair, knowlegeable, and rational. And for the most part, we are. But there are many natural things that tend to give us "tunnel vision." We all have a different points of view - many times conflicting based upon our life experience, what we read, and who we associate with.
I've talked before about information overload - sensory saturation. Via the internet we can read news and editorials from all over the world. A quick Google Search got me to London Herald Tribune. The headlines that caught my eye - Slum dwellers get free homes in Mumbai, more female fetuses being aborted in India, and Bush's distraction in Iraq has lead to stronger US-China ties. My son follows news threads both from US papers and international papers. While I don't read Al Jazeera on a regular basis, following 9/11 I was reading articles to try to understand why terrorists would fly planes into skyscrapers. I have a tab on my web browser for my local paper Austin American Statesman, The New York Times, The Washington Post, and even my small town local paper, The Hutto News. I also have a My Yahoo page set up with headlines from all sorts of places. I click on some of the articles - spending about 30 minutes reading the headlines that caught my attention. I can't possibly read all of this every day. In many ways I've given up trying to keep up with all the latest news.
I think many things shape our political views - what news we read, from which sources; where we live - big city, small town, agricultural, technilogical, northern, southern; our jobs; our religion; our life experience; and even our economic status. There is no way we will all agree on every issue. I'm not even sure there is a way to research all the information. I spent some time yesterday morning researching the history of the toll roads in Texas. I found some useful information, but not enough. I knew I had other things that needed my attention yesterday. Politics was an annoying distraction to my work flow.
The political discussions had disturbed my inner thoughts and tranquility. I was frustrated on many counts. (Not aggravated with the people, just the wide variety of statements - some of which I knew a different set of information because of my own life experience and things I had paid attention to.) And while I've had the privilege of going to Washington and talking to people both elected Representatives and aides in Senator's and Representative's offices, I've chosen to spend my time in life focused on other things. While one person can make a big difference even on the national level, that requires an enormous investment of time and energy. Most of the time I don't feel called in that direction. But when certain internal buttons get pushed, it is easy to second guess that decision.
My morning quiet times have helped calm my inner waters. From Alexandra Stoddard's Grace Notes: " No one can disturb your center unless you allow them to. Has anyone upset you lately? Don't let their angst interfere with your grace. You are not in control of them, but you are in control of yourself."
This morning from my "One Year Bible:
" My heart is not proud, O Lord, my eyes are not haughty; I do not concern myself with great matters or things too wonderful for me. But I have stilled and quieted my soul; like a weaned child with its mother, like a weaned child is my sould within me. O Israel, put your hope in the Lord both now and forever more."
I have chosen to try to concentrate my efforts on making the immediate world around me a better place. I can do small things. This passage affirms me - I don't have to be concerned with "great matters", God is truly in charge, I can be quiet as a small child. Even though it does not always feel like it, God has this world in his loving hands. I can put my hope in him.
Will there be opportunities for me to do things on a larger scale . . . . perhaps. But my job right now is to live one day at a time focused on trying to do God's will for me each day.
But sometimes, the conversation heads into politics. This was an election year. And there are many things in our current world that are of concern to Christian people. And there are probably good reasons why people often avoid discussing both politics and religion. God created us to be passionate people. These strong emotions can compel us to make our world a better place. But we are also created as unique beings. We enter life with different personalities. We grow up in different households, in different parts of the country, or even other parts of the world. Our families of origin can be loving and nurturing or cold and harsh. There are many contributing factors to our natural biases. Yes, biases. We think we are fair, knowlegeable, and rational. And for the most part, we are. But there are many natural things that tend to give us "tunnel vision." We all have a different points of view - many times conflicting based upon our life experience, what we read, and who we associate with.
I've talked before about information overload - sensory saturation. Via the internet we can read news and editorials from all over the world. A quick Google Search got me to London Herald Tribune. The headlines that caught my eye - Slum dwellers get free homes in Mumbai, more female fetuses being aborted in India, and Bush's distraction in Iraq has lead to stronger US-China ties. My son follows news threads both from US papers and international papers. While I don't read Al Jazeera on a regular basis, following 9/11 I was reading articles to try to understand why terrorists would fly planes into skyscrapers. I have a tab on my web browser for my local paper Austin American Statesman, The New York Times, The Washington Post, and even my small town local paper, The Hutto News. I also have a My Yahoo page set up with headlines from all sorts of places. I click on some of the articles - spending about 30 minutes reading the headlines that caught my attention. I can't possibly read all of this every day. In many ways I've given up trying to keep up with all the latest news.
I think many things shape our political views - what news we read, from which sources; where we live - big city, small town, agricultural, technilogical, northern, southern; our jobs; our religion; our life experience; and even our economic status. There is no way we will all agree on every issue. I'm not even sure there is a way to research all the information. I spent some time yesterday morning researching the history of the toll roads in Texas. I found some useful information, but not enough. I knew I had other things that needed my attention yesterday. Politics was an annoying distraction to my work flow.
The political discussions had disturbed my inner thoughts and tranquility. I was frustrated on many counts. (Not aggravated with the people, just the wide variety of statements - some of which I knew a different set of information because of my own life experience and things I had paid attention to.) And while I've had the privilege of going to Washington and talking to people both elected Representatives and aides in Senator's and Representative's offices, I've chosen to spend my time in life focused on other things. While one person can make a big difference even on the national level, that requires an enormous investment of time and energy. Most of the time I don't feel called in that direction. But when certain internal buttons get pushed, it is easy to second guess that decision.
My morning quiet times have helped calm my inner waters. From Alexandra Stoddard's Grace Notes: " No one can disturb your center unless you allow them to. Has anyone upset you lately? Don't let their angst interfere with your grace. You are not in control of them, but you are in control of yourself."
This morning from my "One Year Bible:
" My heart is not proud, O Lord, my eyes are not haughty; I do not concern myself with great matters or things too wonderful for me. But I have stilled and quieted my soul; like a weaned child with its mother, like a weaned child is my sould within me. O Israel, put your hope in the Lord both now and forever more."
I have chosen to try to concentrate my efforts on making the immediate world around me a better place. I can do small things. This passage affirms me - I don't have to be concerned with "great matters", God is truly in charge, I can be quiet as a small child. Even though it does not always feel like it, God has this world in his loving hands. I can put my hope in him.
Will there be opportunities for me to do things on a larger scale . . . . perhaps. But my job right now is to live one day at a time focused on trying to do God's will for me each day.
Tuesday, October 17, 2006
Life Lessons from a Riverboat
I like to spend time outside in contemplation or meditation. At home, my time is usually in the mornings on my front porch. On this trip, there has not been much time to feed that inner spirit. While we've been at a wonderfully quiet spot on the Mississippi River, the weather has been damp, cold, and sometimes rainy. Plus, I had a major project going on. Once we got settled in at the campground, I started getting 20 photos ready to be uploaded at a new stock agency for me. Everything had to be resized, uploaded via ftp and then keyworded and described on the site. Upsizing is easy, but you have "wait" time while the program does its thing. Entering titles, descriptions, keywords, etc is time consuming. They had requested a first submission of 20 images, so that is what I've spent the last two days doing. To complicate matters, my keyboard has a glitch. It started before the trip. We put it in the shop, got it back . . . . just a few days later it is not fixed. Sometimes all the keys work and sometimes they don't. I've gotten really good at typing using a Keyboard viewer and my touch pad. But it is slow. And then at other times, my keyboard works normally (like right now.)
So . . . I've been at this lovely, peaceful, tranquil, riverside campground, working like crazy. We've seen a few riverboats go by and I stopped and enjoyed each one. We've heard owls in the woods every night. We've watched the antics of the great blue herons that fish the river. We've even seen a beaver. But I felt like I had not had time to "enjoy" these things. I was enjoying them, yes, but I had not had time to savor it . . .so to speak.
So this evening, I had my photos uploaded, my email from the website with approval wordings on it (and I really like that I have someone who gives me feedback and information directly - with Alamy I usually feel like I am working in the dark.) So tonight I can relax.
I was planning to go outside and sit at the picnic table by the river and hope for owl calls. I took Henry's night vision binoculars to see if I could see anything (well, I was not good at focusing them . . . figured that out, but did not really see much with them) Then I looked downstream and realized that I was seeing the sweeping lights of a river boat heading upstream. Oh Boy!!!!!! I could sit and watch this one with my undivided attention. (Needless to say, small things sometimes please me greatly!) So I sat down to enjoy the experience and give it my full attention.
Now when I first saw the lights, they were very dim and in the distance, around the curve of the island . . . . . . . I'm thinking now that riverboat was probably 10 miles away when I first realized it was coming. Earlier today, we did some calculations . . . . riverboats travel less than 7 miles per hour . . . . This one was not going 7 miles per hour in the dark.
I sat at the picnic table and listened to the night sounds. I was soaking up that serenity I had been missing. I could hear the frogs and crickets in the forest behind me. I could hear the small fish splashing as they lept out of the water. I could hear the squaks of the herons as the noise in the distance and the lights in the distance disturbed their sleep. (The riverboat is still a long way away . . . . )
I could hear the owls . . . I was hoping I would get to hear the owl calls tonight. Sometimes they are loud and nearby, other times they are soft and far away. I think we've heard two species . . . I need to go online and listen to owl calls. One sounds like a barred owl. We heard those on the Owl Prowl and Froggy Frolic I went on during the summer. So I think one was a barred owl. The call we heard last night was very different. It was much more of a howl. I'm thinking either screech owl or perhaps even a bobcat. Yes, I need to listen to bird calls while the sounds are fresh in my memory.
While enjoying the night sounds around me, I keep watching downstream as the boat makes its way up the river. This is a SLOW boat. I'm sure the daytime boats went faster. (7 miles an hour is faster?????) The boat has made it past the curve around the island. I can see the spotlight. Sometimes it sweeps the area where I am sitting and the trees on the bank of the slough by the campground. At first the light is faint as it illuminated the trees. As time passes, the light gets brighter. I can see the spotlights well . . . . I don't see barges in front of the spot lights . . . .hum . . . . this is taking a LONG time . . . .maybe it is not barges, maybe it is a dredge . . . . hum . . . . it is slow . . . . . .
The night barges have two big spot lights. Have I mentioned they are BRIGHT spot lights. Your eyes have gotten used to the dark, you are looking toward the boat as it shines the light on the far bank . . . . the light swings in your direction . . . .your eyes don't move fast enough . . . . you can actually see your iris close to block out that painfully bright light. After a couple of times, I tried to avoid this experience. Hands work well as a shade.
Did I mention that the boat is still not here yet?????
I am truly enjoying sitting at the picnic enjoying this evening and waiting for the boat. I am NOT going in until the boat passes. But I am gettng chilly, so I went in and got my coat.
The nice thing about contemplation time is that your mind has time to process things. As I wait for this VERY slow boat, I think about what the captain of this boat is dealing with. It is dark out here. While there are some very small, dim flashing lights (miniature light houses-not bright) along the shore every couple of miles, there is virtually no light to guide him along the river. Nothing like the street lights on metropolitan interstates. Only the big spotlights on the top of the boat. The barges are very long in front of him (5 barges long, 3 barges wide-that is probably 250 feet of barge in front of him in the dark). . . at night he only has a very small flashing red light to tell him where the front of the boat is. There are buoys in the river to mark the channel. They are not lit. The captain must find them with his spotlight. He also must trust that whoever placed the buoys knew what they were doing. He must also trust that there are no new sand bars. It is dark, he can't see any new sandbars.
There is a pattern to the movement of the lights. Sometimes the lights swing from side to side checking where the river bank and landmarks may be. Sometimes, the lights are aimed dead straight ahead where the channel buoys are illuminated. Sometimes the captain keeps the lights in one position for a long time. If you think it is safe to look at the boat . . . . oops that light got you in the eyes again, yes, I AM seeing my iris close in a amazing flash of yellow and black, yes, that hurts. Yes, let's not do that again!
The boat is actually much closer now. Yes, there really are barges in front of it. Yes, it really is the same size as the ones during the day. With the boat this close, the spotlights are truly blinding. The captain may see Henry and me, he certainly leaves the spotlight on us for several moments. It is very bright, indescribably bright, MUCH brighter than the streetlights on the highways, almost like the worklights they use in highway construction at night, or Hollywood production night lights. And there are only two of them.
It is only after the boat has passed you that you can see the spotlight on the nested covers to the barges. When the barge is even with you, it appears to be going faster. It is an illusion. You can hear the engine noises a longer distance when the boat is downstream - some acoustic thing-perhaps the island and trees channel the sound better in that direction. But when the boat is near you, the engine is loud. A very rhythmic loud. Rum, rum, rum, rum, rum, deep tones,
As the boat passes, I appreciate the beauty of the side lights and their reflection on the water. Since the covers are folded up, and the barges seem to be riding low in the water, I wonder if this is carrying coal. I can't see the cargo or even the barges well enough to really know how they are riding in the water. But my mind wants to make sense of this. The barges going upstream this morning were coal barges. Grain barges would be covered.
When I was waiting for the barge to make its way tediously up the river, my contemplation headed in spiritual realms. The night is dark, sometimes our lives are lived in darkness, away from God's light. God's light is bright, it can be seen from far away, much as the riverboat's bright light could be seen coming even when it was 10 or more miles away. If we look for that light, we can see it coming. I was looking in the night and saw the distant light because I was outside taking in my surroundings. As the boat captain must trust the buoys for guidance, I also must trust the markers God puts in my path to guide me through life, as the riverboat captain trusts the buoys and lights. The riverboat captain has a detailed map of the river. As a Christian, I have the Bible as a written guide to help me navigate through the challenges of life.
Patience. When we travel around the country in our RV, we usually go 55-70 miles an hour. This riverboat is going less than 7 miles per hour. Folks, this is slow. A riverboat captain must have patience. He really will get to his destination. But it won't be fast. What does he do to keep his mind occupied? How does he keep his concentration on the dimly lit buoy's, especially in the dead of night. Sometimes as we journey through our lives,it feels like we are going painfully slow, just like these riverboats. But the riverboats must go slow. They are pushing many tons of cargo in these long barges-usually 15 lashed together. Each barge would hold the contents of perhaps 10-15 tractor trailer rigs. The riverboat captain knows he will get to his destination eventually. When my life is going painfully slow toward my goal, I must remember that with God as my captain, I will get to his goal for me.
Sometimes, I wonder if the time I spend enjoying, contemplating, meditating on my surroundings is wasted. From the time I first saw the distant dim light until the riverboat finally passed by was probably 1 1/2 hours. I experienced the mystery and wonder of the life around the river, I felt the cool gentle air, and I gained another object lesson for Christian living.
Wasted time . . . . . . I don't think so.
So . . . I've been at this lovely, peaceful, tranquil, riverside campground, working like crazy. We've seen a few riverboats go by and I stopped and enjoyed each one. We've heard owls in the woods every night. We've watched the antics of the great blue herons that fish the river. We've even seen a beaver. But I felt like I had not had time to "enjoy" these things. I was enjoying them, yes, but I had not had time to savor it . . .so to speak.
So this evening, I had my photos uploaded, my email from the website with approval wordings on it (and I really like that I have someone who gives me feedback and information directly - with Alamy I usually feel like I am working in the dark.) So tonight I can relax.
I was planning to go outside and sit at the picnic table by the river and hope for owl calls. I took Henry's night vision binoculars to see if I could see anything (well, I was not good at focusing them . . . figured that out, but did not really see much with them) Then I looked downstream and realized that I was seeing the sweeping lights of a river boat heading upstream. Oh Boy!!!!!! I could sit and watch this one with my undivided attention. (Needless to say, small things sometimes please me greatly!) So I sat down to enjoy the experience and give it my full attention.
Now when I first saw the lights, they were very dim and in the distance, around the curve of the island . . . . . . . I'm thinking now that riverboat was probably 10 miles away when I first realized it was coming. Earlier today, we did some calculations . . . . riverboats travel less than 7 miles per hour . . . . This one was not going 7 miles per hour in the dark.
I sat at the picnic table and listened to the night sounds. I was soaking up that serenity I had been missing. I could hear the frogs and crickets in the forest behind me. I could hear the small fish splashing as they lept out of the water. I could hear the squaks of the herons as the noise in the distance and the lights in the distance disturbed their sleep. (The riverboat is still a long way away . . . . )
I could hear the owls . . . I was hoping I would get to hear the owl calls tonight. Sometimes they are loud and nearby, other times they are soft and far away. I think we've heard two species . . . I need to go online and listen to owl calls. One sounds like a barred owl. We heard those on the Owl Prowl and Froggy Frolic I went on during the summer. So I think one was a barred owl. The call we heard last night was very different. It was much more of a howl. I'm thinking either screech owl or perhaps even a bobcat. Yes, I need to listen to bird calls while the sounds are fresh in my memory.
While enjoying the night sounds around me, I keep watching downstream as the boat makes its way up the river. This is a SLOW boat. I'm sure the daytime boats went faster. (7 miles an hour is faster?????) The boat has made it past the curve around the island. I can see the spotlight. Sometimes it sweeps the area where I am sitting and the trees on the bank of the slough by the campground. At first the light is faint as it illuminated the trees. As time passes, the light gets brighter. I can see the spotlights well . . . . I don't see barges in front of the spot lights . . . .hum . . . . this is taking a LONG time . . . .maybe it is not barges, maybe it is a dredge . . . . hum . . . . it is slow . . . . . .
The night barges have two big spot lights. Have I mentioned they are BRIGHT spot lights. Your eyes have gotten used to the dark, you are looking toward the boat as it shines the light on the far bank . . . . the light swings in your direction . . . .your eyes don't move fast enough . . . . you can actually see your iris close to block out that painfully bright light. After a couple of times, I tried to avoid this experience. Hands work well as a shade.
Did I mention that the boat is still not here yet?????
I am truly enjoying sitting at the picnic enjoying this evening and waiting for the boat. I am NOT going in until the boat passes. But I am gettng chilly, so I went in and got my coat.
The nice thing about contemplation time is that your mind has time to process things. As I wait for this VERY slow boat, I think about what the captain of this boat is dealing with. It is dark out here. While there are some very small, dim flashing lights (miniature light houses-not bright) along the shore every couple of miles, there is virtually no light to guide him along the river. Nothing like the street lights on metropolitan interstates. Only the big spotlights on the top of the boat. The barges are very long in front of him (5 barges long, 3 barges wide-that is probably 250 feet of barge in front of him in the dark). . . at night he only has a very small flashing red light to tell him where the front of the boat is. There are buoys in the river to mark the channel. They are not lit. The captain must find them with his spotlight. He also must trust that whoever placed the buoys knew what they were doing. He must also trust that there are no new sand bars. It is dark, he can't see any new sandbars.
There is a pattern to the movement of the lights. Sometimes the lights swing from side to side checking where the river bank and landmarks may be. Sometimes, the lights are aimed dead straight ahead where the channel buoys are illuminated. Sometimes the captain keeps the lights in one position for a long time. If you think it is safe to look at the boat . . . . oops that light got you in the eyes again, yes, I AM seeing my iris close in a amazing flash of yellow and black, yes, that hurts. Yes, let's not do that again!
The boat is actually much closer now. Yes, there really are barges in front of it. Yes, it really is the same size as the ones during the day. With the boat this close, the spotlights are truly blinding. The captain may see Henry and me, he certainly leaves the spotlight on us for several moments. It is very bright, indescribably bright, MUCH brighter than the streetlights on the highways, almost like the worklights they use in highway construction at night, or Hollywood production night lights. And there are only two of them.
It is only after the boat has passed you that you can see the spotlight on the nested covers to the barges. When the barge is even with you, it appears to be going faster. It is an illusion. You can hear the engine noises a longer distance when the boat is downstream - some acoustic thing-perhaps the island and trees channel the sound better in that direction. But when the boat is near you, the engine is loud. A very rhythmic loud. Rum, rum, rum, rum, rum, deep tones,
As the boat passes, I appreciate the beauty of the side lights and their reflection on the water. Since the covers are folded up, and the barges seem to be riding low in the water, I wonder if this is carrying coal. I can't see the cargo or even the barges well enough to really know how they are riding in the water. But my mind wants to make sense of this. The barges going upstream this morning were coal barges. Grain barges would be covered.
When I was waiting for the barge to make its way tediously up the river, my contemplation headed in spiritual realms. The night is dark, sometimes our lives are lived in darkness, away from God's light. God's light is bright, it can be seen from far away, much as the riverboat's bright light could be seen coming even when it was 10 or more miles away. If we look for that light, we can see it coming. I was looking in the night and saw the distant light because I was outside taking in my surroundings. As the boat captain must trust the buoys for guidance, I also must trust the markers God puts in my path to guide me through life, as the riverboat captain trusts the buoys and lights. The riverboat captain has a detailed map of the river. As a Christian, I have the Bible as a written guide to help me navigate through the challenges of life.
Patience. When we travel around the country in our RV, we usually go 55-70 miles an hour. This riverboat is going less than 7 miles per hour. Folks, this is slow. A riverboat captain must have patience. He really will get to his destination. But it won't be fast. What does he do to keep his mind occupied? How does he keep his concentration on the dimly lit buoy's, especially in the dead of night. Sometimes as we journey through our lives,it feels like we are going painfully slow, just like these riverboats. But the riverboats must go slow. They are pushing many tons of cargo in these long barges-usually 15 lashed together. Each barge would hold the contents of perhaps 10-15 tractor trailer rigs. The riverboat captain knows he will get to his destination eventually. When my life is going painfully slow toward my goal, I must remember that with God as my captain, I will get to his goal for me.
Sometimes, I wonder if the time I spend enjoying, contemplating, meditating on my surroundings is wasted. From the time I first saw the distant dim light until the riverboat finally passed by was probably 1 1/2 hours. I experienced the mystery and wonder of the life around the river, I felt the cool gentle air, and I gained another object lesson for Christian living.
Wasted time . . . . . . I don't think so.
Friday, July 08, 2005
Musings
We have visited London in the last few years. It is a beautiful city, filled with life. The terrorist activities there today remind us that our world is no longer predictable. While it is very true that each of us is only given one day at a time to live, we go through our days as though we are going to live forever. We are proud of our ability to plan for the future, store up retirement savings, and find new adventures in living. But death is always a part of life. Whether from disease, accidents, natural disasters, or human malevolence, we have a limited lifespan. God is the master of my fate - not a terrorist! In Ps 139, "All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be."
Human history tells us that there have been many dark periods in history. I grew up in the Cold War - with food and supplies stockpiled in the buildings in downtown Amarillo. The yellow triangles marked where to go for shelter in case of a nuclear attack. Looking back, diving under the school desk would not have protected us from a nuclear blast, but we practiced it in drills anyway. London has had dark days before - the German blitzkrieg during World War II was a horrible time of death and destruction. Much of historic London was lost to the bombs. The strife over Northern Ireland and the terrorist activity took its toll. But I rejoice that so many of these historical conflicts did subside and peace returned. I truly believe that this struggle with these seemingly religious fanatics will have an end. Anger and hatred are tiring emotions constantly requiring feeding. As a destructive summer storm comes in with a roar, there is always an end to the turbulence. Summer storms may come in quickly and leave quickly. Other times they linger and have several waves of thunder, rain, wind, and occasionally hail. But after the storm, the air has been washed clean, the sun shines brighter, and sometimes, a rainbow fills the sky.
I am really a simple person. I do not understand the need to kill people that I don't know. I certainly do not understand what drives someone to kill themselves in this process. People who have hope for the future do not do such things - only people in great despair.
Somehow, a solution must be found for the disparity between the super rich and the very poor. We must also learn to appreciate the differences in the cultures around the world. In the long run, only God can bring peace back into our world. So tonight my prayer:
Lord, please provide comfort and sympathy to those who are grieving in London. Bring healing to the injured and strength for the families as they nurse their loved ones back to health. Give the people in London the courage to go about their normal activities in spite of this tragedy. Touch the hearts of the men who are sowing these seeds of hatred. Touch the hearts of the young men who are following the teachings of hatred. Bring peace and prosperity to the troubled parts of our world.
Human history tells us that there have been many dark periods in history. I grew up in the Cold War - with food and supplies stockpiled in the buildings in downtown Amarillo. The yellow triangles marked where to go for shelter in case of a nuclear attack. Looking back, diving under the school desk would not have protected us from a nuclear blast, but we practiced it in drills anyway. London has had dark days before - the German blitzkrieg during World War II was a horrible time of death and destruction. Much of historic London was lost to the bombs. The strife over Northern Ireland and the terrorist activity took its toll. But I rejoice that so many of these historical conflicts did subside and peace returned. I truly believe that this struggle with these seemingly religious fanatics will have an end. Anger and hatred are tiring emotions constantly requiring feeding. As a destructive summer storm comes in with a roar, there is always an end to the turbulence. Summer storms may come in quickly and leave quickly. Other times they linger and have several waves of thunder, rain, wind, and occasionally hail. But after the storm, the air has been washed clean, the sun shines brighter, and sometimes, a rainbow fills the sky.
I am really a simple person. I do not understand the need to kill people that I don't know. I certainly do not understand what drives someone to kill themselves in this process. People who have hope for the future do not do such things - only people in great despair.
Somehow, a solution must be found for the disparity between the super rich and the very poor. We must also learn to appreciate the differences in the cultures around the world. In the long run, only God can bring peace back into our world. So tonight my prayer:
Lord, please provide comfort and sympathy to those who are grieving in London. Bring healing to the injured and strength for the families as they nurse their loved ones back to health. Give the people in London the courage to go about their normal activities in spite of this tragedy. Touch the hearts of the men who are sowing these seeds of hatred. Touch the hearts of the young men who are following the teachings of hatred. Bring peace and prosperity to the troubled parts of our world.
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