Unusual beginnings to our newest year. A new train system in Phoenix. The African/Amr. President, for the first time. Unprecidented upheaval economically. Good luck to the new guy! He's got a heckuva job ahead, to do what he can. And how about good luck and heckuva job by... the Arizona Cardinals?! To quote the infamous speech from Saints Coach Mora those many years ago - "Playoffs?!" And moreover... SUPERBOW??!! "Are You Kiddin' Me?!" Strange occurences to kick off a new calendar to be sure; but things which just might cause us to lift our heads from our trying, crazy times and make us pause and say - "There still might just be hope!"
Naturally, those of us who believe in God above (or even just a nebulous higher power), generally always have that. Tho' it is nice (reassuring, perhaps) to see outward signs of such. Maybe more than simply 'nice.' Maybe even... crucial. At the very least, very important. Hopeful things must happen in the time and space through which we roam; just as sure as the sorrowful and dark. It is how our world works. It is how the nature of things prove themselves out. So, as sure as bad things happen all...
Olympics over, US Open too - with a new NFL season upon us once more. School begins. Fall is in the air. Hurricanes too. Political candidates vie for position. Economy still struggles. As do people. Life sounds pretty normal for planet earth, all-in-all.
Let us not forget that despite the routine, 9 to 5, life and death, and everything continues regularly - our ever-present need to meditate our private energies with thought to it all. Day by day, we see our times, our people always and ever trying to break through or break free to (or from) some mission or some struggle. The more our thoughts and prayers go out, the more we engage our world. We may affect things directly or indirectly. But to step out of our own concerns, if only for moments (or more if we have the wherewithall) and contemplate the situations of others (or do something about), the more we embrace our... humanity? Or our true purpose? Or something like that.
I sure don't find it an easy thing to do, always. I heard a girl, with pressing concerns (of what I do not know) speak freely to her boyfriend of that which affected her...
Well, here we are, at long last. After much promotion and hype, the games of the 2008 Bejing Olympiad. I must confess, I've paid more attention to these games this year than I ever have before. The competition, great. The myriad of events, boggling. To a certain extent, what games are actually considered Olympic sports! Table tennis? Are you serious? Batmitton? No way! And they're canning baseball and softball! Unbelievable!
But, all that is all beside the point. If I've learned one thing about the spirit of the games (and perhaps more importantly, world unity); it is this: The ONLY way we, in and only of ourselves (as human beings) can manage to unify is thru... playing together! Playing games. Not conducting business, not managing governments and peoples, not spreading religon; but engaging in sports. Something we're told, from childhood - is only a game. If it is indeed, 'ONLY a game, why is it that it appears that's the singular way we can all come together from around the globe, and get along? I'm certainly not saying we should can everything else and just play games all day, all the time - of course not! Naturally, it is business and governement which paves the...
What's up these days? Its Summer in Phoenix. The dog days. Our lousy economy has squelched a lot of options. Travel that might have been for renewel not so probable for many of us. Our lives, our kids, our goals... where do they go from here? Ever feel stuck in limbo - vast arrays of good ideas, but where to go with them? What's the motivation? Where's the kick-start from the day-to-day routine, that gets them going? Its a wearisome time for sure.
I recently thought about high school... when I came alive after two years in - and started to actually like it. What changed? Got involved - just a little. A little which proved to be enough. Can I translate that in the now? One would think so. Why not? I remember praying once a while back and heard the 'little voice' say "Me First!" Of course that means... not ourselves! At the same time, its important to remember one's own drives, being careful not to neglect doing the things that are uniquely yours to accomplish. I think perhaps, do a God-thing first (whatever you/he have determined are your 'service' gifts), and do it. Just one. And then...
Bonding & islolating. intertwined & solitary. Together & apart. Several ways of putting how we as humans can be. Or varying degrees of each. But two definite ends-of-spectrum, to be sure. When healthfully interacting (as designed), we give unto one another that which keeps each from being separate and alone. A piece (or pieces) of ourselves another takes when with them, and when we part and go onto our other purposes and busy-ness we tend to have to do. In doing so, we thereby stop the singularness that would otherwise exist. Pretty straightforward and obvious thus far, I would think. But then..!
When it comes to the 'believing' individual (of Father, Son & indwelling spirit thereof!); an added element to the mix! (This was pointed out one day recent - and I couldn't help but run with a bit.) Got me thinking - A spirit-indwelt believer would have the added ability (via the personal walk with God) to pass on not only pieces of themselves, but also imprints of the spirit (that portion bestowed them) to other believers; heck, even onto those who may not (believe)! And this, it would seem, is THE VERY reason God might choose act in and thru us the way...
The anticipated 'Time-Block' (quantum timeline idea) will have to wait for now, as it is (at best), subjective to the point of nearly ridiculous (sounds fun, huh?).
For now, simply some random thoughts on the (points in) time in which we live and function; together and apart. With God and in our (temporary) world. Times which come, effect their change(s) upon us; times of reflection upon those; and times as yet to come. People who change us, people whose relationships change, and changed people. Facsinating and wonderful to step back and, at times (when possible), simply observe 'in pause', to see and touch our ability to note and/or feel growth, or even decline, in those around us and within ourselves. To have the sense that we see our stories being written through our struggles and our victories, and everything that happens in between. To realize (when the capacity is granted), to step outside ourselves and know our destinies, our purposes God made us for, are indeed and actually, being played out. Wowsers.
Also, let it be known and herewith stated, that the primary purpose of these blog ramblings are provoked meanderings to provoke the telling of our stories of how God is working in, thru and...
It occurs that, with the passing of time, along with the struggles and challenges which happen in our lives, our character make-up and the core of some behaviors, unquestionably change within us. In the course of a decade or two, we generally observe that we are often not the same person we used to be. It can be positive change, but very often we, or others around us, find that we are adversely affected, and notice that the changes don't stay in keeping with our ideal selves.
Rocky marriares, difficulty in child rearing, vocational struggles, lean times, addictions, and many more take their tolls. It seems as tho' these may not be happy realizations, but the awareness, the very notation to the fact that it has taken place, is oftentimes, a very good start.
Myself, I've found that as I near the culmination of a particular difficult phase, I begin to realize my fatigue; seeing (with clarity) the effects upon my temperment, and sometimes the absolute exhaustion, spiritual, mental and physical. It seems to be at these times, when all that can be done is rest, retreat (and sometimes cease to care), that time to reflect upon the effects, brings forth a positive result....
Do you believe in – or – can you distinguish between – right and wrong? Darkness and light? If you do, if you can – you are bestowed the knowledge of Good and Evil that was passed onto your species from the beginning. By – or through – the Creator of your species – and every other that inhabits this world or others. A species we are told, mirrors (in image) that of this same Creator. If we doubt the merit of creator, look around the vastness of design in all of nature, we ourselves or even universe beyond. And, look upon our own insatiable nature to build, write, make and construct things.
However, the knowledge granted, whether asked for or not, is there; and with it comes an unfortunate side effect – that is, the sins of Man. And if we doubt that, consider our bent (from childhood) to cheat, lie, steal, hurt, sometimes kill or maim. To speak ill of others, to obsess and possess all manner of things, simply to please ourselves, or gain the acknowledgement of others. (Luckily, these are not true of all; simply, most of us can relate). As children, it manifests...
Where does the anger we sometimes feel over losses - deaths, betrayals, loves lost, etc. come from? Moreover, to whom are we often angry at? God himself oftentimes, no? Why him? Do we hold a certain expectation of him (if we believe in his existence in the first place) because of our preception of who he’s supposed to be?
Whether we be churched or un-churched, believers or non-believers - any one who at least acknowledges a higher power would certainly attach a certain responsibility to this creator for his creations, yes? And when this expectation, whether appropriate or not, is not met in areas such as this, we are let down in some sense or another. Let downs turn to disappointment; and dissapointment then to depression or anger.
This can be, for the true seeker, a time of opportunity to try and discover God more. Every characterisic which we carry are reflections of Him; if we ascribe to the idea that we are ‘created in His image.’ If we feel real anger or betrayal toward God for things that happen to us (are taken from us), then we need to explore what about our expectation(s) warrants an emotional response of...
Today we all returned together, to meet as a family group once more. Without our fearless leader, who takes well-earned R & R, we fended for ourselves, typically sharing stories, fears, turmoils and circumstances, as we do so well.
Its always such a blessing to be a part of it; to have the chance to imprint on others, and to be equally imprinted upon by the same. We experience such an array of personalities and spirits amongst ourselves - truly having an impact on one another, which we take with us thru our journey throughout the course of the week.
The timing seemed intriguing as well, in that, for two weeks we'd not seen our friends; some having retreated, some unable to. But regardless, there was a freshness somehow - akin to having missed each other, and excited once more, to share.