Today is Veteran's day. At church we will remember all veteran's in our prayers and we'll sing Eternal Father Strong to Save aka the Navy hymn.
Certainly I've known many veterans. I have relatives and close friends who have served our country and were willing to risk their lives for the freedom we enjoy here. I am not a veteran. The closest I came to the military was being an Eagle Scout. While I don't support war, I don't think to many people actually do, I've never been of a mind set that sought to blame the actual military personnel. I'd rather question the politicians that create a need for them.
This week also brought to us the election. This was the eighth presidential election I have voted in. I'm batting .500 in voting for the winner. While my candidate did win this time, I've been watching the reaction of my friends and others who supported Mr. Romney. Some seem to be doing okay, but a good many look and are acting as if they were the victims of a natural disaster that they didn't know was coming. And I find myself wondering how that happens.
What in our lives catches us so off guard that when things don't go according to script one is left feeling like they need to grieve? I've tried to ask myself how I would have reacted to the election had it gone the other way? My hope for myself is that I would have taken it in stride, and not acted as if the apocalypse had occurred or someone near and dear to me had been tragically killed.
Part of my inner hope is that I know I did not invest a lot of emotional energy in my candidate. I vote and that's about it. I don't post signs, I don't forward emails. I'll admit I don't pay much attention to what the other side is offering, but that might happen at some point.
Here's what I do know, that no matter how the election went, I was still beloved, by God, by my family, by my friends and by my church. As long as I have that no election can destroy me.
So today, like many Sundays I'll pray. Pray for those who are still in shock from the election. Pray even more for those who lost everything in the recent hurricane. Give thanks for people who give sacrificially in the service of our country and to helping folks who have been dealt a serious blow.
Blessings,
Ed
Sunday, November 11, 2012
Sunday, November 4, 2012
Reflections for 11/4/2012
One of my favorite days in the church year was today, Sunday after All Saints. While All Saints has its own official day, someone in their infinite wisdom figured out that moving it to Sunday more people would here it.
Today I'm thinking about the presence of "saints" in my life. So I should start by saying that for me a saint is sort of the heroes/heroines of the faith. Many of them of course have made it into the annals of history both inside and out side of the church. A closer reading of their lives would show us that.sainthood never equates to perfection. It often points to an ability to move beyond one's shortcomings and to make a difference in the lives of others.
I know that in my life, I've had living saints, people who have helped me understand my faith in new and different ways at different points in my life. I also know there are saints who have been there for me at a unique moment in time, and sometimes I was unaware of it. Most if not all of these folks will not make it onto the church calender but their impact on my life and perhaps others is undeniable.
I hope that in some ways I've been a "saint" to others. That in some way I've impacted someones life in positive ways that I may not even know about.
I doubt they will name a building after me. I doubt that I will ever be recognized beyond the microcosm that I live in. What I do know is this, I will continue to strive to do all that I can to be a light in the world.
Blessings,
Ed+
Today I'm thinking about the presence of "saints" in my life. So I should start by saying that for me a saint is sort of the heroes/heroines of the faith. Many of them of course have made it into the annals of history both inside and out side of the church. A closer reading of their lives would show us that.sainthood never equates to perfection. It often points to an ability to move beyond one's shortcomings and to make a difference in the lives of others.
I know that in my life, I've had living saints, people who have helped me understand my faith in new and different ways at different points in my life. I also know there are saints who have been there for me at a unique moment in time, and sometimes I was unaware of it. Most if not all of these folks will not make it onto the church calender but their impact on my life and perhaps others is undeniable.
I hope that in some ways I've been a "saint" to others. That in some way I've impacted someones life in positive ways that I may not even know about.
I doubt they will name a building after me. I doubt that I will ever be recognized beyond the microcosm that I live in. What I do know is this, I will continue to strive to do all that I can to be a light in the world.
Blessings,
Ed+
Thursday, September 27, 2012
Reflections for 9/27
One of my sort of stress relievers is my musical birthday updates on my Facebook page. I've loved music all of my life. There's something from every genre that I like, though I do have my preferences.
Sometimes when I see a birthday come up, it takes me back to my younger days or sometimes my adult days. Remembering concerts, and the friends I went with, or songs that I used to blast in my car, or perhaps still do. Music is often a soundtrack for our lives.
Today I noticed that it was Shaun Cassidy's birthday. Now I'm not claiming to be a big fan or really a fan at all, but there was a period in my life when he was somewhat omnipresent. This was mainly due to my sister's love for him. I can still picture her room with all those posters and Tiger Beat covers of Shaun plastered on her walls. Da Doo Run, run blasting from her stereo.
In full disclosure she could tell a similar story of me, just change Shaun to Kiss. And instead of the Da Doo Run Run put in Shout it out Loud.
What I remember also about the dueling music of the Zelley children was how my father decided that this would be a good sermon illustration for the John 14 passage, "in my Father's house, there are many rooms." He even went so far as to quote lyrics from the songs he was hearing. I think he should have checked them a little more thoroughly before reading them out loud in church.
I've always liked that passage from John, the vision of what Heaven is like, with a place prepared for me.
I wonder if that room would contain only the things that truly made me happy in life, or would there be some examples of things from all chapters of my life?
I know there are things that make me unique and there are things that continue to bring me joy.
What would your room look like? What are the central pieces of the different chapters in your life? When you hear a song, what does it conjure up in your memory.
Blessings,
Ed
Sometimes when I see a birthday come up, it takes me back to my younger days or sometimes my adult days. Remembering concerts, and the friends I went with, or songs that I used to blast in my car, or perhaps still do. Music is often a soundtrack for our lives.
Today I noticed that it was Shaun Cassidy's birthday. Now I'm not claiming to be a big fan or really a fan at all, but there was a period in my life when he was somewhat omnipresent. This was mainly due to my sister's love for him. I can still picture her room with all those posters and Tiger Beat covers of Shaun plastered on her walls. Da Doo Run, run blasting from her stereo.
In full disclosure she could tell a similar story of me, just change Shaun to Kiss. And instead of the Da Doo Run Run put in Shout it out Loud.
What I remember also about the dueling music of the Zelley children was how my father decided that this would be a good sermon illustration for the John 14 passage, "in my Father's house, there are many rooms." He even went so far as to quote lyrics from the songs he was hearing. I think he should have checked them a little more thoroughly before reading them out loud in church.
I've always liked that passage from John, the vision of what Heaven is like, with a place prepared for me.
I wonder if that room would contain only the things that truly made me happy in life, or would there be some examples of things from all chapters of my life?
I know there are things that make me unique and there are things that continue to bring me joy.
What would your room look like? What are the central pieces of the different chapters in your life? When you hear a song, what does it conjure up in your memory.
Blessings,
Ed
Tuesday, September 25, 2012
Reflection for September 25, 2012
Today is an anniversary of sorts for Gail and I. We went on our first date in 1988. I can tell you where we went, it was to the Ground Round in Newburgh, NY. We had dinner, what else would you do at a Ground Round? We then went back to my apartment. This wasn't an official date, I was thanking her for being willing to watch my apartment while I was on the road recruiting for Mt. Saint Mary College at which she was a student.
I was supposed to go down to NJ that night, but instead hung out at my apartment and she and I watched the Bush-Dukakis debates, yes I'm quite the romantic. Little did I know that young woman would eventually become the person I'd spend the rest of my life with.
This past Sunday we read a passage from the Book of Proverbs in which the opening sentence was "a capable wife, who can find?" I thought that was a strange way of phrasing what we should be looking for in a life time partner, capability. I'm not even sure what a "capable" wife, or for that matter husband would be. Are there specific tasks involved?
I know that a marriage, much like any partnership should be one where the partner brings out the best in the other. This is true in business as well as households. Do the two people's strengths compliment each other?
I preached on that proverb last week. Thought it was worth contemplating. Not only about celebrating wives, and my wife in particular, but also any covenant relationship. I reminded the congregation that we see marriage as a pointing to the union between Christ and his Church, and so I asked what makes a capable church?
When you look at the primary relationships, whether marital, business, familial or friendship, what has made them work? What did you look for in those partnerships? What did you bring to the relationship? And in those times when it didn't work out, what was missing?
Blessings,
Ed
I was supposed to go down to NJ that night, but instead hung out at my apartment and she and I watched the Bush-Dukakis debates, yes I'm quite the romantic. Little did I know that young woman would eventually become the person I'd spend the rest of my life with.
This past Sunday we read a passage from the Book of Proverbs in which the opening sentence was "a capable wife, who can find?" I thought that was a strange way of phrasing what we should be looking for in a life time partner, capability. I'm not even sure what a "capable" wife, or for that matter husband would be. Are there specific tasks involved?
I know that a marriage, much like any partnership should be one where the partner brings out the best in the other. This is true in business as well as households. Do the two people's strengths compliment each other?
I preached on that proverb last week. Thought it was worth contemplating. Not only about celebrating wives, and my wife in particular, but also any covenant relationship. I reminded the congregation that we see marriage as a pointing to the union between Christ and his Church, and so I asked what makes a capable church?
When you look at the primary relationships, whether marital, business, familial or friendship, what has made them work? What did you look for in those partnerships? What did you bring to the relationship? And in those times when it didn't work out, what was missing?
Blessings,
Ed
Thursday, August 23, 2012
Reflections for 8/23/2012
On Thursdays we have a very small service here at my church. Today's readings talked in two instances of turning hearts, and creating clean hearts. Having successfully passed Biology I do know that the heart, doesn't have a whole lot to do with emotions or anything thought related, except to get the blood up to the brain so that it can do its job.
But I am also not afraid of metaphorical language. I have probably said more than once "my heart wasn't into it." Pretty much meaning I was there, I tried to do what needed to be done, but I could have thought of a million other things I'd rather have been doing. I've never been accused of being "hard hearted" or having a "heart of stone." To have no compassion for others or to have no feelings about anything. The Rolling Stones of course sang about breaking a heart of stone.
I do know of times in my life, when my heart has not been into something. When I have just gone through the motions, wondering when the event or task would be over. I also know that there have been times when I've gone into something, whole hearted, and how much more enjoyable those times were.
The best is when I have to do something that I actually want to do.
So what do we do when our "heart" tells us something. When it in many ways it is an emotional response rather than an intellectual decision, what are the processes we go through?
I suppose I start by being thankful for a heart that beats, bleeds and keeps me moving.
Blessings,
Ed
But I am also not afraid of metaphorical language. I have probably said more than once "my heart wasn't into it." Pretty much meaning I was there, I tried to do what needed to be done, but I could have thought of a million other things I'd rather have been doing. I've never been accused of being "hard hearted" or having a "heart of stone." To have no compassion for others or to have no feelings about anything. The Rolling Stones of course sang about breaking a heart of stone.
I do know of times in my life, when my heart has not been into something. When I have just gone through the motions, wondering when the event or task would be over. I also know that there have been times when I've gone into something, whole hearted, and how much more enjoyable those times were.
The best is when I have to do something that I actually want to do.
So what do we do when our "heart" tells us something. When it in many ways it is an emotional response rather than an intellectual decision, what are the processes we go through?
I suppose I start by being thankful for a heart that beats, bleeds and keeps me moving.
Blessings,
Ed
Monday, July 16, 2012
Relfections for 7/16/12
Imperfections, setbacks, and sins, then, are all part of the striving, they're all grist for the mill. They're the place where we are destined to meet God-in the gap. Wherever there is that unfinishedness, there is the call to holiness: in the kitchen, the office, the hospital room, or the supermarket. Wherever there is that sense of striving, there is a saint in the making. From this point of view, then, there is no such thing as an 'obstacle' to sainthood. Saints may be preoccupied with raising a family and balancing a checkbook; we may be strugling with our too crowded daily schedule, our short temper, or our jealousy; we may have to live with a painful experience in the past or a physical disability. No matter what, it is through and in the experience of our imperfections that God wants to meet us.-(Speaking to the Soul Vicki K. Black, p.167-168)
As I read that quote this morning it hit me how much of my life always feels like unfinishedness. That there is a part of me that will always have a voice in the back of my head saying what if.....?
That voice can be a melancholy reminder of past events that never lived up to what I'd hoped for. Places where with a time machine I'd go back and do something different.
Even in my current position, I know that there are things that should happen that don't. Sometimes because I can't muster enough energy or enthusiasm for it, but I do find the time to dream about the what if of them.
The frustration does come from how much "busyness" there is that distracts me from following my heart all the time. There are enough daily responsibilities and out of nowhere emergencies that keep things on the back burner.
I also know that one of the description of my ENFP is a feeling of constant restlessness to which I fight daily and when I win that battle I get things done.
I do know that somehow as long as I keep striving to do what needs to get done, and allow for some dreaming of what might still be, the events in the past that cannot be re-written can just be faded memories rather than a millstone around my neck.
What do you struggle with that keeps you from following your dreams, of being all that you can be? How do we make room and shed light on those dreams to see what they might become, or perhaps what they really should be.
Blessings,
Ed.
As I read that quote this morning it hit me how much of my life always feels like unfinishedness. That there is a part of me that will always have a voice in the back of my head saying what if.....?
That voice can be a melancholy reminder of past events that never lived up to what I'd hoped for. Places where with a time machine I'd go back and do something different.
Even in my current position, I know that there are things that should happen that don't. Sometimes because I can't muster enough energy or enthusiasm for it, but I do find the time to dream about the what if of them.
The frustration does come from how much "busyness" there is that distracts me from following my heart all the time. There are enough daily responsibilities and out of nowhere emergencies that keep things on the back burner.
I also know that one of the description of my ENFP is a feeling of constant restlessness to which I fight daily and when I win that battle I get things done.
I do know that somehow as long as I keep striving to do what needs to get done, and allow for some dreaming of what might still be, the events in the past that cannot be re-written can just be faded memories rather than a millstone around my neck.
What do you struggle with that keeps you from following your dreams, of being all that you can be? How do we make room and shed light on those dreams to see what they might become, or perhaps what they really should be.
Blessings,
Ed.
Sunday, July 15, 2012
Reflections for 7/15/12
I've never been a good dancer. I can waltz, sort of, mainly because I can't count to three. But dancing at a party or a wedding, I become a wall flower and an observer. It's kind of funny considering how much I love music, all kinds of music. I like a good riff and a strong beat. I find it energizing and something deep down inside always seems to want to break through my fears of being laughed at when that's not the response I'm looking for.
One of the scripture passages that was read in my church spoke of David dancing and basically carrying on because the ark of God had been brought back into Jerusalem. The ancient Israelites symbol of God's presence back with the people.
I thought about how much when life is good I want to dance for joy, much like David did. But my inability and my fear of being embarrassed always stop me. I do know how to enjoy good things and I often feel very blessed, but still not much dancing.
Maybe the reality is that we are always dancing. Life is one big dance. There are steps to be taken, there is a rhythm to our lives. Sometimes the dance is slow and almost intimate, sometimes we can just hang loose and sway, and other times we swirl around like a spinning top randomly knocking into people.
So what gets your feet moving? Where is the music in your life that makes you dance for joy, or at least gets your feet tapping and your head bobbing? I hope there's something that resembles a dance that is a response to good things happening and not just a please notice me moment.
Blessings,
Ed
One of the scripture passages that was read in my church spoke of David dancing and basically carrying on because the ark of God had been brought back into Jerusalem. The ancient Israelites symbol of God's presence back with the people.
I thought about how much when life is good I want to dance for joy, much like David did. But my inability and my fear of being embarrassed always stop me. I do know how to enjoy good things and I often feel very blessed, but still not much dancing.
Maybe the reality is that we are always dancing. Life is one big dance. There are steps to be taken, there is a rhythm to our lives. Sometimes the dance is slow and almost intimate, sometimes we can just hang loose and sway, and other times we swirl around like a spinning top randomly knocking into people.
So what gets your feet moving? Where is the music in your life that makes you dance for joy, or at least gets your feet tapping and your head bobbing? I hope there's something that resembles a dance that is a response to good things happening and not just a please notice me moment.
Blessings,
Ed
Saturday, July 7, 2012
Reflections for 7/7/2012-
To defend or not to defend that was the question I asked myself on Wednesday, the 4th of July. Defend what you ask, why my pie eating championship belt of course. For those who don't know I live in a small town with a great traditional 4th of July. Four years ago, the Lions Club, who run the festivities that day, added a pie eating contest. Which I won in my age group.
It was fun, and yes as a foodaholic, it played to my strengths. I won the next two years and last year, even had fun with it by pretending I was the pro wrestler of pie eaters. Then came this year. Did I want to participate again? Frankly my heart was no longer into it, nor my attempts at eating like a normal person were also calling for my non participation, and when the time came to sign up I passed. I disappointed some who had come to see me as some sort of tradition.
What I ultimately realized is that there comes a time when you have to stop doing things, that you don't actually have to do. Kenny Rogers once sang, "you got to know when to hold em, know when to fold em, know when to walk away and know when to run." This for me was knowing when to walk away. It might have been fun, I may even have won, but I didn't have to and my heart really wasn't into it.
Knowing when to walk away is hard. In life we are often faced with choices about ending something, and they aren't always as trivial as a pie eating contest. They can often be much harder, staying in a dead end job, or a horrible relationship. Perhaps not really facing our own realities of behaviors we are engaging in that are killing us spiritually and sometimes even physically.
At the moment I'm not faced with two many cross roads in my life. I hope that when the time comes to make more monumental decisions I can have the grace to know which choice to make.
Blessings,
Ed
It was fun, and yes as a foodaholic, it played to my strengths. I won the next two years and last year, even had fun with it by pretending I was the pro wrestler of pie eaters. Then came this year. Did I want to participate again? Frankly my heart was no longer into it, nor my attempts at eating like a normal person were also calling for my non participation, and when the time came to sign up I passed. I disappointed some who had come to see me as some sort of tradition.
What I ultimately realized is that there comes a time when you have to stop doing things, that you don't actually have to do. Kenny Rogers once sang, "you got to know when to hold em, know when to fold em, know when to walk away and know when to run." This for me was knowing when to walk away. It might have been fun, I may even have won, but I didn't have to and my heart really wasn't into it.
Knowing when to walk away is hard. In life we are often faced with choices about ending something, and they aren't always as trivial as a pie eating contest. They can often be much harder, staying in a dead end job, or a horrible relationship. Perhaps not really facing our own realities of behaviors we are engaging in that are killing us spiritually and sometimes even physically.
At the moment I'm not faced with two many cross roads in my life. I hope that when the time comes to make more monumental decisions I can have the grace to know which choice to make.
Blessings,
Ed
Wednesday, June 6, 2012
Reflection for 6/6/12
It seems like forever since I felt the urge to write one of these. I don't really know what my problem has been. It isn't a lack of time. It isn't a lack of thought. But much of what has kept me busy has not inspired me.
So why today? Well it started at my Book Club here at church. We finished reading Lauren Winner's Still: A Mid Faith Crisis. What stuck out for me was when she reflected on how she used to love to cook. It stuck in my mind because first it made me hungry as she described what she used to make. Second it reminded me how I used to love to cook.
I can remember making food for myself as a kid, open faced grilled cheese sandwiches, macaroni and cheese (granted from a box not scratch) Pancakes (from scratch not a box). As I got older trying out recipes. I've never caught onto grilling but I think I would enjoy it.
As I pondered cooking, I wonder what stopped me from those creative endeavors? Part of it is the crazy unpredictable schedules that the other members of the house seem to have, so why bother? Yet there is a part of me that would love to start up again. Maybe as the summer season rolls in, when there is less on my personal schedule to do.
And all of this got me wondering about many things that I used to do for fun. The things that at one time brought me joy in life, that are no longer a part of my day to day existence. What happened to those activities? Did I just grow out of them? What did I replace them with? Are any of them worth revisiting?
As someone who spends most of his day attending to other people's needs, I have to remind myself that there is such a thing as "me time." I do have some of that when I go to the gym each morning. But can I carve out some other part of my day for "me time as well.
I may have to make that part of my summer to do list.
Blessings,
Ed
So why today? Well it started at my Book Club here at church. We finished reading Lauren Winner's Still: A Mid Faith Crisis. What stuck out for me was when she reflected on how she used to love to cook. It stuck in my mind because first it made me hungry as she described what she used to make. Second it reminded me how I used to love to cook.
I can remember making food for myself as a kid, open faced grilled cheese sandwiches, macaroni and cheese (granted from a box not scratch) Pancakes (from scratch not a box). As I got older trying out recipes. I've never caught onto grilling but I think I would enjoy it.
As I pondered cooking, I wonder what stopped me from those creative endeavors? Part of it is the crazy unpredictable schedules that the other members of the house seem to have, so why bother? Yet there is a part of me that would love to start up again. Maybe as the summer season rolls in, when there is less on my personal schedule to do.
And all of this got me wondering about many things that I used to do for fun. The things that at one time brought me joy in life, that are no longer a part of my day to day existence. What happened to those activities? Did I just grow out of them? What did I replace them with? Are any of them worth revisiting?
As someone who spends most of his day attending to other people's needs, I have to remind myself that there is such a thing as "me time." I do have some of that when I go to the gym each morning. But can I carve out some other part of my day for "me time as well.
I may have to make that part of my summer to do list.
Blessings,
Ed
Wednesday, May 2, 2012
Reflections for 5/2/2012
My book club at church is currently reading Still notes on a Mid-Faith Crisis, by Lauren f. Winner. I was struck by a quote from that book that said, "Or like the writer of Ecclesiastes, instead of asking where the god you thought you were lookng for had gone, ask what god is like now."(Winner p. 114)
Anyone who has ever been involved in a faith community probably has had to ask that question from time to time. If you are no longer in a faith community that very question may be what caused you to leave, either the God you remembered was gone from the preaching and teaching of that place, or perhaps was still present but you no longer longed for that God.
If you are still in a faith community the question has a slightly different meaning, at least it does for me. I find myself looking at my own journey in what I longed for or needed and therefore believed about God as true today as it was 46 years ago? My hunch is no it is not, that as I have in other aspects of my life, things have changed yet stayed the same. At least the way I view and experience God has evolved over time.
And perhaps the question is different if you are new to faith or have returned after an extended absence. What was the longing in your heart? Was it something nostalgic or was it something very new?
Some claim that God never changes, we change. The Bible seems to say something different. God does change and so do we. Sometimes we change in response to God, sometimes our changes are on parallel tracks.
Blessings,
Ed
Anyone who has ever been involved in a faith community probably has had to ask that question from time to time. If you are no longer in a faith community that very question may be what caused you to leave, either the God you remembered was gone from the preaching and teaching of that place, or perhaps was still present but you no longer longed for that God.
If you are still in a faith community the question has a slightly different meaning, at least it does for me. I find myself looking at my own journey in what I longed for or needed and therefore believed about God as true today as it was 46 years ago? My hunch is no it is not, that as I have in other aspects of my life, things have changed yet stayed the same. At least the way I view and experience God has evolved over time.
And perhaps the question is different if you are new to faith or have returned after an extended absence. What was the longing in your heart? Was it something nostalgic or was it something very new?
Some claim that God never changes, we change. The Bible seems to say something different. God does change and so do we. Sometimes we change in response to God, sometimes our changes are on parallel tracks.
Blessings,
Ed
Monday, March 12, 2012
Reflections for 3/12/12
Today was one of those days were you just don't know what's coming. Felt flat at first. A good Caramel Machiatta with a friend help kick some things loose. I waited for someone to later go home and see the email that they weren't coming. Probably just as well, might have ruined my good mood from the Machiatto.
Then this afternoon I went out to do what I often do in the afternoons visit a shut in. Upon arriving at the house the neighbor was leaving and as we said hello the neighbor decided they needed to share that they had no time for religion. God had taken her husband and two sons. And then out the door she went.
At first I wanted to say "on behalf of the whole church in paradise and on earth, I apologize." I don't know why I thought that. It isn't my place or my job to apologize on behalf of God. I know that person felt pain and betrayal and because I'm wearing a collar I'm the easiest person to take that out on. Honestly its not the worse thing that's ever been said to me because of what I represent, but it still takes me aback.
I doubt any of us fully realize what we may represent to others, both positively and negatively. It sucks to be lumped into a generalized negative, especially when the other party doesn't seem interested in learning what you might believe or hearing what you might have to say.
There is also the truth that we can't shy away from whom we are. It's one thing to say I might be "X" but I'm not like those other "Xs", but ultimately you better be ready to say what being who you are really means.
Blessings,
Ed
Then this afternoon I went out to do what I often do in the afternoons visit a shut in. Upon arriving at the house the neighbor was leaving and as we said hello the neighbor decided they needed to share that they had no time for religion. God had taken her husband and two sons. And then out the door she went.
At first I wanted to say "on behalf of the whole church in paradise and on earth, I apologize." I don't know why I thought that. It isn't my place or my job to apologize on behalf of God. I know that person felt pain and betrayal and because I'm wearing a collar I'm the easiest person to take that out on. Honestly its not the worse thing that's ever been said to me because of what I represent, but it still takes me aback.
I doubt any of us fully realize what we may represent to others, both positively and negatively. It sucks to be lumped into a generalized negative, especially when the other party doesn't seem interested in learning what you might believe or hearing what you might have to say.
There is also the truth that we can't shy away from whom we are. It's one thing to say I might be "X" but I'm not like those other "Xs", but ultimately you better be ready to say what being who you are really means.
Blessings,
Ed
Sunday, March 11, 2012
Reflections for 3/11/12
There is an old time hymn entitled I need thee every hour. It came to a friends mind this morning as he marked our lamented, (I'm not sure which) the return of Daylight Savings Time. I will admit that I could have used that extra hour, I'm still tired and not sure I ever fully woke up this morning. This is not good when you need to be leading worship.
I know like everyone else I'll adjust and it will be fine when the sun is up for a long time. And when the outdoor activities commence. But for today I'm just tired.
Time is a funny thing, it is one of those parts of life to which we are given only so much and continually wish we had more. I was thinking about reflecting on this eleven days ago, when February gave us an extra day. On that day I wondered if anyone ever thought about taking advantage of it and playing catch up. Probably not. I know for me it was just another day. Hopefully something got accomplished outside of the usual, but I don't recall anything outstanding.
And then there is today. The day where the government takes an hour from us, and gives it back 8 months later. I've read the history and I suppose there are good reasons for it. I do know this, I am sure it was intentionally put on a Saturday so as not to make people late for work, church maybe but work never.
What would you do with that extra hour if you could claim it anytime in the next eight months? If you new that every four years you would get an extra day that you didn't have to worry about what day it fell on. It was yours as a free gift?
My guess is most of us think we know what we would do with more time, we always hope for it. Yet I think we also fear having more time, because we actually might not know what to do.
Blessings,
Ed
I know like everyone else I'll adjust and it will be fine when the sun is up for a long time. And when the outdoor activities commence. But for today I'm just tired.
Time is a funny thing, it is one of those parts of life to which we are given only so much and continually wish we had more. I was thinking about reflecting on this eleven days ago, when February gave us an extra day. On that day I wondered if anyone ever thought about taking advantage of it and playing catch up. Probably not. I know for me it was just another day. Hopefully something got accomplished outside of the usual, but I don't recall anything outstanding.
And then there is today. The day where the government takes an hour from us, and gives it back 8 months later. I've read the history and I suppose there are good reasons for it. I do know this, I am sure it was intentionally put on a Saturday so as not to make people late for work, church maybe but work never.
What would you do with that extra hour if you could claim it anytime in the next eight months? If you new that every four years you would get an extra day that you didn't have to worry about what day it fell on. It was yours as a free gift?
My guess is most of us think we know what we would do with more time, we always hope for it. Yet I think we also fear having more time, because we actually might not know what to do.
Blessings,
Ed
Saturday, March 10, 2012
Reflections for 3/10/12
So where have I been, what have been up to? Have I had nothing to reflect on? Hardly. I think like many things in life we sometimes need to put things down for a little while and come back to them.
I will say that I was in California earlier in the week. I went to a conference called Gathering of Leaders. It is a collegial group with other Episcopal clergy. This is the third "Gathering" that I've been to. I will admit that each time I go, I'm impressed by the creativity and energy that I witness in my peers. It gives me hope for the church and for the world. I also will admit that I come away sometimes scared. Scared that I don't measure up to these folks, or even worse that I could.
I think one of the things I realized about myself at this conference was that the thing I fear the most is myself. I don't know why I scare me. I'm not violent, I'm not crazy. But something keeps me from really, as the Army puts it, "being all I can be." Perhaps I fear success. I know I fear rejection. There are times when I can be a big brave dog, and other times I need to be reminded of Christopher Robinson's advice to Pooh Bear "you are braver than you believe, and smarter than you think."
I don't know why I can't get out of my own way, but I know that if I could see myself as others apparently do, to quote Dr. Seuss, "oh the place I could go."
Blessings,
Ed
I will say that I was in California earlier in the week. I went to a conference called Gathering of Leaders. It is a collegial group with other Episcopal clergy. This is the third "Gathering" that I've been to. I will admit that each time I go, I'm impressed by the creativity and energy that I witness in my peers. It gives me hope for the church and for the world. I also will admit that I come away sometimes scared. Scared that I don't measure up to these folks, or even worse that I could.
I think one of the things I realized about myself at this conference was that the thing I fear the most is myself. I don't know why I scare me. I'm not violent, I'm not crazy. But something keeps me from really, as the Army puts it, "being all I can be." Perhaps I fear success. I know I fear rejection. There are times when I can be a big brave dog, and other times I need to be reminded of Christopher Robinson's advice to Pooh Bear "you are braver than you believe, and smarter than you think."
I don't know why I can't get out of my own way, but I know that if I could see myself as others apparently do, to quote Dr. Seuss, "oh the place I could go."
Blessings,
Ed
Reflections for 3/10/12
So where have I been, what have been up to? Have I had nothing to reflect on? Hardly. I think like many things in life we sometimes need to put things down for a little while and come back to them.
I will say that I was in California earlier in the week. I went to a conference called Gathering of Leaders. It is a collegial group with other Episcopal clergy. This is the third "Gathering" that I've been to. I will admit that each time I go, I'm impressed by the creativity and energy that I witness in my peers. It gives me hope for the church and for the world. I also will admit that I come away sometimes scared. Scared that I don't measure up to these folks, or even worse that I could.
I think one of the things I realized about myself at this conference was that the thing I fear the most is myself. I don't know why I scare me. I'm not violent, I'm not crazy. But something keeps me from really, as the Army puts it, "being all I can be." Perhaps I fear success. I know I fear rejection. There are times when I can be a big brave dog, and other times I need to be reminded of Christopher Robinson's advice to Pooh Bear " you are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think."
I really do wish that I could get out of my own way. I also wish I could see myself as apparently others do.
I will say that I was in California earlier in the week. I went to a conference called Gathering of Leaders. It is a collegial group with other Episcopal clergy. This is the third "Gathering" that I've been to. I will admit that each time I go, I'm impressed by the creativity and energy that I witness in my peers. It gives me hope for the church and for the world. I also will admit that I come away sometimes scared. Scared that I don't measure up to these folks, or even worse that I could.
I think one of the things I realized about myself at this conference was that the thing I fear the most is myself. I don't know why I scare me. I'm not violent, I'm not crazy. But something keeps me from really, as the Army puts it, "being all I can be." Perhaps I fear success. I know I fear rejection. There are times when I can be a big brave dog, and other times I need to be reminded of Christopher Robinson's advice to Pooh Bear " you are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think."
I really do wish that I could get out of my own way. I also wish I could see myself as apparently others do.
Tuesday, February 14, 2012
Reflections for 2/14/12
Today is Valentine's Day. A day I've literally had a love hate relationship with for years. My earliest recollections of this day are from elementary school, which was probably where the hate part of my feelings towards this holiday arise.
Like many I had to cut out valentines and bring them in for everyone. We would pass them out and receive them too. Whether what I'm about to say actually occurred or not I can't prove 40 years later, but the feeling has never gone away. Since I did not feel very popular or that most of my classmates liked me, let alone loved me, I felt like Charlie Brown.
I also will admit that my hate relationship with this holiday is that it feels like a marketing ploy, and puts a price on love. Though I do play along because I have a special person in my life, and that is what makes me love the holiday.
I also know that while I am blessed with having a special person in my life and have had 23 Valentine's Days with her. It is not true for everyone. And what sort of kick in gut watching this might be for those without someone to love or be loved by.
So I turn to one way that even I might consider entering even more fully into this day of celebrating love and look at St. Paul's definition and see how I'm doing in being "love."
"Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres." (1 Corinthians 13:4-7)
Maybe towards my wife and in fact towards most people I come in contact with, this may mean more than any candy, special dinner or flowers.
Like many I had to cut out valentines and bring them in for everyone. We would pass them out and receive them too. Whether what I'm about to say actually occurred or not I can't prove 40 years later, but the feeling has never gone away. Since I did not feel very popular or that most of my classmates liked me, let alone loved me, I felt like Charlie Brown.
I also will admit that my hate relationship with this holiday is that it feels like a marketing ploy, and puts a price on love. Though I do play along because I have a special person in my life, and that is what makes me love the holiday.
I also know that while I am blessed with having a special person in my life and have had 23 Valentine's Days with her. It is not true for everyone. And what sort of kick in gut watching this might be for those without someone to love or be loved by.
So I turn to one way that even I might consider entering even more fully into this day of celebrating love and look at St. Paul's definition and see how I'm doing in being "love."
"Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres." (1 Corinthians 13:4-7)
Maybe towards my wife and in fact towards most people I come in contact with, this may mean more than any candy, special dinner or flowers.
Thursday, January 26, 2012
Reflections for 1/26/12
"When we move beyond the safety of everyone else's approval and stand firmly upon our own, we assume responsibility for own own apostolate."(Speaking to the Soul Vicki K. Black p. 21)
I am certain that one of my flaws is that I am a people pleaser. An apple polisher as a youth. While I have tried to become firmer in my resolve to do what I believe to be right, I often fall prey to the fear that someone might get upset. And of course the reality is that no matter what we do, someone is going to be upset.
When we are able to stand on our own, without seeking the approval of others, we may in fact find that the very thing we actually receive, because we didn't make that the end, is in fact approval. When folks can look at us as someone who is consistent in where they stand, and yet not in a way that makes them rigid and heartless, we move closer to being the real person that we are called to be.
As a Christian I am called to the service of others, but not so that they'll applaud me.
Blessings,
Ed
I am certain that one of my flaws is that I am a people pleaser. An apple polisher as a youth. While I have tried to become firmer in my resolve to do what I believe to be right, I often fall prey to the fear that someone might get upset. And of course the reality is that no matter what we do, someone is going to be upset.
When we are able to stand on our own, without seeking the approval of others, we may in fact find that the very thing we actually receive, because we didn't make that the end, is in fact approval. When folks can look at us as someone who is consistent in where they stand, and yet not in a way that makes them rigid and heartless, we move closer to being the real person that we are called to be.
As a Christian I am called to the service of others, but not so that they'll applaud me.
Blessings,
Ed
Tuesday, January 24, 2012
Reflections for 1/24/12
One of the hazards of being a clergy person is that you might get called on the spot to say a prayer, offer a blessing, invocation etc. I know it is in the job description and I really don't have a problem with it and generally have not been taken to task for any prayers I've ever offered.
It has happened to me twice where someone has taken umbrage with how I prayed. The first time came when I was accosted after offering an opening prayer at the beginning of town soccer season. A fellow Christian decided that since I didn't pray in Jesus' name I was clearly ashamed of him and I should never be ashamed of our Lord. Of course I'm not ashamed, and tried to point out that we should be thankful I was asked to pray at all in this day and age.
But I heard some of what she said and tried to adapt by ending my more public with prayers with "in Jesus name I pray." And that seemed fine until last night. This time I was asked on the spot not given any advance notice. The usual "chaplain" had not shown up to the meeting, would I mind? Sure why not. After offering the invocation and the benediction at the end, up came the parliamentarian to tell me I had violated the rules and that I was only allowed to offer non-sectarian prayers.
I replied that I didn't feel I could do that, and in the future I would just decline the invitation. It did however get me thinking, what in the world makes something a non-sectarian prayer? I sort of know the answer you don't invoke specific deities. But I do wonder if I'm there in clericals how am I not clearly a sectarian. Would a doctor be asked to not use medical terminology, or a lawyer legal terms when speaking? Probably not. I also wondered if it was only Christians that aren't allowed to pray in their tradition these days. I honestly haven't seen a rabbi or imman or other faith leader ever asked so I don't know if they take the sect out of their prayers. And this doesn't even begin to address how an atheist might receive any kind of prayer.
I know this actually isn't a huge issue. No hungry people will be fed, or oppressed people set free over it. But for the moment it was a total distraction.
Blessings,
Ed
It has happened to me twice where someone has taken umbrage with how I prayed. The first time came when I was accosted after offering an opening prayer at the beginning of town soccer season. A fellow Christian decided that since I didn't pray in Jesus' name I was clearly ashamed of him and I should never be ashamed of our Lord. Of course I'm not ashamed, and tried to point out that we should be thankful I was asked to pray at all in this day and age.
But I heard some of what she said and tried to adapt by ending my more public with prayers with "in Jesus name I pray." And that seemed fine until last night. This time I was asked on the spot not given any advance notice. The usual "chaplain" had not shown up to the meeting, would I mind? Sure why not. After offering the invocation and the benediction at the end, up came the parliamentarian to tell me I had violated the rules and that I was only allowed to offer non-sectarian prayers.
I replied that I didn't feel I could do that, and in the future I would just decline the invitation. It did however get me thinking, what in the world makes something a non-sectarian prayer? I sort of know the answer you don't invoke specific deities. But I do wonder if I'm there in clericals how am I not clearly a sectarian. Would a doctor be asked to not use medical terminology, or a lawyer legal terms when speaking? Probably not. I also wondered if it was only Christians that aren't allowed to pray in their tradition these days. I honestly haven't seen a rabbi or imman or other faith leader ever asked so I don't know if they take the sect out of their prayers. And this doesn't even begin to address how an atheist might receive any kind of prayer.
I know this actually isn't a huge issue. No hungry people will be fed, or oppressed people set free over it. But for the moment it was a total distraction.
Blessings,
Ed
Saturday, January 21, 2012
Reflections for 1/21/12
"In the west Christians tended to meet their ancestors through the worship space, liturgy, and calendar of the church."(Speaking to the Soul Vicki K. Black, p.17)
All of our lives have history. We have our own personal story and we have those of our ancestors. We also have "heroes" within our lives. They can be religious, sports, vocational and familial.
There are also places we go to that give significance to who we are and whence we come. For me I have specific places that have deep meaning for me. They have memories, and associations that still feed my soul. Haddonfield and Ocean City New Jersey are two places. Copake Falls NY is becoming such a place. I rediscovered how important Grinnell Iowa is to me.
I certainly feel a deep connection to my faith past anytime I'm in church. I'm not wedded to any specific building or building type, but there is definitely a liturgical practice and hymnody that speaks to me.
What are the places in your life that are important to you? What are the "liturgies" of your life, whether church or not, that connect you to something beyond yourself?
Blessings,
Ed
All of our lives have history. We have our own personal story and we have those of our ancestors. We also have "heroes" within our lives. They can be religious, sports, vocational and familial.
There are also places we go to that give significance to who we are and whence we come. For me I have specific places that have deep meaning for me. They have memories, and associations that still feed my soul. Haddonfield and Ocean City New Jersey are two places. Copake Falls NY is becoming such a place. I rediscovered how important Grinnell Iowa is to me.
I certainly feel a deep connection to my faith past anytime I'm in church. I'm not wedded to any specific building or building type, but there is definitely a liturgical practice and hymnody that speaks to me.
What are the places in your life that are important to you? What are the "liturgies" of your life, whether church or not, that connect you to something beyond yourself?
Blessings,
Ed
Thursday, January 12, 2012
Reflections for 1/12/12
"There are four qualities which characterize a friend: loyalty, right intention, discretion, and patience." Aelred of Rievaulx
Today at our service we commemorated Aelred a 12th century monk. You probably don't know much about him unless you're a real church junky. All of the readings for his day revolved around friendship.
I certainly have friends. On Facebook I have well over 500. Some of these are people I see regularly. Some are of course relatives and others people from various chapters of my life. Only a few are people I have never met outside of that medium.
If I were to apply Aelred's qualities of friendship, I know that my best friend Gail meets all four. I have two others people that I feel meet those four for sure.
I do try to relate to all people, no matter who they are and what are relationship is, in a similar fashion. If you count me as a friend you probably have my loyalty unless you really burn me. I try to interact with right intention and certainly to use discretion and be patient with most.
Who are your friends? What are the characteristics that are important to you in determining who your friends are? Are they as old as Aelred's, or do we have different litmus tests these days?
Blessings,
Ed
Today at our service we commemorated Aelred a 12th century monk. You probably don't know much about him unless you're a real church junky. All of the readings for his day revolved around friendship.
I certainly have friends. On Facebook I have well over 500. Some of these are people I see regularly. Some are of course relatives and others people from various chapters of my life. Only a few are people I have never met outside of that medium.
If I were to apply Aelred's qualities of friendship, I know that my best friend Gail meets all four. I have two others people that I feel meet those four for sure.
I do try to relate to all people, no matter who they are and what are relationship is, in a similar fashion. If you count me as a friend you probably have my loyalty unless you really burn me. I try to interact with right intention and certainly to use discretion and be patient with most.
Who are your friends? What are the characteristics that are important to you in determining who your friends are? Are they as old as Aelred's, or do we have different litmus tests these days?
Blessings,
Ed
Sunday, January 8, 2012
Reflections for 1/8/12
"You are my beloved son, in you I am well pleased."
These are the words that we are told in the Gospel's that were said to, or about Jesus at his baptism. Powerful words actually. From that moment on Jesus went off into the world teaching, healing, forgiving and acting as compassionately to a hurting world as he had the power to do. All of it though starting with a word of encouragement, an empowering sentence if you will. An affirmation of faith in, before anything had actually been done. I know that I do much better when I hear positive things about me. I can even name people who have said close to such things that have helped me to achieve what I'm capable of, even when I didn't believe it to be possible.
As I checked into the social media sites today, I was amazed at all the proclamations about how much God loves Tim Tebow. After all God really must love him to let him win a football game. Because by all accounts he's not a very good passer. His team was .500. The odds were not really in his favor and yet his team came out victorious in the end. They didn't destroy the Steelers mind you, but a win is a win.
I do believe Tim Tebow is a beloved child of God, I do not believe that God rewarded that status with a win for the Broncos. The Steelers have their share of Evangelical Christians too. What is intriguing to me about Tim Tebow is not that he is so much more blessed than me or anyone else. But how he seems to have translated that beloved child of God status and used it to bring something much deeper to the surface and intangible that goes beyond any actual talent he has. Lord knows he's a better football player than I am, I know that God loves me just as much.
I also if some people realize that they are actually making fun of Tim's beliefs with statements about God loving him more. Tim being a person of faith will give credit to God for giving him more talent than most of us have at playing football. And for giving him the one thing he and certainly share a belief that we've been given what we need to succeed and be happy with what we are able to do.
Congratulations Broncos and all the other teams that won. Now if we could get as excited about ending hunger, poverty, hatred and war because those are things God actually cares about.
Blessings,
Ed
These are the words that we are told in the Gospel's that were said to, or about Jesus at his baptism. Powerful words actually. From that moment on Jesus went off into the world teaching, healing, forgiving and acting as compassionately to a hurting world as he had the power to do. All of it though starting with a word of encouragement, an empowering sentence if you will. An affirmation of faith in, before anything had actually been done. I know that I do much better when I hear positive things about me. I can even name people who have said close to such things that have helped me to achieve what I'm capable of, even when I didn't believe it to be possible.
As I checked into the social media sites today, I was amazed at all the proclamations about how much God loves Tim Tebow. After all God really must love him to let him win a football game. Because by all accounts he's not a very good passer. His team was .500. The odds were not really in his favor and yet his team came out victorious in the end. They didn't destroy the Steelers mind you, but a win is a win.
I do believe Tim Tebow is a beloved child of God, I do not believe that God rewarded that status with a win for the Broncos. The Steelers have their share of Evangelical Christians too. What is intriguing to me about Tim Tebow is not that he is so much more blessed than me or anyone else. But how he seems to have translated that beloved child of God status and used it to bring something much deeper to the surface and intangible that goes beyond any actual talent he has. Lord knows he's a better football player than I am, I know that God loves me just as much.
I also if some people realize that they are actually making fun of Tim's beliefs with statements about God loving him more. Tim being a person of faith will give credit to God for giving him more talent than most of us have at playing football. And for giving him the one thing he and certainly share a belief that we've been given what we need to succeed and be happy with what we are able to do.
Congratulations Broncos and all the other teams that won. Now if we could get as excited about ending hunger, poverty, hatred and war because those are things God actually cares about.
Blessings,
Ed
Wednesday, January 4, 2012
Reflections for 1/3/12
Today is the Iowa Caucus. The first round of attempting to figure out who a political party's presidential candidate will be. This year happens to be only about Republicans as the Democrats have a seated president.
You may wonder why a Democrat from New Jersey is reflecting on Iowa Caucuses? It isn't so much that I care about the results, frankly I don't. What it did was take me back 25 years to when I actually did participate in the Caucus. As a "resident" in Iowa, I was going to college there, I went to the Caucus to see what it was all about. I don't know if my presence made a difference. If I recall the person who invited me was supporting Bruce Babbitt.
It was interesting however to see how this very different way of choosing worked. I don't know if it would work in a densely populated state such as New Jersey, but the concept of neighbors talking with each other about why they liked a particular candidate is intriguing. I don't recall too much name calling in the caucus sight. You might actually have had to come with some supporting reason for your choice without engaging in character assassination.
And maybe that's why I found it interesting. It revealed that it can be possible for people with different opinions to be in the same room and still remain cordial. A good model not only for politics but for life in general.
Blessings,
Ed
You may wonder why a Democrat from New Jersey is reflecting on Iowa Caucuses? It isn't so much that I care about the results, frankly I don't. What it did was take me back 25 years to when I actually did participate in the Caucus. As a "resident" in Iowa, I was going to college there, I went to the Caucus to see what it was all about. I don't know if my presence made a difference. If I recall the person who invited me was supporting Bruce Babbitt.
It was interesting however to see how this very different way of choosing worked. I don't know if it would work in a densely populated state such as New Jersey, but the concept of neighbors talking with each other about why they liked a particular candidate is intriguing. I don't recall too much name calling in the caucus sight. You might actually have had to come with some supporting reason for your choice without engaging in character assassination.
And maybe that's why I found it interesting. It revealed that it can be possible for people with different opinions to be in the same room and still remain cordial. A good model not only for politics but for life in general.
Blessings,
Ed
Monday, January 2, 2012
Reflections for 1/2/12
Today was the last day of Christmas break. I wish I could say it was a day filled with relaxing fun, but that was not to be the case. Part of what I'm feeling is still just tired. Granted I didn't help myself much on New Year's Eve by staying up until 1:30 am New Years Day, not partying but just playing Angry Birds. I should have been asleep as soon the ball dropped. But I made a different choice, knowing full well that the alarm would be going off at 6 am, since the next day was Sunday and that is a work day for me.
So here it is Monday. I slept later than normal 9:15, and then it was time to get people to practice. Go to the gym. The day was so far not terribly off. It wasn't until after lunch that the wheels came off. Part of the problem is just being a parent of teenagers. The type that always know better than you, whose negotiation skills are superior to yours and when things go oops, your day gets worse.
I don't know why I care about this but I do. It is the single most frustrating part of being a parent that I know of, days like these. Granted it isn't every day, but when it happens it just puts me in a really foul mood.
Much like yesterday being the start of a new year, I need to remember that tomorrow is another day. Perhaps it will be better, perhaps not. Only tomorrow will tell.
Blessings,
Ed
So here it is Monday. I slept later than normal 9:15, and then it was time to get people to practice. Go to the gym. The day was so far not terribly off. It wasn't until after lunch that the wheels came off. Part of the problem is just being a parent of teenagers. The type that always know better than you, whose negotiation skills are superior to yours and when things go oops, your day gets worse.
I don't know why I care about this but I do. It is the single most frustrating part of being a parent that I know of, days like these. Granted it isn't every day, but when it happens it just puts me in a really foul mood.
Much like yesterday being the start of a new year, I need to remember that tomorrow is another day. Perhaps it will be better, perhaps not. Only tomorrow will tell.
Blessings,
Ed
Sunday, January 1, 2012
Reflections for 1/1/12
Part of my New Year's promise to myself was to get back on track with this blog. Honestly I'd run out of steam. It wasn't a matter of not having enough time. I had time just found other things to occupy myself with. But I realized that I was missing out on something more creative. And while I still like to do what had taken the time away from this writing, I felt it was time to get back to it. Because part of this for me is prayer time, part of it feeds a need to be thinking. So for those who've missed it, let's see how long I can keep it up. For you the reader certainly but for myself as well.
Today was the Feast of the Holy Name. Frankly it interrupted Christmas for me. I didn't preach today, but I did think about names and the power of naming.
First there's my name. While my friends call me Ed, that is of course short for something. And for those who know me, it is short not for Edward or Edwin, the more common ones, but Edmund a not so common one.
It's an old English name meaning "prosperous protector." I don't know if it fits me or not. My parents weren't trying to predict my future. I'm named after my dad, who was named after his dad. I stopped the it by naming my first born something different.
Will say that calling me Ed is what those that are close to me do. The only people that call me Edmund are telemarketers these days.
Aside from our given names, there is also the power of naming something. If you've created anything you get to name it. A great part of creative discovery no doubt.
There is also naming something, or calling it out. By naming something in that way, we get to free ourselves from whatever it is we've named. Or embrace it as important to who we are. I think this is also the hardest to do. When I can name a problem or problematic behavior I release myself from its grip. Or at least begin the process, by deflating its power over me. A bold step in turning one's life around.
So what does all of this mean for any of us. We are who we are named. Those people who created us, namely our parents may or may not have put much thought into it. What does your name mean? Does it say something about you, or just honors some member of your family.
Are there things in your life that as 2012 breaks upon us, that need to be named. Called out and either banished or nourished. An interesting journey no doubt.
Blessings,
Ed
Today was the Feast of the Holy Name. Frankly it interrupted Christmas for me. I didn't preach today, but I did think about names and the power of naming.
First there's my name. While my friends call me Ed, that is of course short for something. And for those who know me, it is short not for Edward or Edwin, the more common ones, but Edmund a not so common one.
It's an old English name meaning "prosperous protector." I don't know if it fits me or not. My parents weren't trying to predict my future. I'm named after my dad, who was named after his dad. I stopped the it by naming my first born something different.
Will say that calling me Ed is what those that are close to me do. The only people that call me Edmund are telemarketers these days.
Aside from our given names, there is also the power of naming something. If you've created anything you get to name it. A great part of creative discovery no doubt.
There is also naming something, or calling it out. By naming something in that way, we get to free ourselves from whatever it is we've named. Or embrace it as important to who we are. I think this is also the hardest to do. When I can name a problem or problematic behavior I release myself from its grip. Or at least begin the process, by deflating its power over me. A bold step in turning one's life around.
So what does all of this mean for any of us. We are who we are named. Those people who created us, namely our parents may or may not have put much thought into it. What does your name mean? Does it say something about you, or just honors some member of your family.
Are there things in your life that as 2012 breaks upon us, that need to be named. Called out and either banished or nourished. An interesting journey no doubt.
Blessings,
Ed
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