"So that with the eyes of your heart enlightened."(Ephesians 1:18)
I've always liked this image of heart having eyes. Perhaps it is because I tend to see things through those eyes. I form my opinions that way. When I see my wife, the eyes of my heart are definitely enlightened. When I see the plight of others the eyes of my heart get enlightened.
When our heart's eyes see what is happening around us, we can get called to act. A call to action in the service of others is the hope that Christ calls those of who profess faith in him to. It aids in our seeing the beauty around us in the world and in others.
When we close the eyes of our heart, we become blind to the needs of others. We can only then see what is wrong with the world and begin to lose hope. I'm glad my heart's eyes stay open. I see and understand so much better that way.
Blessings,
Ed
Monday, March 18, 2013
Wednesday, March 6, 2013
Reflections for 3/6/13
"What you know, I also know. I am not inferior to you."(Job 13:2)
You gotta love Job. As beat up as he is, he still stands his ground. His "friends" lecturing him left and right, and yet he still stands his ground. That's confidence, not only in his own righteousness, but in his knowledge and love of God.
We may think it strange to question God or to be willing to risk that face to face with God, and yet that is exactly what Job is doing.
There are certainly people who are smarter than me out there. There are also plenty of folks who are stronger than me physically. And I will gladly acknowledge when someone knows more or can do more. But I also can tell when someone is at least my equal. And am willing to call their puffery when it is obvious.
I enjoy learning but I don't enjoy an unmerited bravado. It took me a long time to not be intimidated by folks who were my equals. It makes it easier to be in the presence of smarter folks when you believe that you too also are smart.
Blessings,
Ed
You gotta love Job. As beat up as he is, he still stands his ground. His "friends" lecturing him left and right, and yet he still stands his ground. That's confidence, not only in his own righteousness, but in his knowledge and love of God.
We may think it strange to question God or to be willing to risk that face to face with God, and yet that is exactly what Job is doing.
There are certainly people who are smarter than me out there. There are also plenty of folks who are stronger than me physically. And I will gladly acknowledge when someone knows more or can do more. But I also can tell when someone is at least my equal. And am willing to call their puffery when it is obvious.
I enjoy learning but I don't enjoy an unmerited bravado. It took me a long time to not be intimidated by folks who were my equals. It makes it easier to be in the presence of smarter folks when you believe that you too also are smart.
Blessings,
Ed
Tuesday, March 5, 2013
Reflections for 3/5/13
"Each of you must give as you have made up your mind not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver."(2 Corinthians 9:7)
What was the last thing you cheerfully gave to? Was your gift money, some object or perhaps your time or talent? In church speak we call this stewardship and we are called to practice it in all aspects of our life.
I know that I cheerfully give of my time to my vocation, to my family and to my friends. There has never been any reluctance to do so because I do it out of love for those folks. I'm certainly not under any compulsion, at least most of the time. I will admit that that here are times that a gentle prodding can often get me moving because sometimes I get stuck in a rut. But once I've invested fully in what's happening I'm there.
I also give cheerfully of my treasure, eg. money, to my church, and to my college and seminary. Again I don't have to give to any of those institutions but they play and have played important roles in who I am today. Frankly I'm not as cheerful when I have to pay bills, but then again that's under compulsion.
Where are the places and people that gladden your heart and that you gladly give to? What are the people and places you feel reluctant to do so, yet you have no real choice about it? Can the first type of giving redeem the second?
Blessings,
Ed
What was the last thing you cheerfully gave to? Was your gift money, some object or perhaps your time or talent? In church speak we call this stewardship and we are called to practice it in all aspects of our life.
I know that I cheerfully give of my time to my vocation, to my family and to my friends. There has never been any reluctance to do so because I do it out of love for those folks. I'm certainly not under any compulsion, at least most of the time. I will admit that that here are times that a gentle prodding can often get me moving because sometimes I get stuck in a rut. But once I've invested fully in what's happening I'm there.
I also give cheerfully of my treasure, eg. money, to my church, and to my college and seminary. Again I don't have to give to any of those institutions but they play and have played important roles in who I am today. Frankly I'm not as cheerful when I have to pay bills, but then again that's under compulsion.
Where are the places and people that gladden your heart and that you gladly give to? What are the people and places you feel reluctant to do so, yet you have no real choice about it? Can the first type of giving redeem the second?
Blessings,
Ed
Thursday, February 21, 2013
Reflections for 2/21/13
"I do not want to see you now just in passing, for I hope to spend some time with you if the Lord permits."(1 Corinthians 16:7)
One of the parts of my vocation that I enjoy is pastoral calling. Visiting sick and shut ins. I try to make enough time on my calendar to not have to clock watch, to be able to spend as much time visiting with folks as needed. Sometimes these visits are short, and sometimes they can last two hours. The amount of time is not as important as the quality of the visit.
I also know that I enjoy visiting friends as well. My past couple of summer baseball trips I've managed to spend time with various friends. It has always been a good to spend time with them, to catch up with what's been going on in their lives.
It is certainly obvious when someone is giving you quality time. You have their attention, and they seem to enjoy your company also. It is also clear when someone is just giving you a perfunctory visit. They have to be there, they don't really want to be there, and they are watching the clock, looking for a way to graciously move on.
When we value the person we are visiting we want to make the most of our time together. Yes there are moments that we wish could be longer, and in our overly scheduled, rushing from one event to another, lives, that can sometimes be a challenge. But for those moments when we are truly present for each other even the shortest visit can seem like they never end, in a positive way.
Blessings,
Ed
One of the parts of my vocation that I enjoy is pastoral calling. Visiting sick and shut ins. I try to make enough time on my calendar to not have to clock watch, to be able to spend as much time visiting with folks as needed. Sometimes these visits are short, and sometimes they can last two hours. The amount of time is not as important as the quality of the visit.
I also know that I enjoy visiting friends as well. My past couple of summer baseball trips I've managed to spend time with various friends. It has always been a good to spend time with them, to catch up with what's been going on in their lives.
It is certainly obvious when someone is giving you quality time. You have their attention, and they seem to enjoy your company also. It is also clear when someone is just giving you a perfunctory visit. They have to be there, they don't really want to be there, and they are watching the clock, looking for a way to graciously move on.
When we value the person we are visiting we want to make the most of our time together. Yes there are moments that we wish could be longer, and in our overly scheduled, rushing from one event to another, lives, that can sometimes be a challenge. But for those moments when we are truly present for each other even the shortest visit can seem like they never end, in a positive way.
Blessings,
Ed
Wednesday, February 20, 2013
Reflections for 2/20/13
"But all things should be done decently and in order."(1 Corinthians 14:40)
One of the reasons I like being an Episcopalian is the liturgy. I like that there is a clear beginning and ending. I love the rhythm of the church year. I like that most liturgies are done decently. For some this doesn't work, not enough excitement, no "spirit." I don't know what that means or how you measure that. What I think it means is that it doesn't speak to that person.
I also know that I like when my day to day living feels like there's some order and things went decently well. Perhaps not perfect and perhaps not even as I might have imagined, but the day seem to flow in an orderly fashion, nothing bumped into something else.
I guess part of this points to a longing for some sense of control. Yet there are always parts of our day that are out of our control. Things come up that we didn't anticipate and yet require a response from us. Perhaps it is the case that when most of our lives our running decently and in order, that we are better equipped with the "what the..." moments.
When nothing is going right and chaos seems to have taken over, where no sense of order is evident, that despair and frustration set in.
We don't a hard rigidity in our lives, some flexibility is really useful. But to have no outline, no parameter with which to work, I find that nothing gets done.
Blessings,
Ed
One of the reasons I like being an Episcopalian is the liturgy. I like that there is a clear beginning and ending. I love the rhythm of the church year. I like that most liturgies are done decently. For some this doesn't work, not enough excitement, no "spirit." I don't know what that means or how you measure that. What I think it means is that it doesn't speak to that person.
I also know that I like when my day to day living feels like there's some order and things went decently well. Perhaps not perfect and perhaps not even as I might have imagined, but the day seem to flow in an orderly fashion, nothing bumped into something else.
I guess part of this points to a longing for some sense of control. Yet there are always parts of our day that are out of our control. Things come up that we didn't anticipate and yet require a response from us. Perhaps it is the case that when most of our lives our running decently and in order, that we are better equipped with the "what the..." moments.
When nothing is going right and chaos seems to have taken over, where no sense of order is evident, that despair and frustration set in.
We don't a hard rigidity in our lives, some flexibility is really useful. But to have no outline, no parameter with which to work, I find that nothing gets done.
Blessings,
Ed
Tuesday, February 19, 2013
Reflections for 2/19/13
"For now we see in a mirror dimly,but then we will see face to face. Now I know only in part, then I will know fully, even as I have been fully known."(1 Corinthians 13: 12)
One thing I know is that I don't know everything. Yes there are some things that I do know. But each day I discover something new. Perhaps it is an innate love for learning. A truly liberal view of the world that believes the truth lies somewhere in between the extremes of both sides of an argument.
I certainly don't completely understand many things. Truthfully I don't get Hawking's String Theory. I don't fully understand what motivates some people to say and do the things they do. I also can be pleasantly surprised by the kindness and generosity that people can also show.
I know somethings intellectually about God and I also know things on a gut level as well. I don't know everything about God, but what I do know is that I sense that I am known and loved and challenged by that God.
I hope that people know me well. That I'm consistent in how I treat others and what I expect of myself.
What do we know about ourselves, about those we love and God. Most likely we know quite a bit, though not everything. Can I keep myself open to learning more about myself, others and God.
Blessings,
Ed
One thing I know is that I don't know everything. Yes there are some things that I do know. But each day I discover something new. Perhaps it is an innate love for learning. A truly liberal view of the world that believes the truth lies somewhere in between the extremes of both sides of an argument.
I certainly don't completely understand many things. Truthfully I don't get Hawking's String Theory. I don't fully understand what motivates some people to say and do the things they do. I also can be pleasantly surprised by the kindness and generosity that people can also show.
I know somethings intellectually about God and I also know things on a gut level as well. I don't know everything about God, but what I do know is that I sense that I am known and loved and challenged by that God.
I hope that people know me well. That I'm consistent in how I treat others and what I expect of myself.
What do we know about ourselves, about those we love and God. Most likely we know quite a bit, though not everything. Can I keep myself open to learning more about myself, others and God.
Blessings,
Ed
Monday, February 18, 2013
Reflections for February 18, 2013
"If one member suffers, all suffer together with it; if one member is honored, all rejoice together with it."(1 Corinthians 12:26)
In my life I've had the privilege of being part of several organizations. I've been on sports teams, scout troops, churches, fraternal organizations and of course colleges.
Some have great memories attached to them for me. I remember the people, I remember events that were pivotal to my growth as a person. There have been times when I've shared in the joys of others and been there when things didn't go so well. I've also felt comfortable in those places to share my ups and downs with.
I guess for me that is the sign of real "community" how we handle people's joys and sorrows, successes and failures. Can we be present without envy for people who are having a very blessed streak in their lives? Can we be comfortable around folks for who are going through a valley period?
It is that sense of being mutually present for each other and also knowing that all organizations are as strong as the members that make it up. I've felt that way in many of the groups I've been part of. Hopefully I've been the kind of member that makes the body strong.
Blessings,
Ed
In my life I've had the privilege of being part of several organizations. I've been on sports teams, scout troops, churches, fraternal organizations and of course colleges.
Some have great memories attached to them for me. I remember the people, I remember events that were pivotal to my growth as a person. There have been times when I've shared in the joys of others and been there when things didn't go so well. I've also felt comfortable in those places to share my ups and downs with.
I guess for me that is the sign of real "community" how we handle people's joys and sorrows, successes and failures. Can we be present without envy for people who are having a very blessed streak in their lives? Can we be comfortable around folks for who are going through a valley period?
It is that sense of being mutually present for each other and also knowing that all organizations are as strong as the members that make it up. I've felt that way in many of the groups I've been part of. Hopefully I've been the kind of member that makes the body strong.
Blessings,
Ed
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