O Sole Mio

 O Sole mio. …

I love waking up to your smiling face.

Some mornings I’m so blissful,

I just sit quietly drinking coffee watching you.

You light up a room when you enter.

It’s hard to feel depressed 

With you beaming at me

But lately I’ve noticed you’re changing your pattern.

There’s a lull in your appearance.

I no longer see you gradually waking up,

But, you are now fully dressed for the day

when I arise.

I miss those early morning moments:

just you and me

preparing for a new day

Soon, you will be gone on your chariot

in the early morning—-

off behind the hill, the bluffs

sharing your warmth with someone else?

Yes, I know you told me from the start

That our relationship would be brief

But I’m still heart-broken

that you are leaving me.

And yes, I know you’ll still be around

But, I’ll miss that early morning

come-hither face that gets me out of bed

and urges me forward:

to face a new day.

Apollo-Sol:

O Sole Mio

Finding Jesus

 

Tuesday, June 9, 2015

Where do you find Jesus? Or does Jesus find you?

Bellefontaine Cemetery, St. Louis

On Facebook a few weeks ago, J. Boyd asked, " Where do you look for Jesus, and where do you find him? Any surprises? (I.e. when or where do you look for him and NOT find him? When do you encounter him when you least expect it?) Your thoughts are welcome..."

I thought awhile before I responded to her question---where was a place that most people wouldn't think of?  "Cemeteries" are my place of peace and comfort.

Visiting cemeteries and "decorating the graves" has always been a family tradition.  Even on vacations, my parents would visit historic cemeteries, reading the stones, finding inspiration, history, art and sometimes humor. Click here for some of my favorite cemeteries.  Of course, there was sadness, whether we knew the individuals or not.  But we would always say silent prayers for the families and the individual that they found peace.

When I was in college, living in dormitories was sometimes overwhelming. I would often walk to a nearby cemetery overlooking the Mississippi River.  There I found the peace and calmness that I couldn't find in the chaos of communal living.  There I could find comfort---as if God was wrapping His arms around me.  There I could sort out my thoughts and think clearly.  

Last weekend, Pastor Gary gave a sermon called "The Impossible Possibility".  He said, don't try to find God---He finds us.  But that doesn't always mean we are aware that he has found us.  That moment when we know God is with us, is an epiphany.  Sometimes the pace and demands of life keep us from feeling God's presence.  We often need places where we can meditate, block out the noise and confusion to hear the voice of God.  Kim Skilling introduced me to the term "Thin Places" which is what cemeteries are for me.  According to Celtic Tradition, "Thin Places" are where Heaven and Earth are only three feet apart, but they are far more than that. For more on "thin places", click here,  Another view of what they are and are not click here.

Bellefontaine Cemetery, St. Louis

Where have you had an epiphany?  Where is a "thin place" for you?  Do you think we should look for Jesus, or does He find us?  Or, back to Jill's questions, "Is there a place where you did not find Him?  When do you encounter Him when you least expect it?" 

Psalm 139:7-10 New International Version (NIV)

7 Where can I go from your Spirit?
    Where can I flee from your presence?
8 If I go up to the heavens, you are there;
    if I make my bed in the depths, you are there.
9 If I rise on the wings of the dawn,
    if I settle on the far side of the sea,
10 even there your hand will guide me,
    your right hand will hold me fast.

Why attend Church

 

Tuesday, August 18, 2015

Why Do We Attend Church?

Saturday Evening Worship

When I was a little girl, my mother told me, "The best friends you'll ever have are found at church."  Sure, I have high school, college, teaching friends that I love going out to lunch with, but now that I am retired, most are not here on a daily basis when I feel low or need encouragement.

"Church friends" are a special kind of friend.  If you think "church friends" are those you say hello to when passing the peace at worship, you are missing out on so much.  They are the people you share your joys and sorrows with in prayers. They are the people who send you cards when it's your birthday or a casserole when you are recovering from illness.  They are the people you work beside at the ABC Sale or plan the next luncheon with.  They are the people you study the Bible with.  They are the people you share your special skills with:  decorating, gardening, finance, teaching, music.  They are part of your community of believers.

Go-getters Going Out to Lunch

I have two friends whose husbands are handicapped.  Oddly, they both attended the same nearby church.  They both confess they have stopped going to church because it's just too hard.  My response to them has been they are missing out on so much.  When your life becomes difficult is EXACTLY the time your church becomes an important element in your life.  To stay at home can be so isolating.  Just coming to Wednesday evening dinners can open up a person's world.  If anyone understands messy lives, the church people do.  We have all been there and can help with prayers, Stephen's Ministry counseling, a meal or two.

I have read many statistics on how our country while remaining "spiritual" has stopped going to church.        This makes me sad for those people.  On Facebook the other day, a friend posted a link to a blog which also discusses the importance of going to church.  Click here.

Children's Ministry delivering boxes for needy children

Encourage neighbors, friends and acquaintances to attend church.  We will soon be starting a new programming year with a new interim pastor.  What a great time for someone to start attending.  We have Sunday School classes, Midweek, Go-getters, the PW Brunch and New Member classes beginning.  Click here for more on what St. Mark Presbyterian has to offer.

Small Group going out to dinner

Book Club

Jaclyn Morgan

Schussing and Waltzing

On sunny snowy days, 

I do still dream of skiing down a snow-covered hill

Breathing in the cold air and 

basking in the warmth of the sun.

I can’t ski anymore and even worry about walking in the snow,

but I’m not too old to sit outside on a sunny day.

With snow all around me

and my breath

unfurling in the frigid air.

My memories keep me warm

on this chilly January day.

The drive to ski slopes

over-dressed for the chill 

of waiting in a lift line

was all worth it.

With my first breath of air at the top of a mountain. . . 

and the “Schuss” down a hill.. .

flying

soaring throught the snow.

Then I zig-zag across the slope

not to go slowly

but for the run 

to last longer.

I also dream of dancing with my love in a ballroom

Dipping and gliding to an orchestra playing a walz

A final spin into his arms, eyes locked. . . .

Sitting at a cloth covered table with candles

drinking wine 

while holding hands. . 

Not talking, just absorbing the magic.

Don’t tell me I get no benefit from memories.

Memories allow me to relive magical moments

of my life. 

And, they remind me

there are more memories to be made,

if I reach out and take a chance.

And, it’s all right for me to just sit in the sun

or 

in a chair for a dance. . . 

remembering

Too Old to Dream?

 Will I ever be too old to dream?

too old to wonder what could be,

what tomorrow will bring.

My body may ache 

I may move more slowly

but my heart is still growing 

although sometimes it misses a beat.

Despite cataracts, my eyes see clearly

To see those who need a touch, a whisper,

a laugh

I’m not too old dance

mostly in a chair not taking a chance. . . 

But moving my body to the music

takes me back when these feet 

could dance all night long.

I’m not too old to sing

perhaps at a lower tone

but I’m still singing.

I’m still dreaming

growing

seeing

dancing

I’d rather sing a little off key, reaching for notes

than to just listen to music

My body may have a few pounds but it can still

Move to the music

My balance sometimes falters but 

I’d rather dance with a walker

or in a chair

than to never dance at all.

I’d rather dream and hope, rather than

be in  a  television trance:

seeing the world in black and white.

I’d rather touch and be touched, 

laughing with friends,

than to be cozy and comfy in my easy chair.  . .

alone.