Sunday- I like Ps. 71 as it is from the pen of someone who has grown older.We just started the first of a series at a local assisted living center, and this was our first psalm. We wanted to show that the Bible speaks directly to growing older. I love itws plea that god remain faithful from birth to old age and grey hair.It uses the image of refuge repeatedly. Where are refuges for us as we age? Where are our refuges vulnerable? The psalm closes with a powerful evocation to continue to praise the work of god no matter our age, an excellent antidote to the complaints that dog us.
Monday-It always seems a bit of a struggle to return from vacation.I have a friend who get depressed when he starts work right away upon returning. I urge him to shorten vacation by a day away and add it to home as a transition. How long does it take you to feel as if you are on vacation?What methods do you use to get back in the swing of things?
Tuesday-I continue to work on the book of the 12/Minor Prophets (Hosea-Malachi).As I was reviewing some material, it struck me that they fit our time well as they face a difficult reality squarely, yet they sometimes paint a hopeful picture for th e future. Biblical material does point at change, or why else could it possibly stress repentance, doing a turn-around of one’s actions and attitudes?
Wednesday-My next project is projected to be a look at the movies and themes of faith and spiritual life. while I love movies personally, they are one of the few gateways that allow conversations across the divides that we so stress in our time. What are your favorite movies? Do you prefer drama, action, comedy? What movies have touched you at a spiritual level? Do certain scenes stand out or the entire film?
Thursday-Intimacy has become associated almost solely with physical activity. Yet it sense of closeness can be mental, emotional, and spiritual of course. a friend speaks of cooking together as an intimate activity as it conjures up an image of domesticity.we speak of wanting to feel close to God, near to god, but I do not hear intimacy with God very often.when do you feel close to god, and when do you feel that God is distant or that you are distant from god?
Friday-We thought of buying an expensive DVD package on boundaries for the presbytery. on boundaries. this is difficult terrain to master. On one hand, we cannot act as if we are sealed off from others, but on the other hand too permeable a boundary can threaten our sense of self and ts responsibilities. Boundaries help us to decide wha tis our concern or not, what is our business or not. Where are your boundaries healthy and defined and where do they need some work?
Saturday-NPR is running a series on sacred music. A nun was just on speaking of our distrust of silence and how chanting releases some of the walls against our very selves we set up.She argued that sophisticated sacred music takes its listeners seriously and respectfully. Do you listen to sacred music as recreation? For me secular music is spiritually moving and evocative. Do any artists consistently m put you in a p spiritual frame fo mind?
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