1000 Gifts Continue

#16 Newfound Koinonia HERE with YOU.

#17-21 Front Porch Sundays, Warmish Breezes, Nodding Leavesessss, Drowsy Eyesessss,...zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz'zzzzzz

11. Twin fawns on our lawn to welcome us home

12. Sue's and Roy's lives held in the Palm of One Who Sees All

13. Ann's dare to Live Fully right here, right now

14. The gift of Yes

15. Son's spoken word, Good night Mom.

1000 Gifts...

Beginning soon, this study of Amazing Grace in the every-day moments.

And the gifts continue:

6. weekend days redolent with simplistic luxury

7. deliciously long sleep with the (usually traveling) Tim-Man

8. slow sips (slurps?) of Starbucks made rich with cream - a delectation reserved for weekends

9. gray skies extending a sit-awhile-and-linger-here invitation

10.sore muscles reminiscing bicycle adventure with DaughterKate

Counsel to one of God's Best Gifts regarding impending commencement of yet another stress-laced yoke of academia:

Dear daughter mine:

Your internship is meant for YOU, not for the institution. You've always been good at identifying the "have to's", getting them done, and fitting your "want to's" in as well. I have complete confidence that your abilities will serve you well.

That said, you do know that "by yourself, you can do nothing" (John 15). God is your Source, your Sustenance, and your Guide. You have a wonderful trip coming up... use that time wisely --- meditate on the Words of God and invite Him to fill your cup to overflowing. He Will, you know.

I love you forever. And I am praying for you every day.

xoxo,

mama

And her reply? "Thanks, Mom. You always know just what to say". Thank YOU, Papa, for Words to speak Truth, and Grace to Love well.

Facebook? Instigator of my Gift List? Really?

After years of reading this blog and months of waffling about The List, I commented on a Facebook friend's related status. Several weeks later, an online study was born of One Thousand Gifts ... an answer my heart's cry for women + bible + koinonia.

Hence, the beginning of my List:

‎#1 of my 1000 Gifts: Koinonia with Eucharisteo.

#2,3,4,5 ... Saturday morning (thank You, Papa) + Starbucks Columbian (thank you, TJMaxx clearance cart) + Half & Half Cream (thank you, Kimmy Neely) = ♥ ♥ ♥

Day 2

Remember i said i was going to read Isaiah 58? As I read, I wondered, how in the world can I fulfill this commission:

“Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen...⁷ Is it not to share your food with the hungry ..."

Then I turned to the Daniel Fast website... and was amazed as i read their suggestion to give $$$ to a food related charity (they suggest Compassion International) in fulfillment of Isaiah 58! God Knew!

However, instead of using the link (which charges a 7.5% fee), I went directly to the Compassion site and contributed to the Global Hunger ministry.

I wonder what other surprises God has in store for me today?

Our pastor at Cornerstone has called a 21 day Daniel Fast to honor a call to revival. First impressions include:

1. Awakening to a sense of loss--- even a mild grief. And as I prayed, a deep sorrow over the depth of my avoidance of God... no, not a conscious "i don't want God" avoidance, but rather a self-sufficient, "i don't need God" avoidance born of self-sufficient obtaining what i want, who i want, where i want, when i want, and why i want. Isn't this the American way? Every time something enters my want zone, i get it. And, although the fast has only just begun, already there is something potentially blocking my wants.

2. Several "resets": A piece of chewing gum, popped into my mouth without thinking, sipping a seltzer and then reading, "no carbonated beverages", and realizing that it's really not the 'letter of the law', but rather, as stated by Daniel himself, “In those days I, Daniel, was mourning three full weeks. I ate no pleasant food, no meat or wine came into my mouth, nor did I anoint myself at all, till three whole weeks were fulfilled.”

3. Discovery of a few helpful sites:

The Daily Audio Bible (actually, this is not a discovery, but a remembrance of this site) wherein one may listen to the Bible and participate in a vibrant and loving online community of believers.

The 21 day Vegan Kickstart, a service offered by PCRM (Physician's Committee for Responsible Medicine) I found while browsing for some simple vegan recipes

The Daniel Fast blog and website where, in addition to a plethora of information and support, I may order an e-book for 4.95.

A "fasting movement website" that has a daily 21 day blog one can follow and a sample printable fasting contract.

4. Awareness of my propensities toward selfishness, impatience, and demandingness --- and my lack of ability to successfully temper these without the use of my favorite defuser, food/drink.

5. Surprise at just how often my mind turns to seeking comfort in "just a little" of this... or that... or a cuppa' tea... or... (and inam shamefully surprised at how grudging my response is when i remember i'm fasting... i did not once turn joyfully to God at those times of struggle or comfort-seeking. Instead I grumbled and complained.)

6. Direction biblically... to Isaiah 58 and Psalm 51. I will be reading and meditating on these today (Day 2).

7. A renewed commitment born of realization of my dire need for spiritual renewal and emptying of self.

And that's it. Not a "yahoo, it's all good" kind of take on things, but rather a sobering reality check at my (what, until yesterday, i would've described as "fit") spiritual condition.

Dry wells send us to the fountain. --- Samuel Rutherford

Is it not thirst that drives awareness of my need for Living Water?

Certainly, if my desire was slaked -- satisfied -- fulfilled, I would not seek Water of Life.

Why is it, then, that I call out, cry out, yes, even demand satiation, ease, and comfort?

When to rest in these leads only to counterfeit peace.... false security... delusional living.

Thirst calls out, crys out, authors a desperate Hope for Real Water. Real Life. Real Peace.

Disallowing the false, it enables my search for True.

True Love. True Life. True Peace.

That lead to the Source

He is.

Sunday, January 2, 2011
Genesis 3: At that moment, their eyes were opened and they suddenly felt shame at their nakedness. So they sewed fig leaves together to cover themselves.

And so it begins. Sin + Conviction = (Repentence and Rest) or (Self-Sufficient Striving). The choice faces me daily and is a temptation common to all.

Neil Young’s “After the Garden” ends with this age-old deception of futile effort … Sounds good… Seems right to a man… but in the end, it leads to death.

"After The Garden"

...What will people do? After the garden is gone
What will people say? After the garden

Won't need no strong man
Walkin' through the night
To live a weak man's day
Won't need no sunshine
Won't need no purple haze

After the garden is gone. After the garden is gone
After the garden is gone, Where will people go?

After the garden is gone, What will people know?
After the garden. After the garden is gone
After the garden is gone

(We live in the garden of Eden, yeah
Don't know why we wanna tear the whole thing to the ground
And we've got to get ourselves
Back to the garden)

To fully enjoy the beautiful Cuore di Sabbia, please scroll down and pause the music player below ...



Just in time, this YouTube video found its way into my Facebook today, thus mirroring thoughts I've entertained this past week.

My reflections have been not so much resolutions (as in, "I resolve to ___" ), for past experience has taught me I'll never keep such pseudo-promises.

No. Rather, my musings are more aspirations (as in, "I aim to ___ "), for it seems that more than resolute drive, i need gentle intention that may be reset --- or even re-oriented daily.

That said, here are those aims toward which I am setting my sights:

I aim to:

Be Fully Present in Today... not the shame/regret/guilt of yesterday, nor the fears/expectations/projections of tomorrow... simply right here, right now.

Answer the Knock at my door, inviting in the Ones Who desire to be with me here and now.

Resign from Debate ... ie, mindfully abstain from meandering down Argumentative Lanes or Negative Avenues. (my husband will be so thankful!) Particularly, these areas in which I am choosing to Live and Let Live include those oh-so-inflammatory subjects of church, religion, and politics (although i may, as a function of #1, be allowed the occasional indulgence!).

Live with just a tad more awareness and sensitivity to the body (both individual and corporate) and environment (with all its people, places, and things) that I inhabit... more greenly and serenely, if you will.

Finally, continue those intentions set in years past: Be-Loved, Believe, Speak Truth and Love Well.

To these, I can honestly and whole-heartedly sign my LifeSong in 2011. Amen.