no hurry

“Nature does not hurry,

yet everything is accomplished.”

-Lao Tzu

(such an encouraging thought.)

 

photo taken at Hawaiian Botanical Gardens

Hawaiian Grace

"Hawaii is not a state of mind but a state of grace."

-Paul Theroux

Just returned from 10 days in Kona.
Took lots of photos. 
This is one of my favorites,
taken across the road from my friend's condo.

Who knew sunsets could be so sacred?

looking for happiness

Today’s quote is from Inward/Outward. I love their daily quotes which you too can receive from their website. Enjoy!

Looking for Happiness

by

Thomas Keating

"Our spiritual journey does not start with a clean slate.

We carry with us a prepackaged set of values and preconceived ideas which,

unless confronted and redirected, will soon scuttle our journey,

or else turn it into pharisaism, the occupational hazard of religious and spiritual people.

 The developmental character of human life

has become much better known in the last hundred years,

and it has enormous implications for the spiritual journey.

Our personal histories are computerized, so to speak,

in the biocomputers of our brains and nervous systems.

Our memory banks have on file everything that occurred from the womb to the present,

especially memories with strong emotional charges....

 We may not remember the events of early childhood, but the emotions do.

When events occur later in life that resemble those once felt to be harmful,

dangerous, or rejecting, the same feelings surface....

The human heart is designed for unlimited happiness--for limitless truth

and for limitless love--and nothing less can satisfy.

We travel down various roads that promise happiness

 but can't provide it because they are only partial goods.

Since the emotional programs from early childhood are already in place,

our search for happiness in adult life tends to be programmed

by childish expectations that cannot possibly be realized....

 We come now to the heart of the problem of the human condition.

Jesus addressed this problem head-on in the gospel.

What was his first word when beginning his ministry?

"Repent."

To repent is not to take on afflictive penances like

fasting, vigils, flagellation or whatever else appeals.

It means to change the direction in which you are looking for happiness."

 Source: Invitation to Love

 Read more and add your thoughts at inward/outward

Chilean Magnificat

I wish I knew where this art came from.

I discovered it on Pinterest and it’s

presently my favorite “Lady of Guadalupe” image.

Then to discover a Chilean woman’s interpretation of

Mary’s Magnificat? Turned out to be a fine pairing.

 Magnificat

“With pride and dignity I sing my song of joy

when I feel the Lord’s presence;

I am poor and very ordinary,

but one day the Lord looked upon me

And the history of the poor will give witness to my joy.

God is unfettered and unpredictable,

He is called our great friend.

And throughout our history He has favored those of us

who are weak.

His triumphant force shows itself each day

when He exposes the foolishness of the powerful.

He uncovers the feet of clay of those in power,

and nourishes the yearning of the poor.

To those who come hungry He gives bread and wine.

And to the wealthy He exposes their selfishness

and the emptiness of their ways.

This is God’s desire: always to favor the poor.

Now finally we can walk.

He is faithful to His promises.”

- Chilean Woman

from “Soul Weavings” A gathering of Women’s Prayers”

edited by Lyn King, 1996, page 21

stillness

Stillness is what creates Love
Movement is what creates Life
To be still
Yet still moving -
That is everything.

Do Hyun Choe

"Stillness" by Aijung Kim

visit her website here.

Jonah

Hello dear readers!

Some of you have asked for a copy of the sermon preached last Sunday at St. Paul’s.

Here is the link to the church website. I’m listed under Epiphany 2012.

Enjoy!

Vocation of Florence Li Tim-Oi

Today we honor the ordination of Florence Li Tim- Oi, who was born in Hong Kong, in 1907.  In 1944  Florence was ordained as an Anglican deaconess.  Months later Hong Kong fell to the Japanese & WWII began. Florence  was sent to Macau, where she served many refugees as the only ordained person.  Bishop Ronald Hall ordained her to the priesthood in 1944, in order to help her fulfill her responsibilities. 

When the war ended, Florence's being ordained created so much controversy that she made the decision to relinquish her license,  but continued to serve the church. After the Communist revolution, Florence was repeatedly singled out for abuse because of her ties to the English colonialists & her role as a female priest. For 16 years all churches were closed and Florence was forced to work on a farm and a factory. In 1979 the churches reopened and Florence resumed her ministry.  Two year later she was permitted to join family living in Toronto. There, in 1984, she was reinstated as a priest. She spent the last eight years of her life serving her parish and encouraging the acceptance of women into the priesthood. Florence lived to see the consecration of the first woman bishop.   

I read the following excerpt on Elizabeth Kaeton's blog today.  It is so powerful in light of all  who know they are called to ordained ministry but are not able or allowed to pursue their call.  May Florence Li Tim-Oi's story be a deep and lasting  source of encouragement in light of that pain.

" Vocation is something which is heard by an individual, witnessed in her life and validated by the community of faith. It begins with the individual but ends with an ever-deepening, self-sacrificial journey into the mystery and intimacy of community. To turn a blind eye to the witness of the Spirit moving and acting in the life of another speaks more to the spiritual and corporal arrogance of those in power than it does of the validity of the person's vocation. I have to believe there are consequences for the continued practices of injustice in the church and in the world. " - Elizabeth Kaeton

Visit Telling Secrets for more on Florence Li Tim-Oi's story

Icon written by the Rev'd Dr. Ellen Poisson, OSH