Sunday, September 22, 2013

My soul waits for the Lord

My soul waits for the Lord
more than those
who watch for the morning,
more than those
who watch for the morning.

It's been a tough, long day around here today.
Certain work that doesn't come easy to me, so I struggle through it.
Fighting with the technologies I need to get the work done.
Realising I've made mistakes and having to apologise and try to make things right.

Then late tonight a family is visited by sudden death and all priorities are quickly reshuffled.
They are waiting through the night to see if there will be more death.

And I am here wide awake , thinking of them, praying for them. Hoping that the night will be merciful to them.

They are those who watch for the morning, with a desperate sense of urgency. Waiting for the Lord to bring the clarity and light of the morning. And maybe there will be hope that comes along with it.

But for now we are those who wait for the Lord, watching for the morning. For he alone speaks the words of eternal life.

Come Lord Jesus.


Friday, September 20, 2013

Victor Papa Eight Lima Papa this is Victor Echo Six Victor Oscar Romeo...

I know I can be a bit of a nerd sometimes but I don't often talk of the pleasure I get from Amateur Radio. It is just such a blast, and many times I need to pinch myself when I remember that I have my license and my station is on the air.

This past week I've been able to talk into Russia and what is referred to as Western Siberia. Now, doing that is exciting enough but last night I got even further.

As I was tuning 20 meters I began to hear a distinct clearly english accented fellow calling CQ and it seemed like all the hams in North America were trying to answer him back. It was quite a pile up.

I listened and finally made out that it was Bob, VP8LP and that he was calling from the Falkland Islands.

So I figured I might as well give him a shout, and I nervously tuned up the wrong antenna. There was such a din of others trying to reach him that I had my doubts.

I called out "VP8LP this is VE6VOR" about three times. And then I heard him call back, "Victor Echo Six, Victor Echo Six come again?"

After that things got really weird because I was so nervous. I called back and he responded. I answered with my name and what I think was my call sign, but honestly I have no clue if I communicated my own call sign.

We exchanged names and signal strength, locations and that was it. We ended the call with 73's.

:)

Crazy how a guy can get so messed up just talking with another guy on the radio.
But it was 7898.4 miles away.
And it was by my own station that I've built.
And it was only a hundred watts of power.
And my signal did somehow push through that pile up and connect.


It just doesn't get much sweeter than that, radio nerd wise anyway.


Tuesday, September 17, 2013

A great weekend.

And so we had a great weekend out at camp leading the Contemplative Spirituality Retreat, otherwise known as the "Getting quiet so we can hear God" retreat.

The weather was stunning and people were in a place to engage with God, so he was there too.

Here are some pictures of the fun.


Dawn

After ten hours of personal Spiritual direction and about six hours of instruction, added to prayers, conversations, sharing, good food, I was done in.

Slept for 12 hours into Monday, and into bed by ten Monday night.

God is good.


Friday, September 13, 2013

Um I forget.

Well after a full people week and a day down to the wire getting ready to lead this retreat, I'm out at camp, retreating. 

It should be said that I love this stuff. Creating space and an place for people to meet with God. Giving them a few tools to use to hear and converse with the Almighty. It's good, and the God conversations happen. They always do. 

I'm leading this weekend and then there is one more week of work, then it's my "every four year" sabbatical. It works out to a month and a half of different things, but I'm starting to think I need it. 

Nothing convinces me like my newly slipping memory. You see I just don't forget stuff. I plan backups for my backups. I just always double and triple check my stuff. That's who I am. 

Or that's who I was. 

Three times in the past weeks, I've forgotten my phone. I never do that. Never. Thanks to Apples "Find my Phone" feature I find it eventually. But still, that's got me a bit concerned. It's not me. 

And now I get to camp and see that I've packed a couple shirts, a backup pair of jeans, my toiletries, and that's it. 

I think I need a break. 
But for now I gotta go wash my socks. 
Sheesh. 

Good night. 


Sunday, September 08, 2013

Come and join us for retreat.



"The Gospels reveal the clear pattern in the life of Jesus where He retreated regularly to the wilderness or desert or lonely place, in order to sustain a contemplative life and intimacy with his father. Withdrawing to a quiet place was His rhythm. In our lives, contemplative retreats are about listening and waiting for God and rediscovering stillness and making room for those habits in the rhythm of our lives.
We offer you this retreat as a gift. To withdraw, to Sabbath, to rest. To listen and receive what God may be wanting to offer you.
We will include times of silence and solitude as well as opportunities to explore spiritual disciplines for yourself. Simple corporate worship will also be a part of the rhythm of each day and a Spiritual Director will be available should you desire to talk with one.
We invite you to come and withdraw from the rush of the world.
Come and retreat."


See you there.


Friday, September 06, 2013

There is a disturbance in the force field today

As I look out my office window high atop my castle this morning, I can see for feet and feet and feet.


Rain Day in the Field

It's bleak out there and it's bleak in here too.
It feels heavy, the sort of heavy that takes the joy out of what I do.

The interesting thing about shepherding a church is that it's a group of mostly human beings who are not yet perfect, so when we sin, we effect people all around us.

Well, people have been people, and people have made choices for themselves, rather than making choices with the consideration of others.
My work today, in part, is to help those effected by other peoples unwise choices.
And if there is room, to speak into the lives of those making those decisions.

It's not my best way to live out a day, but it is what it is. And people being people, there will be more days like this.

But for now, there is work to be done.

Thursday, September 05, 2013

Your Great Name

I think the best version I've found.
It's been blasting here in my office as I prepare for Sunday.
(Yes we'll be singing it.)

peace.





Wednesday, September 04, 2013

To Come Home To Yourself.

A prayer, a blessing for you on this glorious September 4.

May all that is unforgiven in you
Be released.

May your fears yield
Their deepest tranquillities.

May all that is unlived in you
Blossom into a future
Graced with love.

John O'Donohue


Happy Birthday Johanna.