It is He

I am reading Thomas Merton’s “No Man Is An Island,” and was struck by this short passage. I don’t feel I need to add much…except to say that it speaks to me on several fronts that I have been/am dealing with.

1. The craving for significance...which I think it is idolatry
2. The need to withdraw from society at times…in order to deal with our stuff….so as not to overwhelm others with our own unhappiness…
3. Self-conscious living...which Father has showed me is the flip side of the sin of pride
4. We need not worry about our progress…or success….just keep putting Him on in every situation without worrying if anyone sees or takes note…or appreciates…or even about the outcome….
5. We are not expected to make of ourselves anything other than what Father is making of us…

So with no further adieu….(as they say)….Here’s a nice little bit from T. Merton:


“3. All men seek peace first of all with themselves. That is necessary, because we do not naturally find rest even in our own being. We have to learn to commune with ourselves before we can communicate with other men and with God. A man who is not at peace with himself necessarily projects his interior fighting into the society of those he lives with, and spreads a contagion of conflict all around him. Even when he tries to do good to others his efforts are hopeless, since he does not know how to do good to himself. In moments of wildest idealism, he may take it into his head to make other people happy; and in doing so he will overwhelm them with his own unhappiness. He seeks to find himself somehow in the work of making others happy. Therefore he throws himself into the work. As a result he gets out of the work all that he put into it; his own confusion, his own disintegration, his own unhappiness.

It is useless to try to make peace with ourselves by being pleased with everything we have done. In order to settle down in the quiet of our own being we must learn to be detached from the results of our own activity. We must withdraw ourselves, to some extent, from effects that are beyond our control and be content with the good will and the work that are the quiet expression of our inner life. We must be content to live without watching ourselves live, to work without expecting an immediate reward, to love without an instantaneous satisfaction, and to exist without any special recognition.

It is only when we are detached from ourselves that we can be a t peace with ourselves. We cannot find happiness in our work if we are always extending ourselves beyond ourselves and beyond the sphere of our work in order to find ourselves greater than we are.

Our Christian destiny is, in fact, a great one; but we cannot achieve greatness unless we lose all interest in being great. For our own idea of greatness is illusory, and if we pay too much attention to it we will be lured out of the peace and stability of the being God gave us, and seek to live in a myth we have created for ourselves. It is, therefore a very great thing to be little, which is to say; to be ourselves. And when we are truly ourselves we lose most of the futile self-consciousness that keeps us constantly comparing ourselves with others in order to see how big we are."

From “No Man Is An Island” by Thomas Merton (Trappist Monk). This is section three of chapter seven, “Being and Doing.”

Next Year

I was in the back yard assessing—as gardeners will—what worked and what didn’t. The mantra of a gardener is, as we all know, “next year…” So it was with this in mind that I cast my eyes around the yard to determine what had to be done differently next year. A small potted geranium caught my eye. I had bought it because I loved the color and the shape of the flowers and the leaves. I hadn’t any planter to put it in, so I just put it in a pot thinking I’ll let it grow and it can become a mother plant—to take cuttings and then next year I’ll put them in all my container planting.

On surveying the plant, it seemed to me that it had not grown a single new leaf all summer. It had just stayed the same size. I wondered at this until it occurred to me that it had never stopped flowering all summer either. It had always had a half dozen or so of those retina-burning scarlet flower clusters even though I had neglected it all summer.

Well and good, I thought, but I had wanted the plant to become robust and large enough to take cuttings and it was still as small as it ever was in it’s little four inch pot. I determined right then that this winter, I would take it in, and rip off every blossom….and cut off every new flower bud….to force the plant to use it’s life to not just produce a few beautiful flowers, but to become large and robust enough to use to propagate more of it’s kind. I determined to wound it—and then to nurture and fertilize it over the winter season.

Isn’t this what Father sometimes does with us? It is not that our flowers don’t please Him, or that He wants to destroy us…though it may feel that way. Possibly there comes a season when He has to take the drastic measure of ripping off all that we cherish and find our meaning and value in—in order that He can make us fit for a higher and better or bigger purpose.

C-Dory gathering at Nanaimo

JULY 30 - AUGUST 3 Nanaimo C-Brat get together.

Thursday

We launched at Tulista (Sidney) using the long term parking—we purchased a season pass for $120 which is a good deal considering that we will save $8 for each day of parking/launching. The Sidney area is often calm when all others have wind warning so It seems good to have a pass there. It was around 11:30 am when we launched and the tide was up over 2 meters so the launch was smooth…winds light…skies blue. It is a heavenly day – 34 degrees.

We toured along the west shore of Saltspring Island tried fishing for a while through Sansom Narrows as there were lots of fish under and big ones jumping but we caught none. Pulled in to Burgoyne Bay to check it out and tied up to a buoy and made our lunch. I am always hungry the minute we launch…haha.
After lunch we explored along tent island at the tip of Kuper Island and then into Telegraph cove which is between Kuper and Thetis island. The water temperature was at 76 degrees and so it made a swim inevitable. Then we passed in front of Capernwray Bible college and cut back across to Chemainus where we had a reservation for the night. We tied up in our slip at the marina which is right beside the ferry terminal and then went up town for ice cream. Came back and read the newspaper and then had a nice cool shower before going to bed. The sun is going down and it is 9:10 Pm. It is warm enough we will have to sleep with the hatch and windows open tonight.

Friday

We slept well and made our breakfast thinking we’d wait till slack tide (2 PM) to go through Dodd Narrows but the harbour master told us it would not be a concern to go through earlier with the power we have so this we did at around noon after a leisurely tour past Ladysmith and Cedar. We were a little nervous though as there were three boats coming through towards us….two large cruisers following a sailboat which made them go slower than they maybe would have liked.

Anyhow, arriving at Nanaimo, there were fellow “C-Brats” watching for member boats and guiding us to our spot and helping us get tied up etc. We have been getting to know Bill and El of the Halcyon, who have lived on a boat for over 20 years (and not a big boat….one like ours) Also, Susan and Tom of the Susan E, Ruth and Joe of the R Matey, Steve and Beledia of the GOYO… and others….There are over 20 boats here.
Friday night the group had made arrangements to go to the Dingy Dock Pub on Discovery Island for dinner. Most went over on the little ferry/shuttle….but we took our boat over. Shared mushroom caps, a crab and bacon melt and a side of chilli prawn…yummy.

Saturday

Saturday we were free to do our own thing so we shopped around town a bit. Leroy went to west marine with a few of the men and I went to a boat store downtown and checked used book stores etc. In the evening we had a big potluck supper on the dock. I brought a greek salad and rhubarb squares….Tom had gone crabbing and brought a bunch of crab…cooked and cleaned….lots of good food.

We have been learning from everyone else. Talking about modifications, equipment, fishing, prawning…tours and destinations…and generally getting to know some of the other boaters

Sunday

More visiting in the morning and then at 11 we had booked a brunch at that lovely restaurant overlooking the harbour. Wonderful place for breakfast! Then we got gas and headed to Dodd Narrows once again some time before slack tide with our new friends, Roger and Cheryl in their boat, “In Cahoots”. Once through the narrows, they went on to Chemainus and we went the other way, exploring De Courcy and Ruxton Islands..along the west side of Valdez and Galiano and down the west side of Saltspring.

We had planned to pull in at either Retreat Cove or Montague Harbour on Galiano Island, but I had heard there was a dock at Conover Cove, on Wallace Island so we thought we’d go and investigate that first to see if there might be a spot there. We got there and took up the last spot on the dock. Boats were anchored out all over the place. It is a beautiful island and I had a nice swim in the cove, and we took a hike around. Saw the little old buildings where the little resort had been. I had read David Conover’s books years ago, “One Man’s Island” and “Once Upon and Island” so it was fun and interesting to visit the island…which is now a beautiful park. We are hoping for good weather when Cairo comes in September so that we can go for a little overnighter there again.

Monday

We had been warned that racoons would visit our boat, so we made sure that everything was put away before we went to bed….but sure enough there were lots of muddy little footprints all over the deck when we got up.

We decided to check out several public docks and bays on the way home and we did go and look at Retreat Cove, Montague Bay, and a couple of places on Pender Island. Then we went in to Port Browning on North Pender and then out under the bridge which joins North and South Pender Islands, into Bedwell harbour where we drifted and made our lunch. Once we got going again, the wind was starting to come up a bit and we were getting a little tired, so we headed toward Sidney rather than check the parks at Piers Island and Swartz Bay. Found Tulista boat launch very busy…but I held the boat at the dock while Leroy went for the truck and soon we were pulled out and on our way home.

We had a great time…explored some new territory widened our horizons somewhat again….and gained a little more experience….all good. Arrived home tired but happy.

What's in the bucket?

I too, was thinking of the verse in James 2:18, "Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works." ....But I also thought of the idea that without faith it is impossible to please God ...and that in fact all our righteousness (works) are as filthy rags. So in my thinking, I'm working backwards from the doing....to the being.... We can practice for years....but is there not a time to become accomplished at love....so that it is not only a discipline....but it has become our nature?

I know that I have beeing applying scripture and concepts of "faith" to my ponderings on "love" but I think I'm not too far off track in doing it.

I sometimes think of the story of a person carrying a bucket....and the true contents (whether acid or refreshing water) not being known until there is an upset. I think it's possible to go through the motions....trying to work out (or work up) love, but when trouble comes, the heart's contents are revealed.

I'm looking for the poem about being comfortable in love...but found a bit by RW Emerson, on anger which resonates,

"When some of those cutting, sharp, blighting words have been spoken which send the hot, indignant blood to the face and head, if those to whom they are addressed keep silence--look on with awe, for a mighty work is going on within them, and the spirit of evil, or their guardian angel, is very near to them in that hour. During that pause they have made a step towards Heaven or towards hell, and an item has been scored in the book which the day of judgement shall see opened."

Ha....well I have often wondered about that Heavenly score book in my younger years. This is what I have been working at for some years now...but I think it's time to go beyond simply anger management. It is true, that at the moment RWE is describing, we are working out of our Father's resourses...not our own, and in the process we are becoming more like Him, and my goal has been to just become the person who naturally keeps silence at such times.....but the question....why must there always be anger? And why must there always be silence? Why can't their be true love...free speech....expecting and crediting each other with the highest of motives because we see them as THAT person..... This is what I'm hoping for...the sentiment expressed in the poem that I can't quite find... OK....I found it Tribute...(or I Love You) by Roy Croft...Here it is:

I love you,
Not only for what you are,
But for what I amWhen I am with you.
I love you,
Not only for whatYou have made of yourself,
But for whatYou are making of me.
I love you
For the part of me
That you bring out;
I love you
For putting your hand
Into my heaped-up heart
And passing over
All the foolish, weak things
That you can’t help
Dimly seeing there,
And for drawing outInto the light
All the beautiful belongings
That no one else had looked
Quite far enough to find.
I love you,
Because you are helping me to make
Of the lumber of my life
Not a tavern
But a temple;
Out of the works of my every day
Not a reproach
But a song.
I love you
Because you have done
More than any creed
Could have done
To make me good
And more than any fate
Could have done
To make me happy.
You have done it
Without a touch,
Without a word,
Without a sign.
You have done it
By being yourself.
Perhaps that is what
Being a friend means,
After all.”

I think this poem expresses what it is that I am aspiring to. Not just to have...but to give...to share. I relate to the poem, not because it has been my experience, but it is my strong desire that someday, somehow, it will be.... We can work out our love...as a spiritual discipline, if you will, but after years of working on it....of honing it, should it not at some point become our nature? (as it is Father's) to love. My desire to become skilled and natural at GIVING this kind of love too....from my heart....not just as a spiritual discipline...

This is not a very articulate post. I am simply making an attempt to express my thoughts in order to work them out.

love

I know so little about this subject but have been impressed with an insight in the form of a question lately. The question is this:

Is it preferable to:
1...have love demonstrated in meaningful ways....
2...simply be loved...(truly)

I am thinking in personal terms as well as spiritual terms. I think we often think we can prove we love by doing....and we fall into the trap of works which do not neccessarily prove we love...only that we wish to be seen to love. At the same time, if we love, we will show it in our actions...but it won't matter so much that we are seen to love...simply that we do love.

I guess there are times when we need to act...(to demonstrate in meaningful ways)...love....just to demonstrate our desire to love when we find our love inadequate...and maybe there is a fine line (but there is a line) between the demonstration of and the actual fact of love. I think I see how Father desires the truth of love rather than the deeds.... Deeds can be done without the truth...but the truth can't exist without the deeds. I'm praying that Father will teach me to love as He does....truly.

Living VEXED

2 Peter 2:7 speaks of “… Lot, vexed with the filthy conversation of the wicked:”

I find myself vexed in this same way. Like Jesus, we are asked to be a sin bearer….to bear the sins of others… sins that effect the quality of our life in many and varied crushing and disappointing ways. Sometimes we are told that suffering is caused by the free will of man. Because man has a free will and can make choices…and everyone else’s choices touch our lives…. we all suffer.

This idea brings to mind (and defends) the philosophy that Jean-Paul Sartre expressed, in his famous statement that, “Hell is other people.” What a sense of vexation and anger is evoked in us with this thought that other people are constantly causing our suffering and thwarting our happiness and generally jiggering up our world.

On the other hand, if we can believe that our loving Father is the FIRST cause of everything that happens in our lives whether we see it as good or evil, how much easier everything is to bear. How much easier to forgive others, if they are seen only as the SECOND cause in our suffering… if we could receive their blows as from our loving Father who has wisely measured out our suffering and allowed it for our betterment. If we could stop resisting evil…and responding in kind….how much more peaceful our life could be.

Is it possible that injustice is done in order that we might release our hold on our “rights,” die to self, and trust in our Father’s capacity to put all things right. Is it possible that in our trials we have been given yet another opportunity to work out practically what it means to love our enemies…to overcome evil with good… to bless them that curse us… and pray for them which despitefully use us.

Consider 1 Corinthians 10:13. “There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.”

It has occurred to me that if we say that evil comes to us from man’s freewill or any other source than our Father’s careful hand—then how can this verse have any meaning for us. How can we be sure we won’t be tried beyond our capacity? Maybe Father won’t take us beyond our limits…but others might!

No….I believe like Job…that all things are of God. Job said, “What? shall we receive good at the hand of God, and shall we not receive evil?” Job 2:10 and the verse goes on to state, “ In all this Job did not sin with his lips.” In other words….he spoke the truth.

So I say…we can rage against the night…allowing evil to suck us dry, or we can simply be content to be a small point of light…with joy…which in the long run is going to do far more to dispell darkness.

The Garden and the Wilderness

The Garden and the Wilderness

I’m reading Bruxy Cavey’s book “The End of Religion”, and came across this little bit about the Garden:

“By placing Adam and Eve in a “garden” God was calling all humankind to partner with Him in caring for creation.

A garden is a meeting place between nature and human culture. It reflects both divine and human creativity, as opposed to the extremes of a city on the one hand and a forest …on the other. God’s original design for humanity (and I don’t think He has changed it…ss) was an intimate, purposeful relationship between Himself and humanity, expressed through a co-creative partnership.”

I love the imagery of the garden and the wilderness. For many, including myself, whether we are gifted or not in this area, there is an instinct to garden. If we were placed in a highrise in an urban ghetto, we’d be looking for a place to plant something…spading up a vacant lot….potting up a tomato on the fire escape…whatever…Conversely, if we were suddenly stranded and lost in the jungle, we’d be compelled to make a little clearing, pull a few weeds, cultivate and encourage useful indigenous plants.

There is so much to think about in this idea of the garden and the wilderness. In the absence of man, the wilderness prevails. It is wild and beautiful, and perhaps dangerous. Although, certainly no more dangerous than the inner city. If it were possible to exclude God from the situation (which it is not of course…but sometimes we do see hellish circumstances where He SEEMS to be absent) what a ghastly squalid environment man on his own can create.

I love the idea that where God and man meet, a garden is possible….and so a garden becomes symbolic of friendship, fellowship, partnership with our Father.
Something to think about as you’re hilling the spuds...

Be Born in Me

I enjoy reading Preston Eby’s online (and ongoing) commentary on the Book of Revelation, “From the Candlestick to the Throne.” The perspective he brings is one of seeing Christ revealing Himself IN us. I have been more used to an apocalyptic/historical/prophetical take on this book, so I find reading it from this perspective interesting and profitable. Not that one interpretation necessarily rules out the possibility of all others, but since the book of Revelation is so highly symbolic…and in light of the title being, “The Revelation of Jesus Christ” rather than, “How it’s all going to End,” I think it’s worthwhile to examine it from this perspective.

I’m at the part where Eby is discussing the four horsemen. He has the white horse to represent Christ coming to conquer and illuminate our hearts. The second horse…the firey red one with the sword…he makes to be Christ (the Word) coming to us as a sword which Hebrews 4:12 describes as “…quick, and powerful,… piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.”

I don’t want to paraphrase too much of Eby’s excellent writing. I will only muddy up what he expresses so well and so clearly, however, this idea of the red horse really resonated with me. I feel that the red horseman has been operating in my life, and sometimes it’s comforting to remember that Jesus said, “I came not to bring peace but a sword.”…and that this in no way contradicts the angel’s song, “Peace on Earth…good will to men.”

If the purpose of the sword is to separate the carnal from the spiritual, bring it on! When the wheat is separated from the chaff…it doesn’t mean that the chaff has not served a purpose. It means that it’s purpose is accomplished. And our carnal nature has served it’s purpose too….but now we have to be separated from it.

Eby quotes a passage written by F.B. Meyer. I’ve read several of his excellent books, but unfortunately, don’t know which book this is from. This whole idea of Christ being born IN us…. Is one that has been sweetly working in me for several years. It started when I suddenly realized that Luke 1:45 “And blessed is she that believed: for there shall be a performance of those things which were told her from the Lord.” applied not only to Mary—but to ME!... and to each of those in whom He is being born. (Incidentally, I believe this is the only occurrence of the phrase, “blessed is SHE” in the Bible….)

So here is what F.B. Meyer says:

“When Christ is born, there is always trial. What trouble the New-born brought into this world! There was trouble for Mary! She was living a happy, peaceful life in Nazareth, when the sword began to penetrate her soul, and she was called to endure an agony of misunderstanding from those who loved her best. There was trouble for Joseph, who was afflicted by startling fears, roused suddenly from sleep, and bidden to leave all and flee. There was trouble for Herod and the Jews. ‘He was troubled and all Jerusalem with him,’ at the story of the new-born King. There was trouble also in a multitude of Jewish homes, entered by brutal soldiery, who tore the babes from their mothers’ breasts and tossed them on their sword-points. Wherever Jesus comes, trial follows. He comes to send, not peace, but a sword; and one who knew well of what he affirmed said; ‘I am crucified with Christ—I die daily—I am delivered unto death for Jesus’ sake.’ These inward trials often spring from the unwillingness of our nature to yield to the will and way of God. A man’s foes are they of his own household. Sometimes, also, when we have begun to live the new life it seems as if the box of Pandora were opened, and all the winds had escaped, each eager to outdo all the rest. But out of the trouble will rise the fairest, strongest life! By and by some watcher on the battlements of heaven, beholding our approach, will cry, ‘Who are these arrayed in white robes, and whence came they?' and this will be the reply: ‘These are they that came out of great tribulation’—for tribulation is education misspelt”

end quote

I enjoy a story my Dad liked to tell about an Inuit carver who was asked, how it was that he was so skilful and able to fashion any animal he imagined out of a piece of stone. The Inuit scratched his head and said, “Well it’s not so hard…say I want to carve a dog…I just take a look at the stone…and carve off everything that doesn’t look like a dog…”

So let the Christ, the Word, work in me….

separating and carving off all that doesn’t look like my Father.

Come Lord Jesus be born in me
That I may be reborn in Thee
I’ll make a place for you to dwell
Come into my heart Emmanuel

For a New Beginning

Here is a poem that someone referred to in a group I belong to. I am not familiar with the work of John O'Donohue...but I googled him and found that he was an Irish Poet...former priest....linked with Celtic mysticism... A little younger than myself, died last year..... Anyhow, enough to know he might not be "at my board table"...haha...but at the same time, somewhat of a kindred spirit. Somehow...this poem For a New Beginning resonates with me on several levels. It is really quite beautiful. (He tends to write poetic blessings.)

For a New Beginning

In out-of-the-way places of the heart,
Where your thoughts never think to wander,
This beginning has been quietly forming,
Waiting until you were ready to emerge.

For a long time it has watched your desire,
Feeling the emptiness growing inside you,
Noticing how you willed yourself on,
Still unable to leave what you had outgrown.

It watched you play with the seduction of safety
And the gray promises that sameness whispered,
Heard the waves of turmoil rise and relent,
Wondered would you always live like this.

Then the delight, when your courage kindled,
And out you stepped onto new ground,
Your eyes young again with energy and dream,
A path of plenitude opening before you.

Though your destination is not yet clear
You can trust the promise of this opening;
Unfurl yourself into the grace of beginning
That is at one with your life's desire.

Awaken your spirit to adventure;
Hold nothing back, learn to find ease in risk;
Soon you will be home in a new rhythm,
For your soul senses the world that awaits you.

~ John O'Donohue

Comments on John 8 and Daniel 5

I'm going backwards I know...but I wanted to record my thoughts about John chapter 8 because I've heard people talk about what they think Jesus wrote on the ground with His finger... and some time ago, I came up with a theory of my own and I'm almost sure I'm right...haha.

As Jesus was teaching early in the morning at the temple, the Scribes and Pharisees brought a woman caught in the act of adultery....I imagine her in a bedsheet...humiliated, and in order to test Jesus, they ask him what should be done with her because the Law of Moses states that she should be stoned. They must have suspected that Jesus wouldn't agree with that...hence the test. This idea is interesting in itself, because we see Jesus at varience with the application of the Law.

Jesus wisely suggests that the one without sin should be the first to throw a stone. And He bends down and starts writing in the dust on the ground with His finger. I notice that the phrase "with his finger" is repeated twice...in v. 6 and again in v. 8 and and I find myself wondering why that little detail....and why the repetition? I've heard the suggestion that He wrote down the 10 commandments....or the particular sins that he knew applied to the potential stone throwers... but the whole "finger" thing got my mind working in another direction.

It reminded me of another writing finger....one in Daniel 5:5. So I decided to read that story again and see if there were any parallels between what happened in Daniel 5 and what was happening here in John 8. Here is what I found... that convinced me that the words Jesus wrote with His finger in the dust could very well have been, "mene mene tekel epharsin."

The occasion in Daniel was the feast of Belshazzar, where the king had taken the sacred vessels from the temple to use as wine goblets...showing his contempt for the things of God and his pride in his own majesty. A hand appears and writes a cryptic message on the wall. While the Chaldean wise men might have understood the words themselves...the letter...they were not able to understand the meaning of the message...the spirit. The words were, "mene, mene, tekel upharsin" and they mean "numbered, numbered, weighed, divisions," so it is easy to see why Belshazzar needed help with understanding the implications. The meaning of the message was given by Daniel in verse 26-28:

Mene - God has numbered the days of your kingship and brought them to an end
Tekel - You are weighted in the balances and are found wanting
Peres - the singular of Upharsin - Your kingdom is divided and given to the Medes and Persians

It was natural for me to think that perhaps Jesus was giving this same message to the religious elite of His day. I noticed that according to Daniel, the very night this interpretation was given to Belshazzar...he was slain....and Darius the Mede took the kingdom.

I think that if Jesus had written these words in the sand, they would not have been without significant meaning to these scholarly Jews. I believe they would have recognized the import immediately...that Jesus was declaring an end to their rule and the beginning of a new regime. v. 9 states that they began going out conscience stricken, one by one till there was no one left but Jesus and the woman.....and then he said those beautiful words, "I do not condemn you either. Go on your way and from now on sin no more."

From then on though, Jesus preaches about a new government, opening with the words, "I am the light of the world." I think this story indicates the end of Temple worship and the establishment of the KINGDOM OF GOD.

I notice in the preceeding chapter (7) two references to the religious elite....v. 26 and v. 48-49. Both speak of the religious rulers being looked to in order to validate or discredit Jesus. I thought that it is significant that the question is asked (v48) "Has any of the authorities or of the Pharisees believed in Him?" and contempt is shown for the laity by the leaders in (v49) when they say "As for this multitude (rabble) that does not know the Law, they are contemptible and doomed and accursed!"

On the contrary, Jesus has said to the unfortunate woman, who is undeniably guilty of sin, "I do not condemn you either..." but later (v26) he says of the religious elite, "I have much to say about you and to judge and condemn..."

This is only the first part of this chapter, but it causes me to reflect on the pedestal we have tended to put the religious elite even in our day..... and to wonder sometimes if the writing is not on the wall for some contemporary kingdoms.

I have been tagged by Peyton. http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/peyton/411489/?#c8.
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Ok, here we go!! ( in no particular order...haha)

1. Chocolate...right now it's Lindor....mmm
2. Water....oceans, rivers, streams, lakes, creeks...
3. Music in it's manifold expressions
4. Outdoor fun....wilderness hikes, camping paddling and cycling
5. Family...all the branches and roots of the family tree.

Now I want to tag Wyatt, Silas, and Darren