Bumpersticker

"The more you know, the less you need."
-sighted on car bumper at Memorial Day Indian Pow Wow.

Poem

Attention is love, what we must give
children, mothers, fathers, pets,
our friends, the news, the woes of others.
What we want to change we curse and then
pick up a tool. Bless whatever you can
with eyes and hands and tongue. If you
can't bless it, get ready to make it new.
--Marge Piercy (from The Art of Blessing the Day)

Cemetery in spring

"He'll raise you up
On eagle's wings
Bear you on the
Breath of dawn
Make you shine
Like the sun
And hold you in
The palm of His hand"

Given in memory of a young man who passed away in his early 20's, by his family. (click to enlarge)











Lexington Cemetery

Luther Burbank quote, University of Kentucky Arboretum

Spiritual discipline: celebration

The world is filled with reasons to be downcast. But deeper than sorrow thrums the unbroken pulse of God's joy, a joy that will yet have its eternal day. To set our hearts on this joy reminds us that we can choose how we respond to any particular moment. We can search for God in all circumstances, or not. We can seek the pulse of hope and celebration because it is God's reality. Heaven is celebrating. Right now the cherubim, seraphim, angels, archangels, prophets, apostles, martyrs, and all the company of saints overflow with joy in the presence of their Creator. Every small experience of Jesus with us is a taste of the joy that is to come. We are not alone--and that in itself is reason to celebrate. Adele Ahlberg Calhoun, Spiritual Disciplines Handbook, IVP Books, 2005, p. 27.

Hope fulfilled

Late last summer, I posted about receiving Breck's bulb catalog. (Good coupon enclosed.) I ordered a dozen flame-colored tulips. About two weeks ago, they were in full bloom. I'm posting this bouquet for Vashti, who recently underwent surgery.

* * * * * * *
See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. Matthew 6:28b-29.