Monday, October 27, 2008

Every creature is a word of God. 

~ Meister Eckhart


And life itself is a holy scripture. So may you see that word in all of life today!

(Thought for the Day will take a short break for the rest of this week. I am at a continuing education retreat at Rolling Ridge. See you next week.)

Thursday, October 23, 2008

We make a living by what we get; we make a life by what we give.

~ Winston Churchill


Giving is how we truly express caring. If you want to know what your real values are look at how you spend your money, time and energies. What is the life you are making? 

Wednesday, October 22, 2008

Inspiration comes at the oddest times, usually when you least expect it. When it does come, don't shrug it off… be inspired!

~ Jerry Grant Blakeney


On a rainy day in New England inspiration might not be the first thing that comes to mind. Yet it can come in such a variety of ways... if we are open to it. So welcome the gifts of this day!

Tuesday, September 4, 2007

A heart in love with beauty never grows old. 

~ Kurdish proverb


To see and welcome the beauty all around, the blessings of Grace in each day, is to know we are a part of something bigger than ourselves. This love keeps us connected to life forever.

Monday, October 20, 2008

The real measure of our wealth is how much we'd be worth if we lost everything.


In these days of economic anxiety perhaps we can have a different perspective. If we can remember what really is most valuable we are a non-anxious presence and will live out of a deeper peace.

Thursday, October 16, 2008

You pray in your distress and in your need; would that you might pray also in the fullness of your joy and in your days of abundance.

~ Kahlil Gibran


Or as the apostle tells us, "Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice" (Philippians 4:4). Let's celebrate all the gifts with grateful hearts for the perfect prayer is a simple "thank you."

Wednesday, October 15, 2008

Raise up your children and grandchildren in the way they should go;

then go that way yourself.


Lead by example. Teens, in particular, can spot an inconsistency from 50 miles. So take charge of what matters most, the example you set by how you live.

Tuesday, October 14, 2008

If the blind put their hand in God's, they find their way more surely than those who see but have not faith or purpose.

~ Helen Keller


In our own lives there is much we may not see or understand, but as we trust that life has its purpose and that God's love holds us we can see all we may really need to see.

Thursday, October 9, 2008

It's a strange prayer that we often ask for a change in circumstance

rather than in our character.


Often we are powerless over some of the larger circumstances of our lives. Yet we can choose our attitude toward those circumstances. Our faith gives us the grace to engage our the circumstances of our lives with hope, meaning and purpose. That is a prayer that can be answered today.

Wednesday, October 8, 2008

There are times when God asks nothing of his children except silence, patience and tears.

~ C.S. Robinson


There is a time for action and a time to just be. Sabbath is one way our tradition addresses this need to take time to reflect. We are often more comfortable doing, but our doing needs to be informed by deeper grace. So today take a moment to pause and remember.

Tuesday, October 7, 2008

Well done is better than well said.

~ Benjamin Franklin


John's gospel tells us, "And the Word became flesh and lived among us, and we have seen his glory...." (John 1:14.) Allow the Word to become "flesh," that is, real and lived out in your life today. Let it be done, not just spoken.

Monday, October 6, 2008

We talk a great deal about religion in this country.

Perhaps we need to stop just long enough to let our feet catch up with our mouths.


Faith is not a set of ideas. It is not a creed. It is not words. It is how we live, what we do, how we walk. 
Paul tells us, "I appeal to you therefore, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship" (Romans 12:1). Our bodies, that is, our lives, are our worship. So let's walk the walk today.

Thursday, October 2, 2008

It is more difficult to contend with oneself than with the world. 

~ Kurdish Proverb


Our attitudes, our own way of living, these are the things our faith calls us to contend with. Jesus tells us that "what comes out of the mouth proceeds from the heart" (Matt 15:18). Seeking to be right in our hearts with God and others is our purpose. It is may indeed be a demanding path, but we are not alone. We go with grace for today and hope for tomorrow.

Wednesday, October 1, 2008

If all the economists were laid end to end, they would not reach a conclusion.

~ George Bernard Shaw 


Given recent events this is a sentiment that many share. But as people of faith, who trust in a deeper Security, perhaps we can welcome the truth that what makes us secure is grace. Yes, we have concerns for what this economy might hold, particularly for the most vulnerable, yet we can rest assured that our greatest treasure is the love we share.