Solitude and Thomas Merton

PROBLEMS PROBLEMS --- I WAS TRYING TO MAKE MY BLOG BETTER AND MESSED IT UP. I HAVE LOST ALL OF APRIL 2006 AND HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO UPDATE IT. NOT SURE WHAT IS THE MATTER. NOT EVEN SURE IF THIS WILL UPDATE. SORRY.


"Without a certain element of solitude there can be no compassion
because when a man is lost in the wheels of a social machine he is no
longer aware of human needs as a matter of personal responsibility."
(New Seeds of Contemplation p. 55)

Twenty Things I did Today

I got a wheelchair for a woman who could not walk so she could get to
the place to take chemotheraphy.

I ate at Chick fa lay.

I read the newspaper.

I bought gas for the lawnmower. Gas went up 5 cents a gallon today.

I preached a sermon titled, "Companions on the Journey."

I listened to a woman who shared how God had touched her life in our
chapel.

I walked outside to the NICU.

I bought coffee from Dave.

I ate some popcorn.

I talked with a man who is deeply depressed and is unable to walk.

I walked outside through the cloister on my way to my office.

I prayed for someone to sell their house.

I said hi to a boy a year and a half old and he smiled at me.

I went to Walmart to get 2 cycle engine oil.

I played with cuddles.

I read the story of Mark Palmer's death.

I talked to a lady who wanted a job as a chaplain.

Someone wrote me a note about Tybee Island and it brought back a flood
of memories.

I bought a birthday card for my daughter who turns 30 tomorrow.

I dreamed of hot chili.

Question: What were 20 things you did today?

Blank Spaces

I have hit a non-communicative period. I seem to have nothing to say. Nothing seems to register. Anyway, all I have is today's sermon I am preaching titled, "Companions on the Journey." It is composed of just notes so hope you can read between the lines or add your own lines.


COMPANIONS ON THE JOURNEY

Choose five people to go to Mars with.

MY MOM WHEN SHE WAS DYING—Companion on the Journey

When we think of Companions on the Journey we most often think of mates, or friends, or family relationships.

The chief question is: WHAT DO THEY HAVE IN COMMON? AND WHY DO THEY EXIST?


THEY BRING JOY TO OUR LIVES.

Companions nourish our heart, mind, and soul, and body. They are also the people with whom we can celebrate the sharing of Bread. (Jesus: The Last Supper – do this in remembrance of me.)

Family: My Louisana cousins we call The Gooney Birds…..when I talk to my Aunt I say, “And how are the gooney birds doing?” An indication of the good times we have had together.

THEY FORGIVE US WHEN WE DO WRONG

Most relationships have fragile points. I bet none of us have ever had such a perfect relationship that we never disagree on something. PP: There is always a broken relationship with those in the pavillion.

Ps.51 – David had a broken relationship with God! “Have mercy on me. Blot out my transgressions.”

Legitimate Prayer: A relationship to be mended.

(Lets just not say anything, lets start at zero)

THEY STAND BY US WHEN EVERYONE DESERTS US

Apostle Paul in the last letter he writes in the Bible says, “Demas, because he loved this world has deserted me…….ONLY LUKE IS WITH ME.

Sometimes I sit by dying people who have no one. But I always think. How Sad !!

EXAMPLE: THE STRAIGHT STORY…LYLE AND ALVIN. ALVIN GOES TO SEE HIS BROTHER AND RIDES HIS LAWNMOWER FOR 6 WEEKS TO MAKE AMENDS.
What about us. The lesson today is: “Who are your companions on the journey? But more importantly, who are you a companion to? You think about that.

March Tennessee Sunset

March Tennessee Sunset
Originally uploaded by brotherdan44.

Cool Saturday

We had 12 people over last night, my ham buddies, for desert and looking
at radio equipment. Slept until 7:45 this morning. Helped Mike get his
50 inch tv in the house. It is visiting for 2 months. It has been really
cool today. Forty five degrees and windy.

A note for you

Day/Date
Thursday March 23.

Weather
Coolish slight rain

I spent most of my time
Walking at work and watching the NCAA tournament.

I'm reading Silent Lamp by William Shannon and Fran Pullara's blog.

I am Studying Non-violent communications.

I am Listening to Fox News channel 17 about minister shot to death in
Selmer, TN. Is his wife the suspect?

I am Watching the NCAA tournament .

I am Wearing old clothes after work .

Eating/Drinking Roast beef, chocolate chip brownies, and cashews.

Wishing for warmer days

Remembering Rick and Maria.

Planning on going to a conference.

Working On grief workshop.

Tips On Making it Through the Day

"It was one of those days," is how we describe it. Everything fell
apart. We were abused. We struck back. How do we make the most of our
days?

1. Be Sensitive to our own )weaknesses. (How do we react when
exhausted?

2. Invite Someone else into your world. Find someone to share your
innermost needs with (and problems)

3. Take time to do somerhing for someone else. That overworked person
beside you, why not bring them a cup of coffee?

4. Do Something FOR GOD'S SAKE. Read this carefully. A pastor friend
wrote this recently, "the size of your bank account isn't going to
matter, its not going to matter if my house is nicer than yours, but if
we believe the gospel, if we believe Jesus, what does matter in the end
is that you loved and were loved.

Selah

G-TEC-C4

It was a long search. As a user of a Moleskin Journal I had read how
many people used a G-TEC-C4 gel pen. Impressed I began an effort to buy
one. I went to all the local supply houses. A fruitless search. I even
wrote to the pilotpen company and they said there were patient problems
and it was not sold in the United States. Finally, after several weeks
of effort I bought 5 from Montgomery Pens in NYC. I am enjoying the
pens. They are great for writing in thin Bibles.

Monday Night

I am getting behind blogwise. The weather warmed this past weekend and I
mowed the grass. Today it rained most of the day and the temperature was
38 degrees. It will be really cold tomorrow.

I am reading Uncommon Prayer by Kenneth Swanson and enjoying it.

Saint Patrick's Day Prayer

May the good God grant you always...a sunbeam to warm you...a moonbeam to charm you...a sheltering Angel so nothing can harm you. May He send: laughter to cheer you and good friends to be near you. And whenever you pray, may Heaven surely hear you. May there be some work for your hands to do and in the purse, a coin or two. Let there be warm sunshine on your window pane and a glorious rainbow after every rain. May helping hands and caring hearts be always near you. May life hold lots of laughter so to cheer you. All your days be richly blest with goodness and quiet rest. May your fondest hopes all come true; May your troubles be only a few. May you always know Heaven's kindly care; May His love and grace be with you everywhere. Happy St. Patrick's Day.

THANKS DON BRENNAN

Listening for the Hearthbeat of God

J. Philip Newell is a poet, a scholar and a teacher. Formerly Warden of Iona Abbey in the Western Isles of Scotland, he is currently Writer Theologian for The Cathedral of The Isles on Cumbrae. He is internationally acclaimed for his work in the field of Celtic spirituality, including his best known titles Listening for the The Heartbeat of God and his poetic book of prayer Sounds of the Eternal. He is an ordained Church of Scotland minister with a passion for ecumenical and interfaith dialogue. Canadian by birth, he lives in Edinburgh with his family where he undertook his doctoral research in Celtic Christianity. Since then he has played a leading role on both sides of the Atlantic in the re-birthing of a creation spirituality for today.

It was my priviledge to attend a conference on Friday and Saturday, March 10-11, led by Philip Newell on Celtic Christianity and Listening for the Heartbeat of God at Christ Cathedral Episcopal Church In Nashville, TN.

Some thoughts shared during the conference:

He talked of transformation, the example being the Wedding at Cana when Jesus transforms the ordinary into the sacred.

He mentioned that there are ways of seeing in our lives that are only opened through us by suffering.

The story of Lazarus begs the question, "What has fallen asleep in us and needs awakening?" and "Are there places that don't smell right in our lives?"

The conference was a good overview of Celtic Christianity as well as challenging us to listen to the heartbeat of God as did the beloved disciple John. Newell is an excellent speaker. If you have a chance please take time to hear him.

By the way, the pastor at Christ Cathedral is Kenneth Swanson, himself a well known author about prayer. In a recent lenten sermon of his he tells about his days attending St. Joseph's Abbey in Mass. Worth a read.

(Editor's Note) And yes you might remember my visit to the Abbey of Gethsemani.

AM with MERTON (Ideal conditions)

"It is for each one to find out for himself
the kind of work and environment in which
he can best lead a spiritual life. If it is
possible to find such conditions, and if
he is able to take advantage of them,
he should do so. But what a hopeless
thing the spiritual life would be if it could
only be lived under ideal conditions."

(NO MAN IS AN ISLAND, page 108)

What challenges do I face in my work or daily environment as it
relates
to my spiritual life?

Thanks Wayne Burns

New Dog

New Dog
Originally uploaded by brotherdan44.

We have a new puppy. No name yet. Any ideas?

Happiness Is

Happiness Is
Originally uploaded by brotherdan44.

Dan and Janet at Gethsemani.

Drug Time

Drug Time
Originally uploaded by brotherdan44.

The Drug Problem in America

The other day, someone at a store in our town read that a methamphetamine lab had been found in an old farmhouse in the adjoining county and he asked me a rhetorical question, "Why didn't we have a drug problem when you and I were growing up

I replied: I had a drug problem when I was young:

I was drug to church on Sunday morning
I was drug to church for weddings and funerals.
I was drug to family reunions and community socials no matter the
weather
I was drug by my ears when I was disrespectful to adults
I was also drug to the woodshed when I disobeyed my parents, told a lie, brought home a bad report card, did not speak with respect, spoke ill of the teacher or the preacher, or if I didn't put forth my best effort in everything that was asked of me

I was drug to the kitchen sink to have my mouth washed out with soap if I uttered a profane four-letter word.

I was drug out to pull weeds in mom's garden and flower beds and
cockleburs out of dad's fields

I was drug to the homes of family, friends, and neighbors to help out
some poor soul who had no one to mow the yard, repair the clothesline,
or chop some firewood and, if my mother had ever known that I! took a single dime as a tip for this kindness, she would have drug me back to the woodshed

Those drugs are still in my veins; and they affect my behavior in
everything I do, say, and think. They are stronger than cocaine, crack,
or heroin; and, if today's children had this kind of drug problem,
America would be a better place.
~author unknown~
(Background music: Crying Time, a big hit for Buck Owens. And, there
was plenty of that after those trips to the woodshed!)