Western Wall

For inspiration I often turn on the web camera that is located at the Western Wall in Jerusalem. Check it out and see if it works for you.

http://wwitv.com/tv_channels/b3613.htm

Snow

Enjoying a white Christmas.

Christmas photo

We had a great weekend.

ANNUAL CHRISTMAS 2010 LETTER

CHRISTMAS LETTER FOR THE PHILLIPS FAMILY FOR 2010

It has been a "bits and pieces year." Dan had a flat tire on the interstate during a snow storm in January, then followed that up with a snow-filled week with 25 pastors in Red Lodge, Montana, where he led a retreat. Other trips for Dan and Janet included a trip to Natchez, Mississippi, for the annual pilgrimage to see older homes and to enjoy the festivities.plus a July 4th week four day trip to Cancun, our first trip to Mexico.

Dan retired in December after ten years as a chaplain. Janet continues to work. Her company took us to see The Louise Mandrell show at Opryland. Opryland had been almost destroyed by the Nashville flood earlier in the year. The opry mills mall may never open again. The flood was a Nashville area tragedy. In Franklin we had 15 inches of rain in two days.

Other news: We have a new grandchild coming in May. Jack is 3 so will enjoy a new addition to the family, as we will.

Dan is having his first book published next year. Spiritual Journaling- God's Whispers in Daily Living, will be published in July of 2011. It is being published by the John Hunt Company in  London, England. Check Amazon in June and July.

Hoping for each of your a miraculously and wonderful new year.

Merry Christmas,

Dan and Janet

Beneath Dead Sea, Scientists Seek Natural History - NYTimes.com

We were in engedi last year? I thought this was interesting. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/12/18/world/middleeast/18deadsea.html?src=twrhp

Company of Rivers

On the day I was granted the option of what our
preachers called “leaving the faith ,” I did .
Following intuition and love with all the sincerity
and attentiveness I could muster, I chose to
spend my life in the company of rivers,
wilderness, wisdom literature, like - minded
friends, and quiet contemplation . As it ’ s turned
out , this life has enriched me with a sense of the
holy, and left me far more grateful than I ’ ll ever
be able to say . ~ David James Duncan, “ What
Fundamentalists Need for Their Salvation ”
orionmagazine . org / index.php /articles /
article/ 156 / July /August 2005
You cannot leave the holy . Namaste

Copied from John p. Coco journald

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What really matters?

From Simon on npr.

Writing essay on Elizabeth Edwards. Tearing. Read what she said when Tony Snow died: http://tinyurl.com/28w9p7o. True grace-"

Waiting

I am practicing being home alone during the day. A minature heater bums in the background. I watch a lady in heavy overcoat walk to work. Temperature is 20 degrees.

Merton's daily meditations are a companion. He speaks of the need for the discipline of long meditation in silence.

I pray. I walk Cuddles. I wait.

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What Was Important Today in Your Life

After my fiasco with hot water heaters, I had been invited to a Christmas luncheon with people I had worked with. It was like the "annual feast" when I use to play taps in high school for veterans who died. No money, just the feast. Today's was a terrific one, one of the best.

Afterwards, I stopped by Alive Hospice. A friend is nearing the end of his life. He often worked nights at the hospital. He was a Christian who had struggled for many years to make a living. He often asked for prayers, described the tough life he had in Africa and the horrible deaths of family members. But in spite of everything, he had a sunny disposition and was a joy to be around. He asked me a year ago for prayers for surgery. I did not realize how bad it was until last week. Just something one forgets.

He is struggling to live for a few more days. He is tremendously weak. In two days he becomes an American Citizen. It is what he is living for.  The officials know he can not make the ceremony all the way through, but with the aid of a social worker, the ceremony will be carried out in a much shorter version. Nine of his friends were outside waiting. Sorta like a death watch I have been at many times. I held his weak hand and said a short prayer. I told him what a good friend he had be and that he meant a lot to me.

I left and told those outside, all a different race than me, how much he meant to me. I left with a heavy heart, aware of how friends we take for granted are really what is important!  I came home to the usual political banter, political victories claimed by each party, and I was very sad. The most important thing that happened for me today was seeing the courageous struggle a young man was having to become an American citizen before he died.

Merton surrender

Our real journey in life is interior. It is a matter of greater surrender to the creative action of love and grace in our hearts. (Merton)"

Tuesday day 2

I have spent first two days of retirement playing with hot water heater that died. After 3 different water heaters from home depot, consulting with 3 experienced experts i now have got water again. Now I can take a bath.

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Retired- Day one- Saturday

My retirement party was incredible. It was wonderful! Many people said nice things about me. Stories were shared I had forgotten. Several people, including my brother Ron, showed up unexpectedly. I received beautiful cards, gift certificates, cookies, a plant, several books with signatures in them, and I talked so much I was hoarse. I have been so blessed. As I left went to our chapel, where I usually spend a few minutes each day, and just said Thank You.  Thank You Lord!