"God is our refuge and strength; a very present help in trouble." Psalm 46:1
I love the Book of Psalms, found right in the middle of the Holy Bible. Within it's 150 "songs" are reflected all the hopes, fears, longings, and emotions of humanity. They were old when Jesus of Nazareth walked the earth. Yet they never cease to be contemporary, applicable to whatever state we find ourselves in. (My English teacher mother wouldn't approve of ending a sentence with a preposition. Sorry, Mom!)
As a hospital chaplain for many years, I often suggested a particular Psalm as something that might be helpful, perhaps reciting a couple of verses or reading one aloud. The Hebrew people had no fear of expressing anguish, anger, frustration, disappointment to God. They seemed to know that God understands it all and welcomes honest and intimate communication. There are also beautiful Psalms that extol the wonders of creation, giving praise and thanksgiving to the One who's behind and within it all.
In these days of such tension and uncertainty, I commend that book to you, regardless of your particular religious inclinations. Some of my favorites include numbers 8, 13, 19, 27, 34,62, 63-- well, you can see I like lots of them. I am grateful for these ancient expressions of human nature and faith in the One who is All in All.
Many blessings to you this day! Remember to breathe, listen, look, laugh and love!
Sunday, September 28, 2008
Saturday, September 27, 2008
How Can I Keep from Singing?
Did you ever hear of Eva Cassidy? I hadn't until recently a very dear friend spoke of her talent. Sadly she died in the 90's of cancer at age 32, but has several fine albums, one of which I received today. It's a mix of pop, blues, soul, jazz. I like it. You might want to Google her.
Anyway, "How Can I Keep from Singing?" is on the album, which I'd like sung at my funeral, actually. It's a song of justice, solidarity, and love. Here are the lyrics, in case you don't know it.
My life goes on in endless song
Above earth's lamentations,
I hear the real, though far-off hymn
That hails a new creation.
Through all the tumult and the strife
I hear its music ringing,
It sounds an echo in my soul.
How can I keep from singing?
While though the tempest loudly roars,
I hear the truth, it liveth.
And though the darkness round me close,
Songs in the night it giveth.
No storm can shake my inmost calm,
While to that rock I'm clinging.
Since love is lord of heaven and earth
How can I keep from singing?
When tyrants tremble in their fear
And hear their death knell ringing,
When friends rejoice both far and near
How can I keep from singing?
In prison cell and dungeon vile
Our thoughts to them are winging,
When friends by shame are undefiled
How can I keep from singing?
"...above earth's lamentations" and how very loud they are: here a calamity, there a war, everywhere a crisis, crisis, crisis. It's enough to make a saint crazy. Of course, I've always thought one probably had to BE crazy to be a saint in the first place. God, please save me from that designation! Probably not much to worry about there. :)
But hey, it's a beautiful day, I have wonderful friends and family, a home I love, three dear pets, not to mention health and more wealth than most of my brothers and sisters on this globe. And there ARE good and brave people doing wonderfully creative and courageous things, all over this world. So--how can I keep from singing???
Thanks for reading. Remember to breathe, listen, look, laugh, and love.
Anyway, "How Can I Keep from Singing?" is on the album, which I'd like sung at my funeral, actually. It's a song of justice, solidarity, and love. Here are the lyrics, in case you don't know it.
My life goes on in endless song
Above earth's lamentations,
I hear the real, though far-off hymn
That hails a new creation.
Through all the tumult and the strife
I hear its music ringing,
It sounds an echo in my soul.
How can I keep from singing?
While though the tempest loudly roars,
I hear the truth, it liveth.
And though the darkness round me close,
Songs in the night it giveth.
No storm can shake my inmost calm,
While to that rock I'm clinging.
Since love is lord of heaven and earth
How can I keep from singing?
When tyrants tremble in their fear
And hear their death knell ringing,
When friends rejoice both far and near
How can I keep from singing?
In prison cell and dungeon vile
Our thoughts to them are winging,
When friends by shame are undefiled
How can I keep from singing?
"...above earth's lamentations" and how very loud they are: here a calamity, there a war, everywhere a crisis, crisis, crisis. It's enough to make a saint crazy. Of course, I've always thought one probably had to BE crazy to be a saint in the first place. God, please save me from that designation! Probably not much to worry about there. :)
But hey, it's a beautiful day, I have wonderful friends and family, a home I love, three dear pets, not to mention health and more wealth than most of my brothers and sisters on this globe. And there ARE good and brave people doing wonderfully creative and courageous things, all over this world. So--how can I keep from singing???
Thanks for reading. Remember to breathe, listen, look, laugh, and love.
Friday, September 26, 2008
Welcome!
Welcome to "Prayer, Play and Politics"! Other words come to mind: paradox, pontificate, percolate, pet peeves, punctuation, purpose...I expect this blog to contain examples of all of the above and more. Since this is my first posting, I can't say where it will go, but I hope a few folks will check it out from time to time and give me some feedback. I'm happy for you to share it with others in your life as you see fit.
Having been involved in matters of the Spirit for most of my life, though not always "within the box", I've decided to share some of the thoughts, perhaps wisdom, of my 65 years, as befits a modern-day crone!
I've learned a lot from animals, including the three who currently share my home: Tessa, the little dog; Nellie, the sleek black cat, and Willie, a young, large tiger cat and the only male in the house. Nellie preceded the other two and has had to adjust. She and Willie, who used to compete and fight, are now allies in the struggle for use of my home, against an 11# dog, who in 3 months of residence, has kept both cats in the basement most of the time. The cats have claws; they are larger than she is; and there are two of them. Still, when Tessa lunges ferociously to the head of the stairs, they run for dear life.
Sometimes we are afraid of people and things which, in fact, have very little power over us. Only in our heads do they loom large--that person who might break into the house or rape you in the night or act in some manner you see as inappropriate or get some of your share of the goodies. The fear of those persons (or groups, or religions, or government systems) is often an illusion, which we perpetuate by our decisions, attitudes, life style, or loud barking. Funny thing! Tessa doesn't have the claws!
Until next time, thanks for reading. Breathe, listen, look, participate and love!
Having been involved in matters of the Spirit for most of my life, though not always "within the box", I've decided to share some of the thoughts, perhaps wisdom, of my 65 years, as befits a modern-day crone!
I've learned a lot from animals, including the three who currently share my home: Tessa, the little dog; Nellie, the sleek black cat, and Willie, a young, large tiger cat and the only male in the house. Nellie preceded the other two and has had to adjust. She and Willie, who used to compete and fight, are now allies in the struggle for use of my home, against an 11# dog, who in 3 months of residence, has kept both cats in the basement most of the time. The cats have claws; they are larger than she is; and there are two of them. Still, when Tessa lunges ferociously to the head of the stairs, they run for dear life.
Sometimes we are afraid of people and things which, in fact, have very little power over us. Only in our heads do they loom large--that person who might break into the house or rape you in the night or act in some manner you see as inappropriate or get some of your share of the goodies. The fear of those persons (or groups, or religions, or government systems) is often an illusion, which we perpetuate by our decisions, attitudes, life style, or loud barking. Funny thing! Tessa doesn't have the claws!
Until next time, thanks for reading. Breathe, listen, look, participate and love!
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