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Reflections

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A Midwinter God

“In a dark time, the eye begins to see.” -Theodore Roethke “Wisdom comes with winter.” -Oscar Wilde I love the bare branches of winter trees spread across the muted sky.  Those aching arms that have been stripped of encumbrance to reveal the bones. When autumn comes I am dizzy with delight at the release of fluttering jeweled prayer flags settling to the ground to become the compost for next spring’s flowers.  There is an excitement I experience at the change of each day’s landscape, a parade of colors, always something new revealed.  It can be easy to forget that this is

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Sacred Artist Interview: Josie Rodriguez

  I was connected to Josie Rodriguez‘s wonderful work through Laurie Mika (see Laurie’s interview here). I adore encaustic and I always feel a kinship with people doing the extraordinarily meaningful work of chaplaincy, especially hospice work.  Ever since I walked with my own mother through the last few days of her life I have been drawn to the journey of dying and grieving. Josie is a hospice chaplain in San Diego and was so generous to send me her insights into my questions exploring the connection between spirituality and creativity. So read on! _____________________________________________________________ Are you rooted in a particular

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Invitation to Poetry: Epiphanies

Our Twenty-Ninth Poetry Party!  I select an image and suggest a title and invite you to respond with your poems, words, reflections, quotes, song lyrics, etc. Leave them in the comments or email me and I’ll add them to the body of the post as they come in along with a link back to your blog if you have one (not required to participate!) Feel free to take your poem in any direction and then post the image and invitation on your blog and encourage others to come join the party! The feast of Epiphany was celebrated yesterday in the Christian tradition. 

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Epiphany

* * * * * And behold, the star that they had seen at its rising preceded them, until it came and stopped over the place where the child was. They were overjoyed at seeing the star, and on entering the house they saw the child with Mary his mother. They prostrated themselves and did him homage. Then they opened their treasures and offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed for their country by another way. -Gospel of St. Matthew 2:9-12 * * * *

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Taking Flight

I awoke this morning, on New Year’s Day, with a heart full of hope.  Last year was brimming with new possibilities and the year ahead brings with it so many adventures and invitations to dance on the edges of things, I am absolutely dizzy with anticipation. In a most ordinary moment, I was taking sweet Tune for her morning walk today, when as I returned a flock of pigeons took flight across the street.  A fairly common occurrence in the heart of the city, and yet this morning I had this transcendent moment where I felt myself lifted with them, my breath stopped, heart

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Song for the Soul

This song has been speaking to me in beautiful ways during the Advent season. I offer it to you as a gift for Christmas on this most holy night. Return in the morning for more images!

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Say Yes (4)

In the center of ourselves you place the power  of choosing. Forgive us the times we have given that power away, when we have sold  our birthright for that which does not satisfy. And so in your wisdom may our yes be truly yes and our no be truly no, that we may touch with dignity and love with integrity and know the freedom of our own choosing all our days. -Jan Richardson, from Night Visions: Searching the Shadows of Advent and Christmas ** For the season of Advent I am posting a reflection each Sunday on a theme from the

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Say Yes (3)

If you are here unfaithfully with us, you’re causing terrible damage. If you’ve opened your loving to God’s love, you’re helping people you don’t know and have never seen. Is what I say true? Say yes quickly, if you know, if you’ve known it from before the beginning of the universe. -Rumi ** For the season of Advent I am posting a reflection each Sunday on a theme from the lectionary readings and then during the week offering a poem each day to highlight that theme — see this past Sunday here **

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Say Yes (2)

The Road Here is the road: the light comes and goes then returns again. Be gentle with your fellow travelers as they move through the world of stone and stars whirling with you yet every one alone. The road waits. Do not ask questions but when it invites you to dance at daybreak, say yes. Each step is the journey; a single note the song. -Arlene Gay Levine, from Bless the Day: Prayers and Poems to Nurture Your Soul ** For the season of Advent I am posting a reflection each Sunday on a theme from the lectionary readings and

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