A Plan and a Partner

Several years ago in my pre-MS days, I had a regular, 3-day per week workout routine at the local YMCA that I kept “religiously” for more than 2 years. A coach taught me how to use the weight machines and aerobic equipment correctly to work toward the goal of keeping my chest north of my belt buckle and my heart about 4 feet above ground rather than 6 feet under. I would reward myself with some time in the sauna and a couple of minutes to cool off in the pool. It worked so well for so long because I had a plan and I had a partner. (Our then youth minister.)

Why I stopped is good for some later blogging.

Prayer, like all of the other disciplines of the mind, body and soul, takes work – it takes intentionality – it takes a plan and it takes a partner.

Many thanks to jesuscreed for posting a link to the Daily Office page provided by the Northumbria Community. I keep a link named Celtic Prayer on this page that goes directly to the Daily Offices.

This resource has provided a fresh plan for me to approach the discipline of prayer. I am most grateful for the recordings of a few of the Psalms, hymns and spiritual songs that appear in the office. They are provided in .wma and .mp3 formats.

Click the verse for one of my favorites: (you need Windows Media Player)

One thing I have asked of the LORD, this is what I seek: that I my dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD and to seek him in his temple. Psalm 27:4

(Here is the .mp3 format if you prefer.)

Later, I'll ruminate some on partner praying.

What kind of picture?

Several months ago, my daughter snapped this picture of Emily, one of our four long hair chihuahuas. We're fools for all of our dogs but something about this picture has always grabbed me.

Her ears are relaxed and back, a sign of humility. Her eyes are soft and loving. Her posture supplicating and hopeful.

If my Heavenly Father posted a picture of me, what would He see?

Streaming radio in the office

If you enjoy a variety of consistently high quality classical music, I recommend you try http://www.wdav.org, a classical public radio station provided by Davidson College in North Carolina. It's a great friend in the office.

His love endures forever...

Ezra 3:11–13 With praise and thanksgiving they sang to the LORD: "He is good; his love to Israel endures forever." And all the people gave a great shout of praise to the LORD, because the foundation of the house of the LORD was laid. 12 But many of the older priests and Levites and family heads, who had seen the former temple, wept aloud when they saw the foundation of this temple being laid, while many others shouted for joy. 13 No one could distinguish the sound of the shouts of joy from the sound of weeping, because the people made so much noise. And the sound was heard far away.

Some days are good, some days are bad.
His love endures forever.
Some days are happy, some days are sad.
His love endures forever.

Some days I’m weak, others I’m strong.
His love endures forever
Some days fly quickly, others are long.
His love endures forever.

Some days I’m happy, some days I mourn.
His love endures forever.
Some days start badly, then good things are born.
His love endures forever.

Musing #1

Wise people from a myriad of locations around the world have stirred my mind and challenged my thinking. What made it possible? Blogs.

Is it possible that the ramblings of a 44 year old minister/musician can add anything positive to the mix? Who knows until I jump in?

Isn't it strange how we identify ourselves? The thread connecting what I do (ministry) and what I love (music) has become a diagnosis made 2 years ago -- multiple sclerosis.

It really is not my plan to make this a whining blog...but others of you out there who deal with MS will understand how it is always present...sometimes hiding around the corner and sometimes jumping in your face.

Sometimes I'll share some nugget of insight from my studies. Sometimes I'll ramble about the day. Sometimes I might review a book. Who knows?