What if
have you ever played this game?
The game of imagining
what life would be like
under a different set of circumstances.
The game starts
with some essential
recognition of the
difference between your own
life and some one else's.
A diagnosis...
An uncurable condition..
Treatment to provide comfort
but never a hope of reversal of the condition.
What if I were to learn that I was soon
to become a soul
trapped within a body
with no way to communicate?
Could I continue on living a life of faithfulness?
Dependent.
Completely dependent
Unable to walk
incapable of talking
yet fully conscious of
all that surrounds me.
Never again to pick up a book in my own hands.
Lord,
Thank you for bodily life
and your presence to
comfort, challenge and inspire.
Showing posts with label Books. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Books. Show all posts
Wednesday, July 4, 2012
Sunday, August 28, 2011
Seminary Week One
The first week of classes is in the can.
Friday I arrived in Claremont and proceeded through the rituals of student life.
Pay tuition installment #1.
Pick up the last of the texts needed for the semester at the Huntley Bookstore. (or so I think.)
Check in at Myra House, do a quick orientation tour to the premises and meet the other ETSC Bloy House student who will be staying at Myra House throughout the semester.
Back down the hill to the campus to community supper, worship and class.
Sitting in the first class, comparing the book lists in the syllabus to the early edition, discover there is still one more book to purchase. <3 Class ends pretty much on time, and now we (carpooling from Myra house with my retreat house co-resident.) get back to the house to discover arriving in the pitch black after the All Lights Out hour is a bit of adventure.
Saturday Morning early rising, after a less than perfect night's sleep we dress, and then drive to the campus and head out for an "early" walk to the Village before class starts at 8AM. OOPS. Seems we need to allow more time. (Why don't classes start at 8:30AM?)
The classroom just seemed to be getting hotter by the minute in the morning. Good introduction to the material, and a few new faces in this class but my new Myra House friend is in all three of the classes I'm in.
Worship in Kresge Chapel is a refreshing break from the heat of the class. Of course it has all the comfortable features of our Episcopal worship. Dean Sweeney reminds us that the texts of this week all carry one theme, being grown-up Christians. Not milk texts, this is real meat for the mature follower of Jesus. Oh, and a special service to acknowledge all matriculating students (that would include yours truly, and our Sr. Warden who has just begun the Fresh Start Course for Lay Leaders :-))
...pictures for library card...(thank goodness I had my hair cut and no stupid permanent this time around ;-))
Lunch in the Broken Loaf....
And back to class.
(Oh my ever loving Lord, does it really have to be this hot!) Craig Building air inconveniently does not work on the weekends. Really, CST, can't that timing system be adjusted?
By the end of the day I think I sweated away every ounce of water from my body. But it was a great first week of classes.
Ten years ago September 11, 2001 after watching and listening to the news of the Twin towers and Pentagon attacks I sat down in Craig 110 to start my first class in the first semester of seminary studies. That day I felt overwhelmed by all of what was occurring around me and scared to death I would never make it through any of the classes. I had started with a load of 5 classes and would recognize within a week that it would be best to cut back to the standard 4 classes if I was to make it through all the reading and writing requirements.
So different was the first day of classes this time around. I "know" the language of theology. I think in theological terms now, and have the basis for reflection well anchored. The mood of the week was friendly, and intimate. We are a small cohort, compared to the cohort I started with at CST, which seems a bit unimaginable because I thought that was a nice size entering class, about 40 of us in 2001.
Saturday was a very busy day in the life of our congregation and I was sorry to miss the memorial service for a very dear and gifted person, Stuart Kellogg. Yet, I am blessed and grateful that I have the opportunity to be supported and encouraged by the members of St. Timothy's Episcopal Church, my church home. It was a wonderful way to conclude my first week back in seminary, by joining for the fellowship of the Annual Luau. I confess I was completely exhausted by the time I arrived home, and could only think just barely enough to bring in my things and toss them on table.
Sunday services, catching up with correspondence, and just trying to get organized.
Tomorrow is another day...for reading!
Friday I arrived in Claremont and proceeded through the rituals of student life.
Pay tuition installment #1.
Pick up the last of the texts needed for the semester at the Huntley Bookstore. (or so I think.)
Check in at Myra House, do a quick orientation tour to the premises and meet the other ETSC Bloy House student who will be staying at Myra House throughout the semester.
Back down the hill to the campus to community supper, worship and class.
Sitting in the first class, comparing the book lists in the syllabus to the early edition, discover there is still one more book to purchase. <3 Class ends pretty much on time, and now we (carpooling from Myra house with my retreat house co-resident.) get back to the house to discover arriving in the pitch black after the All Lights Out hour is a bit of adventure.
Saturday Morning early rising, after a less than perfect night's sleep we dress, and then drive to the campus and head out for an "early" walk to the Village before class starts at 8AM. OOPS. Seems we need to allow more time. (Why don't classes start at 8:30AM?)
The classroom just seemed to be getting hotter by the minute in the morning. Good introduction to the material, and a few new faces in this class but my new Myra House friend is in all three of the classes I'm in.
Worship in Kresge Chapel is a refreshing break from the heat of the class. Of course it has all the comfortable features of our Episcopal worship. Dean Sweeney reminds us that the texts of this week all carry one theme, being grown-up Christians. Not milk texts, this is real meat for the mature follower of Jesus. Oh, and a special service to acknowledge all matriculating students (that would include yours truly, and our Sr. Warden who has just begun the Fresh Start Course for Lay Leaders :-))
...pictures for library card...(thank goodness I had my hair cut and no stupid permanent this time around ;-))
Lunch in the Broken Loaf....
And back to class.
(Oh my ever loving Lord, does it really have to be this hot!) Craig Building air inconveniently does not work on the weekends. Really, CST, can't that timing system be adjusted?
By the end of the day I think I sweated away every ounce of water from my body. But it was a great first week of classes.
Ten years ago September 11, 2001 after watching and listening to the news of the Twin towers and Pentagon attacks I sat down in Craig 110 to start my first class in the first semester of seminary studies. That day I felt overwhelmed by all of what was occurring around me and scared to death I would never make it through any of the classes. I had started with a load of 5 classes and would recognize within a week that it would be best to cut back to the standard 4 classes if I was to make it through all the reading and writing requirements.
So different was the first day of classes this time around. I "know" the language of theology. I think in theological terms now, and have the basis for reflection well anchored. The mood of the week was friendly, and intimate. We are a small cohort, compared to the cohort I started with at CST, which seems a bit unimaginable because I thought that was a nice size entering class, about 40 of us in 2001.
Saturday was a very busy day in the life of our congregation and I was sorry to miss the memorial service for a very dear and gifted person, Stuart Kellogg. Yet, I am blessed and grateful that I have the opportunity to be supported and encouraged by the members of St. Timothy's Episcopal Church, my church home. It was a wonderful way to conclude my first week back in seminary, by joining for the fellowship of the Annual Luau. I confess I was completely exhausted by the time I arrived home, and could only think just barely enough to bring in my things and toss them on table.
Sunday services, catching up with correspondence, and just trying to get organized.
Tomorrow is another day...for reading!
Friday, December 31, 2010
The Love of Books
If anyone knows me for more than a year, they know my weakness is books. People that really know me, also know that the best gift you can ever give me is a gift card to Barnes and Noble.(I love to be able to select the book myself, which is a fault of mine to want control the gift.)
In fact, from time to time I have to ask myself if this love of books is a spiritual problem. In the end, I resolve that it isn’t: only because what I choose to read usually brings edification, enlightenment and enjoyment. That, I believe, is something that God approves of.
I have often thought about from where my love of books comes. I’ve traced it to four, possibly five sources.
The first is from my mother. As a child, I can recall that she treasured books. Odd though, I really don’t have strong memories of watching her actually reading any books, until about my teen years when I would see her reading her daily devotions and the Day by Day for AA: A cup of coffee, a cigarette and her daily devotions. That image sticks in my mind. But I also knew she loved writing. I learned that many of the books on her shelves where books that my grandmother first owned. These now have a place in my library.
The second is my aunt, who for a time I am told worked as a librarian. No more detail than that. Aunt Barb also worked for an author, and a cartoonist. Aunt Barb gave me many books over the years. I still have many of those, kept on the lowest shelves in rooms where my grandchildren can find them whenever they come to visit.
Some teacher along the way encouraged all the children in class to get a library card. The Point Loma Library was one of my favorite destinations. There I discovered Laura Ingalls Wilder and the Little House on the Prairie. I lost myself within the adventures of the old frontier. Many hours were spent quietly tucked in my room, up on my bed, reading the latest adventures. Source number three, like so many public school teachers, is an anonymous hero and guide for my life. Thanks, San Diego Public Schools. Unfortunately I developed a couple of bad habits for library patrons. First, I like to write in the margins of books, and carry on conversations with the authors or make little notes that jog my memory in analysis of the text. Second, I often take as much as a year to work my way through some books, sometimes even longer. Lending libraries dislike the first trait and they tend to exact fines upon borrowers who “forget” to return books. Lo siento, me falta! I rarely borrow books any longer because of those traits. But I gladly lend them to others to share the delight.
The fourth source was the woman behind both my mother and Aunt. (I hinted at her already.) My grandmother, “Grom” gave books, and put her hand and pen to the paper with a unique creative force of her own. She wrote many poems and opinion pieces to the local editor. She was a stickler for grammar and instilled that into all of her children, attested by each of their occupational paths. Grom would have been a public school teacher if the times had allowed. In her day you married or worked but you never did both except in extraordinary situations, like running a farm.. (that’s another topic).
The last source is really the first. It has to originate from the Spirit of God. Honestly, I believe this thirst which is quenched by books is part of what and who I have been made to be. It is part of my nature.
Selecting books is something of a spiritual discipline also. From time to time I find myself in a place of unknowing. I know I need something and can’t put my finger on it until I start walking through the stacks of books in a store. It’s not always a Big Box bookstore. Sometimes it’s the tables of books at a rummage sale. Or the shelves in the back of a thrift store. This year, the best book purchase came at a thrift store operated by St. Margaret’s Episcopal in Palm Desert, CA while we were on vacation. The Jew in the Lotus has been out for a very long time but still holds a fascinating discussion about spiritual practices among American Jews. This one, an autographed copy, I picked up for just one dollar. I’m always intrigued by the process of others reflecting on their spiritual traditions and practices. This book has been a satisfying discovery of Jewish self-understanding.
At other times I’ve had a book recommended by a trusted source. Many good reads came from the United Methodist Women’s Reading list over the years. I’ve never really followed Oprah’s list but that might yet become a path traveled with intention led by the Holy Spirit. Often citations in texts have led me deeper into subjects and created wish lists of out of print books. Finding those is a great challenge which online used book sellers have aided.
My latest great discovery has been the paperback swap website. This requires being willing to mail a book to someone at your expense and receiving “credit” for a book that will be sent to you at senders’ expense. On a couple of occasions this year when I went in search for texts PBS has been able to satisfy my search. That brought great satisfaction in these tight economic times.
Each Christmas season I look for a new Christmas story to add to my library. Frequently it is a children’s story. But this year I was delighted by a discovery which hasn’t yet become the next big hit. No, Oprah did not put it on her list. But those who have read and reviewed this novel mostly join me in giving it favorable reviews. Did you get the subtle hint? I dared put my opinion in writing and post it to on the Barnes and Noble website and you can read that for yourself right here. The Christmas Chronicles: The Legend of Santa Claus by Tim Slover has worked it’s way into my heart and likely will find a way into some sermonizing in the future.
So here we are on News Years Eve. Tim and I are not boisterous partygoers. We enjoy being with people and sharing time with them, but New Years Eve has never been a spectacular party night for us. If invited to a party we will go, but rarely stay to the midnight hour. He often goes off to bed well before Midnight. I have developed a habit to use the last hours of the final day to journal and that includes a mental review of what I’ve read throughout the year. It’s a place of discovery and an invitation to the Holy to guide me in the coming year. What lies in store is yet to be revealed.
There is one book that I find feeds me more than any other. I received my first copy of a Bible when I was eleven years old. It was a paperback copy of the Good News for Modern Man. (Feminist critic withheld). Now there are many copies of The Holy Bible, in virtually every English translation available, from the original Authorized King James Version to The Message. Some have dusty covers. But one is picked up daily for devotion and for study. My love of words is fed by The Word. Thanks be to God. I look forward to 2011 being yet one more new and exciting year fed and sustained by Holy One of God, Jesus Christ and pray that he will continue to lead me to places of service while providing sustenance for body, mind and soul.
I pray the same for you.
Have a happy and Blessed New Year.
In fact, from time to time I have to ask myself if this love of books is a spiritual problem. In the end, I resolve that it isn’t: only because what I choose to read usually brings edification, enlightenment and enjoyment. That, I believe, is something that God approves of.
I have often thought about from where my love of books comes. I’ve traced it to four, possibly five sources.
The first is from my mother. As a child, I can recall that she treasured books. Odd though, I really don’t have strong memories of watching her actually reading any books, until about my teen years when I would see her reading her daily devotions and the Day by Day for AA: A cup of coffee, a cigarette and her daily devotions. That image sticks in my mind. But I also knew she loved writing. I learned that many of the books on her shelves where books that my grandmother first owned. These now have a place in my library.
The second is my aunt, who for a time I am told worked as a librarian. No more detail than that. Aunt Barb also worked for an author, and a cartoonist. Aunt Barb gave me many books over the years. I still have many of those, kept on the lowest shelves in rooms where my grandchildren can find them whenever they come to visit.
Some teacher along the way encouraged all the children in class to get a library card. The Point Loma Library was one of my favorite destinations. There I discovered Laura Ingalls Wilder and the Little House on the Prairie. I lost myself within the adventures of the old frontier. Many hours were spent quietly tucked in my room, up on my bed, reading the latest adventures. Source number three, like so many public school teachers, is an anonymous hero and guide for my life. Thanks, San Diego Public Schools. Unfortunately I developed a couple of bad habits for library patrons. First, I like to write in the margins of books, and carry on conversations with the authors or make little notes that jog my memory in analysis of the text. Second, I often take as much as a year to work my way through some books, sometimes even longer. Lending libraries dislike the first trait and they tend to exact fines upon borrowers who “forget” to return books. Lo siento, me falta! I rarely borrow books any longer because of those traits. But I gladly lend them to others to share the delight.
The fourth source was the woman behind both my mother and Aunt. (I hinted at her already.) My grandmother, “Grom” gave books, and put her hand and pen to the paper with a unique creative force of her own. She wrote many poems and opinion pieces to the local editor. She was a stickler for grammar and instilled that into all of her children, attested by each of their occupational paths. Grom would have been a public school teacher if the times had allowed. In her day you married or worked but you never did both except in extraordinary situations, like running a farm.. (that’s another topic).
The last source is really the first. It has to originate from the Spirit of God. Honestly, I believe this thirst which is quenched by books is part of what and who I have been made to be. It is part of my nature.
Selecting books is something of a spiritual discipline also. From time to time I find myself in a place of unknowing. I know I need something and can’t put my finger on it until I start walking through the stacks of books in a store. It’s not always a Big Box bookstore. Sometimes it’s the tables of books at a rummage sale. Or the shelves in the back of a thrift store. This year, the best book purchase came at a thrift store operated by St. Margaret’s Episcopal in Palm Desert, CA while we were on vacation. The Jew in the Lotus has been out for a very long time but still holds a fascinating discussion about spiritual practices among American Jews. This one, an autographed copy, I picked up for just one dollar. I’m always intrigued by the process of others reflecting on their spiritual traditions and practices. This book has been a satisfying discovery of Jewish self-understanding.
At other times I’ve had a book recommended by a trusted source. Many good reads came from the United Methodist Women’s Reading list over the years. I’ve never really followed Oprah’s list but that might yet become a path traveled with intention led by the Holy Spirit. Often citations in texts have led me deeper into subjects and created wish lists of out of print books. Finding those is a great challenge which online used book sellers have aided.
My latest great discovery has been the paperback swap website. This requires being willing to mail a book to someone at your expense and receiving “credit” for a book that will be sent to you at senders’ expense. On a couple of occasions this year when I went in search for texts PBS has been able to satisfy my search. That brought great satisfaction in these tight economic times.
Each Christmas season I look for a new Christmas story to add to my library. Frequently it is a children’s story. But this year I was delighted by a discovery which hasn’t yet become the next big hit. No, Oprah did not put it on her list. But those who have read and reviewed this novel mostly join me in giving it favorable reviews. Did you get the subtle hint? I dared put my opinion in writing and post it to on the Barnes and Noble website and you can read that for yourself right here. The Christmas Chronicles: The Legend of Santa Claus by Tim Slover has worked it’s way into my heart and likely will find a way into some sermonizing in the future.
So here we are on News Years Eve. Tim and I are not boisterous partygoers. We enjoy being with people and sharing time with them, but New Years Eve has never been a spectacular party night for us. If invited to a party we will go, but rarely stay to the midnight hour. He often goes off to bed well before Midnight. I have developed a habit to use the last hours of the final day to journal and that includes a mental review of what I’ve read throughout the year. It’s a place of discovery and an invitation to the Holy to guide me in the coming year. What lies in store is yet to be revealed.
There is one book that I find feeds me more than any other. I received my first copy of a Bible when I was eleven years old. It was a paperback copy of the Good News for Modern Man. (Feminist critic withheld). Now there are many copies of The Holy Bible, in virtually every English translation available, from the original Authorized King James Version to The Message. Some have dusty covers. But one is picked up daily for devotion and for study. My love of words is fed by The Word. Thanks be to God. I look forward to 2011 being yet one more new and exciting year fed and sustained by Holy One of God, Jesus Christ and pray that he will continue to lead me to places of service while providing sustenance for body, mind and soul.
I pray the same for you.
Have a happy and Blessed New Year.
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