[Israel] blessed Joseph, and said, "The God before whom my ancestors Abraham and Isaac walked, the God who has been my shepherd all my life to this day ...
This is one of the earliest "God as shepherd" images in the Bible, the most famous being Psalm 23. As we march to Jerusalem, we may want to remember, whatever our wanderings, however "we like sheep have gone astray," God is there trying to keep us together, trying to get us to go in the correct direction, and seeking us when we become lost sheep.
Saturday, January 12, 2008
Sights along the Journey, Week 1
Some bits about the journey - Click on the links to for a virtual visit.
Our trip northward takes us over Hatcher Pass--(Yes, I know there are easier ways to go.)
Independence Mine Today
Fascinating Historical Pictures of an active Independence Mine
Then we pass to the east of Denali .
Continuing north, we can drop in on the Episcopal Congregation in Rampart on the Yukon River.
Our trip northward takes us over Hatcher Pass--(Yes, I know there are easier ways to go.)
Independence Mine TodayFascinating Historical Pictures of an active Independence Mine
Then we pass to the east of Denali .
Continuing north, we can drop in on the Episcopal Congregation in Rampart on the Yukon River.
Friday, January 11, 2008
A Morning Resolve
From Forward Day by Day
I will try this day to live a simple, sincere, and serene life, repelling promptly every thought of discontent, anxiety, discouragement, impurity, and self-seeking; cultivating cheerfulness, magnanimity, charity, and the habit of holy silence; exercising economy in expenditure, generosity in giving, carefulness in conversation, diligence in appointed service, fidelity to every trust, and a childlike faith in God.
In particular I will try to be faithful in those habits of prayer, work, study, physical exercise, eating, and sleep which I believe the Holy Spirit has shown me to be right.
And as I cannot in my own strength do this, nor even with a hope of success attempt it, I look to thee, O Lord God my Father, in Jesus my Savior, and ask for the gift of the Holy Spirit.
I will try this day to live a simple, sincere, and serene life, repelling promptly every thought of discontent, anxiety, discouragement, impurity, and self-seeking; cultivating cheerfulness, magnanimity, charity, and the habit of holy silence; exercising economy in expenditure, generosity in giving, carefulness in conversation, diligence in appointed service, fidelity to every trust, and a childlike faith in God.
In particular I will try to be faithful in those habits of prayer, work, study, physical exercise, eating, and sleep which I believe the Holy Spirit has shown me to be right.
And as I cannot in my own strength do this, nor even with a hope of success attempt it, I look to thee, O Lord God my Father, in Jesus my Savior, and ask for the gift of the Holy Spirit.
Gen. 24.40
... [Abraham] said to me, "The Lord, before whom I walk, will send his angel with you and make your way successful ...
There is always a tendency to take credit for whatever we do - "I have walked so far... I have lost so much weight ...", etc. As we walk toward Jerusalem, it is important to remember we walk before God and as part of a community, visible (each other) and invisible (angels, archangels, etc.). Any success we have belongs not only to us (though that is also true), but to the community and, ultimately, to God.
There is always a tendency to take credit for whatever we do - "I have walked so far... I have lost so much weight ...", etc. As we walk toward Jerusalem, it is important to remember we walk before God and as part of a community, visible (each other) and invisible (angels, archangels, etc.). Any success we have belongs not only to us (though that is also true), but to the community and, ultimately, to God.
Thursday, January 10, 2008
Walking in a Winter Wonderland
Now, this is why I moved to Alaska! The snow might keep me in if I didn't have my dog this winter; but as it is, Daisy and I have taken four walks in the ever-deepening snow since yesterday evening in addition to her "I'm bored" trips up and down the stairs.
We were out after I got home from seeing a movie (The Waterhorse .... yeah; it's worth it). It was so quiet out this afternoon, profoundly so, even in the middle of the day! (Walking through the snow is much like walking on sand at the beach: you can definitely feel the extra effort). But as Daisy and I rounded the corner on our walk, all I could hear was the sound of our breathing, and the snow crunching underfoot. A few little birds were darting in and out of the trees, chirping their teasing song at Daisy. She wasn't paying attention; it was too interesting on the ground.
But back to the silence. I wondered how differen I would be if I didn't have the distractions of television, movie theaters, car travel, and a cell phone. I thought about my ancestors who trekked their way through the Blue Ridge and Applaichan mountains before there was so much noise. How different it is to be alone with yourself and the silence of snow.
I thought about the native peoples of this land who had to face six month of darkness -- how would I feel about it if there was no light at all save a fire in the middle of the room?
As we move through our own bleak midwinters, I'm curious about the awareness this walk will bring to each and every person who sets of on it.
We were out after I got home from seeing a movie (The Waterhorse .... yeah; it's worth it). It was so quiet out this afternoon, profoundly so, even in the middle of the day! (Walking through the snow is much like walking on sand at the beach: you can definitely feel the extra effort). But as Daisy and I rounded the corner on our walk, all I could hear was the sound of our breathing, and the snow crunching underfoot. A few little birds were darting in and out of the trees, chirping their teasing song at Daisy. She wasn't paying attention; it was too interesting on the ground.
But back to the silence. I wondered how differen I would be if I didn't have the distractions of television, movie theaters, car travel, and a cell phone. I thought about my ancestors who trekked their way through the Blue Ridge and Applaichan mountains before there was so much noise. How different it is to be alone with yourself and the silence of snow.
I thought about the native peoples of this land who had to face six month of darkness -- how would I feel about it if there was no light at all save a fire in the middle of the room?
As we move through our own bleak midwinters, I'm curious about the awareness this walk will bring to each and every person who sets of on it.
I WANT JESUS TO WALK WITH ME
Today, my daily walk to the PO and Carrs was very hard, as, once I left Chugach Foothills, the sidewalks had not been plowed, and I was "breaking trail" in three to four inches of new snow. I remembered this walking Spiritual:
I want Jesus to walk with me
I want Jesus to walk with me
All along my pilgrim journey
I want Jesus to walk with me
In my trial, Lord, walk with me
In my trials, Lord, walk with me
When the shades of life are falling
Lord, I want Jesus to walk with me
In my sorrow, Lord walk with me
In my sorrows, Lord walk with me
When my heart is aching
Lord, I want Jesus to walk with me
In my troubles, Lord walk with me
In my troubles, Lord walk with me
When my life becomes a burden,
Lord, I want Jesus to walk with me
I want Jesus to walk with me
I want Jesus to walk with me
All along my pilgrim journey
I want Jesus to walk with me
In my trial, Lord, walk with me
In my trials, Lord, walk with me
When the shades of life are falling
Lord, I want Jesus to walk with me
In my sorrow, Lord walk with me
In my sorrows, Lord walk with me
When my heart is aching
Lord, I want Jesus to walk with me
In my troubles, Lord walk with me
In my troubles, Lord walk with me
When my life becomes a burden,
Lord, I want Jesus to walk with me
Shoveling on the Way
Maybe its odd, or maybe its particularly appropriate (being as our route takes us over the Polar Ice Cap) that we finally have a significant snow fall this week. My plan today, after doing some meditative reading included going the gym to get some exercise, but when I looked outside I and saw all the white stuff I thought I better start by shoveling the snow. Now, snow shoveling is an activity for which I normally have the attention span of a flea, but today was different. I kept the thoughts for the day in mind and made the snow shoveling part of my walk with God. Soon, I found myself shoveling all the way through that yucky, heavy stuff at the bottom of the driveway and when I came inside, we were 3 miles closer to Jerusalem.
We're off and walking
On Sunday we began our pilgrimage and already its been exciting to hear about how people are engaging in this journey. Both Barb and Jackie have invited others to join us on this walk and they will be taking the meditations to them and bringing the record of their miles back to us. At the vestry meeting on Tuesday, I heard reports of 3 miles, 7 miles, 2 miles,15 miles already. There have been phone calls about suggested meditations, destinations and parish activities. So, it seemed appropriate to create a forum for sharing our experiences and encouraging one another on the journey. There are several ways to post entries here: Sign up as an author with the blog, send an e-mail to gailloken@hotmail.com and I will post your entry, send a picture or post a picture, or give Gail a call or share a story on Sunday and indicate that we can post it.
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