Friday, January 30, 2009

Normal scene at my house:
orange kitty lounging in the sunshine...

Not-so-normal scene at my house:
orange fox lounging in the sunshine...


There were actually 2 yesterday (mates?), but only 1 showed up today. So....

The Fox

There are several different species of fox, but they all share the extreme cleverness and cunning that gave rise to the expression, "sly as a fox." Fox speaks of the need to develop the art of camouflage, invisibility, and shape shifting. It is agile, skilled, and unpredictable.

A fox being pursued by hounds will run across the tops of walls, cross streams diagonally, double back on its trail, run in circles and do anything to break the trail of its scent. It has a great ability to outwit both predators and prey. Fox teaches us how to slip out of unpleasant situations quietly and unnoticed.

Those with fox as a totem are often clever and witty but must remember to keep their crafty and clever nature balanced or it could backfire. Fox can also suggest that your actions might be too obvious and you need to learn to be more discreet.

Fox is one of the most uniquely skilled and ingenious animals of nature. Because it is a creature of the night, it is often imbued with supernatural powers. Author Ted Andrews states that fox are usually seen at dawn and dusk.  Dusk is the beginning of its day, and the dawn its ending. These are the in between times, when the world of magic and the world in which we live intersect. It lives on the edges of forests and open lands, the border areas. Because it is an animal of the between times and places, it can be a guide into the faerie realm. The fox has a long history of magic and cunning associated with it. It can move in and out of situations restoring order or causing confusion depending on the situation. If fox is your totem pay attention to the way it moves and follow its lead. This is a powerful medicine to have and those that it belongs to should learn to use its skills for the benefit of all, including you. 


Wednesday, January 21, 2009

Joys & Sorrows: 1/21/2009

Joys:
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME!

See the beautiful way that Jamie started my day? A birthday breakfast muffin with candles and *best gift ever?!*  a book on "Visual Journaling". 

Words words words I adore (I really do), but they sometimes get in the way of going spirit-deep. That's what scribbling is for... who knew? I just thought I scribbled for the heck of it. No no no. Now I know. 


As for the sorrows:
Two (2) oh-so-very alive, beautiful, vibrant members of my church received bad (bad) cancer news this week. I love them so much (like all *okay, most* of my people), and I cannot imagine presiding at their funerals. I know this is a part of life, and I'm mostly fine with it. The hard part is knowing that they have so much that they continue to give to this world, to this community, to their loved ones, to me *I'm also fine with sometimes being a little selfish*. Please hope with me that they and their dear ones are able to live every moment to the fullest of their love and desire. Blah. 

Maybe I should go visually journal my feelings, now...



Monday, January 19, 2009

MLK Today; Barack Obama Tomorrow

Marching in honor of Martin Luther King, Jr. today, we were treated to 2 enthusiastic young boys who each held a sign aloft as they took turns chanting their part:


See full size image


"MLK TODAY!"


See full size image


"BARACK OBAMA TOMORROW!"



Amen!




Wednesday, January 7, 2009

Birth Waters

Reflections on this week's lectionary texts: 

BIRTH WATERS

I want to step down
into the waters of creation -
the deep
the formlessness.
There is an unmaking that calls to my soul-deep self
an unmaking of matter
a return to my cellular components 
and even their dissolution.

I want to drop to the depths of those waters of creation,
a part of the nothingness that was not 
... and then
sense the Spirit's brooding over me -
wind-like
dove-like
unimaginable in my un-state of being.
... and then
as from nowhere (because there is no "where")
a voice of Love 
speaking
making
knitting my cells into more and more 
(of a piece with Creation - never separate - never again).

I want to step down into the waters of Creation -
warmth
a womb
holding me as I become
(I already am)
Birthed.

Friday, January 2, 2009

Friday Five

Beginnings and endings Friday Five

Sally over at RevGalBlogPals writes: 
This Celtic Mandala represents life, noting how days and years turn from one to another. As we have stepped from 2008 into 2009 some of us look back with joy and others with sadness; probably most of us with a mixture of the two.

As we look back we may come to understand how God has worked in and through us in joy and sadness. how we have grown against what may seem impossible odds. As we look forward we may do so with expectation, and we may do so with fear and trembling. As we look back and forward in New Years liminality I offer you this simple yet I hope profound Friday Five in two parts:

First list five things that you remember/ treasure from 2008

Then list five things that you are looking forward to in 2009

As you read one anothers blogs today I challenge you to leave a word of encouragement and pause to pray for each member of Revgals as we step into a New Year. I leave you this New Year Blessing from the Iona Community:

We stand to face the future:
God behind us in the past
Christ before us; the way ahead;
Christ beside us in this moment;
Christ beneath us in our weakness;
Christ above to shield us-
beneath the shadow of his wings we are safe;
Christ between us to bind us in the unity of his love;
Christ in us equipping us with his all sufficient grace.
Thus armed and guided, and protected we face the new year.
Now we arise and go forth on the journey before us,
knowing that, where Christ leads, life is a journey home.
Therefore we travel in faith, in hope, and in love,
in the name of the Father/ Mother, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.
May the blessing of God
be upon us
all this year
and into eternity. Amen.

Five things I remember/treasure from 2008:
1. Serving as head-of-staff during my colleague's 4-month sabbatical was full of growth for me. What a gift!
2. Along the same lines, getting to serve with the interim minister, Lorraine, was incredible - two women clergy in their 30s c0-leading worship each week!
3. Spending Thanksgiving (and the day after) with my family and our "extended" loved ones.
4. Spending a wonderful 2 days of Christmas in Denver with my partner Jamie. When was the last time we had such a fun experience?
5. My greatest, most life-giving experience of 2008 (and I can't imagine ever topping this, but I'm open to what the universe will offer) was meeting and spending almost 5 days hiking, eating with and listening to Emily Saliers of the Indigo Girls at a retreat ranch in WY. I am so very blessed to have met one of my living heros.

Five things I'm looking forward to in 2009:
1. Seeing how my sabbatical plans take shape.
2. Jamie's graduation from Iliff...and whatever comes next.
3. Continuing to grow in my own spiritual life (outside of the church).
4. Learning how to play acoustic guitar!
5. Another blessed year :).