Peace

"Blessed are the Peacemakers, for they shall be called the Children of God." Matt 5:9

I believe that those of us who call ourselves Christians are called and given a mandate to be peacemakers. Violence cannot be overcome with violence. Using violence only escalates violence. We who call ourselves Christians are the hope of the world for building peace. If we don't answer the call, who will? Jesus' model for building peace was not to carry a bigger stick, it was to turn the other cheek, to reach out in compassion. If you call yourself a Christian, don't tell me it can't work. Young men who feel loved, valued, embraced in a fellowship of compassionate community don't go on killing sprees, even if they suffer from mental illness. There are many actions we need to take socially and politically to solve the problems of violence in our culture. Unless those actions begin with the goal of building peace, they will ultimately fail. So for every political action proposed, ask yourself: will this bring more peace or is it escalating violence? What can we do in our homes and local communities to make sure every child in this great and wealthy nation is loved, cared for, and embraced by a loving community?

The essayists at Sojourners say it more eloquently than I. I hope you will read what they have to say. http://sojo.net/magazine/2013/02/heart-peace

At the Beach - Family Time

Zen of Fishing

Years of intense preparation

Hours of patient waiting

Moments of sheer exhilaration.

Bull Red, 34 lbs, 43 inches, Nov 17. 2012

Crimson Pitcher Plant

Crimson Pitcher Plant (Sarracenia leucophylla) 

Tarkiln Bayou State Park Preserve, Pensacola, FL

November 11, 2012

Today has been too windy to fish, so Bill and I packed a picnic and went to the Tarkiln Bayou Preserve just a few miles up the road. Tarkiln Bayou is set aside to protect four species of rare pitcher plants. After enjoying our picnic, we took the short 1/2 mile hike out to the bayou. On the way, we saw many of the plants. I had passed by them at first, thinking that we wouldn't see any in November. They are more abundant in the spring and early summer. When we return in March, we will take the wet prairie trail and hope to see the other species.

Deserted Places

Alone with Spirit

Renewed in meditation

Sometimes just alone. 

     A deserted place can be a refuge from the business of the world, a place for gaining sustenance and gathering strength, a place eagerly sought and hard to find. 

     A deserted place can also be where we find ourselves alone, friendless, abandoned, frightened, without the resources we need to live. 

     To intentionally find our deserted places may bring us peace that can help us in the times when the deserted places find us. 

Written July 10, 2012, as a response to an "Alive Now" online meditation.

At the Beach - Week 1

Dance

Flying Formation

Skimming surface, soaring up. 

Pelicans' air dance.

(Nov 2)

I couldn't catch them in flight, but I caught this one soaking up the sun. We were anchored next to the channel marker at the entrance to Perdido Pass. (Nov 5)

Sunset

Gentle surf sound rock

In rhythm with my heartbeat

Music to sleep by.

(Nov 6)

Feeding

Sharing surf and sand,

Seeking food, body and soul.

Sanderling and me

(Nov 9)

Bill's Big Red - 40 inches, 28 pounds - Poetry in Motion
(Nov 9)

Morning Prayer

Holy Spirit, wash me clean as the waves wash the shore.

Bathe me with holy light as the rising sun bathes the earth.

Fill me as the gentle breezes fill the air.

Abide with me, in me and through me.

Amen

(Nov 10)

Maple

Maple glorified

Its full beauty magnified

As death approaches.

My favorite maple tree signals the arrival of fall. I have passed by this tree nearly every day for almost 40 years. On a day such as this, it sets my spirit soaring.