The writing is dedicated to Jerry and Rose, who are living with me for a few weeks, while their new home is being prepared for their moving in. Having them here has been such a blessing, and they are two of the finest souls I have ever met. We get along so well, partly for we are three down-to-earth persons - What you see, is what you get, and its real - not this fake, let me impress you stuff.
Welcome to OneLife Ministries. This 0site is designed to lead you prayerfully into a heart experience of Divine Presence, Who is Love. While it focuses on Christian teaching, I pray persons of varied faiths will find inspiration here. Indeed, "God" can be whatever image helps us trust in the Sacred, by whatever means Grace touches us each. Please share this ministry with others, and I hope you return soon. There is a new offering daily. And to be placed on the daily OneLife email list, to request notifications of new writings or submit prayer requests, write to barukhattah@embarqmail.com .
Blessings, Rev Dr Brian K Wilcox, MDiv, MFT, PhD
Pastor-Teacher, Author, Workshop Leader, Spiritual Counselor, Chaplain
Brian encourages support of the 4-Star Christian organization Compassion, which supports children worldwide; for more see www.compassion.com .
OPENING PRAYER
With your feet I walk I walk with your limbs I carry forth your body For me your mind thinks Your voice speaks for me Beauty is before me And beauty is behind me Above and below me hovers the beautiful I am surrounded by it I am immersed in it In my youth I am aware of it And in old age I shall walk quietly The beautiful trail.
*American Indian - Navojo.
LISTENING TO SCRIPTURE
13We are filled with hope, as we wait for the glorious return of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ.
*Titus 2.13 (CEV)
RECEIVING SACRED TEACHING
There are two styles of approaching time. Some persons view time with a “there is never enough” attitude: the Poverty Attitude. Another style is the person who views time with a “there is always enough” attitude: the Plentiful Attitude.
If you take the “never enough” approach, you will always feel oppressed by the lack of time. If you take the “always enough” approach, then, you will experience time like the Buddha and Jesus Christ did and taught: as Eternity. Practicing the Presence of God, or living with Loving Mindfulness, means we enjoy the fullness of time as a plentiful, spacious quality, full of opportunity and blessing.
* * *
Harry, played by Jack Nicholson in “Something’s Gotta Give” (2003), is a 63-year-old confirmed bachelor. He has spent his life chasing money and younger women. His latest young girlfriend and he plan a tryst at her mother's beach house. While there, Harry suffers a heart attack. After leaving the hospital, Harry must stay with the mother, Erica, played by Diane Keaton, during recovery, for he cannot travel. While together, they learn a lot about love and aging.
Harry and Erica are walking the beach together as part of Harry's rehabilitation. Though previously adversarial, both have decided to try to be civil. Each has looked up the other on the Internet to discover the other's past and accomplishments.
Harry tells Erica that there are over 8,000 websites mentioning her. She is flattered, but assumes that he is exaggerating. She informs him that she looked him up on the Internet, also. Erica says: "I know you grew up in L.A., which I thought nobody did. You started your own record label at twenty-nine. Very impressive. Sold it at forty. Even more impressive. Then you started a magazine, dabbled in the Internet, and then you invested in a small record company, which you turned into the second-largest hip-hop label in the world!" Harry replies that he is exhausted just listing to her recite his life. Agreeing, Erica says, "The truth is, it goes by fast, doesn't it?" Harry, looking up, replies, "In the blink of an eye."
* * *
Yes, time does seem to fly by. Looking at time as transitory and brief helps us come back to the present moment. In the moment we are in Eternity. In this moment no difference exists in the quality of time when we were born or die.
With this experience of time, each moment is a gift. Then, we do not seek to own time as “my” time, and we do not feel a need to pack time with all we can do, as though time is running out.
We do not have to feel cheated that time seems to be passing so quickly. We can rejoice in time as a manifestation of Eternity, of God. We can realize time as always opening for enjoyment, challenge, joy, struggle, triumph, and, yes, life and death. With this graceful, friendly relationship with time, like Harry and Erica, we find life richer and love getting better along the way.
QUIETLY RESPONDING
How might you live more mindfully, more in the moment?
Blessings! In Christ! Rev Dr Brian K Wilcox June 15, 2009 barukhattah@embarqmail.com
* * *
*OneLife Ministries is a ministry of Brian K. Wilcox, of SW Florida. Brian lives a vowed life and with his two dogs, Bandit Ty and St. Francis. Brian is an ecumenical spiritual leader, open to how Christ manifests in the diversity of Christian denominations and varied religious-spiritual traditions. He is Senior Chaplain for the Charlotte County Sheriff's Office, Punta Gorda, FL.
*Brian welcomes responses to his writings or submission of prayer requests at barukhattah@embarqmail.com . Also, Brian is on Facebook: search Brian Kenneth Wilcox.
*Contact the above email to book Brian for Spiritual Direction, retreats, or workshops. You can order his book An Ache for Union at major book dealers.
|