Wes Roberts

...good-bye and good night, 2008!!!

...as one year terminates and another gets birthed tonight

...these words by a favorite poet seem appropriate to wish you

...in the tradition of the season...HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

...remember the Y2K "scare"?

...well, if you made it through Santa Claus coming to town one more time a few days ago, since he supposedly knows who's naughty and/or nice, and thus knows all about you, me and the rest of us

...be careful next year too. ;-)

...sincerely, here's to being hopeful that we can read each other next year this time

...but...........

...isn't it interesting, that with all we know, or think we know, and all we each try to control, for one's benefit, and not often for the benefit of others, one never knows what a day, or a year, or the next phone call will bring

...so how shall we then live?

...me-focused and fear-filled?

...God and others-focused and oozing love in the most creative of ways we've ever oozed love without making it about us?

...how have you lived out 2008?

...definite MUST READ:

...rarely do I put the words "must" and "read" together

...here is an exception

...and then pass this on

...whew!  There IS hope for change!!!

...be forewarned...read with "tear-wiping-tissue"

...seriously wondering what each of us can do with something similar

...any suggestions?

(h/t to our friend, Brian)

...saint of the day:

...some are dead

...some are alive

...could even be you!

...reading the scriptures together #4a:

...continuing from the last post

...here is the version of Lamentations 3:19-33 that has continued to penetrate my soul all weekend, important for this olde soul as 2008 comes to a conclusion in just a few hours

...reading the scriptures together #4:

...sincerely welcomed the reminder today from one of the exceptional, vibrant, fully-alive developing leaders I have the sacred privilege of mentoring (...thanx Brad!)

...read in your own favorite Bible, and in a few other versions/translation

Lamentations 3:19-33

...as one year ends, and another begins, these are important words from the Father for us all

...I'll post later the version that the Spirit used to knock a few rough edges off my own soul this morning, more necessary and important than I first realized when I came up here to The Cave

...wisdom that concludes and begins (1c):

...to begin to put a wrap on these '08 Christmas days

...I found this poem by Madeleine L'Engle in my Christmas file

...which has had me lingering with my thoughts today from this Christmas season so far, knowing that Epiphany is still to follow on January 6 (...alas, the twelve days of the season...)

...reading the scriptures together #3:

...yesterday, involved in a wide variety of conversations with friends I hold dear in deepening and thankful ways

...being reminded again that we all have our own stories, journeys, triumphs, sadnesses, growth, tumult, quiet, clanging, longings both met and unmet

...for whatever His reasons, these words of Isaiah to Israel have been on my mind as this 2008-day-after-Christmas has dawned

...and so I read them over, sensing they are for me, first, and what all is stirring in my own soul as I consider today, tomorrow and the year to come

...as I sit in the quiet and wait...prayers also form, not just for myself, but for those I hold close in love and friendship...these are important words to reflect on for this space between Christmas and Epiphany and all that is to come in the new year...........

...when you are free to have some time to ponder well, from this version, and others...read slowly, several times over...as you wait where you are...and I wait here...to see just what our futures will bring to each of our lives and our world:

...wisdom that concludes and begins (1b):

Midnight

So here we are at the precipice of midnight
the edge of promise
the threshold of the light
just at the moment when everything gives way
and mountains are levelled and valleys filled in

And look around at who is standing here:

the poor waiting for a rebalance of the world
the hungry ready to dine
the frightened seeking a place of love
those who live on the underside of history
the silenced
the displaced
the disappeared

Gathered here at the turning of the hour
are those who believe
the truth about incarnation
that God in skin is a match for this world
and justice is on its way

This is the moment of incarnation

*       *       *       *       *       *       *

...thank you, Roddy Hamilton...from Scotland)

So here we are at the precipice of midnight
the edge of promise
the threshold of the light
just at the moment when everything gives way
and mountains are levelled and valleys filled in

And look around at who is standing here:

the poor waiting for a rebalance of the world
the hungry ready to dine
the frightened seeking a place of love
those who live on the underside of history
the silenced
the displaced
the disappeared

Gathered here at the turning of the hour
are those who believe
the truth about incarnation
that God in skin is a match for this world
and justice is on its way

This is the moment of incarnation

*       *       *       *       *       *       *

...thank you, Roddy Hamilton...from Scotland)

...wisdom that concludes and begins (1a):

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