it’s the end of the year…

and
a lot of people are looking back.
an intention of reflection.

i have been thinking.

instead of

the resolutions
made from looking back
at what i think
that i need to do better,

a plain renewal
of commitment to faith in the Lord.

more of a giving and laying-it-all-down time.

not looking back
not making plans
not thinking of what i want
not a list of what i should do

just

bowing down in a prayer of renewal

and
Love

~

the book

i am almost finished with this book.  i have to say that, well, i just
don’t know what to think about it.  i am a bit confused and my heart
feels sadness.  but, perhaps, for now, that is a good thing.

i welcome your comments.

~

Banyan Tree Park
Maui, Hawaii
December 2010

This Banyan Tree was first planted in April, 1873,
and marked the 50th Anniversary of Christian missionary work in Lahaina.

The tree was imported from India and was only 8 feet tall.
It now stands over 60 feet high and has 12 major trunks in addition to a huge core.
It stretches over a 200 foot area and shades 2/3 of an acre.

~

i felt the bark
sat in the coolness
listened to people speaking
saw others
reading the news paper
riding bikes
eating ice cream
all under branches
stretched far and wide
all in the same house of shade

~

I know that things only happen once, in a certain way,
and never happens just that way, again.
I know that this moment, this day, will never come again.

Yet, i have realized that it’s not so much having my mind
in the “present” that matters, as much as having my mind
in the “pleasant.”

Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 

That is the verse many people pay attention to.
However, it’s the following ones that i want you to read.

Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation,
by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your
requests to God.
And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding,
will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble,
whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever
is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—
think about such things.

Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me,
or seen in me—put it into practice.
And the God of peace will be with you.

It is just that, if i my mind is working well, when i am in a pleasant
place, i seem to take-in the present and where i am,
and not go, so much, to other places or times with my mind. 
yet, if i do not like where i am, in the present, i end up trying to
avoid it with my mind, by being in another place or time in thought,
or maybe even shutting-down my thoughts or feelings,
which can be dangerous when done too much.

So, i believe it’s actually more healthy to abide in the Love of
God, and humble our self before Him, waiting on the Lord and
being grateful for what we have been given.  And thinking those
“trusting in God” kinds of thoughts that have a way of sometimes
putting one in that pleasant place, acceptance, and maybe even
bringing a small grin and a sigh.

Then one is more apt to be doing more positive and creative
things, in the Spirit.  Things that work more to the good and to
reveal the Glory of God.

~
verse from Philippians 4.

no more santa
the world has moved on
fifty percent off your desire
grab it while you can
run now
hustle, man
it’s goin’ fast
this kinda stuff
you
know
it don’t last

~

from week fifty-one, of the year two thousand ten.

Witness Series . by Glynn Young

Thursday’s Images . by Lambert

Applique hearts and paper cones . by Carina

Sunset on Shinnecock Bay . by Steve Gravano

~

light a candle

i picked this image to post… just because.
it was taken in 2008.
this machine presses the pasta dough thinner and cuts it into log strips,
by feeding the dough into the top and turning the crank.

imagine
this pasta with some garlic and clams,
or maybe a deep red tomato sauce.
or both…

with

a bunch of us sitting around a big table, passing bowls,
bread, and butter to one another, gabbing up a storm.

that thought just makes me grin.

~

how many
natural daylight hours
do i have?

i can work in the dark,
but, that’s just not natural.

~

John Fahey plays

In Christ There Is No East Or West

1969

~