How far the Stars how loud the silence

How far the stars
how loud the silence
we are quiet and close
to the world out there.
How far the stars
how loud the silence
our heart beats and our chest pounds
our eyes see
in the darkness
everything of the world.

We were at a minister's retreat Wed/Thursday night and I woke at 3 am. We were at a State Park, Quartz Mountain, and there were few lights in the sky. Few lights except the stars. And they were RIGHT there. I mean you could hold orions' belt. It all seemed so clear in the navy blue sky. Amazing...and awesome.
We get to see a lot of stars here in Duncan, Ok as well. The sky is fairly protected from the light and the stars are bright but rarely as close as the other night.
I remember one night in Utah at a retreat up in the mountains the stars were so close the big dipper could scoop you up.
But too many lights block the star-light. Just as too many things in our world block the quietness we need to know. Or too much sound and we miss the natural outdoor sounds.
Be quiet. That is turn off all the distractions and listen for the world speaking to you. It is a rhythm all it's own.
It is a light this quiet that leads us to new places with us finally hearing the heart.

God abide
listen!
Bobbie Giltz McGarey
@2007

randomSongs

As I was working this morning on the first thoughts for Sunday's sermon I turned on my computer's Itunes. Most of it is music that I've had on records or CDs and I decided as I worked that I would play random songs. You know not one album or artist just a shuffle.

In a way, though we think we are making plans, that is the way that our lives flow. One thing leads to another to another and to another...and then we are back at the beginning. A friend said that life is not linear - that is going in one direction---but it is more spiral...lapping around itself.

When I listened to this music much of it from my 'younger days' I remembered times and places and people. Many of the people I hadn't thought of in a long time. But there they were looped back into my thoughts and as present as some who stand with me today.

Have you ever wondered if you are 'looped' in someone else's memory? That when they hear a song they remember you.

What song in all of the songs would you like to have linked to you? What song would you like people to hear and say....
"Oh I remember ___________" (insert your own name)
And
Then
They
Smile in that memory of you.

God Abide
Bobbie Giltz McGarey
@2007

paul to philemon

How clever was Paul when writing to Philemon. That small NT story. How clever he was to draw him in stating what was true, Philemon was true, he was strong, he worked with the people for the good of the church and spreading the good news.
Then, and only then, did he call on the best in him to do what was right. Then, and only then, did he call out of Philemon the knowledge that since he follows Jesus he would know how to respond to Paul. Clever and even more than clever it was calling his best .

That is our work these days isn't it. To call out of one another the best we can be. To call out of those who are going down the wrong road that essence of God in them. Namaste as they say in India, I salute the God in you. I call out the God in you to do what is right. Hi -- just isn't the same.

I knew of a woman who decided to change her name to another since the second name called out of her the best she could be after she had done some great soul searching. So when her name was spoken --she tried to bring the best in herself.

What calls out in you your vest best. ?
Remind yourself of that name, or word. Perhaps what is the name by which you were baptized.

God abides
Bobbie Giltz McGarey
aka Barbara Bane Giltz McGarey

@2007

I have done something interesting with the fonts... bear with me if this comes up in Hindi... but then, for most all of you..you won't be able to read this if it is in Hindi... add a grin

yesterday
a warm afternoon
the spreading tree
shed perfect shadow
all around
but it was crowded there
under the tree
in the shade
standing
close to one another
were the cows
enjoying the shade
more than anyone else might
and it gave the shade
some substance
like a wall all around
holding up the branches

God Abides
Bobbie Giltz McGarey
@2007

Birthday

Again... It is my daughter Molly's birthday today. She is a daughter my son brought to us when they got married. We are so blessed. We have gotten to know one another really really well in these years. Oh I do adore her. Wow Two daughters.
This spring when we three were in India there was more laughter and enjoyment between us than can be explained. Even in some of the most unique situations. These days sharing so much with two grown daughters isn't often the case. We had an amazing time.
I have a hundred memories - being together at the Taj Mahal, driving home to Dhenari, her ongoing monologue home, swimming in a mountain stream, so so many. Something as simple as the electricity stopping brought new meaning to togetherness.
When we were heading for New Delhi, the day before we flew home, we were trying in our limited Hindi to tell the driver our names. I said mine and then said --and Molly, --and Betsy. The driver said Pepsi?!! No, Betsy, we all laughed and laughed. Ok maybe you had to be there.
There was tons of simple delights like that. Also some serious talks about the children in the Homes and what and how we could be of help to them. Prayer time together. We found delight in the love we received from others and we found delight in clowning on the plane. And we found delight in eating fresh mangos. We found delight in being with the young people in the Children's Home.
I look at Molly's birthday as a gift for me and John... Two daughters...
sigh of complete happiness.
God is so good to me.

God abides
Bobbie Giltz McGarey
@2007