Resilient Faith

Enjoy this beautiful lesson in nurturing our bodies and mind. Mary Garbesi once again shares her insight on life. Mary is the Director of Congregational Care at BPC. 

Blessings and Peace, 
BPC

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Summer has begun.                                                                           
Winter and Spring have said goodbye for now! 

Or maybe they are saying…”Look what’s next!!  - We’ll be back!  But look what we’ve brought you!  -Enjoy the summer!”

 Summer to many of us… means simple. Slowing down. A little easier maybe?

Relishing the warm days, the nights with the crickets coming out and saying, 

“Thank you Summer! Over and over and over and over and over and over again.  Gratefully expressing themselves!! The summer floral quilts over the plains and the mountains… in our backyards, on our patios, or maybe just on our little windowsill.  

They’re enjoying the summer.  Pretty simply.  They grow, they bloom, they search for the sun..they color the soil above from which they are growing. They simply move with the breeze.

Simple. Like breathing. 

Maybe we can use Summer …. To simplify. To make things calmer.  To slow down, To find peace and wisdom, moments of meditation – as well as joyful exhuberations. 

 Start your day by simply giving thanks that another day is yours. You’ve been given an amazing gift. 

Listen for the spoon clanging next to your cup as you stir your coffee or tea in the morning.  It’s calling you to find the quiet when it stops…. It’s calling you to say,  “Now my job is done… and I bet this is going to taste great.” Breathe. 

 Begin the day with a simple task…Make your bed…. And when those pillows get plopped just the way you want, and the comforter gets pulled up just  where you like…. Take a moment to remember how amazingly fortunate we are for the warmth, the comfort, the coverings.  For some have only a floor, some have only a sidewalk, some have only a rough patch of ground with some old, and I mean old, padding. Remind yourself the bed is there again for you tonight…. When darkness and quiet settles in and calls us to rest.  And breathing while we are sleeping, restoring us even more than during the day’s inhales and exhales.  Over and over and over and over and over again. Breathe. 

 Water your plants…. You are nourishing them.  Nourish  yourself and your body the next time you take a long drink of water…or sit down for an evening meal…..and take your time to drink that single glass of water… or to savor each bite….all of which sustains you. And then…. Breathe.   Give thanks,  give thanks, that you have nurtured and nourished yourself as well as those plants in your kitchen window. 

 Encourage yourself to make simple choices this summer…small steps, little chores, minute decisions.  They are all progress.  Enjoy the warm sun.  Enjoy the pounding hard rains at night. Enjoy the cool evenings outside.  And breathe.

 Meet up with a friend… call an old acquaintance. … and realize and trust that you may be giving them the best gift they’ve had in a long time.  With each breath, know that you have engaged in a connection, knitting together memories and friendships. Breathe.

 Meet up with yourself.  In your simple Summer, Take into account all that you have accomplished in life, all that you have accomplished today so far…. And give thanks.  You are breathing. You are receiving daily bread…. In so many ways… the sunrise, the clouds breaking away to reveal  blue skies, the small tasks that your body allows you to perform, the chores that might seem mundane, the exhilarating experiences that leave you in awe and wonder .. and you know?... even breathless. So breathe.. inhale.. exhale… Breathe it all in....

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A great practice to help us realize when we say yes or no. Saying yes is good, but saying NO is also good and important. 
Let us review our day with gratitude and joy for options of yes and no. 

Blessings and Peace.

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In honor of our Podcast and 3 full years of success bringing you meditation, prayers and spiritual lessons, enjoy our most popular podcast, Resilient Faith! 

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Dear God,
In the morning…… let me be thankful for the floor on which I place my feet. Strong,
dry, solid…maybe even dirty… but waiting for me to stand … and see the day ahead
of me. Let me give thanks for the sun rising and giving warmth to this Earth,
whether we see it in the glistening of the dew on the leaves and grasses that rinse
themselves with moisture and give a sip of water to even the smallest of insects, or
whether it’s shrouded in gray cloud or cotton-like fog, or whether it’s smugly sitting
above the rain drops and rain clouds…giving off it’s radiant sunlight beams
somewhere else. Let me rest assured in the morning… that this day has begun, and I
am in it.

In the mid-day…… Let me give thanks for the energy I have been given, whether it is
to simply trudge through my mail and sort and file, or to sit and listen long enough
for the birds outside to welcome me into their world on Earth, let me give thanks for
the rest from last evening’s darkness to get through these past few hours.. ….
Whether they were restful --- or restless. …let me give thanks for even the most
mindless events, the important tasks, those small moments where I found
something to laugh at, feelings of love, handfuls of thoughtfulness…all that have
come my way … ….. For pausing, for taking deep breaths, for each heartbeat. For
food that sustains me throughout this day that I’m experiencing… whether it’s a
grand meal hot and steaming to sustain me throughout the afternoon, or a few bites
of leftovers from last night’s goodness, enjoyed again thoroughly, made especially
for me, or made by myself… just the way I like it. Let me give thanks for all that I am
experiencing while the sun is directly over me…and seems to be saying.. the day is
still here for you.

In the evening’s darkest….. let me have the strength to rest and calm my body and all
it’s hard-working parts, let me enjoy the dark and the noises slowly quieting
down….let me truly appreciate it wrapping around me gently, while it cloaks me in a
blanket of comfort and peace. Let me allow the sun hiding away another night, for
me to feel like it’s for my benefit…stepping out for a few hours, and reassuring me
that it will rise again…. to encourage me to stop, to pause, and to realize I was given
another day to begin with just this very morning a few hours ago…. Whether it was
boring, tedious, exhausting, troubling, exhilarating, exciting, or thrilling with
moments of awe and amazing disbelief. And though I may struggle with concerning
thoughts, with pain, with fear or with worry, let me know in my heart and in my
mind that rejuvenation comes with quiet, rejuvenation comes with rest,
rejuvenation comes with sleep, comes with gratefulness, comes with the new
morning’s light waiting for me. …. To place my grateful feet on the strong and dry
and solid floor again…and greet a new day with grace and mercy, and thankfulness.
AMEN

Betsy Baker Newell

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I have been thinking about awe and wonder, so I have become curious and spent some time reflecting on and exploring their meaning and experience in my life.  I found that awe has become an area of interest in the field of psychology and research. Dacher Keltner, a psychologist at the University of California at Berkeley, has researched the subject and reported his findings in his recent book, titled Awe: The New Science of Everyday Wonder and How It Can Transform Your Life. He defines awe as “the feeling of being in the presence of something vast that transcends your current understanding of the world”. Keltner continues, saying that it is about vastness, but it’s really simple and uncomplicated. To inspire awe does not have to be dramatic to instill a feeling of awe. It comes from what Keltner calls “perceived vastness”. He writes that awe is critical for our well-being and his research suggests that it has big health benefits, such as a calming effect on the nervous system. Awe creates a different response in us than does either joy, happiness or love. For more on this topic: https://www.nytimes.com/2023/01/03/well/live/awe-wonder-dacher-keltner.html

The Psalmist in Psalm 33:8 says, “Let all the earth fear the Lord (In my words, “Let all the earth have a healthy reverence and respect for God’s power and creative nature”); let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of him!” 

My own interest and reflections on awe have come with the advent of spring. The hummingbird and her nest with two tiny eggs in the tree on my patio. The super bloom we are experiencing here in California. Nature is awe inspiring for me in all its beauty and grandeur. Its incredible diversity that informs us of the importance of diversity in every aspect of life, our life together as human beings and with all species. More reflection brings more examples. Sunsets, moonrise, the  night sky and its canopy of stars, the ocean and its treasures. Art, music, dance and ways the human body can move. Great thinkers, past and present. Ancient ruins, Stonehenge, the pyramids. Skyscrapers and cathedrals such as Chartres, Notre Dame. There’s so much that can be awe-inspiring! The incredibly good in people, how we help and care for one another, sacrifice and share, endure and find hope in the midst of suffering. I hope this has stimulated your own thinking around what is awe inspiring for you! 

 Take some time to reflect. 

• Bring yourself into God’s presence. Give thanks for God’s great love for you. 
• Pray for the grace to see and understand how God is acting in your life, 
• Review your day — recall specific moments and your feelings. 
• Reflect on what you did, said, or thought and felt in all the instances of your day.  How did you experience God during your day especially around awe?
• Look toward tomorrow — think of how you might collaborate more effectively with Spirit. 

Poet of awe, by Mary Oliver

Hello, sun in my face.
Hello, you who made the morning
and spread it over the fields
and into the faces of the tulips
and the nodding morning glories,
and into the windows of, even, the
miserable and the crotchety.

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Join Lora today as we talk about finding happiness and trusting God to know what we need. Have faith...have patience...trust in the Lord!


Luke 12:22-31

22 Then, turning to his disciples, Jesus said, “That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life—whether you have enough food to eat or enough clothes to wear. 23 For life is more than food, and your body more than clothing. 24 Look at the ravens. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for God feeds them. And you are far more valuable to him than any birds! 25 Can all your worries add a single moment to your life? 26 And if worry can’t accomplish a little thing like that, what’s the use of worrying over bigger things?

27 “Look at the lilies and how they grow. They don’t work or make their clothing, yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are. 28 And if God cares so wonderfully for flowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, he will certainly care for you. Why do you have so little faith?

29 “And don’t be concerned about what to eat and what to drink. Don’t worry about such things. 30 These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers all over the world, but your Father already knows your needs. 31 Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and he will give you everything you need.

Happiness, by Jane Kenyon

There’s just no accounting for happiness,

or the way it turns up like a prodigal

who comes back to the dust at your feet

having squandered a fortune far away.

And how can you not forgive?

You make a feast in honor of what

was lost, and take from its place the finest

garment, which you saved for an occasion

you could not imagine, and you weep night and day

to know that you were not abandoned,

that happiness saved its most extreme form

for you alone.

No, happiness is the uncle you never

knew about, who flies a single-engine plane

onto the grassy landing strip, hitchhikes

into town, and inquires at every door

until he finds you asleep midafternoon

as you so often are during the unmerciful

hours of your despair.

It comes to the monk in his cell.

It comes to the woman sweeping the street

with a birch broom, to the child

whose mother has passed out from drink.

It comes to the lover, to the dog chewing

a sock, to the pusher, to the basketmaker,

and to the clerk stacking cans of carrots

in the night.

It even comes to the boulder

in the perpetual shade of pine barrens,

to rain falling on the open sea,

to the wineglass, weary of holding wine.

Please join us in person on Sunday mornings at 8am and 10:30am (also online). Peace and love to you all,
BPC

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Prayers to uplift us and bring us meditation time to rejoice and appreciate all that God has given us. 

Join us this week as our birthday girl. Betsy Newell, joins us a the guest leader of this podcast meditation. Use this time to pray and reflect. 

Amen!

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Daily Prayer: 

Merciful God,

You see deep into our hearts

and know us better than we know ourselves.

Forgive us, we pray.

For the times we turn away from Your word, and forget of your grace,

remind us that You are the Lord our God, and our eternal father and guide.

For our impulses of anger, jealousy, guilt or sadness,

grant us Your healing peace.

For our resistance to forgiveness, abundance and mercy,

inspire us with Your compassionate love.

Welcome now the abundant grace of God:

With Jesus, our sins are forgiven.

And let God's love comfort and heal our soul.

O God, so often we take you for granted. 

We take for granted that you will answer our prayers, 

that you will heal us and make us whole. 

Give us faith to see you in everything 

and everyone around us, 

so that we may be truly grateful. 

In Christ’s name we pray.

Amen and Amen

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If God called your name today, what would be the call, the charge, the ask? Pray and meditate on how you would answer and what you are willing to do....for God? We all have callings throughout our life and our answer can change things. Have you been called? Do you know a time that you have been asked to do something that seems questionable? 

Acts 9:1-20
The Damascus Road: Saul Converted
9 Then Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest 2 and asked letters from him to the synagogues of Damascus, so that if he found any who were of the Way, whether men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem.
3 As he journeyed he came near Damascus, and suddenly a light shone around him from heaven. 4 Then he fell to the ground, and heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?”
5 And he said, “Who are You, Lord?”
Then the Lord said, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. [a]It is hard for you to kick against the goads.”
6 So he, trembling and astonished, said, “Lord, what do You want me to do?”
Then the Lord said to him, “Arise and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.”
7 And the men who journeyed with him stood speechless, hearing a voice but seeing no one. 8 Then Saul arose from the ground, and when his eyes were opened he saw no one. But they led him by the hand and brought himinto Damascus. 9 And he was three days without sight, and neither ate nor drank.

Ananias Baptizes Saul

10 Now there was a certain disciple at Damascus named Ananias; and to him the Lord said in a vision, “Ananias.”
And he said, “Here I am, Lord.”
11 So the Lord said to him, “Arise and go to the street called Straight, and inquire at the house of Judas for one called Saul of Tarsus, for behold, he is praying. 12 And in a vision he has seen a man named Ananias coming in and putting his hand on him, so that he might receive his sight.”
13 Then Ananias answered, “Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much [b]harm he has done to Your saints in Jerusalem. 14 And here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all who call on Your name.”
15 But the Lord said to him, “Go, for he is a chosen vessel of Mine to bear My name before Gentiles, kings, and the children[c] of Israel. 16 For I will show him how many things he must suffer for My name’s sake.”
17 And Ananias went his way and entered the house; and laying his hands on him he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord [d]Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you came, has sent me that you may receive your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” 18 Immediately there fell from his eyes somethinglike scales, and he received his sight at once; and he arose and was baptized.
19 So when he had received food, he was strengthened. Then Saul spent some days with the disciples at Damascus.
Saul Preaches Christ
20 Immediately he preached [e]the Christ in the synagogues, that He is the Son of God.

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