Genesis

In the mid 80’s I discovered A Course in Miracles and pretty much set the Bible aside.   The Bible angered and frustrated me whereas ACIM mesmerized me.  The Course helped me unlearn so many painful lessons from the Church of My Childhood that I became a Course devotee, even though I could not and still do not understand portions of its radical message.

After years of avoiding church I joined a Disciples of Christ Church in Paris and regularly occupy the pew on Sunday as well as attend a stimulating adult education class.  The pastor of this little community was also raised in the Church of My Childhood, which fosters a precious bond of trust between us…up to a point.

Pastor Charlotte initiated a program Jan1 in which we would all read the entire Bible over the course of the year, on a planned schedule.  We get a printed card at the beginning of each month with the assigned readings.  My initial response was, “you’ve got to be kidding.”  Nevertheless I decided to embark on this journey with my newfound community.

Lordy, lordy, lordy the Bible messes with my head!  I have come to believe in and know a radically loving God, a forgiving God…a God who would no more punish than he/she would forsake.  My God has no concept of vengeance, does not “smite,” does not have a chosen people or tribe, does not threaten and does not denounce.  The God in Genesis does all of the above, repeatedly.  I am appalled to recall that I taught these frightful stories to young children, as they had been taught to me. 

The greatest benefit I have found so far in re-reading the Old Testament is  profound gratitude that my understanding of the nature of God has been so blessedly altered!

Meditation/Prayer Class

I am offering the meditation/prayer course in Paris for the first time.  If you took the course in Austin and found it helpful feel free to comment.  I, for one, am so grateful I learned these practices!

MEDITATION/CENTERING PRAYER CLASS

Instruction and Practice

Robyn Whyte

The purpose of this six-week class is to learn and practice the most common forms of meditation and introduce participants to the Centering Prayer method of silent prayer as promoted by Thomas Keating.  The course provides a gentle, positive approach to meditative practice.

Week 1                Introduction and breath meditation

Week 2                Mantra meditation

Week 3                Guided meditation

Weeks 4-6           Introduction and practice of Centering Prayer

Each class will include discussion of the prior week’s practice. It’ll be fun!

Who                     Robyn Whyte has taught this course

                           numerous times and practiced Centering

                           Prayer for many years.  Robyn received certification

                           from Contemplative Outreach to teach Centering Prayer

                           in 2001

When                   Tuesday evenings at 7:00, beginning Jan 15

Where                           519 CR 32505—4 miles from the loop off Hwy 79

Cost                     $50 at first class, or $10 per class, OR whatever

you feel you can comfortably afford.  Please do not allow cost to prevent you from participating!

RSVP                    Please call for more information and to register at 903-782-1240, or email to robyn0623@gmail.com.

                           PLEASE SHARE WITH ANYONE YOU THINK MIGHT WANT TO JOIN US!

                            

Dark Nights

I wrote the poem below for a friend going through a difficult time.  I'm sharing it because I think it might have a more universal appeal...I know writing it comforted me.

It is not unusual for SpiritSpeak poems to utilize the term "we," as in this poem.  People ask who is "we?"  I don't have a ready answer other than the aspect of me that most identifies with Love thinks of herself as plural, rather than singular.  The closest image, and it is flawed, is of a team of guardian angels.  That's the best description I have at the moment.

If you are experiencing a dark period, assume this poem was written for you, with love.

As you sink into darkness and vision dims

While fear whispers with all its allure,

When tomorrow is more dreaded than today, and

Connections seem faded and illusory,

Can anything be gained, or regained?

While you sleep, we perch at the end of the bed

Watching you breathe,

Remembering, for you, your innocence.

Innocence is a terrifying thing to forget, or doubt.

To embark on a journey of self-evaluation

Without our guidance leads, inevitably, to the darkest of nights.

Your vision is so very different than ours,

With just enough overlapping truth to appear real, trustworthy.

Do you not know that we see and have always seen

Your weaknesses, your selfishness, your internal struggles,

Your expectations and demands?

Did you think all these years that you pursued us, and we you,

We were blind to your blindness? 

Precious child, perfection is your aim, not ours.

Perfection is your expectation, not ours.

There is no one within the realm of our care

That we honor more for her intention, her integrity, her effort.

We accept at this time, during this night,  that you mistrust us,

Doubt us, perhaps even disdain us.  We get it.

While you loosen your grasp on us, we hold fast to you,

Trusting you, loving you, knowing you, our friend.

We called to you so long ago, and you jumped with joy.

We will never forget.

I pause...

I am the mother of a murdered child

I am the sister of the shooter

I am the cousin of the Principal

I am the wife of a policeman

I am the pastor of a Newtown church

I am the rabbi nearby

I am the remaining brother’s best friend

I am the parent of a surviving child, and the

Grandmother of the slain psychologist.

Some of us want to rid the country of guns

Some of us want to give a gun to everyone.

Some of us want more laws, and

Some want fewer laws.

Some of us think Jesus is the answer, and

Some think Jesus is the problem.

Some think the shooter was ill, and

Others think him wicked and evil.

Truth be told, I don’t know the truth.

And so, as mother, friend, sister, cousin, pastor and rabbi,

I pause.

I allow reality to sink in.

Without disputing the facts, I withhold judgment,

And pause.

Acknowledging the pain and bewilderment,

I pause.

Acknowledging the calls to action,

The clamoring for change,

I pause.

Eschewing passivity,

I pause.

Wisdom rarely shouts.

Why AlAnon?

Day 1              A steps on B’s toe

                        B: “Excuse me, you stepped on my toe.”

Day 2              A steps on B’s toe

                        B: “EXCUSE ME! You stepped on my toe.”

Day 3              A steps on B’s toe

                        B: “What’s the matter with you? You stepped on my toe again. 

                        Stop it.”

Day 4              A steps on B’s toe

                        B: “Are you deaf?  If you step on my toe one more time, I’m

                        calling the police.”

Day 5              A steps on B’s toe

                        B: “You don’t believe I’ll call the police??  Step on my toe one

                        more time and you’ll  become a believer!”

Day 6              A steps on B’s toe

                        B: “Do you want to go to jail??  You must want to spend a few

                        nights in jail.  Why else would you keep stepping on my toe?!

Day 7              A steps on B’s toe

                        B: “Do you see what you have become?  You are nothing but

                        a god-awful toe stepper!  That’s all you are!  You live to step

                        on toes.  How long do you think I’m going to put up with this?

Day 8              A walks into B’s room

                        B: “Here’s my toe.”