Write Lightning is a blog from writer Deb Thompson.
Everyone is welcome here.
(Some links or topics may not be completely kid-appropriate.)
Everyone is welcome here.
(Some links or topics may not be completely kid-appropriate.)
Religious and Spiritual
Mon, Apr 19 2010
Chains are inevitable. Escape is optional.
One of the best dogs I ever met who was not my own dog was Bonzo, an escape artist of a boxer who would get loose from his owner's property and come visiting to our house, sometimes still dragging a length of chain attached to his collar. (The owner was arranging a great space for Bonzo, but was having to keep him temporarily tethered due to an emergency.) This dog was exuberant and playful and seemed to laugh at the universe. Bonzo accepted the reality of his situation, but not as fate.
When the cares of the day seem to be tightening the noose around my neck and I think I might let adversity, or even too much good fortune, get in the way of being a productive human being, I remember that look on Bonzo's face when he overcame a challenge and then got called out for it. He seemed genuinely surprised that we didn't applaud his escape. This happy dog seemed to know that his circumstances were temporary. I could see the wheels turning behind those happy eyes, looking for the next challenge and hoping the rest of the world would make the challenge worthwhile and productive in the end. If I'm going to have challenges, I should face them with humor and creativity. If I'm going to have a chance for an adventure, I should make it a big adventure. I wish the same for anyone reading this. I hope you give it all you've got. Be a Bonzo.
posted at: 12:14 | category: /Religious and Spiritual | link to this entry
One of the best dogs I ever met who was not my own dog was Bonzo, an escape artist of a boxer who would get loose from his owner's property and come visiting to our house, sometimes still dragging a length of chain attached to his collar. (The owner was arranging a great space for Bonzo, but was having to keep him temporarily tethered due to an emergency.) This dog was exuberant and playful and seemed to laugh at the universe. Bonzo accepted the reality of his situation, but not as fate.
When the cares of the day seem to be tightening the noose around my neck and I think I might let adversity, or even too much good fortune, get in the way of being a productive human being, I remember that look on Bonzo's face when he overcame a challenge and then got called out for it. He seemed genuinely surprised that we didn't applaud his escape. This happy dog seemed to know that his circumstances were temporary. I could see the wheels turning behind those happy eyes, looking for the next challenge and hoping the rest of the world would make the challenge worthwhile and productive in the end. If I'm going to have challenges, I should face them with humor and creativity. If I'm going to have a chance for an adventure, I should make it a big adventure. I wish the same for anyone reading this. I hope you give it all you've got. Be a Bonzo.
posted at: 12:14 | category: /Religious and Spiritual | link to this entry
Tue, Dec 29 2009
Years and beginnings
This coming year will begin so much better than the last year began. Part of that is circumstantial, but part of it is a growing freedom of spirit and an acceptance to be thankful for what has passed. We're each going to have some challenges in 2010, but we're each also given the spirit of agape love that teaches us how to persevere no matter what life throws at us. A battle is not the end. A battle is about a particular thing at a particular time and place, involving particular people. A battle is not a whole life. Someone can do battle with you here and now, but no one can take eternity from you. No challenge can take eternity from you. Eternity is yours to choose or not. And if you choose to believe in a gift of eternity you can make it through anything in the here and now. We can make lots of New Year's Resolutions, but we can't cover every individual conflict that will come along in 2010. Faith in any conflict is a bigger resolution that will keep us going in case we don't exercise those 5 days a week or in case we spend too much money or in case we fail that math test. Faithfulness is bigger than all that and I'm thankful for that.
posted at: 11:48 | category: /Religious and Spiritual | link to this entry
This coming year will begin so much better than the last year began. Part of that is circumstantial, but part of it is a growing freedom of spirit and an acceptance to be thankful for what has passed. We're each going to have some challenges in 2010, but we're each also given the spirit of agape love that teaches us how to persevere no matter what life throws at us. A battle is not the end. A battle is about a particular thing at a particular time and place, involving particular people. A battle is not a whole life. Someone can do battle with you here and now, but no one can take eternity from you. No challenge can take eternity from you. Eternity is yours to choose or not. And if you choose to believe in a gift of eternity you can make it through anything in the here and now. We can make lots of New Year's Resolutions, but we can't cover every individual conflict that will come along in 2010. Faith in any conflict is a bigger resolution that will keep us going in case we don't exercise those 5 days a week or in case we spend too much money or in case we fail that math test. Faithfulness is bigger than all that and I'm thankful for that.
posted at: 11:48 | category: /Religious and Spiritual | link to this entry
Tue, Dec 22 2009
Wishing you the best of the season
I'll be taking a blog break until Tuesday, December 29. (You can still catch me over on Twitter.) Meanwhile, enjoy the holiday season:
Miracles are born at Christmas.
Even Santa kneels tonight.
Heaven is more than a promise.
Every good gift comes tonight.
posted at: 16:31 | category: /Religious and Spiritual | link to this entry
I'll be taking a blog break until Tuesday, December 29. (You can still catch me over on Twitter.) Meanwhile, enjoy the holiday season:
Miracles are born at Christmas.
Even Santa kneels tonight.
Heaven is more than a promise.
Every good gift comes tonight.
posted at: 16:31 | category: /Religious and Spiritual | link to this entry
Wed, Nov 25 2009
Happy Thanksgiving and more
I'll be taking a blogging break until Tuesday, December 1. It's time to spend time with spouse and friends, marvel at a special lady's gravy-making technique, pull out some decorations for the upcoming Christmas holiday and take a few walks.
For those of you traveling this week, I wish for you safety. For those feeling too far away from loved ones, I wish for you comfort. For those partaking of more than one Thanksgiving meal, I wish for you temperance and a good digestion. And for those in pain or feeling alone, I wish for you peace. The world can be a tough place, but forgiveness and love are here, if we choose to open ourselves to it. Giving thanks for even little blessings we have already received is a great place to start.
posted at: 16:38 | category: /Religious and Spiritual | link to this entry
I'll be taking a blogging break until Tuesday, December 1. It's time to spend time with spouse and friends, marvel at a special lady's gravy-making technique, pull out some decorations for the upcoming Christmas holiday and take a few walks.
For those of you traveling this week, I wish for you safety. For those feeling too far away from loved ones, I wish for you comfort. For those partaking of more than one Thanksgiving meal, I wish for you temperance and a good digestion. And for those in pain or feeling alone, I wish for you peace. The world can be a tough place, but forgiveness and love are here, if we choose to open ourselves to it. Giving thanks for even little blessings we have already received is a great place to start.
posted at: 16:38 | category: /Religious and Spiritual | link to this entry
Tue, Oct 20 2009
A new leap of faith?
The decision of the Vatican to work to bring in Anglicans has puzzled me. I do recall being told as a child that the ultimate purpose of the Roman Catholic Church was to make everyone a Catholic, even after the Second Vatican Council. I was told that it was a purpose that had never changed and would never change in the future. But maybe things really have changed since then. A true clasp across such a chasm could be a momentous occasion. My lingering concern is that a chasm, by its very nature, has no middle ground. Even if they reach for each other with the best of intentions, one party must be completely pulled to other's side or both will fail and fall in the process. I hope things can work out for those searching to do the right thing.
posted at: 18:06 | category: /Religious and Spiritual | link to this entry
The decision of the Vatican to work to bring in Anglicans has puzzled me. I do recall being told as a child that the ultimate purpose of the Roman Catholic Church was to make everyone a Catholic, even after the Second Vatican Council. I was told that it was a purpose that had never changed and would never change in the future. But maybe things really have changed since then. A true clasp across such a chasm could be a momentous occasion. My lingering concern is that a chasm, by its very nature, has no middle ground. Even if they reach for each other with the best of intentions, one party must be completely pulled to other's side or both will fail and fall in the process. I hope things can work out for those searching to do the right thing.
posted at: 18:06 | category: /Religious and Spiritual | link to this entry
Tue, Oct 06 2009
Blowing open a new door
Today has been full of things such as riding in a car with the windows down and the fall air rushing in, talking about fireplaces, eating Chinese food, having a cup of popcorn shared with me by a lovely woman, laughter, sadness for struggling friends and even a little resentment that creeped in when a remark reminded me of someone who had treated me badly some time ago. All in all, the balance of the day has been good. I questioned my moment of focus on that resentment as my mind pulled up a memory of being treated badly, but it was such a tiny part of the day that I felt only growth and refreshing as it passed. It's not only true that when one door closes, God opens another door. It's also true that God opens all the doors and windows and lets the air of His Spirit rush in and sweep us right on to the next big adventure. I can't wait to see what comes next. I hope your day has also been full of an inrush, a big wind, a clean sweep.
posted at: 18:13 | category: /Religious and Spiritual | link to this entry
Today has been full of things such as riding in a car with the windows down and the fall air rushing in, talking about fireplaces, eating Chinese food, having a cup of popcorn shared with me by a lovely woman, laughter, sadness for struggling friends and even a little resentment that creeped in when a remark reminded me of someone who had treated me badly some time ago. All in all, the balance of the day has been good. I questioned my moment of focus on that resentment as my mind pulled up a memory of being treated badly, but it was such a tiny part of the day that I felt only growth and refreshing as it passed. It's not only true that when one door closes, God opens another door. It's also true that God opens all the doors and windows and lets the air of His Spirit rush in and sweep us right on to the next big adventure. I can't wait to see what comes next. I hope your day has also been full of an inrush, a big wind, a clean sweep.
posted at: 18:13 | category: /Religious and Spiritual | link to this entry
Tue, Sep 22 2009
Unusual hippo
I had to address a potential computer virus infection yesterday, so work time was minimal. So we're having another light blog post today. Give yourself a treat and go watch a hippo named Jessica. I enjoy thinking about creation, including Creation. I believe that, just as domestic animals sometimes have a streak of wild in them, wild animals sometimes have a streak of tame in them. I like to think this is due to traces of a leftover instinct that goes back to a time when humans and animals had a friendlier co-existence. Your theories may vary from mine. In any case, I'm guessing the video of Jessica will most likely bring a bit of a smile to your face.
posted at: 07:54 | category: /Religious and Spiritual | link to this entry
I had to address a potential computer virus infection yesterday, so work time was minimal. So we're having another light blog post today. Give yourself a treat and go watch a hippo named Jessica. I enjoy thinking about creation, including Creation. I believe that, just as domestic animals sometimes have a streak of wild in them, wild animals sometimes have a streak of tame in them. I like to think this is due to traces of a leftover instinct that goes back to a time when humans and animals had a friendlier co-existence. Your theories may vary from mine. In any case, I'm guessing the video of Jessica will most likely bring a bit of a smile to your face.
posted at: 07:54 | category: /Religious and Spiritual | link to this entry
