a single step

wednesday

larouse — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 04:56:16 +0000

wake, walk, drink and wait

yet- isn’t there still something

the day is over

-lar-

music

larouse — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 17:50:46 +0000

The discovery of song and the creation of musical instruments both owed their origin to a human impulse which lies much deeper than conscious intention: the need for rhythm in life? the need is a deep one, transcending thought, and disregarded at our peril.
Richard Baker

Music is moonlight in the gloomy night of life.
Jean Paul Richter

Music is the art which is most nigh to tears and memory.
Oscar Wilde

Music is an outburst of the soul.
Frederick Delius

walking with beauty

larouse — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 03:54:56 +0000

May I walk with Beauty before me.

May I walk with Beauty behind me.

May I walk with Beauty above me.

May I walk with Beauty below me.

May I walk with Beauty all around me.

As I walk the Beauty way.

-Navaho Prayer

What is this Beauty that the Navaho seek?

I learned of this prayer a little over two weeks ago, and I am been pondering this question numerous times throughout the day in the moments I still myself long enough to be fully present in the now. Still pondering and trying to be with the answers I receive, mostly articulating them through my art. As I work it all out, however, I have found this written answer by Oriah to be helpful and inspiring:

It is what pulls us toward life. It is what calls to us when we despair, seduces us into opening again and again to the possibility of love and laughter. It is the physical manifestation of the Mystery that surrounds and beckons to us every day of our lives. It is the life that chooses life. The Navaho prayer expresses our soul’s desire to recognize and receive beauty, knowing that as we do so we become co-creators of this beauty, of that which urges, “Live.” (Pg. 71 of The Invitation)

Another Mr. Charles in My Life

larouse — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 15:58:08 +0000

I met Mr. Charles C. today. His last name is so super cool, oh how I wish I had gotten permission to tell you.

He greeted me with a “Hey there movie star!” and a big smile as I approached the coffee shop door. There was something about his smile, the sweet words of recognition and memory of a sermon/invitation/mission Pastor Rudy Rasmus offered at St. John’s Downtown last Sunday that made me pause to meet Mr. Charles.

“Hey there movie star. You are sure shining this morning. Movie star, you think you could help me with $4 to get a bunk at the mission tonight.”

A number things went through my mind, if I am honest. Not one thought of regret for stopping, but the prevailing thought that went through my mind was composed of the words proclaimed on Sunday.

“Hello, my name is Lanecia. What is your’s, sir?”

“Charles C. is my name,” meeting my hand reaching his for a warm “I see you” embrace. He continued, “I sing at night for money, but did not receive any last night. So I am really needing some help today.”

“You sing? What do you sing?”

“Yes, mam, I do. I sing all kinds of songs: Gospel songs, birthday songs, anniversary songs, jazz songs for movie stars.” He responded with a smile competing with the sun this morning.

“Well, will you sing me a song this morning. I love music. I need more in my life.”

He began to sing a song about love, peace and an encounter with a movie star. Hilarious! On any other day I would have given him props for knowing exactly what to do to manipulate/flatter/break open (or whatever you want to call it) this lady’s generosity door, but the Spirit had already beat him to it through another means.

Once he finished we talked a minute or two about his knowledge of the Bread of Life and St. John’s Downtown. Turns out he had worshiped with us a few times in the past and had lots of love/respect for the campus. He told me about a dream on his heart and sung me another song that he wanted to sing, “Thank you for sending an angel to rescue me.” His gratitude for God’s blessings in his life were evident with each word that flowed from his lips.

We talked a bit more and then I begin to search for his gift.

“It’s your day, Mr. C., because this lady does not carry cash. Just have it this week because my pastor spoke a word that compelled my heart to share in a movement this week. So… here you go, friend.”

He smiled again. Oh that smile, it reminded me of my Grandfather Davis. “Thank you movie star,” he said.

We walked a few steps, he asked me what I do in Houston. I told him about the art project, we talked some about the project, I gave him my business card and we decided it would not be our last time encountering each other.

He went his way, I went mine… both smiling and saying “God bless you”, though I noticed his was weighed a bit with the long hard day a head he told me about. I walked into the cafe, used my last remaining dollars of goodness on a gift card to purchase a warm cuppa joe and was gifted with this message on my “americano for here”:

Thankful for it all.

“Every day, the world invites you to make a difference. You only need to recognize these invitations and respond in a way that suits your ambitions, your values, your resources and your passion.”

-Bill Strickland

Practice

larouse — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 14:30:39 +0000

Love Is a Practice

Roy Howard

Love is a practice, not a belief and certainly not just a feeling. Love is a set of habits learned over a lifetime.

I’m reminded of the story of two rabbis in conversation over drinks. The one says, “Do you love me?”

The other answers, “Yes, of course.”

“Do you know what hurts me?”

“No, how could I know that?”

And his friend responds, “You can’t love me if you don’t know what hurts me.”

When I heard that story it occurred to me that this is how it is when we love God and love neighbor. God says to us, “How can you love me if you don’t know what hurts me?”

What hurts God? A polluted creation, hungry children, broken families and lost people, wandering fearful and without hope. When we connect our lives with the things that hurt God, we actually grow in our love for God. It’s this essential connection that we desire in our common life together.

This is stewardship with love at the center. To borrow a phrase, all you need is love. Love God, love neighbor. Love yourself.

Source: Sermon (The Stewardship of Love) Oct. 23 2011 at Saint Mark Presbyterian Church in Rockville MD

last days of 2011, first days of 2012

larouse — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 19:04:34 +0000

Well, 2011 was quite a year. It was a year composed of some major transitions, healing, many lessons I will definitely carry with me into 2012, an abundant amount of life-giving moments, new discoveries and joy.

It was good to and for me.

The last days of 2011 ended up being a perfect conclusion to the pages that had been written, as I welcomed the new 2012 chapter embracing change, believing in healing, loving with abandon and speaking my gratitude for each line of truth (the easy and the hard).

Here are a few things revealed to me the last days of December and first days of January that I carry with me into this new year:

*I have been gifted with an eye and I need to make it a point to sabbath with God, camera in hand, everyday.

I am a photographer.

*throw a football as often as possible

*I love cold days. Warm days are growing on me though.

*there is something comforting about being apart of a community where ALL are welcomed and when people say “I love you and there is nothing you can do about it”, and they mean it

Unconditional love and acceptance is a beautiful thing

*make it a practice to laugh as often as possible

*”listen to your life. see it for the fathomless mystery that it is. touch, taste, smell your way to the holy and hidden heart of it because in the last analysis all moments are key moments, and life itself is grace.” buechner

*relationships are best held with open hands

*be open

*The Wire is the best show EVER!

*Life is better in yoga pants

*travel is good for the soul

*risk more and express what you need & want, don’t live life with a bunch of “what ifs”

*”Follow your bliss and God will open doors for you where there were only walls.” Oprah

*The world is a beautiful place / to be born into / if you don’t mind some people dying / all the time / or maybe only starving / some of the time
/ which isn’t half bad / if it isn’t you. -Lawrence Ferlinghetti

Through art, creativity, storytelling, honesty and being present with people this year, I hope to co-create a truly beautiful place as I seek justice, love kindness and walk humbly with my God in community with people who teach me what it means to be God’s and through whom God’s transforming grace is at work in my life. Hopefully we can be vessels of grace and love for each other.

*love well. “But I always think that the best way to know God is to love many things.” Vincent Van Gogh

*we need to dance whenever we have the chance, especially if we are in the car with Ms. Ruby Mai

*Love is still in the business of healing

*be present in each moment, tomorrow has passed and who knows what the next moment will bring… enjoy the moment, don’t miss the beauty in the now

*get rid of ridiculous lists, delight on the art of knowing another in whatever shape the knowing comes

*friendship is a gift

*search time on YouTube every now and then is good for me, especially if it involves a viewing of “King Curtis”

*morning, mid-day or evening walks solo or with someone I can talk to freely and even embrace silence with are the best

*I love music. I love to sing. I need to do it more.

“Music and rhythm find their way into the secret places of the soul” Plato

*When words become unclear, I shall focus with photographs. When images become inadequate, I shall be content with silence. ~Ansel Adams

beauty

larouse — Mon, 02 Jan 2012 02:07:29 +0000

magnificat

larouse — Fri, 23 Dec 2011 18:43:03 +0000

Magnificat

By John Shea

All that I am
sings of the God
who brings his life
to birth in me.
My spirit soars
on the wings of my Lord.
He has smiled on me
and the blaze of his smile
no woman or man
shall ever forget.

My God is a gentle strength
who has caught me up
and carried me to greatness.
His love
space cannot hold
nor time age
and all quicken to his touch.

My God is a torrent of justice.
He takes the straight paths
in the minds of the proud
and twists them to labyrinth.
The boot of the oppressor
he pushes aside
and raises the lowly,
whom he loves,
from the ground.
With his own hands
he sets a table for the hungry
but the unfeeling rich
suffer the cold eye
of his judgment.

Our mothers and our fathers
he has held in his arms
and the future grows
like this child within me
for the God of whom I sing
bears us his son.

hope

larouse — Tue, 13 Dec 2011 02:01:23 +0000

It is better to light a candle than curse the darkness.
Eleanor Roosevelt

when

larouse — Mon, 12 Dec 2011 03:38:00 +0000

When I open my eyes, there I find you

When I speak, does your love flow out

When I touch one in pain, do you heal them

When I am silent do you bathe me in joy.

-Jan Phillips

Galveston, Texas Thanksgiving morning 2011