Setting Our Hearts Aflame
Imagination
Holly got a message that on this day, God wants her to know... that you are only as free as you imagine yourself to be. There is nothing ''out there'' that's holding you down, - you are limiting yourself only with your own imagination. And your greatest limits are not even the ''cannot'' and the ''should not'', but the places where your imagination hasn't yet gone at all. There has never been a better time for you to open your eyes, let the imagination soar and see what more is possible.
A few months ago I joined Facebook and I came across a little application called “What God wants you to know…” Everyday a little message is delivered to me. Very often these messages provide me with much food for thought and prayer.
This message brought me back to a day in November 1970. My parents gave me a newspaper clipping with the heading “My Parents Knocked the Word Can’t Out of My Life.” On November 8, 1970 the placekicker for the New Orleans Saints, Tom Dempsey, kicked the game winning field goal in the last two seconds of the game. The kick was good at 63 yards, a record still held today. What was amazing about this feat was that Tom Dempsey was born with only a partial right hand and no toes on his right foot (his kicking foot).
The news article gave a brief synopsis of Dempsey’s life. He gave full credit to his parents for encouraging him in anything he wanted to do. The word “can’t” was not allowed in his household (nor was it allowed in mine.) I kept that news clipping until this day as a reminder to me that with faith anything is possible.
The next time you feel something is impossible ask God to show you a path. Ask Him for strength, insight, and imagination and you will find that with God’s help, nothing is impossible.
God Bless… Holly Clark
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
Sunset Alert!
Setting Our Hearts Aflame
Sunset Alert!
In my “previous life” as a medical technologist I worked in a hospital chemistry lab that was in a glass building. We were on the fourth floor with a wonderful view of the western sky. As the days grew shorter, and sunset occurred closer to 4:30-5:00 pm, very often someone in the lab would shout out “SUNSET ALERT!” At that point we would all stop working and congregate to the west side of the lab. We’d all make a special effort and take a few moments to silently admire God’s handiwork. No matter what our differences, faiths, stress levels at the moment, we’d come together for a few moments of peace, solitude, and camaraderie. These times were very special to me.
I find a sunset one of God’s most awesome works of nature. For me they always seem to come when I am in most need of cheering up or de-stressing. Who could remain upset or stressed after gazing at the pinks and oranges of a sunset?
The other day I was musing that sunsets remind me of Jesus’ resurrection. Daylight “dies” and a glorious colorful sky is born. About two years ago I was diagnosed with breast cancer and when I underwent radiation therapy. I was totally exhausted mentally and physically. As I was driving along one day, during this period, I came across a beautiful sky, full of color, and silhouetted against the panorama was a church steeple and cross. I knew God was speaking to me. He was giving me hope and letting me know that I could lay down my troubles at His feet and he would bear the burden for me.
As we travel through life let us pause at beautiful sunsets and shout out “Sunset Alert” to those around us so that all may partake of God’s wonder. God Bless, Holly Clark
Sunset Alert!
In my “previous life” as a medical technologist I worked in a hospital chemistry lab that was in a glass building. We were on the fourth floor with a wonderful view of the western sky. As the days grew shorter, and sunset occurred closer to 4:30-5:00 pm, very often someone in the lab would shout out “SUNSET ALERT!” At that point we would all stop working and congregate to the west side of the lab. We’d all make a special effort and take a few moments to silently admire God’s handiwork. No matter what our differences, faiths, stress levels at the moment, we’d come together for a few moments of peace, solitude, and camaraderie. These times were very special to me.
I find a sunset one of God’s most awesome works of nature. For me they always seem to come when I am in most need of cheering up or de-stressing. Who could remain upset or stressed after gazing at the pinks and oranges of a sunset?
The other day I was musing that sunsets remind me of Jesus’ resurrection. Daylight “dies” and a glorious colorful sky is born. About two years ago I was diagnosed with breast cancer and when I underwent radiation therapy. I was totally exhausted mentally and physically. As I was driving along one day, during this period, I came across a beautiful sky, full of color, and silhouetted against the panorama was a church steeple and cross. I knew God was speaking to me. He was giving me hope and letting me know that I could lay down my troubles at His feet and he would bear the burden for me.
As we travel through life let us pause at beautiful sunsets and shout out “Sunset Alert” to those around us so that all may partake of God’s wonder. God Bless, Holly Clark
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
Who are the Poor and Marginalized?
Setting Our Hearts Aflame
Who are the Poor and Marginalized?
For if a man with gold rings and fine clothes comes into your assembly, and a poor person in shabby clothes also comes in, and you pay attention to the one wearing the fine clothes and say, “Sit here, please, ” while you say to the poor one, “Stand there, ” or “Sit at my feet, ” have you not made distinctions among yourselves and become judges with evil designs? James 2:2-4
Before reading on, please pause for a moment and reflect upon this passage… Have you ever looked at someone and thought “what shabby clothes” or “that person looks abnormal, and is probably mentally challenged as well?” Have you ever walked across the street to avoid a homeless person?
In studying the Bible we talk a lot about how to behave towards the poor and marginalized but no one ever talks to the poor and vulnerable. We talk about “them” as if they were just anonymous blobs of flesh that need handouts, protection and charity… we tend to think we know what is best for them… we need to open our eyes, ears and heart to the poor, handicapped, and others who live on the fringes of society.
Strangers have looked upon me as a marginalized person many times in my life. It is sad that some cannot look beyond physical deformities and see the beauty of the soul.
Let us welcome those on the fringes as Jesus did. Let us make an effort to befriend those less fortunate. We must remember that though we are many parts… many different parts… we are all one body in Christ.
- God Bless, Holly Clark
Who are the Poor and Marginalized?
For if a man with gold rings and fine clothes comes into your assembly, and a poor person in shabby clothes also comes in, and you pay attention to the one wearing the fine clothes and say, “Sit here, please, ” while you say to the poor one, “Stand there, ” or “Sit at my feet, ” have you not made distinctions among yourselves and become judges with evil designs? James 2:2-4
Before reading on, please pause for a moment and reflect upon this passage… Have you ever looked at someone and thought “what shabby clothes” or “that person looks abnormal, and is probably mentally challenged as well?” Have you ever walked across the street to avoid a homeless person?
In studying the Bible we talk a lot about how to behave towards the poor and marginalized but no one ever talks to the poor and vulnerable. We talk about “them” as if they were just anonymous blobs of flesh that need handouts, protection and charity… we tend to think we know what is best for them… we need to open our eyes, ears and heart to the poor, handicapped, and others who live on the fringes of society.
Strangers have looked upon me as a marginalized person many times in my life. It is sad that some cannot look beyond physical deformities and see the beauty of the soul.
Let us welcome those on the fringes as Jesus did. Let us make an effort to befriend those less fortunate. We must remember that though we are many parts… many different parts… we are all one body in Christ.
- God Bless, Holly Clark
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
How Will You Serve God?
Setting Our Hearts Aflame!
How Will You Serve God?
For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a person who looks at his own face in a mirror. He sees himself, then goes off and promptly forgets what he looked like. James 1:23–24
Are you a hearer and not a doer? I asked myself this last spring when the women of WINGS and I explored the book of James in depth. It is so easy to hear the Word of God through the readings at Mass—to sit and nod in agreement as we listen. But how many of us really take in what is said and actually take the Word home with us and then form an action plan to put the Word into action?
I often find myself in this situation. I get many ideas and new thoughts from the daily and Sunday readings and then something from our secular world distracts me and the thought vanishes. We lead such busy lives… we multitask everything… we schedule everything… including time for God! Does your Sunday to do list look like this:
- Breakfast, paper & coffee
- Get self and family ready for Mass
- Attend Mass
- Lunch and Patriots
- Laundry, dishes, trash, homework, housekeeping, home repairs, mow lawn, phone calls, Internet, e-mail, pay bills, supper, ecetera, etcetera, etcetera…
It is no wonder that we have become just hearers and not doers of the Word! Where is prayer, reflection and service? As the summer winds down let us take time to explore how we will become a parish of doers. Get a small notebook and pen and start writing down thoughts and ideas on how to become doers. Right after Mass is a good time (before all the sports!). Consider sharing them with us. We would love to hear how you are serving God and being a doer of the Word. God Bless, Holly Clark
How Will You Serve God?
For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a person who looks at his own face in a mirror. He sees himself, then goes off and promptly forgets what he looked like. James 1:23–24
Are you a hearer and not a doer? I asked myself this last spring when the women of WINGS and I explored the book of James in depth. It is so easy to hear the Word of God through the readings at Mass—to sit and nod in agreement as we listen. But how many of us really take in what is said and actually take the Word home with us and then form an action plan to put the Word into action?
I often find myself in this situation. I get many ideas and new thoughts from the daily and Sunday readings and then something from our secular world distracts me and the thought vanishes. We lead such busy lives… we multitask everything… we schedule everything… including time for God! Does your Sunday to do list look like this:
- Breakfast, paper & coffee
- Get self and family ready for Mass
- Attend Mass
- Lunch and Patriots
- Laundry, dishes, trash, homework, housekeeping, home repairs, mow lawn, phone calls, Internet, e-mail, pay bills, supper, ecetera, etcetera, etcetera…
It is no wonder that we have become just hearers and not doers of the Word! Where is prayer, reflection and service? As the summer winds down let us take time to explore how we will become a parish of doers. Get a small notebook and pen and start writing down thoughts and ideas on how to become doers. Right after Mass is a good time (before all the sports!). Consider sharing them with us. We would love to hear how you are serving God and being a doer of the Word. God Bless, Holly Clark
Monday, August 24, 2009
Time for God
Setting Our Hearts Aflame!
Time for God
Sometimes, our initial impression is that having to include time for Mass on a Sunday is rather inconvenient. But if you make the effort, you will realize that this is what gives a proper focus to your free time. Do not be deterred from taking part in Sunday Mass, and help others to discover it too. Let us pledge ourselves to do this - it is worth the effort!
Pope Benedict XVI
Last week I attended the New England Convocation for Catechetical Leadership. At this conference we explored how we view preparing for Mass and how we participate in Mass. We were asked: “When does Mass begin?” Most people answered when we see the priest coming down the aisle. Wrong answer! The speaker reminded us that Mass begins at home. We should be preparing ourselves to fully engage and participate in the Mass throughout the week. We can read and reflect upon the readings ahead of time, we can pray, we can set aside some time for God on a daily basis by praying the “three minute prayer.”
The three minute prayer is a little prayer that can be done anywhere and anytime. Get yourself comfy and close your eyes and take one minute each for each person of the Trinity. Say a minute prayer to the Father, another minute to Jesus and another minute to the Holy Spirit. Is three minutes really asking too much? Let us take a moment and think about the ways we can prepare for Mass during the week and weekends. Let us gear up to fully participate in the Mass with all our heart, our mind and voice.
God Bless, Holly Clark
Time for God
Sometimes, our initial impression is that having to include time for Mass on a Sunday is rather inconvenient. But if you make the effort, you will realize that this is what gives a proper focus to your free time. Do not be deterred from taking part in Sunday Mass, and help others to discover it too. Let us pledge ourselves to do this - it is worth the effort!
Pope Benedict XVI
Last week I attended the New England Convocation for Catechetical Leadership. At this conference we explored how we view preparing for Mass and how we participate in Mass. We were asked: “When does Mass begin?” Most people answered when we see the priest coming down the aisle. Wrong answer! The speaker reminded us that Mass begins at home. We should be preparing ourselves to fully engage and participate in the Mass throughout the week. We can read and reflect upon the readings ahead of time, we can pray, we can set aside some time for God on a daily basis by praying the “three minute prayer.”
The three minute prayer is a little prayer that can be done anywhere and anytime. Get yourself comfy and close your eyes and take one minute each for each person of the Trinity. Say a minute prayer to the Father, another minute to Jesus and another minute to the Holy Spirit. Is three minutes really asking too much? Let us take a moment and think about the ways we can prepare for Mass during the week and weekends. Let us gear up to fully participate in the Mass with all our heart, our mind and voice.
God Bless, Holly Clark
Tick-tock, Tick-tock
Setting Our Hearts Aflame!
Tick-tock, Tick-tock…
God speaks to us in many different ways, not always just while we are in prayer. I was exploring Facebook the other day and came upon a little application called “What does God Want You to Know?” For fun, I clicked on it and the message was:
God wants Holly to know... that when you were told time exists, you were lied to. We have invented time to feel secure that we can predict life. That clock is merciless beating out seconds at a constant rate, ignoring the natural changing rhythms of our minds and our bodies. And so we are constantly trying to speed up or slow down. Give yourself a break for a change, - put away that watch for a couple of days and settle into your own natural rhythms.
The irony of this message was that I had just finished watching a documentary on the physics of time and how we perceive time. We humans are always trying to alter God’s time… we want to speed it up, slow it down… we want to go back and do over or see the future. We are obsessed with time.
As I sat down to journal my thoughts on God and time this quote from Ecclesiastes came to my computer screen:
Better is one handful with tranquility than two with toil and a chase after wind! Ecc 4:6
Now I know God is speaking to me! Telling me to slow down! As the summer winds down let us take some time to relax, and put away that watch, (and cell phone and laptop etc!) and pause to listen to God. Ask yourselves where and how is God speaking to me and what is He saying? Be open to the endless possibilities! - God Bless, Holly Clark
Tick-tock, Tick-tock…
God speaks to us in many different ways, not always just while we are in prayer. I was exploring Facebook the other day and came upon a little application called “What does God Want You to Know?” For fun, I clicked on it and the message was:
God wants Holly to know... that when you were told time exists, you were lied to. We have invented time to feel secure that we can predict life. That clock is merciless beating out seconds at a constant rate, ignoring the natural changing rhythms of our minds and our bodies. And so we are constantly trying to speed up or slow down. Give yourself a break for a change, - put away that watch for a couple of days and settle into your own natural rhythms.
The irony of this message was that I had just finished watching a documentary on the physics of time and how we perceive time. We humans are always trying to alter God’s time… we want to speed it up, slow it down… we want to go back and do over or see the future. We are obsessed with time.
As I sat down to journal my thoughts on God and time this quote from Ecclesiastes came to my computer screen:
Better is one handful with tranquility than two with toil and a chase after wind! Ecc 4:6
Now I know God is speaking to me! Telling me to slow down! As the summer winds down let us take some time to relax, and put away that watch, (and cell phone and laptop etc!) and pause to listen to God. Ask yourselves where and how is God speaking to me and what is He saying? Be open to the endless possibilities! - God Bless, Holly Clark
Put Away the Old Self
Setting Our Hearts Aflame!
Put Away the Old Self
For just about a year now I have been practicing Lectio Devina with the daily readings and journaling my thoughts into a prayer journal/blog online. As I look back I see certain patterns of thought that repeat throughout my life. Today’s second reading contains one of those thoughts:
…you should put away the old self of your former way of life,… and be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and put on the new self… Eph 4:22, 23-24
I have often wrestled with this. I wonder as I enter a new self in Christ how much of my former way of life I should get rid of and what should I keep? It is difficult to look at one’s self in the mirror and try to see what is keeping you back from freely following Jesus and being open to the Spirit. I pondered this for about an hour and came to no real answers. As I closed my journal entry a “random” Bible verse popped up on my computer screen:
Trust in the LORD with all your heart, on your own intelligence rely not. -Proverbs 3:5
I asked myself was this God’s way of telling me to not think so much… don’t sprain my brain pondering the mysteries of my life? Was this God’s way of telling me to lighten up and not be so hard on myself?
As I reflect upon today’s readings I realize that in a way I have been wandering the desert, seeking answers, getting no where, when I should be trusting that the Lord will provide for what I need physically and spiritually. Let us take some time today to examine our lives, to discover what is holding us back from a fuller relationship with God and let us pray for the Lord to guide us through the deserts of our minds.
- God Bless, Holly Clark
Put Away the Old Self
For just about a year now I have been practicing Lectio Devina with the daily readings and journaling my thoughts into a prayer journal/blog online. As I look back I see certain patterns of thought that repeat throughout my life. Today’s second reading contains one of those thoughts:
…you should put away the old self of your former way of life,… and be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and put on the new self… Eph 4:22, 23-24
I have often wrestled with this. I wonder as I enter a new self in Christ how much of my former way of life I should get rid of and what should I keep? It is difficult to look at one’s self in the mirror and try to see what is keeping you back from freely following Jesus and being open to the Spirit. I pondered this for about an hour and came to no real answers. As I closed my journal entry a “random” Bible verse popped up on my computer screen:
Trust in the LORD with all your heart, on your own intelligence rely not. -Proverbs 3:5
I asked myself was this God’s way of telling me to not think so much… don’t sprain my brain pondering the mysteries of my life? Was this God’s way of telling me to lighten up and not be so hard on myself?
As I reflect upon today’s readings I realize that in a way I have been wandering the desert, seeking answers, getting no where, when I should be trusting that the Lord will provide for what I need physically and spiritually. Let us take some time today to examine our lives, to discover what is holding us back from a fuller relationship with God and let us pray for the Lord to guide us through the deserts of our minds.
- God Bless, Holly Clark
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
The Hummingbird
Setting Our Hearts Aflame!
The Hummingbird
Last weekend I decided I wanted to follow last Sunday’s Gospel’s advice to “come and rest awhile.” I did have a busy weekend planned with not a lot of free time. We had family visiting for a 50th wedding anniversary celebration and lots of festivities planned. After everyone left I had to finish a paper for a class I am taking on the New Testament. I got out all my books, laptop, and refreshments and set up camp on my back deck facing the woods. I really did want to rest awhile but the paper loomed large.
About 15 minutes into my work a hummingbird came to visit me. He and I were just inches apart, he hovered and just stared at me eye-to-eye and then flew away. I wondered what the hummingbird was trying to say to me. (He looked like he wanted to speak.) I took a break and blogged about the experience on Facebook. A cousin of mine wondered if it was sent by our deceased grandmother’s spirit as a message of encouragement to me and my thoughts went immediately to an elderly aunt who had just passed away the night before in Wyoming. My Aunt Mae died while up in the Big Horn Mountains enjoying an annual family reunion. She loved the mountains and her family and passed away on the mountain and in the arms of her family.
I thought again of the hummingbird. I discovered that birds in the Bible represent the soul’s flight at death (Ps 124:7). Perhaps the bird did symbolize my Aunt Mae on her way to heaven and she gave to me the gift of hope in new life. Let us take some time this summer and visit with our elderly relatives and friends. Let us live life in the now and tell each other how much we care. Don’t wait—now is the time!- God Bless, Holly Clark
The Hummingbird
Last weekend I decided I wanted to follow last Sunday’s Gospel’s advice to “come and rest awhile.” I did have a busy weekend planned with not a lot of free time. We had family visiting for a 50th wedding anniversary celebration and lots of festivities planned. After everyone left I had to finish a paper for a class I am taking on the New Testament. I got out all my books, laptop, and refreshments and set up camp on my back deck facing the woods. I really did want to rest awhile but the paper loomed large.
About 15 minutes into my work a hummingbird came to visit me. He and I were just inches apart, he hovered and just stared at me eye-to-eye and then flew away. I wondered what the hummingbird was trying to say to me. (He looked like he wanted to speak.) I took a break and blogged about the experience on Facebook. A cousin of mine wondered if it was sent by our deceased grandmother’s spirit as a message of encouragement to me and my thoughts went immediately to an elderly aunt who had just passed away the night before in Wyoming. My Aunt Mae died while up in the Big Horn Mountains enjoying an annual family reunion. She loved the mountains and her family and passed away on the mountain and in the arms of her family.
I thought again of the hummingbird. I discovered that birds in the Bible represent the soul’s flight at death (Ps 124:7). Perhaps the bird did symbolize my Aunt Mae on her way to heaven and she gave to me the gift of hope in new life. Let us take some time this summer and visit with our elderly relatives and friends. Let us live life in the now and tell each other how much we care. Don’t wait—now is the time!- God Bless, Holly Clark
Come and Rest Awhile...
Setting Our Hearts Aflame!
"Come away by yourselves
to a deserted place and rest a while."
Mark 6:31
This passage from today’s gospel is the perfect message for the summer as we travel to far off places or maybe just seek solitude in our own backyards. It is a reminder that we all need to slow down and reflect upon our lives.
I often retreat to the ocean when I feel the need to find solitude. We all need to find that special place where we can be alone with our thoughts and invite the Lord to listen in. A couple of weeks ago I was sitting on the beach, watching the tide go out and pondering life. The beach was pretty much deserted as it was a rather chilly day. The hymn “All That is Hidden” kept running through my mind. The tide slowly ebbed away and revealed the hidden shoreline. Concealed treasures soon became revealed and life to me suddenly became clear: It is with time that all things become known.
God is telling us to be patient. He does not want us to be concerned with all that we don’t know or worrying about our futures. The Lord knows our future and will take care of us. When we are uncertain about what lies ahead we can put our trust in the Lord and know that whatever is invisible to us now will, in time, be revealed. By worrying about tomorrow we ruin the today. Life is a journey and we must savor every bit of it. - God Bless, Holly Clark
"Come away by yourselves
to a deserted place and rest a while."
Mark 6:31
This passage from today’s gospel is the perfect message for the summer as we travel to far off places or maybe just seek solitude in our own backyards. It is a reminder that we all need to slow down and reflect upon our lives.
I often retreat to the ocean when I feel the need to find solitude. We all need to find that special place where we can be alone with our thoughts and invite the Lord to listen in. A couple of weeks ago I was sitting on the beach, watching the tide go out and pondering life. The beach was pretty much deserted as it was a rather chilly day. The hymn “All That is Hidden” kept running through my mind. The tide slowly ebbed away and revealed the hidden shoreline. Concealed treasures soon became revealed and life to me suddenly became clear: It is with time that all things become known.
God is telling us to be patient. He does not want us to be concerned with all that we don’t know or worrying about our futures. The Lord knows our future and will take care of us. When we are uncertain about what lies ahead we can put our trust in the Lord and know that whatever is invisible to us now will, in time, be revealed. By worrying about tomorrow we ruin the today. Life is a journey and we must savor every bit of it. - God Bless, Holly Clark
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