Thank you, Rev. Cameron. I'm pretty sure this particular posting will have a broad resonance. So today I will indeed read a poem slowly. I will go outside and putter about the yard -- maybe a little weeding, maybe a little sweeping, maybe a little trimming. Functioning, yes, but in total silence, so that when the wind moves the Siberian elms, I will take note, and thank those trees for their shade. I do not know how long all this yard puttering will last, but my phone will be inside the house, and I will bow to the earth, and, for a little while, fast from social media. God bless.
Experiencing sabbatical moments in the midst of the chaos and cacophony of a day’s flurry offers opportunity to discern the divine symphony and choreography eternally present that invites us to join in as we can. Thank you, Cameron, for the harmonic affirmation and encouragement to pause and stop to experience the True. Peace…
Thank you Rev. Cameron for this perfect homily; reminding us that Love always wins and God wants us to slow down in gentle moments of prayer and Grace! We are in this together!🙏🏻🥰
Again, Brilliant! Since I was about 12 and learned of the stock piling of weapons in HisStory class, I’ve been asking what is enough? It seems the answer is no amount is enough. “Until we grow up “ is the refrain that plays in my heartmind. ❤️🙏
Thank you, Cameron, for this reflection. Rosa's ideas have been simmering inside me sor some time, evoking questions of abundance vs more, acceleration vs sustainabliity, and images of hamster wheels. Resonance sounds like echoes of distant music, the reflection of moonlight on water, the voices of friends. The things we so often only note in passing are the things that make life worth living. When is enough enough? Not tomorrow, Now.
The fact is that nothing in the natural world has continuous growth. There are cycles of birth, growth, decline and death. “Dynamic stabilization,” aka endless growth, contradicts natural systems. Whether the Westernized powers that be (who chase after evermore monetary riches and power and control) like it or not, humans live within the constraints of those systems. The whole of humanity is in the midst of figuring that out. For all our supposed intelligence, it seems that non-indigenous peoples are slow learners. Or obstinate.
So helpful to step outside the industrial growth mindset to question the irrationality of it all. Reminds me of Robert Johnson, “Don’t just do something, stand there” (Contentment, p. 100).
be still and know that I am God - I keep hearing about the loss of a sense of purpose and self being a prevalent characteristic of modern life - with every one rushing to meet deadlines or KPI or find something to make them stand out against the rest of their herd competing for a future job that may be downsized away - you can know where you are or get an clear idea of where we’re going when speeding - an exit ramp for a travel center (not a destination vacation to share but a place to service the vehicle taking you forward or leaving you broken) or to a calm slow side road is needed. Sabbath served that purpose but so did living close to family and the Sunday dinner at grandma’s. For a time period in 2010s want the next promotion you need to be willing to relocate - looks like COVID upended that with remote work (Romans God can take the worst and blossom a good) but now remote is being replace for coming in and find a seat to work - looks like modern worker may have to collaborate better to find office space - again God takes what happens and works within people to create a good. We are called to be God’s blessing to others - slowing down enough to see the others also comes with sabbath and we need to see - if only someone could help the blind society see and the deaf society hear - where is this savior in our modern world?
Thank you, Rev. Cameron. I'm pretty sure this particular posting will have a broad resonance. So today I will indeed read a poem slowly. I will go outside and putter about the yard -- maybe a little weeding, maybe a little sweeping, maybe a little trimming. Functioning, yes, but in total silence, so that when the wind moves the Siberian elms, I will take note, and thank those trees for their shade. I do not know how long all this yard puttering will last, but my phone will be inside the house, and I will bow to the earth, and, for a little while, fast from social media. God bless.
Be still. We are human BEINGS, not human DOINGS.
Profound and much needed. Such an important insights from the wisdom of our biblical tradition.
They know how to make bricks. They do not yet know how to be free.
Experiencing sabbatical moments in the midst of the chaos and cacophony of a day’s flurry offers opportunity to discern the divine symphony and choreography eternally present that invites us to join in as we can. Thank you, Cameron, for the harmonic affirmation and encouragement to pause and stop to experience the True. Peace…
Thank you Rev. Cameron for this perfect homily; reminding us that Love always wins and God wants us to slow down in gentle moments of prayer and Grace! We are in this together!🙏🏻🥰
Again, Brilliant! Since I was about 12 and learned of the stock piling of weapons in HisStory class, I’ve been asking what is enough? It seems the answer is no amount is enough. “Until we grow up “ is the refrain that plays in my heartmind. ❤️🙏
What does it profit a man to gain the whole world but lose his own soul?
Thank you for your reflections. A blessing to have come across it today.
The economic growth frenzy inherent in today's capitalism is the unseen "opiate" for which we must develop the 'cure' in partnership with God.
I omitted some needed words in my first.
RD
Thank you, Cameron, for this reflection. Rosa's ideas have been simmering inside me sor some time, evoking questions of abundance vs more, acceleration vs sustainabliity, and images of hamster wheels. Resonance sounds like echoes of distant music, the reflection of moonlight on water, the voices of friends. The things we so often only note in passing are the things that make life worth living. When is enough enough? Not tomorrow, Now.
The fact is that nothing in the natural world has continuous growth. There are cycles of birth, growth, decline and death. “Dynamic stabilization,” aka endless growth, contradicts natural systems. Whether the Westernized powers that be (who chase after evermore monetary riches and power and control) like it or not, humans live within the constraints of those systems. The whole of humanity is in the midst of figuring that out. For all our supposed intelligence, it seems that non-indigenous peoples are slow learners. Or obstinate.
So helpful to step outside the industrial growth mindset to question the irrationality of it all. Reminds me of Robert Johnson, “Don’t just do something, stand there” (Contentment, p. 100).
More is not always better because generally it generates the need for more. While we strive for more, we miss life and its wonders and beauty…
The economic growth frenzy inherent in today's capitalism is the unseen "opiate" for which we must develop in partnership with God.
Hi Cameron, wondering if I can share your words with my congregation? First Congregational Church UCC of Hanover MA)
You’re most welcome to share anything I write. Thanks for asking.
be still and know that I am God - I keep hearing about the loss of a sense of purpose and self being a prevalent characteristic of modern life - with every one rushing to meet deadlines or KPI or find something to make them stand out against the rest of their herd competing for a future job that may be downsized away - you can know where you are or get an clear idea of where we’re going when speeding - an exit ramp for a travel center (not a destination vacation to share but a place to service the vehicle taking you forward or leaving you broken) or to a calm slow side road is needed. Sabbath served that purpose but so did living close to family and the Sunday dinner at grandma’s. For a time period in 2010s want the next promotion you need to be willing to relocate - looks like COVID upended that with remote work (Romans God can take the worst and blossom a good) but now remote is being replace for coming in and find a seat to work - looks like modern worker may have to collaborate better to find office space - again God takes what happens and works within people to create a good. We are called to be God’s blessing to others - slowing down enough to see the others also comes with sabbath and we need to see - if only someone could help the blind society see and the deaf society hear - where is this savior in our modern world?