Monday, May 2, 2011

Life is What We Make of It

As a knot appears unexpectedly in a thread, so disappointment blocks the smoothness of life.
If a few deft strokes can untangle the skein, life continues evenly; but if it cannot be corrected, then it must be quietly woven into the design. Thus the finished piece can still be beautiful-though not as perfect as planned. unknown

Sunday, May 1, 2011

Center Our Lives on Something Beyond

Today I have chosen exerpts from Bishop of London, Richard Chartres at the "Royal Wedding" and
Eric Elder http://www.theranch.org/

When someone says something great it's hard not to spread it around, giving them the credit of course, as they deserve.

From Eric as he introduces the actual sermon text from the Royal Wedding:

First, I liked the Bishop's statement that, "In a sense every wedding is a royal wedding..." because as the Royal Couple were enjoying their wedding day, my wife and I were celebrating the 22nd anniversary of ours. And as much as I enjoyed watching the Royal Wedding, I felt like mine was just as royal, for we are all subjects of the King. Or, as my wife said on her Facebook page on Friday, "On this day for Royal Weddings...22 years ago THE KING of all kings gave me the perfect gift in Eric!" That was sweet, and I feel the same about her, that she is a gift from God to me.

Second, I liked the Bishop's warning that if we seek our meaning and happiness in life from each other, rather than God, we put too great a burden on our partner. I believe this applies to all kinds of relationships in life, not just between husband and wife.
The antidote to this problem, the Bishop said, was to center our love on something beyond ourselves, and by offering one another mutual forgiveness.


Third, I liked the way the Bishop closed his sermon, with a prayer written by the couple, which said in part, "In the busyness of each day keep our eyes fixed on what is real and important in life and help us to be generous with our time and love and energy."
This prayer was offered "in the Spirit of Jesus Christ," which is the Spirit that I pray that we all offer our prayers, and live our lives.