Sweet Spots
Ideas and messages from Len Sweet.
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Sitting Shiva Behind Closed Doors
Story Lectionary for Post Resurrection Week One: Hebrew Testament Connections: Genesis: The Story of Noah and the Mourning of Methuselah Genesis: The Sealing of the Garden Psalm of Jonah and/or Psalm 98 Psalm 30 Prayers: The Kaddish and the Tziduk Hadin Song of Moses (Exodus 15) Song of Judah (Isaiah…
Don’t Lose the Groove to Find a Note
In the grand dance of the Trinity, we have a place because that is how it was designed. We all belong; we each have a part to sing. Joining the dance, entering into the participation, finding the ‘sweet spot’. . . these could also be called the “groove.”
In his book “The Music Lesson,” author, environmentalist, mentor and one of Rolling Stone’s top 10 best bass players *ever* Victor Wooten, describes seven life lessons using the images and metaphors of music. His first lesson is “Don’t loose the groove to find a note.”
When we’re in step, in motion, engaged in the movement of the Spirit, we’re in the midst of something bigger than we are. Bigger than our limited knowing. Bigger and more inclusive than our narrow listening. When we’re in God’s groove, we are able to see and hear and move in ways that are honest to our deep passions, ways that honour the truth of “Christ in us!”
Victor Wooten has given us a metaphor that helps us to trust and live into the groove of the Trinity that surround, holds and enlivens all of creation. Finding ourselves in the groove is our truest way of being. We don’t need to reach for something outside of that groove, or look for that show-off note that will shine the spotlight on us. We shine most when we move to the groove of the Spirit, listening for the tuning fork of Jesus, singing our unique melody of love.
From Tablet To Table
From Tablet To Table –Where Community is Found and Identity is Formed by Leonard Sweet
In the spirit of Jesus’ open table, Len Sweet’s latest gift-sized book, From Tablet to Table (171 pages including the notes at the end) is so engaging that I read it in one sitting, late at night, forgetting that I had to be up at 5 am the next day. Part of the reason that I couldn’t put the book down was that it demonstrated how our everyday lives are filled with the possibility of transcendent moments. My heart warmed at the thought that common foods, everyday objects, familiar faces, and routine places can become the grist of wholeness and holiness.
My Prayer For You – 4/12/15
O God, you have raised up preachers to be your “candles” of truth. May each see themselves as a candle of the Lord, who is the Light of life. As light comes only as a candle is spent, so may they be willing to be spent for you without burning their candle at both ends. As candles burn quietly and yet give light, so may they preach to illumine your glory and love without turning the light on themselves or shining with their own light. As we burn only for a limited time, may they redeem the time you have given them. And as one candle is enough to light a face but not a place, may your preachers light the world by showing and sharing the Light of Your love with all, and may they leave on the Light till the end of time. Amen.
The Third Kiss
Is there anyone who doesn’t remember their “first kiss?” Whether it was sweet, silly, shy, mislaid or sloppy—-you remember the details. You can tell the story of the who, where, why and when of how it happened. It is one of those life moments that we might either embrace or be embarrassed by.