It was hard to come down from the mountain!

Good Evening Dear Family of Love

I hope everyone is having a wonderful weekend.  I had a wonderful time at our DOK Provincial Retreat at Serra Retreat Center this weekend. Our retreat was centered around Julian of Norwich. It was a time of reflection and renewal. We were blessed to have The Rev. Mary C. Earle as our retreat conductor. Lots to tell but that will have to wait. This afternoon I didn't want to come home and come down from this divine mountaintop experience but, I had to. This reminded me of the two times we who are lectionary and holy day aficionados get to experience the Transfiguration. For those of you who don't know the story, Jesus was up on the mountain with two of  his disciples Peter, James, and John when they see Jesus speaking to Moses and Elijah and getting that feeling of  wanting to stay where they are  and not have to go back to daily living after this experience. God gave them instructions to listen to him. Jesus also told them "not to tell them anything that they had seen" Lots for these former Fishermen to take in. That is very much the same for us when we have had experiences that are overwhelming not to mention empowering.  We want to share but we can't. We have to take time to absorb within the context of our daily living. When was the last time you had a mountaintop experience? What was it like for you? and  Just suppose for a minute you had been there what would you have felt and experienced? Take time to meditate on these questions tonight and dial in with your emotions and reactions. Here is our meditation music for this evening from the movie The Shawshank Redemption- Main Theme, and Hope -Shawshank Redemptio  This was played on Classical KUSC on Thursday.Take your time of reflection  bathe you in God's Transfiguring Power, Love, Grace, and Mercy. 

Creator and sustaining God we give thanks for mountaintop experiences that empower us to serve you in the world .

Breath giver we thank you for breathing your Spirit into our lungs when we were born  and enlivening our souls to follow where you are leading us.

Pain freer, we pray that you heal all who are ill and may we always remember that in life we must be prepared for life eternal and that journey into the Thin Places. 

Peacemaking God, empower  us and all our family members to bring peace to your broken world.

Mediator we pray that divisions may cease and that we may be united as one.

Holy Painter and Artist we thank you for all the amazing vistas you provide for us each and every day.

Music Maker of the Spheres we offer our praises in not only words but song so that they may reach heavenward.

Teacher may we sit at your feet an learn from you the ways in which to live, move, and just be.

God of Many Names we pray for all faith communities who have been touched by violence and extremism. May we listen and learn what each of our faiths are and what they believe.

 Lover of all the universe teach us to love without limits and open our heart homes to the vastness of love and may we find it ever expanding to make room for more and more and more love for all family members and living beings.

God may we this night be transfixed on you, transformed into your likeness more and more, be transfigured to radiate the changes in us that only you can bring.

Jesus who is our teacher, savior, friend, brother, healer and mother we pray and offer these our prayers to you in your Name. Amen.

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Today's wish is that we all become loving and compassionate peace makers.

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Good Night Family of Love. May we not fear coming down from the mountain to server you and the least of these. I love you ! May you have restful sleep. Remember tomorrow is You Matter Monday! It is true we all do!

With love, peace, and hope!

Sara