Sanctifying Time

The Sabbath is being emphasized in talks and articles throughout The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. In a newspaper article David Dollahite spoke about ways the Jewish people honor the Sabbath and make it a delight.

“In his book The Sabbath, Jewish author Abraham Joshua Heschel states that “Judaism is a religion of time aiming at the sanctification of time” (p. 8, italics in original) and points out that, after creating the earth, God chose to sanctify time — the seventh day or Sabbath — rather than space (e.g., this mountain, that valley, the sun, or moon). Heschel says, “Six days a week we wrestle with the world, wringing profit from the earth; on the Sabbath we especially care for the seed of eternity planted in the soul” (p. 13). Heschel refers to the Sabbath as a “temple in time.”

"Observant Jewish families sanctify time in a number of ways by creating an “island of sacred time” in a sea of secularism. Their focus is not so much on what they cannot do but rather how they can make the Sabbath day sacred — or set apart from the other days.”

jht - I like the concept of sanctifying time as a way of describing our observance of the Sabbath and how it is different from the other six days in the week. I also like the idea of caring for the “seed of eternity planted in the soul.” With the busyness and noise of the world it is too easy to forget that seed exists much less take the time and effort to nourish it. 

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"Sunday shouldn't get in the way of our lives, Sunday should be the center of our lives."*

Amen!

Read the Dollahite article here. Click here for another article on the Sabbath. 
*Ryan Pike

Good Things to Come

Jeffrey Holland shares a personal story and 

his encouragement to keep going when times get tough. 

"Don’t give up, .... Don’t you quit. You keep walking. You keep trying. There is help and happiness ahead—a lot of it... You keep your chin up. It will be all right in the end. Trust God and believe in good things to come.”  Jeffrey Holland 

Our Neighborhood

This street is a few blocks from where we live. There's a huge difference in elevation between our street and this street. I use a long, steep set of stairs up to this level as part of my morning walk/workout. Lake Washington is one block to the left. We looked at condominiums in the building on the left.  This picture is a good illustration of what's happening to Kirkland's neighborhoods. 

Kirkland used to be a small town filled with small homes. Thousands of people worked in the shipyards on Lake Washington. When the shipyards closed after World War II, Kirkland became a very sleepy little town. Decades later developers started building apartments and condominiums all over Kirkland. This picture illustrates a common sight in many neighborhoods.

Huge condominiums built right across the street from very small homes. 

Grandparents on High School Dance Committee

An article in the November 30, 1911 Saginaw News (Saginaw, Michigan) indicates the Junior Class at Saginaw High School was hosting the annual "junior hop" at the Masonic temple, December 22. Gram, Mildred Brown,* was on the decorations committee. Poppie, Harry Floyd, was on the music committee. 

I wonder if they were high school friends or high school sweethearts? They graduated in 1913 and didn't marry until 1922 so they might not have even been friends in high school. I don't recall Mom ever talking about this.

Mildred

*Browne on her birth certificate; spelled with and without the e on various records

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11/14/20 removed notation that it might be Mildred's senior picture; it isn't

Faith and Family

A newspaper article by Dr. David Dollahite reminded us of the changes in our marriage and family when we made the decision to become more conscientious and deliberate disciples of Christ. Prior to our baptism into The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, we would have said we were believers in God. We would have said we were trying to be good people, according to whatever our definition of “good” was at the time. That did not include church attendance, scripture study, or prayer.

Everything changed in 1981 when we made the deliberate commitment to follow Christ. Prayer became part of our individual and family life. So did scripture study, individual and family. So did church attendance. So did discussion of what it meant to be Christ-like. Our service to others increased.

This decision to focus on Christ and include Christ and faith in our family made all the difference in how we related to each other and how we approached life.

How does faith work in a family’s life and why does religion matter?

From Dr. David Dollahite’s research on family life -  “Religion has an impact on all levels, … When problems occur, religion helps resolve those problems…. When a couple has similar religious views they often have a shared purpose, a commitment to permanence, and a greater willingness to forgive.” We certainly found this to be true. When we took a Christ-like and eternal outlook, the irritations and problems didn’t disappear but they were put into an eternal and Christ-oriented perspective.

Prayer also made a huge difference for us as we prayed with and for each other and our family.

“As individuals identify grace and forgiveness from their God, they are likely to do the same for those around them.” Trying to determine what Jesus would do and say makes a big difference for us as we deal with life’s challenges. “What would Jesus do” went from a cliché to a guidepost for our lives.

“Couples who consider God a part of their marriage reported “God an author of the marriage” or “God is present in the marriage” and looked at their relationship as a triad between the couple and God.” It’s not about us individually or even as a couple. It’s about the part we can play in His bigger plan for this world and His children.

Source: Church News November3, 2015

Hang On - Anchor To The Light

One morning I noticed a spider had spun a web anchored on this light. 

I thought of the importance of anchoring ourselves on the light of Christ. 

Several days later I went by the same light and saw the web was down to several threads - but still anchored to the light. I thought of the way we get buffeted by life's challenges. Sometimes we feel we are barely hanging on. As long as we're hanging onto the light of Christ, we can deal with whatever comes our way. 

Here & There

It's always fun to receive pictures from our little friends back in Ohio

Sunday afternoon nap by the fire

(Joe OKd posting this picture)

A grandchild played soccer in a variety of weather - all within several hours. We had beautiful sunny weather, so sunny that the players had to shield their eyes; then it rained through the sunshine in a way you could see every drop but didn't get wet; then the clouds closed up, the sun disappeared, and the rain poured.

This PR postcard describes Kirkland. 

Can you spot the typo that slipped past the proofreaders?

It's always interesting to see where the ducks are sleeping early in the morning. Sometimes they are all in the water at the edge of the lake. Other days they are in the grass, sometimes on the beach. I wonder who makes the decision?

Flowers in January, including daffodils

Spring flowers are already for sale in the stores

Mountain Comrades statue

my favorite herbal tea

good-bye to our rented townhouse

it was a wonderful home for us for almost 5 years

top notebook - 2015's letters to the family - what a year it was!

bottom - waiting for accounts of 2016 - what will this year bring?

Doers

"Let us have ready hands, clean hands, and willing hands, that we may participate in providing what our Heavenly Father would have others receive from Him... There are feet to steady, hands to grasp, minds to encourage, hearts to inspire, and souls to save. ... Let us hearken to the stirring reminder found in the Epistle of James: 'Be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only,...'" Thomas S. Monson 

December Roses

"God gave us memory so that we might have roses in December"*

I discovered this December rose on an early morning walk. 

On some of our "December" days we enjoy many precious memories 

that brighten our lives. 

*James Barrie, Scottish poet

Asking & Acting

I ask myself this question frequently. I am thankful to know the importance of asking the question, pondering the answer, and then acting on knowledge of and faith in Christ. 

Joe & Thomas Merton

From Joe - 

I discovered Thomas Merton when I was stationed in Kodiak, Alaska in 1955-56 in the Navy. I read his Seven Storey Mountain. I was absolutely fascinated with his life. He started out as a regular kind of guy and ended up entering a monastery and eventually influenced people around the world. He made me realize what life was all about, who God is, what my relationship with God is, and what my responsibilities are. I was a Catholic at the time and had seriously considered becoming a priest or monk.

Many years passed, life happened. Jane and I were in Louisville, Kentucky and decided to go out to the Abbey of Gethsemani where Merton lived. It was all closed up to outsiders except for mass which had been in the morning. While we were sitting outside the gates, a monk came walking down the road and asked if he could be of any assistance to us. We indicated we admired Thomas Merton and his work. He explained when the monastery would be open. As we were turning around in the parking lot, we saw another monk. He affirmed what the first monk said and indicated it was Thomas Merton with whom we had spoken.  

typo corrected January 29, 2016

Patterns

During Christmas most of us probably read the account of the Savior’s birth as told in Luke 2. The other day I thought about the pattern in that story. 

17 And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child.

After the shepherds saw the Christ child, they shared what they saw and heard, and felt. It’s important we do the same as we have experiences with Christ and His gospel. Going back a few verses in Luke 2 we see a pattern that is a good one for us to follow.

The shepherds were going about their business, watching their flocks. (v8)

“And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.”

Most of us probably haven’t had an angel appear to us, but we’ve probably all had an experience with the Holy Ghost, even if we didn’t recognize who was speaking with us. Sometimes those experiences can produce anxiety because we don’t recognize or understand what we are feeling. I think back to a time I felt something as a teenager during a service at the Methodist Church. It was very intense and it scared me so much that I left the service. I needed someone to say to me “Fear not,” here’s what’s going on.

15 And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.16 And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.”

The shepherds discussed what happened and the angels’ message. They took action, with “haste.”

17 “And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child.”

Listen, act quickly, observe, and share.  (Luke 2: 8-17)

Book - Leaving Time

Leaving Time by Jodi Picoult 

"Alice Metcalf was a devoted mother, loving wife, and accomplished scientist who studied grief among elephants. Yet it's been a decade since she disappeared under mysterious circumstances, leaving behind her small daughter, husband, and the animals to which she devoted her life. All signs point to abandonment . . . or worse. Still Jenna--now thirteen years old and truly orphaned by a father maddened by grief--steadfastly refuses to believe in her mother's desertion. So she decides to approach the two people who might still be able to help her find Alice: a disgraced psychic named Serenity Jones, and Virgil Stanhope, the cynical detective who first investigated her mother's disappearance and the death of one of her mother's co-workers. Together these three lonely souls will discover truths destined to forever change their lives. Deeply moving and suspenseful, Leaving Time is a radiant exploration of the enduring love between mothers and daughters"- review & image from worldcat.org

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JHT comments - I’m not sure what to say about this book except, "read it. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did." Almost anything else I say might be a spoiler. Some reviewers thought there was too much about elephants. I thought those parts were interesting. I enjoy books that explore concepts of time – and this book certainly does that. Read it and see what you think!

Additional comments not related to spoilers :) 

There must be something very special about people's connection to the land and animals in Africa. I've sensed it in other books such as James Michener's "The Covenant" and Alexandra Fuller's books about growing up in Africa. Picoult says in "Leaving Time,"  “… there is a romance to Africa. You can see a sunset and believe you have witnessed the hand of God. You watch the slow lope of a lioness and forget to breathe. … When you are in Africa, you feel primordial, rocked in the cradle of the cradle of the world.”

I love Picoult's description of motherhood. It was in the novella "Larger Than Life" which is a prequel to "Leaving Time" and included in the edition I read. Alice is reflecting on taking care of baby elephant and how much time and effort it took. “There is a reason people say being a mother is the hardest job in the world: You do not sleep and you do not get vacation time. You do not lave your work on your desk at the end of the day. Your briefcase is your heart, and you are riffling through it constantly. Your office is as wide as the world, and your punch card is measured not in hours but in a lifetime.” 

reviews here

Alone With God

This really resonates with me. I think it's because I'm trying to have more meaningful prayers and better communication and connection with God. 

Meaningful time alone with Him - to me this means more than a quick prayer when I'm tired at the end of the day or rushed at the beginning of the day. This is focused, deliberate conversation with a loved one, with someone who knows and loves me beyond my ability to comprehend. It means spending enough time that I can truly feel I'm with God, not just saying hello on my way to somewhere or someone else. 

It takes time, focus, and concentration to be able to feel I'm with Him. I like the comments from Desmond Tutu on this. He's talking about his evolving relationship with God. 

"'I am learning to shut up more in the presence of God.'  One model of prayer, he acknowledges, is that 'you have a kind of shopping list that you bring to God.' But more and more for him, he says, communion with God is about 'trying to grow, in just being there. ..Like when you sit in front of a fire in winter — you are just there in front of the fire,' he says. 'The fire warms you.'"*

This brought many thoughts to my mind and heart. Too often I come away from a visit with someone and realize I did too much talking and not enough listening or simply enjoying being with that person. I do this with God too. 

The feeling of being warmed by the fire - I have wonderful childhood memories of lying on the floor in front of the fireplace, often with our dog Katie - somehow alone in the midst of a house full of six people. Even today I can feel the peace and contentment of those moments. Being with God can be like that too - home in a cozy place with a loved one. 

The idea of growing just by being there - sometimes I've been blessed during prayer to let my mind and heart get in a place that's totally open to God and His presence. I can't say I've had any epiphanies during these moments but I have sometimes felt overwhelming love and peace. 

Prayer, scripture study, worship - these are all ways I can be alone with God and strengthen my relationship with Him. He knows me. I need to get to know Him better. 

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Tutu quote

image

Joe - Boxing & Racing

Joe had an interest in car racing from an early age. His Grandmother Neely, Mamaw, took him to races at the Indianapolis Speedway. As an adult he loved to go to the races at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course in Lexington, Ohio. We attended Formula 1 races at Watkins Glen in New York. 

Mementoes

~The stop watch was used in many races. 

~"The Unfair Advantage" by Mark Donohue - We saw him race at Mid-Ohio many times. Read about the book here. 

~Small Formula 1 car - Joe doesn't remember the story behind this car. 

~Postcard - picture of Janet Gutherie, the first woman to earn a starting spot in the Indianapolis 500. Joe followed her career for a long time. 

Joe has a boxing story too! When he was at Howe Military School he boxed. Then, during his freshman year at The Ohio State University, he boxed for two quarters.  He enjoyed following several boxers for a number of years. 

ca 1949 @ Howe Military School & 1951-52 high school senior

The Living Christ

THE LIVING CHRIST 

THE TESTIMONY OF THE APOSTLES

THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS

As we commemorate the birth of Jesus Christ two millennia ago, we offer our testimony of the reality of His matchless life and the infinite virtue of His great atoning sacrifice. None other has had so profound an influence upon all who have lived and will yet live upon the earth. 

He was the Great Jehovah of the Old Testament, the Messiah of the New. Under the direction of His Father, He was the creator of the earth. "All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made" (John 1:3). Though sinless, He was baptized to fulfill all righteousness. He "went about doing good" (Acts 10:38), yet was despised for it. His gospel was a message of peace and goodwill. He entreated all to follow His example. He walked the roads of Palestine, healing the sick, causing the blind to see, and raising the dead. He taught the truths of eternity, the reality of our premortal existence, the purpose of our life on earth, and the potential for the sons and daughters of God in the life to come. 

He instituted the sacrament as a reminder of His great atoning sacrifice. He was arrested and condemned on spurious charges, convicted to satisfy a mob, and sentenced to die on Calvary's cross. He gave His life to atone for the sins of all mankind. His was a great vicarious gift in behalf of all who would ever live upon the earth.

We solemnly testify that His life, which is central to all human history, neither began in Bethlehem nor concluded on Calvary. He was the Firstborn of the Father, the Only Begotten Son in the flesh, the Redeemer of the world. 

He rose from the grave to "become the firstfruits of them that slept" (1 Corinthians 15:20). As Risen Lord, He visited among those He had loved in life. He also ministered among His "other sheep" (John 10:16) in ancient America. In the modern world, He and His Father appeared to the boy Joseph Smith, ushering in the long-promised "dispensation of the fulness of times" (Ephesians 1:10). 

Of the Living Christ, the Prophet Joseph wrote: "His eyes were as a flame of fire; the hair of his head was white like the pure snow; his countenance shone above the brightness of the sun; and his voice was as the sound of the rushing of great waters, even the voice of Jehovah, saying: 

"I am the first and the last; I am he who liveth, I am he who was slain; I am your advocate with the Father" (D&C 110:3–4). 

Of Him the Prophet also declared: "And now, after the many testimonies which have been given of him, this is the testimony, last of all, which we give of him: That he lives! 

"For we saw him, even on the right hand of God; and we heard the voice bearing record that he is the Only Begotten of the Father— 

"That by him, and through him, and of him, the worlds are and were created, and the inhabitants thereof are begotten sons and daughters unto God" (Doctrine & Covenants 76:22–24). 

We declare in words of solemnity that His priesthood and His Church have been restored upon the earth—"built upon the foundation of . . . apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone" (Ephesians 2:20). 

We testify that He will someday return to earth. "And the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together" (Isaiah 40:5). He will rule as King of Kings and reign as Lord of Lords, and every knee shall bend and every tongue shall speak in worship before Him. Each of us will stand to be judged of Him according to our works and the desires of our hearts. 

We bear testimony, as His duly ordained Apostles—that Jesus is the Living Christ, the immortal Son of God. He is the great King Immanuel, who stands today on the right hand of His Father. He is the light, the life, and the hope of the world. His way is the path that leads to happiness in this life and eternal life in the world to come. God be thanked for the matchless gift of His divine Son. 

The First Presidency and The Quorum of the Twelve

January 1, 2000

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A Prayer for the Year

Dear Lord, as we gather together, may the love between us be strong. 

May the trust between us be whole.

May the words between us be true. 

May our eyes see one another, may our ears hear one another.

May our hearts touch one another,

And may our souls hold one another this day and forever. Amen.

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Written by one of my father's high school classmates and fellow parishioner in London's Methodist Church. He included the prayer in this year's Christmas letter. I called him to see if it was OK for us to share it in our letter and on the blog. “Sure,” he said, “That’s how I want everyone to live this year!” 

Amen!

Book - The Invention of Wings

How do you select books to read? I love to get recommendations from family and friends. Often I'll see an interesting book reviewed in The Week magazine. Sometimes an author on BookTV will influence me to read a book. When I go to the library, I look at the staff picks. I've even been known to pick up a book because the cover and/or title intrigued me. Last week at the library I noticed Sue Monk Kidd's book "The Invention of Wings." I'd enjoyed "The Secret Life of Bees," didn't like "The Mermaid Chair," and wondered if I'd like "The Invention of Wings." I did and I recommend it to you. 

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The Invention of Wings by Sue Monk Kidd

"The story follows Hetty "Handful" Grimke, a Charleston slave, and Sarah, the daughter of the wealthy Grimke family. The novel begins on Sarah's eleventh birthday, when she is given ownership over Handful, who is to be her handmaid. "The Invention of Wings" follows the next thirty-five years of their lives. Inspired in part by the historical figure of Sarah Grimke (a feminist, suffragist and, importantly, an abolitionist), Kidd allows herself to go beyond the record to flesh out the inner lives of all the characters, both real and imagined"     from worldcat.org (review & image) - 

If you read this book, be sure to first review the author's notes in the back. The Grimke sisters are real people. They were some of the first feminists and abolitionists. 

 reviews here

typo corrected 5/24/16

Fearless

During a morning walk, the word “fearless” came into my being. (I have been trying to figure out how to express these experiences that involve my whole being as opposed to something that pops into my mind when I’m consciously trying to figure something out. What I’m trying describe comes totally out of the blue. Comes into my being? Comes into my mind and heart?) 

Anyway, it came to me that I have been “fearless,” no anxious feelings, for quite a while – and it feels very good, very calm, very peaceful.

That doesn’t mean I haven’t had challenges. We’ve had, and continue to have, many of those. But I don’t feel anxious about them. I’m not afraid of the known difficulties ahead. I’m not anxious about the unknown. 

As I pondered this experience throughout the day, several scriptures came to my mind. 

"Fear not." Luke 2: 10 "Fear thee not; for I am with thee" Isaiah 41: 10  

"Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid." John 14: 27

I’ve pondered how this fearlessness came to be. I have been proactive about doing those things which banish fear and bring hope and peace. I’ve learned how to “hush my fears”* through scripture study, prayer, worship, and developing relationships with Heavenly Father, Jesus Christ and the Spirit. These practices, along with faith and hope, enable me to move forward – fearless. For that I am very grateful. 

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More "fear not"
*Mosiah 23: 27-28 & Talk by David Bednar about hushing our fears