The book, Web of Hope by Rudolf Bahro says:

“When the forms of an old culture are dying, the new culture is created by a few people who are not afraid to be insecure.” 

So friends, in these days  how does that quote make you feel?   I mean I think we are in a time longing for hope.  Longing for someone to tell us…It is all going to be Ok.  And I believe that is true.  It is going to be ok, all of it.   However, in the midst of that, I must come to understand that it is not going to be the same.   Could this be a hint of the great transition.  I mean we all agree that on certain dates we turn our clocks back or forward for the sake of a principle I don’t really fully understand.  But, as a society we assent to that common way.  

If this is the Great Transition we are set to find new ways of being people together on this planet.   Where but for all but 4 or 5 of our species have our feet on the same earth.  The covenant we make with one another is to be here together.  

Children everywhere are born under the spell of gravity.  The convention of gravity.  It is a given.   I believe we accept that.  If not can you see little ones having to be tied down so they don’t fly up to the ceiling or treetops or into the sky?   No not one more thing to worry about.  “So, has your little one learned gravity yet?”  

I suppose that to consider the quote about culture we have to agree that the old culture is dying. My observation is that it is. That there is a tectonic shift in the way we look at things, at one another, at the planet, at the way we care for one another and the way we say yes to being true God-children of the Holy One. Have we learned that yet? Once we have agreed on that part of the quote we need to accept that there will be a time of dwelling in unknowing.

In order to let go, of the old we must admit that certain actions can cause this sift and there is no going back. No going back from seeing cruelty and murder. No going back from recognizing the pain of hunger or the blight of war. No going back from seeing beatings and tear gas and apathy on the part of the perpetrators. And no going back from our own acceptance of our culpability in all of it.

Years ago we were flying out of Salt Lake City to Florida.  I had observed a young boy and his grandfather at the gate before we boarded.  He was obviously excited.  The grandfather told the flight attendant it was his first flight.   Luckily, they were seated right behind us.  The banter went something like this.. 

  Oh thanks Grandad for taking me on this plane ride. I is the first time I’ve ever been on a plane. It is s much fun and I really like it.  The plane began to move from the gate and he felt us moving.  Oh Grandad this is so much fun I like flying a whole lot.  We moved to the runway the sounds were getting louder.   His voice got a little more excited and hesitant.  I think this will be fun, right Grandad are we going to go faster.   The plane got into position and began streaming down the run way.  The boy talked faster and faster.  I’m not sure now if this is good, We are going really fast, What was that noise?  Grandad will we be ok?  

Grandad told him to look out off the window, chunk, we were up in the sky.  Silence.

Is this flying? Grandad? Do I like this? He.rests back and about that time we hit an air pocket and bump some. Is that supposed to happen? I don’t think we should do this. I think we should go back down to the ground and just go home.

Just breathe, Grandpa said to him. The plane reached cruising, the plane leveled off it got much much quieter. Oh Grandad I love flying this is the best fun ever.

In this time, in these times, we need to have the ability too rest back and realize that we are on a good ride. That each opportunity we have on that ride the real angst and the real fun is a way to the new times. We can bring along the good. We are to bring in the good. We are to walk with others who are unsure of ungroundenness and let it be ok for them.

Can we be hope bringers who can learn how to lead others to walk ahead with our shoes off and our plans unhinged and smile and laugh in comfort and to be about being the people who can help shape a more fair and just and/ freed society. Say Yes… here we go!

GOD ABIDES 

Bobbie McGarey, @2020   Raton, NM 

I moved school districts when I was in my Jr Year. I only knew one person at the new school and she was a Sr but adopted me. That meant I didn’t have to sit alone at l7nch. Chris was involved in the Drama club. The JESTERS. So I joined too. I loved the folks in the group and it connected me right away with a group. And drama group was an eclectic group of fun people. I tried out for plays but didn’t make the cast bit my Sr year I was student director of the fall play. Tea house of the August Moon. It was quite a production.  
    Then too I had been elected President of the drama club.  
    One if my claims to fame was lip sinc Hey Jacque by Eartha Kitt. It is still something I do for fun. I did it for the Talent Show at New Life with Bill who was great. 
    This was so good a group as we were tasked with being unique. And we were.  
I always seemed to get elected to be in leadership all through life. Happy to be retired from that too.  
take care! Be safe, wash your hands and pray for peace. 
god abides 
Bobbie 

You can watch Eartha Kitt singing on YouTube

Pentecost remembered

When I was the pastor of various churches over the 41 years I would try and do particular different things for pentacost, which we call the birthday of the church. The word of GOD was understood each one of a gathered multicultural gathering.

But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.John 14:26 | NIV

It seems to me the power of the Word about GOD’S love for the people is translated powerfully. Once I visited the Korean congregation that worshipped in our church. I had asked what the sermons scripture was about and read it in english and. Then listened. The SPIRIT translated and gave me a message.
Another time I was worshipping with friends at their Urdu church. Again i read the scripture. The minister was an evangelist and he apologized for not translating while preaching. I told him i had heard a message while he preached. I shared with him what i had heard. The people in the room as we were eating together after worship got quiet and started listening. They said that was Exactly the WORD he had shared. GOD had translated for me. The WORD was powerful.

I also liked adding some additional visuals for Pentecost. It could be crape paper hanging in the church. One year as we read the passage a huge wind blew in the window as if on cue and we paused and felt the wind blow through the church.
One year I tied orange and yellow balloons on the end of the pews so that the color would bounce around during the service. One year we gave out balloons and everyone blew up their balloons but didn’t
Tie them off. On the count of 3 we released the balloons and the yellow orange and red balloons flew around the room. Another year I had small pieces of red orange and yellow tissue paper torn up into small pieces and when we read that passage one person held the tray of them behind a screen and another turned on the leaf blower and the noise and the papers flew over the screen and rained down on the people.

Whatever it takes for you to come together and sense the blowing of the spirit into your Iives… or translating the Word into the very message you need to hear… May this Pentecost bring you that very real presence of GOD’s. Spirit.

GOD ABIDES, AND I THANK God.
Bobbie McGarey

New Life Presbyterian Church. 2019

 Acts 2.  Excerpts 

On the day of Pentecost all the Lord’s followers were together in one place. 

2 Suddenly there was a noise from heaven like the sound of a mighty wind! It filled the house where they were meeting. 3 Then they saw what looked like fiery tongues moving in all directions, and a tongue came and settled on each person there.

 4 The Holy Spirit took control of everyone, and they began speaking whatever languages the Spirit let them speak.

5 Many religious Jews from every country in the world were living in Jerusalem. 6 And when they heard this noise, a crowd gathered. But they were surprised, because they were hearing everything in their own languages. 

7 They were excited and amazed, and said:

Don’t all these who are speaking come from Galilee? 8 Then why do we hear them speaking our very own languages? 9 Some of us are from Parthia, Media, and Elam. Others are from Mesopotamia, Judea, Cappadocia, Pontus, Asia, 10 Phrygia, Pamphylia, Egypt, parts of Libya near Cyrene, Rome, 11 Crete, and Arabia. Some of us were born Jews, and others of us have chosen to be Jews. 

Yet we all hear them using our own languages to tell the wonderful things God has done.

12 Everyone was excited and confused. Some of them even kept asking each other, “What does all this mean?”

Pet spoke in a loud and clear voice to the crowd:

Friends and everyone else living in Jerusalem, listen carefully to what I have to say! 15 You are wrong to think that these people are drunk. After all, it is only nine o’clock in the morning. 16 But this is what God had the prophet Joel say,

17 

“When the last days come,I will give my Spirit

    to everyone. Your sons and daughters

    will prophesy. Your young men will see visions,

and your old men will have dreams.

18  In those days I will give my Spirit to my servants,

both men and women and they will prophesy.

19 

I will work miracle in the sky above and wonders

    on the earth below. 

There will be blood and fire and clouds of smoke.

20 

The sun will turn dark, and the moo will be as red as blood

before the great and wonderful of the Lord appears.

21 

Then they will save everyone

    who asks for his help.”

25 What David said are really the words of Jesus,

“I always see the Lord    near me, and I will not be afraid

    with him at my right side.

26 

Because of this my heart will be glad, 

my words will be joyful, and I will live in hope.

27 

The Lord won’t leave me    in the grave.

I am his holy one, and he won’t let my body decay.

28 

He has shown me the path to life, and he makes me glad

    by being near me.”

.” 41 On that day about three thousand believed his message and were baptized. 42 They spent their time learning from the apostles, and they were like family to each other. They also broke bread[c] and prayed together.

Life among the Lord’s Followers

43 Everyone was amazed by the many miracles and wonders that the apostles worked. 44 All the Lord’s followers often met together, and they shared everything they had. 45 They would sell their property and possessions and give  

the money to whoever needed it. 

46 Day after day they met together in the temple. They broke bread together in different homes and shared their food happily and freely,

 47 while praising God. Everyone liked them, and each day the Lord added to their group others who were being saved.

SAVING PARADISE 

Rita Nakashima Brock and Rebecca Ann Parker 

page 121 

“So I have been reading this book for years now,   It can be taken quickly I suppose but each time I pick it up I find myself unable to move very far in it before a line over two just stops. Me,   That just happened.    

“Cyril knew that Christian life was not for the faint of heart.” 

And there it was this morning,  I couldn’t go further,   Yes I read the part on baptism and Constantine and his mother Helena and restoring Jerusalem perhaps to distract from a scandal.   But this line stopped me because I feel like we are living in an age where the thoughts are that being a Christian means we walk on easy street,   That to be a Christian is to confess our loyalty and then sit back and gather the perks.   I say  “ I am and Christian therefore i am a good person and deserve reward.”   

When I worked with the Jr High youth at a Presbyterian church in Paradise Valley, AZ 

 I had lead them through the Confirmation Process.   They had been recognized In worship and then gathered in the patio area for a reception,   The minister got up and said some good words…unremarkable… he closed with this. “OK, well, you are done now, good bye.” 

I jumped up in the back.and yelled,  

“ NO! No! You are not done!  YOU ARE JUST GETTING STARTED!”  

I wonder sometimes what happened to those kids,  Here we will teach you what it means to confirm the promises made on your behalf by your parents to help you come to take the promises of faithfulness,   To  follow Jesus and to embody him in this world. This world that so needs to know all are beloved children of God.   That God knows us through and through and lives us even still.   

I know some of them who now say that they are spiritual not religious,   I know they didn’t raise their children to believe that God has plans for their lives that are plans are for good.  That is not to imply they aren’t good people but that they say, “Well we really don’t believe in God.” 

It is true I believe that to be a Christian takes some work.  That to be a faithful person takes some energy.  One of the ordination vows is to serve God with energy, intelligence, imagination and love.   That is pretty much what I think all off Christian life is about,  serving God.   John and I had a statement after our wedding in 1972 saying we planned to serve God by serving others.  (What were we thinking? That’s for another reflection I think.) 

As Christians we are called  to be 

the hope-bearers, 

the truth-tellers, 

the justice-witnesses, 

the love-exemplars, 

the non-compromisers.   

Perhaps that is why our hearts these days seem to ache. The whole creation is groaning in labor.  And yet…and yet… I believe that nothing in creation can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus. 

God abides 

bobbie giltz mcgarey

@may2030 

Excerpts from Romans 8 

18 I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory about to be revealed to us.

. 22 We know that the whole creation has been groaning in labor pains until now; 23 and not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the first fruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly while we wait for adoption, the redemption of our bodies. 

24 For in hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what is seen? 25 But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience.

26 Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we ought, but that very Spirit intercedes  with sighs too deep for words. 

27 And God, who searches the heart, knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. 

28 We know that all things work together for good for those who love God, who are called according to God’s purpose.  God’s Love in Christ Jesus

31 What then are we to say about these things? If God is for us, who is against us? 

35 Who will separate us from the love of Christ? Will hardship, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? 

37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through God who loved us. 

38 For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, 39 nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

• 

see the beautiful blooming purple tree ?just when we think we know where we are going. Or when we think we understand what is ahead. Just when we think we get it… our perspective shifts and we are no longer where we thought we were. The way ahead becomes tricky. “If you don’t know where you are going-any road will get you there.”

Years ago when the kids were little we went for a hike around a retreat center that we’d visited before. It was labeled and easy hike so I put Betsy about 2 in a backpack carrier and Johnny age 4 walked beside. We went down the road and followed the path fairly well laid out. We passes a small herd of burrows who seemed menacing. We follow the path up the hill and stopped to enjoy the view and eat our snack and drink our water. The hike was listed as an easy hike about 30 minutes so I hadn’t packed a lot of water. Desert-mistake. We followed the path fine down the other side of the hill. It stopped. The path Just stopped. I put the backpack down and walked 50 yards in three different directions snd still couldn’t find the path. It was getting warmer.

In the distance I could see the telephone wires and poles that were along the road which would take us back to camp. I put Betsy in my back again and took the beach towel I’d brought along and draped it on Johnnys head to protect him from the sun. We began walking across the open sandy desert area leading to the road. It was at least three football fields away though I couldn’t completely know. Johnny must have sensed my anxiety and asked me if we were lost. Well, technically we weren’t lost. I could see where we were and a clear path to get there. We started playing word games and the walk went faster. We got about 50 yards from the road and there was a deep sand arroyo and I knew better than to get down in it as climbing up the other side could be dangerous. So we had to walk around it. There were only two houses down this road. When we got to the road I put Johnny in the backpack carrier, tied the beach towel around my waist with a large knot on the front that would help support Betsy as we walked. We started back to camp. I told Johnny. “If mommy falls down and you can’t wake her up roll her off the road and sit in the shade of the creosote bushes until Daddy came.” ( he was climbing the Mesa). Anyway after a while I got really hot so we sat down in the shade. Betsy had fallen asleep and we sat there and cooled down. Without a warning a car went by going away from camp. It was too late to stop it. I put Betsy back in the backpack and Johnny walked along. I suddenly heard the car coming from behind. Even though we could see the roof of our cabins I stopped the car, opened the door and the three of us got in and I said thanks for the ride. They took us back to camp. We three took a quick shower to cool us down and the kids got a nap. When they were asleep, I just started crying. Relief and thanksgiving

I thought I knew where I was going. I thought I understood the map. I thought I had enough water… we were ok.

Though it wasn’t where I thought it would lead us we were ok. My calves had gotten sunburned but that was ok neither of the kids were burned.

Perhaps this is why I often apply a Roberts rules of order phrase you people starting a journey. MAY THE WAY BE CLEAR. Here’s how I translate that saying. 1). May you know where you are going. 2). May that path be cleared if any obstacles. 3). May you have a good journey.

So, friends, though the current pandemic way ahead not be clear may the choices before you be clear as to where you are to go. Your decision not like rolling dice but a still small voice affirming your decisions. May obstacles be removed. May there be few bumps in the road.

Oh the purple tree above is not a tree. It is a photo taken through the underside of a hydrangea. Beautiful

God abide stay well and healthy

bobbie giltz mcgarey

Do you believe that people can change? Why or why not?

by Bobbie McGarey on May 11, 2020.

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Bobbie McGarey

I do believe people can change. I don’t think you can manipulate someone into being something they are not. But i do believe that people can be opened up to being their better selves. I think that is what we are called to do for one another…to call out the best in another. Perhaps that is where we sometimes get frustrated with another person. You can see who they could be and they don’t see it. 

Sometimes I see people live what I call ‘Soap Opera Lives’ let me explain … people come up on a big decision in their lives. One choice no doubt will lead to good and success and change their lives. The other choice clearly leads to trouble. The person who lives the SOL will make the wrong choice every time. Again and again they are given opportunities to redeem themselves and they choose to put trouble in their stories. 

But I have seen people who live SOL can finally see the way those choices have brought them to trouble…and they choose the better path. We know that we can’t make those choices for them. We can help them consider when they have made some things go very well vs when they make the other choices, life becomes complicated. 

Can. People change? I believe so. I’ve changed. It can happen. Yes it can. Yes you can. 
GOD ABIDE
bobbie giltz mcgarey
@5\2020. Raton, NM

Just yesterday I was thinking about what could be done in these days of wonder and fear. I recognized that I hadn’t listened to the news as I had been for a while. I am not sure whether I felt better or worse. The world kept moving and news kept being made and I kept not listening. Oh, trust me I didn’t stop praying.

In whose benefit is it to be angry and mean toward our fellow human sisters and brothers. What can we do? What can we do to raise up what we know is right. What can we do encourage the goodness in others to stand up where truth is most needed to be heard. We can encourage everyone to encourage others to encourage others to encourage others to stand for the truth. It seems this is what we can be about.

”This is my commandment that you love one another that your joy may be full”

It is this time that we should fill the world with joy. Pay for someone’s coffee in line behind you. Buy the lunch of someone you don’t know. Be extravagant with your grace giving to others expecting nothing in return.

You can do this…we can do this.. may the way be clear.

God abide

bobbie giltz mcgarey. 05/2020, raton, nm

I posted this story earlier ‘tis day and i am so very thankful for the comments I got in support and sympathy.

“On my travel home from Scottsdale to Raton I stopped for gas in a small town, Heber. AZ. I held a scarf over my nose and mouth when I went in to use the restroom. When I came out I again covered my nose and mouth with the scarf. There was a customer checking out as I exited the restroom so I moved to the right to avoid coming close to him. He looked at me covering my face with distain. I looked away. I was passing behind him but only 4 “ because he had backed up. When I was barely passed him he turned and coughed loudly and harshly toward my back. I felt assaulted and really angry.
I knew better than to confront him. Why.
No I wasn’t shot. It’s not the same but it still was horrible.”

I appreciate those comments

HOWEVER. HOWEVER. my tiny fly by to prejudice and being harassed brought me to an understanding. I have to acknowledge as a 72 year old white woman with grey hair and a cane right now (soreness in hip) I guess I was surprised. (And to be perfectly honest I need to do some penance for the string of expletives I fired off when I got back in the car! ) It was because of me following the rules against exposing others and being exposed to the virus.

It is not about ‘me’ per say as an Attitude that this behavior is ok? Or any – any reason for disrespecting anyone because of life choices, or pigmentation, or religion, or…. whatever is perceived or judged by another.

Perhaps I should have titled this .. It’s not about me but it is it is about us. We are breaking the bond we have as independent interconnected human beings. When, in the midst of a deadly pandemic we should be strengthening and strengthened by our humanness.

It IS about how we treat or love or respect or honor one another.

Friends we can do better. So about 4O minutes later when I drove through Sonic I paid for the cheese fries the car behind me had ordered and I tipped the young girl who took my order more than I spent on my order. I was not going to let my heart be heartened.

Wash your hands,wear a mask, give others some space,

God abide with you,

Bobbie Giltz McGarey

@5/2020, Raton, NM

“

So for reasons compounded I’ve been away for a couple of months. It is really happy to be home, John was waiting in the alley when I pulled up to greet me. My puppy whose eyesight is getting worse greeted John when he walked in but did t see me behind him, I called her name, she stopped walking, turned, and the ran over to me with little whimpers, full body shaking, and just all over happy. She’s been close by me .com ever since.

Raton, NM, is still on the cusp of spring where Scottsdale AZ, is full summer. It was over 100 several days in the last couple of weeks. Flowers blooming into their second and third kinds coming up now.

The apple tree in Raton has blooms but there are many more to come.

It is the same though very different different phases of the same season. The world had shifted in the meantime,

I stopped on my way home to get gas and sued my scarf over my mouth as a mask. As I walked out there was a customer at the counter, I stepped to the side to give him a little ore space. I saw him glance toward me with a hint of a mocking look. When I passed behind him he turned, coughed toward me twice in an exaggerated manner as I walked out.

I was so mad. He had done that on purpose. In his little world view following protocol by cdc masks are recommended, What had I evoked in him that made him feel the need to cough on me? we may not hold the same political views though there is no way he’d know mine,but we can respect one another at least…Or perhaps he can’t.Fries, this is a time of great challenge and danger. Thus far 68,000 people have died with this virus. More will succumb. Their lives stopped in a non-normal way. Ages not respected, we could spend our days, whatever is left to us, I. Reaching out and bringing love to all the people o. Our spleee we are called to love.

God abides with you. Be well and happy.

Bobbie Giltz McGarey.

e.

So good morning. What brings you peace? Zing, that was a leap. Hi how are you? Now spill your truth.

My family has had wonderful moments when everything is good. Yesterday we celebrated with our nephew, Andrew, as he was conferred the title M.D. He graduated from Medical school. It was, as in times such as these, an online virtual graduation. So proud of him and the work and focus he has in his life. His older brother, Daniel, also celebrates having a new job in his field psychology, he’s also a Dr, PhD.

And for their mom, Helene, what a day. Life is good and full and satisfying and they’ve all worked hard to get to this point. I know his dad, Fred, must also be feeling the joy for his sons. And is that kind of joy-a peace? I think it is.

Years ago I read a book, Men are just Desserts. The line in it that really has stayed with me was this.

“We teach our children how to walk, and how to walk away.”

I read that line while rocking our daughter before she was even one. I started crying at it touched me deeply. That’s one of the parental unit’s greatest tasks. And when we do this, accomplish this, they are free to walk back when they want or to bring you along. But there is no holding back of blessing. Our parental blessings are not contingencies. But they are grace gifts. You are my precious child and I will always love you.

That is peace. And to each of us this blessing has been given. This blessing offering us great peace comes from the Creator who knows us through and through and loves us even still. Thanks be to God.

God abide, Bobbie Giltz McGarey, @5.2020, scottsdale Az