tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-47668765912897383342024-03-23T03:15:05.479-07:00God speaks in the little thingslisten... & walk with Him in the everydayDawn Switzerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00200185949025132466noreply@blogger.comBlogger60125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4766876591289738334.post-84398741047165003622024-03-15T11:55:00.000-07:002024-03-15T11:57:01.436-07:00morning prayer group, Lent, day fifteen (2022)<p> <i>A reflection on "Walking Rainbows" by Ann Weems</i></p><div style="text-align: left;">rainbows = rain + light</div><div style="text-align: left;">storm + hope</div><div style="text-align: left;">mystery + miracle</div><div style="text-align: left;">reflected in the firmament</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I hope to be a reflection </div><div style="text-align: left;">of God</div><div style="text-align: left;">walking on the earth</div><div style="text-align: left;">opening my soul</div><div style="text-align: left;">to shine forth with</div><div style="text-align: left;">all the colors</div><div style="text-align: left;">knowing that the treasure</div><div style="text-align: left;">to be found at the end</div><div style="text-align: left;">of the rainbow</div><div style="text-align: left;">is a life lived</div><div style="text-align: left;">in Love</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Dawn M. Switzer</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ-sCH2NJyTKj0wSjJOKxvFrl6tIl-km3RYOz2T3t8jH9ShyphenhyphenjVpVNixzPbZmdjcHI-v2jVW6oL0qblTsAkhjdccbmPCc9acx4dXiDJj1Bmjx5RkT80RWaifP9KUw9BemldzEXYYPHJv2DFbYsq1vUFu8-3M6T8iSA9Vq1Zkil_nVnVM80yCcQoPFVU4JOQ/s2048/IMG_7195.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ-sCH2NJyTKj0wSjJOKxvFrl6tIl-km3RYOz2T3t8jH9ShyphenhyphenjVpVNixzPbZmdjcHI-v2jVW6oL0qblTsAkhjdccbmPCc9acx4dXiDJj1Bmjx5RkT80RWaifP9KUw9BemldzEXYYPHJv2DFbYsq1vUFu8-3M6T8iSA9Vq1Zkil_nVnVM80yCcQoPFVU4JOQ/w400-h266/IMG_7195.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div>Dawn Switzerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00200185949025132466noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4766876591289738334.post-902005658474274252023-09-15T09:47:00.000-07:002024-03-15T11:55:57.031-07:00Morning<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyvCq4Yq7hot3hhiyAYEkNsO1TaoLySKKt-9J2vDpioY2SdFzteSNk1jLLCgZ7suDnOBgH2DWPzdE49VhOvLbLxXp76IAmCFjCrFXdKBXfNY5UEg6PFd2kEH5-cu8qWCfuzyoNk2jmLJIAdMX1dyJ2XgAgWMOwQ3LfQ3oiI_nT38_D5ZK8FI-uzRKmrEaU/s2048/DSP_4456.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1367" data-original-width="2048" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyvCq4Yq7hot3hhiyAYEkNsO1TaoLySKKt-9J2vDpioY2SdFzteSNk1jLLCgZ7suDnOBgH2DWPzdE49VhOvLbLxXp76IAmCFjCrFXdKBXfNY5UEg6PFd2kEH5-cu8qWCfuzyoNk2jmLJIAdMX1dyJ2XgAgWMOwQ3LfQ3oiI_nT38_D5ZK8FI-uzRKmrEaU/w400-h268/DSP_4456.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Oh the deliciousness of a Satruday morning lie in</div><div style="text-align: left;">the light weight of summer bedding</div><div style="text-align: left;">the heaviness of the dog snuggled by my side</div><div style="text-align: left;">the way the after dawn light</div><div style="text-align: left;">fills the room</div><div style="text-align: left;">and welcomes me gently to a new day</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I relax into the decadence of a morning</div><div style="text-align: left;">not ruled by an agenda or a to list</div><div style="text-align: left;">allowing me the time and space</div><div style="text-align: left;">to breathe freely</div><div style="text-align: left;">and melt into the softness of the sheets</div><div style="text-align: left;">I sigh in gratitude</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">these occasional mornings are delightful</div><div style="text-align: left;">rest for a weary mind and soul</div><div style="text-align: left;">time apart from reality</div><div style="text-align: left;">this, I think, must be an earthly glimpse</div><div style="text-align: left;">of the vast heavenly kingdom</div><div style="text-align: left;">awaiting us all</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Dawn M. Switzer</div><div style="text-align: left;">July 2023</div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>Dawn Switzerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00200185949025132466noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4766876591289738334.post-46485970254658941432023-06-16T09:43:00.000-07:002023-06-16T09:43:43.315-07:00God the Strength of My Heart<div style="text-align: left;"> Oh Lord, </div><div style="text-align: left;">it feels as if I spend my days looking at my inadequacies;</div><div style="text-align: left;">the gap between </div><div style="text-align: left;">where I am and where You made me to be</div><div style="text-align: left;">is so vast that I cannot see the way through</div><div style="text-align: left;">the dark and the deep.</div><div style="text-align: left;">I am frozen in my humanity.</div><div style="text-align: left;">Then I remember, </div><div style="text-align: left;">You are my strength and song.</div><div style="text-align: left;">You call to me.</div><div style="text-align: left;">You show me the way.</div><div style="text-align: left;">You give me the stepping stones, </div><div style="text-align: left;">one by one, </div><div style="text-align: left;">to the end of my days.</div><div style="text-align: left;">Amen</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i>A reflection on Joyce Rupp's "Fragments of Your Ancient Name" - August 6</i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhif1vRekYdjtwhzFUSN_kL9aMjUaAPFUAjmGNuFJvpBDyH5L-tH5mMnhLhvpF8QLyh8PApOCoaEoPN9R0LiQXMmB03G_SIWvN1qrhXT_SoAYvcu4zzpuA7h2kTI_yMqhyhcaLI6IvEE6pTmNgDFbU6iJB7vivf8e-kNQxi18aI6reg4ciJY0A2bD1vMw/s2048/CMBRIA201508-17-Edit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhif1vRekYdjtwhzFUSN_kL9aMjUaAPFUAjmGNuFJvpBDyH5L-tH5mMnhLhvpF8QLyh8PApOCoaEoPN9R0LiQXMmB03G_SIWvN1qrhXT_SoAYvcu4zzpuA7h2kTI_yMqhyhcaLI6IvEE6pTmNgDFbU6iJB7vivf8e-kNQxi18aI6reg4ciJY0A2bD1vMw/w400-h266/CMBRIA201508-17-Edit.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><i><br /></i></div>Dawn Switzerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00200185949025132466noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4766876591289738334.post-32395235832370601922023-03-06T08:59:00.001-08:002023-03-06T08:59:37.937-08:00little pieces<div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i>a reflection on Matthew 7:3</i></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">little pieces of dust<br />big pieces of wood<br />dust to dust, ashes to ashes<br />we all live with the dust and the wood</span></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">which do I pay attention to?<br />which do I focus on first?<br />the wood in my own eye<br />my flaws, my sin<br />is invisible until I purposefully stop to examine,<br /> to assess, and then<br />to ask forgiveness<br />“The unexamined life is not worth living”<br />but taking stock, really looking<br />is hard<br />so much easier on the ego to point out<br /> <i>look at the dust <u>you</u> are carrying</i><br />yet where does that get any of us?</span></div><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">I can only look at life through my<br /></span><span style="font-family: georgia;">own lens<br /></span><span style="font-family: georgia;">of experience, not yours<br /></span><span style="font-family: georgia;">mind your own beeswax – perhaps</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><o:p> <br /></o:p>but rather than withdrawing or judging<br />what if I seek to understand –<br />listen, ask questions, open space<br />for your story to be told<br /><o:p> <br /></o:p>we all have a story that needs to be told<br />and, just maybe, when we tell our stories<br />stories with chapters of dust<br />and chapters of wood<br />we will see each other clearly<br />whole, human, children of God</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiJbhDZvcwyygm3VV18s5qMCrX0iVblLaaN7pJFBi7oaYB2RPfbk6f6n3KoG2E9-OfaXdopYLJu2D-EE_R5SWRCVFQ2fUXfDuCGz4r5OTZJfo_kdpe8qO8_4GsYcGznJAbveKR1NoENx6sWHj9SVDENefdAt4Ranisw7PcbYOC3F2b0h1E3_tJRq1w7g/s2048/IMG_7547.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiJbhDZvcwyygm3VV18s5qMCrX0iVblLaaN7pJFBi7oaYB2RPfbk6f6n3KoG2E9-OfaXdopYLJu2D-EE_R5SWRCVFQ2fUXfDuCGz4r5OTZJfo_kdpe8qO8_4GsYcGznJAbveKR1NoENx6sWHj9SVDENefdAt4Ranisw7PcbYOC3F2b0h1E3_tJRq1w7g/w400-h300/IMG_7547.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>Dawn Switzerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00200185949025132466noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4766876591289738334.post-28512569816723238692022-12-29T08:31:00.000-08:002022-12-29T08:31:23.157-08:00in our bones<p> </p><p class="MsoNormal"><b>in our bones<o:p></o:p></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i>A reflection on Shine – A Christmas Blessing by Jan
Richardson<o:p></o:p></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibsRYPbsG3biQ9cNOZX11WqJHTqNdOl6o7KkrVKO1iNrK27U5yoYxdl0oXCP7rWaZy51EskIrPUdeEjNQeNBDNHGW1C4jJaGMhQHOJ5E89FHHFskWHdpP7AxtklNjAnhWMotTylxuh-xbwC91sMRvLbynJHwVUO2rD6HWMEBbW37NVm6jj73t7OUTv-w/s2048/HM201712-6525.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibsRYPbsG3biQ9cNOZX11WqJHTqNdOl6o7KkrVKO1iNrK27U5yoYxdl0oXCP7rWaZy51EskIrPUdeEjNQeNBDNHGW1C4jJaGMhQHOJ5E89FHHFskWHdpP7AxtklNjAnhWMotTylxuh-xbwC91sMRvLbynJHwVUO2rD6HWMEBbW37NVm6jj73t7OUTv-w/w400-h266/HM201712-6525.jpg" width="400" /></a><br /><br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">I feel it in my bones,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">she would say,<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">when change was coming<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">and she was right<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">I feel it in my bones ~<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">an expression of deep-rooted knowledge<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">certainty<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">truths held close<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">treasured<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;"><i>Your light has come<o:p></o:p></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;"><i>Is coming<o:p></o:p></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;"><i>Will come<o:p></o:p></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;"><i><o:p> </o:p></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;"><i>The light will bear itself into
our bones</i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;"><o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">if we open our hearts<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">if we only say “yes”<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">with the certainty of faith<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">that it will be so<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Come, Emmanuel<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">God with us<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">God with me<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I feel it in my bones<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">and it is so<o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Dawn M. Switzer<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">December 28-29, 2022<o:p></o:p></p>
<br />Dawn Switzerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00200185949025132466noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4766876591289738334.post-55879802189221722782022-11-20T19:38:00.000-08:002022-11-20T19:38:20.936-08:00Why did you....<p> Sometimes I'm asked, "why did you put that photo with that scripture?" Some of my choices are obvious, and some are more obscure. Sometimes I have an immediate idea of what photo to use or go shoot when I choose the verse, and sometimes I scroll through photos to see what speaks to me from my (large) library of photos. </p><p>I always hope in my choices to make you think a bit about the verse, the photo, and how it applies in your life ~ a starting point for meditation or prayer. If you ever wonder, please reach out.</p><p>For instance, yesterday's post was this:</p><div><b>NOVEMBER 20, 2022</b></div><div>The Lord of Heaven's Armies is here among us...</div><div> -Psalm 45:7a (NLT)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBWlyVzfqbfEvUew9gtX4tDE3-Bq1A1BgZsQhWbe9FUk0ZGFZ5JpwEnYWu-Q4Puprcai3Kf32EL52yBY8VKJMyHd3bQAV4p4-m1_AYmuWAxX6qa2MW_Os8DJtaJRhze8HOLcccQsTAzexwULi3XlNaiMBIiC83BHEC21V8n_9qix1XI5Rl1CaBhMxkYg/s2048/DSP_1133.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1367" data-original-width="2048" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBWlyVzfqbfEvUew9gtX4tDE3-Bq1A1BgZsQhWbe9FUk0ZGFZ5JpwEnYWu-Q4Puprcai3Kf32EL52yBY8VKJMyHd3bQAV4p4-m1_AYmuWAxX6qa2MW_Os8DJtaJRhze8HOLcccQsTAzexwULi3XlNaiMBIiC83BHEC21V8n_9qix1XI5Rl1CaBhMxkYg/w400-h268/DSP_1133.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p>The photo is of our veranda through a dirty sliding glass door in the early morning. It is full of shadow and light; the dark of night giving way to the light of day. There's a hint of a sunburst in the upper portion of the photo. Ordinary items such as the chaise lounges and potted plants are seen. The lattice post provides space for the light to filter through. There's a glimpse of the sliding glass door on the left.</p><p>"The Lord of Heaven's Armies is here among us..." yes ~ in the shadows, in the darkness, in the light, in the dirty, in the ordinary, in the inside and the outside; among all of us. "The Lord of Heaven's Armies is here among us..." May we be like the lattice and let the Lord's light shine through.</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Dawn Switzerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00200185949025132466noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4766876591289738334.post-75216161922266219402022-11-07T14:07:00.003-08:002022-11-07T14:16:18.710-08:00Announcing....<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLH-YsXP6cY3xyBV9_BUn9UbmZvImv-RiE1HYG3ZiFByNJilSLSdJ9T4TjaZ1GnTQSIEMgk3NH_1SlOS7iSkbuif-sSPYjEzVvry8tQYm22aEyZSJBxSUMT0ni5TU-btRDHvD9ycjXYPzfYsqwsd90xZCvyvxJblkEVKqk7NDpadrDel5MR-iLDUXO9Q/s1275/2022%20GS-Psalms%20Book.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="825" data-original-width="1275" height="259" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLH-YsXP6cY3xyBV9_BUn9UbmZvImv-RiE1HYG3ZiFByNJilSLSdJ9T4TjaZ1GnTQSIEMgk3NH_1SlOS7iSkbuif-sSPYjEzVvry8tQYm22aEyZSJBxSUMT0ni5TU-btRDHvD9ycjXYPzfYsqwsd90xZCvyvxJblkEVKqk7NDpadrDel5MR-iLDUXO9Q/w400-h259/2022%20GS-Psalms%20Book.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />The <i>God Speaks in the little things</i> ~ 30 days with the Psalms "zine" (book) is here!!! This project is a long time coming and I'm super excited to share it with you. I've taken 30 Psalm verses and 30 photos, paired them together, organized them, and created this zine. As with everything I've done with <i>God Speaks in the little things</i>, it was a leap of faith. <p></p><p>The zines are for sale through me personally, and will be on my photography website next week. I will be at the Episcopal Diocese of Los Angeles convention this Friday & Saturday ~ November 11 & 12 ~ as an exhibitor. I hope to expand the reach of <i>God Speaks</i> and sell the books. The zines are $10 each, tax included.</p><p>I truly believe that <i>God Speaks</i> to us in various ways, but the everyday moments are where we can always hear God's voice & feel God's presence, if we slow down.</p><p><i>listen... & walk with him in the everyday</i></p><p>If you'd like to purchase a zine, please let me know. </p><p>And thank you for your continued support.</p><p><br /></p>Dawn Switzerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00200185949025132466noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4766876591289738334.post-41183770534216565872022-10-02T15:02:00.000-07:002022-10-02T15:02:17.638-07:00Pumpkin Spice and Everything Nice<p> I know many people push the reset button in January. New year, time to make adjustments. I think of Fall that way! Maybe it reminds me of "back to school" ~ all the new school supplies and clothes. Yep, I liked school. Fall always felt like a new start. That's where I've been focusing the last couple of weeks. I took a sabbatical from doing the God Speaks Daily Inspiration; we traveled to Gold Beach, OR (a beautiful, peaceful place); I went on a scrap retreat with friends.</p><p>I enjoyed my time away, but am so happy to return. I won't say I'm completely refreshed; I think I've had a good start. I'm going to continue on this reset journey throughout the Fall. Finding those things that make me & my soul happy and doing more of those. Trying not to turn my planner into a jumble of appointments most days of the week. Creating a flow of life that celebrates the things that mean something ~ a lot ~ to me. Family, friends, Jesus, nature, creativity... not necessarily in that order. Want to join me for a "back to school" Fall? Let's meet over a pumpkin spice latte & talk about it!<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHFoWdBASDVYi8pFc-K8r4AYo6Pg-so4bqeuF2EiN_XSTAWm5bAj9IbpLsSeEbpUibEXobVioaszatcLvn1rqiuS1HxUTlSvv0XN3q84lI3ToyIBckUZYsEu8rM01LhuDKbJINN6oLAIv8Dx0lfqF7leZ__an4soTKE7XQQI3Yqz5JXAYJaxknFbmwiA/s2048/DMS_0237.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHFoWdBASDVYi8pFc-K8r4AYo6Pg-so4bqeuF2EiN_XSTAWm5bAj9IbpLsSeEbpUibEXobVioaszatcLvn1rqiuS1HxUTlSvv0XN3q84lI3ToyIBckUZYsEu8rM01LhuDKbJINN6oLAIv8Dx0lfqF7leZ__an4soTKE7XQQI3Yqz5JXAYJaxknFbmwiA/w400-h266/DMS_0237.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjulk7dPb6CbCAe-htoukdA4IKX7tSSdBsK-irVmD_UPArvpkCudDqGAmScBautZjCOJ2yBU05TbsXPQkLpzbqnXbTeredzFMBksk-LDiT1ro57aqSJ0u2NDk-Z6phWE_Cz_wo5SVaGQ7M-rnYfYKVmwOfs5EU-6saS0mxc9X1FoLZgRA-PBOdaMA28AA/s2048/DMS_0239.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjulk7dPb6CbCAe-htoukdA4IKX7tSSdBsK-irVmD_UPArvpkCudDqGAmScBautZjCOJ2yBU05TbsXPQkLpzbqnXbTeredzFMBksk-LDiT1ro57aqSJ0u2NDk-Z6phWE_Cz_wo5SVaGQ7M-rnYfYKVmwOfs5EU-6saS0mxc9X1FoLZgRA-PBOdaMA28AA/w400-h266/DMS_0239.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqeU9gUZ2RbDxqoSXhypKd09t0InOg_va6EQKPo3xAKRfogJ9-l_d09uG8D1Je-2onhgCfsSNNReis8pxh3AOqbCUc53IE4aiE06HOVofez8sHSLU7Pt05nE2rWlRIl3TQGpJb31njfyEetsYMIBeSM_g6avhNKLnFpBKPtRJqEY9aUZtyUyCqlERDLw/s2048/DMS_0263.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqeU9gUZ2RbDxqoSXhypKd09t0InOg_va6EQKPo3xAKRfogJ9-l_d09uG8D1Je-2onhgCfsSNNReis8pxh3AOqbCUc53IE4aiE06HOVofez8sHSLU7Pt05nE2rWlRIl3TQGpJb31njfyEetsYMIBeSM_g6avhNKLnFpBKPtRJqEY9aUZtyUyCqlERDLw/w400-h266/DMS_0263.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p>Dawn Switzerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00200185949025132466noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4766876591289738334.post-82461885112743840142022-06-25T09:15:00.001-07:002022-06-25T09:17:09.873-07:00For My Friend<div style="text-align: left;"> How often the Beloved weeps with compassion over those who are crushed in spirit.</div><div style="text-align: left;"> -from Psam 34, <i>Praying the Psalms, </i>Nan Merrill</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I am comforted by knowing that the Beloved knows our pain and sorrows, </div><div style="text-align: left;">feels the devastation of life lived under crushing burdens.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I, too, feel compassion for those who are struggling with their troubles,</div><div style="text-align: left;">who are holding on by a tiny, thin thread as the world moves in and on,</div><div style="text-align: left;">oblivious to their pain.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Expectations to be one way or another </div><div style="text-align: left;">add to the unrest.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Perhaps my purpose is to listen, </div><div style="text-align: left;">to weep with, </div><div style="text-align: left;">to offer a place to rest a weary heart.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Oh, that the Beloved will use me,</div><div style="text-align: left;">through my tears,</div><div style="text-align: left;">to open a path of comfort, </div><div style="text-align: left;">and strength, </div><div style="text-align: left;">and renewal;</div><div style="text-align: left;">that I may show Love's way.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmrhkClfU9MMxytlM-i1cDLOr4UX8MtMfwMh_NivozOKOBgwSUMJU1nUmjjX9zIkHp8g8Y26GvlBE6RtNAzoc2PH1IrdVF5spsyHk02DVzMONKNJF9bifneu-2p5pX08VQykExDW8s6TfFPaPmveunkd7bgdm6SC2cQPawGwj0BPCvqicUmk5zqII16w/s2048/DSP_3893-Edit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1367" data-original-width="2048" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmrhkClfU9MMxytlM-i1cDLOr4UX8MtMfwMh_NivozOKOBgwSUMJU1nUmjjX9zIkHp8g8Y26GvlBE6RtNAzoc2PH1IrdVF5spsyHk02DVzMONKNJF9bifneu-2p5pX08VQykExDW8s6TfFPaPmveunkd7bgdm6SC2cQPawGwj0BPCvqicUmk5zqII16w/w400-h268/DSP_3893-Edit.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Dawn M. Switzer </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div>Dawn Switzerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00200185949025132466noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4766876591289738334.post-12270697714385728492022-05-16T16:20:00.001-07:002022-05-16T16:20:23.240-07:00Trinity Haiku Prayers<div style="text-align: left;"> dreams of disaster</div><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">anguish waiting to befall<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">oh God, protect me<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">the dawn comes again<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">faithful companion of days<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Jesus, give me hope<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">awake and rising<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">my soul wide and waiting<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Spirit, enter in<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p> </p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeDmjn2dUuiU7QCN9HB1iKpPY86fGaGWluk3T7Gg8rFZmwC0cPxf7QFCpx-fSvnjy3xdTjqeGsCB1id3XimegRq0XEmvo-jHDP7USLwE6uPLGiW_8PSb65pKHvdehix2ezagSllKcR4q4QVXA-Q9Px0m4sRgdD9yYQ2Z4mrCTSF1OABX9Y_LpGx3BgKw/s2048/DSP_2378.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1367" data-original-width="2048" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeDmjn2dUuiU7QCN9HB1iKpPY86fGaGWluk3T7Gg8rFZmwC0cPxf7QFCpx-fSvnjy3xdTjqeGsCB1id3XimegRq0XEmvo-jHDP7USLwE6uPLGiW_8PSb65pKHvdehix2ezagSllKcR4q4QVXA-Q9Px0m4sRgdD9yYQ2Z4mrCTSF1OABX9Y_LpGx3BgKw/w400-h268/DSP_2378.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /> <p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Dawn M. Switzer<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">February 15-21, 2022<o:p></o:p></p>Dawn Switzerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00200185949025132466noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4766876591289738334.post-56035827566128687312022-04-12T10:29:00.001-07:002022-04-12T10:29:48.261-07:00morning Lent day twenty-five<div style="text-align: left;">three</div><div style="text-align: left;">three species of birds</div><div style="text-align: left;">this morning</div><div style="text-align: left;">at the feeder</div><div style="text-align: left;">designed for </div><div style="text-align: left;">one</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">the hummingbird</div><div style="text-align: left;">comes early</div><div style="text-align: left;">with his tiny</div><div style="text-align: left;">needle-like beak in the feeder</div><div style="text-align: left;">& drinks of the nectar</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">the finches</div><div style="text-align: left;">male & female</div><div style="text-align: left;">fly back and forth</div><div style="text-align: left;">their beaks not created </div><div style="text-align: left;">for this feeder</div><div style="text-align: left;">but they find a way </div><div style="text-align: left;">& drink of the nectar</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">the brilliant hooded oriole</div><div style="text-align: left;">back after an absence</div><div style="text-align: left;">(where does he go?)</div><div style="text-align: left;">angles his beak just so</div><div style="text-align: left;">& drinks of the nectar</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">three species of birds</div><div style="text-align: left;">are filled from </div><div style="text-align: left;">one feeder</div><div style="text-align: left;">tended to by </div><div style="text-align: left;">this human</div><div style="text-align: left;">who watches in </div><div style="text-align: left;">the mornings </div><div style="text-align: left;">and adores their </div><div style="text-align: left;">songs of thanks</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoTa6ZU8jPNAthAaFdM0jdK77m9BxkspiTlQ4c9iXZwgXSd6taPGsRnQEXLsIpzSk9CUSuD5fo2H7_6aI4Z5H_axFxyJJVU21YDpNqgrAkn6uzaLkWpHpl0uReQgnFyDfwbVILEj_IiemnNECRpYH2IH4QACb1Ds3Xss-WqYvTVS3uQT-q5cwV5lP3GQ/s2048/DSP_6079.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1367" data-original-width="2048" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoTa6ZU8jPNAthAaFdM0jdK77m9BxkspiTlQ4c9iXZwgXSd6taPGsRnQEXLsIpzSk9CUSuD5fo2H7_6aI4Z5H_axFxyJJVU21YDpNqgrAkn6uzaLkWpHpl0uReQgnFyDfwbVILEj_IiemnNECRpYH2IH4QACb1Ds3Xss-WqYvTVS3uQT-q5cwV5lP3GQ/w400-h268/DSP_6079.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div>Dawn Switzerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00200185949025132466noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4766876591289738334.post-20607840399942999312022-04-02T08:59:00.003-07:002022-04-02T08:59:54.493-07:00early morning, Lent, day eighteen<div style="text-align: left;">I wake early with a psalm</div><div style="text-align: left;">refrain</div><div style="text-align: left;">singing in my soul</div><div style="text-align: left;">perhaps I had been </div><div style="text-align: left;">praying it </div><div style="text-align: left;">in my sleep</div><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: left;"><i>our small choir</i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i>sings</i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i>the psalm </i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i>on Sunday mornings</i></div></blockquote><div style="text-align: left;">this must have been one recently</div><div style="text-align: left;">sung or rehearsed</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I wake again at </div><div style="text-align: left;">daybreak</div><div style="text-align: left;">hearing six notes from an</div><div style="text-align: left;">organ</div><div style="text-align: left;">so clearly</div><div style="text-align: left;">I sit up in wonder</div><div style="text-align: left;">searching</div><div style="text-align: left;">there is no organ here</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">downstairs</div><div style="text-align: left;">with my tea I settle in</div><div style="text-align: left;">to read the Words from the </div><div style="text-align: left;">Daily Lectionary</div><div style="text-align: left;">Psalm first,</div><div style="text-align: left;">as usual,</div><div style="text-align: left;">my soul sings again</div><div style="text-align: left;">"O God, you are my God;</div><div style="text-align: left;"> eagerly I seek you."</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQoR7FNsHsVjkECVjOnOi-CKg3AgcfUqkV2VHihXZqpJarSqshn2SOfZwejiCB9reBUTbQLIvyYHeRECy5_GKXEyYp_IIL04tc7HOJMk_fc1Ob1DIBq-TX9YO1YNk3jZ_m8S1UDOsA_DsOi1F5U8AV-3lCGH_7kaMfZC6eySMeEEu9KAaUltE0p5Qtdw/s2048/DMS_6942.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQoR7FNsHsVjkECVjOnOi-CKg3AgcfUqkV2VHihXZqpJarSqshn2SOfZwejiCB9reBUTbQLIvyYHeRECy5_GKXEyYp_IIL04tc7HOJMk_fc1Ob1DIBq-TX9YO1YNk3jZ_m8S1UDOsA_DsOi1F5U8AV-3lCGH_7kaMfZC6eySMeEEu9KAaUltE0p5Qtdw/w400-h266/DMS_6942.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div>Dawn Switzerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00200185949025132466noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4766876591289738334.post-61948803642023458412022-03-29T08:37:00.000-07:002022-03-29T08:37:15.940-07:00evening, Lent day seven<div style="text-align: left;"> my fourth zoom of the day</div><div style="text-align: left;">begins this evening, in just a moment</div><div style="text-align: left;">zoom, zoom</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I think of the Mazda ads</div><div style="text-align: left;">"zoom zoom"</div><div style="text-align: left;">whispers the boy</div><div style="text-align: left;">I once had a Mazda sports car</div><div style="text-align: left;">and drove faster</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I think of my camera lens</div><div style="text-align: left;">zoom zoom</div><div style="text-align: left;">my brain tells me</div><div style="text-align: left;">as I look through the viewfinder</div><div style="text-align: left;">and focus closer</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">zoom zoom</div><div style="text-align: left;">faster on the roads of life or</div><div style="text-align: left;">closer to study the life around us</div><div style="text-align: left;">this is the endless question asked</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">this Lent calls me to the lens </div><div style="text-align: left;">and not the Mazda</div><div style="text-align: left;">to savor the slower road of examination</div><div style="text-align: left;">all the details that make you you</div><div style="text-align: left;">and me me</div><div style="text-align: left;">and the intersections </div><div style="text-align: left;">where Jesus blurs</div><div style="text-align: left;">the yellow lines of division</div><div style="text-align: left;">zoom zoom</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPuJyampP2obVMRZPL9M-G4st7N6jg93gaVjtCHdbbQtxQpRd6grPitHs2pq6BZTrJ2wqCO_dV6fJTE6nK0cw1TbQIlKJ2jOTZqx-TYfYQ6FIpJ4zIlBq3jGKe1vSqLB5dGJbL42kZjRUTaoo4ehd-foLkgyxdT_BsYqlKaroDdAPSn54mWOzeqFsLjg/s2048/HM201805-101.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1367" data-original-width="2048" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPuJyampP2obVMRZPL9M-G4st7N6jg93gaVjtCHdbbQtxQpRd6grPitHs2pq6BZTrJ2wqCO_dV6fJTE6nK0cw1TbQIlKJ2jOTZqx-TYfYQ6FIpJ4zIlBq3jGKe1vSqLB5dGJbL42kZjRUTaoo4ehd-foLkgyxdT_BsYqlKaroDdAPSn54mWOzeqFsLjg/w400-h268/HM201805-101.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div>Dawn Switzerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00200185949025132466noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4766876591289738334.post-57911290321095623382022-03-19T10:17:00.001-07:002022-03-19T10:17:46.754-07:00morning, Lent, day two<div style="text-align: left;">soft snores of the puppy</div><div style="text-align: left;"><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> on the sofa next to
me<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">tea in my Christmas mug<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> almost gone<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">gentle meditative music<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">overcast sky, just a hint of light<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">the house finch singing<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> his daybreak song<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">my cozy sweater<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> years old, familiar<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">David, Ezekiel, Paul, and John<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> my companions<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">morning, Lent, day two<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiltOowxuOCRqWldft0pJ9yMZE-_PO-GfDPvJ-iiPzfHcRkFnWyLJAjh8K0RgU8bRk678yHqALFkI4WR7qjmchiZlBOO0C09eQ4pZ-6ROg6KCkB-SJHqA89lDXNnJQOgQ3lBNACS6amWX-UM0NbSCF7s1eLop7NXbMm_YK0G8aHFHV8Pr5oZ3aqYoFSVg/s2048/HM201804-20.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiltOowxuOCRqWldft0pJ9yMZE-_PO-GfDPvJ-iiPzfHcRkFnWyLJAjh8K0RgU8bRk678yHqALFkI4WR7qjmchiZlBOO0C09eQ4pZ-6ROg6KCkB-SJHqA89lDXNnJQOgQ3lBNACS6amWX-UM0NbSCF7s1eLop7NXbMm_YK0G8aHFHV8Pr5oZ3aqYoFSVg/w400-h266/HM201804-20.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p></p></div>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><o:p> </o:p></p>Dawn Switzerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00200185949025132466noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4766876591289738334.post-29618413991264700252022-03-03T08:47:00.005-08:002022-03-03T09:01:52.243-08:00morning, Ash Wednesday<blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><p style="text-align: left;"> A reflection on <i>Put Away the Tinsel</i> by Ann Weems</p></blockquote></blockquote><div style="text-align: left;">First of all, do I really like tinsel?</div><div style="text-align: left;">What exactly is it for?</div><div style="text-align: left;">Yes, it's an added decoration to the Christmas tree. </div><div style="text-align: left;">What is its purpose?</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Is it thrown on </div><div style="text-align: left;"> in big clumps</div><div style="text-align: left;"> hiding other decorations</div><div style="text-align: left;"> obscuring.</div><div style="text-align: left;">Or is it placed carefully</div><div style="text-align: left;"> strand by strand</div><div style="text-align: left;"> to add sparkle and reflect light</div><div style="text-align: left;"> expanding.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">There is tinsel all over my life, </div><div style="text-align: left;">its purpose uncertain.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">If I'm honest, much of it has been </div><div style="text-align: left;">thrown on, flung wildly</div><div style="text-align: left;">creating a screen to draw the eye away</div><div style="text-align: left;">as I run </div><div style="text-align: left;">from those parts of me</div><div style="text-align: left;">I want to keep</div><div style="text-align: left;">hidden.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Yet another side of me longs</div><div style="text-align: left;">to be the conduit</div><div style="text-align: left;">for the Designer</div><div style="text-align: left;">listening for the angels' voices</div><div style="text-align: left;">placing the shiny bits </div><div style="text-align: left;">deliberately</div><div style="text-align: left;">so to open transparent windows into my soul</div><div style="text-align: left;">and let the light of Christ pass through. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjmIs-SEnI1PgVInF5YJu2EBg4YVKBQLRMYXpbF1L0mHLToChHWlwCO0H7E5LOW5t30GJ0pHDwT-qAIvN3QIjAnK_ZHNYf4jropjhlc5qSEJQJWk_JoCJ6J2A7h-LlNeHMhD5Pc_31sYkDCw_S6JcQY16PWv8BgwwfS-PmKEdvFwOhfqnjc4miHEEbCqg=s2048" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1365" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjmIs-SEnI1PgVInF5YJu2EBg4YVKBQLRMYXpbF1L0mHLToChHWlwCO0H7E5LOW5t30GJ0pHDwT-qAIvN3QIjAnK_ZHNYf4jropjhlc5qSEJQJWk_JoCJ6J2A7h-LlNeHMhD5Pc_31sYkDCw_S6JcQY16PWv8BgwwfS-PmKEdvFwOhfqnjc4miHEEbCqg=w266-h400" width="266" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Dawn M. Switzer</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">March 2-3, 2022</div><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div>Dawn Switzerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00200185949025132466noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4766876591289738334.post-70548674869869603182022-02-01T09:27:00.001-08:002022-02-01T09:29:06.227-08:00Drawn to the Altar<blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0 0 0 40px; padding: 0px;"><div style="text-align: left;"> <i>Inspired by Sunday morning at St. Peter's Episcopal Church, San Pedro</i></div></blockquote><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0 0 0 40px; padding: 0px;"><div style="text-align: left;"><i>January 23, 2022 </i></div></blockquote><div style="text-align: left;"><o:p><br /></o:p>the little boy walks forward<br />confidently<br />his red shoes<br />carrying him closer and closer<br />he steps<br />carefully<br />up the step one foot and then the other;<br />turns and looks at all of us sitting there<br />looking at him<br /><o:p> <br /></o:p>Lucien, drawn to the Altar<br />was drawing our eyes<br />and our hearts<br />to him and to<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> <br /> </span>Jesus of the Little Children<br /><o:p> <br /></o:p>he moves with purpose<br />around to the Chapel<br />drawn to the Altar there<br />in silent conversation<br />with God the Holy Father<br /><o:p> <br /></o:p>he leaves the Altars,<br />also leaving us all<br />with full hearts<br />reminded, we too, are<br /> children of God;<br />and he returns to his<br /> parents present in the pews<br /><o:p> <br /></o:p>the little boy comes forward<br />once again<br /> stepping carefully up the step<br />and goes to each tall candlestick<br />looking up<br />with wonder on his face<br /> seeing the light of Christ<br /> in the flames<br />“ooooo lookit”<br /> “lookit”<br /> <o:p> <br /></o:p>Lucien, Child of God<br />connecting us all with the unseen<br />gossamer lines of God’s love<br />drawing us one to the other<br />together<br />interwoven<br />his tiny voice a call to all of us<br />“look around you ~ lookit”</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgSD21qH1Ng3HxLu29p2yXXe0JSReF-PWhWuT3TTsZWajcN1E-xIBjOVKHMBnmSo1j0AG0FuPJrzoa-zj3g9_L9c_PtFVC1Ohb6WIEdgqFVphGE-SQGfWOxVTP3L-tNam4dFkSffB-sBaGAE9ciD1zKOqc9uBudPwhEPvJ_Lv97xMLoXQ8PjhwD1hFBUA=s2048" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1371" data-original-width="2048" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgSD21qH1Ng3HxLu29p2yXXe0JSReF-PWhWuT3TTsZWajcN1E-xIBjOVKHMBnmSo1j0AG0FuPJrzoa-zj3g9_L9c_PtFVC1Ohb6WIEdgqFVphGE-SQGfWOxVTP3L-tNam4dFkSffB-sBaGAE9ciD1zKOqc9uBudPwhEPvJ_Lv97xMLoXQ8PjhwD1hFBUA=w400-h268" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>Dawn Switzerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00200185949025132466noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4766876591289738334.post-69710374022828472122021-12-21T08:48:00.001-08:002021-12-21T08:48:55.370-08:00Advent Wind<div style="text-align: left;">the wind blows<br />the plumeria bends<br />I worry that they will bend too far and break</div><div style="text-align: left;">the palm trees shed dead fronds</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">the hummingbirds try to land</div><div style="text-align: left;">on an ever moving feeder while being </div><div style="text-align: left;">shoved by the wind</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I am grateful to be inside</div><div style="text-align: left;">where I am warm and</div><div style="text-align: left;">the wind cannot reach me</div><div style="text-align: left;">I watch the lights on the tree</div><div style="text-align: left;">twinkle at me</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">yet, I am drawn outside</div><div style="text-align: left;">I step into the wind</div><div style="text-align: left;">feel its power</div><div style="text-align: left;">feel the freshness</div><div style="text-align: left;">it brings to this </div><div style="text-align: left;">Advent</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">pushing out all of my</div><div style="text-align: left;">doubts</div><div style="text-align: left;">fears</div><div style="text-align: left;">hesitation</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">making way for </div><div style="text-align: left;">hope</div><div style="text-align: left;">love</div><div style="text-align: left;">joy</div><div style="text-align: left;">peace</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">the wind blows</div><div style="text-align: left;">the plumeria bends</div><div style="text-align: left;">it does not break</div><div style="text-align: left;">and the hummingbirds</div><div style="text-align: left;">find rest</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiCZshYdZgZgK2F2FO5q97ietXXksvdYK1WtikEi2ojwCDTmrZdx8PYVHsbCsVvrV0iB97YKUp1O5KMsBIBDnGcbXd-xTWo5yrUhMPMtAnv1EUpqF7fV4hs-qZhn5IeUFC9vGI4Sblpqb8YRJj7N_e_y7dbmHwDmgVGg9_KGbs1h_MbQc262SDU7oA8lA=s2048" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiCZshYdZgZgK2F2FO5q97ietXXksvdYK1WtikEi2ojwCDTmrZdx8PYVHsbCsVvrV0iB97YKUp1O5KMsBIBDnGcbXd-xTWo5yrUhMPMtAnv1EUpqF7fV4hs-qZhn5IeUFC9vGI4Sblpqb8YRJj7N_e_y7dbmHwDmgVGg9_KGbs1h_MbQc262SDU7oA8lA=w400-h266" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div>Dawn Switzerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00200185949025132466noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4766876591289738334.post-24284697467413584632021-12-09T09:26:00.002-08:002021-12-09T09:26:35.424-08:00Fill Me<div style="text-align: left;"> The world around me takes</div><div style="text-align: left;"> from me</div><div style="text-align: left;">sometimes taking pieces I don't want</div><div style="text-align: left;"> to give.</div><div style="text-align: left;">Depleting my resources;</div><div style="text-align: left;">leaving me ever emptier.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I desire to be filled with those things that</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span> only You can give ~ </span><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span>things internal and eternal.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span>Gifts freely given</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span><span> once I only ask.</span><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span><span><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;">Today I ask ...</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">as the world hands me busyness, </div><div style="text-align: left;"><span> fill me with calm;</span><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">as the world hands me worry, </div><div style="text-align: left;"><span> fill me with serenity;</span><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span>as the world hands me disappointment, </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span><span> fill me with strength;</span><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span><span>as the world hands me distractions, </span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span><span><span> fill me with peace;</span><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span><span><span>as the world hands me irreversible, </span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span><span><span><span> fill me with wisdom;</span><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span><span><span><span>as the world hands me too much, </span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span><span><span><span><span> fill me with rest;</span><br /></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span><span><span><span><span>as the world hands me darkness, </span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span><span><span><span><span><span> fill me with hope.</span><br /></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span><span><span><span><span><span>I desire to be filled with the gifts of the Spirit</span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span> dearly bought, but</span><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span> freely given in love ~</span><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span>today I ask, "fill me."</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgm-xuQKu5FxsOe7J4gdgR50yhwPPB6NUepwtq2jOUVwOsaKCjxMoiWk24AnVCxI_MQfG1Vx63cTEYS8v6H_OJ6t-i4YoQ5LdnECTeN8ckjMVRHMAG9djYPD44ma7iEyRRDzN7mgocyGKtSaz7-6zO5JxGRQyZcFVMdasCVvpK6XVPEQYyDyBSBnENLwg=s2048" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgm-xuQKu5FxsOe7J4gdgR50yhwPPB6NUepwtq2jOUVwOsaKCjxMoiWk24AnVCxI_MQfG1Vx63cTEYS8v6H_OJ6t-i4YoQ5LdnECTeN8ckjMVRHMAG9djYPD44ma7iEyRRDzN7mgocyGKtSaz7-6zO5JxGRQyZcFVMdasCVvpK6XVPEQYyDyBSBnENLwg=w400-h266" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Dawn M. Switzer</div><div><i>Based on a passage by Joyce Rupp</i></div></div>Dawn Switzerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00200185949025132466noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4766876591289738334.post-4052285303225435712021-09-30T09:49:00.000-07:002021-09-30T09:49:10.560-07:00visible<div style="text-align: left;">I live my days</div><div style="text-align: left;">in the great palette of light</div><div style="text-align: left;">from the Creator</div><div style="text-align: left;">who sees all. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">in the early morning light; soft</div><div style="text-align: left;">just dawning, new beginnings</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">in the mid-day light; bright, </div><div style="text-align: left;">exposed, nowhere to hide</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">in the late afternoon light; golden, </div><div style="text-align: left;">blessed with softness and forgiveness</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">in the midnight light; of moon & stars, </div><div style="text-align: left;">glowing orbs of sparkling wonder</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">As God's light unfolds through my days</div><div style="text-align: left;">I am visible.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">To God, to you, to myself.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCeksENXC2CXRfPuJnXRcprvBCxedpiGdXrHRxJO-82dbqBeWJ0j_hMoOxn41LObH9HBGWBPgFnfhxA0wlLIrl33lsNjb3r6HJwFHWGw6facRZVc6rFIgCwAKE1yMQgHsw851YBpew-xOR/s2048/HM201703BDaySelfPrtrt-6-ED.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCeksENXC2CXRfPuJnXRcprvBCxedpiGdXrHRxJO-82dbqBeWJ0j_hMoOxn41LObH9HBGWBPgFnfhxA0wlLIrl33lsNjb3r6HJwFHWGw6facRZVc6rFIgCwAKE1yMQgHsw851YBpew-xOR/w400-h266/HM201703BDaySelfPrtrt-6-ED.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Dawn M. Switzer</div><div style="text-align: left;">Based on the Hafiz poem <i>A Root in Each Act and Creature</i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div>Dawn Switzerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00200185949025132466noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4766876591289738334.post-25039799035439153642021-08-07T08:45:00.001-07:002021-08-07T08:46:03.024-07:00I hear the bed calling<div style="text-align: left;"> Does your unmade bed ever call to you?</div><div style="text-align: left;">I hear it now from the next room ...</div><blockquote><div style="text-align: left;">"I know you are tired, weary, in need of rest. </div><div style="text-align: left;">Come, burrow here, and find comfort. </div><div style="text-align: left;">Pull the covers over your head, just for a little while.</div><div style="text-align: left;">Blot out the world, the responsibilities, the weight of it all. </div><div style="text-align: left;">Sink into me and let go. Cry if you need to.</div><div style="text-align: left;">Breathe.</div><div style="text-align: left;">Remember whose you are and gather strength.</div><div style="text-align: left;">When you are refreshed, rise again."</div></blockquote><div style="text-align: left;"></div><div style="text-align: left;">we can find Jesus in the midst of everyday things</div><div style="text-align: left;">if we but look and listen.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbMchZnR_dkZBy47vqiBdTXeCwBknaDlOy6wu5r1DsTrcb2BTi532svCj0U435G79kwhIf_SoQJRXOk71T51dVQr9KUqtmRIqj2nD3ETk16vt_bQt48QOQaA44NUSRD2DO3t7i_BQ2uke3/s2048/HM201604-54.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbMchZnR_dkZBy47vqiBdTXeCwBknaDlOy6wu5r1DsTrcb2BTi532svCj0U435G79kwhIf_SoQJRXOk71T51dVQr9KUqtmRIqj2nD3ETk16vt_bQt48QOQaA44NUSRD2DO3t7i_BQ2uke3/w400-h266/HM201604-54.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Dawn M. Switzer</div><div style="text-align: left;">Reflection on Matthew 11:28</div><div style="text-align: left;"><i>"Come to me, all you who are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest."</i></div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div>Dawn Switzerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00200185949025132466noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4766876591289738334.post-45034683364058646072021-07-12T11:30:00.002-07:002021-07-12T11:30:59.212-07:00The Shape of me<div style="text-align: left;">The shape of me is</div><div style="text-align: left;">a mountain goat, moving</div><div style="text-align: left;">from the deeper, darker ravine bottom to the mountain top</div><div style="text-align: left;">and the radiant light</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">The shape of me is</div><div style="text-align: left;">a whale surfacing</div><div style="text-align: left;">to take in the air, which sustains life; </div><div style="text-align: left;">to play, up and out of the water, splashing down</div><div style="text-align: left;">before gliding back to the Kingdom of the deep</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">The shape of me is</div><div style="text-align: left;">a baby's hand, reaching out, wrapping little fingers around one of her mother's, </div><div style="text-align: left;">finding connection, solidity, comfort</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">The shape of me is</div><div style="text-align: left;">all these beings and more ~ I am them and they are me</div><div style="text-align: left;">Infused with Divine Love from our creator we are different and the same</div><div style="text-align: left;">Our sacred paths intertwine within the Divine Presence</div><div style="text-align: left;">though we may never meet ~ goat, whale, you, me</div><div style="text-align: left;">we are one.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVfHQvoaLkQqu0jVXPCsKMR9nQvShldNubz55DRjD6bpMlbHjDfvCKxQvWdxI-dSQdfnscM2JPkJ0TBkzsM7fe6N6QXnOey8g618mQxlY6HvYj2wN30WEirTamPnFSNOprbWCXFkbZZskE/s2048/DMS_1257.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVfHQvoaLkQqu0jVXPCsKMR9nQvShldNubz55DRjD6bpMlbHjDfvCKxQvWdxI-dSQdfnscM2JPkJ0TBkzsM7fe6N6QXnOey8g618mQxlY6HvYj2wN30WEirTamPnFSNOprbWCXFkbZZskE/w400-h266/DMS_1257.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Dawn M. Switzer</div><div style="text-align: left;"><i>meditation on Psalm 107, selected verses</i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i>Nan Merrill, Praying the Psalms</i></div>Dawn Switzerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00200185949025132466noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4766876591289738334.post-7620577752502467342021-05-21T15:33:00.005-07:002021-05-21T15:33:58.836-07:00Mercy born<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">by the ocean</div><div style="text-align: left;">vast water of rebirth</div><div style="text-align: left;">water of life</div><div style="text-align: left;">living water</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">waves rolling to shore</div><div style="text-align: left;">God's great mercy </div><div style="text-align: left;">rolling over me</div><div style="text-align: left;">I've done nothing for this</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">this cleansing</div><div style="text-align: left;">this renewing</div><div style="text-align: left;">Mercy & Grace & Spirit</div><div style="text-align: left;">pour the light over me</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">illuminate the darkness</div><div style="text-align: left;">eliminate the shadow</div><div style="text-align: left;">and bring forth the hope of life</div><div style="text-align: left;">rebirthed, renewed, eternal</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgysc8616nx2JQicDLhD9R_GRSmeTzSyKu_tOCx7Hi8eQpUW96djFWDyfYexY7kTCldQKiqubvBWIL1xodwoJmbm8uJBLylzKed1cZS3EKibiUpxagNMDUSKqCleCHPj_SSru2qsYSBS1so/s2048/DSCF3301.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgysc8616nx2JQicDLhD9R_GRSmeTzSyKu_tOCx7Hi8eQpUW96djFWDyfYexY7kTCldQKiqubvBWIL1xodwoJmbm8uJBLylzKed1cZS3EKibiUpxagNMDUSKqCleCHPj_SSru2qsYSBS1so/w400-h266/DSCF3301.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">reflection on Titus 3:4-7</div><div style="text-align: left;">5-19-2021</div>Dawn Switzerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00200185949025132466noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4766876591289738334.post-14092004204706210472021-04-15T09:04:00.000-07:002021-04-15T09:04:47.959-07:00on the veranda<div style="text-align: left;">on the veranda it is </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />almost normal - forgetting our isolation order<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">the birds singing their God given song</div><div style="text-align: left;">the colors of the sky & trees, God created colors</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">just a gentle breeze Holy Spirit is that you come to visit</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I feel an almost irresistible urge to pull out another chair for Jesus, move it away from the fire table so he will have room for his legs</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">what are the birds singing I ask</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">do you want some water? a glass of wine? are you hungry? how long can you stay? (this is me ~ Martha)</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">why did God make the peacocks screech so</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I get no real answers, but my heart is calmed; my anxiety at rest (this is me </div><div style="text-align: left;">~ Mary)</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">He is with us. Father, Son, Holy Spirit, martha, mary, ~ all are one</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRf7b9aq1gQ8qVoLRczCbqD51JZ4z1130HNvniNJN7fAvmCPDEq_Jd8IRE4AH5m1THEELU2A8XXHB4xWG_FiDl-3wISO2PmKxAMCoFx1KlpX4bGI1lC_5ZbY9w5ZiNjPm-U8ItPw_myEbl/s2048/DSP_4695.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1367" data-original-width="2048" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRf7b9aq1gQ8qVoLRczCbqD51JZ4z1130HNvniNJN7fAvmCPDEq_Jd8IRE4AH5m1THEELU2A8XXHB4xWG_FiDl-3wISO2PmKxAMCoFx1KlpX4bGI1lC_5ZbY9w5ZiNjPm-U8ItPw_myEbl/w400-h268/DSP_4695.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><br /></p>Dawn Switzerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00200185949025132466noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4766876591289738334.post-39771093595024912382021-03-19T03:00:00.001-07:002021-03-19T03:00:06.348-07:00<p> Today (March 19th) we celebrate St. Joseph. Rather than use a scripture passage for the Daily Inspiration, I chose a poem my aunt wrote a year and a half before her death. I remember her telling me that Joseph must have been a truly remarkable man. We are all blessed by Joseph's actions. Has anyone been a Joseph in your life?</p><p><br /></p><p><b>Joseph</b></p><div style="text-align: left;">As artists see the Holy Family, <br />Joseph stands perpetually<br />gazing down<br />on Mother and Child<br />perhaps in some perplexity.<br />How did this come about<br />for first on fire in raging anger<br />Joseph felt betrayed by Mary<br />and dishonored?<br />But God's mysterious alchemy<br />cleansed him<br />made him fit to be <br />earthly father to His Son<br />protecting<br />nurturing<br />gently guiding.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">So, though not quite understanding</div><div style="text-align: left;">Joseph adopted Mary's baby</div><div style="text-align: left;">in pity and in love</div><div style="text-align: left;">Joseph</div><div style="text-align: left;">obedient</div><div style="text-align: left;">trusted servant of God. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"> -Margaret A. Weber (1917-2018) </div><div style="text-align: left;"> written 12/26/2016-1/18/2017</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguwOe6XKuWNwFoVsuONmiNE2tfGkLJrWen2zdmnS4dU0Szze_EuN33gK87ihlgWwn7EGVSXQNgTVzM9_NypZGpW4G3H42iSBb7IefWgLTv5-XsALgR84cJhQJV2n9WlEzs3Fg7_NNIXHIy/s2048/HM201712-6192.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguwOe6XKuWNwFoVsuONmiNE2tfGkLJrWen2zdmnS4dU0Szze_EuN33gK87ihlgWwn7EGVSXQNgTVzM9_NypZGpW4G3H42iSBb7IefWgLTv5-XsALgR84cJhQJV2n9WlEzs3Fg7_NNIXHIy/w400-h266/HM201712-6192.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div>Dawn Switzerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00200185949025132466noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4766876591289738334.post-43806179692945149762021-03-09T14:45:00.000-08:002021-03-09T14:45:40.789-08:00Tuesday Tea & Prayers <p>Tuesday Tea & Prayers is a short prayer time once a month, offered through the St. Mary's Chapter of the Daughters of the King in San Pedro. We begin with checking in with everyone, and thinking of the things we are grateful for; Scripture and/or prayers are read; then there is time to center and offer your own prayers ~ silently, aloud, or in the chat; and we close with the Alternative Lord's Prayer from A New Zealand Prayer Book. <br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiEliXylkkCiBGXV4aMAIrwzvG6BNMnjgkkczrMMU1pEIfPQ8AG_RQnYwiEi3I-vfjCq7yDigctM9durt6Wcd23ZiduVLsKpa46CpspZ2lLwSe55U7DrtCbjhLaNYAdHu2Fr4IPLJK7Y8A/s2048/DOKTea-Prayers1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiEliXylkkCiBGXV4aMAIrwzvG6BNMnjgkkczrMMU1pEIfPQ8AG_RQnYwiEi3I-vfjCq7yDigctM9durt6Wcd23ZiduVLsKpa46CpspZ2lLwSe55U7DrtCbjhLaNYAdHu2Fr4IPLJK7Y8A/w400-h266/DOKTea-Prayers1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p>Here are the scripture/prayers used on March 9th ~</p><span><a name='more'></a></span><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">But those who
trust in the Lord will find new strength.<br /></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">They will soar high on wings like eagles.<br /></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">They will run and
not grow weary.<br /></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">They will walk and not faint.<br /></span><span style="font-family: "Georgia",serif;">-Isaiah 40:31<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>NLT</span></div><span><!--more--></span><p><b><span style="font-family: "Georgia",serif;"><br /></span></b></p><p><b><span style="font-family: "Georgia",serif;">Pray</span></b><b><span style="font-family: "Georgia",serif;">er for
strength for a friend</span></b></p><p></p><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia",serif;">(a prayer for
someone who is going through a hard time)<br /></span><span style="font-family: "Georgia",serif;"><o:p> <br /></o:p></span><span style="font-family: "Georgia",serif;">God be surrounding
you, his peace be yours,<br /> </span><span style="font-family: "Georgia",serif;">Amidst this great
storm you’re safe in his arms.<br /></span><span style="font-family: "Georgia",serif;">God be above you,
his lighthouse will shine,<br /></span><span style="font-family: "Georgia",serif;">Rays of pure
kingdom light gently down.<br /></span><span style="font-family: "Georgia",serif;"><o:p> <br /></o:p></span><span style="font-family: "Georgia",serif;">God be behind you,
with waves that will cleanse,<br /></span><span style="font-family: "Georgia",serif;">Sweeping away hurt
to new life again.<br /></span><span style="font-family: "Georgia",serif;">God be beneath
you, your bare feet will tread<br /></span><span style="font-family: "Georgia",serif;">Upon softest grace
sand wherever you’re led.<br /></span><span style="font-family: "Georgia",serif;"><o:p> <br /></o:p></span><span style="font-family: "Georgia",serif;">God be beside you,
you walk hand in hand,<br /></span><span style="font-family: "Georgia",serif;">Filling your mind
with new colours and plans.<br /></span><span style="font-family: "Georgia",serif;">God be within you,
restoring your soul,<br /></span><span style="font-family: "Georgia",serif;">With breezes of
healing and eternities gold.<br /> </span><span style="font-family: "Georgia",serif;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>from www.lords-prayer-words.com</span></div>
<br /><p></p><span><!--more--></span><p><i style="font-size: large;"><br /></i></p><p><i style="font-size: large;">We</i><span style="font-size: large;"> need your light, Lord, in every way. </span><i style="font-size: large;">We</i><span style="font-size: large;"> pray to be filled with your light from head to toe. To bask in your glory. To know that all is right in the world, as you have planned, and as you want it to be. Help </span><i style="font-size: large;">us</i><span style="font-size: large;"> to walk in your light, and live </span><i style="font-size: large;">our</i><span style="font-size: large;"> lives in faith and glory. In your name, </span><i style="font-size: large;">we</i><span style="font-size: large;"> pray, Amen.</span></p><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> (adapted) from Christianity.com </span></div><span><!--more--></span><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: "Georgia",serif;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: "Georgia",serif;">Alternative
Lord’s Prayer</span></b></div><p></p><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia",serif;">A New Zealand
Prayer Book<br /></span><span style="font-family: "Georgia",serif;"><o:p> <br /></o:p></span><span style="font-family: "Georgia",serif;"><o:p> <br /></o:p></span><span style="font-family: "Georgia",serif;">Eternal Spirit,<br /> </span><span style="font-family: "Georgia",serif;">Earth-maker,
Pain-bearer, Life-giver,<br /> </span><span style="font-family: "Georgia",serif;">source of all that
is and that shall be,<br /> </span><span style="font-family: "Georgia",serif;">Father and Mother
of us all,<br /> </span><span style="font-family: "Georgia",serif;">Loving God, in
whom is heaven:<br /></span><span style="font-family: "Georgia",serif;"><o:p> <br /></o:p></span><span style="font-family: "Georgia",serif;">The hallowing of
your name echo through the universe!<br /></span><span style="font-family: "Georgia",serif;">The way of your
justice be followed by the peoples of the world!<br /></span><span style="font-family: "Georgia",serif;">Your heavenly will
be done by all created beings!<br /></span><span style="font-family: "Georgia",serif;">Your commonwealth
of peace and freedom sustain our home and come on earth.<br /></span><span style="font-family: "Georgia",serif;"><o:p> <br /></o:p></span><span style="font-family: "Georgia",serif;">With the bread we
need for today, feed us,<br /> </span><span style="font-family: "Georgia",serif;">In the hurts we
absorb from one another, forgive us,<br /> </span><span style="font-family: "Georgia",serif;">In times of
temptation and test, strengthen us,<br /> </span><span style="font-family: "Georgia",serif;">From trials to
great to endure, spare us,<br /> </span><span style="font-family: "Georgia",serif;">From the grip of
all that is evil, free us.<br /></span><span style="font-family: "Georgia",serif;"><o:p> <br /></o:p></span><span style="font-family: "Georgia",serif;">For you reign in
the glory of the power that is love,<br /> </span><span style="font-family: "Georgia",serif;">now and forever.<br /></span><span style="font-family: "Georgia",serif;"><o:p> <br /></o:p></span><span style="font-family: "Georgia",serif;">Amen. </span></div>
<br /><p></p>Dawn Switzerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00200185949025132466noreply@blogger.com0