A Morning with Robert Wicks

As I dressed yesterday I pondered afresh the sometimes haphazard way that I order my life.

A number of weeks ago a friend suggested we go to a seminar on a Friday morning way distant on the calendar. I asked “How much?” when most people would have first asked “What on?” The price was right so we decided to go, it was so far down the track I had plenty of time to ask the superficial “What on?” but what with one thing and another I never got onto that question and yesterday the day arrived.

As I looked over the type of people there I really hoped I wasn’t in for a morning of silent meditation, I would rather go for a walk. A priest introduced a man who turned out to be an American with the serious faced wit of Woody Allen at his best; a theologian/psychotherapist who has written such books as Touching the Holy, Riding the Dragon and Crossing the Desert.

What a fabulous morning! It was so cleverly presented with quotes from all over to bring home the points, I drank it all in.

2 Examples:
Two men were watching Desmond Tutu, one said to the other “He is a holy man,” “How do you know?” asked his companion. “BECAUSE WHEN I AM WITH HIM I AM HOLY TOO.” As we live out our lives what we have can spread to those we mix with. I saw the value of the many times I have sung with all my heart ‘Let the beauty of Jesus be seen in me!’ Joy, love, hope and yes, holiness, we can only give what we already have.

A lady was receiving help for prolonged sexual abuse in her childhood. After many visits over a long time she was finally on her last visit. The therapist asked her to look at him as if he were a mirror and describe what she saw. She described a bubbly woman filled with joy, love and deep experiences. The therapist asked how this change had happened and the client was surprised he didn't know. “No,” he said, “you tell me how.”
“Well,” she said, “WHEN I FIRST CAME I WATCHED HOW YOU SAT WITH ME THEN I SAT WITH MYSELF THE SAME WAY!”
How important it is to show respect AND to learn to sit comfortably with ourselves.

Long blogs don’t get read, I had better stop but if you want more read one one his books, it will be worth it.

David Bain

Whether he is guilty or not, and both sides are convincing, this must have been a marvellous week for David Bain.

Jo

Psalm 40
1 I waited patiently for the Lord to help me, and he turned to me and heard my cry.

2 He lifted me out of the pit of despair, out of the mud and the mire. He set my feet on solid ground and steadied me as I walked along.

3 He has given me a new song to sing, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see what he has done and be amazed. They will put their trust in the Lord.
4 Oh, the joys of those who trust the Lord, who have no confidence in the proud or in those who worship idols.

5 O Lord my God, you have performed many wonders for us. Your plans for us are too numerous to list. You have no equal. If I tried to recite all your wonderful deeds, I would never come to the end of them.

11 Lord, don’t hold back your tender mercies from me. Let your unfailing love and faithfulness always protect me.

12 For troubles surround me— too many to count! My sins pile up so high I can’t see my way out. They outnumber the hairs on my head. I have lost all courage.
13 Please, Lord, rescue me! Come quickly, Lord, and help me.

16 But may all who search for you be filled with joy and gladness in you. May those who love your salvation repeatedly shout, “The Lord is great!”

17 As for me, since I am poor and needy, let the Lord keep me in his thoughts. You are my helper and my savior. O my God, do not delay.