Bible Study Class in January

Three women of the Old Testament: Bible Study

Wed. Jan 12 - 'Eve' - a new, different woman - translation from ancient documents by women rabbis brings new insights. Neither translations 'right' or 'wrong' - - but different - - and one enhances the other. Come - let's talk about this 'first' lady.

Wed. Jan 19 - 'Sarah' - laughed when told by a man that she was to have a baby. (She was 90.)

I would, too. And I'm not yet 90 years old. This is just part of an amazing life of a woman in ancient times.

Wed Jan 26 - 'Miriam' - - the sister who watched over an ark holding her baby brother - she, in addition to Moses, was celebrated as a leader crossing the Red Sea. - - She was the first person in the Bible named a 'prophet'. There is so much more about this leader - - - we'll talk about women leaders in ancient days.

Classes to be held - -Wednesdays, 1:30 PM - - at the Renaissance

26376 John Rd. Olmsted Twp. - just south of 480, off exit 250 toward Olmsted Falls -

I live here. I'd like to welcome you to my home. I hope you will join me - not just you women, but men, too - - aren't you curious about another view of these women?

Please call me 440-235-1153- so I will have enough coffee, tea, etc. for everyone.

Changing seasons - winter is here!

Now - this was taken on Dec. 6, 2010 - only a few weeks later. But also beautiful in blacks and whites - - and can really see the shapes of the trees and how different they are.

Changing seasons

Hi - this was taken the end of Nov. from my window - - beautiful reds, yellows green etc. How I loved it.

bugs

I seem to be obsessed with bugs. But I have tried to post other things on this blog - - and all it seems to pick up are 'bugs' ! Really - - I don't concentrate on these things that much - - they just happened - for that moment - - to be interesting. I'll keep trying to post other things, more interesting and fun.

bugs

You know about 'Bats in the Belfry"? Well, I have 'bugs in the belfry'. They come down from the edges of my ceiling tile. The exterminator has been here three times. He claims that the cracks between the ceiling tile are too close for any bug to crawl through. Today - - Nov. 15 - - too cold for any bug ' ' I saw something black come through one of those joints between ceiling tile as I was eating my breakfast on my enclosed balcony.

So I watched it - - looked more like a spider than the summer bees - - which looked more like wasps to me. The bug crawled along that joint, and then disappeared. I went over to look directly up - - there was nothing there. I went back, sat down with my cup of coffee - - and in a few moments - the black thing reappeared - just a few inches from where I had seen it disappear.

I watched this several times, then with a smile I called out 'security' - - the people who answer any call about any thing - - even 'bugs in the belfry'. She said elise would come with a spray to 'get it'. I was more interested in watching to see where that ' thing' would come and go. It reached the end of the jint and turned to walk along the crack between the ceiling tile and the cement block edge of my balcony. It kept trying to crawl in the crack. No luck. It came to the next joint between 2 tiles - -it tried to enter that crack - - no luck.

It walked along the joint where ceiling and wall meet - cam to the corner of the room - - still no entry for it. Then Elise arrived - - bug spray can in her hand. I said - - let's just watch for a moment. She sat down - - and suddenly the bug disappeared. She was surprised to not see it - - so I persuaded her to stay a few more moments - - and sure enough the 'thing' reappeared a few inches from where it had entered - -- and then disappeared as quickly as it had emerged. She took her spray can and sprayed that area thoroughly. Then she sprayed where I had originally seen the bug. We opened the windows o the odor of the spray would disappear - - and Elise left. As I resumed my cup of coffee - - there came that bug - - out from where she had sprayed.

I sat and watched again. It was a spider and started dropping down - - while forming web. It was interesting - - it would 'fall' 2 or 3 inches - - then stop and move its legs in an unusual manner and drop 2 or 3 more inches. I have never before actually watched a spider make the 'silk' for it's web. At it dropped further - suddenly it dropped almost down to the floor - - as it came to the floor, I stepped on it - - it ran - - I stepped on it again - - and with a paper towel picked it up and deposited it in my toiler (not the paper, just the bug). And flushed the toilet twice - - just to be sure.

Such was my activity for this Monday morning. Life varies - - is never the same - - and isn't that wonderful! !

I realize I haven't made any comments on my Blog for several days. I've been trying to understand what I want to post - - and could not come to any conclusions.

But today, I'm just recording what I see - and think about - - and hope and pray this is a good solution.

Today, as I was pushing the outside door to leave the building, I notice a small bug - - maybe 1/2 inch long. I looked at it - - it had transparent wings - - front legs covered with white fuzz - - long antenna from its head - - clean - no fuzz, I went outside and looked at it there - -It had an unusual color - - very interesting. I walked on the the Great Hall. Coming back, I again saw the bug. It had not moved. As I looked at it, I wondered if I could get a picture of it. So I went to my apartment, got my camera, and went back to that door. Yes, it was still there - - motionless. But it is on glass - the camera focusses on the sidewalk or grass. I took several pictures - - none were very good - - this is the best - but you cannot see the unusual markings I could see.

I wondered about life - - and all God had created - and about this bug. Was it 'good' for us - - or 'harmful' to us and what we plant? It's legs - front and back - were so interesting - - God was so amazing in the countless variety of his creation. I just give thanks for this small bug - - and all the thought, wonderment it has created within me.

music

Last night, 8/12/10 I went with a friend to a free (!) - open seating - - concert of the Cleveland Orchestra. It was a taping of a compete symphony of B ------ (I can't remember his name - - I had not heard his music before - - but I seemed to be the only one so ignorant!) being done for WVIZ.

The music was magnificent - - and of course the surroundings of that beautiful concert hall are breath-taking. As I sat there - - I gave thanks for such an offering of spectacular music and overwhelming beauty. How blessed we are at times like these.

I have no picture - - I cannot find my program - - perhaps I'll find it and add the picture later.

Job I wouldn't want !!!

Yesterday I heard a strange noise - and looking up from my reading, I saw a man's face in my third floor window - - yes, the window washers were here doing their once-a-year washing. I know they never look in- - they are too busy trying to see if the window is clean.

I walked up close to the window and waved - - he saw me and waved back.

Then I thought I'd like a picture of that. When he went to my next door neighbor I took this picture. I never realized that he had one foot on the ladder and one foot on the window sill. That is one job I'd never, NEVER want to do.

So, here he is - - hard at work!

Maggie

Animals are such interesting creatures. My cat Maggie are having a slight disagreement over her food. I want to feed her as much as she will eat - - she is so very small - - the last time I tried to weigh her I believe she was only 4 pounds. So I will keep feeding her as long as she eats it.

But after I have given her food for about three - maybe four times, she may not finish what is in her dish. But she still comes to me - mewing as though she wants more food. I go, see food still in her dish - point to it and tell her, she has to eat all of it. She looks at though she doesn't understand. I'll even take my finger, move the food around a little in the dish - and tell her she must eat it before she gets anything more. She still plays 'dumb'. I have left her several times - - all this is over an hour or more period of time.

I went out to my balcony, read some, went and got a little tomato to eat - - Maggie following me all the time - crying. She had not eaten the food yet. I was ready to go to bed - and going to the kitchen to turn out the light, I saw her dish was empty. I exclaimed about how good she was - and got the flavor I knew she liked and gave it to her. She immediately 'pounced' on this new dish of food, eating it as though she had not been fed in days.

She understood all along what I was saying - - and trying, like a young child - to get her way without 'cleaning up her plate'. She finally 'gave up' and did what she had understood. Isn't it amazing what these animals can understand - - and pretend to not know what you want.

This type of incident has happened several times. I wonder when she will decide not to wait so long - - and will do what I tell her to do. I think she really enjoyed the game.

Brains

An article in the Plain Dealer 6/29/10 - YOU DOCS TIP OF THE WEEK:

Older but wiser brain

The article states: "You can't find your car in the parking lot? Your wallet's wandered away again? Etc. Think you are losing it?

EXHALE: Everyday memory lapses may mean your brain's getting older. But it is also getting wiser. ( ! ! ) . . . . . .

Yes, recall gets tougher with age. That's because our brains are taking in more information than ever before. . . . . . .

In new research, seniors absorbed more facts during a memory test than people in their teens and 200s. Plus they were 30% better at using the information later to make decisions. Better decisions ! YES ! ! . . .

Oh, and when you have an opinion, share it. After all, your brain's wiser than ever.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Isn't that reaffirming ! ? ! Many cultures have long recognized this. Their eldest ones are the 'wise ones'. Somehow in the modern era society has lost track of this wisdom. Let us elders reclaim our heritage and recognize that we are truly the 'wise ones'.

We need to do it ourselves. Younger people don't understand - and are too busy to see their own mistakes. Let us become the 'sages' of our time - - and speak up when we understand the situation better than our 20 year olds.

Don't let 'them' put 'us' in the corner. Speak the wisdom you know.

Death

Death is so hard to deal with. Whether it be only a small bird on the walkway, my beloved cat, Peaches, my brother, Hunt, my mother, Martha, my dear husband Ed, or now a wonderful friend, Don.

We know they are all right - the dear Lord has them in his caring presence and everything is

perfect for them

But us, - - -we are still here and there is an empty place where an important living being once was. We hear all the Gospel reassurances - - we believe them with our whole being - - but there is that empty space. That is so hard to face.

We pray that the dear Lord will remain especially close to each person suffering grief - - and understanding each person's grief, will provide the love , caring, and strength that is needed. Thank you Lord, for all these precious beings you have given us - for a time - -and then on into eternity. Thank you.

When I was a child my mother always said before we would start anything, "You have to get your ducks in a row". Here are the geese doing the same thing. That group has usually 14 young ones in it. And as you can see with all the geese on the grass - -we have a LOT of geese - -much to our groundskeeper's despair!

So sorry - - I couldn't even spell Tuskegee correctly! So sorry, Art.

90 Years !

A dear friend just celebrated his 90th birthday! What an accomplishment!

This does not 'just happen'. It takes years of work - honestly - Maintaining physical health as much as is possible - - maintaining mental alertness - as much as possible - - and continually maintaining friendship with long time friends and meeting and enjoying making new friends - -and a deep faith that God is present in all these phases of life - and even more we can't ever express. Praise the Lord. Thanks to God for the presence of Art Saunders in our midst.

Art was a Tussgee airman during WWII. And this group of escorts to bombers returning to their bases after a mission - - the Tussgee airmen - - held a record. THEY DID NOT LOSE A SINGLE BOMBER with its crew during the whole war! ! Bomber crew began to request the Tussgee airmen as the preferred escort on their way home.

This at a time of segregation. The African American airmen were not allowed into the 'regular' air corps. They were held outside. Officers were not 'allowed' into the regular officers lounges. It was truly a segregated time. And yet they became famous as the BEST there was in bomber escorts.

Then Art became a well-known architect - graduating from a 5 year graduate course in just 3 years. (This man is really brilliant - in so many ways.)

It was my great privilege to be included in his 90th birthday party. And you have seen the picture of me with Art and his beautiful wife, Iris. Thank you Art for coming to me and including me as a friend.

Geese & Experience

It is interesting to watch geese families as the walk past my window. The young are now almost the size of the mature ones. Yet. looking carefully , one can discern which are mature and which are still young. The mature, in looking around seem to do it carefully, systematically. The young ones look back and forwards rapidly, not seeming to focus on any one thing.

I wonder if that is also true of us humans. as we mature, we have learned what is important to look for - - and what are just 'extra details' which do not affect the situation in which we are located.

How's that for Philosophy 101, early in the AM?

Goose feathers

Our geese are molting. On the grass were these beautiful feathers. Aren't they wonderful? The underside of the feather is iridescent - -can you see it on the one? And the feathery base are so soft.

And to think that our ancestors valued these - and wrote those interesting, legible letters using goose quills. (perfect handwriting, not at all like mine).

Last Import

DSCF0120

OPINION

This Morning's Plain Dealer included - in the column 'OPINION' an editorial published in the NY Times. titled "One Cell Forward".

The article writes about a scientist who has created a 'synthetic cell' which might lead to the creation of artificial life. This possibility brings out many diverse feelings within me.

First - we were created with intelligence and called to use this intelligence. We are continuing to do so.

Second - we were created to have wisdom in all that we do.

Question: Are we called to use wisdom in the way in which intelligence functions?

If we don't do it, someone else - so why stop?

Who controls the intelligence and wisdom of this artificial creation of a human being?

For me, these questions keep returning - - but, I really do not have an answer to the questions. It does frighten me when I think of all the variation of potential possibilities.

Perhaps people were also frightened by the possibility of air-flight - of humans flying in the air.

(seeing what airlines are doing these days - maybe we should have been more frightened!).

'If GOD intended us to fly God would have given us wings' - - this was the kind of comment common in those days.

But an artificial human being? Are we trying to be like GOD? Or are we just exercising the intelligence which GOD gave us?

What do you think?

Memorial Day

This is Sunday of Memorial Day weekend - - - it brings so many memories - - of so many wars - - I remember Dec.7, 1940 - - I was in college - - Pearl Harbor ? ? Where is THAT ? It is part of the US? I never learned that - - no one ever told me there was a Pearl Harbor.

Then came Korea, and Vietnam, and Kuwait, and Afghanistan and Iraq - - and ? How I pray there not be any more.

We take our physically best young people, our mentally best - -put them in uniform - - and then send them out where our 'enemy' can shoot at them! It is insane !

Thousands of years ago the Bible tells us of the history where people took their most treasured child - usually the oldest - - and sacrificed them on an altar to God. These people were then told - - do not bring children - - an animal will do just as well.

Thousands of years later we still take our most treasured of children and send them off to a place where they might be killed. Will we never learn? There must be another way - without killing - - to settle differences of opinion - -to assure the safety - even the smallest one of the countries. THERE HAS TO BE ANOTHER WAY - - - WHEN WILL WE LEARN IT ?

I had the privilege to know, honor, and love two of these wonderful service men - - one who endured the Bataan Death March - plus 5 years in prison camp. The other on an LST took part in landings in Africa (Remember - Rommel?) - and Italy, and southern France - - then on to the Pacific to Iwo Jima and Okinawa - -and on and on.

To these men and so many more men and women I give my greatest respect and honor them today.

However I would pray and pray and pray that we - - as nations in this one world - - learn to settle our differences in some more civilized way.

God said "Stop sacrificing people to worship - -or to any other cause (my addition)". Let us listen - - with our hearts and minds and souls.

That's my 'preaching' for today. I feel deeply about it - as you may have noticed. But people - all people - of every nation or race or 'whatever' are God's creation. We need to respect this more than we do.

With deepest respect and caring and love, Hallie.

Senior Standouts

I have been reading with interest the students the Plain Dealer has been featuring as 'Standouts' in this part of Ohio. As I have been reading about them, I became interested in their names - - and what that might indicate about them. Here are a listing of these students:

Willis Koomson

Chardonay Brown

Aleflyah Lokhandwaia

Katerina Glyptis

Stephen Gacka

Jaimin Shah

Titiana DuBose-Butler

Arielle Stambler

Nemanja Raduka

Anne Song

Nabil Darwich

Kelsey DeForest

Teguru Tembo

Samantha Fay

How many have what we would call 'American names' ? I wonder how many different countries their parents came from - - what blessings and gifts these seniors have brought to this country.

And there are still some people who believe we should limit immigration - - look what we might have lost!

Let us give thanks that we still accept the poor and rich - - and outcast and acceptable - - and unusual people we have coming this way.

Let us welcome them with open arms - - accept their 'strange' accents - - and understand underneath that 'different' exterior is an unusual person and a person we are glad to have joined us.

Growing Old isn't easy !

Growing old is strange - - the clothes we wear - - even our shoes - - how I loved those narrow feet with high heels and pointed toes ! And Now - -we must be practical ! The constant admonition "DON'T FALL !" - - as if that were something we might chose to do ! So the shoes - - ah me, those shoes.

And all parts of us grow old - - even the smallest parts - - even those toes. And they don't stay straight any more - -they curl over each other and create problems. And we can't even cut those darn toe nails any more - - they have gotten so thick and curled it takes a specialist to do the job. DARN !

And as they grow crooked it sometimes takes special things to keep them a little more comfortable. Like that 2nd toe curled under the big one - a doctor gave me a small elastic, tubular bandage to put on it to protect it. So every night I take it off, wash it, dry it, and put it on my dresser for morning. Then in the morning I need to get it, put a drop a hand lotion on it so it will slip on more easily on that toe.

So I chose my slacks for the day, pick out a matching top, remember that little 'thingy' for my toe - -put it for safekeeping on my little finger - -get a drop of hand lotion to put on it - - go pick out the socks and shoes for the day - - take a sock and stretch it - they are always too tight - put on the sock, - -the start to put on the shoe - - but that little 'thingy' is still on my little finger - - - -so - - off comes the sock - on with the 'thingy' - then the sock and shoe - -

Getting dressed can be so complicated !!!

Christian muons

In Tuesday's Plain Dealer (pg. 6A) I found the most interesting scientific fact of the century (so far) - - I think it is. From that 'crazy' instrument - the 'particle accelerator' scientists found 'muons and 'anti-muons'. To be scientifically perfect, these should be created in exactly the same number.

But they were not. Somehow 'muons' were created a fraction more than 'anti-muons'. This extremely small difference - when multiplied millions of times - - created a universe when human beings could exist. Muons were considered the positive force - anti-muons the negative force.

This reminds me of the story of the butterfly which fluttered its wings in Tokyo and created a cyclone in NYC. Or - when I was a child - the story of the horse which lost a nail from his shoe - and therefore the horse was lost - because the horse was lost, the squad was lost, etc. Until the battle was lost, - all because of the loss of a nail in a shoe.

Such very small items speaks so positively to me as a Christian. One person can truly make a difference - - science has proven - - . Small good actions do get multiplied - and big changes happen.

Isn't it amazing how science and religion can really say the same thing !

THINGS HAPPEN ! !

For two days I was gone from my apartment. When I came home, something looked different - - I wasn't sure what it was. I looked all around - then looked outside.

You'll never guess what happened. In those two days the groundskeepers decided there were some trees that were too dense - - trees had to be removed.

THEY TOOK MY LOVELY PINE TREE ! ! IT IS NO MORE ! ! !

I had used that tree to frame my photos - you can see it on the picture at the beginning of my blog !! You will see it no more ! ! (weep - weep - )

Now I'll have to find another way to frame my pictures. But I must admit, I can see more - - in the direction the tree stood. I'll have to learn to look that way more often.

But I do have a few very unusual snow pictures of that tree from last winter. I'll wait till snow season comes again - then I'll share them with you.

Now, it is just a cold, rainy spring day. So be it.

Weather

Tonight it is raining hard, cold, and sometimes windy - not a pleasant night at all !

I wonder about my 2 friends from Project Learn who became homeless. I really hope and pray they have a place inside - dry and warm - to spend this night. There is no way I can help them - I don't know where they are - - or if they still 'are'.

But prayers reach out everywhere - - these 2 men are in my prayers - I'm sure somehow the Lord will take care of them.

In this great country of ours, there should be no homeless people - - somehow we need to learn to make shelter for every single person. Dear Lord, teach us.

Cleveland Clinic major growth - PD 5/4/2010 - and homelessness

The lead article in Cleveland's Plain Dealer was excitement concerning the 20 year plan for expansion of the Clinic. Sounds wonderful ! New buildings - more people employed - growing 'to the edges if its 168 acre campus'. WOW ! This area stretches 'roughly from East 85th to East 105 streets, and from Cedar Road to Chester Ave.' A fantastic plan - -changing the way the area looks - modern buildings - overhead walkways, etc.

But then I began thinking - - 10 or 15 years ago First United Methodist Church of Cleveland ran a shelter for homeless women and children. When we started there might be 15 or 20 women and perhaps 2 or 3 children. When the church finally had to involve other agencies it was because the church could no longer safely house 80 or 90 women and children. The growth in homelessness was dramatic.

I began to wonder where these homeless people were before becoming homeless. Then I remembered when Metro Hospital had that wonderful expansion which enabled it to become one of the leading health institutions of the area. And Metro truly does an outstanding work in bringing health to not only well insured people, but also to those with no insurance and no finances. It really does a magnificent job.

BUT - the expansion came because many of the older houses in the area were bought, razed to make the property available for the hospital. However, even though the houses were old - and perhaps not so well maintained - it did not mean that they might be empty.

I was working with Project Learn in that area and was teaching the adults basic reading skills. We knew men who had lived in the Metro Hospital area - the house where they had rented rooms was sold to the hospital - -and now the men had no place to live. They did not make enough to rent an apartment - - but one room in a house with several other men was within their reach. But now -- they were homeless. They had no address to give an employer - - no phone where they could be reached - - no place to hang their clothes - - and on and on. One slept with a friend who was a night watchman in a junk yard - - another just 'disappeared'.

I worry about the exciting developments of the Cleveland Clinic - and how many more homeless people it will create. And I have no answer as what to do about it. But there are many people - living on the edges of society - barely 'making it' - -people who need inexpensive places to be - - -.

The men I knew would not have liked an apartment-type dwelling. The 'rooming house' created a home for them. They were not isolated from others.

Someone - somewhere - should in some way acknowledge this relationship - - and start bringing solutions of homelessness into the planning of the exciting expansion of the Clinic. People are as important - and really more important - than buildings - - no matter how beneficial the new buildings might be.

HELP ! WHO WILL SPEAK FOR THE POTENTIAL NEW HOMELESS PEOPLE ?

PROUD ? ! ?

I have just seen the first goslings of the season. They are not 'newborns' but look as though they are 2 or 3 weeks old. In the picture you notice how far away the other geese are from the goose family. They know how fierce the parents can be if their little ones are threatened. I wouldn't try to get close either. But aren't they 'cute'. (Our maintenance people would turn purple if they heard me say they were cute!)

Birds and other 'wild life'

Several days ago I saw that our great blue herons had returned. They have a 'nesting group' (I know there is a name- just can't think of it at this moment) about 30 miles from here.

I have watched them for several years - and wondered about their name "great blue heron'. I understand the 'great'. Their wing span is about 7 feet. But 'blue'? They are a greyish bird - - I guess you might name it a blue-grey - - but it would not be outstanding. Then I saw one flying just overhead. I looked up - - the underside of its wings were a bright blue - the color of the sky above it. It was spectacular. Now I readily agree they are truly the 'GREAT BLUE' herons.

Isn't interesting how things can change in an instant when one sees the object from a different viewpoint! And how rarely we are able to see 'the other side' and make judgements from our single sight.

The picture you see is of our Canada geese. There are 2 pairs there - -see the one in a distance - rather separated, but definitely 'a pair'. should another goose come close, it would be in trouble. These are such beautiful - and outstanding birds - to look at and enjoy.

BUT _ _ Here they are considered a nuisance. They 'poop' - only on our sidewalk - it seems. The maintenance staff are constantly being call to come and 'clean it up!' It all depends on how we see them - - and how they affect our lives.

I guess it is the same as with us - - how we see one another - - how it affects us - - and how we feel we need to respond.

And think - - all of these random thoughts just from one 'great blue heron'.

Have a great day!

Losing the 'saved'

Yesterday I wrote what I thought were some interesting ideas. But then I got a phone call that it was dinner time. So I 'saved' my piece.

After dinner I came back to finish it - - and couldn't find the 'save'. I hunted in many places - I obviously didn't know the right one. So - - it's gone - -maybe forever into the ether - somehow.

Then I got to thinking about things I've saved - - because at the moment they were so important. So I put them away 'safely' for another day. The 'saved' object may remain hidden to days or months and often for years. When I finally find it, I wonder - - what is this? Why did I ever 'save' it?

I guess this is the same for ideas - - some need to be 'saved' , because of the universal application it might have. Others should be truly 'lost' forever. So I rate that bit I wrote yesterday - - with the later. You are spared the time it might have taken to read it - - and now are caught in a bit of philosophy. So be it! Hallie

There are 'some' days

Today it is raining slightly - - I can tell only by looking outside at the lakes. There are 'rain spots' on them . It is not hard enough to touch my windows.

Naturally it is cloudy. - a hard day to get out of bed.

Sitting in my rocking chair - - just thinking and wondering - - I picked up Friday's PD which happened to be opened to Regina Brett's column. She says, 'Just get up; dress up; show up' for days like this.

Problem is - - I can 'get up', I can 'dress up', - - but, being retired, where am I expected to 'show up'? No. I don't want another committee meeting - - I've had vertigo - (unbalanced - so?) I shouldn't go to the exercise class - - - - so - where do I show up? If I've no place to 'show up' what is the point of getting up and dressing up?

O what a wonderful morning! O what a wonderful day!

In the PD - on the Comics page there is a small column I enjoy reading - "Strange but true". Today the column asks the question "do dreamers ever crack jokes in their sleep, especially in the form of puns?" (Crazy idea!)

The writer then tells about a psychology professor who told about this dream.

Let me quote a portion of his dream:

"Then he dreamed they were all sitting on the floor, heads shaved, and one asked, 'Oh, master, who possesses all wisdom, how do we attain perfect knowledge?' Glancing around at the expectant faces, he replied, 'You must drink sage tea.' "

What fun!

My father often dreamed, remembered these dreams, and would tell us about them at the breakfast table. Very often they were like the movies we saw on Saturday afternoons a the local theater.

They were the 'to be continued' kind. It was always an exciting happening, and then just as the hero was escaping he was running pellmell toward an unseen cliff, Dad's dream stopped. Several mornings later he'd come and say, "I found out what happened" - and would pick up on where the dream had left off, and give us a second chapter of the adventure - - once again leaving the hero in a very precarious situation.

These dreams might go on for several weeks before they ended . Then it might be a month or more before he began to dream another cliffhanger. Also, he dreamt in color and could describe the scene in the dream very vividly in color.

We all enjoyed hearing his dreams - -and I was a little jealous because I never seems to have dreams I could remember. And this is still true.

Ed used to dream frequently. He took his dreams seriously and would wake himself to record the dream while he still remembered it. Then the next day he would reread it, and ponder all day if there was a message in the dream which he should hear.

Occasionally he would tell me his dreams and together we might wonder about the meaning. I was not much help to him in this realm.

He firmly believed that we can receive guidance and information through dreams. He would remind me of the many references to dreams in the Bible - - and that dreams so often brought very important thoughts - - of potential dangers - - or wonderful future happenings. These were given to the dreamer - - but someone needed to interpret them.

I still wonder about dreams. I keep a piece of paper and pencil by the bed - - but when I wake up, all I have is some unusual feeling - and no memory of what caused it.

It must take a very special person who remembers their dreams - - and someone also very special to understand and interpret these dreams.

So, I just keep wondering - and waiting - -

This is the day the Lord has made - Let us rejoice and be glad in it.

Then I opened the morning PD - and read of St Cecelia's closing - - my heart wept. I wept when St. Peter's closed. I wept when First United Methodist Church closed. I wept when the three west side United Methodist churches closed. Our city is being deliberately deserted by organized religion.

These 'organized' religious groups who are deserting the city are leaving a tremendous 'hole' of leadership in faith - in worship of God.. And where a vacuum is present, something else will enter - -perhaps with a more sinister motive.

We Christians of this century seem to have our devotion and religious yearnings so connected with a building that we are not sure what to do when the building is closed, but to get angry and leave. When this structure which surrounds our worship no longer is viable, and the 'ones in power' move away we are left with the feeling that 'our Christ' has left us powerless -or useless- or all alone.

Somehow I am reminded that Christ's ministry was never centered in a building. History of the first century also seemed to say - - 'follow what the religious leaders - those related to the building - - or else we will kill you' my interpretation. ( I do not want to be killed!)

I have been wondering again about that early church - how it started - with a leader, a person, telling 'the Story' - - talking to people anyplace it seemed to be needed - - and then to gather into small groups to study, to pray and to be inspired by the Holy Spirit' to go and do God's will in this world.

I going to start rereading the book of Acts - - the story of the beginnings of Christ-centered groups of people. They did not start by building a structure of bricks and stone and marble. They started by small groups meeting together in people's homes. They were initially inspired and led by a person who knew they were called by Christ to go and tell 'the Story' of one who loved so deeply - and pointed toward the undefinable 'Holy Spirit'.

Are we being called once more to the central part of our devotion - the Christ - - not the building? Are we being dramatically shown that our mission is to spread the word of Christ - not to maintain a structure - of cement - or of people?

Perhaps this is God's way of leading each one of us - - to relearn how to invite people into our homes - our lives - to study and to pray - and to find in a new way the Christ of this twenty-first century.

Frankly, I've never done it. I'm not sure even how to begin. I'm praying that someone - out there - perhaps even the Lord (!) - will guide me - and perhaps you, too - in the first small steps we might take.

Will it be by inviting into our physical home - or apartment - or room - - or wherever we might be - -or - by use of this wonderful tool - the internet. Is this our 'new home' in this century. If it is, we could have it with us, wherever we my roam - and still find our Christ-centered friends there, waiting for us to come in.

Now I need to find my Bible - the book of Acts - and begin my own learning process. Will you join me?