4Ü #251

Defining Moments

7 September 2006

WASSUP - Never say never
INSIGHT OUT - Defining moments
OUTSIGHT IN - Courage to listen
SEE YA SUNDAY - Making a difference in a global village
LAST WORD - Giving of yourself

WASSUP - Never say never

When was the last time you did something irrational?
Where your heart led before your head; a spontaneous decision without a list of pros and cons?

I thought I was impenetrable
It wasn't in my plan
But in the space of a couple of hours a puppy has now become part of my life

It was all in the big black eyes

If dogs look like their owners, I'm in deep trouble
A ball of black fluff
The front end indistinguishable from the back
Maltese poodle x

Her name, after much family debate, Rosa (after Rosa Parks)

I was reminded by a friend of a line I wrote early this year

What will the dog say when awakened to my presence?
Bark as aroused by an intruder or bound tail in hand with eyes of delight?

I'm done, or should that be undone?

I promise I won't...
tell of my potty training successes / failures
send you puppy pictures

INSIGHT OUT - Defining moments

Something ignited in my soul,
fever or unremembered wings,
and I went my own way,
deciphering that burning fire
Pablo Neruda

Earth, wind, water, fire
the crucible of life
forming
conforming
reforming
transforming
moments that make and break me
ever unchanging change
walking clay
deciphering wind whispers
saturated soul
ignited passion
time captured in a moment
forever defining

"Go out and stand before me on the mountain," the Lord told him. And as Elijah stood there, the Lord passed by, and a mighty windstorm hit the mountain. It was such a terrible blast that the rocks were torn loose, but the Lord was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. And after the earthquake there was a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire there was the sound of a gentle whisper.
1Kings 19:11&12

What are some of your life's defining moments?

OUTSIGHT IN - Courage to listen

Why is it that you are afraid to be asked the hard questions?
What is it that you are most afraid of hearing?

Listening requires courage
For in the moments you truly listen, you relinquish your power of words to another
shhh
Don't speak for a moment
Don't even think of what you want to speak next
Listen
No justifications or explanations
of course they've got the wrong end of it
So what's new?
Nothing at the moment
Because you won't shut up and listen!
Shhh

If you want to learn anything new
Have the courage to listen
Listen anew

SEE YA SUNDAY - Making a difference in a global village

This Sunday morning 8.30 & 10.30 am - Making a difference in a global village

This Sunday evening

Poets and Artists - Created to be creative

This is the beginning of a dream to form a community of artists and poets who have a desire to connect life and faith through their creativity. Let's kick off with three Sunday evenings starting September 10th at St Columba 7.00pm.

Starting next week

New series "Xtreme life"
This series will explore how to live a life beyond ordinary
Kick the rut, let go and take some risks that will make a huge difference.

Week one: Xtreme Love
Week two: Xtreme forgiveness
Week three: Xtreme service
Week four: Xtreme adventure

Thanks for this time to chat.

Andrew
St Columba
Where Life and Faith Meet
andrew.norton@stcolumba.org.nz

It's free but don't steal

If this is of help to others, you are welcome to forward it. This e-mail letter is 97% original - 3% cut and paste & 100% fat free. 4U is copyright to Andrew Norton. That means you can't cut and paste it and call it your own (that's stealing). I'm happy for it to be used but please refer to the author.

To subscribe to 4Ü, email subscribe@stcolumba.org.nz
To unsubscribe from 4Ü, email unsubscribe@stcolumba.org.nz

LAST WORD - Giving of yourself

This is true of life, that of being used for a purpose recognized by yourself as a mighty one, being a force of nature instead of a feverish, selfish little clod of ailments and grievances, complaining that the world will not devote itself to making you happy. I am of the opinion that my life belongs to the whole community and as long as I live it is my privilege to do for it whatever I can. I want to be thoroughly used up when I die, for the harder I work the more I live. I rejoice in life for its own sake.
George Bernard Shaw