Dear All of Us,
Doesn't it just make you crazy nuts
when the "techie's" take over
your phone or computer screen
force feeding a menu of ads and
UPDATES
Well, hope this doesn't make you
too crazy nuts, but, minus the ads,
here are a few
UPDATES
This is the final posting of
frankly speaking
in its six-year
FORMAT
Going forward we will have
a variety of short sharings,
some from me, many from others.
Subject and expression will differ
from posting to posting,
all offered in support of a
full, free spirituality
out here on the streets of as is.
So, here's a touch of "some such."
Could be a mix of:
a brief reflection
a prayer
a piece of poetry
points for meditation
an excerpt
referrals
quotes
and
The Spirit only knows what else.
Please have a taste of this new menu
that follows below.
*****************************
Dear All of Us,
For our prayerful reflection here is a
A SPIRITUAL POTPOURRI:
The master was asked,
"What is spirituality?"
He said,
"Spirituality is that which succeeds
in bringing one to inner transformation."
The disciple:
"But if I apply the traditional methods
handed down by the masters
is that not spirituality?"
The Master:
"It is not spirituality
if it does not perform
its function for you.
A blanket is no longer a blanket
if it does not keep you warm."
The Disciple:
"So spirituality does change?"
The Master:
"People change.
So what was spirituality once
is spirituality no more.
What generally goes
under the name spirituality
is merely the record of past methods."
The Song of the Bird
Anthony de Mello
John Frank here.
In other words,
don't cut the person
to fit the coat!!
Soul Scope:
What does this say about our
spiritual approaches and practices?
In our right now,
what's a God fit for us?
******
Vision
"It's a terrible thing
to see and
have no vision."
Helen Keller
Soul Scope:
What is our, the church's,
our country's, vision?
Is there one?
If so, should/do we follow it?
If not, why and what
might be a good way to start
or reset?
******
A Prayer Pause
"Praise the Lord!
Sing to the Lord a new song..."
Psalm 149:1
Soul Scope:
What are a few newly noticed things
for which I praise the Lord?
What are ways to "praise the Lord"?
God Bless,
John Frank
**************************
I sure hope "some such"
as above will be helpful.
As always, the goal is to
clarify and encourage
as we journey spiritually
out here on
the streets of as is.
Why a change?
Well, quite "John Frankly",
time is telling and
time is running out.
At four score and more,
time shows and slows.
That means less energy
to do things and
more time to get
those things done.
Private and communal prayer,
meditation, family, friends,
offering spiritual direction,
study, chores, naps, writing,
recording a family
and personal history,
a wonderfully expanding
silent oneness,
claim more than the clock
of how things are and I am
wants to allow these days.
Before "Times up!"
there's the hope to complete
the writing of
END NOTES
It is a collection of "notes"
here at the "end" of my days.
It is a bequest of insights,
understandings, enthusiasms,
lessons learned, references,
a witness to the Good
in them and way beyond them,
and also the other side
of the currency of now -
challenges, concerns and cautions.
I really don't know a hell of a lot.
I just want to share what I do know
in support of my Grandson,
Ollie the Younger,
and any other takers as
this next and so dear generation
work their way forward to
Real and Full.
Something else I want to share.
These latter days I'm as honest as
I know how to be.
END NOTES
is
unvarnished, unbleached.
As a pastor and educator
I've had to tame my words
to the tolerance level of institution
and the people in it,
especially those in the front office.
That's how it is when you go public
and take a salary for it.
That can be prudent.
That can be cowardly.
That can be a lot of a lot.
Well, these days
there's no institutional salary
crimping content and extent.
I hope, I pray that
END NOTES
will be a legacy shedding a few
RAYS OF REAL
for facing a future that can be
bright as the sun,
yet at the moment is clouding over
ever more dangerously dark,
as Empire dims people
and place to death.
I hope, I pray that
END NOTES
will highlight,
be beacon,
to the
promise, potential and power
of thriving together in
THE REALM OF REAL
THE KIN DOMAIN OF GOOD
LOVE LIVED COMMUNITY
Well, yah, my enthusiasm shows!
But you know what,
to adjust the metaphor,
"This little flashlight of mine,
I'm gonna let it shine."
So, the short of the long above
is I need to trim the sails.
And yet this slowed old man
with lots to be and do
is happy to continue with you all
in a new way offering
frankly speaking
GOING FORWARD
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of the online posting.
******
A great big, happy
Welcome
to folks new here this week.
Among others, we were fortunate
to have a large number of
new folks from
the Netherlands
and from Japan.
Great for us all to be together
here at
frankly speaking
spirituality for the street
johnfrankshares.blogspot.com
Looking forward to
gathering next week.
In The Love Who Is God,
John Frank
******
