The Light in the Woods

#22 – THE LIGHT IN THE WOODS – MAY 2007

© Aubri Dennison 2007

5/3/07 Presentations           A few days ago I was doing my evening prayers under a beautiful blanket of stars. Now, I know enough not to ask for signs but often I notice that conditions are so right, both within me and with the environment I’m in, that I wouldn’t be surprised to get a sign. So it was with some expectation of seeing a “falling star” that I went on with my prayer. Afterward, when no meteorite appeared, I thanked God anyway for the anticipation of the gift, and didn’t feel slighted at all. This morning my morning prayers were all connected to the fact that it’s the national day of prayer. This time I did see my meteorite even though my thoughts were not on it at all. I saw it under a starless sky, in the glow of the rising sun, when there was no particular reason for me to be looking out the window or looking in that direction for the split second this presentation was visible. To me, the incident reminded me that God works on His own time and in His own way; that just because we’re attuned to our own ways, even when we feel in union with God, doesn’t mean God is limited to doing only what we expect. And even though we shouldn’t expect a sign from God, that doesn’t mean He can’t gift us with one.

5/18/07 Presentations               During the forest fire that has been devastating this country and causing us to be evacuated from our home for a week, we returned home at last. I could spend the night in a mix of discomfort that the fire was still in the area, and bliss to be able to sleep in our own home again. I fell asleep holding a cross, and at different times of the night I would half-wake at the smell of smoke, and notice through all the tossings and turnings, the cross was still in my hand. My favorite intuition is that God is always with us, personally and up close, and it was a sign of truth and trust that in the midst of uncertainty the cross was still in my hand in the morning when I woke up for good.

5/19/07 Insights from Prayer              There are two kinds of poor – those who have nothing and those who have enough but resent others who have more, feeling oppressed and like victims of social injustice. Those who have been gifted and want to give back would like to help the first kind of poor, but have only experienced the second kind. Where do you donate that you can be sure your money won’t go for drugs or terrorism? It would seem to have to be a program that encourages the second kind of poor to help the first kind of poor. If we could organize innercity kids to mission in Africa, for instance, we could have a situation where everyone benefits. The donors would be helping both kinds of poor and in a way that doesn’t just throw money down a well. The first kind of poor benefit in material and in emotional camaraderie. The second kind of poor learn about love for others, self-sacrifice, and appreciation for what they do have. Would God look down kindly on such an arrangement?

5/21/07 Insights from Prayer             Why couldn’t I pray when I was away from home during the forest fire? The best thing about God is that He’s inside; He doesn’t have to find me if I go away, and I never have to live a life when God is unavailable to me. So why should it be so easy to talk to Him at home and so difficult while I was away? I had the time, the place, and the desire. I had more to ask for than ever, and more to be thankful for. I felt God’s presence, I felt an understanding of His plan even though it was a trial for me, and I felt supported and guided. I prayed, but it was a chore – a strained relationship. Maybe it’s just that I’m not myself when I’m not home and it didn’t feel like me doing the praying. Maybe it’s that in the world there are so many things, overwhelming things, that do not speak of God in any way. And of course there was the stress of not knowing and not being able to find out. All situations where prayer would help, and I couldn’t pray.

5/21/07 Insights from Study          How come those who keep calling for unconditional acceptance, distribution of wealth, and guaranteed human rights never rally for an equal distribution of effort and responsibility? It’s why wealthy Americans will support missions to other countries before they’ll invest in the poor and homeless in their own. Elsewhere, conditions that make for poverty aren’t self-imposed, but results of poor resources and poor government. The U.S. has made great strides in promoting human rights and opportunities here, but it’s never enough for people who are victim-oriented and have never experienced real deprivation. Everyone’s afraid to say it, but when whatever you do for people is not appreciated you quit throwing money down a bottomless pit, and contribute somewhere where it’ll make a difference. A family in Africa coming to know the joys of clean drinking water is more deserving than some gang member in innercity Detroit whose life of crime doesn’t get him all he wants. I would rather provide books to the needy than fresh needles to an addict. Am I insensitive? No. I know that in opposite situations the people need help. But there’s a difference in being poor through circumstances and poor through attitude. To the one you offer money and opportunity; to the other you offer spirituality and tough love. Then let God distribute the gifts the way He sees fit.

5/22/07 Insights from Prayer        When you want to ask for something in prayer, don’t approach it as telling God what you want Him to do. You will have a natural aversion to this and that will affect your prayer in a bad way. Instead, simply tell God what you want for yourself and for others. Be selfish, because it’s the act of your asking that pleases God – don’t let humility get in your way in this instance. God knows you know all takes place according to His plan of action; He knows your degree of humility, and He even knows your desires before you do. At the time of prayer, don’t be troubled by the philosophy of religion, and don’t allow your humility to keep you from union with God. It’s OK with God if you come right out and ask for what you want. It’s more than OK – in itself it’s part of His plan to keep you aware of your spirituality and your response to Him. “Fear of the Lord” means respect for God and His love for you. He has told you to come to Him as a child comes to its father, and that like any father He will give you good gifts. If you trust God for this, then the important thing is that you allow yourself to tell God your wants. Forget about whether what you ask for is right or whether you deserve it. These things are God’s responsibility. Your job is to welcome His doing His job.

5/22/07 Insights from Prayer            In the Old Testament God spoke through special persons such as Abraham, Moses and the prophets. In the New Testament God spoke through Jesus to everyone who has eyes to see; ears to hear. The Holy Spirit passes along what Jesus passes along from the Father. After Jesus the need for an incarnate manifestation of God was gone. Now the Holy Spirit can enter into everyone’s nature. It makes sense. Even if you need to trust in God’s plan, it’s also logical to the human mind.

5/30/07 Insights from Study                On the one hand we’re advised to see God’s presence in everything existing in our world. On the other hand we’re told to put aside everything that doesn’t speak of God, in order to love Him without whole heart, soul and mind. The secret lies in choosing what we choose and doing what we do with an eye towards the true thing of most importance — love of God. In other words, see God in all His creation, but choose to revere only the things that support His love for you. You can immensely enjoy a football game without having to choose between it and God; there is a time for the things of the world and a time to put them aside. But as you’re enjoying God’s gifts, it costs you nothing to thank God for your ability to enjoy them, for the gifts that allow you to enjoy life on Earth. In this way you are putting God first, and this isn’t meant to be an onerous chore.