Tuesday, November 8, 2016

another voice

http://mikemorrell.org/

Nature as a mirror of God

https://cac.org/nature-mirror-god-2016-11-08/

Of course the Celtic monastics and Native Americans simply accepted this.  But I am grateful for the mystics who have attempted to express it as best they could/can.  }:- ❤️

Tuesday, October 25, 2016

About

https://m.facebook.com/patrick.watters1/about?nocollections=1&ref=bookmarks

Monday, September 19, 2016

Wiconi . . . story within the Greater Story -


At some point we Christians must take a serious look (examen) at our lives to see if we reflect Christ or consumer Christianity.  When others look at us and our lifestyle do they see humility and simplicity, or the wealth of the world?  Prosperity gospel, or the riches of the true Gospel Kingdom?

What's in a name?  Jesus, the Christ of God versus the religion called Christianity.   When did love, grace, mercy, compassion, and humility get superseded by worldly wealth, power and fame?

I walked away from the religion when it seemed "empty", I came "back" to Jesus and met him for the first time.  The new relationship has been a journey, he's taught me much along the way, and I expect has more in store for an old monk of a moose.

Gratitude.  Yep, that's the word.  That's where and who I've become through surrender and submission, as opposed to striving and controlling.  Grace and blessings, even through trials and suffering.  My passion in this season is simply to share the LOVE, to talk story and let the Creator and Lover of my soul do the rest.

Mitakuye oyasin, beannacht De ort.

}:- ❤️ anonemoose monk

(aka Patrick Watters, Muddy, da Moose, Pops, Papa, Poppa Watters, Daddy Pat, Perching Eagle . . . Beloved)

I'm 

Monday, August 15, 2016

#THEANSWER

#THEANSWER

One would think after looking at the broken and violent history of humanity we should realize healing cannot come from human efforts alone?

Only the Creator and Lover of all souls has the authority and power to redeem, restore and recreate "Their" creation.

So then what are we to do?!

Surrender and submit to divine LOVE, out of which "They" will "make all things new".  This IS the HOPE which exists even in our broken, violent world.

LOVE will motivate us toward self-sacrifice, humility, mercy, compassion, and grace.  We will cast aside our own selfish wants and desires for the greater good of humanity and in response to divine LOVE as we embrace our own identity as the Beloved.

Many throughout history have discovered and embraced this divine Truth, but it is so counterintuitive to the selfish, greedy, power-hungry ways of the world that only surrender and submission can bring us to it.  It is a holy contradiction that is most often arrived at through our own brokenness and despair ("dark night of the soul").

Do not expect our leaders, religious nor political, to achieve healing and restoration, nor even to guide us in the Way of Love.  The Creator through Their Spirit of LOVE will gather an army of surrendered and submitted ones who will go and do an abundance of small things made great and powerful in LOVE.  This then is how we partner with the Creator and Lover of our souls, of every soul, as They redeem, restore  and recreate, making all things new in heaven and earth.

It is a Great Mystery revealed to the humble, but hidden from the proud.  It is the divine Truth at the heart and core of most of the religions of man.  If we will consider it, it is best revealed and demonstrated in the one called Jesus of Nazareth, the Christ of God.  But I caution you, do not look to the religious or their institutions, including Christianity, to discover this for yourself.  We come to it in Trust that the Spirit will reveal the Truth as we seek first the Kingdom of God.  Yes, Holy Scripture is our guidebook, but we need the Guide to explain and bring revelation to our heart and soul.

When we have come to it, to LOVE, we will simply be present in humility wherever and to whomever.  We will live in simplicity, yet with great Peace and JOY even in the midst of the brokenness.  It begins in our own homes and families, then goes out into our neighborhoods and communities, joining the great army of LOVE throughout the world.  We will give sacrificially out of what we've been given, even the smallest amounts making a positive difference globally as they are multiplied by the Creator through Their Army of LOVE.

Quiet yourself this day, listen to Their voice, "You are the Beloved of divine LOVE, of the Creator and Lover of your very soul."  In this Truth you have and are HOPE in our broken, violent world.  You are powerful beyond worldly measure, you have great authority in LOVE.  Your simple, humble prayers are multiplied exponentially as they are lifted to the heavens.  Your simple, humble, loving presence in the world is made transformative and healing by the Presence of divine LOVE Themselves.

}:- ❤️ "in humility be present, in simplicity live, in love, grace and mercy impart HOPE"


The greatest teaching on peace, the greatest teaching ever in LOVE:

Jesus of Nazareth, the Christ of God - Sermon on the Mount:

Matthew 5The Message (MSG)

You’re Blessed

1-2 When Jesus saw his ministry drawing huge crowds, he climbed a hillside. Those who were apprenticed to him, the committed, climbed with him. Arriving at a quiet place, he sat down and taught his climbing companions. This is what he said:
“You’re blessed when you’re at the end of your rope. With less of you there is more of God and his rule.
“You’re blessed when you feel you’ve lost what is most dear to you. Only then can you be embraced by the One most dear to you.
“You’re blessed when you’re content with just who you are—no more, no less. That’s the moment you find yourselves proud owners of everything that can’t be bought.
“You’re blessed when you’ve worked up a good appetite for God. He’s food and drink in the best meal you’ll ever eat.
“You’re blessed when you care. At the moment of being ‘care-full,’ you find yourselves cared for.
“You’re blessed when you get your inside world—your mind and heart—put right. Then you can see God in the outside world.
“You’re blessed when you can show people how to cooperate instead of compete or fight. That’s when you discover who you really are, and your place in God’s family.
10 “You’re blessed when your commitment to God provokes persecution. The persecution drives you even deeper into God’s kingdom.
11-12 “Not only that—count yourselves blessed every time people put you down or throw you out or speak lies about you to discredit me. What it means is that the truth is too close for comfort and they are uncomfortable. You can be glad when that happens—give a cheer, even!—for though they don’t like it, I do! And all heaven applauds. And know that you are in good company. My prophets and witnesses have always gotten into this kind of trouble.

Salt and Light

13 “Let me tell you why you are here. You’re here to be salt-seasoning that brings out the God-flavors of this earth. If you lose your saltiness, how will people taste godliness? You’ve lost your usefulness and will end up in the garbage.
14-16 “Here’s another way to put it: You’re here to be light, bringing out the God-colors in the world. God is not a secret to be kept. We’re going public with this, as public as a city on a hill. If I make you light-bearers, you don’t think I’m going to hide you under a bucket, do you? I’m putting you on a light stand. Now that I’ve put you there on a hilltop, on a light stand—shine! Keep open house; be generous with your lives. By opening up to others, you’ll prompt people to open up with God, this generous Father in heaven.
And later this too:

Matthew 5:43-48The Message (MSG)

43-47 “You’re familiar with the old written law, ‘Love your friend,’ and its unwritten companion, ‘Hate your enemy.’ I’m challenging that. I’m telling you to love your enemies. Let them bring out the best in you, not the worst. When someone gives you a hard time, respond with the energies of prayer, for then you are working out of your true selves, your God-created selves. This is what God does. He gives his best—the sun to warm and the rain to nourish—to everyone, regardless: the good and bad, the nice and nasty. If all you do is love the lovable, do you expect a bonus? Anybody can do that. If you simply say hello to those who greet you, do you expect a medal? Any run-of-the-mill sinner does that.
48 “In a word, what I’m saying is, Grow up. You’re kingdom subjects. Now live like it. Live out your God-created identity. Live generously and graciously toward others, the way God lives toward you.”

"Love one another."

Sunday, April 17, 2016

Social Media Sabbatical

When we deride our fellow human beings, we deride Christ and His Body, the Church.  In this way we participate with the evil dweeb.  To rejoice with others in their Joy and Blessings is the Way of Christ, the Way of LOVE. }:- ❤️

I have chosen to remove myself from Facebook and groups to avoid the negativity of some, a sabbatical of sorts, rather than be drawn into the negativity.  I will return after God has done Their work of healing and encouragement in me.  }:- 💔~❤️ 

Preachers Workshop on Youtube

https://m.youtube.com/channel/UC3P2cDd9XHE7IOD1EoadWng

"Cop a tude" };-)

Attitude and response go hand in hand.

And we choose our attitudes; negative and condescending, or positive and encouraging.  The latter is the Way of LOVE, the former is "evil dweeb" territory.  }:- ❤️

#chooselove and truly live . . . and yes, we must be intentional about this, encouraging one another . . . God knows da Moose needs it!

Wounded Healers

Some of us tend to do away with things that are slightly damaged. Instead of repairing them we say: "Well, I don't have time to fix it, I might as well throw it in the garbage can and buy a new one." Often we also treat people this way. We say: "Well, he has a problem with drinking; well, she is quite depressed; well, they have mismanaged their business...we'd better not take the risk of working with them." When we dismiss people out of hand because of their apparent woundedness, we stunt their lives by ignoring their gifts, which are often buried in their wounds.

We all are bruised reeds, whether our bruises are visible or not. The compassionate life is the life in which we believe that strength is hidden in weakness and that true community is a fellowship of the weak.  Henri Nouwen

Tuesday, February 23, 2016

On healing prayer and ministry -

"Sometimes our wounds may be thorns of blessing that we misconstrue?"  }:-



Last night my wife, daughter-in-law and I attended a healing prayer meeting.  We love that believers understand that all the gifts of the Kingdom are present in our time, (because of course, the Kingdom IS indeed present!)  We have personally witnessed physical healings, the immediate kind and the longer term kind, but I must confess it is the beautiful inner healing that comes through forgiveness and repentance that moves me to tears of JOY.  Although I must also confess it was nice to see my wife's TMJ (jaw) issue healed last night!  };-)

My personal issue with the healing ministries is the tendency to make a "show" of something that is so beautiful and intimate between the Lover of our soul and us.  Those who truly practice healing prayer effectively do so in utter humility and the knowledge that it is the Spirit of God that heals.  Which brings me to the subject of this "moosage", that our wounds are too often misconstrued, and in a holy contradiction are actually meant as blessings from our Father who knows best, (not always, but often.)  The Apostle Paul himself referred to the "thorn in my side" that the LORD allowed to remain as a blessing and not a curse.  "My Grace is sufficient for you."  Far too often we are too quick to desire physical healing when God has something of far greater, eternal importance for us, (again, not always, but often).  This is where much prayer (the listening kind in silence and solitude) is of greatest importance.  The ancient fathers and mothers knew this well, and practiced it.  We in this time would do well to seek such wisdom and healing, instead of the "fast food", give it to me now Western solutions to all our perceived needs.

I also personally believe that Jesus's greatest concern is always for "inner healing", healing of the heart and soul.  Medicine has shown that stress manifests itself in humans and all Creation in destructive ways.  Heart disease, cancer, gastro-intestinal, mental illness, etc. all have origins in spiritual and emotional stress.  So, often inner healing (and prayer focused there) will lead to physical healing.  Now it's true we won't often see the miraculous, instantaneous healings of many of the "celebrity healers", but the transformation is no less miraculous and has eternal benefits to the one healed thusly.

Do Patti and I practice healing prayer as part of our "ministry"?  Well yes of course, but probably not in the same way as many others, including the "celebrity healers".  Our lives in Christ and this ministry we choose to call "Anam Cara" (soul care & soul friends) is modeled after the lifestyle Jesus chose for himself when he walked this earth.  The pattern is simple; intimate time spent with our Father in silence and solitude, intimate time with others discussing life and God's Word, and applying it all to daily life, then after this preparation, encouragement and accountability we go out into the world to proclaim the Good News, to heal, and to baptize in the Name of the Holy Trinity, Three in One; Father, Son & Spirit.  Healing often comes simply because we are present as Christ's Love and Light, we don't have to speak special incantations or do anything in particular to witness the Spirit's work in others.

As I often remind other disciples I meet with, it's all about abiding in Christ, (John 15), or as mentor Eugene Peterson puts it, "a long obedience in the same direction" toward our true Home in God, and continually immersed in His "unforced rhythms of Grace".  Indeed, we may also carry wounds and scars from our own experiences of living in this broken world with broken people, (including our own family and loved ones), but the Lover of our soul has promised that He will "work for the good in all things" and bring blessing, growth and transformation out of trials and suffering.  "Fear not.  In this world you will have trouble, but I have overcome the world."

For me in a deeply personal and intimate way, this is the ministry of the "wounded healer" that another beloved mentor, Henri Nouwen, lived and wrote about.  I am grateful and content in this season for I am more often caught up in the Kingdom than in the world.  We are all on this Journey together, though our experiences and ministries may look different along the way, mutual encouragement, support and accountability are our shared blessings as we travel.

anonemoose monk 💔~💜 }:-

#agnessanford #williamvaswig

Reflecting Glory -



"But you are to be perfect, even as your Father in heaven is perfect."  [Jesus teaching in Matthew 5:48]

The Sermon on the Mount, as found in Matthew chapters 5-7 and elsewhere, is a collection of Jesus's foundational teachings.  It is the true heart of Christianity itself, the movement of God that His Christ came to start as one of us.  Chapter 5 of Matthew's gospel contains the Beatitudes (Blessings) that gives us a picture of what our lives should like as faithful followers (disciples) of Jesus.  That chapter also ends with the astonishing statement above, "But you are to be perfect, even as your Father in heaven is perfect."  Yes, an impossibility for us humans in this life, but Jesus was always pointing to His Father and the Kingdom wherein such impossibilities become possible.  Our challenge then is to surrender and submit to God's transformation by His Spirit in us.  This is the "long obedience in the same direction" as Eugene Peterson calls it.  It is taking on the "easy yoke and Light burden" of Christ for our lives, walking this journey in His "unforced rhythms of grace", (Peterson again).

The Apostle Paul, "caught up in the Spirit", spoke this Truth in a letter to those in the Church at Corinth, "For the Lord is the Spirit, and wherever the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. So all of us who have had that veil removed can see and reflect the glory of the Lord. And the Lord—who is the Spirit—makes us more and more like him as we are changed into his glorious image." [ 2 Corinthians 3:17-18 New Living Translation (NLT)]

Further, John, "the disciple whom Jesus loved" as he referred to himself, writes these things in his Revelation that Christ gave him before his death:

Revelation 21:22-27 New Living Translation (NLT)

22 I saw no temple in the city, for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple. 23 And the city has no need of sun or moon, for the glory of God illuminates the city, and the Lamb is its light.24 The nations will walk in its light, and the kings of the world will enter the city in all their glory. 25 Its gates will never be closed at the end of day because there is no night there. 26 And all the nations will bring their glory and honor into the city. 27 Nothing evil will be allowed to enter, nor anyone who practices shameful idolatry and dishonesty—but only those whose names are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life.

And finally this:

Revelation 22:1-5 New Living Translation (NLT)

22 Then the angel showed me a river with the water of life, clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb. 2 It flowed down the center of the main street. On each side of the river grew a tree of life, bearing twelve crops of fruit, with a fresh crop each month. The leaves were used for medicine to heal the nations.

3 No longer will there be a curse upon anything. For the throne of God and of the Lamb will be there, and his servants will worship him. 4 And they will see his face, and his name will be written on their foreheads. 5 And there will be no night there—no need for lamps or sun—for the Lord God will shine on them. And they will reign forever and ever.

As with many things of God, this all seems very mysterious, and I admit I had much difficulty grasping these Truths in my younger years.  My own faith journey led me down many paths until I finally returned to the One Narrow Way, the Good Red Road of Christ.  It is Jesus Himself, the Christ of God, fully human and fully God, Who is our own Revelation as well.  Therein the Great Mystery revealed; the Creator of all things is also the intimate Lover of our soul, our true HOPE and eternal salvation.

Immersed in Glory we cannot help but reflect it, reflect God.

}:- anonemoose monk 💔~💜



"The LORD God loves them all."



This morning as I awoke God placed two of my Brothers are my heart.  Both are struggling in their own "dark night of the soul", so I pray Philippians 4:4-9 on their behalf, as well as Ephesians 6:10-18 (I put the armour of God on them both.)

Then out back on the porch the Creator and Lover of all souls speaks His reassurance to me that all is well and LOVE ("He") will attaineth all things; fulfillment of the Kingdom of Heaven on earth, all things new.

First assurance comes in the beautiful sunrise and activity of nature as I sit in wonder with a grateful heart.  Then out of my thanksgiving He speaks divine, ultimate Truth, further assurance.

"All things I have created in LOVE.  Regardless of the condition of their being; of humanity's heart, mind and soul, my LOVE for them does not change.  You my child may see the different religions, creeds, races, even the sins of all mankind, but I only see My children whom I love and desire to redeem, restore and recreate.  My prophet Jeremiah is still correct in his words, 'I know the plans I have for you says the Lord.  Plans to prosper you and not to harm you. Plans to give you a hope and a future.'  Indeed I will do as I said and the prophets wrote."

Then the Spirit affirmed a deep Truth I have come to know and embrace personally.  Humanity sees with a divided mind, dualism, but God is One.  Therefore, all things, including those "made in Our image" are One.  The mystery of oneness, of relatedness is held in the One Relationship at the Center of all things.  Mankind's great problem since its own creation has been this dualism that sees differences rather than unity.

If you will allow me, I beg forbearance in trying to explain the inclusivity of Jesus, the Christ of God, despite the seeming exclusivity of the religion called Christianity.  This one man named Jesus of Nazareth, also called the Son of God and Son of Man, did not come to establish a religion of man.  Instead, in the Great Mystery that is "God", the Godman Himself came to fulfill all that the laws and prophets of man that had and have been trying to speak of this since God first spoke to man.

This is not about religion; all those systems of belief and unbelief of man, but about an intimate relationship with the Lover of our souls, the Creator of all things including us, the Sovereign Almighty Authority "Who" is also the Relationship at the Center and divine, ultimate, infinite LOVE.  This Relationship supersedes, transcends all religions and kingdoms of man.  The truths (LOVE's Truths) contained in all those religions, whether Hindu, Buddhist, Islam, Christianity, Hebrew and more, even atheism when it speaks of love, those truths are retained and are contained within the Relationship.  Once again we see unity, not differences.  (Oh that broken humanity could see and embrace this unity.  Instead, we have leaders who lead by proclaiming differences, promoting disunity!)

The mystery of being separate but one is found in the Relationship at the Center of all, divine LOVE, God.  In the unconditional love exhibited in the Godhead we humans find our own identity as one; individuals but also together.  Ultimate need for love is fulfilled, comes to us from the Lover of our soul and frees us to love others sacrificially.

This then is the Truth I deeply desire to proclaim with my words and my life, only by Grace, Lord make it so.  Amen.  }:- ❤️

#THEANSWER #LOVE #UNITY #RELATIONSHIPnotreligion #Trinity


https://cac.org/a-new-experience-2016-02-21/

http://myemail.constantcontact.com/Reflection-for-the-Second-Sunday-of-Lent_2016.html?soid=1011221485028&aid=e2ncDOo8P8A#fblike

http://myemail.constantcontact.com/Daily-Meditation--True-Intimacy.html?soid=1011221485028&aid=PTgjXg0LxdU#fblike

" I pray that they will all be one, just as you and I are one—as you are in me, Father, and I am in you. And may they be in us so that the world will believe you sent me."  [Jesus, the Christ of God, praying for all humanity -cited in the gospel of John contained in the Holy Bible.]

Sunday, January 31, 2016

Mental Illness - My Story

In hindsight now at the age of 65, I can look back to my teen years and begin to see the early beginning of my story, although there were probably subtle indications even before then?  My father, a very good man, suffered with his own mental illness throughout my childhood.  I am the oldest of four children who grew up in a loving home despite my father's bipolar illness and PTSD associated with his WW2 experiences.  The depression, anxiety, nightmares and hallucinations would eventually cause him to end his life in 1986, and coincidentally trigger a new season of illness for me after a period of wellness.  On to my own story then . . .

The first symptoms of depression (pervading sadness and loss of direction) began in my junior year of high school, increasing in my senior year.  My grades suffered and I lost interest in athletics, which had been a passion.  I did however make the effort to attend college in the Pacific Northwest, but grey weather added to my depression, then self-medicating with alcohol worsened things.  I returned home to Sacramento after a 1.0 semester, my life had fallen apart.

I enrolled at community college, got a job and tried to piece things back together.  During this time I had a "psychotic break" that led to worsened anxiety and panic disorder, yet still I did not seek medical treatment.  At 21, a high school friend and I decided it would be good to get married and move out together.  We graduated college, started careers, and bought a home, all the while I continued to suffer with depression and anxiety, including sleeplessness and now panic attacks too.  She "hung in there" with me for seven years before it became too much.  One evening over dinner she informed me she was moving out to a friend's home.  I begin to panic, went for a walk, and pondered having a "breakdown" and/or ending my life.

I must say at this point that I never sought medical help for my illness.  Not so much due to stigma, as to the fear that meds and treatment would  Only see me get worse as in my father's case.  Having a job and understanding co-workers and bosses saved me, literally.  I begin running (hadn't done that since junior year track season in high school).  I took to running as my therapy, becoming obsessed with it to the point of logging about 100 miles a week.  Then I added cycling (200-250 miles), and swimming (6-7 miles a week).  I competed in ultramarathons and Ironman triathlons, and slowly, subtly I got better?  After over a decade of severe clinical depression I honestly thought it was all behind me.  (Later, my psychiatrist would suggest that all that exercise "normalized' my brain chemistry, but you can't keep that up forever and have a family life too.)

By now, my first marriage had officially ended, during two years of separation, my wife had refused counseling and most contact.  And I had met someone who would eventually become my best friend and soul mate for life.  I would be severely remiss if I didn't stop here to thank my Creator for this Providence in LOVE.  So, life goes on in a new relationship, including the children I had always wanted, but my first wife not.  A few years in, after the birth of our second child, my father committed suicide, and I began to slowly slide back into depression.  My wife noticed my irritability and temper around home and suggested seeing a counselor, which I did.  My intuitive counselor detected immediately the classic symptoms of depression in men.  I did a lot of "work" with her in the area of cognitive therapy, but she really wanted me to see a psychiatrist and consider medicine in addition to therapy.  I was afraid of the medicine route mostly based on my father's experiences with the older treatments.  Persistence by my counselor, prayers and encouragement from my wife and friends, and a lot of research on my own part led me to relenting and scheduling my first appointment with a psychiatrist who would become my meds manager for the next 12 years.  We recently parted ways, both to "retirement", but healthy, happy and me confident in my ability to seek proper ongoing care via my family practice physician.

For those who may be curious about details, I continue to take an SSRI daily (lifetime), and have a couple anti-anxiety Rx's that usually expire in their bottles before I use them.  The SSRI handles my depression, GAD and panic quite well thank you.  I now meet with people to encourage and support them in their own journeys in this season of being a "wounded healer".  Life still has its challenges and trials, but I'm able now to "embrace" them by applying all the tools I've been given over the years.  I am grateful.

Patrick Watters, aka the anonemoose monk 😁💜