Unquenchable Joy

An old European proverb says, "Walk I will not with a man who frowns on laughter." Charles Wesley -- co-founder of the Methodist movement -- said that sour godliness is the devil's religion. It is a good thing to stand in the sunlight, your spirit lifted up by the warmth and the vision, shadows scattered, mists of darkness fleeing. A joy-filled day is a good thing. A joy filled religion is a good thing too.

Joy brings out the best in us. There are some things that bring out the beast in us -- being stuck in traffic, being pushed too hard by things at work or home, being cut down by someone who does not know, etc. But joy cleanses the spirit like the cool, clear mountain stream refreshes the body on a hot summer day. Like wild flowers and butterflies, like soft music and good friends, like a five hundred-foot homer by Albert Pujols, is the effect of joy upon the soul.

We breathe deeper when we laugh. Loads are lightened. Wrinkles are reversed! We stand straighter when we have laughed. "A merry heart is good medicine," says the wisdom writer of the Old Testament. (Proverbs 17:22.) Deep within the spirit we should be glad…because of the clear blue of the sky, the air on a chill early fall eve, because of the clear water of a hill creek--water washed and purified by leaping over sand and stone. We should be glad inside. There is a vast amount of kindness and good-will in this world. You are the recipient of much caring and support. It would seem that we were originally created for joy.

May Joy be your companion today.

Willard Spencer

Memorial Day 2008

Friends, Here we are on Memorial week end 2008. In the old days we used to take flowers to the graves on this week end. I remember getting in the old Pontiac, after cutting roses and other flowers, and making the journey to the cemetery. I can even see my grandparents placing flowers, cutting any weeds that might have grown up during the spring months. Visions of a past long gone, but not forgotten. I will wear a flower to church tomorrow to remember. Many blessings.

Bill Spencer

The roses above are from our garden.

A budding pianist

Still recovering from the recent illness. Much better now. 'Up and taking nourishment!' as the saying goes. Glad to be out to church and Sunday School. Glad to be working in the garden again. Have weeds to chase out and flowers to prune. The roses are at full bloom, as are the peonies. So, glad to be better.

We enjoyed Mother's Day with Anne and her boys. Went to a movie together -- Iron Man. Panned by the critics, we rather liked it.

We also celebrated Pentecost -- the fifty days after Easter, when the Spirit poured out power upon the nascent church. Wore a bit of red -- just to help recall. I used to wear red stoles often during Pentecost -- though the color called for is often green. Red says it better I think. May the great wind of the Spirit blow in your lives during this season of growth and strength.
Light and Warmth,
Bill
The picture above is Granddaughter Addison (15 months) at the piano

Under the Weather

What an interesting old phrase. Where did it originate? It does describe much of this week for me. Been down with a fever, some kind of minor infection the doctor says. I have gone through this cycle several times over the years. So have you, in all probability. I think our culture tries to tell us that we all have to be healthy all the time, wealthy, and beautiful -- if you watch TV, which I have done much more that usual this cycle of illness. So being sick seems 'sinful' to our culture. Gone through the tests-- finger pricks, blood drawn, the usual, and then the medicine, which seems to be working. Thanks be to God. The fever is receding. We cycle between health and illness, hope and despair, joy and sorrow. Much of life is like waves on the beach -- a fullness of wave and water, then a loss of the same as the tide ebbs. Ebb and flow. All in all a wonderful gift of God -- to breathe, to rejoice, to recover, to renew. May the tide be full for you this day.
Bill Spencer

the above picture is of three grandsons at Ocean Isle Beach, a time of fullness

A Special Time

Grandson Joshua enjoyed a special time last evening. It was the Prom. Even old timers can remember the excitement surrounding that. (Though we had a live band at ours.) What a blessing to gather images of that time -- one that will be remembered for many years. Good for you Josh. Love from your Grandpa Spencer

Note: the Lake in the background is Lake Norman.

A Spring Day

Fine days here in the Piedmont. Lots of garden time. Dogwoods are about past. Tulips still bloom. Azaleas blossoms are lovely. Peonies are next. Doors wide open early -- to let the cool air in. It is pleasant to watch morning light on the lake. Watched for signs of the Iris opening, but that is yet to come. Saw some blooming by the road as we drove to Hickory. Also saw much traffic. Two wrecks. Thought we were back in the city. We used to call such traffic "crazy day." The garden was tame and lovely. The roads were crazy and crowded. Sounds like life doesn't it. Wheat and tares together sown. Ah well, we do not journey alone.
Light and Warmth,
Bill

The picture above is grandson Jack Spencer wearing Cheryl's old hat. A fine boy.

A Sabbath Prayer

A Sabbath Prayer

Dear Lord Jesus, we find it easy to rejoice when we are feeling good. When all is glad and golden we can smile easily and float through the day, like a canoe in a slow current on the river. We are glad to have those days, times when the sun overpowers the shadows, the noon times of life, when shadows retreat into diminished state, phantom silhouettes fleeing the radiant sunlight. We thank you for your strong presence on days of effortless joy.

We need your strong presence on other days as well -- on headache days, on drab, rainy days, and on exacting work days. We need you when things do not go right: when the car won't start, when the traffic is too heavy to move, when the pain starts again. I can't say that we need you more than on golden days, but we need a certain, clear touch, a real sense of your loving presence. Lift us beyond our times, above the circumstances that surround us. Show us the real world, timeless, pure, without stain or pain, without gloom or ghosts of what might have been. Let your light shine on us, giving us radiance enough to find the path, to take the step forward, to bring us home.

We thank you for your boundless love, not limited by time or space, by gladness or sorrow. We thank you for choosing us to be among your people. We thank you for equipping us for a mission and urging us to take up the cross and the hoe, the Word and the words of life sent to all peoples. Stay with us. Prod us into action. Fill us with hope unending and bring us again, rejoicing, to the portal, to the throne.

Be with all who live this day. Bless the strong and the young, the hopeful and the despairing. Grace the runners of the race of life. Save a crown for us, Dear Lord Jesus, to wear when we complete the circuit of days, the last laps of this race. We love you and sing in our hearts as we say your holy words… Pray the Lord's Prayer.

from Prayers by Willard Spencer

Friends, Here is a prayer for your Sabbath. May the joy of these days be full. May the Spirit invade our lives and lighten our loads. May the blessing of God Almighty, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, be with you and remain with you always.

Light and Warmth from Rose Cottage, near the Lake, where storms threaten,

Bill and Cheryl

A Fine Easter

Dylan and Addison Spencer, during Addison's very first Easter Egg hunt.

What a fine day, with dear ones near! We praised the risen Lord at worship and enjoyed a fine Easter meal with Jim Ewing's family. The egg hunt was the capstone of a special day. May the Most High bless us in this season of Easter. He is risen! Christ is risen indeed!



Dylan and Jack Spencer at the computer

An Easter Hymn

Christ has risen. Alleluia!

Let the faithful greet the day.

Hold the sunrise, stop the wind's breath,

If the darkened tomb holds sway.

Height of power, depth of mercy,

From death's prison Christ is free.

Alleluia! Christ is risen.

Sing of life, eternity.

Waiting, breathless, for the springing

Of new life from lifeless ground.

Dream of blossoms, bright and shining,

As the snow lay deep around.

Now the moment, revelation,

Winter death's true failure found.

Little eyes of spring are opened

When the daffodils abound.

We have waited through the long nights.

Winter's stars have all grown old.

Earth is turning, sunlight burning,

Lights the silver and the gold.

Children running in the meadow,

Tresses flowing, spirits free.

How their laughter chases shadows.

Young and old God's glory see.

Glory, then, to our Creator,

Honor to the risen Lord.

Praises sing to God the Spirit,

Wind of heaven, fiery word.

Alleluia, alleluia,

Alleluia, let us sing.

Every darkness flees before you,

Winter's conqueror, living spring.

Hymn by Rev. Willard Spencer

Possible Tunes: Hymn to Joy, Beecher, or Beach Spring

Retirement Picture

Once in a while you take a picture that captures meaning in a transparent way. The picture attached to this blog is such a picture. Retirement is a busy time. Sometimes the pace is furious -- like the days gone by, back to the city, the working world. But the essence, the goal is clearly seen in this picture. Pondering retirement. May the peace that passes understanding bless our hearts and minds this day.

Willard Spencer

feeling

Not feeling too good today. I have battled a cold all week, and today seems to be the worst day so far. Colds are more than aggravating. They hurt. I know it is a minor affliction, but I still look forward to better days next week. Many blessings to you all.
Bill Spencer

On Psalm 23

Thoughts on Psalm 23

This is undoubtedly the most familiar Psalm. We memorized it when we were children in Bible School. We sing it in hymns and anthems. It is read throughout life. Funerals hardly ever omit it. This Psalm contains truth for all of life. Use it regularly. Read it. Sing it. Pray it. Let us note a special word or two. Look at the word..."my." There are eleven "me and my" words. This is a personal Psalm. It is about me. It is a wonderful truth that God cares about me. God is a good shepherd, caring for each of his sheep. Notice and rejoice in some of the other words: quiet, restores, guides, comfort. Think about the word "through." We may have to enter many dark valleys, but we are going through them. We will not have to stay there. One other word is "forever." Life is life forever more. God cares for us forever. Thanks be to God.

Willard Spencer

a prayer for a winter Sabbath

A Sabbath Prayer

Dear Lord Jesus, sometimes the days seem to fly by with smoothness and delight. On those days the sunlight dances through the trees, bare limbs waving in the rhythm of the flowing wind. On those days the light laughs on the rippled surface of rivers and streams, of lakes and ponds, joining the dance of all the worlds before your throne. Some days are glad and golden, Dear Lord Jesus, even in the middle of the winter.

There are other days. You know that we journey through days of shadows: of fear, of pain; shadows of grief and sorrow. We must pass through days (Why are they always so long?) of disappointment and anger. Something or someone is always invading the peace of the created order with strife and pain. Dear Lord Jesus, help us when we are impatient in the shadow time, when we cause shadows in the lives of others, when our hunger for the light is so very great that we are tempted to mistake the darkness for light. Help us. Lead us again toward your rainbow throne, toward the emerald sky, toward the true colors of our faith. Lead us again to the place where we can hear the angels sing their praises, where we can see through eyes of faith the elders casting their crowns before you. Take us to the place where all the creatures of all the worlds fall down and worship you, to the place where our lives may be refocused on the true center, even you, Dear Lord Jesus.

Be especially close to those whose journey is difficult today. Be close to the weak and the weary, the feeble hands, the wobbly knees. Be strength to their hearts and spirits today. Be with those who suffer violence. Touch and heal. Touch and renew. Touch all of us as we wait before you this day. Dear Lord Jesus, may we feel your presence working miracles in our lives as we sing your song and pray your light-filled prayer… Pray the Lord's Prayer.

from Prayers by Willard Spencer

A Mother's Illness

A Mother's Illness

She is just too ill, Lord.
And I'm too proud to cry;
But my heart is awfully heavy
Since I heard she was to die.

It was only yesterday, Lord,
She stood so straight and tall,
Healthy as a mighty oak,
A marvel to us all.

She raised a family of girls,
With a boy or two thrown in.
Taught them how to work and pray,
And cherish all their kin.

The Sunday School will miss her.
For the lessons that she taught,
That faith, and hope and charity
Were virtues to be sought.

They'll miss her hearty laughter
And the sunny, subtle smile.
The day was bright, the shadows fled
When she would sit and talk awhile.

Now she is just too ill, Lord.
And I'm not to proud to cry.
For all our hearts are burdened since
We heard she was to die.

poem by Willard Spencer

Perspective and Balance

Perspective and Balance

Perspective and Balance

One of the hard learned lessons of all our days is that of perspective. For instance, often things at close hand look more exciting or threatening and take most of our attention. But, as in the photo above, the nearby action begins way out beyond the horizon, and the source of the forces hitting nearby really begin far out of sight. Don't just react to the waves on the shore. Remember, and allow for, the motion of things far out or long ago. Today is always linked to yesterday. One clue is to maintain a balance of the immediate pressures and the forces way beyond the horizon that are working on us. In perspective, keep a good balance on your feelings and thoughts, your actions and your reactions. And may the Most High be with us always.

Willard Spencer

Pictures by w spencer. Pier at Myrtle Beach and Grandson Josh