I have a friend who says she knew what was for dinner every night because they had a fixed menu – Tuesday chicken, Wednesday meatloaf, Friday fish, etc. She picked the night to bring her boyfriend home for the first time by the dinner not by the day. Spaghetti Monday was always a winner. Her mom, the cook, was fond of the Spaghetti because it was easy and liked by all.

Our lives become patterned. Our communities settled. The cultures we inhabit and communicate are expressed in those patterns.

We often say of our groups, spaces and communities; all are welcome.

What culture are we welcoming others into when we say “all are welcome.” ?

Where is the value of tradition? Where does tradition need refreshing?

Groucho has a point. Flexibility is a good thing in some areas, but when it comes to principles? And more importantly, what about practices? My principles are core, but how am I doing on practice?

Hospitality is called a core Christian Practice. Even when our principle are 100% right, we still need to practice.

Practice, practice, practice.

We say hope a lot. “Hope you are…” Hope to…”

Hope = a healthy heart

What hope do you have to offer?

I don’t like to look too hard at my book shelves… and the stacks of books around my place. Or my packed closet. Or the shelves that hold food that I have had for a long time and have not eaten. And shoes, well too many of those, too.

Feeney touched the roots of his own life and found others in those places in need, where what he had could connect to what was needed.

Looking into your life, what do you have much of? Besides you, who else will be blessed when you give it away?

For more on Sweeney: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OMcjxe8slYI

Doubt is the brother of shame.- Erik Erikson

Today at Globe Drugs shuffling along was a man whose age was indeterminate, but on a bet I would say 80-something. I was in the “in and out” mode. Not sure what I was looking for, and wishing there was some combination of salty snack and health and that it was not five bucks. He was in a talking mood. And he started talking to me.

I would have missed him and tried to until he said the second time, “well I am keeping you.” I did not know we were talking until then.

The interruptions, the half finished sentences, the pain of missed connections…
We say we are distracted.

Does the distraction come because something is trying to break through?

Do we doubt the other is worth the time? Or that we are?

When what we doubt is the worth of one another, our self or Creation, that is a shame..