Sunday Salon...March 17th

Swans. Taken at the Beijing zoo by Don Bennett Nov. 2017

Weather: Lovely and warm. Perfect dog-walking weather.

Today in church: Our pastor, Heather J., read to us a portion of The Beatitudes (Matthew 5:1-12) from The Message version of the Bible. I loved it so much I decided to share it with you today. Each verse will be bolded and italicized. Let the message of these words of Jesus speak to you today.

3 “You’re blessed when you’re at the end of your rope. With less of you there is more of God and his rule.

This week my Mom turns 90. We are celebrating with the family that lives near us in Western Washington but both my sisters will also be here (from Oregon and Idaho). Only my brother, who lives in Switzerland, will miss the event. Happy Birthday, Mom!

4 “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.

New Bible Study: Our women's group is starting a new book called Wonderstruck. I hope to spend the rest of this Lenten season in wonder of God's world. Today I noticed the flowering plums are in bud, just days away from blooming. Last night, as I stepped outside with the dog, I could hear the frogs in a nearby pond, croaking away. Wonderful!

5 “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.

The wisdom of Ian: Greet new learning experiences with exuberance and enthusiasm. (I took him to the local library and it had a computer set up just for little kids. He was in awe.)

6 “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.

Books finished this week: Great House by Nicole Krauss. A print book I've owned for nearly a decade. It is one of those books where the story unfolds slowly. The plot revolves around ownership of a desk, but it is really about grief and loss. not a very inspiring book, but very well written.

7 “You’re blessed when you care. At the moment of being ‘care-full,’ you find yourselves cared for.

Currently reading:

• Your Heart is a Muscle the Size of a Fist by Sunil Yapa---Audio. About the WTO Riots in Seattle in 1999. It is very, very disturbing. It is a book club selection, but we may decide to not read it. 67% complete.
• Winter Hours: Prose, Prose Poems, and Poems by Mary Oliver---Print. More from my favorite poet. 20%.
• La's Orchestra Saves the World by Alexander McCall Smith---Print. Reading for 'My Own Books' challenge. I pulled this one from the shelf and wondered when I got it and why. So far, so good. McCall Smith is easy to read. 17%

8 “You’re blessed when you get your inside world—your mind and heart—put right. Then you can see God in the outside world.

Happy St. Patrick's Day: In honor of this holiday, best known for shamrocks, green things, and drinking, we will be eating a boiled dinner of corned beef, cabbage, and potatoes. 'Beannachtam na Feile Padraig!'

9 “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.

Prayers for: the victims and their families of the shootings at the Mosques in New Zealand. My heart is just broken for the hatred that is simmering around the world.

10 “You’re blessed when your commitment to God provokes persecution. The persecution drives you even deeper into God’s kingdom.

Yard work: The garden is coming to life and so are we. Yesterday Don prepared a side bed to plant tubers of hostas and ferns. By days end the task was finished---the tubers were safely tucked in the earth and the ground was mulched to deter our digging-loving dog from digging them up.

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.

The Message (MSG)

Copyright © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene H. Peterson

Breaking the plastic addiction: I am attempting to give up plastic for Lent. It is impossible! I made a few accommodations and I am trying to be aware what I am using. Here are a few things I've learned. At restaurants, ask servers to avoid bringing straws to the table. If you get straws and don't use them, likely they will be thrown away. Ask for paper bags at the market if you forget your reusable ones. Sandwiches wrapped up in waxed cloth doesn't get too dry before lunch time. Talk to others about what you are doing so they can be more aware, too. Reuse, reuse, reuse.

I hope that you were blessed and will be blessed by the Beatitudes today! Have a wonderful week!