Uphill idealist

Pause to see, to breathe, to be, something more than what I do - just to be me. Pause to think, to drink, to slink, with contemplation for the deep - just to hear me. Pause to hear, to drew near, to peer, upon what gives life - not just for me, but you too. Push the pause button. Leave it in place. Just for a day, that isn't full with rush and race. Push to pause button. Don't be to busy to rest. Pause makes room for the life-giving to surface - that pause is blessed. T.L. Eastman May 2012

It's amazing what can happen with a little paint, a handful of willing participants, and a lot of dots! At the beginning of the week of continuing education at the  Institute for Youth and Theology at Princeton Seminary  -  the attendees were encouraged to consider, dream and ponder around the idea of:  "What is God creating or re-creating in your life and your ministry?" In response to this question, a group of attendees and our  facilitator, Lynne Farrow ,  worked on a  community mural contemplating this question. The photo of the mural  above was created from a scattering of dots placed on the canvas and the  participants were encouraged to look and see what they  could create from  something that seemed so random. In the end we had trees, water, a cool car, the sun, plants and flowers and some wonderful abstract designs that creating a fantastic collaborative piece that was to adorn a communion table. In ...

Image from Travel Monkey Blog Luke 9:3-5 3  He told them:  “Take nothing for the journey —no staff, no bag, no bread, no money, no extra shirt.   4  Whatever house you enter, stay there until you leave that town. In the past month or so, I've been getting ready for and planning for two work trips. On Wed. I will be heading to Seattle for the  Inhabit Conference and the following week I (and Ian) have a short intensive  training back at  Princeton Youth Forum .  At both of these trainings I will be learning more about the ways, means and methods (as well as listening for God's leading) for ways to help youth and families to grow in faith and mission.  Quite literally, I am working on traveling light  on these trips (like Luke 9:3-5 suggests.).  It's my goal to take no checked baggage in both a literal and spiritual context. Hands, heart and mind need to be free to r...

"It is important to tell good stories. You can tell stories even if they are not huge, epic, and wonderful. You can still take the responsibility for being a scribe of your tribe."   Ajay Naidu In less than a week I will be spending some time with the amazing tribe that is Inhabit , a meeting place for souls looking for practical and applicable ways of following God by  and with our practice,  presence, and the place we abide. To learn more about Inhabit check out Parish Collective's website here:  http://www.parishcollective.org/ T his tribe is one that has some scribe worthy stories to tell. More to share soon...

I've been a tea drinker for quite a while now. But I think my strong connection with a good cup of strong tea came when my brother came home from college with a box of tea called "Earl Grey". When I smelled the fragrant tea brewing, I first thought it smelled like "Fruit Loops" Cereal. I was drawn to the sweet smell of the tea, sat down to conversation with my older brother - who I'd been missing, and became attached to a spot of tea whenever I needed a reminder of sweetness and comfort in life. Sitting down to a cup of tea is a time for refreshment and rest that has become something of a habit. Since my brother introduced me to a tea beyond Lipton all those years ago, I've acquired a taste for many different kinds of tea: black tea, herbal tea, Oolong tea, and a recent find - Darjeeling. As I opened a new box of tea recently, I noticed the very specific directions on how to brew this tasty blend. 1. Pour boiling water (as pure as possible) over ...

Image found at "Kings English" . John 13:13 “You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and rightly so, for that is what I am. 14 Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. 15 I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. 16 Very truly I tell you, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. 17 Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them. These words have been rattling around in my mind since the Maundy Thursday worship service last night. Especially this part of the reading: 14 Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. In Jesus time, washing someone's feet was the job of a servant. Because of the dirty and dusty conditions and the open sandals that people wore, people's feet would get very dirty walking around all day. When someone came to your home, it was good manners to...

Dear Friends and Family, I wanted to share this bit of good news with you - I will have three articles published in a new online magazine this month. Here is the link to the first one: Finding solitude in a Car Wash The magazine is called B.L.O.G. - Beautiful Ladies of Grace. Feel free to check out my article and visit the blog...and please comment if you like! Grace and Peace - Tara