Category: Creation

Pray with Your Feet

On By Don Schiewer JrIn Blessing, Creation, Living5 Comments

Abraham Heschel is famous for being a wonderful theologian, scholar, activist, and overall a godly man. When asked about his experience marching with MLK at Selma he responded that he was ‘praying with his feet.’

What an absolutely beautiful statement – standing up for others, marching for what you believe – is, in fact, prayer! Not just what is uttered from our lips but what is also demonstrated by our steps.

I found that through most of life I prayed (with my lips) the Good LORD would make my path smooth – that He’d fill in the potholes of life, detour me around construction, and carry me when times got rough (think: footprints in the sand) – As I’ve grown in my walk (pun intended) I’ve realized that there is another prayer that has begun to resonate more – It is a prayer for the correct feet for the terrain in front of us. Not a prayer that allows us to escape but rather a prayer that allows us to more fully engage in the landscape of life.

Think about the beauty of the animal kingdom and how their feet/paws/claws are perfectly suited for the things that they must traverse and experience…In that same exact way I pray that G_d gives me the right feet for this moment in life that I might be able to continue to pray with my feet.

I want to be a person who prays with my feet. Please join me!

Love G_d; Love Others

On By Don Schiewer JrIn Creation, Living4 Comments

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What an amazing idea…Loving G_d and Loving Others.

The first part of that concept has always been fairly simple for me. I grew up in a Christian home and so G_d was always a part of my life. I had some rough patches where things in life didn’t go exactly as I had hoped and my love wavered. But loving the Creator has always more or less – been there.

BUT – Loving others…well, that’s another story. Growing up in the same church that taught me to Love G_d, I also learned how to be suspicious, condemning, and ultimately unloving of others (at least those that didn’t sit in the pew next to me). Since that time in my life I’ve watched how society (not just the church) has used fear mongering, scare tactics, and sensationalism to perpetuate the notion of suspicion and outrage at others.

BUT – over the past few years…something wonderful has happened to my soul. I find myself delighting in others. Folks I don’t know, never spoke to, haven’t even met – they have begun to bring me deep and abiding joy. Not just laughing (at or with) but a bubbling up of gratitude for their person, their life, their presence.

There is a young man that wanders the main road next to my home. He always has a song playing – sometimes in the headphones he’s sporting and other times it seems there is music that just follows him. This young man creates deep joy in my being…he dances unabashedly up and down the street. He’s talented too! He freely shares his gift of dance and joy for anyone that takes a moment to notice. Because of him, I often find myself blessing G_d – thanking Him for the creativity and beauty that He has built into His Creation – WOW!

I absolutely love videos (pictures and stories) that show the creativity and beauty of others, like these:
Cain’s Arcade
Lego Apartment
Elderly Gentleman Listening to Music
Stair Music

I’ve discovered that there is so much more to love about people then to revile – so much to be impressed by then to be depressed by – so much more to celebrate then to denigrate.

I’m looking forward to spending the rest of my life celebrating the lives of others as opposed to judging and critiquing them. Won’t you join me in Loving Others?

ps…I’d love for you to add some links of videos, pictures, and stories of others that bring you joy and hope in humanity!

Today’s Blessing (4.26)

On By Don Schiewer JrIn Blessing, Creation, LivingLeave a comment

Blessed are You, O’LORD our G_d, King of the universe, Creator of all things for Your breath.

Blessed are You, O’LORD our G_d, King of the universe, Creator of all things for Your wind.

Blessed are You, O’LORD our G_d, King of the universe, Creator of all things for Your Spirit.

It is with Your breath that You created all things…It was Your wind that rescued Israel at the Red Sea…It is Your Spirit which continues to create and rescue! Blessed are You!