LRC, Houston - the weekends-free church in Houston, Texas

How was your day today? When I am asked that question, more often than not, it depends upon how long I got to lay in the swing. You see my swing time has become what many people call their prayer closet. I say mystical because it’s there that I find spiritual meaning or reality that is neither apparent to the senses nor obvious to the intelligence- God! Being! I AM!

Obviously the weather can hinder, especially hot and humid Texas summers!

But, last week I realized that a seven month run of WHY one likes Houston had now begun. There was one day last week, I think Tuesday, when the humidity was under 35%, the temperature was in the low 80’s, and their was a slight wind out of the north. Heavenly!

The majority of the WORDS that I HEAR from the Spirit come from my mystical swing time. Of recent, and not because of hurricane Ike alone, I have sensed the trees reflecting the sullen mood of the country. We are ONE and nature responds to us and we to her.

I am blessed to have a swing at work (actually 4) and two at home. Each has their own feel and each faces a different direction giving me a different perspective on the world. The sway and rhythm that I can generate with my feet on the chains can add to and actually set a mood as I sense the Spirit. I take seriously the calling that I feel has been placed on my life (a spiritual guide). In order to be a guide, I must be guided.

Can I get a big DUH on that!

Richard Rohr recently wrote about St. Francis of Assisi, “We can only give away who we are. We can only offer to others what God ahs done in us. We only know the other side of journeys that e have made ourselves. Francis walked to the edge and so he could lead others to what he found there.”

I no longer pass on intellectual insights (as much as I used to); rather, I take several “time outs” each day to enter a realm that’s condusive to “hearing” so I can pass along something REAL from the SPIRIT. That said, here’s my question. Where do you find your “swing time” because we’re all leading someone, or at least there are many someone’s watching us.