| The Archbishop Metropolitan |
We are halfway through the summer, and I was wondering what you are doing. Personally, for me, it is
becoming a long summer, with somewhat an amount of loss. Not only did I lose my mom, but lost 2
friends and another family friend (a policeman) brought down by the lawlessness of violence.
Yet, within all this there was a measure of joy, for those who came and shared their lives with us and
now have gone to be with the Lord.
However, we look at the summer, there are still circumstances in our lives that cause concern. Sport
figures are being thrown in jail every time we look around, the political season seems never to end, and
gas prices are driving everyone crazy. However, we pause in the midst of summer to share a note of
testament, passed on by a friend, that gives us food for thought.
Imagine that you could summarize your life into a book. Below are some suggested chapters and titles.
These things you have loved in life:
Things you’ve tasted,
Things you've smelled, heard and touched,
The experiences we have cherished,
The ideas that have brought us liberation,
The beliefs we have outgrown,
The convictions we have lived by,
The insights, we have gained in the school of life.
Insights into God:
Insights into family, friends, work and human nature
The road we traveled in love, church and prayer,
The risks we took,
The dangers we have courted,
The experiences and sufferings that have seasoned us,
The influences that have shaped our lives,
The scripture texts that have given us a light unto our path,
The things we regret about our lives,
The countless joys of life.
Continue to enjoy the summer, let church attendance be a part of your agenda, sit by the cool breeze of
the sea, listen to birds sing, take a walk to nowhere for a while. As always,
Watch how you go
+ Hartley
becoming a long summer, with somewhat an amount of loss. Not only did I lose my mom, but lost 2
friends and another family friend (a policeman) brought down by the lawlessness of violence.
Yet, within all this there was a measure of joy, for those who came and shared their lives with us and
now have gone to be with the Lord.
However, we look at the summer, there are still circumstances in our lives that cause concern. Sport
figures are being thrown in jail every time we look around, the political season seems never to end, and
gas prices are driving everyone crazy. However, we pause in the midst of summer to share a note of
testament, passed on by a friend, that gives us food for thought.
Imagine that you could summarize your life into a book. Below are some suggested chapters and titles.
These things you have loved in life:
Things you’ve tasted,
Things you've smelled, heard and touched,
The experiences we have cherished,
The ideas that have brought us liberation,
The beliefs we have outgrown,
The convictions we have lived by,
The insights, we have gained in the school of life.
Insights into God:
Insights into family, friends, work and human nature
The road we traveled in love, church and prayer,
The risks we took,
The dangers we have courted,
The experiences and sufferings that have seasoned us,
The influences that have shaped our lives,
The scripture texts that have given us a light unto our path,
The things we regret about our lives,
The countless joys of life.
Continue to enjoy the summer, let church attendance be a part of your agenda, sit by the cool breeze of
the sea, listen to birds sing, take a walk to nowhere for a while. As always,
Watch how you go
+ Hartley
| A Midsummer's Testament |