Cumberland First Baptist Church Cumberland, Indiana
Cumberland First Baptist Church in “Historic Old Town Cumberland”, a charming little section on the far edge of Indianapolis, was my next stop on my “Living Light” labyrinth retreat. This labyrinth is an eleven-circuit medieval Chartres design with grass borders and a mulch path in a beautiful setting.
Rivoli Park Labyrinth Indianapolis, Indiana
“LIVING LIGHT: Shine Among Them Like Stars in the Sky” is the overall theme of the weeklong labyrinth retreat that I created. Each day I plan to visit two or three labyrinths and contemplate their significance in my life at this time. There is a theme for the day and Bible verses associated with it. Today’s theme is “LIVING humbly, making our lives LIGHT” based on Luke 9:3 and Hebrews 12:1-2. One of the three labyrinths I visited, carrying this theme with me, was the Rivoli Neighborhood Park Labyrinth in Indianapolis’ 10th and Sherman neighborhood, a contemporary design with a Triune focus.
Labyrinth Retreat
Walking labyrinths is a spiritual discipline that speaks to, and energizes, my body and soul. I wanted to go away on a retreat, one centered around labyrinths; however, there was no “safe” place available to do it. So, I decided to create my own personal retreat, based out of my apartment, with the help of a wonderfully wise labyrinth facilitator and a dear friend cooking all my meals.
Squirrels of Hope
Where have you seen hope in your world? That was the question posed in the Advent worship service this past Wednesday evening. My reply to this “hope” question was in the squirrels across the street on the church lawn. They seem to have claimed it all as their parish!
Practice Hope
Sharing hope with others with our words and actions follows God’s practice of encouraging and creating change for good.. How can we do this each day? For me, one thing will be handwriting uplifting notes to others.
Romans 12:12 tells us: "Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.”
Your Life Matters
all our lives do matter. Every day we affect people and situations just by our presence, by being there at that moment. Know that the world is immeasurably better just because you are part of it
Outstanding in YOUR Field
…be sure of one thing: all our lives do matter. Every day we affect people and situations just by our presence, by being there at that moment. Know that the world is immeasurably better just because you are part of it.
What?! No Washcloths?!
It was a brief moment creating an enduring memory. We never seem to know when those moments will occur. The other day I ran out of washcloths! For me, that was difficult. Personally, I prefer one clean washcloth and two clean towels a day for my shower. Having put off doing the laundry, dreading hauling it up and down four flights of stairs into that creepy basement, and not planning an “errand” trip, which could have included a stop at the laundromat, I thereby ran out of washcloths.
No Decision Fridays
Each day we make choices that affect the direction of our lives. Well, I try to avoid all decisions on Fridays, as I need a day off from those that I continually make at home, at work, and socially all week long. Anyway, every day when I leave my building for my walk, I have to decide if I’m going right or left.
Peace Walk
Indianapolis’ Cultural Trail’s Peace Walk is just that—peaceful. In the middle of downtown, it is a wonderful little oasis.
Along the walk there are “Luminaries.” I always thought luminaries were candles sitting in sand in a paper bag lit on Christmas Eve. From the Peace Walk I learned how people can be “Luminaries” too. They are people of prominence and personal achievement, but they also light our path and bring us hope.
Evoking Memories
Before I spotted them, I smelled them. My thoughts went immediately to my mom. Smells evoke more memories than any of our other senses. As I turned onto the Peace Walk along the Cultural Trail, there they were - lovely lilacs - so many of them, so fragrant, so reminiscent of Mother’s Day memories.
All Are Fed
My friend Bob treats me twice a week to a carry out dinner to help support local downtown restaurants, and I totally enjoy it after having cooked more often than I am used to recently. On the way we passed one of my favorite places - Wheeler Mission. Their sign, one that gives hope to all who pass by, is pictured here.
Budding, Flowering, Leafing
The trees are doing their normal God-given thing: budding, flowering, leafing. There is something so calming and soothing seeing anything normal in these abnormal times!
68 Degrees
Such a beautiful day! I am a true fan of 68 degree, sunny weather. As I walked to my car parked for free, yes parked downtown for free, on Talbot Street behind my apartment building, I was looking for a robin’s nest. Although I did not find it, I was taken aback by this picture of the vibrant green of the trees against the bright blue sky. Green is not my favorite color, however, this green so beautiful. Green does bring a sense of new growth, new life, new hope!
Walk of Hope
Where did I see hope on my walk today? Might be more like where did I “feel” hope on my walk today.
The Prairie Modules
The weather again was lovely today along the Cultural Trail. I stopped at Prairie Modules 1 and 2, located at Alabama and North Street, very near Old National Center, which some I know, like me, still call the Murat Shrine Temple. These Prairie Modules are unique and beautiful structures
Hope in the World Today
She sees hope in the acts of kindness that she hopes will continue far beyond this pandemic. As she lives alone, she sees the kindness of people calling to check in on her. She shares kindness by calling all those little ones and their parents. Today I saw hope in the face and voice of Stacy!
Bush Stadium Seat Salvage
Following the Cultural Trail once again, I came upon this relaxing installation, pictured here, not far from my apartment building. The sign says: “Bush Stadium Seat Salvage”. The seats are a remnant from Indianapolis’ former minor league baseball stadium, one replaced by a gorgeous new downtown stadium a number of years back. What could have been trash are now a hopeful sign of re-purposing and rest along the Trail.
Poet’s Place
…”Always the hope of the young and perhaps the old
because change is here everyday….”