Called to be Alive!

Good Heart Tones

With stethoscope pressed
gently on my chest,
I have been told I have
good heart tones,
even though conduction
is flawed, and I flutter
with atrial fibrillation.

Thankfully, lifestyle changes
under the care of a physician
can do wonders for my health
if willing to answer the call.

Such is my human condition
with good heart tones at my core.
I suffer from flawed conduction,
often out of rhythm with Divine,
too quick to react to my shortcomings
and not quick enough to respond
to the larger flow of life.

So the Great Physician calls,
not with loud hollers of
threat and condemnation
but with a still, quiet voice,
gently calling me by name,
assuring me I am loved,
guiding me daily to live
in rhythm with the heart of Life,
sending me out again today
with good news that does wonders
for anyone willing to listen.


Good Heart Tones
A visit to a cardiologist gives me pause to reflect on the sound and significance
of my heartbeat heard, even before I left my mother’s womb.
Physically blessed in countless ways,
I am encouraged to care for my body,
make healthy choices about food and drink,
and exercise regularly.
And with the ear of my heart, I am led by the Spirit
to listen and learn to live
in rhythm with the heartbeat of God.

Tonight just before I go to bed, I will light a candle,
aware of the Great Physician,
who tends to my pulse of grace.
I will hear him ask me these two questions:
“When did you give and receive the most love today?”
and
“When did you give and receive the least?”
Then before I blow out the candle
and lie down for sleep,
I will share two moments and pray
for a heart tomorrow that beats for God
with steady impulsions of grace.

Note:
A practice of reviewing the day in the presence of God is called the “Examen.”
It is a time set aside to reflect
on particular experiences of grace throughout the day.



Brand-New Day!

It’s morning, Lord. We meet you.
You greet me. I greet you too.
You paint the skies, hearts open to dawn’s beauty,
Your face on high!
In the dark, in the light, in death, and in life,
You alone be praised.
Yes, you are Lord in all of life in every way.
And we thank you for this brand-new day.

In dawn’s bright light, we see your trail to oneness,
Your grace in sight.
Through clouds and rain, your voice is one of comfort,
A glad refrain!
In our thoughts, our cares, rainbow promise always there
And you, you alone to be praised!
Yes, Fountain of Life, from your river of delight,
We thank you for this brand-new day.

No worries ’bout tomorrow.
We sing your larger song today,
And we thank you for this brand-new day.
Yes! We thank you!
For this brand-new day!


Brand-New Day
Awakened by the beauty of dawn
over the Lower Columbia River,
I realize what the ancient psalm writer declared—
that the mighty one, God the Lord,
speaks and summons the earth
from sunrise to sunset (Psalm 50:1).
And again in Psalm 36:8–9:
“They feast on the abundance of your house,
and you give them drink from the river of your delights.
For with you is the fountain of life;
In your light we see light.”

I am drawn to the light of God’s glory.
Awakened to a sacred oneness
with those around me,
I will reflect the brightness
of God’s love,
pour a favorite morning cup,
sip it mindfully,
and offer the same to another
with a warm greeting and a smile.

Note:
🎶 To listen to the song “Brand New Day,” go to YouTube.com/c/jerryoneill
or purchase online the Called to Be Alive! Simply for You collection by Jerry O’Neill.



Catch the Wonder

Catch the wonder of life within you.
Employ the grace Love affords.
See with a heart now opened wide,
Breathe deep the breath of Life,
For the secret of seeing is setting the sail
And feeling Love’s spirit blow free!


Catch the wonder of Life within you.
Hear Love speak to you now.
Through Word and nature, Life sings a love song,
Uniting hearts as one,
For the secret of hearing is giving an ear
To the song and the whisper of Love.


Lord of order and space, matter, time, and human race,
Shape our lives, fill us now with delight,
Grant us faith, make us new. Awake our senses to you.
Help us all gain heavenly sight.
And though our visions of wonder come and they go,
May you and your love still abide.


Catch the wonder of Life around you.
Taste the goodness of Love,
Bread and wine poured out in plenty,
Gifting us all with new life,
For the secret of hunger is feeding the soul
And letting Love’s cup overflow.


Catch the wonder of Life around you.
Reach out and touch someone,
For as you tend to the one who’s needing,
Love will be touching you,
For the secret of living the essence of Life
Is letting Love flow through you.



Catch the wonder of Life. It’s the pearl of great price.
It’s a gift. A total surprise!
Let my eyes dance with glee! Let my tongue sing of thee!
Let your love shine through me, clear and bright,
And though our visions of wonder come and go,
May you and your love still abide.


Catch the Wonder
A day of hiking in the Cascade Mountains
near Holden Village, Washington,
open to the Spirit of God in nature,
stirred my creativity in music and writing.

While I was never completely free
of distracting thoughts and concerns,
Holden Village quenched my thirst for the sacred
in the beauty and wonder of nature
and sent me home with a taste for more.

I will take a walk in nature today, half my normal speed,
to clear my mind, find calm to simply wonder,
and stir my readiness to be surprised
by signs of God’s love
in all that fills my day.

Note:
🎶 To listen to the song “Catch the Wonder,” go to YouTube.com/c/jerryoneill
or purchase online the Called to Be Alive! Simply for You collection by Jerry O’Neill.