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"The Story of Ken" Soon to be Published! From At The
Water's Edge Ministry
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Thomas
Merton said in one of his books with regards to prayer
and contemplation: "Blinded by our desire for
ceaseless motion, for a constant sense of achievement,
famished with a crude hunger for results, for visible and
tangible success, we work ourselves into a state in which
we cannot believe we are pleasing God unless we are busy
with a dozen jobs at the same time. Sometimes we fill the
air with lamentations and complain that we no longer have
any time for prayer, but we have become such experts in
deceiving ourselves that we do not realize how insincere
our lamentations are. At times we go further and further
from the shore—and then perhaps God allows our
mistakes to catch up with us." (1)
Sound all too familiar? This is what this ministry of meeting Jesus at the watersedge is all about. To find our way along the shore and meet the Jesus who has been written and talked about through the ages. The same Jesus, TODAY, YESTERDAY and TOMORROW. The Jesus that wants to be IN OUR FACE. To see Him FACE TO FACE. In our daily life and work. But if we spend all our time at work and at play and no time for quiet prayer, we begin to ‘float adrift’ – in a sea of worry, anxiety and fear. We begin to lose our way; our sense of direction. But what is so unique about prayer is that it is like a compass—no matter which direction we go the needle always points ‘true north’. Without a compass (our prayer time), we are losing the needed guidance to the Father through Jesus. We wander through the oceans and turbulence and storms of our lives. At times we have the best of intentions – to pray – but through distractions there is no "silence" in our life. You've heard this before, I'm sure. Now you've heard it again. It is important to sit in the quiet for God to speak to us. "Life and death, words and silence, are given us because of Christ…" (2) It is Christ that invites us to the silence. We receive Jesus’ silence into our hearts when first we speak from our heart the word of faith. We work out our walk of salvation in silence and hope. What are you hoping for today as you read this letter? Some silence? Some faith? Some direction? Some healing? The ultimate search for self is finding Jesus in our silence, which then awakens Christ in the hearts of those who hear us. To let them wonder and begin to listen for themselves – to find Jesus. This is our witness. This is the Gospel message and we are the proclaimers; we are the evangelizers. This is what the watersedge healing ministry is all about. Offering to your diocese or parish, a time of peace and silence in a world of darkness, excessive internal noise and despair; through parish missions, retreats, days of recollection/prayer and Christ Our Light healing services. We are entering homes, parishes and dioceses all over this country and around the world now through the Internet. This a powerful, grace-filled healing ministry. And it all came about through my ministering – reaching out to my deacon brother-in-law diagnosed with non-Hodgkin’s lymphatic cancer – and the prayer time we had together. IN THE SILENCE OF THAT ROOM, KEN BECAME ACUTELY AWARE OF JESUS AND HIS LOVE FOR KEN. How our Lord reached out and touched him that day and took him to the shore from the boat on the stormy sea. Then led him to places "in the heart" of Jesus, which ultimately became the impetus and direction of this healing ministry, today. To reach out and share the love of Christ in prayer … in walking on the shore … of watching and waiting for His direction and guidance … of just being able to sit quiet--in silence. This is the watersedge ministry. My bringing you to the boat where you see yourself waiting in the rough storms of your life for Jesus— my leading you, right now to Jesus. Sit quiet and watch … wait … listen … trust that Jesus is here for you … NOW. Follow the prayer that is posted on this web site. Share it with your friends and family. May the peace of Christ be in the silence of your heart, then proclaimed to all whom you touch. In Jesus' name. Amen. (1) Thomas Merton, SEEDS OF CONTEMPLATION, New Directions, pp 127-8.) (2) A THOMAS MERTON READER, Doubleday publication (3) Matthew 14:22-33 |home| |the prayer| |Ken's story| |journal| |circle| |news/resources| |family| |
