.. Suzanne Jacobson  | Create Your Badge
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"Do No Harm. Do Good. Stay in Love with God." John Wesley
"Faith is the highest passion in a human being. Many in every generation may not come that far, but none comes further."
.................... Søren Kierkegaard
A Prayer for Discernment
Praise God who is
The all knowing reminder
of all who are forgetful;
God who remembers
and touches the heart
that I may recall,
as well,
the dreams God laid upon
my mind
so long ago
Praise God!
for as the Lord's blessings
flow, so shall my path
open to show
my feet the way
upon which
they must walk
........(c) 2 February 1998
............by Suzanne B. Jacobson
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
"As Above, So Below"
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The front cover of Phoenix from the Ashes, with artwork entitled, "Phoenix," a Mixed Media Piece by Cecilia O'Brien
Phoenix from the Ashes is a unique memoir of the author's years as a domestic violence victim and subsequent time in the rock-n-roll world, before becoming a Survivor. This combination of story and poetry juxtaposes the stark realities of domestic violence with the hope inherent in a strong and creative spirit.
Praise for Phoenix from the Ashes - "I've just finished [it] and I can assure you, I feel like I have been on the journey of a lifetime! I love the candor...I must say, this book has all the elements one could hope for It brings on anger and sadness...and yet such a glorious ending (beginning)..."
Rosemary G. Anderson, Pastor
Primera Iglesia Metodista Unida
NOTE: Phoenix from the Ashes is now available for FREE download in pdf format. If you would like a copy, please message me with your email address. If you'd prefer a hard copy, just send your mailing address.
Suzanne Jacobson's first book, In Silent Meditation, was self-published in 2007as a gift to her congregation. It has recently been submitted to a publisher.
Ars gratia Deus et Populus
I can't help it - I think this Mary Magdalene is AWESOME!
My Art
God Who Art Parent
O God who art Parent
And companion to us all
God of day and of night
Of Earth and of sky
God who is ruler of
Land and of sea
Creator of Seasons:
Light of our hearts
Bring to us these four gifts
Upon the winds of autumn, O Lord
Upon us, O God, blow the
Breeze of patience that
We may learn the value of time
Kiss us, O Lord, with the
Wind of honesty, that we
May understand the heart of Truth
Fill us, O Redeemer, with
The breath of faithfulness, that we
May remain steady in You
And finally, O Light of the World,
Touch us with the air of
Forgiveness, that we may
Know the gift of being forgiven
Thank You, O Beloved of Life,
For these Thy blessed gifts bestowed.
Amen
(c)2005
Chamomile Dreams
Dreams in Chamomile,
Drapes of lace
Old woman’s tea cups
Cracked, and placed
Amongst old poetry,
Portraits and songs
Of chamomile dreams
And hand-made lace
In chamomile dreams
And rocking chair
She weaves yet spells
For others’ fare
She sighs for love
She’d had and lost
She cries for her
Loneliness – the cost
Of dreams of chamomile
And lace
She thinks of the young girl
She had once been
And the beautiful boys;
The kindhearted men
Destined, like treasure
To slip through her hands;
Diamonds scattered
Upon her place
Of chamomile dreams
And worn-out lace.
© 21 May 1995 by Suzanne B. Jacobson
Upon a visit with an old friend
_________________________________________
ME:
In 10 years, I see myself working as a United Methodist Deacon in the area of Christian Education and Spiritual Formation, working with both adults and children. I would like to take part in interfaith dialogue regarding Social Justice issues. I wouldn't mind teaching some form of Comparative Religion classes as well as writing both theological nonfiction and artistic prose and poetry, preaching and speaking at times; married to a like minded man who is both supportive of my work and whose work I could support equally; spending family time with my grown children and grandchildren if there are any (no hurry, kids) as well as extended family and friends; and having quiet times at home or out in nature with my husband - whoever that may be.Today, I am a Certified Candidate for Ordination as a Deacon in the United Methodist Church, and am working on my Masters in Divinity with Claremont School of Theology. I know that God has called me to serve in some way. Thus far I have discerned that I am called to be someone whose heart is open to all; called to serve those in need - the least, the last and the lost; and called to help others to hear the call of God in their own lives. I am interested in knowing that Truth which is in the heart of all, and knowing that Truth intimately.Still, I'm a woman with the same insecurities, self-perceptions and deceptions as any other semi-artistic female. I love my kids, work a day job, burn the candle at both ends, can't keep my house clean, hope everyone thinks well of me, and write as if my life depended on it. I write poetry, prose, lyrics, public service announcements, advertising, editorials, human interest stories, essays and stream-of-consciousness... I write in my head when I'm driving and lose it all before I find a pen and paper. I sing my lyrics to myself then farm them out to musicians who can read music and carry a tune in a bucket. I've made little money on my words, but find fulfillment - or release - in the action of writing and satisfaction of many types by seeing my name in print. I don't believe in the "vanity press" business, but do believe in self publication. I write because I must, it's like breathing or drinking water, a necessity. Whether my works are published or not, I shall write - I shall write until the end of time... and somehow, I believe, this all wraps up in the Call I'm hearing...It's no longer, "What do I want to be when I grow up?" Now it's "Here am I, Lord...Send Me."
"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God." John 1:1
My Spirituality
I am a Spiritual Being...
I am a United Methodist Christian. As a Wesleyan, I have the tools of Methodism to help me - Scripture, Tradition, Experience and Reason. I'm not blindly following anybody in my spiritual practice. Through discussion, study, prayer/meditation and education, I am becoming the person I was meant to become. The one Commandment that Jesus taught as being all important was to "love the Lord thy God with all your heart, with all thy soul and with all thy might; and love thy neighbor as thyself." This direction has been given to practitioners of many of the world's religions. To follow that commandment will cause all other commandments to be followed without much effort. Of course, following that one well takes a lifetime.
My spiritual life has been adventurous. I've made pit-stops in Unitarian, Unity and various Methodist and Lutheran churches. I've woven my Path through Kabbalah, Mysticism, Wicca and undifferentiated Paganism. I've visited Druidism and Buddhism; New Age and New Thought. I have known Jesus all along the erstwhile Paths. I love the concepts of the Buddha, Sarasvati, and Kwan Yin as well. I respect the image of Kali-Ma and embrace the feminist inspiration she brings to western thought. Throughout my spiritual and spatial travels, I discovered similarities in all religions. It became a passion to seek and find that which runs through them all. Lest there be an erroneous assumption that I have been superficially eclectic, I admonish the visitor to my profile to consider the multivalence of genuine spiritual experience. God is boundless and simply won't fit into the tiny boxes marked "religion" into which we humans try to force God. I have made the conscious decision to claim Christianity as a Progressive Christian. If there's anything that I've learned along my meandering path, it's what poet "Solomon Grundy" commented recently: "When you study religion it all finds its way into your head." Having returned to a denomination after a foray into spiritual adventure, I cannot let go that which I have learned along the way. I continue to learn; there is so much to discover in the quest for spiritual enlightenment. The "new" theologies intrigue me: Liberation Theology, Feminist Theology and Pluralist Theology - I had no idea there were so many others who felt as I do; many have stayed in their traditions, building strong ideological foundations within existing parameters. I have breached the boundaries; for me, the lines are fuzzy. Still, though I thrill to recognize the similarities in traditions, I recognize and respect the differences.
My Home FaeHaven
FaeHaven is the name I gave the home I purchased a couple of years ago. FaeHaven is a modest modular home with an extension that sits on 1/4 acre of land in a county pocket in Mesa, Arizona. The human inhabitants of FaeHaven share the space with dogs and cats and an assortment of outdoor critters. The grounds are inhabited by feral cats, rabbits and other wild creatures who roam in the night. We aren't in the country, but we still see a coyote wander through every once in awhile. There are birds nesting in the cacti and the palms. ...And who knows, perhaps there are a few of the Fae folk for whom I have named this sanctuary.
I'm working on building a simple spiral labyrinth - it's going to take ages, as I still need stones for it. Some day, I hope to garden a little. In the meantime, I'm working on fixing up the insides, making repairs, and generally working toward making FaeHaven a model for responsible living. We recycle and use as many earth-friendly products as possible. We gather and donate clothing and other items, at this point as a result of our constant effort to simplify. We sometimes sit together at dinner, where we first bow our heads-or raise our hands-in thanksgiving for our food and for all the blessings we have encountered throughout the day. At times, we pray for more peaceful hearts! Along with the normal struggles of a difficult time, I like to think that we are doing our best to make our little corner of the world a good place to be.
Please visit these websites:
Find out more about Progressive Christianity at:
The Phoenix Affirmations
Spiritual Activism
This is my website, a sort of "referral service" with links to ways to serve those in need, find assistance yourself, and read some of my more serious writings.
This is my Church and My Workplace ~ Gold Canyon United Methodist Church
