Quotes continue to encourage and stretch me... Macrina Wiederkehr

Over the past couple of weeks, the Shalem Institute has continued to post quotes that have caught my attention.  I have shared some of them on my Facebook page.  I am being introduced to new writers and reminded of others that I've heard of yet haven't read yet.

Most of the quotes are accompanied by photographs that grab my attention and allow me to engage more deeply with the quote.

Here is a recent quote that caught my attention:

"Take off your shoes of distraction. ~ Take off your shoes of ignorance and blindness. ~ Take off your shoes of hurry and worry. ~ Take off anything that prevents you from being a Child of Wonder. ~ Take off your shoes! ~ The ground you stand on is holy. ~ The ground you are is holy."
-Macrina Wiederkehr

This quote caused me to start thinking about those things that do distract me.... what are they?  What prevents me from being a "child of wonder"?   What distracts you?  This is worth some reflection time.

I did a little searching and found that this comes from Seasons of Your Heart.

Here is an excerpt from that book which included the entire poem, found on Tracy Radosevic's website.

"To be a child of wonder you must learn to take off your shoes often. Taking off your shoes is a sacred ritual. It is a hallowed moment of remembering the goodness of space and time. It is a way of celebrating the holy ground on which you stand. If you want to be a child of wonder, cherish the truth that time and space are holy. Whether you take off your shoes symbolically or literally matters little. What is important is that you are alive to the holy ground on which you stand and to the holy ground that you are.

My bare feet walk the earth reverently
for everything keeps crying,
Take off your shoes
The ground you stand on is holy
The ground of your being is holy.

When the wind sings through the pines
like a breath of God
awakening you to the sacred present
calling your soul to new insights
Take off your shoes!

When the sun rises above your rooftop
coloring your world with dawn
Be receptive to this awesome beauty
Put on your garment of adoration
Take off your shoes!

When the Red Maple drops its last leaf of summer
wearing its ‘burning bush’ robes no longer
read between its barren branches, and
Take off your shoes!

When sorrow presses close to your heart
begging you to put your trust in God alone
filling you with a quiet knowing
that God’s hand is not too short to heal you
Take off your shoes!

When a new person comes into your life
like a mystery about to unfold
and you find yourself marveling over
the frailty and splendor of every human being
Take off your shoes!

When, during the wee hours of the night
you drive slowly into the new day
and the morning’s fog, like angel wings,
hovers mysteriously above you
Take off your shoes!

Take off your shoes of distraction
Take off your shoes of ignorance and blindness
Take off your shoes of hurry and worry
Take off anything that prevents you
from being a child of wonder.

Take off your shoes;

The ground you stand on is holy.
The ground you are is holy."

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

I decided I needed to read more of Macrina Wiederkehr, so I have ordered and received Abide: Keeping Vigil with the Word of God.  As I make more progress in this refreshing book, maybe I'll share what I'm reading and learning.  So far, so good.... it's a powerful little book that utilizes lectio divina as its way of abiding in the Word. 

Blessings on your journey as you take off whatever shoes are distracting you from being a child of wonder and stand on holy ground!

~Debra ☺

Early Morning Telemarketing Phone Call.... Obstacle or Opportunity?

At 4:05 am this morning, the phone rang.  Because the phone sits on the nightstand on my side of the bed, it rang in my ear.  As the ringing woke me up from my sleep, I tried to read the phone number, but all I saw was "out of area".  It is rare to get phone calls in the middle of the night and I tend to think those are normally emergency phone calls.

So, I answer the phone and say hello.  At first no one on the other end responds.  Then, a cheerful voice in non-native English (which was the first clue we were probably in a different time zone) started telling me about a great deal I could have on my phone service for $59.99 a month.

I politely interrupted her to ask her if she knew what time it was and told her that it happened to be 4:05 am and then I asked her if this was an emergency.  She continued her marketing announcement, not understanding my time zone at first.  Then, I told her I was satisfied with my phone service (though I must find a way to block non-emergency calls during the sleep hours) and I repeated that it was 4:05 am, which by now was a few minutes past that. 

She replied, but you are in Australia, right?  Ah, the confusion.  I corrected her and told her that I was in the United States and that she had awakened me from my sleep.  (I would love to go to Australia one day!!)  Then, I heard her talking to others in the room, explaining to them that this phone number and area code was not Australia, but the United States.  I thought she might return to apologize, but instead, she hung up.

It was kind of funny.  I thought about all those other area codes like mine being saved from the early morning phone call.

This entire conversation only lasted about 4 or 5 minutes.  When I went back to bed, I prayed for her and the telemarketing job.  That's not an easy job.  To cold-call folks isn't easy, especially when you wake them up at 4:05am.  Thankfully, there was enough peace and grace for this conversation to have been calm. ☺  Then, I prayed for other folks that came to mind.... my pastors that are transitioning soon.... one to be a D.S. (District Superintendent) and the other into retirement up in New Jersey.  And, I prayed for the two pastors transitioning in. 

Sometimes I wake up in the middle of the night and pray for folks if and when they are put on my heart and mind.  This is the first time a phone call has springboarded my mind and heart into prayer. 

The call could have been an obstacle or an opportunity.  It became an opportunity.  For that, I am grateful. 

What interruptions might come your way today?  How will you see them?  How will you deal with them?  Will they be obstacles or opportunities?

Blessings on the journey!

~Debra

Re-entry to life's hectic routine after the rhythm of a different routine...

At some point in the not-so-distant-future I hope to sit down and reflect upon my week at the Academy.  It was indeed a time of listening, silence, solitude, affirmation, growth, deepening, etc.  HOWEVER, I have LOTS of reading to do for my classes and quite a few other responsibilities to which I must attend.

I found the Sunday Jesus Calling devotion to be very appropriate for me, especially as a post-Academy devotion.  Thankfully, I had an 11 hour drive home (due to stand-still traffic for part of it) to help me start transitioning into re-entry.  But, it is never easy to go from one culture back into another.  Whether that is from a personal retreat, an Emmaus weekend, any other retreat, a mission trip, or an Academy week.  At least that's my experience.  When you've experienced the Creator's surgery, life-breathing power, simply some silence and solitude, or something even more life-changing, re-entry into the "normal" life can be a little "squirrely".

So, Sunday morning I get up and read these words from Jesus Calling, April 15:

"Trust Me, and don't be afraid.  Many things feel out of control.  Your routines are not running smoothly.  You tend to feel more secure when your life is predictable.  Let Me lead you to the rock that is higher than you and your circumstances.  Take refuge in the shelter of My wings, where you are absolutely secure.
     When you are shaken out of your comfortable routines, grip My hand tightly and look for growth opportunities.  Instead of bemoaning the loss of your comfort, accept the challenge of something new.  I lead you on from glory to glory, making you fit for My kingdom.  Say yes to the ways I work in your life.  Trust Me, and don't be afraid."

Scripture references: Isaiah 12:2; Psalm 61:2-4; 2 Corinthians 3:18

The Academy rhythm is one of routine and that is much different than my normal routine.  And we talked about saying "yes" to God throughout the week. 

What about you?  What in this devotion speaks to you on your journey?

Blessings on your journey and may you live into the unpredictability of it!

~Debra

Prayer of Trust

This "Prayer of Trust" is one of the daily prayers given to us each morning in the sessions led by Linda Douty.  Trust is something I'm attempting to live into in my journey.  Some days I do pretty well; other days not so much. ☺  But, trust is part of the journey.  As is learning to trust.

There is a certain availability to God when we do trust.  Many of the devotions in Jesus Calling reflect on trust too.  Hmmm... could it be that this short 5-letter word in the English language carries so much weight?!?!?  Yes! 

I've written some posts about trust and included images of trust dives and trust falls, rappelling, etc.  Today, I'll simply post the "Prayer of Trust" and a few more thoughts.

Trust involves risk, taking that step of faith.  Stepping one step more.

As I went into the silence time after the session, I wrote: "Once again, I am accepting the invitation to go deeper."  I posted something additional on Facebook, adding that even though I don't see the final destination, it is the journey to which I look forward with anticipation.  This is trust. 

"Prayer of Trust"

O Holy One, be with me in my uncertainty, my confusion.

I hardly know which way to turn, yet my heart in expectation turns to you.

Somehow I know--I trust-- that you honor my willingness, because it's all I have right now.

Even if I make a misstep and stumble, I trust your gracious Spirit to steer me back on the path.

So accept my feeble effort, my availability, my deep desire to serve you.

I no longer ask for a vision of the whole journey, but simply for the next step.

Shine your holy light on my path forward, and I will take that step with your loving, forgiving Spirit ever at my side.

Amen.

I encourage you to read over this prayer a couple of times.  Read it over slowly to see what jumps out at you.  See where you connect with it.

As you walk your journey, may you continue to take steps of trust!

~Debra

Academy #32, Session #4... I'm already blown away!

Lake Griffin, sunset view from dock back of lodging

After a 10 hour drive from Chattanooga, TN, I arrived here in Fruitland Park, FL at the Life Enrichment Center for Session #4 of Academy #32.

On the drive down, I always have time for reflection and yesterday had some powerful moments of truth through song, thought, worship, prayer.  It was a good preparation time for me. 

The word for yesterday was "hospitality".  And, when we gathered for worship, Jesus was there waiting on us.  It's always good to see Jesus!  Oh, I'd better explain in case you've not been reading my Academy posts.  I'm referring to the Jesus Doll.  Jesus takes on a physical presence.  Now, spiritually, Jesus is here too. 

Jesus, as host, has been preparing the place for each one of us-- just as Jesus prepared the fish on the shore for the disciples many years ago. 

There are things in my own life that I can look at to verify that God has been preparing me for this week and preparing this week for me.  I have begun to scale back on some responsibilities to open up time, space, and energy for God.  This will also allow me to focus on my health since I'm anemic once again and focus on family and the Academy for the remainder of the Academy time.  I look forward to seeing how God weaves Ordination workings into this as well.  I will only take one class per semester in Seminary for the next couple of semesters.  This will allow my brain to have a break and not read 12 books per 3-4 months. 

Basically, I'm in a letting go time again by saying "yes" to God.  It wasn't making sense to me at first.  But after this morning's session, it started making sense.  God was preparing me in advance so that I could and would be more ready to listen while here.  Wow!! 

So, here I am.  Going deeper.  Accepting the invitation.  Trusting.  Allowing that which is being prepared beyond my sight to be prepared without me having to know what it is, yet trusting that it will break through the soil and reveal itself when it is time.

If I were brave enough to go back and read my blogposts, my spiritual journey, I'd probably see a thread woven through them.... one of trusting, going deeper, risking, stepping out in faith, accepting the invitations, saying "yes', etc.

So, this week is already affirming those things for me.

Additionally, the morning topic is on spiritual direction, spiritual guidance.  This is an area to which I feel called, as I have expressed.  I feel called to be a guide to others through the wilderness.  So, it's an area that I want to learn more about in head and heart. 

It's great to be able to slow down, to have the silence and solitude time!  In fact, I was looking forward to getting over to the Path of Silence this morning during the morning reflection time.  My silence and solitude time has not been what I have needed these past several months.  I have been out of balance and have had to create and carve moments into my schedule.  This week I am blessed with lots of it.... starting yesterday on my drive down!  Though that was more solitude, not silence. 

I have even seen several alligators this trip already!  So that promises to be a fun moment. ☺  I'll be taking pictures of the altars and Jesus and I'll write more later.  I just thought I'd take some of my free time to write a brief post today.

Alligator sighting from Path of Silence

I am grateful to God for many, many things and am truly blown away by my Creator's weaving things together in my life.  Even weaving one of the Faculty members back into my life, Linda Douty, that I had met a couple of years earlier.  God is good! 

This is just the beginning of who really knows what?!?!  Today's word?!?!  MYSTERY!

Blessings on your journey! 

~Debra

Long Way Home... yet an awesome adventurous journey

So, here's another song I've heard on the radio several times recently.  I didn't know until today that it was a Steven Curtis Chapman song.  I thought it was a catchy tune, I liked the folksy guitar sound and the lyrics resonated with me and my journey experience.

Check it out here: "Long Way Home" by Steven Curtis Chapman

Lyrics:

I set out on a great adventure
The day my Father started leading me home
He said there's gonna be some mountains to climb
And some valleys we're gonna go through

But I had no way of knowing
Just how hard this journey could be
Cause the valleys are deeper
And the mountains are steeper than I ever would have dreamed

But I know we're gonna make it
And I know we're gonna get there soon
And I know sometimes it feels like we're going the wrong way
But its just the long way home

I got some rocks in my shoes
Fears I wish I could lose
That make the mountains so hard to climb
And my heart gets so heavy with the weight of the world sometimes

There's a bag of regrets,
My should've beens, and not yets
I keep on dragging around
And I can hardly wait for the day I get to lay them all down

I know that day is coming
I know it's gonna be here soon
And I won't turn back even if the whole world says I'm going the wrong way
Cause it's just the long way home

When we can't take another step
The Father will pick us up and carry us in His arms
And even on the best days, He says to remember we're not home yet
So don't get too comfortable
Cause really all we are is just pilgrims passing through

Well, I know we're gonna make it
And I know we're gonna get there soon
So I keep on singing and believing
What all of my songs say

Cause our God has made a promise
And I know that everything He says is true
And I know wherever we go
He will never leave us
Cause He's gonna lead us home

Every single step of the long way home
(Keep going, we're gonna make it)
(I know, we're gonna make it)
(We're just taking the long way home)
(Keep going, we're gonna make it)
(I know, we're gonna make it)
(We're just taking the long way home)
(Keep going, we're gonna make it)
(I know, we're gonna make it)
(We're just taking the long way home)
(Keep going, we're gonna make it)
(I know, we're gonna make it)
It's just a long way home
------------------------------------------------------------

This journey has been and continues to be a great adventure, full of mountains and valleys.  Some days I come to the point of realization that I simply cannot make it on my own.  And, I then I am reminded that I'm not supposed to.  ☺  Maybe you don't forget that like I do.  But, sometimes, in the hecticness and busyness of it all, I forget.  It's when I recognize my dependency on my Guide to get me through that I'm living at my best.  Even though the undercurrent of trust and peace might be flowing at all times, the unrest and agitation can and will surface if I'm not spending time listening to God in times of quietness.  Silence and solitude go a long way in keeping me in a good place on the journey.

And, I'm about to embark into another week of intentional silence and solitude with session #4 of the Academy.  So, who knows what the Creator will have for me this week?!?!  All I know is that it is a great adventure and I'm glad that I'm not alone on this journey.  I'm thankful not only for my Guide, but for the many companions along the way!

Blessings on your journey!

~Debra

Once Again.... a song that causes reflection

Charlotte's Easter picture April 8, 2012

I've heard "Once Again" on the radio a couple of times in the past few weeks.  The version I've heard is by Fusebox.  When I started looking for it online, I learned that Matt Redman has also recorded it.  I'm not sure which version came first.

I'll post the lyrics and a couple of different links that you can listen to it on.  You may have a favorite version.  I like the Fusebox one, likely because that's what I've come to know from the radio.

"Once Again" by Matt Redman

"Once Again" by Fusebox


"Once Again" lyrics:

Once again I look upon the cross where You died
I'm humbled by Your mercy and I'm broken inside
Once again I thank You, once again I pour out my life

Jesus Christ, I think upon Your sacrifice
You became nothing, poured out to death
Many times I've wondered at Your gift of life
And I'm in that place once again

And once again I look upon the cross where You died
I'm humbled by Your mercy and I'm broken inside
Once again I thank You, once again I pour out my life

Now You are exalted to the highest place
King of the heavens, where one day I'll bow
But for now, I marvel at Your saving grace
And I'm full of praise once again, I'm full of praise once again

Once again I look upon the cross where You died
I'm humbled by Your mercy and I'm broken inside
Once again I thank You, once again I pour out my life

Thank You for the cross
Thank You for the cross
Thank You for the cross, my friend

Thank You for the cross
Thank You for the cross
Thank You for the cross, my friend

Once again I look upon the cross where You died
I'm humbled by Your mercy and I'm broken inside

And once again I look upon the cross where You died
I'm humbled by Your mercy and I'm broken inside
Once again I thank You, once again I pour out my life
Once again I thank You
Jesus Christ, I think upon Your sacrifice      

  -------------------------------------------------------
Today is Easter Sunday and a good day for reflection.  Every day is a good day for reflection, there just always isn't time for it.  Today I have a little bit of time for reflection, so I thought about this song. 

As I allow myself to reflect upon Christ, the life lived, the sacrifice made, and the life redeemed.... I am humbled and grateful. 

Have you taken time for reflection lately on your journey? 

Blessings on the journey ahead!

~Debra

Each That We Lose Takes Part of Us by Emily Dickinson

Today, there was a loss on earth, yet a gain in heaven.  Linda Bird Wright went home today after a valiant battle with cancer.  She was much to many.  For me, I met Linda Bird Wright when she came to Grace UMC in Soddy Daisy, TN.  I got to know her through my position as Staff Parish Chair for the short time she was there.  We kept in touch when she moved on up to Unicoi and I was privileged and blessed to take her to a radiation treatment when she was in town.  There were other opportunities along the way for some conversations and texts.  She was not only a pastor to me, but a mentor, a sister in Christ. 

And, so much more.  If you knew her, you'd know what I mean..... There are many that knew her better than I and could tell you more.  All I know is that I was blessed by the times I had with Linda and Walt. 

When I heard the news this morning, I was relieved for her, yet there were still tears.  There have been tears throughout the day.  Though I didn't plan on going to the Maundy Thursday service tonight, I did.  I sat next to a dear sister in Christ who is very artistic and creative and who loves poetry.  I mentioned to her that the evening might be difficult because of working through this loss and some other situations in life right now.  She shared this poem with me by Emily Dickinson.  Powerful words and oh, so true. 

"Each That We Lose Takes Part of Us"
by Emily Dickinson

Each that we lose takes part of us;
A crescent still abides,
Which like the moon, some turbid night,
Is summoned by the tides.

This fragment of a poem was written by Emily Dickinson after the death of a friend, Judge Otis Phillips Lord.  (From Dickinson's Final Sorrows)

It is a wonderful and glorious thing that life is made up of relationships so that we can be part of each other's lives.  Yes, it means grieving and pain when there is loss, but there is much joy and life along the way. 

We all lose people in our lives.  Yet, how neat to reflect on this poem and regard the crescent that still abides.

Tomorrow is Good Friday.  And Passover this year.  I wonder how this poem can reflect the life, death, and resurrection of Christ?

Blessings on the abiding crescents in us all and those who've taken parts of us,

~Debra

So I've found another quote source! Thanks Shalem Institute!

For three days in a row now, the quotes from the Shalem Institute Facebook page have caught my attention.  I don't know why they haven't caught my attention before.  Maybe I've been too busy and have overlooked them.  I don't know.

I've already written about one of them.

I will post today's and yesterday's quotes.

"All our fears revolve around refusing to let ourselves be, to relate deeply to life, to experience the full joy and pain of an ever-changing cosmos. Yet this is precisely what we long for: a chance to just be and to love and be loved just as we are." –Gerald May, Will and Spirit

This quote caught my attention today because of relating deeply to life and experiencing full joy and pain.  If we are truly going to live and relate deeply, we will allow ourselves to delve deep into not only joy, but also pain.  That's not as easy, yet there is just as much freedom there.  In fact, there can be cleansing and healing by living through the pain.  And then there are the words in the last sentence talking about what we long for: to be; to love; to be loved as we are.  I think those words might resonate with most everyone.

Yesterday's quote:
"Over and over, Jesus lays this path before us. There is nothing to be renounced or resisted. Everything can be embraced, but the catch is to cling to nothing. You let it go. You go through life like a knife through a done cake, picking up nothing, clinging to nothing, sticking to nothing. And grounded in that fundamental chastity of your being, you can then throw yourself out, pour yourself out, being able to give it all back, even giving back life itself." –Cynthia Bourgeault, The Wisdom Jesus

Embrace everything, yet cling to nothing.  What a challenge!  What freedom to be able to live this way though.  Grounded in who we are!  Therefore, we can give freely of ourself.  Powerful, thought-provoking words.

Maybe you will read these quotes and get something from them for your journey!

May it be so!

~Debra 

Journeying deeper...the light will shine through

I saw this quote today on Facebook, posted by the Shalem Institute:

"If we are honest, I think we have to admit that we will likely try to sabotage any movement toward true freedom. If we really knew what we were called to relinquish on this journey, our defenses would never allow us to take the first step. Sometimes the only way we can enter the deeper dimensions of the journey is by being unable to see where we're going." -Gerry May, The Dark Night of the Soul

This is a quote to read and re-read, to reflect upon, to allow into one's heart, mind, and soul.  It definitely resonates with me.  On several levels.

Freedom.  Just thinking about that word allows joy to flood my soul.  Thinking about "movement toward true freedom" causes me to think of the spiritual growth journey.  Just as we may sabotage our weightloss efforts or our healing in other areas, I can see that we might sabotage our spiritual freedom and growth as well.  Am I brave enough to ask the Father this question? 'What are the things I do that sabotage my own freedom?'

Things to relinquish on the journey.  Nope.  Don't want to know.  LA LA LA (said with fingers in the ears).  I am definitely one of those who doesn't care to know in advance those things I'll be called to relinquish on the journey.  I've been through several times of stripping away and have had to make decisions about relinquishing those things into God's hands.  I grew through the experience last year and I'm growing now.  However, it's tough enough going through a time.  I sure don't want to learn in advance the things I'll be asked to relinquish.  As it is, I feel like I'm relinquishing things that God had asked me to take on.  So, it's a little confusing.  Yet, I know to keep trusting.

Entering the deeper dimensions.  Whew!  The deep, yet dark unknown.  Deep.  Deeper and deeper.  I don't feel equipped often to go deeper, yet I continue to walk in trust and obedience.  And, I fall.  I get scrapes and bruises 'cause I mess things up.  Yet, I trust.  It is okay for me to not see where I'm going.  I honestly think I'd run like the wind in the opposite direction.  Which would be quite interesting to see because I've not run much since high school track. 

Tonight's clouds are a picture of this for me.  The light is shining through the darkness of the clouds.  I may not understand.  I may not be able to do all that I think I should or could because of anemia once again.  I hear the call to take this and that off my plate and I am obeying.  I really do not understand this relinquishing or stripping away.  But, I don't have to understand.  I am called to trust and obey.

May the light shine through as you walk your journey.  May you trust and obey even though you may not fully see nor understand.

Blessings on your faith journey,

~Debra