Gift of the Red Bird; The Story of a Divine Encounter by Paula D'Arcy

I started reading this book a few days ago. It was given to me at the 4 Day Academy by one of the retreat leaders. I was familiar with the name Paula D'Arcy, but had not read any of her books. I started off reading the introduction and was hooked. There is so much to chew on in this book. There are "causes for a pause" all over the place. It's a small book, yet there are deep pockets found within its pages. 

What has caught my attention so far?

I am glad you asked.

One of the first things that caught my attention was this quote:

"The inward journey may frighten us, yet it is this journey which holds the real treasure. There God's spirit wants to reveal mysteries and beauty beyond our imagination: the secrets of what is holy, and the encounters with truth that change everything. It is the journey that opens the eye of the heart." (14)

The inward journey is not a new concept for me. Thankfully, it is one that I have known about for years now. It's not something I have just "known" with my head, but it is something I've intentionally sought to live.

The 2 Year Academy, seminary, and my Spiritual Direction studies have all been part of my inward journey growth.

There is one book that I remember reading: Journey Inward, Journey Outward by Elizabeth O'Connor. It was one of our required books for the Two Year Academy. I wrote about the book on February 4, 2013 in a post.

Another book I've read recently is: Looking Inward, Living Outward: The Spiritual Practice of Social Transformation by Daniel Wolpert. I wrote two blogposts about it. One was when I first started reading it and the 2nd one was a book review. 

The inward journey is an ongoing one for me.... maybe for all of us as we seek to learn and grow. I remember Bob Mulholland speaking to us at our Two Year Academy and his books. Here is one post about one of his books: The Deeper Journey: The Spirituality of Discovering Your True Self. This post was written July 23, 2013, over eleven years ago.

To see how I've continued to seek to live into my true self, to go and grow deeper, to be open to the inward journey, etc. --- well, it is hard to wrap my head around that I have been on this ongoing journey for years that is led by a thirst within.

There are stages of growth and learning along the way. And it seems that I'm in another time of learning, growing, going deeper, experiencing things that open the eye of the heart as the quote above says. 

Christine Painter wrote about that ('eye of the heart') and I wrote about her book here in May 2018.

I have only just begun Paula D'Arcy's book. The quote I shared above is something I'm reflecting on, chewing on, digging into.... I am wondering what the inward journey is for me these days, what treasures, mysteries, and beauty the Spirt has to reveal to me.....What will the encounters with truth be and what will they change? 

I am open. I am not afraid. I have faced many inward journeys over the years and I welcome them. The growth, learning, and transformation are part of the ongoing relationship with the Creator.

I do wonder what it looks like, what it would look like to go back and do a spiritual timeline of my journeys of going and growing deeper?!?! What onion layers are peeled off each time so that my true self is more me?

From the recent 4 Day Academy, I do know I was reminded to live into the spiritual practice of play, playfulness. What more is being revealed? I don't know.

May I see with eyes of the heart, 

Deb

Reflections from the 4 Day Academy

Going into the 4 Day Academy I shared my thoughts, some reflections, some photos from the worship space, and what I anticipated for the week. You can find that post here: 4 Day Academy at Camp Sumatanga.

Before the Academy officially began, I spent time in nature/creation playing at the playground and on rocks, walking around under the tree canopy and exploring. I wrote about that experience here: Rocks, Trees, and Mushrooms! Exploring Around Camp Sumatanga

What I haven't written about it my experience, what I learned, how I connected with God, etc. Truthfully, I'm not sure I can. I'm still processing it all. I did take notes. I even took notes during worship time of the songs we sang, the Psalms and Psalm Prayers that were referenced, Scripture shared, etc. I thought I might go back to my personal copy of the Upperroom Worship Book and look some of those up. And I still might. 

In the past I've been able to write more easily about an Academy experience. I've been able to process it more fully or more quickly.... or something.

This time, I don't know. Maybe it's the theme: "Welcoming the Wilderness". Maybe it's deeply embedded within me this time and I don't need to rush it out. Maybe it needs time to incubate, to grow, to put down roots within me. I am not fully sure.

I do know that I am glad I took the time, made the time for this time apart. It was a gift to and for me, to focus on God, creation, and to spend time in the rhythm of the Academy so that I could more effectively listen to the Creator. 

My soul was refreshed. I know that. Through the rhythms, the worship, the conversations, the silence, the solitude, the sharing from the faculty, and the sharing within community. Add to that the bountiful beauty of God's creation.

I heard names of authors I knew and learned new ones. 

To trust that all these things are working within me is just that-- TRUST. It is not anything I can see.

However, I know that I opened the space, that I listened, that I put in the time. Therefore, I know that there are seeds planted, there are roots growing deeper, there is healing and growth. Even if I don't see it or feel it. I can trust.

I am grateful for the team and our faculty (Larry Peacock and Dale Clem). I am grateful for all the people I met. Most of them were from Alabama, but some were from Tennessee, Georgia, Ohio and Illinois. 

One of the authors that came up was Chardin and his writing "Trust in the slow work of God". That took me back to my Spiritual Direction coursework and how impactful that was for me then. I remember creating an hour glass prayer with the phrase "trust in the slow work of God". I can't find where I wrote about that specifically, but I think it went something like this:

trust in the slow work of God
trust in the slow work
trust in the slow
trust
trust
trust in the slow
trust in the slow work
trust in the slow work of God

By taking each phrase and allowing it to be aligned with one's breath, it becomes a type of breath prayer. It allows an intentional focus. The post where I wrote about Chardin was "Healing Takes Time".

It's going to take some time to process my 4 Day Academy. 

One thing I can share here and now is the daily focus.

Here are the words of the day:

Gifts

Stillness

Healing (me in the mirror)

Healing (me not in the mirror)

Hope

These words are "spot on" for my life, just as was so much else. The wilderness is home for me. Not just because I have had so many wilderness experiences in my life, but because it is also the place where I know and experience God best. That's why I am drawn to outdoor worship, to hike, to be outside on the deck, to be in a hammock, to walk, to bike, etc. 

There is much for me to process, though I wonder if it is meant to work beneath the surface, so to speak. I don't know. I do know that the Academy time was and is part of my growth and healing, part of my learning and calling.

I am glad I was able to attend.

I am also glad I was able to hike up to Creel Chapel on Wednesday, October 9th. That was super meaningful to me and special as that was my 60th birthday. Though it (turning 60) has been a quiet time of celebration this year for me, it has not been without contemplation. 

My goal is to live in the moment, in the here and now. As Thomas Merton has taught me for many years: "I do not [have to] know where I am going." Would you believe that Merton came up during the week too?!?! Merton has been my companion through my commissioning, my ordination, and to this day. :)

Thomas Merton Prayer of Unknowing:

dfdd

4 Day Academy at Camp Sumatanga

On Sunday, October 6th I traveled from my camp reunion weekend in Mentone, AL to Camp Sumatanga in Gallant, AL for a 4 Day Academy. This is my 2nd time to Camp Sumatanga, but my first to spend the night and more. It's my first retreat here.

What caught my attention way back was the word "wilderness". I don't exactly remember when I started seeing it advertised, but it caught my attention, it resonated with me, it drew me in. Several of the books on the reading list intrigued me too. One book is by the founder of the Wild Church Network, Victoria Loorz. Since I have a Wild Church (Bamboo Encounter), that was another reason to consider the time away.

But, could I pull it off? The week was going to be difficult to get away. It happens to be the week of my 60th birthday. On one hand, what better way to spend entering a new decade than to spend it on an Academy time apart?!?! Then, it's also the 6 months anniversary of my Dad's passing. 6 months. It's hard to believe Dad has been gone 6 months.

When I considered all things, looked at the faculty and the books, I really wanted to be able to go.

A camp reunion the weekend prior meant I would be gone Friday--Friday. 

Somehow, it all worked out. 

I'm here.

The 4 day Academy officially begins today-- Monday, October 7th, but I came in early because I was already in Alabama for the camp reunion.

After the reunion ended, I drove on the Lookout Mountain Parkway some. Then I headed to Little River Canyon Center. The center was beautiful. It had a great gift shop where I picked up a new sticker for my water bottle. I found a mosaic bench. 

Then I changed into my hiking boots and hiked the Bridge Trail from the Center over to the falls. It was a neat trail with great trees, rocks, and 'shrooms. The loblolly pine was a favorite. The waterfall didn't have tons of water flowing, but it was sufficient and beautiful. 

From there I took the recommended backroads to Camp Sumatanga. I saw cotton fields. I almost stopped at the Little River Canyon Preserve Mouth Park area on highway 273.  I did get some coffee at Scooters coffee in Attala before arriving at the camp.

I got my assigned room and settled in. 

I checked out the worship space and took some pictures.

Then I went to dinner with the team at a seafood restaurant in Gadsden. 

I am very much looking forward to the time apart this week and the rhythm of the Academy.

Today I plan to do some walking and hiking around Camp Sumatanga. Riley and I have been here once and we explored the trail around the lake. Before things begin this afternoon, we'll see what all I can find on this beautiful campus.

The theme for this week is "Welcoming the Wilderness". I imagine I will write more about that as the week continues. It is a theme that resonated with me and drew me in for many reasons, as did the Academy rhythm.

I went back in my blogs and found a post I wrote about my first 5 Day Academy from 2010: "What IS the word of the day? Living into the calling..." It is interesting for me to go back and see the beginnings of my ordination journey from that 5 Day Academy. I had completed my Certificate in Christian Studies, but that Academy led me to apply for my M.Div. and to start the Ordination process. In the post I mention walking with others through the wilderness (a part of my calling) and spiritual direction. It took a while, but I did do a spiritual direction training program from 2021-2023 and got my certificate January 2024. As for walking with people through the wilderness, it is something I do. It's not specific to any part of my life or calling, but flows through everything. It's just a part of who I am. Therefore, being at a 4 Day Academy that focuses on "Welcoming the Wilderness" is perfect for me.

Here is another post from my first 5 Day Academy: "Reflections".

If you are interested in reading more about my 2 Year Academy experiences, you can search the blog site for "2 Year Academy", "Academy #32", "bilingual Academy". We met quarterly for 2 years and that impacted my life significantly.

There's something to be said for the rhythm of spiritual practices and returning to a place. Even though my Academy places have been different, except for the 2 year, the Academy IS the place, the space. The location is important, but secondary to what it is and does. I haven't been in a setting yet that hasn't enhanced my Academy experience. 

As I mentioned at the beginning of this post. I am looking forward to this time apart. I have already had great conversations and have been encouraged.

Stay tuned for more from the "wilderness"--

Deb

Reflections on the book by Noel Forlini Burt--Hope in the Wilderness: Spiritual Reflections for When God Feels Far Away

I finished this smallish, thinnish book about a week ago. It has 85 pages of reading, plus a bibliography. Don't let the amount of pages fool you into thinking it's thin on content. It's not. It's powerfully packed in those pages. 

I read it in preparation for an upcoming 4 Day Academy for Spiritual Formation in October. Though I had looked at and printed out the brochure, it didn't register in my brain that the author is one of the faculty for the week. When I realized that, I was even more grateful that I was able to sign up for this Academy experience. 

Hope in the Wilderness: Spiritual Reflections for When God Feels Far Away by Noel Forlini Burt is an honest, open look into the wilderness journey. The author shares her personal experiences throughout the book, along with references from Scripture and other writers. She shares her Academy experience from Camp Sumatanga. 

I can relate to the Two Year Academy for Spiritual Formation experience, as it was a life changing experience for me. My Academy experience was in FL and I finished it 11 years ago in 2013. Oh, how time flies. Each session was like "going home" as I headed there in my "rolling sanctuary". Each session worked in me in so many ways. I am still reaping the benefits for the time sown into my life those two years of Academy #32, the bilingual academy.

Being able to relate to the ebb and flow of "going home" was just one connecting point with the author. She taught at a University. I understand that too. I taught for 24 years, mostly at the higher education level.  Our experiences are different, but there are some similarities. She left home (Alabama) to go teach in Texas. I got to come closer to home (Georgia) when I moved to Tennessee to teach at a small liberal arts college from Long Island, NY. 

Noel had my attention from the introduction of her book. She quoted Thomas Merton early on and his prayer of unknowing. That prayer was and is an ongoing prayer for me, a mantra you might say. I used it in my paperwork for commissioning and ordination and in my interviews. You see, it has been hard for me to know, to see where I am going along this pathway of life. I haven't understood much of it. So, Merton's words have resonated with me -- "I have no idea where I am going."  But he goes on to say that he trusts the one leading him. That has been my experience. So, when Noel quoted Merton, I knew I was in for a good read.

Noel repeats phrases throughout the book that resonate and begin to sink in.

•  "In the struggle is the formation."
• "God is the Great Silence."
• "it came out of nowhere, as grace often does."
• "The wilderness is the Way Home."

In addition to these nuggets, there are many more nuggets that I have underlined and marked in the book. I may or may not get around to noting all of these at some point. Maybe I will get to a few of them.

I started thinking about all the wilderness experiences I have been though over the years and made a list. They include loss of loved ones, loss of relationships in other forms, physical ailments, loss of dreams, changes in situations, transitions. It comes down to transitions. Most of my wilderness experiences have been transitions and liminal spaces, the unknown. Hmmmm.

These experiences for me have helped me find myself, my true self, along the path. During the season of the Covid-19 pandemic, I spent lots of time outdoors, in the woods or in my hammock. That was a wilderness of leadership, relationships, being. Yet, I (with many others), found ways through it to create new paths, new ways-- to lead, to be in relationship, to be. There were several times when I could tell I was going through a transitional metamorphosis. Having that time to "be", to reflect, to do things differently, to see things differently, etc., was a powerful time for growth and creativity... even though there was unknown and wilderness.

This book has helped me realize and see that "the wilderness is the Way Home", that "God is the Great Silence", that "in the struggle is the formation", and that "it [grace] came out of nowhere, as grace often does."

One quote that resonates in this moment: "There is a truth that only the soul can tell, but that truth will emerge only when the soul is ready to tell it. [...] We trust that in the waiting, new life is unfolding." (54)

I am looing forward to going back through the book to read it again, to read my highlighted sections, to ponder and reflect more. I am also looking forward to meeting the author, Noel Forlini Burt, in October.

Whatever your wilderness experiences have been or are, may you find hope in them.

Deep peace and grace on the journey, 

Deb