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

Advent 3 2019 photos and reflections

Advent week 3 is over. Tomorrow begins Advent 4.  It is almost Christmas and the Christmas season. Here is the compilation post of the Advent word for the day and my photos and reflections.  It was a harder week for me.  Even though "joy" was the theme, I resonated with the Isaiah passage from the lectionary (Isaiah 35:1-10) on Sunday in that there is joy on the journey through the wilderness.  You see, there HAS been joy this week on the journey, yet it hasn't always been a bubbly joy, as I shared in Sunday's sermon.  (You can click on the sermon title to listen to Sunday's sermon, "Rejoice With Joy").

The words for Advent 3 were: joy, grace, promise, hospitality, community, journey, mystery.

Today's word is #joy. What brings you joy? When you reflect on today's word, what comes to mind? On this third Sunday of Advent, how will joy be a part of your Advent journey? #joy #adventphoto #advent2019 #saintelmoumc

 This picture depicts #joy to me. Yesterday's rehearsal was full of singing and joy. When you live into who you are created to be, there is joy. It isn't always easy. Joy isn't always bubbly. There are ebbs and flows, times to wait, and times to let go. I am grateful for these months to journey with this one, for the support, for the opportunity. I look forward to tonight's Cantata. #joy #adventphoto #advent2019 #saintelmoumc

Today's word is #grace. How have you experienced grace this Advent season? Or, how/where do you need grace this Advent season? When you reflect on today's word, what comes to mind? #grace #adventphoto #advent2019 #saintelmoumc

Today's word is #grace. Hearts are a symbol of God's grace to me, reminding me that I am loved and beloved. Hearts have become a sacrament, a symbol, that I see in clouds, leaves, trees, food, coffee pods, rocks, etc. #seeaheartshareaheart is a hashtag I started using after reading the book. I get lots of cool hearts sent to me from folks. Once you start seeing them, you can't unsee them. This heart was sent to me today from my son Charlie. He saw it outside Publix in FL and sent it my way. Oh, the never ending grace revealed in love, symbolized by hearts. Grace definitely abounds and is helping this mama's heart be full. Thank you, Carlitos. #grace #adventphoto #advent2019 #saintelmoumc

Today's word is #promise. What promise are you holding to this Advent season? When you reflect on this word, what comes to mind? #promise #adventphoto #advent2019 #saintelmoumc

Yesterday's word was #promise. When I was at the Cenacle Retreat center in Houston several years ago for a retreat on compassion, I was nudged outside during reflection time and saw this sign. As I hit my knees, my Creator assured me that I was going to be okay, that Charlie was going to be okay, that we were all going to be okay. The One who created me and created Charlie knew what I needed and promised me all would work out. I knew it wouldn't be easy, but the sign, literally, and that moment was significant. Yesterday, my Creator was faithful in reminding me of the promise that Charlie is going to be okay, that things will work out. I am grateful to a loving Creator who watches me, who carries me, who meets me where I am. #promise #adventphoto #advent2019 #saintelmoumc

(To read about the sign and names, go here-https://alienadventurejourney.blogspot.com/…/thoughts-about…) 

Today's word is #hospitality. How do you show hospitality during the Advent season? What would be hospitality for you, if you were receiving? When you reflect on this word, what comes to mind? #hospitality #adventphoto #advent2019 #saintelmoumc

Today's word is #hospitality. Last night, this group of folks (plus others who came after the photo) served dinner at the CEMPA Christmas party. It was a fun-filled and joyous time with music, singing, dancing, conversations, photos with Santa, etc. The hospitality of these folks and the entire CEMPA team made last night a success. Hospitality, for me, is opening up space to allow another to be themselves, to create a space of grace that allows the transformational aspects of love and acceptance to exist. #hospitality #adventphoto #advent2019 #saintelmoumc

Today's word is #community. We live in communities. We may work in a different community. We may worship in yet another community. We may refer to a group as a community. What do you think about when you hear the word "community"? Who are the people with whom you have things IN COMMON? How do you depict the word "community" in art or a photo? #community #adventphoto #advent2019 #saintelmoumc

 Today's word is #community. This sign expresses how to effectively live in community for me. We may not always have things in common, but we can respect one another. #community #adventphoto #advent2019 #saintelmoumc

Today's word is #journey. The season of Advent is a journey, a pilgrimage that takes us to the Christ child. What has this journey meant for you this year? How has it been different from other Advents in the past? As you reflect on today's word, what comes to mind? #journey #adventphoto #advent2019 #saintelmoumc

Today's word is #journey. At the end of this day, I reflected on the importance of the journey inward and the journey outward. I heard a song on the radio by R.Carlos Nakai on a native American flute, "Inward Journey". I read a book by Elizabeth O'Connor in 2013. Thoughts from that book are here: http://alienadventurejourney.blogspot.com/2013/02/journey-inward-journey-outward-by.html?m=1. The Advent journey continues. There is waiting, darkness, mystery. There is also peace, hope, joy. The photo is the view leaving the neighborhood tonight. I stopped and soaked in the sight. May the remainder of the Advent journey provide a space of grace to focus on the coming of the Christ child. #journey #adventphoto #advent2019 #saintelmoumc

Today's word is #mystery. How does "mystery" play a role in your Advent and/or your faith journey? What comes to mind when you reflect on this word? How do you respond to mystery? How do you depict this word? #mystery #adventphoto #advent2019 #saintelmoumc

Today's word is #mystery. There is much I don't understand about the Creator. However, I can live into the mystery and trust the One who created me. God with us, Emmanuel. "Father, son, and Holy Spirit mean that the mystery beyond us, the mystery among us, and the mystery within us are all the same mystery." - Frederick Buechner #mystery #adventphoto #advent2019 #saintelmoumc

May the light and love of the Christ child that has come, that is coming, and that is among us even now continue to grow brighter and stronger every day.

Shalom on the journey, 

Debra

Journey Inward, Journey Outward by Elizabeth O'Connor

Journey Inward, Journey Outward by Elizabeth O'Connor is one of my required readings for the Academy for Spiritual Formation.  My journey on Academy #32 is coming to a close as far as the readings and the travels and the sessions go.  Session #8 is in April.  I have a couple of more books to read, but I may not get to them.  This book puts me at my 26 minimum and with my seminary class starting next week, this may be all I can do.  We'll see.

But I don't want to share about reading in general, I want to share about this book and from this book.  I also want to share other resources I've found.

First, this book. 

Let's say you weren't holding the copy I have, with its slightly fraying binding and yellowed pages.  Let's say you ignored the references to the Vietnam War and Martin Luther King, Jr. and Selma, Alabama.  I wonder, if like me, you would then think that this book could be talking about the church today, society today, Kingdom today?!?!  Church of the Savior was likely a fore-runner for other churches back in the late 60s as it stepped into Kingdom life, basing the journey outward on the strong foundation of the inward journey.  Yet, I still see this church as a fore-runner, because all too often we focus primarily on the outward mission without strengthening the inward journey.  It isn't an either/or.  It is a both/and.

The example set forth in the book by this particular church is not new to Christ followers.  Christ set the example.  Christ took time for the inward journey in order to have strength for the outward journey.  But that could be a whole other post.  Read the gospel of Mark for the rhythm and pattern of Christ ministering and getting away.  There are times when Christ is trying to get away and attend to the inward journey, but the crowds keep following him to the other side.  I wonder if there is anyone (lay or clergy) in ministry that ever feels like he/she cannot get away from the crowd?!!? 

But, that could be a whole other post too.

The book.  Journey Inward, Journey Outward.  The copy I have was published in 1975 by Harper & Row.  The original publishing date was 1968. 

What feels so odd about this book seeming like it could be talking about the here and now may have something to with the fact that I was four years old when it was published the first time and it resonates deeply within my soul.

There are 10 chapters in the book, plus a preface, an epilogue, an appendix from the Coffee House Church and some pictures.  The chapters are:

The Inward Journey
Three Engagements on the Journey Inward
Calling Forth of Gifts
The Restoration Corps
The Frontier Church and Psychiatry
The Potter's House
New and Old Forms of Worship
Preparation for Mission
The Covenant Community
For Love of Children

Here are some thoughts/quotes, etc. that stood out to me:

"We are going to know little about the task of reconciliation in the world unless we are in touch with what goes on in that world within ourselves and know how difficult reconciliation is there." (preface, ix-x)

"I am not practiced in placing my life beside quiet waters where the Spirit of God can brood upon it." (2)

"Is there within me a strength that lets me be unafraid? Can I allow myself to be present to another because I can trust my response and know that I am able for whatever comes?" (2-3)

"Whether a man arrives or does not arrive at his destiny--the place that is particularly his--depends on whether or not he finds the Kingdom within and hears the call to wholeness--or holiness, as another might say.  The man who hears that call is chosen. [...] Life becomes his vocation." (5)

"In whatever way it happens, the person who has lost his true self has a hunger in him." (7)

"The man who would step out of the crowd and follow his own destiny, must keep before him the knowledge that the way is hard." (8)

Talking about the book: "It is a book concerned with the renewal of the church, for it holds that renewal cannot come to the church unless its people are on an inward journey.  It holds with equal emphasis that renewal cannot come to the church unless its people are on an outward journey." (9)

"We have to be people engaged with ourselves, if we are going to find out where we are and where it is we want to go." (12)

"As people on an inward journey we are committed to growing in consciousness, to becoming people in touch with our real selves, so that we know not only what flows at the surface, but what goes on in the depths of us." (13)

"The content and quality of our lives is determined by how we respond to the ordinary, and this depends on whether or not we have taken the time to nourish an inner life." (18)

"To stand in the silence within oneself, while at the same time relating to external events, is not an easy concept to grasp.  It will also be understood differently at different stages of one's life." (29)

"Even in finding its outward shape, the Church must be concerned with its inward pilgrimage." (32)

"The outward journey is determined in part by the gifts discovered in the inward journey." (33)

"There comes to the "called" man an internal freedom that lets him take the risks involved in following a way.  Each day he moves closer to his "true self" and in this comes strength." (34)

"The adventure is not in the arriving, but in the journey--the "now" of life." (35)

"...we must be willing to give up structures not only when they fail to meet a need in the world, but when they no longer provide the framework that lets us be on the "immense journey" of becoming.  A call which is valid at one time in a person's life will not necessarily be valid at another time." (35)

"...the primary task and primary mission of the Christian is to call forth the gifts of others." (36)

"The discovery of the real self is the way to the treasure hidden in a field.  The gift a person brings to another is the gift of himself." (38)

"There is no Christian community not rooted in service, and no Christian service not rooted in relationship." (40)

I could go on and on and on!!

The ministries that spoke to me most were The Potter's House (a coffee shop) and the Dayspring Retreat Center, though there were aspects of the others that caught my attention and spoke to me in ways too.  Risk-taking and failure (but continuing to seek God's direction) are seen through the various ministries.  So is the foundation of the inward journey and the community committing together to live out their faith commitment individually and in community both inwardly and outwardly.  It isn't always pretty and it definitely isn't easy, but it is real. 

There is something about folks being serious about living into their growth on the inward journey and serving together on the outward journey that is refreshing and inspiring.

I was curious to see where Elizabeth O'Connor was now and what the Church of the Savior was up to.  The first thing I found was a blog link entitled "inward/outward".  From that site, I found information about the church and the ministries.  Links are below.  There may be more information, but I don't want to take away your fun, your research.

Church of the Savior has a blog in which Elizabeth O'Connor has posted.  Here is a link to one of her recent posts: inward/outward. 

You can learn more about Church of the Savior and their scattered churches as of 1994 from the homepage of the blog.

Though you can access this list of the ministries from the inward/outward blog as well, it is impressive enough for me to list separately.  What a wonderful example of organic ministry!  This is truly a mustard seed of faith becoming a full blown tree, living into its potential!  Ministries of the Church of the Savior.

I know there are churches and communities committed to this way that Christ has modeled for us, the way of the inward and outward journey being lived out in balance. 

Yet, it still seems like such a new and novel idea.  Maybe there is a need for more people to grow in the inner/inward journey, to learn about themselves, to learn their gifts, to put them into practice in community as they flow into the outward journey.

As I had hope for the institutional church when I read Diana Butler Bass' Christianity for the Rest of Us, I have hope from reading this book.  In both cases, I believe the hope stems from the fact that the focus is not on the institutional system but rather on living as an incarnational body, living as Christ lived.

Blessings on your journey,

Debra

Random thoughts....reflections on life, ministry, and who knows what?

Tonight is January 30th, the eve of the last day in the month of January.  Where, oh, where has this month gone?!?!

I turned off the television because there wasn't really anything to watch (or to captivate my attention).

I have things to do....

I am reading Journey Inward, Journey Outward by Elizabeth O'Connor.  It's one of the required readings for session #8 of Academy #32.  It's hard to fathom that my Upper Room Academy for Spiritual Formation will be over in April.  Well, not truly "over".  As a wise woman in my beadisciple.com workshop put it, the journey is just beginning.  I get that. ☺  This journey that I've been on for almost 2 years has taught me much, but it doesn't end in April. 

This book that I'm reading in preparation for April was written in 1968.  My version was published in 1975.  Yet, it is as appropriate and current now (and even cutting edge) as it was then.  It has been full of nuggets.  I will likely post at some point on it.

Tonight's Bible Study at church was on another Kingdom Parable, two actually: the mustard seed and leaven.  We each got a mustard seed.  I attempted to take a picture of it in my hand, but it was too close and therefore a tad blurry.  But, I decided that this tiny seed is going to become a tree.  Now, it might become a figurative tree instead of a literal one, but that's okay.  I still aim to plant it though.  Much like Mustard Tree Ministries here locally, I am curious to see what ministries will flow from this tiny mustard seed as it grows.  What branches will branch off from the investments?  I imagine there will be fruit of which I am never aware.  Yet, I give myself to the unknown and surrender my tiny seed to the Kingdom so that God will grow it into whatever it is that it is to be.

I have thoughts of Camel Land and friends, known and unknown.  I wish I could be there to encourage, to carry the burden of work, to help sort things out, or to simply have a cup of tea.  Yet, I am here and they are there.  I can only think on the things I have been given and turn those things over to someone bigger than myself.  I know why they are on my mind tonight.... at least I think I do.  They may be on my mind for some other reason and I may be called to lift them up.  So, I lift them up even now as I write.

Oh, how I am enjoying my BeADisciple.com workshop community!  This is my 3rd time to facilitate the course on Growing Spiritually Through Daily Discipline.  It is a Lay Speaker course that uses a Steve Harper book, Devotional Life in the Wesleyan Tradition Workbook.  One does not have to be seeking Lay Servant Certification to take the workshop; it can be taken for personal enrichment.  Every time I enter into this workshop, I am pleasantly amazed at the wonderful community that is brought together to learn and grow for the seven weeks.  It is truly a blessing!

For the first time ever, my blog might reach a record of 1,500 hits for a month.  That is mind-boggling to me.  Readership is world-wide... another mind-boggling thing for me.  I wonder.... is this part of my mustard tree?  Has my tree already been growing and producing branches without me even being aware?!?!

Last week I went to another friend's father's viewing.  That made 3 in six months.  There was another viewing and another funeral in that time too.  Death and dying always become a cause for reflection as they point to life, family, relationships, healing, reconciliation... as well as the rougher spots along the journey. 

I continue to learn about myself and to grow.  There is much to learn still and much growing to do.  Layer upon layer, moment upon moment.  My hope and my desire is that the more I learn and grow, that I will be able to live out the ministry of presence in the lives of others.... that I will be able to truly love others.... by listening, by serving, by sharing.  I hope that through the cracks in this vessel that the light will shine through, revealing the Source of its existence in and through me.

On the good days, I imagine God's love and light are seen shining through.  On the bad and ugly days (yes, they exist in my life!), it would be my hope and desire that at some point, God's love and light are seen as I respond with humility, seek forgiveness, etc. 

So, thus endeth a rambling random post.  Does it even make sense?!!?!  Who knows?  But, I do know at least one person who can appreciate random thoughts.  And, for that person, there is duct tape awaiting your return.  For the rest of you, you may be wondering what random thoughts and duct tape have in common.  All I know is that they have become associated for me.  ☺ Maybe duct tape is what I need to pull together my thoughts?!?!

Blessings on your journey.... whether it be inward or outward at this very moment, be engaged and intentional!

~Debra