Psalm 62-- Finding Rest in God Alone--outdoor time at North Chickamauga Creek

Today I needed more rest for my soul.  You might think that all that outdoors time on Thursday was enough to last me a long time.  The truth is, the more I have spent in silence and solitude over the past several years, the more my soul craves it.  It is in the silence that I can hear the One Voice most clearly and my soul finds rest.

My body rested yesterday, even though the weather was super perfect to be outside.

Today was a more cloudy day, though the sun broke through at times.  Still, I knew I needed to get out.  I went to North Chickamauga Creek Gorge.  I haven't been there in a while.  Without going up the hiking trail, it's not as long of a walk as other places, but it is a place I can go to experience water and rocks and be in creation.

When I got there this afternoon, I needed to park down at the bottom parking area.  There were about 30 cars there.  Lots of folks outside this afternoon.  I wonder what it was like at the Greenway Farm?

I walked along the hiking path and encountered several folks walking, some with dogs.  It was a great afternoon to be out.

Most everytime I am out in creation, the words "my soul magnifies the Lord" from a song come to mind.  Today, in addition, I kept thinking about my soul finding rest, finding rest in God alone.

Why would I need more rest for my soul after having had so much so recently?  I even had two worship services this morning plus the Thursday night worship time.

It is possible that the heaviness of this final semester that begins tomorrow is upon me.  The nine graduate credits is going to keep me very busy.

It is also possible that tomorrow's interview with the Board of Ordained Ministry occupies some of my mind.  I continue to trust God and seek to be an open and willing vessel, but because it is an important interview, the "nerve-excitedness" does come to surface at times.

There are other things that weigh down my soul at times.  I continue to give them over to the One who can take care of them better than I, yet the burden is there.  Even when God takes those burdens, there is day to day life that requires wisdom and discernment.

Psalm 62 (NIV-- from www.biblestudytools.com)

1 My soul finds rest in God alone; my salvation comes from him.

2 He alone is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will never be shaken.

3 How long will you assault a man? Would all of you throw him down-- this leaning wall, this tottering fence?

4 They fully intend to topple him from his lofty place; they take delight in lies. With their mouths they bless, but in their hearts they curse. "Selah"

5 Find rest, O my soul, in God alone; my hope comes from him.

6 He alone is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will not be shaken.

7 My salvation and my honor depend on God; he is my mighty rock, my refuge.

8 Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge. "Selah"

9 Lowborn men are but a breath, the highborn are but a lie; if weighed on a balance, they are nothing; together they are only a breath.

10 Do not trust in extortion or take pride in stolen goods; though your riches increase, do not set your heart on them.

11 One thing God has spoken, two things have I heard: that you, O God, are strong,

12 and that you, O Lord, are loving. Surely you will reward each person according to what he has done.
As I was walking along the hiking path and enjoying the sight and sounds of the roaring waters in the creek, I reflected on Psalm 61 and the verse about the rock being higher than I and its refuge from last week.  Psalm 62 also mentions God being a rock, salvation, and refuge.

There were many rocks at the creek.  One in particular caught my attention for being higher than I and one that could provide refuge and shelter.

There are several songs with "In God Alone" in them.

One is a Taizé song.  Taizé songs are peaceful and calming. 

Here are the lyrics to "In God Alone":

In God alone my soul can find rest and peace,
in God my peace and joy.
Only in God my soul can find its rest,
find its rest and peace.

Aaron Keyes-- "My Soul Finds Rest in God Alone"

Lyrics:
My soul finds rest in God alone, My Rock and my salvation, A fortress strong against my foes, And I will not be shaken. Though lips may bless and hearts may curse, And lies like arrows pierce me, I'll fix my heart on righteousness, I'll look to Him who hears me.

O praise Him, hallelujah, My Delight and my Reward; Everlasting, never failing, My Redeemer, my God.

Find rest, my soul, in God alone Amid the world's temptations; When evil seeks to take a hold I'll cling to my salvation. Though riches come and riches go, Don't set your heart upon them; The fields of hope in which I sow Are harvested in heaven.

O praise Him, hallelujah, My Delight and my Reward; Everlasting, never failing, My Redeemer, my God.

I'll set my gaze on God alone, And trust in Him completely; With every day pour out my soul, And He will prove His mercy. Though life is but a fleeting breath, A sigh too brief to measure, My King has crushed the curse of death And I am His forever.

O praise Him, hallelujah, My Delight and my Reward; Everlasting, never failing, My Redeemer, my God.

O praise Him, hallelujah, My Delight and my Reward; Everlasting, never failing, My Redeemer, my God.

O praise Him, O praise Him, hallelujah, hallelujah, O praise Him, O praise Him, hallelujah, hallelujah, O praise Him, O praise Him, hallelujah! hallelujah!

O praise Him, hallelujah, My Delight and my Reward; Everlasting, never failing, My Redeemer, my God.

O praise Him, hallelujah, My Delight and my Reward; Everlasting, never failing, My Redeemer, my God.

(instrumental) O praise Him, O praise Him, hallelujah, hallelujah, O praise Him, O praise Him, hallelujah, hallelujah, O praise Him, O praise Him, hallelujah! hallelujah! O praise Him, O praise Him, hallelujah! hallelujah!
Lyrics from <a href="http://www.elyrics.net" rel="nofollow">eLyrics.net</a>

One other song that comes from Psalm 62 is one I learned from the Upper Room Worship Book: #278--"God is My Rock" / «El Señor es mi fuerza».

I wrote a blog post about this song a while back (October 4, 2012) because it touched me so much during our Academy sessions. 

Here is a different group singing «El Señor es mi fuerza»:

I took one of my pictures and created a textgram today:

Maybe you were able to find some rest for your soul today.  Whether it was in something you read, something you listened to, some silence, some time with a spiritual friend, or time in creation, or something else, I hope that your soul has found rest.

My soul has.  Through the ebb and flow of life, it is a constant coming back to the center of my being, to the center of my relationship with my Creator, that allows my soul to rest.

May your soul find rest along your journey,

Debra

Christ the King Retreat Center.... my home for the week

I arrived this afternoon to Christ the King Retreat Center in Buffalo, MN after an odd day of travel for me.  I say "odd" because there were all kinds of mix ups, yet I remained calm through it all and simply went with the flow.  That wouldn't have been me back 5-10 years.  I would have worried more about missing my flight, etc.  I don't know if I would have reacted differently if I had been in charge of a group or had I not traveling by myself.  But, there was peace in and through it all.  I was a little concerned here and there, but nothing like days gone by. 

Here is my travel day: 

When I arrived at Groome Transportation, they didn't have me on the list.  When I gave them my reservation number, they said my reservation had been canceled because I didn't show up on JUNE 21.  I told them that I had gotten a verbal confirmation for JULY 21 and JULY 25 (return) from the person helping me with my reservation.  Unfortunately, the number 6 had been put down instead of 7.  What that meant for me this morning was that I was not on the 8:00 am shuttle to Atlanta, but the 9:00 am shuttle.  I worked on my homework assignment in their lobby and then most of the way to Atlanta. 

Though a little concerned about making my 11:55 am flight, I got into the airport, got my boarding pass (with a little snag because my number on my print out was too long for the kiosk), and headed to security.  I haven't traveled with my laptop in a while, so I learned the get-a-dirty-look-and-almost-get-in-trouble-way that you are supposed to put it in a separate bin.  I took it out of my backpack.  It was an honest mistake. 

I took the wonderful train to Concourse D.  After making a pit stop and thanking an Air Force service woman in uniform quickly and briefly for her service, I was off to my gate.  What do you know?!?! It was all the way down the long hallway.  I got there and they were loading.  A full plane.  But here is where it got better.

I had LOTS of leg room (important for a short 5'4" person) because I was in the emergency aisle.  I wasn't cramped.  We landed 20 minutes early.  That meant I might be able to make the earlier shuttle.  When I got to the shuttle area, I made a call to the shuttle folks and they had room for me.  I then called the travel angel on our retreat end to let him know I would be arriving on the earlier shuttle.  I got to the meeting spot an hour earlier and I got to ride the shuttle with a very special passenger!

 

From the drop-off shuttle location in Monticello to Buffalo, MN is only about 15 minutes or so.  We drove through Buffalo looking at the Buffalo.  Though I didn't get pictures of them today, maybe I'll get out and get some again this year.  Last year I kissed one of them.  (These aren't real buffalo.)

 

We arrived at Christ the King Retreat Center, home sweet home for this week of the FUMSDRL retreat.  It is good to be back here.  As soon as I got here, I could feel some of the stress I had picked up over the past couple of days melting away.

 

With a full week at SOULfeast last week and only being home 2 1/2 days, you might wonder what in the world I could have picked up in that time?!?!  Well, that's another day.  Even just the minor incidences of today's travel day were allowed to slip off me.

 

What struck me most, however, was tonight's worship time after dinner.  Dinner was a good time to start getting to know some of the board members that I've only heard over the phone and a couple of the retreatants that arrived early.  It was also a good time to catch up with folks I met face to face last year.  There are missing faces, however.... those from last year and those who couldn't make it that would have been here for the first time this year.  Varying circumstances.  Those whom I met, I miss.  Those whom I have yet to meet, I miss the opportunity to have met them.  For each person and situation, they are being held up in thoughts and prayers.

 

Worship.... a wonderful and meaningful way to begin our time together.  Flute music, silence, prayer, holy communion, the Upper Room Worship Book, passing of the peace, etc.  It was a special time.  Psalm 42.  Psalm Prayer #270 (based on Psalm 42).

 

 

As you can see, this Psalm Prayer was adapted from Psalm 42 by Judy Holloway, 2006.  It reads:

 

Quench the thirst of my heart, O God.

Sing the song of your love deep within me.

Lead me to the waters of mercy,

for my hope is in you.  Amen.

 

This speaks to a depth I cannot not explain, yet can sense.  Again, one would think that after last week of SOULfeast I would be full to overflowing.  In many ways I am and have been.  Yet, with the theme of soil and tending to the tension of being and doing, I imagine God has plans for me this week. 

 

It's not all going to be about the business of FUMSDRL (Fellowship of United Methodist Spiritual Directors and Retreat Leaders).  Yes, I'm here for the board meeting.  I'm here for the fellowship.  Yet, I'm sensing God has me here for something far beyond what I can even comprehend at this very moment. 

 

What I do know is that deep calls to deep and that Psalm Prayer touches a very deep place within me. 

 

As I walked around this evening, marveling at the beauty of the flowers, the sky, the water, and the sunset, what rang in my mind was this:  My soul, my soul magnifies the Lord...

 

 

Though I am thirsty and seek God to quench my thirsty soul, at the same time my soul leaps out to magnify the Lord with all its being.

 

This is how I enter my week here at Christ the King Retreat Center...open, expecting, and ready to be led deep into the waters.

 

Blessings on your journey,

 

Debra



WO 510-- Day 2 of class (end of class)... Shalom, friends.

We ended class yesterday with a song from the United Methodist Hymnal, #666.  The number didn't mean anything to me.  I don't know hymns by their numbers.  But, as the professor started playing it and I looked at the title, I recognized it.  "Shalom to You."  It was written by Elise Eslinger.  It was written to the tune of «Somos del Señor». 

Ah, another Academy memory moment / connection time for me during my Asbury class time.   Not only did we sing this song often during our 2 year bilingual Academy (#32), but Elise Eslinger was our worship leader one session when our main worship leader, Irving Cotto, wasn't able to be with us.  These connections for me represent weavings of my faith.  They affirm and strengthen me.

This song is found in the United Methodist Hymnal, #666.  According to hymnary.org, it is found in 4 hymnals total.  It is also found in the Upper Room Worship Book (see below).  The lyrics were written (as mentioned) by Elise Eslinger in 1980. 

Here are the lyrics:

Shalom to you now, shalom my friends.
May God's full mercies bless you, my friends.
In all your living and through your loving,
Christ be your shalom, Christ be your shalom.


Here is a version in English. (not very clear, but decent.  This girl has a great voice!)

The tune, «Somos del Señor», is also known as «Pues si vivimos».  In English, this song is "When We are Living". 

Here is a piano version of the tune.

 

The first verse to «Somos del Señor» / «Pues si vivimos» is anonymous.  The remaining 3 verses in Spanish were written by Roberto Escamilla. Elise Eslinger translated the first verse into English and verses 2-4 were translated by George Lockwood.  This information (and version) is found in the Upper Room Worship Book, #174 and #175.  This information (and hymn) is also available in the United Methodist Hymnal, #356.

 

Eslinger's "Shalom to You" is verse 4 of "Song of Shalom" in the Upper Room Worship Book, #174.

 

According to hymnary.org, "When We Are Living" is found in 13 different hymnals (+ Upper Room Worship Book). 

 

Here is a version in Spanish: (you can follow along with the lyrics on the link, or from the pictures posted below.)



 

Another version in Spanish: (with lyrics and guitar chords)

 



 

"When We Are Living" in English:

 

 

 

Maybe you noticed that I started with the end of yesterday's class.  I'll work my way back to the rest of class in a little while.  I have a couple of blogs I need to get out of my system.  I also have a paper due Friday for Bioethics and a final exam I'm working on.  And, I need to rewrite my personal class notes for Worship class so that they are legible and usable (for me) and start compiling my notebook in my 3-ring binder.

 

Yet, I wanted to start at the end and share this song with you.

 

Blessings on your journey.  More appropriately, this time........Shalom!

 

Debra



"Opening Your Heart to Guidance"-- thoughts and reflection from reading Macrina Wiederkehr on this topic

I sat down yesterday afternoon with Macrina Wiederkehr's Abide: Keeping Vigil with the Word of God and started where I had left off.  Chapter 7: "Opening Your Heart to Guidance".  Oooh... that sounds good.  The Scripture reading was Psalm 25 and the opening instructions: "Prayerfully read Psalm 25." 

As I have gotten accustomed to doing this, I put down the book and looked for a Bible to read the Psalm.  But, before I read the Psalm, I thought I would peek at the devotional.  This is what I read: "Before immersing yourself in the words of this meditation, obey the words above."  OUCH!  I was caught!  Not only was I supposed to obey the instructions, but there was also this I needed to obey: "Unbar your heart and simply wait for God.  There is so much grace in waiting."  Unbar my heart.  That's a powerful statement that says quite a bit and assumes quite a bit.  However, if I am honest with myself, my heart does somehow grow bars around it from time to time... bars of protection.  And, that's not necessarily a bad thing.  Yet, when coming before God, Creator, those bars need to be gone.  And then I need to prepare to simply wait.  I'm not so sure that "simply" and "wait" should go together.  Waiting is not so simple.  Yet, there is definitely grace in the waiting.

So, as I accepted my gentle reprimand, I went to Psalm 25 and read.  The verses that spoke to me most yesterday were 1a, 4-5, 9, 16-18, 19-20.  Depending on what version is read, the word "hope" is used instead of "wait".  They both have a feel for expectation, but the focus on the devotion was the waiting aspect.

When I finished reading the Psalm slowly and prayerfully, I went back to the meditation and read it.  Here are the parts that stood out to me from Macrina's words:

• "We tend to live rather distracted lives; thus the inner turning toward the soul is an excellent spiritual practice." (81)
• "If we desire to move into a deeper relationship with God, it is essential that we live with unguarded hearts." (81)
• "Psalm 25 is a prayer for guidance." (81)
• "Openness! Readiness!  Patience! Spend a little time reflecting on those qualities in your life." (81)

Then Macrina offers these questions to aid in that reflection:

• "How do you experience being open to guidance?"
• "Who are your teachers on the spiritual path?"
• "How is this readiness to go deeper into God's ways visible in the way you live?"
• "How do you feel about waiting for God to make known the paths you should walk?" 
• "How do you feel about waiting for anything?"

There is quite a bit to chew on here.  This might take a while. ☺ 

Continuing on with Macrina's words that captured my attention:

• "In order to go deeper into our interior life and be molded by the Source of all life, it is important that we learn the art of creative waiting." (81)
• "Creative waiting is a deep listening that is at the heart of all discernment." (81)

What caught my attention from these words/phrases/sentences and why do they resonate within my soul?  My desire is to continue moving into a deeper relationship with God and waiting has been part of the ebb and flow of my life's experience for several years now.  Listening and discernment are areas in which I desire growth. 

Macrina suggests that the foes/enemies in verse 19 of Psalm 25 could be considered to be "interior blocks to spiritual growth." (82)  This is a great way to reflect on this.  What stunts/blocks/hinders my growth?   Your growth?  If we can name it, we can begin to deal with it.   This is part of the deepening process.

As with every meditation, Macrina ends with a beautiful prayer.  I'm not going to include it this time (I don't want to give you everything in the book!), but I will include a Psalm Prayer from the Upper Room Worshipbook that I looked up yesterday.

It is #249 and is adapted by Judy Holloway.  Copyright 2006. Upper Room Books.

Psalm Prayer (Ps. 25)

 

O God, in you there is shelter and comfort.

Lead us in your truth and teach us your ways.

Your path is steady and sure.

Be our companion, our protector, and our deliverer.  Amen.

I don't know if Psalm 25, the portions from Macrina Wiederkehr's meditation, or the Psalm Prayer will speak to you or not.  I don't know where you are on the journey.  I only know that each of these spoke to me and I wanted to share.

Blessings on your journey.... May there be grace in the waiting!

Debra

Wilderness-- it's part of the journey

Today's theme at session #3 of the Academy: Wilderness.   This is a theme that grabs me for several reasons.  One, I enjoy hiking and being out in the wilderness.  Two, I've been there spiritually.  And, three, it is something to which I feel called.  What do I mean by this?  I have shared before about my insight from SoulFeast in the summer of 2010 and how I had the image of me being a guide leading people through the wilderness.  It resonates within me to be a part of people's lives in that way. 

During tonight's homily, some thoughts stood out to me: "In the wilderness God shapes the community."  That was the only one I think I quoted directly and correctly.  Other thoughts:  In leading people through the wilderness, someone has to be there to accompany them.  There is a deeper call to remain in the wilderness a little longer.  These were some of the thoughts that resonated within me, tying into thoughts I've had in the past.

At tonight's evening prayer, there was a song that we've sung before at some time from the Upper Room Worship Book: "The Summons".  It is by John L. Bell and was written in 1987.  It is found on page 60.

Will you come and follow me if I but call your name?
Will you go where you don't know and never be the same?
Will you let me love be shown, will you let my name be known,
will you let my life be grown in you and you in me?

Will you leave your self behind if I but call your name?
Will you care for cruel and kind and never be the same?
Will you risk the hostile stare should your life attract or scare?
and let me answer prayer in you and you in me?

Will you let the blinded see if I but call your name?
Will you set the prisoners free and never be the same?
Will you kiss the lepers clean, and do such as this unseen,
and admit to what I mean in you and you in me?

Will you love the "you" you hide if I but call your name?
Will you quell the fear inside and never be the same?
Will you use the faith you've found to reshape the world around,
through my sight and touch and sound in you and you in me?

Lord, your summons echoes true when you but call my name.
Let me turn and follow you and never be the same.
In your company I'll go where your love and footsteps show.
Thus I'll move and live and grow in you and you in me.

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There's not a whole lot to say.  The song says it quite well.  The phrases that stick out the most to me are: come and follow me, leave your self behind, love the "you" you hide, go where you don't know, risk, use the faith you found to reshape the world, quell the fear inside and the entire response in stanza 5.

I'm still marinating and listening this week.  Today is really only day 2, though it feels like longer. ☺  So much information.   So much time to think and pray... and worship.   Time to be reminded of who God is, who I am, who I am meant to be. 

Jesus has been participating in worship and I'm sure I'll blog about that later.  in fact, I have a blog on marinating, part 2 to write as well.  But, I also need to get some sleep.

Tonight, one of the covenant groups had built a fire in the fire ring for their group time.  We were blessed to share in its beauty after night prayer time.  Fire is such a symbol, a sacrament even, for me (based on Leonardo Boff's definition ☺).  And, fire fits in with the wilderness theme. 

Rest.  It is time to rest.  Tomorrow is a new day.  Tomorrow is also Epiphany, Day of the Magi, the wise kings.  I wonder if they will show up here??? 

May the Lord bless you on your journey and may you respond when you hear your name called.

~Debra

P.S.  So, far, I have not been blessed to see any alligators.  I guess it is too cold for them this time.  Maybe they are wandering in some other wilderness at the moment.