Intensive seminary class on the main campus for the first time... feeding my soul and mind

I would like to sit down and write and write and write.  But, I have one more book to finish.  I also have a paper to finish that I started last night.  So, I will get my writing in, just not the way I'd prefer. ☺

There are so many ways I could go with this post.  Therefore, it could seem like random ramblings.  But, I think I'll focus on where I am and why I'm here.

I am in Kentucky for my first intensive on the main campus at Asbury Theological Seminary. I am taking a course in United Methodist Theology under Dr. Steve Seamands.  I am staying in Nicholasville, an 11 minute drive from the campus, at The Cottage which is part of The Corner House Bed and Breakfast.  This is a great place to stay and the host has been super!  The breakfasts have all been yummy!

I am getting some good silence and solitude time this week.  I needed it.  With my Academy time over, I knew I would need to be very intentional in getting time apart into my schedule.  I knew I would have some time to myself this week, but I wasn't prepared for how much this week would minister to me Academy-style.

It hasn't replaced Academy by any means.  There isn't much that can replace the vibrant worship of Academy #32, the bilingual atmosphere, the relationships that were knit over two years, etc.  BUT, through the direction of Dr. Seamands, our class is a space not only for learning, but also for spiritual formation, for worship, for the holy.  I have several times felt like I was in the Academy setting listening to the faculty presenter challenge us to reflect spiritually on things. 

Dr. Seamands has done this each morning through a time of teaching on the Character of a Methodist in which he presents Scripture, shares with us, challenges us to reflect, invites us to sing and worship and then pray together.  Wow!!  The topics have spurred sermon ideas. ☺  More importantly, they have opened up places for healing and have allowed me to have some spiritual formation time while being in class.  Head and heart time.  Just like the Academy.  My soul has been blessed.  I have been able to gaze upon several icons, including one of my favorites, that of Rublev's Trinity.  I have practiced visio divina while watching some of the incredible backgrounds for the songs we've sung.  I had a class with Dr. Seamands online at some point early on when I was working on the Certificate for Christian Studies.  That would be somewhere between 2007 and 2009, but I will have to look through my folders to figure out which one it was.  I remember that he was a good online instructor.  He is an even better in class professor.  The way he directs the activities of the learning process, how he uses songs, pictures, stories, group discussion, class interaction, etc.  I admire and appreciate his teaching methods both as a student and as a retired educator.  Well-done, prof!

Being on campus has been a blessing in other ways too.  I finally got a student ID after all these years (I started in 2007).  I got to go to my first chapel today.  Though I had to ask someone who it was that spoke, it was a powerful message.  And, it was good to share in communion. 

Getting to know fellow students in person has been good too, just as it was the first intensive I took in FL two summers ago.  I have also been able to connect with two local folks.... one I was expecting to see and had made plans to visit with over coffee; the other I knew was taking classes, but I thought she was gone for the summer.  So, I was surprised to see one of my former Wesley Life Group students and Costa Rica missionary buddies at lunch time today. 

Solomon's Porch truly has good coffee and a wonderful atmosphere.  Though I haven't eaten there yet, all the food items I have seen look wonderful. 

Here is a picture from Wesley Square of John Wesley.  It's really the only campus picture I've taken so far.  (On my camera.  On my phone I took a picture of the fountain and some pictures at chapel.)

 

 

Well, at this point I had better return to the writing that is required of me and the reading too.  At some point later I can hopefully return to writing here the things that have stirring around in my heart, mind, and soul.

Blessings on your journey,

Debra

"A Space of Love".... quotes and reflections from Macrina Wiederkehr's chapter in Abide

This morning's reading comes from Macrina Wiederkehr's Abide: Keeping Vigil with the Word of God.  The key verses for Chapter 6 "A Space of Love" are Genesis 18:1-15.

Space of love... what a beautiful concept.  Macrina Wiederkehr equates this "space of love" to hospitality in this chapter.  It makes sense.  It resonates.  It fits. 

The opening quote for the chapter: "Offer hospitality also to the stranger who lives in your own heart."

This Genesis account is truly a great example of hospitality.  Abraham offers food and drink, and shelter from the sun to the strangers that come upon his place.  It causes me to chuckle, however, that Abraham tells Sarah to make bread "quick".  It is going to take a while to make the bread, kill and prepare the meat.  This meal isn't going to be ready in 30 minutes.  I guess "quick" had a different meaning back then. ☺  But that gave Abraham and the strangers much time to talk and share life.



Rublev's icon of the Trinity based on the three visitors

[For more about Andrei Rublev and an explanation about the Trinity icon, you can go here.]

Abraham and The Three Angels
Bartolomé Esteban Murillo (Spanish, 1617-1682)

For more on Bartolomé Esteban Murillo, check out this website from the WebMuseum, Paris.

There are many (MANY!) other artistic renditions of Abraham and his stranger visitors.  It is interesting to see how artists throughout the years and from many cultures have depicted the scene.  I found a Japanese stencil and a Vatican commemorative stamp in my search.

But, I digress.

Let me return to opening our homes and hearts to the stranger.

Macrina wrote: "When we reach out in compassion and love to other people, we are filling the space that surrounds them and us with love.  We are creating a space of love." (77)

Something to think about: "The way we greet someone mirrors how we are living." (77)  Macrina mentioned a Bedouin greeting that spoke to the guest as the host and the host became the guest, showing that the host was there to serve and was honored by their presence.  She included how folks in the past greeted one another with prayerful greetings.  I wonder, do our greetings these days offer a space of love to others?

"The more we journey into those deepening places of our lives, spending time there in prayer and creating a space of love, the more ready we become to treat all as we would treat Christ." (78)

"Hospitality is about having open hearts, not just open doors." (78)

The prayer at the end of the chapter:

"Oh Welcoming One,
     You are my guesthouse, my hermitage, my dwelling place.  Your hospitable spirit frees me from my nagging fears of not being accepted.  In my deepest moments of estrangement from myself and others I discover my home in you.  There is no lock on your door.  You are all openness.  Inspire me to be a guesthouse for others.  Take the lock off the door of my heart.  I long to be a space of love for everyone!  I yearn to be a place where all can be at peace and feel at home.  May the interruptions of my day become pathways of love instead of annoying disruptions!  Give me a welcoming heart.  Make of me your guesthouse.  Amen." (79)

I don't know about you, but I don't think I can ever hear too much about hospitality or opening my heart and door to others.  Gentle or not-so-gentle reminders are needed to keep my focus outward at times.

May we create and be spaces of love for others.... for everyone.  May all be at peace and feel at home in our presence.

Blessings on your journey,

Debra