Reflections from Psalm 124

new life stemming from acorn

(photo taken by me)

Psalm 124 was recommended to me several weeks ago. I got around to reading it this morning and the accompanying letter/sermon from a baptism that went with it. The best version of Psalm 124, I was told, to read was that of Nan Merrill from her Psalms for Praying: An Invitation to Wholeness.  No problem, as that has become a special version for me.

I invite you to read Nan Merrill's Psalm 124 prayerfully:

If it were not for You, O Beloved,
            You who make all things new,
Fear and chaos would reign
                        in every heart; in You
            will I trust forever.
When doubt threatens to overwhelm
                        and separate me,
            when anger makes me blind,
Then You, O Merciful One, are
                        ever-ready
            to Awaken the holy, the sacred
                        within me;
Then do your Living Streams of Grace
                        enfold me.
Blessed are You, who are a very
                        Presence to us,
            a comfort to troubled hearts!
Grant us the strength of eagle wings,
            the courage to soar to new heights!
Break within us the bonds of fear
            that we may live with love!
Our guidance comes from You,
                        O Counselor,
            Blessed are You, O Giver of Life!
            Beloved of my heart!

You may want to read through the Psalm two or three times slowly. As you do that, what captures your attention? What speaks to you or resonates within you?

For me today, I am reminded of these things:

God, the Beloved:

• makes all things new
• awakens the holy, the sacred within me
• enfolds me with living streams of grace
• comforts my troubled heart
• grants me strength and courage
• helps me live with love
• guides me
• gives me life

It is easy to get caught up in the day-to-day busyness of life and to not take time to to reflect on who and whose we are. This Psalm allows me to remember who and whose I am and that foundation is crucial to my being and my doing.

In addition to the Psalm, I was encouraged to read the letter/sermon to the child that was baptized. What a gift that letter will be to that child as they grow older.  "Always remember you are valued by God and deeply loved by the Creator." Yes! No matter what happens in life, what we do or what is done to us, that truth is a non-negotiable.  Oh, to help all of us remember that, especially in the difficult moments.

For anyone who needs to hear that truth today, you are valued by God and deeply loved by the Creator. If you don't believe me or the quote above, check out Psalm 139, any version.  You will find in that Psalm that you are valued and deeply loved by God, the Creator.

Would it help to personalize the statement?

Try this: put your name where the blank is in the sentence below and say it out loud.

____________, you are valued by God and deeply loved by the Creator.

OR

Change the pronoun to the first person and say "I am valued by God and deeply loved by the Creator."

If speaking this truth out loud is too difficult or a tad bizarre, try writing it out.

It may also help to use other names/titles for God that are meaningful to/for you.

The bottom line is to realize and remember who and whose you are and live from that truth, trusting that the One who created you will continue to 

• make all things new
• awaken the holy within you
• enfold you with grace
• comfort your troubled heart
• grant you strength and courage
• guide you
• give you life

Enjoy the adventurous journey, 

Rev. Deb

Reflections caused by "The Journey" by Mary Oliver

Cumberland Trail, from Retro-Hughes Trailhead, October 1, 2014

Cumberland Trail, from Retro-Hughes Trailhead, October 1, 2014

Cumberland Trail, from Retro-Hughes Trailhead, October 1, 2014

Today a friend shared a poem with me.  A poem I have been introduced to previously during my 2 year Academy.  Just seeing the name on the poem, "Mary Oliver" brought a deep sigh of coming home that I cannot explain.  Then I looked at the title, "The Journey".   Ah... a deeper sense of settling in.  Then I began to read the poem and it struck deep into the core of my being.

In the midst of requirements, daily living, family situations and issues, etc., sometimes the voice gets drowned out.  Sometimes the chaos swirling around seems too much.  I attempt to be still and listen in the chaos.  I attempt to create time and space for God even more during the times of chaos by getting into nature, just sitting still, writing, reading, or some other way of communication with the Creator God.

Yet, even so, there are still times when I struggle to remember my calling, my way, my path that God has called me to.  And even when I remember and know without a doubt the way, it is difficult to imagine living into it when the way isn't clearly cut at this time.  But I am reminded that God can make a way when there seems to be no way.  I am reminded that I can trust the Voice that called me and that guides me.

Yesterday there was a picture of mountains on the Contemplative Photography by Diane Walker Facebook page with this quote:

There is a way,
a path carved in to the cleft between these mountains.
Whenever things begin to loom like this,
you'll simply have to trust.
There is a way, a path for you to take,
a hand to guide you through:
but first you'll have to ask...

I shared the picture and quote to my page, adding my reflection: "The way isn't always clear. The path gets difficult. Ask. Trust. Allow the guidance of the Guide."

Here is Mary Oliver's poem, "The Journey": 

One day you finally knew
what you had to do, and began,
though the voices around you
kept shouting
their bad advice – – -
though the whole house
began to tremble
and you felt the old tug
at your ankles.
‘Mend my life!’
each voice cried.
But you didn’t stop.
You knew what you had to do,
though the wind pried
with its stiff fingers
at the very foundations – – -
though their melancholy
was terrible. It was already late
enough, and a wild night,
and the road full of fallen
branches and stones.
But little by little,
as you left their voices behind,
the stars began to burn
through the sheets of clouds,
and there was a new voice,
which you slowly
recognized as your own,
that kept you company
as you strode deeper and deeper
into the world,
determined to do
the only thing you could do – – – determined to save
the only life you could save.

I would encourage you to read the poem through a couple of times slowly.  What word, words, or phrases stand out to you?  Reflect on those things.  It might also be good to think about what are you learning about yourself on the journey. 

When was "the one day I knew what I had to do" and began?  One of the significant markers for me was the 5 Day TN Academy in 2010.  There were several things that happened during that week that clarified to me what I was to do.  There were also some seeds planted.   The big first step that came from that week was my re-application to seminary for the M.Div.  I also learned about the bilingual 2 Year Academy that week and made some connections that allowed me to teach Lay Servant classes on beadisciple.com.  Several ongoing relationships stem from that week too.  

The journey over the past 4 years has taken me deeper.  Deeper into knowing myself.  Deeper into my relationship with God.

I still have quite a bit of learning and growing to do.  I have many more questions than answers and my life doesn't always reflect the love and light of Christ.

Yet, I remain on the journey.  And, for me, that's the most important part. 

What is it that you know you are to do?  May you be graced with boldness and courage to begin!

Blessings on your journey,

Debra

Questioning the direction, or lack thereof...

Walking on Chester Frost "beach", 2/12/13 dd

I seem to find myself a few days behind in my devotional reading from time to time.  So, today I picked up Jesus Calling (Sarah Young) and turned to where I had left off, February 26.  What I noticed right away is that I had previously underlined the first two lines and the last line.  Hmmm... I wonder what this has for me today?!?!

February 26

"I AM LEADING YOU, STEP BY STEP, through your life.  Hold my hand in trusting dependence, letting Me guide you through this day."

Okay, I get it.  I know that (head and heart, most days).  I can (mostly, usually) allow God to guide me.  But, right now, I'm not really seeing things clearly.  What I thought might be coming about, isn't.  Yet, the desires and dreams and hopes for it don't dissipate either.  So, what about that God?!?!

Uh.... the next line:

"Your future looks uncertain and feels flimsy--even precarious.  That is how it should be.  Secret things belong to the Lord, and future things are secret things.  When you try to figure out the future, you are grasping at things that are Mine."

Hmmm... now, that is some food for thought.  As well as an "ouch".  I try to live into the unknown, yet I do question and wrestle with things.  I thought I was heading into Hispanic ministry, but things don't seem to be coming together for that right now.  Is that an issue?  It shouldn't be.  I have enough on my plate truly for the moment.  I am finishing up the 2 year bilingual Academy in April and I'm in seminary working toward the M.Div., almost 2/3 of the way there.   So, why does it concern me that I can't see any workings on the Hispanic ministry front?  I guess I want to make sure I'm not the stumbling block, that it truly is simply that it isn't the right time and that God is working it out. 

Every time I pass that brick house on Hixson Pike, I still see it as a ministry place.  How crazy weird is that?!?! (I may not have blogged much about this place.... but it is a house that was on the market and currently isn't.... and I see it as a perfect place for ministry.  It is located in a commercially zoned area.  I continue to see various things going on in that house.  I have even sent a letter to the owner of the house.  There has not been a clear next step, though I sometimes think about stopping there to pray.)

Reading on in February 26:

"Whenever you find yourself worrying about the future, repent and return to Me.  I will show you the next step forward, and the one after that, and the one after that."

I know that.  I tell other people that. ☺  I can only take the next step revealed to me and that is all that I am to focus on.  Oh, so right now, all I am really to focus on is finishing the bilingual Academy experience well and my seminary courses (John Wesley for this semester).  I finish teaching my BeADisciple class this week too.  I think I am finishing that well.  And, then when it is time, the next step will be revealed.

Sometimes I get ahead of my own journey.  It isn't always easy to remain in the present.

The last line of the devotional for February 26:

"Relax and enjoy the journey in My Presence, trusting Me to open up the way before you as you go."

Okay, I get it.  I will try to relax and enjoy, though "relax" and reading 52 John Wesley sermons don't quite go in the same sentence. ☺

But, as far as my ordination journey goes and the outcome..... and ministry in general..... I can let that go (pry those fingers loose!) and allow God to reveal each step to me, step by step.  Whew!  It is NOT up to me to find the steps or make the steps.  I am to "relax" and enjoy the journey as God reveals those next steps to me.

I think a meditative hike in the woods, where you focus step by step might do me some good.  That might help me physically slow down enough to coordinate physical and mental and spiritual.  Something to consider.  Something to look into.

In addition, last night's Bible Study at church, God Provides, focused on Jeremiah 29:11 (and surrounding verses).  I think this verse fits in well here.
"For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."

One of the verses listed for the February 26 devotion is Psalm 32:8--"I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye on you."

I don't know about you and your journey.  You may be relaxing and enjoying the journey and fully trusting in God for those next steps.  Or, you might be having one of those moments of questioning the direction.

I hope the words from the devotional and the thoughts and verses shared will bring encouragement and hope to you, no matter where you are on the journey!

Blessings,

~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

This journey continues to be an adventure...

Ever since I started the journey of blogging my spiritual journey and entitled my blog with the words "The Journey is an Adventure", my eyes and ears have been more attentive to the words "journey" and "adventure".  In books that I am reading, devotions, in meetings, in class discussions, etc. 

The term "journey" for the spiritual journey is not new.  It has been around for centuries.  I researched that at one time, but now as I attempt to recall that exact information, I forget its origin.  Maybe I should take a moment and search.

The term "journey" comes from the Old French journée.  French is part of my heritage and one of my languages, so this is pretty neat.  Here is the entire entry I found at dictionary.reference.com: "early 13c., "a defined course of traveling," from O.Fr. journée "day's work or travel," from V.L. diurnum "day," noun use of neut. of L. diurnus "of one day" (see diurnal). As recently as Johnson (1755) the primary sense was still "the travel of a day." The verb is from early 14c. Journeyman (early 15c.), "one who works by day," preserves the etymological sense. Its Amer.Eng. colloquial shortening jour (adj.) is attested from 1835."

Examples of journeys date back to Biblical times as Abraham took a journey, as did the Israelites, Joseph and Mary, and many others through the years. But, I digress on my original thoughts for "journey" and "adventure". ☺

These days, "faith journey", "journey of faith" are common terms once again to describe the spiritual path of growth.

It has resonated with me, as has the fact that it is an adventure.  It could be that seeing it as an adventure is a choice, that at times it doesn't quite match what an "adventure" might feel or look like.  Yet, that choice tends to pull me out of quick sand traps or bottomless pits.  So, it's a choice I will continue to make.

 A couple of weeks back, the daily devotional in Jesus Calling caught my attention on both levels of "journey" and "adventure".  Due to lack of time to think and write (otherwise said: due to keeping plates spinning and balls juggling), I haven't been able to put down the thoughts.... until today.

And, "today" turned in to "tomorrow", which is now today.  The Jesus Calling devotional that struck me was from January 13.  The very first line: "Try to view each day as an adventure, carefully planned out by your Guide." (14)  That was good right there.  It caught my attention and it resonated deep within.  This is how I'm trying to live my life: daily seeing it as an adventure, recognizing and trusting that my Guide has planned things out.  Further on in the devotion: "A thankful, trusting attitude helps you to see events in your life from My perspective."  (14)  Good point, good teaching.  Something I don't always live out the first few moments in situations.

The final portion of the devotional, the last paragraph was full of things that got my attention: "A life lived close to Me will never be dull or predictable.  Expect each day to contain surprises!  Resist your tendency to search for the easiest route through the day.  Be willing to follow wherever I lead.  No matter how steep or treacherous the path before you, the safest place to be is by My side." (14)

The journey is definitely not dull or predictable.  There are definitely surprises.  And, the surprises aren't always easy or happy ones.  Yet, I am challenged to not seek out the easiest route.  And, I am asked to be willing to follow wherever God leads.  Whew.  Those are tough assignments. 

So, the journey continues to be an adventure for me.  It is one in which I continue to learn more about myself and more about my Creator.  I am truly blessed by the many experiences I have already had on the journey-- the people I have met, the places I have been, the things I've done. 

I will continue to trust the Guide and journey onward on the path!

How is it going on your journey? 

Blessings on your journey! 

Debra

Discernment--a spiritual compass

Discernment. 

It's one of those "big" words, one of those "heavy", "deep" words.  It's something I've been trying to practice more.  It's something I want more of. (sorry for the hanging preposition.)

My discernment "radar" was fairly strong at one time.  I had been able to grow and strengthen the muscles.  But something happened in my life that caused me to doubt my discerning abilities.  It took several years to regain some of that lost ground, to get to the point where I felt that I could discern once again.  It's an ongoing process.

I looked up the word in my daughter's dictionary, and it wasn't there.  I think children need to know what discernment means.  Since I didn't want to go to the boxes in the basement, I decided to use an online dictionary. 

Merriam-Webster Online says that discernment is "the quality of being able to grasp and comprehend what is obscure".  http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/discernment

It lists some synonyms for discernment: wisdom, insight, perception, perceptiveness, perceptivity, sagaciousness, sagacity, sageness, sapience.

So, besides wanting more of it (discernment), why would I talk about it here on my blog about journeys and adventure?  Good question.  In fact, questions help us live into the answers.  Questions help us discern. :)

I'm reading Christianity for the Rest of Us: How the Neighborhood Church is Transforming the Faith by Diana Butler Bass (Harper, 2006).   I just read Chapter 6 "Discernment: Listening for Truth" this morning. 

Here are some thoughts that struck me in her writing:

"But Christian tradition points toward something more mundane: discernment as a practice that can be developed through participation in reflection, questions, prayer, and community." (p. 91)

"Discernment is a gift to the whole of the Christian community, one that can be strengthened and nurtured by engaging the practice.  Discernment serves as a kind of spiritual compass, helping us negotiate the unfamiliar territory of our truest selves as we seek to find meaning in God's call." (91)

"spiritual compass"-- What a great analogy!!  It fits so well with the image of hiking through the wilderness.  Wow!!  That's very powerful to me.

Butler Bass mentions Frederick Schmidt, an Episcopal priest who sees discernment as "...fundamentally a practice of asking "God-questions" instead of "I-questions." (94)

Wendy Wright is quoted: "Discernment requires that we pay attention." (96)

Butler Bass acknowledges: "You have to pay attention when you are not entirely sure where you are going." (96) 

This is so true!  Think about a time that you were driving somewhere new or even hiking a new trail.  You paid attention.  You noticed the environment around you.  You looked for signs, whether they were road signs or trail blazes showing the way.  You were intentional as you went along your way.  Once we become familiar with a road or a trail, we tend to pay less attention to the things around us.  We just "go". 

Butler Bass says: "Discernment is an odd guide, however, for it not only points the way on the journey but is a sort of destination in itself." (96)

"In emerging Christianity, discernment is the spiritual process through which metanoia, being "born again" in God's truth, beauty, and love, occurs." (97)  [Metanoia is discussed prior on the same page and Butler Bass explains that it means "a radical change of mind and heart that redirects our whole being." (97)]

My curiosity is piqued.  I want to know more about this word "metanoia" than I have read here.  So, here I go.... I'm going to take a side trail here.  If you prefer, have a seat on that rock or log over there.  I'll be back in a few.

Merriam-Webster Online says "metanoia" means: "a transformative change of heart; especially : a spiritual conversion". http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/metanoia   It also says: "Greek, from metanoiein to change one's mind, repent, from meta- + noein to think, from nous mind.  First Known Use: 1577"

From a church website that uses "metanoia" in its name, I learned: "METANOIA (meta-noy-ah) is an ancient Greek word that reflects a conscious decision to reorient your life in a way that your whole being – body, mind and soul - moves in a new direction. Commonly translated as ‘repentance’, this word is used in the New Testament to refer to the life-altering, voluntary decision first century Christ-followers made to move toward wholeness and belief in Jesus Christ." http://metanoiachurch.org/  (I found their five areas of prayer focus to be refreshing and encouraging.) http://metanoiachurch.org/?p=995

So, I got off trail a little bit and learned more about metanoia.  Interesting!  Now, back to discernment. 

This caught my attention.  Butler Bass quotes Tom from one of the churches: "...If you aren't looking for it, you will never see it.  Well, I'm looking for it because it has become part of what we do.  I might not have noticed God's presence before, but I'm more attuned to it now." (100)

"Listening, paying attention to the Spirit, new awareness.  When pursued in community, discernment became a shaping practice..." (100)

The last line of the chapter:  "Discernment welcomes pilgrims to the feast." (102)  Hmmm....  That sounds very inviting. 

Do you pay attention to the promptings of the Spirit?  Do you act on them?  Where do you see God at work in your day to day life?  What do you hear God calling you to do?

Follow your spiritual compass.  Remember to bring along others on the journey.  They can help you reflect, you can help them reflect.

May your journey be an adventure!

~Debra

PS—For those who are interested, metanoia is Strong’s G3341. Check this link out for more information: http://www.blueletterbible.org/lang/lexicon/lexicon.cfm?Strongs=G3341&t=KJV