Labyrinth time at Hinton Center

After a 3 mile walk at the Chatuge Dam Trail with Riley's niece and her husband, I went by the Hinton Center to see if the gift shop was open. I wanted to get some more "Rev. Nevertheless She Leads" stickers. 

Alas, it was closed. I stopped by the office and gave my name, number, and what I was looking for.

Then I stopped by the labyrinth for a prayer walk. I never know what to expect when I enter a labyrinth. Today's journey was book-ended by two songs.

As I entered the labyrinth, the Keith Green song create in me a clean heart from Psalm 51 came to mind. I sang it all the way to the center. I threw out the sticks that had fallen on the path. I heard birds chirping and singing and an owl hooting.

Lyrics to Keith Green's song: 

Create in me a clean heart, oh God
And renew a right spirit within me
Create in me a clean heart, oh God
And renew a right spirit within me

Cast me not away from Thy presence, oh Lord
And take not Thy holy spirit from me
Restore unto me the joy of Thy salvation
And renew a right spirit within me

As I left the center, Spirit of the Living God was what accompanied me out. 

Lyrics: 

Spirit of the Living God 
fall afresh on me (repeat 1st two lines)
melt me, mold me, fill me, use me

I stopped to look at thecross and the stones on the way out. The angel caught my attention,  as did the words in the stones. 

Making time for the prayer walk was as good for me as the walk and talk with Riley's niece and her husband. 

Good stuff! 

Rev. Deb

Yesterday... gifts and blessings

Yesterday I blocked time for sermon reading, studying, and writing. Amazingly, I was able to spend several hours in that mode. That was good. The things prior and after were good too.

There were unexpected gifts in the day yesterday.

I went to the YMCA for a short workout, then to the Greenway for a short walk. This was my first walk with the hip unloader brace and I wasn't sure how much walking I could do. I was able to walk about a mile without pain.  There were some pretty flowers growing in the private garden and to the side of it.

From there I decided to pray the labyrinth at Burks UMC on my way home since I hadn't in awhile and that would prepare me for the rest of the morning.

There were two bunnies in the grass nearby for the majority of my time there.

After my prayer walk I popped into the church to greet the bible study folks. Perfect timing. It was good to greet, hug, and catch up briefly.

After my study time I went to Erlanger for a visit. I had not been to the new chapel yet, but went in after my visit. It is beautiful. (Here is a link to learn more about the chapel.)

On my way to the car, I found a dime, reminding me of Marcia's dime story. I know have a stack that I have found.

Lighting in parking garage wasn't good.

From the hospital I headed to one of the three churches for a meeting prior to Bible Study. At a red light a gentleman with a cardboard sign caught my attention. It read something to the effect of 'hungry veteran. Anything helps. Thank you.'  I rarely carry cash. I rarely have food with me. But, because I had rushed out of the office on Monday to go to the ER to meet someone, I had grabbed a few things. I still had a box of animal crackers. The ones with the cage décor.  I was hesitant. What if he only wanted money? What if he rejected my offer? Did he know about all the veteran services available? There isn't much time at a red light. One has to decide quickly whether to obey or not. I grabbed the box from the back seat and waved them in the windshield. He grinned real big and came to my car. I handed them to him through the passenger window, apologizing for not having more. His response? He said he loved these cookies, kept that huge grin, and walked away as the light turned green and I drove away. As I drove away, the song on the radio was "Jesus in disguise". Hmmm.

As I look back, yesterday was full of God moments for me. Times, spaces, and places in which God met me, blessed me, and even surprised me.

Many times it is not that God isn't there to meet me or reach me for those connections, but that I am not mindful or aware. Being more mindful and aware of the things and people around me helps. 

I don't always succeed in awareness or mindfulness. But I am blessed in those times when I do.

How about you?

Where have you seen God show up? Or, how has God blessed you?

Blessings on your journey,

Debra

A new outdoor labyrinth for me.... Church of the Nativity in Fort Oglethorpe

For an upcoming District Pastor's meeting, I've been researching local labyrinths.  In that research, I found that Church of the Nativity in Fort Oglethorpe has an outdoor labyrinth.  Maybe I had run across that information before, but it didn't mean anything to me since I live in Hixson, TN.  But because my appointment places me in Georgia (Flintstone, Rossville, and Fort Oglethorpe), that becomes significant.

Last week, I went to Church of the Nativity for the first time on Monday and walked and prayed the labyrinth.  I went back again on Tuesday.  I imagine it will become one of those "go-to" places in this part of my world, much like the pavilion at Flintstone UMC. 

Walking and praying a labyrinth soothes my soul.  Monday and Tuesday were no different.  My stress level had gotten a little high.  The week before I dropped my laptop on my foot, shattering the touch screen (optimizer) on the top portion.  That wasn't the first thing I dropped that morning.  I dropped a saucer and a muffin.  It was the laptop that clued me in, though, that my stress level was higher than I recognized. 

I did a quick examen (check) and realized that I hadn't really taken the time to allow my soul to catch up with my body lately.  I hadn't been on a good walk or a good hike.  I hadn't really taken time for centering prayer.

I took some moments for quiet and stillness that Monday morning before heading out to pick up my laptop.  The screen had other issues and could not be fixed at the time, so now I am getting used to not using a touch screen these days.

After I picked up the computer (in Fort Oglethorpe), I decided to check out the labyrinth I had found online in my research before going in to the office.

Church of the Nativity is located on 1201 Cross Street in Fort Oglethorpe and was on my way to the office. 

When I got there, I found the labyrinth in the back of the property.  It is a beautiful labyrinth with a gravel path, decorated with river stone, mulch and plants. 

As I walked the path, I found 6 "heart stones".

In the center of the labyrinth is this stone:

Prior to walking the labyrinth, I read these words from devozine, a youth devotional, on Instagram:

Oh, how I needed those words, in addition to the walk.  The words were perfect to begin my meditation and walking time.

My soul did catch up with my body that day.... and again on Tuesday.  Walking a labyrinth has been part of my spiritual journey for several years now and it always settles my heart, mind, and soul.  It represents the ebb and flow of the journey inward and the journey outward.  

This past Saturday was World Labyrinth Day.  Though I didn't make it out on that particular day to walk a labyrinth, I'm grateful to now know of an additional one in the greater Chattanooga area. 

If you live in the Chattanooga area and you're looking for a labyrinth for a prayer walk, check this one out.

In addition, you can check out these other outdoor labyrinths:

(1) Burks UMC on 6433 Hixson Pike has one in the back of the property in the grass
(2) The Bright School  on 1950 Hixson Pike has a concrete one and asks that people let them know they are on the property
(3) St. Paul’s Episcopal Church on 305 W. 7^th. (outdoors, but accessed by going indoors)
(4) New Hope Presbyterian Church on 7301 Shallowford Road


A prayer for entering the labyrinth: (taken from Burks UMC pamphlet "The Prayer Path")

Lord Jesus, be with me in my walking.
Be with me in my listening.
Christ, open my heart, mind and body to receive.

A prayer for leaving the labyrinth:  (taken from Burks UMC pamphlet "The Prayer Path")

Holy Spirit of God, 
I hold in my heart the gift 
you have given to me.
However confusing, however clear, 
I accept it as your gift for me today.
May I savor it and respect it
until I understand the treasure that it is.
Amen.


Blessings on your journey,

Debra

"Christ is Born... Now What?" First Sunday after Christmas

The first Sunday after Christmas, the lectionary passage that caught my attention was Colossians 3:12-17.  Here is the sermon that grew into being for this past Sunday.  Remember that what is written here isn't 100% accurate what was shared in either or both churches because some things get taken out and some things get added.

As an example, in the second church this past Sunday, Simpson UMC, I felt led to add that I had just visited the day before in the hospital with a very special lady.  We had a special visit and a good time of prayer.  I also shared that she shared that she had a vision that God was going to do great things in the church(es) through Pastor Tommy and my leadership and the people.  That was humbling.  And powerful.  May it be so. 

Here is the sermon from Sunday:

"Christ is Born... Now What?"

December 27, 2015 (1st Sunday after Christmas Day)

Colossians 3:12-17 (NRSV)

Fort Oglethorpe UMC, Simpson UMC

Colossians 3:12-17  (NRSV)

¹² As God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience. ¹³ Bear with one another and, if anyone has a complaint against another, forgive each other; just as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. ¹⁴ Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. ¹⁵ And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in the one body. And be thankful. ¹⁶ Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly; teach and admonish one another in all wisdom; and with gratitude in your hearts sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs to God. ¹⁷ And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

THIS IS THE WORD OF GOD FOR THE PEOPLE OF GOD.

THANKS BE TO GOD.                                                                          

----------------------------------------------------

Today is the 1st Sunday after Christmas Day.  It is the 3rd day of Christmas.  The twelve days of Christmas last through Epiphany, which is January 6th.  For many people, it is enough to make it through the holiday time and "get through" Christmas.  Even many of the stores already have the "next season" on their shelves-- Valentine's Day.  It's as if we go through four weeks of waiting during the Advent Season and then it's over. But it's really not.  The celebration of Christmas truly continues through Epiphany.  More importantly than the celebration, however, is the challenge to each of us with how we are going to engage with the Christ child.  Are we going to keep living the same as we have always lived or will there be something new and fresh in our lives as we have come into the presence of the Christ child once again?

Christ is born...now what?

In today's passage from Colossians, Paul speaks to the believers reminding them of who they are, whose they are, and how they are to live.  We can appropriate these verses for ourselves today.
Verse 12-14:  "As God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, meekness, and patience.  Bear with one another, and if anyone has a complaint against another, forgive each other, just as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive.  Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony."

In these first three verses of this passage, Paul clearly states who, whose, and how to live it: CHOSEN, HOLY, BELOVED..... CLOTHE YOURSELVES WITH-- compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, patience, love.  Bear with one another.  Forgive each other. 
This is living with intentionality and focus.  By doing these things, we are setting ourselves apart.  The "clothing" is an outward perspective.  We are called to put on these things.  In order to put on these things, we must take off other things.  Things that no longer fit us or are not purposeful for Christ's kingdom.  This too requires intention as well as prayer and discernment.  What are the things that need to come off us so that we have room to put on something different? 

We are reminded here of our Baptismal vows in that we put off our old selves and take on the new.  In the Thanksgiving over the Water, (p. 36) it says: "Pour out your Holy Spirit, to bless this gift of water and those who receive it, to wash away their sin and clothe them in righteousness throughout their lives, that dying and being raised with Christ, they may share in his final victory."  When we take our baptismal vows, we vow that we faithfully participate by our prayers, our presence, our gifts, our service, and our witness (38).

One tradition is that people would be given a white robe after baptism to symbolize their new identity having being raised with Christ.  There are other ways to express this symbolic time and to help people reflect on their new identity in Christ.
That is what we are doing today.  Reflection on our new identity in Christ.  In truth, that is something we can do daily.  If not daily, it's something to reflect upon periodically to assure that we are growing and changing in our relationship with Christ.  If we are not changing, we might want to reassess our relationship.

Today's passage goes from the outside to the inside in verses 15: "And let the peace of Chrsit rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in the one body.  And be thankful."  This inward attitude is crucial to what happens on the outside.  Without the inside transformation, the outside action won't take place for the kingdom.  It's an ebb and flow of an inward and outward journey.  Just as Jesus spent time teaching, healing, feeding others, etc., he also took time to rest, pray, be in community with the disciples and to be in silence and solitude.  As we live into the rhythm of following Christ's example, our relationship with Christ and others can grow deeper and wider and more meaningful.

Verses 16 and 17 remind us how to live out our faith: "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly; teach and admonish one another in all wisdom; and with gratitude in your hearts sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs to God. And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him."

This is a great summation of how we are to live, isn't it?  But it's not easy to live into this calling.  I can say that I'm going to put on compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, patience, and love and that I'm going to live like Jesus would have me live.  But will I really?  What about when the phone call comes?

Two weeks before Christmas we got a phone call on the answering machine.  It wasn't the first person that has called.  But there was something different in her voice.  I called the other person back too and helped them as I felt led to help as well, with information and some numbers.  But when I called this person back, well... she answered the phone and I asked how she was.  She said not so good and she was heading to Parkridge East ER.  She was having severe pains in her side.  She didn't mention the reason she called earlier (rent help).  I told her I'd check in with her.  I went to Parkridge that evening and saw her in the ER room.  I prayed with her and talked  with her.  On Monday I went by her apartment complex which is just down the road from FOUMC.  In meeting her landlord, I learned that she was as I thought she was.  I told him I planned to go by her place of employment to see if they might help.  You see, when people work paycheck to paycheck get sick and have to miss work for a few day or a few weeks, they get behind on their rent.  She had been in the hospital earlier in the fall for some health reasons too.  The spiral can start to spin pretty fast.  What God revealed to me was that she, too, is one of God's kingdom children and needed some love and encouragement.  The landlord connected me with the Christ Chapel in Ringgold and we got her some food.  Through another church, her rent got caught up. 

God challenged me with the fact that the harvest is plenty.  At our Charge Conference, Brenda Carroll, our D.S., noted that the high school is right across the street and how that is a huge mission field.  I still have in my possession the Sonic Gift Cards to hand out when the time is right and I have had two people step up to say that they will go with me.  I look forward to sharing the love of Christ in a small way with those kids.

Pastor Tommy and I will be meeting in January with the leaders and all interested folks at each church individually for a 'dreaming and visioning' session.  We will get together to pray, to look at some questions (that have already been sent out to leaders to get out to people), and to share where we see God at work in our communities.  We are tying down the dates and times for each church, but you'll soon hear about that.  Meanwhile, be praying.  Pray about what God would have the church as a community be and do in and for the community.  Consider doing a prayer walk either physically or mentally in an area of the community.  While doing the prayer walk, ask God to show you what breaks the heart of God in that area.  As we gather together to share and pray, we will begin to see a plan for how God will transform us in the upcoming year.

In closing, I want to share some words from Mother Teresa (Words to Love By):

Dear Jesus,

Help us to spread your fragrance everywhere we go.

Flood our souls with your spirit and life.

Penetrate and possess our whole being so utterly that our lives may only be a radiance of yours.

Shine through us

and be so in us

that every soul we come in contact with

may feel your presence in our soul.

Let them look up and see no longer us

but only Jesus.

Stay with us

and then we shall begin to shine as you shine,

so to shine as to be light to others.

The light, O Jesus, will be all from you.

None of it will be ours.

It will be you shining on others through us.

Let us thus praise you in the way you love best

by shining on those around us.... Amen.

May it be so.

Amen.

-------------------

Blessings on your journey, 

Debra