What is the greatest need in the community?

"In your opinion, what is the greatest need in the community?"

This is the question that I asked anyone and everyone coming in through the doors of the local grocery stores several years ago as I began my position as Director of Missions. 

Earlier that summer, in a seminary class on multicultural ministry with Hugo Magallanes at Asbury's Orlando campus, he had impressed upon us that we cannot meet the needs of the community if we do not know what that is.... and how can we know if we don't ask?!?!

So, I decided to ask.  I picked four grocery stores that were in close proximity to our church and could be considered community.  Then, I asked permission from the managers at the grocery stores.  Two granted it; one I could never connect with the right person (but they ended up closing their doors); and then, somehow I gave up and never went to the last location.  It wasn't that I didn't think what I was doing was important.  Other aspects of the position demanded my time and attention, however and I figured two out of four was a good start, or "good enough".  I don't know if it was truly "good enough", but I do believe that I did get insight into a cross section of what the community considered to be their greatest need.

In asking this question, I got a variety of responses.  Most folks answered.  Some wondered why I was asking, so I told them.  Some thought the question was too hard and declined to answer.  Most gave answers that showed a light into the community.  Some engaged me in further conversation and I truly felt that I was touching the heartbeat of the community. 

I'm going to list the answers that I received.  Where there was more than one answer that was the same, I kept a running count.  I will include that here.

On July 5, 2011 I was at the Sav-A-Lot on Middle Valley Road for one hour.  I attempted to go into my time of questioning without any preconceived answers and simply planned to write down all their answers.  I have kept my notebook pages of notes.  Here are the answers to the question "What is the greatest need in the community?" from that location:

• better paying jobs
• spiritual
• entertainment for youth
• something done about drugs
• something done for the little guys
• I don't know (4+)
• live unto the Lord
• safety
• people going hungry and needing food, shelter, and water
• shelters, food, water
• enforcement of traffic laws
• employment, jobs
• family relationships and God and biblical truth
• more cops because of people speeding
• money-- get rid of lottery.  Need real form of revenue.
• I don't think we have a need; they're all fulfilled.
• Keep all stray dogs in own homes.
• Keep Sav-A-Lot in business
• jobs--good paying jobs
• getting help to elderly
• people coming together in community (though because of recent storms this person has seen this in action personally)
• cheaper milk
• more jobs
• lowest price on everything
• jobs
• closer bus stop for kids and salvation
• sanity in our justice system
• providing food for homeless and needy
• safety and consideration on marginal roads and passageways
• for Casey Anthony to be found guilty [though I'm not sure how that was part of our community]
• good school teachers
• help for the tornado victims
• God
• kids
• jobs
• help the needy
• helping the elderly
• weed, marijuana--it keeps crime rate down [2 youth answered this one and the next one]
• weed, marijuana
• fixing potholes and stuff in roads

Jobs, road conditions, helping others (needy, elderly, hungry, homeless, etc.) were the answers that kept showing up.  I wondered if the road conditions and speeding came up due to the back roads around the area or if that would come up at another location.  It was interesting to see how many people knew that helping others was a need in the community.  Unfortunately, this wasn't the time for in-depth conversation or to find out how they might see meeting these needs in the community.  But, it did give me an idea of what was important to these people and give me a cross section view in this hour.

The next store I visited was Super BI-LO on Hixson Pike on August 8, 2011.  Again, I asked the same question as folks came into the store to shop.  I was at that location for about 1 hour and 35 minutes.  Here are the answers from that day:

• cut down on DUIs
• getting people jobs (8)
• more police protection (2)
• enriched library
• help in schools because some are old with portables
• No idea. / I don't know. (7)
• just moved here/just moved back (2)
• cheaper prices, especially for retired (for overall living; not necessarily groceries)
• education/better education (2)
• money
• salvation
• peace (2)
• utility work-- digging up the roads; having one lane of traffic
• that we all just get along
• for the homeless (2)
• funding for education
• leaving the arts in the school (2)
• lower taxes
• Jesus Christ
• better school system
• better daycares
• more jobs
• more people in church
• closer store to where I live
• more church participation
• for people to listen-- to shut their mouths and listen
• vote people in who change things-- rid debt, etc.
• more outreach with unfortunate kids-- toys, clothes, school supplies
• help those without jobs
• cheaper gas
• communication and love for one another/talk to neighbors
• community recreation center/after school facility-- games, help with homework, etc.

At this location, there was more concern expressed for the children in the community-- for the schools, education, their needs, etc.  Since the Hixson Community Center is now open in the old Hixson Middle School location, I wonder if that has met the needs for some of the community?  I imagine that it has, though there is probably still a need to let people know it exists, what programs it offers, etc. [Hixson Community Center on Pinterest]  Jobs came up frequently too.  I think that is simply a sign of the economic times. 

As you look over the list, what pattern(s) do you see?  If you live in the Hixson/Middle Valley community, how would you answer the question: "What is the greatest need in the community?"

Beyond answering the question and seeing the needs, are we (the community) meeting the needs of our neighbors?  Might we work together to join our resources to better meet those needs and identify them?  What more could we do in the community to address some of the needs listed above and whatever else is expressed by others?

What about the needs of the other that might be unseen?  I was glad to see that some who might be considered "unseen" were mentioned in the lists.  There are people thinking about the homeless, the needy, the children, the elderly.  I think we can also add to that group the people for whom English is a second language.  Our community is growing, not only with Spanish-speakers, but with folks of other languages, as our school systems can verify.  How do we meet the needs of those people in our community?

It is up to us, the community, to meet the needs of one another.  For me, it comes back to that short, but difficult statement: love God; love others.

The greatest need in the community may not cross your journey path where you are at this time.  I would encourage you to think about it, however.  As you walk around your particular neighborhood and community, think about the people and the needs therein.... Ask yourself what you think is the greatest need in your community.  Ask others.  Engage in conversation. You might be surprised where it leads.

Blessings on your journey,

Debra

Missional: Joining God in the Neighborhood

Missional: Joining God in the Neighborhood (Baker Books: 2011) is by Alan J. Roxburgh.  He is president of the Missional Network.  Click this line to reach the website for the Missional Network.

I finished the book this morning and was glad to get in a non-required book prior to getting back to my seminary reading.  This has been on my shelf for a little while and I've been wanting to see what Roxburgh has to say.

The book came at a good time in my life having recently taken a workshop on "Joining God's Mission II" at SOULfeast 2013 and also hearing Bill Easum talk to our church recently about backyard missions.

The book rang true to things I have been sensing and some things I've attempted, yet simply didn't get very far with it.  Maybe it wasn't the time then.  Maybe the time is closer.  We'll see.

I'll share some of what stood out to me in the book.  It's a paradigm shift, shifting focus and thinking to a different place.  Because of that, it's exciting.  Yet, it can also be scary because it's "different".  There isn't exactly a road map for all of this just yet.  This reminds me on another one of Roxburgh's books that comes in very handy here: Missional Map-Making: Skills for Leading in Times of Transition (Jossey-Bass: 2010). I read this one in January 2011.  This book was crucial to helping me understand where I was in ministry and where I felt I was heading.  I think it still is and can be.... it's just that this is not where most ministry is and it seems so foreign, so alien.  I think I need to re-visit my notes from this book. [I wrote a post about this book back in May 2011.]

Back to the original book...

There are three parts to the book:

Part 1-- The Cul-de-sac of Old Questions: Why We Have to Stop Thinking about the Church
Part 2--The Language House of Luke-Acts: A Narrative for Shaping Our Time of Missional Formation
Part 3--A New Language House

There are 13 chapters total in the book, 190 pages of reading with 6 pages of notes at the end for the entire book. 

The practical application steps are found in chapter 13, but you really need to read the book to get the foundation for these, though you could probably read the last chapter and get some ideas for action if you're already on the same page with Roxburgh's ideas.  However, even if you are on board, it is likely that you will need the rest of the book to help you prepare yourself to help prepare others to be on board.

The book is part of a series and in the series preface by Mark Priddy and Al Roxburgh, the point is clearly made: "This is not a "how-to-guide" as much as a handbook for leaders wondering how to empower and energize a community seeking to witness to the kingdom in the midst of their lives." (10)

That sentence grabs me.... anything to empower and energize folks who are seeking to live this out.... great!

As I read the section "A Slow Death" (pages 20-22), the image that Bill Easum shared with our church of a frog slowly being boiled in water (and therefore not knowing he was dying) was in my mind. 

Roxburgh makes it plain that the situation is this: "we need to be asking radically different questions: What is God up to in our neighborhoods and communities?  How do we join with what God is doing in these places?" (22)

"When we are truly seeking to know what it means to be God's people, we will want to know what God is up to in our neighborhoods and communities and what it means for the gospel to be lived out and proclaimed in this time and place.  The matter of getting someone to church is utterly secondary to these insights." (26-27)

Roxburgh speaks quite a bit about Lesslie Newbigin in this book and Newbigin's example of living into a cross-cultural missionary.  Lesslie Newbigin's The Gospel in a Pluralist Society (Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing: 1989) is mentioned in the text and is a book I've read (well, most of it). [Chapter 19 was most relevant to me when I read it because I was contemplating taking the Director of Missions position and there were things in that chapter that spoke to helping people see their place of missions in their daily lives in the workplace and how missions starts with daily discipleship.]

Sometimes when change comes, people think that something has gone wrong.  I love how Roxburgh addresses this: "What if the life-giving Spirit is saying to us that nothing has gone wrong but that he is breaking apart the five-hundred-year-old boxes in we have so conveniently placed the movement of God since the European Protestant reformation?  What if the period we are in is another one of those times when the boundary-breaking Spirit is pushing apart the settled, managed, and controlled ecclesiologies that came out of a specific period of European history with its nation-states and the emergence of its hegemony over the world? [...] What then do we do when the Spirit breaks the boundaries?" (84)

The book brings up the concept of table fellowship and sharing meals and conversations with others in order to get to know one another.  This time of eating together is sacred.  Roxburgh says: "The table is a symbol of where God is taking all of creation.  More than a symbol, it is a sacrament that can engage us directly in the life of God." (144)

Table fellowship is another one of those themes that keeps coming back in my life.  It is around the table that we talk and share and get to know one another.  Lives are shared and shaped.  This takes time and commitment, all very well worth it!

What if the Spirit is breaking out of boundaries?!?!  That is exciting to me!!  It is also a little scary.  As my daughter has phrased it-- "I'm 'nerv-excited."  I don't know what it means for me.  I don't know what it means for the community, the kingdom, etc. 

What I do know, however, is that if the Spirit is moving, I want to be a part of that movement.

Where is God working in my neighborhood?  I need to spend some time on that.  I spent a little bit of time on that a few years ago.  Maybe I'll start there, reflect on what I learned from that, and go forward.

What about you?  Where do you see God working in your neighborhood?  How do you sense the moving of the Spirit?

Blessings on your journey,

Debra

S.O.S.-- Summer of Service... a gorgeous afternoon to be out with people

Yesterday afternoon was the final S.O.S. (Summer of Service) for Burks UMC since summer is almost over.  This doesn't mean that this type of outing and outreach and outpouring of love, food, and fellowship is over... it just means that it might look different.

Yesterday was also my first time to fully participate.  I had wanted to participate in June, but was working diligently and faithfully on a final paper for my UM Theology class.  I did take a break and head over to the pavilion to help out about a couple of hours into their serving time.  However, when I got there, I learned that the plans had changed and they were re-grouping and heading to the Chickamauga Dam area.  That would have been awesome to join, but the kiddo was worn out already, so I took her home.

So, it was yesterday, my first day, that I got to experience a taste of what these folks have been doing at these S.O.S. afternoons.  What a blast!

After the hotdogs and hamburgers were ready, the assembly line began.  They were put into buns and re-packaged.  Trays with chips were made for the park rangers and a team took those.

When enough food was assembled, 7 teams took off into the campsite areas with the dogs, burgers, chips, and cold water to offer them to anyone who wanted them... FREE! 

I was a member of the Pavilion team.  Upon finishing burger assembly, I walked around with another team member offering ice-cold water to folks at picnic tables and pavilions in the area.  We let them know we had free food under our pavilion and they were welcome to it.  Most had already eaten, though some came.  They all seemed grateful for the ice cold water.

The day wasn't too hot and there was a nice breeze off the lake (Chester Frost Park). 

After folks were done in their respective areas, everyone re-grouped at the pavilion.  Those who could go to the Chickamauga Dam loaded up and headed out. 

I was looking forward to that because I knew there would be more Spanish speaking opportunities there.  I did get the opportunity to speak some Spanish at Chester Frost with one group, but most of the folks who spoke Spanish there were at the beach area... and that was off limits, after week 1 of S.O.S.

So, to the Dam.  Folks took items off the vans and like ants, made their way down the hill to the grassy area and sidewalk and set up the tables for service.  The servers got ready.  Folks went out with cold water, offering a cold drink and inviting people to eat. 

I wandered around with cold water, chatting with different folks in English and Spanish.  The best part was simply getting to know people.  To hear that they were having a good time enjoying the beautiful day with their friends and family. 

Speaking Spanish and English, playing with the children, talking with the adults, fellowshipping with those there and with those who had come to serve.

Except for the location, that sentence I just wrote describes all the mission trips to Costa Rica I've ever taken. ☺  Same thing, different place.  Backyard missions.  It's all good. 

Thanks to all the minds, hands, and feet that worked so hard to put S.O.S together.  This was definitely a community effort.  What a beautiful picture to see folks working together in the kingdom for the kingdom.  And, what you saw wasn't the entire picture.  There had been much preparation behind the scenes and in advance to get everything prepared for yesterday.  So, the "thank you" goes out to MANY!!

A take-away from this for your journey?  What is something you (with your family, a group, or some folks at your church) can do in your backyard [literal backyard, neighborhood, etc.]?  I know some of you are already doing things.  Maybe your examples can encourage others and spark even more ideas!

Blessings on your journey!

Debra

Pierced and stung... an interesting morning!

I woke up prepared for this day.  I was eager and excited to see what worship might bring.  The Bridge Builders series over this past month has been informational and transformational.

There have been some difficult things that have taken place in the life of the church, but as I learned from some leadership development training on Saturday and also heard from Bill Easum... there are times when leadership needs to take a stand for the health of the community, make changes to get the community moving or growing, etc.  Those aren't exact words, those are take-away thoughts combined from the two different settings.

As I said, I woke up excited for this day.  I had met with some others yesterday evening to pray for the leadership of the church, to pray for all who would come to church, to pray throughout the campus, etc.  We gathered and prayed.   We scattered and prayed.  We re-gathered and prayed.  It was a powerful and meaningful time for me.

I decided to wear one of my new outfits I had picked up in Waynesville, NC last week.  Then, I decided I would wear earrings.  I haven't worn earrings in ages.

Getting the earring in my left ear was not a problem.  Then I tried the right ear.  I have had my ears pierced for years.  It took me a little while to get the right side to go through.  Then, I decided to go ahead and wear two pairs of earrings.  I have double piercings.  Again, the left side was not a problem.  But that right side?!?!  It took quite a while to get the earring into the front part, even more the back side.  I had to have help.  And, it was a tad painful for a moment.  I had left them grow over. 

Much like pruning, there is some pain to pushing through grown-over skin to re-open the hole.  But, the second set of piercings is pretty significant for me.  Many years ago, a good friend of mine and I went for our second set of piercings (way before piercings became a thing of the entire body).  She got hers done and I chickened out.  I couldn't do it.  It was a few years later that I finally honored my commitment to our pact and got mine done.

Fear can have a way of stopping us in our tracks.  It may keep us from doing something simple that doesn't really have life implications or it may keep us from living into who we are called to be.

I think this morning's re-piercing (as it turned out for the one ear) was symbolic for me in that I'm going to move forward in living into what and who I am called to be.  It isn't crystal clear, but I know to take the next step that I can see.  Without fear.  And, pushing through any boundaries that might be keeping me from pressing onward.

Edified and ready to go; feeling things aligning; encouraged by songs I heard on the radio in my driveway and on the way to worship-- you know the feeling?!?!  Nothing can stop me now!

Then, as I put my right hand on the door to swing it open, I hear a LOUD buzzing noise and see a large black object land on my left shoulder.  At the same moment, I feel a powerful sting and see the thing fly off.  OUCH!  Amazingly, I said no words other than "dang, that hurt" as I walked in to the Narthex, more stunned and in disbelief.  Because the pain was intense and throbbing, I sought out some benedryl.  A dear angel checked the first aid kit, in which there was none, but then drove down to the nearest store and got some oral and topical benedryl.  I was surprised to see how red and swollen my shoulder had become when she returned with the benedryl and I applied it.

Thankfully, I learned today that I'm not severely allergic to wasps.  Also, I am thankful that some folks took care of the wasps nest by the door so others wouldn't have such a buzzing experience upon entering worship. 

I would like to say that I made it through the painful experience without saying any "bad" words.  But, upon entering the sanctuary and upon being asked by my two pastors how I was prior to their walking down the aisle, I told them the sting had hurt like "hell".  That was the only word I said.  And, as it was pointed out, that may not have been the best place to say the word.  But, God knew how I was feeling and knew the pain.  And, I think the analogy was okay. 

As far as analogies go, I wouldn't take "pierced" or "stung" too far down any road or try to figure any of it out.  Though there was some reflection along the way, it certainly wasn't all deep. ☺ 

Even so, it made me think of moving forward, moving beyond the pain, the fear, the stings of life, the obstacles. 

That type of moving is part of the journey, if we are to learn and grow. 

This morning's lessons came in odd forms, even prior to the worship and message.

How about in your life and on your journey?  Where are you seeing lessons along the way?  How are you finding ways to apply them to where you are or where you've been or where you're going?

Maybe, that's something to think about.

Blessings on your journey,

Debra

Pruning... cutting back whatever it is that is sapping energy

I'm not a gardener.  I would like to be able to take credit for the beautiful flowers that come up year after year, but I won't.   I didn't plant them.  When I bought this house, the previous owner had spent much time, energy, and effort into making the yard a registered nature space. 

We do our best to take care of the trees, plants, and flowers... to keep them alive.  We have some help from others from time to time.  We take care some of it ourselves. 

We have needed to call in professionals to trim dead branches off a tree.

And, then, there have been the times when my husband has taken the chainsaw to a tree or bush to only "trim" it... and to my surprise, there has been little left.

Weeds pop up in the cracks of the stonework where they aren't supposed to and they need to be rooted out.

If I'm not a gardener, why all this reflection on the topic?!?!

Spiritually, I'm at a place where pruning needs to take place.  I'm aware of that.  I have recently taken on some new responsibilities that felt right in regards to where I am and where God is leading me.  Yet, in order to live into that, something needs to go.  As I was talking with someone over Skype Thursday afternoon about the new responsibility and getting some insight and last minute words of wisdom, etc., we talked about pruning.  Then, later that evening I realized I had been pruned.  Something in my life that I was doing as a means of communication had been pruned for me.  This was something that I had been doing for a couple of years now.  And, even though I was no longer in an official capacity, I was still part of the communication online.  The odd thing and difficult thing for me at first was that no one told me about it in advance.  One day I was able to be a communicator and then, poof, I wasn't.  Though I don't understand and realize I don't really need to, I have seen this non-sought-out-pruning as a gift.  One less thing in my life that I will feel responsible to be a connecting point for others.  That releases my time and energy to flow as God sees fit.  Admittedly, this unexpected pruning caused me to wrestle with my self, as my false self sprouted up fairly quickly.  Imagine that.  I just finish a book on learning more about my true self and that ugly ole false self finds a way to quickly re-enter the scene.  But, that's life.  That's part of the journey.

Just like those trees and bushes didn't expect to be hacked by the chain saw, unexpected pruning on us humans happens. 

Pruning, whether it is pinching off the buds or cutting off limbs, is painful.  It takes time to process the healing.  Yet, the energy and life of the plant flows more effectively into the areas that are life-producing once the pruning has taken place.

Even though the pruning process has begun for me rather abruptly and not as I intended, it has begun.  Whether I initiate the pruning or not, may God be the Gardener in charge of whatever pruning God deems best in my life at this time so that time, energy, and life itself can flow where God knows it needs to.

What about you?  Have you experienced any pruning lately?  If not, is it time?

Blessings on your journey,

debra

The Deeper Journey: The Spirituality of Discovering Your True Self

I finished reading Robert (Bob) Mulholland's book, The Deeper Journey: The Spirituality of Discovering Your True Self.  I had taken it with me to the board meeting in Minnesota and to SOULfeast.  This book is a sequel, in a way, to Invitation to a Journey: A Roadmap for Spiritual Formation.  You don't necessarily need to read them in sequence, but I highly recommend both books and I would start with the "invitation" before going "deeper".

This isn't a light read.  At least it wasn't for me. 

Over the past several years, I've been learning to face myself, to look inside, to be honest with myself, and to attempt to live into my true self.  I have read books that have spoken to how knowing oneself, especially one's dark side and weaknesses, is important to leadership: Overcoming the Dark Side of Leadership: The Paradox of Personal Dysfunction by Gary L. McIntosh and Samuel D. Rima, Sr. and Inside the Leader's Head: Unraveling Personal Obstacles to Ministry by Virginia Todd Holeman and Stephen L. Martyn are two examples of books that taught me much and helped me see myself more clearly, and hopefully to grow some. 

This growth process and looking inside is an ongoing one along the journey.  Mulholland has been instrumental in my life through his books and through his teaching at the Academy to help me clarify some things and to grow.

Here are some things that stood out to me in The Deeper Journey (with thoughts sprinkled in along the way):

Every chapter opens with a prayer that is open and honest.  These prayers are worth checking out, praying, and simply reflecting upon.  These prayers can bring about some change and transformation.

As I read through this book, there were things that reminded me of Paul Smith's book, Integral Christianity: The Spirit's Call to Evolve.  Specifically, for example: "Jesus is indicating that the purpose of the Christian life is a life of loving union with God at the depths of our being." (Mulholland, 14)  This refers to Jesus' prayer in John 17, verses 20-23 where Jesus prays for the people.  Later in the book, on page 74, Mulholland writes this: "God has created us to be partakers of the divine nature, as Peter puts it (2 Pet 1:4), to find our wholeness in the very being of God, to be restored to fullness in the image of God, to live in loving union with God." This is another aspect that reminds me of Smith's book.  Maybe it's time to take another look at some of the more difficult portions of that book again. 

"Union with God results in our being a person through whom God's presence touches the world with forgiving, cleansing, healing, liberating and transforming grace." (16)

To be someone who can touch the world with this type of grace....WOW!  Now, that's powerful.  And, it's a result of being united with God, in relationship with God, with God living in us.  Yet, so often we don't live into that powerful opportunity.  Neither for ourselves nor for others.  Allowing God's transforming grace to flow into us and through us is a humbling and life changing matter.

Mulholland suggests early on in the book that as one reads the book, "make yourself available to God and give God permission to do whatever God wants to do in your life through this book." (22)

That is dangerous permission.  Allowing God to do whatever it is God wants to do in my life?!?!  Not only through the reading of this book, but through other venues, avenues, etc. as well?!?!  That's a risky, vulnerable, and simply dangerous place to be.   But, it's also an exciting place to be.  I think that is why attempting to live into my true self by putting to death the false self appeals to me and why 'going deeper' on this journey of faith continues to call to me.

"God's purpose for us was not simply to forgive sins but to transform our false self-- to cleanse all its unrighteousness, to make us righteous, to restore us to our true self in loving relationship with God and in being Christlike in the world." (23)

Mulholland unpacks the false self and the true self, providing personal examples throughout the book to help us see what the false self looks like in action.  Though we may have recognized it in ourselves, it helps to see a fellow journeyer be honest and transparent along the way.  It helps us to know that we are not alone and that we can work through and overcome the struggles we face.

The false self is fearful, protective, possessive, manipulative, destructive, self-promoting, indulgent, and distinction-making.  (That covers pages 30-42 in the book.)

On page 48, this paragraph spoke to me as a warning: "For those of us on an intentional spiritual journey, our awareness of the deadly and debilitating nature of the religious false self is essential.  Rigorous religious practices, devoted discipleship, sacrificial service, deeper devotional activities may do nothing more than turn a nominally religious false self into a fanatically religious false self."

On page 50, this paragraph, if lived out, seems to give life and freedom: "In a very real sense the crux of our journey from our religious false self to our true self is an ever deepening abandonment of the construct we call "God" and an ever more profound willingness for God to be whatever God will be in our life at any given moment."

There is so much more in this book. 

I hope that I am truly "on a genuine quest for radical abandonment to God in love" (as Mulholland states several times) and not just thinking that's where I am and what I'm doing.  It's definitely a check point to keep in mind along the journey. 

Each chapter offers helpful questions for reflection at the end.  Chapter 7 discusses "Principles of the Deeper Life". 

I don't know if you are at a place of hungering and thirsting to go deeper in your journey or if this book speaks to you in any way.  It spoke to me.

Wherever you are in your journey, may you be able to take the next step that is shown to you and may you grow in grace with your relationship with the Creator and creation.

Blessings on your journey,

Debra

P.S.  I forgot to read the "Epilogue" earlier.  I just read it.  I was struck by it.  In particular this description of the deeper journey:

"It is a journey into the unfathomable wholeness of a life in loving union with God, a life of inexpressible joy, a life of unshakable peace, a life of world-shaking power, a life of infectious integrity, a life of healing grace, a life of transforming love." (163)

I'm not 100% there yet, but this is my desire-- to live into a life that is described above as the deeper journey.  That statement encapsulates how I desire and strive to live, though I often fall short of the mark.

dd

SOULfeast 2013--The Spirit Alive

I'm back from my second SOULfeast at Lake Junaluska, NC.  I first went to SOULfeast in 2010.  That summer and fall were packed with some major mile markers in my life.  Much has transpired in the three years since I have been to SOULfeast.  To look back and see how God was working then, to see how God worked through many situations and people, and to see where I am now is a tad mind-blowing for me.  Interestingly (or ironically), even with all the movement in my life, I still don't know the end-all where I'm going.  BUT, there is a difference in my life now than three years ago.  I'm much more calm in that unknowing (most of the time) and I can live into with more acceptance and ease.  I attempt to live it step by step, as each one is revealed.  I did three years ago too, but there was an urgency in my spirit that was pushing me.  For me, part of this SOULfeast was reflecting back on my last SOULfeast and the past three years. ☺

Trevor Hudson was the main speaker, speaking at opening worship, the plenary sessions, and closing worship.  I have never heard Trevor Hudson speak.  I haven't read his books, though I did buy The Cycle of Grace this past January that he and Jerry Haas co-wrote and I have skimmed it.  Another one of his books caught my attention in the fall of 2010 at a 5 day Academy I attended because of the hiking boots on the cover: A Mile in My Shoes: Cultivating Compassion.  My husband picked it up at the Lake Junaluska bookstore and is currently reading it, so I'll get to read it eventually! ☺  Trevor was an incredible speaker!  Engaging, authentic, humble, transparent, vulnerable.  He spoke the truth-- hard core, yet in love, teaching and challenging.  Each session there was something to sink my teeth into, to chew on (reflect upon) and to apply to my life journey.

During each worship time, there was an artist from Iowa, Steve Braudt, who drew with chalk throughout the singing, speaking, etc.  That was powerful to watch-- his worship expressed in art.  And, the results were always beautiful expressions of art that reflected the worship.  A gift that helps him worship, but that also gives to so many others.  [Check out The Art Project website here.  There are links about art as a spiritual discipline, etc.]

The altars were changed out for each worship time.  Altars and banners bring beauty and meaning into the worship space.

 

 

There were quiet spaces set up around for quiet time and reflection with instructions: Walk The Rosary (using the rose path), Labyrinth, Sitting at the Feet of Jesus, Joy of Coloring... I may have missed some and may not have the names exactly correct, but you get the idea.

SOULfeast offers wonderful choices for morning and afternoon workshops.  The morning workshop is designed as a 3 day consecutive time, while the afternoon workshops are individual.  There is not enough time to be able to do all the great choices offered.  That is a wonderful problem.

This year I chose the Joining God's Mission II for my morning workshop.  For the afternoon workshops, I went to Holy Listening: A Circle of Trust and an e-learning session with folks from both the Upper Room (Sharon Conley) and BeADisciple.com (Steve Wilke).  All workshops were helpful, provided me with information, allowed me to meet and interact with new folks, etc.  Good stuff!

I got to reconnect with folks I hadn't seen in a while (from my 5 day Academy, past SOULfeast, etc.) and connect with folks I had only met thus far in the virtual world.  In an afternoon workshop, I recognized the name of one person (Ann Smith) I had met through her blog (Out of My Heart) that my cousin in Spain had sent me. [He had sent me a specific post, "Lines" back in May.]  We ended up having the opportunity to talk at the end of that workshop and saw each other at other times during the week.  That was neat.  Small world. ☺  I also met new folks in the workshops and through the Academy dinner meeting and the Hearts on Fire luncheon.

I'm still processing (and will be processing) all that I heard and learned this past week.  I have notes and pictures.  Just as I had three years ago, I also have some affirmations and rumblings (or guidance) in my own journey.... I say "rumblings" because they are there, but not coming to the surface as clear as I would like them too.  But, that might be my fault.  Honestly, I may not truly want to live into the truth I see and hear.  Why would I say that?  Because I see and hear it, but I don't understand what it means.  So, I have to let it sit longer and allow the Ultimate Guide, God the Creator, Jesus the Son, and the Holy Spirit reveal to me what it means and how it is supposed to be lived out.  The image of guiding others through and out of the wilderness was once again affirmed this past week as one of the speakers, Vance Ross, was sharing about his brother coming to get him out of the woods.  I need (or I think I need) more time to reflect upon the image and what it means for me.  I don't think (or feel) that the time is right for me to step into living it, whatever living it means... but that could be fear of unknown or many other things.  So, I will ask for clarity and guidance and see what happens.

Meanwhile, there is much life waiting on me.... groceries that need to be bought, a trombone that needs to be serviced, school supplies that are waiting to be bought, a class I teach starting next week that needs to be cleared out and readied, some other things and responsibilities that need to be covered.

Living the inward/outward journey isn't easy.  It requires flexibility.  It keeps me humble.  I cannot do it on my own.  SOULfeast has helped to feed my soul, to strengthen my heart and mind.... now to live out what I've been learning in the community (communities) where God has placed me.

Blessings on your journey,

Debra

P.S.  Mark your calendars:  SOULfeast 2014 dates are July 13-17.