Abiding... Reflections on Forgiveness

I'm sitting on the patio at the Starnes Cottage (lower level) where we stayed for the week of Annual Conference at Lake Junaluska.  We stayed an extra day which turned out to be a good thing because I had a required meeting yesterday afternoon at 1pm that I learned about the Thursday before.  It was a very important meeting and one I was glad to attend.  It was "the meeting" in which the packet of required materials for the ordination interviews were given out to the ordinands.  Now, we gear up for the September 25th due date and our November 6th interviews.

By staying an extra day, not only was I able to attend that meeting, but Riley and I were able to walk around the lake last night.  I hadn't had a chance to do that.  Up to that point, the only walking I had done was back and forth to Stuart Auditorium.

Last night's walk around the lake allowed my soul to expand as I took in the sights of the flowers, the ducks, the geese, the water, the sunset, the many garden areas.  I took quite a few pictures and will probably do a "lake post" in the near future.

This morning we are heading to Hayesville, NC to visit with family before heading home.  We don't get to see Riley's family often so we are taking advantage of being this close to visit.

This morning I read the next reading in Macrina Wiederkehr's Abide: Keeping Vigil with the Word of God.  It was a challenging topic.  Sometimes I live into it well.  At other times it is a struggle.  I imagine that is the experience for many people.  It is an ongoing opportunity to learn and to love.

The topic? Forgiveness.

In Chapter Five, "Return to Your Original Love", section 4 is "A Season of Forgiveness".

The Scripture passage is Genesis 33. [If you click on the Scripture reference, it takes you to biblegateway.com.  You can switch from The Message to another version if you prefer.]

The passage is about Jacob and Esau meeting up on the road.  It takes place after Jacob's experience of wrestling, coming away with a new name and a limp (Genesis 32:23-33).

Here are my notes from my reading this morning:

Jacob took a "journey toward reconciliation" with his brother Esau.  That's how Macrina worded it (185).  A journey toward reconciliation.  That is what forgiveness does for us.  It allows us to reconcile.

I could spend an entire day on that initial phrase "journey toward reconciliation".  Where are the places and/or who are the people in my life that require a journey toward reconciliation?  What about you?

Macrina notes: "Our ability to forgive is, perhaps, one of our most Godlike qualities." (185)

Macrina shared two stories, one of someone who could not forgive and another of someone who did forgive.  Of the latter, Macrina notes "the freedom she experienced in being able to forgive lifted a burden and "set her free."" (186)

Yes.  Forgiveness sets us free.  It loosens the chains of bondage and bitterness and sets us free to love again.  It isn't easy nor is it without cost, yet it is the most life giving choice.

Some situations are easier to work through / walk through forgiveness than others.  It is a journey worth every ounce of effort.

Macrina mentions that there is both a "challenge and joy of forgiveness". (186)  I would agree to that.

In the reflection and prayer section, Macrina challenges us to put ourselves in both the places of Jacod and Esau and experience what both would have thought and felt.  Relive that reunion from both their viewpoints.

The other two challenges are more personal.

"Think of a time in your life when you needed to forgive someone.  Pray for that person.  Is there anything that is unfinished between the two of you?" (188)

"Is there anyone whose forgiveness you need to experience?  What would it cost you in terms of time, pride, or love to complete the process of forgiveness?" (188)

Wow.  If we take these questions seriously and take the time to process them, we can learn and grow. I reflect back on some meaningful moments of forgiving and receiving forgiveness in my life.  It has brought reconciliation in ways I could not have imagined.  I am glad for the grace to have stepped forward in faith in these situations.

It takes faith, boldness, and courage to seek reconciliation, no matter the situation.

I pray for me, I pray for you..... I pray for whatever people or situations come to mind that need forgiveness and reconciliation.  May we all be bold and courageous, going forward with the grace and love of Christ to work through the needed steps toward forgiveness and reconciliation.

Macrina's closing prayer might be helpful, so I will post it here:

"Gracious Guide on All Our Journeys, 

Be with the Esau-and Jacobs of this world.  Empower them to find their hearts of flesh, their holy limp, and their new names as they continue on their individual pilgrimages of reconciliation.  Move into my heart-space and speak to me of compassionate loving.  The road to forgiveness is so challenging.  Encourage me.  Support me. Affirm me.  I invite into the household of my love all those whom I struggle to forgive. (Mention names.)  O God of so much mercy, teach me vulnerability." (188)

Blessings on your journey,

Debra

Abiding.... Reflections on Freedom

Another cool and refreshing morning.  One could get spoiled by these.  I grabbed my coffee, Macrina Wiederkehr's book Abide: Keeping Vigil with the Word of God, and headed out to the patio.  The sky was already lit up and it wasn't even quite 7am.  The birds were wide awake and speaking to one another.  I opened the book to where I left off and today's topic is "Call to Freedom".

Freedom.

Freedom is a place I have been attempting to live more fully into over recent years.  To live freely into my true self, to live freely by the Spirit.  Freedom is a blessed place to be.  When we are able to live, love, and lead out of the freedom that is ours because of our relationship with the One who created us, we are better for it.

The Scripture passage for today's reading is Galatians 5.  If you click on the Scripture in the preceding sentence, it will take you to a reading of it in The Message version on Bible Gateway. You can change versions, if so desired.  I wanted to read it with fresh eyes this morning.

As I prayerfully read through the passage this morning, these are the words that stood out to me today:

Christ has set us free to live a free life.  What matters is...faith expressed in love. Use your freedom to serve one another in love. Love others as you love yourself. Live freely, animated and motivated by God's Spirit.

What stood out to you?

Here are my notes from Macrina's words this morning:

"We are to live in such a manner that it we be obvious we are following the Spirit's lead.  The Spirit is to be our dance partner leading us into a life of faith in Christ.  More powerful than any law, the Spirit leads us into the freedom of the children of God (Rom. 8:21)." (180)

That resonated with me on several levels.  I attempt to follow the Spirit's lead.  Whether that is obvious to others or not is something I can't see or judge.  The part about the Spirit being our dance partner speaks to me as well and that phrase has come up a time or two, as I think about it.

"It is always love that must govern the actions of those who have accepted Christ into their lives." (181)

Not an easy statement to live by, nor the ones in Scripture where we are called to love others as ourselves and love our enemies, etc.  Love is costly.  I don't always love well.  There are times when I've been hurt and wounded when love doesn't flow easily, yet my goal and desire is to live, love, and lead as Christ, as a wounded healer.  Because I'm not Christ, I don't always get it right, but it is my goal and desire.  I pray to love well.

Macrina notes that the fruit of the spirit offers us "a more accurate portrait of the person whom we can become when we allow the Spirit to be our dance partner." (181)

This past Sunday, Pentecost Sunday, the fruit of the Spirit passage was a part of the sermon.  I haven't posted one of my sermons in a while.  I might post that one.  Not that it's great or anything, but something for reflective reading, hopefully.

What is neat for me is that I was already reflecting on Galatians as part of last week's sermon and here it is again.

Macrina gave some points to consider at the end of the chapter on joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faith, self-control, and love.

The ones that struck me this morning were faith and love.

On faith, she asked: "If you leapt into the waters of your faith, how deep would you go?" (182)

On love, she asked: "At the end of this day, check your heart.  How well have you loved?" (183)

Those are both great questions to ponder.

On the reflection and prayer, she asks: "Can you envision the Spirit being your dance partner? Imagine, too, how your life would be different if this were the case. Let it be!" (184)

She suggests taking a walk on a labyrinth, if there is one available to walk with each of the fruits of the spirit.  That is a wonderful way to take a prayer walk through a labyrinth.

She ends the chapter with a prayer, as with all chapters, this one written to the Spirit of the Living God.

"O Spirit of the Living God, abide in me."

Come, Holy Spirit, come.

May it be so.

Blessings on your journey,

Debra

Light of the World

Good morning.

It's Wednesday.  Though it's only Wednesday, I've had a very full week and it isn't close to being over yet.

Gearing up for Annual Conference means getting sermon preparations and bulletins for the following week.  It means turning in buckets to the District Office.

I am proud of our Parish-- 21 buckets total and they gathered them all up and got them to the District!!  Way to go team of lay folks in the Holston Georgia Parish who worked together in getting this done and the servants who gave time and energy at the District Office on behalf of the Holston Georgia Parish!  Last year I went and spent time at the District Office helping go through the materials. This year I helped carry buckets down the hall. That's all I had time for with everything else.

Because we are adding administrative offices into our parish, I have had many meetings added into my schedule over the past several months.  It has been a busier time, but really I can't remember a time that isn't busy when you serve three churches and have a 4th entity of a parish concept.

This morning I am blessed to go into the Community of Hope Summer Camp and share the morning devotion with the campers.  Wednesdays are my days.  This camp came about from the dreaming and visioning of some folks in Rossville, GA who wanted to make a difference in the lives of students.

Before I go in, I am outside on the patio, enjoying the cool weather (64 degrees) and the breezes.  The chimes are singing, the birds are chirping, and it is actually a little chilly.

I am starting my devotional study for the week for "Finding I Am". That's right, "starting".  Tonight is the Bible Study and I should be finished by now.  But, go back to the point of 'busy schedule', 'meetings', etc.  This week's focus is on Christ being the light of the world.

John 8:12-- "Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, "I am the light of the world.  Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life."

This morning the light woke me up as it was shining through the window.  I knew I needed time with the Light in more ways than one, so here I am, with the I Am.

May the Light of the world shine brightly today in and through your life, my life.  May we see more clearly and be bold enough to live, love, and lead as the Light directs.

Blessings on your journey,

Debra

A Knock at the Door

We just finished a series from the book Get Their Name two weeks ago by Bob Farr and Kay Kotan.  Our series title was "Building Relationships for Real Life".

The last week the Scripture was from Hebrews 13:2 (CEB)--"Don't neglect to open up your homes to guests, because by doing this some have been hosts to angels without knowing it."

We talked about being prepared for hospitality for guests.  The opening prayer was: "Father God, we seek you today.  Pour your Holy Spirit over us as we prepare to receive your people.  Let us be open to your movement as we see our church today through the eyes of guests. Help us to first recognize and then be willing to remove our blind spots.  Let us learn to demonstrate radical hospitality as you have instructed us to do.  In your Son's name we pray. Amen."

Yesterday I had the opportunity to show hospitality to someone who came to the door at church.  It was after the rain storm.  I heard a knock.

When I answered the knock at the church door, a sopping wet gentleman in a ball cap stood there and asked if we had something to drink.  He was thirsty, he said.

I invited him in and invited him to sit in the parlor while I went to get my keys so I could get some cold water out of the office refrigerator (we keep small bottles in there).

Recently, a new church attendee had given me two small food boxes to give away to anyone who needed them, so I grabbed one of those too.  He was grateful for the box of food.  I was grateful that it was on hand to give away.

As we shared our bottles of water, I learned this gentleman's name, that he graduated a year behind me at LFO (Lakeview/Fort Oglethorpe), that he had a car but had let someone borrow it and it had become impounded.

As we spoke, he mentioned that he built decks and did other handy man jobs.  I remembered the email I had just read earlier about a local businessman seeking a handyman to do odds and ends around the grounds.

I got the email and shared it with him.  Small world.  This gentleman had lived there at one time and had built a deck for him.

I had a nudge to ask him 'why here?', 'why today?', but I didn't.  It was raining.  Who walks in the rain to a random church and asks for something to drink?

Instead of following that small nudge of curiosity, we prayed together.  We prayed for the handy man job and the re-connection with the manager there.

I let him know what time our services began on Sundays and invited him to church.

This isn't the first person to knock on the door with a need or to be thirsty.  But, this is the first time it struck me differently.  This time the first words and only words of petition were asking for something to drink.  Usually, there are other petitions that follow.

I can't explain why this time felt different than some of the others.  I have done what I can in each of the other situations too, offering cold water, whatever food we had on hand, offering a ride, etc.

But yesterday, especially because the connection came up with the local business man and the job, it felt like one of those serendipity moments.

Maybe I was part of a bridge connection yesterday, helping someone get one step closer to something they needed.  Or, maybe, just maybe, I was being blessed without knowing it by the presence of angels unawares.

Regardless, I was blessed by the knock at the door and the opportunity to show hospitality to a stranger.

Blessings on your journey,

Debra

Two songs: Angels Among Us-- by Alabama

Jesus in Disguise by Brandon Heath

Being Built into a Spiritual House... an ongoing journey

This morning's coffee time is "abiding" time.  Macrina Wiederkehr has been an off and on companion over the past several years as I slowly work my way through Abide: Keeping Vigil with the Word of God.

Today's reading continues in Chapter 5 "Return to Your Original Love" and is entitled "Chosen and Precious".  The Scripture focus is 1 Peter 2:1-10.  If you would like to read the Scripture now, click HERE.

As I read the passage this morning, the verse that stood out to me was this portion of verse 5-- "let yourselves be built into a spiritual house".

Maybe that catches my attention because tomorrow is Pentecost Sunday as we will celebrate the birthday of the church and the coming of the Holy Spirit.  All three churches I have the privilege of serving have done some type of renovations recently to the interior of their sanctuaries.  One of the three has done major renovations and we are moving back into the sanctuary tomorrow for worship.  Just as the physical house has been rebuilt, it is my prayer that the spiritual house be built, as it mentioned in verse 5.  It is an opportunity of refreshing and renewal as the Holy Spirit moves in and among us.

Macrina Wiederkehr focuses on verse 2 and the pure spiritual milk.  She notes that we are told here to go back, to long for that milk.  Whereas in other places we are called to move on from milk to meat, here the admonition is to "long for the pure, spiritual milk".  In verse 3, there is a caveat, "if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is good."

"IF".  If we haven't tasted that the Lord is good, then the pure, spiritual milk isn't going to help.

Macrina notes that we listen to the good news of milk and calcium as we age and have need of those nutrients.  She teaches us that "Peter is asking us to return to our beginnings.  Look back to some of your original sources of nourishment." (175)

What fed me in my early years of my faith journey?  Hours upon hours of time in God's creation, wandering along the creekside in the hills at my Dad's campground or through the woods at our family farm in Walker County.   Translate that into silence and solitude.  I just didn't realize then that I was connecting with the God of creation who created me, at least I didn't make that connection on some levels. Evidently the connection was made at deep levels.

It is to creation, silence, and solitude that I return when I need space to listen to God.  When the other voices crowd out God, when I feel worn out, when I sense I'm at that dangerous place, then I make know to make space for creation, silence, and solitude.  In the meanwhile, I try to have creation, silence, and solitude as part of my daily regime, but there are times when more is needed.

Macrina encourages us: "Spend time discerning what spiritual gifts need to be restored in your life." (176)

She asks: "Is there anything you would like to call back into your consciousness?  Has something that once nourished you gotten lost in the busyness of daily living?  A childlike spirit?  An openness to learning?  A natural simplicity?  A nurturing relationship?  Quality time for prayer and study?  What spiritual calcium is needed to help you build a strong foundation?" (176)

As I ponder these questions, I am reminded of being in Minnesota at a conference several years ago and my childlike spirit of play being renewed and released.  I was reminded then that I am to live and lead from that place.  Yet, sometimes that part of me gets lost in the busyness and overburdened aspects of life.

It takes intentionality to keep things in the forefront.

May your spiritual health be nourished today, either in a way once forgotten or in a new and fresh way.

May your spiritual house and foundation become strong.

Blessings on your journey,

Debra

Abiding... United in Purpose

This morning I knew I needed to spend some time abiding, so I picked up my copy of Macrina Wiederkeher's Abide: Keeping Vigil with the Word of God, a Bible, and a cup of coffee.  I headed outside to the patio.  It was already warm, but still nice to be outside.

I found my place in the book.

I am nearing the end of it.  Chapter 5-- "Return to Your Original Love"

In the introduction for this chapter, there are words that challenge me: "How easy it is to allow the flame of our early devotion to be snuffed out because of busyness and deadlines." (168)  Yep.  There are times when it is a battle to make space to be with God, to listen to God, etc.  Sometimes I am able to carve out time.  At other times it isn't enough.  Truthfully, the busier it is, the more time I need carved out.  Isn't that a paradox.  I do try to go on walks so I can listen and pray.  I use the time in my car for that too.  Yet, that isn't always enough when there is so much going on. I know that I need to fully abide, to "Be still and know" (Psalm 46:10)

Actually, I know the time is coming soon for a day apart and I just need to go ahead and schedule it with The SoulCare Project.  If I schedule it, it will be on my calendar and I will go.

Back to this morning's abiding.

Today's reading is 1 Corinthians 3 and the title for Macrina's chapter is "United In Purpose".

The focus verse is verse 10.

This passage mentions the spiritually immature, not dealing with others or God in healthy ways.  It exhorts the believers to move beyond their personal desires and focus more on what is God's purpose and way.  There is more, but that's a start.  I linked to the passage above and from there you can choose whatever version you would like to read.  It starts out in The Message version on BibleGateway.

In Macrina's chapter she notes: "The fact that he is preaching these words suggests that Paul has been informed of disharmony and divisions in the community.  He has heard about their quarreling." (170)

Later she writes: "Paul's response to all this bickering was that they should make every effort to become united in mind and purpose.  They are to return to their original love and embrace again the moment they became one in Jesus Christ." (170)

That reminds me of the song "They Will Know We Are Christians".  If we are not showing love to one another in the body of Christ, if we are not loving God, then how can we love others?

This paragraph was food for thought for me:

"When we see the heartbreaking violence and evils enacted by well-educated and intelligent people in our world today, it does seem that the so-called wisdom of this world is absurdity.  We certainly are not united in purpose.  We are far from putting on the mind of Christ." ((171)

A challenging question: "What kind of transformation needs to take place in our lives in order for us to live without divisions?" (171)

In the "Reflection and Prayer" section, this question stood out to me above the others: "Is giving up your own will a part of your spiritual practice?" (174)

As I seek to live, love, and lead like Jesus, I desire to be united in purpose with others in the kingdom.  Loving God, loving others, and making disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world is what it boils down to for me as I look at who Christ was, how he lived, what he said.

As Christ came to serve and not be served, may it be so with us.

As Christ said in John 6:38-- "for I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will, but the will of him who sent me." (NRSV)

How do I see kingdom life? Here are some quick thoughts.  I see it that we are: to live, love, and lead like Jesus; to serve others; to love God and others; to do the will of God;  to be united in purpose; to be growing in faith; to be connected to the vine and connected in community.  

May it be so as the journey continues.

Peace and blessings to you on your journey, 

Debra

P.S.  You might desire to pray the closing prayer from this section.  Here it is:

"O Love Divine, All Loves Excelling,
It is love we need.  Your intent has always been to gather us together as one people.  How difficult it is for us to have one mind and one heart.  Look upon our hearts and minds so scattered and divided in their many loves. Plant in each of us a desire to be united with Jesus in a common purpose.  Make our longing for unity deeper than our longing to do our own will.  Give us a heart for others.  Give us the signs, the wisdom, and the love we need to learn the art of forgiveness, which is really the art of loving.  In the name of Jesus we pray.  Amen." (174)

Combat Medic Prayer

I learned about a new prayer yesterday.

Before yesterday I hadn't heard of the "Combat Medic Prayer".  It's a prayer that really could be used by anyone in any type of medical emergency field by adapting some of the wording.

How did I learn about this prayer?  Through an unfortunate situation that turned out good, thanks to the quick response of folks.

It's a neat prayer.  Check it out:  Combat Medic Prayer.

In case you don't want to click on the above link, here is the prayer written out for you:

Oh Lord, I ask for the divine strength
to meet the demands of my profession.
Help me to be the finest medic,
both technically and tactically.
If I am called to the battlefield,
give me the courage to conserve our
fighting forces by providing medical
care to all who are in need.
If I am called to a mission of peace,
give me the strength to lead by caring for
those who need my assistance.
Finally, Lord help me take care
of my own spiritual, physical
and emotional needs.
Teach me to trust in your
presence and never-failing love.

Amen.

I am grateful for the gentleman who wore this prayer on his back yesterday and who lived out this prayer literally by putting his faith into action yesterday in a situation.

We are called to live out our faith in action.  We are called to put up our radars to be attentive to the God moments in our lives.

Watching this man who was wearing this combat medic prayer t-shirt live out his faith in action was one of those God moments.

The last part of this prayer is a prayer we can all pray, whether or not we are in the medical field:

"Lord, help me to take care of my own spiritual, physical, and emotional needs. Teach me to trust in your presence and never-failing love. AMEN."

Blessings on your journey,

Debra