Recapturing the Wesleys' Vision.... an inspiring read

Today I finished Recapturing the Wesleys' Vision: An Introduction to the Faith of John and Charles Wesley by Paul Wesley Chilcote.  This is one of the four required books for the next session in October of Academy #32. 

Truthfully, I wasn't sure how long this book would take me to read (though it only has 118 pages) or if it would be difficult reading.  Thankfully, I found this book to be refreshing, engaging, challenging, and inspiring.

At the end of each chapter there are questions for reflection (that could be used individually or in a group), Scripture references, a quote from John Wesley and a hymn from Charles Wesley.  By including these, the reader is able to balance learning with application.

The author discusses balance throughout the book in referring to the Wesleys and their views.  In the introduction, Chilcote uses the images of "salt and pepper", "balancing scale", "tightrope walker", and "oil and vinegar" to talk about the importance of holding two things together in balance. (18)  A statement I liked in particular by Chilcote referred to oil and vinegar earlier in the paragraph, but can be applied to many more situations: "And interestingly enough, sometimes we must shake things up in order to hold them together." (18)  [This past Sunday, in the contemporary worship service, Pastor Rowland said something very similar... he said we needed to "stir things up"... to which I replied "Amen!" from the upper balcony.  Though he wasn't expecting an "amen" to that, thankfully it didn't throw him off and he was able to keep going and even incorporate it into the sermon a few more times.  When he said the phrase again, I kept quiet.  However, there was a small chorus of "Amens" down below on the bottom level.  See?!  Shaking (or stirring) things up can be Holy!]

Back to the balance......When applying this to the discipleship and faith of the Wesleys, this balance is seen in discussions of "heart and mind", "hearts and hands", and "faith and works", among others. (19)

There are four main parts to the book with a short introduction to each part and two chapters for each part.  The parts are:

Part 1:  The Message (kerygma)
             The Height of Sovereign Grace
              1. Free Grace (Proclamation):  Faith and Works
              2. Inclusive Love (Preaching): Word and Spirit

Part 2:  The Community (koinonia)
             The Depth of Caring Relationship
              3. Shared Experience (Fellowship): Personal and Social
              4. Enthused Disciples (Partnership): Form and Power

Part 3: The Discipline (paideia)
            The Length of Christian Pilgrimage
            5. Holistic Formation (Instruction): Heart and Head
            6. Spiritual Nourishment (Guidance): Pulpit and Table

Part 4: The Servanthood (diakonia)
            The Breadkth of Compassionate Witness
            7. Transformational Vocation (Mission): Christ and Culture
            8. Incarnational Ministry (Service): Piety and Mercy

Also included in the book is an Introduction and Preface at the beginning, and and Epilogue, Selected Bibliography, and Scripture Index at the end.

I could post some, many, or all of the underlined nuggets from my reading of the book.  Yet, the things that grabbed me might not necessarily grab you. 

I am glad I had to read this book as it isn't one that has crossed my path up until this time.  It is one that has enlightened me as a disciple on the journey.

If you have the chance to read it, I recommend it.

Meanwhile, if you'd like to learn more about the author, here is one biography link you can check out.


Blessings on your journey!

~Debra




 

Thoughts from Macrina Wiederkehr's Abide: Keeping Vigil with the Word of God--Tree of Life

I am slowly, but surely making my way through Macrina Wiederkehr's Abide: Keeping Vigil with the Word of God.  Rightly so, for it is not something to be devoured; rather it is to be chewed slowly and savored.  I picked up the book this afternoon and went to my bookmark.  I had stopped at the prayer at the end of the chapter.  This is from Chapter 1: "Drawn Like a Magnet to the Divine"; section 7: "The Prayer of Creation".

The prayer:

O Tree of God--Tree of Life,
     In the gift of your shade, I stand, my heart raised to your Creator.  Your branches call me to reach out in all directions to many people.  Your branches remind me of the sheltering arms of God.  Your roots call me to be rooted in all that is good and nourishing.  Your roots ask me to spend time in the ground of my being.  Teach me, like you, to praise God in the silence of my being.  Help me to surrender unnecessary words.  Draw me, like a magnet, into the abiding love of God.  And when it is time for me to die, teach me to die gracefully and joyfully.  Teach me to let go as you let go of your leaves each autumn.  In living and in dying, teach me to praise God by living well and dying well.  May it come to pass!

~Macrina Wiederkehr (43)

As I read her words, several things come to mind.

 

The first is an image of a tree that I have seen in jewelry and in other places, a tree of life.  It has many variations.  Even Disney has its own tree of life in the Animal Kingdom.  I couldn't find the exact image for the jewelry I have seen, so I settled on this stained glass Tree of Life that I found on Drew University's religious studies department's page.  It is by Ardyn Halter.  You can learn more about this window by Ardyn Halter by going to this link and exploring the website.

The second thing that came to mind for me was a movie I recently saw on my flight to Costa Rica: "A Thousand Words" with Eddie Murphy.  That movie had some thought-provoking scenes in it, at least for me.  There were some life lessons taught in the movie that dealt with a tree and its leaves. 

Words are life-giving, when they are meaningful.  Yet they can over run our world.  It is important for us to learn to speak without words.  Like the prayer, I hope I can surrender unnecessary words.  Like Eddie Murphy's character learned, I hope that I am learning daily to speak into the lives around me by tangible actions.

The third thing that I take away from this prayer is an image of dying gracefully and joyfully, of letting go like the autumn leaves.  Not just a physical dying, though I hope to be prepared to die in that manner, but a spiritual dying as I surrender myself daily to the Creator and follow the path set before me.

This is a powerful prayer.  I am challenged by its words and the images that it brings to mind.

In this same section, Macrina writes: "There is a Word that differs from the spoken kind.  Sometimes it flows forth in the simple silence of being as shown in the mountains and hills.  There is a Word that leaps up in the crackling of the fire; it rides in on the moaning of the wind and in the roar of the wild beast." (40) 

As you reflect on the prayer above, what stands out to you? 

Blessings on your journey.  May you make time to speak without words.

~Debra





Come To Jesus...

Sunset, August 6, 2012.  dd

Today was the memorial service for a friend's father in Dalton, GA.  Burial will be in Mobile, AL on Monday.  This is a friend I have known since 6th grade.  My daughter starts 6th grade on Monday.  For me and my friend, it has been 36 years of a friendship. 

Her Mom and Dad became another set of parents for me..... did you have friends' parents like that?  I was blessed to have two sets like that.  The Mann family and the Phillips family.  Both these sets of parents, in addition to my own, took me in and allowed me to be part of the family.  I wasn't a guest when I was there; I was family. 

I have fond memories of both sets of these families.  Hanging out, playing games, even getting to go on family trips.  With the Phillips family, when the older brother couldn't go on trips, I got to go.  When he played in band at state football playoffs, I traveled with the family down to the game.  My friend Sylvia's parent's were "mom" and "dad".

There is an additional complication to the Mom and Dad role.... I married their son in 1986, but we divorced in 1998.  Yet, that didn't destroy the friendship with the friend or the family, thankfully.

They wished me well with the birth of my child and my second marriage.  I've kept in touch through the battle with cancer.  Our family has visited with them several times at Christmas and we have celebrated Christmas Eve service together in the past.

Things got rougher recently and Pop passed on August 9th.  I was blessed to have visited with him a couple of weeks prior and the Tuesday before he passed. 

"Come to Jesus" was one of the songs Sylvia's mom wanted sung at the service.  Sylvia's music minister sang it on Sylvia's behalf.  It is a powerful song by Chris Rice.  It is touching and uplifting, all in one. 

Sylvia's daughter sang the first verse of "Amazing Grace" and led those in attendance with the rest of it.... she did a wonderful job.

Sylvia's husband shared a letter he had written Pop back in March that was touching and inspiring and it caused you to choke back tears.

Sylvia's son shared words for the family he had gotten from Pop a week ago today when they last spoke. 

It was a very moving and powerful time to see all the family and friends come together to celebrate the life of this man. 

Thank you again, Pop, for who and what you mean to me.

I know you are whole again and blessed.  Praise to our Creator.

One of the several versions of Chris Rice's "Come to Jesus" on YouTube is found at this link.

Here are the lyrics for "Come to Jesus":

Chris Rice - (Come To Jesus) Lyrics Weak and wounded sinner Lost and left to die O, raise your head, for love is passing by Come to Jesus Come to Jesus Come to Jesus and live! Now your burden's lifted And carried far away And precious blood has washed away the stain, so Sing to Jesus Sing to Jesus Sing to Jesus and live! And like a newborn baby Don't be afraid to crawl And remember when you walk Sometimes we fall...so Fall on Jesus Fall on Jesus Fall on Jesus and live! Sometimes the way is lonely And steep and filled with pain So if your sky is dark and pours the rain, then Cry to Jesus Cry to Jesus Cry to Jesus and live! O, and when the love spills over And music fills the night And when you can't contain your joy inside, then Dance for Jesus Dance for Jesus Dance for Jesus and live! And with your final heartbeat Kiss the world goodbye Then go in peace, and laugh on Glory's side, and Fly to Jesus Fly to Jesus Fly to Jesus and live!

~Debra

Create in me a clean heart.....

With the rains today and the many things going through my mind and life, this is the one thought that came to my mind when I took my shower this afternoon [my silence and solitude time]: "Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.  Cast me not away from thy presence O, 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 it came to mind, I was able to belt the Keith Green song out loud, much to my daughter's chagrin. ☺

For many years, this verse from Psalm 51 has been powerful for me.  When I was introduced to Keith Green in the 1980s, his song "Create in Me a Clean Heart" based on the Psalm 51 scripture became one of my favorites.

Here is a link where you can listen to Keith Green sing this song: Create in Me A Clean Heart.

The lyrics to the song are:

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

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
Take not Thy holy spirit from me
Restore unto me the joy of Thy salvation
And renew a right spirit within me

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
Take not Thy holy spirit from me
Restore unto me the joy of Thy salvation
And renew a right spirit within me

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

Wherever you are on your journey, whatever is going on in and around you as you journey, these are words that are appropriate along the way. 

May you have renewed joy of salvation, a clean heart, and a right spirit within you.

Shalom!

~Debra

Hogar Metodista... Methodist Children's Home of Costa Rica

Entrance to the Hogar Metodista, 2012. dd

I've recently returned from another wonderful mission trip to my home away from home, Costa Rica.  I call it my "home away from home" because this was my 13th or 14th trip to the country.  I need to double check my passports for the exact number, instead of relying on my brain, memory, and counting on fingers.  I have been there on mission trips since 1998 (skipping a few years here and there), a business trip to check out LASP [Latin American Studies Program], a family vacation, and a honeymoon.

For the first time, I was able to work on-site at the Hogar Metodista, the Methodist Children's Home of Costa Rica.  [Check out their FaceBook page: Methodist Children's Home.] In years past, I had been able to visit the site and hear the dreams.  One year (2007) our team helped clean the building that was on site.  But this year,  I was able to be on the property and work to continue the vision.  Many on our team from First Centenary had been on the 2010 team that helped work on the first house for the kids.  It was special for them to see it completed and then be able to work on house #2, knowing it would be completed and filled with children as #1 has been.

There is a video on YOUTUBE that explains the vision of the Methodist Children's Home in the earlier days by missionary Ray Zirkel.  This video is from 2007.

Here is a video with some footage of children on the street and the first home not quite finished.  It shows the Methodist School (Colegio Metodista) where the children go for a bilingual education.  This video was posted in January 2011.

Another video posted in January 2011 with some history and information about the Children's home can been seen here. 

Presently, there are ten children in the 1st home and work is being done on the 2nd home.  The plans include 5 homes total and a multi-purpose building that will allow ministry to the community of Coronado. 

Check out some of the pictures, videos, and website links I've included.  The Hands of God Foundation in Alabama is instrumental in raising monies for this ministry.  You can sponsor the children through them and/or donate for other purposes.  Check them out at their website: Hands of God Foundation.

Ray and Lidia Zirkel first came to Costa Rica in 1995 by invitation of Bishop Luis Palomo.  They have been extremely active in the Methodist church in Costa Rica and have been a tremendous blessing!  Ray and Lidia have their own website too. You can learn more about them and their ministry here.

[I have known them since 1998 and have been blessed to see their ministry blossom and their lives help transform others' lives. Even through the very difficult time of Ray's health this past winter and spring, there have been blessings and praises. What a blessing and praise to have them back in Costa Rica, serving again so soon!]

Please consider praying for this ministry, the missionaries, the children, and all those involved that work hard to keep it going (staff, house tías (aunts), etc.).  There are needs for house parents and relief support staff, scholarships for the children for the school, teams to keep coming to help with the construction, ETC.

Contact Lidia Zirkel (ljzirkel@gmail.com) or the Hands of God Foundation (at their website above) for more information.

Inside the original building, 2007. Our team helped clean as part of our work. dd

A view of the mountains from the property, 2007. dd



The original building on the property, 2008. dd



First house completed, taken by Amanda Cambron, 2012.

My technology fast... a meaningful discipline on my journey

I just got back last night from a week long mission trip to Costa Rica.  My husband and I decided to leave our smart phones and computers at home.  Though we checked into the international plan for Costa Rica, we decided to forego that and do without for the week.  I haven't been on that extensive of a technology fast in a very long time, if ever.  I am happy to report that I survived.  Truthfully, I did more than "survive"; I "thrived". 

I could have broken my fast much sooner than I did (Friday, after all the hiking at the Poás Volcano and La Paz Waterfall Gardens, I posted a brief update on FaceBook from the community computer at La Paz Waterfall Gardens) because there was a computer at the Centro Juan Wesley where we stayed in Tibás.  There were smart phones and ipads in abundance too. 

Truthfully, my main concern during the week was to know whether or not my best friend's (from 6th grade) father had made it through the week.  Other than that, I really didn't need to check e-mails or FaceBook updates or even play Word with Friends (I forewarned folks I was going to be technology free for the week). 

By not taking technology with me, I was able to be a little more free in my heart, mind, and soul.  I didn't worry about the things at home that I did find when I got back.  I spent time reading Invitation to a Journey:  A Road Map for Spiritual Formation by Robert Mulholland.  I spent time sleeping-- I was the "wimp" of the group, going to bed the earliest most nights.  I spent time in quiet and in conversation, getting to know folks. 

Now, this isn't to say that those with technology didn't get rest or conversation or reading... they did.  There isn't a right or wrong here.  I've taken technology in the past.... and turned on my cell phone as soon as I hit USA soil.  But this time, I was able to wait until I got home to deal with the things that awaited me.

So, for me, taking this technology fast was a wonderful blessing this week.  I wonder if I am able to implement that while I'm home.  The thing I most wanted to do while I was away was to blog.  I have at least 4 or 5 blog posts rumbling away in my heart, soul, and mind.  And that is just from last week's trip.  That doesn't catch me up on the several others I've wanted to write. 

A few more thoughts on my fast for the week.  It was a spiritual discipline.  In Mulholland's book that I mentioned, I read this about fasting: "The essence of fasting is the separation of ourselves from something in order to offer ourselves in greater measure to God." (118)  It was an intentional setting aside of something (that isn't necessarily a bad thing) to focus more intently on the goal at hand, which for me was listening to God in Costa Rica.   Technology can be good and normal, yet a separation from it at times can be very freeing.  The only television I saw was little snipets from the small television in the kitchen at the Centro Juan Wesley.  I saw where there had been flooding in Costa Rica and mudslides.

I texted my friend this morning to see about her dad.  He is still with us, but he is very weak.  He doesn't talk much any more and falls asleep easily.  My friend went with her mother this past week to make arrangements at the funeral home and they are picking out pictures.  I'm very blessed that I was able to visit with the family a couple of weeks ago before my trip to Costa Rica.  This is a family with whom I grew up and spent time; one of my "mom and dad" families.  I am glad that during my technology fast my friend's dad, my "dad" didn't pass.  There will probably be more to share about this later.

When you fast, what do you choose to fast from?

Or, if you haven't fasted in a while, think about it... try it.  Read more about it.  There are many who have written about the spiritual discipline of fasting.  Check out what folks have written and done.  Pray about what would be meaningful for you.

Blessings on your journey!

~Debra

Quotes for reflection....

Shalem Institute has posted several quotes over the last few days on their Facebook page (along with pictures) that have caused me to stop and think.  I share them here for your reflection.

"We shall not cease from exploration, and the end of all our exploring will be to arrive where we started and know the place for the first time." ~T.S. Eliot

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

It is possible I am pushing
through solid rock,
like the vein of ore
encased, alone.

I am such a long way in
... I can see no way through and no space.
Everything is close to my face
and everything close to my face is stone.

I don't have much knowledge yet in grief,
so this darkness makes me feel small.
You, be the Master;
Make yourself fierce; break in.
And then your great transforming will happen to me
And my great grief cry will happen to you.

Rainer Maria Rilke

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

I have lived on the lip
of insanity, wanting to know reasons,
knocking on a door. It opens.
I've been knocking from the inside.”
― Rumi

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

 

"Mystery: it is all around us, and we do not know it.... But sometimes when we give it time and space - whether in deep peace or great anguish - it will come up behind us, or meet us face to face, or move within us, changing the way we see everything, and filling our heart with joy and an upspringing of love that needs no direct object because everything is its object."
~Mary C. Morrison in Let Evening Come

 

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

 

"There is a depth...in you called the Centre...the Bottom of the soul. This depth is the unity, the eternity, of your soul;... it is so infinite that nothing can satisfy it or give it any rest but the infinity of God."   ~William Law

 

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

 

These quotes (and/or poems) caught my attention [along with the pictures with which they were posted].  There are thoughts here that resonate within my heart, mind, and soul.  Thoughts that cause me to reflect.

 

When you read these, what captures your attention?

 

Blessings on your journey.

 

~Debra