Christ the King Retreat Center-- a beautiful place to get away to for some quiet time!

This week I spent two nights and three days at Christ the King Retreat Center in Buffalo, MN.  It was my first time to that retreat center.  It was my first time to Minnesota.  Click on the link above to learn more about the retreat center.  I will post some of the pictures I took while there too.

The retreat center is a beautiful place, right on Buffalo Lake.  The grounds are kept up very nicely, with the exception of a few places that could use some care and loving to remove a tree branch, do some weeding, etc.  These areas were on the lower paths near the water.  There are still plenty of wonderful spaces that are kept up pristinely to enjoy without letting these areas get in your way.  You can get through the downed branch, but the path to go further needs repair too.  Some wonderful Scout Troup or other volunteer group could take care of that, I'm sure.

There were benches set up in various places for resting and gazing up the lake.  There was a wagon-wheel bench in a garden setting, other benches in other areas.  The stations of the cross are along a walking path.

Indoors, there are many spaces in which one can find quiet and reflect: a room with icons, an art room, prayer rooms, a chapel, an indoor fountain in a patio setting, and several other spaces.  There is art and antiques from many places.  There is a gift shop/book store with books, cards, icons, journals, etc.  Amazingly, I didn't buy a single thing this time. [I say this time because I will be going back next year for our national gathering and retreat and who knows?!?!]

In addition to the retreat center being a beautiful place and opening up those spaces for quiet and reflection, my time there for the board meeting allowed time and space for quiet and reflection.

This was my first time to meet face to face with the other board members for a Hearts on Fire board meeting.  I came onto the board in the Spring of 2012, had my first phone call with the board while I was at an Academy session in April of that year.  I had met two of the board members in the past, but this week I got to put faces in person to their voices.  It was good to catch up with the two I knew and good to meet and get to know the others. 

It was a wonderful board meeting!  We had worship, prayer time, reflection.  We shared meals.  We did lots of business.  We toured Buffalo, hunting down as many of the Buffalo buffalo that we could find.  We were tacky tourists.  It was fun.  My spirit and soul were refreshed.

Are you ready for the pictures?!?!

Here they are:



view of dining room and lake

the cross on top of the chapel

view of lake
from walking path

     

the cancer support buffalo

one of three swallow nests under the walkway at the main building

big bloom



the town buffalo

Christ the King statue in front of the main building







the building we stayed in and ate in (it connects one level under along side the lake to the first building via a "tunnel" / hallway)





inside the chapel



the chapel

Sunset from town view on lake

Where are your spaces for quiet time?

I encourage you to check out Christ the King Retreat Center as one of them.  If you need a reason to go there, then mark your calendar for July 22-25, 2014.  That will be the next National Gathering and Retreat for Hearts on Fire.  It will be held at Christ the King Retreat Center.  Terry Hershey will be the keynote speaker.  You can learn more about him at his website by clicking here.

Blessings on your journey!

Debra

Random thoughts as it continues to rain...

We've had rain in our area for the past several days.  LOTS of rain.  The field across from our neighborhood was flooded this morning.  There were roads closed with signs this morning.  In fact, we turned around on Boy Scout as we saw the street flooded and cars backing up.  As we made our way around some back roads to Middle Valley, the road was closed to the left.  The Save-A-Lot / Dollar General parking lot was flooded.  So was the driving range.  These are typical flood spots in our area.  But, more roads were closed off today than normal due to all the rain we have received.

Dollar General / Save-A-Lot Parking Lot, Middle Valley (photo by Charlotte Dickerson, 7/7/13)

Driving Range Parking Lot (photo by Charlotte Dickerson, 7/7/13)

After church, the sun came out for a little while "and dried up all the rain" (as the song goes).

But thunder rolled in.  Then the rain.  We're obviously not done with the rain yet. 

What does one do when it rains so much?!?!  One could read, watch T.V., write, sleep, etc. 

I've watched some T.V. (caught the end of Ice Age), simply can't bring myself to read anything at the moment (my brain is still a tad on overload.... though I have started my reading for the fall), and I don't really feel like sleeping.  So, maybe writing will do it for me.  It may even be just what I need to become sleepy.... or maybe that will happen you to. ☺

Today at church the pastor talked about Jesus being the bridge between man and God.  He talked about us being bridge builders like Jesus.  That resonates with me.  I have felt like a "bridge" person for quite a while.  I build bridges, or try to, between people and in situations, etc. 

Another thing on my mind today is a status update from a local church that started a new series today on "Sacred Refuge."   They had posted a "Post Service Post":

"Christ has extended you an invitation to rest and recover. An invitation to break through the congestion, to still all the voices that are drowning out your truth. The truth that you are a child of God and the truth that a good work has begun in you."

My response to that invitation: "I accept that invitation!"

Here is a link to today's message from St. Marks Church Northshore on Sacred Refuge/Retreat Series.  Carl Greene delivers today's message.

I need time and space to rest and recover.  My brain has been going non-stop since February.  I took some time and space at the last Academy session and at my intensive week in seminary.  But, I really haven't been able to take long periods of time and space to rest, recover, and listen.  Life is like that.  It ebbs and flows. 

My time is coming.  Soon!  I have an opportunity upcoming to attend a Board Meeting for Hearts on Fire (a.k.a. FUMSDRL-- Fellowship of United Methodist Spiritual Directors and Retreat Leaders) at Christ the King retreat center in MN.  Though a short time, there will be space and time to rest, recover, and listen.  Then, I'll take a longer time with SOULfeast at Lake Junaluska, NC.  I can sense my spirit saying "ah....." even now. 

In order to adequately be the bridge I'm called to be, to live into the ministries I'm called to live into, I need rest, recovery, and listening time. 

My heart, mind, and soul are thirsty for some holy space, sacred space.

The rain has just now kicked in to a more rapid volume.  Once again it is plummeting upon the earth.  That sound is beautiful!  It's as close as I can get to a waterfall right now, though I've considered checking out some of the local ones.... with all this rain they must be flowing well! 

I am ready to drink more of the waterfall of grace.  I am ready to dive into rest, to recover, to listen.  Then, I will be ready to not simply be who I am called to be, but also ready to do whatever I am called to do.

Whatever stage you find yourself in your journey, maybe some time and space to rest would be just what you need.

Blessings on your journey,

Debra

Patriotism...

flag at Camp Dixie, May 2013, dd

July 4th.

Independence Day.  A day of celebration in the United States.   Freedom, liberty, and fireworks.

A time to be with family and friends.

A time to remember and reflect.  A time to be grateful.  A time to consider, possibly, that there is more responsibility given to us than we are living into. 

Being born in the United States of America doesn't make me better than anyone born anywhere else.  And, those that have that attitude frustrate me.  They are the "ugly americans."  (There was a book written about them in 1958 that I read in the 1980s, The Ugly American, by Eugene Burdick and William Lederer..)  This attitude of superiority is part of ethnocentrism.

It is one thing to appreciate one's country; it is another to put others down as if yours is superior.

I am grateful for the opportunity to have studied abroad in Spain in 1984.  That was my first experience in another country and culture.  That trip got me to Belgium and North Africa (Ceuta) too.  Well, I did experience some different culture experiences in the 70s when I got to visit Hawaii and Colorado and some other western states.  Being from the South, there was some culture shock there. ☺

In 1985, I had the joy of going to Mexico with my first cousin.  Great fun and fellowship, a highlight in my trip logs.

Since then, I have traveled quite a bit.  I enjoy languages and culture and meeting people from all over the world.  We can learn much from one another, if we will only listen to one another and treat each other with respect.

What spurred this post this morning was a devotion by Joan Chittister in her book Songs of the heart: Reflections on THE PSALMS.

Song 7, "Patriotism." page 36

It is based on Psalm 47.  This psalm verse is at the beginning of the chapter: "God is the Creator of all the earth, caring for all nations." (36)

She introduces a new term to me, "jingoism."  I learned that it means "chauvinism, a love of country that lacks a critical eye. [...] lacks a loving eye." (36-37)

Interesting.  I took this statement to be one that we need to heed and doing something about: "What we do in the name of "Americanism" to people will be weighed in the light of what is good for all creation, our own and those whose lives as a nation we touch." (37)

This is what Joan Chittister says about patriotism:

"Patriotism, on the other hand, is a commitment to the ideals for which, as a people, we say we strive.  Real patriotism welcomes, encourages, commits itself to the great national debates that question war, resist taxes, and determine penal systems." (36-37)

Under the section "Soul Points", there are several good points. 

Here are two of them:

"Real patriotism will not be reached on this planet until, for each of us, our country is the world.  Until then, we are all merely tribes fighting for territory that doesn't belong to us in the first place." (38)

"It is only when we travel outside our country that we can really come to know what it means to be from the U.S.  It is an exhilarating and humiliating thing.  Real love of country demands that we find the beauty in other cultures and strive to grow from what we learn from others.  As Albert Camus says, "I love my country too much to be a nationalist."" (39)

Take some time to reflect today on your country and what it means to you.  Then, take some time to get to know others from another country... whether that means making friends from another country who have moved into your country or researching information or maybe even traveling. 

What can you and I do to live into the truth that God cares for all nations? 

Blessings on your journey,

Debra

Lessons from The Lorax: Part II-- Be bold and courageous

*Note-- It has now been several more months (actually over a year) since I wrote my first post from this movie (Lessons from The Lorax: Part I--Let It Grow) and since I started this post.  I picked it up today with paragraph three, not having re-watched the movie, but remembering some of the scenes in my mind.
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It has been several months since I wrote my first post from The Lorax movie.  That is because I ordered it soon after seeing it, but it didn't come until about two weeks ago (after its release on DVD).  What a joyous moment it was when I checked my mailbox and found The Lorax movie inside!  I couldn't wait to open it and watch it again, to see the fun animation, and to re-visit the lessons I remembered from watching it the first time. 

But that moment didn't happen right away.  There were other things that called for my time and attention.  So, now I am able to find some time to watch the movie again and write about another lesson, being bold and courageous in spite of the circumstances and the obstacles in the way. This lesson is lived out through the character of the young boy, Ted.

Ted sees things that aren't quite right in his community and he seeks to find a way to do something about them.  [His motivation isn't exactly altruistic in that it's not about saving the environment as his first priority... he is hoping to get the girl (Audrey).] He gets encouragement from his grandmother (Grammy) who tells him a story about the "old days" and how to find a tree and he decides to set out on his monocycle to see if it is true.

[Click here to see a video clip of Betty White telling Grammy's story and clips of the movie.]

As he learns, there are often obstacles in seeking truth and attempting change.  These obstacles came in several forms:

• he had to find a way out of where he was
• once he got to his destination he needed to get the attention of the person (Once-ler) in the house and try to convince him of his sincerity and desire to bring about change
• when he tried to get back out of his community a second time he found it more difficult because his "escape" had been found out and the powers that be didn't want people outside the walls  

[Click here for some of the obstacles Ted had to overcome in his adventures.]

In these circumstances (and others), Ted was bold and courageous to continue doing what he believed to be the right thing for himself and those around him.  He didn't have much support.  In fact, he had strong opposition from the powers that be.  Yet, he was persistent and pursued truth. 

His boldness, his courage, his persistence, his pursuit of truth, his work on behalf of the community.... All are good examples for all of us to model.

What situation in your life calls for boldness, courage, and persistence?  Maybe you can gain some encouragement from Ted's example from The Lorax.

Blessings on your journey,

Debra

July?!?! How did that happen? July 1st Jesus Calling on July 2nd

I didn't really go through yesterday not knowing it was July 1st.  I was and am a little bit amazed that the month of July is already upon us, however.  I know folks say this, but it's true... time sure does seem to fly by.

Yesterday was one of those days that was planned out and didn't quite go as planned.  It was a day in which I knew I needed to spend time being grounded in God's Word and with God.  But, I didn't do it.  I didn't get "a round tuit" (around to it). 

So, when my husband calls from morning swim practice telling me that his car's radiator blew like mine did a few years back, I knew the day would not be as planned.

My major plan was to finish my UM Theology paper yesterday (due today at 11pm).  Then, there was a lunch date (for both of us with a couple, yet separate), piano class for the kiddo, and then an away swim meet an hour down the road.  This busted radiator thing threw a wrench (colloquially speaking) into the mix.

I would like to say that I handled this interruption in my life with grace and ease.  I didn't.  I complained some and grumbled.  I am glad that I didn't go overboard though.  There was definitely grace abounding to keep me from sliding too deep into a murky, mucky place.

Grace carried me through the day.  We took my husband's car to be worked on, he dropped me off for lunch (he had to cancel his appointment), I got a ride home from lunch, I took the kiddo to piano, he took her to the swim meet.  Because he took her to the swim meet, I was able to finish the UM Theology paper last night and turn it in!  [If I had gone to the swim meet I would have been gone from 4pm until 10pm and that would not have been good for the student in me.]  Burden lifted. ☺

This morning, I thought I needed to start with the beginning of July in my devotional reading.  As I read the selection for July 1, I found it to be appropriate for my day yesterday.  If only I had read it yesterday!  Even so, it exhorts and encourages for any day.  And, it shows me even more that I was carried by grace yesterday.

Jesus Calling-- July 1
I AM LIFE AND LIGHT IN ABUNDANCE. As you spend time "soaking" in my Presence, you are energized and lightened.  Through communing with Me, you transfer your heavy burdens to My strong shoulders.  By gazing at Me, you gain My perspective on your life.  This time alone with Me is essential for unscrambling your thoughts and smoothing out the day before you.
     Be willing to fight for this precious time with Me.  Opposition comes in many forms: your own desire to linger in bed; the evil one's determination to distract you from Me; the pressure of family, friends, and your own inner critic to spend your time more productively.  As you grow in your desire to please Me above all else, you gain strength to resist these opponents.  Delight yourself in Me, for I am the deepest Desire of your heart.

Scripture: Psalm 48:9; Deuteronomy 33:12; Psalm 37:4

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By spending time soaking in the Presence of my Creator, I will be energized and lightened.  My burdens will be lifted.  My thoughts will be unscrambled and the day smoothed out. 

This is something I need daily.  What about you? 

I am grateful for grace that covers the days when I don't take the time, for whatever the reason.  But, my heart's desire truly is to grow in my relationship with my Maker.  Therefore, I need to be intentional in spending time in that relationship, ESPECIALLY when it seems I don't have the time. 

May you find/make some time to soak in God's presence today.  May your burdens be lifted and your thoughts unscrambled. 

Blessings on your journey,

Debra

The Deep Calls: How Thirsty Are You? Today's Sermon at White Oak UMC

Today I had the opportunity and privilege to speak at White Oak UMC again.  I enjoy meeting with this body of believers for worship.  I get to catch up with folks from Emmaus, Camp Lookout, former students, and folks I've gotten to know from visiting there.  It's always a good time of worship for me from the singing to the children's message.  I even usually get to speak some Spanish while there with David, the pianist, and Sara Beth (a former student). 

Below you will find today's sermon.  It's not exactly what I shared, though it's pretty close.  I've included links that you wouldn't get in a sermon and pictures of both the waterfalls. 

Knowing I would be off at seminary this past week, I started working on this a while back.  So, last week during my seminary class, it was interestingly odd for me on Tuesday morning (6/18) when Dr. Steve Seamands said this in class about God's deep love: "That's like thinking you can take Niagara Falls and stick it in a tea cup."  ☺ As you read the sermon, I think you'll see why that was "interestingly odd" for me and truly neat (to use a 70s term). 

Without further ado, today's sermon preached at White Oak UMC.  Thank you Amy Whatley for the opportunity for pulpit supply!  Blessings to you and your family as you transition to your new place of ministry.

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Niagara Falls, 2012, dd

Amicalola Falls, 2013, dd

 

 

“The Deep Calls: How Thirsty Are You?”

White Oak UMC

June 23, 2013

 

Prayer of Illumination: Lord, open our hearts and minds by the power of your Holy Spirit so that, as the word is read and proclaimed we might hear your word for us today.  Amen.

Psalm 42 (NRSV)

As a deer longs for flowing streams,
    so my soul longs for you, O God.
² My soul thirsts for God,
    for the living God.
When shall I come and behold
    the face of God?
³ My tears have been my food
    day and night,
while people say to me continually,
    “Where is your God?”

⁴ These things I remember,
    as I pour out my soul:
how I went with the throng,
    and led them in procession to the house of God,
with glad shouts and songs of thanksgiving,
    a multitude keeping festival.
⁵ Why are you cast down, O my soul,
    and why are you disquieted within me?
Hope in God; for I shall again praise him,
    my help ⁶ and my God.

My soul is cast down within me;
    therefore I remember you
from the land of Jordan and of Hermon,
    from Mount Mizar.
⁷ Deep calls to deep
    at the thunder of your cataracts;
all your waves and your billows
    have gone over me.
⁸ By day the Lord commands his steadfast love,
    and at night his song is with me,
    a prayer to the God of my life.

⁹ I say to God, my rock,
    “Why have you forgotten me?
Why must I walk about mournfully
    because the enemy oppresses me?”
¹⁰ As with a deadly wound in my body,
    my adversaries taunt me,
while they say to me continually,
    “Where is your God?”

¹¹ Why are you cast down, O my soul,
    and why are you disquieted within me?
Hope in God; for I shall again praise him,
    my help and my God.

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

--THANKS BE TO GOD.

 

As you hear these words from the Psalmist today and the words I feel God has given me, you might be wondering how these fit with your particular situation here at White Oak this Sunday.  I recognize that you are in a transition time between pastors.  Last week was Amy’s last Sunday and next week will be Lyle’s first Sunday.  There are many ways to transition well between pastors and that is something we all need to learn to do better, for pastors and for congregations.  You may not have known this, but Amy was my Candidacy Mentor.  Her leaving is a transition time for me.  I realize that there are other transitions people are going through in their lives at this time too. Today, we’re not going to focus on the HOW to transition, but on WHO guides us, on God, and as we keep our focus on God through the transitions in life, we will be able to deal with whatever comes our way.  So, today, I recognize the transitional state that we are in and call our attention to God, that we may seek God with all our heart, mind, soul, and strength this morning.

² My soul thirsts for God,
    for the living God.

 

Have you ever been thirsty? Physically?  Spiritually? Retired Bishop Rueben Job writes: “The thirst for God is universal because we have been created with a longing for the Creator.  This desire to know and be known by the One who made us and loves us is often ignored, denied, and finally buried under a multitude of pursuits and interests.  But then some event in life invites or forces us to pause, and the desire for God comes rushing back to our awareness.  And once again we know that real life is impossible without the companionship of the One who first gave us the gift of life and who sustains us even now.  We know for certain that we need living water; we need what only God can give if we are to really live.” (A Guide To Prayer For All Who Seek God, 325-326)

Verse 7—“Deep calls to deep in the roar of your waterfalls; all your waves and breakers have swept over me.” (NIV)

How thirsty are you?

 

This verse causes me to think about different waterfalls.  I adore waterfalls and find that they help bring peace to my soul and body.  Maybe that has something to do with the physiological fact of the oxygen in the water droplets of the spray.  I had heard this somewhere in the past and spent some time researching this to verify this fact and learned more than I needed to on oxygen aeration and the therapeutic effect waterfalls have on our serotonin levels because of the split water molecules. [Click here for more information on this topic.]

 

But that’s not the focus of this message.  Besides, maybe it’s simply the beauty and power of the flowing water that draws me.  It doesn’t really matter.

Let me share two waterfalls with you that I’ve seen within this past year.  The first is the one on the bulletin.  It is Amicalola Falls in Dawsonville, GA.  Amicalola is Cherokee for ‘tumbling waters’.  It’s the tallest cascading waterfall in America east of the Mississippi River and cascades 729 feet.  We were there last month and hiked from the bottom up.  It was wonderful to watch the waters flow and hear the rushing of the waters over the rocks.  Its beauty is unique to its surroundings.

 

The second waterfall is one that you might think of when you first think of famous waterfalls—Niagara.  If you haven’t been to Niagara falls, at least you’ve heard of it… most likely.  There are actually three falls:  smallest to largest: Horseshoe Falls, American Falls, and Bridal Veil Falls.  Horseshoe Falls, on the Canadian side, is the most powerful waterfall in North America putting out 600,000 gallons of water per second. [Link to Niagara Falls website.]

I saw Niagara Falls for the first time last September.  Impressive.  The sight, the sound, the spray. 

 

 

 

Jerry Webber’s Psalm Prayer from Sometimes an Unknown Path, puts the section about the waterfalls thus:

Open my eyes, my heart,

             to experience the Niagara of Your grace

             crashing down upon me moment by moment.

Help me to catch more and more of Your grace,

             trading my narrow-necked bottle

                             for a Niagara-filled tub.

When I think about Jerry Webber’s words in this Psalm Prayer, the “roar” of the waterfalls in verse 7a and deep calling to deep take on new meaning for me.  As I contemplate the grace crashing down… I simply want to get under it.  I want to experience and feel the full effects of that grace.  Don’t you?!?!

Now, truthfully, when I took the Niagara boat tour, I put on the thin blue poncho because I didn’t really desire to get soaking wet on the boat with my camera, etc.  But, if I’m thinking about that water as God’s grace, then that’s a whole other issue.  Or is it? 

Think about it.  There are times when God’s grace is readily available to us, being poured upon us, into our lives.  What do we do?  We grab the raincoat, the poncho, or an umbrella.  We don’t want too much at one time.  Just a little, thank you.  Or like Jerry Webber puts it, we are holding a narrow-necked bottle into the stream of water trying to get just a little.  If we are truly thirsty for God, why won’t we jump in feet first and allow ourselves to be soaked through with God’s grace!?!?  How might that change how we live?!?!  How might that change our relationship with God and others if we truly took in as much of God’s grace as possible instead of trying to protect ourselves from too much at once or trying to save some for later?!?!

When a waterfall isn’t nearby, try a fountain.  This past week I was on the main campus of Asbury Theological Seminary for an intensive class in United Methodist Theology.  There is a fountain in the courtyard in the back of the administration building.  That became a go-to place. On one side of the fountain was a Scripture verse from John 7:37b-38—“If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink.  He who believes in me…out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.”  And on the other side of the fountain is a John Wesley quote.

Grace is a predominant theme of Christ and John Wesley.  This past Spring I took a course on the Theology of John Wesley.  But, don’t worry.  I’m not going to pull out my notes from either class right now. 

I will share one John Wesley quote with you: “It is hard to find words in the language of men to explain the deep things of God.  Indeed, there are none that will adequately express what the children of God experience.  But perhaps one might say the testimony of the Spirit is an inward impression on the soul, whereby the Spirit of God directly witnesses to my spirit, that I am a child of God; that Jesus Christ hath loved me and given himself for me; and that all my sins are blotted out, and I, even I, am reconciled to God.” (taken from A Guide To Prayer For Ministers and Other Servants, p 403) [The Witness of the Spirit (sermon 10)]

If you’re thirsty for more in your spiritual life and desire to go deeper in your relationship with God, know that this thirst is a result of God working in you and drawing you closer into relationship through grace. 

You might be thinking, ‘Yes, I am thirsty for more.  I would like to go deeper.’ The next logical thought you might have would be: ‘HOW?’ So maybe you’re expecting me to pull out a bullet list of “here’s how to go deeper in your relationship with God”.  I am going to disappoint you if that’s the case.  There are resources on the “how”.  And, there are ways to go about the “how”.  BUT, sometimes we get so caught up in the HOW that we forget what we were thirsty for in the first place.  So, my suggestion today is that you don’t focus on the HOW, but rather the WHO (W-H-O), God, and seek to know God more.  As you focus on the WHO, the HOW will work itself out.  Trust the WHO; God will take care of the HOW.  If you really want some guidance on the HOW, then you could follow John Wesley’s suggestion of keeping the ordinances of God: praying, reading the Scriptures, etc.  Meeting together for worship as we are today is one way of living out the HOW by focusing on the WHO.  We have gathered today to worship God because God loves us and has drawn us into a relationship.  We give glory to God the Father through Christ the Son as we rely on the Holy Spirit to guide and direct us.

The relationship with God doesn’t end.  It goes on and on and goes deeper and deeper.

• How deep are you willing to allow God to take you?
• How thirsty are you for a deeper and holy relationship with the One who created you?

In the Spiritual Formation Bible: Growing in Intimacy with God Through Scripture, there are columns throughout the Bible for reflection.  This is what is written for Psalm 42 on “Thirsting for God”: “Thirst is such a powerful longing that it displaces all others. Though the psalmist longs for God’s help in the midst of physical thirst and danger, this metaphor also offers a profound spiritual image: Our relationship with God is as essential to our spiritual well-being as water is to our physical well-being.  What are you thirsty for?  Is your schedule so crowded that it leaves you thirsty for time alone with God?  Are you feeling dryness in your devotional habits?  Are you needing a time away in retreat? […]” (728)

Notice that as the psalmist pours out his soul to God in this Psalm, that he flows from desiring to grow more intimate with God to recognizing that his soul is downcast and that he needs God’s help.   The journey deeper is one that will have ups and downs, joys and sorrows, praises and laments.  In and through it all, as we seek to grow in our love relationship with God, then we will be equipped to live out the relationships with others, whether with family, at work, through service, or ministry.  It all starts with our love relationship with God. 

Thirteen years ago I went to Passion 2000 in Texas.  The CD from that Passion Conference was called “Thirsty: a journey to intimacy with God”.  All the songs on the album speak to the deep desire to know God and grow in intimacy with God in one way or another.  There is a song by the album’s title, “Thirsty” by Chris Rice.

 

Here are the lyrics:

I’m so thirsty, I can feel it
Burning through the furthest corners of my soul
Deep desire, can’t describe this
Nameless urge that drives me somewhere
Though I don’t know where to go

Seems I’ve heard about a River from someone who’s been
And they tell me once you reach it, oh, you’ll never thirst again
So I have to find the River, somehow my life depends on the River
Holy River

Other waters I’ve been drinkin’
But they always leave me empty like before
Satisfaction, all I’m askin’
Could I really be this thirsty if there weren’t something more?

And I’ve heard about a River from someone who’s been
And they tell me once you reach it, oh, you’ll never thirst again
So I have to find the River,
Somehow my life depends on the River
Holy River, I’m so thirsty

I’m on the shore now of the wildest River
And I kneel and beg for mercy from the sky
But no one answers, I’ve gotta take my chances
Cause something deep inside me’s cryin’
"This is why you are alive!"

So I plunge into the River with all that I am
Praying this will be the River where I’ll never thirst again
I’m abandoned to the River
And now my life depends on the River
Holy River, I’m so thirsty

Now that you’ve heard the lyrics, listen to the song.  As you listen to Chris Rice sing, what words touch you where you are today? 

In closing, I want to share a Psalm Prayer with you from the Upper Room WorshipBook:

Psalm Prayer from the Upper Room Worshipbook-- #270

Quench the thirst of my heart, O God.

Sing the song of your love deep within me.

Lead me to the waters of mercy,

      for my hope is in you.  Amen.

                                                         adapted by Judy Holloway ©2006.

After reading this Psalm Prayer, I added that this made me think of a Stephen Curtis Chapman song, "I'm diving in".  I said: I don't know about you, but I'm diving in, I'm going deep..... What about you?

 

[BENEDICTION]

BLESSING FROM THE BOOK OF WORSHIP: (#564)

May the blessing of God, fountain of living water,

     flow within us as a river of life.

May we drink deep of her wisdom.

May we never thirst again.

May we go through life refreshing many,

     as a sign of healing for all;

through the One who is Life eternal.  Amen.

(Miriam Therese Winter, U.S.A., 20^th Century)

 

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Blessings on your journey.... May you drink deeply of the water that will quench your thirst, may you focus on the WHO that loves you deeply and can and will sustain you through all aspects of life's journey, may you jump in feet first into the deep waters of God's grace and love and get soaked!

 

Debra

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Keep on doing the right thing... A lesson from "Adventures in Odyssey"

On my drive home today from KY, I listened to a variety of things on the radio from some good 'old 80s music to NPR to Christian music to some children's shows.  I heard two different children's shows.  One was one I wasn't familiar with about kids at camp.  Good story line and lessons.  The second one was Adventures in Odyssey.  I've listened to Adventures in Odyssey on and off in the past.  Today, a line from the show ("Unbecoming Jay") stood out to me.

The line was: "keep on doing the right thing." 

Here's the context.  Barrett had spent some time with Cindy, Jay's cousin visiting from out of town, at Jay's request.  Jay tried to even bribe him to do so.  Priscilla, Barrett's friend (special friend?), became jealous and a communication breakdown happened, leaving Barrett wondering what he had done wrong and how the wires had been crossed.  Barrett was speaking with the older gentleman from the store, Mr. Whittaker, about the situation.  Mr. Whittaker told him the girls being upset with Barrett had nothing to do with him, but rather with them not understanding the situation and their insecurities getting the best of them.  Barrett wondered what to do in this situation.  Mr. Whittaker advised him to 'keep on doing the right thing.'

This gave me food for thought.  We later learn that Jay had been helping the wires get crossed and had been causing some of the chaos, but meanwhile, what about the situation?

Barrett and Priscilla both had the opportunity to visit with Cindy.  Barrett took the time to be kind and gracious.  Later Cindy thought Barrett had been bribed to be with her and was hurt.  Priscilla was hurt that the two had a good time together. 

When the three of them were able to talk it out, they realized that there wasn't anything of concern, other than their insecurities that grew after Jay had planted seeds of doubt.

Barrett could have decided to avoid trying to talk with Cindy after the mix up.  After all, he was a little confused and hurt himself.  What had he done to deserve everyone getting mad at him?

Barrett took Mr. Whittaker's advice and proceeded to keep on doing the right thing.  In his case, it was to go say goodbye to Cindy and to let her know his time with her wasn't due to a bribe.  When Priscilla showed up, that's when the three of them were able to talk it out, though Priscilla almost left out of jealousy.

The situation could have turned out any other number of ways if the individuals had put up walls, listened to their doubts/fears/insecurities, or avoided dealing with the situation.  But, they walked through the journey with the strength, grace, love humility and came out in a better place at the end. 

Healing can and will take place as we walk those journeys.  Those journeys are often difficult and painful and confusing, yet very worth any and all effort given toward unity in community.

Barrett got caught in the middle of a situation in which he didn't even realize things had gone sour.  Yet, he sought out advise.  He listened to that advice and he heeded (obeyed) that advice.  Being in the middle of situations isn't easy.  There is often what is known as a creative tension because of the paradox. 

The Methodist tradition is a middle way, a via media.  Things aren't always black and white.  This past week, Dr. Seamands spoke about this and mentioned that not all people are comfortable with the middle way.  Though there is creative tension along the way, it is a good fit for me.  Not only because of Wesley's foundations, but because Wesley closely followed Christ's examples in living out the faith.  Unless I'm reading it wrong, it seems to me that Christ lived out the paradoxes well and is an excellent model.  Christ knew what the right thing to do was.  When Christ was in a situation in which he needed more input, Christ took time with the Father.  We have the opportunity to seek out what is the right thing from God the Father, Christ the son, and from the Holy Spirit, our teacher and guide.  That doesn't make it any easier.  With these resources, with prayer, Scripture, and the support of the community, hopefully we can keep on doing the right thing, step by step.

In my personal life, there are times that I have found myself in Barrett's place, not knowing exactly why things were the way they were or what I had done.  "Keep on doing the right thing" and attempting to grow through relationally, emotionally, and spiritually has been my goal in these times. 

A book I read several years back has helped me grow relationally.  Though it is written by Asbury professors that I've had for past classes, it wasn't required reading for any class.  It was fun reading.  Holeman, Virginia Todd and Martyn, Stephen L. Inside the Leader's Head: Unraveling Personal Obstacles to Ministry. Abingdon Press: 2008.

If you find yourself in a situation and you're questioning what to do, my advice would be the same as that of Mr. Whittaker: "Keep on doing the right thing."

Blessings on your journey,

Debra