Believe! Sermon from the 4th Sunday in Advent, Flintstone UMC

December is half way gone. I haven't posted any blogs in a while because my focus has been on weekly sermon writing.  In the past, I would post my sermons, but since I started my Provisional Elder journey, I haven't done so.  Mainly because of time constraints.  Each week I read, research, and write a sermon and then preach it at one or two of the three appointed churches.  Then, the process begins again.  I just haven't squeezed in any time to post the sermons or write about any of the other things going on in life... such as the Advent Word/Photo Journey with AliveNow that I'm participating in (along with many others).  That has been a refreshing way to walk and pray this Advent season.

These past two weeks I've felt that I would squeeze in some time to post a sermon or two.... and maybe some other things.  We'll see.

The sermons written are not what comes out during the service.  Things get re-ordered, added, omitted, and otherwise edited.  However, what you will see here is the basic premise of what was shared. 

One edit for example is that today, I added a story that was shared during our prayer time that fit well into listening to God's nudges and whisperings and following through. 

May there be something in the words and message for you today. 

Blessings on your journey,

Debra

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"Believe!"

December 20, 2015 (4th Sunday of Advent)

Luke 1:39-45 (NRSV)

Flintstone UMC

Luke 1:39-45 (NRSV)

³⁹ In those days Mary set out and went with haste to a Judean town in the hill country, ⁴⁰ where she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. ⁴¹ When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the child leaped in her womb. And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit ⁴² and exclaimed with a loud cry, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb. ⁴³ And why has this happened to me, that the mother of my Lord comes to me? ⁴⁴ For as soon as I heard the sound of your greeting, the child in my womb leaped for joy. ⁴⁵ And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her by the Lord.”

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

THANKS BE TO GOD.                                                                          

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Today is the fourth Sunday of Advent.  Slowly but surely we are making our way through the Advent season toward the celebration of the birth of Christ.  Our Advent Wreath is getting brighter each week as we add to the light.  

"The gift of a believing community can make all the difference in the form our challenging waiting seasons take." (Enuma Okoro, 67)

"A community helps us discern how God calls us and speaks into our lives, keeping us accountable to spiritual integrity and affirming or challenging our discernment as necessary.  It is important to have people with whom we can prayerfully share our spiritual journeys and who can help us name the new realities that God might be birthing in our lives.  A community can support us as we name these new realities and learn to live into our expanding or changing sense of identity as flourishing children of God." (83-84)

BELIEVE!

• God's promises
• God's blessings
• God's mysteries (including God's child)

God's Promises-- One of God's greatest promises is "I am with you."  Throughout the Old Testament, to the leaders and the prophets and into the New Testament with Mary and Joseph, God promises: "I am with you."  God, the great I AM, becomes God with us, Emmanuel. 

Just a few examples:

• Genesis 26:24-- God speaks to Isaac: "And that very night the Lord appeared to him and said, “I am the God of your father Abraham; do not be afraid, for I am with you and will bless you and make your offspring numerous for my servant Abraham’s sake.”
• Genesis 28:15--God speaks to Jacob: ¹⁵ Know that I am with you and will keep you wherever you go, and will bring you back to this land; for I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you.” 
• Isaiah 41:10-- God assures Israel: "do not fear, for I am with you,
      do not be afraid, for I am your God;
  I will strengthen you, I will help you,
      I will uphold you with my victorious right hand."

One example of Jesus speaking this:

• Matthew 28:20-- Jesus speaks to the disciples after his resurrection on how they are to live out their calling: ²⁰ and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

God's Blessings-- There are many ways to consider God's blessings.  [The backstory to today's passage.... Elizabeth is with child... a miracle and blessing in itself. (Luke 1:5-20)] In today's passage, God blessed Elizabeth, who in turn blessed Mary.  Elizabeth wondered why she had been blessed.  Mary came to visit Elizabeth and it was in that visit that Elizabeth recognized a second blessing, that of Mary carrying the Lord (verses 42-43). Elizabeth and Mary were able to walk a journey together and encourage one another.

God's Mysteries-- God chooses to bring about mystery with human help.  Have you thought about that?  We may not be able to answer all the questions surrounding mystery, but in the midst of the mystery, God chooses to use humans.  He used Mary and Joseph to bring one of the greatest mysteries into the world, the divine Christ child.

Romans 16:25-27-- ²⁵ Now to God who is able to strengthen you according to my gospel and the proclamation of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery that was kept secret for long ages ²⁶ but is now disclosed, and through the prophetic writings is made known to all the Gentiles, according to the command of the eternal God, to bring about the obedience of faith— ²⁷ to the only wise God, through Jesus Christ, to whom be the glory forever! Amen.

Colossians 1:27-- ²⁷ To them God chose to make known how great among the Gentiles are the riches of the glory of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.

Colossians 2:2-- ² I want their hearts to be encouraged and united in love, so that they may have all the riches of assured understanding and have the knowledge of God’s mystery, that is, Christ himself,

As we look to see how God delivers his promises, blessings, and reveals his mysteries (when they are revealed), it is most often in community. COMMUNITY!  We are called to be in community.  To live out this faith journey together, to walk together, just as Elizabeth and Mary and many others.  We can offer encouragement, support, prayer, assistance as we live out our faith together.  In doing this, we help one another discern the invitations that God offers us to join in where God is working.

Where have you felt God inviting you to join in?  How have you experienced God's whisperings in your life to be a part of something bigger?

Just this past week, one invitation to join in something that God is doing was the YMCA Backpack Blessings.  I want to thank you for saying "yes" to this invitation.  We had 7 Flintstone folks, 1 Simpson person and one other person there to fill royal blue backpacks for 400 kids so that they would have food for the Christmas break.  It's quite an operation.  It's a time of community coming together for a greater need.

Sometimes those nudges or whispers from God seem to take us a little longer to answer, do they not?  I am guilty of hesitating in my "yes" to God at times.  It's not that I want to say "no" to God, but sometimes I'm questioning: 'Is this really you God?' or 'Do you really think I can do this God?' or just plain: 'What?!?!?'

Even in the hesitancy to say "yes" to God, can we consider that God's promise "I am with you" is for you and me, that God's blessing of encouragement in community awaits us, and that God's mysteries are waiting to be unfolded through Christ in our lives?

As you and I continue to ponder these things this last week of Advent, may we like, Elizabeth, have reason to have that joy leap within us and may we be able to passionately exclaim belief as did Elizabeth.

It is moving into belief that draws us closer to the growing light of Christ.  It is what we are called to do and be as disciples of Christ, as Christ followers.  In my reading this week, I read this: "Being a disciple is moving from unbelief to belief in every part of your life." (BiVo: A Modern Day Guide for Bi-Vocational Saints, Hugh Halter, 33-34)  Think about that for just a moment.  We are to move from unbelief to belief in EVERY part of our life.  That's a big area.  I don't know about you, but I know God still has work to do in my life as a disciple.  I still have room to grow as a disciple.  It's an ongoing journey.  It's about saying "yes" to God over and over again, in trust and stepping out in faith and obedience.  It's about recognizing that Emmanuel, God with us, is in our midst and something inside us leaps for joy.

Listen once again to Elizabeth's proclamation over Mary for Mary's belief, but hear these words as if they were being spoken to you.....  Therefore there will be space where the pronouns "she" and "her" are in the verse for you to insert your name.  This morning, if you are ready to take the step of bold belief, faith, and trust and obedience and follow God's leading, hear these words: "And blessed is ______ who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to _______ by the Lord."

May it be so.

Amen.

Outreach Ministry at the Unity Center, a ministry of Broad Street UMC

Last Wednesday I met up with some of the Holston Conference Hispanic Ministry Team (a sub group) in Cleveland, TN at the Unity Center.  One of our group had been there previously and wanted to share with the rest of us what was going on there.

I found the Unity Center.  It wasn't in the main part of town.  It was in a residential area.  I stopped in the driveway to take a picture of the building as I arrived.  It was a church building with another building in the back.  Truthfully, I hadn't done any research on the place prior to going.    

Since I got there a few minutes earlier than the others, I waited in the back between the two buildings.  While I was waiting, I saw this leaf on the ground.  A heart leaf.  It made me smile.  I didn't know then, but my heart was definitely going to be touched by the afternoon's experiences.

I knew we would be meeting with a David Ketchersid.  His name caught my attention because I worked with Bill Ketchersid at Bryan College back in the day.  Not only did I work with Bill at Bryan College, but we also worshiped together at 1st UMC in Dayton, TN.  Bill passed away this past summer on a mission trip to Peru.  Ketchersid isn't a very common name, so I was curious to see if there was any relation.  In meeting and talking with David, I learned that he and Bill were cousins.

The rest of our team arrived (all but one who wasn't able to make it due to a funeral) and we knocked on the door to the activities building.  We learned from Mary Reynolds that Wednesdays is "project day" and that David and his wife Mary were down in the Melting Pot building across the street.  I saw the word "French" on the white board and got excited that I might be able to speak some French that afternoon.

We went down to the Melting Pot building and met with David and his wife.

The building had several spaces for meeting and that very afternoon, some of the kids would be in that building for their projects.  (I didn't take pictures inside the Melting Pot.) We learned about the history of the Unity Center, that they do summer camps now, and have about 150 kids from elementary to high school in this year's program.  The program is open 4 days a week, M-Th, but could be open five days if funding were available.  They operate primarily with volunteers, but there is a small paid staff.

I stood back in awe as I listened to all that they do and have done.

Then, David mentioned that he needed to get going because he is one of the bus drivers.  I asked if I could ride along on the bus route to see how that worked and off we went.  There are three buses at Broad Street UMC used in this ministry. David is one of three drivers.

Off we went to the first of three school stops for the first round of pick-ups.  As the kids boarded the bus from the elementary school, they looked at me quizzically.  One asked, "are you Santa's wife?"  I thought that was an extremely random question until I caught a glimpse of one of the other drivers later.  He resembled Santa.  Aha!  Connection made.

One girl sat down next to me and two others sat in the seat across the aisle.  We headed off to the next school.  On the way over there, they asked if the driver would turn on the music so they could sing.  So, he cranked it up and they started singing.  It took me a few moments to recognize that they were singing their hearts and lungs out about Jesus.  Wow.  It blew me away.  The kids were excited and smiling and singing along.  The music was from a musical they had done last year.  They had their favorites and had hand motions to go along with some of the songs.  Watching those kids sing and smile made my heart smile.  It also touched a place deep inside me that also brought tears to my eyes.  I was overwhelmed by the experience.

Then the girl next to me noticed my wedding ring and asked if I was married.  I said "yes" and she said "yuck" and proceeded to tell the girls next to us that I was married and they all reacted like the first one.   That was a funny moment that allowed me to be back in the present and continue observing.

We picked up at two other schools and had a load full.  We got to the Unity Center and unloaded.  They went right in for snacks.  Mary and her crew were serving.  The kids dropped off their backpacks, got their name tags, got their food.

I met up with the team and got a tour of the building.  Wow.  There was a music room, an art room.  There was probably much more that I saw and don't remember and that I didn't see.  We went across the street to the former sanctuary and I was really blown away there.

What an incredibly creative use of space!  There were reading spaces (a reading room even), places to do games, etc.  Downstairs was a workshop.  There had obviously been a major transformation in order for this to take place.  There had also obviously been lots of vision, energy, time, and prayer that had gone into this endeavor.

What struck me was that ministry was being done in this community and meeting a huge need for the families.  It was innovative in many ways and yet common.  It took vision, yes.  But it also took people simply being willing to get out of their comfort zone to just do it.  It took using a space that was traditionally used for one thing and using it for something else.  The beauty in all of this is that the space is being used!  Often.  The program uses volunteers, some that have been raised up in the program.  Some of the kids are second generation.  Their parents were in the program as kids.

The activities at the Melting Pot and the Unity Center (both of which are part of Unity Center) gave me hope.  Seeing those kids last week engaged was life giving.  Our opportunities in our communities will be different because our needs will be different.  The question to ask is 'what is the greatest need in our community?'  Then, the next question to ask is 'how can our faith community meet that need?'  It may take several faith communities coming together and working in unity to meet the need.  Not all faith communities are blessed financially as Broad Street UMC.  But, all faith communities can assess what resources they have at their disposal in order to meet what the community says is the greatest need.

Here is a link for you to learn more about the Unity Center: Unity Center Website

If you'd like to donate to them, I know they would appreciate your donation.  If you are in the United Methodist Church, the Unity Center is one of the Advanced Specials. It is Holston Project No. 151 and is listed in section "N" on page 4 of  The Advance: Advancing Hope in Christ's Name (2015) edition. 

Blessings on your journey,

Debra

False fellowship... reflections from the Jesus Calling devotional on October 19

Today's devotional reading from Jesus Calling by Sarah Young (October 19th) is one of those "cause for a pause" readings.  There were several phrases that caught my attention, such as: "defenses down", "false fellowship", and "artificial atmosphere".  Was it just the alliteration that caught my attention of these words or was it something more?

As I've pondered the reading, I believe it is something more.  In these devotionals, it is Jesus speaking.  A previous sentence mentions erected barriers between people.  "Facades abound in the world, even in My Body, the church.  Sometimes the church is the last place where people feel free to be themselves.  They cover up with Sunday clothes and Sunday smiles. They feel relief when they leave because of the strain of false fellowship."

Wow.  That statement can be both an "ouch" and an "amen".  It is an "ouch" because the truth hurts.  It is an "amen" for all the people who are living that way.  But it doesn't have to be either.  The church can be a place where people feel relief when they arrive, because they know they are among people who are walking the journey of life just as they are, with its ups and downs and ins and outs.  They have come to a place where there is love of God and love of one another.  They are able to take off their facades and lay them down.  This is authentic atmosphere.  This is what the devotional refers to as "defenses down" in the first paragraph: "COME TO ME with your defenses down, ready to be blessed and filled with My Presence.  Relax, and feel the relief of being totally open and authentic with Me."

What if we were to live into authentic atmosphere in our daily lives and it carried over into corporate worship?  Then instead of false fellowship, there would be true fellowship with defenses down.  The body of Christ would be focused on the reason for gathering in the first place, the corporate relationship with God.

The last paragraph of the reading provides the solution to the false fellowship: "The best antidote to this artificial atmosphere is practicing My Presence at church.  Let your primary focus be communing with Me, worshiping Me, glorifying Me.  Then you will be able to smile at others with My Joy and love them with My love."

Whether it is within the walls of a church building or a with a group of folks gathered for fellowship, the goal is always authenticity, isn't it?!  Why would we not want to live authentic lives?  Why would we not want to be true to who we were created to be?  Why gather with any group of people if the relief comes when we leave them instead of when we arrive?

In order for me to live with my defenses down in a corporate atmosphere, it is an intentional decision I must make in my private time.  It isn't always an easy one.  As this devotional reading points out, there are many who erect barriers and wear facades.  I have written previously about wearing masks and the decision to not wear them anymore.  Though it is more difficult at first to live into one's true and authentic self, it is a much more free life.  Living into one's true and authentic self without masks and facades doesn't mean that one shares anything and everything about themselves all the time.  However, it does mean that one keeps the defenses down, is open and authentic with self, God, and others.

Today's reading made me think.  Are people more relieved when they gather or when they leave a fellowship time?  I hope to set an example that wherever I am, people are free to be themselves in front of God and others.  May it be so.

Blessings on your journey,

Debra

P.S.  The Scriptures listed in today's reading: 1 John 1:5-7; Exodus 33:14; Philippians 4:8-9

October is flying by... reflections on life

I don't know about you, but October is flying by for me.  Today is October 16th and this is my first blog post of the month.  What?!?!  Yes, it's true.

This morning's sky caught my attention with the blue attempting to break through in-between the jagged edges of the white and grey clouds.  The sky is now clear blue with some wispy thin whiteness interspersed in places.

I have so many things swirling around in my heart, mind, and soul that I don't really know where to begin.  I have been keeping up with my journaling for the Clergy Vitality Group in which I take part.  We are keeping a silence journal, a reflection of our silence times.  We have an overnight silent retreat coming up in a couple of weeks up at St. Mary's Sewanee. I'm really looking forward to that.

Many quotes that I've seen from Contemplative Photography, Alive Now, Weavings, and Shalem Institute on Facebook have directed me towards silence, reflection, and/or being still.  That continues to be a theme in my journey.  And as I've noted before, I imagine that to be an ongoing one until the end of my days because I find that I need more and more stillness in my life.  Not only do I need it, but I enjoy it.  To simply "be" and to be able to refresh and recharge, to be able to listen and discern.... ah..... this is the beauty of being that gives strength for the doing.

In this morning's reading of Jesus Calling by Sarah Young, a phrase caught my attention--"living channel".  I often think of myself as a "bridge", a bridge person.  I connect people to others and I connect situations.  From the Scriptures, I have used the term "vessel", desiring to be an empty vessel used and filled by God for the sake of others.  But "channel" is new to me.  The devotion is written as Jesus speaking: "When you need comfort, I love to enfold you in My arms. I enable you not only to feel comforted but also to be a channel through whom I comfort others.  Thus you are doubly blessed, because a living channel absorbs some of whatever flows through it."

Hmmm.... that got me thinking.  As a living channel, I not only receive from God, but what I receive is passed along to others.  As I am willing to allow God to flow through me as this living channel, then I will absorb some of that which flows through it.    That flowing can go both ways.  If I am going to be in the midst of ministry as a living channel, there may be some back flow at times.  In those cases, I will trust God with whatever flows into the channel, that it will be used for the good of the Kingdom and the glory of God and God's creation.  What I mean by this is that life has its difficulties and even downright yucky times.  We aren't immune to those nor or we to avoid them.  It's okay to be in the middle of chaos at times and/or rough situations.  I am learning to be still in these times too.  I am learning to allow the chaos to swirl and allow the Creator to let me know when it's time to take the next step.

One more thought for today.  I was encouraged this morning to read Rev. Paul Doehrmann's final sermon.  He was a second career pastor, starting around age 50 and recently retired from preaching in Ossian, IN.  His final sermon was entitled "Soli Deo Gloria-- To God Be the Glory!"  His words were encouraging as was the fact that one of the parishioners at one of the 3 churches in my appointment thought to get a copy of this sermon to me.

My goal is to listen to the One voice and to live my life in such a way that it is evident that it is to God for whom I am living.  I don't always get it right.  In fact, rarely does a day go by when I can say that I've had a perfect day.  But that's okay.  It's not about perfection in the sense of not making mistakes or dropping balls or spinning plates (figuratively).  It's about seeking to know God, love God, serve God.  My heart's desire is to love God and to love others.  In order to do that, I know that I must love myself too.

As a fairly new song (or at least new to me) says, my life isn't falling apart, it's falling into place.  The song is "Just Be Held" by Casting Crowns.

Here are the lyrics:

Hold it all together
Everybody needs you strong
But life hits you out of nowhere
And barely leaves you holding on

And when you're tired of fighting
Chained by your control
There's freedom in surrender
Lay it down and let it go

So when you're on your knees and answers seem so far away
You're not alone, stop holding on and just be held
Your world's not falling apart, it's falling into place
I'm on the throne, stop holding on and just be held
Just be held, just be held

If your eyes are on the storm
You'll wonder if I love you still
But if your eyes are on the cross
You'll know I always have and I always will

And not a tear is wasted
In time, you'll understand
I'm painting beauty with the ashes
Your life is in My hands

Lift your hands, lift your eyes
In the storm is where you'll find Me
And where you are, I'll hold your heart
I'll hold your heart
Come to Me, find your rest
In the arms of the God who won't let go

That's a powerful song that can meet me in a different place, depending on where I happen to be at the time.  How about you?

Being still, being held by the Creator, making that time and space to enjoy BEING in relationship with the One who created me.... that's what gives me the strength to then get out and do.

To God be the glory.

Blessings on your journey,

Debra

5 year blogging anniversary (along with some reflections prior to the statistics)

How often do you miss your anniversary?!?!  Maybe it depends on which "anniversary", right?!?!  Well, My 5 year blogging anniversary was September 3rd.  I missed it.  I didn't really "miss" it.  I knew it was a reality.  But I wasn't able to take my yearly moment to acknowledge it.  In fact, I'm later this year than I was last year.  Last year I posted on 9/17.  This year it's later than that.  I like to do a 'looking-back-over-the-past-year post' each year. 
Without looking at the statistics, I don't think I've written as much this past year.  [In fact, the blog shows that in 2013 I wrote 130 posts total, in 2014 I wrote 91 posts total and so far this year in 2015 I've written 38 posts.] My focus was on finishing seminary last year and it was my hardest year ever with Hebrew studies, a J-term (though not new to me), and a full load in the Spring time (first time ever).   Added to my studies this past year, I went through the journey of Provisional Elder in the United Methodist Church.  That meant that I was working on paperwork in the fall, preparing bible study materials and a sermon, and preparing for the interview in the new year. 

Somehow, someway, I made it through all that stuff last year.  Wow.  What a ride.

Now life is slower, calmer, etc., right?!?!  Not so much.  With my first appointment being a parish appointment of three churches in three different communities, I am in learning mode quite a bit.  I am blessed to have a co-pastor in this appointment who knows the ropes and together with the laity leadership we are seeking God's guidance for our parish and individual churches.

But I don't have much time to reflect, much less, simply "be still".  Though I do carve out time daily to do both.  It may not be as much as I want or need, but it is some.  There are days when I am TOO busy to NOT stop and "be still".  When I recognize that, I stop.  I breathe.  Then, I move on.

I say all this as an introduction (or rather an excuse as to why I haven't been blogging).  When I started this journey in 2010, I did so because of a nudging from the Holy Spirit.  It was to get out the things inside me spiritually and to share with others on the journey.  Even though I haven't always been able to make the time to write due to life's other responsibilities, I continue to blog for the same reasons today-- it is part of my spiritual journey and the nudging to share is still here.

Thank you for sharing this journey with me.  It is a blessing to share in conversation with those who leave comments along the way.  I welcome dialogue on the journey and would like to hear about your journey. 

Blessings on your journey,

Debra ☺

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Now, let's get on to the 5 year blogging anniversary statistics!

As I have done with the other yearly reviews, I will share the countries that have visited my site, the top ten countries overall, the numbers for the monthly readership for the past year, and the top 10 posts overall.

Over the past year, the monthly readership hits (according to the stats chart) has been:

September 2014........3086
October 2014............2833
November 2014........1508
December 2014.........1790
January 2015.............2582
February 2015...........1972
March 2015...............1885
April 2015.................2275
May 2015..................1944
June 2015..................1856
July 2015...................2181
August 2015..............1771
September 2015........ 769 (to date and moment)

TOP TEN COUNTRIES OVERALL: (Numbers reflect hits since last year where I was able to compare.)

United States       56,878  (14,016)
Germany             12,060        (780)
Russia                    8,987     (3,373)
France                    3,039     (1,464)
United Kingdom    1,476       (155)
China                       1,066        (54)
Canada                      914       (100)
Poland                       613         (78)
Italy                           512

Based on the comparisons from last year, the United States, Russia, and France are the top post readers of these countries. 

TOP TEN POSTS (overall):  (Numbers reflect hits since blog was posted; not solely past year)

Some notes from two chapters in Conversion in the Wesleyan Tradition  (May 7, 2013)  [9846]

Thoughts and quotes from Jesus Calling over the last few days and weeks  (November 24, 2011) [2462]

Academy #32 Tú has venido a la orilla / Lord, You Have Come  (October 3, 2012) [1045]

Jesus Calling--December 30th (December 30, 2011) [633]

Jesus Calling--January 1, 2012 (January 1, 2012) [631]

Pushing 5...reflections of an example of living well from Will (May 5, 2014)  [342]

Hogar Metodista...Methodist Children's Home of Costa Rica (August 6, 2012) [466]

Journey Inward, Journey Outward by Elizabeth O'Connor (February 4, 2013) [364]

 "A Space of Love"... quotes and reflections from Macrina Wiederkehr's chapter in Abide (May 15, 2013) [296]

		WHERE ARE THEY FROM? WHO IS READING MY BLOG?  (COUNTRIES) United States, France, Russian, Germany, United Kingdom, Canada, Ukraine, Poland, Turkey, Australia, Romania, Switzerland, Ireland, China, Malaysia, Moldova, Spain, Taiwan, Indonesia, Costa Rica, Netherlands, India, Portugal, Slovenia, Bangladesh, Belgium, Mexico, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Iraq, Dominican Republic, Kuwait, Cambodia, Netherland Antilles, Venezuela, South Korea, Italy, Belarus, Serbia, United Arab Emirates, Latvia, Hungary, Lebanon Colombia, Malta, Laos (Unless I've left out a place, which is a possibility, I count 43 different locations.) Previous anniversary blog posts: Blogging...tomorrow makes one year 9/2/11 2 Year Blogging Anniversary This Month! 9/23/12 Tomorrow is my 3 year blogging anniversary 9/2/13 4 year blogging anniversary! 9/17/14

Living in union with God...silence and being still in God's presence

This morning's reading from Jesus Calling (September 16) by Sarah Young is a wonderful reminder of 'who' and 'whose' I am.  Here are some of the words I read in my devotional time: "I designed you to live in union with me.  This union does not negate who you are; it actually makes you more fully yourself."

More fully me.  More the me that God created me to be.  The more time I spend with the Creator God, the more I become more fully me.  That's such a little thing, yet such a big thing.  If I am truly desiring to live more like the example modeled for me, why don't I "simply" spend time with my Creator?!?!?!

"Be still and know that I am God"-- Psalm 46:10.  That has been a life verse for many years now.  A verse that I have been trying to live into and have been able to live into some, here and there.  Currently, I am attempting to incorporate silence into my life daily.  Not "quiet" time, but silence.  I could have quiet time 24/7, where I read and read and read.  Silence time is that "sitting time" with God, where you just sit.  You don't read, you don't think, you simply are.  "Be still."  In those times of being still, you are in God's presence, with God, resting in God's presence.

As I have been working on my daily stillness journey, I have found it much more challenging than when I go to centering prayer and enter the silence for 30 minutes.  Not that one is supposed to judge one's self as they attempt this or grow in this, but sometimes even the 10 minutes of silence that I attempt in silence seems like an eternity.... or it is met by so much resistance, internally or externally.

But because I know the importance of being still and knowing God my creator, I press on.  I press on to make that space to simply "be" with God, to rest in God's presence, to be with God.

Further along in today's Jesus Calling devotion: "Find fulfillment through living close to Me, yielding to My purposes for you.  Though I may lead you along paths that feel alien to you, trust that I know what I am doing.  If you follow Me wholeheartedly, you will discover facets of yourself that were previously hidden.  I know you intimately--far better than you know yourself."

Spending time in silence (and solitude) allows me that listening time with God the Creator who knows me best.  It allows me that space to make room for God to work in me.

I have finally picked back up Ruth Haley Barton's book, Invitation to Solitude and Silence, that I had started several years ago.  This book (and a Clergy Vitality group using the book) is helping me get into a daily practice while I am still trying to make it to the weekly Centering Prayer group.

The song "The Summons" by John Bell sums up the relationship call and answer between us and God.  We sang it this past Sunday at one of the three churches.  It always blesses, encourages, and challenges me when I hear it.

Here are the lyrics:


verse 1--Will you come and follow me if I but call your name?  Will you go where you don't know and never be the same?  Will you let my love be shown, will you let my name be known, will you let my life be grown in you and you in me?

verse 2-- Will you leave yourself behind if I but call your name?  Will you care for cruel and kind and never be the same?  Will you risk the hostile stare should your life attract or scare?  Will you let me answer prayer in you and you in me?

verse 3--Will you let the blinded see if I but call your name?  Will you set the prisoners free and never be the same?  Will you kiss the leper clean, and do such as this unseen, and admit to what I mean in you and you in me?

verse 4--Will you love the "you" you hide if I but call your name?  Will you quell the fear inside and never be the same?  Will you use the faith you've found to reshape the world around, through my sight and touch and sound in you and you in me?

verse 5--Lord, your summons echoes true when you but call my name.  Let me turn and follow you and never be the same.  In your company I'll go where your love and footsteps show.  Thus I'll move and live and grow in you and you in me.


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I know that God continues to call my name.  God designed me and continues to draw me into relationship.  As I answer that call, I become more fully who I was created to be.  I find myself playing the Native American flute, making tie-dye shirts, going into all kinds of areas of God's kingdom to show the light and love of God.... because I do trust my Creator and I will follow those footsteps.

How about you?

Blessings on your journey,

Debra

Reflection... living into who the Creator created me to be

This week has been a week of more reflection than normal (it seems).  There have been several devotions I've read, one my husband sent to me, quotes I've seen on social media, songs I've heard, and things I've read in books that have had me thinking. 

I have been reconnecting with some friends over the past few weeks and that has been a blessing.

Also, as we came into the month of September, I found myself beginning to think about my dear friend Leila who passed away suddenly last September 7th.  Leila's unexpected passing last September was the beginning of a year full of deaths.  As is the case for many people that have gone on, I still miss Leila and think of her often.  I am reminded of her as I look at the icon she gave me that sits in my office, when I wear the red cross, and when I walk the labyrinth at Burks UMC. 

In my reflection time yesterday, I realized once again how grateful I am for The Upper Room Academy for Spiritual Formation. God used both a 5 Day Academy in 2010 in TN and the bilingual 2 Year Academy (#32) to meet me where I was and to take me along the journey to a place where I am more my true self, more whole, and living more into who God created me to be.  Without the rhythm of the 2 year Academy, I don't think I would be where I am today in ministry or life.  It strengthened me, gave me encouragement and affirmation through the community, structure, teachings, and rhythms.  I am grateful to have been able to go on that journey, especially while in seminary working on the M.Div. 

Here are some of the reflections from the week that have been on my heart and mind:

There have been nuggets of truth and encouragement throughout the week from Jesus Calling by Sarah Young.  From September 2-- "Living in dependence on Me is a glorious adventure."  From September 3-- "Let the dew of My Presence refresh your mind and heart."  "As dew refreshes grass and flowers during the stillness of the night, so My Presence revitalizes you as you sit quietly with Me."  "A refreshed, revitalized mind is able to sort out what is important and what is not."  From September 4--"In the intimacy of My Presence, you are energized."

On Friday (September 4), Riley forwarded a devotion to me from Every Man Ministries on crosswalk.com.  It was about Jesus being rich in sacrifice and how Jesus sacrificed time, energy, effort, and comfort in order to connect with people.   I included a link to this devotion because so much of it spoke to me.  I hope you'll take a few moments and click on the link and check it out for yourself.

Yesterday I heard a new song (for me) by Casting Crowns on 91.5 Family Radio, "Just Be Held".  As I listened to the lyrics, I found many of them to resonate with life-- mine or others.  "Your world's not falling apart; it's falling into place."  It turns out that the song was written in 2013.  How have I not heard it until now?!?!

Lyrics:

Hold it all together
Everybody needs you strong
But life hits you out of nowhere
And barely leaves you holding on
And when you're tired of fighting
Chained by your control
There's freedom in surrender
Lay it down and let it go
So when you're on your knees and answers seem so far away
You're not alone, stop holding on and just be held
Your worlds not falling apart, its falling into place
I'm on the throne, stop holding on and just be held
Just be held, just be held
If your eyes are on the storm
You'll wonder if I love you still
But if your eyes are on the cross
You'll know I always have and I always will
And not a tear is wasted
In time, you'll understand
I'm painting beauty with the ashes
Your life is in My hands
Lift your hands, lift your eyes
In the storm is where you'll find Me
And where you are, I'll hold your heart
I'll hold your heart
Come to Me, find your rest
In the arms of the God who won't let go

As I continue to live into the weekly rhythm of studying, preaching, going into community, seeking to know the people in the three churches to which I've been appointed and to get to know the community in which they live and worship, I know that the only way I can live into my calling is for me to keep making time to stop, be still, to spend time with God, to be re-energized and refilled.  Being able to hear and listen to the One Voice is more important than ever because I'm not just living my life as a follower, but also as a leader.  In order to lead well, I need to listen well. 

Two final things. 

Before I preached this morning's double header at Flintstone UMC and Simpson UMC, I was at the Flintstone rock church (which is in the Ripley's Believe It or Not records) and opened the front doors and took a look up at Lookout Mountain.  As I gazed upon that majestic view, the words of the Psalmist came to mind: Psalm 121:1-2--"I lift up my eyes to the hills--from where will my help come? ² My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth."

As I drove home today, I saw a scene in the clouds that reminded me of a smiley face.  Upon further inspection when I got home, it looks more like a bow tie underneath than a mouth.  You can use your own imagination. 

May you live into who the Creator has created you to be and may you be open to listening to the Creator's voice along the way.
 
Blessings on your journey, 

Debra