Slowing down, making myself take time to be still

I don't know about you, but when I don't make enough time (or take enough time) to be still, it starts to take a negative toll on my heart, mind, soul, and body.  I become tired (exhausted even), worn down, irritated, frazzled.  Yep, it happens.  Thankfully, I didn't let it go too long this time before I made time and space to "be still".  But, I had let it get away from me.  It happens all too easily.

The morning times that I set aside for silence, listening, or reading somehow got taken by something else this week.  And, on a morning when I wanted to stop and walk, I didn't.  I went on in to the office.  Yes, there have been things that needed to be done in the work and ministry, yet, I know all too well that if I'm not taking care of myself-- body, soul, heart, and mind-- then I am no good to any one.

Yesterday the message kept coming "be still and know that I am God".  I listened and obeyed.  I spent some time yesterday being still and listening.

In that time, I felt the nudge to share that lesson as the devotion at the team meeting, so I created the hourglass "be still and know" from Psalm 46:10 that I had used before and printed some copies.

In searching my computer for "be still" yesterday I found a picture I had created from a family vacation in 2015.  The beach always brings peace to my soul.  I now have at least a couple of verse pictures from different locations.

This morning I shared the "be still" verse and hourglass devotion with a friend as I had my "chair time" and decided later to post on social media with these thoughts/instructions:

"Find a place to be, to sit, to be in a hammock, or whatever works for you. Take a few deep breaths. Read slowly. Rest with God for a few moments when you are done. Repeat as needed."

I stopped at Wired Coffee Bar for some reading and writing time this morning.  Guess what I found on the white board in the back room?

This morning before I left the house I spent some time outside.  The winds were blowing, there was thunder rolling in the distance.  Hummingbirds were coming to get food.  Two hummingbirds were fighting at one point.  I didn't get as much time as I wanted due to the impending storm and my need to head out, but it was a start.

I am continuing my time today at Wired Coffee Bar, where I will also spend time reading Eugene Peterson's The Contemplative Pastor: Returning to the Art of Spiritual Direction that I started yesterday.  It is about being unbusy, subversive, and apocalyptic.  Being unbusy is something I strive to do and be, but it is a battle.  I will likely be sharing what I learn as I read.

What will you do today to slow down, to make yourself take time to be still?

Blessings on your journey!

Debra

Hiking the Falling Waters Falls trail

Yesterday we went up to the Falling Waters Falls State Natural Area on Signal Mountain in Walden.  I don't remember having parked in that area before, though I thought I have hiked to the top of the waterfall before.

The parking lot has spaces for about 4 cars, maybe 5, depending on size.  It would be nice to have a trash can there on site as there was quite a bit of trash around the parking area and the sign.  We got lucky yesterday.  We were the only ones when we got there and when we left.  We had the trail to ourselves.

The trail is an easy to moderate walk/hike, with the only treacherous portion(s) being when you get to the waterfall area and then continue up and around the bluff.  One needs to use common sense and not get to close to the edge.  It's a long way down.

I kept looking for the big hole in the rock that I remembered from my last time there, but I couldn't find it.  Maybe there is another waterfall/cliff spot on top of the mountain that I'm thinking of or I just couldn't see it yesterday.

What I could see yesterday was a bubbling creek to the left after we were in the woods for a little bit (no pictures of it).  Then we came out to where the water goes over the rock and down below.  There wasn't much flowing yesterday, so the waterfall was small.  After enjoying the view for a little bit, we headed up the trail along the bluff.  We followed it to the end.  It wasn't as traveled on this part.

There was a rock perfect for standing or sitting to enjoy the view.  You could see the Sequoyah stacks off to the distance on the left and the lake/river too.  Closer in you could see the "new" housing development next to highway 27.  We didn't realize how expansive it was and that they were still building.

I saw different kinds of mushrooms along the trail and took pictures of the ones that were easy to get to.  There were three mushrooms in the woods, lined up together (one in front of the other), shining in the light, but I couldn't quite get to them for a picture.

I enjoyed the tiny flowers along the way too.

There was enough trash along the trail to fill up about two grocery bags full.  I didn't carry any bags with me yesterday and regretted it.  There were some plastic bottles--water and power drinks; there were some aluminum cans--beer; there were cigarette packs-- one even thumb-tacked to a tree; there were glass bottles semi-buried in the leaves-- showing some evidence that the front portion might have been used as a dump at one time and deserves some extensive clean up time.  Though there wasn't too much trash, it was enough to consider a clean up hike to get it out and reminded me of the time I took our youth at First Dayton on a clean up hike on a trail in the Dayton area and shared a devotion "Living Waters" while we were on a rock next to the stream.  That was in the 90s.

The trail itself is short, but one can spend quite a bit of time up there because the scenery is gorgeous and it's a great place to simply "be".

I had left my hammock in the car, but there are plenty of trees for some hanging time too.

After we left the natural area, we went to Guthrie's for some fried chicken and took it to Signal Point for a picnic.  We weren't ready to go back indoors just yet.  It was too nice of a day to call it quits.  The overlook on the point allows for a great view of the river.

There are some rock formations to the left of the picnic pavilion and we enjoyed those for a few moments.

Though we looked at the hiking pavilion, we didn't do any more hiking.

If you're interesting in checking out some of these local areas, I'll include links at the bottom.

Getting outside and into the woods is an important part of my journey.  It gives life to my soul, expanding the breathing space, allowing me to listen to God, refreshing me, and strengthening my connection with the Creator.

Blessings on your journey,

Debra

Falling Waters Falls State Natural Area
Signal Point
Guthrie's Chicken
Cumberland Trail State Park (Signal Point trails are part of this trail)

Do We Truly Welcome All to the Table?

A few weeks ago (8/8/17) I wrote a post about the Sidewalk Prophets song, "Come to the Table" because I had first heard it and it struck me as a powerful and inviting song. It also strikes me as a challenging one as I continue to hear it on the radio.

The song invites people to come to the table, all are welcome.  Who they are, how they are.  Welcome.  That's how God accepts them.  What if someone happens to hear that song, believes it, and goes to a church?  Will they find that same grace and acceptance?

What if they aren't dressed the same as those in the church?

What if they have a disability?

What if they are of a different income or perceived standard?

What if they are of a different race, color, or culture?

What if they struggle to speak "our" language?

What if they are different in any way to what we perceive is "the way"?

According to God, all are welcome.  God's grace extends to all people.  If God is willing to be open and loving, then why are we cutting people off from the table?  Why are we putting up walls, rules, boundaries where God did not and does not put them up?

My heart breaks when I am in a room full of Jesus-loving folks who have left the church because the church has betrayed them, hurt them, and/or is no longer a place where God came first and all were welcome at the table.  This gathered body of Jesus followers was and is church, yet with no community because community wasn't living as Jesus instructed.

I understand.

I have seen it recently.  And my heart breaks.

It doesn't matter what you wear.  Come to the table.

It doesn't matter who you are or what you've been through or what you're going through now.  Come to the table.

You are welcome to the table.  God's table.  You are loved.

I hope to live into loving God and loving others (as I love myself) as Jesus taught.

Jesus invited the disciples to breakfast on the beach, he fed folks on the hillside, and in the upper room.  Jesus was about relationship with others around the table.  These were teaching moments for the disciples and others.

As we look around our tables, who is missing? Why are they missing?  Have we forgotten to invite someone to the table?  Have we excluded someone who was previously at the table?  Have we not made room at the table?

May we open ourselves up truly to God as we make our way to the table, seeking forgiveness and grace for those we've ignored, excluded, and turned away.

Then, let's make sure our tables, our churches, our lives are open to God to work in us and through us for the glory of God and the good of the kingdom.

Blessings on your journey,

Debra


Lyrics to "Come to the Table" by Sidewalk Prophets:

We all start on the outside
The outside looking in
This is where grace begins
We were hungry, we were thirsty
With nothing left to give
Oh the shape that we were in
Just when all hope seemed lost
Love opened the door for us

He said come to the table
Come join the sinners who have been redeemed
Take your place beside the Savior
Sit down and be set free
Come to the table

Come meet this motley crew of misfits
These liars and these thiefs
There's no one unwelcome here
So that sin and shame that you brought with you
You can leave it at the door
Let mercy draw you near

Come to the table
Come join the sinners who have been redeemed
Take your place beside the Savior
Sit down and be set free
Come to the table
Come to the table

To the thief and to the doubter
To the hero and the coward
To the prisoner and the soldier
To the young and to the older
All who hunger, all who thirst
All the last and all the first
All the paupers and the princes
All who fail you've been forgiven
All who dream and all who suffer
All who loved and lost another
All the chained and all the free
All who follow, all who lead
Anyone who's been let down
All the lost you have been found
All who have been labeled right or wrong
To everyone who hears this song

Ooh
Come to the table
Come join the sinners you have been redeemed
Take your place beside the Savior
Sit down and be set free
Oooh
Sit down and be set free
Come to the table
Come to the table
Just sit down and rest a while
Just sit down and rest a while
Come to the table

Hymn to the Trinity-another Jane Parker Huber hymn

Last night's sky was gorgeous!  It was a wonderful respite to sit outside and enjoy the evening sky as the red brightness shone through the trees in the backyard. The picture did not do the deep redness justice. My body, soul, and mind enjoyed the beauty of creation.

It is a cool morning with blue skies as I sit on the patio listening to the waterfall feature, share coffee with Riley, watch for hummingbirds, and start the day.  The wind chimes blow gently, dogs bark, and birds sing.

As I turned the pages in The Upper Room Worshipbook this morning, I found another Jane Parker Huber hymn written in 1980 that captured my attention, "Hymn to the Trinity" or "Creator God, Creating Still" (22A).  According to hymnary.org, this hymn is found in 7 hymnals.  Here are the lyrics:

1.
Creator God, creating still
By will and word and deed,
Create a new humanity
To meet the present need.

2.
Redeemer God, redeeming still,
With overflowing grace,
Pour out your love on us, through us,
Make this a holy place.

3.
Sustainer God, sustaining still,
With strength for every day,
Empower us now to do your will,
Correct us when we stray.

4.
Great Trinity for this new day,
We need your presence still.
Create, redeem, sustain us now
To do your work and will.

Ben Thomas sings a version of this song:

As I read these words today, I pray for  these things to be in my life-- the grace, love, strength, power, and presence of God.

Blessings on your journey,

Debra

In God's Image- a hymn by Jane Parker Huber

This morning there is a breeze blowing the wind chimes and rustling the leaves.  It is slightly cooler, at least for the moment.  It's probably going to rain at some point today.  But I'm not looking ahead.  For the present, I'm on the patio, enjoying the sounds from the breeze, the breeze itself, the clouds rolling by, the water fountain, and some quiet time.

As opened the Upperroom Worshipbook this morning, I opened it to a hymn, "In God's Image".  I stopped there and started reading:

1.
God, who spins the whirling planets, Fills the seas and spreads the plain
Molds the mountains, fashions blossoms, Calls forth sunshine, wind, and rain
We, created in your image, Would a true reflection be
Of your justice, grace, and mercy, And the truth that makes us free.
2.
You have called us to be faithful In our life and ministry.
We respond in grateful worship, Joined in one community.
When we blur your gracious image, Focus us and make us whole.
Healed and strengthened, as your people, We move onward toward your goal.
3.
God, your word is still creating, Calling us to life made new.
Now reveal to us fresh vistas Where there's work to dare and do.
Keep us clear of all distortion. Polish us, with loving care.
Thus new creatures in your image, We'll proclaim Christ everywhere.

This hymn was written by Jane Parker Huber in 1980.  It isn't one I know.  But the words resonate within me this morning.

This hymn is a good opportunity to practice lectio divina, sacred reading.  Read back over the hymn, slowly and prayerfully to see what stands out to you initially and then in a second reading.  In a third reading, what is your response to God?

God the Creator captures my attention in the first verse.  That we are to be in community and we move onward as a healed and strengthened people is what I see in the 2nd verse.  In the third verse, what I note is that God's word is still creating.  It isn't static.  There are fresh vistas.

The hymn is also known by the title "God, Who Spins the Whirling Planets" and "God, You Spin the Whirling Planets".

According to hymnary.org, it is published in 6 hymnals.

Here is the song being sung at the closing of worship:

Jane Parker Huber was born in China to missionary parents.  You can read a little more about her here.

If you are interested in finding more of her songs, here are several links:
CCLI
Song Select
Hymnary.org

As you go through this day, may you be encouraged by the Creator who spins the whirling planets and who is still creating both word and us.  Hear the call to life made new and join in community to dare and do the work revealed to do.

Blessings on your journey,

Debra

P.S.  By the end of my quiet time, the skies had cleared:

Foggy morning thoughts and reflections

It's a foggy morning, but it's still a new day.

Yesterday had so many 2nd "Monday" tendencies to it that I wonder what today, Wednesday, will bring?

I learned throughout the day that I wasn't the only one having another Monday on a Tuesday.  That was comforting and allowed for some laughs with an insurance person over the phone.

In all these things, the ups and downs, the ins and outs, the joys and grief, I am seeking to do a few things.

1.  Remember God.  If I don't keep this focus, then my eyes aren't in the right place.  It's all about
     God and not about me.
2.  Take pause moments, breaks throughout the day to breathe, to refocus, to simply "be".
3.  Make time for people near and far.  It's the relationships in our lives, with God and others that
     matter most.  If we don't make time for those relationships then what do we have?  It takes time,
     energy, and effort to keep relationships going and to build new ones as a leader, but it is worth it. I
     don't do a great job of it.  I'm just saying that it's worth it and that's why I keep trying.  Each day I
     invest in someone or several someones, sometimes that someone is me.


As I headed out for my coffee this morning, I saw "Our Daily Bread" on the table with the cover showing.

I have been more aware of sunflower fields this year with folks talking about them on social media and sharing pictures.  I finally went out to the one in Ooltewah, TN, but it was on a rainy morning. There were sunflowers on both sides of the road.

The verse on the front of the devotional is Numbers 6:25-26-- "The Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace.:

One picture I took that day showed one sunflower facing me and the majority (or maybe even all) of the others were facing away.

On a foggy morning when yesterday seemed in many ways like a 2nd Monday, I do pray for God's grace and peace.

I also pray for those having surgery today, those recovering, those preparing for surgery in the weeks ahead, those grieving the loss of loved ones, and those with other burdens and concerns.  There are many needs in the flock.  I recognize there are many joys and praises too and I lift those up as well.

I pray for kingdom eyes to see God's vision through the fog, to live into God's calling for all of us, wherever we are.

I pray that I might be able to live, love, and lead like Jesus today.

As I finish my quiet time, I look back at the sky.  The fog is gone.

Blessings on your journey,

Debra

In the morning when I rise....morning prayers

Today I start the day with coffee outside on the patio, listening to the waterfall feature, and hoping to glimpse at least one hummingbird.

Since I couldn't find my Upper Room Worhsipbook I bought at the 5 day Academy, I am using this one today.  It is one of ten I found at Flintstone UMC in the library when I was looking through books last year.  Being at the 5 day Academy and then a 2 year Academy, I became well acquainted with the songs, the Psalm prayers, and the liturgies for daily prayer (morning, noon, and night).  Each day had its rhythm.  

Yesterday, in talking with a friend and colleague (Ginger Isom), we were talking some about the worship and rhythm of the Academy and how we were drawn to it.  She is considering working on a "rhythm day" for her 2nd year project (hopefully along with others on her journey) to offer for those who are interested who have been to a 5 day or 2 year or have yet to been and can experience such worship.  Maybe that's why I picked up the worship book this morning when I headed outside for my quiet time today.

The liturgy for morning prayer in this book is #112.

We can sing Psalm 51:15 "O God, open our lips, and we shall declare Your praise." together OR read:

God said: Let there be light; and there was light.

And God saw that the light was good.  This very day the Lord has acted!

LET US REJOICE!

Praise the Lord!

GOD'S NAME BE PRAISED!

A morning hymn or Psalm 95 follows.

Then this prayer: 

New every morning is your love, great God of light, and all day long you are working for good in the world.  Stir up in us desire to serve you, to live peacefully with our neighbors, and to devote each day to your Son, our Savior, Jesus Christ the Lord.  AMEN. 

(This prayer is from The Worshipbook-- Services and Hymns, p. 57, Westminster Press.)

Each day IS new.  New blessings.  New challenges.  New opportunities.  

I am grateful for the blessings, challenges, and opportunities of yesterday and open to those of today.

The rest of the morning prayer liturgy continues with another Psalm, some silence, a psalm prayer, reading from Scripture, canticle of Zachary or a hymn of praise, prayers of thanksgiving (intercession, and petition), the Lord's prayer, a hymn or doxology, and benediction.

Joining in community for this time of morning prayer is a great way to start the day.  A rhythm day will be just the right thing.  I look forward to that dream/vision coming to fruition.  I also hope to make my way back to a 5 day again, to enjoy the week long rhythm.

Meanwhile, I rise each day to experience the love and light of God, to seek to be that love and light to others, to live peacefully with my neighbors, to devote the day to Christ, to live, love, and lead as Christ did.

The benediction from #112?

Go in peace.  Serve the Lord.  The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with you all.  AMEN. 

(From same book above, p. 58.)

Blessings on your journey, 

Debra

P.S.  Here's a song for the day: (first one with Jeremy Camp singing; second one with Fernando Ortega)

Lyrics: 

In the morning, when I rise
In the morning, when I rise
In the morning, when I rise, give me Jesus

Give me Jesus
Give me Jesus
You can have all this world
But give me Jesus

And when I am alone
Oh, and when I am alone
And when I am alone, give me Jesus

Give me Jesus
Give me Jesus
You can have all this world
But give me Jesus

And when I come to die
Oh, and when I come to die
And when I come to die, give me Jesus

Give me Jesus
Give me Jesus
You can have all this world
You can have all this world
You can have all this world
But give me Jesus