Day 3-- Acts 10-- The Common English Bible- thoughts and reflections

Today I am using the Common English Bible.

Opening Prayer:

"Lord, open my eyes to what you have for me today.  Show me what you want me to see and guide my understanding.  Amen."

As I read this morning, two things stood out to me.

First, Peter was told to not ask any questions, but to just go with those who come.  What is the first thing Peter does?  He asks a question. 

Verses 20-21: "Go downstairs.  Don't ask questions; just go with them because I have sent them." So Peter went downstairs and told them, "I'm the one you are looking for.  Why have you come?"

It's normal, to ask questions, to wonder why.  Even when we are in a relationship with God whom we trust we still ask "why".   Does it mean Peter didn't trust the Spirit or the men who were sent or is the "why" such a natural question here that it flows out before he can stop it? 

It really isn't a big thing, that Peter asked a question after being told not to, but it caught my attention.  Sometimes people question the questions.  Questions are an important part of life and they are okay. They show an inquisitive frame of mind, a seeking of answers.  They don't necessarily show lack of trust or doubt.  But if there is doubt, that is okay too.  It's okay to have doubt and uncertainty.

A second thing that caught my attention this morning was when Peter was at Cornelius' home explaining why he came:

Verses 28-29: "He said to them, "You all realize that it is forbidden for a Jew to associate or visit with outsiders.  However, God has shown me that I should never call a person impure or unclean.  For this reason, when you sent for me, I came without objection.  I want to know, then, why you sent for me.""

Peter's vision of the clean and unclean food made a little more sense to him now in this context though he hadn't understood it initially when they came for him.  It was beginning to become clear, but he still had questions about why he was there.

How often are things not clear initially for us?  Whether God is calling us to a new path or whether we're trying to make sense of something that has happened or is happening in our life, there are often times of uncertainty of what it all means, where it is going, what is our place in all of it, etc.

I've learned to stand still until I see the next clear step.  (Well, for the most part.  I'm still learning!)  In Peter's case, his first step was the vision.  At first he didn't know what to do with it.  He held it in bewilderment.  Then, people arrived at the home inquiring for him and the Spirit told him to go with them.  When invited to the centurion's home, Peter then had some understanding of the meaning of the vision as he was being invited to go to someone's home where he wouldn't normally go.

As I reflect this morning, what would that have been like for Peter to accept the invitation to go to a centurion's home, the home of a Gentile, someone who was seen as unclean?  As Peter acknowledges later, Jews and Gentiles are not supposed to mix.  Yet, his vision had given him a new way of seeing and therefore a new way of being.

What does this mean for us today?  Who are the "unclean" in our communities, our world?  How is God calling us to respond as Cornelius and Peter to bridge any divides?

May God guide and direct us to be bridge builders.

Amen.

Day 2 of Acts 10-- The Living Bible-- thoughts and reflections

Peter and Cornelius meet

Day 2

Today I chose The Living Bible for my Acts 10 reading from Bible Gateway.

I am going to use the same Opening Prayer that I used yesterday.  I may use it the entire time.  I may not.  It came easily to me yesterday. 

Opening Prayer:

"Lord, open my eyes to what you have for me today.  Show me what you want me to see and guide my understanding.  Amen."

As I begin to read this morning, right away, this stands out to me about Cornelius's character: godly, reverent, generous, and a man of prayer.

Another thing that catches my attention is that Peter is perplexed and puzzled by the vision of the food.  He is trying to figure out what this means to him, for him.  

I imagine Peter struggling with the thought 'why would these foods be okay now when they haven't been before?'   Verse 17 in this version says: "Peter was very perplexed.  What could the vision mean?  What was he supposed to do?"

What is Peter supposed to do with this new information from God?   In verse 15, the voice in the vision said: "Don't contradict God!"  That is easier said than done when you've been doing something one way for many years and God changes the path. 

That reminds me of the passages in the Sermon on the Mount where Jesus said: "You've heard ______, but I say ______."  Jesus changed the path.  (See Matthew 5.)

God brought together two men from differing backgrounds with two visions.  They both listened and obeyed what they were told.  Though it seemed odd, out of tradition, and maybe improbable (if you go find this person, will they respond and come back just because you've asked them to?), both men did as they were told and the result was that there was a space in which the Holy Spirit was able to make itself known.

By creating spaces of grace for others, the Holy Spirit has room to work.

May we be open to creating spaces of grace so that the Holy Spirit has room to work.

Amen.                 

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Blessings on your journey, 

Debra                                                                                                     

Lent Photo-A-Day 2018

I enjoy taking pictures.  I've taken pictures since I was a kid and you know that if you've followed my blogs.  As I've grown in my faith, I've learned about contemplative photography and that has become one of my spiritual practices.

This is the Lent Photo-A-Day that I will (attempt to) follow this Lenten season, beginning Wednesday on Ash Wednesday.  Each day I will post the word of the day with a thought, a question, maybe a Scripture.  From there, folks can reflect on the word and take a picture of what it represents to them.

We learn from one another when we share our faith journeys, when we share what we are learning, how we are growing, even when we share our questions and doubts.

What Lenten practice(s) are you planning to pursue this season?

Blessings on your journey,

Debra

P.S.  The background picture for my Lenten Photo-A-Day is a picture of the mountains from one of the arches at the Chapel at Lake Junaluska (taken at SoulFeast, 2014):

Reading and Studying Acts 10 in different versions-- Day 1

Church of St. Peter

The other day it struck me-- 'what if I spent time during Lent reading the same passage in a different version each day?'  If I reflected on the passage using lectio divina each day, what might come out of that divine reading?

I don't know if I'll make it to 40 versions or not.  We'll see.  But I'm going to start the journey.

I decided to read Acts 10 because this passage with Peter has struck me in the past and caught my attention.  I wondered what reading it intentionally over a period of time and allowing the Scripture to read me might do.

Today, 2/12/18, I begin with the New Revised StandardVersion of Acts 10.  (Click on the link to go to  the Bible Gateway link and passage.)

As a review of lectio divina (or an introduction), I will read through the passage several times.  Lectio divina involves reading (lectio), reflecting (meditatio), responding in prayer (oratio), and resting (contemplatio).  There are many good explanations on lectio divina.  Click here for a brochure from Contemplative Outreach.

Opening Prayer:

"Lord, open my eyes to what you have for me today.  Show me what you want me to see and guide my understanding.  Amen."

Acts 10 is a big passage.  I wonder if I'm biting off more than I can chew.  What stands out to me today?  That God prepared Cornelius and Peter separately to come together.  They were from different worlds, but God brought them together.  There are signs of hospitality in this passage, both from Peter and Cornelius.  Peter's vision merits more reflection.

What strikes me most today is the obedience of both Cornelius and Peter.  Both listened and obeyed.  They likely didn't fully understand what was being asked of them.  Cornelius didn't even know the person he was seeking.  Yet, both men followed through because they knew that what was happening was bigger than them and they simply did their part.  Peter wouldn't let Cornelius worship him and made him get up when he bowed to him, stating that he was 'only a mortal'.  Peter humbly responded to God's leading.

The result of listening and obeying of these two?  The good news of the gospel of Jesus Christ was shared with all those in attendance and the Holy Spirit came upon them.  Lives were transformed.

May lives continue to be transformed by the good news of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Amen.

-----

Whatever practice you choose during the upcoming Lenten season, may there be blessings on your journey!

Debra

Lessons from a bamboo patch-- pictures and reflections

I want to share a story with you.  A story about bamboo.

I was walking down a road and noticed a patch of bamboo.  It was a large patch.  As I approached the patch, I wondered if there was a way in and begin to look for one.  From where I was at the moment, I saw two skinny and tall bamboo stalks beckoning.  I wondered if the space was wide enough for my frame and decided to test it.  I went to it, wiggled through it, and kept wiggling my way into the bamboo.  My backpack snagged on a stalk or two, but I was able to get in.  I didn't see a direct path, but made and found a way.

Once inside the thick cover, I could no longer feel the misty rain that had begun shortly before I entered. I was protected from the rain and fully engulfed by bamboo.  As I looked around at my surroundings, I noticed it wasn't all dark. There was a clearing over to the side.  In fact, there was a huge open space inside that had been cleared out.  There was a square rock next to the edge of the clearing and beside more bamboo. It felt like a bamboo cave.

Where at first it had felt tight and difficult to get around, there was now more than enough space to move around.

I approached the rock and noticed a small space in the rock that had gathered water.  It was elongated.  If one were to use their imagination, one might stretch the space in the rock to say it was heart-shaped.  I did.  I touched the water inside the heart shape, touched it to my forehead, and remembered my baptism.  I asked God to renew my soul and make me whole.

As I looked around from the rock, I noticed that there were two exits (or entrances) to the bamboo patch that were now visible from this perspective.  I hadn't been able to see them from where I had originally been.  But now, in this wide open space, my perspective was different.

There was so much bamboo.  Thick and thin bamboo. As I looked up, all I could see was a bamboo covering.  As I looked around, I noticed the different bamboo around, even the dead bamboo that had been cut to make space for the inside.

Seeing the bamboo made me want to play music (a gift I really don't have).  I picked up a broken piece of bamboo off the ground and "played" it on the bamboo reeds.  I wish I had brought my native American flute as well.  My thought was that I could have spent some time praying it inside that space.

After some reflection, looking around, and soaking it all in, I went out one of the two exits. There was a bench right outside across the road. From that perspective, the opening was very clear.

As I walked around the bamboo patch to the other opening I had noticed inside, it was also evident from the outside.  But one had to be at that place to see it.  Where I had been when I entered, that opening wasn't evident.

I learned a few things from my time with and in the bamboo.

I learned that even though the way in might be difficult and tight, it doesn't mean that the entire journey will be that way.  There can be spaces of grace that open up inside.

I learned that even though there don't seem to be additional ways in or out of something, that once you get into it, you are more likely to find a way out.

I was reminded inside to allow creation to speak from its being.  As the wind blew the bamboo, I thought of native American flutes made of bamboo.  I thought of the bamboo we cut down on a mission trip in Jamaica to use for construction and water bottles.

I was reminded that in order to have open space, sometimes we need to clear out even good things in our lives.  The bamboo that had been cut down and cleared away wasn't bad, but it needed to be pruned away to make that space.

I was reminded that open spaces make room for us-- to think, to dream, to vision, to pray, to play, to be.... I need open spaces in my life-- those places that allow my heart, mind, and soul to expand.  I may have to enter through a tight place to get there, but oh, it is worth getting there.

I was reminded that God does restore my soul as I seek time with my Creator, time to listen, time to be.

There may have been more lessons from the bamboo.  I left that bamboo patch and headed back down the road with a smile on my face and peace in my heart, mind, and soul.

I knew that the space that had been closed up tight for a while was now opened up again.

Who knew I would look back on that experience and say that I was blessed by bamboo?!?!  I believe that Creator God knew.

What lessons have you learned recently?  What stories do you have to share?  How is your journey?

Peace and blessings on your journey,

Debra

Inner Balance with Heart Math

This past summer while at the board retreat for FUMSDRL/HOF (Fellowship of United Methodist Spiritual Directors and Retreat Leaders/Hearts on Fire), one of the other board members introduced me to Heart Math and the Inner Balance tool.  (Thanks, Jan!)

That was the first time I had heard of this incredible resource that can bring down your stress by helping you align your breathing and heart rate.  It's more in-depth than that, but that's my simple version of it.

Jan opened up the application for me, showed me what the tools looked like, I put the blue tooth attachment on my ear, and I started breathing with the breath pacer.  In and out, to the rhythm.  As I got into rhythm and coherence, the color would change.  Red signifies out of coherence.  Blue is getting there.  Green is in coherence.

The achievement level of coherence depends on the challenge level (1-4), with the lowest level having an easier achievement scale.

There are a few options to choose from as you focus on your heart and your breathing: from an in and out disk, to an up and down wave, to a picture you upload, to watching the statistic page.  I uploaded a picture of the waves at the beach from that board meeting and often use it, though I default to the disk bellowing in and out too.

After our board retreat, I ordered my Inner Balance from Jan and started using it. Though I don't always get in the recommended three sessions a day, I find that my time with it does help me focus and relax.

I have been using this resource since September now.  I am almost to my 100th entry.  I started out on level 1, switched to level 2, and promptly switched back to level 1.  The recommendation is to go up a level when you reach 80-90 percent coherence.  After a time period back on level 1, I switched back up to level 2 and have been here for a substantial amount of time, with no plans to move to level 3 in the near future.  I can't seem to get as high of coherence levels yet, but I still have positive sessions.

Much like walking, centering prayer, journaling, or any other practice, for me it's the long term effect that matters most.  It's a marathon; not a sprint.

My longest session sitting at home was a little over 23 minutes.  In that time, my coherence averaged 3.8 and the achievement was 1014.  My highest coherence average so far has been 4.2  I am not a trained person with Heart Math, so the numbers don't really mean a whole lot for me.

One thing I do notice is that when I'm in high coherence, I (at times) experience a tingling sensation in the frontal section on the left side of my brain.  I don't really know what this means either, though I did research it a little bit.

If you've heard of Heart Math and/or have used Inner Balance or one of the other assessment tools (emWave Pro Plus, for example), share your experience.

As I get the opportunity and time, I read up on the Heart Math website about heart rate variability (HRV), coherence levels, and the benefit of breathing and focusing on the heart.

Here are a few screen shots:

Here are some links to check out for further information:

Heart Math (main page)
Heart Math Institute (not really sure what the difference here is between this .org and the .com above)
A review on Inner Balance from Tech Hive
Inner Balance Android App

Now that I've shared this with you, it's time for me to take some time and do a session.

It has become part of my journey.

Blessings on your journey,

Debra

Backpacking with Jesus-- a good read

I picked up a book a few years ago that caught my attention. I can't remember if I found it on a shelf or if I found it on Amazon and added it to my cart.  It has been in my stack and then on my shelf. I started reading it yesterday and finished it today.

You could say that I began a book last year and finally finished it this year. :)

Backpacking with Jesus by Stephen D. Dean, Sr. is about one man's travels along the Appalachian Trail.  On the front cover you see mountains in the background and this quote: "It's not Always about the Hike, But more about the Journey"

I have always wanted to hike the AT.  I have hiked portions of it and I hope to hike more portions of it.  I have backpacked some in the past, but it has been a while.  Whether or not I will ever be able to hike and backpack portions of the AT is something we'll see about down the road.

Meanwhile, I can read about other people's adventures.  In addition to being a thru-hiker, it turns out that Stephen D. Dean became a local pastor in the United Methodist Church in Maine.  His story of hiking and sharing his faith caught my attention.

The book consists of journal entries and reflections from the author as he put the book together.  It is interesting to read his accounts of his journey.

I am very familiar with the starting point in Georgia as that was a camping place for my dad and his friends during Thanksgiving for hunting season.  To see Dad, we would go up there and visit and hike around some.  My brothers got to go on the hunting trips.  One year my ex and I tent camped up there and did some hiking.  One wears orange on the AT in that area during hunting season.

I've also been to the welcome center where the hikers check in.  We stayed at that park as a family a few years back and did some hiking there.  I've hiked other portions in GA, TN, and NC.  Though I lived in NY and traveled around New England and Maine, I don't remember if I hiked any of the northern portion of the trail.

Besides the hiking accounts of the AT and insights into the trail and the journey, Stephen Dean shared about the people he met and the adventures he shared along the way.  Hearing about the nudge he had to take the journey in the first place and the nudge he had to enter pastoral ministry, along with encounters and conversations with people on the trail were insightful and encouraging.

He wrote about trail magic and how encouraging that was. I have enjoyed being able to leave trail magic at a coffee shop in Franklin, NC. I have also thought it would be neat to be part of a ministry to hikers on the AT in some way, whether it was trail magic, offering a place to stay, offering a ride, or something.  Maybe that will open up one day.

Or, as the Cumberland Trail becomes a thru-hike, maybe a similar aspect of trail hospitality can be lived out in this area?!?!

A quote from the book that spoke to me about listening to the silence and finding peace in knowing God:

"It doesn't need to be a foggy mountainside in Georgia for everyone has the opportunity of finding their own special place or space to spend time with God. His voice is in the silence and lives within each heart that seeks a meaningful relationship with him.  God sent his Son to not only save us but also to love us and Jesus is waiting in the silence with open arms to welcome each of us to that place of serenity and peace." (62)

I find the voice in the silence as I walk in creation, as I sit in silence, as I engage with others in community.

I would like to talk with folks who have been on the physical and spiritual journey of the AT.

I do know someone who has hiked the AT as a thru hiker.  Her trail name is "Spirit".  On her third attempt she was able to make it all the way through.  I haven't talked in detail with her about her experiences, but would like to.  On one of her attempts, they kept a map at the pharmacy of her trip and she later gave us a journal of her experience.  She made have made it twice.  She has also hike the Pacific Crest Trail.  I found a link to her journals here.

Stephen's trail name was "BJ".  If you are interested in hiking, backpacking, the AT, or faith, check out his book.  There are some typographical errors, but don't let those stop you from getting all there is to get from this jewel of a book.

Peace and blessings on your journey,

Debra