The story...

A large part of our narrative faith story is wrapped up in what we believe about God's narrative story.

Reading scripture connects us to God's story.  As you read, remember the writer's audience, when they lived and what their culture was like.

It helps me to remember that God loved them and wanted his people to love Him in return.  When we turn to God and ask Him to share in our joy and our sorrow we are building relationship with him.

Turning away from God means we are not sharing our lives with Him; we are not building relationship with Him. 

What God wants more than anything is for you to turn TO Him.

Exercise:  Choose a Bible Story to read - David and Goliath, Joseph, Jesus calming the storm, Jesus and the children...any story and read it from the perspective of who the story was being told to; think about what their lives were like. Why was that story important to them?  Why is that same story important to you?  What in that story speaks to your narrative today? 

Spend some time and let God speak truth to you IN the story. 

to BE

Today at work I was going a hundred miles an hour trying to get everything done and it seemed like the harder I worked "the behinder I got".  I just didn't seem to be making a lot of progress.

Then suddenly I felt like God said, "stop taking yourself so seriously". 

Oh, am I doing that again? 

I do tend to get in a groove and get tied up with whatever task I am working on. 

When I do that, I am often missing the blessings God has for me in that moment.  Blessings of laughter all around me, or the blessing of talking to someone.  The problem is we get "acceptance" from what we "do" (especially at work). 

I have to remind myself God didn't create me to be a human doing. He created me to be a human BEING.

The reminder today from God was totally on target and needed.  So, have you been a human being lately, or have your been a human doing, like me? 

God called you to BE in Him.  Today.  Now.  Heaven is here. 

BE.

Challenge

I have been challenged to challenge you...stretch your minds to get you to think about what you believe. 

Allow me to give you an example:

I have a very diverse faith history.

My faith journey has led me to be part of six denomination and all of those are very different.  Two of those were very conservative, three were conservatively moderate, one was very moderate.   Because I have experienced a variety of theological concepts, when I took Systematic Theology in Seminary I had a good understanding of how each different denomination (church) came to be who they are today. 

My narrative on sin developed from my experiences and from reading works of a variety of theologians spanning many centuries.  It has also been influenced by studying ancient Hebrew and Greek cultures. Having said that, my personal narrative was heavily influenced by my parents’ views of right and wrong.

It was also influenced by my culture, which during my early years was shame based.  Many churches were reminding us that “we were going to hell” if we weren’t obedient. 

The first time I was challenged in a Seminary classroom to create a faith narrative on sin (meaning what I really believe about sin) I thought it was a little silly. 

Well, let’s see…sin is bad – don’t do it anymore.

Then I realized that my thoughts were very telling about sin, and that impacts my view of complete forgiveness. 

So, I wonder, what is your “sin” narrative.  As you deal with issues, dig deep and be honest with yourself about what you believe about sin. 

What causes you to sin?

How do you receive forgiveness?

What past church experiences have influenced how you view sin?

Do experiences from your childhood impact your sin narrative?

What do you really believe about sin?  What scriptures do you turn to? 

Write out your faith journey in reference to SIN and see where that takes you. 

What is God telling you to ‘keep’ or ‘change’ about your narrative?

Feel free to post your narrative, or to email me at: journey@centerofspiritualdirection.com

Did you learn anything about yourself and how you look at sin?

Remember...

I remember a time when I didn’t have a moment to myself because 4 little ones were always nearby asking for attention.  I remember thinking, “if only I could have 10 minutes to myself.”

Now I cherish those moments knowing I am blessed. I am glad we had the time together.

I remember a time when I didn’t have an extra dime and I had a stack of bills waiting to be paid.

Now I cherish having a few “dimes” to rub together.

I remember a time when I didn’t think I would survive the thing I feared the most.

Now I know how very blessed I am because God is so very faithful and has provided an abundant store of His peace and love. 

Truly my cup overflows!

Today, spend some time counting YOUR blessings!

Managing Pain

My nephew recently had a bad car accident that resulted in a long hospital stay, physical therapy, and a lot of pain.  Unfortunately the pain medication wasn’t alleviating all of the pain.  He was told he needed to learn to manage the pain. 

That really made the think about pain and how our brain processes it.  I asked God to help me understand.  (Be careful what you pray for…)

About a week later I was having terrible pain that came on suddenly and I realized that I had a bladder infection.  Great.  Then I remembered my prayer.  I realized that when I focused on the pain it became more acute, and when I turned my focus from the pain (focusing on God) I was able to relax and that made the pain subside some.

Then I realized when we have emotional pain we handle it much the same way.  Often when we feel emotional pain we focus on the pain and it gets stronger.  While we need to face our feelings, it seems like we need to face them WITH God. 

I believe that’s what happened to Jesus at the cross.  He suffered but he wasn’t alone until the very end when he had to carry the burden by himself.  That’s when he said, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”  For the last moment of his earthly life, he stood alone.  He did that so we would NOT stand alone during our last moment.  Jesus stands WITH us. 

Learning pain management is important for a community (like the Trinity) because as the community stands WITH you, they CARRY you.  How wonderful it is that the Holy Trinity serves as our perfect example of a community of faith!

Oh, how they love...

I actually was at work more hours this week than I was at home.  What was difficult about it is that after going at a dead run pace for 12-13 hours it was hard to slow down so I could get some sleep.  Hard as it was, I can tell you that I knew there were people praying for me (because they knew my workload was in “overload”).  

The cool thing about community is that when you are connected, you stay connected in good times or in bad.  I am part of one community of “sisters” who are incredible because they carry one another.  What’s even more incredible is that they welcome new sisters with open arms.  

I LOVE their spirit – the jokes, the bursts of laughter, and the tears.  They aren’t afraid to face life head on. In good times or bad, easy or hard, they love.  In the name of Jesus, they love.

Watch for the Miracles!

Most of us have multiple “communities” we are involved with who are family, co-workers, church family, or people we’ve met through the years.

Do you have someone in one of your communities (or maybe more than one) that is more difficult to love than others are? 

Most of the time (if not always) they are difficult to love because they don’t believe they are lovable, or they’ve been hurt and have built walls up, or they weren’t taught how to love. 

The absolute best way I’ve found of dealing with difficult people is to make an effort to love them.  First, pray for them…if they won’t or can’t receive love they need you to pray for their healing so they can receive.  But you need to love them, really love them. 

That’s really hard sometimes.

If you are having trouble forgiving and loving (the unlovable), you can ask God to give you love for them. 

Then, ask to see them as God sees them.

I promise…God will answer.

Also, watch for the MIRACLES that God will do!

Exercise:  Keep a journal (words or pictures) about the changes that God brings with you and with that person.

Be Very Blessed!

I remember a time when I was always saying to my kids “come on…hurry up.”  Or “we don’t have all day you know.”  Of course they were toddlers then.  I am convinced that toddlers walk slowly because they are fascinated by absolutely everything! 

Have you taken time today to be fascinated with the mundane?  Blessed by a smile.  Touched because of a simple act of kindness.  

The woman at the well in John 4 went and told the townspeople “come and see”, and they were blessed.  That same Jesus calls us today, “come…come and see”.  Be very blessed by what Jesus has for you!

What would the world be like?

What would the world be like if a community of people who really deeply desperately loved God so much that it spilled out all over the place onto others around them?

In Souvenirs of Solitude: Finding Rest in Abba's Embrace, Brennan Manning says, "What the world longs for from the Christian faith is the witness of men and women daring enough to be different, humble enough to make mistakes, wild enough to be burnt in the fire of love, real enough to make others see how unreal they are."

Picture a community that burned in the fire of God's love...

Manning goes on to share this prayer, "Jesus, Son of the living God, anoint us with the fire this day.  Let Your Word not shine (only) in our hearts but let it burn.  Let there be no division, compromise, or holding back. Separate the mystics from the romantics and goad us to that daredevil leap into the abyss of Your love."


Brennan Manning,  Souvenirs of Solitude: Finding Rest in Abba's Embrace (NavPress, Colorado Springs, 37.

Community

Have you ever thought about how God works in your community with His love?  Do you notice when the Spirit shows up and does mighty works?

One of the communities I am part of blesses me because they stop to SEE where God is at work!  They watch and listen and EXPECT God to show up.  We are never disappointed.

Does your community expect God to come?  Do you wait to receive what God has for you?

Take some time today to think about your community and recall how God shows up in your midst.  If you get the chance, talk about it when you meet and help others to see where God is at work.

One of the blessings of community is that we help each other.  We encourage each other.  When we see gifts in others, God calls us to speak that blessing over that person and thank God for how He is at work in them. 

The Apostle Paul was a great encourager for the communities of faith he was connected to.  As I read Paul’s letters I see ways he teaches and encourages (sometimes at the same time). 

In Philippians 1:6 Paul is encouraging the Christians at Philippi that God will continue to work in and through us until the day when Christ returns. 

Hope…

Expect…

See…

Be thankful for commUNITY!

History of St. Patrick's Day

In honor of St. Patrick and my Irish heritage, I wanted to post a few facts about this day:

Who was St. Patrick?
 Born in Great Britain and captured by the Irish Pirates and taken to Ireland as a slave.  He escaped after several years and fled to Europe where he became a priest.

Why did he return to Ireland?
 St. Patrick had a dream where he was told to return to Ireland

What happened when he returned?
 He brought the gospel message to the pagan Celts and converted them to Christianity.

Why celebrate on March 17?
 March 17 is known as the anniversary of his death in 5th Century AD.

How did the Irish celebrate?
Even though the Irish holiday falls during Lent the church waived their Lenten practice of not eating meat on this feast day and they would go to church in the morning and in the afternoon they would eat Irish bacon and cabbage and would dance, drink, and celebrate in honor of St. Patrick.

Why do Americans eat corned beef and cabbage?
 Irish bacon is very different from American bacon (it's more like thinly sliced salty cured ham).  When I went to Ireland and had their bacon I loved it, but when I came back to the United States I wasn't able to find bacon like the Irish bacon.  Corned Beef is an American tradition on St. Patrick's day (maybe because Irish bacon isn't readily available).

Why Green?
If you've every been to Ireland (or seen picture of the landscape) you realize why it's called the "Emerald Isle".  The countryside is covered with lush green; it's breath-taking!

Why the Shamrock?
The Shamrock was St. Patrick's symbol for the Trinity.



To hear a short video on the history of St. Patrick, click here:
http://www.history.com/topics/st-patricks-day/videos#st-patrick

One of my favorite video's on St. Patrick's day:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fg5ejLGEnZk

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Hearing from God

One of the most difficult concepts for us to understand is that God is not limited to "time".  It's kind of mind boggling (for Americans in particular) that God doesn't carry a watch.  He doesn't use a calendar.  

It's no wonder we get frustrated when we wait for an answer or wait to hear from God.

We think in terms of time and space and God isn't concerned about those things. 

What God is concerned about is you. In this second God is thinking of you.  He speaks a blessing over you. He desires you. 

Most people I talk to think they want to know "stuff" from God, like "should I take this job" or "will my test results come out okay"? 

While God is concerned about what concerns you, He is more concerned about you.  He has blessings and treasures for you (not in the way we think of treasures) and He wants you to trust Him to provide for you. 

For now - right now - receive His blessing over you. 

Exercise:  Sit in silence with God and let Him bless you - speak words of love to you - give you peace. 

Balance

Ever had a day when no matter now hard you worked, how fast, how efficient you tried to be you just couldn't get everything done you needed to get done?  It's really frustrating because it takes all of you our energy.  When you add in stress, it gets even worse. 

In order to find balance after several hours of fast-paced high level stress we all need to find balance.  The question you need to ask is, what helps you rest so you can find balance?  Some people relax when they read.  For others it's watching sports, or running,

Do you allow yourself to relax?  What do you do?  What would you like to do? 

It's important that you take time to rest and relax so you can maintain YOUR balance. 

Your Unique Journey

Our journey of faith comes to all of us in very different ways.  Some of us have a specific story to tell and we can pinpoint the day and moment Christ came to us.  Some have a life changing experience, like the Apostle Paul.  Others know Christ because He has always been part of our lives. 

What’s key here is that there isn’t any one way to come to Christ.  Christ comes to each of us every day, several times a day in a way that speaks individually to us.  

My journey is mine.  Your journey is uniquely yours.  In the same way, the elements that speak to us are individual as well. For example,  I love liturgy – creeds – confession – communion.  I remember watching my dad take communion when I was 5 or 6 years old. Every time he took communion it was as if he walked to the Cross with Christ.  He turned TO God, and after he would have peace.  I didn’t understand at the time why peace was such a big deal, but still it made me wonder…

God knew that my faith would come to life slowly day after day as I sang hymns, recited the Lord’s prayer, recited creeds, read scripture, prayed, and listened for the heartbeat of God. 

Even now, God knows exactly what "speaks" to me. 

So, what’s your faith story?  How does God speak to you? Your history is important to your story, because it helps you connect to God today. 

Exercise: Write your faith story and connect to how God speaks to you. If there are things you don't remember, ask the Spirit to help you.  What's important is that you take time to connect...

A Laughing kind of day...

Not only does God hear us and see us, I believe He laughs with us.

Today was a laughing kind of day.

I met with a group of incredible women this morning. We laughed and tried.  We spoke truth to each other.  We were inspired by those who are suffering and lifted up others we hold dear.

At work we laughed a lot.  I mean a lot. What else can you do when there’s so much work to do you don’t know where to begin?

I had a church history project I had to finish tonight and I "wrestled" with the footnotes and the bibliography.  I don't know who won, but I submitted the paper.  

Then someone I went to high school with posted a fabulously funny story on Facebook about a frog. I laughed so hard my sides hurt. 

I think God laughed, too.  

Today, me and God, we had great fun together!

Giving up Control

Sometimes I think we make getting connected to God too hard, and that He is constantly trying to teach us WHO we belong to (from wince we came).

Case in point – the people of Israel said they wanted to be close to God but when it came down to it, they really wanted God to make life easy.  They wanted God to give them what they needed (and wanted) so they could go on their merry way.  The problem is, they wanted to remain in control.  

So, God would let them have control.

                                                                                          They would get in trouble.

They would run back to God and complain…this is too hard – or I don’t like manna – or why have YOU put us in this spot.  In reality it wasn’t God who put them in that spot.  THEY put themselves in that spot. 

What God wanted them to understand is that He loved them and wanted to really take care of them.

He is the good shepherd.  He leads us to the BEST pastures.  He watches out for the wolves for us. 

Just like the Israeli people, we need to give up control so God CAN lead us to still waters.  

In the midst of busy…there are green pastures and still waters.  

To get there you have to give up control.

Authencity

When I think of an authentic person I am reminded of my oldest son.  When he was two years old, he was authentic.  When he didn't want to do something, he said, "no". 

As he grew older he didn't lose his authentic honesty.  He did learn to say, "I don't want to but if I have to I guess I will."

He is still authentically honest.  He says what he thinks and means what he says.  He doesn't mince words.  If you want sugar-coated words, you're barking up the wrong tree. 

I love his honesty.  I appreciate it and rely on it.

I think Jesus was authentically honest as well.  He didn't mince words with the woman at the well in John 4.  He told her she was accepted - now go and sin no more.  Jesus clearly loved the woman enough to tell her the whole truth.

I rely on His honesty as well.  There are times when Jesus says, "you are forgiven - put away your sin - live a life IN God." 

His TRUTH is reliable.  It is sure.  It's real.

Best Times

Some of the best times with when my kids were growing up came unexpectedly and made absolutely no sense. 

I remember one time when we were on vacation in South Dakota and the car caught on fire.  I mean there was a fire in the engine. 

It wasn’t funny, but we laughed out loud (mostly because we didn’t know what else to do).

Since then, the fire in South Dakota is one of the funny stories that became part of the “crazy things that happen”. 

I know it doesn’t make ANY sense, but moments like the car fire turned out to be great moments…and we have hundreds of moments like that were crazy things happened. 

What crazy things did you have that happened as a child, or with friends/family that “added” to your story? 

Every thought about those things being the moments that make life really worth living? 

Life isn’t measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away. 

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                Unknown

In the Eye of the Hurricane

I remember a time when I didn’t get a lot of rest (spiritually and physically).  I think that’s why I have a huge heart for people who have a lot of responsibilities that keep them very busy.

When I was younger, my four children kept me hopping all the time…especially the boys.  My daughter is the oldest and she was a huge help, but there were two of us and three of them so we were still outnumbered.

So, here’s the thing about my sons – they are all very good at creating strategies and coming up with new ideas.  : )  We always knew if they were quiet, they were “up to” something.  When I found them I would usually say, “you are making what?”  I was usually astounded by their creativity. 

People used to ask me if I had 6 or 7 children.  “No,” I would reply, just four.  Then I would add, “three of them move around a lot and it just seems like there are more kids.”

I had to learn how to rest IN the eye of the hurricane. 

Often, that’s true of most of us.  Today, no matter what you have going on, you can rest in the hope that the Lord is WITH you, He is FOR you, and IN you. 

Be Blessed that we are given HOPE even in the eye of the hurricane!

Sweet Times

Whenever I read about the early church I realize how I long for that kind of fellowship.  Daily they prayed together, ate together, listened to the apostle’s teaching, and shared the Lord’s Supper. 

At the same time, I know they were faced with extreme hardships.  They were heavily persecuted and were not only disliked by the Romans, they were not well thought of by others.  The people of The Way had a hard road ahead and I know they survived because they learned how to depend on the Spirit and on each other.

I look at our culture and realize we struggle, too.  Everyone is busy.  Everyone I talk to says they are overloaded at work.  They want to be able to spend more time serving, but their obligation to ‘keeping’ their job does not allow for much free time.  What free time they do have is split between family, friends, and church. 

While we would all benefit greatly from spending time together with others in our church family, we are not able to meet with others daily. 

Gratefully, and gracefully, the wonder of God still shows up in the midst of our busy lives.  Today I went to a terrific meeting and was blessed beyond measure with fellowship and wisdom and caring. 

I WAS reminded that even though our lives are busy and we have many responsibilities, God blesses with the FREE right to meet with others who follow Jesus regularly.  I am so grateful for today’s meeting.  Their prayers remain in my heart.  Their wisdom resounds in my mind.  Their courage in the face of many fears strengthens me.

Meet together as often as you can and cherish those moments you have with the Spirit and soul-friends.   

Those times are ever so sweet…

In Awe

When was the last time you were in “awe” of God? 

I remember a time when I was physically healed…that was an awe moment.

I also remember the time I realized God REALLY loved me, and the time I felt God’s suffering for me, and the time I realized grace was for ME. 

I used to watch for those “big” moments.

I don’t do that anymore.

Wanna know why? 

I realized that today God’s hand of provision and protection are on me. That was an “awe” moment.

I realized God loves it when I touch His heart and say, “I trust you.”

I saw the faces of my grandchildren and remembered my giggling, inquisitive “peeps”.

I knew God answered my prayer…

Those were all awe moments, today.

Thank you, God for those moments that are so precious.  Thank you for being so close and for waiting for me to remember you are there. 

I stand in awe of you.

Assignment

I have an assignment for you, should you choose to accept it...

Write (or paint, sculpt, etc.) what a sharing, caring community would look like.

Read Acts 2:42 and ask God to bring to you what His desire for community looks like.

Feel free to post your thoughts or art.

Be blessed IN community!

Sheer Joy!

Have you ever watched a small child when someone else does something clever, or when someone else succeeds at something they’ve been trying to do? 

The 4 year old children I’ve been around all would gleefully shout and clap.  They were not concerned that they weren’t getting all of the attention, they were just glad for the other person. 

They loved the success of the project, regardless of who completed it or how it was done.  It makes me wonder, what happens to adults to make us feel like we have failed if we didn’t complete the project or come up with that great idea? 

It’s no wonder that Jesus pointed to a child and told the disciples “anyone who becomes as humble as this little child is the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven” (Matthew 18:4).

With children, it’s not about power, or knowledge, or outward appearance. 

It’s about the adventure! It’s about love.  It’s about sheer joy!

Exercise:  the next time someone around you accomplishes something you would love to do, be happy for them and glad that they succeeded.  Remember what that feels like, and begin practicing that kind of humble joy.