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.