In my readings this morning, I am reminded of Jesus' commandment to us, to love others. And at the same time I am wrestling (again) with the concept o spiritual gifts. Which brings me to servant leadership.
My desire in life is to make life easier for someone else. That makes me think of "helping". If I show my love of another by trying to help them - ease their burden - then how can they show love back to me at the same time. I think they help me, by accepting my assistance.
So then, if I were going to "preach" that message, what would be a visible example? And I call to mind the times I have tried to help someone get up, or turn over. If they can help me - they mostly cooperate and ease my burden by not being rigid, or actually fighting my efforts. Which then make me think of someone that is drowning, and back to my Life saving courses of oh so many years ago. First you need to calm the downing person so they will quit fighting - the water, you, etc., then relax and let you control their movements.
Isn't that what God is doing with us - first trying to calm us? Peace I give to you. So that is how we try to help another person - by first being present, calming, getting their TRUST.
We are all one Body in Christ. Christians first, then into denominations. So if I relax and let Christ work with me and through me, I will be better able to help someone else. That is what a good servant does - helps you first to be calm and relax, then eases your work/journey.
Trust and obey- Trust in the Lord.
Amen
Thursday, January 16, 2014
Wednesday, January 8, 2014
Words and Signs
Julie Garmon challenges me to identify a word that will be "my word" for the year. As I understand it, this word will signify my life for the year. I have selected the word TRUST (as in Trust and Obey, for there is no other way to be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey". UMH #467.
As I looked up this hymn, I find it interesting that it is in a section identified as "Sanctifying and Perfecting Grace". I guess that says something, and I think I'll leave that thought for just now and come back to the other part of my thoughts for today.
Signs - I read Matt 16:1-4 today, where Jesus talks about us humans as interpreting signs, such as the red sky and night/ red sky in the AM as ways of predicting weather. And for the first time I picked up, that it is not up to us (me-) to interpret the signs. In fact, I suspect that means I should not try, so I have linked that scripture to my word, TRUST. I am to trust in God's leading, in God's way, and not expect some earthly Sign to give me direction.
Thank you Lord that the worst of the "polar vortex" is over. May I be more like the birds at my feeders, and trust that you will feed me, and keep me safe from cats and other creatures. May I be a reflection of your unending love. AMEN
As I looked up this hymn, I find it interesting that it is in a section identified as "Sanctifying and Perfecting Grace". I guess that says something, and I think I'll leave that thought for just now and come back to the other part of my thoughts for today.
Signs - I read Matt 16:1-4 today, where Jesus talks about us humans as interpreting signs, such as the red sky and night/ red sky in the AM as ways of predicting weather. And for the first time I picked up, that it is not up to us (me-) to interpret the signs. In fact, I suspect that means I should not try, so I have linked that scripture to my word, TRUST. I am to trust in God's leading, in God's way, and not expect some earthly Sign to give me direction.
Thank you Lord that the worst of the "polar vortex" is over. May I be more like the birds at my feeders, and trust that you will feed me, and keep me safe from cats and other creatures. May I be a reflection of your unending love. AMEN
Friday, January 3, 2014
Word for the year
One of the blogs that I follow, the writer selects a word to guide her year. I have considered this in other years, and not really taken it seriously, I guess. But this year I am going to give it a better shot, and I figure by committing it to this format, I will have a reminder.
So with that in mind, I am choosing (or did God choose for me-?-) the word,TRUST, as in Trust and Obey. I need to trust my instincts to act and to wait. Trust that I am enough - trust that I am loved for myself, trust that I can "do all things through Christ that strengthens me".
In my desire to be perfect - to seek affirmation- I my come on too strong. I wait for someone else to call me, then make the phone call. So, in my seeking to trust, how much is my will, and how much is Thy Will?
In these moments and coming days, I will seek to trust more and more - even for something as small as connecting to other bloggers by listing the ones I "follow" on this blogger page.
TRUST - in God we trust, ... trust and obey for there is not other way....
So with that in mind, I am choosing (or did God choose for me-?-) the word,TRUST, as in Trust and Obey. I need to trust my instincts to act and to wait. Trust that I am enough - trust that I am loved for myself, trust that I can "do all things through Christ that strengthens me".
In my desire to be perfect - to seek affirmation- I my come on too strong. I wait for someone else to call me, then make the phone call. So, in my seeking to trust, how much is my will, and how much is Thy Will?
In these moments and coming days, I will seek to trust more and more - even for something as small as connecting to other bloggers by listing the ones I "follow" on this blogger page.
TRUST - in God we trust, ... trust and obey for there is not other way....
Thursday, December 19, 2013
Contemplating on a word
Today I read an Advent devotion on "Just Joe". Related to Joseph's response/reaction to the news that his fiance', Mary was pregnant. His response was to be "just" - in another version, "righteous". So that made with word "adjust" come to my mind. And from "adjust" I then thought of "adduction". If "adduction", is a medical term for bringing a limb towards the center, then when we "adjust" something, do we bring it more into being right/correct? How often have I heard or said that someone needed an "attitude adjustment"? Here comes judging Jane again. Seems like I spend a lot of time asking for forgiveness for my judging.....
Here in Advent, I am trying, especially in my quiet time, to focus on being prepared for the coming of Christ. In a sense, then, one might extrapolate that I am trying to adjust my attitude to a more right frame of mind, to not be distracted by all the things I think society expects me to do and to be. To be simply (just?) Jane and open to the leading of the Holy Spirit.
And I have been spending a lot of time recently trying to decide if I would describe my attitude during my morning quiet time as contemplating or being contemplative.
And have I ever remarked before that I love words - ?
Thank you Lord, that I love words and have an active mind/thought pattern. Maybe it's no so bad for my mind to wander..... maybe that is being contemplative.
Here in Advent, I am trying, especially in my quiet time, to focus on being prepared for the coming of Christ. In a sense, then, one might extrapolate that I am trying to adjust my attitude to a more right frame of mind, to not be distracted by all the things I think society expects me to do and to be. To be simply (just?) Jane and open to the leading of the Holy Spirit.
And I have been spending a lot of time recently trying to decide if I would describe my attitude during my morning quiet time as contemplating or being contemplative.
And have I ever remarked before that I love words - ?
Thank you Lord, that I love words and have an active mind/thought pattern. Maybe it's no so bad for my mind to wander..... maybe that is being contemplative.
Thursday, November 28, 2013
Happy Thanksgiving 2013
I am struck this morning, an all American holiday, about the deep thread of religion in our history. As I read Psalm 100 this morning ( and I confess, I was excited to realize I not only could recite it, but knew it was Psalm 100 -), I saw an instant connect between "it is He that has made us and not we ourselves" and "We are endowed by our Creator ..". Yes, I thought to myself, we are not self made - we are made in the image of the creator.
There Bible was recorded as the document of the people of Israel. And the time it was recorded, that was the world as those people knew it. In the Declaration of Independence there is no mention of a brand of religion. No mention of a Christian God or a Muslim God. An undefined supreme being, "our Creator".
Over my entire life, and more recognizably in the last 8 years, I have recognized I was (and am) created and nurtured by an all loving God.
Today is a historic moment in the life of the American Jews. A coming together of their "church and state" in that Hanukkah and Thanksgiving. Thanksgiving Akuh (?). My sister has a Menurkey - a turkey that will hold the nine candles of a menorah. Yet our traditional ancestors - the ones we celebrate as having "discovered" and settle America, were devout Christians who were escaping the Church of England so they could pursue the freedom to worship as they chose.
In my mind, all is God created - and the God I choose to worship is a triune God - God the Father (and yes,I see God in the masculine), God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. God loves me, no matter what. And especially today, for that I am indeed thankful.
There Bible was recorded as the document of the people of Israel. And the time it was recorded, that was the world as those people knew it. In the Declaration of Independence there is no mention of a brand of religion. No mention of a Christian God or a Muslim God. An undefined supreme being, "our Creator".
Over my entire life, and more recognizably in the last 8 years, I have recognized I was (and am) created and nurtured by an all loving God.
Today is a historic moment in the life of the American Jews. A coming together of their "church and state" in that Hanukkah and Thanksgiving. Thanksgiving Akuh (?). My sister has a Menurkey - a turkey that will hold the nine candles of a menorah. Yet our traditional ancestors - the ones we celebrate as having "discovered" and settle America, were devout Christians who were escaping the Church of England so they could pursue the freedom to worship as they chose.
In my mind, all is God created - and the God I choose to worship is a triune God - God the Father (and yes,I see God in the masculine), God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. God loves me, no matter what. And especially today, for that I am indeed thankful.
Tuesday, October 29, 2013
Contentment and Impatience
Maybe I should have titled this success and failure. This AM I read the chapter on Success in Joan Chittester's book The Gift of Years Growing Older Gracefully. I certainly am not a success at family. My children rarely call, and frequently are not available when I call them. My grandchildren prefer electronic communication - the two that communicate - and seem to prefer to do that in social media. I have one brother than seems to prefer to be isolated in terms of communication and another with which I have infrequent communication. And my sister loves to talk but it seems only when I call her.
I have debated with myself if I am depressed. I don't think so - I think I am tired of making all the effort. My husband is content to have little outside contact - his idea of the ideal vacation spot is one that has free wi-fi and good tv reception. Many days our phone does not ring at all - and if it does, it is someone trying to sell us something or on some idea (think politician....).
I see the beauty of this changing season and am almost fearful of the next season of snow and potential isolation. I want to be doing things - improving the way our property looks, visiting with others, sharing new yarn I have gotten, the progress on projects, the way the spirit works in mysterious ways.
I am certainly not content with everything in my life. I am impatient to see progress - get the trimming done, have the apples canned (I did 7 qts apple pie filling yesterday) and have a chance to sit and talk - or walk and talk. I am content that my relationship with my Lord is mine to cultivate, to grow and to be responsive. I am thankful for my health and that of my close relatives.
Maybe I am too impatient with others. Again today, I will pray to be patient - to be open to the leading of the Holy Spirit - in His/Her own time.....
I have debated with myself if I am depressed. I don't think so - I think I am tired of making all the effort. My husband is content to have little outside contact - his idea of the ideal vacation spot is one that has free wi-fi and good tv reception. Many days our phone does not ring at all - and if it does, it is someone trying to sell us something or on some idea (think politician....).
I see the beauty of this changing season and am almost fearful of the next season of snow and potential isolation. I want to be doing things - improving the way our property looks, visiting with others, sharing new yarn I have gotten, the progress on projects, the way the spirit works in mysterious ways.
I am certainly not content with everything in my life. I am impatient to see progress - get the trimming done, have the apples canned (I did 7 qts apple pie filling yesterday) and have a chance to sit and talk - or walk and talk. I am content that my relationship with my Lord is mine to cultivate, to grow and to be responsive. I am thankful for my health and that of my close relatives.
Maybe I am too impatient with others. Again today, I will pray to be patient - to be open to the leading of the Holy Spirit - in His/Her own time.....
Thankfulness
What a beautiful, fall morning. As I started this day, my prayer request was (and is-) that my life have meaning - make a difference. And the hymn "Great is thy faithfulness" is running through my head. Interesting is that the scripture for today in the Upper Room Disciplines, is Psalm 119: 137-144, and the concluding line, vs 144b is: "Give me understanding, and I shall live.".
I had a good overnight retreat last Fri and Sat in Charleston doing a "walk with Jesus" spiritual formation activity. We walked the labyrinth at St. Marks six different times. I can't even describe what it was like. I love the peace of walking in silence. You can always see the center - your goal, and yet there are times when you seem to be "almost there" and you are quite a way from arriving. And then, when you think you are farthest, you are lead right to the center. Is that how it is with some problems in life? When I struggle and think the answer is distant, it is close, and when I surrender and just let it go (Let go and Let God?), that the answer comes? Another observation that stuck with me was that if you are on the journey with others, at one point you will cross each others paths - get in the way? find a way to work around each other?. The only exception was when we met in the center..... hmmm.
This morning the phone rang and it was my daughter. I am disturbed at first by the phone ringing in the midst of "my time"- and I am tickled that she calls to talk. Things can't always be on my terms.... and even good things sometimes come as an interruption. Thanks, R, for being a great "interruption" in my life.
I realize I am struggling, in my personal life, with the desire to do it all, to have it all, but seemingly on my time plan. Life is not like that. I need to do a better job at having the words "Let go and Let God" do a better job of travelling those inches from my head to my heart.
And for all things, I am very thankful. May I share my thanks with all I see. Thanks be to God.
I had a good overnight retreat last Fri and Sat in Charleston doing a "walk with Jesus" spiritual formation activity. We walked the labyrinth at St. Marks six different times. I can't even describe what it was like. I love the peace of walking in silence. You can always see the center - your goal, and yet there are times when you seem to be "almost there" and you are quite a way from arriving. And then, when you think you are farthest, you are lead right to the center. Is that how it is with some problems in life? When I struggle and think the answer is distant, it is close, and when I surrender and just let it go (Let go and Let God?), that the answer comes? Another observation that stuck with me was that if you are on the journey with others, at one point you will cross each others paths - get in the way? find a way to work around each other?. The only exception was when we met in the center..... hmmm.
This morning the phone rang and it was my daughter. I am disturbed at first by the phone ringing in the midst of "my time"- and I am tickled that she calls to talk. Things can't always be on my terms.... and even good things sometimes come as an interruption. Thanks, R, for being a great "interruption" in my life.
I realize I am struggling, in my personal life, with the desire to do it all, to have it all, but seemingly on my time plan. Life is not like that. I need to do a better job at having the words "Let go and Let God" do a better job of travelling those inches from my head to my heart.
And for all things, I am very thankful. May I share my thanks with all I see. Thanks be to God.
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