Dear Friends in Christ -
As we make our way through our 12-week series on Spiritual Disciplines, this week's discipline is the discipline of meditation. Christian meditation differs from the meditation of Eastern religions in one very important way: in Eastern religions the purpose of meditation is to empty the self, to get to divine "nothingness." In Christianity, the purpose is to empthy the self of all busyness, chaos and negativitiy so that we can be filled up - with God's goodness and presence, so that we can hear His voice.
In church today, I led us all through a guided meditation, a process of using the imagination to create a quiet place and invite God to meet us there. This is just one way to meditate. (Some folks have shared with me that it was a tender and/or powerful experience for them!)
In the midst of the coming week, you are invited to continue to practice Christian meditation. It's not complicated. Find a quiet place, give yourself permission not to keep track of the time, make your body still, imagine yourself in a serene place, invite Jesus to meet you there, and listen for his voice. He may or may not say anything to you, but even sitting in His presence is healing.
May God continue to bless us this week as we continue to seek Him!
Faithfully,
Janet+
Sunday, February 7, 2010
Saturday, February 6, 2010
The Gift of a Day
Dear Friends in Christ -
Well, today is clearly not what I expected.
First, I expected to be at a workshop with dozens of you talking about the dreams God has for us and how we will live into those dreams.
Then, after the workshop leader and I decided to cancel the workshop due to the impending snow storm, I expected to be playing in the snow with my kids.
Now, no workshop and no snow! So now . . . what? As I was suffering under my own recriminations for not "getting it right," God whispered in my ear "I've given you the gift of a day; RECEIVE IT!"
And so, I smiled, and started receiving this day by staying in bed a little longer. What else will I do . . . Who knows?! I think the kids are already making plans for me. No matter what they decide, I will sneak off for an hour or so of quiet, partially to steep myself in recent goodnesses (I try to weave this in the routine of my days, rather than just letting the good stuff whiz by unnoticed).
One of the things I'm going to ponder is a little verse from the Shabbat service I attended last night with our Confirmation class . . . some words from their book of prayers . . .
"Don't stop after beating the swords
into ploughshares, don't stop! Go on beating
and make musical instruments out of them.
Whoever wants to make war again
will have to turn them into ploughshares first."
May the gift of this day have peace in it for us all.
Faithfully,
Janet+
Well, today is clearly not what I expected.
First, I expected to be at a workshop with dozens of you talking about the dreams God has for us and how we will live into those dreams.
Then, after the workshop leader and I decided to cancel the workshop due to the impending snow storm, I expected to be playing in the snow with my kids.
Now, no workshop and no snow! So now . . . what? As I was suffering under my own recriminations for not "getting it right," God whispered in my ear "I've given you the gift of a day; RECEIVE IT!"
And so, I smiled, and started receiving this day by staying in bed a little longer. What else will I do . . . Who knows?! I think the kids are already making plans for me. No matter what they decide, I will sneak off for an hour or so of quiet, partially to steep myself in recent goodnesses (I try to weave this in the routine of my days, rather than just letting the good stuff whiz by unnoticed).
One of the things I'm going to ponder is a little verse from the Shabbat service I attended last night with our Confirmation class . . . some words from their book of prayers . . .
"Don't stop after beating the swords
into ploughshares, don't stop! Go on beating
and make musical instruments out of them.
Whoever wants to make war again
will have to turn them into ploughshares first."
May the gift of this day have peace in it for us all.
Faithfully,
Janet+
Friday, February 5, 2010
Missing you!
Dear Friends in Christ -
The ironies of life sometimes make me laugh. The irony I'm thinking about today is that in the midst of St. Paul's 12-week season of talking about spiritual disciplines, my own discipline of writing daily in this blog - a discipline which I kept faithfully for over 2 months - has completely fallen apart. Ugh!
In this midst of this, I've learned something: I miss communicating with you all this way! And I've heard from some of you that you miss hearing me. I feel blessed in having this mutual affirmation of this holy habit.
And so I press on. Today, I found on a paper stashed in a pocket something that I had saved to share with you. It's a note written by a priest friend of mine to his congregation. The truth of this resonated with me. I hope it resonates with you, too, and blesses you in continuing to share goodness with those around you.
Faithfully yours,
Janet+
Dear Friends,
Here is a story I like to tell.
"A man and his son were walking in the forest. Suddenly the boy trips and, feeling a sharp pain he screams, "Ahhhh!" Surprised, he hears a voice coming from the mountain, "Ahhhh!"
Filled with curiosity he screams, "Who are you?" but the only answer he receives is "Who are you?" This makes him angry so he screams, "You are a coward!" and the voice answers, "You are a coward!"
He looks at his father, asking, "What is going on?"
"Son," the man replies, "pay attention." Then he screams, "I admire you!" The voice answers, "I admire you!" The father shouts, "You are wonderful!" and the voice answers, "You are wonderful!"
Then the father explains. "People call this 'echo,' but truly it is 'Life'! Life always gives you back what you give out. Life is a mirror of your actions. If you want more love, give more love. If you want understanding, give understanding. If you want people to be patient and respectful to you, give patience and respect. This rule of nature applies to every aspect of our lives."
Life always gives back what you give out. Your life is not a coincidence, but a mirror of your own doings."
When I stop to think about it, it's uncanny how true this is. The people I know who only give out only disinterest or skepticism or bitterness or passive victimism. That's about what they get back. It's an ugly cycle. And then I think about the people who just give out funny stories and hope and optimism and trust and blessing. And that's about what they get back. You choose. I choose.
Blessings,
David+
The ironies of life sometimes make me laugh. The irony I'm thinking about today is that in the midst of St. Paul's 12-week season of talking about spiritual disciplines, my own discipline of writing daily in this blog - a discipline which I kept faithfully for over 2 months - has completely fallen apart. Ugh!
In this midst of this, I've learned something: I miss communicating with you all this way! And I've heard from some of you that you miss hearing me. I feel blessed in having this mutual affirmation of this holy habit.
And so I press on. Today, I found on a paper stashed in a pocket something that I had saved to share with you. It's a note written by a priest friend of mine to his congregation. The truth of this resonated with me. I hope it resonates with you, too, and blesses you in continuing to share goodness with those around you.
Faithfully yours,
Janet+
Dear Friends,
Here is a story I like to tell.
"A man and his son were walking in the forest. Suddenly the boy trips and, feeling a sharp pain he screams, "Ahhhh!" Surprised, he hears a voice coming from the mountain, "Ahhhh!"
Filled with curiosity he screams, "Who are you?" but the only answer he receives is "Who are you?" This makes him angry so he screams, "You are a coward!" and the voice answers, "You are a coward!"
He looks at his father, asking, "What is going on?"
"Son," the man replies, "pay attention." Then he screams, "I admire you!" The voice answers, "I admire you!" The father shouts, "You are wonderful!" and the voice answers, "You are wonderful!"
Then the father explains. "People call this 'echo,' but truly it is 'Life'! Life always gives you back what you give out. Life is a mirror of your actions. If you want more love, give more love. If you want understanding, give understanding. If you want people to be patient and respectful to you, give patience and respect. This rule of nature applies to every aspect of our lives."
Life always gives back what you give out. Your life is not a coincidence, but a mirror of your own doings."
When I stop to think about it, it's uncanny how true this is. The people I know who only give out only disinterest or skepticism or bitterness or passive victimism. That's about what they get back. It's an ugly cycle. And then I think about the people who just give out funny stories and hope and optimism and trust and blessing. And that's about what they get back. You choose. I choose.
Blessings,
David+
Saturday, January 30, 2010
TOP 5 REASONS TO ATTEND ANNUAL MEETING
5. I haven't had time to put up blog posts this week, so I've got some cool things stored up to say (think QUALITY not QUANTITY!!) :-)
4. The heat's on in the parish hall and it's COLD outside!
3. The play-offs were last Sunday, and the Super Bowl is next Sunday, so what else is there to do??
2. The food will be GREAT!
1. God's gonna show up, and He always brings special good things for His people when they gather expecting to hear His voice!
(OK, so I know that it's pretty much a tie between #1 and #2! . . .)
See you there!
Blessings,
Janet+
4. The heat's on in the parish hall and it's COLD outside!
3. The play-offs were last Sunday, and the Super Bowl is next Sunday, so what else is there to do??
2. The food will be GREAT!
1. God's gonna show up, and He always brings special good things for His people when they gather expecting to hear His voice!
(OK, so I know that it's pretty much a tie between #1 and #2! . . .)
See you there!
Blessings,
Janet+
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
Very funny, God!
Dear Friends in Christ -
There have been a few bumps in the road this past week. In this transition in our youth ministries program, we're all working hard to keep things going well. But transition kicks stuff up - inside us, between us. I see and appreciate how hard everyone is working to be respectful and helpful, even as change raises anxieties and concerns. It's just not easy.
Then, this morning I found a note in my email inbox with an article entitled "The Need for Stress and Conflict."
I reacted to the words on the page very much like I used to react to my mother when she told me I had to eat my broccoli: I turned my head off to the side a little and said "ickkkk." Then, under my breath, "Very funny, God!"
But in all honesty, I had to eventually admit to myself that I also felt reassured. Just as I know that my mother wanted me to eat my broccoli because it was good for me, I know that God shows me things in times of stress, change - and, yes, even conflict - that I wouldn't otherwise learn.
Sigh. I'm glad that in the midst of challenging days, God cares enough about me - and all of us - to remind us that, even in tough times, He's there and He'll see us through.
Faithfully,
Janet+
There have been a few bumps in the road this past week. In this transition in our youth ministries program, we're all working hard to keep things going well. But transition kicks stuff up - inside us, between us. I see and appreciate how hard everyone is working to be respectful and helpful, even as change raises anxieties and concerns. It's just not easy.
Then, this morning I found a note in my email inbox with an article entitled "The Need for Stress and Conflict."
I reacted to the words on the page very much like I used to react to my mother when she told me I had to eat my broccoli: I turned my head off to the side a little and said "ickkkk." Then, under my breath, "Very funny, God!"
But in all honesty, I had to eventually admit to myself that I also felt reassured. Just as I know that my mother wanted me to eat my broccoli because it was good for me, I know that God shows me things in times of stress, change - and, yes, even conflict - that I wouldn't otherwise learn.
Sigh. I'm glad that in the midst of challenging days, God cares enough about me - and all of us - to remind us that, even in tough times, He's there and He'll see us through.
Faithfully,
Janet+
Monday, January 25, 2010
OK, so I peeked . . .
Dear Friends in Christ -
On a whim, I did something that I usually don't do, I peeked at tomorrow's Scripture readings in the daily office. I hadn't read anything in today's readings that really spoke to me. Usually, I make myself stick with the readings of the day, because if I'm patient and listening, they usually resonate with something at some point in the day. Today, I took a short-cut and peeked ahead.
The first story from tomorrow's readings - Genesis 15:1-11, 17-21 - reached right out and grabbed me, because it illustrates perfectly a key point from Bishop Smith's sermon yesterday.
The sermon was about the spiritual discipline of GUIDANCE. Guidance from God is something we often wish for, pray for. And there are certainly better and worse ways of putting ourselves in a place to hear God's guidance.
Yesterday, Bishop Smith recommended three steps to hearing God's guidance: LISTEN, BELIEVE and ACT. Each of these steps is perfectly illustrated in this Genesis story about Abram. Abram was at a real low point in his life when this encounter with God occurred. What God promised him was so far out, that he was tempted not even to believe God, and he says so. But Abram continues to listen . . . and believe . . . and act.
What is God guiding you to do today? Are you listening? Will you believe? And then will you step out in that belief and act?
I would love to hear your story of how you feel guided as you follow through! revjanet@stpaulsct.org
Faithfully,
Janet+
On a whim, I did something that I usually don't do, I peeked at tomorrow's Scripture readings in the daily office. I hadn't read anything in today's readings that really spoke to me. Usually, I make myself stick with the readings of the day, because if I'm patient and listening, they usually resonate with something at some point in the day. Today, I took a short-cut and peeked ahead.
The first story from tomorrow's readings - Genesis 15:1-11, 17-21 - reached right out and grabbed me, because it illustrates perfectly a key point from Bishop Smith's sermon yesterday.
The sermon was about the spiritual discipline of GUIDANCE. Guidance from God is something we often wish for, pray for. And there are certainly better and worse ways of putting ourselves in a place to hear God's guidance.
Yesterday, Bishop Smith recommended three steps to hearing God's guidance: LISTEN, BELIEVE and ACT. Each of these steps is perfectly illustrated in this Genesis story about Abram. Abram was at a real low point in his life when this encounter with God occurred. What God promised him was so far out, that he was tempted not even to believe God, and he says so. But Abram continues to listen . . . and believe . . . and act.
What is God guiding you to do today? Are you listening? Will you believe? And then will you step out in that belief and act?
I would love to hear your story of how you feel guided as you follow through! revjanet@stpaulsct.org
Faithfully,
Janet+
Friday, January 22, 2010
NPR and the Sunset
Dear Friends in Christ -
This evening as I nagivated the hour-long circuit I drive each day to pick up my children from day-care and school, I was listening to NPR correspondents in Haiti talk about the struggle of the survivors of the earthquake and the obstacles faced by those who are bringing aid. As I witnessed these reports with my ears, my eyes were witnessing something else: an outrageously beautiful sunset, the most beautiful one I've seen in months, if not years. Oranges and aquas fading to pinks and deep violet.
It was a strange juxtaposition, the bleakness and the beauty. Such moments hold so much tension that I can hardly stand it. Part of me rushes to escape, to stop noticing one or the other, or to move on to something entirely different.
Rather than escaping, I chose to just stick with it. I left the radio on and turned off the road to get a better look at the sunset. It happened that the place I turned into was a cemetery. The deepening of the irony wasn't lost on me. Now my children and I were the living among the dead, witnessing the bleakness and the beauty.
As I drove home, I felt relieved that the tension remained unresolved. No easy answers. I just prayed that the people in Haiti were seeing a beautiful sunset, too.
Faithfully,
Janet+
This evening as I nagivated the hour-long circuit I drive each day to pick up my children from day-care and school, I was listening to NPR correspondents in Haiti talk about the struggle of the survivors of the earthquake and the obstacles faced by those who are bringing aid. As I witnessed these reports with my ears, my eyes were witnessing something else: an outrageously beautiful sunset, the most beautiful one I've seen in months, if not years. Oranges and aquas fading to pinks and deep violet.
It was a strange juxtaposition, the bleakness and the beauty. Such moments hold so much tension that I can hardly stand it. Part of me rushes to escape, to stop noticing one or the other, or to move on to something entirely different.
Rather than escaping, I chose to just stick with it. I left the radio on and turned off the road to get a better look at the sunset. It happened that the place I turned into was a cemetery. The deepening of the irony wasn't lost on me. Now my children and I were the living among the dead, witnessing the bleakness and the beauty.
As I drove home, I felt relieved that the tension remained unresolved. No easy answers. I just prayed that the people in Haiti were seeing a beautiful sunset, too.
Faithfully,
Janet+
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