". . . not to please mortals, but to please God who tests our hearts . . . " 1 Thessalonians 2:4B
Dear Friends in Christ -
That's right, it's not your imagination. Sometimes God's doing exactly what you think He's doing: He's testing you.
What is the test that God is putting in front of you?
Yesterday, I asked God to give me an opportunity to do something on His list, and WOW! Today, I was presented with a doozie of a challenge: Something I didn't feel I had time to do, and when it came up, I could have said 'no.' But I said 'yes.' I was glad I did, because not the woman feel helped, but I think I caught a glimpse of the beginning of a miracle!
We don't want God to test us because we're afraid we'll fail. And we might. But even in trying, our focus is turned more toward the One who calls us to more goodness than we can ask or imagine.
Faithfully,
Janet+
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
Monday, November 29, 2010
Less Hurry, More Holy: Who's in charge of the things-to-do list?
"learn to do good; seek justice, rescue the oppressed, defend the orphan, plead for the widow." - Isaiah 1:17
Dear Friends in Christ -
As a priest, Monday is my day off. So this morning, I got up and went through my morning routine (yoga, kids off to school, shower, starting a load of laundray), and then I sat down to pray . . . and make "the list."
This time of year, my things-to-do list is LONG. In addition to the regular grocery shopping and dry cleaning and returning (overdue!) books to the library, now there's shopping for gifts and preparation for parties and shipping Advent calendars to our godchildren and . . . and . . . and . . .
And then, as I prayed and read my Bible, I ran across God's list: "seek justice, rescue the oppressed, defend the orphan, plead for the widow."
Hmmmm . . . what are we supposed to do with that list? Compare it to our own list? Add it to our own list?
My usual approach when I read something like this in my daily devotions is to FEEL GUILTY about all the things I'm not doing. And then, out of guilt, try to add something from God's list to my already over-long list. And then not do it. And then feel guilty about that.
Today, I'm going to try something different. Right now, I'm asking God to give me an opportunity today to do something on His list. And I'm asking God to give me the courage to turn aside from my list and do the "His list" thing when it comes up.
I dare you to join me by pray this prayer, too, and doing a "His list" thing today as the opportunity arises. I'm excited to see what happens, and I invite you to share your story in the comments section below!
Blessings,
Janet+
Dear Friends in Christ -
As a priest, Monday is my day off. So this morning, I got up and went through my morning routine (yoga, kids off to school, shower, starting a load of laundray), and then I sat down to pray . . . and make "the list."
This time of year, my things-to-do list is LONG. In addition to the regular grocery shopping and dry cleaning and returning (overdue!) books to the library, now there's shopping for gifts and preparation for parties and shipping Advent calendars to our godchildren and . . . and . . . and . . .
And then, as I prayed and read my Bible, I ran across God's list: "seek justice, rescue the oppressed, defend the orphan, plead for the widow."
Hmmmm . . . what are we supposed to do with that list? Compare it to our own list? Add it to our own list?
My usual approach when I read something like this in my daily devotions is to FEEL GUILTY about all the things I'm not doing. And then, out of guilt, try to add something from God's list to my already over-long list. And then not do it. And then feel guilty about that.
Today, I'm going to try something different. Right now, I'm asking God to give me an opportunity today to do something on His list. And I'm asking God to give me the courage to turn aside from my list and do the "His list" thing when it comes up.
I dare you to join me by pray this prayer, too, and doing a "His list" thing today as the opportunity arises. I'm excited to see what happens, and I invite you to share your story in the comments section below!
Blessings,
Janet+
Sunday, November 28, 2010
Less Hurry, More Holy: 28 Days of Watching and Waiting
"But do not ignore this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like one day. The Lord is not slow about his promise, as some think of slowness, but is patient with you,* not wanting any to perish, but all to come to repentance." - 2 Peter 3:8-9
Dear Friends in Christ -
Remember when you were a kid and it seemed to take FOREVER for Christmas to come? I remember complaining to my mom, asking "how many more days?" She always said, "It will be here soon enough!", as she rushed around wrapping packages and cleaning house in preparation for my grandparents' annual holiday visit.
Now that I have children of my own,the Advent season seems to fly by and Christmas seems to arrive to soon. I long to savor the Season, to sit by the fire with a steaming cup of hot tea. And pray. And wait.
There's something about waiting . . . when I'm forced to wait (stuck in traffic, in a line at the grocery store) I hate it. But when I'm looking forward to something - like a date with my husband, a party with friends - waiting is the time for joyful anticipation, for preparation.
What do we wait for at Advent? The fresh inbreaking of God. Something to rejoice over, something worth waiting for.
These words from Peter's second letter remind us of this, too: God is waiting for us, waiting for us to prepare. He doesn't want us to miss the unique way He will come. Here. This time.
Do you find it hard to wait? What do you imagine might be up to for you, for us, that's worth waiting for?
Blessings,
Janet+
Dear Friends in Christ -
Remember when you were a kid and it seemed to take FOREVER for Christmas to come? I remember complaining to my mom, asking "how many more days?" She always said, "It will be here soon enough!", as she rushed around wrapping packages and cleaning house in preparation for my grandparents' annual holiday visit.
Now that I have children of my own,the Advent season seems to fly by and Christmas seems to arrive to soon. I long to savor the Season, to sit by the fire with a steaming cup of hot tea. And pray. And wait.
There's something about waiting . . . when I'm forced to wait (stuck in traffic, in a line at the grocery store) I hate it. But when I'm looking forward to something - like a date with my husband, a party with friends - waiting is the time for joyful anticipation, for preparation.
What do we wait for at Advent? The fresh inbreaking of God. Something to rejoice over, something worth waiting for.
These words from Peter's second letter remind us of this, too: God is waiting for us, waiting for us to prepare. He doesn't want us to miss the unique way He will come. Here. This time.
Do you find it hard to wait? What do you imagine might be up to for you, for us, that's worth waiting for?
Blessings,
Janet+
Saturday, November 27, 2010
An Island of Peace
Dear Friends in Christ -
During the holidays, St. Paul's transforms into an island of peace. Over this weekend, as I've sat in my home office in prayer and reflection and Bible study (I have to have a sermon ready for tomorrow!), I've looked out over a nearly empty parking lot.
It's an unusual sight. Most of the time, the parking lot is full morning to night - people coming to AA meetings and Weight Watchers, people coming to art classes and scout meetings, people coming to the counseling center. All this activity is great: a sign of physical, emotional, spiritual health for the parish and our guests. (The intrepid AA folks have still been here in the mornings - good for them!)
During the next four weeks, however, there will be less bustle and more peace. Parish meetings will be at a minimum. The parking lot will only fill up for worship services, health-building gatherings (like AA, weightwatchers, Bible studies, etc.) and holiday celebrations. This is ON PURPOSE. You could use the extra time to shop more. You could use it to work more around the house. But the invitation FROM GOD is to set aside time during Advent to WATCH and WAIT. This watching and waiting makes space in us to receive the AMAZING, POWERFUL gift that's coming our way at Christmas.
TODAY you're probably doing one (or more!) things to prepare for the season that lies ahead. I invite you to do this: set aside 15 minutes each day to watch and wait. RESERVE TIME ON YOUR CALENDAR (otherwise it won't happen!) to sit down with A HOT CUP OF TEA, THIS BLOG (there will be an Advent Reflection here each day - plus comments from you and your fellow parishioners), and YOUR BIBLE. This is the best gift you can give yourself, and doing this will transform your whole holiday experience. It will bring St. Paul's 'island of peace' into your home, into your heart.
Blessings,
Janet+
During the holidays, St. Paul's transforms into an island of peace. Over this weekend, as I've sat in my home office in prayer and reflection and Bible study (I have to have a sermon ready for tomorrow!), I've looked out over a nearly empty parking lot.
It's an unusual sight. Most of the time, the parking lot is full morning to night - people coming to AA meetings and Weight Watchers, people coming to art classes and scout meetings, people coming to the counseling center. All this activity is great: a sign of physical, emotional, spiritual health for the parish and our guests. (The intrepid AA folks have still been here in the mornings - good for them!)
During the next four weeks, however, there will be less bustle and more peace. Parish meetings will be at a minimum. The parking lot will only fill up for worship services, health-building gatherings (like AA, weightwatchers, Bible studies, etc.) and holiday celebrations. This is ON PURPOSE. You could use the extra time to shop more. You could use it to work more around the house. But the invitation FROM GOD is to set aside time during Advent to WATCH and WAIT. This watching and waiting makes space in us to receive the AMAZING, POWERFUL gift that's coming our way at Christmas.
TODAY you're probably doing one (or more!) things to prepare for the season that lies ahead. I invite you to do this: set aside 15 minutes each day to watch and wait. RESERVE TIME ON YOUR CALENDAR (otherwise it won't happen!) to sit down with A HOT CUP OF TEA, THIS BLOG (there will be an Advent Reflection here each day - plus comments from you and your fellow parishioners), and YOUR BIBLE. This is the best gift you can give yourself, and doing this will transform your whole holiday experience. It will bring St. Paul's 'island of peace' into your home, into your heart.
Blessings,
Janet+
Friday, November 26, 2010
Answers to the questions
Dear Friends in Christ -
Last Saturday, I wrote about three things over which I had been pondering -
1. How I was going to preach on Christ the King Sunday about a "downer" Gospel text
2. What I am going to do about Christmas gifts for friends and family this year, since I haven't made things like I usually do
3. What I am going to for Advent Bible study this year at St. Paul's.
Well, the sermon went pretty well (Summary: The story of Jesus on the cross is a shocking story, a gruesome story, a story it's hard to explain to the kids. But it's also the most powerful story, because it reminds us that we are SAVED by God, who loves us and continues to extend himself for us.).
As for the Christmas gifts, God has helped me understand that getting people stuff won't satisfy my desire to give and to connect. Though there's something that always compels me to want to rush out and be part of the Black Friday experience (I think it's the wave of energy that comes with shared experience), God convinced me to stay home and enjoy the rare pleasure of sleeping in AND the peace of not having overspent my budget. For Christmas this year, I'm going to give experiences to the people I love - a gift certificate for lunch with a friend, an album of music I've enjoyed with a note about what I hope they'll enjoy about it when they hear it, tickets to see/do something that will stimulate their own creativity.
And about Advent Bible Study: God is really pushing me to try something new, a parish-wide online Advent Reflections. I've spent the past couple of weeks looking at various options. Many of the things I've seen online have ranged from sublime to silly, beautiful to head-spinningly BUSY. And I've realized that none of them will draw us together as the people of God. Togetherness is essential to watching and waiting. Only together will we have the strength to KEEP AWAKE to the things of God in a season that has become so frenetic.
SOOOOOO . . . during the 27 days of Advent, I'm committing to post an Advent Reflection each day, to which you can respond with comments. Hopefully, we'll start a sort of online discussion this way . . .
I'll work more on this tomorrow . . . But for now, I hope you can sense how much God longs to impart His goodness to us in all the facets of our lives. In the small things - like Christmas gift-giving - and in the bigger things, like helping us to stay centered on the Reason for the Season.
Yours always in Him,
Janet+
Last Saturday, I wrote about three things over which I had been pondering -
1. How I was going to preach on Christ the King Sunday about a "downer" Gospel text
2. What I am going to do about Christmas gifts for friends and family this year, since I haven't made things like I usually do
3. What I am going to for Advent Bible study this year at St. Paul's.
Well, the sermon went pretty well (Summary: The story of Jesus on the cross is a shocking story, a gruesome story, a story it's hard to explain to the kids. But it's also the most powerful story, because it reminds us that we are SAVED by God, who loves us and continues to extend himself for us.).
As for the Christmas gifts, God has helped me understand that getting people stuff won't satisfy my desire to give and to connect. Though there's something that always compels me to want to rush out and be part of the Black Friday experience (I think it's the wave of energy that comes with shared experience), God convinced me to stay home and enjoy the rare pleasure of sleeping in AND the peace of not having overspent my budget. For Christmas this year, I'm going to give experiences to the people I love - a gift certificate for lunch with a friend, an album of music I've enjoyed with a note about what I hope they'll enjoy about it when they hear it, tickets to see/do something that will stimulate their own creativity.
And about Advent Bible Study: God is really pushing me to try something new, a parish-wide online Advent Reflections. I've spent the past couple of weeks looking at various options. Many of the things I've seen online have ranged from sublime to silly, beautiful to head-spinningly BUSY. And I've realized that none of them will draw us together as the people of God. Togetherness is essential to watching and waiting. Only together will we have the strength to KEEP AWAKE to the things of God in a season that has become so frenetic.
SOOOOOO . . . during the 27 days of Advent, I'm committing to post an Advent Reflection each day, to which you can respond with comments. Hopefully, we'll start a sort of online discussion this way . . .
I'll work more on this tomorrow . . . But for now, I hope you can sense how much God longs to impart His goodness to us in all the facets of our lives. In the small things - like Christmas gift-giving - and in the bigger things, like helping us to stay centered on the Reason for the Season.
Yours always in Him,
Janet+
Thursday, November 25, 2010
Good Thanksgiving
Dear Friends in Christ -
On this chilly, quiet Thanksgiving evening, with the kids in bed inside and the rain quietly falling outside, I'm giving thanks for so many things. Central among them are my family and friends, this lovely home and community, the grace of God and YOU.
Because it's Christ's love that binds us together, the best way I know to celebrate this holy day is to take a moment to give thanks to Him who is all in all.
May you be filled with deepest peace as you take a moment to give deepest thanks.
Blessings,
Janet+
Thank you, Father God, for all your gifts so freely bestowed . . .
For the beauty and wonder of your creation, in earth and sky and sea,
For all that is gracious in my life, revealing the image of Christ,
For my daily food and drink, my home and family, and my friends,
For a mind to think, and heart to love, and hands to serve,
For health and strength to work, and leisure to rest and play,
For those who inspire me: the brave and courageous, those patient in suffering and faithful in adversity,
For those who draw me to follow in their footsteps: those who valiantly seek after truth, liberty and justice,
For the communion of saints, in all times and places,
Above all, I give you thanks for the great mercies and promises given to me in Christ Jesus my Lord; and to him be praise and glory, with you, Father, and the Holy Spirit, now and forever. Amen.
-- Adapted from a Litany of Thanksgiving, "The Book of Common Prayer"
On this chilly, quiet Thanksgiving evening, with the kids in bed inside and the rain quietly falling outside, I'm giving thanks for so many things. Central among them are my family and friends, this lovely home and community, the grace of God and YOU.
Because it's Christ's love that binds us together, the best way I know to celebrate this holy day is to take a moment to give thanks to Him who is all in all.
May you be filled with deepest peace as you take a moment to give deepest thanks.
Blessings,
Janet+
Thank you, Father God, for all your gifts so freely bestowed . . .
For the beauty and wonder of your creation, in earth and sky and sea,
For all that is gracious in my life, revealing the image of Christ,
For my daily food and drink, my home and family, and my friends,
For a mind to think, and heart to love, and hands to serve,
For health and strength to work, and leisure to rest and play,
For those who inspire me: the brave and courageous, those patient in suffering and faithful in adversity,
For those who draw me to follow in their footsteps: those who valiantly seek after truth, liberty and justice,
For the communion of saints, in all times and places,
Above all, I give you thanks for the great mercies and promises given to me in Christ Jesus my Lord; and to him be praise and glory, with you, Father, and the Holy Spirit, now and forever. Amen.
-- Adapted from a Litany of Thanksgiving, "The Book of Common Prayer"
Saturday, November 20, 2010
Sometimes when I don't write . . .
Dear Friends in Christ -
Sometimes when I'm not writing to you on this blog (which I love to do, by the way!), it's because I'm busy - busy wrestling with God.
I've been wrestling with God over three things this week:
1. The sermon for Sunday. Frankly, it's Christ the King Sunday and I don't like the Gospel reading; it's a downer. So God and I have been having a discussion about what I'm going to say.
2. Christmas presents. Usually I make at least some of the Christmas gifts we give. This year, I haven't been knitting scarves or making jam, and now - all of a sudden - it's November! I prayed for help and God's making some suggestions about gift-giving, but I'm not sure I like His ideas!
3. Advent Bible study. I want to do one; some of you have told me that you want to one. I've been praying about what to do (topic, format, etc.), and God has a suggestion that I find exciting; I'm just not sure I want to commit . . .
Sooo . . . on this quiet fall evening, I'm just taking a moment to sit quietly in God's presence, so I can remember God's delight in me - whether or not I figure these things out, whether or not I do all the right things.
May you know God's delight in you this day, too, - in the midst of and/or in spite of everything!
Blessings,
Janet+
Sometimes when I'm not writing to you on this blog (which I love to do, by the way!), it's because I'm busy - busy wrestling with God.
I've been wrestling with God over three things this week:
1. The sermon for Sunday. Frankly, it's Christ the King Sunday and I don't like the Gospel reading; it's a downer. So God and I have been having a discussion about what I'm going to say.
2. Christmas presents. Usually I make at least some of the Christmas gifts we give. This year, I haven't been knitting scarves or making jam, and now - all of a sudden - it's November! I prayed for help and God's making some suggestions about gift-giving, but I'm not sure I like His ideas!
3. Advent Bible study. I want to do one; some of you have told me that you want to one. I've been praying about what to do (topic, format, etc.), and God has a suggestion that I find exciting; I'm just not sure I want to commit . . .
Sooo . . . on this quiet fall evening, I'm just taking a moment to sit quietly in God's presence, so I can remember God's delight in me - whether or not I figure these things out, whether or not I do all the right things.
May you know God's delight in you this day, too, - in the midst of and/or in spite of everything!
Blessings,
Janet+
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