Speaking of space, here's a reflection from Donna Baker:
"I really like the book and the devotions and I am reading from "The Message" which is just great too. I am starting to feel like God is calling me to my "spot" on the gazebo early in the AM. I saw the sun coming thru the trees the other day, and it was awesome there in the early morning with my little candle lit and thinking about the thought for the day. I seem to be more aware throughout the day to listen and try to receive things from God. I felt God nudging me today and got up at 6am (I never wake up at 6am) and went to my spot. This is one of the growth things that has been lacking in my life, and it is making me feel God's presence."
About Me
- Jess
- Jess Scholten, Associate Minister, First Presbyterian Church in High Point, NC. But also, and in some cases more importantly... wife of fabulous husband-Tom, born in the lovely town of Holland (Michigan, that is), graduate of Hope College and Western Theological Seminary, world traveler, restorer of our log home, Presbyterian Minister ordained in the Reformed Church in America, seven on the enneagram, avid reader, favorite daughter/sister/and well, current associate minister, right?
6 comments:
Hi there. I'm a friend of Jess' from MI and recently got caught up on these readings and am now joining your group...thanks to Jess for including me! I love the book and reading all of your comments.
The 6/20 reading - "The Cleansed Cup" really struck me because over the past several months, I've essentially emptied my cup completely. Now, as I begin to refill it with wisdom, love, grace, JOY and more, I am trying to be careful to not dirty it up to fast with worry, judgement, shame, etc.
On the other hand, I am actually grateful for some of the "irremovable stains" because they have taught me so much about trusting God and praising the Spirit within me every day.
So, is anyone else singing that song all day..."Create in Me a Clean He-a-art, oh oh oh God, and renew a right Spirit within me" :-)
-Mandy
The following was sent to me a couple of years ago from a dancer. I have used it often as a good example of the meditation phase of lectio divina. It seem appropriate for today's reflection.
GUIDANCE
From the heart of an unknown author—
When I meditated on the word Guidance, I kept seeing “dance” at the end of the word. I remember reading that doing God’s will is a lot like dancing.
When two people try to lead, nothing feels right. The movement doesn’t flow with the music, and everything is quite uncomfortable and jerky. When one person realizes that, and lets the other lead, both bodies begin to flow with the music. One gives gentle cues, perhaps with a nudge to the back or by pressing lightly in one direction or another. It’s as if two become one body, moving beautifully. The dance takes surrender, willingness, and attentiveness from one person and gentle guidance and skill from the other.
My eyes drew back to the word Guidance. When I saw “G: I thought of God, followed by “u” and “i”. “God, “u” and “i” dance.” God, you, and I dance. As I lowered my head, I became willing to trust that I would get guidance about my life. Once again, I became willing to let God lead.
My prayer for you today is that God’s blessings and mercies be upon you on this day and everyday. May you abide in God as God abides in you. Dance together with God, trusting God to lead and to guide you through each season of your life.
And I Hope You Dance!!!!!!!!
Perfect timing, Jequita! I'm heading up the ODFL prayer chain today and I've had two anonymous requests for guidance. I copied and pasted your comment to emails for them both. Doesn't God have great timing?
Mandy - it's nice to "meet" you.
On pain and suffering
I approach this portion of the study with trepidation. I beg to disagree with our author-that great pain and sorrow is contingent on how we view brokenness and we may not be able to receive pain “rightly” so that it transforms our lives. Life’s pains can be the holes of a living hell. Sure God gives us grace, strength, and support. Our experiences with the crucibles of pain and sorrow become the point where our faith will be ground out of us or a hearty strain of belief will survive to flourish. The tsunamis of horror and hurt that knock us over, remove the comforts that surrounded us, and take the living breath out of us are so unknowable, so unexplainable, that holding on to Belief is all that holds us up until the waves reside. Still I cannot fault any human from screaming “Why” with all they can muster. Why the honing, the sharpening, the cutting, the pruning, the firing for perfecting children created by a loving God? Reynolds Price says, “It’s a serious thing, agreeing to watch a loved one through so much pain and humiliation that you are helpless to cease, much less stop. You cannot refuse it but it breaks down something in you that will never heal.” I do pray for healing or scars we can live with.
In church today the sermon was about tenderly God cares for us during our depressions, pains, shame, and hardship. God’s love is not entirely about our triumphs and transformations. The brokenness is with us but so is God. I decided my cup needed a change this afternoon. I removed the stones that have anchored it for three weeks and out we went to the backyard. The cup and I spent time in the sunshine by the fishpond and in the shadow of the woods behind the house. I filled my empty cup with pieces of colored glass from the birdbath. The cup is resting in a sunny window at the moment. Who knows what it will hold during the next three weeks.
Carolyn
I really love the guidance reflection, Jequita--thanks for posting that!
Ooooh, and I didn't read far enough because I'm really glad Carolyn included her post as well. I've got it set up as a blog entry that I'm putting up this afternoon as well.
Peace,
Jess
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