Good Morning All,
As I make my way through this first month of the new year, I am busy trying to get better organized as I put holiday decorations away (yes, I’m still working on this tedious project—but the Magi only left 2 weeks ago) :) ; and as I make way for the new items I received as gifts; discarding the old, worn-out items that have been replaced; and all the while still trying to carve out time for trips to the Wellness Center. And all these things are in addition to what I do in the name of ministry here at Covenant and my own personal spiritual disciplines. Any of this sound remotely familiar? The tasks may be different for you, but I imagine each of us is attempting to get this new year off to a fresh start as we develop more meaningful and purposeful habits and routines.
Earlier this week I was preparing “A Moment of Inspiration” for a meeting I would be leading. And a particular passage of scripture kept ruminating through my mind: “Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me…” (Psalm 51) It’s a most wonderful and appropriate verse any time; but especially early in the year. It continues to remind me of the importance of getting my life in some sense of order as I attempt to clean out the clutter and cobwebs that have taken up residence in my soul. And it doesn’t simply stop with the act of de-cluttering and sweeping out the cobwebs. For as great as this exercise is, I think it is greatly overshadowed by asking God and receiving from God, “a right spirit.” Because for me, it is this “right spirit” that then gives me renewed and increased spiritual energy to keep on-keepin’ on as I move full steam ahead into God’s future.
I also draw strength for my spiritual life from a variety of other sources of wisdom and humor. And one of the adages I recently came across in a holiday catalogue made me LOL (laugh out loud) mostly at the truth it revealed: “O Lord, please put your hand around my shoulder and when necessary, your hand over my mouth.” :)
So, as an intro to my “Inspirational Moment,” I put these two thoughts together in a prayer-filled time of confession and seeking God’s wisdom and direction for our lives. And now I offer these to you as well.
“Create in me a clean heart, O God and renew a right spirit within me;” for it is time to de-clutter and sweep through our spiritual lives—searching every nook and cranny of our souls; resolving to do whatever is needful to bring forth a spirit of forgiveness, restoration and wholeness in our lives—in our relationship with God and with one another.
And as we journey together along the sacred path that leads us closer and closer to God, may God indeed, “put an arm around our shoulders and when necessary, a hand over our mouths…” I can tell already, 2008 is a wonderful time to be alive and to share in the ministry and mission of Covenant…
Blessings, Joanne
Friday, January 18, 2008
Wednesday, January 9, 2008
Change
Good Morning All!
New beginnings…fresh start…clean slate…just a few phrases that mark the beginning of a new year. And yet another word, “change” has infiltrated our space and time. While change usually relates to our new year’s resolutions and the changes that hopefully will follow with our cutting calories, increased exercising, our outlook on life, etc. But “change” is the newly recreated buzz word of all these early campaign caucuses and primaries. I just know someone is out there somewhere being paid to count the number of times each political candidate uses the word change in their speeches and conversations---I used to count most speakers’ “uhs” or “you know.” :)
Politics aside, change, while many view it with as much contempt as negative or nasty 4-letter words, is very important when it comes to our attempts at improving our own lives; the way we interact with those nearest and dearest to us; the way we approach our daily work; the way we approach our relationship with God as we seek spiritual energy for our journey of faith…Oh, drat…I guess I’ve crossed that proverbial line between preachin’ and meddlin’—something I can do quite well especially when it comes to you and your life…but as always, I’m stepping on my own toes as well…There is always room for improvement when it comes to every aspect of our lives. But when it comes to our relationship with God and with each other, I don’t know of anyone, with the exception of perhaps some cloistered monks or sisters, who doesn’t need to work on seeking the power and presence of God in our lives—seeking the spiritual energy that fuels our daily walk with God.
Sometimes it’s as simple as being aware of God’s presence as you awaken to a new day. Maybe it’s followed by thanking God for this gift of a new day; which might even be followed by a brief prayer of thanks for those whom you love. And as you move through the day, being mindful of those with whom you share life and work—especially those who irritate the fool out of you for whatever reasons; even those for whom you have the worst of thoughts and feelings, and offer up a sentence or two for patience or increased understanding or new insight into that deplorable relationship-- maybe even praying specifically for good things to come to that person—hey, if they’re happier, maybe that will lessen the tension…This is where I really thank God that God is God and we are not! :)
And then as you make your way through your day, you can take another brief holy time out to thank God for your gifts and abilities to share in your life and work and to seek God’s direction for whatever is lacking in your life…Maybe your seeking employment; or restoration and wholeness in a relationship…Maybe you’re less committed or focused in your relationship with someone; or you’ve drifted away from friends and family; you’re feeling lost or alone; or you are simply not doing all YOU can do to improve your life by bringing about changes that you know must happen. Maybe you’ve drifted away from being in relationship with your church family through worship and simply being surrounded by others who are also seeking to be in a safe and secure community of faith. There is strength in numbers; there is support in gathering together in prayer and worship…
Change, like a lot of other things in life, can only begin with YOU. You must be open and willing for your life to grow, hence change, as you continue to discover why you are on this earth in the first place.
The new year is only 9 days old…”Pea’s porridge hot; pea’s porridge cold; pea’s porridge in the pot, 9 days old…” So what are you going to do? Live with leftovers in the pot.9 days or longer? Or are you going to find the courage to seek fresh and new recipes for preparing and seasoning your spiritual life? Give me strength; give me courage, O God…Show me your ways,
show me YOUR ways…Blessings, Joanne
New beginnings…fresh start…clean slate…just a few phrases that mark the beginning of a new year. And yet another word, “change” has infiltrated our space and time. While change usually relates to our new year’s resolutions and the changes that hopefully will follow with our cutting calories, increased exercising, our outlook on life, etc. But “change” is the newly recreated buzz word of all these early campaign caucuses and primaries. I just know someone is out there somewhere being paid to count the number of times each political candidate uses the word change in their speeches and conversations---I used to count most speakers’ “uhs” or “you know.” :)
Politics aside, change, while many view it with as much contempt as negative or nasty 4-letter words, is very important when it comes to our attempts at improving our own lives; the way we interact with those nearest and dearest to us; the way we approach our daily work; the way we approach our relationship with God as we seek spiritual energy for our journey of faith…Oh, drat…I guess I’ve crossed that proverbial line between preachin’ and meddlin’—something I can do quite well especially when it comes to you and your life…but as always, I’m stepping on my own toes as well…There is always room for improvement when it comes to every aspect of our lives. But when it comes to our relationship with God and with each other, I don’t know of anyone, with the exception of perhaps some cloistered monks or sisters, who doesn’t need to work on seeking the power and presence of God in our lives—seeking the spiritual energy that fuels our daily walk with God.
Sometimes it’s as simple as being aware of God’s presence as you awaken to a new day. Maybe it’s followed by thanking God for this gift of a new day; which might even be followed by a brief prayer of thanks for those whom you love. And as you move through the day, being mindful of those with whom you share life and work—especially those who irritate the fool out of you for whatever reasons; even those for whom you have the worst of thoughts and feelings, and offer up a sentence or two for patience or increased understanding or new insight into that deplorable relationship-- maybe even praying specifically for good things to come to that person—hey, if they’re happier, maybe that will lessen the tension…This is where I really thank God that God is God and we are not! :)
And then as you make your way through your day, you can take another brief holy time out to thank God for your gifts and abilities to share in your life and work and to seek God’s direction for whatever is lacking in your life…Maybe your seeking employment; or restoration and wholeness in a relationship…Maybe you’re less committed or focused in your relationship with someone; or you’ve drifted away from friends and family; you’re feeling lost or alone; or you are simply not doing all YOU can do to improve your life by bringing about changes that you know must happen. Maybe you’ve drifted away from being in relationship with your church family through worship and simply being surrounded by others who are also seeking to be in a safe and secure community of faith. There is strength in numbers; there is support in gathering together in prayer and worship…
Change, like a lot of other things in life, can only begin with YOU. You must be open and willing for your life to grow, hence change, as you continue to discover why you are on this earth in the first place.
The new year is only 9 days old…”Pea’s porridge hot; pea’s porridge cold; pea’s porridge in the pot, 9 days old…” So what are you going to do? Live with leftovers in the pot.9 days or longer? Or are you going to find the courage to seek fresh and new recipes for preparing and seasoning your spiritual life? Give me strength; give me courage, O God…Show me your ways,
show me YOUR ways…Blessings, Joanne
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