Eternal Echoes

Evening reflections

reflections at Snettisham
Originally uploaded by Sallys journey.

I escaped the computer to walk on the beach this evening- the reflections on the water and mud as the tide came in were amazing...

I needed to be rather than to do- I wonder sometimes if we get so caught up in busyness that we forget to stop and stare, to remember the God we worship and serve wants us to live life to the full... and sometimes that means stopping and looking and rejoicing in her/ his presence!

Apocolyptica- Cello's like I've never heard them before

Thanks to my daughter Emma for pointing this " group" out to me.... some of it is really good- and I've seen passionate cellists but never head banging cellists before.... they have more vids on you tube- I've ordered a CD to get a beter idea of the overall sound!

struggles and challenges....

I have been struggling within myself today, depression has raised its head again, reminding me of my own vulnerability... on top of that I have had thyroid problems confirmed, ... at least my ridiculous tiredness is explainable... and yet I am challenged by the still small voice of God drawing and calling me deeper into a fuller relationship with her in spite, or possibly because  of my own vulnerabilities...

During a small group Bible study we started looking at 2 Corinthians- we discussed what it means to be marked out by and for God- what it means to be the fragrance of Christ...

... as we talked and studied and prayed together I was struck by how alienated from the world many in our small rural congregations feel, they feel their values are being challenged and undermined, and their confidence in God is shaken, as they come to terms with the culture of the day.

Many were shaken by their experience on Sunday, and wondering at the way the woman came amongst us, sensing the presence and reality of God, acknowledging that they heard God speak... and wondering...

For it would be easy to build shrinking ghettos, to defend ourselves against all comers- all who  might demand we change, and yet there is a real realisation that we need to visit the Scriptures afresh, from a position of vulnerability rather than strength, and be willing to ask ourselves what is God saying to this new generation.

There is more and more a need for dialogue rather than proclamation, we need to recover an ambassadorial role, to re-assess our missiological imperatives.... even our Christology for the 21st century... we need to receive and reflect wisdom back to a spiritually aware world, filtered through the lens of the gospel, the same and yet changed.

Christians need to become pilgrim people again, knocking down our ivory towers and ecclesiastical kingdoms, to take nothing with us except for a desire to seek and find God, in the wilderness, to allow her to embrace us in her arms, and pour her living waters into our desert dry lives....

Mt prayer is that our  church communities receiving this living water would become oases in the desert... able to welcome thirsty travellers, to share their stories without placing burdens or demands upon them, for we follow the one who said my yoke ( teachings) is easy, and my burden is light....

Come Holy Spirit, renew our vision, shake us out of our complacency and equip us for the journey...

Come Holy Spirit lead us on....

Rain, assignments and waves....

I have spent most of the day sat in front of my computer completely re-hashing an assignment having read through what I hoped was the final draft only to discover that it was utter drivel!

The rain gave me an excuse to simply hammer away at the keyboard- I was supposed to be running a prayer tent at Downham Market festival today but due to the fact that the field resembled a lake and the winds would have blown the tent across the county I cancelled our input, only to wake this morning to find that the town council had taken the decision to cancel the whole event. Thank God for a rainy holiday....

Looking out of the window was depressing though- my garden has been flattened by torrential rain just as it was beginning to look at its best- and more rain is forecast for tomorrow... hey ho...

I am now much happier with my assignment though; it sounds more realistic and less like a cheesy T.V. advert for Downham Circuit!!! I know that analysis is important and I believe that the whole exercise has helped me to see where my work has been effective over the last four years- and yet there is a part of me that wants to portray the best and to cover over the difficulties, I am torn between knowing whether I am indulging in a white-wash exercise or a desire to show grace- I suspect the truth is a little of both.

We did take a short break this afternoon to drive out to the beach just to see what the waves were like- we knew sailing was out of the question with force 7 winds- but the waves were spectacular....

... and I am less panicked and more chilled out today, God is good- and all shall be well- all manner of things shall be well. If I make it through next week.....

.... still one more assignment to finish- a Bible Study tomorrow, Peterborough Project on Wednesday, a sermon to prepare for preaching on Sunday, an New Age Fair on Friday and Saturday, and then preaching and a family event on Sunday.... I think I will simply sleep the following week away!!!

Edited to add:

As an INFP I find analysis difficult- I tend towards being intuitive and relational- it wasn't until I saved the assignment just now that I realised just how much this exercise has taken out of me... and tomorrow I have to continue writing an evaluation of theologies of liberation and their impact on Christian mission.... when I need poetry and art and music.... and a long walk on the beach...... hey ho.... at least Chris (son) has taken on the cooking this week, his curry tonight was excellent.

Photo fun...

I've been playing with a new photo editing tool this evening-and I'm rahter pleased with this effect- kind of a photo mandala-

First the beach:

Then a sunset:

and lastly a bench in the garden at London Colney;

I like the effect of the windows on this they provide a celtic knot effect...

Check out Dumpr fun for this and other photo editing tools.

Getting our priorities right.....

"Archbishop Desmond Tutu has called on Africa's Anglican church to overcome its "obsession" with the issue of gay priests and same-sex marriages.

He said they should spend time on more pressing issues in the region.

Speaking to the BBC World Service, the South African bishop said Zimbabwe, HIV/Aids and the crisis in Darfur were not getting sufficient attention.

Zimbabwe's Anglican church also lacked courage to stand up to President Robert Mugabe's regime, he said"

"There are so many issues crying out for concern and application by the church of its resources, and here we are, I mean, with this kind of extraordinary obsession."

Well said Desmond!!!!  Read more here...

A glimpse of God's heart...

She came amongst us this morning- God the Holy Spirit inviting us to dance, to lift our eyes above our own agendas and our programmes and to enter into worship in a new way...

... and for those who were able to respond, she showed us something new.... for God came amongst us again in another guise- entering half way through the service, smelling of alcohol and cigarettes...she came to show us God's heart for those in pain- for she had come to pray for a friend...

... her love for her friend had compelled her to travel far out of her comfort zone, across the threshold of a building she had not entered since she was a child...

...her love caused her to speak out and ask for prayer for her friend, breaking into the order of the morning service she spoke from her heart..

... and so we held hands and prayed together, tears flowed and we embraced one another....

... and she entered into the songs long forgotten, songs of praise, and worship- lifting her hands to embrace the Holy Spirits gentle presence, challenging those with faces of stone, confused by this unexpected interruption with the reality of God come close....

Isn't that what we celebrate today- the God who came so close that s/he filled the hearts, minds and souls of those who were open to receive ? God the Holy Spirit, guiding, drawing and provoking us.... challenging us to look again, to receive again...new life...for God has come amongst us.

It would be easy dismiss the moment rather than to consider the depths of love and compassion that drove the lady amongst us this morning- she came fearing rejection, but she came anyway, for she wanted and needed to pray for her friend, and in doing so she showed us something of God's heart...

God knows what rejection is like- and so understands- but what struck me more than anything else was that the psalm she quoted, the psalm that "came back to her" this morning- and that is why she came....

1 Hear my cry, O God;
       listen to my prayer.

2 From the ends of the earth I call to you,
       I call as my heart grows faint;
       lead me to the rock that is higher than I.

3 For you have been my refuge,
       a strong tower against the foe.

4 I long to dwell in your tent forever
       and take refuge in the shelter of your wings.
       Selah

5 For you have heard my vows, O God;
       you have given me the heritage of those who fear your name.

(Ps 61:1-5) Amen and amen..

Picture:Cay Randall May- Earth Spirit Dance

Practising hospitality....

My home has been filled with people over the last two days; yesterday, Jo and Jon's final day as sixth form students their few friends coming over turned out to be 30 friends...

They chilled out, cooked and ate 10  pizzas plus various other stuff, and generally enjoyed hanging out together... it was good to have a house full of laughing joyful 18 year ODs...

... a couple stayed the night... they like sleeping on our sofas apparently!

Today Paul ( my eldest son) and his girlfriend and her three children came over for the evening, the girls, 8,5 &2 are delightful, it was really good to have them here... I got to play granny!!! (better check the hair dye situation tomorrow..)...my one sadness is that I don't get to see my actual granddaughter, but we hope once the court case etc are dealt with that situation will change, until then we will be content with waiting...

All this busyness has got me thinking... we have always had an open home, a home where folk are welcome at any time- it is a take us as you find us thing- at times it can be tiring, but it is a calling- we don't do fancy parties or dinners, but can usually stretch to an extra plate or two of whatever is going, and we can usually find a spare quilt/ sleeping bag if there is a need... this is a gift of low key hospitality... and I think it is appreciated by those who come.... but it can be really hard work at times....

... and I wonder how the  the church extends hospitality- are visitors made to feel welcome when they walk into our worship services, or do they feel uncomfortable and ill at ease?

How far should we adopt a take us as you find us approach, and what might this mean?

How do we guard against cliquishness amongst ourselves, or at the other extreme the over stated welcome that makes folk want to run a mile?

Can and should a church become an open home?

                

Friday Five- a hard habit to break....

                          

Reverend Mother says; As many of you know, I have been experimenting with some severely curtailed Internet usage. I realised that I had gotten into some bad habits, which got me thinking about habits in general. I understand that a habits/random facts meme has already been going around. In the hopes that it hasn't hit too many of us yet, be as lighthearted or as serious as you'd like with the following;

1. Have you ever successfully quit a bad habit, or gotten a good habit established? Tell us about how you did it.

Over the last year I had (note had) established the habit of going for a walk everyday- at least two miles- it was a self care thing- I needed to do it to help with depression, I'm one of those people who suffer from SAD so this was very important in the winter months.... over the last week or so that habit has slipped as I struggle with assignment deadlines- though I have made sure I get out at least a couple of times each week- my favourite place to walk is the beach!

How did I do it- sheer determination which grew easier as the benefits of walking became apparent- right now I know I am not functioning at my best- so when I've finished this post I may just head out for a walk! Thanks for the reminder.

The photo is of Tim and I beach walking on our 25th wedding anniversary weekend away earlier this year.

2. "If only there were a 12-step program for _______Procrastination__________!"

Cartoon by Dave Walker. Find more cartoons you can freely re-use on your blog at We Blog Cartoons.

3. Share one of your healthy "obsessions" with us.

Not sure if it an obsession or simply a passion, but I love the New Age/ New Spirituality community, I love getting into real dialogue with folk who are open and interested in experiencing the spiritual realities of life... my obsession is to communicate effectively and well, so my study looks at times like a New Spiritualities books store rubbing shoulders with a Theological library; Moltmann sits strangely alongside a book on Chakara healing, whilst McGrath is surrounded by books on Tarot and crystals....

Other than that I am relatively obsession free- two of my children refuse to eat with cutlery that does not match- me I'm not bothered by stuff like that!

4. Share the habit of a spouse, friend or loved one that drives you

C-R-A-Z-Y.

With apologies to the musicians amongst us- my daughters both have a habit of "quickly" playing something on the piano as we are getting ready to go out, and they will not be budged until they have finished the piece... I know this is a musician thing because Emma's boyfriend is exactly the same... I love their music, but there are times when we are running a little late when it drives me crazy!!!

5.I'd love to get into the habit of meditating daily; my life is too rushed, and I need to spend time alone and this is a busy household- also as an introvert this is very important to me, for my sanity and the sanity of those around me, finding that time and space can be tough.

Bonus: What is one small action you might take immediately to make #5 a reality?

I guess the answer would be to wake early- I am a morning person naturally- but assignment writing has meant a few late nights, if I were to concentrate on turning my days around again I am sure this will help- this just might be something to start now as the days are longer and lighter, so that by the time we reach the dark winter months the pattern is re-established; thanks Reverendmother- I might just try this again...

Bonus 2: Try it, and let us know how it goes in a future post!.... watch this space....

The spirituality of parenting...

Matt Stone quotes a synopsis from an i-pod broadcast entitled "The spirituality of parenting";

"More and more people in our time are disconnected from religious institutions, at least for part of their lives. Others are religious and find themselves creating a family with a spouse from another tradition or no tradition at all. And the experience of parenting tends to raise spiritual questions anew. We sense that there is a spiritual aspect to our children's natures and wonder how to support and nurture that. The spiritual life, our guest says, begins not in abstractions, but in concrete everyday experiences. And children need our questions as much as our answers."

He asks questions about nurturing spirituality in our children today and particularly liked the broadcasts emphasis on  the value of concrete everyday experiences and our questions in nurturing faith in children.

I too like that part, especially the part about the value of our own questions. As I think back over conversations with my own children, for whom matters of life and death were key (especially in relation to Chris) , I remember that our deepest conversations would take place in strange places like the supermarket, or cleaning the bathroom.... or through shared experiences.

Tim and I do not come from Christian homes, we were not brought up "in church" and so in many ways we have grown in faith alongside our children- as I stop to consider the benefits of that journey I wonder if this is something that would benefit us all... if we are able to see ourselves as spiritual pilgrims and not as experts we will be as ready to receive insights from our children as they are from us... does this fulfil Jesus command to come as children.....

it is important to retain an open dialogue, when our children were small we limited T.V. viewing to what we felt was suitable, as they grew and school friends and even teachers asked for this viewing to be broadened out we took the view that it was better to watch together and to discuss programme than to censor what they might just see elsewhere anyway. I am grateful to say that my children use discernment now in their viewing- they may not always watch what I like, but they still talk with us about stuff- remarkable when you consider they are between 18 & 25 yrs!

Whilst living in Texas we climbed Enchanted Rock as a family we stood together admiring the view from the top, when Joanne simply said- isn't God amazing- in silence we all agreed; it was a holy moment when none of us spoke we simply stood- and it was awesome... our questions and rushing's were suspended in those few moments of stillness and it is something none of us can explain but all of us remember... There have been other moments like that when we have watched a sunset or at one time sat quietly as an armadillo trundled slowly through our campsite- these were Holy moments where explanations were unnecessary and we simply allowed God to be God...

                                 

This is something we are not too good at, our western mindset insists that we have answers for everything- when we allow for our own questions in our families spiritual lives we allow room for God to speak... it is something I have struggled with as a parent, for there is a sense in which we feel we must be able to provide answers to our children's questions... over the years I have come to realise that as far as exploring spirituality goes it can often be more helpful to say I don't know...

I do believe that Christ is unique, I do believe that salvation comes through knowing God in Christ, that he has made a way for us by and through the cross- and most important I believe that the Holy Spirit comes bringing wisdom and revelation to those who ask, but we live in an age where our children have ready access to information about a number of different religions and views of God- rather than shoving God into a narrow box and demanding that s/he stay there I believe it is more important to acknowledge connection points and overlaps in spirituality's... Where the parents may come from different backgrounds this will be a place for real dialogue.

So let's aim to live with questions, and try to nurture an attitude of grace within our families

Let us be those who encourage our children's questions, admit that we do not have everything sewn up, and make the most of holy moments, when we stand together in awe and wonder ... and none of us have answers...

As for the Bible on parenting- maybe one thing we parents need to take most to heart is not about discipline or order but the charge from Ephesians:

Ephes. 6:4
    Parents don't exasperate your children by coming down hard on them. Take them by the hand and lead them in the way of the Christ.