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Ha Gary, I knew we were different, it is just that surface personality type stuff that is the same!!!
My home is strangely quiet....
There is nobody here but me, Tim has just dropped off Jon at Lancaster University.....
It is strange, it feels so different already...
...I wonder if I can remember how to cook for two?
An unusual question, and one posed by John Drane in his book of the same title. A question that we need to address in this spiritually aware age, and unfortunately one that too many Christians shy away from....
Yesterday I drove to Guildford to take part in the Spirit of Life Festival there, I was using the Jesus Deck as an aid to opening up the Gospel Scriptures to spiritual seekers and as an aid to ministering to Christians. What I discover through these encounters is that the Holy Spirit moves powerfully when we open ourselves up to her presence within us, to her wisdom and gentleness...
The Spirit of life festival was a gathering point not only for seekers, but also for Christians who quite often independently enter into the Pagan/ New Age/Seeking arena in order to make connections.
Yesterday I worked amongst fellow Christians involved in dream interpretation, working with colours for healing (the closest description I can find is auras). Each of us has a lot to learn from the others, and each of us has a lot to share with our home churches....
How many of us are amazed day by day, by a touch from God, a sense that there is indeed more to life than this... that there is more to God than the box we keep her/him in...
We need to start to open our mouths to speak about healing, to describe the peace that passes all understanding in the midst of difficult situations....
Do Christians know how to be spiritual?
I think the answer is yes, yes we do, only we are not too good at sharing the wonderful truth or at living it out, too often we hold the theory in our heads and don't allow it to impact our hearts and lives.
There is a great need for us to engage with todays spiritual seekers, to understand that the promise of God to those who truly seek him is not confined witin the Christian community, but reaches our beyond our false barriers to embrace all. We need to read the signs of this age, to behold the announcement of God in our present reality, and not to cling tightly to what we already know refusing to allow God to do a new thing in us and in our thinking, refusing to be truly transformed by grace!
So let's engage with todays spiritual seekers, recognising that like us they are on a journey, if we were to embrace our spirituality and our common humanity we might find that as we enter into a genuine dialogue we bring the light of Christ, and the living waters of the Holy Spirit to a dark and parched land....
Do Christians know how to be spiritual?
Yes, so let's drop our defences, take off our distorting glasses and look for where God has moved ahead of us.
Reverendmother has been an inspiration to me as I have recently taken up the challenge of co-hosting Friday Five, but she says ;
Well friends, as I prepare for the birth of Bonus Baby, it's time to simplify life, step back from the Friday Five, and let one of the other capable and creative RevGals take the helm. It's been a great almost 17 months of co-hosting the F5, but it's time to say goodbye... so here's my swan song.
On Endings and Goodbyes:
1. Best ending of a movie/book/TV show
I am a sucker for happy endings, like to think that all will be well, so I enjoy the end of Chocolat- both film and book ( yes I know- but I treat them as different stories). But the one that stays with me is the ending of the Shawshank redemption, because it ends with a beginning- an empty beach and a place full of possibilities, and yet it is poignant, because the new beginning means leaving behind everything- re-inventing life and starting with a clean sheet...
As for my favourite ending to a book- well it is close to the end; Douglas Couplands Life After God ends with these words;
“My secret is that I need God- I am sick and can no longer make it alone. I need God to help me give because I am no longer capable of giving; to help me be kind, as I no longer seem capable of kindness; to help me love as I seem beyond being able to love”.
AMEN AND AMEN
2. Worst ending of a movie/book/TV show
Happy endings can also be rather crass, and can seem false, for me the happily ever after ending to the Friends series was just a little icky! Darn that programme for being so addictive...
3. Tell about a memorable goodbye you've experienced.
Ouch- well saying goodbye to my stillborn daughter Sarah was both painful and beautiful- the sense of God's presence was truly tangible, she was perfect and tiny and beautiful, but although she was mine she was not....but we will meet again. To celebrate her life we planted a rose bush, called breath of life, in some ways when we sold the house where it was planted 17 years later, it was hard to leave the bush behind- I didn't take a cutting, it didn't seem right.
4. Is it true that "all good things must come to an end"?
NO- He came that we might have life and life in its fullness- that life moves on into eternity!
5. "Everything I ever let go of has claw marks on it." --Anne Lamott
Discuss.
I cannot afford to cling too tightly, this has been learnt the hard way, I must hold all relationships and possessions as both precious yet not mine to cling to. This last few weeks three of my children have left home for the first time, all going to University, the closest one is 150 miles away. I had to let go, and it felt good and right, I did not want them to go injured by claw marks!
Chris with new friends at Cliff College
Jon being Jon!
Jo, dirty but beautiful at her summer job earning money for Freshers week!!!
.
Bonus: "It isn't over until the fat lady sings." I've never loved this expression. So propose an alternative: "It isn't over until ... who said it would ever all be over????
As I read the lectionary reading for Sunday I began to hear other voices ( no, not a sign of a split personality) I became aware of the voices I hear day by day, and yet I filter them out, for I am busy! This evening I chose to stop and listen to those voices, and I invite you to listen to them with me.
We are mothers, refugees. You see us on your T.V screens day by day, our faces are drawn, our breasts empty, we hold our children tightly as we watch them slip away from us. Our enemies are hunger and disease, and although you see us we do not touch your hearts for more than a moment or two before you continue with your busy lives!
We are children, the subject of poster campaigns, you see us living in terrible conditions, neglected and abused, the black and white print separates us from you, does not adequately highlight the poverty, the sores and scars, and although you see us we do not touch your hearts for more than a moment or two before you continue with your busy lives!
We are the elderly, we live near you, possibly next door, we are lonely, sometimes the television is the only company we have day after day. You know we are here, but you do not see us, and we do not touch your hearts as we once did, your lives are too busy!
We are the poor, the hungry, the neglected, the lonely and the abused.... we share one thing with you; we are human! Do you hear our voices, see our faces, or do we simply fade into insignificance as you favourite programme rolls across the screen, do you intend to do something tomorrow, only to find that tomorrow never comes as you get caught up in the whirl of day to day living?
These questions and statements are hard hitting, they could be considered to be emotionally manipulative, that would of course give us a comfortable excuse to turn away, but they are real, they are a few among many voices that call out to us day by day from a world in need.
The reading tells of Lazarus, whose poverty and need was obvious, and yet ignored, would we be so callous, are we so callous?
Lazarus experience was to be stepped over and ignored, he knew what need was, he knew what neglect was, when he died he went to heaven, the rich man found himself in hell!
Mark Twain is quoted as saying that it was not the things in the Bible that he did not understand that troubled him the most, it was the things that he did understand. The meaning of the story we heard today is clear, and it should trouble us! It is easy to step over the poor, to avert our eyes from the screen, from the newspaper, from the woman wrapped in a blanket in the shop doorway, and the more we do it, the easier it becomes....
BUT it is wrong!
All of us have so much to share, so much that we could give- Jesus challenges us to embrace the vulnerable amongst us, to recognise our common humanity. Recognising that common humanity should propel us to do more than simply throw a couple of pounds into a collection envelope once or twice a year, it should cause us to ask ourselves questions about our lifestyle, questions about the people we meet day by day as well as those who live many miles away.
A simpler lifestyle would enable us to give more, half an hour spent with an elderly neighbour would enrich their lives and ours, seeking ways to touch the vulnerable in society, to be involved will give us a different perspective...
... as for me I have to face up to my own selfishness, my tendency to hoard wealth for myself, to always put off giving until tomorrow!
We may say our resources are small, and yet we claim to follow the one who took 5 loaves and two fish and fed 5,000- what might happen if we were to gain God's perspective? What might come about, if we like the young boy place ourselves into God's hands and bring our offerings however small?
We recognise that we are weak, and yet God chooses to pour his treasure into our lives, these cracked pots, these jars of clay were created to be containers into which God pours life.... full life that brims over with gifts freely given...
Listen to these words from Galatians;
Galatians 5:22-23 (MsgB)
But what happens when we live God's way? He brings gifts into our lives, much the same way that fruit appears in an orchard—things like affection for others, exuberance about life, serenity. We develop a willingness to stick with things, a sense of compassion in the heart, and a conviction that a basic holiness permeates things and people. We find ourselves involved in loyal commitments, not needing to force our way in life, able to use and direct our energies wisely.
We have the resources, we have the time, what we need to do is to open our eyes, ears and hearts to the common humanity we share with those far and near, to allow those voices to be heard, and to seek to respond in a Godly way...
For God so loved the world that he gave... he gave himself, in his Son, to show us how to live, she poured herself into our lives by the Holy Spirit.... listen again for the still small voice that whispers to us...follow me, for those who seek to save their own lives will loose them, whilst those who give themselves up for me will find themselves saved... and whatever you do for the least of these you do for me....
Another voice comes to us blown by the wind of the Spirit....
We are the fathers, torn from our homes and families, herded like sheep, rounded up and shot. Our crime, quite simply being alive...our voices have been silenced, but you have heard our cry, do you have ears to hear?
I am becoming more aware of the networking possibilities provided by facebook, in some ways it is fun to give and receive fish for our virtual aquariums... I even have a fish from the Vice-President ( of Methodist Conference in case you are confused)- but then I'm not the only one Ruby Beech has a great Aquarium and is generous in sending folk some fish!
Beyond fish, smiling and waving at folk there are some really good opportunities for discussion offered by facebook groups. Methodism has a group for British Methodists generally, one for Worship Leaders and Preachers, and a Youth conference group, there are also groups formed from the various theological colleges. Beyond this people are joining up to declare their interests in various causes from Save Darfur to voicing solidarity with the Buddhist Monks in Burma.
It is good to see that this is being taken seriously by many, for beyond the fun of a game of rock. paper scissors, there are fairly in depth discussions and on-line resources being made available; for example Mike Bossingham from Family Friendly Churches Trust regularly uploads taster videos with links to his main site, others ( including the President and Vice President of Conference) have notes/ links to their blogs...
I hope that the dialogue will continue to grow, that we will still have fun, but also be brave enough to maintain a positive voice through this unique forum. I do have some questions though: is this a genuinely community forming and building experience or do we feel as isolated in our small corners of the Connexion as we may have done before? Can / should we move from an on-line conversation to a face to face conversation, and would this be helpful? How and when do we move from words to practise?
I am encouraged by the conversation, and yet left with the feeling: there must be more than this!
Over the last few years there has been a re-kindling of interest in Celtic Spirituality within the Christian Church. Cd's and books have been produced in abundance, but are we simply trying to purchase a more holistic spirituality by adding to our music collection, or is there a real attempt to engage with the issues that Celtic Christianity raises for us?
The term `Celtic Church’ is used to describe almost the earliest native form of Christianity in the islands of Britain and Ireland, it dates from around 400. The Celtic Church established itself as the most successful evangelistic movement Britain has ever seen with people like Ninian, the first known evangelist in Scotland, David, who had such an influence on Wales, Patrick, a Scot who evangelised Ireland, Columba, an Irishman who led many in Scotland to Christ.
Some folk say that the picture of Celtic Christianity we are given today is soft and rather romantic, it is in fact a pseudo spirituality that never really existed. I am not going to argue that here, rather I am going to ask you to look carefully at the following claims for Celtic Spirituality and ask whether or not they could encourage us to build bridges for dialogue with the Pagan/ neo Pagan communities which are on the increase in the West.
Are we ready to follow the Wild Goose?
In the Celtic tradition the Holy Spirit is represented as a bird, but not the peaceful and serene dove landing on Jesus at his baptism. For their symbol of the Holy Spirit, the Celtic church people chose the Wild Goose, ( An Geadh-Glas)
Why did the Wild Goose speak to those ancient Celtic Christians? To begin with, wild geese aren't’t controllable. You can’t restrain a wild goose and bend it to your will. They’re raucous and loud. Unlike the sweet and calming cooing of a dove, a goose’s honk is strong, challenging, strident and unnerving – and just a bit scary.
In much the same way the Spirit of God can be, demanding and unsettling. Think about the story of Pentecost, and the impression the disciples made on the crowd. People thought they were drunk and disorderly!
Its one thing for a gentle dove to descend peacefully on Jesus – it’s something all together different when the Spirit descends like a wild, noisy goose!
Celtic Christians see life as a pilgrimage, use earthy yet poetic prayers, and have a vivid sense of saints, angels and the unseen world. They believe that what is deepest in us is the image of God. Sin has distorted but not erased it. However, the struggle against evil in the human and the spirit world is real. Memorising Scripture, praying daily following the natural rhythm of the sun and the seasons, and working with a soul friend to overcome destructive passions are a means to this.
The early Celtic churches were communities of work, prayer and hospitality at the heart of local life, and those with a Celtic vision seek to restore these features to church life today.The Celtic way of mission is to plant the experience of Christ within the natural patterns of the people, to be friendly towards all people of good will and respect other faiths. Many people today see Celtic spirituality as a way to weave together again the separated strands of Christianity, and to heal a fragmented world.
Because the Celtic Church had not been infected with a dualistic outlook on creation, they did not see matter as evil, nor the spiritual world as divorced from the material. Thus, they looked on Creation around them as one great hymn of praise to its Creator, reflecting His nature and character, whilst not actually being God itself.
The Celtic believers lived in a rural world, life was lived in rhythm with creation and was made up of work, worship and rest, with everything cloaked in prayer. Thus, many Celtic prayers are associated with simple events such as rising in the morning, lying down at night, cleaning a hearth or baking bread. They saw the creatures around them as fellow servants of God. So, on one occasion, Cuthbert chided a young companion for not sharing a fish with an eagle who had just miraculously presented it to them for food.
On another, Columba instructed a brother on Iona to give shelter to an injured bird which had fallen on the shore on its flight across the water, as an expression of God’s love for His creatures, there is the famous story of Cuthbert being warmed at Coldingham by sea-otters after he had come out of the cold North Sea where he had been singing psalms during the night.
Creation is therefore seen as an outward expression of God’s nature and character, sustained by His upholding Word, and declaring His visible glory. It is not seen as a decaying, disposable utility to be exploited by man, which came with the later dualistic thinking.
How then can a re-awakened sense of God's presence in creation serve to encourage Christians to build bridges to their Pagan "friends"? For we should seek to be friends.... For too long we have simply swallowed and accepted a dualistic mindset without question, separating the spiritual and physical worlds, often in an unconscious way, we have simply compartmentalised our lives.
I wonder then what type of dialogue might be struck if we were to celebrate the passing of the seasons ( with more than increasingly meaningless Harvest festivals)? If we were to develop liturgies to recognise solstice and equinox, choosing to see the ebb and flow of the seasons as Gods good gift to us?
I wonder if healing might flow if we were to recognise the possibility that "thin places" and ley lines look at the world in similar ways? Our task is to make connections rather than raise barriers, and to tear down old barriers in order to move forward to a more positive place.
You can’t restrain a wild goose and bend it to your will.....In much the same way the Spirit of God can be, demanding and unsettling.
Are we ready to follow the Wild Goose?
Other Synchrobloggers include;
Matthew Stone at Journeys in Between
Christianity, Paganism, and Literature at Notes from the Underground
John Smulo at JohnSmulo.com
Heathens and Pagans and Witches ... oh my! at Calacirian
Sam Norton at Elizaphanian
Erin Word at Decompressing Faith
Chasing the Wild Goose at Eternal Echoes
Visigoths Ahoy! at Mike's Musings
Steve Hollinghurst at On Earth as in Heaven
Undefined Desire at Igneous Quill
A Walk on the Wild Side at Out of the Cocoon
Observations on Magic in Western Religion at My Contemplations
Tim Abbott at Tim Abbott
Spirituality and the Zodiac: Stories in the Cosmos at Be the Revolution
Rejection, Redemption, and Roots at One Hand Clapping
This is where I will be on Saturday;
Working with Eden People at the Spirit of life Festival ,Holy Trinity Church, Guilford.
Eden People purveyors of festival spiritual chill out spaces, creativity and
general feel good events bring their comfy cushions, candles, healings,
blessings and massage to you in the shape of SPIRIT of LIFE Guildford.
This free event is shaped for the spiritual consumer and interested people in search of some meaning and peace in the journey of life. This event encapsulates all that is wonderful about Christo-Centric Spiritualityand you’ll be sure to engage something that meets your need or desire at this event – encouragement,direction, comfort, love and peace.
What can we tempt you with?
Free hand and foot wash & massage • Dreams interpreted • Healing words and hands •
Words of insight and destiny • Life blessings • Creative expression • Meditation/contemplation
Refreshment for mind, body and spirit
...and much, much more ...to revive you
Release those heavy shopping bags and take just a moment to engage with the ‘Spirit of Life’
Venue: Holy Trinity Church High Street Guildford
Date: Saturday 29th September 2007
Open: 10.30am – 4pm
Will you love the "you" you hide if I but call your name?
Will you quell the fear inside and never be the same?
Will you use the faith you've found to reshape the world around,
through my sight and touch and sound in you and you in me?
Challenging words from the final hymn at our training weekend... I'd spoken to a friend earlier in the weekend about the masks we wear, and the difficulties we face in laying them aside....being vulnerable is hard when we want to appear strong and capable! How often do we hide from ourselves, accepting only the outward projection of who we want to be without accepting the inner questioning, the doubts and weaknesses which make us whole? To be truly whole we need to be able to love ourselves, to see the person that God sees and to allow the whole person to grow and change, if we hide from ourselves we are in danger of stunting our own growth in vital areas....perhaps we can learn from the psalmists who poured out not only praise and adoration, but frustrations, doubts, fears and challenges before God. In Psalm 84- we find these words;
5 Blessed are those whose strength is in you,
who have set their hearts on pilgrimage.6 As they pass through the Valley of Baca,
they make it a place of springs;
the autumn rains also cover it with pools.7 They go from strength to strength,
till each appears before God in Zion. (Psalm 84:5-7)
They offer us hope for our journey, the valley of Baca is the valley of weeping, there may be many things that cause us to weep, to feel vulnerable and to fear change. Fear of change can keep us trapped in unhealthy ways of being, and difficult relationships, fear of change may cause us to stifle necessary questions and step away from hard decisions. I suspect that if we lay aside our masks and accept ourselves as we truly are whether God might become our strength in a new way, that we might be able to say like Paul- I am but a jar of clay, but within me lie the riches and blessings of a God who loves me so much that I am accepted as I am- by the Holy Spirits power at work within me I will change;
16-18Whenever, though, we turn to face God (as Moses did), God removes the veil and there we are—face-to-face! Suddenly recognising that God is a living, personal presence, not a piece of chiselled stone. And when God is personally present, a living Spirit, that old, constricting legislation is recognised as obsolete. We're free of it! All of us! Nothing between us and God, our faces shining with the brightness of his face. And so we are transfigured much like the Messiah, our lives gradually becoming brighter and more beautiful as God enters our lives and we become like him. (2 Cor. 3:16-18)
Growth results in change, new ways of relating to and seeing God are often a result as we expand our vision of who S/he is, that new found faith will and can touch others if we dare to speak it out... for when we are open we will find that God works in us... and we might truly be able to express;
19-21What actually took place is this: I tried keeping rules and working my head off to please God, and it didn't work. So I quit trying to live by the law so that I could be God's child. Christ's life showed me how, and enabled me to do it. I identified myself completely with him. Indeed, I have been crucified with Christ. My ego is no longer central. It is no longer important that I appear righteous before you or have your good opinion, and I am no longer driven to impress God. Christ lives in me. The life you see me living is not "mine," but it is lived by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. I am not going to go back on that. (Galatians 2 : 19-21)
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