Congregational Conversation - a concern...

One concern I had after our Congregational Conversation, and which I still have, is that many people may have left the discussion feeling that they did not get a chance to share or respond. Because it was evening and we didn't want to keep folks late (especially the kids), it seemed to me that we ended before everyone had a chance to share. Perhaps some people weren't wanting to share, but I left feeling some people may have felt cut off ...and sometimes that can leave you with the feeling that your thoughts aren't valued - which I believe is not true in this case. I know there really was not time at the meeting to dialogue about concerns - and I don't think it would have been very helpful to do it then since many people were hearing the information for the first time and, perhaps, need time to digest before finding more dialogue valuable. But the team certainly was seeking to gain insight into first impressions. Perhaps my concern is unfounded, but if not - I hope if you did not get a chance to share, that you wrote your comments down. And I pray that you know your thoughts are valued.

I believe that none of us knows God's Truth. (No matter how much I want to believe that I'm always right, I'm painfully aware it isn't true!) Our humanity hinders any one of us from knowing fully as God can be fully known. However, I believe that God imparts to each of us some portion of God's truth. And it is through our coming together and sharing the understanding that God has given each of us, even when it may seem to contradict - through this open and loving dialogue we grow together as a community of faith to understand a larger portion of God's will for us. We are each distinct parts making up the unique whole that our community of faith is. And we are each needed, our gifts and graces as well as our weaknesses - each of us is needed and cannot be replaced by another (just as the hand is not an eye, nor the eye an ear, etc.). I pray that you hear and respond to God's call to be part of the dialogue as we journey together to do God's will.

Our community of faith...

...I have spent a good portion of today processing yesterday's Congregational Conversation. As I reflect more, I will share my thoughts here... but let me start by saying:

I am so proud to be able to say I am a member of our church. The people I worship and serve with are so intentional about living out the biblical understanding of a faith community. You folks are great!

Last night about 45 of us gathered together to learn about a proposed building project that a team of folks has been working on. We fellowshipped together (read "had food"!), listened to the team's information, asked insightful questions, and spent some time sharing our initial reactions with the team and with one another. We didn't all agree, but we were able to disagree and raise questions and concerns while still communicating appreciation for the work that has been done. We were able to sit at tables together and treat each other as valued children of God. With a project the size of the one being proposed, it's typical to find groups who agree, who disagree, and who want to modify it in significant ways... These divisions of thought could easily fracture our community - and yet I believe discussions like we had last night will help instead to strengthen our trust in God, strengthen our care for one another, and help us to more easily glimpse the Spirit at work in our midst.

As a Christian, it saddens me to admit that oftentimes Christians can be found treating one another worse than folks who don't claim any connection to Christ. So it fills my heart with joy to be part of a community who understands and lives out what Christ teaches. A community who can disagree and still communicate love and acceptance. A community of people who care enough about God's call on their own lives and God's call on the life of our family of faith to not only give thoughtful consideration to what others say, but to also speak honestly when they are concerned. It takes courage and faith, not only in God but also faith in the Spirit of God at work in our midst.

My prayer is that, as we all have time to reflect, think, and question, that we will be able to continue to trust one another and God as we continue to seek God's will for us in this situation. Thank you for calling me to be a part of God's work in this place with you.

Journeying, part 2...

In my previous post I said about teenagers:

During this most difficult time in their lives what I believe they need most from adults is for us to be honest - to be able to be real, authentic. ... But, at the same time, I believe what they also need most is to know that the most valuable thing I can offer is to be available to walk with them on their journey, no matter what that is or where it takes them. To offer them my faith to lean on when theirs is weak, so that they can trust that all will be well, that God will be with them no matter what, and that they are each persons of infinite worth and value right now just the way they are.

For me, this also describes what our relationships with one another are all about - regardless of our age... or at least what they should be all about. That's what Jesus offered - honesty, authenticity, support, faith to share. Simply put, unconditional love.

I hate to admit that it is often easier for me to offer this type of love to teenagers than it is to offer it to adults. With teens, it is so much more obvious that they are seeking, searching, in need. Most of them just aren't as adept at putting on the mask as most adults are. And their honesty demands that I not put on the 'polite adult' mask that society tends to want adults to wear.

Today is my retreat day this month. I hope to spend at least part of it reflecting on where I need to be more authentic, honest and supportive in my relationships.

Journeying with teenagers...

I think one of the things I like about teenagers is their honesty. Much of the time they tell it like it is - or at least like they see it - whether or not it is the 'polite' thing to say. They are living through a time in their life when they are trying to figure out who they are and whose they are, where they belong and who will love them. They often wear masks to hide their uncertainties and to contain their fears, and they seek growth and understanding. During this most difficult time in their lives what I believe they need most from adults is for us to be honest - to be able to be real, authentic. To be angry when I am upset, to cry when I am sad, to admit when I don't know or don't understand, to not pretend that the world they live in is the same as the world of my youth, to not pretend that I understand all that they are going through... But, at the same time, I believe what they also need most is to know that the most valuable thing I can offer is to be available to walk with them on their journey, no matter what that is or where it takes them. To offer them my faith to lean on when theirs is weak, so that they can trust that all will be well, that God will be with them no matter what, and that they are each persons of infinite worth and value right now just the way they are.

God loves me that way... God loves you that way... do you know it?

A vision of hope

Here is a vision that, I hope, will up lift you and give you hope and strength.

Last week at camp I led two small group sessions on meditation and contemplation. These were sessions that the kids volunteered to attend. Eleven teens attended the first session and 15 attended the second. Picture a room full of teenagers requesting, seeking to learn more about communing with God - giving up time for other things, sitting without iPods or video games, sitting silently in shared space in communion with one another, seeking to learn more about sitting quietly in the presence of God. Some of them already practice meditation, for others it was a new experience - each of them ready to say 'enough' to the hectic life they lead, and seek instead opportunities to simply be in God's presence. It was an awesome and powerful experience for me. The Spirit of God was a tangible presence in that room. I am blessed to have been a part of it.

Where your passion lies...

I spent all of last week as a counselor at senior high camp in Silver Springs. Sunday afternoon 53 high schoolers arrived at the conference center and we left on Saturday morning. I have worked as a counselor for third grade camp for the past few years - so this was my first experience in a long time with high schoolers in that type of setting. I came away from the week tired but energized. I realized yesterday talking with one of our church's parents that the high school camp had almost three-times as many kids and was about twice as long as the third grade camp - but I came home from it less tired and more energized! It is amazing at times when I live pursuing my passion how much it energizes me - both spiritually and mentally.

Following God should not be a punishment. I should not be continually drained by pursuing what I believe God calls me to do. God calls each of us to wonderful things - things we are gifted and wired for. What energizes me is not the same as what will energize someone else - and that is a great thing. I enjoy working with people of all ages and especially kids - but my passion is found working with teenagers, and I have greater giftedness there.

What is God calling you to? What are you passionate about, what energizes you spiritually and mentally? ...and, most importantly, What are you doing about it?

If I truly believed...

I came across this statement on a church website yesterday while doing some (totally unrelated) research. (boy, I sure can go down some rabbit trails if I don't watch out!)

We are spiritual beings, created in God’s image. The spirit of God lives within each person; therefore, all people are inherently good.

My first reaction was – yes, I believe that, too. (What about you?) However, my second reaction was – do I really? I mean, do I really believe that, deep inside where it counts? Do I live as if I believed that with the core of my being? …I’m not so sure I live it – and I do believe it is a person’s actions that show the world what she believes and values…

If I believe that God lives within each person, wouldn’t I take the time to greet every person with intentional respect? Responding to the light of God within as the gift of God’s presence that it is? Not just the people I know, but each person I meet throughout the day – the clerk at the counter, the salesperson at the store, the person looking for a handout, and… It is the intention behind my actions that I’m questioning. I’m not sure that this difference would be noticed – although I suspect it would. More than simply being polite, which I do try my best to do; am I allowing the light of God within me to greet the light of God within you, acknowledging the connectedness that I believe exists between all of us?

hmm... this is going to take some more pondering. In the meantime, for the next week I’m going to try to pay better attention and see if I am really living what I believe.

How to make comments...

I've had a couple people ask me how to post responses to a post they read... I thought it might be helpful to others, too - so here are my notes.

To comment/respond to any blog post (that's what the individual "essays" are called) here's what you do:

1. at the end of the post you want to respond to you should see the word "comment"

2. click on that word and it will take you to another page

3. there should be a box for you to type your comments into; and a place to type your name so that it will be tagged to your response. If it asks for a Google or Yahoo account/name and you don't have one, just click on the spot for "other" and type your name (ignore the space for web-page).

Just ignore the "HTML tag..." stuff - it will print what you type.

4. so that my site doesn't get spam (hopefully) - I have it set for "word verify" so you will see some characters and a box below them to type in what you see.

5. once you are done with your response, just click on the "publish your comment" bar and you're done!

For any of the posts that you see a number next to "comments" and you want to read what others have said, just click on the word "comment" and this new page will open with the comments... (You don't have to type a comment to read the others.)

Also, if you want to respond to what someone else has said, simply type your comments in the box for that post - but address the person or mention the response when you do so others know you are responding to the comment and not the original... (clear as mud, right?!)

Once you do this a time or two, you will find it easier to do - it just seems complicated (I promise!).

By the way, this process is virtually the same on all blog sites - no matter who the "owner" is.

Blessings and happy blogging.

Morning Quiet

For the past few weeks I have spent time most mornings on our back porch – the dog and I. Our yard is surrounded by trees of several varieties (most of which I found out I’m allergic to, ugh…), and there’s usually a slight breeze. I watch the squirrels play, and listen to the frogs and the birds – I am surprised but pleased I can still hear them – and I pray as the spirit moves. It is very peaceful. Today I’m sitting with the rain, enjoying the sound of it on the metal roof, the cooling breeze the storm has brought – rocking and typing (boy do I like wireless!). …what you can’t feel as you read this are the long pauses between typing - it will take me longer than usual to finish this post, but that is fine. I used to get up in the morning and rush into my day, but I am trying to learn to move out of a place of centeredness. And I am trying to learn to simply be… Some days I sit only for a few minutes, other days I sit for a half-hour or longer. How long is not important and I resist setting any agenda (boy is that hard!), I sit until I feel it’s time to move to the next thing. I am gradually beginning to feel a change within me – a slowing of the frenetic pace within – that lasts long into the day. …unfortunately one that’s still too easy to leave behind in the demands of ministry that is never finished. …ahh, change within sometimes comes slowly.

What do you do to find your centeredness?

rain, Rain, RAIN!

I’m sitting on my back porch enjoying the rain. Yes, that’s right – RAIN in north Florida! And it’s not a 10 minute downpour, but a good long soaking – one that will hopefully do much to put out the fires. Sometimes tropical storms can be a good thing.

I cannot fathom how the firefighters do what they do. These fires have been so huge that they could not be put out – all the firefighters could do was attempt to control the blaze until it burned in on itself and ran out of fuel. I cannot imagine the work they do, the heat and intensity, and then to fight a fire such as the ones we’ve had lately that they know from the start would take WEEKS to put out. And they work 14 days before taking a break (2 days off) battling the larger fires. Wow. All I can say is – Thank You!