tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-43267182156518483022024-02-07T03:38:16.495-08:0010Q10QReflections on following Jesus in real life...Dave Harrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03407512323970693677noreply@blogger.comBlogger133125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4326718215651848302.post-60189194826744371642022-12-15T14:04:00.001-08:002022-12-15T14:04:14.044-08:00 Why I Believe in Love1<p> <span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><b style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Bodoni MT",serif;">Why I Believe in Love</span></span></b><sup style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Bodoni MT",serif;">1</span></span></sup></p><p style="margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-family: "Bodoni MT",serif;"></span></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJOl2emBWJf6QBCtgD9yzXGCm8QCDVMrJHQn7Zu0AAb7jYjsSfY-ep8LDiahiUz7AkmskkuCVf6dZvJGClSa_CPrmyArgay3_nC4fM5xjWRVk_eQ-a5Ec5RHQrLOwqocDJz68AMZd8nRROSIUxCKdQd_wKJsB2G_OwQhGn3AHf6OWtWu40LpuVc5Kn/s4160/2021StaffordDrSpier+PollenMay%20(1).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3120" data-original-width="4160" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJOl2emBWJf6QBCtgD9yzXGCm8QCDVMrJHQn7Zu0AAb7jYjsSfY-ep8LDiahiUz7AkmskkuCVf6dZvJGClSa_CPrmyArgay3_nC4fM5xjWRVk_eQ-a5Ec5RHQrLOwqocDJz68AMZd8nRROSIUxCKdQd_wKJsB2G_OwQhGn3AHf6OWtWu40LpuVc5Kn/w357-h268/2021StaffordDrSpier+PollenMay%20(1).jpg" width="357" /></a></div> Professor Richard Beck<sup>2</sup> posited that justification (what sets us right with God) is past oriented, what Christ has done, and judgement is future. Intrigued by the distinction, I wondered if Beck’s use of justification was similar or addressing the same territory as John Wesley did with Prevenient Grace, God’s help before we even know need or ask for help. Beck further speaks to judgement as a responsibility and accountability to live out love given that justified, God has given us a fresh start with Christ, and help in the Holy Spirit, allowing us the choice to live with love or not. (And ultimately be accountable for our how we do or don’t love.)<p></p><p style="margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-family: "Bodoni MT",serif;"> Then, unrelated I was reading Michael Williams, <em><u>Spoken Into Being</u></em><sup>3</sup> and he suggests that God-truth (my term, not his) is bigger than any one story. Williams sees the possibility that juxtaposed stories, even when appearing conflictual, can provide a fuller perspective on that God-truth.</span></span></span></p><p style="margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-family: "Bodoni MT",serif;"> Now enter an unfolding conversation with a retired pastoral colleague at Cornwall Manor about the justice of Jesus' message as both important and perhaps more important than love alone thoughts are swirling in my head. Fear not, I like to think out-loud. I value honest, respectful conversation, even when its an opposing point of view, indeed, iron sharpens iron.<sup>4</sup></span></span></span></p><p style="margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-family: "Bodoni MT",serif;"> I wonder how God-truth is best expressed in varying contexts and circumstances with integrity. Unsurprisingly, followers of Jesus, even preachers, speak only a fragment of the Good News when there is a pressing need, curiosity, transgression, or circumstance. We intuitively know that waxing theological about salvation (soteriology) with someone freshly facing deep grief is not only inappropriate, but unfruitful, perhaps even damaging. So, how do we faithfully make those distinctions?</span></span></span></p><p style="margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-family: "Bodoni MT",serif;"> What if justice, love, judgment, justification, love, and more are all in the mix? What if they are, as much, our momentary point of view as they are definitive theological concepts? I know that my theology professors probably just cringed, shaking their heads about how they failed me as their student, but stick with me a moment... philosophical level theological (all head with little heart) endeavors generally feel disconnected from experience for many of us. Further, historical records tell a story of Christendom making theological sub-point litmus tests that later are understood as off the mark. Even further, it is often the theologian with the effective life-connecting-story-line that gains the broadest hearing. Maybe rightly so, because theology seeks to understand experience, and in that understanding consequently shape it. Theology, our beliefs, don’t often come out of nothing, but rather experience reflected upon. </span></span></span></p><p style="margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-family: "Bodoni MT",serif;"> That all comes home for me, that when I focus on love then other things happen too. Focused on love I am discontent to stay inactive and silent about injustice. Focused on love I'm hungry to learn the nuances of theology, history, philosophy, sociology... you get the point. Focused on love I'm passionate about communities of audacious love and thriving life--aka the Church (or at least the Church playing a central part). Focused on love the stack of theological points in my head and belief statements in my head take on hands and feet in very practical, God-truth ways.</span></span></span></p><p style="margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-family: "Bodoni MT",serif;"> I remain open to learning, curiosity and all the places it may lead. My own thinking about God </span></span></span></p><p style="margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-family: "Bodoni MT",serif;">has been and continues to develop, blossom, adapt, and grow as God works and as I get out of the way. I confess I've become, in this season, a bit more focused on a loving orthopraxy (right and good practice) in contrast to an orthodoxy (right and good belief). In short, whatever eternity looks like, I'd rather stand before the Creator of All having erred on the side of grace and love, than judgement, and rigidity. How about you? Let's keep learning together.</span></span></span></p><p style="margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin: 0in;"><br /></p><p style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 9.0pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><sup><span style="font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Bodoni MT",serif;">1-</span></span></sup><span style="font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Bodoni MT",serif;">OK, caught! I can’t tell you everything about “Why I Believe In Love” in this short article, but I’ve taken a run at a brief intro to that task.</span></span></span></span></p><p style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 9.0pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><sup><span style="font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Bodoni MT",serif;">2-</span></span></sup><span style="font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Bodoni MT",serif;"><a data-cke-saved-href="https://richardbeck.substack.com/p/justification-and-judgment-day?utm_source=%2Fprofile%2F5800915-richard-beck&utm_medium=reader2&s=r" href="https://richardbeck.substack.com/p/justification-and-judgment-day?utm_source=%2Fprofile%2F5800915-richard-beck&utm_medium=reader2&s=r" style="color: #0563c1;">https://richardbeck.substack.com/p/justification-and-judgment-day?utm_source=%2Fprofile%2F5800915-richard-beck&utm_medium=reader2&s=r</a></span></span></span></span></p><p style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 9.0pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><sup><span style="font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Bodoni MT",serif;">3-</span></span></sup><u><span style="font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Bodoni MT",serif;">Spoken Into Being: Divine Encounters Through Story</span></span></u><span style="font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Bodoni MT",serif;">, Michael E. Williams, 2017 Upper Room Books</span></span></span></span></p><p style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 9.0pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><sup><span style="font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Bodoni MT",serif;">4-</span></span></sup><span style="font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Bodoni MT",serif;"><a data-cke-saved-href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Proverbs+27%3A17&version=CEB" href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Proverbs+27%3A17&version=CEB" style="color: #0563c1;">Proverbs 27:17<br /></a></span></span></span></span></p>Dave Harrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03407512323970693677noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4326718215651848302.post-64815676782444899692022-10-13T12:42:00.001-07:002022-10-13T12:43:03.500-07:00 UMC Updates 10/14/2022<p> <b><u><span style="font-family: "Bodoni MT", serif; font-size: 14pt;">UMC Updates</span></u></b><span style="font-family: "Bodoni MT", serif;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">
10/14/2022 </span><i>first published in October PS. Update</i></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_mUn6WM4BtDCiiED5RfDY3gde0ICxPvGaSFkrOJ03l3bXx0uPAnY0CTXlcB64R-jKk0xzMwqMcKkGJJznHFpr6Er8dPggIurZ0zLz_1m8fZ7ADQ3xuJAGs6a_Zn36UqY1fMn-HhM050Tud8JdtHLrvCl-PgnoIGbrxROsA9eDeiHXqhyFGKNPSZ51/s348/DeeplyRootedPeopleofGodUMC.png" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="348" data-original-width="348" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_mUn6WM4BtDCiiED5RfDY3gde0ICxPvGaSFkrOJ03l3bXx0uPAnY0CTXlcB64R-jKk0xzMwqMcKkGJJznHFpr6Er8dPggIurZ0zLz_1m8fZ7ADQ3xuJAGs6a_Zn36UqY1fMn-HhM050Tud8JdtHLrvCl-PgnoIGbrxROsA9eDeiHXqhyFGKNPSZ51/s320/DeeplyRootedPeopleofGodUMC.png" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.25in;"><span style="font-family: "Bodoni MT",serif; font-size: 13pt;">If you are United Methodist, you may be aware that a
conservative break-away group formed, the <i>Global Methodist Church,</i> in
May 2022.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This, along with some
inaccurate information in circulation, has prompted many questions, such as:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 39.7pt; text-indent: -22.15pt;"><span style="font-family: "Bodoni MT",serif; font-size: 13pt;">Q—“Do all UMC’s need to
vote?”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 39.7pt; text-indent: -22.15pt;"><b><i><span style="font-family: "Bodoni MT",serif; font-size: 13pt;">A—No.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></i></b><i><span style="font-family: "Bodoni MT",serif; font-size: 13pt;">Right now there is no need to vote,
unless a congregation is entertaining immediate disaffiliation</span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Bodoni MT",serif;">(leave & either be independent or
aligned with another denomination) </span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Bodoni MT",serif; font-size: 13pt;">from the UMC.<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 39.7pt; text-indent: -22.15pt;"><span style="font-family: "Bodoni MT",serif; font-size: 13pt;">Q—Will the beliefs of
the UMC change? </span><span style="font-family: "Bodoni MT",serif;">(<i>i.e.
those in the historic creeds, such as, resurrection, or virgin birth.)<o:p></o:p></i></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 39.7pt; text-indent: -22.15pt;"><b><i><span style="font-family: "Bodoni MT",serif; font-size: 13pt;">A—No</span></i></b><i><span style="font-family: "Bodoni MT",serif; font-size: 13pt;">. The only anticipated
change is that the language about homosexuality, it will likely be
adapted/removed/edited <u>so that</u> congregations & pastors will be able
to follow conscience on this matter. </span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Bodoni MT",serif;">(Historically true to the UMC pattern on issues with big
disagreement.)<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 39.7pt; text-indent: -22.15pt;"><span style="font-family: "Bodoni MT",serif; font-size: 13pt;">Q—What questions do you
have?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 39.7pt; text-indent: -22.15pt;"><b><i><span style="font-family: "Bodoni MT",serif; font-size: 13pt;">A—Ask and I'll see what I can find. You may find more in the links below.<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.25in;"><span style="font-family: "Bodoni MT",serif; font-size: 13pt;">If you haven’t had a chance to see the Adam
Hamilton videos responding to the GMC’s Rob Renfroe, check it out </span><a href="https://proudtobeumc.com/"><span style="font-family: "Bodoni MT",serif; font-size: 13pt;">here</span></a><span style="font-family: "Bodoni MT",serif; font-size: 13pt;"> on </span><a href="https://proudtobeumc.com/"><span style="font-family: "Bodoni MT",serif; font-size: 13pt;">#proudtobeUMC</span></a><span style="font-family: "Bodoni MT",serif; font-size: 13pt;">.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> H</span>ere are links
to<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><a href="https://s3.amazonaws.com/Website_Properties/connectional-table/documents/Human-sexuality-and-united-methodist-church-timeline.pdf"><span style="font-family: "Bodoni MT",serif; font-size: 13pt;">histories</span></a><span style="font-family: "Bodoni MT",serif; font-size: 13pt;"> (</span><a href="https://www.wnccumc.org/files/websites/www/PDF+of+Healthy+Conversations+Toward+the+Way+Forward+PowerPoint.pdf"><span style="font-family: "Bodoni MT",serif; font-size: 13pt;">another here</span></a><span style="font-family: "Bodoni MT",serif; font-size: 13pt;">), </span><a href="https://www.umc.org/en/content/ask-the-umc-is-the-umc-really-part-1"><span style="font-family: "Bodoni MT",serif; font-size: 13pt;">Q&A’s</span></a><span style="font-family: "Bodoni MT",serif; font-size: 13pt;">, & more. Thanks for reading.<o:p></o:p></span></p>Dave Harrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03407512323970693677noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4326718215651848302.post-67572038996806293522022-10-13T12:30:00.001-07:002022-10-13T12:30:28.355-07:00Hope in the Noise Oct.14, 2022<p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSWLErEnvgBhvJ9VKet2z3OWWkHagjBo9xigetObZX7U8EDGXmhes1XjU0Xq3IX5TIf5QJAjyH4dHZzlrf_US8TJ3mrlrDy8dn2GFGInqpIcLeRyCpN4m3HGbpzsfvaVWYSgTuMNJFvND0lhx_AJEnzz4XUAH8V5UETXOEn3hUmwnUHdN4BL81D--6/s325/COoperation.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; display: inline !important; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="325" data-original-width="325" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSWLErEnvgBhvJ9VKet2z3OWWkHagjBo9xigetObZX7U8EDGXmhes1XjU0Xq3IX5TIf5QJAjyH4dHZzlrf_US8TJ3mrlrDy8dn2GFGInqpIcLeRyCpN4m3HGbpzsfvaVWYSgTuMNJFvND0lhx_AJEnzz4XUAH8V5UETXOEn3hUmwnUHdN4BL81D--6/w200-h200/COoperation.jpg" width="200" /></a></p><h1><a name="_Toc116565848"><b><u><span style="color: black; font-family: "Bodoni MT",serif; mso-themecolor: text1;">Hope</span></u></b></a><!--[if supportFields]><span
style='mso-bookmark:_Toc116565848'></span><span style='mso-element:field-begin'></span><span
style='mso-bookmark:_Toc116565848'> XE "</span><span style='mso-bookmark:
_Toc116565848'><b><u><span style='font-family:"Bodoni MT",serif;color:black;
mso-themecolor:text1'>Hope</span></u></b>" </span><span style='mso-bookmark:
_Toc116565848'></span><![endif]--><span style="mso-bookmark: _Toc116565848;"></span><!--[if supportFields]><span
style='mso-bookmark:_Toc116565848'></span><span style='mso-element:field-end'></span><![endif]--><span style="mso-bookmark: _Toc116565848;"><b><u><span style="color: black; font-family: "Bodoni MT",serif; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>in the
Noise</span></u></b></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Toc116565848;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Bodoni MT",serif; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Toc116565848;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Bodoni MT",serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-themecolor: text1;">Oct.14, 2022 </span></span><i style="font-family: "Bodoni MT", serif; font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><br />First published in PS Update</span> </i></h1>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 22.35pt; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: -13.85pt;"><i><span style="font-family: "Bodoni MT",serif; font-size: 13.0pt;">“Let us
consider how to provoke one another to love & good deeds”</span></i><span style="font-family: "Bodoni MT",serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">-Heb.10:24</span><sup><span style="font-family: "Bodoni MT",serif; font-size: 6.5pt;">NRSVUE</span></sup><!--[if supportFields]><sup><span
style='font-size:6.5pt;font-family:"Bodoni MT",serif'><span style='mso-element:
field-begin'></span></span></sup> XE "<span style='font-size:10.0pt;
mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Bodoni MT",serif'>Heb.10</span>\<span
style='font-size:10.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Bodoni MT",serif'>:24</span><sup><span
style='font-size:6.5pt;font-family:"Bodoni MT",serif'>NRSVUE</span></sup>"
<![endif]--><!--[if supportFields]><sup><span style='font-size:6.5pt;
font-family:"Bodoni MT",serif'><span style='mso-element:field-end'></span></span></sup><![endif]--><span style="font-family: "Bodoni MT",serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Bodoni MT",serif; font-size: 13.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 22.35pt; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: -13.85pt;"><span style="font-family: "Bodoni MT",serif; font-size: 13.0pt;">“...<i>what
does the <span style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span> require of
you but to do justice & to love<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>kindness & to walk humbly with your God </i>” </span><span style="font-family: "Bodoni MT",serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">-Micah
6:8b</span><sup><span style="font-family: "Bodoni MT",serif; font-size: 6.5pt;">NRSVUE</span></sup><!--[if supportFields]><sup><span
style='font-size:6.5pt;font-family:"Bodoni MT",serif'><span style='mso-element:
field-begin'></span></span></sup> XE "<span style='font-size:10.0pt;
mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Bodoni MT",serif'>Micah 6</span>\<span
style='font-size:10.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Bodoni MT",serif'>:8b</span><sup><span
style='font-size:6.5pt;font-family:"Bodoni MT",serif'>NRSVUE</span></sup>"
<![endif]--><!--[if supportFields]><sup><span style='font-size:6.5pt;
font-family:"Bodoni MT",serif'><span style='mso-element:field-end'></span></span></sup><![endif]--><sup><span style="font-family: "Bodoni MT",serif; font-size: 8.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></sup></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;"><span style="font-family: "Bodoni MT",serif; font-size: 8.0pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .25in;"><span style="font-family: "Bodoni MT",serif; font-size: 13.0pt;">Is it hard for you to hold on to hope in the
noise</span><!--[if supportFields]><span style='font-size:13.0pt;font-family:
"Bodoni MT",serif'><span style='mso-element:field-begin'></span></span> XE
"<span style='font-size:13.0pt;font-family:"Bodoni MT",serif'>noise</span>"
<![endif]--><!--[if supportFields]><span style='font-size:13.0pt;font-family:
"Bodoni MT",serif'><span style='mso-element:field-end'></span></span><![endif]--><span style="font-family: "Bodoni MT",serif; font-size: 13.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>of news, people, events, & politics?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You’re not alone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Soundbites swirl around us promising
certainty in place of honest engagement.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Problematically, certainty that diminishes others is arrogance, not
confidence nor truth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This then oozes
into our being, polluting what was once kind talk, formerly open to the
possibility of learning from & compromising with one another. Then hope is
hidden.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .25in;"><span style="font-family: "Bodoni MT",serif; font-size: 13.0pt;">These encounters hold anger, fear, control &
sometimes hatred, instead of hope, mutual care, & shared interest in
building up one another</span><!--[if supportFields]><span style='font-size:
13.0pt;font-family:"Bodoni MT",serif'><span style='mso-element:field-begin'></span></span>
XE "<span style='font-size:13.0pt;font-family:"Bodoni MT",serif'>building
up one another</span>" <![endif]--><!--[if supportFields]><span
style='font-size:13.0pt;font-family:"Bodoni MT",serif'><span style='mso-element:
field-end'></span></span><![endif]--><span style="font-family: "Bodoni MT",serif; font-size: 13.0pt;">.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>These are not
elements of a strong community, faith, individual, or conversation. Yet we feel
stuck with the present state of affairs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Some react with defensive assurance that certainty is our duty.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Most ache as life-giving hope ebbs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .25in;"><span style="font-family: "Bodoni MT",serif; font-size: 13.0pt;">What shall we do?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Is there hope?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .25in;"><span style="font-family: "Bodoni MT",serif; font-size: 13.0pt;">Yes!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My
faith teaches me that truth comes with a forbearing, patient love.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Good communication teaches deep listening as
a prerequisite to being heard.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Strong
business & negotiation skills speak of the sweet spot where we all leave with
something of value—no one departs feeling deceived or disadvantaged.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I could go on with education, psychology,
research methodology, journalism, health & wellness…. Suffice it to say
domination deals death; mutuality nurtures hope.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This truth is multidisciplinary.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .25in;"><span style="font-family: "Bodoni MT",serif; font-size: 13.0pt;">There is a better way!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; text-indent: -9.2pt;"><span lang="X-NONE" style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: X-NONE; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">¨</span> <i><span style="font-family: "Bodoni MT",serif; font-size: 13.0pt;">“I’m going to show you an even better way.”</span></i><span style="font-family: "Bodoni MT",serif; font-size: 11.0pt;">-1Cor. 12:31</span><!--[if supportFields]><span
style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Bodoni MT",serif'><span style='mso-element:
field-begin'></span></span> XE "<span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:
"Bodoni MT",serif'>1Cor. 12</span>\<span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:
"Bodoni MT",serif'>:31</span>" <![endif]--><!--[if supportFields]><span
style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Bodoni MT",serif'><span style='mso-element:
field-end'></span></span><![endif]--><span style="font-family: "Bodoni MT",serif; font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><i>(intro to the
famous “Love chapter” in the bible, 1 Cor.13)<o:p></o:p></i></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; text-indent: -9.2pt;"><span lang="X-NONE" style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: X-NONE; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">¨</span> <i><span style="font-family: "Bodoni MT",serif; font-size: 13.0pt;">“Hope is the thing with feathers</span></i><!--[if supportFields]><i><span
style='font-size:13.0pt;font-family:"Bodoni MT",serif'><span style='mso-element:
field-begin'></span></span></i> XE "<i><span style='font-size:13.0pt;
font-family:"Bodoni MT",serif'>Hope is the thing with feathers</span></i>"
<![endif]--><!--[if supportFields]><i><span style='font-size:13.0pt;font-family:
"Bodoni MT",serif'><span style='mso-element:field-end'></span></span></i><![endif]--><i><span style="font-family: "Bodoni MT",serif; font-size: 13.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>that perches in the soul- & sings the
tunes without the words - & never stops at all.” -</span></i><a href="https://www.brainyquote.com/authors/emily-dickinson-quotes"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Bodoni MT",serif;">Emily Dickinson</span><!--[if supportFields]><span
style='font-family:"Bodoni MT",serif;color:black'><span style='mso-element:
field-begin'></span></span><span style='color:windowtext;text-decoration:none;
text-underline:none'> XE "</span><span style='font-family:"Bodoni MT",serif;
color:black'>Emily Dickinson</span><span style='color:windowtext;text-decoration:
none;text-underline:none'>" </span><![endif]--><!--[if supportFields]><span
style='font-family:"Bodoni MT",serif;color:black'><span style='mso-element:
field-end'></span></span><![endif]--></a><i><span style="font-family: "Bodoni MT",serif; font-size: 11.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; text-indent: -9.2pt;"><span lang="X-NONE" style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: X-NONE; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">¨</span> <i><span style="font-family: "Bodoni MT",serif; font-size: 13.0pt;">“Hope is patience with the lamp lit.” </span></i><span style="font-family: "Bodoni MT",serif;">-Tertullian</span><!--[if supportFields]><span
style='font-family:"Bodoni MT",serif'><span style='mso-element:field-begin'></span></span>
XE "<span style='font-family:"Bodoni MT",serif'>Tertullian</span>" <![endif]--><!--[if supportFields]><span
style='font-family:"Bodoni MT",serif'><span style='mso-element:field-end'></span></span><![endif]--><span style="font-family: "Bodoni MT",serif;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><i>(2nd
Cent. African Christian author)</i></span><i><span style="font-family: "Bodoni MT",serif; font-size: 11.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .25in;"><span style="font-family: "Bodoni MT",serif; font-size: 13.0pt;">Hope’s power comes from a foundation far greater
than any one of us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s power embraces
a now-into-the-future positive perspective that there is more than what we see
in the moment.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Hope is big enough to be
framed with faith, wisdom, or spirit, yet is not limited by any one individual
or group’s understanding.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Hope is available
to all.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .25in;"><span style="font-family: "Bodoni MT",serif; font-size: 13.0pt;">There is hope amid the noise of
24/7-confirmation-biased news.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There is
hope beyond the deluge of negativity & hostility.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Hope is found in faith, friendship, learning
together, honest sharing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Hope need
never fade away when firmly grounded.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>There is hope amid the noise.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .25in;"><span style="font-family: "Bodoni MT",serif; font-size: 13.0pt;">Allow me to offer two things:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>First, my faith links my hope to Jesus Christ</span><!--[if supportFields]><span
style='font-size:13.0pt;font-family:"Bodoni MT",serif'><span style='mso-element:
field-begin'></span></span> XE "<span style='font-size:13.0pt;font-family:
"Bodoni MT",serif'>Jesus Christ</span>" <![endif]--><!--[if supportFields]><span
style='font-size:13.0pt;font-family:"Bodoni MT",serif'><span style='mso-element:
field-end'></span></span><![endif]--><span style="font-family: "Bodoni MT",serif; font-size: 13.0pt;">. And <i>(this is very important) </i>my understanding of
Christian faith offers a broad, inviting, & including possibility;<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>one that some of the broader Christian family
would take issue with.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For me all I’ve
written is grounded in that faith & finds expressions in broader places.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .25in;"><span style="font-family: "Bodoni MT",serif; font-size: 13.0pt;">Second, just this week I had a discussion worth
sharing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I sat down with a friend who
holds a more conservative perspective, than do I, on faith & all that’s
going on in the United Methodist Church.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><i>(That is tensions about sexuality</i></span><!--[if supportFields]><i><span
style='font-size:13.0pt;font-family:"Bodoni MT",serif'><span style='mso-element:
field-begin'></span></span></i> XE "<i><span style='font-size:13.0pt;
font-family:"Bodoni MT",serif'>sexuality</span></i>" <![endif]--><!--[if supportFields]><i><span
style='font-size:13.0pt;font-family:"Bodoni MT",serif'><span style='mso-element:
field-end'></span></span></i><![endif]--><i><span style="font-family: "Bodoni MT",serif; font-size: 13.0pt;">, biblical authority, & the nature of our
heritage</span></i><span style="font-family: "Bodoni MT",serif; font-size: 13.0pt;">.)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I knew I needed to have the discussion</span><!--[if supportFields]><span
style='font-size:13.0pt;font-family:"Bodoni MT",serif'><span style='mso-element:
field-begin'></span></span> XE "<span style='font-size:13.0pt;font-family:
"Bodoni MT",serif'>discussion</span>" <![endif]--><!--[if supportFields]><span
style='font-size:13.0pt;font-family:"Bodoni MT",serif'><span style='mso-element:
field-end'></span></span><![endif]--><span style="font-family: "Bodoni MT",serif; font-size: 13.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>but was a little
uneasy at the start. But, we sat down to talk. An hour later, it turns out that
we share more in common than we differ.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We both value the authority of scripture</span><!--[if supportFields]><span
style='font-size:13.0pt;font-family:"Bodoni MT",serif'><span style='mso-element:
field-begin'></span></span> XE "<span style='font-size:13.0pt;font-family:
"Bodoni MT",serif'>authority of scripture</span>" <![endif]--><!--[if supportFields]><span
style='font-size:13.0pt;font-family:"Bodoni MT",serif'><span style='mso-element:
field-end'></span></span><![endif]--><span style="font-family: "Bodoni MT",serif; font-size: 13.0pt;">, our sacred text.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We
both deeply desire to faithfully follow our God & share God’s love.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Where we differ is in details.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What we left sharing was common ground</span><!--[if supportFields]><span
style='font-size:13.0pt;font-family:"Bodoni MT",serif'><span style='mso-element:
field-begin'></span></span> XE "<span style='font-size:13.0pt;font-family:
"Bodoni MT",serif'>common ground</span>" <![endif]--><!--[if supportFields]><span
style='font-size:13.0pt;font-family:"Bodoni MT",serif'><span style='mso-element:
field-end'></span></span><![endif]--><span style="font-family: "Bodoni MT",serif; font-size: 13.0pt;">, mutual respect</span><!--[if supportFields]><span
style='font-size:13.0pt;font-family:"Bodoni MT",serif'><span style='mso-element:
field-begin'></span></span> XE "<span style='font-size:13.0pt;font-family:
"Bodoni MT",serif'>respect</span>" <![endif]--><!--[if supportFields]><span
style='font-size:13.0pt;font-family:"Bodoni MT",serif'><span style='mso-element:
field-end'></span></span><![endif]--><span style="font-family: "Bodoni MT",serif; font-size: 13.0pt;">, & practical ideas of how we could support one
another.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I left feeling lighter,
encouraged, connected...HOPEFUL!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .25in;"><span style="font-family: "Bodoni MT",serif; font-size: 13.0pt;">Hope comes in connection, community</span><!--[if supportFields]><span
style='font-size:13.0pt;font-family:"Bodoni MT",serif'><span style='mso-element:
field-begin'></span></span> XE "<span style='font-size:13.0pt;font-family:
"Bodoni MT",serif'>community</span>" <![endif]--><!--[if supportFields]><span
style='font-size:13.0pt;font-family:"Bodoni MT",serif'><span style='mso-element:
field-end'></span></span><![endif]--><span style="font-family: "Bodoni MT",serif; font-size: 13.0pt;">, honesty, courage… all elements of my world view &
faith.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I hope <i>(& pray) </i>that
you would have: the courage to connect even when it’s hard; the grace to
forgive when the connection isn’t reciprocated; the honest wisdom to know that
you are not in charge of the world or of fixing others<i> (I’m not either!)</i>;<i>
</i>& the gift of a loving community that both heals the wounds of the
journey, & celebrates<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>the hope that
is ours.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .25in;"><span style="font-family: "Bodoni MT",serif; font-size: 13.0pt;">Go prepare for a conversation with
reflection.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Go engage with honesty.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Go listen to others with deep attention
& patience.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Go claiming hope. You’re
not alone!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="font-family: "Bodoni MT",serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Bodoni MT",serif; font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none;"><b><u><span style="font-family: "Bodoni MT",serif; font-size: 13.0pt;">Prayer-</span></u></b><span style="font-family: "Bodoni MT",serif; font-size: 13.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Hope of the World</span><!--[if supportFields]><span
style='font-size:13.0pt;font-family:"Bodoni MT",serif'><span style='mso-element:
field-begin'></span></span> XE "<span style='font-size:13.0pt;font-family:
"Bodoni MT",serif'>Hope of the World</span>" <![endif]--><!--[if supportFields]><span
style='font-size:13.0pt;font-family:"Bodoni MT",serif'><span style='mso-element:
field-end'></span></span><![endif]--><span style="font-family: "Bodoni MT",serif; font-size: 13.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>surround us with a
higher purpose that draws together, makes whole, includes, & restores.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Forgive us when we feign so great a
confidence that we diminish our neighbor.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Teach us of the ways of love, kindness, learning, & faith that build
up Hope in each of us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Finally, may we
rejoice in that possibility as we care for one another, grow stronger together,
& seek a deep & lasting peace.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b>May
It Be So.<o:p></o:p></b></span></p>Dave Harrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03407512323970693677noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4326718215651848302.post-71259786351638132022-10-02T11:12:00.001-07:002022-10-02T11:12:11.066-07:00UMC Questions<p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinzm7P13RfaRa4MpBKW1QIt9xZIHHC8apMZ91q2P8xB7hzxYSV4s9LkkgfUq-1GcdtCv-QETf2l_QgNLqdmIbPwfo4OFeM1tjtewklfSASp7xvd6KHSlYAdZSZGAOntW-ZjJ0QjLi17OrEeP6SA4_joC7vDRpCV4DV00xZ8NGPZxGAU_hvOXQhDfWS/s271/Conversation.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; float: left; font-family: "Bodoni MT", serif; font-size: 12pt; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="186" data-original-width="271" height="137" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinzm7P13RfaRa4MpBKW1QIt9xZIHHC8apMZ91q2P8xB7hzxYSV4s9LkkgfUq-1GcdtCv-QETf2l_QgNLqdmIbPwfo4OFeM1tjtewklfSASp7xvd6KHSlYAdZSZGAOntW-ZjJ0QjLi17OrEeP6SA4_joC7vDRpCV4DV00xZ8NGPZxGAU_hvOXQhDfWS/w200-h137/Conversation.png" width="200" /></a></p><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Bodoni MT",serif;"><span style="mso-default-font-family: "Bodoni MT"; mso-latin-font-family: "Bodoni MT";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">("UMC Questions" first published 9/16/2022 in "PS Update")</span></span></span></div><h1><i style="text-indent: -13.85pt;"><span style="font-family: "Bodoni MT",serif; font-size: 13.0pt;">“See I’m
making all things new”</span></i><span style="text-indent: -13.85pt;"><span style="font-family: "Bodoni MT",serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">-Rev.21:5</span><span style="font-family: "Bodoni MT",serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"> </span></span></h1><h1><span style="font-size: small;"><i>“<span style="text-indent: -13.85pt;">For I the Lord do not change.”</span></i><span style="text-indent: -13.85pt;"><span style="font-family: "Bodoni MT", serif;"><i> </i>-Mal.3:6a</span></span></span></h1>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;"><span style="font-family: "Bodoni MT", serif;"> <span style="font-size: 10.6667px;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Bodoni MT", serif; font-size: 13pt; text-indent: 0.25in;">What’s up with those Methodists?</span><span style="font-family: "Bodoni MT", serif; font-size: 13pt; text-indent: 0.25in;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Bodoni MT", serif; font-size: 13pt; text-indent: 0.25in;">The answer is that churches & culture
have grappled with some questions for decades. These conversations have reached
a pivotal moment.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .25in;"><span style="mso-default-font-family: "Bodoni MT"; mso-latin-font-family: "Bodoni MT";"><span style="font-family: "Bodoni MT",serif; font-size: 13.0pt;">First—God is unchanging; God is love; God
renews, & remakes things.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All of
that is true for the United Methodist Church (UMC</span><!--[if supportFields]><span
style='font-size:13.0pt;font-family:"Bodoni MT",serif'><span style='mso-element:
field-begin'></span></span> XE "<span style='font-size:13.0pt;font-family:
"Bodoni MT",serif'>UMC</span>" <![endif]--><!--[if supportFields]><span
style='font-size:13.0pt;font-family:"Bodoni MT",serif'><span style='mso-element:
field-end'></span></span><![endif]--><span style="font-family: "Bodoni MT",serif; font-size: 13.0pt;">).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>UMC core beliefs</span><!--[if supportFields]><span
style='font-size:13.0pt;font-family:"Bodoni MT",serif'><span style='mso-element:
field-begin'></span></span> XE "<span style='font-size:13.0pt;font-family:
"Bodoni MT",serif'>UMC core beliefs</span>" <![endif]--><!--[if supportFields]><span
style='font-size:13.0pt;font-family:"Bodoni MT",serif'><span style='mso-element:
field-end'></span></span><![endif]--><span style="font-family: "Bodoni MT",serif; font-size: 13.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>are not being
changed.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .25in;"><span style="mso-default-font-family: "Bodoni MT"; mso-latin-font-family: "Bodoni MT";"><span style="font-family: "Bodoni MT",serif; font-size: 13.0pt;">I know that here at Cornwall Manor we are from
many backgrounds.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I also know that UMC questions
around sexuality</span><!--[if supportFields]><span style='font-size:13.0pt;
font-family:"Bodoni MT",serif'><span style='mso-element:field-begin'></span></span>
XE "<span style='font-size:13.0pt;font-family:"Bodoni MT",serif'>sexuality</span>"
<![endif]--><!--[if supportFields]><span style='font-size:13.0pt;font-family:
"Bodoni MT",serif'><span style='mso-element:field-end'></span></span><![endif]--><span style="font-family: "Bodoni MT",serif; font-size: 13.0pt;">, & interpreting
scripture</span><!--[if supportFields]><span style='font-size:13.0pt;
font-family:"Bodoni MT",serif'><span style='mso-element:field-begin'></span></span>
XE "<span style='font-size:13.0pt;font-family:"Bodoni MT",serif'>scripture</span>"
<![endif]--><!--[if supportFields]><span style='font-size:13.0pt;font-family:
"Bodoni MT",serif'><span style='mso-element:field-end'></span></span><![endif]--><span style="font-family: "Bodoni MT",serif; font-size: 13.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(the key issues at hand) are raising questions
for United Methodists and they also ripple into conversations with neighbors.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .25in;"><span style="mso-default-font-family: "Bodoni MT"; mso-latin-font-family: "Bodoni MT";"><span style="font-family: "Bodoni MT",serif; font-size: 13.0pt;">Here is a word of information about all
this.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The UMC continues to affirm &
believe what it has for decades.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A new
traditionalist denomination formed, the “Global Methodist Church</span><!--[if supportFields]><span
style='font-size:13.0pt;font-family:"Bodoni MT",serif'><span style='mso-element:
field-begin'></span></span> XE "<span style='font-size:13.0pt;font-family:
"Bodoni MT",serif'>Global Methodist Church</span>" <![endif]--><!--[if supportFields]><span
style='font-size:13.0pt;font-family:"Bodoni MT",serif'><span style='mso-element:
field-end'></span></span><![endif]--><span style="font-family: "Bodoni MT",serif; font-size: 13.0pt;">” (as separate from the UMC), as a different voice in the
conversation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With that genesis comes
the tacit query, “With whom do congregations & pastors align?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In truth, UMC congregations can decide by
doing nothing and their familiar church home will not be altered from the core
beliefs or general governance.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .25in;"><span style="mso-default-font-family: "Bodoni MT"; mso-latin-font-family: "Bodoni MT";"><span style="font-family: "Bodoni MT",serif; font-size: 13.0pt;">Wow that’s a lot!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And that’s what’s up with those
Methodists.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you need details ask
Chaplain Dave, he’s got </span></span><a href="https://s3.amazonaws.com/Website_Properties/connectional-table/documents/Human-sexuality-and-united-methodist-church-timeline.pdf"><span style="font-family: "Bodoni MT",serif; font-size: 13.0pt;"><span style="mso-default-font-family: "Bodoni MT"; mso-latin-font-family: "Bodoni MT";">histories</span></span></a><span style="mso-default-font-family: "Bodoni MT"; mso-latin-font-family: "Bodoni MT";"><span style="font-family: "Bodoni MT",serif; font-size: 13.0pt;"> (</span></span><a href="https://www.wnccumc.org/files/websites/www/PDF+of+Healthy+Conversations+Toward+the+Way+Forward+PowerPoint.pdf"><span style="font-family: "Bodoni MT",serif; font-size: 13.0pt;"><span style="mso-default-font-family: "Bodoni MT"; mso-latin-font-family: "Bodoni MT";">another here</span></span></a><span style="mso-default-font-family: "Bodoni MT"; mso-latin-font-family: "Bodoni MT";"><span style="font-family: "Bodoni MT",serif; font-size: 13.0pt;">), </span></span><a href="https://www.umc.org/en/content/ask-the-umc-is-the-umc-really-part-1"><span style="font-family: "Bodoni MT",serif; font-size: 13.0pt;"><span style="mso-default-font-family: "Bodoni MT"; mso-latin-font-family: "Bodoni MT";">Q&A’s</span></span></a><span style="mso-default-font-family: "Bodoni MT"; mso-latin-font-family: "Bodoni MT";"><span style="font-family: "Bodoni MT",serif; font-size: 13.0pt;">, & more. Both of
your chaplains are happy to talk further.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .25in;"><span style="mso-char-tracking: 92%; mso-default-font-family: "Bodoni MT"; mso-latin-font-family: "Bodoni MT";"><span style="font-family: "Bodoni MT",serif; font-size: 13.0pt;">What </span><i><span style="mso-char-tracking: 92%; mso-default-font-family: "Bodoni MT"; mso-latin-font-family: "Bodoni MT";">I encourage for ALL engaged in any unsettling or difficult
conversations</span></i><span style="mso-char-tracking: 92%; mso-default-font-family: "Bodoni MT"; mso-latin-font-family: "Bodoni MT";">, is to engage the other with
the </span><i><span style="mso-char-tracking: 92%; mso-default-font-family: "Bodoni MT"; mso-latin-font-family: "Bodoni MT";">goal to better understand </span></i><span style="mso-char-tracking: 92%; mso-default-font-family: "Bodoni MT"; mso-latin-font-family: "Bodoni MT";">their thoughts & heart, before sharing yours.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When we converse to prove a point, to fix a
position that we believe is wrong, or to attack, it helps no one & rarely
changes anyone’s mind.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Additionally, it
often polarizes further.</span><o:p></o:p></span><span style="mso-default-font-family: "Bodoni MT"; mso-latin-font-family: "Bodoni MT";"></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .25in;"><span style="font-family: "Bodoni MT",serif; font-size: 13.0pt;">One thing I know (among the myriad that I don’t
know), is that God’s got this.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I know
we’re richer & happier when we learn about one another.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I know that hard topics don’t have to create
losses of friends, security, or convictions. We can do this! Let’s talk.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Peace</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .25in;"><b style="text-indent: 0.25in;"><u><span style="font-family: "Bodoni MT",serif; font-size: 12.5pt;">Prayer-</span></u></b><span style="font-family: "Bodoni MT", serif; font-size: 12.5pt; text-indent: 0.25in;"> Loving God, teach us how to love in our
differences; to build one another up in
love; to learn from one another through love; & to seek redeeming ways in
love. </span><b style="text-indent: 0.25in;">Amen.</b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none;"> *Added after 1st publication -- Another resources <a href="https://proudtobeumc.com/?fbclid=IwAR0-KASLL2rd4jf9rT4aWaK33Olh2zrcOKoSCICJIWiO6k55Y5_vdjJ8H0w" target="_blank">Proud to Be UMC--6 Adam Hamilton Videos</a></p>Dave Harrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03407512323970693677noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4326718215651848302.post-41478835152193136002022-10-02T10:57:00.005-07:002022-10-02T10:57:52.371-07:00Let’s Talk <p> <b><u><span style="font-size: medium;">Let’s Talk </span></u></b> [First published 8/26/2022 in P.S. UPdate] (UMC & local congregation decisions)</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE0gEoxMdcn9_2A03UeIIw1yCr88OjaCjzW05_UwNlMrvu9qq9PHPSp4yq_kJPk3K4EqcizqDHeGAdLTdyK5oxW-4pGDeg6cZuZ0RfSFZEOMpS7w0qltkf-IflLVdtUCMt-mFqYn0vxJEHSRkhYYGLe_BTHnXmDrw6kOz8s9q3rtcMArYMph3wA8fe/s574/You%20Pushed%20Me.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="334" data-original-width="574" height="186" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE0gEoxMdcn9_2A03UeIIw1yCr88OjaCjzW05_UwNlMrvu9qq9PHPSp4yq_kJPk3K4EqcizqDHeGAdLTdyK5oxW-4pGDeg6cZuZ0RfSFZEOMpS7w0qltkf-IflLVdtUCMt-mFqYn0vxJEHSRkhYYGLe_BTHnXmDrw6kOz8s9q3rtcMArYMph3wA8fe/s320/You%20Pushed%20Me.png" width="320" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: "Bodoni MT", serif;">“...let
everyone be quick to listen, slow to speak, slow to anger .”-James1:19b<sup>NRSVUE</sup></span><sup><span style="font-family: "Bodoni MT",serif;"> <br /></span></sup><p></p><p><span style="font-family: "Bodoni MT", serif;">“If
one gives answer before hearing, it is folly and shame. “ -Proverbs18:13<sup>NRSVUE</sup></span><span style="font-family: "Bodoni MT", serif;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .25in;"><span style="font-family: "Bodoni MT",serif;">We
can have better conversation</span><!--[if supportFields]><span
style='font-family:"Bodoni MT",serif'><span style='mso-element:field-begin'></span>
XE "conversation" </span><![endif]--><!--[if supportFields]><span
style='font-family:"Bodoni MT",serif'><span style='mso-element:field-end'></span></span><![endif]--><span style="font-family: "Bodoni MT",serif;">s. More life-giving & loving
conversations. We know how. It starts with respect, a shape that love takes. It
includes patience. Good conversation involves humility, “I may be wrong about
some of this.” Better talk means listening first until your partner feels
heard. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .25in;"><span style="font-family: "Bodoni MT",serif;">Webster
defines hearing</span><!--[if supportFields]><span style='font-family:"Bodoni MT",serif'><span
style='mso-element:field-begin'></span> XE "hearing" </span><![endif]--><!--[if supportFields]><span
style='font-family:"Bodoni MT",serif'><span style='mso-element:field-end'></span></span><![endif]--><span style="font-family: "Bodoni MT",serif;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>as
the “process, function, or power of perceiving sound; specifically: the special
sense by which noises and tones are received as stimuli.” Listening</span><!--[if supportFields]><span
style='font-family:"Bodoni MT",serif'><span style='mso-element:field-begin'></span>
XE "Listening" </span><![endif]--><!--[if supportFields]><span
style='font-family:"Bodoni MT",serif'><span style='mso-element:field-end'></span></span><![endif]--><span style="font-family: "Bodoni MT",serif;">, on the other hand, means “to pay attention
to sound; to hear something with thoughtful attention; and to give
consideration.” A good conversation require listening. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .25in;"><i><span style="font-family: "Bodoni MT",serif;">“Change</span></i><!--[if supportFields]><i><span
style='font-family:"Bodoni MT",serif'><span style='mso-element:field-begin'></span></span></i><span
style='font-family:"Bodoni MT",serif'> XE "<i>Change</i>" </span><![endif]--><!--[if supportFields]><i><span
style='font-family:"Bodoni MT",serif'><span style='mso-element:field-end'></span></span></i><![endif]--><i><span style="font-family: "Bodoni MT",serif;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>happens by listening and then starting a
dialogue with the people who are doing something you don’t believe is right.”</span></i><span style="font-family: "Bodoni MT",serif;"> (Jane Goodall) <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A conversation is about respect</span><!--[if supportFields]><span
style='font-family:"Bodoni MT",serif'><span style='mso-element:field-begin'></span>
XE "respect" </span><![endif]--><!--[if supportFields]><span
style='font-family:"Bodoni MT",serif'><span style='mso-element:field-end'></span></span><![endif]--><span style="font-family: "Bodoni MT",serif;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>not winning, learning</span><!--[if supportFields]><span
style='font-family:"Bodoni MT",serif'><span style='mso-element:field-begin'></span>
XE "learning" </span><![endif]--><!--[if supportFields]><span
style='font-family:"Bodoni MT",serif'><span style='mso-element:field-end'></span></span><![endif]--><span style="font-family: "Bodoni MT",serif;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>not debate, cooperation</span><!--[if supportFields]><span
style='font-family:"Bodoni MT",serif'><span style='mso-element:field-begin'></span>
XE "cooperation" </span><![endif]--><!--[if supportFields]><span
style='font-family:"Bodoni MT",serif'><span style='mso-element:field-end'></span></span><![endif]--><span style="font-family: "Bodoni MT",serif;">, not domination. I invite you to
intentional listening</span><!--[if supportFields]><span style='font-family:
"Bodoni MT",serif'><span style='mso-element:field-begin'></span> XE "intentional
listening" </span><![endif]--><!--[if supportFields]><span
style='font-family:"Bodoni MT",serif'><span style='mso-element:field-end'></span></span><![endif]--><span style="font-family: "Bodoni MT",serif;">. Then, let’s talk.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><u><span style="font-family: "Bodoni MT",serif;">Prayer</span></u></b><span style="font-family: "Bodoni MT",serif;">- Attentive Creator, teach me to listen
deeply & respond only with love. Amen.<o:p></o:p></span></p>Dave Harrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03407512323970693677noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4326718215651848302.post-46777758391273422722018-01-19T12:06:00.000-08:002018-01-19T12:06:10.294-08:00Loved & Effective<div dir="auto" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk_Z70lqU_YAxRh7wJbv1yknuQMxiglGeHyBd4vLi3-hfYVmLJAt6JVm-5wp8iERPfFkHVC-nNO4LK0tfV6rjvoRLrPBfOE0WF2oY_BnfBgeAMg404q9hAw_yUOPR2PXH-jnqX1nkMJlY/s1600/DSC00036.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk_Z70lqU_YAxRh7wJbv1yknuQMxiglGeHyBd4vLi3-hfYVmLJAt6JVm-5wp8iERPfFkHVC-nNO4LK0tfV6rjvoRLrPBfOE0WF2oY_BnfBgeAMg404q9hAw_yUOPR2PXH-jnqX1nkMJlY/s320/DSC00036.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
I want to share a story with you today. But it's bigger than that. It's for everyone. Too often I can be inattentive to the holy in life. I'm hoping this story is a moment of listening, of breakthrough. You get to decide. Here it is:</div>
<div dir="auto" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div dir="auto" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">
<span style="font-size: small;">I was running into the sanctuary to put my microphone back where it belongs, on Monday of this week. (FYI I'm a pastor and Monday is clean-up-from-Sunday day.) I was literally running, I was in that kind of hurry.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div dir="auto" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">
<span style="font-size: small;">When I got half way across the front of the church, up by the pulpit, I heard words, "sit down on the steps;" I would call it God speaking, but I can work with me thinking to myself, or maybe you could say "I had a sense of", you pick the language comfortable for you, but I had a clear sense of the direction, "sit down on the steps."</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div dir="auto" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">
<span style="font-size: small;">I sometimes have thoughts out of the blue. When that happens I pause, think about them, and my mind spins off in a hundred directions trying to make sense of it all. I dismiss the chaos. I move on figuring it to be my own thoughts. On Monday my brain just landed on the words, "sit down on the steps." No spinning. No extra stuff.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div dir="auto" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">
<span style="font-size: small;">So there in the sanctuary I sat down on the top cold stone step of an empty church in a dimly-lit, sanctuary. and I said "now what?" (I not sure, but I may have even said it out loud.)</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div dir="auto" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif;">
What followed were more words, "tell the people two things:" (Remember I'd say it was God speaking, but I understand if you're more comfortable with other language, like me thinking to myself, or maybe saying "I had a sense of", you pick the language comfortable for you. I hope you're getting the drill by now.) Those two things were clearly:</div>
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<br /></div>
<div dir="auto" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: 12.8px;"> </span><span style="font-size: large;">1. "I love you" </span>and</div>
<div dir="auto" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div dir="auto" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: large;"> 2. "You can make the difference." </span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div dir="auto" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif;">
Sitting still, curious, and bewildered I looked up. (I don't know why, but my eyes had been on the steps to this point.) Now, no words came, rather a clear sense of the room feeling full of life and an exciting presence of audacious, life-changing love that I can only express as God. Maybe you have another word, but it's the kind of feeling I get working with a community of people to change the world, only to find myself changed.</div>
<div dir="auto" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif;">
<br /></div>
<div dir="auto" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif;">
I needed these affirming words on Monday. I don't know if you need their invitation or encouragement today. They are here for you if you do. </div>
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<br /></div>
<div dir="auto" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif;">
One thing is clear to me. I want to make sure you hear those two inviting affirmations from God. God loves you and intends to use you to make the difference. Pass it on. </div>
<div dir="auto" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif;">
<br /></div>
<div dir="auto" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif;">
10,000 Joys in Christ</div>
<div dir="auto" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif;">
Dave</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
Dave Harrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03407512323970693677noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4326718215651848302.post-76801294045668621782017-05-12T11:16:00.002-07:002017-05-12T11:16:33.828-07:00Planning, Potholes & Pit Stops -- It's All here!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv-2PQ2fDKIMKsJepl_dVMectt9UxQnNDm34ZOQoOyYDd1LZqrorMJXmpfuV0WA08BL6_gS9EAUNn4N6VfLJPLqycJQUWTGsxupfVZXncvX4y9PV7AQ3zrBhUGW1c_gIWNDIEcxljCpi4/s1600/Depositphotos_72023145_m.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="285" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv-2PQ2fDKIMKsJepl_dVMectt9UxQnNDm34ZOQoOyYDd1LZqrorMJXmpfuV0WA08BL6_gS9EAUNn4N6VfLJPLqycJQUWTGsxupfVZXncvX4y9PV7AQ3zrBhUGW1c_gIWNDIEcxljCpi4/s320/Depositphotos_72023145_m.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 1.25in; margin-top: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="text"><b><i><sup><span style="background: white;">16 </span></sup></i></b></span><span class="text"><i><span style="background: white;">God loved the people of this
world so much that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who has faith in him
will have eternal life and never really die.</span></i></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><i><span style="background: white;"> </span></i></span><span class="text"></span><b><i><sup style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="background: white;"><span style="text-align: start;"><span id="en-CEV-24084" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;">17 </span></span></span></sup></i></b><span class="text"><i><span style="background: white;">God did not send his
Son into the world to condemn its people. He sent him to save them!</span> John
3:16-17 (CEV)</i></span><i><span style="background: white;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="background: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> The story of God's strategic plan is in all of
our holy story from Genesis' creation to Revelation's new Jerusalem. We know it didn't always go smoothly,
remember the Garden of Eden--oops, the Israelites wandering in the wilderness--oh
my, and the disciples scattering after the crucifixion--yikes! We also know the powerful success of God's
strategy of Love at the empty tomb--yes, the Holy Spirit's fire at Pentecost--wow,
and the power of the Body of Christ infectiously Loving through the Church--amazing.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="background: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="background: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.pfumc.us/">Palmyra First UMC</a> is beginning a strategic planning process,
and to be sure it will parallel the ups and downs of God's story. We'll get some things right the first time,
and we'll make a few humbling stumbles.
We'll enthusiastically embrace where God leads us, and we'll
rebelliously grumble in our discomfort and discontent. Perhaps, most importantly, God's redeeming
grace will shine through in the end, when we choose this journey.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="background: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="background: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Strategic planning will stretch us personally; God will call
and nudge us to new places. Sometimes
we'll say "Yes" easily. Most
often we'll doubt, dodge and ditch God's invitation for a while. We'll need one another for honest feedback,
loving challenge, and mutual support, while we adapt and love on.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="background: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="background: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Strategic planning will stretch us as a church; God will call
and nudge us to new ministry, forms, neighbors and places. Sometimes we'll embrace the new with excited
hard work. Frequently we'll avoid,
forget, and distort God's invitations to us.
We'll need much prayer, holy conversation, and Jesus-inspired boldness,
so that we can adapt and love on.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="background: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="background: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Strategic planning will stretch us in our resources; God will
challenge us beyond what we can see.
Sometimes we'll step out faithfully with generous choices. Anxiously we'll act protectively, territorially,
and selfishly--both as a church and as individuals. We'll need God Moments told joyously,
personal faith lived entrepreneurially, and administration lived transparently,
assisting us to adapt and love on.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="background: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="background: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Saved and stretched, stretched and saved, is the story of
God's Love in Jesus, the holy story, the Bible's story. This timeless invitation and challenge starts
from the inside-out, "Will I trust God and go where I don't choose, can't
see, and quite possibly am not comfortable?" My prayer, as pastor and follower of Jesus,
is that we all help one another answer, "YES!" because we trust the
life transforming, world changing, soul saving Love of God in Jesus Christ. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">10,000 Joys in
the Way of Jesus Christ, Pastor Dave<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"> *<i>All bible story references and genuine
conversation about them available from <a href="file:///C:/Users/Pastor%20Dave/Dropbox/PFUMC/Admin/dave@pfumc.us">dave@pfumc.us</a></i></span><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
Dave Harrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03407512323970693677noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4326718215651848302.post-67279283552335620982017-04-13T15:34:00.000-07:002017-04-13T15:34:04.959-07:00Questioning Easter<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 1.25in; margin-top: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifjfTYl_lijVX4G7_VK14OGVGqO9gWyhE6Vr5y3CXGPD5oDlOgvkhs-M_CtZnYj1B8zdA2VUg8qUTJcTG7mXcmpmDStx-iDIp9_3KF3goxeJBpkEgDwoax8rgmsB0GVwYrd8EhFlfiAsE/s1600/ComTable-Logo-notext.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifjfTYl_lijVX4G7_VK14OGVGqO9gWyhE6Vr5y3CXGPD5oDlOgvkhs-M_CtZnYj1B8zdA2VUg8qUTJcTG7mXcmpmDStx-iDIp9_3KF3goxeJBpkEgDwoax8rgmsB0GVwYrd8EhFlfiAsE/s200/ComTable-Logo-notext.jpg" width="195" /></a><span style="background: white; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">"<span class="text"><b><sup>2 </sup></b>They found the stone
rolled away from the tomb,</span><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><span class="text"><b><sup>3 </sup></b>but when they went in, they didn’t find the
body of the Lord Jesus.</span><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><span class="text"><b><sup>4 </sup></b>They didn’t know what to make of
this." <i>Luke 24:2-3</i></span><i><o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-right: 121.5pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<br /></div>
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<span style="background: white; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"> We celebrated Easter
with singing and shouting about our risen Lord, but like the women and the
early disciples we struggle with what to make of new life on an ordinary day.
We sing hope, yet look live in fear. The
disciples saw the empty tomb and were amazed, but didn't believe until later. We celebrate promise and live limits. What I'm getting at is that certainty is the
opposite of faith. We celebrate a gift,
a path, a direction, a love, an experience.
We celebrate a mystery that is barely expressed in any one account, or
accounted for in any one expression. We celebrate a faith that includes both
doubt and confidence.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="background: white; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">Don't despair. Do what
those first followers did, ask fierce questions: Who took Jesus? How can I believe unless you show me? How could we possibly feed this crowd? Put those question alongside the
celebrations, the stories, the testimonies, and the truths, then take a
step. Take a step in any direction, but
take a step. That's a step of
faith. Yes it is, because it's mixed
with all that other stuff, God stuff, life stuff, YOU stuff!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="background: white; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">OK, I may not have the whole thing down in a perfect
formula. There's probably a flaw in my
argument somewhere, there usually is.
But I'm taking a step into a conversation with you. I'm leaning into my experience of new life
this Easter, of Jesus, of Love and tip-toeing forward.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="background: white; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">How about you? Yep, I
sang "Christ is risen..." and I shouted "He is risen
indeed!" I also did all of that
with questions, hurts, hopes, opportunities, struggles and so much more
swirling in my life. It's usually a bit
of a jumble.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="background: white; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">Yet, it's my jumble, my story and because of Easter (at least
as a key in a bigger story/truth/promise) my hope. So, I'm singing, hunting eggs, chowing down
with family, and telling my story. Not
because I've got it all together, but because something bigger's got me. The words I have for that are Jesus, Love,
God, and Easter. My experience of God is a Love that won't let me go, a dependable
Love.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">Now, I'd love to hear your celebrations and laments. I want to hear your story, struggle, hope,
and the words you have for them. You
see, Easter means to me, that there's room for all us to look at the situation
and not know what to make of it right now.
Let's have a meal and talk it over.
I'm confident there's more possibility to be found. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="background: white; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">That's why I celebrate Easter. Why I say "Christ is risen." And why I'm still wrapping my mind, heart and
life around all that means. Happy
Easter. Christ is Risen Indeed!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">10,000 Joys in
the Love of Jesus Christ, Pastor Dave<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Dave Harrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03407512323970693677noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4326718215651848302.post-90108501409544919642017-03-01T08:27:00.001-08:002017-03-01T08:28:19.532-08:00I'm Following Jesus with Questions<div style="margin: 0in;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGG-2UNXIB3vvXrvT6yYvHjFiZ4F3IhsFEmcV6n1Aw-HppW_BjsjEXPKur7Agk_d2GltXG1TeSfWt57y3wCoj9Tu-h8XcFSg10eY3fvSxRxVv-I1in7d40FiDw53Oz85XDVHZyZ4uh9fk/s1600/IMG_20160325_120850714.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; font-family: "Arial Narrow"; font-size: 11pt; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGG-2UNXIB3vvXrvT6yYvHjFiZ4F3IhsFEmcV6n1Aw-HppW_BjsjEXPKur7Agk_d2GltXG1TeSfWt57y3wCoj9Tu-h8XcFSg10eY3fvSxRxVv-I1in7d40FiDw53Oz85XDVHZyZ4uh9fk/s200/IMG_20160325_120850714.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Today I was
listening to a Science Mike and Mike Gungor <a href="http://www.theliturgists.com/podcast/2014/10/14/episode-6-lost-and-found-part-1"><span style="color: #002060;">Lost & Found Podcast 1
& 2</span></a>. (<a href="http://www.theliturgists.com/podcast/2014/10/27/episode7-lost-and-found-part-2"><span style="color: #002060;">2 here</span></a>). I was reminded
just how my faith in God is foundational for me, and yet so much of church,
theology and what is raised up as Christianity in this time is, at the same time, open for discussion. I found <a href="http://mikemchargue.com/blog/2015/3/24/axioms-about-faith"><span style="color: #002060;">Science Mike's (his
nickname) axioms</span></a> to offer intriguing perspectives for me as my faith grows and matures embracing God's Love and mystery. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"> Here they are:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<br />
<ul style="direction: ltr; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.375in; margin-top: 0in; unicode-bidi: embed;" type="disc">
<li style="margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 0; vertical-align: middle;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Faith is AT LEAST a way to
contextualize the human need for spirituality and find meaning in the face
of mortality. EVEN IF this is all faith is, spiritual practice can be
beneficial to cognition, emotional states, and culture.</span></li>
</ul>
<ul style="direction: ltr; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.375in; margin-top: 0in; unicode-bidi: embed;" type="disc">
<li style="margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 0; vertical-align: middle;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">God is AT LEAST the natural
forces that created and sustain the Universe as experienced via a
psychosocial model in human brains that naturally emerges from innate
biases. EVEN IF that is a comprehensive definition for God, the pursuit of
this personal, subjective experience can provide meaning, peace, and
empathy for others.</span></li>
</ul>
<ul style="direction: ltr; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.375in; margin-top: 0in; unicode-bidi: embed;" type="disc">
<li style="margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 0; vertical-align: middle;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Prayer is AT LEAST a form of
meditation that encourages the development of healthy brain tissue, lowers
stress, and can connect us to God. EVEN IF that is a comprehensive
definition of prayer, the health and psychological benefits of prayer
justify the discipline.</span></li>
</ul>
<ul style="direction: ltr; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.375in; margin-top: 0in; unicode-bidi: embed;" type="disc">
<li style="margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 0; vertical-align: middle;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Sin is AT LEAST volitional
action or inaction that violates one's own understanding of what is moral.
Sin comes from the divergent impulses between our lower and higher brain
functions and our evolution-driven tendency to do things that serve
ourselves and our tribe. EVEN IF this is all sin is, it is destructive and
threatens human flourishing.</span></li>
</ul>
<ul style="direction: ltr; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.375in; margin-top: 0in; unicode-bidi: embed;" type="disc">
<li style="margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 0; vertical-align: middle;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">The afterlife is AT LEAST the
persistence of our physical matter in the ongoing life cycle on Earth, the
memes we pass on to others with our lives, and the model of our unique
neurological signature in the brains of those who knew us. EVEN IF this is
all the afterlife is, the consequences of our actions persist beyond our
death and our ethical considerations must consider a timeline beyond our
death.</span></li>
</ul>
<ul style="direction: ltr; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.375in; margin-top: 0in; unicode-bidi: embed;" type="disc">
<li style="margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 0; vertical-align: middle;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Salvation is AT LEAST the
means by which humanity overcomes sin to produce human flourishing. EVEN
IF this is all salvation is, spiritual and religious actions and beliefs
that promote salvation are good for humankind.</span></li>
</ul>
<ul style="direction: ltr; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.375in; margin-top: 0in; unicode-bidi: embed;" type="disc">
<li style="margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 0; vertical-align: middle;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Jesus is AT LEAST a man so
connected to God that he was called the Son of God and the largest
religious movement in human history is centered around his teachings. EVEN
IF this is all Jesus is, following his teachings can promote peace,
empathy, and genuine morality.</span></li>
</ul>
<ul style="direction: ltr; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.375in; margin-top: 0in; unicode-bidi: embed;" type="disc">
<li style="margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 0; vertical-align: middle;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">The Holy Spirit is AT LEAST
the psychological and neurological components of God that allow God to be
experienced as a personal force or agent. EVEN IF this is all the Holy
Spirit is, God is more relatable and neurologically actionable when
experienced this way.</span></li>
</ul>
<ul style="direction: ltr; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.375in; margin-top: 0in; unicode-bidi: embed;" type="disc">
<li style="margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 0; vertical-align: middle;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">The Church is AT LEAST the
global community of people who choose to follow the teachings of Jesus
Christ. EVEN IF this is all the church is, the Church is still the largest
body of spiritual scholarship, community, and faith practice in the world.</span></li>
</ul>
<ul style="direction: ltr; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.375in; margin-top: 0in; unicode-bidi: embed;" type="disc">
<li style="margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 0; vertical-align: middle;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">The Bible is AT LEAST a
collection of books and writings assembled by the Church that chronicle a
people group's experiences with, and understanding of, God over thousands
of years. EVEN IF that is a comprehensive definition of the Bible, study
of scripture is warranted to understand our culture and the way in which
people come to know God.</span></li>
</ul>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">
I share these both as a window on my faith and in deep interest for how these
work or don't work from your perspective. </span><br />
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">I find these axioms more on the <i>At Least</i> side to resonate and find I go further. For you they might be more helpful on the <i>Even If</i> side. And perhaps you can challenge my thinking as you push back for more or less. It is in the conversation that we all grow.</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> In this Christian season of examining our lives of faith, Lent--getting ready for Easter, I find myself reflecting. What are you </span><span style="font-size: x-small;">thinking</span><span style="font-size: 11pt;">?</span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><i>P.S. My explorations and sharing are all a part of asking myself, not only why my faith in Jesus is important to me (and what it looks like), but also how or if it holds value for others. I have friends and acquaintances who come from questioning places and I genuinely want to listen, understand and explore. Thank you all for being a part of my life.</i></span></div>
Dave Harrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03407512323970693677noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4326718215651848302.post-16295427984109373342016-12-01T12:53:00.002-08:002016-12-01T12:53:40.486-08:00Women on the Edge<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBZ6Q_Qeus-ZsDO7RIqYxKYSLJEL4t1rHee6M28EcpXTLpF7ysBbNCv7m-hW3WN5d8LUGpSOQKta0xsnqqMmUuOKFTbznVR9auZ0D6b5SGJEfMFs2DCaaDsJHa77JZmmc8n_A40B8gQ0g/s1600/crecheSilouette2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBZ6Q_Qeus-ZsDO7RIqYxKYSLJEL4t1rHee6M28EcpXTLpF7ysBbNCv7m-hW3WN5d8LUGpSOQKta0xsnqqMmUuOKFTbznVR9auZ0D6b5SGJEfMFs2DCaaDsJHa77JZmmc8n_A40B8gQ0g/s200/crecheSilouette2.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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<span style="background: white; font-family: "Arial Narrow", sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; text-indent: -4.3pt;">What if love, not force, is most important in life? Getting ready for Christmas, Advent in my circles, is all about entertaining a relentless Love-that-will-not-let-us-go, and that does the impossible. Getting close to such a thing takes us close to the edge, dangerously amazing places.</span></div>
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<span style="background: white; font-family: "Arial Narrow", sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; text-indent: -4.3pt;">Speaking of Mary & Elizabeth in Luke's Gospel, Brian McLaren writes, "...the actual point of these pregnancy
stories... is a challenge to us all: to dare to hope, like Elizabeth and Mary,
that the seemingly impossible is possible.
They challenge us to align our lives around the 'impossible
possibilities' hidden in this present, pregnant moment." (<u style="font-style: italic;"><a href="http://brianmclaren.net/archives/books/brians-books/we-make-the-road-by-walking-2.html">We Make the Road By Walking</a></u>, Brian McLaren p. 69)</span><!--[if !supportLists]--></div>
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<span style="background: white; font-family: "Arial Narrow", sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; text-indent: -4.3pt;">The seemingly impossible is possible...hmm. While pondering this for teaching and worship this week I watched Kathryn Schulz's video, <i><a href="https://www.ted.com/talks/kathryn_schulz_on_being_wrong?utm_source=31+days+of+ideas&utm_campaign=9ab9a16181-31DAYS_2016_12_2&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_09cd6c5568-9ab9a16181-294861101#t-1045970">"On Being Wrong," </a></i> a TED talk, about a basic human aversion to being and feeling wrong, and how it limits us. (Well worth the 18 minutes to watch.) This same human predisposition also makes it hard to willingly believe God can make the impossible possible. Schulz unwraps why we feel "right" even when we're wrong. She prompted me to ponder if I might be wrong in my assessment of the "impossible," anything labeled impossible, especially when it comes to God. </span></div>
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<span style="background: white; font-family: "Arial Narrow", sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; text-indent: -4.3pt;">Schultz presents a choice to either, be misled by our feelings of rightness, or to embrace a different perspective beyond the "...tiny, terrified space of rightness and look around at each other and look out at the vastness and complexity and mystery of the universe and be able to say, 'Wow, I don't know. Maybe I'm wrong.'" Could I be wrong and the impossible really is possible because of something I can't see or feel at the moment? Trusting something bigger than a feeling seems to me a fair description of what Mary & Elizabeth did. It might be a reasonable way to describe faith.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial Narrow, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 13.3333px;">Let's look at the story about these two women in Luke's Gospel. Elizabeth, unable to have a child, learns a baby is on the way. Mary, young and unmarried, is invited to participate in the life-threatening impossible, and she says, "Yes!" (<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+1%3A5-48&version=CEV;NRSV">Luke 1:5-48</a>) to this possibility. Both circumstances and participants illustrate paths of feminine leadership, the kind that is a conundrum to the religious establishment (then and sometime now). Both exhibit allegiance to God, "...</span></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "Arial Narrow", sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">who doesn't rule with the masculine power of swords and spears, but with
a mother's sense of justice and compassion." (<i><u>We Make the Road</u></i>, p.69)</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "Arial Narrow", sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">What if you and I regularly entertained the realities of our limited rightness, along with Schulz, and considered the possibilities of God's mothering justice and compassion that births such a love impregnated impossible? What would change? What would unfold? Mary's son "...Jesus ...consistently model(ed) her self-surrender and receptivity to God." </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "Arial Narrow", sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; text-indent: -5.73333px;">(</span><i style="font-family: "Arial Narrow", sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; text-indent: -5.73333px;"><u>We Make the Road</u></i><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "Arial Narrow", sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; text-indent: -5.73333px;">, </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "Arial Narrow", sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; text-indent: -5.73333px;">p.70) Christmas is undoubtedly a time of wonder, imagination and faith. I certainly think so. But, maybe I could be wrong.</span></div>
Dave Harrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03407512323970693677noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4326718215651848302.post-57194126407926036762016-11-09T07:08:00.002-08:002016-11-09T07:18:37.099-08:00Let Love Win<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1IFj1_AsbuzdW4NCdkB5ppyAznqag4dP00mHQx28VI7JBn8QE21pMVqnWVs4KHMNxxBRIk88xEGjVUoBZOTVOkRdWjgVlXXSiFg9PhzjmrD0LcPS8YNk0zj_lMXzssOg2gxWLKnKujjE/s1600/election.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="142" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1IFj1_AsbuzdW4NCdkB5ppyAznqag4dP00mHQx28VI7JBn8QE21pMVqnWVs4KHMNxxBRIk88xEGjVUoBZOTVOkRdWjgVlXXSiFg9PhzjmrD0LcPS8YNk0zj_lMXzssOg2gxWLKnKujjE/s200/election.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">I was a bit surprised this morning by the election results. Not what I expected, or preferred. And truth be told, my preferences are not what count the most here. I do trust that God is at work in this territory. I pray that we can find new ways to work together and love one another, love the stranger, and love our enemies, because I believe Love is more powerful than anything. Love wins.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+Corinthians+13&version=CEV;NRSV"><img alt="" border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizsDp2IrXmMcH4A-X-3b8Uj63gD19Or5dn1CWxfqwS2JnxEKun8k7pj45FyZ6pjrL9twiwZQYzub0Wbe4gaZrQNhHyyNbYISDR4C_D3HS0GKl9oG3eViijIPKRqQLuJ37AXyysjXcFtmQ/s200/Love-Printable.jpg" title="" width="200" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">If you rejoice today, I rejoice with you in your gladness. If you lament today, I willingly wait with you in your pain. If you are hopeful, or fearful, anticipating or dreading, I pray that <span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129;">Christ's Light and Love may speak to your greatest hopes and fears, leading you in the way of Shalom. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129;">I commit to continuing to work for the common good and God's justice in the world. I commit to continuing to seek love over hate, both within myself, and in the world. As I tell my congregation, "When I say 'Everybody's Welcome', I mean everybody. God is working with us all. And all of us need work!" My door and my phone are open to you all.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">I share a few of my friends facebook posts here because I think they offer something that may be of use in our quest to be with God and one another in this spirit of love. At least they have invited me to reflect:</span><br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">Today I hold my head high ... For I look to the hills. From where does my help come? My HELP comes from the Lord! -- Jennifer Williams</span></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Jesus followers are people of hope. In victory or defeat, Jesus followers find hope. Oh, be inspired today! Decide that both wins or losses move you only to hope (Psalm 27). Be well. --Pastor Vance Ross </li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">Today, I return to the words that taught me my worth years ago (refuting those who told me I could only be a Pastor's wife since I was a woman...). These words remind us of who we are called to be as God's people: "There is no longer Jew or Greek, there is no longer slave or free, there is no longer male and female; for all of you are one in Christ Jesus." May our churches truly be sanctuaries for all people right now. -- Dawn Taylor Storm</span></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">By the rivers of Babylon—<span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129;">there we sat down and there we wept </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129;">when we remembered Zion. </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129;">On the willows there </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129;">we hung up our harps. </span><span class="text_exposed_show" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; display: inline;">For there our captors asked us for songs, and our tormentors asked for mirth, saying, “Sing us one of the songs of Zion!” How could we sing the Lord’s song in a foreign land? - Psalm 137:1-4 --Eric Law</span></span></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">Congratulations to our new president-elect, Donald Trump. I am praying for you, especially that you will be successful in keeping these promises you made during your victory speech: " I pledge to every citizen of our land that I will be president for all Americans...<a class="see_more_link" data-ft="{"tn":"e"}" href="https://www.facebook.com/rothdan/posts/10153872500331533" style="background-color: white; color: #365899; cursor: pointer; text-decoration: none; white-space: nowrap;">See More</a> --Dan Roth</span></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">I write this from a tree stand in the forest on a rainy gray morning. I cannot deny that I'm disappointed in the choice our country has made. I have been blessed in my life to gain understanding and perspective from many people who are different from me. I have been blessed that I've never truly been fearful of the person who holds the nuclear codes. I have been blessed that I've been raised in a culture that preaches love over hate. Please consider your neighbors whose fear<span class="text_exposed_hide" style="color: #1d2129; display: inline-block; margin-right: 4px;">...</span><a class="see_more_link" data-ft="{"tn":"e"}" href="https://www.facebook.com/dan.kirby.125/posts/10157723812365427" style="background-color: white; color: #365899; cursor: pointer; text-decoration: none; white-space: nowrap;">See More</a> --Dan Kirby</span></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">"All shall be well, and all shall be well, and all manner of things shall be well" were words written 600 years ago by Julian of Norwich (1342-1416) in her Revelations of Divine Love. This is believed to be the earliest work in English written by a woman. Julian of Norwich's words are worth repeating this night: “all shall be well, and all shall be well, and all manner of things shall be well." --Leonard Sweet</span></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">To my African American friends, I love you. To my LBGTQ friends, I love you. To my Muslim friends, I love you.<span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129;"> </span>To my friends with disabilities, I love you. To my fellow women friends, I love you girl.<span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129;"> </span><span class="text_exposed_hide" style="color: #1d2129; display: inline-block; margin-right: 4px;">... </span><span class="see_more_link_inner" style="background-color: white; color: #365899; cursor: pointer; white-space: nowrap;"><a class="see_more_link" data-ft="{"tn":"e"}" href="https://www.facebook.com/jessica.yagel/posts/10154518168305552" style="background-color: white; color: #365899; cursor: pointer; white-space: nowrap;">See More</a> </span><span class="see_more_link_inner" style="background-color: white; cursor: pointer; white-space: nowrap;"> --Jessica Yagel</span></span></li>
</ul>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">So many thoughts. Such division, among Christians, in our nation. John Wesley said, referring to the Love of Christ, "If your heart is as my heart, lend me your hand." Jesus prayed, <span style="font-family: inherit;">"</span><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px;">I am not praying just for these followers. I am also praying for everyone else who will have faith because of what my followers will say about me. </span><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px;">I want all of them to be one with each other... Then the people of this world will believe that you sent me."</span><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px;"> </span><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="background-color: white;">(<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+17">John 17:20-21</a> </span><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">CEV</span></span><span style="background-color: white;">)</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">You matter to me and to God. Love is more powerful than hate. <span style="font-size: x-small;">(<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20John%204%3A18&version=CEV;NRSV">1 John 4:18</a>)</span> </span>May we all help Love Win! In your mercy Lord, hear our prayer. <br />
<br />
And with my friends I pray for all, our leaders, those forgotten...all.<br />
<br />
<br />
<b><u>Check out devotionals for Nov. 9</u></b><br />
<a href="http://devotional.upperroom.org/devotionals/2016-11-09">Upper Room</a><br />
<a href="http://commonprayer.net/">commonprayer.net</a><br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><br /></span>Dave Harrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03407512323970693677noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4326718215651848302.post-74309102694237018132016-09-22T07:25:00.000-07:002016-09-22T07:27:39.780-07:007 Keys of a Powerful Life<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBrQ20_m9ON7u8JWp_yDkF0o-WYnW8V5Va4wxG_5PK33nP0KWdpEu4gFa0Wr3zQ-B6e0OYLTZG520mbFwEu4r5irSaRjZAHV9AxYZSEw1W0ya3urxYBdmP_bzkK2ihwAPnE8f8Bht7njc/s1600/SRL-2016JuneHMB_Web_DillonArt.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="264" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBrQ20_m9ON7u8JWp_yDkF0o-WYnW8V5Va4wxG_5PK33nP0KWdpEu4gFa0Wr3zQ-B6e0OYLTZG520mbFwEu4r5irSaRjZAHV9AxYZSEw1W0ya3urxYBdmP_bzkK2ihwAPnE8f8Bht7njc/s400/SRL-2016JuneHMB_Web_DillonArt.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><i>Dillon Rooke at Hot Metal Bridge<br />Pittsburgh, PA -- A New Thing!</i></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-family: "arial narrow" , sans-serif;">What
a wonderful summer. Thank you for making
the time available. Thank you for the wonderful ministry that you cared for
with such skill and faith. Thank you for
welcoming Pastor John for your needs; he
did a marvelous job. Thank you for
daring to be God's called people of Love.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial narrow" , sans-serif;">Here
are some quick observations:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial narrow" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "arial narrow" , sans-serif;">Seven themes</span></b><span style="font-family: "arial narrow" , sans-serif;"> arose for me:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 40.5pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -9.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "courier new";">o<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "arial narrow" , sans-serif;">Community -- intentional outward reaching relationships;<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 40.5pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -9.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "courier new";">o<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "arial narrow" , sans-serif;">Listening -- Deep, constant, responsive listening to one another and the
world;<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 40.5pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -9.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "courier new";">o<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "arial narrow" , sans-serif;">Flexibility -- The speed and risk-taking were amazing, faith-filled, and
a consistent theme;<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 40.5pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -9.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "courier new";">o<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "arial narrow" , sans-serif;">Prayer -- Every last group spoke
of prayer and discernment;<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 40.5pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -9.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "courier new";">o<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "arial narrow" , sans-serif;">Authenticity -- Holding
conversations about all of life in everyday language of faith;<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 40.5pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -9.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "courier new";">o<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "arial narrow" , sans-serif;">Focus -- on calling, people, mission and strategy at hand;<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 40.5pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -9.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "courier new";">o<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "arial narrow" , sans-serif;">Tables-- There was a lot of eating!
A place of relationships, learning, caring, & holy conversation.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin-left: 31.5pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -9.0pt;">
<b><span style="font-family: "arial narrow" , sans-serif;">Three Commonalities</span></b><span style="font-family: "arial narrow" , sans-serif;">:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 40.5pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -9.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "courier new";">o<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "arial narrow" , sans-serif;">All sought to Love with the "Everybody's Welcome" Love of God
and it showed. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 40.5pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -9.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "courier new";">o<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "arial narrow" , sans-serif;">All worshipped-- and no two worship services were the same. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 40.5pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -9.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "courier new";">o<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "arial narrow" , sans-serif;">All cared for administration, staffing, funding, education familiarly
and experimentally.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial narrow" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial narrow" , sans-serif;">In the weeks
ahead I'll be listening to you and to the Holy Spirit for where this takes
us. I have some ideas and invite you to
what I hope will be monthly food and conversation. I do know that we've accomplished some
amazing things with God's grace and there are things we have not
accomplished. I do know that continuing
to do exactly what we've been doing doesn't hold much of a future and I also
know adapting quickly is hard and necessary.
And finally, I do know that God has entrusted this community and
congregation to all of us, so it won't be me telling anyone what to do, but God
guiding us all.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial narrow" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial narrow" , sans-serif;">I'm excited
about the possibilities. Check out the
September sermon series on some of the <i>Themes</i>,
they're archived on </span><a href="file:///C:/Users/Pastor%20Dave/Dropbox/PFUMC/Admin/www.pfumc.us."><span style="font-family: "arial narrow" , sans-serif;">www.pfumc.us.</span></a><span style="font-family: "arial narrow" , sans-serif;"> Join in the fun of food and conversation
together in the weeks ahead. Pray
diligently. Talk with your Koinonia
group about where God is leading. God is
doing a new thing! Can we see it!</span><span style="font-family: "arial narrow" , "sans-serif";"> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial narrow" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial narrow" , sans-serif;">10,000 Joys in Jesus Christ,
Pastor Dave</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial narrow" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">This was written for the Palmyra First UMC Newsletter October 2016</span></i></div>
Dave Harrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03407512323970693677noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4326718215651848302.post-79328319201261105412016-09-09T12:08:00.002-07:002016-09-09T12:08:44.543-07:00Study Renewal Summary<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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It is good to be home!<br />
<br />
It is busy to be home with all the resting routines bouncing into place.<br />
<br />
Here's a summary of the summer.<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">"The best experiences
are surprises (beyond our control) or invitations (relational and
personal)."<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"> -Journal
note Mon. June 27, 2016<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">"I am creating
something new. There it is! Do you see it? I have put roads in deserts, streams[</span><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Isaiah%2043%3A19&version=CEV;NRSV#fen-CEV-16704a" title="See footnote a"><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">a</span></a><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">] in thirsty lands."<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"> -Isaiah
43:19 (CEV)<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">No easy answers emerged
by taking time apart, but clarity and renewal surfaced. The path yet ahead holds many challenges, all
able to be met with God. Experiencing
God in this summer stands above the information, although the insights and
learning will be vital. God moments
flowed. Here are a few:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Symbol; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow", sans-serif; text-indent: -0.25in;">On June
5th, the day before departure, I received two glorious prayers and one
complaint. The email complaint clouded
my mind briefly until Dave Yascavage stopped in the office and offered to
prayer for me as I set out. What a gift. Then Mike Poltonavage led the 9am
congregation in prayer for me, hands laid, and encouragement abounding. Unexpected.
Unparalleled. Wonderfully
uplifting. God at work.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Symbol; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow", sans-serif; text-indent: -0.25in;">Toward the
end of June (29th) I was driving toward Haywood St. UMC in Asheville, NC. Frustration was high between their pastor
being on paternity leave and playing email and phone tag for months, so I was
just going to drop in and see what I could find. 150 minutes before my arrival I took a call
from Haywood's Executive Director letting me know that their weekly meal was on
Wednesday and followed by weekly worship at noon. It was 9:30am Wednesday! I made a bee-line to a most amazing worship
service and ministry setting. God's
timing.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Symbol; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow", sans-serif; text-indent: -0.25in;">In July
(26th) I spent a week with my extended family at Ocean City New Jersey, only to
discover "A Future with Hope" United Methodist Housing ministry
working 2 doors down from us. I peeked
my head in the door to meet Katie Quigley, their regional coordinator and a
team of High School girls doing rehab work.
Turns out this work parallels our PF 6:8 work, and John Schol (Now
bishop and previously long-time Eastern PA colleague) was instrumental in its
beginnings. A moment of celebration and
learning from being present between the plans.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Symbol; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow", sans-serif; text-indent: -0.25in;">There are
more stories about the amazing ministry of PFUMC with youth taking new leadership, Noah's Little Ark team intentionally stepping
into and handling new challenges, and SPRC hiring a new choir director. I could add many "aha!" moments
where God spoke deep in my soul to my dreams and my fears. All important and ready for our conversations
and work together.</span></li>
</ul>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow", sans-serif;">These God Moments strengthened my faith, enriched
the time of study and renewal, and illustrate the hope we have in Christ.</span><div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Of all the ministries I
visited, 5 stand out as most relevant and most enjoyed. (See notes that follow
summary) All taught me something
important. The 5 are Haywood St. UMC-A
ministry with the Homeless, A Church for
All People UMC-A ministry with the community, Calvin Presbyterian-A
contemplative ministry approach, Rutherford Campus of Crosspoint UMC-a church
restart with a homey feel, and New Birth UMC-a ministry rooted in the Latino
community of Lebanon. If I am to keep
this report manageable I must move to the common ground these and other
churches demonstrated to me. As well as
a few insights.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Small, large, rural,
urban, new, established, contemplative, active...no matter the unique
personality and circumstance of the congregation, they each shared these 7
attributes:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<li><b style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Community</span></b><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow", sans-serif; text-indent: -0.25in;"> --
Each congregation found ways to build intentional outward reaching
relationships that made a difference in the life of the larger community, that
if withdrawn would be noticeably missed.
This was not a single ministry but an ongoing dialogue;</span></li>
<li><b style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Listening</span></b><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow", sans-serif; text-indent: -0.25in;"> --
Deep, constant, responsive listening to one another and the world.</span></li>
<li><b style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Flexibility</span></b><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow", sans-serif; text-indent: -0.25in;"> --
Each ministry could tell stories of hearing about a changing need or
circumstance and within weeks adapting structure, funding, staffing and/or
program to address that discovery. The
speed and risk-taking were amazing, faith-filled, and a consistent theme;</span></li>
<li><b style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Prayer</span></b><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow", sans-serif; text-indent: -0.25in;">
-- Every last group spoke of prayer and
discernment. It took varying forms in
each setting, while consistently looking to God. More often than not, the
prayers were non-traditional and interactive.
(Walking prayer, labyrinth, staff devotional exercise, intentionally
listening conversations in the community...)</span></li>
<li><b style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Authenticity </span></b><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow", sans-serif; text-indent: -0.25in;">-- Holding conversations about all of life,
including sin and salvation. Not a
finger-point or blame game, but a consistent acknowledgement of our struggles
and God's desire for transformation.
This honesty was always a mutual journey with one another, and never a
spiritual fix-it clinic. It's expression
often used language of love, support, challenge and mutuality, grounded in
Christ.</span></li>
<li><b style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Focus</span></b><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow", sans-serif; text-indent: -0.25in;"> --
Each church was persistently listening for their calling and continuously
adapted to meet that calling by going somewhere new, ceasing something
familiar, failing often and trying again and again and again. This was a discipline of passion.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow", sans-serif; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"> </span></span><b style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Tables</span></b><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow", sans-serif; text-indent: -0.25in;">--
There was a lot of eating! Eating around
tables provided connection to community both within and beyond. Tables openned to the homeless, the inquirer,
the questioner, the friend. Tables set
weekly at a predictable place and portable meals. The Lord's Table consistently showed up in
worship on a weekly basis. And tables
were a primary place of relationship building, learning together, caring for
one another... holy conversation.</span></li>
</ol>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">What I haven't accounted for are the <i><u>predictable church commonalities</u></i>. </span></div>
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<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow", sans-serif; text-indent: -0.25in;">All sought to Love with the "Everybody's
Welcome" Love of God and it showed. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow", sans-serif; text-indent: -0.25in;">All worshipped, even though no two worship services
happened the same way or all at the preferred Sunday Morning slot. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow", sans-serif; text-indent: -0.25in;">All cared for administration, staffing, funding,
education, and the variety of method continued to span the spectrum of familiar
patterns to experiments of grace.</span></li>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">I note the alignment of these common observations
with the Bishop's 5 Call to Action measurements of worship, small groups, new
faith commitments, people serving in mission and resources given to
mission. I can see many of these
elements in the work of Palmyra First UMC.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">So what does all this
mean? My growing insights and thoughts
are:</span></div>
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<ol>
<li><b style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><b style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow", sans-serif;">Pay attention to the common elements</span></b><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow", sans-serif; font-weight: normal; text-indent: -0.25in;">. For PFUMC we struggle with focus and flexibility (quickness), perhaps most, but they all are important;</span></span></b></li>
<li><b style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Build on Assets, strengths, and gifts.</span></b><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow", sans-serif; text-indent: -0.25in;"> Asset
Mapping and encouraging people to work in areas where they have passion, gifts,
strength, and interest is key;</span></li>
<li><b style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Encourage Stories and Conversations.</span></b><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow", sans-serif; text-indent: -0.25in;"> We are a
task culture and not always encouraged to share leisurely conversation or
stories. Testimony is story. Teaching is story. Strong community is built on healthy
conversation and story. We need to
intentionally make space for these encounters;</span></li>
<li><b style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Engage a systematic approach to life together</span></b><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow", sans-serif; text-indent: -0.25in;"> (not legalistic) but a pattern to help with the
routine. (Remember these communities might
change on a dime too!) This was harder
to quantify yet evident and anecdotally important to pastors and staff;</span></li>
<li><b style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Focus with Love</span></b><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow", sans-serif; text-indent: -0.25in;">--
Hold tight to the mission and not the method. Welcome all knowing that our call
may only touch a particular group today.
We trust that God is bigger than any one moment or movement.</span></li>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Next Steps</span></b><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">
that I'm suggesting:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<li><span style="font-family: Symbol; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"> </span></span><b style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><i><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Study Renewal
Conversation</span></i></b><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow", sans-serif; text-indent: -0.25in;"> -Sept. 18th,
11:45-1:15pm. The format is a coverded
dish or simple lunch (30min), a 20 min laity presentation on insights from
"Faith in Action" and summer,
a 20 min presentation by Pastor Dave on insights from the Study &
Renewal time, and finally 20 minutes to begin a conversation and ask one
another questions.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Symbol; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"> </span></span><b style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Plan Monthly conversation gathering(s) </span></b><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow", sans-serif; text-indent: -0.25in;">for 90 minutes around tables to explore Asset
Mapping, our call, our focus and things that grow out of our learning.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Symbol; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"> </span></span><b style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Leadership look at staffing and structure</span></b><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow", sans-serif; text-indent: -0.25in;"> for emerging ministry, consistently simplifying board/council/administrative
structure and staffing for focal areas was a common observation.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Symbol; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"> </span></span><b style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Pray, Worship, Love</span></b><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow", sans-serif; text-indent: -0.25in;"> -- stretching ourselves to renewed openness to the
Holy Spirit.</span></li>
</ul>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">There are many more
stories and observations to be shared in sermons, around tables, in
conversations, and beyond. God was at
work when I crashed into the bee on I-26 in South Carolina. God showed up with power as I attended AA
meetings. God spoke to me through two
Taiwanese strangers and my grandson. Ask
me to tell you more stories. They are
many because God's generosity is great.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Salvation/Discipleship
is not a commodity to be distributed or traded, but an adventurous relationship
to be invited into. Places making
disciples and making a difference in the community are engaging the 7 common
elements listed and the predictable commonalities with passion, and God-given
uniqueness, on a journey with Jesus Christ.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">One last word. On my return I am not planning to change
everything. The only changes will be
God's. I'm simply planning to ask
renewed questions and share the stories of my journey and see where God takes
us. Remember that this journey unfolded
with your willingness to risk a new experience of Study Renewal. Never forget how powerfully God used you
during these summer months. Hold tight
to the God who promises us new life and willingly walks with us in the good and
the hard. Onward in Christ!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">10,000 Joys in The One Who Makes Us Whole<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow", sans-serif;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Pastor Dave<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
Dave Harrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03407512323970693677noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4326718215651848302.post-47735856440883062652016-08-29T12:17:00.000-07:002016-08-29T12:18:57.709-07:0010 Gifts of Rest and Renewal<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fountains, living water, captured <br />
my imagination and lens this summer.</td></tr>
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Renewal has been a planned part of the summer Study and <i>Renewal</i> leave. My training, my job and my culture teach me to seek and report tasks, but they seldom encourage rest and renewal. Thank you for being a part of God's design for rest. </div>
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Below are 10 Gifts of Rest and Renewal. They are refreshing and wonderful. Just recall a time you've had time with a friend for a long lunch, or a weekend with no scheduled tasks...nice, eh? Here are 10 of the gifts that have renewed my spirit:</div>
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<ol>
<li><b>No Evening Meetings</b>, allowing time for family and offering a restful stopping place at the end of each day;</li>
<li><b>Walking </b>an average of 5 1/2 miles each day has entertained life-giving prayer, transportation, engagement with the world around me, and improvements to health;</li>
<li><b>Traveling</b> in my truck, navigating the countryside. I enjoy the adventure of new places and conversations with new-found friends;</li>
<li><b>Woodworking</b> offering creativity and clear accomplishment. (I love working with people, and it's hard to know how much is accomplished on any given day.) I finished my Ukulele, built a <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caj%C3%B3n">Cajon</a> (<a href="https://youtu.be/U7Slko4QxtY">wooden drum</a>), and crafted several walking sticks;</li>
<li><b>Family Time</b> with Penny, the kids, grandkids, my sisters and their families...it's just great to have some additional weekends when they're free, and a slower pace permitted quality time for family;</li>
<li><b>Worship at Many Tables</b> means that I've experienced the ministry of others and enjoyed the variety in the Body of Christ. I've worshipped on the boardwalk by the ocean and with a homeless congregation, in satellite congregations and in historic downtown churches. Each place and people sharing gifts, experiences and insights;</li>
<li><b>Learning</b> growing from my natural curiosity, partnered with time to explore everything from places to people, books to museums--every experience a building block;</li>
<li><b>Pacing</b> that is life-giving. In our American/Western Culture I/we frequently live as if there were not enough time in the day. The truth is that God has made plenty of time for that which is important and necessary. This summer I'm remembering the core of those essentials;</li>
<li><b>Encouraging Conversations</b> with friends, colleagues, and all those who surround me too often gets hurried in the busy-ness of life. This summer offered reminders and invitations that it is OK to be right here, right now;</li>
<li><b>Emptiness</b> draws attention that which makes me richly filled. There have been moments of personal emptiness beckoning me toward new spiritual and emotional resources. There have been times of emptiness felt in lost routines, causing me to appreciate deeply the loving congregation that has walked with me through a dozen years and a summer of study and renewal. What a gift...thank you!</li>
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There are more gifts to be appreciated and in this celebration I rejoice that the familiar rhythms of pastoral life return later this week. I look forward to reconnecting with the people of Palmyra First UMC-- I've missed you all. <br />
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I anticipate renewing familiar tasks with fresh eyes, seeing in the conversations of old and new, glimpses of transformed life promising hope-filled ministry ahead. I'm excited about this next season of conversation, life and being followers of Jesus together. </div>
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10,000 Joys in Jesus Who Gives Life</div>
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Pastor Dave<br />
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<a href="http://10q10q.blogspot.com/2016/08/a-guide-to-study-renewal.html">A List of earlier Study Renewal Blogs Here</a></div>
Dave Harrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03407512323970693677noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4326718215651848302.post-68518087971236993322016-08-21T13:30:00.001-07:002016-08-21T13:30:00.153-07:00Adventure Ahead -- SRL Video 3<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Video 3 is here. It's a wrap-up with events from video 2 until now and has some next steps and common themes (Vital churches that are making a difference and making disciples all have open conversation, genuine listening, missional focus, radical love, amazing flexibility, gathering around tables, and honesty that gathers brokenness to wholeness--sin to salvation in personal transformation and story.)Dave Harrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03407512323970693677noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4326718215651848302.post-71133048114584892092016-08-21T13:30:00.000-07:002016-08-21T13:30:01.075-07:00Adventure Ahead -- SRL Video 3<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Video 3 is here. It's a wrap-up with events from video 2 until now and has some next steps and common themes (Vital churches that are making a difference and making disciples all have open conversation, genuine listening, missional focus, radical love, amazing flexibility, gathering around tables, and honesty that gathers brokenness to wholeness--sin to salvation in personal transformation and story.)Dave Harrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03407512323970693677noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4326718215651848302.post-5365771303207212722016-08-19T17:30:00.000-07:002016-08-19T17:30:11.345-07:00A Guide to Study Renewal <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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If you scroll back through posts here you'll find them all. To share easily I thought I'd make a list. What an amazing gift this adventure is, has been and will be!<br />
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Here You Go:<br />
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<ol>
<li><a href="http://10q10q.blogspot.com/2016/08/adventure-ahead-srl-video-3.html">Video Report 3</a> -- wrap ups and next steps</li>
<li><a href="http://10q10q.blogspot.com/2016/07/emergency-vest-no-worries.html">Video Report 2</a> -- Bringing the hectic distance travel to a close.</li>
<li><a href="http://10q10q.blogspot.com/2016/06/video-update-on-study-making-disciples.html">Video Report 1</a> - Early Common Threads</li>
<li><a href="http://10q10q.blogspot.com/2016/08/3-things-my-grandkids-taught-me.html">3 Things My Grandkids Taught Me</a> -- About curiosity, trust and patience.</li>
<li><a href="http://10q10q.blogspot.com/2016/07/i-talk-to-myself-help.html">I Talk to Myself </a>-- Prayer's surprises and when prayer doesn't look like prayer.</li>
<li><a href="http://10q10q.blogspot.com/2016/07/true-love-trailers-and-truth.html">True Love, Trailers and Truth</a> -- The accident, my wife's wonderful support, and some of the rest of the journey.</li>
<li><a href="http://10q10q.blogspot.com/2016/07/one-step-at-time-we-make-road.html">One Step At A Time</a> -- Failure, story and the roles they play.</li>
<li><a href="http://10q10q.blogspot.com/2016/07/when-life-takes-turnsay-thank-you.html">When Life Takes A Turn</a> -- The bee, the trailer crunch and other times life doesn't turn out like we expect.</li>
<li><a href="http://10q10q.blogspot.com/2016/06/suprises-invitations.html">Surprises and Invitations</a> -- Gifts come from invitations, relationships and surprises.</li>
<li><a href="http://10q10q.blogspot.com/2016/06/love-grace-and-pancake-corndogs.html">Love, Grace & Pancake Corndogs</a> -- Early experiences and a "Place of Possibilities."</li>
<li><a href="http://10q10q.blogspot.com/2016/06/palmyra-first-makes-news.html">Palmyra First Makes the News</a> -- Some local coverage and links to first stops.</li>
<li><a href="http://10q10q.blogspot.com/2016/06/family-rest-sabbath-starts-study.html">Family Rest, Sabbath, starts Study</a> -- Taking time to trust God and connect in fresh ways.</li>
<li><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=4326718215651848302#editor/target=post;postID=536577130320721272">Thanks & Prayers</a> -- Appreciation for a great and supportive congregation at Palmyra First.</li>
<li><a href="http://10q10q.blogspot.com/2016/06/the-study-renewal-journey-begins-first.html">The Study Renewal Journey Begins</a> -- an introductory video and some basic info.</li>
<li><a href="http://10q10q.blogspot.com/2016/06/the-journey-begins.html">The Journey Begins</a> -- A few key document links</li>
<li><a href="http://10q10q.blogspot.com/2016/05/im-taking-jesus-off-my-to-do-list.html">I'm Taking Jesus Off My "To-Do" List</a> -- Being and doing and our God-given lives.</li>
</ol>
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There may be a few more, but this gives you the idea.</div>
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It's been an amazing journey and in these final weeks I'm reflecting, writing, resting and preparing for the adventure of conversation and next steps with the awesome people of Palmyra First UMC.</div>
Dave Harrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03407512323970693677noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4326718215651848302.post-11108479062161320902016-08-12T14:54:00.003-07:002016-08-13T02:16:58.158-07:003 Things My Grandkids Taught Me.<div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> Each of my 3 grandkids has taught me an important lesson this summer. Family insights have been a part of my study-renewal time, because of the margins that have been created by this gift. Here they are:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> <b>Lesson One: Be Curious and Engage the World </b>-- My oldest grandchild, </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Jon Jeremiah, in Washington DC this past week, turned to a young </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Vietnamese </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">man speaking on his phone and said "I don't understand you." A moment of mild panic for me, Gramps--wondering whether to allow, moderate, or avoid this encounter--became a gift. A gift of an amazing conversation about culture and the multiplicity of World languages. A gift of honest conversation between a young adult traveler and a 7 year old. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> Thanks be to God for a stranger's grace and a 2nd grader's boldness. His curiosity and willingness to engage others is so important in this world.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> <b>Lesson Two: Trust, Play and Enjoy the Dirt </b>-- My son's middle child Miah May </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">easily dives into every day to find a bug, seek out a swing, climb a tree or a door or whatever is in front of her (There's another story here for another time). She does it with every ounce of emotion and personality that she has. She will freely yell out my name, "Gramps," and then throw herself in my direction, fully trusting that I will catch her. Trust, play, and a willingness to get dirty I learned from my four year old granddaughter.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> <b>Lesson Three: Be Patient, Content and Present</b> -- </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Lillee is my two year old granddaughter and is not as easily read at this point. What I do know is that from her I always get a joyous greeting, a hug, and a great willingness to simply be present with me -- she sits and enjoys whatever we happen to be doing. I'm learning new things about patience, contentment, and being fully present in the moment, from Lillee Jane.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> Thinking about my summer exploration of Making Disciples and Making a Difference, I notice that my grandkids' lessons point me back toward practices I've observed in every place I've visited and seen strong, healthy faith community. They embrace these three lessons:</span><br />
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<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Be Curious and Engage the World</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Trust, Play and Enjoy the Dirt</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Be Patient, Content and Present</span></li>
</ol>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">From that joyous, chaotic, curious faith grows new life. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> Where do these lessons touch your life? What might you add?</span></div>
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Dave Harrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03407512323970693677noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4326718215651848302.post-43505320371507013732016-07-22T06:56:00.001-07:002016-07-22T07:45:14.967-07:00I Talk to Myself-- Help!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Yep, I do, I talk to myself. It's frequently my transition into prayer. Sometimes when I struggle in prayer I feel like all I'm doing is talking to myself. Yes, I do answer. Yes, God answers! Yes, the Holy is my help. And, my praying doesn't always look the same.<br />
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A common thread in the places I've visited this summer is prayer, is that, "prayer" doesn't seem to look quite the same in any two places. Many forms. Many relationships with the Divine. All connected.<br />
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Prayer at Nuevo Nacimiento UMC (New Birth UMC), Lebanon, PA looks like conversation with neighbors, musical praise, new ideas, a night apart for listening, and indeed some of the usual hands-folded, or hands-raised prayers. What I observed was that God answered prayers with the heart, the community, the world around and an inner voice of ideas.<br />
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Prayer at Calvin Presbyterian Church in Zelionople, PA permeated the work of the church in contemplative ways. Outside the front door was a labyrinth for prayer walking. In the processes of leadership and planning were moments for silence to listen for God. Prayer included traditional and corporate prayers in worship liturgy.<br />
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Prayer at All God's Children UMC in Aulander, NC shone with action, caring for children, families and neighbors daily. Prayer was often prayer on the move. Prayer showed up around worship formed in the spirit of 12-Step meetings and indeed in more familiar ways.<br />
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Prayer's common ground was a deep and passionate relationship, connection, seeking-after God. Each community lamented moments that this relationship had taken a second-best position, and how secondary status led to disconnection in practical things like succeeding at tasks in ministry, lost vitality in worship, exit of people, wandering direction, and/or a loss of hope. Prayer only needed this common ground of seeking God, not a common form.<br />
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So, I talk to myself and always believe God is ready to join the conversation. My prayers are at their best and most exciting when I too am pursuing the Divine. I find that God's not fussy about my skill, my method, my location, my tools...only my intention to seek the Holy.<br />
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In Shamokin, PA, more than 20 years ago, this truth began to find a deeper place in my life as I daily walked the neighborhood, past the culm piles and into town. Each foot fall moved the rhythm of my prayers forward. It was the rhythm of listening. It was the rhythm of lives. It was the rhythm of retreat. It was the rhythm of silence. It was the path to health and life seeking God.<br />
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Be encouraged in your seeking the Holy, God, Jesus, Spirit. Jesus himself modeled conversational prayer on the road to Emmaus. He gave us a guide to prayer in the Lord's prayer. He shared contemplative prayer in his retreats to the wilderness. He shared practical healing, feeding and life-giving prayers. He celebrated God's grace and offered encouragement.<br />
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Maybe your self-conversations, walks, acts of kindness are where your prayers begin. I'd love to walk with you in this journey of seeking God. I'd value hearing the forms your seeking takes. Tell me how it's going.Dave Harrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03407512323970693677noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4326718215651848302.post-37514066396429767882016-07-22T06:56:00.000-07:002016-07-22T06:57:11.509-07:00Emergency Vest -- No Worries!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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The emergency vest is for servants. I was serving at The Northeast Jurisdictional Conference of the UMC. Here's the second update video from our Study Renewal leave.Dave Harrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03407512323970693677noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4326718215651848302.post-81305748909529858112016-07-13T20:09:00.001-07:002016-07-13T20:09:10.169-07:00True Love, Trailers, and Truth<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Penny and I picked up the Study Renewal adventure as she flew into Columbia South Carolina. That's true love, when your spouse flies in to join you on a study trip! And we had great fun exploring the Savannah area, our Wesleyan history, as well as, our national history.<div>
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The trailer remained in a mysterious whirl of parts complexities, insurance conundrums, and personal patience exercise. In short, we stayed in a motel in Savannah and bought a tent at Walmart to camp at the Wild Goose festival in Hot Springs, NC. Finally, we drove home leaving the trailer at Camping World awaiting parts and repairs.</div>
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The truth is that this study snafu reflects life. Plans don't always...er... almost never, go exactly as expected. Love, grace and faith offer the choice of how to respond. How I respond, depends on how I practice. I hope this adventure was an opportunity to practice love, grace and faith. I could tell you, "Of course I was gracious, loving, and faithfully patient," but you'll have to ask those around me to get an honest and complete answer.</div>
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What I do know is that the God of Love is, was, and will be with me. I do know that I made it everywhere I planned to go. I do know that navigating the unexpected served as an invitation to grow and trust God.</div>
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What's your day held?</div>
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PS an update video coming soon.</div>
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Dave Harrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03407512323970693677noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4326718215651848302.post-84285261073614825092016-07-09T17:30:00.000-07:002016-07-13T19:32:49.063-07:00One Step At A Time We Make the Road<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJWD-yT-47SnX6EDnlZ7LBHYrRb55_mc7hw5o8bTcxAjEz_o9A82TGg7H7Yxazp6fCNEdJDipKxJFWXYlchg8odGwmlw2Qismo6oyckTg_GmFLecEXaYsGMv3VjLmN24iujwu_4cQr2ZA/s1600/SRL-2016July4_SavGA-+%252884%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="112" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJWD-yT-47SnX6EDnlZ7LBHYrRb55_mc7hw5o8bTcxAjEz_o9A82TGg7H7Yxazp6fCNEdJDipKxJFWXYlchg8odGwmlw2Qismo6oyckTg_GmFLecEXaYsGMv3VjLmN24iujwu_4cQr2ZA/s200/SRL-2016July4_SavGA-+%252884%2529.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A beginning in Savannah, GA</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span><i style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"We Make The Road By Walking" </i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">is the title of a book by Brian McLaren on the story of the bible in our lives. It is also how we do life. A journey always requires taking a step at a time.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> In my last post I mentioned a bit about John Wesley's feeling of failure regarding his mission in Georgia. Here are some of the reasons:</span><br />
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<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">John was accustomed to success at Oxford and in much else;</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">He had come to bring the Gospel to the Native Americans, <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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and he failed to understand their culture, needs and willingness to hear him out--no luck here;</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">In the new world John tutored a young woman, Sophie Hopkey, with whom, he fell in love. Unwilling to act in a timely way, Sophie left and married another. John, spurned, refused to serve communion to Sophie and her new husband. Sophie's new husband, protective, brought civil charges against John (with a bit of a biased jury). And John high-tailed it back to England, heartbroken and disheartened;</span></li>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5zZj9wwen8Mj7kK04Ryn4qdgJmz3P0jzHvOl-nmxamQums8clZekjuIWWIG6dvj-weSrlxlVmHn1cfVAHfPHycnKeVoWpJcLsSRNb4q1WV9SbwgLt79DCHr1hi_GrV0yXz_quTvqNsoA/s1600/SRL-2016July4_SavGA-+%252861%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5zZj9wwen8Mj7kK04Ryn4qdgJmz3P0jzHvOl-nmxamQums8clZekjuIWWIG6dvj-weSrlxlVmHn1cfVAHfPHycnKeVoWpJcLsSRNb4q1WV9SbwgLt79DCHr1hi_GrV0yXz_quTvqNsoA/s200/SRL-2016July4_SavGA-+%252861%2529.jpg" width="112" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wesley Monumental UMC<br />
Savanah, GA</td></tr>
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<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">As a well-educated and ordained priest of the Church of England, John was now doubting his salvation and his calling.</span></li>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">All, in all this was not feeling like a good season to John Wesley, but his journey and God's grace was still to unfold with next steps.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> In London John found his way, on May 24th, into a Moravian Church on <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aldersgate_Day">Aldersgate St. </a>(We now refer to this as his <a href="http://www.christianity.com/church/church-history/timeline/1701-1800/john-wesleys-heart-strangely-warmed-11630227.html">Aldersgate Experience</a>), where his heart was "strangely warmed." He reconnected to God's love and grace in a personal way. His "failure" was a next step that eventually led to a <a href="https://www.britannica.com/topic/Methodism">Methodist church in America</a> on every crossroad of the new world. (<a href="http://www.umc.org/who-we-are/history">UMC.org UMC History</a>)</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic5H7b8ZBqqqSumc7b00_sl5sHmlQ9ZhdPi2zm23qpr91nq9R1Ik92zvYOKvYJwg9erIZRRGHmtWJUamogJQmJ0gj9zN7sa_sJYFlcu7YMvb-1aBfGhhY53qa5GkKDiIWVgnKHFDXb16E/s1600/SRL-2016July4_SavGA-+%2528175%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="112" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic5H7b8ZBqqqSumc7b00_sl5sHmlQ9ZhdPi2zm23qpr91nq9R1Ik92zvYOKvYJwg9erIZRRGHmtWJUamogJQmJ0gj9zN7sa_sJYFlcu7YMvb-1aBfGhhY53qa5GkKDiIWVgnKHFDXb16E/s200/SRL-2016July4_SavGA-+%2528175%2529.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wesley UMC, Thunderbolt, GA</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> A bit like the Emmaus Road (<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke%2024:13-35">Luke 24</a>) experience of the disciples, John didn't recognize God's presence in everything at every moment. He did, however, find God's presence in the steps he was yet to take and in the places he could not yet see. (Cf. <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Hebrews%2011&version=CEV">Hebrews 11:1</a>)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> We make our faith journey by walking one step at a time. We don't usually see very far ahead. We don't as individuals, nor as churches. Just like the disciples and like John Wesley, God always has greater things beyond or moments of failure, discouragement and fatigue.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> So, we take a step. We go forward, backward, sideways, but we take a step. In the walk God is there to be found and grace with love ready to show up. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> So what are your failures? (I have mine.) Can you embrace them? Can you trust God to use them in the next steps of the journey? I encourage you to join me in keeping notes, journaling, about your insights, prayers, thoughts, questions and ideas. Then perhaps we can share, in due time.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> Grace and love in this step and in the next.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">10,000 Joys in Christ</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Pilgrim on the Journey with God, Pastor Dave</span></div>
Dave Harrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03407512323970693677noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4326718215651848302.post-66785423853656499152016-07-06T17:00:00.000-07:002016-07-06T17:00:20.925-07:00Here Are the Answers!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhALEiPdk8_d0E5cdBDBj4U1bdP9ys7sSqDS6QkKPQmeGOnnDjBl4Z5fK5ScfEPg1ILjnVItEQc8tgjKWp6sNNXsuwOhVU0PYqclbvMAmFV3NUhlCYzTe5Uq75jl6NLJSUYbrRZaNKQ4g4/s1600/SRL-2016July4_SavGA-+%252888%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhALEiPdk8_d0E5cdBDBj4U1bdP9ys7sSqDS6QkKPQmeGOnnDjBl4Z5fK5ScfEPg1ILjnVItEQc8tgjKWp6sNNXsuwOhVU0PYqclbvMAmFV3NUhlCYzTe5Uq75jl6NLJSUYbrRZaNKQ4g4/s200/SRL-2016July4_SavGA-+%252888%2529.jpg" width="150" /></a></div>
<tt style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></tt><a href="http://prairiehome.org/script_categories/guy-noir/">Guy Noir</a>, Garrison Keilor's detective character, is always,"seeking answers to life's persistent questions." Truth is we'd all like clear, quick answers to questions like: What should I do next? Is this the right time and place for this? What does God want? What should my church/community/group do next/now? <br />
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In truth there are few easy answers. <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ps+62&version=CEV;NRSV">Psalm 62 </a>starts, <i>"For God alone my soul waits in silence; from him comes my salvation." </i> <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ps+121&version=CEV;NRSV">Psalm 121</a> begins, <i>"I lift up my eyes to the hills--from where will my help come from? My help comes from the Lord who made heaven and earth." </i> Answers come in waiting, working, things bigger than ourselves--all the places that take commitment and time. Answers come from things, the One, bigger than ourselves.<br />
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Along the way on this Study-Renewal journey I have met a seminary student, several pastors, church interns, people of all sorts and all seem to rejoice in the time to renew, listen for God and to learn. One pastor said<i> "I'm jealous."</i> and another reflected, <i>"It's important to have that time as we serve longer pastorates."</i> Although there seems to be a broad recognition of the need for renewal, listening and learning (the stuff of prayer), there is also a confession that few people of faith and congregations take time to meet the need. We have a great start!<br />
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Having seen the sites of John Wesley's first mission work in Georgia and reviewed his assessment of the effort as a failure, I'm reminded that answers come with time, work, waiting and needing help. I expect to come home with new questions, ideas and conversations to hold. (See previous posts.) I suspect that I will come bearing no easy or quick solutions to our congregation's struggles to make disciples and grow.<br />
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So, if we want answers, then we prepare for holy conversations with Holy Spirit redirections. If we want new possibilities, then we commit to time with God and one another in fresh ways. In September we're planning to have a dinner (I hope covered dish) and a time for representatives from <i>Palmyra First</i> to share learnings & insights from the summer. Also I'll share a few learnings and insights. I anticipate that from there we'll continue the conversation around tables (food tables, the Lord's Table, meeting tables, kitchen tables, restaurant tables...), maybe even a monthly food and conversation around a lunch, dinner or dessert!<br />
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Yes, I'm seeking answers to life's persistent questions! It will take effort and require persistent patience. We'll do it together and the report of 2000 years of followers of Jesus Christ is that God has never let us down! <br />
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I trust you will keep praying, learning, resting and sharpening one another, while I commit to doing the same. I look forward to seeing you soon. <br />
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10,000 Joys in Christ<br />
Student and Disciple Pastor Dave<br />
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Dave Harrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03407512323970693677noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4326718215651848302.post-76599146877704987022016-07-04T14:34:00.001-07:002016-07-04T14:34:52.177-07:00When Life Takes a Turn...Say Thank You!<div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidGGWDWrXemHNkun3vwpHIAFc63tbD6-W6rhYtNB83sYLYDYn8sYllvdHJmex4lidIPz_t-fFYVy76wyRKhJcOMn_JEnOXdHRXKZrM9z0wUKpm0_qj2HR0q4amdG1uSVGQW3KvoGQJta4/s1600/SRL-2016July4_SavGA-+%2528164%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidGGWDWrXemHNkun3vwpHIAFc63tbD6-W6rhYtNB83sYLYDYn8sYllvdHJmex4lidIPz_t-fFYVy76wyRKhJcOMn_JEnOXdHRXKZrM9z0wUKpm0_qj2HR0q4amdG1uSVGQW3KvoGQJta4/s200/SRL-2016July4_SavGA-+%2528164%2529.jpg" title="" width="112" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> I was traveling on I-26, just barely across the South Carolina line, when a bee starting buzzing in my face. One swat and I felt the brush of metal on my fender; truck and trailer had swerved in into the center media guardrail just feet from the yellow line. </span><div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> I pulled back toward the lane. The combination of soft shoulder, incline, and bump of pavement, sent the trailer tilting and bouncing. In the blink of an eye I wondered, "Can I keep this on the road?" Thankfully, I did!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVnqOzdTztuN6vFzak7f6NZ7dKqnZYMh3Dgkyth4nsgY-8B7jf5ZgdoXRKsqre3F8Y3t92m9svuwE_fSc3kz6zPIfkJ8-hQH9t_2FZZESyeIVv9keZui4jdJyfiJ7fRsnZ1FzGt0gv7kA/s1600/SRL-2016June30_AccidentSC.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVnqOzdTztuN6vFzak7f6NZ7dKqnZYMh3Dgkyth4nsgY-8B7jf5ZgdoXRKsqre3F8Y3t92m9svuwE_fSc3kz6zPIfkJ8-hQH9t_2FZZESyeIVv9keZui4jdJyfiJ7fRsnZ1FzGt0gv7kA/s320/SRL-2016June30_AccidentSC.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Pulling off to the roadside, I discovered my passenger side trailer tire was gone, and the rim damaged. A roadside help call and the wheel was replaced with a spare. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Heading down the road I became quickly aware something was still not right! So, a bunch of stops, conversations, and insistence landed me at a <i>Camping World </i>for assessment.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> The verdict, a bent axle, among other lesser things. The prognosis, as of this writing, is still up in the air, awaiting insurance adjusters, estimators, and schedulers to all chime in--interupted by a July 4th holiday</span><div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Once the accident happened and the remedy set in motion, I went to pick up my bride, Penny, at the airport, to head to see John Wesley sites in Savannah and stay at Skidaway National Park in the trailer. Oops! Regroup.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> In the mix I was overwhelmed at first. Then I was a bit discouraged. However with a bit of time I was able to give thanks for no injuries in what easily could have been worse. I was grateful that Penny was joining me and I'd have company for some of the decisions. I was rejoicing that I had resources to meet the needs--insurance, a credit card, a hotel and more.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Reflecting, I'm reminded that few journeys that are worthwhile in life, go directly from point A to point B. They almost always have some accidents, incidents and outright failures to go with the progress and success. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Watch for my next post that will have some "Easy Answers" and connections of failures to John Wesley's life and mission in Georgia. Thank You for your prayers and support. All is well.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">10,000 Joys in Christ</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Pastor, never swat bees and drive, Dave</span><br />
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Dave Harrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03407512323970693677noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4326718215651848302.post-22849343085569858022016-06-27T17:37:00.000-07:002016-06-27T17:37:20.145-07:00Suprises & Invitations<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyEr0xxX9caJ1f-QDA1MwakJz2Uz9dIjUVWv8A88dk3TFrTQwoY5BQVOK_AKwnANTuEPqnIwAu92NKGQ0JkLd6wGBqHCDuBqD0F6OhsD1zxRiwixLJ3sJh1JcXsDNWFAfqRHwo_ddx9R8/s1600/SRLBLog-Raleigh-BigEds.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="155" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyEr0xxX9caJ1f-QDA1MwakJz2Uz9dIjUVWv8A88dk3TFrTQwoY5BQVOK_AKwnANTuEPqnIwAu92NKGQ0JkLd6wGBqHCDuBqD0F6OhsD1zxRiwixLJ3sJh1JcXsDNWFAfqRHwo_ddx9R8/s200/SRLBLog-Raleigh-BigEds.png" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Big Eds in Old City Market-Raleigh NC</td></tr>
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The best experiences in life are invitations and surprises ! <br />
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Invitations come from relationships. Some come from passing relationships, striking up a conversation with a stranger or new quaintance. Others from deep friendships. All lead somewhere of value to the one who made the offering, the invitation.<br />
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Invitations are how I have found many of the churches and ministries on my Study-Renewal Leave journey. Friends like Alan Rice or Bishop John Schol or Vance Ross have taken time to reflect and share. Invitations are how I find my way deeper into God's presence. Just today, as I began exploring the streets of Richmond, I felt a holy nudge, an inner sense, God's Spirit invite me to allow the day to be restful, walking and praying; to take time to be present to whatever came my way and breath. That prompt was freeing for me. It opened the door to 8 miles of walking, and much journaling. All this comes from invitations.<br />
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Now, surprises are things out of my control. They are not all evaluated as good when they come my way, but many of the great experiences I have begin as surprises. For instance, the recommendation to eat at "Big Eds" in Raleigh, was shared with me this week by a college. Not only was the food and service great, but I stumbled upon a motorcycle show in the midst of the quaint shops on a historic Old City Market.<br />
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As I scanned the street from my table by the window; eating my burger and engaging surroundings lifted my spirits. This surprise guided my feet for an hour or so and put a gift in the day, when I was missing family. <br />
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God works with invitations and surprises. I'm not the only one. It simply takes being open to the possibilities, saying yes and seeing where they lead. No matter where they go, there is a gift to be found. Often there are experiences that mark a trip, a friendship, a life... when we are open. On pastor I met in my travels said, "If I can't tell you a new story of what God is doing in my life, from the last few days, then I'm not paying attention."<br />
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What invitations and surprises have you noticed recently?Dave Harrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03407512323970693677noreply@blogger.com0