I Talk to Myself-- Help!

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

October is for discernment!  Discernment, according to Webster, is "the ability to see and understand people, things, or situations clearly and intelligently."  In this month we're seeking understanding in our finances, our congregation and in our directions.

In the "Enough" series we are seeking clarity about our God given resources and how best to use them.  We have begun thinking, studying and praying together about how to best serve God with what God has first given us.  This includes our financial commitments as well as our prayers, presence, service & witness.

For our Oct. 21st Charge Conference we're reflecting on what God has been doing among and through us in the past year and where God is leading in the year to come.  This involves reviewing the ABC's (Attendance, Buildings, Cash) but more importantly seeking out "God Moments," where we're seeing God at work, in our life together.

Finally, our Church Council has convened a Vision Team to think and pray together about 3 goal directions and offer insight.  This team has people from each service, all ages and they aren't already on Council.  When you read this they hope to have some preliminary recommendations for our Council as we set 2016 goals, helping us see where God is leading.

Possibly there is one more area... your own life.  Where are you seeking clarity?  Seeking God?  Seeking growth?  Seeking direction?  How can I hold you in prayer?  Share in a conversation?  Connect you with a Koinonia group to make the journey with you? 

God is always ready to help us discern and celebrate the holy.  Jesus makes the way for this to happen and the Spirit walks with us all.  May this be a time of great joy and discovery reflecting the love of Christ in your life. 

10,000 Joys Following Jesus, Dave

Questions?

   

    If what I'm doing isn't getting the results I want, then what might I do differently?

         If I want more peace...

         If I want a more relaxed pace to life...

         If I want a deeper faith...

         If I want more people in church ...

         If I want a more fulfilling job...

         If...

          Add your own observations that lead to the question:  What might God be inviting me to do differently?

     Here at Palmyra First UMC

·         We wanted to touch more families, so we help all ages spend time together and intentionally learn together with Intergenerational Education this year.

·         We wanted to invite more people to depth of faith and friendship, so we're working to  expand the best biblical and practical tool  we know for doing that--Koinonia Groups (small groups).

·         We keep bumping into Christmas Eve schedule challenges, so our Worship planning team is planning a new way approach to help everyone.

Where would you like to invite God to work in fresh ways?

10,000 Joys Growing in God's Grace, Dave

P.S.  Here are 4 questions I came across & keep around to help...

1. What opportunities do I have today and what am I doing with them?
2. Is what I'm doing strengthening my ________? (life, mission, family, friends, work, church, health...)
3. How am I building up others with love today?
4. What gift am I discovering today... using... celebrating?

Do What Works!

     If what we're doing isn't getting the results we want, then what might we do differently?

• If we want more peace
• If we want a more relaxed pace to life...
• If we want a deeper faith..
• If we want more people in church ...
• If we want a more fulfilling job...
• If...

Add your own observations that help you answer the question:  "What might God be inviting me to do differently?"

     At my church home, Palmyra First UMC, We wanted to touch more families, so we help all ages spend time together and intentionally learn together with Intergenerational Education this year. We wanted to invite more people to depth of faith and friendship, so we're working to  expand the best biblical and practical tool  we know for doing that--Koinonia Groups (small groups).  We kept bumping into Christmas Eve schedule challenges, so our Worship planning team is planning new ways to help everyone.

      How about your life?  Where would you like to invite God to work in fresh ways?

Where am I Going?

Where are you going?  I think, when I run, and this question was on my mind as Coda (the dog) and I (the person) were running our 5K loop this morning.

My mission, this morning, was dog training in an exercise format.  That meant we didn't run straight when Coda wasn't executing a reasonable "heel", I'd change directions, turning around, run up a driveway and back, to help her watch her handler--that would be me.

When we came to a construction site, and it frightened her, we circled back to the worker by the truck, to stop for her to be petted.  I asked first, and then let him know that I wanted to train a dog that was comfortable around workers.  Also I shared I didn't think that they needed a skittish or aggressive dog near job sites.  He petted.  I thanked.  On we ran.

We took purposeful detours for traffic, puppies, and children along the way.  All so that we accomplished the mission.  And then I began to notice how much this is like life, leadership, parenting and so much more.  I was teaching my dog good citizenship and it mean that my agenda had to adapt in the circumstances of the experience (the run).

As a parent, grandparent, friend, leader, pastor, neighbor, and person,  I often have to adapt to be a good, loving citizen of the world.   I'm always pursuing my mission (life purpose, goals, integrity-- pick the term most helpful for you, they work about the same for me) even when the tasks and path need to adapt.

I believe that I have a valuable purpose in life and it's what life's all about in many vital ways.  (Think either it's God given, how I'm made, connected to the cosmos... like before, don't get hung up on the word here.)  For me it's all about living love with humility, justice and kindness while using the things that make me me (faith, music, ideas, ADD, energy, broad-inclusive thinking, ...).  That's how I seek to live.

I always need help with that.  I always have to adapt the strategies, agendas and tools of any given day to accomplish my purpose well.  I'm always diminished if I get off track with that big goal, because I become a little less me  (a little less missional, a little less what God wants, a little less what I'm designed for... pick again).

So, in all things, I work to include those around me.  Sometimes I play games with my grand kids or students that I would never choose for my own amusement, but I choose them for love.  I do some things with my wife because it's fun to be with her, and love her, not because the activity is my first choice.  (Like the days she inquires, "Wouldn't it be fun to work in the flower beds today?")  And I'm still on my mission of living love... of using my uniqueness... even with the detours and unanticipated choices!

And sometimes, I need to say, "no" or change directions, just like I do with Coda (the dog) on runs.  And sometimes I run, knowing the mission isn't increased speed, or hill work, but a pet that can be a suitable companion in living love.

Who am I?  Who is my handler, or who am I watching?  Does your identity, or mission work with the groups I find yourself in?  How often do I get off track?  What simple invitations might I offer or respond to, so that I am true to my path and respectful of those with whom I find myself?  I asked these questions this morning.  Maybe they have some value for you.   Let me know how your run is going!

Is Poverty a Non-Issue?

"Love God & Neighbor" -- Jesus

    I continue to be puzzled by poverty.  If we'd all do what we were taught as kids poverty would be a non-issue.  If we each were honest with ourselves and each other we would be far less likely to blame the poor for being poor.  If those of us who say we follow Jesus, took our imitation of Jesus seriously we wouldn't rest until those on the margins were treated with justice.  If....
     But I get stopped when I try to understand the complexities of economics, politics, and relationships.  I can see easily the inequities and problematic patterns of poverty , yet it's easy to justify my own inaction with relationships like family needs, politics that tap my self-interest, or fearing doing more harm than good in challenging economic realities.
    So the question is this, "Is poverty a non-issue?"  Because... it's not my fault...it's not my job...it's too big... or  we've loved one-another so well that it's gone.
    I would like to be able to give the "it's gone" answer, but that's not possible yet.   I'd like to say I never answer in any of the other ways, but that wouldn't be completely truthful.  Yet I would still like to work toward solving the poverty puzzle.  That's why I jump start my action with faith and  Circles, a cool national poverty initiative, supported by my church, that works to help people move from poverty to self-sustaining life;  it makes aims to give everyone enough money, friends, and meaning in their lives.
    That's why my wife and I work at living generously.  Like the strangers who have received lunch from my spouse.  Like, the tenth of our income that we plan to give away every year, as a minimum. So even when I fall short, I'm aware, growing, and, I hope, making a difference in my soul and for others.
    How do you deal with poverty?

Beyond Discouragement... Me... I Believe...

     I found myself a bit discouraged and spent some prayer and reflective time seeking to understand and adjust my path. What was revealed, or that I discovered (depending on your theological preference), was that I was not being true to who God had made me to be, who I truly am. In that insight and gift I jotted down what "I believe" as a marker of who I am. It's a work in progress...

•  I believe in Living Love (God & Neighbor… like Jesus)
• I believe God’s bottom line is Love not judgment.
• I believe the Holy Spirit convicts, God judges and it’s my job to love.  I will claim loving and allow you to respond to your part.
• I believe the Church is the Body of Christ (it’s about community).  I’ll be my part of the Body, and I’ll gladly help you with prayer, encouragement , &  equipment to be yours.
• I believe we each are responsible for our gifts &  calling, and that together we’re responsible to be the Church…Loving & serving… great command & commission together.
• I believe rest & play are part of God’s design & calling.  Less than that is brokenness, sin, & simply doesn't work very well.
•   I believe Love is more powerful than any strategic plan & more attractive too.  I also believe that a gracious goal is good.
• I believe that if I can’t speak with love I should pray until I can and so that I can…neither avoidance or aggression is loving.
• I believe that if what I do isn't good news to outsiders and those hurting, I’m missing something vital.
• I believe faith’s design is simple… Live Love.  We complicate it with fear, and I know that perfect love casts out fear.
• I believe the bible is powerful—I take it very seriously.  I believe it is most powerful & true when I take it seriously & not literally.
• I believe love & creativity have been the hallmarks of the Church in health, and that fear & control have been evident when we struggle.
• I believe we owe the world no apology for Jesus’ Love and a big apology when we fail to live that love convincingly.
• I believe God is big enough for us to love God & one another, even when we define the details differently.
• I believe God loves everyone, no exceptions.
• I believe I’m still growing and will express my faith differently tomorrow from how I have today.  That’s growth, not uncertainty!
• I believe I’m as screwy and broken as the next person and always need God’s help, forgiveness & grace.  I need others as co-journeyers and co-adventurers in this faith expedition.
• I believe that someone won’t like what I believe and that’s OK.  I’d love to hear your beliefs and talk over coffee.  If, however, you want to complain about my beliefs or attack them or me, please see your therapist first, not me! ;-)
• You see I believe God made me, God loves me and God cares for me.  I believe that God has called me, the Church has confirmed that call and the Spirit is shaping me.  I believe I’m forgiven even when I don’t feel that way.

     In short, I believe in living love. It is in this place I focus, I grow and I trust God.  

     How about you?

Intersections

I love intersections of heart, mind and experience. This week I've stood at the intersection of continuing education, ongoing pastoral leadership, the biblical story and my own emotion filtered personality. I'm amazed at the hope I see and pleasantly surprised, and encouraged, that I'm finding renewed hope in unexpected places.

These moments of serendipitous renewal are why I love standing in these cross roads. In short: It's great fun to be surprised by God!

I am and have been wondering, how vitality and life can best be shared. At times I feel a tad confused and uncertain. On other legs of the journey I feel energized and optimistic. However, it's at the Divine intersections, bringing disparate life pieces together, that I get fired up all over again.

That's who I am. A person of curiosity, a follower of Jesus called to lead, a disciple still learning the Way, and one disposed to energetic joy. That said, I too am a believer who frequently wonders, wanders, waffles, and doubts. I am growing, playing, exploring, enjoying, fearing, repenting, changing...I'm still on the journey.

How about you? Are you still on a life-giving, faith demanding way? Are you open to the surprises?

I trust that together we will find ways that we encourage and support live, love and joy in God's way. I believe that an open conversation is food for the journey. That's all a part of who I am. What about you? Tell me about one of your intersections...

Doubts & Delights

Whether it's the dictionary or the web I get side-tracked by interesting things on my way to the goal. That's how I ended up on a Buddhist's site, an atheist's site and overhearing a few other blogged conversations.

Doubts and defensiveness caught my attention, as I read, and those same emotions sparked my own reflection. First the doubts and defensiveness of authors explaining either the errors or evils of Christianity drew my eye. (I am a Christian, but not of the TV, intolerant, sort.) Second, and more significant it was the thoughts that began to churn up in me.

I'm reminded again that doubts come with the territory of believing. Mostly, because I don't have all the answers, or the perfect explanations, nor am I even interested in that most of the time. I follow Jesus because it's the absolute best path I know.

I'm not here to undo your path. I'm here to be honest about mine. I think it has a lot to offer. I know that if you scrutinize my mistakes or the mistakes of others who have walked as followers of the Way, that any skilled rhetorician, philosopher, or mean-spirited critic can find fault. But, I'm not looking for fault (I hope I'm not). I am looking for light, hope, love...a powerful way to live.

So on with the doubts and the foibles and the conversations. Doubts sharpen understanding. Foibles sharpen graciousness. Conversations done well deepen trusting relationships.

Join me. What conversation would you like to have with someone who's willing to listen, devoid of all the answers, and interested in what you think?

Finding Confidence

I'm energetic, optimistic and joyful as a rule. I'm also introspective and prone to over-thinking. So, some days, I have to go looking for my confidence. I can cloud my joy by taking people more seriously than God (usually fueled by the over-thinking thing).

Good news is that with my propensities, I don't get over-confident, at least not for long, nor do I get gloomy for long stretches. I do go up and down. I'm finding that experience and time is helping to modify this inner thrill ride, but I haven't left the emotional amusement park altogether.

I'm noting this here because we all have our stuff. I find that fact strangely comforting, that I'm not alone in my humanity. I was reading a bible story (Luke 24:36-48) and noticing that even the disciples, with three years personal coaching from the Master under their belt, had disheartening and confusing stuff. The rest of the story is that God knows, and offers them coaching, along with some potent promise, to move through the stuff of life.

That's all. Life's got stuff. God's got bigger good stuff. Paying attention to that works for me. Life's an adventure. Let's go live it together, you, me, and God.