This week we celebrate the Ascension… Jesus returning to the Father and leaving the disciples to carry out the mission of love that Jesus began. But they aren’t asked to do it on their own. In Acts 1, Jesus tells them to go back to Jerusalem and WAIT for the gift of the Holy Spirit that he has promised to send to them.
READ Acts 1:1-14 NIV (see other translations)
In my former book, Theophilus, I wrote about all that Jesus began to do and to teach until the day he was taken up to heaven, after giving instructions through the Holy Spirit to the apostles he had chosen. After his suffering, he presented himself to them and gave many convincing proofs that he was alive. He appeared to them over a period of forty days and spoke about the kingdom of God. On one occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them this command: “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. 5 For John baptized with[a] water, but in a few days you will be baptized with[b] the Holy Spirit.”
Then they gathered around him and asked him, “Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?”
He said to them: “It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. 8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
After he said this, he was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight.
They were looking intently up into the sky as he was going, when suddenly two men dressed in white stood beside them. “Men of Galilee,” they said, “why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven.”
Then the apostles returned to Jerusalem from the hill called the Mount of Olives, a Sabbath day’s walk[c] from the city. When they arrived, they went upstairs to the room where they were staying. Those present were Peter, John, James and Andrew; Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew; James son of Alphaeus and Simon the Zealot, and Judas son of James. They all joined together constantly in prayer, along with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brothers.”
What do you notice about the disciples in this passage? What do you notice about Jesus?
THE CUP OF RECEIVING
PICK UP YOUR CUP AND HOLD IT
Consider all the things you’ve been waiting on, and waiting for this year. It’s been a year of waiting. Maybe, like the disciples, you don’t know just what to expect. Maybe you are feeling frustrated by all the emotions of the past year, all the losses and the changes. Talk to Jesus about this. TAKE A DRINK FROM YOUR CUP AND RECEIVE HIS PEACE.
We read in ACTS 1, that the disciples still didn’t really get what Jesus was all about. They wanted to know about times and dates and the end of the Roman rule. Even in their final days with Jesus actually present with them, they seemed to miss the point. Even after three years of being with Jesus everyday, they were still confused about their purpose. Jesus doesn’t shame them, or get frustrated with them. Instead he just reminds them that their mission is to go into all the world and be his ambassadors of love. Jesus believes in them even when they don’t understand. He knows that when they receive the Holy Spirit they will remember!
HOLD YOUR CUP. Have you forgotten about your purpose? Have you gotten caught up in worrying about what’s going to happen when, rather than just following Jesus? Do you need help to remember? Talk to Him about where you are today.
HOW DO YOU NEED TO BE REMINDED OF YOUR MISSION, YOUR PURPOSE? Allow Jesus to show you.
DRINK FROM YOUR CUP AND RECEIVE YOUR MISSION, YOUR PURPOSE AGAIN!
“But now that I’m about to leave you and go back to join the One who sent me, you need to be told. Yet, not one of you are asking me where I’m going. Instead your hearts are filled with sadness because I’ve told you these things. 7 But here’s the truth: It’s to your advantage that I go away, for if I don’t go away the Divine Encourager[c] will not be released to you. But after I depart, I will send him to you”. JESUS ~ JOHN 16:5-7
We need to RECEIVE THE HOLY SPIRIT.
RECEIVING the HOLY SPIRIT
DRINK FROM YOUR CUP TODAY and imagine receiving the encouragement of the Holy Spirit. Imagine receiving the comfort and peace of the presence of the Spirit. As you drink from your cup today, know that Jesus believes in you just as he believed in his disciples on Ascension Day!
DRINK FROM YOUR CUP and RECEIVE THE PROMISED HOLY SPIRIT.
LET’S RECEIVE THE POWER TO BE THE PEOPLE WE ARE CALLED TO BE AND BE the PEOPLE JESUS BELIEVES US TO BE!
©lillylewin and freerangeworship.com
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by Lisa DeRosa
With Springtime upon us, it seemed like a lovely idea to paint pots together as a household community when the weather in Seattle warmed up a little. As you can see, I was the only one crazy enough to wear a short sleeve and shorts romper that Goldie (dog in picture above) is sitting in front of. Activities like these are something that I grew up doing for my sister’s birthday parties with friends in April like decorating Easter baskets and other Spring-themed crafts. But because I do not consider myself to be the artsy-creative type, I don’t usually engage in this type of practice very often. I enjoy making cards, sewing, and cooking which allows for many opportunities as creative outlets for me. Painting does not tend to be one of them…
At the time, I did not plan to write a post about painting pots as a spiritual reflection, but looking back at the process, I see many reasons why this is indeed a spiritual practice and points out lessons that can be applied in other areas of life. It gave me a chance to try something new, not in the norm of my day, and learn from what I was experiencing.
Firstly, as a recovering perfectionist, painting is a challenge in many ways. The endless options of paint type, color, shade, texture, and the right implement to use to paint the stuff on there was too much for my unexercised right-brain to decide. I stuck with what I know and love: blue. Once my color choice jumped out at me, I decided to cover the whole pot in blue because I figured I couldn’t go wrong with at least establishing a base layer. So far so good. But then… the sponge I was using worked against me by not absorbing the paint in the way I thought it would. It globbed on so thick and uneven, I thought even the base layer was ruined. I kept going, hoping it would fix itself. Eventually, with another evening layer, the base coat was finished. Nice and blue. My lesson from this was not to panic; just keep painting and see what the next stroke would bring. NOT an easy task when in my head it was already too far gone, but persistence seemed to work this time.
Secondly, in between paint layers, I found myself getting impatient. It was a slightly breezy time of day with the sun still out, but it seemed as though no amount of waving a flimsy piece of newspaper around my pot would get it to dry. This solution of mine only led to a tired arm and a still wet, painted pot. I thought it would be a good time to go around and mingle to see what my housemates were up to.
Which leads to my third lesson, the envy that rose in my heart over the other painted pots was very evident in that moment. Our house has some truly creative people, as you can see below. The snowy mountain with pine branches across the top is my husband’s. Each unique and thoughtfully designed in their own way. But I felt like mine was just a product of globbing on paint with some clouds. It looks like the wallpaper in Andy’s room from Toy Story… As in life, comparison and envy did not bode well for this activity and it contributed to missing the point of enjoying a fun activity with my housemates on a beautiful day!
I am proud that I finished my pot and that I chose to engage even when it isn’t a skill of mine. In reflecting on the photo above, I am grateful for the diversity that each pot uniquely gives to the garden. That they will provide a safe, and stable home for a seed, seedling, and eventually, a plant to flourish in. They bring color to the garden year round and hold memories of our house gathering that store-bought pots cannot.
As I think about God as the Creator, I know that my struggles listed when painting this pot do not surprise God and they are not challenges for God either. Creator God doesn’t waiver in trying to make perfect things, they just are. Impatience does not well up within. And why would envy creep into the Divine’s thoughts? Everything else fails in comparison! God’s character does not contain a striving towards perfectionism, the impatience and limits of time, or the envy of others. Instead, perfect peace, incredible patience, and unconditional love abound. I am thankful today that when God interacts with me as part of Creation, these are the character traits that are expressed.
Want to paint a flower pot?
Here’s what you will need:
- clean terracotta pots (any size you want!)
- outdoor spray paint (we have several of these in different colors) or outdoor acrylic paints (this brand is non-toxic)
- paint brushes – we used these for the various sizes
- spray on Mod Podge Clear Acrylic Sealer (could use the paint-on kind too)
- a jar of water for cleaning the brushes
- a box to use for spray painting (optional)
Materials for painting pots
Spray painting option
Maybe you will have an easier time deciding on what to paint, what colors to use, and the painting time will be relaxing for you. Maybe you are like me and have to try a little harder. Wherever you are at, whatever mood you are in when you come to painting your pot, accept that that is where you are and how you are feeling. Allow God to meet you there, be open to Divine Presence. Ask for inspiration, a memory, or a picture of what to paint. If you already have something in mind, great! Go for it! Enjoy the activity, welcome the experience that it holds, and let yourself be immersed in the creative process.
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poem and photo by Ana Lisa de Jong,
No-one is wholly blind.
We each carry some of the light.
To see we might climb beyond the cloud line
to where the sun sets and rises in heavenly splendour.
On the ground
where we live for much of our lives,
our view is limited to the next rise,
the turn in the road,
So let us walk in humility.
The one who sees our divisions as rivers,
as great dividing separate channels,
is not political.
At least not beyond where he drew a clear line in the sand –
this love in which each law is contained.
Is that why love is so often called a bridge?
Might that be restoration?
Hearts inclined towards one another.
What if we waded deep in
with compassion,
not weapons of words and condemnation?
“Anyone not for me is against me.'”
Perhaps to see further
is to turn our lights upon ourselves,
our own hearts inclined sometimes
to corners blind.
For more poetry by Ana Lisa, please check out LivingTreePoetry.com.
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Godspace would not be where it is today without our community of dedicated writers! We are blessed that they contribute their writings, books, and resources to make Godspace truly a resource center as well as a blog. Even through the challenges that each of them experienced in 2020, they faithfully shared their posts with us and allowed us into their lives through their offerings. Today, we want to celebrate and highlight what they are doing to show them our love!
Books, Photos, Poetry, Blogs, and Downloads:
- Ana Lisa de Jong:
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- A Garment of Praise and Joy Instead of Mourning released on May 1, 2021!
- FREE DOWNLOADS: Talking About the Sun – Poetry from Nature and Medicine for the Soul – Poetry for a Pandemic, – see other poetry at livingtreepoetry.com
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- Diane Woodrow: The Little Yellow Boat – new children’s book just released!
- Alex Tang: A Year of Viral Musings: Hope, Love, and Faith in the COVID-19 Pandemic – just released!
- Joy Lenton: Experiencing Lent: Sensing the Sacred in our Midst – released in January 2021 for Lent
- Jeannie Kendall:
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- FREE DOWNLOAD: Gospel Eyes – also for the Lenten Season,
- New book releases September 10th, 2021: Held in Your Bottle
- Releasing Advent poems in November 2021 on Godspace.
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- Jenneth Graser: Christmas Conversations – released end of 2020
- Tom Sine: 2020s Foresight: Three Vital Practices for Thriving in a Decade of Accelerating Change – released in September 2020
- Keren Dibbens Wyatt: Recital of Love released this past September 2020
- Kate Kennington Steer: image into ikon blog with lovely photos by Kate
- Sara Easterly: Searching for Mom: A Memoir released end of 2019
- Catherine Lawton: Glimpsing Glory released early 2020
Popular Posts since 2020:
- Practicing Gratitude in the Middle of COVID-19 by Lilly Lewin
- Finding Your Red Chair by James Amadon
- Resources for Times of Uncertainty by Jenneth Graser
- Knowing God’s Will During the COVID-19 Crisis by Donna Chacko
- Letting Go of Loss so that we can Hold onto Hope by Barbie Perks
- My Sheltering Place by Rodney Marsh
- Psalm 37: How to Walk by Sue Duby
- Living Through Uncertain Times by Carol Dixon
- Practices for a Distant Socializing Difference by Lisa DeRosa
- St. Patrick’s Breastplate by Rev Sheila Hamil
- Leaning towards the Light of a New Day by Bettina Schuller
- Healing God by Kathie Hempel
- Advent Begins In Darkness by Ellen Haroutunian
- wisdom of the gut: Imbolc 2021 by Kate Kennington Steer
- The Slow Work of Repair, Reclaiming and Restoration by Lisa Scandrette
- Liminal Space and Holy Saturday by Steve Wickham
- Trusting in Jesus: Do Not Let Your Hearts Be Troubled by April Yamasaki
- Recovering Purpose in Pandemic by Tom Sine
- A place of healing: trusting and resting in the process by Joy Lenton
- How Long Will We Wait? by Lucinda Smith
- 2021: Hope and Healing – A Reflection by Michael Moore
- Treasures of Darkness : Holy Stillness by Catherine Lawton
- Come to Me by June Friesen
- “Father, into your hands, I commit my spirit.” by Ron Friesen
- Freedom from Bondage of Fear by Alex Tang
- Contact with God as Spiritual Discernment by J. Thomas
- Nota bene: A Backyard Fiasco, A (miniature) House of God by Laurie Klein
- Joan of Arc by Rowan Wyatt
What has been your favorite post from our writers since 2020? Please comment below!
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by Christine Sine
Over the last few weeks, my husband and I have been revisiting Time Team, a wonderful British programme in which the team takes three days to explore an archeological site. Often these sites are of castles that date back to Medieval times. These castles are usually built on top of the most prominent hill in the area and usually close by a river for easy access. In the center of the castle is usually the remains of a high tower, a tower that would have given a spectacular view all around the area enabling the occupants to see exactly what was happening and help them prepare for attacks from their enemies.
A reconstruction of York Castle in the 14th century, showing the castle’s stone keep (top) overlooking the castle bailey
As I watched one of these programmes, it was as though my brain kicked into gear. I was reminded of the impact these words of Ps 32:8-9 had on me as I wrote last week’s post:
I hear the Lord saying, “I will stay close to you,
instructing and guiding you along the pathway for your life.
I will advise you along the way
and lead you forth with my eyes as your guide.
Then shortly after that, a friend sent me a link to Ps 94:23 because she felt that the second part of the verse held a special word for me.
For you are my true tower of strength,
my safe place, my hideout, and my true shelter.
At first, I could not see how these verses related to each other but as I prayed and meditated this morning, the image of that high tower in the Time Team episode came into my mind and I found myself bringing together these two images. The pathway of God is like a river, I thought. It is never straight and it is not always obvious. Sometimes it flows rapidly and dangerously as down a series of rapids, at other times it flows gently and peacefully, as when it meets a wide open plain. Sometimes it meets a large obstacle like a rock. It doesn’t try to go through it but rather allows itself to be diverted, creating a new pathway around the obstacle.
If we stand beside the river we are only able to see a short distance and often our view is obstructed completely by the trees that line the river. We have no idea what lies ahead or what dangers the river might hold. From a high tower, however the pathway is clear. I can see what lies both ahead and behind and can be prepared for the enemies that might threaten to attack me.
God, I realize, is like that high tower, that all seeing tower overlooking my pathway which I am increasingly aware is like a river meandering through the landscapes of this world. From the top of that tower God’s eyes are able to guide and protect me even when I am down at the river’s edge unable to see ahead or behind. When I am at my most vulnerable God’s eyes watch over me, and if I am sensitive to God’s voice, then I will be able to retreat from the water’s edge and find shelter whenever there is danger close.
This was such reassuring imagery for me this week and out of my reflections, I drew this doodle and the wrote a poem. This kind of creativity is often the result of times of meditation for me. I find that as I draw and write that the words resonate in my mind and take residence in my heart.
Gods eyes on me doodle
My life twists and turns
through the landscapes of this world.
Like a river flowing
through the curves of time.
Tumbling fast, meandering slow,
Looping back upon itself.
Time lost, time gained,
Aware but not aware
Of what passes.
Yet always
all seeing, all knowing
from a strong and mighty tower
God’s eyes guide me.
Holding me close
Within the banks of the flow.
© Christine Sine 2021
What is Your Response?
Take a few minutes to reflect on the pathway that God is guiding you along. Sit with your eyes closed and imagine that God’s eyes are watching over you from a high tower. How does that make you feel? What areas of vulnerability in your life might this give you reassurance in? Is there something that God might be asking you to do in order to find the protection that tower could provide? Perhaps as you meditate, like me you might like to draw a doodle or write a poem. Or you might like to create a collage or express you creativity in some other way. All of these responses open us up to God’s presence and guidance of us.
Enjoy!
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Here is this week’s contemplative service in the style of Taize from St Andrew’s Episcopal Church in Seattle.
A contemplative service with music in the style-of-Taize. Carrie Grace Littauer, prayer leader, with music by Kester Limner and Andy Myers.
Permission to podcast/stream the music in this service obtained from One License with license #A-710-756
I love gardening, and find that it is a wonderful place to connect to God and find refreshment and healing for my soul. For many of us this connection is enhanced by the creation of special spaces that are specially designed to strengthen these connections. Even the small contemplative gardens I create to sit on my desk provide inspiration, refreshment and at times healing as I sit and meditate on them. I am one of a growing number of people around the planet that finding themselves drawn into the contemplative nature of gardens. I hope that this list of books will help all of us enter more deeply into this aspect of gardening.
Creativity, Contemplation and Gardening
- Inheriting Paradise: Meditations on Gardening by Vigen Guroian. A delightful collection of garden meditations from an Orthodox Christian perspective.
- Gardens for the Soul by Pamela Woods. A beautifully illustrated book that provides great insights on designing outdoor spaces using ancient symbols, healing plants and Feng shui.
- Rooted in the Spirit: Exploring Inspirational Gardens by Maureen Gilmer. This is another beautifully illustrated and very practical book that helps you link your gardening to spirituality.
- Cultivating Sacred Space – Gardening for the Soul by Elizabeth Murray. This book invites us into sacred gardens at every season giving inspiration and ideas for our own sacred spaces.
- Everyday Sanctuary A Workbook for Designing a Sacred Garden Space by Jessi Bloom. This is an informative workbook that helps you design sacred space in the garden.
- Landscapes of Prayer by Margaret Silf. A beautiful book of prayer reflections exploring 9 different natural landscapes
- Walking in Wonder: Eternal Wisdom for A Modern World by John O’Donohue. A treasure that celebrates the beauty and mystery of everyday things.
- Reclaiming the Wild Soul: How Earth’s Landscapes Restore Us to Wholeness by Mary Reynolds Thompson. A journey into five great landscapes of our world that reconnects us to a rich source of wisdom, healing and wholeness.
- All Creation Waits: The Advent Mystery of New Beginnings by Gayle Boss. Twenty-five meditations reflecting on how wild animals adapt when darkness descends.
- Morning Altars by Day Schildkret. The best process I have found for contemplative practice with nature.
- Earth, Our Original Monastery by Christine Valters Painter.
- Farming While Black by Leah Penniman. Not explicitly Christian, but makes connections between racial and environmental justice/reconciliation.
- To Garden With God by Christine Sine. This book may be getting old but it is still one of my most popular A good read as preparation for the garden season.
Other Books
- The Sanctuary Garden: Creating a Place of Refuge in Your Yard or Garden by Christopher Forrest McDowell and Tricia Clark-McDowell
- When the Trees Say Nothing: Writings on Nature by Thomas Merton
- Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge, and the Teachings of Plants by Robin Wall Kimmerer
- The Inward Garden: Creating a Place of Beauty and Meaning by Julie Moir Messervy
- The Pursuit of Paradise by Jane Brown
- Monastic Gardens by Mick Hales
- Upstream by Mary Oliver
- When Breath Becomes Air by Paul Kalanithi
- The Well Gardened Mind by Sue Steward-Smith
Spirituality of Gardening Online Course
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