I believe that hospitality is the twenty first century evangelism.
How do we create spaces and opportunities to get to know people and help them get to know God?
Read Henri Nouwen’s quote and consider it. What speaks to you?
“Hospitality is not to change people, but to offer them space where change can take place. It is not to bring men and women over to our side, but to offer freedom not disturbed by dividing lines. It is not to lead our neighbor into a corner where there are no alternatives left, but to open a wide spectrum of options for choice and commitment. It is not an educated intimidation with good books, good stories, and good works, but the liberation of fearful hearts so that words can find roots and bear ample fruit. It is not a method of making our God and our way into the criteria of happiness, but the opening of an opportunity to others to find their God and their way.
The paradox of hospitality is that it wants to create emptiness, not a fearful emptiness, but a friendly emptiness where strangers can enter and discover themselves as created free; free to sing their own song, speak their own languages, dance their own dances; free also to leave and follow their own vocations.
Hospitality is not a subtle invitation to adopt the life style of the host, but the gift of a chance for the guest to find his own.”
― Henri J.M. Nouwen
What does true hospitality mean and look like in our day and age?
What songs do you need to sing? What dances do you need to dance? What do you need to do to truly express yourself and your life in and with Jesus and feel welcomed? Where do you feel safe being you? How can you help other people have spaces where they can sing, dance, create and be themselves and see Jesus in this process?
Life looks different these days. It feels different. It is different. And yet, much is the same. No wonder some days I feel confused and conflicted!
Four months and counting since we made the official shift to this wild and curious new season of redirection, repurposing, refocusing. . . and as I whisper quietly, “retirement”. When you know something is right, deep in your soul and in your own human figuring, the big step seems exciting and even easy. It’s all the baby steps, “toe-dipping”, gently treading on the other side of the decision that once again require full and complete trust in the kind, loving Father who’s led us this far.
For every season of my life, even before I understood God’s affection for me and His gentle protection, I longed in my spirit to “get it right”. While my younger years showcased that desire by a crazy drive for perfection, I now wake up with a good kind of ache to just daily “do life” with Him, led by His spirit. To have a glimpse of His heart for that day. To fall in bed at night with a sigh of satisfaction, recalling where He whispered and left His handprint in my waking hours.
Some days, it all comes easy. I’m smiling along the way. Secure in His leading. Grateful and aware of wonder in the day. But other days? Not so much. I wrestle trying to fill time my way. Anxious for “the plan”. Feeling that old control bent rearing it’s head. It’s all a strange mix of listening, stepping out and waiting at the same time.
Along the way, while I’m longing to “get it right”, God’s graciously working muscles in me and illuminating “ah ha” moments for me. . .planting foundation for this new season. Nothing really brand new… just a much deeper working (some days painful) of familiar themes…
TIME. We watch adult children Peter and Krista with their young families, running through each day to just keep up with jobs, toddlers/budding teenagers, sports practices, house projects and rare unscripted hours together. Precious indeed is any free time. For us, the huge gift we have in this season is time. Days unplanned. No “must do” schedule. No boss directing our steps. Yet, more than ever in my life, I feel a sobering nudge and awareness…almost a holy whisper from God…”this time is precious… hold it and tend it with care… wait for My leading”.
QUIET. With time, I have the luxury of no limit on quiet in the morning. Still, it’s easy to jump in to news feeds on the phone, emails and chores, rather than grabbing hold of that gift. Slowly, my heart is embracing the fact that this season is a privilege and something to steward. In the quiet, He’s speaking, directing and settling my heart. With coffee in hand, Bible, pen and paper, I head to the backyard swing. My new spot. As I rock, birds sing (lots of them!), I smile at new budding flowers and settle in to the stillness (a work in progress!). Slowly, it’s becoming a “road map setter” for the day.
GRATITUDE. For nearly ten years, Chuck and I have been working the gratitude muscle with vigor. First trying to list 1,000 ways we were thankful (kudos to Ann Voskamp for her book that nudged us!). Then, starting each day with ten points of thankfulness. With the more sobering sense of each day being wrapped as a gift, I’ve started a new bedtime ritual. Not to be more spiritual. Just because I need it! Before I fall asleep, I ask God to remind me of where He was present, joys that unfolded, places where I sensed “I got it right!”. Maybe just two or three. Amazing how sweet sleep follows!
ASKING. We all know the basic principles and even commands about asking God for wisdom. No problem when I’m desperate or big crisis loom. But in the little things? As I’m enjoying weekly coffee dates with friends … old and new … one day I sensed a whisper “Don’t just show up”. I realized I may have intentionally pursued the friend to set a date, but never really grabbed hold of that time being more than just catching up chatter. Rather, again, it was a gift of time in relationship. Now, I sense a gentle reminder each time I’m driving to the coffee shop…”Ask Me for wisdom”… and I do. “Lord, make my words be yours. Help me to listen well. Let me hear what I need to hear.” Amazing how depth of conversation unfolds!
WORDS. I’m verbal processor. Finding words is not a challenge. No shortage of thoughts, theories and ponderings roll around in my brain at any given moment… ready to burst forth from my mouth. Yet, in relationships, “less is more” has become the new standard. Somewhere along the way, we’ve become the “elders” (not old, just older than many!). With that, suddenly I’m aware that my words carry weight. Too many and they’re lost. A few and they go deep. Now, I’m daily asking (even begging sometimes), “Lord, guard my tongue. Let my words be Yours”. Some days, I “get it right”. On others… let’s just say God is full of grace and I well know how to say, “Please forgive me for saying….”.
I’m grateful for the longing He’s put in me to follow, figure out His ways and deepen my trust that He will continue to put right steps before me. I’m smiling at the journey, knowing it’s never going to be finished and wrapped up… just ongoing at new levels with new understanding, work and wonder along the way!
By Jeannie Kendall —
It hardly seems possible that it is eighteen years ago. Like all of us I can remember that day in vivid technicolour: the shocking images, the emerging stories of heroism and tragedy, mixed together in a tapestry of despair at our world and the way in which religion – any religion – can lead to acts of atrocity from its supposed followers.
Just under a year later I was approached by a local Anglican minister, who had himself been contacted by the local rabbi and imam. Would we be willing to share in an act of remembrance together? I agreed without hesitation, learning so much as the four of us met together to plan it, from the cultural aspects – for example that the imam could not shake hands with me as a woman – to the spiritual – our common views on a God who loves his broken world and the mutual longing to be peacemakers.
It was not without controversy. One or two emails flew my way from church people – it is extraordinarily sad how people will say harsh things electronically rather than have a reasoned discussion. Yet it remains one of the most moving moments of my life as a Baptist minister. It was not worship, which we recognised we could not do with integrity, but remembering. Remembering those who had lost their lives and those whose lives would carry scars, internal or external, for the rest of their lives. Remembering that we share our frail humanity above all. Remembering that all our three faiths have much to learn from each other. Remembering that if our beliefs lead us to unloving actions or to physical or verbal violence then somewhere we have missed the mark.
The evening came. The church was packed with people from all three faiths and none. I will never forget the rabbi singing a Psalm in Hebrew, his voice somehow reaching across the centuries from David, to us, and into the future. Then it was my turn. Nervously but deeply moved I spoke – as the others had asked me to – about peace from a Christian perspective. And so with this wonderful mix of people I was able to share about the cross of Jesus, the real source of peace and the hope for our fractured and hurt world. It was an awesome privilege.
So today I will remember again, and pray, and seek to be a peacemaker for the Prince of Peace wherever I may find myself.
As we continue our new theme, What Does My Soul Long to Do? here is wonderful post on Silence and Solitude by Jean Andrianoff —
For God alone my soul waits in silence; from him comes my salvation. Psalm 2:1 (ESV)
In pondering the things my soul longs for, two things came to mind: silence and solitude. It’s not that I don’t enjoy people, but as an introvert, after spending a lot of time with people, I need to recharge with some time alone. It’s in the times of quiet solitude that I can best hear God.
Recently, my husband and I have been visiting retirement communities with a view to where we would feel comfortable living once we’re less able to keep up a place on our own. The representatives of these communities are always anxious to tell us about the many activities their community offers. Apparently, many people fear inactivity and boredom. My question, on the other hand, is not “What can you offer to keep me busy?” but “What are the opportunities and places for quiet reflection?
Granted, some of this reflects on my personality. I need times of solitude in order to gain strength to enjoy times with others. If my calendar is too full to find extended time on my own, I feel exhausted and find my time with God feels rushed and empty. I get hungry for solitude, almost a physical craving. As the Psalmist said,
“As a deer pants for flowing streams,
so pants my soul for you, O God.
My soul thirsts for God, for the living God.
When can I go and meet with God?” (Psalm 42:1-2; NIV)
The need for quiet space with God is not restricted to introverts, but something that everyone needs. Jesus set the prime example for this, as he often retreated to a solitary place to pray. Group prayer is important but is not a substitute for time alone with God. If Jesus, who was one with God, required this kind of sustenance, how much more do I?
Even the secular world is recognizing the need for silence and reflection. Silent retreats, where people spend hundreds or thousands of dollars to escape the bombardment of noise in our crowded and busy world, are becoming more popular.
Lest you see me as a persnickety old recluse, you should know that I can experience too much solitude. If I’m not blessed with time with family and friends, I begin to crave that. Community is just as vital to my spiritual health as solitude. Balance is important. Perhaps introverts require more time alone; extroverts, more time in community. But no matter what your personality, you need time for both.
I am blessed now with living in a quiet rural neighborhood. We can see only one other house—if we go out into our back yard. In our large house it’s easy to find a space to be alone. And now that our children are grown and on their own, there is much less chance of being interrupted during quiet time. Not everyone is that fortunate. When our daughters were little, it seemed like no matter how early I got up in order to have quiet time, they would get up earlier—as if there were some kind of radar that sent them “Mommy is awake!” alerts.
Susanna Wesley famously threw her apron over her head when she wanted to be “alone” with God. Her ten children and the domestic helpers knew this was a signal that Susanna was in her “tent of meeting” with God and should not be disturbed. This is often cited as testimony that if Susanna, with her ten children, could do it, the rest of us are without excuse. I don’t believe it’s that simple, but it does challenge us to find creative ways of being alone with God. Susanna’s need for that was so great that she created a space of solitude (but surely not silence!) in the midst of her demanding life. Sometimes creating a particular place for time with God can be beneficial, even if it’s not the ideal quiet, solitary place.
A soul’s thirst for silence and solitude is God-ordained. It’s easy to allow our lives to become so full of the busyness and noise of daily life that we have no space left for God. But in the silence, we can hear His voice and satisfy our soul’s thirst in His presence.
by Christine Sine
I am embarrassed. September is the month that is increasingly being called the Season of Creation. This celebration that began in Australia and New Zealand is creating. movement that is spreading around the world. I love these beautiful liturgies and other resources that have been created to help focus our worship and bring us to a recognition of our responsibility.
It was our service at COTA last Sunday however that really brought this season into focus for me. This beautiful font dominated the front of the sanctuary while images of coral reefs with fish nosing around the gently swaying coral held our attention above. It was the font however that mesmerized me. The giant clam shell from which it is made could have come from the Great Barrier reef and I was reminded as I gazed at it of both the beauty of the reef and of its destruction. Many believe that the reef is dying. And climate change is the culprit. I grieve for so many reefs and other habitats around the world that face similar challenges at the moment.
Ten my eyes shift to one of my favorite passages:
For God so loved the world he gave his only begotten son…
Like many of us John 3:16 was the first verse that I memorized. In my early days as a Christian it spoke to me of God’s love for me as an individual and gave me an assurance of personal salvation. As my faith grew and expanded however I realized that this interpretation was limited. I started pairing it with 1 John 3:16 Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters. Salvation isn’t just about me it is about God’s concern for all the people of our world, I reasoned.
As I read the passage today however, it was the first words For God so loved the world that really caught my attention. Not God so loved me or you or even humankind, but God so loved the world – this beautifully crafted masterpiece created lovingly by God’s own hands for which we were created as caretakers and stewards. And I started to think – maybe we have salvation all wrong. I don’t think that salvation is about individual soul rescue at all. It is more about God’s desire to redeem all creation and bring it back to the wholeness, abundance and harmony of the original creation – the restoration of shalom. Maybe part of our sinfulness is that we no longer take our role as creation stewards seriously – instead of tending and nurturing we consume and destroy.
Maybe God’s plan for our salvation as human beings isn’t so that a few more souls can get out of hell (though that is obviously a great thing). Maybe God saves us so that we can once more become the responsible caretakers and stewards that God intended us to be.
As I watch the devastation caused by Hurricane Dorian and the fires in the Amazon over the last few weeks and ponder the affects of climate change and our complicity in it I wonder how long it will be before we really take our need for salvation seriously. How long will it be before we recognize the groaning of creation around us as a symptom of our need for transformation into responsible citizens and stewards?
Good News About Creation
And there are things that we can do. Read these good news about creation stories, build your faith up….. and go out and plant a few trees!
Indians plant 220 million trees in one day to combat climate change
Read: Wangari Maathai: The Woman Who Planted Millions of Trees (my new favourite book)
Check out other good news stories on my To Garden with God facebook page.
Earth teach me to remember
What is Your Response?
For God so loved the world…. Sit and think about these words. How does the knowledge that God loves this created world impact your life and your faith? During this season of creation are there ways that God might ask you to respond?
It is time to pause, listen to creation and reflect, as this Native American prayer and the reflection that went with it remind us to do. Sit, read through these prayer and allow God to speak to your heart.
The gospel passage from the Lectionary a couple of weeks ago was LUKE 13:10-17. We journaled from it at thinplaceNASHVILLE, and I have been “chewing on it” since then.
Luke 13:10-17 New International Version (NIV)
On a Sabbath Jesus was teaching in one of the synagogues, and a woman was there who had been crippled by a spirit for eighteen years. She was bent over and could not straighten up at all. When Jesus saw her, he called her forward and said to her, “Woman, you are set free from your infirmity.” Then he put his hands on her, and immediately she straightened up and praised God.
Indignant because Jesus had healed on the Sabbath, the synagogue leader said to the people, “There are six days for work. So come and be healed on those days, not on the Sabbath.”
The Lord answered him, “You hypocrites! Doesn’t each of you on the Sabbath untie your ox or donkey from the stall and lead it out to give it water? Then should not this woman, a daughter of Abraham, whom Satan has kept bound for eighteen long years, be set free on the Sabbath day from what bound her?”
When he said this, all his opponents were humiliated, but the people were delighted with all the wonderful things he was doing.
Check out THE MESSSAGE version of Luke 13:10-17
Things feel more BENT OVER than healed on our planet and in our world right now. Hurricane Dorian, the fires in the Amazon, protests in Hong Kong, mass shootings. Maybe you’ve been feeling more BENT OVER than healed too…I know I have.
What are some of the things that have been keeping you BENT OVER?
Often for me, it’s the things that I cannot fix or change that get me down. Political situations and leaders who just keep doing stupid things and bringing hate to the world. These things BEND ME OVER. Also, things like Fear, Fatigue, and Anger cause me to BEND and stop me from receiving healing. Stuff like the construction project next door, the city council election in my neighborhood, old feelings of shame that I still carry around, comparison to others, procrastinating on projects…all of these cause me to live BENT OVER rather than in the freedom of Jesus’s love and healing.
I don’t want to live in bondage! I don’t want to live a life BENT OVER! I want to live in the freedom of Jesus, not bound by my fears, and not shackled by comparison, worry or the feelings of not being good enough. I love the fact that Jesus SAW HER! Jesus saw this bent over woman when no one else did. When no one else was paying attention, when people were avoiding her and refusing to even look at her, JESUS REALLY SAW HER! And as he does, JESUS had compassion on her! Jesus sets her free even before he touches her.
I need and want to remember that JESUS really sees me! JESUS sees me just as I am and he isn’t afraid or repulsed by my “bentoverness!” He isn’t shaming of my tendency to live bent over, rather than living standing up in healing and freedom. Jesus just calls me again and heals me again, reminding me that I am free and I don’t have to live a BENT OVER LIFE ANYMORE!
Jesus invites me and you again to freedom!
During our journaling time at thiniplaceNASHVILLE, Knox who is 8, drew me a picture of a “fancy whale.” This reminded me of Jonah, and how Jonah didn’t want to go to Ninevah because he knew that God would heal them. Jonah knew that God is forgiving and is about healing and Jonah didn’t want his enemies healed. Sadly, like the synagogue leader in the Luke passage and like Jonah, I too often don’t want to see my enemies healed either. I too often keep them in bondage in my mind or in my heart, or through gossip, criticism and fear. I need healing for this! I want to live in the abundance of love and healing of Jesus and allow others to receive and know this love and healing too! Even the president.
What is bending you over in your life right now? What things are keeping you bent over and causing you to feel broken, burdened or causing you to live “tied up” rather than in freedom? It might be physical, mental, emotional or things happening in our world. Talk to Jesus about this.
Where do you limit God’s healing or freedom? In your own life, or in the lives of others. When do you catch yourself stopping Jesus from healing you or others?
“The woman has been bent over, half herself, for one of her entire lifetimes. (every 18 years is a lifetime) She has adapted to her condition, accommodated her diminishment, for so long that she sometimes forgets to hope for more. But Jesus never forgets. He calls her to return, just as he calls to you and me. Can you hear him? Listen: “You are free.” Kayla McClurg Where are you needing freedom today?
Where have you felt or seen God’s blessings this week? Where would you like to see them or experience them in the days ahead?
ACTION:
Get a bunch of bandaids…keep them in a basket near your desk or keep the box where you can see it to remind you that you are healed and that JESUS SEES YOU! Just as you are, right where you are!
Think about the people in your life who need healing. Consider the people in your life who are LIVING BENT OVER rather than living in freedom. PUT ON A BAND AID and wear it to remind you to pray for these friends and loved ones, and even your enemies who may live “bent lives” because they don’t know the love of Jesus.
Take time to pray for people in your life who need healing. Take time to pray for places and people in our world who need to know the freedom and love of Jesus.
Use the Band aids to remind you that you don’t have to live BENT OVER anymore!
Remember, You and I don’t have to stay BENT OVER.
Remember, Jesus see us! He really SEES ME AND YOU! Jesus sees us when no one else does and wants us to stand up in his love and be free.
©lillylewin and freerangeworship.com
It is back to school time here in the U.S. and everyone has advice to give on how to dress, how to go green, how to find the best bargains, how to relieve anxiety and even how to arrange a play date with new friends. What I have not seen is much advice on how to prepare kids spiritually in order to help reduce their anxieties and improve their ability to fit in to their new situation. Many students I suspect slip away from their faith in college and university just because they do not know how to maintain their equilibrium.
Going back to school can be a traumatic time for little kids and even for mature university and seminar students. Unfortunately most of us are too busy getting kids out of the house or rushing off to our own classes to give much thought to their spiritual needs. Kids and adults alike need a sense of stability and familiarity to reduce their stress levels and help them adjust.
Last year I posted a resource list of Back to School Prayers, and a few years ago I wrote the prayer above with students and teachers alike in mind, but here are some other simple suggestions culled from friends that you may find useful.
Lily did some great Free Range Friday posts on prayer called “Adding and Subtracting” and “Back to School Subtraction” that you may be interested in checking out too! These are wonderful resources as you prepare spiritually for the new school year with your family as well.
Suggestions for school kids and their parents.
1. Begin the school day with a simple breath or circling prayer. I love this simple Celtic prayer which I wrote a couple of years ago and which several friends use with their children before they go to school
The sacred three encircle us,
Keep love within and fear without,
Keep peace within and violence out,
Circle us with your presence.
Keep truth within and injustice out,
Keep acceptance in and prejudice out,
Circle us with your grace.
Keep wholeness in and disease without,
Keep care within and selfishness out,
Circle us with your love.
2. Include a short prayer in your child’s lunch box Such as: Thank you God for this child (use name). May your light shine upon him/her. May your love fill him/her. May your spirit grant him/her peace. Or you may just like to say something like: Thinking of you and praying for you as you eat your lunch.
3. When you first see your child after school check how their day has gone. You may like to ask the questions: Where did you feel close to God today? What made you feel God was a long way away? One of my friends told me that this revolutionized her child’s approach to school and their sense of God’s presence in the day.
4. Spend a few minutes before your child goes to bed discussing what he or she is grateful for at school. Focusing on positive emotions like these help children feel more secure and encourage compassion and love towards other children.
5. Say a short prayer together for friends, teachers and situations your child has faced during the day.
Suggestions for Students
Those who are students themselves may like to develop a similar routine. Trying to spend half an hour each morning reading the bible and praying is usually impossible but finding a simple rhythm of prayer and ritual that draws us close to God not only reduces our stress levels but increases our ability to focus, helps us respond compassionately to our friends and teachers and enables us to keep close to God 24/7.
1. Begin the day with a breath prayer and/or short relaxation exercise that makes you feel relaxed and close to God as you enter the day.
2. Use a book of prayers arranged to be said at different times during the day (called offices). My favourite is David Adam’s The Rhythm of Life. These may only take a minute or two of our time but can reorient us to presence of God.
3. Pause at the end of each class to offer a short prayer of gratitude for what you have learnt in the session.
4. Before you go to bed ask yourself the questions: Where did you feel close to God today? What made you feel God was a long way away? This is a very abbreviated form of the Prayer of Examen which I highly recommend if you want to spend more time.
5. Before you go to sleep name 5 things from your lectures and study times that you are grateful for.
Whatever you decide to do – keep it simple, make meaningful and stick to it.
I would love to hear from students and parents as to what you have found helps the most.
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Today’s post is adapted from one I wrote a couple of years ago for teachers and students starting the school year. I realize that in the Southern Hemisphere kids are well and truly into the school year, in fact almost starting to wind down with end of year exams. However from my perspective it is never too late in the year to consider how to pray and how to maintain one’s equilibrium so you may still find these tips relevant.
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