by Christine Sine
A couple of weeks ago we had the privilege of hosting Mark Pierson, a good friend from New Zealand and one of the best worship curators there is, for a few days. Mark was one of my guiding lights as I worked on The Gift of Wonder, and once again inspired me with his creativity. Mark shared the wonderful experience he designed for Festival 1 in Auckland New Zealand. I loved the emphasis on who we are meant to be rather than what we are meant to do, and as I sit and drink my morning cup of tea I am constantly reflecting on both the process and the lessons we can learn from it. I would love to do something like this here in Seattle (or anywhere else).
The photo is of “Tea in a Suitcase”, Neil Lambert, in Venice 2015, which was part of the inspiration for Mark’s work.
For a brief written explanation check out Mark’s blog posts To Be or Not to Be – that is the question and To Be or Not to Be – That is a Better Question.
by Christine Sine
One of my fun yearly events is a class I teach on spirituality and gardening. It is a fun class, but one question asked by a student keeps intruding on my mind. Didn’t God curse the creation after the fall? he asked, implying that it no longer reflected the glory of God and that we no longer need to respect and look after it.
As I read through Genesis 3 which is the basis for this belief, I am struck by God’s amazing care for the humans who disobeyed him. Yes the ground was cursed (Gen 3:17-19), but it was not God who cursed it, it was the consequence of Adam’s sin. The natural created world was somehow affected by the human fall into sin and is therefore no longer paradise. Brambles and weeds grew. Human toil to produce food and care for creation increased. Nowhere however is there any implication that we are absolved from our responsibility to care for creation.
What has fascinated me in the last few weeks is a contemplation of the thorns, the thistles, and the weeds that seem to be a part of the consequences of the human fall. Some of them produce the most delicious and nutritious food we can eat.
Take the humble dandelion for instance. Its leaves are often used in salads. Its root for medicinal tea and its flowers in jams and jelly. It helps break up the soil and draws nutrients up from deep within the soil. It is an amazing and valuable plant. Read more about dandelions and links to recipes here
Then there is the blackberry which grows wild prolifically throughout the Pacific NW. Its fruit blesses us with delicious pies and jams. Every year in August Tom and I travel to Mayne Island Canada with our Canadian friends Tom and Kim Balke, for a few days holiday. One of the delights of our trip is picking blackberries and wild apples to make blackberry apple crumble.
Snails are another pest that can be a delicacy for many. Ironically some people love escargot and spend big bucks to buy them and the complain about the snails that destroy their gardens.
And in many Asian countries, tarantulas, crickets and ants are all considered delicacies.
It seems to me that part of the curse we suffer from is our inability to recognize the abundance and hospitality of God in our garden earth. God is a generous God who invites us to a banquet feast, not just in the eternal world to come but here in this world too. Often all we need to do is reach out and recognize the gift and accept God’s amazing hospitality.
What Does Your Soul Long for?
So what does this have to do with what my soul longs for you may ask? Maybe it is the same with our souls. Like all of us I long for God to bless and not curse me, but maybe what I think of as a curse is actually a blessing in disguise just as it is in the garden.
What aspects of my personality do I see as a curse that are actually the blessings of God?
My memory is one. I have a photographic memory and absorb facts and figures like a sponge. My family found it embarrassing, my friends found it strange and men found me intimidating. I have lost count of the times I was told I thought like a man and not a woman. Often growing up I felt embarrassed, sometimes even ashamed of this aspect of my personality which so often kept me isolated and distanced from others. I tried to hide the uniqueness of who God had created me to be. It was very definitely a curse and not a blessing from my perspective.
Now I realize that so much I have accomplished in my life would have been impossible without that gift which I had for so long regarded as a curse. My ability to gather and process facts was really important as I developed the medical ministry for Mercy Ships. It has been just as important as I put together resource lists for this blog and even more important as I read and process the huge number of books I read every week. Even as I garden and write prayers and books, it is my memory and ability to retain and process facts and figures that has provided a platform for what I do.
Sometimes I feel that I suffer from verbal diarrhoea and that the quantity of what I process and write about is a little overwhelming for some. One of my friends jokingly told me one day that I need to develop a new blog – Godspace Light. But that no longer bothers me. I know that this is a gift that God has given me and I am grateful for it and humbled by the ways that God has used it to bless the lives of others.
What Blessings are Disguised as Curses?
What this makes me realize however is that all of us are blessed with gifts from God that we often begin seeing as curses. Maybe a disability like Tourette’s. Tom and I recently watched Front of the Class about a young teacher who has tourette’s syndrome. At the end of the film he too gives credit to his “curse” for being a wonderful gift in his life and making him all that God intends him to be.
Part of what prompted this post for me is talking to a friend of ours whose son has just been diagnosed as autistic. They were devastated, until they realized that the personality traits that labelled him as autistic are actually much sort after in high tech businesses.
Perhaps your curse is being born into poverty, of being abused as a child, or having an addiction to alcohol or drugs. These too God can redeem and transform into gifts that God can use to bring into being that new world of wholeness and abundance that God is in the process of bringing into being.
Even the curse of the tower of Babel and the confusion of languages, some see really as a blessing to keep languages and cultures alive. And God maintains those cultures at Pentecost by maintaining language diversity and making it possible for people to understand each other, something that I am sure adds much more richness to the kingdom of God.
So what do you think? My challenge to you today is to spend time in prayer and allow the spirit of God to identify your curse. What is it in your life that God wants to redeem and transform into a gift? Or what in your life has God already redeemed that you have never come back to God with gratitude and thankfulness.
by Christine Sine
Listen to the gospel as though the Lord himself were present.
These words, written by Saint Augustine in the 5th century have held my attention and stirred my imagination this week. They keep drawing me back to the image above which I took last week in Cincinnati.
It has been a hard week as I have heard of several dear friends who are suffering with serious health issues, but these words and this image have comforted me and I wanted to share the poem they stirred within me.
Beloved child of God
Listen to the gospel
As though Jesus himself were present.
Your life, your every moment, your destiny
All rest in his hands.
Let the goodness of light,
The beauty of life,
The wonder of love,
Fill you.
Let the joy of the Spirit,
The embrace of Holy presence,
The mercy of Eternal care,
Guide you.
Let the words of God
Comfort and sustain you,
Let them lead you through the nights of pain
into the joyous day.
(c) Christine Sine September 2019
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.
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