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Hunger at home - Crisis in America[/caption]
This afternoon I found out that ABC news plans to dedicate it programming tomorrow to “Hunger at Home: Crisis in America” It precipitated my writing of this post which I had planned to add as a later addition to the series on Tools for Prayer.
One important item in our prayer toolkit is knowledge of our hurting world. Not knowledge for the sake of knowledge but knowledge that equips us to respond. Becoming aware of the needs in our world can lead us into a deeper understanding of the ache in God's heart for our hurting friends and neighbours. It can also connect us to our own self-centred indifference that often makes us complacent when God wants us to be involved. And it can stimulate us to respond to situations that we once felt indifferent to.
It is easy to feel complacent and ignore the brokenness of our world when we don't know what is happening. There are of course many ways to stay informed, some of which can overwhelm us with the pain and hurt that surrounds us. I find that it is better to listen than to watch, at least in the initial stages of a disaster. The mind numbing images we see on TV and the internet of starving children, war torn countries and flooded rivers may do more to inoculate us against pain than they do to prompt us to prayer and action.
It is also easy to let what we see and hear wash over us without really attending or planning to act. Both of these responses are passive and rarely lead to action. Our awareness of the world's pain should make us respond at many levels. And just as our prayers need to be upward, inward and outward, so do our responses to the needs we read about.
- We need to listen with the active intention of doing something. I find it helps to keep a piece of paper or my prayer journal with me as I listen to the news. I write down the 1 or 2 items that most disturb my equilibrium and make them the focus for my prayer.
- We need to listen with the intent to find out where God is already at work. Sometimes, as with the NPR program on Tomato slavery yesterday, I do more research on the issue - not specifically to learn more about the depths of the problem, but to learn about how others are already responding. Recognizing that God is already at work bringing comfort, support and provision is all the encouragement and motivation we need to get involved.
- We need to listen to the heart of God in the midst of the pain. Sometimes my response to the news is to sit quietly before God imagining how God feels about the tragedy I have become aware of. At times I feel that God allows me to glimpse the deep pain and agony that is at the very heart of the eternal One's being. It is a pain that is so deep it aches with every broken person in our world and grieves with every lost and damaged soul.
- We need to listen for places that we have contributed to the tragedy we are hearing about. Decisions about how to dress, what to eat and where to spend our money can all have unintended consequences. Sometimes listening at this level calls us to prayers of repentance and inner changes that transform the way we view our world and the ways we interact with it.
- We need to listen together with friends. This kind of listening often provides good fuel for a group meeting that not only prays together but that also holds members accountable to their intended responses. Once we have shared what we plan to do with someone else it is harder to back down from our intentions.
- Write a short prayer that you can recite throughout the day or week that addresses the issue. I have found that using the psalms is often helpful here. Rewording them to fit the situation I am reading about is often a very effective form of prayer.
- Email or phone someone you know either personally or because they are an advocate in this area who is already responding to the issue. Encourage them and make them aware of your supportiveness.
- Donate to an organization that is involved. I heard about the programming tomorrow from my involvement with Bread for the World, one of the organizations that we support on a regular basis.
- Consider ways to volunteer as part of your response.
- Consider a career change - this is obviously a very radical response to news but for some of us it is God's intention - an active outward prayer that flows from our hearts and into God's world.
ChristianitycreativityfaithImages of JesuslifePrayerPrayer and inspirationRhythms of lifespiritual practices
Tools for Prayer – Moving Beyond Chronic Randomness to Intentionality
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Godspace: Time for Peace in the Rhythms of Life[/caption]
When I wrote my book Godspace: Time for Peace in the Rhythms of Life, I talked about the need for all of us to move beyond chronic randomness to a more intentional pattern of prayer that draws us closer to God, to God's purposes and the needs of our world. This exercise resulted in the writing of Light for the Journey and though I have moved away from using this pattern over the last couple of years as I reread the section in Godspace this morning I realized how much I too need to refocus my daily time with God to in intentional ways that draw me closer to the God I love and the world I ache for. So I thought that you too might appreciate this excerpt from Godspace.
Godspace: Time for Peace in the Rhythms of Life[/caption]
When I wrote my book Godspace: Time for Peace in the Rhythms of Life, I talked about the need for all of us to move beyond chronic randomness to a more intentional pattern of prayer that draws us closer to God, to God's purposes and the needs of our world. This exercise resulted in the writing of Light for the Journey and though I have moved away from using this pattern over the last couple of years as I reread the section in Godspace this morning I realized how much I too need to refocus my daily time with God to in intentional ways that draw me closer to the God I love and the world I ache for. So I thought that you too might appreciate this excerpt from Godspace.
Since I recognized the power of regular restorative practices, I have worked hard to develop a pattern that connects my daily spiritual observances to the rhythm of my life. I wrote down the characteristics of my faith that needed reinforcing and divided them into seven themes—one for each day of the week. These now form focal points for my daily devotions. To sharpen my focus I purchased a loose-leaf notebook and divided it into seven sections—one for each day of the week. Each section begins with Scriptures that reflect my theme. To these I added ideas and quotes from my Bible and other spiritual books or from the Sunday sermon. I read these verses and quotes first thing in the morning. They make good meditation points. Then as I read the newspaper I write down prayer points that connect to that day’s theme and use these as a focus for my prayer time. I devised questions that encourage me to incorporate this theme into my day’s activities. Monday, I focus on God the Creator, creativity, and the call to be stewards of God’s creation. Sometimes I start the day by reflecting on how God is revealed in creation through the rhythm of the day and year or through the beauty and majesty of all created things. On occasion I meditate on God’s creativity expressed in the rich diversity and incredible complexity of life around me and contemplate the creativity I see in human endeavors such as fashion or architectural design. I use this as a launching point to think about my life and how God could use my creativity in the coming day. My questions for the day are either “In what ways am I called to steward God’s creation today?” or “How will my actions today glorify God’s creative work in the world?” I focus my prayers on those impacted by environmental disasters, on creation care ministries, and on those engaged in creative arts. As a result, I find myself praying for farmers and landscape gardeners, for fashion designers and environmentalists—people I was hardly aware of before. Tuesday, I focus on Christ our Savior and what it means to bear his image into the world. I reflect on ways that I can model Christ to others and think about how those around me reveal Christ to me. I pray for those who seek to be an incarnation of Christ to people who live in poverty, despair, or oppression—particularly for situations I have read about in the newspaper during the week. I ask, “How can Christ-in-me show forth his love and compassion in my actions today?” and “In what ways do the faces of my family, friends, and those I pass in the street reflect the image of God?” Asking these questions has totally changed my attitude toward work and my community. Grocery shopping is no longer just to buy food; it is an opportunity to interact with people for whom God cares and Christ died. Wednesday, I focus on the Holy Spirit and my need to be equipped as God’s servant. Sometimes I start the day by reading my mission statement—”To be a voice for those who have no voice and bring glimpses of God’s shalom kingdom into people’s lives.” I ask, “How can I live this out in my life today?” or “How do I need to be better equipped to be God’s voice for the voiceless?” Then I strategize about practical ways in which I can apply my ideas. I pray for places in which I can see the Holy Spirit at work, places where there are indications of renewal like the emerging postmodern church movement. Thursday, I turn my focus toward community. I think about what it means to be part of God’s worldwide community and how that oneness can be expressed through hospitality and compassionate care to others. I reflect on God’s international community and pray for those who suffer from hunger, poverty, disease, or injustice. Sometimes I ask myself, “What do I plan to do today that will help build God’s community?” I also ask, “How will I help draw others into God’s community today?” Sometimes I focus on a far more difficult question: “In what ways do I discriminate against others who are part of God’s community?” I pray for those who suffer from AIDS and other devastating diseases, for those who are persecuted because of their faith, and for those who are discriminated against because of race, color, age, disabilities, or gender. This has made me very aware of the diversity of the human race. It has also opened my eyes to the rich variety of ways God reveals himself through different cultures. Friday, not surprisingly, is my day to reflect on the cross of Christ and the wholeness God brings through restoration and reconciliation. Sometimes I pray about where I still need to be restored, or I ask God’s forgiveness for the obstacles that keep me from a whole-hearted commitment to Christ. I like to ask, “In what ways do I need to lay down my life today and intentionally embrace the life of Christ?” Sometimes I ask more difficult questions: “Are there areas of sin that I need to confess or people I need to be reconciled to?” I pray for countries torn apart by conflict and war and for those I know who work in ministries of reconciliation and peacemaking. Saturday, I reflect on God’s kingdom and the “cloud of witnesses” who have gone before me. I love to read stories about followers of Christ who dared to be different and lived as citizens of God’s kingdom. I gain confidence as I connect my own sense of purpose to the wonderful examples of Christians who have lived valiantly over the last two thousand years. My questions revolve around my call to be a witness. I ask, “How can I live today as a testimony to God?” I pray for missionaries and mission organizations I am involved in that reflect glimpses of God’s shalom kingdom. Sunday is a day to celebrate the resurrection and the new life we receive through salvation. I rejoice in being a new creation in Christ and focus on the wonder of that new life. My questions are “What am I most grateful for this week?” and “What have I accomplished this week that reflects my new life in Christ and bears the seal of God’s approval?” This exercise has greatly enriched my spiritual life and intentionally enabled me to integrate my daily routines with my Christian faith. I am amazed at the joy this has brought me. For example, focusing on God’s creativity made me realize that I too could be creative. I started writing poetry, something that would never have occurred to me before. I wrote the following poem one morning while reflecting on God’s beauty as revealed in the rising sun. I awake this day to the joy of life A sudden sunrise, a royal pageant, Red and gold splashed across the sky Like the daybreak of your light It penetrates the darkest gloom God-in-me vibrant colors shining through. Sometimes black clouds obscure your brightness Roaring thunder, jagged lightning Clinging sin lances through my soul It waits for the deluge of your grace The cleansing rain that purifies my life Forgiving love, embracing care God-in-me muted colors waiting patiently. I have also tried to connect these themes to my other daily activities. I love to walk, and I constantly look for creative ways to use my spiritual themes in my daily walks. Monday, I focus on my enjoyment of God’s creation. There is a lake five minutes from our home with a three-mile walking track around it where I love to go to soak in the beauty of God’s creation. Sometimes Tom and I walk around our neighborhood admiring the gardens. We are reminded that the first responsibility God entrusted to humans was to steward creation and make it flourish. Our walks encourage us to pray for all who are involved in creation care. Tuesday as I walk I think about how the face of Christ is reflected in the countenances of people I pass. Wednesday, I like to walk the neighborhood, asking God’s Spirit to open my eyes so that I can discern the needs and dreams of my community.
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Brian McLaren at tomato pray in[/caption]
I love tomatoes and as those of you who follow this blog regularly know Tom & I are still waiting hopefully for some of our crop to ripen this year and we are not hopeful as the weather in the Pacific NW continues to be cool. So can imagine I am anticipating we will be buying a lot of tomatoes from Florida this year. Or at least I thought we would until I heard an NPR interview yesterday with Barry Estabrook the author of Tomatoland: How Modern Industrial Agriculture Destroyed Our Most Alluring Fruit. The book was based on a James Beard Award-winning article that originally appeared in Gourmet magazine, where Estabrook was a contributing editor before publication ceased in 2009.
Tomatoes are big business, but it looks as though little about the growing of tomatoes in Florida should make them appetizing to us. And its not just the lack of taste or the huge amount of chemicals (more than 8 times what is used in California that is the concern - it is the slavery that goes into their production
Brian McLaren at tomato pray in[/caption]
I love tomatoes and as those of you who follow this blog regularly know Tom & I are still waiting hopefully for some of our crop to ripen this year and we are not hopeful as the weather in the Pacific NW continues to be cool. So can imagine I am anticipating we will be buying a lot of tomatoes from Florida this year. Or at least I thought we would until I heard an NPR interview yesterday with Barry Estabrook the author of Tomatoland: How Modern Industrial Agriculture Destroyed Our Most Alluring Fruit. The book was based on a James Beard Award-winning article that originally appeared in Gourmet magazine, where Estabrook was a contributing editor before publication ceased in 2009.
Tomatoes are big business, but it looks as though little about the growing of tomatoes in Florida should make them appetizing to us. And its not just the lack of taste or the huge amount of chemicals (more than 8 times what is used in California that is the concern - it is the slavery that goes into their production
"Of the legal jobs available, picking tomatoes is at the very bottom of the economic ladder. I came into this book chronicling a case of slavery in southwestern Florida that came to light in 2007 and 2008. And it was shocking. I'm not talking about near-slavery or slavery-like conditions. I'm talking about abject slavery. These were people who were bought and sold. These were people who were shackled in chains at night or locked in the back of produce trucks with no sanitary facilities all night. read the entire article and listen to the interviewIt seems to me that a lot of the agricultural industry still depends on the use of near slave labour and the exploitation of illegal immigrants but this seems to go even beyond that. We cry out about the slavery in other parts of the world but tend to ignore our own complicity by the very decisions we make about what food we eat. And in both cases you may be right. So maybe I will learn to enjoy green tomatoes this year or to do without. The thing that concerns me is that it does nothing to alleviate the plight of those who pick tomatoes in Florida. Some of you may be saying that it also seems to have nothing to do with the series I am doing on tools for praying which I started this morning. But I think that there is a connection. Estabrook refers in his article to the Coalition of Immokalee Workers a community-based organization of mainly Latino, Mayan Indian and Haitian immigrants working in low-wage jobs throughout the state of Florida that works to increase wages and improve conditions. When I went to their website I read this article Fair Food Pray-in at Publix!
Yesterday, in Naples, Florida, several local clergy joined with farmworkers from Immokalee for the first-ever Fair Food "pray-in," held in the produce aisle of a Publix supermarket, in protest of Publix's ongoing refusal to support fairer wages and more humane working conditions for the workers who pick their tomatoes. Here's an account of the action, from the Ft. Myers News-Press ("Immokalee coalition to pedal to Lakeland," 8/20/11):I noticed that in one of the photos was someone that looked surprisingly like our good friend Brian McLaren and guess what it was. (see photo above). This is not the first time Brian has stepped out in this way showing that prayer and action are closely linked. Active involvement in issues like this is an important part of our prayer toolkit. You can read the prayer they read here or watch on youtube and maybe as Brian suggests it will stir you to prayerful action too.
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Jesus teach us to pray[/caption]
I strongly believe that prayer changes things and that God's activity in our world is somehow curtailed when we do not pray. What I am less confident of is how to pray and as I talk to sincere followers of Christ around the world I realize that many of us do not always know how to take advantage of the many tools that are available for prayer. And I don't just mean books and websites here. I mean good practical tools that help us to pray regularly and with conviction. This is the first of several posts I intend to write this week on tools for prayer. Some of these may be familiar to you, others may be unknown.
Part of the problem is that we don't really know why we need to pray or what kinds of prayers we should use. And most of us don't really know how to pray either. Prayer comes in many forms - there are those like prayers of gratitude and adoration that move us upward closer to God. There are others like the prayer of examen, prayers of confession and prayers of lament that draw us inward to search out the hidden and broken places of our lives. Lastly there are those that draw us outward into the global community encouraging us to action like prayers of intercession and healing. Upward, inward and outward - all these types of prayers are necessary for a well balanced prayer life.
It is reassuring to know prayer has never been easy nor has it ever come naturally for Jesus’ followers. Although the disciples must have grown up with the Jewish rituals of shema twice a day and prayer three times a day—morning, afternoon, and sundown—they still needed to learn to pray. Although they had watched Jesus pray in all kinds of situations, seen him connect his prayer life to his public ministry, and watched him use prayer and his relationship to God to mold all he did, they still didn’t understand and begged him: “Teach us to pray” (Luke 11:1). Even after Jesus taught them about prayer, they still could not watch with him one hour and fell asleep in the Garden of Gethsemane.
Why do we find it so hard to carve out time for the practices that should be the focal point of life? Why, like the disciples of old, do we still need to come to Jesus with the cry, “Teach us to pray”? Part of it I think is that most of us have very limited toolkits and hopefully of the next week or so we can all learn from each other how to enlarge our toolkits.
If you would like to submit a post for this series, please let me know as I am sure that my toolkit still needs to enlarged and strengthened too.
Jesus teach us to pray[/caption]
I strongly believe that prayer changes things and that God's activity in our world is somehow curtailed when we do not pray. What I am less confident of is how to pray and as I talk to sincere followers of Christ around the world I realize that many of us do not always know how to take advantage of the many tools that are available for prayer. And I don't just mean books and websites here. I mean good practical tools that help us to pray regularly and with conviction. This is the first of several posts I intend to write this week on tools for prayer. Some of these may be familiar to you, others may be unknown.
Part of the problem is that we don't really know why we need to pray or what kinds of prayers we should use. And most of us don't really know how to pray either. Prayer comes in many forms - there are those like prayers of gratitude and adoration that move us upward closer to God. There are others like the prayer of examen, prayers of confession and prayers of lament that draw us inward to search out the hidden and broken places of our lives. Lastly there are those that draw us outward into the global community encouraging us to action like prayers of intercession and healing. Upward, inward and outward - all these types of prayers are necessary for a well balanced prayer life.
It is reassuring to know prayer has never been easy nor has it ever come naturally for Jesus’ followers. Although the disciples must have grown up with the Jewish rituals of shema twice a day and prayer three times a day—morning, afternoon, and sundown—they still needed to learn to pray. Although they had watched Jesus pray in all kinds of situations, seen him connect his prayer life to his public ministry, and watched him use prayer and his relationship to God to mold all he did, they still didn’t understand and begged him: “Teach us to pray” (Luke 11:1). Even after Jesus taught them about prayer, they still could not watch with him one hour and fell asleep in the Garden of Gethsemane.
Why do we find it so hard to carve out time for the practices that should be the focal point of life? Why, like the disciples of old, do we still need to come to Jesus with the cry, “Teach us to pray”? Part of it I think is that most of us have very limited toolkits and hopefully of the next week or so we can all learn from each other how to enlarge our toolkits.
If you would like to submit a post for this series, please let me know as I am sure that my toolkit still needs to enlarged and strengthened too.
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[/caption]
This is the second part of the liturgy for the Celtic retreat today
Building Together
Regathering song - All Creatures of Our God and King
Introduction to Lectio Divina
God as we read your word and meditate on your promises,
Grant that we may hear afresh the hope of your salvation ,
And respond to the wonder of your forgiveness,
Not just for ourselves but for all who need rest and release.
May we walk forward without fear into your ways Oh God,
And enter with assurance and trust into the love of Christ.
May we greet all that happens expected and unanticipated,
And walk with humility into God's grace and peace.
Have mercy on us God almighty.
Immeasurable God, patient God, incorruptible God,
God of infinite love.
Immortal God, eternal God, perfect God.
Merciful God, wonderful God.
God who provides in unexpected ways
Who abides in the heavens above,
Have mercy on us
Come close this day to the God who loves you without measure,
Open your eyes to see the One who sustains all life,
Open your ears to hear the One who calls you by name,
Open your life to respond to the One who fills all your deepest longings.
Love and justice meet, mercy and grace abound,
God we hear your trumpet sound,
In this time of Jubilee and new beginnings,
Rest from all striving and release from all captivity.
Song - Micah 6:8 - He has shown thee O man what is Good
He has shown thee O man what is good,
And what doth the Lord require of thee,
But to do justly, and to love mercy,
And to walk humbly with thy God.
Time of Guided scripture meditation
Isaiah 61: 1-3 Good News for the Oppressed
The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is upon me,
for the Lord has anointed me
to bring good news to the poor.
He has sent me to comfort the brokenhearted
and to proclaim that captives will be released
and prisoners will be freed.
He has sent me to tell those who mourn
that the time of the Lord’s favor has come,
and with it, the day of God’s anger against their enemies.
To all who mourn in Israel,
he will give a crown of beauty for ashes,
a joyous blessing instead of mourning,
festive praise instead of despair.
In their righteousness, they will be like great oaks
that the Lord has planted for his own glory.
Time for Meditation – Lectio Divina
Luke 12:22-26; 31-34
Then, turning to his disciples, Jesus said, “That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life—whether you have enough food to eat or enough clothes to wear. For life is more than food, and your body more than clothing. Look at the ravens. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for God feeds them. And you are far more valuable to him than any birds! Can all your worries add a single moment to your life? And if worry can’t accomplish a little thing like that, what’s the use of worrying over bigger things?.... Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and he will give you everything you need. “So don’t be afraid, little flock. For it gives your Father great happiness to give you the Kingdom. “Sell your possessions and give to those in need. This will store up treasure for you in heaven! And the purses of heaven never get old or develop holes. Your treasure will be safe; no thief can steal it and no moth can destroy it. Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be
Time for Meditation – Lectio Divina
God may we wait in patience and hope for what is emerging
In our lives, in our world and through our faith,
May we be willing to walk on paths unknown,
That you have marked out with loving care.
May we wait in trust and not fear for your new world,
For the justice and peace and freedom that has been promised,
For those things hoped for and not yet seen.
Knowing that the future is in God's hands,
May we wait for the release and rest of God’s Jubilee
Song - In the Lord I’ll be every thankful
[/caption]
This is the second part of the liturgy for the Celtic retreat today
Building Together
Regathering song - All Creatures of Our God and King
Introduction to Lectio Divina
God as we read your word and meditate on your promises,
Grant that we may hear afresh the hope of your salvation ,
And respond to the wonder of your forgiveness,
Not just for ourselves but for all who need rest and release.
May we walk forward without fear into your ways Oh God,
And enter with assurance and trust into the love of Christ.
May we greet all that happens expected and unanticipated,
And walk with humility into God's grace and peace.
Have mercy on us God almighty.
Immeasurable God, patient God, incorruptible God,
God of infinite love.
Immortal God, eternal God, perfect God.
Merciful God, wonderful God.
God who provides in unexpected ways
Who abides in the heavens above,
Have mercy on us
Come close this day to the God who loves you without measure,
Open your eyes to see the One who sustains all life,
Open your ears to hear the One who calls you by name,
Open your life to respond to the One who fills all your deepest longings.
Love and justice meet, mercy and grace abound,
God we hear your trumpet sound,
In this time of Jubilee and new beginnings,
Rest from all striving and release from all captivity.
Song - Micah 6:8 - He has shown thee O man what is Good
He has shown thee O man what is good,
And what doth the Lord require of thee,
But to do justly, and to love mercy,
And to walk humbly with thy God.
Time of Guided scripture meditation
Isaiah 61: 1-3 Good News for the Oppressed
The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is upon me,
for the Lord has anointed me
to bring good news to the poor.
He has sent me to comfort the brokenhearted
and to proclaim that captives will be released
and prisoners will be freed.
He has sent me to tell those who mourn
that the time of the Lord’s favor has come,
and with it, the day of God’s anger against their enemies.
To all who mourn in Israel,
he will give a crown of beauty for ashes,
a joyous blessing instead of mourning,
festive praise instead of despair.
In their righteousness, they will be like great oaks
that the Lord has planted for his own glory.
Time for Meditation – Lectio Divina
Luke 12:22-26; 31-34
Then, turning to his disciples, Jesus said, “That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life—whether you have enough food to eat or enough clothes to wear. For life is more than food, and your body more than clothing. Look at the ravens. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for God feeds them. And you are far more valuable to him than any birds! Can all your worries add a single moment to your life? And if worry can’t accomplish a little thing like that, what’s the use of worrying over bigger things?.... Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and he will give you everything you need. “So don’t be afraid, little flock. For it gives your Father great happiness to give you the Kingdom. “Sell your possessions and give to those in need. This will store up treasure for you in heaven! And the purses of heaven never get old or develop holes. Your treasure will be safe; no thief can steal it and no moth can destroy it. Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be
Time for Meditation – Lectio Divina
God may we wait in patience and hope for what is emerging
In our lives, in our world and through our faith,
May we be willing to walk on paths unknown,
That you have marked out with loving care.
May we wait in trust and not fear for your new world,
For the justice and peace and freedom that has been promised,
For those things hoped for and not yet seen.
Knowing that the future is in God's hands,
May we wait for the release and rest of God’s Jubilee
Song - In the Lord I’ll be every thankful
[caption id="attachment_5147" align="alignnone" width="300" caption="Celtic retreat altar"]
[/caption]
So many have expressed disappointment at not being able to join us for the Celtic retreat that I thought I would publish the morning liturgy for you to follow along with if you are interested
Joining Together - Preparing the Altar
Gathering Prayer:
God we gather in this quiet place,
To hear the prayers you have placed in our hearts,
Filled with the ache of hurting people and a broken world,
We come willing to listen to the silence,
Alert and attentive to your voice speaking within us.
Let the busyness of our bodies rest,
Let the worries of our minds rest,
Let the doubts of our hearts rest,
Letting go of self may we all hold on to God.
God we release to you the rush and noise of life,
We breathe out all that hinders our closeness to you,
Fear, anxiety, busyness, confusion, guilt and tiredness,
We throw off our busy distractedness and breathe in all that is of you,
Love, joy, peace, compassion, justice, grace and mercy.
O God may we embrace the rest that flows from your love,
And enter the place of deep communion with you,
Where time is stilled and place is fertile ground for seeds to sprout,
May we willingly walk into the unknown mystery of faith.
(Silence)
God may your silence penetrate deep inside,
Opening for us the rest and release of Jubilee,
May it bring us to the place where love and justice meet,
Enabling us to surrender all that holds us captive,
And encouraging us to release all that has enslaved us.
God may we be mindful of you today,
Knowing that each moment of time is sanctified by your spirit.
May your words echo deep within us O God,
So that we can hear your call to holiness, justice and compassion.
Amen
Song - be Thou My Vision
Introduction to Celtic tradition
Setting up the Altar
Eternal God, creator of the earth, the stars, the universe,
You who are more majestic then the mountains,
More beautiful than the trees around us,
More secure than the rocks beneath our feet.
God in this time of Jubilee and new beginnings,
May we hear your trumpet sound,
May we see what you promise, and believe what you offer,
Rest from our striving and release from our captivity.
As we gather your gifts to build our altar,
May our eyes be opened and our ears unstopped,
May we see in every sight a cathedral giving glory,
And hear in every sound angels singing alleluia.
God in this time of Jubilee and new beginnings,
May we hear your trumpet sound,
May we see what you promise, and believe what you offer,
Rest from our striving and release from our captivity.
Go out to collect items for decorating the altar
[/caption]
So many have expressed disappointment at not being able to join us for the Celtic retreat that I thought I would publish the morning liturgy for you to follow along with if you are interested
Joining Together - Preparing the Altar
Gathering Prayer:
God we gather in this quiet place,
To hear the prayers you have placed in our hearts,
Filled with the ache of hurting people and a broken world,
We come willing to listen to the silence,
Alert and attentive to your voice speaking within us.
Let the busyness of our bodies rest,
Let the worries of our minds rest,
Let the doubts of our hearts rest,
Letting go of self may we all hold on to God.
God we release to you the rush and noise of life,
We breathe out all that hinders our closeness to you,
Fear, anxiety, busyness, confusion, guilt and tiredness,
We throw off our busy distractedness and breathe in all that is of you,
Love, joy, peace, compassion, justice, grace and mercy.
O God may we embrace the rest that flows from your love,
And enter the place of deep communion with you,
Where time is stilled and place is fertile ground for seeds to sprout,
May we willingly walk into the unknown mystery of faith.
(Silence)
God may your silence penetrate deep inside,
Opening for us the rest and release of Jubilee,
May it bring us to the place where love and justice meet,
Enabling us to surrender all that holds us captive,
And encouraging us to release all that has enslaved us.
God may we be mindful of you today,
Knowing that each moment of time is sanctified by your spirit.
May your words echo deep within us O God,
So that we can hear your call to holiness, justice and compassion.
Amen
Song - be Thou My Vision
Introduction to Celtic tradition
Setting up the Altar
Eternal God, creator of the earth, the stars, the universe,
You who are more majestic then the mountains,
More beautiful than the trees around us,
More secure than the rocks beneath our feet.
God in this time of Jubilee and new beginnings,
May we hear your trumpet sound,
May we see what you promise, and believe what you offer,
Rest from our striving and release from our captivity.
As we gather your gifts to build our altar,
May our eyes be opened and our ears unstopped,
May we see in every sight a cathedral giving glory,
And hear in every sound angels singing alleluia.
God in this time of Jubilee and new beginnings,
May we hear your trumpet sound,
May we see what you promise, and believe what you offer,
Rest from our striving and release from our captivity.
Go out to collect items for decorating the altar
[caption id="attachment_5141" align="alignnone" width="300"]
Weed whacking nettles at Mustard Seed Village site[/caption]
Tomorrow we head up to Camano Island for the Celtic Prayer retreat. One of our first tasks is getting the weed whacker out to clear the nettles and other weeds that have grown since our last visit, which probably explains why weeds are on my mind this morning. Nettles which grow in abundance on Camano Island, believe it or not are very nutritious (rich in vitamins, flavonoids, serotonin, and histamines) and some like Good Natured Earthling think that they are great protection against allergies. I have not tried her Nettle pesto recipe yet but one of these days hope to and just thinking about this always reminds me that often the "weeds", those difficult people we want to get rid of, are often the most nutritious elements of the garden - if we give them a chance they nourish and grow all of us in amazing ways.
There are other great ways to eat nettles too. Nettle soup was a common addition to the diet of early Celtic Christians as well as to many others around the world. Once you cook the leaves they lose their sting.
Of course one of the most nutritious weeds in the garden is our friend the dandelion. And they require no care at all. The roots can be used for tea, the leaves for salad and the flowers for jelly. It helps to hold the soil together and to bring nutrients up to the surface from deeper down within the soil. I love the suggestions in this post: 16 Dandelion Recipes that gives some great suggestions. And I was just sent this recipe by Jason Barr for Dandelion Jelly that certain sounds like a winner. Thanks Jason.
Weed whacking nettles at Mustard Seed Village site[/caption]
Tomorrow we head up to Camano Island for the Celtic Prayer retreat. One of our first tasks is getting the weed whacker out to clear the nettles and other weeds that have grown since our last visit, which probably explains why weeds are on my mind this morning. Nettles which grow in abundance on Camano Island, believe it or not are very nutritious (rich in vitamins, flavonoids, serotonin, and histamines) and some like Good Natured Earthling think that they are great protection against allergies. I have not tried her Nettle pesto recipe yet but one of these days hope to and just thinking about this always reminds me that often the "weeds", those difficult people we want to get rid of, are often the most nutritious elements of the garden - if we give them a chance they nourish and grow all of us in amazing ways.
There are other great ways to eat nettles too. Nettle soup was a common addition to the diet of early Celtic Christians as well as to many others around the world. Once you cook the leaves they lose their sting.
Of course one of the most nutritious weeds in the garden is our friend the dandelion. And they require no care at all. The roots can be used for tea, the leaves for salad and the flowers for jelly. It helps to hold the soil together and to bring nutrients up to the surface from deeper down within the soil. I love the suggestions in this post: 16 Dandelion Recipes that gives some great suggestions. And I was just sent this recipe by Jason Barr for Dandelion Jelly that certain sounds like a winner. Thanks Jason.
Ingredients: 4 cups dandelion blossoms 3 cups water 4 1/2 cups sugar 2 tablespoons lemon juice 1 package pectin Directions: 1. Pull the yellow blossoms apart from the green parts. Get lots and lots of blossoms. Make sure there are no green parts since the green parts have a bitter flavor. (It is ok to have a few green parts but don’t just put all the blossoms in with the greens attached) 2. Bring the water to a boil and fill the water with dandelion blossom shreds. Simmer over very gentle heat about 5-8 minutes. 3. Pour the water and blossoms through a strainer. Press the blossoms as dry as possible to extract the maximum amount of water (mom used a coffee strainer, a lined wire strainer works too). 4. If you have more blossoms, add blossoms to the strained water and simmer 5. Continue simmering and straining until all the blossoms are used up. 6. Add more water to bring it back up to 3 cups (the blossoms will takes some and some will go due to evaporation). 7. Combine water with lemon juice, sugar and pectin. 8. Bring to rolling boil and stir until sugar is dissolved (mom added a little yellow food coloring, not necessary). Boil hard for one minute. Skim. Pour into 5 hot jars (half-pints) and seal. 9. Boil hard for one minute. Skim. Pour into 5 hot sterilized jars (half-pints) and seal. Notes:Make the jelly the day you pick or it will start seeding (become white and fluffy)
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