Tuesday, April 27, 2010 at 7:08 am

Silver to Gold

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A Story of young revolutionaries...

I had a conversation yesterday with a friend of mine who recently finished writing a book that has been in her heart for the last eight years.  It is a simple, and yet profound story of "the ones who escaped" the evil kingdom of Laird, in search of the legendary "Golden pastures."  They must journey out of the bronze hills, through the barren valley, up to the peak of the silver mountains, where they get their first glimpse of the golden pastures.  They must choose to continue back down into the valley, up the final hill, and then, to continue on in to the promised land.  The story is based allegorically on Joshua and Caleb's journey into the promised land, as well as John 10:10, that "I have come to bring life abundantly."

The simplicity of the story is one that children could read and understand, but the depth to which is challenges and draws out the moments of choice that we find ourselves in throughout our lives was deeply profound.  There are the ones who choose to remain on various mountain peaks because, "it is enough for them."  Some escape the kingdom, and settle just outside.  Others make it all the way to the final mountain, but because they can't let go of the dream in order to see it fulfilled, they refuse to descend into the promised land.  I found myself and my own temptations in every character.

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Monday, August 23, 2010 at 12:25 am

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Tuesday, April 6, 2010 at 6:28 am

The Invitation Says Today

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I remember a moment about ten years ago, sitting in church.  I was listening to the pastor speak, can't remember what it was about, but it was really challenging and moving me.  My first thought was, "I must write this down and look at it later..."  In that instant, I felt this very strong, firm movement in my spirit that this was not for later.  I was invited to listen now, to let the Holy Spirit search my heart, and do a transforming work right now.  That was the first time I realized this tendency toward spiritual procrastination, and the contrasting invitation to "right now."

As I read this morning about the Israelites' second invitation to take the promised land, and their necessary presence to God in that very moment, I was again reminded of this invitation to "today."  In Hebrews 4, when God calls us to enter in to his rest today by faith, he is making a very strong statement...it isn't for tomorrow or yesterday, but right now.  It is in this moment that I must engage the reality of life with him...in this moment that I can be changed.  The future is only imagination, the past is done.  But right now, my heart feels and hopes and loves and lives with God. 

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Thursday, March 11, 2010 at 4:07 pm

It Yields It's Fruit In Season

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Yesterday the sun came out.  I couldn't help it...I had to go and look!  I took my camera round the park, and discovered that, seemingly overnight, spring has begun.  After a very long, cold winter, wondering if it would ever end, I found myself out in my hoodie and vest-jacket.  I don't know how this mystery happens.  But I'm glad it does.

I found myself full of wonder, and sucking in as much fresh, crisp air as I possibly could, knowing that in Glasgow you take days like this as they come, and never for granted.  I couldn't help but throw my head back and bask in it.

I also couldn't help but notice that there were trees that had not yet begun to flower, and that there were still dead leaves piled over the grass beneath...signs of death in the midst of this new life.  The metaphors were endless.

A phrase from Psalm 1 resounded in my mind... "It yields it's fruit in season"... Creation knows this cycle is continuous.  Every year we experience the depths of winter where it feels like spring will never come, and that first spark of green on the branches outside the window, promising that the thaw is coming. 

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Friday, May 7, 2010 at 7:46 am

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Thursday, February 4, 2010 at 7:05 am

Guidelines for good spiritual direction

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I've been going back through some old notes over the last few weeks, and I ran across this list I at one time put together (I think it was from various sources, but may have come out of a particular lecture...sorry not to have better footnotes).  It was meant to be guidelines for spiritual directors, but I wonder if some of these transfer over into our daily interactions with each other.  What would it mean to listen to each other in this way, with God's heart continually before us?  What do you think?  Over the top? Impossible? Freeing?  It is a good reminder that we are all works in progress, and that God will continue to uncover our own weakness and growth edges for the rest of our lives.  I am so glad that we are surrounded by his grace and mercy.

The director should approach a one-to-one session prepared in specific ways:

Through prayer, anticipate receiving the person as one for whom Christ died.

Become aware of any personal bias or partiality that might operate in this particular situation, such as gender, ethnicity, or appearance, Be aware of how the directee's issues or situation might parallel your own, triggering your own unresolved tensions.  Be attentive to anything that might lead you to favour a particular outcome over what God might want to do or say.

Be in touch with your own temptations, foibles, and sins of the past, so that nothing shared is likely to surprise, offend, tempt, shock or undo you.

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Friday, February 5, 2010 at 8:21 pm

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Monday, February 1, 2010 at 10:58 am

Divine Hours

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I recently ran across this website for a church who has been given permission to post the daily office prayers from Phyllis Tickle's collection.  Just thought I'd share it for anyone interested in giving it a go.  You can set it to update for your time zone as well.  Enjoy!

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Wednesday, January 20, 2010 at 7:31 pm

The Activity of Rest

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Indeed, the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing until it divides soul from spirit, joints from marrow; it is able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.  And before him no creature is hidden, but all are naked and laid bare to the eyes of the one to whom we must render an account.  - Hebrews 4:12-13

I have always felt a bit beat up on when reading these verses...until last week, when I realized where they were placed within Hebrews.  The passage immediately before is about the Sabbath rest for the people of God, and his command to enter into it, unlike the Israelites, who hardened their hearts and were not able to.  The passage immediately after is about Jesus, our great high priest, who was tempted in every way as we are but without sin.

Upon this reading, I saw an invitation.  The door into this Sabbath rest is Jesus, who knows every weakness I have ever felt, and has resisted every temptation I come up against.  He has seen my failure, my internal monologue, my desire to hide or cover up the things that are maybe not such wise choices.  He knows that sometimes I want to twist his word to make me feel better about myself or the choices I want to make.  But often times I don't see it...I am blinded by my desire to be comfortable...happy...normal...all the while stepping further and further away from his guiding hand and into dangerous territory.

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Thursday, July 8, 2010 at 12:44 pm

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Thursday, December 24, 2009 at 5:01 am

Life Perseveres

Posted by jennyjack | Comments (4) |

  And not only that,

  but we also boast in our sufferings,

  knowing that suffering produces endurance,

  and endurance produces character,

  and character produces hope,

  and hope does not disappoint us,

  because God's love has been poured into our hearts

  through the Holy Spirit

  that has been given to us.

  Romans 5:3-5

 

 

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Friday, April 16, 2010 at 2:54 pm

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Wednesday, December 9, 2009 at 5:04 am

Put Down Your Burden

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What burdens do we carry without ever even knowing they are there? 

Last night I started a post about false perceptions and how I recently heard them described as "The hurricane that disrupts all relationships."  As I was writing I began chatting about it to my housemate, coming up with all kinds of silly, daily examples of how we misperceive reality and land ourselves in a mess, believing and spreading misunderstandings and outright lies, and carrying burdens we were never meant to carry.

Later that evening, I found myself telling her a story about something that happened back in university days.  I recalled how devastated I was by events that happened. I felt like there had been a conspiracy against me, the incident had affected me for years to come.  I was even sharing it in that moment because I feared would happen again.  She looked at me and said, "Is that really what happened, or is it how you perceived it?"  I was immediately caught...

In that moment, I realized that fifteen years ago I interpreted an event one way, and made up the thoughts and intentions of a group of people that were potentially utterly untrue.  And last night while riding on the underground I uncovered the lie.  It only took a moment, I laughed awkwardly at myself and realized that I am not exempt from this whole arena of false perceptions.  

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Thursday, October 15, 2009 at 11:47 am

How is God converting you?

Posted by jennyjack | Comments (2) |

I've been thinking a lot lately about the differing streams and approaches to the Christian's life with Christ.  I find myself sometimes wondering what it would look like if we could really hear and learn from other Christians who think differently. If each of us sees through a glass dimly (which funnily enough is found in the midst of the "God is love" chapter, 1 Cor. 13), it seems that we would really benefit from paying attention to what others see of God in the world.

What I've been coming to ask lately when I hear someone speak, whether I agree or disagree with them, is a simple question (ok, a few questions).  What's under the hood?  What is this person speaking of the character of God? Are they reacting to something that has been hurtful to them? Or is this part of the movement of love within Christ's Church?  What does my own theology lead to? Is there a challenge I need to hear in order to come into alignment with the truth of God's love?  How might God need to "convert me?" in my theology? 

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Friday, October 16, 2009 at 6:10 pm

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Friday, August 28, 2009 at 9:55 am

With the Ears of My Heart

Posted by jennyjack | Comments (6) |

I have listened to many voices this week.  This one says the Bible isn't literal, that one says that a particular part of Ezekiel means Christ is coming back within the next 5 years.  One says the "emerging church" is dangerous, another says the "traditional church" is a farce.  Someone says John Piper is a heretic, and another says Rob Bell will lead to the destruction of the Church.  And then there are the voices inside my head: You've not done enough...you question too much...you haven't rested enough...you've rested too much!  Aaaaah! 

What are we like?!  

I would like to propose another way: God, what are you saying to us? In spiritual direction, we believe that we are listening with one ear to the other person, and one ear to the Holy Spirit, who is constantly speaking. We ask God to reveal any beliefs we might hold about him or about our situations that aren't true. What if we could bring this discipline into daily life of the Church and of the blogosphere? How can we discern what is of God and what is not? How do the things we believe lead us to greater love of God and others? I mean true, sacrificial, growing love...not just infatuation.

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Friday, April 16, 2010 at 3:54 pm

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