I did the BCP hours this morning & spent some time praying for each of you.
I've become so aware that when we, as a staff, really set our eyes on Jesus' vision of the Kingdom we will open ourselves up to critique which will be painful at times. Jesus' detractors were on him about having fellowship with the tax collectors and sinners. Our detractors will be on us about having fellowship with "emergent" types or whatever... it will be more of a theological judgmentalism as opposed to social one. But we have nothing to fear if we seek first the kingdom of God and follow Jesus with all we've got.
My prayer for each of you as staff members is that you'll truly pursue the kingdom vision Jesus taught us about and chase it with all of your heart. I pray that you'll be protected. I pray that we can be comfort to one another and a source of strength.
I have started reading Ephesians since that is what our groups is going to starting studying soon. I will let you know my thoughts as I get into it.
I also had a spiritual moment while in spin class a couple weeks ago, other than the fact God was telling me I really need to be in the gym more (ha!) I was thinking that our spiritual lives are a lot like working out...not only is it a discipline but in this case the more resistance you add to the bike the harder it is, but the harder it is the greater the reward. So I was thinking as I was sweating and reluctantly turing the resistance knob that the more resistance that is placed on our lives with being busy, kids, family, work etc the harder we have to work to maintain our spiritual disciplines BUT the reward is great!
Ephesians 11-12 It's in Christ that we find out who we are and what we are living for. Long before we first heard of Christ and got our hopes up, he had his eye on us, had designs on us for glorious living, part of the overall purpose he is working out in everything and everyone.
I've been thankful for Brother Lawrence. I find myself thinking about him throughout the day when my mind is divided and cluttered. He always reminds me to simply think of God and be thankful. I have much further to go, but I can feel God's presence along the way. I hope to remember that during that times when I don't feel God's presence.
I did the BCP hours this morning & hope to complete them throughout the day. I've been enjoying God's presence in a really acute way over the past 16 hours. It's really nice when that happens. I wish it were more often. Before I left work I just listened to some worship songs really loud and let myself be lost in the moment. Then, we had small group and enjoyed such a graceful conversation that it was clear God was present. Then Kristin and I talked about 1 Kings 18 for awhile, thinking through questions for her study... I got all worked up about some of their conclusions...it was fun. Then, this morning I listened to a couple more songs before prayers.
I think that there are times when I'm feeling low or afraid or whatever, that God just gives an extra measure of his presence or spirit, or maybe he just gives me a hightened awareness of it. Either way I'm grateful for the past 16 hours.
Tim- thanks for the prayers. I am so thankful for the time we get to spend together on a weekly basis. It helps to keep the vision in front of me.
Kristen- love the resistance knob analogy!
I did devotions with the kids this morning, the midday office and the Celtic daily readings. The readings were about discernment...seeing people's hearts through their words, knowing when not to speak, listening for unspoken questions that I should be answering and recognizing when it's time for God to intervene.
This morning I started to add one more office to my daily routine when I first wake up. I want the very first thing I do each day to be prayer, so I'm just going to follow a simple "Matins" (wake-up) liturgy each morning. Then I came to work and did the BCP Morning Office.
I'm going to spend the day working on a sermon about "do not judge." It's hard to speak about something you struggle with...
I am continuing to read Ephesians. We had a good community group this past Monday, I think this go- around, we, as a group (because some of us are that way all the time--lol), will start being a little more transparent.
Please pray for Ken's mom, she's really having a hard time with the big transition that they are going thru, also, please pray that I will be more compassionate toward her, this is something I struggle with towards her/them and I need to soften my heart....much easier said than done.
each week we will have a new post through which to interact. you can post comments as often as you want under each week in order to share what you are reading, disciplines you are engaging in, or encouragement to each other.
10 comments:
I did the BCP hours this morning & spent some time praying for each of you.
I've become so aware that when we, as a staff, really set our eyes on Jesus' vision of the Kingdom we will open ourselves up to critique which will be painful at times. Jesus' detractors were on him about having fellowship with the tax collectors and sinners. Our detractors will be on us about having fellowship with "emergent" types or whatever... it will be more of a theological judgmentalism as opposed to social one. But we have nothing to fear if we seek first the kingdom of God and follow Jesus with all we've got.
My prayer for each of you as staff members is that you'll truly pursue the kingdom vision Jesus taught us about and chase it with all of your heart. I pray that you'll be protected. I pray that we can be comfort to one another and a source of strength.
I have started reading Ephesians since that is what our groups is going to starting studying soon. I will let you know my thoughts as I get into it.
I also had a spiritual moment while in spin class a couple weeks ago, other than the fact God was telling me I really need to be in the gym more (ha!) I was thinking that our spiritual lives are a lot like working out...not only is it a discipline but in this case the more resistance you add to the bike the harder it is, but the harder it is the greater the reward. So I was thinking as I was sweating and reluctantly turing the resistance knob that the more resistance that is placed on our lives with being busy, kids, family, work etc the harder we have to work to maintain our spiritual disciplines BUT the reward is great!
Ephesians 11-12
It's in Christ that we find out who we are and what we are living for. Long before we first heard of Christ and got our hopes up, he had his eye on us, had designs on us for glorious living, part of the overall purpose he is working out in everything and everyone.
LOVE THIS!
I've been thankful for Brother Lawrence. I find myself thinking about him throughout the day when my mind is divided and cluttered. He always reminds me to simply think of God and be thankful. I have much further to go, but I can feel God's presence along the way. I hope to remember that during that times when I don't feel God's presence.
I did the BCP hours this morning & hope to complete them throughout the day. I've been enjoying God's presence in a really acute way over the past 16 hours. It's really nice when that happens. I wish it were more often. Before I left work I just listened to some worship songs really loud and let myself be lost in the moment. Then, we had small group and enjoyed such a graceful conversation that it was clear God was present. Then Kristin and I talked about 1 Kings 18 for awhile, thinking through questions for her study... I got all worked up about some of their conclusions...it was fun. Then, this morning I listened to a couple more songs before prayers.
I think that there are times when I'm feeling low or afraid or whatever, that God just gives an extra measure of his presence or spirit, or maybe he just gives me a hightened awareness of it. Either way I'm grateful for the past 16 hours.
Tim- thanks for the prayers. I am so thankful for the time we get to spend together on a weekly basis. It helps to keep the vision in front of me.
Kristen- love the resistance knob analogy!
I did devotions with the kids this morning, the midday office and the Celtic daily readings. The readings were about discernment...seeing people's hearts through their words, knowing when not to speak, listening for unspoken questions that I should be answering and recognizing when it's time for God to intervene.
...timely
t-
This morning I started to add one more office to my daily routine when I first wake up. I want the very first thing I do each day to be prayer, so I'm just going to follow a simple "Matins" (wake-up) liturgy each morning. Then I came to work and did the BCP Morning Office.
I'm going to spend the day working on a sermon about "do not judge." It's hard to speak about something you struggle with...
-t
I am continuing to read Ephesians. We had a good community group this past Monday, I think this go- around, we, as a group (because some of us are that way all the time--lol), will start being a little more transparent.
Please pray for Ken's mom, she's really having a hard time with the big transition that they are going thru, also, please pray that I will be more compassionate toward her, this is something I struggle with towards her/them and I need to soften my heart....much easier said than done.
kdela
Kristen, I'm praying for her and for you as well.
I did the BCP office this morning as well as an early morning office. Looking forward to a day of study and reflection.
-t
I am also praying for Karen and Chuck.
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