recharging

God does work in unique ways. Bishop Schnase's blog today was "running on empty." I could identify with that. I had a goal that this year I would go on personal retreats each quarter. Each time I thought I would go, something happended and I stayed to give myself away rather than go away to get recharged. This weekend Mike and I took time away. We went to a family reunion and spent some time in the country. I was able to read, pray, and recharge. With hectic schedules and demanding work loads, it is easy to be "running on empty." My goal once again is to take a moment during the day, a day during the week, and some days a quarter to plug in with God and get recharge. With God's help when Jesus asks me to go away to a quiet place, I will go.

Wondering

During morning devotion, I read this poem by Rabi'a, a Sufi mystic.

O my Lord,

if I worship you

from fear of hell, burn me in hell.

If I worship you

from hope of paradise, bar me from its gates.

But if I worship you

for yourself alone, grant me then the beauty of your face.

The question became for me, why do I worship God? Do I worship God because God is or because God does? Do I worship God because God loved first or because God promises? Today I will practice worshiping God for God alone. May I be granted the beauty of God's face.

Everything Old is New Again

We are starting a sermon series on Worship from ancient through the 21st century. While doing the research, it occured to me that many of the ideas consider new are ancient and many of the formats considered traditional came in last few hundred years. Is it possible that the Holy Spirit keeps reminding us that the format can vary as long as the heart is yearning for God? Is it possible that the Holy Spirit creates the openings for adoration as varied as the people who come? Is it possible that we really are not incharge of worship but just participants with the One who enspires, the One who is adored, and the One who is listening to our hearts? Come Holy Spirit, make our worship new again.

Easter happened. Alleluia!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Elizabeth Barrett Browning wrote "Earth is crammed with heaven and every common bush afire with God, but only he who sees takes off his shoes." I suppose she was thinking of Moses, but I am thinking of resurrection people who see the amazing things God does everyday and stand in awe. Thanks be to God for the empty tomb. Alleluia!

My prayer for Good Friday

LORD Jesus, there is much in scripture we do not understand. There is much in scripture with which we struggle. Why did You come to die? Why were You willing to die? What did You finish when You died? As we remember Your passion, may tears of sadness fill our hearts. As we remember Your death, may tears of repentance fill our souls. Forgive us, LORD. Forgive all that we have done or left undone that caused You to go to the cross….. Forgive all that we have said or left unsaid that caused You to go to the cross….. Let the love poured out on the cross transform us. By Your Spirit and with Your grace heal us in body, mind, and spirit. From this day forward, may our love for You be as visible to the world as Your love was on the cross. Amen

Today is Epiphany. We are celebrating God's revealing and humans' responding. Unbinding the Heart opens us to recognizing how God is still revealing. We will share how God is made manifest in our daily lifes and how we respond to God's revelation. Epiphany leads to Evangelism. Get your book and start reading. It is exciting to share and grow in faith together.

On January 11 Union United Methodist church will begin the journey with Unbinding Your Heart by Martha Grace Reese. The books are available at church or on Amazon.com. Please read the introduction and chapter 1 before the first week.