In spite of us.
God delights in our cooperation with his purposes, but thankfully he works in spite of us.
An update on L's situation--progress has been made and her blood work has improved. A weight has been lifted from their shoulders. Thank you for joining in prayer wih us.
picture from flickr
Coincidence??
God's presence is evident wherever we dare to look for it. My relationship with L. is one such example. When I had my knee surgery last week L. and I were next to each other in the recovery room. We have the same doctor and had the same procedure on the same knee. We were room mates in the hospital. We are room mates here at Riverview. One sleepless night as we talked, we discovered that Ray and I know her brother from church!
Coincidence...I think not. So I have been asking God what was going on, what purpose does he have for our meeting? It is becoming much clearer now. My surgery was nice and straightforward, unlike L's. Whatever could go wrong has gone wrong, the latest of which is problems with the clotting of her blood, leaving her vulnerable to blood clots.
She and her family are scared. As doctors work to resolve the crisis, they wait and wonder how and if a solution will be found. But God knows all about this. My role is to befriend and pray.
Picture from flickr.
My home for the next few weeks and why you won't hear much from me
This beautiful, mansion-like building is where I will be in a few days. Tomorrow morning I am having a knee replacement for my right knee and will be in the hospital for two to three days. I won't be feeling too badly there because I'll be numb from the waist down. But boy, when the epidural comes out the pain is something else!
After that, I will be in rehab at Riverview Healthcare Community. I took a tour of the rehab unit Fri. and it was very nice. I expect to be there two weeks, three at the most.
I will not have wi-fi in my room, but there is a common area where I can plug in the laptop, so for a while I will not be posting as much. Peace.
Bride of Christ Imagery in Religious Profession and Spiritual Maturity
A postulant in the Augustinians of the Immaculate Heart of Mary posed the question of how the members and oblates of the order related the traditional imagery of nuns as brides of Christ to their own spirituality. Here is my reply:
The image of marriage to Christ is used not only of religious profession, but also of the church (as the "bride of Christ", imagery used by Paul in the New Testament). One of the most important aspects of this for me is the idea of a solemn, permanent covenant. Adolescents date a lot before settling down with their spouse (if they do), and there is a certain intimacy that can only come from a permanent commitment. Now, making a permanent commitment in marriage to one person, saying "I do", at the same time means saying "I don't" to everyone else (in the traditional language of the marriage service this is expressed as "forsaking all others"). And that can be scary -- as humans and more especially as American consumers, we like options and choices.
The image of marriage to Christ is used not only of religious profession, but also of the church (as the "bride of Christ", imagery used by Paul in the New Testament). One of the most important aspects of this for me is the idea of a solemn, permanent covenant. Adolescents date a lot before settling down with their spouse (if they do), and there is a certain intimacy that can only come from a permanent commitment. Now, making a permanent commitment in marriage to one person, saying "I do", at the same time means saying "I don't" to everyone else (in the traditional language of the marriage service this is expressed as "forsaking all others"). And that can be scary -- as humans and more especially as American consumers, we like options and choices.
Similarly, in our spiritual journeys, while it is fine to date, or play the field, in trying out various religious options, ultimately, spiritual maturity requires that we choose a particular path in serving God, and saying "yes" to a particular call means saying "no" to other calls. But there is a depth and a maturity in one's relationship to God and the church that can only come from making that commitment.
In my own life, I "played the field" with various denominational options, and with ministry options, but it has only been in the last several years as I have really committed to the Independent Catholic path that I have been able to come to an adult relationship with God and the church. Whenever I am tempted to wonder "what if" I had ended up staying in the Episcopal or Roman churches, I must remind myself that I didn't do that, and the parameters of our Independent Catholic community -- good, bad, and indifferent -- are the parameters in which I must serve God.
Done, Done, Done
Sunday, May 4, was my last day of undergrad. I am finished...with undergrad that is. The next step in August is The Lutheran Theological Seminary at Gettysburg. For so long it seemed like finishing undergrad was so far off...years away and now it's here.
Graduation is tomorrow, though I am unable to attend. The past few years have been challenging and exciting. I will miss the online classmates I have grown to love. We have become quite a community of faith.
Picture courtesy of flickr.
Can you smell it?
A number of years ago, I worked at McDonald's. No matter how I washed my uniforms, no matter what I used, they smelled like McDonald's food. People could tell where I had been just by the smell.
Last week the smell of turkey wafted through the house thanks to a revgalblogpal recipe. Everything goes in the crockpot: turkey breast, cranberry sauce, and onion soup mix. Then you just let it cook for about 10 hours. It's so easy. And it smells and tastes delicious.
And of course coffee! Yum. Even people that don't like coffee enjoy the aroma.
What is our scent? In this passage, Paul speaks of the believer having an aroma...the "aroma of the knowledge" of God that is to be spread everywhere. We are an aroma to the people we encounter daily and an aroma to God. Can people tell where we've been, who we've been with by what we smell like? So, how do we smell like Jesus? Spend time with him. Hang out with him. Learn from him. Abide in him. Everyone will know where you've been. It's so easy.
Picture from flickr.
Response to Alexis' Post on Why One Blogs
Why blog?
I had hoped to use this blog as a means of thinking through various issues facing the IC/OC/ISM/EIEIO part of the Christian Church. But one of the things that has happened since I started this blog is that the jurisdiction of which I am a part has grown, and with that growth, so have demands on my time also grown, and I have found it well nigh impossible to devote the time and energy to blogging in a thoughtful way (and see below for my rules about how to go about this). Hence the many cat blogging posts.
What are the rules?
First, do no harm. I am a very opinionated person, and I am used to expressing my opinions quite freely. But one of the things that I have discovered as a bishop is that having pastoral responsibility means that I must keep many of my opinions to myself. Jesus said that he did not come to extinguish a smoldering wick or to crush a bruised reed, and I feel obligated to attempt to follow in His footsteps. So even when I disagree with some of those for whom I have a pastoral obligation, I must refrain from criticism or confrontation if it does not constitute a central matter of faith or interfere with the functioning of the church. And even in those situations where a loving confrontation is necessary, airing my views in a way on this blog that might cause offense or pain (or defensiveness) on their part would be wrong.
Second, observe appropriate privacy – my own and others. On both secular and religious blogs, I have encountered bloggers revealing the most intimate details of their relationship with their spouse, or their children, or with other family members. One can only wonder how the other family members feel about this (or will feel, in the case of children once they are adults). While some self-disclosure is appropriate, there are certain things that should not be entered into the permanent record that is the Internet. When television first became popular, some observers of popular culture observed that “the medium is the message”, and I believe this is true of the Internet as well. The Internet has given us an amazing ability to connect with one another across previously insurmountable geographical and cultural barriers, and this is a very good thing. But it has also encouraged a narcissistic exhibitionism and voyeurism that is quite unhealthy. I think blogs are great for the discussion of ideas. Some aspects of personal lives – pictures of vacations and new babies, details of the lives of ones’ cats, etc. are perfectly appropriate. But there are things that are best left unsaid – at least in a public forum such as a blog. (And, of course, there is a gray area in between.)
Unfortunately, much of what interests me most about church life is the practical lived reality of the church community. While there is much that is written about this topic that is of great interest, what insights I have gained are mostly the result of practical experience – which means that much of it is not appropriate to share on the blog.
Third, I am not one who thinks best out loud on a blog, so for me, I am not ready to post something until I have given it some reflection. (This will not apply to all bloggers, of course – it has to do with particular personality styles.)
Those are the three that come to mind.
I am going to omit the tagging, but would be interested in what others have to say.
I had hoped to use this blog as a means of thinking through various issues facing the IC/OC/ISM/EIEIO part of the Christian Church. But one of the things that has happened since I started this blog is that the jurisdiction of which I am a part has grown, and with that growth, so have demands on my time also grown, and I have found it well nigh impossible to devote the time and energy to blogging in a thoughtful way (and see below for my rules about how to go about this). Hence the many cat blogging posts.
What are the rules?
First, do no harm. I am a very opinionated person, and I am used to expressing my opinions quite freely. But one of the things that I have discovered as a bishop is that having pastoral responsibility means that I must keep many of my opinions to myself. Jesus said that he did not come to extinguish a smoldering wick or to crush a bruised reed, and I feel obligated to attempt to follow in His footsteps. So even when I disagree with some of those for whom I have a pastoral obligation, I must refrain from criticism or confrontation if it does not constitute a central matter of faith or interfere with the functioning of the church. And even in those situations where a loving confrontation is necessary, airing my views in a way on this blog that might cause offense or pain (or defensiveness) on their part would be wrong.
Second, observe appropriate privacy – my own and others. On both secular and religious blogs, I have encountered bloggers revealing the most intimate details of their relationship with their spouse, or their children, or with other family members. One can only wonder how the other family members feel about this (or will feel, in the case of children once they are adults). While some self-disclosure is appropriate, there are certain things that should not be entered into the permanent record that is the Internet. When television first became popular, some observers of popular culture observed that “the medium is the message”, and I believe this is true of the Internet as well. The Internet has given us an amazing ability to connect with one another across previously insurmountable geographical and cultural barriers, and this is a very good thing. But it has also encouraged a narcissistic exhibitionism and voyeurism that is quite unhealthy. I think blogs are great for the discussion of ideas. Some aspects of personal lives – pictures of vacations and new babies, details of the lives of ones’ cats, etc. are perfectly appropriate. But there are things that are best left unsaid – at least in a public forum such as a blog. (And, of course, there is a gray area in between.)
Unfortunately, much of what interests me most about church life is the practical lived reality of the church community. While there is much that is written about this topic that is of great interest, what insights I have gained are mostly the result of practical experience – which means that much of it is not appropriate to share on the blog.
Third, I am not one who thinks best out loud on a blog, so for me, I am not ready to post something until I have given it some reflection. (This will not apply to all bloggers, of course – it has to do with particular personality styles.)
Those are the three that come to mind.
I am going to omit the tagging, but would be interested in what others have to say.
Inside Out Leadership
My personal philosophy of leadership is Jesus-style servanthood. “You must know what you care about…Because you can only be authentic when leading others according to the principles that matter most to you” (Kouzes & Posner, 2002, p. 52). Jesus evidenced the “Five Practices of Exemplary Leadership” (Kouzes & Posner, 2002, p. 13) in his leadership as he modeled the way, inspired a shared vision, challenged the process, enabled others to act, and encouraged the heart (Kouzes & Posner, p. 13). His impact was dynamic, embodying “Genuine acts of caring [that] uplift the spirits and draw people forward” (Kouzes & Posner, p. 19). The results: a small band multiplied (Matthew 11:28).
“Marked with the cross of Christ forever, we are claimed, gathered, and sent for the sake of the world” (Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, 2006, p. 5) meaning “It’s not about you” (Warren, 2002, p. 17). We play but a small part in God’s plan. Leading through dependence upon God is key.
“Leadership is a process whereby an individual influences a group of individuals to achieve a common goal” (Northouse, 2007, p. 3) is adequate, but flat. By that definition, the leadership could be positive or negative. “Credibility is the foundation of leadership” (Kouzes & Posner, p. 37). Frances Hesselbein beautifully describes leadership as, “…a matter of how to be, not how to do it … in the end we know that it is the quality and character of the leader that determines performance and results” (Levesque, 2003). We must lead from the inside out.
References
Kouzes, J. M., & Posner, B. Z. (2002). Leadership Challenge (3rd ed.).
Francisco
Northouse, P. G. (2007). Leadership Theory and Practice (4th ed.).
Oaks
Warren, R. (2002). Purpose Driven Life: What on Earth am I here for?
Rapids
Eucharist as a Way of Life
There is an article from the Alban Institute entitled Eucharist as a Way of Life which is worth reading. Enjoy.
Picture from flickr.
Overwhelming, Relentless Grace
Throughout the passage Ezekiel 36:28-38, I see God’s overwhelming,
relentless grace in dealing with his wayward, rebellious people. He is doing all the work! Look at how many times “I” is used:
“…the land I gave… I will be your God” (v. 28).
“I will save… I will call” (v. 29).
“I will increase” (v. 30).
“I want you to know” (v. 32).
“I cleanse…I…resettle) (v. 33).
“I have rebuilt…I…have spoken…I will do it” (v. 36).
“I will yield…I will make” (v. 37).
“I am the Lord” (v. 38).
Picture from flickr
The Bible. New International Version.
Friday Cat Blogging: The Right Paw of Christian Fellowship
When I was growing up in the Baptist denomination, when members transferred their membership from one congregation to another (by "letter", as opposed to by "baptism upon profession of faith"), the pastor would usually invite everyone to come forward and "extend the right hand of Christian fellowship" to them. Of course, some wags would refer to the fairly frequent practice of a pastor being fired as giving the "left foot of Christian fellowship".
So this picture shows Charles extending the right front paw of Christian fellowship to Allie:
So this picture shows Charles extending the right front paw of Christian fellowship to Allie:
Wait and Pray Friday 5
Sally created this week's Friday Five, posted over at RevGalBlogPals:
Part of the Ascension Day Scripture from Acts 11 contains this promise from Jesus;
"But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
Then he was taken from their sight into the clouds, two angels appeared and instructed the probably bewildered disciples to go back to Jerusalem, where they began to wait and to pray for the gift Jesus had promised.
Prayer is a joy to some of us, and a chore to others, waiting likewise can be filled with anticipation or anxiety....
So how do you wait and pray?
1. How do you pray best, alone or with others?
It depends on the kind of prayer: worship, intercession, etc. In the morning I have my alone time in prayer, which I cherish. Without it, the day doesn't seem to go right. Before bed, my husband and I pray together for each other, our family, friends, whatever other needs we're made aware of.
2. Do you enjoy the discipline of waiting, is it a time of anticipation or anxiety?
I don't mind waiting unless an issue is unresolved, for example when I was waiting to hear if I was accepted into seminary. Now I don't mind the wait before moving to Gettysburg because I know that's what we're doing.
3. Is there a time when you have waited upon God for a specific promise?
There have been several times. After my divorce, I never thought I would have anyone to truly share my life with, but I do. And I never could have imagined where it would lead--now off to seminary and ministry. Since we've been married, we have prayed daily for my kids to return to faith. My daughter has and has discovered what she was missing out on. She's involved in a wonderful community of faith. We are still praying for my son and his fiancee. We have seen God's faithfulness in answer to prayer in our time together.
4. Do you prefer stillness or action?
Probably action. It depends on my mood. Sometimes I just enjoy sitting and reading a good book.
5. If ( and this is slightly tongue in cheek) you were promised one gift spiritual or otherwise what would you choose to receive?
Wisdom and discernment--not so tongue in cheek. But if I could have power to heal all the hurts in the world, that would be great, though not realistic, so I'll stick with wisdom and discernment.Picture from flickr.