Meister eckhart teaches,"He who abides always in a present now, in him does God beget his Son without ceasing".
Orthodox Way, prayer chapter
Saturday, May 7, 2011
quote on prayer
There is no life without prayer. Without prayer there is only madness and horror.
Vasilii Rozanov
(Orthodox Way)
Vasilii Rozanov
(Orthodox Way)
quote about collective mental illness
Fascinating way to talk about original sin:From NPR dick Gordon's The Story
Wednesday, April 13 2011 quote:
Adel, Krista's brother in law explained to her about how bizarre life in Libya had become: "We've been lied to (by Gadafi) and been lying to ourselves for so long just to get through the day that as a people we have all developed a collective mental illness."
http://thestory.org/archive/the_story_041311_full_show_new.mp3/view
Title of Program: What's Changing in Egypt?
Wednesday, April 13 2011 quote:
Adel, Krista's brother in law explained to her about how bizarre life in Libya had become: "We've been lied to (by Gadafi) and been lying to ourselves for so long just to get through the day that as a people we have all developed a collective mental illness."
http://thestory.org/archive/the_story_041311_full_show_new.mp3/view
Title of Program: What's Changing in Egypt?
original story of call to communion
It came quiet at first, the whisper of God’s voice, “Come away my beloved,” and I sensed the desire to go deeper. After school, I would often escape to the creek on the west side of our property to wash away the grime and confusion of high school. I called it my trysting place…a place of meeting and loving God. Nothing in those years came easy, but the running water over the cement blocks was the reminder that there was a deeper stream, more important message to live for than collecting boyfriends like charms on a bracelet.
I had watched my mother’s prayer life from a distance and got in the middle of intercessory sessions with my aunts. They warmed me and I leaned in like a camper toward a campfire. God always answered right there, comforting with His presence and then later gifting them with amazing stories of His miraculous work.
Later as I grew up in my evangelical church, I got truly confused. The altar calls drew us in for salvation and then full-time ministry. That was Sunday morning. That was it. The understanding I began to receive was that I was saved in order to serve. Period. The whole Westminister Chatechism I had memorized years earlier in Sunday school that our purpose in life was “to love God and enjoy Him forever,” did not seem to fit the worldview of my new church. I became a worldclass fruit chaser. Winning souls and ministry in the church became my focus and though I still felt the call to be with God and listen to His Voice, I didn’t know how that fit into this vision of Christianity. It felt too slow in this fast-paced sales evangelism world.
Then in college I came upon an ancient strain of Christianity, the Eastern Orthodox, and was mesmerized. The purpose of life, the Eastern Orthodox said, was to be in communion with God. In light of a hunger for union, all matters of legalism quickly melted away. The question of morality then becomes not, “will this action break a law,” but, “ will it break our communion?”
I had watched my mother’s prayer life from a distance and got in the middle of intercessory sessions with my aunts. They warmed me and I leaned in like a camper toward a campfire. God always answered right there, comforting with His presence and then later gifting them with amazing stories of His miraculous work.
Later as I grew up in my evangelical church, I got truly confused. The altar calls drew us in for salvation and then full-time ministry. That was Sunday morning. That was it. The understanding I began to receive was that I was saved in order to serve. Period. The whole Westminister Chatechism I had memorized years earlier in Sunday school that our purpose in life was “to love God and enjoy Him forever,” did not seem to fit the worldview of my new church. I became a worldclass fruit chaser. Winning souls and ministry in the church became my focus and though I still felt the call to be with God and listen to His Voice, I didn’t know how that fit into this vision of Christianity. It felt too slow in this fast-paced sales evangelism world.
Then in college I came upon an ancient strain of Christianity, the Eastern Orthodox, and was mesmerized. The purpose of life, the Eastern Orthodox said, was to be in communion with God. In light of a hunger for union, all matters of legalism quickly melted away. The question of morality then becomes not, “will this action break a law,” but, “ will it break our communion?”
a new direction
So dear friends,
It has been quite a year, a homeschooling year that was not entirely pleasant. Yes, there were pleasant moments teaching my young ones to read and getting to read amazing books about Mother Teresa's obedience and exploring all the children's museums in the area. But, I must admit that life with an active, not quite reasoning little one kept us from any sort of atmosphere of grace. At least it was a constant struggle on my part as I tried to direct education and keep the climbing, exploring, highly-vocal Xman from killing himself.
I set the blog down entirely in part because of the lack of time and in part because I was searching for the new direction that my writing was supposed to take and wanted to listen until it took shape. I'm excited to start working on a book/article? of moment by moment intimacy (communion) with God, the struggle and how it shapes our lives and will be using the blog as a sort of dumping ground. You are welcome to read quotes/ mini stories as I publish them but I will be writing much less on motherhood and the home and more small pieces on prayer and daily spirituality. Please pray for me in this new calling that any fruit that comes out of this work would be part of a balanced life and inspired by the Holy Spirit.
I love you all and have enjoyed our bloggy relationship!
Summer Joy
It has been quite a year, a homeschooling year that was not entirely pleasant. Yes, there were pleasant moments teaching my young ones to read and getting to read amazing books about Mother Teresa's obedience and exploring all the children's museums in the area. But, I must admit that life with an active, not quite reasoning little one kept us from any sort of atmosphere of grace. At least it was a constant struggle on my part as I tried to direct education and keep the climbing, exploring, highly-vocal Xman from killing himself.
I set the blog down entirely in part because of the lack of time and in part because I was searching for the new direction that my writing was supposed to take and wanted to listen until it took shape. I'm excited to start working on a book/article? of moment by moment intimacy (communion) with God, the struggle and how it shapes our lives and will be using the blog as a sort of dumping ground. You are welcome to read quotes/ mini stories as I publish them but I will be writing much less on motherhood and the home and more small pieces on prayer and daily spirituality. Please pray for me in this new calling that any fruit that comes out of this work would be part of a balanced life and inspired by the Holy Spirit.
I love you all and have enjoyed our bloggy relationship!
Summer Joy
Monday, April 18, 2011
gratitude
I'm learning to be more aware of His Presence who is always close. I am learning to trust His timing. I am learning that I am complete through union with Christ (Galatians 2:10) and do not have to keep accumulating things, people and accomplishments in order to have worth. I am learning that I only need to write when it is coming out of His Presence...no more chasing after fruit...only God. I repent of rancid fruit that has come from another source.
I have learned so many things this year and have been doing/leading a 16 week course on inner healing written by Terry Wardle of Ashland Seminary in Ohio. Powerful stuff. I feel like I have a front row seat for Isaiah 61 work: freeing captives and setting prisoners free.
I'm linking to A Holy Experience and her gratitude community.
polished red toenails
daffodils pushing up through snow
the flash of learning in my son's eyes
xavi dancing with Madeline on the kitchen floor
warring in prayer this morning with my sisters
bean plants six inches high
Enough manna for today
Journey women pushing up through fear
Holy Week opportunities to preach
Grace in Andrew's goodnight kiss
Saturday, March 5, 2011
Sermon about God's Power over Defeat
So friends, here is my last sermon which Andrew named on our church's sermon webpage: The Transformed Life. I preach about the power of scripture and how it transforms us as well as how knowing our identity in Christ gives us a whole new outlook. My working image is Lucy walking beside Aslan:
If you've seen Prince Caspian, you were probably entranced like I was by a fierce, innocent Lucy pulling out a dagger against an advancing army. She knew who she was and she knew who was beside her even though the Army could not see Aslan as yet. We too have the power of God present with us, but honestly, how often do we act as if it is true?
Again, here is The Transformed Life:
http://www.holytrinitysh.com/sermons/
Beside it, you will find the link for Life Today which has Beth Moore's teaching on the power of scripture. Wow. Her 4 part series, an Anatomy of a Victory on Life Today has been powerful encouragement to pray scripture.
Then, I reference a handout in my sermon that I have cut and pasted here. One side was a "letter from God" all scripture about His love for us and the other side, a teaching about our identity in Christ, both from the inner healing prayer book, Released to Soar.
I'm so looking forward to all the stories you will share of the victories in your life! God bless!
You may not know me, but I know everything about you (Psalm 139:1). I know when you sit down and when you rise up (Psalm 139:2). I am familiar with all of your ways (Psalm 139:3). Even the hairs on your head are numbered (Matthew 10:29-31). You were made in my image (Genesis 1:27). In me you live, move and have your being (Acts 17:28). You are my offspring (Acts 17:28). I knew you even before you were conceived (Jeremiah 1:4-5). I chose you when I planned creation (Ephesians 1:11-12). You were not a mistake (Psalm 139:15-16). All your days are written in my book (Psalm 139:15-16). I determined the exact time of your birth and where you would live (Acts 17:26). You are fearfully and wonderfully made (Psalm 139:14). I knit you together in your mother’s womb (Psalm 139:13). I brought you forth on the day you were born (Psalm 71:6).
I have been misrepresented by those who know me (John 8:40-44). I am not distant or angry, but the complete expression of love (1 John 4:16). My desire is to lavish my love on you, simply because you are my child and I am your Father (1 John 3:1). I offer you more than your earthly father ever could (Matthew 7:11). I am the perfect Father (Matthew 5:48). Every good gift that you receive comes from my hand (James 1:17). I am your provider and I meet all your needs (Matthew 6:31-33). My plan for your future has always been filled with hope (Jeremiah 29:11). I love you with an everlasting love (Jeremiah 31:3). My thoughts toward you are as countless as the sand on the seashore (Psalm 139:17-18). I rejoice over you with singing (Zephaniah 3:17). I will never stop doing good to you (Jeremiah 32:40). You are my treasured possession (Exodus 19:5). I desire to establish you with all my heart and soul (Jeremiah 32:41). I want to show you great and marvelous things (Jeremiah 33:3). If you seek me with all of your heart, you will find me (Deuteronomy 4:29). Delight in me and I will give you the desires of your heart (Psalm 37:4). It is I that gave you those desires (Philippians 2:13). I am able to do more for you than you could possibly imagine (Ephesians 3:20). I am your greatest encourager (II Thessalonians 2:16-17). I am also the Father who comforts you in all your troubles (II Corinthians 1:3-4). When you are brokenhearted, I am close to you (Psalm 34:18). As a shepherd carries a lamb, I carried you close to my heart (Isaiah 40:11). One day I will wipe away every tear from your eyes and I’ll take away all the pain you suffered on this earth (Revelation 21:3-4).
I am your Father and I love you as I love my son, Jesus (John 17:23). In Jesus my love for you is revealed (John 17:26). He is the exact representation of my being (Hebrews 1:3). He came to demonstrate that I am for you, not against you (Romans 8:31). I am not counting your sins (II Corinthians 5:18-19). Jesus died so that you and I could be reconciled (II Corinthians 5:18-19). His death was the ultimate expression of my love for you (I John 4:10). I gave up everything that I loved so that I might gain your love (Romans 8:32). If you receive the gift of my son Jesus, you receive me (I John 2:23). Nothing will ever separate you from my love again (Romans 8:38-39).
Come home and I’ll throw the biggest party heaven has ever seen (Luke 15:7). I have always been Father and will always be Father (Ephesians 3:14-15). My question is, will you be my child?(John 1:12-13). I am waiting for you (Luke 15:11-32).
Love, Your Dad, Almighty God
Who am I?
1. I am the salt of the earth (Matthew 3:13)
2. I am the light of the world (Matthew 5:14)
3. I am a child of God (John 1:12)
4. I am part of the true vine, a channel of Christ’s life (John 15:1,5)
5. I am Christ’s friend (John 15:15)
6. I am chosen and appointed by Christ to bear his fruit (John 15:16)
7. I am a slave of righteousness (Romans 6:18)
8. I am enslaved to God (Romans 6:22)
9. I am a son/daughter of God; God is spiritually my Father (Galatians 3:26, 4:6)
10. I am a joint heir with Christ, sharing his inheritance with him (Romans 8:17)
11. I am a temple, a dwelling place of God. His Spirit and His life dwell in me (1 Corinthians 3:16; 6:19)
12. I am united to the Lord and am one spirit with him (1 Corinthians 6:17)
13. I am a member of Christ’s body (1 Corinthians 12:27, Ephesians 5:30)
14. I am a new creation (II Corinthians 5:17)
15. I am reconciled to God and am a minister of reconciliation (II Corinthians 5:16, 19)
16. I am a son/daughter of God and one with Christ (Galatians 3:26, 28)
17. I am an heir of God since I am a son of God (Galatians 4:7)
18. I am a saint (Ephesians 1:1, 1 Corinthians 1:2, Philippians 1:1)
19. I am God’s workmanship, his handiwork, born anew in Christ to do his work (Ephesians 2:10)
20. I am a fellow citizen with the rest of God’s family (Ephesians 2:19)
21. I am righteous and holy (Ephesians 4:24)
22. I am a citizen of heaven, seated in heaven right now (Philippians 3:20, Ephesians 2:6)
23. I am hidden with Christ in God (Colossians 3:3)
24. I am chosen of God, holy and dearly loved (Colossians 3:12, 1 Thessalonians 1:4)
25. I am a son of light and not of darkness (1 Thessalonians 5:5)
26. I am a holy partaker of a heavenly calling (Hebrews 3:1)
27. I am a partaker of Christ; I share in his life (Hebrews 3:14)
28. I am one of God’s living stones, being built up in Christ as a spiritual house (1 Peter 2:5)
29. I am a member of a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession (1 Peter 2:5)
30. I am an alien and stranger to this world in which I temporarily live (1 Peter 2:11)
31. I am an enemy of the devil (I Peter 5:8-9)
Again, here is The Transformed Life:
http://www.holytrinitysh.com/sermons/
Beside it, you will find the link for Life Today which has Beth Moore's teaching on the power of scripture. Wow. Her 4 part series, an Anatomy of a Victory on Life Today has been powerful encouragement to pray scripture.
Then, I reference a handout in my sermon that I have cut and pasted here. One side was a "letter from God" all scripture about His love for us and the other side, a teaching about our identity in Christ, both from the inner healing prayer book, Released to Soar.
I'm so looking forward to all the stories you will share of the victories in your life! God bless!
You may not know me, but I know everything about you (Psalm 139:1). I know when you sit down and when you rise up (Psalm 139:2). I am familiar with all of your ways (Psalm 139:3). Even the hairs on your head are numbered (Matthew 10:29-31). You were made in my image (Genesis 1:27). In me you live, move and have your being (Acts 17:28). You are my offspring (Acts 17:28). I knew you even before you were conceived (Jeremiah 1:4-5). I chose you when I planned creation (Ephesians 1:11-12). You were not a mistake (Psalm 139:15-16). All your days are written in my book (Psalm 139:15-16). I determined the exact time of your birth and where you would live (Acts 17:26). You are fearfully and wonderfully made (Psalm 139:14). I knit you together in your mother’s womb (Psalm 139:13). I brought you forth on the day you were born (Psalm 71:6).
I have been misrepresented by those who know me (John 8:40-44). I am not distant or angry, but the complete expression of love (1 John 4:16). My desire is to lavish my love on you, simply because you are my child and I am your Father (1 John 3:1). I offer you more than your earthly father ever could (Matthew 7:11). I am the perfect Father (Matthew 5:48). Every good gift that you receive comes from my hand (James 1:17). I am your provider and I meet all your needs (Matthew 6:31-33). My plan for your future has always been filled with hope (Jeremiah 29:11). I love you with an everlasting love (Jeremiah 31:3). My thoughts toward you are as countless as the sand on the seashore (Psalm 139:17-18). I rejoice over you with singing (Zephaniah 3:17). I will never stop doing good to you (Jeremiah 32:40). You are my treasured possession (Exodus 19:5). I desire to establish you with all my heart and soul (Jeremiah 32:41). I want to show you great and marvelous things (Jeremiah 33:3). If you seek me with all of your heart, you will find me (Deuteronomy 4:29). Delight in me and I will give you the desires of your heart (Psalm 37:4). It is I that gave you those desires (Philippians 2:13). I am able to do more for you than you could possibly imagine (Ephesians 3:20). I am your greatest encourager (II Thessalonians 2:16-17). I am also the Father who comforts you in all your troubles (II Corinthians 1:3-4). When you are brokenhearted, I am close to you (Psalm 34:18). As a shepherd carries a lamb, I carried you close to my heart (Isaiah 40:11). One day I will wipe away every tear from your eyes and I’ll take away all the pain you suffered on this earth (Revelation 21:3-4).
I am your Father and I love you as I love my son, Jesus (John 17:23). In Jesus my love for you is revealed (John 17:26). He is the exact representation of my being (Hebrews 1:3). He came to demonstrate that I am for you, not against you (Romans 8:31). I am not counting your sins (II Corinthians 5:18-19). Jesus died so that you and I could be reconciled (II Corinthians 5:18-19). His death was the ultimate expression of my love for you (I John 4:10). I gave up everything that I loved so that I might gain your love (Romans 8:32). If you receive the gift of my son Jesus, you receive me (I John 2:23). Nothing will ever separate you from my love again (Romans 8:38-39).
Come home and I’ll throw the biggest party heaven has ever seen (Luke 15:7). I have always been Father and will always be Father (Ephesians 3:14-15). My question is, will you be my child?(John 1:12-13). I am waiting for you (Luke 15:11-32).
Love, Your Dad, Almighty God
Who am I?
1. I am the salt of the earth (Matthew 3:13)
2. I am the light of the world (Matthew 5:14)
3. I am a child of God (John 1:12)
4. I am part of the true vine, a channel of Christ’s life (John 15:1,5)
5. I am Christ’s friend (John 15:15)
6. I am chosen and appointed by Christ to bear his fruit (John 15:16)
7. I am a slave of righteousness (Romans 6:18)
8. I am enslaved to God (Romans 6:22)
9. I am a son/daughter of God; God is spiritually my Father (Galatians 3:26, 4:6)
10. I am a joint heir with Christ, sharing his inheritance with him (Romans 8:17)
11. I am a temple, a dwelling place of God. His Spirit and His life dwell in me (1 Corinthians 3:16; 6:19)
12. I am united to the Lord and am one spirit with him (1 Corinthians 6:17)
13. I am a member of Christ’s body (1 Corinthians 12:27, Ephesians 5:30)
14. I am a new creation (II Corinthians 5:17)
15. I am reconciled to God and am a minister of reconciliation (II Corinthians 5:16, 19)
16. I am a son/daughter of God and one with Christ (Galatians 3:26, 28)
17. I am an heir of God since I am a son of God (Galatians 4:7)
18. I am a saint (Ephesians 1:1, 1 Corinthians 1:2, Philippians 1:1)
19. I am God’s workmanship, his handiwork, born anew in Christ to do his work (Ephesians 2:10)
20. I am a fellow citizen with the rest of God’s family (Ephesians 2:19)
21. I am righteous and holy (Ephesians 4:24)
22. I am a citizen of heaven, seated in heaven right now (Philippians 3:20, Ephesians 2:6)
23. I am hidden with Christ in God (Colossians 3:3)
24. I am chosen of God, holy and dearly loved (Colossians 3:12, 1 Thessalonians 1:4)
25. I am a son of light and not of darkness (1 Thessalonians 5:5)
26. I am a holy partaker of a heavenly calling (Hebrews 3:1)
27. I am a partaker of Christ; I share in his life (Hebrews 3:14)
28. I am one of God’s living stones, being built up in Christ as a spiritual house (1 Peter 2:5)
29. I am a member of a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession (1 Peter 2:5)
30. I am an alien and stranger to this world in which I temporarily live (1 Peter 2:11)
31. I am an enemy of the devil (I Peter 5:8-9)
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