Going Home (A Story)

There was an old lady who felt her life on earth should end.  She believed that she was ready to go.  She reminisced about all her work on earth.  She said , "I know I will be able to go home.  I have been in the kitchen of that church every weekend.  I taught Sunday School for 50 years.  I led the missionaries even longer than that.  There was not a program that happened that I did not attend.  I always raised the most money every Women's Day.  I am sure they will be happy to see me come home."  She called for angels to come and take her home to God.

When her call reached heaven, God sent Gabriel to respond to her request.  Gabriel came to her early one morning and gently woke her.  She was startled that she was awakened. She asked him why he awakened her; didn't this trip usually take place during sleep?  Gabriel responded, "I can't take you."  "Why?" she was now a little worried.  Gabriel responded, "The Father wants to get to know you a little better.  You seldom prayed, and there was no obvious joy in your life.  We don't have many records of you saying thank you.  Yes, you slaved in your church kitchen, but life is built on relationships and the first relationship you should have built with God.  Because you neglected that relationship the rest of the relationships you could have had and did have suffered.  Even you being a missionary did not stem from the love of God in your heart being expressed and sent out over the world.  Love without love of God is merely a shadow of what could be.  For God is love.  But because God loves you, you are being given some more time to find love, peace and joy.  I am sure when it is really your time you won't have to call; your love will draw you to God."

TRUST SPIRIT

I have been reading conversations from churches in prominent denominations.  I have witnessed the frustration and disappointment of those who lead and those who follow leaders of churches in major denominations.  The consensus is that we are living in strange times.  There seems to be a different experience of "church", one that is unfamiliar to most "baby boomers". Many are asking why are there so many problems with our leaders and diminishing numbers in the pews? This is often answered by saying that this is a sign of the times.

In some ways this is true.  Often when change comes, we don't understand or see the changing process clearly.  It is usually the work of some historian who looks back and identifies when and how the change occurred. This I believe is an evolutionary shift. Spirit is working.  Then what is our job during this period? It is our responsibility to trust Spirit. We quickly forget that those of us who claim God as our Source cannot at the same time believe that everything is being destroyed.  We who are empowered by the Holy Spirit should see what others cannot. Is God creating or destroying? Do you trust that whatever God is doing will produce good for God's people. If we knew or understood all that happens around us, we  would be as God. But our greatest responsibility is living the best that we can everyday.  If we are members of a congregation that is struggling, what have we offered  that can be a balm for the healing of that group.  How have we ushered in the healing that needs to occur.  How do we bring peace into the situation. It is not our job to judge, punish, or kill those who have harmed the church, it is our responsibility to make it better , and if you don't believe you can, go where you believe you can make a difference.  Each day we are called to be the best that God intends for our lives.  Be the BEST!.  Stop complaining, stop procrastinating, know that you are a powerful ONE. Do what God has given you to do. Trust Spirit...All things work together for good...

Peace

Do you have an unopened gift?

You are now cleaning up all signs of Christmas.  The tree is coming down.  The lights on the front of the house have been removed. You're gathering all the gifts and boxes that were left under the tree all week. You notice there is one unopened box,  way in the back of the tree.  You pay attention to this package, which seems to be  the most beautiful package you have ever seen.  The paper is colorful.  Red and yellow stripes. The ribbon that makes the bow is white and glowing. There is almost an aura around the package.  You wonder to yourself, "how could I have missed this beautiful gift? Maybe I should open this gift in the privacy of my bedroom?" You quickly move to your room, you tear off the paper, you see the card...it reads, "with all my love, God". You push back the tissue paper. In the box is a strange , unusual machine, with the words " creative power".  In small letters at the bottom, read the words "First given on ___________".
The date embossed on the line in gold are the dates of your birth. (God gave you this gift when you were born and every year since then you have ignored the gift. Having been made in the image and likeness of God you have spiritual power to create the life you desire, all as a gift from God. (Matthew 7:11).
As the clock ticks off the moments of this year, 2011, be grateful and move into the next year with great intention and all the power God has given for you to create a life that honors God's gifts and blesses you and your world. It is time for you to believe that you are empowered by the Spirit of God to create.

Peace!

Multiplying Joy and Gratitude

Life is so much simpler than we want it to be.  I have written in the past about our love of drama. We get energized thinking about our problems. When we live from moment to moment, in gratitude and joy we find more and more joy and plenty of things for which we can be grateful. I challenge each of you this week of Thanksgiving, to see and feel only joy and gratitude.  If some other attitude tries to get your attention, speak to it, with your most declarative voice (out loud) and let it know it is not welcome in your space. You have the power over your life.  You will not give that power to anyone else.  If your partner makes you angry, it is still your choice how to react.  You don't have to react to every sound your children make or the  complaining of a customer or client.  This is Your life. This is a play written by you and the only important questions have to do with what you are going to do with this life and how joyful and gratitude filled you are going to make it. 

Some of you have already started complaining about the dinner and how tired you are going to be, and all the relatives you really don't want to see.  You have two choices, be grateful you have relatives that want to see you, or tell them you are going away this year.  Either way you make the choice for you.  And if your choice is to stay and eat with Uncle Trevor and Aunt Beulah, then whisper a prayer for all of you and expect the best Thanksgiving ever. 

I wish everyone a great day on Thursday, but my prayer for you is that everyday be a day of Thanksgiving.

Peace!

my soul ponders: Church a reflection of culture or culture a reflection of Church?

my soul ponders: Church a reflection of culture or culture a reflection of Church?

Church a reflection of culture or culture a reflection of Church?

• I wrote the title as a question for which I have no answer. I have  concern.  The community of believers who describe themselves as sisters and brothers in Christ, acting like persons who have either misunderstood the teachings of the Christ or at least baffled by his life, confuse the world. Is it really because we succumb to the needs of the institution rather than staying true to the movement Jesus began? Some believe the church has to win. Some believe the church wins when it is strong and unchanging. The present church does not respond to the needs of people.  It continues to teach and "be" the same institution of the 3rd and 4th century, the 12th and 13th century.  Oppression, wars, suppression of thought are all a part of its history.  This is all forgivable when speaking of it as a past act but what have we learned? How should we have evolved? We teach that spiritual life is a continuing growth experience.  If that is so, why aren't we seeing that with the church? Does the church get a pass, because it is an institution? Why can we preach that people should be different, and not expect the church to grow and change? Is there something in the organization, culture, or belief systems that keep it from growing or changing? 
• I have no answers for any of these questions, but I do believe we are responsible for seeing that these questions are asked. As we seek to improve the institution let us consider how much better it might work if we work harder at being our best selves.  Imagine and work for the new YOU and the new "body" of Christ.

Happiness is a Choice

A dear friend of mine wrote a very significant saying on her facebook page. She reminded us that happiness is a choice. I think that statement should be printed on billboards and internet blogs all over the world. There is a lot of frustration in the world. Wars, conflicts, riots, and economic loss seem to abound. People are concerned that only pain and suffering are available for them. A sense of loss is growing everywhere. We must remind the world that our joy is not created by something outside ourselves. Our joy does not come from what we have or what is created outside of us. Our joy is created through what we know God does and "is". When we look at the distractions that life offers, we tend to believe what we see. If we are connected to our Source (God) we know that much of what we see is "not" the real deal. How we feel and how we respond to life is a choice we make everyday. Because our thoughts are many and come through so fast, we believe that we don't participate in how we feel. This is not true. With each choice/thought we make a decision. This is great/This was awful. They meant to hurt me/no matter why it happened I don't give that kind of power to anyone. Each moment is a choice - Choose Joy. Choose happiness. The more you expect joy, the more joy you will receive. The more joy you share, the more comes back to you. One of the great things about joy and happiness is what it does for your health. Did you know that laughter lowers blood pressure. Smiling releases stress and anxiety. Raucous, belly-shaking laughter releases toxins.

Joy is one of the best ways to stay healthy.

The next time you realize that life is about choices - choose joy. What do you get from feeling bad, sad and down on life? Please remember that happiness is always a conscious choice not an automatic response.

Peace

The promises of God are true - you just have to choose.