With You Always

This morning during my prayer time I reflected on past sessions I have led as a Spiritual Director. More times than not there is always a time for the person to “settle in” and focus on nothing more than God’s Peace. It is a powerful moment.

This morning I found myself wanting to focus on nothing but God’s Peace, but was distracted with the week’s to-do list. As I talked to the Lord about this I sensed a reassurance that the God’s Peace was truly part of my foundation and that even though I may not be able to put down the to-do list I could certainly live and respond out of God’s Peace.

My prayer became, “I will lead from God’s Peace, I will share from God’s Peace. I will respond from God’s Peace. I will run from…”

Wait. That isn’t quite what I had in mind!

I felt a shift in my mindset and in my prayer. “I will lead with God’s Peace. I will share with God’s Peace. I will respond with God’s Peace. I will run with God’s Peace.”

In worship we considered what it means to truly live in the compassion that is ours as followers of Jesus. For us to truly embrace our core values - one being compassion - we must truly embrace the promise of Jesus:

“Surely, I am with you always, even until the end of the age.”

Matthew 28:20

May all that we do this day flow from that promise!

Pastor Jo

August 15, 2022

More than Enough

There was a time when we settled for feeling contentment. Maybe we felt as though we deserved more from life than merely having “just enough.”

In Brené Brown’s book, Atlas of the Heart, she defines contentment as “the feeling of completeness, appreciation, and ‘enoughness’ that we experience when our needs are satisfied.”

Later she concludes that after so much loss, contentment seems much more appealing. So what has to happen for each of us to be content? Chances are my list might differ from yours. But I do think that our list - even though it may have a few material things listed - would be composed of “things” that help us feel safe and secure.

When we don’t feel secure there is a heightened level of anxiety. We know that anxiety can create a vicious circle of doubt, stress, and unhealthy choices.

In scripture we are reminded again and again, “Fear not.” Of course, faith invites us not to fear, but could there be more to it? Could it be that when we allow fear to dominate our decisions and our outlook we, and our community, suffer?

We see again and again how the fear of not having enough is destroying the earth, our communities, and even our own personal relationships. This week I invite each of us to look around. Chances are you have more than enough… more than enough courage, compassion, hospitality… more than enough love.

How much contentment would it bring if we shared it?

Pastor Jo

August 8, 2022

A Powerful Reconnection

Our church as adopted “Reconnect in 2022” as our focus for this year - to reconnect to God, one another, and the community around us. We have talked about it in sermons, weaved the theme into worship, been intentional in offering opportunities for Bible Study, shared-interest groups, outreach, and fellowship.

We’ve seen it most evident in how we pray the Lord’s Prayer… Our Father… give us… forgive us… lead us… deliver us…

It became real to me this morning during my personal prayer time. I meet with a group of clergy each morning from 7:00-8:00. These clergy are from all over the United States. During this hour there is an intentional time of silent prayer. This morning there were only a few of us on the call. I felt drawn to pray for each one individually.

For one I prayed that God would clear a path for her to experience God’s peace today. For another I prayed that he would know that he is enough. For another I prayed that she would know she would walk in the joy of knowing she is loved by a gracious God.

In that moment I realized the very prayers I offered for my friends were also the desires for my life… to experience God’s peace, to know that I am enough, and that I would walk this day in the joy of my salvation.

Let us listen to our prayers for one another. We might just find the desires of our own hearts and a powerful reconnection.

Pastor Jo

August 1, 2022