Jesus was not the expected messiah but one riding on the back of a donkey. The idea that God arrives in the most unlikely of people and shows up in the most unlikely of places is a reminder to me to be vigilant for God's presence. I should not expect God to make some grand entrance to the clanging of cymbals and banging of gongs. God is everywhere, yes, but especially present when I least expect God. When I truly see God in these unsuspecting places, I know I am paying attention.
God is especially present when I am under duress - stressed out because I'm hungry, tired, irritated, busy, ruffled, or pulled in several directions at once. God's presence at these times and these places is a reminder to speak and act with love. When I can direct my energy to others in a loving way, I know I am living the life God intended for me to live and being the way I ought to be. I am arriving and presenting myself to everyone I meet as Jesus arrived into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday.
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
Palm Sunday Mt 21:1-11
Dear Lord Jesus,
May I walk humbly as you walked and lead as a servant would. May I lose my pretenses and put forth the vision of love as you have modeled for me. Lord, my I serve from a point of deference and lead as one who is called by you to serve the humblest of the humble. May I always remember that you are found in all people I encounter, but especially in the powerless, in those who have lost hope, in the sick, in the ill, in the ones who seem to have been completely forgotten. Mat I always remember that that is where I will find you.
Dear Lord, may I praise you as you deserve, as God, as one who saves me from my own fears, anxieties, and self-righteousness. My actions be governed by the sole reason for being, to serve you in the greater honor and glory, to know that everything I do should reflect and uplift who you are and what you stand for, which is love.
Amen.
May I walk humbly as you walked and lead as a servant would. May I lose my pretenses and put forth the vision of love as you have modeled for me. Lord, my I serve from a point of deference and lead as one who is called by you to serve the humblest of the humble. May I always remember that you are found in all people I encounter, but especially in the powerless, in those who have lost hope, in the sick, in the ill, in the ones who seem to have been completely forgotten. Mat I always remember that that is where I will find you.
Dear Lord, may I praise you as you deserve, as God, as one who saves me from my own fears, anxieties, and self-righteousness. My actions be governed by the sole reason for being, to serve you in the greater honor and glory, to know that everything I do should reflect and uplift who you are and what you stand for, which is love.
Amen.
Monday, March 15, 2010
Week 7 Reflection Question #2
What have been some of my significant prayer experiences? How have they impacted me?
The use of the Principle and Foundation has been very grounding for me. I have continued to see God in all people and all things, especially in the pain, anxiety, and fear, that I create.
The notion of spiritual consolation and desolation has rung very true with me in terms of my history with bipolar disorder. I have been able to label and identify when my mind goes astray from the path of Godliness, and I more fully understand the presence of God and my own humanity. God is omnipresent and I need to merely remember to access God.
This lends itself to the 3rd question:
How has my image of.relationship with God changed/grown? In what ways?
I feel the presence of the Holy Spirit working in me and through me. i can also feel the Spirit in others. I can see/experience/feel what has always been there. I think this is the essence of discernment, a "knowing" of what has been there all along. My sister Marcia mentioned that she hopes that I experience the Holy Spirit in ways that will :blow my mind." I know that is happening in God's way and time.
The use of the Principle and Foundation has been very grounding for me. I have continued to see God in all people and all things, especially in the pain, anxiety, and fear, that I create.
The notion of spiritual consolation and desolation has rung very true with me in terms of my history with bipolar disorder. I have been able to label and identify when my mind goes astray from the path of Godliness, and I more fully understand the presence of God and my own humanity. God is omnipresent and I need to merely remember to access God.
This lends itself to the 3rd question:
How has my image of.relationship with God changed/grown? In what ways?
I feel the presence of the Holy Spirit working in me and through me. i can also feel the Spirit in others. I can see/experience/feel what has always been there. I think this is the essence of discernment, a "knowing" of what has been there all along. My sister Marcia mentioned that she hopes that I experience the Holy Spirit in ways that will :blow my mind." I know that is happening in God's way and time.
Thursday, March 11, 2010
Week 7 Reflection Question 1
What has been most fruitful for me so far in this prayer series? How so?
The daily discipline of prayer has been most fruitful for me so far. I have benefited from the daily reminders of how to live God's love. The scripture readings and messages, anchored by the Principles and Foundations have stayed with me throughout the day and enabled me to live my faith more fully as a child of God. I more readily see God in all people and all things, in all pleasure and all pain.
The opportunity to make God a part of my daily life has made my life more meaningful. I see meaning in everything, and am able to stop and notice, to pay attention, to be more present. There continues to be a great convergence of positive life force (God's love) in everything I do. I realize the power of God's omnipotence and omnipresence. This calms me and reminds me to have faith.
The daily discipline of prayer has been most fruitful for me so far. I have benefited from the daily reminders of how to live God's love. The scripture readings and messages, anchored by the Principles and Foundations have stayed with me throughout the day and enabled me to live my faith more fully as a child of God. I more readily see God in all people and all things, in all pleasure and all pain.
The opportunity to make God a part of my daily life has made my life more meaningful. I see meaning in everything, and am able to stop and notice, to pay attention, to be more present. There continues to be a great convergence of positive life force (God's love) in everything I do. I realize the power of God's omnipotence and omnipresence. This calms me and reminds me to have faith.
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
Call of Jesus Part 5
What part of the message of Jesus is challenging to you at this time in your life?
I am challenged to have faith in m y daily life that everything will be okay and occur according to God's will. I have to constantly remind myself that there is no need for anxiety and fear, but rather that all of my anxieties and fears are self-induced.
Yesterday at the end of the school day I yelled at a group of students for talking when I was talking. There were so many other actions I could have taken short of yelling. This reaction in me is a default reaction, meaning that it is the lowest kind of reaction I could have taken, and far less effective than if I had localized the issue and dealt with it in a more healthy, loving, professional way.
Furthermore, as a parent and teacher, I am aware that every time I yell I model that as a way for my students. I do not enjoy this approach, and no one makes me yell but me. It's not the kids' fault or responsibility, but mine alone. I own my own behavior.
I pledge to do better. To apologize for my transgression, for a violation of the principle of Kind Words, Kind Voice. At the heart of Kind Words, Kind Voice is faith. Faith that everything will always be all right and that there is no need for despair. Despair is marked my emotional upheaval. I seek to be like Jesus. To be calm. To be faith-filled. Just as with the "epileptic demoniac" where Jesus reminds us that all is possible with prayer and that "everything is possible for one who has faith," I pray that my faith be strong enough to guide me through all situations and all circumstances. I make no excuses and offer no justifications, regardless of lack of sleep, hunger, hurriedness, or any other condition. Faith conquers all, and Jesus serves as a powerful model.
I am challenged to have faith in m y daily life that everything will be okay and occur according to God's will. I have to constantly remind myself that there is no need for anxiety and fear, but rather that all of my anxieties and fears are self-induced.
Yesterday at the end of the school day I yelled at a group of students for talking when I was talking. There were so many other actions I could have taken short of yelling. This reaction in me is a default reaction, meaning that it is the lowest kind of reaction I could have taken, and far less effective than if I had localized the issue and dealt with it in a more healthy, loving, professional way.
Furthermore, as a parent and teacher, I am aware that every time I yell I model that as a way for my students. I do not enjoy this approach, and no one makes me yell but me. It's not the kids' fault or responsibility, but mine alone. I own my own behavior.
I pledge to do better. To apologize for my transgression, for a violation of the principle of Kind Words, Kind Voice. At the heart of Kind Words, Kind Voice is faith. Faith that everything will always be all right and that there is no need for despair. Despair is marked my emotional upheaval. I seek to be like Jesus. To be calm. To be faith-filled. Just as with the "epileptic demoniac" where Jesus reminds us that all is possible with prayer and that "everything is possible for one who has faith," I pray that my faith be strong enough to guide me through all situations and all circumstances. I make no excuses and offer no justifications, regardless of lack of sleep, hunger, hurriedness, or any other condition. Faith conquers all, and Jesus serves as a powerful model.
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
Call of Jesus Part 4
In the key relationships in your life, how are you being asked to be more like the person of Jesus?
This question is relatively easy to answer but can be quite difficult to live out.
In my relationship with Mary Beth I am called to be loving. This means to offer myself in love as an agent of God's love, reserving judgment and seeking to serve our relationship in a healthy, constructive, well-balanced way. Much of this love requires presence, both physical and emotional, which can be challenging with a busy life. If I am tired, I don't always feel like giving of myself. I am not home, I can't offer the kind of support necessary to maintain a healthy family life. All in all, if I withhold judgment of Mary Beth and seek to give and support her as a partner and mother, I am living the person of Jesus.
With my sons, again, if I am present to them and for them, physically and emotionally I am being Jesus. If I listen to them and play with them on their terms - instead of always on mine - I am honoring and loving them in a healthy way. Also, if I am patient with them. Patience is sometimes difficult for me, especially with children, as they do not see the world the way I do. I have to remember to enjoy and relish in their childhood as they are closer to God, in many ways, than I am. It is my duty to preserve and protect their childhood.
This question is relatively easy to answer but can be quite difficult to live out.
In my relationship with Mary Beth I am called to be loving. This means to offer myself in love as an agent of God's love, reserving judgment and seeking to serve our relationship in a healthy, constructive, well-balanced way. Much of this love requires presence, both physical and emotional, which can be challenging with a busy life. If I am tired, I don't always feel like giving of myself. I am not home, I can't offer the kind of support necessary to maintain a healthy family life. All in all, if I withhold judgment of Mary Beth and seek to give and support her as a partner and mother, I am living the person of Jesus.
With my sons, again, if I am present to them and for them, physically and emotionally I am being Jesus. If I listen to them and play with them on their terms - instead of always on mine - I am honoring and loving them in a healthy way. Also, if I am patient with them. Patience is sometimes difficult for me, especially with children, as they do not see the world the way I do. I have to remember to enjoy and relish in their childhood as they are closer to God, in many ways, than I am. It is my duty to preserve and protect their childhood.
Monday, March 8, 2010
In key relationships, how am I asked to be more like Jesus?
When I think of key relationships, I think about my relationships with Mary Beth, Zack and Nick. In those relationships I know I am called to love more. I know that love is what is articulated in Corinthians. Patience and kindness are the first two descriptors of what love is, and I need to constantly remind myself to live this way. It is so easy to judge those closest to me, and to do so with a callous heart.
An important component of love is the ability to empathize. When I am empathetic, I release my judgments and approach people from a point of unconditional love, the same kind of love I feel from God. When I love in this way I know IA am whole, I have released the anxiety and fear that holds me back from loving fully, and I am being the person that God in the form of Jesus intended me to be.
An important component of love is the ability to empathize. When I am empathetic, I release my judgments and approach people from a point of unconditional love, the same kind of love I feel from God. When I love in this way I know IA am whole, I have released the anxiety and fear that holds me back from loving fully, and I am being the person that God in the form of Jesus intended me to be.
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