tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34958429471378082332024-02-21T08:57:58.937-06:00Moving Towards PeaceSkinny thoughts and actions on my journey to Christ's Peace.Moving Towards PEACEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17025610718766755362noreply@blogger.comBlogger188125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3495842947137808233.post-80418642167108099292023-12-11T15:11:00.006-06:002023-12-26T17:51:24.895-06:00Advent 2023 Stop Holding Your Breath and Inhale the Holy Spirit — Week FOUR<p><span style="font-size: large;"> <span style="font-family: Herculanum;">Blessing Through Scandal</span></span></p><p class="p2" style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span>Teenage pregnancy; divorce; lying politicians; murder of innocent bystanders; escape to safety. Long ago a young girl didn’t think twice about saying yes to life. Long ago, divorce was waved around like it was the solution. Long ago, politicians plotted and schemed against people and innocence was murdered. And into this a child is born offering us a way to safety. These ancient situations are new, calling on the Elizabeths of today to rejoice in the presence of our LORD. These ancient new situations call on the Marys of today to sing a song of Thanks-Living showing others the blessing in the mess. As Advent comes to an end, we are asked to be people </span><span>of courage, not afraid to say yes to God no matter the adversity, understanding that blessings are THROUGH the scandal. Rejoice! for God is moving us out of the darkness to dwell in the LIGHT.</span></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p class="p2" style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Peacefulness</span></p>Moving Towards PEACEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17025610718766755362noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3495842947137808233.post-33857158723771823272023-12-11T14:45:00.001-06:002023-12-18T15:41:11.220-06:00Advent 2023 Stop Holding Your Breath and Inhale the Holy Spirit — Week THREE<p></p><div style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-family: Herculanum;"><span style="font-size: large;">“Go Tell It On the Mountain”</span></span></div><span style="font-family: Herculanum;"><span style="font-size: large;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgN5XVTwq0yL0U3nSR_2U8B8Yi9dovR5nKwIN-au3yNzDCn3Pxj2dJ6f8IucgOHNMC7FyZxIQz3Lr2Gp09PSLRBdsMupMIcXZl50hVjdCbDqE6HLOFcUTyxq7_FkUgSJgFYW_GOXfgaaeA5Ab7iGdFQtskqjfqtdKcKBmB4BGoc8G-Me0Izv6e0rfTw" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="496" data-original-width="504" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgN5XVTwq0yL0U3nSR_2U8B8Yi9dovR5nKwIN-au3yNzDCn3Pxj2dJ6f8IucgOHNMC7FyZxIQz3Lr2Gp09PSLRBdsMupMIcXZl50hVjdCbDqE6HLOFcUTyxq7_FkUgSJgFYW_GOXfgaaeA5Ab7iGdFQtskqjfqtdKcKBmB4BGoc8G-Me0Izv6e0rfTw" width="244" /></a></div><br /></span></span><p></p><p class="p2" style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">As I was reading the gospel this week, I wondered why Jesus told John’s disciple to tell what they had seen and heard instead of just answering the question. It seems so simple a question. But then I realized that sometimes the answer to a simple question is not enough. To report on what one sees and hears is to speak from experience. It is the experiences of others that we value more than answers. As women, we long to hear the stories of other women’s experiences in the hope that their story will shed light on our own circumstance.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>I can better understand what Jesus asks of me when another recounts<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>a story of what Jesus has done for them. I can feel it; see it. It is more complete. Women of God, we are the first teachers of faith for our children. They depend on us to speak about who Jesus is and what Jesus does. Let us go to the mountains of our lives and tell what we have seen and heard. People are counting on us.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p class="p2" style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Peacefulness</span></p>Moving Towards PEACEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17025610718766755362noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3495842947137808233.post-73588528565657321282023-12-10T13:25:00.001-06:002023-12-10T14:04:56.702-06:00Advent 2023 Stop Holding Your Breath and Inhale the Holy Spirit — Week TWO<p> </p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidf_Tzsjt5Fbeg-dKCsKtw2tISHoOjiy60zEiGW-kb_NhzUJIM6AOph6_-lJTedQ_MUjJg713BGuIJs2SVPXu_umcJUEMQ8dmXdbpm_zjidT0mgVyXa6KlWVypVfzkV30LFNbFavW-9sgVwXG6XME6U2044f_j9_dSKbizcdbgQRp_LZ80ku0XG785/s800/Advent.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidf_Tzsjt5Fbeg-dKCsKtw2tISHoOjiy60zEiGW-kb_NhzUJIM6AOph6_-lJTedQ_MUjJg713BGuIJs2SVPXu_umcJUEMQ8dmXdbpm_zjidT0mgVyXa6KlWVypVfzkV30LFNbFavW-9sgVwXG6XME6U2044f_j9_dSKbizcdbgQRp_LZ80ku0XG785/s320/Advent.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: Herculanum; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: large;">Repentance for freedom </span></p><p class="p2" style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Oh Freedom. As Americans, we often connect freedom to our country and to our rights.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Freedom is not usually seen from the standpoint of flesh. Yet it is the flesh that holds us prisoner.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>It is the flesh that seeks sin and is at war with the spirit. It is the flesh, in the form of Christ's sacrifice on the cross that gave us salvation.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>The Black woman, seeking to be set free, knows that freedom, true freedom, comes from the Divine within her being. With the Divine within, the Black woman is set free. In setting herself free, the Black Woman sets everyone free. That freedom comes from aligning oneself with the Holy Spirit.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>John the Baptist calls us to move beyond lip sync repentance toward repentance of heart where true freedom lies. It is being set free from our sins that we learn how to deal with the injustices, imbalances and losses in life.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Take time this week to repent and enjoy the freedom of the Holy Spirit.</span></p><p class="p1" style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p class="p2" style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Peacefulness</span></p>Moving Towards PEACEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17025610718766755362noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3495842947137808233.post-8862814678870634262023-12-03T18:10:00.000-06:002023-12-03T18:10:15.941-06:00Advent 2023 Stop Holding Your Breath and Inhale the Holy Spirit — Week ONE<p><span style="font-family: Herculanum;">Beginning Again</span></p><p class="p1" style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjTYt2ROlDqRXTc8qe-z8lTFDMbqfqkxfqVmadfoXMUWQX-JHOv2ZpyYOKqZ8Ti4DSPqtiPYB22rBK8ZyLwm2BivdVYsRTcYmo0ae-TsMmO_3MhzspoGt3jpnNDlDsTA0HVh72OTQTXfB1nqLanMkNr_sC_Ia5E2VW-PxKztxOdyW1Gs8SywlJ5FRbl" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img alt="" data-original-height="285" data-original-width="177" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjTYt2ROlDqRXTc8qe-z8lTFDMbqfqkxfqVmadfoXMUWQX-JHOv2ZpyYOKqZ8Ti4DSPqtiPYB22rBK8ZyLwm2BivdVYsRTcYmo0ae-TsMmO_3MhzspoGt3jpnNDlDsTA0HVh72OTQTXfB1nqLanMkNr_sC_Ia5E2VW-PxKztxOdyW1Gs8SywlJ5FRbl" width="149" /></a> </span><br />When I think of Advent, I rush ahead to the Nativity stories in the Gospels of Matthew and Luke. The Nativity is refreshing in that we are reminded that we get to begin again. Born anew is the opportunity to say yes to God’s will. The stories of Christ’s beginnings are less about God and more about us and our acceptance of God into our lives. When we hear about Gabriel coming to Zechariah and Mary, we imagine Gabriel coming to us telling us that our prayer has been answered or asking us to allow God to grow within us. Will you question the answer to your prayer or will you say yes?</p><p class="p1" style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Though the sacred act of bringing life into the world is through women, Advent gives everyone<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>the opportunity to bring life into the world, by preparing ourselves for Christ’s Birth in our hearts. Little by little, as each candle is lit, we learn again how to let Christ’s Light shine within us. Rush ahead with me to the Nativity Stories. Read the first few chapters of Matthew and Luke and allow God’s Star to lead you to Christ. Let the chorus of angels proclaim Christ’s birth, not in some far off place of yesterday, but right here and now, in YOU.</p><p class="p2" style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px;"><br /></p><p class="p1" style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Peacefulness</p>Moving Towards PEACEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17025610718766755362noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3495842947137808233.post-43892420008669437772023-06-07T18:07:00.001-05:002023-06-07T18:28:24.824-05:00There Is Nothing<p> I am listening to Cicely Tyson's book, <i>Just As I Am</i>, and in chapter 10 she recounts a conversation she had with Ruby Dee about acting and not knowing how to act. Cicely quotes Ruby as saying, "If you are Black and living in this world there is nothing you can't do."</p><p>I had to pause the recording. That sentence had me thinking for the next 20 or so minutes about the ways in which I have said "I can't!" and meant it. That sentence reminded me of all the ways Black people have moved beyond "can't do," smashing records and breaking down doors. That sentence blasted my brain with images of the ways in which Black people have changed our way of life with inventions and breakthroughs.</p><p><br /></p><p>There is nothing a Black person can't do. We are people to be reckoned with.</p>Moving Towards PEACEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17025610718766755362noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3495842947137808233.post-48836985309355413162017-04-13T18:28:00.003-05:002017-04-13T18:28:49.582-05:00Day 21 of Writing It OutToday I found myself of service in a way that was surprising. I didn't get the news I expected, but I had joy. Why? Because I found that I was able to smile and sing, bringing joy. When I noticed the joy I brought, regardless of the outcome, I was pleased. I thank you God for always showing a better way, a kinder way, a more fulfilling way.<br />
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As the day progressed, I was happy things didn't go as I thought they would. What resulted was a grounding that would have not been possible otherwise. LOOK at GOD!!! Showing out.<br />
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As we move out of Lent into Easter, be bold and leave the mess in the tomb.Moving Towards PEACEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17025610718766755362noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3495842947137808233.post-55211198614538889352017-04-09T19:16:00.000-05:002017-04-09T19:16:00.283-05:00Day 20 of Writing It OutToday, Palm Sunday, found me at Faith Community MB Church preaching. Using the scripture Mathew 21:1-11, my sermon title was <i> </i><br />
<br />
<i>Who You Shoutin' About?</i> <br />
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When I started preparing this sermon, I couldn’t get pass, “Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest heaven!” This is probably because it is so like the song we sing in Catholic Masses, “Holy, holy, holy, Lord God of Hosts, heaven and earth are full of your glory. Hosanna in the highest. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest.” I got stuck here, because I often wondered why we sing this in the Mass. And all was revealed when I focused on the word, hosanna.<br />
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Hosanna comes from two Hebrew words Hebrew words yasha and anna<br />yasha which means save, rescue, deliver<br />anna which means beg, beseech<br />combining the two words we get ‘Please save’<br /><br />Going back to the Catholic Mass, this song is sung right before the priest begins the prayers that change ordinary bread and wine into the body and blood of Jesus the Christ. And so the song, called the Sanctus, is a song of praise and a song for deliverance.<br /><br />As a song of praise, the people were acknowledging that Jesus is THE king in the line of David. As a king, they were asking for help from the oppressions they were experiencing. They were shouting, “we are depending on you to save us, protect us. To make it clear what they were asking, people started waving palms and laying their coats on the road —laying out the “red” carpet for Jesus. If we give you praise and honor, you will do right by us. We are desperate—so desperate that I lay my coat on the ground for you to trod upon. I am willing to give up what is important to me.<br /><i><br />Who You Shoutin’ About?</i> Who are you laying out the red carpet for? As a culture, we lay out the red carpet for celebrities, people we hold in high esteem because of some talent/gift that they have. We lift them up, placing them on pedestals and then we want them to do stuff for us, to take away our problems. We think that they should take notice of us because we elevated them to that status. And because of this, companies/individuals trying to sell their products, like door-to-door salesmen, use celebrities to do it —Celebrity Endorsements. By laying down the red carpet for celebrities we throw up our hands. We give over our own power. <br />
<ul>
<li>We shout Hallelujah, but we don’t want to be on the committee. </li>
<li>We shout Hallelujah, but we don’t want to make a commitment.</li>
<li>We shout Hallelujah, but we don’t want to be a witness.</li>
<li>We shout Hallelujah, but we don’t want to step out of our comfort zone.</li>
<li>We shout Hallelujah, but we don’t want to get involved.</li>
</ul>
<br />When we shout Hallelujah for anyone other than God, we get into trouble. But there is good news. “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.” This phrase comes out of Psalm 118, a psalm of thanksgiving. [Go to the psalm.]<br />By using this verse of the psalmist, Matthew is calling us to <br />
<ul>
<li>thanksgiving in the midst of sorrow; </li>
<li>thanksgiving in the midst of pain; </li>
<li>thanksgiving in the midst of oppression. </li>
</ul>
To remember what God had done so long ago. <br />
<br />
To me, Palm Sunday reminds us to wave palms around and give testimony to what Jesus has done already in our lives and to ask Jesus to continue to save us, rescue us, deliver us. Hosanna in the highest. Save us O Lord we pray in the highest way.Moving Towards PEACEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17025610718766755362noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3495842947137808233.post-59625519751455953952017-04-05T19:07:00.000-05:002017-04-05T19:07:14.933-05:00Day 19 of Writing It OutA good friend (Julie W.) and I facilitated a Women's Retreat: Rest, Reflect, Restore this past weekend. Many of the women left that retreat FILLED with the Holy Spirit. Me? I too was FILLED with God. I really needed this retreat. It helped me slow down and fully receive and embrace God. We asked ourselves several questions which I share here with you.<br />
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Proverbs 4:23 - How is your heart?<br />
<br />
Who are you spending your time with?<br />
<br />
What is your narrative? Who are you sharing it with?<br />
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What truths do you need to address?<br />
<br />
How have you been transfigured?<br />
<br />
At least once a year, make a retreat. Allow yourself to let go of the norm and enter Kairos.Moving Towards PEACEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17025610718766755362noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3495842947137808233.post-74827267071974194782017-04-04T11:35:00.002-05:002017-04-04T11:35:28.467-05:00Day 18 of Writing It OutLast week I had a busy week. I preached my first Parish Mission at St. Benedict's/St. Andrews. I am honored to have been given the opportunity to share my love of God with new family. What a GREAT! group. When we follow God, we discover joy, unspeakable joy.<br />
<br />
I ended the week co-facilitating a women's retreat with Julie Welborn at the Lindenwood Retreat and Conference Center in Donaldson IN. What a wonderful group of women. These women opened their hearts and minds to Julie and I and we were all transformed.<br />
<br />
Now I need to get ready for Sunday when I return to monthly preaching at Faith Community MB Church.<br />
<br />
Thank You LORD for getting me back to writing. I am feeling so much better. My heart is opening more and more to the mysterious ways of God. Who knew that you could open yourself MORE to God. AMAZING!!<br />
<br />
What amazing thing is happening for you this Lent? How is Jesus satisfying your thirst?<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFe4Be7dz73RC7Ah9AlrM2a-ibABG5zncVINlyaxioO6vriNnkZ4zYTlGuNWHs844-eqADpNiRcWvDFcFiaOCIGk_VWJ5yZBDejiLqC2FTyP6bQuEgE3vd47GruwVzGfgekEWsDAYlyA/s1600/Woman+at+the+Well.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFe4Be7dz73RC7Ah9AlrM2a-ibABG5zncVINlyaxioO6vriNnkZ4zYTlGuNWHs844-eqADpNiRcWvDFcFiaOCIGk_VWJ5yZBDejiLqC2FTyP6bQuEgE3vd47GruwVzGfgekEWsDAYlyA/s320/Woman+at+the+Well.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Moving Towards PEACEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17025610718766755362noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3495842947137808233.post-57885278362342393412017-03-29T08:45:00.001-05:002017-03-29T08:45:58.329-05:00Day 17 of Writing It OutThe comfort I am seeking, I must give.<br />
The support I am seeking, I must give.<br />
The understanding I am seeking, I must give.<br />
That which was a burden, I now see as an opportunity to give.<br />
When that realization rested on me, gift from the Holy Spirit, I was set free.<br />
I saw things differently, more clearly, more joyfully.<br />
<br />
Indeed, what I seek, I have. I need only set it free in giving, in sharing with others.<br />
<br />Moving Towards PEACEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17025610718766755362noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3495842947137808233.post-54704542912425626422017-03-23T15:14:00.000-05:002017-03-23T15:14:04.232-05:00Day 16 of Writing It OutWell, ...now that I have admitted to my fear, it's time to put a strategy in place to overcome it. Oops, I put a strategy in place before I admitted a fear. The Holy Spirit has me "writing it out" for Lent. Look at God!!! Handling things before we recognize. That's why we're asked to praise God in all things. We don't know when God answers.<br />
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So, what am I saying? I'm saying that God is taking care of us even as we sink into our despair and think the "midnight hours" will not pass. God is PRESENT, leading and guiding.<br />
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I'm seeking peace. I notice it is coming through writing.<br />
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What have you noticed God doing in your life?Moving Towards PEACEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17025610718766755362noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3495842947137808233.post-67932279629856351662017-03-22T22:39:00.001-05:002017-03-22T22:39:40.683-05:00Day 15 of Writing It OutPastor Phil Ressler's <i>40 Things NOT to Give up for Lent:19.New Experiences</i> <a href="https://www.greaterthings.today/40-things-not-to-give-up-for-lent19new-experiences/" target="_blank">https://www.greaterthings.today/40-things-not-to-give-up-for-lent19new-experiences/</a> asks the following reflection question: "What new experience have you been putting off out of fear?"<br />
<br />
What came immediately to mind is researching and writing on a topic of interest for work and personal fulfillment. I have been avoiding all the baby steps necessary to get a proposal done. This "Writing It Out" exercise for Lent is an effort to break free and allow God to fully flow through my writing. As you can see, I've missed some days since Ash Wednesday and I'm okay with that. At first I stressed about it, but then I realized that the process is not about the goal. It's about the stretching and growing in God.<br />
<br />
Well,...I named the fear. Now on to overcoming it.<br />
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Blessings.Moving Towards PEACEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17025610718766755362noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3495842947137808233.post-61829891850171719912017-03-18T21:19:00.003-05:002017-03-18T21:19:37.842-05:00Day 14 of Writing It Out<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMIS4CXwhWBzYVpG9wvoMQkD_N-KugjLvea32KswvKCfK_w99qeTjfauzR2xpsJ-yuoosWXlbEsn-WkomBabv2CwhaC5k7jODW18PLzFnHiGxFLbrm9j5yVJIz3EXw2hSPRE-CXu1lVA/s1600/My+Cup+Runneth+Over.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMIS4CXwhWBzYVpG9wvoMQkD_N-KugjLvea32KswvKCfK_w99qeTjfauzR2xpsJ-yuoosWXlbEsn-WkomBabv2CwhaC5k7jODW18PLzFnHiGxFLbrm9j5yVJIz3EXw2hSPRE-CXu1lVA/s320/My+Cup+Runneth+Over.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My Cups Runs Over with BLESSINGS from God. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">No matter what is happening in my life, I know that with God I am still in good shape. No matter how I view the day, situation, or circumstance, God keeps filling my cup. So much so, that I must sing God's praise. Even in the midnight hour, when I am pressed down, God keeps filling my cup. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">When I don't know that my cup is running over with God's goodness, that's the signal to stop doing what I'm doing and get somewhere and "sat" down, so I can connect with God.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Lent is offering me the opportunity to "sat" down; to step away from the routine that has blinded me to God's goodness.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">How is Lent helping you?</span><br />
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<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Lord is my light and my salvation;</span><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">whom shall I fear?</span><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Lord is the stronghold of my life;</span><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">of whom shall I be afraid? Psalm 27:1</span></h3>
Moving Towards PEACEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17025610718766755362noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3495842947137808233.post-50849471940818252592017-03-17T18:36:00.001-05:002017-03-17T18:36:20.739-05:00Day 13 of Writing It OutI return to my father's church this Sunday to preach for the first time in about 5 months. In addition to listening to the Holy Spirit while I preach, I will be looking to hear from my dad. What will that be like? Hearing from angel dad and the Holy Spirit?<br />
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How could I forget that my spirit lives in preaching?<br />
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It happens so easily. We drown in our busyness, pushing onward, determined to "minister" for the greater good. By doing so, we forgo the things that give us life. We sacrifice ourselves, but not in the right way.<br />
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By returning to writing and preaching, I'm returning to that which feeds my spirit. By feeding my spirit, I become more open to the Holy Spirit. By being more open to the Holy Spirit, I am better able to serve, the greater good.<br />
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Christ's PeaceMoving Towards PEACEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17025610718766755362noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3495842947137808233.post-68309750895908130562017-03-16T18:08:00.000-05:002017-03-16T18:08:15.455-05:00Day 12 of Writing It OutPastor Phil Ressler of <a href="https://www.greaterthings.today/40-things-not-to-give-up-for-lent/">https://www.greaterthings.today/40-things-not-to-give-up-for-lent/ </a><br />
wrote today about FOCUS.<br />
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Do I need to focus? Am I all over the place, completing bites and pieces of things? YES!!<br />
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I appreciated the challenge to do ONE thing for 45 minutes. As I let that flow over me, I realized how freeing it is to focus on one thing at a time. It helps when faced with making decisions about what to say yes to and what to say no to. Too often in ministry we say yes to too many things and end up stressed out. Or we say yes too often and the result of our work is far from something that others can benefit from.<br />
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Focus. I'm saying yes to writing. I'm saying yes to focusing on what God wants me to share. I'm setting myself free in the words.<br />
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What are you setting yourself free in this Lenten Season?<br />
Can focus help you?<br />
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Thank you Pastor Phil for the boost.<br />
<br />Moving Towards PEACEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17025610718766755362noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3495842947137808233.post-21425419196596934062017-03-15T20:43:00.001-05:002017-03-15T20:43:34.615-05:00Day 11 of Writing It OutI'm missing days of blogging during Lent. I noticed it when I received an email from someone who stated that they look forward to my posts and I hadn't posted for a few days. Ooops. My Bad. Sorry to leave you hanging.<br />
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What do you know about grief?<br />
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I think Lent is a great season to process grief. It invites you to look deep into yourself and come face to face with that which gets in the way of your relationship with God, self and others. By doing this, those of us who are grieving various things get the opportunity to analyze the grief--get to the source of it, then work on how to continue living in Christ. I don't think there are easy answers to grief. I do believe that it helps to know that one is grieving.<br />
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What do you know about grief?<br />
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I have discovered that grief can hide in your body. Your sleep, appetite, moods, ability to think are all affected by grief. Knowing this, I am working to set up things that will help me identify when I am "actively" grieving so I can be a better caretaker of myself. Lately, I've been coloring in a book that also has a weekly Scripture reflection. This has been so helpful.<br />
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What do you know about grief? I know that it offers me ANOTHER opportunity to draw nigh unto God and rest.<br />
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<br />Moving Towards PEACEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17025610718766755362noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3495842947137808233.post-36813474264980794252017-03-12T21:17:00.003-05:002017-03-12T21:24:33.720-05:00Day 10 of Writing It Out<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWM190q7fhiMUIcSs9ZUUHLKln2FFkHeCBayTytHcgBuxeYGonYccoM6wM995xJTdlxm9e_tfCl8OTA0KSrIEyU4rzVGmutvFKD33bUWn3Untkc13_JuukgRdJp2OC5YhROhlmES7qQA/s1600/IMG_0115.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWM190q7fhiMUIcSs9ZUUHLKln2FFkHeCBayTytHcgBuxeYGonYccoM6wM995xJTdlxm9e_tfCl8OTA0KSrIEyU4rzVGmutvFKD33bUWn3Untkc13_JuukgRdJp2OC5YhROhlmES7qQA/s320/IMG_0115.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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I'm coloring to relax my mind and process the various things that I'm responsible for. The above image is last week's meditation. What do you see?<br />
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How does what you see make you feel?<br />
I was able to find peace. I calmed down and was better able to hear God speaking to me.<br />
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My Lenten Journey is reminding me that what I give up and/or take on these 40 days is not about success. It's about obedience to God. It's about surrender to our God. Surrendering is not about success or failure, it's about doing what God asks.<br />
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Does what you see in the above picture ask you to do anything for the common good?<br />
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May God be glorified.<br />
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<br />Moving Towards PEACEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17025610718766755362noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3495842947137808233.post-51120772666341670772017-03-10T21:52:00.004-06:002017-03-10T21:52:53.871-06:00Day 9 of Writing It Out<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
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I do some of my best writing when I write a sermon. Here is a peak into something I wrote. <a href="http://blogs.luc.edu/ips/playing-dress-up-a-lenten-reflection-by-dr-timone-davis/" target="_blank">http://blogs.luc.edu/ips/playing-dress-up-a-lenten-reflection-by-dr-timone-davis/</a>Moving Towards PEACEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17025610718766755362noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3495842947137808233.post-38797802444852977972017-03-09T20:49:00.001-06:002017-03-09T20:49:19.277-06:00Day 8 of Writing It OutI went to see "I Am Not Your Negro" today and thought how prophetic James Baldwin was. And then I thought about the narratives I had been told as I was growing up. The narratives that left out all the important details of the struggles of Black people in my own family. My maternal grandparents were from Birmingham AL. They were there until the early 1940s. When I learned of Birmingham's history, I asked my grandmother about life then. She wouldn't talk. When I asked my mom about growing up in Birmingham, she said, "You've seen the pictures."<br />
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Without the narratives we don't get the entire story. Things don't make sense like we hope. We look for answers. We look for the story.<br />
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Writing It Out is helping me tell a story. Someone needs to hear what I have to say. And you know what, I need to say it. I don't know the value my narrative, but I have discovered that I don't need to. What I need to do is be obedient to God.<br />
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9 days into our Lenten Journey --I'm preparing myself for another change.<br />
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May you allow your Lenten Journey help you share your narrative. We need to talk with one another.Moving Towards PEACEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17025610718766755362noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3495842947137808233.post-20532830858316566712017-03-08T16:46:00.002-06:002017-03-08T16:46:21.130-06:00Day 7 of Writing It OutWe set out to do great things. We have the best of intentions. We tell ourselves that we will be open. Then someone attacks us. They dive in with a kill strike. And defense has us forgetting our intentions.<br />
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The crazy thing is, the attack is full of alternative facts. There is no truth in the attack. So why go on the defense? We don't like to hurt. Defense is like a shield surrounding us so we can't be pierced.<br />
Yet, Lent asks that we allow ourselves to be pierced. To be pierced with the needs of the rejected, the homeless, the naked, the hungry, the immigrant (not the ones from slave ships), the outcast, the marginalized. Who are these people? They differ for each of us. Each of us defines marginalized in a different way. The work of Lent is that we reach beyond people's attacks and offer --peace.Moving Towards PEACEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17025610718766755362noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3495842947137808233.post-10255147225234824942017-03-06T16:38:00.002-06:002017-03-06T16:38:45.476-06:00Day 6 of Writing It OutI am resting today. Finally you would say. After the rough night last night, midnight hour, God brought JOY in the morning. Isn't that what God does? Help us see grace through the pain.<br />
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What do you bring to your Lenten Journey? Are you bringing your whole self? Are you open to the movement of the Holy Spirit? Will you allow God to move you through?<br />
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I am embracing what the Holy Spirit has asked of me, write it out. Put it in writing timone, and then you will see.<br />
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<br />Moving Towards PEACEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17025610718766755362noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3495842947137808233.post-7411779558528687952017-03-05T20:17:00.001-06:002017-03-05T20:17:39.184-06:00Day 5 of Writing It OutWhat am I feeling? I'm feeling that it is too much. Yet, my faith in God tells me that God has not brought me to anything that cannot be handled with God. But it feels horrible.<br />
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today was to be a day of relaxation. I didn't happen. There were tears. Harsh words were spoken to me that hurt a great deal. Yet, God didn't bring me to this without giving me a way through it.<br />
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Day 5 -- writing. I hope to move this writing on the blog to writing an academic proposal. Cause God is having me writing it out. It's in the writing that I am finding my way through.Moving Towards PEACEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17025610718766755362noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3495842947137808233.post-704392622457704332017-03-04T20:21:00.000-06:002017-03-04T20:21:09.301-06:00Day 4 of Writing It OutThe day is waning and I am in the house not feeling well. I am weighed down by the things of my life. The strain has caused me to fall ill, with interesting symptoms. I didn't butt press enough yet. I worked instead of resting. By midday, I couldn't think clearly and was forced to rest. In the midst of this rest I realized that I had not yet written anything today.<br />
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What is the point of this honesty? Why bear myself to the public? Freedom. Freedom to love God in my weakness. To be made strong by God's grace and mercy. This is the purpose of honesty. To let you know that God is with us even in our despair. God stays with us in our lowest moments.<br />
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Here I am LORD, giving my woes to You for I know that you will bring me joy so that all will know Your LOVE for us.Moving Towards PEACEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17025610718766755362noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3495842947137808233.post-46904445093431996522017-03-03T18:38:00.001-06:002017-03-03T18:38:36.928-06:00Day 3 of Writing It OutFor the last couple of days I have been watching PBS' American Masters Inspiring Women production featuring Maya Angelou.<br />
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"You must have someplace that no one can take you beyond." Maya Angelou<br />
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Do you know that about yourself? Do you know that there must be a stopping place in your life? No matter what is offered, you must know when to say no.<br />
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The above statement by Dr. Angelou has me thinking, what do I need to stop? What do I need to say no to?<br />
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I hear my Dad saying from heaven, "You need to do some butt pressing." For those of you that don't know what butt pressing is, it is sitting still, resting, relaxing, taking sabbath, NOT doing. I often struggle with this part. Today, I can't do anything else at this point. I have been really really busy this week and have not taken time to rejuvenate.<br />
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So, I am beginning my butt pressing time. I pray that I am open to the Holy Spirit who lovingly leads me.<br />
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<br />Moving Towards PEACEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17025610718766755362noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3495842947137808233.post-20754158795939997372017-03-02T07:34:00.002-06:002017-03-02T07:34:25.567-06:00Day 2 of Writing It OutHave you ever started something and wondered, "What happens at the end?"<br />
That was my initial question this morning as I sat to write. As soon as that thought was out, I wanted to retrieve it. Thinking about the outcome of this daily writing takes away from the journey; takes away from all that I have in now.<br />
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I have said it on many occasions that my creativity is with words and yet, I denied myself the many opportunities to write the words I have been given. Like the question I already posed, I trapped myself in the outcome before even starting. I devalued the words before I even allowed them to flow.<br />
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Are you doing that in your life as well? Stopping before beginning? Judging the work before it is even done?<br />
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Perhaps like me, you will allow this Lenten Season to be the time you allow your creativity out the box. Perhaps you will open yourself to the Holy Spirit in a way that has you saying yes to now, not worrying about the end.<br />
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BlessingsMoving Towards PEACEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17025610718766755362noreply@blogger.com0