A Poem

Man's essential pride
Seems to make him feel that the spot of the earth
Where he was born, learned to eat, sleep,
Speak, and think,
Was God's natural habitat,
And that to venture into another location
Or country,
Or, God forbid, another culture or social system,
Is to be in danger of entering the devil's territory.

But how exiting it is,
Once awakened to an awareness
Of the life of God within,
To look into the eyes of people
In the remotest corner of the world
And discover that there is no remote corners,
That all points are equideistant from center,
And to find oneself
Staring back at oneself,
Mirrors of this force of God
Called life.

Looking at people like that
Almost puts the devil out of business.

Faces of God (p. 94) by Gordon and Gladis DePree

Itsy Bitsy Spider

Behind the Altar as I removed the cover of the flagon to pour the wine into the chalice I noticed a little spider chilling on the spout. I looked at it briefly debating:
1. How to pour the wine without getting the spider in the chalice.
2. How not get the spider on me.

I realize the logical conclusion would be to smash the spider and again two thoughts:
1. I really don’t like spiders and am a little freaked out to kill them… if I had gathered the courage it would have included a little shriek that I’m pretty sure would have distracted the worshiping community.
2. There just seemed to be something wrong with killing a little spider at the Lord’s Table. I like to preach that all are welcome…

I did manage to not kill the spider and serve communion to the gathered congregation. However, in the midst of this the spider moved its way to my worship book. This is the book I carry with me during the service. I watched the spider closely as I held the book. I didn’t want to miss any move otherwise it might have ended up on me and a shriek – followed by some jumping and hitting myself would likely follow.

The spider and I made it through the rest of the service together sharing my book and trust me I knew where that spider was at all times.

In truth, I wish I spent that much focus and time paying attention to how God is at work in my life and in the world around me. So for this new church and calendar year, I give thanks for that spider who has inspired me to watch more attentively to the Spirits movement.

Baby Steps

November has long gone and December is nearing its end for the 2011 year. I guess that means my blogging starts anew with the new church year and soon the new calendar year. The transition in calls has been blessed and bumpy. Thank you, loyal readers, for your patience during this transition. I will most likely not start weekly blogging again until March which will hopefully be the launch of our new website at Immanuel!

As for now… I’ll blog as the inspiration hits… instead of forcing it to hit by Wednesday at 9 am. ;)

Dear Friends

I write briefly today to inform my loyal readers that I am still alive despite not posting last week and posting later than normal today. However, I am in transition between saying goodbye to my current congregation at Christus Victor Lutheran Church and saying hello to a new call at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Michigan. I am not planning to post during this transition time unless the Spirit moves me otherwise. I hope to be back writing weekly devotionals starting in November. Thank you for being a loyal reader!! Please pray for me during this transition.

Blessings!
Pastor Dana

Ten Years Ago

Breath

Today I’d like to share with you something I read recently that transformed my idea of God. Again.

Meaning… every time I think I can grasp a bit of who God is I learn something that changes my understanding. I realize that most say God is never-changing… but I can tell you that my understanding of God is ever-changing.

An excerpt from Father Richard Rohr, The Naked Now: Learning to See as the Mystics See (pp. 25 & 26)

I cannot emphasize enough the momentous importance of the Jewish revelation of the name of God. It puts the entire nature of our spirituality in correct context and, if it had been followed, could have freed us from much idolatry and arrogance… formally the word [Yahweh, YHVH, God] was not spoken at all, but breathed! Many are convinced that its correct pronunciation is an attempt to replicate and imitate the very sound of inhalation and exhalation. The one thing we do every moment of our lives is therefore to speak the name of God. This makes it our first and our last word as we enter and leave the world.

For some years now, I have taught this to contemplative groups in many countries, and it changes peoples’ faith and prayer lives in substantial ways. I remind people that there is no Islamic, Christian, or Jewish way of breathing. There is no rich or poor way of breathing. The playing field is utterly leveled. The air of the earth is one and the same air, and this divine wind “blows where it will” (John 3:8) – which appears to be everywhere. No one and no religion can control this spirit.

Busyness

I was at a celebration this past weekend. We were housed in a multi-million dollar (more than 4 mil) home on Sanibel Island with a beautiful view of the Gulf of Mexico. Some people have never stepped foot in a home quite this size and beauty. Let’s just say on the top floor alone had five bathrooms. There were only seven of us and between both floors we could all have our own restroom. There was a beautiful spiral staircase and of course a view that is breathtaking (or as I would say breath-giving).

I am sure you’re asking what one does in a multi-million dollar home for the evening. Play sardines of course. If you have never experienced sardines it’s a version of hide-and-go-seek where one player hides – everyone seeks – as you find the hider you hide with them until everyone is hiding together.

When it was time to move onto other games, it was drop a Kleenex from the top of the spiral staircase and see if you can get to the bottom and catch it before it lands on the floor. Next, use the cool doors that have a glaze, turn the music up, and dance oddly or move bodies as such to create cool shadows for the amusement of those on the other side of the door. Each room had its own unique way to become play. It was a group of 30-somethings turned into childlike-imaginative-play.

I have a friend who owns a nerf dartboard that uses it regularly and another who will gladly walk on his hands when asked. There is something in us that when we connect with our childlike-imaginative-play we feel free and a little more whole. The world is easier to deal with and a smile develops easily. Being connected with our Creator can have a similar and even more powerful effect.

When we attend a moving worship service, look at the beautiful creation of God, sit in prayerful meditation, or experience a “God moment” we feel free and a little more whole. The world is easier to deal with and a smile develops easily. It took a multi-million dollar home to remind me to play. Imagine what it takes for us to remember to connect with God.

Just as I don’t naturally say during my day, “Hey can we take a break for a game of Hide-and-go-Seek?” We don’t naturally say during our day, “I’m going to sit under a tree in prayer.” We’re busy. Sadly, busyness is something we make up. I met with a pastor this week who said, “I wish we could get together more often. I guess we’re too busy pretending to be busy.”

God didn’t create me to be busy. He created me to love. So I choose love. You?