Centering In God

Today's post is by Darla Ewalt:

When the world around you turns upside down and all you seem to see is pain, suffering, and sadness; the only place of peace you may find is by resting in the presence of God.  

The practice of Centering Prayer is the Christian form of meditation.  

It is where I find a gentle and loving presence that quiets my fears and fills me with a peace that cannot be found anywhere else.  

On Sunday, December 9, I gently introduced 2 minutes of Centering Prayer to those present in the sanctuary.  The room was so quiet you could sense God’s presence.  One visitor told Tim that those two minutes of silence (resting in God’s presence) was the most memorial part of the entire service.  It was a very powerful experience for this young man considering the competition of beautiful music, communion and baptisms that are also memorable. 

Consider joining me on Sunday afternoons at 4:00 or on Tuesdays at 6:30 pm and experience God’s presence.  Blessing to all.

Mary's Song - The Magnificat

As we prepare for the Third Sunday in Advent, hear Mary's response (recorded in Luke 1) to the news of Jesus' coming:

And Mary said, 
“My soul magnifies the Lord, 
and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, 
for he has looked with favor on the lowliness of his servant. 
Surely, from now on all generations will call me blessed; 
for the Mighty One has done great things for me, 
and holy is his name. 
His mercy is for those who fear him from generation to generation. 
He has shown strength with his arm; 
he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts. 
He has brought down the powerful from their thrones, 
and lifted up the lowly; 
he has filled the hungry with good things, 
and sent the rich away empty. 
He has helped his servant Israel, 
in remembrance of his mercy, 
according to the promise he made to our ancestors, 
to Abraham and to his descendants forever.” 

God-touched

Today's post is by Sue Prins:

My soul yearns

For sacred places,

For silence to hold my questions,

For music to carry my prayers,

For lofty spaces

to enfold my being

And set away corners

To hold me tight.

They touch my being,

These holy places.

Calm me, quiet me,

Compose me, fill me.

And they leave me

God-touched.

Journaling the Journey: Open Up

Today's post is by Deb Lewis:

As I wrote last week, some of us FCC folks have committed to regular journaling in this Advent season. As a small group of us met on Sunday afternoon, we found that we were pretty successful, having at least written in our journal on most days. It helps me to have made that commitment to myself and to others, and also that the commitment has an endpoint on Epiphany. On the other hand, I’m hoping (and maybe beginning) to find such joy in the practice of journaling that I’ll keep it up!

In my message last week, I wrote about “showing up”, with journal and pen and a block of time in mind for writing. This week, I’d like to go a step further and write about opening up. Many of my journal entries this past week centered around events or something I had observed or heard. But to open up means paying attention to the source of our words so that we can be “open to them”. Of course, words may come from many places – things we see or hear, our experiences or memories, our longings or joys, our relationships, and on and on. Sometimes, though, we may feel as though the words are coming from a special source deep within or beyond us. We may notice this as we write, or we may not realize it until we read what we’ve written, and ask ourselves, “Where did that come from?”  This special, positive source has been given many names – our muse, inspiration, our soul, the wellspring of words, the Source, the Voice, the Holy, God, Spirit,… However we may choose to label it, we know that we are given a special gift as the words “just flow”.

Are there ways to open ourselves so that such a spiritual depth may be reached in our writing? Several books that I am reading say “yes”, that we can at least encourage it (although we should not take it for granted that it will always happen). One suggestion is to go through a ritual to start and to close your writing time. It can be as simple as going to a quiet place and lighting a candle before writing. Another suggestion is to begin with prayer, asking for the words to come that you need for this day. It may be helpful to follow this by starting to write in your journal as quickly as possible with whatever words come to you – just keep the pen moving, then the source of inspiration may influence your words. Read and think about what flows from such practice to be sure that it isn’t leading you astray. But the words may surprise you with new insights and needed clarity.

Blessings on your journey,

Deb Lewis

SEEING CHRIST IN OTHERS

Today's post is by Tim Button-Harrison:

This Advent we are exploring five spiritual practices at Ames First Christian Church in worship, Sunday afternoon workshops (4:00-5:30), and through this blog.  Seeing Christ in others is the practice I am leading.

Today, I’m thinking about music and how it relates to hospitality, in part because I’m preparing right now for a few extra music events.  Tomorrow (12/12) Mary Jane and I are doing music at the First United Methodist Church here in Ames.  FUMC offers a meal at 11:45 then everyone goes up to the sanctuary for music.  We plan to share folk songs of Christmas from around the world – and hopefully get everyone to sing along with us.  And Sunday (12/16) I’m heading to the Stover Memorial Church of the Brethren in Des Moines to lead peace and justice songs for Iowa Peace Network’s Open House and Alternative Gift Faire from 1:00-3:00.  The next Sunday (12/23) I will lead the people of Ames First Christian Church in caroling to older members of the church and people in care facilities.  We will leave from the church around 12:30 after a simple soup lunch.

Advent is a musical season.  And especially in singing together, our hearts and lives are joined in a deep place.  I encourage you to put yourselves in the midst of singing this Advent season and sense how you are surrounded by the light and warmth of kindred souls.  And may that spirit remain with you and help you to recognize Christ in the people around you, wherever you go.  

Dwelling in the Word (Lectio Divina)

Reading scripture is something we do as Christians.  But that can seem a bit daunting sometimes.  There is an ancient practice of reading scripture that anyone can do and receive much spiritual benefit from.  Below you'll find a description of how to practice "Dwelling in the Word" or "Lectio Divina".  Why not try it during your daily devotions this Advent!

Dwelling in the Word, or Lectio Divina involves reading the scripture passage four times while listening for a particular prompting.  You might want to alternate reading the scripture out loud.

In order to practice Lectio Divina, select a time and place that is peaceful and in which you may be alert and prayerfully attentive. Dispose yourself for prayer in whatever way is natural for you. This may be a spoken prayer to God to open you more fully to the Spirit, a gentle relaxation process that focuses on breathing, singing or chanting, or simply a few minutes of silence to empty yourself of thoughts, images, and emotions.

Reading (lectio) - Slowly begin reading a biblical passage as if it were a long awaited love letter addressed to you. Approach it reverentially and expectantly, in a way that savors each word and phrase. Read the passage until you hear a word or phrase that touches you, resonates, attracts or even disturbs you.

Reflecting (meditatio) - Ponder this word or phrase for a few minutes. Let it sink in slowly and deeply until you are resting in it. Listen for what the word or phrase is saying to you at this moment in your life, what it may be offering to you, what it may be demanding of you.

Expressing (oratio) - When you feel ready, openly and honestly express to God the prayers that arise spontaneously within you from your experience of this word or phrase. These may be prayers of thanksgiving, petition, intercession, lament, or praise.

Resting (contemplatio) - Allow yourself to simply   rest silently with God for a time in the stillness of your heart remaining open to the quiet fullness of God’s love and peace. This is like the silence of communion between the mother holding her sleeping infant child or between lovers whose communication with each other passes beyond words.

At the end you might just thank God for the gift you have received.

The Inner Journey

Today's post is written by Janet Lott:

The Inner Journey

“Stand at the crossroads and look,

and ask for ancient paths:

where the good way lies; and walk in it,

and find rest for your souls.”  - Jeremiah 6:16          

We are nearing the end of the first week of Advent. What ancient paths have you found yourself upon this past week? Many of us have chosen to experience ancient spiritual practices such as seeing the Christ in each other, creating worship settings, diving with lectio divina, salving with centering prayer, jounaling, and experiencing the labyrinth. Many people have said that in being faithful to the inner journey their outer journey with the community is more whole and alive.

During the whole month of December, First Christian holds a labyrinth in the Fellowship Hall which is available on Sundays from 9:00 a.m. to closing (except Dec. 9 when it is available from about 3:00 to closing). There are guides available at the entrance to the labyrinth to help your experience of it.

Here is a movement for the labyrinth, which may also be applied to our journeys in life, the big one that stretches over our lifetime and the small ones we have each day:

Prepare . . .

Prepare to be open to what you may experience on the path. Follow the path where it may take you.  Ask God to lead you, to go before you.

Enter . . .

Quiet your mind.  If you were to relax and trust the path you are on, what might you discover or learn? Listen. What do you want to say to God at this moment?

Center . . .

Being in the center is a time for praying, meditating and listening for clarity and insight into who God is calling you to be and do.  Be still in your soul. If you get distracted, it’s okay. God is ready at any time to offer gifts for you to receive and use in the world.

Go Forth . . .

With each step outwards, give time to consider what God has offered you during these last few moments. How will you integrate into your life what you experienced or heard?

Open yourself to letting God encourage and empower you to take on a larger life, a deeper life of action as a child of God.

In our Journey to Jesus this Advent, we move along this life-path with the one who said,

“Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble in heart,

you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light."

– Matthew 11: 29-30

Consider Jesus’ burden being the kind of “light” that illuminates the path...