“The Fire” – Judy Brown
“… A fire grows simply because the space is there, with openings in which the flame that knows just how it wants to burn can find its way.”
OUR CORE VALUES:
Love, warmth and fellowship
Focus on youth
Reaching out to those in need Being family to one another
I have been so touched by our recent worship focus on prayer. But the thing that continues to stay with me is the idea of taking a “sacred pause.” A breath, a moment of silent stillness when we allow God to speak, or to just be silently present to us, or just to calm our bodies and minds. “Be still and know that I am God,” says the Psalmist. We live in very reactive times, in the news, in politics, in family conversations, sometimes even in church, highly charged comments fly freely, often hurting or diminishing others. This is not what the Lord desires.
Romans 12:1-2 I appeal to you therefore, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds, so that you may discern what is the will of God— what is good and acceptable and perfect.
God desires us to love one another, as we love ourselves. A sacred pause–a moment, a breath, a silent prayer, reflecting on one line of scripture, or a whole day of retreat–helps me to do that more than anything else I know. The other parts of our “prayer” focus were two aspects: praying that God’s kingdom come on earth as it is in heaven, and asking God for help. The kingdom coming here on earth does not DEPEND on us, but God has asked us to be part of it! To be the hands and feet of Christ in this world.
In terms of our WORDS: James 3:3-5 A bit in the mouth of a horse controls the whole horse. A small rudder on a huge ship in the hands of a skilled captain sets a course in the face of the strongest winds. A word out of your mouth may seem of no account, but it can accomplish nearly anything—or destroy it!
Our THOUGHTS (see Romans above) and our ACTIONS (further in Romans 12) love one another with mutual affection; outdo one another in showing honor. … Live in harmony with one another; do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly…if your enemies are hungry, feed them; if they are thirsty, give them something to drink;
How can we do this without God’s help? Without knowing that God is God and allowing the holy spirit to flow through us?
As the coming months get busier and busier, and who knows what other divisions will increase, emerge, and tempt us to sin. I pray you will take a sacred pause. . . and remind me too.
Peace,
Pastor Christi
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