Waking up

Here is another of Anthony DeMello’s little stories from “One Minute Wisdom”. I’ll be posting a few of them over the months. For some background, check the posting in this Blog for Nov 25, 2011 One Minute Wisdom

Vigilance

The disciple asks the master:

“Is there anything I can do to make myself enlightened?”

“As little as you can do to make the sun rise in the morning.”

“Then of what use are the spiritual exercises you prescribe?”

“To make sure that you are not asleep when the sun begins to rise.”

Jesus challenges us in parables to stay awake. (Matt 25:13)

How delicious it is to be awake. It isn’t the opposite of fighting off sleep.

Oddly enough being ‘awake’ to the love of God has the effect of being rested!

Often we are like the disciple, wanting to create a ‘state of being’ in ourselves, like peace or joy or happiness or enlightenment. We cannot do this. We can do the real ‘work’ in our prayer life of surrender, acceptance, gratitude or compassion so that we are awake.

Do a quick personal inventory of your ‘spiritual exercise’:

1. What have you done already today ‘... to make sure you are not asleep’?
2. Do you need to add anything today?

Isaiah 43 paraphrase

     Whatever your day looks like, whatever you face today, pause and listen ~ for God speaks to us still through the ancient prophet, Isaiah...

      You are precious in my eyes,

     You are honored and I love you,

     Do not be afraid for I am with you.

      I have called you by name...

     you are mine.

     Should you pass through the sea

     I will be with you,

     or through the rivers, they will not

     swallow you up.

     Should you walk through fire, you

     will not be scorched,

     For I am Yahweh, your Saviour.

     Isaiah 43 paraphrase

Take courage and strength from these ancient words!

Blessings,

Sharon Copeman

What Time is it in the World right now? Notes from Margaret Wheatley

In October I went to a public lecture by Margaret Wheatley the author of Leadership and the New Science, Turning to One Another and Perseverance.  She is a compelling speaker with wisdom for us.  So I thought I would like to share some of  my notes from her lecture.  She was speaking from the context of her new book, Perseverance.  This is a wonderful resource, each page holds wisdom on a particular topic that has to do with persevering in leadership and life.  It could be used as a daily meditation resource.  I have used quotes from it for leading worship, small groups and for my own spiritual practice.  I recommend it.  Here are some of my notes from her words that night:

What time is it in the world right now?

            - the era of doing more with less, especially time

            - increasing conflict

            -polarization

            - increased fear and anxiety

            - a time of blame, denial, avoidance

What time is it in the world right now?

-it’s just our turn to serve

-if we can look reality in the face then we can know where to serve

Who in your life has taught you to persevere?

-we weren’t brought up in a culture that thought this would be necessary

-everyday we must make a choice not to give up

-everyday we must make the choice to be conscious about what is going on and respond to it

-we cannot persevere without knowing how to deal with:

            -criticism

            -anger

            -failure

            -anxiety

            -stress

-these are just circumstances of every day life; not new to our culture

-it is not enough to have a bold vision, goals or passion

-must learn to move with life on life’s terms

-need to be prepared for when you will need discipline- that is perseverance

-can act out of bravery to try not to add to aggression of the world

Replace the words “I love you” with “I will stay awake with you”

Posted by Lori Megley-Best

Epiphany 2012

"Always say “yes” to the present moment. What could be more futile, more insane, than to create inner resistance to what already is? what could be more insane than to oppose life itself, which is now and always now? Surrender to what is. Say “yes” to life — and see how life suddenly starts working for you rather than against you."       E.Tolle

I think this quote is appropriate for Epiphany. I see life and faith as an invitation to blossom, to stretch my abilities, and experience my gifts but I do have to say yes first to the many opportunities set before me.  My sister decided two years ago that her life was boring, dull and flat. Her description not mine. She also decided that her goal for 2010 would be to say yes to everything. Recently she exclaimed to me with a huge "Wow" in her voice, "My life is so exciting now!".

When I say opportunities I do not necessarily mean large commitments and responsibilities. An opportunity could mean a conversation with someone new, a book we are offered, a walk, a one day course on a subject we would never have considered before. An opportunity is something new. We do get stuck in comfortable ruts which cause limitations to our thinking and being.

The spirit of God is always speaking to us....always. Epiphany is to be reminded of how large, vast and mysterious the Spirit is. Epiphany is to be reminded of how large, vast and mysterious our lives are. Be surprised by joy as C.S.Lewis says. It only comes from stepping outside our comfort zone.

Thanks be to God

Posted by Sally McShane

Prayer for a New Year

Since hearing anew Wesley's prayer for a new year, I have been both offering it up to God and sitting with what it might mean to my life in the coming year.  I know this is not a new prayer, but it is certainly one with lasting power for our lives and so I offer it to you, for your own contemplation.

I am no longer my own, but thine.
Put me to what thou wilt, rank me with whom thou wilt.
Put me to doing, put me to suffering.
Let me be employed by thee or laid aside for thee,
exalted for thee or brought low for thee.
Let me be full, let me be empty.
Let me have all things, let me have nothing.
I freely and heartily yield all things
to thy pleasure and disposal.
And now, O glorious and blessed God,
Father, Son, and Holy Spirit,
thou art mine, and I am thine. So be it.
And the covenant which I have made on earth,
let it be ratified in heaven. Amen.”
Shalom,
Ivy

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Ivy Thomas
Conference Minister
Kamloops-Okanagan Presbytery