This past month we've been reading, thinking, praying and talking about God's story, your story and our story. This past weekend was Pentecost and we were reminded that when the disciples were filled with the Holy Spirit, they couldn't help but to tell their story to anyone who would listen.
A good story captures our imagination and often inspires us. We can also become so caught up in a story, that we are willing to invest hours, days, weeks or even years awaiting a finale - you Lost fans know what I mean.
Our stories, much like the stones in Joshua 4, mean something, not only to us, but to the people around us. We don't need to enthrall anyone with our story, but sharing it can help us develop a relationship or provide a guidepost to someone in need of direction.
Please consider sharing a part of your story. Here are some stories that have been shared recently:
Faith journey
by Barbara P.
When I look back on my life so far to determine where and when I started my faith journey, I go back to a small country church. I am an eight-year old sitting in the pew with my grandmother and mother. It is revival time..a hot summer evening. There is an altar call and I am filled with an overwhelming urge to go forward—to declare my need for a savior and to commit my life to Him. I slip out of the pew and head down the aisle followed by my grandmother. You see, she was raised Baptist and this is a Methodist church….she is finally relenting and joining the church my grandfather’s ancestor founded back in the early 1800’s!
That was the beginning—not really—I know God had claimed me before I was even born—that was the beginning of my faith walk. I remember attending VBS on the church lawn, revival after revival, Young Life meetings and Young Life camp, attending Methodist and Baptist churches, and finally, attending a Lutheran church with my aunt and uncle and, once again, being drawn in by the message of love and forgiveness and hope.
I needed the message of hope. Like many other children, I am the product of a broken family. Throughout my childhood and adulthood, I have been touched by the life crises of various family members. I have experienced the sadness, hopelessness, anger, fear, and betrayal stemming from divorce, alcoholism, sickness, death, unemployment, and near poverty. My faith journey has sometimes been a roller coaster ride because of these experiences.
What got me through it all? It has to be my God and your God. Through my times of doubt and frustration, He has always been there and I felt His presence even when I wanted to be far away from Him. Why, I asked, was this happening to me? Hadn’t I been good enough? Where had I gone wrong? Finally, through many such experiences, the Holy Spirit finally got through to me…..God had not forsaken me. God had not betrayed me. God had not forgotten me. God loved and loves me!
I could get really carried away and tell you how much I feel the Holy Spirit’s presence now in those times of crisis that come to us all. But, I know it’s a very personal thing and your faith journey is not my faith journey. I only know that, more every day, through His presence in YOU comforting me, encouraging me, loving me that I see God more clearly. I feel His love in me and working through me and, thank God, I am learning to love you and His children—whenever they cross my path—more and more. God truly loves us and calls us to love God and love one another.
God bless you in your own faith journey. The way is not always easy but our God travels it with us.
When I look back on my life so far to determine where and when I started my faith journey, I go back to a small country church. I am an eight-year old sitting in the pew with my grandmother and mother. It is revival time..a hot summer evening. There is an altar call and I am filled with an overwhelming urge to go forward—to declare my need for a savior and to commit my life to Him. I slip out of the pew and head down the aisle followed by my grandmother. You see, she was raised Baptist and this is a Methodist church….she is finally relenting and joining the church my grandfather’s ancestor founded back in the early 1800’s!
That was the beginning—not really—I know God had claimed me before I was even born—that was the beginning of my faith walk. I remember attending VBS on the church lawn, revival after revival, Young Life meetings and Young Life camp, attending Methodist and Baptist churches, and finally, attending a Lutheran church with my aunt and uncle and, once again, being drawn in by the message of love and forgiveness and hope.
I needed the message of hope. Like many other children, I am the product of a broken family. Throughout my childhood and adulthood, I have been touched by the life crises of various family members. I have experienced the sadness, hopelessness, anger, fear, and betrayal stemming from divorce, alcoholism, sickness, death, unemployment, and near poverty. My faith journey has sometimes been a roller coaster ride because of these experiences.
What got me through it all? It has to be my God and your God. Through my times of doubt and frustration, He has always been there and I felt His presence even when I wanted to be far away from Him. Why, I asked, was this happening to me? Hadn’t I been good enough? Where had I gone wrong? Finally, through many such experiences, the Holy Spirit finally got through to me…..God had not forsaken me. God had not betrayed me. God had not forgotten me. God loved and loves me!
I could get really carried away and tell you how much I feel the Holy Spirit’s presence now in those times of crisis that come to us all. But, I know it’s a very personal thing and your faith journey is not my faith journey. I only know that, more every day, through His presence in YOU comforting me, encouraging me, loving me that I see God more clearly. I feel His love in me and working through me and, thank God, I am learning to love you and His children—whenever they cross my path—more and more. God truly loves us and calls us to love God and love one another.
God bless you in your own faith journey. The way is not always easy but our God travels it with us.
When peace, like a river
by Carey H.
What hymn or song speaks to me most?
The most meaningful hymn to me is “When Peace, like a river” by Horatio Spafford. Although, many songs and hymns are close to my heart; this hymn seems to speak to me on such a personal level.
Horatio Spafford was a Chicago businessman. He was taking his wife, Anna, and their four daughters to Europe when a last minute business crisis prevented him from making the trip with them. During the voyage, the ship sank in a violent storm and only Anna survived.
When Horatio Spafford learned of the terrible tragedy, he immediately set sail for Wales to reunite with his wife. When his ship reached the spot where the children drowned, he expressed both his grief and his faith in a poem:
When peace like a river attendeth my way,
When sorrows like sea billows roll.
Whatever my lot, Thou hast taught me to say,
“It is well, it is well, with my soul.”
In the years since this wonderful hymn was written in 1857, Horatio Spafford’s words have blessed millions and helped them to find God’s peace in the midst of their tragedies; this is most certainly true for me.
What Bible reading is my best friend?
Romans 8 is the Bible reading that I most often turn to for comfort and strength; in particular verse 28 and verses 38-39.
The entire chapter reaffirms that we are Christ’s children through the Holy Spirit and that nothing in this earthly life can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus. Even if we cannot pray or choose not to pray, the Holy Spirit intercedes for us and assures us that no matter what may happen to us in this life, good and bad, it all works together for our good according to God’s will.
Romans 8 also validates Christ’s love for us: He died for us, He has forgiven us, He has given Himself to us through the Holy Spirit. If we are His, nothing can separate us from His love—what a wonderful, joyous, hopeful blessing! Amen.
What hymn or song speaks to me most?
The most meaningful hymn to me is “When Peace, like a river” by Horatio Spafford. Although, many songs and hymns are close to my heart; this hymn seems to speak to me on such a personal level.
Horatio Spafford was a Chicago businessman. He was taking his wife, Anna, and their four daughters to Europe when a last minute business crisis prevented him from making the trip with them. During the voyage, the ship sank in a violent storm and only Anna survived.
When Horatio Spafford learned of the terrible tragedy, he immediately set sail for Wales to reunite with his wife. When his ship reached the spot where the children drowned, he expressed both his grief and his faith in a poem:
When peace like a river attendeth my way,
When sorrows like sea billows roll.
Whatever my lot, Thou hast taught me to say,
“It is well, it is well, with my soul.”
In the years since this wonderful hymn was written in 1857, Horatio Spafford’s words have blessed millions and helped them to find God’s peace in the midst of their tragedies; this is most certainly true for me.
What Bible reading is my best friend?
Romans 8 is the Bible reading that I most often turn to for comfort and strength; in particular verse 28 and verses 38-39.
The entire chapter reaffirms that we are Christ’s children through the Holy Spirit and that nothing in this earthly life can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus. Even if we cannot pray or choose not to pray, the Holy Spirit intercedes for us and assures us that no matter what may happen to us in this life, good and bad, it all works together for our good according to God’s will.
Romans 8 also validates Christ’s love for us: He died for us, He has forgiven us, He has given Himself to us through the Holy Spirit. If we are His, nothing can separate us from His love—what a wonderful, joyous, hopeful blessing! Amen.
Frank & Laverne
by Carol B.
Frank was diagnosed with inoperable lung cancer in April of 2009. He was Walt's nephew and a truly unique person. Frank was kindhearted, caring, compassionate and very generous of his time and talents to help others. He was also passionate about animals, especially his three Maine Coon cats. Loving and caring for animals is the important and close bond we shared. When Shelby, our Rottweiler, passed away in 2008 as a result of an aggressive cancer, it was Frank who called to express his sorrow and to offer consolation. He knew the pain and anguish of losing a beloved companion. I will never forget his kindness and how he helped me through that time
I began to walk dogs at the CASPA for my grief therapy and a month later met Laverne, a Black and Tan Coonhound estimated to be about 8 years old. She was picked up as a stray two months prior and had many medical problems. After her treatment she was ready for adoption. She seemed lethargic, closed down emotionally and needed love and attention. I thought, "You're old, you've got health problems and no one is going to adopt you". So, naturally, I did.
Frank met Laverne for the first time when we traveled to Connecticut for his father's memorial service and interment. He thought she was a cool dog and they seemed to like each other. Their next meeting was last July after Frank's diagnosis. He was receiving chemo-therapy but it was only palliative and his condition was in decline. On October 8th we drove to Connecticut for another visit. Early the next morning, Frank was hospitalized with breathing difficulty.
We were able to visit him several days later. In a little over two hours we covered many subjects. Even though Frank was weak, he insisted on talking and sharing his thoughts and concerns about the care of his beloved cats and his life and coming death with us. He said he accepted that he was dying and hoped he would be with God in a better place. He told us of discussions he had with friends regarding life after death and asking "Is there More? Well, Frank being Frank, he said he would try to return after death to let them know the answer. In listening to him, I realized that was my question too and asked him to add me to the list of people to contact. He began to explain that he wasn't sure how it would work. "It's not like I would just give you a poke". He said it would probably be subtle, that I would have to be attentive and be open. It would be something ordinary.
That was the last conversation we would have with Frank. We returned to Virginia the next day October 13th. Frank was moved to Hospice a couple of days later. His Mom, Dorothy, said the day we visited was really the last day that he was strong enough to carry on much of a conversation.
One week later we got the phone call in the morning telling us of Frank's passing the night before. I began to plan and get ready for the return to Connecticut for the funeral.
Now, Laverne has many quirks one of which is an aversion to thunderstorms. She can sense one coming 30 minutes before we can hear it in the distance. She pants and paces and drools and shakes. I noticed her walking into the dining room and standing there. This is unusual since she only uses this room as "pass thru". Her body was also shaking. I called her into the kitchen to calm her and wondered if there was a storm on the way, however, a look out the window confirmed sun and blue skies. No storm in sight. She returned to the dining room and stood there shaking. This action repeated itself for approximately 1 1/2 hours while I tried to calm her and figure out what was wrong.
I had my arms around her and was talking softly to her when I experienced a sudden and complete sense of calm and a feeling of peace. Frank's words flooded back to me........."it would be subtle, it would be something ordinary". I hugged Laverne and said, "Oh, Laverne, Its just Frank. You know Frank. He's telling us everything is OK! Not 10 seconds later, Laverne stopped shaking, calmly went into the family room, laid down and went fast asleep!
I believe God speaks to us in many ways but we need to be attentive and open and listening for the still small voice. In the beauty of nature and all of God's creations, He says, "I am here, see me!" He speaks to us in our joys and our sorrows. He speaks in the sudden and unexpected glorious flash of a shooting star in the early, still morning after a sudden loss. He speaks through our relationships and close bonds with family and friends, saying, "I am with you, feel my presence!" And yes, even through an old hound dog by the name of Laverne! "THERE IS MORE!"
Frank was diagnosed with inoperable lung cancer in April of 2009. He was Walt's nephew and a truly unique person. Frank was kindhearted, caring, compassionate and very generous of his time and talents to help others. He was also passionate about animals, especially his three Maine Coon cats. Loving and caring for animals is the important and close bond we shared. When Shelby, our Rottweiler, passed away in 2008 as a result of an aggressive cancer, it was Frank who called to express his sorrow and to offer consolation. He knew the pain and anguish of losing a beloved companion. I will never forget his kindness and how he helped me through that time
I began to walk dogs at the CASPA for my grief therapy and a month later met Laverne, a Black and Tan Coonhound estimated to be about 8 years old. She was picked up as a stray two months prior and had many medical problems. After her treatment she was ready for adoption. She seemed lethargic, closed down emotionally and needed love and attention. I thought, "You're old, you've got health problems and no one is going to adopt you". So, naturally, I did.
Frank met Laverne for the first time when we traveled to Connecticut for his father's memorial service and interment. He thought she was a cool dog and they seemed to like each other. Their next meeting was last July after Frank's diagnosis. He was receiving chemo-therapy but it was only palliative and his condition was in decline. On October 8th we drove to Connecticut for another visit. Early the next morning, Frank was hospitalized with breathing difficulty.
We were able to visit him several days later. In a little over two hours we covered many subjects. Even though Frank was weak, he insisted on talking and sharing his thoughts and concerns about the care of his beloved cats and his life and coming death with us. He said he accepted that he was dying and hoped he would be with God in a better place. He told us of discussions he had with friends regarding life after death and asking "Is there More? Well, Frank being Frank, he said he would try to return after death to let them know the answer. In listening to him, I realized that was my question too and asked him to add me to the list of people to contact. He began to explain that he wasn't sure how it would work. "It's not like I would just give you a poke". He said it would probably be subtle, that I would have to be attentive and be open. It would be something ordinary.
That was the last conversation we would have with Frank. We returned to Virginia the next day October 13th. Frank was moved to Hospice a couple of days later. His Mom, Dorothy, said the day we visited was really the last day that he was strong enough to carry on much of a conversation.
One week later we got the phone call in the morning telling us of Frank's passing the night before. I began to plan and get ready for the return to Connecticut for the funeral.
Now, Laverne has many quirks one of which is an aversion to thunderstorms. She can sense one coming 30 minutes before we can hear it in the distance. She pants and paces and drools and shakes. I noticed her walking into the dining room and standing there. This is unusual since she only uses this room as "pass thru". Her body was also shaking. I called her into the kitchen to calm her and wondered if there was a storm on the way, however, a look out the window confirmed sun and blue skies. No storm in sight. She returned to the dining room and stood there shaking. This action repeated itself for approximately 1 1/2 hours while I tried to calm her and figure out what was wrong.
I had my arms around her and was talking softly to her when I experienced a sudden and complete sense of calm and a feeling of peace. Frank's words flooded back to me........."it would be subtle, it would be something ordinary". I hugged Laverne and said, "Oh, Laverne, Its just Frank. You know Frank. He's telling us everything is OK! Not 10 seconds later, Laverne stopped shaking, calmly went into the family room, laid down and went fast asleep!
I believe God speaks to us in many ways but we need to be attentive and open and listening for the still small voice. In the beauty of nature and all of God's creations, He says, "I am here, see me!" He speaks to us in our joys and our sorrows. He speaks in the sudden and unexpected glorious flash of a shooting star in the early, still morning after a sudden loss. He speaks through our relationships and close bonds with family and friends, saying, "I am with you, feel my presence!" And yes, even through an old hound dog by the name of Laverne! "THERE IS MORE!"
Equal justice
by Kim W.
What is the great equalizer of humanity? I think I got a glimpse of it in the airport last Fall. I was scoping out the outlet possibilities while I waited for my flight. You'll always find the geeks and business men at the outlets. I sat down next to a business man, who was clearly sending out vibes to not sit there - but there weren't many other options to grab an outlet and frankly I felt I had every right to be there as him - right? He was on his cell phone - typical. But before I knew it, I was drawn into a conversation that shattered my preconceptions.
This white, middle-aged business man just recently learned that his wife had some sort of stroke that day at lunch. His wife is in intensive care, incoherent, facing possible surgery and further complications. As he talks to a doctor, I can feel all his walls crumbling down. He is desperate to find out what is going on and what he needs to do. He is hanging on by a thread, but maintains his composure and uses that business brain he's been training all these years to cover all options, possibilities and outcomes. I was completely drawn into his suffering. As his walls came down, my prejudices about white, middle-aged business men evaporated. We were both just humans then.
When I got on the plane, I started reading a manuscript, Why God? that my friend Bob M. asked me to read. Right on the first page, he writes that "when any of us stands facing a reality that is unbearable, we cry out against whatever fate or providence or divine plan or human purpose brought this pain to us ... the intensity of our sorrow opens our hearts to the sorrow of others."
I think that pure love and joy also have this equalizing property, but when speaking of justice issues, we are speaking of suffering. It's in the suffering that we can actually identify with those living in such different circumstances than ourselves. We all know what suffering feels like. We all feel some gut instinct to help our fellow man out of their suffering. We may not know what to say or do, but the instinct is there. It is this instinct that we need to follow into the uncomfortable world of those suffering injustice. It is this instinct that levels the playing field of humanity when we sit next to each other and start to listen.
What is the great equalizer of humanity? I think I got a glimpse of it in the airport last Fall. I was scoping out the outlet possibilities while I waited for my flight. You'll always find the geeks and business men at the outlets. I sat down next to a business man, who was clearly sending out vibes to not sit there - but there weren't many other options to grab an outlet and frankly I felt I had every right to be there as him - right? He was on his cell phone - typical. But before I knew it, I was drawn into a conversation that shattered my preconceptions.
This white, middle-aged business man just recently learned that his wife had some sort of stroke that day at lunch. His wife is in intensive care, incoherent, facing possible surgery and further complications. As he talks to a doctor, I can feel all his walls crumbling down. He is desperate to find out what is going on and what he needs to do. He is hanging on by a thread, but maintains his composure and uses that business brain he's been training all these years to cover all options, possibilities and outcomes. I was completely drawn into his suffering. As his walls came down, my prejudices about white, middle-aged business men evaporated. We were both just humans then.
When I got on the plane, I started reading a manuscript, Why God? that my friend Bob M. asked me to read. Right on the first page, he writes that "when any of us stands facing a reality that is unbearable, we cry out against whatever fate or providence or divine plan or human purpose brought this pain to us ... the intensity of our sorrow opens our hearts to the sorrow of others."
I think that pure love and joy also have this equalizing property, but when speaking of justice issues, we are speaking of suffering. It's in the suffering that we can actually identify with those living in such different circumstances than ourselves. We all know what suffering feels like. We all feel some gut instinct to help our fellow man out of their suffering. We may not know what to say or do, but the instinct is there. It is this instinct that we need to follow into the uncomfortable world of those suffering injustice. It is this instinct that levels the playing field of humanity when we sit next to each other and start to listen.
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