"These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up." Deuteronomy 6:6-7 NIV
Thank you for joining me on the summer read along! I apologize for being MIA on the blog, but the summer has not gone as planned and 'my time' was almost non-existent! I hope you enjoyed the book. What did you like most? Have you explored any other writing by Suzanne Woods Fisher? I now follow her on Twitter and Instagram and always enjoy her posts.
Unfortunately, I have yet to locate my missing book, so I am at a loss to talk about the last section. I'm sure it's around here somewhere... Please share your thoughts about the last part of the book (or the entire book, for that matter) in the Comment section below. Don't forget, if you're reading this in your e-mail, click here to go to the blog to leave your comment. I can't wait to read what you discovered in the pages of our book!
One of the aspects of Amish life that resonates with me is the idea that their faith is not a separate part of their lives. They live their faith every day - it's in their homes, their work, their relationships - it's a natural part of the fabric of their lives and their community. It's not to say that they don't have troubles, flaws, or questions, they have many of the same personal struggles and temptations we do.
It reminds me of Deuteronomy 6: 6-7 (the opening verse). Grab your Bible (or your Bible app) and look up the verse to see more fully the context in which it is spoken. Moses is speaking to the people of Israel just after he gives them the Ten Commandments. He's telling them, and us, that we are to obey God all day, every day. Not just when we are in trouble or on the Sabbath, but always. Our faith is within us and is to be within everything we do and say and how we live.
When God's word is in our hearts and blankets our lives, we are often able to see and hear God in everyday situations. Here's a link to a Proverb's 31 devotion that is a wonderful example of how an everyday situation revealed God's word in the author's life. Have you ever encountered a faith moment in the grocery store line? How about in a song, not a hymn or Christian song, a secular song? Or a novel? I have an aunt, uncle, and cousin who think the Harry Potter books are satanic because their pastor told them they were. I, however, devoured them (and the movies) and read them to my children. We own all the books, movies, and even a few wands, and are planning our second trip to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter because I saw lessons of the great power of Love, Faith, and Forgiveness in the pages of those books. When my family talks about the books we are reading or the music we listen to, we talk about the message that is being conveyed and how that fits into our family's values & our faith. It's never anything fancy or pious, just regular conversations. It's what works for us and how, as a parent, I follow Moses' advice.
It's paramount to be a part of a faith community, to attend church on Sunday, to meet regularly together to learn and discuss the Word of God with each other and to be the Body of Christ. But it is important too, to have the commands of God written on our hearts, to teach them and talk about them daily, to knit them into the fabric of our lives, and to be open to seeing God and hearing God every day.
How do you see and hear God every day? And how do you pass this on to the young people in your life? Sharing how you do this will encourage all of us and give us new ideas on how to live our faith and follow God's commands every day.
Thank you all for your patience and understanding of my erratic posting and total derailment (through misplacing my book) of the summer read-along. Truly, I hope you enjoyed the book. This was my second reading, and even so, I am disappointed that I could not finish reading it this time around.
Enjoy the last few weeks of summer! I will be announcing our Fall study as soon as I figure out what it is (yes, I'm THAT far behind)!
Your Partner in Ministry,
Shelly
Warrior
"Kind words are like honey - sweet to the soul and healthy for the body." Proverbs 16:24
Friday, August 15, 2014
Monday, July 14, 2014
Our Summer Read-a-Long Continues
"A happy home is more than a roof over your head, it's a foundation under your feet." ~ Amish Proverb
Hello! Thanks for joining me on the summer read, Amish Values for Your Family, by Suzanne Woods Fisher. How do you like the book so far? I just love reading the short stories about a lifestyle that is different from my own and discovering that we are not as shockingly different as I at first thought.
In the spirit of full disclosure, I did grow up in Pennsylvania; York County to be specific. We didn't know any Amish or Mennonite families, but there were Mennonite families in the area. Lancaster, where many Amish farms & communities are, was only a short drive away. And I know that my great grandmothers did many things the way the Amish do them, sharing many of the same family values, work ethic, and child rearing philosophies. These have filtered down and watered down through my family over the years, but I have to admit, in my heart of hearts I yearn for a less cluttered life. And I don't mean less busy or easier or void of all modern conveniences. I think what's coming to light for me is a desire for a more focused & satisfied life - whatever that means or whatever that looks like! I'd imagine it's not the same as my Amish counterpart. Happily, I think most days I am heading in the right direction.
What story or idea spoke to you? It's difficult for me to choose just one... I think it's the overall ideas of child rearing that speak the loudest to me. Here are some things that caught my attention from Section One:
* Children are important and need to be involved in all aspects of family life from a young age. However, the family (and the world) should not revolve around a child or the children. I really like this because when children are involved in family life from a young age, their love for helping, doing, and learning comes to light. And 'work' and 'learning' aren't dreadful things, they are just a natural part of life.
* Sometimes it's not about the money spent or saved. Taking longer to do something because it's a learning experience and an opportunity to bond with your child is always worth the extra time and money! The story about the rabbit hutch (page 19) is a perfect example of this. We've had a similar story taking place in our own backyard this summer. We purchased a new cedar play structure for our youngest daughter and decided to put it together ourselves. It's hard work, complicated, and slow going but it has been an opportunity for my husband and son to build something together.
* Don't get frazzled when things don't go as planned or expected or hoped. This one is easier said than done, but worth it's weight in gold!
* The Amish do not yell at their children! Children are generally quiet, even when playing, as compared to English children. I think there is a direct correlation here. :)
* And the children learn chores, manners, social norms and how to behave from their parents, older siblings, and grandparents. While I don't think children should be sheltered from outside influences, it's nice not to have to fight the media on a child's expectations of what is 'normal'.
* The Amish have a strong connection to nature. I share this value with my children, too. When there's a strong connection to nature, it fosters caring, nurturing, and understanding for others, for the planet, and for those who cannot speak for themselves (animals & plants). Raising and/or caring for animals or planting and tending a garden offers endless opportunities for growth and understanding about ourselves and the world around us. No game, book, movie, or classroom can equal the lessons learned through experiences with nature!
I'd love to hear what is coming to light for you! How are you like the Amish? Are you incorporating any ideas from the book into your life? Do you have a favorite Amish Proverb? I can't wait to hear all about it in the Comment section!!!
One way I have had the pleasure of bringing some Amish life into my own is through Amish Friendship Bread. If you don't know what it is, ask me in the Comments and I'll explain it more, but here I'll skip right to the good part. I currently have many loaves in my freezer, along with 8 starters and 12 batches of batter! My freezers are overflowing with Amish Friendship Bread!! But through this abundance I have discovered a wonderful website, Friendship Bread Kitchen! It is filled with delicious recipes so I will never run out of things to make with my batter. My latest creations, Root Beer AFB & AFB Chocolate Chip Pancakes (aka Monster Cakes because we make them huge) are big hits with my family! And she writes novels, too! More books to put on my must-read list!
If you would like a bag of batter, let me know in the Comment section and I'll get it to you! Either way, check out the website! You will want some!!
Wishing you all a lovely week. And remember, "The forest would be quiet if no birds sang except the best." ~ Amish Proverb
Your Partner in Ministry,
Shelly
warrior
"Kind words are like honey - sweet to the soul and healthy for the body." Proverbs 16:24
Hello! Thanks for joining me on the summer read, Amish Values for Your Family, by Suzanne Woods Fisher. How do you like the book so far? I just love reading the short stories about a lifestyle that is different from my own and discovering that we are not as shockingly different as I at first thought.
In the spirit of full disclosure, I did grow up in Pennsylvania; York County to be specific. We didn't know any Amish or Mennonite families, but there were Mennonite families in the area. Lancaster, where many Amish farms & communities are, was only a short drive away. And I know that my great grandmothers did many things the way the Amish do them, sharing many of the same family values, work ethic, and child rearing philosophies. These have filtered down and watered down through my family over the years, but I have to admit, in my heart of hearts I yearn for a less cluttered life. And I don't mean less busy or easier or void of all modern conveniences. I think what's coming to light for me is a desire for a more focused & satisfied life - whatever that means or whatever that looks like! I'd imagine it's not the same as my Amish counterpart. Happily, I think most days I am heading in the right direction.
What story or idea spoke to you? It's difficult for me to choose just one... I think it's the overall ideas of child rearing that speak the loudest to me. Here are some things that caught my attention from Section One:
* Children are important and need to be involved in all aspects of family life from a young age. However, the family (and the world) should not revolve around a child or the children. I really like this because when children are involved in family life from a young age, their love for helping, doing, and learning comes to light. And 'work' and 'learning' aren't dreadful things, they are just a natural part of life.
* Sometimes it's not about the money spent or saved. Taking longer to do something because it's a learning experience and an opportunity to bond with your child is always worth the extra time and money! The story about the rabbit hutch (page 19) is a perfect example of this. We've had a similar story taking place in our own backyard this summer. We purchased a new cedar play structure for our youngest daughter and decided to put it together ourselves. It's hard work, complicated, and slow going but it has been an opportunity for my husband and son to build something together.
* Don't get frazzled when things don't go as planned or expected or hoped. This one is easier said than done, but worth it's weight in gold!
* The Amish do not yell at their children! Children are generally quiet, even when playing, as compared to English children. I think there is a direct correlation here. :)
* And the children learn chores, manners, social norms and how to behave from their parents, older siblings, and grandparents. While I don't think children should be sheltered from outside influences, it's nice not to have to fight the media on a child's expectations of what is 'normal'.
* The Amish have a strong connection to nature. I share this value with my children, too. When there's a strong connection to nature, it fosters caring, nurturing, and understanding for others, for the planet, and for those who cannot speak for themselves (animals & plants). Raising and/or caring for animals or planting and tending a garden offers endless opportunities for growth and understanding about ourselves and the world around us. No game, book, movie, or classroom can equal the lessons learned through experiences with nature!
I'd love to hear what is coming to light for you! How are you like the Amish? Are you incorporating any ideas from the book into your life? Do you have a favorite Amish Proverb? I can't wait to hear all about it in the Comment section!!!
One way I have had the pleasure of bringing some Amish life into my own is through Amish Friendship Bread. If you don't know what it is, ask me in the Comments and I'll explain it more, but here I'll skip right to the good part. I currently have many loaves in my freezer, along with 8 starters and 12 batches of batter! My freezers are overflowing with Amish Friendship Bread!! But through this abundance I have discovered a wonderful website, Friendship Bread Kitchen! It is filled with delicious recipes so I will never run out of things to make with my batter. My latest creations, Root Beer AFB & AFB Chocolate Chip Pancakes (aka Monster Cakes because we make them huge) are big hits with my family! And she writes novels, too! More books to put on my must-read list!
If you would like a bag of batter, let me know in the Comment section and I'll get it to you! Either way, check out the website! You will want some!!
Wishing you all a lovely week. And remember, "The forest would be quiet if no birds sang except the best." ~ Amish Proverb
Your Partner in Ministry,
Shelly
warrior
"Kind words are like honey - sweet to the soul and healthy for the body." Proverbs 16:24
Tuesday, July 1, 2014
A Summer Read-A-Long!
"The kind of ancestors you have is not as important as the ones your children have." ~ Amish Proverb
Welcome Back! Oh, how I have missed you! Thanks for joining me on the summer read-a-long. I am very excited to get started on Amish Values for Your Family.
The month of June was so busy for my family it will be a welcome respite to delve into a book about slowing down and keeping family close. Over the next four weeks we'll take a peek into the Amish and Mennonite (Anabaptist) lifestyles and how we can embrace some aspects of the simple life. Our author, Suzanne Woods Fisher, writes both fiction and non-fiction books, has a website click here to go to her site, and hosts a blog click here. She and her family also raise puppies for Guide Dogs! Her website & blog are wonderfully inspiring. You can follow her on Facebook and Twitter! Kind of ironic considering she writes about a lifestyle that avoids or limits modern influences :) But, I am glad she is so connected and accessible! I hope you will visit her sites or follow her, if you are on Facebook or Twitter, and read some of her novels. And be sure to Comment about what you're reading! I'd love to hear about her other works.
Each of the four sections has a theme and is filled with short stories (3-4 pages) around that theme, starts with an Amish Proverb (my personal favorite), includes some advice on how we can incorporate an Amish value into our busy lives, and ends with "In their own words...", quotes from The Budget, a weekly newspaper for the Amish-Mennonite community. It's a quick, easy read that will enlighten and inspire - perfect for summer reading!
The first section, Children Are Loved but Not Adored, includes memories of Amish childhood and what made it so special. Being inspired by that, please share in the comments something that made your childhood special. It might be a particular family tradition, a one-time summer trip, or quiet time with family. To take it one step further, ask your children what favorite memory they have from their childhood. Whether they are still in their childhood or grown, you just may be surprised at their most beloved memories!
I look forward to reading your special childhood memories!
"The best things in life are not things." ~ Amish Proverb
Your Partner in Ministry,
Shelly
Warrior
"Kind words are like honey - sweet to the soul and healthy for the body." Proverbs 16:24
Welcome Back! Oh, how I have missed you! Thanks for joining me on the summer read-a-long. I am very excited to get started on Amish Values for Your Family.
The month of June was so busy for my family it will be a welcome respite to delve into a book about slowing down and keeping family close. Over the next four weeks we'll take a peek into the Amish and Mennonite (Anabaptist) lifestyles and how we can embrace some aspects of the simple life. Our author, Suzanne Woods Fisher, writes both fiction and non-fiction books, has a website click here to go to her site, and hosts a blog click here. She and her family also raise puppies for Guide Dogs! Her website & blog are wonderfully inspiring. You can follow her on Facebook and Twitter! Kind of ironic considering she writes about a lifestyle that avoids or limits modern influences :) But, I am glad she is so connected and accessible! I hope you will visit her sites or follow her, if you are on Facebook or Twitter, and read some of her novels. And be sure to Comment about what you're reading! I'd love to hear about her other works.
Each of the four sections has a theme and is filled with short stories (3-4 pages) around that theme, starts with an Amish Proverb (my personal favorite), includes some advice on how we can incorporate an Amish value into our busy lives, and ends with "In their own words...", quotes from The Budget, a weekly newspaper for the Amish-Mennonite community. It's a quick, easy read that will enlighten and inspire - perfect for summer reading!
The first section, Children Are Loved but Not Adored, includes memories of Amish childhood and what made it so special. Being inspired by that, please share in the comments something that made your childhood special. It might be a particular family tradition, a one-time summer trip, or quiet time with family. To take it one step further, ask your children what favorite memory they have from their childhood. Whether they are still in their childhood or grown, you just may be surprised at their most beloved memories!
I look forward to reading your special childhood memories!
"The best things in life are not things." ~ Amish Proverb
Your Partner in Ministry,
Shelly
Warrior
"Kind words are like honey - sweet to the soul and healthy for the body." Proverbs 16:24
Wednesday, May 7, 2014
"A Model of Wholeness"
"And a voice from heaven said, "This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased."
Matthew 3:17
This is what happened as Jesus came up out of the water after his baptism by John the Baptist. It is a short, but incredibly powerful declaration. It has been depicted in TV, film, and as artwork, but it's difficult to really capture what that voice must have sounded like. Can you hear it?
As we finish our study on Discovering Our Spiritual Style, we look at Jesus' spirituality as a model of wholeness. We will explore the ideas of integration (who we are together) and individuation (who we are individually) and take a brief look at how Jesus used these in his ministry. We will also read several Bible passages that highlight Jesus' balance of Head, Incarnation, Heart, and Mystery or the four quadrants Earth, Water, Air, and Fire.
Because we have radically slowed down the pace of this study (it's original intention is for a one- or two-day seminar) it's been easy to get 'caught up' in the individual quadrants and lose sight of the overall purpose of the study. The nice part is that we have been able to explore different worship experiences, especially the Art & Meditation portions. My hope is that we have all been able to get to know how our individual style fits us, strengthens us and serves a greater purpose in the whole. And, to quote the study guide, "The goal is not to get anyone to radically change their spiritual style but to assist each other in expanding our spirituality range, to help us find more ways to experience God, and to have greater appreciation for that which is less familiar or comfortable to us." (pg. 23).
I see that, not only as the goal of this study (and book), but in becoming the person God created me to be. He has given each of us strengths, talents, and abilities, but not so that we can live alone. He designed us to fit together, to help each other, to provide the missing element for one another. No person can be complete - perfect - except for Jesus. He is our model; what we strive for but can never attain on our own. We need to be connected to God and to each other to draw closer to experiencing spiritual wholeness.
I'd love to hear how you draw closer to experiencing wholeness in your worship. Do you pray and worship intentionally from each quadrant? Do you have people or groups in your life who help you to expand and engage in ways that are different than your most comfortable way?
If you will be attending in person on Friday, please bring your favorite Bible!
Your Partner in Ministry,
Shelly
Warrior
"Kind words are like honey - sweet to the soul and healthy for the body." Proverbs 16:24
Matthew 3:17
This is what happened as Jesus came up out of the water after his baptism by John the Baptist. It is a short, but incredibly powerful declaration. It has been depicted in TV, film, and as artwork, but it's difficult to really capture what that voice must have sounded like. Can you hear it?
As we finish our study on Discovering Our Spiritual Style, we look at Jesus' spirituality as a model of wholeness. We will explore the ideas of integration (who we are together) and individuation (who we are individually) and take a brief look at how Jesus used these in his ministry. We will also read several Bible passages that highlight Jesus' balance of Head, Incarnation, Heart, and Mystery or the four quadrants Earth, Water, Air, and Fire.
Because we have radically slowed down the pace of this study (it's original intention is for a one- or two-day seminar) it's been easy to get 'caught up' in the individual quadrants and lose sight of the overall purpose of the study. The nice part is that we have been able to explore different worship experiences, especially the Art & Meditation portions. My hope is that we have all been able to get to know how our individual style fits us, strengthens us and serves a greater purpose in the whole. And, to quote the study guide, "The goal is not to get anyone to radically change their spiritual style but to assist each other in expanding our spirituality range, to help us find more ways to experience God, and to have greater appreciation for that which is less familiar or comfortable to us." (pg. 23).
I see that, not only as the goal of this study (and book), but in becoming the person God created me to be. He has given each of us strengths, talents, and abilities, but not so that we can live alone. He designed us to fit together, to help each other, to provide the missing element for one another. No person can be complete - perfect - except for Jesus. He is our model; what we strive for but can never attain on our own. We need to be connected to God and to each other to draw closer to experiencing spiritual wholeness.
I'd love to hear how you draw closer to experiencing wholeness in your worship. Do you pray and worship intentionally from each quadrant? Do you have people or groups in your life who help you to expand and engage in ways that are different than your most comfortable way?
If you will be attending in person on Friday, please bring your favorite Bible!
Your Partner in Ministry,
Shelly
Warrior
"Kind words are like honey - sweet to the soul and healthy for the body." Proverbs 16:24
Tuesday, April 29, 2014
Air and Fire
"Suddenly, the angel of the Lord appeared to him as a blazing fire in a bush. Moses was amazed because the bush was engulfed in flames, but it didn't burn up." Exodus 3:2 (NLT)
We continue to explore the different paths of spiritual experience in the "Paths to Wholeness" resource, based on the book, Discover Your Spiritual Type by Corinne Ware.
This week we are exploring worship & prayer through Air and Fire! Both are used throughout the Bible to represent God's presence. The burning bush is one of my favorites and most vivid! And it calls Moses to extreme action for the Kingdom of God (one of the markers for the Fire path).
Reading is one of my favorite things to do. Whether it be for knowledge or entertainment, I am most content to sit & read. When I took my daughter for a visit to her future college, she went to dinner with her future teammates and they urged me to come along. They couldn't understand why the prospect of eating alone in my hotel room and reading a book was appealing to me. I've known this about myself from a very young age, but I never put it together with my spirituality.
This is the insight that our study is giving us. And it's importance goes beyond just knowing and understanding how we, as individuals, prefer to worship. It can be helpful by showing us, individually and corporately, what we need to continue to grow in our faith; how to step out of our comfort zone; and how to seek out and appreciate the gifts of others.
Ms. Ware and her predecessor, Urban T. Holmes, contend that we all have tendencies towards one or two paths, but that it is important to maintain a balance among the 4 quadrants (paths). "The circle emphasizes Holmes's belief that each of four types of authentic religious experience is needed as part of a healthy whole. The circle itself represents the value placed on unity and on the interdependence of each part." (Discover Your Spiritual Type, pg. 9).
In other words, I need to do more than keep my nose in a book! To maintain a balanced life, spiritually and otherwise, I should look to the other paths of Water & Fire to provided the proper tension to my Earth & Air paths. When I look around at my immediate family and friends, I recognize that often they provide the balance and pull or push that I need to draw me off of my comfy sofa, out of the pages of an interesting book and into the world of action and expression.
I hope, as we study these different paths, that we can open ourselves to new experiences. Even if we don't incorporate new practices into our personal worship and prayer time, it's still a valuable tool to use on our journey in becoming the person God created us to be. He created us to be part of a whole, part of a community. None of us can be complete without each other, by design.
Here's a quick overview of what we will do on Friday when we meet:
First we will look at the Fire Path and talk about volunteerism. Please read page 20 so that you are familiar with this path's characteristics. We will not discuss "the situations" on page 21. We may briefly discuss how we, individually and as a church, contribute to The Kingdom of God through our volunteer efforts.
The bulk of our time will be exploring Air through contemplative meditation. Please read pages 17,18, and 19 so you are familiar with what we will be doing. This will make the transition into the meditation smoother and give us more time for the meditation and discussion or quiet time. If you would like to bring a pillow to sit on for the meditation, please do so. We will be sitting silently for 10 minutes.
WINNER!!! Congratulations, Paula! You are the winner of the journal and pen giveaway! I will bring it to our meeting on Friday.
Please share your experiences so far in exploring the different paths of spirituality. Were you surprised by your dominate path? Do you need to be more balanced? How do you plan on drawing from the other paths?
Your Partner in Ministry,
Shelly
Warrior
"Kind words are like honey - sweet to the soul and healthy for the body." Proverbs 16:24
We continue to explore the different paths of spiritual experience in the "Paths to Wholeness" resource, based on the book, Discover Your Spiritual Type by Corinne Ware.
This week we are exploring worship & prayer through Air and Fire! Both are used throughout the Bible to represent God's presence. The burning bush is one of my favorites and most vivid! And it calls Moses to extreme action for the Kingdom of God (one of the markers for the Fire path).
Reading is one of my favorite things to do. Whether it be for knowledge or entertainment, I am most content to sit & read. When I took my daughter for a visit to her future college, she went to dinner with her future teammates and they urged me to come along. They couldn't understand why the prospect of eating alone in my hotel room and reading a book was appealing to me. I've known this about myself from a very young age, but I never put it together with my spirituality.
This is the insight that our study is giving us. And it's importance goes beyond just knowing and understanding how we, as individuals, prefer to worship. It can be helpful by showing us, individually and corporately, what we need to continue to grow in our faith; how to step out of our comfort zone; and how to seek out and appreciate the gifts of others.
Ms. Ware and her predecessor, Urban T. Holmes, contend that we all have tendencies towards one or two paths, but that it is important to maintain a balance among the 4 quadrants (paths). "The circle emphasizes Holmes's belief that each of four types of authentic religious experience is needed as part of a healthy whole. The circle itself represents the value placed on unity and on the interdependence of each part." (Discover Your Spiritual Type, pg. 9).
In other words, I need to do more than keep my nose in a book! To maintain a balanced life, spiritually and otherwise, I should look to the other paths of Water & Fire to provided the proper tension to my Earth & Air paths. When I look around at my immediate family and friends, I recognize that often they provide the balance and pull or push that I need to draw me off of my comfy sofa, out of the pages of an interesting book and into the world of action and expression.
I hope, as we study these different paths, that we can open ourselves to new experiences. Even if we don't incorporate new practices into our personal worship and prayer time, it's still a valuable tool to use on our journey in becoming the person God created us to be. He created us to be part of a whole, part of a community. None of us can be complete without each other, by design.
Here's a quick overview of what we will do on Friday when we meet:
First we will look at the Fire Path and talk about volunteerism. Please read page 20 so that you are familiar with this path's characteristics. We will not discuss "the situations" on page 21. We may briefly discuss how we, individually and as a church, contribute to The Kingdom of God through our volunteer efforts.
The bulk of our time will be exploring Air through contemplative meditation. Please read pages 17,18, and 19 so you are familiar with what we will be doing. This will make the transition into the meditation smoother and give us more time for the meditation and discussion or quiet time. If you would like to bring a pillow to sit on for the meditation, please do so. We will be sitting silently for 10 minutes.
WINNER!!! Congratulations, Paula! You are the winner of the journal and pen giveaway! I will bring it to our meeting on Friday.
Please share your experiences so far in exploring the different paths of spirituality. Were you surprised by your dominate path? Do you need to be more balanced? How do you plan on drawing from the other paths?
Your Partner in Ministry,
Shelly
Warrior
"Kind words are like honey - sweet to the soul and healthy for the body." Proverbs 16:24
Tuesday, April 15, 2014
Earth and Water
"And God said, "let the water beneath the sky be gathered into one place so dry ground may appear." And so it was. God named the dry ground "land" and the water "seas". And God saw that it was good." Genesis 1: 9-10
Have you figured out your spiritual style based on Corinne Ware's guide? I am finding it fascinating, but then again, I am mostly Earth, with a strong showing from Air! Which means, I like this kind of stuff: "thinking" spirituality, the written word has power, love of order, concrete, attempts to make sense of spiritual experiences and give them names! Describes me and this study to a "T"! Who else would try to label one's spiritual experiences except an Earth type :)
On Friday I was pushed out of my comfort zone and into the "water". And it was amazing!! I am not artsy, though I have a high appreciation and love for art, music, dance, and all things made by human hands. Personally, I can't draw a stick figure and a blank canvas or lump of clay is just that: a blank, lumpy thing! But our study is encouraging us to learn about and experience different ways of seeking God, responding to worship, and being spiritual. So, art supplies were gathered and we ventured into guided meditation. After allowing the meditation to sit in our minds and hearts for a few minutes, we turned to the water colors, acrylics, and play dough to respond to our experience. INCREDIBLE! Afterwards we shared our art, how we felt, what we "saw", and what moved us. One of the many unexpected results is that often we didn't know exactly why we responded the way we did: a purple house, a red braid of hair. Some of us had memories stirred and the art reflected that: a jar of nard, a camel, a bowl of peas. And some responded to the immediate: a rainbow on the hard packed ground, the silhouette of Jesus' head, a free-form poem echoing the meditation, and blue play dough kneaded into nothing in particular. The process was authentic and the results were rich!
Whether or not you were able to participate last Friday, let me encourage you dip your toe into the "water". It is refreshing! As we journey through Holy Week, grab a brush, some clay, or a pen and dare to respond with art from your heart. Listen to some music that stirs your soul. Write poetry. Draw or paint, allowing color to express your emotions. For more inspiration, here is a link to my friend Jess's blog, Liturgy Beyond Words. I met her when I was a member of The Presbyterian Church of Morris Plains. She has since gone off to Seminary and is discovering the world of Liturgical Art. This is the link to the art work she did during the Palm Sunday sermon. Her whole blog is very interesting - I hope it inspires you.
Thank you Lisa, for sharing your inspired response from our Friday gathering! BEAUTIFUL!
The water path is not just about art: it includes being intuitive, extemporaneous prayer, music, evangelism, witnessing and establishing relationships with other people and with God. In the book, Discover Your Spiritual Type, Ms. Ware says you "seek illumination by heartfelt intuition." (pg 39). I think that's lovely!
I would love to hear about your artistic response to the Word! Or what role you think art plays in our spiritual experience. Have you had a spiritual artful experience that you would like to share? Comment below and you could be the winner of my next give away! From those who comment on Art & Spirituality, a random person will be chosen to receive a set of watercolors and a pad of water color paper!
Your Partner in Ministry,
Shelly
warrior
"Kind words are like honey - sweet to the soul and healthy for the body." Proverbs 16:24
Have you figured out your spiritual style based on Corinne Ware's guide? I am finding it fascinating, but then again, I am mostly Earth, with a strong showing from Air! Which means, I like this kind of stuff: "thinking" spirituality, the written word has power, love of order, concrete, attempts to make sense of spiritual experiences and give them names! Describes me and this study to a "T"! Who else would try to label one's spiritual experiences except an Earth type :)
On Friday I was pushed out of my comfort zone and into the "water". And it was amazing!! I am not artsy, though I have a high appreciation and love for art, music, dance, and all things made by human hands. Personally, I can't draw a stick figure and a blank canvas or lump of clay is just that: a blank, lumpy thing! But our study is encouraging us to learn about and experience different ways of seeking God, responding to worship, and being spiritual. So, art supplies were gathered and we ventured into guided meditation. After allowing the meditation to sit in our minds and hearts for a few minutes, we turned to the water colors, acrylics, and play dough to respond to our experience. INCREDIBLE! Afterwards we shared our art, how we felt, what we "saw", and what moved us. One of the many unexpected results is that often we didn't know exactly why we responded the way we did: a purple house, a red braid of hair. Some of us had memories stirred and the art reflected that: a jar of nard, a camel, a bowl of peas. And some responded to the immediate: a rainbow on the hard packed ground, the silhouette of Jesus' head, a free-form poem echoing the meditation, and blue play dough kneaded into nothing in particular. The process was authentic and the results were rich!
Whether or not you were able to participate last Friday, let me encourage you dip your toe into the "water". It is refreshing! As we journey through Holy Week, grab a brush, some clay, or a pen and dare to respond with art from your heart. Listen to some music that stirs your soul. Write poetry. Draw or paint, allowing color to express your emotions. For more inspiration, here is a link to my friend Jess's blog, Liturgy Beyond Words. I met her when I was a member of The Presbyterian Church of Morris Plains. She has since gone off to Seminary and is discovering the world of Liturgical Art. This is the link to the art work she did during the Palm Sunday sermon. Her whole blog is very interesting - I hope it inspires you.
Thank you Lisa, for sharing your inspired response from our Friday gathering! BEAUTIFUL!
The water path is not just about art: it includes being intuitive, extemporaneous prayer, music, evangelism, witnessing and establishing relationships with other people and with God. In the book, Discover Your Spiritual Type, Ms. Ware says you "seek illumination by heartfelt intuition." (pg 39). I think that's lovely!
I would love to hear about your artistic response to the Word! Or what role you think art plays in our spiritual experience. Have you had a spiritual artful experience that you would like to share? Comment below and you could be the winner of my next give away! From those who comment on Art & Spirituality, a random person will be chosen to receive a set of watercolors and a pad of water color paper!
Your Partner in Ministry,
Shelly
warrior
"Kind words are like honey - sweet to the soul and healthy for the body." Proverbs 16:24
Tuesday, April 8, 2014
It All Fits Together
"Use every piece of God's armor to resist the enemy in the time of evil, so that after the battle you will still be standing firm." Ephesians 6:13
Welcome Spring! Most people greet spring with great enthusiasm and excitement. Not me. Although it's not a popular stance, spring is my least favorite of the four seasons. I don't get excited until the end of May. And technically, it's still spring, but March and April hold little appeal for me outside of the fact that some dear friends & family celebrate their birthdays in those months and I do love Easter. I won't go into all the reasons I am glum & grumpy, but instead turn to one of the verses in my Warrior scripture.
I have been wondering how my word 'warrior' was going to serve me throughout the coming year. Today, after journaling the happenings of the last few days, I am beginning to see how Ephesians 6:10-18 will help. I decided to view my glum & grumpy attitude through My Word and this Scripture and it dawned on me that "my time of evil" can be something different for everyone.
It sounds like some great battle, but it can also mean those little battles I fight every day. When I want to sit on the sofa, snap at my kids, or yell at the ref who just made a horrible call, I need to resist. God commands, through Solomon's wise teachings, that I speak "kind words because they are like honey - sweet to the soul and healthy for the body" Proverbs 16:24. He says I should wear the shoes of peace (not get agitated at the ump) and that I will need the shield of faith to protect me from Satan's fiery arrows (that little devil on my shoulder telling me that I have time for one more game on my iPhone, the laundry can wait). It might seem like a stretch, but these little, daily skirmishes add-up at the end of the day. I have to decide if I will have a day led by God or a day lost in the muck of selfishness and annoyance.
What are your 'times of evil'? Are they little things throughout the day or a big thing that seems impossible to overcome? Remember what Jesus said in Matthew 19:26, "But with God everything is possible."(NLT). And as we study God's word together, we are gathering tools to help us draw closer to God and learn to rely on Him.
Use your One Word to slow down; take a look at the situation through the lens of your word and the Scripture you have chosen. God will use these tools and lead you.
Use your journal to examine your state of mind, a situation, or just to write what's in your heart and mind. Journaling your journey will allow you to see how far you have come and recall all the wonderful things God is doing in your life. I find it amazing what comes about while taking the time to write it out!
And as we explore our Spiritual Style, we will gain an understanding of what stirs us, fulfills us, and how we best experience our spirituality. If you haven't already done so, flip ahead in the packet to read the "Dominant characteristics" and "Worship & Theology" of the different paths. It's fascinating!
I am excited to learn how our different spiritual paths connect, support and compliment each other.
And how knowing our paths will enhance our use of our One Word, our journals, our gatherings and how we each have our own style of growing closer to the woman God created us to be.
A Giveaway!!
For a chance to win a journal & pen share your response to discovering your personal spiritual style/path in the comment section. Do the characteristics fit you? Were you surprised by the outcome? A winner will be chosen at random from qualifying comments on April 15th.
Your Partner in Ministry,
Shelly
warrior
"Kind words are like honey - sweet to the soul and healthy for the body." Proverbs 16:24
Welcome Spring! Most people greet spring with great enthusiasm and excitement. Not me. Although it's not a popular stance, spring is my least favorite of the four seasons. I don't get excited until the end of May. And technically, it's still spring, but March and April hold little appeal for me outside of the fact that some dear friends & family celebrate their birthdays in those months and I do love Easter. I won't go into all the reasons I am glum & grumpy, but instead turn to one of the verses in my Warrior scripture.
I have been wondering how my word 'warrior' was going to serve me throughout the coming year. Today, after journaling the happenings of the last few days, I am beginning to see how Ephesians 6:10-18 will help. I decided to view my glum & grumpy attitude through My Word and this Scripture and it dawned on me that "my time of evil" can be something different for everyone.
It sounds like some great battle, but it can also mean those little battles I fight every day. When I want to sit on the sofa, snap at my kids, or yell at the ref who just made a horrible call, I need to resist. God commands, through Solomon's wise teachings, that I speak "kind words because they are like honey - sweet to the soul and healthy for the body" Proverbs 16:24. He says I should wear the shoes of peace (not get agitated at the ump) and that I will need the shield of faith to protect me from Satan's fiery arrows (that little devil on my shoulder telling me that I have time for one more game on my iPhone, the laundry can wait). It might seem like a stretch, but these little, daily skirmishes add-up at the end of the day. I have to decide if I will have a day led by God or a day lost in the muck of selfishness and annoyance.
What are your 'times of evil'? Are they little things throughout the day or a big thing that seems impossible to overcome? Remember what Jesus said in Matthew 19:26, "But with God everything is possible."(NLT). And as we study God's word together, we are gathering tools to help us draw closer to God and learn to rely on Him.
Use your One Word to slow down; take a look at the situation through the lens of your word and the Scripture you have chosen. God will use these tools and lead you.
Use your journal to examine your state of mind, a situation, or just to write what's in your heart and mind. Journaling your journey will allow you to see how far you have come and recall all the wonderful things God is doing in your life. I find it amazing what comes about while taking the time to write it out!
And as we explore our Spiritual Style, we will gain an understanding of what stirs us, fulfills us, and how we best experience our spirituality. If you haven't already done so, flip ahead in the packet to read the "Dominant characteristics" and "Worship & Theology" of the different paths. It's fascinating!
I am excited to learn how our different spiritual paths connect, support and compliment each other.
And how knowing our paths will enhance our use of our One Word, our journals, our gatherings and how we each have our own style of growing closer to the woman God created us to be.
A Giveaway!!
For a chance to win a journal & pen share your response to discovering your personal spiritual style/path in the comment section. Do the characteristics fit you? Were you surprised by the outcome? A winner will be chosen at random from qualifying comments on April 15th.
Your Partner in Ministry,
Shelly
warrior
"Kind words are like honey - sweet to the soul and healthy for the body." Proverbs 16:24
Tuesday, April 1, 2014
You've Got Style
"Praise to the Lord! Sing to the Lord a new song. Sing his praises in the assembly of the faithful. 3 Praise his name with dancing, accompanied by tambourine and harp." Psalm 149: 1,3
You've got spiritual style! It's true! Do you know what it is? We think of style when it comes to clothing, home decor, car, music choices, even the way we parent, and engage in relationships. But have you ever considered your Spiritual Style? And I'm not talking about what you wear to church :)
I'm referring to the way in which you follow God. The way you worship in church and in your life; how you draw closer to God. We all have spiritual gifts, talents, traditions, and rituals; but style is more about how we like to do these things. And although there is no right or wrong when it comes to style, it certainly can stir up emotions and controversy.
Over the next 6 weeks (7 on the calendar because we're not meeting on Good Friday) we are going to explore the different spiritual styles as defined by Corinne Ware in her book, Discover your Spiritual Type: A Guide to Individual and Congregational Growth. We will not be reading the book (although it is encouraged). Instead we will be following a "retreat resource" put together by the WELCA. We will explore what Spiritual Style is and how it impacts our personal worship. We will also have the opportunity to discover our own spiritual path(s) as well as the spiritual paths of others. After discovering our own style(s), we will then have the opportunity to experience each of the spiritual paths, as defined in the book.
In preparation, please carefully read pages 3-5 of the "Paths to Wholeness" handout. Take some time to answer the questions on pages 3 & 4 completely and consider your personal style.
You've got spiritual style! It's true! Do you know what it is? We think of style when it comes to clothing, home decor, car, music choices, even the way we parent, and engage in relationships. But have you ever considered your Spiritual Style? And I'm not talking about what you wear to church :)
I'm referring to the way in which you follow God. The way you worship in church and in your life; how you draw closer to God. We all have spiritual gifts, talents, traditions, and rituals; but style is more about how we like to do these things. And although there is no right or wrong when it comes to style, it certainly can stir up emotions and controversy.
Over the next 6 weeks (7 on the calendar because we're not meeting on Good Friday) we are going to explore the different spiritual styles as defined by Corinne Ware in her book, Discover your Spiritual Type: A Guide to Individual and Congregational Growth. We will not be reading the book (although it is encouraged). Instead we will be following a "retreat resource" put together by the WELCA. We will explore what Spiritual Style is and how it impacts our personal worship. We will also have the opportunity to discover our own spiritual path(s) as well as the spiritual paths of others. After discovering our own style(s), we will then have the opportunity to experience each of the spiritual paths, as defined in the book.
In preparation, please carefully read pages 3-5 of the "Paths to Wholeness" handout. Take some time to answer the questions on pages 3 & 4 completely and consider your personal style.
Please do not read ahead!
For those who have One Word, my hope is that this will be complimentary to living your life through the lens of that word. Another layer of understanding ourselves, our Sisters, and our relationship to God.
In the comments below, please share your "style" of life as you understand it. How do you think this will influence your spiritual style? I'm excited to read all about you "stylish" women!
As a follow-up to last Friday's session, I'd like to thank Janice for that beautiful and moving display of our words. That had style! And in my style, I came home and wrote about it - in my journal and in poetry. Please indulge me as I share my response:
My One Word walks across the room.
Held aloft by little arms.
Clutched in tiny fingers.
Look! There it is!
It walks, unafraid, across the room.
Silent. Strong.
It walks with purpose, not knowing where the journey will end.
My heart is so full it spills from my eyes.
Our One Words parade through the room.
Look! There's yours!
A living reminder of our journey with the Lord.
Your Partner in Ministry,
Shelly
warrior
Eph 6:10-18
"Kind words are like honey - sweet to the sould and healthy for the body." Proverbs 16:24
Wednesday, March 26, 2014
Remember, do not forget!
"Search for the Lord and for his strength; continually seek him. Remember the wonders he has performed, his miracles, and the rulings he has given..." Psalm 105:4-5
"Remember, do not forget (fill in the blank)..."!
I can't tell you how many times I've said that to my husband, my children, my family, the class parents, my friends, and myself! I pen reminder notes, send them via e-mail, in newsletters and blogs, and sometimes I even resort to making phone calls or face to face meetings. I have 3 calendars, plus those put out by the various teams and organizations that have a hand in making our family schedule. All in an effort to remember to not forget something! In fact, right this minute I am remembering that I have forgotten to mail a check! Thank goodness for notes - when I checked, I saw that I had mailed it, a week before the deadline! Have you ever done that? Thought you forget, only to discover that you didn't!? It makes me wonder what kind of life I've gotten myself into when I forget that I remembered!
Forgetfulness is not a 21st Century problem! It goes back to the very beginning of human existence. In My One Word, Mike Ashcraft talks about the Israelites forgetting God's love for them as they wandered through the desert. It seems like a crazy thing to forget, considering the miracles that took place to get them out of Egypt, but it happened. And it happens to me all the time! I am acutely aware that I am a very forgetful person. I forget people's names right after they introduce themselves; I forget important birthdays; or where I hid gifts, documents, and that air freshener refill that I love and they only had 1 left! I forget to rely on God for what I need, to thank Him for all he has done and to enjoy the life he gives me. My forgetfulness can be so frustrating! So, I turned to 'the great big book of everything': the Bible.
I looked it up on Bible Gateway and the phrase "do not forget" (or some form of it) appears in 15 passages (NLT) from the books of Deuteronomy through Hebrews. These include commands to God's people and the promise that God does not forget. Okay, so I'm not the only one who is both using this phrase and in need of it. It is comforting to know it's not just me!
Then I searched the word "remember" and was overwhelmed by 267 passages (NLT)! I guess that settles it; humans need to be told to remember! It appears in 52 out of 66 books of the Bible! From Genesis to Revelation! If it was written down that many times, can you imagine how many times it was spoken?! Clearly, remembering is something we have to be reminded to do. So when we forget, because we will, we shouldn't throw in the towel. Pray and keep moving forward on the path to becoming the person God created us to be.
What are some ways you remember things? I'm sure you learned RoyGBiv to recall the colors of the rainbow, and Every Good Boy Does Fine (or similar phrase) and FACE to learn to read music. What about now, how do you remember important events, schedules, goals, and God's promises? How will you remember your One Word this year? What will you do to "Keep it in front of you", as Mike urges us in chapter 5 of My One Word. And how will you recall everything that happened throughout the year on your journey with your word? Mike has a suggestion for that, too: "write your guts out"! For more encouragement click here to read what Women of the ELCA says about journaling.
I am excited to read how you will keep your word present and engaging throughout the year! For those of you who leave a comment based on these questions, I will randomly choose one person to receive a pen and journal! I will choose and announce the winner on Wednesday, April 2nd!
What's Next?
Our next study will begin Friday, April 4th. Copies of the free booklet can be picked up from me or you can dowload it here. It is about finding your style of following God's lead!
Your Partner in Ministry,
Shelly
warrior
Eph 6:10-18
"Kind words are like honey - sweet to the soul and healthy for the body." Proverbs 16:24
Thursday, March 20, 2014
My One Word - Chapters 11 & 12
"And the Lord replied, "I will personally go with you, Moses. I will give you rest - everything will be fine for you." Then Moses said, "If you don't go with us personally, don't let us move a step from this place." Exodus 33:14-15
As we come to the end of the book, we are reminded of the importance of The Journey. By now, you have probably chosen a word, or at least narrowed it down. But in the process of choosing, don't forget the purpose of your One Word - to draw closer to God.
I chose an obvious word for chapter 11: WAIT and for chapter 12 it is JOURNEY. Both words point to the fact that it takes time to get to our destination, just as both chapters talk about the importance of what happens between today and a year from today with our one word. We all have a 'destination' in mind when we choose a word - a new & improved self, attitude, outlook, etc. But it's the moments and days in between now and then that make the change possible. Often times we see a journey as just a waiting time til we get to our destination. But there's a better way to view it; Mike puts it this way, "Waiting prepares me for his (God's) lead." (MOW, 159).
Most importantly, it's who we rely on to make that change in us. Just before the passage above, Moses is a talking with God and expressing concern about traveling to the Promised Land. The Lord's assurance is not just for Moses - it's for us, too! When we wait on the Lord, our time is not wasted. When God travels with us on our journey, he teaches "...us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom" Psalm 90:12
Over the next few days, as you finish reading "My One Word" and begin a year-long journey with your word, don't forget to travel with the best tour guide around: God! Remember to stop and smell the roses and keep a travel journal so that you can look back and recall all the things, big & small / good & bad, that you experienced along the way. "The normal, natural pace of our lives will not likely lead us toward spiritual formation" (MOW, 23), so be intentional in your endeavour, stay focused on your word, and remain open to what God is doing in your life.
Your Partner in Ministry,
Shelly
honey
"Kind words are like honey - sweet to the soul and healthy for the body." Proverbs 16:24
As we come to the end of the book, we are reminded of the importance of The Journey. By now, you have probably chosen a word, or at least narrowed it down. But in the process of choosing, don't forget the purpose of your One Word - to draw closer to God.
I chose an obvious word for chapter 11: WAIT and for chapter 12 it is JOURNEY. Both words point to the fact that it takes time to get to our destination, just as both chapters talk about the importance of what happens between today and a year from today with our one word. We all have a 'destination' in mind when we choose a word - a new & improved self, attitude, outlook, etc. But it's the moments and days in between now and then that make the change possible. Often times we see a journey as just a waiting time til we get to our destination. But there's a better way to view it; Mike puts it this way, "Waiting prepares me for his (God's) lead." (MOW, 159).
Most importantly, it's who we rely on to make that change in us. Just before the passage above, Moses is a talking with God and expressing concern about traveling to the Promised Land. The Lord's assurance is not just for Moses - it's for us, too! When we wait on the Lord, our time is not wasted. When God travels with us on our journey, he teaches "...us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom" Psalm 90:12
Over the next few days, as you finish reading "My One Word" and begin a year-long journey with your word, don't forget to travel with the best tour guide around: God! Remember to stop and smell the roses and keep a travel journal so that you can look back and recall all the things, big & small / good & bad, that you experienced along the way. "The normal, natural pace of our lives will not likely lead us toward spiritual formation" (MOW, 23), so be intentional in your endeavour, stay focused on your word, and remain open to what God is doing in your life.
Your Partner in Ministry,
Shelly
honey
"Kind words are like honey - sweet to the soul and healthy for the body." Proverbs 16:24
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