tools for you own path

...find courage to trust yourself. You have taken the risk to lose everything for the sake of something better. Everyone must do this, but few do. You are a rare breed, and a part of that breed’s constitution is that it is courageous, resilient and determined. You must listen to your inner wisdom and trust it. The same wisdom that motivated you to leave is the same wisdom that will guide you. Yes, listen to wise voices from the past and the present. Read good books. Take good advice. But filter it all through your own innate intelligence. You will be surprised how well equipped you are to walk your own unique path with nobility, finesse, dignity and finally joy.
—David Hayward, nakedpastor

When I first encountered the work of David Hayward, it was one of his cartoons displayed in bigger-than-life proportions on the movie theater screen behind our pastor, Sunday morning 10am.

Or maybe 10:20am, as most of us linger at the coffee pot on the way into worship, more focused on the fellowship.

For me, a great cartoon brings together wit and philosophy, shines a spotlight on our cultural hypocrisy, reveals duplicity within me.

My notes from Sunday's teaching:

I am
not Abel
but Cain,

not the
prodigal son
but the
jealous sibling,

the virus
not the
antidote.

And, I am a ministry leader, broken and limping. That's allowed here at Fellowship, here in Christ.

When Fellowship people were reading "The Starfish and The Spider" many of us questioned the word SHOULD, consciously removed it from our vocabularies. The word we are examining today is BUT – we are challenged to replace BUT with AND.

So, my self assessment reads, "I am Abel and Cain, the prodigal son and the jealous sibling, contain the virus and the antidote."

This tool puts a new spin on the whole Christ-following thing, invites a fresh perspective, a new light.

A new Light.

Rw
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Teaching 2012.01.08
Abel and Cain
Prodigal Son

Ready to Receive

Today, as I move the ribbon in my devotional, I realize that for the past 274 days, I've held this book in my hands. I remember the moment it was gifted to me. The reason for my tears. The room we were standing in. The kindness of the giver. My embarrassment at accepting the gift. Her gentle insistence. Her faith that I would keep it. On the 'presented to/from' page she wrote my first name, then her own. Beneath that, Jeremiah 29:11.

On days when I think about giving the book to someone 'who needs it more than me' the writing of our names keeps it in my hands. I imagine the awkward moment when the inscription of our names is discovered, my feeble attempts at explaining why I passed it on without finishing, the unspoken message that perhaps it isn't such a good book after all.

"Go gently through this day, keeping your eyes on Me."

—excerpt Jesus Calling, by Sarah Young, Oct 18, page 305

Go gently.

Today, in the photo there are dog bones and a butter dish. Is there a point? I'm not sure. The butter dish is by Longaberger Pottery, a remnant of our years of gluttony, when money was easily spent. The dog bones are treats for our canine companions, Dozer and Harley.

Companionship. Friendship. Walking together. Being gentle.

Harley and Dozer never doubt. Several times a day at the end of each walk, time spent in our yard, or a ride in the car, the dogs come into the kitchen and wait for the treats. Confident in the caregivers. Ready to receive our affection.

"For I know the plans I have for you," says the LORD. 

"They are plans for good and not for disaster, 

to give you a future and a hope."

Jeremiah 29:11

I will someday gift my daily companion, the book of 365 days. But not today. There are 91 days yet to be embraced. Time to grow and learn, become more confident in The Caregiver, ready to receive Jesus' affection. For now, the book belongs in my hands. There is no one who needs it more than me.

Rw
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Silence

Most of us don’t have deserts or remote mountain passes to wander in, and, even if we did, our responsibilities would keep us from spending much time there. Instead, we must find ways to nurture silence and solitude in the midst of our busy schedules. The most basic way to do this is simply creating. . . a state in which our inner voices are stilled and we stand alone with the Mystery. In the next 24 hours, create an opportunity for you to have just 10 minutes of silence — 5 minutes to still the waters, and 5 minutes to write without interruption. What writing surfaces when you are calm?




As the neighbor's lawnmower is silenced by the turning of a key and the traffic noise from the highway fades away, I am left with the hum of my computer. Hands quietly resting. Eyes closed.

Silence 5 minutes.

I trust in God's unfailing love.

Restless fingertips begin to move. The click of the keyboard joins the hum of my computer. Tomorrow is the first day of school. Children will meet teachers and classmates, explore new classroom spaces. Words unlock it all. The ability to read and write is the key to all the world. For if I can read I can visit faraway places in stories and textbooks. I can seek to understand mathematics and science. I can teach myself to play piano and guitar. I can open a book and read with God.

I can be an ageless student.

Tomorrow is the first day of school.

Rw