from the Convergence retreat

Lost? A reflection by Pam Moyer

The ground is wet from recent snow;

Snow that covered, froze, and then melted today.

The sun is out – it sure brightened my mood!

The birds are still here in winter; they chirp and sing

Near the day’s end, they search for food.

The pond is frozen, or rather half-frozen.

I sit near the cold fire pit, writing – it’s 58 degrees!

But here on the bench, I dream of picnics and 80!

We who came, needed this time --

Time together,

Time apart.

This time to reflect,

And time to pray.

This space for renewal

That space to be creative;

The deep leaf piles for walking,

The deep cushioned chairs for repose.

Rushing sounds of a creek must

Lead to Lost River?

But how can the river be lost

If the creek can find it?

These are the things one ponders

When there’s time, (that and the whole universe . . .)

When God is unmistakably present.

Steep surrounding mountains magnify our God

and humiliate self-centered Man.

We are lost; -- our cell signals - gone.

***

The setting sun begins to chill,

But write I must, if only to convey -

The beauty of this place,

The simplicity of our lodging,

The warm hospitality of our cooks and hosts.

Warm coffee, hot tea,

A Blazing Fire (thanks to Quentin & Jay),

Snacks, Books and Games (thanks to Todd),

Old Friends and new ones – now treasured memories…like Camp!

Above the Fireplace rest words of assurance

and a small rugged cross.

It is lit up - for us,

It is in front - for us,

It holds our focus - as we dream and pray for

God’s great plan for Convergence.

In God's Garden

From Beth Kramer, Convergence collaborator:

Often when I feel overwhelmed or discouraged with events in my own life, I come over to the church to weed, rake, plant, and such. Being out in the sunshine with the plants while helping and exercising nearly always improves my mood and usually my short-term outlook.

While I am working, neighbors frequently say “hi” or even stop and chat with me. I appreciate the positive energy from the greetings and conversations. Also, people driving by notice me - sometimes people I know.

After seeing me weeding one day, one of my yoga students asked if I would like to have some of the abundant flowers from her yard. She had a multitude of daisies, Black-eyed Susans, irises, and much more. I enjoyed a misty morning with her gathering various plants and bulbs which I later planted around Laura’s Tree and other garden areas.

As I was planting and sketching what I had planted, one of my new friends from The Artist’s Way was at the church setting up for a recording. He pitched in with raking and sweeping the side entrance then commented I could call on him anytime. Thus, these autumn months we have enjoyed many an enriching conversation amidst the leaves.

I am grateful I wasn’t sulking at home worrying about my little stuff. I was out enjoying God’s Garden - receiving gifts of flowers and friendship. Such days are a reminder that there is so much beyond my sometimes limited scope. There is a lot of beauty not far from home; I just need to come outside my little world to be a witness. I just need to look beyond Me.

And in case you guys haven’t noticed, there is a rose hiding over by the side fence. It is especially beautiful.

Blessings,

Beth

An honest look at ourselves and stress

This past Sunday we began a series looking at "Rhythms of Life." The idea is to create rhythms in our lives, ways of ordering that will help us become healthier, more Christ-like, by giving different areas of our lives more balanced attention.

We asked people to be honest about the stresses and challenges of life. The hope is that by honestly looking at our struggles, and seeking to connect with God in the mist of them, can help us move toward a way of life that is more in tune with God. We also discovered that it helps to know that we are not alone in our struggles, but that others in our community understand.

Here are the questions we asked and some of the responses:

1. How well do you feel your life is organized these days?

• “I am not a very organized person. I need to hire a bookkeeper to help me keep track of my finances. Outside of the structure I have at work, I am pretty lost.”
• “More organized now than ever in my life. Have time and energy to stay organized.”
• “Organization is a tough one. Too many things to do to get organized. Don’t really know how. Guess I am organized to a certain extent but just need so much more organization to feel less stressful.”

2. How are you handling stress?

• “I give my stressful things up to God and wait.”
• “Not well. Need to do more exercise, but find it hard to get the time. Worry about everything. Worry about not worrying when not worrying! Life comes so fast and so many issues to worry about.”
• “Ideally, to handle stress I meditate or take a walk. But sometimes I engage in destructive behaviors: drinking, binge eating, smoking, etc. I wish my responses were consistent.”
• “Meditation and prayer make handling stress bearable.”
• “I’m not handling stress well. Struggle with not sleeping, always thinking of what I need to do.”
• “Pretty well—I run, lift, and pray my way through it all.”
• “Denial: I push through at a high work rate until I crash and burn, then start over.”

3. What in life is working (or not working) well?

• “Every component has new developments that hold great promise, but that could also become great disappointments.”
• “Well? Regular exercise, body prayer and contemplative prayer. Not working well? Managing my paperwork and finances.”
• “Seems like there is always too much to do, too little time. I can’t catch up.”
• “Retirement provides me with time to reflect on important issues—family, church, and personal relationship.”
• “Working well—my relationship with Jesus!!”

4. What demands is life making on you?

• “Life is showing me very important things that need to be done that I am capable of accomplishing. But I can’t do all of these things and if I don’t, then they won’t be accomplished.”
• “Too many demands: school and school association, work—new responsibilities, churches, friends, family, money.”
• “Demands: financial, new career, success.”
• “So many new ventures, new inspirations and new callings. I fear there is more than I can handle, but I cannot refuse any of them.”

5. What do you need more (or less) of?

• “More $, less debt.”
• “More creative time is necessary for mental health!”
• “Reflection, prayer, peace.”
• “I need more time spent in quiet, solitude w/ God. Especially in nature. I need less social/technological distractions. More focused time doing what I love with people I love (and who love me).”
• “Need exercise and physical play that would relieve stress, sore neck and shoulders. Something fun and impossible to procrastinate.”
• “More sleep.”
• “More sex.”

6. What do you wish were different?

• “I wish was connected well enough to know who to ask for help.”
• “I wish I were more in control—not a slave to my schedule and to-do list. I long to feel peace—not so much worry.”

Many of us are dealing with big challenges. That’s life. But a lot of us allow those struggles to lead to stress, and when we’re stressed, struggles get worse, and problems bet bigger.

I don’t think that’s not how God wants it to be. Scripture talks over and over about peace. It doesn’t promise that following Christ will make life easier or less painful; but it does teach that those who live in Christ will have peace.

I think that many of us who follow Christ, and claim to live for him, are not really experiencing that peace.

Our intention tonight was to get us looking honestly at our lives, facing the challenges and stresses, not hiding or running. That kind of honest look is necessary if we are going to learn to lead lives that are truly centered on and filled with Christ.

Next week we begin talking about how to order our lives in ways that truly connect us with Christ. So while tonight was a little heavy, we leave with the promise that there is hope…

But that's no life for you. You learned Christ! My assumption is that you have paid careful attention to him, been well instructed in the truth precisely as we have it in Jesus. Since, then, we do not have the excuse of ignorance, everything—and I do mean everything—connected with that old way of life has to go. It's rotten through and through. Get rid of it! And then take on an entirely new way of life—a God-fashioned life, a life renewed from the inside and working itself into your conduct as God accurately reproduces his character in you.
--Eph. 4:20-24 (The Message)

Join us next week as we begin asking what does this life in Christ, this new way, look like?

Authority through Humility

from Sunday's worship...

They went to Capernaum, and when the Sabbath came, Jesus went into the synagogue and began to teach. The people were amazed at his teaching, because he taught them as one who had authority, not as the teachers of the law. Just then a man in their synagogue who was possessed by an evil spirit cried out, "What do you want with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are—the Holy One of God!"
"Be quiet!" said Jesus sternly. "Come out of him!" The evil spirit shook the man violently and came out of him with a shriek.
The people were all so amazed that they asked each other, "What is this? A new teaching—and with authority! He even gives orders to evil spirits and they obey him." News about him spread quickly over the whole region of Galilee.
--Mark 1:21-28

Many of us believe that Jesus, as God in the flesh, is the ultimate authority. But in this passage, we see that his authority came as a surprise to those around him. People were amazed at his teaching, as one who had authority, not as the teachers of the law…

The authority figures in Jewish culture had authority because of their position; not because they earned it. Their authority was very public—it was about their standing in the community.

We’ve probably all had a boss or supervisor who we didn’t have a lot of respect for, but had to follow because of their position. I imagine that a lot of people felt this way toward the Pharisees…their authority came from their position of power.

Jesus was different. He didn’t have a position of power (at least from what those around him knew). His authority came out of how he related to people, how he treated them, and how he not only knew, but lived out the teaching of scripture.

We see him over and over telling others not to tell what had happened when he healed and performed miracles. He was not interested in attention or public recognition.

Respect, which is necessary for effective authority, can’t be forced or demanded. It must be earned. That’s what Jesus did. His actions, not words, revealed his authority. Jesus’ authority was marked by humility. He associated with the lowest of people. The sick, diseased, outcast. The Pharisees, those in authority, never would have done that.

Jesus’ humility gave him ultimate authority. Instead of demanding authority and respect, he earned it, through loving others, and by sacrificing. Authority is simply the right to influence; and we earn that right by treating others with humility--loving, encouraging, challenging; proving that we have their best interests at heart…

Jesus earned that right with people. He showed such love and compassion, that people were willing to drop everything to follow him.