Spider Webs and Morning Dew
The other morning Nancy and I went bike riding early before the sun came up in full view. We saw the most astounding sight. Spider webs were hanging everywhere clearly defined by the morning dew.
Dew drops of beauty defined the work of the night. The symmetrical webs hanging in suspension revealed beads of moisture lined in perfect rows. This portrait of an architectural wonder caused me to pause and offer the following observations.
1. Some things you cannot see unless you get up early in the morning. In the Psalms and in the ancient church it was readily recognized that the early morning held something special with respect to seeing and listening for God. God’s revelation of self is unique in the morning before the day dawns.
2. Order and purpose point to the Creator. How can anyone view such divine beads of moisture-laden orbs and not conclude or even believe in the Creator? If even the little spider has purpose, does not that in and of itself point to an ultimate purpose?
3. A Christian perspective of the world is imbued with divine aesthetics. The beauty of creation is evident everywhere we look. It is indeed the handiwork of God and has his fingerprints all over it.
4. Diversity and individuality are important within the community. The community of spiders must be myriad. We saw hundreds upon hundreds of webs hanging in lifeless suspension. And yet, each spider web was woven in a unique way, and not exactly like another one around. Within the community of faith God has created each one of us with diverse personalities and unique gifts. What a testimony to the multifaceted essence of God himself!
Water and web. Divine drops of heavenly pearls. Beauty suspended between heaven and earth. Open your eyes today early and see what God has in store for your faith walk!
In Christian love, Curtis
Tuesday, June 26, 2007
Wednesday, June 20, 2007
Our History of Spiritual Formation
I have been reading and reflecting today on the history of spiritual formation, especially as it has connection with the Restoration Movement and the Stone-Campbell heirs. J.W. McGarvery was not overly thrilled with the work The Spiritual Side of our Plea when it was originally published around the turn of the twentieth century. But I think at that early date some were beginning to sound the alarm that our rationalist approach to faith was quenching the Spirit.
I had a most interesting experience a couple of years ago, and one in which I am following up on with specific research. During a retreat which was taking place at a Methodist Camp, one evening late I picked up a hymnal and began thumbing through it and singing the good oldies that I had known from years gone by. After awhile I was intrigued, and then shocked to find out how many hymns had been changed in our own hymnals to remove any hint or reference to the work of the Holy Spirit. I think that evening I counted over twenty songs where I could specifically determine that some editorial quenching had occured. I became angry and since then have had to extend historical forgiveness to my forebearers in the faith who did not know any better.
I see signs that are encouraging and healthy that we are reclaiming a rightful role for the Holy Spirit in the life of the church. Here is my question for all of you...What healthy signs are you seeing that we are once again allowing the Spirit into the life of the church?
Shalom, Curtis
I had a most interesting experience a couple of years ago, and one in which I am following up on with specific research. During a retreat which was taking place at a Methodist Camp, one evening late I picked up a hymnal and began thumbing through it and singing the good oldies that I had known from years gone by. After awhile I was intrigued, and then shocked to find out how many hymns had been changed in our own hymnals to remove any hint or reference to the work of the Holy Spirit. I think that evening I counted over twenty songs where I could specifically determine that some editorial quenching had occured. I became angry and since then have had to extend historical forgiveness to my forebearers in the faith who did not know any better.
I see signs that are encouraging and healthy that we are reclaiming a rightful role for the Holy Spirit in the life of the church. Here is my question for all of you...What healthy signs are you seeing that we are once again allowing the Spirit into the life of the church?
Shalom, Curtis
Monday, June 11, 2007
Self-Esteem Issues for the Minister
Monday, June 11, 2007
“Self-esteem poses a dilemma for the Christian.” So says Joanna and Alister McGrath in their book, The Dilemma of Self-Esteem: The Cross and Christian Confidence. As I pick up this book and read this first sentence of the Preface, I immediately lay it down and ponder on the corollary that is so close to my heart: “Self-esteem issues pose a dilemma for the minister.” I would suspect that for most ministers this is the sinister work of the devil, like termites quietly, efficiently and effectively eating away at the foundation of our identity. Too often these self-esteem issues define our ministry.
I remember reading years ago an alternative view that helped me at least address this dilemma in a healthy way. The Christian counselor and psychologist, Gary Collins, called it “Christ-esteem.” Our sense of personal value, our self-worth, who we are and our true identity is not based on self. Rather, it is the love of God demonstrated through the loving sacrifice of Jesus that determines our self-esteem and worth. Just by looking at the subtitle of McGraths’ book, I have a hunch this is where they are headed.
What is the dilemma that we ministers face with self-esteem? We want to be perceived as individuals who have it all together, with our personal savvy and swagger proving to others that we are worth something. The ongoing jokes about ministers that we constantly hear do not help with the perennial problem. We often bend over backwards to prove to our churches and church leaders that we are worth our salt and that the money the church is paying us to perform ministry is not wasted money.
Criticism, negative yearly evaluations, leadership opposition, personality conflicts, philosophical differences, theological differences—all of these realities create the cauldron of self-esteem soup that tastes bitter to the soul and nauseating to the spirit. And the church wants us to take it on the chin, just grin and bear it. We cannot voice our displeasures, our hurts, our pain and our own personal disillusionment. We are paid to be nice and put on a smiling face.
I am eagerly anticipating in the next week or so reading and digesting this book. As I begin, and will share with you insights gathered and garnered from reading it, allow me to pose this question to get conversation started:
“How do self-esteem issues pose a dilemma for you in the context and practice of your ministry?”
“Self-esteem poses a dilemma for the Christian.” So says Joanna and Alister McGrath in their book, The Dilemma of Self-Esteem: The Cross and Christian Confidence. As I pick up this book and read this first sentence of the Preface, I immediately lay it down and ponder on the corollary that is so close to my heart: “Self-esteem issues pose a dilemma for the minister.” I would suspect that for most ministers this is the sinister work of the devil, like termites quietly, efficiently and effectively eating away at the foundation of our identity. Too often these self-esteem issues define our ministry.
I remember reading years ago an alternative view that helped me at least address this dilemma in a healthy way. The Christian counselor and psychologist, Gary Collins, called it “Christ-esteem.” Our sense of personal value, our self-worth, who we are and our true identity is not based on self. Rather, it is the love of God demonstrated through the loving sacrifice of Jesus that determines our self-esteem and worth. Just by looking at the subtitle of McGraths’ book, I have a hunch this is where they are headed.
What is the dilemma that we ministers face with self-esteem? We want to be perceived as individuals who have it all together, with our personal savvy and swagger proving to others that we are worth something. The ongoing jokes about ministers that we constantly hear do not help with the perennial problem. We often bend over backwards to prove to our churches and church leaders that we are worth our salt and that the money the church is paying us to perform ministry is not wasted money.
Criticism, negative yearly evaluations, leadership opposition, personality conflicts, philosophical differences, theological differences—all of these realities create the cauldron of self-esteem soup that tastes bitter to the soul and nauseating to the spirit. And the church wants us to take it on the chin, just grin and bear it. We cannot voice our displeasures, our hurts, our pain and our own personal disillusionment. We are paid to be nice and put on a smiling face.
I am eagerly anticipating in the next week or so reading and digesting this book. As I begin, and will share with you insights gathered and garnered from reading it, allow me to pose this question to get conversation started:
“How do self-esteem issues pose a dilemma for you in the context and practice of your ministry?”
Friday, June 01, 2007
Imitation of Christ
The Imitation of Christ
I would suspect that after the Bible, the single most influential Christian devotional work is The Imitation of Christ by Thomas a Kempis. Several English editions are now in print and it is recognized the world over as a Christian Classic. It was originally published in 1427, which means it has influenced readers now for 580 years!
Every morning part of my quiet time and contemplative silence is spent before the Lord immersed in Thomas a Kempis’s work. I have been reading it regularly now for twenty years as part of my daily spiritual diet. God has worked on me in unfathomable ways, and of course, He still a lot of work left to do!
This morning’s reading was from Book 2 chapter 8 entitled, “Friends with Jesus/Friendly Conversations with Jesus.” This is such a powerful chapter and it underscores the benefits of living close to our Lord. Listen to this reminder:
“When Jesus is present everything is well and nothing seems difficult, but when Jesus is absent everything is hard.”
Does this ring true for you? The abiding presence of our Jesus seems to make things ok, even those things, circumstances and people that seem to be difficult. I suspect in my own life that the difficulty has always been my attempt to manage, control or change whatever does not fit my fancy.
But the most astounding part of the quote is the second half-- but when Jesus is absent everything is hard.” I know we all have already in one way or another figured this one out. Why is my life hard? Why are my relationships falling apart? Why does nothing seem to work for me? The blame game could stop once and for all if I would just see that when Jesus is absent from my heart, my desires, my intent, and my daily life then the only option left is that things will indeed be hard!
I am especially interested in feedback and conversation with you fellow ministers in how you have found this principle and reality to be true in your daily ministries. And, if it is true that friendship with Jesus is so vital to a faithful, dynamic and life-changing ministry, then why do we push Jesus away with our busyness and wonder why things are hard?
I would suspect that after the Bible, the single most influential Christian devotional work is The Imitation of Christ by Thomas a Kempis. Several English editions are now in print and it is recognized the world over as a Christian Classic. It was originally published in 1427, which means it has influenced readers now for 580 years!
Every morning part of my quiet time and contemplative silence is spent before the Lord immersed in Thomas a Kempis’s work. I have been reading it regularly now for twenty years as part of my daily spiritual diet. God has worked on me in unfathomable ways, and of course, He still a lot of work left to do!
This morning’s reading was from Book 2 chapter 8 entitled, “Friends with Jesus/Friendly Conversations with Jesus.” This is such a powerful chapter and it underscores the benefits of living close to our Lord. Listen to this reminder:
“When Jesus is present everything is well and nothing seems difficult, but when Jesus is absent everything is hard.”
Does this ring true for you? The abiding presence of our Jesus seems to make things ok, even those things, circumstances and people that seem to be difficult. I suspect in my own life that the difficulty has always been my attempt to manage, control or change whatever does not fit my fancy.
But the most astounding part of the quote is the second half-- but when Jesus is absent everything is hard.” I know we all have already in one way or another figured this one out. Why is my life hard? Why are my relationships falling apart? Why does nothing seem to work for me? The blame game could stop once and for all if I would just see that when Jesus is absent from my heart, my desires, my intent, and my daily life then the only option left is that things will indeed be hard!
I am especially interested in feedback and conversation with you fellow ministers in how you have found this principle and reality to be true in your daily ministries. And, if it is true that friendship with Jesus is so vital to a faithful, dynamic and life-changing ministry, then why do we push Jesus away with our busyness and wonder why things are hard?
Church History issue on Benedictines & Devoted Life
Dear Colleagues:
The retreat at the Benedictine Monastery was renewing indeed. John York left behind his copy of Christian History, Issue 93, Winter 2007 on the topic of “A Devoted Life.” If you have not seen or read this issue let me encourage you to get a copy and do so. In addition to the helpful theological, historical and cultural backgrounds to the monastic movement, several of the articles make mention of the challenges of our current culture and why the contemplative life is becoming more and more appealing to individuals.
The managing editor, Jennifer Trafton, makes this comment in her editorial…”In the midst of a frenetic, fragmented culture that glorifies independence, busyness, and material gain, many are seeking out a countercultural lifestyle that values prayer, silence, simplicity, liturgy, hospitality, community, and care for the poor.”
What struck me about her comments was the thought…wasn’t this what the early church was all about? Based on this let me get the conversation going with this question: Do you see the characteristics of culture she has described as infecting the church? If so, how can we, the church, be a countercultural alternative that values the very things she identifies?
The retreat at the Benedictine Monastery was renewing indeed. John York left behind his copy of Christian History, Issue 93, Winter 2007 on the topic of “A Devoted Life.” If you have not seen or read this issue let me encourage you to get a copy and do so. In addition to the helpful theological, historical and cultural backgrounds to the monastic movement, several of the articles make mention of the challenges of our current culture and why the contemplative life is becoming more and more appealing to individuals.
The managing editor, Jennifer Trafton, makes this comment in her editorial…”In the midst of a frenetic, fragmented culture that glorifies independence, busyness, and material gain, many are seeking out a countercultural lifestyle that values prayer, silence, simplicity, liturgy, hospitality, community, and care for the poor.”
What struck me about her comments was the thought…wasn’t this what the early church was all about? Based on this let me get the conversation going with this question: Do you see the characteristics of culture she has described as infecting the church? If so, how can we, the church, be a countercultural alternative that values the very things she identifies?
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