Off for August!

The blog is on vacation for the month of August. See you again on Sunday, September 6th!

Peace

by Kyle Wiseley

One of the blessings of this summer for me has been the development of our community garden. The raised beds are well-constructed and pleasing to the eye. Rich, dark soil has been added. Although we got a late start, things are growing rapidly and everything looks particularly hardy and healthy. Since the garden is literally right outside my door I have taken on the responsibility of watering it daily. I usually wait until the sun has slipped behind the tall trees over by Towle Avenue and the air is starting to cool. Usually there is a breeze. I find something spiritually nourishing in the task. Not only am I performing a service for some of the other participants so they don’t have to come daily to water their plots, but I also get to develop an individual relationship with the plants themselves. Because they are growing so rapidly, they each take on distinctly unique characteristics. It is almost as if each has its own personality and is consciously striving to live out its purpose. I find in the environment an atmosphere of deep peace and a sense of the presence of our common Creator.

This feeling extends to the Labyrinth Garden as well, where I frequently go and sit for a few minutes after my watering chores are finished. There also is the feeling of purposeful growth, and although there are noises of traffic and neighboring households in the background, the sense of the peaceful presence of a loving Creator is the primary feeling as I sit and meditate or just simply soak up the beauty of the place.

A number of our members are expending much time and effort in maintain the Labyrinth Garden and because I live within sight of it I notice it being used by others from the neighborhood.

I am gratified that our congregation has been instrumental in providing such a place to share with the wider community. In the frenetic chaos that makes up so much of our contemporary culture, it is wonderful to find such a spiritual oasis. I invite you to come and share in its blessings.

Got Gifts?

by Julia Graves

Ever sit outside and just listen to the sounds around you? Ever sit outside and just smell the air? Ever sit outside and just feel the breeze? Ever sit outside in the grass under a tree and marvel at nature? Ever sit outside and watch insects crawling on the ground? Ever sit outside and watch birds in flight? Ever stand outside and look up and feel the rain on your face or catch a snow flake on your tongue?

When my life becomes too complicated, I take a “God Break”. I consider it a coffee break for the soul. I go outside and sit quietly and observe my surrounding by listening, smelling, feeling, watching. God has given us a beautiful garden to live in filled with fascinating and intricate gifts to enjoy.

Often we fill our lives so full that we don’t allow time to sit quietly and enjoy these simple pleasures. I find when I allow myself the indulgence of these quite moments, I am able to reflect on the wonderful gifts God has given me: family, friends, strangers, life. It is truly a miraculous place where we live.

Thank you God!

About Twelve

by Ian Doescher

During a preaching class in seminary, I was introduced to Fred Craddock, a preaching professor, long-time pastor and author who is a wizard of storytelling in his sermons. His book, Craddock Stories, arrived for me in the mail a few days ago, and I’ve just finished reading through it. Here is one of his stories:

I remember one night, sitting in a little rural church on a Sunday night. It was a summer meeting, so it was hot, and the window was open beside my pew. The minister was preaching on his favorite text, “Be not the first by whom the new is tried, because a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush, and it’s better to be safe than sorry, because fools rush in where angels fear to tread.”

I was listening to him drone away when a man came by the church building and stopped by the window and said, “Psst, psst.”

I said, “What is it? I’m listening to the sermon.”

He said, “Come with me.”

I said, “Where are you going?”

He said, “I know where there is a pearl of great price that’s more valuable than all the other pearls in the world.”

I said, “There’s no such thing.”

He said, “In fact, where I’m going, there is treasure buried in a field.”

I said, “You’re kidding!”

He said, “Where I’m going, bums are invited to sit down at the king’s table.”

I said, “That’s ridiculous.”

He said, “In fact, they give great big parties for prodigals who come home.”

I said, “That’s stupid.” Well, I listened to the rest of the sermon and after it was over, I told the preacher about how I was disturbed and that I hoped it didn’t upset him during the sermon.

He said, “Who was that?”

I said, “I don’t know. Telling me all this fancy stuff.”

He said, “Well, was he getting anybody?”

And I said, “Well, none of our crowd went, but I noticed he had about twelve with him.”

Thank God for the prophets in our midst who push us, as the church, to be better, to do better, who help us to ask: what if church really were like that?