Tag Archives: spiritual journeys

The Recreating Silences

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“We must seek out the recreating silences of solitude if we want to be with others meaningfully. We must seek the fellowship and accountability of others if we want to be alone safely. We must cultivate both if we are to live in obedience.” Richard Foster, Celebration of Discipline, Solitude

Love’s Not For Sissys

Posted on by under Pastor Wrinkles

I was listening to this song in my afternoon devotion. It reminded me that love is not the sweet mushy thing that our culture has sometimes made it out to be. Love is tough as nails, tenacious, ferocious. It toughens our heart while never hardening it. It calls us to hang on even as we let go. It calls us to release control even while continuing to urge others to become their best selves. It can drive us until our backs are against the wall and at last set us free from our worst prisons. Love is not for sissys. It’s a call to arms for the world’s greatest warriors!

Two Right Feet In Prayer

Posted on by under Pastor Wrinkles

In response to The Daily Post’s writing prompt: “Two Right Feet.”

The Daily Post has asked us, What are the things you need to do within 30 minutes of waking up to ensure your day gets off on the right foot? What happened the last time you didn’t do one of these things?

For me this is all about  prayer and Bible Study. I am finding the older I get the more regimented I get, particularly in the spiritual disciplines. As a young guy I thought the lifestyle of discipline was stodgy. There was a part of me that thought if it wasn’t unscripted or spontaneous then it wasn’t real, but the older I become the more I see that intentionality particularly with the spiritual life is the pathway to the longevity of success.

Beginning the day with prayer and study allows me to tune my spiritual senses to the voice of God. It allows His conviction and direction to come in. When I miss my time in prayer I feel like I am in a ship with neither rudder nor paddle being driven along by every whim the river of life brings my way. So most mornings now I make the time to pray.

The crucifix at Kylemore Abbey

 

It’s Not About Getting It All Done It’s All About Finishing

Posted on by under Pastor Wrinkles

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My mother has this question she asks almost every night on my return home from work, “Did you Get all you work done son?”

Almost every night my answer is the same, “No Mom I never get all my work done, but I got enough done.”

Do you ever feel like your life is bigger than you? Do you feel like there is more life to live than there is energy to live it? I do, all the time. As Jesus said “The harvest truly is plenteous but the laborers are few…” Mat 9: 37. I feel that way. The need is great. It is certainly greater than my ability to fill it. I think sometimes I am trying to empty the ocean with a Dixie cup.

I am sure that I would long ago have gone mad if God had not taught me a few truths that I have to repeat as a mantra over my life almost daily. Those truths are:

I AM  JUST A SERVANT NOT THE SAVIOR.

JESUS SAVES. I TESTIFY.

I DON’T HAVE TO GET IT ALL DONE. I JUST HAVE TO GET SOMETHING DONE.

WHEN I RUN OUT OF TIME I AM FINISHED WHETHER OR NOT I AM DONE.

AND

GOD WILL REWARD ME IF HE FINDS ME WORKING WHEN HE COMES NOT IF HE FINDS EVERYTHING DONE WHEN HE COMES.

Over time I have learned that my life will always be busy and if I choose to insist that all my work gets done before I stop working then I will never stop working. I have also learned that if I hold on to that attitude long enough eventually it will burn me out and then I will be tempted to leave off the race I began so long ago. Folks we are not called to get everything done. We are called to finish the race, and sometimes finishing means leaving something undone.

I hope that helps.