Open to Healing

This quote is powerful.  “Religion is lived by people who are afraid of hell.  Spirituality is lived by people who have been through hell and come out enlightened.”

I’m making my way back from hell once again as I walk the journey with my mother’s mental illness.  Finally the judge agrees she needs help and for the first time healing may be hers and mine in a new and different way.

Can we finally surrender to healing?  Will our judgmental heads, closed-down hearts, and abused bodies come together to surrender to the transformation that can happen?  It is possible, if only you can surrender to the light of your being.  Nothing is impossible with God.

And the work of spirituality begins again knowing we start with the power of the Holy Spirit.  Come to the light and heal from all your pains and hurts.  Come again knowing that our Lord desires healing and wholeness for us.  Help us, Jesus, to bring your light to our closed-minded, dead-hearted, body-denying beings. 

There are so many situations that pull us apart in this world, but faith pulls us together…mind, body, and soul as well as brothers and sisters in Christ.  I’m ready to begin again.  The journey from hell to light as we gather once again to receive the body and blood of Jesus, to hear the words of forgiveness, and to feel the hugs of fellow travelers along life’s journey.  Open us all to your healing and bring us into your light.

Eternal Love

One week ago, we said our final goodbyes to our beloved family dog, Tasha.  It is a decision we all must face as our furry friends decline in their health and we spare them of any more suffering.  As I reflect on the day we brought her home, my memories take me back to our children and their happiness.  My oldest, Jenna, was 15 years old, Krysta was 13 and Josh was 11.  They were the perfect age to take on the responsibility of a new puppy.  On our way home from the breeders, we stopped at a park alongside the road and played with her in the grass.  I can still remember this moment in time, listening to the laughter while trying to name our newest member of the family.  Krysta would name her Tasha and Krysta would ultimately become her closest friend.  These memories contrast with the final moments of her life, one of which I will never forget, forever implanted in my soul.  It was one of those spiritual connections you don’t ever anticipate.  I was sitting on the floor with Tasha saying my goodbyes and kissing her nose.  With a tear in his throat, Dave said he couldn’t stay in the room.  I looked in his eyes and saw such grief and pain.  At that very moment, I connected with Dave as I spoke the words, “it’s okay, I’ll see you in a little while.”  The deep connection I felt with Dave continued with Tasha and then with each one of my children.  Our spirits had somehow connected in a way I can’t explain.  I spoke each one of our names and added the words “loves you”.  And then it came, the peace that surpasses all understanding, the peace that clearly says to your heart and soul. “all is well.”  The peace that affirms all love as eternal whether it is for people, animals or nature connecting with the love of God.  This eternal love reached the deepest parts of me as I understood once again the connection to the source of all life.  In this moment surrounded by eternity, I felt God leading me into the great mystery.  A mystical moment where our lives where connected by the breath of God. There it was the peace that passes all understanding, the deeper knowing that love is eternal.  When have you felt this peace in your own life?

Dirty Hands

The Orbit's commercial about having a dirty mouth makes me laugh...the one with the goat lady. We may not want a dirty mouth but as Christians we should have dirty hands. This coming weekend will be one of the first times I will get my hands dirty at Zion or in the community. There are 7 volunteers from Zion experiencing the powerful transformation of our landscape as well as the transformation of our hearts. The only other time I got my hands dirty was helping at the food pantry in July of last year. This makes my heart sad. Whatever happened to the transformative power of service in Jesus' name? God has placed a huge longing on my heart and I want to share this with you. I would like to engage in Saginaw in a significant way...more time spent at the food pantry and the soup kitchen. I would like to find out ways I could bring a group of youth to our church for a mission trip within Saginaw. We have the space to house and feed all of the youth. There are pastors from the lower part of the state that would like to work together to make this happen. This is burning on my heart. I would like to engage in community programs...volunteer in a school or hospital setting....all in the name of Jesus. When we serve in Jesus' name, the focus is on the power and promise of the risen Christ present in the mission at hand. Transformation is possible because Jesus is present. And so we engage! It will touch our hearts, shape our minds, and change our lives! I need some help with this...Is there anyone who would like to find out more about some social justice issues of Saginaw and how we can make a difference in this community?