Hearts Walking

Building One Another - Vol. 11, No. 28
Dear Friend, In his remarks at the prayer vigil held December 16 in Newtown, Connecticut, President Obama quoted Elizabeth Stone:  "Making a decision to have a child – it’s momentous. It is to decide forever to have your heart go walking around outside your body." That has been one of my favorite sayings for a long time. It makes no difference how old you are, how old your child may be, whether your child is alive on this earth or with our heavenly Father. Your child is indeed, your very heart, walking around outside your body. The mystery of the Trinity - Father, Son and Holy Spirit - is that while they are “one,” they are also three distinct persons. On Christmas day, God the Father knew what it is to have a Son “walking around” as did Mary, the mother of Jesus. So we know immediately the depths of anguish of the families in Newtown today and the depths of anguish felt by many families following the birth of Jesus, “When Herod saw that he had been tricked by the wise men, he was infuriated, and he sent and killed all the children in and around Bethlehem who were two years old or under, according to the time that he had learned from the wise men.” Matthew 2:16* The very darkness of the world in our day and in the darkness of the day of the birth of Jesus makes the words of the prophet Isaiah and of the Apostle John incredibly significant. “The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light;  those who lived in a land of deep darkness—on them light has shined.” Isaiah 9:2 “Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, ‘I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life.’” John 8:12 The light is Jesus. Open your heart to him for his heart is open to you. Indeed you are his very heart walking around!
With joy- E. Stanley Ott Copyright 2012 E. Stanley Ott *Scripture from the NRSV
To view archived issues and to subscribe: www.buildingoneanother.org

Living

Building One Another - Vol. 11, No. 27
Dear Friend, Some years ago Bob Oerter, then pastor of the First Presbyterian Church of Boulder, Colorado, led a retreat in which I heard him say, “Learn to live with the load of the unfinished!” That phrase has stuck with me ever sense. His point was no matter how much you and I do there is always more to be done. The society we live in has become ever more manic, ever more driven with a sense that we have to, “get all of this stuff done.” Bob’s point was not to get all the stuff done but to learn to live with reality of the unfinished and to deliberately take time to be with our Lord and with those we love. Life isn’t about finishing the do list. It is about getting on with our relationships. Jesus certainly lived a rather busy life. At one point Mark describes what was going on around Jesus this way, “For many were coming and going, and they had no leisure even to eat.” Mark 6:31a* Clearly Jesus knew what the load of the unfinished felt like. In the very midst of this crazy time with no time even to eat, Jesus said, “Come away to a deserted place all by yourselves and rest a while.” Mark 6:31a May you learn to live with the load of the unfinished in your life this Advent season and take the time to center yourself on the Lord who loves you and the people God gives you!
With joy- E. Stanley Ott Copyright 2012 E. Stanley Ott *Scripture from the NRSV
To view archived issues and to subscribe: www.buildingoneanother.org

The Voice

Building One Another - Vol. 11, No. 26
Dear Friend, Late one afternoon I was jogging around a high school track and let's just say I wasn’t exactly flying around that oval. On the other side of the track the high school track coach was working with one student. I could hear the coach holler to his runner: "Square your shoulders!                 Lift those knees and step higher!                                 Lengthen your stride!                                                 Pick up your pace!" I suddenly realized I was flying around the track at a terrific rate of speed (for me)! I’d squared my own shoulders, was lifting my knees and stepping higher, lengthening my stride, and picking up my pace. The voice of the coach prodded me into action! The Voice of the Spirit of the God is prodding you in a similar way: “Seek me with all your heart.” Jeremiah 29:13                 “Come to me, all you who are weary and                       burdened.” Matthew 11:28                                 “Therefore let all the faithful pray.”                                        Psalm 32:6 May you hear the Voice of the Spirit prodding you to draw near to the Lord who loves you dearly and who has already drawn near to you!
With joy- E. Stanley Ott Copyright 2012 E. Stanley Ott *Scripture from the NIV
To view archived issues and to subscribe: www.buildingoneanother.org

God Can

Building One Another - Vol. 11, No. 25
Dear Friend, I was flying a Southwest flight from Orlando to New Orleans. We were belted in and picking up speed as we raced down the runway. Suddenly the pilot’s voice broadcast in the cabin. My ears perked up since I had never heard the pilot speak during take off. What he said was, “I think I can. I think I can. I think I can.” We all had a good laugh as the plane lifted into the air and turned towards New Orleans. That moment has often come back to me when facing some challenge in my life and I find myself running harder and faster. Like the “Little Engine that Thought He Could," the words of that pilot come to mind, “I think I can. I think I can!” Except the pilot couldn’t fly by himself.  While he had a part to play, he was merely along for the ride aboard a massive plane trusting in its power to take him and all of us aloft. When you start thinking it all depends on you, know that our Lord works with, in, and through our efforts yet, we, too, are along for the ride. We, too, have our part to play in the endeavor before us, yet we trust in our massive God’s power to be the wind under our wings. “Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God.” Psalm 20:7* I trust God can!
With joy- E. Stanley Ott Copyright 2012 E. Stanley Ott *Scripture from the NIV
To view archived issues and to subscribe: www.buildingoneanother.org

Generous Thanks

Building One Another - Vol. 11, No. 24
Dear Friend, Driving with my daughter in the neighborhood in which I grew up, we paused by my childhood home so she could take a picture. A young man came to the door obviously wondering what we were doing. My daughter called to him, “My Dad lived here forty years ago.” He went back inside the home and out came his mother. After my daughter told her the same thing, that lady said immediately, “Would you like to see the house?” Not even, “Just give me five minutes to pick up a few things, “ but a “Please come right in.” She took us into every room in the house. Memories came flooding in. I could see my Mom and I decorating the Christmas tree, my sister standing by the plate glass window before her wedding dress, the room I shared with my brother and so much more. Can you imagine what I feel every time I think of the generosity of that dear lady in offering that kind hospitality to strangers? Thanksgiving simply overcomes me! As the Apostle Paul wrote, “You will be enriched in every way for your great generosity, which will produce thanksgiving to God through us.” 2 Corinthians 9:11* So this Thanksgiving, think of the many acts of generosity that have been shown to you in the last year – by the people in your life – by the Lord of your life – and give thanks!
Happy Thanksgiving - E. Stanley Ott Copyright 2012 E. Stanley Ott *Scripture from the NRSV
To view archived issues and to subscribe: www.buildingoneanother.org

Eleven Years

Building One Another - Vol. 11, No. 19
Dear Friend, Eleven years ago this morning I boarded an airplane going from Pittsburgh to Los Angeles. We landed in Kansas City since every airplane in the air was required to land when the reality of the tragedies unfolding in New York, Washington D.C., and Pennsylvania began to hit home. For me the day became a simple adventure of making my way home with other stranded travelers. In a moment of extreme crisis, in a day when many believed America to be spineless, we saw amazing valor in three different locations involving thousands of people. In the midst of all of the horror, it felt good to be an American that day. It still does. In the days following 9/11, I was convinced that God was calling us to four specific actions. I still am. First, we are to comfort the grieving. For the families of those who died that day and in the conflicts abroad since then, life has been turned on its head. May our hearts go out to them. Second, we are to resist prejudice. Say “no” to the temptation to treat with less than dignity those people living in our country of Middle Eastern descent and especially those of the Muslim religion. We are Americans, however before we are Americans, we who follow Jesus are the people of grace. May we think, act, and speak as the people of grace. Third, we are to confess our sin to the Lord. If my people who are called by my name humble themselves, pray, seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land (2 Chronicles 7:14*). Our news is filled with stories of unethical behavior in our midst. We have absolutely no future as a nation if we say we fight the evildoer abroad while perpetuating deliberate sin within our own camp and among ourselves. Fourth, we are to be prepared. Preparedness in a time of uncertainty means remaining alert to the possibility of evil and choosing not to yield completely to the false security of “life as usual.” The most quoted scripture I heard in the days following 9/11 was Psalm 46:1-2. “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change, though the mountains shake in the heart of the sea.”
With joy- E. Stanley Ott Copyright 2012 E. Stanley Ott *Scripture from the NRSV
To view archived issues and to subscribe: www.buildingoneanother.org

The Questions

Building One Another - Vol. 11, No. 18
Dear Friend, The Apostle Paul made a revealing assertion to the Christians of the ancient city of Corinth, ”For though you might have ten thousand guardians in Christ, you do not have many fathers. Indeed, in Christ Jesus I became your father through the gospel.” I Cor. 4:15* The word guardians variously translated can mean tutors, instructors, teachers, and trainers. The original word referred to those who walked a child to school and kept an eye on the child. Such a person was not a parent but more like a babysitter. “Though you have ten thousand babysitters you only have one father, one mother in the faith.” So Paul claims his unique role by urging his spiritual children to, “be imitators of me,” what all parents ask of their children. Also, like every parent he urges them to remember what he taught them, “of my ways in Christ Jesus, as I teach them everywhere and in every church.” I Cor. 4:17 This leads to a number of profound questions! Who is the person who had the most to do with shaping your heart for and understanding of the Christian faith? A Mom, a Dad, a grandparent, someone at church, a friend, or someone else? For whom are you not merely a spiritual babysitter, but a mom or a dad? Are you having a Christ-forming influence in the life of another person (who may be a child or may be an adult)? Are your core convictions about our Lord and our Lord’s church clear enough that you consistently live them and can teach them regardless of where you are – everywhere and in every church? Such questions lead to gratitude for the spiritual parents in our lives and challenge us to be spiritual parents in the lives of others.
With joy- E. Stanley Ott Copyright 2012 E. Stanley Ott *Scripture from the NRSV
To view archived issues and to subscribe: www.buildingoneanother.org

The Foundation

Building One Another - Vol. 11, No. 17
Dear Friend, The Washington Monument was in the news recently. After suffering some damage in the earthquake of 2011, it now appears the majority of the damage was near the top of the Monument and far above its sound foundation.  A sound foundation is key to the quality of anything you build. I watched a large multi-purpose building being built from the ground up. I was intrigued that the builder took what seemed like a quarter of the total time of construction to dig a huge hole and pour a tremendous amount of concrete in and around the solid rock underneath. I asked him why. He made it clear that the key to a sound building is a truly sound foundation. Upon what foundation are you building the work of your life? On what foundation rests the results of what you say, what you do, what you think and what you are? “Each builder must choose with care how to build on it [the foundation]. For no one can lay any foundation other than the one that has been laid; that foundation is Jesus Christ.” I Corinthians 3:10b-11* Anything we do in life that does not have Jesus underneath it isn’t going to last. It’s that simple. One of the great hymns of the church is, “The Church’s One Foundation.” Another way to sing it is to insert your own name, “The Jenny’s one foundation…, “The David’s one foundation…,” “The Marty’s one foundation is Jesus Christ her Lord…”
With joy- E. Stanley Ott Copyright 2012 E. Stanley Ott *Scripture from the NRSV
To view archived issues and to subscribe: www.buildingoneanother.org

The Smile

Building One Another - Vol. 11, No. 16
Dear Friend, After Oscar Pistorius ran in the 400-meter race in the recent Olympics, he told TODAY’s Savannah Gunthrie, “When I got on those starting blocks, I knew 400 is always a tough event. But I had these cramps in my cheeks, I was smiling so much.” He knew he had a tough race to win running through the challenge of legs made of spring steel. He also knew he was having an experience that felt beyond remarkable and utterly wonderful. And just think – our Lord has even more wonderful experiences in store for Oscar – and for you and me – not on a racetrack – but in the immediate presence of a loving God who actually cares. In the Apostle Paul’s letter to the Christian people of Corinth is this extraordinary word:     “What no eye has seen,          what no ear has heard,                and what no human mind has conceived                    the things God has prepared for those who love him- these are the things God has revealed to us by his Spirit.”                                                                 I Corinthians 2:9b-10a* The God who loves you has immense plans for you – plans you cannot possibly imagine – plans far greater than anything you may have ever seen – plans for your future and your hope. So may your smile be so wide you have cramps in your cheeks!
With joy- E. Stanley Ott Copyright 2012 E. Stanley Ott *Scripture from the NIV
To view archived issues and to subscribe: www.buildingoneanother.org

The Boast

Building One Another - Vol. 11, No. 15
Dear Friend, I have loved watching the recent Olympics in London. There were so many poignant moments. While there were a few athletes who boasted of their deeds, they were dwarfed in numbers by the countless winners whose humility, gratitude, and grace were utterly infectious. Sprinkled throughout the events we saw many athletes win their contest and immediately look upward or point upward or make the sign of the cross and you realized they were expressing gratitude and honor to the God who made them. The Apostle Paul offered a direct word to the Corinthian church that speaks to all of us.  “He [God] is the source of your life in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification and redemption, in order that, as it is written, ‘Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.’” I Corinthians 1:30-31* May our “boasts,” our celebrations of life’s large and little victories always be an affirmation of the reality and work of the Lord who loves us. “To God be the glory, great things he has done!”
With joy- E. Stanley Ott Copyright 2012 E. Stanley Ott *Scripture from the NRSV
To view archived issues and to subscribe: www.buildingoneanother.org

The Grasp

Building One Another - Vol. 11, No. 14
Dear Friend, During the 2012 Summer Olympics we have watched Gabby Douglas grasping the parallel bars, Serena Williams grasping her tennis racket, and rowers grasping their oars, all seeking to grasp an Olympic victory. These pictures remind me of William Barclay’s wonderful translation of Paul’s words recorded in Philippians 3:12, “I seek to grasp that for which I have been grasped by Jesus Christ.” You and I are in “The Grasp” of Jesus Christ.  His powerful loving embrace never lets us go as he tightly holds you and me to himself. At the same time we are encouraged by the apostle Paul to practice our own version of “The Grasp” as we hold on to that to which our Lord holds us – a personal relationship with him, a life worthy of him, and a life offered in the service of others. May you hold on to the One who holds you and know our Lord’s strength and encouragement this day!
With joy- E. Stanley Ott Copyright 2012 E. Stanley Ott
To view archived issues and to subscribe: www.buildingoneanother.org

The Grasp

Vol. 11, No. 14
Dear Friend, During the 2012 Summer Olympics we have watched Gabby Douglas grasping the parallel bars, Serena Williams grasping her tennis racket, and rowers grasping their oars, all seeking to grasp an Olympic victory. These pictures remind me of William Barclay’s wonderful translation of Paul’s words recorded in Philippians 3:12, “I seek to grasp that for which I have been grasped by Jesus Christ.” You and I are in “The Grasp” of Jesus Christ.  His powerful loving embrace never lets us go as he tightly holds you and me to himself. At the same time we are encouraged by the apostle Paul to practice our own version of “The Grasp” as we hold on to that to which our Lord holds us – a personal relationship with him, a life worthy of him, and a life offered in the service of others. May you hold on to the One who holds you and know our Lord’s strength and encouragement this day!
With joy- E. Stanley Ott Copyright 2012 E. Stanley Ott
To view archived issues and to subscribe: www.buildingoneanother.org

The Pressure of Present Demand

A wonderful resource for we who long to see our congregations grow in vitality ishttp://churchnext.tv. The mission of ChurchNext is very much the same as the Vital Churches Institute:

The ChurchNext Mission is to act as a counter-weight to an increasingly secular society that is trying to convince us that the only option for the Christian church today is decline. The Church has made it through tougher times than these and will continue to flourish as followers increase their knowledge and commitment to the Gospel of Jesus.

Chris Yaw, who leads ChurchNext, regularly posts interviews with church leaders on a variety of issues relevant to growing congregational vitality. His recent interview with Stan Ott touches on a variety of topics including:

• The real vision of a congregation is rarely in its mission statement.
• The biggest challenge for church leaders today.  How are you coping?
• How well does your congregation show true hospitality?
• Navigating change in today's frenetic culture.

To watch or listen to the entire interview view below or click here.

Word of Grace

Building One Another - Vol. 11, No. 13
Dear Friend, “A certain monastery enforced a vow of silence. Each monk could utter only two words every five years, and those two words had to be spoken in the presence of the abbot, the chief monk. One of the monks, when given his opportunity to speak, said, ‘Bad food!’ Five years later, his two words were, ‘Bed hard.’ When given his third opportunity to speak five years later, he said, ‘I quit.’ ‘Well,’ said the abbot, ‘you might as well quit. All you’ve done since you got here is complain!’"1 So what is the New Testament take on grumbling? “Do all things without murmuring and arguing, so that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, in which you shine like stars in the world.” Philippians 2:14-15* When you choose not to grumble in our culture of complaint where grumbling is what everyone does, you shine like a star and you become a picture of God’s grace for others to see. So you have a choice –a word of grace or a word of grumble. What we say determines whether we inspire faith and life or inspire doubt, fear, anxiety, and anger. When you choose not to grumble, when you address your concerns directly to the people involved and you treat them with dignity and respect, you are so out of step with the culture that people see our Lord living in you! In practical terms, what happens when something annoys you? If you speak to everyone but the ones creating the situation, that’s grumbling. If you speak to each other in a spirit of hostility and disrespect making point and counter point, that’s bickering. If you speak graciously directly to those involved, that’s the grace of God in you and a word of grace through you. 1. Robert J. Morgan, Nelson’s Complete Book of Stories, Illustrations, & Quotes, (Nashville, Thomas Nelson Publishers).
With joy- E. Stanley Ott Copyright 2012 E. Stanley Ott *Scripture from the NRSV
To view archived issues and to subscribe: www.buildingoneanother.org

Word of Grace

Building One Another - Vol. 11, No. 13
Dear Friend, “A certain monastery enforced a vow of silence. Each monk could utter only two words every five years, and those two words had to be spoken in the presence of the abbot, the chief monk. One of the monks, when given his opportunity to speak, said, ‘Bad food!’ Five years later, his two words were, ‘Bed hard.’ When given his third opportunity to speak five years later, he said, ‘I quit.’ ‘Well,’ said the abbot, ‘you might as well quit. All you’ve done since you got here is complain!’"1 So what is the New Testament take on grumbling? “Do all things without murmuring and arguing, so that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, in which you shine like stars in the world.” Philippians 2:14-15* When you choose not to grumble in our culture of complaint where grumbling is what everyone does, you shine like a star and you become a picture of God’s grace for others to see. So you have a choice –a word of grace or a word of grumble. What we say determines whether we inspire faith and life or inspire doubt, fear, anxiety, and anger. When you choose not to grumble, when you address your concerns directly to the people involved and you treat them with dignity and respect, you are so out of step with the culture that people see our Lord living in you! In practical terms, what happens when something annoys you? If you speak to everyone but the ones creating the situation, that’s grumbling. If you speak to each other in a spirit of hostility and disrespect making point and counter point, that’s bickering. If you speak graciously directly to those involved, that’s the grace of God in you and a word of grace through you. 1. Robert J. Morgan, Nelson’s Complete Book of Stories, Illustrations, & Quotes, (Nashville, Thomas Nelson Publishers).
With joy- E. Stanley Ott Copyright 2012 E. Stanley Ott *Scripture from the NRSV
To view archived issues and to subscribe: www.buildingoneanother.org

Life-Shaping Hope

Building One Another - Vol. 11, No. 12
Dear Friend, If I asked you, “What is the one hope you have over all over hopes?” What would you say?          Your hope for the well-being of loved ones?                 Your hope for health or financial security?                      Your hope for something else? The Apostle Paul answers this question in a marvelous way, “It is my eager expectation and hope that I will not be put to shame in any way, but that by my speaking with all boldness, Christ will be exalted now as always in my body, whether by life or by death.” Philippians 1:20* Paul’s hope has a negative aspect (that is really a positive) and another positive aspect to it. Negatively, he hopes, “that I will not be put to shame in any way.” If you share this hope, then you hope that your conduct is consistent with your convictions, that your life honors your Lord. Positively, he hopes, “that by my speaking with all boldness, Christ will be exalted now as always in my body.” So this hope is not just about “not being shamed” but rather is the hope that your life will bring honor, attention, love, and trust to the person of Jesus Christ! “My hope is built on nothing less than Jesus’ blood and righteousness.”  Edward Mote 1837
With joy- E. Stanley Ott Copyright 2012 E. Stanley Ott *Scripture from the NRSV
To view archived issues and to subscribe: www.buildingoneanother.org

Joy to You!

Building One Another - Vol. 11, No. 11
Dear Friend, How is your joy doing at the moment? “Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice,” wrote the Apostle Paul. (Philippians 4:4*) You may be feeling joy. You may be feeling no joy! One way to think about the “always” part of “rejoice in the Lord, always,” is to think in terms of your present joy and of your future joy. Present joy is right here, right now joy. Whether it’s a hug from a friend or a cup of coffee or time with a child or some good news, present joy uplifts the spirit. Future joy, on the other hand, sustains the spirit. It is the assurance that ultimately all things will work together for the good for those who love God. Future joy is the later on joy that sustains our spirits through times when life is tough. Present joy is about thanking God. When you are aware of a joy in your life or in the lives of those around you it’s the perfect time to simply be grateful. Thank you, Lord! Future joy is about trusting God. We read in Hebrews 12 how Jesus, for the sake of the joy set before him, endured the cross. So when you are aware of a tough time in your life or in the lives of those around you it’s the perfect time to simply trust the Lord who said, “I have said these things to you so that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be complete.” John 15:11 So your present joy, the joy that uplifts the spirit is about thanking God and your future joy is that which sustains you when you aren’t feeling joy, yet you are trusting God for the future. Ask yourself, “Am I an agent of joy in the lives of the people around me,” such that they offer thanks to God for the joy in their present life and they trust our Lord for their future joy as well?
With joy- E. Stanley Ott Copyright 2012 E. Stanley Ott *Scripture from the NRSV
To view archived issues and to subscribe: www.buildingoneanother.org

Limitless

Building One Another - Vol. 11, No. 10
Dear Friend, Do you have health issues that limit your mobility? Or employment or financial matters that constrain your actions? Or family situations that require all of your attention? It is very easy to assume that the constraints in our lives limit what our Lord may do in us and through us. The Apostle Paul makes an interesting comment along this line when his actions are constrained by imprisonment. The incredible missionary journeys that permitted him to tell vast regions about the person of Jesus are over. You might think the work of this great evangelist was done. Then we read, “I want you to know, beloved that what has happened to me has actually helped to spread the gospel, so that it has become known throughout the whole imperial guard and to everyone else that my imprisonment is for Christ.” Philippians 1:12-13* Paul is in prison but the work of God through him is not imprisoned! He says virtually the same thing when writing Timothy, his son in the faith, “That is my gospel, for which I suffer hardship, even to the point of being chained like a criminal.  But the word of God is not chained.”  II Timothy 2:8-9 “I am chained but the word of God is not chained.” What limits us is limitless for our Lord. Whatever the circumstances of your life at this moment, trust that the Lord who loves you has much to accomplish through you – through your words with people, through your prayers, through your acts of compassion and grace. Jabez prayed that God would, “enlarge my border.” I Chronicles 4:10  You, too, are welcome to ask God to work through you in the lives of people beyond what constrains you. What limits you never limits God!
With joy- E. Stanley Ott Copyright 2012 E. Stanley Ott *Scripture from the NRSV
To view archived issues and to subscribe: www.buildingoneanother.org

Make New Friends, But Keep the Old

I ran into one of our Scout Leaders early last Sunday morning as he was preparing to take the Troop to their summer camp in Oklahoma.  After he left I found myself reminiscing about the Scouting experiences I had had as a girl.  This song came to me that I learned beginning in my first Brownie Troop.  The first verse goes like this:

Make new friends

But keep the old

One is silver

And the other, gold.

I bet some of you are singing it right now!  This fun song is the one the Acts 16:5 Initiative uses to help us remember the value of long-time friendships and the importance of making new friends.

In Jesus Christ, becoming faithful people is what we all are striving to do.  Our own transformation and the church’s transformation will take place in energetic ways when we put this powerful idea to work.  Here’s a reminder of the way it works:  Next time you invite “gold” friends over for a meal or for dessert, invite someone that may be relatively new or “silver” to your gathering.  It could be an office co-worker or a neighbor or someone who’s been visiting the church.  The big challenge is NOT to talk about the church during your time together, because, of course, that would leave out the people who do not know the church well.  Bringing others into our circle of friends is how our own lives of faith are enlivened and stretched.  One of the fun things about meeting “silver” friends is learning about who they are and finding out about their lives, their interests and their faith.

Today in our busy and full lives, it may be too much to ask to have people over to our home, so another option is to change the venue.  Meet at a restaurant and have a meal together.  Meet at an ice cream parlor on one of these hot summer evenings and have conversation while enjoying cold, creamy cones.  Another alternative is to invite gold and silver friends to a game of some sort.  The possibilities are endless.

On the 4^th of July, my husband and I were invited to a parishioner’s home for dinner and homemade peach ice cream.  Yum!  There were people there, some of which we knew and some of which we did not.  What an enjoyable evening we had in lively conversation with both “gold” and “silver” friends.  It was an important reminder to me of making the effort to expand our circle to include those to whom God will surely lead us.

Listening

This week the Dallas Morning News ran a wonderful article about the Rev. Matthew Crownover, Presbyterian pastor and chaplain at Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital.  The article talks about Matthew’s work as a chaplain in combination with one of his passions: ultra running.  That means running 100 miles up and down trails, in and out of forests, often through the night.  He says that running is like a microcosm of life with the obstacles he runs into on trails being like obstacles in life.  When he runs, he thinks about prayer and joy and gratitude.   The article was in the Life and Arts section on Tuesday, June 26, 2012 (Section E).

One of the things Matthew speaks about is the 80-20 rule.  When he’s with patients, he tries to listen 80 percent of the time and talk 20 percent of the time.  I like that ratio.  It fits with sitting with God often in quiet prayer and taking that quiet center out into the world.  Morton Kelsey says, “We can love only those human beings to whom we listen, and love is the heart of the spiritual way. No one can ever learn to listen to God who has not first learned to listen to human beings. The one who cannot listen cannot love either another or God” (from Through Defeat to Victory).

Coming off a retreat at the Christ in the Desert Monastery where my husband, David, and I experienced prayer and silence in extended periods, it is hard to come back to the din of the world.  Now, even at gas pumps, we have someone talking to us on a screen.  It’s hard to hold on to those mountain top encounters.

That is why the monks, mystics, and worshiping Christians throughout the world teach us that the most important part of practicing spiritual disciplines is the “practice” part.  We forget as human beings.  We have to be reminded that God is connected to us all the time, even when we feel separation.  If we sit long enough, we usually find out that it was us that had separated from God and not the other direction.

There are many instances when Jesus says, “Listen.”  

“For those who have ears, listen.” 

“Listen to me, all of you, and understand.”  

“Listen!  A sower went out to sow…”  

And from God as Jesus came out of the baptismal waters, “This is my Son, the Beloved; with him I am well pleased; listen to him!”

This week I am working at being especially mindful of listening.  I invite you to do the same.  Listen to God.  Listen to Jesus.  Listen to the Holy Spirit.  Listen to the “still small voice.”  Listen to your beloveds.  Listen to your neighbors.  Listen to your co-workers.  Listen to strangers.  Remind yourself to stop and listen.

Grace in Christ,

Anne Clifton Hébert 

The New and the Constant

We have a new hymnal coming out in our denomination this year.  It will have over 800 hymns of all types, contemporary and traditional.  It will be available electronically, so people can use their iPads, other tablets, or e-readers in worship.  It will be the size of our current hymnal but lighter in weight, even with more hymns.

One of the beautiful new hymns to any of our hymnals is “O Christ, Surround Me” by Richard Bruxvoort Colligan.  It is based on Patrick’s Breastplate, an ancient Celtic hymn.  In addition, some beloved “oldies” will be included like “Leaning On the Everlasting Arms.”

At a morning devotional recently, these two were sung by those gathered.  They are reassuring in times of tumult, change, and fear.  “Remember I am with you always to the end of the age,” says Jesus.  Perhaps the words will be a prayer for you this day.

Leaning On the Everlasting Arms

What a fellowship, what a joy divine, leaning on the everlasting arms;
What a blessedness, what a peace is mine, leaning on the everlasting arms.
Leaning, leaning, safe and secure from all alarms;

Leaning, leaning, leaning on the everlasting arms.

O how sweet to walk in this pilgrim way, leaning on the everlasting arms;
O how bright the path grows from day to day, leaning on the everlasting arms.
Leaning, leaning, safe and secure from all alarms;

Leaning, leaning, leaning on the everlasting arms.

What have I to dread, what have I to fear, leaning on the everlasting arms;
I have blessed peace with my Lord so near, leaning on the everlasting arms.
Leaning, leaning, safe and secure from all alarms;

Leaning, leaning, leaning on the everlasting arms.

O Christ, Surround Me

God, be the love to search and keep me; God, be the prayer to move my voice;
God, be the strength to now uphold me; O Christ, surround me, O Christ, surround me.

Bind to myself the Name of Holy, great cloud of witnesses enfold;
prophets, apostles, angels witness. O Christ, surround me, O Christ, surround me.

Brightness of sun and glow of moonlight; flashing of lightning, strength of wind,
depth of the sea to soil of planet: O Christ, surround me, O Christ, surround me.

Walking behind to hem my journey, going ahead to light my way,

and from beneath, above and all ways, O Christ, surround me, O Christ, surround me.

Christ in the eyes of all who see me, Christ in the ears that hear my voice,
Christ in the hearts of all who know me: O Christ, surround me, O Christ, surround me.

May we all lean on and be surrounded by our beloved Christ,

Anne