Hurried Lives

A hurried life implies that a Christian has lost the balance between abiding in God's grace and abounding in God's work. As promised here are the observations John Ortberg concerning the matter from his book, The Me I Want to Be.

1. When can I expect the tension between abiding and abounding to go away? The short answer is when you die! Jesus faced the same issues. Read Mark 1.

2. Who is responsible for getting the tension right?
While the church can be helpful in pointing folks the right direction, the answer is that each individual must continue to seek the balancing point. Often times balance is a moving target, depending on life stage and and obligations.

3. Each person needs certain practices and systems in place.
For me it is not the traditional quiet time, rather it is meditating on a passage while walking. There are a myriad of ways to abide in God's presence. The key is determining which is life-giving and brings you to the presence of God.

4. It is critical to abandon the hope of pleasing everyone.
Because of time restraints, we did not speak about this one in service; however, people pleasing or living up to another's observations sabotages many spiritual lives.

5. Recognize destructive patterns in life, such as:
* Chronic sense of never enough time
* Physica tension in the body
* Inappropriate escapist behavior
* Pre-occupied or inability to be fully present.

I would be interested in hearing what practices work for you.

On the journey,
Alecia

The Me I Want to Be -- Confession

Perhaps the most significant aha moment in John Ortberg's book, The Me I Want to Be, was the discussion on confession. In a world that celebrates Christianity Lite where the spiritual walk is based on the desires of the consumer (me), it was an important reminder of the place of confession in a healthy life. It was good to re-read 1 John and the call to living in the light.

The act of confession will make its way more prominently in worship this fall. In worship it will look like a more intention addition to our time of prayer or communion. In a small group, the aspect of accountability is a more natural progression of our spiritual journey. It is not added in corporately per se, but much more relationally.

Reading the book reminds me to thank my covenant group sisters for walking alongside me in life.

Along the journey.

Alecia

The Me I Want To Be

John Ortberg's book, The Me I Want to Be, has been a great summer read for me. Ortberg writes:

I'm a grown man, I thought. I do not know how many years of life are before me. I cannot wait anymore. When I was going to school, I was preoccupied with good grades or getting cute girls to like me. As the years went by, I became preoccupied with work and my circumstances because I thought they would make me feel alive. I can't wait anymore to be that man, I thought.
I realized this then, and I know it now: I want that life more than I want anything else. Not because I think I'm supposed to, not because it says somewhere that you should. I want it. There is a me I want to be.

As I am being reminded periodically by faithful servants in the church, I am nearly 50! I think the questions Ortberg poses are good food for fodder throughout our lives. Am I the me I want to be -- at this point in my journey. Having two weeks of vacation helped immensely in helping to shake out the cobwebs and chew on these questions. I look forward hearing from you as you look at your journey. Are you on stuck or are you continuing to emerge into the person God has called you to be?

On the journey,
Alecia

Renewal

My family and I are off to see Samantha in Japan. I won't be blogging for a couple of weeks.

Grace and Peace,
Alecia

Saying Goodbye

In the past couple of weeks we have said goodbye to two amazing individuals: Andy Plank and LaVerne Pennington. Both men lived lives filled with integrity, passion and love. Their love for family was exemplary. Through the laughter and tears of story telling with family and friends, it was obvious the feeling was mutual. Each left a legacy of choosing life in the face of adversities and setbacks. I felt privileged to know both of them.

I am reminded to re-look at my own mission statement. Am I living the way I said I wanted to live? Am I serving God with all my heart, mind, soul and strength? Where am I settling? Where do I allow fear to rule over trusting God? Thoughts to ponder.

On the journey,
Alecia

Retreating

This morning it was delightful to have the Bucket List Monday morning coffee group come to the house for lunch. Bob Dunn did a great job grilling steaks! It is always wonderful to enjoy the fellowship of this group.

I find it sad that 25% of Americans are counting on the lottery to take care of them in retirement. Rather than discovering God's purpose for us in our workplaces, for some it is easier to contemplate a life of ease without work. Each of us has a purpose given to us by God. We have the opportunity to have a higher calling of a vocation, rather than simply putting in hours at our workplace. Whether we work at a Casey's or serve as a CEO, we have a purpose to fulfill. When we don't embrace our ministry at the workplace, we miss being God's hands and feet.

I love to hear the stories from people within the church talking about their ministries outside the church walls. The stories are filled with redemption, mercy and grace. Relying on the lotto is crazy, but living out God's purpose is life-altering. Let me know if you have a story to share.

On the journey,
Alecia

Lacking A Bit

I am lacking a bit when it comes to the consistency of my blogging. I will endeavor to do better.

Annual Conference concluded yesterday in a new location, Des Moines. I am grateful to all of the people that work on the legislation so it is ready to discuss in Conference. While I think it is important to think theologically upon these matters and in the larger setting, I am truly thankful for the brothers and sisters in Christ that set fingers to keyboard.

A possible change that perhaps was not evident on the surface deals with the Wesley Foundations on four campuses: U of I, ISU, UNI and Drake. With a $900,000 budget at stake for the campus ministries, the door was opened for the Wesley Foundations to not be fully funded. Like area churches, the AC must work to balance its budget too. Hard decisions. This will be something to follow for those with college students.

With limited debate, immigration reform was discussed. As a people who proclaim radical hospitality from the Old Testament forward, we struggled to hear one another at times.

Coming soon -- a photo organizational chart.

On the journey,
Alecia