Spiritual Practice

My spiritual practice these last couple of weeks and for a few weeks to come is to read Christina Baldwin’s book “The Seven Whispers” … again.  I have read it several times, (and gifted it to many) but that doesn’t seem to decrease the impact it has on me.  Although the book goes into much more detail, I would like to share Christina’s “whispers” with you.  They are, on their own, enough to offer pause for reflection:

Maintain Peace of Mind

Move at the pace of guidance

Practice certainty of purpose

Surrender to surprise

Ask for what you need and offer what you can

Love the folks in front of you

Return to the world.

May your reflections be enriching.

Ivy Thomas

Church Father Origen meditated on the beautiful, powerful act of washing feet:

‘Jesus, come, my feel are dirty. You have become a servant for my sake, so fill your basin with water: come wash my feet. I know that I am bold in saying this, but your own words have made me fearful: “If you do not wash your feet you have no companionship with me.” Wash my feet, then, so that I may be your companion. But what I am saying: “Wash my feet”? Peter could say these words, for all that he needed washing were his feet. For the rest, he was completely clean. I must be made clean with that other washing, of which you said, “I have a baptism with which I must be baptized.” Amen

Vulnerability

http://www.davidlose.net/2012/04/the-power-of-vulnerability/

I read this article and listened to this Ted Talk this morning and I thought it was really worth sharing.

The Rosebud

On Easter Sunday morning this year the person who had excitedly agreed to get the daffodils for our resurrection cross came to me almost in tears with a bundle of daffodils that were closed tight as tight could be.  She explained she had ordered them ahead and when she went to pick them up this is what she got.  We agreed any flowers would do and so she ran back to the store.  I admit I had a moment of silent judgment when she arrived back with a huge bag of silk flowers.  But the reality was once they went on the cross they were beautiful and it really didn't matter at all.  

Later that Easter afternoon I received the following email.  It was a gift to our worship committee and to me. I hope it is also a gift to you.

God's Rosebud

A new minister was walking with an older,

more seasoned minister in the garden one day.

Feeling a bit insecure about what God had for him to do, he was asking the older preacher or some advice.

The older preacher walked up to a rosebush

and handed the young preacher a rosebud

and told him to open it without tearing off any petals.

The young preacher looked in disbelief at the older preacher and was trying to figure out what a  rosebud could possibly have to do with his wanting to know the will of God for his life and ministry.  However, because of his great respect for the older preacher, he proceeded to try to unfold the rose, while keeping every petal intact. 

It wasn't long before he realized how impossible this was to do.

Noticing the younger preacher's inability

to unfold the rosebud without tearing it,

the older preacher began to recite the following poem ...

"It is only a tiny rosebud, A flower of God's design;Yet I cannot unfold the petalsWith these clumsy hands of mine.""The secret of unfolding flowersIs not known to such as I.GOD opens this flower so easily,And in my hands they die.""If I cannot unfold a rosebud,This flower of God's design,Then how can I have the wisdomTo unfold this life of mine?""So I'll trust in God for leadingEach moment of my day.I will look to God for guidanceIn each step along the way."
"The path that lies before me,Only my Lord and Saviour knows.I'll trust God to unfold the moments,Just as He unfolds the rose.

the Cycle of Abundance ~ LucidLife