Prayer of the People

We are celebrating today Thanksgiving.

Giving thanks to You, our Creator and Sustainer,

For all You have given us and continue to give us. 

More importantly, we are thankful for the days that you stand by us.

We know the strength of Your love.

Today, we ask you to extend this strength to others.

We raise to you people who are hurting, suffering, and are in need of your nursing heart.

Watch over those that are sick, facing surgeries, or waiting for test results.

Grant the doctors overseeing these cases sure hands and keen minds.

We lift up those that are facing life transitions and we ask You to act as their personal Sherpa on their journey.

Guide them as they journey through change and transformation.

Protect them along the way.

We trumpet to You the celebrations of people known to us.

We pray that you will bless and support these positive changes in their life.

We call to Your care not just individuals but nations, groups of peoples, and all of nature.  We ask You to watch over all.

Today we have specifically named:

(Please feel free to comment below if there is someone you would like us to pray for)

Asking You to hear their specific issues and to care for them in Your wisdom.  We trust in Your ways.  Knowing that You have sacrificed for us.  

We know that you walk with us in sorrow, in our fears, in our joys, in our triumphs, and in our losses.  

We call out to you because we know You listen, and we remember that You cared for us so much that You sent Your only son to walk among us. 

He taught us to pray together saying  . . . 

Our Father, who art in heaven,

 Hallowed be thy Name.

Thy Kingdom come.
Thy will be done in earth,
As it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses,
As we forgive them that trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation,
But deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom,

The power, and the glory,

For ever and ever.

Amen.

For those of you, like me, who believe that God inspired the Bible, but that it was written by man (and frankly and historically I do mean man, not mankind), here are two good books that start to pull apart some of the historical, linguistic, and cultural concepts that we have to consider when we read and attempt to interpret the Bible.  I have read both of these and have found them both to be insightful.  You may not agree with everything they have to say, but they bring up points that you should at least consider.







Do you have any book suggestions that have helped you to better understand the word of God?

Scriptural Meditation - Take One

 

 Today was the first day of my offering of Scriptural Meditation to the church that I am serving as a student minister.  The meditation is sculpted around a Lectio Divina style reading of scripture, but like my mandala drawing, there is no real interaction with the people present.  The reflection and consideration of the scripture is supposed to be personal between you and God.  Our reading today was based on Psalm 1, but you can choose any short passage.  Here is the structure of the meditation as I walked participants through it. After we have gathered, welcomed each other, and lit the candle to symbolize welcoming God into our presence, the facilitator can begin.  Be sure to encourage everyone to find a comfortable position.  I personally sit cross legged on the floor, but I arranged some chairs also.

"Listen first to the reading .  Hear the word of our Lord.  After I finish reading it, we will pause for two minutes to reflect silently on what we have heard."  Read scripture of choice. Find a way to time two minutes so that even you are not interrupted.  I found a great Tibetian bowl timer as a free app on my phone. After the two minutes, read the following.

  

"Listen again to this reading.  What phrase or word is call to you.  Grab a hold of the phrase as I read the Psalm again.  Keep the word or phrase in your heart.  After I have finished, hold your word or phrase in your mind.  Let the word or phrase wash over you.  Mull on it.  Contemplate it.  Repeat it within your mind.  We will sit with our individual words or phrases for 5 minutes." Read the scripture again slowly and clearly. After the five minutes, take a deep breath and return.

"I am going to read this passage one more time.  You have heard the words.  You have found a word or phrase that is calling to you.  Now reflect on what God is saying to you.  These verses have been read by many, but the Spirit that is speaking through these words is speaking only to you.  Feel the words as I speak them again.  Feel God within you, moving you.  Hear the message you are meant to hear within these words.  Sit with this feeling for the next 12 minutes.  Let the Holy Spirit guide your thoughts." Read the scripture again.  Time 12 minutes. 

  

"Slowly finish your thoughts.  Bring your mind back to the present.  Let your body feel the ground below you.  Hold on to  your thoughts on this scripture.  While our time to meditate together is ending, you should carry this time, these thoughts, God’s words with you throughout the day.  Let the mediation of God’s words never be far from you."  Remind people that part of a spiritual practice is exactly that "practice".  It may have been very difficult to be still that long or keep focus.  They may not have "felt God" over the ache in their hip.  Encourage them though to continue with this practice multiple times before judging it.  Close together.

"Let’s take three full breaths together and then together, 'Thank God for being with me today.  Amen'"

I hope you will try this practice, if not with a group then within the quite time of your life.   We do a lot of talking to God, rarely are we quiet enough to listen to His response.

God's Path - One Humble Depiction

We are embarking on a very exciting new journey.  While apparently completing my field education was not enough this year, I have decided to work with my minister and some other local ministers to launch a new conversation on our relationship with God.  This conversation is going to occur at a local coffee house.  We are going to base some of our first conversations around the Phoenix Affirmations.  To start the conversation, we asked, "What does God's path look like?"  This was my answer to the question. I would say that my response more accurately represents, "What does our path to God look like?"

How would you respond?

Religion and Art - Where do they intersect?

As we explore the intersection of Art and Religion, or perhaps I should say faith, we should consider those who have mastered the task.

Jesus against religion?

I don't necessarily agree with all this man says, but he certainly brings up some important conversation points for all who believe:


Why I Hate Religion, But Love Jesus || Spoken Word from bball1989 on GodTube.

Prayer

Dear God,  Join us today in Your home.  Let us recognize Your gracious welcome and Your abundant hospitality.  Help us to extend the same extravagant welcome to others that You have offered to us.  Let us recognize that we might act as a footpath guiding or as the lamppost illuminating the way for others to Your door.  Give us the strength to proclaim Your welcome and to invite others to your open doors.  Amen

Passing on the Word

The Bible is not a reading book.
     It is an action book.
If we do not act,
      then we relegate God to the history books.
How are the children to know if they do not see?
How are the children to do if they do not hear?
If we are quiet, God will speak,
     but who will know to listen?

Honor God's Glory
  in learning,
     in doing,
        in teaching,
  in living,
     in loving.
In all that you do, reflect God.

Here I am. Where are you God? - a poem

Here I am balancing numbers . . .

            Is God in these figures?

The phone rings, customers seek for a savior

            To stop the water from leaking in their house,

            To make their drains flow,

            Or to turn the heat back on.

            I try to schedule their solution?

Writing checks, paying bills, moving paperwork back & forth.

            Where?  Where is God in this?

Printing, stamping, filing

          God.  God, do you hear me? Do you know I’m here?

E-mail, Schedule, snail mail

God?

He slumps in his chair, “I don’t know how to deal with this?”

            The caller says, “My husband just died. He used to do all this stuff.”

                        My email pings back, “Thank you.  I appreciate your prayers for my mother.”

Thank you, God, for giving me the opportunity to serve you simply and for allowing me to recognize the benefits of unassuming service.

                                

Publishing your Devotional Writing

   I got the mail yesterday and what was inside but several copies of the Upper Room Devotional Guide.  Why did I get such a packet? because they published one of my meditations : )  October 16th is my day.  I am very excited.  It is always a rush to see your name in print.

"My whole lifetime is but a moment to You."  

                                                                                               --- Psalm 39

Don't look at life as a whole but as a compilation of moments.  Each day is a chance. Each moment an option. The summary of the whole comes after we are gone and others are looking back. For us each moment brings another chance to breathe in God's wonder or turn our backs.  What are you choosing right now?

Mandala Meditation - Psalm 36

"For You are the Fountain of life; our light is from Your light." 

                                                                                           Psalm 36:9 (Tyndale)                  

      When I create these mandalas, within the context of my Lectio Divina practice, sometimes I am as amazed as anyone else about what is created.  This picture started with the center circle with three lines and lights coming from that.  Each light led to two more from there.  When I looked back though what I saw was not the spreading of the light, but the flower that had blossomed in the middle.

What verse in Psalm 36 touched you?  Did you create something from it?  Please share.  I'd love to see it.

A Reading for Bible Distribution to Youth

We did this Bible distribution in lieu  of the Children's Message during a Sunday service.  Each member of the Board of Worship and Education took a different segment.  It is our church's tradition to hand out Bibles at the end of the 3rd grade year so that they may bring their Bible's to church in the future and deepen their understanding of the Bible from the children's bibles that many of them may have.  

The Bible also comes with a warranty that if they wear it out, they can exchange it at any time for a new one.

Bible Distribution

Invite recipients up

Today is an exciting day.  Today you will receive a gift that has been prized since the beginning of time. Does anyone have any idea what it might be?  Why do you think this book is so important?  

Those are all wonderful reasons and here are a few more:

This story originally came not on paper but in words.  Words that were passed down from generation to generation.  Words that were memorized and retold until the next generation memorized the same stories.

When paper was made from papyrus, the oldest stories began to be written down.  The books of Moses, called the Torah in the Judaic tradition, and then the entire Tenakh (Ten-ock).  The transcribing of these stories was so special and so important that if one letter was written incorrectly, the scribe would begin again.

These stories of the Old Testament were foundational teachings even to our Messiah, Jesus Christ.  After Jesus came and then was crucified, others wrote.  There were stories of Jesus’ life, the creation of the church and acts of the disciples after Jesus’ death, letters to the new churches that were growing up, and a revelation of future times.  More was written than you will find in this book and so as a newly formed Christian church we met to decide what were the most important pieces to be included in the New Christian Bible.

This book is so important that it was the first book to be printed on the first printing press and for many years and even in some places today, it is the only book in some homes.  It is such an important book that the Gideon’s work to make sure that anyone that wants one has one and in most hotels, you will find the Bible tucked carefully in the nightstand thanks to their work.

Some people have died or been persecuted for this book.  We hope that you too will hold this book with great reverence, but not with reverence like that you might care for a piece of fine china or crystal, but like the love that many of you have probably shown to a “blankie” or favorite stuffed animal.  This book is just a book until you read it, think on what God is saying to you through it, and share it with others.  I encourage you to not just read it once, but many times.  I encourage you to read it backwards, forwards, to find favorite stories or lines.  I empower you to write in it – to underline favorite verses or note comments in the side.  I pray that this book is not just an important book for all time, but the most important book in your particular life.  I pray that you find this a helpful tool to know and understand the God that loves you madly.

As representatives from the Board of Worship and Education on behalf of the whole First Congregational Church of XXXXXXX.  We would like to present these Bibles to XXXXXXXX, XXXXXXX . . .

Using Current Events to Sculpt your Pastoral Prayer

I would like to share with you a website that I have recently come by that uses world news events to create a pastoral prayer.  This is not an endorsement of their site, but invitation to check it out and judge it for your self.

http://www.worldinprayer.org/

Jesus, My Jesus - a devotional poem

Jesus, my love

                Who are you?

I am enamored, and yet you elude me.

As the colors of the sunset melt into the sea,

I try to get a full understanding of you, but you evaporate away    ͠    I am left in awe.

Like my shadow you are always near and unattainable.

I feel you by me, I search for you.  I try to follow you.

You are my heart, my soul, my life.

Whatever you are, whoever you are, reveal yourself to me.

Let me know you!

Jesus, my Jesus . . .

Let me understand you!

Jesus, my Jesus,

You are more than I can ever comprehend.

Jesus, my Jesus, my love! My inspiration!

I am yours!

Love - Please Find Me - a poem

Love –

My heart used to flutter

I used to swoon

My knees would buckle

We grew

    I grew

        I am independent,

            Self-sufficient.

               I can do it myself.

But I don’t want to.

I LOVE YOU.

Sometimes I forget the words

Or say them like a robot,

But deep inside I want to be loved.

I want you to hold me

To make the world better.

My heart loves.

     My body pulls me

          apart. Time has frozen me from you.

Self-sufficient.  I can do it.

I don’t need you,

But I do,

      I do.

        Please hear me.

I don’t even voice it, but I need you to know

To look through it all,

To love me,

      To care for me.

                I LOVE YOU!

                     Please find me.

My Rudder - a poem

A rudder put in so long ago can affect my travels today.

The rudder was put in with a promising dream and direction,

But at some point it was screwed in with firm lock-tight bolts.

Perhaps this strong hold was necessary against the winds that once stormed against us, necessary to avoid rocky outcroppings.

But now the immovability of that rudder is troubling; the clarity of the trajectory disconcerting.

As I start to jostle and pry at the bolts, I worry about the destruction it may foretell.

I have moved the bolts enough that the rudder is shaking – I can feel the turbulence.

I am unsure if I should break it free, and I know possibly in the movement I have created may tear us apart any way.

I fear that I will be so uncomfortable with the letting go of control that I will rebolt the rudder just on the other side of the hull.

How to Stay Strong in Your Religious Beliefs

I wrote the following poem in answer to the question, " How do you hold your own commitments while remaining open to encounters with those who hold different commitments?"

As I Grown by the River

As I grow by the river,

I stand straight and strong.

                My roots hold me still in times of flood

                             and stretch deep in times of drought.

                My branches reach for the sustenance of the sun.

I have stood here long, as my trunk attests,

                through strong winds and cold nights.

I stretch my arms so that I may feel the breeze.

                I welcome birds to nest with me.

               I play with the chipmunks and squirrels who scamper about.

I try to be strong when children tie ropes to me to jump in the waters.

Sometimes, I grow weary.

My arms sag in the snow

 or my leaves fall to the riverbank. . .

                But my roots are deep. My trunk is strong.

                              And life will rise in me again.

                                          And if I am really very lucky,

Perhaps one seed will fall from me 

and stick in the mud 

and there

                Another tree will grow 

                    – perhaps it will not be exactly like me, but

                                It will have deep roots 

                                           and 

                   outstretched limbs that reach for the sun.

Mandala Meditation - Thankfulness in all things

 "O Lord, my God, 

I will keep on thanking you forever."

-Psalm 30:12b

This is so easy in our joy, but so hard in our sorrow.  How can we recognize His gift in a death, a famine, a hardship, a debilitating injury, an abuse perpetrated on us?  How difficult to make out the footprints by your side or the enduring strength holding you up or the extra tears streaming with yours. How difficult to be thankful in pain.

How do get rid of a depressive mood - Walk in God's Temple

     I came home from work today in the most foul mood.  I felt mentally beat up and like I could do nothing right.  Fortunately, the person at work responsible for my rotten mood also said, "I really need a stress relief.  What can I do to relieve stress?"  

     I answered, "Boxing" at the time, which led him to ask if I boxed.  I just grinned,  "No, I do not box."

     He asked, "Then why such a mischievous grin?"  To which I refused to respond and just continued to smile.  But when I got home feeling really frustrated and generally sad, I thought about the things that do make me happy and decided my mood was up to me.  

     I called my husband and said, "Let's go hiking."  So as soon as he got home, my son, husband, and I headed out for the Rock House Reservation in West Brookfield, MA.  My blood pressure dropped as soon as my foot hit the trail.  I was in God's house, and he even put out the welcome mat.  Apparently, it is Lady Slipper season.  We saw dozens from almost white with wisps of pink to deep purple.  As my spirits rose, so too did God's word in my soul.  Yesterday's reading included, "Lead them like a shepherd and carry them forever in your arms." (Psalms 28:9b)  I found myself ruminating on the phrase, "Carry them forever in your arms."  In this walk, I felt like he was carrying me, and I was thankful.

I hope if you ever find your spirits low that you too will find a way to commune with God, whether it be in nature, in word, or in some other way.  

I don't think this is probably what was in my bosses mind when I refused to answer the question, but walking with God is a great stress releaver.

A Book By Mother Teresa - an inspiring read

I came by this book while riffling through the books on the shelf at the library.  Of course since working on my masters doesn't provide me enough to do (clearly this is said sarcastically), I needed more to read and so I picked up yet one more for my spare time.

This was a wonderful and worthwhile read that will remind you about the wonder in the world.  We may think of Mother Teresa as a saint, but the biography at the back of the book reminds us that she was just a girl who wanted to make a difference.  She was a woman that listened to the yearning in her heart placed by God and had the conviction to follow no matter where it led.

This book does not have to be read from front to back and can get set down and picked up as you are inspired. or have time to devote to it.  I hope that you might pick it up yourself and see how her story might fertilize the yearnings of your heart.

Looking for Places to Listen to Faith

This is just a quick note to let you know if you enjoy thoughtfully, provocative radio broadcasts, especially around issues of faith, I would like to give you two recommendations:

12 Enough - which is a podcast produced periodically by two New England  Protestant ministers.  They are witty and fun to listen to while also forcing you to think about theological questions.  You may agree with them or disagree but you won't go away without having a new thought.

On Being with Krista Tippett is my second recommendation.  This show carries a much broader view of faith and may introduce you to ideas that you hadn't considered before as well as allowing you to hear from and about some of the great theologians of our time.  (I was introduced to this show as a way to listen to the work of Reinhold Neibuhr and haven't stopped listening since.)

Both of these shows also have blogs and other media that you may want to explore as well.  Is there anything that you listen to that you find helpful in your spiritual growth?  Please let us know.

What is Evil?

Today, I used Psalms 7 as my scripture for meditation.  There are many interesting phrases in this scripture, but I was caught in Psalms 7:3 "It would be different Lord, if I were doing evil things."  I think I became transfixed on this phrase because of the work that I am doing in Christian Ethics about oppression.  For class we watched, Romero:



In watching this,  I had to ask who was evil? Was it just the soldiers? Just the government? Or was it also Romero himself when he begrudgingly walked alongside the El Salvadorian people in the beginning as they walked to the polls?  Was it the mother who asked Romero to baptize her son separately?

It is so easy to be sure that we don't lie, cheat, and steal.  It is much harder to separate ourselves from oppressive systems that surround us all.  Perhaps, we don't offer health insurance to our employees.  Perhaps, we don't pay our full share into taxes and therefore put a strain on the support systems for others in need.  Perhaps, we choose not to vote and let the status quo continue.  Perhaps you buy the less expensive items at a store that encourage child labor or not paying a living wage to those in need. What is evil?  What is sin?

This is the mandala that I created as I pondered this question.

  How do you think you may add or assist in the oppression of others?  What steps can you take to not continue this action?

Using Mandalas in your Lectio Divina Practice

I have found mandalas to be helpful in accessing scripture.  The drawing of the mandala helps me to be more open to the scripture's message and helps me to connect on a deeper level with the message and the words.

Lectio Divina is a process to internalize scripture.  There are a couple different ways to do it, but basically it entails reading the passage multiple times.  Between each reading, you are to focus on a piece of the passage that speaks to you and then connect it with something currently in your life.  I have been twisting its use by:

1.  Read a passage.  I have been focusing on the Psalms.

2. Find a section that speaks to me.

3.  Reread the passage.

4.  Begin the drawing of my mandala. (note: my mandalas are not as structured as this.  I begin only with the circle and a center.  And sometimes even the center is optional)

5. Read the passage again.

6. Write a short passage myself about how the scripture, the particular verse, and my drawing relate to me.

In, Go and Do Likewise: Jesus and Ethics by William C. Spohn,  Spohn writes, "The ancient practice of mediation read the text for transformation, not information.  The sacred texts of every tradition have to be read with a listening heart, not at 350 words per minute.  The early monks would hear the scripture read in common and commit phrases to memory so they could continue to be nourished by it in solitude." (pg 137)

I encourage you to try this practice, whether you draw or not.  Lectio Divina is a totally different way to read scripture than I had ever been taught.  While I would not use this as the only way to read scripture it is a usefull tool to deepen your understanding and to become active in your Bible studies.

Mandala - Another to consider

Here is another mandala that I have created:

I want to share with you the power of drawing mandalas.  This mandala was created with the intention of thinking about my upcoming Discernment Meeting with the Central Association of the United Church of Christ.  This meeting is the step toward becoming an ordained minister or a road block depending on its outcome.  Clearly one might bring a lot of tension into such a meeting. So when I went to the mandala workshop held by fellow seminarian, Kelly Beard, I used this meeting as the intent for my drawing.

You cannot clearly see in this drawing, but the drawing began with a lot of chaos and movement.  Eventually, the flower grew out of the middle and the chaos receded.  You will notice if you look carefully that my take away from this was that I was enough.  The flower I felt represented me and my gifts.  To me this was a messages that if I went into the meeting with the talents and skills that God had gifted me with then I was ok.  I was surprised by this result when it first emerged, but even more surprised when it emerged just before I entered the meeting.

On the day of my Discernment Meeting, I was sitting on the deacons' bench waiting to be called in.  I decided to take a minute to pray and center myself.  As I closed my eyes and began to pray to God to give me the words so that I could properly articulate my calling to these people who needed to open the next gate so that I could follow, a picture blossomed in my head.  I saw that flower bloom right before me.  God sent me a picture message reminding me that I was enough.  If I went in just as myself, I would be ok.

I have continued to draw several mandalas as part of my spiritual practice time now and over the next few weeks, I will share some of what I have created.

My Mandala

I got the blessing of attending a mandala making workshop week.  This is the very first mandala that I have ever made.  I hope that you may enjoy it.

Found Prayer (AKA Capture a Prayer)

Do you find it hard to compose a prayer that properly encapsulates an event?  Here is a wonderful way to be sure that your closing prayer properly reflects all that has gone on: create a found prayer.  During your activity, meeting, retreat record snippets of people's comments.  If someone's words are particularly poignant, touching, or poetic, jot them down.  Continue to add to your found comments throughout the event.  At the end of your time together, weave the words together to praise God.  Often there is little framing that needs to be done.  Perhaps a simple "Dear God, Thank you for bringing us all together today.  We have been blessed with your presence and the presence of each other.  As we listen to each other, we can often find your words speaking to us . . .[add words that were captured throughout the day]   Please allow us to continue to be graced by your presence and help us to continue to hear your words through others.  Amen

I would love to hear some of your captured prayers, and I will try to share some of mind.


This concept was presented in Praying Out Loud, a seminar held at the MAUCC Super Saturday, Ludlow, MA  Co-led by Rev. Bob Johansen and Rev. Anastasia Kidd, Commission for Leadership Development

Coloring Mandalas

I have found that the idea of mandalas had been circling my soul.  What I mean by that is that I had never heard of them and then suddenly they seemed to be incorporated everywhere around me: on the news, in fiction books I was reading,  in my seminary work, in conversation.  I decided that I should learn more.  Thus, I found Meditating with Mandalas: 52 New Mandalas to Help You Grow in Peace and Awareness.

and I began my practice.  I am not by any means an expert at meditating or mandalas.  I am a seeker looking to find ways to become closer with God. 

I carved out 15 minutes extra a day.  Yes,  that meant that I had to get up earlier, and if you know me, you know that giving up my sleep was a big sacrifice.  And went into a different quiet room (My husband has a tendency to turn the tv on when he gets up.  I do not find this conducive to meditating at all.  Frankly, I even find it disruptive in the other room.).  I have a blanket set up on the floor to raise my butt and make it easier for me to sit cross-legged.  I place the book on a stool so that it is at my eye line.  And for 15 minutes I focus on the mandala.  I close by reading the segment explaining the mandala.  I don't do this first so that I see what the mandala may erupt in me as opposed to recognizing what it is "supposed to say".

For those of you, who like me,  may question the "Christian-ness" of such a practice.  I have to say that I have found it to be what you make of it.  I enter my meditation time which I would liken to prayer for me with God in my heart.  I focus on the mandala asking God to speak to me through it to raise issues that I need to address.  Sometimes I find the mandalas help me think about who I think God is more.  Sometimes, they reflect more about me, who I am, and where I need to go.   Also,  Mandalas do have a history in Christianity which I will explore on another day.

The only problem that I have not yet resolved with this practice is time.  I find myself too worried about it.  As the 15 minutes early implies in 15 minutes I have to start getting ready for work, my mind is too focused on not going over time.  I look forward to continuing this practice and somehow fully accepting my God time without parameters.

I will continue to give you a few more thought on meditating with mandalas over the next few weeks - like its Christian roots, a breathing mantra I find helpful, some ideas about designing one yourself.  As always,  I would love to hear any insights that you have found.  If you don't use mandalas as a prayer practice now, I encourage you to experiment and see if you may find it useful. 

Meditating with Mandalas

I have found that the idea of mandalas had been circling my soul.  What I mean by that is that I had never heard of them and then suddenly they seemed to be incorporated everywhere around me: on the news, in fiction books I was reading,  in my seminary work, in conversation.  I decided that I should learn more.  Thus, I found Meditating with Mandalas: 52 New Mandalas to Help You Grow in Peace and Awareness.

and I began my practice.  I am not by any means an expert at meditating or mandalas.  I am a seeker looking to find ways to become closer with God. 

I carved out 15 minutes extra a day.  Yes,  that meant that I had to get up earlier, and if you know me, you know that giving up my sleep was a big sacrifice.  And went into a different quiet room (My husband has a tendency to turn the tv on when he gets up.  I do not find this conducive to meditating at all.  Frankly, I even find it disruptive in the other room.).  I have a blanket set up on the floor to raise my butt and make it easier for me to sit cross-legged.  I place the book on a stool so that it is at my eye line.  And for 15 minutes I focus on the mandala.  I close by reading the segment explaining the mandala.  I don't do this first so that I see what the mandala may erupt in me as opposed to recognizing what it is "supposed to say".

For those of you, who like me,  may question the "Christian-ness" of such a practice.  I have to say that I have found it to be what you make of it.  I enter my meditation time which I would liken to prayer for me with God in my heart.  I focus on the mandala asking God to speak to me through it to raise issues that I need to address.  Sometimes I find the mandalas help me think about who I think God is more.  Sometimes, they reflect more about me, who I am, and where I need to go.   Also,  Mandalas do have a history in Christianity which I will explore on another day.

The only problem that I have not yet resolved with this practice is time.  I find myself too worried about it.  As the 15 minutes early implies in 15 minutes I have to start getting ready for work, my mind is too focused on not going over time.  I look forward to continuing this practice and somehow fully accepting my God time without parameters.

I will continue to give you a few more thought on meditating with mandalas over the next few weeks - like its Christian roots, a breathing mantra I find helpful, some ideas about designing one yourself.  As always,  I would love to hear any insights that you have found.  If you don't use mandalas as a prayer practice now, I encourage you to experiment and see if you may find it useful. 

Mandalas - A way to pray

I have taken to meditating with mandalas as a way for me to connect with God.  Over the next week or so I would like to share with you a little about mandalas, what they were originally intended, how they can be used today, and why I have found them helpful.  As a way to start our conversation, I hope that you might watch this short time-lapse video of an actual sand art mandala being created.

Devotionals - a great way to touch base with God daily

Most of us that are seeking a connection with God already incorporate prayer in our daily lives, but there are other ways to improve your conversation with God.  I consider my time with God to be like fostering a friendship.  God is around for everyone, just like people you pass in your everyday life.  It is up to you to start a conversation and get to know Him better.  Most people start this greeting in prayer.  Some add a weekly time set aside for growing this relationship; we call this time worship.  But there are so many other ways to foster this relationship (I will be exploring several over the next months with you).  Today, I'd like to introduce to devotionals.  Devotionals can be religious or not, but they are generally daily readings that focus on a particular topic for you to ruminate on during the day.  The daily readings are usually short and can be read in less than 10 minutes, but are usually rich enough to offer a much longer contemplation time.

I have used Upper Room devotionals for several years as they are available at my church, but you can also access them online or even have daily thoughts emailed directly to your in box.  Recently I have actually been using Tough Minded Faith for Tender Hearted People by Dr. Robert H Schuller.  Yes, this is the Robert Schuller of Crystal Cathedral Ministries.  And I must admit that his name alone made me question this as a choice, but as this book came to me and I did not search it out, I thought that I would give it a try.  I must admit that I'm glad I did.  This is a wonderful devotional.  It is uplifting, scripturally based, and honest.  I would recommend it for those of you that are Christian and looking for a devotional to try this practice.

Do you use a devotional?  What devotional might you recommend?  How have you found using a devotional helpful in your spiritual practices?  If you don't currently use a devotional, how about committing to trying it for a week or a month and see if you find this a helpful way to grow your relationship with God.

Teaching Your Children Faith - Book Suggestion

If you are looking for a book to think about raising your children with faith, this is it.  It is easy to read, and more importantly easy to implement.  What you must know though is that teaching your children faith is best done by growing your own faith.  

If you want a deeper perspective on growing your own faith so that you can better instruct your children, check out Horace Bushnell's Christian Nurture.