Not
question because it was Saturday, so Sabbath again...and yesterday was
restful, didn't have to do much work just a little reading, and the
highlight was hanging with the future in-laws for a baby shower, so it
was a good day.
Lord, thank you for today because it was a great day. Amen.
Saturday, April 12, 2014
Friday, April 11, 2014
Love Life: Home (Day 38)
How have you experienced God enticing you, drawing you, calling you?
"You did not choose me, but I chose you" (John 15:16)...God has been calling me for some time to be a part of something bigger, drawing me out to live into the fullness of God's love, and enticing me to a future filled with wonderful opportunities.
Lord, help me to hear your call more clearly, to follow you more nearly, and to live with one foot raised ready to embrace the future. Amen.
"You did not choose me, but I chose you" (John 15:16)...God has been calling me for some time to be a part of something bigger, drawing me out to live into the fullness of God's love, and enticing me to a future filled with wonderful opportunities.
Lord, help me to hear your call more clearly, to follow you more nearly, and to live with one foot raised ready to embrace the future. Amen.
Thursday, April 10, 2014
Love Life: Dignity (Day 37)
How is God's love being perfected in you?
It is a process. I am not perfect. I will never be perfect. That's ok because we are invited to this journey of discipleship and a closer relationship with God with the understanding that we will take two steps forward and take a step back. God's love can be perfected in me when I reflect this reality to others. We will stumble and that's ok. We will make mistakes and that is ok. We will wander down a path that leads us away from God and that's ok because God will not forsake us, God will forgive and embrace us if we truly recognize our missteps and attempt to get back on the right path. The path to God is not straight and not easy, but it is totally worth it.
Lord, help me to be a vessel of your love and help me to reflect your love to the world. Amen.
It is a process. I am not perfect. I will never be perfect. That's ok because we are invited to this journey of discipleship and a closer relationship with God with the understanding that we will take two steps forward and take a step back. God's love can be perfected in me when I reflect this reality to others. We will stumble and that's ok. We will make mistakes and that is ok. We will wander down a path that leads us away from God and that's ok because God will not forsake us, God will forgive and embrace us if we truly recognize our missteps and attempt to get back on the right path. The path to God is not straight and not easy, but it is totally worth it.
Lord, help me to be a vessel of your love and help me to reflect your love to the world. Amen.
Wednesday, April 9, 2014
Love Life: Obstacles (Day 36)
What obstacles are you working with?
As I reflect upon my path towards the realization of my vocation there were a number of obstacles that I had to overcome. The root obstacle was the fact that I needed an undergraduate degree in order to not only be admitted to the ordination process but also to be admitted into seminary. As I have written before I left my first university it left me in a place where I thought that my vocation would not be realized. I tried to take classes at other schools but couldn't find the right fit, partially because the schools wanted me to retake classes and partially because I was not in a place to be back in school. Before I could even address my education I had to address my internal emotional issues. Once that was under control I still realized I was not in a place to be in school again so I got a job. It was through that amazing five year experience, as well as the realization about the fragility of the time we have been given on this earth because of the loss of my father, grandfather and uncle during that time, that I decided to renew the pursuit of my vocation. I have faced several obstacles during these past three years, but nothing like those. Without the love and support of family and friends, and above all else the love and support of God I would not be here, two months from the realization of several dreams.
Lord, help me on this path of vocation, help me to know that though several milestones are approaching my vocation is doesn't end with ordination and marriage, but it is a lifetime of work and prayer. Amen.
As I reflect upon my path towards the realization of my vocation there were a number of obstacles that I had to overcome. The root obstacle was the fact that I needed an undergraduate degree in order to not only be admitted to the ordination process but also to be admitted into seminary. As I have written before I left my first university it left me in a place where I thought that my vocation would not be realized. I tried to take classes at other schools but couldn't find the right fit, partially because the schools wanted me to retake classes and partially because I was not in a place to be back in school. Before I could even address my education I had to address my internal emotional issues. Once that was under control I still realized I was not in a place to be in school again so I got a job. It was through that amazing five year experience, as well as the realization about the fragility of the time we have been given on this earth because of the loss of my father, grandfather and uncle during that time, that I decided to renew the pursuit of my vocation. I have faced several obstacles during these past three years, but nothing like those. Without the love and support of family and friends, and above all else the love and support of God I would not be here, two months from the realization of several dreams.
Lord, help me on this path of vocation, help me to know that though several milestones are approaching my vocation is doesn't end with ordination and marriage, but it is a lifetime of work and prayer. Amen.
Tuesday, April 8, 2014
Love Life: Offering (Day 35)
Who has shown you what it means to be a person of love?
I think that I have been formed by many different people all of whom have shown me what it means to be a person a love. First and foremost are my parents. They are and always will be an example of self-sacrificing love for others. Everything they did and continue to do was for me and my brothers. They have always put our needs and wants first and for that I am forever thankful. Then there is the chaplain who worked with me at summer camp for three years. He taught me how to love myself again after a long dark period of my life. Then there are my brothers, both my blood brothers and my good friends whom I consider my brothers. They taught me how to be there and support each other through the good times and the bad. Most of all the love of my life taught me that I am worth loving in an unconditional way. These are but a few examples of how I have been formed as a person of love. Thank you to all who continue to show me love.
Lord, thank you for all of those who have shown me love; help me to see that love and reflect that love to others. Amen.
I think that I have been formed by many different people all of whom have shown me what it means to be a person a love. First and foremost are my parents. They are and always will be an example of self-sacrificing love for others. Everything they did and continue to do was for me and my brothers. They have always put our needs and wants first and for that I am forever thankful. Then there is the chaplain who worked with me at summer camp for three years. He taught me how to love myself again after a long dark period of my life. Then there are my brothers, both my blood brothers and my good friends whom I consider my brothers. They taught me how to be there and support each other through the good times and the bad. Most of all the love of my life taught me that I am worth loving in an unconditional way. These are but a few examples of how I have been formed as a person of love. Thank you to all who continue to show me love.
Lord, thank you for all of those who have shown me love; help me to see that love and reflect that love to others. Amen.
Monday, April 7, 2014
Love Life: Belonging (Day 34)
How would you describe your vocation? (Today)
My vocation today has been one of seminary student. Today has been busy. I had a good class today as we continued to examine Jesus from the point of view of the poor. I spent the better part of five hours, today alone, writing a paper for my class tomorrow. The paper was great in that I learned more about another faith tradition, but it also highlighted my ignorance about some aspects of other faith traditions. I guess that is why I am in school, right? I also was part of a meeting of the student leadership of the seminary. I have also spent a few hours practicing for the service that I will be doing in class on Wednesday. Nevertheless, once these few days are over there will be a bit of rest before gearing up for the final papers of my seminary career. So, yeah, my vocation today is as a student. Tomorrow may be different. Who knows?
Lord, help to see the many sides of my vocation and how they shift and change over time so that I can live to fullness that you have called me to. Amen.
My vocation today has been one of seminary student. Today has been busy. I had a good class today as we continued to examine Jesus from the point of view of the poor. I spent the better part of five hours, today alone, writing a paper for my class tomorrow. The paper was great in that I learned more about another faith tradition, but it also highlighted my ignorance about some aspects of other faith traditions. I guess that is why I am in school, right? I also was part of a meeting of the student leadership of the seminary. I have also spent a few hours practicing for the service that I will be doing in class on Wednesday. Nevertheless, once these few days are over there will be a bit of rest before gearing up for the final papers of my seminary career. So, yeah, my vocation today is as a student. Tomorrow may be different. Who knows?
Lord, help to see the many sides of my vocation and how they shift and change over time so that I can live to fullness that you have called me to. Amen.
Sunday, April 6, 2014
Love Life: Vocation (Day 33)
Can you grow into where your heart leads you?
I absolutely think so and furthermore I believe the last four years of my life are a testament to that. When I left Sewanee after being diagnosed with clinical depression and realizing that this was no longer the place for me, I packed up and went home. I couldn't find the right school to finish my degree, which was extremely frustrating, so eventually I settled in taking a job with an auto parts company. At first it was purely because I needed money and health coverage, but it wasn't long until my personality kicked in and my leadership skills took over. I quickly found that I was good at my job and worked my way up from driver to warehouse manager. And for several years it was great. I was working with great people and working for two great owners who trusted me and challenged me. I honestly could have seen myself staying with the company, making a career out of it and being happy. But, deep in my heart I knew I was called to do something else. To me this was a career not a vocation. My vocation was and is to serve others. While I was doing this in a way, I felt that I was not really really living into the fullness of my gifts. And so for the past four years, transitioning out of that job and coming to seminary, has been filled with growth experiences, all because I continued to follow my heart.
Lord, help to remain open to your words and your will that flows from my heart; help to have courage to pursue that even when all possibilities appear exhausted. Amen.
I absolutely think so and furthermore I believe the last four years of my life are a testament to that. When I left Sewanee after being diagnosed with clinical depression and realizing that this was no longer the place for me, I packed up and went home. I couldn't find the right school to finish my degree, which was extremely frustrating, so eventually I settled in taking a job with an auto parts company. At first it was purely because I needed money and health coverage, but it wasn't long until my personality kicked in and my leadership skills took over. I quickly found that I was good at my job and worked my way up from driver to warehouse manager. And for several years it was great. I was working with great people and working for two great owners who trusted me and challenged me. I honestly could have seen myself staying with the company, making a career out of it and being happy. But, deep in my heart I knew I was called to do something else. To me this was a career not a vocation. My vocation was and is to serve others. While I was doing this in a way, I felt that I was not really really living into the fullness of my gifts. And so for the past four years, transitioning out of that job and coming to seminary, has been filled with growth experiences, all because I continued to follow my heart.
Lord, help to remain open to your words and your will that flows from my heart; help to have courage to pursue that even when all possibilities appear exhausted. Amen.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)