At the Heart of it all

A good head and a good heart are always a formidable combination. –Nelson Mandela


There are times, it seems, when we are living in a two-part world: the part where our emotions take charge and help us understand and relate to one another; and the side of life that calls for reason, logic and rational discernment. For some reason, life seems simpler to manage if we parse it up. (What’s that expression about the only way to eat an elephant? One bite at a time?)

And within our churches, there are those who insist God is only to be understood in one’s heart. Even John Wesley trusted God only when his heart was strangely warmed at Aldersgate. But—and this is a BIG but (I cannot lie. . .)—John Wesley also read and learned from everything he could get his hands on: Catholic tracts and treatises, secular books and pamphlets and more.

John Wesley understood that he was created with an inquisitive mind, and God intended for him to use that mind to better understand God.

Jesus’ life was not a two-part life; it was fully integrated. He didn’t have a “spiritual life” and a “secular life.” He simply had a life, lived and held in the Light of the love of the Father.

And we are called to live likewise. Or at the very least—try our darnedest.


Monday Blunt question: where is your Bible? How often do you try to read it? How do you feel about that? Pray. 1 Chronicles 28:9

Tuesday Do you have other devotional or faith-related resources you enjoy? Consider sampling The Upper Room, Daily Bread or another. (Ask Heidi if you’d like suggestions.) Luke 2:41-52

Wednesday Think for a moment. During the week, do you carry the Sunday service in your heart and into the world? Are you a “living Gospel”? Proverbs 6:23

Thursday Today, consider reading something you expect to disagree with, whether an editorial or magazine, tract or even Bible verse. Seek understanding. Pray. Psalm 37:23-24

Friday As we approach All Saints’ Day, give thanks for those in your life who have helped guide your steps along your faith journey. Ephesians 1:15-19

Saturday Today, pray for yourself, that Christ’s Holy Spirit would strengthen your faith while allowing your curious mind to seek the answers it desires. Matthew 6:33

Sunday Pray this morning for those who are unable to worship with us. Consider calling or sending a note to a friend or other “missing saint.” Romans 8:26-27

The spiritual life is not a life before, after or beyond our everyday existence. No, the spiritual life can only be real when it is lived in the midst of the pains and joys of the here and now. –Henri J. M. Nouwen


Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Stepping back. . . .

Image
Never be in a hurry; do everything quietly and with a calm spirit.  Do not lose your inner peace for anything whatsoever,  even if your whole world seems upset.  –St. Francis de Sales This week, I invite you to simply sit in a quiet space with words of hope and promise, and to remember, as Julian of Norwich knew, that all shall be well, and all shall be well, and all manner of thing shall be well . It has been a long, difficult season. Advent and the coming of the Christ is just around the corner. Peace and comfort to your spirit. Monday   “Come to me, all who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me.” Matthew 11:28-30 Tuesday  “Is this not the kind of fast I have chosen: to loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and break every yoke?” Isaiah 58:6-9 Wednesday  “Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the
Read more

It's that time again. . . .

When the seasons shift, even the subtle beginning, the scent of a promised changed, I feel something stir inside me. Hopefulness? Gratitude? Openness?  Whatever it is,  it’s welcome. –Kristin Armstrong No matter what part of the world you call home, this time of year brings big changes. While my friends Down Under are watching sings of new growth emerge from the earth as temperatures rise, here in Ohio, the leaves are turning from green to gold and orange, red and brown. The winds have taken on a chill; clouds hang heavy, like soggy cotton, reminding us that soon and very soon, we are going to see the snow . Always different, yet somehow, the same. We depend on God’s eternal ways, and trust that again this year, winter will follow autumn, just like it should. So why is it, as we anticipate and appreciate changes like these, when it comes to so many things in life we pull up short, wrinkle our noses and say No! No change! I like things just the way they are! It’s t
Read more

Starting again

“This, then, is how you should pray:" --Matthew 6:9a I have been really sensing lately that there is another blog inside me, one focused on prayer.  Oh, I know-- those elephants are all about prayer. Heck, they  are  prayer. And I will continue there, as well. But what I've been feeling is that people-- maybe you--  have always been told, "You should pray," or "Pray about that." But maybe you feel your prayers aren't "good enough," or that it's just too hard, too embarrassing, too [fill in the blank] to pray. Maybe it feels like no one really talks about how  to pray-- except, of course, for Jesus, in Matthew 6 and a couple parallel passages where we are given what's come to be known as The Lord's Prayer. And it is a great prayer. And there are other great prayers, and other ways to pray that do not involve rote. So "my plan" here is to share, hopefully on a weekly or semi-regular basis, a lot of
Read more