Writings From the Grassroots

A Sabbath Rhythm: If God Will Send His Angels

This week for a Sabbath Rhythm I chose a song to remind us that Sabbath is for connecting, perhaps even experiencing rest from the anxiety and restlessness in our lives.  In a time of unrest we want rest.  In a time of war, peace.  This song speaks to me in profound ways.  I hope it will for you too.

Here are the Lyrics. 
Nobody else here baby no one else here to blame
No one to point the finger...
It's just you and me and the rain
Nobody made you do it, no one put words in your mouth
Nobody here taking orders when love took a train heading south
It's the blind leading the blond
It's the stuff the stuff of country songs

HEY IF GOD WILL SEND HIS ANGELS
AND IF GOD WILL SEND A SIGN
AND IF GOD WILL SEND HIS ANGELS
Would everything be alright?

God has got his phone off the hook
Babe would he even pick up if he could?
It's been a while since we saw that child
Hangin' round this neighbourhood
See his mother dealing in a doorway
See Father Christmas with a begging bowl
Jesus sister's eyes are blister ...
THE HIGH STREET never looked so low

It's the blind leading the blond
It's the cops collecting for the cons
So where is the hope and where is the faith ... and the love?
What's that you say to me
Does love... light up your Christmas tree?
The next minute you're blowing a fuse
And the cartoon network turns into the news

HEY IF GOD WILL SEND HIS ANGELS
AND IF GOD WILL SEND A SIGN
WELL IF GOD WILL SEND HIS ANGELS
WHERE DO WE GO

Jesus never let me down
You know Jesus used to show me the score
Then they put Jesus in show business
Now it's hard to get in the door

It's the stuff it's the stuff of country songs
But I guess it was something to go on

HEY IF GOD WILL SEND HIS ANGELS
I SURE COULD USE THEM HERE RIGHT NOW
WELL IF GOD WILL SEND HIS ANGELS
WHERE DO WE GO...

A Sabbath Rhythm: Tourists to Pilgrims

TOURISTS TO PILGRIMS

If you are searching for something more than temporary spiritual relief, then Christian spirituality is a source for a deeper life. We are all seeking depth, meaning and fellow
travellers to share the journey with. Our highly consumptive, technological culture has produced a generation of spiritual tourists who pursue a deep place of rest, but have no perceivable destination. Buying a new car, clothes or gym membership gives temporary relief but doesn’t bring lasting rest or centeredness. Even with our relative wealth, we still have a deep inner poverty.

The ancient narratives of Christian spirituality offer renewed, contemporary wisdom into this context. Exploring and embodying the teachings of Jesus through prayer, contemplation, and the practise of community, helps us become more truly human.

Life is a journey of ‘human becoming’, within which we shift from being lonely tourists to fellow pilgrims whose destination is God in whom we find rest.

Encouragement
Wisdom sayings from Jesus:
Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light

Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.
Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy.
Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.

Prayer for the Journey
Christ be before me,
Christ be beside me,
Christ be all around.
May the peace of Christ go with me, wherever God may send me.
May God guide me through the wilderness, protect me through the storm.
May God bring me home rejoicing at the wonders God has shown me.
May God bring me home rejoicing
once again into our doors.
Amen

This is another one of the dekhomai postcards.

 

A Sabbath Rhythm: Examen

I read Jonny Bakers blog often and I want to give credit to him for the content of This Sabbath Rhythm becauase I found it in his worship trick and I had to share it with all of you. Enjoy.

THE EXAMEN

St Ignatius of Loyola taught the examen as part
of his Spiritual Exercises. It is a way of connecting
with the presence of God in our lives and
discerning the direction in which we should go.

The simplest form of the examen consists in asking
two questions:
For what moment today am I most grateful?
For what moment today am I least grateful?

These questions help us identify moments of
consolation – that for which we are most grateful
– and desolation – that for which we are least
grateful. Ignatius expected that God would speak
to us through these moments of deepest feelings
and yearnings. We should aim to do more of what
brings us consolation, and to listen to and respond
to what brings us desolation. Done regularly over
a period of time, the examen can guide our lives
and help us to make wise choices.

Doing the examen
Find a quiet place where you can sit and relax.
Take a moment to quiet yourself and to breathe
deeply. You may find it helpful to light a candle
to remind you of the presence of God.

Ask God to bring to your heart the moment for
which you are most grateful. Reflect on what
made it so special. Stay with this moment and
breathe in the gratitude and life that it brought
to you.

Ask God to bring to your heart the moment for
which you are least grateful. Reflect on what made
it so difficult. Stay with your feelings and ask God
to fill you with his love.

Give thanks for what you have just experienced.