Thursday, October 23, 2008
"The Shack"
Have you read this book? It is a deeply profound theological book. It goes deep and demands that we look deeper into ourselves. It is about relationship - vertical and horizontal something I have said many times. I sound like a broken record but it all comes down to relationship. This book made me laugh, cry, and go aha more than any other I have read in a long time. If you get the chance please read this book. I think it will change your life in a very profoundly deep way. It may even provide deep spiritual healing in our journey - May you find God in and along the way - it is about the process.
Saturday, October 11, 2008
Spiritual Healing
Have you ever been profoundly hurt by someone or something? When that happens that can damage our relationship with God. I recently went to a workshop that deals with that pain and hurt and I was told to fire that old God - just get rid of them - you know the God who wasn't there for you when you were hurt and didn't seem to care and didn't come to the rescue. Fire that God!!! I realized that when we have deep hurts that are part of our soul and become a part of who we are it is all we can do sometimes to get over that profound pain. WE shut ourselves off from others and we sometimes shut down ourselves. It is extremely painful and we are in need of deep healing. Marys Hope is an organization that deals with this type of pain and hurt - I encourage you to look at their website and to take time to enter into the discovery of spiritual healing. Healing relationships not only to God but with others as well. We are beloved children of God and it is time to rescue that feeling deep inside of us and to return to the loving arms of God once again and start the journey of healing again. God didn't mean for that to happen and we can heal when we allow ourselves to be open - open not only to the pain but to the beauty of God's love for each and every one of us. Remember that you are beautiful, whole and that your love is a miracle and that you are deeply connected to God. You are God's beloved child. Reclaim that and be healed.
Sunday, September 28, 2008
Saturday, September 27, 2008
Christ is everywhere, Do you see Christ?
I once told someone that I see Christ in all things, and so they asked why then do we need to come to church and why is the church here? There's no need then and I wasn't very articulate in my response,but I have since thought about my response and how I would rephrase some things.
I continue to find Christ in all people and in all things even the ones that drive me crazy - try it - find something positive to say - it doesn't mean that you have to go around someone who continually verbally abuses you or who is eternally negative but find the positive and start verbalizing it not only to yourself but to others and see what happens to you. Transformation happens, we start to see things differently and our eyes are opened in new and exciting ways.
Now, we do need the church, because the church is here to help us to understand how to find Christ in all things and to be Christ to others and to walk and follow Christ in our daily lives. We need the church because without it some of us walk away without every truly understanding the meaning behind walking with Christ and in another words, walking the walking. I saw this yesterday on a blog spot that I viewed about faith in action. There was a preacher, Brennan Manning with a You tube video that said "I am convinced that when I die there is only one thing that Jesus will ask me, Did you know that I loved you?" Sometimes we can't possibly understand the love that God and Christ have for us. This to me says I love you, so now go and love others, but how can people do that when they don't love themselves. In comes the church - we are to love and to show love, that doesn't mean judge, I don't have a handle on that one yet - I'm in process on the journey just like everyone else and I need help right along with everyone else and am trying to live that out but I need help so the church helps me.
I'm not saying I have anything perfected and I am not saying that I have all the answers, but somehow the church gives us a sacred place for coming to the center of God and becoming refreshed by being fed by the nurturing spirit of our community of fellow believers and God, so that we can help one another be Christ, see Christ, and love Christ in the world around us in which we live. It is about faith in action, not only at church and on Sunday morning but everyday of the week. The church is here to help us be better people in our vocations, our homes, our world, our community, our play times, and our lives.
I don't know if this makes sense, but it is also about making priorities in our lives. What is truly important? I think that the church is important because it is about relationship - relationship with one another, with God, our world, our community, our family and friends and our every day lives. The only problem is I need help to do this - I can't do it alone. That's where the church comes in - I am fed so that I may go out and be food to others. I feel like I will dry up and wither away without the assistance of others - relationship - vertical and horizontal - just like the cross. I must look up to God and maintain that relationship but I must also reach out with my arms in love to the world in which I live in to be in relationship with God.
I hope this makes sense to you, and I hope that you agree that we need the church - but we also need to remember that we can't expect the people to come to the church - so we must take the church to them - RELATIONSHIP.
I am enjoying being on the journey with you! We are truly blessed children of God.
Worship, love, serve, Dawn
I continue to find Christ in all people and in all things even the ones that drive me crazy - try it - find something positive to say - it doesn't mean that you have to go around someone who continually verbally abuses you or who is eternally negative but find the positive and start verbalizing it not only to yourself but to others and see what happens to you. Transformation happens, we start to see things differently and our eyes are opened in new and exciting ways.
Now, we do need the church, because the church is here to help us to understand how to find Christ in all things and to be Christ to others and to walk and follow Christ in our daily lives. We need the church because without it some of us walk away without every truly understanding the meaning behind walking with Christ and in another words, walking the walking. I saw this yesterday on a blog spot that I viewed about faith in action. There was a preacher, Brennan Manning with a You tube video that said "I am convinced that when I die there is only one thing that Jesus will ask me, Did you know that I loved you?" Sometimes we can't possibly understand the love that God and Christ have for us. This to me says I love you, so now go and love others, but how can people do that when they don't love themselves. In comes the church - we are to love and to show love, that doesn't mean judge, I don't have a handle on that one yet - I'm in process on the journey just like everyone else and I need help right along with everyone else and am trying to live that out but I need help so the church helps me.
I'm not saying I have anything perfected and I am not saying that I have all the answers, but somehow the church gives us a sacred place for coming to the center of God and becoming refreshed by being fed by the nurturing spirit of our community of fellow believers and God, so that we can help one another be Christ, see Christ, and love Christ in the world around us in which we live. It is about faith in action, not only at church and on Sunday morning but everyday of the week. The church is here to help us be better people in our vocations, our homes, our world, our community, our play times, and our lives.
I don't know if this makes sense, but it is also about making priorities in our lives. What is truly important? I think that the church is important because it is about relationship - relationship with one another, with God, our world, our community, our family and friends and our every day lives. The only problem is I need help to do this - I can't do it alone. That's where the church comes in - I am fed so that I may go out and be food to others. I feel like I will dry up and wither away without the assistance of others - relationship - vertical and horizontal - just like the cross. I must look up to God and maintain that relationship but I must also reach out with my arms in love to the world in which I live in to be in relationship with God.
I hope this makes sense to you, and I hope that you agree that we need the church - but we also need to remember that we can't expect the people to come to the church - so we must take the church to them - RELATIONSHIP.
I am enjoying being on the journey with you! We are truly blessed children of God.
Worship, love, serve, Dawn
Friday, September 19, 2008
Giving Thanks!
I wish I had some pictures to share with you about the appreciation dinner the Bishop's Committee gave the congregation last night. We had 30 people there, sharing, laughing, and eating together.
We gave thanks to the congregation who throughout this past year have been prayerful, loving, generous hands of God to us and to the community. We have much to be thankful for and remember that God is gracious, loving and full of kindness and mercy. I have seen God at work in many people and places in the San Luis Valley, but especially in our church.
We did a land blessing for a new member two weeks ago, and we brought food and blessings to him, his goats, his chickens,his dogs and of course to the land that he has chosen to build his home on. He has given us the gift of eggs, goat milk and hair for those who weave and spin to buy. He has also given us the blessing of his presence and his God-centered life.
We have people who minister to those who are in the hospital, visitors to the valley, on hospice care, teaching children & adults, those who write, take pictures, those who are artists and share their God-given talents, those who love music and play an instrument, those who laugh and play, those who walk, those who listen, those who care, those who know horses, those who love children, those who give over and over and over again and never ask for anything in return. We are truly blessed and I give thanks that I have the opportunity to serve in such a loving, caring and giving place.
I will post pictures later of all we have been doing for the past few months since we went green and share with us in the wonder that God gives us each and every day. Let us always be thankful for what we have and what we receive. I am thankful for all of these willing hands, hearts, feet, and faces of Christ who minister to me in so many incredible ways.
Thank you. Dawn
We gave thanks to the congregation who throughout this past year have been prayerful, loving, generous hands of God to us and to the community. We have much to be thankful for and remember that God is gracious, loving and full of kindness and mercy. I have seen God at work in many people and places in the San Luis Valley, but especially in our church.
We did a land blessing for a new member two weeks ago, and we brought food and blessings to him, his goats, his chickens,his dogs and of course to the land that he has chosen to build his home on. He has given us the gift of eggs, goat milk and hair for those who weave and spin to buy. He has also given us the blessing of his presence and his God-centered life.
We have people who minister to those who are in the hospital, visitors to the valley, on hospice care, teaching children & adults, those who write, take pictures, those who are artists and share their God-given talents, those who love music and play an instrument, those who laugh and play, those who walk, those who listen, those who care, those who know horses, those who love children, those who give over and over and over again and never ask for anything in return. We are truly blessed and I give thanks that I have the opportunity to serve in such a loving, caring and giving place.
I will post pictures later of all we have been doing for the past few months since we went green and share with us in the wonder that God gives us each and every day. Let us always be thankful for what we have and what we receive. I am thankful for all of these willing hands, hearts, feet, and faces of Christ who minister to me in so many incredible ways.
Thank you. Dawn
Monday, April 14, 2008
We are green!
No it isn't St. Patrick's Day, but it is green in Alamosa. We can now drink, cook, clean, and bathe in the water. It is still a little too much chlorine for my liking but at least it is safe levels again. No more salmonella. We have helped one another and listened to each other complain about the problem with the water. We have been here for our neighbors and community to provide water for so many who needed it.
As we sat on couches in our parish hall knitting and being together, at the end of a few of those long days we would get a bottle of wine out and just celebrate together our work and our community that we are building together. I am reminded of the story of Jesus and the wedding at Cana. "Fill the jars with water." We saved the best wine for last instead of serving it first. We got to celebrate with one another, not only our accomplishments but our willingness to work together and to reach out to one another in new and meaningful ways. We had communion together - not in the classical sense of gathering around the altar in the sanctuary, but yes we had communion.
We came together to eat and drink and be joyful together. We were celebrating life together. This communion was at least for me more fulfilling than the communion that we share on Sunday mornings. We were living the moment together and were reminded of whom we belong and why we are here, to love one another.
There is something that I ran across earlier in the week that I have kept and it seems to me says all that I would like to say about this communion.
It doesn't matter your age, your color, or whether your parents loved you or not. (maybe they wanted to, but couldn't). Let that go. It belongs to the past. You belong to the now. It doesn't matter what you have been, the wrong you've done, the mistakes you've made, the people you've hurt.
You are forgiven. You are accepted. You're okay. You are loved in spite of everything. So love yourself, and flourish the seeds within you.
CELEBRATE YOU!
Begin now. Start anew. Give yourself a new birth TODAY!
You are you, and that is all you need to be. You are temporary. Here today and gone tomorrow. But TODAY - today you can be a new beginning, a new thing, a new life. You cannot deserve this new life. It is given freely. That is the miracle called God. So celebrate the miracle, and Celebrate You!
As we sat on couches in our parish hall knitting and being together, at the end of a few of those long days we would get a bottle of wine out and just celebrate together our work and our community that we are building together. I am reminded of the story of Jesus and the wedding at Cana. "Fill the jars with water." We saved the best wine for last instead of serving it first. We got to celebrate with one another, not only our accomplishments but our willingness to work together and to reach out to one another in new and meaningful ways. We had communion together - not in the classical sense of gathering around the altar in the sanctuary, but yes we had communion.
We came together to eat and drink and be joyful together. We were celebrating life together. This communion was at least for me more fulfilling than the communion that we share on Sunday mornings. We were living the moment together and were reminded of whom we belong and why we are here, to love one another.
There is something that I ran across earlier in the week that I have kept and it seems to me says all that I would like to say about this communion.
It doesn't matter your age, your color, or whether your parents loved you or not. (maybe they wanted to, but couldn't). Let that go. It belongs to the past. You belong to the now. It doesn't matter what you have been, the wrong you've done, the mistakes you've made, the people you've hurt.
You are forgiven. You are accepted. You're okay. You are loved in spite of everything. So love yourself, and flourish the seeds within you.
CELEBRATE YOU!
Begin now. Start anew. Give yourself a new birth TODAY!
You are you, and that is all you need to be. You are temporary. Here today and gone tomorrow. But TODAY - today you can be a new beginning, a new thing, a new life. You cannot deserve this new life. It is given freely. That is the miracle called God. So celebrate the miracle, and Celebrate You!
Saturday, April 5, 2008
On The Road
We have given out over 3100 gallons of water over a two 1/2 week period. What a blessing this has been not only to the recipients of the water but also to our community of believers. This Sunday is the account of the two disciples on the road to Emmaus when they encounter Christ. We know however that their eyes are not opened until they sit down and break bread together. That simple act of sharing bread, of opening ourselves to each other, allowing ourselves to be vulnerable to one another is an act of love. We demonstrate this every time we come together at the Lord's table and commune with one another and I believe we do this every time we come together to be in the presence of one another.
How many times a week or even a day do you encounter the living Christ? These past few weeks I can honestly say I have encountered Christ in many faces, hands, voices, and lives of others. We came together as a community to provide water for our neighbors in need. We responded to their plight, but we received far more than we gained by giving out water. We received the light of Christ in every one we met. We were able to get to know people in a vunerable position and talk to them and share in their misery.
I would like us to remember that we are walking, talking and sharing with Christ every single day of our lives. We meet Christ on the road and Christ walks with us even in the darkest places of our lives, Christ is there with us sharing the load. We are the disciples walking on the road to Emmaus - we are the ones that Christ is reaching out to and holding us in the palm of his hand. Even when we can't see or know that Christ is with us, he will never forsake us. Remember I am with you always.
So I am once again reminded that Christ is in our midst of every hour of every day. I am truly blessed and that is what the journey is all about - the joy - the joy of the Risen Christ! Look He is Risen! He is with you and with me.
I would like to publicly thank the many congregations from around the Diocese of Colorado who helped our congregation with providing this gift of living water. Without your support we wouldn't have been able to provide water for so many people. I don't have count of numbers but I do know that we provided for many in need. Many people were mono-lingual, spanish speaking only, but who knew we cared and loved them. Thank you and May God continue to bless you in your ministries.
How many times a week or even a day do you encounter the living Christ? These past few weeks I can honestly say I have encountered Christ in many faces, hands, voices, and lives of others. We came together as a community to provide water for our neighbors in need. We responded to their plight, but we received far more than we gained by giving out water. We received the light of Christ in every one we met. We were able to get to know people in a vunerable position and talk to them and share in their misery.
I would like us to remember that we are walking, talking and sharing with Christ every single day of our lives. We meet Christ on the road and Christ walks with us even in the darkest places of our lives, Christ is there with us sharing the load. We are the disciples walking on the road to Emmaus - we are the ones that Christ is reaching out to and holding us in the palm of his hand. Even when we can't see or know that Christ is with us, he will never forsake us. Remember I am with you always.
So I am once again reminded that Christ is in our midst of every hour of every day. I am truly blessed and that is what the journey is all about - the joy - the joy of the Risen Christ! Look He is Risen! He is with you and with me.
I would like to publicly thank the many congregations from around the Diocese of Colorado who helped our congregation with providing this gift of living water. Without your support we wouldn't have been able to provide water for so many people. I don't have count of numbers but I do know that we provided for many in need. Many people were mono-lingual, spanish speaking only, but who knew we cared and loved them. Thank you and May God continue to bless you in your ministries.
Thursday, April 3, 2008
Welcome, we have water
As I sit and remember the reading from John's Gospel today I am reminded of the commandment to love one another as I have loved you. Even when it's hard we are required to love each other. Christ in me and Christ in you. We have had people come to our doors this past two weeks for water, water to drink, water to bathe with and to cook with. We had someone on a bicycle with a dirty 30 gallon trash can that they were going to have filled at one of the stations and we delivered water to his door and are continuing to do so until this crisis is over. We had a young mother come to us running out of gas and not able to drive every day to get water, so we provided enough water for one week for her and her baby.
We have had the opportunity to love people in new and creative ways. We have seen Christ and have had the opportunity to be Christ to so many people in need. This has truly been a life-changing event in personal lives and the life of the church.
I know the fire of God's love is burning in each and everyone of us. God is re-creating us each and every minute of the day. We are truly blessed to have this connection to the omnipotent One. We have been chosen, so we are called to go and bear fruit - so we are bearing the fruits of the labor of love to a community that longs for a drink of water.
I am grateful for the support of many who have allowed us to distribute the water for so long. Thank you for your prayers, love and support. This has been far more meaningful to our community I think than to those we have touched with the gift of water. We will remember this for awhile.
I know for me I will remember that I survived the great flush of 08! And so did St. Thomas Episcopal Church.
We have had the opportunity to love people in new and creative ways. We have seen Christ and have had the opportunity to be Christ to so many people in need. This has truly been a life-changing event in personal lives and the life of the church.
I know the fire of God's love is burning in each and everyone of us. God is re-creating us each and every minute of the day. We are truly blessed to have this connection to the omnipotent One. We have been chosen, so we are called to go and bear fruit - so we are bearing the fruits of the labor of love to a community that longs for a drink of water.
I am grateful for the support of many who have allowed us to distribute the water for so long. Thank you for your prayers, love and support. This has been far more meaningful to our community I think than to those we have touched with the gift of water. We will remember this for awhile.
I know for me I will remember that I survived the great flush of 08! And so did St. Thomas Episcopal Church.
Friday, March 28, 2008
For more about Water Please see this blog.
I know that I may not be the most eloquent speaker but I know someone who sure is and would like you to look at her blog. She is a great friend and great writer please see her blog to learn more about water not only in the San Luis Valley but around the world.
We have been blessed with the living water that Jesus Christ brought us but so many people in the world today don't have clean water to drink that what can living water mean when some may actually be thirsty for just a drink of cool, refreshing water.
I am so blessed to live where I live and have my own well. I am reminded of Matthew 25,(The Message)
I was hungry and you fed me,
I was thirsty and you gave me a drink,
I was homeless and you gave me a room,
I was shivering and you gave me clothes,
I was sick and you stopped to visit,
I was in prison and you came to me.'
37-40"Then those 'sheep' are going to say, 'Master, what are you talking about? When did we ever see you hungry and feed you, thirsty and give you a drink? And when did we ever see you sick or in prison and come to you?' Then the King will say, 'I'm telling the solemn truth: Whenever you did one of these things to someone overlooked or ignored, that was me—you did it to me.'
Come to St. Thomas and we will give you a drink of water - real water or living water.
Here is the blog I said to check out: http://geocities.com/remembrancerugs/blog.html
Enjoy.
We have been blessed with the living water that Jesus Christ brought us but so many people in the world today don't have clean water to drink that what can living water mean when some may actually be thirsty for just a drink of cool, refreshing water.
I am so blessed to live where I live and have my own well. I am reminded of Matthew 25,(The Message)
I was hungry and you fed me,
I was thirsty and you gave me a drink,
I was homeless and you gave me a room,
I was shivering and you gave me clothes,
I was sick and you stopped to visit,
I was in prison and you came to me.'
37-40"Then those 'sheep' are going to say, 'Master, what are you talking about? When did we ever see you hungry and feed you, thirsty and give you a drink? And when did we ever see you sick or in prison and come to you?' Then the King will say, 'I'm telling the solemn truth: Whenever you did one of these things to someone overlooked or ignored, that was me—you did it to me.'
Come to St. Thomas and we will give you a drink of water - real water or living water.
Here is the blog I said to check out: http://geocities.com/remembrancerugs/blog.html
Enjoy.
Thursday, March 27, 2008
Free Water
As we in Alamosa continue to live through the nightmare of salmonella in the water - we continue to reach out to our community by providing free water for them. we gave out over 1000 gallons on Monday, Wednesday we had 588 gallons and we gave out 300 gallons and we have received $700 from the Diocese to buy more water to give out. We bought another $100 of water today from Safeway on a card we received from Twyla Zittle. We are truly blessed and I am continually thankful for a loving and giving community that I happen to be a part of. Here are some pictures.
Wednesday, March 26, 2008
Sunday, March 23, 2008
Water Distribution - New Email Address for Dawn
I have had trouble with my email account so if you have been trying to get a hold of me and can't I apologize - netscape is awful and no customer service what so ever. My new email is priestdawn@gmail.com.
We will be distributing water M,W,F and Sat. M-W-F hours at the church will be 9 am until 7 pm. Sat hours will be 9 am until noon. If you would like to volunteer or are in need of water please come by the church.
We will be distributing water M,W,F and Sat. M-W-F hours at the church will be 9 am until 7 pm. Sat hours will be 9 am until noon. If you would like to volunteer or are in need of water please come by the church.
Saturday, March 22, 2008
Thursday, March 20, 2008
Living Water
Living water has great significance considering our town is in crisis with our city water system being contaminated by salmonella. We will be giving out free water starting next week to the community. We have water coming to us and we will be buying water to distribute. Right now people can boil their water and it is safe but when they flush the system with chlorine it may take up to two weeks to clean it out and it won't be safe for use at all.
Living water the water that Jesus gives to us refreshes us and gives life - life that sustains us and never leaves us. Fill my cup Lord I lift up and come and quench this thirsting of my soul! How many of us thirst for this living water - the water that will fill us and leave us whole? This Easter we have the opportunity to bring others to the cup of living water and may we give them the sustaining power of God's Love so that they too can know the healing power of God's Living Water.
Living water the water that Jesus gives to us refreshes us and gives life - life that sustains us and never leaves us. Fill my cup Lord I lift up and come and quench this thirsting of my soul! How many of us thirst for this living water - the water that will fill us and leave us whole? This Easter we have the opportunity to bring others to the cup of living water and may we give them the sustaining power of God's Love so that they too can know the healing power of God's Living Water.
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