And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. – Ephesians 4:30 (NIV)
What do you think it means to grieve the Holy Spirit? Is there something about you that might grieve God? Do you believe yourself to have been sealed by the Holy Spirit?
Once as a chaplain I was called to be with someone who “needed support.” When I arrived I was told the woman in the room had just watched her husband die in front of her. She was morbidly obese and had been bed ridden for several years. Earlier that day her husband arrived home and had a heart attack, falling to the ground. There was no phone within her reach and as she struggled to reach the phone to call for help her husband passed away only feet from her.
She was brought to us, and I was called to be with her, to make sure she wasn’t alone. I entered the room and the first thing that hit me was the smell. This poor woman had not bathed for years and the smell of years of neglect saturated each corner of the tiny room she in which she lay. Parts of her body were caked with layers of dirt and filth. I attempted some words of comfort, but they were inauthentic as I tried to situate myself as far as possible from her, as I tried to save myself.
For perhaps 20 minutes or so I stood far from her in this room. She a grieving widow, and me fairly useless, unwilling to even hold her hand. It was then I heard footsteps approaching the room, and I turned to the door in time to see a little girl, maybe 7 or 8 years of age run into that sad room. She ran right to the bed and jumped onto the woman. The girl threw her tiny arms around the woman’s neck, kissed her cheek and said, “I love you grandma. Don’t worry I’m here now and it will be all right.”
I wonder how much I grieved the Holy Spirit before that girl entered and taught me how to love.
When we do not live the lives to which we have been called and for which we have been saved, should we ever add to the misery of another living soul, and at those times we abandon Christian charity for selfish ambition of any sort, we grieve the Holy Spirit. However when we live into the reality of our redemption, the places we go become the places Christ can be found because he lives in us. Then there is no grieving the Holy Spirit, for the Spirit is celebrating that we have become the joy with which God created us!
With hope and joy,
Garrett
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
Prayer and Gratitude
Do not worry about anything, but pray and ask God for everything you need, always giving thanks. – Philippians 4:6 (NCV)
What do you worry about? Do you worry about things you need or things you want? When did you pray to God last for everything you need? Why is it important to give thanks while asking for what you need?
A friend asked me once why we should pray if God knows everything. It is a question I imagine we have all asked at some point. Maybe one of the reasons we do not pray more is the belief that if God knows everything we do not need to pray. God knows I am happy; I do not need to pray. God knows I am angry; I do not need to pray. God knows I am in pain; I do not need to pray. God knows what I need; I do not need to pray.
Maybe God does know all of these things, but do we? Do we truly know what makes us happy? Are the things that make us angry things that should make us angry? What is the root of our pain? Do we have any idea what we actually need? The problem with my friend’s question as to our need for prayer is that it centers on us as individuals and is by nature selfish. Prayer opens us to God the eternal forever, the Word, the alpha and omega. Prayer moves us beyond ourselves to discover our God in whose image we are made. Prayer is not done out of God’s need to be communicated with, but of our need to communicate with God, discover who God desires us to be and what we truly need!
Maybe that is why we are told to pray while always giving thanks. There is something about people who are grateful. Grateful for the moment regardless of circumstance. Grateful for a kind smile from a stranger. Grateful for another day with breath flowing through the lungs. Grateful for a merciful God who is by God’s very nature love. Such people always seem to have what they need.
Meister Eckhart once said, “If the only prayer you ever said in your whole life is ‘thank you,’ that would suffice.” Amen to that! Let us pray for everything we need, always giving thanks and perhaps all of our worry will disappear when we discover that somehow, we have everything we need!
With hope and joy,
Garrett
What do you worry about? Do you worry about things you need or things you want? When did you pray to God last for everything you need? Why is it important to give thanks while asking for what you need?
A friend asked me once why we should pray if God knows everything. It is a question I imagine we have all asked at some point. Maybe one of the reasons we do not pray more is the belief that if God knows everything we do not need to pray. God knows I am happy; I do not need to pray. God knows I am angry; I do not need to pray. God knows I am in pain; I do not need to pray. God knows what I need; I do not need to pray.
Maybe God does know all of these things, but do we? Do we truly know what makes us happy? Are the things that make us angry things that should make us angry? What is the root of our pain? Do we have any idea what we actually need? The problem with my friend’s question as to our need for prayer is that it centers on us as individuals and is by nature selfish. Prayer opens us to God the eternal forever, the Word, the alpha and omega. Prayer moves us beyond ourselves to discover our God in whose image we are made. Prayer is not done out of God’s need to be communicated with, but of our need to communicate with God, discover who God desires us to be and what we truly need!
Maybe that is why we are told to pray while always giving thanks. There is something about people who are grateful. Grateful for the moment regardless of circumstance. Grateful for a kind smile from a stranger. Grateful for another day with breath flowing through the lungs. Grateful for a merciful God who is by God’s very nature love. Such people always seem to have what they need.
Meister Eckhart once said, “If the only prayer you ever said in your whole life is ‘thank you,’ that would suffice.” Amen to that! Let us pray for everything we need, always giving thanks and perhaps all of our worry will disappear when we discover that somehow, we have everything we need!
With hope and joy,
Garrett
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
Shining Light
“No one after lighting a lamp covers it with a bowl or hides it under a bed. Instead, the person puts it on a lampstand so that those who come in will see the light.” – Luke 8:16 (NCV)
Is your lamp lit? Is it hidden? Did you hide it? What does it mean to let your light shine? Do people see your light? Have you seen the light of others? Where have you seen the light?
Part of the blessing of my job is how often I get to encounter incredible people. I meet people who live life in such a way that I discover myself living a better life than before just because I was around these beautiful people for a moment or two. The truth with which they live their lives, allows me to live into the truth of my life, becoming who I was created to be.
Yesterday I attended the funeral of a man whose life was too short. During my interactions with him, I only remember joys, laughter, and many encouraging words. To laugh was his way, to spread joy was his job, and to let his light shine was his life, at least it seemed so to me. His funeral provided me comfort, as all good funerals can, because I discovered that the man I knew was well known to many. I heard stories shared of how his joy brightened the lives of others. I heard stories about how his love saved others from despair. I heard more than once, in various descriptions, about how his light allowed the lights of others to shine brighter.
Too often we hide our lights for reasons we consider pragmatic. I have heard people say, “O I will do the things that provide me joy when I retire.” Or, “I can’t wait spend more time with my family, but I have to work.” Our lights shine when we are among people and love, living well because we can wherever we are right now. They must shine now for we never know when they shall be extinguished forever!
My friend died at 56 suddenly and surprisingly. His life was too short, but no one can say that it did not burn bright! He lived well and in the moment, and thank God he did for many live better because he lived at all.
Hiding our lights in the tomorrows of life may mean that we never let them shine. Let us pray that we live into the truth of who we were created to be, shining bright for all to see. We never know who might see us bright and joyous, and thereby take their lights from under the bed and let them shine bright too!
With hope and joy,
Garrett
Is your lamp lit? Is it hidden? Did you hide it? What does it mean to let your light shine? Do people see your light? Have you seen the light of others? Where have you seen the light?
Part of the blessing of my job is how often I get to encounter incredible people. I meet people who live life in such a way that I discover myself living a better life than before just because I was around these beautiful people for a moment or two. The truth with which they live their lives, allows me to live into the truth of my life, becoming who I was created to be.
Yesterday I attended the funeral of a man whose life was too short. During my interactions with him, I only remember joys, laughter, and many encouraging words. To laugh was his way, to spread joy was his job, and to let his light shine was his life, at least it seemed so to me. His funeral provided me comfort, as all good funerals can, because I discovered that the man I knew was well known to many. I heard stories shared of how his joy brightened the lives of others. I heard stories about how his love saved others from despair. I heard more than once, in various descriptions, about how his light allowed the lights of others to shine brighter.
Too often we hide our lights for reasons we consider pragmatic. I have heard people say, “O I will do the things that provide me joy when I retire.” Or, “I can’t wait spend more time with my family, but I have to work.” Our lights shine when we are among people and love, living well because we can wherever we are right now. They must shine now for we never know when they shall be extinguished forever!
My friend died at 56 suddenly and surprisingly. His life was too short, but no one can say that it did not burn bright! He lived well and in the moment, and thank God he did for many live better because he lived at all.
Hiding our lights in the tomorrows of life may mean that we never let them shine. Let us pray that we live into the truth of who we were created to be, shining bright for all to see. We never know who might see us bright and joyous, and thereby take their lights from under the bed and let them shine bright too!
With hope and joy,
Garrett
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
Minister's Minute in June's Journal of Hope and Joy
I remember the days of summer as a child. They always arrived with a Christmas-like anticipation. No school, lots of friends, trips, pools, fun, summer. I could always tell it was coming as the days got longer; the sun taking longer to set to ensure my day, my special day, could go on for as long as possible. I enjoyed the evening hours the best because I think that is when it was suppose to be dark. But summer knowing how restful and special it is, made sure that the sun maintained its course just a little longer so I could continue to frolic in its light.
My memories are like a kaleidoscope of images, all changing and melding together. Rolling down a hill at one of my favorite parks. The hill seemed so long and so steep, but I am sure if I were to see it now I would be surprised how tame it is, oh but what fun. I remember myself swinging as dusk turned the sky arrangements of oranges, pinks, reds and purples, even then I smiled at its beauty. I think no matter our age we appreciate the beauty of nature, as it speaks to that piece of divinity inside each of us, that handprint of God referred to as the imagine of God. The creative impulse of God in the universe seeing the creative impulse of God within us, and in seeing one another smile to each other, that evening sky smiles to me even now as I smile back. There was one time I swam all day long in the ocean, battered by the waves, imagining I was some superhero that had to battle these awful waves to the point of exhaustion. I remember that night as I tried to go sleep I still felt pulled and pushed by waves now miles from where soon I slept. Times with friends, the sleepovers, the ease, the joy, the carefree mentality of youth and relative innocence. All of these images and thoughts pour across my memory not quite separate from one another, but a mess of memories that form one large memory entitled, summer.
I once read somewhere that memories are special because they represent the past, and the past is the only thing that cannot change. Perhaps our memories do not correspond to actual events. Maybe they are formed by our imagination, but they cannot be touched. Our present is happening and will change at a moment’s notice, our future is beyond our grasp, but our past is always our past and is unchangeable. There is no wonder we tell stories to one another, for those stories are unique to us and incredibly precious. Summer is such a past for me, and I am delighted to sense summer’s arrival once more so that I may recall such a past.
My delight is made all the more real in that now I can share my summer with my son. It is with great joy and anticipation I look forward to being able to share a summer with him. While he will not remember this one, I will, and this summer – while not yet here – shall become a unique memory, a past truly my own, untouchable and unchangeable. I pray that the moments when I push him in the swing, mold with my moments of being pushed in the swing by my father, and my kaleidoscopic memory becomes even grander.
We live in moments, but those moments become memories, and each of us has memories of joy and strife, of love and heartbreak, of hope and despair. How we use these memories says a lot about us as people. I hope I may find myself using memories to give me a smile when there seems to be no reason to smile in the moment, because no matter how bad the moment is, a memory of joy cannot be touched by it. However that memory of joy can affect the moment in a positive way.
I remember many stories my parents shared with me of their summers. Their memories of such summers exist in times long before God blessed me with life, but I remember the joy they conveyed, and I can see in my own memory my mother swimming in a pool as girl, my father riding bikes and setting bushes on fire. They have combined with my memory and my joy expands. Hopefully one day Langston has an impossible memory of his father laughing while rolling down a hill in a park. If he does I am sure he can have a memory of an empty tomb and know the joy of our Christ. May God grant us all the ability to share the joys of our past so that others can experience such joy and have it as their own!
Riding the wave of the Holy Spirit,
Garrett
My memories are like a kaleidoscope of images, all changing and melding together. Rolling down a hill at one of my favorite parks. The hill seemed so long and so steep, but I am sure if I were to see it now I would be surprised how tame it is, oh but what fun. I remember myself swinging as dusk turned the sky arrangements of oranges, pinks, reds and purples, even then I smiled at its beauty. I think no matter our age we appreciate the beauty of nature, as it speaks to that piece of divinity inside each of us, that handprint of God referred to as the imagine of God. The creative impulse of God in the universe seeing the creative impulse of God within us, and in seeing one another smile to each other, that evening sky smiles to me even now as I smile back. There was one time I swam all day long in the ocean, battered by the waves, imagining I was some superhero that had to battle these awful waves to the point of exhaustion. I remember that night as I tried to go sleep I still felt pulled and pushed by waves now miles from where soon I slept. Times with friends, the sleepovers, the ease, the joy, the carefree mentality of youth and relative innocence. All of these images and thoughts pour across my memory not quite separate from one another, but a mess of memories that form one large memory entitled, summer.
I once read somewhere that memories are special because they represent the past, and the past is the only thing that cannot change. Perhaps our memories do not correspond to actual events. Maybe they are formed by our imagination, but they cannot be touched. Our present is happening and will change at a moment’s notice, our future is beyond our grasp, but our past is always our past and is unchangeable. There is no wonder we tell stories to one another, for those stories are unique to us and incredibly precious. Summer is such a past for me, and I am delighted to sense summer’s arrival once more so that I may recall such a past.
My delight is made all the more real in that now I can share my summer with my son. It is with great joy and anticipation I look forward to being able to share a summer with him. While he will not remember this one, I will, and this summer – while not yet here – shall become a unique memory, a past truly my own, untouchable and unchangeable. I pray that the moments when I push him in the swing, mold with my moments of being pushed in the swing by my father, and my kaleidoscopic memory becomes even grander.
We live in moments, but those moments become memories, and each of us has memories of joy and strife, of love and heartbreak, of hope and despair. How we use these memories says a lot about us as people. I hope I may find myself using memories to give me a smile when there seems to be no reason to smile in the moment, because no matter how bad the moment is, a memory of joy cannot be touched by it. However that memory of joy can affect the moment in a positive way.
I remember many stories my parents shared with me of their summers. Their memories of such summers exist in times long before God blessed me with life, but I remember the joy they conveyed, and I can see in my own memory my mother swimming in a pool as girl, my father riding bikes and setting bushes on fire. They have combined with my memory and my joy expands. Hopefully one day Langston has an impossible memory of his father laughing while rolling down a hill in a park. If he does I am sure he can have a memory of an empty tomb and know the joy of our Christ. May God grant us all the ability to share the joys of our past so that others can experience such joy and have it as their own!
Riding the wave of the Holy Spirit,
Garrett
The Joy of Jesus
“I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and your joy may be complete.” – John 15:11 (NIV)
What has God told you of God’s joy? How does God’s joy make your joy complete? Do you believe Jesus’ joy is in you? If Jesus’ joy is in you, how do you live life? Have you met anyone who had Jesus’ joy inside? What about that person was joyful?
The following story is found at: http://www.inspirationpeak.com/shortstories/sevenwonders.html
Junior high school students in Chicago were studying the Seven Wonders of the World. At the end of the lesson, the students were asked to list what they considered to be the Seven Wonders of the World. Though there was some disagreement, the following received the most votes:
1. Egypt's Great Pyramids
2. The Taj Mahal in India
3. The Grand Canyon in Arizona
4. The Panama Canal
5. The Empire State Building
6. St. Peter's Basilica
7. China's Great Wall
While gathering the votes, the teacher noted that one student, a quiet girl, hadn't turned in her paper yet. So she asked the girl if she was having trouble with her list. The quiet girl replied, "Yes, a little. I couldn't quite make up my mind because there were so many." The teacher said, "Well, tell us what you have, and maybe we can help."
The girl hesitated, then read, "I think the Seven Wonders of the World are:
1. to touch...
2. to taste...
3. to see...
4. to hear... (She hesitated a little, and then added...)
5. to feel...
6. to laugh...
7. and to love.”
The room was so quiet, you could have heard a pin drop.
Now that girl had some joy of Jesus! Our joy is complete when we can with hearts of faith discover the miraculous that is all around us. God created each of us unique and special. As individuals, each of us is a miracle! Jesus’ joy is in us when we see ourselves the way he sees us, as the most precious thing he has ever created, his finest miracle and the love of his life! Today pray that we are filled with the joy of Jesus, and that our joy is complete!
With hope and JOY,
Garrett
What has God told you of God’s joy? How does God’s joy make your joy complete? Do you believe Jesus’ joy is in you? If Jesus’ joy is in you, how do you live life? Have you met anyone who had Jesus’ joy inside? What about that person was joyful?
The following story is found at: http://www.inspirationpeak.com/shortstories/sevenwonders.html
Junior high school students in Chicago were studying the Seven Wonders of the World. At the end of the lesson, the students were asked to list what they considered to be the Seven Wonders of the World. Though there was some disagreement, the following received the most votes:
1. Egypt's Great Pyramids
2. The Taj Mahal in India
3. The Grand Canyon in Arizona
4. The Panama Canal
5. The Empire State Building
6. St. Peter's Basilica
7. China's Great Wall
While gathering the votes, the teacher noted that one student, a quiet girl, hadn't turned in her paper yet. So she asked the girl if she was having trouble with her list. The quiet girl replied, "Yes, a little. I couldn't quite make up my mind because there were so many." The teacher said, "Well, tell us what you have, and maybe we can help."
The girl hesitated, then read, "I think the Seven Wonders of the World are:
1. to touch...
2. to taste...
3. to see...
4. to hear... (She hesitated a little, and then added...)
5. to feel...
6. to laugh...
7. and to love.”
The room was so quiet, you could have heard a pin drop.
Now that girl had some joy of Jesus! Our joy is complete when we can with hearts of faith discover the miraculous that is all around us. God created each of us unique and special. As individuals, each of us is a miracle! Jesus’ joy is in us when we see ourselves the way he sees us, as the most precious thing he has ever created, his finest miracle and the love of his life! Today pray that we are filled with the joy of Jesus, and that our joy is complete!
With hope and JOY,
Garrett
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