Lectio Divina
The following "meditation" is designed to launch you on a prayer journey, a one-on-one visitation with God. This style of praying reflects the ancient style of lectio divina spirituality, which involves "holy reading" of a Biblical passage and Listening to God's Voice in your hearts.
We do not always follow the Lectionary year in our reflections.
Feb 5, 2012
"Jesus' Mission and Mine, Too!"
Jesus said, "Let us go somewhere else-to the nearby villages,
so I can preach there also. That is why I have come." (Mark 1:38)
We each have a mission in life. Parenting is a mission, and I've heard many of my friends call upon God for help with their children. As we grow older and the roles reverse, children have the mission of caring for their elderly parents. Missions do not necessarily have to involve humans. Being an animal activist is a mission because animals are voiceless and helpless and need our assistance, too. There are missions for social workers, psychologists, and (of course) for those "called" to ordained ministries. However, until recently I never thought of teaching as a mission. I love being a professor of Philosophy and Religion, yet I have always understood my role as an educator. Now my perspectives have changed since my talking with a very well-versed pastor whom I met when I was invited to a Bible study group by my friend, Ginny.
I teach World Religions, and out of respect for all humankind, I never, ever evangelize or try to convert my atheist students to Christianity. Yet, through my lectures I "do" discuss how God's presence in my life has been my core strength throughout hard times. My little stories about my own faith journey (often called "witnessing")have actually opened doors for my students to at least get a glimpse of spirituality and an introduction to a world they have never experienced. Through my talking about my relationship with God, some students have had the desire to learn more about such a relationship. While it's never my intention to undermine their values, for some students it brought about a healthy curiosity.
When someone has gotten a little peak of Jesus, an enormous surge travelsthrough their souls. According to Billy Graham, "I remember the night that I committed my life to Christ. It was at an evangelistic meeting. I went forward, because I deeply wanted Christ. I knew that I really didn't know Christ, that I didn't have a personal relationship with him. That night I got on my knees beside my bed and I said, 'Oh, God, I don't know much about what I've done tonight, and I certainly don't know much about You. But what little I do know, please change me and make me a new person.' From that night on I was different. God had taken over my life and began to move in my life in the most marvelous way." (Breakfast with Billy Graham) A little glimpse goes a long, long way. Since my lectures and talks about my faith journey are opening windows and giving my student's soul sight, in a sense then, my teaching is my "mission."
As you travel through this week, try to open the hearts of those whom have shut them up so tightly that no Light can enter. This can be done by sharing how God has helped you in your own life.
Our prayers and blessings are with you always. - Pastors Sherri and Ells.
To contact the pastors, please email profvanhouten@prodigy.net
Feb 5, 2012
"Jesus' Mission and Mine, Too!"
Jesus said, "Let us go somewhere else-to the nearby villages,
so I can preach there also. That is why I have come." (Mark 1:38)
We each have a mission in life. Parenting is a mission, and I've heard many of my friends call upon God for help with their children. As we grow older and the roles reverse, children have the mission of caring for their elderly parents. Missions do not necessarily have to involve humans. Being an animal activist is a mission because animals are voiceless and helpless and need our assistance, too. There are missions for social workers, psychologists, and (of course) for those "called" to ordained ministries. However, until recently I never thought of teaching as a mission. I love being a professor of Philosophy and Religion, yet I have always understood my role as an educator. Now my perspectives have changed since my talking with a very well-versed pastor whom I met when I was invited to a Bible study group by my friend, Ginny.
I teach World Religions, and out of respect for all humankind, I never, ever evangelize or try to convert my atheist students to Christianity. Yet, through my lectures I "do" discuss how God's presence in my life has been my core strength throughout hard times. My little stories about my own faith journey (often called "witnessing")have actually opened doors for my students to at least get a glimpse of spirituality and an introduction to a world they have never experienced. Through my talking about my relationship with God, some students have had the desire to learn more about such a relationship. While it's never my intention to undermine their values, for some students it brought about a healthy curiosity.
When someone has gotten a little peak of Jesus, an enormous surge travelsthrough their souls. According to Billy Graham, "I remember the night that I committed my life to Christ. It was at an evangelistic meeting. I went forward, because I deeply wanted Christ. I knew that I really didn't know Christ, that I didn't have a personal relationship with him. That night I got on my knees beside my bed and I said, 'Oh, God, I don't know much about what I've done tonight, and I certainly don't know much about You. But what little I do know, please change me and make me a new person.' From that night on I was different. God had taken over my life and began to move in my life in the most marvelous way." (Breakfast with Billy Graham) A little glimpse goes a long, long way. Since my lectures and talks about my faith journey are opening windows and giving my student's soul sight, in a sense then, my teaching is my "mission."
As you travel through this week, try to open the hearts of those whom have shut them up so tightly that no Light can enter. This can be done by sharing how God has helped you in your own life.
Our prayers and blessings are with you always. - Pastors Sherri and Ells.
To contact the pastors, please email profvanhouten@prodigy.net
so I can preach there also. That is why I have come." (Mark 1:38)
We each have a mission in life. Parenting is a mission, and I've heard many of my friends call upon God for help with their children. As we grow older and the roles reverse, children have the mission of caring for their elderly parents. Missions do not necessarily have to involve humans. Being an animal activist is a mission because animals are voiceless and helpless and need our assistance, too. There are missions for social workers, psychologists, and (of course) for those "called" to ordained ministries. However, until recently I never thought of teaching as a mission. I love being a professor of Philosophy and Religion, yet I have always understood my role as an educator. Now my perspectives have changed since my talking with a very well-versed pastor whom I met when I was invited to a Bible study group by my friend, Ginny.
I teach World Religions, and out of respect for all humankind, I never, ever evangelize or try to convert my atheist students to Christianity. Yet, through my lectures I "do" discuss how God's presence in my life has been my core strength throughout hard times. My little stories about my own faith journey (often called "witnessing")have actually opened doors for my students to at least get a glimpse of spirituality and an introduction to a world they have never experienced. Through my talking about my relationship with God, some students have had the desire to learn more about such a relationship. While it's never my intention to undermine their values, for some students it brought about a healthy curiosity.
When someone has gotten a little peak of Jesus, an enormous surge travelsthrough their souls. According to Billy Graham, "I remember the night that I committed my life to Christ. It was at an evangelistic meeting. I went forward, because I deeply wanted Christ. I knew that I really didn't know Christ, that I didn't have a personal relationship with him. That night I got on my knees beside my bed and I said, 'Oh, God, I don't know much about what I've done tonight, and I certainly don't know much about You. But what little I do know, please change me and make me a new person.' From that night on I was different. God had taken over my life and began to move in my life in the most marvelous way." (Breakfast with Billy Graham) A little glimpse goes a long, long way. Since my lectures and talks about my faith journey are opening windows and giving my student's soul sight, in a sense then, my teaching is my "mission."
As you travel through this week, try to open the hearts of those whom have shut them up so tightly that no Light can enter. This can be done by sharing how God has helped you in your own life.
Our prayers and blessings are with you always. - Pastors Sherri and Ells.
To contact the pastors, please email profvanhouten@prodigy.net
I teach World Religions, and out of respect for all humankind, I never, ever evangelize or try to convert my atheist students to Christianity. Yet, through my lectures I "do" discuss how God's presence in my life has been my core strength throughout hard times. My little stories about my own faith journey (often called "witnessing")have actually opened doors for my students to at least get a glimpse of spirituality and an introduction to a world they have never experienced. Through my talking about my relationship with God, some students have had the desire to learn more about such a relationship. While it's never my intention to undermine their values, for some students it brought about a healthy curiosity.
When someone has gotten a little peak of Jesus, an enormous surge travelsthrough their souls. According to Billy Graham, "I remember the night that I committed my life to Christ. It was at an evangelistic meeting. I went forward, because I deeply wanted Christ. I knew that I really didn't know Christ, that I didn't have a personal relationship with him. That night I got on my knees beside my bed and I said, 'Oh, God, I don't know much about what I've done tonight, and I certainly don't know much about You. But what little I do know, please change me and make me a new person.' From that night on I was different. God had taken over my life and began to move in my life in the most marvelous way." (Breakfast with Billy Graham) A little glimpse goes a long, long way. Since my lectures and talks about my faith journey are opening windows and giving my student's soul sight, in a sense then, my teaching is my "mission."
As you travel through this week, try to open the hearts of those whom have shut them up so tightly that no Light can enter. This can be done by sharing how God has helped you in your own life.
To contact the pastors, please email profvanhouten@prodigy.net