Take a listen if you want

Last week (9/13 and 14) my pastor, Jeremy, interviewed me for the sermon. We were talking on "listening" to the Spirit. I love that my church leadership wants to listen to God and follow Him. At any rate, the mp3 is online for listening. Beware, we talk about unhurrying your life. So if you don't have time to listen - you're too busy. Just kidding.

May you hear the Good Shepherd's voice of love and leading.


www.thetablepdx.com


www.paulagamble.com

Listening to God

Most of us, even seminary trained folk, have not had any teaching on listening to God outside of our morning quiet times. I think North Americans translate John 10 (my sheep know me, listen to my voice and follow me) as this:
Jesus, as Shepherd, gathers his sheep in the morning - because of course that is the sanctified time of day to meet with Jesus. He gives some principles and instructions, "You can go here, don't go there. Do this, and don't do that. And... remember, I am with you always - and I'll see you tomorrow morning."

We know in Biblical times, that Shepherds were even with their sheep at night. The night of Jesus' own birth the angels appeared to the shepherds "watching their flocks by night." (Luke 2:8)

So, why do we doubt we can hear him? What are we most afraid of? Do we think God only speaks to tell us to do something that makes us feel way outside our comfort zones? Do we fear He only speaks to point out how we're screwing up? Do we believe, as the hymn writer penned, that God has "echoes of mercy, whispers of love" for us?

The first step to hearing is desire. Do you want to hear? Do you want to hear the voice of Love call you Beloved? Do you need to hear the voice of Love calling you Beloved? Have you ever sat with someone who doesn't really want to listen to you? I know when I am with someone like that, I stop talking. I don't compete with whatever else is distracting him/her. God is not in a hurry nor will He compete with a person not desirous of hearing His voice.

Like young Samuel, simply pray: "Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening."
Then, as God prompts your heart...obey. Step out trusting He wants to reveal Himself to you.
Let me know how it goes.

www.paulagamble.com

Retreats North American Style vs Original intent

I was reading about the spiritual discipline of "Retreats" and the author says,

"Rather than going on retreats that slow us down to listen and focus on God alone, we go on 'retreats' filled with lectures, late nights, constant activity and interaction with all kinds of people. This sort of retreating is not a bad thing. It is simply not a retreat from the busyness and distractions of life. It is not time set apart with God alone.

"Retreating in the traditional sense, (i.e. in Historical Christianity) is not about gaining more information. It is not getting away to get things done. It is not a way to catch up on our reading or e-mail. Retreats are ways we pull back from the battle and rest. We take naps and go to bed early. In the presence of the holy One we enter into the silence and solitude and rest in God.

"We may feel that nothing really big or noteworthy happened on our retreat. The benefits in retreating often are not seen until we engage the battle again. Go away nad trust God with what happens in your soul."

From Spiritual Disciplines Handbook by Adele Ahlberg Calhoun, 67-68.

She asks some questions:

1. What makes it difficult for you to get away with God?
2. Can you describe your desire to get away alone with God? What is your soul aching for?
3. When you go on retreat, what do you tend to do?
4. How does simply being with God sound to you?
5. How do doing and being fit together on your spiritual journey?
6. How might retreating with God address some dangers that surround your soul?

And I would add:
7. How might your ministry team and/or small group retreat together in a communal attitude of reflection (vs. the noisy/busy type of retreat)?

Feel free to post your thoughts for discussion and share ideas! And feel free to contact me if you're interested in getting some ideas for how to spend a day, half day or few days with the Lord.

Also feel free to consider joining me in a weekend Refresh retreat in Feb 2009 (dates to be announced.)

www.paulagamble.com

Adoption Video

A friend just sent me the link to this online video/photos... I do not even know the family, but I cried buckets in watching the welcoming home of this little baby into the family's arms. I wish that I would welcome others in the same way - that our churches would seek to invite people into "the family" with as much emotion and joy and wonder and with such sacrifice.

Click HERE to watch the clip

Have a blessed day

www.paulagamble.com

Brief Counseling Class

I'm taking a class at Fox on Brief Counseling...one of my classmates, Nathan, shared this helpful video in class today :)





www.paulagamble.com

Find Me

A poem prayer:

"You do not have to
look for anything, just
Look.
You do not have to
Listen for specific
Sounds, just
Listen.
You do not have to
Accomplish anything, just
Be
And in the
Looking and the
Listening and the
Being, find
Me."

~Ann Lewin in Lost in Wonder (by Esther DeWaal, 54).

www.paulagamble.com

Heart in a Feather

I've had a distracting day - distracted by hayfever, to-do lists, feeling behind, studies, worries etc etc etc.
I FINALLY stopped for a moment after classes - sat on my bench out front, took a deep breath and a little feather, the size of my thumbnail, caught my eye.

Take a look (and yes, I did look at it under a magnifying glass too!)




















For some reason, I sensed God's smile - that He was near. Coincidence. I doubt it.

www.paulagamble.com