Reparadigming Christmas - the Advent Conspiracy

I've been thinking of how my family can focus in on Christ at Christmas...seems the hubbub/pressure of gifts gets in the way. So, again, I've started making some gifts as well as thinking of how I can relate to my family and others in my neighborhood this Christmas.
I encourage you to watch this video and consider how you can re-paradigm your Christmas

3 mph in a 24/7 world

One of our guests at my ministry community's gathering last week shared about his need to slow down: ">The pace of my life is such I don’t have room for anything to go wrong, and when it does, the stress level goes through the roof... I hate that life. I’ve been contemplating the humanity of Jesus, amazed that he walked away from all the people that needed healing and instead, Jesus went away to be with Father. He did both well. Furthermore,he never walked more than 3mph - never borrowed a Roman chariot or horses to go faster. He just went 3mph all around Israel. And it's been said that if you walk more than 3mph, peoples' faces become blurred - I don't want to do that. I want to be present with people the way Jesus was.
How do you help someone fall in love with Jesus? I'm trying to be ruthless in controlling the pace of my life, trying to be a 3 mpg person in a 24/7 world."

yes - good questions and fodder for self-examination. How might I be ruthlessly unhurried (live 3mph in a 24/7 world) today?

www.paulagamble.com

The vow of Stability

I read about the Benedictine monastic vow of stability this week. Yes, the ones who vow this are committed to one piece of geography for the rest of their lives – but the vow is really about internal spiritual space which leads to stability of heart. Nouwen writes of how he wishes he would live: “Wherever I am, in a hotel, in a train, plane, or airport, I would not feel irritated, restless, and desirous of being somewhere else or doing something else. I would know that here and now is what counts and is important because it is God himself who wants me at this time in this place” (Genessee diary). Then this quote by Metropolitan Anthony Bloom, “…if you do not find Him here it is useless to go and search for Him elsewhere because it is not Him who is absent from us, it is we who are absent from Him…” (Seeing God, 65)

In meditating on this I have found it useful to accept this new phase of life with a dog – it sounds so silly and simple when I speak of it – but my “time” with Jesus in abiding looks and feels different now – I sometimes long for the leisure of uninterrupted time, but it is often interrupted. I am receiving this as neither good nor bad and believing that God is present in this newness as I adjust to it. He seems to be giving me more grace than I give myself – which is not uncommon!

There is an essence of "stability" that our entire nation is longing for - even with mantras for "change" it is change so that we can become more stable. In this election I fear much, and yet this vow of stability idea reminds me that regardless of whether (to quote my pastor) "an elephant or donkey is in a house that is white" I must believe that God is everywhere and still God. He is my stability.

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

Once a day...with a magnifying glass

I am reading a book called, Lost in Wonder: Rediscovering the Spiritual Art of Attentiveness by Esther De Waal. In it she suggests that once a day, we should look at something - anything - through a magnifying glass.

Stop...
Look...
Linger...

She writes, "It is important to use whatever comes to hand and stay with it, be happy with it whatever it may be, do not try to find something better somewhere else" (7).

Why do this? She wants us to practice being present - alive in all our senses in the ordinary, daily parts of our lives. Living with open eyes and open ears - they often open the heart as well! Let me know what you see!

Refresh @ Shepherd's Rest

What a joy to be out at Shepherd's Rest on Saturday - this place is amazing - You could join me on Sept 13th for some sweet time with God in a really amazing serene setting.
Check out the pics - and sign up for a Refresh retreat @ www.paulagamble.com

The Chapel







I couldn't resist going into the creek

The house...I know...it's roomy!

www.paulagamble.com

Nada te turbe...solo Dios basta (Let nothing disturb...God is enough)

Watch the youtube video below - and pray along!
This is a prayer found in Teresa of Avila's breviary:
Nada te turbe,
nada te espante,
todo se pasa;
Dios no se muda.
La paciencia
todo lo alcanza;
Quien a Dios tiene,
nada le falta;
Solo Dios basta.

Let nothing disturb you,
nothing surprise you,
all things pass;
God does not change.
Patience wins everything;
whoever holds onto God
lacks nothing;
God alone is enough.

www.paulagamble.com

Why I drink Coffee....

My friend Cheryl, who lost her phone to a terrible autoflushing incident at OMSI, sent me this picture :) I wonder if she had coffee before doing this?

Do you wear pearls when you drink coffee?

www.paulagamble.com

Helpful signage...

My cousin's kid took this picture at a recent family reunion.
Aren't you glad for helpful signs like this?
Don't you wonder how many people did fall (and perhaps even die) before they DID put up this helpful sign?

www.paulagamble.com

Love has no schedule

I am reading a book for my prayer class called, To pray and to Love by Roberta Bondi.
This week I was really delightfully shocked at Bondi’s comment, “Another characteristic of humility is its abandonment of purity as the main goal of the Christian life” (102). How often I have been taught not to dirty the knees of my pants on my way to heaven – rather than entering into the messiness of love vs. mere dutiful obedience. “Love is not about maintaining an ideology.” I’m saddened that the church has strayed so far from love. As I wrote the other day - this past weekend as I spoke to a Sunday school class re: fear and love within the context of my own journey, one woman came up to me and said, “When you spoke of what fear looks like I only saw my own constricted life. But tell me, how do I let God love me?” This woman has been at church most of her life – why has no one taught or modeled love (and letting themselves be loved) to her when it is the first and second greatest commandments? How did we get so messed up? I am getting angry as I write this – and ashamed of our churches and the lesser “goals” we hold as higher than love! And I do not even have a simple answer for her…because love is messy and I’m sure she has a mess of shame and habits and wounds that block her being able to receive.

Leonard Sweet said that his inability to receive is his greatest disability. I concur – I am needy, and oh so stubborn to be less than self-sufficient. I am protective, and oh so longing to be loved. I am hesitant to join community – yet desirous of connection. I am desirous to see my neighbors – the Baha’i gal, the yuppie, cynical couple whose cigarette smoke nightly invades my space and the desperate young woman giving away her soul to sleep with her boyfriend, the lonely divorced folk, the gay couple – (even here I label and am judgmental – Oh Lord have mercy!) I long for them to know this love that is liberating – for it to heal and cast out fears and dissolve hardness of heart.

Lord teach me how to walk in love. I have so much to learn. Thank you that you are in no rush! You are my shepherd, I shall not want – not even want to be more spiritual because love has no schedule. I love you Lord!

Those who are good

NLT of Psalm 125:4 “God is good to those who are good: to those who are in tune with you.” Think of that…those who are good in this passage are those who are in tune with God. (other versions say “upright in heart” or “hearts are right.”) I was thinking of some accountability relationships I’ve shared in the past – the questions were always, “Did you do x, y, or z or abstain from x, y, and z?” How dreadful they seem even in memory! What a kinder, gentler accountability when I don’t measure my or others’ goodness on behavior alone. Instead, there is this “in-sync-ness” of being in tune – of being with – of being near. And it is hard to be in tune with someone you don’t know or love or trust. I am grateful, today, that I sense this being in tune – even though I experienced a strong resistance of will in prayer this morning. I was yet with Him, and it was okay.

How do I let God love me?

This weekend I was speaking and leading worship at a church I was a part of in the early 90s. It was wonderful to reconnect with so many. As I spoke to the Sunday School classes, God had prompted me to talk about fear vs. love in the context of my own journey. As their own congregation looks ahead to the future, I challenged them to be a church that makes decisions out of Love, not fear. "Lean in and let the Perfect Love of God cast out all the fear you have..."

Afterwards several people came up and said, "We're not used to people talking so honestly - you don't talk about God in the same way as others."
I can only surmise this, perhaps, is because He is gifting me with His embrace that is setting me free from legalism and old wineskin tradition. His love is casting out my fears little by little.

I was most saddened, however, when a woman came up to me afterwards. Her face was deeply concerned - her eyes inquisitive, anxious and searching. Her face expressed the deep ache and longing of her heart: "Paula, when you spoke about what fear does, it resounded within me that I am a fearful person. I want God's love to cast out the fear - but how do I let God love me? I've never really even heard anyone talk about letting God love me."

Even now my soul aches for her - there is rich beauty in the longing expressed in her question. There is deep sadness to me that she, a lifetime church goer has NEVER heard anyone talk about letting God love her.

So - the question goes out to all of you - how do you let God love you?

True Worship

I read The Gift of the Red Bird by Paula D’Arcy last week. What a beautiful snapshot of a deepening spiritual journey. I’ve had a lot of ongoing reflections from the small, poetic testimony.
D'Arcy makes a comment about taking communion with a friend. She writes: "I was fully present in the moment, and so it is truly worship." As I've walked through my days this week, being "fully present" in various moments, it has been a delight to see all the ways I've worshiped the Lord. I was fully present with delight in watching the dogs frolic in the waves on the beach: I truly worshiped.
I was fully present in listening to a friend: I truly worshiped.
I was fully present in enjoying each bite of a chile relleno: I truly worshiped.
I was fully present writing in my journal: I truly worshiped.
I was fully present in listening to the sky crackle and thunder last night: I truly worshiped.
These acts of worship - simple, ordinary events made holy because God gifted me with the ability to be present.
Would that I would, in church, be fully present in song, sermon and fellowship.

www.paulagamble.com

How would you like to hang out with God here?

The third Refresh day retreat took place on June 24th - above is one of the spots that one of the participants hung out in.
Do you want to come hang out with God here too?
Check out www.paulagamble.com/refreshretreat.html for more info!