What's so special about being a woman?

     This weekend I was blessed to be among women of Spirit.  The Disciple Women's Fall Retreat at Koronis Conference Center Paynesville, Minnesota blessed my soul in many marvelous ways.  There's something almost too beautiful to describe about a circle of women who gather intentionally to experience the Divine among one another.  The Spirit sang, soared, danced, and dawned among this diverse group of women.  I heard Wisdom in the voices of the oldest and caught hope from  the dreams of the youngest.  El Shaddai nourished us in the company of one another.
    The setting was gorgeous with a peacful lake, glorious sun, and turning trees, but most lovely was the Spirit of power, purpose, peace, gentleness, joy and love among these women of faith.
I was beautifully blessed!

We heard as Moses heard.  "I am who I am!"

Yes, Creator, You are who You are!

     The beauty of God is everywhere in Estes Park Colorado!  Pastor Bill and I are enjoying a continuing education event at the Luther Academy at Meeker Park Lodge in Colorado.  We've been blessed this morning with two fabulous speakers, authors, theolgians and pastors. 
     This afternoon we've been doing a little work at a local coffee shop since we have no internet access at the lodge.  I must say that it doesn't feel much like work when you're writing reports and sending emails while looking at these gorgeous mountains.  From time to time I have to stop working to marvel at the local Elk who walk right up to your table. 
    We've been warned about the black bears but told they're mostly harmless to humans.  They do love human food however, and will destroy your vehicle if you leave food in the car. I suppose the little red convertible would be no big challenge for a big black bear!  Evidently the bears are very hungry this year because the land has been so dry and their food is scarce.  We were told,  if and when they come in our cabin, we are not to confront them but to just let them leave the same way they came in.  I think this is hilarious and wonder if we should leave out a bowl (or three) of porrige. Pastor Bill is not sharing my enthusiasm and curiousity about the bears. 
     I'm already gathering several funny sermon illustrations from this experience, some of which Pastor Bill may not give me permission to use, but if we get a bear in the cabin, you can bet you'll hear about it.
May you be blessed back home in Iowa and may the rains come!
peace and joy of Christ

Pastor Deb

"Were not our hearts burning within us?" Luke 13:32

     The grieving disciples walked on the road to Emmaus after Jesus death. In their grief, confusion, anger and fear they experienced the resurrected Christ as a stranger who walked with them along the way. The stranger opened the scriptures up to them, blessed and broke bread with them, and their eyes were opened. They then recognized Christ in their midst. They said, "Were not our hearts burning within us?"
     That's exactly how I felt last Saturday at the prayer service for Father Bill at St. Joseph Catholic Church. It was one of the most moving spiritual experiences of my life. I am confidant that I will always remember the love of Christ I experienced in the eyes and hearts of the community that day. I am extremely grateful that Father Bill invited me to play a part in the celebration of his 50th Anniversary of his ordination.
     It's almost impossible for me to express the depth and intimacy of Spirit that I experienced. I was blessed, touched, and encouraged by the young Catholic people who opened up the scriptures and shared their reflectioins from the pulpit. To be included as a speaker among them was an incredible experience. As an ordained woman in the Protestant Church, I was simultaneously humbled and empowered to be speaking from the pulpit in the Catholic Church.
     The most lovely gift however, came in serving the bread of life, the Body of Christ, to the beautiful people who were gathered in Spirit. Yes, our hearts were burning within us and the presence of Christ was overwhelming as they held out their hands and I shared the bread with my Catholic sisters and brothers.
     Then came the children and just as the prophet Isaiah said, "a little child shall lead them."  Nicole Schilling and her little dancers led us right into the Kingdom, power and glory of God as they danced to "We are the world, we are the children."

There comes a time when we heed a certain call

When the world must come together as one

There are people dying, and its time to lend a hand to life

The greatest gift of all

We can't go on pretending day by day

That someone, somehow will soon make a change

We are all a part of Gods great big family

And the truth, you know, Love is all we need.

[Chorus]

We are the world, we are the children

We are the ones who make a brighter day So lets start giving

There's a choice we're making. We're saving our own lives.

Its true we'll make a better day, Just you and me.

     As Paul said, "There is no longer Jew or Greek, slave or free, male and female; for all of you are one in Christ Jesus."
Sometimes (but not always), I am happy to be in agreement with Paul.
Peace,
Deb

Seeds of Hope

     Central Christian Church was blessed with a beautiful day for our Community Service Sunday June 3rd.  Check out our webpage and facebook page for photos http://www.lovinggodlovingnieghbor.org/

    The joy of working together as the Body of Christ is incredible.  We laughed and served together planting seeds and flowers in our new community garden.  Some gave a lot of sweat and labor to the garage roof at the Habitat House.  The owner of the Habitat House helped us clean up the lot of another Habitat property, paying forward the gifts she has received. 

    Some of us watered seeds of faith by singing hymns at our local nursing facilities.  Children and adults blessed the animals at the animal shelter PAWS.  Some stayed at the church labeling seeds and sending out cards to community  members.  We all reaped the benefit of those who prepared a delicious meal for us to enjoy when the work was completed.

   May our community be blessed and God glorified in the harvest!  Jesus said, "The Kingdom of God is like this..."  Yes, it is like this!

Pentecost:  Dancing, Dreaming, Singing, Breathing, Creating...with Spirit
This Sunday May 27 is Pentecost; the day we celebrate the mysterious and life giving Spirit of God.  As I mull over the scriptures and entertain sermon ideas, these random thoughts come to mind.
"We know the whole creation has been groaning in labor pains until now." Romans 8:22-27
How is our creation groaning today?  What is the Spirit birthing through these labor pains?
When have you experienced the Spirit's moving or birthing? 
How does the Spirit communicate with you?  In nature?  As intuition?  In the lives and stories of others?  In music?  In scripture?  In worship? 
Do you have a Spirit story to share?  Has there been a time in your life when you said to yourself, "That was the Spirit of God!"
Does the Spirit speak to us and challenge us in the face and words of our enemies?

Please share your thoughts with me.
Spirit Speak!
Pastor Deb

Latest poetry

Flame

Your labor, my peace.

You dance, I dream.

Leap, flicker, illuminate shadows

on the freshly painted bedroom wall, performing a private ballet

pirouette, plié, jete!

You, the ballet mistress and choreographer,

I, your captive audience.

Encore!

Your performance excites me, flame.

your beauty, my pleasure

your heat warms but holds no candle to my burning heart or

my greedy aching flesh that finds only an empty cold space where he should lie.

Flame

Privacy, please.

My breath, your death.

Good night,

flame.



Debbie Griffin