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

Week of August 29: Book Study

The world of technology is a blessing and a challenge don't you think?  I am experiencing a variety of feelings and thoughts about our online study/discussion.  I am hearing from many of you that the books are stimulating and enjoyable.  I am not hearing about this online; however.  Most of the discussions still take place face to face or over the phone.  I am not sure what that says about technology?  Is the mode of conversation challenging?  Are you finding the blog difficult to navigate?  Do you enjoy checking the blog for the reflection questions?  Would love to hear from more of you on the blog!

Christianity for the Rest of Us:  Chapter 5
On pg 78 Bass says "for those of us seeking another way, between fundamentalisma nd secularism, a way of pilgrim faith, finding community is not easy."  Do you agree?  How hard is it to find a community to journey with in this pilgrim faith?  Have you found yours?  If so, what made it a hospitable place for you?  What in chapter 5 spoke to you, positively or negatively?

41 Days of Audacious Living
What day are you on?  What affirmations have you been using?  Are you finding yourself to be more attentive to the Spirit throughout your day, because of the readings or affirmations?

Peace,
Pastor Deb

Book Study Week of 8/15

How is the reading going?  Are you enjoying the books?  Any random thoughts?  Please post any thoughts so we can converse.  Below are a few questions to spark your imagination.
From Christianity for the Rest of Us:  Chapter 4
1.  With which image do you most strongly identify: returnee, exile, immigrant, convert, or villager?  Does another image better describe your faith journey?
2.  Does your congregation have an impact on your spiritual journey--or do you grow and change primarily outside the context of church?
From 41 days of Audacious Living
1.  Are you using the daily affirmations?  Do the affirmations help you stay aware of your faith journey throughout the day.  Do they change your attitude or self image in any way?
2.  Of all the daily lessons so far, which one challenges you the most?

For next week:  Continue the daily readings in 41 days and read chapter 5 in Christianity for the Rest of Us.
Peace!

Online Book Study Week 3

Author Bruce Epperly differs with Rick Warren in his understanding of how God moves in the world and our lives.  On pg 21 he says, "In cotnrast to Rick Warren's view of God, I do not believe that God determines everything in advance but that we are invited to be God's companions in creating a future that is, to some degree, open and unfinished."  Do you agree with Bruce Epperly?  If so, in what way do you see yourself or your church "partnering" or "companioning" with God?
Next reading: pgs 28-35

Book 2: Christianity for the Rest of Us:  1.  How would a congregation that emphasizes practice differ from one that emphasizes purity?
2.  Do you think that faith is about asking questions or finding answers?
Next Reading: Chapter 4

To comment, post your remarks in the box below.

Online Book Study: Post #2

Holy Adventure Chapter 2 Discussion Question:  Of the six Affirmations listed in chapter two, which speaks to you the most and why?

Next Reading is pg 21-27

Chistianity for the Rest of Us Reflection and Discussion Questions:
1.  Do you, or people you know, sufffer from "Historical amnesia"?
2.  Which image for church presented in this chapter best describes your current faith community?

Next reading is chapter 3.

To join the discussion, type your response in the comment box below and click  post comment.

Online Book Study

For those of you who are reading Holy Adventure, 41 Days of Audacious Living, let's get going on our online discussion.  We read chapter one.  What do you think so far?  Below are a few questions we can discuss.  Post your comments and we'll get the conversation going.  Answer any or all of the questions.
1.  What spiritual practices or rituals do you regularly engage in?  What are the challenges in maintaining a spiritual discipline?
2.  On pg 14, author Bruce Epperly says "The God who touched Jesus' life also touches our own lives and every life.  God is our everpresent companion, nearer to us than our next breath."  Can you describe a time when God had "skin" for you?
3.On page 8 we read "Though the present moment and the immediate future are shaped by our previous decisions and a multitude of environmental factors, each choice we make can be the tipping point between health and illness, love and fear, and life and death in the unfolding adventure of a day or a lifetime.  As spiritual children of Abraham and Sarah, we are called to listen and then say yes to the movements of God's holy adventure within the ordinary moments of our own lives."  What might God be calling you to say "Yes" to?
4.  What in chapter one spoke to you?  Was there something you disagree with the author about?  Is there something you especially agree with?
TOMORROW's READING IS CHAPTER TWO

For those who are reading Christianity for the Rest of Us, let's discuss the below questions.  Answer any or all or share other thoughts.
1.  Do you relate to the idea of being a "spiritual nomad?"  Why or why not?
2.  How do you think your childhood experience has shaped your spiritual longings?
3.  What in chapter one spoke to you?  Is there something you disagree with the author about?  Something you strongly agree with?
4.  On page 24 the author talks about churches that do not like change.  What are your thoughts about the author's discussion of change on page 24?
TOMORROW's READIN is CHAPTER TWO

I look forward to chatting with you!
Peace of Christ, Pastor Deb

Great quotes from General Assembly: Nashville

     I've heard some powerful things in a few short days at the Disciple General Assembly in Nashville
Rev. Holly McKissick opened the assembly with an amazing sermon.  A few of her tidbits were:
     *The great thing about being a Disciple is that we know things aren't black and white.  "There's a lot of gray."
     *Disciples know that we don't have exclusive rights on Jesus.
     *Disciples don't claim to have all the answers.  We are humble thoughtful people who journey together as a movement for wholeness in a fragmented world.
     *The world needs a church like ours!
While preaching in worship Rev Bill Lee spoke about the church's call to be a movement for wholeness in a fragmented world of HIV/Aids.
     *The church is called to bring healing and to use "any means necessary."
     *Disciple preachers should stop sounding like Joel Olsteen and raise the roof of the church by speaking truth to power.
     *Jesus didn't get permission to heal the sick and he didn't apologize for it when people became angry. He touched people and he used any means necessary to let people know they are loved. 
General Minister and President, Sharon Watkins said in her state of the Church address:
     *God is most fully known in the brokenness of our lives, not in the perfect unbroken loaf.   We meet God in the crumbs of the broken bread.
     *As Disciples, we are learning to fulfill our purpose from the edges of our culture.  Isn't that where it all began and where we were always supposed to be?

 And from Pastor Deb:  I love being a Disciple, where we welcome all at the table of Christ, as God has welcomed us!

Breath

breath
baby's breath
not the tiny white flower
the breath of an infant that smells so sweet
not sweet
unique,
human life
breath
as in breathing deeply
passionate breath
they say those are the moments that take your breath away,
those seconds of sighing, panting, breathing the breath of another
human
life
breath
labored breath
the breath of a life lived fully
coming to its rest
emptying oneself of breath
no breath
death.

The March Pond

Standing on solid ground
ice firm beneath my feet.
soft shimmering sheet of snow sprinkled lightly
here
on the shady side of the March pond.
Tall naked trees on either side
branches lifted in praise.
Sun at my back
birds singing sweetly
traacks of the wild ones who walked before me.
Dare I follow them?
Step lightly sister, slow and steady, cautiously.
This is fragile ground...sacred ground.
Why so tempted to run?
It is good to be here on solid ground.
Yet, the deep calls.
I find my feet walking
stepping out
onto the sunny side.
See how the snow is melting around you?
small pools of water just ahead.
Why is the water so seductive?
Have you forgotten?
You were born to swim.

Spirit Talk

Today is a beautiful day with a gentle cool breeze. How refreshing! I joyfully opened the windows of our home today so that we can breathe deeply of the fresh air, listen to the birds sing, and pretend as though fall has already arrived. The sound and feel of a gentle breeze or a strong wind reminds me of the Spirit.


Our scriptures tell us that the Spirit of God has been moving in the world since the beginning of time and that same spirit continues to move in our world today. The Spirit seems to be a mystery to us, although we have an abundance of Spirit stories in our scripture and tradition. Jesus spoke often about the Spirit, breathing the Spirit upon his followers, giving them peace and comfort. How does the Spirit speak to you? What do you feel, see, smell, hear, and taste when the Spirit is present? Do you have questions about the Spirit? Would you like to learn more about the Spirit? Would you like to feel comfortable talking about your spiritual experiences with people you trust?

As with most things in life, we have no hard and fast, firm answers or rules about how the Spirit of God acts in the world and in our lives, but we can learn from one another, scripture, tradition, and experience. We can become a Spirit filled church by becoming Spirit filled people. Does this mean that we will radically change our worship style, begin speaking in tongues of fire, reject reason and dumb down our theology or intellect? Absolutely not! Scripture tells us that the fruits of the Spirit are love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness, and self control. Surely we could all use a little more of those things? Acts 2 paints a picture for us of a Spirit filled church. The Spirit filled church is a community of people who forgive one another. The Spirit filled church is a church where people are welcomed into the community with open arms, regardless of their status, class, race, or gender. According to Acts 2, the Spirit filled church is a community of people who spend much together. They break bread together, share their possessions, praise God, enjoy the goodwill of all the people, and they follow in the teachings of Jesus. A church that is Spirit filled is a church that is growing; growing in Spirit, theology, outreach, compassion and number.

This fall I will be offering a variety of experiences so we can grow in Spirit. You will have an opportunity to attend a workshop on Spirit, be part of group meditations, join a prayer group, study Spirit scriptures, hear personal stories, and ask questions pertaining to the Spirit. I hope you will choose to become involved in some of these activities, so your life and our ministry will be filled with the Spirit of Christ.

May we be open to the beauty, joy and mystery of the Spirit as we journey together in the days ahead.

Joy and peace of Christ,

Pastor Deb

Love Sweet Love

In February we find hearts, flowers, candy, cupid, valentines, and of course, Love, sweet love. Our scriptures have much to say about love. "Love one another." "Love your enemies." "God is love." "Love those who persecute you." "Love is patient and kind, it is not envious..."

Remember the song, "What the world needs now, is love sweet love?" Perhaps what the world needs now is for those of us who call ourselves Christians to seek the wisdom of Jesus, concerning love.? Most of us would prefer to stick with our romantic love and family love over Jesus' radical love. Jesus was the living expression of Divine love. His love brought healing and welcome to the outcast and the oppressed. Jesus' love was extended to those most of us would find difficult to love. His love forgave time and time again. Jesus loved God with his heart, soul, and mind by loving his neighbor as himself. Jesus loved God by loving his enemies.

How will we love God in the month of love? Do we dare to love God by loving those difficult to embrace? Can we love our neighbor (or the estranged family member) by forgiving and then forgiving again? Rev. Senior Pulliam says this about love. "There is nothing in nature like love. Love is divine only and difficult always. If you think it is easy you are a fool. If you think it is natural you are blind. It is a learned application without reason or motive except that it is God."

What the world needs now is for Christians to love like the one they claim to follow.

Happy New Year!

Before leaping into a new year perhaps we should do a little remembering. The church is big on remembering. The act of remembering can be paralyzing if we choose to live in the past or it can empower us to live boldly in the future. Remembering can be an opportunity to learn from the good and the bad gone by. Our faith ancestors used the act of remembering to inspire them and give them courage in the days ahead. They remembered the many times God moved in their lives, passing on those stories of hope to the next generation. But their remembering didn't keep them from moving forward into new adventures. The Israelites didn't stay in the desert. Oh, they wandered around for a while, but eventually they moved on to the promised land where God blessed them with new stories and experiences. May our remembering of the past year be a time of giving thanks and sharing stories; a time of laughter and tears, a time of preparing for the future. Perhaps you and your family would like to come up with your own TOP 10 LIST for 2009 before moving bravely into the hope filled future.

DEB'S TOP 10 for 2009

1. Letting go so my daughter could move into a life of healing and growth.

2. A Spirit and joy filled vacation to Puerto Rico

3. Bittersweet good-bye gatherings with Missouri Friends

4. The New Beginning in Jefferson Iowa

5. Camron's Winning Football Season and awesome adjustment to Jefferson

6. Thanksgiving with Family in our new home.

7. Making New Friends

8. Good Health

9. The Raccoon River Valley Bike Trail (it is awesome!)

10. My Dad's Retirement Celebration in Missouri

I give thanks for all these things and for those that did not make the list, for it is from our past that we grow into the future.

Happy New Year!

When the Alleluias Fade (for my beautiful daughter)

When the Alleluias fade, when the naked lilies stand unashamed without a bloom,

You are there.

When the dark empty tomb of despair calls "come back come back, find comfort here",

You, the Holy One, are there.

When the soft white linen cloth of self pity lures me to lie and rest in its cool cover,

You are there.

When the sound of the stone, once rolled away, rings in my ears as it looms behind me

threatening to trap me in that cold cave again,

You, Voice of Wisdom, are there.

When I need to cry the Friday cry, "Why, why my God have you forsaken me?"

You are there.

When time seems to travel backwards carrying the same old story,

the same worn out weary story of pain and suffering;

when progress is only temporary and relapse begins to feel like a long lost friend

You are there.

When the thorny crown of shame cuts deep into the mind

You are there.

When the wounds, barely healed, burst open by the burning pain of dashed hopes,

disappointment, doubt, lies, lies, and more lies

You are there.

When the disease of addiction, the evil one, the name that I dare not speak for fear of empowering it, rears its ugly head, teasing, taunting with the question "Who are you really?"

You are there.

When my tongue bleeds from biting back the words that would change nothing anyway,

when I stand in silence with my accusers, the ones who will never understand,

(How could they? They haven't seen what we've seen, been where we've been, walked our walk, nor tasted our tears)...still You are there.

When those once close feel far away, when they hide in fear, deny what they know to be true of me and true of You,

still You are there.

When I taste your Bread and know that my body is about to be broken again,

You are there with your nourishing words, "taste, eat, I am here for you."

When I drink the fruit of forgiveness, when the sweet wine of grace moistens my parched lips,

I give thanks that You are there.

I offer her the cup, filled not with the drink of temptation, but with the bittersweet sip of the promise. "Drink this cup, this cup of the covenant, the new promise of forgiveness.

It is, you are, the blood of my blood and flesh of my flesh."

Will she take it?

Whether she drinks of this cup or the other...You will be there.

You are there, no, no, You are HERE!

You are here.

You are here.

by Debbie Griffin, a mother who continues to hope for her daughter's wholeness.

The "Afterlife"

Easter is over. The chocolate bunnies are gone, or mostly gone. The colored eggs are either devoured or beginning to smell bad. The green and pink plastic grass has mysteriously scattered itself in the strangest places and our pleasantly full sanctuaries are likely to be sparsely populated again soon. Easter Sunday is over and now we live in the "after-Easter-life". How do we live in this "afterlife"? Has anything changed because of our Easter experience? Do we just return to life as usual? If so, then is it any wonder that our sanctuaries return to their pre-Easter state, with the same faithful few sitting in their same pews?
It is true that Easter Sunday has past, but the church calendar for Easter has only begun. The church celebrates 50 days of Easter, leading up to Pentecost. For 50 days we are to experience the joy of Easter and the surprise of resurrection. We are called to transform our lives, to burst forth from our winter cocoons into our butterfly days of spring. Sounds beautiful doesn't it? So why do we find ourselves like those early disciples, locked up in the same old routine, hiding behind the comfort of our church doors, afraid to wander out into unchartered territory, into new ministry opportunities? Why hasn't anything changed? I have my hypotheses, but before I share them, I would like to hear your thoughts. Has Easter changed you, your life, your church in any small way? If not, why?