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
Tuesday, May 22, 2012
Thursday, March 8, 2012
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
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
Tuesday, August 30, 2011
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
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
Tuesday, August 16, 2011
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!
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!
Tuesday, August 2, 2011
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.
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.
Wednesday, July 27, 2011
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.
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.
Monday, July 25, 2011
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
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
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