Contemplative Run

My run this morning, while not as long as I wanted, was soul refreshing. Because of the recent fresh and continuing snow fall I had no choice but to slow my pace, as well as, be intentional about how and where I placed my feet. The snow muffled the sounds of my footsteps and the usual cacophony of the world around me.

I find that when I calm the musings of my mind the Presence becomes tangible. It is then that a single snowflake becomes a tsunami on the tongue and I am awash in the holiness of the moment. Refreshed, again.

My Lord God, I have no idea where I am going. I do not see the road ahead of me. I cannot know for certain where it will end. Nor do I really know myself, and the fact that I think I am following your will does not mean that I am actually doing so. But I believe that the desire to please you does in fact please you. And I hope that I have that desire in all that I am doing. I hope that I will never do anything apart from that desire. And I know that if I do this, you will lead me by the right road though I may know nothing about it. Therefore I will trust you always though I may seem to be lost and in the shadow of death. I will not fear, for you are ever with me, and you will never leave me to face my perils alone.

-A prayer by Thomas Merton

This panorama was taken on top of a hill, south of the farm I grew up on, looking out over a river valley. Merton's prayer puts to words the longing of my heart and the reality that I live. 

It's about the Journey

I am in the midst of starting a new church. This is the second time that I have meandered down this road on my journey. The first sojourn was in 1991 for the United Methodist Church and lasted for 11 years until I was appointed by the Bishop to a 150 year old church.

I could not let go of the desire to start another new faith community. It is a passion that fills me with joy, that completes me, that uses every gift that I have and uses those gifts in new ways. So, following my passion, I am in the midst of starting another journey on the spiritual trail; literally. I am starting Journey Church a new ministry of the United Church of Christ.

Here is a video that expresses the awe that I am feeling and my answer to the question raised in the video is "Yes! I am enjoying my story." In fact, I am filled with joy on this journey.

A story for tomorrow

Absurd Beauty

O God, my God, how excellent are all your works. Sitting in your Presence I am amazed at the beauty and the absurdity. That I should be a part of Your creation leaves me humbled.

On a recent trip to California to see our children and grandchildren we spent some time in Mendocino County along Highway 1. There were moments of trail running, sea lion watching, rock climbing, and simple inhalations of life.

Every footstep, every breath, every child, every creature a wonderment, a miracle, a reflection of The Presence - everything, including me. Such beauty and such absurdity. 

When we open ourselves to both the Presence and the possibilities life unfolds and in that moment there is an explosion of joy that satisfies the soul's craving for love.

It's the Journey

I have been away from the blog-o-sphere for awhile, focused on the new. I am in the midst of creating a new community of faith called Journey in the Coralville, Iowa City, North Liberty, Iowa area. It is a ministry of the United Church of Christ and the first new UCC church start in Iowa for a number of years.

It is not a church in the traditional sense; there is no building and the congregation at this point is more an amorphous group of online inquirers. I will be gathering people in small groups at coffee shops and rec centers, in bistros and bars, even on motorcycles and soccer fields, as well as continuing a virtual connection. It is truly an emerging church. Some of the early opportunities will be mindfulness classes and meditation groups.

From these diverse groups of faith sojourners, other ministries will be started and, eventually, a worship celebration will be developed and experienced. Jazz, blues, new age, and ancient music will be a part of a highly sensory, spiritually diverse, experience of the Sacred One. If you would like more information or want to connect to the community email me.

Ash Wednesday

It all comes down to this then: Whether it is in a place that has been begged, borrowed, or bought we are all going to eventually lie down and experience the long silence.

Ash Wednesday is upon us, that once a year moment of reflection when the Christian Church begs us to remember that we will all eventually die. “Ashes to ashes, dust to dust” as the graveside mantra reminds us.

I find comfort in the experience of immersing my thumb in the ashes of last year’s palm branches and swiping a chiasmus on the foreheads of the faithful. Each year they line up with looks of expectation and penitence co-mingled as the sacred smudge is administered. Some, afterwards, exhibit signs of the burdens of life being lifted; a slight straightening of the shoulders, a decrease in the number of furrows etched in their brows.

These are the high holy moments of worship when a tangible experience of touch becomes sacrosanct. Our dying is acknowledged and the possibilities for life remembered.

A Contemplative Moment

A Contemplative Moment

From "AChurch for the Rest of Us." Find it on Facebook.