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Spiritual readings        "Greetings from Whittier Presbyterian Church"

November 2005   

Nov. 1, 2005

Another textbook for my studies is “The Story of Christian Spirituality; Two thousand years, from East to West,” edited by Gordon Mursell, Fortress Press, 2001.  I find it an excellent history of the basic elements of spirituality in the early centuries of the Christian Church.  In a chapter by John A. McGuckin entitled “The Early Church Fathers” this section caught my attention last night.  I was reading about the Montanists, a group of Christians working in what is now the central part of modern Turkey around 170 C.E.  Among their beliefs was an emphasis upon “being “seized” by the Spirit and speaking in a way that was outside their normal senses.”  Here are McGuckin’s reflections on their impact on Christian history.  I’ve edited it some to shorten it for you.

 “The ecstatic states of mind…were frowned on more and more…and the Holy Spirit was believed to be characterized by the clear-headedness it produced in those who were most clearly moved by it.  …so it was believed…that Christian believers would never be violently ‘possessed’ by the divine Spirit,…or taken out of their senses.  On the contrary, they would show a refinement of the gifts of the mind, rather than their abandonment.  In most Christian spiritual thought ever since, the action of the Spirit of God on a man or woman has been thought never to dispossess them of their senses, and ecstatic spirit-filled states that claim otherwise have, generally speaking, always been regarded with deep suspicion in Christian Circles.  This…is one of the chief reasons why Christian mysticism is predominantly characterized by sober rationality through all its subsequent history, and ecstatic cults have been in the minority and short-lived.”

 I look forward to reading the rest of the book, to see how this idea might play out through the following centuries of Christian history.  Particularly as I explore the spiritual benefits of our nightly dreaming, I wonder just how to make the connections to the “sober rationality” that characterizes big parts of our faith, certainly my own Presbyterianism.  How we experience God in our lives, yet keep our feet on the ground is a challenge that has clearly faced the Christian Church since its inception.  The New Testament offers help, reminding us of the centrality of Jesus’ crucifixion, as well as our duty to remember the poor.  For me, these two elements of our faith serve as good reminders of what really matters in our Christian spirituality.

May you sense God present to you today, in the everyday, sober, demands of your life.

Grace & peace

Geoff

 Nov. 8, 2005

Last Tuesday’s email made reference to “keeping our feet on the ground” spiritually.  Here’s more on that subject from an article on Methodist spirituality by David Lowes Watson, found in “Exploring Christian Spirituality, edited by Kenneth J. Collins, Baker Books, 2000.

“Methodist spirituality had a purpose which transcended the personal formation of its practitioners.  It was the appropriation and application of those disciplines which equip and empower the believer to be faithful disciple in the world.  The goal of their spiritual pilgrimage was the mind that was in Christ.  But their immediate task was to be the ambassadors of God to a sinful and resistant world—of which they were also a part.”

Reminding ourselves that the world is as much in us as we are in the world is a good reality check as we go about our lives of faith.  May you not only be reminded of that, but also work and pray to overcome the forces drawing you away from God’s Spirit present in you.

Grace & peace

Geoff

Nov. 11, 2005

One of the books in my library that I reviewed recently is “A Primer of Jungian Psychology” by Calvin S. Hall & Vernon J. Nordby, Mentor/New American Library, 1973.  I found this quote which fits in well with my Reformed perspective of what life is all about.  I’ve updated some of the language.

“Jung counsels that less emphasis should be placed on obtaining total self-realization, and more emphasis should be placed on knowledge of one’s self.  Self-knowledge is the path to self-realization.  This is an important distinction, because many people want to fulfill themselves without having the slightest knowledge of themselves.  They want instant perfection, a miracle that will transform them into a fully realized person.  Actually, the task is the most arduous one (we) face in our lives, requiring constant discipline, persistent efforts, and the highest responsibility and wisdom.”

I’m reminded of the opening words to John Calvin’s “Institutes of the Christian Religion” where he says:  “Nearly all the wisdom we posses, that is to say, true and sound wisdom, consists of two parts:  the knowledge of God and our ourselves.”

May you see a little more deeply and honestly into your self this day, and find God there loving you.

Grace & peace

Geoff

Nov. 15, 2005

Here’s another song with some spiritual insights by someone I assumed to be a secular artist.  Its by John Hiatt, from his CD “Crossing Muddy Waters.”  This song, plus his use of the famous ‘praying hands” picture several times in the liner jacket, make me wonder about his personal faith.  This song is entitled “God’s Golden Eyes.”  See what you think.

We came through the forest

Of jealousy and greed

All our loved ones before us

Gave us everything we need.

To cross that great river

Of every tear was ever cried

‘till we find ourselves staring in

God’s golden eyes

In the desert love waited

Licking salt water from her skin

We could have been sedated

For all that we put in

We though it was some devil

Who put the crying in goodbye

Till we found ourselves staring in

God’s golden eyes

we found ourselves staring in

God’s golden eyes

And we did all we could do

We couldn’t run from me to you

We did the best we could

No matter hard we tried

Likes babes we come whining

for some forgotten sin

Surprised to be shining

Just like diamonds in the wind

Every facet so perfect

And every cut the proper size

when we found ourselves staring in

God’s golden eyes

We found ourselves staring in

God’s golden eyes

There are several good images in there.  I like the line about being given everything we need by those loved ones before us.  At this time of year, that is a good stewardship theme.  Besides, what color eyes do YOU think God would have?

Grace & peace

Geoff

Nov. 18, 2005

Those of us in leadership positions in American Christian churches, from Sunday School teachers to elders, pastors, bishops, judicatory execs, etc., have been concerned with tensions within the Christian family for years, if not since the beginning.  Here’s a timely article from the L.A. Times some time this last week, that indicates we are not the only ones facing inner-family tensions.  It is by Reza Aslan (no relation to C.S. Lewis:), who recently published “No god but God:  The origins, Evolution and Future of Islam”, Random House, 2005.

“…The attacks of 9/11, for example, were by Bin Laden’s own admission specifically designed to goad the United States into exaggerated retaliation against the Islamic world so as to galvanize other Muslims to join the jihadist cause.  The idea was to mobilize the Muslim world to choose sides in an internal battle over the future of Islam by framing the inevitable US response to 9/11 as a war not against terrorism but against Islam itself.

            So far, the plan has worked brilliantly.  Since President Bush launched the “war on terror” as a “crusade” against “evildoers,” large numbers of Muslims, marshaled by jihadist propaganda, have flocked to Bin Laden’s cause.  Indeed, what has made Bin Laden so successful is his ability to place himself in direct opposition to the traditional clerical authorities in a bid to appeal to Muslims whose sense of alienation has made them yearn for alternative sources of leadership.

            Islam has no equivalent of the Catholic tradition of excommunication, and the authority of the clerics to fight extremism is limited.  Nevertheless, in Tunisia, Muslim clerics have been offering imprisoned low-level jihadists the opportunity to repent and denounce violent extremism so as to reenter the worldwide community of faith—and get out of jail.  Many have accepted the offer, and similar programs are being contemplated in other parts of the Arab and Muslim world.

            Still, the only way moderate clerics will be able to turn back the tide of jihadism in Islam is by recognizing that, along with most of the world’s 1.2 billion Muslims, they are far more threatened by the rise of Islamic terrorism than is the West.”

It’s small comfort to know that we are not the only world religion beset by inner tensions, nor the only ones struggling with repentance, forgiveness and reconciliation.  But it helps perhaps to see others wrestling with core values of faith.  What are the core values that you struggle with the most?  Forgiveness and reconciliation must be high on the list.  May you find the forgiveness that has been extended to you, and in turn extend it to someone around you.

Grace & peace

Geoff

Nov. 23, 2005

My all-time favorite song of thanksgiving remains “Light of Love” by Ann Hills, the lyrics to which can be found at http://www.whitpresby.org/nov_2004_emails.htm.  Then go to the reading for Nov. 23.  Here is a communion hymn that has spoken to me this year.  We’ve sung it in church occasionally but I recently found a setting by Harold Friedell on the CD “Like As A Hart:  Psalms & Spiritual Songs” by the Westminster Choir, Joseph Flummerfelt, conductor, Chesky Records CD138.

Draw us in the Spirit’s tether;

For when humbly, in thy name,

two or three are met together,

Thou are in the midst of them;

Alleluya! Alleluya!  Touch we now thy garments Hem.

As disciples used to gather

In the name of Christ to sup,

Then with thanks to God the Father,

break the bread and bless the cup,

Alleluya, Alleluya, So knit thou our friendship up[

All our meals and all our living

Make as sacraments of thee,

That by caring, helping, giving,

We may true disciples be

Alleluya, Alleluya, We will serve thee faithfully.

May your Thanksgiving holiday be filled with a deep gratitude to God for all the blessings around you.

Grace & peace

Geoff

Nov. 25, 2005

The L.A. Times had an editorial indicating that today, the Friday after Thanksgiving, is becoming known as “Black Friday.” As ‘in the black’ meaning profitable.  I don’t think I’d heard that designation before.  Then, later in my prayers, I ran across this translation of Psalm 119:33-40 by Eugene Peterson, from his paraphrase of the Bible called “The Message,” Navpress, 1996.

God, teach e lessons for living

So I can stay the course.

Give me insight so I can do what you tell me—

            My whole life one long, obedient response.

Guide me down the road of your commandments;

            I love traveling this freeway!

Give me a bent for your words of wisdom,

            And not for piling up loot.

Divert my eyes from toys and trinkets,

            Invigorate me on the pilgrim way.

Affirm your promises to me—

            Promises made to all who fear you.

Deflect the harsh words of my critics—

            But what you say is always so good.

See how hungry I am for your counsel;

            Preserve my life through your righteous ways!

Not a bad prayer for the upcoming holiday pressures.  There will be more prayers for Advent season, but here is a good place to begin, in the reliable book of Psalms.

Grace & peace

Geoff

Nov. 29, 2005

Last Sunday began the Christian liturgical season of Advent.  Here is a prayer for Advent written by the Rev. Dr. Kathleen Long Bostrom.  It comes from the 2005-2006 Horizons Bible Study, “For Everything a Season” published by Presbyterian Women of the Presbyterian Church (USA), Louisville, 2005.

God of the beginning and of the end,

And of all the times in-between

My spirit is in need of some mending.

There are pieces that have come loose,

And need some tightening.

There are items that no longer fit,

and need to be replaces

There are stains that I cannot remove,

No matter how hard I try.

Only you can do that. 

I give to you the torn scraps,

            The cast-off garments,

The needles and thread;

And wait with joyous expectation

To discover the new creation

That you will make of me and of all your world,

Through Jesus Christ, who was,

And is, and ever shall be.

Amen.

May your Advent season this year be full of promises unfolding and grace abounding.

Grace & peace

Geoff