Washed Clean

At Westwinds Church we are about to end our sexuality series; a universal topic that has surfaced a lot of stories of brokenness. Sunday in Fusion, communion was given and then people were invited to the table to have their hands washed.

A person would stand before me and I had the privilege to pour water – cool, clean, cleansing water - that caressed the hands of the old and young. I saw both pleasure and pain in people’s faces. As the water fell from their hands into the basin, I could visualize the shame, embarrassment, pain, guilt, hate, anger, fear accumulating in the basin. Surprisingly the water was actually dirty.

Hands have always intrigued me. So much can be seen in someone’s hands. Hands can protect, love, hurt, heal, create, destroy; hands tell stories about the person’s life. One reason I choose Mother Teresa as my spiritual mentor was because of her hands. They are beautiful, loving hands.

This past Sunday it was an honor it was to serve my friends and follow sojourners; to be a witness and participant in their spiritual journey.

Learning in community

While meeting with parents for the child dedication, I asked if they could identify a couple/family that they admire. Perhaps it’s their parenting style or their marriage.

I learned hospitality from my L’Abri friends;
I learned some effective parenting ideas from my brother and wife;
I learned grace from Dr. Joy;
I learned about seeing God in the ordinary experiences of life from my friend Randy Shafer.

I’m such a visual learner that I need to see things in action before I get it . . . well in most things any ways. It’s a good thing that I work with such an awesome group of people – Ben, Dave, JVo, Norma, Becky and Jay. I’m always learning from these guys, different things from each of them.

So I when I read “Questions I ask my kids” on Ben’s blog I knew that I would have to “steal” his questions. Heck, I just took this stuff from his blog. That’s because I admire Ben – he is an awesome, intentional dad.

Questions I ask my kids By Ben Redmond (www.variousparables.com)
A few years back, I read a list of questions that Andy Stanley asked his kids when they were little. I loved them and made them my own.So every few days, before bed time, I ask my kids the following questions:
1. Is everything ok in your heart? (I want my kids to learn how to examine and guard their hearts.)
2. Did anyone hurt your feelings today? (This question seems to bring lots of teachable moments.)
3. Are you mad at anyone? (I want them to understand anger and forgiveness)
4. Did anyone break a promise to you? (This is a selfish questions, because I break promises!)
5. Is there anything I can do for you? (This might seem weird - but I am just trying to be intentional about communicating.)
Do you have any habits or rituals with your kids?

Community is about being inspired and prompted to greater goodness by those who surround you. It’s not a competition – although I was a bit envious that I didn’t think of these questions first! Just by knowing this person, I am inspired for further personal transformation.

Thanks Ben and the rest of the WW staff that daily inspire me to become more like Jesus.

Wasting Time or Sacred Time

Last night after being in school from 8-3 and doing gymnastics, Allie asked me to watch a DVD with her. Sitting down and watching a silly kids' DVD is a very hard thing for me to do when I have painting to do, food to get ready for Thanksgiving, a paper to write, etc.

But something prompted me to say no to the "TO DO" list and yes to my daughter. We got into our PJ's and snuggled on the couch, Jeff even came and watched the DVD with us.

Finding God moments in ordinary life circumstances. God can and does meet me wherever I am at. God is always present.

So watching a silly movie with my 5-year-old daughter - Wasting time or was it sacred time?

Christmas Mediation

One morning my 4-year old daughter Allie came and sat on my lap. We cuddled for a few minutes before she noticed the postcard sitting by the lamp. She said to me, "Mommy, why is that lady so sad?" (see the image at the end of the blog) As we sat quietly she began to notice other elements in the painting.

I hope and pray that you let the Spirit speak to you as mediate and ponder the wonder of this painting. I'll keep the image and writing posted throughout the rest of the year.