Lay Servant Training - Let the Whole Church Say Amen!

In our Lay Servant class this past weekend we studied the book

Let the Whole Church Say Amen!: A Guide for Those Who Pray in Public,
by Laurence Hull Stookey, Published by Abingdon Press, ISBN-10: 0687090776, 2001.

March 17, 2017 Follow-up, this Tweet Wonderful story! Thanks @rachelnpr 'Out Of Wonder' Aims To Inspire A New Generation Of Poets  #IWantThisBook

Follows are some of the prayers I wrote from assignments. It was a very meaningful and (enjoyably) academic class. - spiritual, yet with meat and potatoes.

Adoration prayer
Oh gracious Father,
Whose love and grace is abounding,
Hear the prayers of hearts resounding.
To seek you purposely,
And serve each other selflessly.
In Christ's name, our Blessed Savior.
Amen

Collect Prayer
Oh Gracious God and knower of our hearts,
Who’s provided for us in time of need.
Bless us with purity of service,
When to others impart.
In Christ Jesus holy name.
Amen

Communal Prayer
Almighty God,
Who calls us to serve and blesses us with His presence,
In this small group in the world.
Thank you for your guidance, and
Thank you for confidence building to pray publicly,
As Jesus taught us to pray saying…
(The Lord’s Prayer)
Amen

Praise Prayer
Praise to you O Father above,
Who looks upon us with boundless love.
From the heavens to the Earth, on the land and across the sea,
We sing you praises ever to Thee.
In Christ’s holy name.
Amen

Benediction (group written)
Almighty God who lives and reigns forever.
Guide us as we depart.
Keep us safe so that we can perform your will
In the lives of others.
In the name of Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen

Considering Contemplation

A while ago i discovered that I am contemplative (verb), and even perhaps a Contemplative (noun). I know this only because of my likeness to those who call themselves that. In reality I don't truly even know what it means to be one. Follows is a textbook definition of the word and a series of quotes to describe the process. At first I thought one had to be lonely to contemplate, but for me that is not necessarily true.

Merriam Webster definition of contemplation: 1. concentration on spiritual things as a form of private devotion, 2. an act of considering with attention, 3. the act of regarding steadily

What Contemplation is not. It is not a relaxation exercise. Whilst it may contribute to one becoming relaxed, this is simply a side effect. Contemplation is therefore not a technique but instead, prayer. Contemplative prayer is not a charismatic gift. Contemplative prayer is not a Para psychological phenomenon such as precognition, out of body experiences, levitation or other extraordinary sensory or psychic phenomena. (Contemplation involves centering prayer) Centering prayer is a method of moving this developing relationship with God beyond words, beyond thoughts to the level of pure faith. - Thomas Keating Source

Below are a series of quotes that evolve from being straightforward to heady and lofty. I get lost somewhere in the middle.

Simple Thoughts on Contemplation...

“Muddy water, let stand, becomes clear.” - Lao Tzu

“A man must find time for himself. Time is what we spend our lives with. If we are not careful we find others spending it for us. . . . It is necessary now and then for a man to go away by himself and experience loneliness; to sit on a rock in the forest and to ask of himself, 'Who am I, and where have I been, and where am I going?' . . . If one is not careful, one allows diversions to take up one's time—the stuff of life.” ― Carl Sandburg

“A garden to walk in and immensity to dream in--what more could he ask? A few flowers at his feet and above him the stars.” - Victor Hugo, Les Misérables

Complex Thoughts on Contemplation...

“Seeking the face of God in everything, everyone, all the time, and his hand in every happening; This is what it means to be contemplative in the heart of the world. Seeing and adoring the presence of Jesus, especially in the lowly appearance of bread, and in the distressing disguise of the poor.” ― Mother Teresa, In the Heart of the World: Thoughts, Stories and Prayers

“To broaden one's prospective is to push back the swirling winds of ignorance.” ― Joel T. McGrath

As we come to grips with eternity, our mortality and our relationship to God and others it causes some of us to stop and think and to consider restructuring our lives to be centered on what is most important. For me what is most important is my relationship to God and others. This is where I am and some of you may be too. God bless you in your journey. - gus

What Do You Think Of Me?

What Do You Think Of Me?

Father in Heaven
What do you think of me?
I am so rich,
But feel I don’t deserve any of this.
What do you think of me?

My life is so blessed.
Strength on this journey is my request.
What do you think of me?

Have I helped someone in need,
Or passed by them, neglecting a good deed?
What do you think of me?

Please help me make my life,
To You a living sacrifice.
What do you think of me?

This gift from above,
Of unconditional love.
This is what you think of me! Thank you.

gk
3/15/2016

"Thy Will Be Done". A Hope or a Prayer?

This is going to be a short note, as it hit me at 6:20 am this morning on my way out of the driveway. Here is the scripture I am talking about, that most people know...The Lord's Prayer...as it occurs in Matthew 6:9–13

Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name.
Your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth, as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread,
and forgive us our debts,
as we also have forgiven our debtors.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.

We always pray "Thy will be done."

When someone is on their deathbed or tragically injured, or at the end of their rope, we sometimes pray for their (or our) recovery, but in the end we'll say, "thy will be done".  This final phrase is an escape clause, to tell God that if the person must die, or whatever tragedy, it will be God's will and we'll be okay with it,

Do we say this out of habit or do we really mean it?

I just missed out on an opportunity, and I've been praying this prayer.  When I realized things were not going MY way, I realized I was NOT okay with it, and was very disappointed. I felt abandoned and neglected by God. Then I suddenly realized I was not praying for God's will, but mine under the guise of His.  It was a true ah-ha moment for me that made me sad and happy at the same time.  Sad that I may have lost an opportunity, and happy that I learned a valuable "God lesson".

I hope when we pray this prayer, we'll say it with sincerity and realize God's will may not be ours. Bless you in your walk.

gus

Simon Says, Listen To The Holy Spirit

It seems for the past several weeks, my thoughts have been focused around the Holy Spirit.  I'm not a theologian, so bear with me.

See image credit below.

The Holy Spirit has other names (I listed some at the end) but in any case, in my world the Comforter is the third, less spoken of Member or Being of what some religions refer to as the God-Head, deity or divine nature of God. Some people see God as the Trinity, some do not.  I'm not going to discuss that part here.

I found this verse that I've been contemplating for weeks - Isaiah 30:21 -  Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, This is the way; walk in it.

A few weeks ago I had the opportunity to teach the Children’s Moment at church, and we played the old game Simon Says.  Remember that?  “Touch your nose!” or sometimes the leader would say, “Simon says, touch your nose.”  The point of the game, is having the players to respond to an action queue only when the leader says, “Simon says something.  With the children I likened that game to following the Holy Spirit in our daily lives.  Sometimes we’re called to action by a divine voice.  What if we heard a voice that said, “The Holy Spirit says, reach out to your neighbor!” or “Forgive that family member for doing you wrong.” or "Donate more money." or "Say good morning to that stranger."  Would you follow those calls to action?

Sometimes we're called to action by our own voice too, which doesn't always lead us in a positive direction.  When that happens the Voice of Truth can lead us, steer our path and get us back in the groove of a happy, positive, purposeful and meaningful life - if we listen and follow that call.

When we pray, we should thank God for our blessings (show gratitude), and ask our Father In Heaven for guidance of the Holy Spirit in all aspects of our lives.  We can ask for help with specific circumstances and/or in our general walk across this planet.  There have been times in my life where I needed divine guidance in making big decisions.  Most of the time however, I wish to be lead by the Spirit when I don't have time to say a prayer, like when I was a young father making what seemed like hundreds of decisions weekly about my kids; and now my situation at the prison, working with hundreds of inmates where safety and life counseling are what I am concerned with daily.  In both situations I want to be lead by the Spirit of the Most High when I make those decisions, because if I do it my way, there's a good chance I'll just mess things up!

I think I'll call the Holy Spirit, The Great Fixer from Heaven Who Helps Me When I Blow It! - No, that's too long. I think you know what I mean.

-gus

Image credit: Used with permission, this image is of Radiant Divine Light, by Angelica Sotiriou-Rausch, acrylic on canvas, 6'x6', 2009. www.angelicasotiriou.com, Making art is like touching the hem of God's garment. - Angelica Sotiriou-Rausch.  Thank you Angelica for letting me use this image.  I searched high and low for an image that represented the Holy Spirit to me, and this is the one.

A list of some of the other names of the Holy Ghost found in the Bible. For more, just Google it, or check the Reference Section in your own scriptures...

Breath of The Almighty - Job 33:4
Comforter - John 14:16, 26; 15:26
Comforter / Counselor / Advocate - Isaiah 11:2; John 14:16; 15:26; 16:7
Convicter of Sin - John 16:7-11
Deposit / Seal / Earnest - 2 Corinthians 1:22; 5:5; Ephesians 1:13-14
Eternal Spirit - Hebrews 9:14
Free Spirit - Psalms 51:12
God - Acts 5:3-4
Good Spirit - Nehemiah 9:20; Psalms 143:10
Guide - John 16:13
Helper - - John 14:16, 26; 15:26; 16:7
Holy Spirit - Psalm 51:11; Luke 11:13; Ephesians 1:13; 4:30
Indweller of Believers - Romans 8:9-11; Ephesians 2:21-22; 1 Corinthians 6:19
Intercessor - Romans 8:26
Lord, The - 1 Thessalonians 3:5
Power of The Highest - Luke 1:35
Revealer / Spirit of Truth - John 14:17; 16:13; 1 Corinthians 2:12-16
Seven Spirits of God - Revelation 1:4
Spirit of Adoption - Romans 8:15
Spirit of Burning - Isaiah 4:4
Spirit of Christ - Romans 8:9; 1 Peter 1:11
Spirit of Counsel - Isaiah 11:2
Spirit of Glory - 1 Peter 4:14
Spirit of God - Genesis 1:2 ; 1 Corinthians 2:11 ; Job 33:4
Spirit of God / The Lord / Christ - Matthew 3:16; 2 Corinthians 3:17; 1 Peter 1:11
Spirit of Grace - Zechariah 12:10 ; Hebrews 10:29
Spirit of Holiness - Romans 1:4
Spirit of Judgment - Isaiah 4:4 ; 28:6
Spirit of Knowledge - Isaiah 11:2
Spirit of Life - Romans 8:2; Revelation 11:11
Spirit of Might - Isaiah 11:2
Spirit of Prophecy - Revelation 19:10
Spirit of Revelation - Ephesians 1:17
Spirit of The Father - Matthew 10:20
Spirit of The Fear Of The Lord - Isaiah 11:2
Spirit of The Lord - Isaiah 11:2; Acts 5:9
Spirit of The Lord God - Isaiah 61:1
Spirit of The Son - Galatians 4:6
Spirit of Truth - John 14:17; 15:26
Spirit of Understanding - Isaiah 11:2
Spirit of Wisdom - Isaiah 11:2; Ephesians 1:17
Spirit, The - Matthew 4:1 ; John 3:6 ; 1 Timothy 4:1
Teacher - John 14:26; 1 Corinthians 2:13
Witness - Romans 8:16; Hebrews 2:4; 10:15

Thank you for Tomorrow

It's been a while since I posted last, and I try to remind myself of the primary purpose of this blog. This is my journal that I share with others.  Although sometimes my ego gets the best of me and revels in the fact that a particular article may get a few hundred "reads", this journal is to record my thoughts and feelings.  If others can relate to what I write, or find some comfort in my words that is all the better.

The following poem is on the dark side, but don't get confused with my words - I'm filled with joy.   Sometimes I just have days of contemplation where I wonder of could or could have done something different to reach my full potential.  I put my faith in God and my best to do the next right thing.  I look back on my past as a text book to learn from, not making the same mistakes again, and repeating behaviors that bring joy to me, my family and others.

The Man I Could Have Been (Thank you for tomorrow)

Father, help me to be true to myself, to others.
Help me to follow in Your ways and not look back,
Help me to see and tend to the needs of my brother.
Help me to love another as You loved me.

The man I could have been,
The man I should have been.
If I only could have met my potential
For the things that were essential.

Been the son that was always there,
The brother to my flesh,
The friend of those who befriended me,
A loyal man to prove the test.

The man I could have been,
The man I should have been.
If I only could have met my potential
For the things that were essential.

If I could have worked harder on being a good father.
Studied more for the degrees that keep the score.
If only I could have been the man who loved my wife,
Like Christ loved the Church more than His life.

The man I could have been,
The man I should have been.
If I only could have met my potential
For the things that were essential.

Thank you for tomorrow.

Gus Koerner, July 7, 2015.

A Tribute To Harley

Harley was our adopted son and little brother from June 2002 to April 8, 2015. We're all going to miss him.

I talk to him when I'm lonesome like;
And I'm sure he understands.
When he looks at me so attentively,
And gently licks my hands;
Then he rubs his nose on my tailored clothes,
But I never say naught thereat.
For the good Lord knows I can buy more clothes,
But never a friend like that.

If my dog is barred by the heavenly guard
We'll both of us brave the heat! Both poems by W. Dayton Wedgefarth

And This Poem...

The Dachshund's affectionate
He wants to wed with you:
Lie down to sleep,
And he's in bed with you.
Sit in a chair,
He's there.
Depart,
You break his heart.

by E.B. White

Easter Review

I cannot let this Easter day pass by without writing what it meant to me.  After all, it is the day our Lord was resurrected, arose from the dead after three days in the tomb.  He is risen!

This had been one of my most memorable Easter seasons in my life, starting with Ash Wednesday.  On Ash Wednesday, we attended a service at church and departed with a charcoal cross on our foreheads, having made a Lenten sacrifice i.e, "giving up something" for Lent.  I gave up nothing.  Instead I took on a daily devotion to the process and leading up to the crucifixion of Jesus Christ.

This has been a 40 days of inner reflection and thoughts of the future and the past.  I've asked questions such as why has God called me to teach in prison?  How can I have a positive impact on my students, in not only attaining their G.E.D., but on the rest of their lives? Is this a calling or just a job?  Are my Mom and Dad proud of me and are they watching over me?  Or are they just dead?

How am I supposed to serve in the ministry?  Should I just keep serving as a Lay person or become ordained as a Methodist minister?  How can I have a positive impact on my children when they live so far away?

Does every Dad and person contemplate these deep questions or similar?  I don't know.

As Easter comes and goes, soon it will be summer and the clock keeps ticking, and the calendar turns over day by day I will continue to reflect.
How do I make the Easter season of 2015 come alive for me? Where am I supposed to go with it, and what can I do to share the love of Jesus Christ to my neighbor next door and the prison inmate closed in behind razor wire?

Side bar - there were two inmates stabbed at my workplace today according to the news.  I don't know the story behind it, but it has affected my Easter Sunday in a way that few can understand.

Keep following along with me and experience my journey with me.  I'd like that.

Photo Credit: My wife Sandy from the Max Brewer bridge in Titusville, FL.  Used with permission.

Counselor and Friend

Over the past few months I've had the opportunity to meet with my pastor, one on one for counseling.  Our discussions are centered on my desire to serve in some type of ministry for the church.  We discuss my strengths and weaknesses, my education, professional, volunteer and family background and how these areas might help me discern what part of the ministry I am being call to.

During the discussions he listens intently, offers advice, gives feedback, asks thought provoking questions and often shares scripture or stories that relate.  His demeanor is always calm and comments positive.  It's not always serious talk, sometimes our discussions drift into sports related stories or even a joke now and then.

I realized not long after our last meeting that this is what my prayer life should be like.  When I approach my Father in Heaven in prayer, I can be myself without fear or intimidation. I can talk to Him as my friend and counselor and acknowledge my own strengths and weaknesses. I can ask for help and guidance.  He will speak back to me through the Holy Spirit and scripture and give me insight and wisdom, without judgment or condemnation.  As a husband, father, employee or any of the other roles I play, issues arise and I can always use some counseling or good advice.

In the New Testament, Book of James 1:5 it tells us: "If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you." (NIV)

I hope we can all consider our Heavenly Father, as our counselor and friend whom we will go to without hesitation.

Are you contemplative?

Are you contemplative? Perhaps you should be.

To contemplate means to look at or view with continued attention; observe or study thoughtfully, consider thoroughly - making a quiet time for ourselves.  I've done this regularly for as long as I remember, sometimes in a positive way, sometimes not.

Recently I've been introduced to the writings of Therese Borchard who blogs Beyond Blue on Beliefnet.com.  She is also the author of Beyond Blue: Surviving Depression & Anxiety and Making the Most of Bad Genes and The Pocket Therapist: An Emotional Survival Guide.  I absolutly love her work because her stories and humor draw me in like she's speaking only to me.

In one of her articles I just discovered, Be Still … No Really, Be Still: An Interview with Anne Simpkinson (full article), contemplation is addressed...

Therese: I just wrote a piece on vacations and came across some literature that said, as much as we talk about wanting to change our environments and chill out for a week or two, most of us are incapable of doing just that, and scared to, actually, because it creates a kind of uncomfortableness of sitting with silence and tapping the desires of our heart. Can you speak to that?

Anne: We are bombarded daily with noise, information and activity. So yes, in that environment, it’s difficult to listen deeply to our innermost selves. Quiet, contemplation and silence can make people uncomfortable because they are not used to it. And yet, silence is like a deep, refreshing well that can buoy you in difficult times, ignite your creativity, deepen your faith, give more meaning to your life.

The only thing I'd like to add is, what being still of mind can do for us spiritually.  When we consider things of life deeply, with an intent to do God's will and a desire to follow the promptings of the Holy Spirit, these times can be of great benefit to us and those near.  Often in my quiet times I will ask myself, What is God's will for me in this situation? or What can I do to improve myself? or Is there anything I need to make amends for or repent of? I hope you'll take the opportunity to get some quiet time, especially in regards to the meaning of Easter for you and your family this season, and how you can better fill the role God has called you to.

Final note: I would consider Trappist Monk, Thomas Merton one of our modern fathers of what contemplation is all about.  I've read some of his work, and intend to go to the library for more.

My Most Significant Ash Wednesday Ever

Last night I rushed to the church to attend the Ash Wednesday service, and I got there right on time.  The irony was I didn't know why I was there, other than its a Christian tradition and that's where I needed to be.

The Pastor did a great job explaining to us the reason for the holiday.  She explained that on this day, ashes are placed on the foreheads of the congregation, marking each forehead with the sign of the cross.  Traditionally people also wore sackcloth, or clothing made from the rough material of burlap. This ritual echoes the ancient eastern tradition of throwing ashes over one's head to signify repentance before God.  In her sermon she explained that this day signifies the first day of Lent, representing the first day Christ went out into the wilderness and fasted for forty days.  At the end of the forty days will come Good Friday, the day of Crucifixion and then Easter, the day of Resurrection.

The scripture she read was 1 Samuel 15:22 - But Samuel replied: “Does the Lord delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obeying the Lord?  To obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed is better than the fat of rams.  I really like this approach to the term sacrifice.  When we obey, we are giving up self-will, which is very much a human sacrifice, shown to us by the ultimate sacrifice and act of obedience - Jesus giving himself up on the cross.  He obeyed His Father.

I don't know if I fully understand the significance of the event, but to me it is a day of sorrow and repentance for the things that I've done wrong, my disobedience to God, keeping His commandments and most of all the affect it has had on those around me.  After receiving the charcoal marking on my forehead, I went to the alter to pray.  I prayed for forgiveness and the strength to follow Christ fully in the future.  When I arose, I felt the relief from the forgiveness that we receive from Jesus, but still sorrowful because those I've sinned against that are not so easily willing to forgive, and are unlikely to forget.  I struggle with regret and shame from some of the things I've done wrong.

The good news is...is that Christ is working in us and in the lives of others.  We interact, and in doing so bless and sin against our fellowman and loved ones.  It is a cycle of love, forgiveness and accepting each other for our humanness.  At the alter I also took a vow of sacrifice for the next forty days.  My sacrifice is self-will.  I made a promise to God to study the Bible everyday for this period, and I look forward to doing so.

Is prayer your last resort?

"I've been driven to my knees many times, because of the conviction of I had no where else to go." Quote by Abraham Lincoln, re-quoted by Barak Obama, DCN 2012