IN JOY
  • Home
  • work
    • monoprints
    • Dye manipulations
    • silk
    • quilts
    • etcera
    • Photography
    • graphics & ads
    • Exhibts and Reviews
  • worship
    • Worship spaces >
      • Worship Spaces >
        • Advent & Christmas
        • Framebending Faith
        • living the network
        • Salt Covenant
        • Seven Last Words
        • Brunswick Lenten Prayer Garden
      • Stoles
      • Banners
    • Words for Growing >
      • Family Bread Project
      • Thanksgiving Conversation starters with scripture
      • Road Map: a 6 Session interactive guide to Sharon Ringe & Fred Tiffany's, “Biblical Interpretation: A Road Map.”
      • Living the Net: Bible Studies for 2 settings
    • Luke's Nativity lessons and carols >
      • Graduation prayers
      • New Year Prayers
      • Genesis One for Many Voices
      • Calling Us Back to the Table
    • God Talk: Sermons
  • In Joy blog thoughts

In Joy:  Words of Wonder

February 09th, 2017

2/9/2017

0 Comments

 
​Not too long ago, Rick Dorien, Pastor of Centenary UMC, Skowhegan and Executive Director of the Maine Little Wanderers Home, shared the Rotary “Four Way Test” with me.
                        The Four-Way Test of the things we think, say or do.
First Is it the TRUTH?
Second,  Is it FAIR to all concerned?
Third, Will it build GOOD WILL and BETTER FRIENDSHIPS?
Fourth Will it be BENEFICIAL to all concerned?
 
As a child, I learned that Jesus was real and going before me, with an invitation to follow. As a youth, I’d learned he desired a home in my heart, but, as an adult, my life changed again when  I read Dietrich Bonhoeffer’s idea that Christ is not only within each of us but between each of us.  He describes how anything I do to you; I do through Christ, literally.  If I strike a blow to your head, I strike Christ on the way.  If I demean you with words, I insult Christ on the way. It doesn’t matter who “you” are, friend, brother, neighbor, stranger, even enemy. The insight gave Bonhoeffer the motivation and the strength to act radically and practically on behalf of vulnerable people who he did not know. It caused him to think deeply about the words he used. It caused him to agonize over the people he hurt. Each represented Christ in a very tangible way because Christ stood between them.
 
In this space between you and I is the living Spirit of God.
 
When we enter the living word of God, and open ourselves in prayer with Christ, the “yous” increase.  This is wonderful and awkward, affirming and terrifying.  Is there enough “me” to meet all of “you?”   The simple answer is no.  There is not enough me unless I rely on the expansive presence of Christ.  If I don’t depend on this, I grow anxious, controlling, defensive.
 
That sounds abstract, but it’s very real.  There is enough food in the world if I, and you, am willing to see myself as part of Christ’s expansive body instead of hoarding what I declare to be mine. There is enough water in the world if I, and you, am willing to put my needs in perspective with the others with whom Christ connects me.  There is even enough time in my, and your, life for what I, and you, are meant to do, and to be.
 
 The one who plants and the one who waters have a common purpose,
and each will receive wages according to the labor of each.
 For we are God's servants, working together; you are God's field, God's building.
-1 Corinthians 3: 8-9
 
 
In God’s Grace, Karen
Picture
0 Comments



Leave a Reply.

    Karen L Munson

    A pastor and artist, I'm wondering while I'm wandering through God's marvelous creation.

    Archives

    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    November 2019
    September 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    September 2015
    August 2015

    Categories

    All

    RSS Feed

  • Home
  • work
    • monoprints
    • Dye manipulations
    • silk
    • quilts
    • etcera
    • Photography
    • graphics & ads
    • Exhibts and Reviews
  • worship
    • Worship spaces >
      • Worship Spaces >
        • Advent & Christmas
        • Framebending Faith
        • living the network
        • Salt Covenant
        • Seven Last Words
        • Brunswick Lenten Prayer Garden
      • Stoles
      • Banners
    • Words for Growing >
      • Family Bread Project
      • Thanksgiving Conversation starters with scripture
      • Road Map: a 6 Session interactive guide to Sharon Ringe & Fred Tiffany's, “Biblical Interpretation: A Road Map.”
      • Living the Net: Bible Studies for 2 settings
    • Luke's Nativity lessons and carols >
      • Graduation prayers
      • New Year Prayers
      • Genesis One for Many Voices
      • Calling Us Back to the Table
    • God Talk: Sermons
  • In Joy blog thoughts