Monastic Life Here I Come!

March 23, 2012 by 5 Comments

“A monk is a man who has been called by the Holy Spirit to relinquish the cares, desires, and ambitions of other men, and who devotes his entire life to seeking God. He withdraws from the world. He gives himself entirely to prayer, meditation, study, labor, penance, under the eyes of God.” Thomas Merton, The Silent Life

  • Relinquish the cares, desires, and ambitions of other men:  So then, since Christ suffered physical pain, you must arm yourselves with the same attitude he had, and be ready to suffer, too. For if you have suffered physically for Christ, you have finished with sin. You won’t spend the rest of your lives chasing your own desires, but you will be anxious to do the will of God (1 Pet. 4: 1-2).
  • Devote his entire life to seeking God: “No one can serve two masters. For you will hate one and love the other; you will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.” (Luke 16:13)
  • He withdraws from the world: “Do not love this world nor the things it offers you, for when you love the world, you do not have the love of the Father in you.” (1 John 2:15)
  • He gives himself entirely to prayer, meditation, study, labor, penance, under the eyes of God: “All the believers devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, and to fellowship, and to sharing in meals (including the Lord’s Supper ), and to prayer. (Acts 2:42)

Most of us would probably look at the lifestyle of a monk and think that “extreme” Christianity is OK for them, but us regular Christians have a lesser calling.  We are allowed to indulge in the things of the world that they willingly give up.  Well, I’m a “regular” Christian looking to learn a thing or two from some monks.  Starting Monday, March 26th I will be spending five days in personal retreat with the monks of Holy Cross Abbey.

I will not be blogging, facebooking or tweeting.  But I will be doing lots of journaling so I can share my reflections with you when I get back.

And a major shout out goes to my husband and mother who are taking on my responsibilities to make this happen for me.  Even more thanks to my Lord, Adonai for drawing me into this time alone with Him.

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Pack Your Bags. We’re Going on a Guilt Trip.

March 13, 2012 by Leave a Comment

Guilt has very quick ears to an accusation. – Henry Fielding

 

Not only are my bags packed but I have advanced purchased tickets and a very stringent itinerary.

I better not eat that dessert. I don’t have time to rest. There’s too much to do. I shouldn’t read this book. There’s dirty dishes in the sink. I better sign up for the new committee.  I don’t want to hurt anyone’s feelings. I should go visit Sister Widow. I work too much. I don’t see my kids enough. I don’t want anyone to be upset with me. If I could just do more. I’m obligated. I should. I must. I have to.

Guilt tells us we are too fat, too lazy, too worthless.

I’m not talking about legitimate guilt that convicts us of wrong we’ve done.  I’m talking about the guilt that drags us into duty.  The guilt that manipulates us into people pleasing rather than doing what is best or even what is right. Sometimes it paralyzes us with fear. This type of guilt MUST be released.

Some time ago I realized how much guilt motivated me.  It motivated me to sit down and play with my kids.  It motivated me to take on another project for the church.  It even motivated me to get up and cook dinner. ‘What’s so bad about that?” You might be asking. Well, it is simply does not give God one drop of glory.

If I speak in tongues of human beings and of angels but I don’t have love, I’m a clanging gong or a clashing cymbal.If I have the gift of prophecy and I know all the mysteries and everything else, and if I have such complete faith that I can move mountains but I don’t have love, I’m nothing. If I give away everything that I have and hand over my own body to feel good about what I’ve done but I don’t have love, I receive no benefit whatsoever. 1 Cor 13:1-3

If guilt is my driving force for one act of service today, God help me.  Paul said I can speak in angelic languages, prophesy, know it all, believe it all, give it all away but if love isn’t to the propellant, I am just making noise. If I don’t serve my family, my job or my church out of love, I am nothing.  If I give up pleasures of life in the name of martyrdom, but don’t love, I am worthless.

Cash in your ticket.  Unpack your bags.  Reschedule your day.  Your guilt trip is cancelled. Proceed forward mobilized by love.

Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them. (Rom. 12:9)

 

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“Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret?”

March 9, 2012 by 1 Comment

“Are you there God? It’s me, Margaret. I just told my mother I want a bra. Please help me grow God. You know where. I want to be like everyone else.”

Oh, when the 9 year old me discovered this book my eyes were opened.  I remember huddling with a group of three or four friends reading the “bra” scene.  If you were like me you even chanted a long, “We must, we must, we must increase our bust.”  We all wanted exactly what Margaret did, but we were afraid to ask.

When I first read those words, nearly 30 years ago, I think I missed the bigger message. Margaret took her need straight to the top - God. However, Margaret felt the need to introduce herself to the very one who created her.  Are you like Margaret… a little bit?  Do you wave your arms at God trying to get His attention to focus on you for just one moment.  He is pretty busy guy after all.

“Are You there God?”  ”Do You hear me?” “Do You even know who I am?” “DO SOMETHING!”  These are the wandering cries of a heart yearning to matter to the Creator of her heart.  If doubt, fear, or disbelief describe your prayer life open the scripture and read these verses:

  • The LORD answered Isaac’s prayer… Gen. 25:2  
  • God answered Leah’s prayers… Gen. 30:17 
  • God remembered Rachel’s plight and answered her prayers… Gen. 30:22
  • God answered Manoah’s prayer… Judg. 13:9
  • They cried out to God during the battle, and he answered their prayer… 1 Chron. 5:20

He. Answers. Prayer.  Don’t pass that by too quickly. Sit on that truth for a moment.  Soak it in.  He answers prayer. Do you believe it?  He knows your name. He listens.  He cares. He answers.

Listen to His promise, “I am the one who answers your prayers and cares for you. I am like a tree that is always green; all your fruit comes from me” (Hosea 14:8).

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