Who would have thought?

Today is my anniversary of 4 years working at Uniting College. Originally a decision to move to a less stressful job, providing me with head space to discern God's call on my life...

Now a learning community that I love being fully  immersed in as employee and student as I follow God's call to ministry. 

Four years ago who would have thought this is where I'd be!

Time to declutter

I needed to find something in my handbag this morning...

The only way I could find it was to empty the contents of my bag. 

Oh dear! How did it get so full of junk? And it's so heavy! 

I found what I needed but now it's time to put everything back in my bag. ....Or should I?

Maybe today is the day to let go of some of these things that have become something of a safety net for me. To re prioritise what I really need to carry with me everyday.

I am reminded of a bible verse:

12 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, ² fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 

(Hebrews 12-1-2)

What clutter do you need to let go of today?

Inspiring worship

I have always loved drums. The rhythmic sound stirs me.

I loved drums so much that I even had drum lessons for a few years in my 20s. 

(Interestingly, I was pregnant for part of this time. Matt, my son, has turned out to be a fine drummer!)

I am passionate about worship.  Worship that glorifies God, that comes from the heart, that has been well planned, yet still open to the leading of the Spirit. Worship that inspires others to join in the celebration. 

So to combine worship with drumming is wonderful.... 

I saw this today. Enjoy!

http://www.godtube.com/watch/?v=00BMMJNU

anointing each other while still alive

It has been a long time between blogs, and here I find myself again inspired by an entry from the Council of Churches e-newsletter:

Gospel Reading 

Mary took a pound of costly perfume made of pure nard, anointed Jesus’ feet, and wiped them with her hair. The house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume. But Judas Iscariot, one of his disciples (the one who was about to betray him), said, “Why was this perfume not sold for three hundred denarii and the money given to the poor?” (He said this not because he cared about the poor, but because he was a thief; he kept the common purse and used to steal what was put into it.) Jesus said, “Leave her alone. She bought it so that she might keep it for the day of my burial. You always have the poor with you, but you do not always have me.”  John 12: 3-7

For Reflection…

If this woman had gone to Jesus’ grave with this outpouring of affection and perfume, it would have been accepted, even admired.  You were allowed to anoint a dead body, but it was not acceptable to express similar love and affection to a live one.  Nothing has changed in two thousand years.  We still save our best compliments and flowers for the funeral.  Jesus’ challenge here is for us to anoint each other while we are still alive: shower those you love with affection and flowers while they are alive… Ronald Rolheiser ‘Seeking Spirituality’

From: Ecumenism: Reflections & News. For more information about ecumenical events and resources, visit  www.sacc.asn.au

Yesterday we celebrated with joy our son's engagement. Family and friends gathered to celebrate, to tell stories, to give gifts, and to 'anoint' this young couple.

What a great opportunity to shower those we love with words of affirmation, support and affection.

After having celebrated the life of my father-in-law at his funeral in December, it was good this time to be able to affirm my son and future daughter-in-law (DIL) while they are alive and well and setting out on an exciting life together. 

when we are anxious....

This quote appeared in a newsletter received today from the South Australian Council of Churches

Very timely, and very true for me...

When we are anxious we are inclined to overprepare.  We wonder what to say when we are attacked, how to respond when we are being interrogated, and what defence to put up when we are accused.   It is precisely this turmoil that makes us lose our self-confidence and creates in us a debilitating self-consciousness. 

Jesus tells us not to prepare at all and to trust that he will give us the words and wisdom we need.  What is important is not that we have a little speech ready but that we remain deeply anchored in the love of Jesus, secure about who we are in this world and why we are here.  With our hearts connected to the heart of Jesus, we will always know what to say when the time to speak comes.    Henri Nouwen  

Why am I so quiet?

It's been ages since I last blogged. I have been unusually quiet.

This was highlighted to me today ....

At least 2 people asked me today – one during a lecture break, and the other while at work: "Why are you so quiet?" (or words to that effect)

I hadn’t realised that I was being so quiet, so it’s good that people are willing to reflect that back to me, and that they care enough to ask.

The question has left me pondering. Why am I so quiet? Is this a recent thing… just related to the Intensive 2 weeks I’m in, or is it more than that?

I think there are a few answers:

1.      Intensives: I’m nearing the end of a 2-week intensive, where I attend lectures in the morning, then ‘change hats’ and report for work (at the same institution) for the afternoon. Evenings have been spent reading in preparation for the next morning’s lecture. Transitioning from lecture to work has been difficult. I have found it hard to switch my brain between the two very different modes.
The Unit is “Introduction to Christian Theology”. I have really enjoyed the lectures and readings. We’ve discussed history, philosophy, doctrine, and wrapped our brains around lots of new words, phrases and ideas. The thing is, with each new idea, I can’t help but consider what I think of it – do I agree? What do I believe? There have been many moments when I have fully agreed, some where I’ve been quite cross about what Christians taught years ago, and others that have completely puzzled me.
So, I reckon the first reason why I’m quiet is simply that I’m doing a lot of internal processing, which I’m not quite ready to articulate, and then finding it difficult to re-set my brain as I walk across the car park from lecture room to work.

2.      Change: As I begin my second year as a candidate for minister of the Word, I am feeling very aware of the impact that study and my preparation for ministry is having on me, my family and other aspects of my life. The last few months especially have been difficult as we as a family have worked through some big decisions. I think life could be so much simpler and so much easier if I just threw up my arms and said, “Enough!... This is too hard”. I could withdraw and seek a simpler life.
but… everything in me wants to serve, wants to express my gifts for ministry, wants to do it well, and wants to do it now! The financial need to work full-time, while I study part-time to prepare for ministry is going to ease, ….one day. And while I’m working at College, part of the team, I have the most amazing opportunities, which I’m most grateful for.

3.       Confidence: as I learn more and more, I realise how little I know. This has had quite an impact on my self-confidence (which isn't normally high at the best of times). I’m less willing to speak up – it will only prove to others that I have no idea what I’m talking about!
I know this is quite ridiculous and illogical – it’s a stage I’m going through, and I hope it will pass quickly. 

Part of me is being suppressed – and it is I who is doing the suppressing.  

Hopefully, my next blog will be less self-focused!

why smiles are so important to me

One of the areas of growth for me since candidating has been learning more and more about myself - what motivates me, what are my strengths and weaknesses, and so on.

Just recently I started some work on the Enneagram. I have been impressed with the way it has helped me understand more about myself. I have done other typologies in the past, including Myers Briggs. Enneagram has built on that for me.

I received the picture below in an email today, and for me, it describes (partly) how I see the world.
I haven't completed my work on the Enneagram, but I think I'm a type 9. This picture represents how I see the No 9 Peacemaker / Mediator.
I'd love feedback if anyone feels able to affirm or provide an alternative. (epecially if you understand the Enneagram)

... but then, maybe I'm a Type 2 (The Helper)??
This is definitely still a work in progress! But I'm enjoying finding out - maybe that says something about me!

Update:

Looking back on this over 5 years later, it is interesting to reflect on how I saw myself at the that time. These days I see myself as a type 7 'the Enthusiast'.