Finding God in the Ordinary

Most everyone's life is very ordinary. We rise in the morning, go about our business and the world does not pay us any attention at all outside of our circle of influence. Basically, our lives are very ordinary. We go day after day, week after week, month after month and year after year and for most of us our life does not change. I for one like that my life is usually the same. There is some comfort to be gained from the knowledge that today and tomorrow will be the same.

We have just completed the holiest week of the year and now we are faced with a long stretch of time that in some ecclesiastical circles is called ordinary time. The question is how does one find God in the everyday situations of life? How do we find God in the everyday things that we do, or can we? Is God present in everything or only in those things that we would traditionally call holy? As hard as it is to imagine we have to do just that.

In the Orthodox Church some priests will function as what is known as a Spiritual Father. This is a much deeper relationship than one would think of when they think of the western concept of spiritual direction. The Spiritual Father is in a very real sense a guide and a fellow traveler or, as the Celts called them, the Anamcara or Soul Friend. It is the ministry of the Soul Friend to guide the person along their spiritual path; they are never alone as the Soul Friend is always there. I have the privilege to serve as a Soul Friend to several people and to join them on their journey.

The process that I start to take them through is what some call "Sanctifying the Whole Day." I am not sure where this concept comes from (though I am sure I picked it up somewhere), but it does have its roots in early monasticism as well as the writing of St. Paul. St. Paul tells us to pray unceasingly and the Orthodox monastics try to do just that and in so doing they sanctify the day, or in other words they sanctify the ordinary.

Part of the process is to begin to see everything as being interconnected. God created all that we see and continually renews His creation. The tree is connected to the soil and so on, but we also need to see how we, humanity, fit into this equation. God created man in His image and likeness and placed Him in the garden, Genesis tells us. He gave this creation dominion over everything and told man to name each and every plant and animal. The creator did this and so we are now connected, in a spiritual way, to all of the creation. We have an obligation to care for this creation, and in order to do this we must be able to see the creator in His creation.

Another part of this process comes from the founder of Opus Dei, Josemaría Escrivá. The philosophy of Opus Dei, the charism is you will, is to "Find God in Daily Life." By this Escrivá means that if you are a janitor then you are the best janitor that you can be; if you are a CEO of a Fortune 500 company then you are the best CEO you can be. We do our work, no matter what it is, to the glory of God.

Finding God in the everyday things of life is not just for people who live in monasteries but for those who live in the everyday world. Husbands and wives, children, workers, students, missionaries, etc. If we do our work, no matter what that is, to the glory of God, then our work becomes holy and we have in a very real sense sanctified the ordinary.

So how do we begin? We have to start by knowing that we are of value to God. Since we are created in the image and likeness of God then we are of value. No matter what our station in life, we are of value to God and the Kingdom. Once we have realized that, then we can move to the next step. That step is to see that everyone else has been created in the image and likeness of God and is of value, again, no matter what their station in life, they are children of God the same as you.

After we have this epiphany then we start to see the good in everything, every person and every creature that has been created. We will slowly start to see the interconnectedness of everyone and everything, and its value will start to become clear. This is not a new concept; it has roots in the spirituality of the early Celtic Christian church and is as real today as it was generations ago. The Celts believed that that they could find the divine in all of created nature. It is unclear whether they believed the divine was embodied in the creation or whether they saw the divine as intimately reflected either way they saw a connectedness of everything and saw the hand of God in His creation.

The spiritual life is not that difficult. We make it difficult. All we need do is to look at the ordinary in our lives and see how we can make this an offering to God. How does our work influence the world around us and how does the world influence each of us. If we look closely we will be able to find God in the ordinary of our lives; in fact; since God is in each one of us, we just might be looking at Him each day.


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Fr. Peter-Michael Preble
Orthodox Priest, Romanian Orthodox Archdiocese in the Americas

The Old Fisherman

THE OLD FISHERMAN    
Our house was directly across the street from the clinic entrance of Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore.  We lived downstairs and rented the upstairs rooms to out-patients at the Clinic.
One summer evening as I was fixing supper, there was a knock at the door.  I opened it to see a truly awful looking man.  'Why, he's hardly taller than my eight-year-old,' I thought as I stared at the stooped, shriveled body. 
But the appalling thing was his face, lopsided from swelling, red and raw.  Yet, his voice was pleasant as he said, 'Good evening.  I've come to see if you've a room for just one night.  I came for a treatment this morning from the eastern shore, and there's no bus 'till morning.' 
He told me he'd been hunting for a room since noon but with no success; no one seemed to have a room.  'I guess it's my face.  I know it looks terrible, but my doctor says with a few more treatments...' 
For a moment I hesitated, but his next words convinced me, 'I could sleep in this rocking chair on the porch.  My bus leaves early in the morning.'  I told him we would find him a bed, but to rest on the porch.  I went inside and finished getting supper.  When we were ready, I asked the old man if he would join us.  'No thank you.  I have plenty,' and he held up a brown paper bag. 
When I had finished the dishes, I went out on the porch to talk with him a few minutes.  It didn't take a long time to see that this old man had an over sized heart crowded into that tiny body.  He told me he fished for a living to support his daughter, her five children and her husband, who was hopelessly crippled from a back injury. 
He didn't tell it by way of complaint; in fact, every other sentence was prefaced with thanks to God for a blessing.  He was grateful that no pain accompanied his disease, which was apparently a form of skin cancer.  He was thankful for the strength to keep going. 
At bedtime, we put a  camp cot  in the children's room for him.  When I got up in the morning, the bed linens were neatly folded, and the little man was out on the porch.  He refused breakfast, but just before he left for his bus, haltingly, as if asking a great favor, he said, 'Could I please come back and stay the next time I have a treatment?  I won't put you out a bit.  I can sleep fine in a chair.'  He paused a moment and then added, 'Your children made me feel at home. Grownups are bothered by my face, but children don't seem to mind.'  I told him he was welcome to come again.
And on his next trip he arrived a little after seven in the morning.  As a gift, he brought a big fish and a quart of the largest oysters I had ever seen.  He said he had shucked them that morning before he left so that they'd be nice and fresh.  I knew his bus left at 4 a.m., and I wondered what time he had to get up in order to do this for us. 
In the years he came to stay overnight with us there was never a time that he did not bring us fish or oysters or vegetables from his garden.  Other times we received packages in the mail, always by special delivery; fish and oysters packed in a box of fresh young spinach or kale, every leaf carefully washed. Knowing that he must walk three miles to mail these and knowing how little money he had made the gifts doubly precious.     
When I received these little remembrances, I often thought of a comment our next-door neighbor made after he left that first morning.  'Did you keep that awful looking man last night?  I turned him away!  You can lose roomers by putting up such people!'  Maybe we did lose roomers once or twice but, oh if only they could have known him, perhaps their illness would have been easier to bear. I know our family always will be grateful to have known him; from him we learned what it was to accept the bad without complaint and the good with gratitude. 
Recently I was visiting a friend who has a greenhouse.  As she showed me her flowers, we came to the most beautiful one of all, a golden chrysanthemum, bursting with blooms.  But to my great surprise, it was growing in an old dented, rusty bucket.  I thought to myself, 'If this were my plant, I'd put it in the loveliest container I had!' 
My friend changed my mind.  'I ran short of pots,' she explained, 'and knowing how beautiful this one would be, I thought it wouldn't mind starting out in this old pail.  It's just for a little while til I can put it out in the garden.' 
She must have wondered why I laughed so delightedly, but I was imagining just such a scene in heaven.  There's an especially beautiful one,' God might have said when he came to the soul of the sweet old fisherman.  'He won't mind starting in this small body.' 
All this happened long ago--and now, in God's garden, how tall this lovely soul must stand. 
The LORD does not look at the things man looks at.  Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.' 
Friends are very special.  They make you smile and encourage you to succeed.  They lend an ear and they share a word of praise.  Show your friends how much you care.  Pass this on, and brighten someone's day.




 Never look down on anybody, unless you're helping them up.



-  "Life without God is like an unsharpened pencil--it has no point."
    

    WISHING YOU LOVE IN YOUR HEART...PEACE IN YOUR SOUL..AND JOY IN YOUR LIFE.....ALWAYS...

Fw: Morning Retreat group created a new discussion topic

Gods Faithbook | Christian Social Network | Christian Social Networking Sites Hi rkbc, Chaplain_mark has recently posted a new discussion in the group Morning Retreat. Below is the discussion snippet that has been created. Subject: Rock Flowers Message: "Thou hast shewed thy people hard things" (Ps. 60:3). I have always been glad that the Psalmist said to God that some things were hard. There is no mistake about it; there are hard things in life. Some beautiful pink flowers were given me this summer, and as I took them I said, "What are they?" And the answer came, "They are rock flowers; they grow and bloom only on rocks where you can see no soil." Then I thought of God's flowers growing in hard places; and I feel, somehow, that He may have a peculiar tenderness for His "rock flowers" that He may not have for His lilies and roses. --Margaret Bottome The tests of life are to make, not break us. Trouble may demolish a man's business but build up his character. The blow at the outward man may be the greatest blessing to the inner man. If God, then, puts or permits anything hard in our lives, be sure that the real peril, the real trouble, is what we shall lose if we flinch or rebel. --Maltbie D. Babcock "Heroes are forged on anvils hot with pain, And splendid courage comes but with the test. Some natures ripen and some natures bloom Only on blood-wet soil, some souls prove great Only in moments dark with death or doom." "God gets his best soldiers out of the highlands of affliction." To post a reply, you may visit the site at http://godsfaithbook.com/index.php?option=com_community&view=groups&task=viewdiscussion&groupid=12&topicid=1254&Itemid=55 Have a nice day! Powered by JomSocial for God's Faithbook

Fw: Morning Retreat group created a new discussion topic

Gods Faithbook | Christian Social Network | Christian Social Networking Sites Hi rkbc, Chaplain_mark has recently posted a new discussion in the group Morning Retreat. Below is the discussion snippet that has been created. Subject: Dealing With the Past Message: "Believe ye that I am able to do this?" (Matt. 9:28). God deals with impossibilities. It is never too late for Him to do so, when the impossible is brought to Him, in full faith, by the one in whose life and circumstances the impossible must be accomplished if God is to be glorified. If in our own life there have been rebellion, unbelief, sin, and disaster, it is never too late for God to deal triumphantly with these tragic facts if brought to Him in full surrender and trust. It has often been said, and with truth, that Christianity is the only religion that can deal with man's past. God can "restore the years that the locust hath eaten" (Joel 2:25); and He will do this when we put the whole situation and ourselves unreservedly and believingly in to His hands. Not because of what we are but because of what He is. God forgives and heals and restores. He is "the God of all grace." Let us praise Him and trust Him. --Sunday School Times "Nothing is too hard for Jesus No man can work like Him." "We have a God who delights in impossibilities." Nothing too hard for Me. --Andrew Murray To post a reply, you may visit the site at http://godsfaithbook.com/index.php?option=com_community&view=groups&task=viewdiscussion&groupid=12&topicid=1244&Itemid=55 Have a nice day! Powered by JomSocial for God's Faithbook

FW: Words of LIFE: Restoring His Image

 

 

Restoring His Image with Gabe Lyons Gabe Lyons joins LIFE Today this week to discuss The Next Christians. His message is somewhat provocative and may shake the ideas of a few viewers – and rightly so. Today's culture overwhelmingly views people in the church negatively, even while a majority identify themselves as Christians. "What beliefs have we held that have made us become self-righteous and made us look down on people who are different than us and treat them differently than how Jesus treated people?" Gabe asks. This is the crux of his self-examination of the church. If believers are the light of the world, why has this light become so dim? "Sinners loved Jesus," Gabe points out in his book. "They literally followed Jesus everywhere. They pursued Him from town to town. He spent days with them, meeting their friends, eating meals in their homes, accepting their gifts, and embracing their children. They were suspended in disbelief at encounters with someone who understood truth and beauty, healing and restoration, righteousness, justice, mercy, and grace – and He genuinely loved them." He goes on to point out that much of the church has lost sight of the fact that Jesus didn't criticize the lost; He restored them. Most believers can quote John 3:16: "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life." (NAS) But how many of us can quote the very next statement? "For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world might be saved through Him." (John 3:17, NAS) Gabe urges us to adopt a "grace first" mentality and focus on restoring people to God. "A mindset of grace over judgment defines how restorers engage with all people," he writes. "They don't exhibit this in word only – that's what judgment does. Instead, grace is active; it seeks out, responds and loves deeply. The next Christians' 'grace first' mentality allows them to get involved in the messy process of restoration with people and places most Christians avoid." He points out that Jesus completely disregarded the disapproval of the religious leaders – the Pharisees and Sadducees – as He associated with the "worst" people in society. "God's holiness did not prevent Him from entering our messy depravity; it provoked Him to show up," Gabe asserts. Jesus exemplified this mindset of restoration over judgment with the woman caught in adultery. After confronting her accusers in a manner that sent them scurrying, He said to her, "Woman, where are they? Did no one condemn you?" She said, "No one, Lord." And Jesus said, "I do not condemn you, either. Go. From now on, sin no more." (John 8:10-11, NAS) Jesus did not judge her, nor did He excuse her sin. Instead, He extended grace and sought to restore her. We don't know what became of her. Perhaps we are not told because that is not the point. Gabe says, "We should be normal people who know how to get along and love people and meet them where they're at and let the love of Christ show." An attitude of grace does not mean ignoring or compromising our core beliefs; it means living them out. " [Christianity] shouldn't just be a set of beliefs that we ascribe to," Gabe says on LIFE Today, "but it should really impact the way we're living in our neighborhoods, the way we participate in our school systems, the way we participate in the kind of business and entrepreneurial activity that God's calling many people to do." This idea is further explored in Gabe's book as he discusses the concept of "restorers" as the more effective approach to share our faith. "We're called to be salt and light, but you know salt doesn't work unless it is attached to meat. You know you've got to rub the salt in the steak to get the taste and the flavor out. We have to be in this world. We can't run from it. We can't try to separate and just hang out with our Christian friends. We've got to be comfortable spending time with people who haven't decided to follow Jesus yet because truly our model of loving them might be the only way that they come to know Jesus." The mission of Jesus Christ drove him to spend time with lowly prostitutes, reviled tax collectors, dirty fishermen and other despised people. Ultimately, He gave up His life on the cross for them. This is the message of restoration; it is the message of the Gospel. It's good news for all of us. And it's the message we should convey to a lost and dying world. Adapted from Gabe Lyons' book The Next Christians and his appearances on LIFE Today with James Robison and the extended interview with Randy Robison at www.youtube.com/lifetodaytv. Compiled and edited by Randy Robison. Watch Gabe this Monday and Tuesday on LIFE Today.   Click to share       James Robison Be inspired to share God's kingdom. Watch the clip now.   Gabe Lyons See his efforts to help parents of Down Syndrome kids. Hear his testimony.   Beth Moore How did a voice mail reveal the Father's heart? Listen to find out.   Gabe Lyons Bonus interview with the author of "The Next Christians." Watch now.       LIFE Outreach International | P.O. Box 982000 | Fort Worth, TX 76182-8000 1-800-947-LIFE (5433) | WWW.LIFETODAY.ORG

FW: A Promise for More

 

A Promise for More by Sheila Walsh I can still see their faces and the big cheesy grins that swept from ear to ear. Christian and his friend Chase sat up in their twin beds like little princes with room service menus in hand. I had brought Christian and his buddy with me to Fort Lauderdale, where I was speaking at a conference that weekend, and had built in some beach time with the boys. As they had reached the grand old age of 10, they had requested a room of their own. After choking down a large laugh, I told them that we would get adjoining rooms, and they would have to leave the door open. After getting them settled, I asked if they wanted to have dinner in their room or in the restaurant. They agreed that room service sounded better. I gave them menus to look at and went to unpack my suitcase. After a few moments Christian popped his head round the door. "Can I order for Chase and me?" he asked. "I know what to do! Please?" Christian had been traveling with me since he was six weeks old. I was fairly confident he could handle the task. "Okay, but if they ask to speak to an adult, I'm right here," I said. "Okay!" he cried as he dashed back into the next room. I could hear the boys chatting away and couldn't resist listening. "So you've done this before?" Chase asked. "Hundreds of times," Christian replied. "And we don't need money?" Chase prodded. "No, dude, it's like a miracle," Christian answered. "You just call up and order whatever you want, and they bring it up on a tray and you just sign a piece of paper and that's it." "Wow!" Chase said. "I know, right? Wow!" Christian echoed. I waited until I heard the knock on their door and stood in the entranceway that connected our rooms to make sure that whoever was delivering their food saw they were not alone. Christian dutifully signed the check, and I showed the server out. When I turned around, I saw for the first time what they had actually ordered: two large pepperoni pizzas -- one for each of them -- a pint of ice cream, and a pot of hot chocolate. "Look at all this, Mom," Christian announced triumphantly. "And it didn't cost us a thing!" I tried not to laugh, but it was a struggle! That night I explained the inner workings of room service to my son and his mesmerized friend. I told them that, yes, there are wonderful things for the asking – and, no, you do not receive it if you do not ask – but there really is no such thing as a free lunch. Christian sighed and asked, "Oh Mom, is this another one of those teaching moments?" As I reflected on that evening, it both horrified and amused me to think that they could have just gone down the whole menu and ordered everything on there! Instead, they went for good ol' boy food. Granted, it wasn't the most nutritious meal, and they both looked distinctly uncomfortable afterward as they lay on top of their beds like beached whales, but boy did we have a good laugh. I began to think about their order and wondered if, in many ways, we do something similar in our relationship with God. Our heavenly Father offers us so much more than a room-service menu, and His resources are unlimited! But like Christian and his friend, we settle for ordering junk food when that seems appealing while God offers us a bountiful gourmet meal of His presence in every moment of our lives. Too often we settle for small, temporal things in place of the great, spiritual wealth God wants to give us. No wonder, that right at the end of his first recorded sermon, the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus gives this promise, "Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks received; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened." (Matthew 7:7-8) On first read you might be tempted to think this promise plays into our more self-indulgent side, but when you dig deeper, there is unmined treasure underneath the first pass. What Jesus is promising is a radical transformation in how we think and how we live. I can see the people leaning in when Jesus tells them this on that hillside. When He sat down to teach (an indication to the crowd He was adopting the position of a teaching rabbi), the people drew closer. But what they were about to hear would shock them as much as if Jesus had suddenly yelled in their faces—because His promise to us, like that sermon, is about more. Whatever we ask, He has more in store. What He is about to say will change everything if we understand the promise. Certainly the people on that hillside didn't expect what Jesus was going to say that day. He was teaching with authority; they got that. But His words and this promise would blow them away. He would give them comfort and issue a challenge. He would tell them it was the heart that mattered, and then say that because of the heart, we should live higher, with more abandon and passion. He would tell the people that God is not distant or disapproving or disconnected, but a Father who loves to give good gifts to His children. So they should ask and ask and keep on asking. Watch Shelia Walsh this Monday and Tuesday on LIFE TODAY. Reprinted by permission.  "The Shelter of God's Promises" by Sheila Walsh, copyright 2010, Thomas Nelson Inc. Nashville, Tennessee.  All rights reserved.   Click to share       Sheila Walsh Hear how a daily relationship with Jesus Christ impact her life. Listen now. Gov. Rick Perry The Texas leader explains how God's hand is seen in current events. Watch now. Melissa Greene Hear the hit solo single "At Your Feet" from a long-time member of Avalon. 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