explore spirituality

I was active in a local Episcopalian Parish. I loved the Church. I was a Stephen Minister, belonged to a family study group, on the facilities committee and was working to get a children’s community garden plot dedicated, plus with the parish priest we were talking about putting my cooking program for the children in the school.

About the time B and I split the church went through major turmoil over differences of basics beliefs. Being the conservative South this particular Diocese decided to vote against the liberal changes that the Church had made and basically succeeded from it.

Being more liberal I did not see eye to eye with the leaders of that Diocese. Which became a mute point, because I moved to the wilderness.

When I got here I was in no hurry to connect. I wanted to go home. Recently I have been visiting churches but have avoided the Episcopal Church because of the turmoil I had left behind me. A friend who studying to be a minister suggested I give it a try. She said that the Rector here is someone that has similar viewpoints that I have.

So today I went to the 11 am service. I was pleasantly surprised. It was more what I envision my church home to be. The people were warm and friendly. There were lots of children. The Rector is very personable. He even stopped the service to wait for parents with a new baby to get seated and asked for us to respectfully clap for them. That was quite nice.

After the service we spoke for a few minutes about the church’s recent convention and he told me how surprised he was that Fort Worth had sent delegates and they joyfully participated. I was sooo happy to hear that they have changed their minds.

We are also like minded about our purpose of bringing the love of Jesus to everyone. I may have actually found a place to call my church home here in the wilderness. :)

where there are no young families, no children, no Sunday School or Choirs singing? No teens planning ministry trips abroad? No children! I was amazed…none running through the hall laughing. No childish laughter and glee in a house of the Lord?

There are pictures of happy smiling teens on their website dated from 2005-2007. They went to San Antonio, New Orleans to help the Katrina survivors and Mexico.

The congregation is warm and friendly but very elderly. I went to the fellowship hall after the service and visited with some lovely ladies who are very, very sad that all of the young people have left this church. It seems it had something to do with the last pastor leaving but since this was my first visit I didn’t get many details.

Ironically, I walked through the park on the way home. It was filled with young parents, grandparents and the laughter and joy of children ringing in the air.

That made me a little sad for the ladies I just left. They really seem to miss having young people in church with them.

My first instinct was to say this isn’t the church home for me. But there is a nagging feeling maybe God directed me there this morning for a very important reason. I had no intentions of going until I woke up this morning and couldn’t shake the feeling I needed to be at that particular church today.

I have visited a handful of churches and haven’t found one that I feel I can call my church home. When I first arrived thought about visiting the Presbyterian Church.

For some reason I haven’t been there yet. Up until now my plans were to go home to Fort Worth to my church there. What would the point be of joining one here?

It is across the park from me so Ithink I’ll walk over and see why I am having such a strong pull towards it this morning.

My best friend in Texas has 2 sons. My best friend in Montana has 2 daughters. I have 2 sons. All six were born at the same hospital in Denver, Colorado. No lie!

My friend in Texas and my friend in Montana have never met. Our children have never met, but are the same age group. I am the connection. Very strange but really cool!

After Denver we went on to have full lives raising our children oblivious to each other for many years then pow! I meet them and become really good friends before we realize our children were born at the same hospital…
Wonder what this may mean?

That statement is what I have recently learned about myself. I have always had life moments that draw me back to spirituality, but then life keeps happening and I get distracted from learning more. I know that the world is changing and we are waking up to some big, new things. There is a need to go from individuality to recognizing that we are all our brother’s keeper. No matter where I am in life, I can help another. Feeling like I can give when my reserves are low is hard. I must remember that this is all an illusion and darkness is everywhere. We all hold the light and it is up to me to shine through the dark. Books are so important. They allow me to learn and sift through other people’s truth to identify what rings true for me. There is no map to being spiritual. It is an individual process that each of us needs courage to explore.

Today’s Word from Joel and Victoria Osteen

Are you facing a challenge today that seems overwhelming? Through faith and patience, you will see God’s promises come to pass in your life. Understand that the enemy always fights the hardest when he knows you are closest to your breakthrough. He’d leave you alone if he thought you were going to live in mediocrity. If you keep pressing on toward your promise, through faith and patience, you will get there. Don’t be like the Israelites in the Old Testament who were right next to their promised land when they talked themselves out of it. They said, “There are giants in the land. It’s too difficult.”

No, don’t look at the obstacles in your life today; lift up your eyes because you serve Almighty God. Follow the example of Abraham who believed God even when his circumstances looked impossible. Remember, God rewards the people who seek after Him. Stand in faith and keep believing because God will take you places that you never dreamed. As you press toward the promise, you will see God’s hand of blessing in your life and live in the victory He has prepared for you.

in order to enable society to develop, all its members have to assume responsibilites and make their contribution. If we do not make collective contributions then there will be no development.”

-His Holiness the Dalai Lama

How do I do this?

I think there is more to life than in is possible to sense (with ease).

Of course you only have your senses as a guide… so it must be possible to sense spirituality.

How do I go about this?

Through prayer and meditation?

I am brought up in the Christian tradition.

I need to investigate religion.

and you can’t be any present then right now…Feel that fresh air

As from a blazing fire thousands of sparks
Leap forth, so millions of beings arise
From the Lord of Love and return to him.

-Mundaka Upanishad