Endtimes Indications - 12/31/07
2007 a Year of Weather Records in U.S.*
By SETH BORENSTEIN
AP Science Writer
WASHINGTON (AP) -- When the calendar turned to 2007, the heat went on
and the weather just got weirder. January was the warmest first month
on
record worldwide - 1.53 degrees above normal. It was the first time
since record-keeping began in 1880 that the globe's average
temperature
has been so far above the norm for any month of the year.
And as 2007 drew to a close, it was also shaping up to be the hottest
year on record in the Northern Hemisphere.
U.S. weather stations broke or tied 263 all-time high temperature
records, according to an Associated Press analysis of U.S. weather
data.
England had the warmest April in 348 years of record-keeping there,
shattering the record set in 1865 by more than 1.1 degrees
Fahrenheit.
It wasn't just the temperature. There were other oddball weather
events.
A tornado struck New York City in August, inspiring the tabloid
headline: "This ain't Kansas!"
In the Middle East, an equally rare cyclone spun up in June, hitting
Oman and Iran. Major U.S. lakes shrank; Atlanta had to worry about
its
drinking water supply. South Africa got its first significant
snowfall
in 25 years. And on Reunion Island, 400 miles east of Africa, nearly
155
inches of rain fell in three days - a world record for the most rain
in
72 hours.
Individual weather extremes can't be attributed to global warming,
scientists always say. However, "it's the run of them and the
different
locations" that have the mark of man-made climate change, said top
European climate expert Phil Jones, director of the climate research
unit at the University of East Anglia in England.
Worst of all - at least according to climate scientists - the Arctic,
which serves as the world's refrigerator, dramatically warmed in
2007,
shattering records for the amount of melting ice.
2007 seemed to be the year that climate change shook the
thermometers,
and those who warned that it was beginning to happen were suddenly
honored. Former Vice President Al Gore's documentary "An Inconvenient
Truth" won an Oscar and he shared the Nobel Peace Prize with the
Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, an international group of
thousands of scientists. The climate panel, organized by the United
Nations, released four major reports in 2007 saying man-made global
warming was incontrovertible and an urgent threat to millions of
lives.
Through the first 10 months, it was the hottest year recorded on land
and the third hottest when ocean temperatures are included.
Smashing records was common, especially in August. At U.S. weather
stations, more than 8,000 new heat records were set or tied for
specific
August dates.
More remarkably that same month, more than 100 all-time temperature
records were tied or broken - regardless of the date - either for the
highest reading or the warmest low temperature at night. By
comparison
only 14 all-time low temperatures were set or tied all year long, as
of
early December, according to records kept by the National Climatic
Data
Center.
For example, on Aug. 10, the town of Portland, Tenn., reached 102
degrees, tying a record for the hottest it ever had been. On Aug. 16,
it
hit 103 and Portland had a new all-time record. But that record was
broken again the next day when the mercury reached 105.
Daily triple-digit temperatures took a toll on everybody, public
safety
director George West recalled. The state had 15 heat-related deaths
in
August.
Portland was far from alone. In Idaho, Chilly Barton Flat wasn't
living
up to its name. The weather station in central Idaho tied an all-time
high of 100 on July 26, Aug. 7, 14 and 19. During 2007, weather
stations
in 35 states, from Washington to Florida, set or tied all-time heat
records in 2007.
Across Europe this past summer, extreme heat waves killed dozens of
people.
And it wasn't just the heat. It was the rain. There was either too
little or too much.
More than 60 percent of the United States was either abnormally dry
or
suffering from drought at one point in August. In November, Atlanta's
main water source, Lake Lanier, shrank to an all-time low. Lake
Okeechobee, crucial to south Florida, hit its lowest level in
recorded
history in May, exposing muck and debris not seen for decades. Lake
Superior, the biggest and deepest of the Great Lakes, dropped to its
lowest August and September levels in history.
Los Angeles hit its driest year on record. Lakes fed by the Colorado
River and which help supply water for more than 20 million
Westerners,
were only half full.
Australia, already a dry continent, suffered its worst drought in a
century, making global warming an election issue. On the other
extreme,
record rains fell in China, England and Wales.
Minnesota got the worst of everything: a devastating June and July
drought followed by record August rainfall. In one March day,
Southern
California got torrential downpours, hail, snow and fierce winds.
Then
in the fall came devastating fires driven by Santa Ana winds.
And yet none of those events worried scientists as much as what was
going on in the Arctic in the summer. Sea ice melted not just to
record
levels, but far beyond the previous melt record. The Northwest
Passage
was the most navigable it had been in modern times. Russia planted a
flag on the seabed under the North Pole, claiming sovereignty.
The ice sheets that cover a portion of Greenland retreated to an
all-time low and permafrost in Alaska warmed to record levels.
Meteorologists have chronicled strange weather years for more than a
decade, but nothing like 2007. It was such an extreme weather year
that
the World Meteorological Organization put out a news release
chronicling
all the records and unusual developments. That was in August with
more
than 145 sizzling days to go.
Get used to it, scientists said. As man-made climate change
continues,
the world will experience more extreme weather, bursts of heat,
torrential rain and prolonged drought, they said.
"We're having an increasing trend of odd years," said Michael
MacCracken, a former top federal climate scientist, now chief
scientist
at the Climate Institute in Washington. "Pretty soon odd years are
going
to become the norm."
---
On the Net:
U.S. National Climatic Data Center's searchable records web site:
http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/oa/climate/research/records/
U.S. National Climatic Data Center on August heat wave:
http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/oa/climate/research/2007/aug/aug-heat-event.php
.. rec ords
World Meteorological Organization on 2007 weather extremes:
http://www.wmo.ch/pages/mediacentre/press-releases/pr-791-e.html
The record for shrinking sea ice:
http://nsidc.org/news/press/2007-seaiceminimum/20071001-pressrelease....
XIII-Life Planning Questions-Part 2
1. Small Reflection Groups
Small reflection groups to be effective, requires:
commitment to regular and punctual attendance by all group members
confidentiality, with nothing discussed in the group to be repeated
outside, except with the mutual agreement of all members
honesty and trust between group members, or nothing worthwhile will
be shared
a willingness to hear constructive criticism and to move on from
previous attitudes and priorities where this seems appropriate
members who are not 'yes' people, but prepared, with due care and
forethought, to challenge the way things are at present, and encourage
a new vision of the way things could be in living.
An invitation to reflect on living
The aim of this informal group is to help you reflect on personal
aspects of the direction and effectiveness of your living. The group
will, provide you with constructive criticism as well as being a
source of personal support and encouragement. It can help you
understand better your own strengths and non-strengths in living, and
so have a positive contribution to your personal development and
ability to live and work with others. It can act as a sounding board
for ideas or personal concerns not appropriate in the family, and it
can be a source of insight and support for you, in the midst of the
stresses and strains of life. It should be a crucible out of which
you will be learning how to build each other up for your mutual life
as parts of the body of Christ.
Some of these things happen spontaneously or accidentally from time to
time; ideally this group can help them happen more intentionally and
more regularly, and give you an external 'push'' to review your own
journey of faith, and your own roles as spouse, parent and Christian.
Trust and confidentiality, need it be stated, are pre-requisites for
the life of the group, and so also are humor, celebrations and prayer!
The points listed below may give the group the excuse to open up ideas
and discussion, but the list is in no order of priority and by no
means exhaustive:
perceptions of the transition into the life as a Child of God, the
process of adjustment and change for you and your family
perceptions of the community as the place of life together
adjusting to expectations of leaders, Christians, congregations, the
community, and of yourself and your family
what do you enjoy most in life? why?
getting helpful feedback on how you are 'coming across'; how you and
the family seem to be coping
recognizing gifts; recognizing missed opportunities for help, or for
personal and family growth
causes of personal and family frustration or stress, and ways to
possibly overcome these
what do you yearn for most in your life?
reflection on time allocated to various tasks and responsibilities,
work and family and other, 'business and pleasure'
personally accounting for 'the faith that is in you', that give life
meaning
your continuing education, becoming more competent; mental stimulus,
spiritual growth
your physical and emotional health
sources of satisfaction and encouragement
working with conflict; and with apathy
communicating with different groups
being accountable to God
what is not yet in your life?
your family, ten years from now
prayer and spiritual nourishment
anger, guilt, powerlessness, regrets
ministering to your family; to the sick and bereaved; to the young and
the aged, etc.
your willingness to be ministered to, to receive care yourself, to
accept help
unresolved questions of faith and belief
ways of introducing change, encouraging involvement, motivating
people, freeing up resistance
difficult jobs, things you put off or avoid
non-Christian interests, responsibilities, hopes
Individual Reflection
Consider the applicability of the above to your situation in living.
if it has some possibility of encouraging a support group or
individual to contribute to the enhancement of your living, identify
specific changes to its format or wording which would be needed to
meet your needs. You may want to make notes beside items, or add new
areas of more direct relevance to your experience and field of need.
Agenda
While a group is unlikely to find difficulty in identifying issues of
mutual concern for discussion, it is important that these not
degenerate into 'gripe sessions'. Instead, it is suggested that
members all bring as 'homework' individual preparation. In the whole
group, or in pairs or triplets, share individual conclusions and
interpretations; encourage each other to recognize:
existing strengths; and
areas which apparently need further work or thought.
Close with prayer for each other; seek to affirm each other's living
and concerns at this time, and pray for the continuing guidance of
the Holy Spirit in specific areas of the lives of group members.
While it may take some time to establish this level of sharing, trust,
and openness in prayer, the benefits are considerable.
2. Continuing education in Christian living
Edward Bratcher in his book The Walk-on-Water Syndrome has some
scathing things to say about the way clergy and laity are functioning
far below their God-given potential, because they are constantly
facing problems that leave them discouraged and with great emotional
and spiritual pain.
Laity need a constantly renewed sense of direction from the church,
and need to work together to set and achieve goals for dimensions of
Christian life; the inner upbuilding of faith;
Take seriously the example of Jesus in our prayer life: 'keep our
lives warmed at the heart of his life'. We are called first of all to
belong to him as Savior and Lord - nothing else is more important for
one's vocation as a Christian.
The persistence of an Olympic athlete is needed in the pursuit of
spiritual growth. Continuing theological study, as well as prayer
and meditation, involve our emotions, so we are tempted to neglect all
such disciplines during periods of vocational or familial stress or
when God appears to be absent. The only answer is an exercise of the
will and persistence in the spiritual disciplines (and see Richard
Footer, The Celebration of Discipline).
The use of a range of devotional resources can undergrid our
determination to persist in honing our gifts and expanding our
experience of spiritual growth. For some this primarily involves the
Bible. Others find the classics of spirituality a great resource.
Participation in prayer retreats, a resource now undergoing a
widespread 'revival'. Silent retreats, private but structured
retreats, and led or taught retreats, are among the variety of
experiences readily available. Quiet days, weekend or three or four
day retreats are now reasonably commonly accessible, but there is as
yet little attempt to emulate the extended retreats. The extended
retreat, is still in the process of rediscovery and theological
exploration to determine the format and content appropriate to the
late twentieth century. The saints who have continued in the faith
through great tribulations, have much to share with mature Christians.
The keeping of a prayer diary or spiritual journal, to clarify one's
experiences, and perceive, usually in retrospect, the evidence of
God's guidance (and see above).
The need to 'personalize' one's devotional life. By this is meant the
identification of when, where, and how to pray in the context of one's
work and family commitments, temperament, and stage of spiritual
growth. There is no one right pattern for all, and no one pattern
that will be equally helpful to one person across all phases of his or
her life. By 'trial and error' a family or individual has to work out
what 'works for them' at this time - early morning solitary prayer,
family devotions at the tea table,, bedtime prayers with young
children, a Sunday night family circle, and so on. The busy lay
worker can find a suitable time slot in the day's routine, whether it
is in one's office, or a lunchtime stroll or park bench quiet time.
What are the reality factors? What are the constraints as to time,
money, family, work commitments, recent or impending job change,
program availability and flexibility, and my ability to schedule
appropriate blocks of time for continuing education? How will I
obtain the necessary books, study guides, supervision, equipment
(audio or video players, etc.)? Can I work at home, free from
interruptions, or do I need to find an alternative study location?
What is being accomplished? What changes are resulting from
participation in continuing education opportunities? Do the benefits
justify the costs in time, money and effort? How can I evaluate the
effectiveness of the program, or time spent? What are the relative
costs and benefits for me personally.
What is being planned for the future? Have is set myself goals for
further education, and are these being achieved? Are my short-term
and long-term vocational goals clearly established, so that I can
discern whether or not they are being met? Have I considered my
continuing education intentions for this month, this year,, the next
five years, the next ten years?
Take time to read back over these suggestions, and consider their
implications for your growth in spiritual maturity and vocational
effectiveness. Do you need more information on what is available in
your area? Who would hold information on the names and contact points
of teachers on prayer and spirituality, the location of retreat
centers, devotional materials, or training in the conduct of prayer
workshops and retreats? Note down the questions which arise for you,
and ideas for your own growth which are worth further exploration.
Inventory of Continuing Education Interests
As a preliminary exercise in identifying where you might most
fruitfully begin to pursue further knowledge and experience in
Christian living, you are invited to complete the following chart.
Because it is designed for use in a variety of situations, it can only
have rather general parameters.
Be as specific as you can about your own needs and interests as you
fill it in. If necessary, add your own categories at the bottom of
the list.
Tick any area which applies to you, and write next to it your
particular interest in continuing education for Christian living, and
where you believe you might find resources to help meet that
interest. You may need to distinguish between 'knowledge about', and
'skills or abilities' in some of the areas. Finally, it may be
necessary to refer to your trainer for details of courses, libraries,
retreat centers, coaches or counselors.
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A. AREA OF INTEREST NATURE AND LOCATION OF RESOURCES-EDUCATION
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1. Theology
2. Biblical studies
3. Church history
4. Ethics
5. Christianity and society
6. Religious education
7. Prayer and meditation
8. Spiritual guidance
9. Marriage and family
10. Conflict management
11. Stress/burnout management
12. Simplifying life-style
13.
14.
15.
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* If you have filled in more than three or four of the above areas,
consider which items currently have highest priority for you. Write
in here your intentions about pursuing further education in these
areas of living:
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B. PRIORITY AREAS WHO TO CONTACT MY OBJECTIVES DATE TO BEGIN
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1.
2.
3.
4.
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Comments:
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3. Spiritual training
Spiritual training is the application of theology to life. Since
life, as progressive relationship with God through Christ and the Holy
Spirit's guidance, is carried on in the world, it ultimately must
control all aspects of life.
The 'cure of souls', the pastoral guidance of a person's spiritual
life by counsel and prayer through the illumination, grace and power
of the Holy Spirit, this defines what has traditionally been termed
spiritual direction or spiritual training.
The discipline of spiritual training has had a long history and
profound impact on the life of the Christian church down the
centuries.
There is some resistance to the thought that any one person, clergy or
not can 'train' another's spirituality. Yet in the sense of prayerful
counsel in the context of theological reflection and pastoral
experience, it is not so easy to draw a line between 'trainer' and
'counseling'. In the best understanding of the concept, a spiritual
trainer is neither a judge nor a dictator, but 'a physician of souls',
one who seeks to diagnose the condition of the soul with all its
graces and ills, and to assist it into the way of growth'.
The role of 'training' might be viewed as a signboard indicating a
number of alternative routes from where one is now standing - the
route taken is finally the responsibility of the directee. Training
or guidance must always be weighed against Scripture, conscience,
church teaching, personal prayer, and the dictates of common sense.
So spiritual training is really a form of pastoral care which offers
to help another person relate better to God, and to live out with
integrity the implications of that relationship.
The two areas most aided by the discipline of spiritual training are
self understanding in the light of Christ, and growth in faith and
prayer. Fairchild, in a 1982 article, has set out guidelines for
spirituality and spiritual direction/training. He compares and
contrasts psychotherapy, counseling and spiritual training, and
suggests that the latter process begins in 'yearning for coherence and
communion'. Searching for God and personal meaning. A sense of
shallowness or loss of soul and disillusionment'. The goal tends to
be 'continuous' conversion; letting go of resistance to discovery of
deeper identity evoked by God. Ego is reduced: 'Now I live, no longer
I, but Christ lives in me' (Galatians 2:20). Desiring and choosing
differently, for example, the Beatitudes. Again, the attitude of the
guide/trainer is 'to dialogue together in the presence of mystery;
willingness for God's intention to be realized through surrender of
self-definition...' According to the seventeenth century Benedictine
Dom Augustine Baker, 'In a word, (the trainer) is God's usher, and
must lead souls in God's way, and not his own' - in other words,, lead
the searcher to the true 'coach', God himself, as he teaches and
directs through the inward dwelling of the Holy Spirit.
What are the historical patterns of the role of spiritual trainer?
a person 'possessed by the Spirit', characterized by personal holiness
of life, a closeness to God;
a person of experience, one who has struggled with the realities of
prayer and life, who has encountered his/her own passions, inner
conflicts, darkness and light;
a person of learning (though without spiritual maturity this can be
dangerous), one steeped in scripture, and in the Fathers and Mothers
of the church;
a person of discernment, one of perception and insight, of vision, one
who can read 'the sighs of the times, the writing on the walls of the
soul'.
a person who 'gives way to the Holy Spirit', who helps others to
recognize and follow the inspirations of grace in their lives, to
assist in reading ' the breathings of the Spirit'.
Tilden Edwards in his book Spiritual Friend: Reclaiming the Gift of
Spiritual Direction, has a chapter on 'Seeking a spiritual
friend' (pp105ff). He canvasses such issues as:
age: it is best to choose someone 'in the second half of life:
roughly thirty-five or older'.
sex: where there is a choice between two good people of different
sexes, Edwards suggests choosing a trainer of the opposite sex to
yourself.
experience: 'seek out someone who is confident in experience yet
humble in it'.
personality: look for complementary - if you are analytical, seek a
more 'feeling' type of person as spiritual trainer, and so on; avoid
extreme differences as rapport may be difficult.
your present spiritual path: it is important that your friend/trainer
have some experience of and sympathy for your path; a sympathetic yet
critical experience of different paths is best of all.
someone outside your immediate institutional context; a lay person
should look to someone other than his or her own pastor/minister.
ideally a trainer/guide should not be too distant, because contact
needs to be fairly frequent at least in the initial stages of the
relationship; if necessary, letters and audio tapes may supplement
personal contact, but can rarely replace it successfully.
exploration phase: mutual expectations and basic compatibility need to
be explored without a 'permanent' relationship being implied; there
needs to be a reasonable 'personality fit' and sympathy (though not
necessarily identity) of outlook; if in doubt, sleep and pray on it.
covenant phase: clarify what is really important for you in the
relationship, and how you will know if it is remaining 'on the track',
and fruitful in your spiritual formation. Consider practical issues
like frequency and place of meeting; length of consultation sessions;
the place of discussion; shared and silent prayer, 'homework' and
preparation, the primary role(s) of the trainer (listener, supporter,
confronter, theologiser, prayer, counselor, etc.): other mutual
expectations, times for evaluation, prayer.
What is your next step?
It may be time to give some serious thought and prayer to the
possibility of exploring such a supportive relationship for yourself?
If you are at least interested to consider further such a possibility,
try to think through (and note down) what it is you seek. What would
be your expectations of a spiritual friend/guide/trainer? What would
you be seeking through spiritual training? How would this differ from
supportive friendship you already have with other Christians?
What do you understand to be the distinctive advantages and possible
dangers of individual as against group guidance within the community
of faith? In what ways would you benefit from relating to one soul
friend, in contrast to a small group?
Read again thee 'marks' of a spiritual trainer, above. Even if you
are not yet convinced that you want to seek out a potential trainer.
Seek to clarify in your mind what it is about these 'marks' that
attract you to consider that they may be able to encourage you in your
journey of faith.
Give yourself a set time of say three to four days over which to pray
and think further about the possibility of spiritual training for
yourself. Set yourself a particular target date by which to come to
at least a tentative conclusion about this issue. Equally important,
mentally commit yourself to (and note down) times for specific prayer
and meditation about this area of need in your life, then seek to be
as open as you can in prayer to the leading of the Holy Spirit.
Remember that spiritual training is merely a means to an end,, and
that end is God in Christ, who to serve is perfect freedom and perfect
fulfillment.
For future reference, at the end of the period of prayer about your
'next step' in spiritual training write down and date yo8ur
conclusions; whatever the outcome, you may like to write a prayer of
thanksgiving to the God who has led you thus far.
4. Reviewing the spiritual journey
The pilgrimage has long been part of the religious life and search for
faith. Sometimes it involves an 'outward journey' as in visits to
Jerusalem, to Christian communities such as to Lourdes. Pilgrimage is
also an allegory of the 'inward journey' of the Christian life, in
search of the One who called himself 'The Way."
It takes a considerable time to review your life's spiritual journey
in any great depth, so this is really an invitation to commence a
process of on-going review.
Part A
With pencil and paper at hand, begin to think back over your life and
try to identify the ups and downs in your relationship with God. A
line drawing, with decades and other significant events in your life
marked on it, may help you to see things in their historical
relationships with each other; alternatively, you may prefer a graph,
a diagram, a sketch, or a symbolic drawing. Reflect on your high
points, your low points, times of break-through or joy, times of
despair. Take at least twenty to thirty minutes for this reflection
and drawing.
Use the space below, or preferably a large sheet of paper and bold
lines rather than intricate little details. When finished, consider
whom it would be enjoyable to share this with - someone who knows you
well enough to help interpret your visual presentation, and to join in
celebrating the movement depicted.
DO NOT go on to Part B until you are reasonably satisfied.
Part B
You need to set aside at least an hour for uninterrupted thought and
prayer. It will be helpful to make a few notes opposite some points.
Within the time available, discipline yourself to attend to the
'starters' listed below, and do not move too quickly; alternatively,
you may wish to return to one or two points again, to reflect on them
at greater length.
1. How would you define someone who is 'spiritually mature'? Write
down some words or phrases that describe such a person. If possible,
have in mind an actual person whom you know well.
2. Reflecting on your own experience, how do you define 'spiritual
development'? Write down a sentence or two.
3. If 'spiritual development' is a life-long journey or process, how
do you describe your present position on the journey? Perhaps you can
best comment by glancing backwards, then glancing forward from your
present vantage point. You may refer to such landmarks as:
conversion:
return to or renewal of faith
prayer
self-knowledge
renewed spiritual growth
inter-relationships for you of love of self/neighbor/God
the challenges and joys of living
desert and valley experiences
Conclude by describing as best you can your present position on the
journey, your current degree of 'spiritual well-being'.
Now become more specific in your personal reflection: take time in
prayerful meditation, seeking with the Holy Spirit's help to be honest
and discerning about your present practices and priorities. Jot down
some notes to yourself, not only of your 'answer' at this point, but
further thoughts or questions that come to mind.
when, specifically, do you take time with God?
when are you most aware that God is with you?
what are your main forms of prayer?
which form(s) do you presently find most helpful? Why?
what would you describe as your most precious/valued prayer
experience?
what types of devotional literature or art forms have you used in
prayer in the past year, and which do you currently find most helpful?
what part, if any, do the Scriptures play in your prayer life?
how often do you pray with others? If you do pray with others, how
free do you feel in that context to explore a variety of forms of
prayer with those people? if you don't what are the practical reasons
or barriers for you, and how could these change?
considering your participation in public worship, and in this sense
'formal' prayer liturgies, do you find these prayer times more or less
beneficial than private prayer? Why? What maximizes their value for
you?
how frequently do you schedule -
times of prayer or meditation each day
sharing in public worship, and Holy Communion
silent retreat times, quiet days
directed retreats (not seminars or workshops)
personal spiritual direction, with a 'spiritual friend', trainer or
mentor
peer-group reflection, with others who are living Christianity
reflection on opportunities for you to receive/give feedback, to try
out ideas, and to receive/give caring support
times of personal 'stock taking', reviewing the past, and setting
goals for the future
what forms of retreat do you find most helpful? Why? If you have not
participated in some of those listed above, why is this? (Lack of
information about them, not readily available, no time = not a
priority, prejudicial comments by others, etc.)
what part do issues of reconciliation, peace, and justice, play in
your spirituality?
what other aspects of prayer, meditation, and contemplation are
important for you now?
are there areas of difficulty for your personal spiritual well-being
at this time? If so, where do (or should) you look for support or
counsel?
what are your priorities for positive change in your prayer life?
what part do material possessions and financial giving play in your
spirituality?
Part C
In your own way, and at your own pace, bring your experience and new
thoughts or commitments together in prayer. After a time of
meditation and prayer, note down any new insights and priorities which
come to you for your ongoing living.
Christians are called to share in and give direction to their Training
Program from God. Ahead of all else, the program points to our
graduation and to the Spirit-filled life of his body, the church. In
this program, to experience fulfillment or depression, or other
powerfully motivation or inhibiting reactions, is to enter into the
way of the cross with the Lord of death and life himself. If the
'problems' addressed in this exercise can be summed up as how to rise
above (if not avoid) the dark and stressful times which certainly
recur in Christian living, the 'answer' lies in the areas of
spirituality.
How is a Christian to rise above the pressures and demands of the
world?? One answer seems to be as basic as how you understand and
live out the 'call' to be God's child.
The priority is one's own dynamic and personal relationship with God -
all else in the plan of living takes its point of departure from this
focus... The question is 'What are the God-endowed resources both of
the individual and of the community of faith?' Here there is no
approved definition of the path to success, satisfaction, and Quality
of Life, rather a statement of the minimum sources of God-given
support for living within the context of God's family.
It is worth pondering at some length, preferably in the prayerful
setting of a silent retreat or quiet day, on one's current or changing
understanding of the general call to Christian living. Such
fundamental issues should be reviewed at least annual if we are to
remain open to the 'changing winds of the Spirit'.
A second approach amounts to a holistic 'theology of training,' or
even a 'spirituality of stress/un-stress'. This is not the place for
a theological treatise on creation and humanity, let alone a
comprehensive manual on a personal health, but a few questions can be
asked as a basis for reflection.
To what extent has by training, and experience, encouraged me to give
due, balanced attention to myself?
preventing/managing stress effects on my body (including food,
vitamins, exercise, rest).
strengthening the 'positive programming' of my mind to deal with the
impact of negative thoughts, the criticisms of others, and the impact
of violence and negative approach in the media and society at large
('I cannot change some of the circumstances of my life, but I can
control the way I respond to them').
coping with the negative versions of the emotions of 'fight or
flight', and learning to acknowledge, accept, and channel rather than
repress my feelings.
exercising the will by seeking to come to decisions and make choices
by looking at the options from God's viewpoint, in comparison to God's
rules, and by deciding whether this is something I want to do or is it
what God has provided me.
in the area of the spirit, growing in my personal ability to 'walk in
the light', walk in the footsteps of the One who is 'the Way, the
Truth, and the Life' and within my personal training program. I must
choose this day whom I will serve - 'as for me and my house, we will
serve the Lord'. is my first priority truly to be a joyful, redeemed
follower of the risen Lord or a slave to the whims and wills of those
I seek to serve in his name?
The purpose of this lesson was to bring the disciplines of prayer,
reflection, decision-making, and shared responsibility in God's Plan
to bear on the stresses and strains of life as you are experiencing
them at present. The exercises that we have done are illustrative of
individual and shared paths of spiritual growth. May they encourage
you, first of all, in your relationship with the God we know in Jesus
Christ, and second, in the exercise of your gifts of living.
You may feel that the way of living we have been considering is a
quantum leap from your present experience. Not only do you feel that
you are in left field; you are in another state, maybe another
country. That probably overstates the case, but even if it is an
accurate description of your situation you need not be discouraged.
You do not have to be advanced in the intricacies of sainthood to
begin to move into holy obedience. You do not even need to know all
of the problems or pitfalls. You need only one thing: a desire to
know
God and to train with Him and His plan for you. Indeed, I would go so
far as to say that the very fact that you are participating in this
training program is desire enough for God to begin bringing the grace
of holy obedience into your life.
You can trust God to individualize the training: some things he will
no doubt urge you to ignore; certainly he will teach you many
personalized steps this training program does not cover. Above all,
seek to be attentive to your Top Coach, whether through this training
program or beyond this program.
We are to discipline ourselves to 'seek first the Kingdom of God."
This focus must take precedence over absolutely everything. We must
never allow anything, whether deed or desire, to have that place of
central importance.
Let go of all distractions until you are driven into the Plan. Allow
God to reshuffle your priorities and eliminate unnecessary activity.
Mother Teresa of Calcutta said, "Pray for me that I not loosen my grip
on the hands of Jesus even under the guise of ministering to the
poor." That is our first task: to grip the hands of Jesus with such
tenacity that we are obliged to follow his lead, to seek first his
Kingdom.
The next step is so simple I am almost embarrassed to mention it, and
yet it is so important that I must. Begin now to obey him in every
way you can. Start right where you are, in the midst of all the tasks
that press in upon you. Do not wait for some future time when you
will have more time or be more perfect in knowledge. The Roman
governor Felix wanted to wait for a more 'convenient season,' but we
all know that there is no more convenient season. "Today when you
hear his voice do not harden your hearts," warned the author of
Hebrews (Heb. 3:7-8). Right now, as you read these words, ask for an
increase of the guidance of God your Father. In every task of your
day seek to live in utter surrender, listening and obedient.
some more advice in holy obedience is to get up quickly and keep going
if you stumble and fall. You will fall, you know.
But when we do fail we do not need to give excessive time mourning the
loss. We need to get up, and start again immediately. Nor should we
linger long at the site of battles won. The issue in holy obedience
is not whether we failed or succeeded yesterday or this morning, but
whether we are obedient now. So Act Now, and put your training plan
into Action.
Christian Model
Watchman Nee
It is one thing to dominate people because you have an organizational
chart on your side, but it is quite another to manipulate people
because you claim to have God on your side. Watchman Nee, the great
Chinese Christian leader and writer, set forth this view in his book
Spiritual Authority. Nee maintained that God delegates his authority
to human leaders. Thus he claimed: "We do not obey man but God's
authority in that man. Nee alleged that the key responsibility of
followers was unquestioning obedience to their Christian leaders. He
concluded, "Henceforth authority alone is factual to me; reason and
right and wrong no longer control my life" Nee explained his position
this way: "People will perhaps argue, 'What if the authority is
wrong?' The answer is, If God dares to entrust His authority to men,
then we can dare to obey. Whether the one in authority is right or
wrong does not concern us, since he has to be responsible directly to
God. The obedient needs only to obey; the Lord will not hold us
responsible for any mistaken obedience, rather He will hold the
delegated authority responsible for his erroneous act.
Insubordination, however, is rebellion, and for this the one under
authority must answer to God."
Student prayer
Lord, help me to realize my potential. Make me less a person-pleaser,
and more a God-pleaser. Grant that I might discover my gifts and
talents, then assist me to use them as you would have them used.
Amen.
For more information go to:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/jeramiahs_back_again/
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