Hugs

A comment made to me in church one Sunday started me thinking about hugs. First, I asked my source for odds and ends of knowledge- the internet- do animals hug? The answer seems to be sort of, but not really. They huddle together when scared or cold; mothers hold their babies close for protection, but hard to say animals really hug each other in affection. So why do people hug? In the U.S., people tend to try to keep a clear personal space around themselves of 1 1/2 to 4 feet. This close space is reserved for friends and acquaintances, or maybe strangers only when trapped in a crowded elevator. A handshake is meant to keep people at a 2 to 4 foot distance, maintaining that personal space. A hug puts others close, touching, right in the intimate zone. Human beings are born craving touch. Studies have shown babies will fail to thrive if not touched and caressed. Same is true of the rest of us, I expect.

A woman I used to work with was studying to become a nurse. She told me of an incident that happened to her; she was sent to bathe and dress an old gentleman in the hospital and she proceeded to give him a sponge bath, and then rub lotion gently but firmly into his skin. She saw he had tears in his eyes and she exclaimed”oh no, have I hurt you?” His answer was “no, I’m crying because no one has touched me in any caring way in years.” He missed the touch the most.

When we hug, we pull others right into our intimate personal space. I have hugged people that I don’t know really well, but at a time in their life when they are grieving the loss of their beloved pets.

A hug conveys more sympathy than I can voice, usually because of the tears in my own eyes and the huge lump in my throat. Our receptionist, Julie, is the biggest hugger I know. She leaps up from behind the desk to hug all of us at work, and to hug clients hello, hug them good bye and hug them in sympathy and sharing. I go to church expecting to hug-we are a hugging church. That’s the comment made to me last week that started all this. One of our congregants had fallen on the ice and hurt her shoulder. She didn’t come in to church because she was afraid someone would hug her too tightly before she could stop them! “We are a really hugging church!” she told me. Miss Polly, one of our lovely saints who has gone on to be with Jesus, used to hug me each week I saw her. I can still feel her hugs as she wrapped me up in her soft arms and held me to her. Miss Margie, also a saint gone on before us, used to love to share a bear hug with my husband, because of his “teddy bear” physique. Miss Katherine and I would always share hugs regularly and end them with a sort of forehead bump, our version of an Eskimo kiss, I guess.

Some people aren’t as into hugging, and that’s OK, too. As a church family, we take each member into account and don’t make anyone do something they aren’t comfortable doing. But however we show care and affection for each other, I thank God that we are a church that tries to show our love. There are a lot worse things to be known for. Accepting each other into our personal spaces keeps us connected, and fulfilling our mission- Growing in Christ, Sharing God’s love! Hope to see you Sunday. I can always use a hug.

[Devotionals, blog posts, and commentary by members or friends of City Road Chapel will appear, Lord willing, on this blog on a daily basis. Please visit us here again or subscribe through the RSS feed to be sure you do not miss these devotionals. There are also posts on news and events and opinions and observations. Please comment if led to do so. (We will remove malicious comments, but welcome those that disagree with us if done co without resorting to personal attacks or terminology that is generally considered unacceptable on a church blog.)

Should you wish to come see us, City Road Chapel, UMC is located in Madison, TN, in the northern section of Nashville, within easy distance of Opryland (see map.) Most Sundays we have a small, early church service at 8:00a.m., Sunday School at 8:45, and another, larger worship at 10:00. We also have The Foundry, an informal, “conversational” worship in the welcome center at 5:00 P.M.

We have Sunday bus service to pick up those who cannot make it themselves. (Call 615-868-1673 for inquiries regarding this.)

All are welcome. We will try to post any changes in worship time due to special events here or on the official site.  (Map) If you wish to find out more about us, visit our official Website.]

http://cityroadchapelumc.wordpress.com/2011/10/09/hugs-2/

Bitter Sorghum

I had a talk with an older man the other day. He told me about how his family had made sorghum syrup when he was a boy. He remembered that one of the important things his dad had taught him was to be sure that the “head,” or bundle of seeds, at the top, along with the excess “forage” was removed before grinding the stalks. His father said that some folks got in a hurry and didn’t do this and that would result in a bitter after taste. (I have to take him at his word as I know nothing about the process.)

What he said next I truly appreciated, however. He said, “It’s the same with some folks. They can talk and treat you sweet as can be, but if they let just a little bit of bitterness get in, it can ruin the whole thing.” He said those words of wisdom were from his mother, who probably got them from the Bible.

Maybe he was thinking of James, who warned us to bridle our tongues ( James 3:9-12). Or maybe just doing unto others as you would have them do to you. Anyway, I think the lesson that only a little bitterness can destroy sweetness a good one.

http://cityroadchapelumc.wordpress.com/2011/10/08/bitter-sorghum/

A "Good" Friday Post : The Migration to Peace

One evening, as I was outside doing some things in the yard, I observed the fly over of Canadian geese.  They were squawking, turning, and competing for the command position.  Finally they formed their “V” and headed east.  Later they returned and headed toward their evening resting pond.  This ritual goes on each year, as it has for thousands of years.  Something calls them south for the winter and north for the spring nesting season.

We, like the geese also migrate.  In our healthy spiritual lives we travel from one place to the next.  We leave places of captivity and sojourn to places of freedom.  The nurturing of caring parents and friends, our increasing wisdom, our faith, and the struggles of life, help us to survive the perils of “pond life.”  We grow the “wings of prayer” and we become stronger each time we fly.  At our best, we learn to join with others, form ourselves into bodies of believers, and head to the places where God calls us.

This call is always to a place of solitude.  The Psalmist speaks of this migration not of the geese but of the dove:  “O that I had wings like a dove! I would fly away and be at rest; truly, I would flee far away; I would lodge in the wilderness; I would hurry to find a shelter for myself from the raging wind and tempest.” Psalm 55:6-8

Blessings,

Ron

Ron Lowery is the Senior Pastor of City Road Chapel, UMC, and His Good Friday Thoughts is a weekly feature on this blog.  [Devotionals, blog posts, and commentary by members or friends of City Road Chapel will appear, Lord willing, on this blog on a daily basis. Please visit us here again or subscribe through the RSS feed to be sure you do not miss these devotionals. There are also posts on news and events and opinions and observations. Please comment if led to do so. (We will remove malicious comments, but welcome those that disagree with us if done co without resorting to personal attacks or terminology that is generally considered unacceptable on a church blog.)

Should you wish to come see us, City Road Chapel, UMC is located in Madison, TN, in the northern section of Nashville, within easy distance of Opryland (see map.) Most Sundays we have a small, early church service at 8:00a.m., Sunday School at 8:45, and another, larger worship at 10:00. We also have The Foundry, an informal, “conversational” worship in the welcome center at 5:00 P.M.

We have Sunday bus service to pick up those who cannot make it themselves. (Call 615-868-1673 for inquiries regarding this.)

All are welcome. We will try to post any changes in worship time due to special events here or on the official site.  (Map) If you wish to find out more about us, visit our official Website.]

http://cityroadchapelumc.wordpress.com/2011/10/07/a-good-friday-post-the-migration-to-peace/

Connection or Communion

Adam Thomas, in his book Digital Disciples, explains what he sees as the difference between “connection” and “communion.” (Matt 18:20) He says that whenever two or more are gathered, you have connection. Whenever two or more are gathered in Jesus name, he is there also, and you have communion. I like that as a working definition.

I realized that there are a good many people with whom I am connected, in some cases intimately, but is there also communion. Thomas suggests consciously looking for God in our connections and learning to thank him for the people in our lives. Could doing this invite the Spirit into the connection we already have with one another? It seems quite possible to me that the relationships I already have can only be strengthened by an effort to consciously invite Jesus to enter the relationship, not just at some point in the relationship, but continually offering the invitation. Maybe this can elevate the connection already there to a new level. Worth thinking about.

http://cityroadchapelumc.wordpress.com/2011/10/04/connection-or-communion/

55: State of the Disunion

Well, lonesome lover, you’re probably wondering where I’ve gone. To be truthful, I’ve rather been wondering the same thing myself. I’ve been lost in school, and work/church. I seem to have reserved any brief moments of respite I have for grabbing a bit of dinner with friends or filling my journal with exasperating, overly emotional tripe. I’ve been treading water, just trying to keep myself from drowning. In plain and simple terms: I’ve been too busy for you…for us.

When last I posted, I was feeling a good deal more cheery than I am at present. School had barely started and I still had delusions about this being a “light semester.” Furthermore, I thought I’d reached a resolution within myself that would allow me to move forward a bit. I was on the verge of actively pursuing more dates and continuing the experiment full of fiery ferocious fervor.

Now though, things are different. Even if I had the will to acquire some lovely young prospects, I would only be able to spare a few hours if they wanted to spend it taking an IQ test, which is how I am occupying many of my free nights of late—course requirements and whatnot. [They don’t tell you that when you get to grad school that your homework comes in suitcase form. Of course, dragging a WAIS-IV around is the only excercise I get nowadays...so there's that.] Moreover, recent events have renewed my frustration and confusion and again left me less than keen on the random dating business.

I sometimes wonder, these days, whether it’s all been worth it. I look at what I put myself through, and what I’ve put some wonderful young women through. There’ve been some high highs and some low lows and I just wonder how it all equalizes in the end. It’s a bit of a chicken or the egg scenario, but I wonder what I’ve really done to myself by cultivating such an intense fixation on relationships. I certainly think that I’m less content with being single now than I was this time last year. The “loved and lost” line might just be garbage.

Do I regret it? Not exactly, but I certainly would do it differently had I the ability to do so. [Where's a Delorean when you need one?] I’ve learned a lot, and I wouldn’t trade that knowledge, but I lament the cost nonetheless.

As for what’s next, I’m not sure. I don’t see my semester lightening up anytime soon, which means I’ll probably be in forced hiatus. I know that hardly seems fair, but I don’t think I can physically maintain the project right now. I still don’t know what that means, especially considering it’s been barely active the last few months, but we’ll have to figure that out as we go.

Until next we speak,

Joel

http://iwaveddatinghello.com/2011/10/03/55-state-of-the-disunion/

God Places

Fall has always been my favorite time of the year. I love the changing leaves, the softer feel of the sun. But most of all I love the fall breezes. I can remember standing in the wind as a boy with my jacket streaming behind me like a super hero’s cape and just enjoying it all. Even then, I felt closer to creation in the fall than at other times. I really don’t know why.

Fall is one of my “God places.” These are the places, actions, times and people that help me remember that I am in the presence of the Lord. My God places are not always physical locations, as the list I just made shows, but they remind me that wherever I am, God is with me. He is in that place. They are what make where I am a God place.

Sometimes a simple thing like a cup of hot chocolate offered by loving hands reminds me God is there. Sometimes it is standing in the vastness of a great cathedral or looking out over mountains. There is quite a range of things that can be God places. Then, I guess I should not be surprised, as He is everywhere. May we all find our God place for today.

http://cityroadchapelumc.wordpress.com/2011/10/03/god-places/

Home Coming : A Devotional Thought

I met a man the other day who was returning to his old college for his 50 year homecoming celebration. H e spoke to me of how much had changed on the campus, how it seemed hardly recognizable. On the other hand, he said, there was something about it that was still the same, and he expected that it would never change. There was something familiar there that made it truly a “home coming” for him.

One thing I love about the church is that there is so much variety from one type of congregation to another, one type of worship to another. But regardless of the variety, there is always something familiar. Christ is there. The Spirit is there. I returned a few years ago to a church where I had worshiped briefly as a younger person, and everything was different. Yet even so, there was something familiar there. I think the purpose for being in the building was enough to bring about that sense of Christ’s presence. “ For wherever two or more are gathered in his name, he is there. (Matt 18:20)

http://cityroadchapelumc.wordpress.com/2011/10/02/home-coming-a-devotional-thought/

Bible in My Desk : A Thought for Today

There is a Gideons New Testament in my desk drawer at work. The kind that will fit in your shirt pocket. It isn’t mine. It was left there by the person who had the desk before me. I read it sometimes during stressful moments, although I have my own Bible and other Christian texts with me. There is something about reading a Bible that someone else left you, even if they didn’t know who was going to get the desk after them, that seems somehow special.

The little book has another useful purpose. It has started conversation, both friendly and somewhat hostile. You see, I have objects in my desk drawer that are often needed by others in the course of the day. I often send the person needing something to get it from my desk drawer by himself or herself. The result often is that the folks at work rummage in the drawer and tell me “I found the key under the Bible,” or something like that. The Bible advertises me as a believer, even if my actions don’t always manage to communicate that. Thus the source of the conversations, one past complaint, and a few prayer requests. All because people recognize that little green book that will fit in a shirt pocket.

I have no idea when I will leave the desk, but I suspect I will leave the Bible behind for the next person. May it bring that one as much grace as it has me.

Jim

[Devotionals, blog posts, and commentary by members or friends of City Road Chapel will appear, Lord willing, on this blog on a daily basis. Please visit us here again or subscribe through the RSS feed to be sure you do not miss these devotionals. There are also posts on news and events and opinions and observations. Please comment if led to do so. (We will remove malicious comments, but welcome those that disagree with us if done co without resorting to personal attacks or terminology that is generally considered unacceptable on a church blog.)

Should you wish to come see us, City Road Chapel, UMC is located in Madison, TN, in the northern section of Nashville, within easy distance of Opryland (see map.) Most Sundays we have a small, early church service at 8:00a.m., Sunday School at 8:45, and another, larger worship at 10:00. We also have The Foundry, an informal, “conversational” worship in the welcome center at 5:00 P.M.

We have Sunday bus service to pick up those who cannot make it themselves. (Call 615-868-1673 for inquiries regarding this.)

All are welcome. We will try to post any changes in worship time due to special events here or on the official site.  (Map) If you wish to find out more about us, visit our official Website.]

http://cityroadchapelumc.wordpress.com/2011/09/29/bible-in-my-desk-a-thought-for-today/

Casting Stones

“John” (not his real name) voiced his opinion that he did not like a certain charity. He felt it misused its funds and thought there were better ways to help the people intended to be helped by the charity. The group he was with turned on him with anger and disgust. He was obviously hateful and did not care for people less fortunate than he was. He listened to their insults and angry comments with quiet amusement. He had been there before. Most folks didn’t react like this but every now and then…. He finally made some counter suggestions. What about spending time with someone dying of AIDS? Or maybe cook and serve meals to the poor? Had anyone thought about participating in the church’s program to provide beds for the homeless on a cold night? Or were they ambitious enough to go on a trip outside the country to help people in the mountains of a far land?

The group thought these were okay ideas for some, but it was easier to give to the charity. John said they should do as they liked, but he did not feel right participating. Members of the group continued to deride John as uncaring. He chose not to be offended, however. He did not tell the people that he gave generously to other charities, and that his list of suggestions were all things he had done in the previous 6 months. He was not as the group of people, Christians all, thought him to be.

This is a true story, save for the name change at “John’s” request. He says that when he hears people who do not understand the background of a situation cry out against others , or when he is tempted to do so himself, he tries to remember the words that Jesus said to a crowd who were attacking a sinner. “Let anyone among you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone.” (John 8:7) It is a hard thing to do, avoid casting stones. God give me strength to do so.

http://cityroadchapelumc.wordpress.com/2011/09/25/casting-stones/

God Moments: September Surprise

I remember Kevin saying sometime last year that he feels like 2011 is going to be big. He mentioned that again in his blog right after we got engaged although, even then, he felt like God wasn’t done just yet. And man…was that statement spot on.

I’ve been working in Starbucks for a little over a year now and God knows I’m kewl as with my job there as a Shift Manager. Apart from it being an awesome place to work in, I had a few more reasons to stick with it at least for the rest of the year – I’ve just finished my grads in business just a few months ago and it looks like a good place to learn more about management, I had a path leading towards a store manager position, and I’m getting married in December. I thought about these even back in July and decided that timing-wise, it just doesn’t make sense to me to even consider applying for another job. Despite Kevin’s occasional urges to reconsider earlier this year, I held my ground because it didn’t feel like God wanted me to do anything at that point. And that was good enough for him. I remember telling him, “No big plans until next year, honey.”

God had a different plan though. I was doing my devotionals during the first week of this month (September) when I heard Him speak these words to my heart: “It is time”. I was confused, so I asked Him, “Time to do what, God?” And then there it was…the big push to get going with my application. God has this thing about giving me a strong push because gentle pushes generally don’t work with me. I was slightly annoyed because He hasn’t said anything prior, and also because in a way, it would make Kevin kind of right about the idea, but since I shut it down already, you can imagine my ego screaming in disapproval that afternoon. Anyway, I obeyed God. I never liked updating my CV. And even worse than that is writing a cover letter. Both of these scream CHORE. But I did as I was told. I logged in at SEEK, submitted my applications in four companies, all of which save for one, posted as private advertisers, and all importantly, committed it to God.

Surprisingly or not, in three days’ time, I received a call and an email from two out of the four companies informing me that I have been short-listed! In the same week, I had an interview going with one of the private advertisers. I remember telling Kevin about it and I remember him googling the address because we wanted to know what the company was. As we did so, it turned out to be some business solutions company and we’re like, ‘SWEET AS! This should be easy!’

I went to the interview feeling so confident thinking it was just some company. I arrived in the building 5 minutes early, and I remember feeling a bit stupid because I could not find the office. I tried calling their number but realised it was an Australian number, so I left it. Literally, for 3 minutes, I just stood in front of the lift not knowing what to do because it said Level 1 and I am so there, but all I can see is a cafe and a medical office. I started praying and just about the same time I asked for help, it dawned on me that Level 1 is not the same as GROUND LEVEL (*super blonde right here). Feeling like a total idiot, I took the lift and finally, made it to Level 1. Jeepers, whatta noob. I was 3 minutes late for the interview!

My confidence level went down the drain at that point. I had to apologise and it didn’t help that the interviewer seemed really tired and uninterested. He’s done a bit of interviews that day and I was the last one, but I decided I’d be myself anyway. So there I was, giving answers like, ‘Uhm…yeah, I can manage time by drinking lots of Starbucks coffee. It’s just down the road”. “You’d be hard-pressed to find anyone as hard-working and as driven as I am.” (I had to sell myself, yeah?!)

Five minutes into the interview and my confidence was back, realising once more that it’s just some company I’ve never heard of before. No biggie if I don’t get it. I even had the nerve to tell him in my closing that now that he has an idea of what I can offer, I’d like him to know what I expect as well. I said to him that I want a job that would give me a pathway for a career growth in marketing/advertising and if this company cannot offer that then I’d rather not proceed with my application. I felt like biting my tongue after I blurted those words out, but for some reason, I felt that he was really amused rather than offended. But then again, NO BIGGIE! I’ll live. I told Kevin the interview was just okay and I probably won’t get it.

Just a week later (September 17th), I received a voicemail from an Australian number while Kev and I were in the gym. The lady on the phone said they are happy to offer me the position at ‘AA…’something. I was really happy I got the job, but as Kevin asked me what position and which company, I realised I actually have no idea. The line was so choppy so i couldn’t make out the company’s name. I only heard ‘AA—’. That did not sound anything like the business company we saw on google, so Kev was like, “You don’t know the position, you don’t know the company’s name either, but you know you got the job. Did you even apply to this? Wow. All I can say is, thank God you’re beautiful”.

Funny man.

I checked my email while Kev made dinner and believe me, he must have needed earplugs although he was in the kitchen. I couldn’t believe it! I got hired at the Australian Associated Press (AAP)!!! These are the Fairfax people! I mean we used to just talk about them at uni because they are THE National News Agency in Australia and like HELLO, I just got hired in their new office here in Auckland without me realising it!

Oh my goodness. Oh my goodness. My heart was racing and I felt sick to my stomach. The realisations started flooding in – the IT/business office we googled was the previous occupant of the building, I was an overconfident idiot during the interview and the man who interviewed me was, yeah, the Operations Manager himself. I wanted to hide into a hole and disappear. Kevin knew it and he was half-amused and half-worried while he held me in his arms, comforting me with the words, “You’ll be great. You’ll do well. I’m so happy and so proud of you.”

Kevin made me note that God really knew what He was doing. God made sure I did not know it was AAP otherwise I would have been so nervous during the interview. He also made sure it was the right time. He made sure that the office was close to Kevin’s so we can have lunches together. He made sure it was a normal 40-hour a week, within office hours, no weekend work kinda job – that way, I can give time for my marriage and most importantly, serve Him fully and still passionately help to fulfill His purposes. He made sure of everything. God knew everything about me before I was born (Jeremiah 1:5) and He has plans to prosper me (Jeremiah 29:11).

I am really blessed to have the Starbucks management team to back me up in my career growth. They approved to let me go with just a short notice, so I can start with my training. I’m sad to leave them, but I do know God has been brewing this plan for a long time, and I have to follow as He directs. Ready or not, come Monday, I am switching my green apron to corporate clothes and high heels.

God, for the new spiritual home, for our engagement, my promotion early this year, Kev’s new job, and now my new job, our wedding and honeymoon in three months’ time, and for more of Your plans taking place…thank You. You never cease to amaze me. In times of doubt, please help me remember moments like these when You prove once more that You are faithful to Your people. Your wisdom is unfathomable and Your kindness and mercies put proud hearts to shame. You know our needs more and so, You provide for things at the right place and at the right time. Lord, You’ve opened this door for me. Please send Your Holy Spirit and let Him fill my life, so that I may walk in the path you’ve laid on my feet in a way that is righteous and ever-pleasing to You. I love You. I am nervous. I don’t know what I’m going to do there, but You know what You’re doing – and that’s good enough for me.

Taken at the gym on the same day I received the voicemail from oz. =)

http://2prex4u.wordpress.com/2011/09/22/god-moments-september-surprise/

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