Called to be prayerful, forgiving, and providing family

Early childhood and older adulthood are periods when we're much more acutely aware of our dependence on benevolent relationships.

Much of our middle lives, however, at least in this culture, are a quixotic quest to 'make it on our own' or 'claim our independence' as marks of success.

Today's lessons -  particularly Genesis 18:20-32; Colossians 2:6-15,16-19; and Luke 11:1-13 - call us to remember that we're created as part of a family, in prayerful, forgiving, and charitably providing relationships with each other.... just as our creator is in relationship with us.

May we be bold and persistent in prayer and conversation with God and each other.

May we continually seek forgiveness for our selfish acts and neglect of others, while also striving to be merciful in forgiving the debts of others who have 'sinned' against us.

May we aim to end hunger in all it's forms by providing out of our abundance.

My post on Facebook this morning: Reflecting on how we're more acutely aware of our dependence on prayerful, forgiving, and charitable relationships when we're much younger and much older. Curious about antidotes for quixotic quests of 'making it on our own' and 'striving for independence' in our middle years. Us/we vs. I/me. God's kingdom come, God's will be done. 

invite Jesus in... and there goes the neighborhood (and all you thought was so important)

Though my first official day as Chaplain at The Canterbury was July 1, I was away the last two weeks tending to a family matter (that ended with me sitting by a loved one's bedside for five days as he died in hospice care).

During this morning's services, I'll invite discussion about how our perspectives and priorities evolve and mature with regard to the prioritization of time and attention on more true relationships (with each other and with God)... from previously anxious concerns about completing tasks and meeting expectations of others.

Good lessons for my first Sunday with my new family here.

Good lessons for the beginning of a new ministry role.

Good lessons for living more in the moment at Christ's feet.