Seasons...

I enjoy being in school again. I love the intellectual stimulation, even if it comes from having to figure out my own beliefs based on the topic at hand. As a child I was taught that taking an authority figures opinion as my own was poor use of my brain. Being in school though has also challenged some of my own assumptions.  Such as, "what is broken, may be made new again," especially in terms of relationships. As I began the process of school and learning to become a Marriage and Family Therapist, I have realized, all that is broken, does not need to be made new again. There is a lot of freedom in that thought. Some relationships are just meant for a "season" of life. Not all are meant to be long-term and on-going. This is a significant area of increased flexibility for me.  As you take those relationships to God in prayer, like I will be doing as well, look for the ways that you have to resolve the pasts hurts, insults, or unrealistic expectations. It may include a final conversation, email or letter with the person you were hoping to resolve things with, identifying the areas unresolved, and then move forward in faith. It also may be that everything that can be said, was already said.  The "season" of life that the other person joined with you, will be used, like all things in our lives for God's Glory, as long as we believe and allow Him to lead. Not all relationships are maintainable on this earth. Some are meant just for a season... 

There is a time for everything,

and a season for every activity under heaven:

a time to be born and a time to die,

a time to plant and a time to uproot,

a time to kill and a time to heal,

a time to tear down and a time to build,

a time to weep and a time to laugh,

a time to mourn and a time to dance,

a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them,

a time to embrace and a time to refrain,

a time to search and a time to give up,

a time to keep and a time to throw away,

a time to tear and a time to mend,

a time to be silent and a time to speak,

a time to love and a time to hate,

a time for war and a time for peace. Ecclesiastes 3:1-8

Seeking....

I think that through out life we are all seeking.  Seeking  safety, seeking love and affection, and seeking a place where we know we belong. Maslow's Hierarchy of needs for the longest time best described, in my humble opinion, the process that we participate in through life. Sometimes I feel safe, sometimes, I feel loved, and in fact during the first part of my twenties, I mostly just wanted to make sure that my basic needs were met. However I think that there has be an interesting change to Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs. An Arizona State University Social Psychology Professor, Douglas Kenrick,  just recently published a paper revising Maslow's hierarchy of needs. From the image, I think they chose to view it from the point of view of evolution, but I think that it can also be looked at from the point of view of being made in the image of God.

http://asunews.asu.edu/20100819_maslowspyramid

Here is why: I have heard from friends over and over again after the birth of a baby, that understanding God and His gift of salvation becomes much clearer. The sacrifice, the love of humanity that must be involved, and how painful an experience it is to see a child suffer. In fact I always think of the story of Enoch "Enoch walked with God; then he was no more, because God took him away". Genesis 5:24

A devotional piece written by Ellen. G. White describes this far better than I. 

"But after the birth of his first son Enoch reached a higher experience; he was drawn into a closer relationship with God. He realized more fully his own obligations and responsibility as a son of God. And as he saw the child's love for its father, its simple trust in his protection; as he felt the deep, yearning tenderness of his own heart for that first-born son, he learned a precious lesson of the wonderful love of God to men in the gift of His Son and the confidence which the children of God may repose in their heavenly Father." Ellen G. White.

 As I work with children every day, and I observe the developmental process, I see little tiny people, driven to develop. And in their social-emotional development, they are driven to be like Mom and Dad, the two people in the world that they adore. In our spiritual development, I believe that we are driven to be like our Creator. That is why for those who long for marriage, and long for a family, I think it is a God given longing. Because it is part of the process of how we become more like Him.

Why we are, the way we are

This song has been running through my head these last 24 hours - as I think about the reasons the HomePage is in existence, and why we are the way we are...


I'm so glad I'm a part of the Family of God,
I've been washed in the fountain, cleansed by His Blood!
Joint heirs with Jesus as we travel this sod,
For I'm part of the family,
The Family of God

When I think back now, many years, and where it all began, we continue to see the prints left by those who have worshiped with us through the years. Because those experiences are a part of our story, they make our experiences sometimes bitter, sometimes sweet, and always left at the throne of God. It all comes down to the fact that near or far, we are part of the family of God. Watching a relationship restored is inspiring - realizing what was lost is found again, and deeper joy is found allowing another into our lives again. For that reason alone I have often prayed Joel 2:25 "I will repay you for the years the locusts have eaten." And God does, repeatedly, bless us with renewed relationships that are more fulfilling and gratifying then the years the "locusts" took.

It's terribly exciting as well to see the young people in our midst starting to ask questions, as they begin their journey of faith, both in an abstract sense of biblical study, prayer and reflection, and in a concrete sense experiencing worship, in a setting of family and faith. And starting to take ownership of the worship service as well, in a few years I anticipate that in my ripe old thirties I will likely retire as part of the regular worship leadership. There are young people growing in faith, preparing to take leadership, and own their worship experience. So we are also a part of the growing family of God. What a blessing!! And my dearest, most fervent hope is that there won't ever be any doubt if they belong to the family of God, because from their newest moments, when they joined worship with us, they will have experienced how much they are loved and wanted by a church family. With each little person, growing young adult, and grown-up with "you in our family, happy, happy HomePage."

Part of the experience is realizing that being a part of us every week isn't for everyone. That is ok. If there is a place where your emotional needs for connection, and spiritual growth are met, that is where you are meant to be. We are a family, the family of God. In some relationships, we literally are family. Imagine for a moment you experience the holiday season (Thanksgiving dinner, Christmas with extended family) every week at church, and you get an idea of how difficult it can be to worship together. Often imperfect in our interactions with each other, but through the lessons of worshiping together, and ministering together, we are also growing together.


Family of God
I'm so glad I'm a part of the Family of God,
I've been washed in the fountain, cleansed by His Blood!
Joint heirs with Jesus as we travel this sod,
For I'm part of the family,
The Family of God

You will notice we say "brother and sister" 'round here,
It's because we're a family and these are so near;
When one has a heartache, we all share the tears,
And rejoice in each victory in this family so dear.

I'm so glad I'm a part of the Family of God, I've been washed in the fountain, cleansed by His Blood! Joint heirs with Jesus as we travel this sod, For I'm part of the family, The Family of God

From the door of an orphanage to the house of the King,
No longer an outcast, a new song I sing;
From rags unto riches, from the weak to the strong,
I'm not worthy to be here, but PRAISE GOD! I belong!

I'm so glad I'm a part of the Family of God, I've been washed in the fountain, cleansed by His Blood! Joint heirs with Jesus as we travel this sod, For I'm part of the family, The Family of God