Hi Pen. Your campfire church is, to me, far more human and useful than the disparate, belittling and often hypocritical views I have heard at many church services ( not all).
It's a bit like Esme's heart-felt glimpse of a church on a long forgotten journey. What it represented was ultimately more important than the location and the details of what went on inside. It was elusive and yet she sought and ultimately found that intangible thing it emanated. It wasn't the building itself that was important... and she found her own 'church' in community, love and simplicity. Her solid, 'real' church seemed to entrap her with obligation and dogma.
What you describe in this post resonates with integrity, and I really appreciate that. It really is all about the little things isn't it - and interestingly it's the same fundamental message all religions seem to have at their core. Not always easy, as life can get pretty hectic, but something to strive for within. Another great post, thank you. Deb x
Thank you – I'm so glad what we are doing resonates with you. What you say in your last paragraph, there – "It really is all about the little things isn't it - and interestingly it's the same fundamental message all religions seem to have at their core. Not always easy, as life can get pretty hectic, but something to strive for within". Absolutely! That's why I think the simplicity comes first, because if the details accumulate they capsize the ship. Preventing life from becoming hectic is (for me anyway) the first task at hand, in order to reduce the inflow of detail and allow the building blocks of one's life to be assembled consciously. If the detail proliferates then I find I start dropping and forgetting and failing to plan ahead, and sooner or later let somebody down.
In ecclesiastical matters, I observe a similar tendency to become so absorbed in buildings, procedures, legal requirements, fundraising and protocol, that the maintenance of a quiet rhythm of praise and a practice of love is forever sent to the back of the queue.
Faith, to my mind, is expressed not in the establishment and maintenance of a religious institution, but as a way of being in the world. x
I am reading your series the Hawk and the Dove for the third time. I continue to find it so very rich. Thank you... And thank you for your campfire church.
I give thanks to God for your calmness and beauty from within you, it is a balm to my soul, since Michael's death I have felt a heavy cold stone in my gut that wants to turn me into a nasty bitter old woman. It is only my God in Jesus that prevents this. I totally agree with you about the straw and the camel's back!! I know I have hurt people in these situations, sometimes, because of circumstances, unable to put things right.thanks for your service to Jesus I can understand more and rest in Him. Lesley Gilchrist x
Hi, Les. You know that song, "Brother, let me be your servant"? There's that bit in it that says, "We are here to help each other walk the mile and bear the load." If there have been times when you hurt somebody, well, that was the moment they had the privilege of helping you carry a load to heavy for you to manage alone. As you can imagine (because you know me), I am not in fact either calm or beautiful, just very cautious about what I do and don't post online! May you be blessed, Les. May you find your tribe and walk in peace. xx
7 comments:
Thanks Pen for these words of wisdom...words I can ponder for the rest of the day.
Shalom,
Victoria
Hi Pen. Your campfire church is, to me, far more human and useful than the disparate, belittling and often hypocritical views I have heard at many church services ( not all).
It's a bit like Esme's heart-felt glimpse of a church on a long forgotten journey. What it represented was ultimately more important than the location and the details of what went on inside. It was elusive and yet she sought and ultimately found that intangible thing it emanated. It wasn't the building itself that was important... and she found her own 'church' in community, love and simplicity. Her solid, 'real' church seemed to entrap her with obligation and dogma.
What you describe in this post resonates with integrity, and I really appreciate that.
It really is all about the little things isn't it - and interestingly it's the same fundamental message all religions seem to have at their core. Not always easy, as life can get pretty hectic, but something to strive for within.
Another great post, thank you. Deb x
Thank you – I'm so glad what we are doing resonates with you. What you say in your last paragraph, there – "It really is all about the little things isn't it - and interestingly it's the same fundamental message all religions seem to have at their core. Not always easy, as life can get pretty hectic, but something to strive for within". Absolutely! That's why I think the simplicity comes first, because if the details accumulate they capsize the ship. Preventing life from becoming hectic is (for me anyway) the first task at hand, in order to reduce the inflow of detail and allow the building blocks of one's life to be assembled consciously. If the detail proliferates then I find I start dropping and forgetting and failing to plan ahead, and sooner or later let somebody down.
In ecclesiastical matters, I observe a similar tendency to become so absorbed in buildings, procedures, legal requirements, fundraising and protocol, that the maintenance of a quiet rhythm of praise and a practice of love is forever sent to the back of the queue.
Faith, to my mind, is expressed not in the establishment and maintenance of a religious institution, but as a way of being in the world. x
I am reading your series the Hawk and the Dove for the third time. I continue to find it so very rich. Thank you... And thank you for your campfire church.
Thank you, Lisa — that's so encouraging! xx
I give thanks to God for your calmness and beauty from within you, it is a balm to my soul, since Michael's death I have felt a heavy cold stone in my gut that wants to turn me into a nasty bitter old woman. It is only my God in Jesus that prevents this. I totally agree with you about the straw and the camel's back!! I know I have hurt people in these situations, sometimes, because of circumstances, unable to put things right.thanks for your service to Jesus I can understand more and rest in Him. Lesley Gilchrist x
Hi, Les. You know that song, "Brother, let me be your servant"? There's that bit in it that says, "We are here to help each other walk the mile and bear the load." If there have been times when you hurt somebody, well, that was the moment they had the privilege of helping you carry a load to heavy for you to manage alone.
As you can imagine (because you know me), I am not in fact either calm or beautiful, just very cautious about what I do and don't post online! May you be blessed, Les. May you find your tribe and walk in peace. xx
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