Life seems pretty busy for most people. For some the idea of having five days off at the end of this week is pretty appealing. For others having that amount of time off when there is so much work to be done is more of an annoyance than a benefit.
I suspect that when a public holiday was first suggested at Easter time there was some thinking about recognising the importance of the event, and taking the time to honour the One who we remember at this time. Instead of it being a holy-day, it became a holiday, or a day when we could indulge ourselves in more food, more recreation and more “me time”. I have this funny feeling that this wasn’t the intention of Easter.
Instead, the holiday – or should I say holy-day – was established to remember One who gave up his own benefits for the good of others; whose sacrifice was not giving up eating meat or chocolate, but giving up his own life for the good of humanity.
Yes, I would like to enjoy myself this weekend, and I’m planning to spend some time with the family, and plant the winter veges. But I’m also going to take the time to hear again the story of Jesus and to ponder what his sacrificial love means to me. If going to church is not your usual practice on a weekend, I can think of no better time than this weekend to make the effort to visit your local church and reflect on the true meaning of Easter.
Odds are the roof won't fall in!
Showing posts with label spiritual. Show all posts
Showing posts with label spiritual. Show all posts
Monday, April 18, 2011
Monday, February 28, 2011
Be Still ...
Each Monday morning at our Applecross office, some members of Baptistcare staff spend some time in reflection as a way of starting our work week together. It usually takes the form of a reading from the Bible, a thought from someone about what the reading means to them, and a time when people can pray together for the coming week.
This morning we heard the words from Psalm 46: “Be still and know that I am God.”
In a world of chaos and confusion, a working life of busy-ness and pressure, and in some cases, a home life where things don’t seem to go the way we would like them, these words come as a welcome invitation.
As I reflect on these words, I don’t see a requirement to take more action, when there’s already so much happening around me; I don’t see a requirement to establish an academic knowledge of religion; and I don’t necessarily see an expectation to conform to a particular pattern of behaviour.
What I see is an invitation to pause from the rush and bustle of life to feel the welcoming presence of One who knows exactly how I am feeling right now and longs to share my journey with me. It is the still, small voice of One who prizes a relationship with me above all other demands and expectations.
By the way, if you’re near Applecross at 8.30am Monday come and join us for a time of reflection.
This morning we heard the words from Psalm 46: “Be still and know that I am God.”
In a world of chaos and confusion, a working life of busy-ness and pressure, and in some cases, a home life where things don’t seem to go the way we would like them, these words come as a welcome invitation.
As I reflect on these words, I don’t see a requirement to take more action, when there’s already so much happening around me; I don’t see a requirement to establish an academic knowledge of religion; and I don’t necessarily see an expectation to conform to a particular pattern of behaviour.
What I see is an invitation to pause from the rush and bustle of life to feel the welcoming presence of One who knows exactly how I am feeling right now and longs to share my journey with me. It is the still, small voice of One who prizes a relationship with me above all other demands and expectations.
By the way, if you’re near Applecross at 8.30am Monday come and join us for a time of reflection.
Monday, September 6, 2010
Spiritual Wellbeing
Baptistcare’s mission statement says: Reaching out with the love of Jesus we work with individuals, families and communities to achieve their spiritual, emotional and physical wellbeing. Having looked at what working individuals, families and communities may involve, we move on today to discuss how we can achieve spiritual wellbeing.
Spiritual wellbeing probably means completely different things to different people. For me spiritual wellbeing means living at peace with God, at peace with my neighbour and at peace with myself. I think Jesus summed that up when he was asked by a teacher of the law which was the greatest commandment. His reply was: "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'”
One of the tools that I use to nurture spiritual wellbeing is a website produced by the Irish Jesuits. What’s a nice boy from an Irish Protestant background doing reading something from the Irish Jesuits?, you may ask. I make use of the Bible, prayer, meditation and the support of other people to help in my spiritual growth, but this website, www.sacredspace.ie is a simple and quick way of pausing on a daily basis to nurture my spirit. I encourage you to take the time to find ways to do likewise.
Spiritual wellbeing probably means completely different things to different people. For me spiritual wellbeing means living at peace with God, at peace with my neighbour and at peace with myself. I think Jesus summed that up when he was asked by a teacher of the law which was the greatest commandment. His reply was: "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'”
One of the tools that I use to nurture spiritual wellbeing is a website produced by the Irish Jesuits. What’s a nice boy from an Irish Protestant background doing reading something from the Irish Jesuits?, you may ask. I make use of the Bible, prayer, meditation and the support of other people to help in my spiritual growth, but this website, www.sacredspace.ie is a simple and quick way of pausing on a daily basis to nurture my spirit. I encourage you to take the time to find ways to do likewise.
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