A shared life cannot be ignored any longer as we see the shifts in culture, church and all that we see ahead. The days of rugged individualism in this country have eroded the whole notion of sharing nearly anything, including life. There is an option before us— an option of coming together over tables and campfires; micro breweries and house church to find each other and live this out and out loud. It is all apart of the message about a new way of living that Jesus casts for us.
This is the message that called me off the tundra in Alaska to the rocky plateau in Colorado to learn what you are telling us. Your life’s work converged around simple principles that nourish and grow the deepest parts of my being. I discovered that soul care infuses the Gospel into our bodies. Through soul care I recognized Jesus within me and Jesus in the world today. The sabbath hinge pin, a lit candle, seeking beauty, human dignity, silence, curiosity, deep listening, spiritual friendships, carefully prepared bowls of soup, wordless music, poems, small bites of the Scriptures, circadian rhythms and the daily office. All of these are means of grace that have pointed me toward peace within and peace for others.
When you write like this, it is so moving to me. Thank you for moving across the continent to live a shared life. What you have outlined here is the foundations of finally living in an abundant way— not in a surviving way.
Yes, so much more abundance yet a lighter load than in years past.
Yet even today I struggle to remain in “the way.” You have taught me how. I know better. My own survival mechanisms, habits and hangups lure me to old belief that I have make my life go well. I strive and strive to hold it all together for myself and those I am responsible for.
Your struggle and mine, is what Thomas Keating calls our "programs for happiness"--these deeply ingrained ways of putting together an "If I do this, then I can have that..." It's built into the American Dream. But not the Jesus dream for us. So as Keating says, we need to be de-programmed. And this happens just has you and I and others are living out our lives, making tweaks, adjustments and tune ups to live more in tune with our Grand Design. And as you also already know, anyone who is an Enneagram 1...really, really really finds if challenging to deprogram but you are doing it and doing it so, so well. The key here is our growing awareness and doing our shadow work and moving step by step and bird by bird toward the Light.
Fantastic post Steve! As a man in the work life grind, I can relate fully to the pressures you describe here. I think what I've found most helpful over the past few years in helping to establish the Jesus Way rhythms and to put a stake in the ground as to center upon is a real weekly Sabbath. It's like an oasis in the week and reminds me to "cease and celebrate" the faithfulness and goodness of God. Nothing complicated.....I just turn off everything.....slow pace.....go outside......notice......wait. It was difficult doing this at first, but now my heart and mind craves it.
Indeed! Sabbath is the hingepin of all spiritual rhythms. It begins there… in that 6:1 rhythm and this is precisely how we resist culture, maintain sanity and find each other in leisure not in rich and chop chop.
Thanks, Steve. I love your description of the shared life. This is what I aspire to, possibly when I move to NC.
A shared life cannot be ignored any longer as we see the shifts in culture, church and all that we see ahead. The days of rugged individualism in this country have eroded the whole notion of sharing nearly anything, including life. There is an option before us— an option of coming together over tables and campfires; micro breweries and house church to find each other and live this out and out loud. It is all apart of the message about a new way of living that Jesus casts for us.
This is the message that called me off the tundra in Alaska to the rocky plateau in Colorado to learn what you are telling us. Your life’s work converged around simple principles that nourish and grow the deepest parts of my being. I discovered that soul care infuses the Gospel into our bodies. Through soul care I recognized Jesus within me and Jesus in the world today. The sabbath hinge pin, a lit candle, seeking beauty, human dignity, silence, curiosity, deep listening, spiritual friendships, carefully prepared bowls of soup, wordless music, poems, small bites of the Scriptures, circadian rhythms and the daily office. All of these are means of grace that have pointed me toward peace within and peace for others.
When you write like this, it is so moving to me. Thank you for moving across the continent to live a shared life. What you have outlined here is the foundations of finally living in an abundant way— not in a surviving way.
Yes, so much more abundance yet a lighter load than in years past.
Yet even today I struggle to remain in “the way.” You have taught me how. I know better. My own survival mechanisms, habits and hangups lure me to old belief that I have make my life go well. I strive and strive to hold it all together for myself and those I am responsible for.
I’m learning to allow myself the gift to LET.
Your struggle and mine, is what Thomas Keating calls our "programs for happiness"--these deeply ingrained ways of putting together an "If I do this, then I can have that..." It's built into the American Dream. But not the Jesus dream for us. So as Keating says, we need to be de-programmed. And this happens just has you and I and others are living out our lives, making tweaks, adjustments and tune ups to live more in tune with our Grand Design. And as you also already know, anyone who is an Enneagram 1...really, really really finds if challenging to deprogram but you are doing it and doing it so, so well. The key here is our growing awareness and doing our shadow work and moving step by step and bird by bird toward the Light.
Yes, absolutely agree.
Bless you for your words and reminders. Keep writing! Blessings to Gwen as well. jenness
Excellent word!!
Fantastic post Steve! As a man in the work life grind, I can relate fully to the pressures you describe here. I think what I've found most helpful over the past few years in helping to establish the Jesus Way rhythms and to put a stake in the ground as to center upon is a real weekly Sabbath. It's like an oasis in the week and reminds me to "cease and celebrate" the faithfulness and goodness of God. Nothing complicated.....I just turn off everything.....slow pace.....go outside......notice......wait. It was difficult doing this at first, but now my heart and mind craves it.
Indeed! Sabbath is the hingepin of all spiritual rhythms. It begins there… in that 6:1 rhythm and this is precisely how we resist culture, maintain sanity and find each other in leisure not in rich and chop chop.