faith and work

Each moment and in all things

Nigel — Fri, 03 Nov 2006 20:06:00 +0000

"Self surrender, trust and faith, the universal means of accepting the state chosen by God's grace for each one is what I preach. To long to be the subject and instrument of divine action and to believe that it operates each moment and in all things in so far as it finds more or less goodwill - this is the faith I am preaching. Not a special state of grace of perfect love but a general state whereby each one of us may discover God...Divine action cares only for a willing heart and takes no account of any other faculty."

- Jean-Pierre de Caussade

Relationships and work

Nigel — Thu, 12 Oct 2006 20:51:00 +0000

"Understanding the role of friendships in God's economy has substantially altered my work. The truth is that our real priorities are what we give time to...In seeking to make relationships a priority, I have had to cut back on commitments over the years...

...So I am learning to be more flexible with my schedule, and to hold my activity goals a little more lightly. Frequently God will bring across my path people who need my time. These are unique opportunities to serve, encourage, laugh with, cry with, and open up to others... Listening to their heartbeat, responding in frienship and love..."

Wayne Kirkland from: Where's God on Monday by Alistair Mackenzie and Wayne Kirkland.

Setting the Pace

Nigel — Mon, 02 Oct 2006 13:09:00 +0000

The Lord is my Pace setter - I shall not rush
He makes me stop for quiet intervals,
He provides me with images of stillness which
Restore my serenity,
He leads me in ways of efficiency through
Calmness of mind,
And his guidance is peace.
*
Even though I have a great many things to
Accomplish each day, I will not fret,
For his presence is here,
His timelessness, His all importance, will keep
Me in balance
He prepares refreshment and renewal in the
Midst of my activity,
By anointing my mind with His oils of tranquility,
My cup of joyous energy overflows.
*
Truly harmony and effectiveness
Shall be the fruits of my hours,
For I shall walk in the Pace of my Lord
And dwell in His House forever.
*
Psalm 23

Taking a Time-out

Nigel — Wed, 20 Sep 2006 19:40:00 +0000

Rest -

Relax -

Have peace in your soul.

Drink long and cool

from the pool

of solitude.

Let fresh thoughts

enter your mind

and dance there -

Like flowers

dancing

on the hill.

Let sunlight play in your heart -

and the beauty and peace

of God's world

enter into

and become one

with you...

On the Way to Work - Vinal Van Bentham

Responding

Nigel — Tue, 05 Sep 2006 12:53:01 +0000

"If it is in God that we live and have our being, then it is in the power that comes from God that we do our work."

A quote from the journal "Zadok Perspectives 90", see here, gives a thought provoking statement as we work out our responses to how our faith shapes up in our work.

As the response to "Where's Gop on Monday?" continues the above may prove a useful statement to "ponder" on!

Experience, Explore, Reflect...

Nigel — Sun, 20 Aug 2006 06:11:00 +0000

We have now come to the end of our three week course but the journey continues with time to ponder on our responses.

"I pray that God will speak loudly
And that you will hear humbly.

I pray that God will act mightily
And that you will receive graciously.

I pray that God will bless amazingly
And that you will share freely.

I pray that God will be close
And that you will walk safely."1.

May our response ponderings be soaked in this prayer.

i. Mary Fleeson, Life Journey, A Call to Christ-Centred Living, (Lindisfarne Scriptorium).

A Call to Pray

Nigel — Tue, 15 Aug 2006 01:31:00 +0000

During the "Where's God on Monday?" series prayer has been a dominant factor and two of the most powerful "scripted" prayers are reproduced here:

"May my conversations be significant,
May my meetings be blessed,
May my path cross the paths of others who love you,
May my path cross the paths of others who don't know you,
May my touch be your touch of infinite gentleness,
May my words be your words of wisdom."i.

And,

" Help me to live each moment
reaching for the fulfillment of my potential,

Help me to worship you,
My Father,
My Saviour
My God.

Help me to serve the stranger and friend
in obedience and compassion.

I can do nothing without You
but with You I can do anything."i.

i. Mary Fleeson, Life Journey, A Call to Christ-Centred Living, (Lindisfarne Scriptorium).

Where's God on Monday?

Nigel — Fri, 11 Aug 2006 04:20:00 +0000

We are currently midway through our three week "Where's God on Monday?" course aimed at centering our work as an essential part of God's bigger picture through stories, music, the Bible, prayer and reflection. Have a look at the Pastor's paragraph here.

Welcome

Nigel — Fri, 11 Aug 2006 04:06:00 +0000

At Opawa part of our vision is:

"Enabling people to walk and grow with Jesus and reflecting his love into our communities and beyond"

We spend a huge amount of time in work throughout our daily lives from school to third age and everything in between - we all have to work to exist.

How do we view our work?

Does it have to be paid to be classified as work?

Where does our faith fit into our work or does our work fit into our faith?

Work is part of our very existence and this exploration of faith and work is born out of our journeying together at Opawa.