Don't lose any opportunity, however small, of being gentle toward everyone. Don't rely on your own efforts to succeed in your various undertakings, but only on God's help. Then rest in his care of you, confident that he will do what is best for you, provided that you will, for your part, work diligently but gently. I say "gently" because a tense diligence is harmful both to our heart and to our task and is not really diligence, but rather over eagerness and anxiety...I recommend you to God's mercy. I beg him, through that same mercy, to fill you with his love. - Francis de Sales
We have to create bylaws to accommodate everybody's needs, not just those of businesses.
Chris Dee
Yesterday was a marathon day for me at the church office. 8:00am to 10:30pm makes for a long stretch. I am not really built for it anymore. But it was a good day nonetheless. I wrote. I met (Aren't by-laws technically a sin against the Holy Spirit? Cliff? Thoughts here?). I studied (The lectionary readings this week are challenging.). I laughed, I cried, it became a part of me. The unfortunate bit is I went to bed punchy (Pray for my wife when that happens.) and have arisen no less punchy. Oy! 'Tis true! Can you tell?
Today's schedule is intentionally more gentle. I have a breakfast meeting with an old professor. I hope he remembers. I have a thousand questions. And then I have a lunch meeting with a congregation member. I know he remembers. I saw him last night at the meeting. Otherwise, I am free. I will bring some resources to pass the time this afternoon.
Tonight I am the house manager for Trish's new show. You all should come. It would be great to see you. I won't go home before the show tonight. I'll just head on up to Andersonville and loiter somewhere. You know, that 2 Timothy reading has really captured my imagination. What are others thinking about?
In other news, I have been a little overwhelmed with something that happened. It's all good, really. One of my congregants at CCW went to Richmond, VA recently. While they were there they stopped by Richmond Hill just to see the place I have spoken about time and time again. They met Ben, the Pastoral Director. He's likely the only one there who would remember me. It was unreal the things he said to them...really beautiful things. And he handed them a copy of the Richmond Hill vows. It would seem that Ben remembers some of my quirks. Time to focus on obedience again.
Conversion of life: a commitment to live one's life as if it were a conversation with God, attempting to take responsibility for one's own inner transformation through a regular personal discipline of life.
Stability: Committing oneself to the community of Richmond Hill and to the community of metropolitan Richmond as if it were a place of permanent residence, where one must live one's life fully and attempt to be a full part of the community's transformation.
Obedience: Living a life of service where the question is which is asked is, "What does God want of my life?" rather than simply, "What do I want of my life?" The community's decisions are made by prayerful discernment and consensus.
Hospitality: Community members commit themselves to the ministry of hospitality, healing, and racial reconciliation which are the vocation of the Richmond Hill community.
Prayer: A commitment to the community's daily offices of prayer at 7:00am, 12:00 noon, and 6:00pm of the community, which include prayers for all the people and institutions of metropolitan Richmond, and to a life of personal prayer.
It amazes me how much these vows still shape my life. I don't think it would be unkind to say that I was a totally lost during my time at Richmond Hill. Good friends held me together. So did the vows. Who knew? Ben remembered my need for obedience and conversion of life. The congregant who went to Richmond and I have been debating about obedience and its place in the Christian life. They pointed out that obedience follows conversion of life. Heh. Indeed. I think that they are mutually reflective dynamics in the Christian spiritual life, not ordered steps.
Okay, well I must needs be off. Time to get ready for the day. I hope you all are well. Follow some of these links if you feel like it. Some are familiar. Some are not. And here are one or two more if you need something to do. Enjoy!
Larry wrote about Ann Coulter. Huw wrote about Halloween. Mompriest shared a lovely poem. Megan received some flowers.