Simplicity Blog

During Lent, Salem Presbyterian Church will immerse itself in seven spiritual practices.  We will focus on the disciplines of Prayer, Hospitality, Worship, Simplicity, Fasting, Forgiveness, and Dying Well.  Different people in the congregation have been asked to lead a Sunday School class focusing on the spiritual practice of the week.  From the pulpit, Will and I will preach on that spiritual practice.

Chip Donahue has agreed to lead the class on Simplicity.  It has spurred him to create a blog as he prepares for this class.  So far, it looks great and is inspiring.  I encouarge you to check it out! 
http://30simpledays.blogspot.com/. 

Also, please come to Sunday School at Salem Presbyterian Church from 9:30-10:30 to soak in some learning, some conversation, and some challenge that will add meaning to this upcoming season of Lent.

Blessings,
Janet

This I Believe (Day 4)

We are in the midst of The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity. In Salem, 12 churches of different denominations have agreed to host a half hour prayer service at either noon or in the evening. I have not been able to attend all of them, but I have made it to several. It is wonderful to worship and pray with people of many denominations. So, I've been thinking a lot about prayer. The essay today is from Sister Helen Prejean, a nun and spiritual advisor to death row inmates. I hope her words help you to think about what you believe! For her, what she believes has to do with what she does. http://thisibelieve.org/essay/38707/

~Janet

This I Believe (Day 3)

RoundTable, our mid-week program for children and youth, has a fun theme each night.  Tonight was "Firehouse."  We ate chili and then we got to meet firefighters, climb through the firetruck, and play with Sparky the fire dog.  It was a great night! 

It was the activities with the children and youth that prompted me to look up a "This I Believe" story about firefighters.  There were many, but I chose to share this one:  http://thisibelieve.org/essay/964/.  What do you believe?

~Janet

"This I Believe" (Day 2)

It is important to reflect on what we believe.  Our beliefs may change as we mature or encounter new ideas.  I invite you to reflect some on what you believe.  Start making a list.  Dare to share that list!  There are some stories on NPR (www.thisibelieve.org) that might start you thinking.  Here's one for today that was written in 1951.  http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=5070736.  It's amazing how much life DOESN'T change!

~Janet

Happy Martin Luther King, Jr. Day!

For those of you who were together for Sunday School class yesterday, thank you for your input, your conversation, and your willingness to think a little!  For those of you who were not there, you still have two weeks left to think with us on "This I Believe."

Our time on Sunday was mostly filled with discussion about The Apostles' Creed.  However, I was hoping to time things right to be able to share some essays from the NPR "This I Believe" program.
I encourage you to skim through the different topics and essays this week and find some of your favorites.  www.thisibelieve.org.  I'm going to try to send you one a day all this week.

The one I picked out today is a reflection spurred on by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.:  http://thisibelieve.org/essay/26538/
Enjoy!

Janet

Saturday, December 24

John 1:14

Brian Chisom

John 1:14 (The Message)

The Word became flesh and blood, and moved into the neighborhood. We saw the glory with our own eyes, the one-of-a-kind glory, like Father, like Son, Generous inside and out, true from start to finish.

Modern technology has forever transformed the way we communicate with others. Consequently, we are less reliant on friends and family to “spread the word” when needing to disseminate information. Instead, we often communicate or “spread the word” through Facebook, e-mail and text messages rather than through the spoken word. A long time ago, God sent the Ultimate Text Message (UTM) or Word to the entire planet and decided to do so in the form of the birth of his son, Jesus Christ, and things have never been the same.

The Word or UTM that God sent announced to humanity that grace and truth had moved into all neighborhoods, that sacrifice and burnt offerings were old technology and that forgiveness and unconditional love had arrived on the scene. God hit the restart button when he sent his flesh and blood to model a new way for each of us, and his Word has made all the difference for generations.

As we celebrate the arrival of God’s Word, His flesh and blood message, let’s take ample time to reflect on what the arrival of that message means for each of us. In doing so, perhaps we can find new ways to pay forward the blessings and gifts God has bestowed upon each of us. Perhaps we can take action on some of those possibilities we have considered, but never seem to have time to make happen.

Prayer:  Help us to experience anew the gift of Your Word. Teach us to seek opportunities to make a difference in the lives of others just as You have done for us. Reveal to us ways to pay forward Your truth and generosity at the local, national, and global levels. Amen.

Friday, December 23

Matthew 2:11-12

Janet Chisom

The birth of Jesus was a big event.  It was anticipated by people near (Jesus’ family) and far (wise men from the Orient); people of high power (King Herod) and low esteem (shepherds).  In essence, the birth of Jesus was for everyone, regardless of religion, race, class, socioeconomic status, or occupation.  We are included in that invitation to meet Jesus and can learn from the response of the wise men.

The wise men did two things upon meeting Jesus.  First, they knelt down to adore the newborn baby, offering themselves to the King of kings.  They humbled themselves and worshipped at his feet.  Second, they gave gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh, offering their most precious possessions.  They were not concerned with the cost of their gifts, but only that they gave their best to honor him.

As we meet Jesus each day on our life journey, we are reminded of the response of the wise men.  We are encouraged to offer ourselves and our most precious possessions.  All of worship, and I could argue that all of life, is a combination of adoration and offering.  We are to humble ourselves before our Creator, giving God thanks for all that has been done for us, and offering ourselves and our abilities in response.  Also, we are to share what we have, our most precious possessions and skills, with others.

Prayer:  As You led the wise men, Lord, lead us.  Lead us to be people willing to offer all of who we are, willing to share our abilities, our gifts, and our lives with others.  In doing so, we honor the King of kings and Lord of lords.  Amen.