Thursday, April 30, 2009

The Adventure of Becoming

Philosopher Bernard Lonergan once noted: "All religious experience at its roots is an experience of an unconditional and unrestricted being in love" (Quoted in Robert Wicks' "Touching the Holy"). Every authentic religious experience is an encounter with infinite Love. Brennan Manning notes that the recovery of passion begins with the recovery of our true self as the beloved (Abba's Child, 125). In discovering the infinite Love of Christ for us, we will also find our true self. If John, the disciple whom Jesus loved (John 21:20) were to be asked, "What is your primary identity, your most coherent sense of yourself?" he would not reply, "I am a disciple, an apostle, an evangelist," but "I am the one Jesus loves."

When I read the gospels, it seems clear that the disciples were truly crazy about Jesus. Theologian Raymond Brown utilizes more restrained prose: "Jesus was remembered as one who exhibited love in what he did and was loved deeply by those who followed him." As followers of Christ today, the love of Christ impels us. Our love for him grows out of the knowledge of his love for us. Living in this love relationship with Christ nurtures in us a growing passionate awareness. We are learning to release regrets, stunted emotions, passivity, and the random or haphazard dissipation of precious life energy that we've been pouring into fruitless relationships and projects. We can release the unproductive, life-draining ways as we begin to trust God more fully. When we live in a fearful mistrust of God, the world, and our self, we have little ability to make a passionate commitment to anyone or anything.

It's nearly impossible to grow and mature when we allow endless rational analysis to keep us from decisive commitment. According to Victor Frankl, a person finds identity only to the extent that "he commits himself to something beyond himself, to a cause greater than himself" (Frankl: Psychotherapy and Existentialism, 9). It seems paradoxical, but we gain a healthy self-awareness, not through self-analysis, but by courageously taking the leap of faith that leads to commitment. The meaning of our lives emerges in the surrender of ourselves to an ADVENTURE OF BECOMING who we are not yet.

In the glorious adventure of becoming we learn that the promised peace that the world cannot give is located in right relationship with God. Self-acceptance (the refusal to be at war with myself) and inner peace become possible only through radical trust in Jesus' acceptance of me as I am. The answer to the question, "Who am I becoming?" is discovered through personal commitment of our heart and life to the loving Christ. He says we can trust in the Father and also in Him (John 14:1), and He reminds us: "Behold, I make ALL things new" (Revelation 21:5).

Will you join me in surrendering to the love-based adventure of becoming who we are not yet--who God's love will grow us to be?

Duff Gorle

Wednesday, April 22, 2009

Spiritual Satisfaction Leads To Spiritual Service

In Luke 10:38 we read that "Jesus went into a certain city, and a certain woman named Martha received him. She had as sister named Mary, who sat at the Lord's feet and listened to what he was saying."

Meister Eckhart notes three things that caused Mary to sit at Jesus' feet:

1. God’s goodness had embraced her soul.

2. Mary had a great longing, a yearning, a desire to know God intimately.

3. The words that came from Christ's mouth provided her with sweet comfort (consolation) and happiness (bliss).

The "masters" of the spiritual life have generally agreed that God is ready for every person's spiritual and physical satisfaction to the utmost degree that the person desires.

Richard Foster points out that the Mary and Martha impulses within us are to function in symbiosis. We first need the "one necessary thing" that Jesus spoke of. We first enter a loving, ongoing, ever-growing relationship with God. We learn to be a "branch," gaining our life sustenance from Christ, the Vine.

Once this reality has worked its way deep within us then, out of the abundance of this life, we serve others, freely and joyfully. Even the clarity about which services to undertake and the means for accomplishing them flow out of the "one necessary thing."

Jesus' encounter with Mary and Martha reminds us that sequence is important in our developing spirituality. Spiritual satisfaction gained through the "one necessary thing" precedes authentically joyful, helpful, Spirit-led service to others. Mary and Martha illustrate these two aspects of the Christian life--spirituality and service. These two inseparable twins are interlinked and powerfully influence one another.

Living out of Circle One (the "one necessary thing") will provide the spiritual satisfaction that empowers us for loving service.

Isn't it great to be crazy in love with Jesus?!

Duff

Wednesday, April 8, 2009

Easter Celebration

Dear Friends,

There are so many reasons why I love Easter! It reminds me that if I believe God is the giver of life, then I can trust him when this life he has given comes to a close. We've heard the counsel, "Let other people finish their own sentences." Easter shows us how God finishes his sentence relating to the gift of life! I also find meaning in facing the harsh reality of death. As Randy Pausch has written, "Brick walls are there for a reason. They give us a chance to show how badly we want something." The non-negotiable reality of our impending death--that life as we know it will end--provides you and me with the opportunity to decide how badly we desire to live this life full-out! We can enjoy investing each precious moment as our gift of loving, healing, inspiring presence in the lives of people we are connected to in this God-given journey we call LIFE!

Let's celebrate God's gift of life this Easter! And let's trust God to finish the sentence when our life comes to a close!

I invite you and any others to participate in Easter Weekend at Phoenix Light & Life. Here's what we have to offer for your blessing and inspiration:

1. 24-hour Prayer Vigil--The prayer chapel will be open from 7 pm Friday until 7 pm Saturday with beautifully prepared "stations of prayer" to help guide our hearts and thoughts into alignment with God's heart and thoughts. We invite you to come and "be" in God's loving presence. We're praying to more fully know God's presence, and God's guidance, personally and in the faith community.

2. International Prayer & Praise 2009--4 pm Saturday in the Worship Center. See the poster to the left--it gives information about this powerful movement of God's unifying and healing love! The music is going to be awesome! Don't miss this event.


3. Easter Breakfast--Beginning at 8:45 am Easter Sunday. Come and enjoy a delicious, complimentary (donations accepted) breakfast as we celebrate God's gift of life in Christ.

4. Easter Celebration--10:30 am, join us for a special Easter service in the Worship Center.

Looking forward to seeing you on Easter Weekend! Bring a friend or two and let's receive and share God's loving kindness in community together.

With blessings and love,

Duff Gorle