Ian here! Before I come to this month’s post, I wanted to thank all you prayers who have been bringing me before the Lord on this healing adventure as I’ve dubbed it. I cherish everyone and knowing the chemo continues to be working and my neuropathy ...
Before I come to this month’s post, I wanted to thank all you prayers who have been bringing me before the Lord on this healing adventure as I’ve dubbed it. I cherish everyone and knowing the chemo continues to be working and my neuropathy is manageable now, I now your prayers are being answered. Thank you. I’ve still got a long way to with a stem cell transplant at some point in this adventure and I will continue to covet every prayer you pray! Big love.
“For me, reason is the natural organ of truth, but imagination is the organ of meaning.” – C.S. Lewis.
Increasingly using my imagination in my spiritual walk has led to an increasing intimacy with God. It is said that it was after Lewis began to use his imagination that he finally discovered God as a relational being and surrendered his many years of resistance to give his life to God.
We use our imaginations all the time every day. Some of it or even a lot of it can be used for not so positive purposes. For example, our fantasy life. This is something that I must continually surrender to the Lord as it can be a distraction focusing on my self-ruling mind. Letting go of our self-rule is one of the great challenges of our spiritual walk and it is a daily surrender. Stepping into a positive use of my imagination is one way I turn my eyes to the Lord and let go of my self-rule.
How I use my Imagination
About 10 years ago I came across Imaginative Meditations. I love listening to a soothing voice invite me to put myself into a Biblical story and use my senses to imaginatively interact with Jesus.
In times of solitude and silence I will typically invite Jesus to come into my room in my imagination. We will sit together and simply be still. Sometimes Jesus will say things to me, sometimes he doesn’t. But simply being in his presence allows me to let go of some my distractions in my thought life. When a distraction pops its head up, I might simply say, “Jesus” or “Come Holy Spirit” that knocks it down and switches me back to Jesus.
Recently, I’ve been meeting Jesus on a boat on a beautiful lake. I imagine I’m on Lake Jasper or similar in Canada. Look it up if you’re not familiar with it. Funnily, I’m not really a water-guy. But I hop in the boat and we sit, we fish (he’s a very good fisherman!) and sometimes we even head to shore and Jesus shows me how to build a fire, how to de-scale any fish we’ve caught, cook it over the fire and then enjoy a meal together. Once again, it’s not about talking so much but simply being together.
Some of the drugs I’m taking make getting to sleep a challenge, so I use a nighttime mediation from the Dwell app to help me fall asleep. Viv and Trevor alternate each night and use a short verse to help us move on from our day and focus on God’s goodness, his peace, his constant caring for us, or similar to help us relax and then music takes us into sleep. I did mention that I love listening to a soothing voice, didn’t I? I picture Jesus speaking these words over me and even sitting in my bedroom quietly praying over me the night’s verse.
Over to you. What imaginative practices do you use to help you step into the Lord’s presence? Do you have concerns using your imagination to ‘see’ the Lord?
This month the team is going to be writing about how we grow our faith, sharing experiences of things we have had. So, it’s my turn.
One of the things I do deliberately to keep my faith alive is keep an ongoing record of every single thing I sense God do for me.
Practically, it looks like this:
At the end of every month, I spend about 3 hours looking back over the month, re-reading my journal, and recording in a Word document what God did. I literally number the lines 1 to 30 or 31, and fill things in day by day. If there was anything I felt God say to me on a particular day, I write it down. I also write down any events that seem noteworthy.
I then sit with that list and chat to God about it. I say, ‘What are the themes here?’
It is a very enjoyable thing to do, and as soon as the end of the month rolls round I almost can’t wait to make this list! In fact, I did it today: With it being the end of May (at the time of writing) I looked back on May with God. It’s like I rub my hands together in glee and say to God, “Ok, let’s chat about what happened this month!”
Because I do this, I am paying attention to God’s voice in my life. And I think he responds to that. He knows I’m going to listen and take it seriously.
So what happened in May?
So many things! But perhaps my favorite was this:
I think an angel came up to me on the street and gave me a word from the Lord!! And, my friends, that is only the second time in my life that I’ve ever thought ‘Was that an angel?’
So how cool was that? See, there are always new and exciting adventures to be had with God. And it got me thinking about angels. That’s the point of these experiences, they get us thinking.
By the way, don’t you love stories about angels? Many of us have had some experience or other where we’ve thought, ‘hang on, was that an angel?’
My friends, I will tell the angel story next time I write. But for now… Let’s chat in the comments:
How do you keep your own faith alive? Do you have a particular strategy or routine where you remind yourself of God’s acts in your life?
As we step into summer months in the northern hemisphere, I hope you find yourself seated poolside or on a beach or even in a comfy chair and have time to read a book. I have several great suggestions, if you need some. GRIN (click here).
In the month of June, the writers here at SUM are going to share our experiences to encourage and grow your faith. Our “Church without Walls’ has always been about practical faith. So, let’s hear about how faith and the interactions with God work out in real life.
I sure hope you were able to watch Barb’s video on Monday because THAT IS THE REAL DEAL.
Last week, on a particular day, I can’t remember which, I was busy running around working through my normal routine. I was rushing from one project to the next to keep up with my schedule. I had sat and read my Bible and scribbled a couple of lines of prayer in my journal that morning. Then I sprinted off for a walk in order to be back and ready for a morning prayer session.
The walks around here in May are beautiful. But I rushed through it and as I returned and charged up the steps into my backyard to enter the house, I stepped into the backyard and turned toward the back door. Suddenly I hear, ding, dong, ding.
The large wind chimes that are affixed to the oak tree which overhangs our patio, chimed, three-short-chimes. I stopped in my tracks.
Why?
Because I heard this in the three chimes, “I LOVE YOU.” Ding, dong, ding.
I swung around immediately and threw my arms straight up in the air. I looked around. No wind. Nothing. Nada. The smaller wind chime next to our larger chime didn’t move. Three little chimes.
This interruption to my busy day was the Lord reminding me He is with me and to slow down and notice Him. I was overwhelmed by His love in the moment. I worshiped Him standing there with my arms in the air, looking at a now, very still, wind chime.
That moment was the most important moment of my entire day. My friend, God is speaking. Are you listening? Let Him love you in your busy, your messy, your tired. He’s good like that.
How is God loving you this week? See you in the comments. Blessings and I say to you, ding, dong, ding. Love you. Lynn
Summer is upon us. Have a fabulous Memorial Day in the State. Today, we are going to wrap up our posts regarding personality disorders and healthy relationships.
What is a personality disorder?
A personality disorder is a mental health condition that involves long-lasting, all-encompassing, disruptive patterns of thinking, behavior, mood and relating to others. These patterns cause a person significant distress and/or impair their ability to function.
To read more specifics about disorders as classified by Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. (Click here. Clevland Clinic.) It’s interesting
Through my prayer ministry I’ve worked with people who are struggling with one or more of these disorders. All of us have had to deal with our own personality traits. Family of origin is where these originate.
BUT, this is what I know to be true. Jesus can heal people. I bear witness and know people who have recovered from SRA (Satanic Ritual Abuse) Shattering of the soul, Schizophrenia, Narcissism and all the rest.
JESUS HEALS. JESUS SAVES. JESUS DELIVERS.
The key is to become whole yourself. Do the hard work. And believe me IT IS HARD! It takes a long time. But I am living proof Jesus can truly change a person. And I be you have changed also.
Don’t ever stop praying for those in your family. Study and learn more about what your spouse and family deal with. The more you understand, the greater your compassion and patience.
Next month we are going to share some real-life experiences in how faith has changed our lives for the better. If you have a story, share it with me. Email me.
I picture Jesus speaking these words over me and even sitting in my bedroom quietly praying over me the night’s verse.
