Hearing God

In listening to an interview with Dallas Willard on my walk this morning he was talking about how does one know that God is speaking. He spoke about watching for the circumstances, paying attention to the Holy Spirit, and the guidance of scripture.
As I reflected upon these these things in the midst of this process I'm fairly certain that the circumstances are saying that it is time to move, time to make decisions and venture out into something new. I believe that together we have a fairly clear sense that scripture is telling us as a church to make and build up people who follow Jesus in all of their life and that we as individuals and as a church are to be about loving the people of our community (in all that that means) in ways that both meet and go beyond their basic needs.
What I'm concerned about is whether we are hearing the Holy Spirit in the same way. It could be that God is speaking different things to different people and that together they are all "right" or it could be that we have not yet developed the discipline of discernment to the point where consensus is truly possible.
Just some thoughts and ponderings.
Pastor Sid

Without Jesus

This morning as I was walking I was listening to a talk given by Dallas Willard. In the talk he said something that has just been ringing in my ears ever sense. He said;
"We know that we can do nothing without Jesus, but when we do nothing it is without Jesus."
He was talking about about what it means and looks like to live the God with life. A life fully focused and in tuned with God.
I'm left to wonder if this is a word that God might be speaking for me individually or for our church as a whole?
Sid

Which Question?

As I listen to the reassurance of the Holy Spirit I feel happy about the possibilities of making positive changes in the community through the ministries of Saint Joseph. It feels right to be focusing on how we can witness to the power and presence of God in our lives. I feel God encouraging me to "think BIG" as Sid says. I have begun to wonder: which are the questions that will help us move toward a realization of a moment which will be honoring to all that God can do? Which are the Kingdom questions?

Shannon

Think Big

While I have been praying and pondering the options that seem to be before Saint Joseph right now God seems to keep challenging me to think bigger. It doesn't seem that it is bigger as in buildings or numbers but in Kingdom impact. While I'm praying and listening God seems to be inviting me to step farther and farther back from the circumstances that I'm seeing and asking me to consider what potential all of these opportunities have for being apart of God's growing Kingdom. I don't know what all of this means but I have the sense that it means the decisions that we need to be making are not just about us but primarily about how we are going to participate in the Kingdom of God that is breaking in around us.

Sid

Listening

In my devotions today I was reading Psalm 46 and came to that great line, "Be still, and know that I am God." I wonder how you get "still?" Is stillness the absence of noise? As I have been praying about our future, I find myself working to be still. I seem to hear God saying, "Being still and listening are not always the same thing." How are you doing at listening? What are you hearing?

Pleased

I have been reflecting upon the gathering this past Sunday (4/5) and the overwhelming sense of gratitude that I have for the positive hearts of the people that were present for our first meeting addressing the issues / opportunities that are before us. As I listened to the questions that people asked, the requests for information, and the suggestions made, there was a sense of great openness. Not openness necessarily to a particular idea or solution but an openness to the dialogue and wrestling that will take place in the coming months. It didn't feel to me as if people had come to the meeting with their minds made up and their heels dug in (for or against).
It seems like we are off to a great start and I'm just excited to see what God will continue to do in the midst of this process of listening!

Sid

Facing Forward

The thoughts and comments shared here are a part of the process of discernment. Just because something is posted does not mean that it is set in stone. Please ask questions and add your comments to the discussion as we all interact together in this process of discernment.