Greetings:

Listening takes two.

Yes, two people, a person and God, a person and other being, or yourself/yourself are necessary for listening to happen.  But I would suggest another two qualities are necessary for listening: Time and Attention.

On Sunday, I stopped in the Middle School Sunday class (where they were, it just so happens, studying listening), when I stepped into the room I heard, "Oh, Pastor John, we are glad you are here, we have a question for you?" "what is the question," I asked.  "Well, we want to know, how many animals did Moses take on the Ark?"

I was only stopping by for a minute, I did not pay close attention at all, so I responded, "well, two, I think."  They laughed.  Then they pointed out, that as far as we know, Moses did not ake any animals on the Ark, however the Bible story says Noah took animals on the Ark.

Oops.

Clearly, I did not listen, since listening takes Time and Attention.

During this season of Lent, we are focusing on "Listen: Hearing that Still Small Voice and Finding Your Own." We are inviting ourselves to slow down, breathe, take time, pay attention and simply listen--Listen to God, the presence of Jesus, the movement of the Spirit, listen to our self, and listen to each other.  Listen, just listen.

While listening to others is difficult, listening to self is uncomfortable, it may be that listening to God is the most challenging invitation to listen.  You may have ways and processes that are comfortable for you to listen to the God of Love, and/or you may be looking for other ways to practice Listening to God.

There is really no right or wrong way to listen to God, we just have to be willing to take the time and pay attention while making sure what we are hearing is truly the God of Love, Mercy, and Justice as experienced in Jesus Christ.

Here is a brief list of ways to listen to God.
     *Prayer, especially when we take time to listen.
     *Centering Prayer.
     *Meditation.
     *The Examen--a process of reflecting on our day.
     *Journaling.
     *Reflective Walking.
     *Sitting in nature in silence.
     *Going on retreat.

If you would like to know more about any of these, feel free to contact me, and if you have access to the internet there are many good sites about each of these.  I can also guide you to some specific sites if you would like.

Most of all, as you listen to God, I hope you will hear over and over and over again how much you are loved, how precious you are, and how near God is in all of your life.
 

Peace and Grace.

John

     UPCOMING SUNDAYS:

     March 4, 2018--"Finding a Word: Listening to the Texts." Proverbs 1:20-23
     March 11, 2018--"Finding Your Mystic: Listening Beyond the Voices." Romans 12:2-12
     March 18, 2018--"Finding Your Power: Listening for Healing." Mark 5:24-34
     March 25, 2018--Palm Sunday "Finding Your Purpose: Listening to Your Heart."
          Matthew 26:36-46
     April 1, 2018--Easter Sunday!  Cantata with the Chancel Choir.

     March 30, 2018-- Good Friday Worship Service, 7 p.m.  "Finding Jesus: Listening for
     the inner Jerusalem."  A time of Scripture and Prayer.