The 67th Book of the Bible

I love to read. Nothing makes me happier than having an afternoon to myself, putting on my sweats and reading a great book while nestled in my couch. Because I read mostly non-fiction (and due to my notoriously bad memory) I can reread the really good ones again and again. And I’m usually reading two or more at the same time…one for morning inspiration, something motivational during the day and something rather meditative (translation: read 1 minute and fall asleep) at night. During the day, I’m also reading articles, newsletters, magazines, on-line news reports. I just love reading.

I recently came across a quote in one of the books I’m currently re-reading, “What Can One Person Do?” A middle-aged woman in Bulgaria is quoted as saying, “A normal person has…. some self-esteem, to take a holiday, read a book. While now—you work here or there all day in order to have something to eat, and at night you can’t even exchange a couple of words like normal persons, you drop off asleep as if you were dead. It’s as if you were dead while you were still alive.”

I have always been aware of world poverty and hunger. When I was small we went trick or treating on Halloween with UNICEF cans. When I wouldn’t eat every last bit of food on my plate, my mother reminded me of the starving children in Biafra. The TV ads with Sally Struthers talking about children all over the world needing our help seemed to grate on me more than compel me to do anything positive. Millions were dying from hunger and disease. The statistics were more numbing to me than a call to action. But this quote got to me. It was very eye-opening to me (maybe heart-opening would be better to say) as to how people are forced to live their lives. Not just that they are hungry, but that the time they have to themselves is basically for sleep. Where I’m reading several books at once, this woman has no time to read, perhaps with no way to even get a book. Or have a hobby, or meet a friend for a cup of coffee. All those things that give me such pleasure. Things that I so take for granted.

This spring I had the privilege of working with an incredible group of folks presenting the Millennium Development Goals, which were adopted by the U.N. and the Episcopal Church USA in 2000, to our congregation. I find now what is happening to me is an awakening to the power we hold in our hands to actually do something about extreme poverty. Our Christian values and thoughts ran like a thread through each of our discussions.

We are in a position to allow our lives to change the story of the world. I recently heard Christians described as the 67th book of the Bible. People read our lives, our words and our actions and draw conclusions about our faith from them. The way we live declares whom we love and on whom we depend. We are explaining Jesus to people all the time by the way we live not by words alone.

Here are some useful ideas for us to consider when assessing our lives and our commitment to holistic change. Try reflecting on just two or three of these each day, either on your own or with colleagues.

In our work:
Glorify God in all we do.
Use the Bible as a reference and guide for all our development work.
Stand with and encourage those who are suffering.
Ask for God's power in all the situations we are involved with.
Show people the relevance of the Bible by relating it to their own situation.
Stand up for justice and against injustice at all times.
In church services, include issues concerning the community, justice and the practical outworking of biblical values.

In our actions:
Love the poor.
See the image of God in everyone, no matter what they are like.
Listen before we speak.
Live lives that raise questions in others to which the gospel is the answer.
Display sensitivity.
Use our knowledge and creativity to assist and support churches and people in their work.

In our beliefs:
Think more highly of others than ourselves and desire to serve people.
Have a passion for helping people find their true identity and gifts.
See ourselves as stewards of the gifts and possessions God has given us.
Have a repentant spirit and be willing to seek forgiveness.
Have that genuine humility that should come from being in Christ.

In our personal lives:
Live reliable and honest lives.
Be flexible in our response to situations.
Live a life that shares God's love.
Be open to the Holy Spirit directing us.
Be willing to speak about our strengths and weaknesses.
Grow in our understanding and obedience to God's word.
Be dependent on God.
Be welcoming.
Love God with all our heart, mind and soul.
Be a good neighbour.
Be patient in all situations.
Be prepared to let God use us at any time.

If you haven't managed to meet all of these yet, don't be surprised; none of us has! But don't give up, either - keep persevering! God's strength and grace are enough to pick us up each time we fall short.

These thoughts were adapted from the book Christian Wholistic Development by CRUDAN.

The Journey to What Could be

I'm telling you these things while I'm still living with you. The Friend, the Holy Spirit whom the Father will send at my request, will make everything plain to you. He will remind you of all the things I have told you. I'm leaving you well and whole. That's my parting gift to you. Peace. I don't leave you the way you're used to being left—feeling abandoned, bereft. So don't be upset. Don't be distraught.
John 14:25-27 The Message


There are times, although I have heard from my family and friends, not often, when my words won’t come. When what I’m feeling is so immense, so overwhelming, so awesome that when I try to speak of the situation I cannot find words that come close to any accurate description. This is one of those times.

For the past eighteen months, the rector search committee that I'm part of prayed, even begged at times, for the guidance of the Holy Spirit. While we listened to the members of St. Anthony, and listened to each other, we listened for the divine. Speaking for myself, I felt at times like I was calling into a dark abyss. Frequently I had a very difficult time praying. Trying to tell God what he already knows, I think I was just putting good spin on my prayers so that I didn’t sound so whiny. This God of all creation and beyond, this God of things I can’t begin to understand, this God who doesn’t need hints from me as to what should happen next, had been very quiet indeed these months, at least as far as I was concerned.

A short time ago this all changed. I think what I’ve learned, and I admit I’m a slow learner, is that praying ultimately means being open to God, learning more about myself so that God might let me know more about him and refusing to be rushed into accepting a mediocre version of what life could be .

I learned the value of being still and listening. This listening has turned into a physical sensation that involved more than my two ears. I began hearing with my soul, a soul filled with love and gratitude for what we have been given, for what we were being shown, for what we have and what could be. This hasn’t been easy for me. Leaving what felt comfortable and safe, trusting that somehow we aren’t just moving into the future, but that we are being led. Being led by the Spirit Jesus promised would be with us. And being blessed all along the way even during the painful times.

Recently a very dear sister in Christ sent me this Irish blessing. It so beautifully described a few of the intense feelings that I had been experiencing lately. I’d like to share it with you, to bless you as she blessed me by sending it to me.

I wish you not a path devoid of clouds nor a life on a bed of roses.
Not that you might never need regret
Nor that you should never feel pain.

No, that is not my wish for you.

My wish for you is that you might be brave in times of trial.
When others lay crosses upon your shoulders.
When mountains must be climbed
And chasms are to be crossed.
When hope scarce can shine through.

That every gift God gave you might grow along with you.
And let you give the gift of joy to all who care for you.

That you may always have a friend who is worth that name.
Whom you can trust and who helps you in sadness.
Who will defy the storms of daily life at your side.

One more wish I have for you.
That in every hour of joy and pain
You may feel God close to you.

This is my wish for you and all who care for you.
This is my hope for you now and forever.

Blessings,
Jill