Thursday's Thoughts 05/13/10

 

Hello Friends,

 

I can’t believe it is Thursday again!  It feels as though I were just writing my sermon for Mother’s Day and now, here I am, preparing to write this week’s sermon!  While I sometimes admit I grumble as I attempt to get my Thursday’s Thoughts out week after week sometime before the deadline of midnight, I have to admit that I appreciate the fact that I have this space to consider my thoughts.  I recommend it as a part of a spiritual practice.  Having to actually think about what you’re thinking about is an excellent practice in awareness.

 

As a matter of fact, I was just teaching Buddhism on Monday to my students at Orange Coast College and explaining to them the importance being aware of the moment.  For a Buddhist meditation comes not in some guided way, but in what would call “single minded focus”  or perhaps being aware of what you’re being aware.   Thich Nhat Hanh, my favorite Buddhist monk, writes for the western mind in using terminology that we can best understand.  In his book, “The Miracle of Mindfulness” he writes about the practice of being mindful of what you are doing when you are doing it.  How often do we find ourselves driving and not realize how we got from point A to point B?  This happens to me all the time!   I frequently find that my car has driven me somewhere I was not really intending on going because my mind had checked out!  Thich Nhat Hanh says that even something as simple as washing the dishes can be a spiritual practice. When we are aware of the dishes we are washing we are fully present.  So, whether we are washing dishes, peeling oranges, or driving on the freeway we can have a spiritual experience simply be being where we are.  I suppose it is difficult to imagine doing the dishes as a spiritual experience, but what if we did?  What if we were aware of now?  Be where you are now.

 

That’s a particularly difficult thing to do. I know this because I started writing my Thursday’s Thoughts at 10am this morning and haven’t finished my thoughts until after 10pm this evening!  One thing after another has called me away from finishing my thoughts.  But at the same time, the necessity to return to my thoughts (in this case in order to get them out to you) demands that I focus myself in the moment and ask myself “what am I thinking?  And what do I want to say?”   So, I wonder, where are you now?  Are you where you think you are? ie –is your mind in the same place as your body?  What can you do to be fully present in this moment?  How can being mindful of the moment help you to get through whatever it is you are struggling with?  How can it help you to appreciate life more?  How can it even strengthen your relationship with God in the now?

 

I hope that you will take the time to consider your Thursday’s Thoughts…even if you are reading this on Friday morning!

 

Looking forward to seeing you at church!  There’s lots of stuff coming up this week! Don’t forget our Tuesday Fundraiser:  Breaking Bread and Raising Dough at Souplanation on Harbor and Adams!  The flyer is attached to this email –just print it out and bring it in for dinner!   And women of the church –don’t forget the Women’s Retreat coming up on Saturday May 22^nd!  And if you aren’t going to the Women’s Retreat I hope you will consider walking the AIDS Walk. If not, please walk in Spirit by donating to our church team!  Thank you!

 

See you soon!  

 

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Revolution - part II

 

(For 2 voices) he made another promise             one they’d live to see a promise he kept             so the story says a promise to put the Promise in each person’s heart             a real promise             a living promise             a breathing promise a promise he called the Holy Spirit he would live in the heart he say the Holy Spirit in everybody if you believe

 

 

 

Please take a moment to read through the prayers of our community,

 the prayers that matter to us, and lift them up in your hearts this moment.

 

If you have an a prayer request you would like to add to our list, please email or call the office714 545-4610.

 

 

 

 

Diane Halverson, Sarah’s aunt, is still at a rehabilitation center following her recent hospitalization, and hoping to slowly recover in order to have hip surgery again.  

 

 Announcements

 

 

 

 

 

Join our Fairview Team and Walk on May 22 2010 at the Great Park in Irvine!

OR

Become a SPIRIT Walker and Donate to our TEAM!

 

 

Being a member of the church is easy! 

 All you have to do is come to a membership class and learn more about the church.

if you’re interested please contact Marge Salmassy, Wayne Rashor hit reply.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thoughtfully,    

 

 

Reverend Sarah Halverson

Fairview Community Church

2525 Fairview Road

Costa Mesa, CA 92626

(714) 545-4610