Spirit Garage - Meditations

Prayer for Confidence

Thu, 08 May 2008 13:48:43 -0400

Prayer for Confidence
© 1997 - 2008 Church of Today West (adapted)

I know that God is the one and only source of my being.
Spirit Itself created me. Life Itself lives through me.
Love Itself sustains me.
I am an important and connected part of this spiritual universe.
If God loves me enough to create me, offer His Son to give me life,
then I can love and respect myself no less.
Therefore, I no longer believe in unworthiness, limitation, and shame.
I no longer believe that I am undeserving of the best life has to offer.
I deserve and accept all the good things in life,
for myself and everyone else in my world.
I ACCEPT my own beauty, and I see it reflected in the world around me.
I ACCEPT my own power, and I use it wisely.
I ACCEPT my own worth, and I live abundantly.
I ACCEPT my own love, and I share it freely.
I ACCEPT my own potential, and I live it fully.
My past, my false beliefs, and my feeling of unworthiness no longer limit me.
I accept full responsibility for my life, my thoughts, my feelings, and my actions.
I may not always like what I do or how I feel,
but I choose always to love myself in the meantime.
Never again will I judge myself as undeserving.
Growing and evolving feels good. Accepting responsibility feels good.
Giving myself permission to become the person I was meant to be feels good.
And I deserve to feel good about myself and my life.
And so it is.

"I AM" Holy Week Meditation - Day 8

Mon, 24 Mar 2008 12:06:31 -0400

Welcome to Easter Monday and the last of the "I AM" Meditations. Today we read the statement where Jesus claims, “I am the Alpha and the Omega.” Revelation 1:8. This statement is found 3 (or 4 times depending on the translation) in the book of Revelation, the last book of the Bible. The book of Revelation is the greatest mystery and intrigue of any writing, for all time. There are countless interpretations, but the one thing it repeatedly states is that Jesus is the Alpha and Omega, the Beginning and the End. Read more. . .

"I AM" Holy Week Meditation - Day 7

Sun, 23 Mar 2008 08:02:10 -0400

Today we read the statement where Jesus claims, “I am the resurrection and the life.” John 11:25. What were and are the implications of this statement? For Lazarus it meant a second chance in this life, as Jesus called him out of the tomb. The resurrection is not for death, but life.

My summary of all of Paul’s writings is that this resurrected life is not for death, but for life – living not only after our mortal death, but living, truly living today and always. Many are afraid of such a claim, the religious authorities were afraid and that is why they had Jesus arrested and ultimately put to death by crucifixion. But on this Easter morning we remember that Jesus’ tomb is empty, he is not dead, he has risen. Hear Jesus cry out to you, trapped in the death of your life, “Come out and live!” Now and forever more. (For the rest of the chapter, read more. . . )

"I AM" Holy Week Meditation - Day 6

Sat, 22 Mar 2008 18:38:18 -0400

Today we read the statement where Jesus claims “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. . .” John 14:6. This is part of the conversation Jesus is having with his disciples during the Last Supper, the night in which he is betrayed and arrested. Jesus knows what is to come and is preparing his disciples. He begins by saying, “Do not let your hearts be troubled. Believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father's house there are many dwelling places. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, so that where I am, there you may be also. And you know the way to the place where I am going." Do you know? Read more. . .

"I AM" Holy Week Meditation - Day 5

Fri, 21 Mar 2008 17:01:33 -0400

During these Holy Week Devotions we are looking at 8 "I am" statements Jesus uses to describe himself. If you could use 10 statements to describe yourself, what would it include? Hopefully your statements described your connection with friends, family, your participation in an organization that makes a difference in the world, etc. Was there any connection with your faith? Why or why not?

Today we read the statement where Jesus claims “I am the vine, you are the branches.” (John 15:5). Jesus is inviting you to see yourself connected to him. This connection brings joy, power, and purpose. This connection brings heartache, weakness, and loss of self. John, chapter 15 speaks to both of these truths. This chapter has arguably the most individually quoted Bible verses of all the chapters in the Bible. The one that speaks to me today is John 15:13, “No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” Today is Good Friday, when Jesus walks the talk, going to the cross to die for our sins, laying down his life so that we may live with him forever. This is just one of the 10 stand alone verses from this chapter that I have remembered at different times in my life. Which ones speak to you on this day. Read more. . .

"I AM" Holy Week Meditation - Day 4

Thu, 20 Mar 2008 14:42:29 -0400

Spirit Garage the church with the Really Big Door, believes in a very narrow gate – Jesus. Today we read the statements where Jesus claims “I am the gate.”

Jesus said, "I am telling you the truth: the man who does not enter the sheep pen by the gate, but climbs in some other way, is a thief and a robber. The man who goes in through the gate is the shepherd of the sheep. The gatekeeper opens the gate for him; the sheep hear his voice as he calls his own sheep by name, and he leads them out. When he has brought them out, he goes ahead of them, and the sheep follow him, because they know his voice. They will not follow someone else; instead, they will run away from such a person, because they do not know his voice." Jesus told them this parable, but they did not understand what he meant. So Jesus said again, "I am telling you the truth: I am the gate for the sheep. All others who came before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them. I am the gate. Those who come in by me will be saved; they will come in and go out and find pasture. The thief comes only in order to steal, kill, and destroy. I have come in order that you might have life—life in abundance. (John 10:1-10). Thankfully even those in the presence of Jesus as he said this “did not understand what he meant.” To hear my thoughts, read more. . .

"I AM" Holy Week Meditation - Day Three

Wed, 19 Mar 2008 12:06:28 -0400

Today we read the statements as Jesus claims “I am the light of the world.”
John 8:12 – Jesus spoke to them, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life."
John 9:5 – “As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world."

There is a lot of darkness in our world. You can choose to live in the darkness or instead choose to walk in the light. When I share this many people respond, “Where is this light?” or worse “There is no light.” I believe the light is in the world because Jesus is still in the world at the churches that offer this light. However, there are churches that concentrate on pointing at the darkness and in doing so cast a shadow so the person who really needs the light doesn’t cannot receive it. Two answers to this, read more. . .

"I AM" Holy Week Meditation - Day Two

Tue, 18 Mar 2008 12:18:20 -0400

Today we read the statements where Jesus declares, “I am the Bread of Life” and “I am Living Bread.” Jesus announces this after feeding the 5,000. Like yesterday, Jesus is making a connection to the Old Testament when God provided the Manna from heaven while Moses was leading the Israelites through the Wilderness to the Promised Land. Is that not the journey we are all on? As you read the Gospel of John, Chapter 6:1-59, where do you find yourself – doubting like the disciples, rejecting this like the religious leaders, accepting this gift like those gathered on the shore, or offering what you have so that Jesus may bless it so that all might be fed like the boy offering his 5 loaves and 2 fish? Follow the "Read More" link for the Bible reading.

"I AM" Holy Week Meditation - Day One

Mon, 17 Mar 2008 13:15:56 -0400

Welcome to Daily Devotions for Holy Week (The time between Palm Sunday and Easter). Jesus enters Jerusalem where he is arrested, tried, and executed primarily because people did not know who he was.

For this week we will look at some of the ways Jesus described himself using "I AM" statements. There are a number of them. Today we read the statements where Jesus basically claims that he is God by describing himself as "I AM." For the people he was speaking to these two words would be reminders of the conversation between Moses and God. . .

Thanks!

Sun, 09 Mar 2008 18:27:43 -0400

Dear Spirit Garagers,

I wanted to write a note of thanks for all of your kind words, well wishes, and the amazing farewell celebration as I departed my staff role at Spirit Garage. Your prayers, kind words and stories have been incredibly touching and have meant a great deal to me. (The fish & chips at the celebration were also really tasty!)

I count myself very lucky to have been a part of the Spirit Garage staff the past 6 plus years and it has been a joy to work with you as we build a community together. I look forward to my role now as a member. My thanks and prayers go to all of you in this time of transition. Thank you all!

Biloxi Service Trip

Fri, 11 Jan 2008 10:15:43 -0500

Please keep Leigh, Robert, Christopher, and Dan in your prayers as they head to Biloxi, Mississippi to help rebuild homes. You can follow their work on the trip blog here: www.vimpathways.blogspot.com

Who is Jesus?

Wed, 09 Jan 2008 16:27:37 -0500

Who is Jesus? Below are some Biblical answers, but look to the comments to hear what others attending worship at Spirit Garage on December 30, 2007 had to say; and we would love to hear your answer - add your own comment.

This question has been asked for a couple millenia and longer if you include the prophesy of waiting on the Messiah. For Christians we have many Biblical accounts of people seeking this answer.

"Remember" A Christmas Eve Poem by Crystal Cohen

Fri, 28 Dec 2007 12:30:22 -0500

Remember snow comes and goes
Stars shine bright, maybe look at them and remember a birth
Remember life
Remember last year
and how you got so far
Remember who you are
So is it okay if I ask for Peace
Love
Joy
?
Since I don't need a new coat
Since I don't need toys
If there is Peace, Love, and Joy
And maybe many presents are wrapped around the Christmas Tree
But I would rather have the presence of God since that lasts for eternity
So ribbons and bow's and boxes that are full
I hope your hearts are. . . just as well
Shake hands and tell them "Hi, I am. . . "
Just remember snow comes and snow goes.

Keep the Promise: An Advent Daily Devotion leading up to Christmas

Sat, 01 Dec 2007 16:11:08 -0500

Welcome to December, the count down to Christmas is just 25 days away. There is a special name for this time of year, it's called Advent and it's Christ centered not commercialized. Something that I find helpful to keep Christmas in perspective is to follow a daily devotion, which often includes a Bible reading, a brief message, and a short prayer. I encourage you to try it out. You can do it online, or order one for your desk. Follow the link to to enjoy this devotion. Remember the Promise given to us in Jesus, by reading: “Keep the Promise” Advent Calendar Devotion for December 1: Isaiah 40:1-11

All Communities have Hypocrisy, especially churches, even Spirit Garage, but we also have. . .

Tue, 27 Nov 2007 13:49:06 -0500

. . . Forgiveness, offered through the Faith, Hope, and Love of Jesus Christ, with the greatest of these being Love. Hypocrisy is an ugly thing and no person has not lived it. Quite frankly to hold hypocrisy as an ultimatum against being a part of any community, especially churches, keeps us from experiencing the life God really wanted for humanity, and through Jesus allows us to reach out in spite of our errors with love for our neighbor. This coming Sunday we have the privilege of hearing from Professor David Fredrickson of Luther Seminary as we begin a Christmas Message Series on Reaching Out. The devotion that follows from Kerry Nelson I thought was a good primer to the upcoming conversation. Read More and Enjoy. Yours in Christ, Rob