Monday, March 31, 2008 at 1:01am
Talking with God
Column: Woman at the Well
Do you ever have conversations with God? Neale Donald Walsch has made a living writing books of them, from his particular background and point of view; and they are lovely.
I've been talking with God and listening for practical guidance from my Higher Self, Higher Power, Jesus, Mother, or whatever sacred name I choose to give Her/Him, since I encountered the living Christ when I was 14. That was a long, long time ago. It began with a simple suggestion from a lovely Christian writer, Eugenia Price, who said to try it. She suggested that I just say, "Hello God," and with my own voice, open to the Spirit, say "Hello, Kristi," and see what follows.
For years I used this simple practice in my Bible Study. I'd read a passage from scripture and then ask, "OK, God, what am I supposed to learn from this? I don't get it. I object!" And sometimes I'd get a gentle clarification or encouragement to do more research into the commentaries, and other times I'd sense the Holy One agreeing, "I know, that's an odd thing to imagine your Loving Creator saying or doing. You can skip that and move on."
Sacrilege? Oh, probably, but the deep intimacy I feel with the Divine much of the time is a gift of these conversations. And thankfully I am living now in a time beyond the Inquisition when heretics such as me would be labeled witches and burned at the stake.
So my conversations continue. And at 3 in the morning, when I can't sleep, they often guide me to surprising realizations that lift my spirits and allow me to fall back into a deep and peaceful sleep with the assurance that all of life and every encounter is a gift full of possibility and potential. I need only to step out of my own way and see with the eyes of love to realize that even the most difficult and challenging circumstances are timed perfectly for my deepening growth and understanding.
Life is good. I signed up for this one, fully committed to learning all that will serve me in becoming fully the human being my Creator, my Loving God, has called me to be.
Hello, God.
Hello, Kristi.
Thanks for this new and miraculous day!
Blessings upon you. You're welcome.
Happy Monday!
— — —
Rev. Kristi Denham is pastor of the Congregational Church of Belmont, California (United Church of Christ). Her email address is {email RevKristi@aol.com}RevKristi@aol.com{/email}. © Copyright 2008 by Kristi Denham.
I've been talking with God and listening for practical guidance from my Higher Self, Higher Power, Jesus, Mother, or whatever sacred name I choose to give Her/Him, since I encountered the living Christ when I was 14. That was a long, long time ago. It began with a simple suggestion from a lovely Christian writer, Eugenia Price, who said to try it. She suggested that I just say, "Hello God," and with my own voice, open to the Spirit, say "Hello, Kristi," and see what follows.
For years I used this simple practice in my Bible Study. I'd read a passage from scripture and then ask, "OK, God, what am I supposed to learn from this? I don't get it. I object!" And sometimes I'd get a gentle clarification or encouragement to do more research into the commentaries, and other times I'd sense the Holy One agreeing, "I know, that's an odd thing to imagine your Loving Creator saying or doing. You can skip that and move on."
Sacrilege? Oh, probably, but the deep intimacy I feel with the Divine much of the time is a gift of these conversations. And thankfully I am living now in a time beyond the Inquisition when heretics such as me would be labeled witches and burned at the stake.
So my conversations continue. And at 3 in the morning, when I can't sleep, they often guide me to surprising realizations that lift my spirits and allow me to fall back into a deep and peaceful sleep with the assurance that all of life and every encounter is a gift full of possibility and potential. I need only to step out of my own way and see with the eyes of love to realize that even the most difficult and challenging circumstances are timed perfectly for my deepening growth and understanding.
Life is good. I signed up for this one, fully committed to learning all that will serve me in becoming fully the human being my Creator, my Loving God, has called me to be.
Hello, God.
Hello, Kristi.
Thanks for this new and miraculous day!
Blessings upon you. You're welcome.
Happy Monday!
— — —
Rev. Kristi Denham is pastor of the Congregational Church of Belmont, California (United Church of Christ). Her email address is {email RevKristi@aol.com}RevKristi@aol.com{/email}. © Copyright 2008 by Kristi Denham.