Dale Hall ~ Wanderings of a Sacred Heart

When success looks like failure

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Mon, 29 Jul 2013 03:13:00 +0000

Planting a church from scratch has got to be one of the hardest things anyone can ever do. With no multi-thousand dollar start up budget -starting out I told people there was "no reason for you to want to be a part of this except that God has called you to it" - "we have no facility, no mc-disney kids ministry, no band, nothing..." -"but scripture, prayer, worship & communion"...

What makes the church "successful"? What constitutes "The Church"? We spent over 2 years endeavoring to plant a church in Cleveland TN. Several factors led to a decision to close down the "church" (space) and move to a different expression of a home group. Often we think a church is successful if we leave an institution, build an edifice that lasts for hundreds of years. But what did the early church look like and what is the measure of the church?

So we kinda closed a church, was it a failure? A few basic questions we asked and answered on our last Sunday morning together:

+ Did we worship & praise God together? Yes.

+ Did we share all the good things God did on a weekly basis? Yes.

+ Did we teach and study His word? Yes.

+ Did we pray and actually expect that God would hear & do His will? Yes.

+ Did we celebrate life together & also share our struggles together? Yes.

+ Were there people baptized? Yes.

+ Are we making disciples? Yes.

+ Is the church a building? No.

In addition, while we had a rented space we let another ministry, a music venue who found themselves dispossessed, use our space for free, also-another church used our space on thursday nights, some gamers on friday nights, & some others as well here & there. We were not stingy with what the Father provided...

Often we think the church should be a monument or a museum but this simply ins't true. The early church was much more fluid, more like a flock of birds moving and changing direction, shape and form (meeting spaces, times, etc) The church is it's people. There are 168 hours in a week; we gather together 1-2 hours a week (& that is important) but that leaves 166 hours in the week we are to be the church outside of the church walls. Making disciples, being disciples in word & deed, that's the church.

To those who've tried and failed-perhaps you've not failed at all. God sees things differently than we do. Be obedient, trust the good Lord, do your best, take joy in the endeavor, leave it in His hands, be at peace.

When success looks like failure

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Mon, 29 Jul 2013 03:12:00 +0000

So we kinda closed a church, was it a failure? A few basic questions we asked and answered on our last Sunday morning together:

+ Did we worship & praise God together? Yes.

+ Did we share all the good things God did on a weekly basis? Yes.

+ Did we teach and study His word? Yes.

+ Did we pray and actually expect that God would hear & do His will? Yes.

+ Did we celebrate life together & also share our struggles together? Yes.

+ Were there people baptized? Yes.

+ Are we making disciples? Yes.

+ Is the church a building? No.

Fountains

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Wed, 20 Feb 2013 21:39:00 +0000

These are fountains of salvation

that they who thirst may be satisfied

with the living words they contain.

In these alone is proclaimed the doctrine of godliness.

Let no man add to these,

neither let him take out from these.

- Athanasius , 4th c.

A Merciful Heart

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Sun, 20 Jan 2013 02:04:00 +0000

Let me be more like this:
"And what is a merciful heart? It is the heart's burning for the sake of the entire creation... for every created thing; and by the recollection and sight of them the eyes of a merciful man pour forth abundant tears. From the strong and vehement mercy which grips his heart and from his great compassion, his heart is humbled and he cannot bear to hear or see any injury or slight sorrow in creation. For this reason he continually offers up tearful prayer, even for irrational beasts, for the enemies of the truth and for those who harm him, that they be protected and receive mercy...because of the great compassion that burns in his heart without measure in the likeness of God."
~SAINT ISAAC THE SYRIAN, 7th century

Celtic Blessing

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Fri, 18 Jan 2013 19:38:00 +0000

May the peace of the Lord Christ go with you,

wherever He may send you.

May He guide you through the wilderness,

protect you through the storm.

May He bring you home rejoicing

at the wonders He has shown you.

May He bring you home rejoicing

once again into our doors.

The Call

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Tue, 15 Jan 2013 23:17:00 +0000

“We’ve been called to heal wound,

unite what has fallen apart,

and bring home those who have lost their way…”

-Saint Francis-

Let Us Love, Let Us Run!

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Mon, 14 Jan 2013 20:24:00 +0000

You never go away from us,

yet we have difficulty in returning to You.

Come, Lord,

stir us up and call us back.

Kindle and seize us.

Be our fire and our sweetness.

Let us love. Let us run.

― Saint Augustine of Hippo, Confessions

Advent: PEACE & the DNA of a Disciple

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Sun, 23 Dec 2012 19:20:00 +0000

Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God...

-Matthew 5:9

No Peace:

We often live in a world without much peace in our hearts…

WHY?

That's pretty easy to answer, & we lay in bed awake sometimes with many things that siphon our peace and peace of mind away. We live in a world torn by war constantly; boots and bloody uniforms, swords and guns. Peace, in all it's forms, can be hard to find.

Followers of Jesus are not immune and we can find it hard to be at peace, with ourself and sometimes even with others.

Saint Francis said:

“While you are proclaiming peace with your lips, be careful to have it even more fully in your heart.”

"Easier said than done". Peace may be easy to speak, harder to do, or live by.

“Our life depends on the kind

of thoughts we nurture. . .

Elder Thaddeus, of the eastern orthodox church said:

“Our life depends on the kind of thoughts we nurture. . .

If our thoughts are peaceful, calm, meek, and kind, then

that is what our life is like. If our attention is turned

to the circumstances in which we live, we are drawn

into a whirlpool of thoughts and can have neither peace

nor tranquility.”

We must nurture peace in our hearts as well as speak it on our lips.

Isaiah put it this way-

You keep him in perfect peace

whose mind is stayed on you,

because he trusts in you.

- Isaiah 26:3

The Disciple & Peace:

We need to bring our minds and hearts back to God in moments of "non-peace".

Returning to God in those moments is not easy, but He promises peace to us, even in difficulty. Jesus said "my peace I give you..." It is a spiritual principle that Jesus will be the source of a disciples peace, in all it's forms.

― Thomas à Kempis, author of The Imitation of Christ from the 15th century wrote:

“The more humble and obedient to God a man is,

the more wise and at peace he will be in

all that he does.”

“All men desire peace,

but very few desire those things that

make for peace.”

Food for thought. The DNA of a disciple.

A Glimpse of The Kingdom of the Prince of Peace:

He will judge between the nations and

will settle disputes for many peoples.

They will beat their swords into plowshares

and their spears into pruning hooks.

Nation will not take up sword against nation,

nor will they train for war anymore.

- Isaiah 2:4

Every warrior's boot used in battle and

Every blood-stained uniform will be

destined for burning, will be fuel for the fire…

- Isaiah 9:5

The 2nd Advent of Jesus renders war obsolete:

Isaiah foreshadowed the coming return of the King, we celebrate the first advent of Jesus in this season but we also look very much forward to the second advent. And when He returns, Isaiah says, war and the things of war will be obsolete. Boots and blood-stained uniforms will be fuel for the fire. Swords will be made into gardening equipment to plant flowers and veggies with.

This actually breaks through in our world from time to time. The Kingdom raises up and shows itself, though not fully realized yet.

In World War I there is a fascinating story about the Christmas Day Truce between British and German soldiers. On Christmas Eve the British were surprised at night by light coming from the German camp, in fact they could see well enough to bombard the enemy with mortars and ammo. But they also heard noise from the German camp. It was Christmas carols! The Germans had light Christmas Trees and were singing traditional carols.

The British did not fire. In fact, the next day somehow, the men from both sides ended up playing "football" in no mans land, shared chocolate and cigarettes, THERE WAS PEACE. Among those who were suppose to be enemies there was peace on the day we celebrate Jesus' 1st advent. This is what Isaiah was saying. One day war will be obsolete, the things of war will be burned in the fire because they are needed no more, there will be PEACE.

The Prince of Peace has come:

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given;

& the government shall be upon his shoulder,

and his name shall be called

Wonderful Counselor,

Mighty God,

Everlasting Father,

Prince of Peace.

- Isaiah 9:6

Nativity of the cross

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Fri, 21 Dec 2012 02:07:00 +0000

(Picture of the "Christmas Truce" during WWI)

"Come, then, fair Child, enter upon your experience of our miseries ..

Set out on your laborious path and begin the work for which you have come;

for a long journey lies before you, many hazards are ahead,

unnumbered battles for you to win,

and most bitter pains for you to undergo for our sake."

- Saint Thomas of Villanova, 16th c.

ADVENT: Joy & The Disciple- "Do I hide or do I leave my place of safety and isolation and engage the dangerous world around me?"

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Sun, 16 Dec 2012 20:00:00 +0000

There is plenty in the world for us to loose hope, peace & joy over.

It would be easy to want to hide away, untouched by the world around us, cloistered and isolated. Think through the past year alone; what things would have you shrink back in fear and despair ? The tragedy of just this past week is enough for us to loose joy...

One thing I've noticed is often when I am down then a friend is there to pick me up, encourage me & help me to go on. Sometimes they don't even have to know or say anything. The fact is that often it is better the less we say. Just be. Sometimes that is enough. Our words, though well intentioned, can just get in the way at times. But when I am down there is often someone to pick me up and then sometimes I am the one encouraging someone else.

Henri Nouwen said-

“Joy does not simply happen to us.

We have to choose joy

and keep choosing it every day.”

This is so true. Some days it is a hard choice to make though.

In Luke 15 a story is related that speaks of this choice to have joy or not-

Now the tax collectors and sinners were all gathering around to hear Jesus.

But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law muttered,

“This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.”

- Luke 15:1

The religious leaders had a choice to either have joy or not, they chose not to...

Then Jesus relates a story.

“Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep

and loses one of them. Doesn’t he leave the

ninety-nine in the open country and go after

the lost sheep until he finds it?

And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on

his shoulders and goes home. Then he calls

his friends and neighbors together and says,

‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.’

I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in

heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine

righteous persons who do not need to repent..."

- Luke 15:4-7

The shepherd had great joy, the angels had great joy, God the Father had great joy. These men did not.

In John 15 Jesus also teaches on joy & the source of that joy.

I am the vine; you are the branches…

- John 15:5

As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you.

Now remain in my love. If you keep my commands,

you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my

Father’s commands and remain in his love.

- John 15:9-10

Here Jesus explains that HE is the source (vine) & we (branches) connected to Him will have and produce what He has and produces, through The Father. He continues with some interesting words:

I have told you this so that my joy may be in

you and that your joy may be complete.

John 15:11

JOY -Jesus is the source of our joy as well according to this word. JOY is part of the DNA of a disciple.

(Obligatory JRR Tolkien reference) See if this doesn't paint a picture for you-

“Pippin glanced in some wonder at the face now close beside his own,

for the sound of that laugh had been gay and merry.

Yet in the wizard's face he saw at first only lines

of care and sorrow; …"

Ever meet someone like this? An ugly furrowed, wrinkly- yet b e a u t i f u l face, one that carries burden but also shows a gentle peace and strength, and JOY?

continued:

…though as he looked more intently he perceived that under all there was a great joy:

a fountain of mirth enough to set a kingdom laughing, were it to gush forth.”

― J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings

As disciples don't we want to be like this? Though we carry the burden of the world sometimes

("you are the salt of the earth...you are the light of the world...")

Don't we desire to have an unquenchable joy? At our best don't we want to help others, lift up their heads, strengthen the weak knees, & when possible bring joy?

THY KINGDOM COME, and all the joy with it, began with the least important people. In the empire of Rome, in an occupied province, and to the people on the bottom rung of the ladder of power in that place, in a little town (Bethlehem) JOY was announced-

And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of

great joy, which shall be to all people…

- Luke 2:10

JOY

…They went with haste and found Mary and Joseph,

and the baby lying in a manger.

And when they saw it, they made known the saying

that had been told them concerning this child.

And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds

told them. ..

But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart.

And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising

God for all they had heard and seen,

as it had been told them.

- Luke 2:16-20

This kingdom was announced with and began with JOY.

All Hell will come against it. But this Kingdom of Joy will ultimately prevail.

“Joy is the infallible sign

of the presence of God.”

― Pierre Teilhard de Chardin

Saint of the day, Gregory, a disciple of enduring joy.

Gregory lived in a volatile time.

He suffered the fall of Rome & the total destruction of his society as Rome was hit by wave after wave of attacks, weakened and officially fell. The city became deserted, in disrepair, a shell of what it had been. On top of that the city was hit by plague.

He, just like we, was challenged.

"Do I hide or do I leave my place of safety and isolation and engage the dangerous world around me?"

Instead of hiding from The Plague in his monastery he went out to care for the sick and dying- knowing full well he could get sick and die himself. Many of the monks had decided to wait it out as safe as possible in the monastery till the sickness ran it's course. The pope of the day also contracted the illness and died leaving a need for new leadership in the church. This was not a very desired or powerful position in a a crumbling city and former empire.

Reluctantly Gregory was elected leader of the Church because of his DNA of Love, Hope, Joy & Peace. He was reluctant because he knew his limitations. Yet he was a man of the vine, connected and sufficient in Christ.

Corrie ten Boom, Nazi prison survivor and author of The Hiding Place put it this way-

“When we are powerless to do a thing,

it is a great joy that we can come and

step inside the ability of Jesus”

When Christ calls you to follow Him He calls you to be a bringer of joy into a sometimes dark world. As disciples it is part of our DNA. May He dwell within you & may you be a bringer of Joy as well as hope, love and peace this week!

Today I Believe

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Thu, 13 Dec 2012 23:03:00 +0000

Lord, You have always given bread for the coming day;and though I am poor, today I believe.

Lord, You have always given strength for the coming day;and though I am weak, today I believe.

Lord, You have always given peace for the coming day;and though of anxious heart, today I believe.

Lord, You have always kept me safe in trials;and now, tried as I am, today I believe.

Lord, You have always marked the road for the coming day;and though it may be hidden, today I believe.

Lord, You have always lightened this darkness of mine;and though the night is here, today I believe.

Lord, You have always spoken when time was ripe;and though you be silent now, today I believe.

Expressions of faith -from The Northumbria Community:

I Burn for You

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Wed, 12 Dec 2012 02:47:00 +0000

From Saint Augustine:

Too late have I loved you, O Beauty so ancient,

O Beauty so new.

Too late have I loved you!

You were within me but I was outside myself,

and there I sought you! In my weakness I ran

after the beauty of the things you have made.

You were with me, and I was not with you.

The things you have made kept me from you,

the things which would have no being at all

unless they existed in you!

You have called, you have cried,

and you have pierced my deafness.

You have radiated forth,

you have shined out brightly,

and you have dispelled my blindness.

You have sent forth your fragrance,

and I have breathed it in,

and I long for you…

I have tasted you, and I hunger and thirst

for you.

You have touched me, and I ardently desire

your peace.

- Augustine, 4th century

More Like This:

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Sun, 09 Dec 2012 13:11:00 +0000

Let the sisters and brothers be gentle,

peaceful and unassuming, mild and humble,

speaking respectfully to all in accord with their

vocation. Wherever they are, or wherever they go

throughout the world they should not be

quarrelsome, contentious, or judgmental towards

others.

Rather, it should be obvious that they are "joyful,

good-humo

ured," and happy "in the Lord"

as they ought to be…

- The Rule of Saint Francis, chapter V

St. Francis' Poem-

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Mon, 03 Dec 2012 14:47:00 +0000

A poem written in stages by St. Francis of Assisi from the period of the summer of 1225 till his death on October 4, 1226

Most high, almighty, and good Lord,

Yours is the praise, the glory, honor, blessing all.

To you, Most High, alone of right they do belong,

And no mortal man is fit to mention you.

Be praised, my Lord, of all your creature world,

And first of all Sir Brother Sun,

Who brings the day, and light you give to us through him,

And beautiful is he, agleam with mighty splendor:

Of you, Most High, he gives us indication.

Be praised, my Lord, through Sisters Moon and Stars:

In the heavens you have formed them,

bright and fair and precious.

Be praised, my Lord, through Brother Wind,

Through Air, and cloudy, clear, and every kind of Weather,

By whom you give your creatures sustenance.

Be praised, my Lord, through Sister Water,

For greatly useful, lowly, precious, chaste is she.

Be praised, my Lord, through Brother Fire,

Through whom you brighten up the night,

And fair he is, and gay, and vigorous, and strong.

Be praised, O Lord, through our sister Mother Earth,

For she sustains and guides our life,

And yields us diverse fruits, with colored flowers, and grass.

Be praised, my Lord, through those who pardon give for love of you,

And bear infirmity and tribulation:

Blessed they who suffer it in peace,

For of you, Most High, they shall be crowned.

Be praised, my Lord, through our Brother Death of Body,

From whom no one among the living can escape.

Woe to those who in mortal sins will die;

Blessed those whom he will find in your most holy graces,

For the second death will do no harm to them.

Praise and bless my Lord, and thank him too,

And serve him all, in great humility.

On the anniversary of the death of a friend

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Sun, 02 Dec 2012 02:04:00 +0000

My heart is a house with many rooms

I love having dear friends stay in.

Yes, you are here.

& I love your company.

If it's not about this...

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Sat, 01 Dec 2012 20:44:00 +0000

Not the greatest picture but here's a few Sacred Heart ladies decorating for the Family Promise Program

in Chattanooga.

It's a shelter program for families who find themselves temporarily homeless.

We decorated, baked cookies, brought in donated preschool books, pizza, & were able to make a financial donation.

"If it's not about this,

it's not about anything..."

Anchor for the Soul

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Sat, 01 Dec 2012 03:21:00 +0000

We have this hope as an

anchor for the soul,

Firm and secure…

- Hebrews 6:19

Insanity or Open to Change?

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Fri, 30 Nov 2012 05:45:00 +0000

They say in recovery ministry that the definition of insanity is

"If you always do what you always did-

you always get what you always got..."

There's a lot of truth in that

Sometimes we can get settled in, frozen perhaps

in a rut, bored with life, or afraid to change

so we continue whatever insanity

because we fear change.

But we've not been given a spirit of fear,

so live!

Try a change, anything maybe.

do something different-

get something different-

don't be afraid.

Be open to change.

Past or Presence

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Thu, 29 Nov 2012 03:29:00 +0000

There may be regrets in the past,

things you really couldn't have done differently,

or out of your control;

Let them go.

Embrace today and tomorrow.

Yesterday is gone.

Decide what to do with the time you are given.

Live in no fear.

Monastic Advent

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Wed, 28 Nov 2012 22:46:00 +0000

Ecce Rex veniet Domunis terrae,

Et ipse auferet jugum captivitatis nostrae.

See!

The ruler of the earth shall come,

The Lord will take from us

The heavy burden of our exile…

-monastic liturgy

Testing New Waters

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Tue, 27 Nov 2012 23:32:00 +0000

Not very keen when it comes to setting up new blogs and such, some sites are more confusing than they should be but this looks pretty simple, we shall start here. Here's a picture from the recent "Grateful Gobbler 5k Walk" on Thanksgiving morning at Coolidge Park in downtown Chattanooga.