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May 26, 2013

Tag: NieuCommunities

April 19, 2011

Seasons – an update from the Stewarts

by arthurstewart — Categories: Arthur, cape town, Favorite Blogs, Kids, leadership, Melissa, Mission, South Africa, the warehouse, Updates — Tags: , , , , , , , , — Leave a comment

The seasons are turning. As things are warming up for those of you in the northern hemisphere, we are moving toward winter here in Cape Town. For our family, this isn’t a time for hibernation at all. In fact, there are a number of new things to tell you about…

Iain’s baptism

Iain was baptised on March 12! He invited quite a few friends to join us for this special time and it was a true celebration of God in his life. Iain did a great job sharing about his commitment to following Jesus and says he is glad that each person in our family helped with scriptures and blessings for the day. Thank you to everyone who has prayed (and continues to pray) for our children with us – God is doing such amazing things in their lives.

Grandpa Lee’s visit

Melissa’s dad – Lee Liddle – visited us for the first two weeks of April. We had a lot of fun introducing him to our new city, neighbourhood, the kids’ school, and friends. It was hard to see him go, but we are thankful for the time together. I think the kids are already talking about the next time Grandpa comes to visit.

Melissa’s latest

When I was younger I always pictured myself having both a career and a family, but was naïve about HOW I would do it all!  During our last year and a half with NieuCommunities in Pretoria I realised that I had been operating beyond my relational capacity for quite some time.  So, I have been seeking a new vision about how to live as a Jesus follower who is a wife, mother, friend and neighbour.  Since returning to South Africa I have been hesitant to take on significant ministry commitments outside of our home and the kids’ school community.  Thankfully, God understands me fully.  He has surrounded me with caring, welcoming, like-hearted people who are beginning to become wonderful friends and mentors.

I have joined a weekly prayer group currently consisting of women who previously worked for The Warehouse, but have stepped back from those roles in order to be present with their children.  A couple of moms from the kids’ school and I have begun walking for exercise one morning a week in a nearby park.  I even enjoy most of my regular household duties while the kids are away at school, primarily because I get the house all to myself and no one is saying, “mommy?”  I am also able to get to the gym for a class or two each week (I can flex my triceps now;)

Tomorrow I begin volunteering two hours a week at my kids’ school with a non-profit organization called help2read (http://www.help2read.org).  Currently there are about 500 volunteers in over 125 schools in the greater Cape Town area.  I have been assigned two students who I will see one-on-one for 30 minutes twice a week.  As an early childhood educator I resonate with help2read’s child-centered philosophy and am thrilled to have an opportunity to help children learn to love books and become confident readers.

Leading worship & blessing leaders

The last few months have been very fulfilling for me (Arthur) as I’ve had the opportunity to lead or coordinate the morning prayer and worship times at the Warehouse (http://warehouse.org.za/). Each morning, we gather for an hour with God together – absolutely necessary for those working in the difficult realities of poverty and injustice. We believe that our direct encounter with God is THE thing that connects our hearts with God, shaping us more into the image of Jesus and giving us God’s heart for those all around us. It’s just one of the ways I get to pour into the lives of these amazing leaders. In the upcoming months, I will turn more of my attention to working with local church leaders. There is such a huge need here to care for, encourage, and listen to pastors. These men and women are given the responsibility of guiding God’s people, yet who looks after their hearts? Because the Warehouse’s mission is to serve the church in its response to poverty and injustice, one way we can help them is by ministering to their leaders. Please pray for me as I move into this important (and exciting) role.

A great way to keep up to date on what God is doing through the Warehouse is to sign up for the newsletter mailing list: http://warehouse.org.za/newslettersignupform

Mairin is turning 7 on April 28th!

“We are going to have my birthday party at a park. My friends and I are going to play and have a cake with butterflies. I am very excited to be seven :) ”


Arthur Paul high school update

“I’ve sent in all of the applications and am waiting for a reply from either. It’s pretty boring just waiting for news :/” – AP.  Just a note to say thank you to everyone for praying with us through the high school visiting and application process. We have applied for two schools and will hear back in the next month or two on acceptance.

We are missionaries

God has asked us to live in Cape Town, South Africa, and we have said yes to this and all that He asks of us. We are sent and supported by churches and individuals who believe in us and are investing in the Kingdom work we do while partnering with and working for local ministries. We need prayer, encouragement, and financial help to do this. I point this out because while many are encouraged (inspired?) by what God is doing with our lives, they don’t know that we raise our own support to do this. Maybe God wants you to be part of this with us. If you are feeling a nudge, email me.

Two links for you to check out

May this season bring good things in your life!

Arthur for the Stewart5

August 3, 2010

The latest on our explorations

by arthurstewart — Categories: Arthur, Kids, South Africa, Updates — Tags: , , , — 2 Comments

A few family updates to start

Groote Schuur Primary School – the kids have all worked back into the regular rhythm of school life here.  We have moved back in the middle of the SA school year, so AP, Iain, and Mairin have jumped ahead half a year to the middle of 6th, 3rd, and 1st grades.  Academically they are all dong fine, so most of our attention is on making friends, learning new subjects (the Xhosa language, for example), and extracurricular activities like ballet, cricket, and water polo.

House – After much prayer and house-hunting, God has given us the house we have been looking for!  We will move into 2 Devonshire Rd. in Woodstock on 1 September… pics to come then.  We are thankful to have a place in the neighborhood God has put on our hearts, space to have people over, and a place to call home again.

And last – but certainly not least – Arthur Paul turned 12 on 1 August.  He is getting old, and so are we :P   We love and are so proud of Arthur.  Can’t wait to see what this year has in store for him.

exploring:

As you may remember, we returned to South Africa with several pictures on our hearts, all of which are part of the bigger dream to see an amazing movement of God here in South Africa: living/sharing God’s love in our neighborhood, helping people know and experience God in creative ways (esp. those who are often overlooked), mentoring young leaders to be the people God has created them to be, helping local ministries and NGO’s, and being part of a network of local and global Kingdom practitioners.  And of course, we always want to leave room for whatever else God has in mind!  Quite soon after returning, we felt God confirmed that He (and we) desire us to be here in Cape Town.  Now, we are exploring what that looks like.

Securing a house is key to a neighborhood presence.  We look forward to settling in, getting to know the people around us, and seeing what God is up to in Woodstock.

I have been asked to lecture part time at the Cornerstone Institute – a small Christian college here in Cape Town.  I will teach one class starting in September and it looks like there is opportunity for more in the next year.  This should be an excellent opportunity to help shape young local leaders through teaching and mentoring.  I am especially glad to work with many who come from less advantaged backgrounds who often aren’t able to get quality education and training.

I am also spending time at the Warehouse.  I have come to know this ministry and several of their staff over the past several years in South Africa.  They are a great bunch of people seeking to help the local church address issues of poverty and justice.  Right now, I’m just helping out where I can and asking God if this might be a place for me/us to connect with more deeply.

And finally, I’ve been busy meeting up with all sorts of fantastic people here who are serious about seeking God’s Kingdom.  I think there is a need for more intentional relational connection so that all these faithful servants can share, encourage, and pray for one another as part of the bigger picture.  Wherever two or more are gathered…

who/how?

As you can see, we are busy exploring possibilities and seeing how the pictures on our hearts come into focus or adjust.  Like I said in our last update, staying in Cape Town means leaving CRM.  So, another part of the equation is: who will we be part of as we pursue God’s calling here in Cape Town?  This is important for several reasons – two of which are especially worth mentioning here.  First, we don’t want to do this alone.  We want to work with/for others who have similar heart/values as us.  Also, we want the people who support us (financially and otherwise) to know that we are being cared for and operating as part of a legit organization!

Over the next several months, we will be talking with local and international organizations to find the best fit (and yes, we are open to your suggestions here).  We will end our commitment to CRM on 31 October and need to have something in place before then.  We will let you know as things progress.

If you support us financially, please keep giving through CRM until we have notified you of new arrangements.

For now, a few of the things we are doing to make sure we are covered…

  • We have an intercessory prayer team that receives regular email updates and is committed to covering us in prayer.  Thank you to everyone who is part of this team.  And, if you’d like to be part of this group, please email me.
  • We are starting a CARE TEAM.  Beyond prayer, we need people who take the initiative to encourage us, communicate with us, and check on the state of our hearts.  If this is something you enjoy doing, would you consider being part of this ministry to us? Feel free to email me your interest, any questions, or suggestions!
  • We are plugging into local relationships and communities.  A few are mentioned above and we’re busy discerning what we will be part of here in Cape Town.  We also have an older couple committed to helping us process our ongoing heart journeys.

you (yes, you)-

Please keep praying for us
Please keep supporting us
Please let us know if you are interested in being part of our prayer team or care team
You are loved by us if you are reading/receiving this!

July 13, 2010

One Step at a Time

by arthurstewart — Categories: God, South Africa, Updates — Tags: , , , , , — Leave a comment

An update from the Stewart family, intrepid travelers now returned to South Africa’s shores.  What has this past month brought about and revealed?

First, the pragmatics:

  • We arrived back to South Africa on 3 June
  • We spent a week and a half in Pretoria (where we had lived since 2003 before our recent sabbatical in California) visiting and reconnecting with friends there, saying goodbye to several who are headed different directions.
  • We spent a week and a half in Port Elizabeth with our friends Sean and Jean Daly.  This was the beginning of our exploration in South Africa of what “might be” as far as life and ministry on the ground.  We were also able to attend a world cup soccer match!
  • We drove to Cape Town on 24 June.  We have been exploring neighborhoods, meeting with people, and seeing if God confirms this as the place we are to settle for now.

When we left California, we went with a sense that Cape Town is where God wanted us to be.  Our picture of how this was going to look has changed significantly enough over the past year and a half that we wanted to put ourselves on the ground, ready to listen to God again.

We have three big questions we are asking in this discernment process:

  1. First, is this where we think we should BE – do we hear God’s call, do we feel at home, can we see ourselves flourishing here as a family?  Are we hearing God invite us
  2. Second, what is it that God has for us to DO  – what unique opportunities open up, fit well, excite us (especially in light of what we have experienced and learned about ourselves during our recent sabbatical)?  We’ve had lots of ideas and people in mind, and we want to see what changes or materializes once here.  In other words, God has given us pictures – now how will they become more clear?  What things in our hearts will God fan into flames?  So, we are beginning to get together with people and ministries to see what we might be part of, partner with, or start here!
  3. And the final question – how is that going to work pragmatically – who will we work with and for, how will we get paid, etc.?  We know that if this is where God wants us, it will mean something new as far as our organizational commitments.

We are stepping into a pretty big unknown for us.  But it’s our best attempt to respond to how we hear God’s Spirit’s leading.  We trust that God will guide, clarify, and provide as we continue to seek Him.  I would also point out that the above questions are in an important order.  They have kept us focused on asking questions of HOME first.  While staying at a wonderful but temporary (and small) house here in Cape Town, we have been spending lots of time looking at houses and neighborhoods.  Place is important as it will be our primary context of love, rest, and ministry.  God wants us to “be” here before we can “do” here.  Also, we have been paying a lot of attention to our family and being healthy and settled before committing to work-related tasks.  We’ve begun to see what life here will be like – places to play, school, and other daily life stuff.  I believe God is pleased with these being our priorities and has graciously allowed us to experience quite a bit in such a short amount of time.

As a result, I can tell you that we think the answer to Big Question #1 is YES, Cape Town is where we think God wants us to be for now. Within the next few weeks we will share more on what exactly that means, and our thoughts and explorations of Questions 2 & 3.  I can say that some great opportunities (both anticipated and unexpected) have already begun to surface and we are excited for what God will continue to invite us to.  In the meantime, we are starting our kids in local school and looking for a house to rent.  We haven’t got it all figured out yet, but we’re really excited!

Please pray for us:

  • that God would provide the right house in the right neighborhood and that we can move in by the end of July
  • for the process of moving our things from Pretoria, getting settled, meeting new neighbors
  • for the kids starting in a new school, new routines, new friends
  • that God would open our hearts to the people and things He has for us and discernment as we consider our new roles and how this is all going to work
  • for protection – spiritual and physical – as we live and share God’s love and ways here

Please be patient with us.  We’ll keep you in the loop as much as we can, but there are lots of questions that we are still asking – important questions.  With inconsistent internet and unsettled housing, it’s a little hit and miss as far as communication right now, but we’ll do our best to keep you updated as we go.

Please continue contacting, encouraging, supporting, and loving us – all crucially important as we begin something new.  We are thankful that YOU would take time to care for us and believe in what God is doing in and through us.
may we all be amazed with God at work,

Arthur for the Stewart5

Arthur & Arthur Paul at the Ivory Coast v. Portugal world cup match

Mairin and Melissa visited the orphanage where Mariah Breitenberg volunteers.  Mairin has also recently lost her two front teeth but we didn’t seem to have a great pic…next time :)

The boys attended a 1-week cricket camp.  Both did great and Iain won a special award for his “dedication to the game of cricket”

September 1, 2009

What the sabbatical?

by arthurstewart — Categories: Arthur, God, heart journey, Mission, NieuCommunities, sabbatical, South Africa, Updates, usa — Tags: , , , , , , , — 5 Comments

In the rush to get our sabbatical started, pack up our entire house, and move from South Africa to California for the year, I haven’t sat down to write in detail about this sabbatical thingy.  But, with a little room to breathe, I wanted to start giving our friends more information on what we are up to.  I am sure this will turn into a multiple-post series, especially as we process and can begin to share what God is doing in us through the process.

In wrapping up our time with NieuCommunities in Pretoria and before starting for something new in Cape Town, we have a unique and precious window of time to let God prepare us in significant ways.  For today, some basics on the PURPOSES of our sabbatical…

1. The first purpose of our sabbatical is rest from several years of cross-cultural living and ministry.  We need to decompress, have time as a couple, and opportunity to do things as a family that we haven’t made as much time for in the last several years as we would have liked to.  We believe this will put us in a better place personally, spiritually, and relationally.

2. A second purpose of our sabbatical is restoration.  This is part of the reason we needed to leave our normal environment so we have time, space, and freedom from our normal obligations that can detract from making growth a top priority.  We are in the middle of a great program at Link Care in Fresno specifically designed for missionaries and their unique needs.  We will continue counseling throughout our time in Fresno as part of the process of continuing to grow into the people God wants us to be.  A big part of what we anticipate is deeper intimacy with God, one another, and all those God brings into our life.

3. A third reason for our sabbatical is reflection on the past several years of life and ministry.  What has taken place in our personal lives, what have we learned about life in community, how has God shaped and used us in South Africa, and what does all this mean for the future?  Expect lots of writing…

4. The final purpose for our sabbatical is preparation for what God has in store for us in this next season of life and ministry.  We have some pretty good ideas about what that will look like, but want God to confirm and clarify.  We expect God to further reveal hopes, details, and specifics.  We also anticipate this leading us to further training and learning to get us ready.  And, we want to use this time to develop the patterns and habits we will need to continue successfully in the next season.  Of course, you will hear more and more as we do, and as we gear up for all that is to come when our sabbatical ends on May 31.

For now, we are settling into life, school for the kids, and soon a new house (renting from friends) in Fresno!  More on all that, and some pics, soon :)

In the meantime, would appreciate your comments and prayers.

April 12, 2009

The Holy Week Storm

by arthurstewart — Categories: Arthur, God, prayer — Tags: , , , , , , , , — 2 Comments

I am cautious to identify too closely with Jesus (at least in writing).  Though I theologically believe we absolutely are meant to connect with Jesus – one could argue a primary purpose for his time on earth was to live the life we are meant to live – I know it makes some people a little nervous.  “Yes, but that was JESUS.”  Or, “You think you are suffering, think of Jesus…”  Yes.  Agreed.  But do you ever read his story and say to yourself, “I know exactly what that’s like”?  This has been one of those weeks.

Let me back up about 40 days.  Entering Lent, I really wanted to slow things down to make more time for prayer.  So, I adjusted my schedule and very intentionally went about some specific practices that I find helpful.  In general, this has been good.  I HAVE had more time for prayer.  I HAVE had good time with God, learned quite a bit, and generally feel alright about where we’re at.

But the rest of life seems to have become increasingly beyond my control.  I’ve been frustrated in slipping behind on much of what I’d like to get done.  I feel pulled in too many directions.  I’m even stuck in determining which roles and responsibilities are most important.  This past week, I pretty much hit the wall.  Fortunately, I had opportunity to talk with some friends about how I was feeling and determined to NOT grab too tight on the reins.  That’s what I do when I get stressed out – I spend at least 5 hours  reorganizing my schedule and adjusting my responsibilities to gain a sense of control.

Partially by volition and partially by circumstances, I didn’t do that this week.  Instead, I took a quick look at my to-do list, determined what was most important/had to happen, and did it.  Yes, I was still aware of all the things I wasn’t doing and probably wouldn’t get to.  I wish I could say I just put those all out of my mind.  But God was gracious with me in His strange way and kept me occupied with things enough that I couldn’t dwell on everything else too much.

Then, as we got to the later part of the week, I was hearing from others around me that they were feeling the same way.  Interesting, I thought this was MY problem.  Then I thought back to last year at this time and realized that I pretty much felt the same way then.  AND, so did others around me.  Now, part of this has to do with our NieuCommunities cycle.  This is the time of the year when life and commitments really begin to pick up.  On top of that, relationships within our community are reaching those interesting points of diving into conflict.  Further, we do a couple extra things for Holy Week, so the schedule also has a bit more than normal.  Overall, this leads to a busy feel about life.

Thank God for the aforementioned Holy Week.  On Friday morning I couldn’t help but think of Jesus and the week he was having!  Talk about having a few things going on around you.   Truly, my situations pale in comparison to what he was facing.  Did he feel out of control (like me)?  People everywhere, last days, big decisions, struggle.  How did he do it?

Enter the Holy Spirit.  The comforter, burning fire, whispering wind.  Jesus, I think, was in control to the extent of letting the Holy Spirit guide.  Does that make sense?  Jesus wasn’t OUT of control in the sense of being some God-controlled robot or simpleton.  BUT, he did listen and willingly allow God’s Spirit to show him what was best.  I think it was actually an upside-down show of strength [of character] to NOT force his own will, to not hold onto the reins too tightly.  He chose to trust God and blow the way of the Spirit.  Not my will, but yours be done…

To live neither in full control, nor out of control, but guided by the Spirit.  This is what I need.  To be in step with God’s Spirit anywhere near as much as Jesus was would be crazy, right?  And amazing.  I wonder if there’s also not a strange peace in that place?  I’d like to know, even a bit.  Holy Spirit, take me there – I need you to take me there.

O Lord, I have come to you for protection;
don’t let me be disgraced.
Save me, for you do what is right.
Turn your ear to listen to me;
rescue me quickly.
Be my rock of protection,
a fortress where I will be safe.
You are my rock and my fortress.
For the honor of your name, lead me out of this danger.
Pull me from the trap my enemies set for me,
for I find protection in you alone.
I entrust my spirit into your hand.
Rescue me, Lord, for you are a faithful God.

-Psalm 31:1-5

March 26, 2009

confession: I sometimes struggle to help

by arthurstewart — Categories: Arthur, God, heart journey — Tags: , , , , , — 4 Comments

There are times, maybe even lots of times, when I don’t help people (maybe even one of you).

I am not referring to times when I say I will do something but forget or put it off.  I am not referring to times when someone asks for something and for whatever reason, I say no.

I am talking about when I don’t feel any compulsion to help.  Interestingly, this seems to occur most often when:

  • someone can’t be clear or specific about what they need
  • I think the person should be able to take care of it themselves
  • in my mind, they have brought the situation on themselves

In each of the above scenarios, there is some subconscious part of me that isn’t moved to compassion or motivated to do something.  I would also add that I definitely don’t like to clean up other people’s messes.

A recent conversation I was part of got me thinking about WHY.  Why don’t I always come to the aid of others?  After all, I am not particularly cruel, mean, or uncaring.  I believe it is good to help others.  So, I think the answers lies deep within, in the places that are beyond reason, but hold much sway over me.  The following may sound a little too pseudo-psychological to you, but bear with me.  Even if I don’t explain it well, there is something here…

First, there is some part of me that feels like I wasn’t helped or protected.  I am NOT making any sort of accusation against anyone, particularly my parents (hi mom, I know you are reading this).  I am not referring to anything specific.  Rather, I am referring to a FEELING.  We have all felt that we were alone, that no one cared, etc.  I have just had a few incidents that reinforced that in my mind.  Again, I am talking about my perception, so not blaming anyone.  Actually, I think these are lies from God’s enemy, who comes in times, or after incidents, and accuses, saying “where was God, where was anyone, you are alone…”  Lies.  But they get embedded deep in us.

Connected to this is that for a long time, I’ve felt the need to clean up my own messes.  Part of this goes with the above – who else is going to do it?  Also, there is some part of me that believes this even about God – that I must fix myself.  Obviously, that is the role of Jesus, not me.  But like I said, I am talking about subconscious thoughts.  In both of these cases, my perception is that I have taken care of myself, and so should you.  I would NEVER say this, but it goes on in my heart, resulting in NOT helping.

Add to this the fact that I am reasonably capable.  So, if I can handle a situation like this, why can’t you?  Do you REALLY need help?  Sounds cruel when I say it like that, and again, it’s not rational.  At this point, I would like to add that I DO help people most of the time!  But I also know that too often I have let people down by not helping.

Fortunately, God has brought all of this to my attention, and does not condemn. He just asks that I sit with Him, consider, and let Him change me.  A friend has prayed specifically with me through these issues and I believe God has broken any sort of blockage in this area.  Doesn’t mean it’s all gone away, but it doesn’t hold power over me anymore.  This friend also felt that connected to this and some other things God was going to start speaking to me in dreams (I don’t generally dream that much, and never remember them).

Sunday night, I had a dream… with friends in a car, another car pulled up and was hassling one of the people in our car.  Things escalated and all of the people in our car got out to confront the other people.  This is where the dream ended (really, could it have gone farther – I am a pacifist after all).  I feel that this dream was significant.  I think God was saying to me that He is changing the deep parts of me that don’t help others when they need.  I think it came in a dream so I couldn’t dismiss or argue with God about it.

I have also been able to apologize to a few people for not having helped them when they needed.  Each has responded with forgiveness and I have already seen and felt healing.

May God continue to make my heart like His.

March 25, 2009

God’s broken heart

by arthurstewart — Categories: Arthur, God, NieuCommunities — Tags: , , , , , — 1 Comment

“God’s heart is broken for this world and He has given each of us a unique piece of it.  That’s why we all have a different burden for minsitry that we are meant to steward in God’s Kingdom.”

- Hal Burke

March 13, 2009

Links Update

by arthurstewart — Categories: Blogs we read, Shout Outs — Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , — 1 Comment

Got around to updating my links.  Added:

Hey, I like these, you might as well.  Check out the links, possibly subsribe yourself.

February 25, 2009

my typical response, when faced with my crap

by arthurstewart — Categories: Arthur, God, heart journey, NieuCommunities — Tags: , , , , , , , — 2 Comments

i struggled with the best word to use at the end of the title above :)

We began our spiritual practices yesterday.  Each year, our community engages in various spiritual practices/disciplines together to better position ourselves to let God work in our lives.  We listened to a cd of part of a lecture by John Coe, the director of the Institute of Spiritual Formation.  Coe is speaking about resisting the temptation of “moral formation.”  The basic premise is that when we are faced with our sin/failure, we are tempted to perfect ourselves through our own efforts to relieve our feelings of guilt and shame.  We try to be “good people” – generally by our own efforts (instead of relying on Jesus, the one who actually has/can overcome).  This is some pretty good stuff on how self-powered much of religious life can be.

Problem is, I don’t relate.  I walked out of our time wondering what God might want to say to me, since I don’t think this temptation is a great one for me.  Fortunately, God was ready to talk!  See, when I am faced with my wrong or failure, I don’t try to “do better.”  I simply deny or hide.  I don’t try to use effort to get better.  Of course, this is also not a good position!  I was thinking about WHY I don’t try to “be better” like Coe is talking about?  I thought of a few things:

  1. I believe theologically that I am a saint who nevertheless sometimes falls short of bearing the Image of God in me.  In other words, I don’t start out believing I am a “sinner” by nature.  We can talk about original sin in another post..
  2. I believe in and have experienced spiritual practices as connectors to God, not just means to making myself better.
  3. I am far too ok letting walls exist between me and others and thinking I can hide with my crap

As a result, I generally keep people at a distance.  Those who get too close my see the crap.  Or, I let people see my pretty parts, disctracting them from seeing the dirt in the corner.  I’m really good at this (or at least I think I am).  I believe God is/will work on all that junk, but I don’t want other people touching it.

In spending time with this, I began to wonder if maybe God wants to use other people – the ones I try to hide from or distract – to help me?  Will I have the courage to either let people see the crap or acknowledge the crap they see and I don’t want them to see?  God, could this be a key to freedom from those dark places I keep so hidden?  I’ts hard for me to imagine living this way, but what might happen?

Please pray for me as I step into this better way.

February 16, 2009

Praying the hours

by arthurstewart — Categories: God, NieuCommunities, prayer — Tags: , , , , , , , , — 5 Comments

Over the past years, I have discovered that I love to connect God in “traditional” ways.  Incense, candles, and liturgy all remind me of the majesty of mystery of God.  They also make me feel connected to other believers world-wide in worship.  Thank to my friend Myra Perrine for helping me put words and practice to this unique way God has created me.

I have especially come to appreciate praying the hours.  This basically entails, in sometimes varying form, praying at set times during the day.  Different traditions (Orthodox, Catholic, Anglican, etc.) each have their way of honoring this tradition.  Last year, I got turned on to The Divine Hours by Phyllis Tickle.  She has organized set prayers for 4 times of day: morning, midday, vespers (evening), and the night office.  Each time has psalms, prayers, and scripture to be read.  If you are a little wary of “scripted prayers,” let me say that it is also liberating to get to be immersed in so much scripture!

I’ve begun reading this with several friends around the globe.  Each has reported that it has been very helpful to pray with more regularity and speaking out scripture.  As we’ve begun our 2009 NCSA apprenticeship, I think a few may join us in regularly praying this way together.  I love that I can join friends in prayer this way.  Wonder if you’d also like to do this with us?  The books are easy to get (there are 3 books for the year) and pretty inexpensive.  let me know if you’re interested or if you haev questions.

You might also enjoy a website we created last year that posts prayers and creeds that you can say on a daily basis.  Easy to subscribe!

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