Intercer Adventist News

Closer To Heaven
You are here: Home / Archives for karen-spruill

Deconstructing Life

By

Several years ago I watched images of horrendous loss for the people of Japan. Rivers of cars, airplanes, boats, houses, possessions all washed away or into mammoth piles. And for each survivor, and for those watching around the world, we have been reminded of what is truly important in life. People search for people. Those living need water, food, shelter, clothing, and medical care. The rest is all flotsam, irrelevant for survival, or replaceable.

Just a few days before this world event, fires had consumed hundreds of acres of land in my state. People were interviewed as they prepared to abandon there homes to go to safer areas. Small children clutched a few belongings. Pets were packed into cars along with suitcases. Everything else could be reduced to ashes within minutes.

I am reminded of a culinary term that has surfaced in the past few years. De-constructing a recipe. What used to be a mix of ingredients in a casserole, sauce, etc., is now clearly identifiable or re-combined as separate entities on the plate. So, it seems that another country has been de-constructed by the forces of nature and human invention.

What do we discover when forces outside of our human control, re-shape our lives? A new normal will exist in Japan and elsewhere. As I work with individuals, couples and families, I realize they too have been de-constructed by life events. That reality can be traumatic, yet great good can still prevail. Under the rubble, people find the character qualities that reside in themselves and their family or neighbors. They also often re-learn about what is really important for their lives.

Jesus Christ appeared on earth’s stage like a spiritual earthquake — a tsunami to wash away all the religious clutter that had trapped people’s hearts and lives. He reduced relationships with God and people down to simple elements such as Bread, Water, Light, a Gate, a Shepherd, a Vine, a Father. “My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you” (John 15:12, NIV).

Questions for personal journaling or group discussion:

1. If you had five minutes to evacuate your home, what would you take?

2. What part of your life is in need of “de-constructing”? What simple elements need to remain?

Karen Spruill writes from Orlando, Florida.

The post Deconstructing Life appeared first on Answers for Me.

Read more at the source: Deconstructing Life

Article excerpt posted on en.intercer.net from Answers for Me.

Attention, Please

By

Several times this week I have asked for opinions on the appropriate response to the practice of texting messages during church services and small group meetings–as if many of us aren’t already totally vexed with those who indulge in cell phone usage while driving on highways. My last two worship experiences were distracted due to members next to or near me who numerous times turned on their phones to check messages and send texts. I am one who is easily distracted visually, and the screen light from current technology is something that I cannot ignore. I attempt to re-focus and look ahead or re-join a conversation, talk sternly to myself or pray. I realize this may be a sign of my own lack of sustained attention. However, I see it as another symptom of poor brain hygiene in society at large.

By brain hygiene, I mean disciplining oneself to be mindful — to be as present as possible while with another person or situation, worshipping, etc. Paying attention for more than a sound bite or the video length between commercials. Women are especially talented at multitasking, and the pride in having the longest dovetailing checklist can be a personal or social competition; perhaps even a chemical rush from attending to several functions at once. Yet studies have shown that trying to attend to more than two activities at once produces very poor results. Some of my cooking can attest to that. I am also embarrassed to admit that I am guilty of talking to a family member on the phone while sorting or folding, or even checking my e-mail. Technology is the supreme enabler for multitasking.

I have noticed mothers pushing strollers in my neighborhood while they talk on cell phones. The baby or toddler is no longer the object of attention with meaningful observations that contribute to their learning words for passing places or the rhythm of conservation. Even a baby may early start to feel, “What am I, chopped liver?” I can feel invisible on my neighborhood walks when those on the sidewalk have their ears plugged with ear buds. Could they hear me say “Hello,” or scream if I needed help? Then there are the restaurant or doctor office phone conversations that are extremely loud, way too personal or involve business deals. Yuck. My all-time-least favorite are cell phone conversations in restroom stalls.

There has been a lot of discussion about the loss of civility in the world. Certainly respect for the thoughts, words, and presence of other human beings is part of that larger dilemma. A whole world exists outside the invisible bubble that we pretend protects us and allows for phone reception. Then isolation occurs as we move around in large groups of people and we wonder at the intensity of our loneliness.

You may hear or see this on a phone application. For that and other technology, I can be truly thankful. I am just asking for us to consider becoming more fully present — eye contact and heart content. I think Jesus understood this when He said, “No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other. or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other” (Matthew 6:24 NIV). The description of Laodicea, the lukewarm people in Revelation 3, may fit much of post-modern life.

Was that a distant trumpet or my e-mail ping?

Questions for personal journaling or group discussion:

1. How would you recommend handling distracting technology in a small group setting or during worship?

2. Find a time each day when you can totally focus on a friend or loved one for at least five minutes. Sit facing each other and talk about your day or what you appreciate about your relationship. At the end of a week, what has happened to your feelings about that person/people?

Karen Spruill writes from Orlando, Florida.

The post Attention, Please appeared first on Answers for Me.

Read more at the source: Attention, Please

Article excerpt posted on en.intercer.net from Answers for Me.

The Gift of Time

By

This week I am struck by issues with time. Not just my use of time, but our expectations for time. I learned of a young expectant couple who lost their baby at just 19 weeks. They had traded expectations for a normal pregnancy and prayed for just another month to deliver, but that time was not granted. Another family lost their wife, mother and grandmother —they should have had her for more years than that. A friend in cancer treatment has vowed to not let the little annoyances eat up her energy and time anymore. In my family someone is waiting for more information on a health issue, and answers would be appreciated NOW. Chunks of life seem tenuous and unpredictable.

I live with both ends of the time spectrum. We have two kittens and a geriatric dog—energy bursting and energy waning. We still have a parent who is nearing 100 years of age, and we have a toddler grandchild—both need naps and lots of patience. Personally, I live with the hope of possessing another active 20 years. So little time, so many wishes.

Next year, next holiday, next birthday, next season, next vacation—those are not promised for any of us yet they spread out during youth in calendars of seemingly endless supply. “See you next time!” we say to one another. We expect a lot of next times.

Occasionally I ask myself, do I really want to spend two hours watching that movie? Do I really want to spend the time to read that book? How many more opportunities will I have to be with my aging aunt, or another relative? What kind of memories do I hope to inspire in the hearts and minds of my grandchildren?

During pain, mess and boredom we want to speed up time. During fun, great food, inspiration and goodbyes, we want time to slow down. Time is a gift, not to be simply saved or used. But fully unwrap the gift, be present, savor it with gratitude. God is present in this gift.

Questions for personal journaling or group discussion:

1. How can you slow time?

2. Remember a time when God or a loved one seemed very present with you.

Karen Spruill writes from Orlando, Florida.

The post The Gift of Time appeared first on Answers for Me.

Read more at the source: The Gift of Time

Article excerpt posted on en.intercer.net from Answers for Me.

Messages from … ?

By

One day while I was scrolling through Facebook postings, a cousin asked friends a question: Do you believe that you can receive messages from loved ones who have passed on? I knew that she had recently posted a message directed to her from a popular psychic, using the name of a dead relative. Previously this cousin had frequently posted items about missing her mother so I knew she was still grieving the loss of parents.

I wanted to share my beliefs with this cousin whom I remembered as a darling little girl when I was a teenager. We had only gotten reacquainted as adults during the funerals of my own parents so I decided to stay in touch. A lot had happened over the years since she was a child— marriages, children, illnesses, loss. I really wasn’t certain what she had been taught or believed. However, I chose to address her as someone who believed in God and had some exposure to the Bible.

So I carefully thought of a response, not only for my cousin but for all who might want to believe that dead relatives can reach out to them. I know that it can seem like a great comfort to have contact again from someone that you greatly miss—their voice, sight, smell, laugh, favorite foods and music. Just to be able to be with them again! And sometimes those wishes are wrapped up in guilt about missed chances to say goodbye or ask forgiveness, or desires for answers to questions.

A lot of people just aren’t sure about what happens when someone dies. I’ve thought about it more after the deaths of my parents. Many of us can’t abide by the thought that a life is over and that’s all there is—for our loved ones or for ourselves! We certainly don’t like to think about what happens in the grave or cremation.

During my lifetime I have accepted that the character of God is one of love, compassion and grace. He always has our best interest, and he is a good God. I believe God would not design that those who have died be doomed to view the suffering and pain of their descendents for centuries (?). Likewise, that those left alive would have to continually wonder if they were being watched by their dead friends and family members. (I once had a neighbor who wondered if her father was watching her use the bathroom!).

I accept that there are many interpretations for passages and stories in the Bible. However, the clearest picture I have of God is revealed in Jesus Christ on the Cross, and his hope-filled resurrection. The book of John is one of my favorites in the Bible, with lots of quotes from Jesus. I think Jesus is pretty clear about the afterlife as he spoke to his disciples in John 14:1-3 (NIV): “Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. In my Father’s house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.”

I also like the encouragement about Jesus’ coming as offered in I Thessalonians 4:13-18, and the resurrection in I Corinthians 15:50-56.

Jesus will return to get those who have trusted in him. In the meantime, death is a whole person rest in him. And since I believe in a cosmic battle between God and Satan, there may be spirit impersonators of those who have died. All of that can be distracting from the basis for our eternal salvation in a trusting relationship with Jesus Christ. What is the fruit of the supposed messages or visits? Do they encourage greater reliance on God and looking to him for faith and direction? Or is there greater dependence on intermediaries, choiceless directions, fear, and confusion? Some people spend lots of money seeking responses from their dead—money that could benefit the living.

Throughout the New Testament, there are many words of “Do not fear.” God wants us to be at peace about what happens after we die. He is fair, just, loving and forgiving. “When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you will appear with him in glory” (Colossians 3:4).

Questions for personal journaling or group discussion:

  1. What troubles you the most about what will happen after death?
  2. How would you evaluate a message from a dead relative or friend?

Karen Spruill writes from Florida

The post Messages from … ? appeared first on Answers for Me.

Read more at the source: Messages from … ?

Article excerpt posted on en.intercer.net from Answers for Me.

Teddy Sings

By

Photo by Dreamstime

I was busy on my computer with the radio tuned to a Christian station. The dog lay nearby and suddenly started to gurgle, yodel and finally break into a howl. Teddy howls to special songs, or perhaps the term is best defined by “sings along.” It all started with a TV commercial for carpeting when he was a young dog. Almost five years later, we still mute that commercial since we aren’t sure if he sings out of annoyance, pain, or pleasure.

However, riding in the car with the radio on, Teddy has howled to several other songs. Today, the song, “I Can Only Imagine,” by MercyMe started his performance. I love the words to that song—nearly always bring a tear to my eye as I visualize how I might react to standing before my Creator in worship. So it did seem fitting that Teddy would select that song as one of his special numbers. Since I believe that even God’s creatures would recognize His awesome beauty, love and Divine energy. Surely Teddy would howl for God when in His presence. Perhaps he understands something about that song that I can’t comprehend.

What is my takeaway from Teddy howling to “I Can Only Imagine?” Well, perhaps when I am tempted to be critical about the way that some of God’s children express their love for Him—in artistic or musical forms—I can remember that some praise is best expressed from one’s very primitive depths—an innate howling at the moon. I may never be a spontaneous arm-raising Christian, but I hope I’ll think about praise the next time Teddy howls to a song. I trust that I won’t just press the mute button every time my spirit wants to praise God. That I will let the praise flow into song, prayer, writing, offerings, hugs, cooking, calling a friend… “Let everything that has breath praise the Lord” (Psalms 150:6, NIV).
Karen Spruill writes from Central Florida.

Read more at the source: Teddy Sings

Article excerpt posted on en.intercer.net from Spiritual applications.

About Intercer

Intercer is a website with biblical materials in Romanian, English, Hungarian and other languages. We want to bring the light from God's Word to peoples homes. Intercer provides quality Christian resources...[Read More]

Lucian Web Service


Intercer is proudly sponsored by Lucian Web Service - Professional Web Services, Wordpress Websites, Marketing and Affiliate Info. Lucian worked as a subcontractor with Simpleupdates, being one of the programmers for the Adventist Church Connect software. He also presented ACC/ASC workshops... [read more]

Archives

Categories