Restoration Ministries offers hope, healing and wholistic growth in Jesus Christ. Caring for individuals, families, churches and organizations, we provide space to know and experience Christ's Holy Presence. We facilitate freedom, healing and wholeness and provide paths for spiritual growth and deeper communion with God by offering:

•Spiritual direction and soul care ministries
•Healing prayer sessions
•Resources for support and recovery at personal and/or family points of fracture
•Scripture and spirituality groups
•Retreats and retreat space where souls can find rest and renewal
•Collaborative ministries with the Church, local and at-large

March Newsletter 2011

Remembering our Future Differently

By Julie Hokanson, member of the Board of Directors of Restoration Ministries

Currently I am reading a book entitled Anatomy of the Soul  by Dr. Curt Thompson, a Christian psychiatrist. In his book, Dr. Thompson talks about the difference between explicit memory and implicit memory. He cites the story of Elijah as told in 1 Kings 18-19. Elijah has the explicit memory of God showing up, answering his prayer to consume the sacrifice and altar in his face-off against the prophets of Baal. God hears Elijah and does as Elijah asks. And then, the next day, Elijah hears that Jezebel has promised to end his life, and so he becomes fearful, flees, and ends up under a broom tree, ready to die – just 24 hours after God showed up in a ball of fire--he probably still had soot in his hair!

Another story, not cited in Thompson’s book, is that of the Israelites wandering in the desert. Wow, do they have explicit memories of God's deliverance and care! They have seen God part the Red Sea and then bring it down on their enemies. God feeds them manna each morning, and is present either as cloud or fire, day and night, and yet they constantly struggle with feelings of fear, powerlessness and despair!

These stories illustrate how we, as God’s children, can, in the face of explicit memories of God’s strength, faithfulness and answers to our cries for help, live out of our implicit memories, informed by our life experiences that lead us to places of fear, despair and powerlessness. Dr. Thompson suggests that through the telling of our own stories, and through the hearing of the stories of others, we integrate more fully the stories of God’s nearness, grace and deliverance for ourselves. God's story begins to seep into our implicit memories, changing what informs our brains, and the way we choose and remember our futures.

In a psychology class I took last year, I was fascinated to learn that people who have experienced a stroke or brain injury that effects memory centers are paralyzed when it comes to making choices and decisions. This clearly points to how central a role our memories play in the way we choose going forward, or the way we remember our futures! Just as the Jewish calendar centers around festivals during which stories of God caring for His people are told and retold, Dr. Thompson suggests that we must be intentional, through story, both in the telling and the hearing, to inform the memories that inform our choices, so that we remember our futures differently.

When I speak my story, or sing my story, aloud, face-to-face with another, a brain-changing transaction occurs, both for me as the teller, and for the one who hears. When I infuse the facts of my story with the feelings that accompany them and tell it to another, my brain is making new pathways of recovery and discovery. When the hearer feels my feelings, I feel more connected or attached, and when his/her facial expression conveys acceptance, compassion, love, or understanding, I am made more whole. As the hearer receives my story, it seeps in and colors his/her own brain pathways with new noticings, longings, awareness, truth, grace, and/or glimmers of hope. It is in this kind of circle of story, in the midst of community, that our brains are changed. Each time we gather to tell and to hear of God’s hand of redemption, healing and deliverance we are changed. Although the teller and the healer may come away with slightly different gifts, both come away with brains that are changed, and explicit memory that will cause them to remember their futures differently.

The ministry of spiritual direction and soul care at Restoration Ministries provides space to listen to stories, our own and others, and to listen and hear God's story and Presence in the very midst. Together we remember who and whose we are.  We welcome you to join us as you can.

An Intentional Life: A Lenten Retreat We live in a world that is manifesting a deep hunger and thirst for God and subsequent God-action; for counter-cultural ways of being and loving. Traditionally, the season of Lent is one of attentiveness, and is often characterized by prayer, fasting and giving. The life journey of Christ demonstrated a way of being characterized by prayer, inner attentiveness and awareness that led to action that manifested God in the world. Our prayer and attentiveness are intentional spiritual practices that provide discernment, direction and power for loving and compassionate action in our world. Join with us in this intentional day to reflect together on the words of Jesus in the Beatitudes as we enter this Lenten season.

Facilitated by Jean Leih, MDiv, DMin
When: Saturday, March 12, 2011 9:00—3:00
(Registration and Check-In begins at 8:30)
Location: Living Christ Lutheran Church 820 Lake Drive Chanhassen, MN 55317
Cost: $35.00 Includes Lunch
Register: To register online go to: www.restorationmn.org/opportunities

SHAPED BY THE WORD The Gospel of Mark “What is the gospel that Jesus preached?” Reading Mark from a typed manuscript (without verses and sub headings) allows us to listen from a new perspective to the story Mark was inspired to create with such literary artistry. Join us on this 12-week journey with Jesus as together we listen to the story and find answers to the questions that arise within us. Manuscripts will be available at the first class.

Where: Restoration Ministries Center
When: Tuesday evenings, 7-9 PM Began March 1. Register now.
Registration:To register online go to: www.restorationmn.org/opportunities

SPIRITUAL DIRECTION MINISTRY AVAILABLE

Restoration Ministries has a number of trained spiritual directors available to provide spiritual companionship in one-to-one sessions.The intention is to provide space and time to listen, notice and be attentive to God's invitations in one's life and journey, to foster a deeper relationship with God, and to cultivate noticing, discerning and responding to God's Holy Spirit.

Call to schedule an appointment at: 952.241.4150

EVENINGS OF LISTENING PRAYER
Every Wednesday: 7-9 pm
Join with us and others for evenings of LISTENING PRAYER. Framed in simple worship, Scripture and prayerful sharing, this space is provided for attentiveness to listening to God and others. We meet every Wednesday evening from 7-9 pm. There is no registration nor cost. Anyone is welcome to come and experience this quiet, worshipful listening space.

Location: Restoration Ministry Center, 952.241.4150

Blessings,

Pastor Jean Leih

For your information and interest:

Dr. Glenn Myers on Christian Spirituality:
http://www.deepwellswithglennmyers.blogspot.com/ 

Pastor Jean Leih on integrating faith and life:
http://integratingfaithandlife.blogspot.com/ 

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