•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

AUGUST 2011

This month our newsletter article is submitted by Marji Karjalahti, a pastor and teacher at Restoration Ministries.  Marji writes from the wisdom of her everyday life.

Listening so that we may hear

Seeing life from a toddler’s perspective is often illuminating, don’t you think?
My grandson, Odin, absolutely enjoys people. His blue eyes dance with delight and curiosity when he meets you. He is also quite verbal: “in his brain - out his mouth.” Last year, at 2 years, he would repeat his words ten times in as many minutes or less. “Grandma, is that your clock? .. your clock is noisy, Grandma...why is your clock noisy?... your clock is up there, Grandma”… and so on. This year he’s more concise, reducing his repetition to only three or four times.

Walking out of my bedroom the other day, Odin was following, sharing his internal dialogue with me. He caught my attention when he said, “You have a big butt.” (I said nothing.) “Your butt is big, Grandma.” (I responded with a faint hmmph.) “Grandma, your butt is really big.” I stopped him there, explaining that people do not like to hear they have big butts. Then I walked out of the room.

Later, as I retold this particular Odin-commentary to entertain his mother, she shared her insight into his three-year-old brain. She knows him so well! “I suppose when one is learning to use the potty, the size of your backside seems really important.” CONTEXT! Of course! What Odin said was one thing. What I heard was another! Thank goodness I had an interpreter on hand who gave me the context of the teller’s words so I could receive them for what those words were really conveying: admiration for the physical ability to successfully navigate Odin’s current ongoing daily challenge.

Listening beyond the words spoken in order to understand more fully is one of the gifts of spiritual direction. It is listening for the story around the words; listening in the context of the teller's life; listening so that we may hear.  Being with a spiritual director provides another set of ears to listen for and hear God’s presence and voice in your life. The spiritual direction relationship offers space and time with another who may see things from another perspective, knowing God and knowing you. This can be helpful as we navigate our ongoing daily challenges.

As we listen to each other in the context of God’s story, it may be helpful to remember the lesson of Odin: that context will inform our understanding so we can hear the authentic love and presence of God today. We listen so that we may hear.

UPCOMING RETREAT OPPORTUNITY:
Deadline for registration, Wednesday, August 3

The Trinity Experience
Facilitated by Paul Causton, M.Div.

Let the walls between you and God begin to crumble and allow yourself to be transformed into the true child of God that you are. Come and experience the truth about who God is and how God feels about you.

Paul is one of the spiritual directors ministering through Restoration Ministries. He is also a pastor, teacher, husband and dad. Paul received his M.Div. from Concordia Seminary in St. Louis and his spiritual direction training through Larry Crabb's School of Spiritual Direction.

WHERE: Living Christ Lutheran Church 820 Lake Dr. Chanhassen, MN
WHEN: Friday, August 5 6:30-9:30 PM Saturday, August 6 8:30-3:30 PM
COST: $35.00 (Lunch included)
REGISTER: To register online please go to www.restorationmn.org/opportunities 

SHAPED BY THE WORD A Manuscript Study of Exodus Reading from a typed manuscript (without verses and sub headings) allows us to listen from a new perspective. Join us as together we listen to the story and reflect on the questions that arise within us. Manuscripts will be available one week prior to the first class.

THE TWELVE STEPS: A SPIRITUAL JOURNEY As Christians we believe that God reveals much of his plan for each of us in the Holy Scriptures. Both mature Christians and those who are just being awakened to a personal relationship with God can find tremendous value in the Twelve Steps.

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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