Through the Waters
About this blog
Through the Waters is the blog of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) Christian vocation ministries. Because the ministry of Christian vocation affirms the need for all baptized Christians – including Presbyterians - to identify and claim their call to discipleship in each decision and life choice, this blog is designed to serve as a resource for youth and young adults, as well as those in ministry with them, to assist the Holy Spirit in God’s movement in this journey through the waters. Take some time to read and think about your own responses to the questions posed here. For additional resources, we suggest that you visit our website.
Recent posts
Categories
- Musings (9)
- Youth (5)
- Young Adults (4)
- View all categories →
Archives
- May 2012
- April 2012
- March 2012
- February 2012
- January 2012
- December 2011
- November 2011
- October 2011
- September 2011
- August 2011
- July 2011
- June 2011
- May 2011
- April 2011
- March 2011
- February 2011
- January 2011
- November 2010
- October 2010
- September 2010
- August 2010
- July 2010
- June 2010
- May 2010
- April 2010
- March 2010
- View all archives →
Lessons from a Chimp
For whatever reason, I’ve been seeing more movies in the theatre lately. I’d like to say that it is because Hollywood is releasing more quality films and not because of my cravings for popcorn cooked in coconut oil but I probably just revealed my true feelings. Regardless, though, this last movie, Chimpanzee, was well worth the greasy fingers and added calories.
Oscar is a young chimpanzee living in the forest and enjoying life with his troop. His surroundings are amazing and the filmmakers did an incredible job of helping us understand the daily life and struggles of animals looking for food, avoiding predators, and forming relationships. And it is the latter that struck me the most. As all of us experience at some point in life, Oscar learned far too early about loss. For Oscar, though, his loss of relationship in this wild jungle immediately threatened his own life. Young chimpanzees cannot live long independently.
Thankfully, Oscar was not forced to live on his own for too long. As has rarely been witnessed, Oscar was adopted by the most unlikely member of his troop. For reasons we will never know, this much older chimpanzee knew of Oscar’s needs and formed a life-saving relationship. Oscar was literally rescued by a chimpanzee who sacrificed his role in the group, making this young one his priority.
My guess is that you, like me, could name one or several people who formed life-saving relationships with us. Sometimes these relationships are with people with whom we are related. Others are with people with whom we share no genetic traits. Some of these relationships are with very unlikely people and have created a change of heart to some degree. Some of these people have become our mentors. Some have become our role models. What these relationships do have in common, though, is the way that God’s love is demonstrated through them.
The true story of a young chimpanzee will sit with me for a long time, making me love and appreciate the many people who have come into my life to serve as models of the faith, demonstrating God’s unconditional love. We were created to be in relationship. Our lives depend on it.
Who is the person, or persons, who demonstrate God’s love for you?
How is your faith demonstrated in the relationships you have with others?
How have the people in your life helped you learn more about how God may be calling you?
How are you cultivating your own relationship with God?
April 25, 2012
A Home for Faith
Our family is in the process of looking for a new house. What a chore! We are blessed to be able to have certain qualities that we’re specific about and others for which we are more flexible. Where is it located? How many rooms? What is the price? We think about our comfort and, thankfully, don’t have too worry much about safety (we know we are in the minority in this one). What a surprise, then, for the house hunt to turn into a great learning opportunity.
April 10, 2012
Unexpected Hunting
On Easter Sunday, I was a part of an Easter Egg Hunt that was a bit of a role reversal. The whole event was designed by an eight-year-old and the other, significantly older participants were the egg hunters. This was no casual egg hunt, though. There were lots of rules. It is an understatement to say that the hunt designer had an idea in her mind about how this event would work and she wasn’t willing to stray from it.
If anything, though, it did make me think. How many of us are like her? We get an idea ...
March 12, 2012
Two Pinecones
I hate to be late for anything. As a result, I rush around before any appointment or gathering in order to get there on time. I tap my foot in the airport security line…only to arrive at my gate thirty-five minutes before boarding. I dash off to Sunday worship…only to be one of the first in my seat. I tear out of the driveway before the movies…only to finish all of my popcorn before the previews. It never fails. I’d rather not show up at all than to not be on time.
So, it’s no ...
February 22, 2012
Journey to the Cross
The season of the church year we call Lent consists of the six weeks (40 days) prior to Easter. It is during this time that we engage in prayer and remember Christ's sacrifice on our behalf.
The online devotional d365 provides a wonderful resource for daily prayer and Scripture. You are invited on this journey, the Journey to the Cross.
http://www.d365.org/journeytothecross/
February 1, 2012
Story Telling
There is no question that God touches our lives in very different ways. We come to know God in ways that may not be similar to that of our neighbor. None of us travels the same path down the journey of faith.
He felt the movement of the Holy Spirit at a confirmation retreat during a song. Having been a part of a band and being a proclaimed musician, this was an emotional experience.
She grew up going to summer camp and experienced God’s presence through a mission experience as a part of that camp. She cannot imagine her ...
January 5, 2012
A Bug's Life
I was recently in east Texas visiting relatives when one of the children came running into the house talking enthusiastically about the ants she saw out on the driveway. Because the house in which we stay is far from town and quite a distance from neighbors, it is common to hear stories about a variety of creatures whenever we are there. In fact, this visit we were even living above an armadillo that made its presence known each night. The description of the ants, though, intrigued me and I set out to check them out for myself.
As I got ...
December 8, 2011
Strangers in Our Midst
It was only as I began walking down the aisle of the full airplane for a cross-country flight that I realized I had been assigned a middle seat. Normally, I might not mind but this was a long leg of my journey and I was tired. All I really wanted to do was stick in my earbuds and take a nap. As I located my seat, though, it was clear that I would be lucky to be able to do either.
In addition to a man seated to my right, a young mother and her 15 month old boy sat ...
November 15, 2011
Give Thanks to the Lord
There has been a lot going on around us lately. We’ve been bombarded by news of strange weather patterns; people adversely affected by too much water, not enough water, high winds, and early snows. We hear about questionable decision making from those in esteemed positions and celebrities made famous by the media. We learn about wars and deadly fighting occurring across the world and the innocent victims of those tragedies. We read about the economic trials of those living in the United States and the ways in which its citizens choose to respond. Add to all of that our ...
October 28, 2011
For All the Saints
So I here I sit as I do each year at this time. Yes, it’s almost Halloween but I’m not thinking about my costume. Those days are over for me, I’m afraid. Instead, I’m thinking more about the day after Halloween – All Saints Day. I've actually posted this before but it bears repeating.
All Saints Day, November 1, is a day is steeped in history dating back centuries and connected with an ancient feast. Now on this day each year, many western Christians spend time in prayer and worship, remembering “saints” who have been a ...