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.
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- Living in the Light
- Living Thanks
- Footprints in Our Lives
- Growing Older, Growing Wiser
- Holy Listening
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Spreading the Seeds
It is the time of year when the world around where I live looks absolutely green. Things are growing everywhere! Granted some of them are considered pests but I am struck by the amazing life that is around us throughout these summer months. The farmer’s markets are thriving with just about every vegetable imaginable. Even the fresh produce at the grocery store is such that it never is at any other time of the year. While the heat pounds outside, the flowers and the fruits of the ground flourish. Even the empty field outside our church building has become a sea of thigh-high greenery.
And it was within the walls of the building next door to those waves of grasses that I was struck with another image of growth; the sermon was titled “Sower.” While examining the parable of the sower from Matthew 13 it didn’t take the typical track I’ve heard at other times when examining these passages.
Rather than focusing on the type of soil, this time we stuck with thinking about the sower him/herself, the one who threw the seeds out. The sower didn’t keep those seeds for the good soil. He or she didn’t check the ground first, being sure that the seeds would grow to be strong and healthy, leaving the non-productive dirt and rocks alone. The seeds were spread to do as they might because you just never know! Do we ever know how our acts of Christian discipleship will be acted upon by others? We do, I’m afraid, if we don’t live them out.
What a message this is for those of us who have Good News to spread. We’ve got a lot of sowing to do! Let’s get to work!
How have you carried out the act of sowing through your actions?
What have you done that would demonstrate to others that you are Christ’s sower?
How often do you demonstrate your faith to all of those around you?
June 21, 2011
Finding Time for Sabbath
Ah, summer. I spent many of my years looking so forward to this time of year. Once school was out, I imagined, the real fun would begin. As a child I can remember sleeping in, finding neighborhood friends to play with, and often whining to my parents that I had NOTHING to do. Now that we’re not children anymore, though, summer is far from a break for many of us. We’re up for work; no sleeping in. We’re off to summer classes; no opportunities for boredom. The weather changes but we may not find that time to slow down. …- Posted at 2:44 p.m.
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May 31, 2011
On Notice!
Driving into our neighborhood you can’t help but notice suspicious, almost prying, eyes looking at you. They reside on the light posts, looking down at you; checking you out. They’re rather creepy. Some days I can ignore them. Other days, they’re glaring at me and I can’t avoid them. The eyes do not belong to a strange homeowner, though; they serve as a reminder from the Neighborhood Watch: the group of people on the street who have committed to paying attention to the happenings in order to avoid suspicious or even criminal behavior. Some of those signs even include the …- Posted at 3:31 p.m.
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May 2, 2011
Running the Race
I recently participated in a marathon! Well, truth be told, I didn’t run the race but stood on the sidelines in a number of places to cheer on the runners. 26.2 miles is quite a trek so I felt it...- Posted at 5:19 p.m.
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April 15, 2011
Living as a Story Teller
“Again! Again! Again!” Anyone who has had the opportunity to interact with a child for very long is, no doubt, all too familiar with this phrase. When I was young, this phrase was heard immediately following the reading of The...- Posted at 2:23 p.m.
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