This Saturday we did not watch a video but continued our discussion on the concepts of "slowing", solitude and celebration with 14 men present.
Several men related their experiences during the week that illustrated these concepts, especially "slowing". It seems life presents many opportunities for us to slow down, wait on and reflect. If we are willing to reflect and not react, they may reveal much about ourselves. Perhaps much that we don't really want to hear. Waiting in lines, being stuck in traffic we are confronted with our anger, impatience and self-importance. We have a God-given desire for justice but when it comes to justice for ourselves, we feel it's a right and we need to take care of it ourselves, RIGHT NOW, rather than trust God for our outcomes. Life is about us. NOT!
Next week we are going to read selections from Chapter 5 in John Ortberg's "The Life You've Always Wanted", titled Interrupting Heaven, The Practice of Prayer. We are going to be purchasing copies of the book as well as the participant's guide for use by the men's group.
Also, don't forget about the Iron Sharpening Iron men's conference on March 10th. If you are interested in attending with the men's group, please contact Gary Halbedel at ghalbedel@gmail.com or 424-0941. The cost is $48 but if we get 10 or more as a group, the cost will be $39 each. I'm not collecting money yet, just looking for interest.
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1 comment:
I found this to be really helpful this week. Or course, there are lots of opportunities to practice "slowing". I found that I have been conditioned to expect fairness among other things. For example, these days, people i think like the "bank line" concept. That is they like to wait in a roped off line and get to go the first teller that is available. In other situations, like at the CVS where there is not a formal bank style line, people still like to line up in a single line to get the first available clerk. But because it's unofficial some people just cut in. I find i get steamed at that. or if someone cuts in front of you in traffic. "It's not fair!" I found it helpful this week in situations like this to realize that having my desires thwarted is good for me. to accept these little indignities with grace and good humour is building a christ-like quality in me (I hope!).
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