All Truth is God's Truth

I belong to two churches, one Quaker and one not (it's Christian). In one I have a great base from which to minister, the Quaker church, and in the other, I get a place to be ministered to in the forms of great discussions and time with young adult friends, Ecclesia. Now in both, there is some degree of each but that is their emphasis and I treasure both. In addition to these two churches, I also treasure my time at the Jewish temple as it speaks to places in me Christianity never has. I'll have to think more about what those places are so I can share them with you sometime. Perhaps I'll write that post for Purim.

Ecclesia, on the other hand, is what you would call a house church, started by a group of young adults who worked odd hours and needed a spiritual community. They started a Bible study and after some time, realized they had a church on their hands complete with a pastor. On Sunday, we celebrate our third birthday complete with cards to the church, writing out what we appreciate. I found the group some time ago and have delighted in them more and more ever since as they are great people I love being with and I really needed a group of friends my age to hang out with throughout the week and with whom to share in the love of God.

So on my blog when I say church, it could mean either one but probably means Ecclesia most of the time. I will try to clarify which one I mean. It's important to me to have a couple different sources of spiritual nourishment whether through churches, friendships, and time alone with God. It's unhealthy to get stuck in the ways of one denomination when there is so much truth and richness in others as well. It helps us all be loving children of God when we appreciate and lift up other ways to worship that also echo within us and even those that don't. But no matter what group we participate in, we need to keep remembering and practicing the gift that all truth is God's truth.

Last night at Ecclesia we were talking about praise. To praise someone we tell them, ourselves, and others how great they are, their wonderful qualities, and what they've done. Jordan invited us to say specifically, not in general terms, what God has done for us. For example, when I stretch myself too far like in the last few weeks or I get sick like in the last two days, God "handles" me. He will clear my schedule and give me space when I need it or when I'm not feeling well, he makes sure I get calm substituting jobs where I can stay inside and not move around a lot like in passroom or an office. Tomorrow I get an elementary school library which is my favorite type of job. Putting books away is meditative for me. When I am exhausted and feeling ill, I just lay on the "floor" and God picks me up in his arms and takes me to a place where I can rest under his ministrations. We stay there until I am feeling better which I must admit, I probably prolong a bit as it is so calming and peaceful to just lay down beside where he's sitting and let him lay his hand on my forehead. I don't think he minds me wanting to stay. I am so glad and grateful to know he is there for me. That he is there taking care of me in a very real way and that it is at these times when I can't take care of what I need myself I most sense his presence.

Thank you God for being there holding my hand. There are times in my day when my craving for you flows over me like a downpour of warm rain and I just stand there, soaking that need in knowing you will fulfill it. I love you.

(It feels really weird not numbering my posts for the blog challenge anymore.)