[Propertalk] Fwd: Abandoning All

[Joe Parrish]

Forwarded:





-----Original Message-----
From: FRANK FISHER <FRANK.FISHER at ecunet.org>
To: PROPERTALK.topic <PROPERTALK.topic at ecunet.org>
Sent: Sat, Sep 4, 2010 2:53 pm
Subject: Abandoning All


Note #33189 from FRANK FISHER to PROPERTALK:

ere's tomorrow's sermon, based on Lke 14:25-33. It's in the form of a
uided meditation.

_
Frank R. Fisher, Obl OSB
ww.ffisher.net
nterim Pastor
irst Presbyterian Church of Kewanee, IL
ww.fpckewanee.org
lmira United Presbyterian Church
ww.elmiraunited.org
aka
Brother Oscar Romero
blate of St. Benedict's Abbey
artonville, IL
ww.SBAbbey.com

When you were born, you cried and the world rejoiced. Live your life so
hat when you die, the world cries and you rejoice."-Cherokee proverb

___________________
Today,
ou're going to enter
he hush of your quiet place
nd meet Jesus
n your imagination.
Make yourself comfortable
n your seat.
Close your eyes
nd relax.
ou'll be breathing deeply,
nd relaxing
our whole body.
>
reathe in slowly,
nd hold it.
reathe out slowly.
reathe in slowly,
nd hold it.
reathe out slowly.
>
elax your feet
nd ankles.
eep breathing in deeply,
old it,
nd breathe  out slowly.
et your hips relax,
nd then your stomach muscles
nd your chest.
Allow your shoulders
o become heavy.
et all your tension
imply drain away
et your arms and fingers
ecome limp.
et your neck sag,
nd relax your face,
our forehead,
nd even your eye lids.
Keep breathing in and out
deeply
nd slowly.
<>
You feel
he hot sun
eating down on your head
s your sandaled feet
lmost burn
rom the sand's warmth.
ou look around
nd find
ou're in the midst
f a large crowd
eaded through the desert
oward Jerusalem.
ou all 
eem to be following
 very familiar person.
ut you can't quite make out
ho he is
ntil he turns
nd speaks to all of you.
It's Jesus!
e's smiling
t the entire crowd.
ut he seems to make
ye contact
nly with you.
he smile
n his face
eems at contrast
ith the words he speaks.
Are you sure
ou know what you're doing
y following me,"
e warns.
If you become my disciple
ou must commit yourself
ompletely!
o one else
an be as important to you
s me;
ven your family!
ou will be agreeing
o walk with me
n what ever path
 choose;
ven if the path
eads to your death."
Seeing your confusion
e goes on
o explain,
If you plan to build
 building,
on't you sit down first
nd see if you have the money
o complete it?
r if you were a general,
nd planning to start a battle,
ouldn't you count
he number of the enemy
o see if you could win?
t's the same way
ith those who follow me.
efore you do it,
ount the cost!
t's not a part time
ommitment
nd there are no
art time disciples.
e sure
ou're ready
o give up
verything
o follow me."
Around you
he crowd
ills about in confusion.
 lot of the people
re apparently deciding
f Jesus is asking
s too much
or them.
hey're turning around
nd walking away.
Jesus sees you 
till standing there
s you wonder
f you can do
s he asks.
e draws you aside,
its down on the sand with you,
nd reaches out
o take your hand.
ake a moment
o simply feel
he touch of his hand
n yours.
ook deeply 
nto his eyes
nd see the love
nd concern
e has for you.
<>
Listen
s Jesus asks you
f you really want
to follow him.
<>
Listen as he asks
hat person
r thing
s the most important to you.
<>
Then listen again, 
s he asks 
f you'd be willing to give
verything,
o abandon all,
o follow him.
<>
In the silence of your heart,
ontinue to look deeply
nto Jesus' loving eyes
s you
ive Jesus
our answer.
<>
Jesus tells you
ts almost time
or him to continue his journey.
e has an appointment
e says,
head in Jerusalem;
n appointment
hen he will give up
verything
or you.
But before he leaves,
e says
here's something important
e must tell you.
Listen
s Jesus speaks
ords meant for you
nd you alone.
<>
It is time now
or Jesus to leave.
eel him
ift you to your feet,
nd he embraces you.
hen he turns 
o go;
o continue
is journey.
You watch
s Jesus,
nd a much smaller crowd,
alk away
nto the desert.
<>
Breathe in slowly,
nd hold it.
reathe out slowly.
Breathe in slowly,
nd hold it.
reathe out slowly.
Breathe in slowly,
nd hold it.
reathe out slowly.
Breathe in slowly,
nd hold it.
reathe out slowly.
When you are ready,
ou may open your eyes.
<>
If you imagined an encounter 
n the Judean desert today,
 invite you to believe
he encounter
as very,
ery,
eal.
And as you search
or the pastor
ho will journey with you,
lease remember this encounter.
emember
he first step
n transforming
ny congregation
nto a thriving community
s to
e ready to follow Jesus
ompletely.
And remember,
our future pastor
ill not be the one
ho will show you
he way 
ou must go.
nstead,
our pastor will be one
ho will walk beside you
cross the desert
pon which
od calls you all
o travel.
And together,
n your journey,
ay you offer
ll glory and honor
o God.
Amen.



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