Here, the Spirit. Hear the Spirit.


What are you waiting for?
St. Paul's United Church of Christ
Rio Rancho, New Mexico


Showers renew the earth, and the soul.

Showers renew the earth, and the soul.

Rain can make us sing.

Rain can make us sing.

Rain can make us sad.

Rain can make us sad.

Sometimes it's hard to find our way.

Sometimes it's hard to find our way.

We need time to pause and reflect.

We need time to pause and reflect.
Come to a Gathering this Sunday,
August 7, at 9:00 am.

No matter the weather, it's always the season for renewal. We ponder questions, meditate, share and sing. Join us for a splash of adventure.

St. Paul's United Church of Christ

An Open and Affirming Congregation

2701 The American Road SE
Rio Rancho, NM 87124
505-898-7026

http://stpaulsuccrr.org/

Coming from the South on Coors Bypass, turn right just before SAMS Club, go to stop sign and turn left onto Cottonwood Rd. At the intersection with Alameda Blvd, continue straight to the first left (a short block). Turn left on American Rd and turn right at St. Paul's United Church of Christ driveway. (across from MB Transmissions)

Coming from the East or Coors Blvd, take Alameda Blvd west to the traffic light at Cottonwood Rd. (Charter Bank on NW corner). Turn right on Cottonwood for 1 short block to the first left turn. Turn left on American Rd and turn right at St. Paul's United Church of Christ driveway.

Saturday, April 30, 2011

Metaphorically Blogging

Back in January, St. Paul's adopted the motto: Jesus Guided, Intentionally Inclusive, Peace Seeking, Justice Committed. The images I selected this month promote the notion of "guided." It is a concept not hard to illustrate. But what does it mean to be Jesus guided?

Two more images came to mind: a lighthouse and a service dog. My mom grew up on the coast of the North Sea and I inherited her affinity for lighthouses. They stand as faithful sentinels alerting nearby ships of dangerous, rocky shorelines, and they can point the way to safe harbors. The Jesus who guides us, with the Spirit's flame as beacon, may likewise send out a steady message for us to follow.

On the other hand, or paw, a service dog is right there in the trenches with you. I have made the happy, tail-wagging acquaintance of the service dog of my friend Lorie. One day this dog sensed Lorie's impending diabetic crisis and brought her a bag of medicine, nudging her back into enough of a wakeful state for her to inject the insulin. Lorie is alive today because she was guided by her dog to take action just in time. In this version of "Jesus guided" the Spirit is as close as the breath on our lips. Attentive, ready to respond to shifting circumstances. Not to mention those wet doggie kisses... The holy kiss of a canine companion. (Yuck)

Are these competing models of guiding -- one, stately and secure, a landmark you can count on -- verses one more dynamic, in your face, proactive? No deciding is necessary. "Jesus guided" is bigger than any two, or four, or a fleet of metaphors. Bigger than a pet store's inventory of squeeze toys to delight a work hard, play hard service dog.

Sandra Chapin

1 comment:

  1. I love your creative use of images that "guide" us through the maze of choices we have for our spiritual path.
    One other that I use is a labyrinth - wouldn't it be wonderful to paint one in the parking lot and offer it as a gift to anyone looking for a labyrinth?

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