Week #3 Re-cap: A Cozy Campfire

I hope you have at least one fond memory of a campfire. We are wrapping up this week of The Spiritual Shift similar to the way we ended The Spiritual Sync: we are thinking about a campfire. Whether we are actually camping or simply having a fire in a backyard firepit, there is something special about the surroundings and the atmosphere created with that spark igniting the kindling into a growing flame.

I feel it in my heart. Somehow sitting in front of a fire seems to start warming me to the core with comfort and peace, and burning some of the day's concerns into ashes. 

How can this view of a cozy campfire be our re-cap of our week analyzing the role of "stuff" in our lives? Well, imagine our fire. We are breathing in the scent of the wood, feeling the warmth of the flame, and hearing the faint crackling of the fire. Someone might be busy fetching supplies for s'mores. Other than that, we only bring ourselves to this fire; we leave all the "stuff" behind. We didn't haul our work out with us, and we left the distraction of the TV and technology behind us. 

Hopefully, we are gathering with a few loved ones, and this is when we can witness and experience a Spiritual Shift in front of our eyes. You see, as the logs shift in the fire with the glow of the flame, our moods and our thoughts shift as well. The dancing of the flames helps memories also dance into our recollection. Stories begin to take shape. First one, and then more.

Yes, Grandma loved climbing trees. I did too. As a girl I got in trouble for messing up one of my good Sunday dresses with mulberry juice.

Was Dad's story of shattering his kneecap while in the Navy true? 

Your Grandpa Martin was a great storyteller, but he also enjoyed just sitting and thinking and considering inventions. He had his usual spot downstairs in the rocking chair...He had quite a few stories about the Native American boarding school...Yes, he also called Grandma "Dolly." 

The wise know to appreciate the words and to listen closely. Just as we savor the ooey sweetness of the chocolate-marshmallow combination of the s'mores, we need to savor the beautiful combination of recollection and remembering dancing within those flames. 

Again, the "stuff" isn't in the way of these precious tales. Some of these stories may be a combination of fact and fiction, but like the braiding of sweetgrass, these stories braid strands of memories, connections, and community within the listeners. This bond is warm and special and sacred in the way a family quilt is comforting when it is stitched together. 

While these stories and these moments are priceless treasures in which our family heritage grows, let us also consider using these moments to help our spiritual heritage to grow. Let us use these times to affirm to each other how good our God is and the reality of God's consistent and continual work in our lives. 

I call the moments when we know God was at work in our lives Joshua Stones. In the book of Joshua, God commanded Joshua to lead the Israelites across the Jordan and in addition, they were to gather twelve stones in order to create a landmark.

Joshua 4:20-24 [bold emphasis added]

"And Joshua set up at Gilgal the twelve stones they had taken out of the Jordan. He said to the Israelites, 'In the future when your descendants ask their parents, 'What do these stones mean?' tell them, 'Israel crossed the Jordan on dry ground.' For the LORD your God dried up the Jordan before you until you had crossed over. The LORD your God did to the Jordan what he had done to the Red Sea when he dried it up before us until we had crossed over. He did this so that all the peoples of the earth might know that the hand of the LORD is powerful and so that you might always fear the LORD your God."

God provides landmarks for us. These landmarks are truly for us in order to mark God's work in our lives.

God is well aware of the fact that we need reminders; these stones were that reminder.

We each have specific times and "landmarks" of God's work in our lives.

Have we ever told the story of these stones?

Most of us have a scar from some adventure in our pasts.

We might have been asked--on more than one occasion--to tell the story of this adventure.

How much more important to share the story of our faith journey?

Each part of it has been carefully configured to shape us and to help fulfill God's plan.

Let's give God the credit He deserves.

John 21:24-25

"This is the disciple who testifies to these things and who wrote them down. We know that his testimony is true.

Jesus did many other things as well. If every one of them were written down, I suppose that even the whole world would not have room for the books that would be written."

We know these words to be true because Jesus is still at work in my life and in yours and in the lives of all believers. Let us testify to Jesus' glorious works!

Are we keeping our story to ourselves? We need to prayerfully consider sharing our stories. The Spirit will truly guide each of us to the who, the what, and the when. We need to provide the willingness.

So, we have shifted our relationship with our stuff, let us take some time--maybe around the warmth of a campfire--and collect the Joshua Stones in our lives so that we are able to share these memorable moments with those whom God puts in our paths.

1 Peter 3:15 NIV

"But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect."

Part of revering our God is knowing our story. Knowing our story requires us to know our God. Knowing our God and our story requires us to put aside our "stuff" in order to not be distracted. Obviously, God typically doesn't ask us to memorize a ten-minute speech complete with a presentation in order to share our testimony. The opportunity to share truly can be as simple as sitting in a coffee shop or waiting in long line and striking up a conversation. 

Deuteronomy 6:4-9

"Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one. Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates."

Love God and talk about His Loving Goodness. 

The question is are we ready? Do we know our story? Do we know God's part in our story? Are we willing to revere God enough to give Great Mystery the credit He is due for His work in our lives?

This story--this collection of Joshua Stones--could be the very spark that ignites another story in another campfire--and another--and another. 

2 Timothy 1:6-7

"For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands. For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline."

Let us be willing to warm ourselves and others with the stories of God's love and sacrifice for us. 

Prayer: Almighty Yahweh, we love You. Help us to remember the pieces of our story with You. Help us to courageously tell of Your Loving Grace. Guide us to give You the glory, and let us submit to Your Holy Spirit's prompting. May we help others feel the tender warmth of Your Love. In Jesus' Name. Amen.

“He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you?

To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.” ~Micah 6:8