Tag / Winter

by Karen Twinem

Together We Can Seek Christian Unity

This week in January is the traditional time to pray for Christian unity. Since Jesus did this at the Last Supper, you might even call it his dying wish.

Today, the Christian church is far from unified. Searching about this unity online brings up a lot of material about why unity is not a particularly good thing. As well as some divisive material on both sides of the political spectrum.

Weird, isn’t it? I myself have experienced hateful behavior from other Christians who view issues differently than I do. Surely this is not what Jesus wants for us, especially when everyone in the disagreement is sure that Jesus is on their side.

What Martin Luther King Can Teach Us

Recently, I attended a Vineyard USA workshop on principles and practices that Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. used as the core of the civil rights movement. This was a nonviolent movement, so much so that Dr. King told people who couldn’t promise to remain nonviolent to stay away. His “10 Commandments” of nonviolence offered me inspiration for dealing with the divisive nature of today’s Christianity:

  1. Meditate daily on the teachings and life of Jesus.
  2. Remember always that the non-violent movement seeks justice and reconciliation – not victory.
  3. Walk and talk in the manner of love, for God is love.
  4. Pray daily to be used by God in order that all men might be free.
  5. Sacrifice personal wishes in order that all men might be free.
  6. Observe with both friend and foe the ordinary rules of courtesy.
  7. Seek to perform regular service for others and for the world.
  8. Refrain from the violence of fist, tongue, or heart.
  9. Strive to be in good spiritual and bodily health.
  10. Follow the directions of the movement and of the captain on a demonstration.

If we follow these rules (which King insisted that even nonChristians in the movement do), we will find it much easier to approach each other as Christians.

I began my faith walk as a Lutheran before I converted to Catholicism, in part because it was the only church in my deep, DEEP South town that was integrated. Years later, unable to support the idea of a male celibate priesthood any more, I moved back across the line to the Protestant non-denominational church. So I’ve heard a lot about what both side of the Protestant-Catholic lanes think about each other.

Some things are purely untrue or misunderstood. Others are differences in style. Some are doctrinal disagreements. But Jesus surely asked all of us in the 21st century to strive for unity during the Last Supper. And I have found devoted Christians to admire in both camps.

While placing country over Christ is a form of idolatry that strains some American churches today, we all should be able to say “Amen” to Jesus’ prayer.

Pray for Christian Unity

This prayer for unity is one I’ve adaptedfrom “Catholic Household Blessings and Prayers.”

Oh Lord, help me to speak and behave in Christian love with all who claim you as Savior.
Give me the grace to have courtesy and refrain from violence of tongue, heart, fist and online behavior.
We pray to you for your holy Christian church in my own neighborhood and around the world.
Help us to accomplish reconciliation.
Fill the church with your presence and your truth.
Keep it in your peace.
Where it is corrupt, reform it.
Where it is in error, correct it.
Where it is right, defend it.
Where it is in want, provide for it.
Where it is divided, reunite it.
For the sake of your Son, our Savior Jesus Christ. 


			





			
				


	
			
	
	

				

			 by Karen Twinem		

		
		
Find the Silver Lining
	


	


	


	

		

“Inside every silver lining, there’s a dark cloud,” comedian George Carlin used to joke. Some days we all agree with him.  Recently I discovered a secular practice called “Find the Silver Lining” that easily adapts to Christian mindfulness. 










The practice was from the Greater Good Science Center website. The center is at the University of California Berkeley. It provides research-based tools and training to shift our culture toward a kinder, more compassionate society. 





The site has a lot of positive psychology materials:





  • An online magazine featuring stories and tips for building social-emotional well-being.
  • Free e-newsletters.
  • Research-based practices for happiness, resilience, kindness and connection. 
  • A cool monthly Happiness Calendar with daily tips. 





One of the research-based practices is the Find the Silver Lining  practice.  It can bring new perspective and even some peace of mind to our most difficult experiences. Here’s how to do it as a mindful Christian:  





  1. Go before the Lord to thank him for things you easily appreciate: your health, your church, trees, whatever comes to mind.
  2. Then write about something that has been negative in your life: an event, person or any life circumstance.
  3. Look for two or three things that are the silver livings to that negative experience. 
  4. Pray a gratitude prayer for them, and ask the Lord to help you to see silver linings more easily.





The poet Maggie Smith tried the secular version of this practice.  You can read about her experience on the center’s website here. More resources for leading your mindful Christian life are found on the Resource Page here. 











			





			
				


	
			
	
	

				

			 by Karen Twinem		

		
		
Celebrate Winter Sunset
	


	


	


	

		

Sunset in January and February brings more dread than joy.  But we can change that when we make the winter sunset hour a time to celebrate God’s presence and care. 





In a Fast Company article about staying sane while living in 24-hour darkness, Julia Herbst provides five tips for dealing with winter light (or the lack of it). One of them is “Don’t fight the darkness.” It’s an encouragement to enjoy winter through hygge, which can include Christian mindfulness. (Another is to get a light box or Happy Light, which I totally endorse! Here’s the one I use.)





Britain’s “The Simple Things” magazine suggests stopping the day’s events to enjoy tea and dessert at sunset in the winter. (This could lead to a Backwards Meal, which my kids and I used to do on April Fools Day.) 





For those who practice Christian mindfulness, watching the winter sunset while practicing the presence of God is a quiet revelation. God is still there in the cold and the dark earth around us. And He is still making things of beauty for those who take the time to watch. Adding a gratitude practice … giving thanks for  five things from the day … can only bring God’s presence closer. 





Some may want to enjoy the winter sunset with some beautiful music or a book that makes you feel alive.  Reading some poetry also adds an element of celebration to sunset.  Here’s “In the Bleak Midwinter” by Christina Rossetti: 





In the bleak midwinter, frosty wind made moan,
Earth stood hard as iron, water like a stone;
Snow had fallen, snow on snow, snow on snow,
In the bleak midwinter, long ago.





Our God, Heaven cannot hold Him, nor earth sustain;
Heaven and earth shall flee away when He comes to reign.
In the bleak midwinter a stable place sufficed
The Lord God Almighty, Jesus Christ.





Enough for Him, whom cherubim, worship night and day,
Breastful of milk, and a mangerful of hay;
Enough for Him, whom angels fall before,
The ox and ass and camel which adore.





Angels and archangels may have gathered there,
Cherubim and seraphim thronged the air;
But His mother only, in her maiden bliss,
Worshipped the beloved with a kiss.





What can I give Him, poor as I am?
If I were a shepherd, I would bring a lamb;
If I were a Wise Man, I would do my part;
Yet what I can I give Him: give my heart.

			





			
				


	
			
	
	

				

			 by Karen Twinem		

		
		
Light All Your Candles for the Presentation of Our Lord
	


	


	


	

		

Not only is today Super Bowl Sunday and Groundhog Day, it’s also the Presentation of Our Lord on the Christian calendar.  Today is a feast to commemorate Joseph and Mary taking the infant Jesus as a first-born son to the Temple for the ceremony commanded by God through Moses to induct him into Judaism.





Simeon and Anna were at the Temple, as they had been for thousands of days, waiting to see the Messiah.  They recognized him. 





This feast is also called Candlemas, and it involves blessing candles and lighting them.  Try lighting up your candles to symbolize the light of the world arriving in His own temple. 





This is also a good day to pray from the poor, migrants, immigrants and refugees, the Holy Family being one of this number.