prayer from the cell: reconnecting

Posted in humour, technology by nakedpastor on the November 8th, 2009

reconnect

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32 Responses to 'prayer from the cell: reconnecting'

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jarofclay said, on November 8th, 2009 at 8:21 am

Occasionally that kind of feeling occurs; especially when I’m “in charge” of something. Working and encouraging toward participation of all those who are there on a sunday mornig helped me to (once in a while) stay really connected. I am afraid your cell message applies to many, pastors first.
steve martin said, on November 8th, 2009 at 11:10 am

That’s sad.

In our woship service, we hear from God (in His Word of law and gospel) and we actually receive His body and blood.

More congregations ought try it out.
ally c said, on November 8th, 2009 at 2:54 pm

Speak for yourself Steve– *you* hear from God, etc. Just because one shows up at church (or does any “spiritual” act) doesn’t mean there’s always a connection. Sometimes I wonder why I still bother to try… but then I remember that’s the point of faith. You struggle through it, and you don’t give up.

“And I believe in God, even when He is silent.”
Tiggy said, on November 8th, 2009 at 4:35 pm

Where’s that quote from Ally C?

I connect with God at church, sometimes. When I’m not cringing from some of the crap that’s spouted.

I connected with Him a lot on my balcony this year.

At the moment, I think I can only connect to God in female form so church is obstructive.
ally c said, on November 8th, 2009 at 4:54 pm

It’s part of a quote found written on a wall in a concentration camp–

“I believe in the sun even when it does not shine
I believe in love even when I do not feel it
And I believe in God even when he is silent.”
Tiggy said, on November 8th, 2009 at 5:07 pm

Oh yes, I thought it sounded familiar. I have it set to music on a cd, but translated slightly differently.
steve martin said, on November 8th, 2009 at 6:02 pm

ally c,

Why on earth would you think I was speaking for you, or anybody else?

I don’t even recall mentioning your name.

I was speaking for myself. That you disagree with me is fine. But don’t put words in my mouth, please.

You must think quite a lot of yourself to think that other people have you in mind…when they don’t.
nakedpastor said, on November 8th, 2009 at 6:09 pm

steve: i think you took her comment too personally. wow.
Tiggy said, on November 8th, 2009 at 6:12 pm

Yeah, it’s just an expression man – chill out.
ally c said, on November 8th, 2009 at 6:15 pm

@Steve
To quote you:
“That’s sad.
In our woship service, we hear from God (in His Word of law and gospel) and we actually receive His body and blood.
More congregations ought try it out.”

The use of the word “we” implies that all people in your congregation connect with God during the worship service. One may hear the words of God, or receive His body & blood (this is a reference to Communion, correct?) but feel absolutely no connection. That seems to be the very point of David’s comic.

Also, there is the feel of arrogance in your last sentence– “More congregations ought to try it out.” We do not have a one-size-fits-all, formulaic spirituality. What works for one person may not work at all for another. I’m glad your service works for you, but please do not try to say it will work for all.
steve martin said, on November 8th, 2009 at 6:16 pm

OK.

I just find it odd when people say, “speak for yourself”…when that is exactly who I was speaking for.

Maybe this sensitivity thing goes both ways.
steve martin said, on November 8th, 2009 at 6:17 pm

Now I’m arrogant.

I guess this name calling thing is only good if it goes in one direction, huh?
preacherlady said, on November 8th, 2009 at 6:24 pm

Each of us has our own criteria for “connection” and it changes as we grow. I think we need to respect the fact that someone feels connected doing something that we know will not connect us and in fact, is not a connection at all…thats the place they are, and they don’t know they haven’t connected. I also think that put downs are out of line. Each person here is seeking and to assume that whatever it is that any of us is doing to connect is the ultimate, is foolish…there is always more. Because your practice satisfies you, doesn’t mean it will satisfy someone else.
ally c said, on November 8th, 2009 at 6:24 pm

It’s not my intent to call *you* arrogant, only to say that what you said came off with a bit of arrogance. Again, what works for you may not work for all people, and an appreciation for that would be good. I apologise.

Also, the phrase “speak for youself” may be used if someone feels you’ve said something that includes more than just yourself. That’s why I said it, your original statement seems to include your entire congregation, but that may or may not be the case. I apologise if my words were too harsh… this tends to be a sensitive issue for me. Growing up as a PK, you’re expected to always “get it” with God and so it’s especially hard if you’re one to struggle more with faith.
ally c said, on November 8th, 2009 at 6:26 pm

@preacherlady

You said it exactly. Thank you.
Tiggy said, on November 8th, 2009 at 6:33 pm

Am I misunderstanding this?

‘and in fact, is not a connection at all…thats the place they are, and they don’t know they haven’t connected.’

How can you say of someone else that they are not connecting if they feel t hey are? Because of the context, you make it sound like Steve is not connecting when he’s saying he is. I don’t think we can make those judgements about other people except maybe in some extreme circumstances where t hey are doing harm.

Ally, what is a PK?
ally c said, on November 8th, 2009 at 6:35 pm

PK = pastor’s kid. =]
ally c said, on November 8th, 2009 at 6:37 pm

Tiggy, you raise a good question… I think I misread that part so now I’m not sure I agree with what she wrote. So confused!
preacherlady said, on November 8th, 2009 at 6:41 pm

When you are part of the service, unfortunately, you must be very much on this plane. There have been times at conferences or big churches that I’ve been envious of the speaker, because he/she could get up from prayer, go to the platform, deliver the message, and go back into prayer. Instead, we arrive at church an hour early…3 people vital to the service have called to say they aren’t coming…the sound system has an echo…no-one has brought cookies…the Sunday service coordinator is having words with the youth pastor…no-one has set up the book table…and, in45 min YOU have to step up to the mike and sound inspired and brilliant and then you have to go out to brunch with a bunch of them, unless the board wants to nit pick something. Connect later.
preacherlady said, on November 8th, 2009 at 6:52 pm

Tiggy…I made a general statement not aimed at anyone in particular. To say that I was being critical of Steve is erroneous. Had I wanted to criticize Steve, I would have, so please don’t make it something its not. Also, there are levels of connection, and places to connect to…and as someone grows, they realize that where they had connected yesterday, is not a satisfactory connection for today and the place that may be right for someone else today isn’t for them. Its like travelling down a road…thats why its called a journey…and someone who has travelled a certain road knows the landmarks and can pretty much see where others are. This is why a lot of people have trouble with David’s journey…they can’t see that its right because they havn’t yet travelled it.
ally c said, on November 8th, 2009 at 7:26 pm

@preacherlady
Thanks for the clarification… I do agree with you.
asmac said, on November 8th, 2009 at 8:28 pm

All the foregoing is why people who are “unchurched” find Christians judgmental, don’t you think? How about ya’ll just chill.
Tiggy said, on November 8th, 2009 at 8:33 pm

It’s more just an online thing – you should see the Muslim forums!
asmac said, on November 8th, 2009 at 8:48 pm

I’d say my own experience with a God-connection at church, as one who is “up front” leading worship, runs the gamut. Sometimes the organizational piece diminishes the “worshipfulness” and at times I’ve also been totally immersed and felt connected and blessed. What I do know is that I need opportunities to “sit in the pews” when I can which often replenishes my resources and feeds me–body, mind, spirit. I totally related to the cartoon, and read into it a certain pastoral existentialism. Blessings to those who feel the constant connection, and also to those who yearn for it.
Dane said, on November 8th, 2009 at 11:28 pm

Especially as pastors, it’s easy to individually lose sight of our relationship with God b/c everyday at work, we’re looking at biblical texts or looking at some lesson, or talking with someone else about God. It’s hard (but necessary!) to step back and make sure we’re spending good, quality time with Christ daily. AT least for me, that’s tough. Thanks for the reminder.
nathan the alien said, on November 9th, 2009 at 5:58 am

I’m struggling with ‘connection’ at the moment. At church because of expectations of others, irritations and the cringe-factor. Away from church because I am so lazy and apathetic.

What is ‘connection’ anyway?
Kaalvoet-Kind said, on November 9th, 2009 at 6:14 am

I have no problem connecting with God at church; it’s the people that are disturbing. What disturbs me is that you get so many different types of ‘Christians’ nowadays, it’s confusing. We dont really seem to agree on anything anymore. An example, and this is one of so many: I went to see the mother of a little girl that suffers from a brain tumor, only to find a ‘Christian women’ there telling her that it is because of something SHE did (sins of the father…) and that she must confess all her sins, before God would even consider saving her little girl’s life. ‘Christians’ scares me sometimes, and sometimes they make me feel sick inside!
Lynn said, on November 9th, 2009 at 12:18 pm

Kaalvoet-Kind,
I felt nauseated just reading of someone telling a mother her child has a brain tumor because of the mother’s sin. How cruel people can be and then have the gall to think of themselves as holy and good. Actually I blame the Bible, because that’s where they get these awful ideas from to begin with.

Nathan the Alien,
I LOVE your question. I’ll repeat it-What is “connection?”
nakedpastor said, on November 9th, 2009 at 12:20 pm

hi lynn. thanks for visiting and taking the time to comment. perhaps someone, like Steve, who always feels connected, could answer your question.
Kaalvoet-Kind said, on November 10th, 2009 at 1:52 am

The connection is so subtle and it’s so fragile in the world we live in. It’s like a bird’s song. All the noises of the world seem to devour that song. Just go out your front door and listen… you hear people shouting, cars driving, radios, TV, the list is endless. You have to first shut all the noises out and you have to listen and became silent… to hear the song. And if you find it, it’s so beautiful!
Tiggy said, on November 10th, 2009 at 2:56 pm

Thank you for that beautiful comment! May I put it on my Facebook page?

When I experience connection with God, it’s like a feeling of being connected inside (all parts of myself connected) and connected outside to nature and to every living thing. I feel a love for people, all people. It’s quite a sensual experience for me.
Kaalvoet-Kind said, on November 11th, 2009 at 3:36 pm

@ Tiggy, yes I have also experience the ‘love for people’ you are talking about and it was something I never felt before. The change came from within… it is so weird.

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prayer from the cell: reconnecting

32 Responses to 'prayer from the cell: reconnecting'

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