Living Springs Counseling

We offer our prayers and support for the survivors of the Surfside building collapse last week. As each new day brings us further from the chance of finding more people alive, we call out to God to hold our neighbors in divine embrace. May God’s offering of strength, comfort, healing, relief, salvation, love, life and more become resting places as each survivor journeys through this path.

This horror struck the surfside community last week. Living Springs Counseling is offering grief counseling to anyone connected with the great many losses. We invite you to pray for the families who have lost loved ones, for restoration for those who have been injured, strength and wisdom for those who continue to search. There are also some things you can do to help.

If you would like to help, you can check with your local congregation to see what your faith community might be doing or collecting to help. Currently, we know that the disaster relief team has plenty of supplies on hand. As time moves forward, there may be a call for needed items. Stay in touch with your faith group to become aware of any needs. Grief counselors, pastors, and translators are needed at this time.

Creator and Redeemer of all that exists, we stand on your promises and hang onto your word at times like this. While our immediate community has not been a direct part of this trauma, we offer ourselves to your service in this time and place. We listen for your call and are ready to respond as your beloved to your beloved. And through it all we pray. Here I am Lord, take me and use me however you see fit. Amen.

Life seems to be full of lions and lambs, lately mostly lions. Unfortunately, fear seems to have a grip on the world’s functioning and living. It seems to me, this would be a tendency during a world-wide pandemic, at least initially. As time has gone on, we’ve learned more about this virus and how it affects the human body. At the same time, it seems the more we learn the more this frustrating virus mutates. We, Americans don’t deal well with anything we have to “maintain”.

Our culture demands immediate viable solutions so we can move on to the next thing. Over the years, it seems we have developed a culture that honors the individual over the many. We value the strength of character that can pull oneself through just about anything that comes along. Those who need more help tend to be regarded as weak, the assumption is that somehow they didn’t or don’t measure up and therefore are in their situation. We’ll help initially but there seems to be an invisible timeclock that says if you need more help than this you’re on your own. We tend to move on to other “things” considered more important.

Years ago, my ministry and I were disregarded by a local leader as a “just a do gooder program”. Often this is the general attitude toward those who hang in there with the many who are struggling to recover, heal, put their lives back together following a crisis of one sort or another. Yet, this is what it means to be Christian, to hang in there, encourage, assist, and love one another in real life giving ways. In fact, this is what it means to be true to our humanity.

We were created to be in continual relationship with one another, self and God. Life giving relationship demands that we hang in there with one another. Sometimes it’s something as simple as wearing a mask to protect others from this deadly virus we could possibly be carrying. Sometimes it’s about volunteering with a smile, week after week, at the food pantry so our neighbors can eat healthy foods. Sometimes it’s about calling on the single person in the neighborhood to make sure they’re ok. Always it’s about creating ways to give love away even to those who don’t seem to deserve it.

We will NEVER go back to the way it was. We need to mourn this now and begin to take inventory of the lessons we’ve learned since the beginning of 2020. Why can’t we go back? Simply because we are NOT the same people. We have a brand new experience under our belt that has brought the opportunity for us to grow and learn from successes and failures over this time. So the future will benefit from our learnings, that is if we take the time and honor ourselves and one another enough to grow. This isn’t something we can do without thought or intention. We must forgive ourselves and others to move forward. Holding resentments will only take away our life, resentments do NO good. Forgiveness is that pathway forward. Forgiveness does not take away accountability, it simply releases the forgiver from the need to exact revenge on self or others.

This work, this walk forward is no easy task. And just because it’s “forward” does not leave anyone behind to fend for themselves. We move forward together; step by step. This move forward take courage, the courage of a lion with the heart of a lamb. The temperament of both and the love of God. May we find our way together, may we share words of encouragement effortlessly, may our hearts grow to guide our lives in life giving ways. May we be all God created us to be together.

Shalom – Pam

After 2020 it’s truly hard to believe that “You’re in Charge”. Most of us feel battered about by every wind that came our way. Of course, it didn’t start out that way. But how much is any one person supposed to take and still be standing? Even those of us with lots of tools to deal with whatever comes our way were weakened. Some chose to deal with it all through denial which includes all kinds of behaviors including turning back to addictions, others with manipulation, others adapted (the best they could), the list of methods for gaining control include both healthy and unhealthy steps.

As we step into this new year, 2021, we discover our future full of possibilities. It’s as if Mr. Bee, above, just flew around a new corner and there before him lies blossoms and flowers in all directions and all states of development for as far as he could possibly fly in a year. What do you see Mr. Bee doing? Do you see him skidding to a stop, eyes bulging and hairs quivering? Perhaps he drops to the ground to catch his breath and consider the possibilities. “It must be a trick!” he thinks smelling the pollen just waiting for him. “No! Don’t go for it.”, he mumbles as he paces back and forth on the fertile moist ground. He becomes frozen in fear for what might happen. We can understand, after all, look at what he and the rest of the world had been through.

Meanwhile, Barbara Bee zings around the corner and eyes her friend on the ground. She lands on a leaf nearby and calls out: “Mr Bee, oh my, what are you doing on the ground!? You know you could get stepped on. Please come join me on the leaf.” Mr Bee is now totally absorbed in his fretting and his legs and wings have become covered with mud. “Oh Barbara Bee, it’s no use. The end has come and I just don’t have anymore fight in me. Save yourself if you can.” Barbara Bee looked at her dear friend and sounded the alarm calling all nearby bees to help. As they came, a few also got stuck in the mud with Mr Bee. Most were able to fly again after the dried mud flaked off their wings. Mr Bee followed their example and was soon flying again. Others however just didn’t have the strength and gave up. Soon the surviving bees were busy learning the ups and downs of their new field as they flew back to the hive laden with pollen.

Just like Mr Bee, it’s easy for us become weighted down with negativity and anxiety after the trauma of 2020. Let those who love you encourage you and even help you find new ways to move forward. If you, like Barbara Bee, have been able to hold onto your strength, share what you can with those who will listen. Encourage and assist if necessary. Remember, hope is real, God is reaching out to you where ever you are and who ever you are. You are never alone and can accept God’s healing embrace at any moment. The choice is yours. The path won’t necessarily be easy, but you can manage it.

2 Corinthians 1: 3-11

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, 4who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God. 5For just as we share abundantly in the sufferings of Christ, so also our comfort abounds through Christ. 6If we are distressed, it is for your comfort and salvation; if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which produces in you patient endurance of the same sufferings we suffer. 7And our hope for you is firm, because we know that just as you share in our sufferings, so also you share in our comfort.

8We do not want you to be uninformed, brothers and sisters, ^a about the troubles we experienced in the province of Asia. We were under great pressure, far beyond our ability to endure, so that we despaired of life itself. 9Indeed, we felt we had received the sentence of death. But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead. 10He has delivered us from such a deadly peril, and he will deliver us again. On him we have set our hope that he will continue to deliver us, 11as you help us by your prayers. Then many will give thanks on our behalf for the gracious favor granted us in answer to the prayers of many.

This has been one of the most painful years of my life and believe it or not, the cause of the pain has nothing to do with Covid19. I know so many others have really struggled for all kinds of reasons this year. Regardless of what has caused your challenges, stress, pain, most of us are more than ready for relief. Naturally, many are looking to Christmas for some comfort, peace, some hope. And yes, it is here that we will find the miracle of God’s presence with us. I pray with all that I am, that you are able to recognize these wonder-full blessings right there waiting for you to accept.

This year Christmas has received an early welcome by most of us. Each of us reaching out for encouragement, hope, joy and comfort. As we reach out we find that God has already been reaching for us, to touch us, hold us, be with us, comfort us.

Our scripture begins: “Comfort, comfort my people! says your God” what wonderful words to hear from the one who truly can comfort our fears, anxieties, woes. God, the Source of All Being, our Creator, the One Who Loved Us Into Being is reaching out to us again calling us beloved. God, our Salvation, Redeemer has come down to truly Be With Us, Emmanuel, even in the chaos and pain of our living. God, our Nurturer, Constant Companion, Guide walks our chosen paths with us whispering to our souls, “This way.” God, the Architect of all and Ruler of Creation reaches out to us, a divine embrace birthing healing and salvation by grace.

No matter what you and I are going through, no matter how we choose to be as we go through it; God reaches out, offering this wonder-full divine embrace. You might be saying, yea right, I’ve heard all this before but nothing changes. Please take a look at the picture above. The hand on the right is God’s hand, see God’s finger reaching out? The hand on the left is “Adam’s” hand. Notice Adams hand just hangs there, not yet responding to God’s reach. Respond, say yes to God’s reach for you. Not just for this one thing or one time. But grasp onto God’s reach and don’t let go. Allow God’s embrace to envelop you, your every move, your every thought, your every decision, your every breath. Allow yourself to learn and grow in God’s ways and you will notice that you change, your reactions change, your strength changes. You’ll notice that things that once destroyed you no longer have power over you. But you must grasp God’s reach and hold on.

There is much in our secular world about the “MAGIC” of Christmas. God’s Beloved, my sisters and brothers, there is NOTHING magic about the true Christmas. Life doesn’t just POOF and the world is suddenly utopia. But God’s reach, Emmanuel, the baby in the manger is there for you to accept and allow into the intricacies of your life and living. And you will know true hope, joy, peace, and comfort today and every tomorrow regardless of what’s happening around you. You will live in confidence that God does win, always.

Enjoy the lights, the songs, the cheer. Remember your neighbors, friends, family even though you can’t visit with them. Face time with them, send cards, call, send letters, emails, messages let everyone know they are loved. Decorate your homes, cars, golf carts, pets. lol Laugh. And receive God’s embrace, reach for God’s presence, look to recognize Divine blessings and gifts. I guarantee they are there. You are loved. Hope reigns today and everyday. Allow peace, love, hope, joy agape, the divine to transform you AND your living today, tomorrow forever.

Love – Pam

Did you know that at one time there was a relationship between Halloween (All Hallows Eve) and All Saints Day? Of course the All Hallows Eve traditions had very little in common with the current Halloween practices of today. In fact, the only thing it had in common was that it was held the day before All Saints Day.

All Hallows Eve was originally a time for Christians to prepare themselves for reverent practices of All Saints Day through prayer and various other ways. How you prepared for All Saints Day entirely depended on the practices of where you lived. In England, parents would take their children from house to house to beg for a special pastry treat called “soul cakes” and to pray for all those who had died from each house they visited. There is a very interesting Catholic tradition where children are taught about saints on All Hallows Eve by dressing as saints and going house to house. This link will take on a fascinating ride through this creative style of faith education. How I would love for all of us to have this truly fun experience of honoring and remembering who the saints have been and are. Unfortunately today most of us do not continue the Christian celebration of All Hallows Eve. Secular living has popularized a secular fun filled day we know as Halloween instead.

Of course all of this is to lead us to All Saints Day. Unfortunately a widely unknown feast day in the lives of Christians everywhere. In the 4th Century AD, the Eastern Orthodox Church celebrated this day as a day to remember all Martyrs on the Sunday after Pentecost. However, Syrians celebrated the “Commemoratio Confessorum” on the Friday after Easter. Over history the day was celebrated at various times, sometime to honor Martyrs and others to honor all Saints. In the 9th century a Byzantine Emperor Leo VI (the Wise) , to honor his late but very devout wife, changed this day to remember all Saints rather than just the Martyrs. Likewise, Pope Gregory III established November 1 as the official All Saints Day.

Some people today argue that the final date of November 1 was chosen because of the Celtic pagan Samhain being held on that day. Personally, I don’t see the problem either way. Christianity has historically taken various pagan, wicked symbols and changed them to become holy symbols. There’s also that scripture, Isaiah 2:4 “He shall judge between the nations, and shall arbitrate for many peoples; they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more.” Charles Wesley took many bar tunes and put Christian verses to them and these are beloved hymns of today. Knowing who the saints are and celebrating their significance is vital to the body of Christ yesterday, today and tomorrow. Whatever day we use, let us use it. November 1st it is.

Now, many of you might be thinking … well, ok so what IS or who IS a saint? While the Catholic Church has specific venerated saints. However, protestant churches recognize all people who believe in the Triune God (trinity) as saints. We are the communion of saints. We include both the living and those believers who have died. The United Methodist Church has a brief description of All Saints Day here. The practice of remembering, naming and celebrating the cloud of witnesses, the communion of saints in our lives in a collective way can go a long long way to encouraging us in the faith. Life is hard. In fact, it’s the hardest thing we will ever do. Let’s us stand together, hold one another up, encouraging and supporting our brothers and sisters to live in faithful ways by celebrating all the saints who have touched our lives. Celebrating all those saints who have guided us and those who continue to bless us grounds us especially during this time of uncertainty and stress.

Look for celebrations of All Saints Day in your local community this year. If you can’t find one locally than perhaps you can find one online.

Isaiah 55: 1-5

Ho, everyone who thirsts,
    come to the waters;
and you that have no money,
    come, buy and eat!
Come, buy wine and milk
    without money and without price.
² Why do you spend your money for that which is not bread,
    and your labor for that which does not satisfy?
Listen carefully to me, and eat what is good,
    and delight yourselves in rich food.
³ Incline your ear, and come to me;
    listen, so that you may live.
I will make with you an everlasting covenant,
    my steadfast, sure love for David.
⁴ See, I made him a witness to the peoples,
    a leader and commander for the peoples.
⁵ See, you shall call nations that you do not know,
    and nations that do not know you shall run to you,
because of the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel,
    for he has glorified you.

Is there any text more appropriate for today? For us in the midst of a worldwide pandemic?

Here is an interpretation by Pam of this powerful life offering, mind altering, life changing text.

Ho! What's it going to take for God to get our attention? Yo!! Listen up ...
Those of you with no money .... wow! While some have been incredibly fortunate to continue getting an income, the vast majority of us have lost a good portion to all of our income and we're terrified ...
How to continue, food! housing! bills! health care costs!
What do you think is controlling people's thoughts these days?
What are you concerned about? Consider ...
What if your concept of a healthy economy, during this pandemic, is costing people their lives? 
What if your beliefs about good stewardship is costing people their lives?
It's hard and incredibly painful to truly consider these questions. But God asks us, in this time ...
Why? Why do you focus on bread that does not feed, bread that does not fill, bread that does not satisfy? God asks us, would you rather line your pockets than fill to satisfy?
Wake up! Ho! Listen! 
Listen now, listen to me, your God, the One Who Loved You Into Being
NO! I said listen! Incline your ear toward me and hear

You want to live?
You want to leave a legacy? You want to make a difference?
Even David, adulterous and sinful David, even David is my beloved
I made him known, I made him a leader and commander of not just people, but of peoples.
To these peoples I made him a witness for me. How much less will I make of you?
Listen, incline your ear and even the nations who have no knowledge of you will hear
Why? because I will make it so. Will you listen and hear (live) the truth of my Word?
God beckons - come to my table and eat your fill.