Living in Sacred Space

This sheltering in place is difficult. So in order to combat the emotions, Shelley and I have scheduled a ride in the country on Monday afternoon, plus an opportunity to see the granddaughters in the park.  The eldest granddaughter, Maria, is asking to see us; this warms my heart but makes me sad.  She doesn’t understand what’s going on.  Shelley’s daughter drives up to the townhouse to unload groceries while Maria is in the car.  We rush outside observing appropriate “social distance” to greet Maria, but it is clear that she doesn’t understand why we can’t hold each other.  We are all disoriented by this season in our lives, but we are hopeful that soon, very soon, we will cherish the moments that we will hold one another again.   For now, we hold each other in the mystery of our hearts.   I am reminded of a song by Bette Midler,  From a Distance From a distance the world looks blue and green And the snow capped mountains white From a distance the ocean meets the s

A NEW CHALLENGE FOR A DIFFICULT SEASON The Rev. Ronald R. P. Myers Ocean Shores United Methodist Church March 23, 2020 The challenge for all of us during this season of uncertainty as we battle the Coronavirus is similar: How do we live a life that is healthy and well balanced as followers of Jesus Christ, and thus keep Hope alive?  It seems to me that we must first affirm that the power to bring about the necessary spiritual growth that this season demands rests in centering our lives in God.   We must find ways to intentionally incarnate the love God for self and neighbor so that we become a living reminder of the redemptive love of God in Jesus Christ for the world.   Jesus did not offer his disciples (his followers) a “successful” ministry, he proclaimed and practiced a sacrificial ministry.  He told his follower that they would always be “winner” but that they would need to learn what it means to “lose” ones life for the sake of another.  He asked, “W

I have two beautiful daughters, and both have recently begun their new careers after the successful completion of their undergraduate and graduate degrees.  Rachel is a public defender in King County, Washington (EPI Center of the pandemic), and Rebekah, works for the University of New Mexico in Human Resources. Both of these talented woman are now currently sheltered in their homes and working from home. The three of us have talked about how much we just want to hug each other.  As they work amid these extraordinary circumstances; both situations depend on in-person contact with human beings.  Their future employment is uncertain, but their situation is not unlike millions of people around this country.  The pandemic has turned our world upside down as we battle this disease. My congregation that I serve as a part-time pastor is worshipping behind closed doors; the doors of our own homes.  We so long to join one another in singing, “Shalom to You”, which we sing every Sunday morn

I am learning to stand on Christ, the solid rock, because all other things  are sinking sand. I have been searching for a bit of good news after saturating myself with “bad news.”  I am discovering that there are creative and compassionate people engaged in significant works of “building a garden”, thus this song from Lukas Nelson: Turn Off The News (Build A Garden) Lukas Nelson & Promise of the Real I believe that every heart is kind Some are just a little underused Hatred is a symptom of the times Lost in these uneducated blues I just want to love you while I can All these other thoughts have me confused I don't need to try and understand Maybe I'll get up, turn off the news Turn off the news and build a garden Just my neighborhood and me We might feel a bit less hardened We might feel a bit more free Turn off the news and raise your kids Give them something to believe in Teach them how to be good people Give them hope that they can

MARCH 2020 LOCATION:  QUARANTINED IN MISSOULA, MONTANA Dear Friends, I thought that I might go ahead and recommit myself to this BLOG as one way to stay in touch with those that I care for as a Pastor and care about as human beings.  My past experiences have been somewhat helpful in dealing with this current reality.  I hope that this post from a couple of years ago will be helpful.  I am in need of a little patience right now! In Loving Partnership Ron “No great thing is created suddenly, any more than a bunch of grapes or a fig.  If you tell me you desire a fig, I answer you that there must be time.  Let it first blossom, then bear fruit, then ripen.”                                                                                                                                 --Epictetus Isaiah 40:31 (NRSV) 31  but those who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength,     they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary,     they sha

A missionary society in London wrote to Dr. David Livingstone and asked, "Have you found a good road to where you are? If so, we want to know how to send (men) to join you." Livingstone wrote back, "If you have (men) who will come only if they know there is a good road, I don't want them. I want (men) who will come if there is no road at all." This short conversation from the historical record of the great missionary Dr. David Livingstone hits me right between my "disciple" eyes. I must confess that I am part of that generation of boomers who has had a propensity to consume rather than contribute--take rather than give. In fact,  author Marva Dawn in her book entitled, " Reaching Out without Dumbing Down" says it well: "The boomers search for a church to meet their needs instead of commitment to the church through which to serve."   There is another phrase that has capture my attention recently.  You have heard John Wesley's q