We think you're near Los Angeles

Currently in Los Angeles

Location: Los Angeles Current temperature: 57°F: Current condition: Partly Cloudy See Extended Forecast
Religion & Spirituality | June 12, 2010

Portland Spirituality Part 2 of 2

Richard Adams' photo
Portland Christian Spiritual Reflections Examiner

The Work of the People

 

As Christians we pooh-pooh and avoid anything different than what we're used to. "Where is that in the Bible?" is a limp answer in the mouth of an adulterous, lying, greedy, bacon eating, non-Sabbath keeping, self-determined person whose never read the entire Bible anyway. Those who have know they are far from who they are supposed to be so they should be more merciful.

A few years ago a George Fox Evangelical Seminary class required me to take a three day retreat, alone. I went to Mt. Angel. I am not Catholic, but I was determined to make myself as available to God as I could. I went to every service, down every aisle of their library, walked every path on the Monastery grounds and read every plaque or sign I could find. I prayed and stared out the window of my little, but clean and tidy room.

Driving home I thought how Mt. Angel would have been a wonderful place for God to have spoken to me, but I did not hear God speak. Suddenly my eyes teared up. I thought how the services had brought the sacraments to life for me in a much more reverent way. Reflecting on my three days there I suddenly realized how rested I was and the sense of peace I felt and how good it was to be alive. God did not speak to me as I had wanted, but in a much deeper and more fulfilling manner.

Since then I have walked the labyrinth at Trinity Episcopal Cathedral on 19th street in Portland and walked a labyrinth at the coast. I have listened to a Greek Orthodox priest teach, at of all places, Reedwood Friends Church on Southeast Steele Street. I have listened to a Native American teach on Biblical theology from a Native American perspective and I have discovered God is so much bigger than the local church and delighted to refresh us in places we might not expect.

Do not let denominational ties keep you from exploring what just might resonate with your uniqueness. The power of Google is in your question, knowing what to ask. Again, I am not talking about leaving your local church, synagogue, mosque, whatever. Surely you don't think the creator of the universe is limited to you and yours??

Portland has a wealth of places to visit. Many will not resonate with who you are in God, but at least they may very well increase your respect for those who worship differently than you. Who knows, as you sit silently praising God in a Taize service, maybe at St. Luke's at 143 State Street, you might find that peace and joy that seems to have alluded you lately.

 

Advertisement
Read full bio

By

Portland Christian Spiritual Reflections Examiner

Happily married to Lily and the father of Tom, Ryan, Chris, and Spence. Grandfather of Autumn, Liam, Brodie with Ellie on the way. Received M.Div....

Don't miss...