January's Book of the Month

The Jesus Habits: Exercising the Spiritual Disciplines by Jay Dennis presents the disciplines that shaped Jesus' life. Each chapter explains a specific habit and offers tips on how to implement it into your daily life. Examples: prayer, worship, solitude, and rest.

Query: What books do you plan to read in 2016?

November's Book of the Month

The First Thanksgiving, What the Real Story Tells Us About Loving God and Learning From History by Robert Tracy McKenzie is a worthy addition to your holiday reading list this year. McKenzie's work is a blend of historical narrative and Christian reflection on Thanksgiving and its significance for present day Christians.

Query: What are your favorite holiday books?

The God Box

 



In addition to my Prayers & Gratitudes journal, I maintain a keepsake box nicknamed the God Box. It's a designated place for mementos that connect me with my faith community. When I'm feeling down I brew myself a cup of lemon-ginger tea and sift through the box's contents: greeting cards, newspaper clippings, bookmarks, poems, magazine articles, bits of ribbon, ornaments, clippings from church bulletins, and photographs.

 

My baptism certificate lies at the bottom of the box. Cradling it in my hands reminds me of my commitment to a new life in Christ, providing the spiritual lift I need.

 

Query: Where do you store mementos of your faith?

 

Muriel Fish serves as church librarian and lives on Fishbone Farm with her husband, four hens, and one spoiled tabby cat. When she's not collecting eggs, she teaches public speaking and writing courses at Thomas College.

 

Prayers & Gratitudes

I will call on you, O God, for you will answer me, give ear to me, and hear my prayer.

- Psalm 17:6 (NIV)

Each night, before I turn down the blankets on my bed, I record my prayers and 3 things that have blessed me during the day into my "Prayers & Gratitudes" journal. I don't fret about spelling or punctuation or neatly filling in the lines.

First, I list prayers for others (2-footed, 4-footed, and those with fins and wings). I include prayers for myself and our fallen world desperately in need of God's justice. My prayers contain thanksgiving, petition, repentance, and lamentations. After all, a pretty journal doesn't guarantee pretty thoughts. Occasionally (often) entries veer off into whiny complaints before I steer my words to more positive pursuits.

Writing prayers keeps them real and close to my heart. I can flip back and forth between pages and note where and when a prayer has been answered or is "still pending." I can see growth (or need for growth) in my faith journey and walk with the Lord. 

Gratitudes keep me humble. I'm reminded not to take my life or the relationships within it for granted. Usually I write down more than 3 items, whether it's gratitude for a hot mug of cider or God's Word to guide me through each day's challenges.

My day doesn't feel complete until I've named my prayers and blessings. Writing calms my body, disciplines my thoughts, and keeps my focus on God - where I desire it to be. The writing takes 5-10 minutes, which is no longer than time spent washing my face and brushing my teeth. I leave the day behind on the page and at God's ear. Only then do I turn out the bedside lamp and rest in God's hands.

Query: Have you considered keeping a faith journal? Perhaps the upcoming Advent season would be a good time to begin one.

Muriel Fish lives on Fishbone Farm with her husband, four hens, and one spoiled tabby cat. When she's not collecting eggs, she teaches public speaking and writing courses at Thomas College.

October's Book of the Month

October's Book of the Month is The Good Book, Reading the Bible with Mind and Heart by Peter J. Gomes. Interesting and easy to read, Gomes provides interpretive tools for understanding the Bible and applying its biblical wisdom to Christian living today.

 

Supplementing Scripture reading with works by reputable authors enriches and informs our Christian life. We can learn from others' experiences and receive valuable nourishment for reflection and discussion with others.

 

Query: What books nourish you? Do you share them with others? Dog-ear pages? Write in the margins? Underline your favorite passages? Talk about them? Why or why not?

Sunday School

Come near to God and he will come near to you. James 4:8 NIV

Sunday School is back in session on Sunday mornings at 9:00 and open to all. The adult class is continuing our study of Rick Warren's book The Purpose Driven Life. We've spent the past two weeks getting back into the rhythm of rising early, wiping the sleep from our eyes and minds, and gathering together for study and fellowship.

Getting up early is worth the effort. Seated elbow to elbow around the library's table, books open before us, we share our faith, successes, failures, struggles, fears, and doubts. Everyone has a voice; everyone is heard. We request prayers when prayers are needed. We laugh - a lot. Now that chilly weather is in our midst, the furnace ticks on and off as a musical backdrop to our discussions while we delve into God's Word. We learn and grow in Christian understanding and carry our lessons out into the world.

Query: What steps might you take this week in order to attend Sunday School or a Bible study at your church? 

Kennebec Association Meeting

The autumn meeting of the American Baptist Women Ministries of Maine - Kennebec Association - was hosted Saturday at the First Baptist Church in Gardiner. Registration opened at 8:30. After coffee and snacks, the association's president, Janet Kane, provided a warm welcome and devotion for the twenty-five women gathered together for the day's activities.

The morning's program included two guest speakers who shared slides of their recent pilgrimage trip to the Holy Land. Next, the business portion of the meeting ensued. After a brown bag lunch and a yummy dessert provided by the host church, a silent auction brought the day to a heartfelt close.

Association meetings enrich the life of the church. The meetings provide opportunities for prayer, fellowship, singing, and networking. Each represented church has a chance to share what their congregation has been doing for fundraising events and to serve their community.

Our church will host the spring meeting on Saturday, April 16, 2016. Let's work together to offer our sister churches in central Maine a pleasant, prayerful welcome.