Center Reflections Archive - Page 2 of 3 - The Center for Spiritual Formation

Power and Control in Seasons of Ambiguity by Ed Zeiders

Be careful to note that whenever there is a vacuum there will invariably be a rush to grab power and control. It is subtle or overt, but it can be recognized in the manipulation of others. I have experienced it and it’s ugly… God forgive me when I have caused it. In families, communities, schools,

God Must Have a Sense of Humor (Debbie Heisley-Cato)

I am serious about my work ethic. I think that subconsciously I believe that “you get what you deserve.” On my best days I know that none of us get what we deserve. Our God is a God of grace who loves us without limit and gives to us far beyond anything that we could

No Commitment?

No Commitment? A popular gym franchise touts the motto, “No Commitment.” As someone who has lost a significant amount of weight in the last three years, I cringe every time I hear this on the radio or see it on a billboard. No commitment? If losing weight is our goal, commitment is exactly

The Rose Garden – Ed Zeiders

The past several days, in between consulting tasks, I have spent considerable time nurturing and caring for the Rose Garden in memory of Joan and our mutual love for roses. Every place we have lived we attempted to leave behind a rose garden and one tree, all in celebration of the people we loved and

On Moving On

It’s moving season in the United Methodist church. For some of us, just reading that sentence is enough to make our palms sweat—or worse! We’ve all moved—for lots of different reasons. Most of us have dreaded a move or two—whether we were leaving the security of our parents’ home to strike out on our own,

Orchard Hill Diary

When Russell told me this story, I asked him to share it with us because I was so struck by the beauty that God revealed to him. Beauty found in “sleeping” lodges, in the blessing of outdoor work that relieves stress and is good for the soul, beauty that God shows to us even in

Easter Reflection by Russell Hart

https://youtu.be/K2KX0kNnPsM

Easter Reflection – In the Morning

Memory of agony Fading As he looks out; Morning has come. Thirst lingers, Reassurance of Humanity In the midst of Realization Of continued oneness. A promise kept – Who is the object? Himself Unforsaken? The women who watched, Who will yet Arrive? Peter and the others, Who forsook and yet Not; Can simply human do

March, 2020

The Birds, and other creatures, too. By Ed Zeiders I was amazed while sitting on my front porch late in the afternoon at what happened around the bird feeder and the bird bath. The squirrels were there for their usual feast, the chipmunks, a host of smaller brown feathered friends, two cardinal couples, a blue

February 2020

The Beginnings of the Center: In April of 1993, our bishop shared his vision of a new ministry for clergy and laity who suffer from “weariness in well-doing.” He envisioned a place where church leaders could retreat, be quiet, and listen to the voice of God. He also asked us to form a task-force of