The Unfolding Soul

What a marvelous, crazy, lovely weekend with kids and grandkids - at our favorite state park - Silver Falls. Hiking down by the falls, dipping in the lagoon, laughter and conversation over meals and fire pits...a true and rich gift.

I haven't posted on my ministry page in a while, but wanted to get the word out about this opportunity. I invite you to consider joining us in working through the spiritual exercises to deeper your relationship with Jesus.

Are you interested in a deeper relationship with Jesus? Over 500 years ago, a deep-thinking Christian named Ignatius created a series of ‘exercises’ to help people walk more closely with Christ. What he developed is really a spiritual journey that includes Scripture meditations, prayers, and times of reflection and contemplation.

Starting in mid-September, I will begin leading a small cohort through these Ignatian Exercises and we’ll meet semi-monthly through May. All of our meetings will be on Zoom, with flexibility in the payment schedule. If you have any interest, please reach out to me - Julie White - I would glad to answer questions and have you consider joining us!

In the last month, I've had two special ministry opportunities. I had the great privilege of being the retreat speaker for Camp Creek Church - what a beautiful group of women to get acquainted and share with. I also offered a Spa for the Soul event on our property. What a wonderful time to pause in the midst of busyness, and for them - and me - to rest in God's presence. I am grateful.

I have some experiential events happening and wanted to share. I hope you will consider participating.

Something to ponder on this Tuesday... “Listen to your life. See it for the fathomless mystery it is. In the boredom and pain of it, no less than in the excitement and gladness: touch, taste, smell your way to the holy and hidden heart of it, because in the last analysis all moments are key moments, and life itself is grace.” Frederick Buechner (pastor/writer)

Our book club is reading "Abandonment to Divine Providence" - a challenging read, but so great comments. Here's a few I came across today which are challenging...and comforting. I"m being conducted by a holy guider who takes me through an unknown country at night across fields where there are no tracks, by his own skill, without asking advice from anyone, or giving me any inkling of his plans...What use is looking about to find out where I am, to ask the passers-by, or to consult maps and travelers? IF I'm convinced he is a good guide, he will take pleasure in overcoming my anxiety and distrust and will insist on surrender to his guidance. The question in the book hangs before me in the air: How can I choose but abandon myself?

What an absolutely marvelous "Day at Mt. Angel". The Unfolding Soul offers opportunities to slow down and reflect on how God is at work in your life. I am grateful for those who join us, but also grateful for the ways God communicated with Bruce and me - so we can come away refreshed too!

It is Good Friday - here's this week's eLetter explaining the irony of it all. For Sunday is coming...

The Irony of the Crucifixion
A Good Friday Reflection

When Jesus was nailed to the cross, his enemies thought they had won. And why not? After all, his very presence was a threat to the existing social and religious order. What better way to get rid of a nuisance like Jesus than to kill him painfully…and shamefully…through the act of crucifixion.

Crucifixion was a penalty reserved for the worst and the lowest; for the scum of society. It was the preferred form of capital punishment for criminals and rebellious slaves; for traitors and rebels who promoted insurrection against the government. It was so gruesome, so painful, so disgraceful that it was more than an act of ex*****on: it was an act of torture. Needless to say, it served as a strong form of deterrence because no one, ever, would want to be crucified.

In fact, crucifixion was such a cruel and degrading form of punishment that all sorts of writers and historians – both secular and sacred – quailed at describing it in significant detail.

Surely God did not intend for his one and only Son to die this way, did he?

And so – from a human perspective – it easily can seem like the religious and political leaders succeeded in their plans on the day Jesus was killed.

On that long ago Friday afternoon, the Jewish religious leaders were convinced they had removed a heretical rabbi whose teaching undermined their spiritual authority. The Romans were relieved that they had eliminated a charismatic leader who could potentially incite an uprising against the Empire. Best of all, they all knew…the Romans and Jews absolutely knew…that no one would want to follow the disgraced Jesus after such an ignoble death.

They had won.
That’s what they thought.
Yet the death of Jesus, in precisely this way, directly fulfilled biblical prophecy.

The pain and shame of the cross.
The humiliation of soldiers gambling for his garments.
Jesus’ cry as he drew his last breath.

These actions and more were predicted in Scripture years before that fateful day. Centuries before that fateful day.

So, yes, this horrible death was God’s precise plan. His plan to produce one, final, permanent, eternal remedy for sin. And to prove his point – to demonstrate his complete power over life and death and sin and judgment – God the Father brought God the Son back to life.

Life over death.
New life through Jesus instead of a life of death through sin.

Jesus’ enemies thought they had won, but they actually were instruments of God. They unwittingly and unknowingly accomplished the will of the Father.

God’s purposes – and only his purposes – were fulfilled on the Friday Jesus was crucified. So what others meant for evil, God planned for good. This Friday speaks of the power of God. His power to use a day of shame and pain, as a day of good. Because it was a day of redemption. The day of redemption.

Oh, the irony.


Julie