Fr. Jim's
Sabbatical Journey

Once again I have to thank everyone for the continued prayers and scripture.  God is using all that I am encountering to weave a theme together for both my doctoral project and new insights into my spirituality.  So thank you.

Our family trip to Arizona was everything we hoped it would be.  Debbie and I enjoyed the time with the boys as we hiked, ate, laughed and played cards.  It was one of those "once in a life tiime" opportunities as we took in the Grand Canyon and the insanity of Las Vegas.  Waking up to the natural beauty of Sedona every morning was amazing and it was a blessing to be there.

I do apologize for not updating this sooner.  It was literally a 36 hour turn around from the time we arrived home from Arizona until I was in the car headed for Sewanee.  The classes have been stimulating, challenging and formative as, again...God is using all that I'm reading to guide me to a direction that I know He is in charge of.  It 's been quite overwhelming. 

I am now half way through the class time here and still have a number of papers to knock out..so don't stop the prayers!  I need all the help to keep the academic brain cells firing on all cylinders!!

You all remain in my prayers. 

God's peace to everyone.

Fr. Jim

First of all, thank you all for your continued prayers, words of encouragement and scripture. They have been a blessing toward the process.

This first week and a half has been full of revelation and challenge. My prayer requests for this first part of the journey were for God to show me the next steps…to reveal that which I need to see for my next season of leadership, both at home and at the church. He did not disappoint!

My time at the monastery was wonderful. The place was beautiful and the worship inspiring. Chanting with the monks as they sang the psalms every service was very cool. The meditation time was rich in ways that I’m still processing. One can see the attraction to a monastic life; however, I can safely say that I am not called to be a monk! Soon after I arrived, I realized my addiction to being connected. I live my life connected to people through conversation, community and technology… by the end of the first full day, I was in full withdrawal. Who knew?? Well, it was only the beginning. In those four days, God revealed an important part of what I need to learn and what I need to shed. He showed me areas where He needs me to grow both spiritually and emotionally. This revelation was reinforced over and over again through my time of spiritual direction, my readings, and through words given to me by my wife Debbie all through the power of the Holy Spirit. “Scales fell from my eyes”, so to speak. It was uncanny to the point of it being unsettling. I’ve said it before, I’ll say it again, be careful what you pray for! These revelations are both gifts and challenges and will be the base of my reflection and prayers for the weeks and months to come. God does not mess around when He wants you to know something…I think we (and when I say “we”…I mean “me”) make it harder on ourselves by not listening as closely as we should.

Since then, Deb and I have spent some quality time together as a couple and enjoyed each other immensely. This time together has allowed us to begin to process what God has revealed and to reflect on how these changes should begin to be lived out. Its one thing to know which direction to go…it’s another to actually follow it.

We are excited about our upcoming trip with the boys and are looking forward to some great family time and memories. Thank you for your prayers and please continue them, as they have been a great support for us.

As  some of you may know...this sabbatical has already taken on some different forms and direction based on the funds available.  As I have been planning and re-planning God has been providing, leading and making a way.  I have to say that I have been so blessed by the unexeptected outpouring of love and gifts.  Not unexpected in that I didn't think people cared...I know people do and that is a daily blessing.  But unexpected in the amount and in sources.  This outpouring has been a wonderful witness to our sons, who were dissapointed in the fact that I was not awarded the initial gift and have now seen that God can and will provide when the event is of His will.

Thank you to everyone for stepping into the witness.

God is unbelievable!!

I have to admit that since Easter...I've had a bad case of Senior-itis.   I'm not sure why?  It's not that I don't enjoy what I do.  It's not that I'm not enjoying the fruit of all the labor that has been put to such great use.   I guess I realize that I'm a "task oriented" kind of guy.

This sabbatical is as much and adventure as it is a time of reflection, listening and study.  I see it as an adventure in faith and revelation!  What will God reveal??  What will the people of Ascension experience?   Where will this all take us as we seek His will for us?

So...I find myself trying to balance on the beam of attention to work...while hearing the tick, tick, tick, in the back of my head.   The countdown has begun...where will it lead??