i am on retreat this week, spending time at the wonderful vollombrosa center in menlo park. i was invited to attend this workshop on emotional intelligence and human relations training, and while it is very powerful, it is also very draining.

emotional intelligence workings with our thinking part of the brain to fuse together our authentic selves, so that we can be communicate and live more powerfully with one another.

i did an assessment on myself before i came, and invited 20 people to also do an assessment on me, so that i can learn to better understand myself, and how i relate with other people.

i received feedback from 18 of the 20 people! now i will work in a group process to understand how to make use of this material!
upon entering this retreat setting; quite, welcoming, and ready to work, i was greeted by jesus; arms outstretched; isn't that an image?

then tucked away among the trees is 'mother mary'; a little "over-exposed", i'm afraid, but a willing reminder that prayer is what is helpful on a journey like this. the flowers are a welcome sight from this long winter and spring; the wetness of the seasons has rewarded us!

i depart for another group process this afternoon, but before that time, i am invited to come up with the areas i'd like to concentrate on this week, with a room full (12 of us) of people i do not know. how does one build up trust and be willing to share and grow with complete strangers?

the response to that is, 'first you risk, then you trust'. we learn to do this in small groups...imagine that?! we, at the merced church, are working to find the 'perfect' way to be in small groups....to grow deeper in our spiritual journeys, and to invite others to share with christian people whom they do not know -- who are actually suspect about
why christians want to share their faith. we tend to 'want members' and see that action as a sign of growth. growth happens internally, and may eventually be expressed, externally.

small groups teach us that growth is within us, and spiritual growth happens when we are willing to invite others into relationship, and simply be a compassionate friend, willing to share the journey of growth in god.

a group of us met on sunday evening to talk about ministry with the wesley clubs. could we see ourselves supporting ministry that may never see 'numbers' in our sanctuary? could we possibly believe that supporting students on their journey of faith means that when they leave our community, they might remember that 'united methodists weren't so bad', or that those people were safe to be around. who knows that when they settle into a community, they might be in need of a spiritual path; that path may lead them to a united methodist church....and the angels will be singing praise to god!!!

as one enters and departs from meals, the fountain stands as a place of renewing waters. yes, we are baptized by the grace of god. no matter where we are, water is a reminder that we are a part of a world that is cleansed and loved and empowered to be in relationship with god and one another.

spend some time today being fed by god's spirit. pour yourself a glass of cool, refreshing water; remember the source of that gift, and be thankful. offer yourself into service today to someone, and be blessed to receive what comes by sharing your time and energy.

and when the day is done, offer yourself once more to god; let your nurturing rest renew your body, soul and mind.

arise tomorrow, ready to be bold and faithful, asking nothing in return. we have been raised with christ. live this good news.....