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Are you Spiritually Fit?

10/1/2024

It is hard to stay spiritually fit when you only exercise once a week on Sunday morning.

Maintaining spiritual fitness is much like maintaining physical fitness; it requires consistent effort and dedication beyond just a single hour each week attending a church worship service.

Elder Jim Fairchild

There are many ways to cultivate spirituality without belonging to a specific religious institution. Some people find solace in nature and spend time outdoors to connect with a higher power. Others may practice meditation or mindfulness to achieve a sense of inner peace and clarity. Still, others may explore various spiritual practices from different faith communities to create their own personalized spiritual path.

Community of Christ may resonate with those who consider themselves spiritual but not religious because of its emphasis on personal spiritual experiences and individual journeys. Rather than prescribing rigid dogmas or doctrines, this faith community encourages members to seek their own understanding of spirituality and to develop a personal relationship with the divine.

What's the difference between Prayer and Spiritual Practice?

There is little distinction between these two terms except that prayer is essentially our relationship with God and spiritual practice is the form or structure the prayer takes. All spiritual practice is prayer. It is all about a relationship with God.

Spiritual Practices are forms of prayer that draw us deeper into relationship with God and others and awaken us to God’s presence in the world around us. They can be practiced individually and in community. There are so many ways to connect with our community. We not only come together for worship, but we look for ways to build relationships along our discipleship journey.

The fruit of a life of prayer and spiritual practice is compassionate action and a widened heart. We may not always “feel God” in the ways we are expecting, but we are invited to trust that God is present in whatever arises as we engage in spiritual practices.

Even restlessness, resistance, or boredom can be ways the Holy Spirit is trying to speak to us. Joy, gratitude, and love are also powerful signals of the Holy Spirit’s presence.

Here are a few tips to help you stay spiritually fit throughout the week:

Daily Prayer
Setting aside a few minutes each day for prayer can help you stay connected to your spiritual beliefs. This daily practice can be a powerful way to center yourself and find peace amid the chaos.

Consider Intercessory prayer, a special type of prayer where an individual prays on behalf of others. It involves seeking God's intervention and help for the needs of others.

Reading Spiritual Texts
Incorporating daily or weekly readings from spiritual or inspirational texts can provide guidance and keep your mind focused on your spiritual path. This could be scripture, literature, or even daily devotionals.

Reflective Journaling
Take time to reflect on your thoughts and experiences through journaling. Writing about your spiritual journey can help you process your feelings, recognize growth, and set intentions for the future.

Mindfulness and Presence
Practice being present in your daily activities. Whether it’s through mindful breathing, paying attention to your surroundings, or simply being present in conversations, mindfulness can help you stay connected to your spiritual self.

Remember, spiritual fitness is a journey, not a destination. By incorporating consistent practices into your daily life, you can nurture and strengthen your spiritual well-being beyond just one hour a week on Sunday morning.

Would you like to explore Spiritual Practice further?

Visit the Spiritual Practices Resource page on our this website.

Spiritual Practices page

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Does prayer really change things?

8/1/2024

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Elder Jim Fairchild

Many people who are going through difficult times, be it illness, grief, a faith crisis, financial stress, a relationship problem or maybe a broken heart, finding the strength to begin the healing process may seem like too much for one person to bear. Many are isolated or alone even in a group setting because they don’t know who or how to ask for help.

“Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
Philippians 4:6-7 NRSV

Prayer can be a powerful tool for self-reflection and personal growth. By engaging in prayer, individuals may experience a sense of inner peace, clarity, and connection to something greater than themselves. This can lead to positive changes in attitudes, behaviors, and relationships. (Check out Community of Christ Spiritual Practice resources for additional information.)

Prayer has the potential to shift one's mindset and perspective on challenging situations. It can provide comfort, hope, and strength during difficult times, enabling individuals to cope with adversity and find solutions to problems they may be facing.

“The prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise them up; and anyone who has committed sins will be forgiven. Therefore confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another, so that you may be healed. The prayer of the righteous is powerful and effective”.
James 5:15-16 NRSV

Prayer often occurs within a community or religious group, such as our Topeka Congregation prayer ministry, offering a sense of unity and support. Through collective prayer, individuals can come together to share intentions, concerns, and celebrations, fostering a sense of belonging and solidarity.

For many individuals, prayer is an expression of their faith and belief in a higher power. The act of prayer can deepen one’s spiritual connection and trust in divine guidance, leading to a sense of purpose and meaning in life.

While the effectiveness of prayer in changing external circumstances may be subjective and complex, its impact on inner growth, resilience, and community support cannot be underestimated. Ultimately, whether prayer truly changes things may depend on one’s beliefs, intentions, and experiences.

“So I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.”
Mark 12:23 NRSV

The Topeka Community of Christ congregation believes in the power of prayer and we would like to pray for you during your time of need. For many years we have been providing a Prayer Ministry for members and friends of our congregation. This ministry is also available online.

Intercessory prayer is a special type of prayer where an individual prays on behalf of others. It involves seeking God's intervention and help for the needs of others. Intercessory prayer is an act of love and compassion where one person selflessly dedicates their time and energy to pray for the well-being of others. It is a powerful tool that has been used for centuries to help people in times of need.

So, does prayer really change things?
We think that it does and would like to pray for you in your time of need. Click the button below to access our Online Prayer Ministry.

Request for Prayers

You do not need to be a member of the Topeka Community Christ congregation to utilize our Online Prayer Ministry.

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Hunting for the Spirit

6/19/2024

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Deacon Ruth May

“The wind blows where it chooses, and you hear the sound of it, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.”
John 3:8 (NRSV)

How does one notice the light of the Holy Spirit? After all my years of trying, I cannot yet say that I come close to being an expert. The Holy Spirit’s light is not something you can physically see. Instead, you must sense and experience it within your own spirit. The ability to sense this is unlike our five senses we experience in our everyday lives.

Many years ago, one of my favorite sermons by one of my favorite ministers began with a story about hunting. He talked about how hard it is to spot your first deer. Once you have found one, though, it becomes much easier to spot the next deer, and then easier each time after that. He then went on to say that this is exactly the same when you first see the light of the Holy Spirit at work. Once you have seen this, it is much easier to notice it again. Once you know where to look and what to look for, it becomes easy to spot.

Where there is love, there is also the Holy Spirit. There are many types of love, so please understand that this is the unconditional, peaceful kind of love that many call agape. Maybe it is easy to spot in the look a mother or father gives their child. Maybe it is felt during an act of kindness or charity. Maybe it is heard in hymns or in the words read from the scriptures.

Many times, though, the Holy Spirit simply finds you and shines a light so bright that you cannot un-see it (or un-sense it). Maybe it is in the opportunity that finds you after you have experienced as loss, giving you hope. Maybe it is in a welcoming smile or hug that lets you know that you are loved and you belong. Maybe it is found in the occurrence of a complete coincidence, when you know all too well that it really is not a coincidence.

I pray that you experience the light of the Holy Spirit many times in your life, within others and within yourself. At times, it may be difficult to sense it guiding you and blessing you along the way. This is not something you can spot by sitting in a tree stand in the forest, but knowing that the Holy Spirit is around you always can help you to be alert for it. Once you finally spot it, it will be easier to find the next time, and again, and again.

Would you like to explore Spiritual Practice further? Visit our Spiritual Practices resource page.

Spiritual Practices

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God's Shining Light

5/2/2024

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Elder Judy Thompson

Spring is one of my favorite seasons of the year with the awesome awakening of nature and the promise of the renewal of flowers, green grass and trees, fruits and crops.

As farmers, it means the planting season is near. It means a lot of work ahead, but also the hope of a good growing season. We are dependent on the weather, the sun, the rain, and the storms. With prayer and work, we look forward to a good year. This is a time where God’s shining light is very important.

God’s shining light is shown in nature, but also shown in the people around us. I was raised in a church family and was surrounded by good people. Sunday school teachers, ministers, and congregation members who let their lights shine through acts of kindness, smiles, welcoming greetings, music, and service to others.

I remember singing camp songs when walking home in the dark from a friends house. As president of the local school board, I often sang church songs as prayers for a calm and productive meeting. During stressful times, the Holy Spirit’s presence has helped calm me.

God’s shining light has also been seen in many of my friends. One friend never says an unkind word. She always finds the positive in everything. She has lots she could complain about, but doesn’t. Another friend is very aware of what is happening around him. He is the first to jump up and help anyone in need. Another friend is involved in organizations helping others in our community. She volunteers for so many things, I wonder when she has time for herself. My husband serves on many county boards trying to find ways to strengthen our community.

God’s shining light is out there. We need to take the time to see it, respond to it, and try to add to it, always praising God and thanking him for it.

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“Look for God in everything you see. God is there.”

4/3/2024

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Sarah Marolf

Working as a special education behavior interventionist can be difficult and stressful. I oftentimes come home exhausted from the mental exertion of remaining calm in the chaos. I’m tasked with educating the most challenging students – the ones who don’t want to be there, the ones who come with an alphabet soup of mental health diagnoses, the ones who’ve endured significant trauma in their short lives.

Let me remind you: I am a teacher. I’m trained in methods of teaching reading and math. I am not a trained psychologist, social worker, or counselor. And yet I spend the majority of my time consoling the broken hearted, motivating the distraught, giving life advice to the naive, de-escalating the enraged, and listening to the burdened. I am a teacher, but teaching academics is secondary.

My formal education did not prepare me for the real life issues I would have to discuss.

Like when my student is crying about having to face her rapist in court
Like when my student repeatedly hits himself in the head because he believes he’s the reason why his parents abused him
Like when my student was worried her step dad was going to throw all her stuff in the front yard while she was at school
Like when my student’s father figure committed suicide
Like when my student was emotionally abused by his adoptive parents and had to go back into foster care.

Sadly, the list is long and continues to grow each school year. In these moments of despair and vulnerability, I feel very ill-equipped to respond. I don’t know the different therapeutic techniques. Each time, I take a few seconds to say a little prayer asking God for guidance, to give me the words that particular student needs to hear so that they will leave my classroom feeling heard, loved, supported and empowered. I can’t say that we always solve the problem – their struggles are much bigger than me – but they always get to a secure enough place to go back to class and ready to face the challenges.

I have a reminder on my phone that goes off every day at 3:00 pm (just after the school day ends) that says, “Look for God in everything you see. God is there.” This has opened my eyes to all these little moments in which God has guided my interactions with my students. Even though public school is – and should be – secular, God is still very much present. If not anywhere else, I can only hope that my students see God’s light shine through me.

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Christ's call to put our lives into divine mission is a powerful reminder of our purpose as believers. Responding to this call requires a deep commitment to living a life that is centered on compassion, justice, and peacemaking.

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This Blog is authored by the Topeka Community of Christ Ministry Team to share stories about Discipleship in Action.

The opinions expressed on this Blog are those of the writer and not Community of Christ.

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