blessed be your name

Saturday, July 29, 2006

THE SPIRIT OF JESUS LISTENING IN US.

"Listening in the spiritual life is much more than a psychological strategy to help others discover themselves. In the spiritual life the listener is not the ego, which would like to speak but is trained to restrain itself, but the Spirit of God within us. When we are baptised in the Spirit - that is, when we have received the Spirit of Jesus as the breath of God breathing within us - that Spirit creates in us a sacred space where the other can be received and listened to. The Spirit of Jesus prays in us and listens in us to all who come to us with their sufferings and pains.

When we dare to trust fully in the the power of God's Spirit listening in us, we will see true healing occur."

HENRI NOUWEN



I think that this passage shows us the importance of being open to allow the Holy Spirit to work through us and the importance of being an active listener. We need the abilty to see beyond the here and now, and need to discern with the heart what is going on for the person who has entrusted us with their inner most thoughts and feelings.

I would pray that we all find that "sacred space" where we can receive others non-judgmentally and extend the healing power of Jesus to them.

posted by gail @ 7/29/2006 02:30:00 PM  

14 Comments:

  • At 4:24 AM, Blogger Soul Reflections said…

    Oh, amen! I need to listen more and let the hurting ones unload their burdens. Then we can together lift them up to HIm and lay them at His feet. He is able.

     

  • At 11:33 AM, Blogger Liz said…

    great reminder Blue!!!

    I need to practice this in my spiritual life for sure!

    thanks for sharing!

    how have you been? I would love to be in Oz right about now, the 70`s sound nice and cool!I got my a/c back and it is in so I am thankful!

     

  • At 11:40 AM, Blogger Sunny said…

    Nice post, Blue. Have you read his book called The Beloved? A pastor in Nashville named Stan Mitchell did a marvelous study on that book.

     

  • At 11:57 AM, Blogger gail said…

    Hi Mark!!
    Debra, thank God , that He is able!!
    Eliz,I think that we all need to practice more listening and less talking!!
    Sunny, I have read "The Beauty of the Beloved". May get it out again and re-read. One can never have too much of Henri. A bit like CT. EH???

     

  • At 4:47 AM, Blogger AngelConradie said…

    fabulous post gail!

     

  • At 1:15 PM, Blogger Liz said…

    Gail,
    hey there, yeah it is like 98` heat index 112 hot stuff for us! has not been so hot since 1988. it is usually 87` or so. hope you are enjoying your weather, I love that temp, good walking weather 70`. well hitting the hay so from me to you.. love you in our great God who is in charge of the heat, hee!

     

  • At 8:56 PM, Blogger Brigitte said…

    An appropriate verse here would be:
    James 1:19 Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak,...
    This is difficult to do, but if we learn to fully trust in the power of the Holy Spirit we will be able to do what Gail has talked about in her post. To listen spiritually to the hurt and then be able to extend Jesus' healing power to them.

     

  • At 2:59 PM, Blogger A Captured Reflection said…

    Awesome Gail. Thanks for all that you share :-)

     

  • At 11:39 PM, Blogger Liz said…

    thanks Blue!!

    going thru some dumb stuff, not serious, though I make it that way.
    I do need to just trust God no matter what!

     

  • At 2:05 PM, Blogger Liz said…

    hey Blue I will so check it...

     

  • At 5:33 AM, Blogger A Captured Reflection said…

    Gail, I feel to ask - are you doing OK? You keep coming to mind, so I'm praying. Is all well?

     

  • At 11:09 AM, Blogger zephaniah3:17 said…

    Hi Gail! I'll bet you thought I had forgotten all about you and would never stop by to give you a Peru report. I was actually off line for some time when I got back (ISP problems), then got DSL (yea!) but was too busy working to even enjoy it (boo!).

    Anyway, Peru was amazing and exhausting and an experience I will never forget. Being Christ's hands and feet in a hurting, seeking world is a privilege beyond all earthly measure.

    My son, who left Atlanta a boy, came home from his six-week stint there as a tremendous man of God. I am so grateful for the way in which God transformed his heart and placed within him a fire and a spirit of boldness to proclaim the Gospel in word and deed and to love others in Christ's name.

    I hope to update my blog in the next few days with some pictures and a more detailed account of our trip.

    Thank you for praying for us. It was tremendously encouraging and exhilerating to know that my sister in Christ was interceding for us from half-way round the world!

    Be blessed this day and know that I have remembered you with thanksgiving before the Father.

    Lisa

    P.S. Great thought-provoking post, Gail. May God give us ears to hear--really hear--the pains (and joys) of those around us.

     

  • At 11:15 AM, Blogger zephaniah3:17 said…

    Oh, and I forgot to say...

    Right after I got back from Peru, our family went to the Ichthus Music Festival in Kentucky. We were privileged to hear Matt Redman speak on worship at a small seminar. It was tremendously inspiring. And amusing! Yes, he is a funny little man who told many, many jokes about drummers. (??!!)

    Cheers,
    Lisa

     

  • At 9:56 AM, Blogger Unknown said…

    Hello! I know you all don't know me, but i have a question. Do you believe in the Seventh Day Bible Sabbath?
    please send your answer to my e-mail. thanks,
    sarah d. collins

    sarahdcollins@gmail.com

     

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