Going to the Chapel of Love

 
So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other. Your love for one another will prove to the world
that you are my disciples.
(John 13:34-35 NLT)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
The Holy Family Shrine, Nebraska
 
 
 
On a hill faraway in the prairie of Nebraska, we noticed this beautiful chapel. We jumped off the interstate, turned down a country road and rambled up the hill to dedicate our dreams to God. (We just had spent the weekend at Jumping Tandem-The Retreat, you remember the place where dreams were unveiled and affirmed.)
 
After visiting the  chapel, we noticed Jesus on our way out, or at least a sketch of His face smiling at us from a postcard. On the back was a prayer and a challenge that beautifully described what we had just experienced:
 
 
“Nothing is more practical than finding God,
than falling in love
in a quite absolute, final way.
What you are in love with,
what seizes your imagination,
will affect everything.
It will decide what will get you out of bed in the morning,
what you will do with your evenings,
how you spend your weekends,
what you read, who you know,
what breaks your heart,
and what amazes you with joy and gratitude.
Fall in love,
stay in love,
and it will decide everything.”
(Father Pedro Arrupe, S.J.)
 

 

Communion: Intimate Fellowship and Rapport

 
 
How good and pleasant it is
when God’s people live together in unity!
(Psalm 133:1 NIV)
 
 
 
 
I am still unpacking from the weekend, not my suitcase, but the gifts of love and encouragement that were shared between sisters and brothers, who grasp God and want others to experience His love in rich and deep and wide reaching ways.
 
I want to tell you all about it. How wonderful the retreat center was that offered us the best. The hospitality of the Jumping Tandem retreat coordinators and dreamers and courage speakers, who dreamed for and with us. Each one graciously demonstrating dependence on the biggest Dreamer of all.
 
How the love of Christ flowed over us moment by moment with each encounter . . .  in the worship sessions, in the workshops, in the wandering around the wide open spaces surrounding the conference center.
 
But most of all  love poured out through the intimate conversations around the table, in the foyer, with my roommate (my sister, Gillian) and fellow travelling companions (Kelly and Lynni) and the other dreamers in Christ, who have similiar, yet different stories that point to the redeeming love and safe haven, we each find in knowing God and loving God.
 
I leave you with a poem, as it still is National Poetry Month. And some photo highlights of the weekend.
 
Jesus
Undergirding with love
Many
Precious sisters and brothers
In
Nebraska.
Growing us . . .
 
Teaching us . . .
Affirming our dreams . . .
Nudging us closer to the BIGGEST
Dream of all:
Entering His
Marvelous presence,
 
Together . . .
Hearts
Embracing
 
Redemption.
Every moment
Trusting and
Recalling and
Enjoying and
Awakening
True love.
 
 
 

 
 

 
 

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