Alan Fadling's Blog, page 60

A Few Insights About Perspective

In our book, What Does Your Soul Love?, I shared the story of how I was learning photography at the same time as I was in the midst of a dark night of the soul.

 

At the time, and even still, I carry within me the metaphors of photography as a paradigm for life. There are many connections between photography, presence and perspective. I’ll share three with you today.

 

LOOK FOR THE LIGHT FIRST. Any skilled photographer will tell you that light is the most important factor in an image.

 

You can have the most beautiful background in the world, but if the lighting is off, what does it matter? The image will not be pleasing.

 

So the search for beautiful light became a daily practice for me. I began to notice light’s colors and shades. Is it harsh or soft, bright or dim, high or low angled?

 

It’s been many years since I practiced photography and yet I am still drawn in by the perfect lighting at just that right time of day.

 

When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” (John 8:12)

 

By your words I can see where I’m going; they throw a beam of light on my dark path. (Psalm 119:105, The Message)

 

Looking first for Jesus as our light is good practice. Just as light dictated where I had people stand and pose for their photographs, so Jesus, as our light, directs our paths and guides our words.

 

And remember that Jesus is very creative. See if there is a new way in which Jesus wants to show up as your light today. Look for the LIGHT first.

 

USE THE RULE OF THIRDS. The rule of thirds is quite simple and can change the quality of your photos instantly.

 

When you are taking a photo on your phone, you likely see a set of faint lines drawn like a game of tic tac toe. These lines are the rule of thirds.

 

If you place the horizon or a mountain or a shoreline on one of the horizontal lines, it will be much more pleasing to the eye. If you place a person or a tree on one of the vertical lines it just feels more balanced.

 

And where the lines intersect is where you want to place the main focal point of your image. A single flower in the dirt, a lone tree on a hill, or an eye on a face.

 

For our purposes, let’s call the rule of thirds, the rule of three. The Trinity. Sometimes, it’s easy to lose sight of God as Three.

 

And yet the Father, the Son and the Spirit all work together harmoniously in a grand and cosmic community of love. All mutually giving and receiving. No hierarchy. No games. Just love. Community. Sharing. Endlessly giving to one another and to us.

 

The next time you need a little balance in your life’s image, remember the rule of three. And be embraced by the Trinity in all their glory. The rule of three. The Trinity.

 

CHOOSE WHERE TO FOCUS. Often, when I would share my travel photography, people would say, “You must have an amazing camera! What kind is it?” My response, “It’s just my phone.” The reason the images are compelling is because I took the time to choose where to point the camera.

 

Ansel Adams once said, “A good photograph is knowing where to stand.” Where you choose to focus matters. You could be standing in a trash dump, but if you point your camera in the right direction you might have a masterpiece on your hands.

 

Doesn’t it work this way in life? This is about perspective. Where are you choosing to focus? Even in a desert, you can find a single pink blossom on a lone cactus. Or an iridescent sheen on the shell of an unusual beetle.

 

Choosing where to focus can breathe life into an otherwise bleak day.

 

My hope is that one of these ideas helps you today. You could improve your photography and your life at the same time!

 

Reflection 

How might Jesus want to be my light today in creative ways?
How might you enjoy the endless love and community of the Trinity today?
Where might you stand and how might you focus today? And how might that make a difference?

 

P.S. Below are a few images from our trip to Israel in 2012. Can you spot the rule of thirds?

Podcast 142: Resilient Americans (Gem with Diane Burden Cox)

“Anything that alienates and divides us leaves us weak and exposed to disaster. Simple human compassion is more essential to our national resilience and strength than most of us recognize.” Today, I’m talking with my long time friend, Diane Cox. She is a business owner, a beautiful writer, and an even more glorious human being. And she actually makes resilience something fun and intriguing to talk about. 

With anecdotes and unexpected stories about growing up during the 60s and 70s in Los Angeles, and from her work in disaster recovery, Diane Burden Cox illustrates the importance of our relationship with each other to our national resilience in her book, Resilient Americans.

 If we want a resilient infrastructure as a nation- clean water supply, buildings, bridges, roads, energy grids, health and education systems- we need to recognize it rests on the strength of our interactions with each other. Resilience isn't just one more thing to put on our national to-do list, it's something we can actually enjoy and have fun cultivating together. 

Diane Burden Cox is the CEO of Disaster Scope, Inc., an Emergency Management consulting firm based in Southern California. She and her husband, Graeme, have lived across the United States, working together on recovery efforts after major disasters. In Resilient Americans, Diane shines a light on the foundations of resilience with hopeful and compelling stories of simple ways we can move forward as individuals, communities and as a nation. 

Connect with Diane socially:
Twitter @BurdenCox
Facebook @dianelynn
Instagram @DianeBurdenCox

 

 

Slow Me Down, Lord!

I love when I cross paths with kindred spirits in the unhurried life. I’ve been grateful to cross paths a number of times with such a fellow traveler in Wilkie Au. I’ve enjoyed reading his books, and Gem and I have had a few group dinners with Wilkie and his wife, Noreen.

 

I love this quotation from his little book The Enduring Heart. I think you will, too. I recommend taking your time with it. Savor it like a fine chocolate.

 

“We need, for the sake of our anxious selves, to make the prayer of the late Cardinal Cushing of Boston our own: ‘Slow me down, Lord! Ease the pounding of my heart by the quieting of my mind. Steady my hurried pace with a vision of the eternal reach of time. Give me, amid the confusion of the day, the calmness of the everlasting hills…. Teach me the art of slowing down to look at a flower, to chat with a friend, to pet a dog, to read a few lines from a good book. Remind me each day of the fable of the hare and the tortoise, that I may know that the race is not always to the swift…that there is more to life than increasing its speed…. Slow me down, Lord, and inspire me to send my roots deep into the soil of life’s enduring values that I may grow toward the stars of my greater destiny. That I may find you, my God.”*

 

I love these helpful insights: 

My racing heart can be eased by the quieting of my mind.
My hurried pace is steadied with a vision of the eternal reach of time.
I can slow down to do simple things like looking at a flower (Jesus suggested as much), talk with and listen well to a friend, or read (slowly) a few lines from a really good book.
There really is more to life than acceleration. There is learning the art of living deep-rooted in what matters and lasts.

 

For Reflection

What would it sound like to offer your own prayer for God’s slowing influence in your life? That might be worth a prayer or journal post.
Is there one of the summary sentences above that sound especially timely or helpful?
What if you made a note of it in your smartphone, or put it on a post-it on your bathroom mirror.

 

*Wilkie Au. The Enduring Heart. New York: Paulist Press, 2000, pp. 130-131.

 

Photo by Tim Mossholder on Unsplash

Podcast 141: Finding Life After Traumatic Loss (Alan with Mel Lawrenz)

The theme of today’s episode is grief, and especially grief related to traumatic loss. As a culture, we’re not very comfortable with or even very good at grieving. But we are facing a great deal of loss, maybe more chronic than traumatic, but loss nonetheless. I think today’s conversation may help you in ways you didn’t expect.

About three years ago, our guest, author Mel Lawrenz, got a text from his wife that their thirty-year-old daughter, Eva, wasn’t breathing and was being taken to the hospital. That day, Mel and his wife experienced the death of that adult daughter. As Mel tried to find his way through this unimaginable loss, he began to share his experiences and thoughts with a circle of friends. They began to tell him that what he was sharing was really helping them, so here three years later those thoughts have become a book, A Chronicle of Grief.

I’ve really appreciated what I’ve read so far. It has especially helped me realize that I am grieving losses related to COVID19 quarantining, political instability, and the generations-old grief of my brothers and sisters of color. What Mel has written about is for us today. 

Mel Lawrenz trains an international network of Christian leaders, ministry pioneers, and thought leaders through the Brook Network. He served as senior pastor of Elmbrook Church in Brookfield, Wisconsin, for ten years and now serves as Elmbrook's minister at large, teaching in North America, Asia, Africa, and Latin America. He holds a PhD in the history of Christian thought from Marquette University. His books include Spiritual Leadership Today and Life After Grief.

Connect with Mel on social at:
Instagram @mellawrenz
Facebook @mel.lawrenz.7
Twitter @MelLawrenz

An Example of An Unhurried Leader

On one of our recent anniversaries, Alan and I drove up the central California coast as we were given the gift of a few days at a luxury resort. Our souls were ready for a much needed deep breath.

 

We spent our time taking in the beauty of vineyards, ocean bluffs and country roads. We even took our bikes along with us, knowing that we wanted to enjoy some of the scenery at biking pace.

 

Before we get too far into this bike story, let’s just say that, at the time, I was not in prime physical condition. Pair that with the fact that Alan has very strong legs, and has biked hundreds of miles of coastline with his dad and brothers, and you have an obvious mismatched pairing for a bike ride.

 

But since this was our anniversary, neither one of us was trying to impress anyone or beat any land speed records. I knew, however, that Alan would be holding himself back to keep to my pace. He let me lead so that I would determine our speed. He willingly brought up the rear as we enjoyed our ocean view.

 

At one point, going up a hill, I had my bike gears in 1:1. I looked over at Alan and wondered how he was staying upright since he was going so extremely slow to stay with me. I gave him permission to kick it into gear and go ahead. I would catch up. But he stayed with me and my uphill snail’s pace.

 

Isn’t this the model of an unhurried leader? Alan was more than capable of going three to four times as fast as me. But, for him, that wasn’t the goal.

 

That bike ride was about relationship. It wasn’t about getting somewhere. It wasn’t about achievement. It was about us. Enjoying beauty together. Breathing salty air together. And, yes, getting a little exercise together.

 

This is unhurried influence. At times, going at the pace of the slower one. Sometimes setting aside your “advanced” abilities to be with another in their journey. It is very nice to be on the receiving end of such grace.

 

As a person of influence, you may be tempted to move ahead more quickly than your people can move. Be sure they sense you are with them in their journey, that you aren’t trying to drag them forward at your pace.

 

Relationship is more important than achievement.

 

And, if you find yourself on the receiving end of someone else’s grace, it’s ok to receive that gift from them. If you need more time, that’s ok. The fact that you are still pedaling means something. You aren’t giving up and you will get to your destination.

 

Photo by Zoltan Tasi on Unsplash

Podcast 140: Immanuel Journaling (Gem with Sungshim Loppnow)

Sungshim came to America from Korea at the age of 29. Being an immigrant and struggling with emotional deficits from her childhood left her isolated and insecure. Her search for God and her self-discovery process in her training and relationships opened her to God’s love in new and deeper ways till she was overwhelmed with the beauty and abundance of life in God’s kingdom. 

Along the way she developed a way of interacting with God called “Immanuel Journaling”. This tool was introduced in the book Joyful Journey and has helped many people into a profound experience with the God’s love. 

Sungshim and her husband John, also an MFT and a pastor, minister together. She offers bi-lingual psychotherapy and spiritual friendship to pastors and others with a special focus on Korean Americans.

Loving Knowledge of God: Bernard of Clairvaux

There is a difference between knowing about someone and really knowing them. I know plenty about many public figures, but I know my wife of thirty-five years in a much deeper and more substantial way.

 

A practical difference between knowing about and knowing deeply is a matter of loving relationship. I know which of these I want in relation with God.

 

I love these words of Thomas Merton describing Bernard of Clairvaux (1090-1153) and his passion for the latter:

 

“Blazing with a holy impatience [Bernard of Clairvaux’s] humility armed itself against the pride of the worldly wise, and strove to rouse them from their banquet of ashes…upon which they feasted in their blind curiosity. He would call men [and women] from the husks of swine to the school of Christ where they would not merely learn about God but would come to know God Himself in the ineffable love of Christ. Bernard would not merely instruct them, but as a minister of Christ he would give them the Holy Ghost.”*

 

There is a way of Christian teaching and speaking that is little more than giving information about God. But there is such a difference between that and actually giving God’s Spirit to people. People need more than ideas. They need encounters and experiences with God by the enabling power of God’s Spirit.

 

We are a people in and among whom Christ is making Himself at home. We are offering more than just words. We offer real life. This is the spirit of what Jesus says:

 

“‘Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them.’ By this he meant the Spirit, whom those who believed in him were later to receive. (John 7:38-39a).”

 

It is my hope that this is what happens in what we offer here at Unhurried Living. We are always seeking to serve in this Spirit in the books we write, the resources we develop, and the Community we are developing.

 

We seek to provide uncluttered space and unhurried time for people to literally receive Christ. We don’t want people to merely “learn about God”, but to “know God in the ineffable love of Christ.”

 

For Reflection

When has your experience of God been more of a “knowing about?”
When has your experience of God been more rooted in loving and interactive relationship?
How would you like to enjoy that loving relationship today?

 

*Thomas Merton. Disputed Questions. New York: Harcourt, Brace Jovanovich, Publishers, 1953, 1959, 1960, p. 283.

 

Photo by Rob Mulally on Unsplash

Podcast 139: The Way of Presence (Alan with Casey Tygrett)

The Way of Presence: The Empowering Reality of God-With-Us launches September 8. Today, I'm sharing here a conversation with my friend and fellow author, Casey Tygrett, about the book and its life-giving message. 

Casey Tygrett is author of the recent Christianity Today award-winning book As I Recall, was able and willing to join me in a conversation about my new book.  I know you'l appreciate how Casey helps get at the heart of what I’ve sought to say through this new book project. 

Jesus being the way, the truth, and the life is more than just a theological fact about him. It is a vital and organic reality. I walk with Jesus as the way. I see myself through the eyes of Jesus as the truth. I live my every moment in communion with Jesus as the life. The Way of Presence will help you enter more deeply into this living reality.

Check out another Unhurried Living podcast with Casey Tygrett on his book "Becoming Curious".

And I’m pleased to say that we’ve been able to make an excerpt of The Way of Presence available to you, our listeners. To get access to this bonus resource, just visit our website at unhurriedliving.com/podcastbonus.

Connect with Casey on social at:
Instagram @cktygrett
Facebook @cktyrgettauthor
www.caseytygrett.com
 

Connect with Alan on social at:
Instagram @AlanFadling
Facebook @AlanFadling
www.unhurriedliving.com

Unhurried Community - Doable, Sustainable, Transferable

We have a special message for you. CLICK THE IMAGE below to watch.

 

 Leading unhurried isn’t easy. We know this from experience.

 

You live in a hurried culture. You might even work in a hurried organization.

 

You need a community of leaders just like you who want to learn how to follow Jesus’ way of unhurried life and leadership.

 

We’re going to share with you what matters most to us here at Unhurried Living.

 

We care about you as a person. We care about you all as a community.

 

This lies at the heart of everything we offer. We want to help you remember who you are, what matters most, and how to make the space you need to grow in these things.

 

So, we are refocusing and re-launching our Unhurried Community. And we have repriced it now at only $10 a month. We didn’t want it to be out of any leader’s reach.

 

We believe this is the beginning of a movement of unhurried leaders.

 

Women and men who live in the overflow of God’s goodness, learn to stay full, and then serve from an overflowing heart in your families, your friendships, and your work.

 

We will offer two modules inside the Community:

 

Gem will facilitate a module called REPLENISH, which is focused on women of influence. Together, we’ll lean into simple patterns of thought and action.

 

Alan will lead a module called UNHURRIED LEADERS for men and women in leadership who want to enter more fully into leading with more presence, more joy, more peace and less hurry.

 

Every month, each of us will lead a live zoom gathering together where we’ll pour into you.  You’ll receive tools and inspiration to grow in this unhurried way of living and leading.

 

You’ll learn to practice life and leadership skills that are doable, sustainable and transferable.

 

Head on over to unhurriedliving.com to learn more and to sign up.

 

We really want to walk together and these unprecedented times call for more concerted focus.

 

Let’s do this together!

 

Join us at unhurriedliving.com!

 

 

 

 

Five Insights From One Hour with God

I love acorns. I found one a few years ago during a solitude walk up in the mountains.

 

I am always amazed by a beautiful little acorn, especially when it has a cap on it. So cute. It is amazing to me that an oak tree grows from something so small.

 

As I held the acorn in my hand and pondered its ability and power to grow an oak tree, it led to this thought, “You have the power within to do what is next.” A nice encouragement from God. (Eph. 3:20-21) 

As I walked further through the forest, I enjoyed the lovely aroma of freshly washed nature. It had rained that morning and, in fact, it rained on me during my walk. 

 

I came upon a large pine cone. It had opened itself, released its seeds and was now hard and brittle. Its next stage would be decay. 

As I stared at the pine cone, I thought, “You’ll have to open up to release the seeds of new growth. What is keeping you from opening today? What might be your next step?” (John 12:24)

 

Next, I encountered a large pine tree. Right in front of it was a large stump from what was likely a larger tree. I stared at the two stages of the trees for a bit. 

Upon reflection, I thought, “Whether you feel like a large, mighty pine or you feel like you’ve been cut down to a stump…there is grace for the next leg of your process. What might that look like?” (2 Cor. 12:9)

 

Further along the path, I came upon a couple of huge rocks leaning up against each other. There was a little hiding place between them. 

 I remembered, “Be my rock of refuge, to which I can always go; give the command to save me, for you are my rock and my fortress.” (Psalm 71:3)

 

I finally arrived at another large rock where I could sit and take in the view. I enjoyed the quiet presence of God. Rain fell and I basked in the moment. (Psalm 46:10) 

 

Looking at the photo just above – If you could sit there and enjoy that view, what would you think about? What questions would you ask? Or would there simply be silence and companionship?

 

Afterward, I summarized what I learned from all of my encounters with God in nature:

There is greatness within.
Open and release to grow.
You are beautiful and useful at any stage.
Take refuge in your Rock. You are always welcome.
Ponder. Be. Experience. Rest. It’s OK.

 

Wonderful gifts from God. Words of life. All of this in a one-hour, leisurely walk with God. It doesn’t take a lot of time, if you are open.

 

It is not surprising that God would speak through nature. Jesus shared insights into the Kingdom with stories of birds, flowers, seeds, grapevines, trees and more.

 

When might you be able to schedule some time like this? I bet you would enjoy such a soul-filling experience. Take a nature bath and let God meet you in creation.

 

Adapted from a blog dated November 2, 2016.

Photo by Michal Vrba on Unsplash