Picture of Prayer time in Senate

Things went well on Monday.  I really enjoyed my time in the Senate.  Here is a picture taken while I was praying.  Obviously, Lynnette was not in the praying mood, so she could take a picture.  Just kidding!  I am the one directly above the white circular emblem on the wood rail. 

God be with you in the Journey!
Kevin

Prayer at Virginia Senate

I really get nervous about praying for a government meeting like this.  I am such an advocate of separation of church and state, but appreciate the opportunity that is before me.  I have been reading some of Peter Marshall's prayers and others that have prayed in these situations often.  I mainly see a need for peace, guidance and the willingness to love our enemies as ourselves.  I do not know if this attempt at a written prayer does anything advantageous for the Kingdom of God, but here it is below.  If you might have any pointers, I will check my email before I leave in the morning.  

God be with you in the Journey!

Kevin

Senate of Virginia

Monday, January 24, 2011

Opening Prayer

By

The Reverend Kevin D. Ritter, Centerville Baptist Church, Chesapeake, Virginia

Dear Holy God, Creator and Sustainer of all, we recognize your presence here, and ask that in this new day, you grant your guidance and blessings upon these Senators who come as willing servants and leaders of the people of Virginia.

Help the Senators and all who work with them

-         to desire what is correct and upright,

-         to be tools of peace and wisdom,

-         to have the courage and strength to make the difficult decisions that are for the true benefit of the people according to your will,

-         to be faithful in admitting their own mistakes and forgiving those mistakes they may see in others, and

-         to open their hearts to see your wonderful love moving through everyone they might be in contact with today.

We thank you for your amazing love and for hearing our prayers today.  We pray for your glory to fill this place, Amen.

Back to Blogging

Well, I finally got my old blogs moved to a new spot.  I hope to be more active on this now.  I have added some folks on the instant receiving list of my new blogs.  If you are not interested in that, I will be glad to remove you.

 I have gained a new interest in blogging in response to some study I have been doing in a Pastor as Spiritual Guide program I am doing through a group called The Center for Congregational Health.  The focus has been on helping 10 pastors learn more about developing our own spiritual lives and helping others to develop their spiritual lives.  It sounds simple doesn't it?  But we so often major on "running the church" that we very rarely get to focus on the real spiritual stuff that is involved in shepherding a group of believers.  It has been refreshing!

We are led by Larry Williams, a retired Baptist Pastor, and Joanna Walsh, a Catholic nun.  We have 4 Presbyterian, 2 Baptist, 2 Methodist, 1 Lutheran and 1 Disciples of Christ pastor(s) in the group.  We have been learning more about doing the spiritual disciplines (see Richard Foster's Celebration of Discipline for more definition on "spiritual disciplines") and teaching others to use these spiritual disciplines.  Now, we get to teach a 6 week class on Henri Nouwen's book,  Making All Things New.  I will do that during lent on Friday nights at my house.  We are limiting the group to 12 folks.

Part of my new spiritual disciplines is to journal.  So, I think a great deal about putting some of that on here. Sorry to write so much, I am just happy to be back at it.  I will quit now.  Have a great day!

God be with you on the journey!
Kevin

Normal Day

I worked all day to try to spend time alone with God.  Things seemed to push us apart instead of drawing us together.  I hope I can get some time tonight. 

I am excited about it being Lynnette's birthday.  Now she is the same age as me!  I know she looks much younger and so beautiful, but we are only a few months apart.  I wish I had something really great for her birthday, but we have been cutting back on gifts.  I better get home and see what we can do.

Good Sunday

I haven't blogged since January!!!!  Wow!  I am just lazy or what? 

I have found myself thinking over the past couple of days about worship here this past Sunday.  It was really good for me, except for the sermon.  I think part of the key was having people doing things they don't always do as an offering to God.  David led the hymns because Dan was on the piano.  The Youth did a great job of sharing about camp.  These events helped bring a great attitude of worship.  Thanks!

God be with you on the Journey!
Kevin

Where do I start?

Have you ever asked, "I would like to be more involved in my church, but where do I start?"

I don't know about all churches, but I know that at Centerville that we need a number of "willing workers."  The property committee always has a list of things that need to get done.  I saw one member just picking up sticks in the yard a few weeks ago - what a blessing, as far as I know no one told him it needed to be done. This past weekend a married couple were helping clean up a room that needed attention.  We have a number of those.  Again, what a blessing!!!  You can always come up and greet parents as they are dropping off children for preschool.  If you are willing to go through the proper background checks, we might be able to use you in one of our children/student ministries.  I would love to just spend an hour praying with you, I can't think of any greater honor than going before the throne of God together.  There are times to help serve at a food kitchen or the Great Bridge Food Closet might need help, just ask the Benevolence Committee.  There are a number of College Students' names on a bulletin board that could use contact from our church, you could help there. 
  Basically you just need to let us know and I am sure we can find something.  Keep up the good work!
God be with you on the Journey!
Kevin

hate or mean-spiritedness

I am sorry it has taken me so long to begin blogging again.  Many things I want to share, but Richard Rohr's devotion today hit the spot for me.  Take a look:

Question of the Day:   Do I allow hate or mean-spiritedness to control my life?

Fear is almost always behind hate. Sometimes it looks like taking necessary control, but control freaks are usually afraid of losing something. It is almost always fear that justifies hatred, but a fear that is hardly ever recognized as such.

For fear to survive, it must look like reason, prudence, common sense, justice, or even religion. It always works. What better way to veil vengeance than to call it justice? What better way to cover greed than to call it responsible stewardship? What better way to cover arrogance than call it Biblical obedience? Only people who have moved beyond ego and controlling all outcomes, only those practiced at letting go, see fear for the imposter that it is. To be trapped inside of your small self is always to be afraid.

There is an intrinsic connection between fear, hatred and violence. Fear always needs a hiding place, and one of the best is supposed morality or truth-speaking. Then, you can hate with impunity, and even grandiosity, or validation from the Scriptures. Then you can be hateful and not feel the least guilty about it, but in fact feel morally superior.

Thanks Richard Rohr.

God be with you on the Journey!
Kevin