17 March 2008

Time to Relax

I have had the opportunity in the past week to spend some time relaxing and connecting with God. While working as and admin and at my corporate job, I got a little overwhelmed.

Anyways, I took two retreats to two different contemplative centers in a week. That is a good way to do it.

On Wednesday I visited St. Paul's Monastery in North St. Paul. It is a community of Benedictine Sisters that has been there for a while. Most of the Sisters that are in the Monastery are retired - the other ones are out teaching. They worship and pray 3 or 4 times a day, and eat meals together. It is very quiet, and peaceful. I am not Catholic, but pretty familiar with the faith. The highlight of the stay was my time with Sister Virginia. She is a Spiritual Director. What a gift and a joy it was to be with her, and talk through my struggles and questions of God's desires for my life. It is only $60 a night with 3 meals included, and another $30 for an hour with a spiritual director.

During this time when I am only working 4 days a week, and Lauren and I are determining what is next for us, We are seriously considering me spending my Wednesdays at St. Paul's as part of the discernment process.

On Friday night I arrived at Pacem In Terris. I was there from Friday night till Sunday at about 2pm. This is a Hermitage. It is about being alone with God. The advise you to bring only a Bible and a journal. (and personal effects). You are in the woods, and in a beautiful cabin with no electricity and no running water. It was great. I wrote a letter to my Dad (he died in 2001), and also prayed through most of the Psalms on Saturday - using the Coptic Book of the Hours (Available Online). It was great. I also put together a schedule for reading the Psalms - that divides them into 28 nearly equal parts with out dividing the psalms or any of the 5 books of the psalms. I am very happy with it, and will post it soon. The time there was great - even if I thought it was a little over priced ($90) because of the primitiveness. Next time I might just camp instead and save the money. But if you don't want to have to pitch a tent, and sleep on dirt - Pacem In Terra offers you a great way to remove distractions from you life and be still. (Watch out - I might have a career as a Christian retreat reviewer.)

It was a great week. A great time to refresh, and I am so thankful for Lauren for making it possible.

DJ Bob Brown in a Church Basement

Welp - I am sure it will attract a slightly different crowd that some of my old gigs, but I am playing what has been titled a "Resurrection Rave" on Easter sunday in the basement of my church - Solomon's Porch. I am the only dj, and will probably only spin for about 2 hours or so. We have neighbors.

All are welcome, it will be relatively early, and there will be some drumming/drum circles before and after. But we have a pretty decent sound system and I will bring some very good (though a little old) records for the dancing. So here is the data:

Resurrection Rave
8pm - 10pm Sunday March 23rd 2008
@ Solomon's Porch
46th & Blaisdell Ave S.
Minneapolis, MN 55406

Come one come all - no statement of belief required for entry - and no tracts will be handed out ;)