Lisa Notes: Where do you sit?

Where do you sit?

gary-moon

Where’s your place at the table?

Mine is on the east side of my kitchen, facing the afternoon sun. At certain times of the year I can’t eat there without first closing the blinds because the sun is so bright.

Last week in Nashville, I sat in a different spot.

It was Tuesday, Day 2 of Nurture 2012, a conference on spiritual formation led by the Institute for Christian Spirituality (ICS) at Lipscomb University. I had already dined on delicacies of art from Mark 5 by Rolando Diaz and been led through Psalm 139 in contemplative prayer by Jackie Halstead and had thoughts stirred by Glandion Carney on cultivating a creative heart.

Rolando-Diaz

Rolando-mark-5

A unique invitation

For lunch on Tuesday, I sat at a round table beside an old friend from years ago on one side and a new friend of one day on the other side.

But as we ate our salads and chicken (and a most delicious chocolate cake!),
we were invited to sit somewhere else.

At another table. As a guest of the Trinity.

The night before we had looked at this icon from medieval Russia. Andrei Rublev (1360-1430) used such intricacy in his design, each detail significant.

One such detail was the open space at the table.

So on Tuesday, after leading us through thoughts on discerning God’s voice, Gary Moon invited us to sit at the table with the Trinity. And listen to their answer to this question, “What do you think of me?”

I closed my eyes as the music of Sherri Youngward played in the background.

Hearing from God

And I listened.

What was the Lord saying to me?

That I am loved
That my friendship is desired
That there is joy and peace for me in the Kingdom

And to remain intentional. To be present. To not withdraw from actively seeking Him.

Seating arrangements

So I continue now to sit at the table with the Trinity, which may mean sitting in metal chairs eating a barbeque sandwich to celebrate a friend’s birthday. Or standing to chat in Amber’s kitchen with a plate of potluck in hand. Or eating a biscuit in a booth at Hardee’s on Saturday mornings with the women of my family.

It honors the Lord when I enjoy dining in His presence.

At all those tables, I am loved. And I can love.
My friendship is desired. And my friendship is given.
There is joy. And there is peace.

That’s my place at the table...where the Son is bright in my eyes...at all the Kingdom feasts.

* * *

Do you have a standard seat at your kitchen table?

Do you feast often with the Trinity?

Dining in community with Laura at The Wellspring, L.L. at Seedlings in Stone, Michelle at Graceful, and Jen at Finding Heaven.

2012: My year to...

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Rachel · 687 weeks ago

I always find insight and encouragement in what you share via "Lisa's Notes". The message God sent you " . . remain intentiional." and the phrase "to be present" really resounds in my mind. I need to remember that with regard to my walk with God, my marriage, my church life and so many other areas of my life. It is both challenging and encouraging. The conference sounds like it was wonderful. Love & miss you, Sister. Rachel

1 reply · active 687 weeks ago

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Lisa notes 103p · 687 weeks ago

"both challenging and encouraging" - I love how God can combine those two things. The conference was wonderful. I think it was something you would have enjoyed too. Maybe we can do something like that together some day. I would like that.

I love and miss you, too. You are special to me.
My recent post Where do you sit?

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Jody Lee Collins · 687 weeks ago

Dining with the Trinity--eating food and Daily and Bread. Wonderful reminder...I like the 'view'. Thank you for sharing.

1 reply · active 687 weeks ago

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Lisa notes 103p · 687 weeks ago

I am glad we can use the things we know--eating and talking--to connect us not only to each other but to the Trinity as well.
My recent post Where do you sit?

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joepote01 41p · 687 weeks ago

Dining with the Trinity! What a beautiful picture of fellowship with God! ...and somehow, in that picture, I feel pulled toward closer fellowship with others, as well...

Thank you, Lisa!

1 reply · active 687 weeks ago

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Lisa notes 103p · 687 weeks ago

It's great how that works, huh? When we obey the first and greatest commandment--loving God, we find ourselves also obeying the second--loving others.
My recent post Where do you sit?

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floyd · 687 weeks ago

My seat at the breakfast table is the northwest seat. Sometimes when we have people over and a person sits in "my" chair, it makes my eye twitch!

Yesterday in our Sunday School class we sat at a different table in order to leave space at the table for someone else that we normally like to sit at. Not enough people showed up and we had to move back to our usual spot... Hey, at least I was trying!
My recent post BREAKFAST FOR LIFE

1 reply · active 687 weeks ago

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Lisa notes 103p · 687 weeks ago

You get gold stars for trying anyway. I guess God was rewarding you by letting you have your seat back. :-) We have "our" seats at church too. Haven't sat in them lately though; hope to warm them up again soon.
My recent post Church, where are we?

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Julie · 687 weeks ago

awesome. :-) yesterday in church we sang "Jesus Thank You"...that one verse ~
Your blood has washed away my sin
Jesus, thank You
The Father’s wrath completely satisfied
Jesus, thank You
Once Your enemy, now seated at Your table
Jesus, thank You
I could imagine myself now able to sit at the FEAST...God's table...the mind is not able to imagine what it will be like to sit, dine and fellowship with such holiness...
and so I just anticipate!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! and in those thoughts it is nice today to know that I will be seated once again with mom...at the same table. :-) wonderful post and you must be overflowing with the inspiration and motivation and heart passion in overdrive after that opportunity! hugs to you Lisa.
My recent post MERRY Monday

1 reply · active 687 weeks ago

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Lisa notes 103p · 687 weeks ago

"Once Your enemy, now seated at Your table"

I don't know that song, but it sounds great. Jesus, thank You. SO much at that table. And yes, so many more to sit with at the table to come. I dreamed about my mom again last night, still with Alzheimer's though. I know she's free of it now, and I look forward to seeing her again one day without it.
My recent post Church, where are we?

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laura · 687 weeks ago

Lisa! This sounds absolutely wonderful. What a lovely playdate. I'm all caught up in the empty space at that table. Thinking about that question...what do you think of me...

Lovely. Just lovely.
My recent post Playdates with God: How Tears can Baptize

1 reply · active 687 weeks ago

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Lisa notes 103p · 687 weeks ago

Yeah, the question kind of caught me off guard but it was well worth pondering. It was a great playdate. Wish I could have that kind more often! :-)
My recent post Church, where are we?

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barbarah 65p · 687 weeks ago

It's funny how we all settle into favorite spots to sit. Jesse's seat changes depending on whether Grandma and/or J&M are with us, but otherwise we sit at the same places.

A couple of old songs came to mind after reading this post. One was "Come and dine, the Master calleth, come and dine: we can feast at Jesus' table all the time." The other is "Come home, come home, it's suppertime." I'd have to look up the lyrics to remember the rest of them. But I am glad there is always a place open for us at His table.

1 reply · active 687 weeks ago

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Lisa notes 103p · 687 weeks ago

When my daughter comes home--now with her husband--we move to a new seating arrangement, but when she comes without him, we automatically fall back into all 4 of us in their "right" place. :-)

I don't know either of those songs, but they sound very fitting.
My recent post Church, where are we?

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Amy Anderson · 687 weeks ago

We do have spots at our table:) This is a wonderful perspective. I went to a conference last September and one speaker talked about how the table represents Christ as much as the cross--in the respect that He invites us to dine with Him, etc. It was a powerful teaching, and you reminded me of it here. Thank you.

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Patti · 687 weeks ago

I love this. Love the idea of sitting at table... the mundane... with the Trinity... the Divine. Stirs my heart. Thank you.

1 reply · active 687 weeks ago

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Lisa notes 103p · 687 weeks ago

I love this imagery too, Patti. There's just something about sharing a meal with people. Draws you even closer...
My recent post Church, where are we?

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pamela · 687 weeks ago

My seat when I return to my childhood home is always by my daddy. We went out a few days ago with my daughter and family. Ethan wanted to sit by me. Landon wanted to sit by Pawpaw. Four-year-old Morgan said, "Well where in the world am I going to sit? Special times. I'm reminded of Jesus sitting by the right hand of the Father, making intercession for me. I've always wanted to be like Mary, sitting at the feet of Jesus. I hate it that more prone to be Martha-like. Trying to work on that!

1 reply · active 687 weeks ago

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Lisa notes 103p · 687 weeks ago

I love Morgan's comment. We do all like to know we have a place at the table.

Sitting at the feet of Jesus...sometimes I feel guilty that I'd prefer that position to being in the kitchen cooking the food. Everyone should get their turn doing both. ;-)
My recent post Church, where are we?

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3dlessons4life 38p · 687 weeks ago

"It honors the Lord when I enjoy dining in His presence" -- thank you for reminding me to take my time at the table. I was so blessed by this post. (Sounds like an incredible conference!)
My recent post Cartwheels of Joy — “Into the Word” Week 10

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Karrie · 687 weeks ago

How cool it will be when we sit and feast with the Trinity. Thank you for painting this picture for me. - Karrie
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tara pohlkotte · 687 weeks ago

oh, those pictures! Beautiful! I know that I have my own spot "claimed" at my table...what a great perspective you placed on this!

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Connie@raiseyoureyes · 687 weeks ago

Thank you Lisa, for fresh tears this morning. Clicked on "Peace" and listened while reading of sharing my life with The Trinity.

Just last week, I finished studying and re-reading Ann's book and this quote by C.S. Lewis gripped me: "How GOD thinks of us is not only more important, but infinitely more important."

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simplystriving 31p · 687 weeks ago

What a wonderful post! When I was growing up, my mom devised a brilliant game for my 4 siblings and I. The seats at the table were first come, first served. Boy, did we all run to get to the table and eat ;)
And that's what I want to do with the Trinity. May I run to that table and love... It doesn't matter what table I end up at, what matters is how I arrive. How I display Them.
Thanks for making me think, friend! Loved it...

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Ashley Pichea · 687 weeks ago

What an interesting exercise and challenge... thank you for sharing!

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tinuviel · 687 weeks ago

"Dining in His presence" - that has been my practice lately on the one evening per week my husband comes home late after heading straight to a meeting after work. It's so restful. That's also what happens (or should), I suppose at the Lord's Supper, which our current church celebrates every week.

Right now my seat is at the east side of our kitchen table, too. For most of our marriage I've been on the west side; I've only recently switched, and I don't even know why. :) No blinding sun, though, since our window fills the upper half of the north wall.

I've probably said this before, but I love your Hardee's tradition. What a wonderful treat, for the family's women to live that near and make the most of it! I'm thankful for your opportunity to attend such a conference, too. May it continue to bear good fruit in your walk with Christ.
My recent post One More Chorus of Thanksgiving

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journeytoepiphany 45p · 687 weeks ago

I wrote about the table today as well! About whether I have prepared a place for Him at my table...lovely stuff, and I'm so glad that you got to go away and spend a lovely time away....
My recent post The Sabbath – A Holy Expectation – Expect! and Epiphany Quest

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Katie Orr · 687 weeks ago

"It honors the Lord when I enjoy dining in His presence." Great truth! Sounds like a great conference! Thanks for linking up, Lisa!!

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Glenda Childers · 687 weeks ago

What a lovely thought ... to be invited to the table by the Trinity and to be ask such an important question. One could not be lonely there.

Fondly,
Glenda
My recent post Chicago O'Hare Airport ~ its' best kept secret

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Kim Van Brunt · 687 weeks ago

Love you use of art in this post! Great thoughts to keep the presence of God at the front of our minds constantly.
My recent post The Ebb and Flow: Depression and Community

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Jen · 687 weeks ago

I just love all the sweet words you heard throughout the entire time you were at this retreat. The drawing near and the raising up. What an amazing reminder that we can always feast with Him.
My recent post when the storm passes

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