Posted by TanyaCothran under Tanya's Reflections
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Just a quick note to let you know what’s going on in my life: I have been traveling for the past two weeks and today I am in Michigan on my way to New Haven, Connecticut. Why am I moving across the country again? My husband, Boyd, will be a visiting researcher at Yale University for one year starting September 1st. He will be finishing his PhD in History and writing his dissertation over the next year. We are both really excited about this opportunity!
As for me, I will continue my work with Spirit in Action the same as always. I will keep my same email address and phone number and even my postal address will stay the same. The only difference is that I will be reporting from the east coast, instead of the west.
I am looking forward to living in a new place for a year and experiencing life in a new community. I feel so blessed to have a job that allows me to travel with my husband. I would love your prayers as I make this transition and make new friends in the new location.
I’ll go back to my regular blog posting schedule next week!
With deep gratitude, Tanya
Del Anderson, the founder of Spirit in Action, was a prodigious and dedicated journal writer and here in the SIA office I am lucky enough to have many of his actual journals. He seemed to use his writing time as a moment to let his thoughts flow, allowing time to explore his ideas about God, our purpose, love, and anything else that came up. He used regular 1-subject lined notebooks and a four-color pen, wildly switching colors and adding emphasis and extra words to his sentences.
I like to glance at his entries every now and again to be able to reconnect with Del’s strong spirit and passion for service to others. This morning I’d like to share the entry from Del’s journal for this day in 1998.
July 27th, 1998
Beholding as in a mirror the glory (that is the beauty) of Christ we are changed into the same image from one stage of character growth to another. (2 Corinthians 3:18)
It is a process of contagion, perseverance and growing in the Spirit. For life there must be a plan, a pattern, a purposeful intent. Life must have unity, humanity and purpose – with serenity, and a spirit of adventure with a resolute will. There must be a sharp focus on compassion, mercy, and justice for the common good.
All so often, we have great gratitude for the will to act, even as we often regret our failure to trust and obey. It is as we nurture our souls, we let God come forth: in, for, with, and through us. This living from within out is our passage to victory.
It is in nurturing our heart (intention) actively we grow from sense to soul, from self to Christ. Love, joy, peace, etc. are feelings. To partake of God’s character and nature, we need to feel the heart process of our nature.
If any man thirst let him come unto me and drink. (John 7:37)
The Spirit in Action office has recently moved from snowy Minneapolis to settle in rainy Santa Cruz, California! Our new address is:
PO Box 3384
Santa Cruz CA 95063
I have set up my office (pictured at right) in my house, surrounding my desk with pictures of our international co-workers, notes from SIA donors, maps of our projects and books when I need an inspiring word or helpful training tip.
Behind the desk are file cabinets with several of Del Anderson’s notebooks and journals. I pulled one out the other day and read this great piece of insight from Del, dated May 14, 1989:
“God is limitless, all limitation is in our consciousness. Our work is to express God in all aspects. As we choose to believe and act in harmony with truth we are yoked with God.”
Thank you Del!
