Dear CLDI Family and Friends,
Since I was a kid, I have had an infatuation with timeless items. I loved my dad’s old records and record player, the infamous buck knife my parents got me as a young boy, and my grandfather’s bolo ties. The ageless spiritual works I enjoy so much, alongside scripture, are Liturgies. I grew up in the Lutheran tradition of reciting these words every Sunday. The liturgy gives me awe for all the generations of Christians who have come before me, who have also uttered these same words. In life we get caught up in the extremes of high highs and low lows, but so much of life is made up of the ordinary. Liturgies are not new or trendy; they are consistent and ordinary. I believe God moves mountains in the ordinary of a consistent walk with Him.
For me, Christian liturgy is not just a series of recitations or a set of rituals. It’s a profound expression of faith that transcends time and connects me with the larger community of believers throughout history. The liturgy is a living and breathing entity that transforms and adapts yet remains steadfast in its essence. It’s a representation of the collective spiritual journey of the Church that has survived the test of time.
In a world where everything seems temporary and fleeting, Christian liturgy provides a sense of stability and permanence that is rare and comforting. Through the liturgy, I am reminded that I am part of something much greater than myself. This awareness provides me with a sense of continuity and purpose that is difficult to find elsewhere. Christian liturgy is an integral part of my spiritual life and a lasting treasure that I will continue to cherish for years to come.
CLDI Monthly Snapshot
- This month our Rail//Line supervisor, and previous intern, Colin, transitioned into a new job in Billings. We are sad to lose him but thrilled about where God is taking him. We have raised up a new supervisor from our Rail//Line staff, Elle, who will do a wonderful job leading our Apprenticeship program.
- Tabitha and Jess, Case Manager and Supervisor of the Hannah House, presented about CLDI and the Hannah House at a women’s retreat for Rocky Mountain Christian Alliance. It was a pretty awesome experience to share with others what God is doing in the women’s lives.
- This has been a very educational month for the Youth Works team. They are now all Youth Mental Health and First Aid/CPR certified! These trainings have been monumental in helping our staff feel more equipped to protect themselves and our students.
Currently reading & listening
Click here or on picture to listen.
- This is a podcast that I listen to from time to time, and they talk through the creed line by line over several podcasts, and this is the introduction to the Creed. The Apostles’ creed has been a long-standing tradition in the church to define what Christians believe. These words have been spoken throughout the church’s history, from the early 3rd century until now.
- I am reading, Liturgy of the Ordinary, Sacred Practices in Everyday Life by Tish Harrison Warren. It is a reminder to worship and glorify God in my ordinary routine and rhythm of life.
Scripture to Meditate On
“Not to us, O Lord, not to us, but to your name give glory, for the sake of your steadfast love and your faithfulness!”
Psalms 115:1
I have been thinking about what it looks like to be focused on something other than self-image to truly live like this verse. Not to us be the glory.
So I leave you with the question, what does it look like to not bring glory to self but Glory to God?
