Disturbed by God: A Journey of Spiritual Discovery

Author of “Disturbed by God: A Journey of Spiritual Discovery,” June Maffin, was raised in Montreal, has had a variety of careers – radio and television personality, author, information officer, educator, wife, mother, group facilitator, counsellor, Creative Spirituality Artist. Ordained in Vancouver in 1985, she received her Doctorate in Pastoral Care with an emphasis on Ethics in 1992.

Dr. Maffin has extensive experience in education, communications, media relations, and business – in the worlds of politics, art and non-profit societies. She has served the church in rural, suburban, and urban parishes and was involved with decision-making in the church at diocesan, provincial, and national levels.

She is a Retreat Director, Spiritual Director, Certified Facilitator and Conference Speaker in the areas of spirituality, circular leadership, total ministry, women’s leadership and faithful ethical decision-making.

Contents

Beginnings (chapters 1-5)
In the beginning, God…

Choices (chapters 6-10)
Choose life so that your descendants may live

Stillness (chapters 11-15)
Be still before the Lord and wait patiently

Life (chapters 16-20)
I have come that they may have life and have it abundantly

Trust (chapters 21-24)
In God I trust.  I will not be afraid

Peace (chapters 25-28)
The peace of God, which passes all understanding, will guard your heart and mind in Christ Jesus

Afterword

Epilogue

Methods for Reflection

Approaches to Prayer

Glossary of Terms

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f you’ve read the book, or want to send comments to the author, you can email her directly using the email address june at maffin dot ca

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“Well, I finally got a copy of your book. Read it all. Cover to cover.   Every word.    I’d like to say it brought tears to my eyes, but I can’t… it brought tears *from* my eyes.   I cried through every single chapter.   How did you know so many of the feelings I have been wrestling with, that have been “disturbing” me.   So unsure why God is doing this to *me*… Couldn’t he pick someone who was more holy, who was better… who at least had a clue what was going on??   You even described the dreams that I have had.  Your book has truly touched me, very deeply.  Thank you for writing it.
   — (via Internet email)

“Dr. Maffin uses experiences from her own life journey to discern the leading hand of God and to stimulate others to do the same.   I know that many will find this style engaging and accessible as they seek to deepen their awareness of the immediate presence of God.”
   — The Most Rev. Michael Peers
       Primate (Senior Bishop), Anglican Church of Canada

“I am a 30 year old mother of two.   I just read the first chapter on the book’s web site.   I am intrigued, and will get a copy as soon as I can.    Your writing is clear, unpretentious, and spirit filled.     The words leapt out at me, and I felt like crying.    I also felt like flying.     The mix of emotions in me was incredible, as your words spoke to my own heart and journey…. Thank you for writing a book about the way God can get under your skin.”   – (via Internet email)

“This powerful book will help many to recognize and reflect on the ways in which God is active in our daily lives — through the good and ordinary times as well as the painful and difficult ones.  Disturbed by God is a story not only of joy but of trauma.       It describes losing a marriage and a home, and dealing as a single parent.     I am sure it will encourage many not to give up hope but go on in faith, responding to the God who calls us.     The reflection starters at the end of each chapter help us to look for an become aware of the signs of God, and to take the next step on our journey.”
   — Sister Anita, C.S.C.

“What impresses me most about Disturbed by God are the reflection starters at the end of each chapter.   The book is not simply to be read and enjoyed; it can also be used as a study book.    For example, it would be useful for parish group.     In this way, people could be helped tremendously on their spiritual journey.    It is a good resource, and I commend it.”
   — The Most Rev. Stewart Payne

In the beginning, God…
GENESIS 1:1

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When did God begin to “disturb” my life? That’s not an easy question.
I’m still in the process of unravelling all the God-incidences — those times when God invited me to journey into new and uncharted terrirories, disturbing my familiar and safe spiritual haven.
Having been raised in a non-mainline church, I knew at an early age that God loved me. But who was God? When I asked those questions, I was given stock responses. “Accept what you’re told. Don’t question.”
Don’t question? If God created me — body, mind, and spirit — then why couldn’t I use my mind to learn more? Why couldn’t I ask questions? Not to use my mind was to say “No thanks” to God for the gift given. At the age of 15, I left the church which I felt denied me the encouragement to use God’s gift of reason.
Many years later, I married the choir director of a local Anglican church. Because I thought it was the expected thing to do, I went with him to church each Sunday. But people seemed more interested in meeting their friends than greeting a newcomer in their midst. So, each Sunday, I sat at the back of the church, alone, trying to follow the service.
A friend of mine (not a churchgoer) invited me to have a cup of tea with her on Sunday mornings. She lived just a few doors away from the church. After being visible in the church until the choir had sung its anthem, I slipped out to visit with my friend. But I always made sure that I was back in time for coffee hour, so that I could greet my husband, give him feedback about the music, and socialize with other parishioners.
This went on for months. How my friend and I regaled ourselves with laughter! We thought of the “pious ones” sitting on hard wooden benches while we sat comfortably on her couch, sipping tea and nibbling raisin bread.
One Sunday, I returned before people had left the church. As I couldn’t avoid the line-up to greet the priest, I stood in line, shook his hand, said something inane like, “Lovely service,” and attempted to move on.
Then came God’s first “disturbance” over my life.
The priest kept holding my hand and, with a gentle smile, said “Thank you. Oh, by the way, we’re having Bible Study classes this Thursday morning. You’re welcome to join us.”
Bible Study? Thanks, but no thanks! I didn’t want some person telling me what to believe. I’d left a church years ago for that reason. Why would I want to repeat the incident? But rather than explaining, I returned his smile and said, “Thank you, but no.”
Not taking No for an answer, he continued. “Well, if you’re available, come Thursday morning. Just show up and try us out. No string attached.” Whatever did he mean by “No strings attached”? Did he know I was leery of Bible study? This was curious.
For an ever-so-brief moment, I wondered if this had something to do with God.
Wednesday came and, oddly, I remembered that the next day was Bible Study. I argued with myself, “I’m not going to get involved in a group which passively sits and listens to some apparent expert cram his personal experiences into us.”
Thursday morning, promptly at 6:00 a.m., I woke up, completely rested. It seemed that all I could think of was Bible Study! What was happening? I couldn’t explain it. In quick order, my son was fed and taken to preschool, my household chores were completed, and I found myself at the church in time for Bible Study.
Eventually, I became a regular Bible Study participant. And this time, I discovered that it was all right to ask questions. It was all right to question the Bible and what I believed. It was all right to question to church’s stand on issues. Through questioning came more questions, but through those questions came clarity, insight, and resolution.
God’s disturbance was unsettling at first, but it was the beginning of a wonderfully exciting spiritual journey.

Welcome!
Although Disturbed by God is a record of God’s disturbances in my life, it can also be used to reflect on your own faith journey and become more aware of God’s “disturbances” in your life.
As you read through the book, perhaps you’ll experience some “ah-hah” moments — times when your spirit resonated with instances of God disturbing your life — and moments when you experience an invitation to a deeper relationship with the One who loves you unconditionally. I pray that this is so.
Enjoy exploring this web site and may your daily journey with the One who called you into being, continue to disturb your life in ways that are exciting, challenging, and fulfilling!
June Maffin