Here Wii go again!

I am approaching another milestone in my life in the next few days - another birthday is almost here! If you have read one of my past entries in this blog you will know that I have wanted a particular gift for several years but I don't expect to get it this year - again. I am coming to realize that may not be all bad. You see, I have been hearing and reading about the many varied forms of injuries that occur from my desired special gift. In fact, check out this article:

"A case of 'Nintendinitis'? Exploring Wii-related injuries"
"Experiencing tennis elbow from overindulging your love of the Nintendo Wii? You may want to put down the remote.

The New York Times has a fascinating story of the number of aches and pains some Wii owners associate with playing games too often. As the article describes it, more people are suffering "Nintendinitis," according to doctors they spoke with.

A sports medicine physician in Manhattan says he's dealt with two types of Wii-related ailments: repetitive stress from playing games such as Wii Sports too long, and more serious injuries caused by playing in tight spaces.

The physician also warns users about not completing full motions on certain activities such as tennis or bowling. Here's how the Times explains it:

A common problem is the realization by players that a full swing is not required; a flick of the wrist is often enough to return a serve or bowl a strike. As several doctors pointed out, that is the exact motion — concentrating the force of a swing in the muscles of the forearm — that can cause tennis elbow.

Injuries and other calamities related to aggressive Wii play have been documented regularly on the Web at sites such as Wii Have A Problem. In fact, problems maintaining a grip on the remote forced Nintendo to replace the wrist straps with a sturdier version."

Now, when I did a google search on the internet for "Wii injuries" I had over 380,000 sites show up! Amazing! There was everything from broken fingers to black eyes, pictures, videos and news articles such as this one from Consumer Affairs: http://www.consumeraffairs.com/news04/2007/06/wii_injuries.html
It all made me wonder how something that is supposed to help you can cause so much damage?

Church is a little like that also don't you think? We often have the same people doing so many things that we wear them out, maybe even to the point of giving them "servantitis". Oftentimes when someone just can't say no, the only thing left for them to do is to leave the church. We have extinguished the light in that individual and now are only seeking to turn over those responsibilities to someone else. But, if we are the body of Christ, the church, wouldn't we serve Him better if we all did what we were designed to do?


"The body is a unit, though it is made up of many parts; and though all its parts are many, they form one body. So it is with Christ. For we were all baptized by one Spirit into one body—whether Jews or Greeks, slave or free—and we were all given the one Spirit to drink.
Now the body is not made up of one part but of many. If the foot should say, "Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body," it would not for that reason cease to be part of the body. And if the ear should say, "Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body," it would not for that reason cease to be part of the body. If the whole body were an eye, where would the sense of hearing be? If the whole body were an ear, where would the sense of smell be? But in fact God has arranged the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be. If they were all one part, where would the body be? As it is, there are many parts, but one body." 1 Corinthians 12:12-20

Going back to God

“Every day people are straying away from the church and going back to God.” - Lenny Bruce

Today I had lunch with a friend and then enjoyed some time doing some shopping. As often happens, I ended up in one of those chain-based Christian book stores. As I wandered around the store I found some great bargains - boxes of cards on sale 90% off! Journals and devotionals - only $5! Gifts and knick-knacks for the house, church, or someone else - all on sale! Suddenly I found myself totally bored. And I wasn't sure why.

Maybe it's because I was looking to connect with God in the midst of "church" things. Maybe it's because I realized there was plenty of stuff that was diverting my attention away from God. Maybe it was because I just need to sit and be the person God created me to be. Or maybe, I realized that what I am looking for can not be found anywhere else but in the personal relationship with God and everything else does not measure up to that amazing gift.

Glory, glory to God!


"I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery; you shall have no other gods before me. You shall not make for yourself an idol, whether in the form of anything that is in heaven above, or that is on the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth. You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I the Lord your God am a jealous God, punishing children for the iniquity of parents, to the third and the fourth generation of those who reject me, but showing steadfast love to the thousandth generation of those who love me and keep my commandments." - Exodus 20:2-6

More than Enough

"After this Jesus went to the other side of the Sea of Galilee, also called the Sea of Tiberias.* A large crowd kept following him, because they saw the signs that he was doing for the sick. Jesus went up the mountain and sat down there with his disciples. Now the Passover, the festival of the Jews, was near. When he looked up and saw a large crowd coming towards him, Jesus said to Philip, ‘Where are we to buy bread for these people to eat?’ He said this to test him, for he himself knew what he was going to do. Philip answered him, ‘Six months’ wages* would not buy enough bread for each of them to get a little.’ One of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, said to him, ‘There is a boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish. But what are they among so many people?’ Jesus said, ‘Make the people sit down.’ Now there was a great deal of grass in the place; so they* sat down, about five thousand in all. Then Jesus took the loaves, and when he had given thanks, he distributed them to those who were seated; so also the fish, as much as they wanted. When they were satisfied, he told his disciples, ‘Gather up the fragments left over, so that nothing may be lost.’ So they gathered them up, and from the fragments of the five barley loaves, left by those who had eaten, they filled twelve baskets. When the people saw the sign that he had done, they began to say, ‘This is indeed the prophet who is to come into the world.’ " - John 6:1-14

After having been gone for several weeks I found myself so grateful to be at home and sleeping in my own bed, enjoying my creature comforts. But after a few days - 3 to be exact - I found myself irritated with all the "stuff" piled up throughout the house. At first I blamed this irritation on the dust bunnies that were no longer hiding under the furniture but living out in the open. Then I began to secretly blame various family members for not helping more in the straightening and cleaning department of the housekeeping. After awhile I began to blame myself for being lazy and unproductive with my life. Then I read the scripture above and listened to God's small still voice in my heart.

During this past few days I have realized how much my life is filled with blessings and how often I lose focus on those blessings. You see, sometimes I see the pile of books on the floor and can only see clutter. I forget about the blessing of eyesight, the blessing of the ability to read, the blessing of the financial wealth that allows me to purchase books for education and pleasure. The list goes on. Sometimes I look at the little knick-knacks on the shelves that need dusting and cleaning and I forget the blessings that they each contain. Like, when one of my children picked out that very special one for my birthday or that one that my husband gave me to tell me how much he loves me or the little collection that was passed on to me by my now deceased grandmother. And the list goes on...

As I have looked upon these many blessings and realized just how much I have been given I am filled with gratitude for God's unending abundance. And I realize that what I am really irritated that I am hoarding all of these blessings so it's time to share the blessings and the abundance of God's love by passing some things on. Isn't that what God asks each of us to do?

What a Day!

Did you know that today is a recognized holiday? It is "Cow Appreciation Day". Can you believe this? I found snippets online such as this:

"Yes, there really is a Cow Appreciation Day! There are even greeting cards for it and soon, if the planets align properly and musicians everywhere find their muse, there will be songs to fill the air. People everywhere holding hands and singing of their creamy goodness and buttery charms. But no hamburgers on this day -- no, no, no! Chicken and veggie burgers all around please! It's a celebration of cow eyes, warm noses, spots of black, white, brown, orange and gray -- and don't forget them udders! Calves everywhere swear by 'em, thank you!"

And then there was this:

"The humble Cow, a very unassuming animal, who instead of choosing an annoying sound to make, such as the "Cock-a-doodle-doo" of the common rooster or the "Get outta da way, you moron" of the Newyoahka, has chosen a soft, simple "Moo." In the far east, in ancient times, the Cow's moo was taken as the preferred mantra for meditating. Over the years, however, as people recited the mantra over and over, it ran together, so the younger students, instead of saying "Moo Moo Moo" were saying "oom oom oom.The simple Cow has even infiltrated our every-day language. How many times have you heard the phrase "What a cow!" or "Get a load of the heifer!" Two of the most popular sports in America are Cow Chip Tossing and Cow Tipping. The Cows *love* to participate in the sport of tipping. They know, of course, what is going on and enjoy every minute of it."

As I read these articles (and quite a few more!) I found myself chuckling at the lengths we go to find a reason to celebrate and rejoice. What a selfish people we can be! Wouldn't it be wonderful if we could find a way to just rest in the moment that God has created for us? This day? This week? This moment? I pray we can all find that place of peace.

In the meantime, I'm looking forward to "National Raspberry Cream Pie Day"!:)

"This is the day the LORD has made;
let us rejoice and be glad in it." - Psalm 118:24

Who I am in Christ

Some time ago I read an article giving credit to Garrison Keillor of Lake Wobegon fame for insights on what it means to be Methodist. Many of his observations are true for our church and many of his observations are true for our own personality's!

Here are a few for your enjoyment:
*Methodists believe in prayer, but would practically die if asked to
pray out loud.

*Methodists like to sing, except when confronted with a new hymn or a
hymn with more than four stanzas.

*Methodists believe their pastors will visit them in the hospital, even
if they don't notify them that they are there.

*Methodists usually follow the official liturgy and will feel it is
their way of suffering for their sins.

*Methodists believe in miracles and even expect miracles, especially
during their stewardship visitation programs or when passing the plate.

There are several more and I found myself laughing out loud when I first read them. I also found myself wondering how others see me in light of my claim that I am a Christian, a disciple of Jesus Christ.

*Do others see me embarrassed or ashamed to speak to my friend, to Jesus?

*Do they see me as closed-minded to a new way of exploring God's grace in the world?

*Do people look at me and see someone so absorbed in her own life experiences that I can not see another's pain or suffering?

*Is my service to God an witness of joy in resurrection or is it a chore that must be completed for a reward?

*Finally, can I see the miracles that surround me and am I willing to be the miracle someone else may need?

These are questions we can each ask ourselves without worrying whether we are Methodist or Baptist, Pentecostal or Presbyterian, or another denomination. These are questions to ask of ourselves as Christians, followers of Jesus Christ. Above all else, I pray that others may see Jesus when they look at me and that they may recognize the love that pours from His hands.

"‘This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends." - John 15:12-13

Small People, Great Rewards

It's been a little while since I posted, but found this story and wanted to share it with you. Be blessed and be a blessing!

Once upon a time, in a strange and lovely place where some people
go once they've been rid of everything flesh, an elderly woman
approached a young man hunched over a huge and rather grand book.

She noticed, first of all, that there was a timeless quality
about the man's beauty--for, though of the male persuasion, he
was, indeed, quite beautiful beyond anything she had seen before
or since. He also was ignoring her, and even when she approached
so close as to cast a shadow over his work (though in the
brilliance of where she was, shadows of any kind were not at all
allowed), the beautiful man remained intent on his work, his
long, artfully shaped nose just inches from the printed page.

"Hello?" She ventured timidly. "Hello. Uh, they sent me here."
Receiving no response, she tried again. "Is this the right
place?"

"That depends," the beautiful man said without bothering to look
up.

Gaining confidence, the woman explained, "They said, 'See the one
at the table--with the book. Malaki.' Are you Malaki?"

Without changing his stooped posture one little bit, the young
man glanced up at the woman and permitted a trace of a smile to
toy with the corners of his pursed lips. "In person," he declared
with every measure of importance at his disposal.

"I don't get it," the woman said, scratching her head through
what was left of her thinning hair. "Wasn't the last guy named
Malaki?" She screwed her face into the shape of a question mark
as she struggled to gain foothold in an understanding of this
strange and magical place.

"Oh, we're all named Malaki," Malaki said. "It's generic--like
pharaoh, or Kleenex."

His explanation brought her no closer to understanding, and deep
in the pit of her stomach the woman felt an old and dreaded
twinge of homesickness--that queasy sensation of being somewhere
she didn't belong, set adrift from a place she would rather be.
With a long and wearied sigh she said, "Look, I'm trying to find
somebody, and they told me you could help."

Malaki drew himself up to his full height--a height that towered
over the elderly woman. He inhaled deeply, as if filling his
lungs with every bit of importance his office bestowed on him. "I
am the Keeper of the Book of Life. In this book," he ran his
large hands lovingly over the cream-colored pages before him,
"are the names of every person who has given his heart and soul
to Jesus Christ." With that declaration, Malaki leaned forward,
his face close to the woman's, expecting her to be thoroughly and
breathtakingly impressed.

"Here's the thing," she began, dismissing his grandiloquence
with a shrug, "my husband died twenty years ago. He was a
disciple of Jesus, but not a very important one. Nobody ever knew
anything about him; he didn't make any of the written accounts.
So I don't know if he would even be in your book."

"Oh my," answered Malaki quickly, "in that case I can guarantee
he is in the book. But, ahem," he sniffed, "are you?"

"I did resist for a long time," she confessed. "But just before I
died, I believed in Jesus and gave Him my life."

"Just under the wire, huh?" Malaki smirked.

"Now I'm looking for my husband--for old time's sake--you know how
it is." She winked.

Malaki glanced back down at his work, embarrassed. "Well,
actually, I don't."

The woman leaned over the small, ornate desk. There was urgency
in her voice when she said, "Could you tell me where he is? His
name is James son of--"

Suddenly Malaki's countenance lit up, and for the first time a
broad grin spread across his face, making it even more beautiful
than before. "You don't mean the James? Son of Alphaeus? You're
kidding!"

"You mean you know him?"

"Know Him! Why, he's one of our leading citizens! Everybody
knows James son of Alphaeus."

The woman found this difficult to believe. Her husband had been a
good man, but thoroughly and irrefutably ordinary. There were
times on market day that she had struggled in vain to locate
James--only to be later informed that he had been right there in
front of her. Her good husband had been glaringly unremarkable.
Surely Malaki was thinking of someone else. "Wait a minute," she
said, "short guy, dark curly hair."

Nodding, Malaki said, "Sure. I even know which page he's on." He
quickly flipped backward through the book with his delicate
fingers, stopping on one of the first pages of the huge volume.
With an expansive gesture, Malaki pointed his long, slender index
finger to one entry near the top of the page.

The woman leaned over the table. "Five stars?" She gasped.

"Our highest rating," Malaki said, his face beaming with pride.

"But, he was just another guy. Very ordinary."

"Precisely!"

She was now utterly confused. "If that's the case, how do the
real biggies live up here? Guys like Moses, Peter, John."

Malaki shrugged. "Just about like everyone else."

"I can't figure this."

"Well, it's not really part of my job description," he sniffed,
"but I'll try to explain as best I can. There are no favorites in
heaven, you see. God loves all who take their residence here.
However, the Father does have a rewards system."

"Rewards?"

"No one can buy their way into heaven. But God's children are
apportioned talents and what they accomplish with those talents
in His name is remembered by the Father. He rewards the diligent
works of everyone belonging to Him."

"Then, as I said," the woman sputtered, "the apostle Peter must
have the finest accommodations."

"No, not necessarily." Malaki leaned back into the simple yet
elegant chair that sat behind his table. "Peter received so many
rewards while on earth: he was a respected leader; a writer,
whose teachings will live on till the very end of time. But the
Father has a soft spot in His heart for the servant who receives
no glory during his earthly life. He has a very special love for
those who keep plugging away even when no one notices their
labors." He looked at the elderly woman standing at the other
side of the table. "Tell me, what did James do while he was 'down
there'?"

"Oh," she sighed, "he was kind of forgotten. He always ended up
doing the jobs no one else would. Taking out the trash. Sweeping
the church floor. Visiting with the beggars."

"And he didn't receive much thanks for his work, did he?"

"Of course not!" The woman said with some anger as she recalled
the disappointing anonymity in which her husband served. "No one
paid him any mind. Nobody even knew anything about it."

"But he kept on, didn't he," Malaki said patiently. "He kept on
with it, never shirking from even the most menial task."

The woman shrugged, "Someone had to do it."

"So James didn't receive much glory while he was on earth?"

"Glory?" She sputtered. "They forgot he was even around!"

Malaki rose and leaned toward the distraught woman. With all of
his persuasive power he reassured her. "God didn't. He didn't
forget. And now James has been paid in full. He now has all the
glory that others received while they were on earth. The
difference is, their glory came from men. James' glory is from
the Father--in person."

Calming, the woman now realized that she was in a place
remarkably dissimilar to earth--a place where a different set of
rules and consequences were in place. Smiling, she said, "It
sounds as if my husband has finally made a name for himself."

"Oh, he made his name on earth. Now he is reaping the reward."

"But please," she said insistently, "tell me: Where is James?"

"Well now, it would be my pleasure to take you there myself," he
said, closing the book. "His palace isn't far. Besides, I'd like
to be there when he receives his finest reward."

"What's that?"

"Why, you, of course!" Malaki grinned and took her by the arm.
"Twenty years ago he didn't know if he'd ever see you again. And
now he will--for eternity."

And the two--one ancient and one newly young again--moved deeper
into the brilliance of a place where there is no time, no sorrow
or pain. A place where there is only a joyful convocation of
those gathered around the throne--a throne surrounded by the
blinding glitter of earth-earned crowns happily offered in praise
to the One who never forgets the work of His beloved.

"What good will it be for a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul? Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul? For the Son of Man is going to come in his Father's glory with his angels, and then he will reward each person according to what he has done." - Matthew 16:26-27