Christmas is like God, timeless and eternal.
Christmas is not just a season of a day in the year, but a condition of the heart.
Christmas is the message that there is hope for all humanity.
Christmas is love in action ~ giving, sharing, opening ourselves to others ~ loving ourselves and loving others.
Christmas is the celebration of a baby, born in a manger. A baby who lived and grew and loved and taught and gave of himself unselfishly for others and died and lives again. A baby who changed the world that was and changed the world that is and changed the world that will be.
Christmas is so much more than a moment or an hour or a day. It is life and living and death and dying and the event that brought heaven and earth into harmony in a manner that will not be seen again until God only knows. So, let’s celebrate, rejoice, praise God and share the message of a baby born in Bethlehem so many years ago!
Tuesday, December 21, 2010
Something to Think About - 7
"Veiled in Flesh" - Devotionals from the Peachtree Road Staff; Advent 2010
As fall unfolds, it’s not hard to look around and find the presence of God in many places. To see the vibrant colors emerging on trees and the coolness in the air offers credence that there is a larger presence in our world.
While there are visible signs everywhere, there are also every day blessings we receive from others – you just have to realize them. My family went through some health challenges and continues to, yet I constantly see God in my home. My husband has chronic hip and leg pain and it is difficult for him to walk, sit or stand. He can no longer enjoy the activities he use to such as playing tennis or golf, exercising or doing outdoor activities with our daughter. While this might be discouraging for some, he continues to amaze me with his effervescent attitude. Despite his constant severe discomfort, he wakes up happy, smiling and has an incredible outlook
every day – a true blessing by the grace of God.
As a result of witnessing her father’s pain, my daughter has become more sympathetic, empathetic, caring and thoughtful which will hopefully be a part of her soul for the rest of her life. I truly believe that out of an any adverse situation comes many blessings. Through God’s presence, I am lucky enough to be the recipient of many of these and live my life with two of them.
Robin King
"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, just as he chose us in Christ before the foundation of the world to be holy and blameless before him in love. He destined us for adoption as his children through Jesus Christ, according to the good pleasure of his will, to the praise of his glorious grace that he freely bestowed on us in the Beloved. In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace that he lavished on us. With all wisdom and insight he has made known to us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure that he set forth in Christ, as a plan for the fullness of time, to gather up all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth. In Christ we have also obtained an inheritance, having been destined according to the purpose of him who accomplishes all things according to his counsel and will, so that we, who were the first to set our hope on Christ, might live for the praise of his glory. In him you also, when you had heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and had believed in him, were marked with the seal of the promised Holy Spirit; this is the pledge of our inheritance towards redemption as God’s own people, to the praise of his glory." ~ Ephesians 1:3-14
As fall unfolds, it’s not hard to look around and find the presence of God in many places. To see the vibrant colors emerging on trees and the coolness in the air offers credence that there is a larger presence in our world.
While there are visible signs everywhere, there are also every day blessings we receive from others – you just have to realize them. My family went through some health challenges and continues to, yet I constantly see God in my home. My husband has chronic hip and leg pain and it is difficult for him to walk, sit or stand. He can no longer enjoy the activities he use to such as playing tennis or golf, exercising or doing outdoor activities with our daughter. While this might be discouraging for some, he continues to amaze me with his effervescent attitude. Despite his constant severe discomfort, he wakes up happy, smiling and has an incredible outlook
every day – a true blessing by the grace of God.
As a result of witnessing her father’s pain, my daughter has become more sympathetic, empathetic, caring and thoughtful which will hopefully be a part of her soul for the rest of her life. I truly believe that out of an any adverse situation comes many blessings. Through God’s presence, I am lucky enough to be the recipient of many of these and live my life with two of them.
Robin King
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
Something to Think About - 6
"Bigger Than a Stable" - Crosswalk the Devotional - Dec. 8, 2010
By Katherine Britton, Crosswalk.com News & Culture Editor
"In that day you will say: ‘Give thanks to the Lord, call on his name; make known among the nations what he has done, and proclaim that his name is exalted. Sing to the Lord, for he has done glorious things; let this be known to all the world.'" - Isaiah 12:4-5
My felt Advent tree gains one velcro ornament each day until Christmas. I love this calendar, because each unique ornament tells a little bit more about the story of redemption from Genesis onward. A grey felt heart stands for the Fall into sin. A beaded crown reminds of the Prince of Peace and Wonderful Counselor foretold in Isaiah. A fuzzy lamb represents John the Baptist's announcement of Christ's purpose.
The calendar is paired with devotional readings for children, which have surprised me in their simplicity and breadth. Like the ornaments, these readings tell a continuing story, in which Christ's life is not the beginning or the end, but the event that makes sense out of both. With this bigger context, an otherwise chaotic history becomes simple enough that a child can understand.
How often do we take time to contemplate the magnitude of this story, which began in the Garden of Eden and won't finish until Christ's second coming?
I think my Christmas cheer is too often confined to the stable. To use a loose analogy, I'm a bit like the dwarves in C. S. Lewis's "The Last Battle," who convince themselves that their dingy stable-prison could not possibly hold the miracle of a whole new Narnia. And so, the dwarves get left behind in their imaginary confinement with nothing to celebrate when everyone else begins to explore the beautiful new world. Like the dwarves, I can put my little Christmas story in a little room, and forget to see the whole miracle of redemption.
Sunday's sermon about Herod's massacre in Bethlehem reminded me why the grander picture is so vital. You'll remember the story - only a short while after the angels announced "peace on earth," Herod's blazing temper led to the mass murder of baby boys in Bethlehem. The arbitrary deaths of these little ones seems so disconnected from what we celebrate, so outside the realm of God's grace. That event - like so many other injustices - seems to overwhelm the baby sleeping peacefully.
We can compartmentalize Christmas so it remains untainted by such events, can't we? But that's just it - as the grey heart on my felt Advent tree me, Christmas has to begin with an understanding of sin. We have to see the world's desperate need for grace before we understand why a baby requires such a hullaballoo, and we have to look back at God's plan to see how a baby can redeem even those situations. Therein lies the astonishing glory of what happened at Christmas, and the beauty of what we proclaim to the world.
As the days go by and my calendar grows fuller with symbolic ornaments, I get more and more excited about Christmas Day. Into this world with so much baggage came a child who remained in it and not of it, who knew what we are and loved us anyway. By God's grace, my understanding of Christmas keeps getting bigger - and with it, my reasons to "let [it] be known to the all the world" what he has done, is doing, and will continue to do!
Intersection of Faith and Life: Christ's incarnate birth makes little sense if we forget why he had to come and what he came to do. As you focus on the manger scene with your family, encourage each other with the bigger story of Genesis to the end of time, knowing that this little baby redeemed every moment in time. May your Christmas be big as your consider the grandeur of redemptive history on both sides of the manger!
http://www.crosswalk.com/devotionals/crosswalk%20devo/11641720/
By Katherine Britton, Crosswalk.com News & Culture Editor
"In that day you will say: ‘Give thanks to the Lord, call on his name; make known among the nations what he has done, and proclaim that his name is exalted. Sing to the Lord, for he has done glorious things; let this be known to all the world.'" - Isaiah 12:4-5
My felt Advent tree gains one velcro ornament each day until Christmas. I love this calendar, because each unique ornament tells a little bit more about the story of redemption from Genesis onward. A grey felt heart stands for the Fall into sin. A beaded crown reminds of the Prince of Peace and Wonderful Counselor foretold in Isaiah. A fuzzy lamb represents John the Baptist's announcement of Christ's purpose.
The calendar is paired with devotional readings for children, which have surprised me in their simplicity and breadth. Like the ornaments, these readings tell a continuing story, in which Christ's life is not the beginning or the end, but the event that makes sense out of both. With this bigger context, an otherwise chaotic history becomes simple enough that a child can understand.
How often do we take time to contemplate the magnitude of this story, which began in the Garden of Eden and won't finish until Christ's second coming?
I think my Christmas cheer is too often confined to the stable. To use a loose analogy, I'm a bit like the dwarves in C. S. Lewis's "The Last Battle," who convince themselves that their dingy stable-prison could not possibly hold the miracle of a whole new Narnia. And so, the dwarves get left behind in their imaginary confinement with nothing to celebrate when everyone else begins to explore the beautiful new world. Like the dwarves, I can put my little Christmas story in a little room, and forget to see the whole miracle of redemption.
Sunday's sermon about Herod's massacre in Bethlehem reminded me why the grander picture is so vital. You'll remember the story - only a short while after the angels announced "peace on earth," Herod's blazing temper led to the mass murder of baby boys in Bethlehem. The arbitrary deaths of these little ones seems so disconnected from what we celebrate, so outside the realm of God's grace. That event - like so many other injustices - seems to overwhelm the baby sleeping peacefully.
We can compartmentalize Christmas so it remains untainted by such events, can't we? But that's just it - as the grey heart on my felt Advent tree me, Christmas has to begin with an understanding of sin. We have to see the world's desperate need for grace before we understand why a baby requires such a hullaballoo, and we have to look back at God's plan to see how a baby can redeem even those situations. Therein lies the astonishing glory of what happened at Christmas, and the beauty of what we proclaim to the world.
As the days go by and my calendar grows fuller with symbolic ornaments, I get more and more excited about Christmas Day. Into this world with so much baggage came a child who remained in it and not of it, who knew what we are and loved us anyway. By God's grace, my understanding of Christmas keeps getting bigger - and with it, my reasons to "let [it] be known to the all the world" what he has done, is doing, and will continue to do!
Intersection of Faith and Life: Christ's incarnate birth makes little sense if we forget why he had to come and what he came to do. As you focus on the manger scene with your family, encourage each other with the bigger story of Genesis to the end of time, knowing that this little baby redeemed every moment in time. May your Christmas be big as your consider the grandeur of redemptive history on both sides of the manger!
http://www.crosswalk.com/devotionals/crosswalk%20devo/11641720/
Saturday, December 11, 2010
Something to Think About - 6
Saturday, December 11th, 2010
CELEBRATE A SPIRIT-FILLED HOLIDAY.
Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon who was righteous and devout. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel and the Holy Spirit was upon him. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord’s Christ. Moved by the Spirit, he went into the temple courts. When the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what the custom of the Law required, Simeon took him in his arms and praised God (Luke 2:25–28).
It is hard to hold a baby and not wonder at the enormity of potential in such a small body. Simeon didn’t have to wonder about the baby he held—God had already spoken to him of this baby’s future through the Holy Spirit. Simeon held the “consolation of Israel” and knew the Holy Spirit was upon the baby Jesus.
It is common at this time of year to see Jesus only as the baby in the manger, reserving other thoughts of him for the rest of the year. When Simeon saw the baby, he saw the Savior he had been promised. How did he know? The Holy Spirit told him. Looking back at the passage, Jesus is not the central figure, nor is Simeon. The reason Simeon understood the significance of that moment in the temple was because the Holy Spirit led him to that place and gave him that understanding.
Simeon was righteous and devout. He was righteous because he was “right with God.” His relationship with God was not clouded with on-going sins; his habits and behaviors were in line with God’s will. Simeon was “devout,” which means he had set aside his life for service to God. Victor Raymond Edman, the fourth president of Wheaton College said, “The Spirit-filled life is no mystery revealed to a select few, no goal difficult of attainment. To trust and obey is the substance of the whole matter.” Simeon was Spirit-filled because he was righteous and devout.
Every day, God provides opportunities for his children to be his physical Presence in this world. That is why God gave Christians his Holy Spirit. Look back at Edman’s quote. You can choose to be Spirit-filled, but you must choose to trust and obey. Will you make that choice today? “You will be my witnesses” (Acts 1:8). This verse does not use “witness” as a verb. In Acts 1:8 God was describing what a Spirit-filled person becomes. May we be what we were gifted by the Holy Spirit to be. And may we, like Simeon, be “righteous and devout.”
By Janet Denison
The Center for Informed Faith
http://www.godissues.org/pdf/Advent_Devotional_2010.pdf
CELEBRATE A SPIRIT-FILLED HOLIDAY.
Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon who was righteous and devout. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel and the Holy Spirit was upon him. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord’s Christ. Moved by the Spirit, he went into the temple courts. When the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what the custom of the Law required, Simeon took him in his arms and praised God (Luke 2:25–28).
It is hard to hold a baby and not wonder at the enormity of potential in such a small body. Simeon didn’t have to wonder about the baby he held—God had already spoken to him of this baby’s future through the Holy Spirit. Simeon held the “consolation of Israel” and knew the Holy Spirit was upon the baby Jesus.
It is common at this time of year to see Jesus only as the baby in the manger, reserving other thoughts of him for the rest of the year. When Simeon saw the baby, he saw the Savior he had been promised. How did he know? The Holy Spirit told him. Looking back at the passage, Jesus is not the central figure, nor is Simeon. The reason Simeon understood the significance of that moment in the temple was because the Holy Spirit led him to that place and gave him that understanding.
Simeon was righteous and devout. He was righteous because he was “right with God.” His relationship with God was not clouded with on-going sins; his habits and behaviors were in line with God’s will. Simeon was “devout,” which means he had set aside his life for service to God. Victor Raymond Edman, the fourth president of Wheaton College said, “The Spirit-filled life is no mystery revealed to a select few, no goal difficult of attainment. To trust and obey is the substance of the whole matter.” Simeon was Spirit-filled because he was righteous and devout.
Every day, God provides opportunities for his children to be his physical Presence in this world. That is why God gave Christians his Holy Spirit. Look back at Edman’s quote. You can choose to be Spirit-filled, but you must choose to trust and obey. Will you make that choice today? “You will be my witnesses” (Acts 1:8). This verse does not use “witness” as a verb. In Acts 1:8 God was describing what a Spirit-filled person becomes. May we be what we were gifted by the Holy Spirit to be. And may we, like Simeon, be “righteous and devout.”
By Janet Denison
The Center for Informed Faith
http://www.godissues.org/pdf/Advent_Devotional_2010.pdf
Friday, December 10, 2010
Something to Think About - 5
Thus says the Lord, you redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: I, the Lord, your God, teach you what is for your good, and lead you on the way you should go. If you would hearken to my commandments, your prosperity would be like a river, and your vindication like the waves of the sea; your descendants would be like the sand, and those born of your stock like its grains, their name never cut off or blotted out from my presence. (Isaiah 48:17-19)
Reflection
The use of water as a metaphor of God, or for any good thing, is common in Hebrew Scriptures. Who should know more about the preciousness of water than a desert people like the Israelites?
Isaiah says our prosperity will be like a river. Have we let God’s love flow over us like a river, or are we stingy when we imagine it? Do we imagine God’s love as a trickle or a torrent?
Advent Action
Send a get-well card to someone in the hospital.
Ask St. Lucy to help us not to be blinded our personal goals, but to always seek what the Lord wants us to do.
Prayer
Lord, wash me and I shall be clean, bathe me in Your loving mercy and I shall be truly forgiven.
http://www.ewtn.com/devotionals/advent/index.htm
Reflection
The use of water as a metaphor of God, or for any good thing, is common in Hebrew Scriptures. Who should know more about the preciousness of water than a desert people like the Israelites?
Isaiah says our prosperity will be like a river. Have we let God’s love flow over us like a river, or are we stingy when we imagine it? Do we imagine God’s love as a trickle or a torrent?
Advent Action
Send a get-well card to someone in the hospital.
Ask St. Lucy to help us not to be blinded our personal goals, but to always seek what the Lord wants us to do.
Prayer
Lord, wash me and I shall be clean, bathe me in Your loving mercy and I shall be truly forgiven.
http://www.ewtn.com/devotionals/advent/index.htm
Thursday, December 9, 2010
A Letter To Santa From Mom
Dear Santa,
I've been a good mom all year. I've fed, cleaned and cuddled my two children on demand, visited the doctor's office more than my doctor, sold sixty-two cases of candy bars to raise money to plant a shade tree on the school playground and figured out how to attach nine patches onto my daughter's girl scout sash with staples and a glue gun.
I was hoping you could spread my list out over several Christmases, since I had to write this letter with my son's red crayon, on the back of a receipt in the laundry room between cycles, and who knows when I'll find anymore free time in the next 18 years.
Here are my Christmas wishes:
I'd like a pair of legs that don't ache after a day of chasing kids (in any color, except purple, which I already have) and arms that don't flap in the breeze but are strong enough to carry a screaming toddler out of the candy aisle in the grocery store. I'd also like a waist, since I lost mine somewhere in the seventh month of my last pregnancy. If you're hauling big ticket items this year I'd like a car with fingerprint resistant windows and a radio that only plays adult music; a television that doesn't broadcast any programs containing talking animals; and a refrigerator with a secret compartment behind the crisper where I can hide to talk on the phone.
On the practical side, I could use a talking daughter doll that says, "Yes, Mommy" to boost my parental confidence, along with one potty-trained toddler, two kids who don't fight and three pairs of jeans that will zip all the way up without the use of power tools. I could also use a recording of Tibetan monks chanting, ....
more at: http://barefootpreachr.wordpress.com
I've been a good mom all year. I've fed, cleaned and cuddled my two children on demand, visited the doctor's office more than my doctor, sold sixty-two cases of candy bars to raise money to plant a shade tree on the school playground and figured out how to attach nine patches onto my daughter's girl scout sash with staples and a glue gun.
I was hoping you could spread my list out over several Christmases, since I had to write this letter with my son's red crayon, on the back of a receipt in the laundry room between cycles, and who knows when I'll find anymore free time in the next 18 years.
Here are my Christmas wishes:
I'd like a pair of legs that don't ache after a day of chasing kids (in any color, except purple, which I already have) and arms that don't flap in the breeze but are strong enough to carry a screaming toddler out of the candy aisle in the grocery store. I'd also like a waist, since I lost mine somewhere in the seventh month of my last pregnancy. If you're hauling big ticket items this year I'd like a car with fingerprint resistant windows and a radio that only plays adult music; a television that doesn't broadcast any programs containing talking animals; and a refrigerator with a secret compartment behind the crisper where I can hide to talk on the phone.
On the practical side, I could use a talking daughter doll that says, "Yes, Mommy" to boost my parental confidence, along with one potty-trained toddler, two kids who don't fight and three pairs of jeans that will zip all the way up without the use of power tools. I could also use a recording of Tibetan monks chanting, ....
more at: http://barefootpreachr.wordpress.com
Monday, December 6, 2010
Something to Think About - 4
Number 4 in the series entitled "Something to Think About". Hope you are inspired to pause, think, and then take action!
Heart, Soul, and Mind
Love is a simple concept, yet changing it from a noun to a verb has its challenges. Jesus calls us to love the Lord...not just with our hearts, but with our minds and our souls—with everything we have. When we are able to love God like that, we better understand how to love others. God’s love flows freely to us, we reflect it back to God and let it flow through us to others. We can pick through our life’s baggage and come up with many excuses not to love. But of all the laws and instruction God has given us in the Bible, loving God and neighbor is at the top of the list. What can you do today to show love to God…and to someone you talk with today?
Praying the Scriptures: “You must love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: You must love your neighbor as you love yourself.” (Matthew 22:37-39, CEB)
Heart, Soul, and Mind
Love is a simple concept, yet changing it from a noun to a verb has its challenges. Jesus calls us to love the Lord...not just with our hearts, but with our minds and our souls—with everything we have. When we are able to love God like that, we better understand how to love others. God’s love flows freely to us, we reflect it back to God and let it flow through us to others. We can pick through our life’s baggage and come up with many excuses not to love. But of all the laws and instruction God has given us in the Bible, loving God and neighbor is at the top of the list. What can you do today to show love to God…and to someone you talk with today?
Praying the Scriptures: “You must love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: You must love your neighbor as you love yourself.” (Matthew 22:37-39, CEB)
Saturday, December 4, 2010
Something to Think About - 3
Number 3 in the series entitled "Something to Think About". Hope you are inspired to pause, think, and then take action!
God's Children
The Bible is filled with the phrase "God's children." This is fitting in at least two ways. We need God’s guidance on our life journey, as we try not to get hung up on the things of the world. Instead, we seek to reflect the heart of God in all we do and, as a child to a parent, we seek God’s favor and blessing. Children take joy in things we have long taken for granted—a cool glass of lemonade, running through the sprinkler, a beautiful sunset. As we pass through these summer days, take notice of the children. Will you decide to drink in life a little more deeply like them? What joy can you celebrate today as God’s child?
Praying the scriptures: "Some people brought children to Jesus so that he would place his hands on them and pray. But the disciples scolded them. "Allow the children to come to me," Jesus said. "Don't forbid them, because the kingdom of heaven belongs to people like these children." Then he blessed the children. (Matthew 19:14-15, CEB)
God's Children
The Bible is filled with the phrase "God's children." This is fitting in at least two ways. We need God’s guidance on our life journey, as we try not to get hung up on the things of the world. Instead, we seek to reflect the heart of God in all we do and, as a child to a parent, we seek God’s favor and blessing. Children take joy in things we have long taken for granted—a cool glass of lemonade, running through the sprinkler, a beautiful sunset. As we pass through these summer days, take notice of the children. Will you decide to drink in life a little more deeply like them? What joy can you celebrate today as God’s child?
Praying the scriptures: "Some people brought children to Jesus so that he would place his hands on them and pray. But the disciples scolded them. "Allow the children to come to me," Jesus said. "Don't forbid them, because the kingdom of heaven belongs to people like these children." Then he blessed the children. (Matthew 19:14-15, CEB)
Thursday, December 2, 2010
Something to Think About - 2
Number 2 in the series entitled "Something to Think About". Hope you are inspired to pause, think, and then take action!
What is faith?
What is faith? How would you explain it to someone? For such a central and essential part of the Christian life, faith is remarkably difficult to define. Hebrews 11:1-2 says, “Faith is the reality of what we hope for, the proof of what we don’t see. The elders in the past were approved because they showed faith.” That’s the definition, right? Sort of. The real definition of faith in Hebrews continues in 11:3-39, the acts of faith by God’s people. And that in turn is a summary of the Bible. A better question then might be “where do you see and show faith?”
Praying the Scriptures: By faith we understand that the universe has been created by a word from God so that the visible came into existence from the invisible.... By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to a place that he was going to receive as an inheritance. He went out without knowing where he was going. By faith he lived in the land he had been promised as a stranger. He lived in tents along with Isaac and Jacob, who were coheirs of the same promise. He was looking forward to a city that has foundations, whose architect and builder is God. By faith even Sarah received the ability to have a child, though she herself was barren and past the age for having children, because she believed that the one who promised was faithful. So descendants were born from one man (and he was as good as dead). They were as many as the number of the stars in the sky and as countless as the grains of sand on the seashore. All of these people died in faith without receiving the promises, but they saw the promises from a distance and welcomed them. They confessed that they were strangers and immigrants on earth. People who say this kind of thing make it clear that they are looking for a homeland. If they had been thinking about the country that they had left, they would have had the opportunity to return to it. But at this point in time, they are longing for a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore, God isn’t ashamed to be called their God—he has prepared a city for them. (Hebrews 11:3, 8-16, CEB)
What is faith?
What is faith? How would you explain it to someone? For such a central and essential part of the Christian life, faith is remarkably difficult to define. Hebrews 11:1-2 says, “Faith is the reality of what we hope for, the proof of what we don’t see. The elders in the past were approved because they showed faith.” That’s the definition, right? Sort of. The real definition of faith in Hebrews continues in 11:3-39, the acts of faith by God’s people. And that in turn is a summary of the Bible. A better question then might be “where do you see and show faith?”
Praying the Scriptures: By faith we understand that the universe has been created by a word from God so that the visible came into existence from the invisible.... By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to a place that he was going to receive as an inheritance. He went out without knowing where he was going. By faith he lived in the land he had been promised as a stranger. He lived in tents along with Isaac and Jacob, who were coheirs of the same promise. He was looking forward to a city that has foundations, whose architect and builder is God. By faith even Sarah received the ability to have a child, though she herself was barren and past the age for having children, because she believed that the one who promised was faithful. So descendants were born from one man (and he was as good as dead). They were as many as the number of the stars in the sky and as countless as the grains of sand on the seashore. All of these people died in faith without receiving the promises, but they saw the promises from a distance and welcomed them. They confessed that they were strangers and immigrants on earth. People who say this kind of thing make it clear that they are looking for a homeland. If they had been thinking about the country that they had left, they would have had the opportunity to return to it. But at this point in time, they are longing for a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore, God isn’t ashamed to be called their God—he has prepared a city for them. (Hebrews 11:3, 8-16, CEB)
Something to Think About - 1
I found several meditations that have made me pause and think. I want to share these with you. The series is entitled "Something to Think About". Hope you are inspired to pause, think, and then take action!
With a Grateful Heart
Read: Deuteronomy 26:1–11
Have you already made your Black Friday shopping list and checked it twice? Besides taking advantage of great deals, the hustle and bustle of getting up before dawn to pursue the best price on the latest gadget just appeals to the competitive spirit in each of us.
There is certainly nothing wrong with a good deal or giving gifts. But nestled on the eve of the most popular shopping event of the year—seemingly forgotten—is the American Thanksgiving holiday.
Thanksgiving. It’s a day set aside to reflect, rejoice, and celebrate the gifts we have already been given. Gifts like family or friends; gifts that are both material and immaterial; gifts that no matter their actual cost are valued deeply by you.
Last year—in a down economy—Americans spent over $41 billion the weekend following Thanksgiving according to the National Retail Federation. For a little perspective, some advocacy groups estimate the worldwide clean water crisis could be eliminated for $10 billion.
This year, perhaps we should all make another list—a Thanksgiving list—and check it as many times as necessary, share it with family, e-mail it to friends, post it on-line, and truly celebrate the many reasons we have to give thanks.
Praying the Scriptures:
Know that the LORD is God—
he made us; we belong to him.
we are his people,
the sheep of his own pasture.
Enter his gates with thanks;
enter his courtyards with praise!
Thank him! Bless his name!
Because the LORD is good,
his loyal love lasts forever;
his faithfulness lasts
generation after generation.
(Psalm 100:3–5 CEB)
2009 spending: http://www.nrf.com/modules.php?name=news&op=viewlive&sp_id=841
Solving water crisis: http://www.adventconspiracy.org/water/
With a Grateful Heart
Read: Deuteronomy 26:1–11
Have you already made your Black Friday shopping list and checked it twice? Besides taking advantage of great deals, the hustle and bustle of getting up before dawn to pursue the best price on the latest gadget just appeals to the competitive spirit in each of us.
There is certainly nothing wrong with a good deal or giving gifts. But nestled on the eve of the most popular shopping event of the year—seemingly forgotten—is the American Thanksgiving holiday.
Thanksgiving. It’s a day set aside to reflect, rejoice, and celebrate the gifts we have already been given. Gifts like family or friends; gifts that are both material and immaterial; gifts that no matter their actual cost are valued deeply by you.
Last year—in a down economy—Americans spent over $41 billion the weekend following Thanksgiving according to the National Retail Federation. For a little perspective, some advocacy groups estimate the worldwide clean water crisis could be eliminated for $10 billion.
This year, perhaps we should all make another list—a Thanksgiving list—and check it as many times as necessary, share it with family, e-mail it to friends, post it on-line, and truly celebrate the many reasons we have to give thanks.
Praying the Scriptures:
Know that the LORD is God—
he made us; we belong to him.
we are his people,
the sheep of his own pasture.
Enter his gates with thanks;
enter his courtyards with praise!
Thank him! Bless his name!
Because the LORD is good,
his loyal love lasts forever;
his faithfulness lasts
generation after generation.
(Psalm 100:3–5 CEB)
2009 spending: http://www.nrf.com/modules.php?name=news&op=viewlive&sp_id=841
Solving water crisis: http://www.adventconspiracy.org/water/
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
A Friendly Conversation
Common English Bible Meditations
Praying the scriptures:
“Dear friends, let us love each other, because love is from God, and everyone who loves is born from God and knows God. The person who doesn’t love does not know God, because God is love.” (1 John 4:7-8, CEB)
Taking Time
When was the last time you had a meaningful conversation with a friend? This person is someone you trust, someone you confide in, and vice versa. Often these types of conversations wait until some crisis in life hits or, on the flipside, when great news just has to be shared. Consider contacting a friend you haven't seen in awhile and schedule lunch or some fun outing together. This gift of loving each other helps us better understand the gift of God's love for us.
Praying the scriptures:
“Dear friends, let us love each other, because love is from God, and everyone who loves is born from God and knows God. The person who doesn’t love does not know God, because God is love.” (1 John 4:7-8, CEB)
Taking Time
When was the last time you had a meaningful conversation with a friend? This person is someone you trust, someone you confide in, and vice versa. Often these types of conversations wait until some crisis in life hits or, on the flipside, when great news just has to be shared. Consider contacting a friend you haven't seen in awhile and schedule lunch or some fun outing together. This gift of loving each other helps us better understand the gift of God's love for us.
Ask, Seek, Knock
Common English Bible Meditations
Ask, Seek, Knock
When Jesus gave his "Sermon on the Mount," huge crowds came to listen. They stayed for hours and hours, taking in this once-in-a-lifetime moment. The parables of Jesus are simply profound. Whether a child or a scholar, every person who heard Jesus that day understood what he was saying. There was something for everyone. Amazing truths came from Jesus as effortlessly as a normal conversation. His words remain today. They still hold true. If you ask, search, and knock, what will God reveal to you today?
Praying the scriptures:
Ask, and you’ll receive. Search, and you’ll find. Knock, and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives. And everyone who searches finds. And to everyone who knocks, the door is opened. —Matthew 6:7-8 (CEB)
Ask, Seek, Knock
When Jesus gave his "Sermon on the Mount," huge crowds came to listen. They stayed for hours and hours, taking in this once-in-a-lifetime moment. The parables of Jesus are simply profound. Whether a child or a scholar, every person who heard Jesus that day understood what he was saying. There was something for everyone. Amazing truths came from Jesus as effortlessly as a normal conversation. His words remain today. They still hold true. If you ask, search, and knock, what will God reveal to you today?
Praying the scriptures:
Ask, and you’ll receive. Search, and you’ll find. Knock, and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives. And everyone who searches finds. And to everyone who knocks, the door is opened. —Matthew 6:7-8 (CEB)
Sunday, November 28, 2010
Name that Christmas Carol!
1. Listen, the celestial messengers produce harmonious sounds
2. Nocturnal time span of unbroken quietness
3. Exalted heavenly beings to whom harkened
4. An emotion excited by the acquisition or expectation of good news
given to the terrestrial sphere
5. Embellish the interior passageways
6. Twelve o’clock on a clement night witnessed its arrival
7. Small municipality in Judea southeast of Jerusalem
8. The Christmas preceding all others
9. Tranquility upon the terrestrial sphere
10. Move hitherward the entire assembly of those who are loyal in
their belief
How did you do? Did you guess them all? Check barefootpreachr.wordpress.com for the answers!
2. Nocturnal time span of unbroken quietness
3. Exalted heavenly beings to whom harkened
4. An emotion excited by the acquisition or expectation of good news
given to the terrestrial sphere
5. Embellish the interior passageways
6. Twelve o’clock on a clement night witnessed its arrival
7. Small municipality in Judea southeast of Jerusalem
8. The Christmas preceding all others
9. Tranquility upon the terrestrial sphere
10. Move hitherward the entire assembly of those who are loyal in
their belief
How did you do? Did you guess them all? Check barefootpreachr.wordpress.com for the answers!
Thursday, November 25, 2010
Thanksgiving Traditions
Check out this post with our family recipe for Sweet Potato Casserole!
barefootpreachr.wordpress.com/
barefootpreachr.wordpress.com/
Christmas Card Challenge
Do you enjoy getting Christmas cards? I sure do! Every year I mail out close to 120 cards. These do not go out to the same people every year because some folks have been in our lives for a moment, others for a lifetime.
I do sign every one by hand and try to write a brief personal note inside each one. And yes, it takes up quite a bit of time but I think it is worth every moment I spend doing it!
I also enjoy getting Christmas cards - including the ones with the "Dear Everybody" letters tucked inside of them. It is the one time of year that I spend reconnecting with old friends, remembering friends or family that have passed on, and rejoicing in new friendships.
So, here is my challenge for you - pick 10 or 20 or 50! people that you don't normally send Christmas cards to and sign your name, write a brief note, and share the message of Christmas with them. Then, let us know by posting on the wall how you did ~ how you felt ~ and how folks responded to your efforts.
Better get going - there is no time like the present to pass on some Christmas cheer!
Blessings,
Pat
PS - If you need someone to start with - post a comment and I'll pass mine on to you!
I do sign every one by hand and try to write a brief personal note inside each one. And yes, it takes up quite a bit of time but I think it is worth every moment I spend doing it!
I also enjoy getting Christmas cards - including the ones with the "Dear Everybody" letters tucked inside of them. It is the one time of year that I spend reconnecting with old friends, remembering friends or family that have passed on, and rejoicing in new friendships.
So, here is my challenge for you - pick 10 or 20 or 50! people that you don't normally send Christmas cards to and sign your name, write a brief note, and share the message of Christmas with them. Then, let us know by posting on the wall how you did ~ how you felt ~ and how folks responded to your efforts.
Better get going - there is no time like the present to pass on some Christmas cheer!
Blessings,
Pat
PS - If you need someone to start with - post a comment and I'll pass mine on to you!
Sunday, November 21, 2010
Thanksgiving from a Child's Eye
Grandma was showing the children a painting of the Pilgrim Family on a Thanksgiving Day card that they had received and she commented, 'The Pilgrim children enjoyed going to church with their mothers and fathers and praying to God.'
Her youngest grandson looked at her doubtfully and asked, 'Then why is their Dad carrying that rifle?'
More from a child's point of view:
“Why do we celebrate Thanksgiving?”
“On the first Thanksgiving, the Pilgrims ate…”
Her youngest grandson looked at her doubtfully and asked, 'Then why is their Dad carrying that rifle?'
More from a child's point of view:
“Why do we celebrate Thanksgiving?”
“Becuss it is fun” Aidan
“Because Jesus died on the cross” Aaron
“We are thankful for food and stuff and thankful we survived the winter” Emilee
“It’s the day that Calufonu (California?) was made.” Bella
“I have no idea” Anthony
“It’s God’s birthday” Kylie
“Because it’s going to be Christmas” Hunter
“On the first Thanksgiving, the Pilgrims ate…”
“…fruit” Jessica“If I was a turkey on Thanksgiving I’d…”
“…porrige” Kylie
“…with the indins and ate treky” Stephen
“…fish, ducks, bread and soup and cake or cookies maybe.” Autumn
“…run for my life and grab a rifle” Lloyd“This is how my mom cooks our turkey…”
“…I would color myself purpel” Meg
“…starve myself” Clay
“…run in circles” Hannah
“…peck people” Sonora
“…eat donnuts” Jessica
“…run away to the jungle” Emilee
“She has my Grandma do it” Arielle
“She stuffs it & cooks it, as far as I know.” Riley
“She puts it in the oven. Does it for 2 minutes. Then puts it on a barbecue then asks Dad to cook it. Then she goes into the house and takes care of everything else.” Emilee
“…just rite.” Lauren
“She takes the guts out and stuffs it with rice.” Lexi
“She spits on it and takes it to the BBQ. Dad does the rest.” No name
“She buys a pizza.” Hunter
Saturday, November 20, 2010
Peace Pilgrim’s Beatitudes
Blessed are they who give
without expecting even thanks in return,
for they shall be abundantly rewarded.
Blessed are they who translate
every good thing they know into action,
for ever higher truths shall be revealed unto them.
Blessed are they who do God's will
without asking to see results,
for great shall be their recompense.
Blessed are they who love and trust their fellow beings,
for they shall reach the good in people and
receive a loving response.
Blessed are they who have seen reality, for they know
that not the garment of clay but that which activates
the garment of clay is real and indestructible.
Blessed are they who see the change we call death
as a liberation from the limitation of this earth-life,
for they shall rejoice with their loved ones
who make the glorious transition.
Blessed are they who after dedicating their lives
and thereby receiving a blessing, have the courage and faith
to surmount the difficulties of the path ahead,
for they shall receive a second blessing.
Blessed are they who advance toward the spiritual path
without the selfish motive of seeking inner peace,
for they shall find it.
Blessed are they who instead of trying to
batter down the gates of the kingdom of heaven
approach them humbly and lovingly and purified,
for they shall pass right through.
by – mildred norman
without expecting even thanks in return,
for they shall be abundantly rewarded.
Blessed are they who translate
every good thing they know into action,
for ever higher truths shall be revealed unto them.
Blessed are they who do God's will
without asking to see results,
for great shall be their recompense.
Blessed are they who love and trust their fellow beings,
for they shall reach the good in people and
receive a loving response.
Blessed are they who have seen reality, for they know
that not the garment of clay but that which activates
the garment of clay is real and indestructible.
Blessed are they who see the change we call death
as a liberation from the limitation of this earth-life,
for they shall rejoice with their loved ones
who make the glorious transition.
Blessed are they who after dedicating their lives
and thereby receiving a blessing, have the courage and faith
to surmount the difficulties of the path ahead,
for they shall receive a second blessing.
Blessed are they who advance toward the spiritual path
without the selfish motive of seeking inner peace,
for they shall find it.
Blessed are they who instead of trying to
batter down the gates of the kingdom of heaven
approach them humbly and lovingly and purified,
for they shall pass right through.
by – mildred norman
Thursday, November 18, 2010
I'm Back!
After taking a much needed sabbatical to rest my heart, mind and soul, I'm back. You may see some changes to my blog if you have been following me in the past, please feel free to tell me what you think. If you are just joining us, please feel free to look over the entries from the past and share your thoughts and comments. Whoever you are - thanks for stopping by and a great big, genuine "Hello!" from me to you.
These past few months have been ... interesting. :) I didn't realize how much emotional "stuff" I was carrying around until I found myself in a place where I could not think past the same day or maybe the next day. But those are stories for another time. For now, I am looking at new beginnings and a hope-filled future. Want to go for a walk with me?
These past few months have been ... interesting. :) I didn't realize how much emotional "stuff" I was carrying around until I found myself in a place where I could not think past the same day or maybe the next day. But those are stories for another time. For now, I am looking at new beginnings and a hope-filled future. Want to go for a walk with me?
"Believe me, they will listen to you. Then you and the leaders of Israel will go to the king of Egypt and say to him: 'God, the God of the Hebrews, has met with us. Let us take a three-day journey into the wilderness where we will worship God—our God.'" - Exodus 3:18 (MSG)
Thursday, June 10, 2010
Today is a tough one
I’ve been doing a lot a reading and bunches of remembering. Not always a good combination for me this time of year. In my reading I have tried to find advice on learning to move on through my grief. Or so I thought. It seems that the more I read, the more I realize that what I want to do is actually forget my grief and not remember it. This is not possible I have discovered.
I’ve read accounts of amputees who have phantom pain in their missing limbs. It seems that is one way to describe what I feel. You see, a part of me is missing and I can still feel that part in my movements through the day and through my memories. When I make plans to go out shopping, I instinctively think about where my family members are and when they will be arriving home. Then the pain washes over me as I remember Matthew is not here.
Now, let me share a few things with you. Please be kind enough to not offer me trite sayings that disguise themselves as words of comfort. Pray for me. Pray for all of us. But more importantly, if you knew Matthew – even for a day or a single moment – share your memory with me. Tell me about his laughter or his funny remark to you. Tell me about his stubborn refusal to do what you asked of him. Tell me about the blank stare he gave you during a conversation. But don’t pity me and give me words that make you more comfortable in moving on.
I hope you understand that I was blessed beyond measure to have been able to be Matthew’s mom and my heart is missing a piece while he is away from me. My comfort is found in hearing the memories that you have and knowing that he is not forgotten.
I’ve read accounts of amputees who have phantom pain in their missing limbs. It seems that is one way to describe what I feel. You see, a part of me is missing and I can still feel that part in my movements through the day and through my memories. When I make plans to go out shopping, I instinctively think about where my family members are and when they will be arriving home. Then the pain washes over me as I remember Matthew is not here.
Posted Jun 10, 2006 6:28pm
Yesterday we found out that the judge presiding over Matthew’s SSI claim for disability has made a ruling. We have not been told if it was in Matthew’s favor or not. The attorney believes it is. We should find out in a few more days, but it may take up to 2 weeks for us to be notified.
In the meantime, Kim and Pat went home last night to be with Stephanie and Zachary and to try to get some rest before this next difficult week. Today Zachary and Stephanie came to the hospital to spend some time with Matt. It was hard on all involved and many tears have been shed with the knowledge that many more will be shed as we begin the grief process.
Matthew has had his sedation medication reduced by half again today, but has not been able to wake up. His body is tired and fighting some major infections. If he is able to tolerate the reduction in the sedation again tomorrow, we will do that again. This is to help him be weaned from this med and the ventilation tube. After that, we hope to keep him comfortable with pain management medication until he and God decide it is time for him to go home.
We appreciate your prayers and love for each of us, and thank you for respecting this time we spend together as a family.
Now, let me share a few things with you. Please be kind enough to not offer me trite sayings that disguise themselves as words of comfort. Pray for me. Pray for all of us. But more importantly, if you knew Matthew – even for a day or a single moment – share your memory with me. Tell me about his laughter or his funny remark to you. Tell me about his stubborn refusal to do what you asked of him. Tell me about the blank stare he gave you during a conversation. But don’t pity me and give me words that make you more comfortable in moving on.
I hope you understand that I was blessed beyond measure to have been able to be Matthew’s mom and my heart is missing a piece while he is away from me. My comfort is found in hearing the memories that you have and knowing that he is not forgotten.
And the cry of my heart is to bring You praise
From the inside out, O my soul cries out
My Soul cries out to You
My Soul cries out to You
to You, to You
Wednesday, June 9, 2010
What’ you thinking’bout?
ReTHINK CHURCH!
I found this video and just had to share it with you! Really would love to hear what you think about the message and what message you think is being communicated.
Read the full article at: http://www.umc.org/site/apps/nlnet/content3.aspx?c=lwL4KnN1LtH&b=5765535&ct=8426591
I found this video and just had to share it with you! Really would love to hear what you think about the message and what message you think is being communicated.
The three-and-a-half-minute music video features a rap music soundtrack under more than 150 fast-changing images of The United Methodist Church in mission around the world.
For the Rev. Ben Hanne, now an associate pastor at Calvary United Methodist Church in Wichita, Kan., “Rethink Church” and “the video, in particular, demonstrated the energy to turn our vision outwards, to see our brother and sister in people we wouldn’t ordinarily put in that category.”
Later this month, he will move to a rural two-point charge where the churches have faced numerous challenges in recent years. “The churches want to live,” he says, “but to live in a place like Arkansas City requires them to reach out to the community, not just be in church.”
While the music of the video did not particularly appeal to Dixie Brewster of Milton, Kan., she “liked it for the fact that the kids seemed enthusiastic about what they were doing
and showed the mission of the church.”
While “Rethink Rock” appeals to most youth and young adults, the Rethink Church staff wanted to offer older adults, who are the majority of annual conference members, a different way of looking at things. Loud applause was the answer when, after the video was shown, Kansas Area Bishop Scott Jones asked conference members if they were willing to listen to music that appeals to younger people.
Read the full article at: http://www.umc.org/site/apps/nlnet/content3.aspx?c=lwL4KnN1LtH&b=5765535&ct=8426591
80-yr old Church leader murdered in sanctuary
Few places were as meaningful to Lillian Wilson as Central United Methodist Church just outside Wynne.Oh please don’t tell me he said that! So many folks are going to be upset that this woman died, (btw – she didn’t simply die – she was MURDERED!) and the fact that she died in this way in this place is going to complicate grief for the people within the church she attended, people in our churches, and the people who don’t attend church. It is a delicate and difficult time for this church, but maybe some of us can learn from Ms. Wilson’s death as well as her life.
She was baptized and married there. She started teaching Sunday school recently to help out while the church’s longtime teacher recovered from a stroke.
And on Sunday morning, June 6, the 80-year-old retired nurse was in the church to finish assembling disaster relief buckets and health kits for collection at the denomination’s Arkansas Annual (regional) Conference meeting, which started Sunday night.
It was her last act of servanthood. She was found beaten to death in the church sanctuary that afternoon.
Investigators with the sheriff’s office in Cross County, Ark., were still searching June 8 for two suspects in Wilson’s death. Her pastor, the Rev. Dixon Platt, said authorities believe the murder weapon was the cross the church kept on its communion table.
Platt went to check on Wilson when she didn’t show up for worship Sunday at nearby Ellis Chapel United Methodist Church. The congregation of about 20 alternates worship each Sunday between Ellis Chapel and Central Church.
The pastor discovered Wilson’s body about 12:30 p.m. Sunday beneath an overturned pew. Her purse and car were missing.
Wilson died doing what she loved to do, Platt said, and that was serving God.
As pastor’s we tend to want to take the high road and say things like, “She is at rest now” or “She “died doing what she loved to do”". Those comments are not enough for our congregants who are asking the bigger question, “WHY?” I think we need to say things like, we don’t know why people do horrible things to each other, I don’t know why someone did this to Ms. Wilson, I don’t know why – I don’t have the answers. Too often pastors think they must lead people into healing or beyond this tragedy or even past this experience. To each of us, pastors and everyday folks that think the same way, I ask – WHY? Why are we in a hurry to brush aside the tragedy and want to look at only the comfortable aspects of life?
My thinking jumps to the next question, how does a response such as the one stated by Rev. Platt witness to the greater community the love of God for all people in the community? From my slightly slanted perspective I see a closed door attitude, a piousness, an attitude to the unchurched that says, “Well, AT LEAST she lived a life worthy so she will be … (fill in the blank – honored, redeemed, given vengeance … whatever the other feels is needed in their life and hoped for in their death). Possibly a better statement would be, we join the community in grieving her death and the violent manner in which she died and we are available to talk or listen to anyone who has questions. Maybe, possibly.
But I like what Bishop Crutchfield said:
Arkansas Area Bishop Charles Crutchfield asked those gathered for annual conference on June 7 to pray for Wilson and the many in her community who loved her.
“This is a tragic moment for a wonderful woman devoted to the life of the church and building God’s kingdom, a woman who had been the heart and soul of her church,” Crutchfield said in an interview.
“At moments like this, we ask ‘Why? Why?’ And there is no real answer to that question,” he said. “But I do know the question we need to ask is who do we trust in a moment of tragedy, in a moment so inexplicable. I think our answer would be her answer: Trust the Lord through high points and low points, through good times and through the valley of the shadow of death. In the wake of this tragic death, that’s who we all have to trust.” (Italics added)
That’s all we’ve got to offer anyone in a moment of grief, a season of grief. If we believe in God through the good times, if we trust God in the good times, if we have faith in God in the good times, then the way to find ourselves able to survive and live though the tough times is to continue to trust him in those times also.
Keep the faith my friends.
Friday, June 4, 2010
Not on Sunday? How about Saturday school!
What do you think? Would this idea work in your community? If not, why?
Sarah Falter knew she had to make a change when her pastor mentioned Moses, and her young son had no idea who he was.
“I was feeling really disappointed in myself because my children didn’t know all the Bible stories I was brought up with and I knew at their age,” she said.
What her children needed, Falter decided, was Sunday school. However, her tiny country church in central Missouri did not have space for a children’s class on Sunday mornings.
Her pastor, the Rev. Karen Alden, offered a solution: Move it up a day.
Now, under Falter’s leadership, Rader United Methodist Church holds “Saturday School” from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. once a month, usually in the sanctuary. The school attracts eight or nine youngsters, ranging in age from 4 to the young teens.
Saturday School is the kind of innovation more United Methodist congregations should consider, said retired Bishop Richard B. Wilke, the creator of the Disciple Bible Study program.
“The way you reach people today — children, youth and adults — is in intimate relationships studying the Scriptures,” Wilke said. “Sunday is no longer a holy day. Study life has to take place where people are.”
And that can be any place on any day of the week.
Declining biblical literacy
One thing is certain: Biblical instruction needs to be more widespread, Wilke said.
In recent years, talk show host Jay Leno has made sport of Americans who can name the four Beatles but not the four Gospels, and comic Stephen Colbert has teased members of Congress who want publicly to display the Ten Commandments but cannot name them.
Wilke started the Disciple Bible Study more than 20 years ago because he saw a thirst for more Christian education, especially among adults. The program now has more than 2 million graduates in 10,000 congregations in 30 denominations.
He said most successful groups usually consist of eight to 10 people, and like the early Christians, the groups often meet in people’s homes.
“People thought it would be a fad,” said Wilke, now the bishop-in-residence at Southwestern College in Winfield, Kan. “What people are finding is that the Bible doesn’t have a fade-out time and the small-group format doesn’t have a fade-out time.”
Multi-generational learning
Alden, pastor of Rader United Methodist Church, said Saturday School has been a hit with all ages in her congregation.
The church, with a weekly attendance of about 35, has started attracting young families in recent years. One reason Alden wanted to move religious instruction to Saturday was so she would not disturb the fellowship of older members who gather in the church an hour before worship at 9 a.m. each Sunday morning.
“I think it’s a really important part of their week to have that social time because many live alone,” Alden said.
Now many of those older members volunteer each month to provide lunch after the Bible lessons. The church does not have a kitchen so members bring meals in slow cookers from home.
Ordith Skouby, a retired teacher and one of the volunteers, said she was eager to help.
“The kids seem to enjoy it, and they’re the lifeblood of the church — the church’s future,” she said.
The church held its first Saturday class in December with lessons and activities based around Jesus’ nativity. In March, Falter taught the youngsters how to tell the story of Easter with “resurrection eggs” — plastic eggs containing symbols of Jesus’ crucifixion and resurrection such as toothpicks for the crown of thorns and a pebble for the rock that was rolled away from the tomb.
Since April, Falter has decided to cover the Bible from the beginning, starting with the story of creation, and moving on to Adam and Eve and Cain and Abel.
Falter said her 6-year-old son, Isaac, and her 8-year-old daughter, Faith, now tell their grandmas about the Bible lessons they have learned. Faith also has been inviting her friends to join the class.
“They haven’t been able to make it yet, but she’s gung ho that her cousin needs to come and her friend down the street needs to come because it’s a lot of fun,” Falter said. “She’s pretty pumped.”
And so is the church.
The most important part about studying Scripture is that it leads people to Christ, Wilke said.
“We study the whole Bible to find the Savior,” he said.
Friday, May 28, 2010
Nightmares and Second Guesses
“Posted May 27, 2006 6:52pm:
Kim and Stephanie are at the emergency room with Matthew right
now. His heart rate was 147 and his blood pressure was 38/78. The
on-call hematologist thinks this is due to low red cell count so
Matthew may need a blood transfusion tonight.”
I have been reflecting on the decisions we made surrounding Matthew’s illness and the treatment he received. This entry (above) was made the day after he graduated from high school. Our household had company from out-of-state that had come up to celebrate that very special occasion and to spend some time with Matthew now that he was home from the hospital. Kim & I had spent a few hours visiting with another family friend who had also just graduated high school. As I sit here trying to communicate the situation we were in and the feelings that were going through my head, the memories are so vivid that they threaten to overwhelm me.
Questions have run around in my head since that time. Questions such as, “Why did I have Stephanie go with Kim & Matthew instead of me?” Was it my own laziness, or was it that I just didn’t want to deal with the hospital stress again? Did the sense of obligation to be a “good” daughter and to entertain our company color my judgment in taking care of my son? So many questions. And no possible way for me to find the answers.
I feel so much guilt and shame. I want to go back in time and change the way I did things, reevaluate my decisions, and have another chance to be the kind of mom I want to be to my children. I can’t do any of that for Matthew. So now, I just second guess myself.
And that’s where the nightmares start.
(To read more, go to: barefootpreachr.wordpress.com)
Kim and Stephanie are at the emergency room with Matthew right
now. His heart rate was 147 and his blood pressure was 38/78. The
on-call hematologist thinks this is due to low red cell count so
Matthew may need a blood transfusion tonight.”
I have been reflecting on the decisions we made surrounding Matthew’s illness and the treatment he received. This entry (above) was made the day after he graduated from high school. Our household had company from out-of-state that had come up to celebrate that very special occasion and to spend some time with Matthew now that he was home from the hospital. Kim & I had spent a few hours visiting with another family friend who had also just graduated high school. As I sit here trying to communicate the situation we were in and the feelings that were going through my head, the memories are so vivid that they threaten to overwhelm me.
Questions have run around in my head since that time. Questions such as, “Why did I have Stephanie go with Kim & Matthew instead of me?” Was it my own laziness, or was it that I just didn’t want to deal with the hospital stress again? Did the sense of obligation to be a “good” daughter and to entertain our company color my judgment in taking care of my son? So many questions. And no possible way for me to find the answers.
I feel so much guilt and shame. I want to go back in time and change the way I did things, reevaluate my decisions, and have another chance to be the kind of mom I want to be to my children. I can’t do any of that for Matthew. So now, I just second guess myself.
And that’s where the nightmares start.
(To read more, go to: barefootpreachr.wordpress.com)
Thursday, May 13, 2010
Wednesday, May 12, 2010
Tuesday, May 11, 2010
What’s in YOUR tupperware?
Lately I have been feeling overwhelmed with all my “to-do” stuff so I decided I needed a break from doing what I’ve been doing and I would do something else. I thought it might be a good idea to clean the pantry and get organized. Looking into the pantry, I figured it might be a half-hour to 45 minute diversion from my crazy routine.
The first step to getting myself organized was to figure out what needed to be thrown away. That was easy. There was nothing that needed to be thrown away since my hubby and college-age son had already perused the pantry and that was why it needed to be organized. This step took me only one minute. It looked like I would have enough time to brew myself a cup of tea when I was through!
Okay, next step. I thought it would be helpful to put all the items I use for baking on one shelf, all the canned goods on another shelf in rows according to to size and dates they would expire, all of the snack foods on another shelf, and so on … and so on. I began pulling these things out of the pantry and making little stacks and piles. Some of the piles were getting a bit larger than others, but two shelves were cleaned off so I could begin putting things away. Fifteen minutes into this step I began to realize that this was not as easy as step one in my plan.
First of all, not all of the baking goods would fit on one shelf. Guess I would have a few “smaller” steps to create that perfect fit. (Now this is where I started to get into real trouble.) In my mind’s eye I had a vision of what my home, pantry and kitchen looked like when my children where very young. Everything in my kitchen was color coded with those wonderful Tupperware Modular Mates, the childrens toys all fit into the largest containers and were stacked perfectly when not in use. Even the bathroom toilet tissue, q-tips, cotton balls and feminine products were in color coded containers and organized. Oh, it was heaven!
It was time to sort the tupperware cabinet and gather my supplies. I dove in. I evaluated my options. I began to sort through the array of pieces and parts. Then I began to try to fit the pieces and parts together with the assortment of items from the pantry. Things were not going the way I had planned. In fact, I felt like I was putting together a giant jigsaw puzzle with no edge pieces and all in black and white. This might take a little longer than I had expected.
Forty-five minutes (yes, I know that was the planned time allotment, but I was on a roll!) into the moving, stacking, sorting, and piecing together of bowls, modular mates, flour, cereal, and bagged pretzels – I conceded defeat of the battle. The pantry has won for the time being while I step back and regroup my defenses.
In the meantime, I had a bit of a mess to clean up. First, the food stuffs since the cats in the household were taking a particular interest in the various bags of chips and boxes of open cereal. I must admit it did not take as long to throw (I mean, place) the food back into the pantry as it did to take it out and sort it in the first place. It was important to get everything balanced correctly though so as to not have anything fall on hubby’s head when he opens the door to rummage for his evening snack tonight. Having created a perfect balance in the pantry, I moved on to my final step in this organization project – returning the tupperware pieces and parts back into the cabinet from whence they came.
Remember the jigsaw puzzle? That was simple compared to this task!
It seems that while I was putting the pantry into perfect balance, those pieces and parts had been multiplying and rearranging themselves. Now that it was time to go back into that cabinet there were twice as much as what had come out! Although it took several minutes, let’s say, 40 minutes give or take 2, I won this battle. Everything went back into the cabinet and life is once again restored to a place of harmony and perfect balance!
Next time I think it’s a good idea to organize the pantry I think it’s the hubby’s turn to do it!
The first step to getting myself organized was to figure out what needed to be thrown away. That was easy. There was nothing that needed to be thrown away since my hubby and college-age son had already perused the pantry and that was why it needed to be organized. This step took me only one minute. It looked like I would have enough time to brew myself a cup of tea when I was through!
Okay, next step. I thought it would be helpful to put all the items I use for baking on one shelf, all the canned goods on another shelf in rows according to to size and dates they would expire, all of the snack foods on another shelf, and so on … and so on. I began pulling these things out of the pantry and making little stacks and piles. Some of the piles were getting a bit larger than others, but two shelves were cleaned off so I could begin putting things away. Fifteen minutes into this step I began to realize that this was not as easy as step one in my plan.
First of all, not all of the baking goods would fit on one shelf. Guess I would have a few “smaller” steps to create that perfect fit. (Now this is where I started to get into real trouble.) In my mind’s eye I had a vision of what my home, pantry and kitchen looked like when my children where very young. Everything in my kitchen was color coded with those wonderful Tupperware Modular Mates, the childrens toys all fit into the largest containers and were stacked perfectly when not in use. Even the bathroom toilet tissue, q-tips, cotton balls and feminine products were in color coded containers and organized. Oh, it was heaven!
It was time to sort the tupperware cabinet and gather my supplies. I dove in. I evaluated my options. I began to sort through the array of pieces and parts. Then I began to try to fit the pieces and parts together with the assortment of items from the pantry. Things were not going the way I had planned. In fact, I felt like I was putting together a giant jigsaw puzzle with no edge pieces and all in black and white. This might take a little longer than I had expected.
Forty-five minutes (yes, I know that was the planned time allotment, but I was on a roll!) into the moving, stacking, sorting, and piecing together of bowls, modular mates, flour, cereal, and bagged pretzels – I conceded defeat of the battle. The pantry has won for the time being while I step back and regroup my defenses.
In the meantime, I had a bit of a mess to clean up. First, the food stuffs since the cats in the household were taking a particular interest in the various bags of chips and boxes of open cereal. I must admit it did not take as long to throw (I mean, place) the food back into the pantry as it did to take it out and sort it in the first place. It was important to get everything balanced correctly though so as to not have anything fall on hubby’s head when he opens the door to rummage for his evening snack tonight. Having created a perfect balance in the pantry, I moved on to my final step in this organization project – returning the tupperware pieces and parts back into the cabinet from whence they came.
Remember the jigsaw puzzle? That was simple compared to this task!
It seems that while I was putting the pantry into perfect balance, those pieces and parts had been multiplying and rearranging themselves. Now that it was time to go back into that cabinet there were twice as much as what had come out! Although it took several minutes, let’s say, 40 minutes give or take 2, I won this battle. Everything went back into the cabinet and life is once again restored to a place of harmony and perfect balance!
Next time I think it’s a good idea to organize the pantry I think it’s the hubby’s turn to do it!
Wednesday, May 5, 2010
Where is God's perfection?
Every so often I come across a story that makes me pause and wonder. When I read this one I could not help but wonder if my son ever knew how perfect we thought he was. His disabilities made him more perfect because he accepted and loved everyone he met for who they were in their imperfections. I have to admit, he was one of my hero's and I miss him terribly.
"In Brooklyn, New York, Chush is a school that caters to learning-disabled children. Some children remain in Chush for their entire school career, while others can be main-streamed into conventional schools.
At a Chush fund-raising dinner, the father of a Chush child delivered a speech that would never be forgotten by all who attended.
After extolling the school and its dedicated staff, he cried out, "Where is the perfection in my son Shaya? Everything God does is done with perfection. But my child cannot understand things as other children do. My child cannot remember facts and figures as other children do. Where is God's perfection?"
The audience was shocked by the question, pained by the father's anguish and stilled by the piercing query. "I believe," the father answered,"that when God brings a child like this into the world, the perfection that He seeks is in the way people react to this child."
He then told the following story about his son Shaya:
One afternoon Shaya and his father walked past a park where some boys Shaya knew were playing baseball. Shaya asked, "Do you think they will let me play?" Shaya's father knew that his son was not at all athletic and that most boys would not want him on their team. But Shaya's father understood that if his son was chosen to play it would give him a comfortable sense of belonging.
Shaya's father approached one of the boys in the field and asked if Shaya could play. The boy looked around for guidance from his team-mates.
Getting none, he took matters into his own hands and said, "We are losing by six runs and the game is in the eighth inning. I guess he can be on our team and we'll try to put him up to bat in the ninth inning."
Shaya's father was ecstatic as Shaya smiled broadly. Shaya was told to put on a glove and go out to play short center field.
In the bottom of the eighth inning, Shaya's team scored a few runs but was still behind by three. In the bottom of the ninth inning, Shaya's team scored again and now with two outs and the bases loaded with the potential winning run on base, Shaya was scheduled to be up. Would the team actually let Shaya bat at this juncture and give away their chance to win the game?
Surprisingly, Shaya was given the bat. Everyone knew that it was all but impossible because Shaya didn't even know how to hold the bat properly,let alone hit with it. However, as Shaya stepped up to the plate, the pitcher moved a few steps to lob the ball in softly so Shaya should at least be able to make contact. The first pitch came in and Shaya swung clumsily and missed. One of Shaya's team-mates came up to Shaya and together they held the bat and faced the pitcher waiting for the next pitch. The pitcher again took a few steps forward to toss the ball softly toward Shaya.
As the pitch came in, Shaya and his team-mate swung the bat and together they hit a slow ground ball to the pitcher. The pitcher picked up the soft grounder and could easily have thrown the ball to the first baseman. Shaya would have been out and that would have ended the game. Instead, the pitcher took the ball and threw it on a high arc to right field, far beyond reach of the first baseman.
Everyone started yelling, "Shaya, run to first. Run to first!" Never in his life had Shaya run to first. He scampered down the baseline wide eyed and startled. By the time he reached first base, the right fielder had the ball. He could have thrown the ball to the second baseman who would tag out Shaya, who was still running. But the right fielder understood what the pitcher's intentions were, so he threw the ball high and far over the third baseman's head.
Everyone yelled, "Run to second, run to second." Shaya ran towards second base as the runners ahead of him deliriously circled the bases towards home. As Shaya reached second base, the opposing short stop ran to him, turned him in the direction of third base and shouted, "Run to third." As Shaya rounded third, the boys from both teams ran behind him screaming,"Shaya run home!" Shaya ran home, stepped on home plate and all 18 boys lifted him on their shoulders and made him the hero, as he had just hit a "grand slam" and won the game for his team.
That day," said the father softly with tears now rolling down his face, "those 18 boys reached their level of God's perfection."~ Author Unknown"
Matthew - we miss you and we love you - always & forever.
"In Brooklyn, New York, Chush is a school that caters to learning-disabled children. Some children remain in Chush for their entire school career, while others can be main-streamed into conventional schools.
At a Chush fund-raising dinner, the father of a Chush child delivered a speech that would never be forgotten by all who attended.
After extolling the school and its dedicated staff, he cried out, "Where is the perfection in my son Shaya? Everything God does is done with perfection. But my child cannot understand things as other children do. My child cannot remember facts and figures as other children do. Where is God's perfection?"
The audience was shocked by the question, pained by the father's anguish and stilled by the piercing query. "I believe," the father answered,"that when God brings a child like this into the world, the perfection that He seeks is in the way people react to this child."
He then told the following story about his son Shaya:
One afternoon Shaya and his father walked past a park where some boys Shaya knew were playing baseball. Shaya asked, "Do you think they will let me play?" Shaya's father knew that his son was not at all athletic and that most boys would not want him on their team. But Shaya's father understood that if his son was chosen to play it would give him a comfortable sense of belonging.
Shaya's father approached one of the boys in the field and asked if Shaya could play. The boy looked around for guidance from his team-mates.
Getting none, he took matters into his own hands and said, "We are losing by six runs and the game is in the eighth inning. I guess he can be on our team and we'll try to put him up to bat in the ninth inning."
Shaya's father was ecstatic as Shaya smiled broadly. Shaya was told to put on a glove and go out to play short center field.
In the bottom of the eighth inning, Shaya's team scored a few runs but was still behind by three. In the bottom of the ninth inning, Shaya's team scored again and now with two outs and the bases loaded with the potential winning run on base, Shaya was scheduled to be up. Would the team actually let Shaya bat at this juncture and give away their chance to win the game?
Surprisingly, Shaya was given the bat. Everyone knew that it was all but impossible because Shaya didn't even know how to hold the bat properly,let alone hit with it. However, as Shaya stepped up to the plate, the pitcher moved a few steps to lob the ball in softly so Shaya should at least be able to make contact. The first pitch came in and Shaya swung clumsily and missed. One of Shaya's team-mates came up to Shaya and together they held the bat and faced the pitcher waiting for the next pitch. The pitcher again took a few steps forward to toss the ball softly toward Shaya.
As the pitch came in, Shaya and his team-mate swung the bat and together they hit a slow ground ball to the pitcher. The pitcher picked up the soft grounder and could easily have thrown the ball to the first baseman. Shaya would have been out and that would have ended the game. Instead, the pitcher took the ball and threw it on a high arc to right field, far beyond reach of the first baseman.
Everyone started yelling, "Shaya, run to first. Run to first!" Never in his life had Shaya run to first. He scampered down the baseline wide eyed and startled. By the time he reached first base, the right fielder had the ball. He could have thrown the ball to the second baseman who would tag out Shaya, who was still running. But the right fielder understood what the pitcher's intentions were, so he threw the ball high and far over the third baseman's head.
Everyone yelled, "Run to second, run to second." Shaya ran towards second base as the runners ahead of him deliriously circled the bases towards home. As Shaya reached second base, the opposing short stop ran to him, turned him in the direction of third base and shouted, "Run to third." As Shaya rounded third, the boys from both teams ran behind him screaming,"Shaya run home!" Shaya ran home, stepped on home plate and all 18 boys lifted him on their shoulders and made him the hero, as he had just hit a "grand slam" and won the game for his team.
That day," said the father softly with tears now rolling down his face, "those 18 boys reached their level of God's perfection."~ Author Unknown"
Matthew - we miss you and we love you - always & forever.
Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds, so that you may discern what is the will of God—what is good and acceptable and perfect. For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of yourself more highly than you ought to think, but to think with sober judgement, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned. ~ Romans 12:2-3
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
I Hope ...
I hope that I will always be for each person what he or she needs me to be.
I hope that each person's death will diminish me, but that fear of my own will never diminish my joy of life.
I hope that my love for those whom I like will never lessen my love for those whom I do not.
I hope that another person's love for me will never be a measure of my love for him or her.
I hope that everybody will accept me as I am, but that I never will.
I hope that I will always ask for forgiveness from others, but will never need to be asked for my own . . .
I hope that I will always recognize my limitations, but that I will construct none.
I hope that loving will always be my goal, but that love will never be my idol.
I hope that everyone will always have hope.
-Henri Nouwen
I hope that each person's death will diminish me, but that fear of my own will never diminish my joy of life.
I hope that my love for those whom I like will never lessen my love for those whom I do not.
I hope that another person's love for me will never be a measure of my love for him or her.
I hope that everybody will accept me as I am, but that I never will.
I hope that I will always ask for forgiveness from others, but will never need to be asked for my own . . .
I hope that I will always recognize my limitations, but that I will construct none.
I hope that loving will always be my goal, but that love will never be my idol.
I hope that everyone will always have hope.
-Henri Nouwen
We always thank God for all of you, mentioning you in our prayers. We continually remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ. ~ 1 Thessalonians 1:2-3
Sunday, April 18, 2010
These Shoes Were Made For Walking - Sermon
I’ve been asked to share the full sermon, so here it is in manuscript form. This is not the way it ends up when it is preached on a Sunday morning, but I hope you hear the Word God has for you!
While I was researching the scripture for this sermon I found a fascinating story about an art exhibition titled “Holy Ground”. The actual exhibit consists of shoes & stories of faith from all around the world. As part of the Holy Ground project artist Paul Hobbs collected shoes from persecuted people all around the world. Their owners’ stories are shown alongside the shoes and include a diverse group of people and represent an assortment of backgrounds – everyone from a black Zimbabwean woman writing about colonial oppression; a Pakistani man telling of being enslaved by drugs and an Indian woman speaking of being tricked into and trapped in the sex trade for 15 years. Inspired by this exhibit, other programs have also begun to display someone’s shoes and ask the individual to share their testimony of faith. As I looked at the photos of the different pairs of shoes in the Holy Ground exhibit I reflected on this passage from Luke’s Gospel and the disciples walk to Emmaus.
In this familiar scripture we encounter two of Jesus’ disciples – now we don’t know both of their names, and for whatever reason, it doesn’t seem to be necessary to know both names. Most scholars agree that the named disciple – Cleopas was traveling with his wife, who was also a follower of Jesus and is also mentioned earlier in the scripture. What we do know is that they were leaving Jerusalem and they were getting out of town. We also know that they had left Jerusalem on the very day that the tomb was found empty – what we now know as Easter. Earlier in the scripture we remember that Mary had returned to the disciples and told them that Jesus had risen from the dead. But these two – immediately, the very same day they heard the news, reacted to Jesus crucifixion and burial by leaving Jerusalem, where was their faith – their belief in what Jesus had taught them? Most likely, they were like the majority of Jews of that time, believing that the Old Testament prophesies were pointing to a military or a political messiah – savior.
As they walked along that dry, dusty road it seems that they were reflecting on their shattered hopes and broken dreams. I imagine they were disappointed and disillusioned – they had invested time, energy, and effort in someone who had promised them so much – and then he had fallen to the Roman Empire like nothing more than a common criminal. Can you imagine it – they shared meals together, made plans together, worked alongside each other – and then – it was over. And Jesus didn’t even put up a fight! He just willingly let himself be tortured and crucified. Now he was dead. All hope in him being the messiah was dead also. Now what do we do? Have you ever been in an emotional state where all of your hopes had been destroyed and you didn’t know what tomorrow would bring? Can you imagine how they felt?
In their depressed state of mind they must have been walking kind of slowly, dragging along their feet. After all, they really had no place to go, no longer had a direction for their lives. Well, this is how Jesus found them as he overtook them and began walking alongside them. Travelers along the roads during this time in history were often victims of robbers – remember the parable of the Good Samaritan? I wonder – Did the two disciples notice this stranger walking along the road or coming up behind them? Were they even aware of how far they had traveled or where they were? How often in this day and age are we reminded to be aware of our surroundings and to keep our eyes open for strangers approaching? Do you think the disciples even noticed the stranger and how long he was actually walking with them before the conversation started? Makes me think of the people we walk by and don’t even notice – the homeless, the hungry, the addicted, the hurting… – when we are so wrapped up in our own disappointments.
And he said to them, ‘What are you discussing with each other while you walk along?’ They stood still, looking sad. I can just see this – the disciples had to stop to respond to this stranger. I mean – in their tracks – and looked at this stranger with their mouths open, hands on hips, and say “Where have you been? Don’t you know what happened? Don’t you realize what has happened to us? Wow! Where have you been?
Stop and think for a moment – I bet if I asked you where you were and what happened on 9/11 – you could tell me exactly where you were when you heard the news that America had been attacked. I don’t even need to say the year I am talking about – it is a date and an incident in our countries history that will not be forgotten for generations to come. But what if I asked you where you were on July 4, 1984? - - - I see a look of puzzlement on your faces – trying to remember what that date was? What significance it may have for you. Most of you don’t know exactly where you were or what you were doing. Yet for me – I can tell you to the minute where I was, what I was doing, and why it is so significant. It’s a very personal day for me and several family members, but not everyone was affected in the same way so the date does not have the same significance for all of us as 9/11 does.
This same situation occurred for many people at the time of Christ’s death in the city and surrounding areas of Jerusalem. For his disciples the events were heartbreaking, astounding, and overwhelming. For visitors and others that were in the city at the time, the events leading up to Christ’s death and even his death, held no real significance. So, it was possible that this stranger that began walking with the disciples, had no idea what had happened – I mean, sure, three criminals died on crosses the other day. So? What does that have to do with me?
“What happened?” Jesus asks.
Here it comes – the big moment – the opportunity to bear witness to Christ’s resurrection – to tell a stranger how much God loves us – that he sent his only son to die on a cross for us – and that he rose from the dead so that we may have life – and the disciples respond … “Haven’t you heard about the things that happened to Jesus the Nazarene? He was a man of God, a prophet like Moses and Jeremiah, dynamic in work and word, blessed by both God and all the people. But then, our high priests and leaders betrayed him. They got him sentenced to death, and then they crucified him. You know, we had our hopes – hear that HAD OUR HOPES – that he was the One, the One about to deliver Israel. It’s been three days now since it happened, and we just couldn’t take it anymore, being in that place – the memories, the confusion. And now, if you can believe this, some of our women – leave it to the women – have completely confused us. Early this morning they were at the tomb and they couldn’t find his body. They came back with some out-of-this-world story that they had seen a vision of angels who said he was alive. Some of our friends went off to the tomb to check and found it empty just as the women said, but – they didn’t see Jesus.”
When is the last time that you had an opportunity to share something that has happened to you and done so with such a dreary, sour look on your face that others were confused about whether it was a happy or sad situation? Imagine the look on the strangers face – on Jesus’ face – as two of his own disciples told him what had happened to him – to HIM! No wonder he replied – What a bunch of hard-hearted fools you are! Why can’t you simply believe all that the prophets said? Don’t you see that these things had to happen, that the Messiah had to suffer and only then enter into his glory?”
And then …. Something awesome happened …
He began to teach them as they walked along the road together. Talk about a Bible study! To have the Master of the universe explaining everything that had happened from the beginning of time to the very present moment… wouldn’t you have loved to be walking in their shoes? But this was not the usual scripture stories that they had heard in temple all of their lives, no, these stories were being shared with them by someone who seemed to have actually been there when the world was created, to have really been present when Moses had wandered the desert, and to have actually inspired the prophecies for the messiah that had been written. This talking and walking took awhile. You see, just like us – in order for the Emmaus disciples to recognize the crucified and risen Lord, they first had to understand God’s vision – they had to understand His plan for salvation in the world.
Well, they finally arrived at Hotel Emmaus – where the candles are always lit – and Jesus started to walk away from his traveling companions and to continue on his journey. But, something made Cleopas say – Wait! Stay with us!
It was not uncommon to show hospitality to a stranger during that time by offering shelter, food and drink, but I kind of think that they were starting to recognize how their hearts were feeling as they walked along together and they weren’t ready to let go of that feeling. The feeling of remembrance, of familiarity, the feeling that this stranger may actually understand me!
And as they sat down at the table, the stranger who had become the invited guest, turned things around and became the host – when he picked up the bread, gave thanks, and broke it. And in that moment the disciple’s eyes were opened and they RECOGNIZED HIM! But before they could hold him, or speak another word – he vanished!
I am sure each of us has had moments like this. When we were walking the path of a family member or friend’s serious illness – and later we recall the stranger who prayed with us. Or when we have walked the road of grief – and someone sent us a message of hope. We all have momentary glimpses of Christ in our lives, but what do we do after we have seen him? For the Emmaus disciples’ , they got up – that very hour – and RAN – no more walking – they RAN – back to Jerusalem to tell the others what they had seen. They had seen Jesus and he is alive!
Let me take you back to the story I told you about the art exhibition called Holy Ground and share a few stories from the people whose shoes are on display: first, there’s Rosemarie from Germany who survived Nazi Germany. Her father, a Christian, helped Jews escape until the Nazis forced him to kill himself in 1938. Rosemarie then survived the brutality of the Russians after the war, and then years later, God led her to work in the former Soviet Union to speak about God’s forgiveness. Do you see him? Jesus – he is alive!
Then there is John Musa Puma from Nigeria who rebelled against his family as a teenager—following a native religion instead of the family’s Christianity, stealing, drinking, and even killing. Then through an evangelist meeting, John became a Christian, quit his rebellious life, and responded to the need for an evangelist in the rural parts of Kenya. Now John has planted a church in the neighboring country of Niger in a mainly Muslim area. Do you see him? Jesus – he is alive!
There is also Kanta from India who used to work as a prostitute for 20 years. Now she’s a health worker helping prostitutes protect themselves from HIV/AIDS and other sexually-transmitted diseases. She cares for these prostitutes when most of society treats them harshly, the hospitals not even having the time to care for them. She also has many chances to share God’s love with these women and girls who know very little love in their lives. Do you see him? Jesus – he is alive!
Just like each of these people I have had these types of moments and to share them with you, I brought a few show-and-tell examples. Maybe they will help you remember when you caught a glimpse of Jesus.
These are the shoes of my brother who was murdered fourteen years ago. I can’t begin to tell you how many times I saw Jesus in the faces and the prayers and the simple acts of kindness of the people who walked alongside us in our grief.
These are the shoes my children each wore as we had them Christened when they were infants. Now each of them is walking with Christ in his or her own way.
These are the shoes I got married in. To say that Christ has walked alongside us through the years through the friends and loved ones we have known is an understatement of truth.
And these, these are my baby shoes. How can I doubt his faithfulness on my journey of life with all the blessings that have been given to me?
And these, these are the shoes I’m wearing today as I struggle to continue to walk with Christ by my side.
We each have our own Emmaus – the place where we go to get away form our hurts, our disappointments, our pain. But, when we meet Christ in that place, we have to rest – stop what we are doing – and ask ourselves – do we continue to focus on our hopes, our dreams? or do we get up and RUN to tell others – He is alive! Jesus is alive!
In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen
While I was researching the scripture for this sermon I found a fascinating story about an art exhibition titled “Holy Ground”. The actual exhibit consists of shoes & stories of faith from all around the world. As part of the Holy Ground project artist Paul Hobbs collected shoes from persecuted people all around the world. Their owners’ stories are shown alongside the shoes and include a diverse group of people and represent an assortment of backgrounds – everyone from a black Zimbabwean woman writing about colonial oppression; a Pakistani man telling of being enslaved by drugs and an Indian woman speaking of being tricked into and trapped in the sex trade for 15 years. Inspired by this exhibit, other programs have also begun to display someone’s shoes and ask the individual to share their testimony of faith. As I looked at the photos of the different pairs of shoes in the Holy Ground exhibit I reflected on this passage from Luke’s Gospel and the disciples walk to Emmaus.
In this familiar scripture we encounter two of Jesus’ disciples – now we don’t know both of their names, and for whatever reason, it doesn’t seem to be necessary to know both names. Most scholars agree that the named disciple – Cleopas was traveling with his wife, who was also a follower of Jesus and is also mentioned earlier in the scripture. What we do know is that they were leaving Jerusalem and they were getting out of town. We also know that they had left Jerusalem on the very day that the tomb was found empty – what we now know as Easter. Earlier in the scripture we remember that Mary had returned to the disciples and told them that Jesus had risen from the dead. But these two – immediately, the very same day they heard the news, reacted to Jesus crucifixion and burial by leaving Jerusalem, where was their faith – their belief in what Jesus had taught them? Most likely, they were like the majority of Jews of that time, believing that the Old Testament prophesies were pointing to a military or a political messiah – savior.
As they walked along that dry, dusty road it seems that they were reflecting on their shattered hopes and broken dreams. I imagine they were disappointed and disillusioned – they had invested time, energy, and effort in someone who had promised them so much – and then he had fallen to the Roman Empire like nothing more than a common criminal. Can you imagine it – they shared meals together, made plans together, worked alongside each other – and then – it was over. And Jesus didn’t even put up a fight! He just willingly let himself be tortured and crucified. Now he was dead. All hope in him being the messiah was dead also. Now what do we do? Have you ever been in an emotional state where all of your hopes had been destroyed and you didn’t know what tomorrow would bring? Can you imagine how they felt?
In their depressed state of mind they must have been walking kind of slowly, dragging along their feet. After all, they really had no place to go, no longer had a direction for their lives. Well, this is how Jesus found them as he overtook them and began walking alongside them. Travelers along the roads during this time in history were often victims of robbers – remember the parable of the Good Samaritan? I wonder – Did the two disciples notice this stranger walking along the road or coming up behind them? Were they even aware of how far they had traveled or where they were? How often in this day and age are we reminded to be aware of our surroundings and to keep our eyes open for strangers approaching? Do you think the disciples even noticed the stranger and how long he was actually walking with them before the conversation started? Makes me think of the people we walk by and don’t even notice – the homeless, the hungry, the addicted, the hurting… – when we are so wrapped up in our own disappointments.
And he said to them, ‘What are you discussing with each other while you walk along?’ They stood still, looking sad. I can just see this – the disciples had to stop to respond to this stranger. I mean – in their tracks – and looked at this stranger with their mouths open, hands on hips, and say “Where have you been? Don’t you know what happened? Don’t you realize what has happened to us? Wow! Where have you been?
Stop and think for a moment – I bet if I asked you where you were and what happened on 9/11 – you could tell me exactly where you were when you heard the news that America had been attacked. I don’t even need to say the year I am talking about – it is a date and an incident in our countries history that will not be forgotten for generations to come. But what if I asked you where you were on July 4, 1984? - - - I see a look of puzzlement on your faces – trying to remember what that date was? What significance it may have for you. Most of you don’t know exactly where you were or what you were doing. Yet for me – I can tell you to the minute where I was, what I was doing, and why it is so significant. It’s a very personal day for me and several family members, but not everyone was affected in the same way so the date does not have the same significance for all of us as 9/11 does.
This same situation occurred for many people at the time of Christ’s death in the city and surrounding areas of Jerusalem. For his disciples the events were heartbreaking, astounding, and overwhelming. For visitors and others that were in the city at the time, the events leading up to Christ’s death and even his death, held no real significance. So, it was possible that this stranger that began walking with the disciples, had no idea what had happened – I mean, sure, three criminals died on crosses the other day. So? What does that have to do with me?
“What happened?” Jesus asks.
Here it comes – the big moment – the opportunity to bear witness to Christ’s resurrection – to tell a stranger how much God loves us – that he sent his only son to die on a cross for us – and that he rose from the dead so that we may have life – and the disciples respond … “Haven’t you heard about the things that happened to Jesus the Nazarene? He was a man of God, a prophet like Moses and Jeremiah, dynamic in work and word, blessed by both God and all the people. But then, our high priests and leaders betrayed him. They got him sentenced to death, and then they crucified him. You know, we had our hopes – hear that HAD OUR HOPES – that he was the One, the One about to deliver Israel. It’s been three days now since it happened, and we just couldn’t take it anymore, being in that place – the memories, the confusion. And now, if you can believe this, some of our women – leave it to the women – have completely confused us. Early this morning they were at the tomb and they couldn’t find his body. They came back with some out-of-this-world story that they had seen a vision of angels who said he was alive. Some of our friends went off to the tomb to check and found it empty just as the women said, but – they didn’t see Jesus.”
When is the last time that you had an opportunity to share something that has happened to you and done so with such a dreary, sour look on your face that others were confused about whether it was a happy or sad situation? Imagine the look on the strangers face – on Jesus’ face – as two of his own disciples told him what had happened to him – to HIM! No wonder he replied – What a bunch of hard-hearted fools you are! Why can’t you simply believe all that the prophets said? Don’t you see that these things had to happen, that the Messiah had to suffer and only then enter into his glory?”
And then …. Something awesome happened …
He began to teach them as they walked along the road together. Talk about a Bible study! To have the Master of the universe explaining everything that had happened from the beginning of time to the very present moment… wouldn’t you have loved to be walking in their shoes? But this was not the usual scripture stories that they had heard in temple all of their lives, no, these stories were being shared with them by someone who seemed to have actually been there when the world was created, to have really been present when Moses had wandered the desert, and to have actually inspired the prophecies for the messiah that had been written. This talking and walking took awhile. You see, just like us – in order for the Emmaus disciples to recognize the crucified and risen Lord, they first had to understand God’s vision – they had to understand His plan for salvation in the world.
Well, they finally arrived at Hotel Emmaus – where the candles are always lit – and Jesus started to walk away from his traveling companions and to continue on his journey. But, something made Cleopas say – Wait! Stay with us!
It was not uncommon to show hospitality to a stranger during that time by offering shelter, food and drink, but I kind of think that they were starting to recognize how their hearts were feeling as they walked along together and they weren’t ready to let go of that feeling. The feeling of remembrance, of familiarity, the feeling that this stranger may actually understand me!
And as they sat down at the table, the stranger who had become the invited guest, turned things around and became the host – when he picked up the bread, gave thanks, and broke it. And in that moment the disciple’s eyes were opened and they RECOGNIZED HIM! But before they could hold him, or speak another word – he vanished!
I am sure each of us has had moments like this. When we were walking the path of a family member or friend’s serious illness – and later we recall the stranger who prayed with us. Or when we have walked the road of grief – and someone sent us a message of hope. We all have momentary glimpses of Christ in our lives, but what do we do after we have seen him? For the Emmaus disciples’ , they got up – that very hour – and RAN – no more walking – they RAN – back to Jerusalem to tell the others what they had seen. They had seen Jesus and he is alive!
Let me take you back to the story I told you about the art exhibition called Holy Ground and share a few stories from the people whose shoes are on display: first, there’s Rosemarie from Germany who survived Nazi Germany. Her father, a Christian, helped Jews escape until the Nazis forced him to kill himself in 1938. Rosemarie then survived the brutality of the Russians after the war, and then years later, God led her to work in the former Soviet Union to speak about God’s forgiveness. Do you see him? Jesus – he is alive!
Then there is John Musa Puma from Nigeria who rebelled against his family as a teenager—following a native religion instead of the family’s Christianity, stealing, drinking, and even killing. Then through an evangelist meeting, John became a Christian, quit his rebellious life, and responded to the need for an evangelist in the rural parts of Kenya. Now John has planted a church in the neighboring country of Niger in a mainly Muslim area. Do you see him? Jesus – he is alive!
There is also Kanta from India who used to work as a prostitute for 20 years. Now she’s a health worker helping prostitutes protect themselves from HIV/AIDS and other sexually-transmitted diseases. She cares for these prostitutes when most of society treats them harshly, the hospitals not even having the time to care for them. She also has many chances to share God’s love with these women and girls who know very little love in their lives. Do you see him? Jesus – he is alive!
Just like each of these people I have had these types of moments and to share them with you, I brought a few show-and-tell examples. Maybe they will help you remember when you caught a glimpse of Jesus.
These are the shoes of my brother who was murdered fourteen years ago. I can’t begin to tell you how many times I saw Jesus in the faces and the prayers and the simple acts of kindness of the people who walked alongside us in our grief.
These are the shoes my children each wore as we had them Christened when they were infants. Now each of them is walking with Christ in his or her own way.
These are the shoes I got married in. To say that Christ has walked alongside us through the years through the friends and loved ones we have known is an understatement of truth.
And these, these are my baby shoes. How can I doubt his faithfulness on my journey of life with all the blessings that have been given to me?
And these, these are the shoes I’m wearing today as I struggle to continue to walk with Christ by my side.
We each have our own Emmaus – the place where we go to get away form our hurts, our disappointments, our pain. But, when we meet Christ in that place, we have to rest – stop what we are doing – and ask ourselves – do we continue to focus on our hopes, our dreams? or do we get up and RUN to tell others – He is alive! Jesus is alive!
In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen
These Shoes Were Made For Walking
Sermon snippet: Have you ever believed in someone and then been disappointed and disillusioned? have you ever invested time, energy, and effort in someone who promised you so much – and then been disappointed? Can you imagine sharing meals together, making plans together, working alongside each other – and then – it’s over.
From Luke 24: 13-35
From Luke 24: 13-35
Tuesday, April 6, 2010
Teddy Bears and miracles (part 2)
Do you just love teddy bears? Those cute little button eyes and stitched noses? The little furry ears and puff tail always seem to be an extra handle to carry them along with by children’s hands that are too small to wrap around the full body.
For more years than I can recount I have been in love with these furry friends. Even today my bed is made up with one special bear sitting in the middle – a gift from someone I care deeply for. Scattered throughout the house are an assortment of these furry creatures. They range in size and color and texture and yet, I have never made a point of collecting a single one. They have each simply found their way into my home and into my heart.
Well, these little fur covered, over-stuffed objects of simple affection have been used again to perform another miracle. Since the article (found at the attached website) first went online and through the paper, I have begun receiving phone calls from folks who want to open their hearts and bless someone else with a cuddly stuffed animal.
Isn’t it amazing how easily a miracle happens when we respond with genuine love?
www.ngumc.org
For more years than I can recount I have been in love with these furry friends. Even today my bed is made up with one special bear sitting in the middle – a gift from someone I care deeply for. Scattered throughout the house are an assortment of these furry creatures. They range in size and color and texture and yet, I have never made a point of collecting a single one. They have each simply found their way into my home and into my heart.
Well, these little fur covered, over-stuffed objects of simple affection have been used again to perform another miracle. Since the article (found at the attached website) first went online and through the paper, I have begun receiving phone calls from folks who want to open their hearts and bless someone else with a cuddly stuffed animal.
Isn’t it amazing how easily a miracle happens when we respond with genuine love?
www.ngumc.org
Sunday, March 21, 2010
Responding to Easter (Part 1 of 3)
This is the edited version of my sermon from this morning. May you be blessed and God be glorified.
“I want to share a true story with you about a nine-year-old boy who lived in a rural town in Tennessee. His house was in a poor area of the community. A church had a bus ministry that came knocking on his door one Saturday afternoon. The kid came to answer the door and greeted the bus pastor. The bus pastor asked if his parents were home and the small boy told him that his parents take off every weekend and leave him at home to take care of his little brother.
The bus pastor couldn’t believe what the kid said and asked him to repeat it. The youngster gave the same answer and the bus pastor asked to come in and talk with him. They went into the living room and sat down on an old couch with the foam and springs exposed.
The bus pastor asked the kid, “Where do you go to church?” The young boy surprised the visitor by replying, “I’ve never been to church in my whole life.” The bus pastor thought to himself about the fact that his church was less than three miles from the child’s house. “Are you sure you have never been to church?” He asked again. “I sure haven’t”, came his answer.
Then the bus pastor said, “Well, son, more important than going to church, have you ever heard the greatest love story ever told?” and then he proceeded to share the Gospel with this little nine year old boy. The young lad’s heart began to be tenderized and at the end of the bus pastor’s story the bus pastor asked if the boy wanted to receive this free gift from God. The youngster exclaimed, “You bet! The kid and the bus pastor got on their knees and the lad invited Jesus into his little heart and received the free gift of salvation.
When they both stood up the bus pastor asked if he could pick the kid up for church the next morning. “Sure,” the nine old replied. The bus pastor got to the house early the next morning and found the lights off. He let himself in and snaked his way through the house and found the little boy asleep in his bed. He woke up the little boy and his brother and helped get them dressed. They got on the bus and ate a donut for breakfast on their way to church. Keep in mind that this boy had never been to church before. The church was a real big one. The little kid just sat there, clueless of what was going on.
A few minutes into the service these tall unhappy guys walked down to the front and picked up some wooden plates. One of the men prayed and the kid with utter fascination watched them walk up and down the aisles. He still didn’t know what was going on.
All of a sudden like a bolt of lightning it hit the kid what was taking place. These people must be giving money to Jesus. He then reflected on the free gift of life that he had received just twenty-four hours earlier. He immediately searched his pockets, front and back, and couldn’t find a thing to give Jesus. By this time the offering plate was being passed down his aisle and with a broken heart he just grabbed the plate and held on to it. He finally let go and watched it pass on down the aisle. He turned around to see it passed down the aisle behind him. And then his eyes remained glued on the plate as it was passed back and forth, back and forth all the way to the rear of the sanctuary. Then he had an idea.
This little nine-year-old boy, in front of God and everybody, got up out of his seat. He walked about eight rows back, grabbed the usher by the coat and asked to hold the plate one more time. Then he did the most astounding thing I have ever heard of. He took the plate, sat it on the carpeted church floor and stepped into the center of it. As he stood there, he lifted his little head up and said, “Jesus, I don’t have anything to give you today, but just me. I give you me!”" – Author Unknown
What does Christ expect of us? To do what we can.
In today’s gospel reading, we encounter a similar kind of heart-filled response to God’s gift. It is one of the most beautiful gospel stories, full-to-overflowing with love and meaning. At the center of this story we find Mary and her extravagant gift of anointing Jesus’ feet.
This scripture reading comes right after Jesus raised Mary and Martha’s brother, Lazarus from the dead. Some of the religious leaders in Jerusalem were making plans to arrest Jesus and put him to death. Even with the knowledge that he was about to face his arrest, trial, sentence and death on the cross, Jesus made the trip to Bethany to be with his friends for this special dinner.
Everything changes when Mary enters the room with a pound of costly perfume made of pure nard, anoints Jesus’ feet, and wipes them with her hair. This was a surprising interruption to the evening. Mary’s action broke the traditions of the time. Women were not supposed to be the centre of attention in the presence of men, nor were women to touch a spiritual leader in public. Added to this response was the detail of Mary’s long hair being worn down. You see, it was customary for women to wear their long locks of hair up. For a woman to wear her hair down in public was a sign that she was not an honorable woman.
It seems that Mary’s act of extravagant giving was an unplanned, natural response of her love and gratitude to Jesus for what he has done for her and her family. Sometimes our hearts are in the right places and we do the right thing out of love, rather than hold back out of fear of what others might think. Like the little boy who stood in the offering plate.
One other point in this story I want to make is found in verse three. John tells us: “The house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume.” John shares with us a symbol of an unselfishness, generous and loving act done purely as a natural response to the love that was given to Mary and her family. We can all be inspired by this detail to go and do likewise, following Mary’s faithful example. Our extravagant, loving acts as faithful followers of Jesus can add sweetness and quality to the lives of others.
I pray that as we move closer to Holy Week, we may each also move closer to the spirit of Mary’s extravagant, loving act of anointing Jesus. May we, like Mary live out our faith ever grateful for what Jesus has done for us on the cross, and act in ways that inspire others, that they too may come closer to Jesus and his all sufficient love for them.
“I want to share a true story with you about a nine-year-old boy who lived in a rural town in Tennessee. His house was in a poor area of the community. A church had a bus ministry that came knocking on his door one Saturday afternoon. The kid came to answer the door and greeted the bus pastor. The bus pastor asked if his parents were home and the small boy told him that his parents take off every weekend and leave him at home to take care of his little brother.
The bus pastor couldn’t believe what the kid said and asked him to repeat it. The youngster gave the same answer and the bus pastor asked to come in and talk with him. They went into the living room and sat down on an old couch with the foam and springs exposed.
The bus pastor asked the kid, “Where do you go to church?” The young boy surprised the visitor by replying, “I’ve never been to church in my whole life.” The bus pastor thought to himself about the fact that his church was less than three miles from the child’s house. “Are you sure you have never been to church?” He asked again. “I sure haven’t”, came his answer.
Then the bus pastor said, “Well, son, more important than going to church, have you ever heard the greatest love story ever told?” and then he proceeded to share the Gospel with this little nine year old boy. The young lad’s heart began to be tenderized and at the end of the bus pastor’s story the bus pastor asked if the boy wanted to receive this free gift from God. The youngster exclaimed, “You bet! The kid and the bus pastor got on their knees and the lad invited Jesus into his little heart and received the free gift of salvation.
When they both stood up the bus pastor asked if he could pick the kid up for church the next morning. “Sure,” the nine old replied. The bus pastor got to the house early the next morning and found the lights off. He let himself in and snaked his way through the house and found the little boy asleep in his bed. He woke up the little boy and his brother and helped get them dressed. They got on the bus and ate a donut for breakfast on their way to church. Keep in mind that this boy had never been to church before. The church was a real big one. The little kid just sat there, clueless of what was going on.
A few minutes into the service these tall unhappy guys walked down to the front and picked up some wooden plates. One of the men prayed and the kid with utter fascination watched them walk up and down the aisles. He still didn’t know what was going on.
All of a sudden like a bolt of lightning it hit the kid what was taking place. These people must be giving money to Jesus. He then reflected on the free gift of life that he had received just twenty-four hours earlier. He immediately searched his pockets, front and back, and couldn’t find a thing to give Jesus. By this time the offering plate was being passed down his aisle and with a broken heart he just grabbed the plate and held on to it. He finally let go and watched it pass on down the aisle. He turned around to see it passed down the aisle behind him. And then his eyes remained glued on the plate as it was passed back and forth, back and forth all the way to the rear of the sanctuary. Then he had an idea.
This little nine-year-old boy, in front of God and everybody, got up out of his seat. He walked about eight rows back, grabbed the usher by the coat and asked to hold the plate one more time. Then he did the most astounding thing I have ever heard of. He took the plate, sat it on the carpeted church floor and stepped into the center of it. As he stood there, he lifted his little head up and said, “Jesus, I don’t have anything to give you today, but just me. I give you me!”" – Author Unknown
What does Christ expect of us? To do what we can.
In today’s gospel reading, we encounter a similar kind of heart-filled response to God’s gift. It is one of the most beautiful gospel stories, full-to-overflowing with love and meaning. At the center of this story we find Mary and her extravagant gift of anointing Jesus’ feet.
This scripture reading comes right after Jesus raised Mary and Martha’s brother, Lazarus from the dead. Some of the religious leaders in Jerusalem were making plans to arrest Jesus and put him to death. Even with the knowledge that he was about to face his arrest, trial, sentence and death on the cross, Jesus made the trip to Bethany to be with his friends for this special dinner.
Everything changes when Mary enters the room with a pound of costly perfume made of pure nard, anoints Jesus’ feet, and wipes them with her hair. This was a surprising interruption to the evening. Mary’s action broke the traditions of the time. Women were not supposed to be the centre of attention in the presence of men, nor were women to touch a spiritual leader in public. Added to this response was the detail of Mary’s long hair being worn down. You see, it was customary for women to wear their long locks of hair up. For a woman to wear her hair down in public was a sign that she was not an honorable woman.
It seems that Mary’s act of extravagant giving was an unplanned, natural response of her love and gratitude to Jesus for what he has done for her and her family. Sometimes our hearts are in the right places and we do the right thing out of love, rather than hold back out of fear of what others might think. Like the little boy who stood in the offering plate.
One other point in this story I want to make is found in verse three. John tells us: “The house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume.” John shares with us a symbol of an unselfishness, generous and loving act done purely as a natural response to the love that was given to Mary and her family. We can all be inspired by this detail to go and do likewise, following Mary’s faithful example. Our extravagant, loving acts as faithful followers of Jesus can add sweetness and quality to the lives of others.
I pray that as we move closer to Holy Week, we may each also move closer to the spirit of Mary’s extravagant, loving act of anointing Jesus. May we, like Mary live out our faith ever grateful for what Jesus has done for us on the cross, and act in ways that inspire others, that they too may come closer to Jesus and his all sufficient love for them.
“Six days before the Passover, Jesus arrived at Bethany, where Lazarus lived, whom Jesus had raised from the dead. Here a dinner was given in Jesus’ honor. Martha served, while Lazarus was among those reclining at the table with him. Then Mary took about a pint of pure nard, an expensive perfume; she poured it on Jesus’ feet and wiped his feet with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume.” – John 12: 1-3
Friday, February 26, 2010
Carrots, Eggs & Coffee beans
No, this is not a new weight loss diet or some strange health fad. Although I do think it is one way of measuring our spiritual health. I collect stories, fables and parables. One day I came across this one and tucked it away for future reference. Maybe I could use it as a lesson for my children or someone else I knew. Today I found it again and recognized it’s lesson for me.
Most of my life I have naturally been a coffee bean-type person. But lately I have been in some tough spots and have begun to feel rather fragile. As I read this story I realized that I have mixed myself in with the wrong pot! I threw myself into the pot of eggs to try to rescue them, when that didn’t happen, I jumped into the pot with the carrots because my feelings were hurt. Today I realized, I’m a coffee bean, so I’m joining my brothers and sisters and I’m making a change in the world around me!
Come on in – the water’s great!
A daughter complained to her father about life and how things were so hard for her. She did not know how she was going to make it and wanted to give up. She was tired of struggling. It seemed that as soon as one problem was solved, a new one arose.
Her father, a chef, took her to the kitchen. He filled three pots with water and placed each on a high fire. Soon the pots came to a boil. In one he placed carrots, in the second he placed eggs, and the last he placed ground coffee beans. He let them sit and boil, without saying a word. The daughter sucked her teeth and impatiently waited, wondering what he was doing. In about twenty minutes he turned off the burners. He fished the carrots out and placed them in a bowl. He pulled the eggs out and placed them a bowl. Then he ladled the coffee out and placed it in a bowl. Turning to her he asked. “What do you see?” “Carrots, eggs, and coffee,” she replied.
He brought her closer and asked her to feel the carrots. She did and noted that they were soft. He then asked her to take an egg and break it. After pulling off the shell, she observed the hard-boiled egg. Finally, he asked her to sip the coffee. She smiled as she tasted its rich aroma. She said, “What’s the point?”
He explained that each of the items had faced the same adversity – boiling water – but each reacted differently. The carrot went in strong and hard. But after being subjected to the boiling water, it softened and became weak. The egg had been fragile. Its thin outer shell had protected its liquid interior. But after sitting through the boiling water, its inside became hardened. The ground coffee beans were unique, however. After they were in the boiling water, they had changed the water.
“Which are you?” he asked his daughter. “When adversity knocks on your door, how do you respond? Are you a carrot, an egg, or a coffee bean?”
Most of my life I have naturally been a coffee bean-type person. But lately I have been in some tough spots and have begun to feel rather fragile. As I read this story I realized that I have mixed myself in with the wrong pot! I threw myself into the pot of eggs to try to rescue them, when that didn’t happen, I jumped into the pot with the carrots because my feelings were hurt. Today I realized, I’m a coffee bean, so I’m joining my brothers and sisters and I’m making a change in the world around me!
Come on in – the water’s great!
Monday, February 22, 2010
BlessU
When is the last time you blessed someone? Probably when you heard someone sneeze! It’s pretty automatic isn’t it? Whether you say “God bless you!” or simply “Bless you!” or even the uncommon “Gesundheit” we all seem to offer up a blessing on someone for something so common and ordinary everyday.
So, let me share with you a simple blessing you can send across in a text message to brighten someone’s day. It’s short enough to fit all the characters and spaces on a phone text, but meaningful enough to pass on.
If you know of others, please share them with all of us! And may UB blessed!
“Lord, may yr blessing B on yr ppl.”
So, let me share with you a simple blessing you can send across in a text message to brighten someone’s day. It’s short enough to fit all the characters and spaces on a phone text, but meaningful enough to pass on.
If you know of others, please share them with all of us! And may UB blessed!
“Lord, may yr blessing B on yr ppl.”
“From the LORD comes deliverance.
May your blessing be on your people.” ~ Psalm 3:8
Sunday, February 21, 2010
To God be the Glory ... part 1
It’s not too often that I find a passage in the Old Testament that just jumps up and grabs me. The problem with only teaching from the New Testament for me is that it doesn’t remind us of God’s history with us in the same way that studying the Old Testament does. So, I decided to look at this particular passage and look at a bit of our history. Maybe you will also see something relevant for your life.
It’s interesting that this is the second time Moses had been up to the mountain to receive the commandments from God. If you remember a little of your Bible history, Moses had already been up on the mountaintop with God and had been given the law that the people were to live by. That first trip took Moses a few days longer than what the people expected and they became impatient. When they didn’t want to wait any longer, they put together their gold, melted it and built a golden calf to worship. As this was going on, God told Moses that the people were creating a false idol to worship and God would now destroy the Israelites. Moses intervened on behalf of the people and changed God’s mind towards the people. But Moses had a bit of a temper himself – when he saw – he already had heard about it – but now he saw the golden calf – when he saw what the people had done he threw the tablets at the foot of the mountain and shattered them! So, Moses has to go up the mountain – again – and bring two more tablets, and spend some more alone time with God.
I know this is a creative description of what might have happened when Moses received the tablets, but let’s remember – he was just another human being! A common guy that had his faults and problems, but one that God chose to use in a very powerful way.
So what happened after Moses came face to face with God. Twice Moses had been in the very presence of God to receive the commandments. In the first account there is no description of his face shining or any other difference noted about Moses. In fact, as I stated a minute ago, he was the same temperamental guy after he came down from the mountain the first time as he was when he was a young man. But the second time he went to the mountain of the Lord, something was different about him. His brother Aaron and all the Israelite's knew this the minute they looked at him because his face shone. Have you ever had something extraordinary happen and found yourself unable to fully comprehend what is going on, so you get stuck on the irrelevant details?
The story is told about a man took his new hunting dog on a trial hunt one day. After a while he managed to shoot a duck and it fell in the lake. The dog walked over the water, picked up the duck, and brought it to his master. The man was stunned. He didn't know what to think. He shot another duck and again, it fell into the lake and again the dog walked over the water and brought it back to his master. Hardly daring to believe his eyes, and not wanting to be thought a total fool, he told no-one about it - but the next day he called his neighbor to come shooting with him. As on the previous day he shot a duck and it fell into the lake. The dog walked over the water and got it. His neighbor didn't say a word. Several more ducks got shot that day - and each time the dog walked over the water to retrieve them - and each time the neighbor said nothing and neither did the owner of the dog. Finally - unable to contain himself any longer the owner asked his neighbor - "do you notice anything strange about my dog??"
Yes - replied the neighbor - rubbing his chin and thinking a bit - come to think of it I do - your dog doesn't know how to swim…"
I think the neighbor missed the point!
Why do we people have such a problem seeing God in the everyday moments of our lives?
It’s interesting that this is the second time Moses had been up to the mountain to receive the commandments from God. If you remember a little of your Bible history, Moses had already been up on the mountaintop with God and had been given the law that the people were to live by. That first trip took Moses a few days longer than what the people expected and they became impatient. When they didn’t want to wait any longer, they put together their gold, melted it and built a golden calf to worship. As this was going on, God told Moses that the people were creating a false idol to worship and God would now destroy the Israelites. Moses intervened on behalf of the people and changed God’s mind towards the people. But Moses had a bit of a temper himself – when he saw – he already had heard about it – but now he saw the golden calf – when he saw what the people had done he threw the tablets at the foot of the mountain and shattered them! So, Moses has to go up the mountain – again – and bring two more tablets, and spend some more alone time with God.
I know this is a creative description of what might have happened when Moses received the tablets, but let’s remember – he was just another human being! A common guy that had his faults and problems, but one that God chose to use in a very powerful way.
So what happened after Moses came face to face with God. Twice Moses had been in the very presence of God to receive the commandments. In the first account there is no description of his face shining or any other difference noted about Moses. In fact, as I stated a minute ago, he was the same temperamental guy after he came down from the mountain the first time as he was when he was a young man. But the second time he went to the mountain of the Lord, something was different about him. His brother Aaron and all the Israelite's knew this the minute they looked at him because his face shone. Have you ever had something extraordinary happen and found yourself unable to fully comprehend what is going on, so you get stuck on the irrelevant details?
The story is told about a man took his new hunting dog on a trial hunt one day. After a while he managed to shoot a duck and it fell in the lake. The dog walked over the water, picked up the duck, and brought it to his master. The man was stunned. He didn't know what to think. He shot another duck and again, it fell into the lake and again the dog walked over the water and brought it back to his master. Hardly daring to believe his eyes, and not wanting to be thought a total fool, he told no-one about it - but the next day he called his neighbor to come shooting with him. As on the previous day he shot a duck and it fell into the lake. The dog walked over the water and got it. His neighbor didn't say a word. Several more ducks got shot that day - and each time the dog walked over the water to retrieve them - and each time the neighbor said nothing and neither did the owner of the dog. Finally - unable to contain himself any longer the owner asked his neighbor - "do you notice anything strange about my dog??"
Yes - replied the neighbor - rubbing his chin and thinking a bit - come to think of it I do - your dog doesn't know how to swim…"
I think the neighbor missed the point!
Why do we people have such a problem seeing God in the everyday moments of our lives?
"Moses came down from Mount Sinai. As he came down from the mountain with the two tablets of the covenant* in his hand, Moses did not know that the skin of his face shone because he had been talking with God. When Aaron and all the Israelites saw Moses, the skin of his face was shining, and they were afraid to come near him. But Moses called to them; and Aaron and all the leaders of the congregation returned to him, and Moses spoke with them. Afterwards all the Israelites came near, and he gave them in commandment all that the Lord had spoken with him on Mount Sinai. When Moses had finished speaking with them, he put a veil on his face; but whenever Moses went in before the Lord to speak with him, he would take the veil off, until he came out; and when he came out, and told the Israelites what he had been commanded, the Israelites would see the face of Moses, that the skin of his face was shining; and Moses would put the veil on his face again, until he went in to speak with him." - Exodus 34:29-35
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
... we all fall down!
As I have been preparing for tonight’s Ash Wednesday service at the church I recalled this treasured nursery rhyme: Ring around the roses, pockets full of posies, ashes to ashes we all fall down! I remember my children holding hands and reaching out to anyone close enough to catch within their circle as they skipped and sang this song before tumbling to the ground into a laughing, giggling pile of joy. It did not matter what age you were, it seemed you were qualified to play this game. Next to “Hide and go seek” this was my children’s favorite game to play with every member of the family. Through the years I have always been surprised by how much I have learned from my children and this simple little game is another example.
There have been several lessons I learned from playing this game with my children and their friends. I learned that we have a lot more fun when we all play together. I learned that laughing at myself was more enjoyable than laughing at others. I also learned that the ground was just a little further to fall to for some of us and it hurt when I landed!
Isn’t that just like life? It seems the higher, the bigger, and the more important or more favored we think we are, life has a way of bringing us back to the basics. And sometimes it hurts when we land. Sometimes it’s our ego, sometimes it’s our pride, sometimes it’s our dignity, but it all hurts. I also learned that it was harder to get up after falling down for some of us and we need a helping hand or an encouraging word from our friends to help us get back into the game.
Today is Ash Wednesday in the Christian church. It is a time for each of us to participate in the call to repentance and reconciliation with God and with our neighbors. We use ashes as a physical sign of our own mortality and remorse for the things we’ve done that have hurt the people around us. Participation in a service of the Imposition of Ashes can be a powerful experience that allows us to reach for the hand of a friend whether it is for help in picking ourselves up or lifting someone else.
I recently read a comment that said “It's not how we fall but how we get up that matters most. I'm still working on the getting up part.” Can I give you a hand?
There have been several lessons I learned from playing this game with my children and their friends. I learned that we have a lot more fun when we all play together. I learned that laughing at myself was more enjoyable than laughing at others. I also learned that the ground was just a little further to fall to for some of us and it hurt when I landed!
Isn’t that just like life? It seems the higher, the bigger, and the more important or more favored we think we are, life has a way of bringing us back to the basics. And sometimes it hurts when we land. Sometimes it’s our ego, sometimes it’s our pride, sometimes it’s our dignity, but it all hurts. I also learned that it was harder to get up after falling down for some of us and we need a helping hand or an encouraging word from our friends to help us get back into the game.
Today is Ash Wednesday in the Christian church. It is a time for each of us to participate in the call to repentance and reconciliation with God and with our neighbors. We use ashes as a physical sign of our own mortality and remorse for the things we’ve done that have hurt the people around us. Participation in a service of the Imposition of Ashes can be a powerful experience that allows us to reach for the hand of a friend whether it is for help in picking ourselves up or lifting someone else.
I recently read a comment that said “It's not how we fall but how we get up that matters most. I'm still working on the getting up part.” Can I give you a hand?
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
Love is ... part 2
I like Necco wafers. For me there is excitement in the unwrapping of the end of the package and placing that little chalky-flavored bit of candy right in the middle of my tongue. Those little bits of flavor bring back special memories of childhood for me. One of my favorite recurring memories is of my grandfather sitting in his recliner, smoking his pipe and sharing his wafers with the grandkids. The rule was that Pop-pop would open the candy roll and take the first one, then each grandchild would receive one in order of your descending age, but … if you didn’t take the color that came up when it was your turn, you had to wait until it was your turn again during the next round. Sometimes one of the kids would choose to not take the little piece of candy that was offered and would try to get the next one that came up because that was his or her “favorite”. That never worked with my grandfather! He would remind us of the “rule” and how we each took our turn, and we each had a choice to take what we were offered. Then he would go to the next grandchild. There were many times we would take the little wafer when we didn’t care for that particular flavor! As I grew up, I wondered if we took it because we didn’t want to “miss our turn” or because we didn’t want to disappoint Pop-pop.
I learned a lot of life lessons from those rolls of chalky candies. I learned that life is good - even if whatever you are dealing with isn't your favorite part. I learned that when we are given the freedom of choice we must accept the consequences of our actions. I learned that as I grew older, there were more and more people I needed to share with in order to be able to enjoy the piece of life I was offered.
And then there were all the flavors! How could I not learn that life was about all of the flavors and experiences that we encounter? Some of were hard to distinguish between, but others were so rich and colorful that you could not help but want to savor them slowly and enjoy them down to the very ... last ... moment. ahhh...
I don't think my grandfather planned on teaching me or my siblings or my cousins all these lessons from a simple roll of candy. But I think it would please him to know that he taught us how to love life, to love others, and to love the simple things that memories are made from.
Miss you Pop-pop.
I learned a lot of life lessons from those rolls of chalky candies. I learned that life is good - even if whatever you are dealing with isn't your favorite part. I learned that when we are given the freedom of choice we must accept the consequences of our actions. I learned that as I grew older, there were more and more people I needed to share with in order to be able to enjoy the piece of life I was offered.
And then there were all the flavors! How could I not learn that life was about all of the flavors and experiences that we encounter? Some of were hard to distinguish between, but others were so rich and colorful that you could not help but want to savor them slowly and enjoy them down to the very ... last ... moment. ahhh...
I don't think my grandfather planned on teaching me or my siblings or my cousins all these lessons from a simple roll of candy. But I think it would please him to know that he taught us how to love life, to love others, and to love the simple things that memories are made from.
Miss you Pop-pop.
"Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails." ~ 1 Corinthians 13: 4-8a
Thursday, February 4, 2010
Another rainy day ...
These past few weeks have had an abundance of rain to share with us and frankly, I’m tired of the gray! In south Florida there is a term for all this rain, it’s called “liquid sunshine”. But here in north Georgia, the sun is not sunshiny during the rain. It’s making me tired of the gray.
Now, don’t get me wrong, I am grateful for the rain. I am even grateful for the clouds and the cool temperatures. I’m just tired of all of the gray. Do you know what I mean? Have you ever felt the same way?
I have found that in life it is so much simpler when things are black or white, right or wrong, up or down … you get the idea. But when things start to blur, it is harder to make choices. Like when it rains. Do I really need to go out or can it wait until tomorrow? On one hand we need to balance the perceived need and on the other, our own wants. Sometimes it is easier than at other times.
While raising my young children if we ran out of milk or bread or diapers, that was an absolute need that far outweighed my wanting to stay at home where it was warm and dry. Now that I am older and my children do not live at home I can look in the fridge and think to myself, “Tomorrow is soon enough to pick up some milk.” My desire to stay warm and dry has won out against the need for milk. I’ll just change the menu for tonight.
Yet now I find that the choices aren’t as easy as they once were. Now I do not have the external guides that I once had and the choices, the decisions I must make are often more difficult. Now the choices and the issues I wrestle with are often blurred into matters that have the nuances of others lives besides my own. Now, I make decisions and choices on matters that have far-reaching implications. When I go out to the grocery store for my milk or bread I can not help but think – where did the food came from? who produced it? is the packaging recyclable? what of the child who is hungry tonight?
And it is still raining. But I see a touch of sun shining through!
Now, don’t get me wrong, I am grateful for the rain. I am even grateful for the clouds and the cool temperatures. I’m just tired of all of the gray. Do you know what I mean? Have you ever felt the same way?
I have found that in life it is so much simpler when things are black or white, right or wrong, up or down … you get the idea. But when things start to blur, it is harder to make choices. Like when it rains. Do I really need to go out or can it wait until tomorrow? On one hand we need to balance the perceived need and on the other, our own wants. Sometimes it is easier than at other times.
While raising my young children if we ran out of milk or bread or diapers, that was an absolute need that far outweighed my wanting to stay at home where it was warm and dry. Now that I am older and my children do not live at home I can look in the fridge and think to myself, “Tomorrow is soon enough to pick up some milk.” My desire to stay warm and dry has won out against the need for milk. I’ll just change the menu for tonight.
Yet now I find that the choices aren’t as easy as they once were. Now I do not have the external guides that I once had and the choices, the decisions I must make are often more difficult. Now the choices and the issues I wrestle with are often blurred into matters that have the nuances of others lives besides my own. Now, I make decisions and choices on matters that have far-reaching implications. When I go out to the grocery store for my milk or bread I can not help but think – where did the food came from? who produced it? is the packaging recyclable? what of the child who is hungry tonight?
And it is still raining. But I see a touch of sun shining through!
“When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me. Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.” ~ 1 Corinthians 13: 11-12
Monday, February 1, 2010
Love is ... part 1
"You really shouldn't say 'I love you' unless you mean it. But if you mean it, you should say it a lot. People forget." --Jessica - age 8
These past few weeks have been bumpy for me. I have had some uncluttering to do in my head and as I've worked to clear my mind I've had to step away from blogging. Pardon the absence. And, I'm glad to be back!
I found the above quote as I looked for something to describe the way God loves us and how we can show that same love to others. There were loads of romanticized quotes on love; cynical quotes on love; judgmental & opinionated quotes & silly quotes on love. But, from the thoughts of a child I saw a purity on the thought of what love truly is.
It seems to me that love is about relationship. Sometimes it is a family relationship, the love between a parent and child - regardless of either ones age. Sometimes we see love in the acts of sacrifice by soldiers and their families - a patriotic love, a love of their country and way of life. Sometimes we see love grown out of a common bond between people who have a shared tragedy in their lives - the death of a child or the devastation of a hurricane. But it seems to me, love is about a relationship that is built between people.
That is why I like what Jessica said about love. Relationships are fragile and easy to hurt, harm or break. So we shouldn't say "I love you" unless we mean it from somewhere in our common bond of life. And if we mean it, we really should say it often so we can strengthen those bonds and build each other up and enrich our relationships.
May you know love ...
These past few weeks have been bumpy for me. I have had some uncluttering to do in my head and as I've worked to clear my mind I've had to step away from blogging. Pardon the absence. And, I'm glad to be back!
I found the above quote as I looked for something to describe the way God loves us and how we can show that same love to others. There were loads of romanticized quotes on love; cynical quotes on love; judgmental & opinionated quotes & silly quotes on love. But, from the thoughts of a child I saw a purity on the thought of what love truly is.
It seems to me that love is about relationship. Sometimes it is a family relationship, the love between a parent and child - regardless of either ones age. Sometimes we see love in the acts of sacrifice by soldiers and their families - a patriotic love, a love of their country and way of life. Sometimes we see love grown out of a common bond between people who have a shared tragedy in their lives - the death of a child or the devastation of a hurricane. But it seems to me, love is about a relationship that is built between people.
That is why I like what Jessica said about love. Relationships are fragile and easy to hurt, harm or break. So we shouldn't say "I love you" unless we mean it from somewhere in our common bond of life. And if we mean it, we really should say it often so we can strengthen those bonds and build each other up and enrich our relationships.
May you know love ...
Friday, January 29, 2010
Prison Fellowship Conference
On March 28-31, 2010, Prison Fellowship will host the Georgia Out4Life
Prisoner Reentry Conference at the Embassy Suites Atlanta Airport
Hotel. The conference will be conducted in partnership with the
Georgia Department of Corrections and the State Board of Pardons and
Parole. Leaders and volunteers will convene to address practical
barriers to reintegration, cultivate collaborative relationships, and
begin to develop fitting strategies to reduce recidivism and restore
prisoners to their families and communities.
A combination of plenary talks and concentrated workshops will delve
into such topics as employment for ex-offenders, addiction and
recovery, public safety, family issues, special needs of women
prisoners, and the importance of establishing networks to meet these
and many other needs. Your participation is highly valued.
Some of the featured speakers include Mark Earley (Prison Fellowship
President), Brian Owens (Commissioner, DOC), Garland Hunt (Parole
Board Member), Jay Cory (Atlanta Union Mission), Chaplain Susan Bishop
(Metro State Prison), and Vicki Lopez Lukis (Co-Chair, Florida
Secretary of DOC Reentry Advisory Council).
The Out4Life Conference is for pastors, volunteers, community leaders,
government officials, ministry organizations, employers and anyone
interested in helping inmates successfully transition into our
communities. Participants will be encouraged to extend services to
offenders and help build community reentry coalitions across the
state.
For more information, please visit the website at www.out4life.com
Prisoner Reentry Conference at the Embassy Suites Atlanta Airport
Hotel. The conference will be conducted in partnership with the
Georgia Department of Corrections and the State Board of Pardons and
Parole. Leaders and volunteers will convene to address practical
barriers to reintegration, cultivate collaborative relationships, and
begin to develop fitting strategies to reduce recidivism and restore
prisoners to their families and communities.
A combination of plenary talks and concentrated workshops will delve
into such topics as employment for ex-offenders, addiction and
recovery, public safety, family issues, special needs of women
prisoners, and the importance of establishing networks to meet these
and many other needs. Your participation is highly valued.
Some of the featured speakers include Mark Earley (Prison Fellowship
President), Brian Owens (Commissioner, DOC), Garland Hunt (Parole
Board Member), Jay Cory (Atlanta Union Mission), Chaplain Susan Bishop
(Metro State Prison), and Vicki Lopez Lukis (Co-Chair, Florida
Secretary of DOC Reentry Advisory Council).
The Out4Life Conference is for pastors, volunteers, community leaders,
government officials, ministry organizations, employers and anyone
interested in helping inmates successfully transition into our
communities. Participants will be encouraged to extend services to
offenders and help build community reentry coalitions across the
state.
For more information, please visit the website at www.out4life.com
Friday, January 15, 2010
Justice and Mercy Impact Ministries … and another update
Men Stopping Violence
Men Stopping Violence is seeking faith based institutions that would like to participate in the Because We Have Daughters (BWHD) program. This fun and educational program will be conducted in partnership with researchers from GSU to study the effectiveness of BWHD as a violence prevention program promoting safety for girls and women. If funded, small stipends will be available for the site, as well as to participants. If interested, please contact http://www.menstoppingviolence.org/index.php
A proposal being submitted requires letters of interest no later than January 19, 2010
Men Stopping Violence is seeking faith based institutions that would like to participate in the Because We Have Daughters (BWHD) program. This fun and educational program will be conducted in partnership with researchers from GSU to study the effectiveness of BWHD as a violence prevention program promoting safety for girls and women. If funded, small stipends will be available for the site, as well as to participants. If interested, please contact http://www.menstoppingviolence.org/index.php
A proposal being submitted requires letters of interest no later than January 19, 2010
Justice and Mercy Impact Ministries … another update
Atlanta Fulton Family Connection Child Abuse and Neglect Council
Atlanta Fulton Family Connection Child Abuse and Neglect Council invites all who work with these issues in nonprofits, ministries, or agencies and other concerned citizens to the January meeting. 9:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.; Wednesday Jan. 20, 2010; Fulton County Juvenile Court; 395 Pryor Street Room 1132; Atlanta, GA 30312. Please R.s.v.p. by sending me a comment so I can forward your information.
Atlanta Fulton Family Connection Child Abuse and Neglect Council invites all who work with these issues in nonprofits, ministries, or agencies and other concerned citizens to the January meeting. 9:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.; Wednesday Jan. 20, 2010; Fulton County Juvenile Court; 395 Pryor Street Room 1132; Atlanta, GA 30312. Please R.s.v.p. by sending me a comment so I can forward your information.
Justice and Mercy Impact Ministries updates
Informational Gathering on Child Sexual Exploitation and Trafficking
January 21 | Avondale Patillo UMC, Decatur
North Georgia Conference
Advocacy Team is hosting a time of discussion, discernment and
decisions for action with metro-area United Methodist churches,
conference leaders, other interested persons and the Interfaith
Children’s Movement. Please join us on Thursday, January 21, 2010 at
10:00 a.m. at Avondale-Pattillo UMC, 3260 Covington Highway, Decatur,
30032. If you plan to attend please R.S.V.P. by commenting here and I will send you additional information.
For more information about ICM check out their website at
www.interfaithchildrenmovement.org
January 21 | Avondale Patillo UMC, Decatur
North Georgia Conference
Advocacy Team is hosting a time of discussion, discernment and
decisions for action with metro-area United Methodist churches,
conference leaders, other interested persons and the Interfaith
Children’s Movement. Please join us on Thursday, January 21, 2010 at
10:00 a.m. at Avondale-Pattillo UMC, 3260 Covington Highway, Decatur,
30032. If you plan to attend please R.S.V.P. by commenting here and I will send you additional information.
For more information about ICM check out their website at
www.interfaithchildrenmovement.org
Thursday, January 14, 2010
Twenty Truths to Remember
I am unabashedly borrowing this from an unknown author. If you know who wrote it, please share the name so I can give credit where it is due. If not, just enjoy and read it for the simple value it has for each of us.
Twenty Truths to Remember:
1. Faith is the ability to not panic.
2. If you worry, you didn’t pray. If you pray, don’t worry.
3. As a child of God, prayer is kind of like calling home every day.
4. Blessed are the flexible, for they shall not be bent out of shape.
5. When we get tangled up in our problems, be still. God wants us to be still so He can untangle the knot.
6. Do the math. Count your blessings.
7. God wants spiritual fruit, not religious nuts.
8. Dear God: I have a problem. It’s me.
9. Silence is often misinterpreted, but never misquoted.
10. Laugh every day, it’s like inner jogging.
11. The most important things in your home are the people.
12. Growing old is inevitable, growing up is optional.
13. There is no key to happiness. The door is always open.
14. A grudge is a heavy thing to carry.
15. He who dies with the most toys is still dead.
16. We do not remember days, but moments. Life moves too fast, so enjoy your precious moments.
17. Nothing is real to you until you experience it, otherwise it’s just hearsay.
18. It’s all right to sit on your pity pot every now and again. Just be sure to flush when you are done.
19. Surviving and living your life successfully requires courage. The goals and dreams you’re seeking require courage and risk-taking. Learn from the turtle — it only makes progress when it sticks out its neck.
20. Be more concerned with your character than your reputation. Your character is what you really are while your reputation is merely what others think you are.
– Author Unknown
Twenty Truths to Remember:
1. Faith is the ability to not panic.
2. If you worry, you didn’t pray. If you pray, don’t worry.
3. As a child of God, prayer is kind of like calling home every day.
4. Blessed are the flexible, for they shall not be bent out of shape.
5. When we get tangled up in our problems, be still. God wants us to be still so He can untangle the knot.
6. Do the math. Count your blessings.
7. God wants spiritual fruit, not religious nuts.
8. Dear God: I have a problem. It’s me.
9. Silence is often misinterpreted, but never misquoted.
10. Laugh every day, it’s like inner jogging.
11. The most important things in your home are the people.
12. Growing old is inevitable, growing up is optional.
13. There is no key to happiness. The door is always open.
14. A grudge is a heavy thing to carry.
15. He who dies with the most toys is still dead.
16. We do not remember days, but moments. Life moves too fast, so enjoy your precious moments.
17. Nothing is real to you until you experience it, otherwise it’s just hearsay.
18. It’s all right to sit on your pity pot every now and again. Just be sure to flush when you are done.
19. Surviving and living your life successfully requires courage. The goals and dreams you’re seeking require courage and risk-taking. Learn from the turtle — it only makes progress when it sticks out its neck.
20. Be more concerned with your character than your reputation. Your character is what you really are while your reputation is merely what others think you are.
– Author Unknown
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)