The Final Countdown

My reading-addicted office neighbor two doors down, a.k.a. Todd-the-orange-peelin'-donut- lovin'- dude, has been raving about his reading accomplishments during this year of 2008! 100 books, blah blah blah.

Well, not that I am competitive (ha!) but, I got out my calculator and pencil and did some of my own statistical analysis on what I have read this year. Here is the data- you decide the winner!

• read and used 315 new recipes (I signed up for a meal plan/grocery list service for 45 weeks this year).
• read 252 children's picture books between June and August (you call the Avon Wayne Township Public Library- they have the check out information to back me up. My daughter and I nearly won that contest.)
• read 18 faith statements by our 2008 Confirmation Students.
• read over 90 Christmas cards and letters during the season of Advent.
• read all of donut'-lovin'-dude's blog entries...that is 227 of his blogs read.
• read the 47 submissions for our 2008 Lenten Devotional at least 5 times each during the editing process. That is a total of 235 devotions read.
• read over 30 books for my continuing education requirement for the conference. (not that anyone will ever read my continuing education report.)
• finally, I assume that emails count as reading material too (since I am a material girl) . And prior to deleting my inbox recently I had well over 2,457 emails during 2008!

Hmmm.... 3,624 items read! That is my final countdown in 2008...

Happy New Year!

Our daughter has spent this fall learning about the different seasons we experience in this hemisphere: spring, summer, fall/autumn, and winter. And now the seasons are fully within her grasp.

Well, yesterday she was thrown a bit of a curve ball with the concept of "new year's". She wanted to know if the seasons would be changing again (she is really hoping to avoid winter and spring and go straight to summer so she can swim with her buddies again!). We then had to explain about the calendar year (which brought up another whole set of issues and ideas to unpack).

She has gotten the idea now because this is yet another holiday to celebrate and we will be doing some celebrating. She really likes parties. We will have a special dinner out to eat, dress up nice, and come home to make yummy s'mores! I doubt she will make it to midnight for the official changing of the year and neither, probably, will her parents! (Sleep is too precious!)

Whatever way you celebrate the year past and the new year to come- be safe, have fun, and trust God goes before us in all things.

Happy New Year, everyone!

Singing with Simeon

I enjoyed so much my attempt to sing with Mary a week ago, in preparation this weekend's sermon on the prophets Simeon and Anna, I had another go. See December 21st blog, Singing with Mary, for my contemporary version of her Magnificat!

(read Luke 2:29-32 for the originial version of Simeon's song)

O God, my leader, just like you said you would,
you can send me home now!
because I am soooo content.
I got to see it!- Your plan to save,
and you did it out here for everybody to watch and see!
Wow!
Your Brightness shines into the dark, scary places where lost folks try to hide,
your illumination honors all of your children.

Thanks be to you, God!

Eve of Christmas- 5

Merry Christmas! We did it! 4 unique and fabulous worship experiences. Thank you to the staff and countless volunteers, musicians, valet folks, nursery workers, etc.

Wow- now time to get to bed!

Eve of Christmas- 4

Another fabulous service... if I keep weeping at all the meaningful, sentimental parts I will not have any mascara to remove at 1am this morning! :)

A crisis has occurred in that the pop machine in the building is dysfunctional and the lady with the key just left because a kid in the nursery threw up on her. Rats. Now I gotta find some caffeine in another way.

Hmmm....

Eve of Christmas- 3

Wow- lovely, lovely music- our volunteers and staff have totally and completely out done themselves! Awesome.

I watched lots of smiles as folks sang, ladies wiping tears from their eyes and big cheezy grins on kids faces! What a great view- to watch and witness others worship!

Now, we do it again!

(Except for the luminaries, of course, which have blown away in the wind... the other ones set themselves on fire. ha ha)

Eve of Christmas- 2

Chaos was overrated at 5pm worship! The kiddos did terrific! Wonderful music by their angelic voices- 240 worshipped with us.

We have the sanctuary vaccuumed, prepared and now the next set of music practices has begun!

Now time for a bite to eat and help our new youth director with the luminaries!

Eve of Christmas- 1

Our senior pastor's Windstar was pulled out of the church ditch, local fire department has been here and left, and thousands of trees have surrendered their lives for bulletins- which all means that NOW we are ready for Christmas Eve worship!

The rain has stopped, the candles are prepared, and the musicians are tuning up and rehearsing as I type. Whew- finally the anticipation, the expectation, the hype- will it be all we want it to be?!?!

Yep- and more!

See you after our 5pm service (kids, communion and chaos!)

:) I get to vacuum between services this year! woo hoo!

Singing with Mary

While listening to Todd's sermon this morning I was inspired again by the song of Mary. This song or poem she shares following the reception of the news of her part in God's salvation plan. My imagination got hummin' this morning. "What if God had asked me to be the mother of Jesus when I was a young teen? What would I have said or sang?"

Regardless of how I might answer those questions the reality is that God asks all of us to harbor his Son in our hearts. Will we welcome him? Will we accept the challenge? Will we sing with Mary? And what will we sing?

(below is my version of what you'll find in Luke 1:46-55)

My soul sings of God's glory
and my spirit knows joy in God, my Savior
for God has not forgotten me, a humble little servant.

From now on those who follow me will know what blessedness looks like,
because I will not stop talking about the great things God did for me-
holy is God's name.

God's generous forgiveness spills out and washes all people
especially those who recognize God's leadership and grace.

With strength God accomplishes amazing things.
God's mind searches out and then humbles those who are arrogant.

Leaders are impeached by God's standards of leadership and
those who are humble God gives opportunities to lead others.

Empty bellies God fills, empty minds God renews, and empty souls God befriends,
these are the good things God gives,
but the smug and conceited walk away unfulfilled and hungry.

God continually helps the servant Israel and her legacy the church,
God never forgets to offer mercy to Sarah and Abraham's children forever
because God keeps the promise made to our foreparents.

Holy is God's name!

All I Want for Christmas...

...are the end of bailouts.

...my eyesight to "get worse" as I age because then I will actually see better.

...Santa's reindeer to not leave any 'droppings' on the front lawn.

...a nap.

...family and friends to know that I love them and pray for them deeply.

Holy Family

My heart caught a glimpse of the holy family last week. No one noticed them as I did because they were not what you’d expect. He had an acne-filled face of a nineteen year old college freshman with a bit of a soul patch. Her blond hair coiled about her face while the glitter of her gold pumps flashed in the timid winter sun.

Neither were Jewish or middle eastern but they were a contemporary American Holy Family. Huddled together arm and arm they were poised with all the subtle drama of the first Christmas. At their feet not in a manger but cuddled into a pumpkin car seat lay their sleeping firstborn son. A virgin birth this wasn’t, but an unexpected unplanned pregnancy this was. The arrival of this little guy shattered the life script for these two middle class white students from suburbia America. Yet, the holy family they were.

They were holy not because of they were without fault or sin, but they were holy because of the promise they were making before families, their son, one another and God to be faithful in cherishing one another til death parts them. It was through their promise of a covenant commitment that holiness surrounded this young couple.

I saw the Holy Family reflected in this couple because he couldn’t take his adoring eyes off of her long blond locks, young frame, and subtle curves. His eyes held the promise of passion and compassion.

They were holy and didn’t know it because they were too young to be scared or intimidated about the prospects of the life path before them.

I am so grateful my heart witnessed their love and their little young family because in their promise-making God reminded me of His loving Promise to be with us as one of us... and that is the gift the first Holy Family offered.

Overdid & overdone

My little baker and I created over 13 dozen cookies yesterday afternoon. I don't know if it was all the sugar, pure exhaustion, or over stimulus of the flurry of baking- but I didn't get to sleep very quickly last night!

Today begins the process of eating them! yum!

Provocative Question

Yesterday while driving in my car I heard the most provoking question this Advent season. I cannot wait to share it with you.

This question, I have no doubt, will make you stop, think, and go, "hmmm." I was stumped. I had to use my one lifeline available to me in the car- my husband and the Internet.

The question was raised by our four year old. She asked very sweetly and thoughtfully from the back seat, "Momma, how do worms breathe?"

Yep. That is a provocative question alright.

And the answer made us giggle all the way home! :)

What shall I Write?

A few blogs ago, Todd (that writing nut down the hall from me) was waxing poetic about all that he has written this year. Ya da Yada ya. I can in no way compete with the plethora of articles, books, and blogs etc. that he has created in 2008. (My body requires sleep.)

So, I thought of one thing that I could write and maybe even beat him to it. Goals.

I wrote down my goals for 2009! Yep, after the Christmas letter was mailed my spirit was heavenly inspired to cast a vision for my future endeavors. (Actually, the real truth is that my husband got excited about writing down his goals and the bathroom mirror seemed lopsided without my goal list prominently displayed on it.)

Every year (usually sometime around New Year's) my goals are jotted down in my journal or on my desk at work. But this year- they are typed up (in various categories) and put on the bathroom mirror. The idea behind this technique is to visually see them everyday and be more mindful of the steps required to make them become a reality.

Financial, Body, Mind, Spirit, Motherhood, Marriage and Creative are the categories with several goals listed in each area. Whew- I have a LOT to do and be next year!

What are your goals for 2009? What do you hope to accomplish in the next 12 months?

Write them down, get focused, and maybe we can catch up with Todd one day on our writing...

HA!

Adventing, we go!

Preparations last week paid off and we had a lovely party Sunday night. I was a bit unsure about the ham- I am much better at turkey, I think, but no one has reported any sickness of any kind!!
Now, more Advent stuff to do and be about- staff parties, visit with Santa, Christmas at the Zoo, and this weekend, we will be baking our Christmas cookies! (Have you noticed my oven is earning it's keep?!)

In spite of our hectic pace, I am becoming more and more appreciative of the depth and breadth of Advent's meaning. We are awaiting the final coming of Christ in his final glory. Thus, Advent puts us in touch with profound hope, expectation, and waiting.

And as I hear about loved ones suffering, cancer affecting families, wars, and strife, child abuse & neglect- I am even more excited about Jesus' final birth into this world- because evil will have an end and suffering will be stop. Justice will be distributed. The dead will be raised- and all will truly be well in God's holy and righteous sight.

So, even though I am keeping busy with the fun and festivities, but my soul is fed in quiet waiting prayers of the Hope that is to Come!

Thanks be to God!

Preparations...

Gotta purchase four gifts and wrap them, bake and decorate a cake, bake a loaf of yummy pumpkin bread, clean the house, set the tables for 13 guests, and get a ham in the oven by Sunday afternoon... I hope I can get'er done!

Our daughter is thrilled about the prospect of opening presents before Christmas. And she enjoys baking as well.. so that is what our weekend (besides worship) will include!

Prepare the way of the guests!

Blue Devils, Boilermakers

We have a Blue Devil and a Boilermaker in my house... guess which one is happy today?!?!

http://www.goduke.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=4200&ATCLID=3626775

Drinking Problem- Solution #1

I was graciously informed over dinner last evening that yesterday's blog entry was

too depressing and that I needed to return to light hearted material.

In that vein...

Over breakfast today while watching a marvelously colorful sunrise (did you see it?!)- my daughter and I devised a plan. We have been hatching plans ever since her creative and imaginative gene was tickled during a wrestling match over water color paints.

Our plan involves solving Duke pup's drippy drinking dilemna. And the plan involves straws. Swirly straws and bendable straws. Yep- you can guess where this might lead and we did indeed go there. My four year old giggled, no, actually I think it was a cackle, while I described the step by step process.

First, we need to get Duke to hold a straw in his mouth and NOT EAT IT. (giggle) "What about tape, Momma?" (giggle) "What about glue, Momma?" (cackle)

Once the straw is secured in his mouth, we need to teach him to use the straw I told her. "I'll show him, Momma." And at once she got out a straw and put it in her leftover milk from her cereal. Then, she stood in front of Duke, saying (in between slurps) "Watch, Dukie, Watch me." He wagged his tail in rapid rhythm not at all sure what was happening but, thoroughly enjoying the attention he was getting.

ha ha ha ha! I cannot go on... by the way he was still dripping drips from his water dish.

I hope that was light hearted enough for our readers out there...

Where We Live

Finally, in the 16th draft- the 2008 Christmas letter has been put to rest- bed- or print. Now, is the second most difficult task of the annual Christmas card/letter writing gig: collecting all of the correct addresses for people.

Last night I waded through my old address book and discovered all sorts of names of folk who won't be getting a letter this year because they are now deceased. (Who knows? They may enjoy not receiving a letter this year. Maybe I can write- Heaven - as the address and the US postal service can deliver it like they take Santa's mail to him at the North Pole. Or is that too much mixing of church and government?)

Because I can now 'see dead people' in my address book it has become painfully obvious how outdated this ledger is. Another clue to how out-of-touch of my address book is that several couples listed A to Z are now divorced. Ouch.

I had no idea that addressing Christmas letters would be an exercise in grief work! Whew.

And the turkey was...

...juicy! Hip Hip Hooray!

We had a terrific holiday- great weather, good conversation, yummy food, delicious pies etc.

Now, onto the next feast!

Turkey-O-Rama

I am going to do it! I am acuutally going to host the full meal deal of a traditional Thanksgiving dinner (minus oyster dressing and cranberries) tomorrow afternoon. (You cannot see it but, I actually just did a nervous twitch.)

My husband (awesome man that he is) has agreed to clean the house. The dog has agreed not to vomit up rocks while the guests are here. Our daughter is going to make placecards for everyone. She will probably during the time of preparing the turkey decide to play with her playdough in the kitchen. That could be a potential food disaster.

I think I will need to purchase a new potato peeler... I cannot seem to find one among all the gadgets in my kitchen. The lost nature of the peeler reveals the sad fact of how often I make real mashed potatoes in our house!

Pies are to be made tonight. House cleaned today. And then a marathon of cooking and preparation tomorrow.

Let's just hope that the turkey is thawing on schedule...18 pounds of turkey flesh have taken over my refridgerator. Whew! I will nap on Friday. If not, you'll all hear about it!

Happy Thanksgiving, everyone!

Bring On the Gifts!

As we move into Advent this year we will be sharing and discussing gifts at Calvary during our worship services. It is our theme for the sermons during Advent and a theme many of us hear form our children, grandchildren or nieces and nephews. “What gifts will I get? What gifts will we give?” are the common phrases we hear.

There seems to be a lot of discussion around giving and receiving which is why we are starting the discussion on the first Sunday of Advent with ‘the gift I didn’t want”. We’ve got a great movie clip for children of all ages to illustrate this dilemma.

So come with all your thoughts and feelings about the gifts you have been given that you didn’t want, hated, wish you could re-gift, return, or refuse! See you this weekend.

Wedding Flat

On the way to a Saturday afternoon wedding in southern-nowhere-Illinois, our little family was cruising along watching the Spongebob Squarepants Christmas special on our portable DVD player when... our tire went flat.

The important thing to note is that we had just purchased and installed a set of 4 brand new tires on the SUV 2 hours prior to our road trip. Yeah- that's right a brand new tire. Bites, doesn't it?!

The priority status of our AAA service guy was an hour late...needless to say we didn't make the wedding ceremony (arrived at the church as the guests were walking out the front doors). We made it to the reception though- what a day!

Things better...

Thanks everyone for your condolences about my rough morning this week. Whew.

Glad that one is behind me!

My Dukies won their game last night, my car keys are never leaving my sight again, and the Dr Seuss books have been read.

All is well.

You know it's a bad day when...

...you wake up to your spouse loudly and with words that aren't meant for public audiences removing all the dishes from the cupboards on the hunt for a specific tupperware lid.

...later your spouse calls you during your shower to announce he has both sets of keys to your car but they and he are in Carmel, Indiana.

...dripping wet and half dressed with one contact lens in, you search the kitchen drawers for your valet key.

...during your search your precious toddler follows you around the kitchen with a stack of Dr. Seuss books begging for you to read to her.

...as you finally walk out the door to the garage (late and with a valet key) you run back into the house to discover the dog curled up in his kennel with the door wide open. (I guess he decided we were crazy enough- so he went back to bed on his own.)

...sigh, surely this day will get better! right?!

Writing the Annual Christmas Letter

I made a vow to start this blessed letter early... so for the past two weeks I have been in the draft mode of our annual Christmas letter. My husband likes to remind me that NO ONE reads it anyway. My daughter doesn't know the letter exists (although she is working on her epistle to Santa as we speak).

Sigh. The problem this year is that we have been too boring for even a pumped up, friendly Christmas letter. No fabulous vacations, or prizes. No drama, or disasters. All we have done this year is pay off debt and get excited about that. Who wants to hear about that as a yultide treat?!

Maybe this year I will actually lie. Fabricate the truth a bit. Create a Sim-life like those folks who play computer games as their reality world.

Problem is, I am not very good at lying.

Hurry up and wait!

Advent is less than two weeks away! Eegads- there is much to do, decorate, bake, prepare, write, address and stamp and gather which is all very ironic.

Irony stems from the fact that the season of Advent is supposed to be about, inspire, and call us to celebrate a time of waiting. Just waiting. Waiting. Waiting in expectation. Waiting with anticipation. Waiting with hope. Waiting with promise. But simply waiting.

So, why all the fuss? Why the busyness? Why the lengthy to-do lists?

For one thing our culture doesn't breed the practice of waiting. We want stuff and want it last week. Now. Now. Now. Immediate satisfaction and stimulation is the brand of our living and breathing today.

So, if you want to do something radical this Advent and want to join a revolution, or if you'd like to make a change in your life and our world- then join me in waiting. Stop. Sit. Wait.

Wait with all the busyness in the world. Wait with all the pain and sorrow. Wait with all the despair and hopelessness. Wait. Listen. Breathe.

We may just hear the still small voice... of Someone who has been waiting for us to slow down.

Fences

I have a thing for old things like black and white photos, rundown barns, and leaning fences. This fetish for broken, lopsided stuff completely goes against my neat and tidy cleaning philosophy.

This photo was taken during my "I- am- going- to- be- a- brilliant- photographer" days (which was prior to having a child and a dog. This was the time period when I had hobbies.) The day had been spent hiking through the 200 plus acres of my grandparents farm snapping photos all day. Trying to be artsy. Trying to preserve the scenery. Trying simply to enjoy the sights, smells and sounds of the landscape.

You don't have to like this photo, but I do. Maybe I am drawn to the leaning fence because I realize how much I lean with all the weights of my world. Or I feel tangled up in all the snarly weeds of life. Or I want to keep stuff in or keep stuff out of my life. Whatever the reason, I am drawn to this fence...

Want to sing a round of "Don't Fence me in..."?

Here He Is

Here he is in all his wet, muddy glory! Our Duke, pup! I thought after several blogs about him, you'd want to see him.

Labs were made for the water and this dog was born for it. Pictured here he has just swam for the first time in my Auntie's lake...

Handsome, yet messy.

Ah... the life of a dog is easy when the water is cool and wet!

Meaning of Lost, Found

At our house lives a girlie girl who is very concerned about lip gloss, dress up, fanciness, and anything princess- so imagine with me the emotional turmoil at the grocery checkout line two weeks ago. There with the contents of our cart pilled onto the conveyer belt we discovered that her purse was missing!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Tears the size of Lake Michigan fell upon her cheeks! Loud shrieks of"Where is it?" "What happened?" "I want my PURSE!" could be heard in aisle 47 (at the back of the store). And this following discussion could be heard by all checkout lanes...

"Momma, where is my purse?

"I don't know sweetie. It must be lost."

"But, Momma, I want my purse. Where is it?"

"Honey, that is what lost means- we don't know where it is."

After paying for our things we stopped by the Customer Service to leave information about the missing purse (cost originally $3, half used package of tissues $.89, and tube of very used lip gloss, $.98, but meaning and significance priceless!) along with of course, our phone number.

The ride home and next two days were filled with mourning and gloom. But brightness dawned when a message on our answering machine announced that the purse had indeed been lost and now was found!

We loaded up the car and rushed to the store! A huge smile appeared on my daughter's face as the staff handed her the M.I.A purse! Whew- life could continue again because this was the favorite of all the dress up purses (and we have a dozen)!

Sigh. Nice to know that customer service and common courtsey still exist!

Thanks, Wal-Mart!

Crop Circle on Church Lawn?

For those of you who spotted the white etching on the would-be-grass near our fellowship hall this weekend, no, it is not a crop circle left by aliens.

What you are seeing is a classical labyrinth temporarily painted with ball paint (which will fade quickly with rain, snow, sleet, dew etc.). Saturday one of our ladies who has accomplished some training as a labyrinth facilitator presented a workshop on labyrinths. And this temporary outdoor path was created for folks to walk, pray and reflect upon.

(Sounds like a great way to prepare to vote!)

So, stop calling the church office about those crazy crop circles. What we have here is an ancient tool of prayer on our lawn not some bizarre creation from the movie, Signs!

Vote!

It is voting time! Gotta go see how long the line is for me to vote today. My hubbie had to wait 90 minutes! Whew- maybe I'll take a snack!

Voting, I go!

Back in Time

Set the clock back. Set the clock back. Set the clock back. I am trying to remember to change our timepieces on Saturday night.

Set the clock back. Set the clock back.

Drinks on Me!

A member of my family has a drinking problem. We are pretty sure that he is in denial about it. Walks around as if nothing is amiss. Doesn't notice the signs nor the symptoms. Completely oblivious.

We have considered a number of different intervention methods and techniques. However, there are very few rehab programs out there for his unique situation and circumstance. You see, he has another disorder- an eating disorder. Maybe the two problems interact and escalate one another. I am not an expert. But I do know that the mess it creates is getting out of hand.

Odd thing is, that this is not your normal alcohol related issue. It has to do with water. Yes, water.

By now you may have guessed that I am writing about our dog, Duke. As you are blog-informed about his appetite for birds, rocks, kleenex, wooden puzzle pieces, and dollhouse furniture etc., you need to know the full story- he is a VERY sloppy drinker.

He gets more water around his mouth and on the kitchen floor than he takes into his throat and swallows. What is up with that? He then walks around the kitchen, leaving a slippery trail of salvia and water. This drinking problem has got to stop!

It is all I can do to mop up the floor throughout the day with old beach towels! Ugh. Help!

New Hobby

In my search for insighful, witty blog material I became consumed by a huge coughing fit and had to take a tall drink and a quick nap.

Whew- now that I am back... I am encouraging everyone to go vote next Tuesday. Read up on all the various candidates and their positions and then make a good choice. The election-campaign has become one of my hobbies (or morbid fascination) this fall. Watched all the debates, visited all the candidates websites, and read their material.

After the election is over, I will need another hobby. Knitting doesn't seem as exciting. Hmmm...

Mid-Week Message Re-visited

Honoring our saints will be our focus in worship this Sunday. I don't mean the Saints as in the New Orleans based NFL team. We are not having a pep rally of that kind. But we will rally around our faith-filled women and men who have honored God by living and dying well.

All Saints Sunday, as some of you know, is one of my favorite Sundays during the church calendar year. My husband thinks I am morbid because I tell the funniest funeral stories until I laugh so hard I run to the nearest bathroom. Church members inform me that it's odd that I would rather preside over a funeral than a wedding. (Have you ever tried to work with hyper, over-wrought mothers of the bride before? Whew. Dead people have much more realistic expectations.)

Maybe my preference for this special day comes from the All Saints Sunday in which my Grandfather, Grant Lowe was honored in worship. That morning was so meaningful to be with my church family who paused again to recognize his life and death. The experience of hearing his name read, vibrations of the bell toll, and receiving a white flower was yet another explosion of God's healing grace within my family's grief.

Maybe I like this Sunday because we get a chance to peek into heaven and talk about it yet again. It could be that it is another opportunity for God to prepare me for my own death or the deaths of my loved ones.

Or maybe I like All Saints Day because I am morbid and odd.

Whatever the reason-I am grateful that I can sit with the mystery of this day within the body of Christ! See you this All Saints Sunday!

Signs of Basketball Season

The signs of NCAA Men's basketball season are all around us like the fallen leaves, dried flowers, and burnt out grass.

At our house Blue Devil schedules suddenly appear on the fridge next to the pizza coupons. My husband overhears the battle cry of Blue Devils fans everywhere, "Go to He&* Carolina, Go to He&%".

And yes, we are on a waiting list for tickets to the ACC/Big Ten Challenge in West Lafayette game of Boilermakers versus Blue Devils.

Ahhh...these are the signs of basketball season!

Headed Down Under

"Good 'ay, mate!" that is what my true love will hear in 24 hours. He is headed down under.

Not sure that he'll have a chance to swim in the great barrier reef and find Nemo (although our daughter would be very interested in an autograph). Nor will he have the chance to hear any arias at the Opera House. And I doubt that he will be in the outback chasing down kangaroos, dingos, or koala bears. Crocodile Dundee is NOT giving any tours these days- there goes that cultural photo op.

He will see plenty of the beach and sunshine. And for that his family remains jealous.

Blessings on a safe trip!

Gift of Time

Yes, I am a day behind my routine blog updates. That is because I was at a seminar yesterday on becoming an 'externally focused church'.

Odd sort of gathering because we were in a very contemporary chapel-room with a whole bunch of evangelical white pastors (mostly male) who think they have discovered the holy grail of ministry when what they have done is bumped into liberation theology and don't realize it!

I giggled through most of the presentation...because it was soooooooo Wesleyan.

Anyway- I am a day behind and that is why... I gave time to learn about the need for Christians to give time for the poor, widowed, and orphaned because "that is how we grow in Christ".

Holy Ground Moments

Moses was told to take off his sandals when he encountered God in the wilderness. It was holy ground. This past week I too have had my share of holy moments with God... here are a few...

• Sunday night I finished reading The Shack (in a record 6 hours) and used only 1/2 box of Kleenex. Great reflections on forgiveness and reconciliation! Thanks Todd, for the book loan.
• Spent yesterday with my dear Sophia Sisters (women who completed Spiritual Direction Internship program at Our Lady of Grace Monastery in Beech Grove, Indiana with me in 2002). I was heard deeply (thank you ladies) and had the joy and privilege of hearing deeply these amazing women share their holy ground moments.
• Watching our princess ride her trike around the large circle of our neighborhood this week...when she thought she couldn't do it!
• Pure pleasure and happiness of our pup who received a brand new bone last night (maybe he'll leave the rocks, pillows, and dollar bills alone now)
• Realizing after our family budget meeting last night that no matter what happens on Wall Street, how our pensions loose money, who gets voted into office, OR what happens with the bailout plan- my financial peace comes from Christ who strengthens me, and we will be well within God's gracious abundance.

What is your holy ground this week?

Saturday @ The Sheep Barn

Everyone knows that this is an election year in the USA. Hoosier United Methodists hit the voting booths err... voting cards early this past Saturday afternoon! Apparently Governor Mitch Daniels forgot about appearing before the largest Protestant denomination that is in all 92 Hoosier counties. He failed to appear. I heard that a BBQ drew his attention. He did send someone else to the sheep barn at the Indiana State Fair grounds.

In the midst of worship, while sitting on THE most uncomfortable chair ever made (that tingling feeling during worship was not the Holy Spirit, but blood being cut off to my lower extremeties) we raised and lowered our flurescent orange (for South) and flurescent green (for North) cards. No blue or gray. That would be too old school.

We voted YES to become one Annual Conference for United Methodism in the state of Indiana. And then we worshipped more and we remembered less and we couldn't feel our toes inside our shoes. (It made getting up to receive Holy Communion a tad risky.)

The vote happened rather quickly. I never got to ask any questions though... there was no re-count taken. Since our congress voted that week for an expensive bailout bill, I wanted to know how much the event in the sheep barn cost us as a new conference. Who is going to pay for all these uncomfortable chairs, the flashy voting cards, the sleek bulletin with a sailing leaf boat, the sound and camera crews? We are, I guess. At least we paid for our parking... and a lot more.

Just your typical Saturday afternoon in a sheep barn with the rest of the sheep...

Newbie

During my first church appointment out of seminary, my District Superintendent (supervisor) took me to breakfast to check in how life and ministry was going. Over pancakes and hot tea he offered a lot of encouragement and insight.

One of my favorite memories of that free breakfast was his advice about being the new person on staff at a new job. "You have a great excuse for all your mistakes your first year- you are new. Use that excuse wisely and then wise up because year #2 it is up to you!" That is a good reminder about being new somewhere... "Oh, I didn't know that. And now I do." That was great wisdom which I used. Throughout my tenure there, I learned ALOT because of my mistakes, my successes, and my fumbling attempts at forgiveness and reconciliation.

This next week someone new is moving into ministry with us at Calvary. We are excited about welcoming him and his gifts! We are grateful for another set of hands around here to help get ministry accomplished. It will be fun getting to know Andrew and he, in turn, getting to know us.

And as the newbie he gets a 'free ride' on mistakes for a while... I know he will use that wisely and then as my DS said to me, wise up! Andrew comes with wisdom and will grow and gain even more wisdom while serving with us. After all we are in the forgiveness business! And that is a great business to be in!

Economics

In the twelfth grade I took a required course in economics. It is my only sojourn into that arena. Given the recent conversations in the news, Wall Street, and Washington, I am trying to recall what I learned that earned me an A on my report card back in the late 1980's.

Now, I don't recall much from class, only that for once in my high school career, I talked back to a teacher. (I was a nerd and bank geek.) My teacher was informing us that nothing is free in the world... and he went on and on and on listing things. His list was endless and his lecture was boring and irritating me to no end. So I muttered (all too loudly so that I could be heard), "Not true, salvation is free."

At that point the entire class stared at me, the teacher stopped mid-sentence, and seemed to burst a blood vessel in his bald scalp. Big pause. (Now I was a nerd, band geek, and Jesus freak- no wonder I wasn't very popular in High School!) He stuttered and stammered for a few moments and then picked up the rhythm of his speech again.

He is right about most things, but I also am right about salvation. it is not a commodity to be bought, sold, or earned. Just received. Thank God that isn't on the market today!

Reading List

My neighbor two doors down the administrative hallway from me writes about his writing and his reading on his blog. That is because reading/writing is his 'thing' and what his blog is all about. Wandering through his blogs today got me curious about what I have been reading lately...so here is my not so short, yet not so slim list.

• Quiet Strength (bio of Coach Dungy) is halfway finished on my nightstand.
• Embracing Parents: How Your Congregation Can Strengthen Families by Jolene and Eugene Roehlkepartian was just handed to our children's ministry coordinator to read for future use in our ministries.
• Helping Our Children Grow in Faith by Robert J. Keeley lies at my elbow waiting to be read.
• Prior to this week's list of books I finished a great book by Renita Weems, Listening for God,... actually it took me weeks to read this book because I read it very, very slowly like someone should sip their tea or drink their wine. All the unique flavors rolled on my tongue er.. I mean mind!
• Speaking of Todd, my neighbor, he is supposed to loan me The Shack now that it took him 24 hours to engulf the novel. Dude, I am waiting.
• After that maybe it will either be No Man is An Island by Thomas Merton or My Soul Waits by Marva Dawn to open my mind and stir my heart...

That is my reading list for autumn. What writing/reading is stirring your heart?

Bird Breath

My best blog material involves the dietary habits of the canine resident of our home. So here goes another tale...

Ever seen two nightgown and robe-dressed women (one pushing forty and the other four) running around their deck on an early autumn morning trying to retreive a bird from the jaws of their retriever? Yep- that was the photo op at my house this morning.

Our Duke pup brought a bird to the back door and then wouldn't let it go... I guess he thought it was a present or some kind of gift/offering. (YUCK) No wonder God isn't into animal sacrifice anymore- it is smelly and gross.

A pair of gloves, trash bag, and three dog biscuits later... bird was history. Sigh. So far this year our dog has eaten...

• 40 pounds dog food (a month)
• 20 pounds of small rock
• 1 box of Kleenex tissues
• 2 pillows from daughter's dollhouse
• 1 number '5' puzzle piece
• 2 halves of two differnet one dollar bills
• attempted one early morning bird

This is getting expensive to feed him!

Fall into Autumn

We've been noticing the changes in the world around us at our house lately. Dry leaves, less dandelions to collect, cooler night air, and sunsets during our after-dinner walk. Let there be no doubt that fall has arrived.

As soon as my allergies calm down and I can breathe & swallow freely, I plan on enjoying autumn's colors and cool breezes. Great football weather! For now I shall carrying my tissue box with me everywhere and try not to sneeze on strangers!

Retreat and Labyrinths

Yes, I forgot to tell you folks that I was indeed able to labyrinth this past retreat weekend! We used our portable labyrinth on Friday night for the ladies to reflect upon where they are currenltly on their faith journey and where they would like to be in the near future. Great exercise to consider how Christ is with us no matter 'where we are'!

And then on Saturday afternoon - when the sun was shining over Tipton- two of the ladies joined me on a walk on the outdoor Chartres patterned labyrinth. Wind gusts moved us about or was that the Holy Spirit?!

"Your steadfast love, O Lord, is as high as the heavens and your faithfulness extends above the clouds" was the Psalm verse that followed me along the labyrinth. Joy, celebration, and wonder at who God is and what God does for me and you... my toes even tingled from the wind and the walk!

Retreat Backlash

Every retreat experience concludes about the same... tears of joy, laughter over the inside jokes, and lots of packing of stuff... this year it was different. At least two of the three were different.

One of the ladies fell down the stairs and rode on an ambulance on the last morning- tears of pain! The gals packed everything the night before- very little packing was involved. Inside retreat jokes- laughter was the same.

Once home I crashed and slept awakening only to eat supper and go back to sleep. That too was normal retreat backlash. My body was tired.

My soul was touched by the beauty of the women and their souls. Sharing with several women one-on-one was awesome. Great talks! And I got to room with my sister in law and we have started a whole new dimension to our friendship! YEAH!

God is good! And it is good to be back.

Leaving for Retreat

A huge pile of food, supplies, crafts, worship items, easels, books, bibles, paper, etc have collected themselves along the wall of my office. Departure is 0200 hours tomorrow. my bag is not packed, my snack is not purchased... too much to do to get the retreat items ready and then get my family prepared for my absence (lots of mac-n-cheese boxes, pizza coupons left on the kitchen counter).

Ready or not- we go. Rain heads up the forecast so all outdoor worship activities will be brought inside. Nonetheless we will have a great time laughing, talking and talking, and talking, and laughing, and eating and talking, and laughing. We will pray. We will listen. We will be quiet. We will sing. We will learn to love Jesus, God and the Holy Spirit even more deeply than we already do!

Cannot wait- see you after retreat!

PS I get to walk a labryinth! Yeah!

Chapel Requests

Our kindergarten students exhibit delight and fascination! Tuesday mornings and afternoons around here two of us staff are privileged to hear these children sing, talk, and pray.

Their prayer requests are unique. I am sure that I have mentioned this before to some of you, but I am in awe of how the children want to pray for Jesus, God and the Holy Spirit. Sometimes adults who are listening miss this. The child's request to pray for Jesus is often misunderstood to be a prayer of praise or thanksgiving.

In reality I hear these children asking that Jesus is blessed, that he is healthy, that God is not lonely or afraid, and that the Holy Spirit is feels loved. 5 and 6 year old assign emotions and situation to our Trinune God that grown ups often overlook because we think we know better theologically.

It is true that our all powerful, all good, all knowing, all surrounding, and unchanging God doesn't NEED anything- but these kids get it that God enjoys our attention, our love, our devotion, our adoration... and praying for Jesus to have a good day is the way in which these kindergarten students express that theological truth.

So, today I shall join them and pray for Jesus, Holy Spirit and God!

It's Not About the Fish!

Catholics around here eat fish on Fridays during Lent, but have hog roasts for fundraisers. The United Methodists give up chocolate for Lent and have a fish fry for a fundraiser. The Mid West is weird.

Tomorrow is the day we open for business- fish frying business that is. My pies are baked and ready to go. Brownies go in the oven when I get home this afternoon. Tents parked on the burned out church lawn. Friers heated to sizzle. Signage litters the church campus. Soon everything will smell like grease and fruit pie! Ahhh- that's money in the church bank account, baby!

Really- it isn't about the fish. Nor is it about raising money- although that is often how we measure and compare one fish fry year with another. Mostly we do this fish fry thing as an exercise in team work, leadership, delegation, comraderie, patience, tolerance, dedication, faithfulness, follow through, etc. It is about being the people of God doing a huge, impossible project together that challenges and grows our faith in one another and God.

If you are in town, come on over- the pies are good and the fries are hot! Remember it's not about the fish!

Time to Walk a Labyrinth

You can tell it is time to walk and pray a labryinth when your thoughts get all cloudy & fuzzy and then they get all scattered & jumbled.

You can tell it is time to walk and pray a labryrinth when your prayer life feels stuck.

You can tell it is time to walk and pray a labryinth when your enthusiasm lessens, your patience thins, and your tolerance evaporates.

You can tell it is time to walk and pray a labryinth when your souls sighs louder than your stomach growls in the morning for breakfast.

Can you guess what I need to go do?

Vacation lessons

Our family did some vacationing in August and we learned alot from our time together and away from our normals schedules. Here are a few of our learning moments.

• Did you know that Chuck E. Cheese is simply a well marketed ploy to teach young children to gamble and get addicted to gambling?
• Do you have any idea how wet and muddy a labrador retreiver can get in a lake?
• How many trips to Walmart does it take for a family to vacation? Answer: 3 in three different communities.
• Have you ever tried to catch a sunfish (using Sun Chips as bait) in a child's butterfly net only to have a bass fish swim into the net to eat said sunfish and you caught him instead?
• What does a preacher do on a Sunday morning off from the pulpit? Answer: go out to eat pancakes!

Learning takes place anywhere and anytime...now back to work!

Goals and Golds

Yes, I am excited that the Redeem Team did it! Whoo hoo! The only bummer is that the gold medal game was aired during Sunday morning. And I have a God commitment on Sunday morning so- I missed the live action.

Nonetheless- how exiting! What an instant classic! Go USA! What a terrific Olympics for everyone- especially our hometown gals from Indiana!

Now, I wonder how Coach K is going to come down from such a 'high' experience for this season fo Duke Basketball... if anyone can he can!

Summer Goals

I am a goal oriented person. In fact, if I do not make myself write down my goals for the year, quarter or decade then I wander around lost and bereft. Or something a little less dramatic than that.

This summer was no exception to the goal writing. Last night I pulled out my goal sheet and low and behold I can mark out 'completion' on three out of four goals! Whoo hoo! Scrapbooking projects- done. Upperroom devotion submissions- done. Reading list- done. Other creative writing projects- not done. Currently, I am at 75% completion.

Here is the curious thing- when does summer really end? At the start of school? At Fall Break? At the fall equinox (September 22)? So, technically, I could still make 100% if I get my rear in gear and start writing creatively... hmmm... the official start to autumn is only 4 weeks away- doable, as they say.

Fertilizer

Ever hear the phrase, "Money doesn't grow on trees"?

While I have a new phrase, 'money fertilizes the back yard'. Can you guess why? Yep. The Dukester, aka our dog, has now moved beyond rocks and eats dollar bills. If you want some cash you are welcome to come clean up my backyard and get some...

He, of course, did this after Sunday afternoon's Animal Blessing at church. Obviously, the blessing didn't stick.

Vacation packing...

How many books does a person take on a trip? Kinda like trying to figure out how many pairs of underwear you need... will I shower once a day or twice a day? Mmmm. These are my thoughts as I am preparing for our family vacation next week. That and I am trying to finish things up at the office, planning ahead for the next 2 weeks, etc.

Whew- sometimes you need a vacation from preparing for one! Ever feel that way! Well, see you when I get back and in the meantime- Go Team USA!

Redemption

Yes, I am a huge men's college basketball fan. And that is why I am excited about this year's Olypmic games... so many former ACC players (a Dukie grad too) and the bonus of Coach K... makes it so much fun!

Last night I watched the ESPN, 'Road to Redemption', series for the team. They are hailing our team as the 'Redeem Team' this year. Can they redeem respect for the United States in the world as being number #1 in basketball?! That is the question for Beijing this year.

I cannot help but consider how the church uses the words redeem and redemption. We don't place our hopes on overpaid NBA players to save us from ourselves, to help us gain respect, or to put us back in a place of honor with God. Instead we understand and believe that one Jewish guy from a tiny town in Northern Israel did that for you, me and everyone in history & future history.

The road to redemption for us was Jesus' walk through Jerusalem while carrying a part of his cross and then dying on that cross. The road didn't end there but continued to a borrowed tomb where he was buried. The road, as we state in our creeds, led Jesus into the darkest valley- hell itself, and then back out again when he rose from the dead.

Gratefully, we don't have to walk the road Jesus did. We have other sorts of crosses/sacrfices to carry. But we are forever changed by the gift Jesus' redeeming work has accomplished for us. We can stand tall with God's blessing as God's children. And that is worth more than any gold medal the world has to offer.

August means...

Because it is the first day of a new month it means that we are 7 days closer to the Olympics starting. Go USA! As we move into the month of August we are closer to the Democratic and Republican National Conventions. That will be just as entertaining to watch/witness! :)

But the big news (in my house anyway) is that we are closer to three special events: vacation, preschool starting, and our daughter's birthday! It will be difficult to maintain our composure this month with so much excitement going on around us, yet somehow we will survive!

What does August mean for you? Birthdays, anniversaries, back-to-school, hotter weather, the State Fair coming?

See you this month!

Give me some Jesus, please!

This Sunday we are anticipating the Sacrament of Holy Communion. Churches and denominations vary on how frequently the sacrament is offered... first Sunday of the month is our Sunday! I am excited! I enjoy sharing the Feast with Fellow Believers! But one thing has always bothered me.

My Holy Communion pet peeve, if you will, is known to some Women Retreatants and other members of our congregation. I am baffled and even dissappointed and mostly down-hearted to witness wonderful children (adults, grandparents, children, youth) of God coming forward to receive the bread and barely pinching off a crumb! What is this?

Do you think we will run out of bread on Sundays? Not so, we have extra in the sacristry. Are you embarassed to take more? Jesus is offering himself to you in the precious gift and all you take is a crumb? How is that going to sustain you through the difficulties of life!?!?!?! It isn't.

Break off a nice big bite! Grab a chunk. Get a lot of Jesus, I say. I need him and I am not ashamed or embarassed to grab a big bite because I am hungry for what will truly satisfy.

So, Calvary folks be aware that there is plenty of bread for all... there is plenty of Jesus (he won't run out of peace, forgivenss, grace, compassion, protection, provision etc.). Take a nice big bite so that you can 'dunk' it into the cup of blessing and a get good soaking of blessing! (We have carpets under the communion servers so don't worry about leaving drops of grape juice!)

Come on, down and get something to eat at the Table of our Lord, this Sunday!

See you there and bring your appettites.

Walking Prayers

Last summer after our pup arrived at our house, my husband got me addicted to a TV show on National Geographic called The Dog Whisperer. I learned that exercise is one of the most important aspects to healthly, balanced dogs.

Since that time, an evening walk is a common feature and routine in our house. Our preschooler rides or drives her tricycle and we walk our dog. It is a great time to be together as a family and our dog LOVES to walk with us. He gets very excited when we put on our shoes and reach for the leash.

I discovered another benefit to walking as a family. We now met and greet many of our neighbors in our neighborhood. Some of whom are walking dogs, riding bikes, running, or working in their yards.

When the walk involves only my dog and I; it becomes a sacred journey. During those quiet times I pray for our little neighborhood community. I know who is battling cancer, who is recovering from surgery, which houses have new babies in them, and which houses are trying to sell. Sometimes I don't know anything new in the houses along the street but, I pray anyway for the marriages, families, and finances within their walls. Prayer truly is a spiritual discipline. It is training ground just like walking or jogging that builds up spiritual muscle and tone.

I encourage you to find unique ways to practice the discipline of prayer, mediation and/or reflection. Our world needs praying people- we make a difference; because we open oursleves up for the Difference (i.e. our Trinune God) to become a reality within us.

See you on the next walk!

Numerical Jokes

Ever hear a first grader ask, "Why is six afraid of seven?" And then you respond with, "I don't know." And then the toothless student giggles and says, "Because seven ate nine!"

Our daughter has lots of puzzles. In her closet are puzzles with pictures of cute bears. She has puzzles with latches and locks. On her shelf she has puzzles to aid in learning letters and numbers.

Well, at our house one through four are afraid of Duke dog. Because, yes, you guessed it, Duke dog ate number five! Our puzzle to learn numbers is now permanentely missing number 5. We paid homage to the number five last evening. A small sparsely attended funeral was held. Silent prayer was said.

And then our daughter delcared in a moment of hope and disgust, "Oh man, Duke is going to poop number 5!"

So much for it being a "love potion" number!

Dreaming of a Team...

Is anybody out there excited about 8-08-08 like I am? You do realize that those numbers mean- the Summer Olypmics are here!

I am hoping and wishing and cheering for another Dream Team appearance for our US men's basketball team with Coach K at the helm! We've lost too much ground in world basketball in the past oh- decade or two. (One quarter of my gene pool was secretly thrilled when Lithuania beat the USA a year ago!)

My only Olympic fan dilemna is when and how I am going to watch any games... 12-13 hour time difference is a biggie. I am not sure that I am willing to become sleep depreived in order to watch the USA battle on the court. To do so would be a risk- then again red eyes could be a symbol of my patriotism for the ol' Red/White/Blue! We'll see!

Go USA!

Healed

Today I have been working on materials for our Care ministries at church and during the process, I realized that we have a good number of people who are cancer survivors. In fact, I started to make a list of names and that list is a LOT longer than the list of folks who are now in the Kingdom of Heaven. Remarkable!

I may continue my list because I would enjoy seeing the percentage of healed/survived of Calvary compared to the rest of the population at large. God is our Great Physican and Healer. "The Lord sustains them on their sickbed; in their illnesses you heal all their infirmities"(Psalm 41:3).

God's community is a fantastic resource to aid in the healing and recovery process. We do not go the journey from disease to wholeness of body, mind and Spirit alone. It takes community support, encouragement and cheerleading.

I'll keep crunching the numbers, but I think we have a greater precentage of healed verus unhealed. One of our saints here at Calvary has a phrase that she often says, "I am walking in health!" We truly are!

Celebrations

Earlier in the week I met with my spiritual director (a Benedictine nun, who I think, must play on the basketball team at the monastery because she is TALL!) for a conversation about the current state of my soul.

After I shared my post-garage sale personal epiphany moment...
(there is a long story about this epiphany, but I will give you the Cliff Note version. During the post garage sale hoopla of May I realized an insight about my life purpose. I know it doesn't make any sense. You had to be there. Just go with the fact that I learned something new about myself in the process of selling stuff) anyway... my spiritual director asked how I was celebrating this new found self-awareness. Aha! I didn't know. I still don't know.

How does a person celebrate, honor, and/or give thanks for learning a new insight about themselves without bragging, appearing self-involved, and overly- well- weird?!?! How do you do that well?

A dinner party seems grandiose. A blog announcement is a bit over the top.

Maybe I'll take my director's suggestion and allow this insight to sink deeper and deeper into my soul so that it will take root and blossom.

Either that or I can order one of those really BIG YARD CARD signs...

then again...maybe not.

Fireworks are Coming!

Our household is bubbling with energy about the upcoming 4th of July Parade and Fireworks display. Every morning I am asked, "Fireworks today, Momma??!" It is the summer holiday that marks time for our preschooler. In adult terms that means her birthday is getting closer! What are you doing for the 4th?

As we wait for the fireworks to begin life this week has also included:
finishing swim lessons;
our pup providing a 5am wake-up call by vomitting up 3 rocks!;
giving a safety check for rock patrol in our yard;
sharing a mattress and box spring set with someone in need (but no one wants it yet);
shopping for calculators for our July Mission project here at Calvary;
and watching the Weather Channel to prevent bad weather for July 4th fireworks/parade.

Have a great 4th!

Summer Swim Memory

Our swim lessons this week reminded me of my first summer Duke Divinty Internship in the Piedmont region of North Carolina. I broke several glass ceilings that summer. Not real ceilings, but figurative and symbolic ones. Let me explain...

I was their second female seminary student to preach, teach and led at these 2 small churches. These good folks were still trying to figure out women in ministry. There I was being me. I did not offer excuses or explanations about gender and ministry, I just assumed leadership and went forward! I recall the men liked me but, the women well... that was a little odd. The younger ones and I had a ball. The mid-life and almost retired aged women looked at me funny and gave me little thin smiles.

Add to my gender, I was from the north. I had no idea until I lived in North Carolina that the Civil War in the United States is actually the War Between the States. (I usually did really well in US history- hugh!) And I also was misinformed about how northern Indiana is considered by tarheels. My ancesters were either Quakers who moved to Indiana to avoid the conflict or had not yet immigrated from Lithania. So I was a female leader and a Yank! Are you getting this picture?

Now the crowning jewel in that summer internship happened mid-summer. The family I lived with had an inground pool that I very much enjoyed using throughout the summer. It didn't take long until my blond hair (made even more blond from the summer sun) turned green from exposure to chlorine! Yes- green. Very green. Noticably green. Shocking green.

You got the picture now- single leadership-minded Yankee female pastoral intern with GREEN HAIR!

Now you know why the women looked at me funny.

Coordinated Christians

Throughout this week our preschooler is learning how to swim. Eager and excited she puts on her swimsuit and rushes to the car to go to the pool!

When we arrive at the pool her face is full of awe at the older kids jumping in, splashing around, and diving off of the high drive. "I can't do that yet, Momma!" she whispers to me. "But you will one day," I whisper back.

When we decide to trust Jesus and believe what he offers is better than anything else, it is like jumping into a deep pool; full of unknown and depth. That act takes courage, confidence, and a sense of adventure. But deciding to trust Jesus is also like swim lessons... learning a new thing each day like blowing bubbles, kicking your feet, and then coordinating your arms motions with your legs. Little by little we develop the skills and motion of faith, belief, and trust in God as well as ourselves.

Living a life of faith is about practicing the motion and action of belief until it is mastered and you can swim across the pool, jump in the deep end, and even go under water. Thank goodness we have a great place to practice all these things- it is not called the pool, but the church! See you there on Sunday for more swim- err faith practice!

Summer Reading

Now that my sunburn is healing and my dog is no longer eating rocks, I am onto other projects. Mulching flower beds, sorting leftover items from the garage sale, and reading through my summer stack of books.

At conference a couple of weeks ago a book about Benedictine monks/sisters caught my eye. I've been reading a chapter in the afternoons since that time. Thoughts on humility made me squirm and words about obedience made me cringe. Because I've had such a reaction to the book, I think it's been a good one to spiritually stretch me this summer.

Four other books wait their turn to be read as soon as I stop shuttering from St. Benedict's challenging expectations for the Christian life. I wonder if No Man Is An Island, My Soul Waits, Helping Our Children Grow In Faith, and Embracing Parents: How your Congregation Can Strengthen Families will cause me to bristle too.

I'll let you know how the reading goes.

Summer Sun!

Last Saturday night I learned a lesson in a rather painful way. Note to self for future reference- always spread and apply sun screen in an even and smooth manner. Never clump or miss any areas.

Because of my failure to follow the above directions, I now have a very weird shaped sunburn!

I love the summer sun, don't you?!

Best Things of VBS

One of the best things about VBS is... well the volunteers. I am amazed at the youth and adults we have sharing their time and their faith with God's youngest disciples! The young adult helping group is awesome- looking out for the little ones and offering encouragement.

Another great thing about VBS is... snack time! We need a little sugar boost to get us through our busy morning!

The best thing about VBS is... worshipping God with over 150 children. Children leading in praise. Children praying. Children singing. Children honoring God in their dance and happy movements! That is the part of VBS that inspires me and moves me deeply... children worshipping.

Whta moves you about Vacation Bible School?

Thoughts Overheard at Conference

The following are thoughts I overheard this past week at Conference. Some of these thoughts inspired me and others led me to quiet reflection.

• State of Indiana is #2 in the nation for being addicted to gambling.
• The United Methodist church in Bande Aceh (Indonesia) lost 53 of their 100 members douring the 2004 severe weather. Hoosier United Methodists sent $200,000 to help rebuild that church. Today in a Muslim nation they have over 300 in worship on a Sunday!
• A homeless man who has received assistance from Fletcher Place Community Center was beaten and set on fire last week in Indianapolis.
• John Wesley's 3 Simple Rules: Do no harm, Do Good, and Stay in love with God.
• "We are praying and envisioning a Christ-healed Africa," Dr. Peter Storey, former UM bishop of South Africa
• Natanga Conference UM pastors in the Congo eat every other day after they choose to stay in ministry while their nation fights a Civil War.
• Calvary UMC in Brownsburg is in the top 5 for growth this past year in South Indiana.
• "Most important thing to remember and do is support each other," retiring Pastor
• #1 job of Hoosier United Methodists is evangelism
• Indianapolis West District where calvary is located has over 7,000 Native Americans who are not part of a church community- yet!
• 5 practices of a Fruitful congregation are radical hospitality, passionate worship, intentional faith development, risk-taking mission & giving, and extragent generosity

Leaving for Annual Conference

Tomorrow is the day I leave early for a drive down to Bloomington for our Annual Conference gathering of South Indiana United Methodists. Lot's of presentations, decisions, and conversations take place at this gathering. Everyone stops to chat with everyone else because we rarely get to visit one another.

I am not sure what to expect this year. Hot humid weather will be in season. Checking out the book table will be a must see. Catching up with people will be fun.

The BIG DEAL this year is the vote to merge or not merge with our North Indiana United Methodists. That and the budget will be big stuff.

I do especially enjoy hearing about our Mission efforts here in the US and abroad.

So, we shall see what the next three days will be like!

Listening

My husband offered me some soul time yesterday evening. I didn't have to make dinner, clean up after anyone, entertain a preschooler- just be me. It was heavenly. But the best part was not doing the normal demands of life, but getting quiet enough to listen.

Stillness so I could hear my breath. Solitude so I could hear my thoughts. And after those thoughts tumbled out into my prayer journal, I put the pen down and listened... it isn't exactly a form of the breath prayer or a centering prayer, but rather a contemplative posture of inner stillness so that I could hear God.

I didn't receive any dramatic messages, but I did receive the blessing of profound presence in the silence and solitude. The experience made me hunger for more... but I simply had a few blessed hours... then the husband, kid, and dog came back in with their noisy needs.

I hope to listen again soon...

Vacation Highlights!

Last week turned out to be a terrific vacation at home week! Here are a few highlights of the past eight days! Hope you are well too!

• Sold so much stuff in the garage sale, that I had to close it a day early
• Picked up rocks in my backyard because of you-know-who's-eating habits
• Met Slash, Florence Henderson, Jim Neighbors, Julianne Hough, Christy Yamaguichi (spelling??) while standing in line for the restroom on the Indy 500's race day
• Got to see my husband for more than 1 hour (I had to go to his workplace)
• Moved a double bed mattress and box spring by myself
• Watched The Little Mermaid five times in a row!
• Allergies and now a sinus infection have made my nose Rudulf red

Needless to say, it was a great week, although I am back at work more tired than when I left.

Whew- good to be back! I can rest now.

Vacation blogging

Sorry, folks I will not be blogging next week. Vacation takes precedent. Travel to a tropical paradise is not in the 'gazelle intense' Dave Ramsey Financial Peace budget. But hosting a garage sale and enjoying time with my daughter are!

So, see you after the Memorial Day and we'll blog some more. Hopefully I can collect some better and newer material than my dog's rock eating habit.

Graduations...

You know when you know too many people graduating? When you have to buy graduation congratulations cards in bulk! Geez- that is a lot of cards. (Now I gotta get extra one cent stamps because I have the 'old' stamps.)

Between friends, family and church folks, I know students who are graduating from all levels of scholastic and academic achievement. That also means there are lots of graduation parties to attend this year too.

A few moments ago I witnessed our Calvary Learning Acadmeny kindergarten students graduating. One little girl kept commenting, "This is my first graduation!" And I wanted to add, "And it will not be your last!" High school, college, graduate school, and maybe even a Ph.D await this young student. Or maybe not.

Graduations are a lot of fun though. You have a deep sense of satisfaction for the hard work completed and the next big challenge seems really far off... plus any occasion that has chocolate cake and gifts is a good thing!

Mothering Thoughts

Everyone has a Mom so everyone has a thought about what Mother's Day means. I have heard all sorts of sentimental to thoughtful, quirky to silly, and/or sad to tragic stories about this annual May holiday. Lots of these come via email. Some are in Hallmark cards. Others are whispered over coffee.

Yet, no one has expressed one of the surprises that I encountered with motherhood. All that sappy stuff has been said. All the hard work and crazy unappreciated acts has been discussed. Nobody I know, maybe you know someone, talks about bonding and motherhood.

Especially how bonding is a layering of experiences. Sometimes a moment or crisis bonds you to your child tightly. And sometimes it is a slow growing vine the creeps into your soul and tangles itself there. Often it is all this and more added up together that bonds child to mother and mother to child.

No one told me about how bonding works before I became a mom four years ago. Mostly I got advice about breastfeeding, where to purchase the right baby stuff, and "oh they do grow up fast, don't they" comments.

How we draw close to others, share intimacies of emotion and dreams is the stuff that motherhood (and fatherhood I could argue) is made of. Well, that at least is the stuff I honor as a mother on Mother's Day.

A Dog's Life

For those of you with weak stomachs, this blog is not for you.

Our dog vomited up, not a runaway prophet this morning, but a trinitarian collection of rocks. Rock eating again.

Anyone with free time who would like to now help me pick up all rocks from my yard- stop by this weekend. This is the only way to save a dog's life! Because he obviously cannot save himself.

Unable to Write

For the past three weeks I have been taking an online creative writing class. Online classes represent a stretch in my life experience. It has been fun to learn things and challenging to unlearn old (and poor) writing habits.

Today's lesson stumps me. Selecting the best word and turn of phrase was our topic today. And I am stuck! Writing this blog makes me re-examine every word I choose. ACK! Is there a better word? That was too cliche'. How can I not over write? How can avoid really bad writing?

I don't think I am going to be able to write anymore because I am now too self-conscious.

Sigh.

Gotta go practice with my homework.

Hostess with the Least

I enjoy providing hospitality for guests in our home! It is fun to plan and prepare for a party. Thinking about the menu and shopping etc. bring me a sense of joy that I can offer a relaxing enjoyable experience for folks I care about.

Like this past Saturday night when we hosted our largest gathering yet, 32 people (14 of them youth and kiddos)- what a blast to swap recipes, visit a little bit longer, share more deeply about life and stuff. And the best part was when Officer King let the kids explore his police cruiser! (My neighbors have now just recovered!)

And yes, I am one of those religious nuts who looks forward to guests arriving by actually praying for them and their families. Weird, I know, but it is a spiritual discipline that I started long ago and now have shared with you. It is a great opportunity while cleaning toilets, vaccuming, and removing clutter to prayerfully reflect on how God is present in our life together. Some times the prayers are very simple and thankful and other times they are full of earnest intercession.

This spiritual discipline works beautifully until approximately 2 hours and 15 minutes before the first guests arrive and then something happens. I loose all sense of having any Christian faith at all. Exhausted from all the preparations, I become the house-cleaning Pharisee establishing rigid rules for children and pets. Rules like the following:

• You cannot walk outside and back inside on my clean kitchen floor. You must stay in or out until people get here! I don't care if it is raining!
• You cannot eat or drink in any room in the house. You must fast until the guests arrive.
• You cannot play with any toys that will make a cluttered mess on the floor. Which means you must stand perfectly still and only breath.
• And you definitely cannot unmake your bed 4 times in order to put your baby doll to sleep!

Sigh, I guess I still have a lot to learn about having faith while entertaining!

5:38am wake up

Early this morning the below-mentioned rock reappeared. Our pup decided to vomit it up at the foot of our bed!

I have it in a plastic baggie in my office, if anyone wants to see it!

Rock Dogs

Given the recent actions of our 12 month of labrador retriever this new, handy list came into existence. "What to do in case your dog eats a rock?"

1. Panic and call someone you know who has a dog to ask questions they cannot answer!
2. Call the vet to find out if your dog desperately needs some sort of mineral that he/she is not getting from the very expensive dog food you purchase every month.
3. Follow the dog around with a fishing net to see if the rock comes out the other end.
4. Give the dog some sort of stuff to make him vomit up the rock.
5. Hope that the dog will create a pearl or diamond while the rock is in his stomach so that you can sell it on Ebay and make some big $$ for the college fund.
6. Remove all rocks from your yard.
7. Have your dog sit on any papers that might blow away and refer to him as a 'paperweight'.
8. Go back to the '70's and try to revive the 'pet rock' pheonoma again.
9. Rename the dog, Rocky!
10. Pray that nothing bursts and causes internal damages because you don't have pet insurance.

Something to write about...

Usually I share material in my blog form my life and/or ministry. Not often do I allow you folks into the memoirs of my past, but today it seemed appropriate.

Do you know how powerful the sense of smell is? It is so powerful that it can code a memory into your brain that most likely will survive any sort of brain trauma. Anyhow... on spring days like this one in central Indiana there are certain smells that take me back... in time.

I can recall the smell of my grade school when I lived in Muncie, Indiana. It had a distinct spring odor. Same is true of my other grade schools in Bulter, Pennsylvania and Dubuque, Iowa.

There was a unique smell to our desks, chalk, and the old building themselves that said, "Hey kids, this is spring... can't you smell it? And you know what that means?! Summer is coming. So, drive your teachers nuts by being even more silly in class!"

Yep- that distinct smell of spring that was a warning shot to teachers that there is nothing more than can do to instill knowledge into our brains... only memories of being silly and giggling in class while gazing out the windows into meadows of dandelion fields.

Take a big sniff outside today and see what memories come back to you... just watch where you step.

Confirmed- Confirmation is accomplished

Well, if we did our jobs properly and with joy, enthusiasm, and passion (with a heavy dose of the Holy Spirit) - nineteen new disciples of Jesus Christ are now launched into the world to share their love for Jesus, talents & abilities, and spiritual gifts.

Now, it is up to the nineteen new disciples to follow through on their freshly made public commitment and confession of faith. They were launched with fanfare and joy! They were sent off surrounded by prayers of the faithful and the flock. What a joy to watch and witness what God will do with and through these young lives.

All in this class are called into ministry! Yet, there is someone in this class who is set apart and called to vocational ministry. I cannot wait to see what happens next!!!!!!

Shared Quakes

The news this morning was a buzz with everyone telling their story of waking to the quake that rocked the Ohio River Valley. So, I thought I can share my story blog-style.

Woke to the shake and tremble of our bed and the creaking of the roof beams. Our pup only stirred after the experience and our preschooler sleep through it. I had no fear just a calm sense of "Oh, this is what an earthquake feels like!"

What is odd for me is that yesterday morning (which is now yesterday's yesterday in Japan) my husband awoke in Motegi to a 5.8 quake at about the same time in the morning! Amazing that we were blessed to share similiar morning wake up calls although we are thousands of miles apart!

Touch of Technology

Last night we did what any techologically advanced family would do. We did our bedtime ritual together. Reading books, asking what everyone was thankful for, sharing prayers, singing songs, and giving hugs & kisses. All of that with our 90 pound labrador retriever attempting to lay in someone's lap.

What was different about last night was that one of us was 6,000 miles away in Motegi, Japan and the rest us were in the States. The power of technology is incredible! With our web camera on and the laptop propped on a chair...we remained connected as a family for our night time tradition with Daddy on the other side of the dateline.

It was awesome watching our daughter tickle the laptop screen trying to 'touch' her daddy... we waved, blew kisses, and shared our prayers for one another.

The touch of technology is a treasure to savor...

Continuing Education

Our North and South Conferences of the UMC here in Indiana met today and yesterday for a continuing education event. Great preaching, small groups, workshops, and lunches were a part of the two day event.

Mostly folks found opportunities to chat and visit with long lost colleagues and friends... imagine a sanctuary full of preachers! Lots of chatter!

Amid all the stuff I snuck out back, yes, you guessed it, to walk a labyrinth. Young green day lilles were pushing up through the mulch, birds were singing, a water fountain was splashing water, the sun was bright with not a cloud in the sky- it was a perfect moment to walk, pray and reflect...

This labyrinth walk in the midst of the continuing education event was the perfect chance to listen to God and not my chatter or anyone else's. Who better to learn from than God's very self...

It's that time of year

It is that time of year again, here at Calvary, when Faith Statements starting sprouting amongst our confirmation students. Actually, it is faith that is sprouting through the type-written words, personal stories, and favorite scripture verses of the students.

Today, I sat down and read all of the Faith Statements. We have nineteen confirmation students. As is now my annual custom, (having taught confirmation for 11 years in a row), I cry, laugh, marvel, shake my head, and scratch my head in awe and amazement at these sixth and seventh graders.

This year we have an unusual amount of very funny faith statements. How these young people have combined humor and a serious examination of their faith is something to marvel at!

Every year I find myself grateful for what the students have learned from my and our feeble attempts at teaching. And I also make notes of what we have obviously failed to teach effectively. Always more to teaching work to do!

Mostly I sit and watch God's handiwork in these young lives. Each one unique. Each one wired differently spiritually. Each one anointed with different spiritual gifts. I feel so blessed to be in the position I am to witness what God is doing in young men and women's lives. I wish everyone could see what I see...from God's point of view.

Sometimes, as I pray over these students and their faith statements, I catch glimpses of their future... what their walk with the Lord will be like...how they will make it through difficult times...how they will use their spiritual gifts in the betterment of the church...and again I pray prayers of gratitude for how God's spirit continues to move in the world today... This truly is a great time of year!

Spring Break re-cap...

So, Spring break has sprung around here and the hustle and bustle of things are getting back to normal. Most popular question is, "How did you spend your break?"

I entered into the imagination of a three year old, played with an almost 12 month old 90 pound pup, and did a lot of scrapbooking. On sunny days we played outside or went to the park. On cloudy and rainy days, closets were cleaned out and my daughter enjoyed playing in the 'new pile' of toys she invented amongst the messy stuff.

Best part of vacation- being together and living at a slower, different pace. Had a chance to really pause and abide in a sense of gratitude for all of my blessings from God.

Least favorite part of vacation- being without my other favorite person, Eric because he was working out-of-state. We missed him.

Now we are back to our regularly scheduled busy lives: work, daycare, and evening events... at least the seasons are shifting now and we can enjoy ourselves on mini-vacations throughout the days to come...

Light and Darkness

I did something last night that I haven't done in a long time... boy, was it fun! Stayed up light into the night reading a book I couldn't put down!

In the wee hours with tired eyes I finished reading the new book about/by Mother Teresa, Come, Be My Light. The book is a narration through Mother Teresa's letters. These are her personal letters written to her spiritual directors over the years in which she experiences what St. John of the Cross called, the dark night of the soul. She felt no sense at all of God/Jesus' love for her. No sense of consolation. Just emptyness, dryness, darkness and aridity.

I have always been inspired by Mother Teresa, but now I am even more so. As a spiritual director myself, it was fascinating to peer into her interior life and listen in on her intimate conversations with God.

Very inspiring and thought-provoking. Mother truly is/was/will be considered by the church as yet another mystic.

The Best of the Week Is...

It is difficult to determine what was the most exciting and amazing moment of the past week... my alma mater winning their first State Boys Basketball Championship in a last second Hail Mary bucket, or the satisfyingly meaninful worship experiences of Holy Week, or watching our 11 month old lab try to catch bubbles in the air, or my body's dramatic and remarkable recovery from the 24 hour flu... hmm hard to decide.

I know my least favorite moment of this past week... my Blue Devils losing in the second round of the NCAA...by the way, thanks everyone for the sympathy cards. At least, in the words of our youth director, the Dukies didn't lose to a bunch of clarinet players from Belmount.

Wow, but still...there is next year...

Lenten Sacrifice- final word

You may be wondering what my first bite of chocolate was like on Easter after the l-o-n-g suffering of lent's sacrifice.

It was a piece of Dove dark chocolate. I hid in the laundry room for a moment alone. Lovely.

Then, unexpectedly 5 hours later I vomited so severely I thought my contact lenses would pop out... then stuff came out the other end... great way to end Easter day... with the flu.

Maybe I wasn't meant to ever eat chocolate again. sigh.

Easter Worship

Wow- we had terrific worship at 9 and 11:11 on Sunday! Lots of friends and family of Calvary! Fabulous music; thank you to the brass, organ, handbell and Praise choirs and the Youth Choir (at 11 especially)!

Yummy breakfast too- thanks to the ladies who organized and prepared!

It was a joy to celebrate Resurrection Day with everyone! What a terrific spirit and presence of love and light and peace throughout our worship on Sunday!

Sun Rise

The few, the proud and the early made it to Sunrise this morning! And it was gorgeous! Thank you to the Scholar choir for excellent music and meaningful worship as a few of gathered at the tomb early this morning...

Eggs Evaporate

Hordes of children scurried through our sanctuary on Saturday morning to gather and hunt eggs! I have never seen so many eggs get snatched up so quick by such little hands!

Meaningful Good Friday

Our worship on Good Friday was perfectly haunting, beautiful and emotionally riveting. The choir, organ, oboe, flute and cello were magnificant! Watching the sun set as the sky darkened and as candles were extinguished to the reading of scripture was awe-ing.

Were you there... when they laid him in the tomb?

Moving through Holy Week

Last night we had a marvelous Seder Meal for our church members! Kudos to the preparation and clean up crews! It was so meaningful to go through an ancient religious ritual that was dear to Jesus' heart and practice and consider the deep roots of the Passover in understanding Jesus as our sacrifice of atonement and salvation.

Wow- just wow. My three year old really liked the Sabbath candles the best. The candles AND the four glasses/cups of wine/juice. She was all over that!

Now, in a few moments we are going to reflect in scripture, mediatation and beautiful music on the death of Jesus... such a somber and serious service of worship... but such a rich and meaningful one too...

Sun/Son-rise

Because of the time change we shifted the start time for our Sunrise Easter Service...from 6:30am to 7:00am start. Then our Director of Outreach Ministries sent me an email that sunrise here in the 'burg is set to rise at 7:42am.

I guess that means we will watch the Sun or Son rise while we partake in Communion because that is about the time in the service (7:42ish) that we will be breaking the bread.

Maybe He will make Himself known...

Raindrops keep falling on my head...

Who ever heard of a rainy Easter egg hunt?
Or
a foggy Easter Sunrise service?

From the behavior of the weather patterns this will be our Easter joy this year!

yuck.

Holy Week

Well, the brackets are in (even though our teams lost in their tournaments this past weekend)! Our local high school and my alma mater, Brownsburg, is in the State Tournament this Saturday night. It will be a basketball and Holy Week-Easter weekend afterall. Yippee.

Holy Week this year has all of it usual stuff: worship services to plan, bulletins to proof and print, sermons to write, Easter Celebrations for our kids to participate, and you know- the usual. We're excited about the Seder Meal on Thursday night- that will be so neat! And the music at Friday night's Tenebrae service is going to be awe-inspiring!

At our house we are finishing up Calvary's Lent Devotional this week. What a joy that has been to read stories of faith and inspiration from folks here at our church. Wow- God is truly at work among us. I will kinda miss that devotional as we switch back to our usual Upper Room reading next Monday.

Sicne I blog'd our way through the Christmas Eve services last year, I thought I'd keep ya'll up-to-date on Holy Week... so be looking for more Holy Week blogs...

Only 5 more days until chocolate...yum!

Easter Brackets

The ACC is in the midst of their tournament as are other NCAA Men's Basketball conferences. Tonight I know my husband will be watching one TV in the bedroom with the Big Ten on (Purdue plays). I will have the ACC (Duke plays) on in the living room. Maybe we will pass each other on the way to kitchen for more snacks. I am not sure who the dog will choose to be with... probably me... the pup can beg more popcorn from me than my hubby.

Having Easter on the calendar soooooooo early this year is impacting my NCAA Men's Basketball March Madness and Easter experiences. Usually I can separate the two, but not this year. Mixing up Easter and Holy Week preparations with bracketology has got me all wound up! I mean wow- on Palm Sunday the brackets will be announced. How often does that happen?

I will be hard pressed to focus on writing my Easter Sunrise sermon and not fill out my NCAA bracket! Maybe I can do both...

Bumps...goose or otherwise

Our youth director and I had the challenge of teaching on one of the mysterious persons of the Trinity on Sunday (to a group of 6th graders!) Actually the entire Trinity is mysterious anyway, but talking and teaching about the Holy Spirit is a fun challenge!

We discussed the wind metaphor to describe the work and presence of the Holy Spirit. You cannot see the wind, but you experience it's impact and effects. Same is true of the Holy Spirit.

Then, I asked the bump question. Everyone knows what goose bumps are. Your skin gets cold and in an attempt to warm up your skin gets prickly.

Well, it has been my experience that when the Holy Spirit is present the hairs on my skin stand up for attention and respect causing what I affectionately refer to as "glory bumps". We asked all the mentors in the classroom if any of them had ever had a 'glory bump' moment. Almost all said yes.

Then, we challenged the students to notice when glory bumps appear... because Someone to counsel, guide, advocate, and/or comfort them has appeared. And they need to pay attention to the Presence in their midst.

Lenten Sacrifice II

Saturday morning I woke up in a sweat realizing that "Oh my gosh, Easter is 2 weeks away!" Our daughter doesn't have her dress & new spring dress shoes nor a haircut. The Easter Bunny has not organized and prepared for the arrival of his goodie basket. And there is so much to prepare at church for Holy Week services that it is silly.

But the great thing about this Eastery panic-moment is that I didn't crave my chocolate fix... I must have gone through all my withdrawal symtoms now. Yeah! What a victory of prayer! In fact in this moment of panic I simply had a chat with the Easter Maker; made a list; and got busy!

The Surprise of the Week

My learning on life this week is :"There isn't much you can accomplish with a sick preschooler attached to your hip." Between temperature readings, naps, medication doses, and changing the TV channel- there is little time for in depth sermon research, long pastoral visits, or conference calls at meetings.

Truly, I am looking forward to the return of healthiness and vitality.

Yet, the good part about this week has been the different openings for prayer that have occurred in my day and night schedule. Sure, my prayers have included petitions for health, hope and courage, but these different prayer moments have also been a unique time to be quiet. To listen. To be present to the moment... rather than hurry up to the next thing and rush to the next place...was a surprise gift this week.

It still means I need to conquer my mountainous TO DO List but, I hope my attitude of attack on it will be more prayerful than before this week's events.

Book & Coffee

Since my colleague down the hall is frequently chatting about the books he is reading, I thought I would make an attempt.

Friday I started The Gospel According to Starbucks by Leonard Sweet. It is currently required reading by our Indiana Bishop. The Bish' has a bundle-o-books that we United Methodist pastors in Indiana are reading this year.

I must confess that I am having a very difficult time 'getting' what the authors intends. I don't think it is his writing style (he has a great style) or the difficulty level of the text (it doesn't have many $5 words in it).

Here is the truth: I don't like coffee. I tried it once in seminary and that's been it. My visits to Starbucks are simply ride-alongs when my husband honors his addiction. Hot tea, Earl Grey, is my hot drink of choice.

I'm only on page 35 and I am not sure that the author will deviate from his tryaid about coffee and church... to discuss tea metaphors and church. Is there any gospel out there for me and my tea? Gospel According to Chai, perhaps?

My Blog Process

I thought I would blog today about the role of flexibility in ministry. I planned on sharing my gratitude for the terrific staff I work with and congregation I minister with who were flexible with me this weekend when my family needed me. Flexibility is what makes ministry a movement of the Spirit. (Thanks everyone for moving with the Spirit!)

Then, I realized it was Super Tuesday. It is a voting day for some states in the U.S., but it is more importantly a Tuesday.

And that made me think about one of our kindergarten students who made a statement in chapel this morning after our discussion of Gadarene demoniacs story (see the Gospel of Matthew 9:28-34). We have chapel every Tuesday. He asked, "Are demons smart?"

Wow. Knock me over with a feather. What a terrifically insightful and provactive question. His question made me stop and pause a moment.

My answer on the spot was something like this, "Yes, because they are smart enough to get all of us in trouble and they are smart enough to recognize who Jesus is (and what that means for them), but demons are not smarter than God (who will win ultimately anyway)." He seemed satisfied with that answer.

Don't you marvel at how kindergarten students think theologically?!

Financial Peacemakers

We're in our 5th week of study using Dave Ramsey's Financial Peace University curriculum and I am in awe of watching God at work! God is moving within the lives of my fellow students. God is moving in my own life and my marriage. Eric and I are more united on our financial goals than we have ever been in our seven years of marriage! Yeah!

Lots of our marriages are being strengthened and healed. Wow! Unity and teamwork over check books, spending habits, and saving plans are now daily activities of couples and singles in our group.

Last night we had our first ceremonial plasectomy. That means we cut up our credit cards. Plastic (and the debt associated with it) is doing down, baby! We have a plan now. Folks in our class have an emergency fund so they are not living scared. One gal got a job this week after being laid off during week #2 of the class. Another couple can see the end of their mountainous debt, and they are pumped that there is an end to it!

I am literally watching hope come back into people's lives. I cannot tell you how excited that makes me. What a joy and privilege to watch God transform people right in front of me. Go God!

This is what church is about folks, transformation! This is what faith is about, hope. This is what faithful living is about, earning all we can, saving all we can, and giving all we can! That's what John Wesley said anyway. And he's right on.