Thursday, March 31, 2011

Confused and Doubtful

Another look at our confirmation faith statements the other day has me even more convinced that the work I do it not about me at all. Someone else is in charge. The students I have been worried about I need not have been worried. The faith statements are a fabulous reflection on how the students have taken what they've learned and applied into their own lives.

These young people again have reminded me that the Spirit of God does the work in and around (and often in spite of) the rest of us. And I needed a reminder of that.

Regarding our supposed 'atheist' in class... well after more conversations with her parents, her mentor and prayer- she is not at all interested in being an atheist. No, rather she simply has doubts and questions that for one reason or another she has not articulated to any of us adults who would be glad to listen. I am deeply saddened that we had not had this candid of a conversation earlier.

Keep her in prayer and all like her who struggle with doubts and questions regarding their belief or unbelief in God. It is more obvious to me know that she is in the grip of grace (yet does not realize it or know how to recognize it).

Spring Breakin'

Last Friday we started our Spring Break with dinner and a movie. Next morning we started off not to a sunny destination in a southern climate, but to the Children's Museum. An indoor palace of play, play and more play! We came home so tired and worn out from our fun that we collapsed on the couch.

Our coming 'vacation' days of break have been filled with not-so-exciting things like errands, shopping, piano practicing and house work... but we're managed to sprinkle in a monorail ride and lunch out with Daddy at work. She played in the 'snowstorm' yesterday in her rain boots and umbrella.

But today- today our little one goes to her Nana's. In fact she has been in a count down for this day for a week...."How many days until I go to Nana's?" she asks over and over again as she counts on her little fingers.

While she is eating all the candy she wants, watching more TV than I allow, and being treated like the royalty she is- I shall get a nap and read a good mystery novel. Ah- the little things are what bring refreshment and renewal!

Happy Spring Break!



Friday, March 25, 2011

Bleeding Duke Blue

So sad for the season to end for Noaln Smith and Kyle Singler! I am bummed for them and with them that ending the season came on a loss and not another championship. Thanks guys for 125 great wins in your four years at Duke. Your diploma from Duke will open doors for your future!

Even thought my brackets are in shreds, I shall cheer fully for Butler now!

There's An Atheist in Our Confirmation Class!

After reading the Faith Statements this morning, to my great surprise, I learned we have an atheist in class! But not a very articulate or smart one. She needs to work on her belief system if I am going to 'believe she is an atheist and not just mad at her parents for her life.'

Each of the confirmands was required to write a Faith Statement, which is a written document of a person’s beliefs. If this student does not believe in God in Jesus (I am cool with that), but then she needs to articulate her atheist belief system. The fact that she disagrees with her parent’s belief system is not enough of an acceptable answer in order to complete the confirmation program. There are a lot of reasons to not believe in God. And here are better ones that she has stated.

Therefore, she will be told to re-write her Faith Statement to tell us why she does not believe in God and how her non-God system of beliefs are shaped in order to complete the Confirmation program (yet not be baptized or confirmed).

Here are questions to get her started...


God (why you do not believe in a God who has the Trinitarian vowels?)


Jesus (why you do not believe in a God who pardons and forgives?, why this is unnecessary?)


Holy Spirit (why you do not believe in a God who invisibly shapes your life and speaks to you?)


Bible (why it is not a sacred book?; why you don’t believe it has truth for you?)


Church (why it is not an important community to shape your life and values?; why you would not want to be involved?)


I want either a believer or an articulate non-believer. If this student cannot articulate either… then we have a different problem.

Wednesday, March 23, 2011

Confirmands of 2011

We're on the down hill slope with our confirmands (with only six weeks left of the program) and I realized that I have not shared much about this year's class. Why, I don't know. All we have left are faith statements, interviews with each student, three classes, mentor meetings, the Craze nights, and Confirmation weekend.

Our class consists of fifteen students; nine boys and six girls. Our boys, God bless, them are so short and very squirrelly. And two of them can be very, very random in their conversations, outbursts, and answers to questions. Our girls mostly ignore the boys as they easily out-do them on group projects and points for prizes.

This weekend it was very gratifying to watch three of the boys especially 'click' with our lesson on how God saves us through Jesus!

Personally, I cannot wait to spend my Spring break week reading fifteen faith statements! Should be enlightening, challenging and a hoot!

Keep these young people in your prayers!



Sunday, March 20, 2011

Easter Hope

When I arrive in heaven, after meeting and greeting all my loved ones, I plan on asking the Creator about a few things. (That is unless I am completely distracted by all the wonder and glory of the place!) One of the items on my discussion list is a disease that baffles, frustrates and hurts people I care about; ALS or Lou Gehrig's disease.


Last Spring during Holy Week, my cousin's husband was diagnosed with this disease after suffering a variety of odd symptoms. He is a very active and physically fit 45 year old entrepreneur, husband, and father of three teens. Almost a year later he is confined to his bed or wheelchair and aided by a breathing machine 24 hours a day. The disease moves that dramatically and that fast.


Rodney has not allowed that to stop him from being who he is. He retired from his seed corn business last May to spend quality time with his family. They attended every ball game of their youngest child last summer and were able to go on a family cruise around the Mediterranean.


He still has his entrepreneurial spirit, keen mind, tremendous wit, intelligence and honesty! As word spread around their farming, rural community of his diagnosis, Rodney as stunned by the outpouring of love, kindness, generosity and support. "I guess I am not as much of an a**hole as I thought I was!" Love that honesty!


If you attempt to discuss politics, history, economics and business with Rodney- good luck. As you will be challenged to get a word in during the conversation! He always has something to say.


As we approach Easter again this year- I am mindful of the suffering of our Lord and Savior Jesus. His suffering makes more sense in comparison to my cousin's disease. But I believe one thing- because Jesus himself has suffered, his compassion for Rodney and others like him is even greater. Moreover, Jesus' suffering and death does indeed transform and heal all things- including diseases that lead to death like ALS.


My prayer of thanks for this coming Easter is that because of what Christ did for us we have reason to celebrate HOPE in the face of such dreaded disease. Because the disease is not the last word about us... God's love, compassion and transforming grace has the last word.

Tuesday, March 15, 2011

Unblogging

Where have I been? The easiest answer is that I have been un-blogging about Lent, the crisis in Japan, my ministry at church and home, and my recent addiction to old episodes of The X-Files. I've unblogged about my dog's lack of manners and his need to eat Kleenex. I have unblogged about everything, actually.

Guess I need new material. Or more time. Or a better discipline of writing. Perhaps that should have been my Lent discipline instead of forgoing chocolate.

Sigh.

Saturday, March 5, 2011

Living in Sickville

Where have I been all week? After recovering from a fantastic confirmation retreat (one of the female mentors prevented the girls from doing some sort of ketchup-based prank), I've been a stay-at-home mother all week. My kiddo faced her third illness (ear infection, strep throat and strep throat 2.0) in thirty days. Egads- this has been a messy month!

I love being a mom. I love being a pastor. I enjoy the challenge of being a working mother, but when the kiddo is sick, the husband has continuing education classes (me too), I have three evening events in one week, and the husband also has consulting work to finish- the effort needed to balance everything becomes too much.

I broke down on Friday- and had a giggle fit that the family did not find as funny as I did. But I felt better. Or maybe it was the Z-pack that had me feeling better! (I have a sinus infection too!)

Whatever- here's to a healthier week next week.