Connections

This past weekend a group of women from our church attended our women's retreat. The delicious snacks, loud laughter, and long conversations into the night are evidence that it was a great experience of sharing and friendship connections for the women! I think we learned a few things too.

It seems that these women more than I remember from any other year I have led these groups, (and I think this is year #10), craved friendships. They were so grateful for the sharing! They were so amazed by what they had in common with one another. They were floored to realize that they weren't the 'only one' who was a single mom, or thought that way, or whatever. Some were simply grateful for the hugs. One woman stated that her family is so far away she doesn't get any hugs on a regular basis.

My experience this weekend makes me wonder if there is something going on in our world which makes us hungry, starving, and needy for closeness, intimacy, and companionship. It seems that things like the internet, blogs, chat rooms, etc. aren't satisfying all of our needs.

I am grateful for these women that there is a place and there is a group of people who can... by the grace of God... help us feel close, intimate friends with God- the church.

Harvest

What is most meaningful about autumn is harvest season. The sense of culmination of growth with the fruits/veggies coming in from the fields is a celebratory feeling.

Harvest took on a new theologcial meaning for me the October of 1992. My grandfather a lifelong farmer was harvesting his crops when he died suddenly. His death was a shock and surprise. At 70 plus he was a spry guy! But his death was not devastating because God harvested him- and brought him home to his eternal reward and rest.

Ever since that experience I have some to think of death as a harvest... and the good ol' hymn Bringing in the Sheaves hums through my mind. God simply gathers into the heavenly barn those who are 'ripe' for the picking!

Autumn Beauty- Autumn Yuck

I have decided that Autumn is really my favorite season. I like the cool air, the relief from summer's heat and humidity. The leaves change colors are awesome. The harvesting of crops is meaningful. The start of football and marching band are fun.

The only thing, I think, that is yucky about fall is well- my allergies! I am so glad that we are having some hard frosts (not because they are killing the flowers that I have nurtured all summer), but that maybe, just maybe my nose will have a much needed break. Bring it- I say to fall!

Birthday for the Boss-Man

We did it! We surprised him. Chocolate cheesecake can put a smile on anyone's face, especially the boss!

Don't forget, folks, Todd's big prime number birthday is tomorrow, Friday October 12th. Send him a note, call him, email him, comment on his blog... wish him a good day. He deserves it.

Silence

I started reading a book about preaching yesterday afternoon. The author is a Duke Div professor, one of my fav's. And he basically talks about the 'end of words'. That we have run out. There are too many. People are over saturated in words/verbage/ya da ya da ya.

He challenges us that we are in an age of craving silence and we don't know it.

So, after reading that first chapter. I put the book down. Turned off all the noise in my house. Complete Silence. I fell asleep for three hours.

It was the best nap ever!

Dance, Dance, Dance!

I think I am a freak. I love musicals! In fact in college my friends and I would have musical marathons over the weekends. My addiction was not helped by the fact that I played in the pit orchestra in high school and college!

For a certain period of my life I got frustrated with the fact that my friends and family would not break out in song and perfectly choreographed dancing. Sigh. I guess real life isn't a musical... that is until I started watching Dancing with the Stars this fall.

Now my life long dream of taking ball room dancing lessons has been re-activated. Actually, we're watching the show together in our house because an Indy Car driver, Helio, is dancing up a storm. My hubbie besides being a avid race fan works for the Indy Racing League, so of course we are voting for Helio! (We encourage you to vote too!)

So, if you see me dancing in the hallways at church, or humming a little fox trot tune, or tapping my toe in worship... just remember somewhere inside of this pastor is a dancing queen!

Blessings,
Michelle

What I Learned About God from Dog Obedience School

For eight weeks this summer I took our new pup to dog obedience school (i.e. puppy kindergarten). I am not sure who earned our B. In fact I have never worked so hard for a B in my life, but we passed. There were moments during training at home that I thought for sure that we would fail the class.

One of our instructors nicknamed our pup, Tank, because he is just so think and bulky for a lab. After receiving our report card I think 'Tank' has more to do with his stubbornness!Anyhow, the entire experience was fascinating! I learned alot about dog psychology, dog training, and really about what a dog handler needs to do in order to insure the success of their dog's training.

The great part about dogs and the hard part about training them is that dogs are always perpetually 'in the moment'. That is how they can love and care unconditionally. But that makes it difficult and tricky for training. You need to repeat the lessons often!

Yet, what a great role model for people of prayer because we get too caught up in the past or too worried about the future- we need to learn to be with our Caregiver/Master/Handler in the moment as our pups are with us. Maybe then we would learn to trust more, listen more fully, and be more obedient to the leading of the One who Loves Us Unconditionally.

Anyhow- that's what I learned about God at dog obedience school this summer. It wasn't on the test on th elast day, but I think I got at least an A minus on this lesson!
Blessings,
Michelle