College Shootings

I thoroughly enjoyed my college years even though I spent most of my time in practice rooms or rehearsal halls. I learned a lot about myself and what I could do on my own. I traveled on mission trips and explored a call to ministry. I went to frat parties and football games. Stayed up late working on papers and ate a lot of bad greasy pizza- that was college.

None of it included being a potential shooting victim of a person with a mental illness or a grudge. Northern Illinois' campus is not far from the 'burg and we have lots of church members who are attending college around the U.S. I am stunned by yesterday's shooting. The fourth on a US college campus in one week. That is four too many.

My prayers go out to the victim's families and those who are wounded and now healing. I am praying also for the shooter's family because they now have a double tragedy to face: their child's violent assault on others as well as his successful suicide.

What a tradegy! To all our college students from Calvary- I am praying prayers of protection for you as well! May God's grace guide us during this dark, sad time.

Blog Envy

Have you read the stuff my colleagues write in their blogs? It is hiliarious. Seriously, I just got done reading some of their stuff and I laughed out loud- cackled some might say... loud enough to be heard through the administrative wing of offices. Funny guys!

Makes me have blog envy. My husband says that I am not very funny on paper or print or blog. I don't think its me. I think its my material.

These guys have coaches and teachers who say and do the darnest things... I was a musical nerd. So there are no coaches in my childhood to tell about. Only music teachers and band directors. They weren't funny, just intense and angry.

And did I say I was a musical nerd?! I enjoyed my teachers unless they were too stupid to gain my respect. And then I aced their classes and got out of there as fast as I could.

I gotta get new material.

Sacrifice for Lent

Valentine's Day will be a bummer this year! In a moment of pious devotion, I made the mistake er... gift of sacrificing chocolate for Lent. Oh- the pain.

And I would choose to do this the year that Lent is the earliest it has been since 1962 and therefore sure to interupt my Valentine's Day chocolate binge. Rats!

Sweetheart, that means bring me flowers not chocolate this year!

End times near?!

This week, and it's only Thursday, we have already witnessed several signs of the end. These may have been inadverently left out of John's Book of Revelations, but nonetheless they note that the world is closer to it's conclusion than it's beginning. Here's my short list:

• Devastating Tornados (a typical Revelation sign, but in January and February?!)
• Bobby Knight retiring
• Dickie Vitale returning to announce on ESPN
• Duke Blue Devils putting a stop to a 3 game winning streak of North Carolina
• and my missing Christmas present turned up at my husband's office

Is this the end or what?!?!

Ashes, Ashes, We All Fall Down

Our daughter enjoys playing Ring Around the Rosy. The falling down part is her favorite part. Tomorrow we enter the season of Lent with the Imposition of Ashes on our heads. Ashes we were made from and to ashes we all will return.

When you think about it this is a messy and dirty ritual. The dirtier and better some would say. This only gives more opportunity for the cleansing power of Jesus to make us new again!

See you tomorrow as we begin our journey with ashes, falling down in humility before God who loves us inspite of ourselves.

Renewal Revisited

Over the weekend it occurred to me that we, here at Calvary, have just pasted an anniversary. A year ago last weekend was the end of our Renewal through the Lilly Endowmened Clergy Renewal Grant. Wow! How fast did this past year go?!

And what an amazing year it has been... the more I have moved beyond the 'official' end of the Renewal Leave the more I have been aware of my personal and professional renewal. As I told friends last February the transition back to Calvary was a little rocky and hectic, but since then it has been an energy-filling and sustaining ride!

Calvary has had some amazing moments in this year since renewal: over 100 new members joined, over 36 went on an International Mission trip, growing numbers of folks in small groups, growing music ministries, and the Learning Academy is packed with both morning and afternoon kindergarten! WOW! We are renewed, refreshed and revitalized!

I find myself with more energy, renewed enthusiasm, and a strengthened sense of faith in this year following Renewal Leave! (Which is good because I need to get our final paperwork back to the Lilly Endowment folks soon!)

I hope that our Calvary congregation has felt renewed in their personal and professional lives as well! What a blessing Renewal continues to be...

End of the Liners

Over 280 people were fed by our confirmands on Sunday! It was terrificaly busy and hard work, but very very worthwhile. There was not much food left over.

What I appreciated most from our group of students were their questions,

"Michelle, I'm done with this job. What do I do next?"

"I want to switch jobs with him, Can I?"

"This guy asked for a cup of water. Can I take it to him?"

"Michelle, what do I do now?"

Great questions and great response to direction! Thanks Confirmands for making us proud!