Are you a reptile?

I saw a funny quote next to a picture of a chameleon with buggly eyes that said, "a reptile can focus on two things at the same time...you are not a reptile." Good advice for those of us living in a world that prizes...no idolizes multi-tasking.



We can't really help it because there are so many expectations placed on us and we feel we have to try to meet all of them. But, as I often like to say, "if my fingers are on everything, my grasp in on nothing."



Still, I (and am I'm sure many people) struggle with focusing on one thing at a time. This morning I got up early and went to the YMCA to workout and had a little unexpected lesson on focus. I thought I'd try one of those pre-programmed sessions on the treadmill. Maybe I won't do that again.



As you grasp the bar on the treadmill, it measures your heart rate--not always accurately, I might add. So every time, my heart rate was below where it should be, the machine would increase the incline and speed. At one point I looked down and the monitor said my heart rate was 76 bpm. NO WAY! I couldn't even talk. I was so focused on not passing out that before I knew it (or before I could jump off and ask for help), the work out was over.



Focusing on something not only makes a task go by quicker, but can help us get through things that seem impossible or overwhelming. Sometimes, I am overwhelmed by the church...I am overwhelmed by theology, by the many practical questions and issues that come up, by the varied expectations that different people have of me. I struggle between pastoring my flock and seeking out care for myself.



But one word that brings me back into focus is grace. I know I have to do my part, that there is work for me to do. But I also know, when I focus on God's grace...when I let down my guard and let God in, that my efforts are good enough and God takes over the rest.



I am not a reptile. That's for sure. But thank God for grace that reminds of what the true focus in life really is.



Journey on...

Stewardshift

I attended a seminary yesterday for clergy entitled Stewardshift. You can guess that it was about Stewardship. My church is on the cusp on the annual Stewardship drive and I must admit that I feel a sense of dread about it. Why is that?

It is because I don't like asking for money? Is it because I don't think I should be asking for money or that I think people will be offended by such a request?

I think the real reason I dread it is because maybe the church doesn't do Stewardship very well. By that I mean, we devote a few weeks a year to it and then avoid the subject like the plague the rest of the year.

True Stewardship is more than about filling out a pledge card once a year...it is something that should be lived out in every moment of life.

I am starting to realize how many messages about money we get on a daily basis (it's funny that you see so many commercials, you start to just expect them to be there and don't realize the subtle effect they have on your thinking). Media and news culture sends us messages every day--buy this thing and you'll be happy; earn more, get more and you'll feel secure.

And beyond commercials and advertisements there is news that fuels our fears of scarcity: the housing market has tanked, social security will go bankrupt, if a disaster hits your area, be prepared to go it alone for at least 7 days.

The messages that we are bombarded with daily tell us that money is equated with fear--fear of not having enough. So it is no wonder we fear the annual Stewardship Campaign. Churches (at least my church) never seem to have enough.

I'm beginning to think that this is not because people don't have more to give, but that we've all been taught by those daily messages to grasp tightly to what we have because enough is never enough.

So how do we truly shift our thinking from scarcity to abundance, from fear to peace, from apprehension to joy? We have to get the word out, circulate the message for more than just a few weeks in November. Stewardship is more than just about filling out a pledge card once a year, it is about knowing a God who changes our perceptions on wants and needs...it is about being thankful for what we have right now...it is about knowing a God who provides enough for every moment of life and wanting to share that rich abundance and grace in all areas of life.

It's a start...

Journey on...

Jesus and Big Bird

My child is really getting into imaginary play. The other day she was sitting in the kitchen while I was making dinner. She took a kitchen towel and wrapped it around her head like a head scarf. I asked, "who are you?" She answered, "Jesus." Then a few seconds later she said, "no, Big Bird."

I thought, "well, that works." Jesus' lessons are good...Big Bird's lessons are good too. What amazes me is that, at such a young age, my child is learning the language of faith. It also amazes me how the church (and families) overlook the great importance of that learning. I am very concerned about the intellectual and social development of my child, but am I as concerned about the spiritual development?

Families and churches of all sizes and shapes should be challenged by this...that if we do not teach the little children about faith, perhaps Big Bird will be only role-model they imitate. Food for thought.

Journey on...

The Halo Effect

I came across the term "Halo Effect" in college psychology. I think of it in terms of how it is used (often times unintentionally) in the practice of hiring people. How this works is that the potential employer sees one characteristic or strength in a potential job candidate, and they are willing to look past all other (sometimes crucial) weaknesses or deficiencies because they highly prize the one strength.

I thought of the Halo effect when I read an article in yesterday's (October 7) version of the New York Times. Thou Shalt Not Kill, Except in a Popular Video Game at Church tells the story of how a growing number of churches are using the popular video game Halo to attract adolescent boys to church.

The video game is extremely popular (hence the one strong characteristic). The video game is also extremely violent (weakness number one). It is so violent, that it cannot be purchased by anyone under the age of 17 (weakness number two). In spite of the violence and age restriction, churches are making the video games available to adolescent boys 17 and under (weakness number 3!).

The article quotes Gregg Barbour, the youth minister of Colorado Community Church (a church that uses Halo to attract teens), as saying, "Once they come for the games...they will stay for [the] Christian message." " We want to make it hard for teenagers to go to hell," Mr. Barbour wrote in a letter to parents at the church.

To my basic Christian sensibilities, the idea of using violent video games as an evangelistic tool seems blasphemous and dangerous. Churches struggle so hard to be relevant that it seems we forget that we are to be countercultural...to be in the world but not of it...to offer a voice a peace when surrounded by violence.

It is ironic that the article was next to one about the growing sexual violence against women and children in the Congo...and another article about more violence in the middle east.

The article does site the challenge the church faces of reaching out to adolescent boys and young men. I don't have an answer for that. But it is not so very hard for teenagers to go to hell--there are plenty of hells on earth. Just turn off the video game and look around. And then maybe we can convince young people that virtual and real peace is a much higher characteristic to prize.

I'd be interested in any thoughts on the subject.

Journey On...

All the World's a Stage

I have beaten off the blogging path lately and meandered far away...but I am back today with some thoughts and reflections. A few weeks ago, our next door neighbors put their house up for sale. They moved in just shortly before we moved into our house last year so we were a bit surprised to see the sign.

We should have seen it coming because there was plenty of activity leading up to the house actually being placed on the market--there was painting and fixing up. But perhaps the most interesting thing that happened is what is commonly known as staging. I have seen it on TV and the concept intrigues me.

At our neighbors house, a crew of two women showed up and they worked in the front yard, planted pretty flowers, placed a nice outdoor table and chair set on the front deck. They spent the entire day in the house bringing in furniture, hanging pictures, placing lamps and other decorative items. All of this activity is followed up with a thorough cleaning of the house--everything has to be spotless and even the shoes at the front door have to be lined up just so.

I have never sold a house, but talking to those who have and observing our neighbors (who are having a difficult time selling a house in a difficult market), it is not a fun adventure. As one friend, who was selling her house while raising 5 children, said, "it's like living in a museum."

I think it's kind of funny that when you're selling your house, it has to be perfect. Because you know once someone buys it and moves it, it isn't going to that way from day to day. Our house certainly isn't. So why is it so important for things to be perfect...for everything to be placed just so...for the whole environment to be "staged?"

It could be that buying a house is such a big purchase you want everything to look perfect. Or could it be that we want to things to appear perfect, because we know that life is not. Many times I think we live our lives as though we are in a museum--we want the outward appearance to be just so...don't give any hint to others that things are not perfect and in order.

But maintaining that kind of outward appearance is exhausting. So who do you trust to let down your guard...who do you invite into the messy rooms of your soul? If there is not another person (and I do hope there is), then know that there is God. God doesn't expect things to be staged, or ordered or perfect. God accepts you as you are--clothes on the floor, furniture undusted, dishes on the counter.

It is good to know that in a world where so many things seem "staged," we can just be who we are and know that that is good enough for God.

Journey on...

Six Years Later

I must admit that, until watching the 10 o'clock news last night, I almost forgot the significance of today. I guess this is what happens as time goes on--wounds heal and life continues. But any one of us can think back to six years ago and we can remember exactly what we were doing when we found out.

I was a CPE student at Parkland Hospital in Dallas and had just arrived at the hospital when the first plane hit. I remember everything about that day in great detail. But six years later, life goes on and the world seems much different now than it did then. I think this is not just because of that tragedy, but because of other world crises like Iraq and Darfur (just to name a few).

I am thinking about September 11 in light of one of the Lectionary texts for this week: Luke 15: 1-10 (the Parables about the Lost Sheep and the Woman and the Lost coin). I have been meditating on this idea of "one"--what does it mean to be the one who is lost and/or the one who is found. It seems foolish to leave the 99 sheep unattended or the abandon everything to go off in search of one lost coin.

When we are among the 99, it is tempting to think that the one does not matter. But consider these words from Leonard Sweet in his book The Gospel According to Starbucks: "For now, though, think of the power of one even without God. Think of Hitler, or Stalin, or Mao. It didn't take them hundreds of years to produce their own holocausts. It took only one lifetime for Mao to end the lives of well over seventy million in China. Not to mention Pinochet, Pol Pot, Idi Amin, and other twentieth-century tyrants. It only takes one. Small is the new large." (10)

The one does matter. Six years later, I am more aware of the power of one person to reap death and destruction on innocent lives. We should heed Jesus' words this week, not only because they remind us to be hospitable to those we view as "outsiders," but also because we are (like it or not) interconnect to all of God's creatures.

We should heed Jesus' words this week because when the one is lost, we are all lost.

Journey on...

Friday's Five

Sally at revgalblogpals writes: "I am preparing this Friday 5 just before I take Chris into hospital for a cardioversion, right now we are all a little apprehensive. But this whole thing has got me thinking, so many of us are overcomers in one way or another, so many have amazing stories to tell of God's faithfulness in adversity. And so I bring you this Friday 5:"

1.Have you experienced God's faithfulness at a difficult time? Tell as much or as little as you like...
Oh my goodness...there have been several times when God's faithfulness has brought me through difficulty. I think the most painful was when I was 23 and my fiance broke off our engagement just 2 months before the wedding. I didn't know then that it was the best thing--that someone for me was waiting out there--all I knew was that I felt crushed. It was a hard situation because we were both in Seminary and both living in the same Seminary housing complex, so I could not get away. The stress of the situation exacerbated a neurological condition that I have--dystonia--causing my head to shake and get stuck in a posturing position.

I think that was a time in my life when I felt just utterly miserable.

2. Have you experienced a dark night of the soul, if so what brought you through?
I think that breakup threw me into the dark night of the soul. The three things that brought me through: faith, family and wonderful friends.

3. Share a Bible verse, song, poem that has brought you comfort?
Psalm 121 was a Biblical balm. The words to the Indigo Girls song Ghost became my lament.

4. Is "why suffering" a valid question?
I don't know if it is a "logical" question, but it seems to be primal. We naturally ask "why?" so there must be some reason for it.

5. And on a lighter note- you have reached the end of a dark and difficult time- how are you going to celebrate?
About 5 years after that breakup, I decided to do something positive in my life. So I joined the Leukemia/Lymphoma Society's Team in Training Program and ran my 1st marathon--and it was through that experience that I met the love of my life.

Journey on....

The Tyranny of Distance

I turned on the TV just briefly the other day to catch the middle of a program on PBS. All I got was that it was a program about the US military doing humanitarian work for the people in the Mohave Desert (with the hopes of befriending them and gaining information from them about potential terrorists moving through the area).

The cinematography was stunning. The initial picture that came up was of this solitary mud hut with maybe 5 people standing in and around it. The hut was engulfed in the lower frame by desert and in the top by an almost cloudless sky. The military official interviewed spoke about the "tyranny distance" in that place--the fact that people are so isolated that part of what the military brings is not only glasses and other needed supplies, but some kind of contact from elsewhere to confirm that elsewhere does exist.

I heard someone say that when they visited Texas, they thought surely the sun would touch the ground. I thought maybe they were talking about the fact that there are more hours of daylight in Texas than Washington during the winter months. But thinking on it now, though Texas is dotted with large cities and innumerable ranches in between, it is mostly flat. There is not a lot to break up the scenery, so it does appear (especially in the Coastal Plains near my home) that the sun will literally touch the ground.

I personally have always loved the mountains and now I wonder if part of that love comes from the fact that glorious mountains break up the scenery...glorious mountains dispel the tyranny of distance by drawing our gaze upward. When I look at the mountains, I can't help but think of God.

I do enjoy going back home and seeing those Coastal Plains--they remind me that somewhere out there where the sky and the ground meet, is someone else, some place else where people live and breath, have joys and sorrows just like you and me.

But for now, I will take the mountains that point my gaze to the God who gives breath and life...to the God who lives in our joys and carries us through our sorrows.

Journey on...

Some more thoughts on the Lectionary

In a Sunday sermon, it is hard to cover all the ground sometimes that could be covered. For yesterday's sermon, I chose Luke 14: 1-14 (I included the middle part the lectionary leaves out). I focused on vs. 11: "For all who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted."

One question that I didn't get to develop too much is this: what does it truly mean to be humble? Merriam-Webster provides the following definitions: "1. not proud or haughty; not arrogant or assertive; 2. reflecting, expressing, or offered in a spirit of deference or submission; 3.) ranking low in a hierarchy or scale."

I'm pretty much okay with all of these definitions, but I have some issues with "not assertive." If it is not being assertive in an arrogant way, that is one thing; but, too often humility becomes synonymous with non-assertiveness in Christianity and that causes issues.

Brian Stoffrengen in his Exegetical Notes at Crossmarks deals with the difficulties of the word "humble/humility." He describes how, too often, the word humble becomes synonymous with being nice. "Humility becomes being passive. Letting others walk all over us. Jesus shows by his life that being humble didn't mean being passive, but, when necessary, it meant taking out the whip and driving the self-centered bullies out of the temple."

There are times when, as Christians, we are called to be assertive. We should never be arrogant in our expressions, but we should also never let others walk all over us. Some food for thought.

Journey on....

Post Junior Camp

I can't believe it has been so long since I've blogged. I was at the Gwinwood Christian Camp last week in Lacey, WA directing Junior Camp. The camp is for children going into 4th, 5th & 6th grade--as you can guess if you live in a different part of the country, school doesn't begin here until after Labor Day.

About 3 weeks before the camp, I received an email stating that the camp was going to be cancelled because the director had backed out. I don't really know what all happened there, but I just couldn't swallow having a summer camp cancelled. So I sent an email to our Regional minister and then I became the director of the camp =).

So I have been working overtime for the last 3 weeks trying to get it all together. I'm happy to report that everything went well. We had children with some issues, but overall it was a very meaningful camp.

The children didn't really know or process the situation with the camp director, all they knew was that they were having a great time. And as I watched them swim, worship, play, enjoy camp fires, etc, I thought to myself, "this is because you said 'yes' to God's calling to do something." God does wonderful things when we say 'yes.'

Journey On...

Friday's 5--STRESS

1. First, and before we start busting stress, what causes you the most stress, is it big things or the small stuff ?

I think what causes me the most ongoing stress is the "to do" list in my head. It is always longer than I have time to deal with. There's also some expectations wrapped up in all that--wanting to be a good Pastor, mother, wife, etc. and sometimes feeling like I do a mediocre job at all that stuff.

2. Exercise or chocolate for stress busting ( or maybe something else) ?
I love chocolate, but am finding (in my mid 30's), that it hangs around a lot more these days =). I also love exercise, so I have to make time for it. If I remember it, deep breathing helps for the really stressful moments.

3.What is your favourite music to chill out to?
I like all kinds. I have an ipod and I put anything I like on it and then hit "shuffle." I'm usually pleased with the outcome =)

4. Where do you go to chill?
Before my daughter came along, I had this Lazy boy chair I'd sit and rock in while listening to music. That doesn't work so well these days, so my chill out place is out walking at the school. I also now live in a part of the world where I can drive up into the mountains--20 minutes and I'm there. Sometimes I do that if I just need some thinking time or need to be alone.

5. Extrovert or introvert, do you relax at a party, or do you prefer a solitary walk?
It is funny that there are so many characteristics of mine that would make one think I'm an extrovert. But I am definitely an introvert. If I'm really stressed, I need that quiet walk or that ride up into the mountains.

Bonus: The deep breathing really does work. I was running late to an appointment yesterday, so rather than look at the clock and get angry at the people driving way to slow in front of me, I decided to breath. When you focus on the breath, you can really block (at least for a little while)some of the irritants that make your stress worse.

Journey on...

Last Friday's 5

I love the Friday 5.

1.) Have I ever been on a Pilgrimage?
In 1994, I went with a group of students to Italy to study Christian art & architecture. We went to Rome, Assisi and Florence. It was very much like a pilgrimage being in places where people of faith had been many years prior and left their mark in carvings, frescoes, paintings, stained glass, sculptures and more.

2.)Share a place you have always wanted to go on a pilgrimage to.
The Holy Land

3.)What would you make sure to pack in your suitcase or backpack to make the pilgrimage more meaningful? Or does "stuff" just distract from the experience?
From my trip to Italy, I learned that a backpack would be much better than a suitcase! Clean underwear and a good camera is a must.

4.) If you could make a pilgrimage with someone (live, dead or fictional) as your guide, who would it be?
My grandmother. She was such an important person in my life and she died when I was 11. I would love to share a pilgrimage with her.

5.)Eventually the pilgrim must return home, but can you suggest any strategies for keeping that deep "mountaintop" perspective in the midst of everyday life?
I think pictures help a lot. If you can keep a journal on your journey, that always is refreshing to go back and read.

When I was in Assisi, there was an artist doing a watercolor landscape with the Prayer of St. Francis scripted on it. It was one of my most favorite things that I brought back. Looking at it gave me a feeling that I had about Assisi. One of my good friends, who was unable to afford the trip, loved the picture. So when she graduated from college, I gave it to her as a present. She moved to KY for Seminary and I stayed in TX for Seminary. Four years later, when I graduated with my M.Div., a package from her showed up on my doorsteps. I opened it to find that precious picture.

So maybe you should try to find something special from your pilgrimage to give away--never know when or how it will come back to you and increase that "mountaintop" experience.

Journey on...

You HAVE to be kidding

It has been awhile since I've blogged. I got back from General Assembly and went straight to work putting together a camp for children going into grades 4,5 & 6 next year. I hadn't planned on directing this camp, but it was going to be cancelled because the original director backed out. I didn't think that was acceptable, so naturally I am now directing =)

As I have looked over the list of kids coming, I must admit I have some anxieties. Children with ADHD and one with some other behavioral issues. What HAVE I signed up for? But then I must remember that my assumptions about how things are or are going to be are not always right.

For instance, my perception of my almost 3 year old Border Collie is that he is crazed. After all, he did practically flunk out of dog obedience 101. But when out playing Frisbee with him in the park, more than one person has commented, "What an obedient dog." My reaction--you have to be kidding me, right?

Take for another instance, my perception of our outing the other night to a local restaurant with our 3 year old child. The whole time, I felt like I was working overtime trying to keep her calm and was worried that she was bothering everyone around us. But as we left, a man said, "Ma'am. I want you to know that your child is so well behaved." My reaction--you have to be kidding me, right?

Take for a final instance my perception that I could personally stand to lose a little weight. I think I looked better when I was a size or two smaller. But a couple of Sundays ago, a female church member said, "you have the nicest figure!" Of course she was 95, but my reaction--you have to be kidding me, right?

So often I get it in my head that things are one way, but often they aren't...or others don't see it the way I do. I am glad that God sees things differently. That God doesn't believe the negative self talk or negative perceptions that we have about ourselves and others. God keeps telling us, "You're MY special child." And our reaction--you have to be kidding me, right?

Lucky for us, God is good at changing perceptions and minds.

Journey on...

Where's the Tylenol?

After hauling way-to-heavy luggage on my recent travels, I aggravated my upper back and right arm. I was in a lot of pain for a few days, but with ice and Tylenol, it is better.

I recently heard a friend talk about a trip she took with some medical missionaries to Honduras. She showed me a picture of a barefoot woman with a bundle on her back. After looking at the picture closely, I could see that the bundle was a baby--it was a Honduran style Bijorn.

This one particular woman had walked barefoot for 7 miles to get Tylenol. Tylenol--something I thoughtlessly pick up at the grocery store and thoughtlessly take for my little aches and pains.

I wonder how many times that woman had little and big aches and pains and had no way to relieve them. I wonder how many times her baby had a fever and she worried because she had nothing to give to her to help.

We take so many things for granted don't we. Maybe we should take a moment today to be thankful for even the smallest of things.

Journey on...

Home Again

I am back in Sumner, WA and thanking God for safe travels. For complete coverage on assembly news, you can go to the Disciples web page for updates on business, worship, etc. Though we are denomination (like many today) facing challenges, it seems to me that we are better spiritually than we have been in years. Over and over again I kept hearing our denomination described as one who mission is to bring wholeness to a fragmented world--what a blessed call that, hopefully, we can live into at the local congregational level. Blessings to you today.

Journey on...

Share the Feast--Day 2

Just a quick note before heading out to today's events. Yesterday was full of fellowship, business, food and worship. I don't see Dr. Sharon Watkins address online, but you can follow this link to get an update on what has been going on at assembly.

There were so many people at the Fiesta last night that, after getting my food, it took me 30 minutes to relocate my table! And in between I ran into at least 5 friends I have not seen for more than 10 years. What a joy! I might have taken my hand at riding the mechanical bull, but time ran out and we had to go to worship (darn =).

Will update more later. Journey on...

Sharing the Feast

The first day of General Assembly has been amazing. Personally, it has been like this ultra family and friend reunion--I have run into old friends and professors from college and seminary, colleagues, mentors, church members and friends.

Spiritually, I have been uplifted by the two messages I have now heard. The first was at the Board of Church Extension dinner where the Rev. Dr. Cynthia Hale spoke. She was one of the first new church planters over 20 years ago. Her church, Ray of Hope Christian Church, in Atlanta, GA has welcomed over 10,000 members since its inception. Two things key to the fruitfulness of her labor? Love and PASSION. I couldn't agree more. Without a passion for the love of God, there isn't much to inspire, is there?

The second message was from Dr. Daisy Machado. The sermon was based on the feeding of the 5,000 and focused on our need to do the work of mingling among the crowds, seeing people as people and having compassion for them rather than fear of them.

Today promises to be another full day of fellowship and worship. Will write more later.

Journey on...

Friday 5 on Saturday

I'm sitting here doing some catching up before delving into General Assembly and Sally from RevGalBlogPals posted 5 questions for pondering that I would like to answer:

1. Share a moment/ time of real encouragement in your journey of faith:
Last year I was at the 100th Anniversary of my home church (First Christian Church, Corpus Christi, TX). There were lots of former ministers attending including a man named Jack Meyers. When I was 10 and my maternal grandmother, to whom I was very close, became ill with cancer, Jack was there with the family. When my grandmother died, Jack came over to the house and I don't really know why, but I started crying when he walked through the door. He saw me crying and walked past all of the adults to the chair where I was sitting and he knelt down and began talking to me in a way that I could understand. He embodied God's compassion and I've never forgotten it. So it was very poignant to me, when after this Anniversary celebration last year, he pulled me aside and took the stole that he was wearing off and put it on me. I cried again. It was a cathartic moment and almost a commissioning--a symbol action reminding me that it is now my turn to embody God's compassion to others.

2.) I love what another person wrote--modesty...or moderation. I have grand visions a lot of the time for work, family and ministry...and then I realize that I need to just take one step at a time. There will always be items left on my "to do" list; but, if I am being faithful and doing the best that I can, that is enough.

3.) I will hire a youth/education minister =) Open a food pantry and contribute large sums of money to the Yakama Christian Mission. AND I would write more and speak more at retreats and other spiritual renewal events. AND maybe get a doctorate (I think I need to go back to moderation =).

4.)I think I have to let myself sit with the feeling of disappointment for a while. My default is to move on as quickly as possible, but if I can sit with it for a while, sometimes new thoughts or ideas come to mind. Conversations with a few trusted souls helps me through disappointing times. But it is prayer that really keeps me going.

5.) I wonder about number 5--is it familial roots or church roots? My familial roots are really important to me (even though I now live thousands of miles away from family). As I learn more about family history, I begin to connect with my ancestral history. I thought I was a pioneer by become a female minister, but I think there were a lot of devoted, strong women in my family paving the way for me. My church roots are really important to me. I see those roots embodied in two areas--focus on Scripture (and the freedom to interpret the "non-essentials") and in the sharing of Communion every Sunday.

Share the Feast

This week is the General Assembly gathering of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). We're gathering in Ft. Worth--my old stomping grounds--which is home to Texas Christian University where I earned my B.A. and my M.Div. (from Brite Divinity School).

It is strange being back in a place that is so familiar, but that has changed so much over the course of years. Coming so close on the heels of our other whirl-wind Texas trip, I was afraid I would just be too tired. But I am starting to feel some excitement and energy.

The Assembly officially begins this evening and I'll be posting updates on what's going on.

Journey on...

A Voice in the Wilderness

This past Sunday, my child and I drove down to Portland, Oregon to meet my husband at the finish line of the Seattle to Portland ride. John, along with over 9,000 other riders, was a real trooper having ridden 206 miles in 2 days.

The finish line, as you may suspect, was a buzz of activity. The riders finished at Holladay park which was decorated with tents of foods, beverages, t-shirts and other items for sale, water, music and more. My 3 year-old was having quite a time bee bopping around the park (she was like a pin-ball bouncing around the inside of pin-ball machine).

At one point we made our way to the end of the park where the trolley line comes in. There were people getting off trains and others waiting to get on. And in the midst of that activity stood a tall, slender, African-American woman with a podium and Bible. She wasn't preaching hell, fire and damnation, but instead was reading from the Psalms.

I passed a couple of men sitting just behind her who were explicitly talking about how drunk they had gotten the night before...I was so busy chasing my little pin-ball that I couldn't stop and talk...and there were hordes of people doing the same thing.

I have been thinking about that scene for the last few days, wondering if what that woman was doing constitutes a true proclamation of the Word. When we think on evangelism and spreading God's Word, is that what we are supposed to do--preach to hordes of people who barely notice and barely care?

If evangelism is measured by faithfulness, then that woman was certainly successful. I think it must have taken a great deal of faith and courage to stand there and read her Bible. But I also wonder about the measure of fruitfulness--should evangelism produce some tangible, visible end result? Should the Word be presented in such a way that people take notice--that people are affected and maybe changed?

Maybe the success of evangelism lies somewhere in between faith and fruit =). In faithfulness we do what we can and pray for God to provide the fruitful harvest.

Journey on...