What does it mean to wait? I have really been living into this during Advent this year. Most of the time I'm just rushing around trying to get all the "must dos" done. But this year, we are staying in WA and not traveling...we don't have family coming and I am actually finding myself having a more meaningful Advent because I'm not waiting to go somewhere or waiting for the guests to arrive. I have even given myself permission this year to not send out a mass mailing of Christmas cards which has taken one thing off of my plate. And so without quite as many distractions, the notion of waiting has really sunk in this year.
This past Sunday was the Sunday when we light the candle of Joy on the Advent wreath and the think about Mary in particular. For some reason the weight of her plight has really hit home with me this year. I remember what it was like to be 9 months pregnant, waiting for something to happen...but for some reason that kind of anticipation has not really been a part of my past Advent experiences.
But this year I am thinking about that kind of pregnant waiting...the time when you know that something is going to happen, you just don't know when. Yesterday I preached on Isaiah 35: 1-10 and talked about how people who are in the midst of difficulties long for something different...they hang onto the promise that life will be better tomorrow. But sometimes it is not tomorrow, or the next day, or the next year, or the next decade. Sometimes promises take a long time to be fulfilled.
But maybe what I'm picking up on this Advent is that promises are eventually fulfilled...it is truly not a matter of if, but a matter of when. So this Advent has been filled with the pregnant possibility that God is up to something that will be revealed someday. Although I don't completely understand God's time, I know that it is not a matter of if...only a matter of when.
Journey On...
Monday, December 17, 2007
Friday, December 14, 2007
Friday Five
Mother Laura at RevGalBlogPals writes:
Can you believe that in two days we'll be halfway through Advent? Gaudete Sunday: pink candle on the advent wreath, rose vestments for those who have them, concerts and pageants in many congregations. Time to rejoice!
Rejoice in the nearness of Christ's coming, yes, but also in the many gifts of the pregnant waiting time when the world (in the northern hemisphere, at least) spins ever deeper into sweet, fertile darkness.
What makes you rejoice about:
1. Waiting?
I think sometimes our greatest joys and anxieties come from waiting. In Advent, the waiting for the arrival of the Christ child is filled with lots of hope and promise.
2. Darkness?
I live in Washington State and the days here really do get short. We hit the Winter Solstice (The Longest Night of the year) on December 21st. The thing that I rejoice in with darkness is that it is bearable and it doesn't last forever. I always think of Chiaroscuro and how without both light and dark, there would not be contrast to create depth in paintings and photos. Darkness is not always to the most comfortable or fun place to be, but God is with us and will help to lead us back to light.
3. Winter?
Winter makes us slow down. If it is cold and rainy (or snowy), you can't go outside and work on your house or in your yard--you don't even think about those things. So you kind of have to slow down in winter and, for me, it is a good time for reflective thinking and praying.
4. Advent?
I rejoice that Advent helps us to remember the sacred in Christmas. I had some folks requesting more Christmas songs in worship...to which I responded, "it's not Christmas yet." The retailers have been telling us its Christmas since late October, but in the church we recognize that we have to wait. And waiting for Christ's arrival is much like waiting for God's guidance in our lives--we cannot rush it or make it fit as we would like to in our own schedules--it comes in God's time.
5. Jesus' coming?
I'm about to dive into my sermon for this week (based on the Isaiah text) and one of the things I grapple with is living in the tension of what we hope for in Jesus' coming and the sad reality of the world around us. Frankly, I never fully rejoice at Christmas because I can never fully forget the suffering of those in my community, country and in other places around the world. So I hope the someday, through Jesus, things will be as they should.
Journey On...
Can you believe that in two days we'll be halfway through Advent? Gaudete Sunday: pink candle on the advent wreath, rose vestments for those who have them, concerts and pageants in many congregations. Time to rejoice!
Rejoice in the nearness of Christ's coming, yes, but also in the many gifts of the pregnant waiting time when the world (in the northern hemisphere, at least) spins ever deeper into sweet, fertile darkness.
What makes you rejoice about:
1. Waiting?
I think sometimes our greatest joys and anxieties come from waiting. In Advent, the waiting for the arrival of the Christ child is filled with lots of hope and promise.
2. Darkness?
I live in Washington State and the days here really do get short. We hit the Winter Solstice (The Longest Night of the year) on December 21st. The thing that I rejoice in with darkness is that it is bearable and it doesn't last forever. I always think of Chiaroscuro and how without both light and dark, there would not be contrast to create depth in paintings and photos. Darkness is not always to the most comfortable or fun place to be, but God is with us and will help to lead us back to light.
3. Winter?
Winter makes us slow down. If it is cold and rainy (or snowy), you can't go outside and work on your house or in your yard--you don't even think about those things. So you kind of have to slow down in winter and, for me, it is a good time for reflective thinking and praying.
4. Advent?
I rejoice that Advent helps us to remember the sacred in Christmas. I had some folks requesting more Christmas songs in worship...to which I responded, "it's not Christmas yet." The retailers have been telling us its Christmas since late October, but in the church we recognize that we have to wait. And waiting for Christ's arrival is much like waiting for God's guidance in our lives--we cannot rush it or make it fit as we would like to in our own schedules--it comes in God's time.
5. Jesus' coming?
I'm about to dive into my sermon for this week (based on the Isaiah text) and one of the things I grapple with is living in the tension of what we hope for in Jesus' coming and the sad reality of the world around us. Frankly, I never fully rejoice at Christmas because I can never fully forget the suffering of those in my community, country and in other places around the world. So I hope the someday, through Jesus, things will be as they should.
Journey On...
Monday, December 3, 2007
One Sock
I heard a story on the NPR the other day about a dog who had eaten close to 100 pairs of socks. That dog must know my dog. Our dog, for a while now, has gotten in the habit of digging in the laundry basket and pulling out our socks. At first he'd just nibble on them, but then he started taking big chunks out of them and now some of them just disappear (and sometimes reappear later--ewwwww!).
My dog's sock eating habit is annoying at best and maddening at worst. I now own a big bag of orphaned socks and am often frustrated because I cannot find socks for me or for my child as we are rushing through our mornings to get dressed.
But I realized something the other day...you really can put two slightly mismatched socks together and they still work! What I, having grown up in the land of plenty, failed to realize is that there are people in the world who would love to have my bag of mismatched socks because they still have plenty of wear left in them.
In this time of shopping for Christmas gifts and excessive giving, I am trying to simplify more and stress less...trying to remember to be thankful for the less-than-obvious gifts that are in front of me everyday.
So my socks don't match, but I do have socks and my feet are warm on this cold, rainy day. Thank you God.
Journey On...
My dog's sock eating habit is annoying at best and maddening at worst. I now own a big bag of orphaned socks and am often frustrated because I cannot find socks for me or for my child as we are rushing through our mornings to get dressed.
But I realized something the other day...you really can put two slightly mismatched socks together and they still work! What I, having grown up in the land of plenty, failed to realize is that there are people in the world who would love to have my bag of mismatched socks because they still have plenty of wear left in them.
In this time of shopping for Christmas gifts and excessive giving, I am trying to simplify more and stress less...trying to remember to be thankful for the less-than-obvious gifts that are in front of me everyday.
So my socks don't match, but I do have socks and my feet are warm on this cold, rainy day. Thank you God.
Journey On...
Friday, November 30, 2007
Friday Five
Willsmama at RevGalBlogPals writes:
Parishioners pushing for carols before you digested your turkey?
Organist refusing to play Advent hymns because he/she already has them planned for Lessons & Carols?
Find yourself reading Luke and thinking of a variety of ways to tell Linus where to stick it? (Lights please.)
Then this quick and easy Friday Five is for you! And for those of you with a more positive attitude, have no fear. I am sure more sacred and reverent Friday Fives will follow.
Please tell us your least favorite/most annoying seasonal....
1) dessert/cookie/family food
Fruit Cake by far!
2) beverage (seasonal beer, eggnog w/ way too much egg and not enough nog, etc...)
I'm kind of grossed out by eggnog
3) tradition (church, family, other)
Christmas Cards =)
4) decoration
The outside lights--because they are a pain to get up.
5) gift (received or given)
I think the worst thing I ever received was a book by Rush Limbaugh! I can't even remember who gave it to me or why they thought I would even want that =)
BONUS: SONG/CD that makes you want to tell the elves where to stick it.I know, I know.... pretty grumpy for November but why not get it out of our systems now so we are free to enjoy the rest of the festivities.
The various versions of Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas. I really like the song, but they play it like every five minutes on the radio.
Parishioners pushing for carols before you digested your turkey?
Organist refusing to play Advent hymns because he/she already has them planned for Lessons & Carols?
Find yourself reading Luke and thinking of a variety of ways to tell Linus where to stick it? (Lights please.)
Then this quick and easy Friday Five is for you! And for those of you with a more positive attitude, have no fear. I am sure more sacred and reverent Friday Fives will follow.
Please tell us your least favorite/most annoying seasonal....
1) dessert/cookie/family food
Fruit Cake by far!
2) beverage (seasonal beer, eggnog w/ way too much egg and not enough nog, etc...)
I'm kind of grossed out by eggnog
3) tradition (church, family, other)
Christmas Cards =)
4) decoration
The outside lights--because they are a pain to get up.
5) gift (received or given)
I think the worst thing I ever received was a book by Rush Limbaugh! I can't even remember who gave it to me or why they thought I would even want that =)
BONUS: SONG/CD that makes you want to tell the elves where to stick it.I know, I know.... pretty grumpy for November but why not get it out of our systems now so we are free to enjoy the rest of the festivities.
The various versions of Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas. I really like the song, but they play it like every five minutes on the radio.
Monday, November 26, 2007
A Little Child
"The wolf shall live with the lamb, the leopard shall lie down with the kid, the calf and the lion and the fatling together, and a little child shall lead them." Isaiah 11:6
During Advent I will preaching from Isaiah. This particular piece of Isaiah is not in this year's lectionary, but I sure did think about it a lot over Thanksgiving week.
My family and I traveled down to Corpus Christi, TX where we spent Thanksgiving with my side of the family. As with all families, there are some really good things about us and some not-so-good things. Families are systems and systems are hard to change (maybe that's enough to say about the characteristics of my family =).
But I knew I would have the hardest time being around my new sister-in-law. I have a hard time relating to her. And so our first night together was awkward (to say the least). We all went out to this fabulous Mexican food restaurant--it is so fabulous that we had to wait to be seated and guess who I got to sit next to?? Of course--my sister-in-law.
I didn't know what to say to her. But as we sat there in silence, my 3 year-old daughter bopped over and crawled right up into my sister-in-law's lap. I watched her as she so easily related...as she so easily smiled...as she so easily shared herself with this person she didn't really know that well either...and I thought of Isaiah.
Isaiah 11:6 has all kinds of unlikely creatures hanging out together, peacefully....all led by a little child. I guess as we get older, life accumulates on us and we just aren't as willing to be so transparent. There is a lot to peel away before I could be as pure and as honest and as open as my little child. But I hope to live out what I say I believe in such fashion...until that day, I suppose a little child will lead me.
Journey On....
During Advent I will preaching from Isaiah. This particular piece of Isaiah is not in this year's lectionary, but I sure did think about it a lot over Thanksgiving week.
My family and I traveled down to Corpus Christi, TX where we spent Thanksgiving with my side of the family. As with all families, there are some really good things about us and some not-so-good things. Families are systems and systems are hard to change (maybe that's enough to say about the characteristics of my family =).
But I knew I would have the hardest time being around my new sister-in-law. I have a hard time relating to her. And so our first night together was awkward (to say the least). We all went out to this fabulous Mexican food restaurant--it is so fabulous that we had to wait to be seated and guess who I got to sit next to?? Of course--my sister-in-law.
I didn't know what to say to her. But as we sat there in silence, my 3 year-old daughter bopped over and crawled right up into my sister-in-law's lap. I watched her as she so easily related...as she so easily smiled...as she so easily shared herself with this person she didn't really know that well either...and I thought of Isaiah.
Isaiah 11:6 has all kinds of unlikely creatures hanging out together, peacefully....all led by a little child. I guess as we get older, life accumulates on us and we just aren't as willing to be so transparent. There is a lot to peel away before I could be as pure and as honest and as open as my little child. But I hope to live out what I say I believe in such fashion...until that day, I suppose a little child will lead me.
Journey On....
Saturday, November 17, 2007
Living in the Now
Saw a great quote at the YMCA this morning. It was not credited to any particular author...
"Learn from the past, but don't dwell. Plan for the future, but don't obsess."
If you're stuck in either place, maybe this saying will help to bring back into the moment.
Journey on...
"Learn from the past, but don't dwell. Plan for the future, but don't obsess."
If you're stuck in either place, maybe this saying will help to bring back into the moment.
Journey on...
Friday, November 16, 2007
Friday Five--Thinking About These Things
Songbird at RevGalBlogPals writes: Finally, beloved, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is pleasing, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. (Philippians 4:8, NRSV)
Friends, it's nearly Thanksgiving in the U.S. and it's the time of year when we are pressed to name things for which we are thankful. I want to offer a twist on the usual lists and use Paul's letter to the church at Philippi as a model.
Name five things that are true, honorable, just, pure, pleasing, commendable, excellent or worthy of praise. These could be people, organizations, acts, ideas, works of art, pieces of music--whatever comes to mind for you.
1.) I was just blogging about the grief recovery groups that I am leading. I think those people who are willing to come and work the process of grief are true and commendable in so many ways. To be open and honest about grief in this culture is not easy--they are an inspirational to me.
2.) I think the Heifer Project is worthy of praise for the work that it does in trying to create just and sustainable communities.
3.) What is pleasing to me is my family and friends. Particularly my husband and daughter. I never knew unconditional love (outside of God's love) until I met that wonderful man I call my husband.
4.) There are people at my church who are commendable for the amount of time and effort they put into the mission and ministry of the church. I also think the women of RevGals are all commendable for the effort they put into the organization and the thoughts, prayers and ideas that are shared.
5.) I was writing about Kiva in my sermon for this week...which makes me think of the Grameen Bank and Dr. Yunus. What commendable, amazing work!
Friends, it's nearly Thanksgiving in the U.S. and it's the time of year when we are pressed to name things for which we are thankful. I want to offer a twist on the usual lists and use Paul's letter to the church at Philippi as a model.
Name five things that are true, honorable, just, pure, pleasing, commendable, excellent or worthy of praise. These could be people, organizations, acts, ideas, works of art, pieces of music--whatever comes to mind for you.
1.) I was just blogging about the grief recovery groups that I am leading. I think those people who are willing to come and work the process of grief are true and commendable in so many ways. To be open and honest about grief in this culture is not easy--they are an inspirational to me.
2.) I think the Heifer Project is worthy of praise for the work that it does in trying to create just and sustainable communities.
3.) What is pleasing to me is my family and friends. Particularly my husband and daughter. I never knew unconditional love (outside of God's love) until I met that wonderful man I call my husband.
4.) There are people at my church who are commendable for the amount of time and effort they put into the mission and ministry of the church. I also think the women of RevGals are all commendable for the effort they put into the organization and the thoughts, prayers and ideas that are shared.
5.) I was writing about Kiva in my sermon for this week...which makes me think of the Grameen Bank and Dr. Yunus. What commendable, amazing work!
Thinking about the lasts
I don't know if it is because I am leading grief recovery groups and hearing the stories of people who have lost loved ones...but lately I have been thinking about the lasts.
When you have a baby, everyone talks about looking forward to the firsts--first smile, first crawl, first steps. But nobody ever talks about the lasts--the last time your child crawls, the last time they nurse or drink from a bottle, the last time they sit in a highchair or the last time they sit in your lap (see my previous post on this one).
And this pondering of the lasts does not simply apply to babies. We catapult forward through life looking forward to the firsts--first kisses, first drink =), first vote, first love, first job, first day of retirement and on and on. But we are not encouraged or as inclined to spend much time pondering the lasts.
I am hearing a lot about how painfully precious the last things are to people in life--last smiles, last kisses, last goodbyes. I wonder what the world would be like if we looked forward to the firsts, always knowing that somwhere in background the lasts are waiting. Would people slow down? Would they be kinder? Would they complain less and thank more?
Maybe we should ponder the lasts first and see what happens.
Journey on...
When you have a baby, everyone talks about looking forward to the firsts--first smile, first crawl, first steps. But nobody ever talks about the lasts--the last time your child crawls, the last time they nurse or drink from a bottle, the last time they sit in a highchair or the last time they sit in your lap (see my previous post on this one).
And this pondering of the lasts does not simply apply to babies. We catapult forward through life looking forward to the firsts--first kisses, first drink =), first vote, first love, first job, first day of retirement and on and on. But we are not encouraged or as inclined to spend much time pondering the lasts.
I am hearing a lot about how painfully precious the last things are to people in life--last smiles, last kisses, last goodbyes. I wonder what the world would be like if we looked forward to the firsts, always knowing that somwhere in background the lasts are waiting. Would people slow down? Would they be kinder? Would they complain less and thank more?
Maybe we should ponder the lasts first and see what happens.
Journey on...
Tuesday, November 13, 2007
Children Need Laptops
I was reading this quote on the side of my Starbucks cup: "All children need a laptop. Not a computer, but a human laptop. Moms, dads, grannies and granpas, aunts, uncles--someone to hold them, read to them, teach them." The quote was from General Colin Powell.
I thought about that quote yesterday and I'll probably be thinking about it a bit today as my daughter is home sick with a cold. She is usually so active, that the only lap time we get is when she is not feeling well and needs a snuggle. She spent a lot of time in my lap yesterday and I must admit that it was nice.
I had a friend and church member, Karen, in Corpus Christi who had two beautiful children. A girl (who was as active and curious as my little one) and a boy (who was a bit younger and quieter). Karen was hosting a Bible study in her home when her daughter, then about 4, ran up and jumped in her lap. She stayed for only a brief moment before flitting off and as she did, we noticed that Karen had a tear welling up in her eye. She said, "you never know when it will be the last time they'll want to sit in your lap."
Those prophetic words ached painfully when, a week later on Thanksgiving Day, Karen suddenly died of cardiac complications. The shock and pain of that loss to everyone was overwhelming. I can't imagine what it has been like for her children these past six years since Karen's death.
And so I try to hold my child just a moment longer in my lap because who knows what the next moment may bring. I hope I am around for a long, long time to be there for my daughter, to provide a lap in which to sit and a loving heart to share. But I also know that there will come a day when my lap will not suffice...my kisses won't heal the boo boos that life will throw at her.
The hardest thing about being a parent isn't all of the challenges of raising a child--it is loving someone so much that you feel as though your own heart is walking around outside of your body. And when I feel how wonderful and awful that is...I remember that God feels the very same thing.
Father...Mother...Creator God made us and loves us so much that when God looks on us, God sees his own heart walking around in the world. Each one of us is that important. So maybe today, we'll find time to sit in the Divine lap...to let God kiss the big and small boo boos that life has thrown at us...and find peace.
Journey on...
I thought about that quote yesterday and I'll probably be thinking about it a bit today as my daughter is home sick with a cold. She is usually so active, that the only lap time we get is when she is not feeling well and needs a snuggle. She spent a lot of time in my lap yesterday and I must admit that it was nice.
I had a friend and church member, Karen, in Corpus Christi who had two beautiful children. A girl (who was as active and curious as my little one) and a boy (who was a bit younger and quieter). Karen was hosting a Bible study in her home when her daughter, then about 4, ran up and jumped in her lap. She stayed for only a brief moment before flitting off and as she did, we noticed that Karen had a tear welling up in her eye. She said, "you never know when it will be the last time they'll want to sit in your lap."
Those prophetic words ached painfully when, a week later on Thanksgiving Day, Karen suddenly died of cardiac complications. The shock and pain of that loss to everyone was overwhelming. I can't imagine what it has been like for her children these past six years since Karen's death.
And so I try to hold my child just a moment longer in my lap because who knows what the next moment may bring. I hope I am around for a long, long time to be there for my daughter, to provide a lap in which to sit and a loving heart to share. But I also know that there will come a day when my lap will not suffice...my kisses won't heal the boo boos that life will throw at her.
The hardest thing about being a parent isn't all of the challenges of raising a child--it is loving someone so much that you feel as though your own heart is walking around outside of your body. And when I feel how wonderful and awful that is...I remember that God feels the very same thing.
Father...Mother...Creator God made us and loves us so much that when God looks on us, God sees his own heart walking around in the world. Each one of us is that important. So maybe today, we'll find time to sit in the Divine lap...to let God kiss the big and small boo boos that life has thrown at us...and find peace.
Journey on...
Saturday, November 10, 2007
Home
I realized something about myself yesterday. While I am out and about, if I see someone wearing a UT sweatshirt or a Dallas Cowboys hat, I smile. What I realized is that I am not smiling because I am a huge Longhorn or Cowboy fan, but because seeing those emblems on t-shirts and hats reminds me of home.
I lived in Texas all of my life. Moving to Washington State was my first out of state move (and of course I picked the farthest place, too). So it is nice to have little reminders of the Lone Star State.
The other day I was walking out of the grocery store wearing a sweatshirt bearing my Alma Mater's name--TCU. A man walking behind me said, "TCU--are you a horned frog?" I was stunned. I said, "I am...are you a Texan?" He said, "No I'm not, but my brother is...he lives in Corpus Christi, TX." I was even more stunned because Corpus Christi, TX is my hometown. I smiled a lot that day.
Now don't get wrong. I love living in Washington State and am in no hurry to move back to TX. But it is nice to have little reminders of home. We get other little reminders of our eternal home, if we but look up and notice them...stop rushing around so much to realize them. God is all around us--in nature, in people, in church--giving us living things to smile about, reminding us of our home.
And it's not that we necessarily want to hurry off to that eternal home soon, but the little reminders are nice. They lift our hearts a little and let us know that there is a place for us beyond this place. If we can recognize them, they'll make a smile a whole lot.
Journey on...
I lived in Texas all of my life. Moving to Washington State was my first out of state move (and of course I picked the farthest place, too). So it is nice to have little reminders of the Lone Star State.
The other day I was walking out of the grocery store wearing a sweatshirt bearing my Alma Mater's name--TCU. A man walking behind me said, "TCU--are you a horned frog?" I was stunned. I said, "I am...are you a Texan?" He said, "No I'm not, but my brother is...he lives in Corpus Christi, TX." I was even more stunned because Corpus Christi, TX is my hometown. I smiled a lot that day.
Now don't get wrong. I love living in Washington State and am in no hurry to move back to TX. But it is nice to have little reminders of home. We get other little reminders of our eternal home, if we but look up and notice them...stop rushing around so much to realize them. God is all around us--in nature, in people, in church--giving us living things to smile about, reminding us of our home.
And it's not that we necessarily want to hurry off to that eternal home soon, but the little reminders are nice. They lift our hearts a little and let us know that there is a place for us beyond this place. If we can recognize them, they'll make a smile a whole lot.
Journey on...
Friday, November 9, 2007
Friday 5
Sally at Revgalblogpals writes:
I am writing in my official capacity of grump!!! No seriously, with the shops and stores around us filling with Christmas gifts and decorations, the holiday season moving up on us quickly for many the time from Thanksgiving onwards will be spent in a headlong rush towards Christmas with hardly a time to breathe.... I am looking at the possibility of finding little gaps in the day or the week to spend in extravagant unbusyness ( a wonderful phrase coined by fellow revgal Michelle)...So given those little gaps, name 5 things you would do to;
1.to care for your body
I have already started working on this one....for the last 8 weeks or so I have been getting up early and working out. Sometimes (if it is a nice morning) I'll walk. But since it is pretty dark in the morning's now, I go the YMCA. I feel wonderful.
2. to care for your spirit
Music has always been a balm for my soul. So I listen to my ipod when I work out (I put a whole bunch of new songs on it last week...my husband snuck a funny one in that made me laugh out loud while I was on the treadmill). Additionally, I find myself listening to it throughout the day. And maybe more importantly, I have been sitting down at the piano and playing.
3. to care for your mind
I have ordered the books for the upcoming Revgalblogpals discussions =). I am hoping to find some time in those little spaces to read. I do love reading and realize that I haven't been feeding my mind in that way much.
4. to bring a sparkle to your eye
My husband and I will be traveling to Texas for Thanksgiving. I grew up in Texas and the one thing I really want to do that I haven't done in a long time is go two-steppin' (if I can talk John into it =). So to bring a spark to my eye, I might try hitting a country western bar while I'm there =) hehe
5. to place a spring in your step
The working out thing is really helping with that. The better I feel physically, the springier my step is =).
and then for a bonus which one on the list are you determined to put into action?
What I am determined to put into inaction is worrying--there are so many details and things that can get overwhelming this time of year. So I am truly hoping to maintain a bigger picture perspective and not sweat the small stuff so much.
I am writing in my official capacity of grump!!! No seriously, with the shops and stores around us filling with Christmas gifts and decorations, the holiday season moving up on us quickly for many the time from Thanksgiving onwards will be spent in a headlong rush towards Christmas with hardly a time to breathe.... I am looking at the possibility of finding little gaps in the day or the week to spend in extravagant unbusyness ( a wonderful phrase coined by fellow revgal Michelle)...So given those little gaps, name 5 things you would do to;
1.to care for your body
I have already started working on this one....for the last 8 weeks or so I have been getting up early and working out. Sometimes (if it is a nice morning) I'll walk. But since it is pretty dark in the morning's now, I go the YMCA. I feel wonderful.
2. to care for your spirit
Music has always been a balm for my soul. So I listen to my ipod when I work out (I put a whole bunch of new songs on it last week...my husband snuck a funny one in that made me laugh out loud while I was on the treadmill). Additionally, I find myself listening to it throughout the day. And maybe more importantly, I have been sitting down at the piano and playing.
3. to care for your mind
I have ordered the books for the upcoming Revgalblogpals discussions =). I am hoping to find some time in those little spaces to read. I do love reading and realize that I haven't been feeding my mind in that way much.
4. to bring a sparkle to your eye
My husband and I will be traveling to Texas for Thanksgiving. I grew up in Texas and the one thing I really want to do that I haven't done in a long time is go two-steppin' (if I can talk John into it =). So to bring a spark to my eye, I might try hitting a country western bar while I'm there =) hehe
5. to place a spring in your step
The working out thing is really helping with that. The better I feel physically, the springier my step is =).
and then for a bonus which one on the list are you determined to put into action?
What I am determined to put into inaction is worrying--there are so many details and things that can get overwhelming this time of year. So I am truly hoping to maintain a bigger picture perspective and not sweat the small stuff so much.
Thursday, November 8, 2007
Thursday morning
I am up early this morning and have some time for blogging. I was hoping for some grand inspiration--but I'm not feeling really inspired. I think it's too early and I haven't had coffee yet =)
In my prayers, I am aware of how much I worry. I worry about tomorrow a lot and have to remind myself to remain in today. It's a challenge for me. I was reading an old journal of mine from when I was a CPE resident at Parkland Hospital in Dallas. A woman had tragically lost her husband and I wrote down something that she had said to me: "We were always getting ready to do a whole bunch of things."
It was good to read that and remember not to get so caught up in tomorrow, because we just don't know how many tomorrows we have.
I am in the middle of a Stewardship campaign at my church. I love my church...and I worry about my church. In my two years there, we have run deficit budgets and pulled from reserves to get by. It doesn't take rocket science to figure out what will happen down the road if the trend does not change (and so far is hasn't).
I don't know if it is that people cannot give more or that they don't give more. My sermon this past Sunday was received very well, but one person made an interesting comment, "you don't offend." She meant it as a compliment...but I wonder why is it so offensive to think that it takes real dollars and cents to run a church? Maybe I should be more offensive.
I never pictured myself leading a "dying church" and I'm not altogether convinced that that is where we are. But I also acknowledge that death is a part of life...and in faith, there has to be a death before there can be a resurrection.
I don't know what kind of death we must experience at this church before there will be a resurrection. I don't know exactly what the future holds (thought I worry about it endlessly). But for now, I don't want to be "getting ready to do a whole bunch of things." If I (and the church members) can be faithful in the present and do the best we can, even if we go out...at least we can go out with a bang.
Journey on...
In my prayers, I am aware of how much I worry. I worry about tomorrow a lot and have to remind myself to remain in today. It's a challenge for me. I was reading an old journal of mine from when I was a CPE resident at Parkland Hospital in Dallas. A woman had tragically lost her husband and I wrote down something that she had said to me: "We were always getting ready to do a whole bunch of things."
It was good to read that and remember not to get so caught up in tomorrow, because we just don't know how many tomorrows we have.
I am in the middle of a Stewardship campaign at my church. I love my church...and I worry about my church. In my two years there, we have run deficit budgets and pulled from reserves to get by. It doesn't take rocket science to figure out what will happen down the road if the trend does not change (and so far is hasn't).
I don't know if it is that people cannot give more or that they don't give more. My sermon this past Sunday was received very well, but one person made an interesting comment, "you don't offend." She meant it as a compliment...but I wonder why is it so offensive to think that it takes real dollars and cents to run a church? Maybe I should be more offensive.
I never pictured myself leading a "dying church" and I'm not altogether convinced that that is where we are. But I also acknowledge that death is a part of life...and in faith, there has to be a death before there can be a resurrection.
I don't know what kind of death we must experience at this church before there will be a resurrection. I don't know exactly what the future holds (thought I worry about it endlessly). But for now, I don't want to be "getting ready to do a whole bunch of things." If I (and the church members) can be faithful in the present and do the best we can, even if we go out...at least we can go out with a bang.
Journey on...
Tuesday, November 6, 2007
Sitting with Job
I am off Lectionary this week and next as we are in the middle of a Stewardship campaign. But I have been reading the lectionary texts for this week and one, in particular has struck a chord:
“O that my words were written down! O that they were inscribed in a book! O that with an iron pen and with lead they were engraved on a rock forever! For I know that my Redeemer lives, and that at the last he will stand upon the earth; and after my skin has been thus destroyed, then in my flesh I shall see God, whom I shall see on my side, and my eyes shall behold, and not another. My heart faints within me!" Job 19: 23-27
I haven't done much study on the text, but on the surface I recognize a painful longing to believe in the hurting heart, what is known in the logical mind. Job knows that "my Redeemer lives"...but if only those words could be written down...concrete...certain. If only in the midst of pain and confusion, the heart could feel with great confidence the hopeful promise the words hold.
I read the passage from Job and felt like I was sitting with him--in a moment in time where things just don't make as much sense as I'd like them to. I have gone public about the fact that I had an early-term miscarriage in September.
Now in my head I say, "it was early...it was better this way...at least we didn't have to make hard decisions down the road." If only those words could be written down...concrete...certain. If only my heart could feel the same way.
As a pastor, I'm not really sure what to do with my own grief...how much to share...where to cry the tears. I have fallen back on my default of listening and playing music. It is a way of praying and being in the presence of God that is beyond inscribed words. The music helps me to feel that hopeful promise that "my Redeemer lives" and, somehow, so do all of the loved ones and hopes and dreams that we have lost in life.
Journey On...
“O that my words were written down! O that they were inscribed in a book! O that with an iron pen and with lead they were engraved on a rock forever! For I know that my Redeemer lives, and that at the last he will stand upon the earth; and after my skin has been thus destroyed, then in my flesh I shall see God, whom I shall see on my side, and my eyes shall behold, and not another. My heart faints within me!" Job 19: 23-27
I haven't done much study on the text, but on the surface I recognize a painful longing to believe in the hurting heart, what is known in the logical mind. Job knows that "my Redeemer lives"...but if only those words could be written down...concrete...certain. If only in the midst of pain and confusion, the heart could feel with great confidence the hopeful promise the words hold.
I read the passage from Job and felt like I was sitting with him--in a moment in time where things just don't make as much sense as I'd like them to. I have gone public about the fact that I had an early-term miscarriage in September.
Now in my head I say, "it was early...it was better this way...at least we didn't have to make hard decisions down the road." If only those words could be written down...concrete...certain. If only my heart could feel the same way.
As a pastor, I'm not really sure what to do with my own grief...how much to share...where to cry the tears. I have fallen back on my default of listening and playing music. It is a way of praying and being in the presence of God that is beyond inscribed words. The music helps me to feel that hopeful promise that "my Redeemer lives" and, somehow, so do all of the loved ones and hopes and dreams that we have lost in life.
Journey On...
Friday, November 2, 2007
Friday Five
Mother Laura at Revgalblogpals writes:
Songbird just had an interview for a "vague and interesting" possibility, and More Cows than People is doing campus visits for doctoral programs. There always seem to be a few RevGals applying for new positions, and I just got my first call for this year's preliminary interviews for college teaching jobs at the American Academy of Religion meeting in San Diego coming up in a few weeks. It's for my dream job among this year's offerings, and I am flip flopping between excitement and nervousness. So please keep your fingers crossed and say a little prayer for everyone facing such conversations, and share your thoughts on the wonderful world of interviews:
1. What was the most memorable interview you ever had?
I think my most memorable interview was my Ordination interview. All the members of the Commission on the Ministry were present. The were sitting in this large board room around a huge table. When I walked in, they all stood up and when I reached my seat (at the head of the table of course), they all sat down. I was SO nervous
2. Have you ever been the interviewer rather than the interviewee? If so, are you a tiger, a cream puff, or somewhere in between?
I have been the interviewer. My tendency is to be more of a cream puff, but I have learned if you don't be somewhat of a tiger, you may end of hiring the wrong person for the job.
3. Do phone interviews make you more or less nervous than in-person ones?
I don't like in phone interviews because you can't read any non-verbal cues. I really like eye contact and reading people's expressions. So I find phone interviews more difficult.
4. What was the best advice you ever got to prepare for an interview? How about the worst?
I don't know that anyone has ever really given me any advice, other than be yourself. Which has always worked pretty well =)
5. Do you have any pre-interview rituals that give you confidence?
Prayer. Prayer. Prayer. Just before I left my apartment to go to my nerve-wracking ordination interview, there was a knock at the door. I had been fitted for my robe the week before. I was told it would take 4-6 weeks to arrive. When I went to answer the door, it was the UPS man with my robe. somehow, that was a sign for me that everything would be okay.
Songbird just had an interview for a "vague and interesting" possibility, and More Cows than People is doing campus visits for doctoral programs. There always seem to be a few RevGals applying for new positions, and I just got my first call for this year's preliminary interviews for college teaching jobs at the American Academy of Religion meeting in San Diego coming up in a few weeks. It's for my dream job among this year's offerings, and I am flip flopping between excitement and nervousness. So please keep your fingers crossed and say a little prayer for everyone facing such conversations, and share your thoughts on the wonderful world of interviews:
1. What was the most memorable interview you ever had?
I think my most memorable interview was my Ordination interview. All the members of the Commission on the Ministry were present. The were sitting in this large board room around a huge table. When I walked in, they all stood up and when I reached my seat (at the head of the table of course), they all sat down. I was SO nervous
2. Have you ever been the interviewer rather than the interviewee? If so, are you a tiger, a cream puff, or somewhere in between?
I have been the interviewer. My tendency is to be more of a cream puff, but I have learned if you don't be somewhat of a tiger, you may end of hiring the wrong person for the job.
3. Do phone interviews make you more or less nervous than in-person ones?
I don't like in phone interviews because you can't read any non-verbal cues. I really like eye contact and reading people's expressions. So I find phone interviews more difficult.
4. What was the best advice you ever got to prepare for an interview? How about the worst?
I don't know that anyone has ever really given me any advice, other than be yourself. Which has always worked pretty well =)
5. Do you have any pre-interview rituals that give you confidence?
Prayer. Prayer. Prayer. Just before I left my apartment to go to my nerve-wracking ordination interview, there was a knock at the door. I had been fitted for my robe the week before. I was told it would take 4-6 weeks to arrive. When I went to answer the door, it was the UPS man with my robe. somehow, that was a sign for me that everything would be okay.
Tuesday, October 30, 2007
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...
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...
Friday, October 26, 2007
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...
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...
Tuesday, October 16, 2007
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...
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...
Monday, October 8, 2007
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...
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...
Friday, October 5, 2007
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...
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...
Tuesday, September 11, 2007
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...
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...
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