I was listening to KLUV the other day and they were giving suggestions to their listeners on how to appreciate their pastor as October is clergy appreciation month. The speaker suggested a trip to the Holy Land. Now, I’ve got to say, that would be great. I haven’t been and I would love to go. BUT…
As a new church planter, I would feel really appreciated if only half of the people that told me they would be coming to church would ACTUALLY COME!
We are a fantastic community - but it is hard to build a community until the people involved actually meet each other. It is wonderful that I have met and been involved with so many people - but it would be SO MUCH BETTER if they could all come together and meet each other.
I work on patience. I realize that the work of planting seeds of possibility is important work. I realize that only God can provide the nourishment that allows those seed to sprout. But I keep watching for the seedlings and sometimes I just need to remain faithful to my call - and practice patience as I watch and wait to see what will emerge.
So, the trip to the Holy Land can wait - but I sure would feel appreciated if you all would all give yourself a chance to meet!
October 26th, 2007
Boy, does it help to have a good week now and then.
Continue Reading May 9th, 2007
That Nori-I-am!
Than Nori-I-am!
I do not like
that Nori-I-am!
Do you like
to share your story?
I do not like to,
Nori-I-am.
I do not like
to share my story.
Continue Reading May 9th, 2007
“Then Jesus and the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted.”
What do you think they doubted? That it was really Jesus? That they went to the right place? That their worship was “correct”? That they could move forward without Jesus? That they could convince others of the good news of Jesus resurrection? That Jesus really is the son of God? That the man they have believed was the Messiah is actually the Messiah now that he is dead? What did they doubt?
Continue Reading May 9th, 2007
She woke up early – her brain going a million miles an hour. She was getting married in three weeks and the caterer needed to be called. Before she could even think about the wedding, she had a huge deadline at work. Yes, she needed to check email and follow up on a few more details. She should work on the transitions in her PowerPoint presentation. Maybe go over her notes on the budgeting details. But then her mom would be coming over later in the day to review the seating chart. And – oh, yes – she absolutely HAD to get the dry cleaning dropped off today. So much for a day off.
She swung her legs out of bed, already smelling the coffee she had set on a timer the night before. This would be a long day.
Continue Reading March 4th, 2007
Remember the Sabbath day , and keep it holy. Six days you shall labor and do all your work. But the seventh day is a sabbath to the LORD your God; you shall not do any work - you, your son or your daughter, your male or female slave, your livestock, or the alien resident in your towns. For in six days the LORD made heaven and earth , the sea, and all that is in them, but rested the seventh day; therefore the LORD blessed the sabbath day and consecrated it. (NRSV)
Continue Reading February 27th, 2007
She stood close to the tree, looking up, up. It seemed to go on forever, nearly reaching the ceiling. The sparkling lights and pretty decorations, that Mom had warned her not to touch, made her think of parties and happiness and celebration. There were lots of packages around the tree. Wrapped in different colorful papers. All shapes and sizes. There was one really big one sort of in the back, near the wall that had a tag with HER name on it. She was sure it was a really great something.
But it was a different package that made her stomach feel that funny prickly feeling. It wasn’t the prettiest package under the tree. The wrapping was a little bit wrinkly and the pieces of tape were a little bigger than on the presents mom had done. But this one was special. She had worked hard to hold the pencil just like her teacher had taught her and to carefully spell out the word M-O-M. Tomorrow was Christmas morning and that pretty necklace that she had picked out when she went shopping with Daddy was going to be just perfect for mom. She was going to LOVE it.
Continue Reading February 14th, 2007
I was born and raised in the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). My dad actually started seminary the week I was born. That same week, my great-grandfather, a long-time Disciples minister passed away. One might think I was destined to stand here in a pulpit myself.
Now, the entire time I’ve been part of this church, it has been in decline. I don’t have a memory of “the good old days.” I have heard more stories of grief over this situation than I can recount. This Church means and has meant so much to so many people. This Church has touched and changed so many lives. This Church has represented the values of so many. This Church cares for the world and justice for the oppressed. This Church is personally important to me. This Church is personally important to many of you.
Continue Reading February 14th, 2007
The Biggest Loser is a huge hit on NBC[1]. For those who do not know, this is a reality TV game show where the point is to lose the most weight through diet and exercise. There are physical trainers, nutritionists, dieticians, physicians and others overseeing the healthy progress of the contestants but their goal is to lose as much weight as possible. Every one of the contestants could be considered obese. They literally have hundreds of pounds to lose to reach the medically “ideal” body weight. Week by week the contestants are challenged physically and emotionally to lose weight. Each week one person is voted off the ranch by their friends – sent home to continue their journey alone. The results are phenomenal but lead to questions of long term sustainability. However, the lessons of taking care of oneself through dramatic lifestyle change including diet and exercise is right on.
Continue Reading February 14th, 2007
During the summer of 1999, Michael and I worked for Volunteers in Mission as “mission interns” in Patton, Pennsylvania. Our job: to work with 2-3 church mission groups each week – for ten weeks – to build a house for a single mom and her son. In addition, we were to help expose these groups to the realities of Appalachian coal country and to promote economic advocacy.
Some weeks were a lot of fun. We enjoyed the people who came to work. We worked hard and saw progress on the house. We learned about coal mining and then steel production and then the complete lack of jobs for the under-educated, under-skilled workforce. We got to know the family that would live in the house we were building. We got to see young men and women gain confidence and self-esteem. We saw God at work in our midst and we gave thanks.
Other weeks… well… how can I say it? They didn’t go so well.
Continue Reading February 13th, 2007
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