What an amazing amount of generosity folks have shown in helping collect the needed items!!! It is truly God at work - each person contributes a little and together it makes a HUGE impact.
Awesome!
Blessings.
Tuesday, August 12, 2014
Day #224
August 12, 2014
Thirteen backpacks were stuffed today with school supplies for children at a nearby school. Sunday they will be blessed during worship (actual picture of those packed to follow) and Monday they will be delivered to who will make sure they get where they need to be.
What an amazing amount of generosity folks have shown in helping collect the needed items!!! It is truly God at work - each person contributes a little and together it makes a HUGE impact.
Awesome!
Blessings.
What an amazing amount of generosity folks have shown in helping collect the needed items!!! It is truly God at work - each person contributes a little and together it makes a HUGE impact.
Awesome!
Blessings.
Day #223
August 11, 2014
My heart was heavy today! Actor Robin Williams was found dead this morning from an apparent suicide. One of the most amazing talents of my era, I’ve liked his work ever since I began watching him on a silly television show called Mork and Mindy. He was almost like a distant member of my family - a crazy, wacky uncle I watched and admired from a distance. I was always in awe of his ability to do improv and make people laugh. Except, what burdens he must have been carrying!
It made me think again about day #220. If only… Did Robin Williams not have anyone he felt would listen? Did he not feel anyone cared? Did he just get tired and was afraid to ask for the help he desperately needed? Did the disease just become too much?
We may never know the answers, nor may his family. But it reminds me, is there someone close by struggling similarly? Probably more are than I realize. Lord, have mercy! And if I can be the one to help by listening or showing I care, help me, Lord, to do so!
Blessings.
My heart was heavy today! Actor Robin Williams was found dead this morning from an apparent suicide. One of the most amazing talents of my era, I’ve liked his work ever since I began watching him on a silly television show called Mork and Mindy. He was almost like a distant member of my family - a crazy, wacky uncle I watched and admired from a distance. I was always in awe of his ability to do improv and make people laugh. Except, what burdens he must have been carrying!
It made me think again about day #220. If only… Did Robin Williams not have anyone he felt would listen? Did he not feel anyone cared? Did he just get tired and was afraid to ask for the help he desperately needed? Did the disease just become too much?
We may never know the answers, nor may his family. But it reminds me, is there someone close by struggling similarly? Probably more are than I realize. Lord, have mercy! And if I can be the one to help by listening or showing I care, help me, Lord, to do so!
Blessings.
Day #222
August 10, 2014
Today was the celebration for our great-niece's first birthday. We sure could not miss that celebration!
So hard to believe it has been a year! What a cutie! But then, guess I’m a just little prejudiced. :-)
Blessings.
Today was the celebration for our great-niece's first birthday. We sure could not miss that celebration!So hard to believe it has been a year! What a cutie! But then, guess I’m a just little prejudiced. :-)
Blessings.
Day #221
August 9, 2014
One of today's tasks was to prepare the monthly pastor's report for council meeting tomorrow. I’m so glad I borrowed a format from a colleague about a year ago and that I now prepare a written report each month. It’s good to look back and see where I have been since the last meeting and look ahead to some places I anticipate being in the month(s) ahead. Without doubt, the report is full of ways God has led, guided and sustained me - and a reminder of prayers said and answered.
It is sort of like this blog - 221 days of seeing God at work in ways I may otherwise have overlooked. Yes, I’m feeling blessed!
Blessings.
One of today's tasks was to prepare the monthly pastor's report for council meeting tomorrow. I’m so glad I borrowed a format from a colleague about a year ago and that I now prepare a written report each month. It’s good to look back and see where I have been since the last meeting and look ahead to some places I anticipate being in the month(s) ahead. Without doubt, the report is full of ways God has led, guided and sustained me - and a reminder of prayers said and answered.
It is sort of like this blog - 221 days of seeing God at work in ways I may otherwise have overlooked. Yes, I’m feeling blessed!
Blessings.
Day #220
August 8, 2014
It has been called the "savior complex." Thinking that we humans are the ones who can fix things or people, meaning take away their troubles or their pain. Certainly, we can help and are called to do so by listening, showing empathy and compassion, and sharing ourselves and our resources. But when it comes down to it, where the rubber meets the road, I cannot fix anyone or heal anyone by my own ability. And that is sometimes really hard to swallow.
There was a video I saw today of a young man who appeared happy and content, but was tortured by sadness, regret, and doubt. He hurts himself. Watching it broke my heart. I wanted to reach out to this stranger and help him see he is worthy, loved, and has value. Then I remembered there are thousands just like him, and that overwhelms me. If only each person could know how much God loves them and has done/does for them. If only each person could experience God’s grace. If only I could do more to help others see that...
Blessings.
It has been called the "savior complex." Thinking that we humans are the ones who can fix things or people, meaning take away their troubles or their pain. Certainly, we can help and are called to do so by listening, showing empathy and compassion, and sharing ourselves and our resources. But when it comes down to it, where the rubber meets the road, I cannot fix anyone or heal anyone by my own ability. And that is sometimes really hard to swallow.
There was a video I saw today of a young man who appeared happy and content, but was tortured by sadness, regret, and doubt. He hurts himself. Watching it broke my heart. I wanted to reach out to this stranger and help him see he is worthy, loved, and has value. Then I remembered there are thousands just like him, and that overwhelms me. If only each person could know how much God loves them and has done/does for them. If only each person could experience God’s grace. If only I could do more to help others see that...
Blessings.
Friday, August 8, 2014
Day #219
August 7, 2014
On Day #184, I mentioned a new to me daily devotion called D365 that is available online. In the “think” portion for August 7th was this line: “Being kind is more than just being nice; it is seeing Christ in all people.”
Wow! Did that ever make me think! And ask this question: if I see Christ in all people, then how am I treating “Him?” I have to admit, it’s not always (maybe even often) the way I would want to. Lots to ponder!
Blessings.
On Day #184, I mentioned a new to me daily devotion called D365 that is available online. In the “think” portion for August 7th was this line: “Being kind is more than just being nice; it is seeing Christ in all people.”
Wow! Did that ever make me think! And ask this question: if I see Christ in all people, then how am I treating “Him?” I have to admit, it’s not always (maybe even often) the way I would want to. Lots to ponder!
Blessings.
Wednesday, August 6, 2014
Day #218
August 6, 2014
It isn’t usually my practice to write at the beginning of the day, but something struck me early this morning. This may illicit an eeww! from some, but here goes.
I have an electric toothbrush and today was the day I decided it was time to change the brush head. Now, please understand, I rinse my toothbrush really well after each use, but there always seems to be a little leftover paste that seeps into the crevices of the brush head, making changing it a chore. Over time, that "left behind" toothpaste becomes like glue and makes it near impossible to release the head from the rest of the brush. It requires some outside force to clean it up and ready it for release, so that it can function at its max.
That made me think about my life with God. I do my best to pray, study, and worship regularly; to “rinse” my life of sin and help my connection with God be strong and vibrant, releasing me to live with joy and devotion. Yet, no matter how hard I try, I cannot keep sin from sneaking in, challenging my relationship and commitment, tearing at life's joy. It takes an outside force to release sin from me and deepen that relationship so that I can live and serve as God desires.
Jesus Christ is that outside force. His life, death and resurrection did away with the consequences of all the “gunk” of life. Because God loves me (and you) so much, God made the way for the relationship.
Now who would have thought a toothbrush could be such a reminder of God’s love and grace?! Happy brushing!
Blessings.
It isn’t usually my practice to write at the beginning of the day, but something struck me early this morning. This may illicit an eeww! from some, but here goes.
I have an electric toothbrush and today was the day I decided it was time to change the brush head. Now, please understand, I rinse my toothbrush really well after each use, but there always seems to be a little leftover paste that seeps into the crevices of the brush head, making changing it a chore. Over time, that "left behind" toothpaste becomes like glue and makes it near impossible to release the head from the rest of the brush. It requires some outside force to clean it up and ready it for release, so that it can function at its max.That made me think about my life with God. I do my best to pray, study, and worship regularly; to “rinse” my life of sin and help my connection with God be strong and vibrant, releasing me to live with joy and devotion. Yet, no matter how hard I try, I cannot keep sin from sneaking in, challenging my relationship and commitment, tearing at life's joy. It takes an outside force to release sin from me and deepen that relationship so that I can live and serve as God desires.
Jesus Christ is that outside force. His life, death and resurrection did away with the consequences of all the “gunk” of life. Because God loves me (and you) so much, God made the way for the relationship.
Now who would have thought a toothbrush could be such a reminder of God’s love and grace?! Happy brushing!
Blessings.
Day #217
August 5, 2014
I had a treat today - talking with our godson on the phone. I’m not sure why we don’t do that more often, but it is such a blessing to hear his voice, sense his enthusiasm for life, and hear his joy at the most simple things. To see the world through a 3-year-old’s eyes is wonder and amazement (and super!).
Jesus said we should all be like little children in approaching God. I can understand why - the purity of trust is something to behold!
Blessings.
I had a treat today - talking with our godson on the phone. I’m not sure why we don’t do that more often, but it is such a blessing to hear his voice, sense his enthusiasm for life, and hear his joy at the most simple things. To see the world through a 3-year-old’s eyes is wonder and amazement (and super!).
Blessings.
Day #216
August 4, 2014
This is probably a repeat in seeing God at work, but it never ceases to amaze and delight me how the pastor is invited into people’s lives. It usually happens most often when something tragic has occurred, but still, being asked to accompany folks at their most painful and vulnerable is holy ground. Thanks be to God who hears our prayers!
Blessings.
This is probably a repeat in seeing God at work, but it never ceases to amaze and delight me how the pastor is invited into people’s lives. It usually happens most often when something tragic has occurred, but still, being asked to accompany folks at their most painful and vulnerable is holy ground. Thanks be to God who hears our prayers!
Blessings.
Monday, August 4, 2014
Day #215
August 3, 2014
It was a special time in worship today. As a part of the sermon, the one youth from the congregation who made the trip to DC spoke about his experience. It was a great opportunity for him to think about what the trip meant, and share with the congregation how it made an impact on his life of faith. It was a proud moment for his family, and for me.
Thank you for sharing! Thank you for going! Thank you for stepping out in faith!
Blessings.
It was a special time in worship today. As a part of the sermon, the one youth from the congregation who made the trip to DC spoke about his experience. It was a great opportunity for him to think about what the trip meant, and share with the congregation how it made an impact on his life of faith. It was a proud moment for his family, and for me.
Thank you for sharing! Thank you for going! Thank you for stepping out in faith!
Blessings.
Day #214
August 2, 2014
On Thursday, July 31, during our trip to DC, we visited the Holocaust Museum. Also considered a monument, this building houses memories of a most horrendous period of recent history. The atrocities humans can inflict on one another, and the reminder that such things still happen today, is overpowering.
My first introduction to the Holocaust was through reading The Diary of Anne Frank at about the age of several of the youth on the trip. So, as I rounded a corner in the museum, I wasn’t surprised to see her there in pictures. As I stood there reading about her, looking at the picture of the place where she hid, I was taken back to how her story affected me as a young teenager.
Little did I realize as I stood there that the next day would mark 70 years since the last entry in her diary. August 1, 1944, Anne wrote these words after talking about how conflicted she felt. She didn’t think she was the same on the inside as she appeared on the outside and it all seemed to confuse her and make her angry and sad. These were her last words:
“I get cross, then sad, and finally end up turning my heart inside out, the bad part on the outside and the good part on the inside, and keep trying to find a way to become what I’d like to be and what I could be if...if only there were no other people in the world.”
Three days later, August 4, 1944, she, along with the seven others in hiding with her and two of their helpers, were arrested and taken away. Anne Frank died in probably late February or early March of 1945, just before the camp where she was taken to was liberated on April 12, 1945.
As I stood in Barnes and Noble (had to find the book again) reading these words, after realizing yesterday was the 70th anniversary of her last entry, tears came to my eyes; for her, for the tens of thousands of others, for those today, and for the potential that died/dies with them. How God must grieve over what we do to one another!
Blessings.
On Thursday, July 31, during our trip to DC, we visited the Holocaust Museum. Also considered a monument, this building houses memories of a most horrendous period of recent history. The atrocities humans can inflict on one another, and the reminder that such things still happen today, is overpowering.
My first introduction to the Holocaust was through reading The Diary of Anne Frank at about the age of several of the youth on the trip. So, as I rounded a corner in the museum, I wasn’t surprised to see her there in pictures. As I stood there reading about her, looking at the picture of the place where she hid, I was taken back to how her story affected me as a young teenager.
Little did I realize as I stood there that the next day would mark 70 years since the last entry in her diary. August 1, 1944, Anne wrote these words after talking about how conflicted she felt. She didn’t think she was the same on the inside as she appeared on the outside and it all seemed to confuse her and make her angry and sad. These were her last words:
“I get cross, then sad, and finally end up turning my heart inside out, the bad part on the outside and the good part on the inside, and keep trying to find a way to become what I’d like to be and what I could be if...if only there were no other people in the world.”
Three days later, August 4, 1944, she, along with the seven others in hiding with her and two of their helpers, were arrested and taken away. Anne Frank died in probably late February or early March of 1945, just before the camp where she was taken to was liberated on April 12, 1945.
As I stood in Barnes and Noble (had to find the book again) reading these words, after realizing yesterday was the 70th anniversary of her last entry, tears came to my eyes; for her, for the tens of thousands of others, for those today, and for the potential that died/dies with them. How God must grieve over what we do to one another!
Blessings.
Day #213
August 1, 2014
For three nights, the last thing I read on the wall of the room where I slept is a handwritten sign with these words:
“Prayer is the conversational part of the most important love relationship in our lives.” from Love to Pray by Alvin Vandergriend.
So true and a great reminder/encouragement.
We headed home today - tired, sleepy, and with full hearts. I know the experience has made an impact on my life and I’m sure it has on the others, as well. Only God knows how!
What I know is, I am thankful for the time with these youth and adults and for a safe and meaningful trip!
Blessings.
For three nights, the last thing I read on the wall of the room where I slept is a handwritten sign with these words:
“Prayer is the conversational part of the most important love relationship in our lives.” from Love to Pray by Alvin Vandergriend.
So true and a great reminder/encouragement.
We headed home today - tired, sleepy, and with full hearts. I know the experience has made an impact on my life and I’m sure it has on the others, as well. Only God knows how!
What I know is, I am thankful for the time with these youth and adults and for a safe and meaningful trip!
Blessings.
Day #212
July 31, 2014 - The Daily Intersection - Day #212
The second mission part of the trip was picking blueberries. I should correct that to “gleaning” blueberries. Eight different farms in the DC area allow volunteers to come in and “glean” their fields of all sorts of vegetables, fruits, etc. Once the farm’s selling operation has died down, volunteers can come and pick what is left, which is taken to the DC Central Kitchen for use in the 5,000 +/- meals made there each day. Those meals are then distributed to the 80 homeless shelters in the DC area. Instead of each shelter making their own meals, the DC Central Kitchen does so.
This was our “reward” for approximately two hours of picking
Those buckets are bigger than they look, and we were glad to be a part of helping to feed others in this way, much like the care packages yesterday. Although, I must say, handing those out put a face to those who would eat these berries later today or tomorrow in bread, pie, pancakes, whatever the chefs at DCCK created.
Wow!
Blessings.
The second mission part of the trip was picking blueberries. I should correct that to “gleaning” blueberries. Eight different farms in the DC area allow volunteers to come in and “glean” their fields of all sorts of vegetables, fruits, etc. Once the farm’s selling operation has died down, volunteers can come and pick what is left, which is taken to the DC Central Kitchen for use in the 5,000 +/- meals made there each day. Those meals are then distributed to the 80 homeless shelters in the DC area. Instead of each shelter making their own meals, the DC Central Kitchen does so.
This was our “reward” for approximately two hours of picking
Those buckets are bigger than they look, and we were glad to be a part of helping to feed others in this way, much like the care packages yesterday. Although, I must say, handing those out put a face to those who would eat these berries later today or tomorrow in bread, pie, pancakes, whatever the chefs at DCCK created.
Wow!
Blessings.
Day #211
July 30, 2014
The first mission aspect of the trip was to pack care packages for the homeless. We made sandwiches and packed gallon ziplock bags with them, a bottle of water, pack of crackers, granola bar, pack of peanuts, etc - all items that might provide a little sustenance to a hungry person.
The large group was divided into four smaller ones, the eighty care packages distributed between us, and we drove into the city to hand them out. The idea was to watch for folks who might need a care package, approach them, show what we had and ask if they would like one.
We tentatively began. After distributing a few, it became easier to spot those to approach. Most were accepting, most were thankful, many said, “God bless you,” reminding us we receive more than they do in this process.
Perhaps the one who had the most impact on me was the man laying on a bench in front of a diner. He was only taking up about half of it, so a group of three (man, woman, child) sat down next to him with take out lunches. They began eating, ignoring the man right next to them. When we approached and asked if he would like a care package, he gratefully accepted it. The situation made me wonder what the other three thought; if they were embarrassed to have missed who was right beside them. And made me wonder, how often have I done the same - ignored the need right beside me; turned a blind eye to someone hurting?
What an experience today was. I am grateful - and humbled!
Blessings.
The first mission aspect of the trip was to pack care packages for the homeless. We made sandwiches and packed gallon ziplock bags with them, a bottle of water, pack of crackers, granola bar, pack of peanuts, etc - all items that might provide a little sustenance to a hungry person.
The large group was divided into four smaller ones, the eighty care packages distributed between us, and we drove into the city to hand them out. The idea was to watch for folks who might need a care package, approach them, show what we had and ask if they would like one.
We tentatively began. After distributing a few, it became easier to spot those to approach. Most were accepting, most were thankful, many said, “God bless you,” reminding us we receive more than they do in this process.
Perhaps the one who had the most impact on me was the man laying on a bench in front of a diner. He was only taking up about half of it, so a group of three (man, woman, child) sat down next to him with take out lunches. They began eating, ignoring the man right next to them. When we approached and asked if he would like a care package, he gratefully accepted it. The situation made me wonder what the other three thought; if they were embarrassed to have missed who was right beside them. And made me wonder, how often have I done the same - ignored the need right beside me; turned a blind eye to someone hurting?
What an experience today was. I am grateful - and humbled!
Blessings.
Day #210
July 29, 2014
This morning found twenty adults and youth from three congregations loading luggage and themselves into five vehicles for a mission/youth trip to Washington, DC. After several hours on the road, we arrived at the church that graciously welcomed us and helped us make it our “home” for the next four days. Quickly unloading the vehicles, we headed into “town” for a walk around the Mall at night and a tour of the Washington Monument.
This 555 foot, 5 1/8 inch tall obelisk is located on an almost direct line between the Lincoln Memorial
and the Capitol Building
with one mile in each direction.
A quick 60-70 second elevator ride to the top of the monument allows an overwhelming view of the city. It’s almost easy to forget its purpose, as a memorial to the man who helped form the direction of our country.
What adventures does the city have in store for us? How will we serve? Can’t wait to find out.
Blessings.
This morning found twenty adults and youth from three congregations loading luggage and themselves into five vehicles for a mission/youth trip to Washington, DC. After several hours on the road, we arrived at the church that graciously welcomed us and helped us make it our “home” for the next four days. Quickly unloading the vehicles, we headed into “town” for a walk around the Mall at night and a tour of the Washington Monument.
A quick 60-70 second elevator ride to the top of the monument allows an overwhelming view of the city. It’s almost easy to forget its purpose, as a memorial to the man who helped form the direction of our country.
What adventures does the city have in store for us? How will we serve? Can’t wait to find out.
Blessings.
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