June 27, 2016
I mentioned this is Vacation Bible School week. The theme is: “Living Like Jesus.”
To begin, day one was about how Jesus feeds, using the scripture of his feeding of the thousands. How does Jesus multiply five loaves and two fish to physically feed so many? And how can we live that way?
Well, his feeding is a miracle we probably can’t duplicate. But Jesus does take what we give, little as it may seem, bless and multiply it so that thousands are cared for - especially when it comes to love. Because when God’s love is shared, it only increases - never decreases!
Blessings.
Thursday, June 30, 2016
Day #908
June 26, 2016
A fun – and busy!! – day. Worship at the beginning (always a highlight of the day!); a lively book discussion group; Waking the Dead at Highlands Cemetery; and a potluck supper to kick-off the week of Vacation Bible School.
Wait a minute! I hope you at least wondered, what in the world is Waking the Dead! What is that about – are you into zombies now?! No! And I recommend you check out this article for more information: Waking the Dead.
Wouldn’t it be a history buff’s dream to meet members of the community who have been long gone from here, yet whose personalities and contributions live on? This event, sponsored by the Paris Gibson (founder of the city) Month Celebration Committee, does just that as we met/heard from people portraying such celebrities as: Paris Gibson; cowboy artist Charlie Russell and his wife, Nancy; actor George Montgomery; former governor Edwin Norris; and more, who are all laid to rest in the Highlands Cemetery. It was quite fun, and a great way to get to know a little more about the history of the place we now call home. Who would you like to meet from the past?
Blessings.
A fun – and busy!! – day. Worship at the beginning (always a highlight of the day!); a lively book discussion group; Waking the Dead at Highlands Cemetery; and a potluck supper to kick-off the week of Vacation Bible School.
Wait a minute! I hope you at least wondered, what in the world is Waking the Dead! What is that about – are you into zombies now?! No! And I recommend you check out this article for more information: Waking the Dead.
Wouldn’t it be a history buff’s dream to meet members of the community who have been long gone from here, yet whose personalities and contributions live on? This event, sponsored by the Paris Gibson (founder of the city) Month Celebration Committee, does just that as we met/heard from people portraying such celebrities as: Paris Gibson; cowboy artist Charlie Russell and his wife, Nancy; actor George Montgomery; former governor Edwin Norris; and more, who are all laid to rest in the Highlands Cemetery. It was quite fun, and a great way to get to know a little more about the history of the place we now call home. Who would you like to meet from the past?
Blessings.
Day #907
June 25, 2016
Had the opportunity, for just a little while, to attend the celebration for a wonderful couple of their 62nd wedding anniversary. How awesome to join with family and friends for this milestone! What joy filled the home of their daughter, and their family!
But perhaps the most truthful comment of all came from the husband when he spoke about being married 62 years: “it goes really fast!!”
Yes, time does go by quickly. So I’m reminded to make the most of each day: love others, smile and/or laugh at least once every day, have as few regrets as possible, and always, and in all ways, be thankful to God!
Blessings.
Had the opportunity, for just a little while, to attend the celebration for a wonderful couple of their 62nd wedding anniversary. How awesome to join with family and friends for this milestone! What joy filled the home of their daughter, and their family!
But perhaps the most truthful comment of all came from the husband when he spoke about being married 62 years: “it goes really fast!!”
Yes, time does go by quickly. So I’m reminded to make the most of each day: love others, smile and/or laugh at least once every day, have as few regrets as possible, and always, and in all ways, be thankful to God!
Blessings.
Saturday, June 25, 2016
Day #906
June 24, 2016
Six people sat around a table at a meeting, wordsmithing a flyer/story/ask for funds. What we were doing was important work. And the creativity and excitement that flowed between us was awesome to watch and be a part of.
Wordsmithing is something I do a lot (and work at - a LOT). Writing sermons, studies, letters, articles, even speaking with others, requires thought and, honestly, discipline. Sometimes you cannot just say what you want the way you want. It won’t be heard.
Over the years I’ve tried to learn to focus more on listening than talking, yet I’m often expected to be vocal. Well, at least once a week. :-)
I made the statement that it would be fun to have six people collaborate/wordsmith a sermon every week? Maybe, but then there would be the need to hone another skill - compromise. In the midst of the creativity is also the need to let go of your idea once it’s on the table so that another person's improvement of it might bear better fruit.
Hmm...there really was a lot going on around that table.
Blessings.
Six people sat around a table at a meeting, wordsmithing a flyer/story/ask for funds. What we were doing was important work. And the creativity and excitement that flowed between us was awesome to watch and be a part of.
Wordsmithing is something I do a lot (and work at - a LOT). Writing sermons, studies, letters, articles, even speaking with others, requires thought and, honestly, discipline. Sometimes you cannot just say what you want the way you want. It won’t be heard.
Over the years I’ve tried to learn to focus more on listening than talking, yet I’m often expected to be vocal. Well, at least once a week. :-)
I made the statement that it would be fun to have six people collaborate/wordsmith a sermon every week? Maybe, but then there would be the need to hone another skill - compromise. In the midst of the creativity is also the need to let go of your idea once it’s on the table so that another person's improvement of it might bear better fruit.
Hmm...there really was a lot going on around that table.
Blessings.
Thursday, June 23, 2016
Day #905
June 23, 2016
Even before it is over, the word for the day is THANKFUL! For nice notes. For kind and generous gestures. For folks being busy helping out and thinking of others. All in all, for a good day!
And, last but not least, for the end of rounds of radiation for two very important people to me (one I’m a tad late in acknowledging, but very thankful!!)!
Blessings.
Even before it is over, the word for the day is THANKFUL! For nice notes. For kind and generous gestures. For folks being busy helping out and thinking of others. All in all, for a good day!
And, last but not least, for the end of rounds of radiation for two very important people to me (one I’m a tad late in acknowledging, but very thankful!!)!
Blessings.
Day #904
June 22, 2016
Saw this from the Washington Post. The world’s at a turning point, Jimmy Carter says.
AMEN to that!! And peace is what we need, he says. Again, AMEN!!! Violence will NOT be the answer! Hate is NOT the solution! Drawing lines in the sand, labeling the “other,” fighting to be right at all costs will ultimately gain NOTHING!!
Peace! It's what we need, desperately. Tolerance, love, charity - all come with peace. Please, pray daily, pray often -- and be an instrument of peace! Please!
Blessings.
Saw this from the Washington Post. The world’s at a turning point, Jimmy Carter says.
AMEN to that!! And peace is what we need, he says. Again, AMEN!!! Violence will NOT be the answer! Hate is NOT the solution! Drawing lines in the sand, labeling the “other,” fighting to be right at all costs will ultimately gain NOTHING!!
Peace! It's what we need, desperately. Tolerance, love, charity - all come with peace. Please, pray daily, pray often -- and be an instrument of peace! Please!
Blessings.
Day #903
June 21, 2016
I read a blog entry by Keith Anderson that resonated with me - "The Most Important Ministry Advice I Ever Received." What do you think it might have been:
Today I was honored to “be there” for a family, and I am humbled and grateful. God’s peace surround you and hold you in these days.
Blessings.
I read a blog entry by Keith Anderson that resonated with me - "The Most Important Ministry Advice I Ever Received." What do you think it might have been:
- Read the Bible daily? Good advice, but that’s not it.
- Pray all the time? Also good advice, but that’s not it.
- Always be willing to listen more than talk? Again, good advice, but that’s not exactly it.
- Hmm...getting tougher? How about remember to care for yourself and your family/friends? Certainly good advice, but again, not it.
There are no perfect words, there is no perfect timing, or prayer, or sermon, or anything else. When everything is stripped away, what we have is our shared and broken humanity. All we have is each other and God. And that always turns out to be enough.Yes, somehow, it does seem to turn out to be enough. Because I have found that when I take myself out of the way, God shines through amazingly.
Today I was honored to “be there” for a family, and I am humbled and grateful. God’s peace surround you and hold you in these days.
Blessings.
Monday, June 20, 2016
Day #902
June 20, 2016
It is probable I have said something like this before, but it is truly holy ground to sit with a family grieving a death. To hear the stories, honor the memories, and simply be invited to share in those raw and vulnerable moments is definitely a place of intersection where God is in the life - and the death. A reminder to trust that in the midst of it all, God IS present and grieves right along with us.
Blessings.
It is probable I have said something like this before, but it is truly holy ground to sit with a family grieving a death. To hear the stories, honor the memories, and simply be invited to share in those raw and vulnerable moments is definitely a place of intersection where God is in the life - and the death. A reminder to trust that in the midst of it all, God IS present and grieves right along with us.
Blessings.
Day #901
June 19, 2016
As I scrolled through FaceBook, reading all the tributes to fathers, grandfathers, husbands, etc., it was good to remember the importance of the influence of the men in my own life.
My father loved me, as best he could. My grandfathers both died before I was able to know them well, but they left behind strong families. And my husband, well, there is a man I give thanks for every single day of my life, who influences me with a strength I rely on greatly.
Then there is Jesus Christ, a man who I pray influences, and guides, me every day!! And then there are male pastors who are and have been awesome role models, uncles, friends, bosses, co-workers, and so many more.
It’s great to celebrate the diversity, different perspectives, and experiences - and on this Father’s Day I give thanks for them all.
Blessings.
As I scrolled through FaceBook, reading all the tributes to fathers, grandfathers, husbands, etc., it was good to remember the importance of the influence of the men in my own life.
My father loved me, as best he could. My grandfathers both died before I was able to know them well, but they left behind strong families. And my husband, well, there is a man I give thanks for every single day of my life, who influences me with a strength I rely on greatly.
Then there is Jesus Christ, a man who I pray influences, and guides, me every day!! And then there are male pastors who are and have been awesome role models, uncles, friends, bosses, co-workers, and so many more.
It’s great to celebrate the diversity, different perspectives, and experiences - and on this Father’s Day I give thanks for them all.
Blessings.
Day #900
June 18, 2016
What a wonderful day - celebrating the coming together of a family in marriage. And the celebration of a new member of the kingdom of God. Yep, a wedding and a baptism all rolled into one service.
A day of joy, expectation, celebration, a few nerves and some anxious moments, but all in all, a wonderful day!
Blessings.
What a wonderful day - celebrating the coming together of a family in marriage. And the celebration of a new member of the kingdom of God. Yep, a wedding and a baptism all rolled into one service.
A day of joy, expectation, celebration, a few nerves and some anxious moments, but all in all, a wonderful day!
Blessings.
Day #899
June 17, 2016
This from Daily Grace seemed important to share:
A great reminder to me - avoid the word...but never the concept. :-)
Blessings.
This from Daily Grace seemed important to share:
Stewardship often begins with the question “How do I use my gifts to benefit the common good?”“How might my vision of the common good change because of the gifts someone else brings?” Great question to ponder - even if a little frightening. And as I was recently reminded, even the word “change” can incite fear/frustration.
We even ask it of others to help them get more involved. How can she use her gifts to benefit our common good? We should be careful, though, or else we’ll use this question to avoid change.
Instead of trying to squeeze each other’s gifts into an old vision of the “common good,” what if we asked each other, “How is my vision of the common good changing because of the gifts someone else brings?”
This excerpt is from “Gifts that Shape the Common Good” by Emma Crossen, from the March/April 2014 issue of Interchange.
A great reminder to me - avoid the word...but never the concept. :-)
Blessings.
Day #898
June 16, 2016
The word for the day - thankful. For sales folks/business owners who get the job done. With a smile, even!
The helpful folks at the local business, Ship It! managed to get something sent on its way that had to get there overnight. And I’m thankful.
Next time, by the way, I’ll go there first.
Blessings.
The word for the day - thankful. For sales folks/business owners who get the job done. With a smile, even!
The helpful folks at the local business, Ship It! managed to get something sent on its way that had to get there overnight. And I’m thankful.
Next time, by the way, I’ll go there first.
Blessings.
Saturday, June 18, 2016
Day #897
June 15, 2016
Years ago I worked with someone who had a story to tell after going to get his driver’s license renewed. He said that the line was long, the people grumpy, and, of all days, the camera wasn’t working to get the renewal card issued. The person tried and tried and finally in great frustration exclaimed: “I HATE MY JOB! This equipment don’t never work!!”
When my co-worker told me the story, we both laughed. But for years now that line from his story has been uttered by me many times, over things like the copier, the printer, the phone, the washing machine, etc.
Today, it was uttered over Skype. Trying to have a conference call/education piece, we were delayed 45 minutes because “that equipment don’t never work!” We finally prevailed and the “class” was accomplished.
And a smile from a good memory once again crossed my face.
Blessings.
PS Please note - I don’t hate my job. EVER!!
Years ago I worked with someone who had a story to tell after going to get his driver’s license renewed. He said that the line was long, the people grumpy, and, of all days, the camera wasn’t working to get the renewal card issued. The person tried and tried and finally in great frustration exclaimed: “I HATE MY JOB! This equipment don’t never work!!”
When my co-worker told me the story, we both laughed. But for years now that line from his story has been uttered by me many times, over things like the copier, the printer, the phone, the washing machine, etc.
Today, it was uttered over Skype. Trying to have a conference call/education piece, we were delayed 45 minutes because “that equipment don’t never work!” We finally prevailed and the “class” was accomplished.
And a smile from a good memory once again crossed my face.
Blessings.
PS Please note - I don’t hate my job. EVER!!
Tuesday, June 14, 2016
Day #896
June 14, 2016
It struck me today, Flag Day, how sad I am that it was necessary for flags to have been ordered to fly at half-mast “out of respect for the victims of the act of hatred and terror perpetrated in Orlando, Florida, on June 12th, 2016,” as quoted on KRTV.com (Vigil) from Montana Governor Steve Bullock.
Not sad for the order to be given (that is respectful), but how very sad that so many have died and how tragic that an act of hate by one causes so much pain for so many. Not really sad that it happens over Flag Day, but deeply sad that our nation and people must once again grieve due to such a senseless act. And sad that my words seem totally inadequate in communicating all the emotion surrounding the events of this week - the shooting, the death, the injury, the questions, the ignorant responses, etc.
Yet, at the same time, the flag flying at half-mast helped visualize for me feelings that I cannot seem to fully express, and certainly cannot understand.
Blessings.
It struck me today, Flag Day, how sad I am that it was necessary for flags to have been ordered to fly at half-mast “out of respect for the victims of the act of hatred and terror perpetrated in Orlando, Florida, on June 12th, 2016,” as quoted on KRTV.com (Vigil) from Montana Governor Steve Bullock.
Not sad for the order to be given (that is respectful), but how very sad that so many have died and how tragic that an act of hate by one causes so much pain for so many. Not really sad that it happens over Flag Day, but deeply sad that our nation and people must once again grieve due to such a senseless act. And sad that my words seem totally inadequate in communicating all the emotion surrounding the events of this week - the shooting, the death, the injury, the questions, the ignorant responses, etc.
Yet, at the same time, the flag flying at half-mast helped visualize for me feelings that I cannot seem to fully express, and certainly cannot understand.
Monday, June 13, 2016
Day #895
June 13, 2016
Fun times on a Field Trip to the museum in Ft. Benton with the folks of Young at Heart.
Good food, good conversation, and good things to see and learn! A fun day at "work!"
Blessings.
Fun times on a Field Trip to the museum in Ft. Benton with the folks of Young at Heart.
Good food, good conversation, and good things to see and learn! A fun day at "work!"
Blessings.
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