Day #2545

December 19, 2020

On this Satisfied Saturday, I am thankful for God’s creatures. But I am especially thankful for Belted Galloways or Belties. For some reason, they always make me smile. And a smile was needed today. 

Blessings. And prayers.

Day #2544

December 18, 2020

In the midst of a very busy time, I am grateful for my hubby who took me on a ride outside of town. A change of scenery was good. Thank you!

Blessings. And prayers.

Day #2543

December 17, 2020 

What fun to be able to virtually attend Simon’s piano recital today. Here is a picture of him in action:

You did wonderfully, Godson. We are very proud of you. And very grateful for technology!!

Blessings. And prayers.

Day #2542

December 16, 2020 

The word for the day - missing. As in missing what Wednesday usually meant - busy. There was time with youth, Bible Study, Confirmation Class, and possibly another meeting or two. As someone has lamented, it’s hard to know what day it is when so many are the same. 

This “new normal” will not always be this way. We can look forward to the day when we can safely gather again. Until then, we can give thanks for little reminders that there are still ways to connect with others and take advantage of as many of those as possible. 

Blessings. And prayers.

Day #2541

December 15, 2020 

Tuesday’s Thoughts on Scripture comes from Hebrews 1:10-11a: And, "In the beginning, Lord, you founded the earth, and the heavens are the work of your hands; they will perish, but you remain; (NRSV)

This scripture takes us back to the beginning. Often Confirmation students have asked, who created God? Or, what existed before God? In other words, where did God come from? The answer that God always was is hard to swallow. Everything has a beginning, right?! 

But is the concept that God always was any harder to imagine than that God always will be? Forever is a long time, far beyond our understanding. After all, as we look around our reality, we realize that not much is permanent. Humans come and go. Even mountains can wear away over time. Yet, God is permanent. Remains. Always and forever. And through the mystery of Christ, we will remain, also. Differently, yes, but forever. 

Quite a hopeful promise, isn’t it?!

Blessings. And prayers.

Day #2540

December 14, 2020 

This brought a smile to my face. 

Please know I absolutely mean no disrespect to teenagers, because I think this is totally relatable. After all, who hasn’t found autocorrect messy?

Hope you have a non-error communication week. :-)

Blessings. And prayers.

Day #2539

December 13, 2020 

The word for the day - WOOHOO! Confirmation is back in session. Yes, it’s through the technology of Zoom, but we’re back learning/teaching. 

I must say, our first official Zoom class seemed to go really well. All in all, a definite woohoo! 

Blessings. And prayers.

Day #2538

December 12, 2020

On this Satisfied Saturday, I am thankful for folks who do technology work and provide a backup when, once again, my efforts failed. 

But more than that, I am thankful for this reminder:

Yes, God is with us. Always!!!! Especially in this crazy, virtual world, I am thankful to be reminded that nothing can keep God from us!

Blessings. And prayers.

Day #2537

December 11, 2020 

How about a little levity in the midst of all that is going on!! Someone creative put together this “Cow on a Plow,” instead of the “Elf on a Shelf.” HAHA

Blessings. And prayers.

Day #2536

December 10, 2020

Some days are just tough. There are so many people hurting - grieving, sick, fearful, in angst. It is an honor to receive their pain through listening, but it can be difficult. Then there is technology that goes awry. No matter how hard folks try, sometimes things just do not work. Also, I tend to worry about folks who are injured, hospitalized, or have other needs. Don't get me wrong, prayer makes all the difference, but worry can still be in my nature. When things pile up, it can make one tired. Especially in the midst of Advent.

But then there is this smiling face. Simon is all dressed up for the taping of his piano recital. I can’t wait to watch next week. But until then, thank you for the smile. And prayers for your performance. I just know all will be wonderful!

Blessings. And prayers.

Day #2535

December 9, 2020

Once again, I find a conversation leading to God reminding me of something important. This time it came in the devotion “Daily Meditation” from the Henri Nouwen Society. Following a conversation with someone who admitted they were clinging to hope, Nouwen’s words reminded me hope is possible, no matter what:

I am increasingly impressed by the Christian possibility of celebrating not only moments of joy but also moments of pain, thus affirming God’s real presence in the thick of our lives. A true Christian always affirms life, because God is the God of life, a life stronger than death and destruction. In him we find no reason to despair. There is always reason to hope, even when our eyes are filled with tears.

It may be difficult to find hope when we are in the midst of despair, but through Christ we do have reason to hope. Even when the worst happened to Jesus, that was not the end of the story. There was more to come - good news and new life that no one could have imagined. 

Thank you, God, for reminding me that with you there is always more to come. After all, isn’t that the essence of hope?!

Blessings. And prayers.

Day #2534

December 8, 2020 

Tuesday’s Thoughts on Scripture is from 1 Thessalonians 5:23-24: May the God of peace himself sanctify you entirely; and may your spirit and soul and body be kept sound and blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do this. (NRSV)

In these words I hear the good news of blessing and promise. Blessing - may God sanctify us (set us apart or make us holy) and our whole being be found worthy at the coming of Jesus (when Jesus one day returns). What a beautiful indication of God being with us - doing for us all that we cannot. Which points to the promise - God is faithful and will do this. 

There are days when I wonder if I am worthy. There are times when I doubt my abilities, my commitment, my desire, and it seems impossible that God could love me without fail. I do not feel good enough for God to keep me sound or blameless. 

Here is the thing. God will do this whether we feel good enough or not. Fortunately, being worthy is not about how we feel, it is about God - the one who is faithful. In the good days and bad. In the ups and downs. In the times when all seems to be going well and when things seem to be falling apart, God keeps us sound and blameless through love, mercy and abounding grace. 

What a promise!!!! What a timely reminder!! Thanks be to God!!

Blessings. And prayers.

Day #2533

December 7, 2020

This just seems to be appropriate as a smile for the week. 

My “side quests” are wrecking havoc on the Advent/Christmas preparation to-do list!!! Yours, too?

Blessings. And prayers.

Day #2532

December 6, 2020 

On this Sunday in the midst of Advent, we were home. Not because of a snow day, but the result of having recorded worship early. So we made the best of it - baked, made a huge amount of soup for the freezer, and rested, even though we missed being with everyone in worship (in-person).

But we also opened the doors to let the breeze bring fresh air through the house. It was another beautiful day, or as the Psalmist said, “this is the day that the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it.” Psalm 118:24

Oh, and near the end of the day, we watched a Dolly Parton Christmas Special. What a gift!

Blessings. And prayers.

Day #2531

December 5, 2020

On this Satisfied Saturday, I am grateful for a beautiful weather day. Very little wind, lots of sunshine and warm temperatures meant a day we thoroughly enjoyed. We even grilled out for dinner. Who would have imagined it was December!?!?

I hope you were also able to enjoy a nice weather day. Or can the next time one comes along. 

Blessings. And prayers.

Day #2530

December 4, 2020 

Ahh - technology. Grrr - technology. In the end, the word for the day is frustrating. 

The best laid plans to efficiently record the worship service for Sunday met with technological difficulties. It was no one's fault, but it meant for a long evening. Not that I mind, for providing worship for folks at home is a joy and a gift we would not have had several years ago. However, the truth is that while it is a gift, technology can also certainly be frustrating.

The good news? Things finally worked out and a recording will be available for Sunday. Thanks be to God!

Blessings. And prayers.

Day #2529

December 3, 2020

These words from Henri Nouwen were a good reminder to me and I feel the need to share them with you:

The real enemies of our life are the “oughts” and the “ifs.” They pull us backward into the unalterable past and forward into the unpredictable future. But real life takes place in the here and the now. God is a God of the present. God is always in the moment, be that moment hard or easy, joyful or painful. When Jesus spoke about God, he always spoke about God as being where and when you are. “When you see me, you see God. When you hear me, you hear God.” God is not someone who was or will be, but the One who is, and who is for me in the present moment. That’s why Jesus came to wipe away the burden of the past and the worries of the future. He wants us to discover God right where we are, here and now.

Blessings. And prayers.

Day #2528

December 2, 2020 

Often, it is the little things that mean the most. When there is bad news, pain, illness, death, or fear in folks’ lives, we want to do a LOT. We want to make things all better, fix what is wrong, help the person smile again. 

However, it is important to not forget that what seems like a small thing can be really important - a ride to an appointment, a phone call, a few minutes of time, a card. It may not “fix” whatever is happening, but it will certainly let the person know they are being thought about and are not alone. In other words, there is nothing too small when it comes to showing care. 

Blessings. And prayers.

Day #2527

December 1, 2020 

Tuesday’s Thoughts on Scripture comes from Revelation 5:11-12: Then I looked, and I heard the voice of many angels surrounding the throne and the living creatures and the elders; they numbered myriads of myriads and thousands of thousands, singing with full voice, "Worthy is the Lamb that was slaughtered to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing!” (NRSV)

This part of scripture was the recommended reading for yesterday at 3 + 3 at 3:00 pm (three minutes of scripture and three minutes of prayer together at 3:00 pm, from wherever we are). After that time, a response came be email: “WOW - What a choir!!” I suppose I had not really thought too much about how many are myriads of myriads and thousands of thousands and what all of them singing with full voice might sound like. WOW is right! 

But what is even more WOW material is what they are singing. Praise to God. No hesitation. No being meek. No fear of what someone might think. Simply full voice of praise. It does sound wonderful, doesn’t it?!?!

Blessings. And prayers.

Day #2526

November 30, 2020

Hope this makes you smile.

I think this is what Boomer thinks when he barks - that one day he will save us from the wild and crazy bunny rabbit or the noise that came from a door slamming four houses away. Haha!

Blessings. And prayers.

Day #2525

November 29, 2020

Sadly, the congregation is back to only having virtual worship. So while we were live-streaming today on YouTube at our regular worship time, along with recording the worship for posting later, there were only those involved in the service present. This reality is sad and lonely, not only for staff, but for everyone. 

There are too many people suffering from this illness, too many business owners doing all they can to keep going, too many people isolated and alone. So, my prayers continue for an end to COVID19 and its necessary precautions (and I invite you to join me in praying this): Please, Lord, have mercy on our world and bring healing! Amen! 

Blessings. And prayers.

Day #2524

November 28, 2020 

On this Satisfied Saturday, I am thankful for authors, booksellers, publishers, the gift of being able to read, interesting books, and the time to enjoy them. 

So what is your favorite thing to read? Mine used to be mysteries, but my interests have expanded, thanks to a Book Club I joined several years ago. Right now I am reading a book called Just Mercy by Bryan Stevenson. It is an interesting read, troubling at times, and eye-opening.

Do you have something you would recommend for me to read? I am open to suggestions - always. Never know what the next book might be. But what a gift books are!

Blessings. And prayers.

Day #2523

November 27, 2020 

The word for the day - lazy. Post-Thanksgiving lazy. Ok, maybe it should be called self-care. Either way - yay for a quiet day. With leftovers. Yum!

Blessings. And prayers.