Day #92

April 2, 2014

I was sitting at a stoplight today behind this truck. Are you ready for the rapture? I imagine this person means well. I imagine they are trying to spread the word about Jesus and his saving grace. But I’m not sure this really helps. After all, do folks even know what this question means? Or do folks even think they know what the rapture is? And is there even such a thing? As someone was sharing about an article they had just read, the teaching about “rapture” has only been around about 150 of the 2,000+ years since Jesus lived, died and rose again. And, it was started by ONE man by taking a piece of one part of scripture and a piece of another and a piece of another and creating the understanding.

Make no mistake - I believe Jesus will return one day. I believe Jesus came to live and die and rise again to save the world. And I believe in spreading the word about his saving grace. But, by the grace of God, with every word that comes from my mouth and every action that is done by my hands and heart.

Blessings.

Day #91

April 1, 2014

The church where I serve has a Facebook page. It’s been there for quite a while and I occasionally add something. It’s not nearly as consistent as it should be, but it’s there.

Today I was looking at the new format for the page. The hours for the “business” are listed as 9:30-12:30 Sunday mornings. The rest of the week, the place is closed. As I sat in the church office and looked at this, it frustrated me. We’re not closed. Not by a long shot. First of all, I’m here! Second, it’s amazing how many folks do different jobs, tasks, service at the church during the week. What does being closed say to them?

Third, and most important, the church isn’t in the building anyway. The congregation is in the building. The worship space is in the building. The classrooms and kitchen and choir room and nurseries, etc. are in the building. But the church...it’s not in the building because it’s the people. And they are most definitely NEVER closed. See, as one person has said, being Christian is not just having a religion, it’s a way of life. It’s Monday to Saturday, 52 weeks a year, every year.

And, of course, it includes Sunday, too. That’s the day the building is full when we come together to worship the God who loves us, give thanks to God, be fed by God’s word and meal, and be encouraged to go back out to be the church again and again and again.

Blessings.

Day #90

March 31, 2014

I had an April Fool’s Day on its eve. I knew it wasn’t good when I drove into the parking lot and there was a septic pump truck. Never good to see! 

Yes, there had been a problem yesterday, but we were hoping it wasn’t this dreaded need. Pumping the tank - oh the joys of country living.

So what in the world is The Daily Intersection of this? It is thankfulness. Huh?! Well, I AM thankful. For folks who have history in the congregation - years of faithful witness and service and know where things are (like the septic tank) and are still active servants. Because there they were, meeting with the repairman, taking care of business.

So I am thankful - for their love of God’s church and their participation and being a part of it.

Yep, thankful. That’s what I am!

Oh - and let's not forget how thankful we ALL are for Septic Tank Repairmen!!!!!!

Blessings.

Day #89

March 30, 2014

When I was first ordained, the part in worship that made me most anxious about preparing for and/or doing was the Children’s Message. I would fret over what I should say and write out exactly how I might say it. Then I would wring my hands in complete nervousness just before it was time to call the kids down front. Would I get it right? Would the kids listen? Would it make any difference?

All this caused me to ask a couple of pointed questions: is the Children’s Message obsolete? Is it just a necessary “evil” in our day and time, more for the adults to have something to chuckle about or give them another “oh, how cute” memory? Do the little ones really get anything out of this time in worship?”

Of course, my quick answer is that any time spent one on one with kids is far from being just a necessary “evil.” I enjoy being with kids - teaching, listening, playing - you name it. Kids seem to soak up learning about God and Jesus like little sponges. You can tell, too, that they get something out of it when they bow their heads to pray, ask questions, and get excited to come running - literally - down the aisle to participate.

But kids, of course, do say the darnedest things. Or tell the most unbelievable, yet creative, stories. This week was momma got lost and poppy did, too, and he was lost forever. Reply? Something like good thing we are never lost from God. God knows exactly who and where we are all the time. And loves us all the time. Whew! Now let’s pray.

Blessings.

Day #88

March 29, 2014 

We received a wonderful email today stating that the Federal and State Tax Departments had received and accepted our 2013 Tax Returns. We’re done! And before Easter! Well...I guess that is a good thing since Easter is AFTER tax day this year. Point is, another HUGE deadline met. Feels really good. Well, until the check has to be mailed. :-)

Blessings.

Day #87

March 28, 2014

In the middle of Target is not the place to find an electrical outlet. There is just not one to be found. Believe me, we looked. See, we were there to purchase a new lamp for a specific spot and before we bought one we  wanted to test if it was bright enough for the place it was needed. After searching all over, we finally found an outlet in the Starbucks area of the store. A connection was made, but it was actually after the purchase was made, too. That was ok, though, we liked the lamp and it works perfectly.

The next day, the connection was not so easily found – before, during or after the fact. We attended a  memorial service for a friend's mother. It was held in a church of another denomination than our familiar one. It is also a denomination that does not welcome those “outside their faith” to partake of Holy Communion. That is always difficult for me. Here we were, with most of those in attendance fitting the “outside” descriptor. And while we were all there to share similar grief, we were unable to share in Jesus’ forgiveness and reassurance. The comment from the one presiding was something like this: as those of you outside our faith are unable to partake, we ask that you continue to pray for the time when the divisions are reconciled.

It made me think of us trying to find a place to plug-in our new lamp to test it in the store. We were so close to the light, but couldn’t connect to its source. Oh, I do pray for the time when the divisions are reconciled. Will it come in our lifetime, or is that something we wait for in the day when we are all joined as one around the feet of the Lamb in his eternal kingdom?

Blessings.