Day #1929

April 13, 2019

For the last sixty years, this town has culturally benefitted from the talents and gifts of folks coming together to make music and perform for others. Tonight we attended the 60th anniversary year's final concert featuring A German Requiem by Johannes Brahms. It was a fantastic evening, leaving us inspired by words of hope from scripture: “Blessed are they that mourn, for they shall be comforted. They who sow in tears, shall reap in joy … They shall take in joy and gladness, and sorrowing and sighing must depart.” 

Thank you, symphony, for an awe-inspiring eve to the beginning of Holy Week.

Blessings.

Day #1928

April 12, 2019 

The calendar says it is spring - and nearly the middle of April. So I must say I was totally surprised to wake up and open the blinds to see the ground covered in SNOW! Really?!?! 

Fortunately, it did not stick around long or hinder the FISH fundraiser dinner, which was well attended by generous folks! Thankfully!

Blessings.

Day #1927

April 11, 2019 

I think we had the very best waitress we have had in over a year of the monthly Ladies: Let’s Do Lunch. Her efficiency and pleasant attitude were a delight, making another lunch fun…and delicious.

Also, I am inspired by the hard-working folks who are preparing for a fundraising dinner tomorrow for the FISH Food Ministry in our town. This annual event, held for the last 19 years, has generated a total of nearly $100,000 in funds for this important ministry that makes food available for hungry folks. Here’s hoping lots of people attend tomorrow - and spend generously.

Then the day ended with a fabulous recital by a talented local bassoonist and his accompanist, a renowned pianist who has played around the world. How thankful I am to be in a congregation open to such diverse events!

Blessings.

Day #1926

April 10, 2019

This Wednesday began with the parents of one of the High School youth surprising them at coffee for their 16th birthday. A balloon, card, and singing - what fun!!

This Wednesday ended with the last of the Lenten worship services for this season. The five-week series, Open Our Lives, Lord, has been thought-provoking and fun to plan. Open Our Eyes included watching a video of beautiful pictures of creation, inviting us to recognize God’s hand in things we may not usually - including people unlike ourselves. Open Our Hands included anointing our palms for service to the Lord. Open Our Ears included an invitation into silent meditation, inviting God to speak to us in the quiet. Open Our Lips/Heart included sharing with a neighbor at the table a way in which God’s presence has been made known in our own life. And Open Our Lives, tonight, included offering something that we have been hesitating to hand over to God, writing it down so that we will be able to reflect upon it during Holy Week. 

Thank you to Augsburg Fortress for the series idea. And thank you to everyone who has faithfully participated each week. This Lenten season has been particularly inspiring for me through your participation.

Blessings.

Day #1925

April 9, 2019

Tuesday’s Thoughts on Scripture come from Luke 19:40: [Jesus] answered, “I tell you, if [the people] were silent, the stones would shout out.”

Shhh….let’s not tell anyone yet. Let's just keep the news between us for a little bit. But it was too exciting not to tell. I couldn’t wait to shout from the rooftops that I was marrying the love of my life. The news was just too exciting to hold it in. So as soon as possible, I shared it with as many people as I could. It was impossible to keep my excitement quiet.

Getting engaged is absolutely nothing in comparison to the news that Jesus was entering Jerusalem. The healer and teacher extraordinaire was coming into town. Many thought it was the time for things to finally turn around for the Jewish people, and they were beyond excited. Beyond appreciative. Beyond being able to keep quiet. But they were causing a stir, with their shouts of Hosanna! and blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord. If it didn't stop, things might soon get out of the leadership's control, so the Pharisees tell Jesus to make them stop. To keep quiet.

Impossible, Jesus seems to say. The stones themselves would shout out if the people did not. This is my moment, my glory, my time, Jesus seems to say, and no one will keep me away or squelch the excitement. 

We know, however, that the people’s shouts of Hosanna! will quickly change. Within days as the week progresses, "crucify him" will easily come from their mouths. Yes, Holy Week is coming…but so is Easter Sunday. 

Thank you, Jesus, for giving us your strength during Holy Week, and every other one. Amen.

Blessings.

Day #1924

April 8, 2019

The word for the day - thankful. For office equipment when it works. But when it doesn’t…SAD! I am grateful, however, for folks who keep trying. Good service is much appreciated!

Blessings.

Day #1923

April 7, 2019

A part of Sunday morning I really enjoy is something we call, P.S. (Post-sermon) Conversation. A group of folks gather for thirty minutes following worship to discuss what we heard in the readings or something that caused us to pause or question. The conversation often runs deep, with no question or comment off limits. 

This type of conversation is really rare, and I appreciate the opportunity. And the folks who gather with me.

Blessings.

Day #1922

April 6, 2019

At the annual WELCA Lenten Brunch, a local pastor shared stories about relationships, using three examples from her own life. Through the theme for the event, How Does Your Garden Grow, she helped us connect that the "gardens of our lives" grow through relationships. She also reminded us of the importance of relationships in our lives - sometimes positive ones with friends and sometimes contentious ones with those who maybe challenge us or rub us the wrong way. She gave an excellent message, delivered in a comfortable manor that was easy to listen to and relatable. 

What relationships in your life come to mind that help make your “garden of life” grow?

Blessings.

Day #1921

April 5, 2019 

Sometimes things just don’t go quite right. Those trying to be helpful make mistakes. But when things go wrong, why do we find we need to point fingers. Can’t mistakes just happen without hurrying to blame someone?! Then, in the midst of the mistake and without the blaming, often a solution can be found. Especially when we work together. I'm thankful for that!

Blessings.

Day #1920

April 4, 2019

A sign at a local florist made me smile: I got so excited, I wet my plants. 

Haha! Spring humor!

Blessings.

Day #1919

April 3, 2019 

In the midst of a conversation, this line came up: “We can’t change or undo the past but we should decide not to let the past undo our today.” At first it just seemed to be an inspired thought for the moment, but it is one that has stuck with me. After all, the past can undo today. The past can rob today of its joy. The past can weigh us down, bend us over, and create a fear in us that keeps us from looking forward or planning for the future. But only if we let it.

Thank you, Holy Spirit, for this reminder. 

Blessings.

Day #1918

April 2, 2019 

Tuesday’s Thoughts on Scripture comes from Philippians 3:7: Yet whatever gains I had, these I have come to regard as loss because of Christ. (NRSV)

Paul writes to the people of Philippi that he had many reasons to be confident “in the flesh” (verse 4b). He had lived his life learning about God, even teaching about God, being devout as a Jew, and following God’s rules and laws to the perfection of the letter. Yet, Paul comes to realize, through the grace and love of Jesus, that anything he has accomplished in his life or ways he has followed the law, do not matter in the face of Christ and the power of his death and resurrection (verse 9: ...not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but one that comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God based on faith). It is faith in Jesus that makes all the difference, not what we do to earn his favor. Oh, and by the way, even faith comes from God. 

This made me think about all those checks written for offerings to the church. Or all those Sundays teaching Sunday School. Or all those nights spent in meetings at council or committees. Or all those Bible Studies attended. Or any of those things we might think are the “punches in our ticket” toward a good relationship with God. Not a single one of those stands up in the face of God’s love and grace. 

Whew…that makes me hugely thankful. Hugely!

Blessings.

Day #1917

April 1, 2019 

So I have been thinking. Maybe 1,917 blog entries is enough?! Maybe I have run out of things to say, or the relevance of this is over. So…I'm thinking that maybe this is my last entry?

No…April Fool’s! As long as God continues to be present, I hope to keep writing. And God will ALWAYS be present (long before this blogging began and long after it ends!!). 

However, there IS a “no fooling” for April Fool’s Day - we had snow today. Not too much, but it IS April. Guess spring is closer, though. The snow didn’t last and was melted by the end of the day. Yay! :-)

Blessings.

Day #1916

March 31, 2019 

We had an enjoyable afternoon, attending the Youth Orchestra concert. There were several youth from the congregation involved, but for two of our High School seniors, this was the last concert. We enjoyed the music, and are grateful for the opportunity to celebrate the youth.

Blessings.

Day #1915

March 30, 2019

On a beautiful day in the neighborhood, what should happen but the beginning of some spring cleaning. Not much, mind you, but a start. :-)

And a quote from Albus Dumbledore in the movie Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets made me stop and ponder: “It is not our abilities that show who we truly are, it is our choices.” 

There is lots to think about in those few words!

Blessings.