Day #2310

April 28, 2020

Tuesday’s Thoughts on Scripture comes from Psalm 23:2: The Lord makes me lie down in green pastures and leads me beside still waters. (ELW)

I cannot count the number of times I have read this Psalm, both silently and aloud, using various translations and emphasizing different parts. Neither can I think of a funeral or memorial service where this has not been chosen as a reading. It is famous scripture, comforting scripture, scripture of hope and promise, which is appropriate for a time of grieving. Who doesn’t want to hear, especially then, the comforting words that the LORD is with us, leading us, guiding us, giving us peace and relaxation. 

That is what I think about specifically in the verse that refers to lying down in green pastures and being led by still waters. When I was a teenager, my parents had a cottage by a river. It wasn’t “still” waters, but the water was shallow and moved slowly by the house. I spent many hours wading and skipping rocks and dreaming of what the future held. But the times that were most comforting and peaceful were spent in the field down the road. The field was on a hill, with no houses around, and I remember lying back, watching clouds, and feeling as if the world were without fear or worry. 

My hope is that you have a place where the LORD leads you to find peace or quiet, so that you can hear God’s voice and be reassured that you are being watched over and cared for. Always!

Blessings. And prayers.

Day #2309

April 27, 2020 

Here is a smile for the week that someone shared with me recently by email:

My how the days do seem to run together!

Blessings. And prayers.

Day #2308

April 26, 2020

For the first Sunday since we ceased gathering together for worship, I was able to “watch” worship at the same time as we normally worship, realizing there were many of us doing the same thing at the same time. It was a powerful few minutes and I am grateful for the technology (and staff) that make this possible. 

There is certainly power and truth in knowing that the church is not the building, it is the people! Wherever we are! Thanks be to God!

Blessings. And prayers.

Day #2307

April 25, 2020

The word for the day - thankful! Thankful for very efficient roofers who finished the job all in one day, including doing a really nice job of cleaning up! We are pleased - the roof looks great. 

But what am I really thankful for? Quiet. Now I have to go around and straighten all the pictures on the wall. Haha!!

Blessings. And prayers.

Day #2306

April 24, 2020 

The word for this day - LOUD!!! 

Last year our home was damaged in a hailstorm - fence, gutters, roof, siding, a window screen all took quite the beating. The fence has long been repaired, but the weather changed before the roof and guttering could be replaced. Well, today is the day!!!

Just before 7:30 am this morning, a crew arrived and began the process of shingle removal. I’m thinking these guys would definitely put Santa and his reindeer on the roof to shame. Bang, pow, slide, bang, pow, drop, rattle, boom, bang!!! And...

Ahh…these are the sounds of repair and replacement. And are actually good sounds. But I have a feeling it might be a slightly LONG day!

Blessings. And prayers.

Day #2305

April 23, 2020

The word for the day - thankful. For leaders with good ideas, care for the church and others, and willingness to discuss, brainstorm and discern.

I am so grateful for the way the entire congregation is responding to the latest world crisis. I also know God is with us in the midst of the process and the decisions. We are not alone! None of us!

Blessings. And prayers.

Day #2304

April 22, 2020

Today is the 50th anniversary of Earth Day, so Happy Earth Day!

Also, I had a wonderful end to the day, bedtime prayers (over the phone) with a couple of our young ones. What a wonderful way to connect!!! 

Blessings. And prayers.

Day #2303

April 21, 2020

Today’s Tuesday’s Thoughts on Scripture comes from Luke 24:18: Then one of them, whose name was Cleopas, answered him, “Are you the only stranger in Jerusalem who does not know the things that have taken place there in these days?” (NRSV)

The Road to Emmaus. Two walk along, discussing the events of the last week, when Jesus suddenly joins them and asks what they are discussing. No wonder they stop, look at him and declare, how can you not know what has happened. Have you been hiding under a rock? 

Years ago when I was in seminary, a fire broke out in one of the buildings on the other end of campus. Fire trucks came, people went running and shouting, it seemed the whole place knew what was happening. I, however, sat in my apartment, completely oblivious. (I need to mention the building with the fire was only about two city blocks away, if that far, from my apartment. I mean the entire seminary campus includes only about ten buildings and it only takes minutes to walk the campus, so it wasn’t that far away). 

Anyway, later that afternoon in class, someone said something about the fire. What fire, I asked?! Where were you, out of town? Didn’t you know?! I felt extremely foolish that I had somehow missed the entire thing. Fortunately there was not a lot of damage and no injuries, but I wondered how I could have missed being there for my classmates. How could I have been so self-absorbed?

I can only imagine how these two on the road feel about the new stranger. Who is he? What has he been doing? And I might have wondered what he wanted from us. Well, before the day is over, they will discover quite a bit about the stranger - he’s one known to them in ways that will change their lives forever. And many thousands in the future, including us and even more to come. 

Blessings. And prayers.

Day #2302

April 20, 2020

Smile - it’s Monday! And spring seems to be here. Garden time, anyone?!

Blessings. And prayers. 

Day #2301

April 19, 2020 

As Richard Rohr begins a week of writing in his blog about Teresa Avila, he shared this poem known as “Teresa’s Bookmark.” He wrote that it was found in her own prayer book after her death:

Let nothing disturb you.
Let nothing upset you.
Everything changes.
God alone is unchanging.
With patience all things are possible.
Whoever has God lacks nothing.
God alone is enough.

Seems an appropriate way to begin the week, doesn't it?!

Blessings. And prayers.

Day #2300

April 18, 2020

The word for the day - rest. It’s different than recuperating, but it has healing power, none the less. And I am grateful for it. 

Blessings. And prayers.

Day #2299

April 17, 2020 

Well, this is the vacation that almost was. We should have begun driving east today to do some visiting, worshipping with folks we love and miss, and relaxing. We are trying not to be too disappointed, hoping we can simply reschedule our time away instead of cancelling it completely, realizing we are very fortunate in the midst of this pandemic. But we will miss seeing you all!!! A lot!!!

And I’m still getting back into the swing of things - really weak, but getting there. Thank you again for the prayers. 

Blessings. And prayers.

Day #2298

April 16, 2020

Nearly a week later, I returned to the office to do a little work and catch up a tad. I am so grateful for God’s healing power. And a great nurse. :-)

Blessings. And prayers.

Day #2297

April 15, 2020

Finally - on Wednesday, I am better enough to even smile. And eat a little "normal" food. There is hope!!!!

A special thanks to all the folks who have been praying, calling, texting, mailing, emailing, and sending positive thoughts and wishes. Your love and care is deeply appreciated!!. 

Blessings. And prayers.

Day #2296

April 14, 2020 

Tuesday’s Thoughts on Scripture comes from John 20:24: But Thomas (who was called the Twin), one of the twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. (NRSV)

Where is Thomas? Why didn’t he come with us? What do you suppose he is doing now? With all the things I imagined Thomas doing, being home sick has never crossed my mind before. Until this year. What if Thomas had a stomach bug? What if his body finally gave in to the stress and busyness of the last couple of weeks? What if he just could not pull himself out of bed to be with the others? It wasn't because he didn't want to be there, he just couldn't do it.

And while he was gone, discussions were had. Decisions were made. And Jesus was seen. How could they have carried on without him, as if he wasn’t a part of the group any longer?! More importantly, how could he believe their testimony without seeing it for himself? Was he really asking for more than he should have been able to witness from the beginning? 

Being in bed has certainly brought a whole new perspective to Easter’s events. Who knows where Thomas was, right?!? But the good news is, Jesus did not disappoint. He came and offered peace to Thomas, just as he had to the rest of the disciples. And Jesus played no favorites. He still doesn’t!

Blessings. And prayers.