Day #2340

May 28, 2020 

What is God up to in the midst of all this? 

What a great question this is. And a much more hopeful question than “why?” As in, why is this happening. It was good to be reminded of the question in a planning meeting today. 

Now, to be open to hearing what God, and others, have to say!

Blessings. And prayers.

Day #2339

May 27, 2020 

It was inevitable. I knew it was eventually going to happen. I have read too many “horror” stories from others to think I might escape unscathed. What am I referring to? Internet fail! In trying to connect for Zoom Bible Study, I found we were without internet. Yikes!! Needless to say, we missed being able to dive into the word of God tonight. 

Oh well, as they say, technology is only good when it works. Thanks for your understanding folks. Missed you!

Blessings. And prayers.

Day #2338

May 26, 2020 

Tuesday’s Thoughts on Scripture comes from Acts 2:16-17: No, this is what was spoken through the prophet Joel: ‘In the last days it will be, God declares, that I will pour out my Spirit upon all flesh, and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams. (NRSV)

Sunday is the Day of Pentecost, the birthday of the church with the coming of the Holy Spirit. These verses are part of Peter's speech to the crowd witnessing the event and wondering what is really happening. Pentecost in itself is an amazing event with lots to consider. 

But what I am thinking about today is a long-ago memory of planning a Stewardship focus in our home congregation. As the group sat around the table brainstorming, this verse came to mind. "Visions and Dreams" was born. What a joyful focus it was! We invited input from everyone about what they dreamed of doing as the church and what visions they had for what the church might look like in the future. We had some pretty innovative ideas. 

So I invite you, in this time of wondering about the future, to allow yourself to be open to the visions and dreams God is placing on your heart and in your mind. Then, please, don’t keep them to yourselves. Take a risk and find an opportunity to share them. You may just be the prophet God is calling to help guide us all into the future. 

Blessings. And prayers.

Day #2337

May 25, 2020 

With today being my baptism birthday, I thought I would share this “virtual” baptism picture in the hopes it makes you smile. 

I must say, however, I am truly thankful I wasn’t baptized this way! I think there might have been some serious latent fear-filled memories of being “shot” into God’s Family. Haha!!

Blessings. And prayers.

Day #2336

May 24, 2020 

It was a joy today to record a brief Memorial Day observance for folks to watch since we could not gather together in the congregation’s Memorial Garden. Such an honor!

If you would like to watch, this is the link: Memorial Weekend Observance

Blessings. And prayers.

Day #2335

May 23, 2020

The bishop of our synod shared this from David Steingl-Rast in a recent weekly email letter. It spoke to me about the times we are living in: 

“If you’re grateful, you’re not fearful, and if you’re not fearful, you’re not violent. If you’re grateful, you act out of a sense of enough and not a sense of scarcity, and you are willing to share. If you’re grateful, you are enjoying the differences between people and you are respectful to everybody…”

Hope I can remember this as I get frustrated with folks not following proper social distance or wearing masks or any number of fear-filled responses. 

Respectful! A good word and an even better practice.

Blessings. And prayers.

Day #2334

May 22, 2020 

Today we honored the High School Seniors by inviting them to the recording for Sunday’s worship and then held a “parade of honor” for them. What fun to celebrate these three guys. And to have them in worship. 

Blessings. And prayers.

Day #2333

May 21, 2020 

Today is the Day of Ascension. When Jesus resurrected, he spent forty days on earth in his "resurrectedness" with the disciples and others. Then, on the 40th day, he ascended into heaven, as we read in Acts 1:6-9:

⁶When [the apostles] had come together, they asked [Jesus], “Lord, is this the time when you will restore the kingdom to Israel?” ⁷He replied, “It is not for you to know the times or periods that the Father has set by his own authority. ⁸But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” ⁹When he had said this, as they were watching, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight. (NRSV)

The Day (or Feast) of Ascension is a rather odd occurrence and not one we often celebrate with worship, probably because it is always remembered on a Thursday. It is also something odd to ponder, wondering what the event actually looked like and what it means for us. But in an effort to bring a little levity to all the wondering, I share this that I saw on Facebook yesterday. 

Seems appropriate for bringing a smile based on our lives today. Although, perhaps the "real" home Jesus works from is our hearts. Just a thought. 

Blessings. And prayers.

Day #2332

May 20, 2020 

Over the last couple of months, one of my favorite days of the week has changed drastically. There has not been the regular Bible Study, no High School breakfast gatherings, no confirmation class. 

I have, however, been Zoom meeting with some of the High School youth. Today, however, brought even those Zoom meetings to a close for the summer. I’m already missing those youth, especially the seniors. Hope you all have a wonderful summer. 

Blessings. And prayers.

Day #2331

May 19, 2020

Tuesday’s Thoughts on Scripture is inspired by a statement written by Henri Nouwen: “There is a very deep hunger in many people for the life in the Spirit and many people need to be nurtured continuously by the Word of God.”

The scripture for today’s Thoughts is Acts 1:14: All these were constantly devoting themselves to prayer, together with certain women, including Mary the mother of Jesus, as well as his brothers. (NRSV) 

So, you may be wondering, where do I see a common denominator between these two things? It seems to me that while the disciples were waiting between the time of the Ascension of Jesus (40 days following his resurrection) and the coming of the Holy Spirit on Pentecost (50 days following his resurrection), they did what Nouwen mentioned - they were nurtured continuously by the Word of God, rooted in prayer. An understanding of prayer as a two-way conversation to feed the very deep hunger people have for a life of peace and hope and healing. Isn’t that, after all, what life in the Spirit is what we hope for - a peace that comes from trusting God?! 

So what does devoting ourselves to prayer look like? A friend described it this way - waking up in the morning and offering the day to God, starting a conversation that continues all day long, and then offering the night to God, trusting God for protection and peace in rest. And in the midst of all that, God leads, directs us and transforms us, often without us even realizing it. And thereby our deep hunger is fed.

Blessings. And prayers.

Day #2330

May 18, 2020

Here is a smile for the week - well, maybe a tongue in cheek smile (this quote was shared by a colleague on FaceBook):

“I miss precedented times.”

Perhaps this made me smile because I have used “unprecedented” too many times to describe our lives right now. But it’s true - I miss the “known” of three months ago. 

Ok, maybe this is a better smile:

Contagious, isn’t it?! :-)

Blessings. And prayers.

Day #2329

May 17, 2020 

Today I am thankful for the ability to record worship services and those who work with me to do so. Yes, it is very different than worshipping in person, but at least it is something. 

I am also thankful for the folks who take the time to watch these virtual worship services and am overwhelmed by the number who do! You are a gift! 

So to all those pastors out there trying to reinvent the wheel - God bless and keep you. You are doing a wonderful job!

Blessings. And prayers.

Day #2328

May 16, 2020

Today I am thankful for three “Rs” - relaxation, respite, and a ride out of town. These three together are a real gift in the midst of what is a difficult time. Prayers you also have a chance to receive the gift of these three.

Blessings. And prayers.

Day #2327

May 15, 2020 

Happy Birthday to your momma, dear Godson!!! I am so thankful for her special day and for all of you being a part of our lives! 

Hope your momma has a wonderful birthday!!!! And a very special upcoming year!!!

Blessings. And prayers.

Day #2326

May 14, 2020

The word for the day - thankful! For the gift of praying for and with folks, even as we wonder about what might be next. And even more thankful that God is with us!! Always!!

Blessings. And prayers.