September 8, 2021
It is day three of the roof replacement on the sanctuary. Woohoo!!! The progress is coming along nicely!
I will say this, I really admire those guys crawling around on that steep roof. Prayers for their safety!
Blessings. And prayers.
September 7, 2021
Tuesday’s Thoughts on Scripture comes from James 3:1-2: Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers and sisters, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness. For all of us make many mistakes. Anyone who makes no mistakes in speaking is perfect, able to keep the whole body in check with a bridle. (NRSV)
Now, to be clear, the book of James contains some tough teaching, but this might be some of the toughest. Not many should become teachers - boy, I get that. Sometimes I am taken aback at what young ones remember that I say/teach. Whew! It is a BIG responsibility. And, as James says, all of us make many mistakes.
This brings to mind an encounter with a young one many years ago. He was a handful and on one particularly difficult day, I told him he was mean. As soon as I saw his face fall, I knew I had made a severe mistake. Oh, it took me a while to admit, but I did eventually tell him that I was sorry and that he was not mean, but had a hard time keeping his precociousness in check. He liked to pick on those younger than him, certainly, but he was not mean. I realized then, working with young ones was a big responsibility.
I also realize it is not just young ones in age. Those “young in the faith” look to others to teach them. We have the responsibility to be careful in how we teach - giving encouragement, being gentle in correction, etc. Oh, did I say this is a big responsibility?!?!
Blessings. And prayers.
September 6, 2021
Hubby took me on a “field trip” - to the Montana Grizzly Encounter in Bozeman. I had learned about this place on FaceBook and was anxious to see the bears up close. So the smile for this week is Max, who decided to sit upon a log facing away from the crowd
September 5, 2021
Today we finished the summer series on the Old Testament. Micah 6:8 was our ending: …what does God require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness and to walk humbly with your God? (NRSV)
The people sought to restore their relationship with God and asked what they needed to do - make sacrifices, prepare burnt offerings, etc. The prophet reminds them, God does not want their sacrifices, God desires their love. Not only love of God, but love of neighbor, which is lived out in doing justice, loving kindness and walking humbly with God. When I wonder, then, what walking humbly with God looks like, I see it as trusting God and living into God’s covenant with humans as creator and Lord.
This is a tall order, one not able to be accomplished by humans on their own. We need God to help us walk humbly with God. Is trusting God to do that with and for us part of walking humbly with God?
This seemed to be a fitting end to our series. After all, over and over God is faithful, even when we are not. And, as it is in many things of faith, there are more questions than concrete answers. Walking humbly with God...hmmm?!
Blessings. And prayers.
September 4, 2021
On this Satisfied Saturday, I am grateful for those who have vision and the courage to share it. I envy those who can look at a piece of wood, for example, and envision what might be carved from it. Or a blank canvas and what sort of painting might be placed upon it. Or who can look into the future and “see” the possibilities of a ministry or program. These folks have a gift and when they share it, we are all the better for it.
Blessings. And prayers.
September 3, 2021
It was obvious the person was having a difficult time. They needed someone to listen. There was nothing I could do to fix the situation, but I had the time to be available in allowing the person to talk. And talk they did.
I did eventually ask what seemed to be one important question for them - what are you doing to take care of yourself in the midst of this? They stopped, looked at me, sort of smiled and said, I’m fine. There must have been something in my face that told them, that’s not an honest answer, because they teared up and said - that is the most compassionate question anyone has asked me. I smiled and said, well, I AM in the compassion business. Then, aren’t we all!?
Blessings. And prayers.
September 2, 2021
The word for the day - thankful! For beginning to celebrate another birthday (thank you for lunch!), for the excitement of planning a wedding ceremony, and for seeing our Godson’s picture on his back to school night.
Oh, you are growing up so fast! Prayers for a wonderful year!
Blessings. And prayers.
September 1, 2021
Wednesday is back!! Getting back to Bible Study (plural) after a month off due to cataract surgeries and vacation warms my heart. I certainly missed being with everyone and studying God’s word!
Blessings. And prayers.
August 31, 2021
Tuesday’s Thoughts on Scripture comes from James 2:1-4: My brothers and sisters, do you with your acts of favoritism really believe in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ? For if a person with gold rings and in fine clothes comes into your assembly, and if a poor person in dirty clothes also comes in, and if you take notice of the one wearing the fine clothes and say, “Have a seat here, please,” while to the one who is poor you say, “Stand there,” or, “Sit at my feet,” have you not made distinctions among yourselves, and become judges with evil thoughts? (NRSV)
I do not know about you, but these are tough words to read. Yet, they hit the nail on the head. We humans often make judgements based on looks - what a person wears, their physical appeal, etc. However, the old saying, “you cannot judge a book by its cover” applies. We simply cannot know a person’s heart the way God does. And all God’s children are loved equally by God (which can also be tough words to read).
This reminds me of an account I heard about the first Sunday of a new pastor’s call. He was not in the sanctuary as people gathered, but a man entered who was disheveled, smelly, and unshaven. He slowly made his way to the front of the sanctuary and sat in the front pew. There were a few awkward moments as folks looked at one another and wondered what to do. Finally, one of the ushers came forward and sat down next to the man, welcoming him and trying to quell the whispers. The man looked at the usher, smiled, then took off his hat and coat, stood up, and faced the congregation. Turns out it was the new pastor. What a way to begin in a truly welcoming congregation!
Blessings. And prayers.
August 30, 2021
Today's smile for the week reminds me of how perspective really does make a difference.
August 29, 2021
I just LOVE a baptism. This time our newly adopted into God’s family slept most of the rest of the service and into the taking of pictures. Being welcomed is exhausting, isn't it Rowdy?! 😊
Blessings. And prayers.
August 28, 2021
On this Satisfied Saturday, I am reminded of the appreciation I have for the folks who serve in the military. It has been an especially difficult time lately for those who have served in the last twenty years as the War on Terror in Afghanistan comes to an end - another war ending without a victory. There is much fear and danger there and fervent prayers are being said, along with much lament and frustration.
So today, as I witnessed another military honors ceremony being conducted at a gravesite, I was reminded of this prayer from the ELW Worship Book:
Almighty God, we commend to your gracious care and keeping all the men and women of our armed forces at home and abroad. Defend them day by day with your heavenly grace; strengthen them in their trials and temptations; give them courage to face the perils that surround them; and grant them a sense of your abiding presence wherever they may be; through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen.
Amen and amen. Thank you hardly seems enough, you good and faithful servants!
Blessings. And prayers.
August 27, 2021
All good things must come to an end, it is said. Vacation is included. We packed up and headed home today. Until the next time, so long Yellowstone! You are truly an epitome of God’s beauty and diversity in creation.
Blessings. And prayers.
August 26, 2021
On National Dog Day, we have to give a shoutout to Boomer.
Well, maybe he’s giving a shy-looking shoutout to all of you! Either way, it's your day, Boomer. Enjoy!
Blessings. And prayers.
August 25, 2021
Taking an end of the year camping trip, we chose to go to Yellowstone. It has been a while and we always enjoy visiting. We are amazed at how different the park is each time we come.
Yesterday, while we were on the hillside near the Mudpots, I looked across the landscape and was taken aback to see a cross in the middle of seemingly nowhere. I quickly realized it was just a power pole, but I was reminded that God really is everywhere, which is very comforting.
Today, we took a drive to find the place we stayed two weeks back in 2008. This was like our home away from home and we enjoyed our time here immensely. On that trip, we blogged under “Traveling with Hitch.” The post for saying goodbye to this place may be found here: Traveling with Hitch - July 7, 2008
Here is the same spot today.
Needless to say, some things do not change much (except for the smoke in the air this time!) Neither had the food - we enjoyed an excellent lunch as we dined on the porch overlooking the lake, reminiscing about the room we had then, the hospitality, the beauty of the spot, and how quickly time has passed. All in all, it was a very nice relived memory!
Blessings. And prayers.
