April 30, 2016
I am reminded that often the intersection of life and God happens through people. In fact, it happens that way most often. And when it does, I hope I take time to let others know I appreciate them.
So to those who surround me - especially staff today - thank you for your professionalism, your dedication and your attention to detail. All of you!!
I also appreciate those who take time from their day to gather and be with others in need. I appreciate shopkeepers who care about their customers. I appreciate servers at restaurants who do their best to make a meal enjoyable. I appreciate family and friends who understand this crazy life and schedule.
Basically, I appreciate everyone God places in my life. Thank you for sharing your gift of faith with others, especially me!!
Blessings.
Saturday, April 30, 2016
Day #850
April 29, 2016
The word for the day - thankful! For supper being provided. For time of fun and fellowship with others. For time to spend with my husband and doing some catching up. AND for a little extra sleep and reading.
Yes, thankful!
Blessings.
The word for the day - thankful! For supper being provided. For time of fun and fellowship with others. For time to spend with my husband and doing some catching up. AND for a little extra sleep and reading.
Yes, thankful!
Blessings.
Day #849
April 28, 2016
The prayer themed week culminated with attending another Continuing Education class. This one on leading worship, primarily on learning to write prayers. Not just any prayers, but prayers in worship known as the prayers of the people (or intercessory).
Here is my take-away for those who consider written prayers to be stodgy and not Spirit-led:
Blessings.
The prayer themed week culminated with attending another Continuing Education class. This one on leading worship, primarily on learning to write prayers. Not just any prayers, but prayers in worship known as the prayers of the people (or intercessory).
Here is my take-away for those who consider written prayers to be stodgy and not Spirit-led:
- They require paying constant attention to the needs of the world and the people - current events especially. That keeps them fresh and relevant.
- They are written to God - speaking with God, not sermonizing or talking about God.
- They move in a particular form - from church, world, nation, congregation, to individuals - or from the wider to the narrower.
- It is an honor - and work - to prepare them.
- It is not easy to do.
- Lastly, the more specific the prayers, the more realistic they also become - and the less stodgy.
Blessings.
Day #848
April 27, 2016
There seems to have been a theme covering this week - prayer. There are so many who ask, so many who need, so many who are thankful to have you pray for them. What a gift!
Me? I’m thankful God listens! Always. And that I’m trusted to be asked to pray for others. Thank you for that honor.
Blessings.
There seems to have been a theme covering this week - prayer. There are so many who ask, so many who need, so many who are thankful to have you pray for them. What a gift!
Me? I’m thankful God listens! Always. And that I’m trusted to be asked to pray for others. Thank you for that honor.
Blessings.
Day #847
April 26, 2016
It is always, always, amazing to me when people you have barely had opportunity to meet trust you enough to talk to you about deep, personal, painful memories and troubling issues. What an honor! And what a reminder that being available to listen makes a difference. Being heard and cared about helps - even when it doesn’t solve anything, it helps.
Thank you for bestowing that honor upon me. I try always to handle it with care and prayer.
Blessings.
It is always, always, amazing to me when people you have barely had opportunity to meet trust you enough to talk to you about deep, personal, painful memories and troubling issues. What an honor! And what a reminder that being available to listen makes a difference. Being heard and cared about helps - even when it doesn’t solve anything, it helps.
Thank you for bestowing that honor upon me. I try always to handle it with care and prayer.
Blessings.
Day #846
April 25, 2016
Note: This is an ode to our daughter - our godson’s Momma - who taught me so much about how to relate to others and what’s important in relationships. At least I hope I learned well! Either way, thank you!!!
I spent most of the day in a Continuing Education class discussing how to interact with folks who research claim to be “spiritual but not religious.” My take away: oh, if only we could dispel the myth that Christians think they have all the answers, have it all together, and only want to judge the rest of the world.
So how can I better communicate about God’s love and grace? How can I better live and model God's relevance? It begins, in my humble opinion, with prayer. LOTS of prayer.
Blessings.
Note: This is an ode to our daughter - our godson’s Momma - who taught me so much about how to relate to others and what’s important in relationships. At least I hope I learned well! Either way, thank you!!!
I spent most of the day in a Continuing Education class discussing how to interact with folks who research claim to be “spiritual but not religious.” My take away: oh, if only we could dispel the myth that Christians think they have all the answers, have it all together, and only want to judge the rest of the world.
So how can I better communicate about God’s love and grace? How can I better live and model God's relevance? It begins, in my humble opinion, with prayer. LOTS of prayer.
Blessings.
Day #845
April 24, 2016
A great day!!! A reminder of God’s love in worship - in word, meal, prayers, and music. Spirited conversation as we continue studying thriving/transforming congregations. Safe travel and a delicious dinner with the husband, now home from his week-long class. And prayers continued for those in pain, sorrow and gripped by fear.
Thanks be to God for it all!!
Blessings.
A great day!!! A reminder of God’s love in worship - in word, meal, prayers, and music. Spirited conversation as we continue studying thriving/transforming congregations. Safe travel and a delicious dinner with the husband, now home from his week-long class. And prayers continued for those in pain, sorrow and gripped by fear.
Thanks be to God for it all!!
Blessings.
Day #844
April 23, 2016
Some days the requests for prayers come in bunches. This was a day filled with prayer requests. Yes, peace and healing are surely, and sorely, needed!
May the peace of God surround you, may the love of Christ enfold you, and the may the Holy Spirit guide you! Everyone!
Blessings.
Some days the requests for prayers come in bunches. This was a day filled with prayer requests. Yes, peace and healing are surely, and sorely, needed!
May the peace of God surround you, may the love of Christ enfold you, and the may the Holy Spirit guide you! Everyone!
Blessings.
Saturday, April 23, 2016
Day #843
April 22, 2016 -
Today is Earth Day. This reminder came from the ELCA Churchwide offices and I share it here:
Also on this day came the honor of being with a family at the Funeral Home as they make arrangements and decisions for remembering and celebrating their loved one. This is such a special, holy time to walk with others - sharing memories, tears, prayer, and often laughter. I always feel privileged to be with families in these holy moments, even as I am sad they are necessary. But it's just another reason why I love and am thankful for what I do.
Blessings.
Today is Earth Day. This reminder came from the ELCA Churchwide offices and I share it here:
Blessings.
Day #842
April 21, 2016
It happens often - folks stealing the identities of others. Companies get hacked and personal information is stolen. Credit cards are cloned, new accounts set up, and phantom FaceBook accounts appear. It happened to my husband. Thanks to someone sending a text that they had received a FB friend request from him even though they were already friends, we were able to help some folks avoid the inconvenience. And eventually get the issue resolved.
Not too long ago, I was mistaken for someone who ran a red light in a rental car. Turned out the rental company had mistakenly switched the contracts. When the other person committed the offense, my information showed up, so the bill was sent to me (they ran the light at a red light camera intersection). It took a while to get it all straightened out and was very frustrating.
Having your identity stolen can be a horrible experience. It can take weeks, months, even years to get everything straightened out, along with spending a lot of time and money. Not to mention how violated it makes you feel.
So where is the Daily Intersection in my diatribe? Well, there is a preciousness in being known and loved for who you are. And God does that without any mistaken identity errors. We can be assured that God knows us as we are, each of us individually, and loves us. For we are each a member of God’s creation, a child of God's kingdom, and no one can snatch us from the Father’s hand - or pretend to be us to God. It just cannot happen. Thanks be to God!
Blessings.
It happens often - folks stealing the identities of others. Companies get hacked and personal information is stolen. Credit cards are cloned, new accounts set up, and phantom FaceBook accounts appear. It happened to my husband. Thanks to someone sending a text that they had received a FB friend request from him even though they were already friends, we were able to help some folks avoid the inconvenience. And eventually get the issue resolved.
Not too long ago, I was mistaken for someone who ran a red light in a rental car. Turned out the rental company had mistakenly switched the contracts. When the other person committed the offense, my information showed up, so the bill was sent to me (they ran the light at a red light camera intersection). It took a while to get it all straightened out and was very frustrating.
Having your identity stolen can be a horrible experience. It can take weeks, months, even years to get everything straightened out, along with spending a lot of time and money. Not to mention how violated it makes you feel.
So where is the Daily Intersection in my diatribe? Well, there is a preciousness in being known and loved for who you are. And God does that without any mistaken identity errors. We can be assured that God knows us as we are, each of us individually, and loves us. For we are each a member of God’s creation, a child of God's kingdom, and no one can snatch us from the Father’s hand - or pretend to be us to God. It just cannot happen. Thanks be to God!
Blessings.
Thursday, April 21, 2016
Day #841
April 20, 2016
As the items were placed back into the time capsule for the congregation (see Day #838), I gave thanks for the history, the lives, the faith of the saints who have gathered in this place for many decades. And I couldn’t help but dream and wonder about who would be here in the next 25 years: the changes that would happen, the lives that would be touched by God, strengthened by the Holy Spirit, and reassured by the grace of Jesus Christ and his love. I pray with thanksgiving for the past and hope for the future, trusting all into God’s hands.
Blessings.
PS It was also fun to talk with the confirmation youth about the time capsule and see their enthusiasm for maybe making a time capsule of their own. Great idea!!
As the items were placed back into the time capsule for the congregation (see Day #838), I gave thanks for the history, the lives, the faith of the saints who have gathered in this place for many decades. And I couldn’t help but dream and wonder about who would be here in the next 25 years: the changes that would happen, the lives that would be touched by God, strengthened by the Holy Spirit, and reassured by the grace of Jesus Christ and his love. I pray with thanksgiving for the past and hope for the future, trusting all into God’s hands.
Blessings.
PS It was also fun to talk with the confirmation youth about the time capsule and see their enthusiasm for maybe making a time capsule of their own. Great idea!!
Tuesday, April 19, 2016
Day #840
April 19, 2016
Now this was a beautiful spring day - sunshine, light breeze, and warm temperatures. A nice day for a walk - thankful I took advantage of it!
Blessings.
Now this was a beautiful spring day - sunshine, light breeze, and warm temperatures. A nice day for a walk - thankful I took advantage of it!
Blessings.
Day #839
April 18, 2016
Some days the ways of the world weigh very heavy and put up roadblocks that are almost impenetrable for seeing the Daily Intersection. Today’s presentation at a monthly gathering was from a local High School History teacher on the Holocaust, which is certainly one of those roadblocks. She included pictures, stories of survivors she has met, statistics of the horror, and more pictures - most overwhelming.
At the end she reminded us to “Never forget.” No, absolutely never forget. Along with deep, agonizing prayers for something like this to never happen again, yet fully realizing it does nearly every day. How long, oh Lord!
Blessings.
Some days the ways of the world weigh very heavy and put up roadblocks that are almost impenetrable for seeing the Daily Intersection. Today’s presentation at a monthly gathering was from a local High School History teacher on the Holocaust, which is certainly one of those roadblocks. She included pictures, stories of survivors she has met, statistics of the horror, and more pictures - most overwhelming.
At the end she reminded us to “Never forget.” No, absolutely never forget. Along with deep, agonizing prayers for something like this to never happen again, yet fully realizing it does nearly every day. How long, oh Lord!
Blessings.
Day #838
April 17, 2016
An event of the congregation made the newspaper again. Here’s the link (The Tribune) for the article about the time capsule being opened as a part of the 125th anniversary, which actually coincided with a spring stewardship emphasis and roof funding celebration.
Not expecting a reporter after worship, and being totally caught off guard by her and her questions, I was thankful when the Holy Spirit gave me these words in answer to what makes an event like this important: We celebrate the past but look to the future. The memories bring us together, the mission moves us to the future.
Thanks be to God for memories, for stories written in scripture, and the history of God’s relationship with God’s people. And thanks be to God for leading us, as the Good Shepherd, to the next thing.
Blessings.
An event of the congregation made the newspaper again. Here’s the link (The Tribune) for the article about the time capsule being opened as a part of the 125th anniversary, which actually coincided with a spring stewardship emphasis and roof funding celebration.
Not expecting a reporter after worship, and being totally caught off guard by her and her questions, I was thankful when the Holy Spirit gave me these words in answer to what makes an event like this important: We celebrate the past but look to the future. The memories bring us together, the mission moves us to the future.
Thanks be to God for memories, for stories written in scripture, and the history of God’s relationship with God’s people. And thanks be to God for leading us, as the Good Shepherd, to the next thing.
Blessings.
Day #837
April 16, 2016
At an early morning hour, as the youth were finally settling down for some heretofore elusive sleep, the question came to mind to ask - what is something you are thankful for today? Somehow I can imagine God was as pleased as I was to hear each young person state something they were thankful for.
I suppose, however, that’s not a bad question to ask everyday - would you agree?!
Blessings.
At an early morning hour, as the youth were finally settling down for some heretofore elusive sleep, the question came to mind to ask - what is something you are thankful for today? Somehow I can imagine God was as pleased as I was to hear each young person state something they were thankful for.
I suppose, however, that’s not a bad question to ask everyday - would you agree?!
Blessings.
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