January 27, 2020
Wouldn't this be great!?!? But then Tuesday would be Monday!
Oh well, smile - and have a good week!
Blessings.
Tuesday, January 28, 2020
Day #2217
January 26, 2020
The word for the day - thankful. For another good year, another upbeat annual meeting, and another delicious meal provided by the Parish Life Committee.
Yes, thankful!!! And looking forward to year 2020!
Blessings.
Day #2216
January 25, 2020
Happy Chinese New Year!!
I appreciated being reminded of today's significance, and that I was born in the year of the rat. Consider these strengths of those born in the year of the rat: adaptable, smart, cautious, acute, alert, positive, flexible, outgoing, cheerful. I like to think that some of those are applicable.
Now here are the weaknesses: timid, unstable, stubborn, picky, lack of persistence, querulous (a complainer). Hmmm…some of those, I must admit, are also applicable.
Perhaps the most ironic, however, is my “love compatibility.” Never, ever, should a rat marry a horse. Guess what my hubby is? Yep, a horse. Well, just goes to show predictions may not always be accurate. Thankfully!
Blessings.
Day #2215
January 24, 2020
With all being ready for the upcoming Annual Meeting, and the sermon completed early this morning, I was ready to have the rest of the day off. Who knew I would end up having a great, albeit lengthy, conversation with someone about church and community and faith?!
I suppose those opportunities are often waiting for us to jump into. But on a Friday?!?!
Blessings.
Day #2214
January 23, 2020
Between the Women of the ELCA Bible Study, Confirmation, and two consecutive Sundays of Gospel scripture, I am finding it may not be a coincidence that “call” keeps coming up. Consider these: God’s call is to “Come and see” who Jesus is and what he is really about; God calls ordinary folks to be disciples; God’s call or purpose for our life is placed upon every person in some way; Jesus calls folks to Come and Follow Me and expects a response as he makes an invitation to a new reality.
How do you see God’s call playing out in your life? In what ways have you doing whatever you do to the best of your ability and to God’s glory solidified you are living out your call? How important do you consider God’s call to be in your life? There is much to think about, especially since “call” won’t leave me be. Hmmm….guess it never has.
Blessings.
Day #2213
January 22, 2020
The word for the day - wondering. The longer I spend in the part of my call that is teaching, the more I wonder about my gift in that area. Especially with middle schoolers. As much as I enjoy being with the youth, I have to admit I wonder sometimes if the time is producing any fruit.
Then I remember, my call is to plant the seeds, maybe water those that someone else planted, and let God do the growing. Thank you for the reminder of my place, God, and that relationship is hugely important - and we’re certainly building that.
Blessings.
Day #2212
January 21, 2020
Tuesday’s Thoughts on Scripture comes from Isaiah 9:2: The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who lived in a land of deep darkness — on them light has shined. (NRSV)
Years ago I spent an afternoon in a planetarium. We were there for a “star show” depicting what the night sky could have looked like when Jesus was born. What I remember about the time there, however, was not the stars in the sky, but the utter darkness of the room before the show began. It was so dark that I could not see my hand right in front of my face. There was pitch darkness unlike anything I ever remember before or since. And I have to admit it was frightening. Even though I was in a safe place with people I knew, I was intimidated by the completeness of the dark. Would there be light again?
I imagine this type of darkness in the land where Isaiah brings the Good News of light shining. Into that place of utter hopelessness and into that time of fear comes God’s light, bringing with it hope and peace. This is a good reminder that no matter what the darkest times in our lives are like, God’s light is with us. Always. Which can be like a hug - which is appropriate for National Hugging Day.
Consider, therefore, you have been hugged by God - today and everyday - and take time to thank God for being our light and our hope.
Blessings.
Monday, January 20, 2020
Day #2210
January 19, 2020
I have been wondering lately - what does it take for you to call a day good? Does it depend on the weather? Maybe it is when certain folks reach out to you? Is it a day without pain? A day without confrontation? Perhaps it is getting to each appointment on time? Maybe catching all the green lights and getting parking spaces near the door? Or maybe something totally different?
Maybe it is simply a song that makes your feet tap - thank you to the choir for doing that for me today. Joy!
Blessings.
Day #2209
January 18, 2020
Another day to be thankful - good news about the yearend finances of the congregation, celebrating a birthday, a holy-ground conversation with someone, folks checking in, and even a little rest. All in all, a really good day!
Blessings.
Day #2208
January 17, 2020
The word for the day - thankful. In studying for the upcoming sermon, I have to say how much I appreciate the fresh insights into scripture from something called SALT. They almost always put some twist to scripture that makes sense to me. The “epiphany” for this week’s gospel (John 1:29-42) makes me excited to share: Jesus as liberator/freer from the affects of sin. Come and see!
Blessings.
PS - The sermon will be uploaded on YouTube - search for the day and OSLC Sermon.
Day #2207
January 16, 2020
Home…to a rude weather awakening. Folks have been braving cold temperatures well below zero. But I had to smile when we landed and deplaned. As someone came through the plane door into the very cold walkway, they let out a very loud - YIKES! - then said, “I wasn’t expecting this cold.” My thought was, what did you expect -3 degrees to feel like?!?!
It is certainly good to be home and back to “normal” - making visits, getting work done, and meeting with the council. All is well!!
Blessings.
Day #2206
January 15, 2020
Listen….act….reflect. Those are the three parts of what we have been learning this week. Listen to God, act on what we hear or feel led to do, and reflect on those actions. When it comes down to it, this is a pretty simple learning. What might the results be? I trust God knows and will lead us.
Then there was this hummingbird.
As we ate our lunch, we were gifted with seeing this little guy feast on the flowers near our table. It has been a long time since I have seen a hummingbird, and this week I have been fortunate to see two. Really cool!
Blessings.
Day #2205
January 14, 2020
Tuesday’s Thoughts on Scripture comes from Isaiah 49:1b: The Lord called me before I was born, while I was in my mother’s womb he named me. (NRSV)
“Call” is often associated with pastors or others who work in the church, when someone feels they have some specific work to do in the church. (When my mother told a friend that I had received a “call” to go to seminary, her friend wanted to know who from the Synod Office had called me. We had a good chuckle.) But this verse from Isaiah has nothing to do with that kind of call. This is a reminder that we are all called by God, even before we are born, and given a name. Just like we are given a name, or a nickname, from other humans, we have a name given to us by God - God’s child. Which gives us a reason for being here on earth - to be loved and cared for by the one who creates us - and a purpose - to love and care for the others God creates…and that is everyone.
Blessings.
Day #2204
January 13, 2020
This is probably inappropriate for me to use as a laugh for the week since my continuing education is in warm and sunny Phoenix, AZ, but this taste of warmth has given me a yearning for the spring to come. Smile - it’s getting closer. :-)
Blessings.
PS This is the view from the balcony of my room at the retreat center - mountains without snow and sunny blue sky. I suppose continuing education can't be all bad in a setting like this.
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