Although as United Methodists we do not generally celebrate "All Souls Day" we will in fact honor those who have passed Sunday on "All Saints Day". And although we do not dress as Saint, we do spend a few moments in quiet contemplation of the dearly departed.
Halloween has never been a struggle for me. It is a children's' holiday pure and simple...the dark forces so often spoken of this time of year have no place in our home but, I had never quite put the thought into it that this article contains...it's not long and it is worth your time...
Saturday, October 31, 2009
Friday, October 30, 2009
Thoughts on Preaching
I visit Deacon Greg's blog because more often than not, he has a word for me.
I saw this posting yesterday about preaching and well, if what he says is true (and I believe it is), I'm not doing my part...are you?
I saw this posting yesterday about preaching and well, if what he says is true (and I believe it is), I'm not doing my part...are you?
Thursday, October 29, 2009
Explainations...
My father once bought me a poster for my bedroom wall that read "I know you believe you understand what you think I said but I'm not sure you realize that what you heard is not what I meant." Guess you could say I was one to "beat around the bush"...instead of coming directly to the point. I always felt the need to explain my actions by giving all the minute details that went into the decision making. Sometimes it worked! Most of the time not...
After a while it occurred to me that I was ASSUMING if someone questioned me about a statement or action it was because they didn't like it. Once I started to take full responsibility for my actions by stating them right up front, life was much easier. Doesn't mean I never got in trouble again, it taught me steps in good decision making. When I let my parents (or other adult) ask questions, I got a much clearer picture of what they needed to know without all the extra details.
I must admit that sometimes I do fall back into the old pattern of explaining myself first...but it usually works itself out...usually...
After a while it occurred to me that I was ASSUMING if someone questioned me about a statement or action it was because they didn't like it. Once I started to take full responsibility for my actions by stating them right up front, life was much easier. Doesn't mean I never got in trouble again, it taught me steps in good decision making. When I let my parents (or other adult) ask questions, I got a much clearer picture of what they needed to know without all the extra details.
I must admit that sometimes I do fall back into the old pattern of explaining myself first...but it usually works itself out...usually...
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
A woman...
Proverbs 31: 30 - 31 tells us "Charm is deceptive and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised. Give her the reward she has earned..."
Society's image and God's image of the perfect woman are worlds apart. If we look to what the "world" wants us to be we will spend our lives totally consumed with our outward appearance. We are told to be this size, wear these clothes, drive this car, have this career, etc. Unrealistic goals to say the least. Not to mention being shameful...if we followed the worlds advice, we would all be cookie cutter images of a vain and shallow human.
God does not concern Himself with our outward appearance...He is concerned with the heart and soul. Funny thing though, if you ever see a woman who matches the description in Proverbs you'll be amazed at how her inward beauty shines through to the surface and makes her well, beautiful!
Society's image and God's image of the perfect woman are worlds apart. If we look to what the "world" wants us to be we will spend our lives totally consumed with our outward appearance. We are told to be this size, wear these clothes, drive this car, have this career, etc. Unrealistic goals to say the least. Not to mention being shameful...if we followed the worlds advice, we would all be cookie cutter images of a vain and shallow human.
God does not concern Himself with our outward appearance...He is concerned with the heart and soul. Funny thing though, if you ever see a woman who matches the description in Proverbs you'll be amazed at how her inward beauty shines through to the surface and makes her well, beautiful!
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Party!
Sunday night's party was great fun. We had ninja's and race car drivers, wrestlers and pirates, puppies,Transformers and a wolfman, a bride and Little Red Riding Hood, Luigi, Mario and a Cowboy Sheriff Banana (figure that one out!)and a little bitty baby lobster...but most of all we had fun. It' is a joy to see the smiling faces of the children, youth and adults. I really don't know who had the most fun but I do know none will ever forget the story of the "Big Hairy Man"!
Friday, October 23, 2009
Fall
How can anyone be out and about this time of year and doubt the hand of God? The beauty of the season is almost breathtaking at times! Being from western NC (you know, mountains in blazing color) gave me an appreciation for His Hand in nature as a young person. Before I could give credit or put it into words my heart just knew there had to be a Divine plan for our world and all of us.
Get out this weekend and enjoy the colors...and then join us for the party Sunday night! Steph and Sara will be "lost Jack O'Lanterns"...you really need to hear what they have to say!
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Superabundant Grace
Over the centuries the Church has done enough to make any critical person want to leave it. Its history of violent crusades, pogroms, power struggles, oppression, excommunications, executions, manipulation of people and ideas, and constantly recurring divisions is there for everyone to see and be appalled by.
Can we believe that this is the same Church that carries in its center the Word of God and the sacraments of God's healing love? Can we trust that in the midst of all its human brokenness the Church presents the broken body of Christ to the world as food for eternal life? Can we acknowledge that where sin is abundant grace is superabundant, and that where promises are broken over and again God's promise stands unshaken? To believe is to answer yes to these questions.
Henri Nouwen
Can we believe that this is the same Church that carries in its center the Word of God and the sacraments of God's healing love? Can we trust that in the midst of all its human brokenness the Church presents the broken body of Christ to the world as food for eternal life? Can we acknowledge that where sin is abundant grace is superabundant, and that where promises are broken over and again God's promise stands unshaken? To believe is to answer yes to these questions.
Henri Nouwen
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Sunday, October 18, 2009
Friday, October 16, 2009
I love Jesus
"I see Jesus in every human being. I say to myself, this is hungry Jesus, I must feed Him. This is sick Jesus. This one has leprosy or gangrene; I must wash Him and tend to Him. I serve them because I love Jesus." Mother Teresa
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
Humbled...
I read about people like Sister Genevieve Uwamariya and am humbled by her experiences...and feel grief that I allow the petty things in my life to affect me like I do. I would that I could be more like her...take a moment to read.
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
2012
Unless you've lived on the moon for the last few years, you are bound to have heard that according the the Mayan calendar the world will end on 12/12/2012.
Now the Mayan's did phenomenal work with astronomy and calendars and their predictions do include the fateful date as "the end of an age". It's just the end of the age according to their calculations, they're not saying the world will end. But don't take my word for it, check here.
There have always been those among us who feel the need to predict the "end of the world", but we don't have to believe them. As a matter of fact, we're told not to believe them. God knows when the world will end...period, end of story. According to Jesus even HE doesn't know the hour or the day.
Next time someone starts talking about the end of time and giving a specific date, just walk away. God's got it all under control and as long as you're following Him, you've nothing to worry about!
Now the Mayan's did phenomenal work with astronomy and calendars and their predictions do include the fateful date as "the end of an age". It's just the end of the age according to their calculations, they're not saying the world will end. But don't take my word for it, check here.
There have always been those among us who feel the need to predict the "end of the world", but we don't have to believe them. As a matter of fact, we're told not to believe them. God knows when the world will end...period, end of story. According to Jesus even HE doesn't know the hour or the day.
Next time someone starts talking about the end of time and giving a specific date, just walk away. God's got it all under control and as long as you're following Him, you've nothing to worry about!
Monday, October 12, 2009
Consider it Joy...
James 1:2 tells us "Consider it joy whenever you face trials of many kinds."
This is one of those verses that sounds wonderful if all is right with your world, but it seems to disappear from memory whenever trouble comes. After all, can you really say you are happy when things go bad?
What we need to consider is the difference between happiness and joy. Happiness is a "feeling" and as such changes from moment to moment and is based on many variables within your life. Happiness is a choice. Joy is an emotion as is love or anger and is based on our hope in the Lord. We know He holds our future in His hands and will use all things for good.
God does not call us to be happy with the trials that come our way but He does tell us to look to Him and follow His lead. We are to have joy in our heart because of the knowledge that in His eyes, our pain is never worthless.
This is one of those verses that sounds wonderful if all is right with your world, but it seems to disappear from memory whenever trouble comes. After all, can you really say you are happy when things go bad?
What we need to consider is the difference between happiness and joy. Happiness is a "feeling" and as such changes from moment to moment and is based on many variables within your life. Happiness is a choice. Joy is an emotion as is love or anger and is based on our hope in the Lord. We know He holds our future in His hands and will use all things for good.
God does not call us to be happy with the trials that come our way but He does tell us to look to Him and follow His lead. We are to have joy in our heart because of the knowledge that in His eyes, our pain is never worthless.
Sunday, October 11, 2009
More about this...
"Faith, however, is not a subject to master. Faith is a life to be lived in light of the God who saves." from The Godbearing Life
Like I said, more about this...later, think on it for today.
Like I said, more about this...later, think on it for today.
Friday, October 9, 2009
St. Francis
"Have patience with all things, but chiefly have patience with yourself. Do not lose courage in considering your own imperfections but instantly set about remedying them...ever day begin the task anew.
St. Francis de Sales
St. Francis de Sales
Thursday, October 8, 2009
Food for thought (and the spirit)...
A Buddhist tale:
The cruelest, most violent Samurai in Japan decides he wants to become enlightened. He bursts into the home of an esteemed Zen Master and demands that the Master teach him how to become enlightened.
The Zen Master looks deeply into his eyes and says, "No. You are a dirty, vicious Samurai and I will not teach you!"
Enraged, the Samurai yanks out his sword and places it right at the Zen Master's neck. He hollers, "Do you have any idea who I am? I am the cruelest Samurai in the world. I can cut your throat and not blink an eye."
Without skipping a beat, the Master calmly replies, "Do you have any idea who I am? I can let you slit my throat and not blink an eye!"
The Samurai falls to his knees, sobbing, overcome by the presence of a man mightier than his sword.
The cruelest, most violent Samurai in Japan decides he wants to become enlightened. He bursts into the home of an esteemed Zen Master and demands that the Master teach him how to become enlightened.
The Zen Master looks deeply into his eyes and says, "No. You are a dirty, vicious Samurai and I will not teach you!"
Enraged, the Samurai yanks out his sword and places it right at the Zen Master's neck. He hollers, "Do you have any idea who I am? I am the cruelest Samurai in the world. I can cut your throat and not blink an eye."
Without skipping a beat, the Master calmly replies, "Do you have any idea who I am? I can let you slit my throat and not blink an eye!"
The Samurai falls to his knees, sobbing, overcome by the presence of a man mightier than his sword.
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
Love yourself...
Love after Love by Derek Walcott
The time will come
when, with elation
you will greet yourself arriving
at your own door, in your own mirror
and each will smile at the other's welcome,
and say, sit here. Eat.
You will love again the stranger who was your self.
Give wine. Give bread. Give back your heart
to itself, to the stranger who has loved you
all your life, whom you ignored
for another, who knows you by heart.
Take down the love letters from the bookshelf,
the photographs, the desperate notes,
peel your own image from the mirror.
Sit. Feast on your life.
The time will come
when, with elation
you will greet yourself arriving
at your own door, in your own mirror
and each will smile at the other's welcome,
and say, sit here. Eat.
You will love again the stranger who was your self.
Give wine. Give bread. Give back your heart
to itself, to the stranger who has loved you
all your life, whom you ignored
for another, who knows you by heart.
Take down the love letters from the bookshelf,
the photographs, the desperate notes,
peel your own image from the mirror.
Sit. Feast on your life.
Monday, October 5, 2009
Vacation...
Nothing like a few days off, out of town, resting, relaxing, eating, sleeping, shopping and going really, really fast!
My too good to be true brother-in-law sent me to Lowe's Motor Speedway to drive in Richard Petty's Driving Experience on Friday! It was too much fun...my best average lap was 144mph!
I drove the #5 National Guard car...and had a ball!
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