Friday, October 28, 2011

Ok...so in a sense I miss the discipline of Lent...sounds funny, huh?  Well, during lent I was incredibly more dedicated to spend deliberate time every day with God.  Lately, I've gotten busy with life.  Looking at my postings lately I can see a trend of needing to pray!

Anyway, I turned everything off yesterday and opened the window and watched it rain from the silence of my house.  I felt the cold breeze on my face and the warmth of the blanket wrapped around me. I just was.  And when it was over I was refreshed.  I also realized how out of sync life is and how I haven't been centering in on God nearly as easily.

So, I scheduled a date with God!  Yep, I'm taking part of a day next week as my God time.  I know, retreats are popular and all of that, but life is busy so I'm making a date!  It's kinda like imitating Jesus going up on the mountain top ot pray...yeah, just like that I hope.

So, can you date God?  Yep, can you set a large amount of time aside to be in God's presence? 

Sunday, October 23, 2011

This weekend Rev Shuttlesworth is being honored as he is laid to rest after a long and faithfilled life.  His voice was the spark that lit a magnificent fire!  On Friday I watched as Carl Lindner's body journeyed through town in farewell and people gathered to say goodbye and thank you.  This coming Saturday I will say goodbye to another man who touched my life in a very special way...he called me his pastor when I needed that affirmation most.

I had the honor of hearing Rev. Shuttlesworth speak and being stunned by him.  I met Mr Lindner and was blessed beyond measure by him.  My friend was that...my friend.

These giant men were just that men.  They were skin and bone.  Shuttlesworth was threatened, bombed, beaten, and treated horrid for his faith.  Lindner was considered by many as a saint of the church for his faith.  My friend quietly affirmed my faith.  Each has touched me a special way.  Each man leaves a mark on my life and my ministry.

God is calling us to use our voices.  God is calling for people to speak wisdom with passion.  God is calling for generous people to be generous.  God is calling us to name who people are called to be.  God's voice is active...are we listening?  Or are we too busy thinking someone else will do it to answer God's call?

Friday, October 21, 2011

Change...it's inevitable.  It's also full of emotions at times.  My youngest daughter will be 12 next week.  She's all excited and I am, too.  But in the midst of it is also life pain.  A friend died this morning.  I'm happy for him as life was a nursing home bed and now he no longer faces his demons.  Thanksgiving is coming and bringing changes with it.  The trees are losing leaves, the air is getting colder and the rains are now icy instead of refreshing.  College applications wait to be filled out for my oldest.

There are changes in the air.  Life changes and seasonal changes.  Changes dance across the face of life with paintbrushes of multiple colors.  It's like everywhere I look change is making it's presence known.  It's like change has a face and a personality!

Change seems to be hanging in the window challenging me...it leaves me wondering...was I good enough in the past?  Will my mistakes come back to haunt me?  Have I learned from my mistakes or do I repeat them?  Changes!  They make me reflect on things.  Hindsight is 20/20...hard to handle some days!  Forgive me Lord where I failed.

Change!  Look forward...Look towards God...trust that God has the best in store for you.  The best is yet to come!  Yes, the best still lies ahead of us and only through the changes will we get there.

Saturday, October 15, 2011

It's fall...and lately I've been tired and grouchy.  So yesterday we went for a walk.  As my girls walked away from me I was struck by how old they are and how fast life has moved.  It brought tears to my eyes.  I know it's the way life moves, but having something to hold onto has left on my knees with the sacred.

What are the things that bring us to our knees grounding ourselves in the sacred?

The sacred is incredibly easy to find this time of year.  The colors of the creation and the wonder of our surroundings are awe inspiring.

Saturday, October 1, 2011

To say life has been busy is an understatement! 

I've learned something lately, though.  I had a friend come to me with a horror story of life that made me stop in my tracks and want to be ill.  As she told me the story of what had happened I became VERY angry on her behalf.  But it wasn't but a split second before I also saw the strength of my friend.  Not just a strength that gets you through, but the kind of strength that keeps us from becoming victims.  The strength that screams, "YOU CAN'T STEAL ME!"

I got to thinking about the women of the New Testament...I love their stories.  They are that kind of women...scrappy, determined, seasoned, lifewise, tormented, victimized...but not victims.  They have that strength that screams, "YOU CAN'T STEAL ME!"  The hemorrhaging woman...been through enough life and victimization of doctors for too long...risks everything to touch the hem of Jesus' garment...scrappy, brave, determined!  There are others...think about it.  These are the women of God who set the example for us.

There are horrid things we face in life.  There are tough times in life.  There are moments where we sit much like Job on piles of shit that seem to consume people.  But we don't sit idly waiting for God to move...we don't sit bemoaning our situation...we don't whine about how bad life is.  We live in the strength of God's presence!  We live knowing and screaming...."YOU CAN'T STEAL ME!"  I will be stronger than that!