Enjoy this video - it has a great little message!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bYI_aOyCn9Y
Friday, February 27, 2009
Thursday, February 26, 2009
Dancin
It has been awhile since I have had a chance to offer my thoughts. I'm trying to decide the dance steps I've been doing. It hasn't been every step all at once, but a pretty consistent stream of tunes coming at me.
The season of Lent is here. Always a time that I look forward to and work to lean even more into God's word and God's whispers to me. I am looking forward to a dedicated time to be on my knees and quiet. Our Lenten devotion book is great! We did one two years ago and received about 15 devotions - this year we had 37! Is it that we are stronger in our faith, or is it that we are simply more comfortable in sharing our faith, or is it that we trust each other with our hearts just a bit more? Whatever the answer...Praise the Lord!
I am on call chaplain for the hospital today and had a call mid-day that a woman had had a miscarriage of a 17 week old pregnancy. She wanted someone to come and pray over the child and to talk with her. I have only done this one other time and find the images too difficult to set aside. We are truly amazing creations! This little 7 inch body was all there and amazingly formed. Mom and Dad were dealing as best they could and have the same questions that we all would. Why would God allow this to happen?
We talked awhile about how God creates life, God does not take life away. It is our humanity that created disease, viruses, and whatever mysteries it is that cause birth defects. This little one was God's good creation and its death to be mourned. So please keep them in your prayers. (And know that your afghans are being used.)
Next is the WOmen's Retreat and I'm looking forward to a great weekend. Good food, good fun, and sharing in a sisterhood that is wonderful.
Share your light in a world that is in need now more than ever.
The season of Lent is here. Always a time that I look forward to and work to lean even more into God's word and God's whispers to me. I am looking forward to a dedicated time to be on my knees and quiet. Our Lenten devotion book is great! We did one two years ago and received about 15 devotions - this year we had 37! Is it that we are stronger in our faith, or is it that we are simply more comfortable in sharing our faith, or is it that we trust each other with our hearts just a bit more? Whatever the answer...Praise the Lord!
I am on call chaplain for the hospital today and had a call mid-day that a woman had had a miscarriage of a 17 week old pregnancy. She wanted someone to come and pray over the child and to talk with her. I have only done this one other time and find the images too difficult to set aside. We are truly amazing creations! This little 7 inch body was all there and amazingly formed. Mom and Dad were dealing as best they could and have the same questions that we all would. Why would God allow this to happen?
We talked awhile about how God creates life, God does not take life away. It is our humanity that created disease, viruses, and whatever mysteries it is that cause birth defects. This little one was God's good creation and its death to be mourned. So please keep them in your prayers. (And know that your afghans are being used.)
Next is the WOmen's Retreat and I'm looking forward to a great weekend. Good food, good fun, and sharing in a sisterhood that is wonderful.
Share your light in a world that is in need now more than ever.
Monday, February 16, 2009
Hear these prayer concerns:
"Please pray for peace and lack of anxiety in the midst of changing financial conditions."
"I am struggling personally and financially. Please pray for me."
"Please pray for those who will lose their job at my workplace this week."
"Please pray for me as I look for a job."
"Please pray for my kids as I have lost my job and don't know where to turn."
These have all come through our various pathways for prayer in the last two weeks. Our Habitat family has been laid off and can't move in to the house until they have employment.
So many are struggling to keep above water during these days. And to listen to the news, there is little reason to hope for a turn around anytime soon. I get frustrated with our government and their convoluted response and part of me questions the extent of their intervention at all. But I do know there are hungry, sick and naked ones out there that have never been in this position before.
I shared with the Companions in Christ group, that when we sit in silence, I have the image of holding the group. Just simply holding us - together, holding us - up, holding us - accountable...that as we pray we are somehow offering strength to one another. I shared that image before the prayer time on Sunday...there just is so little to do except hold you up, hold you close, hold you in peace in these very difficult times. We continue to ask ourselves - how can we help? I was in the midst of seminary when I first found these verses. They were sent to me at just the right moment when I was sure I was drowning. I hope they are words that will bring comfort and hope to those who are hurting and treading water.
"He says, "Don't be afraid, because I have saved you. I have called you by name, and you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you. When you cross rivers, you will not drown. When you walk through fire, you will not be burned, nor will the flames hurt you. This is because I, the Lord, am your God...Because you are precious to me"...Isaiah 43:1b-2.
May you walk and not be afraid, may you wade through deep waters and not falter, may you walk through fire and not be burned. Hold on, hold on, hold on.
"Please pray for peace and lack of anxiety in the midst of changing financial conditions."
"I am struggling personally and financially. Please pray for me."
"Please pray for those who will lose their job at my workplace this week."
"Please pray for me as I look for a job."
"Please pray for my kids as I have lost my job and don't know where to turn."
These have all come through our various pathways for prayer in the last two weeks. Our Habitat family has been laid off and can't move in to the house until they have employment.
So many are struggling to keep above water during these days. And to listen to the news, there is little reason to hope for a turn around anytime soon. I get frustrated with our government and their convoluted response and part of me questions the extent of their intervention at all. But I do know there are hungry, sick and naked ones out there that have never been in this position before.
I shared with the Companions in Christ group, that when we sit in silence, I have the image of holding the group. Just simply holding us - together, holding us - up, holding us - accountable...that as we pray we are somehow offering strength to one another. I shared that image before the prayer time on Sunday...there just is so little to do except hold you up, hold you close, hold you in peace in these very difficult times. We continue to ask ourselves - how can we help? I was in the midst of seminary when I first found these verses. They were sent to me at just the right moment when I was sure I was drowning. I hope they are words that will bring comfort and hope to those who are hurting and treading water.
"He says, "Don't be afraid, because I have saved you. I have called you by name, and you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you. When you cross rivers, you will not drown. When you walk through fire, you will not be burned, nor will the flames hurt you. This is because I, the Lord, am your God...Because you are precious to me"...Isaiah 43:1b-2.
May you walk and not be afraid, may you wade through deep waters and not falter, may you walk through fire and not be burned. Hold on, hold on, hold on.
Friday, February 6, 2009
God at Work
I had the joy this week of encountering someone who is new to the Christian faith. Have you ever listened to someone's conversion to Christ? It is filled with goose bumps and for me tears of joy.
I ran in to "Roy" at Walmart. I first met him at the Salvation Army shelter when we served meals. He was there a long time, so we got to know him fairly well. He bounced around jobs and was up and down and in and out. Eventually he moved into his own apartment and was fairly steady at one of the hospitals. So I saw him regularly again, and he was happy. Then I didn't see him anymore. So when I saw him at Walmart, I told him I had missed seeing him and asked how he was. His first answer was - "I've found the Lord" "I gave my life to Christ" He went on to talk about the perfect peace he knew that he had never known before. He said, "I could die tonight and I'd be fine, because I know I'm in God's care." We talked a little about his journey, and he said, "I had to go through all of that for God to save me, if I hadn't gone through all that, I would not have turned to him."
"Roy" went on to share that he was now managing a halfway house here in Jeff and was finding ministry - a way to share his faith with others. I implored him to keep telling his story, that the world needed to hear that God was still at work in the world and turning lives around. Can you share your story? What difference has God made in your life? The answer is one of the most important questions to answer. It is where the next step of your faith journey begins.
SHARE IT SHARE IT SHARE IT!
I ran in to "Roy" at Walmart. I first met him at the Salvation Army shelter when we served meals. He was there a long time, so we got to know him fairly well. He bounced around jobs and was up and down and in and out. Eventually he moved into his own apartment and was fairly steady at one of the hospitals. So I saw him regularly again, and he was happy. Then I didn't see him anymore. So when I saw him at Walmart, I told him I had missed seeing him and asked how he was. His first answer was - "I've found the Lord" "I gave my life to Christ" He went on to talk about the perfect peace he knew that he had never known before. He said, "I could die tonight and I'd be fine, because I know I'm in God's care." We talked a little about his journey, and he said, "I had to go through all of that for God to save me, if I hadn't gone through all that, I would not have turned to him."
"Roy" went on to share that he was now managing a halfway house here in Jeff and was finding ministry - a way to share his faith with others. I implored him to keep telling his story, that the world needed to hear that God was still at work in the world and turning lives around. Can you share your story? What difference has God made in your life? The answer is one of the most important questions to answer. It is where the next step of your faith journey begins.
SHARE IT SHARE IT SHARE IT!
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