Feeding The Root

Congratulations, Jamie!

2007-05-21T10:04:00.000-05:00

My sister graduated from St. Kate's this weekend with her Master's in Social Work. It was such a wonderful weekend of celebrating all of her hard work! I am so proud of her and all of the work that she put into this - working, doing an internship, writing a thesis, and going to classes all at the same time. She deserves a nice, long break!
Jamie will be a great social worker and the world is a better place to have her in it!
Mel

Back after a hiatus...

2007-05-07T18:03:00.000-05:00

I'm back! It took much longer than I thought, but Holy Week and the weeks following have been rather busy! I have now entered the 21st century more fully, with internet access at the touch of a button in my very own home, so I expect to have an easier time with keeping up on the blog.

I thought I would share a picture of a party the young adults at Centennial hosted to celebrate my upcoming ordination. I couldn't believe how kind and thoughtful they all were with putting this together. We had cake and played "compatibility" (one of our favorite games) and had lots of fun sharing stories! I ate my first ever "Jesus cake" - they special ordered a preaching Jesus cake for the occasion - it was great!!!

Melanie

Thanks so much...

2007-04-09T15:58:00.000-05:00

to everyone that sent in a lenten reflection for this post. It was an honor to read your thoughts, ideas, and reflections. I fell out of cyberspace during the last days of Holy Week, and am spending the best of today sleeping at home before going back to work tonight with several meetings. Other than that, I'm crawling out of my "post-Easter" crash of exhaustion and will be up and running in the next day or two!
Usually Easter reminds me of spring, but not so this year, with the snow expected to come tomorrrow...ack!
-Melanie

Jan Daniels writes...

2007-04-04T11:03:00.000-05:00

I once had a wonderful, wise mentor who gave me a piece of wisdom that has been of enormous help many times in my life. When I first received the suggestion, I was the new acting director of nursing at a long term care facility. I had been an employee health and clinic nurse in this facility for several years. My appointment was well received by all but two nursing supervisors on the pm and night shifts. They barely knew me as I always worked days.

I was discussing my concern with my mentor and he suggested I keep the advice of Dr. Erich Fromm: "How it changes someone for us when we begin to love them." I admit to some skepticism, but I wanted to win these women over. Subsequently, I met with them separately, asked what would make their respective shifts better for themselves, co-workers, residents. Some of the changes they suggested could be made an, over a period of only months, I began to feel their support. They came to believe that I was temporarily in the Director of Nursing position because I could possible affect change. They became supporters and even cheerleaders! When a permenant director was named, the supervisors gave me a luncheon. At the luncheon, one of the "converts" told me: "I was wrong about you and I apologize for my disbelief and lack of support. Please know how much I support you now." The other supervisor said, "Amen!" It worked! And it has worked in the thirty years since then. We all encounter people we don't like or who don't like us. Just try Dr. Fromm's advice; it really works!

Jesus, in his ministry, often used his enormous love for us to change our lives. How it changed all of us because He loved us!

Anita Mayfield writes...

2007-04-03T16:10:00.000-05:00

The Will of God

In 1974 our son, Robert, had his first heart surgery at age five. After two more heart surgeries in his teen years and many difficult times, he passed away in l989 at age nineteen. Reverend Ken Rice, who spent time with us at the first surgery, gave me a small booklet called "The Will of God”. It has defined and clarified my faith and beliefs over the years.

Written in 1944, during the bombing of London in World War II, it is actually a series of sermons given by Reverend Leslie D. Weatherhead, a pastor in the Church of England. In his effort to comprehend God’s will in those horrific times, he examines the subject by dividing it into three:
Intentional Will – God’s ideal plan for us
Circumstantial Will – God’s plan within certain circumstances, and
Ultimate Will – final realization of God’s purposes.

Because of this book, I found a better way to see God’s will in my life - in ways I’d never thought about. When I think, and listen, and apply this understanding, I have been able to find a certain amount of peace and acceptance. When I so often fall away from God’s intentional will, I feel God guides me through my failures or the many situations beyond my control, to recognize His circumstantial will. And, above all and after all, I know that somehow God’s control and guidance and His ultimate will prevails.

With the great turmoil in our country and world today, I’ve wondered how all this hatred and warring could be God’s will. I’ve tried to understand how we’ve gotten to this terrible place from just a few years ago, with the future so much more uncertain than I’ve ever known. But Rev. Weatherhead’s ideas concerning God’s will, have given me an anchor for understanding. Amidst so much that’s been lost, I believe there are many things to be gained as well, even if we can’t see them very clearly right now. In whatever small ways possible, we can each contribute to the good in this world. It is surely a time of renewed challenge to help achieve God’s ultimate will in these dire circumstances.

An example that beautifully reflects God’s will was in the answer to a question asked of a young Amish girl after so many of her schoolmates were killed last year. The question was “how can you accept this awful thing and still go on?”. She responded by saying, “we learn to let it go and turn it over to God to make something good out of it.”

We can be certain that it was never God’s intentional will for that terrible event to happen, but in the circumstances of it having happened, she knew God’s ultimate will prevails.

David Wright writes...

2007-04-02T10:37:00.000-05:00

"Mr. Atherton, may I please have your autograph?", the young boy asked me as I exited the Metrodome following an afternoon game in 1988. In order to make ends meet, I was employeed as a beer vendor by the Metrodome from 1988 - 2003. The lad (obviously) mistook me for the Twins' relief pitcher and began to cry as I explained over and over I wasn't Keith Atherton. I eventually gave in and signed his ball "Keith Atherton".

It's not the only time I have been mistaken for someone, I have had a drive through clerk drop my order because she thought I was Garth Brooks as well.
Not being a country music fan, I hadn't a clue who "Garth Brooks" was.

The week before Palm Sunday a lady stopped and talked with me after the service and asked if she knew me. Obviously, I'm not sure if she did or not. Who am I? What is my "faith story?" Good questions for certain. I don't have a favorite spot to sit in during Sunday services. In fact, I tend to drift around on purpose; one Sunday towards the rear on the left side of the church, the next, right side, middle, and the next....who knows? My seating is similar to my faith,...all over. I've been influenced by my mother, Pastor Al Maetche, who when finding out my father was deceased treated me as his own son, and authors such as Og Mandino, Norman Vincente Peale, and Anthony Robbins.

Faith to me can be summed up simply in being open to see what is being shown to you from God. It may be as simple as a breeze, or as straight forward as a billboard not seen before. Or perhaps, it's just a case of mistaken identity.

The prayer I share most often is: God grant me peace, love, health, happiness and the power of your holy light, now and forever, amen.

Melissa Kerr writes...

2007-03-31T11:43:00.000-05:00

Many times in our lives, we face hardship. We’re forced to deal with death, broken hearts, letting go, and so much more. Sometimes it’s hard to believe that God is really there through all the tough times.
One of my favorite Bible stories is found in 1Kgs 18, when Elijah faces the prophets of Baal on Mount Carmel. Elijah challenged the prophets of Baal to cut up an ox and lay it on wood and he agreed to do the same. Elijah told them to call on their god and he would call on his God, and whoever puts fire under the wood is the true God.
When the prophets of Baal called on their god, nothing happened. However, when Elijah called on his God, the Lord not only lit fire to the burnt offering, but he also made the fire so large that it “licked up the water” (v.38) in the trench that Elijah had built around it.
Elijah had extreme faith to believe that God would not let him down. Like Elijah, we should also have extreme faith. Elijah believed that God was powerful enough to start a fire, so there’s no doubt that God is powerful enough to bring us through every situation. No matter what hardships we might face, we should always remember to have extreme faith that God will bring us through it.

Mary Hopkins writes...

2007-03-29T16:10:00.000-05:00

As my thoughts went to Jesus this Lent, I thought I mightwrite a poem, but could not. I can only offer what I have in mind. My thoughts went to the beginning of Matthew 8:27,"What sort of man is this? What would happen if I inserted after the word this what appears in scripture --or other phrases, thoughts -- that even the winds and the sea obey him? that heals the physically and mentally ill? that challenges hypocrites? that prays without ceasing? that talks about forgiving seventy times seven? What manner of man is this?

None of us can see him face to face, and even in my imagination his face remains hidden. But all day long I feel a current as of flowing water repeating the words,"This is my beloved son, my beloved, beloved, beloved. Listen to him, listen, listen."

And so we listen to him and we observe what he does. And as disciples we follow, we try to imitate. We look to see if we can have his mind in us, a mind that was free, yet obedient. Paul in the letter to the Philippians writes, "..though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, taking the form of a servant, . . being found in human form he humbled himself and became obedient unto death, even death on a cross."(Philippines 2:6-8) The letter continues with the manner in which God has exalted this Jesus. We know that Easter follows, a gift of grace to us.

Jonathan Ozanne writes...

2007-03-27T18:52:00.001-05:00

The theme for Centennial UMC’s Lenten Blog this year is “Enter the Story”. The Centennial Lenten Blog is made up of a collection of reflections about how friends and members of Centennial UMC have participated in the story and watched and listened for signs in which their lives are reflected the lives of the early disciples.

It has been inspirational to read these Lenten reflections and now it is my turn to share…

“He summoned the crowd with his disciples and said to them, Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me.” Mark 8:34.

Reading this passage broadly, it says that following Christ is not easy, and must involve the follower denying himself or herself. (See also Matthew 10:34-39, Luke 14:25-35). Whether you take a literal or figurative interpretation of these gospel lessons, the message is that followers of Christ are called to let nothing stand in the way of following Christ. This denial could come at great personal cost in terms of family or worldly goods or both.

At the Ash Wednesday Service, a worksheet was handed out with a checklist of Personal and Social Disciplines to help prepare for Easter. As another Inward and Personal Discipline I am giving up “ice cream”. I am giving up “ice cream” to focus on the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross. A sacrifice that is infinitely greater than the trivial sacrifice of giving up “ice cream” for Lent. However my trivial sacrifice, denying myself “ice cream”, has not been easy. My sacrifice has also helped me focus on how much I like eating ice cream and on legalistic ways around my “denial”. (Is an ice-cream cake, considered cake or ice cream? Are sherbet and frozen yogurt considered to be ice cream?)

Denying ourselves that which gets in the way of worshipping God and following Jesus Christ is not easy, but it is something that we are called to do as disciples of Jesus Christ.

If you went to the Ash Wednesday service, take another look at the “My Preparation for Easter” checklist and see how you are doing and if there is another “denial” you could make. If you didn’t go to the Ash Wednesday service, think about what you could do to “deny” yourself.

This denial could take many forms. Maybe it is going to church instead of sleeping in on Sunday morning. Maybe it is giving up eating out once per week and donating the money saved to a mission project or to help the needy. Maybe it is denying the fear of rejection and inviting a friend to worship on Sunday. These are just a few ideas. There are lots of good ideas on the “My Preparation for Easter” checklist.

As disciples, we are called to deny ourselves and follow Christ.

Christi Wirth-Davis writes...

2007-03-25T07:49:00.001-05:00

In the preface to his little book How to Find Your Mission in Life, Richard Bolles refers to "one of the indignant Biblical questions": "Has God forgotten to be gracious?" (Bolles says the answer is a clear No.) This is a helpful question for me--akin to someone looking me straight in the eye and saying "Snap out of it!" Life has serious ups and downs and sometimes I allow the particular bumpy road I'm traveling to take over my consciousness. Bolles suggests the beginning of each of our missions on earth is to seek to stand hour by hour in the conscious presence of God, the One from whom our missions are derived. Before we go to work in the world, we need to establish contact with the One from whom we came and the One to whom we shall return.

Our scriptures and tradition tell the story of God who is always with us, who loved us first, forgives us when we need it, and loves us forever. This grace--the graciousness of God--means I don't have to justify my existence or prove my value with cultural status symbols. In the Connectivity class at Centennial we just completed a study of The Centered Life, an initiative based at Luther Seminary. The Centered Life suggests that in the "whosoever love" (John 3:16) of God we can find a dependable center for our lives. In Soul Cravings futurist and postmodern pastor Erwin McManus reminds us that Jesus Christ called to those with exhausted souls, encouraging them with the good news "that God will be for us our place called home." We can depend on God's faithful love and then live out of that center into our callings. Being awake to God's presence and graciousness is essential for living a faithful life moment by moment. Grace--let's stay awake for it!

Merry Flanagan writes...

2007-03-22T11:15:00.000-05:00

My mother arose every morning, pulled the curtains up and said,

"This is the day the Lord has made,

Rejoice and be glad in it."

I still do the same -

"This is the day the Lord has made,

Rejoice and be glad in it."

The phrase helps me - may it also help others.

Shirley Parker writes...

2007-03-21T13:08:00.001-05:00

2 cor 4: 3 & 4
"and even if our Gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing.
In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers to keep them from seeing the Light of the Gospel of the Glory of Christ, who is the image of God."

This has always bothered me in the past, but Brian's meditation Wed. Feb 28th, light & dark, angels & demons, helped me see for the first time that the unbelievers are not predestined by God to be blind to the gospel. The god [small "g"] of this world is the little red guy with the pitchfork on the left shoulder, not the messenger [angel] from God [capital "G"] on the other shoulder whom we need to focus on, which we do by carefully and prayerfully studying the scriptures daily.

Dear God, Holy Spirit, Truth Divine, dawn upon this soul of mine. Word of God and inward light, wake my spirit, clear my sight. A Men.

Shirley Parker writes...

2007-03-21T13:08:00.000-05:00

Andy Schultz writes...

2007-03-20T15:47:00.000-05:00

Here is a prayer I received a few years ago when I was in confirmation:

My Lord God, I have no idea where I am going.
I do not see the road ahead of me.
I cannot know for certain where it will end.
Nor do I really know myself,
and the fact that I think that I am following your will
does not mean that I am actually doing so.
But I believe that the desire to please you does in fact please you.
And I hope I have that desire in all that I am doing.
I hope that I will never do anything apart from that desire.
And I know that if I do this you will lead me by the right road
though I may know nothing about it.
Therefore will I trust you always
though I may seem to be lost and in the shadow of death.
I will not fear, for you are ever with me,
and you will never leave me to face my perils alone.
- Thomas Merton

I like this prayer because it reminds me that there is much I don't know about the consequences of my actions. Even if I think I have made a mistake ("lost and in the shadow of death"), maybe I didn't mess up as badly as I think I did, and things will turn out ok ("you will lead me by the right road"). At the same time, this prayer affirms what we do know about God. God always leads us in the right direction, and God is always with us. Even in times of despair, God provides hope.
Keep this prayer in mind during the Lenten season.

Katy Lee writes...

2007-03-19T11:51:00.000-05:00

During the first week in March, I had the opportunity to spend my first college spring break in Coronado, California with three friends from my dorm. Not to brag, but if you have never heard of Coronado, you might want to consider learning about it by watching the Travel Chanel’s “Best 10 U.S. beaches” countdown; my friend, whose father is in the Navy, has the privilege of living on this beautiful island off of San Diego where year-round the average temperature is about 70 degrees. After spending the last four months stuck in the bitter, windy Chicago winter, we spent our last two miserable days before break in a frozen sleeting blizzard, in absolute disgust of Illinois and with desperate hopes that our plane flight wasn’t canceled. Thankfully we made it off Wheaton’s campus and four hours later arrived in sunny Southern California.
I did not realize how much I had winter depression until I came out of the cold and darkness; it was amazing! We had left Chicago with fleece jackets, and mere hours later were bathed in tropical sunlight with toes in the sand. It was absolute heaven, and that “something” (probably Vitamin A) that had been missing in my life was suddenly there. I could hardly handle it, I was so overjoyed to see mountains, a new city and most of all the bright Pacific Ocean.
I wanted to share this because I think so often we let ourselves live in a spiritual winter without even realizing it--and by that I mean the January/February sort of winter, not the November/December winter. At least at the beginning the newness of white snow is exciting, but our spiritual winter is more like C.S. Lewis’ The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe where it is “always winter and never Christmas.” Slowly our day-to-day walk with God becomes a kind of chore, boring and almost so “everyday” that it does not even seem special. For me it came it came out in the form of stagnancy for my relationships and schoolwork. When I was not letting God be the living, active force behind everything I was doing, life became unexciting. I was bitter and selfish about being cold, physically and spiritually, and was uninterested in anything new. When I came back from vacation I felt like it was Easter morning for my spirit: because I’d let in the sun, I felt a newness of life, and a readiness to enjoy things again, to walk and play outside. I hope this Lenten season can be more and more about letting God be a part of everything we think and do, dousing our lives in the sunlight of prayer and His word: only then will we experience true joy, whether we’re on the beach or in the snow, and see the true joy the disciples had at the first Easter.

Don Hopkins writes...

2007-03-18T11:48:00.001-05:00

Are not you also one of this man's disciples?Are not you also one of his disciples?Did I not see you in the garden with him?(John 18:17, 25, 26)

These three yes-no questions were faced by Peter after Jesus was arrested and put on trial. His life depended on his response. In various forms his answers were "No" "No" and "No!" Peter's denial always makes me think of the times I have denied that I am a disciple of Jesus. It has never been life-threatening, just inconvenient. I have failed to speak out in defense of a cause or a person that I know for certain that Jesus would have defended. Why do I think it's that important not to offend people? Will they think less highly of me? I sometimes rationalize by thinking that if I stay on their good side, I might be able to change their minds someday. Or perhaps offending them would do more harm than good. Like Peter, I go away feeling guilty and ashamed. Do you love more than these?Do you love me?Do you love me?(John 21:15, 16, 17)

Jesus asked Peter these three yes-no questions after the resurrection. In various forms Peter's answers were "Yes" "Yes" and Yes!" Jesus' response to Peter's "Yes" was a gentle command to feed His lambs and feed His sheep. Jesus didn't tell Peter to atone for his denial by confronting his enemies like a man and get crucified right then and there. He tells him to perform acts of kindness. I am reminded of the song "They'll know we are Christians by our love." Praise God! Jesus gives us a second chance to turn our "No" into a "Yes!" He gives us a third chance, a fourth chance, a ...

Prayer: Loving Father thank you for the power of the resurrection in our lives that turns our "No" into a "Yes." Help us to admit that we are one of Jesus' disciples by our words and by our deeds of love. Amen

Manny Esguerra writes...

2007-03-15T13:37:00.000-05:00

In the Philippine capital city of Manila, large pink road signs warn pedestrians "Walang Tawiran Nakamamatay," or "Don’t cross here - You will die." It’s understandable, given that many Filipino drivers treat lane markings, stop lights, and even curbs as merely suggestions. Despite the warnings, you’ll still see a lot of people crossing the road or even walking among the cars. Some of them are taking the shortest route to their home or to the bus stop. Some, many of them children, are trying to make a few pesos selling candles and cigarettes, or they simply begging.
Our society sets up all kinds of obvious and not-so-obvious boundaries that we can choose to cross or not. I was once in the Hall of Dinosaurs at the American Museum of Natural History and I wanted to get a closer look inside a dinosaur’s mouth, so I climbed up on the little railing. A guard barked at me, "Hey, getoffadere!" My wife Deb still laughs about this, because I was 36 years old when it happened. Apparently I do things like this all the time. When I first moved to Minnesota from the East Coast, I started coaching my daughter’s soccer team. I ran up and down the field with the kids, loudly encouraging them the only way I knew how. When I returned panting to the sidelines, one of the other adults who’d been standing there the whole time remarked, "You’re not from around here, are you?" Deb tells me I have this way of getting so involved in something I love, that I forget and cross some social lines I’m not supposed to.
In his love for all people, Jesus crossed much more serious boundaries. He quietly exposed the hypocrisy of the stone-wielding Pharisees and elders who wanted to stone the adulterous woman; he spoke truth to Pilate’s power.
He paid with his life. What little boundaries are we willing to cross to show our love for Jesus and his message?

Bonnie Eidman writes...

2007-03-14T10:49:00.000-05:00

How Are Decisions Made?

Shortly after Hannah entered kindergarten her mother asked her, “How do you like kindergarten?” Hannah responded, “Rules, Rules, Rules!” Hannah evidently thought that rules would inhibit her freedom of making her own decisions and choices.

God created humans with an advanced brain. But at birth the brain is not fully developed. Thus, children are not capable of making safe, sound, and reasonable decisions. I have recently heard that the frontal lobe, which is the part of the brain that aids us in making decisions, is not fully developed until around the age of 20.

Today’s children are exposed to violence, drugs, immoral behavior at an earlier age than their parents and grandparents. We need role models for our children. The athletics with tattoos covering their back, arms and neck, rock starts singing immoral lyrics, and violent TV shows and movies are making it difficult for the younger generation to make wise decisions.

Parents and grandparents may feel that they are standing alone when teaching their children/grandchildren values, respect and caring for others. The 40 days when Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, was in the wilderness and tempted by the devil, Jesus stayed focus on God. We too will over come our fears of our children’s temptations of following the devil’s path by showing them to stay focus on God.

Let Centennial UMC and Christian families be the role models for our children. Always focus on God.

Bonnie Eidman

Erica Zowghi writes...

2007-03-12T14:38:00.000-05:00

The Prayer of St. Francis of Assisi
Lord, make me an instrument of your peace,
Where there is hatred, let me sow love;
Where there is injury, pardon;
Where there is doubt, faith;
Where there is despair, hope;
Where there is darkness, light;
Where there is sadness, joy;

O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console;
To be understood as to understand;
To be loved as to love.

For it is in giving that we receive;
It is in pardoning that we are pardoned;
And it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.

I’ve always liked this prayer, and I thought I’d share it, especially because I think it fits nicely with Lent. Although to most Lent means giving something up, most people don’t think of the gain. A couple years ago I gave up television for Lent. The first couple days I went through some withdrawal symptoms (mainly boredom), but then I increased my volunteer hours at the nursing home for people living with Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia. I would paint the ladies’ nails, take the residents for walks, and play games with them. After Lent ended, I found myself bored with the television, and going over to the nursing home more often to converse with the residents. I never realized during Lent how much I liked their company. I learned that it truly is in giving that we receive.

Donna Kulakowski writes...

2007-03-11T15:35:00.000-05:00

As the Lenten season approached, I wondered what my Lenten task might be. Exercise more, meditiate more, give up chocolate??? Then, on Ash Wednesday, I was presented with the following quote by Leo Tolstoy, " Everyone thinks about changing humanity; nobody thinks about changing themselves". The following sunday, Brian's sermon challenged each of us to figure out "who am I?" Following these two prompts, I decided that maybe my task for this Lenten season was to figure out how I might be changed or renewed during this season.

I have regarded myself as a compassionate person--I am a therapist, it comes with the job. But, several days after Brian's sermon, I met someone who challenged that belief. I left our encounter feeling that I might have nothing to offer this person and that his problems were largely the result of many bad life choices. How could I help? What could I offer? After much reflection, and prayer, I understood God telling me that we had more in common than I had realized, similar struggles, difficulty in changing behavior. I realized that God was telling me that I could help--by being a compassionate presence, not a judging presence--and that by doing this, I might also become closer to God.

So, my prayer for this Lenten season is that God will guide my journey towards being more loving and compassionate, and will continue to present me with opportunities to grow in love and compassion.

A friend shared this story with me. I feel honored to pass it along to you.

A wise woman was teaching a group of children about life. She said, "Inside me there is a terrible fight going on--as though between two wolves. One is anger, envy, greed, sorrow, regret, and ego. the other is joy, peace, love, kindness, serenity, and compassion. And my children, this same fight is going on inside all of you, inside every person, everywhere."

One of the children asked, " Which wolf will win?"

The wise woman replied, "The one you feed".

Love and light,
Donna

Karensa Fischer writes...

2007-03-08T11:20:00.000-06:00

My husband gave me a valentine this year that says "If you want what you have, then you have what you want". Over the past few weeks, this thought has creeped into my mind so many times. Besides the obvious choice of spouse context, this truism is applicable in many areas of daily life. Our media and culture is constantly bombarding us with things we "should" get to make our lives better: a new diet book, a bigger house, a better habit, a new way to relax, a new way to organize, a new way to look at the old way...we can even buy new body parts these days! We do live in overwhelming times.
It becomes increasingly difficult for me to sort out my "needs" from "wants". And then, even more difficult, to sort out my "wants" from the things I "think I want". The one thing that continually runs true for me is that the more I can whittle down my lists of "needs", "wants" and "think I want", the more free I am to enjoy being the person God made me to be. I am more likely to concentrate on the things that matter most when I am not letting myself be bogged down by more stuff, including all the things we want to do and be. Goals are good, but sometimes it's just plain overwhelming! Yes, I want to be healthier...and nicer...and more generous...and a better role model...and more frugal...a better public speaker...more noticeable to employers...and, of course, more dedicated to meditation and prayer....and I need to read more, write more, create more, sleep more, do more. You get the picture. But really it comes down to one thing: loving more. That's do-able. Not easy, but do-able. Sometimes I have to remind myself to "keep it simple, Silly."
So, my suggestion for Lent is that we not only realize that God provides generously for all our needs, but also that He has already provided us with many of our "wants" in that He has made us who we are and that does not include perfection! If we sit down and take stock of what we already have (and are), we probably will find that we really do not "want" for much more. Spiritual growth is important, but sometimes we need to just appreciate where we are in our journey and where we started from. Many of us have so much already. We have family, friends, jobs, a warm bed, and food on our tables (arguably too much food on our tables), but most important of all is that we were given the love of God before we even knew we "wanted" it. Live and love the moment you're in. "If we want what we have, then we have what we want". We are blessed, indeed.

Dwight Peterson writes...

2007-03-07T15:01:00.000-06:00

"See the morning sun ascending, radian in the eastern sky; hear the angel voices blending, in their praise to God on high! Alleluia, Alleluia, Glory be to God on high!" United Methodist Hymnal #674

Radiant or cloudy, the beauty and wonder of God's creation echoes throughout this galaxy in song, word and deed as we dedicate each day as a response to God's call as expressed in Micah 6:8..."He has told you, O mortal, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?"

Jesus Christ leads us in a parallel path of radical discipleship. He spoke to the crowd in Galilee, saying "You are the light of the world. A city build on a hill cannot be hid...let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works, and give glory to your Father in heaven." Mathew 5:14

Christ calls us each day to Live his message; to Love as his message says....everyone; and to Follow his message.

Alleluia!

Photo from Manny Esguerra...

2007-03-06T15:32:00.000-06:00

Please see Manny and Deb's reflection posted on March 1st. Manny just emailed me this photo of the clinic they worked at, saying "It shows some of the hundreds of people who lined up for free medical care in the rural province of Bohol."

For today, I think this picture speaks louder than words, as we reflect on being servants of Christ.

-Melanie

Glenda Thors writes...

2007-03-05T14:57:00.000-06:00

Who is this Jesus?

At a teachers’ conference for the Catholic schools I attended a lecture from a St. Johns’ University professor regarding Art and the person of Jesus. During the lecture he showed pictures of Jesus as imagined by artists from different eras of art. It was interesting to note that most of our “pictures of Jesus” were painted by the Italian artists and were therefore painted as if Jesus were an Italian noblemen in ancient garments. There is the painting of Jesus soulfully gazing toward heaven, his fine features and light brown, curling hair giving him an “angelic” appearance. Then, there is the picture of him knocking at the door of one’s heart—looks like the same artist to me. There are the tragic portrayals of Christ on crucifixes. And in the 20th century, more modern images of him show him with darker skin and hair and hair that is more mussed and less elegant.

Some scientists, according to this lecturer, “figured out” what Jesus looked like—the image portrayed was far from the elegant Italian figure. It was closer to the caveman image and definitely would be unacceptable to many church people, even though it is possibly a closer image to what he really looked like. Our friends of color sometimes portray Jesus with very dark skin and the curls of the African. Being that Jesus’ place of origin was where it was, they could be right.

It was an interesting lecture.

In my own spiritual journey, I am more interested in what Jesus was than what He looked like. What charisma did He have that was so compelling that fishermen, without thought of how their families would be sustained, dropped their nets and traveled with him? How could those whose lives were lived on the desolate side of life, the group that readily mocks righteousness and goodness, be so trusting of Him and enjoy His company? Children flocked to be with Him, understanding that He cared deeply for them. Women, ordinarily snubbed and ignored by the men of His time, listened at His feet and sought His power to change their lives.

It would have been interesting to have known the Jesus that came before the last three years of His life—to see Him laughing with family and friends; to see Him carefully crafting a piece of furniture or part of a structure; to watch Him in meditation and prayer with such peace surrounding Him; to see Him playing sports or cuddling the newest baby in the family. I like to think of that Jesus. Sometimes the Jesus in the New Testament is so intense, as He had to be to get out His message and suffer the death He suffered.

My favorite pictures of Jesus were by a young artist who did pencil drawings of Jesus with babies, children, and teens, smiling and laughing with them and listening to them. Would that we could see the loving, gentle, sparkling Jesus as He was with children—perhaps it would be easier to understand the great love He has for us.

Wendy Lucas writes...

2007-03-04T11:58:00.001-06:00

On one of the women’s retreats sponsored by our church, we made prayer books. Here’s a prayer I wrote for my book; may it help your mornings as it has helped mine.

Morning Prayer

Higher Power
Gently, warmly move me.
Shower me.
Cleanse me.
Wrap me up.
Bless my head.
Whisper in my ear.
Gently care for mother’s voice;
envelop her with soft white wings
as she beats, harps, screams.
Keep her safe as you guide me in daily choices.
Help me do, complete, accept.
Gentle goals.
Noticing all with clear heart.
Guide me home.
Help me stay present with loved ones
and move ever closer.
Amen.

Wendy Lucas

Melanie writes...

2007-03-03T15:21:00.000-06:00

Holy bright sun shining off the snow! After days of little sunshine, my eyes have yet to adjust to the brilliant reflection of the sunlight off the snow. Just as the snow reflects the sun, may our faces reflect the love and joy of the son, the one who we walk with during these weeks of lent. May you walk, shuffle, snow shoe, cross country ski your way along with Christ in these days...
Melanie

Shirley Parker writes...

2007-03-02T16:19:00.001-06:00

Mar 2nd the snowy Friday following the VERY snowy Thursday.
Our Bible Study lesson this week is from 1 John; 7 - 17, "Love is Light".
As I started my morning devotion time seated by my east window, looking out at a cloudy sky, bare willow tree branches and even snow heavy pine tree branches waving from the wind the sun came through a space in the cloudy sky and for a brief moment shined brightly on me, as if God was saying I'm glad you tuned in.
A gentle rap on my door revealed 2 little 3rd grade girls, new neighbor Maiya and her cousin, asking if it was O.K. to shovel my sidewalk. [They said they didn't want me to break my back] Then I heard a snow blower on my drive from the garage and another neighbor cleared that for me. What a timely reminder from the verses I just read. "The New Commandment: Loving your neighbor brings Light to the Darkness"

Manny Esguerra and Deb Dickey write from the Phillipines...

2007-03-01T11:47:00.001-06:00

We're writing this from a coffee shop in a mall in Manila. We have some reflections on the medical mission and what we've seen here.

Manny writes: We spent Ash Wednesday this year working on a medical mission in the Philippines. My parents started this mission in 1995, and have been bringing their physician colleagues from New York every other year since, to bring medical care to needy Filipinos. This year we worked in two sites: a tiny hospital in the urban Manila neighborhood of San Juan, and a provincial hospital in rural Bohol Island. At both sites, hundreds of people lined up for adult and pediatric examinations, for major and minor surgeries, and for some of the medicines and vitamins the mission had brought. I'm not a physician, so I worked as a combination triage receptionist, messenger, and traffic director.

On Ash Wednesday I was in the internal medicine clinic keeping track of patients, managing their files, and running messages for the doctors. Our room had Dr. Dungca from New York, and two local residents who were volunteering their time. Patients lined up outside the door hoping to see a doctor and were constantly poking their heads in to see if they were next. I know minimal Tagalog, I could only say to them "Susunod (you'll be next)," or "teka po (wait)." That little word, "po," sticks with me. I noticed that the doctors, no matter how harried or tired, were using it to address all the patients. "Po" is a Filipino nominative that's used to express deep respect for the person you're addressing. It's usually reserved for talking to elders and other persons of authority. But here these doctors, with all their education and privileges, were using "po" to address the neediest and most desperate of people. Because the Philippines is 98% Roman Catholic, it so happened that everyone had been marked with ashes on their foreheads. The whole situation spoke volumes to me of the message of Ash Wednesday: that in the end, we are all the same in God's eyes.

Deb writes: In the first week of our trip, I was often asked how I enjoyed the Philippines. I would think to myself "I haven't really seen the Philippines" because all of our time had been spent in a nice hotel, in the hospital in San Jose or in vans being transported from place to place. Only after some time did I realize my mistaken prejudice; I had assumed that all of the Philippines was poor so what I was seeing couldn't be "real". However, the streets of Manilla I was seeing were in fact a true reflection of the country. Because just as the streets of New York are different than the streets of Roseville which are different from the streets of the village of Sherwood, Ohio where I went to school, no one street is more reflective of the United States than the other. For though all the streets are different, all are truly American. And so it is with all people. Though they may have different professions and different levels of income, in the end, we are all the same as the children of God.

Dee Lee writes...

2007-02-28T09:56:00.000-06:00

Jeff has been doing a great job of encouraging our family to add a little more Ooomph to our excercise routines... I have really appreciated it, because I feel I have been in a rut, and this new workout gets the blood flowing a little (sometimes a LOT) faster, is good for my heart, and gives me more energy (after the aches and pains wear off!)... I am really hoping I can keep up with this new movement... It's always sad when the flabbiness starts to return and I take the dangerous "just one more night off," which indicates the new routine was only a temporary joy, and now will be placed on the shelf with all the other "good intentions"... (Mixed metaphors? sorry)...

The Lord placed it on my heart this morning that the same could be said for Lent... I am drawn to be in the Word just that much more during Lent. I am striving to add some of the disciplines on the "My Preparation for Easter" list (from church) into my life which are all excellent examples of faith exercises...

But I pray that this isn't going to "go away" after the Lenten period... Isn't 6 weeks the optimal amount of time to start or break a habit? What a wonderful way to "kick start" better discipline in my walk with the Lord... To remember to be organized and keep a prayer or faith journal so I can look back over the months and see how the Lord has been answering prayer and working in my life and in the lives of others... What a blessing that is! And what an easy practice for a huge return of benefits! To add reading a Psalm to my daily Bible reading... How marvelous to have the words of David to use when praising God! And now to make it a habit...

...hopefully, then, the flabbiness won't return...and it's good for the heart!

Dee Lee

"Blessed are they who hunger and thirst after righteousness, for they shall be filled" - Jesus Christ

Lisa Schuler writes...

2007-02-27T13:23:00.000-06:00

Luke 12:22-32 NRSV

He said to his disciples, “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat, or about your body, what you will wear. For life is more than food, and the body more than clothing. Consider the ravens: they neither sow nor reap, they have neither storehouse nor barn, and yet God feeds them. Of how much more value are you than the birds! And can any of you by worrying add a single hour to your span of life? If then you are not able to do so small a thing as that, why do you worry about the rest? Consider the lilies, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not clothed like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, how much more will he clothe you-you of little faith! And do not keep striving for what you are to eat and what you are to drink, and do not keep worrying. For it is the nations of the world that strive after all these things, and your Father knows that you need them. Instead, strive for his kingdom and these things will be given to you as well. Do not be afraid, little, flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.”

After Melanie asked me to submit an entry for her blog, I began thinking about what I would write and asked God’s guidance for the subject matter. After the same topic came up three different times in one day I decided that it must be the one: Fear.

Last Friday, my daughter showed me a paper she had written for fifth grade social studies about what she thought President Roosevelt meant when he said, “We have nothing to fear, but fear itself.” Then that night I was watching the TV show 20/20 in which John Stossel talked about fear and the media. Does the media put unnecessary emphasis on events or possibilities that rarely happen or may never happen, unduly concerning the public? As I was watching the show, across the bottom of the screen the local news station was playing warning after warning that it was going to snow in Minnesota. Imagine snow, in Minnesota, in February! Yes, lots of snow was coming, but did I need to be told this for several continuous hours. I had to smile as I watched the disappointment on the faces of the weather folks on the Saturday morning news when only a slight pelting sleet and maybe an inch of snow had actually arrived. Of course, more snow did arrive, but so did the plows and the snow blower started, so what’s the worry?

After watching 20/20, I was reading a book that was recommended to me called Excuse Me, Your Life is Waiting by Lynn Grabhorn. A section in her book talks about how we attract in our lives the things we most are feeling. If we are constantly being bombarded with the latest tragedy- concern about terrorism, accidents, weather problems- will our feelings not turn toward fear. Then will we not attract everything that is fear related in our lives, until we are consumed by so much worry that we cannot lead the joy-filled, complete lives that Jesus calls us to live? The Bible verse that came to my mind was the one in Luke in which Jesus tells us that we can add not a single hour to our lives by worrying. He sites examples of birds and flowers and how God takes of them and explains that God cares so much more for us.

After spending a large part of 2006 writing a risk management plan for Centennial, I was immersed in all the tragedies that had or could occur at churches and on church trips. Working with individuals and ministry teams on devising a plan for how Centennial would work to reduce those risks and how we would deal with situations if they arise was a freeing experience. Why? We have plans in place and are prepared the best we can be in many, many areas. Will fretting over any of these risks keep them from happening? No. Will lying awake at night wondering “What if” keep them from happening? No. It’s like the old saying, “Worrying is like rocking in a chair. It gives you something to do, but doesn’t get you anywhere.”

Write down the things you most fear. Consider the likelihood any of them will happen. Then remember Jesus’ words. “Do not be afraid, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.” Now that’s comforting.

Jean writes...

2007-02-26T12:01:00.000-06:00

I recently rewatched the movie “Patch Adams”. I had seen it several years ago. In one scene, “Patch” the radical medical student, is talking to his girlfriend about her childhood. She tells him she used to watch caterpillars and they moved to being butterflies and wished that she could make that change. The significance is that later in the movie she is murdered by a patient. Patch is devastated and searching for life to make sense. He is standing atop a hill talking to God. His is visited by a beautiful monarch butterfly that literally sits on his finger. It is a life changing event for him in his spiritual journey. That scene was different for me this time around. After the death of my mom 3 years ago, it was a very difficult time for me. I had the privilege of being her primary care giver for quite some time. One of her favorite things in the world was to hear the cardinal sing and if she spotted a male cardinal, she was ecstatic over their beauty. She was a very avid nature lover. I was especially missing her on what would have been her 85th birthday - 3 months after she died. Through my tears I looked out on our deck and their was the most beautiful big red cardinal. To me it was a sign that she was fine and that she would always be with me. Since then, every time I hear or see a cardinal, I remember that moment and feel at peace. I believe that is God working in our world. At this time of self reflection, it is times like those we miss if we aren’t listening with our heart. I am truly blessed in my journey.

Howard Hass writes...

2007-02-24T11:06:00.000-06:00

I belong to two book clubs and a peace group. All three groups are made up of thoughtful persons. I appreciate the diversity of the groups. We have Buddhist, Christian, Unitarian, Jewish, and atheists represented. Most of the participants live in an open system which means the mind is gentle, nonjudgmental, open to all possibilities. One can see many sides of a problem. In my Tai Chi class we call that detachment.

Locked in positions limit possibilities. There is nothing wrong with ambiguity. Neat fixed solutions often fade into gray when we become empathetic, practice the golden rule, and recognize the incredible uniqueness in our beliefs.

Jesus' message of compassion, gratitude, forgiveness, empathy, and love are the common elements that link all people together. So differences are welcome because we learn to honor them, yet recognize those deep seated linkages become the basis of our hope, as followers of Christ's teachings.

Sarah Kerr writes...

2007-02-22T20:54:00.000-06:00

This past summer, I worked at Decision Hills United Methodist Camp. Before any of the campers come, Decision Hills and the other 5 conference camps get together for a week of staff training. This time is with filled with workshops and seminars for us to attend so we can become better prepared and equipped as camp counselors. At the end of this week together we have a special staff worship. The theme this year focused on Matthew 11:28-30. We each were given a huge backpack filled with heavy rocks. I could barely lift it up over my shoulders. With this huge pack of rocks, we were to take the long journey from the campfire ring up to meditation hill. I remember how painful it was and how slow I had to climb that hill to prevent myself from falling over because of the weight I was carrying. I spent so much of that journey wishing I didn’t have to do it, but then God spoke to my heart and reminded me of the pain and anguish he had to go through as he carried His own cross. I remember thinking to myself, how often do I try to carry my own cross? How often do I feel weighed down by the things in this life? How often is it that I carry unnecessary baggage around? God really humbled me through this experience so I want to share with you the reflection sheet that came along with this exercise.

The Journey you just took was meant to illustrate how hard life is when you carry around a lot of extra baggage. Every grudge, every mistake you hold on to, everything you should have done but did not, every sin weighs us down. The good news is we can off load our “packs.” Jesus will carry them for us. In fact he just gets rid of the weight, the fear, the burden, the stress all together. As you go through your life, don’t use energy carrying around a lot of extra stuff. Deal with it, give it over to Jesus and be done with it.

“Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. I’ll show you how to work with me--watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.”
Matthew 11:28-30 (The Message)

Father God,
Too often we get overwhelmed with the things in this life. Too often we take on more than we can handle. Help us to have courage and strength to come to you with our heavy burdens, instead of trying to carry them by our own power. Remind us that your load is light and it is all that we need. Amen.

Lydia Bacher writes...

2007-02-22T01:00:00.000-06:00

Psalm 100:1-2
Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth.
Worship the Lord with gladness;
come into his presence with singing.

Hymns and spiritual songs, in all forms of expression, have been an integral part of my life. Passages from such as these come to mind when needed:

Jesus Loves Me

Brighten the Corner Where You Are

Joy to the World

I Know that my Redeemer Liveth

Hallelujah Chorus

Up From the Grave He Arose

His Eye is on the Sparrow

It is Well With My Soul

For the Beauty of the Earth

Dear Father,

Thank you for the consciousness of thy presence that comes to us through word and music. Teach us how to share this joy with others in our humble way. In Jesus' name we pray, Amen.

Enter the Story...

2007-02-21T15:57:00.000-06:00

Our theme for Lent is Enter the story. Lent is not a time when we hear the story of Jesus on his journey to Jerusalem, as an event that happened some 2000 years ago, to be read about from a distance. We participate in the story, as we listen for the ways in which our own lives are reflected in the lives of the early disciples. We start today with a reminder that "from dust we come and to dust we will return." We are reminded of our mortality. We walk with Christ in the valley, knowing that we will eventually follow to the cross, and trusting that we will be there for the resurrection and new life. We all participate in the kin-dom of God that comes when we live our lives as resurrection people with the knowledge and hope that nothing can separate us from the love of God. Which brings us back to where we start today. From dust we come and to dust we will return. Thanks be to God as we enter the story.

Starting tomorrow, there will be posts each day by different participants in the Centennial UMC congregation. Please check out the blog each day for a reflection, and offer any responses you would like. Comments will not be posted immediately, as they need to be approved first. I will not change anyone's comments, but need to ensure that inappropriate content is not posted to this site.

Blessings to you as we journey together!
Melanie

Put May 31st on the calendar!

2007-02-19T12:18:00.000-06:00

That's the date for ordination at annual conference up in St. Cloud! I will be ordained, along with my colleagues Jen Hill, Paula Colton, and Barbara Moore, by Bishop Sally Dyck. Yeah! This is the year of the women when it comes to ordination. After all the anticipation and preparation, I spent the last part of the week crashing. Sleeping, eating, writing a sermon, and sleeping some more.
Lent is coming...please let me know if you are willing to write a reflection for this blog!
Thanks!
-mel

Ordination interview...here I come!!!

2007-02-13T10:35:00.000-06:00

I leave in just a few hours to go on "retreat". It doesn't seem right to use the word "retreat" for something like an interview before a group of people who will discern whether or not you will be ordained! Tomorrow morning at 8:45 am. That's when I will be sick to my stomach, shaking like crazy (hopefully just on the inside) and answering whatever questions they throw my way. I will be so relieved to be finished with the interview. I'm glad that it is early in the morning. I don't think I could bare to wait all day long for an afternoon interview!

Here's a link worth checking out:

www.nothingbutnets.org

Malaria needlessly kills children around the world and particularly in Africa, and this is an organization sponsored by the UMC that is working to address the situation.

I intend to buy some nets and maybe help save some lives - I hope you will do so, too!

Tracts

2007-01-29T17:15:00.000-06:00

I had a very interesting visit with a woman today who stopped by the church. She was going through a hard time and happened upon Centennial. We talked for awhile and as she was leaving, she gave me a tract put together by the Church of Scientology on "The Truth about Drugs". It was all such a random experience, and as I sit here, paging through this tract, I am surprised to see that depression medications are listed in the same sentence with problem drugs such as meth, ecstacy, and cocaine. I suppose I shouldn't be too surprised, given the publicity surrounding Tom Cruise and his statements on medication used to treat mental health illnesses. Having worked as a chaplain at a local hospital on the psychiatric unit, I am very aware of the need people have, when mental health struggles turn their lives upside down, to get the help they need to stabilize. Medication, therapy, community support, prayer - all are important and needed in different degrees, when people are struggling with mental illness. May we offer our love and support to those who deal with mental illness each and every day of their lives.
-Mel

Adult Mission Team in New Orleans...

2007-01-17T17:54:00.000-06:00

They're back! I haven't had a chance to hear much about the trip yet, but I did get a hold of a picture! Here's the group - it sounds like they did a lot of finish carpentry work. This summer, the youth were exclusively doing demolition work, so it is good to hear that there are groups working on the remodeling and rebuilding pieces, too.

Stay tuned for more info on a "reunion" trip to ASP in 2008!

-mel

A rainbow in my head...by Eve Newman

2007-01-11T14:06:00.000-06:00

Eve is a young woman who works at our church. She is also a member, along with her mom and sisters. She creates some of the most beautiful paintings I have ever seen, and they mean even more to me because Eve is such a king and caring person, too! Eve and her mom have been working on a book, and they have a new website! I wanted to share it, so that you could read more about Eve and see some of her artwork. My favorite line from Eve reads, "I have a very important job, which is cleaning at my church, and am I ever the lucky one because I get to listen to the church bells and organ when I clean."

I guess all of us who work and serve at the church are "ever the lucky ones" because we, too, get to listen to the sounds of the bells and organ! Check out Eve's website -

www.arainbowinmyhead.com

I hope you enjoy!

-melanie

It's idea time...

2007-01-10T14:32:00.000-06:00

My head has been bursting with ideas about ministry today. I've been trying to write down all of my ideas so that I won't forget them - I usually don't have a hard time with ideas, it's the implementation that is the challenge!

I was on a walk the other day, and I saw a real, live caterpillar crawling across the sidewalk. In the middle of January. I think it's kind of scary. Makes me wonder what in the world is going on with the world! With the temps the way they have been, that little caterpillar might just make it until spring. We'll see...

I'm looking for individuals who might be interested in writing a brief reflection to be shared on this blog, for each day of lent. There would be a daily scripture reading, reflection, and prayer, as a spiritual discipline throughout lent. Please let me know if you would be willing to write something! It could be a reflection on the scripture, a reflection on a life experience, random thoughts - whatever you want!

Well, it's time to get ready for confirmation - I'm teaching the youth about grace tonight. What would we do without grace?
mel

Merry Christmas...

2006-12-27T18:30:00.000-06:00

The twelve days of Christmas - by the time the twelve days of Christmas come, everyone seems to be ready to be done with the whole thing, seeing as we have seen Christmas displays at local stores since September and heard Christmas music 24/7 since Thanksgiving (at least on certain radio stations).
Yesterday, on the second day of Christmas, I was at PetCo, buying some things for Nariz and Twerp, my cats, only to discover a huge Valentine's display! So much for the twelve days of Christmas. Even if my Christmas tree is dead and dropping needles all over the place in greater quantities than what my cats shed in hair each summer, I will keep the tree up until Epiphany. It's the principle of the matter.
I can't wait to finish and turn in my ordination papers, so I can resume a more sane schedule! I'm also excited to actually go to a movie in a theatre. There are actually a good number of films coming out that I would consider seeing!
I'm on my way to meet up with college students from Centennial - a reunion of sorts - for everyone who has been away at college and home on break. It will be good to hear the exciting adventures going on in their lives, as they figure out "what they want to do with their lives", and reminds me of all the fun I had while in college.
Time to get moving - Merry Christmas today, and Merry Christmas for the next 9 days!
-mel

The countdown is on...

2006-12-19T15:08:00.000-06:00

With each passing day, the to-do lists become a little more intense as we prepare to worship and celebrate, remembering the birth of Christ. Belinda Jensen on Kare 11 said that there is more than one inch of snow on the ground at Christmas only 74 percent of the time. Well, in my memory, there is snow at Christmas 100 percent of the time, and it seems surreal to do all this Christmas planning without any of the white stuff! For this reason alone, I don't think I would do well during December if I ever moved to someplace warm.

My dining room is a flurry of activity these days - I always try to make my gifts for my family at Christmas. It takes a lot of time, but I enjoy giving them something that I've made, having thought about them while I've worked on it. That way there's lots of love in it. That, and in my dream world, I would work part time in a knitting store as an instructor. I love all of the colors and textures of different yarns and fabrics.

Well, back to working on the bulletins for Sunday...
Merry Christmas (almost!) and Happy New Year!
mel

Ordination papers well underway...

2006-12-11T16:13:00.000-06:00

which they should be - they are due January 3rd! This is hopefully one of the final stages in the ordination process. I'm working my way this afternoon through resurrection, the kingdom of God, eternal life, the Wesleyan Quadrilateral, the nature and mission of the Church, and my autobiographical statement. Yeah!

Last Saturday I was writing my sermon for Sunday at the local Dunn Brothers coffee shop in the Roseville Public Library. It is one of the places I often go where I can get good work done and the creative juices are usually flowing without interruption. I'm often surprised by the number of times I've been in coffee shops and the people sitting at tables around me are talking about God. Or the Bible. Or any number of interesting topics related to faith. I had a hard time focussing on my sermon as three men sat down at the table next to me, loudly sharing their stories of personal salvation in Christ. I'm not sure if they were intentionally speaking loudly to try and evangelize the other coffee shop patrons, of if they were just hard of hearing. Needless to say, it was distracting to hear them talk about how Satan has taken over all seminaries, that you can't trust a thing a pastor whose been to seminary says, and that Satan is working through Muslims, who have now taken over all of Europe. They also talked about God saving from physical ailments only those people who are worthy of sharing his message with the world.

I could have just cried, especially as I was preparing a message from the words of John the Baptist, where he says that "All flesh shall see the salvation of our God." That and his father Zechariah saying that John came to prepare the way of the Lord, and to guide our feet into the way of peace. Peace doesn't seem to be given much credence these days, and the world we are preparing for the Lord seems to be along the path of war. May God have mercy on us, in this world where we have such strong and divergent opinions about who, what, and where God is active and working in the world.

Samaritan's Purse

2006-12-09T16:52:00.000-06:00

This past Wednesday night, I drove down to Burnsville with a large crew of confirmation youth and volunteer adults. We went to this huge building that turns into Samaritan's Purse each year at Christmas and volunteered for over 2 hours. People from all over the country put together shoe boxes filled with toys and health supplies for kids. And they somehow all end up in Burnsville before being packaged and shipped to kids all over the world. It was really quite fun! We were set up in production lines, going through each box to make sure that no liquids (spills are bad), no chocolate (it melts) and no war toys (too many children live in violent regions of the world - teddy bears are better options!) ended up in the boxes before they got into the hands of children. The youth took this quite seriously, knowing that if they missed a bottle of shampoo, it could wreck all of the toys in the box. We went through hundreds of boxes. Often, the boxes included notes from the people who sent them. One box I was going through had a picture of a couple, along with the note. Lo and behold, they had the same last name as me, and live in North Dakota! I thought it was so neat to run across a couple who I just might be related to, through this small Christmas gift box. Who knows if they were blood relatives or not - they were family just the same - part of the family of God who is trying to make the world a better place for some unknown child in an unknown part of the world. Thank God for all the people who love those they don't know and try to make the world more liveable!
Last Wednesday night was one of the best Advent gifts I received.

Being sick is for the birds...

2006-12-04T18:05:00.000-06:00

actually, it's not even for the birds. It might be a hey day for bacteria and viruses, but I can't see anything else that benefits from it other than pharmaceutical companies!
It's been a month since I last posted - I hope to be better in the future - I came home from Italy (a wonderful trip!) and have been sick ever since. I haven't had a voice for the last week, and it's beginning to drive me nuts, as I'm a talker. I suppose it is a good lesson in listening to others.
At this point, all I have to say is this - if you get sick and don't feel you have the "time" to stop and get better - your body might decide it's going to stop whether you agree to go along with it or not. I kick myself when I think if I had slowed down when this first came on, I wouldn't be as bad off as I am now. Yes, I have been stuck at home under doctor's orders for the last 5 days, and I've had a bit of a pity party for myself. Which doesn't really help much, other than really convict me of how important it is to take care of oneself.
Once I get caught up at work, I will post some pictures from Italy and reflections on the trip and Advent.

Off to Rome...

2006-11-04T17:27:00.000-06:00

Gee, the last post started off in much the same way, except this time I will be heading out of the country! Yeah! I love traveling and haven't been out of the country in quite a while. I am really excited about this trip. My parents, Brennon, and I will be staying at the Generalate of the School Sisters of Notre Dame. I've been busy trying to find yarn stores to check out while in Italy - I have this thing where every new place I go, I try to find a yarn store. It's always fun to see what new and local yarns people are selling. (And that I usually end up buying!)
I plan to blog on a more regulary (daily) basis once I get back into town. The past couple of weeks have been quite busy - either preparing for or catching up from being gone. This is a much needed break, and it will be good to spend some quality time with my family.
Well, that's all for now unless I find a cheap internet cafe in Rome!
-Melanie

Off to New York...

2006-10-22T19:45:00.000-05:00

and I'm excited! This will be my first time back to the Big Apple since I did a college internship at a small lutheran parish in the Bronx. I'm attending the Fosdick Convocation. I find that listening to a wide variety of amazing preachers gets my own creative juices flowing in ways that don't happen on their own! I've read quite a bit of Cornel West and Barbara Brown Taylor, so I'm especially excited to hear them. Sometimes the most amazing writers aren't that great in person. And sometimes they are even better. I'm attaching the address for the convocation - it's kind of fun to check out all of the people who will be there. http://www.theriversidechurchny.org/getinvolved/?fosdick
The ordination papers are coming along, but I'm not a fan of the 14 hour work days needed to get them going. I just keep saying a little prayer to myself while I work..."Lord, have mercy."
-melanie

First snow of the season!

2006-10-11T10:59:00.000-05:00

I was pleasantly surprised to discover snow flurries falling as I walked from my house to my car this morning on the way to work. At first I didn't realize it was snow and thought it was something falling from the trees around my house! While we probably won't be seeing inches of snow on the ground, the first sign of snowflakes is a reminder of the continuous cycle of life and the seasons and all of the changes that go along with it. Some changes come with anticipation, others with dread, but they happen all the same. I didn't wear a coat today - so one of the changes will happen tonight when I put away the summer jackets and pull out the fall and winter coats. I sure hope I get my yard raked before the first "real" snow, and I better add to my to-do list the purchase of a new shovel - my old one is broke beyond repair. Praise God for the changing of the seasons!
-melanie

Letting Faith Guide Us...

2006-10-09T13:23:00.000-05:00

Centennial Serves day of service was this past Saturday, and it was a success in many ways! It was wonderful to see children, youth, and adults of all ages working together in service. One of the service sites was the International Institute of Minnesota. A group deep cleaned their large kitchen, so that it can be ready for more outside groups to use. While Brian and I were going on a tour of the facility, we observed a class for persons preparing to take their "test" before becoming U.S. citizens. I asked for a sample copy of the sorts of questions on the test, and I will post some of them later this week - I wonder if I would pass the test? I'm sure I would have when I was in high school and learning all of these things, but with the passage of time comes the loss of facts.

I asked one of my clergy colleagues, Amy Jo Bur, to write a reflection for the Section 4 articles. Amy serves a church in rural Southwestern Minnesota, and offers us a unique, firsthand perspective on the work that undocumented workers do and the needs they face in rural communities. To read her reflections, please click on the "comments" link just below this, and her writing should come up for you!
Peace,
Melanie

At the Dividing Wall

2006-10-02T14:46:00.000-05:00

Last night at Centennial, John Borden spoke with us from the International Institute of Minnesota. This is one of seven organizations in Minnesota that helps resettle refugees and offers educational programs for immigrants. I learned a lot from his presentation, and one of the things I found particularly interesting related to the title of session three of our readings: At the Dividing Wall. I can't remember the specific statistic - it was either 40 percent or 60 percent (either way, a significant percent) of undocumented persons do not arrive in the U.S. by travelling across the Mexico/U.S. border. That 40 or 60 percent actually come by plane - arriving in the U.S. legally, but then outstaying their visas. Which brings up the question of the usefullness of walls, fences, and borders in an effort to "protect" the U.S. from undocumented persons. But this is more of a logistical question than a faith question. One of the faith questions is what God calls us to do. Are we called to build walls? Fences? What about bridges?

In 1 Corinthians chapter 1, Paul talks about divisions among the people of Corinth. He acknowledges reports that some are saying "I belong to Paul" or "I belong to Cephas". Similar, perhaps, to when we say "I am an American" or "I am a Mexican". We may be those things, but Paul challenges the people of Corinth and also us, with the question "Has Christ been divided?" He challenges the divisions that we create as humans, in the face of Christ who loved all and died for all in an effort to save all.

What sorts of bridges and/or walls can we envision Jesus building today? What would they look like?

As an aside, I was struck by the image used by Bill Nara in our Stewardship Moments, when he talked about his families use of the term "love tanks". When they are running a little on empty, and needing an extra boost of love, they ask one another for a hug, or to help fill their love tank, in the same way that we sometimes run out of gas in our cars. He likened the church to a community whose job it is, is to fill peoples love tanks, to support them so they can go out and love others and serve others. So I commend his comments to you for consideration - think about your love tank, what it's filled with, how full it is, and what you use it for.
-Melanie

Welcome to Minnesota!

2006-09-28T18:36:00.000-05:00

Have you ever had the opportunity to wait at the airport and welcome a refugee family to the U.S.? I had witnessed other people doing this while travelling on various flights, but I was actually part of one of those groups last night! A whole crew of Centennial folks were ready at 6:45 pm to welcome the refugee family from Thailand we were sponsoring. But they didn't arrive until almost 10:00 pm, so the group size diminished a bit. It was absolutely amazing to see family members that are already living in the U.S. run up and hug their loved ones. We had signs and balloons and on two weeks notice, the church had a furnished apartment ready for them, so they went directly to their new home to collapse and rest in new beds from their long journey. There was a bag of toys ready at the airport for the two young boys. The oldest caught on to a pocket sized video player right away, while the youngest was mesmerized by a teddy bear puppet. I thought it would take a long to get all of their luggage, but there were just two small bags for the four of them. I can't imagine having to pick two bags worth of things to take with me if I were to permanently pick up and move to another country.
God bless them for their courage and may they find peace in the midst of the chaos of being in a new place...
-mel

The Beloved Community, Part 2

2006-09-25T17:13:00.000-05:00

Please note: There was difficulty with the blogger website, and I was not able to post throughout the afternoon. Sorry for the late posting, I'm just hoping that it will post now!

Is Sunday morning at 11am the most segregated hour of the week in America? This is something that I struggle with, because I would love to experience the Beloved Community that Paul speaks of - with his vision of a new creation where our particularities are embraced within the larger community - where people of varying racial and cultural identities could come together each week and worship with one another. (reference from Tseng and Yoo article)

But then I read Lorentzen's article, and can understand why ethnic minorities often prefer ethnic churches, where they won't experience discrimination and where they can maintain their ethnic identity.

There seem to be few places that have figured out how to live out the vision of the beloved community. I wonder about the ways in which we can live our faith out at Centennial - honoring the gifts that immigrants can bring to our church. What would this look like? Do we welcome anyone, as long as they are willing to go along with worship the way we have always done it? How much flexibility is there to celebrate the many ways of worshipping and praying across cultures and from around the world?

It sometimes seems in the Midwest that our lives don't often intersect with people who look or act differently than ourselves. I was reminded of this when I visited a friend out in San Francisco - everywhere we went, we were surrounded by people speaking diffferent languages, eating different foods, with ethnic churches on every other street. it was almost hard to believe that all of these people were living in the same squished space and in relative harmony (my friend would probably describe it as a tenuous harmony).

I have found one place in St. Paul that reminds me of the diversity I experienced out in San Francisco. Como Zoo. I live just four blocks from the zoo, and it is free, so I often go for walks around the zoo. Because it is free, it is open and available to anyone - legal or undocumented immigrant, poor family or affluent family - anyone who wants to go and watchthe monkeys and polar bears can come. And as I walk around by myself and listen to the sounds around me - I notice the different languages, the people who come with 5 kids packed into their minivan, the people who are there on first dates, the people who walk alone. I experience the Beloved Community every time I walk at the zoo. May that experience grow and expand to include many other places in our towns and in our churches. At the zoo, our common experience is the joy of seeing the animals. At the church, our common experience is the joy experienced in Christ, of knowing the love of God
-melanie

BeFrienders

2006-09-23T13:37:00.000-05:00

I spent four days this week with three amazing lay people at church who have committed to being the leadership team for a new ministry at Centennial. The four of us went to an intensive training for BeFrienders ministry - we learned what we need to know to begin, train, and administrate this new ministry. I believe our people need this ministry, because all of the pastoral care is currently provided by Brian, Julia, and myself. There are so many needs that the three of us alone can not meet. And we have so many in our congregation who have been gifted with the ability to offer care and compassion through a listening ear.

The training was a good reminder of what I learned in seminary - even with all of the training I have recieved, it is easy to forget at times, and fall back into the pattern of talking more than listening, when sitting with someone who is going through a difficult time.

The foundational principles of BeFrienders ministry is:
1. Remember that God is present.
2. We are called to care for people, not offer cures.
3. We are called to be a nonjudgmental presence to people during difficult times.
4. We are called to active listening (which means a whole lot of listening and a little bit of talking)

These seem basic enough, but they are pretty big things! May God be with us as we begin this ministry and guide us along a path that will lead to greater care for others...
melanie

Welcoming the Stranger, Part I

2006-09-17T20:01:00.000-05:00

Whew!
I am excited to be talking about the role our faith plays in how we view issues of immigration. I was disappointed that the first article we read was written in such a polarizing way. I am particularly interested in how we study and explore our scriptures and understand them in ways that are relevant for today. So I was interested in Myers exploration of Isaiah and the early Israelite communities response to "the other" as they made their way back "home" after suffering in Babylonian exile. But it seemed to me that Myers muddied the waters -diminished the import of the scriptures - with his interpretive lens focused almost entirely on imperialism and elitism.

I am more interested in his allusion to Mark 7 - this was one of the passages that I preached on recently, along with James, when I spoke about being stained or unstained by the world. What the prophets Nehemiah and Ezra were doing was the same thing the Pharisees were trying to do during the time of Jesus. Requiring everyone to follow purity laws, or insisting that the Israelites divorce foreign wives, was really a fence built to around the Holy to protect the faith. By building enough layers of laws and enough fences around their identity, they felt more secure that outside forces couldn't seep in and estroy the fabric of their faith.

Christians do the same thing today. Most people of faith probably do. We love God and want to protect that which is precious to us. That is not in question. The question is how we go about caring for what we love. In an age of terrorism, when it's easy to be scared of "the other", it takes a whole lot more courage to embrace Isaiah and Jesus over Nehemiah and Ezra, who said, "My house shall be called a house of prayer for all peoples." (Luke 19:46; Isaiah 56:7).

What did you think of Ched Myers article? When looking at the issues around the migration of peoples, does it make a differense if a person is an immigrant versus a refugee?

I found the second article more interesting, as I like history and learned more about understanding of "sanctuary" throughout our collective history. I read a book about the Sanctuary movement of the early 80s when persons from Guatemala and El Salvador were trying to escape persecution by coming to the United States. I stayed with a nun in a small village in Guatemala several years ago, one that was greatly impacted and lost many persons during the Civil War in that country. The nun, Sister Mary, had stayed in the village throughout the worst of the atrocities and now teaches local people healing touch, so they can offer care to those with post traumatic stress disorder - those families members who were spared their lives but suffered much torture. I'm not sure I could have stayed during the atrocities like Sister Mary did. My natural instinct would have been to flee, which is what many tried to do during that time.

I am struck by the image of sanctuary as a place where God resides. Jesus described himself as a sanctuary - and we sing the words to a contemporary hymn -
Lord prepare me, to be a sanctuary
Pure and holy, tried and true
With thanksgiving, I'll be a living
sanctuary, for you.

Sanctuary, a place where God resides.
A place of safety. A place of peace.
How I wish there were more places of sanctuary within war-torn and poverty stricken countries. But when there aren't, how do we create sanctuaries, places of safety, for all the people of God?

Please post your comments on the two readings, any of the questions I've put forth here, or the questions posed on page 3 of our study guide. Your comments will not post to the site immediately, as I need to okay all postings. I will not edit anyone's comments - please speak your mind (please try to do so respectfully) - I only need to be sure that no spam postings are published on the blog. I am at a BeFrienders Ministry training all day Monday, so your postings will be published after 6pm on Monday. Please be sure to check back in during the week, so you can read what others think! And one more thing - please consider posting your thoughts - it makes the conversation much more lively and fruitful if people share their thoughts and experiences.
Blessings to you!
- Melanie

A prayer for Guidance...

2006-09-14T11:19:00.000-05:00

O God, here I am, a single entity, bearing the cares of many on my shoulders.
Help me to continue to be a source of light for them by your spirit.
Keep me from being weary.
Help me to continue to remember that your grace is sufficient.
Continue to light my path and help me in all things not to rely on my own insight,
but to trust in you with all my heart, for you will direct my path.
prayer from Debra Bennett

This prayer comes from the book Women's Uncommon Prayers: Our lives revealed, nurtured, celebrated. I found this prayer helpful today, as I get ready to visit the sick, prepare for a memorial service, and gear up for our second rally day Sunday. There are times when I am tired and need to remember that God's grace is sufficient for each of us.
May the grace of God be with you this day.
Melanie

Hats off to one of our own...

2006-09-07T09:35:00.000-05:00

Ever since beginning my work in the church, I've discovered that my introverted self is totally wiped out after leading worship on Sunday mornings. So I've gotten into a routine of coming home on Sunday afternoons, crashing on my couch, and watching whatever football game happens to be on. It doesn't require much energy, and I find myself getting more and more engaged in the game! Before you know it, I will be trying to figure this fantasy football stuff out.

Anyhow, we have an awesome youth at the church (he doesn't share his name on his blog, so I won't share it here) that has an award winning Minnesota Sports blog. His insights are great and there's a good dose of humor to each post. I encourage you to check it out!

http://journals.aol.com/stetsonboy21/MNSports/

Let the football season begin!!! Go Vikes!
-mel

The Big Day

2006-09-06T15:20:00.000-05:00

That's my little sister! What a beauty! And that's my new brother-in-law, Todd. He is such a nice guy - it was a joy to see Jamie and Todd so happy. Theirs was the first wedding rehearsal I did over the sound of tornado sirens. There were touchdowns within 15 miles of the church and our home, but we were still able to enjoy hors devours and drinks outdoors. All of the wedding party guests were entertained by The Riverblenders men's chorus, who made an appearance at the rehearsal dinner (which took place in our home basement due to whirling swirling clouds of wind and dust!). The wedding was beautiful - Father Tim sang them an Irish blessing, our youth choir directors from when we were growing up sang The Lord's Prayer, I had the privilege of sharing a meditation with them, and after they did all the important stuff like confirm their vows and life-long committment to one another before God, they recessed out of the sanctuary to the joyful sounds of The Chancers, a live Irish band. Their reception was at a local bed and breakfast, where family and friends were able to dine inside or out - it was a beautiful evening to be outside. There was much music, laughter, and love within the group, and God was surely present within it all. Blessings to both Todd and Jamie as they begin their married life together!
-mel

Conversion (not the van)

2006-08-23T12:00:00.000-05:00

In just two days, I c0-officiate at my sister's wedding with a Roman Catholic Priest. I'm looking forward to finally meeting Father Tim, who I've heard so much about from my sister. It's been great, because he was able to do the pre-marital counseling for Jamie and Todd (NOT a good idea to offer counseling to your own family!) and they have really connected with him.

I was just reading an article in The Christian Century by John Buchanan. He writes on the topic of conversion and ecumenical dialogues and quotes Cardinal Walter Kasper: "The goal of ecumenical conversation is not conversion to one church but deeper conversion to Christ, and it is through that conversion that we move closer to one another." Knowing both Todd and Jamie, there will most likely not be a conversion to one church, but my prayer is that their marriage will stimulate a deeper conversion for each of them to Christ, thus connecting them spiritually.

May we all move closer to one another through a deeper conversion to Christ!

I took the plunge

2006-08-17T14:53:00.000-05:00

and purchased four tickets for Rome. I'm not used to making such large purchases, so it was a little scary, clicking that "purchase" button. It should be an interesting trip - vacationing with my boyfriend and my parents at the same time, staying at the Generalate for the School Sisters of Notre Dame, and seeing first hand so many places in church history that I have read about...I can hardly wait! And wait I will, since we don't go until November! You can find more pictures at http://www.gerhardinger.org/english/generlateen/genltoureng.htm
The count down is on - I officiate at my sister's wedding a week from tomorrow! Yeah!
-mel

National Hobo Convention, part 1

2006-08-14T17:16:00.000-05:00

Not something I ever thought I would attend, but stranger things have happened. I'm not even sure words can describe the Hobo Days Celebration that takes place in Britt, Iowa each summer. Atleast I am not able to put words to the experience (not yet)! Jay Leno gave them a nod in his monologue last week. My boyfriend, Brennen, grew up on a farm near Britt, so we went camping with his brother and sister and their families.

My New Year's resolution for '06 was to run a 5k. I didn't train at all this summer to actually succeed at this, but I decided a resolution is a resolution, and I was going to run the Hobo Run, even if it killed me. It about did kill me.

There was a 10k run, 5k run, and 5k walk. Brennon and I signed up for the run. I made Brennon promise to run to the finish line behind me, so I wouldn't be the last person to cross on my first 5k run. (Being the nice guy he is, he ran with me, even though his pace is naturally about twice as fast as mine). I had said that kind of jokingly while we waited to get going at the start line. Ha ha ha. I was beat by a walker. One walker finished ahead of me, and one 10k runner finished right after me. Brennon was good on his promise and let me cross the finish line first, only to have the stupid time keeper call out his race number first. So in the record books, I officially finished last in the 5k run. But I did it. I can barely walk now, but I can now walk away from that resolution. No more nagging voice in the back of my head asking "when are you going to do that run?"

Spiritual point, if there is one: Training is important. If you jump into something ill-prepared, you will pay for it later. Paul talks about running the race, and if we want any hope of finishing the race set before us, we better train. Apply that however you like - be in training with prayer, quiet time each day, reading, serving others...we can't just do this stuff every once in a while and think everything will go smoothly. It needs to be a regular part of our lives.

I have a new goal - next time I want to finish ahead of ALL walkers in my run, and cross the finish line in less than 37 minutes!
-mel

Habitat for Humanity work day

2006-08-10T14:40:00.000-05:00

The chica on the roof that - that's me! I learned how to nail down shingles on a roof - not with any power tools but the good old-fashioned way - with a plain old hammer and nails. It's always kind of exciting to learn something new, by the time I've 65 I should know enough from Habitat to build my retirement home!
We had a hot day for Holy Hammers work week, but it was a good time. We pray for the families that will soon be moving into their new homes, that they will truly have a "firm foundation" (ie. I hope nothing I built falls apart on them) in which to raise their family.
Check out the website for Habitat for more info on this wonderfully empowering ministry:
www.habitat.org

Apostle Islands, here we come!

2006-08-03T15:36:00.000-05:00

It's not Spring, but it still seems to be the time when Kings go off to war, and it's also the time when the young adults at Centennial make their yearly trek to the Apostle Islands. Kayaking in sea caves like the one above awaits us - as do beautiful temps, starry nights, and great food (not to mention friendships and awakening the spirit to God)!
- mel

Car Buying Sheol

2006-08-02T14:51:00.000-05:00

The idea of a new car is a lot more fun than the actual process of purchasing a new car. One of Dante's levels of hell could just as well have been "car buying". I'm helping a friend through the process, and it doesn't tend to bring out the best in people. While in seminary, I had this horrible little car that was always falling apart. I went to some dealerships in Colorado to buy a car that could actually get me to class without breaking down. I was the one that ended up breaking down - into tears at two of the dealerships. The experiences were bad enough that I kept the disaster on wheels for four more years and took the bus to class.
Car Buying Sheol.
Maybe the redemptive piece was I committed myself to public transportation, and God knows that was a small piece of goodness for the land and environment in Denver! There were days you could seek a thick green haze covering the entire city. Ugh.
A reason for thanksgiving: Kay is out of the hospital and at home recovering. Prayers of healing for her in the coming weeks and thanks that a full recovery is expected!
Mel

After a hiatus, it's time to come back...

2006-08-01T14:32:00.000-05:00

I missed the fun of posting random thoughts, spiritual reflections, and stories of the absurd and ridiculous predicaments I tend to find myself in. I figure someone should enjoy a few moments of laughter from reading them, so that there is atleast some benefit to their happening!

I wanted to clear something up from my sermon last Sunday - I stated that plants need sun, water, and oxygen to thrive. A friend showed me the error of my ways - I now know that plants produce oxygen, what they need is carbon dioxide to survive. I'm sure to the master gardeners and biologists in attendance, I sounded like a dope! But now I know...

I also discovered that I'm not the only one to do things like put half dead plants in broken microwaves in an effort to save them from the destructive efforts of pets. So I'm glad that resonated with people - the things we will do for our pets! My cats have more health care coverage than I do - they get yearly x-rays and dental cleanings in their plan. Kind of crazy.

Alrighty, it is good to get this going again, I'm just impressed I remembered my password to login! Please post comments and share your own insights into plant/animal care - especially if you have figured out a way to have BOTH plants and animals alive in your house at the same time.

Blessings on your day!
Mel

Easter Vigil

2006-04-15T09:15:00.000-05:00

Our daughter has a friend who is Catholic. Her friend has Virgin Mary posters, icons, and statues displayed around her room. Knowing about the practice of Easter vigil that most if not all Catholic parishes observe, I asked this friend if she ever attended. They have attended a few times, it turns out. She said she gets into the candles and the darkness of the vigil.

Will you do vigil in some way today as we await Easter morning? I think I will take up Parsons' suggestion to do a vigil walk this afternoon, trying to live in the moment without solving problems in my mind, enjoying the senses' discoveries.

And part of the Easter vigil is to baptize infants and others. Could we meditate today awhile on the words that were once spoken over us, "[Name], I baptize you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit." What does it mean to you to live as a person who is named and claimed by none other than the God of the universe who raised Jesus from the dead?

Brian

Holy Saturday: Holy Shadow

2006-04-14T09:42:00.000-05:00

How is it with your shadow side, as Carl Jung and Sarah Parsons talk about?

One of my understandings of Jung's work on shadow sides is that at middle age, about halfway through life, maybe around age 40, we humans often start working on our shadow side, letting it out more, bringing it to light. Up until middle age, we have accomplished many things and/or enjoyed life in the ways that our more obvious personality traits can bring to us. But at middle age, our shadow side clamors for attention. (This is not to say that we cannot bring our shadow side to light at an earlier age, for it is indeed part of who we are at any age.)

As I examine my shadow side, it is important for me to be in touch with anger. Anger can be destructive as we all know, but I also find that it puts me in touch with injustice, and it can help motivate me and give me passion for living and living the gospel (which to me are one and the same thing). Examining my shadow side has also put me much more in touch with wanting to be with family and friends (although as an introvert, I receive energy most from my internal life, so I cannot lose significant contact with such things as music, reading and prayer).

I appreciate Sarah Parson's encouragement to use Holy Saturday to bring our shadow sides out into the light of Christ. It takes courage and faith, but it is met by love, the deep love of our Savior. What corner of your life can you bring to Christ today and tomorrow?

Brian

Crucifixion: Holy Sacrifice

2006-04-13T08:31:00.000-05:00

The idea of the spiritual life as a process of subtraction rather than addition (Meister Eckhart) is puzzling at first glance. I came into the church this morning with a plate of ministry full to overflowing, then find that more is added to it. It's always been this way. Subtraction?

But what I find I must subtract each day is my need to control things. (How Jesus had to relinquish his need to control things!) I must subtract the notion of worry (a poor use of imagination, by the way). I am called to subtract fear and enter into the fresh flow of God's creativity and grace for the day, this day, the only day I am given, using the resources with which I (and others, for we are in this together!) have been graced. Trusting in the mysterious power of holy sacrifice and resurrection. How might you need to trust in God in new ways this Maundy Thursday?

Brian

Garden of Gethsemane: Holy fear

2006-04-12T10:13:00.000-05:00

Thy will be done.
I didn't really know the full impact of such a prayer until push came to shove and following God meant walking away from the man I thought I would marry in college. Looking back, I think, "Thank God!" I couldn't put my faith in the God my boyfriend believed in - a God that said women couldn't be pastors (and a lot of other things). But walking away from someone I loved - was one of the most difficult things I have ever done in my life.
Thy will be done.
We can't fully live the life God desires for us, if we don't have the courage to go where God is leading us.
Perhaps what we can take from Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane is this: even in our holy fear, the most important thing to do is pray, be in conversation with God, to gain strength for whatever we must do.
Have you ever been in a place of holy fear?

- Melanie

Last Supper: Holy self-giving

2006-04-11T13:00:00.000-05:00

Communion is like the gift that keeps on giving...
I cherish the communion services we have each Wednesday morning at 11:30 in the chapel. It is a time each week that I remember Christ and experience God's grace. Sometimes it feels like I give and give and give, and it's important to have places we can receive from others - in this instance, the grace of God through communion. I thought Sarah's point was interesting about giving out of a sense of obligation or requirement, feels so different from giving out of genuine desire and joy. Sometimes giving starts out of obligation, but turns into genuine desire - and there's grace there, when that happens! And sometimes we start something out of genuine desire, but it becomes a weighty obligation - and maybe that's when it's time to reevaluate what we are doing and why we are doing it.
What sorts of things to do you do, "self-giving", that come from genuine desire and bring you joy?

- Melanie

Consecration

2006-04-10T12:25:00.000-05:00

Holy Week is a sacred space and time in the life of the church - we experience it with the special worship services throughout the week. So I know I'm walking on holy ground while at the church. But I'm excited to create some sacred space in my home tonight - so that I will be ever reminded of the holy ground we walk upon this week. I think the center of my space will hold a cross that I got in Guatemala. It has little metal objects nailed all over it, called "milagros". Milagros is the Spanish word for miracles. The objects are all different - some are hearts, knees, eyes, cars, books, houses. The object represents the nature of the prayer a person has. They would pin the heart or knee or eyes on the clothing of Mary or Jesus inside of the churches, as a way of lifting their prayers to God. Maybe they were praying for a broken heart, a heart in need of surgery, a cold heart. Maybe they were praying for a new pair of glasses, or eyes to see the direction God wanted them to go. That will be my center, as we remember that Jesus stands shoulder-to-shoulder with us in our struggles. And so this week we will stand shoulder-to-shoulder with Jesus in remembering his struggle.
Blessings to you this week -

- Melanie

Reflection Questions

2006-04-08T09:23:00.000-05:00

The day stretches before me. Last night, with Kay at a class and Caitlyn at Orchestra Hall, I decided to stay at the office later than on a usual Friday night and get some more work done. I suppose I stayed till 9:15. It felt great, and it meant that this morning I could sleep in (till 7:50, laughable by my kids' standards). Today I have some phone calls to make and a couple of other church-related items to do, but they are not many and I can do them from home. The day feels like Sabbath, a day to catch my breath before Holy Week starts tomorrow. It's a day to exercise, to let the sun fill me, to hang out with Caitlyn (Kay's class continues all day), to tackle some small house projects (yes, they feel like Sabbath--there's something about bringing order to one's basic living space that breathes life into my soul), to reflect on life and to pray. In sum, this day feels like gift, in which I feel myself "protected and rescued by God as the psalmist describes" in Psalm 16 (see reflection question #5). How about you? How has your energy been restored recently? --Brian

Self-Forgiveness

2006-04-07T11:11:00.000-05:00

Self-forgiveness is sometimes difficult for me. Not all the time, but sometimes. I think that Sarah Parsons is on the mark when she notes that we can often be kind and forgiving toward others but hold ourselves to a higher standard for some reason, and therefore find it hard to forgive ourselves. My question to myself then is, "Who made you so high and mighty that you think that you can't forgive yourself?" I try to ask this gently of myself....and remember the psalm (46) that says, "Be still and know that I am God." Are you growing in forgiving--others and yourself?

Brian

Dependence on God

2006-04-06T09:35:00.000-05:00

My older brother Paul is a United Methodist pastor in the Asheville, North Carolina area. Ever since I let him know during my college days that I felt a call into the pastoral ministry, Paul has been insistent in reminding me that I must never let go of music. He saw me practice many hours as we were growing up together, first the piano, then the violin; he heard me perform.

While his insistence was at first annoying--"Why can't he accept my chosen path?" I would ask myself--I have always known that I need to pay attention. When I am involved in significant musical endeavors that stretch me, I find that my heart and mind--and ministry--catch fire. When I go on hiatus from such endeavors, my spirit droops. If my preaching is woven with at least a little musicality, then it speaks to me much more, and probably to others as well. Paul is right: if I let go of music, I am no longer myself, the person God made me--and is making me-- to be.

Where do you need to make sure that you are being yourself, the person God made you to be?

Brian

Our need for neighbors

2006-04-05T10:44:00.000-05:00

This whole question of neighbors has been on my mind a lot lately. I think about all of the debate going on right now around immigration law. To be honest, I haven't given enough time to really looking at the different proposals that have been put forth, so I can't really speak to any of them. But in all of the debates, the question we need to ask ourselves as Christians, is "who is our neighbor?" Jesus was asked that question, and he tried to offer an explanation through the parable of the Good Samaritan. All of the people who were supposed to help out didn't, and it was the "foreigner" who offered the care, who treated the wounded person like a neighbor. In all of the "us" versus "them" language being tossed around, it seems we make immigrants out to be less than human. If we saw immigrants as fully human, we would have to see them as our neighbor. And we know what Jesus said about our neighbors. We are supposed to love them. We need them.

- Melanie

Renewed Commitment

2006-04-04T11:04:00.000-05:00

My thoughts today have more to do with the title "renewed commitment" than they do with the actual reading for the day. I've decided it is important to have time away from the things that we value and love doing, in this case - work and family. When I am away from work for either a conference or vacation, when I come back, I am reminded how much I love what I do. It always feels good to be back. (It doesn't feel good to get up out of bed when I want to sleep in and it's Monday morning, but after I get that out of my system, it really does feel good to be back!). Or when I see my family after not seeing them for awhile, I'm reminded over and over again how wonderful they are (They also drive me a little nuts, but I figure that's pretty normal!). It's reaffirmed to me how much they love me, I love them, and that I would do just about anything for them. It's a renewing or remembering of commitments that I don't get if they are around all the time. I will be there for them, they will be there for me. My legs don't ache from a desire to go run, but my heart aches when I haven't seen my family in a while. Renewed commitments bring such wonderful joy! What commitments do you renew every once in a while? What causes you to renew them?

- Melanie

Weathering Storms

2006-04-03T17:01:00.000-05:00

Well, I'm "weathering a storm" as I write this. I decided to stop eating chocolate during lent, because I had begun to realize that I ate it in ridiculous amounts whenever I was stressed out. And I was feeling stressed too often, and subsequently eating too much chocolate. With a history of diabetes in my family, I decided I needed to get a better handle on this now. But it's been a long day and my stress level is increasing a bit as we move closer to Holy Week, and I just so happened to have two chocolate covered graham crackers from Starbucks (they are really great) in the drawer of my desk. I wasn't two sentences into reading the chapter "weathering storms" before I put my book down and ate that chocolate! It tasted so good. I guess reading about setbacks, I ended up creating one. I agree with Sarah, we all have setbacks, and the thing they remind us of is our humanity. Our inability to reach "perfection". And God's persistent love for us in our imperfect states. How are things going for you, as we move closer to Holy Week? How is this clearing time going for you?

- Melanie

Reflection Questions

2006-03-31T17:02:00.000-06:00

I will focus on question number one: "What creative impulses, however small, have you felt since Lent began?" I'm glad the word small is in there, because I can't claim great strides here. What's more, it seems that Jesus said something about mustard seeds being the way God often works in our lives. What I am feeling, because of all the walking our group did in the Holy Land, is a desire, for the first time in a long time, to really exercise. My daily exercise for some years has been to walk our family dog Buffy once or twice a day at a brisk pace. But now I find myself wanting more...and more. Pray for me that that mustard seed will sprout.

What are the mustard seeds appearing in your life this Lent?

Brian

Strength in Vulnerability

2006-03-30T18:14:00.000-06:00

I continue to feel jet lag after returning from the Holy Land last weekend. Or maybe it's just the third straight night of meetings here at the church--all good, exciting things. But I feel the tiredness in my bones.

I feel vulnerable. Yet when I am vulnerable, I know that I let go a little more. There is much wisdom to AA's saying "Let go and let God." I think this is indeed what the apostle Paul knew in 2 Corinthians 12. When do you let go and let God? When do you let loose of your need (if you have it) to control everything, as if we could do so anyway?

Peace to you as you get to know your weakness.

Brian

Signs of New Growth: Openness to Surprise

2006-03-29T16:39:00.001-06:00

"Surprise me." It surprises me when my son Colin, off in his freshman year in college in Boston, prolongs our cell phone conversations. I keep thinking that he's got so many friends to go off with, that he's got so many classes to deal with, that he's got so many adventures before him, that he will want to get off the phone quickly. But no, he surprises me time and again. So often he wants to keep talking...about career paths, about my Holy Land trip, about his new part time job, about classes, about...anything, I think. I find myself blessed that he includes me in his life. Thank you, O God!

"Surprise me." Last week in the Holy Land--Israel, the West Bank, Jordan--I was surprised as I heard Elias Chacour, a Palestinian Catholic bishop who has given his life to helping Palestinians, whose family had their farm and home stolen outright by the Israeli army in 1948, say that he wants our friendship as Americans--but only if we also befriend the Israelis too. Surprise again! Thank you, O God!

Brian

Signs of New Growth: Openness to Surprise

2006-03-29T16:39:00.000-06:00

Signs of new growth: loving

2006-03-29T10:54:00.000-06:00

I was in a relationship once where love, care, and joy were commodities. They had to be rationed out, just a little at a time, because there was only a certain amount of them to be offered. This is not a very life-giving way to live. I chose to walk away from this, because there should always be an abundance of love, care, and joy to offer others. Life is so good when we live out of a mentaliyt of abundance instead of deficit! Do you find it more of a challenge to love others, or to receive love? Do you agree with Erich Fromm?

- Melanie

Signs of new growth: creativity

2006-03-28T15:04:00.000-06:00

I can't seem to drive by a yarn shop without stopping. And then I can't seem to leave without buying at least one skein of yarn. I could spend hours in a yarn shop, just soaking in all of the different colors and textures of yarn - there is something that happens in my mind as I'm looking at all of it - I see all of the potential projects and things that I could create, and I leave feeling energized! I finished my first sweater for myself, and I just made a little baby sweater for a friend who is having a boy soon. I found myself blissfully unaware of time as I sorted through racks of buttons, to find the perfect ones for the sweater. I ended up with little dinosaurs. I love it when I have time to work on creating things with my yarn - and when I'm knitting, I am most in tune to listening to God. What do you do that encourages your creativity?

- Melanie

New growth

2006-03-27T10:27:00.000-06:00

My tulips are starting to come up! I just noticed it this weekend. All along my front porch, they are popping up - probably 3-4 inches tall. My best friend from high school came over to my house the week I moved in, and she planted tulip bulbs along the front of my house as a housewarming gift. And what a gift it has been! I love watching their growth each spring - they are such a wonderful reminder of where we end up at the end of Lent - in new life at Easter. Out of the cold, dark ground comes something new and beautiful.

My new discipline for how I start my days - the biggest difference I have seen is how grounded I feel as I begin each day. More thoughts to come on that...
Where are you seeing new growth?

- Melanie

Struggle AND Gentleness

2006-03-25T10:01:00.000-06:00

As we look at these two sections of A Clearing Season they make an interesting combination for our reflection. First, Struggle. Sarah Parsons writes of befriending one's fear, by welcoming points of struggle. It is a challenge for me to befriend my fears. I have a plethora of them, all the way from thunderstorms, to forced separation from those I love. I know that when I can listen to Jesus' words, "Do not be afraid" and take to heart that my faith will undergird me through the struggles, only then will I be more gentle on myself. Gentleness. Gentleness is a fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23). We often focus on being gentle toward others, and that is important, indeed! However, it is equally important to be gentle with ourselves. Sarah writes "Gentleness takes into account our effort and stress; treating ourselves gently is a way of offering encouragement and appreciation..." and I would add here: for the living of each day. I know without a doubt that when I am gentle with myself, I have greater capacity to be gentle with others. When we are stressed, tired, fearful, angry, impatient, and... (name others), it is crucial to take time for a "clearing space, "a clearing season." How do you express gentleness for yourself? How do you live this fruit of the Spirit?
-Joan

Listening

2006-03-23T15:28:00.000-06:00

Though it says March 23rd, these comments are my reflections for Friday, March 24, 2006! I will be away from a computer when I would normally write my Friday thoughts.

How do we listen to our personal rhythms of life? As I noted in the comments on developing rhythms, I have felt through the years that I am not a morning person. Yet, I also know that, (along with my walking in the morning) I often find my greatest peace in times of meditation at that time of day. By evening, I have so many thoughts running through my mind that it is very hard to stop them, settle down, and be present to the Holy. Sarah's question, "What patterns yield a sense of simultaneous energy and peace?" begs me to reconsider my natural life-rhythms. She says that by finding our natural patterns, we engage our deepest selves in our practice. " Perhaps my daily routines actually are congruent with my personal life-rhythms. Maybe I am doing better at it than I thought I was. What patterns yield a sense of simultaneous energy and peace in your life? Share your ideas with others via the blog!
-Joan

Developing Rhythmns:law versus grace

2006-03-23T09:40:00.000-06:00

I could relate so directly to the "law versus grace" theme for today when Sarah wrote about the woman establishing a routine of walking each morning. I was fine taking a short walk in the evening. Then Jerry began walking in the morning. I am not a morning person! " You walk, I'll sleep." Eventually I tried getting up in the morning too. And, to make a very long story short, I now thrive on my 30 minute morning walks, whether I walk alone, or with Jerry. These are real grace moments, for thinking, praying, feeling the cold or the warmth on my face, and giving thanks for being alive. It has been more than two years with these walks now. The walk actually puts order into the chaos that the day will inevitably bring. It has staying power. Then, when my schedule permits me to go to my favorite reading chair for some study and meditation, grace is all around. What are your grace-full moments this week?
- Joan

Importance of rhythms and laws in clearing space

2006-03-22T10:32:00.000-06:00

Have you ever taken a full day of sabbath rest? Right now, it sure sounds good! It seems to me the only times in my life that I have really done this, have been the times I am so sick that I can't do anything - even if I wanted to. Which leads me to believe that if I chose sabbath rest on a regular basis, I wouldn't get to the point of having it forced on me by illness. So much easier said than done. I think it's okay to squeeze in sabbath hours if we can't realistically get a full day of sabbath. A nap, an evening of board games with family or friends, curling up with a good book and listening to jazz - these are all sabbath moments. May you find moments to rest in God today!
- Melanie

Chaos and emerging order

2006-03-21T10:19:00.000-06:00

My plumbing is fixed and my dishes are finally done, so I guess that order is re-emerging in my home. I don't know anything, really, about chaos theory. Perhaps one of you could explain/describe it more fully for us. I think my desk at work directly flies in the face of Sarah's idea of order being naturally created out of chaos. The only consistent order for my desk is disorder! I've tried for two years to make order, and I can tell you that it hasn't come about naturally! I like order, I just have a hard time creating it. What do you all think about this? What is it like for you to create a rule of life?
- Melanie

Natural rhythms

2006-03-20T14:47:00.000-06:00

I think we have a lot of natural rhythms in our lives that we aren't aware of until they are thrown into chaos. Take this weekend, for instance. Like most weekends, I planned to catch up on cleaning the dirty dishes in the sink, doing several loads of laundry, making up some food to bring for lunches for this week. And my main plumbing line in the basement got clogged. No amount of Drano and work with my plunger could budge it. There was standing water in all of my sinks. It was a huge mess. My normal weekend routine was totally out of wack! And I like my routines! There is comfort in their consistency. So now it is Monday afternoon, my sink is still full of dirty dishes, I have piles of dirty clothes, and I have been thanking God all morning for the two roto rooter guys who came over and fixed the big mess so I can try to get back to my normal routine!
I've created a routine for my prayer time, too. If it isn't part of a routine, I find that it easily slips away and in the busy-ness of life, I don't do it. When I come into work each morning, I keep my door closed for the first 15 minutes (sometimes more), and I pray and read the scriptures BEFORE I even turn my computer on or check my phone messages. Because once I go to the computer or the phone, my head is spinning with things to do and God gets squeezed out of thoughts as I make way for the to-do list.
I'm looking forward this week to trying the individual exercise around creating a sacred space within my home. I have a space in mind in my guest bedroom, but I have no idea which time of day will work best for doing it. I will hopefully have a better idea by the end of this week!
Where do you have space to be alone with God? How can you make this space part of your natural, daily rhythm?

-Melanie

Accepting Weakness

2006-03-18T08:29:00.000-06:00

Vulnerability is a term that is open to much interpretation. We may think of it as tending toward ill health, such as one is vulnerable to infection or getting colds. Or, one might be vulnerable to any number of addictions. Being vulnerable often means giving in to ..... The definition I like is that of being "open to" such that we open ourselves to all that life has to offer. That openness is a strength and a weakness. It says "I am not self-sufficient" and "yes, I need you," and "I am open to your needs." As a Deacon in the United Methodist Church, I am ordained to Word and Service. It is a ministry of vulnerability. You and I are asked by God to be open to God's Spirit working in our lives, and that means you and I are to be vulnerable to the needs of others, and to be open to others reaching out to our needs. Our need for the nurturing that a faith community provides includes the strength we receive through worship, the insights we gain through study, the meaning we find in serving, and the real joy we find in being open, being vulnerable. In being vulnerable, strength and weakness are inseparable. When I say, "Sure, let's do that together," I "break away the mask of false self-sufficiency...depend on one another, ...depend on God" to which Sarah Parsons refers (p.39). Where have you shown vulnerability recently? -Joan

Expressing Emotions

2006-03-17T08:27:00.000-06:00

Emotions are one of God's many gifts that truly enrich our pesonal lives and our relationships with others. God created us to feel and to express. I feel.... How do you feel? Not, what do you think about...but how do you feel about... I have lots of emotions these days as I move through these months of transition. I try to express them as I experience them directly, though sometimes it is best for me to monitor the flow of them. Prayer is very helpful in expressing these emotions. A quiet time with God can allow the flow of emotions such as sadness with tears, fear with questions, and joy with a song.
As Parsons notes, the Psalms are the expressions of emotion that may touch us individually and corporately. "I am weary with my moaning; everynight I flood my bed with tears;" (Psalm 6:6). "Our [my] heart is glad in him, because we [I] trust in his holy name." (Psalm 33:21) The story of Jesus praying in the Garden of Gethsemane (Matt. 26:36ff) expresses emotions. "I am deeply grieved..." "the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak."
How has entering this Lenten wilderness allowed you to be in touch with blockages that keep you from expressing your emotions, your creativity, and living authentically?
God be with you on your journey. - Joan

Naming Illusions

2006-03-16T09:27:00.000-06:00

This is no illusion, there IS more snow out there. I must admit, I don't find myself using the word illusion very often. When I think of illusions my mind jumps to magicians such as Harry Houdini or David Copperfield as illusionists. Sarah says that most simply, "illusions distort reality." Something seems very real when it isn't. Illusions and delusions often lead us to the wrong conclusions. How do I distort reality so that I can manage my everyday? I put up walls to protect me so that I don't have to face my fears, or take risks, or experience anxiety. Oh, but when I break those walls down, I open myself to LIFE with its many facets and feelings. Most days I name the illusions and grab hold of reality. Others? I'm just thankful that God loves me unconditionally! How are illusions and/or delusions part of your every day?

I have so enjoyed reading the reflections from folks over the last week and a half. Thanks for your insights! We feed one anothers roots as we share this Lenten journey. Joan Lilja

Honoring the hardened heart

2006-03-15T09:21:00.000-06:00

The image that came to my mind as I read this section isn't the greatest, but I thought I would share it, since it's what popped into my head right away. Sarah talks about the "armor" we put around the heart to protect it.
I was thinking in terms of a cast. Like when you break a leg, they put this thick, heavy cast on it to help it heal and protect it from further damage. The cast serves its purpose to a point. But then it needs to come off. If you just kept the cast on, it would eventually cause more harm than good, as your leg muscles atrophy. So for ultimately healing of a leg break, the cast is cut off, and the strength of the leg is gradually built back up. The process makes sense.
But when it comes to the breaking of the heart, I think we sometimes put the cast on to protect it and heal it, but then grow accustomed to living with the cast, even though it is heavy and weighs us down. We skip that last step of breaking open the cast and taking it off.
So if we give thanks for the cast and its protection, we can also recognize that a cast that's been on for a long time starts looking pretty gross and grungy.
How do you visualize the hardened heart? How has armor gotten you through difficult times? What limitations has it caused for you?

- Melanie

Rend Your Hearts

2006-03-14T09:39:00.000-06:00

The books are in! You can pick up your copy in the church office for $10. Yeah!

For awhile during college, I had a motto that went something like this: "Trust no one but yourself and God." I had been too (?) trusting, and deeply hurt by some of my closest friends. But being deeply hurt is not a very fun place to be, so I made it through that time with my new motto. It helped for awhile, but my motto, my new way of life, left me isolated and alone. To trust no one? It stinks! It seems safe, but it is unbearably lonely. When I realized it wasn't a great way to live, I had to adjust my motto. So I had to make myself vulnerable again. Vulnerable to the possiblity being hurt, vulnerable to the possibility of being misled, vulnerable to the possibility being betrayed. But it also opened me back up to the possibilities of being loved, the possibilities of being in community, the possibilities of being open to the wide variety of human emotions that we can experience. Not a fun transition to make, but well worth the struggle.

Shalom to you in the rending of your hearts...

- Melanie

First Clearing

2006-03-13T14:20:00.000-06:00

We begin week 2 of the readings and start to think about practices that will help clear some space. Sarah alludes to an appendix of lenten practices if you have a hard time coming up with some on your own. I'm listing her ideas from the appendix, since those of you with photocopies don't have that. Also, the books should hopefully be in by the end of the week if you are waiting on one.

Lenten Practices

Daily prayer/meditation time
Media fast - exa. - choose not to watch t.v. during certain hours of the night
Meditative walks
Art - engage in a creative activity
Journaling
Community activities
Service

What other ideas do you have? Please post them as a way of offering more ideas for everyone else!

- Melanie

Reflection Questions (continued)

2006-03-11T17:38:00.000-06:00

I am just three days away from leaving for Israel and Palestine. I was there in 1999, and one of my most vivid memories of that trip was the dry, barren Judean desert or wilderness. I can well imagine Jesus out there, coming to grips with what he felt called to do, all alone so that he could wrestle with himself and God about these things. And the tempter. When do I do that wrestling? Often my wilderness is the middle of the night. It is quiet, but my thoughts often are not. Here is where I often find that I put together my thoughts, connect dots that I could not connect during the daylight, make decisions, and decide to let God be God when I realize once again that I am not in control. Here in the wilderness my faith is stretched and grows if I let it. Wrestling. What verb would you use for what goes on in your wilderness? Brian

Reflection Questions

2006-03-11T09:29:00.000-06:00

Question number 4: When you imagine a wilderness experience, what emotions stir in you? I think for me there is a mixture of excitement and fear. The adrenaline starts pumping. If I pray, I gain a sense of peace. I still know there is danger, but prayer helps me get back in touch with my center connected to God. Then creativity starts to stir. New ideas begin to come. I am more open to others who might join me on the wilderness journey. I also know that without sojourns through the wilderness, I stop exploring life, and I stop developing what God has placed within me. So the wilderness is a gift--not that I always want to accept it! What is the wilderness like for you?

Brian

Angels

2006-03-09T09:17:00.000-06:00

I am almost over the respiratory infection that started last Monday. The antibiotics have taken effect. But I know that through this last week and a half I have been sustained by angels while tackling a Sunday sermon, Ash Wednesday service, and multisensory service. People who made sure I at least slowed down somewhat ("Do you listen to God?" one said. "Slow down!") People who came through for worship services and caring for our people. At the Ash Wednesday service, we sang Kyrie Eleison several times to the beautiful melody of Dvorak's New World Symphony. I could hardly sing. But I didn't need to. I felt carried aloft by the voice of the congregation. (Like angels, but better!) After all, we clergy are not the church. The church is the church, laity and clergy together. Thanks be to God! Where have you experienced the angelic touch in your wilderness?

Brian

Wild Beasts (continued)

2006-03-08T11:45:00.000-06:00

Sarah writes that "a middle ground exists between total control and total chaos" (pg. 24). This is where wildness is harnessed - where what could be potentially dangerous, damaging or hurtful, is managed in such a way that it actually brings about creative energy and life. Dee Lee reflected on this and pointed out the ways in which something like humor can be hurtful, but can also be used to bring joy in life. So we manage those things towards more life affirming directions. Moving from the extremes towards a manageable middle.

How is your prayer life going? What has the experience of taking 10-15 minutes a day in solitude been like? Worship tonight at 7pm will be on different forms of prayer, with the opportunity to experience and practice them. Hope to see you there!

- Melanie