Ephesians 2:8-9
8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9 not by works, so that no one can boast.
I am not a political person and I probably never will be. By political, I mean city, local, state, national, world politics. I vote and I have my opinions - which by the way, reading someone's FaceBook post isn't going to change them.
I have played the political game at previous jobs and yes, there is some of that even with Camp. Definitely not to the same extent. I can play the game, but that doesn't mean I want to.
My head and my heart have been hurting lately with all the politics in the world. All the posturing. All the you are wrong and I am right talk. Even people with the best intentions trying to help the hungry, the homeless, the hurt, the broken can play the political game even without meaning to.
I am so glad I believe in a God that believes in me. Even with all my flaws. I can't DO anything to win His grace. It is already given. It is in that grace right now that I need to rest and believe in God who makes all things new and right.
P.S. Sorry for the lack of posts lately. I am doing a lot of writing for school and sermons and have been written out for awhile, but I hope to get back in the groove.
Camp logo
Friday, November 22, 2013
Friday, August 2, 2013
"I" vs "We"
Acts 17:28 "For in him we live and move and have our being."
The verse above was our theme verse this summer at camp. In my mind it was chosen innocently enough as we discussed topics at the Camp Commission meeting in January. What I didn't realize is that God was going to use that verse to speak directly to me in many ways.
Each weekly Director and Pastor takes the theme of the verse and makes it their own as far as worship, games, Vespers, crafts and wherever else it may fit. There were many creative analogies and ideas for each age group. From Andre talking about hashtags and how they are used (or maybe misused) to Jane talking about how we each see ourselves to Phin helping to bring "The Jesus League of Tamarack" to life (Complete with superheroes and logo!) and Kim talking about the vine and branches there was a lot of talk about identity and who we are in Christ. Sometimes who we are apart from Christ, too.
As summer staff gathered together we were all excited about the summer ahead of us and how we can make a difference in the life of the camp. We tried to study the book of James (as a staff member we are pulled in many directions all times of the day and night), but I always had that verse in Acts in the back of mind. We all come to camp with our own idea of identity and individuality.
As I sat across the meal table with all 7 staff members (mostly 6 as Kim would eat in the kitchen) I realized I could see myself in each one of them. There was a part of me that shared a common bond with each person. I am guessing if I had spent time with each cabin leader and camper I would have found the same thing.
With some it was our love of science, or books, or crafts. With others it was the anticipation of graduating and looking forward to "big girl" jobs. With everyone it was laughter and trying to find humor in all situations.
I think sometimes when we talk about identity people get stuck in their own identity. Who am I? Where do I fit in? I got stuck in that as I realized I am not who I thought I was. I have a closet full of high heels and business clothes, but they don't fit in at a camp. Does that mean I don't fit in with my old friends?
I learned to look outside the "I". The group I ate meals with is not a group I would have spent time with prior to working at camp. Just because of logistics and where I was in life. Now, though I see the "we" in that Bible verse. We had a common goal to help camp be successful and because we share a Savior we will always be connected and live and move and have our being. Even if we don't work together again, we are part of a bigger family. All of us are part of that bigger family and it is definitely a part of our identity!
The verse above was our theme verse this summer at camp. In my mind it was chosen innocently enough as we discussed topics at the Camp Commission meeting in January. What I didn't realize is that God was going to use that verse to speak directly to me in many ways.
Each weekly Director and Pastor takes the theme of the verse and makes it their own as far as worship, games, Vespers, crafts and wherever else it may fit. There were many creative analogies and ideas for each age group. From Andre talking about hashtags and how they are used (or maybe misused) to Jane talking about how we each see ourselves to Phin helping to bring "The Jesus League of Tamarack" to life (Complete with superheroes and logo!) and Kim talking about the vine and branches there was a lot of talk about identity and who we are in Christ. Sometimes who we are apart from Christ, too.
As summer staff gathered together we were all excited about the summer ahead of us and how we can make a difference in the life of the camp. We tried to study the book of James (as a staff member we are pulled in many directions all times of the day and night), but I always had that verse in Acts in the back of mind. We all come to camp with our own idea of identity and individuality.
As I sat across the meal table with all 7 staff members (mostly 6 as Kim would eat in the kitchen) I realized I could see myself in each one of them. There was a part of me that shared a common bond with each person. I am guessing if I had spent time with each cabin leader and camper I would have found the same thing.
With some it was our love of science, or books, or crafts. With others it was the anticipation of graduating and looking forward to "big girl" jobs. With everyone it was laughter and trying to find humor in all situations.
I think sometimes when we talk about identity people get stuck in their own identity. Who am I? Where do I fit in? I got stuck in that as I realized I am not who I thought I was. I have a closet full of high heels and business clothes, but they don't fit in at a camp. Does that mean I don't fit in with my old friends?
I learned to look outside the "I". The group I ate meals with is not a group I would have spent time with prior to working at camp. Just because of logistics and where I was in life. Now, though I see the "we" in that Bible verse. We had a common goal to help camp be successful and because we share a Savior we will always be connected and live and move and have our being. Even if we don't work together again, we are part of a bigger family. All of us are part of that bigger family and it is definitely a part of our identity!
Thursday, May 30, 2013
"To" not "From"
My daughter and I have this thing we do. In September of 2011 we bought a notebook and I wrote questions in there for her to answer. Then I put the notebook on her desk. She gets around to answering the questions and then she writes two questions for me to answer and places the notebook on my desk. I put the notebook on her desk last December with a couple questions about Christmas and then forgot about it.
Last week, she cleaned her room (I had had enough) and she cleaned her desk and found the notebook. She answered the questions about Christmas, but the questions she wrote for me stopped me in my tracks.
I leave for Camp full time next Wednesday and I have been a flurry of activity cleaning the house, get budget stuff set up, making sure doing chores won't take more time for my husband than he has time for and so on....
Her question to me was: What are you looking forward to at Camp Tamarack this summer?
Looking forward to.
I have been spending so much time and energy looking at where I am leaving from - my home, that I forgot to look forward to Camp.
It has been a lot to ask my family for me to take on this job that I sometimes feel guilty about leaving them at home, with chores and the duties I usually do every day/week/month.
Every person should be able to look forward to something so here is the start of my list!
I am looking forward to:
Time at Vespers
Time in my kayak on the Chain O'Lakes
Working with some amazing people
Watching campers grow, struggle and smile
Getting a tan
Runs through the forest
Watching stars at night
Campfires
What a unique opportunity I have with this job as Director of Camping Ministries and I am going to look forward to living it :-)
What are you looking forward to?
Last week, she cleaned her room (I had had enough) and she cleaned her desk and found the notebook. She answered the questions about Christmas, but the questions she wrote for me stopped me in my tracks.
I leave for Camp full time next Wednesday and I have been a flurry of activity cleaning the house, get budget stuff set up, making sure doing chores won't take more time for my husband than he has time for and so on....
Her question to me was: What are you looking forward to at Camp Tamarack this summer?
Looking forward to.
I have been spending so much time and energy looking at where I am leaving from - my home, that I forgot to look forward to Camp.
It has been a lot to ask my family for me to take on this job that I sometimes feel guilty about leaving them at home, with chores and the duties I usually do every day/week/month.
Every person should be able to look forward to something so here is the start of my list!
I am looking forward to:
Time at Vespers
Time in my kayak on the Chain O'Lakes
Working with some amazing people
Watching campers grow, struggle and smile
Getting a tan
Runs through the forest
Watching stars at night
Campfires
What a unique opportunity I have with this job as Director of Camping Ministries and I am going to look forward to living it :-)
What are you looking forward to?
Monday, May 13, 2013
Staring at a blank screen
I have been looking at this blank screen for a few minutes now, not sure what to write. I think part of my problem today coming up with a topic has to do with the title of this blog and what's going on in my day to day life. The blog is called "What's Up at Camp Tamarack" and my day to day life has a lot more going on.
For camp, we are still working on finalizing cabin leaders. I am not sure what history is in obtaining cabin leaders and if there has ever been a summer where everything has been lined up and there have been no last minute pleas or scrambles to get everything set. I remember a few summers where on a Saturday night my Grandpa Epps would tell me I was packing a bag and heading to camp to be a cabin leader. Well, first you don't argue with Grandpa and second, why wouldn't I want to go to camp. I think I need to find a better way to ask people (or rather tell people :-) ) they are coming to camp to help.
The mini-mission weekend is coming up so Mark and Deb are prepping for the physical "opening" of camp and getting things organized.
I am weaning myself off of TV and starting a book list. I won't have a class this summer so will have some fun reading time.
Kim has started a list for our first food order.
Camp staff are getting packed and ready to head up to start work in June.
I am packing or at least thinking of what to pack and I realize I am leaving my husband and daughter again for the summer. Now we do have plans to stay connected, but that ties to other things happening in my life. I am preaching this Sunday on Solitude and have been giving a lot of thought to being alone and lonely vs solitude. Sometimes even when there is a busy and full camp, I am lonely. I miss my home and my husband. Sometimes though I find solitude in the kayak or sitting at Vespers. I know I need to do a lot more thinking/research/praying before the sermon is ready, but I am wondering where you find solitude and how you differentiate between being alone vs lonely?
Shalom
For camp, we are still working on finalizing cabin leaders. I am not sure what history is in obtaining cabin leaders and if there has ever been a summer where everything has been lined up and there have been no last minute pleas or scrambles to get everything set. I remember a few summers where on a Saturday night my Grandpa Epps would tell me I was packing a bag and heading to camp to be a cabin leader. Well, first you don't argue with Grandpa and second, why wouldn't I want to go to camp. I think I need to find a better way to ask people (or rather tell people :-) ) they are coming to camp to help.
The mini-mission weekend is coming up so Mark and Deb are prepping for the physical "opening" of camp and getting things organized.
I am weaning myself off of TV and starting a book list. I won't have a class this summer so will have some fun reading time.
Kim has started a list for our first food order.
Camp staff are getting packed and ready to head up to start work in June.
I am packing or at least thinking of what to pack and I realize I am leaving my husband and daughter again for the summer. Now we do have plans to stay connected, but that ties to other things happening in my life. I am preaching this Sunday on Solitude and have been giving a lot of thought to being alone and lonely vs solitude. Sometimes even when there is a busy and full camp, I am lonely. I miss my home and my husband. Sometimes though I find solitude in the kayak or sitting at Vespers. I know I need to do a lot more thinking/research/praying before the sermon is ready, but I am wondering where you find solitude and how you differentiate between being alone vs lonely?
Shalom
Monday, May 6, 2013
This is really about that
When I arrived at the office this morning I found a stack of registrations waiting to be entered into the database and have confirmation letters sent back to campers. It was a pretty cool site to see.
I will let you in on a secret, before the camping seasons and the Winter Youth Retreats last year and this year I was afraid not one person would sign up. I know that is just plain silly, but it was a real fear that went through my brain - more than once. It is also a selfish fear. You see, sometimes I have a tendency for things to be about me. About my need for approval as the new Director of Camping Ministries, my need to make sure things are just right and my need for success.
Camp is not about me, camp is about a space where God can work in people's lives in whatever way that needs to happen. Where I do fit in to God's plan is to help make that successful and safe.
One thing I have learned (out of many things) so far in my tenure in this role is that the way one person experiences God is not the same way someone else does or needs to.
There is a book I read where the author looks at the Bible and breaks down some of the themes and stories. What was interesting was he pointed out that most of the time what we think is the initial message is really about something else if you understand the wording or history behind it. I am finding that same pattern in my interactions with family, friends, co-workers. What starts off as one topic really turns in to another. We just have to take the time to get there and follow the clues.
Is there something you are worried about or angry about? Is the issue really that topic or is there something else?
I will let you in on a secret, before the camping seasons and the Winter Youth Retreats last year and this year I was afraid not one person would sign up. I know that is just plain silly, but it was a real fear that went through my brain - more than once. It is also a selfish fear. You see, sometimes I have a tendency for things to be about me. About my need for approval as the new Director of Camping Ministries, my need to make sure things are just right and my need for success.
Camp is not about me, camp is about a space where God can work in people's lives in whatever way that needs to happen. Where I do fit in to God's plan is to help make that successful and safe.
One thing I have learned (out of many things) so far in my tenure in this role is that the way one person experiences God is not the same way someone else does or needs to.
There is a book I read where the author looks at the Bible and breaks down some of the themes and stories. What was interesting was he pointed out that most of the time what we think is the initial message is really about something else if you understand the wording or history behind it. I am finding that same pattern in my interactions with family, friends, co-workers. What starts off as one topic really turns in to another. We just have to take the time to get there and follow the clues.
Is there something you are worried about or angry about? Is the issue really that topic or is there something else?
Thursday, April 25, 2013
Getting closer!!
It does not seem like a year ago I was getting ready to move up to camp for my first year as Director of Camping Ministries! It was! In a little over I month I will pack up all my camp clothes, my stuff to survive and my kayak and head back up to Tamarack for my extended stay.
I am looking forward to working with everyone again.
What's Up at Camp Tamarack right now?
*Entering in all the registrations and sending back the confirmation letters.
*Trying to design and order new t-shirts and sweatshirts.
*Ordering canteen/craft barn supplies.
*The big one is lining up all the volunteers that we need for this to be a success! I am sending out a flier to all the Baptist churches in the area to help recruit, but I also wanted to post this here. If you know anyone that would be a great cabin leader please send them my why. We do want camp to be a success and there are many factors that go in to getting leaders set up. For example, the commission and I have come up with some guidelines:
I am looking forward to working with everyone again.
What's Up at Camp Tamarack right now?
*Entering in all the registrations and sending back the confirmation letters.
*Trying to design and order new t-shirts and sweatshirts.
*Ordering canteen/craft barn supplies.
*The big one is lining up all the volunteers that we need for this to be a success! I am sending out a flier to all the Baptist churches in the area to help recruit, but I also wanted to post this here. If you know anyone that would be a great cabin leader please send them my why. We do want camp to be a success and there are many factors that go in to getting leaders set up. For example, the commission and I have come up with some guidelines:
For Primary, Middler and Junior camps, anyone in
High School or older may volunteer to help.
For Junior High we would like leaders that have been
out of High School for at least a year.
For Senior High we would like leaders that are 21
and older.
There are exceptions and it is up to the weekly Directors to decide if someone is a good fit.
Our Jr. High and Sr. High camps are short on cabin leaders so let your family and friends know!
We also had some excitement on our farm last weekend and I leave you with a picture of our new litter of baby kitties to celebrate spring!
Wednesday, April 10, 2013
Sometimes I get down
Some lyrics from "Get Down" by Audio Adrenaline -
To live your life you've got to lose it
And all the losers get a crown
To live your life you've got to lose it
And all the losers get a crown
(Here is a link to the song if you want to hear the whole thing: http://youtu.be/xnggiwaLqH0)
Lately, I have been down. Maybe it is because warmer weather and sun are not here yet. Maybe it is still a little bit of Seasonal Affective Disorder. I think this time, I am still grieving from leaving my old job of 18 years. It has been about year and I miss the day to day routine. I miss the consistency of the people I worked with each day. I miss the stability of knowing what my paycheck was each week. I miss the opportunities I had like travel and being asked to speak or train at conferences. I miss knowing I was good at what I did.
Last night I was doing some research for a sermon I am giving this month. The topic is camping so I was reading Numbers 9:15-23 and an analysis I did for my Hebrew Bible class. The Israelites were about a year into the desert and wanted to go back to Egypt. They wanted to go back to what they knew - even though they were slaves and weren't treated well. Going forward was scary. Going forward though led to the Promised Land. They still complained about the food, the water, the travel and probably many other things. That is what I have been doing lately, complaining about what I miss - the schedule, the stability, the travel - even though I was stressed beyond belief and was asked to do things I wasn't comfortable with.
I need to look forward. I need to follow the cloud and pillar God has placed before me. I need to remember there is a reason I am on this path - even though I don't understand it all the time and I need to remember God will provide. I am sure I will still complain :-), but I need to move forward and not look backwards thinking that Egypt was better when I know in my heart it wasn't.
When I get down - He lifts me up!
Monday, March 25, 2013
Labyrinth walk
Part of what I love about camp is learning different traditions that each church celebrates or how people find meaning in different ways. I have had discussions about baptism, praise bands, how Vacation Bible School is run, youth group events, music in general, holiday services, lent traditions and I am sure other topics I am forgetting about.
This past weekend, I was part of a confirmation celebration. Using previous schedules, I was responsible for planning what we would do Friday night and Saturday morning. I have been part of confirmation classes before, but we had never taken time away to "wrap things up". I have to say it was a pretty cool experience talking with the three young people about their faith, what they believe, and what they see as their spiritual gifts.
We spent the night at The Pilgrim Center - a camp run by the UCC denomination in Green Lake. It was a great opportunity to see how things are done at a different camp as well. We only ate breakfast there, but for those of you that may be older....they still serve meals family style and we had to set up our own tables as "hop" and "skip". The lodge we stayed in was a lot like Basile.
One of the special things this camp has is an indoor and outdoor labyrinth. Since we do live in Wisconsin, we needed to use the indoor labyrinth:
As we walked in to the labyrinth, we took a deep breath, said a prayer and slowly started walking the path.
There is no right or wrong way to walk a labyrinth and the 5 of us that walked it Friday night had 5 different experiences. For me, I thought I had something I wanted to contemplate....God had a different idea.
It took us about 45 min to an hour to walk the path in towards the center and then back out. It was actually the quietest I had ever heard this group :-)
I know we don't have a labyrinth at Camp Tamarack (yet :-P ), but we do have great trails to walk and I would encourage you to do a prayer walk. Prepare your heart and mind to be open to what God has to say, stop and pray or just listen when you feel the need. Each experience for each person is different so don't go in to it expecting something, just be open to what happens.
I would love to hear if anyone has a labyrinth experience they would like to share or if you want to share a tradition that is special to you and your church.
This past weekend, I was part of a confirmation celebration. Using previous schedules, I was responsible for planning what we would do Friday night and Saturday morning. I have been part of confirmation classes before, but we had never taken time away to "wrap things up". I have to say it was a pretty cool experience talking with the three young people about their faith, what they believe, and what they see as their spiritual gifts.
We spent the night at The Pilgrim Center - a camp run by the UCC denomination in Green Lake. It was a great opportunity to see how things are done at a different camp as well. We only ate breakfast there, but for those of you that may be older....they still serve meals family style and we had to set up our own tables as "hop" and "skip". The lodge we stayed in was a lot like Basile.
One of the special things this camp has is an indoor and outdoor labyrinth. Since we do live in Wisconsin, we needed to use the indoor labyrinth:
As we walked in to the labyrinth, we took a deep breath, said a prayer and slowly started walking the path.
There is no right or wrong way to walk a labyrinth and the 5 of us that walked it Friday night had 5 different experiences. For me, I thought I had something I wanted to contemplate....God had a different idea.
It took us about 45 min to an hour to walk the path in towards the center and then back out. It was actually the quietest I had ever heard this group :-)
I know we don't have a labyrinth at Camp Tamarack (yet :-P ), but we do have great trails to walk and I would encourage you to do a prayer walk. Prepare your heart and mind to be open to what God has to say, stop and pray or just listen when you feel the need. Each experience for each person is different so don't go in to it expecting something, just be open to what happens.
I would love to hear if anyone has a labyrinth experience they would like to share or if you want to share a tradition that is special to you and your church.
Monday, March 18, 2013
I am soooo ready for spring!
Lord, you are my shield, my glory, and my only hope. You alone can lift my head. Psalm 3:3
I am a scientist at heart. I like it when things are black and white and there is an answer. I like it when we can replicate an experiment and come up with the same answer. When there is something wrong with my donkey, I like it when I can make a diagnosis and fix it or figure out the behavior.
Life does not always fit in to a to do list or a standard operating procedure. People, including me, don't always do what they are supposed to. There are thoughts, feelings, emotions, opinions and rubbish that aren't always nice and neat.
Being that I am a scientist, I like data. I have been collecting data on myself for the past 6-7 years on my behavior during he winter months. I am pretty sure I have Seasonal Affective Disorder or SAD. Even though I know I build up to this every winter, I still end up feeling very down. This year I tried spending more time outside with my animals each day, worked out as much as I could and kept busy with my jobs and coaching basketball. It helped and postponed the symptoms, but eventually I just get down. It isn't a major down, just enough to derail me and get me off track. That was last week and the low hit on Friday when I couldn't figure out how to work the Sonos so I didn't clean and really didn't do much of anything.
I think our faith goes through seasons. Not the church seasons of Advent, Lent, Epiphany and so on, but how we feel about God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit. I have had some pretty significant life events that I had to deal with and I would think I was doing fine until the "Friday" came, the low period and I would just have to give it to God. I mean, really and truly just give it to God to handle. Not give part of it to God and still work on it in my spare time to fix it, but hand it all over and realize it was out of my control.
That is where Psalm 3:3 comes in. The Lord can lift my head, and does, when I am down and need help. I need to get better at realizing it sooner and turning it over. That doesn't mean I crawl under the covers and stay there. It means I look to God each day to help me understand or maybe just help me take the next step and then the next one and so on until that season has passed.
Is there something you need to give to God? Is there something that just doesn't make scientific/logical sense, but you have to deal with it? There is a part of the Lord's prayer I repeat when I just don't understand or need help - "Thy will be done". Thy will, not my will.
I am a scientist at heart. I like it when things are black and white and there is an answer. I like it when we can replicate an experiment and come up with the same answer. When there is something wrong with my donkey, I like it when I can make a diagnosis and fix it or figure out the behavior.
Life does not always fit in to a to do list or a standard operating procedure. People, including me, don't always do what they are supposed to. There are thoughts, feelings, emotions, opinions and rubbish that aren't always nice and neat.
Being that I am a scientist, I like data. I have been collecting data on myself for the past 6-7 years on my behavior during he winter months. I am pretty sure I have Seasonal Affective Disorder or SAD. Even though I know I build up to this every winter, I still end up feeling very down. This year I tried spending more time outside with my animals each day, worked out as much as I could and kept busy with my jobs and coaching basketball. It helped and postponed the symptoms, but eventually I just get down. It isn't a major down, just enough to derail me and get me off track. That was last week and the low hit on Friday when I couldn't figure out how to work the Sonos so I didn't clean and really didn't do much of anything.
I think our faith goes through seasons. Not the church seasons of Advent, Lent, Epiphany and so on, but how we feel about God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit. I have had some pretty significant life events that I had to deal with and I would think I was doing fine until the "Friday" came, the low period and I would just have to give it to God. I mean, really and truly just give it to God to handle. Not give part of it to God and still work on it in my spare time to fix it, but hand it all over and realize it was out of my control.
That is where Psalm 3:3 comes in. The Lord can lift my head, and does, when I am down and need help. I need to get better at realizing it sooner and turning it over. That doesn't mean I crawl under the covers and stay there. It means I look to God each day to help me understand or maybe just help me take the next step and then the next one and so on until that season has passed.
Is there something you need to give to God? Is there something that just doesn't make scientific/logical sense, but you have to deal with it? There is a part of the Lord's prayer I repeat when I just don't understand or need help - "Thy will be done". Thy will, not my will.
Thursday, February 28, 2013
Sometimes I get angry
Ecclesiastes 7:9 Be not quick in your spirit to become angry, for anger lodges in the bosom of fools.
Sometimes I get angry with my husband.
Sometimes I get angry with co-workers.
Sometimes I get angry with people who don't know how to drive.
Lots of times I get angry with inanimate objects.
Mostly I get angry with myself, but sometimes I do get angry with God.
I have always believed that God is big enough and can take it. I still believe that.
Last week I was talking with my daughter about an after school activity and what she was going to do. I used sarcasm. Maybe a little too much sarcasm. She turned away and pretended to read her book when really she was sobbing.
I felt horrible. It wasn't anything that important. It wasn't worth crying over. She had every right to be mad at me. We then had a thirty minute conversation and it was wonderful, plus we figured out what she was going to do with the after school activity.
As the parent I could take her anger and shape it into something good even though I caused the pain.
I don't think God intends to cause us pain and make us angry, I think that is our human nature. I do think God uses those times in our lives to have a conversation with us and figure out what we are going to do.
God is having conversations with me right now. I am listening. I don't always like what I hear. Sometimes I don't know if I can do what He is asking of me, but I am almost at a place where I am willing to try.
Is God looking to have a conversation with you? Are you ready and willing to listen? Are you ready and willing to take action?
“Be not angry that you cannot make others as you wish them to be, since you cannot make yourself as you wish to be.” ~ Thomas A’ Kempis
Sometimes I get angry with my husband.
Sometimes I get angry with co-workers.
Sometimes I get angry with people who don't know how to drive.
Lots of times I get angry with inanimate objects.
Mostly I get angry with myself, but sometimes I do get angry with God.
I have always believed that God is big enough and can take it. I still believe that.
Last week I was talking with my daughter about an after school activity and what she was going to do. I used sarcasm. Maybe a little too much sarcasm. She turned away and pretended to read her book when really she was sobbing.
I felt horrible. It wasn't anything that important. It wasn't worth crying over. She had every right to be mad at me. We then had a thirty minute conversation and it was wonderful, plus we figured out what she was going to do with the after school activity.
As the parent I could take her anger and shape it into something good even though I caused the pain.
I don't think God intends to cause us pain and make us angry, I think that is our human nature. I do think God uses those times in our lives to have a conversation with us and figure out what we are going to do.
God is having conversations with me right now. I am listening. I don't always like what I hear. Sometimes I don't know if I can do what He is asking of me, but I am almost at a place where I am willing to try.
Is God looking to have a conversation with you? Are you ready and willing to listen? Are you ready and willing to take action?
“Be not angry that you cannot make others as you wish them to be, since you cannot make yourself as you wish to be.” ~ Thomas A’ Kempis
Sunday, February 10, 2013
Ash Wednesday
Genesis 2:7 - And the LORD God formed man [of] the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.
Psalm 103:14 for he knows how we are formed, he remembers that we are dust.
Ecclesiastes 3:20 All go to the same place; all come from dust, and to dust all return
This whole celebrating Ash Wednesday is still fairly new to me. In the tradition I grew up in we didn't have Lenten services. Easter started with Good Friday and sometimes maybe Maunday Thursday. I remember a pretty cool Last Supper re-enactment at the Congregational Church in Rio.
The first time I truly tried to give something up was after I was married and my husband and I gave up desserts. Well, that just led to many discussions about what constitutes a dessert. Is tapioca pudding a dessert?
The three Bible verses I listed at the beginning of this blog speak to me. We were formed from the ground and will return to the ground. I performed two funerals in 2012 and that concept of returning to dust has a whole new dimension for me.
If we are from the ground, shouldn't we take care of the ground? The Earth? I think that is the direction I am taking my Lenten journey this year. What can I give up or take up doing that will help the Earth?
Psalm 103:14 for he knows how we are formed, he remembers that we are dust.
Ecclesiastes 3:20 All go to the same place; all come from dust, and to dust all return
This whole celebrating Ash Wednesday is still fairly new to me. In the tradition I grew up in we didn't have Lenten services. Easter started with Good Friday and sometimes maybe Maunday Thursday. I remember a pretty cool Last Supper re-enactment at the Congregational Church in Rio.
The first time I truly tried to give something up was after I was married and my husband and I gave up desserts. Well, that just led to many discussions about what constitutes a dessert. Is tapioca pudding a dessert?
The three Bible verses I listed at the beginning of this blog speak to me. We were formed from the ground and will return to the ground. I performed two funerals in 2012 and that concept of returning to dust has a whole new dimension for me.
If we are from the ground, shouldn't we take care of the ground? The Earth? I think that is the direction I am taking my Lenten journey this year. What can I give up or take up doing that will help the Earth?
This picture is from my trip to Israel and is the site of Qumran where the Dead Sea Scrolls were found. I couldn't help but wonder when I was here if Jesus would have walked near here as he fasted in the desert for 40 days?
I am very curious as to what you do during these 40 days in preparation for Easter?
Monday, February 4, 2013
Winter Youth Retreat
Woo hoo - we survived Winter Youth Retreat!
A record number of youth registered which meant I had to find a place for everyone to sleep - what a great problem :-)
The Crossing at UW Madison led our sessions with the overall theme of Love God, Love Neighbor. There was a session where we remembered our baptism as water was gathered from different areas and in different forms around the camp grounds. Another session showed us how we are all connected and why we should love the environment. As we prepared for a campfire down by the lake there was time to pray together and pull all of the ideas of the weekend together. We had hot chocolate, s'mores and fellowship.
Thank you to all the leaders and to the youth that helped to make this a great weekend.
There was a lot of prep and build up time for the WYR and now that it is over it is time to start looking towards the summer. The dates are already set and listed on the website so now we are working on the theme, registration costs, supplies, staff and so on.
I know this post isn't extremely inspiring. I have to admit that the weather, lack of sun and busyness of the "to do list" have me down. Usually I just stay disciplined and plow through. I am looking forward to Lent and a retreat I want to register for in March. How do you stay inspired when there are roadblocks and challenges?
Hope everyone is staying warm and safe this winter. Shalom~
For those of you that may be attending UW Madison in your future, here is a link to The Crossing website so you can see what they are about: http://www.crossingministries.org/
A record number of youth registered which meant I had to find a place for everyone to sleep - what a great problem :-)
The Crossing at UW Madison led our sessions with the overall theme of Love God, Love Neighbor. There was a session where we remembered our baptism as water was gathered from different areas and in different forms around the camp grounds. Another session showed us how we are all connected and why we should love the environment. As we prepared for a campfire down by the lake there was time to pray together and pull all of the ideas of the weekend together. We had hot chocolate, s'mores and fellowship.
Thank you to all the leaders and to the youth that helped to make this a great weekend.
There was a lot of prep and build up time for the WYR and now that it is over it is time to start looking towards the summer. The dates are already set and listed on the website so now we are working on the theme, registration costs, supplies, staff and so on.
I know this post isn't extremely inspiring. I have to admit that the weather, lack of sun and busyness of the "to do list" have me down. Usually I just stay disciplined and plow through. I am looking forward to Lent and a retreat I want to register for in March. How do you stay inspired when there are roadblocks and challenges?
Hope everyone is staying warm and safe this winter. Shalom~
For those of you that may be attending UW Madison in your future, here is a link to The Crossing website so you can see what they are about: http://www.crossingministries.org/
Wednesday, January 16, 2013
Whom shall I fear...by Chris Tomlin
I don't have a full blog today, but have been thinking a lot about this song so here is the link so you can hear it too: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0x5aEvl6Zdk
Monday, January 7, 2013
Another round of random thoughts
Psalm 37:4 Delight yourself in the Lord;
And He will give you the desires of your heart.
First thought - this one I have been thinking about for a while and for the life of me can't find the song that started this. If I do hear it soon, I will respond on the blog. Anyway, what I hear in the song is that we go through trials, tribulations and sorrow. God sees this sorrow and is happy we are crying. I may be simplifying this a bit, but really? God is happy we are going through these tough times? I know the Bible says there will be tough times, but I don't remember seeing a place where it says God will be happy when we are sad. I think about being a parent. When my child goes through a tough time, I am right there with her. I am not happy. What do you think??
Next thought - My next class has to do with Ministry Ethics and I just started the reading. Just based on the topic you know it is going to be interesting. Last night I was wondering how churches measure success, then I wondered how pastors measure success and then this morning I wondered how we as individual Christians measure success. Then, I was wondering if we should even look at measuring success. I am still transitioning out of my corporate world and we always had goals/measurements/updates etc... So I am wondering, do any of you measure success as a Christian in any of these ways? As a church or individual?
Oh and here is a website I was looking at as I wrestle with this idea: http://www.goodnewsdispatch.org/success.html
Cool thought - At basketball practice last week I was wearing this bracelet:
A few girls asked me what it stood for and they were excited to know I was a believer.
Last thought - since it is the New Year, does anyone make resolutions? Specifically I am wondering if anyone ever kept one or achieved one? I don't care about the subject. Just curious. I am working on making better choices this year with what I eat, how I spend my time, you get the picture.
Happy New Year everyone - blessings for 2013 and beyond :-)
Thursday, January 3, 2013
We Three Kings of Orient Are....
Matthew 2:1-2
After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem 2 and asked, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.
I have been thinking about the 3 kings a lot this year. This isn't an area I have really thought about in past Christmases. Oh yeah, I would sing the song "We Three Kings" and loved listening to the bass voices showcase their talents.
One year as a Sunday School teacher my class chose as their pageant skit -Myrtle, Frank and a Few Wise Guys.
(Here is a link to it if you want to have a laugh:
http://www.dramatix.org.nz/archive/Christmas/myrtle_frank_and_wise_guys.html)
There is also the joke about 3 wise women:
My thinking started this Christmas with the idea of gifts. So many people get wrapped up (pun intended) in finding and buying the perfect gift or buying lots of gifts. What do people want vs what do people need. I am just as guilty of this. I love to give gifts. Why do we give gifts? I know some people think about Jesus being the greatest gift and He is, but what about the gifts the Wise Men or Magi brought and the meaning behind them?
- Gold (fit for a king)
- Frankincense (used to worship at a temple)
- Myrrh (used for embalming, as well as a salve for irritations such as diaper rash)
These gifts were also not given the day of Jesus birth, but after the Magi found him after a time of travel.
I received an e-mail from my Pastor as part of her prep for this Sunday and she had a line in the e-mail about where the focus was. The Magi it seems were focused on the right things and Herod was focused on the wrong things.
Not sure I have a great way to tie all this together, but wanted to share what I was thinking. I do know I want to change how we do presents in my immediate family next Christmas so we focus on the right things.
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