Mark 13:2“Do you see all these great buildings?” replied Jesus. “Not one stone here will be left on another; every one will be thrown down.”
I asked to give the sermon at my church this past weekend and it was a great experience. I want to share my take away message with those of you that read this blog :-)
The lectionary passage was Mark 13:1-8 and it just so happens I am in New Testament I class right now so I was able to use some of my learnings in the sermon. The author of Mark was a very blunt writer and didn't sugar coat Jesus' messages. That is evident in verse two above. There is no sentimental value to the building or the fact that it will be destroyed. I saw the temple when I was fortunate to visit Israel and it is a huge structure that is very impressive even now!
As Jesus talks to the disciples according to the commentary by Matthew Henry he is more worried about their conscience vs. the date events are going to occur.
That is my take away as we start the Advent season and look to go shopping on black Friday. It isn't about the presents, the decorations, the "temple". It is about how you behave and prepare yourself for the New Kingdom. Whenever it comes!
P.S. Registration is open on-line for the Winter Youth Retreat January 25-27th!
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Monday, November 19, 2012
Monday, November 12, 2012
Thanks - I think!
Psalm 100:4 (RSV) Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise! Give thanks to him, bless his name!
My brain again is scattered in many different directions. I seem to thrive on that though and like having many things going on. I do seem to have a hard time quieting my mind. Right now I am feeling guilty because I see all these posts on FaceBook and Pinterest dealing with what people are thankful for as we get closer and closer to Thanksgiving and my list seems to be pretty standard and boring. Sorry to my family and friends - I am thankful for you, but the idea of being thankful for you is boring to me. Those are two different things! Anyway, I did some research on the internet I want to share what I found some other people are thankful for and I realized I am too!
http://meanttobehappy.com/49-unconventional-things-i%E2%80%99m-grateful-for-that-i-bet-are-not-on-your-list/
http://christianteens.about.com/od/christianliving/tp/ThankfulList.htm
http://www.thefreedomexperiment.com/2012/01/09/48-things-to-be-grateful-for-when-you-need-to-shift-your-focus/
There are a lot of pages on the internet and these are just a few and just these three helped me to realize how much is not boring about my life and what I am thankful and grateful for :-)
I would be interested to know what you are thankful for!
My brain again is scattered in many different directions. I seem to thrive on that though and like having many things going on. I do seem to have a hard time quieting my mind. Right now I am feeling guilty because I see all these posts on FaceBook and Pinterest dealing with what people are thankful for as we get closer and closer to Thanksgiving and my list seems to be pretty standard and boring. Sorry to my family and friends - I am thankful for you, but the idea of being thankful for you is boring to me. Those are two different things! Anyway, I did some research on the internet I want to share what I found some other people are thankful for and I realized I am too!
http://meanttobehappy.com/49-unconventional-things-i%E2%80%99m-grateful-for-that-i-bet-are-not-on-your-list/
http://christianteens.about.com/od/christianliving/tp/ThankfulList.htm
http://www.thefreedomexperiment.com/2012/01/09/48-things-to-be-grateful-for-when-you-need-to-shift-your-focus/
There are a lot of pages on the internet and these are just a few and just these three helped me to realize how much is not boring about my life and what I am thankful and grateful for :-)
I would be interested to know what you are thankful for!
Monday, October 29, 2012
There is unrest in the forest, there is trouble with the trees....
Psalm 1:3
He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers.
There is a project with the state of Wisconsin to help clean up the trees on our property. This happens every 10-12 years or so and is a necessary action to maintain a healthy forest for the trees and the animals.
First an assessment is done to see if there are any dead or dying trees that need to be removed because they are a danger due to falling over and causing injury or damage. Then the trees are assessed for disease and if diseased trees are found sometimes trees 10-30 feet around that one tree will need to be removed as well because the damage could be spreading underground.
Once all the assessment is complete, the work can begin, but the company can't go in with the biggest trucks and equipment available. They need to find the right tools for the job to minimize any damage to healthy trees and have an organized clean up.
I am thinking tree harvesting is lot like camp...
Campers come each week to hear and participate in the programs we spend many hours preparing. As we work with them and spend time together we see where they may need to be lifted up or pruned. We have to be careful on both accounts though to do what is right for the camp as a whole or the individual camper as false praise and over-pruning can cause damage as well. Sometimes the campers come to realize what may need to be removed from their lives to help them live in a healthier relationship with God.
As leaders, we don't always know what lies underneath the need and how the camper got there so we need to keep in mind those aspects of their life. The maintenance of a forest takes years. Same thing sometimes with people and their spiritual life.
The right tools need to then be put in place. Brimstone and fire may have its place, but most often it is the small prayer, word of encouragement and written note that have the most meaning.
This may seem like a stretched analogy, but I think this can also apply to our own spiritual lives. Do you ever stop to take an assessment of the people or attitudes around you that are creating your own root system to deteriorate? Do you find ways to manage your spiritual life in healthy ways like setting boundaries or really celebrating a Sabbath? Sometimes trees that have lived their life cycle are left in the forest to help house other animals - do you share what you have learned with others or build relationships that are mutually beneficial?
He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers.
There is a project with the state of Wisconsin to help clean up the trees on our property. This happens every 10-12 years or so and is a necessary action to maintain a healthy forest for the trees and the animals.
First an assessment is done to see if there are any dead or dying trees that need to be removed because they are a danger due to falling over and causing injury or damage. Then the trees are assessed for disease and if diseased trees are found sometimes trees 10-30 feet around that one tree will need to be removed as well because the damage could be spreading underground.
Once all the assessment is complete, the work can begin, but the company can't go in with the biggest trucks and equipment available. They need to find the right tools for the job to minimize any damage to healthy trees and have an organized clean up.
I am thinking tree harvesting is lot like camp...
Campers come each week to hear and participate in the programs we spend many hours preparing. As we work with them and spend time together we see where they may need to be lifted up or pruned. We have to be careful on both accounts though to do what is right for the camp as a whole or the individual camper as false praise and over-pruning can cause damage as well. Sometimes the campers come to realize what may need to be removed from their lives to help them live in a healthier relationship with God.
As leaders, we don't always know what lies underneath the need and how the camper got there so we need to keep in mind those aspects of their life. The maintenance of a forest takes years. Same thing sometimes with people and their spiritual life.
The right tools need to then be put in place. Brimstone and fire may have its place, but most often it is the small prayer, word of encouragement and written note that have the most meaning.
This may seem like a stretched analogy, but I think this can also apply to our own spiritual lives. Do you ever stop to take an assessment of the people or attitudes around you that are creating your own root system to deteriorate? Do you find ways to manage your spiritual life in healthy ways like setting boundaries or really celebrating a Sabbath? Sometimes trees that have lived their life cycle are left in the forest to help house other animals - do you share what you have learned with others or build relationships that are mutually beneficial?
Friday, October 5, 2012
Ch Ch Ch Changes
Genesis 8:22 (ESV)
While the earth remains, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, day and night, shall not cease.”
Hopefully everyone has noticed the weather changing, the leaves turning color and falling to the ground, the frost advisories that are coming out and the shorter days. I know I have. I admit that I am a summer girl. I tell people that I would make a good lizard sitting out on a rock soaking up the sun! I am not looking forward to days getting shorter, having to lug water to the animals and freezing my fingers while I do chores.
What is interesting with the verse I picked for this blog is that in the NIV the word "remains" is replaced by the word "endures". Endure is a verb that means to suffer or tolerate. Even though I grew up in Wisconsin it still feels that I endure winter every year.
I think these are interesting word choices as we look at our walk with God as well since we are of this earth. There are things we need to endure. I think each thing or situation is different for each person, but I know the path of faith is not always easy. What is also interesting is if you look at synonyms for endure: bear (well, bears can hibernate :-)), stand, suffer, tolerate, sustain and undergo. The word sustain and undergo stick out to me. In Wisconsin we can't have the beautiful springs unless the earth can undergo a transformation and flowers can regenerate, trees can grow deeper in the ground and have a seeming time of rest. The way the seasons work also helps the earth to sustain resources. We noticed that especially this past summer when things get out of whack and there isn't a sustaining rain to help all the growth.
As you endure on this earth, what helps to sustain you through the difficult or changing times?
I am looking forward to the Winter Youth Retreat the end of January - that can be a time of enduing through the long months until we can spend time at Tamarack again.
If you aren't someone that can make it to the retreat...what helps you?
What is interesting with the verse I picked for this blog is that in the NIV the word "remains" is replaced by the word "endures". Endure is a verb that means to suffer or tolerate. Even though I grew up in Wisconsin it still feels that I endure winter every year.
I think these are interesting word choices as we look at our walk with God as well since we are of this earth. There are things we need to endure. I think each thing or situation is different for each person, but I know the path of faith is not always easy. What is also interesting is if you look at synonyms for endure: bear (well, bears can hibernate :-)), stand, suffer, tolerate, sustain and undergo. The word sustain and undergo stick out to me. In Wisconsin we can't have the beautiful springs unless the earth can undergo a transformation and flowers can regenerate, trees can grow deeper in the ground and have a seeming time of rest. The way the seasons work also helps the earth to sustain resources. We noticed that especially this past summer when things get out of whack and there isn't a sustaining rain to help all the growth.
As you endure on this earth, what helps to sustain you through the difficult or changing times?
I am looking forward to the Winter Youth Retreat the end of January - that can be a time of enduing through the long months until we can spend time at Tamarack again.
If you aren't someone that can make it to the retreat...what helps you?
Monday, September 24, 2012
What do you see?
Lord, You are more precious than silver;
Lord, You are more costly than gold;
Lord, You are more beautiful than diamonds;
And nothing I desire compares with You.
I know I don't have a Bible verse listed up there. I have a verse from a song we sing at camp and I have been humming it all day. Yesterday I was sitting on the dock (for those of you that go to camp it was the dock on the right that ONLY the lifeguards are supposed to be on, but I am the Director so there) and working on my being still and knowing. It was cloudy, but when the sun did make an appearance it was warm. I closed my eyes and was listening to nature and praying. When I opened my eyes, the sun was just coming out from behind a cloud and it appeared on top of the lake that a path of sparkly diamonds was headed toward me. Now, I can explain all this scientifically with how the sun was refracting on the waves as the wind pushed the water, but I don't want to go there right now. I want to go to a place where things are transformed and where I felt like the richest person in the world with God showing me all the diamonds in my life. I am not a writer and am probably not describing this very well, but I know what I saw on the water and how it felt and I am rich in God and His blessings. Sometimes I just have to look at things in a different way.
Anything you need to look at differently?
Lord, You are more costly than gold;
Lord, You are more beautiful than diamonds;
And nothing I desire compares with You.
I know I don't have a Bible verse listed up there. I have a verse from a song we sing at camp and I have been humming it all day. Yesterday I was sitting on the dock (for those of you that go to camp it was the dock on the right that ONLY the lifeguards are supposed to be on, but I am the Director so there) and working on my being still and knowing. It was cloudy, but when the sun did make an appearance it was warm. I closed my eyes and was listening to nature and praying. When I opened my eyes, the sun was just coming out from behind a cloud and it appeared on top of the lake that a path of sparkly diamonds was headed toward me. Now, I can explain all this scientifically with how the sun was refracting on the waves as the wind pushed the water, but I don't want to go there right now. I want to go to a place where things are transformed and where I felt like the richest person in the world with God showing me all the diamonds in my life. I am not a writer and am probably not describing this very well, but I know what I saw on the water and how it felt and I am rich in God and His blessings. Sometimes I just have to look at things in a different way.
Anything you need to look at differently?
Tuesday, September 18, 2012
Less of me...
Set me free from my prison,
that I may praise your name.
Then the righteous will gather about me because of your goodness to me. Psalm 142:7
My Pastor is preaching a series on the fruits of the spirit and last Sunday she preached on goodness. The passage she used was Psalm 142. That message has stuck with me the past couple of days. There was a quote she used that was some thing to the effect of ....when there is less of me, there can be more of God.
How many times do we look to fill our days, our time, our calendars with stuff to do, people to see and work. I know that I do. I am comfortable with my to do list, my hours, days, weeks, months planned out. With my vocation changing and the life changes my family is going through, I do sometimes feel less of myself. My identity was wrapped up in my work and what I did. I don't have that anymore so I started looking to see how I could fill that time. Maybe I don't need to fill that time, God will do that for me.
That is easier said than done. During class this weekend I learned I am borderline type A personality and like things structured, orderly and "right". Sometimes God doesn't do order and structure. Plus His idea of right may be different than mine.
I am learning to let go and learning how to play. I think God has plans for me, but I may miss the forest for the trees as I keep updating my to do list and calendar.
Anyone else out there that needs to be less of themselves and let God fill the space?
P.S. - I was also told in class that I am normal, just a little weird :-)
that I may praise your name.
Then the righteous will gather about me because of your goodness to me. Psalm 142:7
My Pastor is preaching a series on the fruits of the spirit and last Sunday she preached on goodness. The passage she used was Psalm 142. That message has stuck with me the past couple of days. There was a quote she used that was some thing to the effect of ....when there is less of me, there can be more of God.
How many times do we look to fill our days, our time, our calendars with stuff to do, people to see and work. I know that I do. I am comfortable with my to do list, my hours, days, weeks, months planned out. With my vocation changing and the life changes my family is going through, I do sometimes feel less of myself. My identity was wrapped up in my work and what I did. I don't have that anymore so I started looking to see how I could fill that time. Maybe I don't need to fill that time, God will do that for me.
That is easier said than done. During class this weekend I learned I am borderline type A personality and like things structured, orderly and "right". Sometimes God doesn't do order and structure. Plus His idea of right may be different than mine.
I am learning to let go and learning how to play. I think God has plans for me, but I may miss the forest for the trees as I keep updating my to do list and calendar.
Anyone else out there that needs to be less of themselves and let God fill the space?
P.S. - I was also told in class that I am normal, just a little weird :-)
Monday, September 10, 2012
What's next?
“Commit your works to the LORD and your plans will be established.” Proverbs 16:3 (NASB)
Last week I wrote about looking back or reflection on the summer and I have asked my Pastor if I can give a sermon in the near future about my reflections at camp. I am pretty excited about that as it will be my second real sermon ever.
This week, I am looking to the present and future. Since camp has ended for this season, I have had a lot of people ask me what I do now?? Well, I sleep and then get up and nap, and maybe eat and then sleep again :-) Maybe for the first day or two after camp ended that was my schedule. :-P
I moved back to my farm full time and took a couple vacations with my family. It was great to be together 24/7 after not being home much this summer. I think the animals are happy to have me back too and in a normal routine. Animals thrive on routines and I do too.
For my Camp routine, I come to the Milwaukee office once a week and work on paperwork, database updates, miscellaneous followup from the summer and look toward the Winter Youth Retreat and setting up that weekend with a theme, leaders and getting the registration out there plus next year's camping season.
I am also in seminary pretty much full time and have a class gong on right now for Formation for Christian Ministry so I have papers, reading, projects and class time to work in to my routine.
The hardest part has been my home routine. I am not used to being home as much as I am now and it is throwing me for a loop. I feel guilty if I am not working on a to do list or organizing something. I have created a home to do list and am working on getting my house and farm in shape. We moved in about 6 years ago and there are some boxes I still haven't really unpacked. I have also done some research on organizing and simplifying all aspects of your life and removing clutter helps to move forward. I definitely have some clutter that can go!
I also started being the primary cook in our house. For those of you that know me well, I will wait a moment while you stop laughing. You good now? Yup, I am planning menus, cooking and trying new things and you know I actually like it.
I am still a little nervous about the future, what this Camp job brings, what leaving my other job means and what will I do with all this schooling, but I look to the verse at the top of this blog and I know I have committed my works to the Lord and He will work out the plan.
What has you nervous or scared that you need to commit to the Lord and trust in His planning?
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