As I write this morning, I am in a state of pure bliss, which is part of the reason I wanted to write. I don't like to write for public intent out of anger, disappointment, apathy, or revenge. Reading words written for such reasons bring me down and that's the last thing I want to do for someone else. Happy words, on the other hand, are share-able and hopefully uplifting, even to me later when I may feel less blissful. So this morning I want to remember how I feel. Let me explain why I am on Cloud 9.
About a month ago, Ryan had a wonderfully sweet idea. By his suggestion and after a little planning, this morning I enjoyed a child-free, guilt-free breakfast with other mom friends. We didn't share our food or lean across the table to cut eggs into pieces and none of us left looking like we had had an accident because no one spilled anything on us! In a word, it was lovely. It was a soak-it-all-in kind of experience. I was fully aware of how much I was enjoying the small break, but more so I was (am) so thankful for such a loving husband.
As I drove to and from the restaurant I had time by myself in the car, which doesn't happen often, but the big deal to me in the car was having control of the radio. (My music has been commandeered for some time now by a certain 2-year-old someone, who is adorable and opinionated, and replaced with repetitive jingles that visit me in my dreams.) You would think I would take advantage of my country music while I had the chance but on the way home, I actually turned the radio off and just enjoyed the silence and the snow still on the ground from our last storm.
Somewhere between feeling so blessed and being surrounded by white, my mind turned to hopeful advent thoughts. I hope the usual hopes of peace and joy and those hopes are wonderful. But my thoughts were also on my motivation for feeling so blessed this morning. Why this morning, why not every morning? Why not at least Sunday morning? Sunday mornings for me as a mom, Sunday school teacher, pastor's wife mean quite a bit of planning and preparation by myself. Sometimes by the time we are on the way home from church, I am so worn out that I don't even realize that I never fully showed up.
Have you ever had guests in your home that don't want to eat? If you invite someone to your home for a meal, you are excited to share with them what you have prepared in the best of hospitable intentions. Wouldn't you be disappointed if their response was any form of "No thanks"? They may even have a really good reason for not wanting to eat, but there is still disappointment in your heart because of an unshared blessing and a seemingly wasted preparation and invitation.
Now flip that.
Every Sunday morning I go to church "just to be there" OR spend my time of meditation going over to-do lists in my mind OR sit among fellow believers but not do not engage my brain OR complain about a song because I don't like the melody and ignore the powerful lyrics OR walk away from a need because someone else will do it OR check out all together from Monday-Saturday...
I feel like the guest who showed up by God's invitation to receive nourishment and, by whatever popular justification, refuse yet another blessing. I can only imagine how that makes God feel.
My hope for all this advent season is purposeful motivation to engage in each and every tiny, huge, casual, unexpected, planned blessing that crosses our paths. To use a Christmas cliche, that may mean giving blessing through planning and invitation and receiving when someone else has done the same. But most importantly for each of our souls, may we RECOGNIZE God's invitation, participate in God's calling, and may our response be gratitude and to go and do likewise for even the most difficult person in the family, on the block, in the office, or from our past. (If you just pictured someone, I hope you feel challenged.)
It's amazing what a little fellowship followed by alone time can do for the soul! I hope you receive some of that as well this holiday season.
Sincerely warm blessing to you and yours this Christmas with high hopes!
Showing posts with label church. Show all posts
Showing posts with label church. Show all posts
Saturday, December 10, 2011
Friday, September 30, 2011
Child-like Faith - ask a child
Every Sunday morning in our worship service, we all participate in a "Call to Worship". It involves a leader reading a statement, and everyone else reads a bolded line in response. In this we unite and center our hearts. Last Sunday, I taught Sunday School for the children's class and we wrote our own call to worship. They blew me away! Adorable does not begin to describe these kids, and blessed does not even cover how I felt as I learned from them. When I told them we were going to write our own call to worship, I asked them to tell me something that is true about God, and then we would write a response of how we felt about that. I only asked questions and helped with sentence structure; this is 100% child created.
First Christian Church, Children's Call to Worship:
Leader: Jesus, You died on the cross.
All: And for that we are thankful.
Leader: You love us no matter what.
All: And for that we are grateful and blessed.
Leader: Creation is awesome!
All: We love You!
First Christian Church, Children's Call to Worship:
Leader: Jesus, You died on the cross.
All: And for that we are thankful.
Leader: You love us no matter what.
All: And for that we are grateful and blessed.
Leader: Creation is awesome!
All: We love You!
Saturday, August 6, 2011
US Downgrade - A Blessing from God?
On Friday, Standard & Poor’s downgraded the United States government credit rating from AAA rating to AA+. This judgement sent shock-waves though both political parties with a variety of reactions, and with most choosing to blame their neighbors across the isle.
What I find most interesting is not the animistic habits of politics; rather the reaction of the Church. As far as I know, no single denomination of Christianity has taken an official stance on the debt crisis, and now the government downgrade. Nonetheless, editorials, blogs, and social media provide avenues for some say this is God’s judgement on the liberalization of America; while others attempt to pray our way out of the “crisis” (Gov. Rick Perry and the AFA prayer meeting in Houston). Both of these follow a false narrative that says God’s blessing is wrapped up in our wealth and/or reputation as a nation.
With our new rating, the US government joins Spain, Saudi Arabia, and Taiwan (among others) with the second to highest rating possible, and we would be so short sighted to forget that the S&P did not begin rating sovereign nations until 1911. I would imagine that the US government rating during the Civil War would have been much lower than AA+. While the effects of this downgrade will be widespread, and devastating to some, it will not change the mission of the Church.
Karl Barth said, “The Church is a place of fruitful and hopeful repentance.” With the downgrade the Church’s repentance may take place in a less elaborate sanctuary, or maybe it will take place in a line at the unemployment office. So what? Christ still plays in ten thousand places (to barrow a phrase from Eugene Peterson), and I suspect the Church is fulfilling its mission of fruitful and hopeful repentance in Spain, Saudi Arabia, and Taiwan. Are we to think we are more or less blessed than Argentina or Ghana with their B and B+ ratings respectfully?
Who knows, maybe our prayers have been answered; maybe the US government downgrade is a blessing from God.
What I find most interesting is not the animistic habits of politics; rather the reaction of the Church. As far as I know, no single denomination of Christianity has taken an official stance on the debt crisis, and now the government downgrade. Nonetheless, editorials, blogs, and social media provide avenues for some say this is God’s judgement on the liberalization of America; while others attempt to pray our way out of the “crisis” (Gov. Rick Perry and the AFA prayer meeting in Houston). Both of these follow a false narrative that says God’s blessing is wrapped up in our wealth and/or reputation as a nation.
With our new rating, the US government joins Spain, Saudi Arabia, and Taiwan (among others) with the second to highest rating possible, and we would be so short sighted to forget that the S&P did not begin rating sovereign nations until 1911. I would imagine that the US government rating during the Civil War would have been much lower than AA+. While the effects of this downgrade will be widespread, and devastating to some, it will not change the mission of the Church.
Karl Barth said, “The Church is a place of fruitful and hopeful repentance.” With the downgrade the Church’s repentance may take place in a less elaborate sanctuary, or maybe it will take place in a line at the unemployment office. So what? Christ still plays in ten thousand places (to barrow a phrase from Eugene Peterson), and I suspect the Church is fulfilling its mission of fruitful and hopeful repentance in Spain, Saudi Arabia, and Taiwan. Are we to think we are more or less blessed than Argentina or Ghana with their B and B+ ratings respectfully?
Who knows, maybe our prayers have been answered; maybe the US government downgrade is a blessing from God.
Wednesday, July 27, 2011
From verbal vomit to spiritual epiphany
Yesterday, on our morning walk, we decided to stop by the church and say "hello". Our church has a daycare on the same level as the church offices where Ryan can usually be found. On entering through the front doors, one is often greeted by a line of preschoolers waiting to "go potty". These innocent smiles are always a day brightener for me, and for them- especially if you bring a dog.
Caty walks with us in the mornings so she was with us yesterday as we entered the daycare on the way to see Ryan. One little boy was especially excited about Caty and curiously asked, "Where is the dog going?" I answered his logical question with, "She's going to see the pastor."
Are you familiar with "verbal vomit"? It's where something literally is thrown out of your mouth and you have no idea why you said your most recent sentence or phrase. This almost happened and thank goodness I caught myself. My next unprovoked sentence was almost, "She's been a very naughty dog." As if my dog was coming to confession or needing to "get right with God".
An adult reader may find a bit of humor in this idea, but I was immediately surprised by my own inappropriateness to share such a though with a preschooler. What if my dumb comment became this little boy's perception of pastors and church? What if he though pastor = bad/punishment? As I thought through this scenario, I couldn't help but have great compassion on the massive amounts of children and adults who already think that. The term "burned by the church" refers to an individual who has sworn off church because of the unthinkable experiences no one should ever have, especially in the church. Church should be sanctuary. Church should be compassion and love. Church should be open arms to those coming to see the pastor if they have "been bad", not gossip and condescending eyes.
Does the name Anne Rice ring a bell? She is a very famous author, most widely known for The Vampire Chronicles. We recently watched an interview with Anne Rice on Christianity. She loves Jesus with all her heart and she makes me want to sit with her and have tea while we discuss life. However, she refuses to be called a Christian. After hearing her experience with the church, it's no wonder why she doesn't want to be a Christian. Thank God this hurt soul has been able to separate her experience of flawed, selfish people from Jesus who she knows is nothing like the "church" she once was a part of. Most people "burned by the church" are not so lucky. Most people who disengage from church all together leave with a bitter taste in their mouth of everything related to the church including their relationship to God.
While we must realize how our words, actions, intentions, and perceived intentions effect those around us, especially those who come to church seeking fellowship, community, and healing, we must strive for balance! If we let the pendulum swing the other way, we become a Sunday morning full of "Eleanor Rigby"s who keep our faces in jars by the door. (If this last sentence does not make sense, please listen to the song from the video- one of our favorite Beatles songs with an incredible depiction of a church member and a vicar in the Anglican church.)
Balance.
If we are to partake in the community offered by church membership and outreach, we must offer in return: honesty. If we are to remain a part of that community, we must present our gift of honesty in a spirit of compassion. If our compassion is to be taken seriously, we must offer compassion sincerely as well as receive compassion from others because we have been honest with others about our needs. See the cycle? If at any point this cycle is broken, we lose the community.
Observe: If we offer insincere compassion, it is perceived as judgment. If we do not share our needs and allow others to offer compassion to us, not only do we not receive what we need, others do not have the chance to complete their cycle of compassion and we are now wearing a mask in front of the people with whom we should be most raw.
For years, diet commercials have caught our eye because we are told we can have the perfect body by completely eliminating carbs, or fat, or sugar, etc. The reason these never work is because our bodies need a balanced diet. So it is with the body of Christ. No one can be eliminated from the fullness of community. If we remove ourselves or drive others away, the body is incomplete. I love the motto for the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ): "A movement for wholeness in a fragmented world".
Friends, let's do this! If each of us attempted this everyday to our capacity, can you imagine? Oh what a world it would be. Let us together pray,
"Your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven."
Caty walks with us in the mornings so she was with us yesterday as we entered the daycare on the way to see Ryan. One little boy was especially excited about Caty and curiously asked, "Where is the dog going?" I answered his logical question with, "She's going to see the pastor."
Are you familiar with "verbal vomit"? It's where something literally is thrown out of your mouth and you have no idea why you said your most recent sentence or phrase. This almost happened and thank goodness I caught myself. My next unprovoked sentence was almost, "She's been a very naughty dog." As if my dog was coming to confession or needing to "get right with God".
An adult reader may find a bit of humor in this idea, but I was immediately surprised by my own inappropriateness to share such a though with a preschooler. What if my dumb comment became this little boy's perception of pastors and church? What if he though pastor = bad/punishment? As I thought through this scenario, I couldn't help but have great compassion on the massive amounts of children and adults who already think that. The term "burned by the church" refers to an individual who has sworn off church because of the unthinkable experiences no one should ever have, especially in the church. Church should be sanctuary. Church should be compassion and love. Church should be open arms to those coming to see the pastor if they have "been bad", not gossip and condescending eyes.
Does the name Anne Rice ring a bell? She is a very famous author, most widely known for The Vampire Chronicles. We recently watched an interview with Anne Rice on Christianity. She loves Jesus with all her heart and she makes me want to sit with her and have tea while we discuss life. However, she refuses to be called a Christian. After hearing her experience with the church, it's no wonder why she doesn't want to be a Christian. Thank God this hurt soul has been able to separate her experience of flawed, selfish people from Jesus who she knows is nothing like the "church" she once was a part of. Most people "burned by the church" are not so lucky. Most people who disengage from church all together leave with a bitter taste in their mouth of everything related to the church including their relationship to God.
While we must realize how our words, actions, intentions, and perceived intentions effect those around us, especially those who come to church seeking fellowship, community, and healing, we must strive for balance! If we let the pendulum swing the other way, we become a Sunday morning full of "Eleanor Rigby"s who keep our faces in jars by the door. (If this last sentence does not make sense, please listen to the song from the video- one of our favorite Beatles songs with an incredible depiction of a church member and a vicar in the Anglican church.)
Balance.
If we are to partake in the community offered by church membership and outreach, we must offer in return: honesty. If we are to remain a part of that community, we must present our gift of honesty in a spirit of compassion. If our compassion is to be taken seriously, we must offer compassion sincerely as well as receive compassion from others because we have been honest with others about our needs. See the cycle? If at any point this cycle is broken, we lose the community.
Observe: If we offer insincere compassion, it is perceived as judgment. If we do not share our needs and allow others to offer compassion to us, not only do we not receive what we need, others do not have the chance to complete their cycle of compassion and we are now wearing a mask in front of the people with whom we should be most raw.
For years, diet commercials have caught our eye because we are told we can have the perfect body by completely eliminating carbs, or fat, or sugar, etc. The reason these never work is because our bodies need a balanced diet. So it is with the body of Christ. No one can be eliminated from the fullness of community. If we remove ourselves or drive others away, the body is incomplete. I love the motto for the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ): "A movement for wholeness in a fragmented world".
Friends, let's do this! If each of us attempted this everyday to our capacity, can you imagine? Oh what a world it would be. Let us together pray,
"Your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven."
Thursday, June 16, 2011
Pentecost Benediction
Ryan wrote this benediction for our congregation. I wanted to share this on the blog of course because I hope that all readers would receive this good word, and also because the Thanksgiving benediction from a couple years ago has been used by many; therefore, I am creating a new label for benedictions. If you are reading this and happen to also be in a position of church leadership, feel free borrow and if you would like to share something you have written, you can leave yours as a comment.
Receive now this benediction:
Receive now this benediction:
May the love of God create in you new life.
May the power of God transform your old habits into new hope.
and
May the Spirit of God grant you wisdom and vision, emboldening you to proclaim the good news of God’s love to all.
May the Spirit of God grant you wisdom and vision, emboldening you to proclaim the good news of God’s love to all.
Amen.
Sunday, June 12, 2011
Sunday Prayer
May your Sabbath be filled with lights of worship,
moments of reflection,
moments of inspiration,
moments of deep connection to those you see most often, those you miss, those who need your help, and most of all the One who created you and continues to call to you.
May your Sabbath be still.
Still enough for peace to settle where turmoil resides.
Still enough for you to selflessly offer prayers on behalf of others.
Still enough for you to feel the breath of God.
May you accept this opportunity to rest, for God is at work when you are not.
Lord, tune our hearts to sing your grace.
Lord, may we hear from you today?
moments of reflection,
moments of inspiration,
moments of deep connection to those you see most often, those you miss, those who need your help, and most of all the One who created you and continues to call to you.
May your Sabbath be still.
Still enough for peace to settle where turmoil resides.
Still enough for you to selflessly offer prayers on behalf of others.
Still enough for you to feel the breath of God.
May you accept this opportunity to rest, for God is at work when you are not.
Lord, tune our hearts to sing your grace.
Lord, may we hear from you today?
Monday, June 6, 2011
What's your story?
Do you go to church?
This question is not meant to provoke any judgement whatsoever. I was just wondering...
If you do go, what makes you leave your home on your day off with the intention of "going to church"? If you don't go to church, why not? Do you think attending church makes a difference in your life? If Sunday is not a day off for you, do you wish you were able to attend church? What would "the best worship service ever" be like?
If you have been following this blog recently, you may know that I have been thinking a whole lot about kids and church (see blogs: "Please help" and "More help please"). As I think about the way church influences children, I can't help but think about how kids grow up. (Profound, I know!) Maybe as you read this now, you have memories of how you viewed church as a child. Perhaps is was "that place those kids go", "your sanctuary", "that place you were dragged", "that place you dragged others to", "that place where you sit still so you can have the snacks"... Somewhere along the line, I suspect you developed your own opinion about why you went or why you didn't go. Would you mind telling me how that opinion happened? It can be positive or negative.
If it is negative, I'm sorry. I wish I could know that all Christians at all times were doing justice to represent the name of Christ. I wish I never saw on the news that a church somewhere was violently destroying what Christ came to build. I wish more conversations about church were filled with fond memories of community, spiritual journey, serving others, meeting each other's needs, supporting each other "in the valley as well as on the mountain tops". I wish I had never been I part of anything negative in the church, but I know that's not true. Church is full, and I mean FULL, of the good, the bad, and the ugly. As a wonderful mentor once said to me, "Church is full of flawed people which means, inevitably, there will be screw-ups. But if we were weren't flawed, we wouldn't need Jesus."
I am asking for your stories and opinions, and so I thought perhaps, I should share mine.
As a baby, I was sprinkled in the Methodist church that my grandparents attended and around age 3, my mom and step-dad found a Baptist church. I loved that church as a child and have many fond memories of children's choirs, Sunday Schools, being baptized, church picnics, Vacation Bible Schools, etc. If the church doors were opened, my family was probably there. One year, the economy took a downward turn and my step-dad was laid off from his job. My family had always been a part of "adopting" other families at Christmas. But that year our church "adopted" us. I remember learning as a family that blessing are two-fold: those who give and those who receive. My mom's first instinct was to refuse the offer from the church, but she new that we would be taking away from the joy of those who wanted to help our family. It was simultaneously a lesson in humility and beautiful providence.
At times in my high school years, I thought I disliked church. In retrospect I see that we were hormonally-challenged teenagers addicted to drama and faux independence. God bless youth pastors! As time usually does bring healing, we made it through those times together. However, if my church journey had stopped there I would have been left with a very bitter taste. Thankfully, college brought real independence as I searched for a new church for the first time in my life. My family had been (and still is) at that same church I grew up in; therefore, moving away from my family and church family was a very "new" experience. I learned that every church was different in every way possible from music and preaching to friendliness and kids' programs. I wanted to find "the perfect church" and realized that is an oxymoron, but I finally understood more than ever church is about being able to worship God than about who else was going to be there.
Now my view of church has changed even more as Ryan and I dreamed of church ministry throughout the process of Ryan completing his masters of divinity and now as he serves as the minister of a wonderful Disciples of Christ church in the mountains of New Mexico.
I have mentioned three different denominations that have impacted my spiritual journey but to be honest, it was never about the denominations, but the people in each of the different churches. I think the greatest gift a church can offer a community of participating members and visitors is a worshipful, loving environment. My desire for a person on Sunday morning is to walk into a place that is saturated with love, filled with people desiring growth for themselves as well as a servant's heart that will enable others' growth as well. (This may mean responding to an internal tug- the kind of tug you feel when you hear about a need whether it is within the church walls or within the greater community.) My desire for each heart present is to leave full, each mind to leave inspired and challenged, and each soul to leave touched.
I have come to see that church is a melting pot of personalities influenced by previous personal experiences. I hope you feel like you are a part of that melting pot and that "church" would not be the same without what you have to offer, even if that means offering a second chance to "church".
*Please leave your thoughts as comments and please notice the label on this post is "church". If comments are left that you disagree with, I ask you to respect freedom of speech and the right to leave an opinion. I am asking for honesty and am genuinely interested in your story.
This question is not meant to provoke any judgement whatsoever. I was just wondering...
If you do go, what makes you leave your home on your day off with the intention of "going to church"? If you don't go to church, why not? Do you think attending church makes a difference in your life? If Sunday is not a day off for you, do you wish you were able to attend church? What would "the best worship service ever" be like?
If you have been following this blog recently, you may know that I have been thinking a whole lot about kids and church (see blogs: "Please help" and "More help please"). As I think about the way church influences children, I can't help but think about how kids grow up. (Profound, I know!) Maybe as you read this now, you have memories of how you viewed church as a child. Perhaps is was "that place those kids go", "your sanctuary", "that place you were dragged", "that place you dragged others to", "that place where you sit still so you can have the snacks"... Somewhere along the line, I suspect you developed your own opinion about why you went or why you didn't go. Would you mind telling me how that opinion happened? It can be positive or negative.
If it is negative, I'm sorry. I wish I could know that all Christians at all times were doing justice to represent the name of Christ. I wish I never saw on the news that a church somewhere was violently destroying what Christ came to build. I wish more conversations about church were filled with fond memories of community, spiritual journey, serving others, meeting each other's needs, supporting each other "in the valley as well as on the mountain tops". I wish I had never been I part of anything negative in the church, but I know that's not true. Church is full, and I mean FULL, of the good, the bad, and the ugly. As a wonderful mentor once said to me, "Church is full of flawed people which means, inevitably, there will be screw-ups. But if we were weren't flawed, we wouldn't need Jesus."
I am asking for your stories and opinions, and so I thought perhaps, I should share mine.
As a baby, I was sprinkled in the Methodist church that my grandparents attended and around age 3, my mom and step-dad found a Baptist church. I loved that church as a child and have many fond memories of children's choirs, Sunday Schools, being baptized, church picnics, Vacation Bible Schools, etc. If the church doors were opened, my family was probably there. One year, the economy took a downward turn and my step-dad was laid off from his job. My family had always been a part of "adopting" other families at Christmas. But that year our church "adopted" us. I remember learning as a family that blessing are two-fold: those who give and those who receive. My mom's first instinct was to refuse the offer from the church, but she new that we would be taking away from the joy of those who wanted to help our family. It was simultaneously a lesson in humility and beautiful providence.
At times in my high school years, I thought I disliked church. In retrospect I see that we were hormonally-challenged teenagers addicted to drama and faux independence. God bless youth pastors! As time usually does bring healing, we made it through those times together. However, if my church journey had stopped there I would have been left with a very bitter taste. Thankfully, college brought real independence as I searched for a new church for the first time in my life. My family had been (and still is) at that same church I grew up in; therefore, moving away from my family and church family was a very "new" experience. I learned that every church was different in every way possible from music and preaching to friendliness and kids' programs. I wanted to find "the perfect church" and realized that is an oxymoron, but I finally understood more than ever church is about being able to worship God than about who else was going to be there.
Now my view of church has changed even more as Ryan and I dreamed of church ministry throughout the process of Ryan completing his masters of divinity and now as he serves as the minister of a wonderful Disciples of Christ church in the mountains of New Mexico.
I have mentioned three different denominations that have impacted my spiritual journey but to be honest, it was never about the denominations, but the people in each of the different churches. I think the greatest gift a church can offer a community of participating members and visitors is a worshipful, loving environment. My desire for a person on Sunday morning is to walk into a place that is saturated with love, filled with people desiring growth for themselves as well as a servant's heart that will enable others' growth as well. (This may mean responding to an internal tug- the kind of tug you feel when you hear about a need whether it is within the church walls or within the greater community.) My desire for each heart present is to leave full, each mind to leave inspired and challenged, and each soul to leave touched.
I have come to see that church is a melting pot of personalities influenced by previous personal experiences. I hope you feel like you are a part of that melting pot and that "church" would not be the same without what you have to offer, even if that means offering a second chance to "church".
*Please leave your thoughts as comments and please notice the label on this post is "church". If comments are left that you disagree with, I ask you to respect freedom of speech and the right to leave an opinion. I am asking for honesty and am genuinely interested in your story.
Sunday, May 15, 2011
More Help Please
In my search for ideas from the "Please Help" blog last week, I have realized I am in search of two categories. My original appeal is to people who have experienced children's ministry themselves either as a child or now with their own child (children). I am so interested in your thoughts about how children can be reached!
The second group of people I now would like also to hear from: anyone who has worked with children in the church; any age group of children, paid children's worker or children's ministry volunteer, etc.
What have you learned about children in working with them in a church setting?
What have you learned about the church because of your work with children?
What is your biggest celebration in working with children in the church?
What is your biggest defeat in working with children in the church?
What advice would you offer to children's ministry volunteers?
What advice would you offer to children's ministry organizers?
What are your top three favorite resources you use (or have used) for children's ministry?
What do you do on Sunday morning to prepare for the children you will soon see?
In your opinion, what is the most positive effect a strong children's ministry can have on the life of a church?
*All comments are automatically anonymous. If you are comfortable in me knowing who you are, please type your name at the end of your comment. I appreciate your feedback!
The second group of people I now would like also to hear from: anyone who has worked with children in the church; any age group of children, paid children's worker or children's ministry volunteer, etc.
What have you learned about children in working with them in a church setting?
What have you learned about the church because of your work with children?
What is your biggest celebration in working with children in the church?
What is your biggest defeat in working with children in the church?
What advice would you offer to children's ministry volunteers?
What advice would you offer to children's ministry organizers?
What are your top three favorite resources you use (or have used) for children's ministry?
What do you do on Sunday morning to prepare for the children you will soon see?
In your opinion, what is the most positive effect a strong children's ministry can have on the life of a church?
*All comments are automatically anonymous. If you are comfortable in me knowing who you are, please type your name at the end of your comment. I appreciate your feedback!
Tuesday, May 10, 2011
Please Help
I have always loved kids. I have always loved church. Now I have a son and I am personally vested in the children of the church. I am hoping to gather ideas, personal experiences from you as a child or your child now, hopes, visions, etc. I am thinking about children in the church almost all the time lately and I welcome all thoughts on what you think is possible! In case I have still been too vague, here are some questions I am pondering. Feel free to answer them or add to them. I appreciate the help!
What can the church offer children?
How do children view church?
How do children participate in worship?
How do families worship together?
How do children contribute to worship?
How does church affect a child's life?
Is the church experience different for a child if a child comes with a family, part of a family, with a friend's family, or alone?
When it comes to children's ministry, in your experience what is tangible and affective?
What is most harmful to children in church?
*You do not have to be a parent or church attender to contribute your thoughts.
**All comments are automatically anonymous. If you are comfortable in me knowing who you are, please type your name at the end of your comment. I appreciate your feedback!
*You do not have to be a parent or church attender to contribute your thoughts.
**All comments are automatically anonymous. If you are comfortable in me knowing who you are, please type your name at the end of your comment. I appreciate your feedback!
Tuesday, April 19, 2011
Father, can you hear me?
Have you seen the movie, Diary of a Mad Black Woman? If you haven't seen it, don't let the title scare you. Trust me, the title was well chosen. I have yet to watch this movie without crying. It is not a sappy love story or a heart breaking tear-jerker; it is one of the most incredible depictions of forgiveness and resurrection I have ever seen. The video link below will take you to my favorite part of the movie: a young soloist is allowed to sing with the church choir for the first time, an abused woman trades revenge for love, an abusive paraplegic STANDS and recognizes he needs Christ - up to this point in the song I am deeply moved and then the tears come - a drug-addicted mother returns to her family entering the church and the song in true gospel fashion with these words, "Just as I am, I'm in need of the blood of the Lamb... it's me Lord, I know I can't do this by myself, I surrender all!"
Resurrection.
Jesus' ministry before his death and after and to this day is about resurrection. We cannot be saved from ourselves unless we stand and recognize Christ, call out to him and surrender all. Click the video link below for a truly inspirational church experience. Can you imagine if church - the whole Church - were this alive and honest?
Resurrection.
Jesus' ministry before his death and after and to this day is about resurrection. We cannot be saved from ourselves unless we stand and recognize Christ, call out to him and surrender all. Click the video link below for a truly inspirational church experience. Can you imagine if church - the whole Church - were this alive and honest?
Isn't that beautiful?
May your experience of holy week and Easter Sunday be filled with the light of resurrection, recognition, surrender, and grace.
May your experience of holy week and Easter Sunday be filled with the light of resurrection, recognition, surrender, and grace.
Friday, April 1, 2011
Tuesday, December 21, 2010
Birth of JESUS according to Facebook
My little sister sent me this video. This is a very clever modern day depiction of Mary and Joseph's story.
Sunday, July 26, 2009
Burn Notice
There is an irony in going through times in life where individuals or situations "burn"; through the confusion and pain we learn about God and ourselves.
I like to watch the TV show, "Burn Notice". In the show Michael Westen is burned by the CIA and through trying to get his job back he learns of his love for an ex-girlfriend, loyalty of a life long friend, and constant care of a wounded mother. If you've ever seen the show, you'll agree, it's mostly entertaining and not very deep; however the simple plot speaks to the reality of our lives.
I have friends who have been burned by the church - how sad: to be hurt, trampled on, and stabbed by fellow Christians. The only comfort comes in the truth of Psalm 53: "God looks down from heaven on the human race to see if there are any who understand, any who seeks God. Everyone has turned away, all have become corrupt; there is no one who does good, not even one."
But it's the previous Psalm that teaches me today. In Psalm 52 we find words of trust in spite of evil acts committed against us. The faithful are like a luxuriant, productive olive tree; they trust in God's unfailing love (verse 8). In contrast, the evil doors, those who trust in their own wealth, strength, and deceit will be uprooted, made a vagabond, and destroyed like a building (verse 5). Much like Psalm 49, here in 52:7 we find the righteous learn a lesson from the judgments of God. One commentator states: "Those who live and act independently of God, trust in themselves, and better themselves at the expense of others will be brought down … when their riches, houses, and power, are taken away, their lives fall apart."
When Bishop Nikolai Velimirovich spoke courageously against Nazism, he found himself in a concentration camp. It is there he wrote this beautiful hymn:
Bless my enemies, O Lord. Even I bless them and do not curse them.
Enemies have driven me into your embrace more than friends have.
Friends have bound me to earth, enemies have loosed me from earth and have demolished all my aspirations in the world.
Enemies have made me a stranger in worldly realms and an extraneous inhabitant of the world. Just as a hunted animal finds safer shelter than an unhunted animal does, so have I, persecuted by enemies, found the safest sanctuary, having ensconced myself beneath your tabernacle, where neither friends nor enemies can slay my soul.
Bless my enemies, O Lord. Even I bless them and do not curse them.
They, rather than I, have confessed my sins before the world.
They have punished me, whenever I have hesitated to punish myself.
They have tormented me, whenever I have tried to flee torments.
They have scolded me, whenever I have flattered myself.
They have spat upon me, whenever I have filled myself with arrogance.
Bless my enemies, O Lord, Even I bless them and do not curse them.
Whenever I have made myself wise, they have called me foolish.
Whenever I have made myself mighty, they have mocked me as though I were a dwarf.
Whenever I have wanted to lead people, they have shoved me into the background.
Whenever I have rushed to enrich myself, they have prevented me with an iron hand.
Whenever I thought that I would sleep peacefully, they have wakened me from sleep.
Whenever I have tried to build a home for a long and tranquil life, they have demolished it and driven me out.
Truly, enemies have cut me loose from the world and have stretched out my hands to the hem of your garment.
Bless my enemies, O Lord. Even I bless them and do not curse them.
Bless them and multiply them; multiply them and make them even more bitterly against me:
so that my fleeing to You may have no return;
so that all hope in men may be scattered like cobwebs;
so that absolute serenity may begin to reign in my soul;
so that my heart may become the grave of my two evil twins, arrogance and anger;
so that I might amass all my treasure in heaven;
ah, so that I may for once be freed from self-deception, which has entangled me in the dreadful web of illusory life.
Enemies have taught me to know what hardly anyone knows, that a person has no enemies in the world except himself.
One hates his enemies only when he fails to realize that they are not enemies, but cruel friends.
It is truly difficult for me to say who has done me more good and who has done me more evil in the world: friends or enemies.
Therefore bless, O Lord, both my friends and enemies.
A slave curses enemies, for he does not understand. But a son blesses them, for he understands.
For a son knows that his enemies cannot touch his life.
Therefore he freely steps among them and prays to God for them.
So when we find ourselves "burned" like Michael Westen - let us not retaliate in political maneuvers, let us find love for our "enemies", and let us learn from the hurt and confusion.
I like to watch the TV show, "Burn Notice". In the show Michael Westen is burned by the CIA and through trying to get his job back he learns of his love for an ex-girlfriend, loyalty of a life long friend, and constant care of a wounded mother. If you've ever seen the show, you'll agree, it's mostly entertaining and not very deep; however the simple plot speaks to the reality of our lives.
I have friends who have been burned by the church - how sad: to be hurt, trampled on, and stabbed by fellow Christians. The only comfort comes in the truth of Psalm 53: "God looks down from heaven on the human race to see if there are any who understand, any who seeks God. Everyone has turned away, all have become corrupt; there is no one who does good, not even one."
But it's the previous Psalm that teaches me today. In Psalm 52 we find words of trust in spite of evil acts committed against us. The faithful are like a luxuriant, productive olive tree; they trust in God's unfailing love (verse 8). In contrast, the evil doors, those who trust in their own wealth, strength, and deceit will be uprooted, made a vagabond, and destroyed like a building (verse 5). Much like Psalm 49, here in 52:7 we find the righteous learn a lesson from the judgments of God. One commentator states: "Those who live and act independently of God, trust in themselves, and better themselves at the expense of others will be brought down … when their riches, houses, and power, are taken away, their lives fall apart."
When Bishop Nikolai Velimirovich spoke courageously against Nazism, he found himself in a concentration camp. It is there he wrote this beautiful hymn:
Bless my enemies, O Lord. Even I bless them and do not curse them.
Enemies have driven me into your embrace more than friends have.
Friends have bound me to earth, enemies have loosed me from earth and have demolished all my aspirations in the world.
Enemies have made me a stranger in worldly realms and an extraneous inhabitant of the world. Just as a hunted animal finds safer shelter than an unhunted animal does, so have I, persecuted by enemies, found the safest sanctuary, having ensconced myself beneath your tabernacle, where neither friends nor enemies can slay my soul.
Bless my enemies, O Lord. Even I bless them and do not curse them.
They, rather than I, have confessed my sins before the world.
They have punished me, whenever I have hesitated to punish myself.
They have tormented me, whenever I have tried to flee torments.
They have scolded me, whenever I have flattered myself.
They have spat upon me, whenever I have filled myself with arrogance.
Bless my enemies, O Lord, Even I bless them and do not curse them.
Whenever I have made myself wise, they have called me foolish.
Whenever I have made myself mighty, they have mocked me as though I were a dwarf.
Whenever I have wanted to lead people, they have shoved me into the background.
Whenever I have rushed to enrich myself, they have prevented me with an iron hand.
Whenever I thought that I would sleep peacefully, they have wakened me from sleep.
Whenever I have tried to build a home for a long and tranquil life, they have demolished it and driven me out.
Truly, enemies have cut me loose from the world and have stretched out my hands to the hem of your garment.
Bless my enemies, O Lord. Even I bless them and do not curse them.
Bless them and multiply them; multiply them and make them even more bitterly against me:
so that my fleeing to You may have no return;
so that all hope in men may be scattered like cobwebs;
so that absolute serenity may begin to reign in my soul;
so that my heart may become the grave of my two evil twins, arrogance and anger;
so that I might amass all my treasure in heaven;
ah, so that I may for once be freed from self-deception, which has entangled me in the dreadful web of illusory life.
Enemies have taught me to know what hardly anyone knows, that a person has no enemies in the world except himself.
One hates his enemies only when he fails to realize that they are not enemies, but cruel friends.
It is truly difficult for me to say who has done me more good and who has done me more evil in the world: friends or enemies.
Therefore bless, O Lord, both my friends and enemies.
A slave curses enemies, for he does not understand. But a son blesses them, for he understands.
For a son knows that his enemies cannot touch his life.
Therefore he freely steps among them and prays to God for them.
So when we find ourselves "burned" like Michael Westen - let us not retaliate in political maneuvers, let us find love for our "enemies", and let us learn from the hurt and confusion.
Thursday, July 9, 2009
"The Church"
A reason I've heard for people justifying their disconnection with and repulsion of "the Church" and not wanting to be a part of it is: "I've been burned by 'the Church'."
Unfortunately, I think these victims have been mislead in what "the Church" actually is and my hope to all these lonely souls is that they would realize "the Church" not only is the body of Christ consisting of human believers but also sinful by nature, therefore flawed and bound to screw up. Enter Grace and Forgiveness. (Now would be a good time to read Ray Miller's blog post on said topics inspired by Rachel Getting Married.)
I do not blame anyone who has used this line and must say I identify with you often if this is you. Why be a part of something if this is the representation? (I will refrain from offering examples as I feel this would be unnecessary and hypocritical.) Instead of offering blame; I issue a challenge to both parties and include myself as I find myself on both sides.
Challenge to "the Burned": We all mess up. We all have weak moments, no matter the strength of the weakness. Let us pray that God would remind us of our own weak moments when we are prepared to judge someone else's that we may be humbled enough to forgive their idiocies as they will very soon be forgiving ours. Let us be gracious to each other and quick to offer embrace.
Challenge to "the Church": We are "the Church". We are the representation. It is our responsibility to bring heaven to earth. We do that by loving orphans and widows (James 1:27) and offering our coat when someone asks for our shirt (Matthew 6:40). Heaven happens because we have become less and God becomes greater (John 3:30) through action and thought. These things take choices- mind you, I'm not referring to self deprecation; that is a whole other issue. As "the Church" let us be honest with ourselves and each other that we may see ourselves, each other and God for who we all truly are. Let us be gracious to each other and quick to offer embrace.
In closing, the picture below was taken on my walk this morning and is actually the inspiration for this post. It is a humorous reminder to "the Church" to be honest and reminder to everyone else that "the Church" is made up of humans.
Unfortunately, I think these victims have been mislead in what "the Church" actually is and my hope to all these lonely souls is that they would realize "the Church" not only is the body of Christ consisting of human believers but also sinful by nature, therefore flawed and bound to screw up. Enter Grace and Forgiveness. (Now would be a good time to read Ray Miller's blog post on said topics inspired by Rachel Getting Married.)
I do not blame anyone who has used this line and must say I identify with you often if this is you. Why be a part of something if this is the representation? (I will refrain from offering examples as I feel this would be unnecessary and hypocritical.) Instead of offering blame; I issue a challenge to both parties and include myself as I find myself on both sides.
Challenge to "the Burned": We all mess up. We all have weak moments, no matter the strength of the weakness. Let us pray that God would remind us of our own weak moments when we are prepared to judge someone else's that we may be humbled enough to forgive their idiocies as they will very soon be forgiving ours. Let us be gracious to each other and quick to offer embrace.
Challenge to "the Church": We are "the Church". We are the representation. It is our responsibility to bring heaven to earth. We do that by loving orphans and widows (James 1:27) and offering our coat when someone asks for our shirt (Matthew 6:40). Heaven happens because we have become less and God becomes greater (John 3:30) through action and thought. These things take choices- mind you, I'm not referring to self deprecation; that is a whole other issue. As "the Church" let us be honest with ourselves and each other that we may see ourselves, each other and God for who we all truly are. Let us be gracious to each other and quick to offer embrace.
In closing, the picture below was taken on my walk this morning and is actually the inspiration for this post. It is a humorous reminder to "the Church" to be honest and reminder to everyone else that "the Church" is made up of humans.
Thursday, March 26, 2009
hoovervilles
its been eight years since i've had US history, but i do remember Mr. Masington showing both pictures and videos of the hoovervilles of the 1930's. when you learn something in high school history you are lead to believe it is history - not to be revisited. However, today's New York Times reminded me of the new reality of hoovervilles popping up around the nation because of the current economic woes.
Check out the story:
Cities Deal With a Surge in
i have the benefit of living in Texas, a state weathering the recession well, and i have little understanding of the stress and despair that my neighbor is enduring. but i must have some loving response.... i just don't yet know what it is
Check out the story:
Cities Deal With a Surge in
Shantytowns
now the question is what is the response of the church?i have the benefit of living in Texas, a state weathering the recession well, and i have little understanding of the stress and despair that my neighbor is enduring. but i must have some loving response.... i just don't yet know what it is
Sunday, November 23, 2008
Saturday, November 22, 2008
thanksgiving benediction
In light of tomorrow's sermon and the season in general, I wanted to share with you the closing benediction for Adamsville Presbyterian Church in the morning. Maybe on Monday I'll write about the sermon. I must also confess I "borrowed" the meat of the benediction from Joe Shere pastor of Mount Joy Mennonite Church (it's amazing what google can do).
May the Lord bless you and keep you, May He make His face shine upon you and be gracious to you.
May the eyes of your heart be open to all the blessings which surround you; may this awareness produce a harvest of generosity in your spirit.
May thankfulness rise up within you, not just during this short season, but day after day, from the early morning watch until you retire for the night.
May your prayers reflect gratitude, while also acknowledging the needs of others whose situations are so drastically different.
May thoughts of Jesus fill your mind, and thanksgiving be your response.
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