Patience

Tomorrow

That's when they will start moving the rubble away from the site of the church building.

"We have to be patient" 

That's been the refrain of the members of the congregation. And we have been, though it's been hard to see the pile of wood, stone, metal, glass, and plastic sitting there for six weeks. Finally, it looks like things will start to happen. It'll be weeks before they are done.

So we will have more of a chance to practice the spiritual gift of patience.

We hope they find our bell, our time capsule, our two safes. We look forward to having an empty lot rather than the remains of the building.

In the meantime, we are grateful: grateful to the community that surrounds, to the church that took us in, to the fire, police, and DPW, to God. No one was hurt; we remain a church. A lot to be thankful for.

For those who don't know the story, here are links to what happened.

Painting Survives Fire
The Day After

I will post updates as we move forward, with patience.

Wordless Wednesday: Jesus in Flame and Frame

*Photo credit: David J. Parry

Song For Sunday (a day late): Oh That Will Be Glory for Me

I had been participating in the Ultimate Blog Challenge and trying to revitalize this blog with a temporary theme of "Beginnings". Then a perfect storm of responsibilities, family needs and the like hit and this project took a back seat. But now I am trying to be back.

I heard this hymn for the first time yesterday at a funeral. It had been chosen by the deceased for use at her memorial service. It  touched me. It also fits where I am now, so it becomes today's Song for Sunday. May it inspire you!

Song for Sunday: Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus

We sang a version of this song in worship this morning, and it resonated. I sang it a lot with Bible study groups in college, so memory plays a part. Also,  it seems like a good reminder.

So, Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus - an updated version --becomes today's Song for Sunday. May it be an encouragement to you.

What songs are resonating with you?

What songs help you worship?





I am participating on the October 2017 Ultimate Blog Challenge. A blog post every day in October. #blogboost 

The End of the World

So it is supposed to end today. The world, that is. A rather drastic interruption to a month of  blog posts about beginnings.

Or it would be. But really, it's not happening.

Be ready. Always be ready. Because Jesus is coming.

But there is no particular indication that he is coming today. Could be today, could be tomorrow. Could be 40 years. Could be a thousand.

We don't know and Jesus said we wouldn't know. He also said not to be deceived. So I like this meme. Memes used to be for Monday's on this blog and maybe I'll get back to that. But this one is for today. Jesus does have feelings, being real and all. I suppose that false predictions of the end would bother him.

Are you ready for the end of the world? Whenever it might come?

Song for Sunday (A day late): Peace Be Still

Seem to be a lot of storms about lately. Hurricanes, monsoons, forest fires fueled by wind. And on and on.

Also, metaphorical storms involving medical emergencies, family trauma, spiritual crises, and feuds.

So this song for Sunday, based on Mark 4: 35-41, seems apropos. It is my prayer.

Meme-ic Monday: When Syrian Refugees Move In

Refugees are big on the political scene and sometimes it's hard to remember that they are not "statistics" or "issues" but mothers, fathers, grandparents, teenagers, infants... people.

Many countries have blocked Syrian refugees or limited the number that can enter the country. They have done this for a number of reasons, but big among them is safety. There is a fear that DAESH members or other terrorists will slip in among them.



This meme captures attention by responding to people's fear... what should you do if Syrian refugees move into the neighborhood? There are those who would expect there then to be advice on how to protect yourself. But this means goes the other way. It calls us to reach out.

Subtly, with a picture of the Statue of Liberty, it reminds us that America has been a welcoming place for immigrants and refugees, whether they are fleeing hunger or hostile political regimes.

It also references a Biblical Parable: "The Good Samaritan," found in Luke 10. The statement is correct that we have the choice to be like the Samaritan or "some other guy." In Jesus's story, there were two other guys, both Jewish religious leaders, who walked on by. The Samaritan was the hero.

He also was unsure of the outcome when he intervened. The man who had been robbed may have been using the 1st century equivalent of ketchup to fake injuries. He may have harmed the one who tried to help. But the Samaritan helped anyway.



Back to those people who want to shut out refugees as a safety measure: that seems to be backfiring on them. DAESH (ISIS) is now taking advantage of the desperate situation of the tefugees and their sense of helplessness. They are recruiting in the refugee camps, promising great rewards. A man who can't feed is family is vulnerable to such advances. So policies that keep people out are leading to a more unsafe situation.

So let's be "Samaritans." For safety... and because we should.







Sources:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/jesse-andreozzi/turning-away-syrian-refugees-is-exactly-what-isis-wants_b_8585084.html
http://www.businessinsider.com/syrian-refugee-backlash-isis-2015-11
http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/world-news/isis-terrorists-exploiting-migrant-crisis-6694992

Song for Sunday: The Day of Resurrection!

Written by St. John of Damascus, a Greek church father, this ancient hymn joyfully describes the meaning of Easter. Enjoy it!

1 The day of resurrection!
Earth, tell it out abroad;
the passover of gladness,
the passover of God.
From death to life eternal,
from earth unto the sky,
our Christ hath brought us over,
with hymns of victory. 

2 Our hearts be pure from evil,
that we may see aright
the Lord in rays eternal
of resurrection light;
and listening to his accents,
may hear, so calm and plain,
his own "All hail!" and, hearing,
may raise the victor strain. 

3 Now let the heavens be joyful!
Let earth the song begin!
Let the round world keep triumph,
and all that is therein!
Let all things seen and unseen
their notes in gladness blend,
for Christ the Lord hath risen,
our joy that hath no end. 

            St, John of Damascus, Public Domain

A Blessed Resurrection Festival to all!!

(Belated) Song for Sunday: Come Holy Spirit, Dove Divine

Sunday was my son's baptism, a joyous spiritual event for our family. We read this baptismal hymn in unison after the ceremony. In our Baptist tradition, baptism is for professed believers in Jesus Christ who request the ceremony as a way to demonstrate their faith. We are proud and happy.

In addition, this hymn was written by Adoniram Judson, the first missionary sent by an organization from America to anywhere. He served in Burma. Adoniram and his wife Anne Hasseltine  are the vocational models and inspiration for our men's and women's camps at CYC (the Christian Youth Conference at Ocean Park.) I re-enact Anne Hasseltine, so this hymn is special to me because of its author.

Now I have the additional connection with it because of Jordan's baptism. So, even though I've used it for this before, it becomes this week's "Song for Sunday."

Come, Holy Spirit, Dove divine,
On these baptismal waters shine,
And teach our hearts, in highest strain,
To praise the Lamb for sinners slain.

We love Your Name, we love Your laws,
And joyfully embrace Your cause;
We love Your cross, the shame, the pain,
O Lamb of God, for sinners slain.

We sink beneath the water’s face,
And thank You for Your saving grace;
We die to sin and seek a grave
With You, beneath the yielding wave.

And as we rise with You to live,
O let the Holy Spirit give
The sealing unction from above,
The joy of life, the fire of love.

                           Adoniram Judson

                           Public Domain

Epiphany

O God, Who on this day, through the guidance of a star, didst manifest Thine Only-Begotten Son

 to the Gentiles;mercifully grant that we who know Thee now by faith, may one day be brought

 to the contemplation of the beauty of Thy majesty.Through the same Christ our Lord. Amen.

Epiphany, the twelfth day of Christmas, marks the visit of the Wise Men to the young child, Jesus, in a house in Bethlehem.  Because they were not Jews, this day also celebrates the manifestation of Christ to the gentiles, reminding us that salvation is available to all people. 

The Wise Men didn't just bring gold, incense, and myrrh, though. They also brought news of the child king to King Herod, who was deeply troubled by it. So Epiphany also marks the beginning of Jesus' status as a refugee. The very night of the Wise Men's visit brought a dream to Joseph telling him to take his family to Egypt. They escaped before innocent infant and toddler boys were slaughtered in Bethlehem. 

The Bible doesn't tell us anything about Joseph, Mary and Jesus' stay in Egypt, but they returned safely after a few years, so they must have found enough of a welcome to survive. 

I hope that if Jesus' were a refugee today, He would find a welcome here. 

Come to think of it, whenever we help a neighbor in need, we help Jesus. And our neighborhood is the world. 

Just something to think about. 

Happy Epiphany! Hope you find a coin in your slice of cake!!

Song for Sunday: 2000 Years

Billy Joel is an athiest. Reportedly, he woke up one morning with this song in his head and tried not to write it. He said to Howard Stern, "Who the hell was I to write this gospel song?"

It includes some biblical imagery and is overall a lament that we haven't improved much since the year 0 -- the time of Christ.

To my mind, this song echos Christ's frustration with the disciples: "He said to them, 'Do you still not understand?'"  

We humans have a tendency to need to be taught the same things over and over. So we still go to war, we endure mass shootings, we forget to love our neighbor. 


Billy Joel is an athiest, but he seems to speak for Christ here. 




Today's "Song for Sunday"  -- 2000 years -- by Billy Joel. Here's the link:

Post #3 for the October 2015 Ultimate Blog Challenge.

Forgiveness: When?

When should I forgive?

Well, I suppose those with the deepest faith and greatest spiritual maturity forgive right away. Jesus and Stephen forgave the people who were killing them as it was happening. Maybe that's what we are supposed to do so.

Maybe. Probably.

But I haven't met anyone yet who can forgive more than a simple oversight or misunderstanding that quickly.

So when do we forgive?


As soon as we can.


Sometimes, that means the same hour or the same day. When deep hurts are involved, it could be a process that takes years. I have seen that happen. It has happened in my life. I wish I could do better.


The sooner we forgive, though, the sooner we reap the benefits: spiritual freedom, better health, stronger relationships.


Check this out: Why Forgiving Others Makes Life Better for you.



God bless you in your journey to forgiveness.


This is my 16th post for the April 2015 Ultimate Blog Challenge.

Besides allowing us to psychologically lighten our burden, studies show that forgiving brings about physical health benefits as well such as lowering our levels of stress and blood pressure. Forgiving may even benefit those who we feel are responsible for our pain, even if we only forgive them in our mind (David Wilcock’s book The Source Field Investigations explores evidence that showering love and forgiveness in our minds to our perceived enemies may actually help them to reduce any guilt they may be holding on to.) - See more at: http://goodmenproject.com/ethics-values/why-forgiving-others-makes-life-better-for-you/#sthash.LBj7F2VC.dpuf

Besides allowing us to psychologically lighten our burden, studies show that forgiving brings about physical health benefits as well such as lowering our levels of stress and blood pressure. Forgiving may even benefit those who we feel are responsible for our pain, even if we only forgive them in our mind (David Wilcock’s book The Source Field Investigations explores evidence that showering love and forgiveness in our minds to our perceived enemies may actually help them to reduce any guilt they may be holding on to.) - See more at: http://goodmenproject.com/ethics-values/why-forgiving-others-makes-life-better-for-you/#sthash.LBj7F2VC.dpuf

Forgive: What Should I Forgive?

What should I forgive? Short answer: any offenses.

None of us is beyond God's mercy, so noone should be beyond ours.

So do we forgive someone who steals from us?

Someone who rapes?

Someone who harms our children?

Compared to those the everyday offenses of forgetting to do the laundry, leaving the gas tank empty or spreading rumors seem tame.

God says:

Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” To the contrary, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.   (Romans 12: 17-21)

We need to let God handle things and give us perspective.  Take gossip. Someone says something unkind and spreads it around.  Stand before God. Realize the things you have done and what this person could really have said about you. What they are saying becomes small by comparison.Practice in the small things, so that if you ever face a tougher situation, you'll be ready.


Trust God that he knows how to help you and that he will. After all, he forgave his murderers.

Some more reading:

Forgiving Little Things

Forgiving a Rapist

Forgiving a Murderer (When it's your son)



On this one-year anniversary of the kidnapping of the scbool girls from Chibok, Nigeria here are statements of forgiveness in unimaginably hard situations.

Forgive them, say girls who escaped Boko Haram

Nigeria: Did You Forgive?



What examples of forgiveness have you seen?


Previous posts in this series: Forgiveness Thoughts and Quotes, Forgiveness - Definition, Forgiveness: The Who of It.


This is my 13th post for the April 2015 Ultimate Blog Challenge.

Song for Sunday: See this Tiny Baby

It's the third day of Christmas and also a Sunday. The Sunday after Christmas is a low-attendance Sunday at many churches. It's too bad, because it is a great time to be at church. The exuberant joy of Christmas Sunday and the solemn joy of Christmas Eve have given way to a relaxed joy and people are friendly and welcoming.  Advent is over, Christmas has come. There is still the wonder of Christmas carols and the special decorations aren't down yet. It's fun to be there. Try it next year.


I love babies. Everyone who knows me, knows that. So I enjoyed the choir anthem last week, a new one for me. This one about Jesus, in his mother's arms. The King of the Universe, helpless and cared for by a teenage girl and her carpenter husband.

It's a beautiful song, inviting us to look at the baby. And who doesn't like to look at a baby?


Enjoy the song!

Merry Christmas!

Song for Sunday: Father I Adore You

I learned this at camp years ago. Maybe we sang it in Sunday School, too. Often, we signed it as well. The repetition made it easy to learn the signs.

A simple song, for worship. A lovely round.

It was written in 1972 by Terrye Coelho Strom and has become a standard.

So here it is for Fathers' Day Song for Sunday.

This song is, of course, about my heavenly Father.  I would like to also say about my earthly father. He was a hard working man, a retail manager, who was always generous and very funny. He supported my childhood and young adult endeavors in dozens of ways. 

In 1995, my father died of Lou Gherig's Disease or ALS a horrible, progressive motorneuron disease. He maintained a postitive attitude and his sense of humor throughout the course of his illness and even on his deathbed. 

I will always remember him. 

Love you Dad. 

Song for Sunday: (Belated) Wouldn't it Be Strange

Jordan and I were listening to this in the car yesterday and it really resonated with me. The world is so different from what Jesus preached.






I've got a question for your consideration
I'll make you privy to my contemplation
Let me say in my defense
I know it goes against all common sense

It's not our nature
Not what we've been taught
Flies in the face of every lie we've bought
It's hard to see it
Harder to explain
I know it cuts against the grain

Wouldn't it be strange if riches made you poor
And everything you owned left you wanting more?
Wouldn't it be strange to question what it's for?
Wouldn't it be strange?

I know we've got some interest to protect
A set of dots we're committed to connect
It makes us nervous in light of how it's been
To play a little game of pretend

Wouldn't it be strange if power made you weak
And victory came to those who turned the other cheek?
Wouldn't it be strange to welcome your defeat?
Wouldn't it be strange?

Wouldn't it be strange to find out in the end
The first will be the last and all the losers win?
Wouldn't it be strange if Jesus came again?
Wouldn't it be strange?




                                      ~Charlie Peacock








You can hear the song at this link.




What songs have been resonating with you recently?




What do you think of the idea of riches making you poor and power making you weak?








Have a blessed day!!

I've got a question for your consideration
I'll make you privy to my contemplation
Let me say in my defense
I know it goes against all common sense

It's not our nature, not what we've been taught
Flies in the face of every lie we've bought
It's hard to see it, harder to explain
I know it cuts against the grain

Wouldn't it be strange if riches made you poor
And everything you owned left you wanting more?
Wouldn't it be strange to question what it's for?
Wouldn't it be strange?

I know we've got some interest to protect
A set of dots we're committed to connect
It makes us nervous in light of how it's been
To play a little game of pretend

Wouldn't it be strange if power made you weak
And victory came to those who turned the other cheek?
Wouldn't it be strange to welcome your defeat?
Wouldn't it be strange?

Wouldn't it be strange to find out in the end
The first will be the last and all the losers win?
Wouldn't it be strange if Jesus came again?
Wouldn't it be strange?
Read more at http://www.songlyrics.com/charlie-peacock/wouldn-t-it-be-strange-lyrics/#YTHHK2fvQ8GYi0Iu.99

I've got a question for your consideration
I'll make you privy to my contemplation
Let me say in my defense
I know it goes against all common sense

It's not our nature, not what we've been taught
Flies in the face of every lie we've bought
It's hard to see it, harder to explain
I know it cuts against the grain

Wouldn't it be strange if riches made you poor
And everything you owned left you wanting more?
Wouldn't it be strange to question what it's for?
Wouldn't it be strange?

I know we've got some interest to protect
A set of dots we're committed to connect
It makes us nervous in light of how it's been
To play a little game of pretend

Wouldn't it be strange if power made you weak
And victory came to those who turned the other cheek?
Wouldn't it be strange to welcome your defeat?
Wouldn't it be strange?

Wouldn't it be strange to find out in the end
The first will be the last and all the losers win?
Wouldn't it be strange if Jesus came again?
Wouldn't it be strange?
Read more at http://www.songlyrics.com/charlie-peacock/wouldn-t-it-be-strange-lyrics/#YTHHK2fvQ8GYi0Iu.99

I've got a question for your consideration
I'll make you privy to my contemplation
Let me say in my defense
I know it goes against all common sense

It's not our nature, not what we've been taught
Flies in the face of every lie we've bought
It's hard to see it, harder to explain
I know it cuts against the grain

Wouldn't it be strange if riches made you poor
And everything you owned left you wanting more?
Wouldn't it be strange to question what it's for?
Wouldn't it be strange?

I know we've got some interest to protect
A set of dots we're committed to connect
It makes us nervous in light of how it's been
To play a little game of pretend

Wouldn't it be strange if power made you weak
And victory came to those who turned the other cheek?
Wouldn't it be strange to welcome your defeat?
Wouldn't it be strange?

Wouldn't it be strange to find out in the end
The first will be the last and all the losers win?
Wouldn't it be strange if Jesus came again?
Wouldn't it be strange?
Read more at http://www.songlyrics.com/charlie-peacock/wouldn-t-it-be-strange-lyrics/#YTHHK2fvQ8GYi0Iu.99

Knitters' Devotional: Joy

I sat near a knitting group in a café.

I couldn’t hear their conversation, but I could see that they were looking at each other’s projects, comparing yarns and laughing. Their laughter was pure and friendly, the type that comes when people have joy.

Knitting can be bring joy in many ways. The work it self can be enjoyable and relaxing. There is joy in completing a project. There is joy in sharing our knitting with others. There is joy in rejoicing when someone else does well, when we learn a new stitch or when someone we are teaching masters the pattern they are working on. There is joy in sorting out a tangle, in redoing work to fix a piece or in figuring out a difficult pattern.

Joy abides deep in the heart, a gift of God. It is not transient or dependent on circumstances. It is real.

Look for the joy in all the areas of your life. It is there to be found, it is there to be taken, to be received with thanksgiving. May you find it always.

Dear God, grant us joy in our knitting and in all our lives. In Jesus name. Amen.

Song for Sunday: My Hope is Built on Nothing Less

  This song came up in worship services a couple of times in a row and has a lot of truth in it, so it became this week's Song for Sunday.

My Hope is Built on Nothing Less

        My hope is built on nothing less 
 than Jesus' blood and righteousness. 
 I dare not trust the sweetest frame, 
 but wholly lean on Jesus' name. 

   On Christ the solid rock I stand, 
   all other ground is sinking sand; 
   all other ground is sinking sand. 

 When Darkness veils his lovely face, 
 I rest on his unchanging grace. 
 In every high and stormy gale, 
 my anchor holds within the veil. 
 

          On Christ the solid rock I stand, 

   all other ground is sinking sand; 
   all other ground is sinking sand. 

 His oath, his covenant, his blood 
 supports me in the whelming flood. 
 When all around my soul gives way, 
 he then is all my hope and stay.  

          On Christ the solid rock I stand, 
   all other ground is sinking sand; 
   all other ground is sinking sand. 

 When he shall come with trumpet sound, 
 O may I then in him be found! 
 Dressed in his righteousness alone, 
 faultless to stand before the throne! 

   On Christ the solid rock I stand, 

   all other ground is sinking sand; 

   all other ground is sinking sand.  

                                ~Edward Mote

What is you hope built on?

Song for Sunday (belated): I Stand In Awe of You

I began thinking about what worship is and how we are to relate to Jesus this weekend and this old song, which I haven't thought of in years came to mind.....


















You are beautiful beyond description
Too marvelous for words
Too wonderful of comprehension
Like nothing ever seen or heard
Who can grasp you infinite wisdom
Who can fathom the depth of your love
You are beautiful beyond description
Majesty enthroned above



And I stand, I stand in awe of you
I stand, I stand in awe of you
Holy God to whom all praise is due
I stand in awe of you.


                           ~Bob Fitts








Awe is only one aspect of how we should view the Lord, but it is the one that is on my mind just now.


What's on yours? What song goes with it?

Thursday Craft Time: Blessing Bookmarks

These bookmarks make for a nice gift and are fairly simple to complete. Several are made at once. They also add a prayer to each recipient’s day.

To make the bookmarks you will need:  

 -three colors of cotton or similar fabric; solids,
         textured solids and small prints work well.

 -matching thread

 -embroidery thread in a complementary color

 -a piece of thin cardboard (5-1/2” by 1-1/2”.) I  
          use the dividers from boxes of tea bags.

Cut the cloth into 16” by 3” strips. Sew together strips of the three different colors on the long sides, using a 1/2 “ seam. Cut into 4 inch strips, cutting across the seams so that all three colors are in each strip.

For each strip, fold along the long side so that right sides are together. Sew along the top and down the side opposite the fold. Turn out so that right sides are facing out. Use the eraser end of a pencil to push out corners.

Write a blessing on the piece of cardboard. I also speak the blessing over it.

Some blessings:

“May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you always.”

“May the shalom of Jesus be in your heart.”

“May joy from God in rich your days.”

If it is a gift for a specific person, I use their name instead of “you” and include a card with the blessing on it.

Slip the cardboard into the bookmark and sew across the bottom.

Cut a length of embroidery thread (all six lengths.) With a large-eyed needle sew the thread into the top left corner of the bookmark so that half is on one side and half on the other. Tie a knot a little from the ends to form a looped tassle.

That’s it!

Hope you enjoy making a few.

What crafts do you use to make personalized gifts?




Photos by J. Parry