I'm getting pretty excited about planting a garden this year. I have a bunch of ideas and know that I'll need to get started soon. There is a spot in the yard that I really want to use - but it will take a bit of work to get it started.
This week, I'm going to get some seeds and starting soil for the plants that need to begin early. I'm looking forward to fresh veggies and fruits straight from the garden - and for getting a bit dirty =)
March 31, 2009
March 27, 2009
I'm back!
It's been a little while since I posted last.
I am mostly recovered now and my digestive tract has decided to work again =) I lost about 10 lbs in the process (eating nothing but popsicles and jello for a few days will do that to you) and now I'm trying to establish healthy eating habits and a light exercise routine to help me regain some strength and keep that little bit of extra weight off.
I do have to admit that I'm fairly disappointed with how I used my recouperation time. I had a stack of books I wanted to read and a few knitting projects and none of that was even begun. Part of the reason is because I felt so crappy for a few days there - but I also let the mind-numbing lure of television and video games take over. Which simply means that I need to find time to really put those books and those projects into my schedule of sabbath.
There have been a number of things of interest that have popped up since I started thinking with a pastor's brain again on Monday. I'm really excited about the UMC's new marketing vision: Rethink Church and 10 Thousand Doors... I hope to post more in the next week about this, but suffice it to say that I think that it is right on target with where my congregation is! While I was gone, our finance committee did a congregational resource assessment and from that thought about what are the gifts that we have to offer our community and what our mission priorities might look like. They were both mission related and had everything to do with being with people in need and responding to identified needs in our community. "Don't Go to Church, BE the Church" has been the theme of our mission outreach and this new marketing effort really picks up on that same message. I also LOVE the way that our "brand promise" of Open Hearts. Open Minds. Open Doors has become a verb: "together we can open hearts, open minds, and open doors."
I'm also trying to figure out which conferences to go to this year and will post more on that later.
I am mostly recovered now and my digestive tract has decided to work again =) I lost about 10 lbs in the process (eating nothing but popsicles and jello for a few days will do that to you) and now I'm trying to establish healthy eating habits and a light exercise routine to help me regain some strength and keep that little bit of extra weight off.
I do have to admit that I'm fairly disappointed with how I used my recouperation time. I had a stack of books I wanted to read and a few knitting projects and none of that was even begun. Part of the reason is because I felt so crappy for a few days there - but I also let the mind-numbing lure of television and video games take over. Which simply means that I need to find time to really put those books and those projects into my schedule of sabbath.
There have been a number of things of interest that have popped up since I started thinking with a pastor's brain again on Monday. I'm really excited about the UMC's new marketing vision: Rethink Church and 10 Thousand Doors... I hope to post more in the next week about this, but suffice it to say that I think that it is right on target with where my congregation is! While I was gone, our finance committee did a congregational resource assessment and from that thought about what are the gifts that we have to offer our community and what our mission priorities might look like. They were both mission related and had everything to do with being with people in need and responding to identified needs in our community. "Don't Go to Church, BE the Church" has been the theme of our mission outreach and this new marketing effort really picks up on that same message. I also LOVE the way that our "brand promise" of Open Hearts. Open Minds. Open Doors has become a verb: "together we can open hearts, open minds, and open doors."
I'm also trying to figure out which conferences to go to this year and will post more on that later.
March 15, 2009
recovery
I'm home from my surgery (finally) and recovering VERY slowly. It's not so much the pain that's getting to me - it's the digestion. I mean, I've heard about taking baby steps... but this feels like micro baby steps.
When my gall bladder was removed laproscopically, they also discovered some stones in my bile duct, so I had another procedure later that day endoscopically to remove them. I have felt really good for the most part, with the exception of occasionally being sick to my stomach. I'm realizing that I just have to really take it slow introducing food back into my system and that I overdid it yesterday. So today, I'm focusing on clear foods, well spaced out, and we'll see if everything does what it's supposed to!
I'm PRAYING that within a few weeks, everything will be back to normal. I'm quite jealous of all of the people who told me they could eat cheeseburgers that afternoon after surgery. But with the second procedure, my whole system is rebelling and needs some time to heal. I just have to be patient!
When my gall bladder was removed laproscopically, they also discovered some stones in my bile duct, so I had another procedure later that day endoscopically to remove them. I have felt really good for the most part, with the exception of occasionally being sick to my stomach. I'm realizing that I just have to really take it slow introducing food back into my system and that I overdid it yesterday. So today, I'm focusing on clear foods, well spaced out, and we'll see if everything does what it's supposed to!
I'm PRAYING that within a few weeks, everything will be back to normal. I'm quite jealous of all of the people who told me they could eat cheeseburgers that afternoon after surgery. But with the second procedure, my whole system is rebelling and needs some time to heal. I just have to be patient!
March 10, 2009
butterflies
tomorrow is the big day. I'll be getting up at 4:30 to shower and then head to the hospital for my surgery. and while I am very ready for this to happen, I also started to get butterflies in my tummy today.
want to know something silly about me? My stomach is very sensitive when I am nervous. As a little girl, I always was sick to my stomach when I spent the night at a friends house. The first night of any camping trip that my family took, I had to be by the flap of the tent for when (not if) I inevitably had to rush outside and harf. Thunderstorms would get me too.
For the most part, I've grown out of that feeling. I'm not all topsy turvy when I spend the night in a new place like I used to be. And I am a HUGE fan of thunderstorms. Camping isn't so bad either. But when I got up this morning, just thinking about all of the things I had to do today to make sure the church was in good hands and that I had passed off every one of the details for the coming two weeks, my head got a little light and my tummy got queasy.
At this point, it's all out of my hands. I completely trust my surgical team. I know the presence of God will be with me - however all of this goes. I know my husband is going to be around and be supportive. I know all of these things in my head and my heart - but my tummy just hasn't caught up with the rest of me! =)
want to know something silly about me? My stomach is very sensitive when I am nervous. As a little girl, I always was sick to my stomach when I spent the night at a friends house. The first night of any camping trip that my family took, I had to be by the flap of the tent for when (not if) I inevitably had to rush outside and harf. Thunderstorms would get me too.
For the most part, I've grown out of that feeling. I'm not all topsy turvy when I spend the night in a new place like I used to be. And I am a HUGE fan of thunderstorms. Camping isn't so bad either. But when I got up this morning, just thinking about all of the things I had to do today to make sure the church was in good hands and that I had passed off every one of the details for the coming two weeks, my head got a little light and my tummy got queasy.
At this point, it's all out of my hands. I completely trust my surgical team. I know the presence of God will be with me - however all of this goes. I know my husband is going to be around and be supportive. I know all of these things in my head and my heart - but my tummy just hasn't caught up with the rest of me! =)
March 9, 2009
*sigh of relief*
Today was my BoOM continuance examination. In 2007 I was commissioned as a probationary (now provisional) elder and so last year and this year, I meet with my examination team to be continued in the process. THIS DECEMBER I will submit my papers for ordination.
I wasn't too worried about the whole process, and really, was more looking forward to being in Des Moines for the day and getting out of town AND getting to spend some time with two blessed, smart, amazing women in ministry.
I headed out at 9am - had my examination (which went fine!) and then got to go shopping. I used a gift card we had from Pottery Barn (thanks Anna!) and sampled the tea at Teavana. I got my oil in the car changed! I dropped off resources at the Iowa Religoius Media Services office. I had a white chocolate mocha at Starbucks. I found an amazing jade green top at Banana Republic.
And then I headed BACK to the interview sight to meet Anna and Paula for dinner. We thought it was pretty amazing that we all got scheduled on the same day and spent a lot of time praying for and sharing with one another before today. And then we had some AMAZING Thai food and FANTASTIC conversation at a great place in Des Moines called Cool Basil. Yum.
The only downside of the whole day was the heavy rain the whole way home. Rain + poor car lights + stupid steering column = a LONG drive home.
I wasn't too worried about the whole process, and really, was more looking forward to being in Des Moines for the day and getting out of town AND getting to spend some time with two blessed, smart, amazing women in ministry.
I headed out at 9am - had my examination (which went fine!) and then got to go shopping. I used a gift card we had from Pottery Barn (thanks Anna!) and sampled the tea at Teavana. I got my oil in the car changed! I dropped off resources at the Iowa Religoius Media Services office. I had a white chocolate mocha at Starbucks. I found an amazing jade green top at Banana Republic.
And then I headed BACK to the interview sight to meet Anna and Paula for dinner. We thought it was pretty amazing that we all got scheduled on the same day and spent a lot of time praying for and sharing with one another before today. And then we had some AMAZING Thai food and FANTASTIC conversation at a great place in Des Moines called Cool Basil. Yum.
The only downside of the whole day was the heavy rain the whole way home. Rain + poor car lights + stupid steering column = a LONG drive home.
March 6, 2009
law or grace?
i was talking with a friend tonight about guilt and its absolutely pervasive impact on our lives. She was talking about something that is a normal and healthy part of her life and yet there was still residual guilt from societal standards that come up afterwards.
Guilt is such a terrible terrible thing. And I think I feel that way because I'm troubled by the fact we just can't figure out how to live as people under grace.... we still think we are under the law and that we are constatnly being measured up against something.
I know I do it all the time. I neglect to spend an afternoon visiting church members and instead spend it connecting with colleagues online and I feel guilty. I don't practice my guitar, and I feel guilty. I look at the dishes piled up on my counter, and I feel guilty. And those are just simple things. Guilt pervades our lives.
And it pervades my church. I think my biggest uphill battle in this congregation is trying to get people to stop talking about hell and the law and having to "straighten up and fly right" (they say this ALL THE TIME!) and to just focus on loving one another and loving ourselves and loving God. I think it comes down to Paul's own struggle with the law that he had lived with his whole life. He wanted so much to live by grace, but was constantly seeing his body in the light of the law.
I think I've mentioned this before, but there is a guy I visit with who wants to know why I don't talk about hell more, why I'm not preaching for people to flee from the wrath to come. I don't see our faith that way. My faith and my salvation is about restoring my relationship with God, not making sure I don't spend an eternity burning in hell. And in relationships, we are constantly growing and changing and we make mistakes, but it is the willingness to keep being in the relationship that matters. I think that is why the idea of covenant is so important and why God, no matter now many times Israel was unfaithful to the covenant, found ways to bring them back into relationship. the problem wasn't that they did bad things. the problem was they neglected their relationship with God and put something else in God's place.
I've been married for only a year and a half - but even in that short time, I know what that is like. We make mistakes all the time. We treat each other like crap somedays, and sometimes we make poor choices like putting work or down time or making dinner before each other. It happens. But if we were to let the past and all of the ways we have not fulfilled our marriage covenant determine our future, if we were to carry all of those mistakes with us and bring guilt into the present, we would never be able to forgive and love one another. The biggest piece of marriage advice I got was to never go to bed angry with one another. On the flip side, never go to bed feeling bad about something you have done.
What if we lived that kind of relationship with God? Where inspite of our failings, we went to bed leaving the past behind us and with a renewed commitment to be in relationship for another day? Covenants are not about prescribed standards and boxes to check and things we have to do - it is about a choice to be in relationship. And in a healthy relationship, there can be no guilt.
Guilt is such a terrible terrible thing. And I think I feel that way because I'm troubled by the fact we just can't figure out how to live as people under grace.... we still think we are under the law and that we are constatnly being measured up against something.
I know I do it all the time. I neglect to spend an afternoon visiting church members and instead spend it connecting with colleagues online and I feel guilty. I don't practice my guitar, and I feel guilty. I look at the dishes piled up on my counter, and I feel guilty. And those are just simple things. Guilt pervades our lives.
And it pervades my church. I think my biggest uphill battle in this congregation is trying to get people to stop talking about hell and the law and having to "straighten up and fly right" (they say this ALL THE TIME!) and to just focus on loving one another and loving ourselves and loving God. I think it comes down to Paul's own struggle with the law that he had lived with his whole life. He wanted so much to live by grace, but was constantly seeing his body in the light of the law.
I think I've mentioned this before, but there is a guy I visit with who wants to know why I don't talk about hell more, why I'm not preaching for people to flee from the wrath to come. I don't see our faith that way. My faith and my salvation is about restoring my relationship with God, not making sure I don't spend an eternity burning in hell. And in relationships, we are constantly growing and changing and we make mistakes, but it is the willingness to keep being in the relationship that matters. I think that is why the idea of covenant is so important and why God, no matter now many times Israel was unfaithful to the covenant, found ways to bring them back into relationship. the problem wasn't that they did bad things. the problem was they neglected their relationship with God and put something else in God's place.
I've been married for only a year and a half - but even in that short time, I know what that is like. We make mistakes all the time. We treat each other like crap somedays, and sometimes we make poor choices like putting work or down time or making dinner before each other. It happens. But if we were to let the past and all of the ways we have not fulfilled our marriage covenant determine our future, if we were to carry all of those mistakes with us and bring guilt into the present, we would never be able to forgive and love one another. The biggest piece of marriage advice I got was to never go to bed angry with one another. On the flip side, never go to bed feeling bad about something you have done.
What if we lived that kind of relationship with God? Where inspite of our failings, we went to bed leaving the past behind us and with a renewed commitment to be in relationship for another day? Covenants are not about prescribed standards and boxes to check and things we have to do - it is about a choice to be in relationship. And in a healthy relationship, there can be no guilt.
March 5, 2009
O.M.G.
So, I just got linked to an article about the new Bi-Lingual worship service that I am helping to build in our area of the state. See Article Here.
I am ASTOUNDED at all of the negative comments. Just a few months ago, I was so excited about the progress made in Nashville and their efforts to deny an "English Only" amendment in the city. And I'm not saying that Iowa is the most progressive place in the world. But I just wasn't quite expecting the immediate bitter comments.
Please pray for our team as we navigate the landscape around us and continue our efforts to help people pray and worship God in their native tongues and as all of us learn to praise God in the many languages and in the diversity of creation which we were made.
I am ASTOUNDED at all of the negative comments. Just a few months ago, I was so excited about the progress made in Nashville and their efforts to deny an "English Only" amendment in the city. And I'm not saying that Iowa is the most progressive place in the world. But I just wasn't quite expecting the immediate bitter comments.
Please pray for our team as we navigate the landscape around us and continue our efforts to help people pray and worship God in their native tongues and as all of us learn to praise God in the many languages and in the diversity of creation which we were made.
March 3, 2009
just to prove how rediculous I am..
I've been reading this symbolism thread on the ABC Grey's Anatomy page, and ever since the end of S4, when this boy was encased in concrete and Bailey whipped out this whole Han Solo narrative to comfort him, there has been this discussion about symbolic links between grey's storylines and star wars.
The latest:
I'm a total nerd. and I love it!
The latest:
Richard is totally Darth Vader IMO. This is why I love him. And remember thay Han Solo was FROZEN for a good portion of the story. Han Solo is Derek of course. Leia was the Jedi that never realized her powers. Mer is totally a Jedi.
The thing is, I am really expecting a point at which we see and feel Mer to be innundated with FAMILY. In the same way the little girl who had the army of family behind her we will see Mer to have assembled her own family. Its because she is GIVING. She brings something to the relationships she makes. She doesnt simply take. So if there is a long lost Luke Skywalker who turns out to be Mer's twin brother, then wonderful! lol.
I'm a total nerd. and I love it!
March 2, 2009
spring cleaning
Our church office is getting some early spring cleaning. It is a useable space, but it would be more useful if it were organized a bit better and had proper mailboxes and the resources were labeled... and it would be more comfortable if we painted the bland walls and took down the horrid curtains (sorry to whoever put them up)
Today, I threw a lot of stuff away. Like 5 year old cokesbury catalogues, an invoice for candle oil from 1993!, etc.
What I also found were lots of old resources, that I'm sure cost a lot of money in their time. Things like a confirmation cirriculum from 1995, and a 12-week spiritual gifts church wide plan from about the same time, and 20 year old guidelines for ministry, and this youth group stuff called "ONLINE" which, I'm sure back in 1992 sounded way awesome, but in 2009 looks pretty lame.
I haven't tossed them yet. It pains me to throw away the old cassette and video tapes and the binders full of pages and the projector sheets. But, seriously, are we really going to use them again? No. Do they appeal to a contemporary audience? absolutely not. Is there anything worth saving within them? MAYBE.
I did look through them. And does it make sense to throw away the guidelines for ministry when we have new guidelines for 2009-2012? Partially no, but partially yes. There are things that have changed in how we concieve of ministry in 20 years. There are also really good concepts in the spiritual gifts inventory stuff that could easily be adapted for a more contemporary presentation - but unfortunately, there are only three of the actual inventories to determine spiritual gifts in the binder. We probably can't order from the same old cirriculum - so if we have to order new inventories, will we have to buy a whole new cirriculum? probably. *sigh*
The garbage gets picked up on Wednesday mornings. And I'm going to predict right now that we will be sending most of those binders out to the curb.
Today, I threw a lot of stuff away. Like 5 year old cokesbury catalogues, an invoice for candle oil from 1993!, etc.
What I also found were lots of old resources, that I'm sure cost a lot of money in their time. Things like a confirmation cirriculum from 1995, and a 12-week spiritual gifts church wide plan from about the same time, and 20 year old guidelines for ministry, and this youth group stuff called "ONLINE" which, I'm sure back in 1992 sounded way awesome, but in 2009 looks pretty lame.
I haven't tossed them yet. It pains me to throw away the old cassette and video tapes and the binders full of pages and the projector sheets. But, seriously, are we really going to use them again? No. Do they appeal to a contemporary audience? absolutely not. Is there anything worth saving within them? MAYBE.
I did look through them. And does it make sense to throw away the guidelines for ministry when we have new guidelines for 2009-2012? Partially no, but partially yes. There are things that have changed in how we concieve of ministry in 20 years. There are also really good concepts in the spiritual gifts inventory stuff that could easily be adapted for a more contemporary presentation - but unfortunately, there are only three of the actual inventories to determine spiritual gifts in the binder. We probably can't order from the same old cirriculum - so if we have to order new inventories, will we have to buy a whole new cirriculum? probably. *sigh*
The garbage gets picked up on Wednesday mornings. And I'm going to predict right now that we will be sending most of those binders out to the curb.
March 1, 2009
rainbows.
Today in church, we painted a rainbow. As we remembered God's promise to Noah after the flood - we affirmed, as a congregation, that we are blessed by God.
We follow a God who desires not the death of a sinner, but that we all repent and live.
We follow a God who promises to be, and has been, with us through the storms of our lives.
We follow a God who reached down into the dust of the earth to breath life into humanity - and then, even when we turned away, came down and became the dust of the earth to redeem us.
I found this writing by Bruce Pewer a few years ago in one of his sermons on this text and it continues to stay with me:
So today, we literally painted a rainbow to remember God's promises. We painted a rainbow to remember how God has blessed us in the past. And we painted a rainbow to be a sign to us - even in these dark days - that God is with us, and that even in the wilderness of Lent, God will send angels to care for us.
In some ways - personally - with all of the excitement and joy that I wanted this response to hold, as a congregation we had heavy hearts this morning. Right before the service, we learned of the sudden death of one of our own. In more ways than one, this message about the rainbow in the midst of storm clouds really served as comfort and hope, even in the midst of our grief and sadness.
While there of course have been deaths in the congregation prior to this point, none have hit me quite so close as this one. We have said goodbye to many dear sweet older folks this past year, and in some ways, because I was new, and because many of them were in the nursing home and not actively present in the church, it has been easier to be the comforting pastor. This particular passing is the husband of someone I have gotten to know quite well in the past year. And I pray with all of my heart for God's strength to help me minister to her and her family in these coming days.
We follow a God who desires not the death of a sinner, but that we all repent and live.
We follow a God who promises to be, and has been, with us through the storms of our lives.
We follow a God who reached down into the dust of the earth to breath life into humanity - and then, even when we turned away, came down and became the dust of the earth to redeem us.
I found this writing by Bruce Pewer a few years ago in one of his sermons on this text and it continues to stay with me:
Rejoice in the rainbow. It is the sign of God’s steadfast love which promises not destruction but hope and reconstruction. It is on the basis of God’s covenant love that we dare to confront evil; it enables us to laugh in the face of the evil one, taking initiative and daring to be pro-active.
Against all the evil you see in the world, against all the injustice and corruption you observe in our nation, against all the perverse evil you see raising its sneaky head within yourself, dare to paint a rainbow!
Paint a rainbow over your frustrating failings and wilful sins, and over your irksome doubts and ignorance.
Over your sins within family life, or the ugly compromises you may have had to make in the sphere of your daily work, set that rainbow.
Project a rainbow over the motley fellowship which is the church, with its flawed ministers, stumbling leaders and its sometimes passive congregations.
In your mind paint a rainbow wherever flawed and lost humanity struggles to find a way of its own mess.
The rainbow is a permanent sign of God’s faithful love. A love which not only creates, but constantly recreates and redeems.
So today, we literally painted a rainbow to remember God's promises. We painted a rainbow to remember how God has blessed us in the past. And we painted a rainbow to be a sign to us - even in these dark days - that God is with us, and that even in the wilderness of Lent, God will send angels to care for us.
In some ways - personally - with all of the excitement and joy that I wanted this response to hold, as a congregation we had heavy hearts this morning. Right before the service, we learned of the sudden death of one of our own. In more ways than one, this message about the rainbow in the midst of storm clouds really served as comfort and hope, even in the midst of our grief and sadness.
While there of course have been deaths in the congregation prior to this point, none have hit me quite so close as this one. We have said goodbye to many dear sweet older folks this past year, and in some ways, because I was new, and because many of them were in the nursing home and not actively present in the church, it has been easier to be the comforting pastor. This particular passing is the husband of someone I have gotten to know quite well in the past year. And I pray with all of my heart for God's strength to help me minister to her and her family in these coming days.
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