The Quandry of the Christmas Song

One of the best things about Christmas is the songs – there are so many good ones!  Every year, I seem to find one or two that grab me – they might be a new version of an old favorite, or one I hadn’t heard in a while, or maybe had not ever heard.

SO, imagine my surprise that I have had 3 songs stuck in my head that have almost nothing to do with Christmas…or do they??  Yes, this will be one of those posts…but just stick with it till the end and see where it ends up.

I really love ALL kinds of music – and often listen to Top 40 hits through a different filter, trying to find a spiritual aspect to Jay Z or whoever comes on the radio.  Here are the two hits I have in my head currently:

Unconditionally - Katy Perry.  I actually imagine God singing this song to me and it gives the words a whole new meaning.  A God who sees and knows EVERYTHING, whether we want Him to or not…yet loves us anyway.  "Come just as you are to me...Open up your heart and just let it begin"...really, isn't that all God wants???  A song full of hope!  [Katy Perry has quite a few songs that can easily take a spiritual bent  - she is a DOUBLE PK after all - both of her parents are preachers]. 

Say Something - A Great Big World/Christina Aguilera.  I think this is actually THE most depressing song I have ever heard.  I hate that it’s on the radio in December.  “I’m giving up on you”.  Is there anything worse a person can say, or be told????  I’d rather have someone say they hate me than say they have given up on me.   SO, no.  I certainly don’t imagine God singing this one.  Actually, the message is the polar opposite of what God’s love is all about.  But, someone wrote this song – and they wrote it from a place of pain, and little hope.  And, there are many who hear this song and likely feel a connection.

SO, here enters the 3^rd song that I have been listening to a lot – perhaps technically a Christmas song, but not one of the more traditional ones - and certainly not this presentation of it.  It's not short, but it's worth every minute of your time. [not my own discovery, but this was the 1st video my pastor used for an Advent play list that I can not figure out how to include a link to...]

What I love about the message in this recording, is that it acknowledges the grief and lack of hope that many have, but by the end of the song transforms it into an understanding of the gift of unconditional love that the season is all about.  A understanding that even in the midst of our grief and turmoil, we have a God that will always love us, and never gives up on us.  And that’s a gift that will always top the charts.

Wishing you an Advent full of Hope, Peace, Joy and LOVE!

Grateful for Change

Lepers??  Already?  I almost sighed when I sat down to do this week's Sunday School lesson.  If there is any story I think I have taught as much as Jesus' birth and death, and Noah's Ark...it's the lepers. [the abridged version:  10 lepers healed, only one comes back to say thanks].

It's all about gratitude.  And, I got to thinking - well, that's one area I do OK on.  I've got other issues, but I got very full of myself thinking how well I think I do with gratitude.  But can we ever have enough?  Should we ever be content that we have shown enough gratitude?  Not really.  And I was reminded on this dreary day of some of the things I'll be forever grateful for:

1)  Five years ago I was in the midst of packing up our life for a brief stint 600 miles away from my children.  A medical crisis would keep us apart for the better part of 2 months, and it would take our family a long time to get back to "normal", but in the end healing had occurred.  Our life was changed in many ways.  And for that I am grateful.

2)  A year ago I was wallowing in self-pity, as my life "plans" had been dashed and I was about to have surgery from which I feel I have really only just fully recovered.   But in the end, healing had occurred.  And again, I was changed.  And for that I am grateful.

3)  Last weekend I spent 48 hours with children many of whom could not speak, would never ride a bike, or be given a list of chores.  Simple every day things I watched my kids do last Sunday when I got home.  I am not sure if I was overcome by grief or gratitude as the tears poured down my cheeks.  But I was changed yet again.  And for that I am grateful.

Most people don't like change.  I don't either.  It's not exactly enjoyable.  But funny, in the end I seem to end up grateful because of it.     

What changes are you grateful for?

Going out on a Limb

"Be willing to go out on a limb with Me.  If that is where I am leading you, it is the safest place to be."

I read these words in a daily devotional a friend sends out and they really struck me.  I have never been a tree climber.  I don't have a fear of heights or anything like that (I LOVE roller coasters)..it just never felt comfortable.  Comfortable.  It's a word I've been thinking about a lot lately.

 I've also never felt particularly comfortable around people with special needs.  Yet, there I was, in a pool of 3 feet deep water, hanging out with a bunch of kids who could not communicate (at least with their mouth).  At first, I'll admit, it was really weird.  Some of the kids were even wheel-chair bound and prone to seizures - but I could still see how they enjoyed the water as they floated in their vests.  By the end of the three hours, I had made a bunch of new friends!  

As many of you know, over the past year, the challenges that face families dealing with children with special needs (especially in the ministry environment) has become dear to me.  I may not have any children with these challenges, but God has put many of them in my path through out my ministry work.  I have listened to many stories of families that struggle with these challenges and felt called to pursue a more dedicated effort to learn more about what can be done.   One of the opportunities I found is a special weekend camp...and, it takes place at the same great camp site Kim went to this summer!

This October, I am joining fellow church members as we host a weekend in Middleburg, VA for a group of 10 children children between the ages of 9-13.  These are children who have specific intellectual disabilities and our group will spend 3 days being their buddy. By doing so, we grant their parents a weekend of respite.

Oxygen Three is the coordinator of this program, and is an outreach of Jill's House.  You can read more about the program here:  Oxygen 3.   I have never been more impressed with an organization.  We have been supported and encouraged by words and prayer through every step in this process.  I have recently begun volunteering at Jill's House and love how organized they are.  They make sure to use the talents of the folks who serve them and it is truly a pleasure to walk in those doors.

Maybe you do not feel you are called to work with these children - it is, admittedly, not a fit for everyone's gifts.  Really,  I never thought it would be for me either.  But if you can't help these kids in person, would you go out on a limb and help others to help them by sponsoring our team?  Just click on the link below.  We are truly grateful for any support you can contribute to our effort.

Oxygen Three Team Fundraising Page

   

What I learned in August

What I learned in August - 

thanks Emily Freeman for giving us space to reflect on these things...love her blog at Chatting at the Sky.  

- It's really fun to drive fast in a cool car in the desert! 

  - How to roar!

 - How to set up a website all on my own.  It's not great, but not bad for a work in progress.

 - That I can survive an entire 5 days and never once read an email message.  

 - That even after over 20 years, me and my best friend can have a blast in a place we have been every year for 8 years running.

- That even though I think I should know better, I still love that I am amazed by Gods perfect timing, if I just let go of my inner control freak.

 -  I can spend three hours in a pool with kids who can not speak with their mouth - and I was way more comfortable doing that than I would have ever imagined. 

 - That I CAN say no to something even when every fiber of my being wants to say yes.

 - That I LOVE Jane Austen !  

 - That some people consider me  bold.  Which both delights me and scares the crap out of me!

Go with the Gs

"You know, it's more enjoyable when you just relax and go with the Gs."  

And there you had it.  It explained everything.  All day I had been trying so hard to use pure strength to control the reaction of my body to the twists and turns.  Some times it worked.  But something was off.  It was not as enjoyable as it was just a month ago.  

So the last time through, I just let it go.  Just go with the Gs.

That would be G-forces.  And my son was talking about our day of riding roller coasters.  When pure force takes control of your body as you zoom upside down.  He may have been talking coasters...but if he only knew how much deeper his words cut. 

It's been a crazy week.  It wasn't supposed to be.  And its not even over yet.  I am not quite sure what happened, but by the time my son and I left for our day of fun, I was wound pretty tight and felt kind of like this:

There is a lot of stuff happening.  Good stuff.  But it's not stuff I can manage with a "list".  In fact, I know much of what I have been working on these days will not succeed if I cling to "the list".  But... I need a list.  So, this week I spent way too much time trying to make a list that can't be made.  And it was totally stressing me out, and I knew it was stressing me out.  And then I got stressed about stuff that didn't get done while I was stressed.  Like cleaning my kitchen floor.  

Sigh.  Don't I know better by now?

By the time we left the amusement park today, I was more relaxed than I had been in a while.  And then we got home, and an image came across my Facebook page and I just laughed.  Yes, a real LOL. Martha, Martha, Martha.  There you go again.  There was this lovely image depicting the 3 characters in the Martha/Mary/Jesus story.  Which made me realize I had no idea what the weekly lectionary texts were. Which made me realize I had missed a LOT of days with my bible.  And I spent most of the week stressed?  Duh.

God is doing amazing things in my life right now.  I have no idea what I'm doing, where its going, or what it means.  I am just trying to see daily where it leads and make the best decisions one can make when the information available is scant.  It drives my inner Martha totally insane.  

But I need to remember that the crazier it gets, the more important it is to get that quiet start to the day. To turn it over to God even before the coffee kicks in and people start asking you to do things.  It means some things people ask won't get done, and someone will end up annoyed.  And I hate that, cause I am a people pleaser.  My inner Mary gets squashed on a daily basis if I don't start out with her in front leading the way.  Or should I say, on her knees at Jesus' feet.  It IS the better part.

Getting Goofy

I was at a meeting recently with a woman I am going to be team-teaching with next fall.  We had never met and were just getting to know each other and our teaching philosophy.  At the end I said, "Here is my bottom line - learning about Jesus and the bible should be ENJOYABLE.  And sometimes that means getting a little goofy".    

So many people see Christians as a group of people who take themselves way to seriously.  And I wouldn't want to do anything disrespectful - but we are talking about GOOD NEWS.  Life-giving stuff!! Jesus himself saw the value in sharing JOY.  After all, his first miracle was making more wine at a wedding feast!

Yes, I am Presbyterian.  No, I do not clap in church.  Yes, I sit very still and orderly during worship.  No, I will not wear blue jeans.  

And every now and then, that drives me crazy.  SO, I feel the urge to get a little goofy.  Goofy for God.

SO, I am loving an idea I saw at one of my favorite resource sites about Flat Jesus (check out "Worshiping with Children" on Facebook).  Yes , think Flat Stanley if you are familiar with that line of books.  To make a short story even shorter - my church has embarked on a Flat Jesus campaign this summer and you can read more about it HERE.

At first I was thinking it was just a nice way to stay connected over the summer, see what people are up to, and provide a way to tell stories via photos.  But, over the past 2 weeks, Flat Jesus has become more than just a "goofy" way to connect church members - for me it has really been a way to demonstrate how to live (or not live) our Christian life, and what can happen when we are more intentional about that.

Here are some highlights from the first two weeks with my Flat Jesus….

• I made him quickly and immediately felt the need to share him.  Yes - this is what we are called to do as Christians!  Except so far I have really only shared him with fellow Christians.  Next time he goes WITH me into the Wegmans!  Maybe we get some fish :)

• On the days I literally had my Flat Jesus in my car with me, he really was every where with me.  The other days he hung out on my dining room table. I am fairly certain my thoughts and behaviors on the days with vs. without Jesus had distinct differences. Who knew a piece of paper would serve as such a strong reminder of how we are to act in the world.  

• On the days I had my Flat Jesus with me, I saw the joy he brought others.  Nobody could resist him!  When people see the joy, he is irresistible.  Irresistible.

Flat Jesus probably won't change the world - but if getting goofy for God brings joy to others and gives me a reminder of what I need to be doing, then I'll go with it!

You want to get goofy for God?  Make your own Flat Jesus - get a blank template HERE.  Have fun with it, and show others how having Jesus in your life is enjoyable!

7 Things I learned in June

I love reading the blog "Chatting at the Sky" (found here).  This month Emily invited her readers to share some of the things they learned in June - as she has done for each month recently.  Not necessarily earth shattering - mostly just for fun :)

Here's mine!

 1) Sour cherries are much easier to pit than sweet bings and don't stain nearly as much.  And they taste pretty darn good too.

2) My son is strong enough to carry the nasty rained-on bags of lawn clippings to the street without dragging them on the ground and ripping a hole when hubby is on travel.  Score!!

3) What to do when you find a tick on a person - cause after all these years, one of the kids found one on themselves.  Luckily, no bite.

4) The 10 year history of the 5-year treasury note.  Seriously.  I can give you the high and the low.

5) People really don't think they can get any thing for free - in general they are suspicious.  I learned this when we tried to give stuff away.  For free.  And people didn't want it.

6) There is no such thing as too many Old Navy tank tops or flip flops.

7)  Age 13 is going to give my parenting skills a serious challenge.

Confessions of a Candy Crusher

You know who you are.  You give life.  You ask for extra lives.  You curse multiplying chocolate squares and delight in speckled "donuts".   You are…the candy crushers.  Me too.  I'm totally hooked.

SO, I decided if I am going to spend so much time on this game, I should try to learn something deep and meaningful from the experience.  Strangely, as I thought about it, the game is eerily qualified to ponder in this manner.  So, here are some deep thoughts on this as it relates to Christians and the spiritual life...

1) It's free.  OK - you may have to have acquired the electronic device you use to play it, but you can actually enjoy the benefits and never spend a penny.  It makes me think of grace - the free gift God gives us, all just because He loves us.  It is there for the taking.  Why is it so easy to take some things for free - like addicting, distracting video games, but not this life-giving gift?  

For by grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God— not the result of works, so that no one may boast. (Eph. 2:8-9)

2)  It appears to encourage generosity.  Yes, appears to.  Give friends life!  Sounds good right???  But, when you send a friend a life, it doesn't actually COST you anything.  You literally just click a button.  We are so willing to do things as long as we don't have to give something up right???  NO sacrifice on our part.  Hmm.  And since we are talking about giving life….…how about TRULY giving friends access to REAL life?  Like telling them how great Jesus is?  And sharing about that free gift of grace??  and how about God's great and unending love for them?  I know...we might risk offending someone.   No one ever said being a Christian did not involve sacrifice.  

 like living stones, let yourselves be built^[a] into a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. (1 Peter 2: 5)

3)  "You have failed to clear the jelly" - How many times do we fail to reach a goal?  What do we do when that happens?  Are you one of the ones who gives up and stops playing when you hit the same level too many times?  Do you double your efforts and ask every friend you have for more lives so you can show that game who is boss?  Do you cave and buy one of the many enticing "add-ons" to help you pass a level?  I'll admit, I have spent nights anxiously waiting the arrival of new life so I could beat a level, and I have also taken the easy way out and bought some of the "extras" in a moment of desperation.  Not sure what that says about my spiritual state of mind..but it's probably not far off.  How many times do we want to take control of our lives, when we need to remember that we are NOT in control.  How many times do we take the easy way out, when we ought to remember  that 

... endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not disappoint us, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit that has been given to us" (Romans 5:4-5)

I know.  It's just a game.  Did you know that they are adding new levels to Candy Crush EVERY WEEK?  Did you know that the chances you ever "beat" the game are pretty slim??  SO, maybe we should stop trying to win and concentrate more on HOW we play?   

One of the best things about loving and growing in Christ is the process one goes through while experiencing it.  There is never a dull moment.  You never stop growing.  There is always an opportunity to learn more, and get to another level.

TIPS for a BEE - UTIFUL Summer!

Tomorrow is the last day day of Sunday School classes (at least for my church).  And as a teacher, while I appreciate the reprieve for the summer on a certain level, it is always my hope that families don't take a "vacation" from church.  We might not see everyone in the classroom, but there are lots of fun and creative ways for families with kids of all ages to stay in the bible over the summer.  Here's just a few ideas.  Feel free to add your own!

BEE worshipful: 

-      Play “church” at home – get creative!  Set up chairs, sing a song, say the Lord’s prayer, take an offering, make music with instruments (real or home made), read a bible story together

-       Memorize one component of the worship service you do not already know – such as the Lord’s prayer, the Doxology, the Gloria Patri, or the Apostle’s Creed

BEE in prayer: 

-      Write a family table grace to say at meal times – or look online for some ideas.  Have everyone say one thing that are thankful for before each meal.

-       Make a family prayer wall/board – or designate a decorated box to collect prayers in; or make your own summer prayer chain like we did in Sunday School this year!

BEE in the bible:  

-      Have a bible word hunt – pick a word and try to find it some where in the bible.  Even more fun to do it with a family member or friend and see who can find it first!

-       Visit the kids library at church – read your favorite stories – older kids can read to younger kids.

-       Find different ways to experience the bible – online options like the Glo bible (lite version is free) and the Brick testament website (videos of bible stories using lego) offer new and more interactive ways to experience bible stories (both links are included in the web site list below)

BEE generous: 

-       Decorate a “Jesus Jar” and keep it in a prominent location.  Collect loose change or make it be an offering collection.  Pick a charitable cause that is special to your family and donate all the money at the end of the summer.

BEE in service:

           

-      Find a park or local spot that needs some cleaning up – take care of God’s creation by collecting garbage or planting flowers.

WEBSITES FOR BIBLE APPS, VIDEOS, AND OTHER ACTIVITIES

  

http://www.notconsumed.com/2012/07/16/best-bible-apps-for-kids/ - free and/or cheap bible apps for kids

http://rachelwojo.com/bible-apps-for-kids/ - free and/or cheap bible apps for kids

http://www.worshiphousekids.com/mini-movies  - short videos for kids

http://www.globible.com/ - free (lite version) interactive bible

http://www.thebricktestament.com/home.html - bible story videos using all Legos

http://www.dltk-bible.com/ - coloring pages, craft ideas, word searches and other bible related games

3, 17, 26, 37

In a few hours I'll be 40.  I had hoped to be graceful about it.  I appear to be less and less graceful as the minutes tick by.  I am not sure why I care - 39 was a less than stellar year and I am more than fine leaving it in my dust.  And everyone says 40 is the new 30. I'm just not feelin' it.

So to distract myself, here are my favorite ages from the past 4 decades...one from each decade...

Age 3:  By all accounts from others, I was pretty stinkin' cute at age 3.  I remember actually being baptized (we moved a month before I was born...it took a while to find and get in the groove of a church..I walked up to the font on my own two feet.).  And I was still small enough to crawl in my daddy's lap while he sat in his big black recliner.  There was no problem so big that was not fixed by some time in the chair.  

Age 17:  this covers most of Senior year of high school - an incredible year all around spent with great people, memories of which still make me chuckle out loud.  Perhaps too loud, LOL!.  Not yet a legal adult - so almost free but not totally responsible for myself.  Excited and optimistic for the future.  Really - I felt fairly invincible.  Except for that time I wrecked my car....time in the chair could not fix that one.

Age 26:  ah, the honeymoon phase...literally.  Living as newly weds with my best friend, an incredible man who still puts up with me after 15 years of wedded bliss (in 4 days).  To think that was still only the beginning of our journey!  We came home from work to our little apartment and took "news naps" before leisurely making dinner.  How?  No Kim or Nic yet.  Not yet bearing the responsibility of another human life.  Totally absorbed in us and our dreams.

Age 37: an odd assortment of reasons why this age stands out for me - survival of a stressful time where we came out stronger than we went in; in the best physical shape of my life (even ran a half marathon); a time of incredible spiritual growth.  Past the stage of babies and toddlers (which I loved and wouldn't trade for anything - but it's down right exhausting).  Everything just clicked.  It was a time for new dreams - but not yet feeling that it was so urgent to achieve them.

So, here we are.  Forty Schmorty.  Perhaps it's not bad to be a bit reflective.  I have lived an incredibly blessed existence.  It has not been without challenges, but they have formed me and strengthened my faith each step of the way.  Which, I guess, is why as much as 40 makes me sigh tonight, I will go on faith that I''ll wake up tomorrow ready to make it the best decade yet!  Bring it on!

Stinky Feet

Of all of our body parts that we can boast or complain about, I don't think I have ever heard any say, 

"I LOVE my feet - wanna take a look??"  

More often than not, we are trying to do what we can to cover them up, or in the warmer months, disguising them in color so as to avert any eyes from noticing the details.  But, its just those details that I am pondering today.  

You might say I've had a foot fetish the past couple weeks.  It all started with the story of Mary anointing Jesus' feet with extravagant scent, and washing his feet with her hair.   I have taught this story many times to many ages.  My classes have made "nard", smelled all kinds of things, talked about noses, etc.  We have joked about stinky feet.  My favorite was when boys donned a Hannah Montana wig and acted out the scene.  It's a great story of love.

Now here we are at Maundy Thursday - a day to celebrate the Last Supper..but also that moment when Jesus washed the feet of his disciples.  Such a simple act with such a powerful message.

Here's the thing I can't seem to stop thinking about.    When you wash someone's feet, you HAVE to get up close.  You see the details.  The washer has to either bend over to reach, and come face-to-toe.  Or, the washer might lift a foot off the ground and hold it in a lap?  The logistics may vary, but there is no avoiding the fact that you WILL see the foot and every blemish and bunion on it.  It is a very intimate act.

Today, I was able to participate in a prayer service where over 500 students, teachers, staff and parents took turns washing and drying each others' hands (logistics being what they are, feet are hard to do in that great a number).  I stood back for a bit just watching, and even with just hands you can see the emotions that folks experience submitting to others for this humble act.  Some folks were just plain uncomfortable having others do unto them.

Cause, it's not just about the "footwasher" and the show of love that it represents.  As the receiver of that cleansing, you make yourself vulnerable.  You let someone else see the details.  Jesus told his disciples that as he washed their feet, so they need to wash each others' feet.  And we as Christians are called to do the same.  This requires actions on both the giver and the receiver.  As receivers, we need to allow ourselves to become vulnerable;  to let others' see our details.  And as foot washers, we need to respect those that offer their feet to us, and accept them and love them  - bunions and all.

I don't think I have ever experienced a foot washing service in a church as part of worship, even as merely a dramatic demonstration.  I imagine logistically it can get messy.  Funny - my pastor last week referenced that we don't like some of the "messiness" of Holy Week.  He mostly meant the blood and gore of the crucifixion I think...but maybe the "messiness" of stinky feet is something else we just don't want to deal with??

Wishing everyone a blessed experience on this Holy Week journey.  

Reminder: Bring a disco ball to the party!

So - first a confession…I almost didn't go to church today.  I was going to go for Sunday School and scoot home after.  I was tired, had no other duties, and knew I'd be going to Sunday evening mass with the rest of the family.  But the truth is,  I just was not in a Palm Sunday mood and felt I'd be a drag.  

It's been a time when I find myself overwhelmed by the extreme trials of emotion and illness so many dear to me are experiencing.  Just this coming week alone I know several people who have to go through treatments that will leave them physically in quarantine.  Some unable to even be in the same room as their spouses and children for days.  And this, the holiest week of the year for Christians.  And yet, so many people made to be alone.

So, I had a heavy heart this morning - though I always try to have a happy face.  And then, God began to do his work…

• There was the church member who I saw go out of her way to welcome an obvious visitor who felt a bit uncomfortable - meeting a family member who had not yet arrived. My heart warmed at the reminder of how our church really does its best to welcome all in our midst - whether for a day or a "season".  We are not perfect, but we try.

• The 5 year old girl who admitted "she might be a little shy" when it was time to sing up front…though she has never been shy a day in her life.

• The parent who expressed gratitude for Sunday School and how much his child enjoys it.

• The boy who reminded us that we need to bring our disco balls if we are really going to have a fun party.

• The little girl who wanted to be by her brother's side and was an impromptu new member of the choir, and then continued to dance in the aisle for the remainder of the service.  Her mother worried about her being a distraction, but I saw the smiles she brought to all her watched her.

• The choir director who found a way to include a young boy in the morning's musical offering, even though he'd missed the practices...and the adult who sat next to him and helped him through the service…so that his parents could continue their service in the back hall way preparing the Easter food baskets that would be delivered to families in need.

The pastor got all "crazy" throwing palms around and making a mess.  He made us normally "composed" Presbyterians get all goofy waving our palms and making a joyful noise.  He also talked about next Saturday - that day when we are not sure what to feel.  I thought that maybe those folks who are suffering so much now probably feel like every day is Saturday.  It seems so dark with no hope.  I am comforted that many of the people suffering are faithful Christians, and I pray they will hold onto to hope of Easter like never before.  And I pray even harder for those who don't yet realize that this hope IS there, and that they realize, as my pastor said (slightly paraphrased), "God doesn't leave you at Saturday." 

Sunday IS coming.  Thanks be to God!