So, because there is a small square of blank space on my wall on which I could hang another certificate, I decided to enroll in a master's of Christian service degree at David Lipscomb Univ, my alma mater. I flew to Nashville for the one week condensed class, and the professor also had to fly in from Dulles Airport. It was great! I love sitting around with others solving the world's social justice issues. Out of that one class alone, I hope to furnish speakers for future events regarding every current cause: creation care, sex trafficking victims, poverty, women's roles, international adoption, etc., etc.
Then there was the ZOE conference that was also very enlightening as I made contacts again with all those....past & present & future....who have applied for our ever present yet always changing Worship minister job. {It's only been three years, so who's complaining?} God gives us all strength in special ways. :)
Now we're up to the Holidays....it's time for our bi-annual talent show and we've had more entries than ever! And what interesting entries! I can't let the cats out of the bag, but the show is guaranteed to be varied & full of laughs.
Christmas Eve is going to very different, and very precious this year as well. I'm already feeling full of the holiday spirit as I wish each and every one of you much love and prosperity. My life is intensely blessed, and it is largely because of both my biological and church family. Thank you, God. And thank all of you for being who you are.
Friday, December 4, 2009
Monday, August 31, 2009
my dream
I was about to join an anger management group because I've been...well, basically in a state of anger lately. Maybe it's due to midlife crisis or some other malady; but I've noticed that both illogic and injustice can set me off pretty quick (and examples of both have been rather plentiful lately). But I still had enough sane thoughts to figure out that prolonged anger is neither healthy or helpful. So something had to be done. That was Saturday night.
Right before the alarm went off Sunday morning I had the most remarkable dream. I realize the symbolism of what I'm about to relate is super obvious....but it wasn't in my dream state. It was a rural setting and I, along with several others, had just come out some kind of place of business (post office?) and we were walking along a grassy area w/ trees. I was slightly unsure of the direction to go home but wasn't alarmed yet since my sense of direction is both nonexistent and dislexic, so I'm used to the feeling of being rather lost all the time. Anyway, over in some brush near the trees a group of animals (disturbed from us exiting the building) rose to their feet. The most obvious was a large male lion. I was so surprised to see him out of a cage. A man's voice behind me quickly said, "Everyone be still, no eye contact. No one run." So we all stood there, fighting our natural inclination to take off.
Next scene. Suddenly a lamb rose up and put his two front hoofs up on my shoulders and stayed there. I leaned in a bit to balance my weight with his, and could feel his breath and was aware of his heartbeat. This particular lamb was long and lean, and had straight white fur, by the way. Anyway, I remember thinking, "I believe a lion can go right through a lamb. I wonder if this lamb realizes that." But for all the lamb's alertness and steadfastness, I didn't sense panic. And he wasn't about to leave me. If the lion was going to get me, he was definitely going to have to go through the lamb first.
Then the alarm rang. So I still have some unanswered questions. I'm not sure why or how the lion was there, or why he wanted to kill. I only know one thing: the lamb loved me....and the lion did not.
And I'm not angry anymore.
Right before the alarm went off Sunday morning I had the most remarkable dream. I realize the symbolism of what I'm about to relate is super obvious....but it wasn't in my dream state. It was a rural setting and I, along with several others, had just come out some kind of place of business (post office?) and we were walking along a grassy area w/ trees. I was slightly unsure of the direction to go home but wasn't alarmed yet since my sense of direction is both nonexistent and dislexic, so I'm used to the feeling of being rather lost all the time. Anyway, over in some brush near the trees a group of animals (disturbed from us exiting the building) rose to their feet. The most obvious was a large male lion. I was so surprised to see him out of a cage. A man's voice behind me quickly said, "Everyone be still, no eye contact. No one run." So we all stood there, fighting our natural inclination to take off.
Next scene. Suddenly a lamb rose up and put his two front hoofs up on my shoulders and stayed there. I leaned in a bit to balance my weight with his, and could feel his breath and was aware of his heartbeat. This particular lamb was long and lean, and had straight white fur, by the way. Anyway, I remember thinking, "I believe a lion can go right through a lamb. I wonder if this lamb realizes that." But for all the lamb's alertness and steadfastness, I didn't sense panic. And he wasn't about to leave me. If the lion was going to get me, he was definitely going to have to go through the lamb first.
Then the alarm rang. So I still have some unanswered questions. I'm not sure why or how the lion was there, or why he wanted to kill. I only know one thing: the lamb loved me....and the lion did not.
And I'm not angry anymore.
Monday, August 10, 2009
more holy land...
In the souvenir shops there one can see, all on the same shelf, black veils and yarmulkes and beaded rosaries. I was standing in the middle of one architectually incredible cathedral, listening to a childrens' choir when suddenly over the loudspeaker came the call to prayer for the Moslems. It hit me how deep and urgent and necessary is every person's urge to try to connect with the Almighty. It is as insatiable as the appetite for food and water. Everyone scrambling to hear the voice of God...to be right with God...to be directed by God.
Yet, here in the same land, are the origins of three very distinct branches of religion...the tenets of which have been claimed as the reason for much bloodshed.
To answer the most common question; yes, I always felt safe. In Eygpt we had armed guard driving in front and in back of our convoy of busses on the way to the pyramid. And when we got close the Bethlehem, the Jewish guide had to hop off the bus and a Palestinian hop on to continue through the huge wall built around Jerusalem. And on the way back, Israeli soldiers checked every passport on the bus. But the Jews assured us there have been much fewer suicide bombers since the wall went up 3 years ago and to invite our friends to visit. So consider yourself invited!
In Turkey, we had a cute young blonde guide who was proud to claim Turkey as the most progressive of all Islam countries. She had on a cute little outfit, and went on to tell us what the Koran ACTUALLY says about modest dress. "It says only to cover the sexual parts," she said, "so unless all those women (draped in black) thinking they're smokin' hot all over? Maybe they have Victoria Secret on underneath." It got a laugh, but illustrated the division upon division upon division in ALL religions. Lord have mercy.
Yet, here in the same land, are the origins of three very distinct branches of religion...the tenets of which have been claimed as the reason for much bloodshed.
To answer the most common question; yes, I always felt safe. In Eygpt we had armed guard driving in front and in back of our convoy of busses on the way to the pyramid. And when we got close the Bethlehem, the Jewish guide had to hop off the bus and a Palestinian hop on to continue through the huge wall built around Jerusalem. And on the way back, Israeli soldiers checked every passport on the bus. But the Jews assured us there have been much fewer suicide bombers since the wall went up 3 years ago and to invite our friends to visit. So consider yourself invited!
In Turkey, we had a cute young blonde guide who was proud to claim Turkey as the most progressive of all Islam countries. She had on a cute little outfit, and went on to tell us what the Koran ACTUALLY says about modest dress. "It says only to cover the sexual parts," she said, "so unless all those women (draped in black) thinking they're smokin' hot all over? Maybe they have Victoria Secret on underneath." It got a laugh, but illustrated the division upon division upon division in ALL religions. Lord have mercy.
Monday, August 3, 2009
go to the Holy Land
It's so great to have a real live image in my head next time I read "Capernaum", or "Sea of Galilee", or Jordan River, or "Ephesus" in the Bible. But my favorite things were walking the Via Dolorosa and the wailing wall. Did you know that the "Wailing Wall" (or Western Wall) is the last remaining wall of the great temple of Solomon? On the site is a huge Moslem Mosque now (no wonder the Jews pick there to wail). My eyes teared up too just standing in the crowd of the many women who were crying, rocking, and beating their chests. Then I looked over the fence and saw Dan being wrapped and cloaked (he told some Rabbi his mom had a little Jewish blood in her) so they adopted him quick. Apparently we can now move to Israel at any time, no questions asked. I'm not saying Israel doesn't have its economic problems~ and right now there is a very concerning drought going on (the Sea of Galilee is 18 feet below what it should be)~~but to see what they have accomplished in 60 years with an area & population similiar to the state of Maryland is simply amazing. I also loved visiting the island of Patmos where John wrote Revelation. Does anyone know somewhere in the Bible where Jesus told him that he would not die like the other disciples (who were martryed)? John must have lived to be 100 !
Ooops, gotta run....I'll tell more later.
Ooops, gotta run....I'll tell more later.
Friday, July 10, 2009
Diaries of Darfur
I'm about to finish the Diaries of Darfur, and will now look for the documentary. The book is actually about their experiences of trying to make the film. I hear that the number of 26,000 children dying a day from hunger is now up to 29,000. And I still haven't gotten around to sponsoring a kid yet. The feeling of being overwhelmed is paralyzing. Plus the feeling of having failed in the past. At one time,we were sponsoring six. Please don't be impressed....even that is not much of a monetary sacrifice. Unfortunately, though, I never took the time to write back at all, much less encouraging notes. What kind of a sponsor is that?
Speaking of children, at one point I had filled out the paperwork for us to adopt kid #6....( a little girl from China), but then I thought maybe I should re-think it. I asked a friend from South Korea who was aghast that I would even question. "If you have a roof and food in the refridgerator, why would you even hesitate?" She asked. She went on to tell me of the heartbreaking story of when they were so poor in her childhood that they took her baby sister to the orphanage. Within a couple of weeks they couldn't bear it, so they went back (she was still there)...but that didn't make raising her on no resources any easier. Well, the roof and the food I can manage. It's that nurturing thing and resources such as time that I seem to run out of. How will God judge? Yes, I know His grace will cover even rich Americans. But, still.
Speaking of children, at one point I had filled out the paperwork for us to adopt kid #6....( a little girl from China), but then I thought maybe I should re-think it. I asked a friend from South Korea who was aghast that I would even question. "If you have a roof and food in the refridgerator, why would you even hesitate?" She asked. She went on to tell me of the heartbreaking story of when they were so poor in her childhood that they took her baby sister to the orphanage. Within a couple of weeks they couldn't bear it, so they went back (she was still there)...but that didn't make raising her on no resources any easier. Well, the roof and the food I can manage. It's that nurturing thing and resources such as time that I seem to run out of. How will God judge? Yes, I know His grace will cover even rich Americans. But, still.
Monday, June 22, 2009
thoughts from Willow Creek
I always see this on the wall when I go to the arts conference in Chicago:
"For most of us, the word broken means useless. Yet in the upside down world of God's Kingdom, broken can mean ready to be used---as when a soul is broken before God and yielded. A mosaic is a piece of art that begins with broken pieces and then turns into something beautiful. We are all God's mosaic, our brokenness crafted by his wise and skillful hand into a work of beauty."
Anyway, as always it was worth going to. Hillsong United gave a concert...I picked up on some great video ideas. It was a nice getaway.
Speaking of getaways, four of my children are backpacking across South America for the next month. You can assume that my prayer life will be consistent and intact during that time.
"For most of us, the word broken means useless. Yet in the upside down world of God's Kingdom, broken can mean ready to be used---as when a soul is broken before God and yielded. A mosaic is a piece of art that begins with broken pieces and then turns into something beautiful. We are all God's mosaic, our brokenness crafted by his wise and skillful hand into a work of beauty."
Anyway, as always it was worth going to. Hillsong United gave a concert...I picked up on some great video ideas. It was a nice getaway.
Speaking of getaways, four of my children are backpacking across South America for the next month. You can assume that my prayer life will be consistent and intact during that time.
Friday, May 29, 2009
Galatians
I just read a book "The Hole in our Gospel" by the president of World Vision, Rich Sterns. So my new favorite quote is "We've drifted from being fishers of men to keepers of the acquarium" (actually Paul Harvey said that). Good quote, huh?
Anyway, the more I read the book of Galatians, the more I realize that Paul was not mad over circumsion. That was NOT the issue. In fact, it seems "the issue" (whatever it may be) is never REALLY the issue at all. Take for example, in past decades it might have been that we could have replaced the term "circumcision" w/ the terms "one cuppers" or "kitchens in churches buildings" or "worship leaders on staff." Someday it will be whether or not to have holograms to illustrate sermons points. Some will find holograms entertaining and distracting, others will find them enlightening and educational. There will, no doubt, be anti-hologram churches and pro-hologram churches. We will be beaming guest speakers in from Texas to plead for unity. The progressive churches will probably finally settle on one hologram inclusive service, and one without.
Face it, Paul's just mad at the folks who set themselves up to make whatever-it-is mandatory for the other side to agree with or else! It's just another example of folks trying to be God (once again!....our forever human sin...). It's so much easier, and much more of a power trip, to make and enforce rules for others and then judge them by their noncompliance than it is to accept God's grace. So read Galatians. Everytime it says "circumcision" (which we care nothing about today but they sure did back then), replace it with a current hot-button-topic, and see what Paul has to say to us today.
Anyway, the more I read the book of Galatians, the more I realize that Paul was not mad over circumsion. That was NOT the issue. In fact, it seems "the issue" (whatever it may be) is never REALLY the issue at all. Take for example, in past decades it might have been that we could have replaced the term "circumcision" w/ the terms "one cuppers" or "kitchens in churches buildings" or "worship leaders on staff." Someday it will be whether or not to have holograms to illustrate sermons points. Some will find holograms entertaining and distracting, others will find them enlightening and educational. There will, no doubt, be anti-hologram churches and pro-hologram churches. We will be beaming guest speakers in from Texas to plead for unity. The progressive churches will probably finally settle on one hologram inclusive service, and one without.
Face it, Paul's just mad at the folks who set themselves up to make whatever-it-is mandatory for the other side to agree with or else! It's just another example of folks trying to be God (once again!....our forever human sin...). It's so much easier, and much more of a power trip, to make and enforce rules for others and then judge them by their noncompliance than it is to accept God's grace. So read Galatians. Everytime it says "circumcision" (which we care nothing about today but they sure did back then), replace it with a current hot-button-topic, and see what Paul has to say to us today.
Thursday, May 14, 2009
IMAGINE
Six hundred people (including cast & crew & audience) enjoyed all the wonderful varied facets of IMAGINE last weekend (well, May 2 & 3). After that I took off to West Palm Beach to see my daughter graduate from college. Congratulations on a job well done, Chelsea! On Mother's Day, there I sat at IHOP surrounded by my extremely handsome husband, five children, and two serious boyfriends (of my daughters, not me!) Good stuff.
Anyway, back to the show. Everyone has a different favorite memory. Some said it was like an extremely educational documentary with great music. I still go into the foyer daily and read some of the 220 scrolls on the wall with references to praise & music. [thank you, Chris Sterritt!] As I watch the DVD, I realize how organically some of it sprang into reality. Joyful Noise made both the spiritual section and the restoration movement come to life in a way that WAS truly joyful! Thank you to my lovely dancers who had to put up with all kinds of torturous workouts for the last three months. Jody, you were certainly some kind of a discovery! How come no one ever tells me when we have a Sandi Patti in our midst. Anyway, it was all just super great...I loved the dramas....B.J. just generally has talent dripping from every pore at all times...Karin's my new best friend....Jerry, Carol, Anne---we could NOT have done it without you. Anyway, thanks everyone. Thank you again & again & again....
Anyway, back to the show. Everyone has a different favorite memory. Some said it was like an extremely educational documentary with great music. I still go into the foyer daily and read some of the 220 scrolls on the wall with references to praise & music. [thank you, Chris Sterritt!] As I watch the DVD, I realize how organically some of it sprang into reality. Joyful Noise made both the spiritual section and the restoration movement come to life in a way that WAS truly joyful! Thank you to my lovely dancers who had to put up with all kinds of torturous workouts for the last three months. Jody, you were certainly some kind of a discovery! How come no one ever tells me when we have a Sandi Patti in our midst. Anyway, it was all just super great...I loved the dramas....B.J. just generally has talent dripping from every pore at all times...Karin's my new best friend....Jerry, Carol, Anne---we could NOT have done it without you. Anyway, thanks everyone. Thank you again & again & again....
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
Best service ever !!!
We've had some great Sundays, but it would be hard to top the Easter service we just experienced. The incredible video "That's My King", the moving cardboard testimonies, the elegantly beautiful "Agnus Dei". Wow! Just the whole energy and singing and feel of the crowd was something I wished I could wrap up in a box to bring out whenever needed. I was almost moved to tears when I saw the excitement of teens when they heard we were going to sing "This is How We Overcome". How God must smile when he sees happy people in his courts of praise. I often wondered, as a child, at the deception and outright lies (if body language can "lie") of those who used to mumble through the songs "We Praise Thee O God" and "O How I Love Jesus" when it was evident by their mannerisms that those words were not representative of where their sour hearts were. Thank God we have moved beyond thinking that joy and expressiveness and smiles are for only events outside the church building.
I also, once again, want to thank and admire the elders' courage and effort and humble hearts as they lead our Sunday night studies. So many Churches of Christ do not have the "guts" to even bring up such questions, but our leadership has risen to the occassion and has done so gallantly. Our church family will be smarter and stronger and spiritually closer because of these times studying the scriptures together. [I'm pretty sure that God can handle all our questions as well, and does not fear them at all.] :)
I also, once again, want to thank and admire the elders' courage and effort and humble hearts as they lead our Sunday night studies. So many Churches of Christ do not have the "guts" to even bring up such questions, but our leadership has risen to the occassion and has done so gallantly. Our church family will be smarter and stronger and spiritually closer because of these times studying the scriptures together. [I'm pretty sure that God can handle all our questions as well, and does not fear them at all.] :)
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
I love this place...
WOW! $115,000 and still counting!?! What a contribution toward community care! I must admit, I didn't even think we'd come close to the requested $75,000....but we sure did. And I'm SO proud of our elders. Just think of the amount of time and effort! Just think of the courage! Even being the elder's kid I am (and thoroughly "ground in the faith"), I am learning some interesting facts from the Sunday night classes. I never thought about the fact that the Lord's Supper was probably instituted on a Thursday. And suddenly one understands where the Catholic church probably got the "mass everyday" idea (from the early Christians meeting daily). But I must admit, my favorite time for possible communion with anyone would have to be at approximately 2:30 AM Monday morning (esp. if someone just fell out of a window after listening to Bruce for a little too long).
Anyway, it was a great Sunday and I am, quite frankly, just proud of everyone around here. Proud to be a part of a people not scared to ask questions, not scared to study, and not scared to learn. And, by the way, I guarantee that God is not the least bit threatened at our questions either. I'm quite sure He can handle it (and proud we have actively engaged brain cells and not in a hibernation mode... :)).
And guess what! Easter's coming! A time for renewal for ALL His creation !!!!
Anyway, it was a great Sunday and I am, quite frankly, just proud of everyone around here. Proud to be a part of a people not scared to ask questions, not scared to study, and not scared to learn. And, by the way, I guarantee that God is not the least bit threatened at our questions either. I'm quite sure He can handle it (and proud we have actively engaged brain cells and not in a hibernation mode... :)).
And guess what! Easter's coming! A time for renewal for ALL His creation !!!!
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
once a month blogger?
I don't think I've ever heard of a once a month blogger (or longer) but that seems to be the pattern here. The search committee for a worship minister kicks off tonight, and as we list the attritutes and duties...I guess I'm lucky to get to this even occassionally. Sunday was pretty funny (if you have a quirky sense of humor). Terry Gibson just retired and I was bequeathed the communion servers. That means weekly emails, noting all changes as the guys report in that they need a different date or service, etc., and printing out the check- in charts for the communion room. Well unfortunately, there are also the charts that get mailed out monthly; and that's the ones I mistakenly printed out. Chaos in the communion room soon insued. Bruce had to come (graciously) get me out of worship team so I could correct the problem. Then it turned out that the replenishers weren't there to replenish. Somehow between services (after singing and half- monitoring the AV booth) I was supposed to do something with the trays. I go running in, yelling "where's the juice & crackers?" and Russ Barnes (to his credit and sanity) just said, "I'll handle it, Darla". He obviously received a heartfelt "Thank you". Terry, I hope you read this and know you're missed.
As we enter this era of service and being the heart to our community, I hope the above helps reenforce that there is a place for everybody and everybody needs to be in their place. That seems to be the challenge for some....where am I needed and what do I enjoy doing? What am I good at? As you work your way through that and receive Holy Spirit direction, never doubt that you are sincerely and desperately needed. I know church is supposed to be a quiet time for meditation and feeding. But I also know, if you never serve, Sunday will become meaningless...no matter how great the sermon and inspirational the songs. Chances are much stronger that you will drift away...and years later you'll wonder what happened...why you feel empty and in neutral spiritually. So in closing, let me say it again....YOU ARE NEEDED !!!
As we enter this era of service and being the heart to our community, I hope the above helps reenforce that there is a place for everybody and everybody needs to be in their place. That seems to be the challenge for some....where am I needed and what do I enjoy doing? What am I good at? As you work your way through that and receive Holy Spirit direction, never doubt that you are sincerely and desperately needed. I know church is supposed to be a quiet time for meditation and feeding. But I also know, if you never serve, Sunday will become meaningless...no matter how great the sermon and inspirational the songs. Chances are much stronger that you will drift away...and years later you'll wonder what happened...why you feel empty and in neutral spiritually. So in closing, let me say it again....YOU ARE NEEDED !!!
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
more on missional
One thing for sure: if you want to be on the look out for touching others' lives....those moments will NEVER be convenient. They won't even feel like real monumental moments. Looking back, it'll be when you were most likely to ignore someone because you were tired or really really busy....or extremely comfortable in front of your favorite TV show when the phone call came. The only time you might feel good about going out of your way is when you look back...in hindsight. Possible other feelings at the time of trying to be of service: a kind of weird fear that introverts are familiar with, ripples of judgementalism that might swim up in your throat, boredom when the problem isn't fixed in under ten minutes, and wishes that you could be anywhere else doing something "really important".
Here's a story for you. A dedicated Christian in an east African country is in his house church when they are invaded by the local authorities, for his religion is illegal in his country. He sees his father beat to death. Whereabouts of other members of his family are still unknown. He is able to flee, and with a fake passport, make it to our border where he turns himself in and asks for help. An even bigger crime occurred when, due to bureaucratic incompetency, he was put in a prison for hardened criminals instead of a detention center. There he was violated and is now HIV positive. Yes, of course he won his case and is now able to stay in our country and work. But, you can see where this is now a difficult placement. A humble hard working (and scared) man has been in a homeless shelter for months. What is the church's answer to this? And who among us can point fingers at anyone else, when we personally (no doubt) can't really help either. They say the emerging generation is not interested in buildings or bulletins but in how we can help our fellowman. Well, that can be pretty scary. But I'm glad they are forcing us to look at what a Christ follower might actually resemble.
Here's a story for you. A dedicated Christian in an east African country is in his house church when they are invaded by the local authorities, for his religion is illegal in his country. He sees his father beat to death. Whereabouts of other members of his family are still unknown. He is able to flee, and with a fake passport, make it to our border where he turns himself in and asks for help. An even bigger crime occurred when, due to bureaucratic incompetency, he was put in a prison for hardened criminals instead of a detention center. There he was violated and is now HIV positive. Yes, of course he won his case and is now able to stay in our country and work. But, you can see where this is now a difficult placement. A humble hard working (and scared) man has been in a homeless shelter for months. What is the church's answer to this? And who among us can point fingers at anyone else, when we personally (no doubt) can't really help either. They say the emerging generation is not interested in buildings or bulletins but in how we can help our fellowman. Well, that can be pretty scary. But I'm glad they are forcing us to look at what a Christ follower might actually resemble.
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