a new year! so is it pronounced twenty-ten or two thousand ten?
Last night's New Year's Eve service and supper at church went well. and broke up earlier than usual which was good! we were home by 8:30. I went to sleep early but woke up before midnight. and the neighborhood was quieter than usual at midnight, a few firecracker volleys but that was it. I read Revelation 21 & 22, the description of the heaven..the New Jerusalem. "Behold I am coming soon!"
at the service we sang a couple songs, then i read Gen 1:1-5 and John 1:1-5 and 1:14. Talked about language, words. God merely spoke and everything was created. and His word-promises, law and covenants came to Abraham and Moses. The prophets spoke of God; then Jesus the Word, is God and is the promise of God's word. We can have The Word within us, Jesus as savior and the word of God as we read and meditate and pray on it.
and I am going to go do just that. I have a new Bible reading plan and devotions for the new year. knowing that there will be days I do not manage the 'daily readings' I am going to allot days like today, downtime, to read chunks. bliss.
May the Grace and Peace of our Lord Jesus be with us more each day in this new year! Shalom, Carol
Friday, January 1, 2010
Monday, December 28, 2009
The Word
for New Year's Eve service, I believe we will discuss The Word. Jesus, and the Bible. In the New Testament Greek the word used is Logos, which means "word", but also in Greek philosophy meant the core of one's being. Logos is used both for Word, used for Jesus in John chapter 1, and for "word of God" or "word of Christ" in Paul's epistles. "Let the word of Christ dwell in your richly..." I want us to think about concepts of language, and that words have power. Being in the Word, being in Christ, and spending time with our Bibles, has power!
Sunday, December 27, 2009
It is amazing to me, that no matter how unready I am for Christmas, it comes anyway, and i am reminded again of the birth of our Savior. And i pray that it was the same for you! We had a nice quiet, nuclear family Christmas. Our 2 sons came to the 10pm worship service with us. Hubby did not have to usher, there was plenty of help, so the 3 guys sat together, as I helped lead worship. The music was wonderful and really spoke to me. I think it moved a lot of folks, from the expressions i could see.
this AM i preached on Colossians 3:12-17 Clothe yourselves with kindness, compassion, forgiveness, etc.. and Psalm 148. Praise as the root of worship. Worship as the root of our faith life, and recommitting to Christ. Choir had the day off, so we did a hymn sing in the place of the anthem and folks kept calling out requests! I think we did one verse each of 5 hymns. the final request was for Amazing Grace and i requested that we sing the last verse too..."When we've been there ten thousand years, bright shining as the sun, we've no less days to sing God's praise, than when we've first begun."
this AM i preached on Colossians 3:12-17 Clothe yourselves with kindness, compassion, forgiveness, etc.. and Psalm 148. Praise as the root of worship. Worship as the root of our faith life, and recommitting to Christ. Choir had the day off, so we did a hymn sing in the place of the anthem and folks kept calling out requests! I think we did one verse each of 5 hymns. the final request was for Amazing Grace and i requested that we sing the last verse too..."When we've been there ten thousand years, bright shining as the sun, we've no less days to sing God's praise, than when we've first begun."
Wednesday, December 23, 2009
Christmas, bah humbug. Ok, that is a decidedly un-Christian attitude! but i am feeling awfully humbug today. I have a cold, the weather is terrible, i am not done with any of our preparations, and this has just been a bad year in many ways. so there it is. Come Lord Jesus, fill my heart with the right stuff, please?
Thursday, December 17, 2009
oh this year has been something else. 2009 just needs to be GONE.
i was so sick with pneumonia in May, a car accident in October and my car, almost paid for, was wrecked. and now, the very worst, our son's girlfriend died very suddenly. He is just heartbroken. and not being a believer, he does not have the hope that Jesus brings us. if i 'preach' to him, i am afraid he will turn away from me. i am praying. hard. i do pray hard for my sons, but now..well. I am so very concerned for him.
i was so sick with pneumonia in May, a car accident in October and my car, almost paid for, was wrecked. and now, the very worst, our son's girlfriend died very suddenly. He is just heartbroken. and not being a believer, he does not have the hope that Jesus brings us. if i 'preach' to him, i am afraid he will turn away from me. i am praying. hard. i do pray hard for my sons, but now..well. I am so very concerned for him.
Saturday, November 21, 2009
clutter.....
I've been reading Unclutterer blog (http://unclutterer.com) for a while now. It is interesting topic and I hate to admit how much I need help with this! and in their forums, i see lots of folks posting good ideas. But some of them seem to be "here is what I do...and it mostly works. But sometimes it doesn't..." We seem to be adding stuff to the process of dealing with our stuff, and not addressing the underlying issues.
This week hubby & I have done some serious "uncluttering" ourselves. (since i was sick in the spring, did not do spring cleaning...oy vey!) And it feels so good to have got rid of stuff and organized some of it. Yet i know unless we develop new habits and work thru the reasons that we got to this point, nothing has really changed. I have read lots on this topic. In fact in sorting junk this week, I came across books-- "Simplify Your Life" and "Clutter Free, Finally and Forever."--in piles of stuff. Oh the irony!
I had read both books--and a variety of others! So they didn't help ME much, did they? I have to think thru and deal with the issues that got us here. Neither his Mom nor my folks were good at dealing with stuff. Both had definite 'hoarder' tendencies. They contained most of the clutter, for a long time. But by the last few years, things were piling up. I think with our parents' generation, it goes back to the Depression/WW2 era growing up. They had so little, then were part of the post war boom economy. And the advent of TV and its advertising!
So we (baby boomer generation) grew up with parents who had grown up feeling deprived, and who did not want their children to know that deprivation. AND we had the growing onslaught of mass media and all the advertising that says to get more stuff!
A friend shared a quote from a book she is reading/preaching on. "Physical deprivation causes spiritual hunger." (from Compelled by Love by Heidi Baker) and we so often mistake spiritual hunger for physical, material, other kinds of hunger.
and Gerald May in Addiction and Grace talks about how basically EVERYTHING can become an addiction; as well as the "usual suspects" of drugs, alcohol, cigarettes, etc.... So having/acquiring stuff is a profound addiction!
oh-- good stuff...gonna go read and make some notes...
(To be continued...)
This week hubby & I have done some serious "uncluttering" ourselves. (since i was sick in the spring, did not do spring cleaning...oy vey!) And it feels so good to have got rid of stuff and organized some of it. Yet i know unless we develop new habits and work thru the reasons that we got to this point, nothing has really changed. I have read lots on this topic. In fact in sorting junk this week, I came across books-- "Simplify Your Life" and "Clutter Free, Finally and Forever."--in piles of stuff. Oh the irony!
I had read both books--and a variety of others! So they didn't help ME much, did they? I have to think thru and deal with the issues that got us here. Neither his Mom nor my folks were good at dealing with stuff. Both had definite 'hoarder' tendencies. They contained most of the clutter, for a long time. But by the last few years, things were piling up. I think with our parents' generation, it goes back to the Depression/WW2 era growing up. They had so little, then were part of the post war boom economy. And the advent of TV and its advertising!
So we (baby boomer generation) grew up with parents who had grown up feeling deprived, and who did not want their children to know that deprivation. AND we had the growing onslaught of mass media and all the advertising that says to get more stuff!
A friend shared a quote from a book she is reading/preaching on. "Physical deprivation causes spiritual hunger." (from Compelled by Love by Heidi Baker) and we so often mistake spiritual hunger for physical, material, other kinds of hunger.
and Gerald May in Addiction and Grace talks about how basically EVERYTHING can become an addiction; as well as the "usual suspects" of drugs, alcohol, cigarettes, etc.... So having/acquiring stuff is a profound addiction!
oh-- good stuff...gonna go read and make some notes...
(To be continued...)
Sunday, September 13, 2009
wow I am bad at this blogging thing! I did more of it when i was sick than now that i am 'well'. and yes, i have had some after effects of the dag-nabbed pneumonia. chiefly fatigue, much much better now, but i have absolutely NO tolerance for humidity. never have had much, but it is worse this summer. and of course the ragweed is bad now too. we have been running the AC for several days straight now. it cools off outside at night, but the pollen and humidity never let up. i was sleeping so badly for so long, soon as we had the house closed up and AC on, i slept!
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
Friends
I have been lazy about keeping up my blog. There are things on my mind to say here, but i am challenged at sitting down and actually DOING something about it! it may be that i am mostly focusing on my work. I have a preaching gig out of town Aug 2, preaching at our church Aug 16 and a wedding in between!
Preaching this Sunday on friendship. the text is Mark 2:1-5:
1 A few days later, when Jesus again entered Capernaum, the people heard that he had come home. 2 They gathered in such large numbers that there was no room left, not even outside the door, and he preached the word to them. 3 Some men came, bringing to him a paralyzed man, carried by four of them. 4 Since they could not get him to Jesus because of the crowd, they made an opening in the roof above Jesus by digging through it and then lowered the mat the man was lying on. 5 When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralyzed man, "Son, your sins are forgiven."
I adore this story. The friends are SO very determined to get their pal to Jesus that they dig thru the roof! (Probably a flat thatched roof) My sermon will focus on true friendship, especially caring for one another, having compassion...all that good stuff that church is SUPPOSED to be....
Preaching this Sunday on friendship. the text is Mark 2:1-5:
1 A few days later, when Jesus again entered Capernaum, the people heard that he had come home. 2 They gathered in such large numbers that there was no room left, not even outside the door, and he preached the word to them. 3 Some men came, bringing to him a paralyzed man, carried by four of them. 4 Since they could not get him to Jesus because of the crowd, they made an opening in the roof above Jesus by digging through it and then lowered the mat the man was lying on. 5 When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralyzed man, "Son, your sins are forgiven."
I adore this story. The friends are SO very determined to get their pal to Jesus that they dig thru the roof! (Probably a flat thatched roof) My sermon will focus on true friendship, especially caring for one another, having compassion...all that good stuff that church is SUPPOSED to be....
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
Well HUMPH!! The news keeps saying the recession is better. Well I just stopped at my fave coffee shop, It is locally owned, not a franchise. the shop will be closing next week. And going thru my mail, one of the magazines I subscribe to is ceasing operations. I don't know whether to throw something or start crying.
Sunday, June 21, 2009
book
Got a new book that I am loving with a Capital L. Prayers That Avail Much, the 25th anniversary edition. there are prayers for any occasion. For pastors, lay people, anyone who wants to pray better (and who doesn't?!) Every prayer is based on Scripture, with the Bible references listed at the end of the page for you to look up. I highly recommend! and no, i am not related to nor do I work for the publisher, the author, amazon.com or anyone else connected to this book.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1577949242/ref=ox_ya_oh_product
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1577949242/ref=ox_ya_oh_product
Friday, June 5, 2009
Favorite
A friend, Pastor Karen, and I do weekly worship services at a nursing home. So many times as we are about to read the Bible passage for the day, one of us says, "Oh this is my favorite Scripture!" We have MANY favorites! I have finally come to the realization that my favorite Bible passage is whichever one I am reading right now!
So here is my current fave:
Isaiah 55:1-2 and 8-13
1 "Come, all you who are thirsty,
come to the waters;
and you who have no money,
come, buy and eat!
Come, buy wine and milk
without money and without cost.
God's Word, (both the scriptures and Christ) will accomplish everything that has been promised. The Bible will speak to people. Prophecies will be fulfilled, the children of God will all turn towards God and worship. (Every knee will bow --Isaiah 45:23 and Romans 14:11)
When all of God's children have come home, have come to Christ, then ALL of creation will celebrate and worship! The trees will applaud, the mountains will sing, evergreen plants will replace thorny bushes. What an image! All of creation celebrating, all of creation being in the perfect harmony that we were designed for.
So here is my current fave:
Isaiah 55:1-2 and 8-13
1 "Come, all you who are thirsty,
come to the waters;
and you who have no money,
come, buy and eat!
Come, buy wine and milk
without money and without cost.
2 Why spend money on what is not bread,
and your labor on what does not satisfy?
Listen, listen to me, and eat what is good,
and your soul will delight in the richest of fare.
...
8 "For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
neither are your ways my ways,"
declares the LORD.
9 "As the heavens are higher than the earth,
so are my ways higher than your ways
and my thoughts than your thoughts.
10 As the rain and the snow
come down from heaven,
and do not return to it
without watering the earth
and making it bud and flourish,
so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater,
11 so is my word that goes out from my mouth:
It will not return to me empty,
but will accomplish what I desire
and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.
12 You will go out in joy
and be led forth in peace;
the mountains and hills
will burst into song before you,
and all the trees of the field
will clap their hands.
13 Instead of the thornbush will grow the pine tree,
and instead of briers the myrtle will grow.
This will be for the LORD's renown,
for an everlasting sign,
which will not be destroyed."
God's Word, (both the scriptures and Christ) will accomplish everything that has been promised. The Bible will speak to people. Prophecies will be fulfilled, the children of God will all turn towards God and worship. (Every knee will bow --Isaiah 45:23 and Romans 14:11)
When all of God's children have come home, have come to Christ, then ALL of creation will celebrate and worship! The trees will applaud, the mountains will sing, evergreen plants will replace thorny bushes. What an image! All of creation celebrating, all of creation being in the perfect harmony that we were designed for.
Monday, May 18, 2009
pneumonia continued
I am (hopefully) over the pneumonia, the active infection anyway. but i have NO energy. and, yes, I am grumpy about it! Been reading a LOT. lots of sudoku puzzles. have made a few notes on topics, but not done any real writing. Watching an awful lot of tv. Cable reruns of WKRP and other oldies, and i adore watching Cash Cab on Discovery. and a few Seinfeld episodes. And movies, the Natural and a League of Their Own, 2 of my faves.
I was VERY sick. Probably a whisker away from being hospitalized, and actually, maybe should have been. the next day after diagnosis, i was awfully short of breath. But now, 2 weeks later, i am rarely short of breath, even yesterday at church, singing. but i am soooooooooo tired! (whine)
(2 1/2 weeks later, I still tire more easily than I think I should, but I am definitely better! Patience...with myself. not in my skill set!)
I was VERY sick. Probably a whisker away from being hospitalized, and actually, maybe should have been. the next day after diagnosis, i was awfully short of breath. But now, 2 weeks later, i am rarely short of breath, even yesterday at church, singing. but i am soooooooooo tired! (whine)
(2 1/2 weeks later, I still tire more easily than I think I should, but I am definitely better! Patience...with myself. not in my skill set!)
Sunday, May 3, 2009
pneumonia
well the cold/cough thing just kept getting worse, went to urgent care Sat AM. I have pneumonia in both lungs! and a sinus infection. got antibiotics and cough RX. i am weak as a newborn kitten. will not be doing much for a while, that is for sure. Decided i need to read some nice fiction for a change, so am reading Ender's Game by Orson Scott Card. a bit 'dark' for my usual taste (that's sci fi for ya) I SO adore really good writing.
it is spring, the trees are blooming. It is a lovely weekend. I am going to have Martin take me for rides once in a while, till i am back on my feet. there is one block downtown that has a whole row of about 8 crabapple trees that are just breathtaking in the spring.
it is spring, the trees are blooming. It is a lovely weekend. I am going to have Martin take me for rides once in a while, till i am back on my feet. there is one block downtown that has a whole row of about 8 crabapple trees that are just breathtaking in the spring.
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