Losing 10 in 10 weeks :)

Losing 10 pounds in 10 weeks! 

My apologies for not posting for several days. As you may know, my weekend was rudely interrupted when I fell on Sunday and had to get some stitches on my forehead. There were no initial signs of concussion, but I am having to rest and recoup for a few days.

One of the most important aspects of a healthier lifestyle is balance! What I mean is keeping a balance between all the areas of our lives. --yes balance as in not falling down is good too....clearly I need to work on that! ;)

We were created us as physical, intellectual, and spiritual beings, so all aspects of our humanity need to be nurtured. This is especially true if we are caring for others. The human body needs rest, good nutrition, and adequate hydration in order to function well physically. When we are busy or stressed, we may take shortcuts, using fast meals or caffeine drinks to recharge. It works in the short term, but medical science reminds us that these choices may do more harm than good. Following a healthy plan is much better for the body. It takes a commitment to a plan, but we feel better, look better and function better in the long run! (and recover better when things go awry!)  

Last week i worked out 3 days and made an effort to walk more, even if it's a few steps by parking further from the door. I admit the sweet tooth is challenging me! But by watching portions and moving more, i did lose 1 pound during the first week! 

How are you doing? Take good care of YOU this week! 

My photo of the flag atop the Phoenix Building downtown Beloit. 

Inspiration

Need some inspiration for your healthy lifestyle? This story from last fall is a great reminder that age is no barrier to fitness. Ms Willie Murphy is self-taught power lifting champion-- at the age of 77!  'It's about life- L-I-F-E" she says!

USA Today story about Ms Willie Murphy

10 lbs in 10 weeks...day 2!

My goal is to lose 10 pounds in 10 weeks! this is Day 2. thank you for joining me!

My intention is to post 3 times a week. As we are starting, it will be a bit more frequent, to help get us into a routine. I will not post a “Diet”. If following a specific diet helps you, then by all means follow it! But remember, a “diet” is usually a short term solution. When the diet is over, we may fall back into old patterns and regain the weight and lose some healthy muscle tone if we stop exercising too! We are in this for the long term! The goal is more than losing a few pounds! The goal is to work towards a healthy balance of good food, moving more, and feeling better!

We will discuss choices. We can choose to have fruit and veggies at each and every meal. After all it's mid summer, and lots of goodies are in season here in the Midwest! It's a perfect time to try new foods and new ideas for old faves. We will choose lean protein and whole grains. We may even enjoy chocolate, or ice cream or frozen custard, in moderation! Because we all enjoy a treat sometimes and learning to enjoy good quality food, savoring the aroma and texture and flavor, is an important step on this journey.  

We may even discover that a beautifully balanced meal is a treat. and a balanced lifestyle is definitely a treat. 

getting better all the time!

Today is Monday, July 27. It's been a busy summer so far, with LOTS of ups and downs, like most of the rest of life! But today is also 10 weeks until my birthday, and 90 days until Lisa Rambo, former Biggest Loser contestant and dear friend, comes to Beloit! Lisa will tell her story at a public event at my church to help others be the BEST they can be!

Today, I commit to ROCK my program...healthy food choices, more exercise. And I commit to lose 10 lbs on or before my birthday. And I commit to ENJOY the journey.

Want to join me? A few times a week I will post tips and ideas that have helped me, and we will make this a positive effort. This is not just about weight loss, but about a lifestyle that promotes well being.  

This is not a competition. This is about supporting each other and being positive. Who's with me?  

Laura Sue Schackelman Eddy 

My cousin Laura is the gorgeous gal in the white dress. this pic is about 21 years ago. She is holding her daughter Amanda, who was 4 then, to her right is her niece Holly and the young man is Laura's son Mario, when he was about 16.  This is how i remember her, with that bright smile and loving her family. She died last week at the age of 56, of metastatic breast cancer. Here is what I said at her Memorial Service on Saturday July 25. 

One of the bright lights our lives has gone out. Laura and I were cousins, our dads were brothers. She and her sister Diane and I have always been very close, though we lived in different cities. We played Barbies together as kids, giggled together at a movie as teens, shopped together, and raised our kids at the same time. We vacationed together, playing cards, hiking, shopping, watched our kids catch fish and learn to swim. And we ate. And cooked, and ate...our conversations always went back to food, whether in person or on the phone.

Laura was a remarkable woman. She was one of the most generous, thoughtful people ever. She loved to cook and make sure people were well cared for. She had an incredible gift for listening, and remembering. She used that gift to help all of us feel better about ourselves.

She loved to be out in nature, in her yard, or in a park, or in the beautiful north woods of Wisconsin. She, as so many of us, found incredible beauty and peace in nature. There were some times it wasn't quite so peaceful, though, like when she drove that old Jeep like a bat out of....you know where!

Laura loved to go camping-- for night or two or longer. Now camping for Laura was NOT 'roughing it'! Yes they were in a tent, but she had her electric blanket, her coffee maker and toaster too! (Amanda added "and her air conditioner!) Camping never meant going without the comforts of home.

And Laura's home was always comfortable-for her and for everyone who stopped by. The couch may not be new, but it was great to sit on, and sleep on! And there was good food...Laura was a great cook. And nothing made her happier than to share a meal or dessert...especially dessert-- with people she cared about.

I remember when we spent a weekend with them in Crivitz, she fixed up an aero-bed for us, and put the electric blanket on the mattress, since we'd been hiking all day and she knew we'd be achy. That kind of thoughtfulness was so typical!

She remembered little details about who liked what...or disliked!

She loved music, all different kinds...especially Pink Floyd. She played the piano well. She played REALLY well when she was mad. I remember when she was a teen I got to their house and Laura was crashing out Beethoven on the piano, her mom was in the kitchen banging around pots and pans...they had had a fight.

Their fights often included her mom saying, “I hope someday you have a daughter and she's JUST LIKE YOU!” …..Well, Amanda...

Amanda posted on FB once aobut her mom pounding out Pink Floyd's Shine on You Crazy Diamond, ..and every year they went to see PINK FLOYD tribute band together. What great times that must have been for you both!

Laura never had much materially...but she was quick to share what she had, she would almost give you the shirt off her back! She loved to give, she loved birthdays and Christmas and gifts for no reason...just to reach out. She gave the PERFECT gifts―because she listened and paid attention and remembered so well. One of her final gifts, was given through the Rainbow Hospice connection to a Make-a Wish program. When Laura was asked what she would like, she, as always, thought of others first...she wanted to take Amanda and Mason to the Wisconsin Dells...so they got to go.

As Diane put it, for being one person in a small town, Laura lived a big life of loving everyone she encountered...whether an elderly neighbor, her daughter's friend, customers at the bakery and of course all of her family and friends.

She also had a remarkable knack for being able to take a step back and see the absurdity and humor in life, especially life in a small town- and share it with us. She loved to laugh, and would make a comment or tell a story...and we could laugh and laugh together. And you might find yourself weeks later remembering that and start laughing all over again! Even in her final illness..I had taken some chocolate cake to her house...this was about a week before she died. She ate some and we were sitting together. she said she was having some double vision. She said, "yes i see 2 of everything." Then she said, "at least i have 2 pieces of cake!" 

In 1993, both Laura's Mom Shirley and my Dad had cancer and died eight weeks apart. That was an intense year, and we girls ran up some hellacious long distance phone bills. Those phone talks got us through the rough days of the illnesses and grief afterwards.

Over the years, sometimes life got in the way and we didn't talk or get together enough. But we knew the other was there and deeply loved. Even when it had been a long time, when we talked, the time melted away as though it had been a few days.

Laura was probably sick for long time without knowing..or admitting it. She was always caring for others... She was so busy caring for others, she forgot to take care of herself. Had she done so, would she still be here? It's hard to say. Doctors still don't know nearly enough about cancer. Her mother, Shirley, was diligent about check ups, but her diagnosis was missed until it was basically too late. And it would seem that Laura's was a pretty aggressive cancer. So we won't second guess. But please do remember to take care of yourself..not selfishly. But in the sense of putting on your own oxygen mask first, so that you can then put on your loved one's. Do things that promote your health, so you can care for others as well as Laura cared for us.

And do care for others, that's the best way to honor her life. Take time to listen, to the older neighbor, he may have the best story you will hear all week! Or the young friend of your child...she may be need to hear that you care. This is what Laura did for us, and how we can honor her life and her memory.

Today is only one step in our journey together. We will share more memories and some tears and laugh together.

Laura was a remarkable woman, one who left an impression on everyone she knew. There's a quote by Helen Keller “What we have once enjoyed we can never lose; All that we love deeply, becomes a part of us.” Laura became a part of all of us, by her love, her generosity, and enjoyment of life. When we honor her by sharing her love and caring, we help her continue to be part of our lives and those of others.

Our family has a lot of stories about odd things that happen, that could be interpreted as hearing from a loved one who has passed away. There is a powerful story of our grandmother, Uncle Joe's mother, when she was a young girl and was quite ill with Spanish Influenza during the devastating epidemic, saw 2 doves land on the windowsill, and she knew that her mother and brother had died. Other stories are less powerful, lots of finding pennies from heaven. While Diane and I were talking about this the other day, she found a penny! Laura and Diane's grampa Fritz always thought those stories were silly, until one day in his NEW car, a tie clip that had been a gift, that he mislaid years before, fell out of the visor of his NEW car, right onto his lap.....Our Aunt Fran has a lamp that belonged to her sister Joan before she died. from time to time, that lamp will light up, randomly, often on a birthday or anniversary of some sort. a couple years ago I got a phone call Aunt Fran saying, "Joan lit her lamp yesterday to remind me of your dad's and your birthdays!"

The other night, I was uploading photos of Laura to be printed out, and thinking about today's service. I had windows open, this was just about sunset, and birds were singing, but I really wasn't paying attention, I was trying hard to get a good quality print and cropping...and finally I noticed a persistent sound outside, a Cardinal, even though it was now past sunset was close by outside my window, whistling and singing. And I wondered if Laura sent him to me? And then I couldn't remember if Laura knew how much I love Cardinals, but Aunt Joan knew...and I think maybe Aunt Joan was showing Laura, “here honey, this is how you do it...”

Those moments of hearing from loved ones, or maybe it's coincidence...it doesn't matter what the “REAL” explanation is right now. Those moments bring us some comfort. They remind us that there is something after this life is over.

Life is not easy, Laura had some hard times. but she was grateful for what she had and she enjoyed her life because she enjoyed the people around her... And she enjoyed her family. She loved you all SO much. She especially loved being a Mom and Grandma. Mason, hang onto that love. It can help get you through a lot. It can help ALL of us get through a lot! And remember, she knew the Source of that love, of all Love. Laura knew and loved so well, she was SO filled with love, because she had the love of God in her heart-the truest love of all. God is Love and those who love Know God...

God so Loved the world, God gave his only begotten son....God loved, and God gave....Love inspires giving. Love inspires action. Laura knew this, she loved and gave so much! God gave us His Son Jesus to help us to know exactly how to love and live, and yes, to die. Because there is something more.

The Bible describes heaven this way:

Revelation 21:3b-4 ESV

…..“Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man(kind). He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God.  He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.”

Amen.

God will personally wipe every tear away...what a beautiful image that is. It's an image of a perfect, intimate love. That is what Laura is experiencing right now! There is NO more pain, or grief or tears. Only love and light and peace. And one day, by God's grace, through our Lord Jesus, we will all be together in that beautiful place of love and light and perfect peace.   

Let us join together in singing Amazing Grace.  

Psalm 98 Mark 4, Joys and Concerns

Sermon given at United Church of Beloit July 19, 2015

Psalm 98

A psalm.

1 Sing to the Lord a new song,
for he has done marvelous things;
his right hand and his holy arm
have worked salvation for him.
2 The Lord has made his salvation known
and revealed his righteousness to the nations.
3 He has remembered his love
and his faithfulness to Israel;
all the ends of the earth have seen
the salvation of our God.

4 Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth,
burst into jubilant song with music;
5 make music to the Lord with the harp,
with the harp and the sound of singing,
6 with trumpets and the blast of the ram’s horn―
shout for joy before the Lord, the King.

7 Let the sea resound, and everything in it,
the world, and all who live in it.
8 Let the rivers clap their hands,
let the mountains sing together for joy;
9 let them sing before the Lord,
for he comes to judge the earth.
He will judge the world in righteousness
and the peoples with equity.

This psalm, specifically verse 8 Let the rivers clap their hands,
let the mountains sing together for joy;

was the theme for our NACCC Annual meeting in June. Held in Salt Lake City, Utah, in a hotel with a great view of mountains surrounding the city, it was fitting. A couple of evenings, Martin and I watched the mountains at sunset..how the colors on the mountains and the sky changed from golden hue to pinkish and purple...yes the mountains were singing..not audibly but there was profound beauty there.

I was originally not planning to attend the meeting this year, as Laura Erickson's our elected delegate. But I was asked to fill out the term of someone on the leadership team. So I am now serving on the Growth Ministry Council. In the new structure of the NA, there is an executive council, a board of directors and under them 3 ministry councils, one for Missions, one called Vitality and the Growth Ministries Council, which handles everything that doesn't fall into either of the other 2 categories :) those of us on the council enjoy that and refer to ourselves as the Merry Band of Misfits. During the pre-meeting we finished up writing a Policy and Procedure manual..which was actually more interesting than it sounds. I've never done much of that sort of thing but I am a good proofreader. And,it wasn't long before I could easily dictate “this team will assist churches and individuals, by seeking out, or developing, and providing Bible-based resources to assist in worship, education, etc, etc...”

The Growth Ministry Council had a display with our resources, and contact information, and we presented 2 workshops, which were well received. One of our group also did a workshop herself on worship for people with intellectual disabilities.

(Link below) I have samples of the resources, including the one that I did write, worship resources for lay leaders to use when the Sr Minister is away...which incorporates a variety of sources and theologies, and actually some Sr Ministers were interested in the list for their own use.

So that's the work that I did at the Annual Meeting in Salt Lake City. At the Sunday morning worship service, the texts were this Psalm and the Gospel lesson was from Mark chap 4...

this is in a section where Jesus is doing a LOT of teaching to crowds of people, telling parables, his stories that teach about the Kingdom of Heaven, and immediately following this story he does several miracles and healings. SO here is our Gospel lesson...

Mark 4:35-41

Jesus Calms the Storm

35 That day when evening came, he said to his disciples, “Let us go over to the other side.” 36 Leaving the crowd behind, they took him along, just as he was, in the boat. There were also other boats with him. 37 A furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat, so that it was nearly swamped. 38 Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke him and said to him, “Teacher, don’t you care if we drown?”

39 He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Quiet! Be still!” Then the wind died down and it was completely calm.

40 He said to his disciples, “Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?”

41 They were terrified and asked each other, “Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him!”

what a great story. This one is told in the 3 of the 4 gospels, Matthew, Mark and Luke. Mark's version adds the details of “they took him into the boat just as he was” and that he was sound asleep in the rear of the boat. Now this was not a luxury craft...this was an open fishing boat, probably no more than 30 feet long, if that. Jesus, fully divine, AND fully human, was TIRED. Exhausted, bone-weary. He was ASLEEP while the boat was being tossed by wind and waves, with water was coming into the boat.

And the disciples woke him saying, “Jesus don't you care if we drown?” (how can you sleep at a time like this!?) and Jesus got up, and calmed the storm with a word.

Have you ever felt like asking Jesus 'don't you care that I am about to go under?” “Sometimes I feel like a Motherless Child....”

I'm feeling that way lately as someone I love dearly is dying from cancer. As I pray for friends who have lost loved ones, or have someone in hospice care. But when I come here with you all, when I was at the meeting in SLC, when I am in a Book Bag Bash meeting with folks from 7 or 8 other churches....i know that Jesus cares. Because of the Bible. Because there are folks who are praying for us, for each of us, for this church, for Beloit. I know Jesus cares because there is joy in our worship. Even in our own griefs and losses, when we come together there is Joy, the joy of being together -that deep-down assurance that ultimately all will be well. because we have the Love of God through Jesus. Joy is that assurance that no matter how many storms, how rocky things get, God loves...So loved...that He sent Jesus, who came to live as a human being, able to live and love and even laugh with his very own creation! He lived as One of us, so he knew the joys and troubles of being a human being. And the weariness! Jesus did this to bring us that joy, that assurance. That comfort.

That assurance and joy comes from the peace of God, that Shalom. God's perfect peace which is also protection and wholeness. We may not experience the whole of Shalom every single day of our lives, but we will- on the other side, in heaven.

We have this knowledge when we come together because we are better together than apart. Like the USA Women's Soccer Team, Strong Alone, Unstoppable Together! That is us, as individuals, strong alone, unstoppable as a church! And as churches come together in our community, working with Caritas, Hands of Faith, other missions, and our Book Bag Bash, we are strong alone, and unstoppable together!

Let the rivers clap their hands,
let the mountains sing together for joy;
let them sing before the Lord,
for he comes to judge the earth.
He will judge the world in righteousness
and the peoples with equity.

Did you catch that? God will judge with equity...not harshness, but fairly. Yes we will be judged, but we have an advocate..the Spirit of God given by Jesus, who will stand by our side –because Jesus took our sin, our failings, onto His very self...on the cross.

let's pray--

Holy God, With a word you created all that is, and your word still has power to deliver us from storms of doubt and fear. Help us remember to always call upon you, our Lord and savior. Help our faith and trust, and so help us to live out your Love in our families and in this community. In Jesus Name we pray, Amen.

* Resources from Growth Ministry Council

I could look at the mountains all day! The light changes, revealing new details of the range, and there is a slight haze that drifts over and away and comes back at sunset. The mountains surrounding Salt Lake City make for a beautiful vista.

I am in SLC for a church conference. My husband and I drove here from Southern Wisconsin. We had never been to Wyoming or here in SLC before. We have so enjoyed the natural beauty we saw all along the way. There were the rolling green hills of Iowa and the lush agriculture of Nebraska. In Western Nebraska and Wyoming we were climbing, some gradual climbs and some fairly steep! There were stunning bluffs rising up out of the high plains. And then we could see mountains, still capped with snow in June. We drove through part of Medicine Bow National Forest, stopping many times to walk, take photos, to enjoy the aroma of the cedar trees, and yes, to play in that snow! The natural beauty was jaw-dropping.

And then we drove through western WY into Utah and SLC. And again we were awe-struck by the beauty of it all.

One of my favorite scriptures is this:

Psalm 121

A song of ascents.

1 I lift up my eyes to the mountains—
    where does my help come from?
2 My help comes from the Lord,
    the Maker of heaven and earth.

3 He will not let your foot slip—
    he who watches over you will not slumber;
4 indeed, he who watches over Israel
    will neither slumber nor sleep.

5 The Lord watches over you—
    the Lord is your shade at your right hand;
6 the sun will not harm you by day,
    nor the moon by night.

7 The Lord will keep you from all harm—
    he will watch over your life;
8 the Lord will watch over your coming and going
    both now and forevermore.

The majesty of the mountains and all the natural beauty and wonders we have seen on this trip can not begin to compare with the majesty of God. God who, over and over, throughout the Bible reminds us that God is always with us, caring for us, weeping with us when life is hard, laughing with us when we are filled with joy. But we are so often not with God. We take things for granted, we may forget to give thanks for what we have and what we see.

God is even with those whose hearts are filled with hate. I can not fathom how...but that is because God is infinite and we are finite. No human, even the most creative, the most intelligent, the most spiritual, can truly comprehend God. And that's where the problems begin. If only each of us spent a few more moments each day looking up, figuratively if not actually, and spent time each day with the Bible and in prayer; and if we would ponder with gratitude the beauty around us, we could begin to draw a bit closer to the Loving God who made each of us to be in relationship with God and with each other. That is how we can help make the world a better place. 

Friday Five,- Ready to Go!

On your blog or in the comments tell us about five things you do to get ready to go. What do you do to prepare yourself physically, mentally, and spiritually to be away?

Well, this is timely, Hubby and I will soon be on the road! We are going (from home in southern Wisconsin) to Salt Lake City Utah, for our church's National Annual Meeting. This was not in our plans until just a few months ago-I was offered a leadership position! It's volunteer but my conference registration and half the hotel is paid for. So I have scrambled a bit to get the travel money, and plan the vacation that we 'wrap around" the conference.

So 5 ways I get ready to go?

LISTS! Written, and in Evernote, accessible from computer or tablet. (I don't have a smartphone..i use tablet instead) And since I keep my tablet next to the bed at night, I can update during the night if that's when I remember! And the inevitable written grocery list-- since we are driving we pack 'road snacks'. And my mental list of “today grocery store, tomorrow gas up the car...”

2) Google...maps, google search for parks, motels, restaurants on the way. Hubby & I have both spent a LOT of time doing this! He's been checking out Salt Lake City, as he is on vacation while I will be “stuck” in the hotel for the meetings :) 

I am checking out possible stops along the road there and back.

3) Packing and repacking...my clothes are folded and ready. And since we leave Sunday afternoon (after church, the Deacons meeting, a potluck and handing out VBS door knockers...) I have what I will wear to church ready to go too. When we get home we will change, pack toothbrushes and the cooler...and OFF we go!

4) Getting a pizza from our fave place at home...because we rarely find a great pizza while traveling. And we will get one from our other fave place when we get home...for the same reason :) 

5) Preparing myself spiritually is the hardest right now...a person dear to me (who is only 56!) has stage 4 cancer and is getting hospice care. She lives about 45 min from us, and we will see her before we leave, and again on our way home. It is possible that she could pass away while we are gone. I probably would NOT be leaving if I had known she was terminally ill before I got the offer for the leadership position. I admit to telling God I am pretty upset right now!!

So this trip especially, I have to be open to having my plans change. That's the hardest for me, I LOVE making plans. And I can be flexible-I can change at the last minute. I may grumble, but I can do it. But I have to have that plan to start off with-- a plan from which to deviate! And I suspect that our Loving Lord has a good laugh at all my planning...as there is a much bigger plan than I or any of us, can possibly envision.

I am humbled and honored to now be part of our denominational leadership. I never planned that! And to be able to travel to new places is icing on a really great cake. I appreciate the support of my family and church to help us make this trip! I appreciate your prayers for travel mercies. And I crave prayers for comfort for our family as we face the untimely loss of a loved one, especially for her, for her children, and grandchildren.

So my biggest “plan” is savor the moment, even the planning and the re-planning. To make sure I savor the day-even a cloudy rainy day, because we are only here a short time. I will take a lot of photos on the trip, as that's how I savor, and capture those moments for remembering later on. I  love to capture images of the beauty in nature and all around us, and hopefully help others see God's beauty through my photos. 

This photo is a duck family on the river at sunset. -part of my planning the other day was to take a walk! 

May 24, 2015 Dreams & Visions of Excellence

Dreams & Visions of Excellence 

Sermon given at United Church of Beloit, May 24, 2015-Pentecost Sunday

Romans 8:22-27 (NIV)

22 We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. 23 Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption to sonship, the redemption of our bodies. 24 For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what they already have? 25 But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently.

26 In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. 27 And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God.

Acts 2:1-21 (NIV)

The Holy Spirit Comes at Pentecost

2 When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place.2 Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. 3 They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. 4 All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues[a] as the Spirit enabled them.

5 Now there were staying in Jerusalem God-fearing Jews from every nation under heaven. 6 When they heard this sound, a crowd came together in bewilderment, because each one heard their own language being spoken. 7 Utterly amazed, they asked: “Aren’t all these who are speaking Galileans? 8 Then how is it that each of us hears them in our native language? 9 Parthians, Medes and Elamites; residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, 10 Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya near Cyrene; visitors from Rome 11 (both Jews and converts to Judaism); Cretans and Arabs―we hear them declaring the wonders of God in our own tongues!” 12 Amazed and perplexed, they asked one another, “What does this mean?”

13 Some, however, made fun of them and said, “They have had too much wine.”

14 Then Peter stood up with the Eleven, raised his voice and addressed the crowd: “Fellow Jews and all of you who live in Jerusalem, let me explain this to you; listen carefully to what I say. 15 These people are not drunk, as you suppose. It’s only nine in the morning! 16 No, this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel:

17 “‘In the last days, God says,
I will pour out my Spirit on all people.
Your sons and daughters will prophesy,
your young men will see visions,
your old men will dream dreams.
18 Even on my servants, both men and women,
I will pour out my Spirit in those days,
and they will prophesy.
19 I will show wonders in the heavens above
and signs on the earth below,
blood and fire and billows of smoke.
20 The sun will be turned to darkness
and the moon to blood
before the coming of the great and glorious day of the Lord.
21 And everyone who calls
on the name of the Lord will be saved.’

Pentecost in Jewish tradition...

there are 3 big festivals -Pasach or Passover, Shavuot, and Sukkot.

Shavuot (Shah vu aht) Hebrew name. Pentecost in Greek, which was the common language in Jesus' time.

Shavout or Pentecost in the Jewish tradition, is counted 50 days, 7 weeks, or 7 sabbaths, from Passover.

This is a festival of first fruits. -given to the Lord, because God deserves the very best!

50 days after passover. Historically, it celebrates the giving of the Torah  at Mount Sinai―the giving of the word of God to the people...

Passover freed us physically from bondage, but the giving of the Torah on Shavu'ot redeemed us spiritually from our bondage to idolatry and immorality

So the people were gathered in Jerusalem for this special holiday! The reason for the emphasis on all the places the people came from is to say that the people had indeed come from far and wide, from north and south, east and west of Jerusalem, even from as far away as Rome!

Giving the first fruits....as Steve reminded us last week God is a God of excellence who expects that we give excellence as well. And our gifts should be right off the top...the first fruits..this is what this festival was about..harvesting, giving and enjoying the first harvest!

dreaming of excellence...visions and dreams...

Peter quotes prophet Joel.

Joel was a prophet about 800 years before the time of Jesus. His prophecies came when there was a terrible plague of locusts, causing a famine. And he reminded the people that God was indeed still with them, but they needed to shape up! This plague was not the final judgment, but it was symbolic of the end...and that in the end times, ALL kinds of people -not just men in positions of authority in the Temple...would have visions and prophesy. Peter reminds the people there that this prophecy- that the Holy Scriptures state clearly that the Spirit of God would be poured out on all people....

and Peter reminds the people of this prophecy!

Good old Peter, who only 7 weeks before, said oh Hey Jesus I am with you all the way....and hours later said, Nope not me, I don't know him....But later Jesus reinstated Peter..specifically saying to him, Tend my sheep! And then 7 weeks later, suddenly Peter is preaching with power!

As the Romans passage says, God's power helps us in our weakness!

Now...elsewhere in the Hebrew scriptures was a story about how to hear the voice of God. Elijah, one of the great Hebrew prophets was fleeing for his life and the Lord spoke to him...not in a torrent of fire, NOT in a rushing wind...but in a gentle whisper...a “still small voice.”

and here, we see God's presence in rushing wind, with tongues of flame?! How can this be?

Could it be that God needs to remind us that God is not bound by OUR our expectations? That God exceeds our expectations? We may get comfy and think we 'Know” about God but then something completely unexpected happens! And I think God wants to challenge us, to help us grow and to dream . To think 'outside the box'..to dream big...God-sized dreams.

“Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved” Often it seems that God is far away, judgmental, but over and over scripture says something like this...Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved. The word in the original Greek for Saved is a great word....it means to be saved for all eternity, it also means to be rescued from danger and to be healed, to be made WHOLE...

Finally, there were certain celebrations and sacrifices and offerings which were prescribed in the Law for the day of Pentecost. On Pentecost, the High Priest was to take two loaves of freshly baked bread was made from the newly harvested wheat. The priest would take this bread and offer them before the Lord..

As the High Priest would hold up that bread-imagine the disciples and Jesus' followers there.. They would envision Him take a few loaves of bread, giving thanks and then hand them out to to feed thousands of people! They would hear again Jesus say I am the Bread of Life! They would remember that night just 7 weeks before as He said, Take and eat, this is my body given for you...do this in remembrance of me....'

Dreams and visions can honor the past while looking ahead to the future. Dreams and visions that are from the Holy Spirit remember..and Honor our Lord while moving forward to a bright future.

It's no coincidence that our churches came together when we did. It's no coincidence that during our merger process, both of denominations did a vision process and began to implement a new structure with a new vision for the future! A future in which people from far and wide, from west and east and north and south see and experience the Love of Christ, because we in this church and our sister churches.. care for others in His name. Because WE have called upon the Name of Our Lord Jesus and we have found Saving Grace. Because of this, we reach out to our community, to all of our community in His name. Because we serve God to the very best of our ability to honor God's excellence.  

Friday Five from RevGalBlogPals

Five Favorite Places

This is actually harder than you might think...I've been blessed to be able to travel from home in Wisconsin all over the Midwest, and to Florida, New England and the southwest US and Southern California.

But my 5 faves are: (click on the photos to see larger)

1. My church. The building is beautiful, there is a warm sense of “Home” there. And the people are great too :) 
   
2. Riverside Park in my home town. It's beautiful every time of year. 
   
3. The North woods of northern Wisconsin. The beauty of the tall pines and deciduous trees, the sound of a breeze way up in the tops of those trees. Watching and listening to birds- Loons, Bald Eagles, geese, and so many more—so serene. 
   
4. Florida beach. Any one of them. 
   
5. Grand Canyon. It's awe-inspiring. You stop and look at the view and say “Wow!” then walk a few feet, stop, look and say “Wow!” again! So beautiful, and it changes as the light changes. It's hard to take a bad picture there..I tried about 400 times!   
   

"Eye Witness News" a sermon at United Church of Beloit April 19, 2015

Eye Witness News 

Psalm 4 (NIV)

For the director of music. With stringed instruments. A psalm of David.

1 Answer me when I call to you,
my righteous God.
Give me relief from my distress;
have mercy on me and hear my prayer.

2 How long will you people turn my glory into shame?
How long will you love delusions and seek false gods?
3 Know that the Lord has set apart his faithful servant for himself;
the Lord hears when I call to him.

4 Tremble and do not sin;
when you are on your beds,
search your hearts and be silent.
5 Offer the sacrifices of the righteous
and trust in the Lord.

6 Many, Lord, are asking, “Who will bring us prosperity?”
Let the light of your face shine on us.
7 Fill my heart with joy
when their grain and new wine abound.

8 In peace I will lie down and sleep,
for you alone, Lord,
make me dwell in safety.

This Psalm, one written by the great King David, has quite the progression, doesn't it? Have you ever had trouble sleeping? This sounds to me like a sleepless night ...and yet it is not an endless night, there is a wonderful progression here...from “Answer me―to “in peace will I lie down and sleep” “Answer me when I call in distress!” that is so intimate and almost demanding...it sounds desperate, even... disrespectful! Yet it moves on to 'how long”, then comes to realize that the people who seek false gods will not be rewarded, God's people are set apart...

and then David says,..and is he speaking here to others or even counseling himself?! {and the best story tellers or speakers do speak out of personal experience} “do not sin...when on your beds search your hearts and be silent' Elsewhere the Bible reminds us “Be still and know that I am God'. When we settle down and have some quiet, we can KNOW God is all around...

“offer sacrifices & trust in the Lord..” means to worship...to read scriptures, to pray, to sing hymns and praise. To bring our offerings. And the psalmist is assured and assures us that God's light shines on us..and our hearts will be filled with joy...with that deep down understanding of God. And we will rest in safety!

{If you have trouble sleeping sometimes, I might suggest reading and praying this Psalm!}

Our Gospel lesson this morning is from Luke..this is one of the resurrection stories! The story takes place on that first Easter! Probably later in the day...

remember first the women went to the tomb to actually finish the proper treatment of the body for burial, and found the tomb empty! Then Peter and John went and also found it empty. There is much discussion, bewilderment, a touch of disbelief and how could this be?

So here is the next encounter with the Risen Jesus.. the disciples, are in Jerusalem, in the place where they had had the last supper with Jesus, and the house is locked up tight! as they are deeply afraid of being rounded up by the authorities for their association with Jesus!

Luke 24: 36-48 (NIV)

Jesus Appears to the Disciples

36 While they were still talking about this, {meaning the other appearances} Jesus himself stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.”

37 They were startled and frightened, thinking they saw a ghost. 38 He said to them, “Why are you troubled, and why do doubts rise in your minds? 39 Look at my hands and my feet. It is I myself! Touch me and see; a ghost does not have flesh and bones, as you see I have.”

40 When he had said this, he showed them his hands and feet. 41 And while they still did not believe it because of joy and amazement, he asked them, “Do you have anything here to eat?” 42 They gave him a piece of broiled fish, 43 and he took it and ate it in their presence.

44 He said to them, “This is what I told you while I was still with you: Everything must be fulfilled that is written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms.”

45 Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures. 46 He told them, “This is what is written: The Messiah will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, 47 and repentance for the forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. 48 You are witnesses of these things.

The Word of the Lord, thanks be to God!

Here again there is a progression..first the disciples think they see a ghost―don't you think they just freaked!? And He reassures them, hey it's Me!? See my hands and feet...touch me! It's ok! Now even tho Jesus has his human body...he has supernatural ability..he just appeared in the middle of a locked house!

so he shows them his hands and feet...the marks of the crucifixion.

Now they've progressed a bit..to Joy and amazement. They are still having trouble believing tho! And Jesus asks for something to eat! What is that about? It's another way of showing that his body is real...a ghost does not eat and drink...but there's more to it....Could it be a gentle reminder that in their excitement, there is still basic hospitality? Hey I'm a guest here...and resurrection is hard work! It's also a return to normalcy. Offering someone something to eat or drink is a mark of compassion and a chance to just relax together for a bit.

And then he reminds them scripture had to be fulfilled...

the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms. The threefold division of the Hebrew Bible. Jesus is saying that every part of Scripture bears witness to Him.

And he opened their minds so they could understand. They had to get past their own emotional reactions and fears, and take a step back. And only then could they FULLY understand―that Jesus was indeed the messiah, not a military ruler, not a conquering hero, but the Son of God living with humans, caring for them, sharing in the very basics of life!

“This is what is written: The Messiah will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, 47 and repentance for the forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. 48 You are witnesses of these things.”

repentance for the forgiveness of sins...remember sin is anything that keeps us from God. Even simple distractions, worry, anger, as well as the 'big sins', stealing, murder. It's a real challenge to keep one's focus on God all the time! That's why we pray confession regularly, that's why we take communion, some religions practice daily communion! But God is slow to anger and quick to forgive...

This preaching will be to ALL nations...the word in the bible for nations means not just countries, but all peoples...it's the word Ethnos from which we get the words ethnic and ethnicity. So Jesus will be preached to ALL people, everywhere. And he says “You are witnesses” You saw this YOURSELVES. With your very own eyes, you hear me with your own ears. You touched my flesh, you see the scars in my hands and feet..and touched them. You have heard and seen the evidence and you know the Truth!

You are the eyewitnesses...YOU now share your stories, help others to know the truth, to bring repentance to all people, everywhere starting right here where you are.

We are not eyewitnesses but we have the word of eyewitnesses...4 Gospels, written by either eyewitnesses or those close to them, who did know the eyewitnesses and heard their stories.

Remember in our Psalm, the progression from anxiety and sleeplessness to being able to rest in the sure knowledge of God ?

In Philippians chapter 4, “Do not be anxious about anything,  but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.  7  And the peace of God,  which transcends all understanding,  will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

There is a progression in our faith life as well, that this story of the disciples spells out. We are shocked and maybe fearful and then we have amazement and joy, and then we are to share our stories...sometimes in a very ordinary way...we have something to eat together. We spend time together, sharing a bit of ourselves and encouraging the other to share themselves too. This is how we help bring the Light of the Lord, the Shalom, the joy and peace of God. That peace that gives us rest, that helps us connect and care for others. In solitude we can be silent before God and become more aware of God's presence. In community with others we can share our faith and help each other to enjoy the gifts of God, that joy and love and compassion.

Author Henri Nouwen wrote

Every time we forgive our neighbor, every time we make a child smile, every time we show compassion to a suffering person, every time we arrange a bouquet of flowers, offer care to tame or wild animals, prevent pollution, create beauty in our homes and gardens, and work for peace and justice among peoples and nations we are making the vision come true. We must remind one another constantly of the vision. Whenever it comes alive in us we will find new energy to live it out, right where we are. Instead of making us escape real life, this beautiful vision gets us involved. Henri Nouwen

Let's get involved, let's stay involved, in the vision of the Resurrected Jesus, whose Light shines on us, who fills us with Joy and that incomparable peace of the care and protection of God. And may we always bring that Joy and Shalom to all of God's children today and always. Amen. 

Devotion for pastors...and all of us

Devotion

One Sunday morning the organist was changing her shoes so she could play, and I changed into my dress shoes, and I was reminded of a Sunday morning when I forgot to change my shoes. Midway through the service, I was sitting in front pew with a guest speaker, and I noticed I was wearing my Crocs. Now Crocs are comfy, they have arch support and they are cushioned and they are very popular with folks who are on their feet all day, like chefs and nurses. But the 'old school' ones are just about the ugliest things ever created. And this being wintertime, my Crocs had salty smudges from the parking lot and some other yuck on them...and I groaned to see them still on my feet during the service. And my guest speaker whispered, “it's worship..not Broadway”.

What a great saying! “It's worship..not Broadway”. I have said that to myself a few..no several, even many times since. This morning I was reminded of a quote from a prayer by Thomas Merton, who said, “But I believe that the desire to please you does in fact please you.”

If we bring our best to worship, and all that we do as pastors, through the bedside visits, with the mother of the bride, the meetings, the late night phone call, and oh yes, our home lives....if we remember to say that quick prayer “Lord help me” and we really do try to please God -then I believe we do please God, even when/if things are messing up all around us. And God will guide us.

“My Lord God, I have no idea where I am going. I do not see the road ahead of me. I cannot know for certain where it will end. Nor do I really know myself, and the fact that I think that I am following your will does not mean that I am actually doing so. But I believe that the desire to please you does in fact please you. And I hope I have that desire in all that I am doing. I hope that I will never do anything apart from that desire. And I know that if I do this you will lead me by the right road though I may know nothing about it. Therefore will I trust you always though I may seem to be lost and in the shadow of death. I will not fear, for you are ever with me, and you will never leave me to face my perils alone.”

―Thomas Merton, Thoughts in Solitude

Friday Five -Five signs of Spring!

For today’s Friday Five, write about five signs of spring that you look for each year and most especially this year.

Today is the first day of Spring! Here in the Midwest, we EAGERLY await spring, as the winters are long even in a relatively mild year. (this year was overall mild, but we had some periods that were unrelentingly cold and snowy.)

Five signs of spring that I look for...of course Robins. They migrate away in October and return in March. On March 5 two years ago, I took a photo of a tree full of them in the midst of a blizzard! This year, the Robins returned during mild weather and have been singing every morning! One friend says the return of the Red-Winged Blackbirds is more reliable harbinger of spring than the Robins. I saw and heard Blackbirds on a walk near the river last weekend.

The trees have leaf buds that are getting larger every day. By the end of April and early May we will have trees in bloom, the Crab apples and Redbud trees are my favorites!

Another sign of spring is the early flowers. Bulbs like Iris, Tulips and Daffodils, will poke leaf shoots up even through the last of the snow. The very first Crocus are in bloom now.

One of the surest signs is people's moods lighten! We tend to feel better as the days get longer and there is more sunlight. When we are able to go outside without bundling up in layers of clothing and scarves and gloves, we literally feel lighter! I've been walking outside, and our son has been on bike rides, some of which were very “splooshy” as he said, from riding through large puddles from snow melt! But that is spring in the Midwest, water and mud, late snowfalls, and sudden changes in weather. Winter gets me down, but I can not imagine living where there are not 4 distinct seasons....sometimes all in one day! :)