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