Hello My Few Faithful Readers!!!
I thought I would post this song/video by Jonathan Rudman in honor of Ash Wednesday!
“Ashes to Ashes, Dust to dust, to dust you came, to dust you shall return.”
An Ash Wednesday Post
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Monthly Archives: February 2012
Who I Am?
Many who know me know that I love to listen to all types of music especially Christian music. I recently found myself driving home from work and listening to a new song that I never heard before. Something about this song caught me and I found myself really listen and reflecting on the words. I love it. The song is “Remind Me Who I Am” by the artist Jason Gray (The video is really powerful too!) Something about this song is so catchy and just really catches me. I downloaded it on my Itunes and onto my Iphone! I crank it everytime it comes on the radio or I’m listening to it on my phone. What is it about this song that is so beautiful….I think it’s the simple reminder for God to remind us who we are when we forget. The truth is we all are loved.
Recently I read a blog post titled “A Holy Tantrum” (If you haven’t read it, let me know and I’ll post the link for you) where the author was having a holy tantrum because of suicides etc that are happening due to bullying etc. The article that spawned this post was basically saying it was ok because these people chose their sexuality etc. It makes me angry. No matter where you are, these are people…someone’s sister, someone’s daughter or son, someone’s best friend, etc! The truth is we are all “fearfully and wonderfully made!” I wish people really believed that…but I know that’s not reality…and that hurts my heart.
Tonight the youth from church volunteered at a local food shelf. I’m so proud of them because in doing this service, I think they realize how lucky they are and realize what it means to see everyone as “fearfully and wonderfully made”; even those who don’t have a home or food upon their plate etc. We may not know what their stories are!
So this Jason Gray song is my new theme song. I think sometimes we all need to be reminded of who we are! I can get so caught up in the things I don’t have and yearn for; a husband, a family, etc but then I must realize what I do have.
“Tell me once again who I am, tell me lets not forget who I am to you, I am the one you love!”
“I belong to you”
A Day Late and A Dollar Short Friday Five! :)
Hey RevGals….
It’s Valentine’s Day on Tuesday….
So,
Share 5 Valentines you would like to give this year, and why–
but here is the hitch,
Can’t give them G-d, Jesus, Holy Spirit…
or your mom, your beloved, your sweet child(ren)…tell us about the other amazing beings in your life
1. My lovely sister! (This is probably breaking the rules but shes not my mom or my beloved or my child so guess maybe it isnt!) I am so blessed to have her in my life. She is one of my best friends in the whole wide world! Love her!
2. My friend Sonflower Child! I don’t know where I would be without her in my life. She is one of my best friends as well. She is a dear dear friend to me! 🙂 I can talk to her about anything and everything in life.
3. The Wartburg Seminary crew (You all know who you are!) I am so blessed to have each and every one of you in my life! Even though the miles seperate us, you all are so important to me!
4. My neighbors Vern and Liz. They are so good to me. They are an older couple and are always checking up on me and bringing me food. They make me so at home at this place!
5. AND YOU! 🙂
Praying Goodbye and a Smattering of What Ifs….
I just returned from a going away party for a good friend and her family. I used to hate saying goodbyes and I still strongly dislike them but with my seminary experiences of saying goodbye, I look at them at a totally different way. A friend recommended a book by Joyce Rupp titled “Praying our Goodbyes.” That book has become my mantra when I say goodbye. I’m excited for the new adventures this will bring my friend and her family. I pray that the transition goes well for all of them. Tonight as we gathered I found myself playing games etc with their three year old. I was climbing through tunnels and sliding down the slide with her. It was so fun!!! It made me reflect more on this current battle between my heart and my mind. I find myself asking a lot of “What if” questions!
What if….God is calling me to take on this new adventure?
What if……someday soon….God is going to bring my Mr. Right into my life?
What if…
What if…..
What if….
Late Night Ramblings
I have to laugh! It’s late and I should probably be in bed but instead I’m reading some new blogs and roaming around the blogosphere! One of the blogs was a blog of a former camper of mine. While I was reading her blog, I came across another blog. And of course, I was intrigued by that blog’s name (http://www.whynorthdakota.blogspot.com/) so I had to go and check it out. That blog is about a family who has done some adoption etc. And needless to say, this blog isn’t helping with my current battle between my head and my heart (See my last two blog posts!) I’m still stuck in the same place I’ve been in but am continuing to pray to God and see where God is leading me! But then again as I think about this blog and other stories I’ve heard I’m wondering if God is trying to tell me something….maybe I just need to stop and listen for awhile! Well enough about that my faithful readers. I’m off to bed!
The Head and the Heart; Part Two
The last several days in this neck of the woods has been extremely foggy. At times, you couldn’t even see a mile down the road. Well that is how I feel in the midst of my previous post; trying to find my way through the fog (trying to listen to both my head and my heart!) I wish it would just suddenly become clear but I know that I must trust in the one who has claimed me as his child through the precious holy waters of Baptism! I’m also trying to heed the advice of those who have commented and/or emailed me about that last post. “Lean not on your own understanding.” That is so true….but so much easier said than done. A dear friend who is blogging and has begin an adoption journey with her family reminded me that I am a beautiful person and that God has something wonderful in store for me. I know that but sometimes forget that so it is good to have dear people who remind me of who I am; “fearfully and wonderfully made” in God’s image. In her last post, she commented on how she feels the Spirit moving; moving MORE than she has ever felt. I’m not sure what that means for me but it is definetely something I must trust in and follow. Myself and many others have been praying for a dear friend; placing her before God as she battles cancer. I’m not battling a serious illness but I love that image. So for now I am imagining all of you; my faithful readers, placing me before God in prayer as well as I figure out what God has in store for me and where God is leading. I’m sure that one day this fog of my heart and mind will lift and my journey will begin…whatever that journey is!
Image Association Friday Five
For today’s Friday Five, let’s have a mini-BE 5.0 workshop. Take a look at these five portions from the gospel lections for this Sunday and next, and share with us the images that come to mind for you. Feel free to use words or pictures. (Just remember David Cassidy is taken.)
1. As soon as they left the synagogue, they entered the house of Simon and Andrew, with James and John. Now Simon’s mother-in-law was in bed with a fever, and they told him about her at once. He came and took her by the hand and lifted her up. Then the fever left her, and she began to serve them. (Mark 1:29-31)
This reminds me of a dear friend who is currently battling cancer. There are literally 1000s praying for. We her mat-carriers are continually praying for her and her family (her two girls). She got some great news this week. Her tumor has stopped growing! We hope and pray for the day when she will be able to return to the calling God has given her in life.
2. That evening, at sundown, they brought to him all who were sick or possessed with demons. And the whole city was gathered around the door. And he cured many who were sick with various diseases, and cast out many demons; and he would not permit the demons to speak, because they knew him. (Mark 1:32-34
This one I’m having a hard time coming up with an image. In some ways, it reminds me of my previous blog post where I am trying to sort out between the head and the heart. Hmmm….what do you think my faithful readers?
3. In the morning, while it was still very dark, he got up and went out to a deserted place, and there he prayed. And Simon and his companions hunted for him. When they found him, they said to him, “Everyone is searching for you.” (Mark 1:35-37
For some reason this text reminds me of the movie “Forrest Gump”. Throughout the movie, Forrest is looking for his dearly beloved Jenny. When he finally finds her, he asks her why she never responded to his letters. He says, “Ive been looking for you.” It also reminds me a little of the scenes when Forrest just keeps running and running and running.
4. He answered, “Let us go on to the neighboring towns, so that I may proclaim the message there also; for that is what I came out to do.” And he went throughout Galilee, proclaiming the message in their synagogues and casting out demons. (Mark 1:38-39)
This reminds me of my friend Renee, Renee’s husband Ben and Ben’s cousin Jon. The three of them were in Haiti two years ago when the Haiti earthquake hit. Ben along with the millions of Haitians was killed in the earthquake. Ben spent his last moments of life singing; proclaiming “God’s peace to us we pray.” Today Renee and Jon continue to carry their and Ben’s message to the world.
5. A leper came to him begging him, and kneeling he said to him, “If you choose, you can make me clean.” Moved with pity, Jesus stretched out his hand and touched him, and said to him, “I do choose. Be made clean!” Immediately the leprosy left him, and he was made clean. After sternly warning him he sent him away at once, saying to him, “See that you say nothing to anyone; but go, show yourself to the priest, and offer for your cleansing what Moses commanded, as a testimony to them.” But he went out and began to proclaim it freely, and to spread the word, so that Jesus could no longer go into a town openly, but stayed out in the country; and people came to him from every quarter. (Mark 1:40-45)
You’ll laugh at this one. It reminds me of my friend Stumbling. His last name is Lepper. As a young child, he thought this text was about his family. However I don’t think he is so off. I think as children/youth, we see ourselves as a leper. It reminds me of Curt Hummel and all the Glee cast from Glee! They are the outsiders, the outcasts yet they find a way to spread cheer through their music.