Enjoy~ a little bit of hope from my spot in Sunny...
30 Days of Hope: Waiting: "God proves to be good to the man who passionately waits, to the woman who diligently seeks. It's a good thing to quietly hope, quiet..."
9/17/10
9/14/10
Lurking About
There's a coyote nearby. The scent is quite strong and the signs are coming out of the shadows. It's been a long time since we've had one around our home and it's a bit distressing.
Max is on full alert and he's a great example of diligence. Occasionally, we have coyotes of a different nature in our lives. You may have just received word you're facing cancer of some sort. Or perhaps someone in your life didn't come home this week. That envelope with a pink slip appeared in your mail slot at the office. Whatever sort of sneaky, sly, stealer-of-hope you're facing...know this: God is faithful. He is our refuge and ever present help in time of need. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea... (from Psalm 46)
Regardless of what you may have to walk through today, have courage. And hold your head up high. I intend to let our coyote know he isn't welcome here. You may want to do the same thing with yours...
Max is on full alert and he's a great example of diligence. Occasionally, we have coyotes of a different nature in our lives. You may have just received word you're facing cancer of some sort. Or perhaps someone in your life didn't come home this week. That envelope with a pink slip appeared in your mail slot at the office. Whatever sort of sneaky, sly, stealer-of-hope you're facing...know this: God is faithful. He is our refuge and ever present help in time of need. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea... (from Psalm 46)
Regardless of what you may have to walk through today, have courage. And hold your head up high. I intend to let our coyote know he isn't welcome here. You may want to do the same thing with yours...
9/9/10
O My Goodness, It's a Post from Grace!
Hi friends in Bloggy land! I have a story from last night that too many, far, far too many have asked me to share with you... so here it is. (I share it with all the love in the world, in case you know the dear friend to whom I am referring.)
As I was leaving church last night (yes, we have Wednesday night church) one of my very, very most faithful altos stopped me to explain her absence last week.
"Pastor, I'm so sorry I wasn't able to be in the Choir last Sunday morning. My hair was so big. I was all out of hair product and it was just way too big. I did come to church anyway, though."
It's a good week here in Sunny...
Hugs!
As I was leaving church last night (yes, we have Wednesday night church) one of my very, very most faithful altos stopped me to explain her absence last week.
"Pastor, I'm so sorry I wasn't able to be in the Choir last Sunday morning. My hair was so big. I was all out of hair product and it was just way too big. I did come to church anyway, though."
It's a good week here in Sunny...
Hugs!
2/11/10
On the Very First Day...
Amazingly, truly amazingly, I'm now the Worship Arts Pastor at our church just over the hill in Sunny. It's such an honor, I can't even explain how much of an honor it is... I've been working at the church for the past few months contracted to produce the Christmas Event, but this is a brand new start and step for the worship ministry of the church. To give a little glimpse of my new world, I'd like to tell you about Monday night.
We’re doing an Easter Trilogy this year. That means three separate productions for the season. I have the privilege of creating the work and Monday night was the first rehearsal. Casting went well ~ we’re right at 60 people. A few newcomers and lots of energy.
I asked everyone to introduce themselves as we got started. One beautiful sweet gal, Melissa, said she was new to the church and told us she and her girls are going to be baptized next Sunday morning. Her husband missed the class and she’s hoping he can meet with someone this week and be able to join them as a complete family.
The rehearsal started with my introduction of the basic plans, set design and staging of the productions. We had the music on in the background and most people didn’t know the songs I thought were pretty familiar. It begins with the first miracle Jesus did at the wedding feast. (Melissa is a dancer in that scene.) I went on explaining a few other parts and began to ask the group to imagine what it would have been like to walk through town with Jesus. Just walking right along and standing there as the events occurred.
20 minutes or so of this discussion had taken place and Melissa raised her hand. “I have a question. I’m sort of new to all of this and I wonder if you could tell me where I could find these stories.” As I tried to keep my composure in place I guided her to any of the four Gospels and saw 59 people reaching for their Bibles to show her where the books of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John were located. We moved on…
A while later we made a few more casting decisions with the group while they stood on stage together. I found the Woman-with-the-issue-of-blood, a blind man and still needed a prostitute. The first hand to quickly go straight up in the air was Melissa’s. “I’ll do it!” she said.
When we were ready to close in a time of prayer, our costumer raised a concern. “Do we have what we need for Melissa’s costume upstairs in the costume closet?” I assured her we would be able to find something interesting. Melissa put her hand up again and said, “We’re good. I’ve got it all at my house.”
Priceless.
We’re doing an Easter Trilogy this year. That means three separate productions for the season. I have the privilege of creating the work and Monday night was the first rehearsal. Casting went well ~ we’re right at 60 people. A few newcomers and lots of energy.
I asked everyone to introduce themselves as we got started. One beautiful sweet gal, Melissa, said she was new to the church and told us she and her girls are going to be baptized next Sunday morning. Her husband missed the class and she’s hoping he can meet with someone this week and be able to join them as a complete family.
The rehearsal started with my introduction of the basic plans, set design and staging of the productions. We had the music on in the background and most people didn’t know the songs I thought were pretty familiar. It begins with the first miracle Jesus did at the wedding feast. (Melissa is a dancer in that scene.) I went on explaining a few other parts and began to ask the group to imagine what it would have been like to walk through town with Jesus. Just walking right along and standing there as the events occurred.
20 minutes or so of this discussion had taken place and Melissa raised her hand. “I have a question. I’m sort of new to all of this and I wonder if you could tell me where I could find these stories.” As I tried to keep my composure in place I guided her to any of the four Gospels and saw 59 people reaching for their Bibles to show her where the books of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John were located. We moved on…
A while later we made a few more casting decisions with the group while they stood on stage together. I found the Woman-with-the-issue-of-blood, a blind man and still needed a prostitute. The first hand to quickly go straight up in the air was Melissa’s. “I’ll do it!” she said.
When we were ready to close in a time of prayer, our costumer raised a concern. “Do we have what we need for Melissa’s costume upstairs in the costume closet?” I assured her we would be able to find something interesting. Melissa put her hand up again and said, “We’re good. I’ve got it all at my house.”
Priceless.
2/6/10
Sunday
Just a little heads up...
I'm starting the rest of my life tomorrow. God is faithful ~ just in case you've been wondering about that ~ He really is.
More to come...
I'm starting the rest of my life tomorrow. God is faithful ~ just in case you've been wondering about that ~ He really is.
More to come...
1/16/10
Such Guilt
My, my, my...the guilt has taken hold. A new good friend (which can be entirely as wonderful as an old good friend) asked about blogs today. My heart was heavy as I confessed, yes, I have one, and I've been absolutely horrid about maintaining it the past several months.
So dear bloggy buddies ~ I'm going to make a strong attempt to re-enter the life of Orange Momma, Beloved Mama, Faith, Hope & Love Mama, Peace with Elaine, Joy with Desserts and Sheri and her dripping window pane. I know there's a far better explanation for Sheri's blog title, but that's what usually comes to mind.
Things are fine here in Sunny. JJ & Honey are out on their own now in a darling one-bedroom house. Just far enough so DJ and I can't spy on them. I think they're quite fond of the situation.
Max is spending his free time chasing the bunnies in our yard. Yes! I know! It's January and we have bunny visitors! Imagine!
Certainly prompting a few blog posts in the future: We have a new Wii. If you have ever seen me attempt to throw, catch or chase a ball, well ~ I'm sure you're already laughing. I will do my best to keep you updated on the Wii adventures. One thing is most sure ~ Max does not like the tennis game at all. No way.
My dear friend, Janabanana, got married a few months ago. In honor of this I shall now refer to her as Janammm. Spook is still living the wonderful life in Nashville. Honey's sister, Lovely, would like a job, a real job. Actually, Honey would like one too. We'll have to pray harder for these two great young women.
DJ & I have been doing the Daniel Fast this past week. Honestly, DJ kept to it all week and I started on Friday. My body does not tolerate no meat too well. (I'm glad 3 days was a legitimate option.) We're breaking the fast along with the other fast-ers from our church tomorrow morning with communion. I sincerely hope the coffee shop will be open as soon as the pastor says, "Go ~ Eat ~ Enjoy Caffeine" know what I mean?
So that sums up a few of the happenings here in our little village. There's some big football game happening across the way tomorrow. I'll try to share the results with you. Chances are, though, they won't have a visiting choir to sing the National Anthem. That hardly ever happens anymore.
1/6/10
The Embers
It seemed like a good idea. I collected the sprigs of pine garland from all around the house while I was putting away the Christmas decorations. Tossed the lot of it into the fireplace and left it for a few days to dry out completely. Holding a match to a few branches, I expected it to gently burn away filling our home with the lovely aroma of holiday cheer. Several hours later, I have all the doors to the house open as wide as possible, hoping the smoke clears before nightfall. I’m consoling our petrified dog in the rear of the home and my coffee smells like soot. We may still have burning greenery on Valentine’s Day.
Christmas is put away. It's January. Hopefully, we're all ready...
Christmas is put away. It's January. Hopefully, we're all ready...
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