Posts Tagged: Sunday

Treasures of the transformed life — 1 Comment
29
Oct 10

Treasure for Day 19 ~ where priorities lie. The poet within…

Sally didn't use many dirty words. "Priorities" was one that slipped through her mind every now and then.

It’s 5:30; I’ve been out of bed for an hour — and already behind schedule. 

But that’s life is for most of us. Not that we all get up early — but we all cram our day with stuff. Stuff we have to do, stuff we want to do, stuff we shouldn’t do…and so on. 

To accomplish stuff in this life, we have to prioritize. Everyone knows that. 

It’s just the application that’s the problem. 

Why don’t people head to church? 

John Ed (and as any preacher, sure he’s heard and seen it all) gives these ideas:  all this starts on page 141. Grab your book and read it sillies. 

* outside looking in  ~ people are watching so-called “Christian’s” behavior. 

* busy, busy. 

* getting along ~ somewhere along the way, someone at church hurt our feelings. 

* meeting needs ~ this church isn’t meeting my needs. 

Love this quote he included by Emily Dickinson. 

“They say that God is everywhere, and yet we always think of him as somewhat of a recluse.”

She, of course, was the recluse. Starting in her 20s, she gradually withdrew from the world. She lived and loved through her poems. 

We only have her writings today — because they were discovered by a sister in a box after Emily’s death. 

 

God is so much bigger than the box we try to put him in — he is like us, but so much bigger. 

Whatever negativity is keeping us from church, why not ask is it just us? Is it our wounds that we transfer to God? 

Don’t transfer — be renewed. 

Open the Word and open up to a church family. 

God gave a Loaf to every Bird –
But just a Crumb — to Me –
I dare not eat it — tho’ I starve –
My poignant luxury –
To own it — touch it –
Prove the feat — that made the Pellet mine –
Too happy — for my Sparrow’s chance –
For Ampler Coveting –
It might be Famine — all around –
I could not miss an Ear –
Such Plenty smiles upon my Board –
My Garner shows so fair –
I wonder how the Rich — may feel –
An Indiaman — An Earl –
I deem that I — with but a Crumb –
Am Sovereign of them all –
 

She is rather pretty. Would let the hair down a bit..

South / Treasures of the transformed life — No Comments
28
Oct 10

Musing on today’s treasure ~ family gatherings.

Sally sat in the same spot at the dinner table. Well, she always sat in the same spot. That's just oyster's way.

Today Mathison writes of the importance of staying connected with our church family.  

Everyone with their unique abilities, personality strengths and history has something to add to the party that no one else can.  

“When we all learn that we have something to teach — and something to learn from others — that’s when great things happen.” page 135.

Can’t agree with that statement more.  

“None of us has all the answers — but together, we come pretty close.”  

So when we come together as a church family we don’t only lift each other up — we learn from each other.  

And if we’re stuck around each other all the time..  

It warmed Sally to see such great attendance in church. Though two visitors had a hard time finding seats.

 we grow together. We care about what has happened in each other’s world during the week.  

Do I feel compelled to meet with my church family regularly? Why or why not?  page. 137

Yes, (esp. Sunday School). Because I bring the coffee and hot water for tea and hot chocolate. 

What does my prescence bring to the family table.

See above. (Coffee and hot chocolate.)

South / Treasures of the transformed life — 2 Comments
25
Oct 10

Today’s treasure ~ pulling together. “Do a little dance…”

Sally was excited to go to church. They made really good coffee.

The key to a good party is…

Through very unscientific observation, contrary to what some may think it’s not food, drink, great 70s music or a guest list with the “right people.” To me, a great party starts with energy. And the only way to create that energy is 

Lots of people, small space.

I don’t mean crazy amount of people in tiny space — that is hot, too noisy for conversation and above all a fire hazard. 

But people talking to people (with a little food, drink and great 70s music) create energy. 

A packed house at church is no different. 

If you show up ~ something is  going to happen. You might volunteer to bake a cake, get invited to the coolest Sunday School class in Bay City or hear a message that might change your life. 

Be honest. Once you get there, have you ever regretted going to church? 

If someone asked me how many Sundays I’d be at church in the next year, what would I say?

First I’d apologize because I am  weak in math, but what would happen if I committed to going every Sunday that it was physically possible? If I committed to going any Sunday, I was within a couple hours drive (excluding having sick young child — not including husband — or me with over 101 temp.)?   

What am I likely to miss at when I’m not at church?

Yesterday, I would have missed  people who lift you up with a smile and hug. That’s Sally’s favorite part too. Hugging her friends. 

Well, that and a good dance tune.  

I’ll leave you with this, for honestly it’s been in my head for halfway through writing this post and in my car (with Micheal W. Smith) for the past few weeks. 

I think this was my stereo. It was definitely my little yellow spacer thingy. 

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18
Oct 10

Musing on tree roots. Day 8. Taping into the source.

Sally the oyster knew she was different. She lived in salt water, yet never felt thirst.

 One of Mathison’s analogy’s today bothered me.  I might just be in a contrary mood and yes, I have already moved my band today — in Sunday School. 

He spoke of the difference in the mighty sequoia 

 

 

No silly. This kind of sequoia 

 

and the bonsai. 

  

  

 ”An interesting fact is that the seeds of the giant sequoia and the bonsai are the same size. One with no root system, probably won’t reach two feet tall; the other, when planted by a stream of water, can reach almost three hundred feet.” 

I realize the point he is making; we need to tap into the life-giving water to grow. But darn it, the bonsai is a bonsai through no fault of it’s own. 

Just like the bonsai is honoring where it was planted growing into the coolest dwarf tree in the hood, we too need to honor how we were created — through genetics or through battles of life — and not sit there pinning away looking at the spectacular looking trees. 

On a scale of one to ten — one being dry as desert and ten being lush, well-watered, fruitful and vibrant — how would I rate my prayer life?

Again I have problem. What if you’re praying lots — but they aren’t lush, well-watered prayers? You’re constantly calling on God but nothing feels lush. You know he’s there and listening — but you just feel contrary. Like people keep telling you the sequoias are so great and you know life is really pretty good as a bonsai. 

Any other thoughts on today’s reading?

Thought for the Day — 4 Comments
10
Oct 10

Today’s Muse…no more complaining…

This is my right hand. These purple bands were handed out in church today.

Confession. This is my daughter’s band because I was not in church proper; I did attend Sunday School with my gals. I figured there’s no way in hades she is not going to complain, so I promptly lifted her band. I need to try this little exercise in character adjustment.

This is part of a “Complaint Free World.”   http://www.acomplaintfreeworld.org/

We are not to complain out loud for 21 days. If you do, you switch the band to the other hand and start the 21 days again.

Let’s see how long I can do this.

This was the first day in our new educational building. The stupendous Women of Faith class was back on the same side of Main Street as the church for the first time in two years. Well, for the first time ever.

A very Proverbs 16:9 class today. We had our lesson, then it became evident God had another thing to do with our gal hour together.

It’s a privilege to share some one’s sorrow. Even if all you can do is listen.

Our new room is kickn’.  We need a little new paint and a

coffee pot (tea and hot chocolate too ~ we don’t discriminate.)

We have an inspiration board ready to be filled.

And it’s been 8 minutes and the band is still on my right hand.