Delays Happen

The proverbial "construction delays" happened.

We will move the carpet this coming Sunday. Hopefully it's only a one week delay. My head has a hard time getting up for the change - week after week.

Now see? God doesn't have to deal with delays. He's the same yesterday, today and forever. Come to think of it, must have driven Jesus nuts when he had to deal with that on earth! Nawww . .I guess He was very calm and patient.

Ok . . . I can do that too.

Another "last time" approaches

When we conclude our congregational worship service tomorrow morning, it will be the last time we will see our old sanctuary carpet.

So?? What's the matter with that? I guess I have a special feeling for this carpet. It's had many a praying person face down on it crying out to God. It's softness has cushioned the knees of quite a few who are coming to renew their commitment to Him. It's vibrant colors are in the wedding pictures of multitudes. I've been in the homes of folks whose children were all married in our church and the carpet creates a color flow between all of the wedding pictures.

Oh . . . the stories it could tell! The children marched to their places where a masking tape "X" marked "their" place. The pastor stood behind the pulpit (with a faint squeak of the boards below). The choirs have sung contatas for Easters and Christmases. The carpet experienced the seasons of weather and dirt from the shoes of school children enrolled in NHCS.

While it has no feelings, I know, if it did . . .it would be excited to know that it's going to be used to cover the floors in the children's worship center. The young feet of excited children will jump and dance and run for joy. They will worship and they will listen. They will love the feel of the carpet between their toes. It will feel to them like they are in "big church".

I think I might find myself visiting the children's worship center. I will smile, I know.

Changes Are Us

This week will mark significant changes in our lives - some for the summer, some for good.

It might seem silly, but our church pews are going to be gone by Monday night. The moving company is coming to take them to a church in Idaho. There will still be a few sitting around the church, but for the most part, they will all be gone. It's a happy/sad moment. I don't think the magnitude of it will "hit" until we stand in the empty sanctuary.

My daughter's school wraps up for this year. We think she's done well. She will actually skip a whole grade in one of her subjects. Her online learning experience will take some drastic turns for the upcoming year. I don't think her learning curve is really going to be that great. She's pretty computer friendly. She's worked hard this year and I think she's done well.

It seems I will be working more hours at my job. I did mention to the Office Manager that I wouldn't mind having a few more hours. I hadn't thought of almost doubling them though! I know they like me at the store. I think I might have to determine how much I like being there. It is nice to be able to have some input into the number of hours I work.

We need to get our garden in. At work the other day, a lady was saying that she still needed to do that. I wondered out loud if it was too late. She said that she didn't think so and to go ahead and plant the early producing tomatoes. I'm taking her word for it! I think we'll probably do cucumbers, tomatoes and maybe some peppers.

So, while these are not earth shattering by any means, they are changes. The summer is upon us! Changes are here!

Being Real in An Artificial World - re: Friendships

That was our pastor's message yesterday. He really challenged us to reach out of ourselves and our lives to newcomers in our midst.

I sat there thinking, "How do I have time to do this?" It feels like every minute of my day is full. In reality, it's only full of the things that I choose to fill it. Of course, "stuff" happens, but on the norm, I choose what fills my day.

However, do I want to fill it finding out about other people and their lives? Do I want to involve them in my life? Why would they want to involve me in THEIR lives? My house is too small to have very many people over. My front yard isn't all that fancy. Geesh . . . This feels like performance anxiety.

We really are nice people - my family that is. I like us! I just think that most people would think we're . .uhm . .different. Afterall, we homeschool. We do a lot of church things. We enjoy creating on the computer. Some of our best friends are online. Some of our strongest ministry IS online. We just don't run into too many people like us.

So to meet new people, we've got to rethink our lives. We have to not do what we do to do what other people do. Is that selfish of us to not want to use our time doing stuff we really don't want to do?

I know there's a give and take in relationships. Our Pastor gave these five factors in friendships from John 15:12-17. They are acceptance, openness to share, respect, sacrifice and stimulating to growth. I need to learn how to do this friendship style better I guess. I do know that with my current friends, these factors are happening. I am wondering though with how many people you really can DO all these factors?

It feels overwhelming.

Looking for a Domain Name

I'm looking for a domain name for a website I hope to be creating very soon.

I don't have the final "ok" for it's creation just yet, but I'm working in areas where I can until I get the "ok".

I need to find those words that describe a place that is easy to come to because there's interesting stuff to read. At this site will be dialogue about community and life in general. I'm looking for a name that will tell internet surfers they can agree, or disagree (agreeable that is) and yet find community that won't be disingenuous in the journey. Be real seems to be the cry. I want this place to be a haven to share the hurt, the joy, the pain or just the day to day journey. What if we found a place to tell about our day, to offer prayer if wanted, to at least be a listening ear and, at the end of the day, find the comfort of community.

Hmmm . . .

comfort

community

dialogue

agree or disagree

learn

lean

lead

journey

path

Any other suggestions?

Measuring Currencies of Success

"Currency" reminds me of money. It doesn't have to be money. It could be something spent or something earned . . . or both.

In looking at a new creative step in my life, a question (is it worth it?) that comes to mind. I will spend time, money and my energy. What will be the "payback"? I've heard that people who go into business don't expect a "return" for at least a year. How unspiritual is it to think this way? Andrian Warnock's encouragement to successful blogging had many great points, but I latched on to one of his questions, "what are the currencies of success?". My mind went to that tension between what is given and what is returned . . . and the measuring thereof. At this point, I am seeing that the joy of pouring out what is a passion for me will (for a while at least) be that "currency" that will sustain me. I'm still thinking about this though.

Another thought along this line . . .

I just read a Kris Krug interview with Douglas Rushkoff who wrote a book titled "Get Back In The Box". At this blogging, this book isn't released yet, but the interview stirred a couple of interesting things in me. I am seeing that even though I was trained to 1) be the best at what I do, 2) have the best reviews at what other have seen of me and (among other things) 3) do NOT share the secrets of my successes, I am lessening myself really by not being part of a collective that shares knowlege and values every part of the whole. No more closed offices where the "secrets" reside. Finding out what those around you really have to offer to you (and you to them) will create a sense of community and vision that can be bought into more easily. Why? Because everyone is needed. No one is just along for the ride. The value of each really is raised so that the total productiveness of the whole is greater than the individuals singularly. Somehow in the midst of this the value of each individual is not lost though.

Maybe that's why the term "emergent" is so current. The whole picture of community and being a learner along with the group is so much more appealing than the "boss" and "plebes" idea. A paradigm shift must occur. It seems like a very vulnerable one. Again the question is asked . . "it is worth it?"

The measure of "worth it" appears to be the currency in the days ahead.

Waiting and Learning

It's amazing to know that God wants to open up new doors of ministry opportunity. Maybe not all that new afterall, but certainly avenues not previously opened to me in any large measure.

I wanted to create a website for my church, but after research I've found that anything that would create any sense of life or joy really needs much more skill than I have at this moment. My delimma has been whether I want to jump on the steep learning curve and go for it, or whether I'm just out of my league and I need to let the idea go. Thankfully, I've found something that will undergird my vision without the learning curve putting me flat on my back!

I ran into a site awhile back called echurchessentials. I don't know that I'm usually all that missionary minded unless I've just been with a really passionate missions person. I get stirred for a couple of days and then settle back into the "comfortable" place. This time was different. I read the byline in their header "the convergence of E-Church into Realty-Church". Because I've know the power of e-ministry over the past 5 years, I was intrigued by this site and the tools offered. While I know that putting together a good website probably wouldn't cost me the $80 per month that this site charges, the time it would take for me to do this would be far most costly. So there has been a convergence of another type for me . . . a tool that is within my framework of understand and my vision.

Consider this from the Barna Group, Cyberchurch2001

"George Barna, who directed the study for The Barna Institute, explained that numerous changes in people’s faith experience will emerge in the next few years. “By the end of the decade we will have in excess of ten percent of our population who rely upon the Internet for their entire spiritual experience. Some of them will be individuals who have not had a connection with a faith community, but millions of others will be people who drop out of the physical church in favor of the cyberchurch.” The researcher also stated that virtually every dimension of the faith community will be influenced by online faith developments. “We will have an explosion of self-produced and self-marketed worship music as an outgrowth of sophisticated and affordable digital technology that turns an artist into a full-fledged recording company, including the ability to directly and inexpensively market those products to the millions of consumers on the Internet. Within churches we will see e-mail broadcasting, theological chats, online meetings, broadcasts to congregants who are immobile, live webcasting of mission trips via webcams, and 24/7 ministry training from the best trainers and educators in the world.”

It's been 4 years since that report. Many of those "we will see" events are happening today in progressive internet ministries.

Consider a very recent Barna report, dated March 14, 2005:

"The Internet is the only mass medium among those tested whose audience share has grown during the past decade. The proportion of the population using the Internet for faith purposes has increased by two-thirds since 1998." (This is comparing TV and radio as well as the internet.)


Side note:
I know I'm on the right track. My daughter and I just spent an hour and a half on a conference call this week with her online school assistant principal. Next year her school interface will change to a system that will encorporate many more interactive tools. Was she impressed? Not all that much . . . cuz she is pretty active in her interactive skills already!

Sometimes the open doors feel endless . . .

Discovering the Joy of Process

Here are more notes from a meeting I recently attended. For me, the "joy of process" is that God's heart is that I be the most ready I can be for His plan. The process isn't the event. The process is merely the working to ready me for the events of God.

Pruning - John 15:1-2 - The action of the Father by which the means of former fruit bearing is cut away in order to make way for a new season of fruitfulness. This confronts of tendency to seek to protect past systems or methodologies in order to unveil the Creator's new ways and workings.

Refining - Mal. 3:3 - The process whereby "dross" is removed. Dross is the imbedded material that reduces the pruity and value of the silver.

Chaff - Luke 3:17 - The external husk that protects the head of wheat during its growth season; it must be crushed and removed. Ask - "Lord, what of the external needs to be crushed in order to give place to the entry of Your Kingdom with power?"

Circumcision - Col. 2: 11 - It is God's way of saying, surplus flesh unnecessary to my reproductive process through Your life must be surgically removed. The flesh must be dealt with to release new covenant life and blessing.

The flooding of the riverbed - John 7:3 7-39 - Allow the fountain of the Holy Spirit's overflow to wash away debris and to bring refreshing.

In the days ahead there will be more discussion. I'll look forward to hearing what other might offer around these thoughts too.

My Walk With God

In a meeting recently, I was challenged to consider each of these points in my own personal walk with God.

1. Being preceeds doing.

2. We never rise above what we criticize.

3. Integrity is breached when the slightest slice is taken off the whole loaf.

4. Correct yourself at the slightest tug of the Holy Spirit.

5. Walk with Jesus personally, keep yourself tender towards HIm.

6. Hospitality is a kingdom value.

7. Confront in yourself tendencies toward cultural reserve.

These pretty much stand on their own. I would welcome any discussion on any or all of these points. What do you think?

New Career Thoughts

I just took a career test to see what I want to be when I grow up.

Consider this:

Outgoing (E) 78.13% Withdrawn (I) 21.88% Imaginative (N) 66.67% Realistic (S) 33.33% Emotional (F) 61.11% Intellectual (T) 38.89% Improvised (P) 68.75% Organized (J) 31.25% Your type is: ENFP You are an Inspirer, possible professions include - conference planner, speech pathologist, HR development trainer, ombudsman, clergy, journalist, newscaster, career counselor, housing director, character actor, marketing consultant, musician/composer, artist, information-graphics designer, human resource manager, merchandise planner, advertising account manager, dietitian/nutritionist, speech pathologist, massage therapist, editor/art director.

Take Free Career Test


personality tests by similarminds.com

Hmmm . . . I wonder which of those I might be able to do at my age!

Pre-Easter Reflections

Will I lose the wonder of these holidays in all my work?

My work is very busy these days. It's one of those holidays that has religious and secular significance. The Easter Bunny and the Resurrection seem to compete pretty handily. My company is a Christian owned company, so there are a few reminders of the real meaning of the holiday - probably more than most businesses actually. The employees of my store actually joke sometimes about the huge number of crosses throughout the store. Every size and shape and medium are available. There is one aisle of bunnies, baskets and eggs of every size and shape imaginable. Crosses are seen throughout the store. The store background music offers up a variety of renditions of "Christ The Lord Is Risen Today". I'm probably the only employee who even knows the song "Here I am to Worship" when the instrumental version plays. Sometimes my heart about bursts with worship. Hmm . . . maybe there is a bit of wonder as a work?

A dear friend is coming to visit me during the holidays. She will want to spend time praying and talking together. I know the power of the resurrection will be our theme and that God wants to meet us in a special way. Sometimes I worry if He will show up in the powerful ways He's done before in our times of prayer. Issues in our lives impact our praying and discussion. I've worked hard to clear my calendar as much as possible (even though there is yearly school testing, my work schedule and life!) so that we may enjoy as much time together as possible. Will the wonder be there again?

Our pastor will be preaching on emotional "rollercoasters" tomorrow. He's referring to the vast emotional swings those in the real Resurrection story lived. Jesus, His family, the disciples and others each surely had their rollercoaster types of emotions. I know that when hard times hit our lives sometimes we say "just yesterday everything was fine!" We find ourselves saying "what happened?" While Jesus knew what was going to happen, still the faithful written account tells of the emotions He experienced. I can't imagine being in the place of one of those who had followed Him for so long. I don't know that I've ever experienced that great an emotional swing. From "life is great" to "life is horific" to "life is meaningful and powerful" - each point bringing something on which to reflect. At each of those points, participants were working to understand and live. I'm sure they looked back and wondered. History records the actions taken as a result of that wondering.

My heart is singing . . .

"Oh the wonder-full Cross . . . bids me come and die and find that I may truly live . . ."

They're HOME!

The adventure is over! (Maybe it's just begun . . .)

They look pretty good - just a little sleepier than when they left! They have Kansas State Trouper stories - as the troupers were talking over dinner in a restaurant. The boys were listening to them and have some great stories to retell.

They are talking a lot! They are laughing. They are eating my homemade pancakes and eggs. I think they missed home. We got gifts from Gramma and Grampa. Wow . . . how fun is that? Great fun!

I think the middle kid has become a coffee drinker. He will be buying his own if he has! He realized that he can help and really contribute. He helped his Grampa clear out trees from around his pond. He supplied fish for one night's supper. Probably the neatest thing was to see him helping in a food kitchen serving line. He helped serve food for "Abundant Blessings". Pretty neat to see.

Hmm . . . what does a promise ring mean? Sounds like the oldest is getting kinda serious. Yikes! What does THAT mean? It will be interesting to see in the months ahead what it means. Is that like the old time "going steady"? I'll have to try to get the interpretation of that in the days ahead. I think it will be interesting to hear the explanation to folks at church.

Soooo . . . everyone's back home. We'll be trying to get back into the swing of things before my company comes a week from tomorrow. What an interesting time this is in our lives!

Great days ahead!

On the Way Home (through snow)

The kids left Grampa's around 7 am CT. The weather map had snow on the whole route.

Lots of prayer is requested as they travel. I know one of them is tired from an emotional and busy week. That one just happens to be driving!

Starbucks and Mountain Dew will be the "kick" to keep 'em going. The car will be packed with all the "finds" of the trip. Sounds like the youth group will have some new funky lighting. I heard there are two cases (you read it right) of frappachino packed as well. The 13-14 hour trip will need every bit of attention and wisdom they can muster.

For those reading this today, thank you for praying!

Just a Couple More Days

The kids are enjoying their last day of relaxation

before heading home on Sunday.

Last minute fishing and shopping (and saying goodbye to friends) is the plan for today. They have had a great time. Hopefully each has left a path of integrity and compassion in their path. I'll be anxious to hear any and all that they will want to share of their vacation. I imagine there will be some that they will share, but also, those private moments - probably not going to share!

I'm working the 10 hour day to come home to figure what songs we'll sing tomorrow at church. I wanted to have it done before this - it didn't happen. My mind has been thinking around the creation of a website with podcasting abilities. Of all things, on KLOVE news, they were talking about this very thing. I've been reading about podcasting and letting my mind imagine all the places that this technology could be used. I'm about to delve into more of that learning curve I mentioned in previous posts.

This is an awesome time to be alive in the Kingdom of God. Now, that statement could be read with so many meanings! Whew!

Update from the Kids

Both are enjoying their times of vacation!

Cooking and shopping and watching movies seems to be the fare of one while fishing and cleaning up dead wood and watching Sci-Fi seems to delight the other. Reports are in that a good time is being had by all.

They enjoyed church together with old friends on Sunday. They said the worship felt just like home. They were so excited to see the people at the church the attended that they actually beat the folks to the church place. As they waited, they wondered if they had the correct place. After about 5 minutes, familiar people began to arrive. Whew! Right place . . . right people!

Vacation is 1/2 over. We're missing them at home. It's quieter. Hmmm . . . and we've always said it's the ones that were left at home who were the louder ones. I think this is proving that theory incorrect. The cat stands at their bedroom doors and meows. We try to console him. He's quite the pacer in the late evening as he seems to wonder where everyone is!

By the way, those of us at home are working hard - no vacation happening here!

They Made It to Grampa's!

I just got the call . . ."hey there . . . we're here!"

12 hours later . . . Gramma and Grandpa led them to their place out in the country. What did we do before cell phones? Hmmm . .as I recall, we found the nearest town, plugged in quarters (nope . .not dimes) and hoped they were home. They always were.

Two kids will sleep like logs tonight and get on with their plans for the rest of the weekend and next week. There's still lots of driving, but nothing like this 12 hour day. Mountain Dew, Starbuck's, rip roaring tunes and LOTS of talking kept them awake I'd imagine.

Ok . . . now we can go back to our regularly schedule blog topics.

(If I can find them . . .)

(Thank you Father, for keeping them safe on the highways. Let this be an awesomely fun and safe time. Amen)

A Day of First Solo Flights

Both my kids and Steve Fossett

took their longest solo flights today!

Ok . . . not quite the same, but still very eventful nonetheless. Steve Fossett traveled around the world in an airplane on one tank of gas. Our kids will use many tanks of gas, but will share this day of infamy with Mr. Fossett!

It's 6:00pm . . . 12 hours since they left. They stopped for Starbuck's. They have enough caffeine in them to go 12 more hours I'll bet. It looked like the car was doing well. Wonderful! I'm sure this will be one of those stories they will have to tell for a long time.

Speaking of those kinds of stories . . . I remember one I took that was an 8 hour drive when I was 19. I was with a younger friend in her dad's old red Mustang. We pulled into the gas station, filled up the oil and checked the gas! (no kidding!) Oh well . . . that story is for another time. This is the kids' day!

I Hope They Aren't As Sleepy As I Am

It's 1:15pm and they are out of phone range.

They are about 1/2 way on their trip.

I wonder if they are as sleepy as I am?! I just tried to call thinking that I might catch them before they entered the "no call" zone. It kind of reminds me of that area where the astronauts can't have contact with NASA Control on their way back into the earth's atmosphere. I always remember watching the TV and listening . . .listening . . .listening for the voice of the captain of the crew to come on the intercom after very long moments of silence.

I think I'll take a nap and do the call again. It's sure quiet around the house. We aren't getting much schooling done. It's been really exhausting getting those people out the door on this trip.

Ok . . . I'm off. I will return!

Kids on a Cross Country Excursion

We said goodbye at 5:45am . . . .

Yikes! Sending kids to visit Grandpa and Gramma is tough. OK . . now . .just cuz they are young adults . . . that doesn't matter! All they forgot was hair gel and the extra gallon of water! Not bad for packing til midnight last night.

That is . .for one of them!

Two kids . . . one very meticulous and packed a day ahead. Another very"spur of the moment" and packing while walking out the door to start the car this morning. One is very tedious in time management. One is . . .not.

They made it almost 1/3 of the way in 4 hours and called to tell of their triumpant entry (and exit) through the big city. Now they are on the long stretch. I can imagine the music is blaring and they pulse down the road. Mountain Dew guzzling and looking out the window, I'm sure having a great time.

More to come . . . .

Basking with Palmy

Oh sure! Doesn't a full calendar mean and full life?

Hmm . . . I ran across a blog in my reading that jumped out at me. A guy named Tod Bolsinger writes it. He's a pastor . . . of a Presbyterian Church . . . on the beach in San Clemente, CA. Tod says we need to put a basking time on our calendars. Plan on just sitting and thinking. Plan a time to put the headphones on and listen to a favorite CD. Do NOT multitask! (How in the world would things get done if I didn't multitask?)

I have a friend who actually really does help me keep on time. His name is Palmy. He's a Zire 71. That's rather cold sounding, isn't it? I named him Palmy because I knew we'd have a close relationship. Palmy let's me know by alarm (and in plenty of time) about upcoming events in my day. For instance, when I have to take my mom to a doctor's appointment, Palmy reminds me about 45 minutes ahead of time. That means if I've forgotten, I can get ready, drive to pick her up and be at the doc's on time. Palmy also has my daily devotions ready and waiting for me each day. He's always ready to take in my creative ideas (silly or not). If I need a phone number, he's able to provide that as well. When I have a mindless moment or two, he serves up Bejeweled for a few minutes of game time. If a "Kodak moment" drops in my path, Palmy's camera is there for me. If I choose, he would even search the internet for the weather or other downloads I want. Sometimes, I feel rather selfish regarding Palmy. I do have a nice case to protect him, although who knows how safe anything is in my purse! I feed him regularly. There haven't been too many times that he lets me know his tummy is almost empty. Just a couple of times have I switched his power on to have him say he is "resetting". Somehow, that thought just about takes the breath out of me. Thankfully his screen displays my life once again. I haven't told him that I keep a record of everything he has, just incase he'd have a rebellious moment in the future.

Am I finding time to bask? Don't know about that, but my friend certainly has my thoughts, plans and Lifeline (Bible) at my fingertips.

I'm wonder if Palmy knows about basking time yet?