New Beginnings or Continued Blessings?

Another year of new beginnings or a  a new year of continued blessings? For the past several years we have been lifting up the "Book of Faith Initiative" which has been helping us to become better acquainted with scripture and strengthening our faith. Many of us have had a renewed sense of peace in knowing that with God all things are possible.  Some of us have found it is much easier to evangelize when we are more comfortable with scripture. Whether you have intentionally immersed yourself into the Word of God or you are just starting to find your story in Gods story continue on this faith-filled road and you will be showered with a multitude of blessings. 

I have discovered that my faith journey never ends, it just continues to grow and expand.  It is exciting to find new ways to study, new gifts to share and new tools to help me.  This year I begin my day reading from "Bread for the Day" Daily Bible Readings and Prayers for 2011. It is published by Augsburg Fortress and it is a wonderful devotional filled with scripture readings, prayers, hymn suggestions, blessings, questions to get me thinking and so much more.   Are you using anything to jump start your day or close your night? Our blessings are many especially when we keep ourselves fed by the Word!

What Are You Waiting For?

It is hard to believe that Advent is almost over.  Most of us have been, or will be, caught up in the hustle and bustle of shopping, parties, baking and fun!  How many of us have actually thought about Advent and what it means? How are you really preparing for Christmas?

Yesterday, I was one of the crazed people shopping trying to find the perfect gifts. I needed to find the gifts that have to be shipped by Friday to my Buffalo, NY family. After a full day of shopping,  I raced home, quickly made dinner, and then my husband, grandson and I raced out the door for Wednesday night Advent Service.  My mind was crazed with a million other things, but once that wonderful Holden Evening Prayer Service began, with a mixture of Handels Messiah and special readings I found peace. I thought about what we are really preparing for and I slowed down.  I thought about the people who are giving their time and dollars to help others in need.  I thought about the non-commercial ways people celebrate. I thought about my grandsons words "I don't have a Christmas list, just being together as a family, singing the Christmas songs,  reading the Christmas stories, the decorations, the whole  "spirit" of Christmas is all I want and need". We have another week to go and then Chrismas will be here.  So, what we you waiting for and how are you preparing for it?

"For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given, and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Faither, Prince of Peace."  (Isaiah 9:6)

Happy Thanksgiving!

Another season, another special occasion.  Thanksgiving is a time for remembering all those people and things you are thankful for. It is a time to share a meal, conversation and love to those people who are special in your life. It is also a time to remember those who are no longer with you, sharing the stories of how they have touched your life through the years. Through all the stories and memories remember to be thankful for those people who you don't know. People who are indirectly touching your life by protecting our country, educating our children, providing food for our tables, healing those who are ill in body or soul, providing a smile when you most need one. Remember to be thankful for even the smallest of blessings!   "I thank my God every time I remember you, constantly praying with joy in every one of my prayers for all of you,  . . . "  Philippians 1:3 
Have a very Blessed and Happy Thanksgiving!

The Transforming Word of God

As I have read the Bible through the years, the Word of God has touched me in different ways. I suppose as I have grown older and hopefully wiser, my experiences change and how I apply God's Word to my life does too. Lately, I enjoy taking the lectionary for the week and using the method of Lectio Divina to read, reflect and discover how this text speaks to me in my life.  Then, when Sunday comes and my pastor preaches on this text, the meaning, for me, becomes even greater!  

My church uses this method of study in a variety of ways, from in home studies called "Conversations on Scripture" to the devotions before a committee meeting or council. To be able to read, reflect and share in conversations with others is really awesome!  

The Word of God can transform you as a child of God, it can transform communities of people living and working as people of God.  How are you being transformed by the Word of God?  Individually or as a community?

Teens and God

I was just reading an article about how teens are getting less involved in church groups.  For a variety of reasons it states that teens are turning away from church and God. We all know how this happens, parents not attending church, too many outside influences pulling them in too many directions, their friends are not "church" friends, their questions are not being answered and the list goes on.   What do we do to change it? We can sit passively and watch our youth disappear OR we can use this as an unexpected Faith Moment  and find ways to engage the youth in the life of our congregations!!  I tend to get energized by the second choice and hope you do too.  So what can you do? 

• Get them hooked! Teens want to do something with a purpose, so involve them in local ongoing mission projects. Something that they can feel an immediate reward to their actions.  
• Better yet, involve them intergenerationally in local mission efforts.  Once they volunteer along side an adult, conversations begin, and community develops in your church.  
• Have a night for "Conversations on Scripture" Use the lectionary and a study model called "Lectio Divina" to talk about the Word of God.  It is amazing to see how engaging the conversation becomes.

The sharing of scripture, discovering the Bible, understanding how these ancient stories relate to us today, is so important in the formation of our faith.  Don't let your teens go elsewhere for answers to their questions about God. Instead find opportunities to discover the answers together, young and old, in service to others, applying our faith to our life.

So, what are your ides?  How about sharing what you do to welcome teens into the life of your church.

Mission Trip Highlights

Wow it has been awhile simce I have written anything! It is hard to believe it is the end of June already!! Summer is the time when many churhes and Youth Groups go on Mission Work Trips. So many people have shared their stories with me and their experiences are awesome!  Summer is a wonderful time for many of our youth to be able to participate. For some this is the first "Mission Trip" they have been on. It is exciting and new and their experiences touch their lives deeply.  As they share their stories I hear mesaages self-worth, giving, hope, care, concern, ministry, love, compassion and more. They are amazed that their act of time and energy helping with a project means so much to others, they learned how a simple smile or conversation made someone's day special, they learned that they had something to offer to someone less fortunate and the list goes on. Have you ever experienced a Mission Trip?  Whether locally, nationally or globally, what are your stories? How were you touched?  I look forward to hearing them.

Acts of Kindness

Someone recently said to me that unexpected faith moments happen so far and few between they are hard to notice.   This surprised me because I think they happen more often than not.  As I think about this, I believe that we need to provide opportunities for unexpected faith moments to happen and we need to open our hearts and mind to recognize these moments when they happen.  So, how do you provide opportunities for "faith conversations, moments" to happen? How about starting with simple acts if kindness? A smile to a stranger, a helping hand (hold open a door etc.,) a friendly greeting . . . and the list goes on.  It is amazing to see how one simple act can open up the door for conversation and faith? What do you think?

The Meaning of the Season

The first weekend of December is when our community kicks off the Christmas season!  Friday night and Saturday till 8 pm is a very festive time in our downtown area. People are walking through the shops, viewing live mannequins in the store windows, warming themselves with hot chocolate and getting in the "holiday" spirit!  It is a special time, but it is truly about the "holiday" season, the hustle and bustle of Christmas Shopping and holiday celebration.  My church decided to put a new spin on the festivities. We asked the churches that line the main streets to join us in putting together Live Scripture Scenes of the Christmas Story in from of their buildings. There was only one other church that joined us in doing this, the catholic church down the street and they set-up a wonderful display. Our church had the birth of Jesus to set-up. With the help of many people a stable was built, hay was brought in, a star was hung, spotlights were shining, Mary, Joseph and Shepherds filled the stable and a choir of Christmas Carols were sung.  The real meaning of Christmas became very clear. For 2 hours we stayed out in the cold, but our hearts were warmed with the spirit.  Cars drove by and honked, some stopped to watch and listen and other people walked over to see our display and join in conversation.  We felt the festive mood of the "holiday", but the spirit of what Christmas is really about, the birth of our Lord and Savior, warmed our hearts and touched the lives of those who passed by!

Faith Moments

What unexpected faith moments have you witnessed lately? Being a faithful servant not only means going to church, reading the Bible, studying, praying and meditating, but it means wearing your faith on your body. It means demonstrating through your actions and words that you are a child of God.  A child of God, who like Jesus, wants to share what it means to love, hope, understand, pray and live the wonder and joy of God's Word.  To be like Jesus and walk the talk . . .  how wonderful is that?!

I would love to hear your stories, the unexpected faith moments that you have witnessed. if you are interested in sharing them please respond to this blog

God Moments

As people begin to discover who they are as faithful Christians, I am witnessing those "God Moments" or "unexpected faith moments".  Times when the Bible comes off the shelf and lays open on the coffee table, stirring questions and conversation amongst  its visitors, times when a parent and child walk through the woods, shuffling the fallen leaves with their feet, and talk about God's creation and the beauty seen, times when someone sad and lonely feels the presence of others surrounding them in comfort and prayer, times when a child is the first one in a group to break the silence and offer to say the prayer, times when you feel the presence of God and you know He is on this journey with you . . . God Moments!