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?