Yesterday, storms swept through the eastern half of the nation. Many people were injured, killed, and displaced. Today, the sun is shining, birds are chirping, and there is a peace out in nature. N and I have been very blessed to avoid direct impact of strong storms, tornadoes, flooding, and other natural disasters. As I think back to all of the weather-related disasters that I have witnessed in my lifetime, whether on television or in person, I realize how many disasters have not hit me or my family. Praise God for his goodness and protective angels around us.
Peace is something that I yearn for in the midst of a busy day, in the midst of a chaotic schedule, in the midst of conflicts, in the midst of literal or metaphorical storms. This makes me so, so thankful for a quiet evening spent with my family, a Saturday that has unscheduled hours to watch Downton Abbey and read a book on my Kindle, a Sunday afternoon when I can play a game of Sorry with my husband (even though he beats me 99% of the time). :-)
Praise be to God for his faithfulness and his patience. Praise him for peace, love, and mercy. Praise him for the bliss that we can all have if we just bow our heads, ask for forgiveness, and focus on living the way He wants us to live.
Showing posts with label faith. Show all posts
Showing posts with label faith. Show all posts
Saturday, March 3, 2012
Saturday, January 21, 2012
Today's Bliss: Church
This month has been slow and lazy. I have been in a winter-mode, recovering from a beyond busy and crazy December holiday rush. My to-do lists have been short and my hours have been filled with reading, t.v. watching, and resting. I told you I was lazy!
Today our church held a retreat for the new Church Council and, as I am now a committee chair, I was expected to attend. I was not exactly excited about going, but I was glad to hear about the coming year and the part that I could play in the church body. I expected a meeting. What I got was a worship and reflection experience. The group shared their hopes and dreams, talked about personal journeys, and discussed things we can do to encourage Discipleship, both in ourselves and in our community. There was serious discussion, laughter, singing, eating, and fellowship.
For me, it was good to be pulled from my lazy winter reverie and get my brain in gear. I had time to think: about scripture and its message to me, about the sacrifices I should be making for my faith, about the calling that I have in my life, and about the community that I have been placed in by God. It was refreshing to have my spirit lifted, to celebrate communion in this small group, and to feel joy as I realized that I am exactly where God wants me to be. Not every day is perfect, in fact there are some days that are frustrating and painful, but this church and these people are my home for this time in my life.
I am really looking forward to the year ahead of me. I hope that I can be tuned into God's voice, plugged into His community of grace, and serve as a good Disciple.
I pray that you will find a place where you can serve and thrive. It is a freeing and uplifting experience. It is bliss.
Today our church held a retreat for the new Church Council and, as I am now a committee chair, I was expected to attend. I was not exactly excited about going, but I was glad to hear about the coming year and the part that I could play in the church body. I expected a meeting. What I got was a worship and reflection experience. The group shared their hopes and dreams, talked about personal journeys, and discussed things we can do to encourage Discipleship, both in ourselves and in our community. There was serious discussion, laughter, singing, eating, and fellowship.
For me, it was good to be pulled from my lazy winter reverie and get my brain in gear. I had time to think: about scripture and its message to me, about the sacrifices I should be making for my faith, about the calling that I have in my life, and about the community that I have been placed in by God. It was refreshing to have my spirit lifted, to celebrate communion in this small group, and to feel joy as I realized that I am exactly where God wants me to be. Not every day is perfect, in fact there are some days that are frustrating and painful, but this church and these people are my home for this time in my life.
I am really looking forward to the year ahead of me. I hope that I can be tuned into God's voice, plugged into His community of grace, and serve as a good Disciple.
I pray that you will find a place where you can serve and thrive. It is a freeing and uplifting experience. It is bliss.
Friday, December 30, 2011
Today's Bliss: One More Weekend
I have had a long, restful break from work this holiday. I am very blessed that I was able to have so much time with my family, with Scooter, with N, and with myself. When I am not running around in the midst of a hectic schedule, I have the opportunity to read, think, write, and accomplish things that have needed some attention for a while. I am so glad that the year has ended in this way!
One of the things that I am doing this week is reading a book called Catch. (I am studying for some church duties that I have for 2012.) I am only about half way through, but it has been an interesting read so far. The writer comes from a church that focuses solely on ministering to the non- and nominally-religious in their community. When I read this, I thought: isn't that what we are all doing? But...is it? Really? How many churches worry more about their current members than those outside their walls? One point in the book that really got me thinking was a statement about church congregations. The author was encouraging her readers to help their church's congregation focus on the mission of ministering to the non- and nominally-religious. She wondered what the church members were more worried about: reaching out to their community or whether or not they got their parking place and their pew of choice. Huh...good question. I think that every church has a mix of people and each person has a different focus for some reason or another. But no matter our differences, our primary identity should be love. Receiving it from God, showing it to each other, and showing it to our community.
I hope that 2012 will bring more depth to my faith and my love for the people around me.
I have one more weekend of my break. I have some fun things planned for the end of this long respite and I look forward to enjoying every minute of it! I hope you feel blessed and blissful as you enjoy the last two days of 2011!
One of the things that I am doing this week is reading a book called Catch. (I am studying for some church duties that I have for 2012.) I am only about half way through, but it has been an interesting read so far. The writer comes from a church that focuses solely on ministering to the non- and nominally-religious in their community. When I read this, I thought: isn't that what we are all doing? But...is it? Really? How many churches worry more about their current members than those outside their walls? One point in the book that really got me thinking was a statement about church congregations. The author was encouraging her readers to help their church's congregation focus on the mission of ministering to the non- and nominally-religious. She wondered what the church members were more worried about: reaching out to their community or whether or not they got their parking place and their pew of choice. Huh...good question. I think that every church has a mix of people and each person has a different focus for some reason or another. But no matter our differences, our primary identity should be love. Receiving it from God, showing it to each other, and showing it to our community.
I hope that 2012 will bring more depth to my faith and my love for the people around me.
I have one more weekend of my break. I have some fun things planned for the end of this long respite and I look forward to enjoying every minute of it! I hope you feel blessed and blissful as you enjoy the last two days of 2011!
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