I am reading a classic book during my devotional time these days, called The Sabbath by Abraham Joshua Heschel. Heschel, who lived from 1907-1972,"was one of the most widely respected and loved religious leaders of the twentieth century. He was a Professor of Ethics and Mysticism at the Jewish Theological Seminary of America," according to the back cover of this little book, originally published in 1951.
I am captivated by the Jewish love of Sabbath and the rich, deep perspective Sabbath-keeping brings to the rest of life.
Allow me to share a few quotes:
"The meaning of the Sabbath is to celebrate time rather than space. Six days a week we live under the tyranny of things of space; on the Sabbath we try to become attuned to holiness in time. It is a day on which we are called upon to share in what is eternal in time, to turn from the results of creation to the mystery of creation; from the world of creation to the creation of the world.
"The Sabbath is a day for the sake of life.
"Labor is a craft, but perfect rest is an art. It is the result of an accord of body, mind and imagination. The seventh day is a palace in time which we build. It is made of soul, of joy and reticence.
"There is a word that is seldom said, a word for an emotion almost too deep to be expressed: the love of the Sabbath.
"In regard to external gifts. to outward possessions, there is only one proper attitude--to have them and to be able to do without them. On the Sabbath we live, as it were, independent of technical civilization: we abstain primarily from any activity that aims at remaking or reshaping the things of space.
"The Sabbath itself is a sanctuary which we build, a sanctuary in time.
"The Sabbath must all be spent 'in charm, grace, peace, and great love...for on it even the wicked in hell find peace.' It is therefore, a double sin to show anger on the Sabbath. 'Ye shall kindle no fire throughout your habitations on the Sabbath day' (Exodus 35:3), is interpreted to mean: 'Ye shall kindle no fire of controversy nor the heat of anger.' Ye shall kindle no fire--not even the fire of righteous indignation.
"All week we may ponder and worry whether we are rich or poor, whether we succeed or fail in our occupations; whether we accomplish or fall short of reaching our goals. But who could feel distressed when gazing at spectral glimpses of eternity, except to feel startled at the vanity of being so distressed?
"The Sabbath is no time for personal anxiety or care, for any activity that might dampen the spirit of joy. The Sabbath is no time to remember sins, to confess, to repent or even to pray for relief of anything we might need. It is a day for praise, not a day for petitions. Fasting, mourning, demonstrations of grief are forbidden. The period of mourning is interrupted by the Sabbath. And if one visits the sick on the Sabbath, one should say: 'It is the Sabbath, one must not complain; you will soon be cured.' One must abstain from toil and strain on the seventh day, even from strain in the service of God.
"It is a sin to be sad on the Sabbath day.
"For the Sabbath is a day of harmony and peace, peace between man and man, peace within man, and peace with all things. On the seventh day man has no right to tamper with God's world, to change the state of physical things. It is a day of rest for man and animal alike.
"Six days shalt thou labor and do all thy work (Exodus 20:8). Is it possible for a human being to do all his work in six days? Does not our work always remain incomplete? What the verse means to convey is: Rest on the Sabbath as if all your work were done. Another interpretation: Rest even from the thought of labor."
"A pious man once took a stroll in his vineyard on the Sabbath. He saw a breach in the fence, and then determined to mend it when the Sabbath would be over At the expiration of the Sabbath he decided: since the thought of repairing the fence occurred to me on the Sabbath I shall never repair it."
(Excerpts from The Sabbath by Abraham Joshua Heschel, copyright 1951, Farra, Straus and Girous, New York, New York, pp. 10-41)
--Posted by Mama O.
Wednesday, February 26, 2014
Monday, February 24, 2014
Do it for "JOY"
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| AP Women's Figure Skating Medalists: Yuna Kim of South Korea-silver;Yulia Lipnitskaya of Russia-gold; and Carolina Kostner of Italy-bronze. |
SOCHI, Russia – Sure it’s easy to get caught up in the scoring. Figure skating scoring is inscrutable and bizarre and it has a long history of corruption. It’s easy to get caught up in the numbers of Thursday’s ladies free skate because it’s possible, even likely, that your eyes and the scores did not matched.
But if you look too hard at the scores, you might miss something else. Thursday night, a 27-year-old Italian named Carolina Kostner took to the ice. Eight years ago, she was the darling of the Torino Games, the great figure skating hope for Italy. She fell on her first jump and never contended. The last time she was at the Olympics – four years ago in Vancouver – she fell three times. And she broke down. There’s a YouTube video of an interview with her mother, and I dare you to watch it not to cry. There’s not a word of English in the entire video. I still dare you to watch it and not cry.
After Vancouver, Kostner got hurt, and she lost hope. “I thought, ‘I have reached my limit,’” she would say. “This is my limit.” She became a student. She tried to forget. But she missed skating. The Olympics are in her blood. Her father was a member of an Olympic hockey team. Her cousin Isolde Kostner won two bronze medals in alpine skiing. Carolina did not want to believe Vancouver was her limit. Instead she told herself to stop trying to be perfect and start skating for herself, for the joy.
She took the ice in Sochi, and “Bolero” began to play, and she landed her first jump, a triple lutz. From there, the music swept her away. She landed every jump. She skated with this big, beautiful smile on her face. The crowd – with hardly an Italian in the place – was mesmerized by her. When she finished the best performance of her life, the joy on her face was indescribable. She had done it.
Excerpt from:
http://olympictalk.nbcsports.com/2014/02/20/forget-the-scoring-for-a-moment-focus-on-the-skating/
When I heard this story on television on Thursday evening, the commentator said that Carolina's mother had given her the advice to "skate for the joy of skating". Whether the advice came from her mother or from within her own heart, Carolina took the advice to heart and skated in a way that brought her joy of skating to the watching world.
So, on Friday, I thought, "I'll take this advice to heart and stop trying to be perfect as a Christian woman. I will simply live today for the joy of living!"
I have to tell you, it was a terrific day. I did not accomplish all the projects on my "to do" list. But as I lived my life that day, I delighted in the little things I did right. I ate a bowl of blueberries for breakfast, thus taking in both fiber and antioxidants. I brought out some of my Easter decorations and began to anticipate the best holiday of all-our Lord's resurrection! I met a friend for lunch and had a deep, meaningful conversation. I called another friend who was too ill to meet in person. I worked out at the gym and drank lots of water while I watched Katie Couric's show and cheered in a contest for the inventor of the "Boobie Pack--A Pack For Your Rack"! It's a sports bra with pockets for your keys, credit cards and cell phone-yessss! I came home and made pork loin and homemade applesauce with my husband while we watched reruns of "Modern Family". And I didn't criticize myself for the projects I did not get done that day. I lived Friday for "the joy of living".
I believe that's how Jesus lived life when he was here on earth. He could not possibly heal every sick person, raise every dead person, exorcise every demon, calm every storm. So, he chose to live every day "for the joy set before him" by his father and his eternal mission (Hebrews 12:2).
I think I'll try it again today! It's only 6:41 a.m. I think I have a shot...
--Posted by Mama O.
But if you look too hard at the scores, you might miss something else. Thursday night, a 27-year-old Italian named Carolina Kostner took to the ice. Eight years ago, she was the darling of the Torino Games, the great figure skating hope for Italy. She fell on her first jump and never contended. The last time she was at the Olympics – four years ago in Vancouver – she fell three times. And she broke down. There’s a YouTube video of an interview with her mother, and I dare you to watch it not to cry. There’s not a word of English in the entire video. I still dare you to watch it and not cry.
After Vancouver, Kostner got hurt, and she lost hope. “I thought, ‘I have reached my limit,’” she would say. “This is my limit.” She became a student. She tried to forget. But she missed skating. The Olympics are in her blood. Her father was a member of an Olympic hockey team. Her cousin Isolde Kostner won two bronze medals in alpine skiing. Carolina did not want to believe Vancouver was her limit. Instead she told herself to stop trying to be perfect and start skating for herself, for the joy.
She took the ice in Sochi, and “Bolero” began to play, and she landed her first jump, a triple lutz. From there, the music swept her away. She landed every jump. She skated with this big, beautiful smile on her face. The crowd – with hardly an Italian in the place – was mesmerized by her. When she finished the best performance of her life, the joy on her face was indescribable. She had done it.
Excerpt from:
http://olympictalk.nbcsports.com/2014/02/20/forget-the-scoring-for-a-moment-focus-on-the-skating/
When I heard this story on television on Thursday evening, the commentator said that Carolina's mother had given her the advice to "skate for the joy of skating". Whether the advice came from her mother or from within her own heart, Carolina took the advice to heart and skated in a way that brought her joy of skating to the watching world.
So, on Friday, I thought, "I'll take this advice to heart and stop trying to be perfect as a Christian woman. I will simply live today for the joy of living!"
I have to tell you, it was a terrific day. I did not accomplish all the projects on my "to do" list. But as I lived my life that day, I delighted in the little things I did right. I ate a bowl of blueberries for breakfast, thus taking in both fiber and antioxidants. I brought out some of my Easter decorations and began to anticipate the best holiday of all-our Lord's resurrection! I met a friend for lunch and had a deep, meaningful conversation. I called another friend who was too ill to meet in person. I worked out at the gym and drank lots of water while I watched Katie Couric's show and cheered in a contest for the inventor of the "Boobie Pack--A Pack For Your Rack"! It's a sports bra with pockets for your keys, credit cards and cell phone-yessss! I came home and made pork loin and homemade applesauce with my husband while we watched reruns of "Modern Family". And I didn't criticize myself for the projects I did not get done that day. I lived Friday for "the joy of living".
I believe that's how Jesus lived life when he was here on earth. He could not possibly heal every sick person, raise every dead person, exorcise every demon, calm every storm. So, he chose to live every day "for the joy set before him" by his father and his eternal mission (Hebrews 12:2).
I think I'll try it again today! It's only 6:41 a.m. I think I have a shot...
--Posted by Mama O.
Saturday, February 22, 2014
Dragging Stuff
Our ladies' Bible study is digging in deeply into the book of Malachi this spring semester. Malachi is the last book of the Old Testament, the final word from one of God's prophets until the Messiah would appear, some 400 years later. Malachi is grouped with the "minor prophets", not because his message is unimportant, but because his message is relatively short compared to prophets like Isaiah and Jeremiah. It may be short, but it's strong.
This week, we are tackling Malachi 1:6-14, a passage in which God confronts the stingy, tightwad giving habits of his people. To put the story in modern-day terms, God is telling his people that they have plenty of money to spend on themselves and their own entertainment (flat screen TVs,computer tablets, the biggest package available from DirecTV...), but when it comes to giving to God's causes, they go to the Goodwill Thrift Store and find the tackiest, filthiest thing on the shelves and bring it to church to help decorate the foyer. Their stinginess shows. And it's just plain mean.
Our Bible study author, Lisa Harper, is a colorful storyteller, who is gifted by God to make the difficult passages of the Bible seem as clear and simple as the pile of dirty dishes on your kitchen counter that need to be washed. She helps us ladies see that the state of our hearts directly affects our actions toward God. What we give to God is a direct reflection of our heart's affections.
She had us draw a heart that contained a number of concentric circles. Inside that inmost circle, we were to write the initials "HOH", which stands for "Holy Of Holies". This represents our inmost being, the place where our spirit is meant to dwell in communion with God's Holy Spirit. When this is really happening, our outward actions reflect that state of affection toward God. The ensuring concentric circles contained, in order from the center, spouse, children, family of origin, close spiritual friends, larger church family, and finally, all our friends and acquaintances.
When any of those relationship circles are empty, God's plan is to have us fill that hole with his love and provision. But, we women are "draggers", Lisa pointed out. We like to "drag" our best friend or our spouse into that circle that should be filled by a child when we are childless. We drag our mothers into the circle that should be occupied only by our husbands when we don't like the way our husbands are acting. We drag the wrong men into the circle that should be filled by a husband when we don't have one. And the drag show continues....
As Lisa was telling this story, a very colorful memory of my own popped into my head. We had a very stubborn dachshund named Bagel for 10 years. Bagel was absolutely "taken" by the horrid smell of dirty socks and skivvies. He would steal them from the laundry pile on laundry day and sneak them out to the back yard where he would bury them as his very own treasure! I can't tell you the number of times we were planting flowers in the springtime, digging up those backyard flower beds, when we came across a long-lost pair of boxer shorts or an athletic sock ribbed with soil. Sometimes an old undergarment would remain buried long enough to have roots growing through the fabric!
Okay, why such a graphic example? Because "dragging" is a filthy process! We are taking God's holy presence for granted, undervaluing it or not valuing it at all, and preferring something unholy, something that is really filthy by comparison. Human relationships are right and good in their proper place, but when they are "dragged" in to fill a void meant to be filled by God's love, they become like those underground undies!
Well, you get the point, I hope. Don't be a "dragger"! Accept the human relationships God gives you with joy and thankfulness. But, in the areas where you have a void, let God do the filling. Don't "drag" other relationships into that void like my dachshund did with the skivvies!
When our hearts are filled by the proper relationships, our outward giving habits will reflect God's love and generosity!
--Posted by Mama O.
This week, we are tackling Malachi 1:6-14, a passage in which God confronts the stingy, tightwad giving habits of his people. To put the story in modern-day terms, God is telling his people that they have plenty of money to spend on themselves and their own entertainment (flat screen TVs,computer tablets, the biggest package available from DirecTV...), but when it comes to giving to God's causes, they go to the Goodwill Thrift Store and find the tackiest, filthiest thing on the shelves and bring it to church to help decorate the foyer. Their stinginess shows. And it's just plain mean.
Our Bible study author, Lisa Harper, is a colorful storyteller, who is gifted by God to make the difficult passages of the Bible seem as clear and simple as the pile of dirty dishes on your kitchen counter that need to be washed. She helps us ladies see that the state of our hearts directly affects our actions toward God. What we give to God is a direct reflection of our heart's affections.
She had us draw a heart that contained a number of concentric circles. Inside that inmost circle, we were to write the initials "HOH", which stands for "Holy Of Holies". This represents our inmost being, the place where our spirit is meant to dwell in communion with God's Holy Spirit. When this is really happening, our outward actions reflect that state of affection toward God. The ensuring concentric circles contained, in order from the center, spouse, children, family of origin, close spiritual friends, larger church family, and finally, all our friends and acquaintances.
When any of those relationship circles are empty, God's plan is to have us fill that hole with his love and provision. But, we women are "draggers", Lisa pointed out. We like to "drag" our best friend or our spouse into that circle that should be filled by a child when we are childless. We drag our mothers into the circle that should be occupied only by our husbands when we don't like the way our husbands are acting. We drag the wrong men into the circle that should be filled by a husband when we don't have one. And the drag show continues....
As Lisa was telling this story, a very colorful memory of my own popped into my head. We had a very stubborn dachshund named Bagel for 10 years. Bagel was absolutely "taken" by the horrid smell of dirty socks and skivvies. He would steal them from the laundry pile on laundry day and sneak them out to the back yard where he would bury them as his very own treasure! I can't tell you the number of times we were planting flowers in the springtime, digging up those backyard flower beds, when we came across a long-lost pair of boxer shorts or an athletic sock ribbed with soil. Sometimes an old undergarment would remain buried long enough to have roots growing through the fabric!
Okay, why such a graphic example? Because "dragging" is a filthy process! We are taking God's holy presence for granted, undervaluing it or not valuing it at all, and preferring something unholy, something that is really filthy by comparison. Human relationships are right and good in their proper place, but when they are "dragged" in to fill a void meant to be filled by God's love, they become like those underground undies!
Well, you get the point, I hope. Don't be a "dragger"! Accept the human relationships God gives you with joy and thankfulness. But, in the areas where you have a void, let God do the filling. Don't "drag" other relationships into that void like my dachshund did with the skivvies!
When our hearts are filled by the proper relationships, our outward giving habits will reflect God's love and generosity!
--Posted by Mama O.
Tuesday, February 18, 2014
Gossip, Gossip
So, as I have shared before, I try to read a chapter in Proverbs every day. Since Proverbs has 31 chapters, it is the perfect book to match each day of the month. I read the chapter that corresponds with that day's date. Yesterday, I was reading Proverbs 17 when I encountered verse 4:
"Wrongdoers eagerly listen to gossip;
liars pay close attention to slander."
(New Living Translation)
Why is this? Because we are attracted to the things that are already in our hearts. If our hearts are pure, seeking God, we are attracted to the things of God. If our hearts are self-centered and self-seeking, we are attracted to gossip because it matches the condition of our hearts.
If you want to know what is in a person's heart, listen to them talk. Jesus explained:
"But the things that proceed out of the mouth come from the heart." Matthew 15:18
(New American Standard Version)
"For the mouth speaks out of that which fills the heart." Matthew 12:34
(New American Standard Version)
In another Proverb, we are instructed to guard our hearts from deception because of what will inevitably flow out of them:
"Watch over your heart with all diligence,
For from it flow the springs of life.
Put away from you a deceitful mouth,
And put devious lips far from you.
Let your eyes look directly ahead,
And let your gaze be fixed straight in front of you. Watch the path of your feet,
And all your ways will be established."
Proverbs 4:23-26 (New American Standard Version)
--Posted by Mama O.
"Wrongdoers eagerly listen to gossip;
liars pay close attention to slander."
(New Living Translation)
Why is this? Because we are attracted to the things that are already in our hearts. If our hearts are pure, seeking God, we are attracted to the things of God. If our hearts are self-centered and self-seeking, we are attracted to gossip because it matches the condition of our hearts.
If you want to know what is in a person's heart, listen to them talk. Jesus explained:
"But the things that proceed out of the mouth come from the heart." Matthew 15:18
(New American Standard Version)
"For the mouth speaks out of that which fills the heart." Matthew 12:34
(New American Standard Version)
In another Proverb, we are instructed to guard our hearts from deception because of what will inevitably flow out of them:
"Watch over your heart with all diligence,
For from it flow the springs of life.
Put away from you a deceitful mouth,
And put devious lips far from you.
Let your eyes look directly ahead,
And let your gaze be fixed straight in front of you. Watch the path of your feet,
And all your ways will be established."
Proverbs 4:23-26 (New American Standard Version)
--Posted by Mama O.
Monday, February 17, 2014
Beautiful Feet
I had a fascinating encounter with a shoe salesman on Saturday in Carmel. He was as effective a shoe salesman as I've ever encountered. Solicitous, opinionated, but not too opinionated, complimentary, persistent and helpful. When I showed an interest in a very high end pair of German-made sandals, he insisted that I try them on so he could see how they looked on me. The minute I stripped off my sock, he complimented my bare foot:
"You have a very aristocratic foot," he said. "I know you must be very intelligent."
Now, what exactly that phrase, "aristocratic feet" means, I have no idea. Nor do I know how my foot indicates my intelligence level. I am blessed with feet that are well proportioned, have toes that all point the right direction, arches that work, and yes, my feet look nice in sandals. As to whether my feet are particularly well-read, understand quantum physics or can intuitively solve difficult interpersonal problems, I am not sure. I haven't asked them....
But it got me to thinking about the Bible's description of beautiful feet in Isaiah 52:7:
"How beautiful upon the mountains
Are the feet of him who brings
good news,
Who proclaims peace,
Who brings glad tidings of good things,
Who proclaims salvation,
Who says to Zion,
'Your God reigns!'"
(New King James Version)
So maybe those aristocratic feet of mine are noble because they carry me to places where I can share God's love, grace, mercy, forgiveness, peace and joy with other people.
When I was a little girl, we had a leader at our church camp who had worked in Africa with children who walked barefoot all the time. To these children, a sign of real wealth was to own a pair of shoes. We used to sing a camp song that said,
"I will wear a crown
In my Father's house"
This leader suggested we sing:
"I will put on shoes
In my Father's house"
His students at his mission station had sung that, and it seemed like a good idea for us to sing it too, while we wore our tennies to hike and play at beautiful Camp Wawona in Yosemite National Park.
So, hooray for "aristocratic feet". May they do my King's business!
--Posted by Mama O.
"You have a very aristocratic foot," he said. "I know you must be very intelligent."
Now, what exactly that phrase, "aristocratic feet" means, I have no idea. Nor do I know how my foot indicates my intelligence level. I am blessed with feet that are well proportioned, have toes that all point the right direction, arches that work, and yes, my feet look nice in sandals. As to whether my feet are particularly well-read, understand quantum physics or can intuitively solve difficult interpersonal problems, I am not sure. I haven't asked them....
But it got me to thinking about the Bible's description of beautiful feet in Isaiah 52:7:
"How beautiful upon the mountains
Are the feet of him who brings
good news,
Who proclaims peace,
Who brings glad tidings of good things,
Who proclaims salvation,
Who says to Zion,
'Your God reigns!'"
(New King James Version)
So maybe those aristocratic feet of mine are noble because they carry me to places where I can share God's love, grace, mercy, forgiveness, peace and joy with other people.
When I was a little girl, we had a leader at our church camp who had worked in Africa with children who walked barefoot all the time. To these children, a sign of real wealth was to own a pair of shoes. We used to sing a camp song that said,
"I will wear a crown
In my Father's house"
This leader suggested we sing:
"I will put on shoes
In my Father's house"
His students at his mission station had sung that, and it seemed like a good idea for us to sing it too, while we wore our tennies to hike and play at beautiful Camp Wawona in Yosemite National Park.
So, hooray for "aristocratic feet". May they do my King's business!
--Posted by Mama O.
Sunday, February 16, 2014
New Elders
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| Terry Hutchison, chairman of the board, speaks wisdom over the new board members. Board members are (from left): Terry Hutchison, Aaron Watson, Lee Smith, Dale Drury, Michael Rodriguez, Arthur Wint, David Morris, Steve Ocheltree and Robert Gonzales. |
 |
| The congregation joins in giving blessing and consent to the three new elders, as Terry Hutchison prays for the board and congregation. Today's installation of our three new elders was indeed a church family occasion. It was a time to dedicate three new elders and their wives to serving our wonderful family. Of course, as Dr. Jason Locke, our preacher, pointed out, many, many people serve within our church. But, we dedicate a few men, who meet the biblical qualities that describe an elder, to do the tasks of ministering and administering over our whole church family. Terry, Hutchison, the chairman of our church board, offered this job description of an elder: Elders are Shepherds not Commanders Overseers not Overlords Experienced and Wise not Perfect Gentle Men not Angry Men Servants not Nobility He described the commitment level of these new elders: A commitment to each other Not exactly like Marriage For Better or for Worse In Poverty and in Wealth In sickness and in Health NOT forsaking all others--God, and our own spouse, are the first objects of our allegiance NOT until death do us part--but the term is not limited Each of the candidates agreed to the following: Do you confess your faith in one God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit? Do you accept that you have been called by this church, and therefore by God, to this office as a servant and a leader? Will you be diligent in your study of scripture and use your knowledge to teach this body of believers in grace and understanding? Will you pray for this church and for all God's people, and will you lead them by your own example in faithful service and holy living? The congregation then agreed to the following: Do you receive and accept these men in the name of the Lord, as men duly chosen to the ministry of shepherd, overseer, and elder of this church? Do you promise to respect and follow them in their role as elder for the sake of the body of Christ? Do you promise to encourage and pray for them? Do you promise to labor together with them in obedience to the gospel for the unity and peace of the church, as well as the welfare of the world, to the honor of our Lord Jesus Christ? We declare these men to be duly installed as elders of this church, to the glory of God and the furthering of his kingdom. All who agree say AMEN! Current elders' wives and members of the church family then surrounded the three wives, Gay Morris, Robyn Gonzales and Carolyn Ocheltree (that's me) and prayed for us. Thank you, church family! It was a blessed day! --Posted by Mama O. |
Friday, February 14, 2014
A Birthday Corsage
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| I am wrapping florist's tape on the stems of the roses |
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| Our work table |
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| Janene Martin composes the corsage with flowers, greenery and ribbon |
Furthermore, for those of you who need to know, I was born in 1960.
I had the privilege of spending my morning with Jaeine Martin, the lovely friend of Mika Roland, who is here visiting from Australia. Janine had graciously offered to teach me how to make a wrist corsage, so we gathered our materials and began to create yesterday morning.
As with all artistic endeavors, there is a great deal more than meets the eye. Underneath all those lovely blooms and fronds of greenery are neatly wired and wrapped stems. The wrapping helps keep the moisture in the stem so the flower holds up longer. Janene was wonderful about educating me as we walked through the process together.
I learned how to test a rose for freshness. I pinch it at the base. If it is hard, it is fresh. If it gives easily, it is old and will not hold up in a corsage.
Working with those beautiful orange roses yesterday was a tremendous symbol of what I believe birthdays should be for women over 50. Birthdays are an opportunity for us to affirm the beauty and meaning of life for the younger generations. Our lives can show that life can be beautiful and pleasant because we walk in love. We have lived long enough to see both good and bad things happen to ourselves and to others around us. We are old enough to have experienced joy and pain. By this age, we have usually experienced loss of loved ones and have walked alongside others through grief. And, through all of these experiences, we have added texture, color, layers, depth and perspective to our lives. We are on display, whether we realize it or not. And we really can allow God to arrange our experiences, our wisdom, our hurts and our joys into something quite lovely and hopeful for the next generation to admire and aspire (to).
(And I hope, even if my body is not as "fresh" as it once was, that my spirit will feel "fresh" and "firm" when I feel the pinch of the Almighty, through tests and trials that he allows in my life, my stem wrapped neatly in his love, keeping that moisture flowing into the blooms that are my life!)
--Posted by Mama O.
Wednesday, February 12, 2014
Reading List
I have a prodigious reading list in front of me after Randy Harris' sermon at the end of our Renew Conference on Sunday. That man can READ! He has a goal to read 20,000 pages this year, in a variety of disciplines and interests. And, yes, I feel like a slouch, using the recumbent bike at the gym so I can find a way to read my 250-page book for my reading group and still get some movement in my life!
So what does Randy Harris do with all those books he reads? He tells interesting stories, gives really clear examples, and just looks smart. As he told the story of his librarian seducing him years ago, I listened more closely to this man who is the closest thing the Church of Christ has to a monk--a man over 50 who has chosen to remain single so he can devote his entire life and energy to ministry and teaching ensuing generations of theologians, preachers and teachers.
His version of seduction was a librarian with keen powers of observation, who studied Randy's tastes in literature, then suggested other works of fiction that would "scratch that same itch" in his literary life. As he rattled off the name of one great book after another she offered him, I scribbled frantically, trying to get them all down:
Turn The Screw by Henry James; The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde; The Lord of the Flies by William Golding; The Brothers Karamazov by Fyodor Doystoyevsky.... Some reside on my bookshelf read or half-read, others have never been in my home.
So, what was the point of this seductive librarian story? It's this: We Christians have the same great opportunity to observe the ways of others around us, then offer them something from the treasure chest of God's Word that will "scratch the same itch" they are attempting to scratch in other ways.
Jesus described it this way: "Therefore every scribe who has become a disciple of the kingdom of heaven is like a head of a household, who brings forth out of his treasure things new and old." Matthew 13:52 (New American Standard Version)
Whether it is a Sunday School story we heard as children or an insight we just received five minutes ago, we have a treasury of God's gifts to offer other people who are looking for love, significance, meaning, joy, happiness, peace or a whole backpack of other things.
But, tell the truth when you offer those treasures, Randy reminded us. The librarian didn't tell him he could read The Brothers Karamazov in one day, and we should not promise people lives free from the same diseases, accidents and disappointments that happen to all human beings. The treasure of the gospel message comes not from escaping hardship, but from knowing the God who will never leave us alone in our pain.
And now, I'd better go crack a book....
--Posted by Mama O.
So what does Randy Harris do with all those books he reads? He tells interesting stories, gives really clear examples, and just looks smart. As he told the story of his librarian seducing him years ago, I listened more closely to this man who is the closest thing the Church of Christ has to a monk--a man over 50 who has chosen to remain single so he can devote his entire life and energy to ministry and teaching ensuing generations of theologians, preachers and teachers.
His version of seduction was a librarian with keen powers of observation, who studied Randy's tastes in literature, then suggested other works of fiction that would "scratch that same itch" in his literary life. As he rattled off the name of one great book after another she offered him, I scribbled frantically, trying to get them all down:
Turn The Screw by Henry James; The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde; The Lord of the Flies by William Golding; The Brothers Karamazov by Fyodor Doystoyevsky.... Some reside on my bookshelf read or half-read, others have never been in my home.
So, what was the point of this seductive librarian story? It's this: We Christians have the same great opportunity to observe the ways of others around us, then offer them something from the treasure chest of God's Word that will "scratch the same itch" they are attempting to scratch in other ways.
Jesus described it this way: "Therefore every scribe who has become a disciple of the kingdom of heaven is like a head of a household, who brings forth out of his treasure things new and old." Matthew 13:52 (New American Standard Version)
Whether it is a Sunday School story we heard as children or an insight we just received five minutes ago, we have a treasury of God's gifts to offer other people who are looking for love, significance, meaning, joy, happiness, peace or a whole backpack of other things.
But, tell the truth when you offer those treasures, Randy reminded us. The librarian didn't tell him he could read The Brothers Karamazov in one day, and we should not promise people lives free from the same diseases, accidents and disappointments that happen to all human beings. The treasure of the gospel message comes not from escaping hardship, but from knowing the God who will never leave us alone in our pain.
And now, I'd better go crack a book....
--Posted by Mama O.
Tuesday, February 11, 2014
"He Can Always Make More"
Great deeds are accomplished in faithful attention to small tasks: this was the message of Tim Spivey at last weekend's Renew Conference. With a title of "He Can Always Make More", his message focused on Jesus' feeding of the 5,000, as told in Luke 9:10-17.
"Do the good work right in front of you," Spivey advised, "as the book of James says:
"If you are wise and understand God's ways, prove it by doing good works with the humility that comes from wisdom." James 3:13 (New Living Translation)
"We try to change the world and we often change nothing," Spivey observed. "But, when we just do the good in front of us, one day we wake up and find out we changed the world!"
Or, put in slightly different words, he said:
"We want to change the world but we forget tot change the diapers!"
He advised that each of us work in what he called the "mustard seed fashion" (referring to Jesus' comparison to the Kingdom of Heaven being like a mustard seed in Matthew 13:31,32). "We must be totally surrendered to God and willing to do the small jobs in front of us."
When we have plenty of resources, whether it be time, money, good health or friends, it is easy to be generous with others and with God's work, he explained. But, when resources are tight, we have a much more difficult time being generous.
"But God can make more," he reminded us, just like he did when Jesus fed the 5,000 with five loaves and two fish! "It's more about surrender (to God) than it is about creativity," he reminded us. "The resources God provides are for the world, not just for us! The storehouse of God's resources is not mine, God owns it and stocks the storehouse! And God will make sure you never run out if you share!"
When church members forget about God's provision, about the reality that God can always make more, spiritual dry rot sets in, Spivey warned. Instead of being generous with God's resources, we try to conserve them for our own use. But God's Kingdom is advanced through sharing, not through hoarding.
"He Can Always Make More!"
--Posted by Mama O.
"Do the good work right in front of you," Spivey advised, "as the book of James says:
"If you are wise and understand God's ways, prove it by doing good works with the humility that comes from wisdom." James 3:13 (New Living Translation)
"We try to change the world and we often change nothing," Spivey observed. "But, when we just do the good in front of us, one day we wake up and find out we changed the world!"
Or, put in slightly different words, he said:
"We want to change the world but we forget tot change the diapers!"
He advised that each of us work in what he called the "mustard seed fashion" (referring to Jesus' comparison to the Kingdom of Heaven being like a mustard seed in Matthew 13:31,32). "We must be totally surrendered to God and willing to do the small jobs in front of us."
When we have plenty of resources, whether it be time, money, good health or friends, it is easy to be generous with others and with God's work, he explained. But, when resources are tight, we have a much more difficult time being generous.
"But God can make more," he reminded us, just like he did when Jesus fed the 5,000 with five loaves and two fish! "It's more about surrender (to God) than it is about creativity," he reminded us. "The resources God provides are for the world, not just for us! The storehouse of God's resources is not mine, God owns it and stocks the storehouse! And God will make sure you never run out if you share!"
When church members forget about God's provision, about the reality that God can always make more, spiritual dry rot sets in, Spivey warned. Instead of being generous with God's resources, we try to conserve them for our own use. But God's Kingdom is advanced through sharing, not through hoarding.
"He Can Always Make More!"
--Posted by Mama O.
Sunday, February 9, 2014
Thank you church family!
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| Dale Stuckert: "Brian McDougall and I made all the coffee, that's why I drink Pepsi!" |
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| An auditorium full of students |
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| Grace Pendleton's hospitality team took good care of the guests! |
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| Alex Best, David and Denise Jessie operated the bookstore all weekend Thank you to all my dear friends who served during the Renew weekend. We had such a blessed "family reunion" time, being together for hours and hours from Friday afternoon clear through Sunday. To Dale and Brian, who made ALL that coffee and even had hot water for we tea drinkers, thanks again and again. To the Planet Java gal, thanks a million, I loved that mocha! To Lex and John and their sound team, bravo! To Grace Pendleton and the hospitality ladies and gentlemen, kudos! It was a joy and privilege to be part of Grace's hospitality team, and now I know that Mae Pafford makes the world's best shortbread cookies and Robin Button's oatmeal cookies are God's gift to cookie eaters like myself! To David, Denise and Alex, who operated the book store all weekend, thanks for the great conversations, explanations of books, friendly service and encouraging recommendations. I will see you all again next year, my dear family, when we meet again to renew our spirits. In the coming week, I will discuss some of the ideas that were presented by the excellent group of preachers, teachers and counselors who spoke this weekend. But, first, I wanted to thank my church family for being so terrific! I love you all very much!! |
Tuesday, February 4, 2014
Give me wisdom
"Give me now wisdom and knowledge, that I may go out and come in before this people." 2 Chronicles 1:10 (New American Standard Version)
"Get wisdom; develop good judgment.
Don't forget my words or turn away from them.
Don't turn your back on wisdom, for she will protect you.
Love her, and she will guard you.
Getting wisdom is the wisest thing you can do!
And whatever else you do, develop good judgment."
Proverbs 4:5-7 (New Living Translation)
"This is my commandment, that you love one another, just as I have loved you." John 15: 12 (New American Standard Version)
"By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another." John 13:35 (New American Standard Version)
Our prayer is for tremendous wisdom and love as Steve embarks on this journey of leading College Church of Christ as an elder and I work alongside him, loving, praying and shepherding.
--Posted by Mama O.
"Get wisdom; develop good judgment.
Don't forget my words or turn away from them.
Don't turn your back on wisdom, for she will protect you.
Love her, and she will guard you.
Getting wisdom is the wisest thing you can do!
And whatever else you do, develop good judgment."
Proverbs 4:5-7 (New Living Translation)
"This is my commandment, that you love one another, just as I have loved you." John 15: 12 (New American Standard Version)
"By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another." John 13:35 (New American Standard Version)
Our prayer is for tremendous wisdom and love as Steve embarks on this journey of leading College Church of Christ as an elder and I work alongside him, loving, praying and shepherding.
--Posted by Mama O.
Saturday, February 1, 2014
Academic Decathlon
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| Andrew writes his quiz answer in front of a large audience |
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| Andrew raises his pencil to indicate that he has answered the question |
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| Brothers: Paul, the former Academic Decathlete congratulates Andrew, today's Decathlete My youngest son, Andrew, a senior at Bullard High School, competed today in the Fresno County Schools' Academic Decathlon at Central East High School. These Decathletes take a written test in front of a huge crowd of cheering fans in the gymnasium (no pressure there!) This year's topic was World War I. The quiz questions involved history, economics, art, music, science and literature of World War I. Bullard High School did very well in the competition. I believe they placed 4th in the Super Quiz Competition (pictured here) behind traditional nemeses University and Edison High and a rising star, this year, Central High School, in third place. May learning be a lifelong passion, son, and may you gain wisdom and insight into God's ways as you gain knowledge! --Posted by Mama O. |
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