Sermon preached by the Rev. Sue Judson Hamly on November 30, 2008 at Faith United Church, UCC, International Falls, MN
First Sunday of Advent Year B
Scripture texts: Isaiah 64:1-9 and Psalm 80:1-7l 17-19
We tend to think of Christmas as a time of wonder and magic—a season of warmth, joy, happy memories, happy families, peace on earth. And for some folks that’s how it is. For others it’s just a memory, a longing or an unrealized dream. This year, for many people in our country Christmas may not be what it has been in the past. But that doesn’t mean it’s not a miraculous time.
The psalms are a book of prayers in the middle of the bible that hold back nothing in the heart of Israel. There is praise and thanksgiving, but also anger, doubt, guilt, even demands. The demands slightly resemble reminders, just in case God has forgotten the promises of old or God’s habit of intervening in wonderful ways on behalf of Israel. In the psalms Israel is saying, remember, God? Remember that we are your children and you are our loving Parent; we are the clay and you are the Potter; we are the vine that you yourself have planted and cared for, tenderly. How long, O Lord, how long will we have to wait for you to “give ear,” to “stir up your might,” to “restore us,” to “turn again” and “let your face shine” upon us? Psalm 80 “confesses the people’s trust in a God who is big enough to hear their hurt, strong enough to handle their anger and pain.” They “are in a world of hurt [and t]hey want God to know about it”[1]
The people could have been suffering in slavery or exile, in crushing defeat or on the edges of a power structure, after the return of Israel from exile, that didn’t care what constituted true holiness in the eyes of God. The beauty of the psalms is that they can be prayed by Israel in all of these settings and times, and in concentration camps and pogroms, because they express the heartfelt, anguished questions of a people who have a history with God. This long, long history holds memories of God stepping in and doing something when the need was great. We can understand that shared stories of defeating Pharaoh, raining bread from heaven, and enjoying the glory of David might lead the people to have certain expectations of God. And that is the word for Advent: expectation. In what way can people of faith “expect” God to act?[2]
In the psalm there is a sheer sense of helplessness and longing for God. In today’s reading from Isaiah, the author does speak of sin, but seems to blame the people’s unfaithfulness on God’s decision to remain aloof: “because you hid yourself we transgressed.” Isaiah, however, knows that there is iniquity that God will have to forget, as we ourselves hope that God will forget our own sin. So the time of expectation that coincides with the world’s jolly celebration of “the season” is at least partly about repentance and turning back to God. And Advent is also about the nearness of God, our hope to experience God—right here, “down” here, on earth—to experience God’s radiance and power and love.[3]
That’s what we really want, especially in times of loss, grief, suffering, illness, fear and uncertainty. We want to experience God—to experience the holy in the midst of our everyday lives. We want to be reminded that no matter how bad things are, we belong to God—that all the earth belongs to God—and we want to believe that God breaks into this reality regularly.
When we take the time to stop and think about it we realize that God DOES still break into our daily lives with holy moments. Sometimes, this in-breaking is dramatic and publicly celebrated: for example, the Berlin Wall coming down or the end of apartheid. Sometimes it’s felt in private consolations and reconciliations, a relationship restored by forgiveness or a return to health, or a simple moment of sensing the beauty around us or God’s presence with us.
I remember Christmas Eve about 20 years ago. I was a seminary student and I was the reader for the Christmas Eve service at church. I hadn’t grown up going to church on Christmas Eve because we were always out of town with my mom’s side of the family. I came to love the 11 pm service with its bible readings and the choir singing the Hallelujah Chorus and then everyone processing out to the church’s front porch where we were handed candles which we lit as we went outside and then we all stood there at midnight singing “Silent Night” into the quiet neighborhood with all the stars twinkling overhead.
On this particular Christmas Eve as I stood up to read, I was overcome with a sense of amazement, wonder, awe and gratitude that God loved God’s people so much that God, in Jesus Christ, came to live among us and share our common lot and life! What a miracle! Into the ordinary chaos of life a child was born in a barn full of animals. He was born much like any other child was born in those days, but this child was different because he would grow up to change the world forever! He would care about ALL the people, even the poor, the women, the outcasts, the lepers, the disabled, the scorned and the rejected.
And does that ever give us a reason to be hopeful! In spite of our personal and congregational losses this year; in spite of the shape our world is in and the economic problems our own country is facing; in spite of wars and famine and genocide and global warming, God has not given up on us! God’s love is present with us! God’s holiness breaks into our everyday lives and inspires us to love and action.
Because of God’s love… because we are aware of God’s love… there is hope in this season of expectation. There is hope for a better life for all, and for peace on this planet. And because we can be hopeful, we can also see and sense the holiness breaking into the ordinariness of our everyday lives. In this Advent season, seek the holiness in the everyday and strive to look forward rather than backward, to reach out in love, and always to be hopeful! AMEN.
Endnotes
1. Talitha Arnold, Feasting on the Word: Preaching the Revised Common Lectionary.
2. http://www.ucc.org/worship/samuel/november-30-2008-first-sunday.html
3. Adapted from http://www.ucc.org/worship/samuel/november-30-2008-first-sunday.html
Sunday, November 30, 2008
Friday, November 28, 2008
Thanksgiving
For once I didn't check the weather forecast, so it was a surprise to wake up to falling snow yesterday morning - our first real snow of the season! Thankfully, no one had to drive too far to get to our Thanksgiving dinner.
We enjoyed all the usual treats... turkey, dressing, mashed potatoes and gravy, cranberry sauce, traditional Thanksgiving green bean casserole, yams with marshmallows, salad, rolls, "scrabble" (the Kientz family version of chex mix), peach and pumpkin pies. There was lots of good conversation and a movie for entertainment (or napping)... a relaxing, enjoyable day.
I'm thankful for 2 days of not leaving the house (I only went outside today to shovel and take a few pictures), and I'm thankful for all of you, my wonderful friends and family!
We enjoyed all the usual treats... turkey, dressing, mashed potatoes and gravy, cranberry sauce, traditional Thanksgiving green bean casserole, yams with marshmallows, salad, rolls, "scrabble" (the Kientz family version of chex mix), peach and pumpkin pies. There was lots of good conversation and a movie for entertainment (or napping)... a relaxing, enjoyable day.
I'm thankful for 2 days of not leaving the house (I only went outside today to shovel and take a few pictures), and I'm thankful for all of you, my wonderful friends and family!
More Cats
While Rowalnd was recovering from elbow surgery 3 weeks ago, he relied on the cats for company and entertainment when he couldn't do much else. They obliged, of course!
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
In Memory of Arden
The Rev. Arden Johnson has been a member of our church since he retired from ministry in 1992. He was much loved by the whole congregation. Arden died on Saturday in the Hospice unit at St. Mary's hospital in Duluth. This is the homily I preached today at his memorial service at the Community Building in his home town of Big Falls, MN.
Arden Johnson
November 25, 2008
2 Timothy 4:5-8
Arden was a member of the search committee when I was called to serve Faith United Church, UCC in 1999. On a snowy St. Patrick’s Day that spring it took me 2 tries flying out of Minneapolis before I actually arrived in the Falls. I was then taken to see the church, meet the search committee and preach a sermon for them before they took me out to dinner in Canada.
For those of you who’ve never been to Faith United Church, it’s a beautiful building, oval in shape with the sanctuary in the half-round where everyone can see everyone else. And Arden was one of the most wonderful, welcoming people. That afternoon he took me aside, between the back door and the narthex, put his arm around me and said, “You don’t have to worry—the devil can’t corner you here because there aren’t any corners!” I think we became instant friends in that moment.
I bought one of Arden’s cedar fencepost vases on that trip, just in case I didn’t get to come back. I knew God was calling me to serve this church, but I had to wait 6 weeks to find out if they knew it too. As you can see, Arden’s beautiful handiwork is something I enjoy very much—in fact I’m sure more than half the members of our congregation own Arden Johnson vases, ducks, jewelry boxes or photographs. Most of the time he donated the money from the sale of those items to the church.
When we moved to Minnesota, Mary and Arden invited us over for lunch right after we arrived in town. I asked Arden if he had any lamps for sale because I was trying to organize the house and we needed more light. He said “No” and I heard a horrified gasp from Mary. But Arden added, “I don’t have any for sale, but I do have some to give, “ and he gave me 2 of his fencepost or log lamps that have graced our home ever since.
I also shared a love of cameras and photography with Arden. It was such fun when he’d arrive at church on a Sunday morning and seek me out saying, “Sue, I got a new camera!” and his eyes would just light up! We enjoyed comparing notes on cameras, photo software and photography techniques. Over the last 9 years, we’ve had several of the same camera models. In fact it was Arden who moved me into the world of digital photography!
We are so fortunate that Arden and Mary joined our church in retirement! Arden always embodied the extravagant welcome UCC churches strive to offer to everyone no matter who you are or where you are on life’s journey. Arden was doing that long before it became part of the God is Still Speaking campaign. He also served as Moderator for two years, inspiring us with the slogan, “We Can Do It!” He was a willing supply preacher until he decided to put an end to his preaching career when he turned 80. About a month after announcing that he was giving up preaching, he presented me, during our worship service, with this UCC pendant. It was made for him by one of his parishioners and he wore it every time he preached. It is an honor and a privilege for me to wear it now and we agreed that someday I, too, will pass it on. What a wonderful connection and a magnificent legacy from a truly special pastor and friend!
Pastoral ministry is a very challenging and gratifying vocation that is not always easy. For over 40 years, Arden was a real gift to several congregations, following the advice of a mentor who told him to go to a congregation and “love the devil out of ’em.” He cared; he loved; he fought the good fight, finished the race and kept the faith.
In his second letter to Timothy, Paul talks about how he has done the same thing in his ministry. Loving all God’s people isn’t always easy, but it’s what God calls us to do. It’s a big job and lots more people are needed to do it. If we all follow in the footsteps of Jesus Christ—the one who came into the world to show us how to love—then the world God has entrusted to our care will finally be a much better place for all living things.
Arden has gone on ahead of us to that new life we have all been promised, but he, too, set an example for us to follow. He was a genuine disciple of Jesus Christ, always striving to help others know and love God. We must also fight the good fight, run the race, and above all keep the faith. Arden’s faith always burned bright, an inspiration to all. God has blessed us with the gift of memories, the inspiration of love, the promise of the resurrection and the comfort of faith. Our path is set before us and we can run our race with joy; we can hope and trust in God, and yes, we too can love the devil out of everybody! AMEN.
Arden Johnson
November 25, 2008
2 Timothy 4:5-8
Arden was a member of the search committee when I was called to serve Faith United Church, UCC in 1999. On a snowy St. Patrick’s Day that spring it took me 2 tries flying out of Minneapolis before I actually arrived in the Falls. I was then taken to see the church, meet the search committee and preach a sermon for them before they took me out to dinner in Canada.
For those of you who’ve never been to Faith United Church, it’s a beautiful building, oval in shape with the sanctuary in the half-round where everyone can see everyone else. And Arden was one of the most wonderful, welcoming people. That afternoon he took me aside, between the back door and the narthex, put his arm around me and said, “You don’t have to worry—the devil can’t corner you here because there aren’t any corners!” I think we became instant friends in that moment.
I bought one of Arden’s cedar fencepost vases on that trip, just in case I didn’t get to come back. I knew God was calling me to serve this church, but I had to wait 6 weeks to find out if they knew it too. As you can see, Arden’s beautiful handiwork is something I enjoy very much—in fact I’m sure more than half the members of our congregation own Arden Johnson vases, ducks, jewelry boxes or photographs. Most of the time he donated the money from the sale of those items to the church.
When we moved to Minnesota, Mary and Arden invited us over for lunch right after we arrived in town. I asked Arden if he had any lamps for sale because I was trying to organize the house and we needed more light. He said “No” and I heard a horrified gasp from Mary. But Arden added, “I don’t have any for sale, but I do have some to give, “ and he gave me 2 of his fencepost or log lamps that have graced our home ever since.
I also shared a love of cameras and photography with Arden. It was such fun when he’d arrive at church on a Sunday morning and seek me out saying, “Sue, I got a new camera!” and his eyes would just light up! We enjoyed comparing notes on cameras, photo software and photography techniques. Over the last 9 years, we’ve had several of the same camera models. In fact it was Arden who moved me into the world of digital photography!
We are so fortunate that Arden and Mary joined our church in retirement! Arden always embodied the extravagant welcome UCC churches strive to offer to everyone no matter who you are or where you are on life’s journey. Arden was doing that long before it became part of the God is Still Speaking campaign. He also served as Moderator for two years, inspiring us with the slogan, “We Can Do It!” He was a willing supply preacher until he decided to put an end to his preaching career when he turned 80. About a month after announcing that he was giving up preaching, he presented me, during our worship service, with this UCC pendant. It was made for him by one of his parishioners and he wore it every time he preached. It is an honor and a privilege for me to wear it now and we agreed that someday I, too, will pass it on. What a wonderful connection and a magnificent legacy from a truly special pastor and friend!
Pastoral ministry is a very challenging and gratifying vocation that is not always easy. For over 40 years, Arden was a real gift to several congregations, following the advice of a mentor who told him to go to a congregation and “love the devil out of ’em.” He cared; he loved; he fought the good fight, finished the race and kept the faith.
In his second letter to Timothy, Paul talks about how he has done the same thing in his ministry. Loving all God’s people isn’t always easy, but it’s what God calls us to do. It’s a big job and lots more people are needed to do it. If we all follow in the footsteps of Jesus Christ—the one who came into the world to show us how to love—then the world God has entrusted to our care will finally be a much better place for all living things.
Arden has gone on ahead of us to that new life we have all been promised, but he, too, set an example for us to follow. He was a genuine disciple of Jesus Christ, always striving to help others know and love God. We must also fight the good fight, run the race, and above all keep the faith. Arden’s faith always burned bright, an inspiration to all. God has blessed us with the gift of memories, the inspiration of love, the promise of the resurrection and the comfort of faith. Our path is set before us and we can run our race with joy; we can hope and trust in God, and yes, we too can love the devil out of everybody! AMEN.
Sunday, November 23, 2008
A Friend Moves On
My friend and colleague, Jill Warner came to the Falls in early 1998 as the interim pastor at Faith United Church. After I arrived, she taught band at the high school for 3 years, served several interims and continued to be active in the community when she wasn't away for an interim. But eventually the time came for her to seek and accept a permanent called position which she will begin the first Sunday of Advent in Aberdeen, SD.
Jill and Friends offered a Farewell and Thanksgiving concert at our church last Friday night and we said farewell and Godspeed to her on Sunday with a special Coffee Hour after worship. Exciting times ahead for Jill and her new congregation. To read a story in our local paper, click here.
Jill and Friends offered a Farewell and Thanksgiving concert at our church last Friday night and we said farewell and Godspeed to her on Sunday with a special Coffee Hour after worship. Exciting times ahead for Jill and her new congregation. To read a story in our local paper, click here.
Indescribable Gifts
Sermon preached by the Rev. Sue Judson Hamly on Nov. 23, 2008 at Faith United Church, UCc, International Falls, MN.
Thanksgiving Sundsy
Scripture texts: Psalm 100 and 2 Corinthians 9:6-15
Thanksgiving is a day—or maybe a season—of counting our blessings, perhaps finally remembering to be thankful for something, eating more than we should and hopefully spending a day or a weekend with people we enjoy.
That’s pretty much your basic American Thanksgiving, in a nutshell. But besides eating all that delicious turkey, gravy, mashed potatoes, stuffing, cranberry sauce, green bean casserole, pumpkin pie and whatever other goodies are part of your Thanksgiving dinner, this is a day that is—or at least should be—about celebrating the indescribable gifts of God.
Psalm 100 tells us HOW to celebrate. Even though our Puritan ancestors didn’t believe in music or decorations, the Psalmist tells us that we should make a joyful noise to the Lord and come into God’s presence with joy, gladness, singing, thanksgiving and praise. Why should we do this? Because the Lord is good! God can be trusted. God’s steadfast love endures forever and God is faithful to all generations. We can be thankful because we have witnessed this—both personally and through the stories of the Bible.
In today’s second reading, Paul seeks to explain to the Corinthians about God’s indescribable gifts of surpassing grace. This passage is a good stewardship text reminding us that how we sow (sparingly or bountifully) determines how we reap. It is the text from which we gained that “old saying” you’ve probably heard many times in your life, “God loves a cheerful giver.” It also reminds us that no matter what our personal complaints, we truly have been provided with blessings in abundance, which in turn enable us to do good works, to be generous, to share those blessings and to produce thanksgiving to God.
But you’ve heard all that before in one form of sermon or another. Today isn’t the time for the usual. Today isn’t the time to just count your regular blessings. Today is a day to think about some indescribable gifts and to give thanks for God’s extravagant love.
I’ll give you a few seconds to think about what an indescribable gift might be………. I saw some of God’s truly indescribable gifts 6 months ago in the Grand Canyon, Bryce Canyon and Zion National Park. Many of you have seen similar places of incredible wonder and majesty.
But this morning I am thinking of one of the most indescribable gifts God gives to us—the gift of special people who grace our lives and our hearts.
We have all been touched by many people who have passed through or still share our lives. As a congregation we have been blessed three times over, in recent years, to have three clergy persons as members of our church—Arden, Jill and Leo. We knew we would be saying “so long and Godspeed” to Jill today, but we didn’t expect to be saying farewell to Arden as well.
When Rowland started working in one of the big Lutheran churches in Decorah, he told me that the minister would get phone calls every Monday morning from several retired clergy in the congregation telling him what was wrong with his sermon the day before. Can you imagine?! Now there’s a reason for taking Mondays off—hopefully people will have forgotten the sermon by Tuesday! Our clergy members have always been totally supportive, encouraging and helpful, and for that I am eternally grateful. And I realize what a blessing they are!
Arden always demonstrated the extravagant welcome the UCC currently uses as part of our PR campaign. Some people might joke, “go see Sue, she’ll marry anybody,” but Arden agreed that marrying a couple who might never darken the church door again was the caring thing to do. One never knows when the seeds we sow may bear fruit. He respected everyone and saw the best in them and he knew in his heart that God loves everyone and so should we.
I want to tell you one story that I can’t tell at the memorial service on Tuesday because there will be people there from the churches Arden served. But it’s a story you need to hear if you haven’t heard it before, and be reminded of if you have. Arden served his last church for 22 years. Not long after I came to Faith United, he told me that when he retired he had “had it up to HERE” with the church. (Only Arden was quite a bit taller than I am, so he had had it up to here [holding hand a foot above my head]. Congregations don’t always treat their pastors well all the time and there had also been a Conference staff person whose comments and actions had been hurtful to him. But Arden found that coming here to Faith United Church and being a loved and welcomed member of this congregation was “so healing” and was exactly what he needed.
So, you see, you have been an indescribable gift to Arden, and he was certainly an indescribable gift to us!
In May, 2005, another clergy friend of mine died of cancer. His name was Donel McClellan and he served the UCC church in Bellingham, WA. Donel shared his dance with cancer (as he called it) by way of a blog on the internet. One day he had an experience at an International House of Pancakes that inspired him to write what he called “The Pastor’s Last Sermon.” He posted it at the time he wrote it, along with his thoughts. Then his son posted it again as the final entry to Donel’s blog the day he died.
I share it with you now because it speaks of God’s love and a pastor’s musings on life and love, and I think Arden would agree…….
Breakfasting at IHOP
The man in the next booth
finished talking to his wife
on his walkie-talkie.
He said:
God bless!
I love you.
I'm gone!
I swiped the words
thinking they were the ideal
obituary.
God Bless!
What more can be
said about life?
Every morning is an
undeserved gift. Each
evening a blessing.
If not blessed, then
life is something less
than was promised.
I love you
sums up the prophets
and the law. To love
and be loved is life's
greatest promise
and our finest achievement.
Love trumps dislike,
finesses anger and spite,
defeats ennui.
In the end there is faith
hope and love.
You know
which is the greatest.
I'm gone.
I suspect this is a finality
only from the perspective
of the living.
Who is to say to where
I have gone when I depart
this breathing
physical body?
I'm gone suffices--
and contains within its finality
the hope of another meeting,
as when the man in IHOP
returns home to love's arms.[1]
God’s indescribable gifts are treasures and blessings for always. AMEN.
Endnote
1. http://hellbox.org/donel/
Thanksgiving Sundsy
Scripture texts: Psalm 100 and 2 Corinthians 9:6-15
Thanksgiving is a day—or maybe a season—of counting our blessings, perhaps finally remembering to be thankful for something, eating more than we should and hopefully spending a day or a weekend with people we enjoy.
That’s pretty much your basic American Thanksgiving, in a nutshell. But besides eating all that delicious turkey, gravy, mashed potatoes, stuffing, cranberry sauce, green bean casserole, pumpkin pie and whatever other goodies are part of your Thanksgiving dinner, this is a day that is—or at least should be—about celebrating the indescribable gifts of God.
Psalm 100 tells us HOW to celebrate. Even though our Puritan ancestors didn’t believe in music or decorations, the Psalmist tells us that we should make a joyful noise to the Lord and come into God’s presence with joy, gladness, singing, thanksgiving and praise. Why should we do this? Because the Lord is good! God can be trusted. God’s steadfast love endures forever and God is faithful to all generations. We can be thankful because we have witnessed this—both personally and through the stories of the Bible.
In today’s second reading, Paul seeks to explain to the Corinthians about God’s indescribable gifts of surpassing grace. This passage is a good stewardship text reminding us that how we sow (sparingly or bountifully) determines how we reap. It is the text from which we gained that “old saying” you’ve probably heard many times in your life, “God loves a cheerful giver.” It also reminds us that no matter what our personal complaints, we truly have been provided with blessings in abundance, which in turn enable us to do good works, to be generous, to share those blessings and to produce thanksgiving to God.
But you’ve heard all that before in one form of sermon or another. Today isn’t the time for the usual. Today isn’t the time to just count your regular blessings. Today is a day to think about some indescribable gifts and to give thanks for God’s extravagant love.
I’ll give you a few seconds to think about what an indescribable gift might be………. I saw some of God’s truly indescribable gifts 6 months ago in the Grand Canyon, Bryce Canyon and Zion National Park. Many of you have seen similar places of incredible wonder and majesty.
But this morning I am thinking of one of the most indescribable gifts God gives to us—the gift of special people who grace our lives and our hearts.
We have all been touched by many people who have passed through or still share our lives. As a congregation we have been blessed three times over, in recent years, to have three clergy persons as members of our church—Arden, Jill and Leo. We knew we would be saying “so long and Godspeed” to Jill today, but we didn’t expect to be saying farewell to Arden as well.
When Rowland started working in one of the big Lutheran churches in Decorah, he told me that the minister would get phone calls every Monday morning from several retired clergy in the congregation telling him what was wrong with his sermon the day before. Can you imagine?! Now there’s a reason for taking Mondays off—hopefully people will have forgotten the sermon by Tuesday! Our clergy members have always been totally supportive, encouraging and helpful, and for that I am eternally grateful. And I realize what a blessing they are!
Arden always demonstrated the extravagant welcome the UCC currently uses as part of our PR campaign. Some people might joke, “go see Sue, she’ll marry anybody,” but Arden agreed that marrying a couple who might never darken the church door again was the caring thing to do. One never knows when the seeds we sow may bear fruit. He respected everyone and saw the best in them and he knew in his heart that God loves everyone and so should we.
I want to tell you one story that I can’t tell at the memorial service on Tuesday because there will be people there from the churches Arden served. But it’s a story you need to hear if you haven’t heard it before, and be reminded of if you have. Arden served his last church for 22 years. Not long after I came to Faith United, he told me that when he retired he had “had it up to HERE” with the church. (Only Arden was quite a bit taller than I am, so he had had it up to here [holding hand a foot above my head]. Congregations don’t always treat their pastors well all the time and there had also been a Conference staff person whose comments and actions had been hurtful to him. But Arden found that coming here to Faith United Church and being a loved and welcomed member of this congregation was “so healing” and was exactly what he needed.
So, you see, you have been an indescribable gift to Arden, and he was certainly an indescribable gift to us!
In May, 2005, another clergy friend of mine died of cancer. His name was Donel McClellan and he served the UCC church in Bellingham, WA. Donel shared his dance with cancer (as he called it) by way of a blog on the internet. One day he had an experience at an International House of Pancakes that inspired him to write what he called “The Pastor’s Last Sermon.” He posted it at the time he wrote it, along with his thoughts. Then his son posted it again as the final entry to Donel’s blog the day he died.
I share it with you now because it speaks of God’s love and a pastor’s musings on life and love, and I think Arden would agree…….
Breakfasting at IHOP
The man in the next booth
finished talking to his wife
on his walkie-talkie.
He said:
God bless!
I love you.
I'm gone!
I swiped the words
thinking they were the ideal
obituary.
God Bless!
What more can be
said about life?
Every morning is an
undeserved gift. Each
evening a blessing.
If not blessed, then
life is something less
than was promised.
I love you
sums up the prophets
and the law. To love
and be loved is life's
greatest promise
and our finest achievement.
Love trumps dislike,
finesses anger and spite,
defeats ennui.
In the end there is faith
hope and love.
You know
which is the greatest.
I'm gone.
I suspect this is a finality
only from the perspective
of the living.
Who is to say to where
I have gone when I depart
this breathing
physical body?
I'm gone suffices--
and contains within its finality
the hope of another meeting,
as when the man in IHOP
returns home to love's arms.[1]
God’s indescribable gifts are treasures and blessings for always. AMEN.
Endnote
1. http://hellbox.org/donel/
Saturday, November 15, 2008
Love that Garrison Keillor!
Garrison Keillor has another great column that I read on the editorial page of our local paper last night.It's called "Wow! America is cool" and you can read it for yourself at salon.com by clicking on the link below. Enjoy!
http://www.salon.com/opinion/keillor/2008/11/12/obama_victory/
Rusty's accepted!
Rusty has settled right into our family and he and O.P. have become great friends while Chloe is more tolerant every day.Rusty & O.P. play for hours, wrestling and chasing each other. O.P. will wrestle him down, wrap his paws around him and then proceed to give him a good licking - all over his head and face!
Thursday, November 6, 2008
Reiki Class
Last Friday and Saturday I taught my first Reiki I & II class, finally!! I had 2 students, one from church and the other is the pastor at the United Church of Canada across the river.
What an amazing experience! It was truly exciting to be teaching Reiki and to realize that I can do it and feel fairly confident. It was also overwhelming, though. There is so much to cover in just two days and it felt like a huge responsibility - but a wonderful responsibility. After the first day I was wired-tired. After the class ended I felt great, but then it was time to turn to the sermon. After the first of the year I'll look at scheduling another class.
What an amazing experience! It was truly exciting to be teaching Reiki and to realize that I can do it and feel fairly confident. It was also overwhelming, though. There is so much to cover in just two days and it felt like a huge responsibility - but a wonderful responsibility. After the first day I was wired-tired. After the class ended I felt great, but then it was time to turn to the sermon. After the first of the year I'll look at scheduling another class.
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
An Historic Moment
Last night I stayed up watching CNN election results and then the concesson speech by Senator McCain followed by that wonderful speech by President-Elect Barack Obama! I was riveted to the TV and seeing the expressions on the faces of the people in the crowd in Chicago brought tears to my eyes. I haven't felt such a sense of being a part of history in the making in a loooooong time. It was exilarating!All day today I've been joyful and energized and there was a sense of excitement and hope in our study group this morning. It just felt good to be with like-minded people, celebrating the outcome of this landmark election in which the American people are calling for change. A Black man has been elected president of these United States and he's a 20-year member of the UCC!
It just feels like exciting times and as one of my friends said, "I feel like we finally have HOPE again!"
Garrison Keillor has a great column in response to the election results:
http://www.salon.com/opinion/keillor/2008/11/05/happy_couple/
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)