I was about 50 miles away from Pandora this last Monday afternoon when I felt in my pocket for my cell phone. My pockets were empty. No cell phone. I looked around the car where I sometimes lay my phone. Still no cell phone. It became obvious that I had leftmy cell phone at home. I began to inwardly panic. Here I was going to be away from home for two days with lots of driving and no cell phone. No way of communicating with the outside world. No way of calling for help if I needed it. I was too far away to go back. I would need to forge ahead with no cell phone.
Then I caught myself. I begin to consider the ridiculous nature of my unfounded panic. I have been without the “security” of a cell phone considerably longer in my life than I have had one. I would have to depend on people to stop and help if I had problems, as I have for most of my life. Could I not depend on God to provide if I needed help? Did the promises of God’s constant presence mean nothing to me? There are other ways of communicating, and after all, I was going on a retreat to be alone with God. Sometimes, all our technology gets in the way of being still and waiting to hear to voice of God.
I arrived at Camp Friedenswald after my Panda Express supper at University Park Mall in Mishawaka, Indiana. Instead of the noisy bustling crowds at the mall I found an encompassing silence at Friedenswald. The health center, where I was to stay was left open for me and no one was around. It was quiet. Very quiet. I walked down to the beach. More quiet. There was no noise except birds and the normal night sounds in the woods. At first the silence was a little eerie. Then the silence began to wash over me and seemed to cleanse me from my addictions to noise and “doing.” I was reminded of the verse and song from Psalm 46, “Be still and know that I am God.” I forgot about my lack of a cell phone and began to soak up the silence and peace of the Peaceful Woods. I brewed a cup of coffee and sat on a swing outside as darkness came. I knew that this is what I needed and looked forward to the next two days of prayer, silence, reading, and reflection.
Tuesday was our Central District Conference Ministers’ Resource Day which focused on Psalm 46 and being still. There were times of group reflections as well as silence in the group and on our own. There is really something very powerful about corporate silence. I also benefitted from the times of walking the trails in the woods. I had never noticed the giant beech trees on Turtle Hill before. Not quite like the giant Sequoias in California but very tall for Indiana. All in all it was a great time away, even though I got lost on one trail and missed one of the group sessions and even though I tripped and fell on a rough chip and seal road and tore my jeans, bloodied my knee and lost my glasses. (That is another story for another time.) It was a great time of renewal away from the demands of my work and focusing on what is really important. I never missed my cell phone.
Going on Retreat
I am long over do to go on a spiritual retreat. Today, I am finally going to do it. After officiating at a grave side service later this morning, I will be heading up to Camp Friedenswald to spend a little time alone with God. My own retreat time will envelope our CDC Pastors’ Resource Day on Tuesday which will focus on “Listening to God.” This should give me some more things to think and pray about. I will return to Pandora late Wednesday afternoon in time for our midweek Bible Study.
While looking forward to this time alone, I am not sure I am completely comfortable with it. The reason I don’t go in retreat more often is that I convince myself that I really don’t have time. Too Many things to do. Sermons to write. People to Visit. Emails to respond to. Classes to prepare for. Things to organize and clean up. Articles to write. I then realize I begin to sound like Martha who is fretting over so many important things that I forget to be like Mary and simply sit at Jesus’ feet. Maybe I need to look at this time away as being “too busy NOT to take a retreat.” Maybe I need this time away to gain a little perspective and see what is really important rather than continue to shuffle papers and go from thing to thing while actually not accomplishing much of significance. I’ll let you know how it turns out.
While looking forward to this time alone, I am not sure I am completely comfortable with it. The reason I don’t go in retreat more often is that I convince myself that I really don’t have time. Too Many things to do. Sermons to write. People to Visit. Emails to respond to. Classes to prepare for. Things to organize and clean up. Articles to write. I then realize I begin to sound like Martha who is fretting over so many important things that I forget to be like Mary and simply sit at Jesus’ feet. Maybe I need to look at this time away as being “too busy NOT to take a retreat.” Maybe I need this time away to gain a little perspective and see what is really important rather than continue to shuffle papers and go from thing to thing while actually not accomplishing much of significance. I’ll let you know how it turns out.
Friends and blog readers, The article below just came across my computer this morning and I felt it was worthy of sharing with you. It comes from the latest issue of the Mennonite Weekly Review. Have a great day. Dennis
Our world needs fewer bombs, more ice cream
By Sheldon C. Good, Mennonite Weekly Review
PHILADELPHIA — On the eve of Sept. 11, a peace activist and an entrepreneur helped us reflect on our post-9/11 world and imagine a better reality — one with fewer bombs and more ice cream Author and activist Shane Claiborne teamed up with Ben Cohen, co-founder of Ben and Jerry’s Ice Cream, to critique defense spending, violence and war. They also promoted faith, hope and love to the sold out crowd at World Café Live.
In short, the two self-described “ringleaders of the circus” hosted a peace and justice variety show. The two-hour live event featured a visual artist, a poet, a juggler and a welder, who beat an AK-47 into a hay fork. Ten years after that infamous day during my first week of high school, I realized, all is not well with the world.“Our country spends over $30 billion a year on our nuclear arsenal,” Cohen said.
To illustrate his point, he poured 10,000 BB pellets into a metal container. The sound, reverberating off the venue’s walls, seemed to drone on forever. Make it stop, my heart cried out.
Our current nuclear weapons arsenal equals 50,000 Hiroshima-sized bombs, Cohen said. Lord, have mercy. Cohen later arranged Oreos to show how the Pentagon’s budget stacks up, literally, to funding for social programs. The Pentagon’s wobbling skyscraper of cookies flanked multiple, almost unnoticeable, other stacks.
Terry Rockefeller, a documentary film producer, lost her sister during the Sept. 11 attacks. She spoke of her search to break cycles of violence.“There can be no war on terror. War is terror,” she said.A similar exhortation loomed behind her — “Wars are poor chisels for carving out peaceful tomorrows” — a quote from Martin Luther King Jr.
Since May 2002, Rockefeller has with worked with September 11th Families for Peaceful Tomorrows, a group founded by family members of those killed on 9/11. They say that “grief is not a cry for war,” Rockefeller said.
In fact, they transform their grief into peaceful witness. Such nonviolent actions in pursuit of justice lead our jaded world in a different direction. Society, which so often acquiesces to the myth of redemptive violence, beckons for this kind of peacemaking.
After all, peace cannot come through war.
Logan Mehl-Laituri didn’t always believe that. In 2004, he deployed to Iraq with the U.S. Army.
“I traded my humanity for nationalism,” said Mehl-Laituri, who was later diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder.
Facing a second deployment, he applied to be a noncombatant conscientious objector. He asked to remain in service but refused to carry a weapon.
The army honorably discharged Mehl-Laituri days before he traveled to the Middle East with Christian Peacemaker Teams.
Claiborne lived in Iraq during the “shock and awe” bombing of 2003. At an Iraq hospital, a doctor asked him, “Has your country lost its imagination?”
Before the Philadelphia event, I asked Claiborne that question too.
“Our imagination is hemorrhaging right now,” he said. “We’re spending $250,000 a minute on war as the country goes bankrupt.”
Claiborne believes Mennonites play a key role in illuminating this “elephant in the room.”
“The distinctiveness and peculiarity of the Mennonite witness as a prophetic and creative call and a front to the world we live in is really critically relevant right now,” he said.
He called Mennonites, “who might be tempted to tone it down a little bit, in order to be more relevant to the culture,” to share their peacemaking tradition.
“There’s a whole generation that’s grown tired of militarism and the emptiness of materialism and is longing for another way,” he said. “I think the integration of faith and practice of Mennonites is what many people are hungry for.”
Cohen, a secular progressive, considers himself a “natural ally” with Christians.
“We are saying the same thing in two different languages,” he said by phone Sept. 7.
Cohen, who has received numerous awards for socially responsible business, told me his passion for social justice comes from a sense of compassion and fairness.
Growing up on Long Island, he recalls occasionally driving into poverty-stricken Harlem with his family.
“I thought it was unfair that because somebody was born on one side of a line that they ended up living a life of poverty,” he said.
Multiple Anabaptist-related groups supported the event: 1040 for Peace, Christian Peacemaker Teams, Heeding God’s Call and Mennonite Central Committee.
Groups like these help us put our faith into action for peace and justice. There’s a real opportunity for Mennonites, 10 years after 9/11, to proclaim that Jesus’ way looks different from the world’s.
So let’s keep inviting our neighbors to join us on the journey toward a world with fewer bombs and more ice cream.
© 1999-2010, Mennonite Weekly Review Inc.
All rights reserved.
129 W 6th St Newton KS 67114
800-424-0178
For reprints, write editor (at) mennoweekly.org
Our world needs fewer bombs, more ice cream
By Sheldon C. Good, Mennonite Weekly Review
PHILADELPHIA — On the eve of Sept. 11, a peace activist and an entrepreneur helped us reflect on our post-9/11 world and imagine a better reality — one with fewer bombs and more ice cream Author and activist Shane Claiborne teamed up with Ben Cohen, co-founder of Ben and Jerry’s Ice Cream, to critique defense spending, violence and war. They also promoted faith, hope and love to the sold out crowd at World Café Live.
In short, the two self-described “ringleaders of the circus” hosted a peace and justice variety show. The two-hour live event featured a visual artist, a poet, a juggler and a welder, who beat an AK-47 into a hay fork. Ten years after that infamous day during my first week of high school, I realized, all is not well with the world.“Our country spends over $30 billion a year on our nuclear arsenal,” Cohen said.
To illustrate his point, he poured 10,000 BB pellets into a metal container. The sound, reverberating off the venue’s walls, seemed to drone on forever. Make it stop, my heart cried out.
Our current nuclear weapons arsenal equals 50,000 Hiroshima-sized bombs, Cohen said. Lord, have mercy. Cohen later arranged Oreos to show how the Pentagon’s budget stacks up, literally, to funding for social programs. The Pentagon’s wobbling skyscraper of cookies flanked multiple, almost unnoticeable, other stacks.
Terry Rockefeller, a documentary film producer, lost her sister during the Sept. 11 attacks. She spoke of her search to break cycles of violence.“There can be no war on terror. War is terror,” she said.A similar exhortation loomed behind her — “Wars are poor chisels for carving out peaceful tomorrows” — a quote from Martin Luther King Jr.
Since May 2002, Rockefeller has with worked with September 11th Families for Peaceful Tomorrows, a group founded by family members of those killed on 9/11. They say that “grief is not a cry for war,” Rockefeller said.
In fact, they transform their grief into peaceful witness. Such nonviolent actions in pursuit of justice lead our jaded world in a different direction. Society, which so often acquiesces to the myth of redemptive violence, beckons for this kind of peacemaking.
After all, peace cannot come through war.
Logan Mehl-Laituri didn’t always believe that. In 2004, he deployed to Iraq with the U.S. Army.
“I traded my humanity for nationalism,” said Mehl-Laituri, who was later diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder.
Facing a second deployment, he applied to be a noncombatant conscientious objector. He asked to remain in service but refused to carry a weapon.
The army honorably discharged Mehl-Laituri days before he traveled to the Middle East with Christian Peacemaker Teams.
Claiborne lived in Iraq during the “shock and awe” bombing of 2003. At an Iraq hospital, a doctor asked him, “Has your country lost its imagination?”
Before the Philadelphia event, I asked Claiborne that question too.
“Our imagination is hemorrhaging right now,” he said. “We’re spending $250,000 a minute on war as the country goes bankrupt.”
Claiborne believes Mennonites play a key role in illuminating this “elephant in the room.”
“The distinctiveness and peculiarity of the Mennonite witness as a prophetic and creative call and a front to the world we live in is really critically relevant right now,” he said.
He called Mennonites, “who might be tempted to tone it down a little bit, in order to be more relevant to the culture,” to share their peacemaking tradition.
“There’s a whole generation that’s grown tired of militarism and the emptiness of materialism and is longing for another way,” he said. “I think the integration of faith and practice of Mennonites is what many people are hungry for.”
Cohen, a secular progressive, considers himself a “natural ally” with Christians.
“We are saying the same thing in two different languages,” he said by phone Sept. 7.
Cohen, who has received numerous awards for socially responsible business, told me his passion for social justice comes from a sense of compassion and fairness.
Growing up on Long Island, he recalls occasionally driving into poverty-stricken Harlem with his family.
“I thought it was unfair that because somebody was born on one side of a line that they ended up living a life of poverty,” he said.
Multiple Anabaptist-related groups supported the event: 1040 for Peace, Christian Peacemaker Teams, Heeding God’s Call and Mennonite Central Committee.
Groups like these help us put our faith into action for peace and justice. There’s a real opportunity for Mennonites, 10 years after 9/11, to proclaim that Jesus’ way looks different from the world’s.
So let’s keep inviting our neighbors to join us on the journey toward a world with fewer bombs and more ice cream.
© 1999-2010, Mennonite Weekly Review Inc.
All rights reserved.
129 W 6th St Newton KS 67114
800-424-0178
For reprints, write editor (at) mennoweekly.org
The New Year Begins
No, I don’t have a strange new calendar. Neither am I mixed up about my dates. But in many ways September marks the beginning of a new year. School is beginning for all our students, teachers and other various individuals who work in education. We also begin a new Sunday School year here at Grace Mennonite. So while it is not actually the change of the numerical year it is a time for new beginnings for many.
Beginning this September is a new catechism class. This year I have three high school sophomore girls who are preparing for baptism later this year. They had been deeply challenged at the Mennonite USA youth convention in Pittsburgh this summer. One speaker in particular encouraged the young people to consider getting baptized as a sign of their calling, commitment, and service to Jesus Christ. It is always very challenging for me to reflect anew on the essentials and basics of our faith and communicate that to high school students. I also learn a great deal from them as they respond to the assigned Bible readings each week and share the significant verses they find while reading. Most of all I appreciate the questions that are asked. We are beginning by reading the Gospel of Matthew. I can’t wait to see what they say about Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 5, 6, and 7 this Sunday.
Dennis’ favorite verse of the week
One of the new things I am doing this time in my Baptismal Preparation Class is sharing one of my favorite Bible verses or passages each week. I have lots of “favorite verses” and I have always found it difficult to narrow it down. But after being asked many times what my favorite verse was, I finally decided a number of years ago to choose one verse as my number one favorite verse. So now, when asked, instead of trying avoid the question by explaining that I have many favorite verses and not just one, I immediately respond by saying my favorite verse is I John 3:1. See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!
This short verse reminds me that no matter what kind of day I am having or how I may be feeling about myself, that I am a child of God. Wow! I AM GOD’S CHILD! I am also struck each time with the word “lavished.” God does not just “share” love or “give” love; God LAVISHES his love on us. This verse also reminds me of how I am to live my life as a child of God. I could write much more about this favorite verse of mine, but the blog would get too long. Another verse next time.
What I am Reading
My reading time this last week has been given over to studying maps and guidebooks in planning for our trip to Europe at the end of October. More on that later. I hope to get back to my book about Deo Gratius and his escape from Burundi soon.
Where in the Bible is Dennis Reading?
I have finished up I Corinthians. Always good to go over the love chapter in I Cor 13, Spiritual gifts in chapter 12 and the resurrection in chapter 15. I also finished 1 Samual and am now well into King David’s life in 2 Samuel. Psalms 58-59 where my Psalms for today. Even though I have read the Psalms many times, I am still amazed at the very forceful language, like “Break the teeth, O Lord, of the wicked.” The language in Ezekiel 16 is even stronger as the prophet refers to Jerusalem as an adulterous wife engaged in prostitution. How would Ezekiel refer to the church in America today? But then even Ezekiel is sprinkled with those very comforting and promising verses like Ezekiel 12:9.
I will give them an undivided heart and put a new spirit in them; I will remove from them their heart of stone and give them a heart of flesh.
Beginning this September is a new catechism class. This year I have three high school sophomore girls who are preparing for baptism later this year. They had been deeply challenged at the Mennonite USA youth convention in Pittsburgh this summer. One speaker in particular encouraged the young people to consider getting baptized as a sign of their calling, commitment, and service to Jesus Christ. It is always very challenging for me to reflect anew on the essentials and basics of our faith and communicate that to high school students. I also learn a great deal from them as they respond to the assigned Bible readings each week and share the significant verses they find while reading. Most of all I appreciate the questions that are asked. We are beginning by reading the Gospel of Matthew. I can’t wait to see what they say about Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 5, 6, and 7 this Sunday.
Dennis’ favorite verse of the week
One of the new things I am doing this time in my Baptismal Preparation Class is sharing one of my favorite Bible verses or passages each week. I have lots of “favorite verses” and I have always found it difficult to narrow it down. But after being asked many times what my favorite verse was, I finally decided a number of years ago to choose one verse as my number one favorite verse. So now, when asked, instead of trying avoid the question by explaining that I have many favorite verses and not just one, I immediately respond by saying my favorite verse is I John 3:1. See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!
This short verse reminds me that no matter what kind of day I am having or how I may be feeling about myself, that I am a child of God. Wow! I AM GOD’S CHILD! I am also struck each time with the word “lavished.” God does not just “share” love or “give” love; God LAVISHES his love on us. This verse also reminds me of how I am to live my life as a child of God. I could write much more about this favorite verse of mine, but the blog would get too long. Another verse next time.
What I am Reading
My reading time this last week has been given over to studying maps and guidebooks in planning for our trip to Europe at the end of October. More on that later. I hope to get back to my book about Deo Gratius and his escape from Burundi soon.
Where in the Bible is Dennis Reading?
I have finished up I Corinthians. Always good to go over the love chapter in I Cor 13, Spiritual gifts in chapter 12 and the resurrection in chapter 15. I also finished 1 Samual and am now well into King David’s life in 2 Samuel. Psalms 58-59 where my Psalms for today. Even though I have read the Psalms many times, I am still amazed at the very forceful language, like “Break the teeth, O Lord, of the wicked.” The language in Ezekiel 16 is even stronger as the prophet refers to Jerusalem as an adulterous wife engaged in prostitution. How would Ezekiel refer to the church in America today? But then even Ezekiel is sprinkled with those very comforting and promising verses like Ezekiel 12:9.
I will give them an undivided heart and put a new spirit in them; I will remove from them their heart of stone and give them a heart of flesh.
RENEWAL OF BLOG WRITING
As promised in the August 28 Parish Notes of Grace Mennonite, here is a new blog. It has been a long time since I have written a blog; February 25 to be exact. In my last blog I was writing about the snow we thought would never end. A lot has happened since then. Once again, I will try and be faithful with having at least one blog a week. Maybe there will be more once I get started writing.
A lot has happened since February. Let me first catch you up with our family. Ryan (our oldest son) is this week finishing a 2 year stint with Mennonite Voluntary Service in Madison, Wisconsin. He is presently looking for employment as he hopes to stay in Madison as he likes the city and especially the Mennonite church there. Unfortunately it is not an easy time to look for a job.
Philip and Mary are beginning their last year at the Mennonite Brethren seminary in Fresno, California. They will both be graduating in early May 2012: Mary with a degree in counseling and Philip with a Masters of Divinity degree.
Julia has completed two years at Eastern Mennonite University in Harrisonburg, Virginia. She was in San Antonio, Texas for the summer participating in the Ministry Inquiry Program with San Antonio Mennonite Church. She had a great time doing that. Presently she is beginning a semester abroad in Brussels, Belgium where she is attending Vesalius College in Brussels. So far she is enjoying Belgium a great deal and has already had spent a week-end in Paris. Julia has a blog you might what to follow.
http://julia-exploringtheinfiniteabyss.blogspot.com/
That’s enough for the kids. Our life as empty nesters here in Pandora seems a little boring in comparison. We are excited about the newly renovated sanctuary in the church that should be finished in the next several weeks. We had a good trip to Pittsburgh for the Mennonite Church USA convention this summer. Other than that, we have not done much travelling as we are saving our vacation time to take a 13 day trip to Europe at the end of October and the beginning of November. It will be great to get back to Europe as it has been 30 years since we lived there for a year learning French for missionary service in Congo. I should have a lot to write about after that.
What I am Reading
The past week or so (I am a slow reader) I have been reading Strength in What Remains by Tracy Kidder. It is the story of Deogratias, a young medical student from the central African nation of Burundi. Through no fault of his own, he was forced onto a terrifying journey, a journey that split his life in two. First there was a six-months-long escape on foot from ethnic violence in Burundi and from genocide in Rwanda. Almost by accident he ended up in New York City, where he lived for a time in Central Park.
I am so far inspired and challenged by the book. I find the senseless genocide in Burundi and Rwanda appalling and wonder how this could have taken place in our modern world. Yesterday, I was privileged to hear Deogratias speak as he was the speaker at Bluffton University for the school opening convocation. It was amazing that he seemed to have no bitterness about his tremendously difficult life but a genuine hope for the future. In fact he has gone back to build much needed health clinics in Burundi. More about this later.
Where in the Bible is Dennis Reading?
I have made it a practice for the last several years to read through the entire Bible every year. The plan I use has me reading the Psalms and New Testament twice and the rest once every year. I have found this a good discipline to help me get the bigger picture of God’s story of salvation and gets me into sections of Scripture I would not normally turn to. Some sections are like old friends that come around once a year and every year I seem to get a little more understanding.
Right now I am beginning my journey through the prophet Ezekiel, just finishing up 1 Samuel and am in the middle of 1 Corinthians and the Psalms. I will have more specific reflections in later blogs.
A lot has happened since February. Let me first catch you up with our family. Ryan (our oldest son) is this week finishing a 2 year stint with Mennonite Voluntary Service in Madison, Wisconsin. He is presently looking for employment as he hopes to stay in Madison as he likes the city and especially the Mennonite church there. Unfortunately it is not an easy time to look for a job.
Philip and Mary are beginning their last year at the Mennonite Brethren seminary in Fresno, California. They will both be graduating in early May 2012: Mary with a degree in counseling and Philip with a Masters of Divinity degree.
Julia has completed two years at Eastern Mennonite University in Harrisonburg, Virginia. She was in San Antonio, Texas for the summer participating in the Ministry Inquiry Program with San Antonio Mennonite Church. She had a great time doing that. Presently she is beginning a semester abroad in Brussels, Belgium where she is attending Vesalius College in Brussels. So far she is enjoying Belgium a great deal and has already had spent a week-end in Paris. Julia has a blog you might what to follow.
http://julia-exploringtheinfiniteabyss.blogspot.com/
That’s enough for the kids. Our life as empty nesters here in Pandora seems a little boring in comparison. We are excited about the newly renovated sanctuary in the church that should be finished in the next several weeks. We had a good trip to Pittsburgh for the Mennonite Church USA convention this summer. Other than that, we have not done much travelling as we are saving our vacation time to take a 13 day trip to Europe at the end of October and the beginning of November. It will be great to get back to Europe as it has been 30 years since we lived there for a year learning French for missionary service in Congo. I should have a lot to write about after that.
What I am Reading
The past week or so (I am a slow reader) I have been reading Strength in What Remains by Tracy Kidder. It is the story of Deogratias, a young medical student from the central African nation of Burundi. Through no fault of his own, he was forced onto a terrifying journey, a journey that split his life in two. First there was a six-months-long escape on foot from ethnic violence in Burundi and from genocide in Rwanda. Almost by accident he ended up in New York City, where he lived for a time in Central Park.
I am so far inspired and challenged by the book. I find the senseless genocide in Burundi and Rwanda appalling and wonder how this could have taken place in our modern world. Yesterday, I was privileged to hear Deogratias speak as he was the speaker at Bluffton University for the school opening convocation. It was amazing that he seemed to have no bitterness about his tremendously difficult life but a genuine hope for the future. In fact he has gone back to build much needed health clinics in Burundi. More about this later.
Where in the Bible is Dennis Reading?
I have made it a practice for the last several years to read through the entire Bible every year. The plan I use has me reading the Psalms and New Testament twice and the rest once every year. I have found this a good discipline to help me get the bigger picture of God’s story of salvation and gets me into sections of Scripture I would not normally turn to. Some sections are like old friends that come around once a year and every year I seem to get a little more understanding.
Right now I am beginning my journey through the prophet Ezekiel, just finishing up 1 Samuel and am in the middle of 1 Corinthians and the Psalms. I will have more specific reflections in later blogs.
More Snow and Job
I look out of my office window to another blanket of snow. This is the 2nd major snowfall this week. Tom and Jeff Schumacher are cleaning the parking lot and sidewalks with their blade and snow blower. Even though Putnam County is under a Level Two Snow Emergency, I had no excuse for not coming into the office as I only need to walk less than 100 yards through the snow and the drifts were not that big. I will get our snow blower out and clean our driveway and walks over the noon hour. The snow is to be finished by that time.
Even though I have complained a lot about the snow this winter, I must admit that there is something nice about a fresh covering of clean, white snow. It reminds me of Psalm 51: 7, “Cleanse me with hyssop(a plant with purifying properties), and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.”
Each year, for about 5-6 years now, I have been reading through the Bible using a schedule that takes me through the whole Bible one time and the New Testament and Psalms twice. I read a chapter or two from four different sections of Scripture. February and March take through the book of Job. I am not sure that I would read Job regularly if it was not on my yearly schedule. While it has been a difficult book to understand, each year I am getting a little more out of it. It reminds me clearly “what not to say” to a person who is suffering. Certainly our minor suffering with all the snow this winter is nothing compared to the suffering Job went through.
The Season of Lent begins with Ash Wednesday on March 9. Now is the time to plan for a Lenten Discipline. I know that Lenten disciplines do not get me any brownie points with God or put me on a higher spiritual plain, but I have found that they help me to know who God is and how much dependence I place on stuff and certain habits that are not the most helpful. I haven’t quite decided what I plan to do this year. I am challenged by “40 bags in 40 days” that I found on the website, thepracticaldisciple.com which has lots of ideas for Lenten Disciplines. Let me know what Lenten Discipline you will be choosing so we can pray for one another.
Simplify your life-- 40 bags in 40 days
What to do
Place 40 grocery sacks in a visible place. I put mine in
my closet so that when I would pick out clothes I would come
face to face with my bags. Then every day during Lent, except
for Sundays, fill a bag and either toss it out or give it away. I gave
many bags to the bargain box and some directly to people who
might benefit from them.
Some tips to keep in mind
• Resist doing more than one bag per day. Stick with just one bag a day and you will develop a habit of eliminating clutter. I only doubled up when I knew something conflicted with my discipline. For instance, I doubled up for a week before Spring Break, since I would be gone.
• Never make an exception. Once you skip, the discipline typically starts to unravel. If you do miss, just pick-up where you left off. Do a bag and don’t worrying about catching up. Pick-up the bag you missed on a Sunday or on a day where you really have an easy time filling it.
• Starting will be easy, but you might find yourself groping for ideas of what to toss after you fill 10 or 20 bags.
Here are some suggestions:
Books Clothes Shoes
Old files Stored boxes Drawers
Closets Cleaning supplies
Cupboards Dvd’s
Cd’s, Audio Tapes
Albums Toys
Video Tapes Sports gear
Don’t forget junk in your cars or garage!
• When struggling with whether or not to get rid of something you may suffer from the “I’ll use it someday” syndrome. Consider these 3 questions—
-How long have you been waiting for ‘some day’ to come?
-Are you realistically likely to use it?
-Could someone benefit from using it now?
Answers to these questions might help you let go.
Benefits
Simplifying your life yields practical and spiritual benefits. De-cluttering relieves stress, helps you efficiently use time and space, and frees you up for greater priorities. Letting go of things, expands your trust in God. Many of us horde to feed our sense of security and control. When that occurs our trust in God atrophies. Blessings on your Lenten journey and please share your successes.
Published by: http://ThePracticalDisciple.com.
Permission granted to reproduce for non-commerical purposes.
Copyright 2009
Finally Some Warmer Weather, Birthday and Valentine’s Day
I noticed in the Findlay Courier a couple of days ago that Monday the 14th (if I remember correctly) had been the 2nd warmest day of 2011 so far. The warmest day had been on January 1 with, I think, 57 degrees. Unfortunately we were in Colorado on January 1 and the thermometer on the deck of the cabin where we were staying did not reach 0 degrees that day! The warmer weather feels great and it is good to actually see patches of lawn that have been covered with snow since January 6.
I actually got my bicycle out on Sunday afternoon. I only got in 7 miles as it was quite windy. It did feel good as I don’t think I had ridden since September. It is always easy for me to convince myself that I am too busy to ride and get the exercise that I need. Don’t hesitate to ask me how I am doing with my exercise and bike riding.
I am reminded of I Corinthians 6:19 which says: Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? I need to take care of my physical body as I take care of my spiritual life. I know they are very much intertwined. But even though I know this in my head, it is difficult for me to make the life changes that would respect my physical body as the temple of the Holy Spirit that it is.
I was born on Saturday, February 14, 1953 in Sentinel, Oklahoma. Yes, that would make me 58 years old! A new hospital was being built in Cordell, Oklahoma at that time so my parents needed to drive to the nearest town with a hospital when that time came. Yes, I was a Valentine’s birthday and would often get a heart shaped birthday cake. Recently I have requested that my birthday “cake” be a cherry pie which Dianne bakes for me every year. (Fortunately, I waited until Saturday the 14th to be born as I could have easily been born on Friday the 13th!)
As my body seems to be creaking a little more each day, it is sometimes easy to fall in a negative mode instead of seeing each day as a wonderful gift that God has given us. Every day is indeed a gift from God that needs to be enthusiastically unwrapped to find what is awaiting us. God shows us each day his love for us but often we miss it. I want to look expectantly each day for the love that God wants to share with me and pass it on to others. May you be encouraged to do the same. More next week.
I actually got my bicycle out on Sunday afternoon. I only got in 7 miles as it was quite windy. It did feel good as I don’t think I had ridden since September. It is always easy for me to convince myself that I am too busy to ride and get the exercise that I need. Don’t hesitate to ask me how I am doing with my exercise and bike riding.
I am reminded of I Corinthians 6:19 which says: Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? I need to take care of my physical body as I take care of my spiritual life. I know they are very much intertwined. But even though I know this in my head, it is difficult for me to make the life changes that would respect my physical body as the temple of the Holy Spirit that it is.
I was born on Saturday, February 14, 1953 in Sentinel, Oklahoma. Yes, that would make me 58 years old! A new hospital was being built in Cordell, Oklahoma at that time so my parents needed to drive to the nearest town with a hospital when that time came. Yes, I was a Valentine’s birthday and would often get a heart shaped birthday cake. Recently I have requested that my birthday “cake” be a cherry pie which Dianne bakes for me every year. (Fortunately, I waited until Saturday the 14th to be born as I could have easily been born on Friday the 13th!)
As my body seems to be creaking a little more each day, it is sometimes easy to fall in a negative mode instead of seeing each day as a wonderful gift that God has given us. Every day is indeed a gift from God that needs to be enthusiastically unwrapped to find what is awaiting us. God shows us each day his love for us but often we miss it. I want to look expectantly each day for the love that God wants to share with me and pass it on to others. May you be encouraged to do the same. More next week.
Snow and the Sermon on the Mount
It is Friday morning and I have not been out of the village of Pandora since Sunday and in fact have not driven our car or van since Sunday. The furthest I have been away from home or church office this week is the Pandora post office. I am not sure that is bad or good but it is unusual to not sit behind the wheel of a car for this long of a time. I will be driving to Findlay after finishing this blog so I will not have made it a whole week.
One of the main reasons for not going anywhere this week was that this was the week of the big snow and ice. Actually it wasn’t as bad for us as anticipated by weather forecasters and certainly not as bad as many parts of the country. The snow that was mixed with sleet and freezing rain was certainly difficult to clean off our sidewalks and driveway. Now we are waiting for the next accumulating snow to come sometime next week. Hopefully it will not materialize.
As the storm was being forecast and anticipated, it is interesting to reflect on how glued I was to the local TV news which was all about the winter storm and how I was constantly checking my computer for weather updates. What was it that created in me a desire for any information I could get on the storm? I could not change the path of the storm or diminish its effects in any way. Maybe the storm is fascinating because it shows a power that none of us can do anything about. Certainly we cannot control the weather. We can only wait for it and respond to it. (Sorry about the rambling, disconnected thoughts on the weather this week.)
This month, I am preaching on Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 5, 6, and 7. John R W Stott the great English Bible expositor says this classic sermon, the so called “Manifesto of Christ” appears to be the best-known and the least obeyed teaching of Jesus.
As we study this familiar text of Scripture once more, my hope is that we will not just look for interesting new insights but that it can be a transforming passage for us as individuals and as a congregation. Me we as Myron Augsburger wrote come to the Scripture ready to obey it and allow it to change our lives.
One of the main reasons for not going anywhere this week was that this was the week of the big snow and ice. Actually it wasn’t as bad for us as anticipated by weather forecasters and certainly not as bad as many parts of the country. The snow that was mixed with sleet and freezing rain was certainly difficult to clean off our sidewalks and driveway. Now we are waiting for the next accumulating snow to come sometime next week. Hopefully it will not materialize.
As the storm was being forecast and anticipated, it is interesting to reflect on how glued I was to the local TV news which was all about the winter storm and how I was constantly checking my computer for weather updates. What was it that created in me a desire for any information I could get on the storm? I could not change the path of the storm or diminish its effects in any way. Maybe the storm is fascinating because it shows a power that none of us can do anything about. Certainly we cannot control the weather. We can only wait for it and respond to it. (Sorry about the rambling, disconnected thoughts on the weather this week.)
This month, I am preaching on Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 5, 6, and 7. John R W Stott the great English Bible expositor says this classic sermon, the so called “Manifesto of Christ” appears to be the best-known and the least obeyed teaching of Jesus.
As we study this familiar text of Scripture once more, my hope is that we will not just look for interesting new insights but that it can be a transforming passage for us as individuals and as a congregation. Me we as Myron Augsburger wrote come to the Scripture ready to obey it and allow it to change our lives.
Beatitudes
Yesterday in my sermon on the Beatitudes from the Sermon on the Mount, I said I would post on my blog a couple of things that I used. This comes from a website called Empire Remixed.com and has this introduction.
In a recent sermon at Wine Before Breakfast, Joe AC, pastoral director of Parkdale Neighbourhood Church in Toronto concluded with these modern day Beatitudes from the perspective of our contemporary, self-satisfied church culture.
The Beatitudes of Our Current Church Culture
By Joe Abby-Colborne
Blessed are the well off and those
with ready answers for every spiritual question;
they have it all.
Blessed are the comfortable;
they shall avoid grief.
Blessed are the self-sufficient;
they wait for nothing, they have everything they want,
and they have it now.
Blessed are those who are not troubled by
the injustice experienced by others;
they are content with realistic expectations.
Blessed are the ones who gain the upper hand;
they take full advantage of their advantages.
Blessed are those with a solid public image
and a well hidden agenda;
they are never exposed and see people
in a way that suits their purposes.
Blessed are those who can bully others into agreement;
they shall be called empire builders.
Blessed are those who can point to someone else
who is a worse person than they are,
they will always look good by comparison.
Blessed are you when people praise you,
give you preferential treatment,
and flatter you because they think you’re so great.
Rejoice and be exceedingly glad,
because it doesn’t get any better than this.
This is the way our culture has always made celebrities of the best and brightest.
I concluded my sermon with a reflection I got from the Sojourner’s website that has preaching resources for using the Lectionary. On the website, it had the following introduction:
What follows is an examination of conscience and consciousness based on the beatitudes. It makes sense only if we truly believe that the teachings of Jesus have practical applicability in the world in which each of us lives and breathes. If we admit that relevance, we will find enough power in our fidelity to these counsels to renew the face of the earth.
The following is part of a larger article entitled Places Of Repentance. by Doris Donnelly. Sojourners Magazine, March 1984
1. "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." Do I fear being poor, in spirit or otherwise, and prefer to be rich in brains, money, or influence? Do I use the word of God to rationalize my lifestyle, or am I willing to have God's word criticize it? Do I cling to my own ideas, opinions, and judgments sometimes to the point of idolatry?
2. "Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted." Do I grieve over loneliness, despair, guilt, and rejection in the lives of others? Do I minister consolation and healing, or do I encourage people to have courage, thereby avoiding the opportunity to mourn with another?
3. "Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth." Do I understand meekness as the way to fight evil with good, and do I choose to live that way? How much are intimidation and force part of my lifestyle and of those around me?
4. "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall he satisfied." Have I kept myself ignorant of important current events that impinge on the misuse of justice? Are my energies and passions focused on Christ, or are they scattered, disordered, divided? Have I decided that I will not be satisfied until justice is fulfilled in my own life, within my family, my church, my community, my world?
5. "Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy." Do I operate on a double standard of expecting mercy but not wanting to grant it? Do I prefer the strict law and order approach, or that of mercy, tenderness, and compassion? Are there places in my life where people are suffering because of me and my unforgiving attitude?
6. "Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God." Am I trusting and trustful? Do I value living without pretense, or am I constantly fearful that someone will take advantage of me?
7. "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called children of God." Am I eager for reconciliation, or do I antagonize and yearn for revenge? Do I think apologizing is a sign of weakness? Am I willing to be a bridge in family and community arguments? Do I support violence in films, television, or sports?
8. "Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when people revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account." Who are my heroes? Are there any among them who gave their lives without vengeance for what is true? Would I be willing to do the same? Do I worship security and fear costly discipleship?
9. "Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven." Do I live confident of the promises of Jesus? Do I surrender to pessimism and anxiety or do I perceive that there is a paradoxical victory in the cross of Jesus that breaks through power structures and conquers in peace and love?
In a recent sermon at Wine Before Breakfast, Joe AC, pastoral director of Parkdale Neighbourhood Church in Toronto concluded with these modern day Beatitudes from the perspective of our contemporary, self-satisfied church culture.
The Beatitudes of Our Current Church Culture
By Joe Abby-Colborne
Blessed are the well off and those
with ready answers for every spiritual question;
they have it all.
Blessed are the comfortable;
they shall avoid grief.
Blessed are the self-sufficient;
they wait for nothing, they have everything they want,
and they have it now.
Blessed are those who are not troubled by
the injustice experienced by others;
they are content with realistic expectations.
Blessed are the ones who gain the upper hand;
they take full advantage of their advantages.
Blessed are those with a solid public image
and a well hidden agenda;
they are never exposed and see people
in a way that suits their purposes.
Blessed are those who can bully others into agreement;
they shall be called empire builders.
Blessed are those who can point to someone else
who is a worse person than they are,
they will always look good by comparison.
Blessed are you when people praise you,
give you preferential treatment,
and flatter you because they think you’re so great.
Rejoice and be exceedingly glad,
because it doesn’t get any better than this.
This is the way our culture has always made celebrities of the best and brightest.
I concluded my sermon with a reflection I got from the Sojourner’s website that has preaching resources for using the Lectionary. On the website, it had the following introduction:
What follows is an examination of conscience and consciousness based on the beatitudes. It makes sense only if we truly believe that the teachings of Jesus have practical applicability in the world in which each of us lives and breathes. If we admit that relevance, we will find enough power in our fidelity to these counsels to renew the face of the earth.
The following is part of a larger article entitled Places Of Repentance. by Doris Donnelly. Sojourners Magazine, March 1984
1. "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." Do I fear being poor, in spirit or otherwise, and prefer to be rich in brains, money, or influence? Do I use the word of God to rationalize my lifestyle, or am I willing to have God's word criticize it? Do I cling to my own ideas, opinions, and judgments sometimes to the point of idolatry?
2. "Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted." Do I grieve over loneliness, despair, guilt, and rejection in the lives of others? Do I minister consolation and healing, or do I encourage people to have courage, thereby avoiding the opportunity to mourn with another?
3. "Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth." Do I understand meekness as the way to fight evil with good, and do I choose to live that way? How much are intimidation and force part of my lifestyle and of those around me?
4. "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall he satisfied." Have I kept myself ignorant of important current events that impinge on the misuse of justice? Are my energies and passions focused on Christ, or are they scattered, disordered, divided? Have I decided that I will not be satisfied until justice is fulfilled in my own life, within my family, my church, my community, my world?
5. "Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy." Do I operate on a double standard of expecting mercy but not wanting to grant it? Do I prefer the strict law and order approach, or that of mercy, tenderness, and compassion? Are there places in my life where people are suffering because of me and my unforgiving attitude?
6. "Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God." Am I trusting and trustful? Do I value living without pretense, or am I constantly fearful that someone will take advantage of me?
7. "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called children of God." Am I eager for reconciliation, or do I antagonize and yearn for revenge? Do I think apologizing is a sign of weakness? Am I willing to be a bridge in family and community arguments? Do I support violence in films, television, or sports?
8. "Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when people revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account." Who are my heroes? Are there any among them who gave their lives without vengeance for what is true? Would I be willing to do the same? Do I worship security and fear costly discipleship?
9. "Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven." Do I live confident of the promises of Jesus? Do I surrender to pessimism and anxiety or do I perceive that there is a paradoxical victory in the cross of Jesus that breaks through power structures and conquers in peace and love?
Snow & Epiphany
I look out of my office window this late January day and see a gray sky with more snow falling on a blanket of snow that has been here over three weeks. We haven’t been pummeled with a major snow storm but it seems like we have had snow on the ground an abnormally long time. It also seems like each day has a little bit of new snow that needs to be cleared off from the drive ways and walk ways. I certainly enjoyed the beauty of the snow in the mountains of Colorado but I admit that I am getting a bit weary of the ever present snow this winter in Pandora. The present temperatures are not all that cold but it would be nice to have just a couple of days in the 50’s or even 60’s. I missed those temperatures at the beginning of this month. When growing up in Kansas, it always seemed that we would get a few breaks from the frigid weather. I remember even having a picnic in January one year. Ohio winters seem to seldom have warm weather breaks like that.
In the darkness and dreariness of winter we need a reminder of the Light that has come to our world in the person of Jesus Christ. Epiphany is the liturgical season of the church that is known as the season of light and revelation. Epiphany begins on January 6 when the magi following the light of the star are celebrated and continues until Lent begins on Ash Wednesday (March 9 in 2011).
A key passage for Epiphany is Isaiah 60:1-3
In the darkness and dreariness of winter we need a reminder of the Light that has come to our world in the person of Jesus Christ. Epiphany is the liturgical season of the church that is known as the season of light and revelation. Epiphany begins on January 6 when the magi following the light of the star are celebrated and continues until Lent begins on Ash Wednesday (March 9 in 2011).
A key passage for Epiphany is Isaiah 60:1-3
Arise, shine, for your light has come,
and the glory of the LORD rises upon you.
See, darkness covers the earth
and thick darkness is over the peoples,
but the LORD rises upon you
and his glory appears over you.
Nations will come to your light,
and kings to the brightness of your dawn.
Jesus is the light of the world! In this season of cold darkness, we need to remind ourselves of that fact. Even though it is dark and cold outside and it seems as if winter will never end we can walk in the light of Jesus Christ. We also can bring the light of Christ to others who are walking in darkness.
The first part of the Sermon of the Mount will be the focus of our worship services during February. After the call of the first disciples in Matthew 4, Jesus explains what his kingdom is all about in this great teaching section of Matthew 5, 6 and 7.
May the Light of Jesus Christ and his Kingdom show us the way in the darkness and gloom of this winter. May each one of us share the Light of Christ to those who for some reason or another find themselves in darkness.
A Diverse Week
This last week had a lot of diverse interesting events.
On Friday, January 14, we attended the Toledo Symphony Concert in the Toledo Art Museum Peristal. I great concert with a very animated, enthusiastic female conductor that was fun to watch.
After the worship service on Sunday morning, I got in the car to drive the 500 miles to Harrisonburg, Virginia for the School of Leadership Training for pastors at Eastern Mennonite Seminary. An inspirational speaker gave a new slant on the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives and in the life of the church. The congregational singing and worship is always a highlight of events like this.
I normally attend pastor’s week at Associated Mennonite Biblical Seminary in Elkhart, Indiana but decided to go East this year since my daughter is a student at Eastern Mennonite University and this would allow me to spend some time with her while at the Pastors week there. We had all our meals together at the “caf” and a number of unique restaurants in Harrisonburg. My last night there, we cheered on the nationally ranked (14th in NCAA Division III) EMU Royals basketball team to a victory over rival Bridgewater College. It was a very entertaining game and fun to be with Julia and her friends.
My return trip to Pandora was fairly slow going because of snow falling (sometimes quite heavily) for about the last 200 miles. I saw three accidents but managed to keep from sliding in the ditch or tangling with other vehicles.
Last night was the Bluffton Arts series with the Burning River Brass ensemble. Again more culture! It was a great concert as I love brass music of all kinds. They were very talented.
It has been a great week with lots of wonderful memories. I hope to reflect on these a little more in my next week’s blog.
On Friday, January 14, we attended the Toledo Symphony Concert in the Toledo Art Museum Peristal. I great concert with a very animated, enthusiastic female conductor that was fun to watch.
After the worship service on Sunday morning, I got in the car to drive the 500 miles to Harrisonburg, Virginia for the School of Leadership Training for pastors at Eastern Mennonite Seminary. An inspirational speaker gave a new slant on the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives and in the life of the church. The congregational singing and worship is always a highlight of events like this.
I normally attend pastor’s week at Associated Mennonite Biblical Seminary in Elkhart, Indiana but decided to go East this year since my daughter is a student at Eastern Mennonite University and this would allow me to spend some time with her while at the Pastors week there. We had all our meals together at the “caf” and a number of unique restaurants in Harrisonburg. My last night there, we cheered on the nationally ranked (14th in NCAA Division III) EMU Royals basketball team to a victory over rival Bridgewater College. It was a very entertaining game and fun to be with Julia and her friends.
My return trip to Pandora was fairly slow going because of snow falling (sometimes quite heavily) for about the last 200 miles. I saw three accidents but managed to keep from sliding in the ditch or tangling with other vehicles.
Last night was the Bluffton Arts series with the Burning River Brass ensemble. Again more culture! It was a great concert as I love brass music of all kinds. They were very talented.
It has been a great week with lots of wonderful memories. I hope to reflect on these a little more in my next week’s blog.
Tire Chains
Our hearts have been greatly saddened by the tragic shootings in Tucson. This event reminds us that we live in a deeply fallen world and that life is a gift to be lived fully each day. As we pray for the families who lost loved ones and those who are still recovering in the hospital, we also need to pray for the perpetrator who also needs God’s love and grace in his life.
This week, I am continuing to reflect on our recent trip to Colorado.
Our driving to Colorado was uneventful. (We like the “uneventful” winter trips!) The roads were clear and dry which is something we are always grateful in cross country winter driving. One of the things I like about my GPS is that it tells me the elevations. The high plains in Western Kansas are around 4000 feet with no mountains in sight. As we were getting closer to the cabin, I wanted to see at what elevation the ground was covered with snow. That mark did not come until around 8300 feet. The cabin is situated at around 9400 feet.
The drive went fine, even over snow covered roads, until about 200 yards from the cabin. There the road is quite steep and even though the road had been plowed, it was covered with packed snow and ice and we could no longer get traction with our front wheel drive. The four kids tried to push us up the hill but the road was too steep and the van too heavy to go too far. Fortunately, a neighbor came by and offered to pull us with his 4 wheel drive pick-up. It was an easy task for him to pull us to the cabin. The next day we drove down to Buena Vista, about 20 miles away, and purchased a set of chains for the front wheels.
I had never put on a set of chains on a car before and the test came that next day after we had purchased the chains and began the climb back to the cabin. It was snowing heavily this time, even down in the lower elevations. We stopped at a level place, Phil read the instructions, and we installed the chains. They worked wonderfully! They gave us that extra traction to get us going and keep us going easily up the steepest snow covered roads. We got pretty good at taking them off and putting them on as we did not need them in the lower elevations.
Sometimes we need a “set of chains” in life when we just can’t seem to get going on some things. At times when we are “spinning our wheels” we need that little extra help to get us going and keep us going. Instead of just sitting and revving the engine and not getting anywhere, we need to stop and take the time to do what is necessary to get us going. We also can be the “chains” that can help someone else who is spinning their wheels. A word of encouragement and support can give someone the traction that is needed to get going again.
This experience with the chains also reminds me of our Psalm reading for this week, Psalm 40: 1-2
This week, I am continuing to reflect on our recent trip to Colorado.
Our driving to Colorado was uneventful. (We like the “uneventful” winter trips!) The roads were clear and dry which is something we are always grateful in cross country winter driving. One of the things I like about my GPS is that it tells me the elevations. The high plains in Western Kansas are around 4000 feet with no mountains in sight. As we were getting closer to the cabin, I wanted to see at what elevation the ground was covered with snow. That mark did not come until around 8300 feet. The cabin is situated at around 9400 feet.
The drive went fine, even over snow covered roads, until about 200 yards from the cabin. There the road is quite steep and even though the road had been plowed, it was covered with packed snow and ice and we could no longer get traction with our front wheel drive. The four kids tried to push us up the hill but the road was too steep and the van too heavy to go too far. Fortunately, a neighbor came by and offered to pull us with his 4 wheel drive pick-up. It was an easy task for him to pull us to the cabin. The next day we drove down to Buena Vista, about 20 miles away, and purchased a set of chains for the front wheels.
I had never put on a set of chains on a car before and the test came that next day after we had purchased the chains and began the climb back to the cabin. It was snowing heavily this time, even down in the lower elevations. We stopped at a level place, Phil read the instructions, and we installed the chains. They worked wonderfully! They gave us that extra traction to get us going and keep us going easily up the steepest snow covered roads. We got pretty good at taking them off and putting them on as we did not need them in the lower elevations.
Sometimes we need a “set of chains” in life when we just can’t seem to get going on some things. At times when we are “spinning our wheels” we need that little extra help to get us going and keep us going. Instead of just sitting and revving the engine and not getting anywhere, we need to stop and take the time to do what is necessary to get us going. We also can be the “chains” that can help someone else who is spinning their wheels. A word of encouragement and support can give someone the traction that is needed to get going again.
This experience with the chains also reminds me of our Psalm reading for this week, Psalm 40: 1-2
I waited patiently for the LORD;
he turned to me and heard my cry.
He lifted me out of the slimy pit,
out of the mud and mire;
he set my feet on a rock
and gave me a firm place to stand.
One final thought for today. Today (January 14) is my daughter Julia’s 20th birthday. Julia is our youngest offspring, so we no longer have a teenager in the family. In one way Julia’s birthday makes me feel quite old. In another way, it is a time of celebrating the many good experiences we as a family have had over the years. It is amazing how the years have flown by.
I have included some more pictures from Colorado.
RECALCULATING
I like travelling with my Garmin GPS on while I drive. Every time I get off the main road or make a wrong turn, my GPS tells me that it is “recalculating” to get on the right road again. Sometimes, this constant voice reminding me that it is “recalculating” is an annoyance (especially when we are just getting off the main road for gas or food or other pressing needs). Other times it is a comfort reminding me that it will always recalculate a new route to get me on my destination again.
The New Year has reminded me of some new recalculations that I have needed to make to get back on track once again. Actually my inner GPS has been reminding me to “recalculate” for some time now. I look forward to getting back on my bicycle once again (when the roads are clear of snow and ice and it is a little warmer) and reestablishing an exercise program that will help me get in better physical shape and hopefully lose some weight. I want to read and study more and watch TV less. I also want to be more regular in writing this blog to share some of my reflections on ruminations on various things I am thinking about.
Travelling the 3224 miles on our winter vacation trip to Kansas and Colorado gave me lots of time to reflect. Let me first tell you a little bit about our trip. On Monday, December 29, we loaded up our 1995 Ford Windstar with our whole family who were with us for Christmas: Dianne and I; Julia, who is attending Eastern Mennonite University in Harrisonburg, Virginia; Ryan, who is serving in Mennonite Voluntary Service in Madison, Wisconsin, and Phil and Mary, who are seminary students in Fresno, California. We travelled first to Dianne’s mother’s house in Newton, Kansas and spent a day there visiting family and friends. Then Dianne’s mother joined us in an already too full van (Windstars are not really built for 7 adults and all their stuff!) for our journey to “the cabin” which is located up the Chalk Creek Canyon, between Buena Vista and Salida about 100 miles west of Colorado Springs.
“The Cabin” has been a wonderful place for us to vacation for over 25 years. Dianne’s parents fulfilled a longtime dream to have a place in the mountains and we all pitched in to build it. It has been a place of many memories for our family as the children grew up. We have been up there many times in the summer but seldom in the winter. In fact the last time we were there in the winter was 1992. So it was high time that we see the majesty of the Rockies in the beauty of winter. We were not disappointed. But I will have to stop now and finish my sermon for this Sunday. I will continue this travelogue next week. Below are some pictures of the cabin and mountains. More pictures next week.
The New Year has reminded me of some new recalculations that I have needed to make to get back on track once again. Actually my inner GPS has been reminding me to “recalculate” for some time now. I look forward to getting back on my bicycle once again (when the roads are clear of snow and ice and it is a little warmer) and reestablishing an exercise program that will help me get in better physical shape and hopefully lose some weight. I want to read and study more and watch TV less. I also want to be more regular in writing this blog to share some of my reflections on ruminations on various things I am thinking about.
Travelling the 3224 miles on our winter vacation trip to Kansas and Colorado gave me lots of time to reflect. Let me first tell you a little bit about our trip. On Monday, December 29, we loaded up our 1995 Ford Windstar with our whole family who were with us for Christmas: Dianne and I; Julia, who is attending Eastern Mennonite University in Harrisonburg, Virginia; Ryan, who is serving in Mennonite Voluntary Service in Madison, Wisconsin, and Phil and Mary, who are seminary students in Fresno, California. We travelled first to Dianne’s mother’s house in Newton, Kansas and spent a day there visiting family and friends. Then Dianne’s mother joined us in an already too full van (Windstars are not really built for 7 adults and all their stuff!) for our journey to “the cabin” which is located up the Chalk Creek Canyon, between Buena Vista and Salida about 100 miles west of Colorado Springs.
“The Cabin” has been a wonderful place for us to vacation for over 25 years. Dianne’s parents fulfilled a longtime dream to have a place in the mountains and we all pitched in to build it. It has been a place of many memories for our family as the children grew up. We have been up there many times in the summer but seldom in the winter. In fact the last time we were there in the winter was 1992. So it was high time that we see the majesty of the Rockies in the beauty of winter. We were not disappointed. But I will have to stop now and finish my sermon for this Sunday. I will continue this travelogue next week. Below are some pictures of the cabin and mountains. More pictures next week.
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