Story of My Mother-in-law

My sister-in-law Edie Sodowsky, wrote an article about her mom, my mother-in-law that was published this last month in The Lutheran Witness magazine, a publication of the Lutheran Church- Missouri Synod. Congrats to Edie, she has tried several times to get published. It is a partial article and when she can get us the full article she will, and I'll post it as able. If you have a subscription you can read the full article. The article is about the period of time near the end of her life when she developed Alzheimer's disease and to her consequent death. She wrote it to help others and remember her mom. May it be of help to you.

cartoons for Mother's day

cartoons from Daryl Cagle's Professional Cartoonist's Index
Share which ones you like or find elsewhere.

Pentecost/Mother's Sunday's prayer

Gracious God, who did send down your Holy Spirit to birth your church, rain down your Holy Spirit afresh today, Heal the broken hearted, the divisions in our churches, the stuck ones, the proud ones, the desperate ones, the lonely ones, those who have given up and quit trying. Forgive us for where we have closed ourselves to your Holy Spirit, where we have impeded the Holy Spirit, or where we have stood in the way. Come Holy Spirit inspire the hearts of us your faithful, kindle in us your love that we may love you, others, and ourselves. Come Holy Spirit, renew your people, pour into us the power of your creativity; that your light will shine in the dark places of this world.

Holy one, we also today lift up moms everywhere; we who are moms presently, our moms, moms to be, moms who are now gone on from us, moms whose children have died before them, moms all around the world. We pray for those whose moms weren't able to really parent them, who were abusive, or had mental illnesses, or drug or alcohol abuses, other problems that affected their mothering. We pray for those who are childless not by choice; those who may be trying different medical treatments, or going through the adoption processes, or other means, or those who can't afford it at all. We pray for those who are not mothers by choice; whether by timing, situation, or just by choice, we don't want to leave them out as you don't. Lord we pray for moms whose children have made them happy and those whose children have disappointed them. We pray for those moms in countries that have less than we do trying to make sure their kids have the basics. We pray for those moms in countries who have to figure out how to protect their kids from war, the rebels, the terrorists, and the means of war left behind. And we pray for those moms, who have been through the recent natural disasters trying to remake life, provide shelter, and who may also grieve the death of their children.

We pray all this and more through the power of your Holy Spirit who birthed the church, and through the name of Jesus, Amen.

Also posted at revgalblogpals and preaching to the choir.

Celebrating women, celebrating moms

Introducing you to Liz McCartney of the St. Bernard Project
What's a young woman to do with her life? She had it pretty good in Washington, D. C. But living 1,000 miles away in Washington, Liz McCartney was haunted by images of Katrina's destruction and stories of people like Aguilar. In February 2006, she, her boyfriend, Zack Rosenburg, along with her mother went to New Orleans to volunteer. But it didn't end there. They quit their jobs and moved to St. Bernard Parish. Now they're dedicated to helping people rebuild and move back into their homes. To day, the project has enabled more than 120 families to move back into their homes. She has been nominated as one of CNN's Heroes.
You can find some videos about the project and Liz McCartney at CNN.
A daughter a mom would be proud of.

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And what about the story of Central Washington softball players Liz Wallace and Mallory Holtman carrying around Western Oregon's Sara Tucholsky around the bases after she hit a home run but tore up her knee. Did it just say that the team mates of one team carried around the bases a member of the opposite team? Say what? Now that is the kind of player I want my girls to grow up to be like. You can watch the ESPN video here. And here is the whole story.
They call it "Sportsmanship", how about you?
Daughters a mom would be proud of.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
I don't know about you all the buzz about celebrity moms really bothers me.

And Michelle Duggar being pregnant with her 18th is just crazy. The only way the family makes it is if the older ones pull a lot of the weight. And who could afford paying for all those kids? Well if you go on tv like they did, well maybe you can. It just seems overboard.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
And finally let's celebrate our own moms.
My mom wasn't a celebrity mom. She was a fish out of water being a mom in the South. She was from the North; whose mom worked outside of the home and couldn't cook one little bit. It was a learning curve for mom who hadn't even planned to move to the South once married. I don't think she even wanted to have kids as soon as she did. But have them she did. She learned to cook, but to this day would rather not. She also worked part time while we were growing up to help pay the bills, but mainly she didn't work. It was hard on her staying at home and raising us kids, but she did it. She suffered from depression.
Being a mom now with three kids, I now know why she had a hard time. With three you are overwhelmed and things are happening all the time.
My mom was such a giver to not only us but to everybody. If there was a need she was there reaching out, offering help. She was way involved in the church, teaching Sunday school, training union and the children. And she was a leader of the women's group. (We were Baptist.) She helped start the meals on wheels at our church while we were kids. How did she do it all?
My mom went to work full time after we all finished school. She really was in her element then.
I celebrate my mom for her loving us, for her mothering us, for her teaching us about how treat others, and for teaching us about Jesus. Thanks MOM!
A Mom a daughter could be proud of.

Saturday prayer for Pentecost

O living God, come and make our souls temples of thy Spirit.Sanctify us, O Lord. Baptise thy whole Church with fire, that the divisions soon may cease, and that it may stand before the world as a pillar and buttress of thy truth.Sanctify us, O Lord.Grant us all the fruits of thy Holy Spirit: brotherly love, joy, peace, patience, goodwill and faithfulness.Sanctify us, O Lord.May the Holy Spirit speak by the voice of thy servants, here and everywhere, as they preach thy word.Sanctify us, O Lord.Send thy Holy Spirit, the comforter, to all who face adversity, or who are the victims of men's wickedness.Sanctify us, O Lord.Preserve all nations and their leaders from hatred and war, and build up a > community among nations, through the power of thy Spirit.Sanctify us, O Lord.Holy Spirit, Lord and source of life, giver of the seven gifts,Sanctify us, O Comforter.Spirit of wisdom and understanding, Spirit of counsel and strength,Sanctify us, O Comforter.Spirit of knowledge and devotion, Spirit of obedience to the Lord.Sanctify us, O Comforter.
Prayer of Taize Community

Pavarotti & Bono (U2) -- Ave Maria (Live)

Not your Father's Ave Maria

Here are the words:
U2 Lyrics - Ave Maria (Pavarotti & Friends 2003)(Bono singing)

Ave Maria
Where is the justice in this world?
The wicked make so much noise, mother
The righteous stay oddly still
With no wisdom, all of the riches in the world leave us poor tonight

And strength is not without humility
It's weakness, an untreatable disease
And war is always the choice
Of the chosen who will not have to fight

Ave Maria

(Pavarotti sings in Latin)

Ave Maria
Gratia plena
Maria, gratia plena
Maria, gratia plena
Ave, ave dominus tecum

(Bono singing)

And strength is not without humility
It's weakness, an untreatable disease
And war is always the choice
Of the chosen who will not have to fight

(both singing)

Ave Maria

Ave Maria (English Hail Mary) is the salutation given by the Archangel Gabriel to the Virgin Mary at the Annunciation (Luke 1:28): Ave Maria, gratia plena, Dominus tecum ("Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee").

Okay, I am on a bend this week posting videos that have a message to them.
I am a visual person, and love music, good music. So if you know of any good videos with a message email me. Or you have thoughts about the ones I am posting let me know.

Pink(f/ Indigo Girls)- Dear Mr President

Pink(f/ Indigo Girls)- Dear Mr President - Live in NYC



Whether you agree with her or not, hope you will listen to it.
If you go to YouTube, there are several different videos of this song.

Here are the lyrics;

Dear Mr. President

Come take a walk with me

Let's pretend we're just two people and

You're not better than me

I'd like to ask you some questions if we can speak honestly

What do you feel when you see all the homeless on the street

Who do you pray for at night before you go to sleep

What do you feel when you look in the mirror

Are you proud

How do you sleep while the rest of us cry

How do you dream when a mother has no chance to say goodbye

How do you walk with your head held high

Can you even look me in the eye

And tell me why

Dear Mr. President

Were you a lonely boy

Are you a lonely boy

Are you a lonely boy

How can you say

No child is left behind

We're not dumb and we're not blind

They're all sitting in your cells

While you pay the road to hell

What kind of father would take his own daughter's rights away

And what kind of father might hate his own daughter if she were gay

I can only imagine what the first lady has to say

You've come a long way from whiskey and cocaine

How do you sleep while the rest of us cry

How do you dream when a mother has no chance to say goodbye

How do you walk with your head held high

Can you even look me in the eye

Let me tell you bout hard work

Minimum wage with a baby on the way

Let me tell you bout hard work

Rebuilding your house after the bombs took them away

Let me tell you bout hard work

Building a bed out of a cardboard box

Let me tell you bout hard work

Hard work

Hard work

You don't know nothing bout hard work

Hard work

Hard work

Oh

How do you sleep at night

How do you walk with your head held high

Dear Mr. President

You'd never take a walk with me

Would you

Anne Lammott on the Colbert Report

Listen and let me know what you think:

A Presbyterian being interviewed by a Catholic.

A Sunday School Teacher being interviewed by a Sunday School Teacher.





Hat Tip to The Beatitudes Society

Sunday's Prayer: Ascension Sunday

Gracious, loving God,

Here we are Lord, once again finding ourselves looking up for Jesus, looking in so many places for God knows what sometimes. Sometimes God it seems if we are just looking for ourselves. God in the midst of all of this world’s distractions, business, and activities that we can all get lost in to where we can’t really see you; help us in the midst of this moment to see you. Help us in this moment of quiet, stillness, and a slow breath, see ourselves clearly see you. As we go about our day, help us to have eyes to see you.

And God just for a moment let others see Jesus in us. Amen

Bellinge church fresco of the Ascension

Prayer on Saturday

Almighty God,
As we prepare to preach, teach, and lead worship, guide our hearts our thoughts our words our hands.
It is so difficult for those of us who did not grow up in a faith tradition that saw this to be an important part of what they taught or preached to wrap our minds around the Ascension.
That may be a good thing, because we don't take it for granted that everybody out there knows the words, the scripture and its meaning. But God help us not to then over load everybody out there.
And it may be a good thing that we are from the traditions that did include it in its teachings and practice, because we are comfortable with it and can move beyond just teaching to the depth of the experience.
Where ever we are today with this Lord, inspire us that we too may be an inspiration to others, just as your son inspired those that day of ascension so long ago.
Amen

Dinah Roe-Kendall's acrylic painting of the Ascension of Jesus

Wait and pray Friday Five.

Sally from rgblps give us the Friday Five;


Part of the Ascension Day Scripture from Acts 11 contains this promise from Jesus;"But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”Then he was taken from their sight into the clouds, two angels appeared and instructed the probably bewildered disciples to go back to Jerusalem, where they began to wait and to pray for the gift Jesus had promised.Prayer is a joy to some of us, and a chore to others, waiting likewise can be filled with anticipation or anxiety....So how do you wait and pray? Seems like this is the theme of my life. How many times in the scriptures do we read this....

1. How do you pray best, alone or with others?
Depends on the situation, and need. I listen better on my own, I can be still and quiet better on my own.

2. Do you enjoy the discipline of waiting, is it a time of anticipation or anxiety? Are you kidding. I do not wait well. I think whether it is a time of anticipation or anxiety really depends on the situation, circumstances and how I am doing. I think the spiritual discipline of waiting can lead to it being more of a time of anticipation rather than being totally filled with angst. I think that is what I am trying to practice now the spiritual dsicipline. Thanks for the awareness that that is what this is, I had no idea. That helps.

3. Is there a time when you have waited upon God for a specific promise? Oh Yeah.

4. Do you prefer stillness or action? Both, I need the stillness to calm and center me. I need the action to put the energy to work and use somehow.

5. If ( and this is slightly tongue in cheek) you were promised one gift spiritual or otherwise what would you choose to recieve? Well I am glad you said it was tongue in cheek, because of the old saying be careful what you ask for, or the thing about asking for patience and getting instead the trials to develop it. So thanks but no thanks.

Bonus: It must be a requirement that if you are a songwriter or a band you must have one song about waiting. Movies like the theme waiting too. Harder to do with tv shows.

But here is a song on waiting by FFH called In the waiting

Runyararo - A Song for Zimbabwe On Easter 6A

Was thinking of writing a prayer but found this on You Tube.
Here are the words:

Runyararo (means "peace" in Shona*):

Hold your hand out, child,
hold your hand out and I'll fill it
I know it's not much, but will it do?

It's a big world and we're two small people in it
If I could change it, I would for you
But all I have is love

Lift your head up, friend,
lift your head and don't you worry
Somehow we'll find a way to make it through

Put your gun down, man, cause we're not here for fighting
We're simply surviving, much like you
And all we have is love
All we have is love

Ooo, Runyararo
Ooo, Runyararo

Let your pride go, sir, let your pride go and help fix this
There will be no claiming, you never knew

Are you watching, world, do you see the people dying?
And are you trying, to do all you can do?
Have you not love?
Have you not love?

Ooo, Runyararo
Ooo, Runyararo


© 2007 Leesha Harvey
She wrote this song after speaking with her Mom who lives in Zimbabwe. She told her many stories of things she has seen in the past few months, and while thinking about these stories this song was born. The photographs are all from Zimbabwe--most of them are ones my mother has taken.
Go listen to Leesha sing this one and some others. Most are original and recorded on her own.
The video DISPATCH: ZIMBABWE - The Story inspired her as well.

The Gospel scripture today is John 14:15-21

Friday Five: Throughly Post Modern Milly

Singing Owl brings us the revgalblogpals Friday Five;

An Old Versus Modern (Postmodern?) Friday Five

"Yesterday I had two separate conversations in which people were musing about how much change is occurring. The WW II generation, of which my mom is a part, went from horse and buggy to automobiles, saw the lessening, or even the end of many diseases, went from widespread use of kerosene lamps and outhouses (in the country, and most folks were rural) to a totally electrified and plumbed society. The fastest means of communication was a telegraph. The second conversation--gulp--was about MY generation and how much change occurred in the last half of the 20th century. The person said his 13 year old had not seen a vinyl record album until a few days before, couldn't remember a time without cell phones, and on and on.

As for the questions!

1. What modern convenience/invention could you absolutely, positively not live
without? I am not so sure there are utter absolutes, because we are in such quickly changing times. However, I really like my bathroom conveniences, and electricity. I have had enough outhouses, holes in the ground, and no running water situations, including those at churches for a lifetime. That said, if I had to use one again, I would. But I am spoiled by what I have.


2. What modern convenience/invention do you wish had never seen the light of day?
Why? I like tv a lot, sometimes too much and I think it is the bane of our culture and life. My husband says this; "We let it influence us too much and especially our children." This goes with the bonus and I'll put my thoughts on the matter in the bonus section.

3. Do you own a music-playing device older than a CD player? More than one? If
so, do you use it (them)? I still own a record player, yes one of the vinyl playing machines, I also own tape players, don't know where the 8 track is. And we own a reel to reel tape deck that Bob bought in Viet Nam that I think every Viet Nam Vet owns due to the cost being so low. And it still works! We still play the record player sometimes because of some of the records we have, and because we haven't bought them in cd form yet.

4. Do you find the rapid change in our world exciting, scary, a mix...or something
else? I just want to say, "when can I get off this merry go around?" "Stop, the world is spinning too fast." And at the same time, I do find it exciting. I like new things. I like my techie toys. I like being connected with you all, which if we didn't have the changes that we have had; wouldn't be able to have. I love the global connection. It doesn't scare me into being fearful and going into a hole. I just would like sometime to catch up. I always feel behind, and then when I figure something out, we are already onto the next thing.

5. What did our forebears have that we have lost and you'd like to regain? Bonus points if you have a suggestion of how to begin that process. I am not sure exactly what we lost, did we ever have it? I listen to my mom and others who lived through the depression, it was not particularly happy times. I read about times before that, something seemed to be missing during those times too. I don't want to go backward. The 50's and 60's weren't that great either. So what is the answer?
The local paper got around to publishing a study about whether people were happy today or not. Unfortunately, I could not find the article on-line, and that paper was thrown away. It struck me because it talked about that even though we have more, have more money, more leisure time we are not happy. Why? The study seemed to point to that it is what we do with the money, the leisure time, relationships, and ourselves that makes the difference. (Sorry I can't find the study, wish I could. This is the closest I can get to it from WSJ)
I don't know all the answers and neither do the researchers, Psychologists, or Sociologist. But if it is what we do with ourselves, our money and our time, perhaps we start with our own evaluation of how we are utilizing what we have, how we spend our money, our time and ourselves? And then begin to ask what does it mean we spend more money here or there and not here? How does this effect how we feel or live our lives or our souls or our families? Keep a time line of our day or days? Ask similar questions of the data we have written? Perhaps ask our Pastor/Spiritual Director what it means, what needs to change, where to go from here? Keep some form of journal about ourselves and our relationships? Who are we spending time with? How are we spending time with them? Ask those we are in relationship with what they experience with us. Ask our souls what our souls experience and think and feel? Ask our creator ask Jesus about this. I am not saying turn off the tv totally, although I have met families who have done this. But perhaps keep a journal of the watching and what you feel or thought or experienced while watching and the same with family time spent watching and then being intentional about what you watch and how you watch.

The study's data on which activities we enjoy is enlightening. The five professors grouped activities into six clusters, based on the emotions associated with each.

The standout cluster was what the authors label "engaging leisure and spiritual activities," things like visiting friends, exercising, attending church, listening to music, fishing, reading a book, sitting in a cafe or going to a party. When we spend time on our favorite of these activities, we're typically happy, engrossed and not especially stressed.

"These are things you choose to do, rather than have to do," notes one of the study's co-authors, Prof. Schkade of the University of California, San Diego.

The obvious implication: If we devote more time to these activities, maybe we would be more satisfied with our lives. Yet the evidence suggests we've missed a huge chance to do just that -- which may help explain why Americans are little or no happier than they were four decades ago.

Did you ask for a sermon or something? I think I tend to leave out my soul, my children's souls, other people's souls, and forget the sweetness of the relationship with God in whatever I do, whatever I have, and that is what is missing. It is not just a doing it is a being. And now that I have preached to the choir, meaning me, I will now begin with the evaluation process of the above. I will also say, that part of what I have found in my relationship with my peers of rgbps is a connection with my soul and that sweetness of the relationship with God. (That is another post.)

Some useful links: The Happiness Institute's blog
The Happiness Project

Pictures: Outhouse
modern bathroom

Back from Vacation

Hi friends,
we are back from vacation. We had a great time. I had to turn around quickly and go to an all day training event, that is being required by the conference for those ministers who are moving. It is called the first 90 days, and is a really good workshop. It is based on the book by Michael Watkins with the same name. Then I had a meeting that night at my future church with the Staff Pastor Parish committee. Today I spent all day with staff, getting informed about my future church, roles, expectations. I came back to spending some time with the kids. I will be posting a more in depth post later when I am not so brain dead or saturated.

Saturday post before leaving town

Given that this Sunday is designated as Good Shepherd Sunday,
I am posting the song "My Holy Shepherd"

My Holy Shepherd

C Em F C
[1] My holy Shepherd, He watches over me
F C G
He watches over me everyday
C Em F C
My holy Shepherd, He watches over me
F C G C
He watches over me, everyday

[2] My holy Shepherd, He always understands

[3] My holy Shepherd, He hears my every prayer

[4] My holy Shepherd, He heals my broken heart

[5] My holy Shepherd, He holds me in His arms

[6] My holy Shepherd is worthy to be praised

picture of Shepherd

Friday Five:Moving

Mother Laura at RevGalBlogPals presents the Friday Five: We are right in the middle of a move--only twenty minutes away, but we're still a mix of busy, excited, nervous and surprisingly full of grief about what we're leaving, for me at least. So this week's Friday Five asks about your experience of the marvels and madness of moving...

1. How many times have you moved? When was the last time? Too many times. Lets see, as a child 6 times. As an adult 21 times. Two years ago. I am a Methodist Minister, remember. I am getting ready to move.

2. What do you love and hate about moving? Love: Dejunking, Newness, adventures, new friends, new home, new beginnings. Hate: packing, cleaning, loading, unpacking, cleaning, unloading, did I mention the cleaning? saying goodbye, and trying to acclimate to new systems, and ways of doing things. The stress. Helping the kids understand, and helping them pack and get ready for the move, and helping them with the transition. ( We are right in the middle of all this also, Mother Laura.)

3. Do you do it yourself or hire movers? In my younger single days, when it was just my stuff, I moved it with a little help from my friends. Now, I use movers.

4. Advice for surviving and thriving during a move? Get help as soon as possible for the packing and cleaning and fixing up. That way you are not having to sweat the small stuff and can focus on the big stuff. Make sure you are still taking care of yourself as much as possible; prayer time, sleeping, eating, your regular exercise routine. Make sure you take time to say good bye and get as much closure as possible so you can leave in a healthy manner and have a new start. If you got kids, see if you can have people to watch them or be with them so you can pack. Destress as much as possible. Pack a box of what is important to you and I am not just talking underwear, perhaps a transitional object, candle, something for your soul, your heart, your emotions, your mental well being. Go ahead and find and set up your sanctuary as soon as possible. Have a mantra or breath prayer you can use when things get really tense. Take deep breaths. And find time to play and be silly, let loose.

5. Are you in the middle of any inner moves, if not outer ones? Yes, and yes. As I said we are in the middle of a move with a June 11th deadline, but I have been in an inner move for sometime now to a more graceful place within.

Bonus: Share a piece of music/poetry/film/book that expresses something about what moving means to you. A cartoon about moving as seen above.


A theme song from the t.v. show "The Jeffersons". Ya got to be Optimistic.

or you could have the theme to the Beverly Hillbillies

And since we are house hunting to buy a house this time, I include an old Tom Hanks' movie
The Money Pit. Bob doesn't remember it. But it was the movie he made with Shelley Long, you remember her, don't you? She was in Cheers. The movie was made in 1986. There are several scenes at the You tube website to watch if you want a good laugh.

Geese flying back north and a poem

Yesterday, Bob and I were standing in the parking lot of the church discussing something. I looked up and saw not one but two v shaped formations of geese flying back North. What a beautiful sight. We paused to watch them fly on north. Bob then said, Summer is coming. That night what did the weather channel predict? Yes, more cold weather! And where were our winter coats and clothes? Packed away. We will be unpacking them today.

So as the birds fly back north we will be going Northeast for the kids' spring break to Banner Elk, North Carolina. I will be not blogging most of the week as there is not internet connection where we will be staying, there is in the next town. So if I have time, I'll stop by from time to time.

Picture of the the v formation of geese.

A poem I found while searching for pics of geese flying. Add yours as well if you like.

Then I saw the wild geese flying
In fair formation to their bases in Inchicore
And I knew that these wings would outwear the wings of war
And a man’s simple thoughts outlive the day’s loud lying.
Don’t fear, don’t fear, I said to my soul.
The Bedlam of Time is an empty bucket rattled,
‘Tis you who will say in the end who best battles.
Only they who fly home to God have flown at all.

BEYOND THE HEADLINES Patrick Kavanagh, Dublin 1943

WIM friends check up on me

Wow, I got phone calls, and emails from the women at the retreat wondering where I was and why I wasn't there. Its a wonder they didn't send a posse out after me too. That really feels good to me that they missed me and were that concerned. I missed them too. I called down to Camp Sumatanga to let them know the reasons. And sent an email. You can't call cell phones down at Camp Sumatanga.

I have been taking a bit of retreat here by going to bed earlier, getting the rest I need. I am feeling more rested. I had no idea I was so tired. Headache is going away. My muscles don't feel as tensed up either. Amazing what sleep and rest can do for you.

And I have been reading trying to be quiet, and calm at night. Although I will admit to watching the NCAA women's basket ball tournament. I want to be member of the Tenn. Volunteers women's Basket ball team. Although I am too short, I would be even willing to be the one that goes around wiping the sweat up off the floor. Amazing.

And I had Kate's ball game last night. But I do enjoy being at the ball field and cheering for my girls. At one point I yelled out "Way to stop that ball. Way to go." The girl playing third base was really good at stopping the ball, she just didn't know what to do with it afterward. Well one of the parents looked up at me like I was crazy. And I told the parent, you know you got to affirm them for even trying and learning to play the sports. And then his tone changed and he said that was true. I then started hearing parents cheering the kids for trying at playing. So many on this team, have never played before, and don't know what you do. But they are trying. They lost big time, the other team ran up the score. Oh well, but Kate was a little upset about it, and so we had to talk about it. She told me she needed to practice more, and that I had to get out there and practice with her. So I guess I'll be practicing ball also. But I don't mind, I love playing ball.

What no retreat?

Well wouldn't you know it, I didn't go.
All day, I kept hearing this thought, "Don't go, stay here."
My visit to the my member in the hospital took a long time, they were giving her blood to build up her strength. And they are trying to figure out what is going on. And She has been going back and forth to the hospital recently. Lots of family was there.

By the time I left it was late and I had a headache. I realized my body and my head did not want to make the long trip down to Camp Sumatanga, even if I wanted to. I stopped by the kid's dance studio where they were having lessons, and told Bob I had decided to stay home. Went home to get some meds and quiet. (Dance studios are noisy places.) Then went to the girl's softball game, which is noisy too. Came home and went to bed early. I feel better this morning, but there is the left over residue from the headache. Got lots to do.

I am sad I missed this retreat, and my friends. The saving grace is that vacation is around the corner beginning on Saturday. I just am going to have to be sure to get some more quiet time and not busy time on the vacation. You know with kids along that's a dream, unless Bob takes them for awhile somewhere. We may have to negotiate this since he will probably want some down time too.

Retreating for a day

Dear friends and family,

I am going away for a day for the clergywomen's retreat "One is the Body"
Women in Ministry Spiritual Retreatto my favorite place, where? Camp Sumatanga. We will be led by a sister clergywoman who has a ministry leading retreats, worship workshops, Kay Mutert called Day Spring. Kay was one of our leaders in the Clergy's Covenant Forums, that I took part in a couple of years ago. She was in charge of our worship times, and did a great job leading us in worship, introducing different ways to worship, and teaching us about personal worship. I missed the rgbp's retreat/BE, so I look forward to some time at this one.

I'll be back though, we got packing, moving, cleaning, ball games, dance classes, homework, etc on the home front.

At the church; I have those in the hospital, homebound, the grieving, and meetings this week.

Please pray for Daddy Bob, my sweet hubby while I am gone, he has a lot to do in the next few days. He is still struggling with allergies or something upper respitory. He is better, but still has something. And like most families, when one of the parents is gone, the children seem to push a little more on the one left behind. We are already outnumbered, so he is going to be really outnumbered. And pray for less anxiety for the kids with me being gone.

Blessings to you all today.

A prayer for Easter 3

I found this prayer in Alive Now and thought it fit today;




Cloudy Morning Prayer
by Ruth Naylor

Lord, walk with us
on this strange road
to Emmaus. It is so
hard to recognize purpose
and hope in the midst
of broken dreams
and death.


Our hearts ,
torn and confused
cry out to you.
"Lord, walk with us in this
place where earth's dust
swirls up to cloud our eyes
and threatens to choke us."

picture from Emmaus Catholic Ministry

40 yrs ago in Memphis, blood was shed

"Faith is taking the first step even when you don't see the whole staircase." words by Martin Luther King



This Martin Luther King, Jr.'s last speech

"A nation that continues year after year to spend more money on military defense than on programs of social uplift is approaching spiritual doom. " Martin Luther King, Jr.

Here are the words to his last speech. "I've Been to the Mountaintop" by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

I was 14 years old when Martin Luther King Jr was killed. I was living in a small town that had just integrated the schools the year before. At the same time it was fighting tooth and nail to keep the blacks in their place as hard as they could.
They did not want them in the churches. In fact the church I went to had voted to not let them in the door, and if they tried to come in, they would be escorted out the door by the deacons.
And yet I can remember the news about him being shot, going to school the next day and the profound somberness at school.
I remember admiring him and reading about what he was trying to do and how he was trying to do it. My grandparents were active in trying to help civil rights to occur. They had a strong sense of justice. I must have learned some of it from them. But then I also knew you did not talk favorably about civil rights or be friendly with blacks back then.
It truly was a mixed up time in our lives. I think of his words and speech I have a dream, and I wonder how much of that dream was fulfilled? I realized what a prophet he was, and how prophets are not wanted in their own country. I wonder what God would have for us now? How God would want us to be now as a country? What would God want me to be doing?

I believe that unarmed truth and unconditional love will have the final word in reality. This is why right, temporarily defeated, is stronger than evil triumphant. Martin Luther King, Jr.

from Martin Luther King's most frequently read book, Strength to Love, written in 1963. There is quote from that book at the top of the order of celebration, and, another on the back cover.
"I am convinced of the reality of a personal God. It is a living reality that has been vindicated in the experiences of every day life. God is a living God, with feeling, will; responsive to deepest yearnings of the human heart. (God is the one who) is able to make a way out of no way, and transform dark yesterdays into bright tomorrows. This is our hope for becoming better human beings. This is our mandate for seeking to make a better world. "

Friday Five: Revelation

Sally at RevGalBlogpals brings us the Friday Five on Revelation.

With this Sunday's gospel reading in mind, that wonderful revelation of Christ to the companions on the Emmaus road. I wonder where you might have been surprised by God's revelation recently.

So with no further waffle I offer you this weeks Friday 5:

How has God revealed him/herself to you in a:

1. Book Bread And Wine: Readings For Lent And Easter God kept showing up in this book and even afterward as I would think about what I had read while going through the season of Lent and now Easter. I have also started reading the latest Miss Julia book "Miss Julia Strikes Back"
I see God in this woman's tenacity, her acceptance of people, her struggle with difficult situations, her openess and her learning to love all the while living in a Southern culture with a Southern religion.

Books let us into their souls and lay open to us the secrets of our own. ~William Hazlitt

2.Film Okay, I have to be honest, I just don't get to go to the movies. But we bought the movie; Enchanted. As naive as some of the philosophy was, it did have the idea of loving the person you marry, and showing the person you love them. Plus it has good winning over evil. The woman is the heroine. Some people choose to live in an unreal world and some to live in the real world. A plus was that both Patrick Dempsey and James Marsden are so handsome, and enjoyable to watch. Okay back to the original question; when you watch the struggle the character Nathaniel has with his integrity and choices you can see the transformation that comes in one's life meeting and coming to know Jesus. But if I must be really religious it would be the movie "Into Great Silence"

“On a simple level, movies are the stories and myths—the parables—of our times. There is no other medium or institution today that so broadly intersects our society, and there is no other medium as critical for us to understand. These stories and myths touch upon the deepest hopes of our generation.” God at the Movies A Sermon by Lanny Peters
Pastor, Oakhurst Baptist Church, Decatur, Georgia

3. Song Oh my with all the great music during Lent, Holy Week and Easter, plus music at Emmaus it would be almost impossible to point to just one song that God was revealed through.

Music is revelation; a revelation loftier than all wisdom and all philosophy. Ludwig van Beethoven

4. Another person Again, I got to choose only one? That is near impossible to choose. There are so many that I have seen God in.

The highest revelation is that God is in every human being. Ralph Waldo Emerson

5. Creation Oh the beauty of the springtime blossoms and buds along with the rains.

Our Lord has written the promise of resurrection not in books alone, but in every leaf in springtime.-Martin Luther

Bonus answer: your choice- share something encouraging/ amazing/ humbling that has happened to you recently! I would have to choose as of right now, it would be how God has been at work in the appointive process, opening doors, paving the way, encouraging me through people, scripture, the Holy Spirit, and unexpected moments. I am truly amazed, humbled and lifted up.

"Some say God is nowhere. Others say God is now here. One space makes all the difference."

News Announcement

I am kind of surprised, but the North Alabama Conference Website already has the list of clergy appointments. I mean you usually don't see these until after or right before the June conference. So since it is out, you now know. I am moving to Trinity in HSV to be the Associate.

Tonight, we met to pray for the church, for the Pastor to come and for our moving. We plan to meet now every Wednesday night right before the bible study for prayer. The members felt led to do this, so they began it.

An Easter Walk

I thought this was a good cartoon for Easter 3A.

Aren't we like those disciples walking on the road to Emmaus, Jesus is walking with us and we don't even recognize him. We may be so deep into our own thoughts, or feelings or into ourselves that we miss who is with us? I am probably talking about myself here. I know I miss Jesus when I get so lost in my own thoughts or feelings or self. But we can also find him in our feelings, thoughts, and self as well. However, Jesus was incarnational, and our ministries are to be incarnational. Jesus is often seen in other human beings, in the flesh, real, someone who you can touch, breath, eat with and talk with. May we not miss Jesus today ...... The Back Pew Cartoon

If you want to read some more of my thoughts on this passage; go to my sermon blog, Preaching to the Choir. I'll be blogging there all week about this passage.

What Cruise?

Well, the revgalblogpals who got to go on our first ever Big Event and Retreat Cruise are back. Sigh, I had hoped to be able to go, but well, duty called. I instead have been doing funerals, and interviews for our Ordination candidates. They call it a retreat, but I am not sure it is much of a retreat. We did have some good worship, and good fellowship. And we had some good candidates. But I am glad to be home. Maybe next year I'll get to go with the revgalblog pals on their next retreat. Now it is time to say good night.

Earth Hour: Turn off those Lights!

Thanks to my friend Gord, who reminded me of Earth Hour, I will be turning off my lights for an hour at 8pm. How about you?

You can join millions of people around the world in making a statement about climate change by turning off your lights for Earth Hour, an event created by the World Wildlife Fund.

Earth Hour was created by WWF in Sydney, Australia in 2007, and in one year has grown from an event in one city to a global movement

One hour, America. Earth Hour. Turn out for Earth Hour!

Just turn off your lights at 8pm, your local time.

Earth Hour

The blog

Nothing said in the local paper however.
Here is the video for viewing:


I think we should be able to find something to do by candlelight.

Easter 2 and Springsteen's song Resurrection

Today as I was looking for a prayer for Sunday, I ran across the words to Bruce Springsteeen's song Resurrection. I thought of Thomas and the disciples behind the closed doors not knowing whether to believe if the resurrection is true or not. I thought of all the people today who struggle with whether the resurrection is true or not. I thought of the times I have struggled with my own doubts and beliefs.

RESURRECTION
Ever since I was a young man
I've known the devil too well
I can still hear my mama screamin'
"Boy you gonna burn some day in hell"
Drag me to church on Sunday
Head down, head down, head down on your knees and pray
When it comes you won't forget to call

Well I can't say that I'm a believer
I can't say that I ain't
Oh but three words on a piece of paper
It sure ain't gonna make no kind of sense
Drag us to church on a Friday
And we confess our sins
Special old price of three Hail Marys and your soul is clean again
Yeah!

You must believe what we are saying to believe for without belief you are dying
They told me you must believe what we tell you to believe and yours is not to question why
For the sisters never lie
Yours not to know or die
Might as well not even try
Hail, hail resurrection
You'll invited to come and dance on my grave
Oh I'm gonna have a lot of money
I'll say my prayers to the earth and the sunI
'll say my prayers to the earth and the sun
I'll say my prayers to the earth and the sun
I'll say my prayers to the earth and the sun
Hail, hail resurrection
Hail, hail resurrection
Hail, hail resurrection
Hail, hail resurrection
Hail, hail resurrection
Oh won't you come on now
Hail, hail resurrection
Whoa whoa whoa
Hail, hail resurrection
Can't you hear'em coming now
Hail, hail resurrection
I said can't you hear'em coming now
Hail,
hail resurrection
Hail, hail resurrection
Hail, hail resurrection
Hail, hail resurrection
Hail, hail resurrection

I wondered how many of us were dragged to church, abused by religion, by ministers, by believers, by family, by church members, and now now we don't go at all, don't even want to go, can't make us go? How many does Bruce sing for besides himself?

Forgive us our abuses, for now they don't understand the real meaning of your resurrection. Forgive us our abuses, for now they don't know your love, your grace, your mercy.
Forgive us our abuses, for now the abuse keeps getting passed on from one generation to another.
Forgive us our abuses, for we don't understand the real meaning of your resurrection, your love, your grace, your mercy, we haven't stopped the abuse, and we don't live as Easter People.

Help us live as Easter People. Help us to forgive as you forgive. Help us to stop the abuse. Help us to show others the real meaning of your resurrection. Help us to show them your love, your grace, your mercy.

Friday Five

I am back from Wadley, AL. I did a funeral for one of the longtime members who died of old age on Easter Sunday no less. I loved this lady. She was the chair of the Pastor Parish Committee. I had apparently told her I would have done the funeral when asked, but I did not remember it until the daughter called. It was a sweet funeral. It was good to see some of the members and towns people I had gotten to know. I spent the night as it was a long trip down and a long trip back. I am glad to be home but tired. On the way down there I got a phone call on my cell phone that one of St. John's charter members had died and they wanted me to do the funeral. So now that I am back I'll get ready to do it.

But in the meantime, here is the friday five from revgalblogpals. This time Singing Owl brings A Million Dollar Friday Five to us. Thanks Singing Owl.

Lingering effects of a cold have me watching more television than usual. There appears to be a resurgence of the old daytime staple--the quiz show. Except they are on during prime time, and a great many of them offer the chance of winning one million dollars.I think it started with Regis Philbin and "Who Wants to be a Millionaire?" but now we have a half dozen or so.My husband and I started musing (after watching "Deal or No Deal") about what we could do with a million dollars. I thought I'd just bring that discussion into the Friday Five this week. It's simple. What are five things you would want to do with a million dollar deposit in your bank account?

Oh my a million dollar deposit in my bank account.

Does fainting count as one of the five things I would do?

Seriously

1. Tithe first

2. pay off debt

3. save some

4. spend some

5. be a little frivolous as well.

Does getting on my knees and thanking God count?

More thoughts on John 20:19-31

Today lets look at Thomas in this passage.

19-20Later on that day, the disciples had gathered together, but, fearful of the Jews, had locked all the doors in the house. Jesus entered, stood among them, and said, "Peace to you." Then he showed them his hands and side.
20-21The disciples, seeing the Master with their own eyes, were exuberant. Jesus repeated his greeting: "Peace to you. Just as the Father sent me, I send you."
22-23Then he took a deep breath and breathed into them. "Receive the Holy Spirit," he said. "If you forgive someone's sins, they're gone for good. If you don't forgive sins, what are you going to do with them?"
24-25But Thomas, sometimes called the Twin, one of the Twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. The other disciples told him, "We saw the Master."
But he said, "Unless I see the nail holes in his hands, put my finger in the nail holes, and stick my hand in his side, I won't believe it."
26Eight days later, his disciples were again in the room. This time Thomas was with them. Jesus came through the locked doors, stood among them, and said, "Peace to you."
27Then he focused his attention on Thomas. "Take your finger and examine my hands. Take your hand and stick it in my side. Don't be unbelieving. Believe."
28Thomas said, "My Master! My God!"
29Jesus said, "So, you believe because you've seen with your own eyes. Even better blessings are in store for those who believe without seeing."
30-31Jesus provided far more God-revealing signs than are written down in this book. These are written down so you will believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and in the act of believing, have real and eternal life in the way he personally revealed it.

The Message translation

Just where was Thomas the first time around? Why wasn't he in the upperroom with the rest? Hiding somewhere else perhaps? Maybe he had heard through the grapevine about Jesus being risen from the dead. Perhaps he had gone back to the tomb to see if it was true and then headed to Galillee. We don't know and can only guess. But we do know it was a week later that they all were together including Thomas. He hadn't met the risen Jesus like the others, and openly expressed his feelings and his doubts. Often when someone dies, we will say "I just can't believe they are dead." We say that right after it happens, and sometimes almost a year or more later. That feeling doesn't go away quickly. So in a way Thomas is expressing normal reactions to an unbelievable situation. What is it like for those when there is no body or when the body is so disfigured or unpresentable for a viewing, what are the family members to do? How do they feel.

I heard my grandad died. He had donated his body to science, and I did not see his body after death, it immediately went to the University of Florida Medical School. I did wonder a lot what happened to him, what he looked like. I wanted to touch him to have a way of saying goodbye. I didn't get it. I had to use my imagination.

Thomas was able to see and touch Jesus. And what happened? Reality set in and he was able to profess Jesus as his Master and God.

Sometimes for people who are grieving, they are not able to move into reality, and stay in the unreality. Sometimes the grief takes over and a person is not able to move through their grief and are stuck in what is called unhealthy grief. Sometimes, the person feels guilty about something they have said or done, or didn't do and that affects the person's ability to grieve in a healthy way. Sometimes, the person is separated, not talked with or has had a negative relationship with the person who died, that also can effect the grief process. We don't know all that was behind how Thomas felt, what he did and said. But scripture leads us to believe he was able to move to a point of reality about Jesus.

How can we help those who are having trouble with their grief?

How can we help those who have not been able to see the body for some reason, grieve?

Grief can effect so many areas of one's life from simple tasks to major tasks to relationships to health, you name it. How can we minister to those in grief?

How can we help the "Thomases" in our life?

How are we like Thomas? What do we need in our lives our own grief?

Tonsillectomy success!

Hi all, and thanks for the prayers and thoughts.

Zach is so much better today, in fact he has gone over the line to comedic, I think its left over from the anesthesia. I would rather have that then him being in pain or sick.

The Doc said the tonsils were absolutely nasty. He said he worked on the adenoids but did not remove them for speech reasons. And the ears were okay. Yea, he will be better and now be able to breathe through his nose.

Mom and dad were tired. Bob is still having allergy problems. I am tired from sleeping with the girls. Originally we had the kids in the same bed sleeping crosswise, but they were playing so much that we had to change that. We put Zach in bed with dad, and I slept between the girls
crosswise. I never found a good position to sleep in and the girls practically slept on me.

The girls were silly at the surgery center. But they were very caring toward their brother. It was too small of a room for all the noise and silliness. And they all were a hit with the staff.

So good to come home. Zach is not happy with eating soft food. Oh well. But this too shall pass.

Missing Easter Post, and Easter bunny

Did you notice I didn't post yesterday on Easter Sunday? I did. I kept thinking I was going to do it, but it never happened.

It was a full, wonderful and fun day.

The kids were great, played a lot, and didn't have too much of a sugar high. They did get candy from some of the members, which is a good thing, because the Easter Bunny slept in at our house. They were beautiful in their new Easter clothes too.

Worship went well. The Easter Tree was beautiful. The music good. Preaching was good.

We even held a blood drive on Sunday. I gave blood after the worship service. It wouldn't have taken so long except they couldn't get the vein in my one arm. After three tries they quit and went to the other arm. Believe it or not I am not too badly bruised. But I was wiped out further than I normally am on Sunday.

I hope your Easter went well, maybe the Easter Bunny showed up at your house though.

We go to Birmingham today to spend the night so we can be at the outpatient surgery center early in the morning for Zach's surgery. He will have a tonsillectomy. The girls are going with us too. Say a prayer for him and for us. Hopefully all will go well.

Holy Saturday

Today is Holy Saturday of Holy Week. On Holy Saturday the Church waits at the Lord's tomb, meditating on his suffering and death. The altar is left bare, the church is stripped of its decorations. All lies in wait. It is a time of silence. Silence as it was that Saturday so long ago. It has been called the "Second Sabbath" after creation. The day is and should be the most calm and quiet day of the entire Church year. Christ lies in the grave. After the great battle He is resting in peace, but upon Him we see the scars of intense suffering...The mortal wounds on His Body remain visible....Jesus' enemies are still furious, attempting to obliterate the very memory of the Lord by lies and slander. Mary and the disciples are grief-stricken, as are we.
Today we remember Christ in the tomb. This day is also called "Black Sabbath". On this day, as in no other, we are invited into the most profound silence of the life of God, whose Son, "of one being with the Father," lay buried in a tomb.

Matthew 27:57As evening approached, there came a rich man from Arimathea, named Joseph, who had himself become a disciple of Jesus. 58Going to Pilate, he asked for Jesus' body, and Pilate ordered that it be given to him. 59Joseph took the body, wrapped it in a clean linen cloth, 60and placed it in his own new tomb that he had cut out of the rock. He rolled a big stone in front of the entrance to the tomb and went away. 61Mary Magdalene and the other Mary were sitting there opposite the tomb.

The Apostles’ Creed proclaims that Christ was not only “crucified,dead, and buried,” but also that he “descended into hell.”

Acts 2:31 He seeing this before spake of the resurrection of Christ, that his soul was not left in hell, neither his flesh did see corruption.

I Peter 3:18For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit:19By which also he went and preached unto the spirits in prison;20Which sometime were disobedient, when once the longsuffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was a preparing, wherein few, that is, eight souls were saved by water. 21The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ:and I Peter 4:6For for this cause was the gospel preached also to them that are dead, that they might be judged according to men in the flesh, but live according to God in the spirit.


Icon of the Epitaphios Thrinos

The Stations of the Cross

Today on Good Friday, one of the things churches do is called The Stations of the Cross.

There are plenty of Stations of the Cross on the internet and at a church nearby. Find one to go to, and take time to go the way of the cross today.

Were You There 2

This video used scenes from the movie The Passion.

Were You There?

Johnny Cash - Were You There

Oh my I couldn't believe how many versions of this song there were on youtube.

Friday Five for Good Friday

RevHRod at RevGalBlogPals brings us the Friday Five: "As a child the designation "good" for today confused me. How could we call such a somber day, good? Holy, yes. Blessed, yes. But, good?

As an adult I understand the meaning of good for this day. It is a solemn day of remembrance but it is also a time for us to stop and recall the great gift of love that we received this day. And that is most certainly good.

Our worship today will differ from place to place. Some services will focus on the great litany of prayers. Others will use the seven last words of Jesus. Some of us will walk the stations of the cross. Others will participate in a Tennebrae service of shadows and light.

I hope that this Friday Five will be a meaningful part of your Good Friday. God's blessings to you on your journey.

1. Our prayer concerns are as varied as we are this day. For whom would you like us to pray? Pray for my mom, today would have been my dad's birthday, and he has been dead for 10 years now.
2. Are there things you have done or will do today to help the young ones understand this important day in our lives? yes, I got little ones that I want them to be able to understand.
3. Music plays an important part in sharing the story of this day. Is there a hymn or piece of music that you have found particularly meaningful to your celebrations of Good Friday? Too many to mention. I will say that I have had the old Spiritual "were You There" rumbling around in my head this week.
Were you there when they crucified my Lord?
Were you there when they crucified my Lord?
Oh! Sometimes it causes me to tremble, tremble, tremble.
Were you there when they crucified my Lord?

Were you there when they nailed Him to the tree?
Were you there when they nailed Him to the tree?
Oh! Sometimes it causes me to tremble, tremble, tremble.
Were you there when they nailed Him to the tree?

Were you there when they pierced him in the side?
Were you there when they pierced him in the side?
Oh!Sometimes it causes me to tremble, tremble, tremble.
Were you there when they pierced him in the side?

Were you there when they laid Him in the tomb?
Were you there when they laid Him in the tomb?
Oh! Sometimes it causes me to tremble, tremble, tremble.
Were you there when they laid Him in the tomb?

Were you There
4. As you hear the passion narrative, is there a character that you particularly resonate with? The women, in particular Mary Magdalene.
5. Where have you seen the gracious God of love at work lately? On the Emmaus Walk, with my family, and my friends.

Good Friday

Friday of Holy Week has been traditionally been called Good Friday or Holy Friday. The English designation of "Good Friday" is apparently a corruption of "God's Friday," although the term is a very fitting one since the Lord's death was for our eternal good.
On this day, the church commemorates Jesus’ arrest (since by Jewish customs of counting days from sundown to sundown it was already Friday), his trial, crucifixion and suffering, death, and burial. Since services on this day are to observe Jesus’ death, and since Eucharist is a celebration, there is traditionally no Communion observed on Good Friday. Also, depending on how the services are conducted on this day, all pictures, statutes, and the cross are covered in mourning black, the chancel and altar coverings are replaced with black, and altar candles are extinguished. They are left this way through Saturday, but are always replaced with white before sunrise on Sunday.

The Seven Last Words of Jesus as recorded in the Gospel traditions are often recalled as well.
"Father, forgive them for they know not what they do." (Luke 23:34)
"Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise."(Luke 23:43)
"Woman, behold your son" ... "Behold, your mother!"(John 19:26-27)
"E'lo-i, E'lo-i, la'ma sabach-tha'ni?" which means, "My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?" (Matthew 27:46, Mark 15:34)
"I thirst." (John 19:28)
"It is finished!" (John 19:30)
"Father, into thy hands I commit my spirit!" (Luke 23:46)

Simply put in Mark 15:24. "And they crucified him." Jesus is believed to have died on the cross at 3 o'clock in the afternoon of Good Friday

At the Name of Jesus, every knee should bend
for the Lord became obedient unto death, even to the death of the cross.
Philippians 2:10,8

And so today, on a day that is so beautiful outside, it becomes hard to get into the mood for remembering the events of Jesus' crucifixion. I find it hard to want to get into it at all, and yet it is at the very heart of what I believe and live as follower of Jesus.

Father forgive me...,forgive us....I am to forgive others as you have forgiven me,
70x7. Have I forgiven as you have forgiven me?

Jesus told the thief on the other cross that he would be in paradise with him today.
Lord, I too am a thief, will you forgive me and will I be in paradise with you also?
I know I have done wrong over and over again, but not you, you don't deserve this death, I do.

I am woman, I am to behold my son, my son in each one of you. We are all family in more ways than we realize. Do I behold you as my son? Do I behold you as Jesus?

Jesus, I feel so sad that you felt forsaken on the cross, and that you were forsaken by your followers. I have at times forsaken you too. It is so easy to give into the temptation to do so before I know it. There have been times I felt forsaken by God or that God was silent or not present, but God has not forsaken me. I can't imagine what it was like for you on the cross to feel the way you did and to cry out to God, "why have you forsaken me?"

Your thirst makes your death so real. And that they gave you a sponge soaked in vinegar, makes it all the more real. I thirst, and I drink water, tea, carbonated drinks. There was a time in my life I drank alcohol, too much, trying to numb my feelings. It is so powerful that not that long ago in your life Jesus you met the woman at the well and offered her living water that she would never thirst again. You thristed so that all may have that living water. May I too have your living water that I may never thirst again.

It is finished. Is it really? Is that all there is to the story. No more. No more parables to be told, healings to be done, miracles to be made, no more lessons for the disciples or the pharisee? Oh God it can't be, but you say, it is finished. We were just getting to know you.It can be over not yet.

Father into your hands I commit my spirit just as Jesus did his. I know no other one to commit my spirit too. Will you recieve me too?