Friday Five: Gifts and Talents

Over at revgalbogpals, Sally is in charge of the Friday Five.

So this what she introduced: Our Circuit (Methodist) is having a "Gifts and talents day" tomorrow- we have a minister visiting from another circuit who has modified the Myers Briggs personality test and added a few things of his own to run a day where we get to look at ourselves in the light of giftings and of the whole church. The idea is to encourage everyone with the news that there is room for you in the ministry of the church- and perhaps to discover where that ministry might be.....It should be an interesting day, and one where I hope people will leave feeling encouraged and challenged...
So with gifts and talents in mind here is todays Friday 5;

1. Personality tests; love them or hate them? Depends on which one it is.

2. Would you describe yourself as practical, creative, intellectual or a mixture ? How about none of the above....(But its early here, and I was up late last night.)

3. It is said that everyone has their 15 minutes of fame; have you had your yet? If so what was it, if not dream away what would you like it to be? No, and I probably never will. (Aren't I the cynic this morning.) But if you want to know what my dream was as a kid, here it is; I wanted to be the First Woman President of the US. And frankly I think I might be just a hair better than someone else I know that is running, well at least a little more ethical at this point, but then I have never been in politics and all that means. So now you know.

4. If you were given a 2 year sabatical ( oh the dream of it) to create something would it be music, literature, art.....something completely different...share your dream with us... You know, I had a Seminary Prof, that took his sabbatical and made pizzas at Pizza Hut. I have never forgotten that, and often thought that would be an interesting sabbatical to take. But if I were to take one to create something, I might write and maybe paint some, not quite sure.

5. Describe a talent you would like to develop, but that seems completely beyond you. Are we talking about talents like music, art, sports or what? Maybe acting, they seem to be making the megabucks these days. It seems so unnatural to me.

Bonus question: Back to the church- what does every member ministry mean to you? Is it truly possible to encourage/ implement? Every member in ministry is one of those Wesley, Discipline, purposes of the church. It is something that we have gotten far far away from. I think it is part of making disciples in the church, "it is the fruits by which we know them." Yes, I think it is possible to encourage, and to implement.

Bonus, Bonus: What is the most recent Personality test you have taken? Most recently I attended a workshop called, Ministry from your Strengths. In order to take the seminar, I had to read the book from Gallup Press, part of the Gallup Corp. and take the online test. Only my book didn't come in time, and I took the wrong test online. I have since taken the right test. If you ever want to introduce a different way of looking at your gifts and graces, for your members, this is a good way. I had worked it out for the person to come offer the workshop here in our district, and no one signed up. In the meantime, the whole cabinet took it, and so now the DS is pushing it, so we are going to reoffer it in the fall. Now go find your strengths and introduce them to your congregation. Amazon has the book too, and most of their books. If you want to know more let me know.

It's Another Birthday

Well, Kara had her 7th year birthday party at the skate rink, last night. She was the Queen of the rink. Several of her school mates, and church friends came. It was a lot of fun. She is pretty good at skating too, for a 7 year old. We forgot the camera, sorry, no pics. She made quite a haul of presents. We got home so late last night that she didn't even have time to really play with them. But this morning, she spent most of the morning, playing with them, trying to keep her little brother away from them too. She was very happy. I am glad. Surprisingly it was quite affordable too.

Mom had to go to Bham for a meeting and just made it back in time for the party. Dad had to get all three of them ready, bring the presents, go get the cake. All in all he did pretty good, with all that to do. Kara, somehow managed to sit on her cake, how we don't know, and I don't think we ever will. But that didn't matter, it did taste good. Note to mom don't go to meetings out of town, on big event days.

The Seasons are over

Yes, its true, Baseball, softball season is over. Its done. I don't know if Zachary is glad or not. Several of the parents mentioned they were. I think we are going to miss it. They had a party at the water park here in Florence. And since then all we have heard, "I want to go to the water slide today, now!" It was a fun party though, and the parents enjoyed talking with each other.
The girl's season is over too. We are waiting to hear what they are going to do for a party. I know the girls are glad its over. But as the season went on, they really played better, and they were encourage to play Fall Ball. So I guess we will be back out with fall ball.

The Dance season is over too. And the Dance Recital was really good. The girls remembered their routines in both their dances and did really well. I have to brag, on one of the dances, the girls were the only ones who knew the routine and danced it. People were coming up and telling us how good they did, and encouraging them to keep up the dancing. Katy told Bob that she liked being on stage. I believe it! She and Kara were just beaming. All the dancers and dancing was just great. In the girl's jazz class there were two boys. At first they didn't like them. But then all I heard toward the end was their names. They are cute boys. Katy didn't want to take dance this summer, she wanted a break. She is taking tumbling instead. Kara wanted to take dance, so she is in dance and tumbling. She originally didn't want to take tumbling, but when she got there and saw what the others were doing, she was excited. Zachary finished his preschool dance class, and their little recital was well cute, what other word is there. There was one other boy in the group, and the boys were both pretty good. Zach is taking hip-hop this summer, and is really good at it. One of his teachers is the granddaughter of one of our members. So he is now in love with Darby. Darby is really a good dancer, a sweet girl, and very beautiful but too old for him. He is taking tumbling for boys, and is loving it and doing well. They wanted to do Karate too, but we just could not afford or do it all. They offer Karate at the Y, and so maybe later they can take it. So Bob is still doing a lot of running back and forth to the dance and tumbling studios.

I finished preaching the Purpose Driven Life series, and the book study is done. It has had an impact on us. This Sunday the book study group celebrates with a meal. They are also supposed to make a commitment to some kind of practical application of what they have learned. This group has decided they want to continue to stay together. So Sunday they will be looking at that, and deciding or looking at deciding how they will do that. This is good news.

We have started the Natural Church Development Process at St John. We completed our surveys, sent them in for scoring, and they came back this week. I met with our Coach to go over the results and to make plans to meet with the leaders to go over the results. I am not going to reveal the results here. I am going to say that the Coach was positive about our strengths and how that will help us in our working on our weakest point. When I looked at them I felt the same way. It was very uplifting, and says a lot about how this church is growing. I am going to be preaching on the Eight Characteristics of a healthy church, How God grows us, and how the church has its own natural growth process. I am calling it the Growing Season.

I haven't written in awhile, so I thought I would summarize some of what I keep meaning to do. And it seems like I can't get to the computer to blog like I was. I know I have been double tagged and am planning to blog those, but every time I sit down to do it, something comes up.
I am hoping it gets better for me to be able to blog now that the season is over.

Friday Five: Books, Books, Books

Sally at revgalblogpals is in charge of today's Friday Five:I've just returned from a meeting in Cambridge so I'm posting this late here in the UK (it is 3:45pm).. because I took the opportunity of a free afternoon in Cambridge's wonderful book shops... I only bought a few- and they were on sale- very restrained for me!!! (Can't believe you were restrained, and I am so jealous that you were at Cambridge book shops!)

So with my head full of books I've seen and a long wish list in my mind, I bring you a Friday Five on books!!!

1. Fiction what kind, detective novels, historical stuff, thrillers, romance???? I tend to be ecletic in my reading, but once I find a good writer or a series, then that's the books I read. Right now I am reading the No. 1 Detective Agency series by Alexander McCall Smith.

2. When you get a really good book do you read it all in one chunk or savour it slowly? Shut the door, get quite, and stay up all night. Read until its done. And then maybe read the good parts again.

3. Is there a book you keep returning to and why? Mmm unless its one of the kid's books, I don't know....Chronicles of Narnia. Why, I can escape to Narnia and be with the lion, and have all those wonderful adventures.

4. Apart from the Bible which non-fiction book has influenced you the most? Any thing by C. S. Lewis, or Barbara Brown Taylor.

5. Describe a perfect place to read. ( could be anywhere!!!) (The Beach with a little breeze, not that noisey, something to drink, and the waves coming in. Perferably the Gulf Coast on the Panhandle.)

Bonus question #1. How many books are on your Amazon Wish List? Too many to count.

#2. Bad habit you have while reading books? With some books, I tend to not be patient and go to the back of the book to read the ending, and then I'll read from where I where I left off. ( I have really tried to break this bad habit.)

A day of Tragedy for Methodist Ministers

I hate to bring the bad news, and I hate to hear it. I really do.
Today was a day of bad news.

Rev. Jerry Herston was killed in a single car automobile accident Monday afternoon. One other individual in the car with Jerry, a member one the church he has been serving, also was killed. The News Channel in Huntsville has the details of the accident. Jerry and I were in the same district before we both moved. I was truly upset by this news. I like Jerry and his wife. He was moving this year, so I don't know what that means. His son Jonathon, a Methodist Minister also, will be moving too. What a tragedy to deal with right after conference. There will be a service of thanksgiving and resurrection celebration will be held at Guin First United Methodist Church at 6 p.m. on Thursday.

And a memorial service for Dr. Herston will be conducted Sunday, June 10, 2007 at 2 p.m. at Asbury United Methodist Church in Fort Payne . He really had a Pastor's heart, was a genuine individual. He will be missed. Prayers for his family.

Then I found out that Jim Hauer, husband of Rev. Martha Hauer, died at 4:00 this morning following back surgery in Columbus, GA. Martha is the Pastor at the church I formally served, Wadley UMC. She is also the one that was in the terrible automobile accident last year. The church has surrounded her with their love and care and support. She is still effected from her accident.The funeral will be Thursday, June 7 at 2 p.m. at Wadley UMC. Burial will be Friday at 1 p.m. at Oakwood Cemetery in Tuscumbia , AL . She and Jim were married for 35 years and he has been super supportive of her ministry. They have one daughter. Keep them in your prayers.

My heart goes out to the Herston Family and Martha. It is a truly sad day for us in the North Alabama Conference of the Methodist Church.

A Quick Conference and Quick Elections

I attended the two day conference of the North Alabama Conference. Usually this conference starts on Sunday afternoon and finished late Wednesday afternoon. However, not many of the lay delegates could come or all you got were the retirees. So our conference last year shortened by one day, and this year it was shortened to the two days. The Memorial Conference was moved to Thursday night and to one of the churches. That was well attended and it was a good service instead the sterility of the college Coliseum. We women had our clergywomen gathering right after the service in the parlor of the church. That was nice too. I think it was one of our better gatherings. The Bishop even joined us for awhile. Then the next day we started the long day of Friday. A lot of us were concerned that elections though would lead to a long weekend. The last elections took a whole lot longer than planned for. I felt like we were running through the business pretty fast almost at light speed with little discussion. We had no Bibles study, no workshops and fewer worship services.

Bishop Huie spoke to us about the changes that are going on in the Texas Conference. As I listened I thought to myself, "It won't be long that we will be doing some of the same things."
She also preached at the Ordination service. She was imaginative and creative, well spoken. Boy is she a dynamite. The commissioning service will be done later at another church. Bishop messed up though the ordination of Jan McCarver, I think he must have forgot what she was being ordained for. But that will be corrected.

The next day was a quickie too. We did finish the elections. I had to leave early because of the girl's had a Dance Recital, that I was not going to miss even for the conference. Now something you need to know is that last year we had a big argument over one of the petitions that came before the conf. this petition was to tell the President to end the war. The same petition came up again. The person from the petitions committee did a good job presenting it, asking us to stop and pray for those who have died in the war. It was very moving. The Bishop brought up that he had lots of letters about last year's discussion, and so he did not want us to have a discussion again. That just ruined the tone, because our conference has always had a history of discussing things sometimes pretty heatedly, but coming out on the other end. Everybody was pretty upset that we could not discuss, he even used the Roberts Rules to keep that from happening. But then one of the Pastors out maneuvered him and brought an amendment to it. The amendment basically took out the language of telling the President what to do and took out the time line. Well it passed, and the Bishop was fed up. Two other people at that point stood up to speak. One of them started saying that maybe we needed to think about what sacrifice we could make and he basically shut him up. Well don't you know then the conference was pretty mad at the Bishop. You see we have history of being able to speak and be listened to. Usually we have one for the and then one against, like that. That is all he had to do. You know we are students in a class that you tell us what to think and what to do, and be quiet. I spoke to the man about what he was trying to say. I know this man very well. Good fellow, bright, thoughtful, worth listening too. His son is a Marine in Iraq. What he was trying to say, is okay, instead of just saying we are for peace, lets to something, find out what is needed in Iraq. How we can make things better and do it. You know I think he is on to something. I suggested he present that next year. Start now finding out how we can help, how we can do something and present it. I don't like war anymore than anybody else, but I think writing the President and telling his to cease fire, and withdraw immediately is not the only answer. I think we the people need to begin to give and help too. I don't remember it being so bad last year, but that was a year ago. I do think that a fair discussion is okay. But with limited time like this was set up for, there is little time for discussion.

The place we met was great, I have no complaints. I don't even mind making possible for lay people who work to be there. But what would it mean if we just go ahead and met on Sunday too. Go ahead and give enough time for what has to happen and be taken care of. Have lay speakers or retired ministers preach. I think it was too short of time.

Now to the elections. I am going to put the results of the clergy elections up here, and you tell me what you see and think....

General Conference
1. Will Garrett
2. Bill Morgan
3. Mark Parris
4. Paul Hillard
5. Robert Sparkman
6. Amy Bowers
7. Tommy Grey

Jurisdictional Conference
1. Dalton Styes
2. Sheryl Thornton
3. Steve West
4. Rudy Guess
5. Glenn Conner
6. Andy Wolfe
7. Robin Scott

Alternates
1. Amelia Sims
2. Alan Head
3. Sara Cameron
4. Tim Barnes
5. Alan Weatherly
6. Dale Cohen
7. Kenny Baskins

I will say we had more mission moments that were really inspiring. We had good ministry reports also. I would say over all it was a good conference.

MP3s Questions and other doodles

I am thinking about purchasing a MP3 player. I have been studying the MP3s that are out there. I have read the CNET, and other reviews. I even done the comparison thing. It seems like it keeps getting back to Apple IPod. But even IPod has some limitations. Now I want to know what the real users think. I want to know your thoughts. How you use it. Why I should spend the money, although I did ask Santa for one, but didn't get it. He was broke at the time. Do you listen to music, listen to books, pod casts, or watch movies, videos, look at pictures? Is it worth your money? Do you use it while walking, riding bikes, in-line skating, excersising or while driving your car or sitting at your desk? Does it work to your liking? Please don't get too technical or use less geeky language. I appreciate your thoughts?

And finally, I will be gone to the North Alabama Conference today through late Saturday. What's the big events? Tonight the clergywomen are gathering after the memorial service. We get to hear Bishop Janice Huie at Ordination. We are voting for jurisdictional and general conference delegates. It is a compressed meeting, but last year with voting we were there late, so it could happen again. We are meeting at Clear Branch church out in Clay, NE Birmingham, one of our big churches, and not at Birmingham Southern. Our special offering goes to the Nothing But Nets.

Wednesday thoughts about Rob Bell and Velvet Elvis

Over at revgalblogpals, they have been in a book discussion over the book Velvet Elvis by Rob Bell. The thing that we related to the most was his chapter on burnout and trying to be "SuperPastor". I know this struggle, I have struggled with thinking I had to be super woman, super pastor, and tried to do it, and burned out trying to do it myself. We aren't called to be superhuman. We are called to be human, after all we are human beings. Okay so I am preaching to the choir, myself, and maybe I need to keep hearing and reading it.

I am just at this place in the book. I keep getting interrupted in my readings by the munchkins. But I will say it is good interruptions. I had read this before in an excerpt Rob Bell wrote for Chritianity Today, called the The Storage Room Meltdown.
Here is what he had to say: "I could feel my car keys in my pocket, and all I could think about was how far away I could be by 11 a.m. How much gas was in the tank? How fast could I drive?

Sitting on a chair in a storage room, I could hear the worship space filling up with people, and all I wanted to do was leave. What do you do when you're pastor of a church, it's Sunday morning, people are finding their seats, you're scheduled to preach, and you realize you have nothing to say? How did it come to this? It started out so great … One minute you have these ideas about how it could be, and the next minute you're leading this exploding church/event/monster."

He goes on to say: "We were growing. House churches were springing up, partnerships were beginning with other churches around the world, and people who had never been a part of a church were finding a home. Two years into it, around 10,000 people were coming to the three gatherings on Sundays. In the middle of all this chaos was me, superpastor, doing weddings and funerals and giving spiritual direction and going to meetings and teaching and dealing with crises and visiting people in prison and at the hospital. It was happening so fast. One minute you have these ideas about how it could be, and the next minute you are leading this exploding church/event/monster. I tell you all this because there's a dark side. It's one thing to be an intern with dreams about how church should be. It's another thing to be the 30-year-old pastor of a massive church. And that is why I was sitting there thinking about how far I could be by 11 a.m. I escaped to the storage closet to be alone. I was moments away from leaving the whole thing. I just couldn't do it anymore. People were asking me to write books on how to grow a progressive young church, and I wasn't even sure I was a Christian anymore. I didn't know if I wanted to be a Christian anymore. I was exhausted. Full of doubt. I had nothing more to say.
And so I sat there with my keys in my hand, turning them over and over, hearing the room getting louder and louder and more and more full. At that moment I made some decisions. Because without pain, we don't change, do we? but I realized that day that things were wrong with the whole way I was living my life. If I didn't change, I was not going to make it. In that abyss I broke and got help … because it's only when you hit bottom and are desperate enough that things start to get better. This breakdown, of course, left me with difficult decisions to make.
This breakdown, of course, left me with difficult decisions to make. Mars Hill was alive and people were being transformed. Who would leave all that? I decided to be honest about my journey, and if people wanted to come along, great. But I was still going to have to take a new path. And a new journey began, one that has been very, very painful. And very, very freeing.
It was during this period that I learned that I have a soul."

Well he says more, and I'll be glad to share the article with you or you can read the chapter in the book. Its a good chapter. I think whether you are a Pastor who is planting a church, or is pastoring a mega church or a little church, somewhere you are going to get to this place in your life, your ministry. And if you seek the help you need, change your path, you too will learn you have a soul, but you will have to face and feel the pain. I would say that some days, I am still facing and feeling the pain, and when I do, I realize, I have gotten off the path, or am having to look at another shadow part of myself.

Here is the Nooma for the day. It is a Nooma we could all use. It is one I can especially use. The Psalmist wrote, "Be still, and know I am God."

• "Why is silence so hard to deal with? Why is it so much easier for us to live our lives with a lot of things going on all the time than tojust be in silence? We’re constantly surrounded with “voices” that are influencing us on how to think, feel, and behave. Movies, music, TV, Internet, cell phones, and a never-ending barrage of advertising. There’s always something going on. Always noise in our lives. But maybe there’s a connection between the amount of noise in our lives and our inability to hear God. If God sometimes feels distant to us, maybe it’s not because he’s not talking to us, but simply because we aren’t really listening."

The Dogs want their turn

This is Lily Bear. Many people think she is a male, because of her looks, but she is a she. Many think she is a mean dog because of her looks, growl and bark. She can be if threatened or you threaten her family. She has some wolf in her and acts like one. Bob is the Alfa. Lily Bear was found in the middle of the road below Wadley on the way to Lafyette, and was given to my daughter Katy. There was no giving her back. She is very sweet, likes her back scratched. She was named after our Liaison in China.

This is Koda, you know like Koda in the Disney movie "Brother Bear." He is a he and acts like a he. He is part Dachshund and part lab. As you can see he is small and long, and has the legs of a daschand, on the other hand he is round and fat, with the black colors of a lab. He gets mixed up about which personality he is. He is loyal like a dog. Very protective like a Dachshund. Loves his mama. Loves the cats. Loves the kids. He is also very funny. Still chewing on anything and everything.

Here our other cats

This the big, fat kitty, Tygger. but you could tell that couldn't you. She is too big to get outside the fence, although she does try to escape out the doors. She was found in the woods with her two siblings. The vet figured her to be three days old, and didn't think the kittens would make it. But they made it, and indeed beyond. All three are big as can be. Two of my friends in Columbus, GA own the other two. Tygger is loving to your family. But not to strangers, she will attack you until she knows you. I have been told that cats raised on the bottle by humans can be like that.

This is Midnight, this is where she regularly sacks out after a night of galavanting in the woods behind our house. I found her at the church. She looked lost, and right away came home with me. She is a sweetie.

A funeral for Prince Aiden

Thank you to each of you for your prayers, thoughts and support about our cat's death, Prince Aiden. This morning, Zachary said to me, "I loved Prince Aiden, I miss him." I know, I know. This is a picture of Prince Aiden.

Early evening we went out in the woods back of our house to bury him. We found a place not far off the trail, that we could dig up. The kid's wanted to help dig, but the clay was so hard, from lack of rain, that Bob dug it. We placed the body, which was wrapped up and in a trashbag, in the hole. We then said their goodbyes. Well, poor Kara got to giggling and laughing at everything Katy said. We tried to comfort her, because we knew behind the laughter were the tears and sadness. We had to calm Katy down, because she thought Kara was making fun of her. And Zach then wouldn't say anything, because he was afraid, that she would laugh at him. But we explained what was going on, so Katy went on and said her goodbyes, then Zachary. I then gathered us together and held hands as we prayed together. I thanked God for sending us Prince Aiden for a short time. I was crying while I prayed. Kara then got quiet and was crying softly. Then we pushed the dirt back over the grave, patted it down good. Zachary asked for a wooden cross to be put there. They all know where the grave is now and can get to easily if they need to.

This is the second cat we have had to die in the last month, it breaks my heart. The kids go through a litany now; " I miss Rhianna, I miss Prince Aiden. The only cats we have left is big fat kitty, and Midnight." I know, I know.

When Rhianna died, Bob wouldn't let the kids see the body or help bury him. They were really mad at him. I guess he learned his lesson. I told him how important it was to have the kids present so they could do their grieving. Good night sweet prince.

On a happier note, the kids had a great time swimming, and playing yesterday. It was so sweet and pure joy to hear their laughter, and their talking and playing. It was one of those God moments. I was trying to savor it, and hold it close to my heart. I was trying to put it in my memory bank. You sure can't buy these moments, and these times with the kids.

points in my world.

• Well, it is Memorial day today. And yet I will be spending most of my day at the Ball park for a double header of my son's Baseball team. Lathering up the sun screen, and Bob is putting up the canopy. But yesterday, Bob and I put together a picture board for Memorial day and invited others to do the same. I'll see if I can get them together to show you later. It was very moving.

• It was Pentecost Sunday yesterday, and the person bringing the announcements told them I would explain Pentecost to them. I used the children's sermon to tell them about Pentecost and the Holy Spirit, and explain how the Holy Spirit helps us to become Christ Like which tied into my sermon. I wasn't preaching Pentecost lectionary passages. We are doing a series on the Purpose Driven Life to go along with the Book Study. We are at the third purpose of "Becoming Christ Like". I have to tell you after attending the Festival of Homiletics, listening to the "Rock Stars" of the Preaching World, I really felt humbled about my preaching. And I got the idea from what the Bishop said in his lecture on the last day about preaching, that he didn't care for the Purpose Driven Life or the style of preaching that Rick Warren preached. I really felt anxious. But the Bishop said something that I do agree with, that when the Holy Spirit shows up it is awesome, disconcerting, powerful, well we don't have the words to describe it, at least I don't. But I think God is there in the church and its us who don't always show up, or we may come to church physically but not in the whole. Our minds and hearts are often elsewhere, including myself sometimes. My prayer was that I showed up and that we showed up to receive the word we needed to hear.

• Yesterday, we said goodbye to our Youth Director. It was sad. We gave her a gift card and a gift. She tried hard to work with our youth. She tried different means of working with them. But in the end it did not work. But we wanted to thank her for her time with us and our youth and ministering to them. So we said goodbye and thank you. We prayed over her and for her future. She is getting married, and finishing her graduate degree. Anybody in our area looking for a youth director? I can recommend one. We have a different youth group. We have some members of our church who are youth. Then we have youth whose parents don't go to church. We also have the young men from a local children's home. Good boys at heart, but boys with lots of needs, lots of pain, and no parents around. It makes for a hard youth group. So, Abi is working with the youth along with another man, Bob and some other people who said they would help until we decide what direction we are going in.

• Last night we came home from Sunday night church to see our beautiful male cat, Prince Aiden on the side of the road. Yes, we lost another cat. He was breathing but not really responding. Bob took him to the emergency clinic and they put him to sleep. Bob brought his body home so we can bury him and have a little burial service for him today. The girls were just in tears as was I. He slept on Kate's bed, and was one of the most loving male kitties I have ever had. The Vet told Bob that our street was known as "death road" for pets. We have a fenced in yard, but that doesn't keep the cats in, except for big cat. We have a pet door for the dogs to go in and out. I guess we may have to think about getting rid of the pet door, and just let the dogs in and out. I don't know.

• But the truth is, a pet's death is not a human death. It is not the same. It is grievous, but not the same. And it is not the same as the sacrificial deaths of our military. So today we take time to remember our military and those who died in war. I have a great Uncle who died in WWI. Bob has an Uncle who died at war also. Probably there are others, I don't know. I think Grand dad told us his brother died in the Spanish American War. Here is a link to a Memorial Day prayer that I like. Did you know that there are this many US deaths in Iraq:
• U.S. Deaths Confirmed By The DoD: 3441
• Reported U.S. Deaths Pending DoD Confirmation: 14
• Total 3455 from IC website.
• This doesn't include contractors, journalists, other nation's military(here are British Numbers), nor does it include the Iraqis' deaths.
• And let's not forget we got another war going on, that has heated up again, Operation Enduring Freedom.
• Here is a list of American War Casualties for all wars.
• I think it is important to put a face to the number, go to the Washington post for that.
• Whether you agree or disagree with the present administration and it's policies, take time to remember those who have died for your right to agree or disagree.

• And last point in my world. yesterday the local paper talked about the KKK coming to Tuscumbia on Saturday(You can't read the article anymore if you don't have an account, but you can see the pictures.). I didn't know about it, nor did I go, I was at the ball park all day and had a spend the night friend over for the girls. (That's another story.) They were there to talk about illegal immigration and their usual topics. What was neat was that there were protests about them being there. They say there were a lot of young faces in the crowd of protesters. The protesters were nonviolent and held up signs that said "Love thy Neighbor", and "God's Love is Colorblind". They had to cancel the cross burning due to the Fire alert we are under. In the end they had to leave due to the crowd who were gathered singing a few verses of "Jesus Loves the Little Children". Can you imagine it was the singing of that sweet little children's hymn that forced them to leave. In light of what the Festival of Homiletics theme was on, "Preaching for Transformation", a sermon was preached yesterday. Don't be fooled by their talk about illegal immigration, they still spew hatred, and racism. Instead pray for them, protest them with nonviolent protests, love them as the Bible tells us too, and sometimes sing that sweet Song; "Jesus loves the little children, all the children of the world, including the KKK...."

Friday Five

Reverend Mother says over at revgalblogpals; as many of you know, I have been experimenting with some severely curtailed Internet usage. I realized that I had gotten into some bad habits, which got me thinking about habits in general. I understand that a habits/random facts meme has already been going around. In the hopes that it hasn't hit too many of us yet, be as lighthearted or as serious as you'd like with the following:

1. Have you ever successfully quit a bad habit, or gotten a good habit established? Tell us about how you did it. When I was a little girl, I sucked my thumb for a very long time. Who knows if I was insecure or why, but I did. My parents tried all the favored treatments, you know, pepper, some kind of liquid, shame, pulling the thumb out of my mouth, etc. Those did not work. To tell you the truth, I don't know how I stopped, I just remember I stopped. And that I didn't need it anymore or want it. It was very freeing. Now if I could just get that to work for some of my other bad habits.....

2. "If only there were a 12-step program for _________________!" I don't know, because it seems like there is a 12-step program for just about every addiction there is. Maybe buying too many books.

3. Share one of your healthy "obsessions" with us. Buying books.

4. Share the habit of a spouse, friend or loved one that drives you C-R-A-Z-Y.
Bob, not throwing away his popcicle sticks or ice cream wrappers or candy wrappers; that I find the next day, and have to throw away before the kids find them.

5. "I'd love to get into the habit of ___________________."
Walking, daily prayer, bible reading, meditation....

Bonus: What is one small action you might take immediately to make #5 a reality?
Go for a walk today...
clear aside an area that is a sanctuary for prayer, meditation and bible reading.

Bonus 2: Try it, and let us know how it goes in a future post! Okay

Festival of Homiletics

Hi, Have you wondered where I was? Why wasn't I blogging? Was I ever going to blog again? Well, here I am. I am at the Festival of Homiletics in Nashville, TN. The reason I haven't been blogging is due to the limited time period I have to use the internet at the place I am staying. I am staying at Scarritt-Bennett at the Vanderbilt Campus. It is a beautiful place. Quiet. Peaceful. Nice little restaurants around. They even have a labyrinth which I have walked a couple of times. But they only keep the building that has the internet open for until 9pm. By the time we have gotten back in the evening, it is just not enough time to even do email. The Festival is great. Great worship. Great preaching. Great teaching. It is just great.(Have I used great too much?) But the parking downtown is a night mare, and the cost is more than I am used to paying. But I realize I don't live in a big city or go downtown much. Logistics has every one scattered about. And did I say that there are 1600 people here. Now how am I suppose to find anybody with that many people? But I did meet-up with the revgalblogpals who are here last night, and it was good to meet them and be with them. Today I saw some guys from the methoblog who were help lead the emerging worship service. How do they have time to do all the things they do?

This afternoon we went to the Upper Room, which was a nice experience. There were also more books one could buy. But I did not buy any there. Don't tell Bob I bought some at the Festival though. I have got to quit buying books and read the ones I have bought. And I have to finish Velvet Elvis for Monday's discussion. But I am having a good time and learning a lot. I haven't stopped blogging or left this world. I'll try to write more as I can.

A boy's first birthday party

Zach turned five on Wednesday. Try having a birthday party on a Wednesday, when you are a Pastor of a church that has Wednesday night Bible Study, youth and children. It doesn't work.
Although our Children's Minister had a party on Wednesday night for him. This is something she does for all the kids for their birthday. Instead we opted for a Saturday afternoon party at the church's Christian Life Center. We rented one of those blow-up bouncy thingies. It was a hit.
We adopted Zachary last year toward the end of March, and had a family party for his birthday and one at preschool. He didn't understand, and wasn't sure what was going on. But somehow or another he got it this year. I have never seen him so excited and thrilled as today at his party. He had a big time. He got some nice presents, you know the boy types; Spider Man, Power Rangers, that kind of stuff. He couldn't wait for us to finish singing Happy Birthday before he blew out the candles. And oh yes a Spider Man cake. He and his friends had a big time. He is now sleeping, happily, looks less like a spider man more like an angel. Dad is asleep. mom is falling asleep as she blogs. Shh, don't wake the sleeping family.

Friday Five: Big Event Edition

From Songbird, did you know that the major purpose for forming a non-profit, RevGalBlogPals, Inc., was to be able to attract grant support for a large scale RevGalBlogPal meetup? I knew this. My dream from the beginning has been attracting financial support that would allow as many of our bloggers to be together as possible. What a great dream!!!

RGBP, Inc. now has a planning committee, and we are in the early stages of planning the RevGalBlogPal Big Event. What, When, Where and Who are all on the table at the moment. In that spirit, I bring you the Big Event Friday Five.

1. What would the meeting be like? (Continuing Ed? Retreat? Outside Speakers? Interest Groups? Workshops? Hot Stone Massages? Pedicures? Glorified Slumber Party?) Must have continuing ed, the conference is pushing continuing ed. Definitely Retreat. Outside Speakers, mmm, not sure, we have some very wonderful, smart, wise, experienced people in the blog. Perhaps someone more to lead, moderate, direct the sessions. Could have a keynote speaker, then workshops planned around the theme or speech. There are so many areas to Pastoring and ministry you would need people who are experts on those areas or focus on one are in particular. The retreat could employ as well time for taking care of ourselves ie the massages, pedicures, etc.

2. When in 2008 might you be able to attend? January? Shortly after Easter? Summer? Fall? Some other time? January or Summer. But I would find a way for the date planned.

3. Where would your dream meeting location be? (Urban Hotel? Rural Retreat Center? New England Camp? Southwestern Fantasy Hotel? Far away from civilization? Nearby Outlets or Really Great Thrift Stores?) You know, I think with these questions, it sounds like a place that had away from people, but close enough to some sort of shopping. May I recommend Gulf Shores, AL. Camp Sumatanga of AL also. It is near Boaz. But then I like Jeckyll Island. And I like the southwest. I haven't been to a New England Camp though.

4. Who would make a great keynote speaker? (That's if #1 leads us in that direction.)
Is this a loaded Question? Barbara Brown Taylor, because she has served as Pastor.
Diana Butler Bass. Bishop Janice Riggle Huie, President of the Council of Bishops of the UMC, or any of the female Bishops of the UMC. Bisop Katharine Jefferts Schori, Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church, or any of the other female Bishops of the Episcopal Church. An of the female leaders in the Denominations, I don't mean to sound like I am leaving out the Lutheran, UCC, or the Presb. Grace Imathiu, Barbara Lundblad, Marva Dawn, Ann Weems, Joanna Adams, or Anna Carter Florence. But it would also be neat to have people like Kathleen Norris, Anne Lamott, Phyllis Tickle, Nora Gallagher, Marjorie Thompson, Roberta Bondi, The Rev. Dr. Lauren Artress,The Rev. Barbara Cawthorne Crafton, The Rev. Mary C. Earle, The Rev. Margaret B. Gunness, The Rev. Canon Renée Miller, The Rev. Dr. Donna Schaper, The Rev. Dr. Renita J. Weems, and Susan R. Garrett. Is this too many for the committee to consider? I'm just dreaming big.
I have a friend that does women retreats, Cinde Lucas, that said she would be glad to come do ours or some part of ours.

5. Did I leave out something you want to suggest?
Food, Fun, and Fellowship. Worship. Wonder if we can consider a way to include our over the pond members perhaps next time. Perhaps we need to do like the Festival of Homiletics and meet in different regions of the country each year so that people from those areas can have an opportunity as well.

Dream big for the Big Event!!! Dreaming Big for big time funding a great place a great keynote speaker and leader, and a great time had by all.

Visionary Art; A Man who Quilts

I loved living in Wadley, Al. Several of my members were quilters, and good ones at that. One of them had her own quilting room that her son built her. She made some of the prettiest quilts. The church I served in Columbus, GA had a quilting group that made their quilts to sell, and their proceeds would go to Missions. I love those women, they would quilt in the room across the hall from me. I loved going in there to see what they were quilting, and what the latest buzz was. They made some nice quilts. Bob's mom was a quilter, and quilted a quilt for each child and grandchild getting married. She was amazing and made some fine quilts. I am not a quilter and don't even remember one of my relatives being one either. I just admire the gift to do one, and one when they are done. Today, I want to introduce you to a man who is a self taught quilter.

Chris Clark has become one of the South's most admired visionary artists. Born in 1958, he began making and painting "story" quilts in 1987. He sews the quilt pieces together and then paints Bible stories and other scenes over the quilt. He says his Grandmother and others that he first showed the quilts to discouraged him from making them. They simply couldn't understand why anyone would want to make a quilt that you hang on a wall instead of using for bed covers. But Chris persisted in his work moving on to painting children at play and other "happy images". He also makes "spirit sticks" from found objects and paints on suitcases and furniture. As a young man, Chris served in the Army then held a variety of factory jobs until he started losing his vision. His eyesight would come and go; he was sure he was dying. Later he was diagnosed with severe diabetes. After treatment and months of recovery, his eyesight began to stabilize. He first sold his quilts in a nearby flea market but soon came to the attention of folk art galleries. He is a regular participant at many art festivals and is a featured artist in the books,. REVELATIONS and SPIRITS OF THE CLOTH.

Chris Clark, started quilting in the late 1980s after a bout with diabetes put him in the hospital. It was a craft at which his grandmother and great grandmother excelled. But rather than simply sew together pieces of fabric, Clark painted pictures on them as well. His grandmother scoffed --but changed her mind when one of his big quilts sold for $1,000. Like many self-taught artists, Clark uses “found’’ objects – discarded furniture, buttons, soda cans, beads, machine parts – to create paintings, pastiches, hats, sculptures and his signature quilts. Many are reflections of dreams and childhood memories. Chris has his own website also: http://www.chrisclarkart.com/

Rob Bell, Nooma, and the book Velvet Elvis

Hi, back on Wednesday blogging about Rob Bell in preparation for our book discussion of his book called Velvet Elvis.

Rob Bell will tell you his style is unorthodox. He planted a church by preaching through Leviticus. His teaching is a mix of images and personal stories and exegesis and some perspectives you probably haven't heard in church before. The message, however, is orthodox, biblical, and well informed by history. The whole package, Bell says, is subversive. Like Jesus.

Whatever it is, it works. It connects with crowds totaling 10,000 most weekends at Mars Hill Bible Church in Grandville, Michigan, the church 33-year-old Bell founded five years ago. It connects, we've seen, with students at his alma mater, Wheaton College, and emerging church leaders at national conferences, where Bell is likely to teach using a big chair, Jewish prayer shawl, or a live goat. "Animals, whatever. Whatever it takes," he says. "No rules." These days he's talking a lot about the rabbis.

The rabbis believe that the text is like a gem: the more you turn it the more the light refracts. I say, if it's the living word, then turn the gem.

"My friends tell me that I'm, like, classic ADD. That, of course, was already obvious," he says, and it shows in his writing, but whatever rabbit chases he is on it takes him to a point to bring the real, historical, present, and revolutionary Christ to this generation.

Rob Bell's wife, Kristen, told Christianity Today in a joint interview, "It's a cultural jump for our friends to come to church. It's a cultural jump for us, and we grew up in the church."

"This is not just the same old message with new methods," Rob says. "We're rediscovering Christianity as an Eastern religion, as a way of life. Legal metaphors for faith don't deliver a way of life. We grew up in churches where people knew the nine verses why we don't speak in tongues, but had never experienced the overwhelming presence of God."

When you read the book Velvet Elvis, you get this same language, same thoughts, and a pointing to the real, historical, present, and revolutionary Christ. Oh and by the way I am half way through. Some of the revgalblogpals readers are already done with the book. I have got to get going reading more.

Here is link to the Nooma Video Flame. (The embedding was disabled so you have to click on the link to see it.)

John Wesley on Prayer

John Wesley on Prayer

God's command to "pray without ceasing" is founded on the necessity we have of his grace to preserve the life of God in the soul, which can no more subsist one moment without it, than the body can without air.

Whether we think of; or speak to, God, whether we act or suffer for him, all is prayer, when we have no other object than his love, and the desire of pleasing him.

All that a Christian does, even in eating and sleeping, is prayer, when it is done in simplicity, according to the order of God, without either adding to or diminishing from it by his own choice.

Prayer continues in the desire of the heart, though the understanding be employed on outward things.

In souls filled with love, the desire to please God is a continual prayer.

As the furious hate which the devil bears us is termed the roaring of a lion, so our vehement love may be termed crying after God.

God only requires of his adult children, that their hearts be truly purified, and that they offer him continually the wishes and vows that naturally spring from perfect love. For these desires, being the genuine fruits of love, are the most perfect prayers that can spring from it.

From A Plain Account of Christian Perfection, as believed and taught by the Reverend Mr. John Wesley, from the year 1725, to the year 1777.

The most Important means of Grace

John Wesley considered prayer an essential part of Christian living, calling it, in many of his writings, the most important means of grace. Christians were to pray constantly, without ceasing (1 Thessalonians 5:17). He wrote in A Plain Account of Christian Perfection:

Whether we think of; or speak to, God, whether we act or suffer for him, all is prayer, when we have no other object than his love, and the desire of pleasing him.

All that a Christian does, even in eating and sleeping, is prayer, when it is done in simplicity, according to the order of God, without either adding to or diminishing from it by his own choice.

How have you experienced prayer in your own life? Do you agree with Wesley that it is the most important means of grace, more important than the Bible?

Some quotes on prayer by John Wesley

"I have so much to do that I spend several hours in prayer before I am able to do it."—John Wesley

"The neglect of prayer is a grand hindrance to holiness."

Wesley's upbringing and practice on prayer
Wesley was born into a strong Anglican home: his father, Samuel, was priest, and his mother, Susanna, taught religion and morals faithfully to her 19 children. Religious training began as early as possible. Even before they could kneel or speak, they were taught to be quiet at family prayers, and to ask a blessing by signs. As soon as they could speak they repeated the Lord’s Prayer morning and evening. A prayer for their parents, some collects, Catechism, and Scripture, were added as soon as they were able to learn them.

It is said that he was up early before 5am for prayer and bible reading.

My Thoughts

There is certainly a lot we can learn from Mr. Wesley about prayer. It was an important part of his life, his ministry and early "Methodists." Sometimes I think we have forgotten that and have become absorbed in the business of the church. I know I have struggled with it. And I am aware that as of late God has been working on my about my prayer life, and the discipline of praying regularly. I do think it is important to the life of the church, ministry and to my own life. I seem to get busy with life before I know it. Wonder what it would have been like for Wesley if his marrriage had worked and they had children, would he have been able to spend so much time in prayer, bible reading and ministry?

Congregations meet in tornado-torn town

By ROXANA HEGEMAN,

Associated Press Writer

Sun May 13, 7:38 PM ET

Church leaders on Sunday told more than 3,000 residents, volunteers and disaster workers gathered in this tornado-ravaged community they should not fear the future because God was with them.

The non-denominational service marked the first time the congregations have worshipped in Greensburg since a May 4 tornado destroyed more than 90 percent of the south-central Kansas town and killed nine people.

Tears and hugs were common as many residents saw each other for the first time since the tornado. Volunteers passed out flowers to mothers in honor of Mother's Day.

"We are a scattered, dispersed community. But the Lord Jesus is our redeemer and is with us. 'Do not fear for I am with you,' says the Lord," said Rev. Gene McIntosh, pastor of First United Methodist Church in Greensburg.

Tim Henning, pastor of Peace Lutheran Church in Greensburg, likened the city's plight to that of Job in the Bible, whom God tested by taking away everything he loved but who kept his faith through it all: "We are like him, we lost everything," he said.

Henning reminded residents that God was still with them.

The congregations held hands as Willard Olinger, the elderly pastor of Faith Tabernacle, reassured them that Greensburg will be rebuilt, even if it is not within his lifetime.