If you’ve been keeping up with us on the blog for the last several weeks, you might sense some frustration. Maybe you’re frustrated, yourself. It would be ridiculous to say that singles don’t feel frustration with, well, being single. Sometimes singles fall through the cracks in the church and sometimes, just when they find their niche, the whole program falls through, for reasons we can’t control. It adds to the frustration that already exists for some of us that we are even single in the first place.
It’s times like this that make me read about people who have this extraordinary faith and hope, who turn to God when times get tough, who know that God has a purpose for their singleness and hard times and sometimes, I am encouraged by that. Other times, it actually just frustrates me more. I start to think that ‘you know, haven’t I been patient for years and years and years? Haven’t I heard the promise that God will answer the door if I come knocking? Haven’t I just about beat the darned door down with some of these prayers I have, only to wait longer and longer without feeling like they’ve been heard at all?’
If it makes you nervous to read this for fear of being struck down, well, imagine how I feel for even thinking any of it, much less saying it! I finally got so frustrated, that I didn’t want to read about those people in the bible with extraordinary faith anymore. They made me feel worse. And then I feel like I’m going to get struck down for feeling that way too. I’m not even comforted by the stories of Job, because all I can think about is how terrible it feels to feel afflicted by unanswered prayers with no understanding for them in sight. It only hurts more to read about Job. Here I am, supposed to be putting my hope in God, and all I can feel is that there’s just no use in getting my hopes up anymore when I’m going to have to come crashing down later.
Maybe you feel that way too. Or maybe it’s just me out here, knowing good and well that I’ve got to straighten up, without knowing how to do that. I’d look for somebody in the bible who felt the same way, but they just aren’t there.
Or are they?
If you’ve never looked at Psalms as more than the spot you get a few of your comforting verses from time to time, I invite you to look at it for what it is. They were written by David, a man who was promised to replace Saul as king of the Israelites. And Saul is none to happy about it, I might add. So here’s David, who’s been told by God that he’s going to soon rule Israel; he’s the one who’s going to save the Israelites. That’s got to be a little exciting, right? To know you’re the person who’s going to save people who need it desperately? How’s that for feeling like you finally know what your purpose is?! If it were me, I’d be loading up my mule and hitting the road, singing hallelujah that God has finally chosen to bless me like He said He would all along!
And then David realizes that Saul isn’t going to just fade into the background. In fact, Saul intends to kill him. Here David should be feasting away, eating and drinking and being merry, and instead, he is forced into hiding. Well, not even just hiding. He’s forced into running. And here is where the Psalms come in. Did you know that a lot of those verses were written from a cave? That’s right. David, future king of the Israelites, savior of a country of lost people, bloodline to Savior of the world, is hiding in a dark, cold and damp cave. No fluffy pillows to lie about on, probably not anything to eat, no one there to even tell him what’s going on at home, no one to let him know if it’s safe to come home or if there’s a band of Saul’s henchmen almost upon him. He’s got a strong faith in God, but even with that, things feel a little frustrating, if not entirely hopeless. Look at Psalms 40:8. “I desire to do your will, O my God; your law is within my heart.” That sounds like how I start a lot of my own prayers. Then he goes on to say that he does God’s work, he has faith in God and always has, he’s spread God’s word and lived just like he’s supposed to, and then David tells God that “troubles without number surround me . . . Be pleased, O Lord, to save me; O Lord, come quickly to help me. But may all those who seek you rejoice and be glad in you . . . Yet I am poor and needy; may the Lord think of me. You are my help and my deliverer; O my God, do not delay.” Now I’m starting to sense some of that worrying frustration. But if you can’t see it there, look here: “Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me?” In Psalm 6, David says he is worn out, his eyes are weak from sorrow, and in Psalm 13, he asks “How long, O Lord? Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me? How long must I wrestle with my thoughts and every day have sorrow in my heart?” And if you read through a lot more of the Psalms, you see this theme over and over and over again.
Since I’m already in a good place for getting struck down, I might as well go on and say that in reading some of this, I’d found somebody who gets where I’m at. I’ve prayed a million prayers like these. I prayed a thousand times, “Lord, I’m trying to do everything you’ve asked me to do and I’m so thankful for the blessings you’ve already given me. I know there’s some I probably don’t even know about. But right now, I’m stuck in this awful cave all alone and I want Your will over mine, I really do, but God, I am begging you to save me. I’m begging you, not for patience like I probably should, but that You save me, and quick. I feel like You’ve forgotten me, even though You surely haven’t, but I don’t know what to do anymore and I’m exhausted from sorrow. Save me. I’m past asking for patience and strength and I know that you’ve promised so many blessings for me, but Lord, you’ve put hope for those things in my heart and then it feels like You’re not moving me toward them! I’m putting my trust in You! Can’t You hear me! How long must I be forgotten?”
I know I’m not supposed to be angry at how things have turned out in my life so far. I trust God, I really do. But I’m frustrated to a breaking point and there’s no use lying about it, because God knows what’s in my heart. I’d say that it’s wrong for me to feel this way, and I get frustrated with myself for falling short of what God is hoping I would I be. But I think that this time, God has sent me to open my Bible to read the words of someone who probably felt the same way. Something makes me think that maybe it’s ok to feel what I’m feeling for today. The important thing is that I keep the communication lines to God open in my heart, like David did. The important thing is for me not to let the devil whisper to me that I’ve failed completely and that there’s no hope for me, because there is. David climbed out of that cave eventually and I will too.
For now, we might be frustrated. Maybe even frustrated for being frustrated. Sometimes frustrating things happen to us and there’s just no understanding why. Now isn’t the time to give up on hoping and shut God out. Now isn’t the time to make yourself stop feeling what you’re feeling for fear of getting struck down. Believe me, if anybody was going to get struck down for frustration, I suspect I’d be the one to know about it. J
If you find yourself not knowing what to pray for anymore because of frustration, I suggest reading David’s words: “Put your hope in God . . . I will yet praise him.” (Psalms 42:5) “But now, Lord, what do I look for? My hope is in you.” (Psalms 39:7) Do you see that David, stuck in that hopelessly isolated cave, follows his frustration with asking the Lord where to look for hope? Do you see that David isn’t able to find that hope on his own anymore? David knew what blessings God had planned in the grand scheme of things for him and he didn’t doubt that God would follow through. He was just frustrated with the fact that he didn’t see how God would follow through. He didn’t want to change God’s timing if it was going to mess up the whole plan, but he needed some kind of a sign that give him hope that things really would be ok again. Asking for a sign doesn’t always mean that someone doubts God or is testing Him. In some cases, asking for a sign is a way of asking God to give you something to hope on, so that you can get through your cave. David did it: “Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love.” (Psalms 143:8)
If you feel like you’ve got nothing left to hope for, ask God to send you something to hope on. I did it, and you know something?
He did.
Monday, October 27, 2008
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
What is going on?
It seems like more and more I hear about people who are frustrated with the church they are attending. Unfortunately, I mostly hear about unrest in the Methodist Church but I'm pretty sure it is not only within our denomination.
The most disturbing to me is the situation in the Austin District. Their single adult council was a growing ministry. It was making a difference in the lives of the single adults in their area and in the area they went on their mission trips.
While I believe that there is a need for outreach to young adults, I also believe that an outreach is also needed for those over 35 but not yet 60. I agree with the members of the council who are disheartened and frustrated with the Methodist Church as a whole for allowing a handful of people to rob them not only of their ministry but also in their comfort within their lifelong denomination.
The second incident, that stands out, is that of a young pastor who made a decision on moving a patriotic symbol from the sanctuary to a place of importance in the foyer so that it could be passed while entering and exiting the church. This apparently caused one man to loose all composure. His fit in the sanctuary not only reduced the pastor's wife to tears, it also drove a wedge between members in the congregation. There is at least one young family who is considering changing churches because of the man's behavior. The young woman was not raised in church and had been asking questions about baptism and now she is unsure if she wants to be a part of something that proclaims to show love and respect and yet the actions are so completly different.
The actions that we take and the words that we speak have a lot further reach than we realize. We must learn to match our action with our words. If we are going to talk about being loving and kind - then we must do that. If we are going to say that we want to strengthen the Methodist (or any other) denomination - then we must take the necessary steps to accept people at the place they are in their lives. This is not to say that we shouldn't teach and guide but rather that we should do that carefully, without judgement. If we want to grow, perhaps we will have to find new ways to worship and welcome and perhaps we will need to turn loose of some traditions and "always done it that way ideas" and be willing to try something new. Change is not bad - just different.
The most disturbing to me is the situation in the Austin District. Their single adult council was a growing ministry. It was making a difference in the lives of the single adults in their area and in the area they went on their mission trips.
While I believe that there is a need for outreach to young adults, I also believe that an outreach is also needed for those over 35 but not yet 60. I agree with the members of the council who are disheartened and frustrated with the Methodist Church as a whole for allowing a handful of people to rob them not only of their ministry but also in their comfort within their lifelong denomination.
The second incident, that stands out, is that of a young pastor who made a decision on moving a patriotic symbol from the sanctuary to a place of importance in the foyer so that it could be passed while entering and exiting the church. This apparently caused one man to loose all composure. His fit in the sanctuary not only reduced the pastor's wife to tears, it also drove a wedge between members in the congregation. There is at least one young family who is considering changing churches because of the man's behavior. The young woman was not raised in church and had been asking questions about baptism and now she is unsure if she wants to be a part of something that proclaims to show love and respect and yet the actions are so completly different.
The actions that we take and the words that we speak have a lot further reach than we realize. We must learn to match our action with our words. If we are going to talk about being loving and kind - then we must do that. If we are going to say that we want to strengthen the Methodist (or any other) denomination - then we must take the necessary steps to accept people at the place they are in their lives. This is not to say that we shouldn't teach and guide but rather that we should do that carefully, without judgement. If we want to grow, perhaps we will have to find new ways to worship and welcome and perhaps we will need to turn loose of some traditions and "always done it that way ideas" and be willing to try something new. Change is not bad - just different.
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
Writer's Block
Boy, it’s been a busy several weeks. I’d like to say I had a good excuse for not posting anything all this time, but the truth is that I’ve had an opportunity or two. The truth is that I’ve even put some thought into what the next article ought to be. The truth is that there’s plenty of single Christian topics to discuss, plenty of bible stories to relate to.
And the truth is, I’ve got writer’s block.
I’ve got writer’s block in a lot of different ways, actually. This time it’s more than just not knowing exactly what to write about for a blog. It’s about not knowing what to say to myself and not knowing what to say to God. Did you ever feel like that?
When you are passing through a storm in your life, whether that be an issue that comes up at work, a house payment you don’t know how you’ll make, a relationship or maybe something your child is going through, you know what you want. You know you need out of the problem, you figure out what it takes to get you out and you ask for God’s help and direction. You may not be having a easy time of things, but your prayers come easy and they come often. You’re focused because you are at least sure in the fact that you know you want out. Then God delivers you. Now your know you are blessed and again, your focus and prayers come easy –“ Hallelujah! Thank you, Father!”
Then, sometimes, for reasons I can’t reason out, comes writer’s block. Now the storm is over and there’s the aftermath to clean up. I’m thankful that the worst of the storm is through, I really am. But now what? Now I look around myself and I don’t know what to do next. When I’m at work, I sit and I’m glad that it’s a new week, but for the life of me, I can’t see past the stacks of papers and books and lists of things to do on my desk. I don’t know where to start, or even where I want to go with it all. So I sort through all the possible directions I could go in my mind, and at the end of the day, all I’ve got is the same mess I started with and the overwhelming sense that I don’t know how I’ll face it the next day either. How will I know what to do with this tomorrow if I can’t figure it out today?
When I come home, I see laundry that needs doing, I see work that needs to be done in my yard, I see a sink full of dirty dishes and a growing stack of bills that I need to pay. I don’t know what to do first. I want to enjoy my newfound quiet time and I’m afraid of it at the same time. I want to make a new start on some things in life, but I don’t know how to get there or if I’m even really ready for it. I want to sit and have just a few quiet moments to think and to pray, but when I sit down, the words won’t come.
Writer’s block.
What do you do when you just don’t know what to do anymore? When you want to find your drive again, but you don’t know where you want to go? When you want to say something to God, but you just can’t figure out what to say?
I went to a bookstore once and saw a little box of magnets for sale. Each one had a different word printed on it and the whole thing was being advertised (jokingly) as a cure for writer’s block. It was there for you to take the words and however you wanted to, arrange them on the door of a refrigerator. Hopefully, playing with the words would inspire your mind and open the flood gates again.
You know, Jesus kind of did that for us, too. I think that he must have known that we might come to the point now and then when we wouldn’t know what to say and to help us keep the phone lines open, he gave us a prayer that would help us cover all the bases until we could find our own words again.
“Our Father, who art in Heaven” –
reminding me that God is there, listening and speaking back to my heart with a voice that is calm, strong and solid. God didn't ask us to pray so that he could be reminded that we are out there. He asked us to pray so that we'll remember that He's there.
“Hallowed be thy name.”
I’m not the one in charge here. I’m like Moses on that mountain side with a burning bush. It’s time to take off my sandals - I’m on hallowed ground - and understand I’m not the one who’s calling shots here.
“Thy kingdom come, thy will be done,”
While I’m taking off my sandals, it’s also time to concede that all my troubles, all my heartaches, all those stacks of paper on my desk, all the problems in the world I can’t solve – none of it is mine. This isn’t actually my mountain side. It’s Gods. This is God’s universe. I don’t have any answers for anything, and I’m not supposed to. God didn’t ask for a substitute teacher, so it’s high time I stopped trying to be one. It’s God’s kingdom and it’s His will that reigns. That’s actually a relief!
“On Earth as it is in Heaven.”
That’s not to say that His will doesn’t include all these little details I’m chasing day in and day out. This prayer says that God’s will will be done on Earth just as it is in Heaven. My idea of God’s will in Heaven includes a mental picture of galaxies and stars and swirls of shiny things I can’t comprehend the sheer size of. Look at the power! Look at the miracle of it all! Why, on God’s green Earth, wouldn’t He use that same power on this planet? Of course His will is going to be at work in my life! I may not can see where He’s going with it, but that doesn’t mean He’s not right here. There is security in realizing that the God of the stars and the moon and the sun is the same God of my desk at work, my flower beds and everything that I need between the two.
Give us this day our daily bread –
Lord, I don’t even know what I need. I don’t even know what I need to be asking for. I don’t know if I need rest or if I need to be surrounding myself with people who care about me. I can’t even say what I want for supper, and I’ve been staring into the refrigerator for thirty minutes. But You know what I need, even when I don’t, and I trust that You’ll take care of me.
And forgive us our trespasses –
It feels like I can’t do a danged thing right, to put it plain and simply. My Shepherd can see me out here in this ravine though, and whether or not I know how He’s going to do it, He’ll always come and look for me. He’s never going to give up on me.
As we forgive those who trespass against us.
I can be as mad as my body will physically let me be, but it is time to finally put the past where it belongs. Behind me.
And lead us not into temptation –
I keep trying to fix my problems myself and you know what? It makes a bigger mess. I keep getting tempted into trying easy fixes, but you know, there’s not anything that is going to make any kind of hurting or anger stop until you finally give God your heart to heal. God, keep me on your straight and narrow path while I try to regain my footing.
But deliver us from evil -
Keep me on safe ground while I figure out where it is You want me to go or what it is You want me to do. Thank you for not letting me fall.
For Thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory forever.
This world is God’s. He knows what He’s doing. And one day, I’ll know too.
Amen.
And no case of writer’s block can stand up to that.
And the truth is, I’ve got writer’s block.
I’ve got writer’s block in a lot of different ways, actually. This time it’s more than just not knowing exactly what to write about for a blog. It’s about not knowing what to say to myself and not knowing what to say to God. Did you ever feel like that?
When you are passing through a storm in your life, whether that be an issue that comes up at work, a house payment you don’t know how you’ll make, a relationship or maybe something your child is going through, you know what you want. You know you need out of the problem, you figure out what it takes to get you out and you ask for God’s help and direction. You may not be having a easy time of things, but your prayers come easy and they come often. You’re focused because you are at least sure in the fact that you know you want out. Then God delivers you. Now your know you are blessed and again, your focus and prayers come easy –“ Hallelujah! Thank you, Father!”
Then, sometimes, for reasons I can’t reason out, comes writer’s block. Now the storm is over and there’s the aftermath to clean up. I’m thankful that the worst of the storm is through, I really am. But now what? Now I look around myself and I don’t know what to do next. When I’m at work, I sit and I’m glad that it’s a new week, but for the life of me, I can’t see past the stacks of papers and books and lists of things to do on my desk. I don’t know where to start, or even where I want to go with it all. So I sort through all the possible directions I could go in my mind, and at the end of the day, all I’ve got is the same mess I started with and the overwhelming sense that I don’t know how I’ll face it the next day either. How will I know what to do with this tomorrow if I can’t figure it out today?
When I come home, I see laundry that needs doing, I see work that needs to be done in my yard, I see a sink full of dirty dishes and a growing stack of bills that I need to pay. I don’t know what to do first. I want to enjoy my newfound quiet time and I’m afraid of it at the same time. I want to make a new start on some things in life, but I don’t know how to get there or if I’m even really ready for it. I want to sit and have just a few quiet moments to think and to pray, but when I sit down, the words won’t come.
Writer’s block.
What do you do when you just don’t know what to do anymore? When you want to find your drive again, but you don’t know where you want to go? When you want to say something to God, but you just can’t figure out what to say?
I went to a bookstore once and saw a little box of magnets for sale. Each one had a different word printed on it and the whole thing was being advertised (jokingly) as a cure for writer’s block. It was there for you to take the words and however you wanted to, arrange them on the door of a refrigerator. Hopefully, playing with the words would inspire your mind and open the flood gates again.
You know, Jesus kind of did that for us, too. I think that he must have known that we might come to the point now and then when we wouldn’t know what to say and to help us keep the phone lines open, he gave us a prayer that would help us cover all the bases until we could find our own words again.
“Our Father, who art in Heaven” –
reminding me that God is there, listening and speaking back to my heart with a voice that is calm, strong and solid. God didn't ask us to pray so that he could be reminded that we are out there. He asked us to pray so that we'll remember that He's there.
“Hallowed be thy name.”
I’m not the one in charge here. I’m like Moses on that mountain side with a burning bush. It’s time to take off my sandals - I’m on hallowed ground - and understand I’m not the one who’s calling shots here.
“Thy kingdom come, thy will be done,”
While I’m taking off my sandals, it’s also time to concede that all my troubles, all my heartaches, all those stacks of paper on my desk, all the problems in the world I can’t solve – none of it is mine. This isn’t actually my mountain side. It’s Gods. This is God’s universe. I don’t have any answers for anything, and I’m not supposed to. God didn’t ask for a substitute teacher, so it’s high time I stopped trying to be one. It’s God’s kingdom and it’s His will that reigns. That’s actually a relief!
“On Earth as it is in Heaven.”
That’s not to say that His will doesn’t include all these little details I’m chasing day in and day out. This prayer says that God’s will will be done on Earth just as it is in Heaven. My idea of God’s will in Heaven includes a mental picture of galaxies and stars and swirls of shiny things I can’t comprehend the sheer size of. Look at the power! Look at the miracle of it all! Why, on God’s green Earth, wouldn’t He use that same power on this planet? Of course His will is going to be at work in my life! I may not can see where He’s going with it, but that doesn’t mean He’s not right here. There is security in realizing that the God of the stars and the moon and the sun is the same God of my desk at work, my flower beds and everything that I need between the two.
Give us this day our daily bread –
Lord, I don’t even know what I need. I don’t even know what I need to be asking for. I don’t know if I need rest or if I need to be surrounding myself with people who care about me. I can’t even say what I want for supper, and I’ve been staring into the refrigerator for thirty minutes. But You know what I need, even when I don’t, and I trust that You’ll take care of me.
And forgive us our trespasses –
It feels like I can’t do a danged thing right, to put it plain and simply. My Shepherd can see me out here in this ravine though, and whether or not I know how He’s going to do it, He’ll always come and look for me. He’s never going to give up on me.
As we forgive those who trespass against us.
I can be as mad as my body will physically let me be, but it is time to finally put the past where it belongs. Behind me.
And lead us not into temptation –
I keep trying to fix my problems myself and you know what? It makes a bigger mess. I keep getting tempted into trying easy fixes, but you know, there’s not anything that is going to make any kind of hurting or anger stop until you finally give God your heart to heal. God, keep me on your straight and narrow path while I try to regain my footing.
But deliver us from evil -
Keep me on safe ground while I figure out where it is You want me to go or what it is You want me to do. Thank you for not letting me fall.
For Thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory forever.
This world is God’s. He knows what He’s doing. And one day, I’ll know too.
Amen.
And no case of writer’s block can stand up to that.
Sunday, October 12, 2008
Life
It often takes a tragedy to remind us not only what we have but also how precious life is. This week there was an 18 year old girl, from Eula, who was killed in a car accident. I can not even imagine the the pain that this family is feeling.
I know that God will see them through this. I have witnessed God's grace and comfort in these situations as two other of my friends have lost children to tragedies.
As I tried to see where this 18 year old college freshman was in her life, I looked at her My Space page. I was amazed at what I found. It has a place for a quote and hers said "When God takes something from your grasp, He's not punishing you but merely opening your hands to receive something better". Wow! was God telling her that when he took this life as we know it from her grasp he was opening her hands to receive Heaven. Hmmm... I don't know - or was that for us who were left behind.
So going on further down the page, there is a place for how you are feeling. Hers said that she felt adored. How great it must feel to know that you are adored. What a powerful place to be.
So then I moved my gaze to the right had side of the page. At the top she had written "I am the happiest and luckiest girl in the world" below that was a reference to her boyfriend. (She was on her way home from seeing her boyfriend when she died in a car accident.)
No matter what age we are when our time to leave this world - how great would it be to feel as if we were the happiest, luckiest person and that we were adored.
We will miss you Kim but we know that you are home and that you are safe in God's arms.
Kim Ayers a 19 year old 2008 graduate of Eula High School was killed in a car accident on October 9, 2008. Please remember her family in your prayers!
I know that God will see them through this. I have witnessed God's grace and comfort in these situations as two other of my friends have lost children to tragedies.
As I tried to see where this 18 year old college freshman was in her life, I looked at her My Space page. I was amazed at what I found. It has a place for a quote and hers said "When God takes something from your grasp, He's not punishing you but merely opening your hands to receive something better". Wow! was God telling her that when he took this life as we know it from her grasp he was opening her hands to receive Heaven. Hmmm... I don't know - or was that for us who were left behind.
So going on further down the page, there is a place for how you are feeling. Hers said that she felt adored. How great it must feel to know that you are adored. What a powerful place to be.
So then I moved my gaze to the right had side of the page. At the top she had written "I am the happiest and luckiest girl in the world" below that was a reference to her boyfriend. (She was on her way home from seeing her boyfriend when she died in a car accident.)
No matter what age we are when our time to leave this world - how great would it be to feel as if we were the happiest, luckiest person and that we were adored.
We will miss you Kim but we know that you are home and that you are safe in God's arms.
Kim Ayers a 19 year old 2008 graduate of Eula High School was killed in a car accident on October 9, 2008. Please remember her family in your prayers!
Sunday, October 5, 2008
NEW IDEAS
This week has been pretty hectic and yet in the chaos there has come some new insight. I recognize that the Northwest Texas and New Mexico Conferences are geographically limiting in respect to Conference-wide activities. So I have been looking at options that would reach persons throughout the conference. Then I realized that I use my computer on a daily basis. So why not use the internet as a tool.
The blog is just the first step. Kim has done an amazing job of keeping it updated and interesting. I would like to take a new step. I am thinking that we could start an online Bible Study. We could all get the same book or choose a book of the Bible and go through it verse by verse. We could spend a week or a selected number of days on a section and the interaction could be in the form of response to a blog, we could start a Google Group or some other type of interactive group.
Also, beginning in January 2009, I will be implementing a "Table for 5 " where there will be a group of 5 single adults. We will meet every other week for 10 weeks (5 meetings). At the end of the 5 meetings, each of those 5 people will start their own "Table for 5". It can be singles from any status or background. Any denomination. The idea will be to try to make it somewhat diverse in nature so that we can learn from each other.
So let me know if you are interested in either of these activities so that we can get started on the planning and implementation.
I hope each of you has a blessed week!
The blog is just the first step. Kim has done an amazing job of keeping it updated and interesting. I would like to take a new step. I am thinking that we could start an online Bible Study. We could all get the same book or choose a book of the Bible and go through it verse by verse. We could spend a week or a selected number of days on a section and the interaction could be in the form of response to a blog, we could start a Google Group or some other type of interactive group.
Also, beginning in January 2009, I will be implementing a "Table for 5 " where there will be a group of 5 single adults. We will meet every other week for 10 weeks (5 meetings). At the end of the 5 meetings, each of those 5 people will start their own "Table for 5". It can be singles from any status or background. Any denomination. The idea will be to try to make it somewhat diverse in nature so that we can learn from each other.
So let me know if you are interested in either of these activities so that we can get started on the planning and implementation.
I hope each of you has a blessed week!
Wednesday, October 1, 2008
More Wisdom From SAME KIND OF DIFFERENT
Toward the end of the book SAME KIND OF DIFFERENT AS ME, Denver (the homeless man) is talking and he says, "Our limitation is God's opportunity. When you get all the way to the end of your rope and ain't nothin you can do, that's when God takes over".
There have been a lot of things going on in my life. Kids, grandbabies, jobs, meetings, Church, and the list goes on and on. So recently I found myself at the end of my rope. Exhausted, non-motivated, ok - whiney. That's when it happened (that's when it always happens). I found myself defending my "causes", justifying my busyness and ultimately remembering why I have filled my plate with the things that are on it. I think this is how God took over.
I found myself hurt by a friend and I hung on to it and tried to decide if the friendship was even worth the effort. Friendships are worth the effort 99% of the time. So, we will see but I hope that the friendship can be salvaged.
I love my kids and grandkids - they fill my life with sunshine and joy. Spending time with them is always a gift. As is time spent with friends. The work I do with the Family Enrichment Center is important - I have a passion for kids and doing what I can to make their lives easier.
But my real passion is Single Adult Ministry. However, it seems like I continue to run into a brick wall. So I find myself at the end of my rope - I believe that there is a need for this ministry and yet I don't know that anyone else feels that way. Pastors and the Conference office are supportive in conversation but I often wonder how supportive they would be if there was a cost - be it time or money. So I guess the bottom line is are you out there and what do you need this ministry to look like? My plan is to admit I'm at the end of my rope and get out of the way so the God can take over.
There have been a lot of things going on in my life. Kids, grandbabies, jobs, meetings, Church, and the list goes on and on. So recently I found myself at the end of my rope. Exhausted, non-motivated, ok - whiney. That's when it happened (that's when it always happens). I found myself defending my "causes", justifying my busyness and ultimately remembering why I have filled my plate with the things that are on it. I think this is how God took over.
I found myself hurt by a friend and I hung on to it and tried to decide if the friendship was even worth the effort. Friendships are worth the effort 99% of the time. So, we will see but I hope that the friendship can be salvaged.
I love my kids and grandkids - they fill my life with sunshine and joy. Spending time with them is always a gift. As is time spent with friends. The work I do with the Family Enrichment Center is important - I have a passion for kids and doing what I can to make their lives easier.
But my real passion is Single Adult Ministry. However, it seems like I continue to run into a brick wall. So I find myself at the end of my rope - I believe that there is a need for this ministry and yet I don't know that anyone else feels that way. Pastors and the Conference office are supportive in conversation but I often wonder how supportive they would be if there was a cost - be it time or money. So I guess the bottom line is are you out there and what do you need this ministry to look like? My plan is to admit I'm at the end of my rope and get out of the way so the God can take over.
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