welcome to the hike!

Working out the call!

I currently living in Millersburg or as God whispered in me ear four years ago in PA, "the land of my Fathers!" MILLERS - burg! OK! The best way to describe my life of late, is simply "Pastor-at-Large" I live "outside the box" of our usual expectation of life, family, employment and even culture. I live, breathe, and weave around a four county area as a local missionary and have learned of so many supportive faith communities. I meet people who contact me where they are in their 'hike 'o life."

The hats I wear are that of Life Coach, Writer, Speaker, Retreat Facilitator, Pastoral Supply, Prayer Counselor and well, whatever God calls on me to do (I actually get paid to do all of these things, which is awesome, unless you are helping me with my books!) I also work to "tent-make my mission work" as a church secretary for a sweet fellowship pastored by one of my favorite seminary prof's.

So what do I want to be when I grow up? Stay tuned! The goals are big and staying solvent month by month is a huge victory, but as I see my own heart and others hearts change and grow in my daily walk, I realize, I am not working for treasures on earth....I have direct deposit above. Guess that's a pretty sweet ride! Lacing up my hiking boots...on the hike o' life!























Thursday, January 22, 2015

Confessions of a perfectly imperfect pastor…
Confessions of a perfectly imperfect Christian…

I write this as God has gifted me with some time to be at home.

What should a pastor do when they get a gift day?

I have sat, just sat, listening to praise music, praying for those out on a blustery morning, all while thankful I don’t have to be out yet!

My lunch perhaps represents my life, a sampler platter, reheated in the microwave; from a Greek restaurant, two mini stuffed grape leaves; from a seafood place, some tilapia and broccoli; and from my mom’s a few veggies! Determined not to over indulge, I bring these scraps home. Determined not to waste them, I end up with some very unusual meals!

Some may say, I am living the life. No kids to keep up with, no husband to satisfy, I get to decide what I do and when I do it.

Some may say, that I live the most selfish of lives. I beg to differ, my life is not my own.
 Often, I question, the Lord, my true husband: everyone’s true spouse – if we have died to self and taken up crosses and tried to follow Him. Where should I be? What should I do? What would be pleasing to the kingdom of God? 

I probably carry burdens that I shouldn’t. Someone asks me for what I do not have to give, and I scramble to see if I can do it. I am often too proud to ask for help for myself, but yet try to help anyone that asks.

Blogging, reaching others, trying to help others, I feel that is part of my call, but yet if I do, people think I ought to be an expert – I AM NOT! I hate that even when I take off my mask – others try to put it on me and put me on a pedestal. How do you share God’s love authentically even as you are struggling to understand what that love is.



If you have the answers, please let me know.

My lunch is cooling, I probably should finish it before I get out and about on my rounds for the day.

But, before I do, I hope you realize this…
We all are imperfect…
We all are untrue…
That is why God, in His infinite love sent His son, Jesus.
Jesus who is perfect, chose to leave the place of honor at His Father’s side.
He chose to become our perfect PASS OVER lamb.
By His stripes we are healed.
Through Him we are covered by the blood of His sacrifice.

Our perfections are perfectly perfected so we do not have to say as Isaiah did, “Woe is me, my lips are unclean.”

Thank you God, that you only ask me to focus in my own imperfection upon, “whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--think about such things.” Philippians 4:8 NIV

What is it that God would like you to bring to Him today, so you can focus on Him?

Peace,

The perfectly imperfect pastor

Saturday, January 10, 2015

Homemade Soup - Random Disney Songs - and my MMM Cheese girls


It's a cold but sunny Saturday afternoon and my mentoring group, are gathered in my living room randomly chatting and dreaming. We all came from different places, a lunch date with the boyfriends on a work break, buying make-up, clothes shopping and child birthing class!

I had a pot of soup on and on this day where the thermometer climbed to 14 and it "felt warm"  we all were glad to grab a mug and some crackers as we gathered.   I love being able to make random things and have people enjoy them!





The coffee pot was perking and the last of the chocolate rolo Christmas cookies jumped on a plate with some chocolate wafer, some buttery crackers and dark chocolate covered raisins!  The plate is nearly empty and we are warm and thoughtful as we linger.

Thanks to technology we are "facetiming" the member of our group who had to go back to school early.

The topics are creativity, boyfriends, parodies of Disney songs, and fun and serious names for our co-leaders coming child.   Gertrude Meriwether and Spaulding Wrangler are our fun names!  How do you feel about that!

Other names we have come up with are Harry Francesca, Sarah LeeAnne, Nakeirah Pickle, Nakookah Cucumber, Elisa Angelina, Luca Diego, Gotham Wright, just to name a few.

The important thing is we are all together, intentionally and we are being creative!   What will we remember is the laughter, the connection and depending on how good we came up with names - the names!

The photo says it all!  The time that we spend together purposefully investing in others lives, plants seeds of positivity.

Will we ever sing those Disney songs again?  Will a child ever be named those things?  Probably not...

Will our relationships with each other continue to grow in depth and intimacy?  Yes, I think so! 

No matter where this finds you on your weekend - extract the best and make it memorable!  Blessings, on the Hike of Life!