“See if there is any offensive way in me,
and lead me in the way everlasting.” Psalm 139:24
On this Monday March 7th for those of us keeping track, we are actually in the traditional season of “Shrovetide”. The three days before Ash Wednesday begin are a time of preparation for the somber season; a time for using up the things you will not indulge in; a time for feasting and frivolity; but also I learned as I was preparing to write this, it is a time to confess.
Yes, a time to confess!
I thought I had read wrong, but these early church leaders knew that as we turned towards Christ, we would see how we fall short, and in order to be ready to face the harsh reality of a world deep in sin, we need to prepare and confess those things we do know we have done, for during our time of reflection God will bring to our attention the things we are not aware of.
The word “shrove” comes from the old English verb; “shrive” which means to confess.
So in these days leading up to the wearing of ashes and sackcloth and confessing together as a church, each believer was to “come clean” with what burdened their heart. The name denotes a period of cleansing, wherein a person brings their lusts and appetites under subjection through abstention and self-sacrifice. The French literally called the day “mardi gras” which means fat Tuesday. Many latin speaking countries used the term carnival referring to the latin for Latin carnem levare, meaning "to take away the flesh" which is what you do on the Tuesday before Ash Wednesday. You remove the flesh/meat from your home.
The concept behind this practice is found in 1 Corinthians 9:27, where the Apostle Paul states: "I buffet my body and make it my slave..." Ironically, Shrove Tuesday, Carnival or Mardi Gras has evolved into a day of frivolity and indulgence, during which people participate in as much pleasure and self-gratification as they can before Lent begins with really not true understanding of what the day is all about. This is not what the early church intended this become…
So after the time of repentance in the early church, the children would play, the families would gather around the table and feast upon the good things they had around them. Many cultures enjoy pancakes or crepes on the Tuesday before Ash Wednesday; also many cultures enjoy a fat laden doughnuts called “fasnachts” to the German, “paczki” to the Polish and “krofne” to the Serbians.
But this season as well was a time of celebration, having done this task it is time to feast and to celebrate. Looking at the gospels, I see how the early church followed the pattern of Christ. Jesus went to John the Baptist for the repentance with water and in this baptism all of heaven celebrated.
Matthew 3: 11-16
“And John said, “I baptize you with water for repentance. But after me comes one who is more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with[c] the Holy Spirit and fire. His winnowing fork is in his hand, and he will clear his threshing floor, gathering his wheat into the barn and burning up the chaff with unquenchable fire.”
“Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to be baptized by John. But John tried to deter him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?”
Jesus replied, “Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfill all righteousness.” Then John consented.
As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him. And a voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.”
Just as those participating in the Lenten tradition know, we go from feasting to fasting and again let us look to the Gospels to see what happened to Jesus after that baptism and celebration of the Spirit (the dove) and the Father. In the Greek transcript the verb meaning IMMEDIATELY begins the passage.
Mark 1: 12-13 “At once the Spirit sent him out into the wilderness, and he was in the wilderness forty days, being tempted by Satan. He was with the wild animals, and angels attended him.”
I want to close today by encouraging you in this Monday and Tuesday before the Lenten journey begins to search your heart and let God help you deal with those things most troubling you: to make your repentance and to celebrate our loving God who provides these good things, showing you mercy and forgiving you: and to prepare for the wilderness time that we each have to face at some point in our Christian Journey.
As we come from the mountaintops of feast into the valley of fast, remember that the angels and better yet, God’s Holy Spirit and if you know Christ, His rule in your heart and over your life will comfort you and as Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 10:13, “No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.” (And if you are not certain that you know Christ as a reality in your world – please contact me and I can guide you on that incredible journey. Jesus is inviting you waiting for you to come to Him.)
My prayer… Lord make us ready, help us confess, help us enjoy the good things around us and draw us near to you as you prepare us and take us on the journey of understanding your Ways to go more deeply in your Kingdom. We pick up our crosses, and seek You. Guide us, hold us, let us hear as You call us. In Jesus’ name above all names, AMEN
Monday, March 7, 2011
Sunday, March 6, 2011
To Lent or not to Lent: Will you join me?
“Then he told them what they could expect for themselves: "Anyone who intends to come with me has to let me lead. You're not in the driver's seat—I am. Don't run from suffering; embrace it. Follow me and I'll show you how. Self-help is no help at all. Self-sacrifice is the way, my way, to finding yourself, your true self. What good would it do to get everything you want and lose you, the real you? If any of you is embarrassed with me and the way I'm leading you, know that the Son of Man will be far more embarrassed with you when he arrives in all his splendor in company with the Father and the holy angels. This isn't, you realize, pie in the sky by and by. Some who have taken their stand right here are going to see it happen, see with their own eyes the kingdom of God." Luke 9: 23-27 The Message
As a shepherdess without a flock this year, I was trying to decide whether or not to practice Lent (some of the congregations that are considering me don’t all practice Lent per their tradition – more on that in a later post), I was challenged by a friend to post daily on facebook and help others draw nearer to Christ in this season.
So Karen thanks! I accept the challenge.
Lent is the Christian season of preparation before Easter. In Western Christianity, Ash Wednesday, (that is this Wednesday, March 9, 2011) marks the first day, or the start of the season of Lent, which begins 40 days prior to Easter (Sundays are not included in the count as they are considered to be resurrections days and therefore we do not fast on the resurrection).
Lent is a time when many Christians prepare for Easter by observing a period of fasting, repentance, moderation and spiritual discipline.
The purpose is to set aside time for reflection on Jesus Christ - his suffering and his sacrifice, his life, death, burial and resurrection.
The Bible does not mention the custom of Lent, however, the practice of repentance and mourning in ashes (more on that of course on Ash Wednesday) is found in 2 Samuel 13:19; Esther 4:1; Job 2:8; Daniel 9:3; and Matthew 11:21.
Some of us have looked at Lent, as a legalistic way to “earn” our salvation through stringent practices, but the intent of those early church mothers and fathers was to help us focus on Christ.
In the modern era sometimes we think of the Lenten fast as a new year’s resolution redo, however to a committed follower of Christ we must REJECT THOSE THOUGHTS and allow CHRIST TO GUIDE US TO THE CROSS and have repentant sacrificial hearts and prepare us to be ready for the ALLELUIA’s of the EMPTY TOMB
FASTING
is one common practice – to give something up and when you crave the forbidden luxury – turn to GOD.
PRAYER
is another common practice to commit to more time seeking and understanding the one who loves you most.
The last common practice of lent is ACTS OF KINDNESS
to think of others and show them God’s love in unselfish and sacrificial ways.
To fast from rich foods we seek the simplicity of daily bread, to fast from television and outside distractions we draw nearer to our Lord. To engage in acts of kindness and forgiveness is to understand more of God’s mercy and grace towards us.
So how can we begin our journey – On the Tuesday before Ash Wednesday we will use up or get rid of what we are denying our selves – for the obedient church goers in the middle ages – they used up all the fat, eggs and meat in their home with one last feast before their fast.
This idea has turned into Shrove Tuesday or Carnival or Mardi gras, depending on where you are geographically, as I will discuss tomorrow.
So today you and I need to decide what our Lenten practice will be. This web site has some great ideas for all who love Jesus; you can tell of course it is written with some specific ideas for those who practice the Roman Catholic tradition. The site is
http://www.nicksenger.com/onecatholiclife/101-practical-fasting-ideas-for-lent-redux
I intend to either post a helpful thought or blog each day and am still praying about what my fast should be.
I will, in accountability, keep you posted! But to close today here is a prayer for each of us as we prepare to walk more closely with Christ to more fully understand all HE willingly took on for us…
A Lenten Reflection (author unknown)
Give up complaining——focus on gratitude.
Give up pessimism——become an optimist.
Give up harsh judgments——think kindly thoughts.
Give up worry——trust Divine Providence.
Give up discouragement——be full of hope.
Give up bitterness——turn to forgiveness.
Give up hatred——return good for evil.
Give up negativism——be positive.
Give up anger——be more patient.
Give up pettiness——become mature.
Give up gloom——enjoy the beauty that is all around you.
Give up jealousy——pray for trust.
Give up gossiping——control your tongue.
Give up sin——turn to virtue.
Give up giving up——hang in there!
Praying for each of us – JOY regardless of our struggles or sufferings that we endure as we prepare our hearts for the fullness of the RESURRECTION in the Hike ‘o our earthly life…..
As a shepherdess without a flock this year, I was trying to decide whether or not to practice Lent (some of the congregations that are considering me don’t all practice Lent per their tradition – more on that in a later post), I was challenged by a friend to post daily on facebook and help others draw nearer to Christ in this season.
So Karen thanks! I accept the challenge.
Lent is the Christian season of preparation before Easter. In Western Christianity, Ash Wednesday, (that is this Wednesday, March 9, 2011) marks the first day, or the start of the season of Lent, which begins 40 days prior to Easter (Sundays are not included in the count as they are considered to be resurrections days and therefore we do not fast on the resurrection).
Lent is a time when many Christians prepare for Easter by observing a period of fasting, repentance, moderation and spiritual discipline.
The purpose is to set aside time for reflection on Jesus Christ - his suffering and his sacrifice, his life, death, burial and resurrection.
The Bible does not mention the custom of Lent, however, the practice of repentance and mourning in ashes (more on that of course on Ash Wednesday) is found in 2 Samuel 13:19; Esther 4:1; Job 2:8; Daniel 9:3; and Matthew 11:21.
Some of us have looked at Lent, as a legalistic way to “earn” our salvation through stringent practices, but the intent of those early church mothers and fathers was to help us focus on Christ.
In the modern era sometimes we think of the Lenten fast as a new year’s resolution redo, however to a committed follower of Christ we must REJECT THOSE THOUGHTS and allow CHRIST TO GUIDE US TO THE CROSS and have repentant sacrificial hearts and prepare us to be ready for the ALLELUIA’s of the EMPTY TOMB
FASTING
is one common practice – to give something up and when you crave the forbidden luxury – turn to GOD.
PRAYER
is another common practice to commit to more time seeking and understanding the one who loves you most.
The last common practice of lent is ACTS OF KINDNESS
to think of others and show them God’s love in unselfish and sacrificial ways.
To fast from rich foods we seek the simplicity of daily bread, to fast from television and outside distractions we draw nearer to our Lord. To engage in acts of kindness and forgiveness is to understand more of God’s mercy and grace towards us.
So how can we begin our journey – On the Tuesday before Ash Wednesday we will use up or get rid of what we are denying our selves – for the obedient church goers in the middle ages – they used up all the fat, eggs and meat in their home with one last feast before their fast.
This idea has turned into Shrove Tuesday or Carnival or Mardi gras, depending on where you are geographically, as I will discuss tomorrow.
So today you and I need to decide what our Lenten practice will be. This web site has some great ideas for all who love Jesus; you can tell of course it is written with some specific ideas for those who practice the Roman Catholic tradition. The site is
http://www.nicksenger.com/onecatholiclife/101-practical-fasting-ideas-for-lent-redux
I intend to either post a helpful thought or blog each day and am still praying about what my fast should be.
I will, in accountability, keep you posted! But to close today here is a prayer for each of us as we prepare to walk more closely with Christ to more fully understand all HE willingly took on for us…
A Lenten Reflection (author unknown)
Give up complaining——focus on gratitude.
Give up pessimism——become an optimist.
Give up harsh judgments——think kindly thoughts.
Give up worry——trust Divine Providence.
Give up discouragement——be full of hope.
Give up bitterness——turn to forgiveness.
Give up hatred——return good for evil.
Give up negativism——be positive.
Give up anger——be more patient.
Give up pettiness——become mature.
Give up gloom——enjoy the beauty that is all around you.
Give up jealousy——pray for trust.
Give up gossiping——control your tongue.
Give up sin——turn to virtue.
Give up giving up——hang in there!
Praying for each of us – JOY regardless of our struggles or sufferings that we endure as we prepare our hearts for the fullness of the RESURRECTION in the Hike ‘o our earthly life…..
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
Putting the pieces together...
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11
It’s a snow day, actually an ice day here in Northeast Ohio. When I was a kid, my mother would often save a new jigsaw puzzle for us to piece together if we needed an activity after playing outside on these cold days home from school.
Jump forward to 2011, just the other week my dad found an online jigsaw puzzle page (see the link) and now when I venture into my parents family room, it is not uncommon for the three of us all be simultaneously working on jigsaw puzzles on our laptops! Dad has also been cutting out his own wooden jigsaw puzzles with family photos he wishes to share on his scroll saw. ( I will confess that I am NOT the quickest to figure these puzzles out!)
Many times I feel like my life is one of those unfinished puzzles. I try to make pieces fit together. Have you ever tried to force puzzle pieces together that don’t really want to link up? On the computer, it just won’t allow it, but on a cardboard puzzle you can just about ruin the piece. I like to sort out the pieces by color or by the subject that they might be forming in the final picture. Puzzles aren’t easy. Actually the best ones are challenging and stretch you quite a bit.
Having coffee with a friend the other week, we were reflecting on the lives of her grown children. One is still in college, the other in a exciting place and making it on his own. We shared many memories of kids growing up, wondered about the careers and lives that will come from these experiences. It truly is wonderful to watch and to know that her children will exceed the plans that we are able to make for them.
It suddenly hit me that this is so much like putting a puzzle together. God knows the outcome and all of our life experiences are being fit together to make a wonderful eternity of being a part of Christ’s kingdom. Looking back on my own life I can see this, from my experiences with family, in my years of 4-H projects to in my very fulfilling career as a Registered Dietitian working with the elderly in long term care and hospice.
Each life experience is a totally different shaped piece that fits together into the person that I have become in my ministry calling.
I never could have “seen” how my life would have fit together into this current reality 20 years ago, and if I could have shaped it totally on my own, I suspect I would not be nearly as happy as I am now. Looking at these many puzzles and applying them to others lives has greatly encouraged me in this current phase of my transitional journey.
There are several options right now, but I am in control of NONE of them – I have done what I can and am (trying at least!) to rest and trust in God and position myself to sense if there are other steps I need to take. I am moving all of these options around on my prayer wall, and seeing if perhaps some of them will fit together.
I am glad that I can be joyful on the journey because I know the ONE who holds all the pieces. And I haven’t seen the final picture yet, but I know it is of great beauty and worth the effort to piece it all together as I MEANDER ON THIS HIKE O’ LIFE….
It’s a snow day, actually an ice day here in Northeast Ohio. When I was a kid, my mother would often save a new jigsaw puzzle for us to piece together if we needed an activity after playing outside on these cold days home from school.
Jump forward to 2011, just the other week my dad found an online jigsaw puzzle page (see the link) and now when I venture into my parents family room, it is not uncommon for the three of us all be simultaneously working on jigsaw puzzles on our laptops! Dad has also been cutting out his own wooden jigsaw puzzles with family photos he wishes to share on his scroll saw. ( I will confess that I am NOT the quickest to figure these puzzles out!)
Many times I feel like my life is one of those unfinished puzzles. I try to make pieces fit together. Have you ever tried to force puzzle pieces together that don’t really want to link up? On the computer, it just won’t allow it, but on a cardboard puzzle you can just about ruin the piece. I like to sort out the pieces by color or by the subject that they might be forming in the final picture. Puzzles aren’t easy. Actually the best ones are challenging and stretch you quite a bit.
Having coffee with a friend the other week, we were reflecting on the lives of her grown children. One is still in college, the other in a exciting place and making it on his own. We shared many memories of kids growing up, wondered about the careers and lives that will come from these experiences. It truly is wonderful to watch and to know that her children will exceed the plans that we are able to make for them.
It suddenly hit me that this is so much like putting a puzzle together. God knows the outcome and all of our life experiences are being fit together to make a wonderful eternity of being a part of Christ’s kingdom. Looking back on my own life I can see this, from my experiences with family, in my years of 4-H projects to in my very fulfilling career as a Registered Dietitian working with the elderly in long term care and hospice.
Each life experience is a totally different shaped piece that fits together into the person that I have become in my ministry calling.
I never could have “seen” how my life would have fit together into this current reality 20 years ago, and if I could have shaped it totally on my own, I suspect I would not be nearly as happy as I am now. Looking at these many puzzles and applying them to others lives has greatly encouraged me in this current phase of my transitional journey.
There are several options right now, but I am in control of NONE of them – I have done what I can and am (trying at least!) to rest and trust in God and position myself to sense if there are other steps I need to take. I am moving all of these options around on my prayer wall, and seeing if perhaps some of them will fit together.
I am glad that I can be joyful on the journey because I know the ONE who holds all the pieces. And I haven’t seen the final picture yet, but I know it is of great beauty and worth the effort to piece it all together as I MEANDER ON THIS HIKE O’ LIFE….
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
STARTING ALL OVER - AGAIN!
The faithful love of the LORD never ends!
His mercies never cease.
Great is his faithfulness;
his mercies begin afresh each morning.
I say to myself, “The LORD is my inheritance;
therefore, I will hope in him!” The LORD is good to those who depend on him,
to those who search for him.
Lamentations 3: 22-25 (New Living Translation)
Here it is almost the end of January and I realize that I DID NOT keep my resolution to blog every week! In fact this is the first entry I am making in 2011! Where did this month go? I know that many of us have been making and breaking many resolutions in the past few weeks and I was reminded of the scripture that Jeremiah wrote after the fall of Jerusalem.
Our God is after all a God of second chances, of new mercies each morning and who faith in us never ceases, even though He knows us right down to our very core. I was reminded of this as I have plowed through the book of Genesis as I begin my second year of reading through the Bible in year! Hey – I kept a resolution the whole year for 2010. I CAN DO THIS!
I think, looking at our humanness, we are way too hard on ourselves sometimes and while indeed it was the core disobedience of the Israelites that led them to the mess they were in when Jeremiah penned the words above, God still was holding and providing for them.
Every night before I fall asleep, I review my day and pray through it, asking God to point out my failings and of course seek His forgiveness. This practice leads me to a place of peace, but if I hold on to whatever confession I make at bedtime in the next morning, I am denying God from bringing me His new mercies! Ever think about that?
So really, I need to accept God’s forgiveness and MOVE ON! (One of my seminary professors stated that once we leave something at the foot of the cross it is really quite tacky to go back and pick it up again.) So if I don’t drop the regrets of yesterday, I am not open to His new Mercy today.
A great book by Anne Jackson “Permission to Speak Freely”, has an essay about the prodigal son (Luke 15: 11-32). As Jackson and many other commentators note the willingness of the Father to go out and greet and welcome the wayward or runaway son and bring forth a celebration, I suddenly was drawn to the son, who recognized how he had wasted his inheritance and his time. The son was preparing to come home to be a servant, he knew that he had blown it, but was willing to in humility just come home to do the lowliest job. Many of us are familiar with the Father’s extravagance and accept that the son received all the Father offered.
My question to myself and to anyone reading this is; ARE YOU receiving the new mercies that Father is offering you each new morning? Or are you clinging to the failures of yesterday? Many who quote the Lamentations passage just show verses 22 – 23, which by itself has a powerful message. I am adding verses 24-25 to remind myself and I pray you are reminded as well, that we need not lose hope in our inheritance and it’s OK to depend on God and to keep searching and adjusting your plan as you go along!
So then, I am going to remind myself that I still have 48 weeks to try to jot down some thoughts in this literary form called a blog in the calendar year 2011. I pray that the two words that came to me in this new year – namely EDIT and HARNESS (specifically my thoughts!) will occur as I am faithful and disciplined to continue this project.
And so with letting go of the brokenness of yesterday – I RECEIVE GOD’S MERCY and start this again!
Happy NEW DAY!
What is GOD CALLING YOU TO START ANEW TODAY?
Go to it then!
Stop and rest, drop the regrets of yesterday, pick up the FRESH NEW MERCIES OF TODAY and go back to 'the hike o' life'
His mercies never cease.
Great is his faithfulness;
his mercies begin afresh each morning.
I say to myself, “The LORD is my inheritance;
therefore, I will hope in him!” The LORD is good to those who depend on him,
to those who search for him.
Lamentations 3: 22-25 (New Living Translation)
Here it is almost the end of January and I realize that I DID NOT keep my resolution to blog every week! In fact this is the first entry I am making in 2011! Where did this month go? I know that many of us have been making and breaking many resolutions in the past few weeks and I was reminded of the scripture that Jeremiah wrote after the fall of Jerusalem.
Our God is after all a God of second chances, of new mercies each morning and who faith in us never ceases, even though He knows us right down to our very core. I was reminded of this as I have plowed through the book of Genesis as I begin my second year of reading through the Bible in year! Hey – I kept a resolution the whole year for 2010. I CAN DO THIS!
I think, looking at our humanness, we are way too hard on ourselves sometimes and while indeed it was the core disobedience of the Israelites that led them to the mess they were in when Jeremiah penned the words above, God still was holding and providing for them.
Every night before I fall asleep, I review my day and pray through it, asking God to point out my failings and of course seek His forgiveness. This practice leads me to a place of peace, but if I hold on to whatever confession I make at bedtime in the next morning, I am denying God from bringing me His new mercies! Ever think about that?
So really, I need to accept God’s forgiveness and MOVE ON! (One of my seminary professors stated that once we leave something at the foot of the cross it is really quite tacky to go back and pick it up again.) So if I don’t drop the regrets of yesterday, I am not open to His new Mercy today.
A great book by Anne Jackson “Permission to Speak Freely”, has an essay about the prodigal son (Luke 15: 11-32). As Jackson and many other commentators note the willingness of the Father to go out and greet and welcome the wayward or runaway son and bring forth a celebration, I suddenly was drawn to the son, who recognized how he had wasted his inheritance and his time. The son was preparing to come home to be a servant, he knew that he had blown it, but was willing to in humility just come home to do the lowliest job. Many of us are familiar with the Father’s extravagance and accept that the son received all the Father offered.
My question to myself and to anyone reading this is; ARE YOU receiving the new mercies that Father is offering you each new morning? Or are you clinging to the failures of yesterday? Many who quote the Lamentations passage just show verses 22 – 23, which by itself has a powerful message. I am adding verses 24-25 to remind myself and I pray you are reminded as well, that we need not lose hope in our inheritance and it’s OK to depend on God and to keep searching and adjusting your plan as you go along!
So then, I am going to remind myself that I still have 48 weeks to try to jot down some thoughts in this literary form called a blog in the calendar year 2011. I pray that the two words that came to me in this new year – namely EDIT and HARNESS (specifically my thoughts!) will occur as I am faithful and disciplined to continue this project.
And so with letting go of the brokenness of yesterday – I RECEIVE GOD’S MERCY and start this again!
Happy NEW DAY!
What is GOD CALLING YOU TO START ANEW TODAY?
Go to it then!
Stop and rest, drop the regrets of yesterday, pick up the FRESH NEW MERCIES OF TODAY and go back to 'the hike o' life'
Monday, December 27, 2010
2010: “the year of the PAJAMAS?!”
Greetings to all, as we find ourselves in the midst of Christmas and family gatherings and the New Year quickly approaching, I have decided it’s time to take the pieces of this year and quilt them all together! Last year this time, I was busy doing ministry in Northeast Pennsylvania, visiting parishioners, working in the community and getting ready for the services of the season. Little did I realize how much was about to change in the coming months. In the fall of 2009, I had some dreams that tended to tell me that my life was going to be changing and indeed I was seeking God’s heart on what might be next for me. By Christmas time, I really didn’t feel a release from the work of ministry, but I did begin with a very nagging cough and seemed to get more and more tired no matter how much I rested.
As I planned to head back to Ohio following the Christmas services, I was also laying plans and purchasing airfare for a group I had planned to lead to Haiti at the end of January 2010. That trip never happened for me (however two groups got to replace our original trip with a Sugarcreek team going just before Easter and the PA team in September). Little did I know how “prophetic” my 2010 started out on New Year’s Day. After having breakfast with a friend I headed to Kohl’s specifically to purchase myself a new pair of pajamas, at the time I just felt led to do it! Little did I know how much I was going to need them in just a few weeks!? The beginning of 2010 continued to find my cough increasing, with nothing bringing relief, and as the earthquake ripped apart Haiti and changed so many lives, I began treatments for bronchitis as our mission team scrambled to see what we could do to be part of the relief effort.
It was on my birthday (Feb 10) during the middle of a severe snowstorm, that I finally acknowledged how very sick I was and realized I needed to seek emergency medical attention as soon as the storm subsided. (I couldn’t walk 3 steps without being completely out of breath.) A dear friend picked me up in 10 inches of freshly fallen snow in her four wheel drive truck and we headed off to the Geisinger Medical Center. I spent a total of 30 seconds in the lobby, having been almost immediately triaged back to a room where they would discover a pesky – symptom free blood clot behind my right knee that had led to multiple pulmonary embolisms occurring over several months. As I continue to realize how sick and close to dying I really was, I realize how much God and very many angels were holding me through this time. I missed a total of 5 weeks of work and spent my time in quietness and in those new pajamas (!!), gently being ministered to by parishioners, dear friends and the excellent medical staff who guided my care during this time.
In the quiet of my healing and the many prayers that were being prayed over me, I kept questioning God as to what fruit this season should bear, and what was He trying to say to me. My parents came to take me to their home for a week of recovery in Ohio. It was during this time that I heard God clearly saying – “you’ve accomplished what I have asked you to do (in PA)”, “now return to the land of your fathers” and as I have learned to check on what I sense I hear, God confirmed that word in several ways, and while my church family had a variety of responses to my announcement; the season of my recovery, wrapping up ministry and preparing to move held a incredible gift of ministry in both the churches and community for me. Many things I had prayed to see happen over the 4 years I was there; came to be “suddenly” before my eyes. Looking back, it truly was an amazing time!
By June 4th, the moving truck was loaded and some incredible friends drove me and my belongings back to Ohio. A major tornado blew through, within a quarter mile of my parent’s home the very next afternoon! (Welcome home!) I was able to serve on the SWAP mission in June with a group from the PA churches, but looking back, I am only beginning to realize how ill and rundown the embolisms had made me.
By July still moving pretty slowly, but wanting to be active, I saw an ad to work at a local gourmet market and began my “physical rehab job” the next week. Working that job and attending my nephews’ (Clay and Jordan) baseball and football games is how I spent most of my summer and fall. Also as my strength increased, I renewed the active ministry calling search on September 1st and have been blessed
to be pulpit supply for several area churches. At this point I am pursuing, praying and watching what is to be the next call!
Lots of time with family, patiently walking where God wants me and a desire to make to most of each moment is how I am facing my future. Many of you who know me well, know that I look to symbols around me to see if God is showing me truth through them. Please indulge just a few more random Darcy moments if you are still reading this “massive missive” of mine!
1. The blue jay saga continues! As I arrived down at the SWAP house in Elkhorn WV, I had the front porch to myself for a few hours as staff was out and others had not arrived. A summer thunderstorm erupted, but under the safe covering of the porch, I could see a pair of blue jays just hopping up and down branch to branch on a single tree and gently and tenderly doing some self grooming. As I have been watching blue jays for over 6 years now, I had NEVER seen these activities. I took these as another confirmation that I was to stick close to home – and take care of myself! Someday I am going to write that book on what God has taught me by watching these blue jays!
2. Under the mighty oak tree! At my parent’s home, my designated parking place is under a beautiful oak tree. This summer I was very appreciative of the shade that our mighty oak provided. In fall however, the leaves were reluctant to fall and in fact, many are still hanging on. Then, there are the acorns – hitting me, the car and dropping at the least expected times. As I transition from ministry to ministry, it occurs to me that being a Christian picking up your cross and following God, can be a lot like parking under that mighty oak. You have great refuge (shade) in God, but change (dropping leaves) can be slow and difficult and just when you least expect it – nuts drop in on you! (no implications to anyone here!) But if you are faithful to who you are when you meet those nuts, they too will grow into mighty oaks! I now have an acorn ornament for my Christmas tree.
3. The butterfly & the hippopotamus – As my sister continues to remind leiomyosarcoma that GOD is way bigger than cancer (check out her blog at http://www.carepages.com/carepages/Marciajourney), she has blogged several times about how the butterflies inspire her and they have become a symbol and a reminder for prayer to many who love her. My folks volunteered at a butterfly exhibit this summer and we keep being reminded that just as God fortifies the butterfly through the many seasons of change in their lives, He is also transforming us through the trials and occasions of our own lives. I was also given beaded hippo made by some South African women and was told Hippo’s are only able to move forward. (Reverse and backing up are not options!) My family also reminded me that while I want to move forward, I also share other aspects of the hippo. I am developing a tougher skin (that is good) and I can have a hard head (maybe not so good!)
So that about sums it up, it has been a year of many changes for me in 2010, NONE OF THEN PLANNED at the start – BUT GOD HAS RENEWED ME AND REMINDED ME OF HIS PURPOSES woven into all the intermingled stories of our lives. I continue to pray for Redeemer, St. Paul’s and St. Peter’s churches in NE PA as they walk into the future God has for them. I cherish the times of friendship and ministry during my time in Sullivan County. I savor each moment spent with my family and have made many new friends and renewed many old friendships in the hometown.
For now you can find me at my parent’s home at P.O. Box 464, Sugarcreek Ohio 44681, at demiller64@hotmail.com or on Facebook (Darcy Miller)
God Bless you and if you haven’t lately, please let me know HOW YOU ARE! So many of you come to mind and I can’t always keep up the notes and letters, but the intercessions remain. As for me, I am hoping to find that new call (SOON if I have anything to say about it!), I want to get my blog going again, and of course continue to improve my health, but there is one new year’s resolution – I intend to keep – I AM NOT going to purchase new pajama’s on the first day of 2011! While I may have worn out the pair I got last New Year’s – I do not intend to spend as much time in pajama land this year!!!!!
PRAYERS FOR EACH OF US AS WE CONTINUE TO GROW, FORGIVE, LOVE and BE WHO GOD IS SHAPING US TO BE IN THIS NEW YEAR!
Darcy
As I planned to head back to Ohio following the Christmas services, I was also laying plans and purchasing airfare for a group I had planned to lead to Haiti at the end of January 2010. That trip never happened for me (however two groups got to replace our original trip with a Sugarcreek team going just before Easter and the PA team in September). Little did I know how “prophetic” my 2010 started out on New Year’s Day. After having breakfast with a friend I headed to Kohl’s specifically to purchase myself a new pair of pajamas, at the time I just felt led to do it! Little did I know how much I was going to need them in just a few weeks!? The beginning of 2010 continued to find my cough increasing, with nothing bringing relief, and as the earthquake ripped apart Haiti and changed so many lives, I began treatments for bronchitis as our mission team scrambled to see what we could do to be part of the relief effort.
It was on my birthday (Feb 10) during the middle of a severe snowstorm, that I finally acknowledged how very sick I was and realized I needed to seek emergency medical attention as soon as the storm subsided. (I couldn’t walk 3 steps without being completely out of breath.) A dear friend picked me up in 10 inches of freshly fallen snow in her four wheel drive truck and we headed off to the Geisinger Medical Center. I spent a total of 30 seconds in the lobby, having been almost immediately triaged back to a room where they would discover a pesky – symptom free blood clot behind my right knee that had led to multiple pulmonary embolisms occurring over several months. As I continue to realize how sick and close to dying I really was, I realize how much God and very many angels were holding me through this time. I missed a total of 5 weeks of work and spent my time in quietness and in those new pajamas (!!), gently being ministered to by parishioners, dear friends and the excellent medical staff who guided my care during this time.
In the quiet of my healing and the many prayers that were being prayed over me, I kept questioning God as to what fruit this season should bear, and what was He trying to say to me. My parents came to take me to their home for a week of recovery in Ohio. It was during this time that I heard God clearly saying – “you’ve accomplished what I have asked you to do (in PA)”, “now return to the land of your fathers” and as I have learned to check on what I sense I hear, God confirmed that word in several ways, and while my church family had a variety of responses to my announcement; the season of my recovery, wrapping up ministry and preparing to move held a incredible gift of ministry in both the churches and community for me. Many things I had prayed to see happen over the 4 years I was there; came to be “suddenly” before my eyes. Looking back, it truly was an amazing time!
By June 4th, the moving truck was loaded and some incredible friends drove me and my belongings back to Ohio. A major tornado blew through, within a quarter mile of my parent’s home the very next afternoon! (Welcome home!) I was able to serve on the SWAP mission in June with a group from the PA churches, but looking back, I am only beginning to realize how ill and rundown the embolisms had made me.
By July still moving pretty slowly, but wanting to be active, I saw an ad to work at a local gourmet market and began my “physical rehab job” the next week. Working that job and attending my nephews’ (Clay and Jordan) baseball and football games is how I spent most of my summer and fall. Also as my strength increased, I renewed the active ministry calling search on September 1st and have been blessed
to be pulpit supply for several area churches. At this point I am pursuing, praying and watching what is to be the next call!
Lots of time with family, patiently walking where God wants me and a desire to make to most of each moment is how I am facing my future. Many of you who know me well, know that I look to symbols around me to see if God is showing me truth through them. Please indulge just a few more random Darcy moments if you are still reading this “massive missive” of mine!
1. The blue jay saga continues! As I arrived down at the SWAP house in Elkhorn WV, I had the front porch to myself for a few hours as staff was out and others had not arrived. A summer thunderstorm erupted, but under the safe covering of the porch, I could see a pair of blue jays just hopping up and down branch to branch on a single tree and gently and tenderly doing some self grooming. As I have been watching blue jays for over 6 years now, I had NEVER seen these activities. I took these as another confirmation that I was to stick close to home – and take care of myself! Someday I am going to write that book on what God has taught me by watching these blue jays!
2. Under the mighty oak tree! At my parent’s home, my designated parking place is under a beautiful oak tree. This summer I was very appreciative of the shade that our mighty oak provided. In fall however, the leaves were reluctant to fall and in fact, many are still hanging on. Then, there are the acorns – hitting me, the car and dropping at the least expected times. As I transition from ministry to ministry, it occurs to me that being a Christian picking up your cross and following God, can be a lot like parking under that mighty oak. You have great refuge (shade) in God, but change (dropping leaves) can be slow and difficult and just when you least expect it – nuts drop in on you! (no implications to anyone here!) But if you are faithful to who you are when you meet those nuts, they too will grow into mighty oaks! I now have an acorn ornament for my Christmas tree.
3. The butterfly & the hippopotamus – As my sister continues to remind leiomyosarcoma that GOD is way bigger than cancer (check out her blog at http://www.carepages.com/carepages/Marciajourney), she has blogged several times about how the butterflies inspire her and they have become a symbol and a reminder for prayer to many who love her. My folks volunteered at a butterfly exhibit this summer and we keep being reminded that just as God fortifies the butterfly through the many seasons of change in their lives, He is also transforming us through the trials and occasions of our own lives. I was also given beaded hippo made by some South African women and was told Hippo’s are only able to move forward. (Reverse and backing up are not options!) My family also reminded me that while I want to move forward, I also share other aspects of the hippo. I am developing a tougher skin (that is good) and I can have a hard head (maybe not so good!)
So that about sums it up, it has been a year of many changes for me in 2010, NONE OF THEN PLANNED at the start – BUT GOD HAS RENEWED ME AND REMINDED ME OF HIS PURPOSES woven into all the intermingled stories of our lives. I continue to pray for Redeemer, St. Paul’s and St. Peter’s churches in NE PA as they walk into the future God has for them. I cherish the times of friendship and ministry during my time in Sullivan County. I savor each moment spent with my family and have made many new friends and renewed many old friendships in the hometown.
For now you can find me at my parent’s home at P.O. Box 464, Sugarcreek Ohio 44681, at demiller64@hotmail.com or on Facebook (Darcy Miller)
God Bless you and if you haven’t lately, please let me know HOW YOU ARE! So many of you come to mind and I can’t always keep up the notes and letters, but the intercessions remain. As for me, I am hoping to find that new call (SOON if I have anything to say about it!), I want to get my blog going again, and of course continue to improve my health, but there is one new year’s resolution – I intend to keep – I AM NOT going to purchase new pajama’s on the first day of 2011! While I may have worn out the pair I got last New Year’s – I do not intend to spend as much time in pajama land this year!!!!!
PRAYERS FOR EACH OF US AS WE CONTINUE TO GROW, FORGIVE, LOVE and BE WHO GOD IS SHAPING US TO BE IN THIS NEW YEAR!
Darcy
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
Fluttering by the Ocean Blue
2 Corinthians 5:17
"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come." ESV
By the goodness of some kind soul without a security password, my computer picked up internet access and I find myself feet up on the patio writing this blog, I am seeing, hearing, feeling and yes even smelling and tasting the Atlantic Ocean.
Our condo is right against the barrier dunes, we simply travel over the dunes on the wooden ramp about 100 feet to the beach and breaking waves. In the barrier dunes are all kinds of wonderful plants, birds, turtles and BUTTERFLIES.
My family has been having a grand time with butterflies all summer. Mom and dad volunteered at a butterfly exhibit and shared with us the wonder of the butterfly anew. We have been noticing butterflies feeding, laying eggs and even "puddling" (google it if you need to know!) over the last month. My sister as she prepared for a surgery as well has drawn strength and encouragement as she sees God at work in her life and in her family throught the butterflies around her.
My sister in sharing this on her her blog http://www.carepages.com/carepages/Marciajourney/updates/2742288 has lead to many people to see butterflies as prayer triggers for her recovery.
I have been purposefully and intentionally not contacting anyone back home during this time away and God indeed is doing deep and powerful things in my heart even as the waves continue without ceasing. But the butterflies are ever present in my seaside life. I have been noticing tiny yellows and big orange monarchs all in the wonderful barrier dunes between the condo and the water.
Even yesterday as we went to Wilmington to tour and shop, the butterflies were abundantly present in nature and in art. Every lawn I looked at and every store I shopped in there were snowglobes with butterflies, sand dollars with butterflies, t-shirts with butterflies, thimbles with butterflies, necklaces with butterflies and just big decorative BUTTERFLIES everywhere (no I did not purchase any of those!) However, just when I though I went into the shop that certainly would have no butterflies, a gourmet foods market lined with sauces, knives, cookbooks and wine, I looked out near the entry, and saw two gorgeous stained glass butterfly panels. The owner explained that they had belonged to his mother and now have great meaning to him.
Today as I pondered all the butterflies I have been seeing, I looked out again and started counting over 100 butterflies a minute passing to the north over the dunes. This move has been continual all day long regardless of wind or seagulls, sun or shade. These beautiful creatures are moving in their purpose to lay their eggs to begin the life cycle anew. Sis I have been praying for you a lot this week cause thatsa lotta flutterbies honey! And praying and listening I engaging in the truth of the butterfly in my own life as I transition from one stage to the next. I am fluttering I pray, in the right direction to the new life stage of my transformation in Christ.
I penned a little ditty as these thousands of "flying flowers" wove past me today.
Little yellow butterflies
Just gliding by the sea
without a care
their joy they share
as they bounce in the ocean breeze.
They reassure me of God's plan
all things are in His hands.
a purpose, my hopes the fate of man
will all safely and blessedly land.
Allow His word to guide you
Despite the powerful gale
Just trusting in His promises
and then you too can sail.
Through trial, through storm,
through the dark night.
His purposes are sealed
Just lean on Him continually
His great peace is your shield.
So then - as you wonder about on your hike o' life just remember the trusted butterfly. It may seem to only be just fluttering along but it is working out it's purposes all the way along! Peace!
"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come." ESV
By the goodness of some kind soul without a security password, my computer picked up internet access and I find myself feet up on the patio writing this blog, I am seeing, hearing, feeling and yes even smelling and tasting the Atlantic Ocean.
Our condo is right against the barrier dunes, we simply travel over the dunes on the wooden ramp about 100 feet to the beach and breaking waves. In the barrier dunes are all kinds of wonderful plants, birds, turtles and BUTTERFLIES.
My family has been having a grand time with butterflies all summer. Mom and dad volunteered at a butterfly exhibit and shared with us the wonder of the butterfly anew. We have been noticing butterflies feeding, laying eggs and even "puddling" (google it if you need to know!) over the last month. My sister as she prepared for a surgery as well has drawn strength and encouragement as she sees God at work in her life and in her family throught the butterflies around her.
My sister in sharing this on her her blog http://www.carepages.com/carepages/Marciajourney/updates/2742288 has lead to many people to see butterflies as prayer triggers for her recovery.
I have been purposefully and intentionally not contacting anyone back home during this time away and God indeed is doing deep and powerful things in my heart even as the waves continue without ceasing. But the butterflies are ever present in my seaside life. I have been noticing tiny yellows and big orange monarchs all in the wonderful barrier dunes between the condo and the water.
Even yesterday as we went to Wilmington to tour and shop, the butterflies were abundantly present in nature and in art. Every lawn I looked at and every store I shopped in there were snowglobes with butterflies, sand dollars with butterflies, t-shirts with butterflies, thimbles with butterflies, necklaces with butterflies and just big decorative BUTTERFLIES everywhere (no I did not purchase any of those!) However, just when I though I went into the shop that certainly would have no butterflies, a gourmet foods market lined with sauces, knives, cookbooks and wine, I looked out near the entry, and saw two gorgeous stained glass butterfly panels. The owner explained that they had belonged to his mother and now have great meaning to him.
Today as I pondered all the butterflies I have been seeing, I looked out again and started counting over 100 butterflies a minute passing to the north over the dunes. This move has been continual all day long regardless of wind or seagulls, sun or shade. These beautiful creatures are moving in their purpose to lay their eggs to begin the life cycle anew. Sis I have been praying for you a lot this week cause thatsa lotta flutterbies honey! And praying and listening I engaging in the truth of the butterfly in my own life as I transition from one stage to the next. I am fluttering I pray, in the right direction to the new life stage of my transformation in Christ.
I penned a little ditty as these thousands of "flying flowers" wove past me today.
Little yellow butterflies
Just gliding by the sea
without a care
their joy they share
as they bounce in the ocean breeze.
They reassure me of God's plan
all things are in His hands.
a purpose, my hopes the fate of man
will all safely and blessedly land.
Allow His word to guide you
Despite the powerful gale
Just trusting in His promises
and then you too can sail.
Through trial, through storm,
through the dark night.
His purposes are sealed
Just lean on Him continually
His great peace is your shield.
So then - as you wonder about on your hike o' life just remember the trusted butterfly. It may seem to only be just fluttering along but it is working out it's purposes all the way along! Peace!
Saturday, August 21, 2010
the ocean and GOD are calling!
I love being near the ocean.
The constancy of waves and tide and sand.
The pause of my journey, my hike, if you will, to stop and pause and see how wonderfully God created the universe.
The ocean is so much bigger than I - and as I try to sort out my life and where it was, where it is and where it is going, those waves are going to wash away all my worries and frustrations and help me focus on what is most important. Hearing what GOD thinks about all this and forgetting those things that really don't matter.
This is what He told Job "And who took charge of the ocean when it gushed forth like a baby from the womb? That was Me! I wrapped it in soft clouds, and tucked it in safely at night." Then I made a playpen for it, a stong playpen so it couldn't run loose, and said 'stay here, this is your place. Your wild tantrums are confined to this place." Job 38: 8-11 (the Message)
My last "big" word from God, was at a metaphorical body of water, as I read Virelle Kidder's book, "Meet Me at the Well." Drawing near to God immediately following my hospitalization last spring, as my parents brought me to their home to recuperate, I prayed and read and soaked in my "brook kerith" as Elijah did (1 Kings 17). He directed me during this time that I completed His call to me for the pastorate in PA. Soon there after I recieved comfirmation my own longing to "return to the land of my father (s).
God often speaks to me at bodies of water. It was at a lake in Kentucky that I truly surrendered my ministry to His terms not my own. It was at Pine Lake that the call and affirmation to serve two summers in the MCC SWAP program became clear. I have fasted and rested many times to oceans, rivers, streams and ponds - all to know more clearly how much God loves me.
So here I am been at a wonderful "Brook Kerith" at my folks home, resting, strengthening and so importantly renewing my spirit in God's care. I am enjoying this wonderful hospitality of my parents sometimes a little too much I think, but yet am beginning to eagerly wonder "what's next"?
And in my wondering, the ocean calls!
Totally out of the blue, a dear friend was gifted an ocean front home for several days and I was invited to enjoy in this blessed gift. So off to Carolina beach we go. Positioning myself in the surf before the vastness of creation, I will pray to clearly hear more on the "coordinates" of the next destination on this lil 'hike 'o life.
But more on that, much more I am sure to come, until then, rest at your brook kerith, and know the ravens will provide you with strength for your hike as well.
The constancy of waves and tide and sand.
The pause of my journey, my hike, if you will, to stop and pause and see how wonderfully God created the universe.
The ocean is so much bigger than I - and as I try to sort out my life and where it was, where it is and where it is going, those waves are going to wash away all my worries and frustrations and help me focus on what is most important. Hearing what GOD thinks about all this and forgetting those things that really don't matter.
This is what He told Job "And who took charge of the ocean when it gushed forth like a baby from the womb? That was Me! I wrapped it in soft clouds, and tucked it in safely at night." Then I made a playpen for it, a stong playpen so it couldn't run loose, and said 'stay here, this is your place. Your wild tantrums are confined to this place." Job 38: 8-11 (the Message)
My last "big" word from God, was at a metaphorical body of water, as I read Virelle Kidder's book, "Meet Me at the Well." Drawing near to God immediately following my hospitalization last spring, as my parents brought me to their home to recuperate, I prayed and read and soaked in my "brook kerith" as Elijah did (1 Kings 17). He directed me during this time that I completed His call to me for the pastorate in PA. Soon there after I recieved comfirmation my own longing to "return to the land of my father (s).
God often speaks to me at bodies of water. It was at a lake in Kentucky that I truly surrendered my ministry to His terms not my own. It was at Pine Lake that the call and affirmation to serve two summers in the MCC SWAP program became clear. I have fasted and rested many times to oceans, rivers, streams and ponds - all to know more clearly how much God loves me.
So here I am been at a wonderful "Brook Kerith" at my folks home, resting, strengthening and so importantly renewing my spirit in God's care. I am enjoying this wonderful hospitality of my parents sometimes a little too much I think, but yet am beginning to eagerly wonder "what's next"?
And in my wondering, the ocean calls!
Totally out of the blue, a dear friend was gifted an ocean front home for several days and I was invited to enjoy in this blessed gift. So off to Carolina beach we go. Positioning myself in the surf before the vastness of creation, I will pray to clearly hear more on the "coordinates" of the next destination on this lil 'hike 'o life.
But more on that, much more I am sure to come, until then, rest at your brook kerith, and know the ravens will provide you with strength for your hike as well.
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