At a bench - a marker - rest and reflect!

Tomorrow is going to be one of those days!

Everyday is actually one of those days, but some days, we attach extra significance to.

Christmas and Easter for example,  because we have changed calendars since the time of Christ and over the years different church leaders have made set times to commemorate these occurrences.

Tomorrow for me is the commemoration of the 50th, yes 50 anniversary of my birth! 

I don't feel that old.  In fact I took a test last week that said my mental age is 29! 

I was so totally blessed by some gals I mentor who had a surprise party for me last week and I will confess the sin of pride - yes pride - that I blew out all fifty candles (without spitting on them) and with breath left to spare!

What is fifty anyway?

Many of you that follow my writing have a few more years of wisdom than I do and I know that a number is just a number!

I feel younger and more energized and healthier than I did at 30 actually.

But its in looking back that I realized how many amazing things I have experienced in my life.

I was actually born the day after the "Beatles" made their American Television debut on the Ed Sullivan Show.

The last two milestone birthdays, I had the privilege to be in foreign countries serving in missions. I tend to like to go somewhere warm and sunny to serve God in February!  

When I turned forty, I wrote for a seminary class a list of 40 things I hope to do before I go to heaven.  (A crazy fact, it was not yet called a "bucket list" at that time!)   I am happy to say that I have accomplished almost 30 of these goals and will undoubtedly add to that list as I reflect.

I am still single, but I still hope to find that ideal mate.  I have long given up the idea of giving birth to a child and wonder if I would even have the energy to adopt if I found myself able to do so.  But, in my love of children and people, God has blessed me with so many spiritual children to nurture and mentor.  I don't think my life could be any richer.

Four years ago on the eve of my 46th birthday, I went to bed wondering if I would wake up alive.  I was so short of breath and had been diagnosed with bronchitis, but the next day in the ER of a major medical center, I was told that numerous blood clots had passed through my heart and it was only the grace of God that kept me from having a stroke or heart attack for the previous two months.   My lungs were full of polka dots.  I look back on that day as one of many turning points in my life.  God used that situation for me to really reflect as I recovered on just what it was He was calling me to do.

He during that time, whispered "return" to the land of your fathers....and so I tendered my resignation to the churches I serve and kept chewing on what God's instruction meant.  I lived with my parents for a while as I rested and healing, enjoyed working in a gourmet shop, even picked back up in pulpit ministry as I had the opportunity to serve as an interim minister.

But as I wrote recently in my "2014" too late for Christmas "Christmas letter"! As I moved into my current home, a mission house with a name, "The Living Acts House"  in the community of Millersburg.  I sensed the completion of understanding that command - "Return to the Land of your Fathers".  I know I am not to be here forever, but rather to establish the next steps of my call to help others discover their call and passion in this incredible business/ministry I founded called LIFE CONNECT! 

If you are still reading this, thanks - I think I am writing it more for myself, but yet feel compelled to share it too.   Tomorrow, on my birthday- I won't be in a foreign country doing missions, but here in Millersburg, I will enjoy of day of great meaning as I go to my "tent-making" job as church secretary in the morning, then out to the local middle school to hang out with students in the afternoon and then dinner with my folks and nephews.  It is going to be an exceptional day.

Yesterday as I was reflecting on those other birthdays where I was in a warm client serving - ( I actually turned down the chance to be doing a mission trip in Kenya this month and wondered if I missed what God wanted for me.) But in the cold sunshine, I could sense God's smile saying - YOU ARE IN THIS MISSION FIELD - you will have a blessed day.  And I know I will.

One last ramble.  A few weeks ago, at a Young Life Retreat, Jerry Leachman, who is a chaplain in the National Football League shared with us, his testimony and challenged us to play to the full extend of our being in EVERY QUARTER OF THE GAME!  This really resonated with me as I think I am just now coming into the full fruition of my call.  I may be approaching "half time" or maybe the "third quarter", but I am as energized as ever.

Stories keep coming to me as I have worked in several careers, gotten multiple degrees, lived in different states married dozens, probably buried almost a hundred and have gotten to know the stories of thousands of people in my ramblings as "preachergirl",just darcy" and "that Mennonite Missionary !"

One more crazy illustration and I will wrap this up.  As a kid, our family often went hiking and one path always was known both for it's steep hill and for the three benches that were placed along the way for us to rest and reflect.  We used to race up the rugged path to be the first to the bench.

Today as I stop and pause - here in Ohio amid more of God's beautiful snow - I see that bench it would look a little bit like this. 

 

So, today and tomorrow, I am like on any other commemoration, going to stop, pause and enjoy! 

See that bench?  I'm going to brush of the snow and stay right there!

 

Thanks ahead of time of the greetings.  I have had a great first half and even a "sudden death" pulmonary embolism didn't really slow me down, it just changed my direction a bit! 

 

If anything, I know that the first fifty have more than fueled me up for the second half!  Yes coach, I want to play my best in the next quarter.  I am glad for the path and the benches along the way!

I am more greatful for the relationships, the stories of God's grace and the many miracles I have witnessed and hope to be more faithful about sharing in the next leg of my journey! 

 

And I guess this blog I started has the very best title ever, THE HIKE OF LIFE! 

 

LIFE WELL, LOVE BETTER and ENJOY EVERY MOMENT -

 all are gifts from 

OUR MERCY FILLED, GRACE LOVING GOD!

 

Onward!

 



Hi BLOGGER!

I am logging in today for the first time in 3 years, it's a bit intimidating!  I am trying to update and change and there just seems to be so much to learn!  (Thought I would switch to word press and I like that too for different reasons), but now for some reason, I am thinking of keeping both sites going, this one more personal and the other www.yourlifeconnect.com more for professional interests.

Frankly I am in deeper than I want to be, blogger has changed, I am frustrated and it's only 6 a.m.!

What tasks seem overwhelming to you today?

 

 

I cried with a young friend last night.  She had just received a letter from the post secondary she hopes to attend.  She didn't hear a yes, she didn't hear a no, she heard that she has to wait to hear for THREE MORE MONTHS!

That's overwhelming just when you think you will know and the waiting is prolonged.  We reminded each other, that God is in the waiting room with us, keeping us going along the things he has for us to do.

Not sure why I am working on the blog this morning, I am looking at a list longer than... well it is so long, I can't even describe it.  It's a good list, notes for new clients, work on a sermon for Sunday and other writing deadlines and for some reason I am trying to update my blog.  I want to tell you where I live and what I am doing now, because the information is not current at the top, but for some reason, I can't crack that code!

So I feel as overwhelmed as my friend in her wait.  

But what I can do, as Jesus Calling and Sarah Young reminds us today, January 23, is to lean on God in the moment.  Zoom in to see Him here with me and then slowly draw back to understand in the big picture it doesn't really matter if I can't instantly change my header, or am going to have to wait a big longer for the news of future glory.

So header, I will conquer you.  Posting this, getting a little housework done and then on to the tasks of the day.  I will not let your stubbornness unnerve the joy that awaits.

I am not alone, and my victory is not the achievement or the news.  It's the presence of the ONE who rests with me, holds me while I cry and patiently, oh so patiently holds my hand and guides me along.
Guides me along on "the hike o' life"

Anticipate the fellowship of God in every task today!


Deuteronomy 31:6 - Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the LORD thy God, he goes with you; he will not fail you, nor forsake you.

So washing dishes, updating blogs, waiting for letters; it matters not - God goes with me!

Peace to you...

Let HOPE rise!

 

 

 Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer

 

Romans 12:12 

 

 

 

That's all I am going to say today!

 

We all have trials.

 

But if we follow Romans 12:12 in the order listed...

We will be A-OK!

 

Have a great day!

 

HOPE IS RISING ANEW!

 

Blessings,

 

just darcy!

O Come

Lighting the First Candle - LONGING IN HOPE

 "The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who lived in a land of deep darkness -- on them light has shined." Isaiah 9:2

What a rainy and dreary day here in Ohio as we light the first candle of advent preparation. 

In Zion's morning message we talked about the preparations the world would have us do for Christmas; spending money to buy whatever they tell us we need, putting up lights and decorations over every inch of living space and preparing every recipe that will create an festive apprearance.  All these things can BE OK, but only if we have done the preparations of the heart and can shop, decorate and cook out of the abundance of our joy.

The first preparation is to cut away the layers of add ons to get to the heart of the matter, our hearts to be exact.  I love this C.S. Lewis quote that I have paraphrased,

"Most people if they had really learned to look into their own hearts, would know that they DO WANT, and WANT ACUTELY, something that CANNOT BE HAD IN THIS WORLD.  There are all sorts of things in this world that offer to give this to you, BUT NO THING OF THIS WORLD can really give you what you long for in your heart" 

The people of Israel, of whom the Old Testament prophets wrote, longed for deliverance from their strife, they hoped to see Messiah.  In our day and age, we realize Messiah came and established His Kingdom.  We now long for the day when He returns as righteousness to correct all the wrongs of the earthly kingdoms and bring eternity and community to end our exile in a world of sin.

So in the darkness, we long for light.  In our isolation, we hope for community.  I will keep walking in this theme this week.  But I encourage you in your own quiet times - To ask God to show you where HE is at in your darkness and CLING to HIM as He walks with you through the dark time, back into the light, LONGING IN HOPE FOR MORE OF HIM.

 "Restore us, O LORD God Almighty;

make your face shine upon us, that we may be saved"

Psalm 80:19

A Prayer: Lord as we look to the birth of Jesus, grant that the light of Your love for us will deepen our HOPE and help us to become Your true light in the lives of those around us. Prepare our hearts for the joy and gladness of your coming, for Jesus is our Hope of our longing. Amen.

Hiking to Bethlehem on the hike o' life

Greetings!

Many of you who are reading this followed my lenten daily blog last spring.  I had been toying with the idea of jumping in again at during the Advent season since there are so many wonderful topics to blog about and affirmation to do this came from my young friend Makenna as she excitedly shared with me what she was giving up for Advent the other evening.  As you read this, you might think, you don't give things up for Advent - that's Lent!   But actually she had it right.  Advent really is supposed to be more like Lent! 

If you are reading this, don't panic, but just come along with me for this hike  The early church orginally intended for Advent to be a time of spiritual preparation, of digging deep within your heart to see how you need to be ready for the birth (INCARNATION - a theological term to unpack on a different day!) of God who came to earth in living form for the purpose of OUR salvation.  (Lent is designed to prepare new believer's to join the church and to also remind us of Christ's preparations for His earthly ministry.)

Just ponder John 1:14 in the Message translation:

The Word became flesh and blood,
      and moved into the neighborhood.
   We saw the glory with our own eyes,
      the one-of-a-kind glory,
      like Father, like Son,
   Generous inside and out,
      true from start to finish.

So while we all nicely say we are "getting ready" for Christmas as we put up decorations, purchase gifts, send cards and bake cookies; we really are just piling all those things on the top or our hearts which, really, I can say this about my own heart, NEED A THOROUGH CLEANING OUT DURING THIS TIME OF YEAR! 

 I am NOT GOING TO FAST for ADVENT THOUGH, and I hope my friend Makenna and each of you don't either.  What I am going to do is spend time with God - before the outward preparations (which I also enjoy - IN MODERATION!) - to prepare my heart, my mind and my spirit for more of what God reveals and keeps revealing until He comes again.  Will you join me during this next month on this journey? 

As I begin this journey, as I did the Lenten one, I am not sure where it will lead.  I am  simply being obedient to begin the path.  I invite you to join me and seek God's call in your own life to make thing ready for His Coming ANEW deep within our being.

(I also begin a new journey in my ministry calling as I write this.  Tomorrow I will deliver the first message in a season of interim ministry at Zion United Church of Christ in Ragersville.  I seek your prayers for these messages and this congregation as we walk together to Bethlehem this year.)

A PRAYER -

Lord - Even as we linger at the abundant table from our thanksgiving feast, we pray that we begin to prepare and examine our lives, still giving thanks for everything we encounter, but allowing You to make us ready for the Coming of Your Son.  We remember the infant born in Bethlehem and the Bridegroom of your church who will come again just as You have said to begin our eternity with you.

The QUESTION MARKS OF MY LIFE

not sure if this is real stained glass window or a computer generation, but isn't it cool!

But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace to me was not without effect.

I Corinthians 15:10a (NIV)


I just looked and this is my 50th blog posting since March 6th!  I only missed one day on this journey, I can't believe how quickly it went. 

But this is going to be the last posting for a bit!

I know that I am "called" to write and inspire as God leads me to.  I have many ideas brewing around.

Some have told me that I am ending this season of intense Lenten discipline a better writer.  I would like to think so, but I feel I still need to HARNESS my rambling thoughts and EDIT my writing a bit more.  But I do feel very positive about this experience.

What has your Lenten Journey shown you? 

What struggles have you encountered/overcome/fallen on?

Limiting the TV seemed hard to me at the time, but now that it's done, I don't miss it and don't really want to go back to it.

Please let me know your insights- you certainly have had to deal with mine!

Today, as briefly as possible I want to give you a quick update and seek your prayers over this season of transition in my life.

I still don't have a full time ministry job.  I am still actually waiting to hear the status of a situation that began well before the Lenten journey.  Not sure what that means, but it is what it is!

In the last two weeks - I have been led to two incredible opportunities to do ministry.

At a local funeral home, I will be available for those who do not have a church, but ask for a pastor for services/counseling.  It's a bit of  "pin" money, but more importantly a chance to share God's love and the light of His Gospel at a time when families need it most. 

Also I am increasing my volunteer involvement with the Circle of Friends ministry in organizing prayer support teams and prayer coverage as this incredible ministry keeps growing and connecting women with a "Place to Belong".  We are seeking those who love this ministry with a heart to pray over the events and leaders so contact me if you are stirred to do so.

My life verse that is cited above, keeps reminding me that this is not my trip, but God's!

He offered me salvation,

He called me to ministry and

He gets all the credit and in EVERY WAY provides for me. 

I want to be worried or ask for more (and I DO!?) but somehow it all works out.  (I am having one of those, I can't believe the provision of funds - just in the nick of time - again - moments!  THANK YOU LORD and those who hear HIM oh so clearly.)

Anyway - While I heard God clearly calling me to press into the writing and serving on this blog until Easter, I now sense it is time for intense pressing in prayer, listening and seeking increased counsel on the next step of call.

I am writing all of this to ask you to please crank up your prayers for me as you are led.

I am seriously considering a secular full time job, because as I go back to the LAST SURE THING I HEARD FROM GOD ON THIS

 - It was simply "return to the land of your fathers'".

There was no promise that it was a ministry job!  I have been led to place my name in certain ministry situations, but nothing has come of it.  I am also wondering if perhaps I am supposed to be a "local missionary" and work via a para church organization?  Many questions, but no answers yet.  Perhaps it is not yet God's timing, but I want to be poised and ready for what does happen next.

So I know I am to be fairly local to be with parents and my sister's family and be involved locally with the many ministry opportunities that keep coming before me.  It has been incredible to walk with my family through 3 surgeries (2 were my dad's, just one for Marcia {her most recent update is here http://www.carepages.com/carepages/Marciajourney/updates/3001823?client_code=default&ipc=mur}), some chemotherapy, a retirement party, musical concerts, and more football and baseball games that I can count.  I know that I was supposed to be stationed in the guest room of the folks house for a spell and my body is strong and ready to roll after the crazy year that was 2010 for me (if you didn't get my Christmas year in review it is here http://darcymiller-preachergirl.blogspot.com/2011_01_01_archive.html!  It has been an good season of healing and renewing our relationships,  BUT?

I truly enjoy much about my part-time job at Heini's Gourmet Market and know that God led me there last July as I look back and see some of the incredible things that have happened as I have worked there.  The people I have met are incredible and I have learned so much about the incredible products, foods as well as wines that come from small Ohio family companies, BUT?

So anyway - Mondays, beginning tomorrow/today are going to be a day of my pressing in, before and after work, and journaling and listening - for now until Pentecost in fifty short days. 

BUT - before I close - I know you have questions about your own life as well...

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Let's establish those things that we already know the answers to....

GOD LOVES EACH ONE OF US VERY MUCH!



GOD ALREADY HAS ANSWERED ALL OUR QUESTIONS!

I KNOW WHERE I AM SPENDING MY ETERNITY AND PRAY YOU TO DO!
if you don't we do need to talk  - call me!

I am taking a full week off the blog and hope to reformat some things as God guides. 

Praying for you  and just asking that you would pray for me too!

THE TOMB IS EMPTY!  HALLELUJAH!

I BELIEVE IN CHRIST'S RESURRECTION POWER!

AND I AM READY AND WAITING AND PREPARING TO GO WHERE HE SENDS ME NEXT

on the hike O' life!