The surprises of spring

5 Apr posted by

Chives
It’s spring time. The chives have returned and life is springing forth into the world. I think because Easter was so early this year I am noticing it more. There are signs of resurrection all around me and I am reminded daily that we are a resurrection people.  We’ve survived the winter and are now looking to spring and it’s offerings to see what comes next. It’s good to see sunshine. It’s wonderful to feel warmth upon one’s face.

Spring is here and we should rejoice. We should rejoice at signs of new growth. It’s hard though sometimes, isn’t it? To see the little sprouts in our lives that are just beginning to push through into the world. We feel as thought things are bleak, as though they aren’t moving when in fact they are, it’s just a little slower than we might like. Sometimes it’s painful and bleak and cold like winter but spring does come and if we’re patient we will see it.

At times I admit I find this concept hard. I have a restless spirit and want answers right away. There are days and weeks when I feel impatient as I sit in a state of molecular frenzy within, as my body says go but my heart is hearing wait. It can be hard to know that things are changing yet not know what they are changing to. But spring reminds me there is beauty in this, beauty in the unknown and right now I’m enjoying the wait. Each year spring brings with it surprises. The bulbs the squirrels moved in the fall pop up in unexpected places, plants poke out of the ground brighter and fuller than ever before and the rabbits (in our yard at least) never cease to surprise me with their resilience and determination to live in our yard where all the neighbor cats sun themselves in the summer.

Spring is here and these chives are just a glimpse of what is yet to come, of the things that are happening in this world and around us.  The chives are a reminder of the possibilities that lay ahead, of things that may be happening in this world and what could happen if we just let it. Winter is ending. There is hope in sight, surprises in store and signs of resurrection if we stop for a moment and look around us.  The question is will we stop? Will we see?

 

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Filed Under: Faith, Hope, Musings, Reflections

How not to make cupcakes in 5 easy steps

18 Jul posted by

One:

Don’t attempt to make cupcakes on the hottest day of the year.   The day you cannot breathe when you leave the house.  The day the flowers wilt even though they’re have been watered and cared for. That day is not the day for you to attempt making cupcakes.

Two:

Don’t throw together a new recipe when you cannot move due to the extreme heat using your beloved dried cherries and lovely dark chocolate chips.  This will make you really, really want the cupcakes to work out.

Three:

Don’t make the mistake of thinking you can regulate the temperature on your gas BBQ.  This won’t work as it’s so hot even the lowest setting will be hotter then what you might like

Four:

Don’t try to put a lunch together for a toddler while you’re trying to watch said cupcakes on the BBQ. It’s not a wise move.

Five:

Don’t make your favorite icing, doctor it up with cherries and then stare longingly at the bowl after your attempts to ice the cupcakes fail as a lovely sugary crust has formed around the cupcakes you’ve made in the BBQ which prevents any icing from sticking to the cupcake in any way.

If you should attempt to make cupcakes in this way you will have delicious crusty muffins with soft insides. It’s not the worst thing in the world but there are better methods that one could explore. An oven would likely be my number one choice…

 

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Filed Under: Baking, Food, Musings, Random Blog Stuff, So much rambling

What if life were more like theatre?

13 Jun posted by

I’ve found my voice again.  It took a little 2 year old who loves music and wants to sing everything but I sing my way through life again and I love it.  As such I was extremely entertained by the opening of the Tony Awards Ceremony this year.

What if life were more like theatre?

I would love that intermission when life places you in precarious situations and perhaps the ability to call in that understudy.  What about you?

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Filed Under: Random Blog Stuff

Are you sure about that?

30 May posted by

People are generally nice to you when you’re doing Pulpit Supply.  You come in and they’re polite, they hand you a cheque and then you leave after doing my thing. Because I’ve been doing some places quite regularly people think they know me.

In some ways they’re right, they do know me.  I come in and do the service and quite often stay for coffee.  They say they like my energy and enthusiasm for the future.  They say they are excited when I say there is hope.  They love my little boy as he brings life to the party.  It’s like our family is the poster child for the family they want to attract.

It sounds nice, right?  It is.  I appreciate that they don’t hate me.  The thing is I’m not really sure how they would feel if I were actually their minister.  I have energy and hope for the future but I know how much work is required to make the future happen.  I believe that great things are possible but they require faith, work and dedication.  I believe in listening to God and changing what isn’t working.  If I were actually their minister I would expect things.  I’m not sure they would like it if they had someone expecting things.

Isn’t this always the way?  We love listening to people on TV.  We love when our politicians speak about great change and new ideas.  We delight in gurus telling us our lives can be different.  But when push comes to shove we don’t want to change.  Usually we like things just the way they are.

I don’t like things the way they are.  I’m unsettled and uncomfortable with the road we’re walking.  Right now I have the ability to speak the truth about how I feel without worrying about a job.  It’s freeing.

I like this but I do wonder how people would react if they were stuck with me full time.  Would people continue to like me?  I suspect some would and some wouldn’t and I’m actually ok with that.

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Filed Under: Christianity, Church, Church Stuff, Musings, Random Blog Stuff, random church things most of you probably don't care about, Reflections

Worrying gets us nowhere.

25 May posted by

I feel like I write about this all the time but it seems like all we do as a Church is worry and let’s face it, worrying gets us nowhere.

Think about it.  When in your life has worry actually accomplished anything?  In my life worrying never accomplishes anything.  I can worry all I want but worry doesn’t change the outcome.  All worrying does is cause anxiety and waste energy.
When the Church worries the same thing is true.

The Church right now is living in a state of anxiety and we are wasting energy discussing and debating all of our worries for the future.  Sinking into the worry and allowing it to consume us has not propelled us forward.  It has prevented us from visioning or making plans because we are worried of what might happen and we’re not focused on what is happening.

In my reading this morning I ran across this statement in 1 Chronicles 28:20, where David tells his son Solomon not to worry but instead to “…Be strong and of good courage, and act.  Do not be afraid or dismayed; for the Lord my God is with you…”  What I loved about this was that David reminds Solomon to act.  Not to get caught up in other things but to be strong, of good courage and act.  When we worry we fail to act.  When we worry we think about what might happen but we don’t act in the present.

It’s time to act.  To be the Church.  To stop worrying about the future and start thinking about the present.   It’s a tough time to be the Church.  Decisions need to be made.  Choices are going to be difficult.  Things must change.  All of that is hard to do but worrying about outcomes and wondering what’s going to happen doesn’t make it any less necessary.

I know it’s difficult.  We really don’t know where we are going but we aren’t the first people to have no clue what lay ahead.  The Israelites had to trust that God would lead them.  The Apostles waited in faith for the Holy Spirit to arrive.  Countless others have waited on God and now it’s our turn.  We are in a time of transition but as David reminded his son when he passed the torch “…the Lord my God is with you…”.  We aren’t alone in this.  God is with us.

When we give in to worry we cease relying on God.  We must have faith.  We have to trust that God is leading us somewhere.

Worrying gets us nowhere.

As David reminded Solomon, God is with us and we must act.
God is indeed with us. Are you ready for action?
How are you going to let go of worry?

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Filed Under: Christianity, Church, Church Stuff, Faith, Hope, Musings

Random Thought Thursday: May 17 Edition

17 May posted by

It’s been a while!  Here’s a little of what I’ve been up to:

First of all reading the Bible in the style of a novel instead of through study guides or daily reading sheets has been fascinating.  Little parts I’ve always glossed over have more meaning.  Running into old friends {like Elijah} has been incredibly interesting as I’ve just recently read all that came before so it’s fresh and vivid and his message is quite powerful.  I’m really glad I began this exercise as it has brought the scriptures to life in a new way for me.

Stemming from all this reading I have to say I’m thrilled to not be a prophet back in the day.  Being a prophet was hard.  Ministry is hard enough but having to call an entire people to account would be a nightmare.  Glad I’m just Becky at this moment in time.

Life at home has been pretty quiet.  X. has tons of new words and is always on the go.  I’ve been experimenting in the kitchen and embracing all the fresh spring produce I can find.  I cashed in my air miles for a new waffle iron so I anticipate a  a great waffle adventure is in my future.

I’ve been quiet over the last week as I’ve been taking some time to mull things over and debate what it is God wants from me.  After receiving some wise counsel last night after Presbytery I think I have a better idea on what I should be doing.  I’m grateful for the advice and prayer of friends.  It’s so helpful!

Well that’s it for me but that’s not all.  I’d love to know what’s going on with you.

How have you been?

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Filed Under: Musings, Random Blog Stuff, Random Thought Thursday, Reflections

{insert title here}

15 May posted by

I am terrible at writing blog titles.  I stink at this particular part of the job.
Coincidentally {or not so coincidentally} I am also terrible at sermon titles.  I’m not one for witty catch phrases or smart twists of words.

If I ever write a book it will no doubt have a terrible working title and the real title will be ripped from my brain through a terrifying process of torture and deadline demands.  I think this alone might deter me from starting this process…

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Filed Under: Musings, Random Blog Stuff, Reflections

Where are the quiet waters?

12 May posted by

If Psalm 23 had been written by the mother of a 2 year old who also happened to be a minister on a journey towards a more disciplined prayer life it might begin a little something like this:

The Lord is my Shepherd.  I’m well cared for and have all that I need except sleep. Sleep would be good God.  Sleep would be good.

I am a tired, tired soul.  This past week has been rough sleep wise.  I’ve been up at 3 more times then I care to admit.  Twice my son decided it was morning and another time I awoke with a brilliant idea for the blog that was gone as soon as I fell back asleep.  I really should sleep with a journal and pen for moments like that.  I’ve been getting up earlier and earlier.  This morning I was up at 5:45.  It has been suggested that God wants more time with me.  I would have thought that 5:45 was too early even for God, apparently I was wrong.

The Lord is my Shepherd.  He’s supposed to be leading me to rest by quiet waters, isn’t he?  Maybe that’s just for David…

I have next week off from preaching.  I hope to sleep, play, read, write and embrace all that extra time brings.  I am looking forward to more time.  Just time to do what ever comes forth.  It should be good for my soul.  Maybe I’ll find those quiet waters.

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Filed Under: Faith, Musings, Prayer, Random Blog Stuff, Reflections

If God dropped by.

9 May posted by

There is a tree in my front yard that is absolutely beautiful.  It flowers in the spring.  Has lots of full green leaves in the summer.  In the fall it turns color and begins to change into the stark stoic tree of winter.   Around dusk, when the light turns just the right shade, when the wind is blowing at just the right speed and the sun is at just the right height in the sky, it looks like it’s on fire.

The first time it happened I actually went out to examine the tree.  I knew it wasn’t on fire but it looked so strange and otherworldly.  It was quite the effect.  It’s happened a few times since and I enjoy the beauty that happens during that  exact mix of time, light and sun.  It’s quite a sight to behold.

When it happens I wonder how Moses felt when God made huge public displays of his presence.  My little light trick pales in comparison to the living, breathing God stepping into your presence by lighting a bush on fire or appearing as a swirling cloud.  Would Moses and the Israelites have taken these signs for granted?  Did they just get used to God’s big, bold appearances?

I wonder why those things don’t happen now.  Do they happen and we just don’t see them?  There are so many times I look back on a situation and realize how present God was with me but I missed it at the time.

Do you think God gets missed in the every day?  Would we even notice a burning bush these days?

Sometimes I wonder what would happen if God dropped by…

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Filed Under: Musings, Random Blog Stuff, Reflections

VBS.

21 Apr posted by

VBS affects kids.  You might think it’s just something for kids to do but it affects them. How do I know this? Right now in my head a song from VBS when I was around 10-11 is in my head.  It’s goes like this:

Good morning Lord.  It’s a beautiful day.
Good morning Lord.  I’m going your way.
Open my eyes and let me see someone who needs a friend like me.
I know that I can surely be loving, caring always sharing.
Good morning Lord.  It’s a beautiful day.
Good morning Lord.  I’m going your way.

I can remember the gatherings we had that year and the friends I found.
I remember the fun I had helping lead the little ones to their activities.
I remember feeling important and yet still having a good time.
It was a transitional year for me.  I was crossing over from participant to helper.
I remember it.  It lives in me even now.  It is a great memory.

I have no idea why this song is in my head today but it did make me wonder.  What will our kids remember 20 years from now about church?  Will their memories be as full as mine?  I sincerely hope so.

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Filed Under: Christianity, Faith, Musings, Random Blog Stuff, random church things most of you probably don't care about, Reflections
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