Fritzie the Fierce

 

She was beautiful, strong, fierce, playful, smart, friendly, and canine. It's time for another pet story!  A black and tan German shepherd, Fritzie was everything you'd want in a dog. When Cliff joined the scene, he loved playing hide and seek with this hunk of a dog by throwing a stick and running as fast as he could to a concealed spot. Fritzie would run for the stick and then put her nose to the ground and find Cliff, tackling him with kisses and scoldings. I remember my Grandma Lila standing at the window and watching with laughter and head shaking, commenting, "I wouldn't want that big, scary dog chasing after me!" 



Fritzie the fierce had, as we knew it, one terror. Boom! Crash! Flash!  Like many of her species, thunder and lightning would dismay her and bring her quaking and crying into the garage.  Boy, was my dad annoyed when he discovered someone must have left open a car door and found her cowering on the seat.

Hmmm...strangely, it happened again. And again.   Fritzie would be in the garage during a storm, and the next day she would be found in the Dodge.  That smartie dog was opening the car doors!  The evidence also revealed that if a door was locked she would attempt opening other doors... Do you think the seemingly inherent fear of storms in canines could stem from the Great Flood? Ok, probably not, but that statement is my transition to our "Noah" scripture for Sunday. :)

PS  I'd love to hear your pet stories!

http://bible.oremus.org/   Genesis 9:8-17
Lent has begun, and we embark on our yearly journey to the cross, acknowledging that the Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us for a time; teaching, healing, caring, guiding, and sacrificing  in revealing God's incredible love for us.


The theme for this trek is about "signing on with God and embracing the covenant God has established with us through Jesus."  Brother Mick will be sharing the message, "Of Rainbows and Dotted Lines."  Together we will share communion, a meaningful symbol of covenant between us and our Creator. There will be a gluten-free bread available so that all can participate.  Please join us!

We also begin six weeks of electives during the Sunday school hour. There will be three options available each week.  This first week:

          -Ray Ranck will be sharing the story of local Mennonites as told in the book, "I Hear the Reaper's Song." The next 4 weeks Brother Mick will be sharing "The Heart of Mennonite Worship." The final week in this block will include faith stories from our church family.

          -The international lesson will be taught.

 -I'll be teaching "An Altar in the World," a book by Barbara Brown Taylor along with Etta Esh. "In a world where faith is often construed as a way of thinking, bodily practices remind the willing that faith is a way of life." P. xviii  Each chapter expounds on a daily practice in which we usually participate without much thought.  Taylor prompts us to recognize the Divine in our everyday by living more intentionally. I'll be teaching this Sunday drawing from chapters 1 and 2: The Practice of Waking Up to God, and The Practice of Paying Attention.  Even if you are unable to attend the sessions, I recommend you read the book!

For family night activities on Wednesday, Feb. 29, dinner will be at the usual 6:15pm time, and the adults will be guided by Bob in painting, cleaning, repairing, and polishing the church building.

Anthony E. is recovering from extensive surgery on Wednesday as part of his battle with cancer.  His recovery is off to a good start!

Check out the new and improved church website. http://www.ridgeviewmennonite.net/

My prayer for today:  To you, O Lord, we give thanks and praise for this new day. Show us your ways; guide us in your truth; teach us, for you are God, our Savior.  Remember us, O Lord, in your great mercy and love and bring healing and hope to us in our brokenness. As our "cracks" are filled, pour into us your Spirit Fruit of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self control that we can share in Kingdom building. We bring our brother Anthony to you and ask for your compassion and presence to cover him and his family with healing and hope. Come Kingdom of God; be done will of God, here on earth as it is in heaven. In Jesus name. Amen



Obie, the Not-So-Fierce



Without question or doubt, you are loved by God, and I love you too. 
love and light,
carol

Always remember who you are, whose you are, where you are going, and what you believe because it does make a difference! Oh, and don't forget to attend a church of your choice this weekend!" JD