I have this vague memory of Mrs. Miller's kindergarten classroom where we were all sitting near the windows on the tiled floor having show and tell. My friend Esther's dad was there, a big German farmer, and he put on a leather glove and reached into a box. What is it? What is it? What is Esther's show and tell?

All of us 5 and 6 year olds leaned in trying to be the first to see. With a big, broad grin, the man pulled out an ugly grey creature gripping her by the scruff of the neck. It had a pink nose and a long hairless tail . OOOOOH! It was an opossum!  This gruff man gently flipped the live creature over so we could see her belly. He told us to look closely. Nestled safely in a little pouch of her belly were babies!  Baby 'possums!
I probably don't want to know what Mr. Endress did with the opossums after show and tell, but I remember being amazed as we talked about how the mama kept her babies safely in her pocket.  On most of my of my encounters with these unattractive marsupials, my brain pulls open the file where that kindergartner saw her first mama opossum. Thank you, Mr. Endress!

The Bible has numerous places where images of creation are used to aid our understanding or provide poetic beauty. In the Luke 13:31-35 passage that Brother Mick will be sharing, Jesus draws on the idea of a mother hen. Once again God's mercy and compassion for people is expressed through Jesus as he desires to gather a murderous Jerusalem under his protective wings. Mick's message is called, "Driving My Dad."  (10:15am) Will I see you there?

There has been some work done in the Upper Room (9am) this week,

so I'm not sure if it will be ready for us or not. I'll be there with you to determine if we can meet in this place or need to find a different spot for this week. 

Some of you are entering that time of midterm exams with spring break close enough to smell. I will be praying you think clearly, remember what you've studied, and face exams, projects, and presentation with calm and confidence. 

This Sunday is the second Sunday of Lent.... We will take courage and wait on the Lord. 

Prayer for today: Bless the Lord, O my soul! You cover yourself with light as a garment and ride the wings of the wind. I will sing to the Lord! 
Merciful God, you desire for us to snuggle safely under your wings.  We are caught up in our busyness and lifestuff; who has time to do that?  Yet you tell us to come, and you will give us rest. Yes, we need that; we do! Let us heed your gentle voice and be comforted and filled. Come Kingdom of God. Be done will of God, on earth as it is in heaven. In Jesus' name. AMEN.  

http://www.ridgeviewmennonite.net/
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

Double Dunker

I stood before the freezer section at my local grocery store looking for Turkey Hill Cookies and Cream. 
"Have you ever tried Double Dunker? It's the BEST!" a friendly younger than me woman spoke. "My kids love it, and I usually eat a spoonful or two when I'm dipping for them. 
"No, I usually get cookies and cream or mint chocolate chip."
I learned from my dad the importance of having a freezer full of frozen yumminess.

"Diversity with Love and Compassion" is the title to the message that will be shared by Iris de Leon-Hartshorn, Director of Transformative Peacemaking for MCUSA on Sunday.  That very phrase, seems to me, to be contrary to our natures as we tend to feel safe and comfortable in our sameness, and we face diversity with suspicion, dislike, and yes, fear.  I have nothing against some samenesses like my same husband :), but I think if we don't consciously make an effort to add diversity, we fall into a rut of sameness which can result in stagnation and missed opportunities.

I don't know if it's proven or not, but I think that if I keep my brain flexing with little things like parking spaces, ice cream flavors, and music types, I'll be more open to diversity with love and compassion. Hey, we could do an experiement.  Ok, not exactly using the scientific method here, but why not try some minor changes on a regular basis and see what happens? Let me know!

Challenges for this weekend
-Park your car in a different area
-Use a different coffee mug
-Salt and vinegar chips rather than regular
-Orange juice with pulp rather than without
-Switch which side of the bed you sleep on
-Brush your teeth with your nondominant hand
-Read the newspaper starting with the back
-Go home a different way
-Visit a different Sunday school class
-Have a conversation with someone who usually just gets a hello from you.
-Butter pecan rather than vanilla
-Mercy rather than judgment
-Kindness rather than meanness
-Gentleness rather than harshness
-Self control rather than tantrum....

Wouldn't it be grand if the Spirit Fruit of Love would overflow from us to our diverse and hurting world bringing a bit more of God's Kingdom on earth as it is in heaven?

 I look forward to listening to Iris' message on-line as I'll be away at the mountains with the senior high youth this weekend. (Remember those days??) Scriptures will be from Acts 17, Romans 10   http://www.ridgeviewmennonite.net/

Oh, Turkey Hill Double Dunker  is my new favorite! MMM..mmmm good! (For health and safety purposes, it is advisable to eat in small quantities no more than once every week unless you are over the age of 91 in which case enjoy a bowl for breakfast if you so desire.) I won't be dipping until after Easter...

This Sunday is the first Sunday of Lent, the days before Easter where we are challenged to "tone-up" spiritually. Some of us have taken on or given up practices for the purpose of creating a greater awareness of God's presence with us, opening ourselves to God's transforming power. As I crave the sweets I usually eat, I will be reminded to pray and recognize that Jesus is the bread of life. Our theme for this Lenten season is "Ashamed no more..." In our explanatory flyer it says, "To live as Jesus means to live in freedom from shame and isolation....Through Christ our shame is taken away--God is doing a new thing."   I hope you are able to join us.

Nelson will be in the Upper Room at 9am this week. Our corporate time together begins at 10:15am.
A little more information about  Sister Iris' work: As Director of Transformative Peacemaking for Mennonite Church USA, she works to undo racism and build bridges between cultures toward a transformed intercultural church.  I regret I can't be present!

In March there will be opportunities for Sunday School electives.  Brother Mick will be teaching from the book The Naked Anabaptist: The Bare Essentials of a Radical Faith; Sister Val will be teaching Network: The Right People, In the Right Places, for the Right Reasons, at the Right Time, and various teachers will share Beyond the Present Time which follows the regular Adult Bible Study.

A prayer for today: He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High, who abides in the shadow of the Almighty, will say to the Lord, "My refuge and my fortress; my God, in whom I trust." Psalm 91:1-2 

Loving God, many of us are struggling today with the stuff of life. You are our hope, peace,and our very essence. Remind us of your constant loving presence in our lives. We want to have the courage to lay our burdens at your feet, but it is hard to trust. Have mercy on us! Thank you for your grace!  As we are transformed into the beings you created us to be, let us be vessels sharing light and salt for your Way. Come Kingdom of God. Be done will of God, on earth as it is in heaven. In Jesus name. Amen.  

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

Another Divine Coincidence?

     As I walked up our long lane earlier this week, memories of our kitty Hattie filled me. I don't know why I thought about her, but allow me to tell you about her.
     In 2006 I was still driving the beautiful lilac minivan that I call Hilda (Yes, present tense. We still have her. She is now in skilled care.) when nearing the road I almost ran over a teeny, tiny, runt of a kitten. I tried unsuccessfully to herd this creature with my giant vehicle, so I got out to move it over to the side, looking around for its mama who had most likely deserted this sickly creature. No sign of Mama. Yuck! This scrawny, itty bitty kitty's eyes were pasty, blind, and gooey. Those of you who've had farm cats know what I'm talking about. There was so much gunk, I couldn't tell  if those orbits were open yet.  I held her in one hand as she hissed weakly. As an animal lover, I could not bear to just leave this kitten to its death; however, I remain the practical "farm girl" and wasn't about to rush it to the vet and spend lots of money we didn't have.

Now enter Divine Coincidence. I had just  cleaned out the garage the day before which if I'm being honest, may have been the first time since living here that the garage was cleaned! Sorting through pet supplies I had come across an unopened tube of vet ophthalmic antibiotic ointment. Yep! It's true! I couldn't even recall why I had it.  Soooooo....
     I decided to revive my nursing skills and attempt to bring this little creature to health, gently cleansing its eyes with a boric acid eye wash and applying the eye ointment 3-4 times/day.  Emergency kitten formula was made of evaporated milk, egg yolk, light corn syrup, and water. I warned my soft-hearted daughters that this kitten may not survive, but I was going to make an attempt to save it knowing their kind-hearted dad would eventually warm to the idea.  After a sluggish start, Hat Trick aka Hattie Wenger filled out into a beautiful cat. Yes, she did see the vet once we knew she would survive.  Her life was short; she died without explanation two years ago, but during her short life, she brought much joy, snuggles, and laughter to us.

How very much more is God's compassion for us as God sees us with our goopy, blind eyes bringing us healing, hope, and purpose?  Thank you, Jesus!

This week Brother Bill Blank will be sharing a bit on Bitterness. How's that for an an alliteration? :) His exegesis will be from Ephesians 4:29-5:2. "Let no evil talk come out of your mouths, but only what is useful for building up....Put away from you all bitterness and wrath and anger and wrangling and slander, together with all malice, be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ has forgiven you. Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children, and live in love..."
Wouldn't the world be a better place if we believers would take this word to heart?

I'll be with you in the Upper Room at 9am, and the service begins at 10:15am.

Next week begins the season of Lent. Those of us in Lancaster county will eat fasnachts on Shrove Tuesday or Fat Tuesday or Pancake Day or Mardi Gras, take your pick.  Now is the time to give some thought as to whether you will give something up for Lent like sugar or social media on Sundays or potato chips. Perhaps you'd like to take something on like daily meditation or daily random acts of kindness or volunteering.  On Ash Wednesday, Feb. 13, the church will be open from 8am-8pm with a bulletin guiding you through various stations in the sanctuary. I've found this to be a very meaningful way to begin our focus on Christ's journey to the cross, and what this means for each of us.

http://www.ridgeviewmennonite.net/

Prayer for today: Do not fret because of evil men or be envious of those who do wrong: for like the grass they will soon wither, like green plants, they will soon die away. Trust in the Lord and do good. Psalm 37
Loving God, we rejoice in your presence and acknowledge your Spirit's guidance in our lives. Help us to recognize that we are created by your hands in unique and marvelous ways. Lord, grant clarity and wisdom to those of us seeking answers today. Lord, grant strength and courage for those of us struggling today. Lord, grant healing and hope for those of us broken today.  Come Kingdom of God. Be done will of God, on earth as it is in heaven.  In Jesus Name. AMEN.

Without question or doubt, you are loved by God, and I love you too!
Call/Text/FB/Email!

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

What if Worship....

 

What if worship has nothing to do with hymns or contemporary songs or pianos or guitars or organs or even if we sing at all?

What if worship has nothing to do with the candles or the visuals or incense or the sermon?  

What if worship has nothing to do with warm feelings or hands in the air or "Praise the Lord" or dance?

What if worship has nothing to do with the orchestration or the volume or the light shows or the drum solos or time frames or silence or four part harmony?

What if worship has nothing to do with liturgy or glossolalia or bowed heads or a capella or simplicity or stained glass windows or even the Lord's Prayer?

 

 What if worship has everything to do with the grace we offer when children fuss or wrong notes are played or the service goes overtime?

What if worship has everything to do with the kindness offered when a sister needs a car or a brother is hospitalized or a casserole is called for?

What if worship has everything to do with soup cans and 5 gallon buckets and warm blankets?

What if worship has everything to do with rubbing shoulders with brothers and sisters who look and think differently than you or recognizing the handiwork of the Creator in strangers?

What if worship has everything to do with shared bread, laughter, and thankful hearts?
What if worship has everything to do with  smiles in grocery stores, a cup of coffee shared with the homeless man, listening to each other's journeys, eye contact, and umbrellas?                                                                                    

What if worship has everything to do with hospitality, generosity, and congeniality?                                                                         

What if worship has everything to do with attitudes, actions, and advocacy?

What if worship has everything to do with what I'm doing now, at this moment, and in 23 minutes, and tonight, and in the morning, and the day after, and the day after that.
What if worship is as simple and difficult as acknowledging God's presence in each other and in our midst at every moment for all time?                                                                                                   Just what I've been wondering this week...

 

Brother Mick's message this week continues exploring the passage in Luke 4 where Jesus is preaching in his hometown, and his friends and neighbors become furious with his message of God's generous love and mercy to those outside the community. 

If you are reading this, you are invited to the Amish Wedding Feast Fundraiser for the Senior High Youth Group immediately following the service at 11:30am (ish.)  The menu is turkey/dressing, mashed potatoes, veggies, and lots of pie! There are 23 youth and advisers travelling to Phoenix in July for the Mennonite Youth Convention where we will be challenged, inspired, sweat, and grow in Jesus. Please join us and give generously! (If you can.) ;)

My prayer for today:
O Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth! You have set your glory above the heavens. When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is mankind that you are mindful of them; human beings that you care for them? O Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth! Psalm 8

Truly, Lord God, that you claim us as your children is so amazing. That neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, can separate us from your love through Jesus is breathtaking. Help us to grasp your love and acceptance a little bit more today. Help our lives to be living sacrifices of your Good News!  Come Kingdom of God. Be done will of God, on earth as it is in heaven. In Jesus name. Amen.

Without question or doubt, you are loved by God, and I love you too. Call/text/email if you'd like to chat or have a specific prayer concern.

Love and Light,
Carol

http://www.ridgeviewmennonite.net/

"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