"Circle of Peace" by Gary Price 

What if....

• every Tasmanian Devil born would survive? 
• we could wrinkle in time?
• elevators gave conversation prompts rather than progression lights? 
• Christians, Muslims, Atheists, Deists, Communists, Marxists, and all the other "-ists, "-ians," and "-ims" would be kind to one another? 
• we could truly communicate with elephants, dolphins, and whales? 
• all tummies were satisfied when the time for sleep arrived?
  
• all heads had beds?
• all churches truly meant it when they state, "Everyone Welcome"? 
• we could fly?
• we could remember all our dreams?   
• none of us abused our power?
• people shared smiles rather than bullets? 
• we could walk streets without worry of robbery, rape, or suspicion? 
• we all realized and lived our created role in the Kingdom? 

What if...What if....What if....

The earth is the Lord's and everything in it; the world and all who dwell in it; for God has founded it on the seas and established it on the rivers.  Psalm 24:1_2

This Sunday the youth will be filling elements of the worship service with energy, ideas, and convention sharing.  The doors will open for the service at 10:15 am so you can rush in and get a front seat.  There will be portions of the service that will be without sound enhancement aka no microphone so the foremost pews are advantageous. :)  

During the Christian Education hour from 9-10 am the convention delegates will be sharing their experiences and learnings in the fellowship hall. Please join us!  

During the month of August until after Labor Day, Ridgeview will have fellowship time from 9-9:25 am with the worship service beginning at 9:30am. This is our yearly sabbatical for Sunday school teachers. :) 

Prayer for today:

  "It is God who made the earth through power, who established the world by wisdom, and by God's understanding stretched out the heavens. When God speaks, there is a tumult of waters in the heavens; God makes the mist rise from the ends of the earth. God makes lightnings for the rain, and brings forth the wind from storehouses. Jeremiah.51:15-16

 Creator God, help us to focus our minds and hearts on You. Let us realize that when we know who and whose we are; when we realize your incredible love as evidenced through Jesus; when we realize we are designed for a purpose in Your Kingdom here on earth as it is in heaven, all the pieces of our lives will fall into place. Though the mountains tremble and the oceans roar, still your love for us will not fail.  Come Kingdom of God. Be done will of God, here, now, 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

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

Preaching in the car to myself yesterday as we are all wont to do, (yes?) I was trying to think of something particularly odious to make a point.  The subsequent story fills my family with laughter, nose crinkling, and head shaking as we recollect this particular evening.

A middle school soccer game was being played with the hubby coaching and the middle daughter playing on a soccer pitch that was surrounded on 3 sides by farmland.  Unfortunately, game time corresponded exactly with the farmer's spreading of the foulest, awfullest, most fetid, liquid putrescence imaginable. The "bog of eternal stench" has nothing on Lancaster county spreadables!  A nice little wind was blowing directly across the field resulting in the complete infiltration of every pore, pocket, and shinguard. Oh yeah. I am not exaggerating. Ask anyone who was present that day.

Those of us watching did so with our hands over our mouths and noses. Cliff said as he sat on the bench that a damp vile spray tickled his neck. Uh huh. Gulp. You know how usually you stop smelling something after you've been immersed in the odor for a time?  That didn't happen. Ever.
Each minute seemed equivalent to an hour.
Following the foulfield game, the girls were taken to Wendy's for supper where the friendly cashier wondered, "What's that awful smell?"
As we got home and showered, washed clothing and hair, I came upstairs from the basement and my olfactory system shouted warning. Yep, in a corner was a sweatshirt silently screaming malodorous intent. Having come directly from the office to the game, our friend Abe had to discard, throw-away, trash the nicely tailored suit he was wearing that day. We often describe memories as "sweet;" this one I'll call "noxious" yet equally notable!

An odious story to make a point. That's the story. Now, what was the point?  Nevermind. I'll save it for another day.

I've enjoyed having the intergenerational mix in the Upper Room this summer.  On Sunday in the fellowship hall at 9 am, all adults will have the opportunity to receive an update from Anne Marie Smoker who is here from Japan.  I'm also looking forward to hearing from our friend and former interim pastor Ray Yoder who will be sharing the morning message he is calling "Influence."  Scripture passages are John 7:37-39 and Acts 9:36-42. The power of the Holy Spirit is at work in us and through us in our everyday lives.

New jobs, moving, travel, babies
Job loss, new schools, break ups, marriage
Sickness, sadness, laughter, health
Studies, training, loss, wondering
Hopeless, joy, fighting, faith
Laughter, tears, death, being...
Stop! God is present. Be filled! 

Prayer for today:  God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore, we will not fear though the earth should change, though the mountains shake in the heart of the sea. Ps46:1-2  We rest and hope in you, loving God. Come Kingdom of God. Be done will of God on earth as it is in heaven. In Jesus name. Amen. 


Time to go inhale the sweet scent of my roses. 

Without question or doubt, you are loved by God, and I love you too!
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

Good morning!  Truly, most of my "hopes" from my last post were realized, although I should have added, "I hope my post-convention recovery time will be short and sweet." I'm still dragging, and sneezing too....

This week I've been cogitating on what holds me back from totally following the way of Christ. One of the seminars I attended shared about the life of Dan Terry as told in the book Making Friends Among the Taliban by Jonathan P. Larson as well as in the EMU documentary Weaving Life. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2iXFUk68tBU . I'm inspired, and yes, Dan Terry eventually lost his life following this path. 

I've determined that the number one thing that holds me back from total immersion in the way of Jesus is FEAR.

-Fear of safety. (Do I dare engage the homeless man in conversation?) 

-Fear of change. (Do I dare alter the pattern? What if "things" go badly? This has worked for sooooo long. ) 

-Fear for my family. (Do I dare have dinner with those neighbors whose religion, sexuality, skin color, (fill in the blank), is different than mine? ?)

-Fear of insecurity. (Do I dare live with "less"? Will I have enough? What if it's uncomfortable?)

-Fear of not fitting in. (Do I dare sit with the "odd" person at lunch?)

-Fear of messing up my schedule. (Do I dare stop to help that woman change her tire, and risk being late for my appointment?) 

- and on and on.....

Jesus calls us to a way of life that is outside of our comfort zones; outside of our known boundaries; outside of our families, yet we continue to rationalize often using the Bible as a crutch to remain in unChrist-like behaviors and patterns. (Think on the parables Jesus told, the sermon on the mount, his meals with the outsiders, the death on the cross....)  I feel like instead of Jesus trying to herd us all into God's house, Jesus tore down the walls and said, God's house is everywhere!  

I've faced some of my fears and realized they are unfounded. Jesus called us to a new way of life, "You have heard it said, but I say..." But it truly does seem to be a constant struggle; I've miles to go before I sleep.

(Oh, one more fear: Fear that people will think I'm a heretic. Look where that got Jesus!) 

I also realize that Jesus said that in truly following him we may literally lose our lives. But, if I truly believe, of what am I afraid? Has not death lost its sting? Help me, Lord, to live life as you have called me to live! 

I'd love to discuss these things with you.... :) 

This week Brother Nelson will share a message he is calling, "Knowing God, a Joint Venture."  Scripture passages include Luke 10:25-37; Colossians 1:1-14; Psalm 25:1-10; and Deuteronomy 30:9-14. Nelson says, "We will be thinking about our efforts to know and experience God, some of the things we do that interfere with knowing God, and ways we can keep growing in 'the knowledge of God's will and all and all spiritual wisdom and understanding.'" 

 Our worship service begins at 10:15 am, and you are also welcome to joy in conversation in the Upper Room at 9 am. Perhaps our topic will be "fear." 

Tonight the VBS final hurrah is a carnival at the church from 6-8:30 pm.  Come out and join the fun! (If you'd like to help, we could use a few more people. Let me know!) 

Kiersie, we're waiting with you! Many blessings! 

Nate is somewhere near Okinawa. We're praying for you. 

Some of you are job hunting, house hunting, test taking, bill paying, marriage prepping, baby caring, vacation taking, relationship struggling, etc. modes-- If you specific prayer needs or need to talk, don't hesitate to contact me. 

Prayer for today: Creator God, you loved us first and best. You are Love, perfect and complete.  Help us,  Lord, to recognize Your Love in each other and in the world today. Help us, Lord, to live out that Love as we relate to each other knowing that in You there is no fear.  Challenges face us each day at work, school, and play; in our relationships, churches, and neighborhoods.  Open our eyes and hearts to see each other through Your eyes. Open our ears and our minds to listen to one another with 'Love God  and love neighbor; as the precept that guides our lives. 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
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

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