Modern Parable

Susan Boyle is a name with whom many of us are now familiar. (OK-- if you're under the age of 30, don't stop reading!) A few short years ago she was relatively unknown other than in her own Scottish village. She was bullied as a child and called, "Susie Simple." At 47 years old  she tried out for "Britain's Got Talent in front of Simon Cowell and his crew and stood on the stage looking dowdy, appearing unrefined, and as a "joke." Her interview and performance brings tears to my eyes every time I watch. Ok, sometimes I watch it and cry like a baby. Is it the song choice? Partially. I also think some part of me relates to her. We are, after all, the same age. What really strikes me as I watch this clip, are the faces and sneers, the titters and whispers, the seeming doubt and disdain for a woman based entirely on her appearance. Her place in the pecking order was obvious. She was not one of the beautiful ones. She was not one of the eloquent ones. She was not one of the well dressed ones. Then she opened her mouth to sing. If you've never watched this, do so. If you've watched it before, do so again.  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RxPZh4AnWyk  I have no idea if this was all staged or not. (The cynical side of me suggests so.) But, you know? I don't really care.

This story is a beautiful parable of value and worth. When Susan sang the first phrase, a recognition of the beauty within her spilled out to the audience, and the sneers turned to wonder. Fashioned by our Creator, there is beauty and value in each of us. Let's open our eyes!  Let us see what God sees. Let us love as God loves for God does

not look on the outward appearance.

"Picked or Pecked" is the title of Brother Mick's message this week.  The sermon text is Luke 14:1, 7-14 and Hebrews 13:1-8,15-16.  "In this scene from the gospel of Luke, Jesus speaks to his listeners about both the reality of life's pecking order and the hope of being picked to move to a better place at the table....The Hebrews passage calls us to view our interactions with others from a different perspective and reminds us that we have been given the ultimate elevation in being "picked" (forever loved) by Jesus the Christ."   Please join us for fellowship from 9-9:25 with worship beginning at 9:30 AM.  

I am heading out of town to visit my wonderful sister in AZ next week, so you'll just have to read one of my old posts next week if you miss my blog! :) 

A prayer for today: So God created humankind in God's image, in the image of God, they were created. Male and female, God created them. Gentle Creator, open our eyes and hearts to see one another as you intend. Loving Creator, Open our hands and our possessions to serve each other as you intend. Grant us courage to walk together hand and hand offering help, hope, and hospitality in your name.  Come Kingdom of God. Be done will of God, here 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

Last weekend Cliff and I went to the city of Boston and had a delightful time with our daughter Alana and her hubby, Michael. Cliff and I are both country folk with only a little urban experience, so there was much learning to be done as well as exploring and visiting.

Our "country mouse" looks must have been rather obvious as the attendant at the T station where we would catch the subway into the heart of Boston each day came over within a few moments to assist us in our "Charlie Ticket" purchase. Persons of all shapes, sizes, colors, and economic levels crowded into the cars. Those that had seats sometimes closed their eyes as we swayed, jerked, and jolted. The screeching of the brakes was like fingernails on a chalkboard to my unaccustomed delicate auditory canals.  The majority of folks under the age of 30 were connected to one device or another. Those standing had to be careful they didn't pitch into someone's lap. You can be proud; I had to stay alert at all times, but I kept my feet!

What a great place to "people watch." (Sorry if this creeps you out!) You know, at first it seems people are traveling alone in crowded boxes, but watching faces as they are connected to friends, family, and coworkers on their phones, ipads, and whatnots tells another story. One buff, tough-looking character sitting next to Cliff was texting love notes to someone. (Cliff couldn't help but read it!)  A rather sullen-looking teen scrunched in the corner suddenly smiled, even showing teeth changing his whole countenance as he connected to someone somewhere. As we waited for the T at the Forest Hills station, we listened as an urbanite male made calls to coworkers explaining he'd be late for a meeting and then talking about the baby shower he'd be attending later that afternoon.

Watching eyes light up and smiles crinkle faces as people connected with others on their devices, reminded me to look beyond outward appearances. Spending these few days in Boston was a lesson in that what seemed foreign and strange to me was for many comfortable and home.

Brother Mick's message this week is "Missing the God Moments" with his sermon text being Luke 13:10-17. http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+13%3A10-17&version=NRSV  In Mick's presermon notes he states, "How often do our own biases, expectations, and assumptions cause us to miss the "God Moments" which are taking place right around us?"  Open our eyes, ears, hearts, and minds, Lord!

College students, know that I will be holding you in prayer as you begin classes!  If you have specific prayer concerns, don't hesitate to contact me. :)

The world continues to be wrapped in violence.  Let us pray and act for peace that the light of the Divine will shine in the dark abyss of war and hatred.

Prayer for today:  Merciful and gracious God, your steadfast love is from everlasting to everlasting. As the heavens are high about the earth, so great is your love for us. If only we could truly believe that, gentle God! If only we could act accordingly, patient Creator! Illumine our eyes, ears, hearts, and minds to your Divine Presence in all our activities today.  Lord, please grant courage, focus, and clarity to our students returning to school. Lord, please grant understanding, peace, and wisdom to all of us who are students under your tutelage. 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

Milk, Please!

While I was in Belize as an "other" (you know, the one with the different color skin and other culture) way back in 1981, I was stretching, growing, learning, and living sans milk. Mmmmmmm... I love a glass of cold milk with my chocolate cake, apple pie, chocolate chip cookies, yep, even bowls of popcorn. (plurals are intentional) I was on village study in a tiny little town called Calcutta in the northern part of the country near Corozal where I slept in a windowless, closet-type room with cement walls and floor, bathed from a bucket, and used another bucket to... well, anyway.... 

"Would you like water with lime or a glass of milk?" the kind and generous mama asked me.   

"MILK! I would love a glass of milk!I haven't had any milk for 6 weeks!"  I blurted out without considering things like "there are no cows," and "there is no refrigeration."

My host family beamed at my excitement and brought me a giant Bloomberg-bannable size of something whitish, something liquidy, something that tasted absolutely nothing like milk.  They watched with smeyes (I confess: I learned that term from America's Next Top Model although I'm not sure I'm using it quite right--smiling eyes, for those of you in the dark.) as I sipped from the plastic tumbler. With each gulp, I outwardly smiled and nodded, while inwardly I gagged and cringed, definitely not smeyesing. Goat's milk? Powdered milk? Something else entirely? To this day, I do not know, and perhaps that is as it should be. 

I feigned enjoyment of the drink, but my delight and gratitude at being in their humble home was genuine.  I was a stranger being welcomed with incredible kindness and hospitality. In community and communion, we shared together, limeades for them and something totally foreign for me; I drank every abominable drop. Oh, that I would behave so politely and be so appreciative no matter where I am or who I am with!  After all, aren't we merely strangers and guests on this earth until we return home? 

Brother Mick's message title this week is "On the Road Again" with the sermon text from Hebrews 11:1-3; 8-16. Additional texts are Psalm 33:12-22 and Genesis 15:1-6. In his presermon notes Mick says, "it is helpful at times to remind ourselves that we share this world with billions of others, and that we are all interconnected in ways we may never realize.  Holding such a broad view of my 'at home-ness' in the world also reminds me that ultimately this place is not the end of all that has been promised us by God through Christ."  Please join us for fellowship at 9 a m and worship at 9:30 a m. 

As we think about "at homeness," we lift the Paul and Reba Hershey family in prayer as last week Paul passed from this life to the next. May peace and comfort cover the family.

A prayer for today: With you, O Lord, is the fountain of life; in your light we see light. Ps 36:9  
Lord, the cacophony of our lives often swirls and confuses. Let us stop and listen to your voice as you sing to us a song of joy, unity, and love; chords of beauty, goodness, and peace. Grant us courage to join your choir, to match our voices with yours. Let the healing and hope that comes from you flow through us to our neighbors and enemies 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!
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

Sometimes/Always

Sometimes, life sucks. Always, there is hope. 
Sometimes, responsibilities engulf. Always, there is help. 
Sometimes, people act like jerks. Always, there are wonderful people. 
Sometimes, change overwhelms. Always, there is transformation. 
Sometimes, I don't like myself. Always, I am God's beloved. 
Sometimes, my mood is pissy.  Always, God is good. 
Sometimes, it hurts so bad it seems death is the answer. Always, there is healing. 
Sometimes, life is scary. Always, Love is greater. 
Sometimes, life is lonely. Always, God is present. 
Sometimes it feels "Always" is swallowed by "Sometimes."  Darkness. Hopeless. Helpless. Drowning.Darkness. Hopeless. Helpless. Drowning. Darkness. Hopeless. Helpless. Drowning. 
Always, God is breath. Breathing in; YaH.  Breathing out; WeH. YaH WeH. YaH WeH YaH WeH.  Al ways.  Al ways. Al ways. 

Yes, it has been one of those weeks. sigh.  God is my breath. Always. And no, I am not in need of intervention. (at least not today) :)
(Thanks to Rob Bell for the image of YaH WeH breath...) 

I also want to present a challenge regarding a familiar phrase many of us use,
"But for the grace of God, there go I."
Doesn't that statement imply the grace of God is not with she/he of whom we are speaking?  Perhaps it would be better for us to say something like,
 "Reveal your grace, Jesus, to me through this sister/brother." 
OK, OK-- I will get off of my soapbox now.

Wow, August has arrived and with it Sunday School Sabbatical for the month.  We'll have fellowship from 9-9:25 AM with the worship service beginning at 9:30.  This week Brother Nelson will be bringing a message, "Christ, Our Focus" with Colossians 3:1-11 and Luke 12:13-21 as primary sources.  There are so many distractions around us. Christ is all, and in all. Yes, Lord, yes!

Steffan and Kate get married this weekend! May joy and abundant blessing bubble over in your lives as you begin this journey together!

Wednesday, August 7 is Family Fun in the Grove at 6 PM.  Volleyball, Bocce Ball, Kubb, Laughter, Conversation..... Bring food to accompany hotdogs!  :) Everyone is welcome!

You will find baskets in the lobby to place quality bath towels, bar soap, and toothpaste for hygiene kits to be provided along with the food pacs when school resumes.

A prayer for today: The Mighty One, God the Lord, speaks and summons the earth from the rising of the sun to its setting. God Shines forth. Psalm 50:1   
Majestic God, though you are all powerful and mighty, gentleness and peace are your fruit. Great God, though you are omnipotent and omnificent, patience and kindness are in your hands. Almighty God, though you formed the mountains and filled the seas, your love and care for your children is constant and merciful. Help us to focus on Jesus, author and perfector of living. 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