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

In the cloud and swirl of chaos and darkness, the steadfast and unwavering glow of Light is present. 
Find hope. Find peace. Find love. 

We are tempted to hide, to fight, to hate. 

Live hope. Live peace. Live love.  

And the LIGHT will at last overcome all the shadows. Kingdom of God. On Earth. As it is in Heaven. COME! 






NPR http://www.npr.org/ is playing in the background providing updates on the violence and threat in the city of Boston, home to our daughter Alana and her husband, Michael, as I write these

words.
Violence feeds violence. Hate breeds hate.

Boston statue honoring firefighters

Earlier this week I listened as a reporter in Baghdad shared that bombings and violence have become a macabre norm. sigh.
In the same way we are all responsible for nailing the Christ to the cross, we are all accountable for perpetuating hate and violence in our world by our choices of hate, violence, and fecklessness. Brothers and Sisters, let us make choices for Light in the name of Jesus.   Now, I say this and acknowledge I've never been truly put to the test....

Psalm 23 is one of the ancillary texts this week. Perfect.

The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want. 
   He makes me lie down in green pastures;
he leads me beside still waters; 
   he restores my soul.
He leads me in right paths
   for his name’s sake. 

Even though I walk through the darkest valley,
   I fear no evil;
for you are with me;
   your rod and your staff—
   they comfort me. 

You prepare a table before me
   in the presence of my enemies;
you anoint my head with oil;
   my cup overflows. 
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
   all the days of my life,
and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord
   my whole life long.

Brother Mick will be exploring the role of the shepherd caring for the sheep with his primary text from John 10:22-30. Seems apropos. 

"Who's Coming to Dinner?" presents an opportunity for you to join someone for lunch after church. This is always a great opportunity for fellowship and food.   

Prayer for today:  Do not worry about the wicked or envy those who do wrong. For like grass they soon fade away. Like spring flowers, they soon wither. Psalm 37

You, Lord, are our gentle parent. You, Lord, are our shelter. You are our hope and our guide. Have mercy on us, Lord. Reveal yourself to us, Lord. Open our eyes to see your steadfast Light and hope.  Great Comforter, grant peace, healing, and ease to the suffering of our brothers and sisters in Boston as well as other places in our world that are enveloped in violence, pain, and hate. Help us not to be afraid but to have a greater understanding of your love for each and every one of us. 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! Need to talk?  Contact me! 

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

Petal Connections

As we sat on the T (subway) in Boston, Jan and I studied the metro map above the doors. "I think Bryan said we could either get off at Downtown Crossing and walk or take the green line one stop, or was it...."   The young man sitting next to me on the swaying metro looked up from his Ipad, smiled, and asked "Where are you going?" 
"Faneuil Hall." 

This kindly person shared the route with us, giving us tips and suggestions for our day.  Throughout our short excursion to Boston, petals of kindness were shared with us by strangers and loved ones as we explored the city and travelled by train, bus, subway, and auto. Oh, and our feet also logged many miles!

 The last two weeks as Jan and I have updated one another on our lives, I've had the opportunity to introduce her to some of my friends. I've thought about how connections are like flowers and trees, some fleeting yet fragrant like scattered petals preceding a bride, and some relationships thorny and even toxic at times, yet others with roots, deep, faithful, beautiful, and abiding. There is beauty in the single petal, yet for me, it is the eclectic bouquet of connections that has truly enriched my life.  Each time you relate to another person whether in conversation on the bus, as spouse, best friend, teacher, student, or coworker, your life bouquet is filled with more color and diversity.  That's such a good thing! (Don't forget to water!)

This week at Ridgeview we are honored to have guests from Argentina who will be sharing with us in the worship service. Won't you join us at 10:15 am at Ridgeview http://www.ridgeviewmennonite.net/and add to your bouquet of connections?  Merv Stoltzfus will be joining you in the Upper Room at 9am.  :)

In this contentious time of the election process, don't forget in whom our trust and hope really belongs!

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   
Creator God, thank you for being our shelter, never leaving us nor forsaking us.  There are times we don't "feel" you, but you are the clean water and nourishing sunshine of our lives, always present to bring healing and hope even when we are in thorny relationships and painful situations. Grant us courage to trust and not be afraid for Love (and that is you!)is greater than fear.  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!  Don't hesitate to contact me if you need prayer or a chat! 

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