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

Summer's Entrance

I value how those ordinary moments in life emerge as extraordinary memories. I recall being at my Grandma Moser's when she still lived in the brown brick house on Madison Street. A walnuty scent, the musicality of many clocks, and the sight of Grandpa sitting in the kitchen shooing the parakeet off of his bald pate are brain smiles for me. 


My Two Grandmas in 2008



 At the start of one summer when I was a preteen, my younger sister and I were at the grandparents with 2 of my younger cousins, and we gained permission to walk up to the little ice cream shop next to the Post Office, a real treat for us country girls. :)  We got our vanilla cones and began walking back to Grandma's when suddenly the town boys swooped in on their snazy banana seat bikes and began spitting what I thought were wood chips at us.. (now I'm wondering if it was a nice wad of chew!)  The littlest cousin dropped her cone and began to cry.  I gave her mine, picked up her yechy treat and prepared for battle.  (This was before I embraced the Anabaptist way of peace!) :) On their next attack run, I hefted the damaged goods at one of the boys, and missed... BUT he lost his balance and went tumbling over the handlebars.  We scurried back to Madison Street as quickly as we could, fearing greater retaliation.  Grandma's response surprised me as apparently the Mama Grizzly syndrome took hold, "Oh, I wish you would have hit him in the back of the head with that ice cream!"

What does this have to do with Sunday's message?  Absolutely nothing.  This hot and steamy weather simply awakens the thought of ordinary vanilla ice cream which brings to my mind one extraordinary summer ice cream adventure.

Brother Mick will be continuing to look at the early church. In Acts 17  Paul's word to the people of Athens diplomatically acknowledges their religiosity and search for meaning beyond themselves. He directs them to  the Creator God, the "unknown god" for whom the Greeks have an altar. Many gods were worshipped by the people of this time period.  Aren't we glad we don't have all those idols?  Or do we?  As we search for hope, meaning, and sustenance in our lives, to whom or to what do we turn?

The last I heard Smith and Rhonda Noel will be sharing from 9-10a in the Upstairs Room on Sunday.  I've heard pieces of their story, and I think you will be inspired. 

If you are interested in helping out the senior high youth with the Heritage Days trash pick up project on Saturday, June 18 all day or Sunday, June 19 from 7-9am, please let me know! 

My prayer for you today:

There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God.  Nations are in an uproar, kingdoms fall; you lift your voice and the earth melts.  Lord Almighty, you are with us; you are our fortress.  Let us be still.  Let us wait.  Let us watch.  Let us listen.  Let us be still.  You are God.  

You are patient with us, O God, in spite of our sin.  Often we choose greed, selfishness, fear, and hatred rather than letting your Spirit fill us with your fruit of self-control, sharing, hope, and love.  The world is so in need of your love and hope.  Grant us courage to be a part of the solution rather than part of the problem.  Grant us courage to share your healing and hope with a hurting and conflicted world, here at home and around the world.  Come Kingdom of God. Be done will of God, on earth as it is in heaven. In the name of Jesus- 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