Scripture Reading while at Clergy Retreat:
Exodus 31:13-17 "You shall keep my sabbaths, for this is a sign between me and you throughout your generations, given in order that you may know that I, the LORD, sanctify you. ......... 16 Therefore the Israelites shall keep the sabbath, observing the sabbath throughout their generations, as a perpetual covenant. 17 It is a sign forever between me and the people of Israel that in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, and on the seventh day he rested, and was refreshed."
Keeping sabbath in order to know God is God. Keeping sabbath as a sign of God's creative work.
When we fail to keep sabbath - to rest and be refreshed - because there is too much to do, are we saying that God can't be trusted to accomplish what needs to be accomplished through us, so we need to help God out by putting in a few extra hours?
Keeping sabbath as a sign of faith. Keeping sabbath as acknowledgement of who God is and who we are. Hmmmm.
Thank you Lord for the time of rest this week. For the renewing activity of simply being with friends and being alone with you. Remind me Lord that your creative order includes sabbath. Amen.
Thursday, October 18, 2007
Friday, October 12, 2007
Update
Sorry, I haven't been around. I've been doing lots of web searching for my project, and get to the point I don't want to look at a computer screen anymore. So here's what is going on:
I have jumped into the Special Needs Ministry Resource Guide project with both feet. I took two items to the office where I'm working; a picture of my family and a stone square given to me at the end of CPE that says "Wherever you go, go with all your heart." That's what I'm trying to do. I am discovering more about my call and where I might be headed. This office feels very removed from the real world and the real needs of people in this world. I think I need closer contact. I entered seminary quite certain I was headed for parish ministry. Now I have no idea where I'm headed. The hospice called back and I went in for an interview. It felt good, but they are interviewing others. Then, if I make the first cut there is another tier of interviews. Soooooo, we will see whether or not that door opens.
manBoy's date likes her mum! Whew! I think that was weighing on me more than the whole appointment/job situation. He gave it to her last night, and she gave him the garter (mini-mum he wears on his arm) she made. They are wearing them to school today and the game tonight. Tomorrow the dance will be semi-formal, so no mum. I've been telling you all I wasn't ready to be the mom of a high school student. I don't know why I'm finding this stuff so hard. I'm excited for him, but I'm worrying way too much about the details.
G&T worked late last night and probably even later tonight. So much for celebrating our anniversary. Oh well, after 27 years we know life is like that sometimes. I did get a new head (prongs for the diamond) for my engagement ring a couple of weeks ago. The old one had been repaired once before when they were worn down and the diamond was in danger of falling out. This time when they got worn down, they had to be replaced. It looks really good now!
That's about all I know. What's going on in your world?
I have jumped into the Special Needs Ministry Resource Guide project with both feet. I took two items to the office where I'm working; a picture of my family and a stone square given to me at the end of CPE that says "Wherever you go, go with all your heart." That's what I'm trying to do. I am discovering more about my call and where I might be headed. This office feels very removed from the real world and the real needs of people in this world. I think I need closer contact. I entered seminary quite certain I was headed for parish ministry. Now I have no idea where I'm headed. The hospice called back and I went in for an interview. It felt good, but they are interviewing others. Then, if I make the first cut there is another tier of interviews. Soooooo, we will see whether or not that door opens.
manBoy's date likes her mum! Whew! I think that was weighing on me more than the whole appointment/job situation. He gave it to her last night, and she gave him the garter (mini-mum he wears on his arm) she made. They are wearing them to school today and the game tonight. Tomorrow the dance will be semi-formal, so no mum. I've been telling you all I wasn't ready to be the mom of a high school student. I don't know why I'm finding this stuff so hard. I'm excited for him, but I'm worrying way too much about the details.
G&T worked late last night and probably even later tonight. So much for celebrating our anniversary. Oh well, after 27 years we know life is like that sometimes. I did get a new head (prongs for the diamond) for my engagement ring a couple of weeks ago. The old one had been repaired once before when they were worn down and the diamond was in danger of falling out. This time when they got worn down, they had to be replaced. It looks really good now!
That's about all I know. What's going on in your world?
Friday Five: The B-I-B-L-E
From Mother Laura at RevGalBlogPals:
Does everyone remember the old Sunday School song?
The B-I-B-L-E,Oh, that's the book for me.
I take my stand on the Word of God,The B-I-B-L-E.
I have been working on an expansive language version of the Psalms and the Liturgy of the Hours/Divine Office/Breviary. (For you non-liturgical gals and pals, that's a set of prayers for morning, noon, evening, etc., mostly consisting of Psalms and other biblical texts).
So I have been thinking a lot about the Bible recently, and how we encounter it as God's Word--or don't--in our lives, prayer, and ministry. (Great minds think somewhat alike this week, as yesterday's Ask The Matriarch post dealt with ways to help as many people in a community as possible engage with a scriptural text in preparation for Sunday worship).
So, in that spirit, I offer my first Friday Five. I'm looking forward to hearing everyone's experience and reflection on these B-I-B-L-E questions:
1. What is your earliest memory of encountering a biblical text?
Since I've been in Sunday School all my life, I don't really remember. I do remember when my Grandmother told me about her Sunday School Lesson on the book of Ruth. I was in Elementary School and it was cool for an adult to be talking to me about the Bible like I might get it!
2. What is your favorite biblical translation, and why? (You might have a few for different purposes).
NRSV for study. I just picked up The Message. For some reason I resisted, but the Bishop read from it at a recent retreat, so I thought I would check it out with some bookstore gift cards I had. So far, I like it. I haven't read The Psalms in it though.
3. What is your favorite book of the Bible? Your favorite verse/passage?
Hmm. Hadn't really thought about a favorite book. I would have to say The Psalms. There is so much emotion and truth there. Favorite Passage(s): Romans 8:28 (NRSV), Nehemiah 8:8 (This is my call verse.), Psalm 51:10, Psalm 139:114 (It took a long time for me to believe this one.)
4. Which book of the Bible do you consider, in Luther's famous words about James, to be "an epistle of straw?" Which verse(s) make you want to scream?
The Revelation of John - misused, misunderstood...
5. Inclusive language in biblical translation and liturgical proclamation: for, against, or neutral?
For - especially when referring to humans. Mixed when referring to God. Not all God language should be masculine, but it doesn't need to be wiped out completely. My friend who speaks Chinese tells me there is a separate gender for God in her language.
Bonus: Back to the Psalms--which one best speaks the prayer of your heart?
It varies from day to day but I can really identify with Psalm 77:2 In the day of my trouble I seek the Lord; in the night my hand is stretched out without wearying; my soul refuses to be comforted. Sometimes I'm not ready to be comforted, too hurt, too stubborn, too human.
Does everyone remember the old Sunday School song?
The B-I-B-L-E,Oh, that's the book for me.
I take my stand on the Word of God,The B-I-B-L-E.
I have been working on an expansive language version of the Psalms and the Liturgy of the Hours/Divine Office/Breviary. (For you non-liturgical gals and pals, that's a set of prayers for morning, noon, evening, etc., mostly consisting of Psalms and other biblical texts).
So I have been thinking a lot about the Bible recently, and how we encounter it as God's Word--or don't--in our lives, prayer, and ministry. (Great minds think somewhat alike this week, as yesterday's Ask The Matriarch post dealt with ways to help as many people in a community as possible engage with a scriptural text in preparation for Sunday worship).
So, in that spirit, I offer my first Friday Five. I'm looking forward to hearing everyone's experience and reflection on these B-I-B-L-E questions:
1. What is your earliest memory of encountering a biblical text?
Since I've been in Sunday School all my life, I don't really remember. I do remember when my Grandmother told me about her Sunday School Lesson on the book of Ruth. I was in Elementary School and it was cool for an adult to be talking to me about the Bible like I might get it!
2. What is your favorite biblical translation, and why? (You might have a few for different purposes).
NRSV for study. I just picked up The Message. For some reason I resisted, but the Bishop read from it at a recent retreat, so I thought I would check it out with some bookstore gift cards I had. So far, I like it. I haven't read The Psalms in it though.
3. What is your favorite book of the Bible? Your favorite verse/passage?
Hmm. Hadn't really thought about a favorite book. I would have to say The Psalms. There is so much emotion and truth there. Favorite Passage(s): Romans 8:28 (NRSV), Nehemiah 8:8 (This is my call verse.), Psalm 51:10, Psalm 139:114 (It took a long time for me to believe this one.)
4. Which book of the Bible do you consider, in Luther's famous words about James, to be "an epistle of straw?" Which verse(s) make you want to scream?
The Revelation of John - misused, misunderstood...
5. Inclusive language in biblical translation and liturgical proclamation: for, against, or neutral?
For - especially when referring to humans. Mixed when referring to God. Not all God language should be masculine, but it doesn't need to be wiped out completely. My friend who speaks Chinese tells me there is a separate gender for God in her language.
Bonus: Back to the Psalms--which one best speaks the prayer of your heart?
It varies from day to day but I can really identify with Psalm 77:2 In the day of my trouble I seek the Lord; in the night my hand is stretched out without wearying; my soul refuses to be comforted. Sometimes I'm not ready to be comforted, too hurt, too stubborn, too human.
Wednesday, October 03, 2007
Fab Four Meme
I've been tagged by The Typist This one is all about fours. Answering this has been interesting. My life has been relatively stable (or boring), so I have trouble coming up with some of these fours.
Four jobs I've held:
Camp Counselor
Flower Shop Delivery Person
Special Education Teacher (in 7 different schools)
Hospital Chaplain
Four films I could watch over and over:
It's a Wonderful Life
White Christmas
Holiday Inn
A Christmas Story
or All the Harry Potter Movies
Four TV shows I watch:
NCIS
Numbers
The Vicar of Dibley (BritCom)
As Time Goes By (BritCom)
Four places I've lived:
Town next door to famous university.
Small town where I went to College
Large City
Current Suburb
Four favorite foods:
Shrimp
Key Lime Pie
Gooey Enchiladas
Dark Chocolate Mint anything (Have you tried the new Mint Three Muskateers?)
Four websites I visit everyday: (or almost daily)
mail.yahoo.com
revgalblogpals.blogspot.com
http://cubpoppy.blogspot.com/
http://revdulce.blogspot.com/
Four Favorite Colors:
Peach & Teal
Blue & White
Four places I would love to be right now:
In a hammock on the beach
In a hammock on the porch of a mountain cabin
At Fancy Lakeside Resort having a massage
Here in my own home
Four names I love but would/could not use for my children:
What, only four? Remember I taught school for 20 years. Do you know how many names have been ruined for me? manBoy only has his real name because the year he came to us, I threatened a kid he must never do anything so bad I wouldn't want to use his name for my son.
Heather
Brandon
Skyler
Rose
I tag RevDulce, spoookyrach, The Vicar of Hogsmeade, and reverendmommy.Hope y'all haven't already been tagged by somebody... this one's going around!
Four jobs I've held:
Camp Counselor
Flower Shop Delivery Person
Special Education Teacher (in 7 different schools)
Hospital Chaplain
Four films I could watch over and over:
It's a Wonderful Life
White Christmas
Holiday Inn
A Christmas Story
or All the Harry Potter Movies
Four TV shows I watch:
NCIS
Numbers
The Vicar of Dibley (BritCom)
As Time Goes By (BritCom)
Four places I've lived:
Town next door to famous university.
Small town where I went to College
Large City
Current Suburb
Four favorite foods:
Shrimp
Key Lime Pie
Gooey Enchiladas
Dark Chocolate Mint anything (Have you tried the new Mint Three Muskateers?)
Four websites I visit everyday: (or almost daily)
mail.yahoo.com
revgalblogpals.blogspot.com
http://cubpoppy.blogspot.com/
http://revdulce.blogspot.com/
Four Favorite Colors:
Peach & Teal
Blue & White
Four places I would love to be right now:
In a hammock on the beach
In a hammock on the porch of a mountain cabin
At Fancy Lakeside Resort having a massage
Here in my own home
Four names I love but would/could not use for my children:
What, only four? Remember I taught school for 20 years. Do you know how many names have been ruined for me? manBoy only has his real name because the year he came to us, I threatened a kid he must never do anything so bad I wouldn't want to use his name for my son.
Heather
Brandon
Skyler
Rose
I tag RevDulce, spoookyrach, The Vicar of Hogsmeade, and reverendmommy.Hope y'all haven't already been tagged by somebody... this one's going around!
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