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Off to Orlando

Seth has a tourney in Orlando this next week. Looking forward to the games. Not looking forward to the heat and humidity. The pic is Seth and his buddy waiting to board our first leg of the cross country journey.

I miss Sue already.

A few quotes, and some thoughts on anger and forgiveness

All of us get angry, some get angry and hurt while others get angry and heal. If it is true, and I will appeal that it is, that we are created in the image of God, then anger is part of who we are. We can observe Christ in the gospels getting angry, yet his anger wasn't hurting others or himself. Here is a great quote from a well known person:

    In our efforts at eliminating the monster, we must take care that we do not become the monster. 

— Bono, lead singer for U2

Anger can be used to bring about healing and bring attention to things that matter. It also is a sign to us that we must pay attention to something inside of us that needs to be heard or healed. Another quote:

    One of the seven deadly sins, anger, is possibly the most fun. To lick your wounds, to smack your lips over grievances long     past, to roll over your tongue the prospect of bitter confrontations still to come, to savor to the last toothsome morsel both the     pain you are given and the pain you are giving back—in many ways it’s a feast fit for a king. The chief drawback is that what     you are wolfing down is yourself. The skeleton at the feast is you. 

— Frederick Buechner

Listen. Be still. Sometimes anger and frustration want you to act. Don't disregard feelings as stupid, trite or dumb. They are feelings. When we stuff, we tend to grow in frustration. When we don't take the time and courage to confront ourselves and others we do become "a skeleton." To forgive someone is such a gift. It is truly freeing. And yet, another quote: 

    To forgive is to set a prisoner free. That prisoner is you. 

— Corrie Ten Boom

Jesus says to us, forgive and forgive and forgive. Don't quit on forgiving, keep forgiving. I have seen unforgiveness grow deep roots of bitterness and it completely wipes away beauty. I have known people, family, who live with bitterness or have died with unforgiveness, the "monster" died with them.  I know of some that use the fuel of bitterness to justify their anger. It is not something that we can tame, or control. Bona is right, in our effort to eliminate the monster, we become the monster. We need to understand the powerful example of Christ. He forgave completely and utterly. In so doing, he demonstrated the most beautiful act in human history.

What a thing of beauty, today you have the power to give a gift to someone, maybe that someone is you.

Sunday @ All Saints

We had a very moving, inspirational and challenging day at All Saints. We began a series on the book of James and the subject was joy in suffering. Such a difficult topic, such a dark place at times. I am amazed when I observe, walk with and pray for people dealing with some incredible circumstances in their life. 

Yesterday, we were able to listen to Kathi Goertzen share her decade plus long battle and four surgeries battle with a brain tumor. It was so inspiring to see her tenacity and strength, her decision to "give it over" to God everyday. We also heard how devastating it has been for her as well. You can listen to the podcast here.

The story of Jesus comes to life when you see and hear from people who experience his power, healing and help. It isn't hard to see...when you are looking for it. 

Thank you, Kathi! You are an amazing woman!

Summer Reads

I read books that require a pen and a hi-lighter, sometimes I just read a good book just to have the experience of enjoying a good story. Here are a couple few reads you might enjoy:

1.  The Nine Tailors by Dorothy Sayers

2.  The Curious Incident of the dog in the night-time by Mark Haddon

3.  Traveling Mercies by Anne LaMott

4.  The Great Divorce by C.S. Lewis

5.  A Prayer for Owen Meany by John Irving

If you read any of these send me a review, I would be curious to know what you think.

Friday is for Fun

What are your top 3 favorite Michael Jackson songs?

Beginning a new series - James

I like to do series out of books of the Bible rather than pick a random topic, it is easier for me and I can deal with subjects that come up in the text rather than give the appearance that the church needs to hear this or that.

We finished up the book of Colossians a few weeks ago, now we are moving into the book of James. It is a very powerful book that pulls no punches about living the life of a follower of Christ. Essentially, James takes the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7) and drills deep. Some of the topics are wisdom, religion, faith and works, relationships, the Bible and suffering. It is going to be a very practical guide to wisdom living. I am positive that believers, doubters and seekers will benefit.

This Sunday (7/12) is our first in the series. We are going to talk about suffering, James tells us to "Count it all joy when you encounter trials (trouble/suffering) of any kind..." To me, that is one of the toughest statements of the Bible. It is amazing though when you meet people who are suffering or have suffered; one can truly observe how it changed their life and gave them a different view of the world around them, it is so very inspiring. However, sometimes it takes it's toll. That is real life.

I am going to do a mini interview with my friend Kathi, she is enduring some suffering with regard to a tumor that has literally changed her life. She is going to tell her story this Sunday and I am positive all of us will be inspired, moved and challenged. I want everyone to see what this really looks like, raw and uncut. Kathi has had to continually "give it over to God," on a daily basis. She will inspire you.

See you Sunday.

For Fun

If you could bring back a canceled tv series, which would you choose?
Submitted by The Good Girl Gone Blog.