Friday Five: Spring Forward Edition

Friday Five: Springing Forward

Jan writes: Whether we liked it or not, we all "sprang forward" with the change to daylight savings time in the USA this past Sunday. There is lightness and brightness slipping in as spring approaches, so let us consider what is springing forth in our lives right now.

Name 5 things that are springing forth, possibly including :

what you hope for

At this time of night, I usually hope for a little more energy either to do something I think I should (laundry) or something I want (read). Usually the latter wins. I'm also hoping for some continued enthusiasm (from myself and the congregation) around the Lenten sermons on non-lectionary texts. I'm also hoping to figure out how to get in more training for the triathlon I'm signed up for in June.

what you dread

Writing my sermon tomorrow. I don't like writing sermons on Saturdays, but some weeks that just happens. It's not the sermon writing that I dread, it's my fear that it won't come together and I'll be left blinking at the congregation. In which case, we can pray and sing another hymn. On the Sunday when I'm supposed to talk about whether or not women should remain silent in church, not having a sermon could be a problem in more ways than one.

what you observe

I observe my son figuring out things for himself more and more. He's learning how to make and use tools (especially his parents) to see things, touch them and/or figure out how to get to them. He's just made the switch from sliding down the stairs backwards, on his stomach, to going down facing the front, scooting on his bottom. We're an exploring and asking house, while the evidence of his "experimentations" is everywhere- his discoveries bring him, and me, such joy.

what is concrete

That my husband is snoring so loudly, I have put on earphones to drown him out while I read and type.

what is intangible

That there have been many nights in our marriage when I would have given a significant organ to hear that snoring and to know that he was okay.

Comments

kathrynzj said…

I was going to right something silly and then I read the 'intangible' - amen.

March 19, 2011 at 5:05 AM

Jules said…

...how to use tools, especially his parents...

Love this.

March 19, 2011 at 9:09 AM

When the Body of Christ is Fat

Bitmoji Julia enjoys tea Within a very short amount of time, two people whom I love were called "fat ass". One of these slurs occurred in the church building and the other occurred in the same building and within the context of worship. Both incidents were the result of a person with already impaired judgment lashing out at the person who was in front of them, perceiving them to be unhelpful or denying aid or service. Regardless of the "why", the reality is that the name was uncalled for, hurtful, and aimed to be a deep cut. The reality is that a person who is under the influence of legal or illegal substances and often displays impaired judgment can still tell that body shaming- comments about shape, appearance, or size- is a way to lash out at someone who is frustrating you. That means those words and that way of using them are deeply rooted in our culture. An additional truth is that when we, as a congregation, attempted to console and listen to those who h...

God on the Go Kits

Like many congregations, we have lots of members who travel during the summertime. They may spend three months fishing or camping or traveling or hiking or playing. Given Alaska's long daylight hours, making it back into town on Sunday morning or even Sunday night doesn't always happen. One could rail against that or one can ask for guidance in the Spirit for how to keep community and communion alive in these months of family and personal sabbath in the woods and wilderness. (Still, if you're in town, come on down!) Inspired by Take Out Church, I made "God on the Go" kits for the faithful Alaskan family with kids. The kits and all their contents fit into the 64 ounce Ziplock containers with the lid snapping snugly. This should keep things watertight and just-right-sized for throwing in a duffle bag, backpack or suitcase. Or pushing under the seat of the camper. Or having at the foot of a sleeping bag. I have included below the list of items inside and the...

God's Punctuation

We know that all things work together for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose. - Romans 8:28 Never place a period where God places a comma. - Gracie Allen Some of you may be familiar with the comedy duo of George Burns and Gracie Allen, who were active together in show business in the middle of the 20th century. George played the straight man to Gracie's comic timing. They were also married and had children. They were deeply in love. When Gracie was dying and George was deeply grieved, she wrote him a final love letter. One sentence that George shared from this letter was this, "George, never place a period where God places a comma." This was Gracie's way of reminding George that his life wasn't ending. There was a pause, but there would be more the sentence God was writing as the life of George Burns. That sentence, which may have been a proverb before Gracie wrote it, has taken on a life of its own. The United Ch...

Faith, Grace, and Hope

Search This Blog