I was reading Luke 24 this morning about the walk to Emmaus some followers made after the news of Jesus' resurrection, a seven mile walk from Jerusalem. I always liked to read this on Easter afternoon or early evening as a "this is when it happened in history kind of moment." After the excitement of that special morning, to think on that some more.
This morning, I felt impressed with the mileage. How long does it take to walk seven miles? I know I have never walked that much, I don't think. Hikes I don't even think were that long. They were of course used to traveling that way, but still I think this is a long walk. What I noticed more was after Jesus revealed He was risen, alive, not a ghost, they immediately took that walk back to the other disciples. Sounds like they didn't even clean up the dishes.
My question today is,"What good news motivates you to leave everything to tell someone else?" Dishes on the table, a long walk after a long walk did not deter these two unnamed men. They had to tell the brethern that Jesus is alive. Would we do that today? Do we have the urgency to spread this to even our friends and relatives?
I think also how Rebekah didn't take the ten days her family wished before she commenced the journey to Isaac. Once she heard the story of answered prayer, she set out with the servant to her unseen husband. An analogy of an immediate response to the invitation of Christ.
The disciples and Rebekah did not hesitate at the length of the journey. They heard good news that stimulated them to move. The trip may be hard, but determination drives the one with good news. Today does the fact that Jesus is alive motivate us?
Saturday, March 17, 2012
Friday, March 16, 2012
Missed the Auditorium
I missed the auditorium. Has it been that long since Christmas? Tonight with our spring weather giving May feelings, end of winter bliss, so wonderful to go to the school without a jacket. A skirt and short sleeve shirt, fancy red necklace and strappy red sandals, I dressed for Theater.
I sat with my oldest daughter and my friends. The pit orchestra begins the music. I realize in just a few numbers, I'm relaxed, my cares are gone. I'm not thinking of cross fire of personalities, pleasing people, work. I'm in some office in the 1960's rooting for Finch to succeed in business. Oh, but he tries.
I love these kids. Their performance brings me joy. I have watched them grow, especially my youngest daughter of course. Tonight, they seemed to have fun, no stress in the voices. I wasn't familiar with the story which I believe enhanced my participation.
Four more performances I'm looking forward to attending. I feel wonderful watching the talent. So for those of you have been praying. I felt it. Like the rain that turned into the perfect May evening in March in western Pennsylvania, my mood cleared too. I think often, this is kind of scary. Maybe it part of living in this area. As another musical declares- The sun will come out tomorrow.
I sat with my oldest daughter and my friends. The pit orchestra begins the music. I realize in just a few numbers, I'm relaxed, my cares are gone. I'm not thinking of cross fire of personalities, pleasing people, work. I'm in some office in the 1960's rooting for Finch to succeed in business. Oh, but he tries.
I love these kids. Their performance brings me joy. I have watched them grow, especially my youngest daughter of course. Tonight, they seemed to have fun, no stress in the voices. I wasn't familiar with the story which I believe enhanced my participation.
Four more performances I'm looking forward to attending. I feel wonderful watching the talent. So for those of you have been praying. I felt it. Like the rain that turned into the perfect May evening in March in western Pennsylvania, my mood cleared too. I think often, this is kind of scary. Maybe it part of living in this area. As another musical declares- The sun will come out tomorrow.
Thursday, March 15, 2012
Down Time
I have been overwhelmed, tapped the last few days. Too many personal ideas that I don't want to post here. And because I have been dwelling on these, new ideas skirt away. Psalm 121 comes to my mind:
1I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help.
2My help cometh from the LORD, which made heaven and earth.
3He will not suffer thy foot to be moved: he that keepeth thee will not slumber.
4Behold, he that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep.
5The LORD is thy keeper: the LORD is thy shade upon thy right hand.
6The sun shall not smite thee by day, nor the moon by night.
7The LORD shall preserve thee from all evil: he shall preserve thy soul.
8The LORD shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in from this time forth, and even for evermore.
Sometimes the King James fits the bill- poetically.
Readers pray for me. I know this is a temporary trial. They all are in light of eternity. We still need to hold each other up, though. "Never promised it would be an easy ride."- Audio Adrenalin, 'My Chevette,' great theological song.
Reading the Bible, having it in my memory, as well as the thousands of songs I have learned over the years are such comfort. I always think how when my mom, sick in bed, couldn't read, she could remember scripture. Psalm 121 was one of our favorites. I encourage you today, to get into the Bible, read, memorize a meaningful verse. The Lord meets you in His Word. Take heart, my friend- Fernando Ortega, clear voice of old hymns.
1I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help.
2My help cometh from the LORD, which made heaven and earth.
3He will not suffer thy foot to be moved: he that keepeth thee will not slumber.
4Behold, he that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep.
5The LORD is thy keeper: the LORD is thy shade upon thy right hand.
6The sun shall not smite thee by day, nor the moon by night.
7The LORD shall preserve thee from all evil: he shall preserve thy soul.
8The LORD shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in from this time forth, and even for evermore.
Sometimes the King James fits the bill- poetically.
Readers pray for me. I know this is a temporary trial. They all are in light of eternity. We still need to hold each other up, though. "Never promised it would be an easy ride."- Audio Adrenalin, 'My Chevette,' great theological song.
Reading the Bible, having it in my memory, as well as the thousands of songs I have learned over the years are such comfort. I always think how when my mom, sick in bed, couldn't read, she could remember scripture. Psalm 121 was one of our favorites. I encourage you today, to get into the Bible, read, memorize a meaningful verse. The Lord meets you in His Word. Take heart, my friend- Fernando Ortega, clear voice of old hymns.
Monday, March 12, 2012
Happy 100th Birthday, Girl Scouts
Lately the upper leadership of Girl Scouts has gotten bad press, but let's remember as with a lot of things, what happens on a national level is little like what the local level of an organization has for heart. Girl Scouts on the local level is dedicated moms helping girls become mature, well rounded women.
My oldest sister was the true Girl Scout. She stayed in till she was a senior, going to round up in Idaho. We have many beautiful slides of that trip. She rode a train to Idaho with an African American porter, sleeping on the train. I keep asking her to guest blog, maybe she can about this trip.
I remember riding along to get her to the train station, involved even Grandpa Evans. Dad could see Penn Central station in Pittsburgh, but because of all the one way streets and bridges, had the most difficult time getting her there. Grandpa remarked, "I feel like a stranger in my old home town." because he couldn't help Dad get to the destination. He'd been living in Sharon almost forty years. Another story I can't wait to write.
I had staying power in Girl Scouts, too, thanks to Bev Thomas and Esther Thompson, encouraging me in eighth grade. I felt as I was entering ninth grade I would be too busy for this group as well. No dues, just pay for trips as we went along and the enticement of fun were their arguments to keep me coming.
I started as a Brownie in the Presbyterian church with Peggy Clarke and Betty Hoagland. There were no Daisies, then. We hiked up Hogback Hollow, camped at Peggy's parents' farm in Transfer, made roller skating skirts for our roller skating badge.
I flew up to Juniors and carried on into Cadets, all with the official uniforms. Brownies consisted of the light brown shirt dress, with orange neck tie, brown knee highs and beanie, and when it was cold, a brown sweater with the orange Brownie symbol. I still have the sweater and my sister's Senior green dress. Juniors wore a green dress similiar to the Brownie one with a green beret. Cadets consisted of dark green skirt and white blouse. I was never very good at keeping up with my badge sewing on my sash.
As we entered eighth grade, the big trip of the year was being planned with all the fund raising. Tom Watt kits, candles, subs, tables at the mall for the charity fairs. Our trip was a Council trip with troops from around the county. The destination, for Girl Scouts was Juliet Gordon Low's birthplace in Savannah, Georgia, but for the kid in us all, it really was Walt Disney World. This was probably the biggest, most organized and fabulous deal I had been on. Apart from my parents' trips we took. If you remember, our family trips had been curtailed for awhile because of my dad's accident two years prior.
After this exhausting year, quitting Girl Scouts seemed right, until Bev and Esther counseled me. I'm so glad they talked me into continuing as we had many more fun trips. Learning to canoe, two trips to Philadelphia in 1976, mystery bus trips added so much to my teen years. Weekends at Bev's cabin in Kennerdale were so fantastic as we learned to plan and cook meals for a larger group than just a family. We still made dresses for dolls for the Dollie Derby with Good Will. I don't think they do that any more.
I got the highest award, the Gold Award with three other girls. We had to go the Herald offices to get our picture taken for the newspaper. I wanted us all to pose like KISS. The other girls didn't follow my lead. We wore the white blouse and green skirt. I guess by then seniors didn't have the solid green dress.
In my adult life, I was the co-leader for Katie's troop until she quit in fifth grade. Our big trip was Sea World in Aurora, OH to sleep with the sharks. That was truly cool, laying in a sleeping bag with the lights out except for the tank as the sharks that never sleep circled around our heads. I found it very relaxing. I had a lot of fun with the leaders of this big troop of twenty five girls. We always ended up staying awake all night on all the trips.
Happy Birthday, Girl Scouts, you have enriched my life and many other's. And in view of what I was writing last week, let's pray for this organization around the world for the leaders and the girls, growing into responsible women.
My oldest sister was the true Girl Scout. She stayed in till she was a senior, going to round up in Idaho. We have many beautiful slides of that trip. She rode a train to Idaho with an African American porter, sleeping on the train. I keep asking her to guest blog, maybe she can about this trip.
I remember riding along to get her to the train station, involved even Grandpa Evans. Dad could see Penn Central station in Pittsburgh, but because of all the one way streets and bridges, had the most difficult time getting her there. Grandpa remarked, "I feel like a stranger in my old home town." because he couldn't help Dad get to the destination. He'd been living in Sharon almost forty years. Another story I can't wait to write.
I had staying power in Girl Scouts, too, thanks to Bev Thomas and Esther Thompson, encouraging me in eighth grade. I felt as I was entering ninth grade I would be too busy for this group as well. No dues, just pay for trips as we went along and the enticement of fun were their arguments to keep me coming.
I started as a Brownie in the Presbyterian church with Peggy Clarke and Betty Hoagland. There were no Daisies, then. We hiked up Hogback Hollow, camped at Peggy's parents' farm in Transfer, made roller skating skirts for our roller skating badge.
I flew up to Juniors and carried on into Cadets, all with the official uniforms. Brownies consisted of the light brown shirt dress, with orange neck tie, brown knee highs and beanie, and when it was cold, a brown sweater with the orange Brownie symbol. I still have the sweater and my sister's Senior green dress. Juniors wore a green dress similiar to the Brownie one with a green beret. Cadets consisted of dark green skirt and white blouse. I was never very good at keeping up with my badge sewing on my sash.
As we entered eighth grade, the big trip of the year was being planned with all the fund raising. Tom Watt kits, candles, subs, tables at the mall for the charity fairs. Our trip was a Council trip with troops from around the county. The destination, for Girl Scouts was Juliet Gordon Low's birthplace in Savannah, Georgia, but for the kid in us all, it really was Walt Disney World. This was probably the biggest, most organized and fabulous deal I had been on. Apart from my parents' trips we took. If you remember, our family trips had been curtailed for awhile because of my dad's accident two years prior.
After this exhausting year, quitting Girl Scouts seemed right, until Bev and Esther counseled me. I'm so glad they talked me into continuing as we had many more fun trips. Learning to canoe, two trips to Philadelphia in 1976, mystery bus trips added so much to my teen years. Weekends at Bev's cabin in Kennerdale were so fantastic as we learned to plan and cook meals for a larger group than just a family. We still made dresses for dolls for the Dollie Derby with Good Will. I don't think they do that any more.
I got the highest award, the Gold Award with three other girls. We had to go the Herald offices to get our picture taken for the newspaper. I wanted us all to pose like KISS. The other girls didn't follow my lead. We wore the white blouse and green skirt. I guess by then seniors didn't have the solid green dress.
In my adult life, I was the co-leader for Katie's troop until she quit in fifth grade. Our big trip was Sea World in Aurora, OH to sleep with the sharks. That was truly cool, laying in a sleeping bag with the lights out except for the tank as the sharks that never sleep circled around our heads. I found it very relaxing. I had a lot of fun with the leaders of this big troop of twenty five girls. We always ended up staying awake all night on all the trips.
Happy Birthday, Girl Scouts, you have enriched my life and many other's. And in view of what I was writing last week, let's pray for this organization around the world for the leaders and the girls, growing into responsible women.
Sunday, March 11, 2012
Worship Wars
Many years ago, worship wars were the thing to discuss. Which is better? The old hymns sung like a dirge or the lively rock music that deafened ears? I held an opinion back then, and today after doing something I rarely do, that was reinforced.
So what did I do today that I rarely do? I stayed home from church. My girls were teaching my class, which I asked earlier because I am on-call for work. I have no scheduled visits today, but the phone I have to carry. I have been working long days all week. Yesterday became a particularly long day with much stress. Combine that with the time change and slow moving, I just decided I couldn't get ready for church today. I then stumbled upon Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church live streaming.
As I listened to the hymns and praise songs, quite a few in the beginning, I remembered the wars of worship songs. I had left the Presbyterian church and engaged in a pentecostal church admist all the rumbling. I would shake my head as I drove around observing all the main line demonminations having two services- traditional and contemporary. No one is getting it, I thought.
I believed then and still do today is it is not the style or the band in the background that helps the worship. A leader to bring the congregation into the Lord's presence creates the difference. Every year, Pennsylvania Sunday School Association has their statewide meeting. On two occasions, I attended, an elderly gentleman led the hymns out of hymnal with the gusto of any guitar playing young fellow. Such theology in the hymns sung by participating Christians lifted my soul, and I believe most in the sanctuaries.
My argument then and now, is it is not contemporary or traditional, it is Spirit led. As I watched and listened and participated from my computer chair to the Florida church service, I thought denomination doesn't matter, as long as Jesus is lifted up.
I also thought, God doesn't have any grandchildren, but the pastor of this church is Billy Graham's grandson. No trace of the candance from his grandfather or uncle, Franklin. Tulllian has a fantastic testimony where he was as far from God as a person can get, yet now he preaches faboulsy on scandulous grace. No power points or note taking, just an open Bible for me.
Just like the worship wars of years ago, Tullian's message brings to mind the difference felt in some churches. What is the spirit in the church? Is it freedom from performance or is it works driven. A Christian's idenity is in Jesus alone, what He did on the cross, nothing that a person can do. Yes, we try to live holy, but as Tullian preaches, the ten commandments just shows how we can never do them all. It shows our beggarship. It shows our desperate need. As his daughter entering teen years, loses her temper six times a day and always comes for forgiveness, he has a tendency to say, "I'll forgive you when you show you can really act right." But he goes on, "God never says that. He will forgive you ten thousand a day-scandulous grace." That is hard for us to get our mind around. Because our humaness, says enough already-Those are my words.
Until we can truly grasp the truth there is nothing we do to earn God's love, we just are loved if we accept it, worship wars will continue.
So what did I do today that I rarely do? I stayed home from church. My girls were teaching my class, which I asked earlier because I am on-call for work. I have no scheduled visits today, but the phone I have to carry. I have been working long days all week. Yesterday became a particularly long day with much stress. Combine that with the time change and slow moving, I just decided I couldn't get ready for church today. I then stumbled upon Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church live streaming.
As I listened to the hymns and praise songs, quite a few in the beginning, I remembered the wars of worship songs. I had left the Presbyterian church and engaged in a pentecostal church admist all the rumbling. I would shake my head as I drove around observing all the main line demonminations having two services- traditional and contemporary. No one is getting it, I thought.
I believed then and still do today is it is not the style or the band in the background that helps the worship. A leader to bring the congregation into the Lord's presence creates the difference. Every year, Pennsylvania Sunday School Association has their statewide meeting. On two occasions, I attended, an elderly gentleman led the hymns out of hymnal with the gusto of any guitar playing young fellow. Such theology in the hymns sung by participating Christians lifted my soul, and I believe most in the sanctuaries.
My argument then and now, is it is not contemporary or traditional, it is Spirit led. As I watched and listened and participated from my computer chair to the Florida church service, I thought denomination doesn't matter, as long as Jesus is lifted up.
I also thought, God doesn't have any grandchildren, but the pastor of this church is Billy Graham's grandson. No trace of the candance from his grandfather or uncle, Franklin. Tulllian has a fantastic testimony where he was as far from God as a person can get, yet now he preaches faboulsy on scandulous grace. No power points or note taking, just an open Bible for me.
Just like the worship wars of years ago, Tullian's message brings to mind the difference felt in some churches. What is the spirit in the church? Is it freedom from performance or is it works driven. A Christian's idenity is in Jesus alone, what He did on the cross, nothing that a person can do. Yes, we try to live holy, but as Tullian preaches, the ten commandments just shows how we can never do them all. It shows our beggarship. It shows our desperate need. As his daughter entering teen years, loses her temper six times a day and always comes for forgiveness, he has a tendency to say, "I'll forgive you when you show you can really act right." But he goes on, "God never says that. He will forgive you ten thousand a day-scandulous grace." That is hard for us to get our mind around. Because our humaness, says enough already-Those are my words.
Until we can truly grasp the truth there is nothing we do to earn God's love, we just are loved if we accept it, worship wars will continue.
Thursday, March 8, 2012
Sybil of Rental Cars
A rental car offers some challenges that can be funny. Waiting for a work car, I may be waiting for awhile. We need a rental since my oldest daughter started a job this week. The car shopping continues into the weekend. Which should be fun since I'm on call and will most likely have to work. Got to pay for the rental somehow.
This evening I had to drive thirty four miles for an on-call visit, as I almost got there, the power steering went out. That seems to happen randomly. Somehow, the temperature was recorded as -22 degrees F. As I turned on the car, the power steering returned, but I was warned "Ice may be possible" Really at -22 degrees? Who would have thought?
I really thought it was funny as we are experiencing warm, rainy weather. Flooding may be possible seemed more accurate. I got to listen to the Summit radio pledge drive. They had noise makers and clapping all around, plus the really rocking music. Their motto during the money raising, "Gratitude is the best attitude." How true.
Another fun thing tonight is driving past Vienna, OH as a plane is landing. I'm impressed during the day to watch these behemoth machines just glide through the air- how does that work? Yes, I have an idea, but it is still a wonder to me. In the dark with all the landing lights on, I'm amazed. Oh, the power steering went out again. I'm building up my arm muscles, especially with the left turns.
My clock is totally off, too. I'm not sure how to adjust that. The first day I drove it, the time jumped a half hour. No idea why. I tried to get the time back, but since no buttons are written in any language, I got us an hour and a half ahead.
Well, with the seriousness of my last few posts, I thought tonight would be an evening of fun. Relax and be glad you're not driving the Sybil of rental cars.
This evening I had to drive thirty four miles for an on-call visit, as I almost got there, the power steering went out. That seems to happen randomly. Somehow, the temperature was recorded as -22 degrees F. As I turned on the car, the power steering returned, but I was warned "Ice may be possible" Really at -22 degrees? Who would have thought?
I really thought it was funny as we are experiencing warm, rainy weather. Flooding may be possible seemed more accurate. I got to listen to the Summit radio pledge drive. They had noise makers and clapping all around, plus the really rocking music. Their motto during the money raising, "Gratitude is the best attitude." How true.
Another fun thing tonight is driving past Vienna, OH as a plane is landing. I'm impressed during the day to watch these behemoth machines just glide through the air- how does that work? Yes, I have an idea, but it is still a wonder to me. In the dark with all the landing lights on, I'm amazed. Oh, the power steering went out again. I'm building up my arm muscles, especially with the left turns.
My clock is totally off, too. I'm not sure how to adjust that. The first day I drove it, the time jumped a half hour. No idea why. I tried to get the time back, but since no buttons are written in any language, I got us an hour and a half ahead.
Well, with the seriousness of my last few posts, I thought tonight would be an evening of fun. Relax and be glad you're not driving the Sybil of rental cars.
Wednesday, March 7, 2012
Pray, Not Fear
I just finished listening to Chris Fabry Live continuing his conversation about why he quit listening to Rush Limbaugh. I find it exciting when I feel several people are on the same topic. You should probably link to his show because I don't want to rehash what he just said.chrisfabrylive.
I do feel that my last few posts have been a call to the topic of this show. We need to not fear the political or cultural climate today. Christians are not given the spirit of fear, but of love(2 Timothy 1:7.) I feel as women and if any men are reading, you are sure welcomed to join, a prayer movement will do more for our country and our youth than all the legislation a conservative congress can pass. I knew this before, but sometimes I get sidetracked.
I believe in voting. I believe in voting one's heart. I know one must do research and that does not exclusively include political ads. But what will move this country is prayer. I envision women sitting around a table with coffee or tea, praying. I see them on their knees in living rooms. They need to be praying, with their eyes opened, driving their kids to school or other functions. Women in constant prayer for what they see, feel and know.
We pray for that person who cut us off. We pray for the activist with whom we don't agree. We pray for those with whom we do agree. We pray for the teachers and schools. We pray for our husbands and families. We pray for our president and leaders. We leave no one out. We pray for TV, movie and theater personalities. We don't curse the darkness, but become a light.
Come on, women, we need to pray more than ever. I'm excited to see what prayer will sway. Look for the good, the bright, and the right. Above all, look to God.
I do feel that my last few posts have been a call to the topic of this show. We need to not fear the political or cultural climate today. Christians are not given the spirit of fear, but of love(2 Timothy 1:7.) I feel as women and if any men are reading, you are sure welcomed to join, a prayer movement will do more for our country and our youth than all the legislation a conservative congress can pass. I knew this before, but sometimes I get sidetracked.
I believe in voting. I believe in voting one's heart. I know one must do research and that does not exclusively include political ads. But what will move this country is prayer. I envision women sitting around a table with coffee or tea, praying. I see them on their knees in living rooms. They need to be praying, with their eyes opened, driving their kids to school or other functions. Women in constant prayer for what they see, feel and know.
We pray for that person who cut us off. We pray for the activist with whom we don't agree. We pray for those with whom we do agree. We pray for the teachers and schools. We pray for our husbands and families. We pray for our president and leaders. We leave no one out. We pray for TV, movie and theater personalities. We don't curse the darkness, but become a light.
Come on, women, we need to pray more than ever. I'm excited to see what prayer will sway. Look for the good, the bright, and the right. Above all, look to God.
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