Send a net!

Nothing But Nets (which is sponsored by the United Methodist Church, the NBA, and the UN) is promoting world malaria day (this Friday) by doing a game on their site and after you play, you enter your info and confirm on an email and they send a net to Africa--at NO cost to you! That's a $10 net sent to save a life for just 3-5 minutes of your time! So, click here and send a net today!

Dancing Marlee

I love Dancing with the Stars and am enjoying yet another season of dancing. This season Marlee Matlin is one of the stars. She is a huge inspiration for all she has done and for the ways she has shown the world that the deaf community is not less than. For the last couple of weeks the judges have commented on how well she does "considering". I get that rhythm isn't the simplest or most natural thing for someone who's deaf, but it also makes me uncomfortable to hear their comments. I mean, if anyone is an example of how nothing is an obstacle, I think Marlee is, and so it seems like a slap in the face each time the judges lower the bar for her, or say something that makes it seem like she will only be able to be a certain level of dancer because of her lack of hearing. I have NO idea what it means to be deaf. I don't know what the difficulties are. I don't know what the possibilities are. But I do know that their comments give me pause each time. I don't think they mean to be insulting, but you can detect it on her face, that look of hurt, of "dude"--it resonates with me from when people tell me, "Oh well, you did really well considering you're a woman." It's that are-you-kidding look...and it has to be discouraging for her. It feels like the assumption is her lack of hearing inhibits her competency, which couldn't be further from the truth.

I wish I had a good final thought, but I'm afraid I don't. Not yet anyway. Just this I suppose: 1) someone give those judges some diversity training! 2) Marlee: You go kick some dancing with the stars booty!

World Malaria Day

Friday is World Malaria Day. It is a day to raise consciousness about this deadly, yet preventable disease. It is a day to help spread the word about the millions affected by malaria and how simple it is to prevent infection. Malaria is spread through mosquito bites. It is a serious epidemic in Africa. The main form of prevention is bed nets. These nets are simple and relatively cheap--only $10 each. $10 for protection from death. Sounds like a steal to me. There are many organizations raising funds to buy nets including World Vision and The Nothing But Nets Campaign. Nothing but Nets is sponsored by the United Methodist Church and by the NBA. Being a good methodist, my allegiance goes to them, but either way, a net is a net. So get out there, spread the word, and send a net to save a life (or two or three).

Online Ordination

I know a number of folks who have been ordained online by the universal life church. Don't get me wrong they're good people, but something about it really irks me. It feels like a mockery of what I've worked for. I realize it's not quite the same, but let's say I could earn my medical license online, or my bar accredidation or my teaching credential, wouldn't that undermine the legitimacy of all the requirements, education, and standards for doctors, lawyers, and teachers? (Teachers already have this problem with emergency credentials) .

Yes, my work still has the integrity it should because of my studies, my eternally long process, and my painfully long essay examinations, not to mention my own commitment to the office, but still. Maybe I'm just hyper sensitive, but it seems so easy for those outside the church to look at ordination or pastors and discredit what we do or the importance of education or preparation because they can walk down the hall and find the latest person to have a Universal Life ordination certificate. I don't know. Maybe I'd feel differently if I were baptist or in another denomination where the standards for ordination are not quite so rigorous. But it bugs me that people that aren't even partcipating in a church, heck, people who aren't even Christian, are getting ordained in the Universal Life Church. And meanwhile, back at the parish, I'm preparing to write 75 pages of theological, personal, and pastoral reflections in order to have the privileges I already have (as a probationary member) sealed and certified.

Tech suggestions

Quite frankly, I'm not tech savvy. Sure, I can use a computer. I can finesse my way through most major programs or whatever, but am clueless when it comes to programming, debugging, ram, or anything beyond the basics, or maybe an intermediate level of knowledge. That's not just in the realm of computers either, that's in the realm of anything more technological than a coffee pot. Really, I'm functional, but not smooth. As such, I have only sort of entered the 21st century. I've never had a PDA or ipod, or any of the variations thereof. But, this summer, I'm due for a new phone, and I figure that with all the advancements, it's about time to enter this century. So, I'm hoping for a phone with Blue Tooth and one with music capabilities (video is not so essential). But really, I have no idea where to start. I know the chocolates had some problems when they first came out, but after that I know nada. So, if you're the tech savvy type and would like to offer your two cents, I'd appreciate it. Suggestions for types to buy, or those to steer clear of would be great. Fortunately my car is equipped for the latest and greatest and is set for Ipod hook ups and blue tooth right from the steering wheel, so if I get the right thing, hopefully a lot of things will be simpler!

Thanks in advance!

Forgiveness

Unforgiveness serves as a stumbling block in our relationships. Not just with the person(s) we refuse or are unable to forgive, but also in other relationships. Often we feel justified in our unforgiveness for the nature of the grievance or the heinous nature of what people have done against us. And there is no denying that people do atrocious things. We're regularly reluctant to forgive because we don't want people to get off that easily or for things to be swept under the rug or for people to think that what they've done is alright when really it wasn't. But true forgiveness is not about creating excuses for other people or "letting them get away with it." True forgiveness is about letting go of the anger, the frustration, the resentment, (most of which do more harm to us and our souls than they will ever do to our offender), and most importantly, a healing of the wound that was left. True forgiveness is not easy. And when it is most difficult, most impossible, we must turn to the Divine and ask for God's forgiveness, ask that God would give us the capacity to truly forgive, for it is only through God that the most heinous of actions can possibly be forgiven (read: healed, restored, set right).

As I read "What Happens When Women Pray" I was struck by the author's words. I was also struck by the words of scripture, words of challenge. As one church member pointed out, "this sounds conditional; it sounds like God will only forgive us if we first forgive others." Yep, that's exactly what it sounds like. And that's uncomfortable. We want forgiveness and we trust God to be forgiving and gracious, but are we really willing to do and be those things ourselves? The following words of scripture are definitely uncomfortable, especially if we're holding onto unforgiveness somewhere in our lives (as I suppose most of us are).

One of the more challenging pieces comes from the 2 Corinthians passage: "I urge you, therefore, to reaffirm your love for him[/her]". It's one thing to set aside ill-content and anger, it's wholly another to love such a person. But that's the goal, to experience such a profound sense of forgiveness that you are able to love again.

*A note of caution and compassion: the scriptural expectations of forgiveness have often been used to re-abuse victims. They are told to "forgive and forget" or to "turn the other cheek". These are neither helpful nor holy. I don't know of anywhere in scripture where "forgetting" is mandated with regard to forgiveness (aside maybe from debt), nor do I know of a place where God encourages us to move back into an abusive situation or relationship simply forgetting what has happened in the past. (For more on repentance and true healing with regard to an offense and not simply putting the onus of responsibility on the offended/victim/abused, click here or here.) "Turn the other cheek" has also been taken out of context in so many ways and used in destructive manners. That passage is not about submitting yourself to ongoing abuse, or allowing someone to pummel you, it's about honor and shame. It's about not having to one-up the next guy or prove yourself. (For an example of what that passage DOES NOT mean, see "Never Back Down" and you can be reminded of all the things we are mandated not to do. Also, for many, forgiveness is very hard and should not be expected right away. God does offer miracles of healing and restoration. God also uses time to teach us and heal us. So, be patient with others, encouraging even of baby steps, and patient, too, with yourself in your own journey of forgiveness.

And forgive us our sins, just as we have forgiven those who have sinned against us. ~Matthew 6:12, TLB

Your heavenly Father will forgive you if you forgive those who sin against you, but if you refuse to forgive them, He will not forgive you.
~Matthew 6:14-15, TLB

Listen to Me! You can pray for anything, and if you believe, you have it; it’s yours! But—when you are praying, first forgive anyone you are holding a grudge against, so that your Father in Heaven will forgive you your sins too.

~Mark 11:24-25, TLB

If anyone has caused grief, he has not so much grieved me as he has grieved all of you, to some extent—not to put it too severely. The punishment inflicted on him by the majority is sufficient for him. Now instead, you ought to forgive and comfort him, so that he will not be overwhelmed by excessive sorrow. I urge you, therefore, to reaffirm your love for him. The reason I wrote you was to see if you would stand the test and be obedient in everything. If you forgive anyone, I also forgive him. And what I have forgiven—if there was anything to forgive—I have forgiven in the sight of Christ for your sake in order that Satan might not outwit us.

~2 Corinthians 2:5-11

1. 1. Ask God to bring to your mind that person who has grieved you and whom you have not forgiven.

2. 2. Ask God to forgive you for the sin of not forgiving that person.

3. 3. Now forgive that Person, asking God to give you the strength and ability if you need to.

4. 4. Now ask God for as much love as God wants you to have for the person who grieved you.

5. 5. Next ask God how you should confirm your love to that person.

6. 6. Wait in silence for God’s answer.

7. 7. Pray, promising God that you will do whatever God has told you.

8. 8. Go do it!

**All scripture citations and steps toward forgiveness come from "What Happens When Women Pray" by Evelyn Christenson. (HT: mom).

Yeesh

This year is the first year I am eligible to apply for full connection as an Elder. I don't have to apply this year simply because I'm eligible, but I like doing things according to plan and it would be nice to get this whole ordination business (namely the papers) out of the way. Knowing that taking a move will be hectic and crazy in and of itself, I thought seeing the ordination questions ahead of time would give me a jump start and help me get my head in the game without being completely overwhelmed and consumed come summer.

I called around to make sure it was okay that I saw a copy of last year's questions and got the go-ahead, so I called a friend and asked her for a copy. They arrived yesterday. This morning I've spent a fair amount of time typing them into the computer so I can brainstorm when there's time.

Let's just say it makes my head spin. I'd forgotten the anguish of having all these questions looming overhead, and the pure joy at NOT having to deal with them. That in and of itself makes me want to take another year before writing. But, at the same time, it also makes me want to hurry up and get them out of the way. There are a number of doubts I have.

#1 The board is notorious for not passing people the first time through. So, do I really want to write 75 pages and do that much work only to be deferred?

#2 With their reputation, would waiting the year really make a difference, or will I get deferred whenever I go up, so I might as well get deferred this year so I can make it through for 2010?

#3 The majority of the questions focus on experience as a probationary member, not just academic thought, and I wonder if a transition year is really the best year to write papers. I mean, am I going to get there and simply hear, "You know Deb, you just haven't been there long enough for us to see what you're actually capable of."??

The next one is not a doubt, it's more of a complaint. A lot of these questions are VERY specific, or at least they are looking for very specific things, and it would have been nice to know these things, oh, say, 2 years ago when I started out. I mean, I got feedback after my probationary interview: "Grow in your strengths. We affirm X, Y, and Z about your call to ministry. Work on being more open to a diversity of theological perspectives in all areas of ministry." That's about all I got. Fairly vague really, except for the perspectives piece. But what they want in the papers is not so vague. They want SO much.

I guess I'm just overwhelmed right now. It's been a couple of years since I had to write something other than a sermon, meditation, prayer, liturgy, letter, eulogy, or Bible study (oh yeah, or a blog entry). I'll take some time to let the questions sink in and to pray about all of this and to see if this is really the year God would have me press forward with this madness.

Yeesh.

Tips for Identifying a Prayer Partner

• Trust is of utmost importance in identifying your prayer partner(s). You need to be able to confide in those with whom you pray. You need to be able to be honest about what is really going on in your life. Be discerning about those you can trust so deeply. Pray about it! Ask God to guide you to the right people/person for this relationship.
• Many recommend choosing a prayer partner of the same gender. Often men find it easier to pray with men and women with women. This doesn’t mean you should not have co-ed prayer relationships, simply that you need to be realistic about how honest you can be with someone of the opposite sex.
• Identify someone who can lead you in your prayer walk. Find someone who can show you the way to the “next level” in prayer. Find someone who understands the power of a true commitment to prayer and can help you develop the same commitment in your own discipleship path.
• Choose a prayer partner who is reliable. Knowing you can rely on your prayer partner to be available and consistent in prayer can greatly increase the blessings of your prayer life.
• Don’t be afraid to talk about keeping confidentiality. When sharing deeply, it doesn’t take much to fracture trust, so be honest about your expectations and needs in regard to confidentiality.
• If you want to share your partner’s prayer request with someone else, ask if that’s okay. Sometimes we are not ready to share our concern with a church community or family members—that’s okay. Be sure to ask before you share, even when you are convinced that “more people praying will mean better results”.
• Be open and willing to pray in all places at all times. You never know when someone might need a prayer partner

The Power of Praying Together

Whether it’s a single prayer partner or a prayer group, it is important that we pray together. Being together for Christ’s purposes creates a unique space for him to be present with us. Scripture tells us, “Wherever two or three are gathered in my name, there I am also.” (Matthew 18:2). Christ promises to be present with us when we gather together in his name—in other words, to do his will, to walk his path, to share his love. If we gather in hate, in anger, in rage, in unforgiveness, or in hostility, we are not gathering in the name of Christ, even if we try and stamp his name on our meeting. To gather in the name of Christ is to gather in the things of Christ.

Does God hear us when we pray alone? Yes, absolutely. Scripture tells us, “But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.” (Matthew 6:6). Private prayer is an essential part of our walk with God and growth in Christian faith.

And so is community prayer. We pray together to share in Christ’s presence, to bear one another’s burdens[1] and to grow in relationship with one another. Something special happens when we come together with a brother or sister in the faith and reveal the desires of our hearts, the wounds of our past, and the needs of our present. When we develop healthy, meaningful, and prayerful relationships with fellow Christians, our relationships grow in connection, trust, and depth.

Developing relationships with fellow pray-ers should create a safe space to cry, to laugh, to lament, to grieve, and to celebrate. It is a beautiful and holy thing to listen with focus and care. Listening and caring are essential in our relationships with one another. And while sometimes we regard them as one in the same, listening and prayer are distinctive, and being able to pray with someone, or have someone pray with you, offers something wholly different than simply listening. A prayer connection is different because it intentionally brings God into your relationship. It reminds you that God is the ultimate provider, that we are dependent on God, and that we must remain connected to the divine in all we do.

[1] Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. ~Galatians 6:2, NIV

what would you be known for?

Recently I've officiated at 4 funerals and attended one family funeral. It's had me thinking a lot about how we remember people, or better stated, what they are remembered for. The night before my grandmother's funeral, my immediate family was gathered around the dinner table. I'm not sure how or why it came up (maybe b/c someone suggested we play a game), but they all started cracking up about how I was a horrible loser when we played games and a TREMENDOUS gloater if I won. My family members thought it was hilarious to recount my tantrums and celebrations. I turned a nice shade of red. Yep, that's one of the things I'm known for. Among some of the others are: long showers, self-punishment, and Kelly Kapowski bangs a decade too late. In a couple of weeks I will be going on a mission trip and a former summer camp youth (who is now grown and in college) will be with us. He's the kid I remember as: the one who always had a crush on someone but was always the "nice guy/friend" who never got the girl. What a way to be remembered. Hopefully he can reinvent (or at least re-portray) himself that week.

So, my question to you dear readers is two fold:
1) What would you remember me for/as?
2) What will you be remembered for/as?

The Basics

This morning when I turned my phone on I had a message. F, who is a ministerial candidate with the Church of Religious Science, wanted to talk with a "traditional pastor" about advice for entering the ministry. I cracked up that I am considered "traditional". I called this afternoon with my two cents and then figured I might as well post it.

• Love the people. This one is simple and obvious and repeated time and time again. It is also about as true as they get. I have been amazed by the outpouring of love I have received. Granted, at the beginning it was not so loving, but now, having "loved them through it", these people are fantastic in showing and sharing love.
• Rest on your call. There will be lots of things that challenge your sense of self, your sense of ministry, even your sense of God. Hold strong to what you know--that God has called you to this work with a plan and a purpose. Remind yourself of why you followed the call and the ways that God has equipped you to be faithful.
• Surround yourself with a community of support (peers, mentors, colleagues, friends) who draw you into accountability, who encourage you, and who affirm you up one side and down the other. I am quite convinced that without my "cheerleaders" who offer me encouragement, a listening ear, advice, and time in the good times and the bad I would not have survived these first two years. I would have left without people holding me up in the most difficult times.
  
• Practice Sabbath for your own sanity and that of your people. Take your day off. Use your vacation and study time. You are not indispensable. (Sorry to break it to you). Sabbath will restore you. Taking sabbath also models for your congregation that neither you nor they have to work yourself/themselves into the ground in order to successful or productive. (Plus it's a commandment and thou shalt do it!)
• Keep studying and learning. I suppose I figured that after leaving seminary I would only be reading the Bible, commentaries for sermon preparation, and leisure books. Boy was I wrong! But it's been worth it. I have learned a lot. My new recommendation is: Spiritual Entrepreneurs. It has resonance with "Deepening your Effectiveness" but I think is more user friendly and would get the point across in a laity book study in a better way.
  
• Take time to structure your time and your schedule to do the things you need and want to do.
  

Any other tidbits you might offer?

Any tidbits for "How to change churches" or "Becoming a senior pastor" that you would offer this transitioning pastor?!

Happy Fool's Day!

Even my email provider is in on the act. How crazy is that?!?

On gardening

The backyard at the parsonage where I’ll be going in July has not exactly been landscaped. At one point in history it was. So there are big, mature trees, there’s a rock pond, and what was formerly an intentional flower bed. At some point in history it was left to become a dirt lot. Then was *organically* done as the leaves etc fell and were helped to become mulch and then just *fertilize* the yard. As such, it is a green mix of daffodils, trees, wildflowers, weeds, and who knows what else.

I’m excited about having a yard. I want to plant a garden. I want to plant flowers. And with a dog, possibly 2, joining me, I’d like grass too. So I’m already plotting the plants I want to buy, the weeds that will be pulled, the spot for composting, and identifying the good sun areas for the vegetables. But as I learn more and more lessons about patience, I also know that it would probably be wise to wait the seasons out and see what is already there that can be left, used, or simply transplanted. And at my parents’ urging, I also know it would probably be good if I cultivated the compost pile for a year and then used that soil to plant a garden next year and not deal with it in the craziness of this year’s move and adjustment. I get all of those things, but I am also impatient and want to have it just so as soon as possible so I can really enjoy it.

All of that got me thinking about the church. Going to a new church, I’ve been thinking about what we can do. Brainstorming about worship. Planning community outreach. Dreaming up studies and programs. And then this last week I was reminded to be patient. To not do too much too quickly. To take my time. To observe. To build relationships and then do something. And I realized the congregation is much like my future backyard. There will be large mature trees. Daffodils that survived the years and need just a little extra watering. Wildflowers that offer beauty. Some things that have been done intentionally and others that just sort of happened. There will be some weeds that need to be pulled, and some plants that can afford to be transplanted. Others will surprise me in the changing seasons with what they have to offer. Much like my garden, it will be important to be patient and observe the seasons to see what is there. To find a place to create compost (a place for nutrient rich soil) that can be used in future planting. And yes, to seek out the obvious weeds and begin to pull those, but to be careful not to disturb that which has much to offer.

Looks like I will be doing more gardening that I anticipated. It will take much patience, hard, hot, sweaty labor, planning, intentionality, nutrients, and water as well as care and upkeep.

Here’s to new growth, the revelation and beauty of the seasons, and a beautiful, healthy ecosystem.

Forgiveness

I’ve blogged about forgiveness before, mostly about how it’s easier to counsel someone to do it, than to actually do it yourself. I’ve had a couple of particularly tough cases (personally) over the past year. And as such, there are particularly difficult people to forgive. As a major Christian tenant, I’ve known it needed to happen. I’ve also known that every time I feel close to forgiveness, another incident happens and I think, “See! That’s why you’re simply impossible to forgive.” And I have to admit that, on occasion, my prayers for forgiveness go something like this: “Dear God, please help me forgive R for being such a dunderheaded jerk. Please help R see the error of R’s ways. Amen.” What can I say? I’m human.

Throughout Lent I made a concerted effort to pray for my relationship with R. I wanted forgiveness. I wanted to be free of the anger, the hurt, and the resentment. I wanted to be able to show R love even if I couldn’t feel loved by R. I have had countless conversations about this relationship. My sister’s prayer early on was, “Dear God, Please provide reconciliation in this relationship in a way where we have to acknowledge that it was you alone who made it happen.” A colleague/mentor/friend/prayer partner prayed, “May you have complete closure, restoration, and wholeness in this relationship so that nothing lies as an obstacle between you.” (Coming out of yet another difficult interaction, it was all I could do not to scoff).

I have prayed. I have doubted. I have been intentional. I have prayed more. I have given up. I have prayed some more. I set it out of the forefront of my mind. Then Easter week it happened. I had occasion to see R and at some point during the event, I looked at R and realized God had healed me/us. I was not angry. I was not bitter. I was not walled up. I was not hurting. God performed a miracle and had restored my heart. Just as my sister’s prayer had indicated, it was undeniable that it was a God thing because R was not asking for forgiveness and as much as I knew it was right, I couldn’t offer it.

God is good. God answered a prayer. (Multiple prayers actually).

It’s probably no coincidence that it happened in close proximity to Easter. That is what Easter is about right?! Forgiveness. Reconciliation. God doing what we cannot do for ourselves no matter how good or earnest our intentions. God bridging boundaries that we create amongst ourselves and then need to the divine to break down because we did such a phenomenal job of creating walls between and around us.

Praise God for the good news—the news that I do not have to do this for or by myself. Praise God for the good news that the blood of Christ, the conquest of death and sin and darkness is greater than my imagination will stretch.

Praise God for answered prayer.

These are my favorites:

I particularly like that the winnings are listed under my name and address--which they need me to provide in an email of response. I also like that there was a mix up with the numbers, and that I'm not supposed to make this information public. I like that. Apparently I goofed by putting it here, but I was willing to risk 3.5 million euros for a major identity theft and fraud scam.

CONGRATULATIONS!!!

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This is from a total cash prize of Euros 60,015.225.00, shared among the twenty five international winners in this category. Note that all participants in this lottery program have been selected randomly through a computer ballot system drawn from over 30,000 companies and 800,000 individual email addresses from all search engines and web sites. This promotional program takes place every year and we hope your lucky name will draw a bigger cash prize in the subsequent programs.

CONGRATULATIONS!
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Your fund is now deposited with our Security Company and insured under your address. Due to mix up of some numbers and names, we ask that you keep this award from public notice until your claims has been processed and the money remitted to your account as this is part of our security protocol to avoid double claiming of unwarranted taking advantage of this program by participants as it has happened in the past. You can travel down to any of our seven paying stations for this award session, which might be any of the following countries where we have our lottery accounts deposited with different finance institution including: U.K, SWITZERLAND, BELGIUM, BRUNIE...etc

To begin your lottery claims, Please contact our Solicitor to this great promotions today,
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Remember, all prize money must be claimed not later than this award session. Any claim not made before this date will be returned as unclaimed. And also be informed that 10% of your lottery winning belongs to (PERRAS PROMOTION COMPANY & KING ASSOCIATES LTD.) Because they are the company that bought your ticket and played the lottery on your name, NOTE: - this 10% will be remitted after you have finally received your winning prize because the money is already insured in your winning identity.

Note, In order to avoid unnecessary delays and complications, please remember to quote your reference and batch numbers in every correspondence with your claims agent, you are to provide the below details, to enable the speedy evaluation and processing of your winnings. We advice that you adhere strictly to their procedures to avoid any disqualifications and subsequent cancellation.

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PLEASE NOTE: YOU ARE TO KEEP ALL LOTTERY INFORMATION FROM PUBLIC AS WE WILL NOT ENTERTAIN CASES OF MULTIPLE CLAIMS PROCESSING OR COMPROMISE THE PRIVACY AND SECURITY OF OUR ENTIRE WINNER. THIS IS IN LINE WITH THE DATA PROTECTION ACT OF THE STAKES LOTTERY PROMOTIONS.

Furthermore, Shall there be any change of address, please do inform our Solicitor as soon as possible. All documents and Certificates related to your winning prize will be sent to you by the auditor general STAKES LOTTERY PROMOTIONS via courier to your postal address upon the transfer of your winning fund via your preferred mode of payment.

CONGRATULATIONS!! Once again from all members of our staff and thank you for being a part of our International promotions program.

We wish you continue good fortunes.

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(Vice President)
29 - 03 - 2008.

Earth Hour Movie - Narrated by Jeremy Piven

In honor of Earth Hour, this is a post to remind you to turn off your lights from 8pm to 9pm tonight. Light a candle, read a book, and help raise awareness for climate change in the world.

(ht: Racher)

Our next publicity campaign

I'm not sure what I was thinking about exactly, but it had to do with people feeling called to the clergy and the stereotypes of images. I had the phrase in my head: "Don't think you fit the mold?" And then it occurred to me--I didn't either. Neither did many of my friends. So the response is then: "Neither did we." I've decided it would be great for our next ad campaign (either www.umc.org or www.isgodcallingyou.org). Here's how it would look (use your imagination here):

Don't think you fit the mold?

[pic of various young clergy, formally dressed, probably clergy collars--very reformed]

Neither did we.

[pic of same various young clergy but dressed either casually/hip OR in outfits that represent their particular interests (i.e., skiing, biking, reading, cooking, photographing...)]

Then this morning, I decided we could use it as the church's next ad campaign--except instead of an ad for call/clergy/seminary it's an ad about church--the mold pic being robes, or somber in pews with hymnals, or whatever rigid stereotype image you want and then the second one being the look of your church--casual, praise band, liturgical dance, people who dress differently (Emo, punk, board shorts....whatever)

...give him your cloak too

Not only is this story blog worthy, but it'll preach.

Save up to $900

My TV went on the fritz a few weeks before Lent. I found that I had lots of extra time on my hands--so I went back to reading and quilting and filling my time with lots of productive things (even including sleep). So, recognizing how healthy the forced TV-fast was for me, I decided not to get my TV fixed right away and instead to make no-TV part of my Lenten disciplines. Well, Lent is over and I thought it might be nice to watch a few things, but still need to get my TV fixed. So I started calling around. store 1: $20 for an at home estimate (horrible reviews from Better Business Bureau). Store 2: $40 must bring it to store. He recommends not even bothering. Store 3: $100 for an in-store estimate. Store 4: $15 for in-store estimate. The TV itself is 7 years old and was a hand-me-down that I paid $0 for.

I called my brother for advice and he said not to buy one, to wait and see what he could find in rummage stuff. I also emailed some parishioners to see who they might recommend. Just for kicks I thought I'd check out and see how much a TV might cost...one of the first things I saw was: "Save Up to $900 on Select HDTVs!" RIGHT. If we're talking about saving$900 we're definitely NOT in the same ball-park. Really folks. I wouldn't even spend $900 on a TV, let alone buy one expensive enough to warrant saving $900. Give me a break.

On a side note, as I thought about this TV business and washed dishes, I amused myself by thinking: "what if I married a guy who thought dropping $1000-$2000 on a TV was a good idea?" I just laughed. Boy would he have married the wrong woman. There's no way I could justify that. Do you know how many kids' elementary education I could pay for for a YEAR with that? In Nicaragua: at least 65. Or we could buy 200 mosquito nets to prevent Malaria. Or we could sponsor 100 kids to go to camp in Mexico. Or even 10 kids to go to camp in the US. Or a BA degree's worth of books, or.... you get the idea. Mr. Deb would be S.O.L. on that home entertainment center. Sorry.

**Note to self. Never say never, as Murphy *(of Murphy's Law) LOVES you and you will surely eat your words.

Scriptural Stations of the Cross

These stations of the cross were written for the Good Friday service at Hemet United Methodist Church. All scripture passages were taken from the NIV. All meditations were written by Rev. Debbie Camphouse. Feel free to use these stations/meditations for your own church services or personal meditation. If you choose to replicate them for public use, please give credit to the author.