"A good woman does not live in fear of the future because of her past. Instead, she understands that her life experiences are merely lessons, meant to bring her closer to self knowledge and unconditional self love. Girl Smile.....YOU KNOW YOU HAVE IT GOING ON! .....So Keep ON Keeping On."
Somehow, friends seem to know what you need to hear and when you need to hear it.
Monday, August 28, 2006
Montezuma
traveling through the misty mountains, picking up on the intensity of emotion in David's voice as he speaks God's word, hugs from Jonas, shy smiles from Zeb, being with Carol Lena, tomato sandwiches, homemade salsa
Sunday was a good day.
Sunday was a good day.
Tuesday, August 22, 2006
Blinders
Sometimes it is hard to see a thing when you are right in the middle of it. Several times lately, I have seen beams of sunlight bursting through the clouds - very distinct rays of light making their way through the sky. Until yesterday. It was a sunny day as I drove home and I looked up into the sky to see those beams, but there were none. I didn't understand why - after all, it was a bright sunny day! Then, I realized that I felt the warmth of the sun on my body through the car window. I was surrounded by the sunshine! I was right smack dab in the middle of it and didn't recognize it! It made me realize something.
All this time, I had been relating those rays of light to God's presence and grace. Everytime I saw them, it was as if God was saying, "Karen, I am right here."
Just because God's presence and grace are not majestically visible to me does not mean they are not there. If I but look and pay attention, I will find that I am always right smack dab in the middle of them.
All this time, I had been relating those rays of light to God's presence and grace. Everytime I saw them, it was as if God was saying, "Karen, I am right here."
Just because God's presence and grace are not majestically visible to me does not mean they are not there. If I but look and pay attention, I will find that I am always right smack dab in the middle of them.
Saturday, August 19, 2006
My formica bead
My past...
The table sat under a window in the small kitchen at the rear of the house. It had a formica top. Doors from the kitchen opened into the living room and Mother and Daddy's bedroom which I supposed was actually meant to be a dining room. In that living room, Daddy rocked me to sleep and carried me to bed. Mother let me take a nap in her bed with my blanket decorated with chenille stiches. Daddy talked me out of running away from home in my bedroom at the back of the house. I heard the gunshot from the trailer where I stayed sometimes while Mother ran errands. My puppy, Skippy, was hit and killed by teenage boy who lived up the street. All of these memories and more come to mind when I look at my formica bead. They all combine to make me who I am now.
The table sat under a window in the small kitchen at the rear of the house. It had a formica top. Doors from the kitchen opened into the living room and Mother and Daddy's bedroom which I supposed was actually meant to be a dining room. In that living room, Daddy rocked me to sleep and carried me to bed. Mother let me take a nap in her bed with my blanket decorated with chenille stiches. Daddy talked me out of running away from home in my bedroom at the back of the house. I heard the gunshot from the trailer where I stayed sometimes while Mother ran errands. My puppy, Skippy, was hit and killed by teenage boy who lived up the street. All of these memories and more come to mind when I look at my formica bead. They all combine to make me who I am now.
Thursday, August 17, 2006
The Shell
Places where I feel close to God…
“…it’s just you, the sand, sun and ocean” says a friend of time spent at the beach. I would clarify that by adding...my awareness of God in the fragments of previous life that make up the sand, the sense of healing as the heat of the sun warms my bones and the powerful yet soothing ocean tides that are able to toss me about at their will then support me as I float aimlessly.
“…it’s just you, the sand, sun and ocean” says a friend of time spent at the beach. I would clarify that by adding...my awareness of God in the fragments of previous life that make up the sand, the sense of healing as the heat of the sun warms my bones and the powerful yet soothing ocean tides that are able to toss me about at their will then support me as I float aimlessly.
Friday, August 11, 2006
Thursday, August 10, 2006
Monday, August 07, 2006
Misc NYC quotes
“We are the people we’ve been waiting for. The world is waiting so come through the door. There’s lots of room here on the dancing floor. There’s no delaying anymore.” - Ken Medema
"We have great border control here." - John Keller, NYC 2006 Dean
"God almighty, maybe what I need is to give myself away. Small things, great love, that’s how the mountains move.” – Ken Medema
“Why don’t we do what he says? I don’t think he’s going to shut up until we do!” - Ted & Lee
"You being yourself matters. It’s what keeps the community from being lost.” – Glenn Mitchell
“You’ve got to clear up the confusion about what it means to be a Christian.” - Jim Wallis
“Jesus will give you power to change this world,” David Radcliff
“You might be Brethren if......you think one of the Ten Commandments is, you know the words to ‘Move in Our Midst’ whether you want to or not" - Frank Ramirez
“I don’t know how much time I have to become something. None of us do.” - Andy Murray
“God’s got you covered,” Dawn Ottoni Wilhelm
"...and this part signifies when my life goes wacky..." Me
"Is David Radcliff part black?" Emily
"This was life-changing." Katie
"Walk with me." Darron
"We have great border control here." - John Keller, NYC 2006 Dean
"God almighty, maybe what I need is to give myself away. Small things, great love, that’s how the mountains move.” – Ken Medema
“Why don’t we do what he says? I don’t think he’s going to shut up until we do!” - Ted & Lee
"You being yourself matters. It’s what keeps the community from being lost.” – Glenn Mitchell
“You’ve got to clear up the confusion about what it means to be a Christian.” - Jim Wallis
“Jesus will give you power to change this world,” David Radcliff
“You might be Brethren if......you think one of the Ten Commandments is, you know the words to ‘Move in Our Midst’ whether you want to or not" - Frank Ramirez
“I don’t know how much time I have to become something. None of us do.” - Andy Murray
“God’s got you covered,” Dawn Ottoni Wilhelm
"...and this part signifies when my life goes wacky..." Me
"Is David Radcliff part black?" Emily
"This was life-changing." Katie
"Walk with me." Darron
Tuesday, August 01, 2006
NYC
I spent last week in Colorado with over 3000 young people. It is amazing how old a person can feel and at the same time, be energized. I do wish that more members of our congregations knew what actually happens at our denomination's National Youth Conference. I wonder, though, if they did, would it make any difference in the way they do things? Would they not permit their youth to participate? I wonder...
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