"See you next month!" My mom told me this on the last day of the month as she said good-night to me when I was a child. I loved this because it was a dramatic statement ("next month" sounds like a long time) and funny because all I would have to do to see her again was wake up the next morning. I was easy to entertain as a child. Didn't take much to amuse me.
God helped me find my LH who comes from a heritage of easily entertained folks. We are a good match. With a few words or a simple drawing or whatever, we can entertain ourselves for a long time.
Our children are easy to entertain.
Now come the kittens who, it turns out, are easy to entertain, too. Take Dibley for instance. Turn on the dishwasher and the kitty is transfixed staring at a black plain fronted dishwasher. He doesn't want to move.
Assumpta can play with a bookmark, piece of crinkly paper or her own tail all afternoon. The only way to distract either Dibley from the dishwasher or Assumpta from her toys is sleep. Both kittens drop into deep sleep mid-sentence. One moment they are busy, the next minute they are supine puddles of fur.
I'm off to finish the Lily Connor, Anglican tentmaker Mystery solver priest, novel then drop into deep sleep.
See you next month........
St. Casserole
Sunday, July 31, 2005
Saturday, July 30, 2005
I'm not sure what's going on here. I'm comfortable with this to a certain extent. Not fully, but mostly.
Great estate sales this morning. We hit the road early drenched in bug repellant (outdoor sales, Deep South, July, etc.), clutching coffee mugs and jingling with small bills and change. Many sales this weekend because it's end-of-the-month. EOM translates to people moving, sellers knowing that people just got paid and the sad one: people needing rent money. I'm afraid we don't help the rent money people much because they've hit bottom before and have little to sell. The misery index is high at those sales.
Purchases: 1940's Cowboy China Plate looks like a Roy Roger's piece of China but is unmarked
Odd electrical lamp for collection of lamps behind my dining room table
Funky wooden shelf to be re-painted
large brass Christmas decoration bells for the kittens to bat around
sterling silver peacock ring
large silverplate sugar bowl and creamer, may have been re-plated which
might explain it's odd patina. Will be used for cut flowers
Things going ok with you? I noticed that NO ONE took me up on the offer to preach at the church during the NO A/C Weeks. Eeek!
I hope my sermon on Genesis 32/Jacob Wrestling will go well in hot weather.
St. C
Great estate sales this morning. We hit the road early drenched in bug repellant (outdoor sales, Deep South, July, etc.), clutching coffee mugs and jingling with small bills and change. Many sales this weekend because it's end-of-the-month. EOM translates to people moving, sellers knowing that people just got paid and the sad one: people needing rent money. I'm afraid we don't help the rent money people much because they've hit bottom before and have little to sell. The misery index is high at those sales.
Purchases: 1940's Cowboy China Plate looks like a Roy Roger's piece of China but is unmarked
Odd electrical lamp for collection of lamps behind my dining room table
Funky wooden shelf to be re-painted
large brass Christmas decoration bells for the kittens to bat around
sterling silver peacock ring
large silverplate sugar bowl and creamer, may have been re-plated which
might explain it's odd patina. Will be used for cut flowers
Things going ok with you? I noticed that NO ONE took me up on the offer to preach at the church during the NO A/C Weeks. Eeek!
I hope my sermon on Genesis 32/Jacob Wrestling will go well in hot weather.
St. C
Good Day at Church
I should say COOL DAY at Church because all the Saints and Angels got the A/C fixed. I was even a tad chilly ! Yahoooooo!
Kathryn is preaching for me Sunday. My congregation will be thrilled. Her congregation will be sans preacher as I am not leaving to exchange pulpits with her. I'm staying here to cook Deep South and Seafood for her.
The above paragraph is a fantasy. Rats! I wish I could blip transatlantic to preach for her and vice versa.
My sermon on Jacob went well. How could it not with such a rich text of struggle, blessing and naming?
Time for my Semi-Obligatory Pastoral Nap.
Yawns,
St. C.
Kathryn is preaching for me Sunday. My congregation will be thrilled. Her congregation will be sans preacher as I am not leaving to exchange pulpits with her. I'm staying here to cook Deep South and Seafood for her.
The above paragraph is a fantasy. Rats! I wish I could blip transatlantic to preach for her and vice versa.
My sermon on Jacob went well. How could it not with such a rich text of struggle, blessing and naming?
Time for my Semi-Obligatory Pastoral Nap.
Yawns,
St. C.
Friday, July 29, 2005
Blogsphere and et. al.
The Presbyterian Outlook has a story on Rev. Mark D. Roberts and the blogsphere. See it here:
http://www.pres-outlook.com/HTML/rnsgreen20050725.html
I suppose we should keep quiet on our coterie of revgalblogpals.
It's Friday morning and there aren't any Cat Blogging pictures to show. Andy is sequestered inside to keep him from finishing off the bird he attacked and placed in the courtyard. Dibley and Assumpta are beating the tar out of one another "just because." I mentioned to the kittens that they should "save some beating each other up for later." This confused them and they stopped. Never underestimate the value of irony a la Friedman/Congregational Systems on cats.
http://www.pres-outlook.com/HTML/rnsgreen20050725.html
I suppose we should keep quiet on our coterie of revgalblogpals.
It's Friday morning and there aren't any Cat Blogging pictures to show. Andy is sequestered inside to keep him from finishing off the bird he attacked and placed in the courtyard. Dibley and Assumpta are beating the tar out of one another "just because." I mentioned to the kittens that they should "save some beating each other up for later." This confused them and they stopped. Never underestimate the value of irony a la Friedman/Congregational Systems on cats.
Wednesday, July 27, 2005
The Way I See It
When God, the Creator of the Earth, the Sun and All that is, even us, created the Deep South God meant for us to live this way during August:
1. All roofers and outdoor laborers would go shelve library books in the air conditioning. All library personnel go home to read all the books they can't get to during the year or take vacations. Pay remains the same for all. Construction Companies management go on vacation for August.
2. No Moms give birth during August as it is too hot to carry around the extra heft.
3. All mosquitos die in February and never return. Gnats, too.
4. No men wear long sleeved shirts, ties and undershirts to work. No women wear panty hose or anything uncomfortable like tight clothing or girdles/grippies/Hold'ems. Lightweight natural fabrics like linen (no ironing, either!), cotton and nekkidness are the fashion.
5. Everyone has access to outdoor bathtubs with privacy and swimming pools. Everyone learns to swim so no one drowns. No one dives headfirst into water of unknown depth.
6. August becomes the month to let grass and weeds "rest" from cutting and pruning. It would be louche to use power tools on greenery.
7. No child goes to school. All schools remain empty for the month. Teachers, administrators and staff go on vacation.
8. Diets turn from heavy foods to very light meals featuring home-grown tomatos, Silver Queen corn and local fruit. All grocery store peaches are prohibited until 2078.
9. Ice cream is viewed as a suitable dinner along with banana popscicles and other ice cream novelities of one's choice.
10. All famous "Winter" movies are featured on TV while any shot of the Sahara Desert or beach movies are shown in cold months.
11. Every family has easy access to ice machines with plenty of ice. Iced coffee is preferred over hot coffee.
12. Any woman having "power surges" during August may either blast out her family, take a turn as a bill collector for businesses or simply do what she durn well pleases without comment from anyone.
Think about it. Doesn't this sound like God's purposes for us in August?
Glowingly,
St. Casserole
1. All roofers and outdoor laborers would go shelve library books in the air conditioning. All library personnel go home to read all the books they can't get to during the year or take vacations. Pay remains the same for all. Construction Companies management go on vacation for August.
2. No Moms give birth during August as it is too hot to carry around the extra heft.
3. All mosquitos die in February and never return. Gnats, too.
4. No men wear long sleeved shirts, ties and undershirts to work. No women wear panty hose or anything uncomfortable like tight clothing or girdles/grippies/Hold'ems. Lightweight natural fabrics like linen (no ironing, either!), cotton and nekkidness are the fashion.
5. Everyone has access to outdoor bathtubs with privacy and swimming pools. Everyone learns to swim so no one drowns. No one dives headfirst into water of unknown depth.
6. August becomes the month to let grass and weeds "rest" from cutting and pruning. It would be louche to use power tools on greenery.
7. No child goes to school. All schools remain empty for the month. Teachers, administrators and staff go on vacation.
8. Diets turn from heavy foods to very light meals featuring home-grown tomatos, Silver Queen corn and local fruit. All grocery store peaches are prohibited until 2078.
9. Ice cream is viewed as a suitable dinner along with banana popscicles and other ice cream novelities of one's choice.
10. All famous "Winter" movies are featured on TV while any shot of the Sahara Desert or beach movies are shown in cold months.
11. Every family has easy access to ice machines with plenty of ice. Iced coffee is preferred over hot coffee.
12. Any woman having "power surges" during August may either blast out her family, take a turn as a bill collector for businesses or simply do what she durn well pleases without comment from anyone.
Think about it. Doesn't this sound like God's purposes for us in August?
Glowingly,
St. Casserole
I think the PPB is back....
or at least got her paws on a laptop! I have a comment from her!
Come Home Ms.PPB!
Come Home Ms.PPB!
Yoo Hoo!
Here's a bit of Bishop William Willimon from the April 24-May 1 2004 Christian Century:
" The people who are called to lead are almost always the wrong people. it is almost as if God goes out of God's way to pick those who, at last on the face of it, have no virtues or qualities that suggest they would be good leaders. I'm thinking of Jacob, Sarah, Mary, Peter and Paul here, as well as of Moses. Perhaps God likes a challenge. Maybe a Creator who makes something out of nothing considers vocation a continuing aspect of creation. Any God who could make a man like Moses into a wonderful leader must be some God."
Thanks for your kind comments about my non-A/C sermon troubles. I've been doing this preaching thing long enough to know when I'm a bomb and when I'm getting across. But, thanks anyway for being so very gracious. I'll be ready to pivot this Sunday. I plan on taking an ice chest of ice and cold water for the Saints. You may wear tank tops, cut-offs and flipflops if you wish.
Love,
St. Casserole
" The people who are called to lead are almost always the wrong people. it is almost as if God goes out of God's way to pick those who, at last on the face of it, have no virtues or qualities that suggest they would be good leaders. I'm thinking of Jacob, Sarah, Mary, Peter and Paul here, as well as of Moses. Perhaps God likes a challenge. Maybe a Creator who makes something out of nothing considers vocation a continuing aspect of creation. Any God who could make a man like Moses into a wonderful leader must be some God."
Thanks for your kind comments about my non-A/C sermon troubles. I've been doing this preaching thing long enough to know when I'm a bomb and when I'm getting across. But, thanks anyway for being so very gracious. I'll be ready to pivot this Sunday. I plan on taking an ice chest of ice and cold water for the Saints. You may wear tank tops, cut-offs and flipflops if you wish.
Love,
St. Casserole
Tuesday, July 26, 2005
Sunday Report
We had a good crowd at worship on Sunday. Unfortunately, we had no air conditioning. The Session approved plans to replace the ancient duct work under the sanctuary earlier in the week but when the a/c units heard the news and wanted to help, the motors blew out. One blew out bearings, the other just began grinding. With temperatures in the 90's, a few box fans and some funeral home wavers were all the cool available.
I've been preaching for enough years to know how to pivot for changes in worship. I think it's difficult to throw me off when babies cry, people cry, fights break out, bulletins are wrong, organists get sick, bees infest the sanctuary, birds fly around the ceilings, trains blow by, truckers honk horns, electricity fails, etc. No problem. I can pivot and adjust.
Sisters and Brothers in the Lord, I can't deal with heat. It's too bad that my spoiled United States self gets distracted by swelter. I confess that I'm a whiney snort about dripping through worship. Sorry.
When the congregation realized jackets needed to be taken off and folded on the pews, fans were necessary for survival and that the preacher was not wearing vestments, they were kind. Seemed like a good time to preach a homily based on the sermon rather than the full 14 minutes.
Shorten the sermon? Oh yeah. Problem time. I did a lousy job of summarizing my sermon.
Like many preachers, I "let down" to process the morning sermon late Sunday evening. By bedtime, I've confessed to God that I am not a great preacher, am hardly worthy to approach a pulpit and should just go flip burgers for the rest of my life. I hear phrases of my sermon in my head and stomp around beating myself up.
I assume this criticism is part of the process. By Monday, I'm ready to being working on another sermon.
Not this week. Monday was a horror re-hash of Sunday. ALL DAY LONG.
I'm not proud of myself for this, I'm just sorry that in my ineptitude, I lost the ability to clearly convey the Good News because I was HOT.
Small town workers will finish the repair work in three weeks (3 weeks, urgh!) if everything goes well and Sammy doesn't go down to the Coast to shrimp for a week with his brother and if J.D. doesn't have to go over by his Mama's to help his sister-in-law move into the new trailer.
By the way, any of you out there want to guest preach at the church for the next three Sundays?
Just wondering....
Love,
St. "Too Hot" Casserole
I've been preaching for enough years to know how to pivot for changes in worship. I think it's difficult to throw me off when babies cry, people cry, fights break out, bulletins are wrong, organists get sick, bees infest the sanctuary, birds fly around the ceilings, trains blow by, truckers honk horns, electricity fails, etc. No problem. I can pivot and adjust.
Sisters and Brothers in the Lord, I can't deal with heat. It's too bad that my spoiled United States self gets distracted by swelter. I confess that I'm a whiney snort about dripping through worship. Sorry.
When the congregation realized jackets needed to be taken off and folded on the pews, fans were necessary for survival and that the preacher was not wearing vestments, they were kind. Seemed like a good time to preach a homily based on the sermon rather than the full 14 minutes.
Shorten the sermon? Oh yeah. Problem time. I did a lousy job of summarizing my sermon.
Like many preachers, I "let down" to process the morning sermon late Sunday evening. By bedtime, I've confessed to God that I am not a great preacher, am hardly worthy to approach a pulpit and should just go flip burgers for the rest of my life. I hear phrases of my sermon in my head and stomp around beating myself up.
I assume this criticism is part of the process. By Monday, I'm ready to being working on another sermon.
Not this week. Monday was a horror re-hash of Sunday. ALL DAY LONG.
I'm not proud of myself for this, I'm just sorry that in my ineptitude, I lost the ability to clearly convey the Good News because I was HOT.
Small town workers will finish the repair work in three weeks (3 weeks, urgh!) if everything goes well and Sammy doesn't go down to the Coast to shrimp for a week with his brother and if J.D. doesn't have to go over by his Mama's to help his sister-in-law move into the new trailer.
By the way, any of you out there want to guest preach at the church for the next three Sundays?
Just wondering....
Love,
St. "Too Hot" Casserole
Saturday, July 23, 2005
Top Ten Reasons Hurricanes are Like Christmas
10. Decorating the house (boarding up windows)
9. Dragging out boxes that haven't been used since last season (camping gear, flashlights)
8. Last minute shopping in crowded stores
7. Regular TV shows pre-empted for "specials"
6. Family coming to stay with you
5. Family and friends from out-of-state calling
4. Buying food you don't normally buy ... and in large quantities
3. Days off from work
2. Candles And the number one reason Hurricane Season is like Christmas ..
1. At some point you know you're going to have a tree in your house!
Hat tip: TLH
9. Dragging out boxes that haven't been used since last season (camping gear, flashlights)
8. Last minute shopping in crowded stores
7. Regular TV shows pre-empted for "specials"
6. Family coming to stay with you
5. Family and friends from out-of-state calling
4. Buying food you don't normally buy ... and in large quantities
3. Days off from work
2. Candles And the number one reason Hurricane Season is like Christmas ..
1. At some point you know you're going to have a tree in your house!
Hat tip: TLH
Friday, July 22, 2005
Mean and Lazy
What's worse, mean or lazy? I'm using "mean" in both the common usage of cruel as well as the older sense of "lacking charity in action or spirit."
Our local paper is mean and lazy. I don't know what to do about it. I depend on the paper for estate sale ads, the local editorials, hometown news. And, the paper shredded is great kitten litter. I consider canceling our subscription but my LH enjoys looking through the paper (sports section, comics) each morning while drinking his coffee. I've moved to the 'net for my news because I can read all the State papers, NYTimes, etc. with ease.
A local controversy took over the news staff 36 months ago. However I feel about the controversy, I'm pained by how the paper treats individuals involved. They print mean things about local people without regard to whether the information is news, editorial content or just something to put in the paper. Writers don't check background information so much information which explains behaviors is ignored. I've known the local paper staff for years now and realize that the majority of their work is organizing national news feeds from the wire services and making a few phone calls. They are lazy.
Today's paper brought such meanness to the front page that I dropped the paper and wouldn't touch it until hours later. I felt as if something dark, dank and repulsive plopped on my kitchen desk. LH took the paper to read in our bedroom. Only after hours of walking around the paper pile did I decide to check the content again and see if I was having a 'moment' or was I really seeing heartless carelessness with a human being.
I stand by my first impression.
When I am in charge of the universe, people who hurt others will feel double the pain that they inflict on someone else. They'll never get numbed to the pain. It will hurt big-time.
It will work like this: if I slap you with my language, I'll feel a double slap of pain until I realize that mean and lazy is no way to treat people.
Our local paper is mean and lazy. I don't know what to do about it. I depend on the paper for estate sale ads, the local editorials, hometown news. And, the paper shredded is great kitten litter. I consider canceling our subscription but my LH enjoys looking through the paper (sports section, comics) each morning while drinking his coffee. I've moved to the 'net for my news because I can read all the State papers, NYTimes, etc. with ease.
A local controversy took over the news staff 36 months ago. However I feel about the controversy, I'm pained by how the paper treats individuals involved. They print mean things about local people without regard to whether the information is news, editorial content or just something to put in the paper. Writers don't check background information so much information which explains behaviors is ignored. I've known the local paper staff for years now and realize that the majority of their work is organizing national news feeds from the wire services and making a few phone calls. They are lazy.
Today's paper brought such meanness to the front page that I dropped the paper and wouldn't touch it until hours later. I felt as if something dark, dank and repulsive plopped on my kitchen desk. LH took the paper to read in our bedroom. Only after hours of walking around the paper pile did I decide to check the content again and see if I was having a 'moment' or was I really seeing heartless carelessness with a human being.
I stand by my first impression.
When I am in charge of the universe, people who hurt others will feel double the pain that they inflict on someone else. They'll never get numbed to the pain. It will hurt big-time.
It will work like this: if I slap you with my language, I'll feel a double slap of pain until I realize that mean and lazy is no way to treat people.
Thursday, July 21, 2005
Dibley
Dibley looks at the camera not sure about having a flash go off in his face. The kittens are enjoying exploring our home. The children's dirty laundry baskets are favorite nap/hidding places.
Wednesday, July 20, 2005
Hey! I've Got Lots of Time! What Should I do with it???
Check out http://www.stuffonmycat.com
Hat tip: the LLS
Hat tip: the LLS
I'm speaking this morning to a church women's group. My pal is the pastor. She's not had an easy time during her five years of ministry there because of a) the church's generational history of being stinky to preachers; b) she's starting a family; and c) she's lively, bright and quick.
She plows ahead doing careful pastoral work, youth work, crafts lovely sermons and gives time to the denomination.
When she called to ask me to speak at the monthly luncheon, I asked what topic she wanted. We talked over several ideas then I told her that I'd read one chapter of the Purpose Driven (either life or church, can't remember) on "Protecting Your Pastor" after hearing about it from another colleague.
Seemed like a good topic for a congregation familar with NOT PROTECTING THE PASTOR. She agreed.
Weeks later, one of her colleagues committed suicide. His death has shot the nerves of his church people and those who knew him down here.
She speculated last night that the women might be helped by hearing my talk from the perspective of his death.
I don't think so. I'm not sure if suicide is anyone's fault or if suicide can be stopped although families and friends torture themselves over whether a chance comment or action could have helped.
If I talk about encouraging the pastor, will my listeners think I am chiding them for not being attentive to the pastor who died? I think so.
I'm not sure anyone prevents the suicide of a determined adult.
I'm not an expert on suicide.
I'm re-arranging my topic this morning. I wanted to be prepared with time spent crafting remarks rather than blowing into the luncheon with off-the-cuff preacher stories.
Not sure I can pull this off with a few hours to prepare.
Exegeting one's audience takes skill and attentiveness. I consider this every week with every word I write. The church women know about the suicide. They know I'm pals with their pastor. I was walking a fine line of blasting them for being stinky with my "protect" talk.
If you need me, I'll be scratching my head and staring out the window.
She plows ahead doing careful pastoral work, youth work, crafts lovely sermons and gives time to the denomination.
When she called to ask me to speak at the monthly luncheon, I asked what topic she wanted. We talked over several ideas then I told her that I'd read one chapter of the Purpose Driven (either life or church, can't remember) on "Protecting Your Pastor" after hearing about it from another colleague.
Seemed like a good topic for a congregation familar with NOT PROTECTING THE PASTOR. She agreed.
Weeks later, one of her colleagues committed suicide. His death has shot the nerves of his church people and those who knew him down here.
She speculated last night that the women might be helped by hearing my talk from the perspective of his death.
I don't think so. I'm not sure if suicide is anyone's fault or if suicide can be stopped although families and friends torture themselves over whether a chance comment or action could have helped.
If I talk about encouraging the pastor, will my listeners think I am chiding them for not being attentive to the pastor who died? I think so.
I'm not sure anyone prevents the suicide of a determined adult.
I'm not an expert on suicide.
I'm re-arranging my topic this morning. I wanted to be prepared with time spent crafting remarks rather than blowing into the luncheon with off-the-cuff preacher stories.
Not sure I can pull this off with a few hours to prepare.
Exegeting one's audience takes skill and attentiveness. I consider this every week with every word I write. The church women know about the suicide. They know I'm pals with their pastor. I was walking a fine line of blasting them for being stinky with my "protect" talk.
If you need me, I'll be scratching my head and staring out the window.
Tuesday, July 19, 2005
RevBlogGalPals
Should we have a t-shirt with this? I don't know much about Cafe Press so I'm just wondering.
How did July turn into The Month of Meetings? It's hot and we need iced drinks and less work.
I'm off to another big meeting this morning in another county. I have paperwork to do here in my study now delayed for this afternoon. I must finish the reading list for a small church worship course I'll teach in February. I recall that the deadline for this was July 1..... A sermon is simmering but not written. Presbytery committee work is piling up undone.
I thought this was a slow time of year. Where did I go wrong?
I began Harry Potter last night after I pried it from the paws of LS. After 15 pages, I was asleep. I like the way Rowling begins this one. Don't tell me what happens!
The new kitties are adjusting well. Andy, the new Alpha, seems to be enjoying having little kids to manage.
See you next time I can pause. Or is it paws?
I'm off to another big meeting this morning in another county. I have paperwork to do here in my study now delayed for this afternoon. I must finish the reading list for a small church worship course I'll teach in February. I recall that the deadline for this was July 1..... A sermon is simmering but not written. Presbytery committee work is piling up undone.
I thought this was a slow time of year. Where did I go wrong?
I began Harry Potter last night after I pried it from the paws of LS. After 15 pages, I was asleep. I like the way Rowling begins this one. Don't tell me what happens!
The new kitties are adjusting well. Andy, the new Alpha, seems to be enjoying having little kids to manage.
See you next time I can pause. Or is it paws?
Sunday, July 17, 2005
Things I don't understand
I don't understand the uproar among Christians about how the world began. I've read about creationism but don't understand why it is important. I understand that evolution is a theory. I don't understand why there is continued interest in making sure that everyone believes that God created the world. Nor do I understand why it is important to protect the Bible by making the Genesis account of creation is scientifically accurate.
I believe that God created the world and all that is in the world. The natural world of animals, insects, rocks, water, reptiles and human beings etc. are all God's handiwork. How God made our world or when God made the world doesn't interest me much. I'm curious but not rabid about how and when. I'm satisfied with the view that this amazing world is God's creation.
If this is an authority of scripture issue, I still don't understand why it is important. Many things in our Faith are not provable by secular standards and are taken, as we might say, "on faith". For example, I read the studies of how prayer helps hospital patients but I don't have to understand completely how God works in prayer. God's presence in hearing my prayers and yours and working in our lives is a mystery. A mystery, by it's definition cannot be "solved".
I'm ok with this.
Will it make us stronger believers to have the making of the world conform to scientific standards? Does it make theology a higher science if we trump science in understanding the cosmos?
What's the point here?
A few of the other things on my Don't Understand List are these:
I don't understand believers who grab someone and talk them into saying that "Jesus is Lord" then feel that they've gotten another pelt on their salvation belt for saving a soul. Jesus is the one who saves us, who offers by his death and resurrection the promise of living in relationship with him now and into our futures even after our death.
Our part in the process of helping others know Jesus Christ is to live our lives so that our daily living shows such trust in God that others who are searching want to know Jesus, too. I don't think pressing a booklet of the spiritual laws into the paw of a stranger is good enough.
I don't understand why Christians pretend to have such interest in the life of an unborn infant but do not do everything possible to create an environment where unwanted births are very rare, where women are safe from violent sex and where babies, when born, have all they need to grow up healthy and nurtured. Hollaring about unborn babies doesn't seem like much to help the situation for mothers and children.
Are there things in contemporary Christian discussions which you don't understand?
Maybe it's the way many Christians think you have to be a Republican to be a good Christian or why some Christians think issues are black or white and that their understanding of the faith is the only understanding.
I'm tired from a long day. I'm serious about not understanding these issues.
I believe that God created the world and all that is in the world. The natural world of animals, insects, rocks, water, reptiles and human beings etc. are all God's handiwork. How God made our world or when God made the world doesn't interest me much. I'm curious but not rabid about how and when. I'm satisfied with the view that this amazing world is God's creation.
If this is an authority of scripture issue, I still don't understand why it is important. Many things in our Faith are not provable by secular standards and are taken, as we might say, "on faith". For example, I read the studies of how prayer helps hospital patients but I don't have to understand completely how God works in prayer. God's presence in hearing my prayers and yours and working in our lives is a mystery. A mystery, by it's definition cannot be "solved".
I'm ok with this.
Will it make us stronger believers to have the making of the world conform to scientific standards? Does it make theology a higher science if we trump science in understanding the cosmos?
What's the point here?
A few of the other things on my Don't Understand List are these:
I don't understand believers who grab someone and talk them into saying that "Jesus is Lord" then feel that they've gotten another pelt on their salvation belt for saving a soul. Jesus is the one who saves us, who offers by his death and resurrection the promise of living in relationship with him now and into our futures even after our death.
Our part in the process of helping others know Jesus Christ is to live our lives so that our daily living shows such trust in God that others who are searching want to know Jesus, too. I don't think pressing a booklet of the spiritual laws into the paw of a stranger is good enough.
I don't understand why Christians pretend to have such interest in the life of an unborn infant but do not do everything possible to create an environment where unwanted births are very rare, where women are safe from violent sex and where babies, when born, have all they need to grow up healthy and nurtured. Hollaring about unborn babies doesn't seem like much to help the situation for mothers and children.
Are there things in contemporary Christian discussions which you don't understand?
Maybe it's the way many Christians think you have to be a Republican to be a good Christian or why some Christians think issues are black or white and that their understanding of the faith is the only understanding.
I'm tired from a long day. I'm serious about not understanding these issues.
Correction for Archives
mibi52 who comments on my last entry is correct that Assumpta the black kitty with white whiskers is "Assumpta" not "Asumpta". Even taking Southern pronunciations and summer spelling blahs, Assumpta deserves to have her name spelled correctly.
She is the namesake of Assumpta Fitzgerald of Ballykissangel, the BBC series about the English priest in Ireland. Those of you who know the series should not tell the rest of the planet about what happens to Assumpta. My pal Patty fussed at me for not revealing the ending. I'm not sure you can win on this one. We loved the series and are waiting for the other seasons to become available.
I'm waiting for more Deadwood, too.
Hardly a comment to make on a Sunday morning as I prepare to hold forth on Psalm 139.
Maybe I'm wrong. Maybe Al Swearingen would do better if he knew that God listens to all of our words.
Gotta go iron a dress, a linen dress sleeveless which holds no heat, so I won't melt in my vestments. Today's temps will be over 90 degrees.
The Lord be with you.
St. C.
She is the namesake of Assumpta Fitzgerald of Ballykissangel, the BBC series about the English priest in Ireland. Those of you who know the series should not tell the rest of the planet about what happens to Assumpta. My pal Patty fussed at me for not revealing the ending. I'm not sure you can win on this one. We loved the series and are waiting for the other seasons to become available.
I'm waiting for more Deadwood, too.
Hardly a comment to make on a Sunday morning as I prepare to hold forth on Psalm 139.
Maybe I'm wrong. Maybe Al Swearingen would do better if he knew that God listens to all of our words.
Gotta go iron a dress, a linen dress sleeveless which holds no heat, so I won't melt in my vestments. Today's temps will be over 90 degrees.
The Lord be with you.
St. C.
Saturday, July 16, 2005
Welcome Asumpta and Dibley
The new little cats found the LD's folded clothes on the floor and felt a nap was necessary.Meet Dibley (L) and Asumpta (R) who came to our home last week. They are brother and sister and are about 7 weeks old.
I was driving by the humane society last week, still teary about Rusty's death when the traffic stopped so perfectly in front of the shelter that I felt I had to go inside. I asked to see a male orange kitten and met Dibley. The shelter was preparing for Hurricane Dennis and said that I'd be happy if I took both kittens as they were getting kitten-crowded and would need to evacuate all the animals because of the storm. I
delayed a day to pray about taking two kittens and wanted my family to meet the little kids. Everyone thought the kittens were delightful, especially Asumpta who was frisky and very purr-y.
I'm so glad to introduce these two to you. I love having them with us. The new Alpha Cat, Andy, is beginning to catch on that he is Top Cat. Last week was rough for him with Rusty's absence.
He hissed at Dibley in male territorial fashion several times but has now realized that Dibley is not much of a threat.
The LH sent me a picture of the Cat Lady action figure. I didn't think it was funny. Well, not really funny.
You doing ok?
Grateful for Words
While reading www.nytimes.com 's review of Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince, I discover two words I don't know. Love it! Thank goodness for newspapers who don't dumb down to readers even though I'm one of the readers who rush to the dictionary often.
bildungsroman
tropes
bildungsroman
tropes
Friday, July 15, 2005
Hope Basket
I gave the Hope Basket to my friend on Sunday. We were in post-hurricane misery and I knew I could find her at her Mama's. I didn't take a picture of the finished basket because the light wasn't good. I was in a hurry to place the basket in her hands.
You all were wonderful with your suggestions. Thank you for the many ways you help me.
I took a small basket of brown willow and decorated it with a sprig of fake greenery and berries. I don't care much for artificial greenery because the designers get it wrong but this sprig looked ok to me.
In the basket I placed:
a small glass heart with a note for her to carry the heart with her to remember that she is loved
hershey's kisses for sweetness
two sayings, one from Reinhold Neibuhr and the other from Frederick Buechner written on water color paper then trimmed with scallop scissors and painted with a light edge of champagne watercolor paint
a sterling sugar spoon with a note on ribbon reminding her that there will be sweet moments for her
a packet of seeds for future growth
a silly refrigerator magnet about hoping for the future
a cross to symbolize Where Our Hope Comes From
a bracelet kit for a creative moment
a sparkly bracelet for a down day
and a note from me telling her I have an idea of what she's going through and my affection for her as she struggles
She called me on Monday to thank me. She says she understands what the basket is about and liked it.
I send out Hope Baskets to each of you who are struggling with a future which appears to be more than you can handle. Life is like this. Being overwhelmed happens. However, I remind you that often it is in these moments of misery when we feel that we lack the resources to cope that our greatest insights come.
It's too bad that learning the Big Lessons is painful. No one enjoys this. It's just the way it is.
Yours,
St.Casserole
You all were wonderful with your suggestions. Thank you for the many ways you help me.
I took a small basket of brown willow and decorated it with a sprig of fake greenery and berries. I don't care much for artificial greenery because the designers get it wrong but this sprig looked ok to me.
In the basket I placed:
a small glass heart with a note for her to carry the heart with her to remember that she is loved
hershey's kisses for sweetness
two sayings, one from Reinhold Neibuhr and the other from Frederick Buechner written on water color paper then trimmed with scallop scissors and painted with a light edge of champagne watercolor paint
a sterling sugar spoon with a note on ribbon reminding her that there will be sweet moments for her
a packet of seeds for future growth
a silly refrigerator magnet about hoping for the future
a cross to symbolize Where Our Hope Comes From
a bracelet kit for a creative moment
a sparkly bracelet for a down day
and a note from me telling her I have an idea of what she's going through and my affection for her as she struggles
She called me on Monday to thank me. She says she understands what the basket is about and liked it.
I send out Hope Baskets to each of you who are struggling with a future which appears to be more than you can handle. Life is like this. Being overwhelmed happens. However, I remind you that often it is in these moments of misery when we feel that we lack the resources to cope that our greatest insights come.
It's too bad that learning the Big Lessons is painful. No one enjoys this. It's just the way it is.
Yours,
St.Casserole
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