Wednesday, July 30, 2008

Satisfaction From 5 Loaves & 2 Fishes!?!

Satisfaction…
(m. jagger/k. richards)

When i'm watchin' my tv
And that man comes on to tell me
How white my shirts can be...
I can't get no satisfaction
I can't get no satisfaction
cause i try and i try and i try and i try
I can't get no, i can't get no
Lectionary Thoughts –
Upon reading the Gospel text from Matthew 14:13-21 & both Psalms 17, selected verses & 145, selected verses the word that came to mind, as the above lyrics reflect, is satisfaction.

My sermon title this week is “You Give Them Something to Eat.” Jesus was grief-stricken upon hearing the news that His beloved cousin, John, who leapt in Elizabeth’s womb upon Mary’s nearing, had been beheaded. He withdrew with those who were closest to Him wanting nothing more than to have the space to grieve. He has compassion for the crowds that came to Him, needing Him. His disciples approached Him to send the crowd away as it is getting late and they are getting hungry. Surprisingly, Jesus responds saying, “You give them something to eat.”

“We have so little and the crowd is huge!”

Jesus instructs them to bring the five loaves and two fishes to Him. Then He takes them, looks up to heaven, gives thanks and breaks them. The disciples distribute the food and we are told that ALL ate and were satisfied, so much so that there was plenty left over. The number of those who ate was about five thousand men, NOT including women and children!

Psalm 17:6-7, 15
I call on you, O God, for you will answer me; give ear to me and hear my prayer. Show the wonder of your great love, you who save by your right hand those who take refuge in you from their foes. And I—in righteousness I will see your face; when I awake, I will be satisfied with seeing your righteousness.

Psalm 145: 15-16
The eyes of all look to you and you give them their food at the proper time. You open your hand and satisfy the desires of every living thing.

How great is our God? How can we not sing praises to Him who satisfies our every need!?!

My outline – at this time…as always subject to change
1. Our great needs
a. Safety, security, love, acceptance…
b. Nothing else (not money, not the media, not the government, not other people, etc…) can satisfy our needs (referring to “Satisfaction” lyrics)

2. God’s providence out of scarcity, into abundance
a. 5 loaves/2 fishes
b. Psalms 17 & 145

3. How we are to respond to all that He has blessed us with.
a. Even when we are not sure, or tired, or are hungry ourselves
b. Compassion
c. Abundance

d. Joy

Tuesday, July 29, 2008

Kind of Cheesey, But Fun!

Random things about me...enjoy!

1. WERE YOU NAMED AFTER ANYONE? my dad choose my first name because he liked it and my middle name is after a Beatles song...
2. WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME YOU CRIED? Monday, July 21 at 11:51 a.m. That is the exact time that I got to see my beautiful baby niece enter this world! :)
3. DO YOU LIKE YOUR HANDWRITING? no!
4. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE LUNCH? a ham sub from Morrissey's deli
5. DO YOU HAVE KIDS? yes, 2 beautiful daughters
6. IF YOU WERE ANOTHER PERSON, WOULD YOU BE FRIENDS WITH YOU? I hope so...
7. DO YOU USE SARCASM A LOT? who me? no never! ;)
8. DO YOU STILL HAVE YOUR TONSILS? yes
9. WOULD YOU BUNGEE JUMP? no, way too risky
10. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE CEREAL? depends on my mood, right now it is Trail Mix Crunch with Cranberries! yummy
11. DO YOU UNTIE YOUR SHOES WHEN YOU TAKE THEM OFF? not normally
12. DO YOU THINK YOU ARE STRONG? physically I am a wimp - note to self work on getting in shape...emotionally, I know that I am definitely stronger than I once was.
13. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE ICE CREAM? Strawberry Cheesecake & Green's Bear Creek Caramel
14. WHAT IS THE FIRST THING YOU NOTICE ABOUT PEOPLE? their smile
15. RED OR PINK? red
16. WHAT IS THE LEAST FAVORITE THING ABOUT YOURSELF? my stubbornness
17. WHO DO YOU MISS THE MOST? My brother - he lives 3000 miles away!
18. WHAT IS A GUILTY PLEASURE? McDonald's Hazelnut iced coffee
19. WHAT COLOR PANTS AND SHOES ARE YOU WEARING? tan shorts & no shoes (as usual)
20.WHAT WAS THE LAST THING YOU ATE? Thai Phoon Shrimp & a yummy salad from Ruby Tuesday!
21. WHAT ARE YOU LISTENING TO RIGHT NOW? the sound of my girls taking a tubby
22. IF YOU WERE A CRAYON, WHAT COLOR WOULD YOU BE? Crayola's Sunglow
23. FAVORITE SMELLS? my daughters after their tubbies & the sweet smell of summer
24. WHO WAS THE LAST PERSON YOU TALKED TO ON THE PHONE? my s-i-l
25. DO YOU LIKE THE PERSON? yes!
26. WHO SENT THIS? a very good friend - EBF
27. FAVORITE SPORTS TO WATCH? Football - go Redskins!!!
28. HAIR COLOR? blond
29. EYE COLOR? green
30. DO YOU WEAR CONTACTS? used to, but since pregnancy my eyes get too dry.
31. FAVORITE FOODS? movie popcorn; cabbage & potatoes in white sauce; good salad; great steak; any pasta; chips
32. SCARY MOVIES OR HAPPY ENDINGS? both, depending on my mood
33. LAST MOVIE YOU WATCHED? "Talk to Me" with Don Cheadle - good movie, but bad, very bad language
34. WHAT COLOR SHIRT ARE YOU WEARING? blue
35. SUMMER OR WINTER? neither, I'm a spring & fall gal
36. HUGS OR KISSES? both!
37. FAVORITE DESSERT? carrot cake w/ cream cheese frosting
38. WHAT BOOK ARE YOU READING NOW? "My Life as a Furry Red Monster: What Being Elmo Has Taught Me About Life, Love, and Laughing Out Loud" by Kevin Clash; "Hearing God" by Dallas Willard; "Celebration of Discipline" by Richard J. Foster
39. WHAT IS ON YOUR MOUSE PAD? it is purple, with nothing on it, except the mouse of course tee hee
40. WHAT DID YOU WATCH ON T.V.. LAST NIGHT? nothing, I was working on my blog
41. FAVORITE SOUNDS? my daughters' laughter, loud, good music and weirdly, rubber tires on gravel
42. ROLLING STONES OR BEATLES? No question here - BEATLES!!!
43. WHAT IS THE FARTHEST YOU HAVE BEEN FROM HOME? Ukraine
44. Any new news in your life? Read the blog - lots new
45. WHERE WERE YOU BORN? Lebanon,PA
46. WHAT TIME IS IT NOW? 8:27 p.m.

Monday, July 28, 2008

Reflections...

Tonight, I celebrate 33. Well, my last moments of being 33 that is. I have been pondering about how much my life has changed since last year at this time and stand (okay sit) in awe. Talk about a miracle makeover! God is so amazing, so wonderful!
Some of the things that have changed:
  • A beautiful baby niece (LMN) - a whole week old!

  • An energetic 3 year old - growing too fast!

  • An inquisitive one year old - see above!!!

  • A new (paid - can you believe it!?!) ministry!

  • A new address!

  • A new challenge - seminary! yikes what am I saying!?!

  • A new hairstyle - thanks to my yo-yo sister LBQ! It is remarkable how the little things make you feel so good!

  • 10 pretty toenails - see above!

Preview of coming attractions...34 Goals!

Friday, July 18, 2008

The Friday Five...What's In A Name?

RevHRod posted the following questions for this Friday's Five!

So how did you come up with your blogging name? And/or the name of your blog?
I love Homer's "Odyssey" and everything that it means - how life is a journey with great big mountain peaks, deep, deep valleys and the occasional monster lurking behind the corner! :)

Are there any code names or secret identities in your blog? Any stories there?
The only secret identities are the names of my two beautiful daughters - Little Miss Lou Who, it is just something that I started calling here almost from the beginning, like Cindy Lou Who, except her name is Gracie ;) and Ray Ray, or Rachel, she is definitely our little ray of sunshine, her smile indeed lights up a room.

What are some blog titles that you just love? For their cleverness, drama, or sheer, crazy fun?
I just began in the world of blogging, so I must admit that I am still searching...

What three blogs are you devoted to? Other than the RevGalBlogPals of course!
I really enjoy RevGalBlogPals and visit at least daily to see what everyone is talking about.

Who introduced you to the world of blogging and why?
Google brought me here! I was searching for some resources for a newbie to pastoring and came across RevGalBlogPals and have been hooked every since.

Bonus question: Have you ever met any of your blogging friends? Where are some of the places you've met these fun folks?
Nope, not yet, but I am looking forward to making some invaluable connections!

God is good every day and in every way! Blessings to you my blogging friends.

Wednesday, July 16, 2008

Priorities...

Sometimes my priorities seem easy and just about as plain as the nose on my face. Jesus, family, ministry...well, okay I'm learning that it isn't quite that simple. :) Where to begin...there is much work to be done and it is all important, but defining what comes first, second, third and so on, isn't as easy as I thought. I seem to be praying for wisdom and openness in discerning what God's priorities are for our ministry at Bethany.

  • Rebirthing the second service, which is a praise service I think is first, hopefully being able to reach those in the community. I cannot thank the Lord enough that Bethany is so open to this! What a precious miracle :)
  • Working on Christian Education, specifically for a children's Sunday School program seems to be the logical second step as we begin to teach and provide solid Biblical teaching.
  • Revamping the Youth ministry is also quite important to Bethany and to me. So important to provide a safe place where young people can learn and grow and be challenged to find their own relationship with Jesus.
  • Another aspect that we will be looking at, beginning in the fall, is refocusing our mission and vision statements...I know that I do not know this community like my brothers and sisters do and so I need them to take ownership and engage in helping their new pastor form our future, so that with God's blessing, our ministry can flourish and touch those in our area that need to be touched with the healing, grace, mercy, acceptance, love that God has for them.
Did I mention that there is much to be done... I feel so grateful to have a strong core leadership team, a wonderfully gifted music ministry - in our Spirit-filled organist and praise band, thank you God - a mission-minded church...so many strengths. Lord continue to open our eyes, ears, hearts, minds to YOU and YOUR purpose for us in this place, at this time. I am totally 100% convinced that You have much to offer and much for us to do and I know that You are ever faithful and again I am grateful.

Monday, July 7, 2008

Settling In...

It's been awhile since my last post, so I'll provide the update. Both DH and I have quit our old jobs - I have such a wonderful hubby! - and we have moved our family 45 minutes away from our old home to our new home, thus beginning a new chapter in our lives. Though I preached on June 29, I only began officially July 1 as pastor! I can hardly believe it. So now I have two Sundays under my belt.

Things seem to be going fine, though I know this church, as every church does, has some challenging times ahead. My prayer and my hope is that God will pour His healing love, grace and mercy on this congregation in abundancy and that we are able to redefine what His mission is for us.

Our two DDs seem to be adjusting well, though I know that they are missing their daily routines. DH is now home with them until we are able to find suitable daycare and he is able to then look for a job. My prayer is that he will find something that he will be happy doing and that he will be able to find his ministry, which is important to both of us.

We continue to feel blessed by this calling in our lives and look forward to wherever this path may lead. Blessings to you for the day!