After spending 8+ hours in the ER late Friday night, early Saturday morning, I have spent the following 2 days (except for leaving to lead worship!) in my house. I am doing much better, but am still having some abdominal pain, and am completely exhausted. Last night I was just so sick of laying here that I got in my car and drove to Virginia, only to get completely sick, and feel as though I am paying for that adventure this morning!
And I realized that I have been getting a glimpse into what a shut-in's life is like. I am so tired of these walls, feeling hemmed in, and it has only been 48 hours. What must that feel like to never leave the house? My heart goes out to these people as they live the rest of their lives in their houses or nursings homes...only getting out to go to the dr. or the hospital.
I am going to work today, taking it slowly, but filled with the blessing of knowing that though I have to take it slow today, at least I can go to work. Thanks be to God for the blessings He gives us, and for sometimes slowing us down enough to remember them!
Peace,
Pastor Amy
Monday, March 15, 2010
Wednesday, December 23, 2009
Let it Snow, Jesus is Still Coming!
So I am sitting in my office, should be working on my Christmas Eve sermon, but I am distracted by watching this storm track across the midwest, headed our way. I keep getting interrupted by people calling and asking if we are still going to have worship tomorrow (Christmas Eve), and whether or not things are going to change.
And I can't help but think...first of all, I live like 150 feet from the church. If I can't get there, we must have gotten 6 feet of snow (which we are predicted to get closer to 8 inches!!). Secondly, we will have worship, with whoever can make it.
Why? Because Jesus came. Jesus came to a world that wasn't really ready for him...but had been waiting forever. Jesus came, not in the perfect hospital room, but in a manger full of hay, and in a cave that smelled like animals. Jesus came, and the Word was proclaimed to the shepherds first, the lowest of the low.
Ready or not, here he was, in all his messy glory. And it is for that reason that we gather on Christmas Eve. It isn't because we have always done it...it isn't because we are supposed to do it...we gather because we will never understand the mystery of a God who loved the world so much that Jesus had to be born. We gather because we need to be reminded that in the midst of whatever crazy things are going on in our lives, Jesus comes into the heart of them.
So wherever you are this Christmas, whether you are with your family and friends, or snowed into your house with nothing to do, take the time to celebrate. Because Jesus came for you!
And I can't help but think...first of all, I live like 150 feet from the church. If I can't get there, we must have gotten 6 feet of snow (which we are predicted to get closer to 8 inches!!). Secondly, we will have worship, with whoever can make it.
Why? Because Jesus came. Jesus came to a world that wasn't really ready for him...but had been waiting forever. Jesus came, not in the perfect hospital room, but in a manger full of hay, and in a cave that smelled like animals. Jesus came, and the Word was proclaimed to the shepherds first, the lowest of the low.
Ready or not, here he was, in all his messy glory. And it is for that reason that we gather on Christmas Eve. It isn't because we have always done it...it isn't because we are supposed to do it...we gather because we will never understand the mystery of a God who loved the world so much that Jesus had to be born. We gather because we need to be reminded that in the midst of whatever crazy things are going on in our lives, Jesus comes into the heart of them.
So wherever you are this Christmas, whether you are with your family and friends, or snowed into your house with nothing to do, take the time to celebrate. Because Jesus came for you!
Wednesday, August 5, 2009
Appreciating my flock...
So as I sit on my last day of vacation, in Bellingham, Washington, I can't help but think that there really should be a congregation appreciation day. I have been reminded this past week of just how amazing the people at my little church on the Iron Range are, and how very blessed I am to be their pastor.
I get to do ministry alongside people who have knowledge of hard times and tough love, beside people who understand what it is to love the land and celebrate their heritage.
I am blessed to be able to have a congregation who lets me try, fail, and try again, and I am constantly amazed at the amount of love that pours through the people that walk in that door.
So I can't help but wish there was a creative way to appreciate them. To let them know how much I admire their tenacity during hard times, their compassion for each other, and their love for the Lord and the land they live on.
Any ideas on how I might make that happen all you out their in the blogosphere?!?!
Let me know!
Peace,
Pastor Amy <><
I get to do ministry alongside people who have knowledge of hard times and tough love, beside people who understand what it is to love the land and celebrate their heritage.
I am blessed to be able to have a congregation who lets me try, fail, and try again, and I am constantly amazed at the amount of love that pours through the people that walk in that door.
So I can't help but wish there was a creative way to appreciate them. To let them know how much I admire their tenacity during hard times, their compassion for each other, and their love for the Lord and the land they live on.
Any ideas on how I might make that happen all you out their in the blogosphere?!?!
Let me know!
Peace,
Pastor Amy <><
Friday, July 17, 2009
Pastor's Taking Time to Grieve...
I have another funeral this weekend. So today, I sat down to write down to write the sermon for her funeral and was almost instantly stuck. What was my problem? I decided to go out to the cemetary and walk by her headstone (her husband was buried several years ago). It was there as I started to cry that I realized that I will miss this woman deeply. She was one of the first people to recognize me as pastor...one of those shut-ins whom everytime you visit you would learn something, and one of those women who you cannot help but admire.
So today, because of Myrtle, I started a new practice. I put a blanket down on the ground, at the cemetary, pulled out my laptop. I wrote a letter to her...not that she will be able to read it, but as a way of focusing myself, allowing myself a chance to say good-bye, and giving myself some focus to my thoughts that had been all over the place.
It was a time of grieving, cleansing, and just being with God. I consider it a holy moment, and am thankful to God for giving me the idea.
So here's the question for the day...what are some of the ways you grieve? For those of you who are pastors...do you take time to grieve the folks in your congregation before the funeral? After?
Would love to hear your thoughts!
Grace and peace,
Pastor Amy <><
So today, because of Myrtle, I started a new practice. I put a blanket down on the ground, at the cemetary, pulled out my laptop. I wrote a letter to her...not that she will be able to read it, but as a way of focusing myself, allowing myself a chance to say good-bye, and giving myself some focus to my thoughts that had been all over the place.
It was a time of grieving, cleansing, and just being with God. I consider it a holy moment, and am thankful to God for giving me the idea.
So here's the question for the day...what are some of the ways you grieve? For those of you who are pastors...do you take time to grieve the folks in your congregation before the funeral? After?
Would love to hear your thoughts!
Grace and peace,
Pastor Amy <><
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
Waiting on God...and Pondering his Plan
Well my friends, I write to you this morning, thankful for the beauty that surrounds me (it is a glorious day up here in "God's Country"), but also admittidly stressed out about what is going on in the world of my life and my congregation.
We received word yesterday that another 280 people were layed off at one of the local mines, and members of my congregation were yet again in the mix. Then, as I was driving home last night, my car started having issues again.
And it just made me think...how much I need to wait on God and see what his plan is for this time and place I am in. How much I need to trust that all things work for good through him. And just how hard that can really be.
My dad had surgery yesterday, my "fake" grandma had surgery the day before...and now this stuff. It just makes one wonder what God has in store. It doesn't make me question if God is working...because I KNOW that God is working. I just wonder what he has planned, ya know?
Anyway, dear friends of mine...what do you do when you are waiting on the Lord? Do you have favorite verses you read to remind you of God's promises? Music you listen to? People you talk to?
I pray that you are each able to see all the ways God is blessing you today.
Grace and peace,
Amy <><
We received word yesterday that another 280 people were layed off at one of the local mines, and members of my congregation were yet again in the mix. Then, as I was driving home last night, my car started having issues again.
And it just made me think...how much I need to wait on God and see what his plan is for this time and place I am in. How much I need to trust that all things work for good through him. And just how hard that can really be.
My dad had surgery yesterday, my "fake" grandma had surgery the day before...and now this stuff. It just makes one wonder what God has in store. It doesn't make me question if God is working...because I KNOW that God is working. I just wonder what he has planned, ya know?
Anyway, dear friends of mine...what do you do when you are waiting on the Lord? Do you have favorite verses you read to remind you of God's promises? Music you listen to? People you talk to?
I pray that you are each able to see all the ways God is blessing you today.
Grace and peace,
Amy <><
Saturday, April 25, 2009
A thought before bed...
We have been struggling with the issues of same-gender marriage...as well as the question of whether or not we can ordain folks in same gender monogomus relationships...it was a heated discussion, and made me wonder about the future of our church, and where we are going...I pray that we can find a way to truly be a church that is open to all people, no matter who they are. Afterall, what makes me any better as a pastor just because I am heterosexual? Sheesh.
But I had to share this quote with you, it was said tonight by an amazing woman of God who is in a same gender relationship (and has been for years). She said to the assembly "If Christ mets your family on the road, surely he meets mine too."
And I found myself thinking, how true it is...doesn't God come and meet us where we are, love us for who we are, and ask us to love one another?
That's my thought for the night...what do you think??
Peace,
Amy <><
But I had to share this quote with you, it was said tonight by an amazing woman of God who is in a same gender relationship (and has been for years). She said to the assembly "If Christ mets your family on the road, surely he meets mine too."
And I found myself thinking, how true it is...doesn't God come and meet us where we are, love us for who we are, and ask us to love one another?
That's my thought for the night...what do you think??
Peace,
Amy <><
The joy of networking...
Networking takes on a whole new level this weekend...I am writing to you all from the synod assembly. It is a joy to be able to worship (having a break from leading!), and spend time in conversation with close friends and new colleagues in ministry. It fills my cup to be able to come to this place, bounce ideas off each other, and just in general be able to check in with other Pastors, AiMs, etc.
As we prepare for our next plenary session, I pray for our synod...I pray that we can follow the guidance of the spirit...be open to listening to each other, and that we can do our best to follow the will of God.
Here's some highlights/quotes from the assembly so far:
*When you are reading scripture, consider "how would I tell this story to a stranger"?
*"We do God's work not because God needs us to, but because our neighbor does."
*What "faith signs" are you leaving for your children?
-Accompaniment
(How are we a God-pointer to the children we encounter?)
-Faith Formation and Leadership Development
(Best youth ministry is a congregation full of adults that are growing in their faith)
-Investment
(How/what do we depost in our youth's faith checkbook?)
*Who posted "Faith Signs" in your faith development?
*The good news (gospel) doesn't end in our hearing...it ends in our telling it to others.
*"Word, Table, and Mission"-this is the call of the church
*"Do you want to believe in God?" "Yes" "For now that is enough."
*What would your congregation look like if we dreamed in scripture?
*"I don't believe the Bible is the Word of God if it is not opened."
*The Bible is the manger in which Christ lies.
Food for thought (to my blog readers)
-What is your favorite scripture?
-Why??
This is the first of multiple posts my friends...stay tuned for more synod info!
Grace and peace,
Pastor Amy <><
As we prepare for our next plenary session, I pray for our synod...I pray that we can follow the guidance of the spirit...be open to listening to each other, and that we can do our best to follow the will of God.
Here's some highlights/quotes from the assembly so far:
*When you are reading scripture, consider "how would I tell this story to a stranger"?
*"We do God's work not because God needs us to, but because our neighbor does."
*What "faith signs" are you leaving for your children?
-Accompaniment
(How are we a God-pointer to the children we encounter?)
-Faith Formation and Leadership Development
(Best youth ministry is a congregation full of adults that are growing in their faith)
-Investment
(How/what do we depost in our youth's faith checkbook?)
*Who posted "Faith Signs" in your faith development?
*The good news (gospel) doesn't end in our hearing...it ends in our telling it to others.
*"Word, Table, and Mission"-this is the call of the church
*"Do you want to believe in God?" "Yes" "For now that is enough."
*What would your congregation look like if we dreamed in scripture?
*"I don't believe the Bible is the Word of God if it is not opened."
*The Bible is the manger in which Christ lies.
Food for thought (to my blog readers)
-What is your favorite scripture?
-Why??
This is the first of multiple posts my friends...stay tuned for more synod info!
Grace and peace,
Pastor Amy <><
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