1)Do you think of summer as a particularly good season for reading?
Yes and no. I do love to lay on a lounge chair in the shade and read a good book. Or better yet, by a body of water: lake, ocean, pool...i'm not particular. But summer is also a good time to be out and about- going to parties, fests, and just enjoying the good weather by being active.
2) Have you ever fallen asleep reading on the beach?
I really am not one for falling asleep in public places. I never was able to sleep during class at school. Too embarrassing. What if I snore or drool or something?
3) Can you recall a favorite childhood book read in the summertime?
Hmm...I think I read the boxcar children books in the summer. I loved those! I thought it would be so cool to live like that. Other favorite books were the Little House on the Prairie series, Wind in the Willows, Angelina Ballerina, and A Wrinkle in Time. I was quite a reader when I was young. I wish I read more now, but I think I need a break from reading after 8 years of college and seminary!
4) Do you have a favorite genre for light or relaxing reading?
Oh, definitely things that take my mind off "real" life. I really like Jennifer Weiner ("In Her Shoes") and the Harry Potter series.
5) What is the next book on your reading list?
Well, I have VOWED to finish Parker Palmer's "A Hidden Wholeness" before I start anything else! But my next FUN book would probably be another Jennifer Weiner book or the first James Patterson mystery book that AIM Ruth lent to me. I got into mysteries for a while in High School so I think it would be fun to pick that up again.
What do you all like to read? What are some of your favorites?
Monday, June 30, 2008
Monday, June 9, 2008
I'd like a table for 945,874, 291,385,257...and counting
I'm sure it comes as no surprise to you that I love communion. I think it is one of God's miracles. To think that Jesus is present for us so easily in this way, and that he is present for all people who come to his table, is beyond understanding. But I know that it's true because I have felt him there. When I eat that flimsy little wafer (or more preferrably, that little tasty piece of bread) and I take a sip of wine, I know that God is with me. I can feel myself change on the inside.
Another thing that I love about communion is that it connects us to ALL other Christians. Christians in Grafton and Cedarburg, in Michigan, Connecticut, Brazil, Tanzania, Nicaragua, India...we are connected to Christians everywhere, all over the world, when we eat and drink at this table. We eat with young and old, black and white, republican and democrat...the list goes on and on. At God's table, we are even connected with those who are sharing the eternal feast with Christ in Heaven. That can be some comfort to know that those we miss so much are with us when we eat this meal.
Sometimes when I take communion I think about the people who have meant so much to me on my faith journey. I think about the congregation where I grew up in Lockport, IL, about my internship congregation in Saint Louis, about my "Soul Sister" friends from camp, my old pastors and professors who helped shape my faith, and of course, my mom and dad. It strengthens me to know that I am "surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses" (Hebrews 12:1). We can cheer each other on as we run together toward Jesus, "the pioneer and perfecter of our faith." Thanks be to God for this gift of communion through time and space!
Another thing that I love about communion is that it connects us to ALL other Christians. Christians in Grafton and Cedarburg, in Michigan, Connecticut, Brazil, Tanzania, Nicaragua, India...we are connected to Christians everywhere, all over the world, when we eat and drink at this table. We eat with young and old, black and white, republican and democrat...the list goes on and on. At God's table, we are even connected with those who are sharing the eternal feast with Christ in Heaven. That can be some comfort to know that those we miss so much are with us when we eat this meal.
Sometimes when I take communion I think about the people who have meant so much to me on my faith journey. I think about the congregation where I grew up in Lockport, IL, about my internship congregation in Saint Louis, about my "Soul Sister" friends from camp, my old pastors and professors who helped shape my faith, and of course, my mom and dad. It strengthens me to know that I am "surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses" (Hebrews 12:1). We can cheer each other on as we run together toward Jesus, "the pioneer and perfecter of our faith." Thanks be to God for this gift of communion through time and space!
Wednesday, June 4, 2008
Something Fun
1. what are 2 names you go by? heidi and pastor heidi (wow how interesting!)
2. name 2 things you are wearing:a black blazer and a khaki skirt (yawn again!)
3. 2 of my favorite things: my grandma murken's ring and my bed
4. 2 things i want very badly...a prius and more time in each day
5. 2 favorite pets...of course jonah. the other would be my dog growing up- a miniature schnauzer, alex. i wanted to name him abecrombie but my mom talked me out of it.
6. 2 people i'd like to see on my doorstep...my best friend kelly and steph or any of my sistern friends from seminary
7. 2 things i did last night...went to meetings at church and for a nice walk with brian and jonah.
8. 2 things i've eaten recently...pad thai and a yummy muffin (thanks lisa!)
9. favorite beverages: mmm...iced americanos with cream and i do love coca-cola, though I don't indulge in it very often.
10. 2 things on tomorrow's agenda: drive to chicago to visit friends and go to all my favorite places in my old neighborhood. (thank GOD my life has gotten more interesting though the course of this survey!)
11. what are 2 of the furthest trips in the last 5 years? nicaragua and to holden village in washington.
12. 2 favorite holidays: christmas- i love, love, love me some baby jesus- and thanksgiving- i love turkey and spending a great day with my great family.
2. name 2 things you are wearing:a black blazer and a khaki skirt (yawn again!)
3. 2 of my favorite things: my grandma murken's ring and my bed
4. 2 things i want very badly...a prius and more time in each day
5. 2 favorite pets...of course jonah. the other would be my dog growing up- a miniature schnauzer, alex. i wanted to name him abecrombie but my mom talked me out of it.
6. 2 people i'd like to see on my doorstep...my best friend kelly and steph or any of my sistern friends from seminary
7. 2 things i did last night...went to meetings at church and for a nice walk with brian and jonah.
8. 2 things i've eaten recently...pad thai and a yummy muffin (thanks lisa!)
9. favorite beverages: mmm...iced americanos with cream and i do love coca-cola, though I don't indulge in it very often.
10. 2 things on tomorrow's agenda: drive to chicago to visit friends and go to all my favorite places in my old neighborhood. (thank GOD my life has gotten more interesting though the course of this survey!)
11. what are 2 of the furthest trips in the last 5 years? nicaragua and to holden village in washington.
12. 2 favorite holidays: christmas- i love, love, love me some baby jesus- and thanksgiving- i love turkey and spending a great day with my great family.
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
The (Almost) Summer Day
Oh...it is so beautiful outside. I can hardly believe sometimes how lovely nature can be.
It made me remember one of my favorite poems, "The Summer Day" by Mary Oliver. At the end she asks a question "What will you do with your one wild and precious life?" So...? How will you answer that question today?
Last night we did Lectio Divina (reading a scripture through 3 times, each time listening for something different the Spirit is saying to us). I love this time. It's holy. And last night we read Psalm 27, which is FILLED with words that are true and beautiful..."The Lord is my light and my salvation, whom shall I fear?...I believe that I shall see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living." As I sat and heard these words over and over again, I could still feel the warmth of the sun on my skin. We can pray in so many ways. I just had to share these with you.
The Summer Day
Mary Oliver
Who made the world?
Who made the swan, and the black bear?
Who made the grasshopper?
This grasshopper, I mean-the one who has flung herself out of the grass,
the one who is eating sugar out of my hand,
who is moving her jaws back and forth instead of up and down-
who is gazing around with her enormous and complicated eyes.
Now she lifts her pale forearms and thoroughly washes her face.
Now she snaps her wings open, and floats away.
I don't know exactly what a prayer is.
I do know how to pay attention, how to fall down
into the grass, how to kneel down in the grass,
how to be idle and blessed, how to stroll through the fields,
which is what I have been doing all day.
Tell me, what else should I have done?
Doesn't everything die at last, and too soon?
Tell me, what is it you plan to do
with your one wild and precious life?
Psalm 27
1The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?
2When evildoers assail me to devour my flesh— my adversaries and foes— they shall stumble and fall.
3Though an army encamp against me, my heart shall not fear; though war rise up against me, yet I will be confident.
4One thing I asked of the Lord, that will I seek after: to live in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord, and to inquire in his temple.
5For he will hide me in his shelter in the day of trouble; he will conceal me under the cover of his tent; he will set me high on a rock.
6Now my head is lifted up above my enemies all around me, and I will offer in his tent sacrifices with shouts of joy; I will sing and make melody to the Lord.
7Hear, O Lord, when I cry aloud, be gracious to me and answer me!
8“Come,” my heart says, “seek his face!” Your face, Lord, do I seek.
9Do not hide your face from me. Do not turn your servant away in anger, you who have been my help. Do not cast me off, do not forsake me, O God of my salvation!
10If my father and mother forsake me, the Lord will take me up.
11Teach me your way, O Lord, and lead me on a level path because of my enemies.
12Do not give me up to the will of my adversaries, for false witnesses have risen against me, and they are breathing out violence.
13I believe that I shall see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.
14Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord!
It made me remember one of my favorite poems, "The Summer Day" by Mary Oliver. At the end she asks a question "What will you do with your one wild and precious life?" So...? How will you answer that question today?
Last night we did Lectio Divina (reading a scripture through 3 times, each time listening for something different the Spirit is saying to us). I love this time. It's holy. And last night we read Psalm 27, which is FILLED with words that are true and beautiful..."The Lord is my light and my salvation, whom shall I fear?...I believe that I shall see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living." As I sat and heard these words over and over again, I could still feel the warmth of the sun on my skin. We can pray in so many ways. I just had to share these with you.
The Summer Day
Mary Oliver
Who made the world?
Who made the swan, and the black bear?
Who made the grasshopper?
This grasshopper, I mean-the one who has flung herself out of the grass,
the one who is eating sugar out of my hand,
who is moving her jaws back and forth instead of up and down-
who is gazing around with her enormous and complicated eyes.
Now she lifts her pale forearms and thoroughly washes her face.
Now she snaps her wings open, and floats away.
I don't know exactly what a prayer is.
I do know how to pay attention, how to fall down
into the grass, how to kneel down in the grass,
how to be idle and blessed, how to stroll through the fields,
which is what I have been doing all day.
Tell me, what else should I have done?
Doesn't everything die at last, and too soon?
Tell me, what is it you plan to do
with your one wild and precious life?
Psalm 27
1The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?
2When evildoers assail me to devour my flesh— my adversaries and foes— they shall stumble and fall.
3Though an army encamp against me, my heart shall not fear; though war rise up against me, yet I will be confident.
4One thing I asked of the Lord, that will I seek after: to live in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord, and to inquire in his temple.
5For he will hide me in his shelter in the day of trouble; he will conceal me under the cover of his tent; he will set me high on a rock.
6Now my head is lifted up above my enemies all around me, and I will offer in his tent sacrifices with shouts of joy; I will sing and make melody to the Lord.
7Hear, O Lord, when I cry aloud, be gracious to me and answer me!
8“Come,” my heart says, “seek his face!” Your face, Lord, do I seek.
9Do not hide your face from me. Do not turn your servant away in anger, you who have been my help. Do not cast me off, do not forsake me, O God of my salvation!
10If my father and mother forsake me, the Lord will take me up.
11Teach me your way, O Lord, and lead me on a level path because of my enemies.
12Do not give me up to the will of my adversaries, for false witnesses have risen against me, and they are breathing out violence.
13I believe that I shall see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.
14Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord!
Monday, May 19, 2008
more lunch-time spying
Well most of the buds are leaves now! It is beautiful outside. I can hardly remember what winter felt like, and I don't want to for several months!
Today I was talking to Dick Duncombe, who is preaching on Thursday, May 29 when Pastor Paul, AIM Ruth and I are at the synod assembly. He is working on a sermon that talks about what we do when we are NOT in church. You know, it's easy to think if we go to church for an hour a week that is all we need to do to be a good person. But how we act the rest of the time is also important!
I went to Fiddlehead's in Cedarburg for lunch today (it's Monday, gotta eat good food so I can have a good week...right?!). In keeping with my Christmas eve sermon illustration (when I was at Panera) I will tell you what I observed. A couple of couples came in for lunch. The men went and sat down and barked at their wives while the women stood in line, ordered lunch, got napkins, cups, etc. Ugh. Not very nice. At one point one of the women said she had to use the restroom. "You can go" her husband replied. Weird. Does she need his permission?? It was all very strange.
Anyway, it just struck me how our behavior can affect other people, even when we think they are not watching. I know I have the occassional bad day, but this all got me thinking about what kind of impression I want to leave on others. Sometimes as a pastor I feel like eyes are on me all the time (even on my days off) and I don't always like that feeling. But the truth is, whether we are pastors or not we should be treating others kindly whether they are wife or strangers.
Didn't the bible say that we can entertain angels without knowing it? How would our daily lives change if we treated everyone as if they contained a piece of God and heaven within them?
Today I was talking to Dick Duncombe, who is preaching on Thursday, May 29 when Pastor Paul, AIM Ruth and I are at the synod assembly. He is working on a sermon that talks about what we do when we are NOT in church. You know, it's easy to think if we go to church for an hour a week that is all we need to do to be a good person. But how we act the rest of the time is also important!
I went to Fiddlehead's in Cedarburg for lunch today (it's Monday, gotta eat good food so I can have a good week...right?!). In keeping with my Christmas eve sermon illustration (when I was at Panera) I will tell you what I observed. A couple of couples came in for lunch. The men went and sat down and barked at their wives while the women stood in line, ordered lunch, got napkins, cups, etc. Ugh. Not very nice. At one point one of the women said she had to use the restroom. "You can go" her husband replied. Weird. Does she need his permission?? It was all very strange.
Anyway, it just struck me how our behavior can affect other people, even when we think they are not watching. I know I have the occassional bad day, but this all got me thinking about what kind of impression I want to leave on others. Sometimes as a pastor I feel like eyes are on me all the time (even on my days off) and I don't always like that feeling. But the truth is, whether we are pastors or not we should be treating others kindly whether they are wife or strangers.
Didn't the bible say that we can entertain angels without knowing it? How would our daily lives change if we treated everyone as if they contained a piece of God and heaven within them?
Monday, May 5, 2008
Buds
They're here! The buds on the trees!
These are some of my favorite days of the year. All of a sudden, our world changes!
When I got to work this morning, I noticed that the tree outside my window has buds. Then when I drove home for lunch I noticed that ALL the trees on 6th avenue are budding. Now, so fast, the leaves will grow and we'll enter the green season.
It is so nice out I decided to eat lunch on my porch. It was awesome. The sun was headed over to the other side of my building but there was a little sliver of light shining onto my deck chair. I put my feet in it and ate and pet Jonah and read. It was wonderful. It reminded me of what I really need in life.
Psychologist Abraham Maslow created a hierarchy of needs for humans. It's organized into a pyramid, with the most basic needs on the bottom. If those needs are not met, a person can't reach the goal of self-actualization. I don't remember all the details about what it means to be self-actualized, but I do remember hearing that a self-actualized person is not affected by the weather. If that's what it means to be self-actualized, then I don't think I want to be!
God made a beautiful world. Even though I am so glad the long, cold winter is over, I am thankful that we live in a climate that changes. It makes the spring so sweet! It reminds me that life is full of cycles. Sometimes things are green and growing. Sometimes things are barren. But they always come back around, and the Spirit (breath, wind) of God is always moving in us and blowing us on to new things.
These are some of my favorite days of the year. All of a sudden, our world changes!
When I got to work this morning, I noticed that the tree outside my window has buds. Then when I drove home for lunch I noticed that ALL the trees on 6th avenue are budding. Now, so fast, the leaves will grow and we'll enter the green season.
It is so nice out I decided to eat lunch on my porch. It was awesome. The sun was headed over to the other side of my building but there was a little sliver of light shining onto my deck chair. I put my feet in it and ate and pet Jonah and read. It was wonderful. It reminded me of what I really need in life.
Psychologist Abraham Maslow created a hierarchy of needs for humans. It's organized into a pyramid, with the most basic needs on the bottom. If those needs are not met, a person can't reach the goal of self-actualization. I don't remember all the details about what it means to be self-actualized, but I do remember hearing that a self-actualized person is not affected by the weather. If that's what it means to be self-actualized, then I don't think I want to be!
God made a beautiful world. Even though I am so glad the long, cold winter is over, I am thankful that we live in a climate that changes. It makes the spring so sweet! It reminds me that life is full of cycles. Sometimes things are green and growing. Sometimes things are barren. But they always come back around, and the Spirit (breath, wind) of God is always moving in us and blowing us on to new things.
Wednesday, April 30, 2008
Sabbath
"Self-care is never a selfish act- it is simply good stewardship of the only gift I have, the gift I was put on earth to offer others."
~ Parker Palmer, Let Your Life Speak, pg. 49-50.
Well I did take some time off- these past two days. It was lovely because I didn't do much. I am always surprised at how tired I feel on those days- when I let my body catch up with herself and not force her to run at a crazy pace.
One thing I did was spend a lot of time with my dog, Jonah, pictured above. I walked him, played with him, snuggled him, and just looked at him (i think he is very cute and nice to look at!). If you didn't know this about me before, I really love my dog! Up until I started at Grace I got to spend a lot of time with him each day, and I've really missed that. It was so great to be with him. He is a place where I get renewed. When I come home, he is usually curled up in his bed or on the couch, and I go over to him and lay/kneel down beside him. I immediately feel so much better just being with him. He is a reminder to me of God's love and presence in my life. Sometimes he will jump up on the couch and lay right on top of my laptop as if to say "HEY! Put that thing away and give me some love!" Sometimes he'll bark at me until I get up and play with him, feed him, or just come down to his level. Sometimes I need to be barked at to remember to pay attention to Jonah or to God.
Another thing I did was go for a long walk with Brian over to Lime Kiln Park. We stood by the raging river and watched it go by, getting dizzy concentrating on the rushing water. We noticed all kinds of things around the banks- different trees, the way the water flowed and swirled in places. It felt so good to just lose myself in it. Nature is so refreshing and a great reminder for me of who God is and who I am in this world. There is much to learn and much to appreciate just by being still in nature. For our Grafton Clergy book study this year we are reading Leaving Church, by Barbara Brown Taylor (one of my favorite authors). I read this yesterday and it was exactly how I felt standing at the rivers edge:
~ Parker Palmer, Let Your Life Speak, pg. 49-50.
Well I did take some time off- these past two days. It was lovely because I didn't do much. I am always surprised at how tired I feel on those days- when I let my body catch up with herself and not force her to run at a crazy pace.
One thing I did was spend a lot of time with my dog, Jonah, pictured above. I walked him, played with him, snuggled him, and just looked at him (i think he is very cute and nice to look at!). If you didn't know this about me before, I really love my dog! Up until I started at Grace I got to spend a lot of time with him each day, and I've really missed that. It was so great to be with him. He is a place where I get renewed. When I come home, he is usually curled up in his bed or on the couch, and I go over to him and lay/kneel down beside him. I immediately feel so much better just being with him. He is a reminder to me of God's love and presence in my life. Sometimes he will jump up on the couch and lay right on top of my laptop as if to say "HEY! Put that thing away and give me some love!" Sometimes he'll bark at me until I get up and play with him, feed him, or just come down to his level. Sometimes I need to be barked at to remember to pay attention to Jonah or to God.
Another thing I did was go for a long walk with Brian over to Lime Kiln Park. We stood by the raging river and watched it go by, getting dizzy concentrating on the rushing water. We noticed all kinds of things around the banks- different trees, the way the water flowed and swirled in places. It felt so good to just lose myself in it. Nature is so refreshing and a great reminder for me of who God is and who I am in this world. There is much to learn and much to appreciate just by being still in nature. For our Grafton Clergy book study this year we are reading Leaving Church, by Barbara Brown Taylor (one of my favorite authors). I read this yesterday and it was exactly how I felt standing at the rivers edge:
"How long do you think this river has been here?" I asked Ed..."Forever, I guess," he said at last. If I softened my gaze and stopped holding myself apart from all that surrounded me I became part of something so old and so powerfully alive that I lost track of my self. The river ran through me. Trees breathed for me. My feet grew from rock. (85)
She also writes, "I know plenty of people who find God most reliably in books, in buidlings, and even in other people. I have found God in all of these places too, but the most reliable meeting place for me has always been creation. Since I first became aware of the Divine Presence in that lit-up field in Kansas, I have always known where to go when my own flame is guttering. To lie with my back flat on the fragrant ground is to receive a transfusion of the same power that makes the green blade rise." (80)
I guess our sabbath times and places can be closer than we think.
I guess our sabbath times and places can be closer than we think.
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