"For I am not ashamed of the Gospel; it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who has faith . . ." - Romans 1:16a
Dear Friends in Christ -
Technology always seems to be racing ahead of me, turning corners into places I've never been before, opening up possibilities I'm not ready to entertain. In addition to all that, I'm an INTROVERT by nature, which means that I have no need whatsoever to have a "presence" on the internet.
However, I believe that our church . . .(St. Paul's on the Huntington Green in Shelton, CT - which I'm spelling out here so that anyone running a search today for "church" and "Shelton" might stumble on St. Paul's today through the 'back door' of this blog post) . . . Anyway, as I started to say, I believe that St. Paul's has a CALLING to have a presence on the internet. The modern-day version of shouting God's faithfulness from the housetops is to host a blog or website that's attractive enough to get 100,000 hits and/or pop up on the Google search engine when someone's searching for "inspiration and Connecticut."
I'm overwhelmed and frightened by technology, but I've been asking God for the strength to face my fears and us in venturing forth . . . because the Good News is worth sharing. Today, I felt God's encouragement through - of all places - the internet. I was blown away by the dozens and dozens of birthday blessings that came my way through Facebook. Thanks to all my faithful e-friends, I'm inspired to try to figure out how to use Facebook to bless others.
Perhaps I'll start by figuring out how to actually use the Facebook page I created but now almost never look at! All the agony and frustration of learning to work this technology will be worth it if, through it, even a handful of folks encounter God's saving power.
Faithfully facing my fears,
Janet+
PS - Afterword: Just yesterday, my daughter came home from school and announced that for the rest of the year, they'll be doing 90+ percent of their homework on the internet. I felt a chill, as if a grey shadow passed low over my head on a blustery day. Did dinosaurs have this feeling before they became extinct??
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
Monday, March 21, 2011
"Gone Fishin'"
Dear Friends in Christ -
I wanted to let all y'all know that I hadn't forgotten about you. I just didn't get a post up today due to birthday revelling!
I'll be back tomorrow!
Blessings,
Janet+
PS - And I'll post Sunday's sermon summary later this week, too!
I wanted to let all y'all know that I hadn't forgotten about you. I just didn't get a post up today due to birthday revelling!
I'll be back tomorrow!
Blessings,
Janet+
PS - And I'll post Sunday's sermon summary later this week, too!
Sunday, March 20, 2011
Light refreshment for the Second Sunday of Lent
"I lift up my eyes to the hills; from where is my help to come? My help comes from the Lord, the maker of heaven and earth." - Psalm 121:1-2
Dear Friends in Christ -
Happy sunny first day of Spring!
You remember, of course, that Sundays in Lent are days of refreshment . . . so it's time for a few little funny stories that were sent my way this past week. I hope they lighten your heart and bring a smile to your lips, as they did to mine. Enjoy!
Blessings,
Janet+
One Sunday in a Midwest City, a young child was "acting up" during morning worship. The parents did their best to maintain some sense of order in the pew but were losing the battle. Finally, the father picked the little fellow up and walked sternly up the aisle on his way out. Just before reaching the safety of the foyer, the little one called loudly to the congregation, "Pray for me! Pray for me!"
________________________________________
One particular four-year old prayed:
"And forgive us our trash baskets
as we forgive those who put trash in our baskets."
________________________________________
Another little boy was overheard praying:
"Lord, if you can't make me a better boy, don't worry about it.
I'm having a real good time like I am."
Dear Friends in Christ -
Happy sunny first day of Spring!
You remember, of course, that Sundays in Lent are days of refreshment . . . so it's time for a few little funny stories that were sent my way this past week. I hope they lighten your heart and bring a smile to your lips, as they did to mine. Enjoy!
Blessings,
Janet+
One Sunday in a Midwest City, a young child was "acting up" during morning worship. The parents did their best to maintain some sense of order in the pew but were losing the battle. Finally, the father picked the little fellow up and walked sternly up the aisle on his way out. Just before reaching the safety of the foyer, the little one called loudly to the congregation, "Pray for me! Pray for me!"
________________________________________
One particular four-year old prayed:
"And forgive us our trash baskets
as we forgive those who put trash in our baskets."
________________________________________
Another little boy was overheard praying:
"Lord, if you can't make me a better boy, don't worry about it.
I'm having a real good time like I am."
Saturday, March 19, 2011
Is the promise for me?
"If you will diligently observe this entire commandment that I am commanding you, loving the Lord your God, walking in all his ways, and holding fast to him, then the Lord will drive out all these nations before you, and you will dispossess nations larger and mightier than yourselves. Every place on which you set foot shall be yours . . ." - Deuteronomy 11:22-24a
Dear Friends in Christ -
So here's what I really want to know when I read a passage like this from the Bible: Are the promises for ME? Or were the promises for THEM, and I'm just reading about them 4000 years later?
I SO badly want the promises to be for ME. I know that I don't get all the "loving the Lord your God, walking in all his ways" stuff right all the time, but I LONG to be rewarded for the things I do get right. I want to see the fulfillment of at least some of God's promises in the now.
It's at this point that I can practically see God sitting in the rocking chair in my office, chuckling under his breath and shaking his head. The evidence that God IS fulfilling his promises is literally all around me, in the roof over my head, in the scent of hot coffee in the air, in the nutritious breakfast comfortably digesting in my belly.
Perhaps if I focused on being grateful for those things rather than pouting about the unfolded laundry, the windy chill in the air and the work I still have to do, then Way would open for me to receive even more of His promises.
How about you . . . what's getting in the way of God's promises being fulfilled in your life?
May God's strength give us strength to live in His way and receive His goodness this day,
Janet+
Dear Friends in Christ -
So here's what I really want to know when I read a passage like this from the Bible: Are the promises for ME? Or were the promises for THEM, and I'm just reading about them 4000 years later?
I SO badly want the promises to be for ME. I know that I don't get all the "loving the Lord your God, walking in all his ways" stuff right all the time, but I LONG to be rewarded for the things I do get right. I want to see the fulfillment of at least some of God's promises in the now.
It's at this point that I can practically see God sitting in the rocking chair in my office, chuckling under his breath and shaking his head. The evidence that God IS fulfilling his promises is literally all around me, in the roof over my head, in the scent of hot coffee in the air, in the nutritious breakfast comfortably digesting in my belly.
Perhaps if I focused on being grateful for those things rather than pouting about the unfolded laundry, the windy chill in the air and the work I still have to do, then Way would open for me to receive even more of His promises.
How about you . . . what's getting in the way of God's promises being fulfilled in your life?
May God's strength give us strength to live in His way and receive His goodness this day,
Janet+
Friday, March 18, 2011
What To Do?
"So now, O Israel, what does the Lord your God require of you? Only to fear the Lord your God, to walk in all his ways, to love him, to serve the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul, and to keep the commandments of the Lord your God and his decrees that I am commanding you today, for your own well-being." - Deuteronomy 10:12-13
Dear Friends in Christ -
On this day, even as the sun rises and the birds sing here in Shelton, it seems that well-being is threatened in so many parts of the world by diaster and war. Radioactive meltdown continues in Japan. International "intervention" in Libya has been authorized by the UN. And in the midst of this we have our own troubles. Economic woes, illness, running arguments with family members and neighbors.
In all these stresses and struggles, how do we get our bearings? By following the basic rules of His road. The things God asks of us don't ever change: to love Him, to obey His commands.
When troubles - small and big - arise, we're tempted to think that we need revised instructions, a "new and improved" program of action. But what we really need is trust His Way even more, to focus on doing what God calls us to do. If we neglect this emphasis, we often find ourselves wasting energy complaining about the actions of others or criticizing our leaders, at home or abroad. Sinking into depression or negativity drains our own energy and the energy of those around us.
In staying close to God through prayer and obedience, we gain strength and courage for whatever lies ahead. Our own well-being is enhanced - enough that we often find we have more than we need, enough to share.
Faithfully staying close,
Janet+
Dear Friends in Christ -
On this day, even as the sun rises and the birds sing here in Shelton, it seems that well-being is threatened in so many parts of the world by diaster and war. Radioactive meltdown continues in Japan. International "intervention" in Libya has been authorized by the UN. And in the midst of this we have our own troubles. Economic woes, illness, running arguments with family members and neighbors.
In all these stresses and struggles, how do we get our bearings? By following the basic rules of His road. The things God asks of us don't ever change: to love Him, to obey His commands.
When troubles - small and big - arise, we're tempted to think that we need revised instructions, a "new and improved" program of action. But what we really need is trust His Way even more, to focus on doing what God calls us to do. If we neglect this emphasis, we often find ourselves wasting energy complaining about the actions of others or criticizing our leaders, at home or abroad. Sinking into depression or negativity drains our own energy and the energy of those around us.
In staying close to God through prayer and obedience, we gain strength and courage for whatever lies ahead. Our own well-being is enhanced - enough that we often find we have more than we need, enough to share.
Faithfully staying close,
Janet+
Thursday, March 17, 2011
St. Patrick's Day, a Day for Courage
"Though we had already suffered and been shamefully maltreated . . . we had courage in our God to declare to you the gospel of God in spite of great opposition. For our appeal does not spring from deceit or impure motives or trickery, but just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the message of the gospel, even so we speak, not to please mortals, but to please God who tests our hearts." - 1 Thessalonians 2:2-4
Dear Friends in Christ -
Today was a day for eating corned beef and cabbage, for drinking green beer. But in the midst of the celebration, we are called to remember what the celebration is about.
The Irish celebrate Saint Patrick as their patron saint because he came to bless them and to save them. Well, the truth is, the first time he set foot on the shores of Ireland, it was as a 16-year-old slave, stolen away from his family. Eventually, Patrick snuck away, caught a boat back to England, and studied to be a priest. After he became a Bishop, Patrick felt called to go back to Ireland - not to curse the people there in anger, but to bless them. Using the three leaf clover as a symbol, Patrick taught the Irish about the Trinity. I imagine that many came and listened to Patrick because they learned the story about the slave boy who became a Bishop, and their priest.
On this day of celebration, I invite you to remember the courage and love of Patrick and to follow his example. Surely there are people in your life who have earned your wrath. Likely those same people would benefit from receiving God's gift of truth and love, through you.
Blessings,
Janet+
While many would have harboured undying bitterness toward their former captors, Patrick didn't.
Dear Friends in Christ -
Today was a day for eating corned beef and cabbage, for drinking green beer. But in the midst of the celebration, we are called to remember what the celebration is about.
The Irish celebrate Saint Patrick as their patron saint because he came to bless them and to save them. Well, the truth is, the first time he set foot on the shores of Ireland, it was as a 16-year-old slave, stolen away from his family. Eventually, Patrick snuck away, caught a boat back to England, and studied to be a priest. After he became a Bishop, Patrick felt called to go back to Ireland - not to curse the people there in anger, but to bless them. Using the three leaf clover as a symbol, Patrick taught the Irish about the Trinity. I imagine that many came and listened to Patrick because they learned the story about the slave boy who became a Bishop, and their priest.
On this day of celebration, I invite you to remember the courage and love of Patrick and to follow his example. Surely there are people in your life who have earned your wrath. Likely those same people would benefit from receiving God's gift of truth and love, through you.
Blessings,
Janet+
While many would have harboured undying bitterness toward their former captors, Patrick didn't.
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
Speechless
"For we have become partners of Christ, if only we hold our first confidence firm to the end." - Hebrews 3:14
Dear Friends in Christ -
What kind of confidence do you have in Jesus? Is it enough?
"Enough for what?" you might ask.
Enough for whatever you are called to do, whatever is required of you.
This morning, a front-page article in the New York Times humbled me, left me speechless. The article was about the "faceless 50" - the brave few who volunteered to stay behind at the nuclear reactors in Japan to try to help prevent a deepening catastrophe. Though they know they could well die, these few are offering up their very lives for the good of the many.
In the midst of this catastrophe, we, too, are called to do something: to pray. After working at two of the most recent disaster sites in this country, I know that there are sometimes, though I wish to pray, I have no words. So today, as in past days at Ground Zero in the aftermath of 9/11 and in New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina, I reach for a Psalm, an ancient prayer with new meaning in the midst of this latest disaster:
Psalms 130
Out of the depths have I called to you, O LORD;
LORD, hear my voice; *
let your ears consider well the voice of my supplication.
2 If you, LORD, were to note what is done amiss, *
O LORD, who could stand?
3 For there is forgiveness with you; *
therefore you shall be feared.
4 I wait for the LORD; my soul waits for him; *
in his word is my hope.
5 My soul waits for the LORD,
more than watchmen for the morning, *
more than watchmen for the morning.
6 O Israel, wait for the LORD, *
for with the LORD there is mercy;
7 With him there is plenteous redemption, *
and he shall redeem Israel from all their sins.
Praying with you for "the faceless 50" and the other 450,000 people who are homeless in Japan this day,
Janet+
Dear Friends in Christ -
What kind of confidence do you have in Jesus? Is it enough?
"Enough for what?" you might ask.
Enough for whatever you are called to do, whatever is required of you.
This morning, a front-page article in the New York Times humbled me, left me speechless. The article was about the "faceless 50" - the brave few who volunteered to stay behind at the nuclear reactors in Japan to try to help prevent a deepening catastrophe. Though they know they could well die, these few are offering up their very lives for the good of the many.
In the midst of this catastrophe, we, too, are called to do something: to pray. After working at two of the most recent disaster sites in this country, I know that there are sometimes, though I wish to pray, I have no words. So today, as in past days at Ground Zero in the aftermath of 9/11 and in New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina, I reach for a Psalm, an ancient prayer with new meaning in the midst of this latest disaster:
Psalms 130
Out of the depths have I called to you, O LORD;
LORD, hear my voice; *
let your ears consider well the voice of my supplication.
2 If you, LORD, were to note what is done amiss, *
O LORD, who could stand?
3 For there is forgiveness with you; *
therefore you shall be feared.
4 I wait for the LORD; my soul waits for him; *
in his word is my hope.
5 My soul waits for the LORD,
more than watchmen for the morning, *
more than watchmen for the morning.
6 O Israel, wait for the LORD, *
for with the LORD there is mercy;
7 With him there is plenteous redemption, *
and he shall redeem Israel from all their sins.
Praying with you for "the faceless 50" and the other 450,000 people who are homeless in Japan this day,
Janet+
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