Monday, June 25, 2012
Monday, June 18, 2012
Father's Day
Every year my family vacations in Chincoteague Virginia. This year, as most years, it falls over Father's Day weekend. Unfortunately this year, Steve and I used our vacation time on our honeymoon and were not able to travel to the beach with my family. Thus, this year was the first time that I did not spend Father's Day with my Dad.
Yet, some people have spent many years without their fathers on that day. The reasons vary. It could be because their father lived far away, needed to work, spent time in jail, is estranged from the family, or has passed on. Whatever the reason, I would like us to take time during our prayers this week to remember both the father and the children in these situations.
I admit that sometimes I forget to look beyond my own family circumstances to pray for those who may not have a father as a regular part of their life. I also have a tendency to pray "thanksgiving" prayers, in which I thank God for all cf the ways He has blessed me and my family. Yet sometimes, prayer needs to go deeper than that. I hope that when I pray I begin to look at both sides of a situation. When I thank God for a loving father, that I also pray that he be with children of an abusive father and the father himself. When I thank God for a father who has provided for my financial needs and beyond, that I also pray that God lead me to a way that I can help another father in need.
This afternoon, I thank God for the loving Godly fathers who have provided a strong foundation in Christ, and I pray for those of you who long for your fathers to know God as you do. Our heavenly father loves you very much and you will always be his little princess/prince.
I admit that sometimes I forget to look beyond my own family circumstances to pray for those who may not have a father as a regular part of their life. I also have a tendency to pray "thanksgiving" prayers, in which I thank God for all cf the ways He has blessed me and my family. Yet sometimes, prayer needs to go deeper than that. I hope that when I pray I begin to look at both sides of a situation. When I thank God for a loving father, that I also pray that he be with children of an abusive father and the father himself. When I thank God for a father who has provided for my financial needs and beyond, that I also pray that God lead me to a way that I can help another father in need.
This afternoon, I thank God for the loving Godly fathers who have provided a strong foundation in Christ, and I pray for those of you who long for your fathers to know God as you do. Our heavenly father loves you very much and you will always be his little princess/prince.
Monday, June 11, 2012
Love God, Others, Self
"LOVE God, Others, Self" is the Bishop's parting hope for the conference and the church.
Bishop Middleton is the first Bishop that I have had the privilege to meet. She has been supportive of my work here and Susquehanna Xpress. She has been very personable and sincere in my short time knowing her. She even wrote on the front page of my scapbook of wedding advice from coworkers at the conference.
The communications team put together a short blooper film thanking her for the "good times." I enjoyed watching it, because I've been there running the teleprompter while she patiently waited as we prepared the media equipment (you'll see in the video that she spent her time waiting wisely...by getting in extra steps on her pedometer)
If you would like to watch the Bishop's celebration service at Annual Conference 2012, and the blooper film click Here.
Join me in praying for she and her husband Jack as they transition to a new phase of life and their retirement home in Connecticut.
Bishop Middleton is the first Bishop that I have had the privilege to meet. She has been supportive of my work here and Susquehanna Xpress. She has been very personable and sincere in my short time knowing her. She even wrote on the front page of my scapbook of wedding advice from coworkers at the conference.
The communications team put together a short blooper film thanking her for the "good times." I enjoyed watching it, because I've been there running the teleprompter while she patiently waited as we prepared the media equipment (you'll see in the video that she spent her time waiting wisely...by getting in extra steps on her pedometer)
If you would like to watch the Bishop's celebration service at Annual Conference 2012, and the blooper film click Here.
Join me in praying for she and her husband Jack as they transition to a new phase of life and their retirement home in Connecticut.
Monday, June 4, 2012
God's Math
On Saturday May 19, I was joined in holy matrimony with my love of seven years, Steven. Our pastor, Rev. Pat Woolever, added a special part to our ceremony involving a braid. Not only do the husband and wife join together as one, she said. Rather, God is also woven into a marriage relationship like a braid, and the three cords create one that is much stronger.
It was a beautiful metaphor that reminded me of another one. It is an image of triangle with God at the top and the husband and wife on either side. The closer that the husband and wife grow with God, the closer that they also grow to each other.
This is my hope for Steve and I in marriage. That we may always seek our Father first, and by doing so build a stronger relationship and grow closer together.
Monday, May 14, 2012
Mission Central Celebrates 10th Anniversary
Bishop Neil L. Irons shares the history, ministry, and vision of Mission Central, the mission warehouse of the Susquehanna Conference, The United Methodist Church.
Monday, May 7, 2012
U.M. General Conference 2012- A Time of Discernment
The Bishop, our communications director, and several other coworkers returned this weekend from two weeks at the United Methodist General Conference in Tampa, Florida. The General Conference calls together delegates from all of the United Methodist conferences all around the world to discuss important denominational issues.
The biggest change is that clergy appointments will no longer be guaranteed. "Guaranteed appointments are a major contributing factor to mediocrity and ineffectiveness, the ministry study commission told the United Methodist Council of Bishops at its recent spring meeting," wrote Heather Hahn of the United Methodist News Service. This concerns some pastors who feel they could quickly be dismissed if not viewed as effective clergy members.
"The Rev. Jim Bryan, senior pastor of Missouri United Methodist Church in Columbia, Mo., and a former district superintendent, said sometimes the most gracious and loving thing is for church leaders to help ineffective pastors find their true calling outside pastoral ministry," wrote Hahn.
Other issues discussed at the Annual Conference often had a fair amount of dissenting views. Part of the beauty of the United Methodist Church is that we gather together 988 international lay and clergy delegates to decide on a direction for the future of our denomination. Much of the fodder on Twitter circled around the feeling of under-representation. While this may be true, we still should feel blessed that we are given the opportunity to peacefully convene together, rather than being locked out of a room with a handful of people making key choices for the future of the church.
May we remember to pray for these leaders as they have the difficult task to listen to God's people and prayerfully discern God's will amid many complex issues.
Monday, April 30, 2012
Love is...
What is the first scripture that comes to mind for the word "love?" Most people automatically think of 1 Corinthians 13:4-8. Though, sometimes it is so overused that we tune out.
The world has many different definitions of love. Yet, only one book holds love's true meaning.
Today I would like to break down this meaningful scripture.
1 Corinthians 13:4-8
New International Version (NIV)
4 Love is:
patient, love is kind.- Patience. I know I will need to lean on God for patience as I enter into married life. It will be an adjustment to live with someone else who does things differently than I do. Yet, I will need to rely on God to remind me that different is not bad. It is just...different.
It does not envy, it does not boast-This scripture is a great equalizer. My love must not weigh one person's pit falls as greater than another, at the same time my love must not brag that one person's successes are greater than another.
it is not proud.- We can achieve nothing on our own, so we must not fervently pat each other on the back for our successes. Instead it should be a moment to come to our knees and thank God for His provision and blessings.
5 It does not dishonor others,- It is easy to fall into the trap of making ourselves (and our loved ones) look better by pointing the finger at someone else. It is very difficult to love not only those who love us, but those who hurl insults at us. We love them by not returning the degradation, but turning the other cheek in silence.
it is not self-seeking,- This reminds me of integration. When school's began to mix ethnicities, the parents of the affluent children increased support and funding for the schools because they wanted their child to have the best, not because they suddenly felt compassion to the other students. It is very difficult to have a love so large that it extends beyond our own blood and friends.
it is not easily angered,- Anger alters our ability to think clearly. It is important to practice remaining calm so that we can earnestly listen to one another.
it keeps no record of wrongs.- Ay yi yi. We say we forgive, but do we really forget? True love forgives and forgets. It does not bring old wounds into existing battles as weapons. Psalm 103:12 says that the Lord has removed our sins as far as the east is from the west. We need to call on his strength to follow that example of forgiveness.
6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.- Love does not wish harm on someone that "deserves it." Love prays that they may be saved by the Truth.
7 It always protects,- Love is like a caring big brother. Love stands up for what is right despite persecution and humility.
always trusts,- Love believes in the good of people. It is not wary and skeptical.
always hopes,- Love always believes that a person will find The Way, despite how many wrong turns that they have made.
always perseveres.- Love lasts....forever.
The world has many different definitions of love. Yet, only one book holds love's true meaning.
Today I would like to break down this meaningful scripture.
New International Version (NIV)
4 Love is:
patient, love is kind.- Patience. I know I will need to lean on God for patience as I enter into married life. It will be an adjustment to live with someone else who does things differently than I do. Yet, I will need to rely on God to remind me that different is not bad. It is just...different.
It does not envy, it does not boast-This scripture is a great equalizer. My love must not weigh one person's pit falls as greater than another, at the same time my love must not brag that one person's successes are greater than another.
it is not proud.- We can achieve nothing on our own, so we must not fervently pat each other on the back for our successes. Instead it should be a moment to come to our knees and thank God for His provision and blessings.
5 It does not dishonor others,- It is easy to fall into the trap of making ourselves (and our loved ones) look better by pointing the finger at someone else. It is very difficult to love not only those who love us, but those who hurl insults at us. We love them by not returning the degradation, but turning the other cheek in silence.
it is not self-seeking,- This reminds me of integration. When school's began to mix ethnicities, the parents of the affluent children increased support and funding for the schools because they wanted their child to have the best, not because they suddenly felt compassion to the other students. It is very difficult to have a love so large that it extends beyond our own blood and friends.
it is not easily angered,- Anger alters our ability to think clearly. It is important to practice remaining calm so that we can earnestly listen to one another.
it keeps no record of wrongs.- Ay yi yi. We say we forgive, but do we really forget? True love forgives and forgets. It does not bring old wounds into existing battles as weapons. Psalm 103:12 says that the Lord has removed our sins as far as the east is from the west. We need to call on his strength to follow that example of forgiveness.
6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.- Love does not wish harm on someone that "deserves it." Love prays that they may be saved by the Truth.
7 It always protects,- Love is like a caring big brother. Love stands up for what is right despite persecution and humility.
always trusts,- Love believes in the good of people. It is not wary and skeptical.
always hopes,- Love always believes that a person will find The Way, despite how many wrong turns that they have made.
always perseveres.- Love lasts....forever.
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