Death, and love

This is obviously not a daily journal. There are so many things that I do daily that really could be left undone. Why is it so hard to add the things that are better for us?

I will be lenient with myself. A full work weekend leaves my mind drained, sometimes. Today I led a funeral service. What words are there for a family with a big gaping hole now torn in their lives? None, really, except to say that even though it doesn't feel like it, you are not alone. You eventually find the parameters of the hole, and you learn how to live with it. Some day you may be able to navigate around it easily, hardly noticing it anymore. But it remains. The only way to avoid the pain of loss is to never allow yourself to feel the joy of love. What a poor trade that would be.

Pray this night for those who mourn. Double your brownie points: call up the mourner and ask if you can pray with them. You just might be the voice of God for them at this moment.

Don't Worry, Be Happy

I have just finished putting together Sunday's worship service. The gospel lesson is Matthew 6:24-34, the heart of which is don't worry.

But today I have received my statement from Drew, showing an additional sum of money for this cross-cultural trip that I had not expected. As the cost of this time in seminary keeps mounting, as the cost of gasoline keeps mounting, as the cost of food in this world keeps mounting, how do I not worry? My heart wants to claim that Jesus just didn't understand--that it is a lot more complicated today. But I know that isn't really true. Since we first left the garden, we have struggled to take care of the essentials, and worried there wouldn't be enough. As a people, we have had a hard time trusting God. Think of the Israelites in the desert. Manna enough for the day, but still there were people who tried to save some for tomorrow. I bet they tried more than once.

Lord, you have not failed me yet. Help me to trust that you will continue to provide all that I need. And help me to recognize the difference between need and want.

Books to Read on the Way

As I work the the assigned books, I will add them to the list at the left. Others may join the list too. I hope to hear about other books that have helped people on this journey to God.

Life, baptisms, and saying goodbye.

It was a busy weekend, with a triple baptism at the morning worship, followed by lunch and fellowship and then a memorial to celebrate the life and ministry of a church member who died about a year ago. In the midst of school, regular church doings, and the Archives, I had never verified with the family, and so they were surprised to hear from me Saturday. But the daughters came, and even reached their mom's dearest friend.

I don't know how the rush and confusion affected them--they were gracious and forgiving to me. It seemed a good service, and I have hopes that it was healing for many who came.

Baptisms and memorials. Both there and in between...we try to walk with God.

67 days to the flight to Taizé. I am not sure what my prayer is tonight. Maybe just for a good night's rest, and a chance to not work for a day.

And So We Begin

When is blog not a blog? When it is a journal, of course. As preparation for the trip to Taizé, we are to journal. Thought I would do it here, and invite others to come and take this journey with me.

So, having gotten this just set up, I will look about for where to tell you more about myself, and then I will come back and post. Meanwhile you might want to visit the Taizé site.

http://taize.fr/en