Friday, January 14, 2005

Snow Days

I will be out of town Saturday through Monday on our annual youth ski trip. So unless I change my mind and take my computer, there will be no entries for that period. (Do I hear a collective sigh of disappointment, or is that relief?)
Here is what I am thinking about: Is it true that small changes (especially if continued over a long period of time) can yield enormous results?
Is this true with our health? Instead of going Adkins-crazy, can we just put back the seconds? Does taking the steps instead of the elevator really matter?
Is it true financially? I saw an article on AOL that claimed that you could pay off $8000 in debt in 3 years with $10 per day. Of course, $10 per day is $300 per month. Maybe that's not so small.
Is it true spiritually? If I add just a few moments each day of silence, will it change me? If I read just a few verses of Scripture, will it matter? If I pick up a small habit like praying the Prayer of St Francis or the Serenity Prayer every morning (and evening?--or one each?); will this bring me measurably closer to God? Will this improve the quality of my spiritual life?
The way I see it, there is only one way to find out: try it. We can be skeptical and stay just where and how and who we are, or we can at least try small changes that we have a hope of sticking with. Why don't we try to small changes and re-evaluate at Easter?

Thursday, January 13, 2005

Day School Chapel

Today I had chapel for our day school kids. These are 3 and 4 year olds. As I was getting ready, I saw one little girl who was upset about something and was crying. She came into the chapel and still had red and wet eyes and was looking sad. Our topic was sharing. In between a little cartoon I showed them and a story I told them, I led them in a little activity. We all stood up and walked around and shared things with each other. We shared smiles with friends. We shared a little pat on the shoulder to symbolize sharing friendship with each other. Well, by the time we were through with our sharing, she had cheered up and was sharing smiles with me and the other children. It was great to see how whatever was bothering her had been dispelled by the smiles of friends and by sharing with others. This is a miniature example of how we can (and should) minister to one another. Determine today to let your light shine by sharing with others. Sharing a smile is free and everyone can share kindness.


By the way, I started the session by showing the children a little cartoon that ended with a cow flying out of a farmer's truck and landing on the main character (a gopher). As the gopher looked up, he saw the rear end of the cow coming toward him (in slow motion, of course). While this was happening, the kids were all transfixed with what was happening to the gopher. Then while the room was silent, I heard a little voice ask, "Is that a butt?". I replied, "It's a cow."


This link is to an online version of a prayer labyrinth. Give it a try. Be sure to roll your mouse over the items on the screen at each station, there are several interactive activities.
http://web.ukonline.co.uk/paradigm/

Wednesday, January 12, 2005

links

http://www.youthspecialties.com/articles/topics/spirituality/way.php
This link is to a really good article about the struggle that our spiritual journey can be. Read it without judgment. Read it and be free to see yourself in it. I know I saw myself in it.

This link is to an article that might de-mystify some spiritual practices for you. Take a look.
http://youthspecialties.com/articles/topics/spirituality/contemplative.php

Photo Repeat

Sorry that the same photo is in twice. I was trying to send it to my profile. Well, live and [hopefully] learn.

We look happy. We've been to Pizza Hut. Posted by Hello

The World's Shortest Soccer Career

I was really excited that my son did not come straight home from school on Monday. It meant that Tyler had made the soccer team at his school. At least I hoped it meant that and not that he had been hit by a car, or kidnapped, or was smoking weed behind Albertson's... Anyway, I got a call from my wife saying that he did indeed make the soccer team, but that he had fallen at practice and was injured. Sure enough, he had a broken collarbone. This means 6 weeks of inactivity: 3 weeks in a sling and 3 without it. So, soccer is over for the time being. We got him a sling Monday night, and this helps a lot. Since he is right handed and it is his LEFT arm that is injured, he can still do his homework. I know he's glad about that.

This is me and my family. Posted by Hello

Getting Started

In flipping through AM radio stations last night, I listened to a program I never listen to: The Hugh Hewitt program on 690AM. He was talking about blogs. He mentioned that every pastor should have a blog. And I could see that. As a person who is in community with other people and who seeks to be in dialog with 0thers about our spiritual journey, I could see the value in a blog. This is an experiment. It is a trial run. I will try to make it work. And we will see how people respond. I am hoping that, if nothing else, this may push me to reflect more. So, lets journey together! Feel free to post comments, or start a blog of your own! It might be fun.