Sunday, October 26, 2008

Am I getting old?


Today, a big announcement was made at our church. Our new senior pastor was introduced. He is younger than me. I am thrilled that he will be our new pastor. He has been our associate pastor and his wife is a good friend of mine. He will lead our church well, but I have never had a senior pastor that is younger than me. I think this marks a new crossing over point in my life . . . crossing over to the older group.

I must be careful not to become the old lady at church who frowns and criticizes those younguns in funny clothes or crazy piercings or tatoos. The tats don't seem to bother me, although I have no interest in getting one. Most of the piercings don't bother me either. I almost got a nose stud at a few years ago. A couple of friends at work had them, but about that time I met the man who is now my husband and he didn't really like the idea. I just have to say, the nasal septum piercing, bull ring, is another story! The young girl I know with one has what looks like long thick staple ends hanging out of her nose. I just don't see the beauty in it and maybe that's the point. Maybe this particular bull ring is part of her expression of how she sees herself.

But the bigger point is what I need to learn from this. Am I critical of what is different than me? Have I become more critical of exteriors as I age? God, help me look at the heart as you do!

Wednesday, October 22, 2008

We Voted . . .

We voted today and we know no matter the outcome, the Lord reigns.

"Say among the nations, 'The Lord reigns.' The world is firmly established, it cannot be moved; he will judge the peoples with equity. Let the heavens rejoice, let the earth be glad; let the sea resound, and all that is in it; let the fields be jubilant, and everything in them. Then all the trees of the forest will sing for joy; they will sing before the Lord, for he comes . . . "
Ps. 96:10-13a

Rejoice, be glad, resound, be jubilant, sing for joy . . . the trees of the forest will sing for joy . . . what a great picture that brings to mind.

The Lord does reign!

Wednesday, October 8, 2008

Rough Seas

It was a tough launch. The ship was ready to go out across the sea, but was being held back and rough seas were pounding on her hull. The crash of the disease on her shell took its toll. With her eyes facing toward the heavenly shore, my aunt finished her fight with ALS and yesterday peacefully set sail. Although we on this shore are sad to see her go, we are also confident that she was greeted with great joy and the open arms of Jesus and family and friends on heaven’s shore.

Sunday, October 5, 2008

Steelhead

"It's a hatchery fish."
"It is fin clipped."
"It's good to get it out of the gene pool, so say the guides."
"I guess it doesn't hurt to keep one once in a while."

These are all comments that my husband muttered as he cleaned this gorgeous catch. He doesn't like to eat fish, but this steelhead made a fabulous dinner tonight!