thinking ahead

As we prepare to go home tomorrow, and get back to life- which hasn't been normal for a while- but life nonetheless, I've been thinking about my blog and if I need to make some changes in the coming year. If you read here often you know I don't soliloquize very often, tending more to continue conversations begun elsewhere by more inventive thinkers. I don't often feel I have anything original to say, so I try not to bore you with my unoriginalness.

That said, I honestly respect your opinions, and you do me such an honor by coming here- some of you more than once! Whenever a topic has been suggested, I've tried to oblige. So, with hesitation, I'd like to ask for suggestions for run with it. Whether topic, format, personality change, more or less personal information.... I'm open to constructive criticism. But don't sweat it if you have nothing to suggest, either!

I'm still thinking through that piece on faith in exile. I need to get home before I can do it justice. Then it may still take a few days.

seeyasoon

out of town

I'm out of town this week. A couple of quick notes:

Robby finally showed us his feet- along with his entire family's! Thanks, Robby. (Next Bloggerfeet)

Jamie had the last- and best- word on Church Closed for Christmas. Be sure to read it.

Randy comments on the Bruce Wilkinson's failure in Swaziland. Amen, Randy.

and Jeff at Communion of the Arts makes a long overdue post. Glad to see it, Jeff.

I'll be back in a few days. I hope and pray you're all getting some rest and enjoying the season.

I'm working on a post for after Christmas on faith in exile. For now, Merry Christmas. Peace and joy to you all.

tip for the day

tip for the day:
cleaning just your car windows makes the whole car look much cleaner.

various

Removing the High Places, by Grace.

When I first registered with Technorati I was 19th under emerging church blogs. Now I'm 46th. They keep adding pages so my place can drop lower.

We listened to the recording of Sunday night's concert this morning. Simple sanctuary tape deck. No effects. Staight recording through the system- didn't capture any of the room's resonance. suffice it to say, I won't be listening to it again. Except the songs my daughter sang and played which were, of course, beautiful.

status

Almost there. We've crossed most of our pre-Christmas hurdles: Children's program at church- 2 weeks ago. (See photo) Concert at church #2 last night. Daughter's Christmas Recital tonight. Most of the shopping done. (I actually went to a STORE tonight after the recital. My first and only chance to shop without aforementioned 6 year old. Most of the internet orders have arrived. No wrapping done at all, but I don't count that- it always gets done one way or another. Don't have to clean particularly well --we haven't invited anyone over since the house still smells like DEAD MOUSE. (I have learned to make scented candles, and do so weekly now, saving about $15 a week. I've started calling A/C people - trying to decide whether to shell out the $500 to have the ducts cleaned when that may not even be where the problem is.) Half our visiting plans are made- which isn't bad for us. We'll be out of town with the in-laws rather than leading music at our church on Christmas Eve. Will see my family sometime after Christmas. Still don't know how long hubby will have the temp. job where he's spending 12 hours a day right now. I've resorted to having dinners that consist of a cookie, some veggie chips, and mashed pinto beans with tobasco sauce on crackers. And finally, my daughter tells me that my husband hid my gifts in his truck.

Is that everything?

more feet

Bro. Maynard's feet.

Grace and Robby are up next. And for the record, Robby, I just asked for feet. Shoes are optional- if you're brave enough. Grace, you might as well, since you're already out, and all! ;-)

More bloggerfeet.

Quote from Dying Church:

The gospel says, "Go," but our church buildings say, "Stay." The gospel says, "Seek the lost," but our churches say, "Let the lost seek the church." (Howard Snyder, The Problem of Wineskins)

From the Writer's Almanac:

"It was only after (Jane Austen's) death that she became one of the most popular novelists from the 19th century. After the First World War, Jane Austin novels were prescribed to shell-shocked English soldiers for therapy, because the psychologists found that Austen helped them recover their sense of the world they'd known before the war."

I was wrong

I have to admit that I was wrong. In addition to a poignant comment by wanderer on my previous post about cancelling services on Christmas, NPR covered the story yesterday. The world has noticed, and they do seem to care- at least a little.

I still have a fairly liquid opinion on this one. Maybe it's because I don't need any added tension in my season of cheer. But now the whole church service vs. family thing has become personal- as usual. Which is probably why I didn't want to form an opinion in the first place. After all the "you should be in church on Christmas/Christmas Eve" rhetoric dies down, we each have to face the realities of life. I learned it the first (and only) time my husband and I went to church in my hometown-without my family- on Christmas. At the end of the day, or the season, or the lifetime, you still have to go home to your family. Sometimes when you get home, your family's really ticked off.

This year our church has asked us to lead music on Christmas Eve. It's a honor for me, because the Christmas Eve service is probably the most special one for me of the whole year. (I know I'm supposed to say that Easter is my favorite, but with all the artificial pomp, lilies that make me sneeze, and trying to wrangle a church full of kids high on marshmallow chicks and chocolate eggs, Easter service falls short.) This year my husband's family will be having their gathering on Christmas Eve. It varies from year to year due to trying to accomodate the schedules of 4 families in 4 cities. Yet, we're somehow almost always able to attend Christmas eve service at our church. So, we'll either be disappointing our family, or disappointing our pastor (and me, but that's beside the point). The decision will be Keith's since it's his family that will be affected. Either way I feel awful and it's not going to go away.

So- it arrives. The inevitable guilt. It's at the heart of why I don't enjoy the Christmas season. There's never time to get everything done- guilt. Every year at least some of our family feels disappointed or hurt by our inability to be in more than one city (or state) at one time- guilt. I never feel that I've chosen the right gifts- guilt. There's no way to buy everything on Santa's list- nor should we, when it's overboard- but that doesn't quell the- guilt. The bills are piling up- guilt. I never feel as cheery as I'm certain I should- guilt. In fact, I've been nothing less than cranky and sometimes downright mean around my house lately- AT CHRISTMAS, no less! GUILT!

How did the celebration of the birth of my Savior become the epitome of all guilt producers? I blame no one but myself for my personal inablitly to rise above it all. But that of course, results in- you guessed it.

something better

Not only better, but truly good. Read Leadership's article called Continuous Voltage about Billy Graham's amazing ability to stay on track for over 60 years. It shames me that I've ever complained of being tired.

Dan has officially become a chicken with no head. Pretty scary. It's what happens this time of year.

I keep thinking I'll make a post about what's on my mind. The thing is, I'm afraid if I get started, I won't stop. And you don't want to read all that dark overflow. I've become the Grinch and Scrooge all rolled up into one. You name it, I'm irritated about it. I'll be back when I can offer something better.

Seven Things

Bruce tagged me.

1. Seven things to do before I die:

See my daughter’s grandchildren (she’s 6)
Learn to hear God the first time He tries to tell me something.
Relax
Re-read all the classics that I’ve forgotten
Be able to say I was a great mom/teacher
Become fluent in Spanish
Lose those stupid 5 pounds

2. Seven things I cannot (or won't?) do:

smoke
tell you what direction I’m going (unless I can see the sun rise or sunset)
advanced math
Learn how my computer works. I really don’t care. I just want it to work.
Learn how my car works. Ditto from above.
Anything mechanical
Eat caviar

3. Seven things that attract me to my husband :

His sense of humor (but don’t tell him)
His originality and lack of concern that he isn’t one of the crowd
His loyalty
His versatile genius
How great a dad he is
That he’s an incurable dreamer
His beard/boots

4. Seven things I say most often:

What?
Did you make up your bed?
Did you wash your hands?
That’s not my problem.
I love you
I’m sorry
Hurry we’re late

5. Seven books (or series) I love

The Cost of Discpleship
If you Will Ask
Lord of the Rings
The Science of God
Knowledge of the Holy
Blue Like Jazz (If you've been reading my blog you know I just finished this one, but it was good)
My Utmost for His Highest

6. Seven movies I watch over and over again. I don't watch any movies over and over again, but these come to mind:

The Apostle
Second Hand Lions
Good Morning Vietnam
Matrix (actually just started watching these, but they’re good)
Lord of the Rings trilogy
Dr. Doolittle (the original)
My Fair Lady

7. Seven people I want to join in, too: I’m not tagging anybody this time- it’s a busy month. Please let me know if you post your own answers. I’d like to read them.

Christmas concert

Keith and I will be giving a Christmas concert

(with Ruby playing at least 1 violin solo) :

1st Methodist Church, Luverne Alabama

Sunday, December 18th, 2005

6:00 P.M.

Y'all come.

music for kids and adults

If you're looking for something a little different and a lot of fun for the kids in your life, take a look at our friend, Brent Holmes', series of Cds- Fun Tunes For Kids. There are sound clips you can hear online.

Brent has 7 Cds, plus 2 brand new DVDs, featuring Bear Tunes and Moose Tunes with footage of the animals in the wild.

When he was planning the creation of the DVD's, Brent told us that he wanted to offer something visual and educational for kids that doesn't over-stimulate. (We cheered.) Plus, it would give him a reason to spend a lot of time in the woods.

They don't come any better than Brent. We've known him for over 20 years, and treasure his friendship. He's one of the most original, sincere people I've ever known. Please check out his website.

This is Betty. She lives at my house. Apparently she's just barely hanging in there today. I wondered if anybody else out there could relate.

more on canceling SERVICES on Christmas

I wasn't going to say anything else about this topic, but changed my mind.

In When Christmas falls on Sunday Scot McKnight points out the error of equating church with Sunday services:

"Fourth, let me poke some in the eye here: what I’m reading is that there is too much identification of “worship” with Sunday morning and too much identification of “being the church” with “attending a Sunday morning service.” I find this pretty surprising in that so many are making the case, pretty solidly I think, that “church” is not something done on Sunday mornings but something we “are” and “are all through the week” – climaxing at the Lord’s table and in Sunday worship."

He's right, of course. I should have titled my post Cancel Service on Christmas?

Ben Witherington (whose original article on the subject has been widely circulated) comments to Scot's reasoning, but I think he missed the boat:

"I disagree with the theology that thinks we are the church all through the week. We are Christians all through the week to be sure, but frankly we are not the church unless we are doing something Christian together as the body of Christ. "

"Furthermore, since worship is the prime mandate, though not all ‘church activities’ involve worship, nevertheless we are not being the church unless we are ‘having church’, gathering together in worship every week. In light of the praise worship movement over the last decade which has taught us a lot about the yearning to praise God, a yearning I would suggest that has been programmed into us by God, I would have thought we had learned by now how important it is, especially while the world is watching closely as it is at Christmas, to be holy examples of those who show what true worship is, especially on a day like the ‘Feast of the Incarnation’."

Finally, I wonder if the world is really watching us that closely. Aren't we being just a little egotistical? Isn't it just as likely that the world thinks even less of the church because we're getting so worked up about one service on one day?

jots and brain ooze

It's winter in Alabama and I do not appreciate it.

My daughter has another cold. I'm showing some signs of following along. Again. I just can't do this again. Not so soon.

Internet shopping was designed by somebody like me for other somebodys like me. I wish I could kiss whoever came up with it. Online shopping could save Christmas from WalGrinch. And from those of us who lose our minds and good manners and last ounce of patience every time we have to set foot in a store during December.

BooksAMillion beats Amazon hands down.

Today I sent my sister a link to Mr. Calculus because I thought it might be of help to my niece. She had the audacity to reply that I need to get out more often. The nerve. Besides, she knows I don't get out in December. Except, of course, to meet the UPS guy. I forgive her, though. She's an extrovert; she doesn't know any better.

I saw an ad today for the Back to Basics Cocoa Latte machine. $29.95. Is a cocoa latte machine really basic?

cancel church on Christmas?

Internetmonk has a great piece on the fury surrounding the decision of several mega churches to cancel Christmas morning services. He links to a strong response from conservative Ben Witherington, and in his post lists a number of various responses. I'd like to ask you to take a look at these and come back here and tell me what you think about cancelling services on Christmas day. This is an interesting discussion.

expectation

I wrote this as a comment on Grace's post, I Hear Voices. Thought I'd put it here as a well.

I keep having this thought. It's probably wrong, and to be honest, I'd appreciate it if somebody will kindly prove me wrong. The thought is that there have been a lot of times when hopeful, even desperate people were sure God was on the verge of doing something big, but it didn’t turn out the way they expected or hoped.

I was talking to my Jr Hi SS class yesterday about the 400 years between the OT and NT. How the people were waiting confidently, assuredly for THE ONE to show up and lead them into victory over the Romans. To free them from lives of desperation; to give them hope again; to see their misery, the depth of their need, and have mercy.

God did see their misery, their need, and He did have mercy. But to most of them God's answer was an utter disappointment and failure, because He did it wrong.

I have these warning notes going off in my brain to be careful not to ascribe to God what I know He needs to do. I see and feel the air of change in the Church that so many others are making note of these days. I want to hope and expect God to do something. But, I look back at the expectation of the people 2000 years ago, and I wonder if I'm going to miss what God is doing because my expectations are so well formed.

Grace follows up on her super post called Outcast, with a new one: I hear voices. Now, the voices could be coming from pain meds, since Grace has been down in her back, but I kind of doubt it because first- I don't know if she's taking pain meds, and second, her voices seem to be in cohoots with my voices. Then again, I take meds for my neck, so who knows. Maybe my meds are in cohoots with her voices... Okay- Enough. Sorry about that.

Grace turns lonliness and wandering into poetry with her fluid writing style. I love to read what she writes, and so do lots of other people, as well. Don't miss out on Grace's-- grace.

final note on blue like jazz

I like Don Miller's book, Blue Like Jazz. I don't have a bunch of lofty opinions, but I'll tell you just a bit more than I already have.

The climax of the book for me was the confession booth story. Don't know if Miller intended that, or not. Everything after that was denouement. His approach is easy to read and accept since he tends to be self deprecating. I don't love that approach, but... BUT, I much prefer it over the arrogance of a lot of Christian authors. It's refreshing to read "I don't know." Which is why I said I liked McLaren's A Generous Orthodoxy as well.

Miller writes as with a fish eye lens. His faith grows and changes through and out of his friends and career, so he grabs everything, stirs it up and pours it out in a stew like concoction that is surprisingly closer to reality than I would have expected.

Blue Like Jazz was as encouraging to me as a writer, as it was to me as a post modern (if that's what I am). He writes honestly- good. He writes what's on his mind and heart- good. He refuses to write fluff just to get his foot in- very good. He eventually got noticed without writing junk just to get a by line. (Or at least I think he did. I haven't researched that, I'm just assuming he was telling the truth.) Hooray!

a thought before i start running around like a chicken with it's head cut off, even though i've never seen, nor do I wish to see, such a thing

In The Light Of A Most Obvious Question: Why Hanging Out With Jesus Is Changing My Christianity, Internet Monk asks the question:

If you spent three years hanging around with Jesus as he is presented in the Gospels, what kind of person would you be? Would your theology be the same that it is today?

Jim posts a great reply to a question posed on his blog as to why he would blogroll an atheist when he is obviously not an atheist. I don't mean to be maudlin or simplistic here, but that, friends, is what the real Jesus would do. He befriended people of all beliefs and lifestyles--because he valued them, not just to convert them. Kudos, Jim. You're on my blogroll, now, too.

footlinks

I want to thank all the little (and big) feet out there. You tell us alot about ourselves.

Randy's feet
Dan's feet
My feet

Send your footlinks here. I'll put them up as soon as I get them.

Next bloggerfeet.