For the first time since last Fall... (Possibly TMI for some)

I love the way my skin feels.

My skin ailments are many:
Eczema
Folliculitus (infection of hair follicles and a darn fun word to say)
A multitude of Allergies (including, I believe to my own sweat)

Compounded by stress, dry winter weather and the fact that sometimes I like to try random things like waxing my legs (which was actually a positive move in my opinion)...my skin has taken a bit of a beating.

But now, although it has a few scrapes and bruises....It feels good.

Hooray!

5 Things I Dig About Jesus

I was tagged by Backwoods Rev for this meme:

1. I dig that even though he was so anticipated, he was so unexpected.

2. I dig that he wasn't always a nice guy...but there was usually not-niceness in order to call people to be transformed. (Like a favorite movie quote says, "God loves you just the way you are. But He loves you too much to let you stay that way." Junebug) I don't trust guys that are too nice.

3. I dig that because of him, I know God better.

4. I dig the whole equality thing - the lack of care for societies rankings - the focusing of attention not on petty rituals, but on what was really important - relationship with God - through relationship with others.

5. I did that he formed a community to continue the work of living in God's kingdom, not Caesar's (or Bush's). A community to love one another, to support one another in this tough work, to call one another into accountability.

So, I originally posted this thing without tagging...it feels a bit like a chain letter. And yet, it was so much more fun than I had originally thought it would be. So, I'll tag: Abba, Jessica, Meckhead (even though she hasn't blogged in over a year), Kendi, and um, well - you....whoever you are.

Rules for this meme:
a)Those tagged will share "Five Things They Dig About Jesus".
b)Those tagged will tag 5 people. (if they can find someone untagged!)
c) Those tagged will leave a link to their meme in the comments section of the blog of the person who tagged them (meaning this post) so that everyone can keep track of what's being posted.

Moms

It happens to be my mother's 60th birthday today. She is in Tanzania and so a Happy Birthday phone call will not be part of today's celebration.

As I was preparing for a devotion for some older adults, I came across these two poems/prayers from the book Soul Weavings: A Gathering of Women's Prayers, edited by Lyn Klug.

A wandering Aramean was my mother.
In Egypt she bore slaves.
Then she called to the God of our mothers.
Sarah, Hagar, Rebeccah, Rachel, Leah.
Praise God who hears, forever.

A warrior, judge, and harlot was my mother.
God used her from time to time.
She gave what she gave, and was willing.
Rahab, Jael, Deborah, Judith, Tamar.
Praise God who takes, forever.

A Galilean virgin was my mother.
She bore our Life and Hope.
And a sword pierced her own soul, also.
Mary, blessed among women, mother of God.
Praise God who loves, forever.

A witness to Christ's rising was my mother
What angels said, she told.
The apostles thought it was an idle tale.
Mary, Mary Magdalene, Joanna, women with them.
Praise God who lives, forever.

A faithful Christian woman was my mother.
A mystic. Martyr. Saint.
May we, with her, in ever generation,
Julian, Perpetua, Clare, Hilda,
Praise God who made us,
Praise God who saved us,
Praise God who keeps us all forever. Amen.
-Martha Blacklock, Mother Thunder Mission, New York City

My God, I praise you, I thank you for my mother.
For all that she could give me,
for all that she gave of herself,
a true, living school of love and humility.
She reveals to me your mystery -
thank you for her revelation of your truth.
Now, O God, I pray for all the children
of Africa, of Asia, of America and Europe.
For all the children of the world.
Give me a heart like that of a mother
the heart of a black woman for her children.
-Mamia Woungly-Massaga, Cameroon

They Love Me...Or Maybe They Really Like Cake

The second anniversary of starting at my congregation is Thursday.

Today, they threw me a surprise anniversary coffee hour.

With lots of "You're staying for 30 years, right?" and "Has it already been 2?" but, the ones that feel like they mean something: "We're glad you're here."

Messy, Chaotic Reality

I'd like to think that I can be an example of *yes, you too could be a pastor* for the young adults (and perhaps some youth) that are spending time at my congregation this summer. This week there are at least 2 that are looking to further education to possibly head in this direction - and these are the two that sought me out - who knows who else there is.

But, this week has offered observations of chaos and the unknown rather than an attractive future job possibility.

They have personally encountered the helplessness of someone who comes for "help" but who really just wants someone else to fix them. They have encountered people who seek to lambast anything that has to do with organized religion (as they seek out a place of sanctuary). They have seen me running around like a headless chicken trying to figure out where in the gosh darn building the messed up fuse boxes are - and having to deal with overloaded circuits. They have been lectured for being too loud for the people who come to the free clinic.

Not really the picture that would draw anyone to the ministry. I only hope that the other experiences they are having balance out the experience at my place.

I just want to tell them: It is really great! Believe me...it's not always like this. And sometimes, there's blessing in all this messed up crap too.

Maybe they'll still go into this particular track of education but specify - I don't want to be in a building that is falling apart or someplace where random people come in. Maybe they'll build up tough skins (mine has become steel - figuratively) and realize that there is amazing goodness in being intimately involved in people's messy lives - even when they hate what you represent. Maybe they'll see in this craziness something that appeals...affirmation of a call.

God, help them.

NOT Burning Down the House

A while I go I mentioned I'd blog at some point about automatic shut offs. If I'm able to trust them they make life so much simpler. It's trust that's the issue.

In November of 2005 I headed out from Milwaukee to meet a friend in Madison. We met to do some Christmas Shopping, go to the Nutcracker (? right? I think so) and just hang out. I was running late and left the house in a hurry. When I was 1/2 way to Madison I couldn't remember whether I'd shut off the iron.

My iron was supposed to have an automatic shut off, but it had never been consistent in this task. I fretted as I drove and convinced myself to keep going.

While the weekend was wonderful, the fear that I would arrive home to a burned down house due to my lack of iron unplugging was a cloud over the entire trip. When I returned home (to a fully standing and unburnt house) I discovered that I had unplugged the iron and everything was just fine.

I have a new iron now that does shut off automatically. As does my coffee maker and my computer. I really like these things that shut off. I'm somewhat compulsive in some of these behavioral things (I always drive with my lights on...and I always habitually turn them off as I turn off my car). But every once in a while something I didn't do will catch me by surprise (like setting my parking break - oi!).

Fortunately, I now don't have to worry about burning down my house with my iron. Now, about those candles...