Patience and persistence Friday Five

I also most didn't do this week's Friday Five because I still have not finished a loooonnngg rambling post form about 3 weeks ago... but I decided this was a good one to jump back into the blogging fray...


Sally from RevGalBlogPals writes:

As I write this I can see out over our newly set up veggie plot from my study window. When Tim and I moved here in August last year he set to work clearing the ground, this spring I began planting seeds indoors and out, and now the beds are full of leaf and promise. We have harvested some spinach and lettuce, but still have to wait for the main crops....

Patience is something that sometimes comes easy and sometimes doesn't, in the case of the garden it is easy, I can see the growth and know that waiting will produce good results. With other things patience is more difficult....

Along with looking forward to eating our own veggies, we are also looking forward to seeing four of our children graduate with Bachelors degrees this year, they have worked hard over the three years and stuck at it through some difficult stuff. It would have been easy for them to give up, but they haven't...

Persistence often pays off, but we need to be aware that it sometimes turns into sheer pig headed-ness...

With all that in mind I offer you this Friday Five:

1. Is patience a virtue you possess? If it is then does it come naturally, if not how do you/ did you work at it?
Bwah-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha....!!!!!!!!!!  Um. That would be no. I don't try to work on it, but as I go through life, I am challenged to live in a way that requires I develop more and more of it.  What's that old saying?  "Don't pray for patience, pray for grace."



2. Being patient with ourselves can be a huge challenge, we are often our own worst critics; is there anything you need to be patient with yourself with at the moment?
Re-learning how to be wife, mom, friend, etc since my studies are over and I "only" have real life to deal with on a daily basis. I'm in a time of transition and adjustment, and I need to extend grace to myself...

3. Are you the kind of person who can/ will persist with a difficult task? How much of this is personality related?
If my family were to read that over my shoulder, there would be loud guffaws. It IS the way I was wired to push through and get it done. When I procrastinate or let things slide, it causes me so much internal stress that I am motivated to release that stress!!!

Case in point... from the Zits web archive...

4. Can you spot when persistence turns into pig-headed-ness, or do you never get there?
No I get there plenty of times. Usually after the fact, I figure out when the optimal time to "let it go" would have been. I think I am getting better in this regard.


5. Post a song or a poem that chills you out and helps you to re-group, re-focus and carry on?
I believe the wise sage, Shel Silverstein has a great perspective:

Listen to the MUSTN'TS, child,

Listen to the DON'TS

Listen to the SHOULDN'TS

The IMPOSSIBLES, the WON'TS

Listen to the NEVER HAVES

Then listen close to me--

Anything can happen, child,

ANYTHING can be.

Bonus, a picture or a photo that speaks to you of patience or persistence....

This was taken on the South Fork of the Potomac River (near Dolly Sod, West Virginia)

Friday Five: Family Tree Edition

Sophia writes:

I moved across country for a college teaching job last September, and my mother came to visit for the first time last week. We had a fantastic genealogical adventure tracing the family roots of her father's grandfather, who moved away from this state sometime between 1887 and 1891. 

We drove a few hours to their county armed with some names and cemeteries, and wondered if we could locate anyone. It turned out there is an awesome local history room in the public library, with a very skilled librarian library, and with her map and a pile of copied records we struck gold! We found, cleared, deciphered and took pictures of old weathered stones marking members of several family branches in four tiny country cemeteries--the one above is my fourth great grandma. Of particular RevGal interest, we spoke with a friendly and helpful pastor at the United Methodist Church (window above) on the site of the Presybterian church my fifth great-grandpa helped found in 1814! 

1. Do you have any interest in geneaology?
In a roundabout way. My parents and one of my older sisters have done the research and spadework to find the clues to our families of origin. They have spent years doing this labor of love! My parents have published several books based on their research. It's amazing what we have learned by their efforts!

2. Which countries did your ancestors come from?
Primarily the Palatinate (Germany and depending on the borders at the time, France/Belgium). Also a lot from Ireland and Great Britain.

3. Who is the farthest back ancestor whose name you know? 
Thanks to the research of my family, I can name relations on both sides of my family!

My dad's side emigrated from the Palatinate in 1740. Simon Hirsch was 18 years old. The family legend is that they left their home at night and escaped down the Rhine River, went by ship to Rotterdam, and then on to America. There was intense persecution by the Catholics at the time, and the legend has it that they left a candle burning in the window and escaped death or coerced conversion from Lutheranism.

On my mom's side, we know that the immigrant couple, William and Hannah Morrow, came from Calarney in Donegal County in 1787. At that time they had only a 2 year old son. They were also Protestants, and it is likely they responded to the pressures of the time (Parliament refusing Ireland's bid for sovereignty, spats within the Anglican and Catholic churches, poor harvests) and moved to America.

4. Any favorite saints or sinners in the group?

I've written about her before, but my thrice-great grandmother, Ellen Brown Hickox Stewart, was an evangelist in the mid 19th century. It's still my dream to write a book about her extraordinary faith and ordinary life. Her book is part of my personal collection.
The Life of Mrs. Ellen Stewart: Together with biographical sketches of other individuals : also a discussion with two clergymen, and arguments in favor of ... together with letters on different subjects, (yes - that is the title!)
What was most amazing about her was her resilience and faith as an abolitionist and suffragette long before either cause was popular. Then add to that her calling as a preacher and evangelist... and wow. My own faith seems very small!

(This photo is one from my family's archives. It was taken in Shawnee, Kansas in the late 1800s. Notice her bright blue eyes, starched collar and the bonnet!)

I guess Ellen would fall into the "saint" category, though I am sure if you shake our family tree long enough, the nuts will fall down in greater numbers.

5. What would you want your descendants to remember about you? 
Hmmmm....  My sense of humor and perseverance. That I loved my family and friends and that I LOVED life!  And maybe, just maybe, I'll get that great American novel written about Ellen...

Bonus: a song, prayer, or poem that speaks of family--blood or chosen--to you.
A famous relative (distant) is Louisa May Alcott, author of Little Women and many other books. Attributed to her is this poem:

'He prayeth best who loveth best

All things, both great and small;

For the dear God who loveth us,

He made and loveth all'

Friday Five: what is there to smile about?

Jan from RevGals writes:

With the end of RevGalBlogPals' third annual Big Event, I am wondering who went and what it was like. There must be a lot of smiling from the Big Event! Hopefully, the rest of us are not frowning either.

So let us know how your past week was for you. Write about five different aspects of the week  OR answer the following questions:

1. When were you smiling lately?
When I finished a rough draft of my FINAL PAPER for my M.Div. about 1 a.m. this morning.  WHOOOO hoooo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2. What happened unexpectedly to you this past week?
Reconnected with an old friend (from our "pre-kids" days!) and will see her next month at my Gradumacation wingding.

3. How was a catastrophe averted (or not)?
Well, the popcorn in the microwave didn't set off the smoke alarm. I got a retching cat off the bed and onto the floor before a hairball reaction. I remembered to make a back-up of my paper (no small thing at 1 a.m.!) And I put my travel mug INSIDE the car before driving away... Sometimes I think I need to buy back my brain from eBay (it didn't fetch that much, anyway!)

4. What was the most delicious thing you ate?
Ooooohhhhhhhhh... that's a close one! It's between the cheesecake we had on Sunday and the fresh strawberries on my cereal this week... but I'm gonna go with the strawberries!  YUM!!!  (I gobbled up the strawberries before I could take a picture... but you'll have to agree the cheesecakes looked grand.)

5. Did you see any good movies or read any books or articles?
No, I confess to being in an edumacation hole this week... but we are hoping to see "How to Train Your Dragon" this weekend. AND celebrate our anniversary. AND parTAY for the end of my M.Div. (not that I'm excited or anything...)

BONUS:
My friendly co-editor and study companion, Henry, makes me smile... after rolling around on top of my desk he sat up with used post-it flags on his head. I was amused. He was not...

FRIDAY FIVE: Pack Your Bags Edition

Songbird from RevGals writes:

I'm preparing to pack my bags for the Big Event Three, and as I gather what I need I'm thinking about just that: what do I *need* to take with me? As a person who likes to pack light, I worry that in the end I may underpack and wish I had other things with me.  I own the gigantor version of the bag to the right, but my morbid fear of having it go astray and not get to the ship means I'm more likely to try to pack it all in a carry-on bag instead, especially since I have a very tight connection on the way to the cruise. But won't I be sorry if I don't bring _______________?

With that in mind, here are five questions about packing to go on a trip.

1) Some fold, some roll and some simply fling into the bag. What's your technique for packing clothes?
A combination of rolling and folding clothes works the best. Things that are forgiving (like jeans and tshirts) get rolled. Socks and underthings are carefully stuffed in empty spots. Usually I have to re-pack my bag because I forget something that should go at the bottom (shoes, for instance). Actually the best packer in my family is Bearded Brewer, with Reedy Girl a close second. The Johnnie and I are not so good, but we are learning.  (I think there is a "packing gene" -- don't you?)

2) The tight regulations about carrying liquids on planes makes packing complicated. What might we find in your quart-size bag? Ever lose a liquid that was too big?
I have a medications bag and a toiletries bag. I don't try to fit my medications into that precious quart bag any more. Once I found out that medication were exempt, I didn't stress so much. My airplane bag has: shampoo, lotion, liquid soap, deodorant and toothpaste.

PET PEEVE: I want my toiletries in my usual unscented (or not perfume added) choices. Unfortunately, there are NO unscented deodorant travel sizes out there. :(


I had to argue one time to take my medications with me. Since they were all with prescription labels on them, I was fine. (Note: Even over-the-counter meds should have a pharmacy sticker on them to avoid the quart bag limit. My pharmacist printed out a bunch of "use as directed" labels for me with my name on them.)

3) What's something you can't imagine leaving at home?
Asthma medications. Depending on the season, my nebulizer goes with me, too.

4) Do you have a bag with wheels?
OH yes. And I loves it, I does. And my luggage set is slightly smaller than the one in my photo...

5) What's your favorite reading material for a non-driving trip (plane, train, bus, ship)?
I'm trying to remember what I read when I wasn't hauling theology books! I'm guessing some kind of novel where I can "fall in" to the story and let it help pass the time.

Friday Five: On the Road Again Edition

Sophia from RevGals writes:

My family is heading out to my husband's parents for the weekend later today. They would have preferred that we come at Easter, but I preferred that my choir director not bring my life to an early end! (Five liturgies to sing between Thursday and Sunday, two with major solos). So Low Sunday it is. 

Some Gals and Pals may have been able to travel to join family or visit a vacation spot last week; some who had to stay put then may be traveling this weekend; and, if I recall correctly, some lucky ones are heading out to the Big Event next weekend. Hence: a road trip Friday Five.

1. When was your last, or will be your next, out of town travel?
OUR LAST TRIP: We just got back from a short trip to western Pennsylvania to see the Frank Lloyd Wright houses, Fallingwater and Kentuck Knob. Here's pictures from both...

(Fallingwater: photos of house not allowed... God's architecture, however, is OK.)

(back terrace of Kentuck Knob)

(Youghiogheny River - Falls in Ohiopyle State Park)

(Flowering trees... heralding spring.)

(Breakfast area at the B&B where we stayed -- Hartzell House)

OUR NEXT TRIP:  When I graduate!!!!!! WHOOP WHOOP!!!

2. Long car trips: love or loathe?
While there are good things that can come from them (a captive audience for a good conversation, for instance), I am not a fan. They are a necessity when airfare prices are so extravagant!

3. Do you prefer to be driver or passenger?
Driver.

4. If passenger, would you rather pass the time with handwork, conversing, reading, listening to music, or ???
Usually conversation and music... I get carsick too easily!

5. Are you going, or have you ever gone, on a RevGals BE? Happiest memories of the former, and/or most anticipated pleasures of the latter?
Haven't made  B.E. yet... but hope to some day.

6. Bonus: a favorite piece of road trip music.
I confess to loving classical music. Especially Vivaldi!

Friday Five: Good Friday

Sally from RevGals hosts this week's Friday Five:

It seems almost irreverent to post a Friday Five on Good Friday, so I will try to treat it with some respect. I am still mulling over the darkness of last nights Tenebrae Service, the silence as we left was profound, and although I travelled home with others we did not speak, there was a holiness about it.....and yet we know that holiness was born of horror!

So as we enter into this darkest of days I offer you this Friday Five:

1. Of all the gospel accounts of the crucifixion, which one stands out for you, and why?
John speaks to me because the writer includes the very human frailties of the disciples and even his mother. He shows how they do not understand what Jesus is doing, or why God seems to have suddenly "changed" directions. Their doubts, questions and confusion ring tanglibly in my own.

2.Do you identify with any people in this account, how does that challenge you?
Like Peter - I let my doubts run away from me, and pull me from God.
Like Mary - I want more than what God has planned
Like Pilate and the Pharisees - I don't want my privately ordered world to be re-arranged or shaken up.
Like the soldiers - I am callous and indifferent to the suffering around me -- until God gets my attention with a thunderclap
Like the disciples - I struggle with my  fears and unbelief in the face of that much love and sacrifice.

3. Hymns or silence?
I usually use a combination. Music to get me focused. Silence to be quiet in the Presence. Today on pray-as-you-go I was drawn into prayer by the music of Antonio Lotti -- the piece Crucifixus from Exultate Deo is lovely, haunting and a soft reminder of the suffering Christ went through for my sin.

4. Post a poem or a quote that sums up Good Friday for you?
The words to Orlando Gibbon's Drop, drop slow tears speak to me. I posted a music video of them here...

Drop, drop, slow tears, and bathe those beauteous feet,

which brought from heaven the news and Prince of Peace.

Cease not, wet eyes, His mercies to entreat;

to cry for vengeance sin doth never cease.

In your deep floods drown all my faults and fears;

nor let His eye see sin, but through my tears.

5. Is there a tradition you could not be without, a tradition that makes Good Friday, Good Friday?

Not being on church staff this year, I find it a bit difficult. Also being from a non-liturgical church, there seems to be little to make this day any different from the rest of the calendar. We will be gathering with friends for dinner tonight, which seems altogether appropriate. I have spent more time in reflection and writing this morning... the promise of Spring, of Easter morning, is shining outside my window this morning.

Glory be to God for the marvelous work of the cross!
I am blessed and encouraged.

We adore you Oh Christ 

and we praise You

because by Your holy cross 

You have redeemed the world.

Amen.

Friday Five: Redo, Refresh, Restore

Songbird from RevGalBlogPals writes:

We're in the thick of it in church life as we approach the end of Lent. Palm Sunday and Holy Week await. In the midst of this busy-ness, I undertook a little redecorating here at RevGalBlogPals and found a new template for us.  [note from Deb - it looks great, Songbird!]

It's the sort of task I like in the middle of chaos, a chance to redo something, to refresh the way I feel, to restore some sense of order.

Please share with us five ways you redo or refresh or restore your body, your space, your blog, anything in your life that needs perking up this week.


=========


I'm in dire need of some rest and remodeling, so this is a good way to think about what it is I need to do to refresh myself a little...


1. My Body: I did go get a pedicure this week. It was my first one in a LONG time. Now I understand why so many RevGals insist it is a necessary part of self-care! While it did tickle, it was also a nice way to be tended to instead of being the superintendent for so many things in my life. Reedy Girl and I decided that we will both go for a pedicure when it's closer to my graduation. The ultimate graduation gift: pretty feet!


2. My Home: Bearded Brewer and I have had several prints and paintings waiting for framing. This winter we finally got them framed and put up. I am enjoying the new vistas on my walls. 


3. My Hobbies: I have been making time for things that feed my heart. Music. Photography. Family. And if it ever stops being "mud season" -- my garden! I can drive myself to exhaustion. I'm learning that I need this Re-creational Space in my life.


4. My Study: When we did some remodeling and refinished our basement, there was a debate about where I should put my study. I need natural light to feel alive, so I really didn't want to be a cellar drudge! I ended up taking over the fourth bedroom/former playroom. It receives the afternoon sun, and I have a great view of part of the garden. One of the other aspects I love about it is that I have version of the Last Supper by Piasecki on one wall. (You can learn more about it here.) My study also has a window that looks out on the back garden. And it has LOTS of books. Here's a few photos... please pardon the piles on my desk!!

The view inward...

The view outside...

5. My Heart: I have discovered that I need a balance of activity and quiet. Yes, I definitely an extrovert, but the moments I can have with no demands on my time or attention are very precious. I'll be going to the next day silent retreat on Wednesday April 21st here.  Care to join me?

Friday Five: Spiritual vs Religious

Mompriest from RevGals writes:

Yesterday I attended a conference led by Diana Butler Bass. She is presenting new ideas on the state of the church and why there is hope for Christianity. One of her premises is a Newsweek/Washington Post poll from 2005 that states that 55% of the people in this country describe themselves as religious AND spiritual.

Without going into detail about her understandings of religious and spiritual (you may want to attend one of her conferences, if you can) share with us five thoughts ideas or practices that you consider to be "religious." Then share with us five thoughts, ideas, or practices that you consider to be "spiritual."

For example one thought about religion might be that it is "salvation" Or an idea about religion might be that it it is an "institution" and a religious practice might be "going to church." An example of spiritual thought might be a phrase from a poem, a spiritual idea might be the inspiration for a piece of art and a spiritual practice might be meditation.

So, five thoughts, ideas, or practices that are religious....and then five thoughts, ideas or practices that are spiritual. OR are they the same thing to you?

-o-

This is a great question!


This week I am studying the John 4 passage which covers the Woman of Sychar and her encounter with Jesus. There's several themes in the text which remind me that she had lots of "religious" practices but was not very "spiritual." Jesus was very gentle, yet very direct with her. (...and me...) And considering the fact that this encounter is recorded right after a brouhaha with the Pharisees, it was all the more thought-provoking.


As I ponder this, I have come to the conclusion that I don't necessarily think that "religious" = "spiritual" thoughts, ideas, or practices.


Sometimes a "religious" habit can be "spiritual," and many times it can be devoid of any spiritual meaning at all. Likewise, some of the most "spiritual" moments in my life have had nothing to do with "religious" activities and had EVERYTHING to do with a mighty God at work. I just happened to be there to participate and be a part of it; (one such example, for instance, would be childbirth...)


Here's my attempt at articulating the difference...


1.Prayer
RELIGIOUS: Praying because it's "that time of day" or "that place in the liturgy where we always pray."

SPIRITUAL: Praying because it is part of my ongoing conversation with God throughout the day.


2. Worship
RELIGIOUS: Going to a service at church with others, and oh yeah, it's about God.


SPIRITUAL: Going to encounter the Presence of Christ -- not necessarily a service, in a building, or with other people.



3. Giving
RELIGIOUS: Because it's a cause, person, political party or habit.

SPIRITUAL: Because God keeps 10% of what I earn, and I want it spent for heavenly purposes. And there's no litmus test on what that means.


4. Journaling
RELIGIOUS: Because all the cool leaders talk about the importance of doing it -- and because it's great fodder for my next book!

SPIRITUAL: Because without stopping to pray, reflect and articulate the swirl of activity that is "life," I miss the meta-messages from the Holy Spirit


5. Fasting

RELIGIOUS: I need to deprive myself of habitual eating in order to "deny my flesh" and prepare for Holy Week.

SPIRITUAL: I need to remember that all of my compulsions are under God's supernatural control; fasting is a way to reflect and return even the simple practice of consuming food to God.

-o-

In some respects, I found today's topic hard... I don't want to fall in a Pharasaical habit of thinking I'm doing better than some other "spiritual" leader I know. I'm surely not. I want to be clear that I wobble all the time between "religious" and "spiritual" -- and it is my prayer that I not be included in the heavenly list of Pharisees - by God's grace...  The Lord knows there are enough "religious" people in the news and on the internet these days!

"Everything they do is done for people to see..."  

- Jesus, about the Pharisees, Matthew 23:5a

Like it or not, the "Church Lady" from Saturday Night Live epitomizes a face of Christianity that is too common and too engrained in our culture. And, quite honestly, in me.

Spiritual Spring Cleaning Friday Five

Sally from RevGalBlogPals writes:

I have been thinking about spring, although it is still very cold here the snow has almost gone and the sun is shining. Here and there spring bulbs are bravely pushing their way through the earth and Tim and I are thinking about planting the first of the years veggies in the garden!

Then I read:

The old life is gone; a new life burgeons! Look at it! All this comes from the God who settled the relationship between us and him, and then called us to settle our relationships with each other. God put the world square with himself through the Messiah, giving the world a fresh start by offering forgiveness of sins. God has given us the task of telling everyone what he is doing. We're Christ's representatives. God uses us to persuade men and women to drop their differences and enter into God's work of making things right between them. We're speaking for Christ himself now: Become friends with God; he's already a friend with you. (2 Corninthians 5: 17-20 The Message)

All this got me thinking that if we traditionally think of spring as a time for new life, then maybe a spiritual spring clean might not be a bad thing to clear the way for the new thing that God wants to do in us!

So with all of that in mind I offer you this Friday Five:

1. Is there a part of your spiritual life that is dry and dusty at the moment, something that could do with a good spring clean?
Funny you should ask... I am taking my final Spiritual Formation class for seminary and it has a 7-fold approach to a holistic Spiritual Formation (Personal Faith, Emotional, Relational, Vocational, Theological, Health and Wellness and Financial). The photographs don't lie. I need to be more serious about my Health and Wellness.

2. Spiritual disciplines- life-giving/ terrifying: discuss
If you use them as a sledge-hammering, guilt-inducing self-abuse, they will be terrifying. If you recognize you need them to work on your own personal growth, then they are life-giving. Actually, I think the most important concept to remember is that "one size doesn't fit all"!!!

3. Share a practice that keeps you spiritually alive that you think others might benefit from...
 Silent retreats - even a 4 hour day one does wonderful things! I get away at least once a quarter. I'm trying for monthly.

4.Alone or together, how do you pray best?
Alone. BUT... (having said that) there are many burdens that are best lifted to God together.

5.If your spiritual life were to burgeon and bloom into a spring flower what would it be and why?
I'm guessing a forsythia - I am fairly hardly, somewhat invasive (I am not a "shrinking violet!"), and I want to grow beyond last year's growth. In fact - the way that forsythias bloom is by setting buds on last year's growth. The overall effect of a forsythia is quite compelling, but even the individual flowers have a strong yellow color and a very gentle fragrance.

Bonus, a piece of music a picture or a prayer that speaks to you of new life....

This is one of my favorite pieces of "happy music" -- I love the percussion in it. I love the simply joyful lyrics. It's just FUN!

Friday Five: Happy Lent!

Sophia at RevGals writes:

Each year you give us this joyful season when we prepare to celebrate the Paschal Mystery with mind and heart renewed. You give us a spirit of loving reverence for you, our [Mother]/Father, and of willing service to our neighbor. As we recall the great events that gave us new life in Christ, you bring the image of your Son to perfection within us.... (First Preface for Lent, Roman Missal)

1. Did you celebrate Mardi Gras/Shrove Tuesday this year? Any memories of memorable celebrations past?
Does watching the Olympics count? Then, YES!

2. How about Ash Wednesday, past and/or present?
This year I was not at a formal service. In the past I have helped officiate. It is probably the most humbling task a pastor can do, next to leading the Communion service.


3. Does your denomination or congregation celebrate "this joyful season"? Any special emphases or practices to share?
Our congregation? NO. Individuals within it? YES but it is not something that is cultivated. This year someone is teaching a class that is timed to culminate at Easter, but it's not titled as a Lenten class.

This year I am reading the Daily Office through the ESV website. There is something very heart-focusing about praying through the Psalms and prayers of the Book of Common Prayer for Lent.

4. Do you have a personal plan of give-ups, take-ons, special ministries, and/or a special focus for your own spiritual growth between now and Easter?
I blogged about this briefly a few days ago.  Basically I am working on being more intentional and thoughtful in my daily actions. I got the idea as I was thinking about all of the diets that I have tried and failed on because they were too far from the mainstream of the way I live. So while abstaining from something or adding a new routine is great, for me it doesn't have any lasting "sticking" power. I am working on intentionality and being fully present. I believe it is a place where God wants to rub off my roughest edges.  (BTW - in case you wondered - 2 days in, it hurts. But it's good.)

5. What is your dream for the image of Christ coming to perfection in you, the church, the world? How can we support you in prayer?
I'm in "launch mode" right now. I'm finishing my last semester of regular classes for my M.Div. (HALLELUJAH!!!!!!) I'm also applying for a summer CPE unit, and looking to do a second one and become a Board-Certified Chaplain in the next year. In spending time with my mentor and spiritual director, it seems that this is where God is bringing me in my career plans. My prayer has always been "use me, spend me -- but only where you want me!"  I would appreciate prayers for clarity and discernment.

Bonus: Song, prayer, picture, etc. that sums up your feelings about this liturgical springtime. 

First a Picture Bonus!  I went and cut some forsythia just before our back-to-back big snows that started on February 5th. The buds have just started opening. It reminds me of the hymn Now the Green Blade Riseth...

Now the green blade riseth from the buried grain,
Wheat that in the dark earth many days has lain;
Love lives again, that with the dead has been:
Love is come again, like wheat that springeth green.

In the grave they laid him, love whom men had slain,
Thinking that never he would wake again.
Laid in the earth like grain that sleeps unseen:
Love is come again, like wheat that springeth green,

Forth he came at Easter, like the risen grain,
He that for three days in the grave had lain.
Quick from the dead my risen Lord is seen:
Love is come again, like wheat that springeth green.

When our hearts are wintry, grieving, or in pain,
Thy touch can call us back to life again;
Fields of our hearts that dead and bare have been:
Love is come again, like wheat that springeth green.
John MacLeod Campbell Crum (1872-1958)


And here's a Poetry Bonus!  This arrived in my email this morning... I found it to be EXACTLY what I needed to read and pray through.

Dear God,

Speak gently in my silence.

When the loud outer noises of my surroundings

and the loud inner noises of my fears

keep pulling me away from you,

help me to trust that you are still there

even when I am unable to hear you.

Give me ears to listen to your small, soft voice saying:

"Come to me, you who are overburdened,

and I will give you rest...

for I am gentle and humble of heart."

Let that loving voice be my guide.

Amen.

~Henri Nouwen, With Open Hands

Friday Five: FAB FEB(ruary)

Jan from RevGalBlogPals writes:

With Valentine's Day around the corner, it seems appropriate to write about February holidays. However, I'd never heard of "Waitangi Day" before: Feb. 6 is a holiday in New Zealand to commemorate the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi, the founding of New Zealand, in 1840. I'll avoid Fur Rondy, as it is connected with Sarah Palin's home state.

1. When February comes along, how do you feel about the coming month?
My mom rightly notes that February seems like the longest month of the year. The weather is usually awful and winter seems like it will always be. I'm just happy we're almost halfway through. On the other hand, I have a dim realization that I MUST get out taxes done because Financial Aid for The Johnnie is due March 1st, and I will be in class that week. YIKES!

2. What memories do you have about Valentine's Day? Are you doing anything to observe it this year?
It involved (in elementary school) cupcakes with frosting, warm red koolaid (with the required Kool-Aid mustaches afterwards) and little valentines in those flimsy envelopes that were held shut with stickers. Also red construction paper and doilies for craft projects...  I beat the rush and sent ValenGroundHogTines Day packages out early for my college girl. The rest I actually remembered to buy a card before we got "a bit" of weather.

3. It is interesting that Monday's "Presidents Day" is not officially called that in every state. It is a U.S. federal holiday entitled "Washington's Birthday." Which is your favorite president and why?
Oh dear. Not to pull a Palin on you, but I don't know as I have one. I am sure I have a "LEAST favorite" one. Without getting too specific, let's just say he was a frat boy who couldn't read a teleprompter.

4. Will you be celebrating Shrove Tuesday or Mardi Gras? How?
Not usually. We had pancakes this week as "blizzard food" for supper. Does that count?

5. Any other ways to celebrate in February?
This year I think I will celebrate by getting our Christmas (2009) letter out before month's end. That's huge. The last couple of years I haven't written one at ALL!


Bonus: A Lenten book or website you recommend.
My study partner for spiritual formation suggested that we read The Daily Offices as part of our "reading the Bible through in a year."

And I just realized that I have written Holy Week and Lenten devotionals in years past, but I don't have Lenten ones up anywhere. Hmnmmmm....

Friday Five: Staving off the Gloom

Revgal Sally from the UK writes this week's Friday Five:

Candlemass is past, and Christmas is well and truly over, here in the UK February looks set to be its usual grey and cold self. Signs of spring are yet to emerge; if like me you long for them perhaps you need ways to get through these long dark days. So lets share a few tips for a cold and rainy/ snowy day....

1. Exercise: what do you do if you can't face getting out into the cold and damp?
We have started taking Tai Chi classes (which are indoors thankyouverymuch) and most of the beginning exercises I can do at home. Tai Chi is actually helping my knees and my back be more flexible and I can see some strengthening of the large muscles which help my joints.

2. Food: time to comfort eat, or time to prepare your body for the coming spring/summer?
I make a lot of soups and stews: beef stew, corn chowder, chicken chili verde, chili con carne. With a side of homemade bread or cornbread, it's a warming meal.


3. Brainpower: do you like me need to stave off depression, if so how do you do it?
I pick a craft or hobby and do it. This winter I'm making a prayer shawl, my first ever big crocheting project. It will go to a Kairos Outside prison ministry group. I also cut and "force" forsythia so that I have something blooming from my yard long before spring is here. I just went and cut some as the "epic" snowstorm is starting... (pictured to the right.)


4. How about a story that lifts your spirits, is there a book or film that you return to to stave off the gloom?
I'm in a Jane Austen book club this year and that has been a fun way to keep my heart light. Generally, I try to find a good series and dive into it when the days are short and cold. Reedy Girl was just introduced to the James Herriott serries (All Creatures Great and Small) though we had read bits and pieces of them to her for years. One year I read all of the Mitford books, another year I re-read all of the David and Leigh Eddings' series.

5. Looking forward: do you have a favorite spring flower/ is there something that says spring is here more than anything else?
The snowdrops are the first trumpet, then forsythia. Those two give me a little courage to get through February which my mom says is "the longest month of the year." Here's a shot of some snowdrops bravely standing up to the weather today!


Bonus: post a poem/ piece of music that points to the coming spring......

One of my favorite's is Aaron Copland's "Appalachian Spring" because it weaves in the folk tune "Simple Gifts." I looked briefly for a good video but didn't like the ones I found (they had a fabulous clam by the 1st horn which was lamentable!)

For all of you MST3000 fans, here's a video entitled "Spring Fever"

Friday Five: Social Media Edition

Kathrynzj from RevGalBlogPals writes:

I had the joy of spending time with Songbird last weekend, someone I would have never met had it not been for the blogosphere. Now we keep in touch using a large variety of methods: blog (hers a lot, mine not so much lately), FaceBook, twitter, text messaging, chat and email. So far there has been no Skype.

It got me to thinking of the pros and cons of these relatively new means of communication and interconnecting and so I ask you the following:


1) What have been the benefits for you of social networking (blog, twitter, facebook, etc...)
First of all, I discovered the RevGals when I was a newbie in seminary and wondering if I was the only (a) 3rd career pastor-in-training (b) woman in seminary (c) secret feminist (d) person trying to serve God and walking that line between "the 2 R's" (Rush Limbaugh and Roger Moore!)  To my delight, I discovered I had a plethora of cyber-friends and encouragers waiting to be found!

2) Which medium do you use the most? Or if you use them all, for what do you use each of them?I use them all!I have blogged since 2004 and have a family website (sadly unedited at the moment!) The blog and website are more oriented towards practical, thoughtful and usually whimsical writing. Facebook and Twitter and Skype are quick, easy ways to keep in touch with family and friends. Facebook has become a great way to connect in "the the real world" as I'm working on networking and preparing to find a job (August-September 2010, in case you are hiring!) Twitter is an easy way to update my Facebook and Blog "status bar" in one fell swoop, particularly via my cell phone.

3) If you could invent a networking site (with no limits on your imagination), what would it provide? What would it not provide?
Some kind of "speed dial" that would let me voice-activate update my status... ?

4) Who have you met that you would not have met if it were not for the 'miracle' of social networking?Back when I was trying to be more "whole foods" oriented, I met a bunch of women through a digest/email list. Some of them were pretty "out there" ("sugar causes cancer" etc) but we got to know a great family through that list. DebD and I are very different, but there is a kindred Spirit that makes us friends. We keep in touch via the web; her blog/Facebook is one of the ones I follow pretty faithfully.

5) Who do you secretly pray does not one day try to 'friend/follow' you?SNORT. Like I'm going to publicly write that here? Use your imagination.

BONUS: What was the most random/weird/unsettling/wonderful connection you made that would not have happened if it were not for the ease of which we can find each other in the computer realm?
The day that I found out I was going to be ordained, I managed to contact Mary Beth via phone, who was here in the DC area for a convention. My fellow ordinand and I had just decided that we were going to have a luau celebration theme, and she had just found a beautiful flower lei on the street! What a God connection! :)

Friday Five: Planes, Trains and Automobiles

Songbird from RevGalBlogPals writes:

By the time you're reading this, I'll be en route to a Great Big City to see my son in a play. I'll go by car and bus and train and no doubt cab and maybe even subway. Thus, our Friday Five.

1) What was the mode of transit for your last trip?
Family car. Another I-95 adventure...

2) Have you ever traveled by train?
Yes, a long time ago. When Bearded Brewer and I were dating (he was in DC, I was in metro NY), I used to take the Amtrak down to DC and then Metro it out to friends in Northern Virginia.

3) Do you live in a place with public transit, and if so, do you use it?
Only when we go to downtown DC. The biggest issue is finding parking at Metro stations!

4) What's the most unusual vehicle in which you've ever traveled?
A "taxi" in Nigeria which had people, goats and chickens all crammed in to a 10 passenger van. Everything was inside because it was the rainy season. It was hot, humid and smelly!

5) What's the next trip you're planning to take?
Hmmmm... Not sure. I don't think driving down to modular classes (intensives) counts. Probably back to the beach.

BONUS: Here's a picture of my first car... A 1978 Dodge Omni (basically a Volkswagen Rabbit knock-off!) It had a four speed manual transmission and an add-on AC unit under the dash. While it was great on snow with its front-wheel drive, it went through THREE batteries and FOUR alternators in ten years...

Friday Five: "If" edition

Jan from RevGalBlogPals writes:

In EFM this week, our question was, "If you were a color, what would you be?" So that's where this Friday Five comes from, at least its jumping off place.

1. If you were a color, what would you be?
I'd be blue-hoo-hoo, blue-hoo-hoo, blue-hoo-hoo-HOooooo! (Sorry! Gratuitious Veggie Tales Reference!)

2. If you were a flower (or plant), what would you be?
No question. I would be a rose. A beauty with thorns.

3. If you were an animal, what kind would you be?
A cat. Probably because the idea of sleeping 20 hours a day appeals... and because we're a 3-cat household. I don't think I could be anything else.

4. If you were a shoe, what type would you be? I'd like to say a pair of Birkenstock sandals, muddy from the back yard... but I don't want to horrify my daughter. Probably I'd be a pair of my Rocket Dogs flats because they go anywhere, work with just about anything outside of formal wear, and still look great. I love Rocket Dogs! I can find them for a reasonable price at DSW, and they don't hurt my feet!! I've been eying these beauties and are waiting for the price to come down.

5. If you were a typeface, which font would you be?
Something that is not regular and regimented, but is still readable. Probably something sans serif and as far from Times New Roman as I can get and still be considered "professional."

Bonus: Anything connected with metaphors that you'd like to contribute.
Well, you might have noticed that my blog is "An Unfinished Symphony" -- the title and reason are a metaphor in themselves!

Life is an unfinished symphony. God holds the score in His Hands. Sometimes my life is a cymbal crash, and sometimes it is pages of counting rests. But always, He is the Conductor. (...and I hear the Coda He's written is out of this world!)

Friday Five: Dreams

Sophia from RevGalBlogPals writes:

With the beginning of my college teaching semester I have been having some unusually intense and memorable dreams lately--especially related to my Women and Religion class. With the beginning of a new calendar year many of us are engaging with dreams of another kind: planning, brainstorming, setting intentions or resolutions, etc. And many churches will celebrate the baptism of Jesus this Sunday, reading the Gospel account of his vision of the Holy Spirit as a dove and the "beloved child" words of Godde that set him off on his mission sharing Godde's dream for the world. So let's take a few minutes on this (where I am at least) lovely snow-blanketed Friday morning and share about the many different dreams and visions in our lives.

1. Do you tend to daydream? I do. But I think that it is a largely self-serving habit, so I am trying to turn them into prayers of conscious conversation with God instead.

2. Do you usually remember your night dreams? Do you find them symbolic and meaningful or just quirky? Most of the time, they are just quirky, and usually related to something that is going on in my life. For instance, Bearded Brewer likes to sleep with the window open. In cold weather, that usually results in a dream of being in a snowbank, or lying on the ice... and then I wake up freezing!

3. Have you ever had a life changing dream which you'll never forget? No, honestly, I don't think I have.

4. Share a long term dream for one or more aspects of your life and work. How about graduating in May and starting a CPE unit shortly after? I guess this is a theme, but I would LOVE LOVE LOVE to be done with school.

5. Share a dream for 2010....How can we support you in prayer on both the short and long term dreams? I am a bit jaded, I guess. I had dreams of where I thought I would be in ministry and the doors seem fairly firmly closed. So I'm just focusing on a dose of reality and intentional listening to God's voice and direction, rather than telling God what I think is going to happen.

I do pray for our daughters' future and the places God will take them and use them. The opportunities that they will be offered will have fewer bumps in the road. So I guess my BIG dream would be for a world where equality is not fought for, but is granted, and service and work is given based on gifts, not gender.

I'd say that's a pretty BIG dream for all of us!

Friday Five: Fresh Starts and Covenants Edition

Sally of RevGalBlogPals writes:

As I prepare this post I am aware that it will be posted on New Years Day. We stand at the beginning of 2010 looking not only at a New Year, but at a new decade full of promise and possibilities. For some of us this will be exciting, but others will approach it with trepidation and probably most of us stand on this threshold with a mix of emotions and reactions. It is at this time of year that many (British) Methodist Churches celebrate their Annual Covenant Service, a service that will include this prayer:

I am no longer my own but Yours,

Put me to what You will, rank me with whom You will;
put me to doing, put me to suffering;
let me be employed for You, or laid aside for You,
exalted for You, or brought low for You;
let me be full, let me be empty,
let me have all things, let me have nothing:
I freely and wholeheartedly yield all things to Your pleasure and disposal.
And now glorious and blessed God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit,
You are mine and I am Yours.
May it be so forever.
Let this covenant now made on earth be fulfilled in heaven.
AMEN

This prayer is said every year, and offers every member an opportunity to renew their covenant with God. This is no soft or easy prayer, it states in the company of others our willingness to worship God come what may, not that we should become doormats, but that we place God above all else. (And every year if we are honest we have to acknowledge that we fail.) With this prayer in mind I bring you this Friday Five:

1. What will you gladly leave behind in 2009? Two words: Kate Turabian.

2. What is the biggest challenge of 2010 for you? Finishing strong for my M.Div. I am so sick of school that I really am not excited about starting classes on Monday. I know I will get in the groove, but I am ready to be DONE!

3. Is there anything that you simply need to hand to God and say "all will be well, for you are with me"? Knowing where I will be a year from now in God's choice of ministry for me. I don't really know what it will look like. Being a female and ordained clergy without a denominational affiliation, there aren't any clear options as of yet. And that must be God's to direct and bring to pass.

4. If you could only achieve one thing in 2010 what would it be? Continue to build strong relationships with my husband and daughters. Anything else is gravy.

5. Post a picture, poem or song that sums up your prayer for the year ahead....

Harbor Island, SC

In the quiet spaces and wide open places
I heard your Voice
and answer...
I only desire to reflect
your Words and your Beauty
to the world around me.
may it be so.
Amen.

Friday Five: Christmas Traditions

Jan at RevGalBlogPals writes:

Christmas traditions vary from family to family and from regions afar. I've been pleased that my oldest son's wife AA loves to be with our family for Christmas, though I don't think we do anything out of the ordinary. It helps that DC has one brother and two sisters to liven up our home.

Since I finally decorated the Christmas tree and have started baking Christmas cookies, I am thinking of Christmas only being one week away.

So for this Friday Five, tell us five things about the traditions in your family. Think of...

1. Traditions you always do...
A tree, stockings from "Santa," an Advent wreath, pretty tablecloths and linens, presents under the tree, and putting up creches.

We never really pushed the "Santa" story, but used it as an opportunity to teach doing things for each other. Our stockings have things in them that are fun and useful, silly and imaginative. Our creches are from various places. One is from Bearded Brewer's grandmother. Another is made of olive wood from Bethlehem, and there are also animals from Africa and India represented. There are many German decorations (arches, painted wooden ornaments and pyramids), and music boxes. And there are a lot of things for cats to knock over.

King Henry with part of the creche. He brought "purrrs."

2. Traditions you always cook or eat...
Gazillions of Christmas cookies (usually at least one batch of sugar cookies), chocolate in many ways, peppermint and some kind of good meal on Christmas Day. It depends where we are what it is (if we are at the beach, it's seafood!)

3. Traditions you would like to start...
Reading the Christmas story together.

4. traditions you would like to discard...
Well, since I am not going to get to them this year, Christmas cards. I guess I will do some kind of eCard.

Reedy Girl and I doing "quality control" on cookies...

5. anything about your family Christmases... Bearded Brewer and I give to some organization as our Christmas gift to our extended family. Depending on the year, we choose an organization we want to support. We have given to Amani Ya Juu, The Heifer Project, International Christian Concern, The Salvation Army, and various relief projects with the Mennonite Central Committee. It's never a lot of money, but we know it is the gift that "always fits" and it is something of a legacy from our parents, who taught us to care about the less fortunate.


As time goes by, I am becoming more of a realist. Things that get done, get done. Things that don't -- well, they don't. As I type this, we are beginning a major snowstorm for our area. (Of course anything more than 6 inches is "major" around here!!) I was supposed to preach a student sermon tomorrow. Unless we travel by dogsled, it won't happen. So we will enjoy some time as a family and celebrate this season of Light and Hope and Joy and Peace...

And I pray that each of you finds these things too -- in Jesus, The Christ Child.

Deb

Friday Five: Do-Nothing Edition

Sally from RevGals writes: List five things you won't be doing to prepare for Christmas.

1) Attending more than one Christmas concert at school since The Johnnie has graduated, and only Reedy Girl has a concert this month.
2) Perform in a Christmas concert or service this month. My schedule doesn't permit participating in Christmas Eve this year. It's really OK.
3) Giving in a gift exchange, white elephant or otherwise. (Hallelujah!)
4) Traveling down to The Mall in DC to see Christmas lights. (I've done it the last four years in a row; I'm exempt this year!)
5) Sending Christmas cards. I'm emailing, blogging and that's all folks.

Back to writing... and when I have brain-power, more blogging too...

Friday Five: Friday the 13th

Sophia at RevGals writes:

The fear of Friday the 13th is called paraskevidekatriaphobia, a word derived from the concatenation of the Greek words Paraskeví (Παρασκευή) (meaning Friday), and dekatreís (δεκατρείς) (meaning thirteen), attached to phobía (φοβία) (meaning fear). The term triskaidekaphobia derives from the Greek words "tris", meaning 'three', "kai", meaning 'and', and "deka", meaning 'ten'. the whole word means three and ten. The word was derived in 1911 and first appeared in a mainstream source in 1953. (Wikipedia) With thanks to my dear spouse TechnoGuy for the great suggestion, it's a Friday the 13th Friday Five!

1. How is this Friday the 13th looking for you? Rainy, windy and hip deep in reading and writing a paper. Actually the number 13 makes me think of the character "13" on House played by Olivia Wilde.

2. Have you ever had anything unlucky happen on Friday the 13th? Not that I can remember.

3. Did your family of origin embrace or scorn superstitions? Oh, pretty much scorn them. It comes from being raised in a family of scientists. (For instance, my dad poo-poo'ed the studies on saccharin because of the "wimpy Canadian rats.")

4. Are there any unique or amusing ones from your family, region, or ethnic background? I recall that my great-grandmother believed that if a baby's first tooth was a bottom one, then they would grow to adulthood, but if the first tooth was a top one, the baby would "grow down to the grave." In fact, my parents neglected to mention that when they wrote to announce "baby's first tooth" and this concerned my great-grandmother! With subsequent babies, they always let her know that it was the bottom tooth!

5. Do you love or hate horror movies like "Friday the 13th"? That would be a "no thank you!!!" I have too vivid an imagination.

You didn't ask for one, but here's a BONUS answer: During my school years, I always planned my "Friday the 13th" outfit so that I was wearing green. The maxim was "wear green for luck" and if you did not comply, you got pinched! Anyone else have that experience??