8 Reminders

In today's passage we are given 8 reminders for life and living in Christ. The text is 1 Peter 1:17-21


17 Since you call on a Father who judges each person’s work impartially, live out your time as foreigners here in reverent fear. 18 For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your ancestors, 19 but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect. 20 He was chosen before the creation of the world, but was revealed in these last times for your sake. 21 Through him you believe in God, who raised him from the dead and glorified him, and so your faith and hope are in God.

1. God judges each of us impartially

2. Tradition does not “save us”

3. Redeemed by the blood of Christ

4. Live in reverent awe

5. We are foreigners

6. Christ was planned before the creation of the world

7. Christ raised and glorified

8. Live in hope and faith

It is all for us. Every drop of blood was given so that we might have life … abundant and free. All of these reminders are so that we can be everything God created us to be.

Thought For Today

The destination directs the steps of our journey.

Just Connie

A Group of Women

I met with a  group of women today. There was no plan or agenda we just met together to talk and be together. We roasted hot dogs, ate lots and talked and laughed and talked some more. There is something so very wonderful about being with other Christian women. The love, the caring and the complete acceptance is something you do not find very often.

As we shared today I was amazed at the vast differences between all of us and yet how comfortable we were with each other. We have all come from such different lives and walked such vastly different paths, yet there was trust and security between us.

I am thankful for the chance to get to know these women and I am anticipating what God will do in our midst in the days ahead. I think there is something powerful and beautiful when godly women unite in love.

I am looking forward to the beauty ahead ....

Just Connie

Hope at the Beach

 

I decided that today would be a good day to introduce Hope Puppy to the ocean so I packed a picnic lunch, a couple of  tennis balls and we headed to the beach.

Hope was enthralled with the beach, but she was really much more interested in the tennis ball in my hand. She was rather tentative when she first began but she was soon barrelling into the waves. Her favorite was D River where she would jump and swim to get her ball. She would barrel right down the middle of river as she chased her ball. Spraying water for 10 feet on either side of her. I think I got just as wet as she did.

So tonight we are wet, sandy, tired and happy. I think that is a great end to a wonderful day.

Just Connie

Board Thoughts

There are many things that I love about being a pastor. One of the things which bring me great joy is the opportunity to help train and guide leadership. Over the past year I have worked with the church leadership as we have restructured the budget, policies and began to cast vision for the future. They have worked really hard to create order out of the chaos.

Tonight I met with the church board. It was such a wonderful time of dreaming for the future and yet meeting the current needs. There was a great synergy as we shared, dreamed and planned. I love how this group all works together without conflict or struggle.

Tonight I am blessed by the hard work of my leadership and I am so very grateful as I look at how much has been accomplished this past year. God has brought us through deep waters and there is good things happening.

But I really believe the best is yet to come.

Just Connie

Summer Evening

It is a beautiful summer evening and I am sitting watching the wind blow through the maple tree. The wind chimes are chiming, the leaves are rustling and the baby birds in the nest by the back door are chirping. The sky is beginning to turn a golden pink as the sun begins to set. The dogs are laying under the tree and the world is peaceful.

This is a wonderful way to end a busy day. Peace reigns

Just Connie

Flashback

I had a flashback today. I was picking strawberries in the midst of a friend's garden. Hope puppy was running around and poking her nose into everything, the cows  were mooing .... and suddenly I was transported back to my childhood. Standing in the midst of Granny and Grandad's garden, picking beans with the ever present sound of cows in the background.

I have such wonderful memories of time with my grandparents. I can remember sitting on the back fence and talking to the cows while gazing out over the hills. I loved the view from their back yard, it never failed to fill me with a sense of well being. I did not realize at the time that those quiet moments would stay with me for a life time.

So today I stood and gazed at the hills, listened to the cows and remembered. And those memories .... they made me smile.

Just Connie

The Plan

Some days just refuse to follow the plan. Today was one of those days. Mondays are my sermon and study day. I spend the day studying and writing my sermon. It is a day of quietness and reflection as I seek God's heart. At least that was the plan.

My day actually started last night with a late night phone call that took me out on a pastoral visit first thing this morning. From there I rushed back to the church to meet with a young man who needed a place to do community service. As I waited for him to show I tried to clear my desk of the detritus that seems to always accumulate on Sundays. As I got my community service guy started on a task I began to turn to my sermon. I no sooner got started on that when the phone began ringing .... and then the drop in visitors began to show up. At one point I actually had a line up of people waiting to see me.

By last this afternoon, I felt like I had done most everything but finish my sermon. Definitely not what I had planned. But I have a feeling that the "plan" was not what was important about today. Instead of what I had planned, I comforted someone who was grieving, built a bridge with a trouble young man, spent time with a man fighting cancer, dealt with a myriad of business and logistical issues.

So the reality is that my day was not what I had planned, but it was better than my plan. I guess it is a good thing that ultimately Someone else in in charge of the plan.

Just Connie

A Relevant Holiness

As Christians we are called to holiness. This passage gives us some specifics of what that holiness looks like.

1 Peter 1:13-15
13 Therefore, with minds that are alert and fully sober, set your hope on the grace to be brought to you when Jesus Christ is revealed at his coming. 14 As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. 15 But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; 16 for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy




1.   Obedient
God's people are called to obedience. It is not the grand sweeping gestures that we prove our love of Christ, it is in the everyday obedience.

2.   Alert
We are called to be alert, to watch carefully, to not coast through life but be involved.

3.   Sober (focused on what is important)
We are called to service and good works. We are called to become everything that God has created us to be.

4.   Lack of ignorance
We are called to use our intelligence, to grow and learn and strive for greatness.

5.   Not given over to evil desires
We are called to live in purity, to turn aside from those things that do not honor Christ.
6.   Full of hope
We are called to live lives of hope, that give proof of the living reality of God within us.

7.   Expectant of God’s grace
We need to live in expectation of God's grace in our life. before us, behind us .. to every side. Protecting us, guiding us.
8.   Living in expectation of Christ’s return
We need to live knowing that Christ is coming again. It changes our perspective when we do.
Holiness is not just relevant, it is critical for our success, our well being and our protection. It is the natural outcome of our relationship with Christ.

Thought For Today

Holiness is not about following the rules

It is about following Christ.

Just Connie

Vacation Bible School - Day 5

Well the last day of Vacation Bible School is behind me. I ran, played games, danced, jumped and had fun with about 50 very excited children and their parents. The happy looks on their faces made everything worth it.

I am really impressed with the excellent job that everyone did. We had some small bumps and problems but overall it was a wonderful week. Now the cleanup begins. But first I am planning on sleeping, sleeping and sleeping. That is the plan ... I just hope the dogs will cooperate with my plans since Charlie's morning alarm clock usually goes off at 5.

I am tired and happy and looking forward to a couple of down days.

Just Connie

Vacation Bible School - Day 4

Day 4 of Vacation Bible School is behind me. It was a busy, busy evening. I ran races, got water poured on me, threw water bombs at the kids, played beach volleyball, danced and sang my heart out. In other words it was a pretty normal night of VBS.

I have really enjoyed doing recreation this year. It has been non stop activity and hilarity. It is good to get out and play and have fun with the kids. I think it is probably as good for me as it is for them. In fact it might even be better for me. I need to do more playing in my life.

Tomorrow night is the last night of VBS and I need to plan some really outrageous activities for the kids to do with their parents. I am thinking water balloons ......

Just Connie

Vacation Bible School - Day 3

Night 3 of Vacation Bible School is behind me. 

Here are some photos to give you an idea of how fun vacation bible school has been so far.

Vacation Bible School - Day 2

Day two of Vacation Bible School is behind me. It was wild, crazy and totally wonderful. The church was full of laughing happy children. Tonight I played water games with the children. We threw water bombs at each other, chased each other with spray bottles and played beach ball volleyball. From the youngest child to the oldest everyone was laughing, wet and happy.

However .... tonight I am tired. I am ready to put my feet up and curl up with a good book. That sounds like a perfect way to end the evening.

Day 3 coming up tomorrow ..... I can do this.

Just Connie

Vacation Bible School Night One

Night one of Vacation Bible School is behind me. We had a church full of happy children and that made me happy. I played games and tossed balls and tried to keep the kids out of the rain. I danced and sang and acted silly ... all the things that are part of vacation bible school. I think all in all it was a successful first night.

My hope is that the kids will find what I found in Vacation Bible School as a child, foundational truths that led me to Christ. All of the planning and the work is worth it if that happens.

One night down and four more to go ...

Just Connie

Vacation Bible School

It is that time of the year ... it is time for Vacation Bible School. Tomorrow night the church will be filled with laughing, happy children. For 5 nights we will play games, sing songs, and craft wonderful and silly things that teach biblical truths.

We do VBS in a big way at the church. Tonight when I got to the church the sanctuary was filled with vines and jungle things. There was a waterfall on the platform and pandas everywhere. It will certainly add a very festive note to morning worship.

Tomorrow night I will load up all the recreation things and go and play with the kids. Have I ever mentioned that I love my job?

Just Connie

Challenging People

As a pastor I get invited to all kinds of social events. Some of those events are eagerly anticipated and others ... well let's just say that I go with dragging feet and a sense of dread. You would think as a pastor that I would just automatically love spending time with just everybody. But in all honesty that is not the case.

Some people are challenging to be with. Their own hurts and disappointments so color their lives that I can feel them sucking the life and vitality out of me. Other people are so inwardly focused that it is hard to  keep a healthy conversation going. Other people have lifestyles that are so at odds with mine that it is hard to find common ground.

So what is the answer for these challenging people? I have a feeling that it is more a matter of changing me than changing them. It would be so much easier if the world would just accommodate my preferences and desires. It is so much harder to change me. It means hard work and being uncomfortable and  .... well it means I have to take responsibility for my attitudes.

I wonder if there are people who find me challenging to be with? Oooh ... now that is something to think about.

Just Connie

Friendship Thoughts

Friendship is a rare thing. Real friendship, the kind of friendship that follows you through the ups and downs of life. The kind of friendship that not only allows you to be who you are, but really like the person you are.

I have been blessed with a handful of those kind of friendships through the years. Last night I met with a couple of "those kind of friends". One of them was a former staff member, the other was a man that I have had the privilege of working with for about 8 years. These two friends have kept contact with me though our lives have gone in different directions.

Last night we all stopped the merry go round we call our lives and met together for dinner and a movie. Dinner was good, the movie was entertaining, but the real joy was in just being with them. To laugh at the inside jokes, to find that comfort of being together that is like wearing a beloved sweatshirt. it was so much fun to be with them.

We are going to try to get together more often this summer because before we know it, the summer will be gone and life will kick into high gear once again.

I am feeling very blessed by knowing that I have real friends in my life. People who know the good, the bad and the ugly in me and choose to love me in spite of who I am.

Blessed indeed ....

Just Connie

Office Thoughts

Well I got some of the piles addressed on my desk today. I am hoping that tomorrow I can address the rest of them. I am really feeling the need to get my office usable. I need bookcases, so I can unpack my books. I have been there a year and I still have most of my office in boxes stacked in my shop. That makes both my office and my shop unusable.

I do not have a good answer for the bookcases issue. I cannot afford to buy any and I do not have the skill to build them. My office is very small and I have to somehow make it usable and a pleasant place to work. Which right now it is not.

So I think I will try to find help in building some bookcases.I will organize what I do have int here and make it a more pleasant and peaceful place to work.

Well .... that should keep me busy tomorrow.

Just Connie

Dealing With the Piles

My desk is piled with stuff. I do not like the disorder, it distresses me. But yet there has been no time to wade through it all. I finally just pushed it all to one side today so I could work on my sermon. So it is still all piled there waiting for me.

I have found that there is a sense of victory when you deal with the piles. It is hard to force yourself to do it, but when it is done whoo hoo! What a feeling of freedom. I have a few spots like that in the house that it is time to deal with the piles. My sewing room needs to be cleaned out and organized. and the shed needs it as well. I know that the hardest part is just getting started. I am planning on Friday being an organization day for me. So I will begin the task of cleaning and organizing, knowing that it will feel so good when it is done.

The plan is there, now I will see if I can follow through on it, or if my schedule will cooperate and not work against the pan.

I guess time will tell.

Just Connie

Quiet Afternoon

Sunday's can get incredibly busy for me. Today has been unusual in that there were no flurry of activities this afternoon. So I actually snuck a nap in and have spent some time reading on the couch. I have even purposefully ignored the housework and mowing I should/could be doing.

Right now I am listening to the wind blow in the trees and watching the birds in the feeder. The dogs are sleeping under the maple tree and there is a great feeling of peace in the air. The Mourning Doves are cooing and I can see the hawks circling above the trees.

I cannot imagine a better place to be tonight.

Just Connie

Evening Thoughts

A rare evening at the beach with friends.

Wind ....
Colored Sunshine ....
Crunchy Sand .....
Laughter .....
Friendship .....
Peace .....

It was a wonderful evening, a peaceful evening. I am glad for the love and laughter that my friends bring into my life.

My Boyfriend Phil

I spent today with my boyfriend Phil. He is tall, red headed and has big brown eyes. He adores me. In fact he spent much of the morning trying to nibble on me. Are you worried yet? He is also 17 hands tall. My boyfriend Phil is a 6 year old thoroughbred racehorse. He had the misfortune to break both of his front legs. Luckily he was rescued by some people who did not want to see him destroyed. Phil has recovered and is happy and healthy now.

I met Phil a couple of years ago and we took an immediate liking to each other. He followed me around today. Every time I stopped stroking and petting him he would do some mischievous thing. Nibble on my shoulder, grab the shirt tail of my shirt and the one that about landed me on my backside ... he grabbed my shoelace and yanked my foot out from under me. Each time he got my attention very quickly. Which is exactly what he was working for.

Being with Phil always makes me smile. It is good to be loved and to give love in return. There is something very healing and wonderful about being with horses. To stand with my head on Phil's flank and smell that wonderful horsey smell ... makes all the bad things fade away.

I need to spend more days like this. It is good for everything that ails me.

Just Connie

Problem

One of the outcomes of living with liver disease is that I have some ongoing issues I struggle with. One of the most troubling to me is nausea. Over the years I have learned to cope pretty well. When it hits me, it hits fast and hard. I have medicine I can take but it knocks me out so I avoid taking it during the day.

Over the past month this minor annoyance has grown to be an unmanageable problem. So I bit the bullet and made an appointment with doctor. I honestly do not know why I put it off so long. She was incredibly helpful. The outcome is that I have a super powerful new medicine to help with the nausea.

This afternoon I have been reflecting on what kept me from seeking help. Was it pride? I kind of think that might have been part of it. I do not like to admit that I need help. But that very pride keeps me from the help I need. I also think that I have a tendency to procrastinate on health issues. That is not healthy, but I think it is true. I also think that I have also just been plain, flat out busy.

So today I got a reminder that I need to pay attention to my body, give it the time it needs and lay down false pride. Sigh .... I wish it was the first time that God has given me that lesson.

Just Connie

4th of July 2011

I am recovering from a busy, but wonderful 4th of July. It began with serving breakfast for the Kiwanis at the local grange hall (at 6:00) Then I rushed to the house changed my clothes and headed to the church for the chaos that was waiting for me there. 

Every year the church sells Elephant Ears  for the big town celebration. We had wall to wall people coming in all day long. We also had a float in the town parade. I took my stint in the Elephant Ear booth and then began work to put the last touches of the church float for the parade. At 4:00 I threw my parade clothes on, grabbed the dog and headed to the parade grounds. It was hot, hot, hot! But we waded through the formalities and came out with another first place ribbon for our float. I have no idea for what category we won. But we won! So Charlie dog and I walked the parade route with the float and got back to the church in time to begin the  major dismantling process. By 8:30 I was meeting the trailer at the house to stack the bales of hay.

At 9:00 I grabbed a jacket and a blanket and hiked down to the football field for the town fireworks. There were lots of people to wander around and talk with and enjoy before I threw my blanket down in the middle of the field to wait for the fireworks.

The fireworks were beautiful. I am continually amazed at how beautiful it is. I am so glad I made the effort to go and I will make sure that I do not miss them next year. That is the perfect place to watch them.

So my 4th of July was very full of activity and very blessed. I laughed a lot and talked a lot and worked hard and it was all wonderful. Now if I can just recover from all that fun .....

Just Connie

Park Thoughts

I spent the afternoon and evening at the park. It started at 3:00 with games and fellowship with the other Willamina Churches. It was so much fun to be together. As that was wrapping it up it was time for the annual town barbecue and live music. This year it was a rockabilly group. It was just so much fun to be with everyone.

I am learning so much about myself over the past couple of years. One of the things I am finding is that I really need to do these things with other people. I thoroughly enjoyed the day, but I was surrounded by love and laughter and the care of people who loved me. That is very different from being on the fringes of activity and feeling alone.

So this wonderful day has filled me with a new determination to fill my life with the things that bring health and happiness. I want to live fully and joyously in this life that I have been given.

Today was a very good start.

Just Connie

Gazebo Dedication

I stood there and gazed out over the crowd. There were children flying kites, families eating hot dogs, groups of people gathered under the big shade trees. Everywhere I looked there were smiles and the sounds of happy children filled the air.

The occasion was the dedication and ribbon cutting for our new town Gazebo. After a year of work and hours and hours of volunteer labor it is done. Today I had the honor of giving the Gazebo to the town of Willamina and "gifting" it to our town Mayor. It was a wonderful ceremony.

It fills me with a sense of accomplishment when I realize that this beautiful addition to our town was only possible with all of us working together. It took team work and shared vision and of course hard work. It makes me very proud of the town I live in and renews my gratefulness for being part of such a wonderful community.

I love Willamina!

Just Connie

Water Games

Hope Puppy has a new game. I did not discover the new game until I refilled their big stainless steel water bin on the back deck and then sat down inside for a few quiet minutes. I watched in amazement and then with growing giggles as I watched her.

She began the game by smacking the surface of the water with her paw. As the water fountained into the air she tried to bite it before it landed. Round and round she went smacking the water and then running after it wherever it went. I laughed and laughed as I watched her. She was totally oblivious to me or anything else as she played.

Her new game answers the mystery of how 5 gallons of water have been disappearing in one day. But I have to admit that it makes me a little envious. I want to play with that kind of joy and abandon.

Perhaps it is time for me to go run through the sprinklers. That would would surprise the neighbors ... but then again maybe it wouldn't.

Just Connie