tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-63306992011-04-21T19:54:29.812-05:00it's where I am...staceyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04711516970717799345noreply@blogger.comBlogger841100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6330699.post-1157850200668227942006-09-09T20:02:00.000-05:002006-09-09T20:03:20.683-05:00

I'm moving to a new site, if you're interested. It's still in transtion, but I won't be using this one anymore. Goodbye Blogger. You've been a big help, but it's time to move.

staceyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04711516970717799345noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6330699.post-1152279684730158592006-07-07T08:37:00.000-05:002006-07-07T08:42:59.443-05:00

I'm not certain, but I think last night was a turning point for me and for a few others. We've just begun the most intentional attempt yet at starting small groups in our church. The initial group has only met three times. And last night we got real. We prayed for one another, we shared our struggles and we began to become a true small group, as opposed to a group learning what it means to

staceyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04711516970717799345noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6330699.post-1146583719030187012006-05-02T10:26:00.000-05:002006-05-02T10:28:39.046-05:00

I know it's been a long time since I last posted, but let's get things going again. If you get the chance, you gotta take a look at this video clip from "King of the Hill." It is frighteningly funny and all too real. Does it grab you? Make you think? Make you cry or just make you laugh? I'd love to know.

staceyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04711516970717799345noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6330699.post-1143060245180210412006-03-22T15:34:00.000-05:002006-03-22T15:44:05.193-05:00

I could write something here. I've tried four or five times already. But every time it just comes out whiny and pathetic. Every feel that way? Like there are several things you'd like to say, but you know you will hurt someone or be misunderstood or just come off looking like a loser? That's the way I feel write now, so I'll stop. If I stop now we'll all be better off. Best turn these

staceyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04711516970717799345noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6330699.post-1142723642217091032006-03-18T18:00:00.000-05:002006-03-18T18:14:02.230-05:00

I have led a life that would be considered by most to be a "charmed" life. So few crises, so few real challenges. I've had a few lately, but I am always able to look around and see others who deal with greater challenges than I do. I am at once grateful and sad. Glad to find the grace to deal with the little we are handed. Sad that others struggle as much as they do.I finally watched "

staceyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04711516970717799345noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6330699.post-1141515006310596992006-03-04T18:27:00.000-05:002006-03-04T18:30:06.340-05:00

We value a growing understanding of what the Apostle Paul calls, “the rule of love”, what Jesus calls the “Greatest Commandment”…In this Greatest Commandment we are commanded to do two things: love God with all our heart, soul, mind and strength and to love our neighbors as we love ourselves. I have been influenced, first by my own reflection and then by the reflections of others that this “rule

staceyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04711516970717799345noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6330699.post-1140644434579200152006-02-22T16:37:00.000-05:002006-02-22T16:41:48.513-05:00

We value a growing understanding of what it means to be a true community of faith…Community is not an easy thing to define, but it clearly has to do with healthy, interdependent relationships with sisters and brothers in Christ, centered around common purposes, interests or goals.If God’s ultimate purpose is that “earth and heaven be one” then so should ours be. If God’s purpose is that we more

staceyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04711516970717799345noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6330699.post-1140288834287402462006-02-18T13:45:00.000-05:002006-02-18T14:09:00.873-05:00

I just (this week) joined Easum-Bandy and Associates (EBA) and began exploring some of their resources. As a result of some things I read by Bill Easum I have been challenged to "take the lead" and develop a list of core values for my congregation. Easum believes this is not something that commmittees should do. He sees it as the role of pastoral leadership. I have issues with this, but I

staceyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04711516970717799345noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6330699.post-1139509519842592232006-02-09T13:20:00.000-05:002006-02-09T13:25:19.856-05:00

Once again, it's been a while, but I've had nothing to say. There has been too much going on on the home front to take the time, honestly. But that's another story.And, once again, since the ultrarev asks (previous post), no, I am not dissappointed that "The Book of Daniel" was cancelled. It was full of potential and it never got off the ground. Jesus was limited to one liners and was never

staceyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04711516970717799345noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6330699.post-1136904123101227212006-01-10T09:25:00.000-05:002006-01-12T14:34:21.036-05:00

(Sorry. I meant to post this two days ago, but accidentally saved it as a draft!)Since the ultrarev asks (and because I can't resist sharing my opinion anyway), I thought I'd write a brief thought or two on last week's double-episode pilot of NBC's The Book of Daniel. Dinger wrote her thoughts on her blog, and they are worth the read. I don't see things exactly as she does (she and I have

staceyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04711516970717799345noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6330699.post-1136490861718587472006-01-05T14:24:00.000-05:002006-01-12T15:03:06.240-05:00

I woke up this morning to two dj's on the radio discussing the "controversial" television series which begins tomorrow evening on NBC, The Book of Daniel. Daniel, in the series, is an Episcopal priest who gets the unprecedented opportunity to discuss life and crises one on one with Jesus. The key word being discuss. Jesus answers back.The announcers said that the show was already being

staceyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04711516970717799345noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6330699.post-1135172363052333752005-12-21T08:18:00.000-05:002005-12-21T08:40:38.846-05:00

I hate to tell people what I do as if I've got a lock on this prayer thing (I don't). But, since what I use for prayer is nothing I've invented and since the Ultrarev asks, our Conference Superintendent (Richard Lucco) suggested Phyllis Tickle's The Divine Hours. It comes in three volumes for the year, four months for each volume. The Right Rev. Lucco says that one of the reasons he likes

staceyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04711516970717799345noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6330699.post-1135090496683459052005-12-20T09:54:00.000-05:002005-12-20T09:59:05.870-05:00

I have been praying The Divine Hours for the better part of the last three months, now. This means, as I've alluded to earlier, coming to prayer four times a day. It means praying the Lord's Prayer four times a day, too. Of course, I do not always make it to prayer all four times, though I try. Most often I make three times a day, however.When I first began praying these fixed hours I found

staceyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04711516970717799345noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6330699.post-1134507360451268442005-12-13T15:15:00.000-05:002005-12-13T16:04:53.830-05:00

I would be utterly remiss if I didn't write something about the U2 concert on Saturday night. First of all, WOW! I had no idea that concert would be that fun, that meaningful and yes, in places, that worshipful.The place was electric. There was joy on every face. I looked around at one point at the faces of the people behind me as they were singing. They were in love. They were in the

staceyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04711516970717799345noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6330699.post-1133968411882588792005-12-07T10:01:00.000-05:002005-12-07T10:15:14.073-05:00

One of the charter members of my congregation, way back in 1953, used to pray before each Sunday School class, "Dear Lord, may we grow and prosper." We have. But I think there is yet more substantial growth in our future, though it may not look like the kind of growth those charter members envisioned 52 years ago.I am somewhat overwhelmed at times by this call to grow. I think, in many ways,

staceyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04711516970717799345noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6330699.post-1131460823056920492005-11-08T09:37:00.000-05:002005-11-08T09:40:23.070-05:00

There are so many good blogs out there. So much wit and insight. Luke put me on to this one by Michael Lee that you just have to read. It's called Why I Am Not Emergent. This article cleared up so much for me. I have seen the light. Enjoy.

staceyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04711516970717799345noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6330699.post-1130860198949899802005-11-01T10:40:00.000-05:002005-11-01T10:59:38.396-05:00

My friend Sue sent the following Celtic prayer to me. I love the simplicity and the depth of these prayers. They are full of "Immanuel" moments, where God is closer than skin:My Christ, my love,my encircler;Each day, each night,Each light, each dark,Be near me, uphold me,My treasure, my truth.I am only 1/8 Irish, but all Celt, I think.* * *I've been reading The Intimate Merton and find I am

staceyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04711516970717799345noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6330699.post-1130616105801340962005-10-29T14:45:00.000-05:002005-10-29T15:17:38.433-05:00

I've been reading a book that was given to me several years ago. It's called The Celtic Way of Prayer by Ester de Waal. I was given it by some members of my church and I made a couple of early attempts to read it, but got almost nowhere.Something called it to mind the other day and I plucked it from my shelf and began reading it again. I am finding it a very refreshing look at prayer and the

staceyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04711516970717799345noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6330699.post-1130342192607688222005-10-26T10:52:00.000-05:002005-10-26T10:58:50.536-05:00

May our praises and the prayers we pray;lift the vale, lift the valebetween vessels of clayand riches of heaven.May the songs and silences of this daythin the space between who we are and who we might become,between who we are and who we can become. May this place be a thin place, O Lord, a place flowing with rivers of Grace, O Lord. May heaven and earth come face to face; weave them

staceyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04711516970717799345noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6330699.post-1129846185353406472005-10-20T17:00:00.000-05:002005-10-20T17:09:45.356-05:00

October has been a good month for me, spiritually speaking. I have been praying more and giving attention to the needs of my soul and the future of my church more than I might have been had the Cleveland Indians made it into the post-season. So, I am thankful that they did not make it. My life with God is richer because of it.Last week I finally broke down and bought Phyllis Tickle's Praying

staceyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04711516970717799345noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6330699.post-1129214520074557682005-10-13T09:38:00.000-05:002005-10-13T09:42:00.076-05:00

Just to lighten things up a bit. Kenny's blog put me on to this quiz. Take the quiz yourself. Which Peanuts character are you?

staceyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04711516970717799345noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6330699.post-1129213046866097142005-10-13T09:17:00.000-05:002005-10-13T09:31:22.136-05:00

O God,I am weak. I have read recently (re-read, actually) that the only true leader is strong leader. Most of the time I do not feel anything near strong. I feel embattled, defeated and useless. I go away and pray and sense your leading (I think) and then come into a conversation in which my views are so challenged that I doubt everything. I doubt you. I doubt me. I doubt my abilities and

staceyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04711516970717799345noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6330699.post-1126902963688843652005-09-16T15:08:00.000-05:002005-09-16T15:36:46.050-05:00

I have had a bit of a revelation. Yesterday, in the midst of a meeting with district pastors, it hit me. I need to "re-experience" the love of God for me, for us all. When this hit me it was all I could do to keep from giving in to my emotions. Maybe I just should have let go. I just wasn't ready.Later, when I shared the story with Kim, I gave in. I haven't had that kind of emotional

staceyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04711516970717799345noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6330699.post-1126711315130380752005-09-14T10:21:00.000-05:002005-09-14T10:23:24.970-05:00

some days i tire of making peace.war must be easier.i mean, destroy it, scorch the earth, nuke it,   and move on.problem solved.conflict over.resolution, clean cut.i tire of making peace,   but i don't want to lose the blessing.      what to do?      what to do?

staceyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04711516970717799345noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6330699.post-1126377334421831402005-09-10T13:35:00.000-05:002005-09-10T13:37:26.726-05:00

In the past two weeks I have been seriously taking part in several online discussions. Some have been of the email variety, but most have been through interacting with various blogs. These have been like church for me. I am learning, being challenged and finding ways to challenge others. Occasionally, I even find myself worshipping. I am being held accountable and even "meeting" new people

staceyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04711516970717799345noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6330699.post-1126104043429213122005-09-07T09:40:00.000-05:002005-09-07T10:26:03.660-05:00

I've not been bloggin too much lately as I've been reading and occasionally posting comments on two other blog sites. Wow. What a conversation Scot McKnight's been having on Grace-Grinding. (While you're at it, take a look at John Frye's site.)Here's a thought I've been toying around with lately (and suggested in one of my comments on Scot's blog), "Is it possible to say anything too good to

staceyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04711516970717799345noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6330699.post-1125496718056087702005-08-31T08:58:00.000-05:002005-09-07T10:26:40.840-05:00

After reflecting on my last post I feel I ought to add this: Yes, it really could be that simple, but "simple" doesn't mean easy.

staceyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04711516970717799345noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6330699.post-1125432727176570072005-08-30T15:12:00.000-05:002005-09-07T10:27:32.990-05:00

Since adding Scot McKnight's blog The Jesus Creed to my sidebar, I've been spending a fair amount of time there, lately. I find his posts and the discussions that follow them to be very enlightening. He's been talking about what it means, from Jesus' example in Matthew, to be missional. There are three posts as of today, and he promises a lengthy discussion on Matthew 9.35-11.1. So far I have

staceyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04711516970717799345noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6330699.post-1124925457507167222005-08-24T18:17:00.000-05:002005-09-07T10:28:22.250-05:00

I just got the latest issue of Relevant Magazine (what a great magazine). In addition to all the latest fads, music and the upcoming television season I found Jason Boyett's column, "Pop Culture Ruminating", which led me to churchmarketingsucks.com, a fascinating and worthwhile web site. There is a lot there. I may post on something I find there in the near future. It raises the question, of

staceyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04711516970717799345noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6330699.post-1124584771630778902005-08-20T19:38:00.000-05:002005-09-07T10:28:43.820-05:00

I thought I'd try to brighten up this pace a bit, with the conversation being so heavy these days. A new look never hurts, huh?

staceyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04711516970717799345noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6330699.post-1124489038845251352005-08-19T16:23:00.000-05:002005-08-19T17:03:58.880-05:00

Thanks for all your thoughtful and sometimes humorous responses (Steven) and emails. Well, I finished Boyd's book and I don't believe that John Wilson's reveiw gives it a fair shake (see below). It is unkind and unfair to throw out the book's major premise as quickly as he does.Boyd's whole point has been how we treat those outside the community of faith -- we ought to withhold judgment and

staceyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04711516970717799345noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6330699.post-1124367877610960832005-08-18T07:16:00.000-05:002005-08-18T07:24:37.616-05:00

I am into the last chapter of Boyd's book (two posts previous, I think). I am still convinced he's onto something. Our "job" is to love others unconditionally, not to judge them. It is in loving them that we invite them into the celebration, the Kingdom and back to the "Garden of Eden", so to speak.Several years ago I was confronted with a situation in which a man in my congregation was having

staceyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04711516970717799345noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6330699.post-1124222176600891632005-08-16T14:53:00.000-05:002005-08-16T14:56:16.606-05:00

I'm catching up on some online reading and thinking and I came across this post by John Frye on what it means to be or (or not to be) a pastor. It is an excellent post, worth the read. There is a follow up to it, as well, if you've got the time. The second one is on the "definition" of pastoring.This is something I am constantly wrestling with, personally. I'm in a church of about 150 and I

staceyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04711516970717799345noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6330699.post-1124219455157083872005-08-16T13:55:00.000-05:002005-08-16T14:10:55.163-05:00

I am nearing the end of what is either a controversial book or a piece of junk, depending on your point of view. The book is Repenting of Religion: Turning from Judgment to the Love of God, by Gregory Boyd.It sounds rather ridiculous to say, as Boyd does, that our chief sin as human beings, per Adam and Eve in the Garden, is the sin of placing ourselves in God's rightful place, as judge of

staceyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04711516970717799345noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6330699.post-1123087065644761172005-08-03T11:37:00.000-05:002005-08-03T11:54:19.316-05:00

This week I will be finishing up a very lengthy sermon series (19 weeks) on Jesus' Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7). Wow. What a series this has been for me personally. I have learned so much and gained so much from the extra, concentrated time I've been able to spend on these three chapters.I won't say that I have everything figured out. I don't. Some of it is still difficult to connect

staceyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04711516970717799345noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6330699.post-1123022949447401332005-08-02T17:49:00.000-05:002005-08-02T17:49:09.500-05:00

I was notified a few weeks ago that my blog site would be listed in our denominational magazine, The Covenant Companion. I did not realize at the time that there would be a little write up/description of my blog accomanying the address. I had assumed that mine would merely be one in a very long list of Covenant blog sites. If you're here because of that listing, welcome. I hope you find it

staceyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04711516970717799345noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6330699.post-1121888179536451002005-07-20T14:36:00.000-05:002005-07-20T14:36:19.583-05:00

During vacation I finally read a book I've been meaning to read for a while, The Gift of Being Yourself: The Sacred Call to Self-Discovery, by David G. Benner.God has used that book to challenge my understanding of myself, my true self versus my false self. To be honest, I didn't think I even had a "false self". I thought of myself as rather authentic in most ways, without pretense. After

staceyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04711516970717799345noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6330699.post-1119025085142522442005-06-17T11:18:00.000-05:002005-06-17T11:18:05.210-05:00

I received an email from Sue responding to my last blog. She directed me to her church's blog site where she had posted an essay she shared with her congregation on Pentecost Sunday of this year. She mentions a few things some readers won't recognize, like the Goatwalker Cafe (I think it's called), but you can get the gest of what she's saying. I found it powerful and moving and I think she

staceyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04711516970717799345noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6330699.post-1118869522376453472005-06-15T16:05:00.000-05:002005-06-15T16:07:46.406-05:00

I'm in one of those, "Who needs the church?" kinds of moods today. I wonder if this is really what Jesus had in mind. Actually, in my more cynical moments, I'm sure it wasn't, not by a longshot.Debating policies for half an hour at Council meetings, even when the debate is somewhat civil (as it usually is in my church), seems to me a complete waste of time. How do we ever expect to build a

staceyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04711516970717799345noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6330699.post-1118426362711364032005-06-10T12:59:00.000-05:002005-06-15T16:12:05.290-05:00

I hurt my back the other day, picking up a little girl named Grace. There might be a sermon illustration in there somewhere. I used my back instead of my legs (I KNOW there is an illustration in that). The last three days my movements have been, uh, limited, to say the least.I had to drive out to pick up Rachelle at a friend's house. She had spent the night last night. All the way out there

staceyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04711516970717799345noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6330699.post-1118066539884065942005-06-06T08:53:00.000-05:002005-06-06T09:19:17.813-05:00

Okay. It's been a while. A lot happening. Sorry.Just a quick update, the vote on the levy I mentioned in my last post passed. I'm glad. It will cost me more, but I think it's better for the community and, in the long run, better for any outreach we want to do. If we want to reach out to young families, it would be nice to have some in the area. Know what I mean?Another topic. Last week I

staceyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04711516970717799345noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6330699.post-1115129548038280832005-05-03T09:12:00.000-05:002005-05-03T09:12:28.036-05:00

Today there is a vote in my community. The school district is proposing a levy. This is the third time it has come up for a vote. This will either be third time charm or "three strikes, you're out!" If it fails, two schools will close. If it passes, they will stay open, at least for a while. Other cuts are proposed, too.I am for the levy. I believe in the levy because I believe in public

staceyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04711516970717799345noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6330699.post-1114646020637798732005-04-27T18:53:00.000-05:002005-04-27T19:00:56.416-05:00

I had an interesting conversation with someone from my congregation this morning. He was listening to classical music on his car radio and I remarked that I liked classical too. My station of choice was NPR, I told him. He remarked that he liked it as well, but that it could be a bit liberal, at times (with a smile on his face). I said, yes, but I was a bit liberal in some ways, too. He said

staceyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04711516970717799345noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6330699.post-1112966859559106352005-04-08T08:27:00.000-05:002005-04-08T08:27:39.560-05:00

It's 9:18 am. I should be working, but not yet. I am thinking (a dangerous thing). Every once in a while I go through this, this thinking thing. This is a time when I question whether or not there is somewhere else to be, whether or not there is something more to my calling I have yet to discover.The thing that is on my heart once again is poverty. AIDS. Hunger. Disease. The things that

staceyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04711516970717799345noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6330699.post-1110638518132046552005-03-12T09:41:00.000-05:002005-03-12T09:41:58.133-05:00

An now for something totally different. We lost three saints this week within four days. All of them were up in years and had lived full lives. All of them knew God. All of them were ready to pass through the curtain of death. We have been praying for all of them and we feel that our prayers have been answered.We have also been praying for another woman in our church. Her name is Connie.

staceyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04711516970717799345noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6330699.post-1110470384758640612005-03-10T10:59:00.000-05:002005-03-10T10:59:44.756-05:00

People worry about you when you blog, sometimes, when you blog about what's happening in life; when you are honest. It's nice to have people worry about you. But it's also nice to let people know when God steps in and brings order and healing and peace. He has done that for me since my last blog. It was a good and powerful experience for me to be shown how someone else might see me. Painful,

staceyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04711516970717799345noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6330699.post-1110408661124940382005-03-09T17:51:00.000-05:002005-03-09T17:51:01.123-05:00

Have you ever come face to face with how someone else perceives you and discovered that what they perceive is ugly and not something you would ever seek or claim? I have, many times I'm sure, but two times come leaping to mind. One was in college. One was last night.I don't want to talk about last night as I am seeking to honor what others might see and think if they read this (see earlier

staceyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04711516970717799345noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6330699.post-1110142198480626052005-03-06T15:49:00.000-05:002005-03-06T17:09:48.236-05:00

I have admitted that I am concerned that what I write not offend or fail to take into consideration the feelings of those who are a part of the church I pastor. On the one hand, as others have said, blogging should be free enough to allow the writer to write whatever he or she feels the need to write. On the other, aren't we all called to consider the weight of our words on others? Aren't we

staceyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04711516970717799345noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6330699.post-1109955758393153832005-03-04T12:02:00.000-05:002005-03-04T12:02:38.393-05:00

I have not blogged in ages. Actually, it was a God thing. I sensed, back in October, that God was telling me to stop for a time. I was spending too much time worrying about what others were reading and not enough time on what I needed to say. I think I'll give it another try.I make no promises as to how often I will try, but I will try.What is it about writing that I miss when I don't do it?

staceyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04711516970717799345noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6330699.post-1096395983828606062004-09-28T13:26:00.000-05:002004-09-29T15:53:01.116-05:00

I heard from Dr. Ron Veenker today via email. Unbelievable. He says he remembers me and sends greetings to my son, Asher. We named him after the title character in My Name Is Asher Lev by Chaim Potok, one of the novels Dr. Veenker assigned to our class on Judaism. He's spending the month in North Carolina, waiting out the storm. The internet made finding and contacting him a breeze. Thank

staceyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04711516970717799345noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6330699.post-1096060479233576182004-09-24T16:14:00.000-05:002004-09-27T09:45:32.783-05:00

Rachelle at her photographic best.Posted by HelloRachelle, until now, has not had her picture on the site. Now she does. I couldn't resist, really. She is such a delight.

staceyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04711516970717799345noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6330699.post-1096050590870709222004-09-24T13:29:00.000-05:002004-09-24T13:29:50.870-05:00

This afternoon I went downstairs to the Fellowship Hall to join our senior citizens for their monthly luncheon together. Normally it is a salad luncheon to which we bring our own sandwhiches. Today it was a full on potluck, with sloppy joe's, hotdogs, deviled eggs and four kinds of potato salad, followed by coffee, apple pie a al mode, or cherry pie, or rich fudge brownies, cookies of several

staceyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04711516970717799345noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6330699.post-1095370077158790162004-09-16T16:27:00.000-05:002004-09-24T13:18:33.553-05:00

In 1984 I was in college. I was just finishing up, actually, and in the midst of a class entitled Introduction to Judaism taught in a novel way by one Dr. Ronald Veenker. In addition to our text book (which I still own) Dr. Veenker had us read various novels from different periods in Jewish history. I have never forgotten that class, those novels and the birth of my love and respect for

staceyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04711516970717799345noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6330699.post-1094307292565958412004-09-04T09:14:00.000-05:002004-09-04T09:14:52.566-05:00

On the one hand, I can apologize for how long it's been since I last wrote. On the other, honestly, I've come close to closing this thing down altogether. There was too much going on to keep it up. This morning, however, I feel a compulsion to process the violence.The latest toll says as many as 300 people (many of them children) are dead after the school hostage tragedy in Russia. As I

staceyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04711516970717799345noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6330699.post-1090242459028611042004-07-19T08:07:00.000-05:002004-09-25T07:06:13.173-05:00

marathonthey shout their protestationsthey grimace their disapprovalgnashing teeth, shaking fists, hoisting placards,a frenzied dance of anger the give and take of hatecameras catch their facesrecorders preserve their propheciesand play them back for millions upon millionswho hear the voice of Godbut when I listen,I do not hear your voice among themand when you speakthey areout-danced, out-paced,

staceyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04711516970717799345noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6330699.post-1089827688574714052004-07-14T12:54:00.000-05:002004-07-14T20:36:32.606-05:00

Micah (13) and Asher (16) on a canoe trip with me in northern Wisconsin, just a couple of weeks ago.Posted by HelloI heard from both of my boys this morning. They are in Panama on a short term missions trip with Teen Mania. They will be gone for a whole month. This is, amazingly, the longest I will have been apart from any of my children.The other day Kim and I were looking through a CD of

staceyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04711516970717799345noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6330699.post-1088942783593306952004-07-04T07:06:00.000-05:002004-07-04T07:11:24.760-05:00

This morning, July 4th, we will worship God and we will do so without a single patriotic song. I feel strongly about this and my worship people have backed me up. But some will no doubt be upset. I discovered the following post on Brad Boydston's blog that stirred me and re-affirmed my conviction on this. I quote him at length, with his permission. Thanks, Brad...It happens every year --

staceyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04711516970717799345noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6330699.post-1088900634426204822004-07-03T19:23:00.000-05:002004-07-03T19:23:54.426-05:00

This was the most surprising sight we encountered on vacation. It looked like the end of the world, but then we saw that they were charging admission.Posted by Hello

staceyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04711516970717799345noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6330699.post-1088876221165923092004-07-03T12:37:00.000-05:002004-07-03T12:37:01.166-05:00

My favorite sign while I was on vacation. Wouldn't you like to know what Judy looks like?Posted by Hello

staceyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04711516970717799345noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6330699.post-1088875955686328802004-07-03T12:32:00.000-05:002004-07-03T12:37:41.776-05:00

sacraments on vacationsacred, familiar, strange,    welcomed more than ever, it seemsthe cup lifted highthe loaf broken   both blessedgifts of grace offered up,but they are not offered by my handstoday i receive, thanks be to Godtwo pews upa mother with children   two of the least push and shove one anothershe thrusts herself in between them   they part momentarily   but resume their wrestling   

staceyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04711516970717799345noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6330699.post-1088265409297671312004-06-26T10:56:00.000-05:002004-06-26T10:56:49.296-05:00

It's great to have fans, you know. I know of at least three people, perhaps four, who actually check in to this site regularly to see if I've blogged recently. My wife is not one of these. She has to listen to me all the time as it is. The possibility of hearing (reading) me mouthing off one more time, I'm sure, doesn't appeal to her.But, I've been swamped with out of town meetings and am now

staceyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04711516970717799345noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6330699.post-1087325726306669562004-06-15T13:55:00.000-05:002004-06-15T13:55:26.306-05:00

I will write no blog before its time.

staceyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04711516970717799345noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6330699.post-1086114256735558032004-06-01T13:24:00.000-05:002004-06-01T13:24:16.736-05:00

At the EC last week (seems like years ago) I had an interesting discussion with Kay and Jay that continues to spark thought and need more discussion. I've had this hunch for many years, unfair as it may sound at first blush, that how we name God tells us something about our faith. As a young Christian I often thought that someone who referred to God as "God" was not as intimately in tune with

staceyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04711516970717799345noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6330699.post-1085528018212575532004-05-25T18:33:00.000-05:002004-05-26T08:50:46.533-05:00

I'm discovering a new addiction. Continually redesigning my blog and wrestling with the settings is maddening for the novice (that's me). So far I've changed the name and the look, but the look is giving me fits. If you're reading this and aren't sure you're in the right place, you are (I think).I met with someone today whose made some positive faith changes in the last few months, but is

staceyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04711516970717799345noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6330699.post-1085403205552489032004-05-24T07:53:00.000-05:002004-05-25T13:25:17.416-05:00

Okay, I'm at home now and just finished catching up on some bills. Back to reality. Being home is great and sharing with Kim and others about what God did and is doing at emergent and the EC is fun. My biggest fear is that some of the intensity will take with it some of the enthusiasm when it wanes.My preaching style was challenged. My emerging (sorry) view of the Kingdom of God was

staceyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04711516970717799345noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6330699.post-1085201125981698622004-05-21T23:45:00.000-05:002004-05-21T23:53:01.270-05:00

Jay blogging at ProvencePosted by HelloJay did me the favor of showing me how to do this and then did me the "favor" of posting MY picture on his blog. I returned the favor. Needless to say, this is not the most attractive picture of Jay.Shortly afterward we joined Kay and went out to eat before the evening workshop. We all attended a workshop on preaching by Doug Pagitt. We all were kept

staceyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04711516970717799345noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6330699.post-1085177004783766822004-05-21T17:03:00.000-05:002004-05-21T17:08:54.943-05:00

Jim Wallis and MePosted by HelloSo, it's late afternoon in Nashville and Jay and I are at a local cafe, where he's teaching me the finer arts of blogging. I'm trying. I really am. You see, the thing is, while I've enjoyed especially the workshops and seminars at emergent, what's been utterly fascinating is the people I've met. Jay's friends, "the bloggers" have been especially inspiring. So,

staceyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04711516970717799345noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6330699.post-1085059279886490742004-05-20T08:14:00.000-05:002004-05-21T16:23:58.536-05:00

I was too tired last night to write. Emergent has been great so far, but there is much to choose from. I was part of a discussion on the multicultural church yesterday. It was good and a reminder that there is ever more to learn about the challenges and presuppositions of wanting that kind of church.For instance, I was remdinded that, not only do we have to ask what 400 years of slavery has

staceyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04711516970717799345noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6330699.post-1084937273216223412004-05-18T22:11:00.000-05:002004-05-18T22:27:53.216-05:00

So, I'm sitting downstairs in my friends' dining room in a suburb of Nashville typing and checking email and discovering new websites I've never heard of before. I'm here staying with Jay and Kay for a few days while attending the Emergent Conference in downtown Nashville. The conference doesn't officially start until tomorrow, for me anyway, but it's refreshing just to be here, away from the

staceyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04711516970717799345noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6330699.post-1084388826206659752004-05-12T14:06:00.000-05:002004-05-12T14:10:51.246-05:00

It has happened again. I’m standing there, talking with people from the church and someone brings up a complaint that I honestly cannot believe is important enough to even mention. It is so trivial that it makes me want to vomit when I hear it. So what if the church sign didn’t get changed for a couple of weeks after Easter. This was at a funeral home, just moments before the service. After

staceyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04711516970717799345noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6330699.post-1084204988054286302004-05-10T11:03:00.000-05:002004-05-10T11:03:08.053-05:00

I am at a crossroads. I am tired of thinking about the future. I want to dwell in the now. I want to experience God and community now, not plan on experiencing it in the future, sometime. For months I’ve been thinking about launching a program on purpose and vision within the congregation. It’s seemed as if it’s been coming at me from various directions; it’s seemed as if God was saying, “go

staceyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04711516970717799345noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6330699.post-1083873470750709742004-05-06T14:48:00.000-05:002004-05-06T15:02:17.153-05:00

Do we really need all the seminars and stuff? Do we need it? Is all this training and programs and forty days of purpose really what God had in mind when he poured out his Holy Spirit on Pentecost? I don't know. I know I'm glad I have all of these things to draw on. I know that sometimes having such tools so readily available is a real blessing. But, still, something deep inside of me wants

staceyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04711516970717799345noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6330699.post-1083681621660242352004-05-04T09:39:00.000-05:002004-05-04T09:44:17.153-05:00

All of my preaching during the season of Easter so far has been on the nature of the Kingdom of God. It has been a very difficult topic, to say the least. I think I understand why Jesus spent so much time teaching on it. I mean, if I find it difficult to grasp, how much more so for the original disciples? I’ve got 2,000 years of teaching, writing and thinking on the topic. They did not. It

staceyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04711516970717799345noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6330699.post-1080857008564720312004-04-01T20:04:00.000-05:002004-04-02T14:20:15.373-05:00

Yesterday, as I finished an upcoming article for our church newsletter, I began praying a prayer under my breath, whenever I think of it. The prayer was motivated by a song written by a good friend of mine. The song said quite simply, "All I want from this life... is to learn to love." I was struck with the prayer contained within the lyric that the singer learn how to love others, rather than

staceyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04711516970717799345noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6330699.post-1080685453080753232004-03-30T17:14:00.000-05:002004-03-30T17:27:49.310-05:00

Sojourners continued... I never watch reality television. My motto is "Life's too short for reailty TV." But I found myself watching "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition" the other night and I may be hooked. To my credit, I don't think this is really reality TV. It's feel good TV, I think. It's "Touched By an Angel on Steroids," maybe -- only much better, much truer. On this particular episode

staceyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04711516970717799345noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6330699.post-1080340230524824252004-03-26T17:12:00.000-05:002004-03-26T17:38:24.796-05:00

I am troubled these days. Why am I troubled? Glad you asked. I recently re-subscribed to Sojourners Magazine. I did so because I have noticed slippage in my concern for the poor and oppressed and conplacency creep in my attitudes toward social issues in general. I did so because it is all too easy to slip into an unexamined, conservative evangelical rut, especially since I became a pastor,

staceyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04711516970717799345noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6330699.post-1078867511155877082004-03-09T16:15:00.000-05:002004-03-09T16:30:40.450-05:00

I have many friends who have seen "The Passion" (or, as my good friend Jay calls it, rather disparaginly, I believe, "The Movie"). We talk about the film a lot, perhaps too much for some. I have long since tired of the hype and the marketing, particularly among evangelicals. This week alone I received three marketing emails in relation to The Movie. I'm tired of the marketing and the hype,

staceyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04711516970717799345noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6330699.post-1078437821748502472004-03-04T16:51:00.000-05:002004-03-04T17:06:42.513-05:00

I took short walk yesterday, down at St. Joseph's Retreat Center on the lake. I walked the Stations of the Cross in the garden there. I had to work a little harder as the station plaques are still wrapped in plastic for the winter and are difficult to discern. I then headed for the dock to pray. I needed perspective. Once again there are interpersonal conflicts brewing amid people in my

staceyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04711516970717799345noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6330699.post-1077829850436242762004-02-26T15:47:00.000-05:002004-02-26T16:17:58.076-05:00

I got a sneak preview of Mel Gibson's The Passion of the Christ the other night. For starters, I'll say that I thought (and still think) that the film is a genuine work of art. But, as I said to my wife afterwards, no one who wants to be entertained should go to see this film. This is not a movie-going public's kind of movie. It was excruciating to watch, even while it was moving. It was

staceyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04711516970717799345noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6330699.post-1077054279439921862004-02-17T16:27:00.000-05:002004-02-17T16:47:17.640-05:00

I went to visit a lot of people last week. I came back from a pastors' conference the week before with a new passion for the spiritual calling of visitation, among other things. So often I am reduced to hand-holding and listening to the latest prognosis of my parishioners. I ask them how they are doing, when they will leave the hospital, how I can pray for them, etc. This, I must confess, is

staceyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04711516970717799345noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6330699.post-1076444940444313022004-02-10T15:28:00.000-05:002004-02-17T16:49:40.153-05:00

I have a blank spot in my preaching schedule coming up. It is the season of Lent. I had been thinking about preaching on the topic of holiness, or using the lectionary or some combination of both. One of the questions I am forced to ask, however, is one for which, I am discovering, I have no answer: “What is holiness?” In the midst of this decision I came across a book on my shelf that I

staceyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04711516970717799345noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6330699.post-1075407927589566482004-01-29T15:15:00.000-05:002004-01-29T15:29:43.513-05:00

My friend Kenny says I'm due for a post. So here it is. Last Saturday I was coming back from a meeting in Detroit. It was cold and snowy. I just wanted to get home. On Friday, just as I was leaving town for the meeting, I bought a pair of cool, but inexpensive sunglasses. I noticed, half way to Toledo, a scratch on the lens, right in my line of vision. So now it's Saturday afternoon and

staceyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04711516970717799345noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6330699.post-1074285546438516472004-01-16T15:31:00.000-05:002004-01-16T15:41:00.606-05:00

I finished the sermon today. It flowed nicely and only took a few hours. Sometimes that happens. Sometimes not. Some days it's like slicing a hot knife through butter; other days it's like having a baby -- lots of pushing, sweating, grunting and hard work; and time (I get this second-hand from my wife, of course). I do better with a good cup of coffee. I do know that. Words and metaphors

staceyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04711516970717799345noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6330699.post-1074114234828147922004-01-14T15:56:00.000-05:002004-01-14T16:05:46.793-05:00

I sat down to watch a video during lunch today. It was a video made and sent to me by a friend and was of a reunion that took place among friends over the Christmas holiday. It was the first time all of us, friends since college days, had been together in ten years. There we were, with all of our spouses and children to boot. We were a house-full. As I watched this video I was, quite frankly

staceyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04711516970717799345noreply@blogger.com0