Lenten Prayer # 8: For a Renewed Passion for Worship

Psalm 70:4

But may all who seek you
rejoice and be glad in you;
may those who long for your saving help always say,
“The LORD is great!”

Luke 10:21
At that time Jesus, full of joy through the Holy Spirit, said, “I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. Yes, Father, for this was your good pleasure.


Lord Jesus, we want to worship God with the same gladness that gave you such joy.  Open our eyes to see what pleases the Father.  May the Holy Spirit fill us in the same way that she fills you, so that we can be a people overflowing with joyful praise!  Amen

An early fresco of the Trintiy



Lenter Prayer # 7 For the Glory of God

Isaiah 60

“Arise, shine, for your light has come,
and the glory of the LORD rises upon you.
See, darkness covers the earth
and thick darkness is over the peoples,
but the LORD rises upon you
and his glory appears over you.
Nations will come to your light,
and kings to the brightness of your dawn.


John 17:22

I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one—

God, it seems that spiritual darkness engulfs our communities. We cannot dispel the shadows merely by the flickering flames of our own goodness.  Bring your light.  Incinerate the shadows of shame in our lives.  Prepare us to be worthy reflections of your beauty.  May a great, reflected glory, penetrate the murky darkness of our cities.  We especially pray for people working to bring spiritual light into particularly difficult places--our inner cities, places of poverty, prisons and more.   If Jesus' statement were not in the Bible, we might consider it blasphemy to touch, much less to wear, the glory of Jesus.  Grant us to carry the true power of Jesus, the brilliance of his love. And grant that our fractured denominations and churches may come to the kind of unity that will be a glorious spectacle of what can happen when many people follow One Magnificent Person!  Amen

Lenten Prayer # 6: For Consistency

Luke 18:1  ...at all times they ought to pray and not lose heart...

Lord, it is all too easy for us to lose heart.  Some of us have often berated ourselves for our lack of prayer, blaming our full and busy lives.  But perhaps we have not been overwhelmed by our schedules but have instead lost heart.  Sometimes it is difficult to believe  that you really do hear us.  Help us to sense a renewed urgency to pray with tenacity and determination!  We know that our own resolve is not likely to be enough.  Infuse us with a genuine zeal for what is good, true and right.  Help us to understand that you are pleased with our attempts, feeble though they may sometimes be, to pray with persistence.  We ask that you reveal yourself to the one who has lost hope, encourage the one who is tired, bring clarity and purpose to the one who is lost in confusion.  Teach us, Lord, to pray.  Amen

Lenten Prayer #5: For the Water of God's Holy Spirit

Isaiah 44:3-4 For I will pour water on the thirsty land, and streams on the dry ground. I will pour out my Spirit on your children and my blessing on your descendants. They will spring up like grass in a meadow, like poplar trees by flowing streams.

John 7:37-38 On the last day of the festival, the great day, while Jesus was standing there, he cried out, ‘Let anyone who is thirsty come to me, and let the one who believes in me drink. As the scripture has said, “Out of the believer’s heart* shall flow rivers of living water.”

God, without your Spirit we become like barren soil, packed and parched.  We cannot irrigate the dusty deserts of our lives.  Pep talks and positive attitudes can make us all the more aware of our inner dryness of spirit.  Come as a rushing stream, flooding our dry ground. Inundate us with your love and life!  Soak us with steady streams so that what lies dormant now will blossom in the time you appoint blessings.  Call us to come and slake our thirst with living water.  Transfer all who believe into streams and then rivers of your life.  You are the source, but let us be the course through which you will send your life to many.  Amen

Lenten Prayer # 4: For Pure Hearts

Oh Lord, how can we ask you to change our area, our city, our country...without first asking you to change us?  Cleanse our hearts and minds, and help us to stop blaming others for the problems around us.  Grant to us enduring spiritual strength and power to serve with integrity and resolve.  We long for the joy of devotion to you, our Holy God.  Amen

Lenten Prayer # 3: To Break Through Pride & Complacency

These people come near to me with their mouths and honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me.  Their worship of me is made up only of rules taught by men.  Therefore, once more I will astound these people with wonder upon wonder; the wisdom of the wise will perish, the intelligence of the intelligent will vanish.  Isaiah 29:13-14

Come to me...Take my yoke upon you and learn from me. for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.  Matthew 11: 28-29

God, we have become proficient in religious performance.  We can say all the correct words, but sometimes we still leave our hearts far behind.  Have we have practiced our worship to  make it predictable and safe, becoming as bored as we are proud?  Where you find it, break through false religious pride.  Surprise us with Your supremacy.  Stun us with how dangerous You are!  

We have sometimes kept ourselves busy.  But for many, self-sufficiency has left exhaustion in its wake, and we are left anxious and bereft.  We give up trying to get our act together!  We come to you now, as you have summoned us.  Show us your heart and train us in humility.  Amen

Lenten Prayer #2 For Rescue from Sin's Power

If you, O LORD, kept a record of sins, O Lord, who could stand? But with you there is forgiveness...My soul waits for the LORD more than watchmen wait for the morning--put your hope in the LORD, for with God is unfailing love and...full redemption...from all sins. Psalm 130:3-8

God, If we were to suffer the repercussions of our sins, we would have been annihilated long ago. Instead, you have gone through the record of our wrongs, and by the power of your love, our sins have been wiped away. We stand in awe of your mighty mercy. Why then do we still wait, hope, and yearn for even more? Because you have promised more! Not only do You pardon our sins, but you free us from the debilitating power of sin. We can be more certain of your love and your word than we can of the sun's rising. So today we focus our hearts together on the hope that you will continue to deliver us...fully redeem us. Cause us to LIVE and to LOVE like you! Amen

Lenten Prayer #1 For a Lasting Awakening

I've been wanting to get back to my neglected little blog for some time.  Now seems like a good time.  Later, I will post a bit of personal stuff, but for now I'm beginning with prayers leading up to Easter.

Our church is using a prayer guide from Waymakers during these days of Lent. I'll be posting a few excerpts from the booklet, along with (sometimes) thoughts and prayers of my own.  I just wanted to give credit to the authors, and to the prayer guide called "Seek God for the CIty 2012."

We'll begin with prayer for a lasting awakening.

Will you not revive us again, that Your people may rejoice in you?  Show us your unfailing love, O LORD...I will listen to what God the LORD will say; God promises peace to the people...the saints...but let them not return to folly.  Surely, the salvation of God is near...that...glory may dwell in the land.  Psalm 85:6-9

...Go on before the Lord to prepare His ways, to give to the people the knowledge of salvation by the forgiveness of their sins, because of the tender mercy of our God, with which the Sunrise from on high will visit us...  Luke 1:76-78

In time past You have surprised Your people by bringing Your presence upon them in vast heavenly might.  You have come upon Your people as if the sun was descending from the sky and touching the earth.  Bring the early dawning rays of your tender mercies.  Expose the hidden sins which you are so eager to forgive!  Get us ready for days of great change.  Amen

I'm Alive

Just like Frankenstein's monster.  :-)

The fact that my last post was on Halloween might lead you to believe that I have departed--at least from Blogger if not from the world as we know it.  Not so.  Life is complicated, but I do intend to return to my little blog soon.

Happy Halloween!

Hat tip to Sally Coleman for this picture!

Disappointment, Hope's Brother

Disappointment, Hope’s brother,
lurks around the edges,
Waiting till you forget he is there
to slide in
quiet and, dark.

Disappointment doesn't like it
when Hope comes to visit,
With her shy smile,
tentative moves,
shining eyes.

Disappointment is
forgotten
in Hope’s presence
Almost.

But when Hope goes away,
her brother rejoices,
Making his moves   
while he can.

Sometimes he is strong
and prevents Hope's return,
But she waits, quietly
at the door.

Disappointment  grows stronger
Shadowing Hope till she dims.
He believes he has won,
and can stay till the end.

In truth, it does seem
he may
win for a while...
but at the end of the story,
When all things are know,
Hope abides
And Disappointment will die.

Liking this post from J. Lee Grady....thought I'd share. Thinking today of all the relationships that made me cry...but I wouldn't trade the experiences. Lee is right. It is about relationship.


Christianity Is All About Relationships#readmore#readmore#readmore

A Prayer for Today

I love this prayer from Mother Theresa.  Every line contains a powerful thought on which to meditate. 

Dear Jesus, help us to spread Your fragrance everywhere we go.
Flood our souls with Your spirit and life.
Penetrate and possess our whole being, so utterly,
That our lives may only be a radiance of Yours.
Shine through us, and be so in us,
That every soul we come in contact with may feel Your presence in our soul.
Let them look up and see no longer us, but only Jesus!
Stay with us, and then we shall begin to shine as You shine;
So to shine as to be a light to others.
The light O Jesus will be all from You, none of it will be ours;
It will be You, shining on others through us.
Let us thus praise You without preaching, not by words but by our example,
By the catching force, the sympathetic influence of what we do,
The evident fullness of the love our hearts bear to You. Amen.

Women Still Treated as Objects on Big Screen

From The Pentecotal Evangel, by John W. Kennedy

A new study of Hollywood films reveals that women are depicted wearing little or no clothing more than one-fourth of the time on the screen, with younger females showing even more skin.

Stacy L. Smith and Marc Choueiti, of the Annenberg School for Communication & Journalism at the University of Southern California, analyzed the 100 top-grossing fictional motion pictures of 2008. They discovered that 25.7 percent of the females in the movies were shown wearing sexy, revealing attire. For teen girls, the rate rose to 39.8 percent.

In addition, 23.7 percent of females depicted in those films were partially naked, including 30.1 percent of teenage girls.

The study authors said the high ratio of hypersexualized female images sends the message - particularly to the large number of young males who buy movie tickets - that females are valued most for their appearance.

Los Angeles-based Nicole Clark, who spent four years making a documentary called Cover Girl Culture, says it's part of human nature to desire to be acknowledged, recognized and loved.

"Sadly, the media has force-fed our society the notion that overtly sexy, vacuous, skinny girls - often behaving badly - garner accolades from men and peers," Clark told World View. "There is little else in a girl's life that can compete with the media's endless barrage of this delusional ideal unless they are blessed with extremely conscientious parents who act as gatekeeper and educator of what is truly valuable in a girl."

Clark says well-meaning parents often feel overwhelmed and helpless, yet marketers and advertisers often count on apathy taking over.

"The media relentlessly undermine parents, knowing they will eventually give up," Clark says. "There is another way. Parents need to educate their children about degrading portrayals of women and girls."

Candy Tolbert, director of Assemblies of God National Girls Ministries, urges parents to use Ephesians 6:4 as a guide in training children about the Lord.

"We must do our utmost to direct girls away from the degrading, over-sexualized message of moneymaking clothing and advertising industries that place the marketing of sexy merchandise ahead of the overall well-being of young girls," Tolbert says. "Using sexuality to sell product to girls is inappropriate and demeans intelligence."

Remembering 9-11-01--and Wondering What has Happened to the USA

I may have been one of the last to know.

I was working in my church office, alone in the building on a quiet day. About noon I took a break from sermon preparation to go to the post office.  The car radio was on, and as I heard unbelievable words about the twin towers and planes....and...I thought I was listening to some strange kind of radio drama.  I pulled to a stop in front of the post office and paid closer attention. 

Could this be real?

I don't know why I did not immediately head for home, but instead I went back to the church and turned on the radio in my office and listened, slowly beginning to understand the news that had been unfolding all day while I was unaware.

I stood at my office window and gazed eastward, towards New York and Washington, D.C. I tried to picture the scene at the Pentagon, a building I saw many times in the years we were stationed at Headquarters, Marine Corps.  The bright blue sky and sunshine seemed wrong.

I felt guilty in my little town in the midwest. Insulated and removed.

The phone rang, and the voice on the phone was a friend and fellow-clergywoman from a small Presbyterian church.  In a 2008 blog post, I wrote about what happened.  Here is a little bit of that post,

A few hours later some of the area clergy hastily put together a prayer service for the evening, and phone calls went out to invite the community. I sat with two other clergy women in a sun-drenched room at St. Peter's UCC. We had been given the task of writing a litany for the service. We sat in silence, looking at one another sadly as we listened to the tolling of the bell at the Roman Catholic Church across the street. It seemed to go on and on, each somber ring striking our spirits like a blow.  Where to begin? How could we encourage anyone when our own hearts were stricken and afraid? I remember thinking how incongruous the sunshine was. It should be cloudy and raining.  The three of us joined in prayer for a few moments, began to brainstorm a bit--and then it happened--not with bright lights or trumpets or any sort of excitement. The litany came together in a matter of minutes. The one taking notes almost could not write fast enough to get our thoughts on the paper. When we finished, three pastors--a Presbyterian, a Methodist and a Pentecostal, looked at each other in a sort of wonder. Finally, someone said, "The Spirit of God came in the room with us."
 
I remember wondering, as we prayed together that evening in St. Peter's beautiful sanctuary, where the terrorists would strike next.  I remember the unity, the shared sorrow, that brought liberals and conservatives together, and I can picture a photo of several congressional leaders holding hands with bowed heads.  I remember discussions with fellow clergy about what would happen to America and specifically what would happen to the American church.  Many people expected that attendance at places of worship would rise in the days, weeks and months following 9-11. 

Preparations were made.  Everyone was concerned, but beneath it was a flicker of expectation that perhaps our nation would repent of our national arrogance and pride, learn some humility, and begin to acknowledge what many of our forefathers called "Divine Providence."
 
There was a blip of repentance, of sorrow, of prayer.  I remember vividly a prayer circle in my little church sanctuary, where several of us sang the words of a Kyrie, (not something typical for Assemblies of God people), "Lord have mercy, Christ have mercy...." and tears rolled down our cheeks. 

Church attendance did rise--for a short time. There were alarms, anthrax scares here and there....but mostly our fears were unrealized.  And things went back to normal in a very short time.
 
But I found myself saying, many times, "Something...something undefinable has changed."  I still cannot define it or understand it or explain it, but I still believe that something fundamentally changed on this day ten years ago.  Whatever happened, I think we Americans changed as a people.
 
Ten years later, what do we find in the United States of America?
 
We find a nation that is angry.  The partisan rhetoric is vicious on both sides.  We are embroiled in not just one but two wars that seem to have no clear purpose, and no end.  Many have died.  We have lost faith in our elective process, in the government, "of the people, by the people, for the people" to an extent that I have never seen in my lifetime.  Cynicism and hopelessness seem to have the upper hand.  The econmy is stalled. Republicans and Democrats seem more interested in party politics than in solving problems.  Church attendance continues to decline.  Our educational systme is still mired in inertia as test scores continue to be alarming.  No one is exactly rejoicing at the array of possible candidates for President.  There is a sense, and this saddens me deeply, that our greatest days are behind us and that we may be on a irreversable path to oblivion.
 
I hope this is wrong.  I hope that we can cry out, in the words of David, Israel's greatest King,

 Have mercy upon me, O God,
According to Your lovingkindness;
Create in me a clean heart, O God,
And renew a steadfast spirit within me.
Do not cast me away from Your presence,
And do not take Your Holy Spirit from me.
Restore to me the joy of Your salvation,
And uphold me by Your generous Spirit...
Deliver me from the guilt of bloodshed, O God,
The God of my salvation,
And my tongue shall sing aloud of Your righteousness.
O Lord, open my lips,
And my mouth shall show forth Your praise.
For You do not desire sacrifice, or else I would give it;
You do not delight in burnt offering.
The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit,
A broken and a contrite heart—
These, O God, You will not despise.

Excerpts from Psalm 51

It seems like a good day to remember these words, attributed (perhaps incorrectly) to A. Tocqueville. 
"I sought for the greatness and genius of America in her commodious harbors and her ample rivers and it was not there; in her fertile fields and boundless forests and it was not there; in her rich mines and her vast world commerce and it was not there; in her democratic Congress and her matchless Constitution and it was not there. Not until I went into the churches of America and heard her pulpits aflame with righteousness did I understand the secret of her genius and power. America is great because she is good, and if America ever ceases to be good, she will cease to be great.

Whether the quote is his or not, I recommend his book, "Democracy in America.")

Did something happen to us? If so, what do you think it was/

Happenings

It has been far too long since I've posted anything, and I hope to do better.  Life has sort of exploded.  

The BIG news for our family is the arrival of another grandchild.  Our son, Josh, is the new dad of a baby boy, Noah Kenneth George, born in June.  Here are a few photos.



Josh sheds a tear as he holds the new little guy for the first time.



Josh, Stephanie and Noah.

Trinity and her new cousin.

Isn't he sweet?

We saw Noah when he was three days old, but not since.  So excited that he'll be visiting on Sept. 17th!

More updates soon about other changes. 

A Friday Five about Gratitude

Over at Rev Gal Blog Pals, Jan says, "A wise person once told me to make an ABC list of things I am grateful for any time I feel sad or depressed. It is a good practice when one is feeling happier than that, too. So for this Friday Five, I suggest that you use your name or nickname of about five letters and express your gratitude about something that starts with each letter. Some people have longer names, so you decide how you will go about this! (Last names, middle names, and nicknames count!)"

Since my name is six letters, that's close enough!  Here's my list:  Feel free to join me.

D.  Daffodills are my favorite flower.  I've always liked them because of the vivid color and the little "trumpet" shape (that says "rejoice" to me) but I have grown even more fond of them living in a snowy, "up north" state.  Winters are long and monochromatic and about April we start watching (it's way too early, but we watch anyhow) for some sign of color.  Usually by May we see the daffodills and tulips poking up.  It is like a peal of song, a ray of light, a glimpse of joy and hope after a difficult time.  I like dandilions too, but that's another issue...

O.  Hmmm...how about...organ music?  I remember the first time I heard the music I'm about to share.  I was about 12 years old, and pipe organs (being from a very simple Baptist church) were not generally part of my life.  What is more majestic than a really big, beautiful, organ played by someone skilled?  It's almost enough to make a low-church woman into a high-church one.  The video is pretty long, but have a listen to at least a bit of this glorious music!



R.  Rhubarb!  If you go to my cooking blog The Owl's Kitchen and look up my Strawberry Rhubarb pie recipe, you wil see this at the top: "I remember my first taste of rhubarb. I was about 10 and had never heard of it, but I was served a bowl of warm rhubarb sauce at the famous fried chicken restaurant at Knott's Berry Farm, Anaheim, California. I thought it was about the most wonderful thing I'd ever tasted, and I told my mother I could not understand why we had never had it before. She had never tasted it either. We had a large and healthy stand of it by our mobile home at Trinity Bible College, and I've since learned that it is beloved in the cold states."  I go on, and finally get around to posting the recipe.  You can find several others ( rhubarb ones, I mean) at that blog too. 

C.  Children are one of the greatest blessing I can imagine.  I miss my children.  I love the adult versions, of course, but I miss the child versions.  I am so glad for Trinity (age 4, and spoken of often in this blog) and now little Noah, aged one month.  Post and pictures coming soon!

A.  Apricots.  We used to have an apricot tree back in CA where I grew up.  Haven't had a really good one since I left the state about 35 years ago!

S.  Song.  I had a much longer post, and I don't know why but somehow the A and the S disappeared. So, I have to rush and can't explain. I'll just leave it at, "What is life without a song?"

Casey Anthony and Angry Church Folks

I almost fear to write this post. Almost.

I have been grieved along with many others every time I see this picture of Caylee Anthony.  Mostly because knowing what happened to the sweet little girl pictured--well, it's just horrific.  And partly, if I am honest, because this particular picture, and the dark brown eyes looking up so sweetly, could be of our granddaughter Trinity about two years ago.  It gives me a physical, gut-level reaction to the events that perhaps I wouldn't have otherwise. I grieve for the life that was stolen. 

 I was among the many who were surprised by the verdict.  Clearly, Casey Anthony is deceitful, disturbed, and has no credibility.  Her story is hard to believe.  In fact, I don't believe it.  I find her actions (or lack of action) perplexing, disturbing, alarming, and disgusting. Did she kill her daughter?  I don't know. Few believe we will ever really know what happened to little Caylee.

Still, there are other disturbing things these days following the "not guilty" verdict.  For one, the reaction of many people towards the jury.  I have an opinion about the case--but let's face it--I wasn't in the courtroom and I didn't have to be a juror, and I don't know all that they heard and saw.   I know that our justice system is deeply flawed.  But I still rejoice that, at least in theory, we are "innocent until proven guilty."  Do we have any respect whatsoever for the fact that the accused was found "not guilty" in an American court of law?

I am perplexed at the comments I have read and heard about the attorneys who represented Casey Anthony--that they are "scumbags" or "as guilty as Casey" or similar sentiments.  If I ever find myself in a courtroom as an accused person, I will want a lawyer who does what they are supposed to do--defend me to the best of their ability.  Is that not the job of the defense, for goodness sake?  Do we not know that accused people are not always guilty people?  It may be a flawed system, but I'm glad we have a system!   

Most of all, I am disturbed by the hate-filled, venomous statements (often referencing God, Hell, judgement, and so on) from people who probably would call themselves Christians.  

Here are a few samples from the Internet: 

“The jury may have found her ‘not guilty,’ but she'll get what’s coming to her. God will make sure of that!”

“Casey, you didn't win. You have a dead daughter, a guilty conscience, a society that hates you and a date with God.”
 “Dear Casey Anthony, God will deal with you. Good luck finding a lawyer that will help you lie to Him.”
"There is a special place in Hell for you, Casey."

Surely I am not the only one who is disturbed to hear or read Christians hurling judgment in anybody’s direction.  Is this what we should do? 
A recent column from J. Lee Grady said, "But in the end, people who follow Christ should not be grabbing pitchforks and demanding vigilante justice just because a trial didn’t turn out the way we thought it should. Our response should be tempered with redemption."

Absolutely!

Have we forgotten that Jesus said he did not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance  (Luke 5:32)?  Have we forgotten his words to the religious individuals who brought a woman caught in adultery to him?  "Let the one who is without sin cast the first stone" (John 8:7)?  Or Romans 3:23 which reminds us that ALL have sinned? 

If we truly know the forgiveness of Christ, how can we rejoice that someone else will"get what's coming to them"?  Our attitude should be guided by Ephesians 4:32: “Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ has forgiven you."   If I understand that I am not righteous, I can hope that others find forgiveness and peace.  Is that not the Good News, after all?

One thing I know, God's love is not just for the "good" people.  Sometimes I wonder if those who are the loudest in condemning Casey to God's wrath are not, as Shakespeare said (paraphrased) protesting a bit too much? 

Will you join me in praying for Casey and for her fractured family?  It is certain that God loves them--flaws, sins and all--and they desperately need God. 

And will you also join me in a prayer for the abused children whose stories do not make the headlines?  One organization involved in abuse prevention has said that every 10 seconds a case of child abuse is reported.  Think of the unreported ones...the little ones who are, even now, afraid.  Let's stop minimizing abuse, especially in the church, and let's be vigilant in  in addressing child abuse in all its forms.  Let's make sure we are aware and careful and loving toward children around us.  Let's stop all the rhetoric and do something constructive with our frustration.  And let's be known as people of grace and mercy.  Let's put down the stones.

Summertime Friday Five

I note that my last post was one too...so I DO intend to return with more than Friday Five postings...meanwhile....here is the Rev Gal Friday Five. 

So, what's up, Rev Gals and Pals? How are you spending your summer? (I know, some of you are in a different hemisphere and it may be chilly...sorry!) Are you experiencing fire or floods or tornados? Vacationing? Working harder than ever? Experiencing change? Longing for change?  Share five things that are happening in your life, personally or professionally or some of each, in this season of life.

1.  I'm preparing to sell insurance.  Specifically Medicare supplements.  Yes, really.  More about that some post soon.  Not my life's ambition, nor exactly my "calling" but not all bad either.  As I said, more later.  Life has not allowed for blog posts, but that WILL change.  Hopefully soon.

2.  I'm trying life with sorta red hair.  In the last three years I went from nearly white to dark blonde to medium blonde to light blonde, to dark brown (the natural color of my younger days) and now I'm trying out a sort of burgundy?  Am I having some sort of identity crisis?  Undoubtedly.  See number one.

3. I'm reading as much as possible.  I love to read, and somehow in the last few years that enjoyment was waning....and THANK GOD now seems to be back.  So I have my nose in a book lots of the time.  This is a god thing.

4.  I'm enjoying my granddaughter, the beautiful and brilliant Trinity, of course.  You knew that, right?  She is such a delight.  Last week we went to the pool (finally the weather actually got warm enough to want to) and to fireworks.  She's four now, talking like a much older kid, excited about 4-K next fall, and growing tall and thin.  (Hope she stays that body type!)

5. And I saved the best for last.  It deserves a blog post all its own and I hope to post one, maybe tomorrow. Our son, Josh is a new father so that means I HAVE A NEW GRANDCHILD! His name is Noah Kenneth (guess whose middle name he has?) and here is a picture of him with his proud Papa (Trinity's name for her grandfather, and so likely to be Noah's too). Sadly, he is six hours away.  He was born June 12th, and we saw him a couple of days after that and not since.  I hope we can manage to fit in several trips to Minnesota this year.  More pics soon!

New Experiences Friday Five

I am hosting the Rev Gal Blog Pals Friday Five today, but first I have a little story to tell.

Earlier this spring, my husband won three tickets to a concert presented by the symphony orchestra of a nearby city--featuring Mozart's Requiem.  We debated for a few days about taking Trinity, our four-year old granddaughter, to such an adult event.  In the end we decided to give it a try.  After all, the tickets were free, so we didn't have a great deal to lose if we had to leave.  (There she is in the picture, all dressed up and ready to go hear, "my Mozart!")  You may wonder why we would consider taking a preschooler to the symphony, but this child loves Mozart and listens to a CD nearly every night at bedtime. Once I tried to sneak a CD of Bach in, and she cried, saying, "Grandma, that is NOT Mozart."

She was hopping with excitement, but we gave her lots of coaching, and when we arrived she gazed about with wonder at the lovely venue, and when the orchestra began to tune up she sat up straight and gazed, enraptured, with her mouth literally open. It was pure delight to watch her enjoying brand-new sights, sounds and surroundings.

This experience led me to remembering times of discovery, of new experiences.  Some were my own experiences and some were remembered from my children, or those of others. For today's Friday Five we are sharing five memorable moments of insight, discovery, awareness--from childhood or later, something you experienced or something you shared with someone else.

1.  Once, on a summer trip through Arizona at night, my father stopped the car. (This was in the days before air conditioning in cars was common, and traveling at night, though hot, was better than doing it in daylight.)  I was about five, and wondered what was going on as my sisters and I, following directions, spread out a blanket, turned on our backs and gazed heavenward.  What we saw was never to be forgotten.  The scope of the night sky took our breath away.  We were city kids, and while we had seen stars, of course, we had never seen anything like the spectacle that was visible in the clear desert air.  As a matter of fact, I have never seen anything like it since.  It was beautiful but also almost frightening.  We were...so small.

2.  Once when I was about eight, I was telling my father, with great glee, about a friend's cousin.  "She's getting married," I related, "and Susan gets to be in the wedding."  My father made polite noises as I went on, "The bride is going to have a baby.  She's wearing a navy blue outfit."  My father's face changed as he said, "Oh, that is a shame."  "What?" I asked.  "What is a shame?  What's wrong with having a baby?"  He didn't answer, but I had a sudden realization that this having-a-baby thing had something to do with other things we didn't mention, like certain body parts.  I knew I'd get nowhere asking him, so I went on a journey of discovery at the local library.  I was a good reader.

3.  I once walked past a fire station with a friend.  We were about 15 or so.  Several firemen were sitting out front, and the sound of wolf whistles followed us down the block.  I was totally shocked.  It was a moment of realization that I wasn't a kid anymore, that I was growing up.  It was exciting--and very unsettling.  It was as if, in a moment, the entire world shifted. Scary! Thinking of this now, I am sad that the innocence of my teenage years would now be pretty much unheard of.

4.  The moment I first heard Handel's "Hallelujah Chorus" was like a visit to heaven itself.  It was Christmas Eve and we were having a candlelight service (the only one I remember from my Southern Baptist childhood--we didn't usually have church on Christmas Eve).  I was transported--and I think it may have been my first real awareness of the greatness of God--King of Kings and Lord of Lords!  It was awesome.  A much overused word these days, but this truly was!

5.  My grandmother died when I was three.  I had traveled to Texas with my mother.  Grandmother was in the hospital, and because she was dying they broke the usual rule against children visiting (lots has changed since the 1950s) and allowed me in.  I was lifted up to sit on the high hospital bed so my grandmother could see me.  She whispered something I do not recall.  I suddenly knew in an unexplainable way, that people do not live on this earth forever and ever.