The question I am asking myself
today is What was life-giving this week?
This month is Pastor Appreciation Month. I have been blessed with many cards and personal notes. I have been blessed with cards for Starbucks and for China Lane. One member of the church invited us to their home for a wonderful meal that involved the first time I have had marinated turkey breast.
On a personal note, physical
exercise has long been a life-giving experience for me. I have continued with
my exercises involving yoga, Anytime Fitness, and the Total Gym. My right
shoulder continues to limit me, but I realize my healing will take time.
It was life-giving to be with other
clergy at a retirement seminar. I am close enough to the magical age that I need
to attend. I do not want anyone to think I am going to do so this year. However,
it is time to think seriously about it. I received what I thought was good
news.
The Men of Integrity meditation
this week was reflections from Brad Formsma, I Like Giving. The key study
passage was II Corinthians 9. Living generously is about giving your life to
other people so that everything you do becomes a gift to others and rewarding
for yourself. Giving is more than money. Do something generous without anyone
telling you. Ask for an opportunity to come your way. I note Buechner, The world
says, The More you take, the more you have. Christ says, The more you give, the
more you are.
Sunday was an “interesting” day.
What was life-giving here was that in the second service, one person with a
guitar led us in worship. Although it was out of necessity, it was very nice
and different. In addition, our pianist in the first service had us guess the prelude
tune. It was the first time she did that, and it was fun. The tune was, O Love
that Will Not Let Me Go. From my perspective, we had a good spirit throughout
the morning, even if low attendance. I had a brief meeting with Finance people
afterward. The Logansport Cluster met for the last time this year. Pastor Dean
brought a very nice devotion. We are particularly planning for the Food Truck
arrival on November 21, 2014, 4-7. Each church will collect an offering for
their part in the cost. We need ten people from each church to help serve. It was
particularly life-giving to have the prayer time at the end. I had several
administrative matters this week. I have been following up on the cards
submitted to Upward Soccer. It has been life-giving for me, and I hope for
those I have contacted. I met with cluster clergy at Buffalo Wild Wings in the
afternoon on Thursday. We had some serious conversations this time. Yet, it is
always life-giving to meet. Met with choir and the director in the evening,
which is always life-giving. We have some wonderful messages in music coming up
in November and December.
I continue my study of Karl Barth
and Church Dogmatics, this time focusing on III.4, a volume that reflects on
theological ethics in light of the God the Father is the creator.
I have been studying the book TheBible’s Yes to Same-sex Marriage because of a seminar I plan to attend this
year.
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