Sue's World

Multi-tasking

I think I'm going to have to pace myself on posts now that I've dusted this baby off.  I just got back from a 40 minute walk:  up and down our steep neighborhood.  I must exercise but really hate the idea of having to get into the car and drive to the gym.  That allows for excuses.  But if all I have to do is walk out the front door, that leaves few excuses.

Yesterday I walked mid-morning.  To my credit, I knew I waited too long but still did it so as not to use that as an excuse.  Today I walked out the door at 8:45 and it's still warm, especially walking up the hill when I'm facing the sun.  But it's good for me.  and I feel better for it.  So not only do I get the benefit of walking, I get to enjoy nature:  birds chirping, hummingbirds whirring, lizards bolting when I get near.  I hear masses of bees buzzing on the blooming myoporum which covers a lot of ground in the neighborhood.  But I've learned this is prime quiet and praying time too!  So physical, mental, and spiritual benefits are gained out of getting out and about.  I love it! 

Ask and You Shall Receive

I guess I'm on a myth-busting kick.  Do you ever really think about how many bible-based sayings folks use routinely without really understanding what they mean?  "Ask and you shall receive." is a case in point.  People insinuate that no matter what you want you just have to pray for it.  It's like God is the ultimate sugar-daddy and whatever your heart's desire is, you just need to climb into his lap and ask nicely.  Those health-and-wealth vultures use it.  God wants you to be rich and wealthy and happy and have 5 houses.  Not.  God wants us to want his will.  So if we ask for the strength to follow his will, we will get that.  If you pray for Cadillac and you get one, it's probably not God that gave it to you.

Dangerous Deception

Something has been weighing on my mind.  The topic of kids leaving the "church" came up recently.  To be more specific, it's college-aged kids.  I know first-hand about that.  Soon after college I put my faith on hiatus.  I can't speak for others, but I distinctly remember my church experiences from Junior and Senior High.  There was camaraderie and a sense of belonging.  I was in Bible studies and in youth groups.  But I don't recall ever really understanding what it meant to be a Christian.  It is not about the activities or accepting Christ.  I think it's dangerous to believe, or to tell others, that being saved is an "I do".  You don't get married and then return to acting single, do you?  That's ridiculous.  But I daresay a lot of Christians do the equivalent.  And I'm not talking about the ones who fake the acceptance.  I think of people I know who accepted Christ with a sincere heart at the time.  I was one of those.  I became what I like to call the a la carte Christian, the one who picked and chose what I wanted to believe and follow.  Not surprisingly, I picked my beliefs based on how I lived.  Pretty convenient, huh?

I am grateful to have had these years since to realize how horribly wrong that was and to have the opportunity to ground myself in the truth and to work on living in accordance with that truth.  I have God-given discernment now.  Am I more "perfect" now?  No.  Until I take my last breath I will be imperfect.  But I know when I'm sinning and acknowledge it as such.

I have come to realize accepting Christ isn't a moment in time, it's a start of a commitment that requires growth and change and trial and hard work.  In daily life I am surrounded by Christ-haters but I know no words have more effect than my actions.  I will waste no time engaging in battle with people who aren't interested in the truth, only in spouting their hate.  Those are the easy ones to deal with. 

So going back to the beginning, it's not a surprise that when kids leave the safety of their youth groups and camps and such that they fall away; their once-"firm" foundation is crumbling and they don't have the support.  The world offers so many temptations as they venture out into life on their own. 

Bible Study and Volunteering

Yesterday I was gone for much of the day and loved it.  I joined a bi-weekly women's bible study that meets at church.  I have always wanted to join but it meets on weekday mornings and I was never able to do that when I worked. It started in September and I didn't sign up then since I knew I'd be gone for the first sessions but when the bulletin stated they were recruiting, I jumped at the chance.  I'm guessing there are at least 75 women there.  We're in tables of 8. 

After that finished I went over to work with my friend Fiona.  I am enjoying that and want to help as much as I can.  It's a blessing to have the time and opportunity to do some volunteer work.  Helping her helps her help others!

A Big Milestone

Yesterday will go down in history as one of the most important days of my life.  My Grace Group (small group from church) had a BBQ.  Past members of the group were invited and there were probably 20 of us.  Pastor Jim Gabor and his wife attended and three of us were baptized.  And yes, I was one of the three.  I don't mean the little sprinkling of water on the forehead.  I mean dunked! 

I can't wait for the pictures and video since I don't know what it looked like.  I was the last of the three to be baptized.  First up was Roxie, the hostess.  Second was my husband.  Yes, we were baptized within a minute or so of each other!  Words can't describe what this means in our life.  All I can say, again, is that this will remain one of the most important days of my life and I got to celebrate it with my spiritual family.  AWESOME!

He is Risen! He is Risen indeed!

We just got back from the sunrise service.  Getting up for it knowing it's going to be cold isn't all that fun.  I should have set the alarm but since I didn't I had a restless night and finally threw in the towel and got up somewhere around 5:15.

It was 39 degrees when we arrived at church.  The amphitheater was pretty full by the time the service started.  What a beautiful place it is, completing in nature and sheltered from the rest of the world.  The sun peaked over a hill; what a glorious sight!  I can only imagine what it would have been like for the two Marys to go to the tomb only to find it empty.  WOW!  To be told by an angel that Jesus wasn't there anymore.  WOW!  I'm sure they were sorrowful when they arrived and then probably frightened and confused before joy washed over them.

I love Easter Services with the choir and the celebration indoors.  But there's something quite special about sunrise service.  It's Easter without all the frills.  It's a reminder of why we celebrate Easter and what that means for us and all who come after us.

He is Risen!

Good Friday

As I drove home this evening after a full day out, I marveled at the gorgeous sunset.  It was spectacular.  I thought back to 2,000+ years ago.  That Friday was horrendous.  It was the day Christ died.  On that day, his loved ones, disciples, and followers saw him die.  And in his death were dashed their hopes and promises.  They must have been saddened and confused and maybe even angry.  They didn't know the happy ending.  There was still more of the story to come. 

But I know how the story ends.  And I got teary eyed knowing how sorrowful that day was but how joyful things became when Christ overcame death.  He did it for me.  Me!  I can hardly fathom how incredible that sacrifice was.  I smiled through teary eyes as I looked at the golden clouds as the sun was about to set.  Wow!

Holy Lemonade!!!

Whew...a lot has happened in the past week.  It was really just a week ago that mom had surgery and it seems more like a month.  She bounced back like a champ.

Yesterday we got a bag of lemons:  mom was told the Pathology report showed that cancer was in the lymph nodes that were removed as well as in several places of the other tissue.  The bottom line:  she needs to have a full mastectomy and the rest of the lymph nodes removed.

Pow!  That was a punch in the gut.  My immediate reaction was to go to the bathroom for a little cry (I was at work).  Oddly, and fairly humorously, the words I said between sobs was "I want my mommy!".  Mommy; I haven't used that word in years.  For goodness' sake, I'm rapidly approaching 50 - mommy?

Surgery is now set for the 13th and my parents and I are going to the cabin this weekend for a little respite.

As I arrived at work today, "Holy Lemonade!" popped into my head.  Why?  We got lemons and God made lemonade out of them.  He's holy so He made Holy Lemonade.  Because of this illness, Ive been given the awesome opportunity to discuss my beliefs and faith with lots and lots of people.  People can see my mom's faith in action.  Regardless of what else happens, that's been very exciting.  I am careful to point out to people that my tears are a human reaction but that my faith is firm.  I've never questioned "why her, God?" or been angry at God.  I marvel at how clearly I can see what God has given to use in this situation.  Holy Lemonade is tasty!

Happy Easter 2008!

A year ago, we celebrated Easter by attending the sunrise service at our church and with dinner with my hubby's family.  The outdoor church service was a nice experience, but I still love being in the sanctuary with the orchestra and choir.  I know it's the message that counts and my faith, but there's still something so special about being surrounded by hundreds of voices singing praise to God.

This year was different on so many levels.  We decided to spend it with my folks at the cabin.  And mom is not one for the traditional ham, turkey, or lamb.  We didn't go to church up in Twin Peaks.  But certainly the risen Christ was in our minds and hearts as we immersed ourself in the Creator's world.  (I'll write more about the nature part separately.)

Dad and I walked Zoe up at Strawberry Peak on a fine spring morning.  We drove to the burn area in Twin Peaks and were saddened and amazed at the unbelievable damage.  An entire hillside once dotted with homes was reduced to a charred, barren land.  Back at the cabin we played cards with our spouses and then enjoyed mom's fine Easter lunch:  barbecued New York sirloin, dilled potatoes, green beans almondine, a mixed salad, and yummy bread.  For dessert we had more of the strawberry-blueberry shortcake we enjoyed last night.  Shortly thereafter we said our goodbyes and headed home. 

I almost forgot the craziest part of our cabin trip.  We've had very warm weather and I arrived last evening in a sleeveless shirt.  And it wasn't that cold!  Today I wished I'd had shorts.  I shoveled snow in my short sleeved t shirt, moving some of the last of the snow near trees and emerging daffodils.  We still had a big chunk on the deck (a good 2 feet+ tall by about 10 feet long and maybe 3 feet wide).  We also had a bigger piece (though not as tall) near the entrance and the big berm under the eaves of the garage.  So it was warm and sunny and yet I was relocating snow. 

After deep-watering the garden (it is gorgeous!) we watched an hour long program on the last days, death, and resurrection of Christ.  It was show that used science to debunk myths.  So they started with alternative ways of interpreting scripture and the documented events, but in each case the alternative theories didn't hold water.  I enjoyed the program but was concerned non-believers might be confused.  Hmmm...

Then I did the most non-traditional thing of all...joining my hubby on a trip to the gym.  I jokingly asked where we were when we arrived, and he joked my membership card might not be recognized.  Yes, it's been that long.  On Easter Sunday, most folks aren't at the gym and that was a nice plus.

So there you have it.  A different Easter.  No rabbits or egg hunts or ham.  No Easter church service.  And yet that changes nothing.  Christ died and rose for me!  Me!  That blows my mind.

I can't imagine how it must have been for Jesus' disciples to watch him die.  And what did they think the next day?  Did they think they'd been deceived?  Did they have faith that he would come back?  I wonder... And how wonderful it must have been that third day when the tomb was missing and reports of his being among them were shared.  I can hardly fathom it.  And here I am 2,000 years later.  Awesome!