- I can show my affection for a friend or family member by supporting them at the death of their loved one. Rarely does someone say, Why in the world are you at my aunt's funeral? The grieving family members are usually grateful for the numbers of people who come to show their love and support.
- I can watch and learn about good, bad, and indifferent funeral services. I enjoy this because part of my job is to help with funeral services that take place here at our church. I learn a lot from the services that I have attended.
- I can learn about people. I like to observe the actions and reactions of people. I watch to see what behaviors and what words seem to mean the most to the grieving family members.
- I learn wonderful things about the person who has died. In my mind, a "good" funeral leaves the attenders thinking: I wish I had known this person better. Wow, I didn't know he/she did that! A funeral services fleshes out the life of a person I barely knew or only knew in one aspect. Through the funeral eulogy and sharing and comments from others, I learn about all the other parts of a person's life, how their siblings viewed them, what their children thought about them, why their friends loved them so much. A funeral honors and lifts up the person who has left this life.
- The "best" funerals are celebrations - because we don't "grieve as the rest of men, who have no hope" (I Thessalonians 4:13). Our grief is for those left behind, who will miss the one who died. We rejoice for the one who has walked into the presence of their Lord and Savior - who are enjoying their new home with Jesus.
Tuesday, November 23, 2010
When Death Comes
Two weeks ago I attended the funeral of a woman I barely knew. Some people would ask, Why did you go? The answer may seem very strange: I appreciate funerals. At a funeral, I have the opportunity to do several things:
Thursday, November 11, 2010
The Way to (Every)man's heart........
I don't cook. No one has ever raved over my cooking. I really don't like to cook. I don't cook! Therefore, I have felt "exempt" from providing meals for people who are in a crisis. After all, no one has ever raved about my cooking. But....
I'm changing my mind due to my experience over the last two weeks. While my Mom was still in the hospital I started receiving emails and phone calls from people who wanted to bring a meal. Of course, I accepted the offers - with glee (because "I don't cook".) By the time Mom had been home one week, we had a refrigerator full of different meals. Almost every day for 10 days , someone has arrived with homemade cookies, soups, salads, casseroles. Every meal is different. They are all delicious. And each one not only fills our stomachs but envelopes us with love.
I have thought this out.... we all have some one recipe that is a family favorite (I DO make a mean meat loaf!) No one needs to know that that is the only tasty thing I make. It sounds trite, but it IS the thought that counts.
My takeaway - After all of this time, I realize that I can join the Meals Ministry at our church. By way of the Take Them a Meal website, I can see what others are bringing and when, and if I sign up right away, I can make sure that I provide the first Meat Loaf meal the family gets.
I'm changing my mind due to my experience over the last two weeks. While my Mom was still in the hospital I started receiving emails and phone calls from people who wanted to bring a meal. Of course, I accepted the offers - with glee (because "I don't cook".) By the time Mom had been home one week, we had a refrigerator full of different meals. Almost every day for 10 days , someone has arrived with homemade cookies, soups, salads, casseroles. Every meal is different. They are all delicious. And each one not only fills our stomachs but envelopes us with love.
I have thought this out.... we all have some one recipe that is a family favorite (I DO make a mean meat loaf!) No one needs to know that that is the only tasty thing I make. It sounds trite, but it IS the thought that counts.
My takeaway - After all of this time, I realize that I can join the Meals Ministry at our church. By way of the Take Them a Meal website, I can see what others are bringing and when, and if I sign up right away, I can make sure that I provide the first Meat Loaf meal the family gets.
Thursday, November 4, 2010
Care-giving Up Close and Personal
I was scared! Scared and sad, and lonely, and feeling inadequate and in- over-my-head. I'm not ready for this yet, Lord!
My just-turned 86 year old Mom fell Saturday morning in the bathroom, just behind my back - within three feet of me! If I had just been facing her, instead of the other direction! She needed time to sit on the floor and gather her thoughts and quiet her stomach. That's normal. What wasn't normal was the amount of pain she was in when I tried to help her up. She couldn't bear any weight on her right hip.
It was a blessing that my son, Dave, was here for the weekend. Together we helped her down the stairs and into a comfortable chair. That's when I began to realize that my life was going to change - for a while at least. I found my Dad's old walker down in the basement. But she was so trembly when she used it that I needed to put my weight on the walker to stabilize it. When she was sitting in the chair, she seemed more like herself, but sometimes she got a faraway look in her eyes. I'm sure she, too, was wondering about how her life was going to change. Is this it, Lord?
The rest of the day was relatively uneventful. I went ahead with plans to have my sister and her family over for dinner. My son and I cleaned the garage and stained the deck. I left messages for my other son and my daughter and son-in-law (both doctors).
When my sister and family arrived late Saturday afternoon, Mom confessed to them that she didn't remember falling, and, even worse, when she fell three weeks ago outside, she had no idea that she was falling or how she got herself up and into the house. We put Mom in a rolling desk chair and pushed her to the dinner table where she sat quietly - just enjoying listening to her grandchildren reconnect. After dinner, just as the Ohio State game came on TV, my daughter called. When I told her of Mom's memory deficits, she insisted that I take her to the ER right then. That's when I really began to be scared. It was easier, with several grown men around, for them to pick Mom up and put her in the car, rather than try to assist her down our front steps. Once we were in the car, my sister following in hers, the pitch black sky reflected my somber thoughts. I grabbed Mom's hand and prayed as I drove - for good results, a not-busy ER so that tests could be run quickly and results returned. Just as I said AMEN, Mom and I both saw a star falling from the sky right in front of us - near the Loveland exit of 275! It seemed to us, that God was assuring us of His presence and His protection. As clear as day, in the middle of a dark fall night!
When we reached the ER it took 3 medical people to help Mom out of the car and into a wheelchair, but my sister and I were both so grateful for their help! Even though they were in Halloween costumes!! Mom was taken into triage and soon we were with her in a room. I was so grateful when they almost immediately came to take her to X-ray. She no sooner arrived back from X-ray than another person came to take her for other tests. We were among a very few patients there and had lots of attention. It was only after all tests had been run, and we were waiting to hear results that ambulance after ambulance unloaded precious cargo right in front of our curtained cubicle. We heard snatches of conversations between EMT's and receptionist staff - "multiple car accidents", "a bike accident on the way", "you can sure tell its Halloween and a Saturday night". I was thanking God for bringing us there right before all the craziness happened!
I find ER's more interesting than most people might because my daughter is an ER doc and I try to picture her in that scenario. However, there is nothing more boring that sitting in a straight chair totally exposed to busy ER staff waiting for results as the hours slowly pass. I think we arrived around 8:30 and it was probably after midnight when we learned the good news - no broken bones! Probably a deep muscle bruise was causing the pain. They would be admitting her for Physical therapy and to continue to try to figure out why she blacked out. Janet and I were both trying to nap with our heads on Mom's bed rail when at 2 am they finally came to take her to a room. We grabbed all of our "stuff" - purses, Mom's robe, a "snuggie", Mom's coat - tried to keep up with the transporter who was sailing Mom's bed down the unusually quiet hallways. We crowded around Mom's bed in the elevator and finally arrived in her new room on the 6th floor. Mom's new nurse and PCA greeted her warmly and I knew she was in good hands. We kissed her goodnight and headed home at 2:30 am to climb into our own beds and try to get enough sleep to make it through the next day.
Mom is home now and we are beginning to get into a routine. Here are some things I am learning about care-giving, up close and personal:
• It is frightening to be the caregiver who lives in the home with the patient – especially if you live alone.
• Phone calls are always appreciated. Just keep them brief and be sensitive to what may be going on in the hospital room or home.
• Meals are always good!
• An offer to sit with the patient so that the caregiver can get away to take care of their “normal” life activities helps - lots!
• Nights are long, but joy comes in the morning!
• Cards and notes bring joy to the patient and also to the ones who love them so much!
• Friends can be family just as much as blood relatives can be.
• God is a strong tower – my hiding place – safe and secure from all alarms.
My just-turned 86 year old Mom fell Saturday morning in the bathroom, just behind my back - within three feet of me! If I had just been facing her, instead of the other direction! She needed time to sit on the floor and gather her thoughts and quiet her stomach. That's normal. What wasn't normal was the amount of pain she was in when I tried to help her up. She couldn't bear any weight on her right hip.
It was a blessing that my son, Dave, was here for the weekend. Together we helped her down the stairs and into a comfortable chair. That's when I began to realize that my life was going to change - for a while at least. I found my Dad's old walker down in the basement. But she was so trembly when she used it that I needed to put my weight on the walker to stabilize it. When she was sitting in the chair, she seemed more like herself, but sometimes she got a faraway look in her eyes. I'm sure she, too, was wondering about how her life was going to change. Is this it, Lord?
The rest of the day was relatively uneventful. I went ahead with plans to have my sister and her family over for dinner. My son and I cleaned the garage and stained the deck. I left messages for my other son and my daughter and son-in-law (both doctors).
When my sister and family arrived late Saturday afternoon, Mom confessed to them that she didn't remember falling, and, even worse, when she fell three weeks ago outside, she had no idea that she was falling or how she got herself up and into the house. We put Mom in a rolling desk chair and pushed her to the dinner table where she sat quietly - just enjoying listening to her grandchildren reconnect. After dinner, just as the Ohio State game came on TV, my daughter called. When I told her of Mom's memory deficits, she insisted that I take her to the ER right then. That's when I really began to be scared. It was easier, with several grown men around, for them to pick Mom up and put her in the car, rather than try to assist her down our front steps. Once we were in the car, my sister following in hers, the pitch black sky reflected my somber thoughts. I grabbed Mom's hand and prayed as I drove - for good results, a not-busy ER so that tests could be run quickly and results returned. Just as I said AMEN, Mom and I both saw a star falling from the sky right in front of us - near the Loveland exit of 275! It seemed to us, that God was assuring us of His presence and His protection. As clear as day, in the middle of a dark fall night!
When we reached the ER it took 3 medical people to help Mom out of the car and into a wheelchair, but my sister and I were both so grateful for their help! Even though they were in Halloween costumes!! Mom was taken into triage and soon we were with her in a room. I was so grateful when they almost immediately came to take her to X-ray. She no sooner arrived back from X-ray than another person came to take her for other tests. We were among a very few patients there and had lots of attention. It was only after all tests had been run, and we were waiting to hear results that ambulance after ambulance unloaded precious cargo right in front of our curtained cubicle. We heard snatches of conversations between EMT's and receptionist staff - "multiple car accidents", "a bike accident on the way", "you can sure tell its Halloween and a Saturday night". I was thanking God for bringing us there right before all the craziness happened!
I find ER's more interesting than most people might because my daughter is an ER doc and I try to picture her in that scenario. However, there is nothing more boring that sitting in a straight chair totally exposed to busy ER staff waiting for results as the hours slowly pass. I think we arrived around 8:30 and it was probably after midnight when we learned the good news - no broken bones! Probably a deep muscle bruise was causing the pain. They would be admitting her for Physical therapy and to continue to try to figure out why she blacked out. Janet and I were both trying to nap with our heads on Mom's bed rail when at 2 am they finally came to take her to a room. We grabbed all of our "stuff" - purses, Mom's robe, a "snuggie", Mom's coat - tried to keep up with the transporter who was sailing Mom's bed down the unusually quiet hallways. We crowded around Mom's bed in the elevator and finally arrived in her new room on the 6th floor. Mom's new nurse and PCA greeted her warmly and I knew she was in good hands. We kissed her goodnight and headed home at 2:30 am to climb into our own beds and try to get enough sleep to make it through the next day.
Mom is home now and we are beginning to get into a routine. Here are some things I am learning about care-giving, up close and personal:
• It is frightening to be the caregiver who lives in the home with the patient – especially if you live alone.
• Phone calls are always appreciated. Just keep them brief and be sensitive to what may be going on in the hospital room or home.
• Meals are always good!
• An offer to sit with the patient so that the caregiver can get away to take care of their “normal” life activities helps - lots!
• Nights are long, but joy comes in the morning!
• Cards and notes bring joy to the patient and also to the ones who love them so much!
• Friends can be family just as much as blood relatives can be.
• God is a strong tower – my hiding place – safe and secure from all alarms.
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
ICU (Intercessory Care Units)
Recently someone stopped me in the hall to thank me for my prayer on her behalf. The interesting thing is that I didn’t actually pray with her personally. I prayed into her voice mail. My point is that prayer touches people; it doesn’t matter whether it is eloquent or fumbling, in person or a recorded message. It may be trite but it is true: Prayer does change things - within others, within the pray-er, and within God's Kingdom.
Intercessory Care Units are people who care enough to plead someone's case before God. The ICU ministry at Faith Church began in February of 2003. It's purpose was to "extend the pastoral care given by Faith Church to those in special need, beyond the resources of our Caring Ministry Pastor."
When Pastor Lehman designed the ICU Ministry he saw it as having 4 Essential Components represented by the letters HOPE.
* H - for Hear - Listening to what a person is saying about their life situation or active listening.
* O - for Observe - seek to understand what a person's needs are in order to encourage and help
* P - for Pray - Bring this person's needs before the Father and ask for divine wisdom, strength, and intervention.
* E - for Encourage - Speak words that increase a person's faith, hope and love in the midst of their life situation.
* R - for Enlist - Contact others or the Caring Ministries of Faith Church to get involved in meeting practical needs.
For 7 years, since that beginning in 2003 we have had an ICU Ministry team who have sought to bring HOPE to those without much hope in their lives.
Several years ago we tried to begin making ICU team visits to shut ins. That never got successfully off of the ground but recently we began a Shut-in Visitation ministry whereby some of our elderly or chronically ill are being visited by a pair of persons once ever 2-3 months. The team prays with them, offers communion to them and brings them flowers and cds of recent sermons. This has been a great encouragement to the shut-ins as well as to their families, and to the teams who visit them on a rotating basis. I am very excited about this ministry, facilitated by Marie Fehl.
Most people who are hospitalized are dismissed almost before we find out they are in the hospital. Usually either a member of the church staff, a Small Group or Home Church leader or Hugh Smith is the one most readily available for a hospital visit - made on short notice and often involving a drive down town.
This leaves the ICU ministry to call to pray with those who have asked for prayer. I have usually restricted these calls to those who currently attend our church and who are dealing with medical crises. We would love to expand the list to others dealing with grief, financial or job-related situations.
Are you interested in getting involved with this ministry or the Visitation ministry? Would you like more information about ICU? Call or comment back to me. I'd love to talk with you about it. Sometimes making a call to pray - especially with someone I don't know - is very difficult. The reward is inevitable! I have never not been blessed by the response in my own heart to a time of prayer with others. Join me!
Intercessory Care Units are people who care enough to plead someone's case before God. The ICU ministry at Faith Church began in February of 2003. It's purpose was to "extend the pastoral care given by Faith Church to those in special need, beyond the resources of our Caring Ministry Pastor."
When Pastor Lehman designed the ICU Ministry he saw it as having 4 Essential Components represented by the letters HOPE.
* H - for Hear - Listening to what a person is saying about their life situation or active listening.
* O - for Observe - seek to understand what a person's needs are in order to encourage and help
* P - for Pray - Bring this person's needs before the Father and ask for divine wisdom, strength, and intervention.
* E - for Encourage - Speak words that increase a person's faith, hope and love in the midst of their life situation.
* R - for Enlist - Contact others or the Caring Ministries of Faith Church to get involved in meeting practical needs.
For 7 years, since that beginning in 2003 we have had an ICU Ministry team who have sought to bring HOPE to those without much hope in their lives.
Several years ago we tried to begin making ICU team visits to shut ins. That never got successfully off of the ground but recently we began a Shut-in Visitation ministry whereby some of our elderly or chronically ill are being visited by a pair of persons once ever 2-3 months. The team prays with them, offers communion to them and brings them flowers and cds of recent sermons. This has been a great encouragement to the shut-ins as well as to their families, and to the teams who visit them on a rotating basis. I am very excited about this ministry, facilitated by Marie Fehl.
Most people who are hospitalized are dismissed almost before we find out they are in the hospital. Usually either a member of the church staff, a Small Group or Home Church leader or Hugh Smith is the one most readily available for a hospital visit - made on short notice and often involving a drive down town.
This leaves the ICU ministry to call to pray with those who have asked for prayer. I have usually restricted these calls to those who currently attend our church and who are dealing with medical crises. We would love to expand the list to others dealing with grief, financial or job-related situations.
Are you interested in getting involved with this ministry or the Visitation ministry? Would you like more information about ICU? Call or comment back to me. I'd love to talk with you about it. Sometimes making a call to pray - especially with someone I don't know - is very difficult. The reward is inevitable! I have never not been blessed by the response in my own heart to a time of prayer with others. Join me!
Thursday, October 14, 2010
Toastmasters - Getting out of my comfort zone
I live in a "Holy Huddle". I live with my Mom, I work at my church, my friends are at my church. Let's face it - I don't really have a life!
As I realized this, I decided to explore some options to expand my horizons and make some new friends. I was looking for opportunities to connect with people outside of my normal sphere of influence. I really enjoyed the Greater Impact course I took the winter of 2008. That course focuses on spiritual growth and being able to share what you're learning concisely in 2-3 minute talks in front of the class. I found that challenging and fun. In my job, I am frequently asked to speak to groups at the church and sometimes outside of our church. I have always enjoyed those speaking engagements.
So last winter I joined the Milford Toastmaster group. Toastmasters is an international organization wherein professionals and lay people can improve their public speaking abilities. Many people is my club have joined to enhance career opportunities - perhaps their job requires them to speak in front of others and a boss or manager has suggested that they join Toastmasters. Others just enjoy speaking publicly and want to get better at it.
I really enjoy the Milford Toastmaster group. There are about 20-25 members of all ages and backgrounds. We meet two Wednesdays a month. Each meeting is very regimented. There is a lighter part of the meeting first, with a word of the day and a humorous story and joke. Then Table Topics Master calls on various members to speak extemporaneously for 1-2 minutes on a preplanned topic.
Next is the prepared part of the meeting where 3 members present prepared speeches on topics of their own choice, but each one has a very definite objective depending on the skill level of the speaker. These speeches are planned to be 5-7 minutes long.
The last part of the meeting is evaluation of the entire meeting and of each speaker. Each prepared speaker has been assigned someone to evaluate their speech with the goal of giving 1-2 helpful suggestions "sandwiched" between several encouraging comments. Someone has been counting "ahs and ers". Another has been listening for grammatical errors. We note which speakers managed to incorporate the Word of the Day into their speaking. A timekeeper reports on whether or not each speaker stayed within their assigned time limits.
There are roles for almost everyone any meeting night. We have lots of fun together. We are each eager to help each other improve. I'm so grateful that our meetings always end on time or even early! Every several months there is a social event or a fun speech contest. There seems to always be a local or regional competition going on, and even international conferences that some people go to!
After my first meeting a few other women decided to meet for dinner prior to the next meeting, and a few of us have been having dinner together before the meeting every since. It's been fun to meet with these other women and learn about their jobs and personal lives. Overall I would say that Toastmasters is helping me achieve two goals: I am honing my public speaking skills and meeting new people at the same time. Speaking in public still makes me nervous but each time it gets a little bit easier - and dinner with new friends is always great!
As I realized this, I decided to explore some options to expand my horizons and make some new friends. I was looking for opportunities to connect with people outside of my normal sphere of influence. I really enjoyed the Greater Impact course I took the winter of 2008. That course focuses on spiritual growth and being able to share what you're learning concisely in 2-3 minute talks in front of the class. I found that challenging and fun. In my job, I am frequently asked to speak to groups at the church and sometimes outside of our church. I have always enjoyed those speaking engagements.
So last winter I joined the Milford Toastmaster group. Toastmasters is an international organization wherein professionals and lay people can improve their public speaking abilities. Many people is my club have joined to enhance career opportunities - perhaps their job requires them to speak in front of others and a boss or manager has suggested that they join Toastmasters. Others just enjoy speaking publicly and want to get better at it.
I really enjoy the Milford Toastmaster group. There are about 20-25 members of all ages and backgrounds. We meet two Wednesdays a month. Each meeting is very regimented. There is a lighter part of the meeting first, with a word of the day and a humorous story and joke. Then Table Topics Master calls on various members to speak extemporaneously for 1-2 minutes on a preplanned topic.
Next is the prepared part of the meeting where 3 members present prepared speeches on topics of their own choice, but each one has a very definite objective depending on the skill level of the speaker. These speeches are planned to be 5-7 minutes long.
The last part of the meeting is evaluation of the entire meeting and of each speaker. Each prepared speaker has been assigned someone to evaluate their speech with the goal of giving 1-2 helpful suggestions "sandwiched" between several encouraging comments. Someone has been counting "ahs and ers". Another has been listening for grammatical errors. We note which speakers managed to incorporate the Word of the Day into their speaking. A timekeeper reports on whether or not each speaker stayed within their assigned time limits.
There are roles for almost everyone any meeting night. We have lots of fun together. We are each eager to help each other improve. I'm so grateful that our meetings always end on time or even early! Every several months there is a social event or a fun speech contest. There seems to always be a local or regional competition going on, and even international conferences that some people go to!
After my first meeting a few other women decided to meet for dinner prior to the next meeting, and a few of us have been having dinner together before the meeting every since. It's been fun to meet with these other women and learn about their jobs and personal lives. Overall I would say that Toastmasters is helping me achieve two goals: I am honing my public speaking skills and meeting new people at the same time. Speaking in public still makes me nervous but each time it gets a little bit easier - and dinner with new friends is always great!
Wednesday, October 13, 2010
Who do I believe? Do I live like it?
"Don't believe the world; believe the Word." This was just one of the wise things I heard at The Cove, in Ashville NC last week. Dr. Michael Easley was speaking on Living Faithfully in Trying Times. I had anticipated that he would connect the topic to the current economic and social world climate, but instead he developed the theme of living faithfully in trying times with trusting Jesus, our high priest, in times of suffering. The call to cling to God's Word, and not be lured away by the siren-call of the world really resonates with me. It is as we keep our eyes focused on the "author and finisher of our faith", lifting up our eyes to the hills from which our strength comes.... that is when we live successfully.
Since I have a healthy fear of drowning, I marvel at Peter's faith as he stepped out of the boat and walked toward Jesus. I'm sure I too would be tempted to look down, and thus sink beneath the overpowering waves of circumstances and anxieties. I do succumb to the tyranny of life circumstances on a regular basis. That's why it is critical for me to immerse myself in God's Word. And to keep my eyes on things above.
I can't be fit now based on lots of exercise 5 years ago. My muscles need to be used daily. Knowledge of God's Word doesn't come from years of Sunday School, or a personal library of old sermons, or even seminary training. I need to be reading it each and every day as part of my daily diet so that God's Words are the ones I think of, not those from Fox News or the Enquirer.
For the last several months I have been meeting weekly for one hour with one other woman in a DNA group. We commit to reading 4-5 chapters of the Bible daily and spend some time discussing those chapters when we meet. This is the "D" or "Divine Truth" part of DNA. I have observed that God's Word never becomes stale or old; each reading speaks to me differently. Each time I notice different words, phrases or concepts. Amazingly, my DNA partner often sees different things than I do, so that her observations amplify my own.
I love it when God uses what I am learning in His Word to allow me to encourage or sharpen others through out the week. How much more valuable is His Word than any human advice I could give? We need to encourage each other to believe the Word, not the world. It's my desire that the words that I say are a reflection of my Scripture reading that day - and that it represents God's wisdom, not any earthly wisdom I may have. If I know God's Word, and I believe God's Word is true, my life, my conversation, and my choices will reflect Him. May that be true of me!
Since I have a healthy fear of drowning, I marvel at Peter's faith as he stepped out of the boat and walked toward Jesus. I'm sure I too would be tempted to look down, and thus sink beneath the overpowering waves of circumstances and anxieties. I do succumb to the tyranny of life circumstances on a regular basis. That's why it is critical for me to immerse myself in God's Word. And to keep my eyes on things above.
I can't be fit now based on lots of exercise 5 years ago. My muscles need to be used daily. Knowledge of God's Word doesn't come from years of Sunday School, or a personal library of old sermons, or even seminary training. I need to be reading it each and every day as part of my daily diet so that God's Words are the ones I think of, not those from Fox News or the Enquirer.
For the last several months I have been meeting weekly for one hour with one other woman in a DNA group. We commit to reading 4-5 chapters of the Bible daily and spend some time discussing those chapters when we meet. This is the "D" or "Divine Truth" part of DNA. I have observed that God's Word never becomes stale or old; each reading speaks to me differently. Each time I notice different words, phrases or concepts. Amazingly, my DNA partner often sees different things than I do, so that her observations amplify my own.
I love it when God uses what I am learning in His Word to allow me to encourage or sharpen others through out the week. How much more valuable is His Word than any human advice I could give? We need to encourage each other to believe the Word, not the world. It's my desire that the words that I say are a reflection of my Scripture reading that day - and that it represents God's wisdom, not any earthly wisdom I may have. If I know God's Word, and I believe God's Word is true, my life, my conversation, and my choices will reflect Him. May that be true of me!
Thursday, September 30, 2010
Jack and Jill
I now have two kittens - brother and sister, named Jack and Jill. Actually, as is stereotypical for cats, they own me. and my Mom. Jack and Jill were rescued in an alley in downtown Lebanon OH and came to live with my mother and me about 3 weeks ago. They spent their first 24 hours with us hiding under the washer and dryer, not even appearing for food. Eventually they appeared outside of their hiding spot. They deign to let us feed them and provide bathroom facilities for them, but rarely allow us to pet them or hold them. They purr provocatively and very loudly, but it doesn't seem to mean that they enjoy us or even tolerate us. I am trying not to get a complex about this - but they really don't seem to like me necessarily - and I'm taking it personally! Don't they know that I'm the one who paid for them, who buys the food and patrols the litter box?
My previous cat, Jolie, knew her place. She knew that we owned her and that she was to serve us. She was independent, but was glad to have a free pat or snuggle. She appeared to sit on our laps when we were home alone, and disappeared when guests arrived. When Jolie died, I was looking for a friendly cat who wanted to cuddle, who would give me comfort when I needed it. It's a mystery why and how I picked out Jack and Jill.
However, being an eternal optimist, I am holding out hope that they will soon learn that I am a benevolent master and that they are safe with me. I suspect that God is also waiting for me to learn that about Him.
My previous cat, Jolie, knew her place. She knew that we owned her and that she was to serve us. She was independent, but was glad to have a free pat or snuggle. She appeared to sit on our laps when we were home alone, and disappeared when guests arrived. When Jolie died, I was looking for a friendly cat who wanted to cuddle, who would give me comfort when I needed it. It's a mystery why and how I picked out Jack and Jill.
However, being an eternal optimist, I am holding out hope that they will soon learn that I am a benevolent master and that they are safe with me. I suspect that God is also waiting for me to learn that about Him.
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
Benevolence at Faith Church
Tonight my schedule includes a Benevolence meeting. I look forward each month to meeting with these godly people. I love the way our chairperson leads us with scripture and a short time for personal sharing and then prayer. Often our meetings are interrupted for more prayer for specific requests or families that we feel burdened for. Trust me! We do pray over the decisions we make. We take seriously the responsibility entrusted to us to be good stewards of the gifts from our church family for those in need.
We are aware of about 20 families who are in financial need of some kind. Each of these families has been interviewed by someone on the committee or is accountable to someone we know for their spending choices. This is particularly true when we are helping on a regular basis. Most of the families we are helping are regular attenders here at Faith Church. Because the needs within our own church are great, I have instructed the secretaries to encourage people who don’t attend here who call to ask for financial help to contact Milford Miami Ministries first. MMM is an association of area churches which provides a food pantry and help with rent and utilities for Milford/Miami Township residents.
Many of the families that we come alongside of also use our Food Pantry to subsidize their grocery budget. There are two or three people on the committee who meet with these persons to take them to the Food Pantry to help them make their selections. Recently our chest freezer in the Food Pantry “died”. Tonight’s agenda will include a discussion of how, or if we should replace this freezer so that we can continue to accept fall donations from hunters of venison. Another use for the freezer in the past has been frozen meals donated by some of the cooks in our congregation and leftover food from congregational meals.
Did you know that over the past five months Faith Church has provided more than $11,000 of financial help to fifteen of our families who have struggled to buy food, pay rent, utilities, and medical expenses? Thank you so much for your generous gifts that minister God’s love and care to so many who are in need.
This fall Benevolence provided scholarship funds so that 4 families could take the Financial Peace University course, offered here at our church. There they are learning wise and biblical principles that we pray will impact their spending and saving decisions over years to come. Since Financial Peace University is a lifetime thing, one scholarship is good for the entire family for a lifetime. In some cases this fall, more than one member of the family is attending the class and other family members are able to watch the DVD’s at home so that whole families are being impacted by this valuable material.
With the holidays approaching, and cooler weather heading our way, we anticipate more needs. As usual, we appreciate the generous support of Faith Church people. If you ever have questions, or know of a church family that is struggling, please contact Rebecca or Pastor Dick. We will be glad to try to identify needs and help if we can.
We are aware of about 20 families who are in financial need of some kind. Each of these families has been interviewed by someone on the committee or is accountable to someone we know for their spending choices. This is particularly true when we are helping on a regular basis. Most of the families we are helping are regular attenders here at Faith Church. Because the needs within our own church are great, I have instructed the secretaries to encourage people who don’t attend here who call to ask for financial help to contact Milford Miami Ministries first. MMM is an association of area churches which provides a food pantry and help with rent and utilities for Milford/Miami Township residents.
Many of the families that we come alongside of also use our Food Pantry to subsidize their grocery budget. There are two or three people on the committee who meet with these persons to take them to the Food Pantry to help them make their selections. Recently our chest freezer in the Food Pantry “died”. Tonight’s agenda will include a discussion of how, or if we should replace this freezer so that we can continue to accept fall donations from hunters of venison. Another use for the freezer in the past has been frozen meals donated by some of the cooks in our congregation and leftover food from congregational meals.
Did you know that over the past five months Faith Church has provided more than $11,000 of financial help to fifteen of our families who have struggled to buy food, pay rent, utilities, and medical expenses? Thank you so much for your generous gifts that minister God’s love and care to so many who are in need.
This fall Benevolence provided scholarship funds so that 4 families could take the Financial Peace University course, offered here at our church. There they are learning wise and biblical principles that we pray will impact their spending and saving decisions over years to come. Since Financial Peace University is a lifetime thing, one scholarship is good for the entire family for a lifetime. In some cases this fall, more than one member of the family is attending the class and other family members are able to watch the DVD’s at home so that whole families are being impacted by this valuable material.
With the holidays approaching, and cooler weather heading our way, we anticipate more needs. As usual, we appreciate the generous support of Faith Church people. If you ever have questions, or know of a church family that is struggling, please contact Rebecca or Pastor Dick. We will be glad to try to identify needs and help if we can.
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