SWB: In and out of focus

What has been in and out of focus?

Dizzy,
I'm so Dizzy, my head is spinning
Like a whirlpool, it never ends...

These lyrics to the song "Dizzy" by Vic Reeves is what I've been feeling for the last week. About three weeks ago, I had my eyes checked and found out that I needed to graduate up to some new specs. Apparently, my up-close vision was now in need of some assistance as I'd been experiencing some eye strain. After a few days of seeing in a relaxed and clear way, I was more efficient in taking care of business that required my peepers to work well. Vocationally, the pace of spring, almost Easter but still lent, has been especially busy for me as a church youth and family lay-minister. On top of the pace, my church is in the interim process of calling a Senior Pastor. While the extra duties are present and continue to shift and move, there have been moments of great focus and excitement.

In April, I will hopefully (if I make it off the waiting list - I'm the only one on the list.) be starting a Masters Certificate Program with Princeton Theological Seminary in NJ. The program "fits" me in many ways - it is interactive with other people, it is a deeper level of theological study that I've been craving, it is affordable and my employer is supportive of the process, and it offers a mentoring aspect - on top of the fact that it is a distance program that will only require 12 days away from the home front in the 2-3 years it will take to complete.

My husband Ian and I on my graduation day on June 7, 2008.

If you know me, you understand that I've been searching for the next educational step for over a year now. After completing my Bachelors in the summer of 2008, I had thought the next step would be a MDIV program, but due to a change in circumstances it had to wait. So here it is the spring of 2010, and it looks this opportunity will be that next step I've been waiting for. If I get off that waiting list - oh PLEASE!

In some ways, the current off-focus feeling I've been experiencing I think could be resolved by the support, education and spiritual development this program offers. I don't want to place all my eggs in one basket, but I think PTS is that basket I've been looking for. As this one area of my life feels more in focus, I hope focus will begin to overflow to other areas as well.

If God provides this question be answered with the PTS program, I think the next out-of-focus area could be next in getting some attention - kind of like the help I've received from my new specs. Maybe PTS is just the focus tool I need?

If you don't mind, please say a prayer that I can be added to the enrollment list by Wednesday. Thanks. :)
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So how has your week been? How have you dealt with the in and out of focus parts of life? How is God working in you in the midst of the in and out of focus things? As always, Sleeping with Bread is a safe place to share our ups and downs, our needs and hopes. Will you share your bread this week? I won't even mind if its a little blurry.

Peace,
Lamont

Sunny and rainy day friends

There are two kinds of friends in the world: Sunny day friends and rainy day friends. This is a statement that my Mom used to remind me of when I was in the midst of drama or conflict with one school friend of another. There are lots of people that we define as friends, but they are really acquaintances. Two men were out hunting in the northern U.S. Suddenly one yelled and the other looked up to see a grizzly charging them. The first started to frantically put on his tennis shoes and his friend anxiously asked, "What are you doing? Don't you know you can't outrun a grizzly bear?" "I don't have to outrun a grizzly. I just have to outrun you!" This story is funny, but it does help define the distinct difference between a rainy day friend and a sunny day friend. The sunny-day-friend is more concerned with watching out for their own health and wellness, than their friends' wellbeing. On the other hand, a rainy day friend is willing to take risks, work fo

FCE - Dog stroke in spine

Kahlúa is our 15 year old dog that we adopted from the Humane Society when she was four. She joined our family and has been with us for eleven years so far. This morning we found her laying on the carpet in the dining room and was unable to get up and go outside. After letting her rest for a few hours, I gave her some bread to eat and she got up. She was wobbly so I scooped her up and took her outside to go to the bathroom. She managed to remain standing for a few minutes, but was back down quickly. Her back legs did not want to support her even though she was trying to walk. By this point, she had begin to cry so I called the vet and they said to bring her in for an evaluation. My kids and I tearfully wrapped her up in a blanket and drove to the vet. It seemed as if we were sitting in the waiting room forever. The vet told me that her heart, eye function, and lungs were great - also taking into consideration her age of 15! The problem seemed to be FCE - firocartilanginous embolism: w

Gifts we have to give

So often people will think of the areas of life that they fall short or what may need some improvement. I think there is some wisdom in knowing where we need some work as humans, but I also feel it is equally important to learn, foster and use the gifts each one of us are instilled with. So here is the challenge or question that I'd like to present: "What gift(s) has God given to you that can be used in the care and ministry of loving others?" How have you seen that gift used in the past? How would you like to use it? If you dream big and I dream big together - how could God work in that big pool of gifts in the lives of others??? Let's share our gifts today and dream of what they can accomplish for God's purpose! 1 Peter 4:8-10 (New International Version) 8 Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. 9 Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. 10 Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others,

Uphill idealist

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