Uphill idealist

I'm a little teapot, short and stout Here is my handle [one hand on hip], here is my spout [other arm out straight] When I get all steamed up, hear me shout Just tip me over and pour me out! [as song ends, lean over and tip arm out like a spout] I'm a clever teapot, yes it's true Here's an example of what I can do I can change my handle to my spout [switch arm positions and repeat tipping motion] Just tip me over and pour me out Here is my simple "tea pot" approach to the meditative meme this week... What has emptied and filled your cup in the last few days? Had anything steamed you up or become obvious of how you are able to pour into someone life? Psalm 62:7-9 (New International Version © 2010) 7 My salvation and my honor depend on God[a]; he is my mighty rock, my refuge. 8 Trust in him at all times, you people; pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge. Go ahead and sing this little ditty and then tell us about it....

"Show me how you do that trick The one that makes me scream" she said "The one that makes me laugh" she said And threw her arms around my neck "Show me how you do it And I promise you I promise that I'll run away with you I'll run away with you" Spinning on that dizzy edge I kissed her face and kissed her head And dreamed of all the different ways I had To make her glow "Why are you so far away?" she said "Why won't you ever know that I'm in love with you That I'm in love with you" You Soft and only You Lost and lonely You Strange as angels Dancing in the deepest oceans Twisting in the water You're just like a dream Daylight licked me into shape I must have been asleep for days And moving lips to breathe her name I opened up my eyes And found myself alone alone Alone above a raging sea That stole the only girl I loved And drowned her deep inside of me You Soft and only You Lost and lonely You Just like heaven ___...

Image found at Picasa. This Sunday, I was working with the lesson of the Pharisee and the tax collector for text of my children's message. The general idea of the text is that the proud with be humbled and the humbled will be lifted up. Because the background and context of the text was somewhat fuzzy for my grade school audience, I made a quick comparison to the characters in the story - but stayed with the main thought. So the story goes like this... Here are two apples. One refuses to be eaten and only wants to sit on the kitchen counter for all to see because it is so beautiful. You can pick it up and admire it shiny red skin and smell its sweet aroma; but you can't eat it. This apple says, "I'm too beautiful to be eaten. My purpose is to sit here and be admired." The other apple is inside this plastic container and it's all chopped up and ready to be eaten. It say's, "Yes of course, you can have me for a snack; after all I am an apple. If all...

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I like to go new places and meet new people. In that way, I suppose I could be considered to have an episode of "Wanderlust" here and there. When I feel a need for a break from the status quo, one of the best ways for me to reflect and recharge is to go to a place where I can listen, talk ( of course) with folks of similar vocation, and wait upon God to tap my shoulder here and there as if to say; "Yup you are on the right track here and hey you should head this way soon." Sometimes I need to leave town for a bit to recharge, sometimes going on a walk or run does the trick, and sometimes I come across a book that speaks to my heart like like having coffee with a dear friend who knows who I am, and loves me anyway. Reluctant Pilgrim by Enuma Okoro a true-story-telling of quote " A Moody, Somewhat Self-Indulgent Introvert's Search of Spiritual Community." . For me, it was a break away for me to read and it allowed some things I've been wondering abo...

Here is some more on the book "Reluctant Pilgirm" and it's author: Enuma Okoro. Enjoy.

One of the most challenging and intimidating words most people in and outside of the church would agree upon would be: EVANGELISM. There are visions of angry people shouting Bible verses, picketing the streets and knocking on doors. These are the pictures that often keep people from getting involved with the mission and ministry of evangelism. What if, instead of these intimidating examples, evangelism looked something like this: A friend taking a friend out for coffee and talk about how God has provided for their needs. One neighbor helps another neighbor with repairs to their home. A co-worker can invite an office mate to worship. A group of friends read a book about faith together. A person visits someone who can't make it out to worship due to illness or other difficulty. A student invites someone who is excluded at school to walk to class or sit with them at lunch. A small group gathers to pray together for a period of time in order to ask God's leading on just how to reac...