It's something how we sometimes put off what we know we should be doing. It's still the case with this blog. I just noticed that it's been another couple of months since I last wrote. Yet it's not that I haven't written but rather all that has happened in that period of time that could have been marked. As I think about this small time period, what is there that has happened in the past year of my life, in the last decade, in the last 45 years that I haven't marked and as a result that I may have forgotten about? They say it's a great idea to journal for a number of reasons such as clearing one's head. I remember when I went on a trip to visit my aunt and uncle out in California in the 6th grade that I wrote a journal of the daily activities. I didn't much like it then but now, some 30 plus years later, I can look at those few pages and remember things long forgotten.
I carried this habit on a mission trip to Haiti and while I remember the big points of the experience, the journal allows me to remember other things as well. That's the purpose of this blog, or at least that was the intention, to recount, recall, record, and respond to things that were happening in the ministry to which God had called me in Belfast, Maine. So what's been happening you might ask since I last wrote?
1) We had a great season of Lent though I feel I fell far short on my goal of taking negativity out of my comments to others.
2) The ecumenical Good Friday service was great as it seemed that the various pastors were connected and trusting in the words that they shared. I felt fed over and over again.
3) I went to pick up my youngest Matthew from college. What a great experience of sharing time with your children. We parked in the back alley and carried things down two floors of stairs, shared lunch at a mexican restaurant, and had some great conversations on the long ride home, not to mention sharing a Portland Sea Dogs game with my parents before we unloaded the trailer at 11pm so that he could sleep late the next day! God blesses us in so many ways.
4) My wife got the lay off notice that we had been expecting but they gave her three months to close down the travel agency. The great news is that she stops working two days before I go on my renewal leave!!! We are going to spend three months together and it'll certianly be a good thing for our relationship! Belize, Turkey, and then resting at a camp...
5) I finally broke down and wrote on my blog. Nuff said on that one.
How do we remember the many blessings that God has given us? Where do we record our challenges and God's presence in their midst? We have been given a written document that was formed over many years and contains not all of the stories but some very important ones that can help us to see God's presence in all aspects of our lives. Is the Bible a blog of the early church? Is it a writing that calls us to remember, to consider, to reflect upon, to grow through? Just something to consider????
One of the ways that I record what's been happening in my life of abundant blessings is in pictures. This one helps me to remember a fun evening, a special time, a priceless gift! I don't know if we one that night but I certainly felt like I'd won!!
I carried this habit on a mission trip to Haiti and while I remember the big points of the experience, the journal allows me to remember other things as well. That's the purpose of this blog, or at least that was the intention, to recount, recall, record, and respond to things that were happening in the ministry to which God had called me in Belfast, Maine. So what's been happening you might ask since I last wrote?
1) We had a great season of Lent though I feel I fell far short on my goal of taking negativity out of my comments to others.
2) The ecumenical Good Friday service was great as it seemed that the various pastors were connected and trusting in the words that they shared. I felt fed over and over again.
3) I went to pick up my youngest Matthew from college. What a great experience of sharing time with your children. We parked in the back alley and carried things down two floors of stairs, shared lunch at a mexican restaurant, and had some great conversations on the long ride home, not to mention sharing a Portland Sea Dogs game with my parents before we unloaded the trailer at 11pm so that he could sleep late the next day! God blesses us in so many ways.
4) My wife got the lay off notice that we had been expecting but they gave her three months to close down the travel agency. The great news is that she stops working two days before I go on my renewal leave!!! We are going to spend three months together and it'll certianly be a good thing for our relationship! Belize, Turkey, and then resting at a camp...
5) I finally broke down and wrote on my blog. Nuff said on that one.
How do we remember the many blessings that God has given us? Where do we record our challenges and God's presence in their midst? We have been given a written document that was formed over many years and contains not all of the stories but some very important ones that can help us to see God's presence in all aspects of our lives. Is the Bible a blog of the early church? Is it a writing that calls us to remember, to consider, to reflect upon, to grow through? Just something to consider????
One of the ways that I record what's been happening in my life of abundant blessings is in pictures. This one helps me to remember a fun evening, a special time, a priceless gift! I don't know if we one that night but I certainly felt like I'd won!!
