In John's Gospel Jesus meets a woman at the well and speaks to her about the water that springs eternal within her, that being the loving grace of God through faith in Christ. The picture I've included in this entry is the fountain found at the cancer center where my dad is receiving his chemo treatments. He goes every three weeks, gets a host of powerful drugs and hopefully it will put his cancer into remission again. As we walked into the new center there was great light and a feeling of openness. As we moved into the area where he would receive treatment I saw folks who looked like they were just starting their treatments as well as folks who looked quite worn out by the treatments and having to live each day with cancer. Dad and I talked about a variety of things going on in the world...no we didn't solve any of the world's problems but did each weigh in on the Kevin Garnett trade to the Boston Celtics. The nurse who took care of dad was very friendly and caring. As I reflected on her vocation I realized just how much of a call it has to be to work with folks living with cancer. You pray that there will be great success against the disease but they also know that a certain number of folks are not going to win the battle against the cancer. The amazing gifts that God has given each of these folks! Thank you so much!

After the treatment, dad and I went to the cafeteria, they only serve healthy food, go figure! We ordered our food and went out outside and sat at a table to enjoy the beauty of a Maine day. I saw the fountain, heard the water as it raced in and out of the pond through the power of a pump, and realized that each falling drop brought oxygen into the pond (I think I've got my science right...). It then hit me...the water that Jesus offers to each of us brings life, movement, and beauty to all around us. It doesn't mean that we'll always be in places of great joy and happiness but that doesn't mean that we can't bring hope and enjoyment into such situations as we bring new life into what could otherwise be stagnant situations.

The rest of the day was spent still adjusting to not thinking about church but with a new awareness of the heroes in our world who battle diseases with hope and determination and those who care for these folks. I guess the reality is that we are all invited to be members of the priesthood of all believers by drinking from the water the springs eternal within us and heroes by living out God's call in our lives as we strive to bring the kingdom of God near for any all through our words, actions, attitudes, and thoughts.

Temple Ruins in Tikal, Guatemala

A little different perspective of Tikal. Thanks to Jeremy for showing us how to climb down the stairs!

Tikal Guatemala (MM-1)

Though the text and verbal are in French, there are some great images of Tikal - Mayan ruins we'll visit during our time in Belize.

My renewal leave begins!

It's Monday morning and I am in the first day of my renewal leave that will last through November 3, 2007. The renewal leave is a result of a Lilly Foundation Grant (http://www.lillyendowment.org/religion_ncr.html) that I received in 2006. Working with the Belfast UMC, we applied for the grant that will allow me to follow a couple of dreams and allow the church to grow through Bible Study and lay leadership before, during, and after the three months that I am away. When I awoke yesterday morning, I couldn't believe that the day had finally arrived after more than 14 months of waiting. I was very excited as a young family had asked to be baptized at the 8am service. It was a truly powerful experience as first the parents and me laid hands on each of the three girls for prayer after they were baptized. It was even more amazing when the parents knelt to be baptized and the three girls said, "come on, we've got to lay hands on mom and dad."

The second service was filled with folks and the energy was in that place. It was a different sermon from the first service as we talked about the priesthood of all believers. As I looked out at the many folks with whom God has blessed my life, I was very thankful and in awe. There were even some good friends from NJ and LA who were on their vacations and it had timed with the last Sunday before the renewal leave. Lisa and me helped to serve Communion and then in a very special moment we served each other which for me was a great symbol of the love God has for us and that we have for each other. It was one of the highlights of the day for me!

The meal afterward was great (really liked the cole slaw!) and then we moved into the sanctuary for a sending off service. I was reminded of who the Davidettes (from the church office - Evelyn, Betty, and Val) were and how talented they were in writing new words to "Don't worry, be happy" and then leading everyone in singing the words. I'll never sing the chorus with the "do, do, do...." again without smiling. When wearing the hat and sunglasses that we received as "parting" gifts, I was told that we looked like elfs...I wonder if there is a place for us at the North Pole???

As I look back on the day, emotionally God gave me the strength to not break down too much but rather to enjoy fully the love that was shared with our family. Physically, my voice did great and I was able to belt out the songs I so love. Mentally, I am already wondering what I'm going to do when I can't think "church" for three months. Spiritually, I know that God loves me and that God's hand was at work in this leave and in the ending of my wife's work at the same time so that we have three full months together so I pray that I can live these next few months to the fullest for God's glory!

That's it for now. As I write this I can't help it as I am feeling like I should be going to work, saying hello to the crew, thanking them for the great memories of the day, and then planning for worship next week. But I do not and it's time to reestablish those boundaries of sabbath and renewal that God has given to each of us. May God bless your day and I'll write more as time goes by. It may be daily, hourly, but I will write. I may even include pictures as well...

Where has the time gone? I don't remember...

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!!

five notes that unite us in the Amazing Grace of God!

Listen now to the story behind the tune of Amazing Grace. We may know who wrote the words, but what is the real story behind the tune. Turn the volume up and enjoy learning a little about our heritage, about the freedom that five simple notes offer to all of us!

THE BIBLE EXPERIENCE

Wow! Talk about experiencing the Word of God in a powerful way! What do you think? This is available from many different stores and websites including Amazon.

212 degrees - The Extra Degree

Now to him who by the power at work within us is able to accomplish abundantly far more than all we can ask or imagine, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen. (Ephesians 3:20-21)

Little Johny's Dam project!

This is so cool! I've been stuck for the longest time trying to get video onto my blog and without any success. As a result, I've ignored the simple approach of writing with words and still pictures. In essence, because I could not get one thing to work, I let all things go. In our lives, how often do we let one small challenge block us from accomplishing our overall goal?
How often in our faith journey do we let the words of one person distract us hearing the real Word? Do we let one slip prevent us from walking on? Do we beat ourselves for something that God can forgive and help us to grow from so that we can move on with Christ? I feel like a stream that had been blocked by little Johny's dam of twigs and mud but now I've broken through it and can go on with a great rush of excitement and freedom. How weird is that? I think awesome is a better word! Watch out blog world, I've got video, I've got pictures, I've got words!!!

I feel like I am on the top of the world!

Walking with Jesus

Ok! I must confess that I have broken one “walking with Jesus” bracelet and am now onto my second! I thought it would be so easy to do after living without sweets the last few Lents. But no it’s not, and had I not had time to recover, my wrists would both have red marks from the changing of my bracelet back and forth so many times!
Confused? Before Lent started, I decided that I would try to give up negative sarcasm and comments towards others. Borrowing an idea from a similar project in the Midwest, I figured I would get a “walking with Jesus” rubber bracelet to wear and remind me of my commitment. I went to Oriental Trader, found I could buy 12 of the bracelets for less than $5 (maybe I could get some folks to join me) and waited for them to arrive in the mail (I actually ended up ordering 36 because it was such a great deal!). When the bracelets arrived I chose one with bright pink, green, and yellow colors as opposed to the green, white, and red ones, which reminded me too much of Christmas candy. I put it on my wrist and quickly realized how snug it was. “I’d better be very careful or this could be a real issue I thought to myself.”
On Ash Wednesday I began my journey through Lent. When I was alone or with only a few folks, I found that I didn’t have to move it much from wrist to wrist. However, when I got in a crowd, my sarcastic somewhat biting humor would act up and I’d move it far too frequently. I quickly decided that each time I moved my bracelet, recognizing that I had been unkind, I would ask for forgiveness as well as pray for the person or incident that I had “attacked”. I found it to be humbling to be praying so often and yet freeing to see that there was an alternative to making one of my “comments”. I also found myself searching for different words to correct someone or to make a joke. By the first week, I was moving it less frequently and feeling pretty good about the whole thing.
Then it happened! In the midst of a changeover, right in the soul of one of the little footprints, the bracelet gave way! It was not strong enough to handle my sins! What would I do? I quickly moved to the basket where I was sure there were some left. Nothing! I still had over 30 days to go, what would I do? My first action was to order more bracelets (I think the reason they put 12 in one bag is they knew what I was going to be doing with them and realized I would need more than one!) and then wait. It was interesting to wait. I looked around and saw a number of folks who were wearing “walking with Jesus” bracelets and I wondered what they were walking with during Lent. I also found that without the bright colors and the snug fit, I was slipping back into some old habits. Oh how easy that is to do!
But then a new day began when a box with 48 “walking with Jesus” bracelets arrived. I quickly broke them out of the bags and chose the one I wanted to wear (I also put an extra one in my office desk for emergencies!). The new one was still snug, still bright, still a great reminder. It’s only been a couple of days but I am trying again (some folks say I can be very trying! Oops, hold on a second while I say a little prayer…). I’ve decided not to move the bracelet each time but rather to touch it, ask forgiveness, and offer a prayer for the person or situation. I like feeling again the freedom that I had experienced before. My goal though is not just to make it through Lent without breaking another bracelet (I am not sure my psyche could take it!) but rather to change my life and the way I deal with others.
Don’t worry, I recognize that the bracelet is just that, something that goes around my wrist but for now, it is helping me to be closer to Christ as I continue to strive for perfection in love (John Wesley said we should all do that from the moment we give our lives to Christ until we return home to glory where all is perfect!) The reality is that God provides us with many symbols and comforts to help us along our way. It might be a friend, a scripture verse, a Bible study, a song, or any of many other things. However, as I have been reminded (especially as I waited for my new bracelet!), it’s not any of those things that will change my life. Only through my time of prayer as well as my openness to God will I be changed (transformed is a better word!). God simply provides these many things, as we need them, because we need them, as we discover more and more how we need God. How great is that!?

Shalom,
David