The road less traveled...

Today I took a walk.  The winter woods had a fresh skiff of snow.  I saw the adventures of Mr. Fox, a rabbit, and a deer as I followed their tracks.  I discovered their secret travels all over the woods.  The stream laughed as it tumbled over rocks.  The crows complained about my presence with their sharp warning "Caw, Caw, Caw!"  A jay scolded as I hiked past.  In the distance I heard the muffled hoot of an owl. 

I was disconnected from the busy rush of the world and it's troubles.  No text messages, no calls, no TV or radio news.  It was wonderful.  I was connected to another world.   It matters not what the troubles of the day may be nature carries on with her work.

I took my peaceful moment with me and cherished it, savored it, and enjoyed it.  I found myself resting in the knowledge that God is sovereign and He will carry on his purposes.  "Let not your heart be troubled for I have overcome the world".

How do you disconnect?

Good, Gracious, and Grateful

I love these three ideals:

As defined by The American Heritage Dictionary (1976)

Good adj. -1. having positive or desirable qualities. 2. Not spoiled or ruined. 3.Superior to the average. 4. Of high quality. 5. Attractive 6. Beneficial. 7. Valid or true. 8. Pleasant; Enjoyable 9. Favorable 10. Of moral excellence; upright 11.Benevolent;kind 12.Valuable 13. Loyal 14. Well-behaved; obedient. (from the Middle English- god)

Gracious adj.- 1. Characterized by kindness and warm courtesy.  2. Characterized by tact and propriety.  3. Of a merciful or compassionate nature. 4. Characterized by charm or beauty. 5. Characteried by elegance and good taste. 5. Fortunate or prosperous.  (from Latin, agreeable, or good will)

Grateful adj.-1. Appreciative of benefits received; thankful. (from Latin- pleasing)

What are your ideas on promoting these in your family?

Simply beautiful.

Last night we attended a Live Nativity at the Bridge Between Retreat Center in Maribel, Wisconsin.  It was a dark and foggy night.  As we traveled across the back roads of Wisconsin  we wondered there would be anyone else there.  We arrived to find that many others had gathered for this very special worship service.

The old barn was packed to the brim.  We sat on hay bales with other Christ followers and soaked in the quiet and joyful atmophere.  Exactly two strands of white Christmas mini-lights decorated the old barn.  The chickens, lammas, ducks and geese were present but quiet, captured by the Holy hush.

The service began.   Readings and acappella Christmas Carols were shared.  The children gathered for a Christmas story entitled "Who is Coming to our House?".  A costumed Mary and Joseph entered in answer to the story's question.  An enthralled audience was delighted with their baby (aka. Daniel) who portrayed the Christ Child.  The service was concluded with more thoughtful readings and singing "Joy to the World".

I think that this is the most unembellished and meanful Christmas worship experience I have ever had.  I was stuck by it's beauty and simplicity.   The hope and knowledge that Christ's Church is eternal and not engulfed by the troubles that beseige our world sprung up in my heart.   It is easy to get caught up in the trappings of our religious experiences and forget the simple message of redemption. Christ's church is eternal and therein lies our future and hope.

How do you keep Christ in Christmas with your family?

Where to find the diamonds...

In the darkest caves of life are where the real gems are found.

"Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perserverance.  Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.  If any of you lacks wisdom you should ask God who gives generously to all without finding fault..."
James 1: 2-5

What gems have you discovered during your darkest moments?

A house divided...

Dear Children:

It's Thanksgiving time again.  I am really looking forward to spending time with all of you.  You are great kids. 

This time of year brings some sadness for me too.  I remember other Thanksgivings with extended family.  As a child I loved Thanksgiving with my mother's extended family.   That is all gone now.  Most family members that were on my side of the family are dead or have simply moved on.  There were lots of tensions in the family.  I really don't know what those tensions were about, however, as a child I greatly enjoyed being with my cousins and playing on Aunt Marie's back porch.

After I was married, we enjoyed being with both sides of our family... sadly that has gone by the wayside too.  As a child of a small family I find myself really missing being a part of a larger extended family.  Despite our efforts and consideration of our extended family it seems that no one wants to come out and play anymore. 

I really want you children to be friends going forward.  I pray that God will bless us with a bond that will last for many, many generations.  As your Mother that is my goal!

Both sides of the family have a great deal of brokenness.  Divorces, money problems, bad decisions that have had some big consequences, death, enabling, deceit all contribute to the mess.

I believe that the real problem is not any individual's particular issues, it is a lack of moral consensus within the extended family.  Family members want a pass on whatever they choose to do.  We have become a house divided.
"In those days Israel had no king; everyone did as his saw fit".  Judges 17:6

Here is my thought.  All families have problems.  Death and divorce occur.  However if we as a family uphold a shared moral code of honoring marriage, holding children accountable, and being honest with each other things should go pretty well long term.  Please do not misunderstand me.  This does not mean that when things go wrong (like a divorce) you will be thrown out of the family.  It means that we share upholding the institution of marriage (and the Ten Commandments) while understanding that we live in a fallen world and things go wrong.  This is holding a shared vision of what Christ would have us be. 

I think this very thing is the root of the United States of America problems.  We as a nation do not share a moral consensus of upholding marriage or the Ten Commandments.  If we agree that the home and the Ten Commandments are the blueprint for an orderly society then we know where we are going as a nation. Sadly, the family problems are a reflection of our country's cultural problems. 

I love you all and this is my prayer...
""But the plans of the Lord stand firm forever,
the purposes of his heart through all generations".
Psalm 33:11

An angel unawares?

Just what does an angel look like...?   Well this isn't quite what I had in mind...

While Bill and I were taking a stroll along the fishing pier we chanced to meet an old guy.  We started chatting about fishing and ended up talking (or perhaps listening) as this guy spun a very long tale.  Old guy talked about many, many things; growing up out west in the mountains, hunting, fishing, getting trapped on a breakwater during a Northeaster, his military service, his trucking business, and on and on.  It was a chance encounter and it was rather odd to be talking to a complete stranger.  I wondered if he had a bit too much to drink or if he was just lonely -yet he talked of a wife and a large connected family. I found myself really wanting to listen as he puffed away on three cigarettes. The most striking thing were his tales of picking up canned goods for very little money at warehouses and then donating them to the poor and needy in his parish.  He once picked up 40 skids of toilet paper that was going to be thrown away because the outer cardboard boxes had gotten wet.  He loaded the toilet paper on top of a load of steel and hauled it to the local parish school, rectory, and church.  The priest didn't have to purchase toilet paper for a year.

We finally bid our new friend "good evening" and wondered why such a chance encounter.  Perhaps... an angel unawares?  Old guy was in a pretty rough package but it does make you think about how God looks upon the heart... not the packaging.

Have you met any angels lately?

Sunset Beach

We had just finished enjoying one of Door County Wisconsin's fish boils.  We wandered out of the White Gull Inn in Fish Creek, Wisconsin and walked a short distance to Sunset Park.  A large quiet crowd had gathered to watch the sunset.  People were sitting everywhere quietly chatting with family and friends.  A few couples were sipping wine in glasses, others had a good book along and the family dogs were laying quietly.  Children played near Mom and Dad.  A lovely, lovely, picture of family life in America.  It was beautiful.  As the sun slipped below the horizon the crowd broke out into spontanous applause.  Lovely!