I feel a rant coming on...

I am a Metho-nerd... I'll admit it.  I love the United Methodist Church.  I grew up in this denomination...I was nurtured (mostly) in this denomination.  I have some strong connections here...I have a vested interest in the future of the church.

I'm not going to lie, once I was aware of General Conference (which wasn't until seminary), I followed to see what was happening.  Because I felt that I was ignorant of our polity at one time, I got angry with people who said it didn't matter.  It does.  Because we are connectional.  General Conference matters because even though it may not affect a local church immediately, it will...Eventually it will.

This year, I'm a part of our conference's delegation, so I've been following legislation with a different perspective.  Previously, I focused on issues that I was passionate/excited about and caught up on the other issues later.  Now, it seems as though they all matter...I'm not sure if legislation has changed or if I've changed.  I'm sure it's a little bit of both!

Can we talk for just a minute about how concerned I am with some of this legislation?  I know that the church is not immune from politics and it surely comes out in full force during something like General Conference.  But to see some of the obvious and intentional manipulation is becoming infuriating.  And to see/hear people buying into it...Even more so.

I'm concerned and trying to remain non-anxious in the midst of all the anxiety... But it seems to me that we are trying to make entirely too many decisions because we're running scared.  One of the responses that I most often get from God is, "Don't make decisions based out of fear."  And I feel like that's what we're trying to do...And one doesn't make the best decisions when one is anxious.  We're scared because we don't have enough money...We're scared because we're going to run out of clergy...We're scared because our influence is going away...We'r scared because our power is going to be taken away...We're just plain scared.

I woke up to an email this morning endorsing legislation that I'm opposed to...And the reasoning seemed reasonable (imagine that.)...But when I couple it with additional information & facts & opinions... I got so angry and lost a lot of respect for the person sending out the letter.

After ranting about it...and feeling a little bit better (but not much)... I've stopped to see just what happens when we lose our Holy Conferencing because of politicking.  It's gross.  We all have our camps and issues that we support...And the places we want to see protected (and that we would rather see eliminated).  But when we stop listening to one another and simply try and garner support it becomes something different than what I see as Holy Conferencing.  It's no longer an opportunity to share together and come to some kind of central meeting place...

I don't think it's a bad thing to share opinions & concerns or even where we find legislation to be hitting a home run and where we are moving swiftly toward perfection.  And maybe I'm naive (I wouldn't argue!), but I think that we could do this better.

Don't worry...I might still rant about some legislation later.

Blessings 3/25/12 & Prayer

1.) Worship
2.) Youth Group
3.) An Afternoon off
4.) Getting (more) laundry done
5.) Cleaning out the refrigerator
6.) Random text messages
7.) Laughter
8.) Sleep
9.) Sunshine
10.) Spring

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Prayer of St. Paul

I kneel before the Father, from Whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, that He may grant you in accord with the riches of His glory to be strengthened with power through His Spirit in the inner self, and that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the holy ones what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, so that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.

Blessings 3/24/12 & Prayer

1.) Finishing vacation shopping
2.) Seeing The Hunger Games
3.) Jeopardy Night at church
4.) Laughter
5.) Snark
6.) Random phone calls
7.) The smell of Laundry
8.) Getting more cleaning done
9.) Falling asleep on the couch
10.) Sleeping with the windows open

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PRAYER OF PEACE
BY SAINT JOHN OF THE CROSS.

O blessed Jesus,
give me stillness of soul in You.
Let Your mighty calmness reign in me.
Rule me, O King of Gentleness,
King of Peace.

Blessings 3/23/12 & Prayer

1.) Getting some shopping done
2.) Pedicures with Paula!
3.) Day off
4.) Sleeping in
5.) Napping
6.) Catching up on my DVR
7.) Getting some cleaning done
8.) The smell of laundry
9.) Laughter
10.) A chance to be

_____

Prayer of Pope John Paul II


O God, You are our Creator.
You are good and Your mercy knows no bounds.
To You arises the praise of every creature.
O God, You have given us an inner law by which we must live.
To do Your will is our task.
To follow Your ways is to know peace of heart.
To You we offer our homage.
Guide us on all the paths we travel upon this earth.
Free us from all the evil tendencies which lead our hearts away from Your will.
Never allow us to stray from You.
O God, judge of all humankind, help us to be included among Your chosen ones on the last day.
O God, Author of peace and justice, give us true joy and authentic love, and a lasting solidarity among peoples.
Give us Your everlasting gifts. Amen!

May the God of mercy, the God of love, the God of peace bless each of you and  all the members of your families!

Blessings 3/22/12 & Prayer

1.) Coffee
2.) Getting things crossed off my to do list
3.) Snuggly kitties
4.) Good conversation
5.) Helpful administration
6.) Fresh air
7.) Phone calls
8.) Having a car
9.) Sunshine
10.) Good workout


____


The Lord's Prayer

Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name;
thy kingdom come;
thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread;
and forgive us our trespasses
as we forgive those who trespass against us;
and lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.

[For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory for ever and ever.]

Amen.

Blessings 3/21/12 & Prayer

1.) Good conversations
2.) Day with the bishop
3.) Energy
4.) Catching up with colleagues
5.) Hearing hopes & dreams
6.) Good Lenten class
7.) Honest conversations
8.) Starbucks
9.) Music
10.) Sunshine

___


Prayer of St. Clare

Place your mind before the mirror of eternity!
Place your soul in the brilliance of glory!
Place your heart in the figure of divine substance!
And transform your entire being into the image of the Godhead
Itself through contemplation.
Most high,
glorious God,
enlighten the darkness
of my heart, and give me, Lord
a correct faith,
a certain hope,
a perfect charity,
sense and knowledge,
so that I may carry out
Your holy and true command.

Blessings 3/20/12 & Prayer

1.) New haircut
2.) Office hours at Panera
3.) A young adult from the community wanting to be involved at the church!
4.) Good workout
5.) Sunshine
6.) Social media
7.) Random messages
8.) Good conversations
9.) Getting to wear dresses
10.) Wearing sandals

___

Prayer of St. Bridget

O Sweet Jesus! Pierce my heart so that my tears of penitence and love will be my bread day and night; may I be converted entirely to Thee, may my heart be Thy perpetual habitation, may my conversation be pleasing to Thee, and may the end of my life be so praiseworthy that I may merit Heaven and there with Thy saints, praise Thee forever. Amen.

Blessings 3/19/12 & Prayer

1.) Later staff meeting
2.) Pie at staff meeting!
3.) Good lay leaders meeting
4.) Helpful evaluations
5.) Sunshine
6.) Social media
7.) Sweet cats
8.) Catching up with Chad
9.) Fun Paneradventure from Tedd!
10.) Random emails

____



Prayer of Saint Bernadette
"Let the crucifix be not only in my eyes and on my breast, but in my heart.
O Jesus! Release all my affections and draw them upwards.
Let my crucified heart sink forever into Thine and bury itself in the mysterious
wound made by the entry of the lance."

Blessings 3/18/12 & Prayer

1.) Preaching
2.) Coke
3.) Confirmation
4.) Bromleigh leading our sex ed conversation
5.) Honest conversations
6.) Sunshine
7.) Lydia circle
8.) Q'doba
9.) Flowers peaking through
10.) Sleeping with the windows open!

___

Prayer of St. Francis of Assisi


May God bless you with discomfort at easy answers, half truths, and superficial relationships, so that you may live deep within your heart. Amen. May God bless you with anger at injustice, oppression, and exploitation of people, so that you may work for justice, freedom and peace. Amen. May God bless you with tears to shed for those who suffer from pain, rejection, starvation and war, so that you may reach out your hand to comfort them and to turn their pain into joy. Amen. May God bless you with enough foolishness to believe that you can make a difference in this world, so that you can do what others claim cannot be done. Amen.

Blessings 3/17/12 & Prayer

1.) Pie night
2.) Visioning conversations
3.) Hanging out with Drea, Katie, & Fruit
4.) Sunshine
5.) Cake balls
6.) Random conversations
7.) Fun text messages
8.) Social Media
9.) Time to run errands
10.) Rain

_____

Prayer of St. Patrick


I bind unto myself today
The strong Name of the Trinity,
By invocation of the same,
The Three in One and One in Three.

I bind this day to me for ever.
By power of faith, Christ's incarnation;
His baptism in the Jordan river;
His death on Cross for my salvation;
His bursting from the spicèd tomb;
His riding up the heavenly way;
His coming at the day of doom;*
I bind unto myself today.

I bind unto myself the power
Of the great love of the cherubim;
The sweet 'well done' in judgment hour,
The service of the seraphim,
Confessors' faith, Apostles' word,
The Patriarchs' prayers, the Prophets' scrolls,
All good deeds done unto the Lord,
And purity of virgin souls.

I bind unto myself today
The virtues of the starlit heaven,
The glorious sun's life-giving ray,
The whiteness of the moon at even,
The flashing of the lightning free,
The whirling wind's tempestuous shocks,
The stable earth, the deep salt sea,
Around the old eternal rocks.

I bind unto myself today
The power of God to hold and lead,
His eye to watch, His might to stay,
His ear to hearken to my need.
The wisdom of my God to teach,
His hand to guide, His shield to ward,
The word of God to give me speech,
His heavenly host to be my guard.

Against the demon snares of sin,
The vice that gives temptation force,
The natural lusts that war within,
The hostile men that mar my course;
Or few or many, far or nigh,
In every place and in all hours,
Against their fierce hostility,
I bind to me these holy powers.

Against all Satan's spells and wiles,
Against false words of heresy,
Against the knowledge that defiles,
Against the heart's idolatry,
Against the wizard's evil craft,
Against the death wound and the burning,
The choking wave and the poisoned shaft,
Protect me, Christ, till Thy returning.

Christ be with me, Christ within me,
Christ behind me, Christ before me,
Christ beside me, Christ to win me,
Christ to comfort and restore me.
Christ beneath me, Christ above me,
Christ in quiet, Christ in danger,
Christ in hearts of all that love me,
Christ in mouth of friend and stranger.

I bind unto myself the Name,
The strong Name of the Trinity;
By invocation of the same.
The Three in One, and One in Three,
Of Whom all nature hath creation,
Eternal Father, Spirit, Word:
Praise to the Lord of my salvation,
Salvation is of Christ the Lord.

Blessings 3/16/12 & Prayer

1.) Sleeping in
2.) Hoosier Mama
3.) Spending the day in the City
4.) Chocolate covered bacon
5.) Random conversations
6.) coffee
7.) Laughter
8.) Hanging out with Will
9.) Dinner with Katie & Fruit
10.) Sunshine

____

A Prayer from John Wesley

We offer up again our souls and bodies to you to be governed,
not by our will, but yours.
O let it be ever the ease and joy of our hearts,
to be under the conduct of your unerring wisdom,
to follow your counsels, and to be ruled in all things by your holy will.
And let us never distrust your abundant kindness and tender care over us;
whatsoever it is you would have us to do
or to suffer in this world;
through Jesus Christ our Lord,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Blessings 3/15/12 & Prayer

1.) Day with the bishop
2.) Great conversations
3.) Beautiful sunshine
4.) Starbucks
5.) Spending the day with fun colleagues
6.) Snark
7.) Laughter
8.) Social Media
9.) Meeting with a couple about their wedding
10.) Wearing a sundress!

_____


Covenant Prayer by John Wesley

I am no longer my own, but thine.
Put me to what thou wilt, rank me with whom thou wilt;
Put me to doing, put me to suffering.
Let me be employed by thee or laid aside for thee,
exalted for thee or brought low by thee.
Let me be full, let me be empty.
Let me have all things, let me have nothing.
I freely and heartily yield all things
to thy pleasure and disposal.
And now, O glorious and blessed God,
Father, Son and Holy Spirit,
thou art mine, and I am thine. So be it.
And the covenant which I have made on earth,
let it be ratified in heaven.  Amen.

Blessings 3/14/12 & Prayer

1.) Good conversations
2.) Hard workout
3.) Lunch at Panera
4.) Good brain storming session
5.) Interesting discussions at class
6.) Sunshine
7.) Warm office
8.) Laughter
9.) New members classes
10.) Planning

_____


A prayer of St Anselm

Lord Jesus Christ; Let me seek you by desiring you,
and let me desire you by seeking you;
let me find you by loving you,
and love you in finding you.

I confess, Lord, with thanksgiving,
that you have made me in your image,
so that I can remember you, think of you, and love you.

But that image is so worn and blotted out by faults,
and darkened by the smoke of sin,
that it cannot do that for which it was made,
unless you renew and refashion it.

Lord, I am not trying to make my way to your height,
for my understanding is in no way equal to that,
but I do desire to understand a little of your truth
which my heart already believes and loves.

I do not seek to understand so that I can believe,
but I believe so that I may understand;
and what is more,
I believe that unless I do believe, I shall not understand.

Blessings 3/13/12 & Prayer

1.) Office hours at Panera
2.) Good workout
3.) Eating 3 meals
4.) Space to breathe
5.) Responding to emails
6.) Sweet kitties
7.) Having the windows open
8.) Random conversations
9.) Motivating music
10.) The smell of laundry

___


Saint Francis' Praise of God

All powerful, most holy, most high, and supreme God:
All good, supreme good, totally good, You Who alone are good;
May we give You all praise, all glory, all thanks, all honor, all blessing, and all good things.
So be it. So be it. Amen.

Blessings 3/12/12 & Prayer

1.) Coffee
2.) Caffeine
3.) Ordering VBS books!
4.) Giving out VBS materials!
5.) People saying yes to helping out!
6.) Honest conversations
7.) Helpful reflections
8.) Friends (and family) who listen to me rant
9.) People willing to share
10.) Sunshine

______

Prayer of St. Patrick


As I arise today,
may the strength of God pilot me,
the power of God uphold me,
the wisdom of God guide me.
May the eye of God look before me,
the ear of God hear me,
the word of God speak for me.
May the hand of God protect me,
the way of God lie before me,
the shield of God defend me,
the host of God save me.
May Christ shield me today.
Christ with me, Christ before me,
Christ behind me,
Christ in me, Christ beneath me,
Christ above me,
Christ on my right, Christ on my left,
Christ when I lie down, Christ when I sit,
Christ when I stand,
Christ in the heart of everyone who thinks of me,
Christ in the mouth of everyone who speaks of me,
Christ in every eye that sees me,
Christ in every ear that hears me.
Amen

Blessings 3/11/12 & Prayer

1.) Good conversations
2.) Snark
3.) Technology
4.) Mission trips
5.) Well run meetings
6.) Helpful people
7.) People who live their call
8.) Phone calls
9.) People who ask good questions
10.) Sunshine

___


Prayer of St. Ambrose (Before Mass)
Lord Jesus Christ,
I approach your banquet table in fear and trembling,
for I am a sinner,
and dare not rely on my own worth,
but only on your goodness and mercy.
I am defiled by many sins in body and soul,
and by my unguarded thoughts and words.
Gracious God of majesty and awe,
I seek your protection,
I look for your healing.
Poor troubled sinner that I am,
I appeal to you, the fountain of all mercy.
I cannot bear your judgment,
but I trust in your salvation.
Lord, I show my wounds to you and uncover my shame before you.
I know my sins are many and great,
and they fill me with fear,
but I hope in your mercies,
for they cannot be numbered.
Lord Jesus Christ, eternal king, God and man,
crucified for mankind,
look upon me with mercy and hear my prayer,
for I trust in you.
Have mercy on me,
full of sorrow and sin,
for the depth of your compassion never ends.
Praise to you, saving sacrfice,
offered on the wood of the cross for me and for all mankind.
Praise to the noble and precious blood,
flowing from the wounds of the my crucified Lord Jesus Christ and washing away the sins of the whole world.
Remember, Lord your creature,
whom you have redeemed with your blood;
I repent my sins,
and I long to put right what I have done. Merciful Father, take away all my offenses and sins;
purify me in body and soul,
and make me worthy to taste the holy of holies.
May your body and blood,
which I intend to receive, although I am unworthy,
be for me the remission of my sins,
the washing away of my guilt,
the end of my evil thoughts,
and the rebirth of my better instincts.
May it incite me to do the works pleasing to you and profitable to my health in body and soul,
and be a firm defense against the wiles of my enemies. Amen.

Blessings 3/10/12 & Prayer

1.) Holding a new baby
2.) Friends who listen to me rant
3.) Sweet text messages
4.) Good decisions
5.) Planning for VBS
6.) Laughter
7.) Good conversations
8.) People interested in the mission trip
9.) People who live their call
10.) Glitter

______

St. Augustine's Prayer to the Holy Spirit

Breathe in me, O Holy Spirit, that my thoughts may all be holy. Act in me, O Holy Spirit, that my work, too, may be holy. Draw my heart, O Holy Spirit, that I love but what is holy. Strengthen me, O Holy Spirit, to defend all that is holy. Guard me, then, O Holy Spirit, that I always may be holy. Amen.

Blessings 3/9/12 & Prayer

1.) Single clergywomen gathering
2.) Lunch with Bromleigh
3.) Coffee with Rob
4.) Bakeries
5.) Chocolate
6.) Helpful people
7.) Laughter
8.) Sunshine
9.) Good food
10.) Good conversations

_____

Prayer of the Carmelites


O Lord, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Israel,
You alone are God.
Your servant Elijah lived in your presence,
and acted on your Word.
Help us to drink from the well of his wisdom.
Shelter us in Cherith, and lead us to Carmel,
luring our hearts away from all false gods.
Open our eyes to the needs of those suffering.
Open our mouths to speak comfort and justice.
Open our hearts to your voice in the silence.
Send angels to strengthen us.
Send the rain of your grace to quench our thirst.
Let us break bread with the starving
and bring life to places of death and despair.
Send us as prophets to herald your Gospel.
Allow us to rise to you in paradise.
Those who met your son Jesus saw in him
the spirit of Elijah.
May Elijah lead us to your son.
We ask this in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Blessings 3/8/12 & Prayer

1.) Talking to a couple about their wedding
2.) Networking
3.) Hearing people who are passionate
4.) Vulnerability
5.) Community
6.) Music
7.) Having a car
8.) Random phone calls
9.) Random conversations
10.) Water

___

Prayer of John Wesley


Now, to God the Father, who first loved us, and made us accepted in the Beloved;
to God the Son, who loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood;
to God the Holy Ghost, who sheddeth the love of God abroad in our hearts, be all love and all glory in time and to all eternity.
Amen.

Blessings 3/7/12 & Prayer

1.) Good conversations
2.) Strong workout
3.) UMC 101
4.) Talking about baptism
5.) Not having to cook
6.) Dreaming
7.) Music
8.) Crayons
9.) Laughter
10.) Good questions

____


Wesleyan Covenant Prayer

I am no longer my own, but thine.

Put me to what thou wilt, rank me with whom thou wilt.

Put me to doing, put me to suffering.

Let me be employed for thee or laid aside for thee,

exalted for thee or brought low for thee.

Let me be full, let me be empty.

Let me have all things, let me have nothing.

I freely and heartily yield all things to thy pleasure and disposal.

And now, O glorious and blessed God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit,

thou art mine, and I am thine.

So be it.

And the covenant which I have made on earth,

let it be ratified in heaven.

Amen.

Blessings 3/6/12 & Prayer

1.) Good workout
2.) Office hours at Panera
3.) Social media
4.) Soup
5.) Phone calls
6.) Good prep time
7.) Laughter
8.) DVR
9.) Good articles
10.) Having a car

____



Saint Francis' Praise of God

All powerful, most holy, most high, and supreme God:
All good, supreme good, totally good, You Who alone are good;
May we give You all praise, all glory, all thanks, all honor, all blessing, and all good things.
So be it. So be it. Amen

Blessings 3/5/12 & Prayer

1.) Talking with Jillian & Aaron
2.) Grace's chattering
3.) Good Young Adult Meeting
4.) Planning for General Conference
5.) Dinner with Mom & Dad
6.) Smiles
7.) Snuggly kitties
8.) People living out their passion
9.) Good night's sleep
10.)  Seeing Maddy & Jonathan

______


The Prayer of St. Francis de Sales



Be at Peace

Do not look forward in fear to the changes of life;

rather look to them with full hope as they arise.

God, whose very own you are,

will deliver you from out of them.

He has kept you hitherto,

and He will lead you safely through all things;

and when you cannot stand it,

God will bury you in his arms.



Do not fear what may happen tomorrow;

the same everlasting Father who cares for you today

will take care of you then and everyday.

He will either shield you from suffering,

or will give you unfailing strength to bear it.

Be at peace,

and put aside all anxious thoughts and imagination.

Blessings 3/4/12 & Prayer

1.) Good worship service
2.) Confirmation
3.) Good visit
4.) Snuggly cats
5.) People seeing my tattoo
6.) Water
7.) Sunshine
8.) Finding lost gloves
9.) Getting to pray with people
10.) Laughter

____

Prayer of St. Teresa of Avila


 A Love Song

Majestic sovereign, timeless wisdom,
your kindness melts my hard, cold soul.
Handsome lover, selfless giver,
your beauty fills my dull, sad eyes.
I am yours, you made me.
I am yours, you called me.
I am yours, you saved me.
I am yours, you loved me.
I will never leave your presence.
Give me death, give me life.
Give me sickness, give me health.
Give me honor, give me shame.
Give me weakness, give me strength.
I will have whatever you give.

Amen

Blessings 3/3/12 & Prayer

1.) Tattoo Day!
2.) Good conversations about visioning
3.) Going out with the girls
4.) Will coming to tattoo day for moral support
5.) Good friends
6.) Good food
7.) Laughter
8.) People using their talents
9.) Good tattoo artist
10.)  Sparkle shoes

____

Prayer of St. Thomas Aquinas


Grant me, O Lord my God,
a mind to know you,
a heart to seek you,
wisdom to find you,
conduct pleasing to you,
faithful perseverance in waiting for you,
and a hope of finally embracing you.

Amen.

Blessings 3/2/12 & Prayer

1.) Paneradventures
2.) Going to the Art Institute
3.) Relaxing
4.) Roasted Red Pepper Hummus
5.) Laughter
6.) Being in town when Audrey needed help
7.) Chicago
8.) Time to read
9.) New tires
10.) Sleep


____


A Morning Prayer by St. Therese

O my God! I offer Thee all my actions of this day for the intentions and for the glory of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. I desire to sanctify every beat of my heart, my every thought, my simplest works, by uniting them to Its infinite merits; and I wish to make reparation for my sins by casting them into the furnace of Its Merciful Love.

O my God! I ask of Thee for myself and for those whom I hold dear, the grace to fulfill perfectly Thy Holy Will, to accept for love of Thee the joys and sorrows of this passing life, so that we may one day be united together in heaven for all Eternity.

Amen.

Blessings 3/1/12 & Prayer

1.) Good morning with my covenant group
2.) Lunch with Rob
3.) Good conversations
4.) Good food
5.) Conversations with Stephanie
6.) Starbucks
7.) Singing in the car
8.) High School Home Ec Recipes
9.) Getting asked to officiate a wedding
10.) Students signing up to serve (without being asked)


____

Prayer


A Prayer
Bishop Nikolai Velimirovic, Serbian bishop who spoke out against Naziism, was arrested, and taken to Dachau.

Bless my enemies, O Lord.  Even I bless them and do not curse them.
Enemies have driven me into your embrace more than friends have.
Friends have bound me to earth; enemies have loosed me from earth and have demolished all my aspirations in the world.
Enemies have made me a stranger in worldly realms and an extraneous inhabitant of the world.
Just as a hunted animal finds safer shelter than an unhunted animal does, so have I, persecuted by enemies, found the safest sanctuary, having ensconced myself beneath Your tabernacle, where neither friends nor enemies can slay my soul.
Bless my enemies, O Lord.  Even I bless and do not curse them.

They, rather than I, have confessed my sins before the world.
They have punished me, whenever I have hesitated to punish myself.
They have tormented me, whenever I have tried to flee torments.
They have scolded me, whenever I have flattered myself.
They have spat upon me, whenever I have filled myself with arrogance.
Bless my enemies, O Lord.  Even I bless them and do not curse them.

Whenever I have made myself wise, they have called me foolish.
Whenever I have made myself mighty, they have mocked me as though I were a [fly].
Whenever I have wanted to lead people, they have shoved me into the background.
Whenever I have rushed to enrich myself, they have prevented me with an iron hand.
Whenever I thought that I would sleep peacefully, they have wakened me from sleep.
Whenever I have tried to build a home for a long and tranquil life, they have demolished it and driven me out.
Truly, enemies have cut me loose from the world and have stretched out my hands to the hem of your garment.
Bless my enemies, O Lord.  Even I bless them and do not curse them.

Bless them and multiply them; multiply them and make them even more bitterly against me:
So that my fleeing will have no return;
So that all my hope in men may be scattered like cobwebs;
So that absolute serenity may begin to reign in my soul;
So that my heart may become the grave of my two evil twins: arrogance and anger;
So that I might amass all my treasure in heaven;
Ah, so that I may for once be freed from self-deception, which has entangled me in the dreadful web of illusory life.

Enemies have taught me to know what hardly anyone knows, that a person has no enemies in the world except himself.
One hates his enemies only when he fails to realize that they are not enemies, but cruel friends.
It is truly difficult for me to say who has done me more good and who has done me more evil in the world: friends or enemies.
Therefore bless, O Lord, both my friends and my enemies.
A slave curses enemies, for he does not understand.  But a son blesses them, for he understands.

March Newsletter

Dear Friends,

                I’m sure that I say this a lot at any point in time, but I can hardly believe that we’re in March already…That’s already 3 months into 2012 & 7 months into our regularly scheduled programing…that’s been 7 months of finding the best practices for Sunday school…7 months of getting to know our confirmation students…7 months of God Squad…7 months of classes for Faith Family Nite…And I’m sure that the list goes on and on!  These past months have been full of experimenting, finding what works best, and enjoying our successes.  It has been a joy to work with all who have served and put in time, talents, and passion in helping to develop our programing with our children & youth.  There is certainly more to do and to continue to perfect our programming together.  If you have been looking for an area to serve in our children and youth programming, please don’t hesitate to sign up to teach Sunday school or join our youth group or confirmation sessions.  Please let me know if you’d like to find a place to serve but aren’t sure where yet! 

                Not only are we 7 months into programming & 3 months into 2012, but we are beginning the 40 days of Lent (have you lost track of the numbers yet!)  Lent is a time of prayer, fasting, reflection, and preparation for Easter.  Oftentimes, people will give something up (fasting) for Lent…A friend of mine calls this a “Catholic thing,” but the truth is that it’s a Christian thing, not just for one denomination…

                I wrestle every year with what to give up/take on for Lent...And some years I don't do anything...And some years I do with a superficial effort.  This year, I struggled once again to do something with meaning.  So, I came up with 3 practices.

One of the practices that I’ve picked up during Lent is blogging through my blessings.  At the end of the day, I think about the places where I have been surprised by God’s grace and the places where I’ve been keenly aware of God.  I post 10 of them, but there are often more that I think about!  If you’re interested in reading mine, you can be my Facebook friend (www.facebook.com/mmeyers815) or visit my blog (www.pastormelissa.blogspot.com).  Feel free to comment with your blessings too!  Sometimes my blessings are as seemingly ordinary as a cup of coffee and sometimes as intense as being invited into people’s lives. 

My fast is from fast food…Which is just healthy for me (and anyone!) anyway…With the exception of my office hours at Panera (on LaGrange next to Pier 1) on Tuesdays from 5-7pm & Thursdays from 11-1pm (this is a change from last month at Corner Bakery!).  You are always welcome to join me for conversation…If you come & chat with me, I’ll buy your beverage!

A renewed commitment to prayer is my final addition to my spiritual discipline.  I’ll post my daily prayers with my blessings on both my blog & Facebook page…Feel free to add your own as well! 

Thank you for sharing your gifts, talents, passion and service as Faith United Methodist Church continues to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world!

Blessings 2/29/12 & Prayer

1.) Good conversations in Bible study
2.) A planning session for confirmation retreat (with another UM church!!)
3.) Talking to a child about their hopes and fears
4.) An understanding trainer
5.) Kleenex
6.) Laughter
7.) Getting things accomplished
8.) Having weekend plans
9.) Advil
10.) Not having to cook today

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Prayer of Mother Teresa

Dear Jesus, help me to spread Thy fragrance everywhere I go. Flood my soul with Thy spirit and love. Penetrate and possess my whole being so utterly that all my life may only be a radiance of Thine. Shine through me and be so in me that every soul I come in contact with may feel Thy presence in my soul. Let them look up and see no longer me but only Jesus. Stay with me and then I shall begin to shine as you shine, so to shine as to be a light to others.