Poking Hornets

I poked a hornets' nest and got attacked.

I dared to share a controversial article, an opinion, critical of traditional VBS programs. I neither condoned nor condemned the article, I simply posted it. It seemed thought provoking and challenging. It was not completely correct in its assessment, but it wasn’t completely wrong either.

Sides

I am tired

I am weary

I am frustrated and losing hope

I am tired of two sides

Democrat and Republican

Liberal and Conservative

My side and your side

Our side and their side

Haves and have nots

The right side and the wrong side

Us and them

Slaves to Fear

“I’m no longer a slave to fear,
    I am a child of God”

It’s funny how we sing this so passionately during Sunday morning worship services then we walk out of the building and let fear rule our lives.
We are fearful of our choices for president.
We are fearful of welcoming refugees from war-torn countries.
We are fearful of illegal immigrants.
We are fearful of our financial security.
We are fearful of the changes to our health care.
We are fearful of protests and possible protests.
We are fearful of other religions.
We are fearful that the government will take away our guns.
We are fearful of our neighbors.
We are fearful of suffering.
We are fearful of death.
We are fearful of the unknown.
We are fearful of liberals.
We are fearful that we are not in control, that we are losing control, and that in the future we will have no control, all the while ignoring the fact the we were never in control to begin with (I think we sing a song about that).

We are liars.

The truth is, fear keeps us safe and secure in our habits as American “Christians.”
Fear causes us to vote for politicians we have no confidence in.
Fear keeps us comfortable in the church culture that we have created and fear keeps us busy trying to protect it.
Fear gives us an incredible shortage of missionaries in foreign lands and an overabundance of pastors selling insurance and driving for UPS.
Fear keeps “Christians” attending “church” on Sundays and hiding at home throughout the week.
Fear keeps us dependent on emotions, experiences and mysterious inclinations of "God's will," more than truth.
Fear keeps our Bibles shut.
Fear keeps our eyes closed.
Fear keeps our hearts hard.
Fear keeps us singing words that we don’t really mean and refusing to deal with it.
Fear keeps us from acknowledging our fear.

We think it is courageous to say we have no fear, but lying is never more courageous than telling the truth.

Blessing #1000

#1000 - Learning from counting blessings

One thousand blessings...

Over the past couple years I have attempted to identify, and count, one thousand blessings. It has been an interesting process and I have learned a few things along the way - a few things about myself I'm not real fond of, as well as some things about blessings, or what we tend to call blessings, themselves. Here area few of the things I have learned.

Blessings #952 to 999

952.  All the things from upstairs, that had been packed away for months, being delivered to our home, so life can return to some sense of normal. 

953.  A night of sharing, fun and bonding with the Niños team

954.  Being able to have people over for dinner again!

955.  Trees falling on our home - it didn't seem like a blessing when it first happened, but, sometimes, that is how blessings work. I've learned much through the process of recovery.

956.  A hike with friends.

Blessings #915 to 951

915. New trusses and a straight roof

916. Sandy’s sense of humor, even when it feels like the walls are closing in

917. Invites to dinner rather than another night eating out

918. Learning to endure attack and finding peace in not defending myself

919. Opportunities to practice small amounts of courage

920. Motivation to get moving

921. A four day weekend

922. New shingles on the roof and no more leaks in the rain

923. A friendly morning visit from the local moose

924. Breakfast with Bob

Blessings #890 to 914

890. Colby”s acceptance into graduate school

891. The beautiful combination of music with lyrics that expresses thoughts and emotions that mere words can’t

892. Learning to “make do” with less

893. Another Niños short term mission team

894. “You are my favorite teacher,” from a student.

895. A call from Mick with a special invitation for Sandy.

Blessings #865 to 889

865. Colby's last class schedule working out so he can graduate in the spring!

866. Calli's wonderful friend, Kristina, who helps lower Calli's stress level during finals and is a constant source of encouragement, comfort and all things good in a friend

867. Medical technology

868. Recovery from medical procedures

869. The ability and health to still play some sports (on a limited level) with my colleagues and students

Blessings #826 to 864

826. Being part of a baptism celebration

827. Conversations with former students who are now adults and hearing the ways they have matured

828. An invite to share fresh, out-of-the-oven, apple pie

829. A visit to Soap Lake after a five year absence

830. Discovering that there are certain common bonds (high school and faith) that will keep people friends forever, even if there is almost forty years between visits

831. Celebrating the life of a saint who has lived well and now sees Jesus face to face

Blessings #798 to 825

798. People asking for applications for the short term mission trip to Niños de Mexico - many who want to go back!

799. Debbie and Ray's willingness to drive my mom to appointments.

800. Sorting through pictures of my vacation this summer with Colby - amazing memories that I will cherish the rest of my life.

801. Students expressing their disappointment when I told them that I would not be going on the Seattle trip this year.

802. Still being able to unload and stack bails of hay