Caldecott Honor Book. . .

Zen Shorts

By: Jon J Muth

I am certain you do not have to be a child to love children's books! Our family has a stack of these delightful books ready for the occasion of grandchildren, teachable moments, or simply to reconnect with the childish delight our souls long for.



In Zen Shorts, Jon Muth uses Stillwater a giant bear to teach Addy, Michael, and Karl the most amazing lessons of life. Addy learns of a poor man who gives gifts to a robber. Stillwater teaches Michael about a farmer who know that luck can be neither judged nor predicted. Lastly Karl learns of a tale about a monk who cdarries the weight of a burden long past.

The illustrations are amazing. The story lessons are for all ages. Zen Shorts is a Caldecott Honor Book and I understand why.

Happy Reading

Remembering. . .

A Day of Remembering

My husband Chris and I are not big NASCAR fans, however yesterday we found ourselves in the thick of folks who live for race time each year. We were offered free tickets to the race from a sweet young couple not able to attend due to the inclement weather on the regularly scheduled race day. So, we grabbed out sunglasses, bottles of water, pretzels and headed to the race.

I confess I spent as much time watching people as I did the race. Can't help it! I love to watch people interact with one another; family, friends, and yes couples. It fascinated me how the spectators all seemed so connected one to another be it through a heart for their favorite driver, favorite beverage or just a plain old love for the sport. However, at three o'clock in the afternoon, every spectator, member of a pit crew, driver, stopped for 30 seconds of silence to remember those who have given their lives for our safety and freedom. It was quiet a sight to behold. We have many common threads connecting our lives with the rest of creation. It is a beautiful thing when we stop long enough to drink in the beauty it holds.

May we all give God thanks each and every day for these folks.

Heart Treasures

"Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth,

where moth and rust consume and where thieves break in and steal;

but store up for yourselves treasures in heaven,

where neither moth nor rust consumes and where thieves do not break in and steal.

For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

Matthew 6:19-21

peace~glow

Discovering Joy Through Simplicity and Generosity

ENOUGH By Adam Hamilton

As for those who in this present age are rich, command them not to be haughty, or to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but rather on God who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. 1 Timothy 6:17

"Live simply so that others may simply live" Ghandi

Adam Hamilton invites us to rediscover the Bible's wisdom on important financial practices. He invites us to reclaim the joy and contentment of overcoming fear through simple living and generosity. Some of the chapters you will find in this book are: When Dreams Become Nightmares, Wisdom and Finance, Cultivating Contentment and more. There is also a DVD and leaders guide available with this resource. This book is available on Amazon or at the Cokesbury bookstores.

The staff of the Western North Carolina Conference is reading this book together and will be sharing our thoughts, insights, and inspirations next week. If you have not taken a look at this book, I encourage you to preview and share it with the people in your circle of influence.

Happy Reading - let me know what you think.

Web Resource. . .

http://. . . . . TextWeek
is a lectionary, scripture study and worship website that provides resources and links to help you with sermon writing, lesson preparation, and even opportunities for continued education. This site is designed to help you with scripture, movie, and art indexs. It also provides podcasts of worship & liturgy, sermons, lectionary readings, and more.

I encourage you to check it out textweek, spend some time following the links and resources, then add it to your favorites page. The beauty of this site is the diversity of contirbutors as resources.
let me know what you think!

Call and Response. . .

Intrepretation of Scripture in Cultural Context?



I was with the Asheville District yesterday for the Pre-Annual Conference Briefing and Laity recognition. During my time there, I had the wonderful opportunity to meet many folks but one stands out in my mind this morning. Lena, a lovely Native American woman who passionatley loves the Native People and works hard to preserve their history and leagacy.


Lena and I began talking about cultures, traditions, ways-of-life if you will. We then spoke about the intrepretation of scripture and its revelance in cultural context for which it is being read. I suppose that is my questions for you this morning: Have you ever given this any thought?

• Is it possible for scripture to be intrepreted differently given the difference of our customs and ethnicity?
• Are we aware of the diversity in our worlds, communities, and churches?
• Is so, what are you doing to honor this diversity as the whole body of Christ?
• If not, are you willing to look at customs, traditions, and scripture as though you were the one living in a foreign land. . . for I was hungry and you feed me, I was thristy and you gave me something to drink, I was sick and in prison and you visited me, I was naked and you clothed me, and I was a stranger in a foreign land and you welcomed me! Matthew 25:31-40

Share your story. . .

Two God Bears?????

Elisha - what is really going on?

I need some help here! As if the whole story of Elijah and Elisha is not confusing enough, we end the second chapter of 2 Kings with the story of Elisha, small boys, and two bears. Now I am guessing that most folks have never heard of this story and few have really figured out what in the world is going on so here is my version. . .

Elijah is mentoring Elisha knowing that one day he will be passing on the "prophetic mantle" to Elisha, I mean after all, Elisha did ask Elijah for a double share of his spirit. So, Elijah tells Elisha that if he sees him taken away from him (you know on a chariot of fire into heaven) that his wish will be granted. As Elijah is "going away" he drops his mantle and that's when Elisha picks up the mantle and stood on the bank of the Jordan (2Kings 2: 13) and then he parts the waters in a very similar fashion as Moses. Okay, I get all that however, verses 23-25 have caused me some distress. As Elisha is on his way to Bethel, some small boys came out of the city and jeered at him saying: "Go away, baldhead!" Well, let's just say that Elisha did not take too kindlly to this. You have to read it for yourself because I just do not get it.

The New Oxford Annotated Bible says this is an example of a man able both to bless and to cures in the name of the Lord. I do not know about you, I still don't get it.

Please feel free share your insights about this scripture text!

Blessings of "bearful", playful, joy

glow

Book Review

Contemplative by Design by Gettie L. Grimsley and Jane J. Young

"Be still and know that I am God!" - Psalm 46:10

There are numerous paths of awareness to the holy, the sacred among us. However, we fill our lives with business, chaos, and so much clutter that we miss these opportunities to be still and know God. Our minds race, our schedules control us, and our bodies give in to the stress of our daily routines, yet God waits, and waits, and waits for us. God years for us to find Sabbath for our souls. Our souls yearn to find Sabbath with God. . .

This resource is structured with 15 different ways in which to experience the holy. Each session includes an overview, developing the quiet space, readings, scripture, and even includes design for room set up for those among us who believe they are not creative. A few of the sessions are:Art, Believing Power, Breath, wind, Spirit, Life's Knots and Tangles.

You can order this resource through Cokesbury and Amazon.

The self in silence

yearns to know

to dance, be free

of fetters round her feet;

but 'til she learns

to listen with her soul,

she never will

cast off her bonds,

she will nether

the Great I Am,

she never will be whole.

Children's Website Resource

Every now and then, you find a website worth sharing. . .

I heard about Rev. Dr. Leanne Hadley from Leonard Sweet and the amazing ministry she had going on in Colorado Springs. Rev. Hadley is an Ordained Elder in The United Methodist Church and a specialist in the area of Children's Spirituality. She is President and Founder of First Steps Spirituality Center. I was anxious to look her up on the internet and after checking out the ministries and opportunities for intentional faith development for children, I wanted to share this website with you.

Follow this link to: First Steps Spirituality Center and work you way through the wonderful ministries, playground (yes, playground on the web), and resources for Children, however you will find this webpage is designed not only to help children but also teens, parents, grandparents, educators, and others interested adults learn and grow spiritually.

Dr. Hadley will be a keynote speaker at the FOCUS 2009 Conference in July to be held in Indianapolis.

Let me know what you think.

Leadership Matters... In December 2007, Rev. Leanne Hadley received her Doctor of Ministry in the area of spirituality and children and teens from United Theological Seminary in Dayton, Ohio. Through listening to and learning from children and teens over the course of 25 years, Rev. Leanne Hadley has developed amazingly effective healing methods that set First Steps apart. Her hands-on approach and one-on-one time with children make her ministry one that is "hands-on" rather than just a "study of."

The Presence of God. . .

Are you aware of God's presence in each and every day? If so, are you left inspired, breathless, or in prayer. If not, what changes need to be made to allow yourself the joy of expereincing and knowing God in all things and all ways?

“There are two ways to live: you can live as if nothing is a miracle; you can live as if everything is a miracle.” Albert Enstein

One way to get the most out of life isto look upon it as an adventure.William Feather

May you find true joy in knowing, expereincing, and sharing the presence of God and all of God's creation. Shalom

A Memoir of Faith and Discovery. . .

OPEN SECRETS

By Richard Lischer

We were asked to read Richard Lischer's OPEN SECRETS:A Memoir of Faith and Discovery for our Residence in Ordained Ministry group this spring. I quickly learned the stories this book held were rich and real. Lischer's confessions and experiences as a young clergy appointed to a chruch and community of economic depression in southern Illinois, foreign to his life and certainly his lifestyle, is moving to say the least.

Lischer approaches these stories with real openness, humor, and humility as a clash of cultures and certainly personalities marked the beginning of his pastorial career.

This book is not only enlightening, but also inspirational. God calls us to meet people where they are, learn from them, and love them unconditionally.

I hope you find time to add this book to your reading list if you have not already done so. . .you will not be disappointed.

Happy Reading!

Web Resource. . .

Looking for a New & Creative Web Resources?

Someone recently hooked me up with a website that I am still learning my way around call "theooze." It is geared for the emergant church followers and has countless links, articles, video clips, and resources that are worth taking a look at. There are sections on culture, faith, next wave, in-store, ministries, and resources.

One article in particular caught my attention: Unleashing Creativity by Brittian Bullock. Since our Day Apart prior to the start of Annual Conference is on Art and Spirituality, I thought it might help inspire those of us that do not see ourselves as creative. Check out the insights of Brittian and give some thought to your own creative connection with the Master Creator.

If you like this article, I encourage you to spend some time milling around other articles and resources you will find on the website.

Have fun

Call and Response. . .

Making Disciples?

At the Quarter Life event last weekend, folks gathered to talk about something they all have in common. . . a passion and love for young adults. They came together with hopes of better understanding ways in which to reach out and minister to young adults.
This topic is very near and dear to my husband Chris' heart. We have this conversation on a regular basis as we live amongst the worshiping and academic community of Pfeiffer University. How do we relate to, learn from, and even inspire these young adults in a way they are compelled to know and be the incarnation of Christ to the world? We want them to know what THEY believe, challenge assumptions taught them at an early age, and claim their own unique gifts, using them to the good of the kingdom.

Chris' question to the folks at Quarter Life was. . .

• "How are we doing Disciple Formation that would inspire and motivate young adults to desire continued faith development while encouraging others in their own faith?"
• Are we expecting the church to provide programing and events that young adults would be drawn to OR are we so intentional in their faith development through their early years that these young adults cannot help but want to be involved in the life and ministry of the church?

My questions to you are this:

How are we doing disciple formation in our local churches, our community, and in the world?

Is it wearing our congregation out or inspiring them to be sent out? If you answered worn out, are you willing to do what it takes to turn them inside out into the world?

Is this our life's vocation or are we on vacation?

Honoring the wisdom and experience of the sages in our midst. . .

The Ministry of Older Adults

Older adults have always been the mainstay of the church’s ministry. They tend to contribute more financially to the church’s budget, serve in leadership positions and attend worship services and other church activities more consistently than the members of any other group. They also have the opportunity to contribute in a variety of other ways.

I have known older adults who taught Sunday school classes, worked with children and youth, prepared meals for church events, served as ushers and greeters, composed and addressed church newsletters and other mailings, baked cookies to be delivered to the homebound, served as a companion for critically ill individuals, designed and maintained the church’s website, drove the church van or activity bus, taught classes for flower arranging, gardening, making stained glass windows, photography, painting, sculpture, wood carving, sewing, yoga, researching family history, making scrap books, computer skills, and assembling a church history. Other older adults have provided transportation for those who are unable to drive, visited homebound members, and worked on conference building teams.

In the larger community older adults serve as hospital volunteers, deliver meals-on-wheels, work on Habitat homes, tutor students in academic subjects, work in soup kitchens or at the overnight shelter, and assist others with filing income taxes.
The senior years can be filled with meaningful and rewarding activity. But if chronic illness or physical limitations prevent older adults from being more actively involved in the church’s ministry or community service, they can still pray for the church leaders and members, and send cards or make phone calls to those who need words of encouragement.
There are no limits to the valuable contribution that older adults can make when they express creativity, productivity and interest in people. They are a vital part of the church’s life and ministry, and have much to give as well as much to receive from their continued involvement in the faith community.

Robert V. Dodd

Prayingfriend@aol.com
Robert V. Dodd has served as a pastor in the Western N.C. Conference for 31 years and is currently on medical disability. He writes Bible study and devotional materials for various United Methodist publications, including Daily Bible Study and Mature Years. He is also the author of the Advent Calendar of Devotions, 2009.
Mr. Dodd will be teaching the Adult Sunday School Lesson in the Memorial Chapel at Lake Junaluska on Sunday morning, June 14, 2009, prior to the closing worship service at annual conference.