Dr. Abby's Place

I Have Moved!!!!

2009-12-30T21:40:00.001-05:00

I have moved my blog and website to a NEW ADDRESS. You can find me at:

www.drabbyreynolds.com

I wish to thank all of you for following me and I do hope that you will now continue to visit at the new address.

Sincerely and with all the best wishes,

Dr. Abby

What is on your mind?

2009-12-27T19:35:00.001-05:00

What is on your mind? What causes you distress? What excites you? Where do your passion lie? What burning question do you hold in your heart that you wish someone would try to answer?

I would like to know the answer to these questions.

In 2010, it is my hope that we can enter into a lively discussion on these, and other questions. Send me your thoughts. Let us join together in the discovery of new insights and answers.

2010 could prove to be the start for something very new and exciting for all of us.

Christmas Joy!

2009-12-24T23:55:00.000-05:00

“And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger."

Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,
"Glory to God in the highest,
and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests."

When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let's go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about."

So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told. (Luke 2:8-20 NIV)

I suspect, even though it is not recorded, that the sheep and the lambs were excited at the good news the angels shared with the shepherds. And I suspect that they leaped for joy as they headed to see this marvelous thing.

May the JOY of Jesus Christ reign in your heart, and may your steps be filled with the spring of youthful vigor, this Christmas Season, and all the year long.

Merry Christmas!

2009-12-24T10:53:00.000-05:00

“For unto us a Child is born. And we shall call His name wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God.”

Merry Christmas !

Peace on

Earth, Goodwill to all!

With Love,

Dr. Abby and Carol

RevGalBlogPals

A Fun History Lesson from Guest Contributor Karen Gibbs

2009-12-20T16:58:00.001-05:00

A Fun History Lesson:

They used to use urine to tan animal skins, so families used to all pee in a pot & then once a day it was taken & sold to the tannery..... ..if you had to do this to survive you were "Piss Poor"

But worse than that were the really poor folk who couldn't even afford to buy a pot......... ..they "didn't have a pot to piss in" and were the lowest of the low.

The next time you are washing your hands and complain because the water temperature isn't just how you like it, think about how things used to be. Here are some facts about the 1500s:

Most people got married in June because they took their yearly bath in May, and they still smelled pretty good by June. However, since they were starting to smell, brides carried a bouquet of flowers to hide the body odor, hence the custom today of carrying a bouquet when getting married.

Baths consisted of a big tub filled with hot water. The man of the house had the privilege of the nice clean water, then all the other sons and men, then the women, then the children, and finally, last of all, the babies. By then the water was so dirty you could actually lose someone in it. Hence the saying, "Don't throw the baby out with the Bath water!"

Houses had thatched roofs-thick straw-piled high, with no wood underneath. It was the only place for animals to get warm, so all the cats and other small animals (mice, bugs) lived in the roof. When it rained it became slippery and sometimes the animals would slip and fall off the roof. Hence the saying "It's raining cats and dogs."

There was nothing to stop things from falling into the house. This posed a real problem in the bedroom where bugs and other droppings could mess up your nice clean bed. Hence, a bed with big posts and a sheet hung over the top afforded some protection. That's how canopy beds came into existence...

The floor was dirt. Only the wealthy had something other than dirt, hence the saying, "Dirt poor."

The wealthy had slate floors that would get slippery in the winter when wet, so they spread thresh (straw) on floor to help keep their footing. As the winter wore on, they added more thresh until, when you opened the door, it would all start slipping outside. A piece of wood was placed in the entrance-way. Hence: a thresh hold.

(Getting quite an education, aren't you?)

In those old days, they cooked in the kitchen with a big kettle that always hung over the fire. Every day they lit the fire and added things to the pot... They ate mostly vegetables and did not get much meat. They would eat the stew for dinner, leaving leftovers in the pot to get cold overnight and then start over the next day. Sometimes stew had food in it that had been there for quite a while. Hence the rhyme: Peas porridge hot, peas porridge cold, peas porridge in the pot nine days old.

Sometimes they could obtain pork, which made them feel quite special. When visitors came over, they would hang up their bacon to show off. It was a sign of wealth that a man could, "bring home the bacon." They would cut off a little to share with guests and would all sit around and chew the fat.

Those with money had plates made of pewter. Food with high acid content caused some of the lead to leach onto the food, causing lead poisoning death. This happened most often with tomatoes, so for the next 400 years or so, tomatoes were considered poisonous.

Bread was divided according to status. Workers got the burnt bottom of the loaf, the family got the middle, and guests got the top, or the upper crust.

Lead cups were used to drink ale or whisky. The combination would sometimes knock the imbibers out for a couple of days. Someone walking along the road would take them for dead and prepare them for burial. They were laid out on the kitchen table for a couple of days and the family would gather around and eat and drink and wait and see if they would wake up, hence the custom of holding a wake.

England is old and small and the local folks started running out of places to bury people. So they would dig up coffins and would take the bones to a bone-house, and reuse the grave. When reopening these coffins, 1 out of 25 coffins were found to have scratch marks on the inside and they realized they had been burying people alive. So they would tie a string on the wrist of the corpse, lead it through the coffin and up through the ground and tie it to a bell. Someone would have to sit out in the graveyard all night (the graveyard shift.) to listen for the bell; thus, someone could be, saved by the bell or was considered a dead ringer...

And that's the truth...Now, whoever said History was boring!!!
So . . . get out there and educate someone! ~~~ Share these facts with a friend like I just did!!!

Music from the Silent Monks of St Francis de la Sissies

2009-12-20T16:42:00.001-05:00

The following is a wonderfully inspiring and funny video to add some holiday cheer to your current, last minute, stress. Enjoy! And thanks Sue for the link.

RevGalBlogPals

Where’s the Child? – A Guest Blog by Carol Crawford Rowe, M. Div.

2009-12-20T06:00:00.000-05:00

Where is the Child?

This is the Week – the one that we await all year. The bells are ringing, the cash registers are opening and closing, the parking lots are full, the grocery shelves are tempting us with seasonal treasures.

The child in each of us is alert with anticipation. It seems as though the Day will never arrive. The responsible adult in many of us is frustrated and exhausted. There are more tasks than there are hours to perform them. The joyous clamor gives way to a wearying din.

And then comes the snow. Or the wind. Or the rain. Or illness. Or loss. Or…whatever interruption is common to the landscape of our lives. We come to a forced pause. And we wonder – what are we doing, and why are we doing it?

Where is the Child? How did He become buried in the debris of daily living? When will He reappear – or will He?

Are we bringing our gifts to an empty manger? Have we obliterated Him beneath our accumulation of expectations? Have our circumstances taken Him from our vision? Has our haste and busy-ness removed Him from the picture?

Help us, God, to find the Child, your Son, who has come to find us in all our need and greed and desperate longing for a joyful day.

RevGalBlogPals

The Fourth Sunday of Advent: December 20, 2009

2009-12-19T11:31:00.001-05:00

Purify our conscience, Almighty God, by your daily visitation, that your Son Jesus Christ, at his coming, may find in us a mansion prepared for himself; who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Luke 1:39-55

In those days Mary set out and went with haste to a Judean town in the hill country, where she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting, the child leaped in her womb. And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit and exclaimed with a loud cry, "Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb. And why has this happened to me, that the mother of my Lord comes to me? For as soon as I heard the sound of your greeting, the child in my womb leaped for joy. And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her by the Lord."

And Mary said,

"My soul magnifies the Lord,: and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
for he has looked with favor on the lowliness of his servant.: Surely, from now on all generations will call me blessed;
for the Mighty One has done great things for me,: and holy is his name.
His mercy is for those who fear him: from generation to generation.
He has shown strength with his arm;: he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts.
He has brought down the powerful from their thrones,: and lifted up the lowly;
he has filled the hungry with good things,: and sent the rich away empty.
He has helped his servant Israel,: in remembrance of his mercy,
according to the promise he made to our ancestors,: to Abraham and to his descendants forever."

When we hear God’s voice calling us forward into a new adventure, seemingly against all possibility of success or rational human experience, and in the hearing, respond as if the event has already occurred, we open ourselves to possibilities that go beyond hope, dreams, or expectations. We open ourselves to the miraculous possibilities of God’s grace and presence.

That is what happened to both Elizabeth and Mary. They heard God and believed!

How often do we wish we could hear God’s voice? How many times have we asked to have an angel reveal to us God’s desire for our lives? Perhaps it already has occurred but the request, or direction, or revelation, was just “too crazy” in our thinking to really “be from God”.

So what did we do? We ignored the call. We dismissed it as probably our own wishful thinking or perhaps indigestion from last nights Tacos.

I believe God calls us more often than we realize. Our response is often to step back from those thoughts that seem just too “out there” to really be right. But what if we took a leap of faith and went with the direction God seemed to be calling us into?

I remember a long time ago, someone shared that a ship tied up at port could go no where. But once at sea, under power and with the rudder operating, could take us on any adventure we wished to engage. And if the ship went off course some, the Captain could correct with a small adjustment of the rudder.

That is the way with God as well. Once we set sail for destinations only known to God, we find great adventures. And should we get “off course”, God can correct the direction with small prompts from the Holy Spirit to get us back on track. If we remain, however, safe and secure, tied up at the dock, we will never know what God had in store for us.

So take in the lines, Mate. Reel in the anchor. And set sail with God for the greatest adventure of our lives on this planet. All it takes to get started is to ask God to give the call, and then to “heave to” and set sail.

RevGalBlogPals

Abundance in the midst of Hunger and Poverty

2009-12-19T00:54:00.001-05:00

A Trip to the Local Store Cookie Isle

The other day, I was shopping for our monthly groceries, restocking with supplies of pasta, rice, produce, meats, and all the good things that go into making a house a home. I paused at several isles, contemplating what I needed and which brand, size, and so on, would be the best to buy. I am always looking for the best value.

I rarely buy cookies and sweets though. This day, I decided that I would like some Oreo Cookies, a special treat with wonderful childhood memories. As I rounded the cookies isle, I was stopped dead in my tracks. Both sides of the isle were lined with cookies and snack cakes, from one end to the other.

I quickly found the Oreo Cookies. Well, almost. Instead of the regular, two chocolate cookies with vanilla cream sandwiched between, I now had a choice of eighteen (18) different styles of Oreos, including the original. I now had to make a choice.

There were cookies with vanilla cookies and chocolate centers, vanilla cookies with vanilla centers, chocolate and chocolate, double vanilla and double chocolate, chocolate and peanut butter, cakes, and sticks of cookies, and chocolate, or vanilla. My head began to swirl!

I was now more than confused. When did all these variations of Oreo Cookies come to be? Wasn’t the “original” cookie good enough? Was it really necessary to have this much choice?

And then it happened. I suddenly realized that the same was true of potato chips, mustard, coffee, tea, and butter, eggs, milk, and virtually every product that I buy. I had just become “accustomed” to the variety in the other isles over time. Different brands had slowly been introduced over time and I had not noticed. But with the cookies, I had not been paying attention. It caught me by surprise.

How it must grieve our Heavenly Father to watch as we indulge in such excess while much of the world is starving. In parts of Africa, over 250,000 refugees are fleeing, not from war, but from draught and famine. Nearly one in five children in this country go to bed hungry every night. And we have eighteen (18) different Oreo Cookies to choose from. God Help Us!

RevGalBlogPals

Dear Mother…(An Open Letter)

2009-12-13T18:59:00.001-05:00

Mom,

I have attached the post I wrote about going home here. ( I Want To Go Home ) I went back and looked at it after you remarked that you failed once again as a mother. I wanted to see what I said, or how I worded it that would give that impression.

When I write, I do so to evoke a response from people. I want people to think about their own lives. I want people to reflect on how they live, what they do, how they treat others, and how they treat themselves. I want them to feel emotion. And that includes sorrow, love, happiness, sadness, anger, joy, and so on.

So when I write, it is not so much for judgment or criticism of my life or that of others as it is to call others to judge and critique their own lives through my words.

In this piece, the question is at the end. “I would like to go home. Do you know where that is and how I can get there?” The question is metaphorical in nature.

If I want to go, then I need to know where home is and the way to get home. But home may not be found in this life or on this planet.

Perhaps home is in the Kingdom to come. Perhaps only when we enter into the eternal Kingdom of God will we truly “be home”. Perhaps home in this world is never complete, only temporary, thus creating the longing to go home.

So often we find ourselves locked into the idea that home must be a physical place, with an address and mail delivery, phone service and utilities, family, children, friends gathered near by. It is a place where we have all of our stuff under one roof.

But what if home is something different. Can a homeless person experience “home” living on the streets, in a box, more than I can living in a comfortable building? Can a soldier experience “home” in a tent on the battlefield rather than in a warm bed in Detroit?

So the question: Where is home and how do I get there?

Home will mean many different things to many different people. For me, home is knowing that I have people who love me, who would like me to be in their lives. Home is knowing that I have value and worth, not assigned by others, but assigned by me. Home is knowing that I am welcomed by friends and family at various times and places. Home is being comfortable with who I am and in my own solitude. Home is found for me in the presence of God, both now, and eternally.

I am not upset or angry with you and Dad for what happened so many years ago. That time in our lives was part of life that helped to inform and mold me into who I am today. And I am very proud of who I am. I like me.

The experiences of the past have only helped me become me. And the person I am today is truly “at home” in her body and life, looking to the day when I shall ultimately “be home” in the eternal presence of my Heavenly Father.

I learned a long time ago to live with shallow tent pegs, as Abraham did. I can “pull up stake” at a moments notice and move to the where God leads if I need to. So today, for me, home is wherever I am at the present moment, living in expectation of God’s wonderful call to go to the next place, for the next assignment, for the next adventure.

And if the call says to “come home”, I do know where that is, and I know how to get there. It is just through the gate, and up the path in the woods. Once you round the bend over the small rise, you will see a garden bench on your right. From there, it is just a short walk to the front door.

I know you are coming along as well, Mother, and the journey will be beyond your wildest dreams and hopes. Trust me on this.

I do not see you and Father as failures in my life. I do not see you as disappointments or inadequate as parents. I see you both as two people who lived the best they knew how, did what the knew to do, accomplished what they were able to accomplish, raised two children who turned out to be fairly successful, although a bit eccentric in some ways. But that is no different than any other family.

You did exactly what God called you to do when I was born. I was only on loan to you from God for the duration of my childhood, according to my Father. You cared for me as you knew how and were able. You gave me experiences that helped form into the person I am today. You kept me fairly safe from life’s dangers. At least as safe as any parent could have. And then you let me go to become what God had called me to be. What more could be expected?

So please do not continue to see yourself as a failure or to feel sorry for what you did, or did not do. Instead, lay down all the regrets, sorrows, heart aches, failures, disappointments and tragedies of the past. Lay down your concerns for good health and prosperity and riches. Focus on the wonderful life you have had, and continue to have.

Mother, it truly has been an exciting adventure for all of us, and well worth the living, even with the “not-so-good” moments.

I love you. And I thank you for helping me to be me, through the experiences of our life together. And I thank you that you have set me free over the years to go on to my own adventures, even with my own heart aches, failures, and disappointments.

All of this to say, I know where home is, how to get there, and it is NOT at 17 East Lincoln Ave.

Love,

Abigail

Rick Warren Joins the Growing Number of Religious Leaders…

2009-12-11T14:04:00.001-05:00

Rick Warren of Saddleback Church joined a growing number of Religious and Political Leaders condemning the Ugandan anti-gay law

Pastor Rick Warren has posted a video on YouTube to clarify his stance against the anti-gay bill being considered by the Ugandan Parliament after many raised questioned regarding his views about it.

"It is my role to shepherd other pastors who look to me for guidance, and it is my role to correct lies, errors and false reports when others associate my name with a law that I had nothing to do with, completely oppose and vigorously condemn," Warren said in a news release about the video addressed to his "fellow pastors in Uganda."

It is time for ALL Church leaders to stand up and condemn this legislation. And it is time for our Government and Political Leaders to denounce the action in Uganda as well. When will you make a strong statement against this action Bishop Lyght of the WV Conference of the United Methodist Church? And what about you, President Obama, Speaker Pelosi, and Senator Reid?

RevGalBlogPals

The Jesus Manifesto: Declaration Ten

2009-12-11T03:23:00.001-05:00

I lowered my head, asked His forgiveness, and said that I would go.

Leonard Sweet and Frank Viola conclude their Jesus Manifesto with article ten.

“In a world which sings, “Oh, who is this Jesus?” and a church which sings, “Oh, let’s all be like Jesus,” who will sing with lungs of leather, “Oh, how we love Jesus!”

If Jesus could rise from the dead, we can at least rise from our bed, get off our couches and pews, and respond to the Lord’s resurrection life within us, joining Jesus in what he’s up to in the world. We call on others to join us—not in removing ourselves from planet Earth, but to plant our feet more firmly on the Earth while our spirits soar in the heavens of God’s pleasure and purpose. We are not of this world, but we live in this world for the Lord’s rights and interests. We, collectively, as the ekklesia of God, are Christ in and to this world.”

Many years ago, during an all night prayer meeting, I felt God calling me into full-time Christian ministry. I was praying, seeking God’s direction for my life. I had what I later described as a vision. I shared it with my pastor who agreed.

In the vision, I saw Jesus calling me to follow Him. I walked along side Jesus until we came to a change in the road. The road went from soft and easy to harsh and difficult. My feet suddenly hurt. I looked down and they were beginning to bleed. So were the feet of Jesus, but He did not seem to mind the pain. I stopped, and He continued.

Suddenly, Jesus stopped and looked back at me. I apologized that I did not wish to continue on this painful road. Then Jesus walked to the side of the road and pointed to the gutters. In the gutters were people suffering from all sorts of ailments and sins. They were the outcast and unwanted of both Church and society.

As Jesus pointed toward them, He asked, “If you will not go to them, welcome them, love them, and care for them on my behalf, then who will?”

I lowered my head, asked His forgiveness, and said that I would go.

I think this is what Sweet and Viola are speaking of. Are we willing to go where Jesus would go and do what Jesus would do? The road is full of pain and suffering, but it is also full of joy and life. It is free from judgment and abuse. It full of forgiveness and love.

Disease is prevalent, but so is healing. Not the temporary healing of medicine or psychotherapy, but the permanent healing of divine intervention and eternal life.

The way of Jesus is also very contradictory to most of the Church today. It is not the way of the religious right, or left. The way of Jesus is full of love, not hate. It embraces all, and does not exclude any who are considered less than worthy. ALL sinners are welcomed on the way Jesus leads. Not just the “chosen” or the gate keepers.

SO what of you? Are you ready to put down your preconceived ideas about Jesus and your attitudes of judgment? If so, the way of Jesus awaits you, filled with pain and sorrow, but also alive with love, forgiveness, healing, wholeness, adventure, and life.

I am going. Hope to see you along the way!

Third Sunday of Advent: December 13, 2009

2009-12-09T04:07:00.001-05:00

Stir up your power, O Lord, and with great might come among us; and, because we are sorely hindered by our sins, let your bountiful grace and mercy speedily help and deliver us; through Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom, with you and the Holy Spirit, be honor and glory, now and for ever. Amen.

Philippians 4:4-7

Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. Let your gentleness be known to everyone. The Lord is near. Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

I have always loved this passage. It starts with the word “Rejoice”. “Rejoice” is described by Webster as: to feel joyful, be glad; to fill with joy; gladden.

When life throws a curve at us, it is not always easy to “be glad” or to “feel joyful”. Yet that is exactly what Paul intends us to do, and be, when faced with the difficulties of life.

What an example Mary and Joseph give us in this concept of being glad or joyful, even when it is not convenient. Ordered to travel to his place of birth, Joseph, along with his very pregnant wife, Mary, goes without complaint. Mary gladly follows her husband where he leads and goes as commanded, not knowing their future.

Mary takes with her a memory of the angel’s visitation and Joseph leads the way rejoicing that he is fulfilling some divine orchestration as revealed in a dream. The journey is long and hard.

When they arrive in the City of David, they are met with rudeness, crowds, and no lodging. (I guess expedia.com did not confirm they were coming.) Their response to the situation? Gentleness. Prayer. Thanks for what was provided.

And the results? Peace. And Jesus Christ born to the Virgin.

How many times do we swear in the midst of turmoil and demands instead of rejoicing? How often do we curse rather than bless? How often is our rebuke and judgment felt rather than our gentleness? And how often do we miss the Peace of God as a result of our failure to rejoice in the Lord always?

I am soooo guilty here. God forgive me and help me to rejoice more in your goodness and less in my demands.

Majoring on the Minors

2009-12-09T03:30:00.001-05:00

We hear a lot about the issues within the various denominations and congregations of the Church of Jesus Christ. There are arguments in some circles over whether women should be ministers. Some argue over the manner of dress for both women and men.

In other places of the Kingdom of God, there are arguments over the issues of divorce and remarriage. Should a priest be allowed to marry or not? What version of the bible should be read? King James? NIV? A more modern day translation?

And there are the internal considerations. What color should the carpets and walls be? Should we sing the old hymns or modern choruses? Is dancing allowed? And what of movies? Not to mention card playing and smoking.

Each generation has its concerns. For much of the Church today, the concerns seems to revolve around whether the LGBT community has any place in the Church. And if so, to what extent?

I have a theory as to why this is so, why the Church seems to have to have an issue to wrestle with. And here is my theory. When the Church wrestles with issues that are fairly insignificant, it does not have the ability to focus on the really important issues.

It is easier to identify and label sins that others seem to be committing that it is to identify and label the sins we ourselves are committing. In other words, if we launch a fight to keep the LGBT community out, we do not have to focus on letting the poor in.

When we fight over abortion rights, we do not have to talk about our own struggles with human dignity and human rights. We do not have to discuss our failure to support the fight against domestic violence, and our failure to provide food, shelter, clothing, health care, to the single parent and their children.

So in theory, if we attack an issue, we do not have to acknowledge our lack of love, compassion, and understanding, for all of God’s children, all of humanity. We can “justify” that we are being faithful by “keeping out” the rift raft as defined by our narrow understanding and interpretation of God’s Word. We give ourselves permission to focus on the minor to avoid the major.

May God truly help us and deliver us from our concerns over the sins of others so that we may identify and address the sin in own life first. And having done that, may God free us to be about the Gospel, doing the work Jesus called us to. And that work is, to love the Lord our God with our whole heart, mind, soul, and strength, and then love one another.

Anti-Gay Ugandan Bill Set to Pass

2009-12-04T04:49:00.001-05:00

The following is an update on the Ugandan Legislation proposed to end the issue of Gays and Lesbians in Uganda. It is set to pass and will be a tragedy to all of humanity, in Africa, the US, and throughout the world. It will serve as indictment against the Church, especially those who have remained silent. Unfortunately, my own denomination, The United Methodist Church, as far as I am aware, has chosen to join the silent majority.

(note: I have repeatedly written to my Bishop asking for his intervention and statement denouncing this action. His response was to share the “official” position of the Church regarding the issue of homosexuality with me. His response in the form of a letter can be read here: A Bishop's Response)

Click on this link to read more= Anti-Gay Ugandan Bill Set to Pass. Rick Warren and Other Evangelical Leaders Silent

I want to Go Home

2009-12-03T21:42:00.001-05:00

One of my favorite movies is “The Wizard of Oz”. And as Dorothy says, “There is no place like home”. My question though is, where is home? How do I find my way there?

When I was much younger, my parents went through a difficult time in their life and marriage. As a result, they lost their home, and the home I grew up in. That was nearly thirty-seven years ago. I still go back there from time to time, and drive by wishing I could “go home”.

I have never found the place that felt like home since then. So as this Christmas approaches, I decided to think about what it means to be home. I am not sure I have found the answer, or that I am even close.

I know that home is not where you have a bunch of stuff, or that has a certain smell. But I am not sure how to define home beyond the stuff, and the smells, and the people.

What I know is that I would like to go home. Do you know where that is and how I can get there?

Second Sunday of Advent – December 6, 2009

2009-12-02T01:14:00.001-05:00

Merciful God, who sent your messengers the prophets to preach repentance and prepare the way for our salvation: Give us grace to heed their warnings and forsake our sins, that we may greet with joy the coming of Jesus Christ our Redeemer; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Luke 3:1-6

In the fifteenth year of the reign of Emperor Tiberius, when Pontius Pilate was governor of Judea, and Herod was ruler of Galilee, and his brother Philip ruler of the region of Ituraea and Trachonitis, and Lysanias ruler of Abilene, during the high priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas, the word of God came to John son of Zechariah in the wilderness. He went into all the region around the Jordan, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins, as it is written in the book of the words of the prophet Isaiah,

"The voice of one crying out in the wilderness:
'Prepare the way of the Lord,: make his paths straight.
Every valley shall be filled,: and every mountain and hill shall be made low,
and the crooked shall be made straight,: and the rough ways made smooth;
and all flesh shall see the salvation of God.'"

I hear the cry of many clergy today. They feel as if they are a lonely voice crying out in the wilderness. The attendance in many churches across the land is in steady decline. The lives of parishioners, once full of joy and celebration, appear to resemble the “walking dead”. Conflict and disappointment seem to be the norm rather than new life though Christ.

I can only imagine what the prophets of old must have felt in their experience. In their attempt to share the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, they too, met with resistance, conflict, disappointment.

But we, unlike those prophets of old, have seen the fulfillment of the promise of the Messiah. We have seen the way of the Lord prepared. We have seen the salvation of our God.

Advent is a reminder of where we have been in our history, and where we are going. Our role is to proclaim with a loud voice that Jesus Christ is alive, and coming again. Our role is to live day by day, with the full knowledge that this world is but a glimpse of the things yet to come.

Our responsibility is:

> To Proclaim Jesus Christ

> To Share God’s love with all we encounter

> To live our lives as if we truly believe what we preach

God’s responsibility is:

> To bring about the change of heart in the listener

> To prepare us for the coming of the King

> To ultimately bring order out of chaos

And in the end, we shall dance around His throne of glory and proclaim “Holy is the Lamb that was slain, and now lives forever”.

Engaging and Enjoying Life

2009-12-01T23:55:00.001-05:00

Last week I met with my Cardiologist, Dr. Kenneth May, in Harrisburg, PA. We had a great visit as I have already explained in an earlier post. When I came home, I sat down and wrote out a list of what I have done with my life since my heart attack in November, 2006.

I have lived longer than anyone expected at the time. So, in the past three years, what else have I done?

-I drove across the country from Pennsylvania to California.

-I went sailing in the San Francisco Bay.

-I bought a motor home and have gone on trips.

-I have adopted a homeless dog named Molly.

-I have continued to be a living historian for the Civil War era.

-I have spoken to groups about women in the Civil War.

-I have finished my PhD.

-I have written a novel. “The Reporter Wore Petticoats”, published by Infinity Publishing

-I started a web page. http://mysite.verizon.net/res12p0y7

-I began a blog. http://drabbysplace.blogspot.com

-I wrote my autobiography

-I have been working to get rid of stuff I no longer need.

-I have taught seminars at Church.

-I have preached at Church.

-I have continued to dream.

What have you done in the past three years? If you stop and think about it, you may be impressed with your accomplishments.

Take time today to write out where you have been, what you have done, and what you still want to do in this life.

Life

2009-11-30T21:09:00.001-05:00

I follow the blog of Michael Hyatt. Recently he posted a piece entitled, Why Aren't You Dead Yet by Michael Hyatt. Click on the title of the piece to see what he wrote. You will enjoy the piece and it is worth the time to read.

Grace and Peace

What Am I About?

2009-11-29T15:17:00.001-05:00

Far too many clergy devote themselves to the mundane, daily task of the deacon, at the insistence of the church, leaving no time for the important work of pastoral leadership.

I suggested that in addition to sharing the MISSION, VISION, and VALUES STATEMENT of the Church I was serving a number of years ago, I would also share with you my personal statement. You will see that it is not much different from the Church statement. At the time I wrote this, I was also working on the Church statement, and my life was so intertwined with the Church, that it was difficult to separate the two. I am sure it is so for most clergy if they were honest.

I have not revised this statement for a number of years. It is time to do so and I will begin the process. When it is finished, I will post the revised edition to compare the two from where I was 10 to 15 years ago to where I am today.

As I reviewed these statements, I remembered a Pastor’s Conference I attended about 10 years ago. One session I attended was facilitated by an Anglican Priest. The presenter suggested that as pastors, our number one job was to nurture and care for our own spirits, so that we can nurture and care for the spirits placed in our care.

I can still hear and see him as he said this. I was not really paying close attention until those words hit me. I was up to that point looking at my daily planner and wondering how I was going to get every thing done that was on my agenda.

Virtually every pastor I know works too hard. They put in long hours and attend to the needs of everyone but themselves and their families.

Pastors, including me in those days, prided themselves at their “business”. A full calendar was the sign of great work for the Kingdom of God. How deceived I was, as well as most of the clergy I knew, and know today.

Most of the work of Ministry can easily be handed over to good lay people who would gladly take on some of the responsibilities of the Church. Many are capable of leading classes, leading worship, preparing the weekly service, visiting shut-ins, making hospital visits, and the list goes on.

I wonder what would happen to the spiritual life of most of our churches if the pastor concentrated on the weekly sermon and prayer, leaving the rest to the laity?

One of my seminary professors in a Preaching class suggested that for every minute of spoken word in the pulpit, it takes about one hour of preparation time. A twenty minute sermon takes about twenty hours to properly prepare. That is half a normal work week for most everyone else in the church.

Add to this preparation time for an extra service during Advent or Lent, Christmas and Easter services, community services, and you can easily add another twenty hours of prep time. Then say two hours per day for bible study and meditation, praying for the church and the needs of the people, activism in local issues, denominational responsibilities, a funeral or two, and a wedding or three, and the pastor is up to sixty plus hours per week without visitation of everyone on the sick list.

Far too many clergy, however, devote themselves to the mundane, daily task of the deacon, at the insistence of the church, leaving no time for the important work of pastoral leadership. That is why a personal Mission, Vision, and Value Statement is essential. It keeps you focused on what is important to you and not simply what is pressing.

If you are a minister reading this, let me encourage you to lay down the task that someone else can do and free your time for the really important work of prayer, teaching and preaching. You will be rewarded in the end, I promise.

Now, my personal statement:

What am I About

MISSION: To help others in their daily life to encounter and experience the Living God.

VISION: To engage in creative living, providing opportunity for every person, without exception, to encounter and experience the reality and joy of God through positive interaction, polite discourse, and open and honest confrontation.

VALUES:

1 - To provide experiences, within my abilities, that meets the needs of the community.

2 - To grant permission to all person, without exceptions, to be in ministry, anywhere and at anytime, recognizing that the priesthood belongs to all of God’s children.

3 - To hold to the historical and Biblical tradition of Jesus Christ as the true source of all joy.

4 - To give equal consideration, according to my Wesleyan heritage, of scripture, experience, reason, and tradition, as I move toward the future.

5 - To stand against injustice and hate, without engaging in violent, or unjust and hateful practices.

6- To call our leaders in community, nation, world, and Church, into accountability as they seek to lead the people.

7 - To set aside time for personal reflection and meditation, retreating as needed to revive and care for my spirit, so that I may revive and care for the spirit of others.

Guiding Principles

2009-11-27T21:25:00.001-05:00

A number of years ago, while attending a “Seminar for Church Growth”, the presenter suggested that we needed to develop both a church, and a personal statement. The statement should include a Mission Statement, a Vision Statement, and a Values Statement.

The following is the statement that was initially drafted by a small number of members for the Church I was serving at the time. To my disappointment, it was never adopted. The Church was not as excited about growth as I was.

I share it with you for your thoughts and reflection. In doing so, I ask you, what are your Mission, Vision, and Values Statements that guide you through the day?

Someday, I will share my personal Statement. But for now…

What are We About as a Church

MISSION: Helping others experience the Joy of Jesus Christ

MISSION IS NOT:

          Maintaining the “Status Quo”

          Isolating ourselves from others

          Being “Inward Focused”

          Playing Games with God and one another

          Raising Budgets for Buildings

VISION: To engage in creative ministry, providing every opportunity for every person, without exception, to encounter and experience the Joy of Jesus Christ through Worship, Education, and Outreach.

VALUES:

1 - To provide worship experiences that meets the need of the community.

2 - To grant permission to all person, without exceptions, to be in ministry, anywhere and at anytime.

3 - To hold to our historical and Biblical tradition of Jesus Christ as the true source of all joy.

4 - To give the ministry to the laity, recognizing that the priesthood belongs to all believers.

5 - To give equal consideration, according to our Wesleyan heritage, of scripture, experience, reason, and tradition, as we move toward the future.

Mission Control, the Foundations of Your Life

2009-11-27T01:03:00.001-05:00

The question is, “What are your core values or Foundations of Flight Control”?

A number of years ago, I think it was 1996, I had the opportunity to hear Mister Gene Kranz, the lead Flight Director of the Apollo Thirteen Mission to the Moon. He spoke on the qualities of leadership, the success of the mission in bringing the astronauts home, the complexity of issues surrounding the event, and the talent at NASA’s disposal at that time in solving the problems.

As I recall, Mister Kranz said that the average age of the engineers at NASA, at the time of the Mission, was about twenty-five. He also suggested that the reason for the success of returning the men home was because these young engineers and scientist had not yet been programmed to work “within the box”.

In other words, they could still see beyond the regulations and rules and come up with creative ideas. Creativity. Unbridled creativity, unhindered by the words, “We have never done it that way” or “It can’t be done” and “It is against the rules”. The list could go on, but you get the idea.

Everyone agreed that solutions could, and would be found to overcome any obstacle to bring the astronauts home, alive. As Mister Kranz pointed out several times, “Failure was not an option”.

The starting point though was with the core values, or the Foundations of Flight Control. I have included the handout Mister Kranz gave us that night. I have kept it close, referring to it over the years, and applying it to my own life.

The question is, “What are your core values or Foundations of Flight Control”? What are the principles that guide you through the great struggles and opportunities of life? What principles or values guide you to be “creative”, alive, successful, engaging life to the fullest? What values guide you through the grind and adventures of daily living?

Answer these questions and you are well on your way to realizing that, for you, in life, failure is not an option.

Happy Thanksgiving

2009-11-26T02:54:00.001-05:00

Wishing you a Happy Thanksgiving!

Grace and Peace,

Dr. Abby and Pastor Carol

First Sunday of Advent

2009-11-25T09:01:00.001-05:00

Sunday, November 29, is the first Sunday of Advent. Luke provides the context for the start of our journey toward Christmas.

Luke 21:25-36

Jesus said, "There will be signs in the sun, the moon, and the stars, and on the earth distress among nations confused by the roaring of the sea and the waves. People will faint from fear and foreboding of what is coming upon the world, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken. Then they will see 'the Son of Man coming in a cloud' with power and great glory. Now when these things begin to take place, stand up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near."

Then he told them a parable: "Look at the fig tree and all the trees; as soon as they sprout leaves you can see for yourselves and know that summer is already near. So also, when you see these things taking place, you know that the kingdom of God is near. Truly I tell you, this generation will not pass away until all things have taken place. Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.

"Be on guard so that your hearts are not weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and the worries of this life, and that day catch you unexpectedly, like a trap. For it will come upon all who live on the face of the whole earth. Be alert at all times, praying that you may have the strength to escape all these things that will take place, and to stand before the Son of Man."

I love “prophetic” passages like this one. They help us to look both forward to the coming of our King as well as helping us to look back to the first coming, the birth of our King nearly two thousand years ago.

And in these passages, I find hope, joy, peace, love, forgiveness, mercy, blessings, and the list goes on.

Some will use this passage to instill fear. “Stay on the straight and narrow”, “Obey God in all you do or you will miss the coming Christ and spend eternity in hell” (actually read: Obey the Church and stay in line, or else). There will be other warnings by some.

But some, the good preachers, I believe will offer hope and mercy, along with a healthy dose of love, instead of judgment, filled with a vengeful and hateful God, ready to club us over the head and send us into an eternity of fire and brimstone.

God’s love, I believe, is greater than His judgment. His mercy, I believe, far outweighs His vengeance.

So keep your hearts merry and full of compassion, love, and mercy. Don’t get bogged down in the trivial matters and trappings of the worlds existence. Be free to give as generously to one another as God has so generously given to each of us.

In Preparation of Advent, Let us Dance

2009-11-25T08:40:00.001-05:00

As we look to the future for the return of the King, we look back at the birth of the King. Let this worship video inspire your meditation at the start of the Advent Season.

November 29, 2009 – First Sunday of Advent