the game tonight was rained out. LAST friday i wasn't able to play. I needed to be at Margaret Franklin's visitation prior to her funeral on Saturday. most of the team did go out and play, against another team that, like ours, had not won a single game so far this season.
Guess who won? :-)
So we broke with tradition.
Let's see how long the winning streak lasts ;-)
Leslie is at PassportKids camp through Sunday. She and another man from the church, along with 3 kids (none of them ours) left early yesterday morning. so i've got the kids.
so far it's been fairly benign. only one serious blow up. still, not good, having hoped for none.
more later.
g & p
Saturday, June 19, 2004
Sunday, June 13, 2004
the salt fish and hush puppies at the salt fish breakfast yesterday. there was still some left over. guess what is in a baggie in our freezer? :-) (btw, there were plenty of other 'normal' breakfast items available - scrambled eggs, coffee, hash browns, grits (really GOOD grits) and ... biscuits ... and sausage ... yeah. plenty)
For Margaret
Saturday, June 12th, 2004, 2PM
Jerusalem Baptist Church
One of the great benefits i have in my life is that my three college roommates are or have been in some form of ministry, and we still find ourselves bouncing things off each other and exchanging ideas, even today, just as we did in college. One of them, Jay, a United Methodist Minister in Nashville, wrote a couple of days ago in his online journal the following notes about what it means to be in ministry at a time like this. His thoughts put into words my own in facing you today.
"There is something sacred in our encounters with the dying, something life affirming in the midst of death. When I am home in the shower and that shiver runs up my spine as I ponder my own mortality, the unknown of death sometimes seems overwhelming. Yet, when I am sitting beside the bed of the one who is facing death, for some reason the fear leaves and there is recognition of God's presence.
Death puts everything else in perspective. It places us in relationship to one another as the power dynamics that so characterize our lives are torn down. On the surface it may not seem so, since one party is dependent on the other for such basic needs and hygiene and the quenching of thirst. Yet, the caregiver finds him or herself in a place as helpless as the dying. No matter what we do, the outcome is still the same. We work to alleviate suffering, while knowing that the ultimate power of restoration is not in our hands.
I continue to be amazed that this power of ordination, this being called to Pastor a congregation, leads others to invite me into their most sacred moments. How many times have I been a fly on the wall, being present for a family as a loved one dies only to know that I am receiving much more than the family? The ministry of presence is a powerful gift -- both for the other and for the one being present.
We watched yesterday as the funeral of Ronald Reagan progressed in all its glory. The National Cathedral was full of men in black suits and women in their finest attire, and a coffin draped with the flag of our nation. It was a national moment of recognition, a ritual in honor of a life.
Yet, the most sacred spaces are not filled with pomp and splendor. They are happening today in bedrooms, hospital rooms, and hospice residences throughout the world. The words aren't flowery. There are tears and blood and sweat intermixed. They aren't particularly pretty. But God is present in the midst of them, helping some into a new place of being, and comforting those left behind."
As Christians we are called to be ‘little Christs’. In that, each of us presents to the world our individual ‘take’, our individual flavoring of Jesus. Some of us are more like ourselves than like Jesus. Some, more and more like Christ.
I knew Margaret briefly while she was still relatively healthy, but for the most part, I have known her in her illness.
What I drew from the time we spent together was not only from her, but from hers and her family’s relationship. To watch Ritsy and Cindy time and time again carry her to the hospital late at night, to watch them trade off time spent with her and William, caring for both of them, and to watch as William tended to and stood watch over his companion of 53 years, spoke to me so strongly about what it means to be family, to be present, to be giving. It so deepened my understanding of what Jesus meant when he commended us to each other … to be family to each other, that in that deepening came a challenge to find more and more ways to carry that out to the fullest that I am able.
In the passage I read to you, beginning with the second verse of Chapter 5, Paul says
We know that Margaret’s passing itself was peaceful. The time leading up to that, was less so. This Robe I’m wearing is a symbol of the role I hold as a minister. But I am not the robe. When I wear it, some will see the robe and not the person. In a similar way, Margaret’s body was not who she WAS. Her body was what presented her to us, it was what helped us recognize her while she was with us. But what made her who she was was on the inside. That is something that is recognizable in any form.
In the same way that I can remove the robe and present myself as the person I am, not just the calling I follow, Margaret has now shed her body and is face to face with Christ, who has known her and has welcomed her into his presence.
So what I would ask you to do as we say farewell to Margaret is to draw from your own knowledge of her, and find that part of you that she touched, and look for an opportunity to share that with William, or Ritsy, or Billy, or Lou, or Cindy, or any of the grandchildren or the rest of the family. Let them know that there are ways in which Margaret has touched your lives that they would recognize the ‘Margaret-ness’ of them. Share memories, stories, and thoughts with them. Let them know just how many lives she DID touch, and make a difference in, just as Christ made the difference in HER life.
Let’s pray.
Saturday, June 12th, 2004, 2PM
Jerusalem Baptist Church
One of the great benefits i have in my life is that my three college roommates are or have been in some form of ministry, and we still find ourselves bouncing things off each other and exchanging ideas, even today, just as we did in college. One of them, Jay, a United Methodist Minister in Nashville, wrote a couple of days ago in his online journal the following notes about what it means to be in ministry at a time like this. His thoughts put into words my own in facing you today.
"There is something sacred in our encounters with the dying, something life affirming in the midst of death. When I am home in the shower and that shiver runs up my spine as I ponder my own mortality, the unknown of death sometimes seems overwhelming. Yet, when I am sitting beside the bed of the one who is facing death, for some reason the fear leaves and there is recognition of God's presence.
Death puts everything else in perspective. It places us in relationship to one another as the power dynamics that so characterize our lives are torn down. On the surface it may not seem so, since one party is dependent on the other for such basic needs and hygiene and the quenching of thirst. Yet, the caregiver finds him or herself in a place as helpless as the dying. No matter what we do, the outcome is still the same. We work to alleviate suffering, while knowing that the ultimate power of restoration is not in our hands.
I continue to be amazed that this power of ordination, this being called to Pastor a congregation, leads others to invite me into their most sacred moments. How many times have I been a fly on the wall, being present for a family as a loved one dies only to know that I am receiving much more than the family? The ministry of presence is a powerful gift -- both for the other and for the one being present.
We watched yesterday as the funeral of Ronald Reagan progressed in all its glory. The National Cathedral was full of men in black suits and women in their finest attire, and a coffin draped with the flag of our nation. It was a national moment of recognition, a ritual in honor of a life.
Yet, the most sacred spaces are not filled with pomp and splendor. They are happening today in bedrooms, hospital rooms, and hospice residences throughout the world. The words aren't flowery. There are tears and blood and sweat intermixed. They aren't particularly pretty. But God is present in the midst of them, helping some into a new place of being, and comforting those left behind."
As Christians we are called to be ‘little Christs’. In that, each of us presents to the world our individual ‘take’, our individual flavoring of Jesus. Some of us are more like ourselves than like Jesus. Some, more and more like Christ.
I knew Margaret briefly while she was still relatively healthy, but for the most part, I have known her in her illness.
What I drew from the time we spent together was not only from her, but from hers and her family’s relationship. To watch Ritsy and Cindy time and time again carry her to the hospital late at night, to watch them trade off time spent with her and William, caring for both of them, and to watch as William tended to and stood watch over his companion of 53 years, spoke to me so strongly about what it means to be family, to be present, to be giving. It so deepened my understanding of what Jesus meant when he commended us to each other … to be family to each other, that in that deepening came a challenge to find more and more ways to carry that out to the fullest that I am able.
In the passage I read to you, beginning with the second verse of Chapter 5, Paul says
“For in this tent we groan, longing to be clothed with our heavenly dwelling – if indeed, when we have taken it off we will not be found naked. For while we are still in this tent, we groan under our burden, because we wish not to be unclothed but to be further clothed, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life.
We know that Margaret’s passing itself was peaceful. The time leading up to that, was less so. This Robe I’m wearing is a symbol of the role I hold as a minister. But I am not the robe. When I wear it, some will see the robe and not the person. In a similar way, Margaret’s body was not who she WAS. Her body was what presented her to us, it was what helped us recognize her while she was with us. But what made her who she was was on the inside. That is something that is recognizable in any form.
In the same way that I can remove the robe and present myself as the person I am, not just the calling I follow, Margaret has now shed her body and is face to face with Christ, who has known her and has welcomed her into his presence.
So what I would ask you to do as we say farewell to Margaret is to draw from your own knowledge of her, and find that part of you that she touched, and look for an opportunity to share that with William, or Ritsy, or Billy, or Lou, or Cindy, or any of the grandchildren or the rest of the family. Let them know that there are ways in which Margaret has touched your lives that they would recognize the ‘Margaret-ness’ of them. Share memories, stories, and thoughts with them. Let them know just how many lives she DID touch, and make a difference in, just as Christ made the difference in HER life.
Let’s pray.
Friday, June 11, 2004
Wednesday, June 09, 2004
golden dragon
so we go to the awards ceremony this morning at richmond county elementary. caleb's is first, then an hour later, hannah's. caleb gets awards for math and music. we are thrilled.
then hannah's comes around. we go through the math and science, reading and art, then get to the music. mr washington, the music teacher, also directs the dragon singers choir. hannah was invited to be in it. it starts at 3rd grade, but he always invites 5 2nd graders to come into it each year. he also gives out the golden dragon award to the student who has best exemplified the discipline and focus that he requires of the members of the choir.
usually it goes to a 4th or 5th grader. today, for the first time in the 10 years that he's been directing it, it went to a 2nd grader: Hannah.
you can imagine that Leslie and I were puddles. :-)
we are REALLY PROUD of her.
then hannah's comes around. we go through the math and science, reading and art, then get to the music. mr washington, the music teacher, also directs the dragon singers choir. hannah was invited to be in it. it starts at 3rd grade, but he always invites 5 2nd graders to come into it each year. he also gives out the golden dragon award to the student who has best exemplified the discipline and focus that he requires of the members of the choir.
usually it goes to a 4th or 5th grader. today, for the first time in the 10 years that he's been directing it, it went to a 2nd grader: Hannah.
you can imagine that Leslie and I were puddles. :-)
we are REALLY PROUD of her.
Monday, June 07, 2004
i wish i could tell this story
but i'll have to wait ...
Leslie drove Eusebia to Fredericksburg last thursday. Eusebia had been in labor since 6:30 the night before. the pains had been coming five minutes apart since 9 o'clock that morning. they got to the hospital roughly half an hour before the baby (Jessica) was born. Fredericksburg is a little over an hour away.
Fill in the blanks.
Leslie preached at Currottoman church yesterday morning. She told the story there. i'm sorry i didn't get to hear her. i hope they taped it, because i WANT a copy! When I get it, i'll transcribe it to here.
Leslie drove Eusebia to Fredericksburg last thursday. Eusebia had been in labor since 6:30 the night before. the pains had been coming five minutes apart since 9 o'clock that morning. they got to the hospital roughly half an hour before the baby (Jessica) was born. Fredericksburg is a little over an hour away.
Fill in the blanks.
Leslie preached at Currottoman church yesterday morning. She told the story there. i'm sorry i didn't get to hear her. i hope they taped it, because i WANT a copy! When I get it, i'll transcribe it to here.
Saturday, June 05, 2004
I was wondering if I had changed much since first taking this test ... 19 years ago ...
Take Free Myers-Briggs Personality Test
personality tests by similarminds.com
Guess I haven't. Still the same type. (thanks Jay for the link)
| INFP - "Questor". High capacity for caring. Emotional face to the world. High sense of honor derived from internal values. 4.4% of total population. |
personality tests by similarminds.com
Guess I haven't. Still the same type. (thanks Jay for the link)
Wednesday, June 02, 2004
Tuesday, June 01, 2004
Leslie will be 40 a week from today. there's no way i can say anything that would do justice to either how i feel for her or what she means to me ... (which may be saying the same thing, but in my mind it isn't exactly that) ... with a little hesitation, i have to say (and i will qualify it if you need me to) that she has been ... my salvation. i'm not taking Christ out of the picture, but in a very real way, she has been Christ's presence in my life over the last nearly 13 years.
Sunday, May 30, 2004
GLORY
Leslie made this quilt for the niece of a woman we worked with at Thalia Lynn in Va Beach. She (her niece) and her husband were heading to Thailand to serve as missionaries. Their 'call verse' was Habakkuk 2:14: "For the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the LORD, as the waters cover the sea." so Leslie quilted this wall hanging for them as a ... commissioning quilt.
Posted by Hello
Friday, May 28, 2004
about the game
We came dangerously close to winning tonight. we play seven inning games. top of the 6th, we were ahead 6-3. bottom of the 6th, the team from melrose UMC had scored 8 runs on us. at the top of the 7th we went three up, three down, and that was that.
Two REALLY COOL things happened, though. Tyler and Ricky showed up to play. Tyler has had a really REALLY rough last couple of months ... more. Ricky injured his knee last summer - playing softball, in fact, and had to undergo extensive surgery and rehab ... I let Tyler play right field, and I sat out as an extra batter, then let Ricky hit in my place. He got a base hit. And Tyler caught a pop fly to right field to throw a guy out.
The let down was palpable ... but we still had fun.
maybe next time. :-)
Two REALLY COOL things happened, though. Tyler and Ricky showed up to play. Tyler has had a really REALLY rough last couple of months ... more. Ricky injured his knee last summer - playing softball, in fact, and had to undergo extensive surgery and rehab ... I let Tyler play right field, and I sat out as an extra batter, then let Ricky hit in my place. He got a base hit. And Tyler caught a pop fly to right field to throw a guy out.
The let down was palpable ... but we still had fun.
maybe next time. :-)
M&M's, Sue, and the Christmas get together. there are as many stories to tell of our years as roommates in college ... funny, it really only turned out to be ... just under 2 years, if i sit and think about it ... fall of 82 to spring of 84, with stacey having bailed out of 1357 and into marriage ... :-)
Posted by Hello
the nativity was a christmas gift to Leslie. at our hanging of the green service, sunday school classes were responsible for the hanging of the greens, we invited guests and visitors to take a piece of the nativity up and place it on the table. worked out pretty cool.
Posted by Hello
The Sanctuary where Jerusalem Baptist Church meets, in Emmerton, Virginia. This was shortly before Christmas of last year. That is why the front of the sanctuary has all those poinsettias.
Posted by Hello
Tuesday, May 25, 2004
Tuesdays with Judson
Judson, our 4 year old, went with me to History Land Nursery on Newland Rd. this morning/afternoon. He sort of enjoys tagging along. He's gone with me to 3 or 4 of my visits to the worksite at Greenfields, on Rt 17, and is more comfortable there. A couple of the guys live in a trailer home onsite, and we stepped in to visit with them while they finished up their lunch. Judson went into 'intro' mode - burying his face in my shoulder, and not answering any questions or making eye contact with either Jesus (Chewy) or Daniel, his brother. It was a little offputting, but they seemed to understand, and didn't seem offended. (sigh)
The devotional went a little longer than usual. It lasted about 20 minutes. Usually I'm done in 10. it went well, though. told the story of Joseph, giving thanks in all circumstances b/c we don't know going in what good will come through them ... not to NOT allow complaints, but to realize that most of what we live through makes us stronger, or maybe wiser (hopefully) or at least ... gives us life experience to move forward ...
Our encuentro on Sunday went REALLY well ... we had 35 men and women show up, along with 20 or so members of the church -- and THEY ENGAGED EACH OTHER!!! FINALLY It was a pretty animated game of Dominos. But hey, whatever works. :-)
Dr. Morris and the congregation were incredibly gracious and welcoming. After the Devotional (which Leslie gave ... I translated for her when she got in a little deep :-)) Dr. Morris shared in song - he sang 'How Great Thou Art' ... and got an ovation from the group.
One note. Three of the guys left right before the worship/devotional time. Partly because they were tired, but mostly (I found out later) because they just became so homesick. :-(
I can REALLY identify with that. I hope to reach them over the next couple of weeks - before the next Encuentro, to hopefully start to ease that... we shall see...
grace & peace
The devotional went a little longer than usual. It lasted about 20 minutes. Usually I'm done in 10. it went well, though. told the story of Joseph, giving thanks in all circumstances b/c we don't know going in what good will come through them ... not to NOT allow complaints, but to realize that most of what we live through makes us stronger, or maybe wiser (hopefully) or at least ... gives us life experience to move forward ...
Our encuentro on Sunday went REALLY well ... we had 35 men and women show up, along with 20 or so members of the church -- and THEY ENGAGED EACH OTHER!!! FINALLY It was a pretty animated game of Dominos. But hey, whatever works. :-)
Dr. Morris and the congregation were incredibly gracious and welcoming. After the Devotional (which Leslie gave ... I translated for her when she got in a little deep :-)) Dr. Morris shared in song - he sang 'How Great Thou Art' ... and got an ovation from the group.
One note. Three of the guys left right before the worship/devotional time. Partly because they were tired, but mostly (I found out later) because they just became so homesick. :-(
I can REALLY identify with that. I hope to reach them over the next couple of weeks - before the next Encuentro, to hopefully start to ease that... we shall see...
grace & peace
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