Them Genes

There were a couple of toys I loved to play with as a child. One was play- doh and the other was a tea set that I got for Christmas. I used to mix all of the colors of my play-doh set to create a form of brown...then I would mold it to resemble little biscuits and place them on my tiny little plates...to make believe they were to be had with my warm tea (which was really warm water from the faucet). Everywhere I went I carried a plastic bag (from a grocery store) with all the pieces of my set...at least for two.  One day, I must've been about 4 years old, my mom dropped me and my older brother off at my nana's apartment (that's what we called our sitter...whom we loved to be with). The only thing is that nana watched a bunch of us...not just me and Ralphy. As you're probably guessing my tea set was everyones tea set. There was no fighting allowed, we had to share. I wasn't very happy about this. The other kids didn't take good care of their toys and so I c

Lay down your weary head When the troubled waters flow Life breaks us all sometimes Where we need to grow Innocence is not a crime In time we understand And find the grace of mercy Sifting through the fingers of God's hand CHORUS: I know the broken places I've grown strong in every one Sown in the empty spaces A seed of work left to be done Each wound my heart embraces Becomes a cry that God has won And He knows the broken places In barren fields my heart was led As I waited there alone Shaken by my brokenness As I faced the great unknown Then I heard the voice of peace In this distant desert land Reached out for the promise That was born for every man CHORUS God knows the broken places He treasures every tear In a jar of alabaster He'll use to wash away the years The years of broken places I can name them one by one And with His love He traces The seed of work soon to be done Each wound my heart embraces Becomes a cry that God has won I know the broken places I've liv

"Our spirit is the most important part of who we are. And yet we rarely spend time developing our inner life. That’s what Spiritual Formation is all about." I read this in writing that was given to the people that will be facilitating the group process of Spiritual formation in the Fall. I read this handout more than once and every time I did the same line jumped out at me.  Something within me leaped with excitement  (perhaps my neglected spirit) almost causing tears to run down my face. I didn't feel guilt, but I was sad because I realized that I had been trying to become better by doing things, not realizing that in doing them…I was not "being" in the moment enough to nurture my spirit.  I wake up every morning and shower, making sure that I wash behind my ears and between my toes…oh and never forgetting my scalp. That I wash with special invigorating shampoos. I then moisturize and make sure that my face has the following: Eye cream, sunscreen, fou

After reading the first book of Timothy, I decided to write out some of the clear instructions Paul gave him:  1. Cling to your faith in Christ , and keep your conscience clear. 2. Pray for all people. Ask God to help them; Intercede on their behalf, and give thanks for them.  3. In every place of worship I want men to pray with Holy hands lifted up to God free from anger and controversy.  4. Women are to be modest in their appearance.  5. If aspiring to be an elder-ones life must be above reproach.  6. Deacons must be well respected and have integrity.  7. We should not reject anything but receive it with thanks.  8. Train yourself to be godly.  9. Don’t let anyone think less of you because you are young. 10. Be an example to all believers in what you say, in the way you live, in your love, your faith and your purity.  11. Focus on reading the scriptures to the church, encouraging the believers and teaching them.  12. Do not neglect the spiritual gift you received 13. Gi

This morning in reading my notes from yesterday's sermon (delivered by Pastor Michael Durso), I decided to continue reading the book that he mostly emphasized, James. I found these words that I have never taken notice of before. They brought a new immense amount of comfort and a realization of how much I miss out on when I don't read the word, thinking that I already know all that there is to know. Growth happens is time... "He will not rebuke you for asking." James 1:5 …and after reading these words, I felt more at liberty to ask God (without feeling that he would respond as others would or have in the past) for things that I lack. It was as if James knew that I would rebuttal the first part of this scripture: If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you.  As if he knew that I would make an excuse and simply not ask…kind of like the guy at the Bethesda pool. But in not asking, comes others things like complaining, jealously, bitterness

Today I sit at my table with a cup of Pete's coffee thinking about what happened last night. I think about what happened, last night as we celebrated what happened 2000 years ago.  I think, but I won't assume, that many know the story of Jesus. But if you don't (because I didn't until I was 21) here's the short version: Jesus was born of a virgin (named Mary), fast forward He grew up, preached for 3 years, than knowingly and willingly gave up His life, a sacrifice for our sins, died on a cross, and…well the rest of the story is the hope that we Christians have…and the longing of my heart (according t0 2 Corinthians 5)…the Resurrection of Jesus, The Christ.  I have been following Jesus for about 9 years now, and every year the more I hear and know the story the more my heart leaps. When I first heard of what He did, it was more of a heroic shock that wowed me to the point of tears  'Why would anyone die for me' was my thought. That alone was enough