The Great Slide Puzzle

Remember those thinker toys called slide puzzles?

There are usuallly 16 spaces for 15 tiles.

or some other matrix with one less tile than spaces.

I have often referred to life as a slide puzzle.

This week I am living it!

Since my job has ended and I only have 6 credits

of school this term, I have time (and no excuses)

to organize!

Yes, the garage, the main living area, and eventually

each of the bedrooms and the laundry room.

It's not as easy as put this here and that there.

NooOOOOoooo.

This stuff is gone through and sorted.

That stuff is moved over here so I can move the shelves over there, THEN, it can be put on them.

For those who have been in my home, the pew is now in the garage and the wooden shelving moved one turn to the left and is on that wall. I was given an old entertainment center and will be receiving a work bench tomorrow. I am creating my "Christy Space". If I were male, it might be referred to as a 'man cave'.

Nonetheless, it's quite a chore! And each time a box or bin is touched, it is gone through.

My goal...to have a place for everything (that is kept) and everything in it's place.

I cannot promise it will stay that way. In fact, I can guarentee it won't.

But at least this huge sliding of the puzzle pieces will be significant and make a big difference.

(YAY! Freecycle! and Good Will)

It is what it is.

A common phrase used in many areas of life these days.

According to the Urban Dictionary, it's along the lines of "whatever, screw it, forget about it".

It's use in my world is somewhat "self-leveling". The situation may not be what we want, it may not be what we'd hoped or worked for, it may not even make sense, but "it is what it is".

(You know... you don't get what you want, you get what you get.)

So what is "it"?

"It" is the reality of the situation.

"It" is the realization of the limits or boundaries of something.

"It" is the acknowledgment of one's concluded thoughts after serious contemplation.

"It" is something we cannot control, and we have the power to not let it control us.

"It" exists and our responsibility is to figure out what to do with "it".

What are your thoughts?

Would you respond, "They are what they are?"

Sparkler moment

July 4th, 1979

Camp Highroads, Middleburg, Virginia

It was my first week of summer camp. I did NOT want to be there. Mom and Dad made me go.

The final night of camp was the 4th of July. We stood in a circle, each of us holding a sparkler (the old fashioned metal ones that lasted a long time). Someone started singing and lit the sparkers on either side of them. The song was "Pass It On".

I was not familiar with the song and had not had experienced anything like that.

Next thing I knew I was bawling. I do not recall any lyrics past "It only takes a spark" until "I'll shout it from the mountain tops, PRAISE GOD!"

It was at that moment that my relationship with God became significant.

What makes one rich?

is it the amount of money in a bank account?

is it the price paid for a car, house, jewelry, and such?

is it the number of friends?

I consider myself VERY weathly, but certianly not my any of the standards above.

I am rich beyond belief based upon the depth of my friendships and the ability

and choice to recognize life's moments, big and small, as priceless.

I had one such phone call this evening. It was two-part actually. The first call deep with dialog, engaging conversation, and multiple interruptions from off-spring. (which prompted the need to continue the call later).

The second call was 20 mintues later. In that 20 minutes, a significant life event happened, for which we had been praying about for a few weeks, and today in particular. That call was one filled with listening and encouraging. Tears and prayers. Affirmation and appreciation.

PRICELESS!!!

Less than 2 weeks

In 13 days my 9 year role as youth pastor for InnerFire Cooperative Youth Ministry ends.

It was not my choice, and it has been a very raw and difficult experience.

Yet, I am ok with it.

The phrase, "God doesn't close a door without opening a window" has been shared so many times in the past few weeks I can hear it being said before their mouth opens. And that's ok. It's true.

As these beautiful, tall, double doors are being shut, colorful stained glass transoms are opening.

I trust that the disbanding of the youth program as we have known it will be a significant point of growth for all involved. I admire those plugging forward, standing up for their ministry, and creating a new structure. And if I have done my job right all these years, they will flourish and give God the glory.

In this crazy day and age of The Great Recession, I am not thrilled about losing my job. HOWEVER, I give a nod to Jeremiah 29:11-13. I have received the Ford Family ReStart scholarship and will be going to school full time. I will miss the weekly dive in the trenches of youth ministry, yet, will be able to share my 23 yrs of experience with new folk.

It is exciting to spend my final week with 20 youth and 12 adults in Seattle serving our AWESOME GOD! And on that note, I need to get back to the nitty gritty schedule.

Prayers, please. God is good, All the time.

ACTIVATE!

I heart Stellar Kart.

Their lyrics inspire, challenge, and bring comfort.

Their tunes are SO fun to dance, jump, and rock out to!

Today I had the honor of leading a short worship experience at Annual Conference.

It began with the video of Stellar Kart singing "Activate".

We sang "Every Move I Make"

Proverbs 27:17 was shared between the youth (Iron sharpens iron)

and the adults (so as one person sharpens another).

We watched a wonderful You Tube version of the Star Fish Story

then shared with our neighbors how we feel God is calling US to make a difference.

The responsive reading were lyrics from the song "Activate".

First part read by those 35 and under.

Second part read by those over 35 (there were many more of those voices)

Third part was read by all.

The Bishop gave words of encouragement and challenge to connect with the youth and young adults who came that day for Rejuvenate. After a prayer to commission them into immediate short-term mission, they departed for several different service projects around Salem.

Thanks to the Rejuvenate planning team, this went off really well!

woo hoo!!!

What difference would it make in your life if your day started with an encouraging and rocking video, some scripture, inspirational You Tube video and 500 + people sharing?

hm...

"This is the purpose of my life

This is the reason I'm alive.

don't have time to wait,

activate, activate!"

check out the rest of the lyrics on your own.

what difference are YOU being called to make?

WD-40 and duct tape friends

as the saying goes, "If it moves, and it shouldn't, use duct tape. If it is supposed to move, and it doesn't, use WD-40". We all need friends in our lives who are like those very practical items.

When life feels like a blender on puree, or as if it is falling apart, we need those friends who can act as duct tape and help us hold things together. Their words adhear a sense of calm, hope, and the importance of letting Go and letting God handle the things we need to set down.

When we are stuck in a thought pattern, obsessing or worrying about something over which we have no control, or paralyzed by fear, we need WD-40 friends. Their words seep into our "stuckness", freeing us to let Go and let God's grace move us.

I give thanks for having both! I have them in the many "circles" (or friend's wheel).

In fact tonight, I got to speak to one on the phone, and see several in person.

Proverbs 27:17 - "Iron sharpens iron, so as one person sharpens another".

I think if duct tape and WD-40 were around 2000+ years ago, they would be included in a passage such as this, as well.