some kinda rockin' preachin' going on......

Tools of the Trade? Rockin' Preachin' ~ This past week I spent in Nashville, TN at the annual Festival of Homiletics - pastors from all over the world came searching for some of the 'tools of the trade' that were displayed in a grand way: humor, tears, deep prayer and light laughter.....all those amazing preachers "preaching to the choir"....... enveloped in terrific worship interspersed throughout each day and night.....

We preachers need a little boost every now and then.....surrounding our sorry selves with others who have a knack for turning a phrase, eliciting some tiny a spiritual moment of awe in the auditorium, bringing a stillness in the sanctuary..... as our favorite preacher gives their full measure of sermon manifestation.....wonderful.

It was a great display of the tools of the trade....varied tools for varied congregations/worship/denominations.....
I'm ready to get busy with a new tool set......k

Stopping to Pray

This stunning painting depicts two peasants in their field - pausing the pray @ mid day.

A beautiful reminder to take a break in the midst of heavy labor, to silently take in the moment when God is present - in the midst of my simple tasks ...... I need this stunning reminder.

I've been contemplating gardens. and springtime planting and dreaming of warm sunshine, rich earth & lush growth for the coming summer. But this art speaks to me of remembering to stop and take in the beauty that God has provided me to enjoy. Shalom ~ k

Easter Tide 2010 @ Ionia

Easter Tide 2010 @ Ionia, Michigan

"Where is he? Where can his body have been taken? How can he be gone?" These are the urgent thoughts these women may have had @ that early dawn arrival at the Tomb.....

Faithful women attending to their faithful leader/rabbi/teacher/friend...... where is he? where can his body have been taken? how can he be gone?......

Pentecost 2009

Spirit of the living God, fall afresh on me;
Spirit of the living God, fall afresh on me.
Melt me, mold me, fill me, use me.
Spirit of the living God, fall afresh on me.

Spirit of the living God, move among us all;
Make us one in heart and mind, make us one in love:
humble, caring, selfless, sharing.
Spirit of the living God, fill our lives with love.

I am the resurrection and the life.

Those who believe in me,

even though they die, will live,

and everyone who lives and believes in me

will never die.

John 11:25 - 26

Big Sur

Point Lobos

State Park ~

Big Sur

California

March 2009

Hiking along coast

reading psalms

praying

breathing

meditating

on God's abundant beauty

. . . . . . I can still smell the clear ocean air far atop these cliffs when this photo was taken by my dear friend/hiking/praying partner Lupe . . .

Good News from St. Ambrose ~

Ambrose of Milan
(340 -
397)

You are medicine for me when I am sick;
You are my strength when I need help.
You are life itself when I fear death,
You are the way when I long for heaven,
You are light when all is dark.
You are my food when I need nourishment!



Today I received good news on medical tests . . . . thank Almighty God that I was granted good news. I now feel as if I've been given 'clearance' to move forward with my summer plans . . . . and a new life ahead . . . . amen