15 May 2011
A Good Ride
May/20/11
I had the unexpected pleasure of spending an hour with someone I admire. Leaving an event together, I could be her taxi home. Carol Ruther is a new business owner leading Trail Bound trips. I’ve loved hiking with her. I’m a new business owner in a sense. Though Widow Connection is not for profit, we must be focused on our mission and run efficiently. Our growing pains are similar: delegating, choosing between more open doors that we can navigate, and investing our resources.
We share the need for one huge thing with every decision and challenge: Wisdom.
More money? Helpful. Acquainting more people with what we’re doing? Valuable. More staff? We’d love it. But we’re starting by praying for wisdom. Now that’s a good beginning.
Podcast
We share the need for one huge thing with every decision and challenge: Wisdom.
More money? Helpful. Acquainting more people with what we’re doing? Valuable. More staff? We’d love it. But we’re starting by praying for wisdom. Now that’s a good beginning.
Podcast
Feet
May/19/11
Spring time means sandals, flip flops and bare feet. What has been covered in my area for months will be on full display. Feet are strange looking appendages. I’ve never seen a beautiful foot. Babies feet are cute--but its down hill every day from then on. Strangely Scripture points out that feet can be beautiful. Is 52:7 says feet are beautiful when they carry good news and salvation. I love seeing truths repeated in both the Old and New Testament. Romans 10:15 repeats that bringing good news makes feet look great. Older more gnarly feet might even win the beauty contest if their worn from bringing good news and salvation where ever they go.
Baring our feet reminds us that its just humans that look at this outside stuff. God is looking at our heart.
Podcast
Baring our feet reminds us that its just humans that look at this outside stuff. God is looking at our heart.
Podcast
Japan
May/18/11
Japan has grabbed our attention, our hearts, and our good will. The scenes of the tsunami and the nuclear reactors will fade in the news. What will we remember? I have been impressed by two things: even in their suffering, there were no riots. People helped each other. Would that all had been true after Katrina. Another impressive focus was their care for the elderly. People gave special care to grandparents, making sure they got to safe places first. We don’t look to Japan as our model in everything, but they showed us the high road here.
I think next they’ll demonstrate their resilience. These are values we claim as Christians. There are some lessons we can learn from the Japanese. Crisis can bring out the best or the worst. Which will it be for us?
Podcast
I think next they’ll demonstrate their resilience. These are values we claim as Christians. There are some lessons we can learn from the Japanese. Crisis can bring out the best or the worst. Which will it be for us?
Podcast
Bang-Bang News
May/17/11
News today has to be dramatic. Don’t report on quiet diplomacy, growth of good companies, or families that are being normal. Show us the catastrophes. Tell us the worst case scenario. Include dramatic pictures. Fires, tsunamis, radio activity. Exaggeration is acceptable if it draws more attention, popularity, and money.
Some things never change. In Jesus’ day, people followed him for the free food, physical healing, to see what He’d do THAT day. Yesterday’s news was not enough. But when he wanted to talk about heart issues, who He really was, they wanted to move on. How like people today. If any Christian has messed up, bring on the camera. But highlighting the goodness and generosity of Christ followers who help others, feeding orphans, comforting widows? Not so news worthy.
Thankfully we’re living for God’s approval, not publicity.
Podcast
Some things never change. In Jesus’ day, people followed him for the free food, physical healing, to see what He’d do THAT day. Yesterday’s news was not enough. But when he wanted to talk about heart issues, who He really was, they wanted to move on. How like people today. If any Christian has messed up, bring on the camera. But highlighting the goodness and generosity of Christ followers who help others, feeding orphans, comforting widows? Not so news worthy.
Thankfully we’re living for God’s approval, not publicity.
Podcast
Transitions
May/16/11
A few years ago, I knew I had a big transition ahead. I was facing retirement from a 26-year career as a counselor educator. I began my preparation by studying Scripture on transitions, God’s instructions and people stories. I was preparing for the expected. But then life happened. My husband of 39 years was diagnosed with an untreatable, terminal disease. Three years later, after Bob’s exit to heaven, my retirement seemed infinitesimally small compared to loosing Bob.
Can I tell you that I understand the changes you are facing? No. But I can tell you that starting over is hard. I can also tell you that new beginnings are opportunities.
Trust God for those. He’s the only one who knows the smooth parts of our journey and the rocky parts as well.
Podcast
Can I tell you that I understand the changes you are facing? No. But I can tell you that starting over is hard. I can also tell you that new beginnings are opportunities.
Trust God for those. He’s the only one who knows the smooth parts of our journey and the rocky parts as well.
Podcast