Long Time, No Blog

We have been very busy around here. Our church secretary resigned early in May, and I've been working on getting a new one. Plus, I went away for a week to the "Festival of Homiletics" in Nashville. That was fun. Did I blog about seeing Little Richard? If not, I apologize--it was a truly life changing moment!

You'd think that life in the summer would be easier for a pastor--but it's not. In fact, I may be busier now than I was when I first moved to Niles--that seems like so long ago that it feels like I've been here a year already when it's only been three months. I still have meetings, visits, and office work to do, but now I also have to help get ready for Vacation Bible School, have Youth Annual Conference, and Annual Conference to attend. Don't get me wrong, I love all those parts of my job--in fact, the summer activities are some of my favorite of the whole year, but it can get a little hectic.

I am reminded of a wall-hanging I saw in an Amish country store a long time ago that had this old chestnut of wisdom: "The Hurrier I Go, The Behinder I Get." Sometimes, we all need to remember to not get so hurried and to take it all in stride.

Taking it in stride (when I can),

David

Brother, Can You Spare an Autoharp?

Looking for an autoharp--

Anybody got one?

An autoharp is a stringed musical instrument which uses chord bars (wooden bars lined with felt) to block off certain strings, leaving a certain combination of strings open. When these strings are strummed or picked, they then form a chord--the chord printed on the bar you just pressed!

There are many very skilled autoharp players (the older folks might remember Mrs. Carter's autoharp, and others may recall June Carter Cash's proficiency at the 'harp), but it can also be useful for folks like me, who love the music making but have trouble making chords on traditional stringed instruments.

So, I'm looking for an autoharp. I want to use it for storytelling, accompanying small groups in singing hymns, and personal use. Let me know if you have one, and if you'd be willing to part with it for a reasonable price.

Strumming the strings of my heart,

David

We had a good vacation last week--so good that I didn't even get a chance to post to the blog! I am back now, and feel pretty refreshed and ready to move forward on a lot of the important work that lies ahead for the church and for me personally.

I am reading a fascinating book right now called Introduction to Internal Family Systems, which applies the principles of Family Systems thinking to internal/personal struggles. The author, Dr. Richard C. Schwartz, created this approach, which helps people to recognize the "parts" that we create within our psyches in order to protect us from hurt or fear. These parts essentially obscure our true "Self," which in theological terms I would describe as the "imago dei" (image of God) that is within all of us.

I will write more as I read more, but for now, I find it engaging and powerful reading.

Peace on Earth,
Goodwill to All,

David

The Labyrinth of Life

Last night, I traveled to Cleveland again to walk the Labyrinth at Trinity Episcopal Cathedral. (Note to United Methodists-- we really gotta get us some cathedrals--but that's a post for another day!)

The labyrinth, for those who don't know, is a little like a maze, but very different from a maze. In a maze, you have to find the right path from one spot to another, while avoiding dead-ends and wrong turns. In the labyrinth, there is only one way in and one way out, and there are no dead-ends or wrong turns. You walk the same path in and out, and the labyrinth always leads to the same place--the center (sometimes called the rose).
The center of the labyrinth represents closeness to God, or the center of our souls, or whatever place you find yourself journeying towards.
The labyrinth at Trinity is based on the one at the Chartres Cathedral in France, and is open on Tuesday evenings from 6 p.m to 9 p.m.

This time, while walking the labyrinth, I had a revelation (I usually do). As I was walking towards the center, there was another man who was walking out from the center. At one point, though we were technically on different trajectories, we ended up walking side by side. This caused me to feel deep within my soul this truth--though we all walk on different paths, and sometimes find ourselves on different stages of our journeys through faith and life, we all walk side by side from time to time. This is what allows me, as a thirty year old kid, to walk beside my brothers and sisters who are much older than I am, and to be a pastor to people who could be my parents or grandparents. This is possible because we all take the same journey through life, and we meet each other along the way as fellow sojourners who can share in times of both joy and sadness.

Speaking of sadness, my heart grieves with the people of Virginia Tech this week. They were one of the subjects of one of my "rose prayers" at the center of the labyrinth. Pray for peace in their hearts and minds, and for a spirit of calm and safety to envelope that campus.

In nomine Patri, et Filii, et Spiritus Sancti, (look it up)

David

He is risen!

Christ is risen!

He is risen indeed!

(End of sermon)

This story was told to me this Sunday by a member of the congregation here in Niles. It was told of a Lutheran pastor, who stood in the pulpit, declared the words above, and then sat down. What a testimony to the power of the story of Jesus' resurrection--mere mention of the event is enough to call it to our minds!

My prayer for anyone who reads this blog (I hope that someone is reading it!) is that you will be able to call his resurrection to mind not just during this Easter season, but at any time when you need the presence of God in your life--the life-giving, loving, saving God of Jesus Christ.

He is risen, indeed,
David

A Wee Discovery in the Wee Worship Book

This morning, while doing my usual morning prayers, I decided to use the resource "A Wee Worship Book," from the Iona Community of Scotland. I have been cycling through their morning liturgies, and this morning, I happened upon Morning Liturgy D (This will only be helpful or interesting to you if you happen to own the book. If you don't--go get it!)

Anyway, this morning's prayers included a line that struck me as I read it:
"Let us pray for those who may be born today and bless them in Jesus' name." It struck me partly because of the novelty of the thing, but also because of the concept. Obviously, I don't know anyone who might be born today, but that shouldn't stop me from pausing to think about those who do, and giving thanks before God for them. What a way to embody the Body of Christ, which includes even the smallest and most helpless among us!

The prayer also calls for us to remember those who may face death today. Again, I can't say I know anyone who fits that category (although we might all be said to be facing death all the days of our lives), but it's been uplifting to my spirit to lift up those who might be in that situation, and to remember them before the throne of God's grace.

I was also blessed by the closing words of the liturgy:

Leader: The peace of God,
The peace of God's people,
The peace of Mary mild, the loving one,
and Christ, King of human hearts,
God's own peace. . .

All: Be upon each thing our eyes take in,
Be upon each thing our ears take in,
Be upon our bodies which come from the earth,
Be upon our souls which come from heaven,
Evermore and evermore, Amen. (a)

What earthy spirituality are the prayers of the Celtic peoples! Thanks be to God for their gifts to us.

Evermore and Evermore,

David

(a) A Wee Worship Book by the Wild Goose Worship Group; Glasgow:Wild Goose Publications; 1999. The introduction to this liturgy states that the prayers in the liturgy came originally from Alexander Carmichael's book Carmina Gadelica (Songs of the Gaels), which was published at the end of the 19th century.

"And Then There Were Six"

Yesterday was a big day for the MacDonald clan! We took a trip to our local shelter (The Trumbull County Animal Welfare League), and found a wonderful new family member!

His name is Mack (appropriate for a MacDonald dog!), and he is a rottweiler/sheperd mix. For those who knew them, he looks like a mix between my old dog Duchess and my old dog Mel.

Mack is gentle, and loves the children very much. When Rebecca came downstairs this morning, his tail was wagging at about 90 miles an hour!

As soon as we have pictures, I'll post them here.

Carpe Canum (Sieze the Dog),
David

"It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year"

No, I don't mean Christmas (although that is a wonderful time), and I don't even mean the holy season of Lent, which we find ourselves in the midst of right now. In fact, what I'm referring to is that magical time of the year--one month only-- when Shamrock Shakes are on sale at McDonald's! Normally, thanks to a recent change in our lifestyle away from fatty foods, Kelly and I avoid Mickey D's like crazy, but there's just something about the siren song of the Shamrock Shake that pulls me in--the rich, creamy texture; the way it cools your tongue as it slithers down your throat; the minty freshness of it's flavor--they all entice and intrigue me so, and have done since I was but a wee lad.

Of course, it all comes about because this is also the time of year when we celebrate the great Saint Patrick, the patron of our Irish (Scots-Irish, really) ancestors. He took the faith of Jesus Christ to the people of Ireland, and routed out all the snakes, to boot. His example, of picking up, leaving a life of luxury, and heading for a place where he was once held captive in order to spread the gospel is an inspiration to every pastor or priest who's ever had to pack up and move to a new locale (as we have done recently).

So, drive to your nearest purveyor of the grease, order a 2 for $3.00 fish sandwich deal, and wash it down with a nice cold one--a Shammy Shake, that is! Happy St. Patrick's Day--may the luck of the Irish be with you!

May you have love that never ends,
lots of money, and lots of friends.
Health be yours, whatever you do,
and may God send many blessings to you!
--Irish Blessing

Dia dhuit,
God Be With You,

David

New Home

It's beena looooooong time since I last posted. Actually, it's been a long time since I first posted! In the intervening many months since the last post, I have been re-appointed to a new church--First United Methodist Church of Niles, Ohio. We just moved last week, and are finally beginning to find our way around--the house. The congregation here is very nice, and we're enjoying life in the big city of Niles.

Life comes with a lot of changes--we grow old, families grow and change, we change jobs, and health and financial circumstances are constantly in flux. But the one thing that doesn't change--in this life or the next--is the constant love of God, and God's Son, Jesus Christ.

I'm hoping to keep this blog updated more regularly now that I have a faster internet connection. Pray for that.

Yours in Christ,
David

September 24, 2006-- "New Home"

This is the first post on my new blogging home! Don't ask me why, but I couldn't get things to work well over at the other place (name witheld out of respect for the other company).

This blog will [hopefully] be updated at least once a week with new thoughts, ideas, fun web sites I've visited, and random jottings on life as a United Methodist pastor, father, husband, scout--you name it.

Oh, by the way-- I turned 30 yesterday! Kelly planned a great surprise party for me--I was totally taken by surprise, except that I knew something strange was happening. . .she had been a little jumpy all day, and quite secretive for the last month!

That's all for now, check back often (I'll try to keep it updated!)

Peace in our time,
David