This week Iwas reminded of two things that have been invaluable in my adult life: the Meyers-Briggs personality test and a verse from Jesus' Sermon on the Mount. Oddly enough, the same person was the reason for both of these coming to mind. He is a person I don't know very well; but hopefully, as time passes and trust builds, we will discover a way to respect and enjoy one another.
I am convinced that each of us has an achilles heel, a weakness of some sort that makes us vulnerable. It is my own particular achilles heel that led me to see the "speck" in someone's eye while failing to see the "log" in my own. As happens, when we judge someone else harshly, I reacted negatively, creating an obstacle in this new relationship we are trying to build. It's not the first time that I have rushed to judgment. As much as I would hope, it will probably not be the last time.
In an effort to try and understand why this happens, help came from an unexpected place: from the person I had judged hastily. He shared as to how he had recently taken the Meyers-Briggs personality test and talked about the results. All of a sudden, I was reminded of the test's helpfulness to me 30 years ago in coming to terms with my personality, with why I do the things I do, why I react in the ways I react.
With that thought in mind, I went home and took the MBTI online. It turns out that two of my letters have changed. While my basic personality has stayed the same, I am now an ENFJ, no longer an INFP. As I read what the overall personality traits of an ENFJ are, I understood why I rush to judgment when I feel hurt. I understood why my first reaction is to see the "speck" in someone elses eye while failing to see the "log" in my own. While this does not take me off the hook for my reaction, I know this is a natural part of me, a most vulnerable part. I understand that I am not a bad person. I am wonderfully made by God!
Why am I writing this? I think it is important that we own the vulnerabilities in our personalities, accept them for what they are, invite God to transform them, and then believe that has happened!
Friday, May 6, 2011
Monday, April 25, 2011
Children, Eggs, and an Easter Greeting
At the beginning of last week, or perhaps even the week before, I came across the idea (no, I don't know where it came from because I failed to make it a fav) to use when chatting with the Grace Church children in worship on Easter. The idea was that many centuries ago, in some church, people would bring a red egg to Easter worship. During worship, they would hand it to someone as they offered the greeting: "Christ is risen!" The recipient of the egg would then say: "Christ is risen indeed!"
Do you know how difficult it is to find a red Easter egg? Or to find red dye? Hmmm....I suspect we all know that has something to do with food and red dye; but that's another story for another day. Anyone who knows me knows that when an idea comes into my mind, I don't give up until I figure out a way to carry it out.
In the meantime, Jeff Blackwell, our Director of Community Building & Programming, had ordered items for the children's Easter egg hunt. One of the things he had ordered were Splat Eggs. They are clear and have what appears to be an egg yolk in them. They move all around, somewhat I'm told like an implant, and go "splat" when you throw them against a wall. But I am digressing...
I asked if I could use the eggs - so that solved the problem of whether or not I would use real eggs for the children. Jeff said "yes." And when I was in the craft store on Thursday, I found red pouches in which I could put the eggs. It seemed too perfect. All I needed to do was to figure out what to say to the children. If only it had been that easy.
On Saturday evening, as I attempted to put the eggs in the red bags, I discovered they would not fit -- too small. My wonderful husband volunteered to go to the craft store and try to get larger red bags. Alas, they had only white or ivory. I went with the white having read somewhere else online that people in churches had given out white and gold eggs on Easter.
I cannot tell you the fun I had during my time with the children on Easter Sunday. After introducing the Easter greeting to them, I shared that I was going to give each one of them an egg as I greeted them with "Christ is risen!" Their response was to be "Christ is risen indeed!" I went down the line of children (and parents), handing out eggs, offering the greeting, and receiving their response. Then I invited them to go on an egg hunt. I had hidden foam eggs in the Easter flowers around the empty tomb. They hurried over and found their egg. Then I asked them to go to someone in the congregation, hand them the egg, greeting them with "Christ is risen!" I asked the people who received them to respond with "Christ is risen indeed!" It was a joyous moment in our Easter celebration. It is a remnant of Easter which I hope we will all carry with us.
Do you know how difficult it is to find a red Easter egg? Or to find red dye? Hmmm....I suspect we all know that has something to do with food and red dye; but that's another story for another day. Anyone who knows me knows that when an idea comes into my mind, I don't give up until I figure out a way to carry it out.
In the meantime, Jeff Blackwell, our Director of Community Building & Programming, had ordered items for the children's Easter egg hunt. One of the things he had ordered were Splat Eggs. They are clear and have what appears to be an egg yolk in them. They move all around, somewhat I'm told like an implant, and go "splat" when you throw them against a wall. But I am digressing...
I asked if I could use the eggs - so that solved the problem of whether or not I would use real eggs for the children. Jeff said "yes." And when I was in the craft store on Thursday, I found red pouches in which I could put the eggs. It seemed too perfect. All I needed to do was to figure out what to say to the children. If only it had been that easy.
On Saturday evening, as I attempted to put the eggs in the red bags, I discovered they would not fit -- too small. My wonderful husband volunteered to go to the craft store and try to get larger red bags. Alas, they had only white or ivory. I went with the white having read somewhere else online that people in churches had given out white and gold eggs on Easter.
I cannot tell you the fun I had during my time with the children on Easter Sunday. After introducing the Easter greeting to them, I shared that I was going to give each one of them an egg as I greeted them with "Christ is risen!" Their response was to be "Christ is risen indeed!" I went down the line of children (and parents), handing out eggs, offering the greeting, and receiving their response. Then I invited them to go on an egg hunt. I had hidden foam eggs in the Easter flowers around the empty tomb. They hurried over and found their egg. Then I asked them to go to someone in the congregation, hand them the egg, greeting them with "Christ is risen!" I asked the people who received them to respond with "Christ is risen indeed!" It was a joyous moment in our Easter celebration. It is a remnant of Easter which I hope we will all carry with us.
Christ is risen! Christ is risen! Indeed!
Christ is risen! Christ is risen! Indeed! I love Easter! I love the pageantry of Mary Magdalene coming to the tomb at sunrise; the image of the empty tomb; the angel wondering why Mary is weeping; the beautiful colors of spring flowers and the "left-over" palms forming the garden around the tomb where the risen Jesus first speaks. I love that he first speaks to a woman! Easter opens up all sorts of possibilities for us, our faith, our churches, our world!
As a pastor, I have always been moved to tears on Easter. In some way, it is akin to that watercolor or musical work or poem or play that is indescribable - there are no words to describe it - as it finds its way deep into the recesses of my heart and emotions, bringing a joy so incredible that all I can do is weep.
As I looked at the sun rising over the river yesterday morning during our Sunrise worship celebration at the Riverfront, as we were singing, "Christ the Lord is risen today, Alleluia," I experienced God anew! My response was to weep! Later, as I sang the Easter hymn The Day of Resurrection, with the organ and brass accompanying, again the tears flowed! The presence of the risen Christ was real in a new way.
"Now let the heavens be joyful! Let earth the song begin!
Let the round world keep triumph, and all that is there-in!
Let all things seen and unseen their notes in gladness blend,
for Christ the Lord hath risen, our joy that hath no end."
The sacred story of Easter moves me from tears of sorrow to tears of joy! The problem is that as I step away from Easter, while I am eager for the memory and meaning to linger, it often fades. Its vividness fades. Life becomes ordinary again. It occurs to me that, when life becomes ordinary, so does the way I live.
As Easter people, we are not called to be ordinary; we are called to be an extraordinary witness in an ordinary world. There is nothing ordinary about the good news of Easter: "Christ is risen! Christ is risen! Indeed!" This season of Easter, I am going to attempt to be an extraodinary witness, a person who exudes the joy and promise and possibility that comes from knowing the risen Christ! I sense this could get interesting!
As a pastor, I have always been moved to tears on Easter. In some way, it is akin to that watercolor or musical work or poem or play that is indescribable - there are no words to describe it - as it finds its way deep into the recesses of my heart and emotions, bringing a joy so incredible that all I can do is weep.
As I looked at the sun rising over the river yesterday morning during our Sunrise worship celebration at the Riverfront, as we were singing, "Christ the Lord is risen today, Alleluia," I experienced God anew! My response was to weep! Later, as I sang the Easter hymn The Day of Resurrection, with the organ and brass accompanying, again the tears flowed! The presence of the risen Christ was real in a new way.
"Now let the heavens be joyful! Let earth the song begin!
Let the round world keep triumph, and all that is there-in!
Let all things seen and unseen their notes in gladness blend,
for Christ the Lord hath risen, our joy that hath no end."
The sacred story of Easter moves me from tears of sorrow to tears of joy! The problem is that as I step away from Easter, while I am eager for the memory and meaning to linger, it often fades. Its vividness fades. Life becomes ordinary again. It occurs to me that, when life becomes ordinary, so does the way I live.
As Easter people, we are not called to be ordinary; we are called to be an extraordinary witness in an ordinary world. There is nothing ordinary about the good news of Easter: "Christ is risen! Christ is risen! Indeed!" This season of Easter, I am going to attempt to be an extraodinary witness, a person who exudes the joy and promise and possibility that comes from knowing the risen Christ! I sense this could get interesting!
Saturday, January 8, 2011
It's Snowing - on a Saturday
Whenever it snows profusely on a Saturday, knowing that Sunday is coming I am always slightly confused. Is it meant to stop all activity for the entire weekend? Or just for today? Is it meant to slow us down and remind us of what it means to stay at home? Is it God, the artist, painting a scene so incredibly beautiful that we can do little but simply enjoy it?
As I look out our balcony window at the thick flakes of snow, falling with complete disregard to tomorrow, to worship and a visit from my friend Dee, both of which are presently in question, I am touched by how peaceful everything appears. It's as if all the problems of the world have receded for today. The falling snow has leveled the playing field of our agendas and schedules.
When it snows, we always lose something. In the case of the Pruett-Barnett household, we will not be returning our zillion boxes of Christmas paraphernalia, which I worked so diligently yesterday to repack, to storage. Our loss concerns only our time; while the losses of others may be a great deal more costly.
When it snows, we always gain something. In my case, as I look at the snow flakes falling, each one unique like fingerprints, I delight in knowing that the one who designed the snow flakes to shower snow upon the earth designed me for a specific purpose. If the Creator could care so much about snow flakes to make a mold for each one, what has that same Creator done in making me?
When it snows, the adult in me is reminded that there is a need to simply enjoy life; to put on our boots, our caps, our gloves, our coats, and go out and play; to fall backwards into the snow and make a snow angel, to roll snowballs and make a Frosty or to throw them at friends. Tomorrow we'll figure out how to dig out the car so we can get to Grace Church or even whether or not Grace Church can be gotten to. In the meantime, over a cup of hot chocolate with marshmallows, I'm going to enjoy the winter wonderland that is being prepared for us. I hope you enjoy it too.
Prayer:
Gracious God, who watches out for each one of us, be with those men and women in service occupations that put them out on the roads this snowy day. Keep them safe and warm; get them to wherever they need to go without harm to themselves. Especially be with the crews who are cleaning the roads of our state, the streets of our cities and towns, and parking lots. Give them the strength they need to complete their tasks. Thank you for their dedication and their willingness to place themselves at risk. In Christ's name, we pray. Amen.
As I look out our balcony window at the thick flakes of snow, falling with complete disregard to tomorrow, to worship and a visit from my friend Dee, both of which are presently in question, I am touched by how peaceful everything appears. It's as if all the problems of the world have receded for today. The falling snow has leveled the playing field of our agendas and schedules.
When it snows, we always lose something. In the case of the Pruett-Barnett household, we will not be returning our zillion boxes of Christmas paraphernalia, which I worked so diligently yesterday to repack, to storage. Our loss concerns only our time; while the losses of others may be a great deal more costly.
When it snows, we always gain something. In my case, as I look at the snow flakes falling, each one unique like fingerprints, I delight in knowing that the one who designed the snow flakes to shower snow upon the earth designed me for a specific purpose. If the Creator could care so much about snow flakes to make a mold for each one, what has that same Creator done in making me?
When it snows, the adult in me is reminded that there is a need to simply enjoy life; to put on our boots, our caps, our gloves, our coats, and go out and play; to fall backwards into the snow and make a snow angel, to roll snowballs and make a Frosty or to throw them at friends. Tomorrow we'll figure out how to dig out the car so we can get to Grace Church or even whether or not Grace Church can be gotten to. In the meantime, over a cup of hot chocolate with marshmallows, I'm going to enjoy the winter wonderland that is being prepared for us. I hope you enjoy it too.
Prayer:
Gracious God, who watches out for each one of us, be with those men and women in service occupations that put them out on the roads this snowy day. Keep them safe and warm; get them to wherever they need to go without harm to themselves. Especially be with the crews who are cleaning the roads of our state, the streets of our cities and towns, and parking lots. Give them the strength they need to complete their tasks. Thank you for their dedication and their willingness to place themselves at risk. In Christ's name, we pray. Amen.
Thursday, November 4, 2010
Where is God? Look for the Love!
At the heart of life is love: God's love for us and our love for God, neighbor, and self. The most precious treasure of the Christian Church is the love we have been entrusted by God to share. As with any treasure, knowing its incredible value, a local church can choose to keep it for ourselves, to dispense it parsimoniously, or to share it generously. I have the privilege of serving a church where people practice the language of love, a love that makes God visible.
Recently, a representative of the Seaman's Center at the Port of Wilmington spoke in worship about the concrete ways in which God's love is offered to the sailors entering the Delaware port. She offered her thanksgiving for the good work of Nan Ransom, a Grace Church member, who volunteers her time at the center with sailors who are often out on their ships, away from home and family, for nine months out of the year. She told the story of one sailor who mentioned that he had a daughter who was an avid reader. While in the Port of Wilmington, he had wanted to find her a copy of Alice in Wonderland but could not. Nan heard this; and when she left that afternoon to go home, she went to a bookstore, found a copy, and saw to it that it was put into the sailor's hands. Such a simple act of love; yet it made God visible to this sailor.
"How does God's love abide in anyone who has the world's goods and sees a brother or sister in need and yet refuses to help? Little children, let us love, not in word or speech, but in truth and action." 1 John 3:17-18
I was moved to tears this week when I received an email from one of the Moms in our church family who shared a project that her elementary age son is working on. It is called "MJ's Christmas Wish Project." Marlen read about the local Sunday Breakfast Mission and its need for persons to take on the finishing of rooms in its new building. After learning about the good works of the mission, Marlen felt he HAD to help. There are two rooms he would like to see completed: a handicapped accessible family unit room 135 and a small learning center room 161. If you go to http://www.mjschristmaswish.weebly.com/, you will see what is needed for this project to be completed. A local bank has committed to matching contributions that are made up to $10,000! Not only is Marlen displaying a love that makes God visible; he is asking us to step up and do the same.
"How does God's love abide in anyone who has the world's goods and sees a brother or sister in need and yet refuses help? Little children, let us love, not in word or speech, but in truth and action."
Recent mission trips to Mississippi...Tennessee...preparing monthly meals for the ministry of caring in the city...connections to various outreach/mission opportunities in the city and beyond... These are part of the precious treasure of love that we have been given to share.
What is next for Grace Church? Like MJ, you tell us. What concrete expression of love would you like us to enage in as a church family?
Recently, a representative of the Seaman's Center at the Port of Wilmington spoke in worship about the concrete ways in which God's love is offered to the sailors entering the Delaware port. She offered her thanksgiving for the good work of Nan Ransom, a Grace Church member, who volunteers her time at the center with sailors who are often out on their ships, away from home and family, for nine months out of the year. She told the story of one sailor who mentioned that he had a daughter who was an avid reader. While in the Port of Wilmington, he had wanted to find her a copy of Alice in Wonderland but could not. Nan heard this; and when she left that afternoon to go home, she went to a bookstore, found a copy, and saw to it that it was put into the sailor's hands. Such a simple act of love; yet it made God visible to this sailor.
"How does God's love abide in anyone who has the world's goods and sees a brother or sister in need and yet refuses to help? Little children, let us love, not in word or speech, but in truth and action." 1 John 3:17-18
I was moved to tears this week when I received an email from one of the Moms in our church family who shared a project that her elementary age son is working on. It is called "MJ's Christmas Wish Project." Marlen read about the local Sunday Breakfast Mission and its need for persons to take on the finishing of rooms in its new building. After learning about the good works of the mission, Marlen felt he HAD to help. There are two rooms he would like to see completed: a handicapped accessible family unit room 135 and a small learning center room 161. If you go to http://www.mjschristmaswish.weebly.com/, you will see what is needed for this project to be completed. A local bank has committed to matching contributions that are made up to $10,000! Not only is Marlen displaying a love that makes God visible; he is asking us to step up and do the same.
"How does God's love abide in anyone who has the world's goods and sees a brother or sister in need and yet refuses help? Little children, let us love, not in word or speech, but in truth and action."
Recent mission trips to Mississippi...Tennessee...preparing monthly meals for the ministry of caring in the city...connections to various outreach/mission opportunities in the city and beyond... These are part of the precious treasure of love that we have been given to share.
What is next for Grace Church? Like MJ, you tell us. What concrete expression of love would you like us to enage in as a church family?
Sunday, October 24, 2010
Back Home Again
For much of my adult life, I've been a fan of John Denver. Years ago, when I was a student at Wesley Seminary in Washington, he did a concert at the National Cathedral. That sealed the deal for me! Since our mission team has returned home from Nashville, the refrain to one of his songs has been playing in my head: "Hey, it's good to be back home again; yes, it is."
While I love going away from home, there is always something sweet about coming back home. Maybe it's having the familiar at our fingertips; or perhaps it's the spouse who is so delighted with your return; or could it be that home is so comfortable, so inviting?
The mission trip reminds me that everyone wants a home that is inviting. No matter who people are and where they are from, no matter what the state of place in which they live, home is important.
Whenever I think of the trailer park in which our team worked, I will hold in my mind the image of the trailer in which Paul and Edwin put in a new water heater. On the first day, when the Shalom Zone staffer took us to this home, as I stood in the living room and kitchen, looking around, I noticed that the walls were a soft, warm yellow. The young couple shared that they were expecting a baby and were getting their home ready to receive him. Canisters in white and the same soft yellow graced the counter tops. Their trailer will never make House Beautiful, but it would make Better Homes.
Will anyone ever be able to say definitively what makes home so important? Maybe not. What I do know is this: When I walk through the door of the home that Mark and I share, I'm thinking, "Hey, it's good to be back home again; yes, it is!"
While I love going away from home, there is always something sweet about coming back home. Maybe it's having the familiar at our fingertips; or perhaps it's the spouse who is so delighted with your return; or could it be that home is so comfortable, so inviting?
The mission trip reminds me that everyone wants a home that is inviting. No matter who people are and where they are from, no matter what the state of place in which they live, home is important.
Whenever I think of the trailer park in which our team worked, I will hold in my mind the image of the trailer in which Paul and Edwin put in a new water heater. On the first day, when the Shalom Zone staffer took us to this home, as I stood in the living room and kitchen, looking around, I noticed that the walls were a soft, warm yellow. The young couple shared that they were expecting a baby and were getting their home ready to receive him. Canisters in white and the same soft yellow graced the counter tops. Their trailer will never make House Beautiful, but it would make Better Homes.
Will anyone ever be able to say definitively what makes home so important? Maybe not. What I do know is this: When I walk through the door of the home that Mark and I share, I'm thinking, "Hey, it's good to be back home again; yes, it is!"
Friday, October 22, 2010
An Addendum to "All Good Things Must Come to An End"
The team has left for the work site leaving me in the hotel to work on Sunday's sermon. Hopefully I will finish the work that I began on Monday.
The team's work is fairly light today. Paul and Edwin will install a water heater and Neil and Mary Jo will be adding a window sill to the window in the bedroom and painting it. Clean-up, putting the tools and such back in their proper places will follow, I'm certain.
As I reflect back upon this week, I would feel remiss if I did not say a word about each team member. Paul Miller has been a fine leader, capable, keeping the team on task, flexible in all situations, faithful, and generous in his praise. Edwin Brown has, once again, proven himself to be a man of great skill with the ability to figure out how to fix anything. His wry humor is a thing of joy! Neil Harmon, aka Doc, has shown, once again, his willingness to work on whatever project he is needed, together with any team member, using his gifts and abilities, and has continuously encouraged each person in their particular work. Mary Jo Miller who, after working on the trailer skirting yesterday with the guys, is affectionately known as Snippy, because she can snip vinyl siding proficiently, was the only first timer on this mission trip. No one would have known because she hit the ground running on the first day and never stopped working, supporting, encouraging, and enjoying the mission.
Missing from this trip was Kim Merkl who fell a few days before the trip and was injured. We missed her particular gifts and talents on this trip, which we know from the Mississippi trip, and particularly her delightful Southern sound.
God called this team to winterize - and somewhat beautify - a trailer that was damaged by flood waters. The team stepped up to the task and glorified God throughout the week.
And the family we served? I suspect that husband Carlos will be painting the outside of their trailer. Yesterday, when I showed Abida, the wife, the skirting Paul, Edwin, Neil, and Mary Jo had put around the trailer, she looked at me and said, "Ah..so beautiful." In the next breath, she pointed at the trailer and said, "Carlos should paint, don't you think?" What could I, a wife, say, but "Yes!"
This week has been an experience of grace; but isn't every week?
The team's work is fairly light today. Paul and Edwin will install a water heater and Neil and Mary Jo will be adding a window sill to the window in the bedroom and painting it. Clean-up, putting the tools and such back in their proper places will follow, I'm certain.
As I reflect back upon this week, I would feel remiss if I did not say a word about each team member. Paul Miller has been a fine leader, capable, keeping the team on task, flexible in all situations, faithful, and generous in his praise. Edwin Brown has, once again, proven himself to be a man of great skill with the ability to figure out how to fix anything. His wry humor is a thing of joy! Neil Harmon, aka Doc, has shown, once again, his willingness to work on whatever project he is needed, together with any team member, using his gifts and abilities, and has continuously encouraged each person in their particular work. Mary Jo Miller who, after working on the trailer skirting yesterday with the guys, is affectionately known as Snippy, because she can snip vinyl siding proficiently, was the only first timer on this mission trip. No one would have known because she hit the ground running on the first day and never stopped working, supporting, encouraging, and enjoying the mission.
Missing from this trip was Kim Merkl who fell a few days before the trip and was injured. We missed her particular gifts and talents on this trip, which we know from the Mississippi trip, and particularly her delightful Southern sound.
God called this team to winterize - and somewhat beautify - a trailer that was damaged by flood waters. The team stepped up to the task and glorified God throughout the week.
And the family we served? I suspect that husband Carlos will be painting the outside of their trailer. Yesterday, when I showed Abida, the wife, the skirting Paul, Edwin, Neil, and Mary Jo had put around the trailer, she looked at me and said, "Ah..so beautiful." In the next breath, she pointed at the trailer and said, "Carlos should paint, don't you think?" What could I, a wife, say, but "Yes!"
This week has been an experience of grace; but isn't every week?
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