From Generation to Generation

To Everything A Time

I started reading the Psalms again January First - a Psalm a day - I am on Nine. So far so good. I am in the habit of writing little notes in my Bibles as I do my devotions and the last time I read through the book of Psalms in my "Message" version of the Holy Scriptures was in the fall of 2005. A very dark time of my life. Often my notes were cries of desperation and hopelessness. At this season in my life I feel blessed and praise God for His grace and mercy. I'm not quite as healthy as I would like to be and our little church is not growing as quickly as I think it should be - but all in all, life is good! I have a beautiful new grand daughter who promises to bring together two families from two different cultures and I pray that the Truth and Light will prevail. My other two grandchildren were allowed to attend our Christmas Vacation Bible School although their mother (as Elijah puts it) doesn't believe in Jesus anyomre. We had 51 people at our Pre-Thanksgiving Feast and 30 people at our Christmas Service. And I'm a year younger than I thought I was. I made the comment that I would be 58 on my next birthday and Ardy said, "no mom, you'll only be 57 - do the math" He was right. Today I played hookey from school. With a broken vehicle and a bad cough, I decided I needed an extra day of rest. I've been working on the mailing of newsletters and gathering email addresses. I'm gonna post another update on the mission blog and on Art's blog too. I keep checking the hit counters on the sites, but the numbers don't up very much. I know I need to actually set up a real Web Site for the ministry. It has been observed that the only people who "blog" are people who want to argue...from past posts on this site, one can see that that rings true. But doing ministry is more important than arguing theology. And much more fun too! Well, dear friends, sisters and brothers (only I doubt very many of my brothers check this site)beloved family with whom I communicate much too infrequently - May our LORD Jesus shine in your darkness, calm your storms, comfort you when you are in mourning - and at the times when Life is Good, don't forget Him from whom all good things come! God is good, even though we might not agree with His sense of timing...God is good! And whether you are listening to the words of King Solomon, or the Birds - To everything there is a time - Turn Turn Turn

Happy New Year!

One of the best things about being a teacher is Christmas Vacation. Two weeks of "freedom". It's hard to keep track of what day it is. Friday? Oh NO! I still have about 200 papers to grade. Not to panic...at least my first day back on the job - January 5, is not the student's first day back. I will be glad to get back to work. It is such a blessing to love one's job. And January also brings the start of the Passion Play rehersals. I'll be doing children's ministries for PP this year. I doubt I'd get another chance to play Mary. That was a once in a life-time blessing. I've actually directed the Children's Block 7 times in the past. This year, Art and I are helping plan the Navajo Presentation of Passion Play as well. I know it's a little soon to be thinking of Easter and at least it isn't as early this year as it was last year. But the older I get (I'll be 58 next month), the faster time flies, and although there is still snow on the ground, spring is right around the corner. I'm reading a Psalm a day, if I break 119 into 22 parts, it will take me until mid-june to get through the book. Psalm 1 reminds me of the Children's church lesson I've taught a few times, that when we say "God Bless You" we are saying "Be like a tree". Psalm 2 is rather political in nature. I am anxious to see just how things will unfold in this country and globally once Obamma becomes president. And I'm glad that the psalm ends with a promise of blessing on those who trust in the LORD. As a ministry, we are looking to build up our prayer partner and doner base. I have news letters and flyers to get ready for mailing. I just found out that Pastor Art will be gone most of next week. Helping a friend. This may give me more computer time. I'm working with Tziporah's other grandmother on a baby shower. Navajo tradition has the "shower" after the baby arrives. We're having it in the fellowship hall, and it will be a good chance to build relationships and encourage the "family" to come to church. Well enough rambling for now. Just wanted to post a New Year's greeting before I start grading mid-terms and Holiday Essays. "Do homage to the Son, lest He become anry and you perish...For His wrath may soon be kindled...but How blessed are all who take refuge in Him! Psalm 2:12