Transformation

THis Sunday is Pentecost. I am going to talk about transformation. BUt I have one big question.

Do we really want to be transformed?

AS I was writing my opening thoughts this afternoon it struck me that this is the big question about transformation. In fact it is the big question about allowing the Spirit to be active in our faith lives and communities. Are we willing to let the Spirit blow as it will or do we want to shape and channel it into "appropriate" forms.

My plan (at this point, it is only Monday after all) is to talk about Ezekiel and transformation in the places we dont' expect to find life, much less abundant life. But still I wonder, are we really even looking for transformation or does it just sound like a good idea?

These things I believe

This week's Friday Five is simple. Name five things you believe--these don't have to be long statements--short sentences, both serious and frivolous.

I BELIEVE...

1. the children are our future. Teach them well and let them lead the way actually not a big fan of the song, but I do believe this line)
2. that people are, generally speaking, good.
3. that God is eternally hoping that we will live out the promise of #2.
4. that chocolate is a basic requirement for life, maybe not for basic survival but certainly for life.
5. that most of the time we keep score on the wrong scorecard.

MAybe Advance Planning isn't My forte

THis coming weekend is our Annual Conference meeting. I had never planned to go this year (for obvious reasons). BUt since it was a weekend when I wouldn't be around otherwise I thought I would take a week of study leave to get some planning and reading done. It was a great plan, a nice quiet week before baby was born and a chance to get ready for the summer.

Well even before Miriam upset the whole planning system the quiet week started to come apart. As Legion padre I was asked to take part in a special service this Saturday. Then I was asked to represent the congregation at a Guide banquet on THursday. THen yesterday I get a phone call and have a funeral on Friday. WHat was it that Robert Burns said about the best laid plans of Mice and Men?

ANyway, the book I am working on is Douglas John Hall's The Cross in Our Context:Jesus and the Suffering WOrldand I am getting some hymn selection work started. Looks like most of the summer I will preach from the Epistle readings this year. Durng the summer I like to follow one set of readings through (especially the Jewish Scriptures since the summer passages follow a main story). This year I thought I would challenge myself and do the Epistles. I am generally not a fan of Paul so this could be interesting.

THey're Here!

THe Ordinary Time books have arrived! Feels somewhat wierd to see one's writing in print in a book one has bought. And still I have this huch that the other devotions will be SO much better than the ones I wrote (no I don't have a self-esteem issue why do you ask? Well maybe a little bit...)

In other news. Yesterday I was asked, and agreed, to review a book for Touchstone. Just a little project to fill out over the next year or so (deadline was next April). The book in question is Free of Charge: Giving and Receiving in a Culture Stripped of Grace by Miroslav Volf. A copy is being sent to me for reading.

Well this isn't quite right

As seen at Phantom Scribbler

You Are Bobby Brainy

Ultra competitive, you will do almost anything to win. From pull ups to pool sharking, you're very talented. And while everyone is aware of your victories, they still (affectionately) consider you to be a little brat!

What Brady Are You?

Ultra-competitive? No thanks. ANd the very talented is in severe doubt. The brattiness? Depends who you ask.

ANd another one

WE learned that we could indeed bring siblings into NICU. THis is when the sisters all met for the first time

Picture TIme!

Here is Miriam all ready to come home from the hospital

ITs a Girl!!!

Sorry but this is the first chance to get to a machine since Monday AM.

Miriam Hope was born at 2:14 Monday PM. 6lb 8.5oz, 19.5". Spent the week in NICU, just gort out today (silly girl keeps falling asleep instead of eating). Hopefully being discharged tomorrow. I'll post a pic once they are off the camera.

Plans??? WHat Plans???

PAtty woke up at 5am to find that her water had broken (for sure this time). We are busily heading in to the city for delivery. More info to follow!

Farewell Mr. President

Just watched the series finale of The West Wing. THey did a nice job of tying things up. I always figured that the series hjad a set life span, never could see that they would have been able to transition into a new President (although if ratings were still high I am sure they would have tried).

THe real treat was the reprise of the series pilot first. That was a really well written show, funny yet serious all in one. THe show has slipped lately, last season I often didn't wathc. In fact I often didn't watch this year either, partly because the other TV watcher in the house was watching Extreme Makeover: Home Edition, partly because West Wing failed to grab me as much. BUt they did have a presidential race to be envied--would that all political debates were as honest and real as the one between Arnold Vinick and Matt Santos.

I say farewell to the Bartlett administration with this question: If Jed Bartlett had been one the ballot with Bush, Gore and Nader, who would have won? OR Bush and Kerry and Bartlett? Who would we wanted to have won?