God’s Fingerprints

A very important day at First United Methodist Church today.

We don’t know what God has in store for us. As Christians, we strive to welcome the Holy Spirit, God the father, and God the Son into our lives. During times of change, it’s not so easy to just get up and get going with the normal routine. To me, it is kind of like an early Lent… a time for reflecting on what has been, what is, and what will be during this transition. I had a difficult time in service today knowing that Rev. Brian is stepping down and pursuing a new path God has led him to take. My eyes kept crying out the corners no matter what I did during a most amazing worship service today.

Today, our pastor, Rev. Brian Hare-Diggs announced that he will not be the senior pastor anymore. He has been called, moved, excited, to take on a new roll in our community. Rev. Brian has been with First United for about 10 years now and has served a faithful and growing downtown congregation. I’ve only known him for half of this service, but have witnessed much of his faithful and dedicated work as a trustee and parishioner. I’ve witnessed how he always has time for his children, his parishioners, and witnessing to the community for human rights. His kindness toward speaking about all children of God have expanded my family and how I look into the eyes of children of God around the world. Now, officially, he will be taking on the task of building the new UMCOR (United Methodist Commission on Relief) Depot in Salt Lake City serving the Western United States and possibly even Asia!

Rev. Brian’s sermons and witness have helped so many people. I am overjoyed that he will continue to be such an active part of the Utah community and especially that our local Christian family will still be able to support his household. Please keep the Hare Diggs’ and the congregation of First United Methodist Church in your prayers during this time of change.  I’m thinking about how his cell phone probably hasn’t stopped ringing for the past decade. Now, it’s time for him to be calling us to help more people in the US and around the world. When I was away from Jesus Christ, I forgot the balance of giving and receiving. Rev. Brian and his family have given so much of themselves. Now it’s not only time for them to give more, but to receive more from the support of all of us in the community.

Time OUT!

With work, church, and family (1 child, 2 dogs, 2 cats, 6 hens), time gets away from me as a single mom. I’ve just finished two years of graduate school and need to get back to center at home personally and intensely with the bleach. Out with all the papers from my research, books back to the library, and fines paid off. (I have to replace one book that the dog thought was a chew toy, not sure how much that will be yet!)  At church, I need to refocus and redirect energy working with the trustees on the 103 yo building.

This holiday has been one that me and Sam (almost 11 yo) are spending at home, just being together. No plans really. The first week has gone by so fast and now we are into week two. Yesterday we worked together on the “playroom.” The space is now outdated for train sets, dinosaurs, and dragons. Now, we are thinking special reading space and just a room to chill – maybe we’ll call it our “time out” room. We had fun getting horribly messy together last night and are taking boxes of donations to others that will put good toys to use. In the middle of it all, Sam was correcting my grammar, asking for advice, singing, making plans for future activities. She is educating me on a book series that I’m reading outloud each night for us both. A very nice rejuvinating time out!

The same is true for church leadership. I think those 20% doing 80% of the work need to take a time out and come up for air! Just like me working with my daughter, I turned my back and she had the entire playroom in the middle of the bedroom, room empty and ready to begin painting. Others want to be involved, want to see progress, want to share in making things happen. Just when we think they may be to young (or too old!) we may be in store for a pleasant suprise.

As we end Advent and progress to Lent, I hope others might look forward to an enjoyable, refreshing, time out!

O for a thousand tongues to sing

“…and own that love is heaven.” I read that Charles Wesley wrote this hymn after being very ill. I never knew until tonight that this has always been the first hymn in Methodist hymnals! Well worth some reading and reflection. Enjoy his words. . .

 

“Glory to God, and praise and love
Be ever, ever given,
By saints below and saints above,
The church in earth and heaven.

On this glad day the glorious Sun
Of Righteousness arose;
On my benighted soul He shone
And filled it with repose.

Sudden expired the legal strife,
’Twas then I ceased to grieve;
My second, real, living life
I then began to live.

Then with my heart I first believed,
Believed with faith divine,
Power with the Holy Ghost received
To call the Savior mine.

I felt my Lord’s atoning blood
Close to my soul applied;
Me, me He loved, the Son of God,
For me, for me He died!

I found and owned His promise true,
Ascertained of my part,
My pardon passed in heaven I knew
When written on my heart.

O for a thousand tongues to sing
My great (orig. dear) Redeemer’s praise,
The glories of my God and King,
The triumphs of his grace!

My gracious Master and my God,
Assist me to proclaim,
To spread through all the earth abroad
The honors of Thy name.

Jesus! The name that charms our fears,
That bids our sorrows cease;
‘Tis music in the sinner’s ears,
‘Tis life, and health, and peace.

He breaks the power of canceled sin,
He sets the prisoner free;
His blood can make the foulest clean,
His blood availed for me.

He speaks, and, listening to his voice,
New life the dead receive,
The mournful, broken hearts rejoice,
The humble poor believe.

Hear Him, ye deaf, His praise, ye dumb,
Your loosened tongues employ;
Ye blind, behold your Savior come,
And leap, ye lame, for joy.

Look unto Him, ye nations, own
Your God, ye fallen race;
Look, and be saved through faith alone,
Be justified by grace.

See all your sins on Jesus laid:
The Lamb of God was slain,
His soul was once an offering made
For every soul of man.

Harlots and publicans and thieves
In holy triumph join!
Saved is the sinner that believes
From crimes as great as mine.

Murderers and all ye hellish crew
Ye sons of lust and pride,
Believe the Savior died for you;
For me the Savior died.

Awake from guilty nature’s sleep,
And Christ shall give you light,
Cast all your sins into the deep,
And wash the Æthiop white.

With me, your chief, ye then shall know,
Shall feel your sins forgiven;
Anticipate your heaven below,
And own that love is heaven.”

by Charles Wesley

BIG Blow the Top off The RoOF EVENT SLC Utah 11/7 7pm

Q: What is 2 stories high, about 30 feet across, polished brass (?), and can blow your socks off? The HUGE organ at the First United Methodist Church in downtown Salt Lake City, Utah! The American Guild of Organists are meeting Friday night and celebrating The 300th Birthday of Charles Wesley. He’s the guy that wrote over 6000 (oh my!) hymns such as: “Christ the Lord Has Risen Today”; “Hark the Herald Angels Sing”; and “Christ From Whom All Blessings Flow.” This is going to be an amazing night! Bring your family and friends for a wonderful evening of celebration!

More about Charles Wesley.

Friday, November 7

First United Methodist Church

203 South 200 East

Salt Lake City, Utah

US Economy article

I came across this article on the AFL-CIO site and it sums up the mortgage crisis well.

When it rains (November 2008 events Utah)

it pours. . . When the sun shines bright, let it shine, let it shine, let it shine . . .

There are so many events happening at the First United Methodist Church in Salt Lake City, Utah. Please visit the church website for details for November 2008 events… The bishop is coming, the bishop is coming!! Pamela Atkinson – philanthropist and homeless advocate . . . a very cool 70’s looking guy that plays the piano, John Nilsen, medical missionaries from Zimbabwe, and Salt Lake Organists celebrating Charles Wesley – hey he wrote over 6000 hymns. . . he needs to be honored for 300 years of keeping us singing! Come one, come all and have a good time!

The First United Methodist Church is located at 203 South 200 East, Salt Lake City, Utah. It is one of the coolest places on earth with some of the best people you’d ever want to meet.

Economy, consumerism, housing

So my house sale is now back on! This is probably the worst time in recent history to be someone trying to sell a house! Actually, that makes it the best time in recent history to BUY a house. I just wish I were on the other side. So, I’m a realtor, and I can say that I feel the pain of everyone trying to sell right now.

Hopefully with our economic situation, the same will apply? I have no idea. I just know that I’m nervous and there is a lot of fenagling to do with the numbers to make it right. OR, we reap what was sown now. Whatever the solution, I hope it leads to a permanent fix and not just a band-aid for us to fix in a worse situation in the future.

So, who is benefitting from all this? With a downturn, who is catching the ride on the upturn. Should we all invest in bonds and get our victory gardens organized? Where is our national spirit? Maybe, we could all start by helping our neighbors? Maybe this is a sign that with so many people in trouble, that there are lots of people that need help? Maybe we could build our communities again? Reconnect with each other and living within our means. Maybe we could stop out of control consumerism? Buy local, “make, or forsake” as Actress Chick (Darryl Hannah) encourages.

Dazed and Confused

Am I gullable, too nice, easy to pull the wool over my eyes? Why do people lie? Lie to pacify, justify, validify… if that’s a word. How can a person look you straight in the eye and lie? Is their life so filled with worse things that a lie is nothing to them?

I tried to justify and not label a lie “a lie.” After all, I’ve lied to myself in the past, not realizing the reality of a situation. How do you work with someone caught in the terrible situation of lying?

Definately NOT GOOD.

Integrity

This is my word of the month. While working through business and church meetings, talking with friends and family, dealing with strangers in business transactions. How do I present myself with integrity? The early holy clubs had questions that would be asked of attendees regarding their way of conduct in the community and with God. Do I present myself with integrity and grace throughout my day? It certainly is a lot of work!

Sincerely,

Romans 8:28-39 Stormy Times and Still Have FUN?

I read a blog recently that asked “Does God answer questions?” Well, today, I certainly say YES! The daily devotional once again hit its mark. I’m going through some stormy times. I’ve not been thrown in jail, stoned, or martyred… only difficult interpersonal relations with some key people in my life that hold great power over me (aka the bosses) – yes plural and my house sale falling through today. It’s hard to feel justified in lamenting to God when I have food to eat, clothes to wear, a beautiful child to love, and a church family that is beyond amazing. So, knowing that there is purpose behind all that God does comes to a relief to me. I hope that these current days of tribulation will be a learning experience for me to be an even better Christian. Hey, it’s Friday night! I could really go for a beer at the pub, but even better, a superhero movie at the dollar theater with my daughter. Keeping my chin up!