This is the fifth in a series highlighting the simple and the sacred. It all started with a curling iron. We were newly married, and funds were tight. I wanted to go away and Bruce agreed. We either could have a few days at a fancy place or go camping. I said I’d go camping if he could get me a curling iron that worked with no plug.  A few weeks later, he came home brandishing a propane one…and that was the start of our camping adventures.  Camping can be dirty, messy and inconvenient. Especially when our kids came along and I found myself nursing in the night, working on potty training, and bathing kids in small bins while camping in a tent. Yet it’s been a life-long, ongoing adventure. We’ve taken short trips to one place, and long trips where we stopped in many places. Our gear has evolved over the years, but we’ve never lost our love of camping. I realize that some of the things we’ve done while on camping trips could have been done at home. But just becau...

This is the fourth in a series highlighting the simple and the sacred. The “sacred” invites us to see something as special, as set apart. The sacred invites us to experience God in a way that speaks to our minds and to our hearts. Today I want to highlight Communion – a sacred act Jesus implemented.  I want to highlight this because I think we all can take this ceremony for granted. And yet, it is such a powerful reminder of what Jesus has done – and will do – for us.  Who were the first people to take communion?  On the last night of Jesus’ life, he and his friends met for the annual Passover meal. As a religious Jew, Jesus had taken the Passover Meal for years. The elements and words repeatedly spoken told the story of God’s angel of death passing over the homes of the Israelites when it came to Egypt. Every year, the Jews re-told the story of God’s promises, deliverance and redemption. The symbolism for the Jews was powerful.  But on this last ni...

Th is is the third in a series highlighting the simple and the sacred. What kind of simple activities do you enjoy? The “simple” invites us to engage in the moment –to place our attention in what is happening right now. The simple can help us lay aside the burdens of yesterday and the tasks of tomorrow.  Have you ever been fruit picking? Until I was an adult, I had little experience in picking fruit. I bought most of my fruit in our local suburban market. Since we moved to Oregon, I have had many more opportunities.  But today I want to tell you about some of my first experiences as an adult: enjoying the unexpected pleasures of fruit picking while traveling.  Several years ago, our family was on the way to a camping spot in Fruta, Utah, and saw a sign for picking peaches. At the entrance it said you only would be charged for the fruit you took out of the farm…not the fruit you ate on the tree. With big smiles, our three kids quickly climbed the ladders i...

This is the second in a series highlighting the simple and the sacred. The “simple” invites us to relax and enjoy a variety of pleasant experiences – without analyzing or even evaluating.  The “sacred” invites us to see something as special, set apart, not for common use. This definition could apply to a number of things, including taking communion, participating in a Sunday morning worship service, or even offering prayers that Christians have shared through the centuries.  Today I want to highlight sacred music, because “music is the prayer the heart sings”. The point of sacred music is to experience God in a way that speaks to both our minds and our hearts. Such music can be experienced in any number of places, in any number of ways, with any number of voices or instruments. · In a candlelit sanctuary in England, in a very formal service, I listened to a choir of children’s voices.  · In a camp tent at a college retreat, a staff leader ...

This is the first in a series highlighting the simple and the sacred. I think there is a place for both the simple and the sacred in our lives.  The challenge is that we can forget to take time to experience the simple pleasures of life or feel we should have grown beyond them. A simple pleasure or task is something that is easy to understand – no demanding thinking or figuring on this one.  The other challenge is that we can become rooted in how we believe connecting to God should look. This can preclude learning and growing in our relationship with him. The word and concept of sacred, simply means that something is connected to God or dedicated to a spiritual purpose.  So for the next set of blogs, I will highlight either a simple pleasure or a sacred practice. I hope these will be an encouragement to you, and help you experience God in some vibrant and delightful ways.  Today’s blog highlights the simple pleasures.  We've forgotten ...

This is the seventh and final post highlighting lessons we can learn                                                from a variety of different Bible characters. [From Judge 4-5)  Deborah sits under a palm tree, helping to resolve disputes and adjudicate law cases. As Israel’s judge and prophet, people come from far and wide to hear her reasoned deliberations. She has a unique position, for she is the only female judge the Israelites have had and is a leader for her people.  One day, having felt a strong prodding from the Lord, Deborah summons an Israelite general named Barak. She relays a message that is God’s command - gather men for battle against their Canaanite oppressors. As a prophetic leader, her job is to sing encouraging war chants – and a victory song – during and after the battle.  But Barak wants more from her tha...

This is the sixth of seven posts highlighting lessons we can learn from a variety of different Bible characters. [From 2 Kings 4:1-7] The woman faces her day with groans of sadness and despair. She is destitute. Her husband - a member of the prophetic guild - has died, and her debts are beyond any ability she has to pay. In fact, the creditor is coming to take her two grown sons… as payment …which means they will be enslaved for the rest of their lives. She cannot see a way to stave off what seems inevitable: not enough food to supply her needs, not enough money to save her sons. She will lose her sons and become a beggar. In a moment like this, where can turn? Who is willing and available to help? She cries out to Elisha. Elisha the prophet. Elisha knew her husband, so he perhaps might consider aiding her in some way. Thankfully, Elisha does come. Yet when he shows up, he does not arrive with an answer…but with a question: “Tell me, what do you have in your house?” The widow repl...