Prophetic Blessings? A reader's review

Recently I was given the opportunity to read The Power of the Prophetic Blessing by John Hagee. Having listened to him over the years, but never read one of his books, I jumped at the chance. As Christians in America, I think we often miss the authority we have in Christ. Speaking blessings is one of those areas that you just don't hear often in the American Protestant Church. Hagee reminds us of the many blessings sought, stolen, gained and lost in the Scriptures. He also spends some time going through the blessings that Israel has experienced because of the Blessing of God on them. He says, "The Jewish people have excelled throughout history in the fields of medicine, technology, literature, science, the arts and much more. There is no rational explanation other than this success as a direct result of the supernatural power of the Prophetic Blessing." Throughout the book there are little, set aside, blurbs that encourage the reader to "Think on This". These little blurbs are quips that allow the reader to meditate on the words from the chapter in ways that keep you engaged. The book is broken into three sections that explain what the Blessings are and how to release them into our lives. It's a powerful, yet easy read. Most Christians are taught that the Word of God has power and this book reaffirms that by equipping one to declare God's Word over our lives and the lives of those whom we love allowing the Christian to live a worry free, rich life in Christ and His blessings. The last Chapter gives direct instruction on the best ways to proclaim these blessings and examples of speaking them. The book opens an idea that is important for our time, yet is rarely taught. If you've interest in experiencing God's blessings in your life and the lives of your friends and family, take the time to read and study this volume. You won't be sorry.

39 years and holding

Last night was the 39th reunion of my high school graduation. We combined it with 72 for their 40th. I've been thinking these last 24 hours or so why these "reunions" are so important. I've lived a whole life in 39 years since school. I've lived in 3 states and experienced all kinds of good and bad stuff. I've ended up with a top-notch husband, 4 children and 4 grandchildren (so far). Most of the last 39 years has been much more kind to me than high school was. Yet, I still keep wondering what it was about those 4 years of high school relationships, or maybe even 12 years (in the case of Trisha and I) that made such a huge impact that has stayed with us all these years. Frankly, I still don't know. But, this I know. Most of us "grew up". We stopped most all the cliquish stuff. For the most part the groups that stuck together were, in some parts, still together, but we mingled. We didn't hold old grudges or old social stuff. We didn't care if we were up on the dance floor with a bunch of girls. (I noticed '73 was on the floor more. Will 1 year make that much difference?) We didn't care who'd "made good" or who didn't. So here is why I think these reunions make a difference. Even now, in our every day life, we have to deal with the cliques and all the crap that comes with modern day relationship. But, here, in this closed community of classmates, we are on even ground. We all (well...most all) know where we came from and no longer care, because the relationship of childhood means more. We can "let our hair down" and no one will judge us, because we are all from the same place. And, in reality, we don't care anymore if we are judged by childhood friends. We have another life at our disposal. (At least most of us do). At least that's where I am. The best part? Seeing friends just as beautiful as 39 years ago. Some more so. A few pounds here, a few wrinkles there, but the smiles, the eyes, the souls are more tender and very recognizable. Most of us have mellowed and have found our place at last. Some of us have become closer than we were in high school and some of us who were close... well, one day in 39 years and it still all comes together. Gertrude Stein said that "We are always the same age inside" and in some ways that is true.. only my outside is 57, but I think Albert Einstein said it best for me, “People like you and I, though mortal of course like everyone else, do not grow old no matter how long we live...[We] never cease to stand like curious children before the great mystery into which we were born.” Thanks for the memories, most those of new, not of old ~ though some of those were good too <3 "I can see clearly now the rain is gone...." CCHS class of '73

More Random Thoughts

I am beginning to wonder what is happening to me. I am pondering that spiritual gift of "Mercy". I've never been merciful, in my opinion. I'm the "call 'em out type". Everyone that knows me, and many who don't, never has to ask what I "really" think. It's pretty clear on my face and from my lips. I'm a spitfire about certain social graces because I think they are make us civilized and human, rather than the opposite.

What's that mean? Well, I believe you should sit at the table to eat your meals, with napkins and silverware. I believe you should consider others when you are making schedules and be respectful of their time. That means being timely and prepared for whatever you are expected to do, (even though I am the Queen of procrastination). I believe one should be loyal and live a life of integrity. If you claim to be a Christian then, well, you should BE a Christian and that means, to me, ever striving to be more Christlike. Which brings me to my wondering what is happening to me.

But, I really shouldn't. The reasons are far too deep and muddled in my background to explain here, but the areas with which I am struggling go back that far. It's cool, yet scary when the light goes on.

All my adult life, and much of my childhood, was being thrown into the "Land of the 'Less Thans'". Jesus said, ... as much as you do for the 'less thans'.... I never thought much about that before. But now...

My church is a different sort of fellowship. I love it there. I can see how God was preparing me to be there. We've been there almost ten full years. And now the lightbulb has gone on... flickering some, but on.

My parents were alcoholics. They died when I was very young (everyone who reads this will know that). Then in the 1980s I ended up being a Case Mgr. for ASAP, which was attached to the Detox Center. I also worked with the church youth. In the 1990s we moved to WV and I worked with my buddy Carol on a Wednesday night program with the youth. But these youth were "rough". Hard families, lonely, marginalized, backwoods kids. And we loved them. Oh my, my heart still turns to mush when I think of them. We presented Jesus to them in the form of words and deeds. I still remember being picked up and hugged by a young man who would make two of me. Not because of anything other than the acceptance of who he was right then. Undoubtedly some used drugs and alcohol or were there to escape them; most all smoked and were less than clean. But, my, how very "real" they were. You know? They didn't just accept what you said. They challenged us. I remember that same "hugger" asking me, "Do you really believe that *shit* Mrs. Elsea? My response without a hitch was, "yep, son I sure do". Then came the "do you think I'm going to hell?" We both responded with a "well that's pretty much up to you". I left there in 2000 and Carol was not far behind. I often think of those kids and whether or not they think about Jesus. Like all of us... it's our decision. Then in the 2000's I've worked with poor Haitians and tended to those with all manner of disease. I remember one woman who had some kind of pox all over her. She was in misery. I took off my gloves and just held her. Crazy, I know. Dangerous, perhaps. But, she needed that touch. I've done the same for at least one in my church family who was dying. She was older; in the last stages of ovarian cancer. We were supposed to gown up and I asked the nurse if it was for us or her. So, I asked the nurse to leave us be and I took off my gloves... again... and held her hand and put lotion on her dry, pitiful arms and hands and talked about heaven with her. I was the last person she ever talked with. She died about 4 hours later. What a blessing she was to me in those last hours.

Which brings me back to my wonderment or epiphany, whichever it might be. Like I said, I am NOT merciful. I am, according to all the "tests", prophetic. But, what I am finding out about myself and ourselves as the community on Taylor Spring, is that we are called to be Jesus to the "least of these". Jesus keeps sending them to our door and yesterday we spent about an hour in Bible Study with two marginalized people who asked the church to come and study with them. No one volunteered, so we went with a basket of food. (Little Red Riding Hood, she called me). Am I suspicious? "Yes". Do I think we are being used? "Perhaps". But, the one told us that some other churches made it clear they weren't welcome when they came through the door; and others when they sought to take bread and cup communion. Not us.. We are pitifully friendly. And he felt the welcome. He told his "gal" that we would welcome her. And we will. With open arms and everything else. It's just who we are. May God bless our pitiful efforts to love the least at home and abroad. And, yes, we'll be used from time to time. And, yes, others of higher stature won't feel comfortable when Sharon welcomes them with a "HI! HOW YA'LL DOING?" Or when Millie makes noise from her wheelchair. Those folks won't re-visit. But, God takes care of His and we'll be fine. The "big" church is down on the corner :)

Maybe there is some mercy growing in me somewhere after all.

Random Thoughts

I realize it's been months since I've posted. It's been a rather boring winter, frankly. Little snow, little cold. The apple trees are blooming a whole month early, which makes me figure that apples prices will be through the roof this fall (summer) when the fruit comes in. But, why shouldn't apple prices be through the roof? Everything keeps climbing higher and higher, food, gas, books. It's discouraging. Not discounting the total discouragement of it being an election year. I dumped our house phone earlier than I had intended this year for the simple reason I was sick of getting phone calls from all those candidate headquarters.

Today was Palm Sunday. We begin another Holy Week. I posted last during the Christmas Holy Days and now here we are into the holiest of holy weeks. Normally this is truly my favorite and most Holy Holiday. This year I'm rather down. Me and Jesus have been having some heart to hearts of late and I KNOW what He says, but I can't say I like it much. I'm struggling in some areas, which I don't normally reveal publicly, but who cares really.

So, here's the deal. I've been having some "trust" issues. People are so stinking untrustworthy. Everyone has an agenda and trust be damned. If I can't have things "my" way, then, well, I'll lie or stretch or do whatever to get my way or make you feel guilty for getting yours. It may not even be a "thing", just your "idea". And this isn't in the "world" either. I've also been having some issues with commitment as well. Everyone talks the talk, you know? But, they have no thought to whether they walk the walk. Commitment. What does that mean? At baptism you promise to:

* Live according to the example & teachings of Jesus;
* Be a loyal member of this church, upholding it by your prayers, your PRESENCE, your SUBSTANCE and your SERVICE.

This is a VOW to GOD! Yet few (about 1.8%) tithe, few attend every Sunday, no one cares of they are late or skip worship for a more fun Sunday School, few pray at all; few help clean up after themselves or help another clean up after a meal; few can be bothered about fellowship; few even think about church members outside their own families; fewer still read their Bible during the week and fewer than THAT carry their Bible to church and OPEN IT!

How do I know this? How can I be so cruel to judge? Well, let's see.... I see the offering every week; I see the attendance every week and notice when you are not there; someone also notices when you were on Facebook when church is going on ~ playing "slots"; you are noticed when you waltz in 15 minutes or 30 minutes into the service or at the end; "someone" cleans up after you and your family and it's usually a faithful group of few. "Someone" turns out the lights that you leave on every week and locks the doors. Who are those people? Do you know? Why do you think there are Bibles in the pews? Why do you think every Sunday School curriculum prints the scripture in the book? Why do you think it is your children do not know that saying "lets pray" means bowing your heads or at least closing your eyes and sitting quietly? Why do you think it is that if the Pastor says, "turn to the book of 2nd Exodus" half of you are thumbing through a Bible or better yet, aren't laughing.

This is what gets to me. I realize that the Bible has said that these days would come. I realize that He has made it clear that there are many who are luke-warm (most, I'm thinking). But, for me, it's sad. Really, really sad. Because I wish.... really, really wish, that "my people" and I could really make an impact in this community. But, we can't. Because we can't even make an impact in our own fellowship or in our own home. Our lives are "too busy" or we are too self-absorbed or something.

Here is the clincher: In October 2010 Lisa Cook came to Love Feast ~ Just two months before her leaving us. She was so sick she could hardly sit through it, but she came. She NEVER, EVER missed. Lisa wasn't someone "special". She was just a born again Christian like everyone else claims to be. But, these things of God meant something to her. Attending church MEANT something to her. Really meant something to her. Yet, while 94 were in Church on Palm Sunday (quite a few were missing), we won't see 1/2 that at Love Feast on Thursday. It just doesn't matter. Being at Jesus' table just doesn't matter any more than being in Church on Sunday matters. Jesus really doesn't care..........does He? Does He? Does HE?

So, I am truly "down". Those who dare to read this might find me judgmental or hateful, legalistic or just "mean old Janet". But, what you don't see are the tears and the sorrow I feel for not getting it. For wanting to understand and not understanding the lack of commitment ~ this give a s**t attitude. Because Jesus said if you love Him then you will love His Sheep. And part of loving His sheep is being a part of His sheep-fold. He also said we are to love Him with all our HEART, MIND, SOUL and STRENGTH. Yet, we wouldn't miss a workday because we overslept and we wouldn't miss a company dinner if the boss invited you and we wouldn't miss a chance to have dinner with friends if you were invited a month ahead either.

I've been trying to just turn stuff over the One who can handle it all and most of the time I do okay. I read the scriptures daily (in fact often get carried away with the time spent) and I pray for all the people I can through the day. But... some times... like right now, I feel like chucking it all and saying forget it and wondering why Jesus hasn't come back for us.

Ahhhh, well... this is .... just is... Blessed Easter, Pashel, Holy Week.

What of Christmas?

Christmas this year seemed more exciting than most. I've been pondering just why that is. Last year everyone had been together several times due to Mom's and Lisa's death and we had a good time on Christmas Day with lots of memories and lots of laughs.

But, this year... this year had a calm, sweet and meaningful "thing" attached to it. I had so many angels attending to me, both natural and 'maybe not' natural. I didn't have much baking to do, but there are still acres and acres of cookies and cakes here. There were several wonderful events for fellowship ~ like the fellowship meal the 18th, the cookie exchange the 16th, the Live Nativity the first of the month, the Christmas program the evening of the 18th, the "private" stamping party with Carole on the 23rd and the Christmas Eve open house. The laughs and fun times of people we love. It's the people that made the Christmas!! Of course, not all was "wonderful". During the early part of Advent I was stricken with a bad cold followed by a virus that kept me from enjoying or even participating in the 3rd Sunday of Advent. But, that seems insignificant to the 40 days of Advent and the following 12 days of Christmas.

The highlight of Christmas was that it fell on Sunday this year. While some churches canceled, abbreviated or changed their services, Mt. Pleasant had a special service that included many people, many songs and many scriptures. We had a wonderful time of worshiping the King who's Birthday we celebrated. It seemed as though no one was in a big hurry to leave the church. People were hanging around just laughing and talking. Christmas should always be on Sunday!!

We had guests for dinner, Julie's parents. That added to the joy, too, I think. We always miss the Carolina Clan, but still the house was full. We fixed the meat, dressing and bread, but that's it. Everything else was brought in by the "other" Elsea Clan. Slow cookers filled the counter tops and no one was over stressed or over worked. It was a wonderful time. Justin and his Clan came too and we enjoyed opening gifts and playing games. The gifts weren't the center, the people were. It was calm enough that doggy Diesel slept or rested almost the entire day, or so it seemed. What was different? In Christmas' past the stress of cooking and all that drifted like a pall over the holiday. Why not this year? Because it was SUNDAY! I am convinced!!!

Monday Christmas seemed to continue on. Even though it was just the Knight and I, we worked on differing projects that led us to looking at old pictures and old papers that brought a taste of the ancestors back to us. The sweet smell of clean, line dried clothes and sheets permeated the house at the end of the day. Leftovers to eat, but they were as good as the day before. Even yesterday was a sweet Christmas Day. I read the story of the "Star Mother's Youngest Child" and a few chapters of the "Christmas Chronicles" which reminded me of why we give and why caring seems so close this time of the year. I still lit the tree, even though many took their tree down yesterday. Mine will remain until Epiphany, though the empty stockings don't have quite the same draw.

Today it is raining. Strangely, both of us wish it were snow. The Knight never wishes for snow, but today, he mentioned how pretty snow would be. We are both slow moving this morning. Not quite ready to face the day ~ and that is okay.

Preparation for the new year is in process along with thoughts toward Ephiphany.... the Magi.. the recognition that Jesus was and is the center figure in the Christmas celebration. I want to continue Christmas through 2012 and on forward. Reading Harvey Yoder's blog helped us to see what that means. Recognizing that less than a month from now I will be standing on the island if Haiti to do some service in the name of Jesus, once again. Recognizing that over the next months there were be tragedy and triumph; life and death; sorrow and laughter. Yet one thing is sure. Christ is still King of Kings and Lord of Lords. Two turtle doves. Today is the 2nd day of Christmas. Merry Christmas!!!

When the song of angels is stilled.
When the Star in the sky is gone.
When the Kings and Princes are home.
When the shepherds are back with their flocks,
the work of Christmas begins:
to find the lost,
to heal the broken,
to feed the hungry,
to release the prisoner,
to rebuild the nations,
to bring peace among people everywhere.
~author unknown, but borrowed from Harvey Yoder's blog.

A Moderators Last Stand

The first weekend of November, 2009 I was elected to be the Moderator-Elect for the Shenandoah District of the COB. I thought they were crazy then and I still think so. For the latter part of 2009 and 2010 I tried to watch the Moderator, Bernie Fuska do his job. Watching as I had done in years past through other Moderators as I served on the District Board. It seemed to be a position that didn't require much major work, the District even provided a "script" and all the supporting paperwork, so I felt relatively confident that everything would go fine.

In November 2010 we adopted a new Constitution and By-laws that re-created the District Board into a "Leadership Team" and having worked through the Gifts Discernment Team, we were all set to enter into a new era. I announced my Theme for my year as Moderator to be "Mission Possible" based from the book of Matthew and even had a vinyl of that scripture created for my car. Who knew? I was psyched for all the wonderful things that would happen with the new organizational plan and all the wonderful visioning that would come from it. I was SO EXCITED!!! The only gray cloud hanging around was the query set for Annual Conference in Grand Rapids. And that was far away from Shenandoah.

*BAM* *BANG* *CRACK* *BOOM* ~ At the first organizational meeting of the new Leadership Team, our District Executive Minister of 20+ years announced his retirement. Totally unexpected we all sat there kind of numb. We knew this was big stuff, but we'd manage. Right? We wanted to take an opportunity to include the whole District in this effort, so our Leadership Team Chair, (yay for Gift's Discernment), who "just happened to be" a really good administrator, began the strategy to do just that, by wrestling through the District. All those first hearings went well. We were confident. Moving forward. Then.... as the first 'real' preparations for this year's District Conference began to take shape... *BAM* *BANG* *CRACK* *BOOM* *ZING* ****OUCH***** Our Associate District Executive Minister announces she has taken another position. YE-OW and BIG OUCH!!! Joan is the heart and soul of organizing District Conference and she has been doing the work of two (ten) ~ what will we do? What will "I" do??? While this new position for Joan is top notch for her. She'll do extremely well, but ummmm.... what now?

The second set of hearings were met with "uh ohs" and not so much excitement and "let's move forward". We were all shell shocked by this "impossible" situation. Remember in the first paragraph where I said I thought they were crazy to elect me. Well, let me tell you, now I KNEW they were. All of a sudden the Administrative Assistant became the Administrator (God bless her) and she has done a fabulous job. Between the two of us and all the rest of the P&A Committee and lots of other folks, we started to put together something that "resembles" the District Conferences of the past. I am so thankful for her... and all the rest, but especially her.

So, here I am.... it's been an interesting week and I am now less than eight hours away from the opening of the 2011 Shenandoah District Conference of the Church of the Brethren. Moderator. After all the battles... after all the totally impossible scenarios... here I am.

Mission Possible? Well, I noticed that there is a new Western State Hospital being built as you come up I81 now. I may end up there yet, but at 5 a.m. this morning I woke with all kinds of ideas floating around in my head that now are floating in cyberspace in word documents and emails. How am I feeling?.....

I AM psyched for all the wonderful things that have happened and will happen in 2012 and all the wonderful visioning that WILL come from all the possibilities. I AM SO EXCITED!!! And there are no more gray clouds. And "no" I'm not on medication. I am simply a woman chosen for a job I wasn't sure I could do, but He was. In me, He is shown to be strong in my weakness. In me, He is shown as the Father because I am just a child. I serve an awesome God... a God of life from ashes, possibilities from impossibilities. Tomorrow? Sunday? Next week? Next month? Next year? BRING IT ON!!!!

That Church Music

After reading today's paper online, the letters to editor and ruminating on our latest Church Business meeting, I decided it was time to write some thoughts on church music.

Why do people get so excited about Church music when someone inserts a change? Why do people get so excited when a hymn shows up in the bulletin they aren't familiar with? Why do people get so excited when we sing a chorus rather than a hymn? I wish I knew.

Church music and the changes thereof have caused uneasiness down through the ages. Why? Well, the "c" word comes to mind. CHANGE! People hate change. But some hate it more than others. At my age, I'm not a big fan of change, but dang, every day something changes, so you have to roll with it. Give some room.

The early church, undoubtedly sang the Psalms. (The songs...) Somebody, at some point, came up with a "new" song. I expect when they sang it for their fellowship, some body raised the roof about their "evil music". I mentioned to someone a while back that I'd like to see us use a Psalter sometime for scripture memorization. That didn't fly. I keep wondering why. I'm not a music person, meaning I cannot "read" music or play an instrument. I feel sort of "unBrethren" because of failure, but I get by. Still, I love music. I love the sound of it, I love the variety of it, I love the 'feel' of it. I love to sing. Sometimes it sounds pretty bad, but I love to do it all the same. And I am not a music snob. I love ALL kinds of music ~ classic, traditional, rock, country, contemporary, you name it. When I have the opportunity to hear something "new" I enjoy it. So, I get very disturbed when people complain about "new" music! No, I get more than disturbed, it drives me nuts. Seriously, can't you find something BETTER to complain about?

Music in church has divided congregations more than it should. Fanny Crosby is a favorite hymn writer of many. Yet, her songs were set to the music of "familiar tunes" of the day. Familiar... as in... secular tunes. William Booth ? The same. How about my favorite, "Be Thou My Vision"? Not a sacred tune, I can tell you. Many folks complained about these artists music ~ not the words, mind you, but the tunes. "Devils music", they said. Well, William Booth answered with a question, "Why should the Devil have all the good tunes?" These same songs are some of the famous songs now that we all tout. Enter in Casting Crowns, Mercy Me, dare I say, News Boys. Songs, choruses... They have to have a SPECIAL TIME set aside to sing. Fifteen minutes before "church" starts we can sing those, but not during service. "We" (whomever 'we' are) don't like those songs, but we'll 'allow' you to have them before we get there.

Rebel that I am, I state, here, for the world to read, SICK of being told this garbage. God is interested in the words and heart of the song. I wonder what King David would think about our silly quarrels over music? Piano and organ only? He didn't have those, so used whatever he could find... lyre, drum, pipes... Let us sing on, play on, enjoy the words sung to the God of the Ages!!! At every service, at any time. Get over yourselves. Stretch yourselves. See what God can do!!!