Rain

damp cool rain drizzles to the earth clouds hang low in the sky ghostly whisps cooly brushing the air droplettes like magnifiers of God's creation Life springs forth the bud on the tree the flower unfolds grass caressing my feet as the dew chills toes light pushes through the clouds and for a moment the birds sing the ground lights up as tinsel on a tree and then in a rumble, it is grey again

transformation

I remember the day they were born. The rush about me. The crushing anticipation and concern. The elation. The connection. We again are waiting for that connection, this time for another... I pray for your fist breath and for that Divine presence to fill your lungs... and for life.

Then sometimes you just can't be prepared!

There is no need to tell a stay at home parent how busy their day is going to be. From the time we get up in the morning to the time the kids go to bed, we are on alert ready for anything. Did I say anything? Last weekend we went to the mountains to enjoy a little family time. The kids had a great time playing until Joe pushed Zach off a large rock and gave him a black eye. Oh well, boys will be boys, and after a few tense moments and a little blood, we all went back to a great weekend. It wasn’t until we were getting ready to leave that Zach decided to get even. The boys headed to the camp site outhouse for a quick potty break before we all went home. When they returned to the car, something wasn’t quite right. It smelled as if one of them had not made it to the bathroom in time. So we asked, “Did someone step in doggy poo?” No-one answered so we probed a little further. Still no answer, so we followed with an all out search for the odor. As we searched we noticed Randy did not have his hat and asked where the hat was, “in the toilet” came the answer. It seems that Zach removed Joe’s hat and threw it to the bottom of the outhouse. That is when my oldest son Isaiah piped up and said, “So I tried to help them get the hat out, Daddy.” Isaiah had lowered first Joe then Zach into the toilet to see if they could reach the hat, since the bottom of the poo pile was too far away; they only made it in to their armpits and were helped back out by Michael. Needless to say the next thirty minutes were comprised of hauling the boys to the creek and washing each from head to toe and then doing our best to sanitize the car. Did I say we had to be prepared for anything? I am reminded daily that the parent’s handbook doesn’t cover everything and some days you just have to improvise. Thank goodness for baby wipes and cold creeks in the mountains. Here is hoping you are having a better week!

Shiner

I can't remember the first time I had a black eye. I do remember the last... My daughters were about three and I went in every night to kiss them before I went to bed. As I bent over Amanda, she suddenly rose straight up and caught me on the corner of my eye! It swelled up pretty good and stayed varying colors for the next two weeks and was not pretty. I shouldn't complain, they got their mom too! All this came back to me this weekend as my youngest tumbled off a large rock and struck the side of his eye as he came down, leaving a swolen little guy with a tough attitude. I think that is sometimes how we feel in life, like something just knocked us and left us bruised and swolen. But it is just temporary. We push on through and come out the other side reminiscing about the experience. We are resilient. I guess we were made that way so we could grow from those bumps in the road and be stronger in the long run.

Where did you see the Holy Spirit?

I was sitting at my table and a shadow crossed my line of sight. A redheaded bird was busy flitting around one of the planters my wife placed in the back yard. I walked past the planter later to see a small head peaking out between the flowers. I believe there must be a nest in our daisies! It made me stop for a moment and think... Where do we se the Holy Spirit in our lives? I can see the miracles around me most of the time, but do I spend every moment marveling at God's creation? The answer is no. I get caught up in every day living just like the rest of the world and I forget to stop and look right in front of me. How many times have I done that at work? Have I ever stopped to admire how far one of my co-workers has come in their journey or marvel at a simple accomplishment that made such a big difference? If we were to stop and admire those around us for a moment... I mean sincerely look at the gift of God that shines through our co-workers, wouldn't that possibly make every day we work with them just a little better? I pray it can be so. Peace.

New ideas

Sometimes new ideas look like something old. I attended the Governors prayer luncheon and heard a wonderful speaker talk about "Love thy neighbor". But where to start? He suggested two questions... Ask someone, "Where did you grow up and what did you do for fun?" You will be surprised at how easy it is to begin a conversation. It is no surprise that everyone has a place that they grew up (I know, it seems simple and obvious). What surprised me was how people like to talk about what they did for fun as a kid. It is neutral and inviting. The second question is, "what can I do for you?" Again, most people will have an answer and are eager to engage. What if "Love thy neighbor is just that easy? Where can we start today? I started by trying out the questions and what a response! It seems everyone I talk with can engage in conversation for a few minutes and it is easy to begin establishing a neighborly relationship. From the first day, I have been able to meet at least four new people. Reach out a welcoming hand today. Ask a few questions and start up a conversation, see where it goes and see where it takes you. It is something grand! Peace, Patrick

The 11th hour

How often do we put something off only to have to do it in the 11th hour. What innate sense drives us to do something like this to our system. As I sit here contemplating a paper to be written for my Master's courses, I wonder... We are of little perfection seeking to be better at whatever we are going to be, why do we not get stuff out of the way? It might just be a challenge for me at the moment, but still... I wonder.

Tempered

Metal is heated and pounded pounded and heated heated and pounded pounded and heated cooled Heated and pouunded pounded and heated heated and pounded pounded and heated cooled over and over pounded and heated cooled heated and pounded before it is ground into a refined shape polished and ground polished polished buffed shined and sharpened before it can perform as it was intended to be an instrument a work of art a work of the creator Just as we are tempered to stand with the Word and serve

When you are in the bottom of the barrel and everything around you is dark and scary, look up!

Being broke is tough, but being broken is a place that it seems you can never crawl out of. That is where I was, broken and broke. I was so fr beyond out of money that I couldn't even deal with the day to day needs of my family. I worked two jobs just to keep food on the table. This might not be the place you would think God would find you... Living in the poorest part of town between a drug dealer and a family of 1 in a two bedroom apartment, I was struggling to feed my young family. I was working so hard and getting farther into debt by the day, not because of anything we could cotrol but because of two beautiful premature baby girls we had in our life. We worked hard to do everything right, but the whole world seemed sacked against us. It was here that a thirteen year old girl reached out and fed our family when she and her family barely had enough to eat. They reached out to us. For us this was what God's grace was all about. That meal was our turn around moment. I believe there is a turnaround moment for each of us. As I reflect on that day I think back to how bleak those days were and how, in the bottom of that barrel we only saw the darkness around us. It is amazing that the kindness of a young girl was all it took to make us look up, and see our way out of the barrel we were caught in. Who have you reached today... and who has reached you? Peace, Patrick

from leadership

Over the past few days I have been sitting with and learning about leaders. I too have been contemplating my own leadership abilities. Where do we learn leadership? From our parents, our social surroundings, others in our lives... What in leadership works, what doesn't? Why would others follow me as a leader?

God grant me the ability to be the vessel you have asked me to be and the follower I am growing to be.

Peace

We are an Easter people

This Sunday I delivered the sunrise service message. I found a story of a fisherman and it just fit...

There was this fisherman in Oregon that when asked how he could be so sure that Christ had risen, he replied:

"You see those house on the hill over there, When I am way out to sea, I can look back this direction and see the sunrise reflecting off the windows, guiding me back here to this shore. When you ask hoe I know that Christ has risen, I look around at all the faces around me. They are reflecting the image of Christ and I can feel his warm glow surrounding me.

We might not all have such a faith, but we can all see the image of Christ in others, after all, we were made in the image of God... as was the Son of God.

May you bathe in the warm glow of his eternal love.

Peace.

See this guy? He can't stand moths let alone spiders and yet, this is what he did for his grand kids! Glenn Kardinal is my father-in-law and one of my best friends. I love this guy. Since he was in his early 40's he has had congestive heart failure. Today, some 26 years later he is entering his last days here on earth. So what do you say to someone for the very last time? Glenn has always been determined to live and even in these last days, he continues to rally and surprise everyone. And yet, the moments we have on the phone are short and bitter sweet. So what do you tell someone you will never see again? First, that it is alright to go. He doesn't need permission, but needs to know that we will be OK. Next, I told him how much he means to me... every day, he means more and more. Third, I told him that I love him, over and over. And last, rather than say goodbye, I chose to say see you later, because I believe we will. As I post this I can't help but think how important these things are every day, even if you will see the other person again. Peace

Our stories

I have been challenged this week to write a sermon about myself. This tends to be one of the hardest things I am asked to do. I invest a good amount of time being introspective, but I am generally looking to grow outward, not in. So, this week I am looking at how I got to where i am and how that relates to the world around me. Suddenly I feel so small with such a great task ahead of me. The week has been another of turmoil. Kim's Dad is getting sick. This will likely be the illness that ends his life. We have prepared for this, but know it is eminent that we will be soon saying goodbye. It is a trying time and one of compounded feelings of loss, concern, happiness for him no longer being in pain and being in a place of glory coupled with a million other emotions and thoughts. Remaining present during this Holy Season has been a challenge, but the pastoral needs of the church do not end just because my family is going through this time. We are grateful for our friends that are supporting us and continuing to work knowing that at any moment we may need to drop everything and run to Phoenix. It is challenging, but we seem to be getting through.

Trepidation

OK... so, I get it.

Last week I found out that if I wanted to complete a very important project, I would need to bump up my performance, a lot! So for the next 8 weeks I have my head down and am running at a speed that I haven't run in years. Several thoughts came to mind as I entered this journey:

1) WOW, look at all of these wonderful people that surround me and are willing to help me be successful!

2) I am always preaching that we are made in the image of God, and this doesn't seem to big for God

3) it's just 8 weeks (This one is a bit double edged!)

I really wanted to post this because I am uncomfortable and unsure of how this will turn out, but I won't know unless I try!

Please keep my family in your prayers as I will be in books and up to my kneck in school for a few. God bless.

Rush, rush, rush

Where does the time go? I stopped in to visit one of our parishioners who is in his later years and enjoyed a nice visit. We spoke of places he visited in his life and food he had eaten. It was a powerful segue into our conversation about the last supper. Can you imagine sitting around with twelve or more of your very closest friends, celebrating and remembering, probably laughing and conversing. It was probably a great dinner. How is dinner around your house? Do you laugh and share? Do you invite the Holy Spirit to sit at the table with you? Join the feast. Share, laugh and love! ~Peace

Amazing

What a morning. Beautiful skies, great clouds, vivid pinks and purples. The end to a great week. I am looking forward to seeing family this weekend and enjoying time with more people that I love!

New morning

There is something refreshing about spring. Mornings of snow on the grass and cool temperatures followed by clear days and sunshine with temperatures in the 60's. Trees are beginning to bud and the tulips, crocus and daffodils are beginning to bloom. Robins have been spending more time around my window... and a reminder of the hope and grace of God.

Of loss

The thought of losing someone comes with such great angst for each of us. Even with a faith so grounded that death is not feared, there is the part of one's self that mourns the ability to tell someone how much they really mean to you. The past two weeks have given me time to pause and reflect on great friendships. Glen Leggler, an inspirational coach, teacher and friend from our men's chorus in Casper Wyoming passed quickly last week. He was followed this weekend by my friend, mentor and pastor from Arizona, Rebecca Oakes Long. Rebecca inspired me to go to theology school and helped me pick the one I will graduate from in November. Both of these people will be surely missed by others as they are missed by me. Glen had a knack of bringing the guys of the chorus together and getting them to do stuff that stretched their abilities. He had the same talent with kids and was an inspiration to thousands of young people in the state of Wyoming. His "get it done" spirit moved mountains, and yes at times, it moved this mountain. Rebecca was something else. Unassuming, patient, caring, challenging and loving, "Becky" helped me see God in every moment of every day. Her insights enlightened me to what was in my heart and inspired me to embrace the journey that God had in store for me. My heart goes out to the families and friends of these two great leaders in my life and in the lives of so many. I pray they feel the healing hand of God as they journey forward. I have not shed a tear for either of my friends. I will greatly miss them, but believe they are both in a place that I will see them again. And I pray that they are there to greet me as I will want to tell them the continuation of their story through my life.