Greed

So the nation (made up of people like you and me) are screaming -- Economic Crisis!! And in my heart of hearts - all I can see is GREED! What's up with that? From Corporate Greed -- to personal Greed -- to Wall Street Greed!

My trip to Papua New Guinea made my life very different. People sleeping on 4 in foam mattrresses and eating sweet potatoes for breakfast -- made this economic crisis fall into place for me -- GREED -- living with things we don't need -- can live without -- and should!

Materialism in my country has escalated -- spun out of control! And it's tunneled to GREED!

Yikes -- can we get out of this ???? Back to the Bible and back to God and back to less STUFF!

Socialization instead of Thoughts

So . . . I've been extremely -- did I say EXTREMELY negligent with my thoughts lately. I'm so very caught up in the social networking of Facebook that I've hardly had time to really write down some thoughts.

And I've been thinking a lot lately. The book, The Shack, has taken me new places with God -- wow! and I attended a Quacker Worship Service last Sunday and found another place with God.

I've discovered that I need variety. I need different. I need things that will rattle my brain and jar my thoughts.

and now it's time to write. Oh . . .I'll check in with my friends daily -- but I will do my best to write down my life a little more in the contemplative way.

Let's go . .. Jersey for Jesus!

God's Creation

God's creation encompasses millions of categories. I had opportunity this past weekend to encounter two of His creations in a very special way. Firstly, I am always happy when it's snowing! Imagine that! Some of my closest friends just can't understand that. So . . . skiing is just something I love. And when I'm skiing -- I'm simply enthralled with the view from the top of the mountain. And while I wasn't in New England or the Rockies -- the Poconos would just have to do. And I still was amazed at the beauty in God's Creation of the landscape. And -- there was plenty of snow falling from the sky -- enough to get soaking wet!

But secondly . . . God's Creation of mankind in community was my experience this past weekend. And -- how great . . . these both were together!

There's a special community among Christians! And when one corps can pull community off -- it's a special day. And God is to be praised. (The coordinators should be thanked, of course - ) But God gets all the glory!

Interaction between friends and associates in a relazed setting, enjoying the snow and the thrill of the hill (it was the poconos!) was wonderful.

Jersey for Jesus -- in community -- I just love it!

Been a long time !

Sometimes I feel like a ping pong ball. I run from this project to the next project and it's rare that I remember to do my devotions and the laundry (though I do them both regularly) and so my poor blog -- that no one reads -- lays dormant for months.

what's a girl to do ? So I'm now promising to blog once a week. Let's see if I can do this. It's alot easier than exercising -- though I like exercising my mind much more than my body.

Thanks in advance to my friends who will encourage -- there are a couple out there, and I'll do my best to be interesting.

And Jersey for Jesus -- is an actual fact! We're doing our best to represent the King right where we live -- and it's so great! Pray for us.

The People of God

How wonderful it is to be with the People of God. Today's meetings at beautiful Star Lake Camp were just a stamp of approval upon God's People. I really do love working with God's People. I am surrounded by such a cloud of witnesses to the ministry of God. It's not everyday that people say that they get to go to work and just enjoy being with their fellow workers -- BUT I DO! Thank you to all those who make ministry so awesome and enjoyable.

Been Prayin'

There have been lots of things recently that needed lots of prayer! It's kids -- it's jobs -- it's family -- it's TSA work here in NJ -- it's personnel -- it's OKAY . . . just about everything.

But that's what it is about, isn't it ? Dependence upon God melts that independent ego thing that Satan tries to trick us with every -- every single day! I've been doing some research for some talks (or sermons) for our trip to Australia and Papua New Guinea, and I've made some significant discoveries. Imago Dei is the theme and that has sent me lots of places in to find truths related to being made in the image of God. We were made to Glorify God. We were made to reflect his grace. We were made to pass along his love. We were made to speak the truth and we were made to "be like Jesus." Huh -- that leaves no place for ego . . . or power . . . or a big head!

We are vessels -- and I really like being a vessel that God can use.

What a summer!

I can hardly believe that I haven't written for months -- I'm really not a very good blogger. But the summer has taught me a couple of lessons to share with anyone who reads this --!

When the Bible says that the Lord provides . . . it's not Biblical history -- it's today and tomorrow and forever! Actual fact! well . .. for those who believe. I've had a couple of "trials & troubles" and actually prayer is the only place to go, and even when I have the slightest doubt that God will answer (I have some pretty petty and weird requests) -- He totally opens a door that I never thought of! Go figure. I know that I'm almost old and have been in ministry for tons of years . . . but God still amazes me! And I trust He always will!