Reptiles Oook Me Out

Yes, I used the word "oook" in the title. I remember when I was the chaplain at the Montgomery Bell State Park Birthplace shrine of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church and baby snakes would slither in to the cool stone chapel. When that happened I usually found someone less squeamish than I to kindly sweep the little buggers out.

But we went to another level at church this past Sunday. After asking the men to get the hand-sized frog out of the toilet Sunday morning, I thought I had reached my squeamish limit for the day, but as I stepped out of the educational building to enter the sanctuary, I noticed a few men surrounding yet another creature. It was colorful and quickly I recited the rhyme that I was taught when active in the camping world: "Red on black, friend of Jack. Red on yellow, kill the fellow." Yep, there was the yellow stripe. It was a coral snake . . . no doubt about it. I hastened to the sanctuary and blessed the group that could handle the poisonous creature. As I got all of the ookies out of me waiting for the service to start someone asked if it was OK to kill snakes on the Sabbath. Apparently someone stomped its head pretty well and relocated it to the fire pit (don't ask why we have a fire pit). After the service they went out to the fire pit and the thing was gone. Someone quickly reassured me that a bird of prey probably got it -- we have eagles and ospreys out here who would enjoy such a dinner. But all I could think was "resurrection."

No sign of the thing today, though, as I returned to work. The frog, however, was staring at me from atop the bathroom door. Not cool.

a week with no children

things are silent around here as i enter my week of solitude. of course, my congregation of children (in their 80s and 90s) have not left me but those who share my home with me are vactioning for a week. my plans include taking care of myself. i got up this morning and went for a bike ride -- though i'm so out of shape i made it halfway down the road and back (i had forgotten how uncomfortable bicycle seats are! ouch!) tomorrow i plan to make it the whole road and back -- little by little making progress and caring for me. the thing is, even with such a small success, my heart rate went up (for the two minutes) and i felt good. there's nothing wrong with starting small, as long as i just start.

i also had dinner with the neighbors last night and today have been invited out here and there by people from the church, etc. i may or may not take them up on their offers. i intend to do only what is best for me.

i tried to make an appt. with the chiropractor but he is gone this week so i've got an appt. for next week. my hubby and i are going on a date next Sunday. i hope to clean the house some and watch some movies that are not rated G. it's my week for self-care, and while i'll go to work and visit people as is required of me, i don't intend to make it a rat race. one step at a time. one day at a time. so when the little ones return i can be a better, healthier mommy.

this is the news from the stillness of arbuckle creek, where the birds are noisier than the inside of my house, the snow birds are heading back to their second homes, and the fog dusts the ground in a beautiful wonder of peace.

eat pray love

You'll see that my newest book recommendation via Amazon is eat, pray, love by Elizabeth Gilbert. I'm only in the first third of the book but already I'm captivated by this woman who communicates deeply with God without being able to name quite what she is doing. Sometimes she feels she is listening to herself but she believes it is more than that. It really makes me think about the most intense conversations I've had with God . . . when I've literally waited in the silence to hear something . . . anything . . . and then I intuit something that I know is not of me. It's not that I doubt myself; rather, it's that I know myself and frequently the words I hear from God are much wiser, much deeper, taking into account things that I would never consider. And so I recommend this book (even more if you click from this page to check it out!) My friend Brian recommended it to me and it's worth every penny. I imagine some of it will make it into a sermon someday, but if not, it will influence my spiritual life.

Now, Easter. It's over -- Alleluia and Amen. But really our service was nice. Despite the arguments in committee meetings over whether or not to serve communion (me: It's a High Holy Day! them: but isn't communion on Maundy Thursday with just the 40 regulars enough?) and the further arguments over whether or not to include a mini cantata (me: it's more important to celebrate the resurrection with the sacrament of the Lord's supper. them: but music is so fun!) we came to a nice compromise and included it all, including my sermon (me: I'm sorry, but even with all of this other stuff I have to proclaim the gospel! them: you're right, Katie). We printed in the newsletter that we should expect a longer service given that we were going for the full-out celebration! So yesterday was the day and the service ended 5 minutes earlier than usual! No one could believe it! The choir sang. the children sang. the children went to Sunday school. I preached (though it was short). the offering was taken. everyone received communion. and I gave the benediction. Even with the organist starting 5 minutes late (he never looks at the clock) we did this! maybe this was a true sign of the resurrection. ALL things become possible!

So this is the news from arbuckle creek, where the pastor is rested (I slept 5 hours after church Sunday! I couldn't believe it!), the snow birds are starting to fly back North (praise God from whom all blessings flow -- though it's true, they help the economy) and the kids watch for alligators in their backyards (I kid you not, my neighbor stood guard watching the canal while our kids hunted easter eggs. the silly gator dove into the water right before we started and we weren't taking chances!)

Check out My New Amazon Recommendations

I know it's been awhile, but I decided I'd update what I've been reading. Enjoy. Oh, and as for the kindle, I really want one!

What's So Holy About Holy Week?

As a pastor I dread Holy Week. I dread the many services, even services that traditionally hold so much meaning for me. Mostly, I just dread the excessive work. I probably shouldn't complain given the fact that I preach that so much of the Christian faith centers around the cross, an element of execution. I probably shouldn't complain about extra services when I believe God's love would do anything for me, including pulling all-nighters so that I could finally see clearly enough to receive whatever it is I need. But I do complain because I wonder what is so holy about holy week. I wonder why people flock to the church this week when they don't any other week. I wonder why we go out and buy new clothes for this Sunday when we rush just to get our hair brushed other Sundays. I wonder why I stress out so much this week when it is just another week. After all, next year the week of March 17 will be just another week -- nothing holy whatsoever. But then I remember that one of the main things Jesus' life teaches is that the ordinary is holy. We don't need special rules or laws to follow in order to make anything holy. We need only to recognize God's presence with us, understanding us, to change the ordinary into the sacred. And so when I ask, "What's so holy about holy week?" I guess I should also acknowledge that everything is holy during holy week. And the same everything is holy the rest of the year too because God is with us, God understands us, God loves us, God forgives us, God receives us. There is nothing ordinary about life when one follows the way of Christ.

Pastors Don't Make Much Money

I continue with my desire to be content with what I have, but I am finding with rising gas prices, a pastor's salary just doesn't cut it for a family of four. I guess this is the point at which I look at reality.

Perhaps the hardest part of admitting that pastors don't make much money is acknowledging it when my salary is above the poverty line, is above what many Americans are able to earn on a work-3-jobs-to-make-ends-meet income. I am a professional with a professional salary and professional duties. I have to lead worship, counsel those in times of need, plan programs, envision the future of the organization, and understand business administration. Yet, because I have been called by God to this, I am supposed to graciously receive what is being given to me, albeit, not enough.

I find myself looking for other jobs that would not be as satisfying as this one. I find myself wondering what it might be to have an income that tripled or even quadrupled mine. (notice in my dream state I skipped even doubling it, knowing that that amount would also be less-than-ideal). But I really wonder what it is I am looking for. I want to live happily, freely. I want to not worry on those off weeks when I don't get paid if I will be able to stretch things enough to pay all of my bills. I want not to be the bearer of bad news to my husband-student that he is not to touch the bank account. I used to think that much of my frustration was the accumulation of student loans that come due each month, but even those are in deferment and we still struggle. I know that there will always be bills and taxes. I know that I won't get away from them with a larger income. And I know that a boost in income will not take away the desire I have to be a pastor. Heck, usually I'm even good at it. How would I make the transition from pastor to "development coordinator" or "sustainable building coordinator?" While I am extremely interested in green building and eco-friendly homes, I wonder how I would even get started in a completely different business. Personally I'm sure I could tie it together spiritually, but how would I transition my life from counseling and planning worship to encouraging new builders/buyers to go green?

If you're lost with this post, I'm sorry. I'm just so stuck. I want to respect my husband's desire to go to school without the interruption of a job, but it hurts that I suck in the income department. enough said. I hope to get out of this mood soon.