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!)