Who's Really Our Leader?

OK, so it's a lame title for Sunday's sermon, but I really wanted to work toward some tie-ins: 1) with the election -- I've heard so many people complaining about this election -- like we're doomed one way or another. I happen to think it's good that people are complaining, that means that change -- of one sort or another -- is coming. At least that is what they teach us in church transformation classes. But what I want to emphasize is that we're not doomed one way or another. In fact, God is still the one we should serve before anyone else. Sunday's scripture (Matthew 23:1-12) emphasizes that human leaders are often self-serving and that ultimately we need to place our faith in God. Verse 10 "The Messiah is your only leader." 2) with my church's stewardship theme of "belonging." I want to remind people once again that they belong to God BEFORE country. Sometimes I think we forget that God is much larger than one country. And we act surprised when we discover that God is actually God of all -- hmmm . . . interesting concept. 3) True Christianity is seen, not politicized. I love the commentary on the Pharisees in verses 5-7, "Everything they do is just to show off in front of others. They even make a big show of wearing Scripture verses on their foreheads and arms, and they wear big tassels for everyone to see. They love the best seats at banquets and the front seats in the meeting places. And when they are in the arket, they like to have people greet them as their teachers." In other words, we who follow God rather than politicians are to live our faith so no one wonders what it is we believe. This morning on msn.com, one of the headlines was: What is Sarah Palin's religion? Who cares! If we can't tell by looking at her life, what does it matter?

So these are my early considerations for next week's sermon. I also will be serving communion on Sunday so will consider how the gifts of God for the people of God fit in as well. I also really like the greatest/least story elements. Makes me think of the fables about the lion who was saved by the mouse who chewed him out of a hunter's net. I'm wondering if I might use that . . .

For those of you following my exercise, I've exercised daily for the past 14 days!!!! 30 minutes of Wii Fit each day is marvelous! My Wii Fit age has been in the low 30s all week long so I'm doing OK for my age group. My hips are staying sore from the advanced Hula Hooping and my weight is stable, though not going down. I'm eating well (not excessive, not unhealthy) but can't initiate the weight loss. Maybe I should drink more water.

Back to the Pavement . . . Kinda

I've been waiting for the heat to let up before heading back out to the pavement with my nice Saucony running shoes and my exercise clothes. But I forgot that in FL the heat really doesn't even begin to let up until late October. What to do?! Well, I think I've found the answer. I don't have room for a treadmill in my house (nor the money to buy one.) But my dear hubby got a Wii for his birthday this past summer and it finally came home two days ago. I set it up with that awesome balance board and Wii Fit program and I get to daily work on my balance and get the update on how much weight I've lost or gained . . . quite the humbling experience. But this morning at 6 AM I pulled on my tennis shoes and ran around a whole island with other runners cheering me on. The temperature was perfect . . . being that the night A/C was still on in addition to the fan above my head. The other runners were quite friendly and waved even when they passed me. My trainer kept encouraging me to keep it up. I crossed a bridge and saw a beautiful waterfall. I ran through a quaint town with absolutely no traffic or pollution. And when I crossed the finish line, people applauded me and jumped up and down! What a high! You'd never guess you could get a workout running in place in your living room, but I was sweating and panting by the end . . . and yes, I worked out for a full 30 minutes and at least half of that was at a running pace. My muscles are a bit sore tonight. I guess that's a good thing too.

We've incorporated Wii Fit into our homeschool day. The girls each have to complete 30 minutes on the days they don't have cheerleading. Bill and I are committed to the same. I played around with the ski jump and the soccer heading as well as step aerobics and yoga. It's good stuff. And best of all I don't have to go to the gym and face all of those skinny people. I can save that fuel and honestly look at myself (they adjust the Mii to be heavy when we're heavy . . . kind, huh?!) and set achievable goals in my own home.

Wednesday I'm leaving for Oklahoma for a few days. I'm going to learn about the gift of storytelling and how to use it in sermons, etc. I'm really psyched. But I won't be able to take the Wii with me. I hear there are some good running trails in the neighborhood where I'll be so I'll pack my shoes and plan to enjoy some nicer fall-ish weather.

So I guess the title of my post shouldn't be "back to the pavement" but back to the tile floor. Hmm . . .

This is the news from Arbuckle Creek, where the heat in fall is almost as bad as the heat of summer; where the 89 year old neighbor killed a 4 1/2 foot rattlesnake in his yard with a garden hoe while the snake was choking on a squirrel!), and where the kids don't even bother to go outside so afeared they are at the wildlife!