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Happy Monday!
What an awesome day! I completed a portion of the candidacy program today by taking two personality tests. One of the tests had 567 questions. Two of the questions I found particularly funny. (1) Would you like to be a singer? I answered no. I already am a singer. And (2) Do you have any pain in your neck? That question was about 250 or so questions into the test and I could have honestly answered Yes! By then my neck and shoulders were a bit stiff and they did not ask about my back side.
One of the tests assesses personality traits and the other assessed strengths and weaknesses. I am interested to find out what these tests say about me. I also sent an email to the counseling service with the loooooooong Autobiographical Questionnaire as an attachment. They will receive it in the morning. I think I am caught up as to the current requirements for candidacy at this time. I hope so. And last but certainly not least…I got an A in pastoral care class!!! I was so excited. Thank you for all of your prayers. The teacher is mailing our papers back to us via the USPS. I hope to receive them one day this week.
Job 42: 12 “So the Lord blessed the latter end of Job more than his beginning.”
I am sure many of you have heard the saying that God does not call the prepared, He prepares the called. I have heard this little proverb for several years now and today I began to understand what it means for me.
I am in preparation for the purpose to which God has called me. It is sort of like planting a flower bed. Before you plant the flowers or sow the seeds, you have to prepare the bed. Bed preparation takes quite a commitment before you ever put anything to sprout in the ground. The soil has to be turned so it receives more air. Then nutrients are added to help make the soil richer and provide the best possible bed in which to hold seeds or seedlings.
As I attended the class on pastoral care I began to realize how unaware and inexperienced I was in the different types of suffering that people go through. I am gaining a better awareness and the “bed” is being prepared for me to have greater understanding of my fellow travelers in this world. I am not ready to work in this field yet, but I am so willing to learn all I can and be led by God and His teachers, Pastor Joel and Pastor Marc. God has led our family through some very difficult times and it is my greatest hope that someday I can help others in their time of need as a pastoral care giver.
God prepares each of us for His service. The “bed” prep falls to us and God plants the seed. Our seed beds are prepared with prayer first, learning all we can through the Word, being courageous enough to allow God to turn the soil of our lives and add His richest blessings in the greatest measure through the love of Jesus and the love of His people. When our ground is prepared in love and the soil is at its richest and best then the seed is planted. The seed planted in the bed prepared by God can withstand the storms, the heat, and we can give thanks in joy when it is time to harvest.
Take joy in the journey. Wear comfortable shoes, count your blessings and say your prayers. I am praying for each of you, please continue to pray for our family especially Geni who is still struggling in biology. Love you all, Bruce, Gaylene, Geni and Travis.
Gcapplenotes@aol.com
I am not moved by what I see. I am not moved by what I feel. I am moved only by what I believe and I believe God.
Monday, August 2, 2010
Blessed Sunday to you all!
As those of you who read this blog regularly already know, I am in the midst of the candidacy application process for the Lutheran Church(ELCA). I have completed the 19 page Autobiographical Questionnaire. Tomorrow I am going to the church to take two tests which take about 3 hours to complete. I am taking my own coffee (after a stop at Starbucks). I have to be proctored by someone other than a relative, so Pastor Marc has agreed to administer the test and to certify that it was me who took the tests. One is a personality test and one is a test that assesses strengths and weaknesses. I ask your continued prayers as I continue on this journey of faith and service and endurance!
Also, please pray for Geni. She is really stressed over this biology class and her other class as well. It is nearing the end of summer and she is getting tired. Pray for her to endure as the tests are coming more rapid fire at the mid-term time.
Ephesians 2:14 “For He is our peace, who has made both one, and has broken down the middle wall of partition between us.’
God has promised to never leave us or forsake us. He removed the wall when Jesus came to live on the earth and became the priest between us and God the Father. There is no bond on earth that compares to the union between God and the ones who love God. Our friendship with God is the merging of heart, mind, and will. God seeks out of His love for us a oneness of Him and us.
In the Old Testament only the priests were allowed to achieve this oneness, but Jesus showed us that we could have this oneness with God by believing in the One whom He sent. When we have Oneness with Jesus through the power of the Holy Spirit, we have oneness with God the Father Himself.
The psalm we read in church today spoke of God speaking to all who have breath. God’s Word falls on the high and the low, the mighty and the powerless, rich and poor and ALL who have breath. We are all capable of receiving God’s love through His Word. His Word is truth and He is our peace.
Take joy in the journey. Wear comfortable shoes, count your blessings and say your prayers. I pray for you each day, please continue to pray for our family. Love you all so very much, Bruce, Gaylene, Geni and Travis.
Gcapplenotes@aol.com
I am not moved by what I see. I am not moved by what I feel. I am moved only by what I believe and I believe God.
As those of you who read this blog regularly already know, I am in the midst of the candidacy application process for the Lutheran Church(ELCA). I have completed the 19 page Autobiographical Questionnaire. Tomorrow I am going to the church to take two tests which take about 3 hours to complete. I am taking my own coffee (after a stop at Starbucks). I have to be proctored by someone other than a relative, so Pastor Marc has agreed to administer the test and to certify that it was me who took the tests. One is a personality test and one is a test that assesses strengths and weaknesses. I ask your continued prayers as I continue on this journey of faith and service and endurance!
Also, please pray for Geni. She is really stressed over this biology class and her other class as well. It is nearing the end of summer and she is getting tired. Pray for her to endure as the tests are coming more rapid fire at the mid-term time.
Ephesians 2:14 “For He is our peace, who has made both one, and has broken down the middle wall of partition between us.’
God has promised to never leave us or forsake us. He removed the wall when Jesus came to live on the earth and became the priest between us and God the Father. There is no bond on earth that compares to the union between God and the ones who love God. Our friendship with God is the merging of heart, mind, and will. God seeks out of His love for us a oneness of Him and us.
In the Old Testament only the priests were allowed to achieve this oneness, but Jesus showed us that we could have this oneness with God by believing in the One whom He sent. When we have Oneness with Jesus through the power of the Holy Spirit, we have oneness with God the Father Himself.
The psalm we read in church today spoke of God speaking to all who have breath. God’s Word falls on the high and the low, the mighty and the powerless, rich and poor and ALL who have breath. We are all capable of receiving God’s love through His Word. His Word is truth and He is our peace.
Take joy in the journey. Wear comfortable shoes, count your blessings and say your prayers. I pray for you each day, please continue to pray for our family. Love you all so very much, Bruce, Gaylene, Geni and Travis.
Gcapplenotes@aol.com
I am not moved by what I see. I am not moved by what I feel. I am moved only by what I believe and I believe God.
Saturday, July 31, 2010
Happy Saturday!
Tonight we attended the dissolving of a 20 year ministry. The NTNL Lutheran Happening is no more.
Participants were coming few and far between and adult sponsorship was dwindling. It was a bittersweet time as we renewed old friendships with those who had attended the very first Happening events to those who had attended more recent weekends. There were three spiritual directors present to lead worship and preside over Eucharist so I led the congregation in song with the band behind me. Geni and Travis read the scripture lessons and Travis presided as Youth Rector during worship. My children make me very proud.
When we got to the end of the service we gathered around and sang the Michael W. Smith song, Friends. We closed every Happening with that song. I really missed Casey tonight and asked God if Casey could just peak down from heaven and watch his brother, sister and friends joined in worship. Geni told me, “Oh Mom, Casey was here.” There were some smiles and tears and a belief that Happening was not finished but just moving on hopefully to a new location.
It was a joy to watch my own children grow spiritually through Happening. They all three served on numerous teams and were all Rectors (youth leaders) on weekend events. It was a joy to serve on these teams as a Spiritual Director and get to do silly things to share the love of God through Jesus with these wonderful young people. It is a ministry I will miss and hope at some time will return.
2 Chronicles 5:13 “As the trumpeters and singers were as one, to make one sound to be heard in praising and thanking the Lord.”
Tonight as we said our good-byes we were all searching for something for which to be glad. When something comes to an end God calls us to find something for which to be thankful. I listened to each person who spoke tell how thankful they were for what Happening had meant in their life. Travis shared how much Happening meant to him as he dealt with the loss of Casey. I gave thanks for being able to witness and share these spiritually forming years with these young people.
When we are thankful when it is hard to be thankful, it is called the sacrifice of praise. It means to seek diligently something for which to be thankful in each of life’s happenings. In seeking something for which to be thankful even when it is so hard will cause joy to spring into your heart.
Today I received an email for a friend telling of how a mother accidentally backed over her one year old child. The child did not survive. I do not know how to find the sacrifice of praise in this situation. I just know I have been in prayer for this family all day. When we lost Casey the thankfulness we offered up was that God allowed us to spend this last year of Casey’s life with him.
We have great power over Satan when we are thankful in the most difficult and devastating of moments and situations. Maybe thankfulness does not come right away but asking God to give you a glad and thankful heart will open to door to hear His voice and receive His blessings.
Take joy in the journey. Wear comfortable shoes, count your blessings and say your prayers. I am praying for you; please continue your prayers for this family. Love you all and see you in worship, Bruce, Gaylene, Geni and Travis.
Gcapplenotes@aol.com
I am not moved by what I see. I am not moved by what I feel. I am moved only by what I believe and I believe God.
Tonight we attended the dissolving of a 20 year ministry. The NTNL Lutheran Happening is no more.
Participants were coming few and far between and adult sponsorship was dwindling. It was a bittersweet time as we renewed old friendships with those who had attended the very first Happening events to those who had attended more recent weekends. There were three spiritual directors present to lead worship and preside over Eucharist so I led the congregation in song with the band behind me. Geni and Travis read the scripture lessons and Travis presided as Youth Rector during worship. My children make me very proud.
When we got to the end of the service we gathered around and sang the Michael W. Smith song, Friends. We closed every Happening with that song. I really missed Casey tonight and asked God if Casey could just peak down from heaven and watch his brother, sister and friends joined in worship. Geni told me, “Oh Mom, Casey was here.” There were some smiles and tears and a belief that Happening was not finished but just moving on hopefully to a new location.
It was a joy to watch my own children grow spiritually through Happening. They all three served on numerous teams and were all Rectors (youth leaders) on weekend events. It was a joy to serve on these teams as a Spiritual Director and get to do silly things to share the love of God through Jesus with these wonderful young people. It is a ministry I will miss and hope at some time will return.
2 Chronicles 5:13 “As the trumpeters and singers were as one, to make one sound to be heard in praising and thanking the Lord.”
Tonight as we said our good-byes we were all searching for something for which to be glad. When something comes to an end God calls us to find something for which to be thankful. I listened to each person who spoke tell how thankful they were for what Happening had meant in their life. Travis shared how much Happening meant to him as he dealt with the loss of Casey. I gave thanks for being able to witness and share these spiritually forming years with these young people.
When we are thankful when it is hard to be thankful, it is called the sacrifice of praise. It means to seek diligently something for which to be thankful in each of life’s happenings. In seeking something for which to be thankful even when it is so hard will cause joy to spring into your heart.
Today I received an email for a friend telling of how a mother accidentally backed over her one year old child. The child did not survive. I do not know how to find the sacrifice of praise in this situation. I just know I have been in prayer for this family all day. When we lost Casey the thankfulness we offered up was that God allowed us to spend this last year of Casey’s life with him.
We have great power over Satan when we are thankful in the most difficult and devastating of moments and situations. Maybe thankfulness does not come right away but asking God to give you a glad and thankful heart will open to door to hear His voice and receive His blessings.
Take joy in the journey. Wear comfortable shoes, count your blessings and say your prayers. I am praying for you; please continue your prayers for this family. Love you all and see you in worship, Bruce, Gaylene, Geni and Travis.
Gcapplenotes@aol.com
I am not moved by what I see. I am not moved by what I feel. I am moved only by what I believe and I believe God.
Thursday, July 29, 2010
Happy Thursday!
Candidacy process update: Today I received a packet of materials asking medical history including at what age my grandparents died. I had to make a phone call to mom and dad to find those answers. Go figure! My interview which is four hours long is scheduled for September 9 in Dallas (start praying now!) and the remainder of my current paperwork is due by August 13. I am beginning to think that the ELCA must think if you can endure the entrance procedures to the candidacy process you might just make it in the ministry!
1John 4:16 “And we have known and believed the love that God has for us. God is love; and he that dwells in love dwells in God, and God in him.”
When do we dwell with God? Do we dwell with God only when we are in trouble or experiencing grief and loss? Or, do we remember that we dwell with God when the sun is shining, the breeze is blowing (yes, I know it is July in Texas) and the flowers are blooming? God dwells with us in the storm and in the calm. God dwells with us when our lives are filled with butterflies and best friends and cold iced tea on a summer day. I remember my mother-in-law, bless her precious soul. If there was not a current crisis going on, she would find one or create one. She seemed to struggle to accept the sunlight and beautiful day and was much more comfortable with the storm. She was a praying woman and maybe the storm kept her close to God. But as we all know the sun always shines after the storm.
The sunshine after the storm is God’s promise to remain with us in all we do, everyday and every way. Out of His love for us He chose to dwell with us through Jesus. Jesus walked daily with the disciples in the storm, on the beach, down the road, during dinner and in the temple. He dwelt with them in their lives day by day and through each night. Jesus lived in love with the disciples and taught them to love God through Himself.
Jesus tells us, “I have overcome the world. You will have tribulation but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” We can dwell with God and joy and peace shall be ours, sunshine or rain.
Take joy in the journey. Wear comfortable shoes, count your blessings and say your prayers. I am praying for each of you. Please continue to pray for our family.
Love you all, Bruce, Gaylene, Geni and Travis.
Gcapplenotes@aol.com
I am not moved by what I see. I am not moved by what I feel. I am moved only by what I believe and I believe God.
Candidacy process update: Today I received a packet of materials asking medical history including at what age my grandparents died. I had to make a phone call to mom and dad to find those answers. Go figure! My interview which is four hours long is scheduled for September 9 in Dallas (start praying now!) and the remainder of my current paperwork is due by August 13. I am beginning to think that the ELCA must think if you can endure the entrance procedures to the candidacy process you might just make it in the ministry!
1John 4:16 “And we have known and believed the love that God has for us. God is love; and he that dwells in love dwells in God, and God in him.”
When do we dwell with God? Do we dwell with God only when we are in trouble or experiencing grief and loss? Or, do we remember that we dwell with God when the sun is shining, the breeze is blowing (yes, I know it is July in Texas) and the flowers are blooming? God dwells with us in the storm and in the calm. God dwells with us when our lives are filled with butterflies and best friends and cold iced tea on a summer day. I remember my mother-in-law, bless her precious soul. If there was not a current crisis going on, she would find one or create one. She seemed to struggle to accept the sunlight and beautiful day and was much more comfortable with the storm. She was a praying woman and maybe the storm kept her close to God. But as we all know the sun always shines after the storm.
The sunshine after the storm is God’s promise to remain with us in all we do, everyday and every way. Out of His love for us He chose to dwell with us through Jesus. Jesus walked daily with the disciples in the storm, on the beach, down the road, during dinner and in the temple. He dwelt with them in their lives day by day and through each night. Jesus lived in love with the disciples and taught them to love God through Himself.
Jesus tells us, “I have overcome the world. You will have tribulation but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” We can dwell with God and joy and peace shall be ours, sunshine or rain.
Take joy in the journey. Wear comfortable shoes, count your blessings and say your prayers. I am praying for each of you. Please continue to pray for our family.
Love you all, Bruce, Gaylene, Geni and Travis.
Gcapplenotes@aol.com
I am not moved by what I see. I am not moved by what I feel. I am moved only by what I believe and I believe God.
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
Happy Tuesday!
The paper went out over the airwaves today. I wrote to my teacher and asked for a confirmation that she received the paper, just to be sure.
Leviticus 26:12 “And I will walk among you, and will be your God, and you will be My people.”
Touched by an Angel begins with Della Reese singing,”I will walk with you.” What a wonderful comforting phrase and promise from our God. God walks with us to guide, protect, comfort, strengthen and uphold each of us every step of the road on which we walk.
Have you ever walked with a friend? I mean not just to get to a destination, but just to be with the person. I think that is one of the reasons God walks among us. God loves us. He loves us as His children and loves us as friends. Friends enjoy spending time together. Sometimes friends talk as they walk and sometimes they walk together in comfortable silence allowing each other just to enjoy being in each other’s company.
I think walking with God is sort of like that. Sometimes when I am with God I talk, ask, listen, share, cry and laugh. And sometimes when I am with God I just call His name and am quiet before Him and walk in comfortable silence like two good friends. I find a sense of comfort in the simplicity of the walk and in its Love and trust. I also find powerful joy rising up within me when I walk with God.
God loves to walk with His children when we are in need and when we are just in need of a walk. Take time to walk with God. He has claimed us as His people and names Himself our God. So my friends, lace up your sneakers and take a walk.
Take joy in the journey. Wear comfortable “walking” shoes, count your blessings and say your prayers. I am praying for each of you and give thanks for your prayers for our family. Love you all, Bruce, Gaylene, Geni and Travis.
Gcapplenotes@aol.com
I am not moved by what I see. I am not moved by what I feel. I am moved only by what I believe and I believe God.
The paper went out over the airwaves today. I wrote to my teacher and asked for a confirmation that she received the paper, just to be sure.
Leviticus 26:12 “And I will walk among you, and will be your God, and you will be My people.”
Touched by an Angel begins with Della Reese singing,”I will walk with you.” What a wonderful comforting phrase and promise from our God. God walks with us to guide, protect, comfort, strengthen and uphold each of us every step of the road on which we walk.
Have you ever walked with a friend? I mean not just to get to a destination, but just to be with the person. I think that is one of the reasons God walks among us. God loves us. He loves us as His children and loves us as friends. Friends enjoy spending time together. Sometimes friends talk as they walk and sometimes they walk together in comfortable silence allowing each other just to enjoy being in each other’s company.
I think walking with God is sort of like that. Sometimes when I am with God I talk, ask, listen, share, cry and laugh. And sometimes when I am with God I just call His name and am quiet before Him and walk in comfortable silence like two good friends. I find a sense of comfort in the simplicity of the walk and in its Love and trust. I also find powerful joy rising up within me when I walk with God.
God loves to walk with His children when we are in need and when we are just in need of a walk. Take time to walk with God. He has claimed us as His people and names Himself our God. So my friends, lace up your sneakers and take a walk.
Take joy in the journey. Wear comfortable “walking” shoes, count your blessings and say your prayers. I am praying for each of you and give thanks for your prayers for our family. Love you all, Bruce, Gaylene, Geni and Travis.
Gcapplenotes@aol.com
I am not moved by what I see. I am not moved by what I feel. I am moved only by what I believe and I believe God.
Monday, July 26, 2010
Happy Monday!
I finished writing my paper today. Praise God!! I have given it to Bruce to give it the once over twice and hopefully it will be in the hands (or at least the computer) of my teacher tomorrow.
Sunday, I was presented with a beautiful prayer shawl in sort of a southwest pink color by the prayer shawl ministry of our church. As I worked on this paper, I set it beside me, prayed for God’s guidance and my openness to hear Him and His message and I was finished in a reasonably short time. Bruce came home for lunch and I was working on the paper. I started screaming and he ran out of the office. These were screams of joy as I figured out how to tie it all together. When I finished I felt like I had lost the final 15 pounds I need to lose in a single afternoon! (But no such luck)
Colossians 3:13 “Forbearing one another and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any; even as Christ forgave you, so also you must too.”
The final paper I was to write was how to insert pastoral care into the lives of the family in the movie Ordinary People starring Donald Sutherland, Mary Tyler Moore and Timothy Hutton. Mary Tyler Moore is the mother who has lost her oldest son to a tragic boating accident and then almost loses her other son (Timothy Hutton) to an attempted suicide. She builds a near impervious wall of separation around herself and treats her remaining son without love, affection, understanding or any recognition that he has experienced loss also. Her character made me really angry.
So I had to put into practice what I was taught in the class and by my very wise hubby. I had to remove myself from the scenario and remember that I was God’s representative and my anger and judgment would serve no purpose in this woman’s life or assist her in her healing.
I pulled the paper through the story of Peter as he meets Jesus by the lake following the resurrection. The story is a story of reconciliation, forgiveness and being welcomed back into fellowship with God through Jesus. The family in the movie needed to reconcile as a family, receive forgiveness and give forgiveness to each other.
God lost His son to murder. And if He could forgive the angry mob, forgive the ones who drove the nails and those who mocked Him, He can and does forgive us of our rather “ordinary” sins. God calls us to show His merciful love and grace and forgive others as He has shown us forgiveness.
Take joy in the journey. Wear comfortable shoes, count your blessings and say your prayers. I am praying for you. Thank you for praying for me and please continue to pray for our family. Love you all, Bruce, Gaylene, Geni and Travis.
Gcapplenotes@aol.com
I am not moved by what I see. I am not moved by what I feel. I am moved only by what I believe and I believe God.
I finished writing my paper today. Praise God!! I have given it to Bruce to give it the once over twice and hopefully it will be in the hands (or at least the computer) of my teacher tomorrow.
Sunday, I was presented with a beautiful prayer shawl in sort of a southwest pink color by the prayer shawl ministry of our church. As I worked on this paper, I set it beside me, prayed for God’s guidance and my openness to hear Him and His message and I was finished in a reasonably short time. Bruce came home for lunch and I was working on the paper. I started screaming and he ran out of the office. These were screams of joy as I figured out how to tie it all together. When I finished I felt like I had lost the final 15 pounds I need to lose in a single afternoon! (But no such luck)
Colossians 3:13 “Forbearing one another and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any; even as Christ forgave you, so also you must too.”
The final paper I was to write was how to insert pastoral care into the lives of the family in the movie Ordinary People starring Donald Sutherland, Mary Tyler Moore and Timothy Hutton. Mary Tyler Moore is the mother who has lost her oldest son to a tragic boating accident and then almost loses her other son (Timothy Hutton) to an attempted suicide. She builds a near impervious wall of separation around herself and treats her remaining son without love, affection, understanding or any recognition that he has experienced loss also. Her character made me really angry.
So I had to put into practice what I was taught in the class and by my very wise hubby. I had to remove myself from the scenario and remember that I was God’s representative and my anger and judgment would serve no purpose in this woman’s life or assist her in her healing.
I pulled the paper through the story of Peter as he meets Jesus by the lake following the resurrection. The story is a story of reconciliation, forgiveness and being welcomed back into fellowship with God through Jesus. The family in the movie needed to reconcile as a family, receive forgiveness and give forgiveness to each other.
God lost His son to murder. And if He could forgive the angry mob, forgive the ones who drove the nails and those who mocked Him, He can and does forgive us of our rather “ordinary” sins. God calls us to show His merciful love and grace and forgive others as He has shown us forgiveness.
Take joy in the journey. Wear comfortable shoes, count your blessings and say your prayers. I am praying for you. Thank you for praying for me and please continue to pray for our family. Love you all, Bruce, Gaylene, Geni and Travis.
Gcapplenotes@aol.com
I am not moved by what I see. I am not moved by what I feel. I am moved only by what I believe and I believe God.
Blessed Sunday!
What an amazing day! We spent most of the day with our friends Carme and Dave. They met us for worship and then for lunch. The people at the restaurant sort of put us in the corner and it was a wise choice because between Carme, Dave, Bruce, me, Geni, Travis and Carrie (one of Geni’s friends from school), we were the loudest table in the restaurant, but we also had the most fun! After a short break, we then went back to Carme and Dave’s hotel and had a great visit. Carme and Dave are doing really well.
Proverbs 16:9 “A man’s heart leads his way; but the Lord guides his steps.”
In worship today Pastor Marc spoke about holy moments. Moments in our lives when the Spirit raises up in us glimpses of the way God wants us to lead our lives. When Jesus prayed the Lord’s Prayer, it was witnessed by the disciples. Can you imagine their awe when this One whom they only might imagine has powers greater than their own, bowing before the Father in prayer? Here is Jesus teaching them to pray because He practices prayer Himself.
Just as God had lordship over His Son, Jesus, Jesus has lordship over our lives. God through Jesus and the Word asks us leave plans to Him and then act as He bids us to act. When we learn to trust Jesus with our plans then we enter into a God-guided life. This means God-taught and God-guided. What an amazing life to which we have all been charged! I believe my heart has led me to the ministry of chaplaincy and school will teach me how to do this job and God will guide me each step of the way through prayer, study, the Word and His people.
Tomorrow it is my plan to complete my pastoral care paper. I am giving God lordship over this paper. I will pray before I begin the final part of the paper, keep my beautiful prayer shawl close by (I was given a beautiful hand-crochet prayer shawl by the Prayer Shawl Ministry of Advent today) and ask God to help me write the words to convey the message of compassion, forgiveness and reconciliation needed to show God’s love and grace in the ministry of pastoral care. Thank you for all of your continued prayers.
Take joy in the journey. Wear comfortable shoes, count your blessings and say your prayers. I am praying for each of you. Please continue to pray for our family. Love you all, Bruce, Gaylene, Geni and Travis.
Gcapplenotes@aol.com
I am not moved by what I see. I am not moved by what I feel. I am moved only by what I believe and I believe God.
PS By the time I get this degree all of you are going to feel as if you too have earned a Masters of Divinity, too!
What an amazing day! We spent most of the day with our friends Carme and Dave. They met us for worship and then for lunch. The people at the restaurant sort of put us in the corner and it was a wise choice because between Carme, Dave, Bruce, me, Geni, Travis and Carrie (one of Geni’s friends from school), we were the loudest table in the restaurant, but we also had the most fun! After a short break, we then went back to Carme and Dave’s hotel and had a great visit. Carme and Dave are doing really well.
Proverbs 16:9 “A man’s heart leads his way; but the Lord guides his steps.”
In worship today Pastor Marc spoke about holy moments. Moments in our lives when the Spirit raises up in us glimpses of the way God wants us to lead our lives. When Jesus prayed the Lord’s Prayer, it was witnessed by the disciples. Can you imagine their awe when this One whom they only might imagine has powers greater than their own, bowing before the Father in prayer? Here is Jesus teaching them to pray because He practices prayer Himself.
Just as God had lordship over His Son, Jesus, Jesus has lordship over our lives. God through Jesus and the Word asks us leave plans to Him and then act as He bids us to act. When we learn to trust Jesus with our plans then we enter into a God-guided life. This means God-taught and God-guided. What an amazing life to which we have all been charged! I believe my heart has led me to the ministry of chaplaincy and school will teach me how to do this job and God will guide me each step of the way through prayer, study, the Word and His people.
Tomorrow it is my plan to complete my pastoral care paper. I am giving God lordship over this paper. I will pray before I begin the final part of the paper, keep my beautiful prayer shawl close by (I was given a beautiful hand-crochet prayer shawl by the Prayer Shawl Ministry of Advent today) and ask God to help me write the words to convey the message of compassion, forgiveness and reconciliation needed to show God’s love and grace in the ministry of pastoral care. Thank you for all of your continued prayers.
Take joy in the journey. Wear comfortable shoes, count your blessings and say your prayers. I am praying for each of you. Please continue to pray for our family. Love you all, Bruce, Gaylene, Geni and Travis.
Gcapplenotes@aol.com
I am not moved by what I see. I am not moved by what I feel. I am moved only by what I believe and I believe God.
PS By the time I get this degree all of you are going to feel as if you too have earned a Masters of Divinity, too!
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