Scripps Sundays

I read this quote for class last week and kept thinking about it....  The extraordinary resurrection story in John 21 when Mary recognizes the risen Jesus as he simply says her name, tells us a great deal about our prayer and our growth into mature discipleship. To sustain “life in the Spirit” under pressure, we need to retain the ability to say to God, “Tell me who I am.” Because I’m not going to settle with what everybody else is telling me—I’m not even going to settle with what I am telling me. I need to hear it from God, the God who tells me. Because then I know that I exist, I live, I flourish, because of his speaking. “I have called you by name,” says God, “you are mine” (Isaiah 43:1). And on that divine speaking of our name rests our whole being. Something in our prayer is about quarrying down to that level where we can hear that God is creating me and you, now in this minute—breathing our names into the world, making us alive.  -Rowan Williams, Being Disciples  ...

I found this journal entry from 15+ years ago when we moved to Knoxville. As I told you, this is the closest thing I've had to what you are experiencing now being in a new place without a lot of folks you have established connections with. This is an exciting time, and I am praying for this uncluttered time to be formational and grounding. May you find this time to be cleansing and to bring clarity and freedom and vision! 

  Waken in Me a Sense of Joy O extravagant God, in this ripening, red-tinged autumn, waken in me a sense of joy in just being alive, joy for nothing in general except everything in particular; joy in sun and rain mating with earth to birth a harvest; joy in soft light through shyly disrobing trees; joy in acolyte moon setting halos around processing clouds; joy in the beating of a thousand wings mysteriously knowing which way is warm; joy in wagging tails and kids’ smiles and in this spunky old city; joy in the taste of bread and wine, the smell of dawn, a touch, a song, a presence; joy in having what I cannot live without — other people to hold and cry and laugh with joy in love, in you; and that all at first and last is grace. —Ted Loder,  Guerrillas of Grace from the magical drive with YOU to Alaska  some hometown Arboretum fall glory   🍂

Anna,  Scripps Sunday is back! But now I'll start the count over and it will be the Alaska Edition. As you said goodbye today, you mentioned that you are made up of bits and pieces of so many people in your community, and what a beautiful bouquet you have gathered!   Below is a poem I remember Lillian sharing with me in high school. May there be some encouragement to you this evening as you settle in after hopefully scoring a volunteer spot in the Zombie Run.  I love every bit of you....  Bits and Pieces ~ Anonymous People. People important to you. People unimportant to you cross your life, Touch it with love and carelessness and move on. There are people who leave you, And you breathe a sigh of relief And wonder why you ever came into contact with them. There are people who leave you, And you breathe a sigh of remorse And you wonder why they had to go And leave such a gaping hole. Children leave parents, friends leave friends. Acquaintances m...