By the Lake

I took my father for a ride and lunch  yesterday. It was beautiful - the sun stayed out for the duration of our tour; clouding up only as we neared home. I drove him around Linesville which is situated near the top of Pymatuning Lake. (lotsa bogs there!) Its the town where he was born, in the Baptist Church's manse. When he was 6 years old, his father was transfered to ..."Transfer", Pa, which was his final assignment as a pastor. But he had a lot of memories to relate to me. We drove up to his house - but there's a factory there now, and the church burned several years ago and a new one was built in another part of town. It was 82 years ago that he left -but he pointed to several homes and named the families and friends that lived there. He told me of coming home from school one day with wet pants. When his mom asked him how it happened he told her that there was a stop sign...  I can tell we're related.

We had lunch at a great little restaurant called "Rebecca's". The owner knew him. Wonderful food. He wants to go back. After that we drove around the outskirts toward the lake's spillway and spotted some deer and then a huge flock of geese. (see above photo -just a few). And then we turned home where our discussion turned to quitting one's goals.

My grandfather quit pastoring after his last transfer - although he would still preach on a fill in basis. It was during the depression and money in small town churches was not substantial for a family of 5 kids. Dad seems to think there was more to the story. I agree, as grandfather left his family as well. He seems to think his dad quit out of frustration.

This is a common event in ministry. There is an enemy constantly whispering in pastor's "ears" with thousands of reasons to not minister to God's people. Frustration enters as a final stage in considering the argument against God's calling. Its an agreement with the adversary that one's efforts are, in fact, ineffectual - a waste of everyone's time and money. It is disagreement with the Word, with God. And when the pastor not rescued and leaves his ministry the effects reverberate. Families are left behind - and sons never hear why.

Congregations can enter in this turn of events as well. They forget that God's the one who does the calling and placing. If a preacher doesn't preach to their liking - why they go all out to get rid of them. Bad idea. God always has a plan / reason for putting his leaders where he does. God's leaders need to be supported by their people, not manipulated. They really are not expendable or disposable. We are a people called to love; above all. We are to help each other; above all.

Sometimes we do get our feet stuck in the mire. But if we are walking as children of God, as a family, we can minister to each other and pull each other out. We can talk things out, taking care of each other so that he predominant words in our ears are Godly - not destructive, or frustrating and devastating whispers. 

Dad said he'll probably never know why his dad  left. I wanted to tell him that yeh he'd find out some day when they meet again. But then I thought , "Well, no! When we all meet at the return - it will no longer even matter."  It'll no longer be a hurt. We'll be engulfed in glory and praise eternally. =]

cJa

On Speaking One's Mind

Ever try to think and nothing happens? As an artist and a communicator I'm severely familiar with it. As a mother I am stupendously inarticulate with it, as so often when I try to utter what I understand in words to my kids. I can tell - I'm frequently met with blank stares, furrowed brows (either I insulted them or worried them), haffs and slowly pronounced Okaaaaay Moms.  Now, need I go on with what I can do with all the varied relationships we encounter? I'm pretty sure thats why I am most content alone or with someone with whom we finish each other's sentences when and if we need to speak.

But you must admit there are a good number of things for which there are no adequate words. Others that have too many personal connotations to negotiate the right angle of approach, and yet others that seem so terribly important and basically profound , which when uttered seem little better than spindly T-shirt fodder. I imagine much of  being communication-ally impaired has to do with eroding vocabulary - (due either to laziness or the duh-factor). But I think also - really, not as an excuse - is that I simply think and reason a little different than an obviously huge percent of folk.

I think this because often what I appreciate about my life is best expressed in what I do in my work. I sense this from God as well. He gave us His Word that we can better understand Him. But his creations sings, resonating with soundless words, of His profound and eternally unfolding love love.  Hmm-m-m, mebbe I'm just now taking on some of my heavenly father's character. He certainly speaks... and few listen..

Anyway, "study to be quiet" -  could possibly become a new fad in our era of over-stimulated senses.

Then He says, "Be still and know I am God".

Oh, and  Happy Valentine's Day. Go give someone you love a quiet hug... just a suggestion.

cJa

 I had to be really annoying to this deer to get this shot; hooting and wolf whistling to get its attention. It finally paused from drinking from what must be a field spring (a potential bog- how bout that!) so I could see its head. It stared at me for a few minutes before it decided it was horribly afraid and ran for its dear (?) life. I was mildly surprised that it took so long to react. Surprised that it made it through hunting season with such slo-mo instincts.

I would like to think that it pondered me as well and sensed no threat. Maybe it was waiting for me to make the 1st move and finally was just too creeped out. What ever its thoughts, it didn't diminish its beauty. There's just something about a deer.  

So I thought I'd share this with you as I found myself smiling when I had the few moments with this deer. As a storm is on its way here and we'll all either be hunkered down or scraping windshields for the next few days - we can use a smile. God provides for this deer and he provides for us - so we can relax and enjoy His provision.

cJa

Harper's index (Harper's Magazine)

Harper's index (Harper's Magazine)

Frozen Water

 You may notice throughout these entries, that water is a common theme - which I suppose is somewhat academic in a bog blog. But - h2o  is present in many of my images, both photo and drawn. You'll see a good number of crows as well - but that's for another day and another tangent. This one's about frozen water- or really a red canoe.

On my way to Erie (PA) this afternoon I spied this canoe inertly yet patiently waiting the thaw on the bank of a farm pond. I may just take the same route (77) to watch the unfolding of it's story throughout the seasons. Right now the pond behind it looks pretty frozen. No mud yet. The frogs and fish are snoozing deeply. The big lug of the farm dog was dutifully  barking  at me. But his tail evenly slapping his ribs revealed that he was really rather pleased to see me.

cJa

Surprise! mebbe not...?

No tears in the writer, no tears in the reader. No surprise in the writer, no surprise in the reader.
- Robert Frost

Life's full of tears, surprises and thankfully days of great joys.

Lets see what bubbles up. - cJa

What?

We'll be watching the mud flow as winter ends and spring sets in in N/W Pennsylvania. Which, at this point in the calender year, is simply an mental image used for heat. So until then I'll be filling this blog with things that rise and bubble up out of the bogs. You may learn something - you may not. Same here.

I'll also keep you up to date about my work - and how to get a hold of it. You may want it in your home and or office - you may not. Same here. I also intend to bring you articles that I've come across that may be helpful and or needed in your daily existence on this blue planet. Some you may enjoy and agree with - some you may not. Same here. But they'll make you think. (God loves His people to THINK).

Oh, if talk about the creator (Yahweh) upsets you to the point your ears squeak and you frown heavily, you might not enjoy this page - or you may. But as He's pretty much what I'm about (the lamp that lights my path) - His name and purpose will probably be mentioned.

But - I'd thot I'd take this blog deal out for a spin. Hope you enjoy it! Thanks for stopping - lets see what happens.

cJa