the light of hope

The light shone in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it.  -John 1:5

 What is it about light that attracts people?

At Broadway, we have many sources of light.  The light bulbs outside that light up the building and parking lot.  We have light bulbs inside that keep the rooms lit so we can provide services.  We have the lights which flicker in the sanctuary on Sunday mornings, by candlelight. Most importantly, we have the “light” that shines inside each one of us. In the faces of the staff and members of the congregation, the volunteers, the guests who receive services who often give back to us in many ways. 

What is the source of our light?   That light is found in God, through Jesus Christ.  We find the light source through the many ways our mission partners join with us in serving the South Bend community.  We find this light source in so many ways, but especially in our hearts, which are ablaze with the fire of God’s love.  We connect with the light, and let it shine through us to be beacons of hope in a world that is often dark and cold. 

We are servants who are on a mission.  We live.  We serve.  We light up the night sky.  We want to continue to serve in our ministry and illuminate the darkness with the light of Love.  The light of Hope.  The light of faith. 

Light is warm and is inviting as it shines.  Rich and I have good friends who have these little electric candles that they place in each of their windows.  They used to have these lights radiating in every window when they lived near our home in Mishawaka.  It was so nice to see those lights because we knew we were welcomed with warmth and love and smiles, and hugs and friendship.  We were welcomed with the light of Love.  Now, when we visit them in their new home in Central Indiana, we are welcomed in the exact same way, with warmth and love.  We know we are welcome.

We shine the light here at Broadway as we welcome the stranger, or shine the light of Love on the lonely. We carry this light within each of us, and together our light illumines the night.

Day of New Beginnings

Well, today was a pretty huge day.  The first day as officially Pastor Bette. I started by going to Mishawaka First UMC, and dropping off all my keys.  About 8 keys for various rooms, and cleaned out the young adult room, by gathering the stuff that was mine.  All of the rooms hold a million good memories of ministry and good times.  There were also some difficult times that really tested my faith.  I sometimes think the word “bittersweet” is over used lately.  But that is exactly what I felt.  It is just like one of the scenes in "You've Got Mail" when Kathleen Kelly (Meg Ryan) is closing up the shop and "sees" memories of herself as a child dancing with her mother.  I can feel the memories of the joys of ministry dripping all over the walls of the rooms in each part of the church building.  The thought kept coming back to me throughout the day, repeatedly feeling a sense of loss - I have different keys on my key chain now.

Everyone at BCP was so good to me today.  Especially Conrad in helping explain the worship order.  Tomorrow will be the first time I am officiating at a funeral.  So many people have helped me prepare for this.  So glad for the advice and love.

I am going to enjoy working with Robin a lot.  She is so helpful.  A new copier came today.  I met with Peter and Conrad, then with Peter, Conrad, the staff and some volunteers, and Pat S. was there. I brought donuts and some Martin’s big muffins. I have my laptop set up now for the wifi, and for printing to the new copier.  Got my keys, learned the code for the door.  Walked around the church building to get a "sense" of my new ministry space.  I like it, and can feel that God will provide what is needed.  I spoke on the phone with Donna at the funeral home.  Diana’s sister Sharon asked to have “The Old Rugged Cross” played at Diana’s memorial service, but could not get much more from the family about her, but have some things to share tomorrow-especially about how she loved her grandchildren. Sara asked Conrad to speak at the service.  He will share a little about Diana’s involvement with the AIDS Ministries- Sara and the others gave me permission to talk about this during her service, so Conrad can speak since he knows a little more.  So I am finishing up my words for tomorrow, and feeling better about everything.  There is so much to learn, but I really enjoyed today.  I spoke to Meara, and I have her cell phone plugged in so I can call her after the interment is finished.  I have Diana’s middle name and know how to pronounce her name. 

Will finish up the sermon part of the funeral service tonight. I don’t know if anyone will need it, but printed a map for people to get from the cemetery back to Broadway for the lunch, being careful to keep them out of the construction area near Notre Dame.  

I met Yolanda from Ivy Tech as I was leaving the church today, she will come back later next week. 

She likes the community garden.    

Sorry – this is surely more than I expected to write.  God has blessed the socks off me, and I am filled with anticipation, gut-wrenching fear, incredible joy, loss, excitement, honor, deep humility and  grace.  Triple-dunked with the grace of God. Falling on my face in awe, and so excited to be part of this plan he has for me.  Eager to serve others, and eager to love and lead.    

Oh! I have rambled!!  It was a big day.

Bette

It's a funny thing... I look at my blog posts and there is a serious lacking here.  I have many thoughts where I think, "Wow, I will write about this on my blog..." but it has been so hectic since starting seminary.  My posts are sporadic - but this is what it is.  I read blogs from some of my colleagues in seminary, and they are creative, fresh, and wonderfully written.  Maybe this has given me some reason to write more.  But, I have a paper to write, scripture passages to memorize, and I am filling in to preach for another pastor this Sunday, and have to "polish it up" so I can deliver it in a way that honors God.

So, what follows is a post I put on Facebook back in February:

Early this morning, all was quiet outside as I was taking the trash to the curb, I was amazed with many little footprints in the snow! During the day it is usually these cute bird prints, but there were raccoon, rabbit and kitty prints this morning. Much activity during the night! They all leave an impression for me, as I wonder what they were doing while we slept. I ask myself what kind of impression do I leave for others as I walk through life? What do my footprints say? 

I am going to be intentional in the way I consider these things today and in future days.

This has been a week of dealing with people that frustrate me.  I really do need grace for this journey!
It's a good and glorious thing that God provides.  Ugghhhh!    Really relying on this promise. 

On the Road to Garrett

So I am a seminarian.  These words still sound foreign to me.  This is my first semester at Garrett, and I commute each Thursday, as I travel 115 miles from my hometown near South Bend, Indiana, and then after my class, I pack it all up and travel the same distance home again.

As I journey along this road each week, I am ever amazed at the spiritual insights that the Holy Spirit brings to mind.

I am immersed in the wonder of being part of the traveling “community” of vehicles. In the afternoon, I am driving at a steady, yet hurried speed along Lake Shore Drive, gazing at the beauty of Lake Michigan, while maneuvering through the lanes of traffic.  

At night, driving on the Dan Ryan towards home, I feel like a tiny red blood cell in the sea of red lights, flowing along the expressway.  Flowing towards my destination - home.

On my drive home, there is a certain spot on the expressway, where I look up and see the wondrous beauty of the city – with lights glowing in the tall buildings, and against the black night sky it looms over me in my little car with magnificence.  The image takes my breath away every time, and it reminds me of the glory and grandness of God’s call on my life.  There is purpose in what I am doing at Garrett.  I am being strengthened and prepared to join the ranks of pastoral caregivers that offer grace and leadership to Christ’s Church.  I cannot gaze for long, since steady focus is necessary for me to make it to my destination.  I must be looking forward, paying attention to the right, left and behind for obstacles.    I am a particle in the flow of something much bigger than myself, and it is exhilarating. 

                                                      http://www.flickr.com/photos/85625337@N00/249587784/in/photostream/lightbox/

As the chaos of the traffic and sights whistle past me, I sense a steadiness, a stillness in the car, and in my soul – the presence of God is with me, and he guides me with assurance and comfort.

But, I believe it is all about finding a balance between “good sounds” and “no sound”.

On the way to Garrett, sometimes I listen and sing out loud in my car to worship music.   At times I am led to just turn off the radio or CD, and drive in silence, talking with God out loud in my car, or just enjoying His presence, while meditating or listening to what He might be wanting me to know.

On the way home, however, it is quite different.  Fueled up by the wonderful energy and thoughts of my Intro to Pastoral Care class, many miles are spent pondering what we talked about, and many challenging thoughts of that evening come to mind. It is late, and I have my coffee, and it is here that the louder and faster the music, and the more noise for me the better.  My favorite radio station plays the old rock classics, and the loud beat keeps my mind alert. The drivers in Chicago are very different than the drivers in South Bend, so I need to pay attention. 

I am sensing, as my weekly drive continues to become more of a routine, a challenge to devote this five-hour block of time to these two question:  “How can I honor God and remain faithful to Jesus on the journey?  How can I be faithful and use these hours to their fullest benefit?”  I am looking forward to new discoveries in this area.

Seminary and life

A long weekend!  Since my last post, I have graduated from Bethel College, diploma received, honor cords received in mail, summer done, Senior High church camp was a blast!  Attended Annual Conference for first time in Muncie, Indiana, preached at my home church in July, and another church in South Bend in May.  Accepted into MDiv program at Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary in Evanston, Illinois (G-ETS) and am commuting one day a week.  I have a new part-time job at Working Force Outfitters, which I love.  So much to be thankful for.  Our friends Gary and Diana Scott visited with us a few weeks ago, we all had a tremendously good time, and life is busy!  My daughter Amanda is signed up for Disciple Bible study, and this makes my heart swell.  I am hoping and praying that she has a wonderful experience in her class!

In the midst of busy-ness.... I must take time out to put these words into this writing.  The picture of the tree is from my friend Tammy, and I know she won't mind that I borrowed it for inspiration.

"Father, I adore you, and I lay my life before you....
    oh...I love you...
 Jesus, I adore you, and I lay my life before you....
    oh...I love you...
 Spirit, I adore you, and I lay my life before you....
    oh...I love you..."

" I love you, Lord, and I lift my voice
  To worship you, Oh my soul rejoice!
  Take joy, my King, in what you hear
  May it be a sweet, sweet sound in your ear"

God's grace, beauty and loving provision floods my soul, and I fall to my knees in thankfulness and humility.
And suddenly there are no words necessary....

Life is SO about relationships!

It is early morning, and there is so much to do before I graduate from Bethel College on April 30.!!!  Trying to keep it all together and stay focused!!!!   What a challenge!!!   I was thinking this morning about all of the relationships that have been a blessing to me throughout these past 6 years.  The relationships and memories are the glue that binds my brain cells to my heart cells.  The inner formation that has taken place through challenges, laughs, struggles, disappointments, discussions about faith, God, his Kingdom, heaven, hell, salvation... all of these things have come together to help form me into a better person.  And hopefully, someone who is more faithful and more in love with our Savior.  Someone who is better equipped to serve others, and Him.

I am thankful and indebted to so many people who have supported me throughout these years... mainly Rich and Amanda, who have tolerated the endless, endless, and I mean ENDLESS stacks of ministry and religious books everywhere!!!!


                  BOOKS!!!!!

Here we are visiting Amanda while at Ball State

Here is one of my favorite, favorite pictures of relationship...especially little Bubba!

And here is a picture of Amanda that I just love....she is such a dear sweet JOY and blessing from God!!!

My best friend Jeannie has been an inspiration and the wind under my wings on so many occasions!  I truly love her, and praise God for her genuine spirit, and faith, and grounding, and what would I do without her in my life!

And this is Jeannie with her son Alex....

    And of course, Gary and Diana have been there through these years. 

Of course....our relationship with God.  The MAIN relationship.  (smile)  I think of my relationship with God, and my desire to work for Him, and serve him fully.

Yes, it is all about Relationship.... we decide...how will we choose to live out our relationships with others... how will we choose to live in our relationship with God, with God's Son, and the Holy Spirit...

There are many others that I have not pictured, but time is creeping by...and there will be more posts...

I have found that often these relationships flows automatically, but ultimately, on most days, it must be a decisive choice we make.  Relationships are a gift we give to others, and a gift we receive.  Grace.

Grace.