IN REAL LIFE: For Rue Readers Who Have Outgrown Lily!

SIXTH (AND FINAL!) RETREAT CHALLENGE

 

 

Good morning, Ladies. I'm getting jazzed about next weekend's retreat (March 2, 3, 4) If you haven't heard about it or need a refresher, take a look at this past Monday's post for all the details. While I'm away on vacation (Panama City, Florida, baby!), I'm still thinking about you coming up with your pizza creation and writing poetry and stories, taking photos, doing drawings and paintings, and meeting the last five challenges. We are going to have an awesome time. It'll be worth coming home for!

I have one more challenge for you. Actually, YOU are going to come up with the challenge, for each other. Here's what I'd love for you to do in your comments.

1. What is the HARDEST thing about witnessing, evangelizing, sharing your faith (whatever you usually call it) -- what's the hardest thing about doing that WITHOUT saying anything? In what area that we've talked about is the toughest for you to actually DO in an attempt to show what Jesus is all about? To make it easier, these are the areas we've discussed so far:

    What do you have to leave behind in order to be a living testimony?

How can you be a light in your own house or your own small community of kids?

Who do you need to work something out with before you can really represent our Lord Christ? 

What do you swear by that has nothing to do with God?

Are you loving your "enemies?" (who could be the very people you're trying to "reach" the good news TO!)

2. What ELSE do you see in the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7) that is a challenge in this whole thing of sharing the Bread of Life without using words? Let's see how many you can come up with. Feel free to get into a discussion (as long as you follow the guidelines, which you are masters at anyway)

YOU will create these last challenges for each other. I can't wait to see what you come up with. You'll get MY responses when I get back! Thank you for challenging ME.

 

Blessings,

Nancy Rue

COUNTDOWN TO OUR RETREAT!

 

 

Hello, Ladies! I'm off tonight for a five-day (much-needed) vacation with my daughter and baby granddaughter. It's going to be WONDERFUL!

And when I come back, we'll be on the homeward stretch toward our WEEKEND BLOG RETREAT. I thought I'd get us up to speed on that, and then provide you with one more challenge later this week. Then we'll spend the week OF the retreat putting it all together for a fabulous time together. I am really looking forward to this, and I hope you are, too.

So -- for those of you who are just hearing about this (welcome Mimi!) and those who need a little reminding, here's the deal. 

The Third Ever

In Real Life 

LIVE BLOG PARTY

is happening

Friday, March March 2,

4:00 - 6:00 p.m.

AND

Saturday, March 3

9:00 - 11:00 a.m.

AND

2:00 - 4:00 p.m.

AND

(For the brave early risers)

SUNDAY, March 4

6:00 - 7:00 a.m.

 

* Come to the In Real Life blog any time during the hours posted above. Come for as many of the four sessions as you like, and stay as long as you want to. It's okay to check in when the session is already under way.

        * When you do log on, post a comment with your rendition of "I'm here!" and when you have to leave, just post a comment saying "Gotta go!" (or some facsimile thereof)

        * Each session will have a theme which comes under the big ol' umbrella theme for the weekend  I've posted questions for you to ponder, and we'll be addressing those and more. You'll be able to respond in your comments.

        * We'll have a couple of contests, too.I'm thinking this is going to involve food (always, right?) as well as some other challenges which we'll get to in a minute. The food contest (think pizza) will happen Saturday afternoon and the others will be ongoing through the weekend.

        * There will also be chances for those of you who are writers to share some of your creative work. Once you've pondered the theme you might feel nudged to write a poem, a prayer, or a paragraph. You'll need to send those to me by email -- nnrue@att.net -- by Thursday, March 1. If you've sent yours already, I have it at the ready -- no need to send it again. Let's keep them to 200 words or less.

        * Artists and photographers have an opportunity to show us what YOU'RE workin' with, too. If dealing with the theme inspires you to do some kind of visual art or take a photo, please send those to me (via email) too. Digital photos are easy to attach to an email; obviously any original artwork you do you'll have to take a photo of (or scan) and then attach to an email. Again, I still have the ones some of you have sent me

        * During the retreat sessions I'll be posting . . . and posting . . . and posting! And you will be commenting . . . and commenting . . .  and commenting! That means if you miss anything, you can always go back and catch up later.

So -- more details:

        The FOOD contest: Create your absolute favorite pizza for Saturday afternoon's session. You can either actually make it or have Domino's deliver or whatever. OR you can create it in your head and describe it to us when the call goes out for  pizza entries during that session. If you want to take a photo or do a drawing, email those to me (ahead of time if possible although I can do some while we're in session)) at nnrue@att.net. Why pizza? Because that seems to be the signature food of youth groups. Get kids together and feed them Papa John's. Help them feel like they belong. Show them what it means to share the bread of life. No words needed. It's there in the pepperoni and the double cheese and the original crust.

Besides, that fits our THEME perfectly. How do we as Christian women share the Bread of Life in the world, without having to say a word?  If you're just joining us on this, you can go back to the posts for the last week or two, entitled First Retreat Challenge, Second Retreat Challenge, etc.

If you have ANY questions about the retreat, now is the time to post them. You may be able to answer them for each other, and Miss Crystal will be checking in so she can be of assistance there too. If neither of those works, I'll be back in town on Feb 27 and can get answers to you then.

That's it for now. Check in Thursday for your next CHALLENGE.

yeah, this si goign to be AWESOME!

FIFTH RETREAT CHALLENGE

 

 

Hello, Ladies! Happy Valentine's Day. I couldn't resist sharing Baby Maeryn's Valentine greeting with you because, really, seriously, she IS the cutest little person ever. I just want to squeeze her! (I think that's somewhere in the Grandmother Contract)

She thinks Valentine's Day is way fun. (Of course, right now she thinks just about everything is way fun) You probably did too back in elementary school when everybody in the class gave everybody else in the class one of those cheesy little cards, signed in big ol' letters and often accompanied by nothing-but-sugar hearts that said things nobody meant but were fun to have anyway. 

 But how's Valentine's Day for you now? I've heard so many women of all ages -- 13 to 90 -- say it's their most UNfavorite holiday. They either feel like no guy loves them, or the guy who does love them is clueless when it comes to romance, or the guy in their life showers them with flowers and chocolates and mushy cards and yet the rest of the year can barely remember to say "I love you." 

I hope it's not that way for you. I hope you have a healthy attitude toward all the hype that's been building since the stores took down the Christmas stuff and replaced it with cupids and heart-shaped everything. I hope you get that love is for real, whether roses are delivered or not, and that the real thing is worth waiting for.  I truly hope that.

Since it IS Valentine's Day, though, what better time to offer the Fifth Retreat Challenge as we prep for our first-weekend-in-March live blog look at sharing the Bread of Life without saying a word? (World's longest sentence)   It's about love. For the people we pretty much can't stand.

"Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you." (Matthew 5:44)

Seriously, is there a harder Jesus-command to follow? I can cultivate my little mustard seed of faith and seek righteousness and shine my light all over the dadgum place. But really -- really, Jesus -- I'm supposed to LOVE those so-called Christian readers who sometimes write me nasty emails about the most miniscule, ridiculous things in my books? You want me to PRAY for peoplewho accuse me of not being "Christian enough?" You want all of us to LOVE the people who seem out to tear down everything that's good in our society? We're supposed to include terrorists and child abusers and serial killers in our  PRAYERS?   

    Well, yeah, that's exactly what he's saying:

"For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? . .  And if you greet only your brothers and sisters, what more are you doing than others?" (vs. 46 & 47)

    Here's what I'm suggesting. We can witness verbally to our peers and invite them to church and even beg them to get down on their knees and give this Jesus thing a chance. It might even work. But how powerful would it be for those people to simply see you do something like this?

    * When someone is absolutely vile to you, you simply say to them, "You really can't hurt me. And besides, I think you're better than this."

    * When someone who treats you like the bottom of her shoe is really hurting, you go to her and say, "Look, if there's anything I can do . . ."

    * When a teacher you can hardly stand to be in the same room with is being particularly cranky, you drop her an anonymous note that says, "Looks like you're having a rough day. You're in my prayers."

    * When everybody is ganging up on somebody because -- who knows why except that they think it's fun -- you step in and say, "Not funny, you guys."

Jesus isn't saying, "Preach to your enemies." Nor is he saying, "Go sit down in the middle of them so they can tear you up some more." His direction is simple:

    (1) Pray for them.

    (2) Love them.

The first one is self-explanatory. But what about the second one? Your challenge is to define what Jesus is talking about when he says "LOVE THEM." Will you do that? Will you tell us what you come up with when you consider loving that girl who makes your life miserable at the dance studio or that guy who plays with your heart like it's a yoyo, or that teacher who acts like you don't have a clue? Dig deep. Then share. 

Oh, and have some chocolate.

 

Blessings,

Nancy Rue 

FOURTH RETREAT CHALLENGE

 

 

Good morning, Ladies. This morning I am celebrating "normal." With that big ol' honkin' novel for adults finally sent in, my life is finally starting to look like what passes for normal around here.

I have clean clothes that I don't have to climb into the dryer to find. 

The dirty dishes are in the kitchen rather than covering every horizontal plane in my office.

I'm not still in my pajamas at 4 in the afternoon.

I' ve stopped thinking in dialogue. Things like, "Honey?" he asked. "What were thinking about for dinner?" 

Those of you who are thinking of making your living as writers, just be careful what you wish for!

Speaking of young writers, I think by now most of you have checked out the new website and discovered the writing tips. I hadn't officially announced the new site because two more things are going to be added to it -- the Writing Showcase, where you can display some of your work, and the Teen of the Month. Still, you now have a page and that's a start. There is so very much I want to do to help you in your journey, and at times I find myself looking more at where I'm falling short in that, rather than at the things I AM able to provide for you. 

Thank you all SO much for your understanding about last weekend's live blog retreat. That decision and your support for it means a far better event the first weekend in March. Any time we're all together godly things happen  (what's that verse about two or three being gathered together?) but why not provide even more fertile ground for that to happen?

Listen to me, all talking about soil and planting, when flowers die within the hour of coming into my home! But we really are preparing the soil for our retreat with these challenges, so let's move on to the fourth one, yes?

We've established our theme as sharing the Bread of Life without using words. As shown in the latest picture of Baby Maeryn above, we are given that bread -- in her case symbolized by this very cool container that she can get the Cheerios out of, but she can't dump them on the floor (which is her M.O.) She could enjoy them alone and we would all think it was adorable (but, then, we think everything she does is adorable). But she sees that there is someone else who could benefit from the Bread . . . .

 

 

So far you've worked on three ways to share:

        (1) What you need to leave behind in order to offer the bread

        (2)  How you can be a light in your own home without quoting Scripture or dropping to your knees in prayer in the middle of the family room. (Nothing wrong with either of those, but they aren't always the most effective means of opening the door)

        (3)  What you need to reconcile with someone so that Jesus is apparent without his name even being mentioned

I have loved your responses and I think we would all love to continue hearing about the above. And again, let's take a look at a fourth challenge.   

"You have heard that it was said . . . 'You shall not swear falsely, but carry out the vows you have made to the Lord.' But I say to you, 'Do not swear at all.'" (Matthew 5:33-34)

Now there's an easy one, right? Bear witness by not swearing. Done. Maybe the occasional expletive crosses your mind or slips out of your mouth when your computer swallows the term paper you've been working on for a week. But as for taking the Lord's name in vain? You're golden, right?

Maybe not cussing sets you apart from the mass of teens who use profanity as everything but a co-ordinating conjunction, and it definitely keeps your thoughts more pure. But (a) omitting cuss words doesn't say , "I have some good news that I want to share with you," and (b) that isn't even what this passage (or the commandment) is about.

Just to be clear, I'm all for not talking trash. It's one of the many ways we honor God with our speech. Refraining from spewing out epithets when just about everybody else is bluing the air with it is a valuable spiritual discipline. So what I'm about to say is not an attempt to make cussing biblically okay!

The point of "do not swear at all," is that you don't have to "swear by" anything.  You may not have heard this expression because it's an old one (Melody just told me yesterday that nobody says "flake" anymore and I'm kind of sad about that . . ) but people used to say, "He swears by Chevrolet. He'd never buy another make of car." Or "She swears by everything he (boyfriend, doctor, mayor, etc. )says.  Knowing that, you can see where Jesus is going when he says don't swear by anything because the truth of God is yours. Here's what that looks like:

        * Don't say anything you don't mean. For example, as Eugene Peterson says in The Message, don't say, "I'll pray for you" and never do it. Sounding "pious" doesn't do anything to share the Bread.

        * Don't get caught up in "hero worship." That contemporary Christian artist may have recorded songs that really speak to you. That author might have written a book that makes things so clear. It might feel like that youth pastor is your spiritual guru. Those are all good things that can help you on your journey, but the path belongs to God and you.

        *  Look to the true foundation of the Christian faith, rather than to what's trendy. For instance, a successful evangelist with a charismatic personality may say that you deserve all the material wealth the world has to offer because you're faithful to God, but Jesus never said that (in fact, he said quite the opposite). Remember those WWJD bracelets everybody used to wear (okay, maybe you dont) or the crosses made from nails? Those kinds of things can work well as reminders, but they should only point to the real thing, not replace it.

    * Making your speech sound more religious doesn't make it more true. In fact sometimes it waters it down, even turns people off. Have you ever heard someone ask another person, "HaveyouacceptedJesusChristasyourLordandsavior?" Do Christians you know toss around phrases among nonChristians like, "God just put it on my heart," and "You need to ask Jesus into your heart," and "You just need to give that to God"? People with no God-experience don't know what the Sam Hill you're talking about. Half the time, I don't think the Christians who just automatically use the jargon do either. Again, those phrases do have meaning, but not when they become rote responses, and especially when our hearts aren't really in it. 

    * To quote Peterson again: "When you manipulate words to get your own way, you go wrong."  We can all make ourselves sound better than we are. When I talk about my Academy for Spiritual Formation experience, it's really tempting to say, "I just immerse myself in God fro the five days I'm there," when in reality I sometimes find my mind wandering in chapel, or sneak in an email check during quiet time or mentally critique the presenter's outfit.

Can we share the Bread of Life by what we DON'T do? In part, yes. I'm going to ask you to fill in the part we NEED to do when it comes to our speech and our promises and our swearing-by. What does this nudge in you? Baby Mae was obviously nudged to take action and share -- without saying a word. (never mind that she can't talk yet!) 

 

Let us hear from you. I always learn so much from your comments.

Blessings,

Nancy Rue

 

IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT!!!!!

GOOD MORNING,

LADIES!

Okay, here's the deal . .

since I have only received three entries  for our showcase of paintings, stories, poems, etc.

AND

since I just clicked SEND on a 500-page book at 10 o'clock last night and my brain is fried

AND

since I want our retreat to be the spiritually filling experience it has been in the past

I'm making the executive decision to reschedule it for

March 2, 3, and 4

 

I will post this announcement to be published at the beginning of each of what was supposed

to be this weekend's sessions for those who don't check the blog until they log on for a session.

Thanks for understanding, Ladies.

I have some in-depth things I want to do with you during the retreat and I just couldn't get that going under the circumstances.

Walt Disney always said, "A no-show is better than a bad-show," and I have always remembered that. Thanks, Mickey.

Meanwhile,

I love you and am praying for you always.

Blessings,

Nancy Rue

THIRD RETREAT CHALLENGE

 

Good morning, Ladies. Can I just say that if my daughter didn't have three dogs, three cats, and a baby, I 'd have a hard time finding photos to use here on the blog? Meet Piper (miniature doxie on the left) and Atri (at a younger age; she is now a grown kitty, though only in body; you would be hard put to find a more clueless cat  . . . ) Anyway, they epitomize our third retreat challenge. More on that below.

First, a reminder about all that we have going. Our third ever live blog weekend retreat starts FRIDAY. If you're just hearing about it or need a reminder, check out the last several posts for all the details. I hope you're coming up with your pizza idea for Saturday afternoon's contest and are being inspired by the challenges to write, draw, or photograph something to send to me ahead of time via email nnrue@att.net. (This one isn't a contest.)

I want to thank MELODY for her question about this. If you have a killer (not literally!) pizza in mind or your creative juices are flowing for a poem, etc. but you can't be here for the retreat, by all means send me those ahead of time and we'll include them. That way you'll still be with us in spirit.

As I've told you, our theme is sharing the Bread of Life without directly using words. Again, this is not to discount the absolute importance of giving your testimony or sharing Scripture with someone. We're focusing on "preach the Gospel always and use words if necessary" for two reasons:

        (1) If we witness with words and we DON'T witness with our actions as well, we can do a TON of damage. I'm sure you've heard people say they aren't interested in Christianity because most Christians they know are hypocrites. Sometimes they're right.

        (2) You're at a place in your life where you probably won't have a whole lot of luck standing up on a bench in the girls' locker room or in the middle of the dance studio or wherever and saying, "May I have your attention please? I'd like to tell you about Jesus." It is far more likely at this point that if you're actually DOING the Jesus thing, someone is going to come up to you privately and say, "How is it that you can rise above all this stuff?"

So that's what we're about right now. We've already talked about what you need to leave behind and how you can be a light in your own house. Here's the third challenge, the one Piper and Atri exemplify.

        Who do you need to work something out with before you can really  go to God authentically?

Jesus said:

"So when you are offering your gift at the altar, if you remember that your brother or sister has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar  and go; first be reconciled to your brother or sister and then come and offer your gift." (Matthew 5:23-24

I peronally have several friends that I have neglected because of work. I want to call them and ask for their forgiveness and get back on track, but so much time has gone by I'm afraid they'll tell me what a bad friend I've been or hang up on me, both of which I probably deserve. I need to face that and do the loving thing, or anything I SAY here or in that writing work I'm so busy with turns into do-as-I-say-not-as-I-do. Yeah, I need to get on that. 

I also had a situation recently where someone did something thoughtless to me and I was building up some pretty serious resentment. Every day when I sat down for quiet time, I found myself ranting about that in my journal. It finally came to me (du-uh) that I needed to go to the person and lay the thing out in a thoughtFUL  way. Like most situations of that kind,  it was resolved so much more easily than it was in the scenes I was rehearsing in my head! I try to think, "Is God getting tired of hearing about this?" If the answer is yes, it's time to get out of my own way and offer the Bread of LIfe, without saying a word.

So whatcha got? Bad blood with a former friend? Unresolved issues with a sibling? Big time conflicts with your parents? You're welcome to share in a comment, of course, but mostly this is for you as we prepare not only for this weekend but for a being a better embodiment of the love of our Lord Christ.

My prayers are with you as you "go and be reconciled."

 

Blessings,

Nancy Rue   

 

SECOND RETREAT CHALLENGE

 

 

Good morning, Ladies. Have I mentioned that I'm jazzed about next weekend's retreat? If you're just now hearing about it, you'll want to check out yesterday's post for the details. If you're up to speed I hope you're --

* dreaming up your pizza for the contest

* staying open to the nudge to write a poem, song, paragraph, or prayer OR to do a drawing or shoot some amazing photos

* pondering yesterday's challenge

Moving further with our theme of "Preach the Gospel always. Use words if necessary" (loosely translated from Francis of Assisi), I have a second challenge for you:

    According to Matthew (chapter 5, verses 14-16) Jesus told his disciples that they were the "light of the world." You've probably heard that so many times it may have lost its punch, so let's unpack it a little.

    "A city built on a hill cannot be hid." (If you've ever driven into San Francisco, you know that's the truth!) Ever thought of yourself as a whole CITY? Full of the potential to turn lights on everywhere you go? Or have you considered the fact that if nobody in town turned on a light, you wouldn't even be able to see the place. In 1977 New York City experienced a black-out that has gone down in history as an incredibly disturbing night.  

    "No one after lighting a lamp puts it under the bushel basket." Well, no, I mean, why would we? Do you even OWN a bushel basket? The point is the light is there for a reason and it isn't so you can turn it off. And again, Jesus points out that it's not like the illumination on your cell phone so you can text after you've been told to go to bed. He says "it gives light to all in the house."

So here's the challenge:

Second Challenge

You don't have to figure out if you HAVE a light to shine on the world. Jesus already said "You ARE the light." Setting aside the city for the moment, how's that happening with you right there in your own house? Are you shedding any light on places where family members are hiding resentment? Turning on an overhead to show that there really are no bogeymen lurking about? Offering some cheer amid the winter gloom? Or at least refusing to add to it with your own funky mood?

    We'll pray for each other (right?) as we pull off those bushel baskets and start spreading some light at home (and be prepared for some squinting among your family members who are pretty cozy in the dark). 

"Let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven."

  And you don't have to say a word . . .

Blessings,

Nancy Rue 

RETREAT PLANS

Wake up, Ladies! I'm ba-a-a-a-ck! Sheesh, I missed talking to you. But -- I love, love, loved the seventh session of the Academy for Spiritual Formation. I think those five days  pushed me even farther than the others, and among other things, the session shaped an idea for our Live Blog Retreat next weekend. (I called it a "party" in my last post, which seriously doesn't cover all that our on-line gathering is going to be.)

So, just to refresh your memory (by the way, I love that the little icon with the circular arrow on the internet is called the "refresh" button; I wish I had one of those in my body!)  Anyway, a review of the details for the retreat:

 
 

Friday, February 3,

4:00 - 6:00 p.m.

AND

Saturday, February 4

8:00 - 10:00 a.m.

AND

2:00 - 4:00 p.m.

AND

(For the brave early risers)

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 5

6:00 - 7:00 a.m.

For those of you who haven't joined us for a blog retreat before, here's how it works:

 

            * Come to the In Real Life blog any time during the hours posted above. Come for as many of the four sessions as you like, and stay as long as you want to. It's okay to check in when the session is already under way.

        * When you do log on, post a comment with your rendition of "I'm here!" and when you have to leave, just post a comment saying "Gotta go!" (or some facsimile thereof)

        * Each session will have a theme which comes under the big ol' umbrella theme for the weekend (more on that below) . I'll post questions for you to ponder and you can address them in your comments. We'll be doing some prep for that next week in case you want to think about it ahead of time.

        * We'll have a couple of contests, too.I'm thinking this is going to involve food (always, right?) as well as some other challenges which we'll get to in a minute. The food contest (think pizza) will happen Saturday afternoon and the others will be ongoing through the weekend.

        * There will also be chances for those of you who are writers to share some of your creative work. Once you've pondered the theme (yeah, yeah, that's coming) you might feel nudged to write a poem, a prayer, or a paragraph. You'll need to send those to me by email -- nnrue@att.net -- by Thursday, February 2, one week from today. Let's keep them to 200 words or less.

        * Artists and photographers have an opportunity to show us what YOU'RE workin' with, too. If dealing with the theme inspires you to do some kind of visual art or take a photo, please send those to me (via email) too. Digital photos are easy to attach to an email; obviously any original artwork you do you'll have to take a photo of (or scan) and then attach to an email. But since those aren't due until a week from today either, you have plenty of time.

        * So -- during the retreat sessions I'll be posting . . . and posting . . . and posting! And you will be commenting . . . and commenting . . .  and commenting! That means if you miss anything, you can always go back and catch up later.

So -- more details:

        The FOOD contest: Create your absolute favorite pizza for Saturday afternoon's session. You can either actually make it or have Domino's deliver or whatever. OR you can create it in your head and describe it to us when the call goes out for  pizza entries during that session. If you want to take a photo or do a drawing, email those to me (ahead of time if possible) at nnrue@att.net. Why pizza? Because that seems to be the signature food of youth groups. Get kids together and feed them Papa John's. Help them feel like they belong. Show them what it means to share the bread of life. No words needed. It's there in the pepperoni and the double cheese and the original crust.

Besides, that fits out THEME perfectly. How do we as Christian women share the Bread of Life in the world, without having to say a word? Now, before you go, "But what about giving our testimony and sharing Scripture?" -- yes, that is a HUGE part of our ministry as Christians. However, that can be quickly discounted if we aren't absolutely LIVING it.   

In the week leading up to our retreat, I'm going to issue some challenges, starting with the one below in red. Then during our four sessions together, we'll see how they all fit into a courageous, stand-tall, God-filled way of being for you. My shoulders are straightening just thinking about it.

First Challenge: 

What do you have to leave behind, right now, to actually follow Jesus? (Matthew 4: 18 - 22) It doesn't necessarily have to be a "bad" thing. Fishing for fish wasn't a "bad" occupation to have; it just wasn't the one Jesus was calling his disciples to. For me right now, the thing I'm having to at least risk leaving behind is security. What about you? Ponder it in your heart (Mary style!). Talk to God. Maybe talk to somebody you trust. Talk to us if you feel comfortable. Then give it a go. We're here for you.

This could be our best retreat yet, ya think? Ah, and we've only just begun . . .

"And he said to them, "Follow me . . . Immediately they left their nets and followed him."

 

Blessings,

 

Nancy Rue

HERE'S THE SKINNY ON THE LIVE BLOG PARTY!!!

The Third Ever

In Real Life 

LIVE BLOG PARTY

is happening

Friday, February 3,

4:00 - 6:00 p.m.

AND

Saturday, February 4

8:00 - 10:00 a.m.

AND

2:00 - 4:00 p.m.

AND

(For the brave early risers)

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 5

6:00 - 7:00 a.m.

 

DETAILS REGARDING

CONTESTS,  FOOD AND

OTHER SURPRISES COMING SOON!

SAVE THE DATE!!!

What's Your Gold . . . Your Frankincense . . . Your Myrrh?

Hello, Ladies. Have I ever mentioned that I don't just call you "ladies" because it sounds nice . . . or because "girls" seems too young . . . or because it would just take too long to list all your names? (Hello Nicole, Melody, Paige, Avery . .  we could be here for days.) I call you "ladies" because according to the dictionary you fit the bill by being: "A well-mannered and considerate woman with high standards of proper behavior."

The world as a whole may not see that as valuable (much les cool), but I do. Just sayin'.

Okay, so -- I'm about to leave for my five-day session at the Academy For Spiritual Formation at the Oblate Renewal Center in San Antonio, Texas, and I couldn't go without checking in with you. I've been pretty incommunicado lately, trying to get a novel done, and as always you have carried on like, well, the ladies you are. Still, I wanted to leave you with some things to think about, comment on, discuss among yourselves while I'm off filling my well so we'll have even MORE things to talk about.

Those of you who have been with this blog for a while, or who worship in liturgical churches that follow the church calendar, know that this is the season of Epiphany. We're a week into it, actually, January 6 being the official start date when we recognize the arrival of the Three Wise Men (AKA Magi) at Jesus' birthplace. The fact that they were not Jewish but came from the Far East makes them a symbol for Jesus coming into the world to save everyone. That is genuinely a big deal and deserves its own celebration, even though we usually lump the Wise Guys in with the rest of the visitors in the nativity scene. They were the ones who made gift-giving appropriate at Christmas. Gave us the image of the star. And played a role in saving the baby Jesus' life by returning home by another way, rather than cluing Herod in on where he was. So yeah, they deserve a whole season.

Personally, I think it can take an entire six-week period just to figure out the gifts the three wise men brought. I used to wonder why they'd bring gold and, basically, perfume to a baby. I've always enjoyed thinking about what three wise WOMEN would have brought -- diapers, perhaps? Blankies? A pacifier? Because Jesus was probably a toddler by the time they arrived, something besides swaddling clothes would have been a nice touch. 

Here's the reason the magi brought such extravagant (and pretty much impractical) gifts. They were led by the star to pay homage to a child king. Chances are they expected a kid who had everything, not one who essentially had nothing. They were prepared to bow down to this boy king, so they brought gifts worthy of royalty.

These three men are the only ones we know of who showed up with presents. Other stories of gifts for the Baby Jesus are merely legends, like that of the Little Drummer Boy (which I personally love -- I play Mannheim Steamroller's arrangement of that song over and over at Christmas time). So basically the three wise guys set the standard for what we should bring to our Lord Christ. Later in the Gospel, the woman who bathes Jesus' feet with expensive oil and dries them with her hair reminds us again that the best we have is what we're called on to bring to the Savior.

So, Ladies, what's the best you have right now that you can bring to God-in-Christ?

    What's your gold? What's so solid and pure in you, in yoru life, that it could even stand the test of fire (or peer pressure or the hunger to belong or the need to prove yourself?) 

    What's your frankincense?  What's so sweetly healing in you that it could bring comfort to people when the artificial or trendy things they reach for don't do the job?

    What's your myrrh? What is it in your spirit that helps bury the dead stuff that the world wants to keep alive, like materialism and discrimination and the pressure to be perfect?

Those aren't easy questions, so some examples might help:

    * I think my gold is my refusal to give up hope. No matter how bad things get (and believe me, sometimes they dip pretty low!), there is always a core of hope in me. Even when I'm wailing and gnashing my teeth, I bring my hope to my Lord.

    * As for my frankincense, I think that's my writing gift. It seems to help people, especially girls, heal from the wounds of the slashing, biting, angry world. When it can't heal, maybe it comforts. I like to think so anyway. That's why I keep doing it.

    * "Myrrh is mine," the third wise man sings, and I would have to say mine is journaling. Every morning I try to bury what's dead as I scribble my thoughts before the day really gets rolling. Sometimes it tries to resurrect itself; old stuff doesn't go down quietly and easily. But I have put a lot of dead issues to rest in the countless pages of my personal writing. It's sort of like what Jesus talks about when he says the branches have to be pruned and burnede so new growth can happen.

Obviously this is going to require a lot of thought and imagination, but you have a whole week, right? See if you can discover your own gold, frankincense and myrrh and share it with our little blog community. You ladies have such riches to share, so please do. I think Christ the King is waiting.

 

Blessings,

Nancy Rue

Don't forget the blog party!!!

February 3 and 4!!!