reality blog
A FIRE FINALE
This year I was privileged to be able to revisit my youth ministry routes at Cornerstone. The youth group needed a worship leader and so I came out of retirement and got to hang with this great group of kids all year.
We started in the fall with a bonfire and we ushered in the summer season with a bon fire. as well. While the teen group meets all through the summer, this last Tuesday was the final meeting for the boys group and girls group until school starts again in the fall.
Commander James Bauver giving a lesson on fire safety to the boys group.
Lighting the fire.
And so it begins!
Pastor Amanda addresses the troops.
The troops.
More troops.
More troops.
And More.
It was a great ending and summer launch all at the same time.
…MAKING NOISE PT. 3
THOUGHTS I HEARD AT CONFERENCE PT. 2
At the recent Annual Network Conference for the SPoiuthern New England Ministry Network of the Assemblies of God I heard these comments on unity from Sara Malcolm.
UNITY IS A LONG DRAWN OUT PROCESS.
UNITY HAPPENS AT THE INTERSECTION OF HONESTY AND HONOR.
PRIDE IS SELF OBSESSION. HUMILITY IS NOT THINKING LESS OF YOURSELF, BUT THINKING OF YOURSELF LESS.
UNITY REQUIRES US TO REALIZE WE DON’T HAVE THE FULL STORY.
UNITY REQUIRES CLARITY.
DISCIPLE THE FAITHFUL. PASTOR THE UNFAITHFUL.
…MAKING NOISE PT. 2
THOUGHTS I HEARD AT CONFERENCE PT. 1
I recently attended the Annual Network Conference for the Assemblies of God. Here are some things I heard there and have been contemplating.
THE FATHER SENT THE SON. THE SON SENT THE SPIRIT. THE SPIRIT SENDS US TO COMPLETE THE MISSION.
FIRE AND FAITH ARE INTIMATELY CONNECTED THROUGHOUT SCRIPTURE.
THE POWER OF FAITH RIDES UPON THE SUFFERING OF THE BELIEVER.RESURRECTION IS RELEASED THROUGH SUFFERING AND DEATH.
STAND AND KEEP WALKING IN THE FIRE. LOOK FOR THE FOURTH MAN IN THE FIRE AND FOLLOW HIM WHERE HE LEADS.
SCENES FROM THE ROAD
Brenda is on a road trip across America, meeting artists and building relationships for future Bridge Artists work. She is also catching up with her longtime friend Adriane Bennett as they travel together. Here are some pictures from the road.
The trip is into its second week. She will be gone until June 12 so there are many miles left to cover. She has had some incredible experiences. Has met with artists in New Mexico, Arizona and California. She met a man connected with Focus on the Family who learned about her ministry. He is connecting her with some new ministry and artist connections and she was able to attend the celebration of life for one of her longtime mentors in California.
MAKING NOISE PT. 1
REMEMBRANCE DAYS
I have been thinking all week about my family that has passed on. It’s not unusual. We just passed Memorial Day. In church we remembered those who gave their lives for the cause of freedom. We pledged ourselves again to the flag and held a moment of silence.
It brought back memories of when I would spend time with my grandparents and we would travel on Memorial Day weekends to the graves of the Josephs who lived only in family memory. I know where all the Josephs are buried because of Memorial Day. I know where the Tandys and the Tennys are buried because of Memorial Day.
This week has brought back memories of my father. The time he cooked dry hung steak and I complained about how it smelled. The time Brenda and I knocked over the big bookcase in the old house on 360 Front St, became trapped under it and he rescued us.
This week has brought back memories of my mother. The time I got hives because I was so nervous about school and she called out of work to watch over me. Her last year when dementia was stealing her from us and improving her sense of humor all at once.
I remember my grandparents. Ice cream cones and Moxie soda. Walking on a frozen lake in the middle of winter and mowing the camp lawn with the electric mower.
So many memories that steel me for the life I am living now. Memories are powerful things, healing things. Even the traumatic memories when reframed in grace have their place in making us whole. We need to remember. We need our stories.
…included pt. 5
Notes From the Vicarage 