Monarch Migration

The monarch butterflies are here as part of their 3,000 mile migration to Mexico--we get a front seat to their beauty as they hang from trees, covering the limbs in orange and black.  Some of them are so huge, they look like birds from a distance.  This Texas state insect replenishes on our flowers and in our ponds ready to finish their journey. 

Who can look at them and not believe in Creator God????One would have to be very dense to try explain away this yearly migration on the same path as a yet further evolution of that wet amoeba.  I know that Abilene is seeing thousands right now, and we will see them again in late March (it is said that some of the same butterflies will come back).

It makes me want to read Isaiah 40: 12-26 again and again.

Thank you Father for the work of your hands and mind.

This Week

I am fortunate to be able to attend Summit this week--I have heard some very good speakers say things I never thought I would hear at ACU.  Susan Campbell, author of Dating Jesus was forthright and very convincing about the importance of gender equality in the C of C and the damage the opposite can do to our growing girls.  She would have been amazed to attend Highland a couple of Sundays ago when mothers were standing behind their 7-12 year- old daughters, helping them learn how to serve communion.  It was a very bright moment for me, as I was one of the committee members who recommended more equality for women at Highland about 9 years ago.

Yesterday morning, I was fortunate enough to hear Jim Reynolds and Lisa Holland speak to how we can nourish and encourage artists in the church.  They were funny, profound, and candid about our shortcomings in that area.  That is one of my soap-boxes, but I will write on that later.  Needless to say, the church needs their creativity and imagination so badly.  Thank you, Jim and Lisa!

Rachel Heald Evans, author of Evolving in Monkey-Town spoke about how much faith was enough.  She concluded that faith which takes risks is enough, and I agree.  I was thrilled to see so many students in the audience listening to her story of doubting her heritage as "super Christian" and coming to a risky faith.

And then--I got to hear and see Josh Graves, my former minister at Otter Creek and a very good friend---sooogood to hear his voice and comments.  His topic was about why young adults were leaving the church.  He had a good crowd too, although he was in the Teague classroom and the outside noise sounded like a circus was surrounding us.  Surely there better classrooms available at 4:00, Brady.  Anyway, I am looking forward to hearing Josh again today and also Max Lucado at Moody.  I am predicting a future when Josh Graves and Jonathan Storment fill Moody as the go-to preachers at Summit. 

As a cap for yesterday's events, I attended the Women for ACU dinner.  If people only knew what these ladies have done for ACU, they would marvel.  Bob Hunter was at the door when it was over, greeting people--so good to see him looking healthy!

What a blessed day.  Thank you God!

Autumn

Emily Dickinson called autumn "a little this side of snow."

I love the season, and it has begun here!  It is 66 degrees outside, and it rained last night (for five minutes).  But the promise of fall remains--I am ready for pumpkin pie, turkey and dressing, cranberry sauce and fallen leaves.  We all swell with thanksgiving during the season, and I am ready for that too--I've heard too much negative talk in the news lately.  We must remember what we DO have and cherish, as opposed to what we DON'T have and covet.

Thank you Lord for those promises.

Answers to Quiz

Is anyone reading?  How did you do on the quiz?  Here are the answers:

1.  Tom's girlfriend if Becky Thatcher.

2.  Harry Potter goes to Hogwarts.

3.  The two cities are Paris and London.

4.  The famous pig is Wilbur.

5.  Max Lucado is celebrating his 25th year.

6.  The help worked in Jackson MI.

7.  Max found his warm dinner waiting for him.

8.  Unbroken is set in WWII.

9.  Green is the very visible color.

10. Richard Foster celebrates disciplines.

11. One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish.

That was fun!  Have any questions to ask me?

I love Quizes About Books

Here is a little quiz for my readers about some commonly read books:

1.  Who was Tom's girl friend in Tom Sawyer?

2.  What is the name of the school Harry Potter attends?

3. What two cities does Tale of Two Cities cover?

4.  What is the name of the "famous" pig in Charlotte's Web?

5.  Who is the preacher from San Antonio that celebrated his 25th year in publishing  with the book Outlive Your Life?

6.  In what southern city does The Help labor?

7.  In Where the Wild Things Are what does Max find waiting for him when he gets home?

8.  In what war is Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand set?

9. What is the most noticable primary color in GoodNight Moon?

10. What does Richard Foster celebrate in his best-selling book?

11. What color fish follows in this title One Fishl, Two Fish, Red Fish,  ???

Can you answer any or all of them?  I will publish answers tomorrow.

On Reading and books Again

Am I a bibliophile?  Guess so.  That is an English word that should be spelled bibliofile. Oh, Well...

Time for a little quiz:  What are  your favorite books of all time?

Although I have read many, many books, mine would have to be.....
(drum roll)

    1.  To Kill A Mockingbird, Harper Lee
     2.  Eat This Book, Eugene Peterson
     3.  The Help, Katharine Stockett
     4.  Traveling Mercies, Anne LaMott
     5.   Dakota, Kathleen Morris

If you ask me tomorrow, they might be different, as I tend to like whatever I read.
I do not waste my time reading boring books, except for a book club requirement.

And yours?

Inventive Ministry--Tea for Four

"See how inventive you can be in encouraging one another to love and good deeds...."  Hebrews 10:25

Last week three lovely ladies from Highland brought me tea.  They came with a basket full of tea, cups, cookies, even hot water!, and napkins.  We  sat and  had lively conversation for about two hours.  They do this once a week--going to new members, the elderly, shut-ins or others who need a lift.  What an inventive ministry!

It was a great encouragement to me, and a time of sharing good conversation and ideas.  Loved it!

What kinds of ministry are out there that we haven't even thought of?

Read early

According to the AP,  recent research has found (again!) that experiences in preschool can predict outcomes several years later.  Children whose preschool teachers read with them more and talked to them using sophisticated vocabulary had better language and reading skills in fourth grade than kids whose teachers did not engage them.  (Time, Sept. 5, 2011)

Take that! those of you who feel Headstart is a waste of the taxpayers' money!  So many studies have found exactly the same thing.  When are we going to believe it?

Read to your child not matter his/her age--great benefits for the rest of their lives.