Good news from North Ireland today! Richie Shilladay sent a message today that the visa application work is about to begin. Soon I will be sojourning in Dundrum, County Down, North Ireland. There will be lots to learn. The preparation has begun!! I'll be traveling in 90 days or so!! Here's a link to a video about Murlough House and the ministries from that place. projectmh.org/mh-video-01.mp4
I'll be working with the Senior Ministry at Murlough House. Much more to come......
Tuesday, May 31, 2011
Wednesday, May 11, 2011
Birds, A Reflection
I am not a birder. I can barely identify ten to fifteen species. However, I do enjoy watching them and I do learn lessons from them. I am speaking at four functions this Spring (women's teas and banquets). My topic is "If Birds Had a Message, What Would it Be?" It has been fun to do the research about the habits of birds and identify the messages they bring. I have learned from the albatross, crows, doves, eagles, flamingoes, hummingbirds, larks, mockingbirds, owls, peregrine, sparrows, terns, and even vultures. I'll share more here after I finish the speaking "circuit".
I have posted a short article I wrote for our monthly newspaper in our small town; this was published in The Greentown Grapevine, March 2007.
After the first major snowfall of February, I looked out the kitchen window to see eight to ten birds with feathers ruffled to keep themselves warm perching in my naked forsythia bush. Being somewhat sensitive to those who are cold and hungry, I broke up several slices of bread and dropped the morsels on the back step. After a few hours I checked and yep, the bread was still there. I thought how silly of those birds to be so close to food and yet not take advantage of my generosity! The next day the bread was gone. I forgot about my feathered friends until the next maxi-major snowfall which came the next week. This time when I looked out there were at least twenty birds nestled in the forsythia, others boldly lined up on the railing around the deck. Of course, I again delivered bread to the back step. I had just shoveled away the first six inches of snow. When the birds saw me coming to the door, they lifted as one from the bush and railing and flew to safety but I did notice that the bread disappeared within minutes. Later in the day, the twenty had become thirty.
Thinking about the birds and my insignificant contribution to their survival reminded me of the ware we in the church often reach out to others and the way people respond to those efforts.
We often don't even notice the plight of others until they are just outside our window. Then we wonder why they don't readily respond when we offer the Bread of Life. The birds were hesitant the first time. How could they trust me? I hadn't done anything for them before. People are skeptical of the churh's intent when there is not established relationship.
When the bigger snow came I was not so slow to react. The birds, although still wary evidenced by the fly-away, did come more quickly to the offering. Often we in the church are the same. Our response is quicker and more deliberate as we are more aware. Those we reach out to are still careful bu they find it easier to accept the care and nurture we offer. The birds I fed brought their friends. Those we care for and reach out to will tell their friends. Now that I am feeding my feathered friends regularly, they reciprocate with beautiful songs.
Those who are bird lovers would tell me that I should have been feeding the birds all winter, not just when there is a crisis. That is true. The church also should be ministering on a more consistent and regular basis than waiting for crisis situations. Those we reach out to will not always respond with joyous song but that does not diminish our responsibility to our brothers and sisters.
Jesus said it this way in a parable: "For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink. I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me. I was sick and you looked after me. I was in prison and you came to visit me." "I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of these brothers of mine, you did for me." Matthew 25:35,40.
Sometimes the snow and neglected birds can serve to remind us of other needs. What do you see when you look out your window?
I have posted a short article I wrote for our monthly newspaper in our small town; this was published in The Greentown Grapevine, March 2007.
After the first major snowfall of February, I looked out the kitchen window to see eight to ten birds with feathers ruffled to keep themselves warm perching in my naked forsythia bush. Being somewhat sensitive to those who are cold and hungry, I broke up several slices of bread and dropped the morsels on the back step. After a few hours I checked and yep, the bread was still there. I thought how silly of those birds to be so close to food and yet not take advantage of my generosity! The next day the bread was gone. I forgot about my feathered friends until the next maxi-major snowfall which came the next week. This time when I looked out there were at least twenty birds nestled in the forsythia, others boldly lined up on the railing around the deck. Of course, I again delivered bread to the back step. I had just shoveled away the first six inches of snow. When the birds saw me coming to the door, they lifted as one from the bush and railing and flew to safety but I did notice that the bread disappeared within minutes. Later in the day, the twenty had become thirty.
Thinking about the birds and my insignificant contribution to their survival reminded me of the ware we in the church often reach out to others and the way people respond to those efforts.
We often don't even notice the plight of others until they are just outside our window. Then we wonder why they don't readily respond when we offer the Bread of Life. The birds were hesitant the first time. How could they trust me? I hadn't done anything for them before. People are skeptical of the churh's intent when there is not established relationship.
When the bigger snow came I was not so slow to react. The birds, although still wary evidenced by the fly-away, did come more quickly to the offering. Often we in the church are the same. Our response is quicker and more deliberate as we are more aware. Those we reach out to are still careful bu they find it easier to accept the care and nurture we offer. The birds I fed brought their friends. Those we care for and reach out to will tell their friends. Now that I am feeding my feathered friends regularly, they reciprocate with beautiful songs.
Those who are bird lovers would tell me that I should have been feeding the birds all winter, not just when there is a crisis. That is true. The church also should be ministering on a more consistent and regular basis than waiting for crisis situations. Those we reach out to will not always respond with joyous song but that does not diminish our responsibility to our brothers and sisters.
Jesus said it this way in a parable: "For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink. I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me. I was sick and you looked after me. I was in prison and you came to visit me." "I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of these brothers of mine, you did for me." Matthew 25:35,40.
Sometimes the snow and neglected birds can serve to remind us of other needs. What do you see when you look out your window?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)