Halloween

Why don't Jehovah's Witnesses celebrate Halloween?

They don't like it when random people knock on their front door.

So I haven't told this story for a while.

my mummy took this picture in our front yard.
Halloween 1972.

I was 14 and my mom dressed me up as a mummy for a Halloween party. This is the picture and I still remember her taking it!

There were several hundred kids at the party at the local Christian church.
I won a prize for the best costume and I danced to the long version of In-a-godda-da-vida all 17 minutes of it!  I don't remember the girl's name.

For the many times that I have questioned my childhood and discussed it's dysfunction, this was one memory that was a very good one.

It's a beautiful day in God's world, be sure to see the good.

Mission statement found in Ireland

I picked up a flyer at one of the Catholic churches that we visited in Ireland.

The flyer had a missions statement on it.

"Our faith is the good news that Jesus Christ is the God of love.  Through the Holy Spirit, Jesus Christ accompanies us both in this life and in the life to come.  To live and to share that good news is our mission."

I love that.  It is not about fixing people or changing them.

God is love.  God is with us.  Let people know that however you can.

It's a beautiful day in God's world, be sure to see the good.

Mission statements

Most churches have mission statements.  The United Methodist Church's mission statement is "Making Disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world."

I used to like it.  These days, not so much.

Here is why... I find the word "making" to be confrontational.  We don't make people do anything.  Surely Jesus didn't force anyone to do anything.

Churches for centuries have gone to far away lands to "convert" the heathen.  The church largely ignored and demonized the native religions.  We taught people to talk like us and dress like us.  It was a form of colonization.

In the 1920's churches went into rural Nicaragua and built churches.  But they did nothing to help the people who were starving.  Is this the kind of outreach that God hopes for?

In my old age I have come to believe that it is not my job to convert people.  God can do that with out me.  It is my job however, to love people.

And I believe that when we get good at loving people, they will be drawn to our spirits, to our way of life and to our God.

It's a beautiful day in God's world, be sure to see the good.

Trip reflection

Looking back on the Ireland trip I have a few reflections...

First of all, it was wonderful to see the beautiful and historic places.  Secondly, I so enjoyed the people that travelled with me.  We also met some new friends on the bus from the other group.  So people wise, it was fantastic.

The guide was great and overall I give the trip a 10.

Those who were injured on the trip have recovered and I hope they will join me again next year.

I am working on a trip to Italy for next year, October or early November.  Let me know if you are interested.

It's a beautiful day in God's world, be sure to see the good.

Irish saying

I was talking to one of the porters in Ireland.  We were chatting about life and kindness.  He told me that his grandfather shared with him this old Irish saying...

"everyone's shoulders are broad enough to carry manners."

I love that.  Kindness is not out of anyone's reach.  Having manners and being kind is a simple choice that any of us can make.

It's a beautiful day in God's world, be sure to see the good.

Ireland Day 7

 Today we visited 2 awesome castles.  One was the Blarney Castle where many in our group made the climb to kiss the blarney stone.  Both castles are in fantastic condition.

we saw lots of swans in Ireland!

protrusions above the castle door where hot oil
and other nasty substances were poured onto enemies.

Best preserved castle in Ireland

view from the top of Blarney castle

Blarney castle stairway.  Ugg I had terrible
fear of heights, but I made it to the top
to kiss the stone!

Blarney Castle

One of the joys of visiting foreign lands is appreciating the amazing things that you see.  May we also get better at seeing and appreciating the things right here at home.

It's a beautiful day in God's world, be sure to see the good.

Ireland day 6

Today we drove the ring of Kerry.  It is a famous scenic drive in western Ireland.

beautiful scenic views

circle fort, bottom right.

cliffs of Kerry

stopped at a church.
they had the stations of the cross on display.

probably going to go down as one
of my favorite pictures from the trip

Unfortunately while we were visiting the cliffs of Kerry, a very large wind came up and literally blew three of our travelers off of their feet.  One landed on her knees and was ok.  One fell face first.  Her nose is broken and her hand is injured.  One fell and hit her head.  She was knocked out.  

Long story short... we fixed her up and cleaned her up.  While the bus when on to lunch,  a few of us took her to the doctor.  The doc checked her out and we met the bus and were on our way.  Later that night, the bleeding started again and we had to take her to urgent care where they got the bleeding to stop.  Then later to the hospital.

I am glad to tell you that she is now ok and seeming back to normal.

Oh, my how life can change in a short moment.

It's a beautiful day in God's world, be sure to see the good.

We also saw the cliffs of Kerry.  The cliffs of Moher were closed due to weather.

Ireland Day 5

We continue to see amazing sites.

Sometimes words cannot describe what you are feeling and seeing.

It was cold.  Gina Harris loaned me a scarf.

Visited a castle from the 1600's 
bedroom furniture from that time.

view from the castle down onto the plains
below.  Lots of sheep grazing.

Store in Irish town nearby.

Embry and Heck Methodist Church.
John Wesley Preached in this building.

tallest round tower in Ireland.

So it is odd to write a blog with words.  Sometimes words cannot capture what you are thinking and feeling.  We learn so much on these trips.

I thank God for the opportunity to go.

It's a beautiful day in God's world, be sure to see the good.

Ireland Day 4

We are enjoying the country and the guide.  We are learning a lot.  The people are friendly and the music is fantastic!

lots of sheep in Ireland.
It is very green.  It is called the Emerald Isle
because it is so green.  And it is so green because
as they say, they have two weather forecasts:
rain and it's going to rain.

lots of rain = lots of rainbows.

Shannon Bridge built 1757

I absolutely love visiting the old monasteries.

Another tall round tower to protect the
monks from the Vikings.

I love going on these trips.  The things that you see, the people that you meet, and the people that you travel with... it is all such a blessing.

It's a beautiful day in God's world, be sure to see the good.

Ireland Day 3

We visited Northern Ireland for the first time.  We learned about the civil wars and the difference between Ireland and Northern Ireland.

We saw some lovely churches.  

This church, was built in the 1400's.  It was partially destroyed by Henry the 8th and rebuilt in 1780.  John Wesley preached here.

This is a beautiful country!

It's a beautiful day in God's world, be sure to see the good.