Open to the Spirit

Regular readers know that my partner in ministry decided to retire earlier than expected this Spring after a year of part time ministry and disability leave.

I'm getting my mobility papers/resume ready. It's to be open to the Spirit not only for the church I serve today, but all churches that might be looking for a new pastor.

I'd appreciate your prayers as.

pax,

unlikely

T Ball Season Game 1

It was a beautiful blue sky and puffy white cloud evening on our edge of the prairie and the Hiawatha Valley. The local t-ball fields were hopping. Dozens of mini-vans and increasing unpopular SUV's were parked along side the soccer/t-ball fields as we arrived at 6:45 for practices before the 7:30 games.

The dog and I spend time in solitude running in this park on the edge of town almost every morning; but tonight the place was chalk full of 4 to 6 year old kids in there color coordinated team t-shirts and oversized batting helmets. There were a lot of spectators too; parents, a few grandparents, and siblings who just came along for the ride seemed to enjoy their chance to cheer.

There are 8 t-ball teams currently fielded in town. Our kids are on an as yet un-named team dressed in dark blue t-shirts. They're coached by three outstanding women who all know much more about playing ball than I can ever hope to learn. Even ushering at the Metrodome for 4 Twins seasons didn't prepare me to teach my kids how to play. My daughter said simply, "Dad you're supposed to be good at this, as I muffed a ball with a borrowed glove during practice.

The rules of t-ball are simple for a 4 or 5 year old, if your up to bat, just hit the ball, not the parent who bravely puts it on the tee, and then run to a base. If the next person in line gets a hit then run to second.

If your out in the field the game is a little more challenging. It's tough for these kids not to be distracted by the birds, clouds, weeds, mud, water, and other kids out at play. A favorite moment was watching our minute older daughter who was playing first base give a big hug to a boy who had just reached base from the other team.

pax,
Unlikely

A good old meme

Here it is. Days after the invitation I've completed this meme.
Hope all is well

Rules:
The rules of the game get posted at the beginning.
Each player answers the questions about himself or herself.
At the end of the post, the player then tags five people and posts their names, then goes to their blogs and leaves them a comment, letting them know they’ve been tagged and asking them to read your blog.
Yadayadayada

Ten years ago:
Ten years ago at this time of year, I was living in St. James, MN finishing my internship year at Augustana Lutheran Church. I was enjoying the end of my first full year working in a church. I had a lot to learn still (and still do) about all that is involved. The relationship I was in was ending and I was even thinking about my last year in seminary.

Things I'd do if I was a billionaire:
-give it all away as fast as possible. My wife might want a bigger house but I'd rather keep the one we've got than just spend until we had everything in the world. I think I could give it all away in less than 10 days and not feel bad about it and then go back to being a pastor.


Three bad habits:
never getting my council report or newsletter in by the first deadline at church
staying up to late watching tv with my bride
not picking up after I finish projects (my desk always has open books that just need to be closed)


Five places I've lived:
Lauderdale, MN
Neenah, WI
St James MN
Kenyon MN
Winona MN


Five jobs I've had:
boy scout camp commissary staff
usher at the Metrodome
art model
teaching assistant
book store shipping clerk

I'm tagging Habs at Armed and Gregarious
and Dr John

a challenge

Good Morning
I've been tagged for a meme by lawandgospel
I will hopefully get around to it soon

cheers

unlikely

Fishing report: May 8, 9, &10

I always spend a few days before Mother's Day fishing for trout in the White Water Valley not far from Altura, Minnesota. The valley has really changed since rains at the end of August last summer.

The White Water River has changed from the River I've fished with friends since college; in a matter of a day the channel moved, rocks ended up where they'd never appeared before.

I caught my full limit of trout and now I'm anxious to start to eat.

I'm almost ready to start thinking about church again (beyond preaching and visitation) after a couple good days off. Right now members of the church council and I are contemplating shared ministry: that means we will have multiple pastors on a staff with no senior and no associate pastors; just two or three people called pastor sharing the ministry. It's a relief to me to have a different model to look at right now. I don't much look forward to working with a new senior pastor, nor do I feel ready for the job: and this point in the middle seems to be best.

Who knows what's next? I guess it's time for discernment.

Fishing report. Saturday April 26

We headed to the Lanesboro Park Trout pond tucked neatly behind the Son's of Norway Hall on Saturday. My beloved seemed more interested in fishing than either of the girls and really enjoyed casting and really in the rooster tails. She spotted a few fish in the pond. One fellow said he caught a small fry on a night crawler with a slip bobber.

All told we fished for maybe 20 minutes and played for 20 in the strong wind at the park.

An added bonus the dog got a new cool reflective leash at spoiled rotten an upscale pet store in Lanesboro right on Main Street.

What comes next? pray

A Celebration of Ministry was held today for my partner and his wife. It was good to hear old stories and see some old friends come for the celebration.

What comes next?
pray and discern. Am I ready to lead this congregation on my own? Do I stay as associate and wait to see if a good partner is going to be found?
I wish that God gave road maps to answer the prayer, "not my will but thy will be done."