Curtains...a reflection

I have a pinch hitter this week...Sharon. On Sunday, I preached about the curtain of the temple being torn in two after Jesus breathed his last and Sharon had a great reflection on what this might mean for our world today. So, thank you Sharon and enjoy!

The scripture this past Sunday was Matthew 27:45-54 “and the curtains were rent in two”. Most of us are probably aware that when Christ was on the cross the curtain at the temple was torn. I, for one, had no idea of the significance of this. Pastor Micah related that the curtain served to separate the “Holiest of Holy” places from the rest of the temple. It was opened only one time per year and only by high priests who had thoroughly cleansed themselves. Jesus changed everything!

I have been mulling over the meaning of this and wonder if this is not perhaps the ultimate parable?! Do we drape ourselves in a “curtain” to separate ourselves from God and each other? Is the curtain torn through faith and Baptism? Do others have the same daily/ sometimes hourly struggle as I do to keep that curtain open?

In one of Pastor Micah’s previous blogs he suggested that , perhaps, especially when we are in church, we should be more open to each other (my interpretation). I was horrified! Let someone in to see the inner me? People would fall over in their haste to run! I pulled my curtain tighter.

However, I have learned that even when I let a little of me out it lifts me up. I have someone with whom to share my struggles and triumphs.

The picture on the front of the bulletin says it all. It’s me, peeking through, struggling to get out. I pray daily for God to guide me/ to open that curtain a little more.

Peace!

Sharon

PS... When I sat down to write this I said, “God, you gotts give me the words.” He yanked my curtain.

Donald Miller: Million Miles Tour

Donald Miller: Million Miles Tour

UP ABOVE is a Donald Miller widget. Somehow, I ventured into the depth of the Internet and got it onto my blog...wow. I am so impressed with myself :)

Seriously though, Donald Miller is one of the people that I like to keep tabs on. He is an author who writes books about life and faith and... how they kind of come together. I don't necessarily agree with everything he writes, but he will surely make you think and challenge some of the beliefs that you hold.

Much of what he writes is from his own life. He shares journeys, stories and other perspectives about faith and just really living life. Often the books that we get in the Christian realm are how to books. Don is more of a "I did this and this is how it effected my faith", or a "I desperately want to explore this aspect of my spirituality but everybody says I shouldn't...I will do it anyway and see what happens", kind of writer. His writing is authentic and definitely interesting.

I like people like that.

So, if you are interested in a new book coming out that will surely make you ask some good questions, or if you are wanting to head to an event, check out this little video to learn about what Don is up to.

Grace and Peace!
Micah

A simple Mailbox

So I moved. I did the whole packing it up and transporting it car load by car load, to save any rental fee, (my frugal self wins again!). Moving was not a big deal, putting things away, well, that's a different story. It is getting done, but it is a process (maybe a year or two :))

Along the way, I decided to get a mailbox put up, instead of paying the fee for a post office box, (frugal...you bet!).

So, as most people, I journeyed down to the post office. I always love going to post offices...they all smell the same and usually, they are very friendly down there. My journey down there was great, though they had to get back to me about where to put my mail box up.

Well, we got a little anxious, so we just put it up in front of the house...we being me and the trustees of the church. I figured that would work, since it was on the same side of the street as every other mailbox on my road.

Well, it wasn't right. It was on the wrong side. I check three different times with them to make sure they were sure. Three times. They said the same thing three times. So, I pulled it up and put it on the other side. Problem solved!

Ummmm...maybe not. Just the other day, after receiving mail for about 3 weeks, I got a letter with a note stapled on it saying that I had to move my mailbox to the proper side of the street or my mail was to be held. Ugh.

Grumpy Micah came out.

As I held that letter, I was fuming. I'll admit that. I got the letter at night and they were closed, thankfully. I was done with the post office and ready to just start hand delivering everything, or just using the power of the Internet.

The next morning, as I saw the letter staring at me from the table, I asked myself the question of how I should really handle this? What is God speaking to me in this moment? How am I living my Christian faith as His witness in these simple, yet frustrating moments?

Often, we encounter moments like this, don't we? Where confusion and circumstances just eat at your very fiber? Our faith is not something that we just live in a moment, or in a prayer, but it is deeply woven into all that we do.

Challenging myself to be a little more Christlike, I ventured to the Post Office, letter in hand. No one got hurt...actually, we had a great conversation and figured the whole thing out. It was just a mix up. This happens. And I even met my mail carrier.

Fortunately, I didn't bring my grumpiness with me into the post office, though I was tempted. Simple moments like these are just that, simple. But they challenge us to who we are really living our lives for...for ourselves, to get revenge and to have the pride of being right, or for God, to truly be His advocate in all that we do and to lead with His Grace. Leading with Grace...hmmm, I like that.

I am glad that I got this letter at night, but the whole frustrating circumstance taught me a lesson on humility.

Striving to lead with Grace and Peace!

Micah

Iowa Mission Team - post 5

Mission Talk with TY

Well, this is our final submission from Iowa. The team finished up the three projects they have been working on throughout the week. Rodney's home is completely dry walled, taped and sanded. Chuck's house has underlayment on the floor. Todd and Lori's property has many loose ends tied up. We even had the opportunity to help Nora with her home today.

It has been a very good week. Everyone has learned a little something new: whether it be a skill or two or three or four; a nugget of knowledge; something about themself; or more importantly something about serving with and for others.

Valuable lessons have been learned by all that will be carried within their hearts... Earthly treasure, a piece of heaven... Healing lives by fixing houses...

Thank you for the opportunity to be the hands and feet of Jesus.

Time for the beach...

TY

Iowa Mission Team - post 4

Mission Talk with TY

Hello! Well, the week is coming to a close. Nothing but little odds and ends left on the jobs. Everything is wrapping up nicely. The teams are looking for a little more work to get them through Friday. Hopefully, Shelby can come up with something.

Looking forward to finishing out the week. Everyone is feeling fatigued and fulfilled.

TY

Iowa Mission Team - post 3

Mission talk with TY

Greetings from Iowa! God is good! We have experienced so much evidence of his glory in the time we have spent in Iowa.

Dave is much better now. He felt your prayers. The stone has passed and he is feeling unencumbered. He is back on the job and keeping us all in stitches.

It was a short work day yesterday. Crew 1 (refer to previous blog) is just about finished with the drywall job. Crew 2 tied up some loose ends at Todd and Lori's and prepped for painting. Then it was back to the church for showers and a quick lunch.

The church we are staying at has a very vital presence in the area. The majority of the other churches have abandoned the neighborhood. This church is landlocked and very short on parking (????Where have we heard that before????). Yet, they refuse to leave the people around here without a shepherd. So, while they endeavor to find some land, they continue to minister to the flock around them. The church serves lunch from 11-1 to multiple groups (3-4 a day) from the area. They have a very active Wednesday night ministry. It includes a thrift shop, weekly meal, worship service and small groups. Feels like home around here!

The Field of Dreams was really cool. The wind in the corn, the crunch of the warning track, the sounds of the game... Marty, Michael, Bob, Kate, and Juli all "had a catch." Richard ran the bases. Everyone experienced a little bit of nostalgia.

On the way back, the group stopped and toured the area around the river. It is impressive how many of the buildings are still affected while the building next door appears as though nothing happened. Things are coming back slowly. We had a very enjoyable dinner at the Texas Roadhouse. Bert and Marty were happy to have a night off.

Say a prayer for Richard and his family. His uncle died of cancer.

Well, we are back to work today. Feeling rested and ready to go.

Blessings,
TY

Iowa Mission Team - post 2

Mission Talk with TY

Hello again from Iowa! What a beautiful day! I made a new friend today. The new house we were at has its own mascot. There is a squirrel named Peanut that will come right up to you and beg for snacks. As you can see, I shared with him.

The Mission Team split into two crews today. They want to work as efficiently and proficiently as possible. Michael, Bill and Richard (crew 1) stayed at the drywall job. While Juli, Holly, Bob and Kate (crew 2) tried their hand at a new house that has a bunch of little odds and ends. Work Crew 1 added another coat of mud to the drywall at Rodney's home. Work Crew 2 did a little drywall, painting, cleaning and trim work.

Brother Dave needs a little prayer sent his way. He is having some problems with kidney stones and the meds he was given. We know that he wants to be working but he needs to get better first.

Juli and Kate were invited to join the Shueyville Church softball team. Todd and Lori own the house they were working on and invited them to complete the roster. It was humbling to say the least. But, they had fun and I think their team won.

Looking forward to visiting the Field of Dreams tomorrow. It might not be heaven but Iowa is pretty.

God bless,
TY

Iowa Mission Team - post 1

Mission Talk with TY


Hi, I am TY, the FUMC Middlefield Mission Team spokesperson and mascot(my picture is posted). I just wanted to share with you a little bit about what is happening with our mission team this week while we are in Iowa.

Everyone arrived safely in Iowa pretty much on time. Some construction and traffic made for an interesting detour (unplanned) or two.

The team was up and ready to go early this morning. Some of that may be attributed to the change in time zones but THEY WERE READY!! Michael and Dave did devotions this morning and we were all touched by the Spirit of the Lord and our mission.

I rode along to the construction site with the team this morning. We were amazed at the water marks on the houses from the flood. The house where we are working is about a quarter mile from the river. It had about 6 feet of water on the first floor from the marks. The people who lived there were in and out but didn't really stop to talk.

The team arrived with Shelby (our flood intern) ready to hang drywall. BUT, it was already hung. So, they quickly shifted gears and went to work taping and mudding. I rode around all day in a hammer loop making sure the work was of the finest quality. They worked really hard all day making sure the Middlefield UMC name was well represented. The team actually asked for more work because there isn't really enough to keep the entire crew working at all times. Team members tried their hands at many new skills and everyone learned something.

Some wonderful people donated two dozen ears of exceptional Iowa corn for our dinner. Dinner was awesome! Marty and Bert really set the bar high for the rest of the week.

It was a long day of very fruitful labor. I even had to take a bath because I fell in the drywall mud. The team is feeling blessed and tired.

Looking forward to tomorrow,
TY