I love teaching

UrbanLife classes began this week ... my first time to teach since I arrived at First Church. I'm really enjoying the people in the classes and the topics we are discussing. Tonight was a girl's group and we discussed perfectionism. Of course, only a handful of women deal with this subject ;)

I was so blessed while teaching to remember that I don't have to change what I believe about myself...but I do have to change what I believe God believes about me. And if I start there--what God believes about me--that will eventually change my mind and heart about my beliefs about myself.

When I can change my mind and heart, then that will bring about changes in my body and soul. For me, perfectionism held me back from truly understanding God's purpose for my life. As God broke the stronghold of perfectionism in my life, I was able to understand what Paul said to the Galatians -- Christ came to bring us freedom.

Is Perfectionism a by-produce of our easy, comfortable luxurious lifestyle in the US? Probably so. When I have traveled to other parts of the world (and sometimes the other parts of this city) where people fight for survival, somehow the issue of my thighs or latest wrinkle or how I look a pair of jeans takes a backseat.

I want to give a shout-out to my friend and colleague Paula Miltenberger, PhD, who co-presented with me tonight. We've had quite a journey since I met her in 1999 and I feel so blessed that God has brought our paths together again.

Want to find out if you a perfectionist? Here is an online quiz from Discovery Health.

1 Corinthians 10:23

Regarding yesterday's post about the Fair Food.  It's about 12:45 am early Friday morning.  And let me just tell you what is going through my mind right about now as I'm communing in my bathroom....1 Corinthians 10:23.  This translation is from God's Word (no idea its credibility as a translation but it's what I found when I googled the text).

"Someone may say, 'I'm allowed to do anything,' but not everything is helpful.  I'm allowed to do anything, but not everything encourages growth."

Fair Day 2007

When I "interviewed" at First Church (knowing that as Methodist ministers there is no such thing as an interview), I was told about the annual tradition of Fair Day. The staff goes to the Fair for a long lunch and eats their way through the park. Today was Fair Day.
See for yourself all we ate.

• Note that not pictured is the fried banana pudding and funnel cake with apple pie topping.
• The Fried Cosmopolitan, on our list, was already sold out by noon.
• Apologies to Burton, our Episcopalian intern who is half-in the group shot in front of the Corny Dog Stand.
• Eddie is eating a chocolate-dipped banana (it was good but a little too sweet).
• Not pictured are the Pepto Bismol tablets enjoyed by Vance and the Tums enjoyed by me.

Pictures from Fair Day

Explanation of the First Rule of Book Club

So maybe I did not explain well the First Rule of Book Club to the general blog population. It's not that we don't read the books, it's just that we want people to come to book club and share in the conversation and insights even if they did not get the chance to start or finish the book. Sometimes life gets too busy to get the book read, but we still want to see everyone. And, our goal isn't critical analysis of the book itself, but drawing out larger themes and how the story in the book informs the story of our lives as Christians.

Yesterday's book fell in the category of hard to finish. The story line is moving, haunting, funny and beautiful. The author, though, drew on her talents as a nature writer which can be challenging to read IF nature writing is not your thing.

The best thing about the book we read is that it offered a timeless reminder that left to our own devices and poisoned by inhumane thinking, humans can be animals. The book we read this month--The Zookeeper's Wife by Diane Ackerman.

First Rule of Book Club

I want to start by giving a shout-out to my book club that met for our monthly discussion today. Great home, great lunch, outstanding conversation. And I want to give a special shout out to our resident theologian in the group, who happens to be male, and, who did not appreciate that last month I gave a shout out to the girls in the book group. So here's to our resident theologian...and the goodness of book clubs.

The best part of our book club? The first rule of the Book club: you don't have to read the book.

Simplicity. Clarity. Singleness.

“Simplicity, clarity, singleness: These are the attributes that give our lives power and vividness and joy as they are also the marks of great art. They seem to be the purpose of God for his whole creation.” -- Richard Holloway, retired Bishop of Edinburg.

I'm physically feeling better each day, kinda like the first day after having the flu. You still don't feel well, but at least you know you don't feel as bad as the day before. It makes all these changes in life a little more enjoyable.

God blessed me way more than I deserve today and that's my word for the end of today: gratitude. And my prayer for today is that God grant me simplicity, clarity and singleness. What a great mantra to say each morning: Simplicity, Clarity and Singleness. (Just to clarify and put my husband at ease in case he reads this blog, I believe he is saying singleness in focus and not in reference to relationships.)

It's hard to gain clarity. My attention can be distracted by the internet, email, cell phone, television, newspaper...and yet what I feel called to might be reading some Scripture but it's so hard to turn all those things off and turn on the Scripture. Gaining clarity helps me to make this choice and pray for the strength to continue in God's creative flow.

My prayer of recent weeks has been for UrbanLife. I really would like for God to say (in a deep, booming voice), "Here it is Kathryn...the keys to UrbanLife." What I know in my heart is that it's going to take some trial and error and that this is the way God would have it...and that God is in this trial and error. The key is the trial and error, and, in seeking clarity everyday for this vital ministry. I wish I had this ministry for me when I was in my 20s. You make so many decisions in your 20s and 30s and for that to be the time in most people's lives when they are disconnected from a faith community is a huge loss for this world and for the Kingdom.

Simplicity, Clarity and Singleness....my prayer for today.