Monday Medley- Usher Dive

Its a rainy Monday.  A good  day to sleep but not able to,  Too much left over adrenalin from my on call.  My sleep was interrupted twice, then I thought I would be called again, so I dozed in my recliner. 

Today I'm sharing the song Dive by Usher. 

 http://youtu.be/OIOntfVPBsw

Earth Day Prayer Service

Today we had an Earth Day Prayer Service which I was asked to formulate and lead.  The resulting program although short, hit the mark! I was pleased that those who asked me to prepare the service were pleased! I share the program here with you.
 

EARTH DAY PRAYER SERVICE

Welcome/Invocation

Genesis 1:1, 26

For The Beauty of the Earth V.1

Psalm 139:13-17

Prayer of Thanksgiving

For The Beauty of the Earth V.2

Romans 8:18-22, 25 

Beatitudes for Stewards of Earth by Father Ed Eschweiler  

·        Blessed are they who understand that creation is like a beautiful tapestry, with every strand depending on others.

·        Blessed are they who see the beauty of Earth as a reflection of the beauty of God, who creates

·        Blessed are they who do not waste or spoil Earth's resources, which are for everyone, even those not yet born

·        Blessed are they who reverence all created things as sacred: in God's eyes all creation is good.

·        Blessed are they who reverence the air--the breath of God and the Spirit of our life.

·        Blessed are they who reverence the life-giving waters that sustain the Earth's climate and nourish Earth's inhabitants.

·        Blessed are they who reverence the soil that supports our homes and our footsteps and yields abundant harvests.

·        Blessed are they who reverence the trees and other plants that call down the rains, stabilize the soil, and freshen the air.

·        Blessed ore they who reduce what they consume, re-use what they can, and recycle what they can no longer use.

·        Blessed are they who praise God the Creator in their reverent and gentle use of all things on Earth.

 

 For The Beauty of the Earth V.3

Prayer of Commitment

Father we come before your throne today to commit our lives to the care of your creation. You gave us the earth to use and be stewards of. Now please give us your wisdom to honor you by not abusing what you have created.  Please give us your guidance in doing all we can to restore your creation and use it as you meant it to be used for all generations.  Amen

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Monday Medley: It Girl

The third Monday in April, you would think spring is well underway, and it is in most parts. Here its a little cooler than usual, but trees are in full bloom, the azalea[s are bursting forth.  Still its chilly!

Enjoy the music and the Spring Day

http://youtu.be/gbFllvUICKo


Happy Earth Day

Sounding Off

The tragic events of the week are on my mind this morning. As I watched the search and arrest unfold on TV last night, I had enough.  I turned to Netflix and watched something else. The loss of life and limb is so senseless, but  it always is. 

One of the reports talked about the perpetrators posts on Social media. Looking for what caused them to be radicalized and carry out terror.  A comment by one of the brothers  was reported, he apparently said he had enough of this country.  If so my response to that... this is the USA, its a free country.  He was free to leave and go somewhere else.  If indeed he did not like it here,  he was free to go where he would like it. However, I know its not that simple.  At least the one at large suspect is now in custody. 

The tragedy in Texas, all I can say is I pray for the families and all those effected by the plant explosion.  I hope the investigation will help present something similar in the future.

Two tragedies that effected two entire communities this week.  

 

For Boston

Yesterday Boston suffered an attack.  Home grown or foreign, terror is terror.  Looking at the news this morning, it appears this was a detailed attack targeted spectators,  people who were there for family and friends who seemed to target were running in the Marathon. 

My prayers are for the victims, those who lost loved ones, their families, the first responders, the healthcare providers, the people of Boston.

Please join me in praying for these and law enforcement who investigate and plan security. 

 

 

BE ALERT

SEE SOMETHING SAY SOMETHING!

 

 

 

Monday Medley JT: Mirror

Today I want to share a song by Justin Timberlake I heard on the radio.  however, I have not found a version to post that plays the bass the way they don on the radio. This one sounds better, so here it is. Im adding glad you came by the wanted as well. hope you enjoy! 

Happy Monday!

http://youtu.be/U41KPUfOSFk Mirror

http://youtu.be/2ggzxInyzVE  Glad You Came

http://youtu.be/wPn-zUfcZUY  Say the Words

If you have someone in your life you love, let that person know it, don't assume they know how much you love them. One thing I hear so often as a Chaplain, is "I wish I had told him or her how much I love him/her." its usually too late then...


 

Dogs or Cats

Pets in general are such a joy.  They add so much to our lives, bring such pleasure.  Did you know pets are good for us?  They help us by always bringing us love, unconditional love, playing with us.  They help reduce our blood pressure, give us an emotional outlet. It has been proven that patients often do better when they have a pet, hence the rise of pet therapy. people with pets often deal with stress, grief , depression.  So you have a pet?    Good for you! For me I like dogs.

Dogs are more therapeutic!!! Cats...not as much.

 

 

 

THATS WHY DOGS GO STRAIGHT TO HEAVEN!!!

AND

 

CATS GO TO .....

 

PURRRRRGATORY LOL

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Monday Medley Forever Young

Welcome to the second week in  April!  Spring is finally showing up!  Monday is always a mixed bag of exhaustion, relaxation, reflection for me.  Sometimes too much reflection. The last 24 hours were rough at work, an unusual number of calls. a total of 15 altogether from 0800 to 0800.  It kept me from making my normal rounds.  I was running from call to call day and night. Some situations out of the norm. when it was finally over, I came home and went back to bed. something I don't usually do, I did not sleep  very long, but my body seemed to say ENOUGH!  I'm recovering, thing is tomorrow I have to do another overnight, this time an evening shift and on call till 0800. I have been promised relief from all the on call, but so far...  I am an adapter and  survivor! At least I hope to continue to be.

Today I am sharing  Forever Young.... at least at heart.
http://youtu.be/E1nbvplgElw

Good News To Share

So I'm sitting at a stop light in a little place called Phoebus.  The phone rings and its a Richmond area number.  The person on the other is the Director of Admissions of the School I applied to.  After exchanging pleasantries, she congratulates me on my acceptance to the MTS program!  Needles to say I am very pleased and relieved! 

This morning I took the next step and filled in the confirmation form for my acceptance and paid the fee, (which will be applied to my tuition)  so its official!!!

Next I will make an appointment with the Admissions office to go and map out my degree plan and financing.  There will be a written plan to follow, I will be attending on a part time basis.  Since I am in ministry. From what I understand a new schedule is in the works, one that is more friendly to people in my position. They call it a hybrid schedule, which includes online and an on campus class schedule which allows the student to come to campus one day a week and take  classes they need.

The only wrinkle in my plan is they do not allow clinical classes in the program I have been accepted to..  However, I am looking at what closely related classes can be taken as electives.  My Clinical Pastoral Education Units will not transfer, which is actually better since the Association of Professional Chaplains would not count them toward certification. 

Perhaps when they retool the Master of Divinity, I may re-visit that degree program so I can add clinical courses.  For now I am happy with the direction things in my life are taking. 

Easter Monday Medley

Its a late post for Monday Medley, but I have a good excuse...I was busy, tired, and had computer issues.  I was on call last night and spent several hours up and out at the Hospital.  I don't usually sleep well during the day so I'm tired.

In honor of Easter Monday I want to share several tunes that have special meaning to mean.  Sort of a tradition in my faith background with a bit of a twist.

First  a hymn we always sing Easter Sunday at my church. This version done by the Kings College Choir, they do it it justice.

Christ The Lord is Risen Today: http://youtu.be/rMwPEmUMP7U

Another Easter tradition is to sing the Hymn

Crown Him With Many Crowns   http://youtu.be/JWCEFKsZqLY

A Chorus that is often sung at both Christmas and Easter is the Hallelujah Chorus


    http://youtu.be/IUZEtVbJT5c

Have a Great Easter Week

 

Happy Easter 2013!!!

The Scripture tells us the disciples had a greeting, it went like this...

HE IS RISEN! to which the response would be...HE IS RISEN INDEED!

Today is a busy day in my life, I am working, I will be rounding at one facility and on call for another facility.  In all honesty, I am not looking forward to running back and forth all day. Then again there may not be any calls... just maybe. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Maundy Thursday 2013

Tonight is Maundy Thursday, and I was able to attend the service at my church.  It was nice we had Communion, music, and Scripture readings.  Its a particularly meaningful service. 

In honor of this day I want to share a passage of Scripture which tells the story of the Last Supper.

Luke 22:7-23 Then came the day of Unleavened Bread on which the Passover lamb had to be sacrificed. 8 Jesus sent Peter and John, saying, “Go and make preparations for us to eat the Passover.” 9 “Where do you want us to prepare for it?” they asked. 10 He replied, “As you enter the city, a man carrying a jar of water will meet you. Follow him to the house that he enters, 11 and say to the owner of the house, ‘The Teacher asks: Where is the guest room, where I may eat the Passover with my disciples?’ 12 He will show you a large upper room, all furnished. Make preparations there.” 13 They left and found things just as Jesus had told them. So they prepared the Passover.

14 When the hour came, Jesus and his apostles reclined at the table. 15 And he said to them, “I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer. 16 For I tell you, I will not eat it again until it finds fulfillment in the kingdom of God.” 17 After taking the cup, he gave thanks and said, “Take this and divide it among you. 18 For I tell you I will not drink again of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes.” 19 And he took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me.” 20 In the same way, after the supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you.

21 But the hand of him who is going to betray me is with mine on the table. 22 The Son of Man will go as it has been decreed, but woe to that man who betrays him.” 23 They began to question among themselves which of them it might be who would do this  

 

The religious leaders of the day sought ways to destroy Jesus Christ, He would not to conform to their norm. He came to bring a new normal. he came to change the status quo.  Even today those who don't conform to the religious traditions are marked as outcast, and even persecuted. how this must grieve our Lord!

 

A song to share Secret Ambition by Michael W. Smith. http://youtu.be/2vHedm6ycsY