I saw an article today about what's ahead. Already, warnings are going out about the frequent fliers v. leisure travelers who are bound to collide with carry on and other baggage for the holidays.

Don't take much on the journey, Jesus says.

Just yourself.

(And God)

Be kind to those who are traveling in the Thanksgiving and Christmas weeks. They will be frought with stress over over-booked, over-worked, over-nickle and dimed travelers.

What would happen if we all chose to travel light, on the spiritual journey - no heavy baggage and just our very selves transformed by the One who is there on the journey with us?

When we prayed together tonight at Council meeting, there was a sense of community gathered to receive from the Lord. One Council member called for "Holy huddle!" and we all gathered around, as one in prayer.

A church is the body of Christ, whose hands reach out to one another and the world in prayer.

As we pray together, so we receive that which the Lord offers to us.

Happy holy huddling, all!

I saw a rainbow in the sky as I returned from a Conference meeting today, and smiled as I enjoyed the sight in front of me. I was reminded of God's promise of the rainbow, which warms the heart and calls for authentic living. God has given a promise that endures and I am asked to live in the light of that promise - and that rainbow.

I hosted Donna Kay Campbell overnight at the parsonage. It was indeed such a pleasure to be able to provide hospitality to this missionary during her visit to our church. What's neat about hospitality is the sharing, the giving and receiving of stories, and the provision of basic needs for someone else. There are many ways in which a gesture of hospitality reaps benefits to the soul.

Hospitality doesn't have to be fancy, or elegant, or over the top. (Actually, I don't think Jesus went straight for the fancy, elegant, over the top when it came to overnight accomodations.)

A warmth in a smile, a welcoming spirit, and a thoughtful gesture is all we need to feel we're in comfortable surroundings.

When I sing, I am put in touch with that wonderful sense of giving glory to God.

When I sing with others, that is magnified many times over.

What's interesting is that we aren't a big choir by any means.

We don't have the number of voices which would raise the rafters.

Tonight, we worked together in earnest to produce a sound which would be pleasing to God.

All of us had the same goal.

That's pleasing to God.

That's what lifts the spirit and lifts the voice to praise the Lord who gave us voices in the first place.

Choir is one place in which I discover that listening for someone else's voice helps.

You have to be intelligent when you sing, - paying attention to the dynamics and attending to the directives and markings in the music.

I listen for Gods' voice, as when I sing. I pay attentions to the directives and markings God gives me, and my whole life sings the way God intends.