Claimed, gathered and sent

Sally at Rev Gals posted today's Friday Five. And here they are! 1. Barbeque's or picnics ( or are they essentially the same thing?) They ' re essentially the same thing, but we call them picnics. 2. The park/ the lake/ the beach or staying at home simply being? Normally we'd enjoy getting together with friends at home or at their place. I like gathering at the park or lake, not the beach. This year it's just the two of us at home. 3. Fireworks- love 'em or hate 'em? I love them. 4. Parades- have you ever taken part- share a memory... I have only watched them. When I was little my brother was in one an we went to watch. Today we're watching the Bristol, RI parade, the oldest continuous running 4th of July parade in the country. 5. Time for a musical interlude- if you could sum up holidays in a piece of music what would it be? The "1812 Overture" performed by the Boston Pops. Oh yeah, "Stars and Stripes Forever" too. Now a que...

I just discovered Wordle through the Boar's Head Tavern . It creates word clouds from text you provide. For instance, this is the result of putting in Matthew 25. Enjoy!

I did great yesterday, but it was like two steps forward and one step back because I overdid it. I wasn't aware of that however, until the evening and throughout the night. My physical therapist said I need to remove one activity for the next time. So now after PT and a couple of errands, I'm resting. Didn't Jesus say something about that? Oh yeah... he's the source of rest. Picture from flickr.

experienced a turning point recuperating from my knee replacement surgery. I have significantly less pain, am walking with one crutch (practicing with a cane), and am now cleared to drive--doing so for the first time today (on a road at least). Last week I experimented in the parking lot under the watchful eye of my physical therapist. Tomorrow I b egin outpatient physical therapy. When in pain, it is difficult to focus on anything but the pain. And we sometimes feel alone despite friends. Sunday's gospel was a pointed reminder tha t whether or not we're aware of it, God is with us, taking care of us, and we need not fear. By his grace our eyes are opened to his presence--sometimes in the most unexpected places. Thanks be to God.

I am among those who too easily judge others, especially if they break the rules. Matthew 12:1-14 is a classic passage pitting humans against God, rules and laws against mercy and needs . Jesus responds to the Pharisees' protest of the disciples plucking grains to eat on the sabbath by countering with examples of David eating the bread of Presence and the temple priests guiltlessly breaking the sabbath. "...something greater than the temple is here." God was among them in Christ and they didn't recognize him. He who is "Lord of the sabbath" was greater than the sabbath, greater than the temple, greater than the rules of men. Verse 7, lying right in the middle of the passage, holds the key to that which should motivate our relationships, that which motivated Christ--mercy! This is further illustrated by Jesus healing on the sabbath. He just never learned did he? He kept ob eying his heavenly father despite the religious hierarchy's opposition. Just ...

Those RevGals are such party animals. So in honor of summer, please share your own beachy memories, plans, and dreams with a "Beach Trip" Friday Five. 1. Ocean rocks, lake limps? Vice versa? Or "it's all beautiful in its own way"? I enjoy being out in nature of all kinds, but prefer lakes to ocean. And even better, prefer a swimming pool. 2. Year round beach living: Heaven...or the Other Place? I'm not a real beach fan, but as long as there is shade, maybe it should be considered purgatory. 3. Any beach plans for this summer? None that I'm aware of. There is plenty of recuperation and packing for the move to Gettysburg with little, if any, vacation time. 4. Best beach memory ever? Our granddaughter's first steps into the Atlantic when she was an infant. She cried, but it was their first trip to see us in R. I., so it was special. 5. Fantasy beach trip? Hawaii sounds good. ...

Last night Ray and I watched The Perfect Storm , a movie depicting a true story of a fishing crew's battle against the forces of nature. Their ship was minuscule compared to the huge waves that washed over it and eventually destroyed it. Contrasted with their struggle was that of a crew that called out, "Mayday" and were rescued. A while back as I read this passage its significance struck me. Jesus is portrayed as this amazing man who rescues his friends who struggle with their faith or lack thereof. They issued their own "mayday" to the Lord and he responded. Today this hits even closer to home as I struggle with storms of sleeplessness, pain, and emotions. "Lord, my boat is so small and your sea is so big." It sometimes seems like life's circumstances are whipping us around uncontrollably. We are not exempt from life's challenges just because we are people of faith, but God is with us in the small boats of our lives, in the midst of the sto...