Author: SusannahDB

A Man Called Ove-Book Review

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A Man Called Ove
Fredrik Backman
So often a big part of my job at hospice is helping people realize their purpose and set goals. When someone can no longer work or possibly leave their home, they might feel useless and a burden to family and friends. By listening and encouraging them to share their story, a new purpose for living can be found and new goals can give life added meaning.
Ove is a man who feels like his life has no meaning. And on the surface, Ove is easy to dislike. He is a grumpy man who wants to be left alone. Everything in his life must be just so and when we meet him things are not right in his life, and he cannot imagine they will/can ever be right again. I hope you’ll join Ove on his journey through grief, finding a new purpose (even if he doesn’t want one), and love. It is a two tissue book. (My Mom and I agree on that).
“One finds a way of living for the sake of someone else’s future. And it wasn’t as if Ove also died when Sonja left him. He just stopped living. Grief is a strange thing” (326).
Warning-due to the themes in this book, if you are actively grieving the death of a loved one, this may not be the right book for you at this time. Instead I would recommend The Curious Charms of Arthur Pepper which also explores themes of grief only in a more lighthearted way.

A Thank You to Up with People

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A Thank You to Up with People
Last Fall my husband and I traveled 5 hours to see an Up with People (UWP) show. It had been 11 years since our last show. If you are not familiar with UWP, it is a fantastic organization that has spent the last 50 years asking us to see each other as human beings, to work together for change, and to spread a message of hope and peace.
I first saw UWP in Sharon, Pennsylvania at a show with my grandparents when I was young. I remember loving the show and leaving singing the theme song with my sister. In 2006, I hosted a staff member and a cast member when they came to Wisconsin.
As I was enjoying the most recent show, I realized I need to thank UWP. Without UWP, I may never have met my husband. I married an Uppie (an UWP alum). He traveled across the United States, Canada, Norway, and Japan with UWP. My California born and raised husband moved to Wisconsin to attend college because of UWP. And we met in that Wisconsin town. So, I’d like to thank UWP for the ways it changed and shaped my husband’s life and mine. And thank you UWP for letting me marry into the family.
If UWP is in your neck of the woods, see a show or better yet become a host family. (When former cast mates get together, they always remember and share stories about host families).
If more people were for people
All people, everywhere
There’d be a lot less people to worry about
And a lot more people who care.
More than 50 years later and the theme song is still challenging us and calling us to work for hope and peace in our part of the world! Thank you Up with People!

Benediction using John 3: 1-17 (Trinity Sunday)

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Benediction using John 3: 1-17 (Trinity Sunday)
Go out into God’s world as those born of water and Spirit. Go as those inspired and excited to know that “God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world”. No, in fact, our God sent Jesus into the world so that the world might be saved through him. Go as those living in the mystery of the Creator, Christ, and Holy Spirit. Go knowing you are loved and are called to love each other. Amen!

Book Review-God, Improv, and the Art of Living

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God, Improv, and the Art of Living 
MaryAnn McKibben Dana
What did I know about improv before reading this book? Only that it was something I never wanted to do and even felt uncomfortable watching in case someone might ask me to come up on the stage. And yet, since I loved MaryAnn McKibben Dana’s previous book, Sabbath in the Suburbs, I knew there would be something for me in this book and I was right.
As I sat down at my desk (that I rarely use) to write this review, I found it hard to find the exact right words to describe how much I enjoyed this book. So, I looked around on my desk to see what had been sitting here for a long time without being give much attention. I found a package of cards I purchased from Suzanne L. Vinson at Silver Tree Art. I read these words, “Start where you are. Become your authentic self. Show up. Listen without judgement. Know you are enough. Be brave.” The words on these cards were what I learned from these pages. By encouraging us to look at life through the eyes of improv, this book is inviting us to do the exact same things described on these cards. Using current examples, personal stories, and Scripture, we read how our lives are already inspired by improv and we can embrace the uncertainties by putting the play of improv to work in our lives. “Say yes. Say and. Train your vision. Find your troupe. Find the right structure. Live more deeply. Go off-plan.” These are the seven principles and sections of this book. In each principle, you’ll see how you can live a life of improv. When I finished the book, I was delighted to read “Bringing Improv to Life: Exercises for Individuals and Groups”. If I still worked in youth ministry, I would be using the group exercises regularly. They are perfect for groups of all ages to get them to play together. The individual exercises are a great way for you to reflect on your reading and how improv fits into your life and faith.
“We meet an improvising God constantly in Scripture. God experiments, changes God’s mind, and works in partnership with God’s people to bring about the Yes that’s at the heart of improv–and also the gospel” (23).
I highly recommend this book for anyone who wants to read how their faith fits in with their daily life. Read this book. It does not disappoint, and you might even learn something.

Abide with Me

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Sometimes in conversations with others I find myself drawn to a hymn as a result of words spoken. Abide with Me reminds me of God’s constant presence in our lives even during the most difficult days. It reminds me that no matter how often I feel that others let me down or disappoint me, God never does. So, I hope you’ll find words that bring you comfort on hard days and you will always know that no matter where you go or what happens, God abides with you.

 

“Abide with me: fast falls the eventide;
the darkness deepens; Lord, with me abide.”

Gracious God, I need your presence. I need to know you are with me right now and always. The sun has set and I need you.

“When other helpers fail and comforts flee,
Help of the helpless, O abide with me. ”

I feel all alone. No one understands what is happening. Why am I all by myself facing this? God hear my cry and be here with me.

“Swift to its close ebbs out life’s little day;
earth’s joys grow dim, its glories pass away.
Change and decay in all around I see.
O Lord who changes not, abide with me.”

My life is slipping away and will end before I am ready. All I see are changes except in you, God. Your love and mercy are constant and I need your stability in my life when everything else keeps changing.

“I need your presence every passing hour.”

“I need thee every hour. Every hour I need thee.”

“What but your grace can foil the tempter’s power?
Who like yourself my guide and strength can be?
Through cloud and sunshine, O abide with me.”

Whatever happens God, your presence is always with me. Thank you, God! On the good days and the terrible days, I know you abide with me. Amen.

Waiting and Grace

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Recently I found myself waiting and waiting. It seemed there was nothing I could do until I heard from someone else on what to do next. And so I waited. I fixed myself a cup of tea. I put a load of laundry in the washer. I searched my blog for how many times I had written about waiting. And then, I waited some more.

For most of us, much of what we do in our work and personal lives depends on others, and other people depend on us. As I sat waiting I was wondering who out there might be waiting for me to complete something so they could move on to another task. The more I thought about that the more I realized that this was changing from thoughts on waiting to thoughts on grace. As I kept thinking and typing, I could feel myself becoming less frustrated. There are times I had dropped the ball and forgotten to follow up with someone. Most likely more times than I am even aware of because some people are too kind to tell me when I mess up. I do not know why writing this out has changed my attitude and yet it has. So my prayer for you today is that when you are tired of waiting and feeling frustration you will pray for the person and offer them grace because we all make mistakes and we all need grace.

God of Grace and Goodness, It is so hard to wait for someone else. I have so much to do that I can’t get started on yet because I am waiting. And yet, I wonder how many times I have made others wait for me. Grant me your peace as I offer some grace and a little more of my time. Send your peaceful presence into my thoughts and heart, so I may share your peace with others. And help others to grant me grace when I am the reason for their frustration. Help us to see how our lives are connected, Loving God. Amen.

Seeing Psalm 23 with New Eyes

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Seeing Psalm 23 with New Eyes
When we hear something familiar, sometimes we stop listening. We think I’ve heard this before and I know it. In church we might think, I don’t need to listen because I grew up with this text. I understand. Our sacred texts were not meant to be read once or twice and ignored forevermore. Instead we were meant to immerse ourselves in these words and see what new meaning comes to us. We need to listen with our ears, our minds, and our hearts to hear and learn how God is revealing God’s own self to us in this place and time.
When I first thought about this way of looking at the Scripture, I thought it would be good for a kid’s time (children’s sermon) during worship. As I reflected on it more, I thought youth and adults need to have fun with Scriptures too. This could be applied to youth group, any age Sunday School class, a Bible Study group, in your own personal devotion time or even in place of the sermon one Sunday. So many options exist.
My idea is simple with so many ways to change it up to fit your circumstances. The simplest application is giving everyone a sheet of white paper and some crayons. Encourage them to listen while you read the Scripture (in this case, Psalm 23) and then use the paper to capture their illustration. You might read it a few times. You could read it a verse at a time and encourage everyone to keep adding to the illustration.
Of course, you could do this with play dough or pipe cleaners or fabric scraps or magazines and scissors or out in nature with leaves and sticks or with trash you collect while walking outside. The whole point of this idea is to take something that seems so familiar and help ourselves to see it with new eyes.
Make yourself new to us in old, familiar words. Open us to seeing you in new ways. Give us the courage to be creative and listen to our hearts. Lead us where you want us to go and at the end of the day bring us to a place of rest beside green pastures and still waters. Amen.

Benediction on Luke 24: 36-49

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Benediction on Luke 24: 36-49
 
Just like the disciples we are seeking Jesus. We want to have our minds opened so that we might understand the Scriptures. We want to sit and eat with Jesus. We want to hear Jesus say, “Peace be with you.” And that is why we come to this place each week-to learn, to grow, to be in community, and to seek peace. As we go out in God’s amazing world this week, open our minds to what others are teaching us, sit and eat with people we love and people we do not know, be filled with peace and share that peace with those we meet. Go now in peace. Amen. 

Italian Grey

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Italian Grey at The Cafe at Thistle Farms
When I began planning a trip to Nashville, a stop at The Cafe at Thistle Farms was high on my to do list. A cup of tea that supports a good cause is one of my favorite things. My experience lived up to my high expectations. The woman who took my order and fixed my tea made an excellent suggestion. I enjoyed the Italian Grey which they describe as brisk, rosewood, tangerine marmalade.
  
My tea arrived on a tray with milk and sugar cubes. I was also informed I could request a second steeping with my tea leaves all for only $3.50!
My pot of tea was more than enough for three cups, so I had one plain, one with a cube of sugar, and one with milk. And each one was delicious. My favorite was plain as this is how I most often drink a good cup of tea.
I highly recommend a stop at this shop for a good cup of tea for a good cause.

An Easter Call to Worship for All Ages

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I remember the joy of Easter morning when I was young. My sister and I always had new Easter dresses (that sometimes needed a winter coat on top) and candy hidden around the house that we could hunt after Easter services. I remember sanctuaries filled with Easter lilies and joyful songs to celebrate this important day.
I wanted to create a call to worship that shared that same excitement and joy as I remember from my childhood. My idea is that the congregation will respond by saying Alleluia and each time they say it they will get louder. So the first time, it needs to be whispered and by the end everyone should be yelling. This call to worship will work for all ages because the congregation doesn’t need to read along just repeat Alleluia louder and louder. While some people may not approve of yelling in church, if there is any day for Christians to shout for joy it is Easter morning!
One-Mary Magadelene came to the tomb and saw that the stone had been rolled away.
All-Alleluia!
One-She ran to tell the disciples and they went to the tomb. They saw that the tomb was empty and went home.
All-Alleluia!
One-Mary wept outside the tomb and angels asked her, “Why are you weeping?”
All-Alleluia!
One-Jesus asked Mary, “Why are you weeping?”
All-Alleluia!
One-Jesus called Mary by name and she recognized him.
All-Alleluia!
One-Mary went and told the disciples, “I have seen the Lord!”
All-Alleluia!
One-Today we celebrate the risen Christ in our midst and share the good news once again.
All-Alleluia!
This Call to Worship is based on John 20:1-18 from the New Revised Standard Version.