Dani's Blog
Connecting Our Community
02/17/2010 10:20 PM
WOW! I've just spent thirty minutes online sharing conversation with folks with all across the Region in our Connected Community! I've talked about church membership and what it really means. I discussed evangelism ideas for 2010 and beyond. I've wondered when the Lectionary Discussion Group was going to kick off. I've shared information with the Regional Assembly Planning Group. I've even talked with folks about the New Day, New Direction documents that are making their debut soon around the Region. I also "lurked" on an idea some folks are talking about that involves Disciples Men and TCU....GO Frogs!
I hope you have discovered our Connected Community. If you are not using any social networking, it's fairly simple to find your way around. Log-in and click FORUMS...and there you are. Ready to join many conversations across the Region.
If you are on Facebook or other social networking sites, it's a bit simpler and without all the million dollar bells and whistles - but it works! And I am thrilled to see us crossing the boundaries of time and geography and history to engage one another in such a great tool! Won't you join us?
We Are Getting Ready To Be a Part of History
01/17/2009 02:25 PM
We are getting ready to be a part of history. Most often, in my lifetime, we have only known that we were part of history AFTER an event had occurred. Super Bowl wins, assassination of national leaders, Olympic medals, tragedies, election night celebrations….all making history, but we only knew it after they had happened.
On Tuesday, January 20, 2009, we will see history in the making as Barack Obama becomes the first President of the United States to be a person of color. If we could choose a time in our nation’s history to make this bold move, I’m not certain we would have chosen a time when the country is in deep economic crisis. And, yet, it is in this societal black-hole in which a new vision may be the very thing that helps us get back on track and re-focus who we are as American people and who we are as members of a global society who shares this Earth which God has created.
I will be watching with prayerful heart. Praying for our new President. Praying for his family. Praying for the leaders who will work closely with him to steer this “new day” for the country.
And after the festivities of an Inaugural Day, President Obama (as he will be then) will begin his very first work day as President in worship in the National Cathedral in Washington, D.C. Our very own General Minister and President, Dr. Sharon Elizabeth Watkins, will be the preacher for this first-day worship celebration. It is her message that will call to mind for our new President and Congressional leaders how God is at work in our world and how God is leading us into a new future together.
I hope you will be in prayer with me…today and tomorrow and as each of these historic events unfold. Pray for Barack Obama and his family. Pray for the leaders of our nation and for leaders around the world. Pray for Sharon Watkins, as she has an opportunity not only to lead our church, but to bring God’s Word for the whole nation.
I’m praying for peace and for hope. May it be so.
The Heavens Declare the Glory of GOD!
10/14/2008 04:26 PM
I stood in the dark of the night on top of a mountain looking at the stars. It was the McDonald Observatory near Fort Davis and Marfa, Texas. The Brite Board of Trustees were treated to a “star party,” where we spent two hours looking at the stars.
As I gazed as far as I could see into the star-filled sky, stars were everywhere; a fabric of starlight laid across the heavens. As I looked up, I could imagine the Psalmist who wrote “The heavens declare the glory of God!” It was a doxology bubbling up from the depths of our souls!! Stars were scattered everywhere across the sky!
With the assistance of a scientist equipped with a laser-pointer, we saw the Little Dipper, the Big Dipper, all of the astrological signs, Jupiter, the North Star, the Andromeda Galaxy, and so much more. As we looked into the 24” telescopes, we saw light from a star that was 2000 years old. AND, we saw light from the Andromeda Galaxy – which is a galaxy beyond the Milky Way Galaxy – 26,000 light years away.
For me, it put everything into perspective. What I do and say, how I share the love of God in this moment, what I don’t do or don’t say, what I do that doesn’t reflect the love of God…..all of that has impact. Not just for today, but for those who will be looking for the “light” way into the future…. “The heavens declare the glory of GOD!” -- and what about me? What am I declaring today?
Something for me to think about….
