Advent

Today I read a passage from the psalms -

Psalm 24:7 Open up, ancient gates!
Open up, ancient doors,
and let the King of glory enter.

Another paraphrase says, “Wake up, you sleepy-headed people!” As I stared at the page today God began to ask me what areas of my life were those ancient gates, those ancient doors that I hadn’t opened to Him in awhile. In one way it was a rhetorical question, because God already knew the answer. But on the other hand, it was a challenge to my heart. I have to give the King of Glory full access to my past, present and future. When I allow Him to work in every area, I’ll have more reasons to be thankful this Christmas for the grace, mercy and hope that exists because of Christ’s birth.

The passage today was one portion of my reading for Advent, which began this past Sunday. For many of us who either didn’t grow up in church or had a church experience that wasn’t liturgical, Advent is a Christian season that we know little about—just enough to tie it to Christmas and that wreath with candles we sometimes see. Advent can be a great spiritual practice, though—it is a time to prayerfully and intentionally prepare your heart and mind for the true celebration of Christmas, that the Christ child was born.

Advent has existed for quite some time, and it really has a beautiful rhythm to enter into. Various calendars show particular readings for reflection, anticipation, and contemplation on the hope that Christmas represents. If you’re interested in a suggested devotional path for the holiday, please e-mail me at KathyC@MarsHillFamily.com and I’ll be glad to send it out. Let’s prepare our hearts together to celebrate Christmas at its fullest.

Mars Hill Fairfield

Hi friends! To view the photos from our shoot at Mars Hill Fairfield today, please click here.

Step One...again.

Ben and I are back onto the road in our adoption journey. It took a major sidetrack last year when God pulled our hearts back from the international adoption we were planning. Then once we started to get into the domestic side of things, and specifically a California fos-adopt program, we learned something.

Social workers don't like lakes. Especially ones on your apartment complex property that don't involve fences.

So we looked for a house. We didn't find the right house for the right (low) price. So we found a rental house. And FINALLY, this week, we're moving!

Now on to the unpacking. Well, not quite yet. It's Wednesday night and there will be another full day of packing tomorrow, followed by moving and unpacking on Friday and much more on Saturday. Then, in three weeks one of the reps from our agency will be coming over for our first home inspection.

In the meantime- paperwork, doctor's appointments (which may mean more blood drawn, yick), trips to the DMV, background checks... woo-hoo. Paper pregnant again. Back on the rollercoaster we go.

There's also a court date for our Maybe Baby next week, so we're hoping to confirm the time and attend. We've only met a couple of extended family members, so keep us in your prayers.

Fall Equinox Friday Five

Songbird says, "It's that time of year, at least north of the equator. The windows are still open, but the darned furnace comes on early in the morning. My husband went out for a walk after an early supper and came home in full darkness.And yes, where we live, leaves are beginning to turn.As this vivid season begins, tell us five favorite things about fall."

1) A fragrance

Baked pumpkin & spices. Whether the conduit is coffee, candles, or pies... bring it on.

2) A color

Any and all oranges when combined with reds and purples and evergreens. I'm not a big orange fan at all (too many pumpkin or carrot-top jokes as a kid), but once fall hits, I'm happy to throw it in with the others and make it gorgeous.

3) An item of clothing

Scarves.

4) An activity

Trips to Apple Hill for doughnuts and cider. A new tradition since moving to California, as back home this would be available just down the street.

5) A special day

Searching for a Christmas tree. Yes, this sounds like a winter activity, but in California "winter" doesn't really hit until December, by which time my tree is firmly in place.

Peach Jam

Canning is not something I remember my mom doing a lot of, but she rarely had the time. MomMom Douglas, however, put up enough jars of jam every year for the entire family to raid the basement shelves. Being on the other side of the country means I don't get that access anymore, and MomMom being 90 also puts a slight damper on her dexterity. So as her namesake, it's certainly appropriate that I love to be in the kitchen.

Earlier this year I made strawberry jam, but not enough. This last week the peaches looked really nice, so I decided to can just a couple of pints. (I didn't have any small jars and didn't want to go to the store since it was 8:30 in the evening.)

If you're wondering if there's any special recipe... don't bother. It's simply peaches, sugar, lemon juice and liquid pectin. On one jar I did add spices (cinnamon and clove).

The end result was a couple of really beautiful jars of peach jam. Of course, I don't know how it tastes yet... maybe I should go make some toast. Yum!

The Pastor's Husband

"So does Ben want to be a pastor?"

No. The answer is no. No kidding. It really is no.

I've learned in the last 6 years of our marriage, plus two years of dating prior to that, to just take this question with an entire shaker of salt. But seriously, if I had a dollar for every time... maybe I'd actually be able to afford a house in California.

This question is generally followed by "So how does that work?" Now, these question will never be asked of a male pastor. "So your wife doesn't want to be a pastor in vocational ministry? Really? Wow. So how does that work?" There's always this assumption that the wife will help the husband, be there as back-up, even be the two-for-one deal many pastors try to recruit and not pay. So when trying to figure out how it "works" for us rare and but certainly not non-existent women in ministry who are married to men who have "secular" jobs... let me help you.

Just switch the titles.  That's right, it really is that easy. "...the husband will help the wife, be there as back-up, ..."  Just like every male pastor has to give serious props to his wife for helping him survive and stay in ministry, I have to hand it to my husband for doing the exact same thing. This doesn't suddenly change the tilt of the world's axis and uproot everything we believe about the relationship between a husband and a wife. {Please note I said everything "we" believe, not everything "you" may believe.} And if you're worried about that, I welcome you to join us for dinner some night or just watch Ben & I interact for an hour. And if you're still curious about what we believe and try to live, I'd be happy to have that conversation as well.

It's okay. I know it's hard to understand, because it's not something that's really modeled very often in today's society, especially in conservative circles. But it really does work. And for that, I am incredibly grateful.

Notes from Grandma's

I wrote these notes sitting at the Cannon home in January. It was our holiday vacation, since we couldn't leave until New Year's Day.

Sounds of a happy home

A grandmother’s rosary of sorting silverware
Prayers sung to her heavenly audience

The thumping of elephant herds wrestling overhead
Big brother is the best toy today

Gurgles and occasional cries
The flexible monkey pulls “be glorified” melodies from her flower

Pitter patter from eight extra feet, four now snoring on my lap
“Can we take the yard home?”

“Dinner will be ready when it’s ready.”
“That’s an answer.”

Tired

the end of the day

the lines begin to blur

frustrations can mount

like anthills in africa

the end of the day

the tension in my head

no one should talk to me

it's not safe anymore

the end of the day

the exhaustion takes over

how was your meeting

just listen to mine

the end of the day

the dogs are waiting

food, water, let me out

we love you anyway

the end of the day

the work is still there

just until the battery runs out

one hour more on the couch

the end of the day

the dvr beckons

watch without interruption

let my brain shut down

the end of the day

the pillowcases are cold

this is my husband

in whom I am well pleased

the end of the day

the dreams started as stories

which one tonight

float off to the future

They're here!

Thank you to all of the mothers who helped us celebrate by having family portraits taken. You are all gorgeous, and have amazing families!

CLICK HERE to go to the PHOTO GALLERIES.

Mother's Day Portrait Sign-Ups

Hi there, Moms of Mars Hill!

Please look through the list below of available slots for your gift portrait sitting on Sunday, May 11. If we fill up, we will plan for a second week of photography. We wanted to give you a unique gift this year, and the wonderful response has shown us that we hit the mark! Mars Hill will provide the sitting and a gift 4x6 photo. The photographer (Pastor Kathy) will be providing a proof sheet and order form if you would like to order additional prints.

To sign-up, please view the available slots and then leave a comment with the time and your name and contact info. We will update the list daily. We ask that you be there at least 5 minutes before your slot in case of no-shows, then we can slip you in early. Thank you!

Schedule for Sunday, May 11
8:30 Davis
8:35 Hagan
8:40 Tolbert
8:45 Franke
8:50 Swinson
8:55 Sanchez (P&L)
9:00 Sanchez
9:05 Holloway
9:10 AVAILABLE
9:15 AVAILABLE
9:20 AVAILABLE
9:25 Barbarick
9:30 Burlison
9:35 Martinez
9:40 Moultrie
9:45 Burgess
9:50 Cole
9:55 Acosta
10:00 McLaughlin
10:05 Rubio
10:10 Chavez (L)
10:15 Sanchez (M)
10:20 McInturf
10:25 Alves
10:30 Chavez (M)
10:35 Payne
10:40 Cheryl
10:45 Houze
10:50 Guteirrez
10:55 Mason (jr)
11:00 Oliver
11:05 AVAILABLE
11:10 AVAILABLE
11:15 Mason (sr)
11:20 AVAILABLE
11:25 AVAILABLE
11:30 AVAILABLE
11:35 AVAILABLE
11:40 AVAILABLE
11:45 AVAILABLE
11:50 McCormick
11:55 AVAILABLE
12:00 AVAILABLE
12:05 AVAILABLE
12:10 AVAILABLE
12:15 AVAILABLE
12:20 Ross
12:25 AVAILABLE
12:30 AVAILABLE
12:35 AVAILABLE
12:40 AVAILABLE
12:45 AVAILABLE

The beginnings of a new photo website. I was playing around with slideshow options so I can decide what frame I want to build it around... tell me what ya think.

CLICK HERE.

What is enough?

My first sentence was, "I can't wait." Being content with what I have, the time line someone else hands me... let's just say it hasn't always been my strong suit. During every car ride as a child I used to ask, "Are we there yet?" I even had an annoying little song to sing about the subject. So much of this stemmed from my ability (or lack thereof) to be content.

1 Timothy 6:6 says:
"But godliness is actually a great gain when accompanied by contentment."

Aren't we always supposed to strive for godliness? How could that ever not be "a great gain"? According to Paul's instructions to his protégé Timothy, sometimes our quest for holiness, our quest for more, has a motivation that negates its blessing in our lives. The Bible commentator Matthew Henry wrote "If nature should be content with a little, grace should be content with less." And when it comes to grace from God in and for my life-- I have been the recipient in abundance!

It's interesting how Paul links our quest for godliness to contentment, and then quickly (just a few verses later) shows how a lack of contentment leads to a love of money, and the love of money is the root of evil. How fast we fall down that slippery slope. But somewhere along the way, I think those of us who 'want more,' have given the idea of 'being content' a negative connotation-- That in order to be godly, it means we can't ask for more. In other words, we're stuck with what we have.

But according to God, contentment is not a passive acceptance of "this is all I get." It's an active acceptance of "look what God has provided."

In another letter Paul wrote, "I have learned, in whatever circumstances I'm in, to be content" (Phil 4:11). And then only two verses later he said, "I can do ALL things through Christ who strengthens me" (Phil 4:13). In his second letter to the church in Corinth Paul declared that God says to us, "My grace is sufficient for you" (2 Cor 12:9). The word sufficient has the same root word as contentment.

I can be content with His grace, because since it's endless--that's certainly always enough! Through Christ, I can do all things! Paul wasn't saying, "Take what you get and deal with it!" He was calling us to see Who we've gained from, place it in perspective, and give proper glory for proper reasons.

So do I feel like I am "there yet?" No. But as long as I continue to be content with what God is doing and what He has blessed me with, He will strengthen me for even more in His name.

When the world stands still.

Yesterday, for the first time since Joshua’s battle against the Amorites, time stood still. Okay, so it wasn't for a full day; but for three hours last night, life as we know it came to a halt. From 5:30 to 9:00 PM Starbucks was closed. Not just my husband's store or a few in town... all of them. Nationwide. As my cousin put it, "the world waited at the feet of the green mermaid wondering if she would keep her promise and return on time." Each store reopening was a magical chocolate factory moment, minus the eerie Willy Wonka played by Johnny Depp.

The reason for our momentary lapse in caffeine was an initiative by the company to take a moment of reflection. For three hours baristas around the country gathered around personal dvd players to watch a video message from the CEO Howard Schultz and then walked through three training sessions with their managers. By taking this time-out, they accomplished almost half a million hours of training. It's a clear message that they think standards and training are important for their company's success. As a local manager told my cuz, “[They’re] getting back to [their] soul.”

That comment really gave my heart a pause. If Starbucks thinks it's important to take a few hours off for introspection, shouldn't I? When's the last time I took three hours, shut the doors to the world, and spent that time "in training" with God? In the Psalms, the writer talks about God taking my hand and guiding me with His counsel. Yet solitude is one of the most neglected spiritual disciplines in the Church today.

This week is crazy busy for me, and I know everyone else out there is just as busy with family, work and life in general. But let's take the challenge-- three hours. By yourself, with God. If it's worth those loss in revenue for Starbucks, imagine the increase we'll experience in our own lives.

What do you think?

My Valentine to the Pastor's Husband

A few months ago I was asked by my presbyter to pray about serving on the Sectional Leadership Committee. Unfortunately, God didn't like my 'no' answer and kept using that nagging little voice to remind me of a few things (okay, so maybe if I had been paying more attention it wouldn't have felt like nagging, but you get the point that I wasn't all that agreeable with the subject).

Today, one of our credentialing interviews was a woman going into ministry with a husband who is not in vocational ministry, nor does he plan to be. As my fellow members of the committee asked the couple great questions about handling the women in ministry "issue" (because, yes, even on the Left Coast it can still be an issue), I began answer their questions in my own head.

The night Ben and I decided to start dating (which by the way, will be 8 years ago on Feb. 18), I point blank said to him, "I'm called to pastor. No one will ever change that. Are you okay with that?" Funny thing is, I think back then, he saw how that could work even more than I did.

My husband is my biggest supporter. He is my rock. And for anyone in ministry, you can understand with me the importance of having someone that will always be in your corner and standing firm. And for anyone who's ever made an ignorant remark about who wears the pants in our house...well, you've obviously never spent more than 3 minutes around us. I could not do what I do if he was not there, in full support, already knowing what I was going to say because I had to think it through out-loud during dinner, praying me through it, and of course, making sure my microphone is working. (woo-hoo for having a personal techie!).

Ben's even temperament balances my emotive, I've-spent-a-lot-of-time-in-the-theatre one.
Ben's loyalty challenges my over-extended independence.
Ben's ability to laugh off someone's shock at his "I'm Pastor Kathy's husband" balances my annoyance with confused faces at my "I'm a pastor."

And not the least of these...

Ben's eyes...still make my heart melt.

Questions I don't like

On Sunday someone asked me a question I didn't like.
A question that was too accurate to be comfortable.

I don't like questions like that.

Semper Fi

Bricks

While on vacation Ben and I had a great evening with old friends. John & Korie Taylor are now missionaries to Indonesia, and were on the ground just days before the deadly tsunami that killed so many in that region a few years ago. John told us how they were able to take brick machines that are normally fundraised to build churches, and begin to neighborhoods, stores, civic buildings for completely devastated communities.

In Indonesia, that's a great thing, and continues to rebuild what was lost. I think that in our lives, we are all making bricks. But too often I take those raw materials and form bricks to build walls that aren't for shelter, but instead for isolation.

Isaiah 57:14 says:
God says, “Rebuild the road!
Clear away the rocks and stones
so my people can return from captivity.”

When I came across this verse in my devotions, it struck me that we have so many roads left to build. Others have been damaged from hurt and neglect, and are in sore need of repair. But for us to worship in "unity and truth" that Scripture speaks of, we have to be diligent to build more roads. That is the only way more people will get to a place of saving knowledge of Christ in their lives.

But where are the bricks we'll need to lay a path?

God has called me, us as a church (Mars Hill) and as a Church (the entire Family of God) to tear down the walls that have previously been built. Things meant for division can be recycled into paths of friendship. Materials that isolated our hearts will instead show authenticity and transparency.

My knuckles may get a little marked up during the time of demolition. I'm pretty sure my manicure won't survive. But the end result... More family. More friends. More of God's blessings in my life.

I'm challenged to take the raw materials God has given me and build bricks that will lay roads for others to find Christ instead of walls for me to hide behind.

::edit::
Congratulations to John & Korie on the arrival of baby Noel!

Ministry Area Sign-Ups

Ok, guys, please sign up for a time to hold your phone interview with Fellowship One. The available slots are listed below. Then click on the comments to see when someone else has picked and then leave a comment (don't forget to tell me who you are by putting your name in the nickname slot) with your chosen time. If we run out of slots I'll schedule more, or possibly split time. Most of you will only need about 30 minutes, but we want to estimate high so you can make room in your busy schedules.

Thank you so much for being diligent in this. Remember I need the surveys back by Saturday night so I can send them on to Marie, our development contact at Fellowship Technologies.

MONDAY, Jan 21
4:30 – 5:30
5:30 – 6:30

TUESDAY, Jan 22
1:30 – 2:30
2:30 – 3:30
3:30 – 4:30
4:30 – 5:30
5:30 – 6:30
6:30 – 7:30