United Methodists are offering a message of hope in the Detroit Conference! I received the article below from the Faith In Action e-newsletter published by the GBCS (General Board of Church and Society). Those of you who live in MI or know Methodist ministers in MI may recognize a few names... Terry Gladstone, for instance, is the father of one of ( Read more... )

 No, I have not decided to suddenly start spewing Christian happy-crap. We really are blessed ( Read more... )

 For my regular readers and friends, this is going to feel a little bit like it came out of the blue. The truth is, it's been percolating for awhile, but that's the truth about all of my posts lately. Whereas in college I would blurt out the first thing that came to my mind 90% of the time, I now only blurt things out 75% of the time. The more ( Read more... )

 Here's your chance to sound off on what you think should be part of a pastor's education. I'm trying to figure out what to take next semester, so I'm listing all the courses I took and the potential courses I'd like to take. I only have room for 4 classes per semester! All of the courses I took in the last 4 semesters (including this one) were ( Read more... )

So lately I've been freaking out about the logistical things pertaining to my class trip to Ephesus over spring break. I'm doing much better at managing my anxiety lately, by doing things like knitting during long classes and meetings to help me stay mindful and get rid of negative energy that would otherwise just fester. Although the old standby ( Read more... )

According to Forbes Magazine, these are the top 10 most miserable cities in America and why:

10. St. Louis: just miserable in general
9. Miami: 26% of mortgages are delinquent or in danger of becoming delinquent
8. Buffalo: no winning sports teams, 90 inches of snow/ year
7. Detroit: government corruption, highest rate of violent crimes in the country ( Read more... )

 Hubby found this on the local saltwater reefing forum, written by a senior Boston Reefers member. Hilarious, but frighteningly true.

65 above zero:
Floridians turn on the heat.
People in Massachusetts plant gardens.

60 above zero:
Californians shiver uncontrollably.
People in Massachusetts sunbathe.

50 above zero:
Italian & English cars won't start.
People ( Read more... )

 So apparently the great marketing expert in the sky officially considers me clergy. I say this because I received something interesting in the mail today: the first issue of Rick Warren's new magazine.

How did he know I'm going to be a pastor, especially if he can't get my last name right? This is hilarious. I opened up the magazine and found in ( Read more... )

On Tuesday night I passed up beer and bluegrass for chicken casserole and Biggest Loser with my hubby.
Tonight I skipped a party and watched Frasier with my hubby.
I get tired at 11 PM.
I won't shut up about my pet, a fish named Fizzgig (Fizzy for short) and the reef on which he lives.
I schedule grocery shopping.
I get excited when I catch Jeopardy.
( Read more... )

( Read more... )