tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10838182.post114229944609637209..comments2023-10-31T05:56:45.788-07:00Comments on LutheranChik's "L" Word Diary: Paging ICU...Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger9125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10838182.post-1142639914681552682006-03-17T15:58:00.000-08:002006-03-17T15:58:00.000-08:00I have experienced the tension between wanting som...I have experienced the tension between wanting some contemplative atmosphere in worship and trying to meet the needs of the congregation, or not to get in the way of them, at least. It is tough. It is impossible in the state psychiatric hospital chapel where I'm in charge. It is very difficult at the small Episcopal church where I am one of the preachers. All I can say is, There's nothing wrong with you for wanting the silence and reverence; God seems pleased when I put my own need aside and try to serve the needs of the majority of people as best I can; I offer the gap between my desire and the reality as part of the "sacrifice of praise." And ditto to the folks above who said you never know who needed your sermon that day. I am sure it did not go to waste.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10838182.post-1142624416513627462006-03-17T11:40:00.000-08:002006-03-17T11:40:00.000-08:00This really hit home to me. I could have written t...This really hit home to me. I could have written that third to the last paragraph myself (only not so well!)and especially the part about feeling so alone in my church, and then thinking who do you think you are?<BR/><BR/>This is exactly how I felt at my former church. I truly believe that God took pity on my flawed selfish sinner's heart and led me to the ancient Orthodox Church. It's a dang sure bet I wouldn't have come on my own.<BR/><BR/>See, I knew there was something wrong with me. Oh not it any brooding psychopathic sense, but I knew I needed something more than I was getting. Friends and family that I struggled to express this to, apparently thought that I had low self-esteem (rather the reverse, actually, lol!)and not sin. I needed treatment, not reassurance.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10838182.post-1142358976234744992006-03-14T09:56:00.000-08:002006-03-14T09:56:00.000-08:00Hi Lutheranchik. Just found your blog. Love it! ...Hi Lutheranchik. Just found your blog. Love it! Can totally relate to your Sunday. My last congregation was constant chaos. There are two things I try to remind myself on those days: 1. In our day and age nobody has to get up and go to church on Sunday. Plenty of other respectable options. But the people in front of me resisted Starbucks and the Sunday paper and showed up. That's something in itself. 2. At a preaching conference years ago, I heard James Forbes remind a cathedral full of preachers that "Every Sunday, somebody in your church needs to be saved. Tell them some good news." I figure I'll never know who that one person was, but I just have to keep speaking gospel truth anyway, the best I know how, by God's grace. <BR/><BR/>And thank you so much for your prayer for Tom Fox!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10838182.post-1142358175239906452006-03-14T09:42:00.000-08:002006-03-14T09:42:00.000-08:00Judging from some of the conversations I've had wi...Judging from some of the conversations I've had with friends lately, I think we need a M*A*S*H unit.<BR/><BR/><B>MEDIC!!!!!!!!!!!</B>LutheranChikhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02685566332651377907noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10838182.post-1142357215447291232006-03-14T09:26:00.000-08:002006-03-14T09:26:00.000-08:00Ooh, I can relate. I just HATE the glassy eyes wh...Ooh, I can relate. I just HATE the glassy eyes when you are trying hard to speak truth.<BR/><BR/>If you find that ICU place, please let me know about it.Dorcas (aka SingingOwl)https://www.blogger.com/profile/15626748280614018533noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10838182.post-1142347774117642182006-03-14T06:49:00.000-08:002006-03-14T06:49:00.000-08:00I thought about that Dillard essay too. And about...I thought about that Dillard essay too. And about Andy Hardy movies: "I know! Let's put on a play out in the barn!" There is a certain amount of absurdity built into the premise, isn't there.LutheranChikhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02685566332651377907noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10838182.post-1142345474147884462006-03-14T06:11:00.000-08:002006-03-14T06:11:00.000-08:00"Heathers-in-training. . . "heh hehAnnie Dillard h..."Heathers-in-training. . . "<BR/><BR/>heh heh<BR/><BR/>Annie Dillard has a wonderful essay about worship, something about the Pole. I can't think of the title offhand (maybe someone else can jump in?). But she talks about the craziness of our failed attempts at liturgy in the face of our God.<BR/><BR/>Sunday liturgy is about so much--it's not the same as liturgy at a retreat. Sometimes the miracle is that we all get to the final hymn at the same time.Emilyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16102818359680439197noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10838182.post-1142326868298450582006-03-14T01:01:00.000-08:002006-03-14T01:01:00.000-08:00Ah, yes! Blessed are the cheesemakers!Ah, yes! Blessed are the cheesemakers!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10838182.post-1142316902731645242006-03-13T22:15:00.000-08:002006-03-13T22:15:00.000-08:00LC When Jesus gave that Sermon on the Mount, the m...LC When Jesus gave that Sermon on the Mount, the mount was probably a pretty noisy place, people coming and going, kids whining, life all around. Jesus just kept talking and then gave everybody lunch. <BR/><BR/>Trust the message.Mata Hhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04097615918403870130noreply@blogger.com