Coffee.

Yeah that's right up there with potluck. I think coffee was invented for conversation, life sharing. It creates a perfect mood, (kind of like the mood I imagine a pipe to create as well).

Potluck.

What a great concept. Everyone brings a dish full of food and shares it with a pile of people. Then, they sit and eat and talk, together.
Someone was doing announcements in church once and there were about 3 food sharing events coming up for various reasons and events. The lady next to me, who was new to the our church at the time, turned and said to me, "Wow, you guys do a lot of food events." I smile at that. I think its good. I am thankful for events like these because they cause people to fellowship, visit. Really, its a good excuse to share our lives with other people. And that is important. We need to share our lives. Or we will dry up and get dull. Thats right, dull.

The moral of this blog: Potlucks are important as they facilitate the sharing of lives between individuals, (and allow others to taste a quality seven layer salad every now and again.)

It's snowing now.

I knew winter was on its way.
Looking pretty white and still windy out there.
No mittens...sad.

Happy Valentine's Day.
I will admit, this is my favorite "Halmark holiday". Lots of red and pink and hearts (and commercialism); whats not to like about it?
Its a cold day. Windy too. Probably wouldn't feel so cold without the wind. Hasn't felt like winter too much yet, but winters coming. The high on thursday is supposed to be -20 degrees celcius. Brrrrr, to think I forgot my mittens at home. No good.
Anyway, warm someone's heart today. Let them know you love em.
(Not necessarily the gushy, lovey love, but the "I really appreciate you and you make my life better so I need to tell you to encourage you" brotherly sisterly kind of love.)
Go eat a chocolate kiss. (Unless your allergic to them or don't like them or something.)
Have a good day.

"Why not go out on a limb? That's where the fruit is."
-Mark Twain

I have a friend who is very happy when he is hanging from a rope on the side on a rock face. However, at times, he has been known to hang from trees at night with headlamp and full climbing gear. (There are not a lot of rock faces in the city, he does what he can.) I have had the privilege of coming along for the ride. It is kind of scary to be hanging 60 ft. off the ground as the big old tree sways in the wind. However, the view of the city at night and the excitement of the experience make the whole thing worthwhile.
Sometimes I am afraid of growth, spiritually. While it is what I truly desire, I fear the idea of growing pains. I am not sure I like the idea of being somewhere (like a limb perhaps), where I may be challenged emotionally, physically, mentally or spiritually. So basically, I want to have the fruit without having to climb out onto the unfamiliar, be stretched or be uncomfortable to get it.
A friend of mine was talking about how she wants an adventure. She is considering going to the other side of the world to do a practicum for her studies. But she is a little apprehensive. Lots of unknowns. (This is not me by the way.) I have found that going to the produce section of the grocery store to get a pleasantly ripe mango isn't really an adventure. It is safe. Usually predictable. However, when I continue to visit this place, I do not grow.
I think its time to go out on a limb, time to grow, be stretched. Time to let God show off and take me on a ride that will at times be uncomfortable, and maybe even scary, but completely rewarding. I want to let God show what He can do. I want to let God help me out onto a limb and experience what He can do in and through the life of one who seeks Him.