So we gathered the family in Rocky Point (Puerto Penasco) Mexico…and there we witnessed the marriage of Sara and Alex Kekic.  It was a beautiful sight…watching love’s expression of commitment happen as we dressed formally, but barefoot, on the beach.  The sun was setting to a beautiful hue of reds, oranges and pinks…colors of the heart.  If we had planned for everything to go perfectly, we couldn’t have pulled it off better…which makes me think Someone was watching over us to give us a moment of true beauty.  And, the Mother Preacher didn’t even cry (I did all day, but not during the wedding!)

Afterwards we ate great food…even had a woman making homemade tortillas…and danced till they made us leave.  More fun.  More joy.  Life fully lived in a moment’s time.

Sara and Alex and Niko are fully family now.  And we are so proud of their love and life.

We are exhausted…and thanking God for the gift of deep joy.

This Sunday is Mother’s Day and I hope that you all come with your mama’s, your sons and daughters, and your grandchildren and greatgrandchildren.  It’s a day to worship as a family and to see how deep our connections go.  It’s a day to remember our mamas, and how deep our love endures.

My mama is an amazing woman of great strength, never-ending faith, and sure compassion.  She never talked ill of anyone, and if I did in her presence, she would gently remind me that we all have our stuff.  She would move the furniture around by herself, bake bread…teaching me how to knead it with her till it was “just right”, and provide emotional and faith support for people all around the world.  I know, cuz I listened in on many one-sided conversations…  I guess she taught me how to have compassion that way…

It’s not that mama’s perfect.  But it’s that she’s perfect in love.  No matter what happens, I know mama will be there on the other end of the phone when I need an understanding heart.  And I know she will tell me it’s going to be alright, and she will end up praying for me…right there on the phone…until the calm returns.

Every mama was created for love.  Maybe you are one.  Maybe you wish you were.  Maybe you never wanted that title attached to your personhood.  It’s okay.  Mostly I want you to know that you are loved, that you are loving, and that you are lovely.  All in God’s eyes…the One who made you just like you are (thanks Ruthanne!).  

Oh, yeah,…this Mother’s Day, I’m baptizing our grandson!  Think I’ll cry?

In faith, hope, and a mama’s love,

PastorDottie

…is one of my favorite sayings in the scripture.  Mainly because I can use it to care for other so often.  Like when we are praying at a hospital bed before surgery…peace that passes understanding…  Or when someone doesn’t know why they lost their job…peace that passes understanding…  Or when you get the news that your mama just passed on…peace that passes understanding.

I remind myself of this often too.  Mostly when I look at the news and see the words “Swine Flu Pandemic,” or “Schools Shut Down” or “Should We Gather in Public Spaces?”  Those things can bring us to a state of panic if we let them.  But we are the ones who follow the One who believed in “peace that passes understanding.”  So I encourage us all to keep the peace in our hearts, minds and in our families and communities.  Live the rule of love.  Keep close to God and to God’s world every day.  

And, in case you were wondering,…I’ll see you in church this Sunday!

🙂

Pastor Dottie

I’ve been reading out of a new Bible (New Testament) called “The Voice.”  Check it out!  It’s an amazing way to read the New Testament…written like a dialogue or a play…with great insightful notes in the middle of the text.

This morning I read about the followers of Jesus who wanted to know who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven (Matthew 18:1-14).  I’m sure that just hearing the question made Jesus cringe…

Jesus responds by calling over a child and charging the disciples to become humble like a child, to befriend the friendless, to care for those who struggle in life…  And he said that while there was a child at his side…

I wondered what he/she thought…the child…hearing Jesus tell the grown-ups to become like her/him!  I wonder if she smiled sheepishly, or if he opened his eyes wide in surprise before squirming away to play.  Whatever the outward response, I’m thinking that the inward response of the child was one of total acceptance and deep love.  I’m thinking that child grew to a be a very secure adult, one who lived a humble life.  

Would be fun to talk with that grown-up child…  What do 

Pastor Dottie

Today I am talking around the table with a group of methodist pastors from around the states…  You can check out the group on methodistmavericks.blogspot.com.  The connection of friends and partners in ministry sustains my own ministry at CrossRoads.  We all need each other.  We are not alone.

Today I am with Jim in San Diego by the sea.  He has a conference and I am writing, resting, studying…  The best part is that I am looking out my window and am amazed by the ocean.  The ocean is one of my favorite places in nature.  When I sit on the beach, I listen to the waves and look at the horizon and I always think that the sound of the waves is like the rhythmic in-and-out breath of God.  And somehow, that sound, along with the touch of wind on my skin, reminds me of God’s presence (the breath) and God’s love (the touch of wind).  I mostly love it when the sun is out and the wind is warm.

Today it is cold out side (I tried to go out but was wrapped in towels trying to keep warm), so instead I am sitting inside looking out and thinking about God’s beauty and love.  I think God loves us all the time, but when I am here by the ocean and the sea, God’s love feels physical…real…experiential…or, in theological terms, incarnational.

For a Desert Gal to sit by the ocean is pure heaven.