I've haven't blogged in a week, so I thought I'd catch with 10 thoughts for Tuesday:
1. There is excitement in our household because of a big announcement we made to the church on Sunday. Kevin, my husband has a new job. On June 4th he'll begin his post as CEO/ President of Feed the Children. You can read more about this story here. I'm so proud of Kevin and his willingness to serve in this role. I can't wait to see all the wonderful things he does to ensure more children around the world don't go to bed hungry.
2. Happy tax day! Have you filed yet? Luckily we were on the ball and go ours done weeks ago. But, while mailing some packages today, I learned the hard way . . . stay away from the post office. It's a zoo out there.
3. Thanks to the encouragement of one of my congregation members, I watched GCB again this Sunday night and was delightfully surprised. A message of Christian love and forgiveness came through by the end of the show. Maybe I was wrong about the show when I wrote about it here.
4. There's nothing better than coming home after a long day to find that your husband made you a three course dinner! Such was the case on Saturday night and I couldn't have been more surprised. Kevin often cooks for church and when we have dinner parties in our home, but rarely just for me. I savor the fun of such occasions because they are rare and wonderful.
5. I've been writing in some new places lately. I'm thankful to Ethics Daily, Baptist Today and guest posts on friends blogs for opportunities to write. This week, I'm writing again for d365.org, an online devotion site sponsored by Passport, Inc. If you are looking for some inspiration this week, check it out here.
6. Holy Week at Washington Plaza Baptist was a lot of fun. We shared a Maundy Thursday dinner with our friends from Martin Luther King, Jr. Christian Church on Thursday night. We gathered with five other local congregations for a noon seven last words of Jesus Good Friday service in our church's sanctuary. And, we worshipped at 9 am and 10:45 on Easter morning with an egg hunt for kids and a big breakfast in between. If you want to see some pictures of the event click here.
7. It has been months now that I've been writing regularly alongside a group of fellow Writing Revs in the DC area. I'm learning so much and already indebted to the fabulous advice this group shares with me at our bi-monthly gatherings. If you want to be a serious writer, get a group to read your stuff. So important. So helpful.
8. Can I say that the IPad is the best gift I've gotten in a long time. Ever since receiving one for my birthday in February, I can't go a day without using it. Sometimes I can't go to another room in the house without taking it with me. If you are looking for a new electronic toy, well worth the money!
9. One of my favorite hymns is "They Will Know We Are Christians By Our Love." I thought of ways to re-write this hymn with humorous lyrics this week when visiting a church out-of-town. And this is what I propose: "They Will Know What Kind of Church We Are By Our Smells" While making a visit to the ladies' room at this particular church, I was overcome with how much the bathroom smelled like my great-grandmother's house before she died. The bathroom experience was just one of many experiences in this church that exhibited signs of decline. Think bad perfume and wicker furniture. Gross. So, I wonder, what does your church's bathroom say about your congregation? Something to ponder more for sure.
10. A favorite quote that never grows out of style: "Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that." -Martin Luther King, Jr. What's the light God has called you to bring in your neck of the woods?
