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| Coming and Going"The Lord will keep your going out and your coming in from this time on and forevermore." Psalm 121:8 Dear Friends, I've become a big fan of the Australian (Winter) Olympic team. Besides admiring the athletes, I have a personal connection to Australia: Andy's brother and his family live there now! When they came for a visit at Christmas time, the three kids had authentic Aussie accents. Last time I talked to my mother-in-law on the phone she said, "Mike and Shellie are buying a house (in Australia); Dan and Heidi are selling and moving to a bigger house (in Florida). How come you and Andy aren't moving?" "Because," I answered, "I found it disruptive enough to move a few things from the dining room to the living room and back again so that the flooring could be replaced." I read the story of Abraham and Sarah with fear and trembling. "Now the Lord said to Abram, Go from your kindred and your father's house to the land that I will show you" (Genesis 12:1). It doesn't surprise me that God had to promise tremendous blessings to get them to go. Let others move away to distant places, I'll stay right here, thank you very much! I prefer the ending to the story of the Gerasine demoniac, where Jesus says, "Return to your home, and declare how much God has done for you" (Luke 8:39). Is there any place like San Diego, where in the winter time, when you walk along the beach, you can sometimes see dolphins playing in the surf? But because some of the people I love have found their calling or true home elsewhere, I will be doing a little bit of coming and going this month. My one and only sibling, who lives in Seattle, turns 40 this year. I will be going north to have dinner with Jon on his birthday, and to spend a few days with him, his significant other, and 7-year-old Sophie. The Rev. Dulce Proud (experienced United Methodist pastor and hospital chaplain) will be with you on that Sunday. Dulce is very familiar with our congregation and style of worship, as she participated in last year's Christmas musical. I will also be traveling with the choir on their trip to Sacramento to see some good friends, and to share in the worship ministry at the Fair Oaks United Methodist Church. Dr. Matt Herbst will do 'double duty' that weekend, preaching on Sunday morning as well as for Finding Peace Fellowship. Matt is an excellent speaker, and you will find spiritual nourishment through his words. I am looking forward to my 'goings,' and equally so to my 'returns.' You are my community, and I deeply appreciate the long-term nature of our connection. If you are temporarily going somewhere yourself, remember to send word AND to come back! If your life path has led to a more permanent relocation, know that we miss you and think of you here at PB UMC. The good news of God's love is that God blesses BOTH our 'goings out' and our 'comings in'--from this time forth and forever-more! Grace and Peace, Pastor April |
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