Coincidences?

I actually do believe in coincidences.  I believe that God is still active in the world, and probably even (since my theology says so) that He knows what's going to happen to us...  But by virtue of the fact that He gave us free will, I also believe in real, genuine, true coincidences.

Shortly after I posted my first sermon here (Why Can't We All Be So Lucky), a "coincidence" happened.  My dad works with a man who's currently in the army, but is considering going back to school - seminary.  They're office-mates at work, so my dad overheard this man talking to his mentor on the phone about "How do you know you've been called to ministry?"

If you've read the sermon, you know it was all about finding your call, and having the faith to deal with it.  I have to add here something I didn't put into the sermon.  Not everyone has just one call - sometimes God has many roads for you, depending on where you are in life.  But the main point is, I wrote the sermon the same week as this man was struggling with his calling, and my dad was able to overhear the phone call (and [sorry dad] my father doesn't have the best hearing).  Apparently, my sermong did mean something to the guy.  I don't know if it helped him reconcile what he was feeling at all, but if it provided even the least bit of comfort, well?  You've got to think this is one of those coincidences God might have had a hand in.

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My Brain on Exhaustion

I have friends who put up with my random ramblings, believe it or not.  Sue tends to tolerate my whining, in large part because I tolerate hers.  Usually.  Instant messenger conversations usually wind up being the most bizarre, but sometimes they truly embody the way I'm feeling.

 Me: so's it September?

Sue: not yet

Sue: sorry

Me: dang

Sue: yeah

Me: August?

Sue: nope, not yet, either

Me: dang

Me: bed time?

Sue: could be... if you were in India

Me: hm

Me: I declare it nap time

Me: or I declare it India

Me: but I think the former is easier

Me: though Columbus sure tried the latter

Sue: and look where that got us

Me: where?

Sue: here

Sue: where it still isn't India

Sue: or September

Me: or bed time

Sue: exactly

Sue: so it's all Columbus' fault

Me: d*mn Columbus

Me: it's all his fault

That's not a picture of India.  Or even America. It's Bosnia.  It's just a pretty cave with pretty spring water.  Don't ask me to make sense.

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Happy Valentine's Day

So obviously I'm not Catholic, but there's more to today than just candy hearts...
St. Valentine - Who was he? (besides my middle-namesake)
Patron of love, young people, and happy marriage (apropos, no?)
The first Valentine was one of those Roman Catholic priests who lived during the days of serious persecution (against the Christians) in the Holy Roman Empire. He was martyred, which then was nigh on the BEST of the best ways to die; it was pretty much a guarantee of going straight to heaving and getting saint-hood while you were at it. How much of this story is accurate is unknown, but he definitely existed, and he was definitely sainted in the 5th century. That being said, I use the word "first" for a reason... There were others, of the same name, who were also martyred. With similarly limited current knowledge.

And in other news...
Transfiguration Sunday - What is it? (hint: it's got nothing to do with Valentine)
The three synoptic Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke), and possibly other biblical sources, refer to the event on the mountain where Jesus is made radiant in front of eyewitnesses, and God names him as his son. This year, that was celebrated today... In case you were curious. The whole Jesus = messiah thing is, after all, what distinguished ancient Christians from ancient Jews.

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And You Wonder Why I'm Weird...

So I've been doing some reminiscing today...

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Not Cool. COLD

I spent Christmas in Atlanta, GA; Cordele, GA; and Tallahassee, FL. I came home to these wind chills and 3 days of snow. I LOVE snow, don't get me wrong. But OKAY! I give. I'm cold.

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