Do you need some kind of Christmas music/drama program but you’ve waited too late and now you’re in a state of pre-holiday panic? Never fear! What follows is a super-simple music and drama program that any church can do. And to leave room for your own creativity, I’m not even going to tell you everything. 
“Wandering Pilgrim”
CIRCUS GUY: (spotlight on him as he pantomimes walking a tightrope while circus music plays)
Ta-da! Another success for the Flying Farina Family! (more…)
SCRIPTURE: Matthew 13:33
OBJECTS: a loaf of homemade bread, a package of yeast
Today we’re going to look at a parable of Jesus that is such a short little story that it’s told in just one verse. He said the kingdom of God is like a woman who took yeast and mixed it all through a lump of bread dough. That’s it; that’s the whole story! What on earth does it mean? (more…)
I’m not 100% sure, but I think South Carolina church potlucks might be better than Kentucky church potlucks. Or maybe it’s just those Mennonites. I need to conduct further research into the matter before I reach any sort of conclusion.
It’s a bit unnerving to swim in a pool right next to an alligator pond.
It’s also unnerving to drive around a completely new city where there’s not a gas station to be found while about to run out of petrol.
A vacation at the beach is fantastic. A vacation at the beach is even more fantastic if you don’t have horrible poison ivy all over your ankles. (Poor Michael)
The people who get to the beach super-early in the morning really do get the best shells. (And one day that was me! Huzzah!)
If you’re ever on Sullivan Island, SC, don’t miss enjoying a meal at Poe’s Tavern. (more…)
Ah, Saturday. The day when people set the alarm later or turn it off altogether. The day when they pull the covers over their heads and snuggle in for a few more minutes…or hours, as the case may be.
I, however, am a morning person. And Saturday is my day to catch up on all the housework I’ve neglected through the week, plus hopefully save a couple of hours to do something fun. I always say I’m going to get up almost as early on Saturday as I do the rest of the week. If I sleep too late then I lose the entire morning and the rest of the day seems to evaporate in small increments. If I’m not careful, I’ll be mopping the floors at 10:00 p.m., and that’s not the something fun I had in mind. (more…)
SCRIPTURE: Matthew 13:31-32
OBJECTS: a tiny seed and the plant that results (or a picture of the plant)
Today we’re going to look at a really short little story that Jesus told about the kingdom of God. He compares the kingdom to a mustard seed. A mustard seed is a tiny seed. When you think about it, all seeds are tiny compared to the plants they grow into, aren’t they? (more…)
When I first began this book I was rather dubious. What did this author have to say about such a tried-and-true topic that hadn’t already been said a hundred times? My reluctance was unfounded, however, and I’m happy to report that I enjoyed the book immensely.
Father Haase seasons his prose with stories from his own and others’ experiences to illustrate his points. Each chapter ends with “Reflection Questions” and “Gospel Passages for Meditation and Prayer.” This makes Living the Lord’s Prayer a book that could easily be featured in a study group as well as read by individuals. (more…)
Before I could begin this essay, I had to pull up my thesaurus and check for alternatives to the word “delightful,” because I could very easily overwork that adjective in a book review of Jason Boyett’s Pocket Guide to Sainthood.
The Pocket Guide to Sainthood is just that. At 219 pages and dimensions of 5″ x 7″ x 5/8″, this little book just might fit into a large pocket. Definitely a purse or backpack. But wait–I’m beginning to sound just a bit like Boyett. (more…)
I got my hair cut a couple of days ago, shorter than I’ve had it for a while. My beautician did a great job. And this cut is perfect to keep me cool on muggy August days.
So yesterday I felt compelled to wear a pair of big earrings to church–the biggest pair I own, in fact. You see, when I get my hair cut this short I feel the need to compensate with accessories so strangers will know I’m a woman. No, that’s not a frequent problem. But there was this one time… (more…)
THE PLAN: Eat an apple and drink a SlimFast in the car for supper.
THE REALITY: Eat deep-fried clams, deep-fried French fries and deep-fried hush puppies from Long John Silver’s. Oh, yeah, there was some cole slaw, too, but that doesn’t give me much comfort as I think back on it now.
I have two problems.
1. I really should drop some weight. Not a lot. But 10 pounds would sure be nice.
2. Michael is on a diet — The Carbohydrate Addict’s Diet.
You’re no doubt already wondering, “Why don’t you just go on the same diet as your husband?” Well, I don’t want to! For one thing, I don’t think I’m a carb addict. (Yes, I took the quiz in the book.) And this diet is designed for people with a certain kind of metabolism. For another thing, I love carbs! I prefer a balanced diet that’s moderately low in sugar and fat. And that basically seems to work for me, except…I’ve been putting on weight, slowly but surely. (more…)
SCRIPTURE: Matthew 13:24-30
OBJECT: a flower or vegetable plant and a weed
Today we’re going to look at another parable Jesus told. He said the kingdom of heaven is like a man who sowed wheat in his field. Wheat is a good plant; it’s what flour is made of. We use flour to bake bread, cookies, cakes and all sorts of good-tasting things. But when this farmer’s wheat sprouted, there were bunches of weeds mixed in with it.
I brought a good plant with me today. This is a [state name of plant]. But I also brought a weed. It’s not good for weeds to grow with the plants. They use up the water and nutrients in the soil so the plants can’t get as much. The weeds might even get taller than the plants and get more of the sunshine. And they make the space crowded, so the good plants don’t have enough room to grow. You may have seen your mom or your grandpa or someone else pulling weeds out of a garden or flowerbed to try to get rid of them. (more…)
