Comments for Pastor Ann's OT Blog http://zoarlutheran.com/blog Observational Theology by Pastor Ann Marshall Fri, 24 Sep 2010 01:53:24 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 Comment on Love Your Neighbor by Pam Nickel http://zoarlutheran.com/blog/?p=375&cpage=1#comment-355 Pam Nickel Fri, 24 Sep 2010 01:53:24 +0000 http://zoarlutheran.com/blog/?p=375#comment-355 AMEN!!! AMEN!!!

]]> Comment on For Jes by Linda Hagedorn http://zoarlutheran.com/blog/?p=348&cpage=1#comment-260 Linda Hagedorn Mon, 23 Aug 2010 14:27:38 +0000 http://zoarlutheran.com/blog/?p=348#comment-260 About 20 minutes before the ordination service, a young couple on foot along with their 2 dogs came to Zoar asking for help. Their mission was to get to Vermont. In conversation, the young woman mentioned they had been on the road for over 2 years. As many young people are these days, they were heavily tatooed and I wondered if given assistance, what would they use if for. They were sent away to the police station to ask for help (unknown to me was that several Perrysburg churches set up a fund for the police to use their disgression on helping needy individuals). They were also told to come back if they did not receive any help. I found out later that the couple did come back and were given food left over from Jes's reception along with a gift card for later use. After hearing your sermon for Jes's ordination, I was ashamed and deeply regret my initial thoughts about the couple. And, to learn that they came back and their needs were met for that day was as if it was for Christ himself. I will always remember Jes' special day and to be assured that Christ is always present in my life. . . even though I may drift away from time to time, He is always there for me. Thank you, Jesus. About 20 minutes before the ordination service, a young couple on foot along with their 2 dogs came to Zoar asking for help. Their mission was to get to Vermont. In conversation, the young woman mentioned they had been on the road for over 2 years. As many young people are these days, they were heavily tatooed and I wondered if given assistance, what would they use if for. They were sent away to the police station to ask for help (unknown to me was that several Perrysburg churches set up a fund for the police to use their disgression on helping needy individuals). They were also told to come back if they did not receive any help.
I found out later that the couple did come back and were given food left over from Jes’s reception along with a gift card for later use.

After hearing your sermon for Jes’s ordination, I was ashamed and deeply regret my initial thoughts about the couple. And, to learn that they came back and their needs were met for that day was as if it was for Christ himself.

I will always remember Jes’ special day and to be assured that Christ is always present in my life. . . even though I may drift away from time to time, He is always there for me. Thank you, Jesus.

]]> Comment on Welcome to Pastor Ann’s ZoarBlog by Norma Stark http://zoarlutheran.com/blog/?p=13&cpage=1#comment-225 Norma Stark Sat, 07 Aug 2010 07:19:51 +0000 http://zoarlutheran.com/blog/?p=13#comment-225 Hello, Pastor Ann, Stopped by today to "walk" your labyrinth at Zoar. What a beautiful prayer/meditation tool for your church AND the community! Thank you for this peaceful setting with nice landscaping and a very unique labyrinth and bench. I will tell many others about this opportunity. Norma Stark Hello, Pastor Ann,
Stopped by today to “walk” your labyrinth at Zoar. What a beautiful prayer/meditation tool for your church AND the community! Thank you for this peaceful setting with nice landscaping and a very unique labyrinth and bench. I will tell many others about this opportunity.
Norma Stark

]]> Comment on Life Spam by LeAnn Baker http://zoarlutheran.com/blog/?p=250&cpage=1#comment-171 LeAnn Baker Tue, 20 Jul 2010 13:55:38 +0000 http://zoarlutheran.com/blog/?p=250#comment-171 It's difficult, sometimes to sort out the "Spam" from the things that truly deserve our attention. Life is busy, chaotic at times (Well, most of the time..), and all the alarms and buzzers seem to be wailing at the same volume. Sometimes I drive to work with radio off, just to have some quiet time- time to think, sort things out, pray for guidance and strength to get through the day. The spam is not going away anytime soon- there will be a new batch to sort out tommorow. .Just a little silence every day helps me keep it in check. It’s difficult, sometimes to sort out the “Spam” from the things that truly deserve our attention. Life is busy, chaotic at times (Well, most of the time..), and all the alarms and buzzers seem to be wailing at the same volume. Sometimes I drive to work with radio off, just to have some quiet time- time to think, sort things out, pray for guidance and strength to get through the day. The spam is not going away anytime soon- there will be a new batch to sort out tommorow. .Just a little silence every day helps me keep it in check.

]]> Comment on Life Spam by Pam Nickel http://zoarlutheran.com/blog/?p=250&cpage=1#comment-169 Pam Nickel Mon, 19 Jul 2010 19:45:03 +0000 http://zoarlutheran.com/blog/?p=250#comment-169 So some "life spam" doesn't bring joy and is burdensome, but is too hard to let go because we have tied our "self" to the spam. For example, delegating dreaded tasks can be difficult. If we let it go, we lose control. We don't like it, but we want to control it. OR, some continue to remain in unhealthy relationships (friendships or family) because the relationship allows one to be "worth" something to someone. Prayers for everyone to find strength to untie themselves from "life spam" that weighs you down. So some “life spam” doesn’t bring joy and is burdensome, but is too hard to let go because we have tied our “self” to the spam. For example, delegating dreaded tasks can be difficult. If we let it go, we lose control. We don’t like it, but we want to control it. OR, some continue to remain in unhealthy relationships (friendships or family) because the relationship allows one to be “worth” something to someone. Prayers for everyone to find strength to untie themselves from “life spam” that weighs you down.

]]> Comment on Small Plates by Irv Moulton http://zoarlutheran.com/blog/?p=219&cpage=1#comment-131 Irv Moulton Fri, 09 Jul 2010 00:16:02 +0000 http://zoarlutheran.com/blog/?p=219#comment-131 Maybe if we didn't have so much stuuf to worry about we could spend more time on Gods things that need our attention Maybe if we didn’t have so much stuuf to worry about we could spend more time on Gods things that need our attention

]]> Comment on Near Greatness by Obie Holmen http://zoarlutheran.com/blog/?p=162&cpage=1#comment-112 Obie Holmen Tue, 08 Jun 2010 12:59:56 +0000 http://zoarlutheran.com/blog/?p=162#comment-112 Thanks for being open to the possibility, which is what we are called to be at all times and all places. Let go and let God. Trust. Rely. Surrender. These are the essentials of faith. It was a happy coincidence that I happened across your blog. Bill Gafkjen, the bishop-elect, is my first cousin, and I blogged about cousin Billy yesterday on my own blog, Spirit of a Liberal. Thanks for being open to the possibility, which is what we are called to be at all times and all places. Let go and let God. Trust. Rely. Surrender. These are the essentials of faith.

It was a happy coincidence that I happened across your blog. Bill Gafkjen, the bishop-elect, is my first cousin, and I blogged about cousin Billy yesterday on my own blog, Spirit of a Liberal.

]]> Comment on Near Greatness by Judith Cooper http://zoarlutheran.com/blog/?p=162&cpage=1#comment-111 Judith Cooper Tue, 08 Jun 2010 02:17:21 +0000 http://zoarlutheran.com/blog/?p=162#comment-111 Gee Anne if you really feel you need more to do or more challanges I suppose we could find you more to do..... Gee Anne if you really feel you need more to do or more challanges I suppose we could find you more to do…..

]]> Comment on Change Can Be Good—And Sometimes Painful by Linda Hagedorn http://zoarlutheran.com/blog/?p=108&cpage=1#comment-95 Linda Hagedorn Thu, 27 May 2010 19:28:05 +0000 http://zoarlutheran.com/blog/?p=108#comment-95 I remember the date vividly. It was Tuesday, January 6th, '09 (I never liked even numbered days). At my place of employment, the President called a meeting involving all management. It was then I learned that my salary would be cut by 40% and my only "reward" was one day off during the week. It had only been a year since I lost my best friend and now 40% of my salary. I was in a daze. The walks with Lucy (my 1 year old Beagle at the time) got longer and longer. I began using that time for prayer. As I walked I prayed, but my prayers were so different than before. It wasn't really about me and my troubles. Rather, I was reminded of the beauty of nature, my family that always supported me and my endeavors, past and present friendships, and others who had it much harder than me. I began volunteering more of my time. . . doing things I had never done in my entire life before. My focus that was 80% selfish had suddenly reversed itself to being self-less. While Lucy would like to take most of the credit for my change in life, my life's purpose is so much clearer now that God is walking with us. Yes, the "three" of us walk every day. And, I still prefer odd numbers. I remember the date vividly. It was Tuesday, January 6th, ’09 (I never liked even numbered days). At my place of employment, the President called a meeting involving all management. It was then I learned that my salary would be cut by 40% and my only “reward” was one day off during the week. It had only been a year since I lost my best friend and now 40% of my salary. I was in a daze. The walks with Lucy (my 1 year old Beagle at the time) got longer and longer. I began using that time for prayer. As I walked I prayed, but my prayers were so different than before. It wasn’t really about me and my troubles. Rather, I was reminded of the beauty of nature, my family that always supported me and my endeavors, past and present friendships, and others who had it much harder than me. I began volunteering more of my time. . . doing things I had never done in my entire life before. My focus that was 80% selfish had suddenly reversed itself to being self-less. While Lucy would like to take most of the credit for my change in life, my life’s purpose is so much clearer now that God is walking with us. Yes, the “three” of us walk every day. And, I still prefer odd numbers.

]]> Comment on Humility by Claire http://zoarlutheran.com/blog/?p=93&cpage=1#comment-87 Claire Wed, 19 May 2010 02:07:57 +0000 http://zoarlutheran.com/blog/?p=93#comment-87 I have a thought about how the Spirit has used me, or actually my daughter, in one very unexpected way, but that will wait for another time. For now, know that I have been guilty, at times, of the "Good sermon, Pastor" comment which is code for, you did your best! :-) Instead of that phrase though, I prefer saying "Thank you", or "Have a good day!" I know most ministers must work very hard at coming up with a motivational, inspirational, thought-provoking, action-producing message. For that they deserve a thank you or a pleasant send-off to the rest of their Sunday. When I do give praise or compliments to a minister, they are heartfelt and sincere because somehow the minister was able to allow the Spirit to communicate in a way that reached me. It is always meaningful when the minister "gets me". Or perhaps my praise and thanks should be to the Spirit that my heart and mind were open and receptive. I suppose it is a combination of the two. I have a thought about how the Spirit has used me, or actually my daughter, in one very unexpected way, but that will wait for another time.

For now, know that I have been guilty, at times, of the “Good sermon, Pastor” comment which is code for, you did your best! :-) Instead of that phrase though, I prefer saying “Thank you”, or “Have a good day!” I know most ministers must work very hard at coming up with a motivational, inspirational, thought-provoking, action-producing message. For that they deserve a thank you or a pleasant send-off to the rest of their Sunday.

When I do give praise or compliments to a minister, they are heartfelt and sincere because somehow the minister was able to allow the Spirit to communicate in a way that reached me. It is always meaningful when the minister “gets me”. Or perhaps my praise and thanks should be to the Spirit that my heart and mind were open and receptive. I suppose it is a combination of the two.

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