ContemplativeJourney

School is back in session, all around us.  On Monday, school begins in the districts surrounding my neighborhood. It's been my habit to blog periodically on the topic of each Sunday's sermon. I sometimes get out of the habit, as was the case between May and this month, but our sermons at Elevate Church myelevatechurch.com have been so good, I can't help but share.  Something I was taught long ago, and still practice today: taking notes.  You will always absorb and remember more of what you hear, when you take notes. It's also true that sharing information with others helps us to learn the material ourselves, and part of my reason for sharing is my own desire to internalize these messages. We are excited to welcome new children's ministers to our leadership team this month, and today's sermon was shared by Phillip Heider, our new Children's and Family Life pastor.  He began by sharing about God's calling on his life - a passion for discipling the...

 On October 20th, Ken Stockdale slipped away from earth and into the presence of Jesus, not long after his final words to his wife Kathy..."open the door."  I've spent almost 2 weeks trying to figure out what to say about Kenny. *A note about this nickname...because Kathy always called him Kenny and I had the amazing opportunity to live with their family for a short time during college, he has always been "Kenny" to me, though most folks knew him as Ken.   It speaks to the depth of my love for him that I've not been able to think of what to say...there is so much I'd like to say, and that deserves to be said, and yet nothing seems adequate for me to express what's in my heart.  I'm rarely a person with nothing to say...very rarely.  Typically, I have too much to say.  Too many opinions about anything and everything.  When I'm quiet and words are hard to come by, it is a rare and solemn moment.  I felt this almost 2 years ago when my dear...