Beatitudes of Reconciliation

Blessed are those who are willing to enter into the process of being healed, for they will become healers.

Blessed are those who recognize their own inner violence, for they will come to know nonviolence.

Blessed are those who can forgive self, for they will become forgivers.

Blessed are those who are willing to let go of selfishness and self-centeredness, for they will become a healing presence.

Blessed are those who listen with compassion, for they will become compassionate.

Blessed are those who are willing to enter into conflict, for they will find transformation.

Blessed are those who know their interdependence with all of creation, for they will become unifiers.

Blessed are those who live a contemplative life stance, for they will find God in all things.

Blessed are those who strive to live these beatitudes, for they will be reconcilers.

-Sisters of St. Joseph of Concordia

Holiday Generosity

I had a conversation with Naomi the other day:

...she was sitting at a local tire store recently getting some work done on her van. Sitting next to her was an old friend that she used to babysit for when his children were young. He now lives in Canada and they both just "happened" to be at the same place. As they reconnected, Naomi and her friend shared stories of their life as it is and the friend learned that her husband had been unemployed for many months and things were difficult at best. Soon the tire store rep came and told Naomi that not only did her van need the work done that she came in for but her tires were badly worn and needed to be replaced...but that they had some good used ones they would sell her instead of installing new ones. Naomi, clearly frustrated, said unfortunately, while she appreciated the gesture, she simply didn't have the money for tires...that's when her friend said, Naomi, I was sitting here before you got here and felt that God was asking me to stay, but my car was finished...so I had them flush my transmission though it didn't really need it yet...now I know why I was to stay. I believe God is asking me to pay for your tires and for the other work that is being done on your vehicle. Yes, I would like to do that, will you allow me to do so?

Gifts are sometimes difficult to accept, especially when you want to "do for yourself" but Naomi accepted, with gratefulness.

A chance meeting? Hardly. Generosity? Obedience? YES!

Note: the tire store also changed the oil for Naomi...no charge. Blessings.

Just Come Home

Here's a video from New Spring Church in SC from their Christmas Eve service...powerful!

Christmas Opener: Just Come Home from NewSpring Production on Vimeo.

I Got Your Back

Check out a really great post important to any setting where you work closely with other people. I know it's hard to get past the red monkey butts.

Big Give Sunday!

Generosity by Command. Wow, waytocomethru MCCher's! Our Christmas Big Give offering exceeded our expectations. We're going to bring you a final number later this week. But a big, huge thanks for embracing the country of Kenya and particularly the Agape Christian School and The Water Project. Christmas is coming to Kenya ~

MCCh - Generosity by Command

6 yr old artist Leah Miller, is excited about good, clean drinking water for the people of Kenya and is joining us in our quest to raise $10,ooo to dig a well and put a roof on the Agape Christian School. We're getting other stories of kids getting really focused on collecting change preparing for BIG GIVE Sunday on December 20. What an exciting time to consider the generosity of Jesus to us as we give to others. If you want to give before the 20th please visit firstgiving.com/mcch. Additional information can be found at maplecitychapel.org or at The Water Project.

Soul Purpose Reunion Concerts

Hey everybody if you haven't heard already, after a 4 year hiatus, we're getting back together for a two night gig at LVD's concert hall at the Old Bag Factory in Goshen, In. It's gonna be a fun time, especially if you're there. If you don't have a clue what I'm talking about...we're a group of people that love music and have played together off and on over the past 13 years doing a wide repertoire of music that you'll love. LVD's is charging $10 per tickets plus we hope to restock a local food pantry, so bring a non-perishable food item. Additionally, the tradition at LVD's is that there is a finger food potluck at intermission, so be advised and eat well. Tickets: 574.825.7785

2009 Leadership Summit notes:

Session 7 – Chip and Dan Heath ~ To bring about change, one must appeal to the emotions. Big problem, small solution. In our quest for success, failure is a necessity. Is it a people problem or a situation problem? Bono is up next, then Tony Blair. It's an amazing day.

Session 5 – Dave Gibbons, executive coach; pastor: Our pain and suffering are our connection to humanity. Walk slowly, see the people. Failure is success. Our weaknesses guide us. Relationships trump vision. Best discipleship happens in life on life.... Hang out with people unlike myself. Read authors I disagree with. Understand that obedience is more important than passion

Session 2. Gary Hamel - Atheism has quadrupled since 1990. We should feel grateful that so many people are no longer pretending to be Christian. Church needs to be the most vibrant, adaptable, flexible institution in the world.

The kindest form of management is the truth but in the church world we tend to twist that into avoidance.

1st session Leadership Summit - Bill Hybels: The old “normal” may never return. Rough patches force new levels of courage and commitment. Leaders know that these type of conditions draw out of us elements of leadership that otherwise may remain hidden. Nobody is coming to church for a mild dose of God. All killer no filler! People will still give to a white hot vision. Are we having honest conversation?

The View From Conservative Mennonite Conference

For the second time in as many years I produced the main stage sessions at annual conference. I didn't take as many pictures as I would have liked but this gives you some idea of what happens.

Summer = Family

Hey all Daudy and Mommi Miller peeps...Announcing the Elmer T. Miller family reunion at our house on Friday, August 14 starting at 6pm and ending when ya'll go home. We will provide the hot dish and each family bring a salad AND dessert. (If someone else has an idea on how to keep the amount of desserts and salads balanced, let me know but for now we'll go with this.) I am going to try to gather old photos between now and then and scan them for a nifty slide show that should be quite entertaining. I need lots of submissions from all of you, so send them to me at gbtroyer@comcast.net or let me know that you have some and I'll come get them. All photos will be returned after scanning. I doubt that any of the Amish relative will see this (who knows? they might have e-mail accounts and go to the library or the neighbors to check it...) regardless, if it comes up, yes, they can drive their horse and buggies to our house. We need the fertilizer...

See ya then!

Artsy Amish

Earlier this year I stopped in at Uncle Alvin and Aunt Mary's for no reason other than to say hello. Per the usual I ended up staying for longer than I intended. I don't see some of my relatives nearly enough and so when I take the time to reconnect. I reconnect. Interestingly enough, my Amish heritage is filled with "artsy" individuals. Alvin and Mary have always been into art (though they just think it's what they do, nothing special, chust us...you know), now in retirement and in their 80's, Mary is a quilter and Alvin paints. Mary, Aunt Katie and Cousin Jewel all at one time or another practiced the art medium of tinsel painting. A picture of one of my favorites is shown is this collage. Aunt Katie painted this particular one. The other pieces are paintings Alvin created. He typically paints on a small scale primarily on saw blades and hand saws. After my initial visit I commissioned Alvin to paint whatever he chose on a larger canvas and though intimidated by the size of the canvas, he painted the scene pictured above. Obviously, I was very happy with what he did. Additionally, I started my own mini collection of his round saw blades. He has many for sale at very reasonable prices. The farmer or wannabe farmer in your life would treasure one of his originals. Contact me if interested.

Best Student

Okay yes, I'm a really proud Dad. After hoping that she would just make it through school...(Morgan used to be way more social than studious) she is now into engaging her mind and doing amazingly well. As the picture indicates she was named the female best all around student in her 8th grade class!

Less Clutter, Less Noise #2

Years ago Brenda and I bought a burgundy, Chrysler, Town and Country van. Up until that time we hadn't noticed that there were other vans of same make, model and color on the road but after making the purchase and feeling like we had a great van that was perhaps "special" we began to notice that there were many other vans just like it on the road. Okay, so our van wasn't that special after all...the point is that once we had a "felt need", which in this case was less need than awareness, we began to notice and tune into the information that our brains said we needed.

Kem Meyer, author of Less Clutter, Less Noise, says she experienced the same thing the day they decided that their daughters needed a kitten. Suddenly, she saw signs for Free Kittens, Kittens for Adoption etc...everywhere, she even began noticing stray cats. What made the difference from the day before? On that day, she "needed" a kitten for her kids.

The fact is people's needs drive what people pay attention to. People usually only notice what will benefit them in some way. That's the definition of a felt need - anything people consciously lack, desire or need help with (time and money management, relationships, stress, pain, etc.). Connect with a felt need, and you will connect with an audience. On the other hand, if you share information without wrapping it around a felt-need, it is almost impossible to make a connection. Remember, it's easy for people to miss what they're not looking for.

It's a Fricken' Elephant

Just started reading the book Less Clutter. Less Noise. and I think I may be posting quite a few excerpts if the rest of the book strikes me like the first couple pages did. Kem Meyer, Communications Director at Granger Community Church wrote this book for anyone involved in communications but especially to those in the church world. That's where I find myself, in the church world, trying to get the word out and struggling at times to know how to proceed.

In reality it's not what you say; it's what people hear.....

I heard a story about a grandpa helping his four-year-0ld grandson learn to read. The boy pointed to a picture in a zoo book and said, "Look, Grandpa! It's a frickin' elephant." The grandpa took a deep breath and asked, "What did you call it?"

His grandson repeated himself.

"It's a frickin' elephant, Grandpa! It says so on the picture!"

And, so it did. When the grandpa looked down at the picture, it read,

"A F R I C A N Elephant."

It's not what you say; it's what people hear."

Promenade

For those of you that know my family, I'm posting pictures of Cody and his friends from prom a few weeks ago. In case you wonder who the young lady is with him, her name is Abigail Hofsommer. You can view the pics here.

Susan Boyle - Britains Got Talent 2009 Episode 1 - Saturday 11th April

The Arts

I am of the opinion that art itself is never to be worshiped but that art can be an avenue through which Jesus can be worshiped.

When we gathered a group of 13 guys and recreated the da Vinci painting of the Last Supper as a still life on Palm Sunday it was one of those moments for me that gave me pause, it recreated a holy moment in the story of Jesus, giving me a sense of "being there".

When local artist Elizabeth Maddocks, offered to display her original black and white oil painting of the crucifixion, I was drawn in as I saw her interpretation of Christs suffering.

This coming Easter Sunday, the original dramatic production called Visions of Grace will be presented as we celebrate Jesus resurrected. This will again give opportunity for the gift of the arts to be used of the Holy Spirit to draw us in, to communicate with us, to help us "see clearly" the gift of salvation. I'm praying that all who come to be part of our gathering will experience Jesus with fresh new perspective.

Mixed Review

I yi, yi, Gordon is seriously old but he's still got it. Sorta. Sometimes it's best to remember the music as you hear it on vinyl or otherwise. Gave me the itch to have a band and do some of his music. Thanks to Elva Miller, Gary and Anna Miller and Anna and Frank Herbes for joining me and enjoying a night of great old music at the Morris in South Bend.

Gordon Lightfoot anyone??

Gordon Lightfoot is coming to the Morris. Just so happens that Brenda and I have a bit of a gap in our musical preferences. She says I can go, but probably without her. So, is anyone out there interested in going to the concert this coming Thursday? If so, let me know.

He Is Here

This morning we continued the sermon series in the book of Daniel with Chapter 6 and the account of Daniel continuing to pray at the window of his residence. This despite the sure trip into the lions den. But instead of retreating to an out of the way location like say his closet, he continued as was his tradition, to pray at his window.

Just as Daniel likely felt the breath of the lion's after he was tossed their way, we too may feel the breath of the economic beast that threatens to devour us. BUT our hope is in Almighty God, who provides in our weakness and protects when we're threatened. We segued from the sermon to worship via the following video...may you be encouraged that despite your circumstances, HE IS HERE for you, just as He was for Daniel.

Responsibility

The following is a short excerpt from Mark Walz' new book "Lasting Impressions". I can't say I'm at the 'responsibility to" ideal yet but I'm committed to getting there. See more here becausepeoplematter.com

The Burden of “Responsibility For”

I’ve always cared about the journeys of the people I lead. As a youth pastor, I was concerned about “my” students learning, maturing and owning their faith. When I implemented a process by which adults could find and engage in ministry roles best suited to their wiring, I didn’t rest easily until everyone had made those connections. I cared about the job performance and personal lives of my team during the few years I spent in retail management. In early 2000, when I joined Granger Community Church’s staff as pastor of connections, I carried this same sense of personal responsibility for our people to connect in meaningful relationships, take courageous steps toward Christ and develop into fully devoted followers of Jesus Christ.

I still care. I still pray. I still feel responsible. But not as I once did. And I’m really happy about that.

It’s not that I care less. I just don’t feel responsible for our people. I do, however, feel responsible to our people.

There’s a big difference.

When I felt responsible for every person, my failure or success depended on their steps in their journeys. When I felt responsible for our students, I considered their missteps to be my fault. I felt profound guilt when people didn’t line up with what I thought they should know and do.

The Freedom of “Responsibility To”

Being responsible to our people is quite different. And incredibly freeing.

• When I’m responsible to people, I understand they have choices. When I’m responsible for people, I think I should decide for them.
• When I’m responsible to people, I know they must figure out their next steps. When I’m responsible for people, I try to tell them what their next steps are.
• When I’m responsible to people, I know they must bear the consequences of their own chosen actions. When I’m responsible for people, I assume the guilt – or worse, the shame – for them.
• When I’m responsible to people, I share their journeys, offering encouragement and teaching. When I’m responsible for people, I try to direct their journeys, never allowing them to wrestle, mess up, or make a wrong turn.
• When I’m responsible to people, I talk to God a lot on their behalf. When I’m responsible for people, I talk to people a lot on God’s behalf.

God is still God. He transforms the hearts and lives of men and women. We do have a God-given charge to lead our people well. But it is not a charge to control, coerce or manipulate people out of a misunderstood sense of responsibility. Rather, I do believe there is a mindset, a way of thinking, that helps us lead responsibly.

The Pres is in Town

President Obama was in town yesterday to tout his stimulus package and conduct a town hall meeting. I'm sure you've already seen and read all about it but in case you didn't, here's a link that quotes Derald Bontrager from Jayco that you may find interesting. USA Today

This Kids Got Pipes

Rest

I'm in Florida for a few days of R and R with my good friend Allen. The weather is perfect...sunshine, mid to upper 70's. Once again I ask...just why do we live in Northern Indiana? Love it during the summer and can easily do without in the winter. But, that's where we are and occasional time off from the snow, helps. Enjoyed breakfast with Adin Miller, a pastor friend from Sarasota, Bethel Mennonite Church this morning. I enjoy connecting with people, asking questions, probing their minds...about life and the twists and turns it presents. Adin is a friend that kindly affords me the privilege to do that.

C'mon

The following editorial was in the Elkhart Truth the other day and I found myself concurring with Mr. Tuttle's opinion. We have and are relying too much on our government to rescue our economy. Granted there are things the government can do to assist us in the stimulation of our current economic condition but ultimately it's just us, so let's get on with it.

BY SCOTT TUTTLE

In a Jan. 2 editorial The Elkhart Truth asked, "Where has Governor Daniels been while the local economy faltered?" -- chiding him for not predicting that Elkhart County's economy would be negatively affected by the poor economy. Since when is that his job and not ours? This slanted editorial went on to try to diminish the governor's announcement of securing more than $10 million dollars to help retrain RV workers by throwing in another jab, stating: "Unfortunately, the news followed by just a few hours the announcement of another plant closing in Elkhart County." As if the governor was just some incompetent loser who couldn't do anything right. Is that what you meant?

Listen, every community in the country could use more jobs right now. To imply that it is basically the governor's fault is very short-sighted. Indiana has a governor who has received national recognition for the good job he has done, despite extremely difficult economic conditions. We, the people of this state, rewarded him for doing a good job by overwhelmingly voting him to a second term. To me, your editorial is just the kind of journalism we don't need right now. I feel that someone needs to explain to The Truth that the governor is not the only one responsible for what goes on in our state. We have an Indiana General Assembly made up of 100 representatives and 50 senators who write bills and vote on the issues that govern our state. I, for one, think they are doing an admirable job, especially in light of the current economic situation. If the money is not there, it's not there. It doesn't do any good to complain that we need more.

If anything, trying economic times like these should remind us all of how over-dependent we have become on the government and tax monies to supplement our lives. I honestly don't believe that this is what our founding fathers had in mind when they fled the long arm of the king of England and revolted against his over-taxation and involvement in individuals' lives.

I would suggest that wisdom and logic dictate that we point the finger first at us for not diversifying our own industrial base and not sit here and whine about how we want more jobs and diversification. Come on -- do we really blame the governor (or others) for not doing it for us? Since when did Elkhart County become some helpless entity, standing in line and waiting for our government handout? I say we are better than that. And in terms of marketing our county, isn't that what organizations like the Economic Development Corp. of Elkhart County are all about?

Whining that other counties are winning contracts for new factories and jobs instead of doing everything we can as a county is not a winning solution or defensible argument. I say that it's "our" job to diversify the local industrial base, not anyone else's.

I think we should take responsibility for our situation and quit whining about what the government should be doing for us. That is just the kind of mindset that has led to generational dependence on government assistance and I really don't think it is becoming of the Elkhart County that I know and love.

Elkhart County has always been the home of entrepreneurialism and creative thinkers, not whiners who just want to get our piece of the handout pie. So here's an opposing view: If we don't like where we are in terms of economic development and diversification in Elkhart County, let's get out there and do something about it and quit waiting for the governor, the government or any other "big brother" to do it for us!

Scott Tuttle is president and owner of Livin' Lite Recreational Vehicles, Wakarusa, In

Inaugural Prayer

Inauguration 09 is behind us and even though President Obama didn't get my vote. I am going to support him until he proves that I should do otherwise. I hope that this great country that God has placed me in will come together, pick ourselves up and pledge to move forward. With the grace of God, we can each affect positive change beginning with our personal relationships and with our community. Join me in lifting our government to the Father and particularly the Obama family.

I wasn't able to see much of the inauguration, but when I went looking for pictures of the event, these in addition to Rick Warrens prayer (see below) were incredibly powerful. The cordial transfer of power from one man to another was completed without violence or national catastrophe! What a great example to the rest of the world.

Rick Warren's Prayer

Almighty God, our Father:

Everything we see, and everything we can’t see, exists because of you alone.

It all comes from you, it all belongs to you, it all exists for your glory.

History is your story.

The Scripture tells us, “Hear, O Israel, the LORD is our God, the LORD is one.” And you are the compassionate and merciful one. And you are loving to everyone you have made.

Now today, we rejoice not only in America’s peaceful transfer of power for the 44th time, we celebrate a hinge point of history with the inauguration of our first African-American president of the United States.

We are so grateful to live in this land, a land of unequaled possibility, where a son of an African immigrant can rise to the highest level of our leadership. And we know today that Dr. King and a great cloud of witnesses are shouting in heaven.

Give to our new president, Barack Obama, the wisdom to lead us with humility, the courage to lead us with integrity, the compassion to lead us with generosity.

Bless and protect him, his family, Vice President Biden, the Cabinet, and every one of our freely elected leaders.

Help us, O God, to remember that we are Americans—united not by race or religion or blood, but to our commitment to freedom and justice for all.

When we focus on ourselves, when we fight each other, when we forget you—forgive us.

When we presume that our greatness and our prosperity is ours alone—forgive us.

When we fail to treat our fellow human beings and all the earth with the respect that they deserve—forgive us.

And as we face these difficult days ahead, may we have a new birth of clarity in our aims, responsibility in our actions, humility in our approaches, and civility in our attitudes—even when we differ.

Help us to share, to serve, and to seek the common good of all.

May all people of good will today join together to work for a more just, a more healthy, and a more prosperous nation and a peaceful planet.

And may we never forget that one day, all nations--and all people--will stand accountable before you.

We now commit our new president and his wife, Michelle, and his daughters, Malia and Sasha, into your loving care.

I humbly ask this in the name of the one who changed my life—Yeshua, 'Isa, Jesus [Spanish pronunciation], Jesus—who taught us to pray:

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name.

Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread.

And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us.

And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil, for Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever.

Amen.

Holiday in Seattle

This past week we spent New Years Eve through Sunday morning with Brenda's brother Jason's family and her parent's at Fort Worden National Park in Port Townsend, WA. Jason and Melana live in Everett, WA and after a wonderful New Years Eve party at Romeo and Sylvia's (Melana's parents) we made our way to Port Townsend via Deception Pass to spend the rest of the week at Fort Worden. We rented a 6 bedroom house, formerly the home of a military colonel and had a great time of reconnecting and relaxing. The week before we got there they had the worst snowstorm in 39 years but all was gone by the time we arrived except for some in the higher elevations. Enjoy the pics.