Hot Tub

Posted on April 12, 2012 by dinahoverlien

There’s a humongous hot tub in our garage. PB and I weren’t looking for a hot tub. I wasn’t praying for a hot tub. We didn’t even want a hot tub. It just appeared. What I really need is a blender. The Hamilton Beach 2001 was a wedding gift 33 years ago. This amazing appliance has been as faithful as PB all these years, but last time I blended something, liquid poured out the bottom and the flooded motor gave out. A blender is what I really want.

A few days ago, our younger son called PB. “Dad, we’re working on this house and they are getting rid of this hot tub and giving it away for free and it’s in really good shape and I said I’d take it. So, can you come with the trailer and get it? Tonight?” Always up for an adventure and trying to encourage our son’s eye for a good deal, my hubby went to go look at the treasure sitting on the curb. Turns out, the mammoth tub was in really good shape and they were giving it away for free and it was a good find. When I woke up the next morning there was a humongous hot tub in our garage.

I’m really torn about this unexpected blessing. I admit my first thought was to put it on Craig’s List and make some money to invest wisely for retirement. I know. Boring. (Somebody needs to be reasonable in this family.) Now I’m wondering: what would it be like to go out my back door and soak in bubbles under the stars? I have never done such a ridiculous thing. Is it even permissible for a pastor to have a hot tub? Maybe if we use it for ministry (or baptisms?) we could justify such an extravagance. But somehow I just can’t picture the church’s trustee committee gathering on our deck in their swimming trunks.

Such a dilemma.

Perhaps if the jets are turned on really high, a hot tub could make smoothies….

Foot Washing

Posted on April 6, 2012 by dinahoverlien

Our church joined with several others in town for an ecumenical communion service last night. We listened once again to the story of Jesus washing the disciples’ feet. And once again, a layer was peeled away and a fresh understanding of the old story began to form in my mind. Hang in there with me as I wander toward a point.

The night of the Last Supper, Jesus knew that “he had come from God and was returning to God.” (John 13:3) He was fully aware that he was about to leave his group of friends; men with whom he had spent three years, day in and day out. When I was in high school, I spent a summer on a mission project. Our team went through a lot together in those few weeks and by the time it was coming to an end, we had grown very close. Leaving each other was hard and tearful. How difficult it must have been for Jesus to spend one last night with close friends. He also knew he was going to be tortured and put to death. So often, for me, the anticipation of having to go through something difficult is almost as bad as having to actually go through it. Facing a scary medical test or needing to confront someone on a touchy issue can loom large in my mind before the encounter even takes place. How heavy must have been the thoughts going through Jesus’ mind that night.

Last evening it became clear to me that Jesus was suffering as he washed his friends’ dirty feet. He was crushed beneath the weight of saying goodbye, facing a gruesome death and bearing the sin of the world. Yet in the midst of his own personal suffering, he served.

I’m most likely to serve when I’ve had a good night’s sleep, enjoyed a hot cup of coffee and have a fairly clear schedule. Even menial tasks like picking up the nursery, putting music back in folders, or washing out coffee pots, are met with a good attitude. But if I’m not feeling well, or I’m weighed down with worries, or overwhelmed by everything that needs to get done, my servanthood wanes. It’s hard for me to serve when I’m suffering.

I was reminded of a quote by Calvin Miller: “You are most mature when you minister to others in their pain, without reminding them that you yourself have problems. To minister to others even when you need ministry is to liberate your soul from small addictions to yourself.”

Jesus was not addicted to himself.

I am addicted to myself.

I am most like Jesus when I am not serving myself, but serving others.

I am most like Jesus when I serve others in the middle of my suffering.

Selah

I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you….Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them. John 13:15, 17

Love Him

Posted on April 5, 2012 by dinahoverlien

Look at this precious child. He’s 8 weeks old and bigger than his teddy bear.

Hudson’s mommy told me he cried all day yesterday. It was an excruciatingly long day. Maybe he had a little tummy ache. Or maybe the full moon was throwing him off. It’s hard to believe this happy boy gave his mommy fits yesterday.

I know what the trouble is. He misses his Nonnie.

Hey, Hud Bud! See you in a few weeks!

Presence

Posted on April 4, 2012 by dinahoverlien

I love the way Moses and God talk to each other. The conversation at the burning bush (Exodus 3) sounds a lot like some talks I’ve had with God.

“Dinah, do such-and-such.”

“What? Huh? Who am I to do such-and-such?…….Suppose I do it and something-or-other happens…..then what?…….What if no one listens to me?…….Lord, I’m not good at that…….in fact, I have never been good at that………Please send someone else…..”

Thirty chapters, ten plagues, one deliverance and a lot of manna later, Moses sounds very different. Instead of making a list of excuses when God tells him to lead the Hebrew people across the desert, the seasoned shepherd simply says, “If You don’t go with us, do not send us at all.” It seems Moses stopped saying “no” to God when he realized he had the Presence of God.

I like that approach. In the mornings, when the alarm goes off, I say, “Lord, if you don’t come with me into this day, I’m not going.” Of course, He promises to never leave us or forsake us (Hebrews 13:5), so eventually my feet hit the floor and we begin the day together. There hasn’t been one morning when He’s said, “I’m taking the day off, so you’d better just stay in bed.” Not once. The assurance of His Presence is what I need to face the day. No excuses.

The Lord would speak to Moses face to face, as a man speaks with his friend. Exodus 33:11

April Scripture Memory Verses

Posted on April 1, 2012 by dinahoverlien

Can’t wait to see what verses you choose for April! Click on “comment” and type away!

Roadtrip to Ames

Posted on March 27, 2012 by dinahoverlien

On Sunday, PB and I took a little roadtrip to Ames, Iowa. “Ames, Iowa?” you ask. Yes, indeed. Because that’s where our daughter, Anna, and her husband, Dan, live. We hadn’t seen them since last December and she offered to make us meatballs, so we went.

Ames is a friendly place.

It was windy the whole time we were visiting. Must be why they are called the Cyclones at Iowa State.

Dan and Anna have a cute little apartment decorated all Anna-style. The meatballs were delicious. I’m just sorry I didn’t take a picture of them.

We brought the Spree along and handed the keys over to them. The scooter just doesn’t work for 6’5″ boys who weigh 200 lbs. (All muscle.) Anna took it out for a ride.

Then Dan took a spin.

While Dan was out, PB fixed the light socket in their garage. Because PB has to fix something when he goes visiting the kids.

When Dan got back, the men talked about garages and tools and cars and scooters. I went back in and ate some meatballs.

Anna and Dan took us to a very cool place for breakfast. They took us, but we paid. That’s what parents do.

Then Anna wanted to show us her favorite antique store in town. It was……..interesting. We knew that this was a one-of-a-kind antique store right at the door.

Like baskets? There were piles of baskets.

Or maybe dishes? There were stacks of dishes.

There were pots and vases as far as the eye could see.

There was a greenhouse in the back of the store….and a rocking chair…

Outside there was a real nice pile of pots.

Thankfully, they had an overflow shed. Look carefully: it’s full all the way up to the top window.

We had a great time with Dan and Anna.

They’ve gotten off to a good start.

Cake Pops Revisited

Posted on March 24, 2012 by dinahoverlien

I distinctly remember saying, “I’m never going to make another cake pop as long as I live.” But that was last summer, when the freezer was overflowing with hundreds of the little rolled up bits of cake glued together with frosting. (See July 14, 2011 post “Wedding Countdown Day 30) How many did we make again? Was it 278…..or 354….or 1 kazillion? Today I discovered that making one batch of pops is rather enjoyable. There were three good reasons to revisit the world of cake pops this weekend.

1) A day after our daughter got married last August, Kate (a friend of mine who attended the wedding) unashamedly confessed to me that she must have eaten at least 10 cake pops at the reception. We discussed at length whether the chocolate, strawberry or vanilla treats were the better choice. She was ahead of me on that one – I had only sampled the vanilla, so I valued her expert opinion. I was so happy that someone had received such pleasure as a result of my hours of baking, rolling and dipping. Her appreciation just oozed and I thought, “Now here’s someone who deserves her own batch of cake pops someday.” Since it’s Kate’s birthday tomorrow, I decided now’s the time. I love cooking for people who ooze with appreciation.

2) Our niece, Meghan, got married today. The wedding was in Texas and we weren’t able to be there. She’s a dear, sweet girl and we love the whole family so much. PB asked if we could watch the wedding on Skype and they were able to pull it off! At about 2:00 this afternoon, PB came in from cleaning the garage, I washed pink candy coating off my hands, and we sat down to witness the blessed event. We were so grateful to be able to hear the wedding vows and see how beautiful Meghan looked on her wedding day. So I dipped a few cake pops in honor of Meghan and Randall.

3) This week a little friend of mine got a new baby sister. Maggy comes to the preschool Sunday school class and sits in the pew behind me in church. She has the longest darkest eyelashes you ever did see. Big sisters need their own bucket of cake pops, I’m positive.

I guess there’s one more reason…. I caught PB looking longingly at the row of fresh pops. Happening to find one with a crack in it, I asked him to please dispose of it, which he did with pleasure. He’s helpful like that.

Old Friend: Into the Depths of God

Posted on March 23, 2012 by dinahoverlien

Ever since I wrote the post “Old Friends” (Nov. 14, 2011), a thought has been brewing in my head. (These things take time…) All those notebooks filled with deep and delicious words that I copied out of my favorite books are just sitting on my shelf. It seems like such a shame. So, I’ve decided to share some of my old friends here from time to time. I hope the quotations inspire you for a moment or more. Perhaps they will whet your appetite for the book or author and you can make some new friends of your own.

From “Into the Depths of God” by Calvin Miller:

“Bathos (Greek word for ‘deep’) is a word I really discovered at the Great Barrier Reef. My son had come to scuba dive while my wife and I snorkeled. While my son plunged deeply beneath clear waters to bury himself in the wonder of the mysterious ocean depths, my wife and I, wearing masks, only floated on the surface facedown.

In some ways, what we were all seeing looked the same. However, the truth is that the content of our experience was greatly different. We will both spend the rest of our lives talking about that experience and our enthusiasm will always be exuberant. But only our son really knew the Reef; he understood the issue of depth…. In some ways it seems to me that much of Christianity is a conversation of snorkelers talking to each other of scuba experiences.

The inscrutable glories of the deep cannot be described to those hooked on the safety of shallowness…. We can see that the tide pools hold no deep adventure. We can even feel the lure of the dark and haunting indigo of the ocean’s soul. Still, we balk at real inward adventure. Our shallow spirituality holds nothing profound, but it is safe.”

On prayer: “I suspect that the difference between a person of seasoned prayer and one of smaller prayer experience is the amount of time they spend talking rather than listening. I used to be troubled by Paul’s admonition to ‘pray without ceasing’. I now believe this is only possible to those who have had enough significant prayer experience to make the listening prayer the largest part of their praying. Those whose prayers are unending monologues make themselves a giant mouth while making God a small ear. St. Anthony said that the best prayer comes when we no longer remember we are praying.”

On time: “We cannot possibly flatter the Almighty by hurrying into his presence, flinging a song and a prayer at him, and hurrying out of church back into our hassled lifestyles. God is never flattered by our sanctified exhaustion… God does not wear a watch. His unthinkable glory is learned only in our time-consuming communion with him… All watches must be checked at the gates of the throne room. Real relationships never keep their eye on the clock… The believer who wants an in-depth affair with Christ must not allow time clocks and ledger sheets to destroy that wonderful holy leisure by which we make friends with God.”

What are your thoughts, my Small Drop friends?

No man can be called friendless who has God and the companionship of good books. ~Elizabeth Barrett Browning

How’s Your Psoas?

Posted on March 21, 2012 by dinahoverlien

I didn’t know I had a psoas until today. Evidently, it was out of whack. Thanks to my wise and wonderful chiropractor, it’s back where it’s supposed to be, doing what it’s supposed to be doing. A quick adjustment was all it took. According to wisegeek.com, “The psoas muscle is a major muscle in the human body, responsible for stabilizing the base of the spine, allowing the spine to flex, and rotating the hips for a free range of movement.”

And I thought I had a pain in the neck.

This morning’s experience has got me thinking. How much of my trouble on the surface is really due to a deeper issue? For instance, if I’m being critical, is there a pride problem attached somewhere underneath? Or if I get discouraged, am I dealing with an insecurity in the pit of my soul? Perhaps a bad mood is really indicating a root of selfishness. Maybe that discontent reveals an ungrateful spirit. When I’m being a pain in the neck, it might be due to some inner condition that needs attention.

Once again, I am reminded how badly I need to check in regularly with my spiritual Adjuster. The Holy Spirit is able to look at the outer parts of my life, yet see what is going on down deep. If I allow Him to tweak those tender spots, I am sure to become free and flexible, better able to serve. There is no doubt that without His stabilizing presence, I can get all out of whack.

So, how’s your psoas?