In the Garden

Anyone who thinks God does not have a sense of humor must not spend much time with him!
Next week, I will be the speaker for the Aldersgate Women's Retreat. And after our discussion of metaphors for the Christian journey I remembered the theme--In the Garden!!!
Okay, so I already admitted it wasn't a metaphor that resonated with me. So I can use some help. (Trav are you out there?) Trav already mentioned the importance of fruitfulness for a garden. And Marty mentioned the fact that with gardens you get both fruit and weeds and you have to learn to take both the good and the bad.
What are some of your other thoughts about Gardens and the Christian life?
(Also for another wonderful metaphor on Christian faith, check out the link "What if we had a jazz-shaped faith?")

The End ?

Well, I finished the book. And without spoiling it for anyone, I will simply say that I am glad that I went on this seven book journey. I've enjoyed reading as Harry grew up and I've watched my kids grow up in the process.

We were given the first book by a dear friend, Kristen Shields, who loves books and loves to share books with my kids. We read the book together during my first semester at Vanderbilt. I would drive to Nashville in the morning, return home after dinner, take Phillip and Laura into my lap and read a chapter to them. (Here is a picture of them about the time we started reading the books.) By the time I finished Vandy three years later, they were reading the fifth book on their own and neither fit in my lap. And of course, the seventh book came out the day before Steven's 21st birthday. So my kids have sort of grown up with Harry. I think we shall miss him.


So for now the Potter books go on my bookshelf along with the Lord of the Rings, The Chronicles of Narnia, A Wrinkle in Time and other such wonderful books and await my future grandchildren.

July 21, 2007

So 21 years ago today, I was in labor (36 hours total for those who want to swap labor stories). And today we prepare to celebrate Steven's birthday in an appropriate manner for the Clontz household!



Need I say more. Steven got his copy at Kroger at midnight and he has already finished it. (We've sworn him to secrecy!) Laura's copy came by mail from AMazon at noon and she is half way through. I couldn't resist picking up a copy at Wal-Mart this morning and couldn't start reading it until late this afternoon. Oh well . . .

It's been mighty quiet at our house!

So much cooler . . .

This just so tickled me that I had to share it. Actually, this song will definetly preach! But mainly I share this to make folks smile because it made me smile. (Craig pay attention--I know its country but there is a special treat for you if you stick with it!)

Phillip's 17th Birthday

Here is Phillip with his birthday present. He hasn't quit playing it since we gave it to him.

The journey is the destination

Last night we had the first gathering of the Trinity Plunders, a group whose goal is to plunder our culture in order to better communicate the gospel. In the midst of our brainstorming on video clips, music and drama, Tony asked some great questions that made me wake up this morning pondering such big issues such as Christian perfection and the strengths and weaknesses of the metaphor of journey for the Christian life.

Somewhere I read that the metaphor of journey was supposed to appeal to men and the metaphor of homecoming was supposed to appeal to women. However, the metaphor of journey has always resonated with me and some of the greatest writings related to the Christian life as a journey were written by women (the Interior Castle by Teresa of Avila and Hinds Feet on High Places by Hannah Hurnard).

Of course the journey is one of the archetypical metaphors that crosses culture, religion, and time. Whether it is Homer’s The Odyssey (or for those of a more modern mindset Joel and Ethan Coen’s “O Brother Where Art Thou?”), Bunyon’s Pilgrim’s Progress, Mark Twain’s Huck Finn . . . well we can go on and on . . . journey is an important metaphor for humans.

Even my business background emphasizes the importance of journey when management experts speak of an emphasis on process rather than product.

And actually, the difference between process and product is one of the reasons that I think the metaphor is so important for Christian life. Christian life isn’t about product, it is about relationship. Whatever we may think about the idea of Christian perfection, the goal of Christian living is not perfection but relationship with Christ who calls us to “Follow me.” As our Bishop says, we are on the road (on a journey) with Christ.

I have a t-shirt that I bought when my Sunday School Class at Epworth (whom I referred to as the Extreme Sunday School Class but was otherwise known as Heart, Mind and Soul) went on a class retreat that included a trip down the Ocoee. The shirt reads, “The Journey is the Destination.” The class thought it was a very appropriate shirt for me because it seemed to reflect the theology I preached and taught.

We talked last night of other possible metaphors, such as expedition, excursion, passage, and trip. But for me, journey will remain the strongest metaphor for the Christian life.

So what is your favorite metaphor for the Christian life?

My new Sister-in-Law

Well, our family continues to expand and I now have a new sister-in-law! This morning at 11 a.m., my baby brother, Tom, was married to the former Jessica Isbell at St. James Catholic Church in Gadsden. The neat twist to this story is that they dated in eighth grade. But despite breaking up in eighth grade and Tom moving to Texas in tenth, they found each other again and are now on their honeymoon before moving into their new home in Texas.


And don't my kids clean up good!

You go in the water and the water crashes over you!

According to my four-year-old nephew that is the beauty of the beach.

But we all have to admit that another beauty if the great seafood and so far, we have visited two of our old favorites--Sting Rays, Crab Shack--and one new one, Uncle Bubba's Oyster House. The Crab Shack is a must for every trip to Tybee. Tomorrow, hopefully, we'll visit the other two A-J's Dockside (who cares about the food--the sunset is fabulous) and the Breakfast Club

Tybee!

Last night we went to the beach and had to quickly return home before the rain started falling hard and we woke up this morning to a hard rain storm. So we've spent this morning watching my adorable nephews. My dad has seven grandchildren, six of whom are boys. Laura used to complain but now I think she likes being the resident princess.

St Simons Island

Okay--so the tour guide reminded me that St Simons was Charles' area not John's. Nonetheless, I was excited to take a picture of the Wesley Oak outside Christ Church. St. Simons was absolutely beautiful. We only had 24 hours there, but we went on a walking ghost tour (I've decided Ghost Tours are the very best way to learn the history and the character of a place. They have the best storytellers!) and a trolley tour; we did a bit of shopping; and had a couple of wonderful meals. I can't wait to visit again.

We are now relaxing on the back porch of "our" house on Tybee Island. The whole family is here and we are spending our first day getting groceries and getting settled. I'm happy to say I've already read two books and have started on my third--my idea of a great vacation!