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Front Porch Looking OUT
Posted on 10. Jan, 2012 by Katherine Martinez.
Perhaps we know the song, “My Front Porch Looking In.” It’s Lonestar, 2003, and it illustrates the warmth and appeal of the family home.
What about the front porch looking out?
Staying in the North Park, Chicago neighborhood with @millielundgren on Christiana Avenue. The view from anyone’s front porch looking in is precious, because it reminds of the gift of the family home.
The view looking out also is also precious, because it reminds us of our neighbors, friends, church, immigrants, strangers and others.
That’s the Best thing about the City. Ha?
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“good comment”
Posted on 30. Aug, 2011 by Katherine Martinez.
The best part of blogs is the comments.
So here’s a pilot post on good comments, that might continue, if… anyone eggs it on.
From Scot McKnight’s post today about Smith’s book on Biblicism comes comment #25 from Mark: [...]
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Reading Into the Rule
Posted on 15. Aug, 2011 by Katherine Martinez.
Have you ever noticed how much grace there is in the golden rule?
Here’s what I mean.
The rule says: Do to others as you would have them do to you.
The rule does not say: Do to others as they would have you do to them.
We are responsible to extend kindness on the simplest terms: To treat people in a manner consistent with our own preferences. We are not responsible for reading other people’s minds and making sure we interact on their terms.
Have you ever gotten into relational trouble because you treated people exactly how you prefer to be treated, but they expected you to understand them well enough to treat them as they prefer?
Likewise… Have you ever been hurt, because another person treated you just as they prefer to be treated and they simply did not understand what you need or want?
How might our relationships be different if we lowered our expectations and simply followed the Golden Rule?
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Resentment
Posted on 01. Jul, 2011 by Katherine Martinez.
John Wenrich led a 2-part devotional at the ECC Annual Meeting in Estes Park this week.
His topic was resentment. John admitted that the theme was an unusual choice for a retreat-style devo.
As the Spirit would have it, this message struck a chord with the whole room. Here’s what I wrote down: [...]
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A Secret for Fathers
Posted on 19. Jun, 2011 by Katherine Martinez.
My husband, Dave, is father to Sarah, Anne, Caroline and Amy, and he does just one thing that sets him apart and makes him a remarkable father. I’d call it a secret way, but it’s really not; it’s a narrow way that leads to life… A way of living and parenting, given by God. The way is hard to find and harder to walk, but not impossible; for with God, all things are possible.
Here it is… [...]
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Enough Time
Posted on 21. Dec, 2010 by Katherine Martinez.
I just saw the sun rise—further south on the horizon than any sunrise of 2010. 4:48 pm, the sun will set—earlier and further south than any evening in 2010. Tomorrow, the sun moves one click north for rising and setting, and tomorrow is a few moments longer than today.
Winter solstice, shortest day of the year, reminds me that we don’t have time.
I remember where I was when I realized that the adage, you have time, is false. Was sitting in Gates auditorium in Denver, listening to a good writer dispel the myth. She said, “If you think you have time, You’re wrong. You don’t.”
We don’t have time because… Time is God’s, not ours. Time is fleeting; it disappears. Time is uncertain; we don’t know where we will be or what we’ll be doing next. We have no idea how much time is left.
Is time short? Nope. Time is simply unknown and unowned. It’s not ours; it’s God’s.
Sounds scary, but not really. We have now. Now is enough, and there’s always enough time.
This Prayer for Grace from the Book of Common prayer helps me every day:
Lord God, almighty and everlasting Father, you have brought me in safety to this new day: Preserve me with your mighty power, that I may not fall into sin, nor be overcome by adversity; and in all I do direct me to the fulfilling of your purpose; through Jesus Christ my Lord. Amen.†
Have a blessed shortest day of the year. If there’s enough time today, there is always enough.
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Joseph, just man
Posted on 19. Dec, 2010 by Katherine Martinez.
This 4th Sunday in Advent, I’m thinking on Joseph. The gospels give us only a glimpse of Joseph, and what we know of him is revealed in his actions. No poems, prayers or prophecies like the others in the birth narratives, but that’s ok; because Joseph’s movements are all we need.
Joseph shows us what God means by “righteous” or “just.” [...]
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Good Meeting
Posted on 04. Dec, 2010 by Katherine Martinez.
Best moment of my week was the Crossroads all-staff meeting on Wednesday. 3 sweet surprises in the meeting still make me smile. [...]
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By Grace (making it count)
Posted on 30. Nov, 2010 by Katherine Martinez.
Oswald Chambers’ November 30 reflection is breath stopping. Here are a few excerpts: [...]
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Cream that Turkey
Posted on 30. Nov, 2010 by Katherine Martinez.
Monday night after Thanksgiving—it’s time for creamed turkey. You probably couldn’t care less. But… here it is anyway. [...]
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