Pivot Point Ministries

Grandparenting 2.0: Are You Relevant

Steve — Tue, 31 Aug 2010 03:57:38 +0000

Title: Grandparenting 2.0: Are You Relevant
Location: Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Church, Apple Valley, MN
Link out: Click here
Description: Grandparenting is high, holy work. Scripture affirms grandparents as vital to transmitting faith to the next generations, and research agrees. We are called to love our grandchildren with the love of Christ, discover delight and laugh joyfully with these children and to pass on a legacy of faith, sharing time, stories and prayer. This conference is for all who are grandparents, grandparent-wanna-bes, and “faith grandparents”—all of us Christian adults “of a certain age” who are called by God to nurture faith for children in the congregation and community.
Start Time: 8:15 a.m.
Date: 2010-10-09
End Time: 12:15 p.m.

Turning Points: Where the Church Has Been and a Look at the Future

Steve — Fri, 30 Jul 2010 21:34:00 +0000

Title: Turning Points: Where the Church Has Been and a Look at the Future
Location: Crossview Lutheran Church
Link out: Click here
Description: This series (come and go as you need to) will explore the major “turning points” in the history of the Church and will also take a stab at looking at what the trends might be for the future. How do these events impact the day to day life of the Christian person? What does this all begin to mean. The study will be based upon a book entitled, “Turning Points: Decisive Moments in the History of Christianity” by Mark Noll. Purchase of the book is optional.
Start Date: 2010-09-15
Start Time: 6:30 P.M.
End Date: 2011-03-11
End Time: 8:00 P.M.

Living Room Summit: Begin With The End In Mind

Steve — Thu, 15 Jul 2010 07:38:35 +0000

Title: Living Room Summit: Begin With The End In Mind
Location: Home of Marilyn Sharpe
Description: Spiritual formatiom with children and youth begins with the end in mind. How do we equip them as disciples in order to live successfully through the lifespan?
Start Time: 5:00 p.m.
Date: October 6, 2010
End Time: 9:00 p.m.

Making A Difference: Leaving a Living Legacy

Steve — Wed, 14 Jul 2010 16:49:25 +0000

Title: Making A Difference: Leaving a Living Legacy
Location: Camp Okoboji, Spirit Lake, Iowa
Link out: Click here
Description: This retreat is for boomers and beyond. The retreat experience will be a stay-cation as a time for relaxation and renewal. The topic leads participants to understand what is important in their faith journey and helps them find practical ways to pass this legacy of faith to the young people in their lives.
Start Date: 2010-09-24
Start Time: 7:00 p.m.
End Date: 2010-09-26
End Time: 1:00 p.m.

Toy Story 3: Incredible

Steve — Wed, 14 Jul 2010 12:01:00 +0000

My wife and I took grandchildren to see Toy Story 3. I went expecting a children’s movie. I was curious, though, because I had read an article in the paper that said that Toy Story 3 made men cry. I thought that sounded strange. Well, I didn’t sob but I certainly got a bit teary-eyed as I watched the life journey unfold through this movie. Toy Story 3, like the movie UP, strike me as being very sensitive to the life journey and the issues that take place for adults as we move along. Toy Story 3 is all about transitions.

Toy Story 3 struck me because I felt a strong connection to Andy Davis, the young boy/man in the movie. I am retiring from one career and moving into another one. For 24 years I lived and worked in higher education and now I move into health care chaplaincy. The decisions that Andy had to make are decisions that I am now having to make. What do I put in the attic and what do I pass on for others to use. I am particularly struggling with my books; what do I keep and what do I give away.

Life transitions involve a rhythm of letting go and embracing. Fascinating, exciting, scary, peaceful. God is in the midst of the decisions.

Lectio Divina 101

Steve — Wed, 14 Jul 2010 11:40:54 +0000

Title: Lectio Divina 101
Location: St. Paul Monastery, Maplewood, MN
Link out: Click here
Description: An ancient spiritual practice, lectio divina is a prayerful reading of the Bible that allows the Word of God to form the heart, soul, and mind. In this session, participants learn how this practice can enrich their encounter with the Scriptures.
Start Time: 7:00 p.m
Date: 2010-10-05
End Time: 9:00 p.m.

Attitudes about Average

Steve — Sat, 15 May 2010 04:20:12 +0000

I heard the most interesting quote today. I think I may like it, but I am not sure. The quote offered was this: ”average is at the top of bad and at the bottom of good therefore we must strive for excellence.” I live in Lake Wobegon where, as you know, everyone is above average but yet the question remains regarding our attitudes toward average. I think I have decided that it is definitely according to one’s perspective.

I can be average and something for which I am not gifted and really be doing an excellent job; for me. Yet, if I am gifted for something and only function in an average way then I am being lazy and not living up to potential.

For me it becomes a matter of developing one’s gifts to the maximum and doing all to the glory of God.

Transitions are sure interesting……

Steve — Fri, 14 May 2010 03:48:08 +0000

Right now I am in the process of retiring from something that I have done for 24 years and, in addition, preparing to move into something totally new. Ambiguity is the name of the game as things wind down in some parts of life before the new parts are ready to take wing. It is a bit unsettling; but, it’s not. I am not leaving; I am going to something.

As school winds down there has been a series of “lasts” as chaplain. We did each of our evening chapels for the last time with me as chaplain and today we had our last communion service. Tonight was my last baccalaureate service. Students are leaving for the summer.

We had our first transition meeting today to begin the transferring of responsibility. I am ready to let go. It is time.

I am feeling some tension with the ambighuity but I think I am walking through it ok. I am sure getting a deeper understanding of what I teach about transitions in life as I pay attention to this transition. I am developing a deep empathy for those experiencing the side effects of transition. My chiropractor says that my back is as stiff as a board and I can tell you that tension in my right shoulder is causing pain. Tension prevails.

I know that God is present. I have confidence in God, but it is still hard. It is also exciting and brings new adventure. Let’s see where it all goes.

A Struggle With Hospitality

Steve — Mon, 10 May 2010 04:50:29 +0000

To welcome the stranger and to offer hospitality in the name of Christ is something that is very important to me. I am discovering though that I am finding that I struggle with this concept. If I truly believe in welcoming all as Christ, then that should mean all, regardless of what they say or do. But, there are days when I have a great deal of difficulty in welcoming people who refuse to welcome others and even speak against others. I don’t do well with angry people who take their feelings and their biases out on others. However, then I become one who does the same thing. I am not really sure what to do because I tend to get angry and that gets in the way of being welcoming. Dilemma.

So, here is what I am thinking. I stand firm in welcoming all people….including those filled with anger and hatred. I pray about my attitude. I pray that I will receive each person as Christ. I demonstrate authentic kindness and welcome ,but I do not permit them to hurt others…..with words or actions. I pray for the leadership of the Holy Spirit.

The Scripture readings for The Sixth Sunday of Easter (Revised Common Lectionary) offer some interesting points about hospitality. In the Acts 16: 9-15, Lydia, after being baptized, insists that Paul and the others stay at her house. Lydia, in responding to the Gospel, provides for the needs of the sisters and brothers in the faith and welcomes them to her home.

Our pastor today preached on the Revelation text. (He did a nice job, I might add!) He discussed what heaven would be like. He spoke of light and love. He reminded us that we pray, “Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.” Then I noticed in the reading that, “Its (Heavenly Jerusalem) gates will never be shut by day and there will be no night there.” The city gates……..never shut. The city is open to receive. The city does not shut its doors. May God’s Kingdom be realized on this earth where we welcome all as Christ. May the gates never be closed.

I sometimes have a desire to close my gates to those who are angry and bigoted. God, may my gates stay open.

Radical Welcome for the Stranger…

Steve — Thu, 29 Apr 2010 13:48:24 +0000

The Hebrew/Christian Scriptures give some incredible insight as to how to treat the stranger in our midst. God is a welcoming God and as God teaches and guides God’s people, God does so with a loving and welcoming attitude toward the stranger. God reminds us that we know the heart of an alien because we have been aliens, “You shall not oppress a resident alien; you know the heart of an alien, for you were aliens in the land of Egypt.” (Exodus 23.9, NRSV) God then calls for the people to provide the alien with food, love and acceptance (no mention is made of why the alien is there or how long the alien will stay) because this is the way of Love.

Leviticus 19.10:

You shall not strip your vineyard bare, or gather the fallen grapes of your vineyard; you shall leave them for the poor and the alien: I am the Lordyour God.

Leviticus 19.33:

When an alien resides with you in your land, you shall not oppress the alien.

Leviticus 19.34:

The alien who resides with you shall be to you as the citizen among you; you shall love the alien as yourself, for you were aliens in the land of Egypt: I am the Lord your God.

Rise up people of God to welcome and love the stranger in your midst.