Consider Our Call: Joyful and Glad in Heart

Wednesday, July 2, 2014

Joyful and Glad in Heart

Joyful and Glad in Heart Experiencing

I started my time home at my son's home for three days. Sure is nice to experience the love of my son and his wife. It was fun to get together with other good friends too.

Now home reconnecting with my neighbors, walking for exercise instead of transportation. What a joy to have a home and friends to come back to.

Joyful and Glad in Heart Remembering

It has been a month already after arriving home June 2nd. My home had been well cared for my my friends. As you can see some of my bushes did not make the winter. From what I am hearing, I am glad I did not experience this winter in Michigan.

I got busy right away getting ready to make presentations about what I saw and did during the five months I was in Jordan, Palestine and Israel.

Deciding how to put five months into a thirty minute talk, with pictures allowed me to review my notes, pictures and memory bring back the wonderful experiences I had with so many!

Thank God for the opportunity to speak at my home church

Joyful and Glad in Heart Hearing

One of Pastor's sermon was about what Christians refer to as Pentecost. According to our faith tradition, it was the initial receiving of the gift of the Holy Spirit. Act 2:12 records the thoughts of those who were experiencing God. "Amazed and perplexed, they asked one another, 'What does this mean?"

Joyful and Glad in Heart Planning

Daily information comes about opportunities to minister, scheduling presentations and future service options. Maybe we can minister together.

I had the privileged of attending the United Methodist, West Michigan Annual Conference. How pleased I was that the group voted to take positive steps toward a Just Peace in the Middle East.

Our Good News

The struggle continues for people in the Jordan, Israel and Palestine where I served. The struggles here also continue. Praise God with me that we have the Good News. We have the privilege and responsibility of reaching out with the Good News of Jesus' Love

Allowed to Serve

2016,2017 2018

The trinity of years since I updated this side bar has been filled with God given circumstances and opportunities for service.

Praise God with me for the action of God's Holy Spirit in our 24/7.

Hear my intention to post more often highlighting my intentions and realizations as we pray for each other. Our prayers that God's Love will redeem our fallen culture and society.

As Jesus followers we are reconciled with God. Our call is to be agents of reconciliation to people and the systems that are part of God's original commandment "rule and subdue."

Our hearts and the world will be returned to God's, "Very Good" through the Holy Spirit bringing the reign of God to our hearts so that all humanity will flourish into God's "Very Good."

2015

I am learning so much as I continued serving as Social Action Coordinator for United Methodist Women of West MI Conference. I thank God for the many classes and courses provided. It was fun to learn some Spanish during a conversational Spanish class at Christ UMC. I hope to use some words as I volunteer at Justice for our Neighbors. I continue to volunteer with United Methodist Kairos Response, as they work for justice for Palestinians. This year will be finished out, Lord willing, serving through GBGM Individual Volunteer in Missions as a Immigration Case Worker Assistant, with Church World Service.

2014

Praise God with me, I have the privilege of being involved with the United Methodists as an IVIM.

When I return to Michigan in June, I would like to visit you or your group to tell you about my experiences.

2013

The Ecumenical Accompaniment Programme in Palestine and Israel (EAPPI) brings internationals to the West Bank to experience life under occupation. Ecumenical Accompaniers(EAs) provide protective presence to vulnerable communities, monitor and reporthuman rights abuses and support Palestinians and Israelis working together for peace. When they return home, EAs campaign for a just and peaceful resolution to the Israeli/ Palestinian conflict through an end to the occupation, respect for international law and implementation of UN resolutions. The views contained herein are personal tohh me and do not necessarily reflect those of EAPPI-US or the World Council of Churches. If you want to publish the content of this blog's posts April 14, 2013 to July 17, 2013 or email in a print or online publication, please first contact CWS at mailto:sweaver@churchworldservice.org