Share Your World With Cee Cee

One of the new blogs I am reading is doing this…  game… I guess you would call it. Cee Cee asks four questions and the participant (that’s me!) answers them. Sounds simple right? Here are this week’s questions.

1. Who was your favorite Teacher – what grade and why?
2. What do you like most about your home?
3. If you were forced to change the name of your blog what would you change it to?
4. If a movie was made based on your life, what actor/actress would play you?

1. My favorite teacher was Mrs. Hagemeyer in fifth grade. She was the first teacher who wouldn’t put up with my penchant for slacking. She called me to a higher level and wouldn’t take “no” for an answer. Thanks Mrs. H!

2. I love the yard. It is so wild and untamed, a place of dreams!

3. If I had to rename this blog I would probably call it “Fifth Man In the Fire”. I sometimes feel like I’m part of that story from the book of Daniel even if I am only an extra! 🙂

4. If  someone had to play me I think I would like it to be Kevin James!

 

Thanks Cee! This was fun!

These are some spring snow pics from Massachusetts

Award Sundays:The Readership Appreciation Award

I was speaking with a friend at the lunch table today about blogging.

The question at hand … “What is blogging really about?”

My simple answer to that was, “Blogging is about relationship and community.”

When I began “Reinventing the We’ll” I guess blogging was about writing and writing for an audience. A couple of years in, it has become about something else…people. Don’t get me wrong I still write because I love writing but it’s no longer just my voice that I am concerned with. When I write I want to hear the voices of my audience speak back to me in the comments section. Your comments have enriched me so much these last few years. Your voices have sustained me in some dark times. Thank you! 🙂

I have also been blessed to be able to read your work and to be given a voice on your blogs and that has been such an awesome privilege. Paulette http://pbus1.wordpress.com/ (sorry Paulette I just couldn’t let the opportunity pass) has nominated me for the Readership Appreciation Award. I am not sure I deserve a reward for doing something that was only a benefit to me but still I whole heartedly accept.

Here are the rules:

1. Award your top 6 bloggers who have commented the most.
2. Be thankful.
3. You cannot award someone who has already been awarded. And you cannot give the award back to me.
4. Don’t forget to tell the bloggers you’ve awarded.
5. If you don’t want to pass on this award, that’s okay too. Just admire it.

 

Now Paulette has already nominated some of my top commenters but here are six more who have added so much to my blogging life!

1.  Deb at http://twominutesofgrace.wordpress.com/

2. Rachel at http://stirringthedeep.com/

3.  Nicole at http://lovingsimplemoments.wordpress.com/

4.  Tom athttp://tomraines.wordpress.com/

And these are some new readers who have blessed me!

5.  Sarah at  http://theflyingonion.wordpress.com/

6. Paul at http://imagebreakers.wordpress.com/

To all of you who faithfully read “Reinventing the We’ll” Thank you! May you be abundantly blessed!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UFrdJ2V3r7Y

Award Sunday: Kreativ Blogger Award

Jesus has granted me another gift in the Kreativ Blogger Award! To His name be the glory! Thank you Paulette http://pbus1.wordpress.com/ for considering me and “Reinventing the We’ll” for this honor.

As I receive this award my requirement is to tell my readers 10 things about myself and then I must nominate 6 other bloggers for the award

What thrills me most is being able to share with you some of the blogs I read for business and fun. So I think I will begin with my six nominations. The nominees are:

1. Cary Graham at  http://thehacknovelist.wordpress.com/

2. Pat at http://pttyann.wordpress.com/ beautiful art work!

3. http://deepwellbridge.wordpress.com/

4.  David at http://desertvoices.wordpress.com/

5. Deb at http://twominutesofgrace.wordpress.com/

6. http://alabyrinth.wordpress.com/ Interesting poetry and anecdotes from Jerusalem

Now 10 things about myself (which I have not told you before)

1. I have three children all studying for the ministry.

2.  I was once forced to dress as a baby at a youth convention, attendance 1100! 

3.  I collect walking sticks.

4. I am currently finishing my first novel, The Remember Man, and will be shopping it out soon.

5. The name Pastor Wrinkles was given to me by my youth group because I youth pastored for 20 years.

6. I transitioned out of youth ministry for the second time during the summer of 2011. Pastor Brad (our new youth pastor) is one of my former students.

7. I am now assistant pastor at Cornerstone Church Winchendon MA responsible for creative arts and pastoral care.

8. Before I became a pastor I ran a restaurant.

9. Before I became a pastor and after I failed as a restaurateur I was a circulation manager for a local news paper.

10. I really! really!! REALLY!!! love Jesus. He is my best friend and has never let me down.

Thanks Again Paulette!

JE

Award Sunday: 7×7 Link Award!

I really have to praise God! He has seen fit to allow me another opportunity for reward. I mentioned a few weeks ago that Deb from Two Minutes of Grace nominated me for the Versatile blogger award. At the same time she nominated me for the 7×7 Link Award and I am just now getting around to publicly receiving it. Thanks so much Deb. To you all you faithful readers out there please check out Deb’s words at http://twominutesofgrace.wordpress.com/. Now onto the requirements of the reward:

Name seven unusual things about yourself:

1. I can quote the entire Green Lantern oath: “In brightest day in darkest night no evil shall escape my sight. Let those who worship evil’s might beware my power Green Lantern’s light!”

2. I am a scyfy junky.

3. I am a Pentecostal Christian which I guess makes most people think I am unusual because I believe in the supernatural gifts of the Holy Spirit including speaking in tongues.

4. I play the flute

5. I play the didgeridoo (badly)

6. I often read 7 or 8 books at a time.

7. I have preached the gospel in three countries so far.

the Second Requirement is that I give you seven of my “best” blogs in various categories:

Most Beautiful: https://jelillie.wordpress.com/2010/07/11/dance-in-the-rain/

Most Helpful:  I did a series on I Corinthians 13 called “Ferocious” https://jelillie.wordpress.com/2010/09/01/ferocious/ This is the first of the posts.

Most Popular: That’s Easy. https://jelillie.wordpress.com/2010/09/24/the-twelve-ways-of-fall/ this one was freshly pressed and got over 1000 hits.

Most Controversial: https://jelillie.wordpress.com/2011/07/20/regret-the-good-school-marm/

Most Surprisingly Successful: Again “The Twelve Ways of Fall” from most popular. Still can’t believe it even got pressed.

Most Underrated: Pastor Wrinkles: Chapter Charts. People are afraid of ’em I think.

Most Pride Worthy:  A series again called “You Choose the View” https://jelillie.wordpress.com/2011/08/13/you-choose-the-view/

Finally I need to nominate seven bloggers for the same award. And the nominees are:

1. Rachel at http://stirringthedeep.com/

2. Angela at http://meetingintheclouds.wordpress.com/

3. Charles at http://charleslmashburn.wordpress.com/

4. Melody at http://melodygodfred.com/

5.  Patricia at http://patriciawonders.wordpress.com/

6.  http://todayithink.wordpress.com/

7.  Carrie at http://blog.carriemumford.com/

Thanks again Deb!

 

Versatility

I got a great New Year’s gift from Debby at http://twominutesofgrace.wordpress.com/.  This is my first award and I am giddy with excitement…no really I have been telling everyone!  I’m afraid I have become a little bit of a braggart 😦 But this too shall pass! For the moment I am going to bask in the sunshine of the honor! Thank you Deb!

Now this particular award requires that I nominate 15 of my favorite bloggers for the award; So I nominate:

1. Nicole at Simple Moments : http://lovingsimplemoments.wordpress.com/

2. Sarah at the Flying Onion: http://theflyingonion.wordpress.com/

Thanks Nicole and Sara for giving me the push to blog in the first place!

3.  Notes from Rumbly Cottage: http://notesfromrumblycottage.wordpress.com/

4. From My Front Step: http://frommyfrontstep.wordpress.com/

5. Perfect Puddles: http://perfectpuddles.wordpress.com/

6.  David at : http://desertvoices.wordpress.com/ Give this a read if you want to read some great missionary stories.

7. Tom at : http://tomraines.wordpress.com/

8. Ben at:  http://justifiedfreely.wordpress.com/

9.  Sowing Seeds Of Orthodoxy at: http://sowingseedsoforthodoxy.wordpress.com/

10. Deb at: http://iftodaywehear.wordpress.com/

11. Goforth at: http://hardcore-christian.com/

12. Ann at: http://tonirand.wordpress.com/ I can never thank you enough for how you have inspired so many of us in the blogosphere!

The above are all awesome devotional blogs.

13. Lori at: http://marriagegems.com/ research based marriage tips. An awesome read!

14. Leaving the Fast Lane… at: http://lujos.wordpress.com/ 

15.  And Julian at: http://julian-hoffman.com/ He only blogs once in a while but his words taste like honey to my reading taste buds!

This award also requires that I tell you 7 things about myself. I’m not really sure why 7…maybe because it’s the number of completion. Whatever the reason I willingly acquiesce:

1. I come from a long line of musicians. At family reunions everyone used to bring their instrument and we would throw an impromptu band concert.

2. My first instrument is the flute( yeah my Dad told me it wasn’t very manly but I had a crush on my elementary school music teacher and the flute was her favorite). These days I stick primarily to piano and vocals.

3. I have been leading church worship since I was sixteen (that’s 28 years for all those of you trying to figure my age)

4. I have been pastoring since 1991.

5. I am pretty good with driving directions but you don’t want me leading on a hike through the mountains.; That’s a good way to end up on an episode of “I Shouldn’t Be Alive”; Just ask my kids!

6. I once had a youth group steal my car. Good thing they didn’t know how to drive stick!

7.  Hmmm….what else? Oh yeah chewing is my favorite form of exercise!

Thanks again Deb! 🙂

 

Pray! Give! Go! Pt. 3

      

Jesus came and told his disciples, “I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations,  baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”  Ma. 28:18-20 NLT

      I have no idea how anyone can be bored with life. Frustrated…sad…stressed…these I can understand, but bored? The world is too wacky a place, just now, for anyone to be bored.

     As part of our Missions Convention this year Pastor Risto asked every member of our congregation to ask God how He would have us to go into the world and preach the gospel. This is a novel idea for many of our parishioners. Prayer is one thing. Giving is even esteemed as something every true believer should do. BUT GO!? That’s really scary!

    Well Christianity is nothing if not an adventure; So yes every Christian should find a mission and go! Nothing changes a person like a mission. I have had the privilege to counsel summer camp and to travel on missions trips to the U.K. and Mexico.  At home I have been involved in street outreach, Youth Alive in the school system, and FamJam. Every experience has drawn me closer to Christ and has definitely  kept me from being bored! And with all that there is to do in the world every one of us can find some mission that will fit our talents, health, and agility. My father-in-law’s ninety year old mother makes cookies for her church’s van outreach. If that ain’t mission I don’t know what is!

     This year I think I am heading back to summer camp. I asked one of our missionaries if I could help him with music next August. I’m already warming my voice up!

Where would God have you go?

Post a Day For NaNoWriMo

    I am almost to the place where I am posting everyday now anyway; So I thought I would take WordPress up on their new challenge and start posting every single day no skipsees for the next month in honor of National Novel Writing Month. Some days I might even use their writing prompts!

   Hey see you tomorrow!

JE

Fallready?

      Wow! Did that summer blow by or what? It seems like just yesterday I was laying down the raised beds in the pseudo-Elizabethan garden and trimming the rose bushes out of the apple tree. Could it possibly be two months since I went to Maine and

lamented that I couldn’t stay for Moxie Day?

     I’m not ready for fall! Autumn cannot  be here! Yet all the signs point to it.

    Tina and I dropped the girls off to college last week. Joe starts his classes at Valley Forge today. So the autumn hush has returned

     to the world. This tell-tale rhythm, of things slowing down as the kids are once again occupied with their adult lives, smacks of the changing season. 

     The summer flowers fade. The bees grow quiet as the evenings turn cool. The golden rod  explodes its sniffly pollen into the chilly breezes that have replaced the summer wind. Mom and Uncle Tom sound like trumpet swans as the evenings tickle their noses and throats with yellow dust that blows in waves across the town. In every roadside crack and crevice autumn flowers poke their noses and heads forth to let us know that the time of dying is here again.

    I know fall is here because that sense of nostalgic hope is back too. It comes as things wilt and pass away, that acknowledgement that this is how it’s supposed to be…the constant ebbing and flowing tide of life. The season makes me look back with longing for what was and forward to what will lie ahead when winter’s grip lays dormant the land I have only just begun to work.

    I am not ready for the season change, but I know it’s time has come. I am laying up the winter sauce and blanching out the beans and squash. The smell of boiling butternut, oregano, basil, garlic, and stewing tomatoes fills every nook and crevice in our kitchen.

     A week ago I was not even aware of any of these things. I may have passed them all by and never once thought of them as the signs of summer’s end. I probably could have forgotten that school, golden rod, or stewing tomatoes meant the beginning of fall. It’s been nice enough that I could have convinced myself that summer had no end… or at the very least it was not near. But here in New England there is one sign none of us can ignore; As certain as the robin means spring or snow fly signals winter, in New England it is the leaves that tell us the time has come. It’s why we call it FALL.

Pooh Is Dangerous!

    Last week, my sister asked me to go to see Winnie the Pooh with her. I agreed as long as she consented to come see , Cowboys and Aliens with me. She said she wanted to see it anyway….So I was stuck.

     As we approached the ticket booth I felt my palms get a little sweaty as I realized I was going to have to tell the teenage ticket sales girl that I wanted tickets for the kiddie show. I handed her my money and felt slightly cheated by the fact that I was paying full price for a movie that was only half the length of every other show in the theater. But you can’t fight city hall as they say; So  I bought my Blue-ras-cherry slushy and my raisinets and prepared for an hour of cartoon frivolity.

     Little did I know Winnie the Pooh is dangerous!  Something happened to me in that show. I think I was hypnotized by subliminal messaging somewhere between the loss of Eeyore’s tail and the fight against the Backsun! I haven’t been able to stop looking up Pooh quotes since! They keep rattling around like fluff in an understuffed pillow!…See?!? I find myself going to the internet and looking up new Pooh thoughts  compulsively. I don’t know what I am going to do!

     Anyway I now realize that Pooh is a philosopher on an equal plain with Socrates and Plato and he makes better use of multi-media. Here is my favorite quote so far…

When you are a Bear of Very Little Brain, and Think of Things, you find sometimes that a Thing which seemed very Thingish inside you is quite different when it gets out into the open and has other people looking at it.
— Pooh’s Little Instruction Book, inspired by A. A. Milne

Go ahead and see if you can find a better quote for an inspiring writer!

Killing Judgy

     You have heard about my sarcasm bone, but have you met my alternate personality? I call him Judgy and every once in a while when my ire is up he comes out.

     For most of my life I was unaware of his existence. I really thought I was a sweet person. Then I started writing.

     I have come to know this Judgy character pretty well as I have reread my drafts. You may think my wit is a little biting in print…but you should see the things I don’t publish!

     The pieces that don’t make the cut have titles like “Sorry or Just Plain Sad”  or the piece I was working on today “Until It Happens To You”. I got the blog finished. Then I proof read  it and said “Oh surely not!” I trashed it realizing Judgy had struck again.

     It’s not that I totally disagree with him, mind you. Sometimes Judgy makes good points; It’s the way he makes them that leaves a little bit to be desired. Just an aside, anytime you read a blog and things around you begin to spontaneously combust, it’s probably not a good thing.

     So Judgy has to go. He must be assimilated and his more vitriolic qualities must be done away with. I want to speak the truth but with love alone. I suppose he’s not just going to keel over dead tomorrow though. So if everyone once in a while Judgy pops out please accept my apology in advance!

If you had an alternate personality what would it be called?