Take Fifty!
Well, hello there! It’s Monday again! ALL DAY! :D Sneaky little things; just keep coming around.
Last week we stepped into Pleasant Point Community Church in the middle of the rolling Sandhills of Nebraska and instantly, I was transported back in time to my growing up years. I can’t accurately explain the feeling of nostalgia and tenderness that overcame me. Yes, it was the smell and the carpet and and the orange pews and the two offices on the wings of the stage and the blue baptismal hidden behind the linen curtains and the library of books available to check out and the cement block basement… But it was also so much more.
We came to Mitchell Berean when I was seven years old. The parsonage was one block south in the same limestone brick style as the church. We had free reign from church to home and back again. And when we figured out how to adjust our bike riding skills from the pot holed dirt driveways of the ranch to the paved streets in the big city (pop. 1200), we could also go back and forth to the pool.
I loved our home but I really loved the church.
It had a big wooden ramp built outside off the front staircase which was really great for building up speed in a footrace. My brother and I had back to front hurdle races over the pew backs when no one was lookin’. I caught and collected “church bugs” (boxelders) in the basement, always trying to best my record of 103. I would sing and dance on the stage regardless if anyone was looking. I wandered the whole place, often lost in whatever story was in my head that day.
The baptismal was normally covered with plywood. Because they didn’t want anyone falling in? Or for an additional storage area? Or some other reason a kid wasn’t privy to know? But I thought it was there on which to tap dance. It made the perfect hollow noise because it was empty underneath. So tap dance is just what I did! Every day, sliding my bare feet all the different ways, doing the moves I’d only ever seen in movies checked out from the town library.
Tip.
Tap.
Slide.
Smile.
Tip.
Tap.
Slide.
Smile.
Until one day when I didn’t realize that all my tipping and tapping had worked a nail lose from the ol’ board and with one tip.tap.slide, the top of that nail found it’s way into the bottom of my sole.
It’s not the only accident I had.
There was the “Baked Potato Incident of 1994” when I finally convinced mom I was old enough and mature enough to walk the one block home, put the potatoes in the oven for Sunday dinner, and walk right back to service. And then proceeded to drop the pot holder on the blazing hot oven element which immediately started an actual fire and had me calling the church land line [623-2320; still remember it] and telling the elder who answered that “The parsonage is on fire!” To which he responded by going into service where my dad was preaching and yelling my phone message to the whole congregation. My mom ran so fast, she ran right out of her Sunday best shoes, and put out the fire with a few smacks of a dishtowel.
Mom used the ‘Delayed Bake’ option from there on out.
And then there was the time after we had moved to the country when my parents said I was too tired to go to Youth Group so I leaned hard into my rebellion and left a note with something to the effect of “you have your ministry and I have mine” and began walking the 5+ miles to town. (They picked me up 20 minutes later and drove me in.)
But more than anything else what I remember is how God became so real and personal to me there. In that space, I learned to know Him. I learned how to study His Word. I learned I was not alone; there were other people walking faithfully with the Lord all around me. I learned that mistakes could be met with grace and eventually…laughter. I learned that there was no where else I would rather be than wherever God wanted me to be.
God used that church (building + people) in Mitchell, Nebraska to build into the very threads of my being— showing and teaching me His ways in a wonderful, imperfect, grace-filled way.
And I’m forever grateful.
Lamentations 3:22- The faithful love of the Lord never ends.
Love on your church’s staff kids, this week, okay friends? They need you to show up for them. They need to be seen. They need to be cherished. They need to be believed and cheered and discipled. Spoil them, even, if you can. Disregard their nose rings. Ignore the too heavy eyeliner. Look past the ways they dress in combat boots, long denim skirts, and fishnet stockings. God is doing a work in them; fan that flame!
What I’m Reading:
(*each book linked to purchase @Books-A-Million, an affiliate partner!)
Nonfiction Morning Read:
Gentle & Lowly by Dane Ortlund - This is one to take s-l-o-w-l-y; perfect for a summer morning. Beautifully written and an incredible read so far. Almost done with this one!
Next on the list:
The Lazy Genius Way by Kendra Adachi - equips you to be a genius about what matters and lazy about what doesn't. #hereforit
Afternoon Poolside Read:
The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern - chronologically complicated and interweaving plotlines, wide-eyed descriptions of ever-changing labyrinths, a turn-of-the-20th-century European setting and a forbidden love practically swelling with Hollywood appeal. But perhaps most importantly, it creates a fantastical world so fully imagined and captivating, one cannot help but be swept along for the ride.
**We shall see on this ^. Not usually my style but recommended by a trusted source. Will let you know next week!
Update from last week’s book: This was an amazing read. Wow. I inhaled it last week. So you’re aware: I did learn how to say a few cuss words in French as a result and now I feel pretty hardcore.
Code Name Helene by Ariel Lawhon - "A novel based on the real life story of socialite spy Nancy Wake, about the astonishing woman who killed a Nazi with her bare hands and went on to become one of the most decorated women in WWII."
TODAY: June 14 - Jordan Valley Girls Camp - for any young lady in grades 7-12 in the eastern Iowa region— CLICK HERE to stay updated
August 20-21 - Mitchell Berean Church, Mitchell, NE - CLICK HERE
August 27-28 - North Pointe, Lincoln, NE - CLICK HERE
September 17-18 - Colby Berean, Colby, KS
October 8-9- Marysville Berean, Marysville, KS
October 22-23- Berean Bible Church, Grand Island, NE
November 5-6 - Crete Berean, Crete, NE
December 3-4 - Sonrise Church, Torrington, WY
January 14-15, 2022 - Columbia, Kentucky
March 4-5, 2022 - Imperial Berean, Imperial, NE
April 1-2, 2022- Sandhills Community Church, Mullen, NE
April 29-30, 2022 - Grenada, California
For 2022 booking information, please email dianemathis85@gmail.com!
Podcast Parables | Season 4 | Episode 9 | A Berean
Podcast Parables values exploration & interaction with the Bible and an encouragement to go back to it yourself to see what is really written there. Which is exactly where our story will begin today! In Acts 17, Paul arrives at Berea and finds a group of believers committed to doing just that! This is their story. Enjoy.
It’s a party & you’re invited!
We are nearing the Podcast Parables one-year birthday party and I would love for you to be involved! Whether you’ve listened to one or to everysingleepisode please click this link and leave a quick voice message to share your excitement!
((Warning: I reserve the right to use for the bday show in a few weeks!))