Landshark!

There is an old Saturday Night Live skit where Chevy Chase dresses in a big shark costume and rings the doorbells of unsuspecting women. Once they answer, he attacks them as a "landshark." Naturally, some people are more savvy and don't answer, so he is forced to claim he is a delivery person or a girl scout selling cookies, until they answer.

[Scene: A New York apartment. Someone knocks on the door.]
Woman: [not opening the door] Yes?
Voice: (mumbling) Mrs. Arlsburgerhhh?
Woman: What?
Voice: (mumbling) Mrs. Johannesburrrr?
Woman: Who is it?
Voice: [pause] Flowers.
Woman: Flowers for whom?
Voice: [long pause] Plumber, ma'am.
Woman: I don't need a plumber. You're that clever shark, aren't you?
Voice: [pause] Candygram.
Woman: Candygram, my foot. You get out of here before I call the police. You're the shark, and you know it.
Voice: Wait. I-I'm only a dolphin, ma'am.
Woman: A dolphin? Well...okay. [opens door]
[Huge latex and foam-rubber shark head lunges through open door, chomps down on woman's head, and drags her out of the apartment, all while the Jaws attack music is playing.]

I've been working for the past week and a half delivering flowers, which means a lot of ringing door bells and pounding on doors. Here are some things I've learned:

• There are some really beautiful neighborhoods tucked away in Anne Arundel County
• There are also some scary ghettos, especially by Fort Meade
• You can order a flower delivery to a specific gravesite on Memorial Day
• People's first reaction to getting flowers is to ask me who they are from, as if I know all the details of their personal life. (I don't take the orders, and I certainly don't read the cards!)
  
• Men who are in the doghouse really do order flowers for their ladies
• "Bad" neighbors will keep flowers, candy baskets, etc. and never tell the rightful owners that they accepted them on their behalf
• All the funeral homes have special places to store flowers until the viewing rooms are ready. At least one funeral home washes their hearse each and every day to keep a respectful shine for your deceased loved one.
  
• This job is way more interesting than I realized it would be.

I'm still working part-time for Severn River Church, and I'm still filling out applications and sending resumes out (which sometimes feels like a full-time job in itself). Keep praying for me!

The Psalms

Can you imagine what the Bible would be like without the Psalms? I've been reading The Message lately, and I particularly enjoy the unique take on the Psalms. I was thinking recently that the Psalms have probably become my favorite book of the Bible over the last few years. I used to prefer the poetic imagery of Isaiah; then, I found the straightforward exhortation of James to be practical. I typically read Acts at least once a year, the Gospels frequently, and Leviticus--well, only if I have to.

But no other book is like the Psalms. Whole portions of the Bible are narrative, dogmatic, or prophetic, but very little of the Bible is man's own response to God. David and the other psalmists expressed every human emotion openly and authentically to God in music. Anger, bitterness, fear, frustration, desperation, and disappointment--these line up right along with joy, gratitude, forgiveness, comfort, confidence, peace, and praise. If all the rest of the Bible describes God's revelation of Himself to man, the Psalms record man's revelation of his own encounter with God.

If the Bible didn't have the Psalms right in the middle, imagine how limited Christian practice would be.

The Blessings

Lately, I've been amazed by the ways that God blesses me. I try to be obedient to the Lord, and then stay out of His way, because He often does things that I would never anticipate.

This week I've been pretty busy, because I'm currently working two jobs! Severn River Church has hired me to work part time for them this summer, working on outreach and evangelism. So far, that has kept me busy on the internet. As I keep getting into it, it presents more decisions and questions, so it's definitely interesting. I'm very excited about it.

My second job is delivering flowers for A Blooming Basket (located on Veteran's Highway). My sister works there already, and through a friendship with the owners, they've offered me temp work - first, working at the mall kiosk selling flowers, and then as a delivery person when the regular delivery man has some medical leave. So, I'm one of the "pink people" driving around town in a pink delivery van in my pink uniform shirt and pink ball cap with the embroidered logo. It's very relaxing to deliver flowers. I drive around in the car by myself, singing at the top of my lungs to the radio, checking out all the beautiful homes in the area, with such pretty lawns and gardens. I just have to watch my driving, so no one calls to complain about my speed or failure to signal.

I'm also lining up some summer speaking engagements for pastors who are taking vacation time. That's especially fun for me. I always love the opportunity to preach, and in places where the congregations already know me, it makes for a nice reunion.

So, all that to say that I'm tired, and I'll try to get to the blog more often in the next few weeks.

Have You Missed Me?

Sorry that I've been incommunicado lately.

Last Sunday - I preached for a minister friend on vacation. I drove to Winchester afterward for District Council

Monday - I was at District Council, where Larry Hickey reminded us that we ministers need to quit whining.

Tuesday - District Council presents me more food for thought: being "cool" is the new idol of the Church

Wednesday - Driving home from Winchester put me into the local area just in time to go to my favorite temp job--working at the mall at a kiosk.

Thursday - People watching at the mall always gives me something that amuses me, something that shocks me, and lots of friends to visit with.

Friday - I had a job interview in Clinton, MD which isn't over yet. I still have to pass the "practical" French test on a conference call with a native French speaker (I hope he'll call this weekend).

My week has been pretty busy, and it's not over yet. I'll be back at the computer posting regularly though, now that I'm home and able to squeeze in a few minutes between shifts at the mall.