Spare Change

Two ladies joined me for the most recent Gather Ground discussion!  We relaxed around the table in my freshly painted dining room and powered through some serious brownies and some excellent conversations.  The main theme for the week was the concept of strengthening our inner selves to be prepared for outward changes.  We all admitted that although we get genuinely excited for change, when we are actually going through a transitional period - we tend to stress.  The scripture we read from 2 Corinthians reminds us that even when life gets chaotic, God has our best interest in mind and there is always a bigger picture that is better and more important than whatever we are facing in a particular moment.  That said, we discussed all kinds of changes:

THE EVOLUTION OF A FRIENDSHIP
Whether it was a childhood best friend or a husband, we mulled over the relationships in our lives that have started out strong and unquestionable and gradually evolved to very complicated situations.  On the contrary we also celebrated some of the more distant relationships that through chance and life circumstances have grown very close.  Do you confide in the same people that you would have a few years ago?  

MOVING WEST
One of the ladies that joined us this week has been swept up in a romance that could easily translate into a summer blockbuster.  She swooned and gushed about all the details of her blooming love and myself and the other attendee soaked it up like a good novel.  We are both married and couldn't help but reminisce about how we met our respective husbands.  Isn't there something so exciting about new love!  Isn't there something even more exciting about love that sticks?  Well, our head-over-heels friend is taking a leap and moving to Utah where her new boyfriend resides.  We chatted about all the details she will have to sort out in order to make a cross-country move, "ideally with whatever she can fit in her Oldsmobile."  What's the biggest move you have ever made?  Was it worth it?

IT'S A HUSKY THING
I broke a Gather Ground rule.  I let a baby come to the meeting.  Moms, please do not get all excited - I have not changed the rule.  I merely bent the rule for a friend who expressed true interest in attending; whose baby is so well-behaved it's brag-worthy.  None the less, both ladies that joined me this time are husky owners and we discovered that both their dogs have a sincere affection for babies.  So I'm going to go on a limb and assume that most huskies like babies.  #strangebuttrue  Does your pet love something in particular?  My pit bulls just love the toy recycling bin.

STANDING OUT
It seems to be a recurring theme at Gather Ground meetings that we end up discussing work.  We have talked about feeling stuck at a job, too good for a job, co-worker drama, etc.  This week we wandered into a chat about how drastically different job-searches are today.  It used to be a process of physically dropping off a resume at a company and following up with phone calls (to real people.)  You typically got to represent yourself and make an impression and businesses were inclined to treat you like a real person.  Now it seems like resumes are just a series of fill-in-the-blanks that get electronically submitted to a computer somewhere that decides whether or not you deserve to be recognized at all.  Plus, it can be really hard to look good on paper!  Networking seems to be our best bet for getting a foot in the door at a decent company; that and relentless attempts at communication.  Has anyone ever had a successful experience with submitting their resume online?  What's your best networking advice?

Overall we felt reassured that even though changes are challenging and somewhat unpredictable, they make our lives exciting!  High risk decisions have landed each of us some highly rewarding results.  Likewise, we are certain that our inner strength is what propels us to success despite our circumstances.  

Please choose one of the topical questions above and answer in the comments below!

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PRAYER REQUESTS

Please feel free to email me privately any prayer requests you may have.

I will/do pray for you. 

 

 

Cha-Cha-Change

The Starting Point this week coincides directly with my state of mind lately.  I skipped a week of Gather Ground due to some unfortunate changes that swept through my life, and now a few weeks later it appears there are even more monumental changes in my path!  Such is life! So in honor of change, and what it does for our growth and character, I have chosen the following scripture and anecdote to spur us on towards a true appreciation for the ups and downs of life.

2 Corinthians 4:16-18 (The Message Version)
"So we’re not giving up. How could we! Even though on the outside it often looks like things are falling apart on us, on the inside, where God is making new life, not a day goes by without his unfolding grace. These hard times are small potatoes compared to the coming good times, the lavish celebration prepared for us. There’s far more here than meets the eye. The things we see now are here today, gone tomorrow. But the things we can’t see now will last forever."

Anecdote from The Art of Becoming Oneself by James P. Brennan Ph.D.
"A renowned Buddhist teacher from the eighth century, named Shantideva, utilized a simple yet profound analogy to illuminate this point.  He compared the external conditions of life to the surface of the earth, which contains many rocks, thorns and other hazards by covering the entire world with animal hides, he taught that the protection we seek could be achieved merely by the amount of leather it takes to cover our feet.  If we know how to keep our feet covered, we can walk anywhere.  Likewise, the most direct and efficient way to prepare ourselves to deal with the adverse conditions of the outer world is to cultivate our best inner qualities.  In this sense, we learn to cover our feet through greater understanding, mindfulness, patience, humility, kindness and courage."

Join me Saturday at any point between 10am and 2pm for coffee, brownies and a healthy dose of good ol' fashioned girl-time.  We need to be connecting face-to-face and encouraging one another to laugh more and smile in times of adversity.  Gather Ground is for all ladies - just email me if you need directions or more info.  Parking can be confusing, but I assure you it is always possible and my dogs will be confined for those who are canine-cautious.  I look forward to spending time with all of you! Let's stay strong and beautiful together.  Let's Gather Ground.

Note: I am also going to add a current event topic each week to encourage more online feedback.  Check back for the Discussion Summary for the topic we tackle this week.  Hint: Someone very famous is retiring!

It's For You!

Discussion #6 took place a little over a week ago and the summary has been floating around in my head.  I hadn't gotten a chance to sit down and filter it out onto paper (or the keyboard) until today, but as I sit here I'm reminded that this is Easter week so I decided to do a brief summary coupled with a thoughtful devotion.  Here we go!

DO WE REALLY HAVE CONTROL?
Most of our discussion last week reflected on our tendencies to feel isolated, overwhelmed and nostalgic.  We unpacked how difficult it is to simply 'give it to God' and trust Him with key areas of our lives.  With only one attendee, it was exciting to have a more intimate conversation about how God has provided cars and jobs and relationships time and again.  While it is easy to get overwhelmed with life, it is important to recognize that most of life is actually out of our control and that is why having a loving God who is in control is so essential. The verse below encouraged me that God is trustworthy and can definitely handle my little problems:

Psalm 62:5-8 
Find rest, O my soul, in God alone; my hope comes from him. He alone is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will not be shaken. My salvation and my honor depend on God; he is my mighty rock, my refuge. Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge.

LAST MINUTE
Another point we touched on was how frustrating and disappointing it can be to experience the dreaded 'last minute cancellation.'  We have all experienced this insensitive act of someone bailing on plans with little to no advance notice.  I hate to admit that I have done this to others a time or two.  (I'm sorry!)  Unfortunately text messaging has made this deed even easier to commit without much guilt.  Let us all be reminded that unless you have a true life-change, most cancellations can be tactfully handled with advance notice.  Last minute bail-outs are a essentially just a quick way to show someone how selfish you are.

EASTER SPECIAL  
Now... I'm going to preach a little, so hold on, read on, and comment below!

This week people all around the world will be recognizing that pivotal moment in time when Jesus entrusted his life to his Father in Heaven and completed what no other man could accomplish: death on a cross and resurrection from the dead, atoning for the sins of all men.

Romans 5:19 
For as by one man's disobedience (Adam) many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one (Jesus) shall many be made righteous.

"It's For You!" is a phrase that I have heard shouted a million times from 2 different places.  It was either my mom/dad/sister shouting that someone was on the phone for me, or it was a pastor in a pulpit exclaiming that salvation is for me.  First, let me say that I intend on getting a land-line installed so that my daughter gets to experience the joys and frustrations of telecommunication and so I can personally screen her phone calls.  Second, as many times as I have heard the 'salvation message,' I think it took an abnormal amount of times for it to really sink in to my heart and soul and become a reality that truly changes everything for me.  Now I feel as though it's essential to spread the news.  "It's For You! It's For You! Read All About IT!"  I want to shout and hand out Bibles and hug the people I pass in the grocery store or at the hospital and explain to them that Jesus intends to save them.  In an effort to avoid getting arrested, I stifle myself and resolve to being really friendly.  I think that's all most people can handle initially.

But really... if you don't gather anything else from this edition of Gather Ground, please chew on this:
Jesus was a real man who really died in a horrific way, and really rose in a miraculous way.
It seems like history, but it is a current event.  Jesus currently lives and saves lives.
It's not about being perfect or doing all the right things, it's as simple as a phone call...
It's for you!  Pick up, have a conversation.

What if your phone rings?  Do you rush off to shower and do your hair?  Do you put on your Sunday best and clean the house?  NO!  You just answer it!  Whether you're in bed, or hungover, or sick, or in your sweats... whether you are driving, or working, or writing a paper.  That's how Jesus works.  He's calling you - just as you are.  Pick up.

Tomorrow I'll post a brief introduction of our topical discussion for this Saturday April 19th.  I know it is a holiday weekend, but Gather Ground will carry on as usual.  Sometimes we need to get away from the hustle and bustle of holiday madness and just appreciate one another (and a brownie).  
Stay tuned!

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PRAYER REQUESTS

Please feel free to email me privately any prayer requests you may have.

I will/do pray for you.

Thank God for the Reign

Hi Ladies! I must apologize for my lack of summary post for the Can I Get an "Amen" discussion.  Due to a combination of sickness and technological difficulties (i.e. The blue screen of death) everything in my life seemed to get slightly de-railed.  Luckily, 3 lovely ladies did join me a few weeks ago and we enjoyed a relaxing discussion about the power of prayer. We wandered onto various other topics including:

• Where & when we find it easiest to pray everyday
• Trying to be a good influence to others
• The concept of a community garden
• Poetry & theater
• Hormones in our food
• Great places to eat in Bethlehem

Tomorrow is Discussion #6 and I want to keep it simple.
I didn't really prepare much, but I'd like to encourage each of you to consider how much of life is truly out of our control. How do we deal with that hard reality? When have we learned to let God reign? When have we had to trust in His sovereign plan?

This will be our discussion starter and I'll add verses to the summary.

Remember: Join at any time, for any amount of time; the doors are open from 10-2.  Brownies, apples and coffee are all free while supplies last. Gather Ground is for all ladies - just email me if you need directions or more info.  Parking can be confusing, but I assure you it's always possible and my dogs will be confined for those who are canine-cautious.  I look forward to spending time with all of you!

Can I Get an "Amen" ?

Discussion #6 will begin and end with Prayer

It's been a delight to research different aspects of the Christian Faith and share them with ladies over the past couple of months.  Encouragement, Enlightenment and even some Good Humor have all been fruits of our rapid-fire discussions.  This week we'll be doing a word study along with our usual scripture reading and light-hearted discussion.  The word of the week is (drum roll please...) "Amen."

Come join us for any amount of time between 10am and 2pm this Saturday March 22nd.  My dogs will be contained in the kitchen, the brownies will be fresh from the oven and I will make as much coffee as it takes for you to feel awake.  Gather Ground is a safe and encouraging place where your point of view and your presence are always valued.  If you need directions, have questions or just want to put in a prayer request: email me and I'll get back to you ASAP.

VERSE - Philippians 4:6-7
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

WORD STUDY - Amen
Definition:

• at the beginning of a discourse - surely, truly, of a truth

• at the end - so it is, so be it, may it be fulfilled. It was a custom, which passed over from the synagogues to the Christian assemblies, that when he who had read or discoursed, had offered up solemn prayer to God, the others responded Amen, and thus made the substance of what was uttered their own.

The word "amen" is a most remarkable word. It was transliterated directly from the Hebrew into the Greek of the New Testament, then into Latin and into English and many other languages, so that it is practically a universal word. It has been called the best known word in human speech. The word is directly related -- in fact, almost identical -- to the Hebrew word for "believe" (amam), or faithful. Thus, it came to mean "sure" or "truly", an expression of absolute trust and confidence.

*Source: Biblestudytools.com > Greek lexicon

Four-Ever Grateful

Last weekend Gather Ground welcomed 3 new faces!  There is something so thrilling about a Gather Ground Meeting Day because I never know who is going to join me or when they're going to show up!  For some, this scenario may be a nightmare, but for me the unpredictability is energizing.  There were three 'shift-changes' (2ppl, then 3ppl, then 4ppl, then 2ppl) this past Saturday, each of which took on a different kind of conversation which made the hours fly by.  

If there's anything I'd like ladies to gain from this week's post, it's that all women have something unique to contribute to a group setting.  Whether you're young, old, excitable or reserved - you have a voice and deserve to be heard.  Listening is a big part of Gather Ground.  Some people just need to know they've been heard; that someone cares; that there are other people out there striving for what's good and right.  Check out our summary of discussion points below from Discussion #5 and chime in as you see fit in the comment area.  You're participation is greatly appreciated!  Thanks for sticking with us and reading along.  I hope it refreshes you!  I hope it's a bright spot in your day or week.

LENT & FASTING
After delivering a brief summary of the history of Lent and proclaiming my personal decision to practice Lent this year, we found ourselves analyzing the concept of fasting on a whole.  Most people participate in Lent (the 40 days before Easter - not including Sundays) by giving up something.  However, the concept is best portrayed by not only giving up something - but replacing that presumably 'fruitless' thing with something meaningful (i.e. prayer and meditation on scripture).  Some participants were happy to know more about Lent, but felt no need to participate.  Other participants had recently fasted and found the whole practice to be very cleansing and enlightening.  I personally considered giving up bacon, but selfishly could not rationalize such a sacrifice.  Instead I'm giving up some sleep and adding a reflection time before bed each night - I'll keep you posted on how that affects my preparation for Easter. 

RIGHTS OF PASSAGE
How long does it take to gain favor at a place of work?  Sometimes when you start a new job it's obvious that there are some favorite employees.  While it's hard for managers not to play favorites based on personality or family ties, the lack of fairness can bewilder and demotivate otherwise committed and joyful employees.  Some of our ladies this week were facing this exact scenario and wondering what the secret is to overcoming the bias and lies that easily overshadow good work ethic.  Do we have to settle for situations that require us to compromise our personalities in order to gain a right of passage?  We all confirmed that there are plenty of opportunities out there where we can be properly appreciated and it's worth it to seek them out.

CRAFTS & CONSIGNMENTS
While a lot of people get excited about craft shows and consignment sales around the holiday season, we were all pumped up about them this week at Gather Ground.  Not only is this the kick off of Yard Sale season (can I get 3 cheers?!) but there are some really amazing craft shows and consignment sales hitting the Lehigh Valley in March and April.  One of our Gather Ground regulars is participating in her first official craft show this coming Saturday March 15th and we gabbed about her adorable preparations.  From a killer table display to finishing up some homemade sale items, craft shows require some real skills these days.  It's important to try and stand out in a sea of tables.  A children's consignment sale is coming up as well that a few of us are attending and we're preparing our lists of 'wanted' items so that we can be stealthy shoppers among the inevitable crowds that these kinds of events draw.  This will be my first consignment experience (in late March) and I can't wait to see what kind of chaos ensues!

CAREER PATH
We had an awesome surprise this week!  No, my dogs did not run away and get magically returned by a door-to-door salesperson (see Open Door Policy).  But one of our attendees brought her grandma along!  Yay for age diversity!  First, let me say that my love for old people is abnormal.  If I could adopt elderly men instead of children, I would.  Second, this woman was closer to my father's age than my own grandmother's so I'm going to express that she was not "old," just much older than any of the other ladies.  Her presence was refreshing and dynamic and she spoke of her past career of 35 years.  We all listened closely as she described the challenges, joys and adaptations she encountered at that job in the hospitality industry.  It seems like a fairytale to our generation to think of having a job at the same place for such a long time.  She also told of her humble beginnings of being a babysitter at the age of 12 so that she could buy her school clothing.  Wow.  I could have listened to her for hours.  May we never grow tired of hearing what the strong women in previous generations experienced.  We all appreciated her visit to Gather Ground.

MOVING ON

Moving on was definitely a theme this week.  When do we know that we need to move on from something that is poisonous in our lives?  Sometimes we cling to what hurts us.  Sometimes we grow fond of our weaknesses.  Sometimes we nurture our insecurities in unhealthy ways.  I've spoken with enough women to know that we all do this.  It's sad and frustrating, but it gives us the potential for growth if we're willing to fight through the vicious cycle.  I've seen women walk away from horrors that blinded and crippled them for years.  I've seen experienced women come alongside the weak and the terrified.  Gather Ground was a place of safety and strength this weak.  I pray that more women would know where to find a firm foundation.  God is our Father.  He loved us (like a father) before anyone else had a chance to define us, hurt us, reject us... I pray that women re-discover Him and know that His Love is where we begin again.  His Love gives us the strength to walk away from anything that has taken us captive, stolen our joy and defiled our hope.  He is the source of all beginnings.

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PRAYER REQUESTS

Please feel free to email me privately any prayer requests you may have.

I will/do pray for you. 

 

 

Good & Lenty

Discussion #5 will begin with an exploration of Lent

Many of us practice Lent and many of us are clueless about it!  I fell into the particularly 'clueless' category and did some research this week about what it is, when it began and how people participate in it today.  Come join us and familiarize yourself with Lent.  It's a beautiful practice that prepares our hearts for Easter!  Join us this Saturday March 8th and email me if you need details.  Otherwise, find our Starting Point below and enjoy!

VERSE - Isaiah 58:6-9
“Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen:
to loose the chains of injustice
    and untie the cords of the yoke,
to set the oppressed free
    and break every yoke?
⁷ Is it not to share your food with the hungry
    and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter—
when you see the naked, to clothe them,
    and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood?
⁸ Then your light will break forth like the dawn,
    and your healing will quickly appear;
then your righteousness^[a] will go before you,
    and the glory of the Lord will be your rear guard.
⁹ Then you will call, and the Lord will answer;
    you will cry for help, and he will say: Here am I.

ANECDOTE
Excerpt from "7" by Jen Hatmaker

Oh how we love our religious yokes, not for what they communicate about God, but what they say about us.  This is the kind of people we are.  We say "no" when everyone else says "yes."  We don't do that. We don't watch that. We don't vote that way.  We don't go there.  We don't include them.  But God's idea of a fast is less about what we're against and more about what we are for.
...
When we hear "fast" we put on a yoke of self-denial.  When God said "fast," He meant to take off the yoke of oppression.  The Isaiah 58 fast is not about mechanics of abstinence; it is a fast from self-obsession, greed, apathy, and elitism.  When it becomes more about me than the marginalized I've been charged to serve, I become the confused voice in this passage: "Why have I fasted and you have not seen it?"

Remember: Join at any time, for any amount of time; the doors are open from 10-2.  Brownies, apples and coffee are all free while supplies last. Gather Ground is for all ladies - just email me if you need directions or more info.  Parking can be confusing, but I assure you it's always possible and my dogs will be confined for those who are canine-cautious.  I look forward to spending time with all of you!

Open Door Policy

Better Late than Never!

^ While this used to be my motto for my 'monthly gift' - I am using it this week to rightly introduce my tremendously late re-cap of the last Gather Ground meeting which was FAR from boring and deserved true literary effort.  With that said, I am now committed to catching you all up on the discussion and calamity that commenced a few weeks ago.

The morning began with my perfectly cleaned home radiating the sweet aroma of freshly baked pineapple muffins and double chocolate brownies.  Two lovely guests arrived and we dove right into some parables.  We reviewed and revered the classic Good Samaritan story and pondered the value of the Kingdom of Heaven.  

V-DAY
The three of us reviewed our Valentine's Day experiences and collectively we determined that while chivalry may not be dead, we were all less than romantic this year.  The day comes down to an accurate ability to communicate expectations and agree upon them beforehand.  Follow through is essential.  This is every meaningful day in a nutshell, so feel free to share this 2-sentence wonder with your partner.  You're welcome. 

TOUGH TIMES
The discussion on pineapples was brief but sweet and then we all admitted that it had been a particularly trying week full of ups and downs.  It's important to remain positive, but in all reality sometimes life hits hard.  Job loss and job juggling together with financial burdens that seem all too 'grown up' make our efforts feel small and can leave us feeling drained.  At the end of the day it's crucial that we cut ourselves some slack and realize that if we did the best we could, then that's got to be enough.  Not to mention that most of the time, we (women) are harder on ourselves about our productivity than anyone who is directly relying on us. 

COME ON IN!
As my father always says "Just do the next thing, Sal... Just do the next right thing"
Sometimes that's the best approach... so when I noticed another female figure approach my door I was excited to open then door and invite her in even though she was just the door-to-door salesperson for RCN.  Normally I wouldn't be so hospitable to a salesperson while I was in the middle of a get together, but Gather Ground has an open door policy between 10 and 2.  So in she came and I got her settled on my couch with 'my most recent bill' for her reviewing pleasure.

SILENCE IS STRANGE
A few minutes went by before I realized that my dogs had not been quite as inviting.  They usually greet guests obnoxiously, but there was a strangely peaceful lull in the house and with one check of the back gate I realized that my dogs had escaped several minutes prior.  Turns out a faulty latch and a very windy day are a bad combination.  My stomach turned to a knot and the combination of coffee and brownies sent me buzzing into a silent panic. All of a sudden our Gather Ground meeting turned into an intense search for my wayward dogs.  Meanwhile there was a stranger sitting in my living room and I couldn't leave home because of my baby.  Confined to my house, I resolved to internalizing my anxiety and finished up my conference with the RCN woman as gracefully as I could.  I sent her on her way with a flyer (from when my dogs ran away last March) and a large piece of brownie.  She was very kind and expressed her remorse for my situation.  I fake-smiled and thanked her as she went on her way.

SEARCH PARTY
My husband, his friend and the Gather Ground Loyal (who has attended all meetings) took off to scour the neighborhood for Ringo and Fancy.  They're not smart dogs... as soon as they leave our backyard, they're lost.  Luckily my other attendee stuck around to ensure that I didn't have a nervous breakdown and took on the duty of caring for my sweet baby (who slept through this whole ordeal).  After about an hour of high tension and lots of prayer, we were informed that my husband had found Ringo but not Fancy.  That's when I got the phone call from the RCN girl checking in to see if we'd found them.  "Wow" I thought, "she's actually looking and helping!"  She then re-routed to go back to the area where Ringo was found in hopes to find Fancy.  Meanwhile, hunger and exhaustion had defeated my search team and I was mentally processing how many flyers I would have to put up and how many rescues/vets I would have to call to find Fancy.  I was just praying that she was unharmed. 

Sure enough another hour goes by and I get another phone call from the RCN girl: "I've got Fancy!!!" she exclaimed.  Turns out she saw Fancy slip under someone's back gate and she had taken it upon herself to knock on their door and retrieve my dog from them!  What are the chances?!  The girl was even kind enough to bring Fancy home.  I ended up upgrading my internet and cable in appreciation.

Moral of the story?
The open door policy of Gather Ground probably saved my dogs' lives.
My back gate is now being triple checked until we can install a spring-load closure.
Prayers ALWAYS work, one way or another.
God's timing is impecable and miraculous.
RCN has the best customer service.

I'm sorry you missed our exciting 'discussion' - but I hope you've enjoyed the summary!  Join us if you can this week anytime from 10-2 on Saturday.  I'll be posting our Starting Point on Thursday.  Thanks for reading and enjoying the conversation with us!

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PRAYER REQUESTS

Please feel free to email me privately any prayer requests you may have.

I will/do pray for you.

Fables & Fruit

Discussion #4 will be based on the Parables and Pineapples

If you've been keeping up with Gather Ground then you know that I love alliteration.  Therefore, when I decided to make this week's Starting Point about Parables I was pondering what concept combination might be particularly well-paired with the stories shared by Jesus in the New Testament.  Initially for the sake of alliteration, I settled on the topic of Pineapples!  It's random, I know, but then upon doing some research on the luxurious fruit (that I am undoubtedly allergic to upon consumption), it seemed like an excellent pairing.  Join us for an undoubtedly unconventional chat this Saturday the 22nd as we unpack our favorite parables and dine on some delicious pineapple muffins, fresh pineapple and the usual brownies and coffee.  Remember: Join at any time, for any amount of time, the doors are open from 10-2, and I don't care if I've never met you, Gather Ground is for all ladies - just email me if you need directions or more info.

VERSE

B.Y.O.P. - There are over 40 parables told by Jesus in the New Testament.
Pick your favorite and be prepared to share it with the group.
Not familiar with parables? Don't have a favorite?  Don't have a Bible?  Don't panic.
Where to find a Parable: Matthew & Luke have the most parables and there are a few scattered in the books of Mark & Thomas (and Google knows where they all are)

ANECDOTE

A few interesting facts about Pineapple:

Pineapples, like tomatoes, spread around the world so thoroughly because they were kept on board ships to ward of scurvy in sailors.

One pineapple plant produces only one pineapple every 2 years.

Pineapple canneries use every bit of the pineapple. The skins, core and end portions are used to make a variety of products including vinegar, alcohol and animal food.

Bromelain is an enzyme contained in pineapple which breaks down proteins. This enzyme isn't only good for your digestion of protein but it also means you can use pineapple juice as a meat tenderizer.

There are over 2,000 plants in the Bromeliad Family and the Pineapple is the only one with edible fruit.

Keywords & Beginning Thoughts:

Parable / Analogy / Lesson / Pineapple / Complexity / Unique

There are several instances in the New Testament when Jesus responds to a question with a Parable rather than a straight answer.  He was always trying to explain things to men in a way that made them think and often tying the meaning directly to Old Testament laws and scriptures.  As if men never really understood the weight of the questions they asked and the complexity of a proper answer.  I love reading through the various parables and gaining new insight each time I read them.  I'm excited to see which ones you are drawn to and why!  Likewise, I never quite appreciated how complex pineapples are!  Just like the New Testament, they are sweet and rich in history.  Also, I learned that a pineapple is not necessarily one fruit, but a conglomerate of 100s of fruits packed tightly together; kind of like all the short bits in the Gospels.  Pineapples have represented affluence, beauty and hospitality among other things.  They are an analogy in themselves.  Let's partake in the tangy delight and digest the Word of God together this week!  Gather Ground!

Check back on Tuesday for the Discussion Highlights and to Continue the Conversation!
Comment below if you have anything specific you'd like brought up on Saturday but you know you cannot physically attend, otherwise, wait to pitch in your thoughts till Tuesday.  Either way, your contribution will be accepted with glee.

Sources: 
http://www.kingoffruit.com.au/fun-pineapple-facts.html
http://faculty.ucc.edu/biology-ombrello/pow/pineapple.htm
http://catholic-resources.org/Bible/Parables.htm

The Short Version

Busy Bees!

Thank you to everyone who communicated with me this past week!  There are many of you that are excited about, contributing to and planning on attending Gather Ground.  I praise God for the growing numbers that seem to be sincerely interested in the idea of a group that strives to bring women together that are all set on the same goals: social satisfaction, positive energy and genuine individual growth.  Note: I do not take it personally if you cannot make it to the physical meeting.  This past weekend was a busy one for many of us and again there was only one attendee - but what a wonderful discussion we had!  It was long-winded, deep-rooted and juicy as can be.  This week's summary will be brief, but feel free to continue the conversation with your comments below and/or email me your prayer requests.  Many prayers are being emailed and answered so please don't hesitate to contribute or reach out for support on that level.

EVERYTHING AT ONCE
Doesn't it seem like life always happens all at once?  The doorbell rings while you're on the toilet, just as the timer rings to take the brownies out of the oven; the baby wakes up from her nap and your mother-in-law is calling you too?  Don't get me wrong: I love visitors, I love brownies, my baby is an angel, and my mother-in-law is a saint... but even good things happening all at once can be mind-boggling.  So we roll with the flow and juggle through the moment, but what about when a whole season of your life feels this way?  What then?  How do you handle it?  How do you root yourself in wisdom and feel secure moving forward?  We discussed all of this on Saturday and decided that it's simply imperative to appreciate the little things.  It's also crucial to remember that we go through seasons and generally if we loosen up a little bit and don't try to control the "weather" we will endure the season much more gracefully.  Winter will end... Spring will arrive and there are pros and cons to both.  Let's accept that. *sigh of relief*

WHAT IS A WOMAN?
Let me clarify that God created men AND women to be beautiful, valuable & healthy.  But I think women overlook the fact that they are made this way.  It's obvious to all that men and women are very different creatures.  And let's face it, us ladies are nice to look at.  I would say that's because God made us this way.  Our culture has many definitions of beautiful, valuable and healthy - but God accepts us just as we are and leads us to have loving hearts, wise minds and hospitable homes and what combination could be more beautiful, valuable and healthy than this?

NAKED WITHOUT IT
Alright ladies, this week we had a great little chat about what we feel naked without.  When you leave the house is there something that you never forget?  Earrings? Mascara? Your iPhone?  Is there something that you wear or carry that gives you confidence?  My very best friend has a certain T-Shirt that she claims is the ultimate lucky shirt.  Good things happen when she wears it!  Another friend has a pair of special earrings that instantly boost her self-confidence.  Oddly enough, my pastor spoke about this in his sermon this Sunday while referencing a segment from the Song of Songs where the gentlemen author is explaining (in so many words) that if his woman needs some nice earrings to feel good about herself... then he'll get them for her!  Regardless of his firm opinion that she is gorgeous without them; it's true that women tend to find confidence in silly little accessories.  And what happens when those things go missing? Panic! Tears! Sadness!  And when they re-appear randomly a year later? Joy! Exuberance! Fate!  That all said, I do not leave the house without 3 rings on, mascara and/or lip gloss.

WHO DO YOU BELIEVE?
The food-centered quotes from the Starting Point were paired with the authors' pictures on purpose.  We laughed at how ironic Virginia Woolf and Benjamin Franklin appeared given their wise statements.  Virginia looked like she had one foot in the grave and one on a banana peel.  So we're not sure she 'dined well'... maybe someone ate her food out of the break room at work (even though it was labeled).  Benjamin Franklin's appearance proves that if he didn't live to eat, he also certainly didn't live to button his vest all the way (nor could he if he tried).  The consensus was that we love Mark Twain and his quote seemed honest and livable.

How often do we have unrealistic food goals? expectations? limits?  Are we stealing our own joy or are we placing false joy in unhealthy choices?  During our discussion we realized that sometimes it is the idea of pizza (just an example) that is so satisfying, but as we're eating it we consciously observe that it's more greasy, less flavorful, and fleetingly filling compared to the Super-Slice we had crowned 'delicious' in our minds.  Then there's the homemade hummus and black bean chips that seems like the geek of all foods in our minds, and as we eat it we're like: "I LOVE HUMMUS! WHY IS THERE NOT MORE HUMMUS IN MY LIFE!" We are funny creatures; and we will probably always crave the 'bad' choice, love making the 'bad' choice, beat ourselves up over it and then move on to our victorious 'healthy' food choices that we refuse to love as deeply.  Therefore, Mark Twain... we love you and agree with you.

His photo and quote can be seen here.

Comment Below Please!

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PRAYER REQUESTS

Please feel free to email me privately any prayer requests you may have.

I will/do pray for you.

Wisdom Teeth

Discussion #3 will be based on Wisdom and Eating

Yes, we will discuss mindful eating while we power through some brownies.  Apples will also be available.  I look forward to meeting with you ladies this Saturday for our 3rd Gather Ground Meeting!  Doors will be open from 10am to 1pm (a little shorter this week to allow me to go to a baby shower).  However - you know the drill: Come when you can, for however long you want to.  You're never late at Gather Ground.  There is a parking spot behind my house and also on the street out front.  If you are lost, call me.  If you need any travel info (address, phone number, directions...email me).  Below is the Starting Point for our Third Discussion:

VERSE

Proverbs 3:13-18 (A section of 'Wisdom Bestows all Well-Being' written by Solomon)
 
"Blessed are those who find wisdom,

those who gain understanding,

for she is more profitable than silver

and yields better returns than gold.

She is more precious than rubies;

nothing you desire can compare with her.

Long life is in her right hand;

in her left hand are riches and honor.

Her ways are pleasant ways,

and all her paths are peace.

She is a tree of life to those who take hold of her;

those who hold her fast will be blessed."

 

QUOTES

Don't worry, I'm not planning on leading an overly serious discussion on food, and I will defend your right to be equally non-serious if need be.  I took the liberty of providing photos of the authors of the quotes. That said, check out the following quotes:

 

"One cannot think well, love well, sleep well, if one has not dined well"

Virginia Woolf 

 

"Part of the secret of success in life is to eat what you like and let the food fight it out inside"

Mark Twain

 

"One should eat to live, not live to eat"

Benjamin Franklin

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Keywords & Beginning Thoughts

Wisdom / Understanding / Peace / Diet / Food / Eating

It seems to me that women have tendencies to be negative in 2 main categories: Their men (or lack there of) and their weight and/or eating habits.  How can we draw some wisdom from the words spoken by Solomon in Proverbs and apply them to those areas of our lives?  How can we learn to have more of a sense of humor about our weight and/or eating habits? Ladies need a boost when it comes to understanding and appreciating men (or lack there of) and also when it comes to food.  The Bible tells us that God created women to be beautiful, valuable and healthy!  Let's Gather and chat about how a little more wisdom and a lot more guacamole could get us there.

 

Check back on Tuesday for the Discussion Highlights and to Continue the Conversation!
Comment below if you have anything specific you'd like brought up on Saturday but you know you cannot physically attend, otherwise, wait to pitch in your thoughts till Tuesday.  Either way, your contribution will be accepted with glee.

Round Two

You Didn't Miss a Thing!

Some would say that the Allentown, PA weather did not cooperate with Gather Ground this week.  I would say that the weather was a perfect representation of what this group intends.  We have no say in whether or not it snows; when it begins or ends; how much accumulates or where it lands.  All we can decide is whether or not we will go out in it and which warm delicacy we will enjoy when we are indoors watching it.  Aren't we lucky?  So spoiled in our warm houses with hot chocolate or grilled cheese (or both, if you can stomach that).  Gather Ground was warm and cozy this week, with one attendee besides myself.  I believe that's exactly how it was supposed to be.  The right person, the right time, and a great conversation that is now shared with all of you who could not physically attend.  Enjoy!

SUSPENDERS
What can I say?  This week's conversation somehow started out on the unique note that the votes are in, and it's been decided: There is something undeniably sexy about a man in suspenders.  Agree? Disagree?

A QUICK REVIEW
We also reviewed the Starting Point with the reference from Romans 8 where Paul makes an excited and powerful exclamation that nothing can keep us from God's love.  The natural response could be "Hooray! God loves us all and no one will ever die!"  However, like all scripture, it's context is very important, and it must be noted that Paul is specifically talking about Christ being the key to all this unstoppable, uncontainable love.  All we have to do is accept Christ and then we can reach the "Hooray! God loves us and I'm not going to die."  Although we usually avoid deeply theological discussion, we dug a little deeper due to the small group size.  Yes, I personally believe that Jesus lived a perfect life, died for our sins and rose again 3 days later.  Yes, I personally believe He is coming again.  Some of you agree with me, some of you do not, some of you have questions.  That's ok, but this week I had to be clear about where I stand on those issues, so I figured it would make sense that I reiterate them here for all of you, with no expectation for you to agree with me. 

SING-ALONG
Alternatively, we reminisced about the Jagged Little Pill album by Alanis Morrisette (which I had on cassette) and the lyrics used in the Starting Point.  It's hard to read them without humming the melody, but we agreed that her feminine honesty and non-chalant inner conflict were easily relatable.  She has this tone of simply "knowing" that regardless of what she can grasp about life, people & emotions there will also always be greater elements of life that happen without her permission, control or understanding.  And that's ok. It's definitely refreshing and beautiful to hear a woman admit to what kind of 'animal' she is. "meow"

POWERFUL
So what kind of animal are you? We both thought about what makes us truly feel powerful and 'ok with ourselves.' Looking good came to the top of the list rather quickly. It might seem shallow or overly simple, but when we know we look good: the hair is did, the makeup's on, the boots are black and the night is young... There is a type of power we can revel in. There's some kind of security found there. Is it shallow? Maybe, but it doesn't make the feeling any less real.  Same with a clean and/or orderly home. I've heard it said that a home is a reflection of the woman who lives there.  So when our space is clean and uncluttered we can feel more empowered.  Perhaps the beautiful physical image produces an energy free of judgment; full of acceptance and the orderly environmental produces a guilt-free space full of potential.  But then again, feeling good and being powerful remain two very different categories.

FRITTATA WHO?
What's the difference between a quiche and a frittata? A quiche has a crust; a frittata does not.  This week I made a frittata with mushrooms, half an onion, half a red pepper, some sliced up hard salami, most of a block of sharp cheddar, 11 eggs, a little milk, salt, pepper, and basil.  I sliced and diced while we talked and ate brownies.  Then I sauteed the veggies and salami for about 5min, added the milk/eggs/seasonings/cheese and transferred the pan to the 350 degree oven for a while.  Ta Da! Frittata! I realized the next day that I had forgotten to add the spinach.  Oh well.  What's your favorite egg dish?

RESTAURANT JOBS
We mulled over the many facets of working in the restaraunt industry. There's a lot of money to be made if you get in the right place!  Even if that place only requires a micro-fiber T-shirt with the company logo as the uniform, don't be fooled, the place might be a gold mine!  Alternately, you might go to a lot of trouble to look really trim and proper for a place that's a total bore.  Regardless, it's interesting to see so many young, college-educated people employed at restaurants, because it's a more lucrative and accessible career than what their degree merits.

Comment Below Please!

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PRAYER REQUESTS

Please feel free to email me privately any prayer requests you may have.

I will/do pray for you.

Like the First Time, Every Time

The Necessary Details

Join me this Saturday January 25th for the discussion that starts here, goes anywhere & ends in prayer.  Doors open at my home at 10am and we end around 2pm.  Remember - it doesn't matter when you show up or how long you stay.  My dogs will be contained in the kitchen and will beg for our food the whole time.  There will be brownies, apples, coffee and possibly a quiche (if I'm feeling up to it).  Please leave the children at home, so that you can get properly re-charged.  Parking is possible and if you need my address, phone number or directions please send me an email: sclemens247@gmail.com.  I'm so looking forward to this week's Gather Ground.  Below is the Starting Point for our Second Discussion:

Discussion #2 will be based on Good Rhythm and Complicated Women

VERSE

Romans 8:38+39 (Paul explaining the breadth of salvation to the Romans)

For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

ANECDOTE

An excerpt from "Hand in my Pocket" by Alanis Morissette

"I'm broke but I'm happy
I'm poor but I'm kind
I'm short but I'm healthy, yeah

I'm high but I'm grounded
I'm sane but I'm overwhelmed
I'm lost but I'm hopeful, baby

And what it all comes down to
Is that everything's gonna be fine, fine, fine
'Cause I've got one hand in my pocket
And the other one is giving a high five

I feel drunk but I'm sober
I'm young and I'm underpaid
I'm tired but I'm working, yeah

I care but I'm restless
I'm here but I'm really gone
I'm wrong and I'm sorry, baby"

Keywords & Beginning Thoughts

Rhythm / Indecision / Confusion / Contentment / Power

The verses in Romans reflect a beautiful rhythm of an enthusiastic writer who was sure and passionate about his statement.  Paul's words are saturated in finality and hope.  Alanis has a rhythm of her own as well; one that I think every woman can relate to: the flip-flop of everyday life and the roller-coaster of emotions that we so easily find ourselves riding.  What's your natural rhythm? When do you feel most powerful?  When do you feel most decisive?  When do you find yourself at a loss?

Check back on Tuesday for the Discussion Highlights and to Continue the Conversation!
Comment below if you have anything specific you'd like brought up on Saturday but you know you cannot physically attend, otherwise, wait to pitch in your thoughts till Tuesday.  Either way, your contribution will be accepted with glee.

A Brief Re-Introduction

Hello Beautiful Ladies!

FIRST I'd like to thank so many of you for participating in the beginnings of what I believe will be a beautiful thing.  Over 50 women have read the first few posts of Gather Ground and although the first round has received only 2 comments thus far, they are excellent.  I encourage you to revisit the first few posts to gain a deeper understanding about the Goals and Groundwork of Gather Ground and then skim through the first conversation to familiarize yourself with the style of our online discussions. 

Below is a REVIEW for the NEW Readers/Attendees:

WHO
We are women who are eager to connect and contribute to a conversation that is rooted in the Word of God but that branches out into a normal discussion. We want to grow in strength and positivity and share our thoughts with one another. 

WHY
Women today are very busy, and although we all seem eager to connect, it is becoming increasingly difficult to physically get together and we hardly have time to pick up the phone any more for a lengthy chat.  Gather Ground removes those pressures of time and location and just presents "Today's Woman" with a physical place to go without time or space constraints.

HOW
Either participate by physically attending (for any length of time) one of the Gather Ground meetings (currently every other Saturday) OR by reading and/or responding to the Summary posted every other Tuesday.

NOTEWORTHY
Many of you have Read the first few posts but not Responded... THAT IS PERFECTLY WONDERFUL! If you have read this blog, please consider yourself a part of it!  Likewise, if you want to contribute a comment to any summary, at any time... do it.

BOTTOM LINE
Gather Ground has taken the guess-work out of getting ladies together.
We need one another.
We need to know there are other women out there trying to stay positive.
We need be encouraged that our differences make each one of us valuable to this forum.

Look for Thursday's post introducing our next Starting Point for Saturday January 25th!

I can't wait!

And We Have Lift Off!

Gather Ground has taken off!
We enjoyed a relaxing, rejuvenating and retrospective discussion this Saturday and now we want you to join the chat!  Below are a series of tidbits taken from our ceaseless conversation.  Skim the titles and read what pricks your interest; skipping whatever disinterests you. Please respond to one, two or all of them and comment with your thoughts.  The idea is that this web of words and women continues to reach a larger audience.  We can learn so much from sharing with one another and making the effort to connect.  We might not all become a nationwide club of BFFs in the end (sarcasm intended), but we're all women - and that's enough Common Ground to make your contribution worth something to each of us.

THIN PLACES
We decided that the concept of 'Thin Places' can easily be transitioned to more of a mindset, then a physical place.  Yeah, we all feel closer to God in beautiful places (i.e. alone on the beach), but mostly we feel close to God in times of trouble.  "We feel closer to God, like He's more accessible, when we need a God"

READING
The group that joined this week consisted of like-hearted women that all admire those people that seem to have endless shelves of books (even if that person is someone we live with).  However, we all concluded that we are what people refer to as 'slow readers.'  We feel this completely inhibits our ability to feel 'well read.'  Maybe it's enough to just appreciate reading (and readers) and participate in it sparingly and slowly.  Furthermore, it has made us unashamedly proud when we miraculously actually finish a book.  Are you a reader? What are you reading now? Or are you a 'slow reader' like our group on Saturday?  We might not always remember what we've read either but....

WE CAN MAKE OUR OWN DOG TREATS
More or less, our discussion concluded that you can put any 3 ingredients together with one egg and call it a dog treat.  Do you have dogs? Please post a comment with your easiest dog treat recipe. 

OUR YOUNGER BUSIER SELVES
Yeah, we are doing important things like making our own dog treats and learning how to cook various trendy vegetables, but when each of us reflected on our younger selves we found ourselves reminiscing about how energetic we were.  Our days were non-stop from morning till night and we were aggressively intent on managing every minute of the day to fit in as much as possible.  Now that our lives have slowed down, partly due to career changes; partly due to health/life-stage changes, we each recognized an underlying feeling of false laziness.  It's easy to begin to feel that your life has become less effective because there is more long-term planning, more waiting; heavier decisions.  We resolved that while the physical pace of our lives seems to have slowed, the momentum that we are trying to build towards our long-term goals is very real and completely commendable.  Good job grown ups!

INTERIOR DESIGN
It's a skill that you have (exquisitely) or you do not.  While I do not possess this skill, the other ladies do and it offered a nice common ground for new acquaintances to bond over.  Color schemes and textures all wrapped together with reclaimed and revived furniture.  It all sounded great, and after being in each of their homes, I know they're not exaggerating when they talk about it with such passion.  The Real Estate Agent in the group specifically gushed about future opportunities to 'stage' homes.  Is there anyone else who loves these concepts? Is there anyone else that feels completely lost?

HARD ON OURSELVES
One thing is for sure: women are very hard on themselves.  We feel a deep need for maximum effectiveness in everything we do and often a misplaced sense of guilt when we feel we've missed the mark. I like to believe that's God's stamp on our lives: that we crave perfection.  It could also be a cultural pressure we fall victim to.  We collectively decided that it's important for the sake of our individual happiness to ensure that our expectations for ourselves and others are reasonable, and to understand how those closest to us are perceiving our efforts.  If we desire to make our husbands' feel relaxed when they get home from long work days... rather than try to maintain the 'perfect' home all the time, we could focus on what actually makes him feel 'at home.'  What makes you feel at home? What makes your significant other feel at home?

GRATEFULNESS
All of us felt strongly about remaining grateful despite these tough economic times.  We've all experienced job loss, job changes, husband's career changes, husband's struggle with career goals, and the normal stresses of managing a household these days.  Although we might not be juggling as fast as we did when we were slightly younger, we're juggling heavier objects and we're much more afraid to drop anything.  (i.e. missing a car payment is a lot more intense then missing soccer practice)  We're very hard on ourselves, but we all took a moment to appreciate how hard we work and how much effort we put into everything we do.  It's not to be overlooked.  And we're getting by! We have our homes and our jobs now and there's light at the end of the tunnel.  Have you recently undergone a household shift?  What have you found helpful during this time of economic unsteadiness? What are you most grateful for in your household?

APPLES vs BROWNIES
This week there were brownies and apples available and I'm happy to say we polished off equal amounts.  Rest assured, if you attend in the future, we did not all stick to one side of the fence when in came to 'healthy' eating. Apples, Brownies, Coffee or all 3?

FULLNESS
Although this weeks meeting didn't dig deeply into the Word of God, we all left feeling 'full.'  Which was the theme of the scripture we covered in Ephesians. As adults we find our lives can easily be filled with two kinds of deeds: those that drain us and those the fill us up.  Gather Ground was a filler for us this week.  I know I had a bounce in my step after intentionally connecting with women that were decidedly working towards exciting personal goals, who love good food, big dogs and well decorated homes, and whom genuinely appreciated the smart company of other positive women. What/Who filled you up this weekend?

Comment Below Please!

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PRAYER REQUESTS

Please feel free to email me privately any prayer requests you may have.

I will/do pray for you.

Ready, Set, Go!

For those of you who have checked in with the first post of Gather Ground: Thank You!
I am so excited to begin this journey with you.
Below is our Starting Point for Saturday January 11th: The First Discussion

READY
I wish to clarify that this group is not contingent on time, dress or any other form of typical 'appropriateness.' Come as you are, when you can, for as long as you can.
I believe we will ALL benefit if you do.

*A note about my 'Ground'*
My home is not in any way perfect and 'yes' I will fervently clean before you arrive (because I am a woman and that's what we do), but you will notice the unfinished home projects, half-eaten couch & piles of things.  I will make up for this by burning a candle that smells amazing.  Thanks for understanding.  My dogs will be contained to the kitchen - unable to reach you physically.  I will coax them to cooperation with new toys.

*A note about the 'Gather[ing]'*
I will have my 3month old daughter with me and not to be contradictory, but I would rather attendees leave their children at home.  Children can be very distracting to adult conversation, so for the sake of conversation preservation, please come alone.  Even if you can only escape from the kids for a half hour - do it!  We will have brownies for your trouble (and you can take one back to whoever kept your kid(s) alive while you were away).

SET
Parking can be interesting because I live in the city, but I assure you it is possible.  For those of you who have been here and know about the parking spot behind my neighbor's house... it's first come first serve.  All others can happily ignore the 'No Parking' signs that line 8th Street.  And if you get lost or are having trouble, simply call me and we can figure something out for sure.

GO!
Discussion #1 will be based on Thin Places and Full Lives:

VERSE

Ephesians 3:14-19 NIV (a prayer from Paul for the Ephesians)

"For this reason I kneel before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name. I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God."

ANECDOTE

"Thin Places" an excerpt from Bittersweet by Shauna Niequist:

“A thin place, according to the Celtic mystics, is a place where the boundary between the natural world and the supernatural one is more permeable—thinner, if you will.

Sometimes they’re physical places. There are places all over Ireland where people have said, if you stand here, if you face this direction, if you hike to the top of that ridge at just the right time of day, that’s a thin place, a place where the passage between heaven and earth is a short one, a place where God’s presence is almost palpable.

An alternate and possibly lesser known usage of the term “thin place” refers to those very rare dressing rooms, where somehow the light and the mirrors and the cosmos are all working together, and magically, miraculously, every pair of jeans I try on fits. I’ll be honest, I’ve only encountered this kind of thin place a handful of times, but just like the mystical kind, once you’ve experienced it you keep going back over and over again, hoping for the same kind of magic."

Keywords & Beginning Thoughts

Fullness / Love / Strength / Depth 

Where's your Thin Place? Is it a place you can revisit? Was it a specific moment?
How Thin is your home? How full is your home?  Fullness is used as a positive term in the scripture; is it a positive term in our culture? 

Check back on Tuesday for the Discussion Highlights and to Continue the Conversation!
Comment below if you have anything specific you'd like brought up on Saturday but you know you cannot physically attend, otherwise, wait to pitch in your thoughts till Tuesday.  Either way, your contribution will be accepted with glee.

Hello My Name Is...

This is the formal introduction of Gather Ground to the WORLD!

What is Gather Ground?
It's a time and a place where I envision women meeting on a regular basis to sharpen their blades.  To be safe in times of trouble, to be open in times of curiosity and brave in times of innovation!  And of course a place to eat something.

What is the 'Ground?'
The Ground that the group is built on is the Truth of the Word of God (the Bible).  This will not be a place to discuss and debate fundamentals in the Bible... i.e. Is the Word of God really divinely inspired? Creation vs. Evolution? etc. Even if you personally have not accepted these fundamentals for yourself, that's ok! But please respect the fact that this group wishes to move forward in the acceptance of them.

What is the 'Gather?'
The Gather[ing] will be a 2-fold discussion group with Part 1 taking place every other Saturday at my home from 10am to 2pm* and Part 2 taking place on this blog every other Tuesday following up the conversation that occurred over the weekend and opening the platform for a wider discussion that can include anyone regardless of location or time of day. Preview days will be Thursday with a short blog post about the Starting Point for the next discussion.

*10am to 2pm is when my door will be unlocked.  Walk in whenever you like between those times.  By remaining slightly unstructured I hope to foster an open-door environment that lends itself to today's busy woman.  You will never be too early or too late to Gather Ground.

The Gather Ground Rules:
#1 You MUST eat something
Women are either eating too much or not enough and feeling guilty about both... here, we will eat.  Sometimes "healthy" - Sometimes "not healthy" and that is a core principal of the group.

#2 Negativity in its various forms should be AVOIDED
We can all be Givers! No takers.  Emotional support where/when needed is perfectly fine, but we will not be a group of complaining, negative, bitter, angry or gossiping women.  We refuse to be hopeless.

#3 NOTHING leaves the 'Ground'
To provide a safe and judge-free platform for learning and experiencing life as it happens we must respect each others privacy.  General thoughts and interesting turns of discussion may and will be used anonymously in the follow-up blog discussions, however deeply personal matters will always be kept hush-hush between us ladies.

Gather Ground Map:
Each meeting will begin with a scripture and anecdote and end in prayer.
The middle shall take its course organically, however new material and additional contributions (journal entries, book segments, poems, lyrics, personal stories, youtube videos, etc.) are encouraged.  Contribute what feels most natural for you!

Check back on Thursday for the kick-off verse and anecdote!