Author Archives: Katie

Unpatriotic?

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I have a confession to make.  Some people may not be happy about what I have to say, but it’s my blog – who cares?  Here goes: I’m unpatriotic.

 

That’s right – you heard me: UNPATRIOTIC.

 

It bothers me that while my husband (and many other pastors) preach in churches all across the country, they do so standing next to an American flag.  It bothers me that on July 4th, Memorial Day, Veteran’s Day, Flag Day, etc. people in churches insist on singing “God Bless the USA” and “I’m Proud to be an American” and “You’re a Grand Old Flag” and many other songs about America.  It bothers me that people in our churches will INSIST that we show reverence to a flag and to our country during worship.  There’s really only one word to describe what goes on in many of the churches in our country: IDOLATRY.

 

Now, before you kick my butt from here to Canada, let me say that I LOVE the country I live in.  Because I was fortunate enough to be born in America, I have freedoms and “rights” that the vast majority of our neighbors on Earth don’t get to experience.  I love that I get to choose to go to school for the rest of my life (if I wanted to, which I don’t, but still).  I love that I get to choose (within reason) what I do for a living.  I can worship my God in public without fear of persecution.  I get to take advantage of many things our government provides, like parks, interstates, etc.  I am thankful for the soldiers who have fought in the name of my country and my fellow citizens so we could keep these freedoms.  I am humbled to know that so many have given their lives (and continue to do so) in order to keep me and other Americans safe and free.   I even like wearing a little red, white and blue on July 4th.

 

I am NOT someone who hates the USA.  I am NOT someone who hates the American government (although, come on – I really do hate paying so much in taxes!).  I am NOT someone who wishes she lived somewhere else.

 

I AM, however, someone who loves the Lord so much more.

 

Who decided it was appropriate for us to worship our COUNTRY in church?  Did no one read all those parts of the bible that warn about IDOLS?  A little patriotism and pride in our country can go a long way when it’s done in the church.  Why do we feel the need to overdo it?

 

Pay attention this weekend to how much attention is given to worshiping the Lord vs. the attention given to the flag and our country.  It makes me sad – especially to know that I would be virtually exiled if some people in our churches saw this post!  We are to be passionately worshiping GOD – not our flag.

Do you PIN?

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I have a new love in my life, and it’s name is PINTEREST.

Have you heard of Pinterest yet?  It’s a lot of fun!  It’s been a really neat way to organize all those snippets of things I see online into categories.  The idea is that each user gets to create “boards” that they can pin items to.  I have a board for food and recipes.  I have one for collecting things I would love to put in my bedroom.  I have a board where I can collect craft ideas, and I have a board where I can post photography stuff.

As if that weren’t cool enough, there’s also a social aspect to Pinterest that is really fun.  You can follow other people and see what they pin.  You can “Repin” things you find onto your boards.  You can ask for feedback on things you have pinned, and you can comment on pins your friends have posted.  I have discovered some really cool stuff since being a part of Pinterest!

Below is a screenshot of my Pinterest page:

I am a total Pinterest fan!  If you’d like to give Pinterest a whirl, let give me your e-mail address and I’ll send you an invite.  Right now you must have an invite to sign up!  You can leave your e-mail address in a comment below, or you can shoot me an e-mail directly at mrs.swish (at) gmail (dot) com.

Ordained

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or·dain
[awr-deyn]
–verb (used with object)
1. to invest with ministerial or sacerdotal functions; confer holy orders upon.

When we were in high school, Matt and I went with our youth group to SIFAT in Lineville, Alabama for a week.  We loved SIFAT so much, we have been back many times since, and even spent 3 months working there as interns one summer.  SIFAT is definitely dear to both of us, and each time we have gone has changed our lives in new and amazing ways.  SIFAT has taught us about the reality of the rest of the world living in poverty.  SIFAT has taught us about other cultures.  SIFAT has taught us about faith and trust in the Lord.  Our SIFAT experiences have provided us with some of the best friends we could ask for.  BUT – the biggest impact SIFAT has had on our lives is this one that wasn’t fully realized for a number of years.

That first trip we took in high school was June 14-21, 1997.  While we were on that trip, Matt first heard his call to ministry.  The story of his call is a beautiful one, but it’s one that I will let him share.  Perhaps he will someday on his blog! A little more than two years after this trip, Matt and I were engaged to be married.  We married in 2002 while he was in college, we moved to Wilmore, KY for him to attend seminary, and we have been in ministry since his graduation in 2007.  After many years of study and tests and mentoring and learning and preparing, Matt was finally ordained at our annual conference on June 11th.  Almost 14 years exactly from the date he received his call to ministry.

In an auditorium full of people, Matt knelt before the Bishop to receive his ordination.  Clergy who were integral in his ordination were gathered around to lay hands on him.  Dozens of people stood in the audience in support of him.  It was a really beautiful moment – one I will never forget.

The story that God is creating for me and Matt is one of obedience.  I obediently opened my eyes and my heart to Matt’s love because of the Lord’s leading.  Matt obediently followed his call to ministry.  We are obedient together by serving the churches God has given us to care for – even when it’s hard!  We have been blessed a thousand times over for our obedience too.  God has given us deeper love for each other every day, and has stretched our hearts to love the people in our churches more and more every day.  It’s an amazing thing to be in ministry!

I’m so proud of Matt.  The journey to ordination is not easy in The United Methodist Church, but he has navigated it with grace and integrity.  He’s the most amazing man I know, and I can’t wait to see where God takes us.

Congratulations Rev. Beefcake! I’m so proud to be your wife!