Rec Min May 2023

Many years ago, during some counseling, my pastor asked me if I was a control freak because that is who I was or was I control freak because I had to be. My answer was - both. It made me put in perspective what “my priorities” were versus what they and whose they truly should have been. This question was life changing for me and I began a journey of letting go of control over some incredibly difficult things. This involved taking inventory of lifelong relationships all the way down to how I made sure everyone folded towels the “right” (my) way.

I remembered the serenity prayer that was engraved on a wooden plaque that hung on my grandmother’s wall, “God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, Courage to change the things I can, and wisdom to know the difference” and this is where I began. With everything I felt a strong urge to control, I practiced taking a step back, praying this prayer, and making decisions to let that particular thing go. Sometimes I couldn’t so I committed to work towards handling it with more grace and eventually could let it go.

Over the next 6 months my whole life changed and I do mean CHANGED. I have never felt so much peace, enjoyed so much of the happiness around me, felt so free of burdens, and smiled. Matthew 11:28 says, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”  Countless people would stop me in my tracks and ask me what I was doing to change my looks, comment to me how much better I looked, they could see happiness all over my face, etc. They could not get over the transformation. Funny thing is, I never changed one physical characteristic about my appearance, I only changed the things in my mind that I thought I needed to control. That transformation was internal and it radiated through! It’s been 3 years and my life is better than ever and I am blessed to not be in control!

 Marcia K. Gibney,

Director of Recreation Ministry

Rec Min April 2023

One of the hardest and easiest things to do is to be selfless. It is hard when you’re not purposefully putting others first before you and it is easy to put your yourself first. It is can also be easy to not purposefully put others first before you and hard when you put your yourself first. Sometimes making that determination as to what is selfish is the hardest to figure out.

 Selflessness is loving other people, regardless. You have to be patient, kind, and understanding. You never know what kind of environment others have been exposed to, how they were taught love and kindness, or even if they were. If you know better – you do better. You have to INTENTIONAL to be selfless and you’re INTENTIONAL when you're selfish. It is up to you to choose. God gave us free will and he gave us Jesus to show us the way. Giving others the best of you will always bring out the best in them. It might take time but it is worth it in the end.

 13 If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. 2 If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. 3 If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing.

 4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.8 Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away.

 9 For we know in part and we prophesy in part, 10 but when completeness comes, what is in part disappears. 11 When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put the ways of childhood behind me. 12 For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.

1 Corinthians 13

Marcia K. Gibney,

Director of Recreation Ministry

Rec Min March 2023

Blessings

This morning I woke earlier than normal. I made myself a cup of coffee and sat on the back porch. As I listened to the sounds of what seemed like 587,398 birds of all kinds chirping and squawking, I closed my eyes and breathed in the spirit of God. Truly, this was the sensation of overwhelming gratitude I was feeling for the beautiful life He has led me to in the last 3 years. The urge to speak to God at that moment about how thankful I was for my blessings - especially my biggest blessing, my husband, Ron. The life we have is blessed and he has given me a peace and happiness I never knew before. As I was thanking God for all of it, my husband walked out on the porch. Ron is NOT a morning person, much less this early of a morning person so it was a surprise to see him. For him to show up at this moment was to me, a sign that God hears me. We shared this quiet moment with God and the birds and felt our blessings deep in our soul as we sat and held hands for a while. For another hour I was walking on clouds and feeling the spirit until I got the phone call from my son that his car broke down in the tunnel on the way to school. Well, here’s to staying humble and to a dose of reality that gets you back to digging deep to find the blessings!

Psalm 104 speaks directly to me today. Appreciating God through his creation and his blessings and He is the source of my joy. As we approach spring in the next month, take the time to breathe in the spirit of God and all of His blessings and the joy that comes from that.

“I will sing to the LORD all my life; I will sing praise to my God as long as I live.” Psalms 104:33

Marcia K. Gibney,

Director of Recreation Ministry

Rec Min February 2023

Every year, many of us make a resolution to do something new and different.  After a few weeks, we go back to the way we were.  The next year, we repeat the process. According to Webster, the word “resolution” is a noun and means the act of finding an answer or solution to a conflict, problem, etc.  Pay attention to the words, “the act of finding”.  Maybe resolution should be an action verb.

Most resolutions we make are to be healthier.  We find a gym, personal trainer, an extreme diet, etc.  We go to the first gym sessions and 24 hours later we discouraged by how sore and unfit we are and the foods we have limited ourselves to eating don’t give us the energy to get through the day. Being too sore, too tired, and too hungry for the short time are sometimes the only motivations we need to stop. 

Resolutions should be gradual. Don’t do the top tier, all-out high impact boot camp suited for extreme athletes and a restrictive diet all in the first month. Instead, try 3 days of walking for 30 minutes the first 2 weeks of January and time yourself.  Gradually change processed foods for more natural, fresh of what you’re eating. The next 2 weeks set a goal to reduce the amount of time it takes to walk 30 minutes. Find another healthier alternative to one of your not-so-healthy foods.

Doing things too quickly doesn’t always produce permanent results.  “A bonanza at the beginning is no guarantee of blessing at the end.” (Proverbs 20:21)

Make a resolution to continue to gradually your life.  Small changes have a greater, lasting impact over time than drastic ones which disappear as quickly as they were made.  Your body, mind and spirit will return to you more than you expected and you will not be disappointed this year-throughout the whole year and then some.

Rec Min January 2023

Happy New Year to all of you!   Don’t let the spirit of the holiday season leave you just because we are past that time of year. God’s gift to us was not a “one day” event. His message of hope, peace, love, and assurance is year-round!  This is a time to continue that message in our words and actions. In Hebrews 10:24-25, we are commanded to not neglect gathering together,

“And let us consider one another in order to provoke love and good works, not neglecting to gather together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging each other, and all the more as you see the day approaching.”

Make a commitment to continue taking the time to slow down and plan visits with close friends and family throughout the year! Start that weekly bible study on your lunch hour with your best friend! Start that Monday night football with the guys! Start that neighborhood kid’s day at the park! Plan to learn how to make Grandma’s favorite bread with her! Plan to sit with Grandpa and watch Jeopardy! So many opportunities to fellowship and share life!

Marcia K. Gibney,
Director of Recreation Ministry

Rec Min December 2022

Have you noticed that some of the big box stores are now closed on holidays? Over the last 20 years we have become a 24/7 society. We have been accustomed to getting what we need, when we need it regardless of the hour or day.  I’ll be the first to admit I used to complain about stores being open on holidays and I felt bad for those folks having to work. At the same time, I’d be the one at the grocery store on Christmas morning because I forgot to get eggs. I’d also thank the store clerks for being open and working that day. Several times those people would tell me how grateful they were for the extra hours and pay so they could afford to feed their children and pay their power bill that month. We would chat and talk about our blessings. The feeling of the Christmas spirit was rejuvenated with that chance meeting of that person being in that place at that time. It was a great opportunity to make a connection and I always left with a heartwarming feeling of gratitude.

We don’t always consider those in need needing to work when others want to be home with family for the holidays. Sometimes, work families are all some employees have for a family so being together at work on a holiday is precious to them. We can admonish companies for being open on holidays and criticize them for it being “all about money” for them or we can find the blessings in that situation and know that God always has a plan. His plan is 24/7 and it is Christmas every day with His gifts he has given us with peace and love through Jesus Christ.

  “And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus” Philippians 4:7

Rec Min November 2022

Thanksgiving at the Adult Table

For me, sitting at the kids table at Thanksgiving was not my chosen place. I wanted to sit next to my grandmother. Instead, I was repeatedly directed towards the dreaded kid’s table no matter how many times I tried to sit at the adult table. I had to sit with those “kids” all the time (siblings and cousins) so it was nothing special to me. We either got in trouble for talking too loudly, not sitting down, or worse, flicking food at each other. Sitting next to my grandmother meant I could talk and be heard and not treated like a kid. Since she was the last one to sit down and a slow eater, other adults had already finished eating and there was a short window of time I had to go sit by her at the adult table. Many times, my dad would spot me and he would snap his finger and point me back to the kid’s table. My grandmother would pat my hand and whisper to me that we would have time later.  Of course, that time always fell during clean up time. That was the only time washing dishes didn’t feel like a dreaded chore. She would wash and rinse and I would dry and put away. We would talk and talk and talk about everything for a long time because you know what - all those adults at the adult table were nowhere to be found when it came time to do dishes.  Sitting with her at the adult table and doing dishes with her afterwards was a wonderful and special treat.

Sitting at the adult table not only meant special time with her, I’m pretty sure the food tasted better and the tea was sweeter.  I may not have understood the other conversations going on at the table but I automatically became taller, smarter, and 20 years older just sitting there.  Those memories are priceless and I am very thankful for them.  I’ve always said I’d never have a kid’s table for my grandchildren because I despised it growing up but looking back, maybe I will. Otherwise, sitting at the adult table at Thanksgiving might not be a special treat and I want my grandchildren to have those special memories forever too.

O give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; for his steadfast love endures forever!   Psalm 107:1

Marcia K. Gibney,
Director of Recreation Ministry

From the excerpts from Steve Ellisor’s From the Rec Min ,Oct 2011. Steve always left us with good words and it is good to read them again.

“I was listening to Christian radio this past week when I heard the announcer energetically encouraging his listeners to “get in the fight!” No, he wasn’t by any means advocating violence, but was encouraging us to, in a sense, put our efforts where our mouths are. He tapped his microphone which made a loud bumping sound over the speakers and said, “This isn’t the fight!” He added, “Calling ‘Sound Off’ isn’t the fight, making sarcastic comments about the government during dinner with friends isn’t the fight, listening and agreeing with an angry talk show host isn’t the fight.” He said, “We must act!” Then, in a “What would Jesus do?” type statement he said that we must make peace, be merciful, bear a pure heart (see Beatitudes in Matthew 5:3-12). We must hunger and thirst for righteousness above all else. We must serve by leading. We must MAKE disciples by BEING disciples!

In Matthew 7:16 Jesus tells us, “By their fruit you will recognize them.” He is telling us that the work we do and the results, thereof, will identify us as disciples…or, not disciples. The work you put into teaching and mentoring children, witnessing your faith, and serving as a personal example is the “light” you shine which moves people to “glorify your God in heaven” (see Matthew 5:16). You are bearers of the Word! James 1:22 says, “Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says!” Through your dedicated service, hundreds of children and adults have indicated that they have accepted Christ during the various C-Sports seasons. I pray that God continues to use you in ways that transform lives and make disciples!”

Marcia K. Gibney,
Director of Recreation Ministry

Rec Min September 2022

Who grew up in a home where children were told to be seen and not heard? Me. If I heard that once I heard it 50 times. My dad was very strict on his children showing manners at all times but especially if we had company. Even grandparents were considered company! If a human being could burst into a million pieces, it would’ve been me during those times I was working hard to be quiet, yet I was definitely seen. He didn’t tell me I had to be still so I broke that rule sometimes without even making a noise. I never understood why that was a rule but I was wise enough to understand the consequences of breaking that rule.

Then I grew up, got married, and I had children. I completely understood. However, not in the way you’d think. As I come full circle, I see that even as a child being seen and not heard gave me opportunity to watch people and learn the different ways people communicate, their body language, and how they respond to life situations. Having to be quiet when I wanted to yell gave me an opportunity to learn self-control in times when it is hard. It is only as an adult now that I see how those lessons formed me as a friend, wife, and mother (even though I don’t think my dad intended on that being the lesson-ha). Unbeknownst to me, it made me wise beyond my years as a child and as an adult, it prepared me in situations where being seen and not heard saved me from more than consequences from my dad.

 Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be still wiser; teach a righteous man, and he will increase in learning.

Prov 9:9 

“No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful.  Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.  Therefore, strengthen your feeble arms and weak knees.”

Hebrews 12:11-13

Sometimes we don’t understand the discipline but we learn from it and sometimes that lesson is learned much later.

Marcia K. Gibney,
Director of Recreation Ministry
Christ United Methodist Church

Rec Min August 2022

Cleanliness is next to Godliness.

That was the phrase I exasperated (and I do mean exhaustedperated) as I walked into my daughter’s apartment this weekend. As recent college graduate (& an athlete for 4 years) who got her first full-time job as a coach and teacher, she’s had a whirlwind few months of leaving the old life and trying to get organized for her new life. Roommates leaving (and leaving behind lots of stuff), working full days of workouts and practices over the summer for 3 separate teams, trying to keep up her laundry, groceries, cleaning, taking care of her dog…just couldn’t get it going.

Welcome to adulthood, right? That phrase is used so negatively these days. Instead of what should be a welcome, an encouraging introduction, most of the time it is used as a slap in the face. So, I proceeded to welcome - encourage her to into adulthood in the best way possible. We emptied out everything, made big piles, attacked each one to get rid of everything not touched, worn, seen, or thought about in a year, reorganized and placed in appropriate places. 3 truckloads to a donation station and 6 bags to a consignment store later, we were down to what was a manageable household for someone who will be working 10-hour days (12–14-hour days during coaching months). And just like a welcome/introduction, it only happens once. At my age, the back and shoulders can only take so much welcoming. The gratitude she had for me and her step-dad was overwhelming for us as we just did what we thought was right and good. The best part was the sense of calm I saw overcome her tenseness – it was a physical transformation. I knew then she would be alright in these next few busy months.

Staying organized and keeping things clean gives us back more time to do the important work in life. It gives us back our time to nurture our minds, bodies, hearts, and spiritual life. Psalm 51:10 says, “Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.”

Cleanliness is next to Godliness in that it leads to more time with God. That time is priceless and it gives us peace in the other parts of our lives.

Marcia K. Gibney,
Director of Recreation Ministry