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Theme

New posts are up Monday - Friday on most weeks, with each day of the week having the various themes: Ministerial Mon. - Lessons and insights from the ministry front Teaching Tue. - Current thoughts from messages that I am preparing Whining Wed. - Complaints and rants about the way things are Thankful Thurs. - Things that I am truly thankful for in this world Forgotten Fri. - How to savor life, memories and relax.

Past Posts

Below you can find posts from the past. Grab a cup of coffee (or tea), stay and read a while. If anything makes you think, join the discussion by clicking on the number to the right of each title.

Archives

Massing Saturday |


After many months, The Mass returned last night. This is one of the few gatherings that I and a small group of others feel that we need to put on even if no one except us showed up. Personally I get so weary of the typical services of churches and even of messages which I know seems like a contradiction because I am, in fact a pastor. I have lived with this inconsistency for 17 years of full time ministry now.

A service like The Mass is a place that feels set apart, with many voices -not just one, and with art and space and room to think and worship. Ahhhhh. Anyway, we took The Mass outside of the church walls ("and right inside the walls of Christian bookstore" as one on The Mass team likes to point out) and had it in a rather cool little room at Gravity Books and Art in Exeter Twp. The room was full which was an added bonus. And even though we had a few technical problems, all and all - the night was great.

After the gathering was done, a group of about 20 or so went out to eat for 1/2 price appetizers, hung out and enjoyed one another's company. I am so glad for a gathering like this, for real relationships and I am even more thankful for the team that has stuck with it now for 2 years. You are a creative and helpful group of friends.

The only downside to the night is that my wife could not be present. But a baby girl is worth that I guess.




Evan Sits |


Early this past Saturday morning my wife and my oldest son went out to spend very little money on great used stuff (yard sales). They are good at this. Within an hour, my wife returned with a treadmill (which she was preparing to buy new) in great shape that she purchased for $25.

Anyway, while they were out and the baby was asleep still, Evan (my other son) just woke and came to sit at the kitchen table where I was drinking coffee and reading. It took about 1/2 hour before I realized he was still sitting there, quietly, with a slight grin. Never said anything. Just sat there.

"What the heck is this kid doing?" I thought to myself. I wanted to tell him "go do something Ev, like watch TV, read a book, play outside - anything but sit there and stare." This what I wanted to say but I didn't. It occurred to me that Evan really loves just being near me. He is content not to say anything (of course this happens easily when the gears in his head are not quite turning in the morning), but just to sit in the proximity of where I am. He often does this. He will sit on the floor near where I am or lay on top of me while I am watching TV.

Although I am an affectionate person, I also like my space and there are many times, when I wish I had it when I don't. But I also know these are the exact moments that I will miss the most some day and that will make my heart ache a little in wishing I could have them back.

And then I thought of this same posture pleases Christ when I remember to do nothing and just to BE with Him. Smiling. Simplicity. Just to be near Him. Like the story of Mary & Martha which seems to grow more and more important as technological advances continue to "save us time," I want to choose what is better, which is simply to waste time with my God.

I Have Become...Regular |

I am simply not a good blogger. I feel that I have nothing to write unless I am struck by something that causes me meditate or pray. And the problem is with this is that I preach and teach for a profession and so most of these thoughts end up being developed and have their outlet in those forums. This blog keeps getting less than left overs.

I am hereby giving up the need to write deep things. The blogs I enjoy the most are the ones that are made up of the trivial stuff of peoples living and the insights that are sometimes gained along the way. So, from now on I am going to write about the ordinary stuff of my life. Instead of only feeling like I can write when I have something profound to say, I will write in a way that reflects who I am, which like you, is a mix of many things all at once. No pressure darn it! Just natural writing about mundane things.

Exciting isn't it? Here I go...

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