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- SHERYL & STEVE FROEHLICH - LIVING THE STORY THAT GOD'S GRACE IS ENOUGH
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Fridays with Froehlichs #6 |
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June 10. 1978-2024. 46 years together.
"Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift." (2 Cor 9:15)
The list of all that we had planned has been written and re-written a thousand times. The story we tell now is not the story we imagined, and yet, we would not tell it any other way. It is what God has entrusted to us, and we give thanks for his sustaining love and grace that "has brought [us] safe thus far" and that gives us imagination and joy for the possibilities that stretch before us.
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This edition of Fridays with Froehlichs is primarily one of updates.
SHERYL
Sheryl has been making steady but slow recovery. The surgeon is pleased with the way the bone is healing, and has given her the OK to get back on the bike with one big caveat. "Don't fall off!" Got it.
We've enjoyed some easy bike outings (with Luci in her Tail Wagon), and those outings mark a welcome and long-anticipated milestone.
Sleep remains more elusive than she would like, but is better. The pain continues to subside, but ice is still her friend at night. PT continues with measurable progress, but not as much as Sheryl or the surgeon had hoped she would realize by now -- her range of motion is about 65% of what it was before the fall. It may be because some scar tissue has built up, or it may be that the muscles are stubborn. We don't know yet, but Sheryl has been faithfully doing all her exercises, and stretches, pacing herself not to over-do it while trying to reach just a little bit further.
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ALBUQUERQUE
Wait! What? Albuquerque? To quote Inigo Montoya, "Let me sum up." Steve has accepted an invitation to serve as interim pastor of a sister church in ABQ beginning August 1 for 6-9 months. You likely have questions, so here's the scoop on this new adventure.
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June 10
“A man should hear a little music, read a little poetry,
and see a fine picture every day of his life,
in order that worldly cares may not obliterate
the sense of the beautiful which
God has implanted in the human soul.”
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe |
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Two weeks ago I met a recovery goal. Donning cycling shoes, I clipped in and pedaled out of our driveway onto asphalt for my first bona fide solo bike ride of 2024. (click to keep reading) |
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BOOK NOTES
Fully Alive
Elizabeth Oldfield
I (Steve) am well into Elizabeth Oldfield's newly released, Fully Alive. It's an engaging, challenging, and formative review of the seven deadly sins. I can assure you that whatever preconceptions you might have about a discussion of the sins, Fully Alive is not that -- make no mistake, it is about the sins; but I think you'll be happily disappointed.
"I hate that the monsters exist, and that they often win, and that some of them live in me."
"Wrath disconnects me from myself as well as other people because I use it to cover up what I’m really feeling and to disguise my part in the conflict. Wrath covers over the deeper desolations of fear and hurt. It can make me feel alive because it gives me a rush of adrenaline, a sense of power and agency, but if death is disconnection, it is really death in disguise."
If you are familiar with James KA Smith, Oldfield offers resonance with his thinking and writing about the liturgies which inform and shape our lives, and with Andy Crouch about living intentionally if we are to love well and live together differently. The title, Fully Alive, comes from Iraneus (2nd century): “The glory of God is a human being fully alive.”
Oldfield's interview with Belle Tindall and Justin Brierly will introduce you to her and give you a teaser for the book.
Also, here are her reflections on the extraordinary musical, Hadestown, a short Substack essay "Stories of How the World Could Be."
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MUSIC
 Over the Rhine
Linford Detweiler and Karin Berquist of Over The Rhine are one of our favorite music groups. They are releasing 2 new albums.
 Hymn Time In The Land Of Abandon
 Ten Songs Without Words
OTR is the husband/wife duo of Karin Bergquist and Linford Detweiler. If you are unfamiliar with OTR, here is one of our favorites of their songs, "The Trumpet Child"
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 Claire Holley
We love Claire Holley and her gentle music which so often pierces our hearts. She has a newly released lyric video, "Keeper of the Peace."
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 Josh Garrels
Josh Garrels is another of our favorite song-writer musicians. This year, Josh has released 4 single songs in anticipation of his upcoming album. His most recent single is "Rock My Soul" (lyrics below)
I've been a motherless child
I've been an orphan alone
Looking for comfort
For my soul
Don't matter how hard I try
Don't matter which place I go
Nothing can heal me
Except You, Lord
You rock my soul
In Your love, oh
Together we're making a home
Oh Lord, sweet Lord
I want to welcome you in
Make you feel at home
But there are still rooms
That I've kept closed
But as for me and my house
We will serve the Lord
Swing wide the gates
Unlock the doors
You rock my soul
In Your love, oh
Together we're making a home
Oh Lord, sweet Lord
You rock my soul
In Your love, oh
Together we're making a home
Oh Lord, sweet Lord
Your goodness surprises me
When it rises up like a mothers love
With healing in her wings
Hold me close now and, speaks tenderly
And rock me till my fears have been relieved
Oh my, soul
Cries for you, Lord
Your presence is beautiful
All I want is You
You rock my soul
Only You can make me whole
Your love is better than fortune and gold
All I want is You
All I want is You
Oh Lord
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SPORTS
While sports enthusiasts usually focus on the competitive character of sports, we've enjoyed watching the great friendship of 2 tennis legends, Roger Federer and Rafa Nadal. In this video clip, they discuss what has mattered most to them in their careers.
And, lest you think that watching sports inevitably reduces us to being couch potatoes, here's a short piece that suggests it may actually be healthy: "The Joy of Sports: How Watching Sports Can Boost Well-Being." You're welcome.
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Benediction
In our 25 years in Ithaca, I (Steve) have officiated at fewer than 10 funerals, evidence that indeed ours is a transient community. But over the past month 2 folks dear to us have stepped into the unveiled presence of our Saviour.
Merold Stern was the senior member of our Ithaca pastors fellowship, a valued colleague and brother who was born and educated in South Africa. So, at his service, I told his widow and the guests that when in a few weeks I will stand beneath the sausage trees and jacaranda blossoms, I will remember how my friend loved his homeland as I have the honor of doing what he most loved to do, tell people about the greatness and goodness of Jesus.
Carole Stickler was the senior member of NLPC. While she first started attending faithfully in 2002, she formally joined the church last year at age 91. At her service guests ran out of words to describe her kindness and her quiet determination to put everyone else in her life first. I concluded the service with this benediction in preparation for the reading of Psalm 23 at her graveside:
Now may the Good Shepherd who laid down his life for his sheep
continue to be your faithful Shepherd
who defends you from all evil,
who delivers you from all fear,
who protects you from your own folly,
who carries you home at last with rejoicing.
Amen.
From Grace Be With You
by Dale Ralph Davis
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Grace Unscripted.
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Visit the Support page.
Thank you. |
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