.... that's what my sermon title should have been this morning. And I admit, in some ways it turned out to be a shameless excuse to talk about our trip to Paris. I "used" the Isaiah text to talk about the invitations that God extends to us, to come and eat, to see the world in a new way (a place of abundance) to live in the world in a new way (sharing with others and connected to others).

I told a story about seeing the same DK Paris guidebook everywhere we went, only in different languages. And about one time in particular that I saw that guidebook at the table next to ours at a sidewalk cafe. I also recognized the letters on the front cover, and turned to my husband and whispered, "They're from Greece." (I knew that that New Testament Greek study would have more uses!) I didn't think any more about it until we got up to leave. The couple moved their guidebook out of the way so that my husband could get out, and he turned and said to them "Thank you" -- in Greek. (He told me he learned it from a grocery bag.)

That last line got a big laugh because there is a local grocery store here that has the words "Thank you" printed on all of their grocery bags, in many different languages. The closest store to us is managed by our of our congregation's leaders. I was kind of hoping that he would be at church today, but he was working.

Immediately after the service, a church member whispered in my ear, "Guess where I'm going this week!" PARIS. She asked if she could borrow our guidebook. I said, "Oui."

Then I stopped at the grocery store, where I needed to buy lunch ingredients, and I was kind of hoping to run into the manager, for obvious reasons. Often on Sundays, there are many food samples in the store, and today, among other things, there was CAKE. I told the young woman who offered me a small piece of cake that I just couldn't, as I had cheesecake at church in the morning.

"What church do you go to?" she asked.

It's true, we had cheesecake on sticks this morning. A young couple is using our church kitchen to start up a cheesecake business, and made these as a sort of a gift and a promotion for us this morning. A little more upscale than your usual donut holes.

Meanwhile, I didn't find the store manager, but relayed my grocery bag story to the people who were checking and bagging my groceries. (Yes, this store still bags groceries for you.) The bagger helped me carry the groceries to my car, pointed to my collar and asked, "Are you a pastor?" After I answered in the affirmative, she asked what kind of church I was at, and then, more boldly -- just how does a person go about finding a church? I said it would be good to try a few different churches (not neglecting my own, of course), and that she could ask any questions she wanted after she had visited.

I hope you had a blessed, restful, delicious Sunday.

We have actually been back from Paris since late Tuesday night. It was a short trip, I know: too short, you'll say, but as I keep telling myself, better than not going at all.

"Beware of enterprises which require new clothes." --Henry David Thoreau

In preparing for our short but exciting trip to Paris, I decided I needed a new purse. I usually carry a very small purse (on the advice of my doctor). But I wanted something of a lightweight fabric and slightly bigger, so I could fit a book and my new camera in it, and take them on the plane.

I don't go to department stores much any more. I go to the bookstore slightly more than I should (especially when I have gift cards), and I look in the window of one favorite dress shop on occasion. But I don't go to department stores much any more. I had a store credit though, so I thought it was the most economical idea.

I had a pretty good idea about what kind of purse I was looking for and found an acceptable one quickly. It was a new model LeSportsSac. everyday bag. What do you think?

What surprised me was how tempting it was to keep looking around. There were so many bags and purses in beautiful colors; there were many different brands of "green sacks"; there was the cosmetics counter, with women getting eye liner and blush applied; there was the jewelry counter (I've always had a weakness for earrings.) There was something seductive about the lights and the sparkles and the colors of the displays. I didn't need any of it, really; but I found myself kind of wanting this handbag or that pair of earrings.

What temptations a trip to Paris can bring on!