Election Year Thoughts

It has been another interesting week in South Carolina with presidential candidates and their entourages, the national media attention and the abundance of political advertisements offering voters insight into the issues that are part of this election year. Of course, the economy has taken center stage and we continue to hear about immigration, health care and war. But, concern for worldwide poverty, the threat of global warming, foreign policy based primarily on military action and the other injustices that shape the lives of children here and around the world seems to be almost non-existent. I am sure there are position papers and expert political analyses that could give us a better of understanding of each candidate’s views, however, most of us rely mainly on sound bytes and headlines to shape our opinions. So, as the glitz and glamour subsides, I plan to spend more time digging deeper into what I need to know to vote in November.

Focus the Nation

After being overloaded on presidential primaries and economic woes, it is interesting to know that college students are calling us to focus on climate change and related environmental issues. Their understanding of this important topic might be the most important news of the week. We are proud of our daughter in-law, Kristen, and her leadership in Focus the Nation at Clemson University where she teaches. Our son offers some insight into her efforts on his blog.

Go, Tigers!

A Good Movie

I enjoy movies, but do not consider myself to be a real student of this art form or entertainment media. So, I usually refrain from reviewing or promoting them. However, we have just watched the heart-warming movie, Akeelah and the Bee, and think others would enjoy this inspiring story. Akeelah is a 11 year old student in a mediocre school and a challenging world. When her spelling skills are recognized, she finds herself being propelled into a series of spelling bees that culminate in the National Spelling Bee in Washington DC. Although it has a number of predictable elements, several twists and turns leave the viewer reflecting on the life lessons presented. The young lead actress, Keke Palmer, is delightful and should be receiving more opportunities to act in movies. Preachers will find this movie quotable and the rest of us will think about it for quite awhile.

The Family Story

After many weeks of Old Testament study, the Disciple Bible Study group that I facilitate is reading the Book of Matthew. (Yeah, we finally made it!) With this background, the genealogy that begins this account of Jesus the Messiah has taken on new meaning for us. Jesus pedigree connects the Old and New Testament in exciting ways. It stresses Jesus’ relationship to Abraham, the father of the Jews, and to David, the greatest king of the Jews, instead of to Adam, the first man. We also are discovering women’s names included in this listing and are learning how their stories of faithfulness are important to the continuation of God’s covenant with Israel.

After 28 years in South Carolina this kind of knowledge of family histories should not be a surprise to me. To a native son or daughter, there is never anything trite or dull about retelling the family stories, no matter how many times they have been heard. There is a sense of joy in the discovery of how one is part of the continuing story. To Jewish Christians, this web or series of interconnecting events led directly from Abraham to Jesus and revealed much about God’s plan of redemption. How interesting and exciting to know the story is still unfolding!

Teach us, O God, how to submit our years to you so that they may be woven with grace and beauty into the pattern of eternity. Amen.

Political Cartoon Wisdom

Once again Robert Ariail has captured an important story of the day. A political cartoon's simple and direct insight often lingers in my memory longer than lengthy editorals. I suspect that I am not alone.

However, my thoughts for today revolve around our election year in general. Even with all the frustrations that it brings, it is so important to be an informed voter. This often means listening for what is not said as much as what is said. We must keep asking the questions. We have been blessed with a democracy, but it will not be maintained without discerning citizen participation.

Blessed are the Flexible

I was a home economics major at Ohio State many years ago, but I remember well many of the classes and especially some of the professors. My home management professor spoke constantly of the need to be flexible, but was herself quite rigid in her expectations. So it was with trepidation when I had to tell her that the coffee pot was missing from the home management house in which I was living that semester. While quizzing me about the possibilities of where it might be, she also asked me what I had served for breakfast. Rather frustrated by her attitude, I retorted that we were flexible and had hot tea instead of coffee. Rather than being reprimanded for being smart aleck about this, she was delighted with my answer and quoted it to the class. Henceforth, I have tried to be flexible when encountering a dilemma, but sometimes I still miss the obvious solution. Such happened this week.

This week our Administrative Board met for the first time this year so staff members were busy collecting all the necessary information and reports. One person called to tell me that she was having computer problems and didn’t know how to get me her report. After several attempts, a co-worker tried scanning the report and sending it to me. This really didn’t work. In the midst of the conversation as to how I might get this report, it suddenly occurred to the co-worker that it could be sent as a fax. With hearty laughs from three sheepish persons, the problem was solved and I once again had a lesson about being aware of alternative answers to life’s questions. It would seem that the pilgrim needs to be ready to take another path and to be prepared for where it might lead. I wonder when I will learn this?

A Tap on the Shoulder

The first days of this new year have been filled with chasing rabbits. These rabbits have run in all directions and not all wanted to be caught. So, it was with relief today when suddenly from out of nowhere I felt a tap on my shoulder and stopped to see who it was. It was a small child who wanted to share a hug. With a smile that reflected trust and love, a bond was formed with this hug. I saw my constant hurry through the innocent eyes of a child. I miss God’s grace when I don’t stop to receive the hugs that only God can give. One more time a little child reveals an important truth.

The Times They Are A-Changin'

Our political candidates have named this is a year of change and the voters of Iowa have affirmed that idea. United Methodists are facing the possibilities of change through the actions of General Conference. Both of these events create tension between what is and what can be and we find that change doesn’t come easily. Even in our local communities and churches we resist doing things in different ways because the uncertainty of the unknown is sometimes just too challenging.

I remember another time of change, when these lyrics of Bob Dylan caught our attention and framed a whole generation's thinking:
Come gather 'round
Wherever you roam
And admit that the waters
Around you have grown
And accept that soon
You'll be drenched to the bone.
If your time to you
Is worth savin'
Then you better start swimmin'
Or you'll sink like a stone
For the times they are a-changin'.

Political and social issues surrounding our foreign and domestic policies are forcing voters to examine carefully the hearts and minds of presidential candidates. General Conference delegates are having to place the church in a world that is demanding for the care of the earth and its people in new and dramatic ways. It also will have to respond to matters that divide the theological understanding of its members. The cultural paradigm seems to be shifting.

Reflecting on change reminds me of many of my DISCIPLE sessions this past fall when we read and discussed the events of the Old Testament. So many times God’s people returned to their old ways and rejected change in their lives and suffered as a result. Sometimes change occurred when the weak were attracted by other gods and found themselves in an alien land. Fortunately, we also have learned that God is persistent and keeps encouraging us to embrace God’s love and grace by establishing new ways of relating to others. All of this leads me to pray the familar words of Reinhhold Niebuhr: "God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change; the courage to change the things I can; and the wisdom to know the difference."

Ron's Ministry

When we moved to Myrtle Beach I was excited about the possibilities of ministry at First UMC, but little did I realize how it would be a ministry that involved Ron to such a degree. Although Ron has always been an active church member and supportive of my ministry, he was also busy with career and parent matters. He is now retired and our sons are married. Therefore, he now can do some new things, such as creating the Mousepad, introducing PowerPoint to our Monday evening worship, assisting with our webpage and most importantly chairing First Church’s Environmental Stewardship Committee.

After being aware of environmental concerns for a number of years, it was only when Ron began to read some of the serious literature about it that he truly became a bona fide tree-hugger. After attending an environmental conference at Lake Junaluska, he began to claim it as a faith issue and encourage others to make a commitment to care for God’s creation. Recently, a writer from the SC Advocate contacted him about the First Church’s green ministry and an interesting story has been written for South Carolina United Methodists to read. It is now posted on our church website, also. It is a good story, but note that Ron is a retired engineer, not a retired minister.

Although, I often refer to Ron as my administrative assistant, he has his own ministry and I am very proud of his efforts as I know that they encourage faithful discipleship. I hope that we both model to others that learning and growing can be part of who we are no matter our age or stage of life.

A Political Year

As the New Year begins, we are quite aware that 2008 will be a very political year. Not only are we having national elections, but also our General Conference will be convening in Fort Worth. Although both events can try our patience, we need to be aware of issues, vocal about our opinons and willing to let the litmus test of them to be our faith in Jesus Christ. Larry Hollen's current post addresses the issue of immigration and reminds us that "the nativity is a story of displacement and immigration." I am afraid that we might vote to exclude rather than include on a number of matters in both of these political arenas. We need to be responsible citizens and faithful disciples by studying and praying the issues before us.

I wonder what we will be facing as we enter 2009? In many ways it will be determined by the votes cast in 2008.