Family Travel

Our son, Robert, and his wife, Kristen, enjoy travel adventures and are teaching their children to appreciate them, also. This year they wanted to see not only New York City, but also some other areas of the state. After investigating airline fares, they decided to have a real plane, train, automobile experience. They flew to Buffalo and in the following days traveled across the state to NYC. To this mother’s delight, they documented this trip each day on a blog, Family Matters. It has been great fun to follow their itinerary in this way and to imagine what Annaka and Jack might be saying. This kind of real time postcard truly says “wish you were here.” I can’t wait to hear their commentary on the sights and experiences. Accolades to Rob and Kristen for choosing many kid-friendly places too visit.

One of the last destinations for these Osbornes was to visit the Dickson family farm in Verbank. This is the farm that was established by Annaka and Jack’s great-great-great grandfather. I, too, have wonderful childhood memories of visits to this special place and am glad that they had the opportunity to play where many of their ancestors have worked and lived. What a rich and wonderful vacation they have had!

Real Heroes

My son, Robert, introduced me to author J.R.R. Tolkien a number of years ago and I often think of his writings when there is conversation about the importance of community and how it offers support during difficult times. Tolkien created a fantasy world called Middle Earth as the setting for his Lord of the Rings trilogy. He raises the question of what makes a person a hero. The work supplies a simple answer: A hero is not necessarily the person with the biggest sword; rather, a hero is the person with the biggest heart who is willing to sacrifice for others. While powerful forces of good and evil are fighting a war to determine the entire future of Middle Earth, the true heroes are the hobbits, Frodo Baggins and Sam Gamgee. As a Christian I know that our faith community calls us to make the right choices as we live in relationship with one another. Sometimes, this means we may become a hero or encourage someone else to be one. Isn’t it great to know that we are not in isolation when bad things occur and that heroes can be ordinary people living in the moment?

Time Well Spent

Last week our DISCIPLE study group had their final gathering. It was truly an act of commitment for us to arrange our schedules to share a meal and Holy Communion. As always this was a special time as we explored the theme word – Remember - for this particular session. In doing so, we realized how important we have become to one another and that we have claimed sacred scripture as the basis for our discipleship in new and exciting ways. One of the highlights of our year was to have two group members become engaged to one another. Of course, sharing prayer concerns and moments of personal insight bound us together and connected us with God in a special way. Now the challenge is to convince others to be a part of DISCIPLE BIBLE STUDY during the coming year. Why?

From one of my previous postings:
In today’s bullet and sound-byte culture, it seems to be difficult to help persons understand that in-depth Bible study is important to their spiritual growth and that it is important to the life of the church. Repeatedly, I hear “don’t you have a short-term study, one that doesn’t require a lot of reading?” Yes, periodically we do Bible study “lite” and it introduces participants to some basic understandings. However, this encounter with the Word is not long enough to let the stories become our stories. To be nurtured in the faith stories requires discipline of reading and prayer. Developing learning relationships – students and teachers with God and with one another – is the essential frame for all educational ministries. This means that we need to be a part of an intentional spiritual community. I continue to believe that DISCIPLE BIBLE STUDY is a model that does this and functions as a building block not only for individuals, but also for the congregation.

Back in Time

As I watched our grandsons,William and Ethan, play at Sunset Beach last Friday, wonderful memories of beach times through the years filled my thoughts. Most of them were of our sons, Robert and Daniel, at Lewes, DE and Sunset Beach, NC. This second picture is of Dan (William and Ethan's father) and Robert enjoying the sandy beach at Cape Henlopen in 1976. It just seems like yesterday!

This I Believe - Part Two

Following confirmation a week ago Sunday, Ron and I drove to Ohio to visit my parents. Along the way we listened to the audio book, This I Believe. This compilation of essays from both the original and current radio broadcasts of personal reflections on beliefs and philosophies captivated our hearts and minds as we traveled. Voices of ordinary and extraordinary people revealed positive insights shaped by a variety of experiences. We especially enjoyed the timeless thoughts of persons like Helen Keller, Eleanor Roosevelt, Jackie Robinson and Edward R. Murrow. Their personal creeds are based on both religious and cultural understanding of salvation. These expressions of love and liberty are often a call to action or at least a mandate to name those beliefs that shape and define us. How amazing that this experience followed on the heels of confirmation thoughts and was on the way to Ohio, the birthplace of my most formative beliefs and values. This trip soon became more than visiting family and memories; it became an important journey to clearer self-understanding. (Tim, I think this might qualify for a God Wink.)

This I Believe

This past Sunday the affirmation of faith that was used in our worship services was written by our sixth graders as part of their preparation for confirmation. This creed is a compilation of their individual thoughts and beliefs. Each year as I assist these young minds to articulate their beliefs, I find myself reviewing those things that name my faith. This year my thoughts seem to focus on the sustaining power of the Holy Spirit and how this allows me to face the challenges of each day. Realizing how important this exercise can be, I think that we should probably encourage all church members to periodically examine their personal beliefs and to bear witness to them much like the confirmation experience. As we tell the youth, confirmation does not conclude the faith journey. It is just one stop along the way as we move toward the Christian Perfection as known by John Wesley.



to be continued

The Holy Mystery

We are in Ohio this week visiting my parents. Although I haven’t posted a blog lately, I have been pondering several different topics. Today, I am borrowing from Theolog as a focus for thought. The author says:

When you ask a Protestant patient what you can do for him, he’s likely to say, “You can pray for me.” Ask a Catholic and she’s likely to say, “I’d like to have communion." more

Communion remains very much a mystery to many United Methodists. Understanding it as a Holy Mystery can lead us into a richer relationship with our Lord. Perhaps we have been negligent in offering this opportunity within our churches?

Our Summer Intern

Meet Laura, our summer field experience student from Duke Divinity School. We had a delightful introductory visit last evening. Today we will make sure that we are fully oriented for this experience and make plans for her Myrtle Beach summer. I think this will be a good summer for all.

Weary Days

We all have them...days when we feel so physically, mentally, emotionally tired that we are also spiritually tired. I once heard a woman say, “I am tired – way down into next year.” Recently, I admit that I have been feeling a bit like that. So, it was a special moment when I read this passage. “…Jesus, tired out by his journey, was sitting by the well.” (John 4:6) Whenever the journey becomes overwhelming, Jesus gives an example to follow. He was weary, so he sat down and rested. It was as though I had permission not only to be tired, but also to rest. I also heard the invitation – “Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28) So, with a long list of things to do I stopped last evening and rested. This morning the list remains, but I certainly feel better equipped to continue the journey. Why is this such a hard lesson to learn for some of us?

General Conference News

As the 2008 General Conference comes to a close, I share a few of the stories that have caught my attention.

Our mission statement has been expanded to read - "...to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world." Bishop Gregory Palmer's comments about how this is the "why"we make disciples and a fulfillment of Wesleyan thought make sense to me.

A committee was authorized to develop a new hymnal that will be presented to the 2012 General Conference for approval. Already I can hear the lively discussion about what will or will not be included.

Membership vows will now include the promise to be faithful in "their witness". I look forward to observing how congregations will interpret and fulfill this vow.

The Judicial Council elected its first woman president. Susan Henry-Crowe is an elder in the South Carolina Conference who currently serves as dean of Cannon Chapel at Emory University. It is nice to know people in high places and to be confident in their ability to serve.

The Study of Ministry will be continued for the next four years. Although I understand the concerns by some United Methodists that we need to move forward with some significant changes, I believe that we should continue the discussion as to have a clearer understanding of the orders before major legislation is introduced.

Once again General Conference has agonized over the issues that surround homosexuality and apparently has maintained its current stance. Isn't it interesting that Jesus never spoke of this matter, yet we choose to engage in such painful, devisive dialogue about it?

Not only have I enjoyed being part of General Conference through the coverage found at www.umc.org, but also through several delegate's blogs. Again, I refer you to Stephan Taylor's blog for an insight into a delegate's experience. I give thanks for those who have so faithfully served our church.

Dreams

I seem to be dreaming a lot lately or at least remembering my dreams as I awake. Although I do not keep dream journals or think that there is great meaning in them, I do understand that they indicate that I may be unusually concerned by certain situations or events in my life. So, I find it important to name them and give them prayerful attention if I am to have restful sleep. It is interesting how dreams seem to weave stories of our past and present together. Are they omens of the future? Maybe, if we don’t handle them with care.

My current dreams seem to focus on tests….ones for which I have not studied or have studied the wrong material. This may be because my e-Christian Ed students at Columbia College are at the end of their semester and some are not ready for their final assignments. Yet, these dreams do lead me to thinking about whether I am ready for the tests in my life. I am a dedicated student, but sometimes I wonder if I have studied the wrong things or have not fully engaged in the process of learning with openness and discernment. When tested, I see only one answer and if that doesn't work I don't always know an alternative one. Therefore, these dreams about tests may be reflective of a need to claim God's gifts of a searching heart and questioning mind. Perhaps dreams are just another way to discover life-giving truths for the journey.