Saturday, September 27, 2008

An Eventful Week

After a week of the unnerving Wall Street disaster and an uneventful presidential debate that went nowhere, I learn that Paul Newman has died. What a news filled week! I may not be able to offer great insight to any of these events, but I can say that I have long admired Paul Newman, the actor and the person, and his passing saddens me. From Butch Cassidy to Fast Eddie and other memorable roles, he provided us some wonderful entertainment through the years. But, in recent years I have had great respect for his humanitarian efforts, also. Not only did he use his fame to bring attention to issues that were important to him (and us), but also he used his resources to support them. Most of us can’t begin to understand the intricacies of our national financial dilemma or comprehend what is really being said in this political season, but we can each name those things that we know to be important to our society and do something about them using whatever resources that we might have. Paul Newman did and so can we. This is probably the most hopeful word of this week.

Tuesday, September 23, 2008

Condemn or Create

Leonard Sweet is gifted at interpreting contemporary culture and how it influences the life of the church. Of course, he often rephrases these comments to question why the church does not do more to shape culture. After one more of those frustrating conversations with a church member about what the church needs to consider in its offerings to its members and the world beyond, I remembered these words of Leonard Sweet:

“…the church has four options when it comes to engaging culture: ignore it,imitate it, condemn it, or create it…”
…If the church ignores the culture, the culture will ignore the church.
…If we don’t shape the culture, the culture will shape us.
…If the church condemns the culture, the culture will condemn the church.
…If we’re serious about fulfilling the Great Commission and incarnating the gospel, we can engage culture by creating culture.
…the culture will treat the church the way the church treats the culture. And we’re not called to condemn. We’re called to redeem.”

The Church of the Perfect Storm p, 114

Think about it and and consider how we might act accordingly.

Thursday, September 18, 2008

Wednesday Night Fellowship

In recent years, many churches have reclaimed Wednesday night as a church night. But instead of worship as in the past, the focus is meal, Bible studies, choir practices and activities for all ages. First Church has shaped such a program for eight or nine years with varying levels of participation. Each year we survey, analyze, change and pray as plans are made to create a program that meets the greatest number of needs. It should also be noted that we have to carefully consider space when making decisions about what we will offer. Providing a good meal at a reasonable price is becoming an increasing challenge. All of this is to say, lots of thought is behind what we offer each week. However, Wednesday Night Fellowship is not what many persons envision and this provides a major dilemma for me as my name is attached to it. The only solace in this situation is that many of my peers in other churches are facing the same declining interest in this kind of program. One size does not fit all. Perhaps the season for this type of experience has passed. The most frequent comments I hear involve that family schedules cannot be stretched to include several hours at our North Campus on Wednesday night. There are also mileage and food cost considerations. Perhaps we are not considering the realities of 2008 in our planning. How important is this major focus to growing faithful disciples?

Saturday, September 13, 2008

West Virginia By-ways









John Wesley Methodist Church in Lewisburg, WVA. Built in 1820 of hand-made brick. It is in "meeting-house" style with interior gallery.






Since 1983 we have traveled I-77 at least once a year as part of our pilgrimage to Ohio. Fortunately, the road conditions have improved over the years and the travel time has decreased. We have also developed a list of favorite rest stops along the way and know just how long it takes to get from one landmark to the next. Over the years we have explored some of the interesting places nearby this route and have discovered some wonderful examples of American history and culture especially in West Virginia. We have traveled the Coal Trail through West Virginia and been to places like Thurmond, Bramhall and Hinton. The New River Bridge and Gorge is spectacular and the state parks display the majesty of God’s creation. Today, we found another gem by taking I-64 at Beckley to Lewisburg. As we walked the streets of the historic district, we found interesting samples architectural charm, a delightful variety of shops and quality restaurants. The surrounding countryside is dotted with cattle, sheep and horses and their owners have some beautiful old homes and barns. These ventures remind me how important it is not to be so focused on our destinations that we don’t take side trips along the way. They can be an important part of the journey.

Thursday, September 11, 2008

An Ohio Visit


We are enjoying a hint of fall this week while visiting family in Ohio. Cool weather, lack of rain, maturing crops, presidential politics and Ohio State football dominate the conversation. However, as usual, it is the memories of times past that surround me and lead me into realizing how family and community have shaped me.

However, it is my parents that are the focus of our visit as they are elderly and have health issues. Fortunately, they have a very supportive network that lets them live in their home, the one where my dad was born and the one they have shared for sixty–four years. With the approach of winter, all are wondering if they can maintain this living arrangement. We join many, many other families striving to do the right thing and I have decided that each one has to chart its own course. There seem to be few easy answers and the ones that we feel good about only come through family conversation and prayerful consideration. Long-distance care-giving is not an easy task.

Saturday, September 06, 2008

T.S. Hanna

Weather reports have trumped political news these past few days in Myrtle Beach. This morning Hanna has moved on leaving little damage and 4-5 inches of rainfall. For this we give thanks. However, I am left thinking of all sorts of comparisons that could be made between hurricanes and presidential elections, but I will let readers have their own fun with this mental exercise.

Human reaction to potential storms is interesting to observe. From panic to complete dismissal, strangers become neighbors as they gather to offer personal thoughts and insights. A strong sense of community develops. Whether needed or not, for some persons it means a frantic trip to the grocery store and for others it is time to put up the plywood that they have stored for such occasions. A friend told me about a local psychic that had taken down her sign and boarded the windows. I did wonder what she knew that the rest of us might not know. There are others who at their own peril must be out exploring what is happening. Our new local TV station has been totally energized by this weather story and has made every effort to make this a significant event. Of course, I believe that we are to heed warnings and use wisdom is making decisions about our personal safety, However, I think prayer rather than tea leaves is more effective in my discernment process.

Monday, September 01, 2008

Struggling

I know that the first step in dealing with matters that pull and tug at my innermost being is to admit and name them. So the time has come for me to say that during this past year I have been struggling with the onset of familial tremors in my right hand. In the whole scope of health issues, which I could experience, this would be noted as minor. However, I have never really had to cope with physical issues as I have only had the types that are rather easily remedied. This makes this condition harder for me to accept. Also, this one is here to stay. The greatest physical difficulty, which I am experiencing, is with my handwriting. I am very frustrated that I cannot write personal letters and jot quick notes to others or myself. Of course, I am overly self-conscious of my trembling hand and wish that I could accept it with more grace. I can still use my computer and knit, but even these aren’t done as easily as they once were. Unfortunately, my children and grandchildren have probably inherited this gene and may also experience the vexation of such tremors. My sharing of this personal struggle is not a request for sympathy, but as a way to live with it without letting it be so embarrassing and demoralizing. Somewhere there is a gift to be claimed in this.

This part of my journey certainly has given me greater insight to the physical challenges of many persons whom I encounter daily. I no longer easily dismiss their anger and wounded souls and more fully realize that to feel our feeling is a necessary part of restoring our wholeness. Scripture reveals time and again that God knows our feelings and understands. I may not be cured of this thorn, but I may be healed so as not to know the bondage of this tremor. This is my prayer.