So, I’m cruising down the road yesterday, heading toward my 1:30 appointment. Radio is on. Tea (in my SOTH travel mug, of course) is hot and, might I say, tasty. The day is gray and a little rain is falling, but life is good.
That’s the reason I didn’t see the taillights.
The car ahead of me ground to a halt. It screeched, actually.
I had about 2 seconds to figure out a plan, but I needed about 3. Thankfully, I had just enough time to opt for the ditch to my right, and to miss somebody’s mailbox by about 6 inches.
I was stuck in a ditch, but ok. My ol’ jeep had come through like a champ.
Now parallel to the driver who was formerly traveling in front of me, I rolled down my window to ask if he was ok.
The young man, maybe 19 years old, said he was alright, but he was obviously shaken.
“What do we do?” he asked.
For the life of me, I couldn’t understand what he meant. What do we do?
What I wanted to say was, “WHY THE HECK DID YOU STOP IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD!!!!!!??”
Instead, he took my silent confusion as the sign of misunderstanding that it was. Without a word, he nodded toward the pavement in front of his vehicle. Realizing what had happened, my peripheral vision now drew clearly an image of the aged lady who stood at the end of her driveway, crying.
The young man had tried to stop in time, but he couldn’t.
Believe me, as a father of two little ones, I know it could have been worse.
No person got hurt. But a beloved pet dachshund, on its daily accompanying trip to the mailbox, had wandered into the road to meet its end.
Right before our eyes.
I was immediately thankful no person had been hurt, but my heart went out to this lady who had lost her pet. A moment before, life had been “as usual.” But there was obviously no way of putting things back the way they’d been.
I shifted my jeep into 4-wheel drive (a rare and delightful occurrence, though for a very sad occasion), and began rocking my vehicle free from the ditch. We both pulled to the side of the road and I put myself in pastoral gear.
When we had stayed as long as we could be helpful, the young man looked to me again, with the very same question, “What do we do?”
“Nothing,” I said. “You’re ok, I’m ok, they’re ok. Our vehicles are fine. It was nobody’s fault. We say goodbye and keep going.” And that’s what we did.
Some things, you can’t fix.
To say the least, I didn’t have the greatest focus once I arrived at my meeting.
Ancient words emerged from their resting place to trek, in pieces, through the corridors of my mind:
Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth, while the evil days come not, nor the years draw nigh, when thou shalt say, I have no pleasure in them;
While the sun, or the light, or the moon, or the stars, be not darkened, nor the clouds return after the rain:
In the day when the keepers of the house shall tremble, and the strong men shall bow themselves, and the grinders cease because they are few, and those that look out of the windows be darkened,
And the doors shall be shut in the streets, when the sound of the grinding is low, and he shall rise up at the voice of the bird, and all the daughters of musick shall be brought low;
Also when they shall be afraid of that which is high, and fears shall be in the way, and the almond tree shall flourish, and the grasshopper shall be a burden, and desire shall fail: because man goeth to his long home, and the mourners go about the streets:
Or ever the silver cord be loosed, or the golden bowl be broken, or the pitcher be broken at the fountain, or the wheel broken at the cistern.
Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it.
Vanity of vanities, saith the preacher; all is vanity. Ecclesiastes XII
Yep, those are the words.
They’re the kind of words that should just always be in King James English.
Though I probably don’t remember the first time I ever heard them, I definitely remember the first time I ever listened to them. The admonition to “Remember my Creator” struck home because I was clearly in the “Days of My Youth.”
Even though I didn’t fully (or perhaps at all) understand the implication of the words, I knew that I wanted to listen, and follow.
These years later, here’s what I think they mean:
Life is precious. Youth is precious. Today matters.
There’s a lot we don’t know, and more that we can’t fix, but our job, while it lasts, is to live in relationship with God, to do the best we can…and to keep going forward.
On Monday, I met my first-grade son at the end of his school day. My grin told him that I had a plan. We were skipping town, if just for a few hours, because life can turn on a dime.
Homework? It could wait.
Cell phone? It has an off button. Or something like that.
The woods were waiting for us, and they were impatient. We hadn’t visited them in quite a while. The next two hours were spent scaling the red clay ridges of Douglas County, and two little boys (at heart) had a wonderful time playing together.
That was a good day.
We remembered our Creator, and he was right there where we’d left him.
This Sunday, the season of Advent begins. We wait, and remember. We look to a future of hope and remember a 2,000 year old baby boy.
God will be there. Savor the season.
Grace & Peace,
Adam
The Tables Turned
William Wordsworth, 1798
UP! up! my Friend, and quit your books;
Or surely you'll grow double:
Up! up! my Friend, and clear your looks;
Why all this toil and trouble?
The sun, above the mountain's head,
A freshening lustre mellow
Through all the long green fields has spread,
His first sweet evening yellow.
Books! 'tis a dull and endless strife:
Come, hear the woodland linnet,
How sweet his music! on my life,
There's more of wisdom in it.
And hark! how blithe the throstle sings!
He, too, is no mean preacher:
Come forth into the light of things,
Let Nature be your teacher.
She has a world of ready wealth,
Our minds and hearts to bless--
Spontaneous wisdom breathed by health,
Truth breathed by cheerfulness.
One impulse from a vernal wood
May teach you more of man,
Of moral evil and of good,
Than all the sages can.
Sweet is the lore which Nature brings;
Our meddling intellect
Mis-shapes the beauteous forms of things:
We murder to dissect.
Enough of Science and of Art;
Close up those barren leaves;
Come forth, and bring with you a heart
That watches and receives.
LIFE AT SOTH:
CONGREGATIONAL "TOWN HALL" SESSION REGARDING LAND ACQUISITION: This Sunday, December 3rd, following 10:00 worship. Members of our leadership team will present the congregation with options for possible land acquisition in planning for our building and relocation process. Bring yourself, your input and questions to this important time.
This Sunday, both 8:30 and 10:00 services will have elements of "Hanging of the Greens," a Christmas tradition in many churches. Worship will be interactive as congregation members are invited to help decorate our sanctuary for Christmas. Come out this Saturday at 3:00 and help with some of the work that needs to happen before Sunday.
SOTH's 2nd Annual "Blue Christmas" worship service will be held on Wednesday night, December 20th at 6:30 pm. This service is an uplifting time of reflection on the hope of Christ for those who have experienced loss or other reasons for sadness connected to the holidays. Last year our service was very meaningful for several in our community and we hope that you'll help spread the word.
WORSHIP SCHEDULE CHANGE: Beginning on our first Sunday in January, SOTH Sunday worship times will change to 9:00 and 11:00 AM. This schedule should balance our worship attendance and allow us to maximize seating space for worship. In addition, we will begin offering children's SS at 10:15, with adult classes and a Bible Study for adults lead by Adam in the sanctuary at 10:20. Please make a note of this change and look forward to the new opportunities ahead and 2007.
Nov 30, 2006
Nov 15, 2006
Pilgrimage
Folks, the big day is almost here. That's right, your Chapel Hill Rd. Publix supermarket is about to open.
I heard they'll be giving away 20lb turkeys to the first 1,000 customers. Milk is 25 cents a gallon and eggs are a nickel per dozen.
OK, slight exaggeration perhaps, but I can bet you that there will be some great deals over there as they open their doors for the first time and begin their courtship of long-term customers. I can promise, if the folks at Publix are good business people, and they are, they're going to do everything they can to make their store a place where "shopping is a pleasure."
And, even though the store's huge marquis lights up "The Ranch" at SOTH with an eerie green glow every night, you can bet that I'm bound to go check it out, and I do wish them the best of luck in their venture.
But, when I go to their store, I won't be going to give, but to receive. I will have high expetations of service, quality and value.
What are people looking for when they go to church?
I found a great video this week that speaks a little more truth than we might want to admit.
Me/Church, "Where It's All About Me."
"I work hard all week, and when Sunday comes around, I'm tired," the lady proclaims from behind her desk. "I want a church that starts when I get there."
The announcers warm, solid voice responds: "Can do."
As the commercial parody winds further and deeper along, the demands from prospective worshippers grow more and more realistic, but the announcer remains determined to please.
The spot is hilarious, mostly because it represents the real dilemma of what life, faith, thankfulness and selfishness are all about.
Church is a place of theological tension, where ideals and reality crash headlong into one another. We know that faith in Christ is all about letting go, following him, responding to God's love and seeking to share that same love with others.
But we also know that those who first walk through their doors will often come asking one question, "what's in this for me?"
That's ok. In fact, it's a valid question. But it ought not ever be the final destination.
Somewhere along the journey of faith, "me" has got to become "you."
Here's what I mean, SOTH can't model its own motto after the big supermarket's.
SOTH: "Where worshipping is a pleasure."
Why not? What's wrong with that?
Well, while we certainly want do all that we can to make a morning's experience at SOTH a good and pleasurable one, the plain truth is that God just doesn't promise that life or worship will always be a pleasure.
Sometimes, faith will be a sacrifice. Sometimes, life will take an unexpected turn. Sometimes, we will hear about a cross, and always about a resurrection --- but we will be called to die to our old ways if we are to rise and embrace God's new ones.
But if "shopping is a pleasure" can't be our message, what can?
Well, our church council did, in fact, just adopt a new look, feel and message for our church. SOTH's communications team worked hard all year to produce some wonderful new pieces that you'll begin seeing soon. The message?
Shepherd of the Hills: "On the Path of Life...Together"
I like it. We're on the path. We're on "the way." We're moving toward the cross, the sign of Jesus' life, death and resurrection. We're learning, growing and becoming. We are thankful, making a humble pilgrimage through this gift of life that God has given us.
Philippians 2:5-11 says it all (The Message):
Think of yourselves the way Christ Jesus thought of himself. He had equal status with God but didn't think so much of himself that he had to cling to the advantages of that status no matter what. Not at all. When the time came, he set aside the privileges of deity and took on the status of a slave, became human! Having become human, he stayed human. It was an incredibly humbling process. He didn't claim special privileges. Instead, he lived a selfless, obedient life and then died a selfless, obedient death—and the worst kind of death at that—a crucifixion.
Because of that obedience, God lifted him high and honored him far beyond anyone or anything, ever, so that all created beings in heaven and on earth—even those long ago dead and buried—will bow in worship before this Jesus Christ, and call out in praise that he is the Master of all, to the glorious honor of God the Father.
And so, it's important this morning that we're thankful. For this gray day and the rain that is falling around us. For the way that God sustains us on the path of life. For the wonderful things and the hard things, too.
Thanksgiving Day is just around the corner, and there won't be a new "SOTHBLOG" next Wednesday, in honor of the holiday. So, I'm hopeful that we can continue our Thanksgiving tradition and spend a few moments here using the "comments" section of this blog to express our thankfulness to and for one another.
If you have a few more minutes to spend, you can check out some interesting history of Thanksgiving and also hear an idea about how the pilgrims might have prayed on that first Thanksgiving Day. I love their intepretation of a prayer of Myles Standish, which goes like this:
"Almighty God, we humbly thank you for all these great bounties that you have visited upon us. For these herbs and these beasts that have given their bodies and their blood to nourish our bodies as your son our Lord Christ Jesus gave his blood to nourish our souls. we thank thee Lord for the bounty of this place, for its frutifulnes and magnificence. We pray that you may protect us from the dangers of the woods and the seas and that you might smite any enemies that come to harm us. That you might watch over us and keep us and make us never in time to come fat and prideful. But help us to know that it is only through service of you that we have any wealth at all. In all things we pray through the name of our Lord Jesus, the Mediator of our Peace, Amen."
Grace & Peace,
Adam
LIFE AT SOTH:
Confirmation this Sunday! Our 2006 Confirmation class will be received into full membership this Sunday at 10:00 worship. Don't miss this important time in the lives of these young men and women.
One Worship Service on Thanksgiving Weekend, November 26th: 10:00 AM only
WORSHIP SCHEDULE CHANGE: Church Council voted on November 5th to change our Sunday morning worship schedule beginning in January, 2007. Worship times will be 9:00 and 11:00 AM with children's and adult SS at 10:15. This schedule will allow for better use of our facilities, more growth in worship attendance and more volunteerism in our SS programs. Our current Adult SS class will continue to meet, and a new Bible Study for adults will be offered in the worship space between services. Look forward to these exciting changes!
BIG BONFIRE WEEKEND AT SOTH! Our annual bonfire will be this Saturday night with a time of live music, food and fellowship. Lunch will be available as our UM Men's group provides BBQ and Friend Turkey plates for sale. All proceeds will support their mission efforts in the church and community.
"OUT OF THE BOAT" FOLLOW-UP: Thanks to the many of you who made an "Out of the Boat" commitment for 2007! We have many new ministry groups forming, and each of you who made a commitment will receive a letter in the mail this week confirming your responses to ministry opportunities and your financial commitments. This effort has also been SOTH's most successful financial commitment campaign in its history, and your faithfulness will result in wonderful ministry in the year to come.
I heard they'll be giving away 20lb turkeys to the first 1,000 customers. Milk is 25 cents a gallon and eggs are a nickel per dozen.
OK, slight exaggeration perhaps, but I can bet you that there will be some great deals over there as they open their doors for the first time and begin their courtship of long-term customers. I can promise, if the folks at Publix are good business people, and they are, they're going to do everything they can to make their store a place where "shopping is a pleasure."
And, even though the store's huge marquis lights up "The Ranch" at SOTH with an eerie green glow every night, you can bet that I'm bound to go check it out, and I do wish them the best of luck in their venture.
But, when I go to their store, I won't be going to give, but to receive. I will have high expetations of service, quality and value.
What are people looking for when they go to church?
I found a great video this week that speaks a little more truth than we might want to admit.
Me/Church, "Where It's All About Me."
"I work hard all week, and when Sunday comes around, I'm tired," the lady proclaims from behind her desk. "I want a church that starts when I get there."
The announcers warm, solid voice responds: "Can do."
As the commercial parody winds further and deeper along, the demands from prospective worshippers grow more and more realistic, but the announcer remains determined to please.
The spot is hilarious, mostly because it represents the real dilemma of what life, faith, thankfulness and selfishness are all about.
Church is a place of theological tension, where ideals and reality crash headlong into one another. We know that faith in Christ is all about letting go, following him, responding to God's love and seeking to share that same love with others.
But we also know that those who first walk through their doors will often come asking one question, "what's in this for me?"
That's ok. In fact, it's a valid question. But it ought not ever be the final destination.
Somewhere along the journey of faith, "me" has got to become "you."
Here's what I mean, SOTH can't model its own motto after the big supermarket's.
SOTH: "Where worshipping is a pleasure."
Why not? What's wrong with that?
Well, while we certainly want do all that we can to make a morning's experience at SOTH a good and pleasurable one, the plain truth is that God just doesn't promise that life or worship will always be a pleasure.
Sometimes, faith will be a sacrifice. Sometimes, life will take an unexpected turn. Sometimes, we will hear about a cross, and always about a resurrection --- but we will be called to die to our old ways if we are to rise and embrace God's new ones.
But if "shopping is a pleasure" can't be our message, what can?
Well, our church council did, in fact, just adopt a new look, feel and message for our church. SOTH's communications team worked hard all year to produce some wonderful new pieces that you'll begin seeing soon. The message?
Shepherd of the Hills: "On the Path of Life...Together"
I like it. We're on the path. We're on "the way." We're moving toward the cross, the sign of Jesus' life, death and resurrection. We're learning, growing and becoming. We are thankful, making a humble pilgrimage through this gift of life that God has given us.
Philippians 2:5-11 says it all (The Message):
Think of yourselves the way Christ Jesus thought of himself. He had equal status with God but didn't think so much of himself that he had to cling to the advantages of that status no matter what. Not at all. When the time came, he set aside the privileges of deity and took on the status of a slave, became human! Having become human, he stayed human. It was an incredibly humbling process. He didn't claim special privileges. Instead, he lived a selfless, obedient life and then died a selfless, obedient death—and the worst kind of death at that—a crucifixion.
Because of that obedience, God lifted him high and honored him far beyond anyone or anything, ever, so that all created beings in heaven and on earth—even those long ago dead and buried—will bow in worship before this Jesus Christ, and call out in praise that he is the Master of all, to the glorious honor of God the Father.
And so, it's important this morning that we're thankful. For this gray day and the rain that is falling around us. For the way that God sustains us on the path of life. For the wonderful things and the hard things, too.
Thanksgiving Day is just around the corner, and there won't be a new "SOTHBLOG" next Wednesday, in honor of the holiday. So, I'm hopeful that we can continue our Thanksgiving tradition and spend a few moments here using the "comments" section of this blog to express our thankfulness to and for one another.
If you have a few more minutes to spend, you can check out some interesting history of Thanksgiving and also hear an idea about how the pilgrims might have prayed on that first Thanksgiving Day. I love their intepretation of a prayer of Myles Standish, which goes like this:
"Almighty God, we humbly thank you for all these great bounties that you have visited upon us. For these herbs and these beasts that have given their bodies and their blood to nourish our bodies as your son our Lord Christ Jesus gave his blood to nourish our souls. we thank thee Lord for the bounty of this place, for its frutifulnes and magnificence. We pray that you may protect us from the dangers of the woods and the seas and that you might smite any enemies that come to harm us. That you might watch over us and keep us and make us never in time to come fat and prideful. But help us to know that it is only through service of you that we have any wealth at all. In all things we pray through the name of our Lord Jesus, the Mediator of our Peace, Amen."
Grace & Peace,
Adam
LIFE AT SOTH:
Confirmation this Sunday! Our 2006 Confirmation class will be received into full membership this Sunday at 10:00 worship. Don't miss this important time in the lives of these young men and women.
One Worship Service on Thanksgiving Weekend, November 26th: 10:00 AM only
WORSHIP SCHEDULE CHANGE: Church Council voted on November 5th to change our Sunday morning worship schedule beginning in January, 2007. Worship times will be 9:00 and 11:00 AM with children's and adult SS at 10:15. This schedule will allow for better use of our facilities, more growth in worship attendance and more volunteerism in our SS programs. Our current Adult SS class will continue to meet, and a new Bible Study for adults will be offered in the worship space between services. Look forward to these exciting changes!
BIG BONFIRE WEEKEND AT SOTH! Our annual bonfire will be this Saturday night with a time of live music, food and fellowship. Lunch will be available as our UM Men's group provides BBQ and Friend Turkey plates for sale. All proceeds will support their mission efforts in the church and community.
"OUT OF THE BOAT" FOLLOW-UP: Thanks to the many of you who made an "Out of the Boat" commitment for 2007! We have many new ministry groups forming, and each of you who made a commitment will receive a letter in the mail this week confirming your responses to ministry opportunities and your financial commitments. This effort has also been SOTH's most successful financial commitment campaign in its history, and your faithfulness will result in wonderful ministry in the year to come.
Nov 8, 2006
Vote
Well, it’s the Wednesday after the Tuesday after the first Monday of November.
You know what that means, right? Election Day is over!
I’d like to repeat the offer that I heard a radio DJ make yesterday. If any of you are experiencing campaign ad withdrawals, you can call me up and I will tell you lies about people you don’t know in 15, 30 or 60 second increments.
I really try not to be too cynical about politicians, elections and our government. The problem is that politicians, elections, and our government don’t make that task very easy. After all, you can only believe and have your hopes dashed so many times, right?
Sports writer Frank Deford had a great article about the American electorate this morning, and you can listen to it here.
Like him, I’ve grown to be cynical about more than just the politicians. My deeper fears lie with the public’s seeming inability to care about issues and vote responsibly. What matters is not so much that we agree or disagree, but that we plug in, pay attention and hold our elected officials accountable. In democracy, things don’t just break down when leaders are corrupt, self-serving or shortsighted. Things really break down when the populace falls asleep at the wheel. Sometimes, sleeping at the wheel is a defense mechanism.
When we believe the lie that our energy, opinion and voice doesn’t matter, and when we become so deeply cynical as to believe that there are no good leaders left to vote for, sleep comes as a welcome alternative to anger, frustration and pain.
But here’s the problem. Head-burying is not a long-term answer. It’s a short-term pain reliever.
“Christian Cynic” just doesn’t make a whole lot of sense. Those words shouldn’t live too easily together.
Don’t get me wrong, I’m the first to say that cynicism is the natural response to much of what our nation’s leaders have presented us…over the last several decades in particular. As I was being born into the world, the truth of G. Gordon Liddy’s break-in to the Watergate hotel was coming to light. The nation was just leaving the quagmire of Vietnam and was faced with the reality of corruption in the Oval Office.
Scandal was followed by ineffectiveness, and then by more scandal. Then more ineffectiveness.
As I came of age in the early 90’s, we watched the Clinton scandals unfold, culminating in some famous and amazing presidential yarn-spinning, right into the camera and our living rooms. “I did not…” he said. Well, yeah….he did.
And so, here I am, squarely situated in a generation that knows better than to trust anybody elected to anything. I’ve seen a U.S. Secretary of State sit in the U.N. assembly and proclaim the urgent truth of things that just weren’t true. I’ve seen scandal and corruption and confusion. Need we say Mark Foley, Jack Abramoff, etc., etc., etc.
I’m not sure any of us know exactly why we’re where we are at this moment, nor where in the world we should clearly go from here.
Undoubtedly, we’ve got every reason to be cynical…and then some. So, why did I go vote yesterday, anyway?
Cynicism doesn’t absolve responsibility. Brokenness should never eradicate hope. “Better” is always possible, even if “perfect” isn’t.
This truth applies to more than politics, leadership and international events. It applies to the reality of our lives and the validity of our faith.
Followers of Jesus Christ, like all people, sometimes fall prey to the tempting draw of spiritual cynicism. There are moments when the most devout and faith-filled people wonder why it matters, why good people suffer, why evil people prosper and why the path of goodness and truth can’t be a little more obvious and well-paved.
Here’s an example of what I mean:
“Truly God is good to the upright,
to those who are pure in heart.
But as for me, my feet had almost stumbled;
my steps had nearly slipped. For I was envious of the arrogant;
I saw the prosperity of the wicked. For they have no pain;
their bodies are sound and sleek.
They are not in trouble as others are;
they are not plagued like other people.
Therefore pride is their necklace;
violence covers them like a garment.
Their eyes swell out with fatness;
their hearts overflow with follies.
They scoff and speak with malice;
loftily they threaten oppression.
They set their mouths against heaven,
and their tongues range over the earth.
Therefore the people turn and praise them,
and find no fault in them. And they say, ‘How can God know?
Is there knowledge in the Most High?’
Such are the wicked;
always at ease, they increase in riches.
All in vain I have kept my heart clean
and washed my hands in innocence.
For all day long I have been plagued,
and am punished every morning.
If I had said, ‘I will talk on in this way’,
I would have been untrue to the circle of your children.
But when I thought how to understand this,
it seemed to me a wearisome task, until I went into the sanctuary of God;
then I perceived their end.
Truly you set them in slippery places;
you make them fall to ruin. How they are destroyed in a moment,
swept away utterly by terrors!
They are like a dream when one awakes;
on awaking you despise their phantoms.
When my soul was embittered,
when I was pricked in heart, I was stupid and ignorant;
I was like a brute beast towards you.
Nevertheless I am continually with you;
you hold my right hand. You guide me with your counsel,
and afterwards you will receive me with honor.
Whom have I in heaven but you?
And there is nothing on earth that I desire other than you.
My flesh and my heart may fail,
but God is the strength of my heart and my portion for ever.
Indeed, those who are far from you will perish;
you put an end to those who are false to you.
But for me it is good to be near God;
I have made the Lord God my refuge,
to tell of all your works.”
-- Psalm 73
You see, “it just doesn’t matter” may be one of the most dangerous and sad phrases in our vocabulary.
It matters.
Politics will be politics, and people will be people…but God will be God. Faith says that good will win the day. Faith says that nothing outlasts truth, integrity and worship.
We may get broken, but we won’t get cynical. God is good, all the time…even on election day.
Keep our leaders in your prayers, every single day.
Grace and Peace,
Adam
LIFE AT SOTH:
“Out of the Boat” Commitment Sunday was this past weekend, and it was a great success! Thanks to all of you who submitted commitments, both volunteer and financial for 2007. Already, over $100,000 has been committed and many more commitments should still come into the church office. This represents the greatest percentage of operating budget ever pledged at SOTH to date, and it’s a great sign for next year’s ministry. Many, many of you have also volunteered your time and talent, and we are sorting that information right now and forming ministry teams. If you made a pledge, look for a follow up letter in the mail very soon. Special thanks to all who hosted and led small groups during these last six weeks!
SOTH Photo Directory: Priceless Portraits will be doing our 2007 photo directory, and setting times are available now. Please look for the sign up this weekend at church, or give us a call in the church office.
Our Community and Congregational Care Team will be sponsoring its basket auction at our Thanksgiving Dinner next Wednesday night, November 15th. Don’t miss the great meal, special time of fellowship and opportunity to support local mission outreach by bidding on some of your favorite items.
Pray for our youth who will attend HarvestFest this weekend at Rock Eagle. This retreat is an annual event that always means a lot to the members of our youth group.
Our confirmation class will be received into membership on Sunday, November 19th with a dozen Jr. High students being received into full, professing membership!
Men of SOTH --- Don’t miss a time of prayer, fellowship, food and ministry this coming Tuesday night --- UM Men’s meeting @ The Ranch – 7pm, November 14th.
You know what that means, right? Election Day is over!
I’d like to repeat the offer that I heard a radio DJ make yesterday. If any of you are experiencing campaign ad withdrawals, you can call me up and I will tell you lies about people you don’t know in 15, 30 or 60 second increments.
I really try not to be too cynical about politicians, elections and our government. The problem is that politicians, elections, and our government don’t make that task very easy. After all, you can only believe and have your hopes dashed so many times, right?
Sports writer Frank Deford had a great article about the American electorate this morning, and you can listen to it here.
Like him, I’ve grown to be cynical about more than just the politicians. My deeper fears lie with the public’s seeming inability to care about issues and vote responsibly. What matters is not so much that we agree or disagree, but that we plug in, pay attention and hold our elected officials accountable. In democracy, things don’t just break down when leaders are corrupt, self-serving or shortsighted. Things really break down when the populace falls asleep at the wheel. Sometimes, sleeping at the wheel is a defense mechanism.
When we believe the lie that our energy, opinion and voice doesn’t matter, and when we become so deeply cynical as to believe that there are no good leaders left to vote for, sleep comes as a welcome alternative to anger, frustration and pain.
But here’s the problem. Head-burying is not a long-term answer. It’s a short-term pain reliever.
“Christian Cynic” just doesn’t make a whole lot of sense. Those words shouldn’t live too easily together.
Don’t get me wrong, I’m the first to say that cynicism is the natural response to much of what our nation’s leaders have presented us…over the last several decades in particular. As I was being born into the world, the truth of G. Gordon Liddy’s break-in to the Watergate hotel was coming to light. The nation was just leaving the quagmire of Vietnam and was faced with the reality of corruption in the Oval Office.
Scandal was followed by ineffectiveness, and then by more scandal. Then more ineffectiveness.
As I came of age in the early 90’s, we watched the Clinton scandals unfold, culminating in some famous and amazing presidential yarn-spinning, right into the camera and our living rooms. “I did not…” he said. Well, yeah….he did.
And so, here I am, squarely situated in a generation that knows better than to trust anybody elected to anything. I’ve seen a U.S. Secretary of State sit in the U.N. assembly and proclaim the urgent truth of things that just weren’t true. I’ve seen scandal and corruption and confusion. Need we say Mark Foley, Jack Abramoff, etc., etc., etc.
I’m not sure any of us know exactly why we’re where we are at this moment, nor where in the world we should clearly go from here.
Undoubtedly, we’ve got every reason to be cynical…and then some. So, why did I go vote yesterday, anyway?
Cynicism doesn’t absolve responsibility. Brokenness should never eradicate hope. “Better” is always possible, even if “perfect” isn’t.
This truth applies to more than politics, leadership and international events. It applies to the reality of our lives and the validity of our faith.
Followers of Jesus Christ, like all people, sometimes fall prey to the tempting draw of spiritual cynicism. There are moments when the most devout and faith-filled people wonder why it matters, why good people suffer, why evil people prosper and why the path of goodness and truth can’t be a little more obvious and well-paved.
Here’s an example of what I mean:
“Truly God is good to the upright,
to those who are pure in heart.
But as for me, my feet had almost stumbled;
my steps had nearly slipped. For I was envious of the arrogant;
I saw the prosperity of the wicked. For they have no pain;
their bodies are sound and sleek.
They are not in trouble as others are;
they are not plagued like other people.
Therefore pride is their necklace;
violence covers them like a garment.
Their eyes swell out with fatness;
their hearts overflow with follies.
They scoff and speak with malice;
loftily they threaten oppression.
They set their mouths against heaven,
and their tongues range over the earth.
Therefore the people turn and praise them,
and find no fault in them. And they say, ‘How can God know?
Is there knowledge in the Most High?’
Such are the wicked;
always at ease, they increase in riches.
All in vain I have kept my heart clean
and washed my hands in innocence.
For all day long I have been plagued,
and am punished every morning.
If I had said, ‘I will talk on in this way’,
I would have been untrue to the circle of your children.
But when I thought how to understand this,
it seemed to me a wearisome task, until I went into the sanctuary of God;
then I perceived their end.
Truly you set them in slippery places;
you make them fall to ruin. How they are destroyed in a moment,
swept away utterly by terrors!
They are like a dream when one awakes;
on awaking you despise their phantoms.
When my soul was embittered,
when I was pricked in heart, I was stupid and ignorant;
I was like a brute beast towards you.
Nevertheless I am continually with you;
you hold my right hand. You guide me with your counsel,
and afterwards you will receive me with honor.
Whom have I in heaven but you?
And there is nothing on earth that I desire other than you.
My flesh and my heart may fail,
but God is the strength of my heart and my portion for ever.
Indeed, those who are far from you will perish;
you put an end to those who are false to you.
But for me it is good to be near God;
I have made the Lord God my refuge,
to tell of all your works.”
-- Psalm 73
You see, “it just doesn’t matter” may be one of the most dangerous and sad phrases in our vocabulary.
It matters.
Politics will be politics, and people will be people…but God will be God. Faith says that good will win the day. Faith says that nothing outlasts truth, integrity and worship.
We may get broken, but we won’t get cynical. God is good, all the time…even on election day.
Keep our leaders in your prayers, every single day.
Grace and Peace,
Adam
LIFE AT SOTH:
“Out of the Boat” Commitment Sunday was this past weekend, and it was a great success! Thanks to all of you who submitted commitments, both volunteer and financial for 2007. Already, over $100,000 has been committed and many more commitments should still come into the church office. This represents the greatest percentage of operating budget ever pledged at SOTH to date, and it’s a great sign for next year’s ministry. Many, many of you have also volunteered your time and talent, and we are sorting that information right now and forming ministry teams. If you made a pledge, look for a follow up letter in the mail very soon. Special thanks to all who hosted and led small groups during these last six weeks!
SOTH Photo Directory: Priceless Portraits will be doing our 2007 photo directory, and setting times are available now. Please look for the sign up this weekend at church, or give us a call in the church office.
Our Community and Congregational Care Team will be sponsoring its basket auction at our Thanksgiving Dinner next Wednesday night, November 15th. Don’t miss the great meal, special time of fellowship and opportunity to support local mission outreach by bidding on some of your favorite items.
Pray for our youth who will attend HarvestFest this weekend at Rock Eagle. This retreat is an annual event that always means a lot to the members of our youth group.
Our confirmation class will be received into membership on Sunday, November 19th with a dozen Jr. High students being received into full, professing membership!
Men of SOTH --- Don’t miss a time of prayer, fellowship, food and ministry this coming Tuesday night --- UM Men’s meeting @ The Ranch – 7pm, November 14th.
Nov 2, 2006
Concrete
The actors on stage did their best “thousand mile stare.”
Looking far into the distance, they gave their best descriptions of the beautiful castle that lay upon the remote hillside.
They spoke of its shining spires and magnificent lines. Instantly, 200 heads whipped around to take in the awesome sight.
…I’m a grown-up, so of course, my head did not turn.
Suddenly, I was confronted by 200 confused little faces, their eyes staring just over my head to the back wall of the theatre. They looked back at the actors who still gazed longingly toward “the castle.” They looked back at the wall, back at the actors, then back at the wall again.
The mom sitting behind me started to giggle uncontrollably.
I now know that there’s nothing quite like watching a play with a theatre full of six, seven and eight-year olds.
They react to a play very differently than we grown folks do.
They have a lot more fun. Generally speaking, I think they have a lot more fun than we do at most everything.
Why not, after all? No bills to pay, no job responsibilities, no kids of their own to raise and worry about. No office politics, no church politics, no local, national or international politics for that matter, either.
But being a chaperone for my son’s field trip to the Alliance Theatre yesterday taught me that the “castle” moment was about more than just a lack of worries.
Kids have a wonderful penchant for “concrete thinking.” They are able to take the world as it comes --- to see it and believe it.
At adolescence, children start to form more logical thinking abilities. They can begin to think of abstract possibilities, and (my personal favorite), they can begin to “think about thinking.”
Seven year-olds are gloriously free of such burdens. The result is that their ability to enter fully into a story remains much more intact than ours does.
Yesterday, as Aladdin met and wooed Princess Jasmine, but was then arrested for theft and sent to a cave, little faces fell and brows furrowed with fear. When the Genie turned him into a prince, palpable rays of hope shone throughout the room. As the evil Jafar almost ruined the royal wedding day, I watched eyes widen with anxiety. When Aladdin tricked him, trapping him in the Genie’s bottle forever, audible cheers could be heard. Finally, as Jasmine and Aladdin were pronounced man and wife, to live happily ever after, 400 little hands clapped wildly. Their little lungs cheered with delight because all was right with the world, and good really did win-out after all.
See, they have more fun than we do. They believe.
I can’t help remembering something Jesus told his disciples:
Mark 10
13 People were bringing little children to him in order that he might touch them; and the disciples spoke sternly to them. 14But when Jesus saw this, he was indignant and said to them, ‘Let the little children come to me; do not stop them; for it is to such as these that the kingdom of God belongs. 15Truly I tell you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will never enter it.’ 16And he took them up in his arms, laid his hands on them, and blessed them. (NRSV)
“Whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will never enter it.”
I have thought for years about what Jesus might mean. How can we be child-like when there are some many things forcing us to be “adult-like” in our daily experience?
Here’s the question: Can we enter His story?
Cheers should be heard as we enter the stable of Bethlehem on Christmas Day to behold the baby, born into the world because “God so loves us.” Smiles should cross our faces as we watch Jesus receive his baptism and begin his ministry, calling his disciples, teaching transformation and healing those who hurt. Eyes should widen as we see the religious establishment of his day misunderstanding him and plotting his demise. Tears should fall when he is arrested and beaten, crucified and laid in the tomb.
And hands should clap – lungs should cheer -- at the awesome happy ending: “He is not here, he has risen!”
It is to such as these that the kingdom of God belongs.
Don’t get me wrong: I love logic. I enjoy “thinking.” I believe that grown-ups should be responsible, that we should be thoughtful, that we should do the right things.
But I really wish some part of me had even thought about turning around to look for that castle yesterday. Thank God for the little kids that did. They reminded this grown-up what it means to believe.
This Sunday, those of us who worship at SOTH have a chance to turn our heads, look off into the distance, and believe. Our “Out of the Boat” discipleship series is coming to an end, and our culminating act of worship will be one of response.
Hopefully you received an “opportunities card” this past Sunday, where you can respond in many ways and offer yourself in service to “The Kingdom.” We’ll also be sending the card via e-mail this week (to those on our SOTH prayers and announcements list – e-mail sandi@sothumc.net if you’d like to be added), and cards will be available in worship this Sunday.
My hope is that we’ve presented the story faithfully ---- that you’ve put yourself in the boat with Peter and the disciples, and that you’re willing to “look” into the distance of the year ahead --- with the concrete faith of a child. As commitments are laid on the altar this Sunday, we clap our hands and shout with joy at the reality of a risen Savior.
Belief. Concrete. It’s all God asks --- God can take it, and us, from there.
Grace and Peace,
Adam
Looking far into the distance, they gave their best descriptions of the beautiful castle that lay upon the remote hillside.
They spoke of its shining spires and magnificent lines. Instantly, 200 heads whipped around to take in the awesome sight.
…I’m a grown-up, so of course, my head did not turn.
Suddenly, I was confronted by 200 confused little faces, their eyes staring just over my head to the back wall of the theatre. They looked back at the actors who still gazed longingly toward “the castle.” They looked back at the wall, back at the actors, then back at the wall again.
The mom sitting behind me started to giggle uncontrollably.
I now know that there’s nothing quite like watching a play with a theatre full of six, seven and eight-year olds.
They react to a play very differently than we grown folks do.
They have a lot more fun. Generally speaking, I think they have a lot more fun than we do at most everything.
Why not, after all? No bills to pay, no job responsibilities, no kids of their own to raise and worry about. No office politics, no church politics, no local, national or international politics for that matter, either.
But being a chaperone for my son’s field trip to the Alliance Theatre yesterday taught me that the “castle” moment was about more than just a lack of worries.
Kids have a wonderful penchant for “concrete thinking.” They are able to take the world as it comes --- to see it and believe it.
At adolescence, children start to form more logical thinking abilities. They can begin to think of abstract possibilities, and (my personal favorite), they can begin to “think about thinking.”
Seven year-olds are gloriously free of such burdens. The result is that their ability to enter fully into a story remains much more intact than ours does.
Yesterday, as Aladdin met and wooed Princess Jasmine, but was then arrested for theft and sent to a cave, little faces fell and brows furrowed with fear. When the Genie turned him into a prince, palpable rays of hope shone throughout the room. As the evil Jafar almost ruined the royal wedding day, I watched eyes widen with anxiety. When Aladdin tricked him, trapping him in the Genie’s bottle forever, audible cheers could be heard. Finally, as Jasmine and Aladdin were pronounced man and wife, to live happily ever after, 400 little hands clapped wildly. Their little lungs cheered with delight because all was right with the world, and good really did win-out after all.
See, they have more fun than we do. They believe.
I can’t help remembering something Jesus told his disciples:
Mark 10
13 People were bringing little children to him in order that he might touch them; and the disciples spoke sternly to them. 14But when Jesus saw this, he was indignant and said to them, ‘Let the little children come to me; do not stop them; for it is to such as these that the kingdom of God belongs. 15Truly I tell you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will never enter it.’ 16And he took them up in his arms, laid his hands on them, and blessed them. (NRSV)
“Whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will never enter it.”
I have thought for years about what Jesus might mean. How can we be child-like when there are some many things forcing us to be “adult-like” in our daily experience?
Here’s the question: Can we enter His story?
Cheers should be heard as we enter the stable of Bethlehem on Christmas Day to behold the baby, born into the world because “God so loves us.” Smiles should cross our faces as we watch Jesus receive his baptism and begin his ministry, calling his disciples, teaching transformation and healing those who hurt. Eyes should widen as we see the religious establishment of his day misunderstanding him and plotting his demise. Tears should fall when he is arrested and beaten, crucified and laid in the tomb.
And hands should clap – lungs should cheer -- at the awesome happy ending: “He is not here, he has risen!”
It is to such as these that the kingdom of God belongs.
Don’t get me wrong: I love logic. I enjoy “thinking.” I believe that grown-ups should be responsible, that we should be thoughtful, that we should do the right things.
But I really wish some part of me had even thought about turning around to look for that castle yesterday. Thank God for the little kids that did. They reminded this grown-up what it means to believe.
This Sunday, those of us who worship at SOTH have a chance to turn our heads, look off into the distance, and believe. Our “Out of the Boat” discipleship series is coming to an end, and our culminating act of worship will be one of response.
Hopefully you received an “opportunities card” this past Sunday, where you can respond in many ways and offer yourself in service to “The Kingdom.” We’ll also be sending the card via e-mail this week (to those on our SOTH prayers and announcements list – e-mail sandi@sothumc.net if you’d like to be added), and cards will be available in worship this Sunday.
My hope is that we’ve presented the story faithfully ---- that you’ve put yourself in the boat with Peter and the disciples, and that you’re willing to “look” into the distance of the year ahead --- with the concrete faith of a child. As commitments are laid on the altar this Sunday, we clap our hands and shout with joy at the reality of a risen Savior.
Belief. Concrete. It’s all God asks --- God can take it, and us, from there.
Grace and Peace,
Adam
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