“There was a man, born in a small town, who grew up in the country,” the preacher began. “He didn’t have the most educational opportunities, but he learned a trade and became a skilled carpenter. He traveled from place, to place, doing good for the people wherever he went.”
With a pause, he added, “does that story sound familiar?”
For those who’ve heard the story of Jesus of Nazareth, that biography does sound familiar indeed.
“Laudell,” he said, “and Jesus had a lot in common.”
I agree. But I think my grandfather would have laughed at that idea, and pretty hard.
“If that don’t beat all,” he might have said.
“Well, we were both carpenters,” I can almost hear him say, followed by “…but I reckon that’s about as far as it goes.” Comparison with Jesus would have overwhelmed and embarrassed him.
Admittedly, on the surface our Pop might have seemed like an unlikely candidate for a Jesus Christ comparison.
“Plain talk makes for fair understanding,” he used to love to say, explaining away his penchant for “salty” language.
If you don’t know what that means, then you’ve just never spent much time with hammer-swinging, nail-driving, World War II naval veterans from Cypress, Tennessee.
And you don’t know what you’ve missed.
I'll tell you right now...plain talk does make for pretty fair understanding.
He was as tough as the nails that he drove for a living. While visiting this past week, I loved hearing my uncles talk about how, even after pneumatic nail guns came into use, they couldn’t frame a house as quickly as my Pop and his colleagues could finish the job with plain old hammers. One swing to set a 16-penny nail, and another to drive it in. If you had to hit it again, then you were just plain old soft.
I heard others throughout the weekend describe Pop’s work ethic, and I think my favorite comment was, “he picked cotton like a machine, before cotton picking machines were ever thought of.”
His whole life, was pulled by force from the West Tennessee dirt. He taught himself, worked for himself, and was incredibly disciplined about doing what needed to be done, no matter what.
Laudell Spitzer was made of iron.
But Pop was also “soft,” in all the ways that matter most. He loved his family with all his heart. His kids (6), grandkids (14) and great-grandkids (17) can tell you how much he loved to be with every one of us. He made his peace with God and I believe that he followed Jesus in every way that he could. His worn-through Bible tells the story of his faith.
He was a friend to all kinds of folks, and he never met a person who was “better” than him, and he never met anyone that he thought he was “better” than because God made us all.
He loved my Grandmama with deep devotion throughout their 60+ years of marriage.
The truth is, I could go on and on about him all day. I loved my Pop, and he was a hero in my eyes.
Last week, telling his stories with my family made our time together sacred and began the process of healing. As I looked around at the faces of my family and thought of the influence that he had on us all, I knew that in a real and powerful way, Pop’s not really gone.
This Palm Sunday, we remember the moment when the devoted followers of that other carpenter welcomed him triumphantly into Jerusalem. They believed that he was the messiah they’d always hoped for --- the one who would free them from Roman occupation and re-establish the throne of King David.
What they found instead was a pretty unlikely candidate for savior.
He was just a carpenter from the country.
“He welcomes sinners and eats with them,” they declared. And as the charges continued to mount against him throughout the week, Jesus consistently declared the arrival of a new kind of “kingdom.” When he finally stood before Pilate, his words were few, but piercing. He did not fight…he sacrificed.
When that bad Good Friday had ended, I can only imagine that those closest to him, shocked and full of loss, must have told his stories to help them find their way. Despair may have ruled for a time, but I hope that some of them remembered the promises he’d made, even in the midst of their grief.
Before I left West Tennessee, I spent some time at Pop’s grave, all by myself. He’s buried just yards from the country road that connects the family church and the family homeplace.
With a sense of happy irony, I realized that the very road he traveled over so often (at a mighty fine rate of speed, by the way) will now stand watch over him for years to come. That same ground holds the bodies of my great-grandparents, an aunt, and now my grandfather.
If I truly believed that a burial place marks the end…that there could never be more at the end of life than a tomb…then the living of that life would be so sad and hollow.
But there is more. There is this moment, and there is the forever God has prepared for us. “Because I live…” the resurrected Jesus told his disciples, “you will live also.”
I believe it. And in the core of who I am, I know that promise holds true. This Easter will celebrate the sweetest promise of resurrection that I have ever known.
We will all see each other again.
Grace and Peace,
Adam
I want to say a special word of thanks to all of you who have called, written and prayed for us this past week. Our time of loss continues, as this morning we received word that Holly’s grandmother Audrey had died after an extended illness. We are learning just what it means to be loved by a family of faith and supported in every way. We will be traveling to be with family in East Tennessee and will return after the funeral on Saturday afternoon.
I think it's appropriate, and would be a beautiful thing, for any who want to leave a word or comment about any loved ones they're remembering during this upcoming Holy Week. I hope that some of you will take the opportunity to tell your stories and remember. Adam
LIFE AT SOTH:
This Sunday is “Palm Sunday” and we will gather for worship at 9:00 and 11:00 a.m., on our regular schedule. Following worship, we are already expecting a huge crowd for lunch and an Easter Egg Hunt for the kids. For more info, visit our website, www.sothumc.net and follow the “Easter Egg Hunt” link on the home page.
Don’t forget Good Friday! On Friday night, April 6th, we will gather at the church at 7pm for a special time of worship. Please plan to join us as we remember the crucifixion and prepare our hearts for Easter Sunday’s worship celebration.
Easter Sunday Schedule:
7 a.m.: Sunrise Service @ The Pavillion, led by our youth group, “The Flock.”
9 a.m., 11 a.m. and 6 p.m. Easter worship in the Sanctuary
Again, for more info, go to www.sothumc.net
Mar 29, 2007
Mar 22, 2007
Condolences
SOTH UMC is saddened to report that Adam lost his beloved grandfather, Laudell Spitzer, on Tuesday, March 20, 2007. Mr. Spitzer enjoyed 81 years here with his family and loved ones, but now has gone on to be with our Father above.
Please be in prayer for the Spitzer and Roberts families as they are dealing with this loss.
Adam's blog will return next week.
Blessings,
SOTH UMC
Please be in prayer for the Spitzer and Roberts families as they are dealing with this loss.
Adam's blog will return next week.
Blessings,
SOTH UMC
Mar 7, 2007
A s s u m e
A hard groundball is hit to the shortstop. He drops it, kicks it, tries to pick it up and drops it again. Somehow, on his third attempt, he grabs the ball successfully and fires it to first base. Even though the ball beats the runner by half a step, the umpire still screams out, “Safe!”
Or…a runner from second base tears through his coach’s “stop” sign at third base. The throw from the outfielder beats him home by ten feet. Miraculously, he somehow slides around the tag, dragging his outstretched hand across home plate while the catcher’s tag misses him altogether.
Even so, the umpire let’s fly with his decision: “OUT!!!”
In their most honest moments, baseball umpires (and the referees and officials of many other sports) would tell you that early assumptions can cause them to misjudge reality.
When the ump becomes convinced in his or her heart that “out,” or “safe,” is the right call, what they see in reality often ceases to matter.
We human beings can be that way about a lot of things.
In their training, sports officials are taught to work hard at not assuming what will happen next, but only at judging and reacting to what they observe in reality.
A fine lesson for us all.
Sunday night, I watched the much antipacted “Lost Tomb of Jesus” documentary on the Discovery Channel. I knew that many folks at SOTH and Christians throughout the world would have questions about what they saw there, and I had concerns (and assumptions, which do sometimes turn out to be right) about how the material would be presented.
They started with their “answer.”
Conspiracy, the show asserted as its opening premise, has covered up the truth about Jesus and his family for millennia. From that point on, they then seemed pretty determined to be undeterred by the “facts,” no matter what they were.
You could see their conclusions had been drawn, even before the archaeology was presented.
Every commercial break ended with a sensationalized question, and the strong implication that these “warriors for the truth” would soon bring to light some long-lost facts.
Certainly, they assume, an ancient tomb in Jerusalem containing ossuaries (bone boxes) inscribed with the named of “Jesus son of Joseph,” and “Maria,” must be the family tomb of Jesus.
Of course, a closer examination of the evidence and a hearing from any of the legion of archaeologists and biblical scholars who have commented on this film casts huge doubt upon their claims and the credibility of their presentation.
For any of you who saw the documentary and have become concerned as to whether the film’s claims were real, let me assure you that these “documentarians” have done much more than make simple “connections” between the “dots” held within that tomb.
They have stretched, pushed, pulled, and when necessary, fabricated stories to make the dots align to their preconceived conclusions. Rest easy and have no fear that their supposedly new findings in any way threaten the historical Christian faith handed on to us through scripture and tradition.
Only 6 of the 10 ossuaries in the tomb were inscribed. Only the Jesus (Yeshua) and Mary (Maria) inscriptions clearly match the New Testament records, although they attempt to make claims for Yose and Mattya by following theoretical strands of argument and possibility. While they do point out that Yeshua and Maria are among the most common names of that time, they attempt to mitigate that point by making some pretty incredible assertions about the two remaining inscriptions.
One box is marked “MarianmeMara,” and another, “Yehoda bar Yeshua” (Judah son of Jesus).
Surely, the film assumes, this MUST be evidence of Mary Magdalene, who was secretly married to Jesus, and of Judah, their secretly conceived son.
Nevermind that there is NO record of Mary Magdalene being called “Marianme.” They refer to the 4th century “Gospel of Phillip” as showing “Marianme” was used in reference to her. This is absolutely not something that can be proven, but even from that text is an assumption.
While “Marianme” is written in Greek on the ossuary, they assert that “Mara,” is from the Aramaic title for “master,” a term given to highly respected teachers. This MUST mean, they proclaim, that Marianme is really Mary Magdalene, who was highly respected as a teacher and apostle in the early church. After all, she was Jesus’ wife.
Nevermind that there is absolutely no evidence, whatsoever, in any early Christian writing, or in scripture that Jesus was married. Nevermind that they can’t produce any such evidence.
That, you see (they say) is because of the conspiracy to cover up that truth. Nevermind that our scripture itself names other apostles who were married, and that there was absolutely no shame whatsoever in a Rabbi being married. Nevermind that the early church had no reason to cover up that truth, and that many NT scriptures show that women played important and prominent roles in life of the church.
And on, and on. Nevermind the facts, if you’ve already decided the ending.
There are many more problems with their presentation of the facts, but that’s enough of that for now. Here is a link from Ben Witherington, professor at Asbury Theological Seminary with more information well worth your time if you’re interested in reading more. Go "googling," and you can find all you'd ever want to read and then some.
There’s a lesson here for us all to learn. We often see what we want to ---- and our world is conditioned many times by what we expect it to be.
If we’re convinced that a person in our lives, or some entire group of people, could never be positive, worthwhile or uplifting, then it’s likely that we’ll never experience them in those ways, even when the facts tell us otherwise.
If we’re sure that the world is conspiring against us, that our own political opinions are always infallible or that “some things just don’t change,” you can be sure that they won’t.
If we’re determined to force the peg of our world into some predetermined hole, no matter what the cost, you can be sure that yes, we’ll pretty much always be able to jam it home.
And you can also know that we’ll always be the ones who pay.
Does that mean that there are no assumptions on which we can build our lives? Where is the “rock” of firm foundation that Jesus mentioned as good for “house” building?
How about this?
“We know that all things work together for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose” (Romans 8:28).
Or this?
“Beloved, let us love one another, because love is from God; everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, for God is love. God’s love was revealed among us in this way: God sent his only Son into the world so that we might live through him. In this is love, not that we loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the atoning sacrifice for our sins. Beloved, since God loved us so much, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God; if we love one another, God lives in us, and his love is perfected in us.” I John 4
Or even this?
“Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen” Hebrews 11:1
God is with us, and the good news of the empty tomb can shape the reality of our lives.
Assume the best. It’s what you’ll see.
Grace and Peace,
Adam
Or…a runner from second base tears through his coach’s “stop” sign at third base. The throw from the outfielder beats him home by ten feet. Miraculously, he somehow slides around the tag, dragging his outstretched hand across home plate while the catcher’s tag misses him altogether.
Even so, the umpire let’s fly with his decision: “OUT!!!”
In their most honest moments, baseball umpires (and the referees and officials of many other sports) would tell you that early assumptions can cause them to misjudge reality.
When the ump becomes convinced in his or her heart that “out,” or “safe,” is the right call, what they see in reality often ceases to matter.
We human beings can be that way about a lot of things.
In their training, sports officials are taught to work hard at not assuming what will happen next, but only at judging and reacting to what they observe in reality.
A fine lesson for us all.
Sunday night, I watched the much antipacted “Lost Tomb of Jesus” documentary on the Discovery Channel. I knew that many folks at SOTH and Christians throughout the world would have questions about what they saw there, and I had concerns (and assumptions, which do sometimes turn out to be right) about how the material would be presented.
They started with their “answer.”
Conspiracy, the show asserted as its opening premise, has covered up the truth about Jesus and his family for millennia. From that point on, they then seemed pretty determined to be undeterred by the “facts,” no matter what they were.
You could see their conclusions had been drawn, even before the archaeology was presented.
Every commercial break ended with a sensationalized question, and the strong implication that these “warriors for the truth” would soon bring to light some long-lost facts.
Certainly, they assume, an ancient tomb in Jerusalem containing ossuaries (bone boxes) inscribed with the named of “Jesus son of Joseph,” and “Maria,” must be the family tomb of Jesus.
Of course, a closer examination of the evidence and a hearing from any of the legion of archaeologists and biblical scholars who have commented on this film casts huge doubt upon their claims and the credibility of their presentation.
For any of you who saw the documentary and have become concerned as to whether the film’s claims were real, let me assure you that these “documentarians” have done much more than make simple “connections” between the “dots” held within that tomb.
They have stretched, pushed, pulled, and when necessary, fabricated stories to make the dots align to their preconceived conclusions. Rest easy and have no fear that their supposedly new findings in any way threaten the historical Christian faith handed on to us through scripture and tradition.
Only 6 of the 10 ossuaries in the tomb were inscribed. Only the Jesus (Yeshua) and Mary (Maria) inscriptions clearly match the New Testament records, although they attempt to make claims for Yose and Mattya by following theoretical strands of argument and possibility. While they do point out that Yeshua and Maria are among the most common names of that time, they attempt to mitigate that point by making some pretty incredible assertions about the two remaining inscriptions.
One box is marked “MarianmeMara,” and another, “Yehoda bar Yeshua” (Judah son of Jesus).
Surely, the film assumes, this MUST be evidence of Mary Magdalene, who was secretly married to Jesus, and of Judah, their secretly conceived son.
Nevermind that there is NO record of Mary Magdalene being called “Marianme.” They refer to the 4th century “Gospel of Phillip” as showing “Marianme” was used in reference to her. This is absolutely not something that can be proven, but even from that text is an assumption.
While “Marianme” is written in Greek on the ossuary, they assert that “Mara,” is from the Aramaic title for “master,” a term given to highly respected teachers. This MUST mean, they proclaim, that Marianme is really Mary Magdalene, who was highly respected as a teacher and apostle in the early church. After all, she was Jesus’ wife.
Nevermind that there is absolutely no evidence, whatsoever, in any early Christian writing, or in scripture that Jesus was married. Nevermind that they can’t produce any such evidence.
That, you see (they say) is because of the conspiracy to cover up that truth. Nevermind that our scripture itself names other apostles who were married, and that there was absolutely no shame whatsoever in a Rabbi being married. Nevermind that the early church had no reason to cover up that truth, and that many NT scriptures show that women played important and prominent roles in life of the church.
And on, and on. Nevermind the facts, if you’ve already decided the ending.
There are many more problems with their presentation of the facts, but that’s enough of that for now. Here is a link from Ben Witherington, professor at Asbury Theological Seminary with more information well worth your time if you’re interested in reading more. Go "googling," and you can find all you'd ever want to read and then some.
There’s a lesson here for us all to learn. We often see what we want to ---- and our world is conditioned many times by what we expect it to be.
If we’re convinced that a person in our lives, or some entire group of people, could never be positive, worthwhile or uplifting, then it’s likely that we’ll never experience them in those ways, even when the facts tell us otherwise.
If we’re sure that the world is conspiring against us, that our own political opinions are always infallible or that “some things just don’t change,” you can be sure that they won’t.
If we’re determined to force the peg of our world into some predetermined hole, no matter what the cost, you can be sure that yes, we’ll pretty much always be able to jam it home.
And you can also know that we’ll always be the ones who pay.
Does that mean that there are no assumptions on which we can build our lives? Where is the “rock” of firm foundation that Jesus mentioned as good for “house” building?
How about this?
“We know that all things work together for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose” (Romans 8:28).
Or this?
“Beloved, let us love one another, because love is from God; everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, for God is love. God’s love was revealed among us in this way: God sent his only Son into the world so that we might live through him. In this is love, not that we loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the atoning sacrifice for our sins. Beloved, since God loved us so much, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God; if we love one another, God lives in us, and his love is perfected in us.” I John 4
Or even this?
“Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen” Hebrews 11:1
God is with us, and the good news of the empty tomb can shape the reality of our lives.
Assume the best. It’s what you’ll see.
Grace and Peace,
Adam
Mar 1, 2007
Family
“Now, I’d buy a ticket to that family reunion…” my friend’s e-mail began.
Yeah, me too.
Al Sharpton and Strom Thurmond might be related. Ain’t that a kick in the pants?
Only in America, folks. And I mean that.
Like all countries everywhere, the America of today is a product of its yesterdays gone before.
But our history is a particularly curious and convoluted one.
There is so much to be proud of, and so many ways that American dreams and people have made the world so much better than anyone could have imagined.
At the very same time, there are real demons of our past and deep-seated attitudes that have haunted us through the generations and are not yet entirely exorcised today.
The most interesting fact of American life is that our story really hasn’t been entirely told.
We are very much a work in progress.
Sometimes, that work gets hampered because we don’t can’t find positive models of conversation that helps and heals.
Even so, the movement that has happened in our country in the last four generations is amazing and should be celebrated.
My grandparents grew up in a world where racial lines were clearly demarcated and never to be questioned. My parents’ generation experienced the civil rights’ movement and integration. That generation bore the pain of change (whether black or white) and struggled to find a way toward that healthy conversation that didn’t end in violence and frustration. I grew up in a different world, though the mix of new and old assumptions have surrounded me throughout my life.
My sons are growing up in a truly different time. It’s not unusual to hear Haitian French, Spanish or Asian languages on the sidewalks and in the common areas of our neighborhood. All the important places of their lives are populated by a wonderful mix of people: some who look like them, and some who don’t.
At school, at church, at the neighborhood pool…they are learning that it really is the content of a person’s character that should stand as the measuring stick of their lives.
Now, I don’t mean to be Pollyanna. Already, my boys have noticed that they need lots of sunscreen at that pool…more than lots of their friends. But I swear, that’s about the extent of what skin color means for them right now.
Recently, when our three year old had some questions about the ways that people look, we asked him what color he was.
“Pink,” he said.
Sounds fine to us.
When they inevitably encounter the idea that says one skin pigmentation is somehow better than another, I believe with all my heart that they’ll reject it. Good conversation, positive friendships and healthy experiences will be the reason why.
One thing I know for sure… loud politicians will not be the reason.
I pray that history will never let Strom Thurmond’s voice stand as speaking for white people everywhere. Although some of his policies and opinions moved throughout his lifetime, he still stands in history as the icon of the “Old South,” running for President in 1948 on a segregationist ticket. He got 39 electoral votes, people.
If white folks don’t want to be judged by Strom, black folks sometimes feel the same about Rev. Al.
Here’s what I mean. Cruising channels a couple of days ago, I came across a panel discussion of African-American politicians and entertainers on TV Land, called, “That’s What I’m Talking About."
Comedian Wanda Sykes was on the panel, and so was Al Sharpton. At one point, Wanda said, “Don’t take this wrong Al, but sometimes I see you on TV, and the first thing I think is, ‘Lord, please don’t let him say something crazy.’”
Rev. Al did not look pleased.
You see, I think Al and Strom might have more in common than an ancestor. They shared a love for the spotlight, and a love-affair with mass media. Both of them could always find the camera and the microphone. Politicians at heart, publicity is like life-blood. They both wanted the seat in the Oval Office.
“I’d buy a ticket for that family reunion.” Me too.
But, I’d rather have a ticket at the kind of reunion that ought to happen in churches, that reflect our communities, every single morning.
Jesus didn’t have a lot to say about “race,” per se, but he sure did have a lot to say about crossing society’s boundaries. He touched those who were considered untouchable. He drank water given to him by a Samaritan woman. He leveled playing fields, championed unlikely heroes in his parables and dared to eat with “sinners.”
That’s you and me, all of us, no matter what SPF you need when you’re down at the pool. Thanks be to God for the good ol’ U.S. of A., warts and all. Thanks be to God for the distance we’ve traveled, and thanks to God for the journey that we will yet make together.
Take somebody’s hand, and make a different conversation ---- a different tomorrow.
Grace and Peace,
Adam
LIFE AT SOTH:
This Sunday our own Tim Potate will preach in both Sunday morning worship services. Tim is working through the process of candidacy for United Methodist ministry, and we’re proud to support him in every way that we can. An anonymous donor has begun a scholarship fund in Tim’s honor to support him in any educational expenses he may incur, and all are welcome to donate to that fund.
Sunday School at SOTH: Sunday School is one of the most important moments in our Life at SOTH: Between worship services, at 10:15 a.m., Sunday School classes are available for children and youth of all ages. Please make every effort to support your child’s learning of scripture and deepening of their faith in a fun and upbeat environment.
Sunday School for Adults is available in small group at The Ranch, or in the worship space, as our large group studies The Gospel of John. We use clips from a recently produced film based on the Gospel, and work hard at learning what the scripture is all about. Coffee, conversation and a solid Bible lesson, all just after or right before your Sunday worship experience. Sunday School at SOTH is worth the trip!
SOTHUMC.NET report: Thanks to all of you for the great work you’ve done inviting others to come check out our new website, www.sothumc.net! Since last Thursday, we’ve had over 200 visits, with over 1700 pageviews! Keep up the good work, and invite all your friends to check it out.
Baby Noor in today's AJC: An Update on Baby Noor ran on the front of today's AJC. She is struggling to find needed medical care in Iraq, and her family continues to confront many of the troubles that we knew they might face. Please continue to lift up this wonderful little girl and her family, and all the people of Iraq and members of our armed forces who are in harm's way. We pray for their safety, her health and for peace with justice in our world.
Yeah, me too.
Al Sharpton and Strom Thurmond might be related. Ain’t that a kick in the pants?
Only in America, folks. And I mean that.
Like all countries everywhere, the America of today is a product of its yesterdays gone before.
But our history is a particularly curious and convoluted one.
There is so much to be proud of, and so many ways that American dreams and people have made the world so much better than anyone could have imagined.
At the very same time, there are real demons of our past and deep-seated attitudes that have haunted us through the generations and are not yet entirely exorcised today.
The most interesting fact of American life is that our story really hasn’t been entirely told.
We are very much a work in progress.
Sometimes, that work gets hampered because we don’t can’t find positive models of conversation that helps and heals.
Even so, the movement that has happened in our country in the last four generations is amazing and should be celebrated.
My grandparents grew up in a world where racial lines were clearly demarcated and never to be questioned. My parents’ generation experienced the civil rights’ movement and integration. That generation bore the pain of change (whether black or white) and struggled to find a way toward that healthy conversation that didn’t end in violence and frustration. I grew up in a different world, though the mix of new and old assumptions have surrounded me throughout my life.
My sons are growing up in a truly different time. It’s not unusual to hear Haitian French, Spanish or Asian languages on the sidewalks and in the common areas of our neighborhood. All the important places of their lives are populated by a wonderful mix of people: some who look like them, and some who don’t.
At school, at church, at the neighborhood pool…they are learning that it really is the content of a person’s character that should stand as the measuring stick of their lives.
Now, I don’t mean to be Pollyanna. Already, my boys have noticed that they need lots of sunscreen at that pool…more than lots of their friends. But I swear, that’s about the extent of what skin color means for them right now.
Recently, when our three year old had some questions about the ways that people look, we asked him what color he was.
“Pink,” he said.
Sounds fine to us.
When they inevitably encounter the idea that says one skin pigmentation is somehow better than another, I believe with all my heart that they’ll reject it. Good conversation, positive friendships and healthy experiences will be the reason why.
One thing I know for sure… loud politicians will not be the reason.
I pray that history will never let Strom Thurmond’s voice stand as speaking for white people everywhere. Although some of his policies and opinions moved throughout his lifetime, he still stands in history as the icon of the “Old South,” running for President in 1948 on a segregationist ticket. He got 39 electoral votes, people.
If white folks don’t want to be judged by Strom, black folks sometimes feel the same about Rev. Al.
Here’s what I mean. Cruising channels a couple of days ago, I came across a panel discussion of African-American politicians and entertainers on TV Land, called, “That’s What I’m Talking About."
Comedian Wanda Sykes was on the panel, and so was Al Sharpton. At one point, Wanda said, “Don’t take this wrong Al, but sometimes I see you on TV, and the first thing I think is, ‘Lord, please don’t let him say something crazy.’”
Rev. Al did not look pleased.
You see, I think Al and Strom might have more in common than an ancestor. They shared a love for the spotlight, and a love-affair with mass media. Both of them could always find the camera and the microphone. Politicians at heart, publicity is like life-blood. They both wanted the seat in the Oval Office.
“I’d buy a ticket for that family reunion.” Me too.
But, I’d rather have a ticket at the kind of reunion that ought to happen in churches, that reflect our communities, every single morning.
Jesus didn’t have a lot to say about “race,” per se, but he sure did have a lot to say about crossing society’s boundaries. He touched those who were considered untouchable. He drank water given to him by a Samaritan woman. He leveled playing fields, championed unlikely heroes in his parables and dared to eat with “sinners.”
That’s you and me, all of us, no matter what SPF you need when you’re down at the pool. Thanks be to God for the good ol’ U.S. of A., warts and all. Thanks be to God for the distance we’ve traveled, and thanks to God for the journey that we will yet make together.
Take somebody’s hand, and make a different conversation ---- a different tomorrow.
Grace and Peace,
Adam
LIFE AT SOTH:
This Sunday our own Tim Potate will preach in both Sunday morning worship services. Tim is working through the process of candidacy for United Methodist ministry, and we’re proud to support him in every way that we can. An anonymous donor has begun a scholarship fund in Tim’s honor to support him in any educational expenses he may incur, and all are welcome to donate to that fund.
Sunday School at SOTH: Sunday School is one of the most important moments in our Life at SOTH: Between worship services, at 10:15 a.m., Sunday School classes are available for children and youth of all ages. Please make every effort to support your child’s learning of scripture and deepening of their faith in a fun and upbeat environment.
Sunday School for Adults is available in small group at The Ranch, or in the worship space, as our large group studies The Gospel of John. We use clips from a recently produced film based on the Gospel, and work hard at learning what the scripture is all about. Coffee, conversation and a solid Bible lesson, all just after or right before your Sunday worship experience. Sunday School at SOTH is worth the trip!
SOTHUMC.NET report: Thanks to all of you for the great work you’ve done inviting others to come check out our new website, www.sothumc.net! Since last Thursday, we’ve had over 200 visits, with over 1700 pageviews! Keep up the good work, and invite all your friends to check it out.
Baby Noor in today's AJC: An Update on Baby Noor ran on the front of today's AJC. She is struggling to find needed medical care in Iraq, and her family continues to confront many of the troubles that we knew they might face. Please continue to lift up this wonderful little girl and her family, and all the people of Iraq and members of our armed forces who are in harm's way. We pray for their safety, her health and for peace with justice in our world.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)