It’s Saturday morning the week before the 4th of July weekend and I just drove home from a wonderful visit with a church member – a visit just to catch up on life. As I sat at the stop light at the corner of Millbank and Putnam Ave. a car passed with the driver holding out of the window a large American flag. At first I thought “How patriotic!” But then as I pondered the flag waving, my sense of his patriotism waned.
He was driving with one hand and his view from the driver’s side door window was three-quarters obstructed by the flag. If I remember correctly our founding fathers and mothers built our nation on the religious (some would say Judeo-Christian) value of caring for the larger community, not ourselves. Remember the words “Liberty and justice for all.” Our society was founded on the principle of caring for each other’s welfare, not just our own. It is about creating a more righteous and fair and just society for all – regardless the plethora of physical, racial, cultural differences that make up this great nation. “Liberty and justice for all.”
Now I am certain that this man did not see himself as unpatriotic…he probably wasn’t trying to be that. However too many people wave the flag and forget the essence of its meaning – stars and stripes bound together to represent the individual states united for a common good – for “Liberty and justice for all.” I think our founders probably would be happier with us if we sought with our whole beings to bring a real equality to this land and work always for the global common good instead of merely waving the flag.
Equality; sacrifice for the common good……….those words sound strangely familiar to words spoken not by a patriot, but by the One we call the Son of God. Maybe we need to remember that being a nation under God rather than under a flag is possibly the most faithful and even patriotic thing we could be.
I join you in working for God to bring liberty and justice to all. And my flag will be waving from the parsonage porch 365 days a year.
Sunday, July 27, 2008
Saturday, February 23, 2008
Do We Live A Sixteen-Wheeler Life Style?
Before I get into the meat of this blog I want you to know that I have nothing against most large rig truck drivers. In fact, once when I was traveling with thirty youth on a mission trip in Central Pennsylvania and mistakenly dropped the keys to one of two vans we were driving into a sewer drain, a trucker assisted me in retrieving them. His closing words were, "All big rig drivers aren't necessarily who you think they are!"
Now let me move on to a somewhat substantiated opinion. The opinion comes from driving back from a Boston birthday party in a snow storm on Rte. 95! The predominate percentage of vehicles that passed me going 70-miles-an-hour or more were...you guessed it...sixteen-wheelers, big rigs, call them what you like. Most smaller vehicles with the exception of a few four-wheel-drive SUVs were going well below the posted 65-miles-an-hour limit. Two of the closest calls I have ever had on major highways involved speeding big rigs. I have swerved to avoid accidents where cars were crushed under out-of-control "tractor" trailers.
So, as a theological thinker, what's my point here. In the world, many of us are the "big rigs" of the world. We are hauling large quantities of material things through life; we are always in a hurry to get to some destination; we are often oblivious to the little people and little things around us; we don't pay attention too to the weather conditions; we often to expect others to get out of our way; we cause harm to others near and far because of our rushing and believing that the highway was built for us alone.
On the other hand those who call themselves people of faith are aware that there are others on the highway with them; they keep to a safe speed because they know that others could be hurt by their actions; they help stranded drivers when it seems like the safe thing to do; they don't overload their trucks /lives so that rollovers won't crush others' bodies and spirits.
I don't know if this imagery is worthy of further discussion, but, sixteen-or-more wheel drivers, Christians, and others interested in highway or highway of life safety are welcome to share their thoughts.
I hope these thoughts from a VW family (Gretchen and I own three - all old; our sons own three) will remind us all to not drink and drive; not exceed the speed limits (especially in snow storms) and to slow down in general.
Now let me move on to a somewhat substantiated opinion. The opinion comes from driving back from a Boston birthday party in a snow storm on Rte. 95! The predominate percentage of vehicles that passed me going 70-miles-an-hour or more were...you guessed it...sixteen-wheelers, big rigs, call them what you like. Most smaller vehicles with the exception of a few four-wheel-drive SUVs were going well below the posted 65-miles-an-hour limit. Two of the closest calls I have ever had on major highways involved speeding big rigs. I have swerved to avoid accidents where cars were crushed under out-of-control "tractor" trailers.
So, as a theological thinker, what's my point here. In the world, many of us are the "big rigs" of the world. We are hauling large quantities of material things through life; we are always in a hurry to get to some destination; we are often oblivious to the little people and little things around us; we don't pay attention too to the weather conditions; we often to expect others to get out of our way; we cause harm to others near and far because of our rushing and believing that the highway was built for us alone.
On the other hand those who call themselves people of faith are aware that there are others on the highway with them; they keep to a safe speed because they know that others could be hurt by their actions; they help stranded drivers when it seems like the safe thing to do; they don't overload their trucks /lives so that rollovers won't crush others' bodies and spirits.
I don't know if this imagery is worthy of further discussion, but, sixteen-or-more wheel drivers, Christians, and others interested in highway or highway of life safety are welcome to share their thoughts.
I hope these thoughts from a VW family (Gretchen and I own three - all old; our sons own three) will remind us all to not drink and drive; not exceed the speed limits (especially in snow storms) and to slow down in general.
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
Golf and Gospel / Thoughts on Perfection and Imperfection
A perfect 8 iron drove the ball 130 yards right over the flag and with back spin rolled it into the hole. That’s a hole-in-one! That happened on the first round of golf that I played with my son, Andrew, on the last hurrah stop on my sabbatical trip. The hole-in-one was not mine – it was Andrew’s! I am glad that I didn’t miss it! If I hadn’t taken the time to STOP and be with family I would have missed an important – maybe not to everyone – moment. It was a perfect shot and a perfect day!
The hole-in-one brought back memories of my one and only hole-in-one. There was a difference however – more than I hit a five iron 176 yards into the hole. Andrew’s hole-in-one flew perfectly over the pin and rolled gently back into the hole. Mine (accomplished when I was 19) flew about 90 yards in the air and then bounced and rolled the last 86 yards into the hole. It was a far from perfect shot.
So what does this have to do with spiritual reflection and personal faith? The first is to take time for essential things like being with important people – family and close friends. The other is to remember that God can use our less than perfect efforts to get the job done. Few (until now) knew the lack of golf artistry that led to having my name engraved on a plaque signifying a rare golf occurrence. God judges us on our good intentions. And if our intentions are good, God can use our less than perfect implementation to build the realm.
Congratulations son! And may all the sons and daughters of the living God keep their eyes on the goal and keep on trying!
(I Corinthians 1:26 – A perfect text for Christians and maybe those who chase a little ball!)
Bob
The hole-in-one brought back memories of my one and only hole-in-one. There was a difference however – more than I hit a five iron 176 yards into the hole. Andrew’s hole-in-one flew perfectly over the pin and rolled gently back into the hole. Mine (accomplished when I was 19) flew about 90 yards in the air and then bounced and rolled the last 86 yards into the hole. It was a far from perfect shot.
So what does this have to do with spiritual reflection and personal faith? The first is to take time for essential things like being with important people – family and close friends. The other is to remember that God can use our less than perfect efforts to get the job done. Few (until now) knew the lack of golf artistry that led to having my name engraved on a plaque signifying a rare golf occurrence. God judges us on our good intentions. And if our intentions are good, God can use our less than perfect implementation to build the realm.
Congratulations son! And may all the sons and daughters of the living God keep their eyes on the goal and keep on trying!
(I Corinthians 1:26 – A perfect text for Christians and maybe those who chase a little ball!)
Bob
Monday, January 21, 2008
Dancing Fountains Gives Me the Shakers
Celine Dion's voice was singing the theme from the film "Titanic" in the background as the smoke rose from the water and the close to 60 fountains of water shot into the night air. Welcome to the football size "man made" lake in front of the huge, ostentatious and ornate Bellogio Hotel on the Las Vegas Strip. Lighted by dozens of spot lights, the fountains "danced" to the music of several well orchestrated contemporary songs. I watched with amazement at what I was seeing.
As the aquatic performance was coming to an end, the music changed for the "grand finale." The melody sounded strangely familiar....and as I thought about it, strangely out of place! While the composition was only instrumental, I remembered the words - "'Tis a Gift to be Simple'." It is a hymn of the Shaker community - a Christian religious sect which flourished in the late 18th and 19th centuries.
The Shakers lived by the motto "keep it simple." They stored up their treasures in heaven and worried little about acquiring the material things of this world. (If you don't believe me, check out the Shaker historic site in Massachusetts.}
The Bellogio - grandiose, over the top, a placed filled with frenetic seekers of easily made material wealth - few with smiles on their faces......the Shakers - humble, calm souled people who did keep it simple.
My concern is that we are more impressed by the big and bold rather than the simple gifts that we have received God's hand. Jesus would probably say that if we chase after treasures on earth we will find a sinking feeling in our souls. When it comes to bringing our Spiritual lives into sync with Christ's call to us, let us do more than just "rearrange the deck chairs on the Titanic!"
Bob
As the aquatic performance was coming to an end, the music changed for the "grand finale." The melody sounded strangely familiar....and as I thought about it, strangely out of place! While the composition was only instrumental, I remembered the words - "'Tis a Gift to be Simple'." It is a hymn of the Shaker community - a Christian religious sect which flourished in the late 18th and 19th centuries.
The Shakers lived by the motto "keep it simple." They stored up their treasures in heaven and worried little about acquiring the material things of this world. (If you don't believe me, check out the Shaker historic site in Massachusetts.}
The Bellogio - grandiose, over the top, a placed filled with frenetic seekers of easily made material wealth - few with smiles on their faces......the Shakers - humble, calm souled people who did keep it simple.
My concern is that we are more impressed by the big and bold rather than the simple gifts that we have received God's hand. Jesus would probably say that if we chase after treasures on earth we will find a sinking feeling in our souls. When it comes to bringing our Spiritual lives into sync with Christ's call to us, let us do more than just "rearrange the deck chairs on the Titanic!"
Bob
Saturday, January 19, 2008
A Lot of Holy Water
I visited the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels in Los Angeles today! I lighted a candle and said a few prayers for Anna, Raymond, and Herb – my parents and Gretchen’s father - it’s good to remember. I walked through the sanctuary and the lower mausoleum and viewed the beautiful stained-glass windows. As I went to sit and meditate in the back of the sanctuary I noticed a large pool of water. If I hadn’t known better, I would have thought I was in a Baptist church which had a large baptistery. However it was at the back of the sanctuary – the wrong end for a baptistery. Then I saw the sign – Holy Water. It was a lot of Holy Water and it probably cost a lot of money to build the container for all those gallons. . Every Catholic church has Holy Water so that when worshippers enter or leave the sanctuary they can touch their forehead with a little water to remind them that they are baptized Christians. The remembrance is supposed to help make them act as Christians in ALL that they do.
Sometimes after we leave church we forget that!
Maybe we need a large fountain-sized container of water at the entrance to our church which might grab our attention? Maybe we could install one in our homes? But then maybe the best thing to do is remember that we are baptized every time we wash ourselves with water or drink a glass of water or get rained on or walk or ride by a stream or lake! That’s a better idea because it saves on needed space and save money – which could then be redirected to those in greatest need of water and other essentials of life.
How are the ways you remind yourself that you are a Christian?
Refreshingly Yours,
Bob
Sometimes after we leave church we forget that!
Maybe we need a large fountain-sized container of water at the entrance to our church which might grab our attention? Maybe we could install one in our homes? But then maybe the best thing to do is remember that we are baptized every time we wash ourselves with water or drink a glass of water or get rained on or walk or ride by a stream or lake! That’s a better idea because it saves on needed space and save money – which could then be redirected to those in greatest need of water and other essentials of life.
How are the ways you remind yourself that you are a Christian?
Refreshingly Yours,
Bob
Hoover or Harrah's
In twenty-four hours I spent time in two canyons. One was the Colorado River Canyon – the second was a canyon created by the large hotel-casinos on the “The Strip” in Las Vegas – Harrah’s, The Venetian, The Bellagio, etc. etc., etc. I overheard a man in the second canyon say how amazing and miraculous was this hotel canyon. I found the other God created canyon much more amazing and miraculous. I stood in that canyon next to the depression era built Hoover Dam. I think my opinion was not based on my aversion to the gambling industry – one that did not benefit at all from my brief visit there (unless you consider seeing two “Broadway” type shows a financial boom to the industry).
Rather my opinion was based on the fact that Hoover Dam was a testimony to the best in the spirit – that spirit of sacrifice for the larger good. The Hoover Dam provides electricity for millions of people – Los Angeles is its largest beneficiary. The construction of that dam has made a parched land blossom so that people can be fed. The risks taken by brave souls in constructing Hoover Dam also provided for recreation at Lake Mead for another generation. That other canyon is a testimony to the selfish aggrandizement of too many people in our world. The Gospel is about “we first” not “me first”? Hoover or Harrah’s? I think you know on which I would place my bet when it comes to building the realm of God – that realm in which everyone is a winner.
Amazed and Overwhelmed By the Beauty of Nature and of the Human Spirit,
Bob
Rather my opinion was based on the fact that Hoover Dam was a testimony to the best in the spirit – that spirit of sacrifice for the larger good. The Hoover Dam provides electricity for millions of people – Los Angeles is its largest beneficiary. The construction of that dam has made a parched land blossom so that people can be fed. The risks taken by brave souls in constructing Hoover Dam also provided for recreation at Lake Mead for another generation. That other canyon is a testimony to the selfish aggrandizement of too many people in our world. The Gospel is about “we first” not “me first”? Hoover or Harrah’s? I think you know on which I would place my bet when it comes to building the realm of God – that realm in which everyone is a winner.
Amazed and Overwhelmed By the Beauty of Nature and of the Human Spirit,
Bob
Tuesday, January 15, 2008
A Great Movie - The Great Debaters
As part of the sabbatical journey I promised to take in a few movies. Several days ago I saw The Great Debaters. The movie is at the same time a feel-good - feel-bad movie. A true story about a small Black college debate team defeating the Harvard debate team in the first half of the 20th century inspires while addressing forthrightly the issue of the depth of racial hatred in the pre-civil rights south. Articulate debate arguments at one moment.........a Black man being burned on a cross the next. In the end you leave cheering, but, during the film you find yourself shuttering on the verge of tears.
My hope is that the film will inspire those who view it to be more committed to continuing the debate on the subtleties of racism that still exist and our need courageously address them. The playing field is still not level. There's no debate in the Bible when it comes to Jesus' position on justice!
Bob
My hope is that the film will inspire those who view it to be more committed to continuing the debate on the subtleties of racism that still exist and our need courageously address them. The playing field is still not level. There's no debate in the Bible when it comes to Jesus' position on justice!
Bob
No Room at The Inn
"No room!" "No room!" "No room!" After traveling everyday to see all kinds of art museums, naturalist, and historical sights, Gretchen, Bob, and the Styrofoam (I know it is ecologically incorrect) ice chest decided to take a few days at a nice resort in the Tucson - Phoenix - Scottsdale, Arizona area. Since we didn't want to be tied to a schedule, we could only give two-days notice to those inns and resorts who were just waiting to welcome us. Being Marriott Rewards kind of people, we called every resort in that high desert area and found that doctors or corporation types, along with a few other wealthier folk had filled every resort - Marriott as well as all others. I am willing to spring for $250 plus a day and others were willing to pay more than that. No wonder health care and everything is so expensive - "those people" are dropping $300 plus to play on my golf courses and luxuriate at my spas. Fairfield Inns, Comfort Inns - you name it, I think I called them all.
Finally at midnight I gave up the search and went to bed now knowing what Mary and Joseph must have felt like. (Except that Gretchen isn't pregnant!) At least for us, we may have a Motel 6 is in our near future.
Ok, I over-reacted! As I sat back and pondered what had happened, I realized that I should have given thanksgiving for what I have rather than internally complaining about what I didn't have. I have to be honest, there were a few rooms out there for $450 to $750 a night. And I probably could have sprung for a couple of "excessive" days of pure "me!" But, as you know my head starts thinking of people I have met who have next to nothing and it makes me keep "my" desires somewhat under control - I am still too excessive!
So at the end of it all, I ended up saying "Thank You" and praying that in some way through saying of my prayers of intercession and sharing my material resources that I can be a Godsend to some anonymous Mary and Joseph out there as they seek to find comfort in the situation they find themselves.
I hope someone will keep the light on for me tonight.
Journeying Out Not Knowing Where God Will Lead,
bob
Finally at midnight I gave up the search and went to bed now knowing what Mary and Joseph must have felt like. (Except that Gretchen isn't pregnant!) At least for us, we may have a Motel 6 is in our near future.
Ok, I over-reacted! As I sat back and pondered what had happened, I realized that I should have given thanksgiving for what I have rather than internally complaining about what I didn't have. I have to be honest, there were a few rooms out there for $450 to $750 a night. And I probably could have sprung for a couple of "excessive" days of pure "me!" But, as you know my head starts thinking of people I have met who have next to nothing and it makes me keep "my" desires somewhat under control - I am still too excessive!
So at the end of it all, I ended up saying "Thank You" and praying that in some way through saying of my prayers of intercession and sharing my material resources that I can be a Godsend to some anonymous Mary and Joseph out there as they seek to find comfort in the situation they find themselves.
I hope someone will keep the light on for me tonight.
Journeying Out Not Knowing Where God Will Lead,
bob
Saturday, January 12, 2008
The Meal on the Moon
The guide at the Houston NASA Center seemed extremely knowledgeable. Maybe that was because he was a retired high level mission controller who did Thursday afternoon tours because his wife wanted him "out of the house so he would tell the same old story to someone else."
After the formal tour with personal insights that were found on none of the posted informative signs, I lingered to talk with him. When asked what I did for a living, I had to go public with my calling - "clergy." Often that information is either a "show stopper" or a lead into a litany of questions about my sanity and, even possibly, faith. With this revelation on the table, Bill - that was the name on the badge - told me that he was a member of the Webster Presbyterian Church...the same church which the second man to step on the moon, Buzz Aldrin, was.
He then quickly asked a question: "Do you know what was the first meal consumed on the moon?" I had not idea. He then said: "Communion!" On his moon arrival Aldrin celebrated the sacrament - he had a communion cup given him by the church. At the time he was "receiving" communion the members of Webster Presbyterian Church were also celebrating the sacrament.
I kept thinking what most Americans would have had for their first meal on the moon - something that would identify our culture just as the flag planted by Aldrin's partner, Neil Armstrong, did. A Big Mac on the moon? Nathan's hot dogs and French fries on the moon? Grits or Texas barbecue on the moon - I am in Texas at the present moment?
I have to admit that my first thought on the answer to Bill's question wasn't communion. Maybe I should have remember that was are "one nation under God." But somehow God seems to get lost under the culture....or should I say consumed by it?
What would you have selected as your first meal on the moon?
Eating Too Much Earthy Food, But Thinking of Heavenly Food,
Bob
After the formal tour with personal insights that were found on none of the posted informative signs, I lingered to talk with him. When asked what I did for a living, I had to go public with my calling - "clergy." Often that information is either a "show stopper" or a lead into a litany of questions about my sanity and, even possibly, faith. With this revelation on the table, Bill - that was the name on the badge - told me that he was a member of the Webster Presbyterian Church...the same church which the second man to step on the moon, Buzz Aldrin, was.
He then quickly asked a question: "Do you know what was the first meal consumed on the moon?" I had not idea. He then said: "Communion!" On his moon arrival Aldrin celebrated the sacrament - he had a communion cup given him by the church. At the time he was "receiving" communion the members of Webster Presbyterian Church were also celebrating the sacrament.
I kept thinking what most Americans would have had for their first meal on the moon - something that would identify our culture just as the flag planted by Aldrin's partner, Neil Armstrong, did. A Big Mac on the moon? Nathan's hot dogs and French fries on the moon? Grits or Texas barbecue on the moon - I am in Texas at the present moment?
I have to admit that my first thought on the answer to Bill's question wasn't communion. Maybe I should have remember that was are "one nation under God." But somehow God seems to get lost under the culture....or should I say consumed by it?
What would you have selected as your first meal on the moon?
Eating Too Much Earthy Food, But Thinking of Heavenly Food,
Bob
Friday, January 11, 2008
Friends
We saw friends....
Two who claim Ireland as their place of birth....
Two who own Lebanon as their ancestral home....
No talk of Catholics and Protestants fighting or
Christians and Jews and Muslims being victims of car bombs.
We talked about family and health and building homes for the poor
and laughed about human foibles and the wonderful foolishness of church.
Maybe peace would come if people began to talk to each other about family and health
and began to laugh together at the foolish things we all do as part of the human family.
Friends talk about the really important things.
John 15
Hello Good Friends,
Bob
from Austin
Two who claim Ireland as their place of birth....
Two who own Lebanon as their ancestral home....
No talk of Catholics and Protestants fighting or
Christians and Jews and Muslims being victims of car bombs.
We talked about family and health and building homes for the poor
and laughed about human foibles and the wonderful foolishness of church.
Maybe peace would come if people began to talk to each other about family and health
and began to laugh together at the foolish things we all do as part of the human family.
Friends talk about the really important things.
John 15
Hello Good Friends,
Bob
from Austin
Wednesday, January 9, 2008
Thoughts on Acronyms and Comfort
There is a woman in my car giving me directions and it isn't Gretchen. She calls herself GPS. She has a strong assuring voice and she tells me where I need to go. I think her initials stand for Gina - Personal and Smart. Gina (That's my name for her!) is personable - when I miss a turn she doesn't tell me that I made a mistake - she takes the blame and says: "Re-calculating the route." She is definitely smart because she knows every street and house address in the United States, Canada, and Puerto Rico. Ok, so really GPS stands for Global Positioning System. When necessary I will use it along the sabbatical journey to protect myself from too many wrong turns.
I got to thinking about how we have become so comfortable with the use of acronyms - GPS, IBM, SOP, IRS - ugh!, UPS, GTE, etc., etc. Along the way I tried to think of some good new meanings for G.P.S. How about "Gospel People Serve"; or "God Pardons Sinners" - we all need that!; or....well, you get the idea.
Amid my acronym ruminations I received on my cellphone - another technological marvel - a voice mail from a childhood friend. He is a friend who appears strong and has a good sense of humor, but he struggles with the issue of faith. He spoke haltingly as he told me that he younger brother who is in his mid-fifties is riddled with cancer and has two brain tumors. He said he just wanted to talk so he might have a better understanding of what to say or do. He thought since I have been through this with others before him that I might have some important insights to share. I wanted to call him back, but he is a private person and didn't leave a number - his phone is unlisted and my "list" of the unlisted is back in Greenwich. It's been 24 hours since he called and maybe he decided that it was unlike him to ask for help or he didn't want to bother me. I have made several efforts to track down his number. When he does call, even though I will probably only listen and try to give a few really concrete ideas how to face the challenge and help his mother and brother face this difficult time, there is one thing that I am sure I will say: "I'm here; God cares and so do I; call me anytime; and G.P.S. - May God's Peace and Spirit be with you!" I hope that my G.P.S. will help to aim my friend's spirit in the right direction.
G.P.S. to All,
Bob
Bob
I got to thinking about how we have become so comfortable with the use of acronyms - GPS, IBM, SOP, IRS - ugh!, UPS, GTE, etc., etc. Along the way I tried to think of some good new meanings for G.P.S. How about "Gospel People Serve"; or "God Pardons Sinners" - we all need that!; or....well, you get the idea.
Amid my acronym ruminations I received on my cellphone - another technological marvel - a voice mail from a childhood friend. He is a friend who appears strong and has a good sense of humor, but he struggles with the issue of faith. He spoke haltingly as he told me that he younger brother who is in his mid-fifties is riddled with cancer and has two brain tumors. He said he just wanted to talk so he might have a better understanding of what to say or do. He thought since I have been through this with others before him that I might have some important insights to share. I wanted to call him back, but he is a private person and didn't leave a number - his phone is unlisted and my "list" of the unlisted is back in Greenwich. It's been 24 hours since he called and maybe he decided that it was unlike him to ask for help or he didn't want to bother me. I have made several efforts to track down his number. When he does call, even though I will probably only listen and try to give a few really concrete ideas how to face the challenge and help his mother and brother face this difficult time, there is one thing that I am sure I will say: "I'm here; God cares and so do I; call me anytime; and G.P.S. - May God's Peace and Spirit be with you!" I hope that my G.P.S. will help to aim my friend's spirit in the right direction.
G.P.S. to All,
Bob
Bob
Tuesday, January 8, 2008
Missed Beauty
What to do in Orlando when an upside down roller coaster can scare you to death - at almost 62....not a good option - or riding in a slow moving boat with "It's a Small World" ringing in your ears and you have no attachment to anyone of the little ones in the boat? I have been called "child like" or was it "childish" but even I have my limits. So why not go to something safer and with a more mature feel to it? From a previous trip for a job interview to Florida in the mid-1990s, I remembered a lovely museum in a beautiful town - Winter Park, Fla. The Morse Museum houses the largest collection of Louis Comfort Tiffany stained glass in the country. It is a museum that inspires the soul!
Winter Park also inspires the soul. It is a town of lush gardens, crystal clear lakes, and bright reflective sunlight! Tiffany and Winter Park are a compatable match - they both reflect an elegant beauty created by the blending of color and light. As I walked the streets and took in the gallery exhibit I found myself reflecting on a possible missed opportunity. You see, the last time I was in Winter Park I was interviewing for the position of the conference minister for the state of Florida. The office for the conference was in Winter Park. As it happened, I was honored to be offered the position. However, after much paryerful reflection I did not accept the call. Had I missed a rare opportunity to be surrounded by extravagant beauty?
No! Since that visit I have been surrounded by beauty - the beauty that has resided in each person who has touched my life by allowing the beauty of his or her soul to shine in my presence.
"Like pieces of glass textured and toned
held together by an invisible lacing
when made translucent by holy light
shine forth in beauty.
So too it is with every human soul,
sometimes shattered and always stained
and, yet, laced together by the Creator's ahnd!
Do not miss the beauty!"
Bob
Winter Park also inspires the soul. It is a town of lush gardens, crystal clear lakes, and bright reflective sunlight! Tiffany and Winter Park are a compatable match - they both reflect an elegant beauty created by the blending of color and light. As I walked the streets and took in the gallery exhibit I found myself reflecting on a possible missed opportunity. You see, the last time I was in Winter Park I was interviewing for the position of the conference minister for the state of Florida. The office for the conference was in Winter Park. As it happened, I was honored to be offered the position. However, after much paryerful reflection I did not accept the call. Had I missed a rare opportunity to be surrounded by extravagant beauty?
No! Since that visit I have been surrounded by beauty - the beauty that has resided in each person who has touched my life by allowing the beauty of his or her soul to shine in my presence.
"Like pieces of glass textured and toned
held together by an invisible lacing
when made translucent by holy light
shine forth in beauty.
So too it is with every human soul,
sometimes shattered and always stained
and, yet, laced together by the Creator's ahnd!
Do not miss the beauty!"
Bob
Saturday, January 5, 2008
Off Schedule Graces
"What to do with sabbatical time?" is the question! So the first thing you do (after a smooth and parishioner filled - three other church members were on the flight - and reasonably flawless flight - while deboardingI ended up shouting for medical help for a older woman who had lost consciousness in the row behind me) is make a schedule! First there will be a late dinner like lunch, an early viewing of "Charlie Wilson's War" or "The Great Debaters", and then a late into the night evening in Orlando! The desk clerk at the hotel was very help in identifying a "good seafood" restaurant.....so off we went seeking to avoid the chain restaurants that fill this city. Having had a light breakfast and no lunch we were ready to have a wonderful healthy fish and vegetable meal. After searching for the restaurant amid the maze of malls, we were greeted with the sign on the door - "Sorry for the inconvenience, but we are closed for the month!" There went the schedule. After I called the hotel for further "seafood" procurement insight and finding out there were no non-chain restaurants of that type in that area of town, with hunger driving us we ended up in Fuddruckers - a chain high end hamburger eatery - for a healthy meal - I did put tomato, lettuce, onions and pickles on the burger - my veggie count! So we now were off schedule. After the land-lover's meal we returned to the hotel room to regroup and "get back on schedule." Now the message light on the telephone was blinking - "Oh no! A pastoral emergency!" After pushing 77 and 3, there was a message from Stephanie, the front desk worker who had given us the restaruant recommendation. "I am so sorry about the inconvenience, if you'll stop by the front desk I have left a packet of complementary tickets for local restaurants for you." It wasn't Stephanies fault that on January 4 the restaurnat would be closed. Call it customer service or call it grace. Maybe some people would have been angry, but I wasn't. I felt a moment of off schedule grace. Next thing I knew I was reading articles from the Christian Century magazine and Gretchen was catching up with a few moments of siesta time - 5:00 a.m. is an early time to rise. Before we knew it it was too late to go to the theater. However, I was profoundly moved by several articles that I had read - other off schedule graces. Well it's now time to make today's schedule - I am not planning in any off schedule graces, but, I am sure that the Spirit will provide a few. Thanks be to God. May you who read these rambling thoughts experience off schedule graces during your busy schedules.
Bob
Bob
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