Second Thoughts

Harry's Theology 101

2012-01-22T15:38:00.000-08:00

Have been working on some writing. Looking at the "Soiled and Sacred Saints" from my Ministry Journey....Here's one of them.

²⁵“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing?²⁶Look at the birds of the air; they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?

I first met Harry as I was leaving from a “homebound” visitation at the subsidized senior apartment complex in Danbury, CT. “Have a joyous day young man!” The words were spoken in a proper Boston accent. Turning to see where this pleasant greeting came from my eyes landed upon a seasoned citizen sitting on a green wooden bench in front of the apartment complex. Attired in a white opened collar shirt and brown pants held in place by cordovan-colored suspenders Harry Green sat with a smile on his face. His arm-clasped crutches leaning on the bench announced the fact of what I was to learn later that he had polio as a child. “Come join me. You look like you’re rushing and need some bench sitting time” was his invitation. In spite of a full schedule I accepted his offer of a little bench time. I learned that Harry was a Massachusetts’ Yankee to the core. He spoke fondly, yet sorrowfully, of the love of his life, his wife, Martha who had died several years earlier. His face lit up when he regaled me with his “work” history. “I was a piano player and entertainer. I spent much of my life in vaudeville. My claim to fame is that I know over 2,500 songs by memory.” “Never made much money, never had anything all that fancy…….. but Martha and I were happy being together and I loved my music and the interesting souls I met along the way.” After finding out that I was clergy, he offered his basic theology 101 truth which he had learned from growing up in “his” New England Congregational Church. “Bob, I have had everything I need – I am one of those birds of the air you talk about.”

His theology lesson made me feel a little uneasy, because in spite of all the words that I spoke about God providing for my every need, I too often had bought the prevailing belief of most people “Don’t be satisfied! You need MORE if you want to find a fulfilling life.” While I felt blessed to have many of the creature comforts that the world offered, there was still a yearning for wanting more. Harry reminded me again that my “wants” exceeded my “needs.” The love of his wife; the companionship of friends he made from all walks of life; the shelter of a small subsidized apartment; and, oh yes, his music….from the melodic to the bawdy – Harry had “all that he needed.” This Congregationalist vaudeville entertainer entertained God with his thankful heart. Today let us go and do likewise! Even if we don’t have everything that we think we want, God has given us everything that we need.

God, Composer of the melodies of the Spirit, instill in us the wisdom to know what we really need and to sing our praises to you because we have been blest. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

City Church Thoughts

2012-01-02T19:00:00.000-08:00

Recently Cameron Trimble was the catalyst for a lively discussion on Facebook concerning the realities and vagaries of the urban church….particularly the United Church of Christ version. As is with most mainline denominations – those who say “Jesus” in two syllables, there have been few successes in developing a dynamic Christian presence in the city. Having been blessed to serve a parish in a midsize city, having been again blessed to serve in a large urban rim church which was open to making significant connections with churches in the city, and having been called to assist as a reflective resource with several urban churches in my conference and national roles, I have nurtured an increasing passion for the need for a progressive church presence in the city. Rather than abandoning the city – as I believe is being done by most mainline denominations, I am adamant in my belief that it is THE time to plant and renew some of the most import “mission outposts” that are essential for “well-being” – shalom – of the human race. I know what you are thinking – that sounds preposterous! The city is a microcosm of the global community and therefore provides insights on addressing the prickly realities of the world which seem beyond our grasp – ethnic, cultural, religious diversity, economic disparities / haves and have nots, quality educational and healthcare issues. The urban church needs to be the “sacred space” that ministers to the divergent populations of the city and offers an “insight place” where these global realities need to be openly and honestly discussed with grace abounding. It needs to be the safe space for dialogue on the issues of what it means to be human and to live in community with others.
At the same time that I was following Cameron’s Facebook thoughts a painful e-mail arrived. The first church that I had served was a struggling small city church. Over my ten year ministry there the congregation developed into a strong church with a commanding presence in the community. The e-mail from a former and current leader in the church announced the resignation of its pastor and the harsh suggestion that the church would die within the next half-decade. In close to 30 years membership had dwindled from over 1,000 members to a precious few and the pledge units had fallen from over 300 to under 50. What happened? If the truth be told with full candor, it was the choice of the wrong pastoral leadership at a critical time in the church’s ministry that led to a downward spiral. While I believe that a renewal could take place with some very strong pastoral leadership and significant risk taking on the part of the congregation, I am broken hearted about the state of decline that the church is experiencing.
Leadership – that is the key component for a vital church in an urban setting. My concern is that most mainline denominations (the UCC being my preference) do little in the identifying and training of clergy for urban churches. In large part most seminary education does not help candidates for the ordained ministry to discern whether she or he might have the gifts essential for ordained ministry in an urban setting……some of those gifts being – a passion for diversity; an optimistic openness to outlandish creativity; an uncanny ability to study the unique sociology of the urban scene; a gift for hearing the voices of others and often allowing the marginalized to bring their wisdom to the shaping of ministry; an ability in building alliances with other sacred and secular institutions – including government. While most of our seminaries do an excellent job in training those seeking ordained ministry in the “generic” local church – usually in a suburban, town, or rural setting, the nuances of ministry in the urban setting are given little visibility.
Alliances – this is the second key component to enriching the ministry of churches in urban settings. “We covenant together….” are foundational words on which the United Church of Christ is built. Yet too often “autonomy” is the operative practice by a majority of local churches. A covenantal, an alliance building ecclesiology is essential for the health and witness of the urban church. As I have alluded to, covenants with sacred and secular institutions who share the city-space are primary. Still I believe that alliances with churches on the sub-urban rim of the city are an often neglected opportunities for strengthening the ministry of churches in both settings. For the challenges of the city are real world challenges. The city church offers access to diversity training in a “micro” perspective. I remember well the relationships that allowed a large suburban church I was serving to gain a new perspective on living in a global world. A significant parabolic moment took place in a shared Bible study in a predominately African-American church. As we worked our way through the Beatitudes, one of the women from one of our partner churches said sternly without animosity in her voice: “This passage about blessed are the poor has little to do with you my friends who live in the suburbs – it ain’t about being poor in spirit – it’s about being poor. Jesus has a preference for the poor.” There was silence and then grace-filled, soul changing dialogue. The blessing of understanding from such alliance building took on a more humorous perspective among a group of five churches who were gathered together around racial tensions in the small city of my first church. Following a time of racial tension at the local high school, I challenged four other churches to join in a “Cross Connections” ministry. The connection partners were an African-American Baptist Church, an Orthodox Arabic Melkite Church, an Hispanic Baptist Church, and two “Anglo” (as we were called) churches. Along with establishing youth service programs together we covenanted together to have a series of Lenten meals with Bible Study. At one of these “heavenly banquet” feasts my dear friend and pastor of the Hispanic Church made a comment on the variety of foods on the serving table. “Bob the foods we bring might say a lot about the way we go about living out our faith. Notice that we Hispanics bring spicy foods. Our African-American friends bring some spicy and some earthy foods. Our Orthodox friends bring foods that are earthy and rich in flavor. And what do you Anglos bring – jellied salads and baked beans. Enough said? You folks might learn a little something about delicious food and rich and hot faith from the rest of us.” What touched my soul was the reality that amid the levity, there was an honesty he felt comfortable in sharing with me. And the reality that we had much to learned from our others brothers and sisters in Christ. An openness to listen was the only requirement. Alliances – covenant relationships lead to vitality and new understandings for all who are willing to risk setting aside their control needs and preconceptions in the pursuit of God’s justice and grace. Such alliances are particularly key for the strengthening of the ministries of the city church.
Let me offer a word of thanks for a Facebook posting that called me to remember the costs and JOYS of discipleship that I experienced in my times of ministry in the urban church. I hope this humble effort on ministry in the city – I feel like breaking out in the song by The Eagles – will foster further dialogue. And unlike The Eagles song, I hope the United Church of Christ will not seek to flee from providing its inclusive and justice based ministry in the city!

Christmas - The Extreme Season

2011-12-17T16:55:00.000-08:00

The story was the same as it is every year. God has sent an angel to earth seeking a sign of Christmas hope and peace. The story always has the same happy ending when a father is reconciled and re-united with his run-away daughter. Yet the journey of getting from the beginning to the end of the Christmas tale is always a most joyous and outlandish ride. This year the story was told in The Veterans’ Memorial Coliseum in Jacksonville, Fla., by The Trans-Siberian Orchestra. The musicians’ affinity for classical music played in a heavy rock and roll style fills the entire 2 ½ hour performance. But what also pervades the performance during the playing of most of the classical and Christmas carol based music are strobe lights, lasers, flame throwing fire-pots, smoke machines, stage rigging that moves out over the audience, and, oh yes, a fifteen piece orchestra backing up the three guitarists, the two keyboard players, the one electronic violinist, and the sole drummer who has lasers flying out of his drums. The Christmas message is invoked in a sensory overloaded experience. One 84-year-old woman who was in the final stages of her battle with cancer who accompanied me to a performance two years ago stood clapping and dancing as the final selection – Beethoven’s Fifth - was being played. Then she said to me, “What joy I felt! That was really something! I feel like a child again!” That’s part of what Christmas is all about – innocence and freedom of spirit and child-like joy and wonder. There is a part of the heart of Christmas that should be outlandishly joyous. “Joy to the world the Lord has come!”
I move ahead twelve hours to a street in the old section of St. Augustine, Fla. As we walked down the narrow streets of the “oldest city in America” I noticed an unassuming sign hanging from the entrance to a small courtyard. It was the entrance to St. Photios Greek Orthodox National Shrine. They called the shrine – where the first colony of Greeks arrived in America – their “Plymouth Rock.” We cautiously approached the narrow doorway. After being greeted warmly by two members of the shrine’s staff, we walked into the history filled and icon laden shrine. The altar evoked a meditative spirit and calming silence to our souls. The awe and wonder of the shepherds and magi enfolded us. Speechless, silence, iconic beauty – the Virgin and Child looked into our souls from their elevated place behind the altar. “How silently the wondrous gift is given!”
Child-like joy and innocence that believes that reconciliation among all peoples is possible; that lions and lambs can lie together – awe-filled silence that is birthed because of the mystery and majesty of this Holy Birth. “Let heaven and nature sing” – “Fall on your knees and hear the angel voices!” This is why I call Christmas the extreme season. It is no season for mediocrity when it comes to the state of our souls. May Christmas be the catalyst for our living an extremely Christ-filled life regardless of the date on the calendar.
Bob

P.S. Since I finished this article Congress voted a weak budget deal and extension of the payroll tax cuts. Our elected officials have become such boring, joyless, boxed up people. They have become the supreme example of “Bah! Humbug People!” Maybe they need to go to a TSO concert and to the shrine of St. Photios.

2011-11-19T18:51:00.001-08:00

An Anecdote for Knowing It All
I woke up this a.m. and listened to my favorite political fix show Morning Joe. Naturally most of the news was about the Super Committee dealing with the budget, the Republican candidates for president expressing their viewpoints, and the lingering news about the Penn State fiasco surrounding the accusations of child abuse brought against a long time football coach. I then read a few e-mails from some of my friends who were expressing hard line positions about “certain” people and things political – most with which I strongly disagreed. At first I wanted to e-mail them back and tell them about their “lost” way and share the “truth” with them. As you can see I started my day hearing about people taking hard line positions – speaking as if they knew it all about the person or the issue which they were addressing. It was then that I turned to my morning meditative reading. The words I read were from the twentieth century monastic Thomas Merton.
We ought to have the humility to admit we do not know all about ourselves, that we are not experts at running our own lives. We ought to stop taking our conscious plans and decisions with such infinite seriousness. It may well be that we are not the martyrs or mystics or apostles or the leaders or lovers of God that we imagine ourselves to be. Our subconscious mind may be trying to tell us this in many ways and we have trained ourselves with the most egregious self-righteousness to turn a deaf ear.”
Was this a God thing? Those who have ears, hear! Maybe taking the time to come to know ourselves (our desires, our motives, our strengths, our weaknesses, our hopes and fears) before becoming a know it all about any person or issue might just be the way to building bridges over chasms of misunderstanding.

A Lesson from Penn State That Requires Our Attention

2011-11-10T17:27:00.000-08:00

So Joe’s Gone – Stop Piling On – Sinners All
The forced exit of Joe Paterno as coach of the Penn State football team will not ease the pain of the victims and their families. The tragedy has happened and hopefully time and an undercurrent of God’s grace will help the abused to find some healing from scares inflicted upon their souls. Paterno’s exit, while necessary, will not solve the underlying problem that allows all forms of abuse to take place in the world of sport……games have become multi-million dollar businesses. And those teams and usually their coaches that succeed in the business of sport – whether amateur (I almost regret using the word – Are there any left?) or professional – have been elevated to a divine status. They are worshipped and adored and well-compensated for their elect status. O come let us adore them! Let us adore them with TV contracts and tee shirt sales and media commentator praise! Let us adore them with the excessive adulation of fanatical followers and free athletic equipment as long as the logo of the giver is visible for all to see. Come let us adore them by allowing substandard academic achievement and blind acceptance of all forms of less than acceptable behavior.
I am amazed at the number of sport’s commentators who make a living helping to elevate and praise these gods of sport who have suddenly become so self-righteous in their pointing their fingers at “those” sinners. I am repulsed at the “grandstand righteous” who know what Joe Pa and others should have done but in their daily lives either look the other way or do just “what is required” in the face of all kinds of injustices and marginally and blatantly immoral behaviors that occur around them. I have always been concerned about those who are rabidly fanatical about “their team” and in doing so lose all sense of rational thinking or behavior. We who have lost our way and our minds when it comes to our love of sport are guilty of allowing competitive sports to live by different moral standards.
And what is our penance? Let us in all possible ways begin to bring back into sports a spirit that affirms “it is not whether you win or lose but rather it is how you play the game.” May all parents and coaches of children and youth sports teams behave in ways that exemplify the highest in moral behavior. Let us help our children to build character not resumes for scholarships. Let all who love sports appreciate fair play and good behavior on the field of play more than the their team’s standing in the league or their rankings in the polls. Let us speak up not just about such heinous acts like those that has brought disgrace at Penn State but whenever we see less than character building behaviors in any sporting endeavor.
Personally from afar I have liked what I have seen in the character building work of Joe Paterno. He made one very tragic mistake which will not soon be forgotten. Yes, maybe all the adulation led to some hubris in dealing with his tenacious desire to coach until the end of the season. But there is at least one visual testimony to Paterno’s character building focus that is displayed every time the Nittany Lions take the field. There are no names on the players’ shirts. It is all about “we”, not “me.” It is WE who say we love sports who need to accept our share of the blame for where the world of sport has gone. And it is we who need to take the steps to bring individual and team sports back to earth. It is we who have done much in granting elevated, godlike status to those who excel in playing games. For the sake of all children we need to do the right and moral thing so others are not emotionally scarred through their participation in playing their games or through, God forbid, another very sick predator’s actions.
“Those who are without sin, let them cast the first stone.”
Prayerfully and Penitentially Yours, Bob

9/11

2011-09-09T07:20:00.001-07:00

Rebuilding a Tower Together
Genesis 11 – Now the whole earth had one language and the same words. And as they migrated from the east, they came upon a plain in the land of Shinar and settled there. And they said to one another, ‘Come, let us make bricks, and burn them thoroughly.’ And they had brick for stone, and bitumen for mortar. Then they said, ‘Come, let us build ourselves a city, and a tower with its top in the heavens, and let us make a name for ourselves; otherwise we shall be scattered abroad upon the face of the whole earth.’
9 – 11! Two numbers that up until 10 years ago meant little together. Now when placed side by side they define – hatred, sadness, insecurity, loss of innocence, shattered hopes, suffering………… of all the definitions of 9/11, I am most dismayed by the loss of innocence. The terrorists have won if we now live in a state of constant mistrust and fear. It is so antithetical to the Gospel message of “fear not.” They have won if it has dampened the childlike dream of a realm where the lion and the lamb can lie together in harmony.
For some reason this morning I was led to Genesis 11 – the account of the tower of Babel. It starts out with that wonderful dream of one world where there was understanding and unity. But then came the devilish words: “Come, let us………………..make a name for ourselves.” “Ourselves…not our God…….Ourselves.” It began the battle between bricks and mortar and things of the Spirit.
Come us rebuild this tower together
Built with those holy girders that can weather
The storms of life
That come because of hatred and selfishness induced strife
Come let us rebuild a tower that auto-pilot planes built with revenge cannot topple and shatter
Let us rebuild it with concrete hard faith-based values, those things that when given flight in the heart really matter
No unmanned drones that have collateral damage that the innocent disfigure and kill
But rather planes overflowing with food for the hungry whose stomachs cry out to be filled
Let us rebuild with pillars of innocent trust given which pre-judges no one until the stranger’s story is heard
That in speaking of others recognizes all as children of God and begins by speaking an good, uplifting word
Let us rebuild with pillars that are not motivated by seeking self esteem or greed
But listens and then acts to meet the other’s need.
It is strange that the initial response to those now forever wed numbers 9/11
Brought a visual image not of towers crumbling before our eyes but a vision of heaven
People risking their lives to comfort the suffering and seek the lost
To be there for the others regardless of the cost
No questions on that day whether a person in need was Christian, Muslim, Hindu, atheist, Buddhist or Jew
To save a life or weep with those who weep was all the heroes of that day knew
So let us begin the rebuilding task infused in our souls by an innocent yet strong message preached from a towering cross
In rebuilding let us make a name for the One who proclaimed in reaching for heaven there are vistas of joy awaiting our sight in spite of the cost.
I know! For some this attempt at prose will appear so idyllic and unrealistic. The question is “Have we ever really tried it?”

In Praise of the Commons

2011-09-06T07:00:00.000-07:00

God Bless Wayne Terwilliger and Michael Martinez
I Corinthians 12:4-13
I am afraid I will expire before I complete an important life task – selling my massive collection of sports cards, particularly baseball cards. It is an emotionally and mentally straining thing to do. These cards represent my childhood, my love of sport, my escape from some of the painful realities of life that clergy are involved in every day. Yet my children, while appreciating sport, have little interest in such collecting and because I have close to 100,000 cards and they live in townhouses with little storage space it is my pre-expiration goal to sort and sell! The sorting is a monumental task because the value of the cards is largely dependent upon the “star” quality of the athletes. Mickey Mantle, Ted Williams, Henry Aaron, Willie Mays are worth over $500 while the “commons” are worth a few cents to a few dollars.
Most players who end up in the common lot have names that few will remember. Yet while the world cares less about the commons, I have a fond affection for many of them. The names Wayne Terwilliger and Michael Martinez lingered in my mind as I read Paul’s call to the divided church in Corinth – a church that was struggling with pecking order questions. You see Wayne Terwilliger was a journeyman second baseman for several American and National League teams who shouldn’t have been around for almost ten years……he was a weak hitter. But his utility of playing numerous positions and his baseball savvy kept made him a valuable fill-in when needed. Michael Martinez is a rookie with the Philadelphia Phillies and has played six positions this year as a backup when the starters went down with injuries or needed some rest.
“Now there are varieties of gifts, but the Spirit.” For Paul there was not one ungifted person in the church. Paul realized that the utility players are often at the heart of a successful church ministry. A warm welcome; a meal prepared for someone who is sick; a time of volunteer at a shelter or soup kitchen; a firm word said when a prejudicial or unjust word is said; taking time to listen to someone who has a painful story to tell! The utility players are always ready to step in and handle the dirty work or do the simple deeds that mean so much in the building of the realm of God.
With 9/11 approaching we also remember that the real heroes on that day were largely the utility players – the police, the firefighters, EMTs, the individual souls whose names will not be remembered who did the small things that saved lives, that comforted the mourning, that fed those rescue team members, that offered simple prayers as they watched the horrific acts on their televisions. As we remember that steel blue sky dark day, let us give thanks for the “common” souls who did what they could to bring light out of the darkness.
There are often too many people who want to be stars and not enough of the faithful wanting to be utility players. Prayerfully ponder your remembrances of some of the faithful utility players who have ministered to you and have helped to shape your life of faith. Be alert for opportunities as you go about your daily lives for opportunities to be a utility player in building the realm of God.

For Those Who Desire an Innocent Soul

2011-09-01T17:10:00.000-07:00

Thinking about Children
“The Cat in the Hat told the Grinch that ‘How to behave is all in the BOOK, so why don’t to take a small look in the book.’” The Cat in the Hat also told Sam I-Am that “The BOOK is better than green eggs and ham and the BOOK isn’t filled with foolish spam.” These profound words were the opening gathered syllables and thoughts to a sermon I preached several years ago on “Homecoming Sunday” – “Rally Day” – “It’s Time to Begin to Try and Make an Effort to Get the Children to Church Sunday.” You name it. I always felt it was a Sunday to focus on innocent faith and the nurture of children within the family. And how does one keep the attention of little ones for fifteen to twenty minutes. You write a musical sermon entitled “The Gospel According to Dr. Seuss.” After that sermon, which seemed to resonate with the little ones, one older child of God came up to me and said: “That was a most meaningful sermon….one of your best.” I wasn’t sure how to receive such a mixed message – I worked hard to make them all my best. Several other big “ones” also joined in the chorus of accolades. I couldn’t help but think – “Maybe I should quote the great theologians and spiritual giants less and quote Sesame Street, Curious George, Mr. Rogers (He was a Presbyterian minister) more often.” I don’t think that’s what they had in mind but I do think that we all have a child’s spirit within us waiting to be unlocked every once in awhile. Maybe we spend too little time with children and also not enough time reading the innocent and Spirit reviving message in THE BOOK.
It is a time to remember and be concerned about children and to recommit ourselves to the innocent faith that most of us first learned as a child. The children are going back to school and hopefully to church school. Maybe it is time that we go back to school by taking a look in THE BOOK. There are “Grinches” out there who are “filling themselves with gold and green eggs and ham……..and telling others ‘It’s all about me and maybe if you’re lucky you’ll find some out of date Spam’.” “So let’s take a look in THE BOOK and if we follow and do not flinch, we’ll put the Grinches of this world in a terrible pinch.”
Prayer
Lover of the little ones, help me to avoid looking into the eyes of little children. The ones at play make me feel sad that I have lost my ability to play without feeling silly. The ones who long for attention make me feel guilty that I don’t have the time or patience to really give them my attention. The ones who are hungry and hurting because of poverty make me feel uncomfortable that I am doing so little to change their lot in life. God of the incarnate innocent Little One, touch my eyes with your Spirit so that I might see with the eyes of children and might laugh and dance and sing with thanksgiving for the miracles that are everywhere; so that I might cry when I see a wounded bird or wounded soul; so that I might believe that fairy tales can come true and that in living with that hope in my heart I can help to make them come true. I pray all this hoping for a rebirth of my ability to see as if I were seeing everything for the first time. Amen.

Flee Time

2011-08-28T05:53:00.000-07:00

The Earthquake, The Hurricane, and The Search for Gadhafi
God is our refuge and strength,
a very present help in trouble.
Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change,
though the mountains shake in the heart of the sea;
though its waters roar and foam,
though the mountains tremble with its tumult.
There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God,
the holy habitation of the Most High. (Portion of Psalm 46)
I felt the earth move under my feet – remember Carole King’s lyrics. This time it wasn’t love, it was a real live seismic event – close to 6.0 on the Richter Scale. The earthquake is now history, but now Irene is bearing down on the eastern coastline from the Carolinas to New England and all things in between. Category 2 or 3, it still will mean some significant destruction because of its high winds and its high water. And then there is the seismic, earth shaking events in the Libya and the Middle East. Decades of a horrid dictatorship are ending. Earthquakes, hurricanes, changes in the international geo-political map, and yes a volatile economy…. while some of the change we applaud, at times like this we feel like everything is out of control and we look for some center of solitude that can calm us during the chaos.
The verb for the Hebrew word translated “refuge” means to “flee.” Some days we just want to flee from “it all.” And the text says we need to look for a stream – water is so important in the Israel and the Middle East because it is in such short supply. It is not the powerful roaring and foaming waters that bring refreshment and solace…it is the almost inaudible stream that brings shalom, peace.
Today I watched the birds on the feeder in my back yard and then went to sit by one of the many salt water lakes near my home on Cape Cod. It reminded me that when all things seem to be out of control, God in the background can bring our souls to gladness and peace if we take the “flee” time that is so often at a premium. I recommend some flee time even when the earth isn’t shaking and the waters aren't roaring and foaming.
Getting Ready for Our Date with Irene on Cape Cod,

The Presidency and The Literal Interpretation of the Bible – Beware!

2011-08-19T05:38:00.000-07:00

My father was a CFO of a mid-sized corporation and treasurer of a merged company that included Union Carbide Corp. He was a registered Republican in name only! He once told me his Presidential voting record and it was all over the place. At least once he voted Socialist. And occasionally he voted Democratic. Let me explain the reason for his eclectic political viewpoint. His much loved Grandfather was a William Jennings Bryan populist. Bryan three times ran on the Democratic ticket for the presidency. My father at least once voted for Norman Thomas, a Socialist. Thomas ran six times for the presidency. I know what you’re thinking, where am I going with this. Bryan – a champion for the average citizen and Secretary of State in Woodrow Wilson’s administration and who often took pacifistic stances – was a devout Presbyterian. His devout nature caused him to fight against evolution in the famous Scopes Trial. Thomas was a Presbyterian clergyman, a pacifist and had a significant ministry with the least and the lost in Hell’s Kitchen in NYC. Both took the Gospel message literally. They both saw Jesus as the Prince of Peace and the one who said many things about grace and love toward friend and enemy alike / toward all regardless of social or economic standing.
Today a number of people interested in the presidency say that they interpret the Bible literally. They say they are ardent in following the teachings of the One who said pass no judgment on others; who said do not return evil for evil; who said regardless of race or tribe all are cherished children of God. Can you believe he made a Samaritan – someone equivalent to a Palestinian today - a hero in one of his parabolic stories. There is a danger in taking the Bible really literally – it makes the living of each day a little difficult. It humbles us and puts the welfare of others as paramount in going about our daily doings.
I think I now understand why my church attending, Bible reading, financial whiz Father was enamored with Bryan and Thomas. Like them, he too read the words of Jesus and took them literally. I wish both Democrats and Republicans, Libertarians, etc., and, yes, Democratic Socialists took the Gospel literally. It would make a whole lot of difference in how we set our personal and national agendas and how we deal with deficits and jobs and international relations (And how we go about our politics).
P.S. Just started reading a recently released book, Conscience. It is the story of the four Thomas Brothers. Two of the brothers served with valor in WWI and two brothers – including Norman, protested the war and were pacifists. It is written by Norman Thomas’ great-granddaughter. Great reviews.

God of the Living Word, hidden, yet profoundly seen in the words of Scripture, instill in us the courage to live your Word literally. We know it will most likely alter our standard operating procedures with which we have become too comfortable. Yet because you are a gracious God, we also know that you will refresh us and surprise us in our literal living with holy moments in which we experience a delicious taste of your realm. We pray this in the name of the One who spoke and lived your Word so that we might live out in word and deed your love. Amen.

2011-08-15T17:28:00.000-07:00

BE NICE
Went to worship yesterday! Gretchen and I have done this numerous times since my leave-taking from weekly pulpit appearances. Yesterday’s service was fine. Good sermon; traditional music; mostly gray hair in the pews. It was fine but not all that inspiring. In the last few months I have been to all sizes and shapes of churches. On Palm Sunday there was little reference to Palm Sunday but there was 50+ verses of Jesus’ trial read with no dramatic energy. I heard about Windex for six minutes in a sermon on Maundy Thursday. I sang Kumbaya on Good Friday. On Easter Sunday I heard sermon that lack enthusiasm and joy (Spiritually leaving Jesus in the tomb). I have heard good sermons surrounded by dreadful music and, on other occasions, uninspiring music that matched the sermon. Having worked hard to establish a partnership with my fellow worship leaders and having pondered how each small part of the liturgy might be handled in creative ways so that even the silent moments and the reading of Scripture would be inspirational, I now realize how fortunate I was to have served in local church settings that encouraged creativity.
But this reflection is not about “how to” be creative in worship, it is rather about my fault finding when I am supposed to be worshipping the Creator, Redeemer, and Sustainer. Before and after each worship service Gretchen is into the habit of reminding me to “Be nice!” “Nice” seems like such a trivial, syrupy-sweet, shallow word. So I went to the dictionary to find how it is defined – pleasant, kind, pleasing, agreeable, respectable. Kind – love is kind!......it does not insist on its own way. I learned that somewhere. Legend – and maybe history - has it that the profound thinking German theologian, Karl Barth, when asked about the essential message of all theology responded – “Jesus loves me this I know for the Bible tells me so.” Maybe the essential message of Jesus with his message of welcoming strangers and loving enemies can be summed up in two words “Be nice!”
We haven’t had a whole lot of being nice in Washington and in politics in general lately. It seems that anger and rage are on the increase in everything from sports to driving behavior. It appears that our society is quick to anger and slow to listen to others who may not see it our way. Nice – love – kind – good – four letter words that might just sum up the depth of the divine mystery of faith. So, let us “Be nice” in all situations and at all times. Maybe God is trying to teach me how to learn to be nice even when I think the sermon goes nowhere and the music is a little off key.

Giving as a Way of Curing the Down Turn Blues

2011-08-09T18:02:00.000-07:00

For two weeks the bottom has fallen out of the stock market. Yesterday was the 600+ Dow Jones drop day. My retirement portfolio took a real hit. So in the midst of it all I shut off the TV and went for a ride – saw a beautiful rainbow and listened to some crashing waves – I reside on Cape Cod in the summer. Started to feel somewhat better because I realized God is paying me dividends everyday – if I stop and just be in the moment.
On the way home I stopped for an ice-coffee! I was asked if I wanted to donate to the Jimmy Fund – Dana Faber Cancer Center. It is not a good thing for children to have to do battle with cancer. So, out of my diminishing assets I made a donation. When I arrived home I found Gretchen making a nice donation to one of her favorite causes. There go more of the assets. As I watched the evening news I became heart-sick at the situation in Somalia – 12 million people fighting starvation. So I decided to make a generous donation to the UCC hunger relief fund. There went more of my diminished assets. Yet, somehow I felt better again – sort of a feeling of well-being that was spiritually based, not temporally based. And today I turned on the TV about mid-day and the market was up! If the market stays solid today I will have gained more in my retirement account than was given away to help others in much greater need than I. Call it the beginning of a little bull in the market or a lot of God in my life. Singing the down turn blues; try standing in the moment for a moment and giving so others might know at least a little of God’s abundant love. There is never a down turn in that!

Second Thoughts Resurrected

2011-08-08T07:14:00.000-07:00

Second Thoughts Resurrected
The name for my blog originally came from my being the Senior Minister of the Second Congregational Church of Greenwich, CT. Now that I am a freelance pastor, consultant, aspiring artist and umpire, I thought a name change would be necessary. But then I had a second thought. In the consultant work I will be doing with churches, I will be encouraging clergy and the members of those churches to think outside the box…….to not go with their first thoughts, those thoughts which usually are shaped by past experience or preconceived ideas. Change requires second thoughts. As I have said about the thinking which I want to lay as a foundation for churches (and even individuals) looking to the future is – “If you don’t ever think outside the box, you’ll almost always end up in the same old box.” My consulting program In Church Imaging is about outside the box thinking. I have been fortunate to minister in churches which were open to second thoughts – as I call it “innovative imagining.” So Second Thoughts it shall continue to be. Looking forward to sharing my second and, maybe even third and fourth thoughts with you. inchurchconsult@yahoo.com
Bob

2010-08-30T07:48:00.001-07:00

FAITH TIMES
“Wasting Time Wisely – And the Threat of Labor Day”

You won’t believe what I did this morning. I must have wasted at least ten minutes. But, it’s summer, and that gives us all some validation for time wasting. You won’t believe what I did. I sat by our nature center’s Koi and goldfish pond and I fed the fish. Some even came close to eating out of my hand. I observed the gold, blue, burgundy, yellow scales of their sleek bodies and the different fin configurations. What a waste of time! There were program brochures to be written, prayers to be created, sermons to get outlined, homebound members to be visited or called, hospitals to be visited, marriage counseling appointments to be scheduled, stewardship campaigns to be designed, outside speakers to contact, etc., etc. And here I was just wasting time.

But it got worse. I walked through my backyard on the way to the garage to pick up a large bag in which I could deposit the trash as I cleaned up my office. Ah, work to be done. But that work got side tracked by one small red rose on a multi-flora rose bush. I stopped and looked at it for probably a full minute. I smelled its aroma several times. I finally came into my right mind and got to the office ready to work.

But, it happened again. I sat down and wasted time with my regular time of prayer. I offered prayers of thanksgiving to God for fish and roses and family and friends. I then wasted more time with intercessory prayer for members of the church who were struggling with physical and emotional illness and for people who were suffering – some I had never met. What can one prayer do? Could it be another waste of time?

This week many schools begin and next weekend we celebrate LABOR day. Wasting time will start to get a bad name again. Even, wasting time WISELY. As people who proclaim that they worship a God who said “Be still and know that I am God” let us not allow the world to threaten our wasting time wisely time.

Wasting time wisely today on the Cape with Gretchen,

Bob Naylor

P.S. Put our Homecoming Weekend on Your Calendars – We’ll waste some time wisely
in fellowship with our faith family.

It Can Be Unpatriotic to Wave the Flag

2008-07-27T05:21:00.000-07:00

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.

Do We Live A Sixteen-Wheeler Life Style?

2008-02-23T06:00:00.000-08:00

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.

Golf and Gospel / Thoughts on Perfection and Imperfection

2008-01-22T22:00:00.000-08:00

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

Dancing Fountains Gives Me the Shakers

2008-01-21T20:47:00.000-08:00

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

A Lot of Holy Water

2008-01-19T21:53:00.000-08:00

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

Hoover or Harrah's

2008-01-19T21:32:00.001-08:00

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

A Great Movie - The Great Debaters

2008-01-15T21:44:00.000-08:00

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

No Room at The Inn

2008-01-15T06:22:00.000-08:00

"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

The Meal on the Moon

2008-01-12T06:12:00.001-08:00

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

Friends

2008-01-11T06:28:00.001-08:00

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

Thoughts on Acronyms and Comfort

2008-01-09T06:40:00.000-08:00

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

Missed Beauty

2008-01-08T19:28:00.000-08:00

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

Off Schedule Graces

2008-01-05T05:30:00.000-08:00

"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

First Thought on Second Thoughts

2007-04-30T19:14:00.000-07:00

I think a lot about things theological, Biblical, artistic, athletic, devotional, political, and civic. I like to think about them with a good dose of faith and knowledge of the human spirit mixed together. Also, I believe in mixing in an occasional dash of humor. I'll be touching on everything from serious wrestling with Bible passages to discussing issues of faith and culture to finding a word from God in a painting or movie or play or sporting event.

Today I picked up Stephen Prothero's new book, Religious Literacy, and I'll be commenting on that in my next posting.

So welcome to "Second Thoughts" from Bob, the Senior Minister of Second Church.