04/05/2020

When I was in High School, our family vacations were done in a small travel trailer.  It was equipped with several modern conveniences.  There was a refrigerator, heater, stove and even a water heater, but no television.  On our way west we stopped at a camp ground and discovered a huckleberry bush full of fruit.  My frugal stepmother turned that unexpected bounty into a pie.  It tasted just like blueberry pie to me, but sadly with no ice cream available.  Life is full of surprises.  It was on that same trip that we found a man in his pickup who had been killed by a shot to the head.  We had stopped for a meal and noticed the man in the pick- up had not moved in all the time we were there.  When we checked we found the body and contacted the police.  It was a very upsetting experience for our family.  Sometimes life’s surprises are inconvenient and even tragic, but at other times they are delightful and even tasty.  On the same journey we had both. In the midst of the present health crisis I notice that the news also has stories of hope and kindness, love and happiness.  These small stories are blessings in a time of some uncertainty and even fear.  In fact I am sure that a slice of blueberry pie would make me feel better. I even know where there is some ice cream.

03/29/2020

In 1944 Singspiration Music published a gospel song by Ruth Caye Jones called “In Times Like These.”  The first verse reads as follows: “In times like these you need a Savior, In Times like these you need an anchor; Be very sure, be very sure, Your anchor holds and grips the solid rock!  This rock is Jesus, Yes, He’s the one: This rock is Jesus, The only one!  Be very sure your anchor holds and grips the solid rock.”  World War II was on everyone’s mind in 1944 with lingering fear and anxiety.  In times of fear and crisis we hold fast to our faith and our faith holds fast to us.  This feels again like one of those times.  It is our hope and prayer that our losses may not be unbearably great, but we will stay anchored in our faith.  “The storms may roar about us, our hearts may low be laid, but God is round about us and can we be dismayed?”  The dangers we face now from the corona virus are real and we must take wise precautions, but we do not live in fear.  We will protect the most vulnerable around us.  We will be loving, generous, and unselfish because this is who we are called to be as God’s people.  In our own small and simple ways together we will be God’s faithful people.  When we cannot hold each other’s hands in prayer we will still, in our minds and hearts, hold each other close in our prayers and love.

03/22/2020

I do not think of myself as old, but when the announcement was made that older people, that is  people over 60, were in greater danger from the coronavirus; I was forced to count up the years.  I’m not sure that I even remember what life was like when I was sixty.  Realistically, I must now be a little more cautious, but I really am not afraid.  That is the advantage of being older.  This is not the first national or international crisis that I have seen in my life.  Many were difficult and even devastating but we survived them.  All of that can bring us perspective that some younger people may lack.  Our faith also gives us an anchor.  Whatever happens, God will be with us.  We still may suffer with the rest of humanity, but we do hope in the love and grace of the eternal one who watches over us.  While I am concerned for My older friends and neighbors, I am grateful the children are less threatened.  Together we will get through this particular crisis.  It will again be an occasion to practice love and kindness to the world around us.  We will not let fear make us selfish or unkind.  To quote those “great philosophers”, Sonny and Cher, “Love will keep us together!” Be wise, be cooperative, trust God and practice love.

03/15/2020

Periodically when our supply of paper towels and toilet tissue runs low, I order a big supply from Amazon.  This has the advantage that the beleaguered UPS driver brings the big boxes right to our door.  The price is about the same as the grocery store prices with no struggle on my part with big packages at the grocery.  A couple of days ago I attempted to put in an order for paper towels and tissue only to find that they were out of stock for both.  Apparently, concern about the corona virus had caused a run on these paper supplies.  It is appropriate to have concern about the spread of this dangerous virus, but I fail to see why it should affect the supply of paper products.  We are already trying to use safe health practices.  More changes may still be coming as this health crisis develops.  We will cope with them as they  unfold, but we do need to keep proper perspective.  As one friend expressed it, “We need prudence not panic.”  This seems as solid  an approach for any crisis.  It is consistent with our faith and wise for everyone.

03/08/2020

We have new thermostats for the church building.  They are all the same which should help avoid confusion.  With differing programs an automatic system is really necessary.  A building our size takes time to heat up or to cool down.  We do not have to worry about someone coming in early to get the parts of the building  warm or cool. At home we still have a dial thermostat of the most simple kind.  Even that is a wonderful convenience.  I remember living with my Grandparents with a coal cook stove and space heaters.  Grandma got up early and got the cooker going.  It was the only heat in early morning.  Dressing in the unheated bedrooms was an exercise in speed.  If you just pulled your clothes over your pajamas, you were sent back to start over.  On a frosty morning it was invigorating to say the least.  What wonderful convenience to just touch a dial and have instant heat.  It is now so common that we may not even think of how pleasant the simple thermostat makes our life.  When I think back about those earlier days and Grandma’s cold everyday morning, I am glad as a grandparent that I don’t have to stoke up the coal cook stove, but can have a cup of coffee and dress at leisure in the warmth of a centrally heated house.

03/01/2020

We have a wonderful opportunity on Saturday, March 14 to see a live performance of Ken Medema and Ted Swartz at the Manchester Church of the Brethren.  The Manchester Church is sponsoring the event.  It is an expensive undertaking and the church has asked for gifts to help defray the cost. We will designate our Outreach offering this month to help cover these expenses. The performance is part of the year long celebration of the founding of the South/Central Indiana District.  We will be taking an offering to support the performance.  Those of us who have seen Ken and Ted have always been entertained and inspired by their work.  There will be laughter and even some tears.  Several of us are planning to drive to North Manchester for the service.  There is a sheet on the table outside the office to sign up on.  You may volunteer to drive or sign up that you would like to go, but need a ride.  Ted’s brilliant comedic skills and Ken’s spontaneous composition and excellent piano work make for a rich evening.  An offering will be taken with all the proceeds going to Heifer International.  Come join us for an inspiring and entertaining evening.

02/23/2020

In a cabinet near our coffee maker we have a collection of coffee mugs.  At least half of them are mine.  Some were gifts and some I purchased.  Many of them have a logo or pictures inscribed on them.  I have my favorites.  I currently favor a “squaty” yellow cup given me by friends, but my favorites change from time to time when a favorite is in the dishwasher.  One mug announces “Don’t bother me I’m reading.”  Another has polar bears from a trip to Canada.  A South Dakota themed mug reminds me of home, while Florida and Colorado mugs recall children and grand-children. One ugly green mug has the advantage of being unbreakable plastic material.  A large white mug has a cartoon bear and the word Papa underneath.  Three mugs in my office proclaim “peacefully, simply, together.”  Every time I use them for coffee or tea they all call up memories, names and faces.  They often start my prayers as the warm beverage lifts my early morning fog.  What triggers your memories?  Are the memories ever preludes to prayer?  A missions group I know of has prayer cards that feature pictures of the missionaries so that we can see their faces as we pray.  What are the spontaneous prompts that encourage you to pray right at the moment or with special pockets of prayer scattered throughout your day?

02/16/2020

I miss having a home phone.  In many ways a cell phone is far more convenient. It is always with you so you are less likely to miss a call.  In emergency situations it is wonderful.  Pay phones were never where you needed them.  Cell phones are not the perfect solution.  For one thing they have to be charged regularly.  Nothing is more frustrating than to have an important call cut off because you forgot to charge your phone.  Then there is the embarrassment when your phone goes off at a movie or concert or even in church because you forgot to turn your phone off.  Or how about no one being able to reach you because you forgot to turn your phone back on?  For a while we thought you would only be called on your cell phone by someone to whom you had given your number.  Robo calls changed all that.  And then there are those places, especially in rural areas, where suddenly there is no services, home and cell, but now I wonder.  Do you still remember your old pre-cell phone number?  Do you remember other numbers or do you depend on your cell phone contact so you don’t have to remember?  Over all modern technology seems a very good thing, but occasionally I feel a bit of nostalgia for “the good old days.”

02/09/2020

As I remember it, my daughters were fine with eating liver when they were small until they went to school and learned that kids don’t like liver.  At least that is the way I remember the situation.  I can remember when I learned to like spinach.  It had nothing to do with Popey the Sailor.  My Aunt Lillian was canning spinach.  It was a hot steam day and there was apparently a bumper crop of spinach.  Aunt Lil’ was usually the most mild mannered person imaginable, but she must have had enough.  When I asked what was for supper there was an explosion.  “There is plenty of spinach.  If you are hungry, you can jolly well eat that!”  And so I did.  As a young teenager I had not been aware that the rest of the family was nowhere to be seen.  The bottomless pit that is teenage boy hunger found the spinach just fine if I was hungry enough and finally aware of the mood of the kitchen.  I have liked spinach ever since.  Later I found other good greens and row ones quite tasty especially cooked with bacon or side pork and a little vinegar sprinkled on top.  Apparently, necessity is the mother of appetite as well as invention.  How many of our preferences are shaped either by the situation or by the opinion of others?

02/02/2020

Aldi is among the grocery stores that I patronize.  They have a fairly good sized Gluten Free section and many of their products are also marked gluten free on the packaging.  The prices also seem to be better than many other stores.  The first time I shopped there introduced me to a different culture.  All the shoppers I encountered seemed to know the procedures: renting a grocery cart for a quarter and then getting it back when the cart is returned, and transactions are cash or card.  You bag your own groceries and bring or buy your shopping bags.  If you are lucky you might find a box.  As you take your cart back, someone may hand you a quarter and take your cart.  It was a bit confusing and experienced Aldi’s shoppers give you a look that said silently, “you must be a newbie.”  I wonder if the same kind of thing might happen to people who come to church.  If they are unfamiliar with our routine procedures, do they feel awkward and out of place?  What can we do to make people feel at ease and welcome?  We do that better than many congregations, but I still hope we can do it even better.  We want our welcome to be whole hearted for all who might wish to enter in.

01/26/2020

Recently while we were visiting in Colorado, my daughter, my grandson and I attended a performance of the Shakespeare Inprov. Company.  My Son-in-law, granddaughter and my wife went to the American Girl doll store, while we watched the improvisation group “do Shakespeare.”  The group improvisation group invites the audience to suggest a title and then improvises a Shakespeare style play on the spot.  The cast does the dialogue in rhyme for the nobility and ordinary prose for the servants.  Like Shakespeare’s plays the jokes are broad and at times a bit suggestive.  It is amazing how adept the players are and even their missteps are funny.  I have seen Ken Medema do this  same sort of thing .  He asks the audience for a song title which he then uses to compose a song.  The results are always wholesome and challenging, often with humorous elements as well.  Medema and Ted Swartz, a Christian comedian, are now touring Church of the Brethren districts with a music and comedy program.  The result is both entertaining and challenging for Christians.  Saturday, March 14 they will be at the Manchester Church of the Brethren.  It would be fun and rewarding for a group of us to go to the program.  There will be an offering to go to Heifer International.  This is part of the District wide celebration of the anniversary of the founding of the South/Central District and our project of two arks ($5000 each) for the Heifer Project.  I look forward to a fun evening

01/19/2020

I have a friend who for many years,  every January, read a new book on time management.  By personality, he was always an excellent time manager.  His reading matched with his personal strengths. With  a much different personality my reading of time management materials has only resulted in much less improvement.  We all have differing strengths and weaknesses.  While it is good to keep working on improving in our areas of weakness, it is even more important to work toward our strengths.  Go where your gifts are.  Marginal improvement in our weaker areas will still be of value, but major improvements in our strengths will have a big payoff.  Many years ago a noted leader told me “Your gifts will find a place for you.”  I have always found that to be helpful advice.  When I am tempted to bemoan my areas of limitation, I try to remember that we are all unique creations of a loving God who “knows our frame” and recognizes our weaknesses, but glories still in the things he can accomplish through the unique gifts he has given us.  So let’s relax and use what we have been given and let God’s strength fill both our gifts and our weakness for his glory.  Let’s go on with major emphasis on our gifts and minor emphasis on improving our weaknesses under God’s loving guidance.

01/12/2020

When the first big snow came a few weeks ago, I had no trouble finding the salt to make the walks secure.  It was there inside the front door where it had been since last winter.  Spring came and then summer and then Fall.  The bucket with its blue lid was there the whole time.  I passed it every day, but I no longer saw it.  Originally, I had planned to put it in the garage when winter was done, but I no longer could see it.  Advertising experts tell us that any poster up for more than two weeks is no longer seen by those who regularly walk past it.  As they put it, it has now become wall paper, only noticeable when it is removed.  How much we miss when thing become too familiar.  I appreciate the sentiment of the hymn “Open my eyes that I may see glimpse of truth Thou hast for me…”  I have been tempted to add it as an introduction for every sermon, but if I did that, soon no one would “see” after the first few times.  Perhaps the goal for worship would be enough that is familiar to make us feel secure and enough that is new to make up feel challenged.  If we are not observant we might even miss what God is doing with us and in our world.  Open our eyes Lord that we might see you clearly even with our distracted sight.

01/05/2020

This first Sunday of the New Year finds us back in the chapel.  Originally, we came up with this strategy as a way to save money on the cost of heating the larger sanctuary during the coldest months.  Along the way we discovered other advantages.  The smaller space means we sit closer together.  We see each other more clearly as a result.  The interaction is far better as we linger in the chapel to talk with each other.  We miss the organ and the choir is a bit crowded, but the chapel simplifies things for our musicians.  When we sing in the chapel the sound of all our voices is wonderful as we fill that smaller space.  What started out as a money saving measure has turned out to be a significant blessing.  Similar things happen in the rest of our lives as well.  Simple changes often bless us, sometimes even by their simplicity alone.  Even disasters have at times opened a possibility which we would not have seen in the ordinary course of life.  The disaster may still be devastating, but hidden in the corner there may be a small blessing if we are looking for it.  So stick with us in the chapel, because who knows what blessing may await us in the chapel, in the new year, and have a blessed New Year.

12/29/2009

When I was a child, I remember being asked at birthday time, “How does it feel to be a year older?”  In truth it never felt at all different from the day before and the day after.  The only change I noticed was there was now a different answer to the question “How old are you?”  New Years has always seemed much the same to me.  The day before and the day after are pretty much the same.  The only big difference seems to be a different year date to put on checks.  It might be useful to reflect on the events of the previous years but the year ahead can not be planned in any great detail.  “New Year’s Resolutions” are normally defunct well before February arrives.  The New Year only gets the most cursory notice in the Christian calendar.  We are done with Advent and Christmas and are well on our way toward Lent and Easter.  Our culture will celebrate the New Year for an evening and a day and then we will be back to ordinary time.  We will have passed another mile marker, but the highway is still running a long toward destinations which we only dimly anticipate.  We hope the ordinary days will be pleasant and secure.  We look forward for events that are meaningful and ever for some divine surprises.  What we can count on in the New Year is that the presence of God will be with us whatever the new days bring.  Every day we will be able to say “This is the day the Lord has made.  We will rejoice and be glad in it.”

12/22/2019

The birth of Jesus reminds us of the necessity of shelter.  There was no room for them in the inn, so the little family of Joseph and Mary took shelter in a stable and laid their new born son in a feeding trough.  Still there are people who wander homeless.  Some are refugees of war, violence and poverty.  Others have fallen on bad times and may shelter in a tent or car or even or in a doorway or on a park bench.  Shelter is another of the basic human needs.  Recently, Jimmy Carter, our most useful ex-President fell while working on a Habitat for Humanity House.  He is in his 90’s and still working to bring shelter to those who need it.  I often think of the church as a sheltering place.  Here the wanderer can find rest, the sinner can find redemption, the lonely can find friendship.  At its best the church is a shelter for the world weary and storm tossed.  But as President Carter demonstrates, Christians also need to work at solving the practical problems of shelter for those who need it.  A pre-schooler, who was  told that there was no room in the inn for Jesus burst out, “He can have my room!”

12/15/2019

It was a few years ago when I first encountered the term ”food insecurity”. It was obvious from the beginning what was being described.  The fear that is experienced when there is no certainty about where the next meal is coming from can be devastating for any individual or family.  In a world of excess the idea that there are hungry people around us is very upsetting.  We would literally like to set another place at our table, especially for the hungry child.  There are other needs which human beings experience, but it is hard to feed the soul when the belly is empty.  Sharing food is one of the most basic of human experiences.  One preschooler that I met made sure everyone knew “My mommy is a good cooker!”  In this Advent season, when we think of the arrival of one we call “the Bread of Life”,  we are especially concerned that others in our world have the bread they need for life.  We pass our Christmas baskets to brighten the celebration of Jesus’ birth, but we also take regular hunger offerings so that the rest of the year is not forgotten.  We delight in the heavenly manna that comes down to us, but we also acknowledge the earthly crusty loaves which mark our daily bread.  Give us today our daily bread that we may give daily bread to all those in need of sustenance for body, mind and spirit.

12/08/2019

“Glory to God in the highest Heaven and on earth peace among those whom he favors!” sang the heavenly hosts at Jesus’ birth.  The Church of the Brethren peace group has chosen “On Earth Peace” as its title.  We still, after nearly 2000 years, are looking to bring about peace on earth.  We pray for it.  We practice it on various levels.  We desire to work with all that promotes peace in our world among nations, within nations in communities and in homes.  It has many dimensions from eliminating wars, to countering violence in our society.  At times, it seems to be an uphill battle to wage peace, but we are confident that the Prince of Peace, Jesus, supports our efforts.  Our real goal is not just absence of conflict, but the achievement of wholeness for everyone.  Wholeness is a matter of body, mind, and spirit.  It is peace within, but it is also peace among.  Creative conflict without violence may be one stage along the way, but ultimately we hope for cooperation and wholeness.  The Hebrew concept of Shalom has that sense of comprehensive wholeness where we are at one with God and with our neighbor in body, mind, and spirit.  We strive to be at peace with each other so that love and compassion may be the watchword for all our endeavors.

12/01/2019

One of the minor characters in Tolkien’s novel,  Lord of the Rings who never made it into the movies is Tom Bombadil.  He is described as the “Eldest,” one who “walked under the stars at night before the fear came…”  It is interesting how often we associate the darkness of night with fear and the light with safety and security.  Even the small light of a candle in the window is a symbol of home and comfort.  For God, light and darkness are both warm and comfortable.  For us light can be a gift from God.  Jesus is the light of the world and to a lesser degree so are we his disciples.  We are not to cover it up with a shade but let it shine.  Advent is a season of light and each Sunday we light an additional candle until we light the Christ candle in honor of Christ’s birth.  From that candle we light our own candles as we sing “Son of God love’s pure light in radiant beams from Thy holy face…”  We raise our candles and the whole sanctuary is flooded with beautiful, soft light, just as we hope Christ’s light will flood all the world.  We hope each little light of ours will shine as well in all the dark corners of the world.  Light of lights, shine around us.  Light of lights, shine in us.  Light of lights, shine through us until the whole world blazes with your heavenly light.

11/24/2019

President John F. Kennedy issued Proclamation 3560 on November 5, 1963, stating, “Over three centuries ago our fore fathers in Virginia and in Massachusetts far from home in a lonely wilderness, set aside a time of thanksgiving on the appointed day, they gave reverent thanks for their safety, for the health of their children, for the fertility of their field, for the love which bound them together and for the faith which united them with their God.”  Like many leaders before him and after him, President Kennedy reminded us of our heritage of celebration of thanksgiving to God for the abundance of our blessings.  Christians ought always to be thankful, but it is quite appropriate for civil authorities to acknowledge our corporate thankfulness to God.  At the end of tragic or disastrous events, at the end of a war or major conflict a time of thanksgiving seems needed.  In times of fruitfulness, plenty, and peace we should be even more thankful.  The fourth Thursday of November seems a fitting time to offer our thanks.  The harvest is gathered in.  The families are gathered together.  The worshippers are gathered together in the house of God.  The organ is opened up with all the stops out on "Now thank we all our God with heart and soul and voices, who wondrous things has done, in this world rejoices…”