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Monthly Archives: June 2009
Off to Crystal Lake
We leave today for Crystal Lake, Michigan, where we’ll be counselors at a mini-camp for children. Crystal Lake is a jewel — I love the different shades of blue on the water. ADDED: We arrived home late Tuesday night after … Continue reading
Posted in Children, Nature
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Crocodile Dock
For anyone interested, here was the final look for the Crocodile Dock set. The children gathered in front of the dock for singing at the beginning and the end of each session. We had about ninety children each day. The … Continue reading
Children’s Ministry and the Incarnation
I devote time each year to children’s ministry by teaching a Bible lesson for older children at our Vacation Bible School. Not having children of my own, this helps me see life from their level for a few days. We … Continue reading
Blood Stains
On Wednesday children in Vacation Bible School heard the story of the Passover. They painted blood on the door frames of their houses, just as the Israelites did. The houses were card tables, and the door frames were grocery bags … Continue reading
Dogs Communicate, But They Don’t Talk Well
Although dogs can imitate human sounds and give owners an illusion of talking, they’re unable to use their lips and tongues well enough genuinely to talk. So says Scientific American. But they can communicate with one another and with humans: … Continue reading
How to Build a Burning Bush
Lay a coarse blanket on the floor. Take larger sticks and place them in a triangle shape on the blanket. Put a tangle of smaller, brush-like sticks on top of the triangle. Intertwine two strings of white Christmas tree lights … Continue reading
A Memorial Garden Is a Delight
The soil in our memorial garden holds the cremains of 24 church members, the latest added only last Friday. The bright flowers that grow in this rich, sacred earth make this time of year a delight. It’s a restful place … Continue reading
Posted in Nature
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The Andrews Sisters Live On
Last night the Adrian Symphony presented a tribute to the Andrews Sisters. Three women sang a medley of their hits in the 30s and 40s, with the orchestra behind them and a thousand toe tapping listeners in the audience. For … Continue reading
Posted in Art
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Thanks, John Stek
A man I never knew helped change my life. John Stek, NIV Bible translator, died on June 6th at 84. In 1979 my family moved to Carson City, Nevada. At sixteen I was looking to find my way in the … Continue reading
Posted in Spiritual Life
6 Comments
Why Do Presbyterians Have to Learn Hebrew?
The presbytery’s Committee on Preparation for Ministry met Wednesday. Though working in a United Methodist congregation, I remain ordained in the Presbyterian Church USA. I serve on this committee as part of my service to the denomination. Three candidates appeared … Continue reading
Posted in Education
2 Comments
Money Is the Root of All Good
Ten years ago I attended a training session for incoming presidents of local Rotary clubs. The leaders put blue folders at each place around the table. On each folder lay a white sheet of paper with these words in large … Continue reading
Posted in Daily Life, Money
2 Comments
I Don’t Fear the Demise of the Church
Steve Woolley frets about the declining fortunes of the Episcopal Church. The growing scarcity in his denomination worries him, as does the defensiveness and complacency it produces. He’s not alone. Many in mainline churches fear their denominations are dying. Demographic … Continue reading
Posted in Church, Theology
2 Comments
Six Things I Saw Spying On Another Church
After our worship yesterday, five of us scooted over to Ogden Church for their 10:45 service. Ogden is a non-denominational, evangelical church that meets in a new facility east of town. (For years they met as a buildingless congregation, worshipping … Continue reading
Posted in Worship
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Blessed Are the Moderates
Michael Ruffin is a moderate in theology and on social issues. He worries he’ll be so open minded his brain may one day fall out, but he also believes standing in the middle is the best place to be — … Continue reading
Posted in Current Events, Theology
4 Comments
Is Capitalism Flawed?
Economist Paul McDonnold asks the question, Is capitalism fatally flawed? His answer in brief is no, provided the system in question resembles Adam Smith’s original vision of ‘decentralized firms’ driven not by ‘blind greed but a healthy interest in improving … Continue reading
Posted in Church, Current Events
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One Reason We Write
Pastor Bob Cornwall writes at the DisciplesWorld blog about why he blogs. As these ‘why I write’ posts go, this is a pretty good one. Blogging allows Cornwall to publish freely and reach a larger audience than hears him on … Continue reading
Posted in Writing
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Robert Oppenheimer Goes to Vacation Bible School
Scenery for our upcoming Vacation Bible School is taking shape in fellowship hall. T minus 12 days and counting. A bayou backdrop, a shack (but not ‘the shack’) and a dock have appeared, the creations of gifted artists in the … Continue reading
The Law of Attraction
I remember sitting one day in my high school history class. On top of my notebook was a copy of Norman Vincent Peale’s The Power of Positive Thinking, a yellow highlighter clipped to the cover. A girl in the row … Continue reading
Posted in Books, Emotions
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The Eight Worldviews of James Sire
In The Universe Next Door, James Sire explores eight worldviews, each a set of first principles or presuppositions people hold about their life in the world. Is there a God? What is the universe? Who am I? Where am I going? … Continue reading
Should We Observe Father’s Day In Church?
Tom Steagald, a United Methodist pastor in North Carolina, dislikes what he calls the ‘Hallmark Cycle,’ secular holidays and themes that insert themselves into the church’s worship. Lately we’re moving through the Mother’s Day, Memorial Day and Father’s Day part of the … Continue reading
