Sunday, June 24, 2012
Sunday, June 24, 2012
It' has been a great 9 years!!!
Thanks for the memories!!
Charles and Kathy Schuster
Friday, June 22, 2012
Friday's thougths on Sunday's sermon
This is a very rough draft of Sunday's sermon. It needs lots of work. If you have thoughts on this email me at charlesschuster@fcfumc.net. If you are willing to share your
thoughts with the readers of this blog click on the 'comments' box below.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Charles
THERE IS A STORY ABOUT ALBERT EINSTEIN BEING INVITED TO SPEAK AT SWARTHMORE COLLEGE AT A BANQUET. WHEN THE TIME CAME FOR HIM TO SPEAK HE STOOD UP AND SAID, “I DON’T HAVE ANYTHING TO SAY. WHEN I DO I WILL COME BACK.” IN SIX MONTHS HE CALLED THE PRESIDENT OF THE SCHOOL AND SAID HE HAD SOMETHING TO SAY. THEY SCHEDULED ANOTHER BANQUET AND HE SPOKE.
IT ISN’T I DON’T KNOW WHAT TO SAY. IT IS I DON’T KNOW HOW MUCH TO SAY, AND WHEN TO STOP SAYING WHAT I WANT TO SAY.
I DON’T KNOW WHAT TO SAY. I JUST DON’T KNOW WHAT TO SAY. I REMEMBER ONCE OUR BISHOP WROE TO ME RELATED TO SOMETHING I HAD DONE, “I AM SPEACHLESS THINKING ABOUT YOUR BEHAVIOR”, SHE WROTE ME WITH AN EMAIL TO SAY SHE WAS SPEACHLESS AND I WROTE HER BACK SAYING TO HER, “I’VE NEVER SEEN A BISHOP SPEACHLESS COULD I DRIVE TO DENVER TO SEE THAT?”
IN A PIVITOL TIME IN MY LIFE WHEN THERE IS SOMETHING I MIGHT SAY THAT PEOPLE MIGHT WANT TO LISTEN TO I DON’T KNOW WHAT TO SAY.
I KNOW I WANT TO GIVE YOU A WORD. I WANT TO CONVEY SOME OF THE WISDOM ACQUIRED OVER THE YEARS. THAT’S WHAT JESUS DID. HE GAVE THEM THE A WORD. HE CONVEYED HIS TRUTH BEFORE HE LEFT THEM.
I’D SAY SOMETHING A LITTLE OBSCURE ABOUT GOD LIKE WHAT ALFRED NORTH WHITEHEAD WROTE, “IT IS AS TRUE TO SAY THAT GOD IS PERMANENT AND THE WORLD IS FLUENT AS THAT THE WORLD IS PERMANENT AND GOD IS FLUENT.
IT IS AS TRUE TO SAY THAT GOD IS ONE AND THE WORLD IS MANY, AS THAT THE WORLD IS ONE AND GOD MANY.
IT IS AS TRUE TO SAY THAT IN COMPARISON WITH THE WORLD, GOD IS ACTUAL EMINENTLY, AS THAT, IN COMPARISON WITH GOD THE WORLD IS ACUTAL EMINENTLY.
IT IS AS TRUE TO SAY THAT THE WORLD IS IMMANETN IN GOD AS THAT GOD IS IMMANENT IS THE WORLD
IT IS AS TRUE TO SADY THAT GOD TRANSCENDS THE WORLD AS THAT THE WORLD TRANSCENDS GOD.
IT IS AS TRUE TO SAY THAT GOD CREATES THE WORLD AS THAT THE WORLD CREATES GOD.”
I COULD SAY SOME OTHER THINGS THAT PEOPLE HAVE SAID.
FOR EXAMPLE PLATO SAID GOD IS THE SENSE OF IDEAL THAT DRAWS US TOWARD IT.
AND JAMES CONE WHO SAID GOD IS ALWAYS ON THE SIDE OF THE OPPRESSED AND GOD IS LIBERATION FROM OPPRESSION.
AND SCHLIERMACHER WHO SAID, “THE BIBLE IS GOD’S WORD BECAUSE THE BIBLE BRINGS US A SENSE OF GOD CONSCIOUSNESS.”
OR KARL BARTH WHO SAID THAT GOD IS THE MYSTERY BEYOND ALL MYSTERY AND THE GOSPEL IS A STONE THROWN AT THE UNIVERSE.
I COULD QUOTE ALFRED NORTH WHITEHEAD WHO SAID, “THAT RELIGION WILL PROSPER THAT WILL RENDER TO THE COMMON GOOD SOME DEGREE OF ETERNAL GREATNESS.”
I DON’T KNOW WHAT TO SAY AND FOR A CHRISTIAN PREACHER WHEN WE DON’T KNOW WHAT TO SAY WE CAN BEGIN TO THINK OF JESUS AND WHAT MIGHT HE HAVE SAID. AT A TIME WHEN IT WAS IMPORTANT FOR HIM TO SAY THE MOST IMPORTANT THING IN HIS LIFE, “SEEING THE CROWDS HE WENT UP ON A MOUNTAIN AND WHEN HE SAT DOWN HIS DISCIPLES CAME TO HIM AND HE TAUGHT THEM.
WHEN YOU LOOK AT WHAT HE SAID, AND WHEN IT TRY TO GET IT TOGETHER TO SAY WHAT I THINK I OUGHT TO SAY I BEGIN WITH A WORD ABOUT ATTITUDE.
WE HAVE COME TO CALL IT BE ATTITUDE. YOU KNOW THOSE BEATTITUDES THAT SAY, “BLESSED ARE THE POOR IN SPIRIT, AND BLESSED ARE THOSE WHO MOURN, AND BLESSED ARE THOSE WHO HUNGER AND THRIST FOR WHAT IS RIGHT, AND BLESSED ARE THE MERCIFUL AND THE PURE IN HEART AND THE PEACEMAKERS.
HE GAVE THEM THE WORD AND I WOULD LIKE TO GIVE YOU A WORD ABOUT ATTITUDE.
I THINK WHAT HAS MADE THIS PLACE WHAT IT IS WRAPS AROUND THE ATTITUDE AND I WANT TO SUGGEST THAT YOU CONTINUE TO MAINTAIN YOUR ATTITUDE; YOU BE ATTITUDE.
HOW IMPORTANT IS ATTITUDE? SOMEONE SAID, “BUZZARD NESTS SELDOM HATCH EAGLES”.
IT’S THE CAN DO ATTITUDE THAT IS HERE. I WAS THINKING OF STORY DURING THE SECOND WORLD WAR AND GENERAL DOUGLAS MACARTHUR CALLED IN ONE OF HIS ARMY ENGINEERS AND ASKED, ‘HOW LONG WILL IT TAKE TO THROW A BRIDGE ACROSS THE RIVER?’ ‘THREE DAYS,’ THE ENGINEER TOLD HIM.
‘GOOD!’ SAID THE GENERAL. ‘HAVE YOUR DRAFTSMEN MAKE THE DRAWINGS RIGHT AWAY.’
THREE DAYS LATER THE GENERAL SENT FOR THE ENGINEER AND ASKED HOW THE BRIDGE WAS COMING ALONG. ‘IT’S ALL READY.’ REPLIED THE ENGINEER. ‘YOU CAN SEND YOUR TROOPS ACROSS RIGHT NOW, THAT IS IF YOU DON’T HAVE TO WAIT FOR THE PANS. THEY AREN’T DONE YET.’
THAT’S THE BE ATTITUDE ABOUT THIS PLACE.
WHEN YOU FINISHED REMODELING THE CHURCH BUT YOU HADN’T BUILT THE SOUTH ENTRANCE THERE WAS A CONGREGATIONAL MEETING AND I REMEMBER A YOUNG WOMAN STANDING UP AT THE MEETING IN THE SANCTUARY, “WE HAVE GONE THIS FAR BUT WE HAVEN’T FINISHED OUR PROJECT. WHEN WE BUILT THE PARLOR WE HADN’T PAID FOR IT. IT’S TIME FOR US TO START A PROJECT AND FINISH A PROJECT. WHAT ARE WE WAITING FOR? LET’S GET IT DONE.” AND WE DID.
I REMEMBER A MEETING AT THE CHURCH WHEN THE RECESSION HIT AND IT HIT US HARD AND A MEMBER OF THE CHURCH CAME TO THE ADMINSITRATIVE COUNCIL AND WE WERE WORRIED ABOUT PLEDGES AND BUDGETS AND PROJECTS AND WHAT WE COULD DO AND WHAT WE COULDN’T DO AND A MEMBER OF THE CHURCH ASKED TO SPEAK TO THE LEADERS OF THE CHURCH AND HE SAID, “I THINK WE NEED TO BUILD A HABITAT HOUSE. INSTEAD OF FEELING SORRY FOR OURSELVES WE OUGHT TO TRY TO DO SOMETHING FOR SOMEONE ELSE.” AND WE DID.
SO THE WORD I WOULD GIVE YOU IS ABOUT YOUR ATTITUDE AND YOUR BE ATTITUDE; TO KEEP IT AND TO LET IT MOVE WITH YOUR.
THERE IS A JOURNALIST NAMED WILLIAM ZINSSER. HIS FIRST JOB WRITING FOR THE BUFFALO NEWS AS A CUB REPORTER WAS WRITING OBITUARIES. HE WAS THINKING ABOUT THE PULITZER PRIZE. HOW IN THE WORLD ARE YOU EVER GOING TO BE AN AWARD WILLING WRITER DOING OBITUARIES? WHEN IN THE WORLD WHERE I GET A CHANCE TO COVER AN INTERESTING STORY.
BUT THEN HE GOT A BEATTITUDE. HE CHANGED HIS ATTITUDE. HIS EDITOR SAID TO HIM, “LISTEN KID. NOTHING YOU WRITE WILL EVER GET READ AS CAREFULLY AS WHAT YOU ARE WRITING RIGHT NOW. YOU MISSSPELL A WORD, YOU MESS UP A DATE, AND A FAMILY WILL BE HURT. BUT YOU DO JUSTICE TO SOMEBODY’S GRANDMOTHER, TO SOMEBODY’S MOM, YOU MAKE A LIFE SING, AND THEY WILL BE FOREVER GRATEFUL. THEY WILL PUT YOUR WORDS IN LAMINATE.” ZINSSER GOT AN ATTITUDE; A DIFFERENT ATTITUDE. HE SAID, “I WOULD ASK EXTRA QUESTIONS AND GO THE EXTRA MILE.”
I HAVE A FRIEND WHO WAS COMPLAINING ABOUT THE CHURCH HE HAD BEEN APPOINTED TO. HE SAID IT WAS A CHURCH THAT WAS FULL OF OLD PEOPLE AND HE KNEW HE WAS GOING TO HAVE A HARD TIME GETTING THEM TO CHANGE.
SOMEONE GOT TO HIM AND CHANGED HIS ATTITUDE BY TELLING HIM, “THE PEOPLE IN YOUR CHURCH REALLY KNOW MORE ABOUT CHANGE THAN YOU WILL EVER KNOW UNTIL YOU GET OLD ENOUGH TO GRASP THE WISDOM THEY HAVE LEARNED. THEY KNOW WHAT IT MEANS TO LEAVE A JOB THEY’VE LOVED AND THEY KNOW WHAT IT IS TO FACE ILLNESS, AND SOME OF THEM THE DEATH OF THEIR CHILDREN AND SOME OF THEM THE DEATH OF THEIR HUSBAND OR WIFE. THEY KNOW WHAT IT MEANS TO FACE THE FACT THAT THEY CAN’T DO WHAT THEY COULD AND THEY HAVE TO ADJUST. THEY KNOW ALL ABOUT CHANGE BECAUSE EVERY DAY THEY HAVE TO DEAL WITH A NEW CHANGE.
BE ATTITUDE IS THE WORD I GIVE YOU. ABOUT AN ATTITUDE THAT SAYS “YES WE CAN.”
SAINT FRANCIS SAID IT, “START BY DOING WHAT IS NECESSARY; THEN DO WHAT IS POSSIBLE; AND SUDDENLY YOU ARE DOING THE IMPOSSIBLE.”
AND NEVER UNDERESTIMATE WHAT GOOD CAN BE DONE IF YOU WORK TOGETHER. HELEN KELLER SAID IT, “ALONE WE CAN DO SO LITTLE; TOGETHER WE CAN DO SO MUCH.”
I WANT TO GIVE YOU A WORD LIKE THE BE ATTITUDES. LIKE JESUS SPOKE WHEN HE SAW THE CROWD AND HAD THEM SIT DOWN ON THE HILL.
I DON’T KNOW WHAT TO SAY SO I WILL DO WHAT JESUS DID I WILL GIVE YOU AN AWARD.
HE TOLD THEM, “YOU ARE THE SALT OF THE EARTH,” AND “YOU ARE THE LIGHT TO THE WORLD”.
HE GAVE THEM AN AWARD. THIS CHURCH DOES GET ITS SHARE OF AWARDS AND LETTERS OF COMMENDATION FROM VARIOUS PEOPLE. I WANT TO GIVE YOU AND AWARD. I AM REMINDED OF SOMETHING LEONARD BERNSTEIN SAID. IF YOU EVER HAVE SEEN VIDEO OF HIM CONDUCTING AN ORCHESTRA IT LOOKS LIKE HE BECAME COMPLETELY WRAPPED UP IN THE MUSIC. HE SAID ONCE, “YOU BECOME THAT COMPOSER.” HE WOULD LOSE A SENSE OF HIMSELF. HE WOULD BECOME THE MUSIC.
THE AWARD I GIVE YOU IS THAT SAME THING. THE AWARD YOU OUGHT TO GET YOU SHOULD GET AS A CHURCH BUT I THINK IT GOES BACK TO THE KIND OF PEOPLE IN THE CHURCH.
THE PEOPLE HERE HAVE BEEN PEOPLE OF GREAT ACCOMPLISMENT BUT YOU’D NEVER KNOW IT BECAUSE PEOPLE HERE DON’T TALK ABOUT IT.
THE PEOPLE HERE HAVE BEEN THROUGH REALLY HARD THINGS IN LIFE BUT INSTEAD OF BREAKING YOU DOWN YOU LOOKED AT THE PROBLEM AS CHALLENGES AND YOU KEPT ON GOING BUT YOU EVEN BUILT UP SPEED. IT SEEMED THE MORE YOU WERE DEFEATED THE MORE STRENGTH YOU FOUND TO FACE THE NEXT CHALLENGE.
SUE MONK KIDD ONCE WROTE ABOUT RABBI LIEBERMAN AND TELLS HOW HE FELL ASLEEP ONE NIGHT AND HAD A DREAM. IN THE DREAM HE DIED AND GOES TO STAND BEFORE THE JUDGMENT SEAT OF GOD. AS HE WAITS FOR GOD TO SPEAK, HE FEARS GOD WILL ASK HIM, ‘WHY WEREN’T YOU MOSES…OR DAVID…OR SOLOMON?” INSTEAD GOD SURPRISES HIM. GOD SIMPLY ASKS, “WHY WEREN’T YOU RABBI LIEBERMAN?” SUE CONTINUES BY WRITING, “WHEN MY LIFE IS OVER, I DOUBT GOD WILL ASK ME WHY I WASN’T I MOTHER TERESA. THE QUESTION I MOST FEAR IS< “WHY WEREN’T YOU SUE MONK KIDD?” THE MOST GRACIOUS AND COURAGEOUS GIFT WE CAN OFFER THE WORLD IS OUR AUTHENTICITY, OUR UNIQUENESS, THE EXPRESSION OF OUR TRUE SELVES.”
THAT’S THE AWARD I WOULD GIVE YOU. YOU HAVE COME ACROSS AS THE PERSON YOU WERE BORN TO BE. PECULIARITIES, AND ECCENTRICITIES AND STRANGENESS AT TIME. DEMANDING AND THOUGHTFUL AND KIND AND WONDERFUL. YOU HAVE PRESENTED YOURSELVES AS NO LESS THAN OTHER PEOPLE BUT NOT GREATER IN YOUR MINDS. THERE IS NOT ARROGANCE HERE, THERE IS SINCERETY AND CHARACTER.
HOW DO YOU FIGURE A CHURCH WHOSE ENERGY IS SUCH THAT THEY CAN PUT TOGETHER A GARAGE SALE THAT INVOLVES TWO TRACTOR TRAILER TRUCKS TO STORE ALL THE STUFF THAT COMES IN OR AN ALL CHURCH PICNIC WHERE THE HIGHLIGHT IS DUNKING THE MINISTERIAL STAFF IN A WATER TANK BY THROWING PROJECTILES AT A TARGET? HOW DO YOU EXPLAIN A CHURCH THAT THERE IS A PULPIT CONVERTED TO A BASKET LIFT WHERE THE PREACHER HAD TO CLIMB A LADDER TO GET UP TO THE PLACE WHERE THE SERMON WAS PREACHED AND IT BOBBED UP AND DOWN THE CONGREGATION WATCHED, AND HOW DO YOU EXPLAIN A CHURCH WHERE THE YOUTH GROUP ADVENT DINNER THEATER IS BEGUN WITH THE SENIOR MINISTER BEING INVOLVED AS A VIDEO DRIVING ONE OF THE TEENAGERS AROUND AS IF A CHAUFFER DELIVERING A ROCK STAR TO A CONCERT?
WE FOUGTH ABOUT WHETHER THE AMERICAN FLAG OUGTH TO BE IN THE SANCTUARY AND THE BATTLE WAS INTENSE BUT WE WENT OUT FOR BREAKFAST AND CONTINUED TO BE FRIENDS EVEN IN OUR DISAGREEMENT. WE DEBATED OVER THE BUILDING OF A COLUMBARIUM BUT WHEN WE FINISHED IT WAS A BEAUTIFUL GARDEN ENJOYED BY EVERYONE YOUNG AND OLD. WE HAD BATTLES OVER THE KITCHEN AND AT ONE TIME EVERYTHING WAS LOCKED UP AND NOW IT IS OPENED UP FOR COMMUNITY USE.
WE HAVE DISAGREED WITH EACH OTHER AND WE HAVE STAYED TOGETHER. YOU ARE WHO YOU ARE AND I GIVE YOU THE AWARD FOR ANTHENTICITY. YOU ARE THE SALT OF THE EARTH AND THE LIGHT TO THE WORLD.
I GIVE YOU AN AWARD AND I GIVE YOU A WORD.
FINALLY, I WANT TO GIVE YOU A WARNING.
JESUS SAID, “DON’T PUT YOUR LIGHT UNDER A BASKET.” HE SAID, “DON’T THROW YOUR SALT ON THE GROUND TO BE TRAMPLED UNDER FOOT.”
I WANT TO GIVE YOU A WARNING. THERE WILL BE PEOPLE WHO WANT TO PUT THE CHURCH DOWN; PEOPLE WHO WILL SAY THAT THE CHURCH HAS NO FUTURE, DON’T LISTEN TO THEM.
THERE WILL BE PEOPLE WHO THINK IF THE CHURCH DOESN’T DO WHAT THEY THINK THE CHURCH OUGTH TO DO THEY WILL THINK THE CHURCH ISN’T WHAT THE CHURCH SHOULD BE.
THERE WILL BE PEOPLE WHO WILL FORGET THAT THE CHURCH IS ABOUT ALL IF US NOT JUST SOME OF US, DON’T LET THEM CONTROL IT.
DON’T LET ANYONE TELL YOU WHAT YOU SHOULD DO OR WHO YOU SHOULD BE. DON’T LET ANYONE PUT YOU DOWN IN THE CHURCH, OUT OF THE CHURCH OR BEYOND THE CHURCH.
THE CHURCH IS BIGGER THAN ANY ONE OF US AND ITS MISSION IS MORE IMPORTANT THAN ALL OF US TOGETHER.
thoughts with the readers of this blog click on the 'comments' box below.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Charles
THERE IS A STORY ABOUT ALBERT EINSTEIN BEING INVITED TO SPEAK AT SWARTHMORE COLLEGE AT A BANQUET. WHEN THE TIME CAME FOR HIM TO SPEAK HE STOOD UP AND SAID, “I DON’T HAVE ANYTHING TO SAY. WHEN I DO I WILL COME BACK.” IN SIX MONTHS HE CALLED THE PRESIDENT OF THE SCHOOL AND SAID HE HAD SOMETHING TO SAY. THEY SCHEDULED ANOTHER BANQUET AND HE SPOKE.
IT ISN’T I DON’T KNOW WHAT TO SAY. IT IS I DON’T KNOW HOW MUCH TO SAY, AND WHEN TO STOP SAYING WHAT I WANT TO SAY.
I DON’T KNOW WHAT TO SAY. I JUST DON’T KNOW WHAT TO SAY. I REMEMBER ONCE OUR BISHOP WROE TO ME RELATED TO SOMETHING I HAD DONE, “I AM SPEACHLESS THINKING ABOUT YOUR BEHAVIOR”, SHE WROTE ME WITH AN EMAIL TO SAY SHE WAS SPEACHLESS AND I WROTE HER BACK SAYING TO HER, “I’VE NEVER SEEN A BISHOP SPEACHLESS COULD I DRIVE TO DENVER TO SEE THAT?”
IN A PIVITOL TIME IN MY LIFE WHEN THERE IS SOMETHING I MIGHT SAY THAT PEOPLE MIGHT WANT TO LISTEN TO I DON’T KNOW WHAT TO SAY.
I KNOW I WANT TO GIVE YOU A WORD. I WANT TO CONVEY SOME OF THE WISDOM ACQUIRED OVER THE YEARS. THAT’S WHAT JESUS DID. HE GAVE THEM THE A WORD. HE CONVEYED HIS TRUTH BEFORE HE LEFT THEM.
I’D SAY SOMETHING A LITTLE OBSCURE ABOUT GOD LIKE WHAT ALFRED NORTH WHITEHEAD WROTE, “IT IS AS TRUE TO SAY THAT GOD IS PERMANENT AND THE WORLD IS FLUENT AS THAT THE WORLD IS PERMANENT AND GOD IS FLUENT.
IT IS AS TRUE TO SAY THAT GOD IS ONE AND THE WORLD IS MANY, AS THAT THE WORLD IS ONE AND GOD MANY.
IT IS AS TRUE TO SAY THAT IN COMPARISON WITH THE WORLD, GOD IS ACTUAL EMINENTLY, AS THAT, IN COMPARISON WITH GOD THE WORLD IS ACUTAL EMINENTLY.
IT IS AS TRUE TO SAY THAT THE WORLD IS IMMANETN IN GOD AS THAT GOD IS IMMANENT IS THE WORLD
IT IS AS TRUE TO SADY THAT GOD TRANSCENDS THE WORLD AS THAT THE WORLD TRANSCENDS GOD.
IT IS AS TRUE TO SAY THAT GOD CREATES THE WORLD AS THAT THE WORLD CREATES GOD.”
I COULD SAY SOME OTHER THINGS THAT PEOPLE HAVE SAID.
FOR EXAMPLE PLATO SAID GOD IS THE SENSE OF IDEAL THAT DRAWS US TOWARD IT.
AND JAMES CONE WHO SAID GOD IS ALWAYS ON THE SIDE OF THE OPPRESSED AND GOD IS LIBERATION FROM OPPRESSION.
AND SCHLIERMACHER WHO SAID, “THE BIBLE IS GOD’S WORD BECAUSE THE BIBLE BRINGS US A SENSE OF GOD CONSCIOUSNESS.”
OR KARL BARTH WHO SAID THAT GOD IS THE MYSTERY BEYOND ALL MYSTERY AND THE GOSPEL IS A STONE THROWN AT THE UNIVERSE.
I COULD QUOTE ALFRED NORTH WHITEHEAD WHO SAID, “THAT RELIGION WILL PROSPER THAT WILL RENDER TO THE COMMON GOOD SOME DEGREE OF ETERNAL GREATNESS.”
I DON’T KNOW WHAT TO SAY AND FOR A CHRISTIAN PREACHER WHEN WE DON’T KNOW WHAT TO SAY WE CAN BEGIN TO THINK OF JESUS AND WHAT MIGHT HE HAVE SAID. AT A TIME WHEN IT WAS IMPORTANT FOR HIM TO SAY THE MOST IMPORTANT THING IN HIS LIFE, “SEEING THE CROWDS HE WENT UP ON A MOUNTAIN AND WHEN HE SAT DOWN HIS DISCIPLES CAME TO HIM AND HE TAUGHT THEM.
WHEN YOU LOOK AT WHAT HE SAID, AND WHEN IT TRY TO GET IT TOGETHER TO SAY WHAT I THINK I OUGHT TO SAY I BEGIN WITH A WORD ABOUT ATTITUDE.
WE HAVE COME TO CALL IT BE ATTITUDE. YOU KNOW THOSE BEATTITUDES THAT SAY, “BLESSED ARE THE POOR IN SPIRIT, AND BLESSED ARE THOSE WHO MOURN, AND BLESSED ARE THOSE WHO HUNGER AND THRIST FOR WHAT IS RIGHT, AND BLESSED ARE THE MERCIFUL AND THE PURE IN HEART AND THE PEACEMAKERS.
HE GAVE THEM THE WORD AND I WOULD LIKE TO GIVE YOU A WORD ABOUT ATTITUDE.
I THINK WHAT HAS MADE THIS PLACE WHAT IT IS WRAPS AROUND THE ATTITUDE AND I WANT TO SUGGEST THAT YOU CONTINUE TO MAINTAIN YOUR ATTITUDE; YOU BE ATTITUDE.
HOW IMPORTANT IS ATTITUDE? SOMEONE SAID, “BUZZARD NESTS SELDOM HATCH EAGLES”.
IT’S THE CAN DO ATTITUDE THAT IS HERE. I WAS THINKING OF STORY DURING THE SECOND WORLD WAR AND GENERAL DOUGLAS MACARTHUR CALLED IN ONE OF HIS ARMY ENGINEERS AND ASKED, ‘HOW LONG WILL IT TAKE TO THROW A BRIDGE ACROSS THE RIVER?’ ‘THREE DAYS,’ THE ENGINEER TOLD HIM.
‘GOOD!’ SAID THE GENERAL. ‘HAVE YOUR DRAFTSMEN MAKE THE DRAWINGS RIGHT AWAY.’
THREE DAYS LATER THE GENERAL SENT FOR THE ENGINEER AND ASKED HOW THE BRIDGE WAS COMING ALONG. ‘IT’S ALL READY.’ REPLIED THE ENGINEER. ‘YOU CAN SEND YOUR TROOPS ACROSS RIGHT NOW, THAT IS IF YOU DON’T HAVE TO WAIT FOR THE PANS. THEY AREN’T DONE YET.’
THAT’S THE BE ATTITUDE ABOUT THIS PLACE.
WHEN YOU FINISHED REMODELING THE CHURCH BUT YOU HADN’T BUILT THE SOUTH ENTRANCE THERE WAS A CONGREGATIONAL MEETING AND I REMEMBER A YOUNG WOMAN STANDING UP AT THE MEETING IN THE SANCTUARY, “WE HAVE GONE THIS FAR BUT WE HAVEN’T FINISHED OUR PROJECT. WHEN WE BUILT THE PARLOR WE HADN’T PAID FOR IT. IT’S TIME FOR US TO START A PROJECT AND FINISH A PROJECT. WHAT ARE WE WAITING FOR? LET’S GET IT DONE.” AND WE DID.
I REMEMBER A MEETING AT THE CHURCH WHEN THE RECESSION HIT AND IT HIT US HARD AND A MEMBER OF THE CHURCH CAME TO THE ADMINSITRATIVE COUNCIL AND WE WERE WORRIED ABOUT PLEDGES AND BUDGETS AND PROJECTS AND WHAT WE COULD DO AND WHAT WE COULDN’T DO AND A MEMBER OF THE CHURCH ASKED TO SPEAK TO THE LEADERS OF THE CHURCH AND HE SAID, “I THINK WE NEED TO BUILD A HABITAT HOUSE. INSTEAD OF FEELING SORRY FOR OURSELVES WE OUGHT TO TRY TO DO SOMETHING FOR SOMEONE ELSE.” AND WE DID.
SO THE WORD I WOULD GIVE YOU IS ABOUT YOUR ATTITUDE AND YOUR BE ATTITUDE; TO KEEP IT AND TO LET IT MOVE WITH YOUR.
THERE IS A JOURNALIST NAMED WILLIAM ZINSSER. HIS FIRST JOB WRITING FOR THE BUFFALO NEWS AS A CUB REPORTER WAS WRITING OBITUARIES. HE WAS THINKING ABOUT THE PULITZER PRIZE. HOW IN THE WORLD ARE YOU EVER GOING TO BE AN AWARD WILLING WRITER DOING OBITUARIES? WHEN IN THE WORLD WHERE I GET A CHANCE TO COVER AN INTERESTING STORY.
BUT THEN HE GOT A BEATTITUDE. HE CHANGED HIS ATTITUDE. HIS EDITOR SAID TO HIM, “LISTEN KID. NOTHING YOU WRITE WILL EVER GET READ AS CAREFULLY AS WHAT YOU ARE WRITING RIGHT NOW. YOU MISSSPELL A WORD, YOU MESS UP A DATE, AND A FAMILY WILL BE HURT. BUT YOU DO JUSTICE TO SOMEBODY’S GRANDMOTHER, TO SOMEBODY’S MOM, YOU MAKE A LIFE SING, AND THEY WILL BE FOREVER GRATEFUL. THEY WILL PUT YOUR WORDS IN LAMINATE.” ZINSSER GOT AN ATTITUDE; A DIFFERENT ATTITUDE. HE SAID, “I WOULD ASK EXTRA QUESTIONS AND GO THE EXTRA MILE.”
I HAVE A FRIEND WHO WAS COMPLAINING ABOUT THE CHURCH HE HAD BEEN APPOINTED TO. HE SAID IT WAS A CHURCH THAT WAS FULL OF OLD PEOPLE AND HE KNEW HE WAS GOING TO HAVE A HARD TIME GETTING THEM TO CHANGE.
SOMEONE GOT TO HIM AND CHANGED HIS ATTITUDE BY TELLING HIM, “THE PEOPLE IN YOUR CHURCH REALLY KNOW MORE ABOUT CHANGE THAN YOU WILL EVER KNOW UNTIL YOU GET OLD ENOUGH TO GRASP THE WISDOM THEY HAVE LEARNED. THEY KNOW WHAT IT MEANS TO LEAVE A JOB THEY’VE LOVED AND THEY KNOW WHAT IT IS TO FACE ILLNESS, AND SOME OF THEM THE DEATH OF THEIR CHILDREN AND SOME OF THEM THE DEATH OF THEIR HUSBAND OR WIFE. THEY KNOW WHAT IT MEANS TO FACE THE FACT THAT THEY CAN’T DO WHAT THEY COULD AND THEY HAVE TO ADJUST. THEY KNOW ALL ABOUT CHANGE BECAUSE EVERY DAY THEY HAVE TO DEAL WITH A NEW CHANGE.
BE ATTITUDE IS THE WORD I GIVE YOU. ABOUT AN ATTITUDE THAT SAYS “YES WE CAN.”
SAINT FRANCIS SAID IT, “START BY DOING WHAT IS NECESSARY; THEN DO WHAT IS POSSIBLE; AND SUDDENLY YOU ARE DOING THE IMPOSSIBLE.”
AND NEVER UNDERESTIMATE WHAT GOOD CAN BE DONE IF YOU WORK TOGETHER. HELEN KELLER SAID IT, “ALONE WE CAN DO SO LITTLE; TOGETHER WE CAN DO SO MUCH.”
I WANT TO GIVE YOU A WORD LIKE THE BE ATTITUDES. LIKE JESUS SPOKE WHEN HE SAW THE CROWD AND HAD THEM SIT DOWN ON THE HILL.
I DON’T KNOW WHAT TO SAY SO I WILL DO WHAT JESUS DID I WILL GIVE YOU AN AWARD.
HE TOLD THEM, “YOU ARE THE SALT OF THE EARTH,” AND “YOU ARE THE LIGHT TO THE WORLD”.
HE GAVE THEM AN AWARD. THIS CHURCH DOES GET ITS SHARE OF AWARDS AND LETTERS OF COMMENDATION FROM VARIOUS PEOPLE. I WANT TO GIVE YOU AND AWARD. I AM REMINDED OF SOMETHING LEONARD BERNSTEIN SAID. IF YOU EVER HAVE SEEN VIDEO OF HIM CONDUCTING AN ORCHESTRA IT LOOKS LIKE HE BECAME COMPLETELY WRAPPED UP IN THE MUSIC. HE SAID ONCE, “YOU BECOME THAT COMPOSER.” HE WOULD LOSE A SENSE OF HIMSELF. HE WOULD BECOME THE MUSIC.
THE AWARD I GIVE YOU IS THAT SAME THING. THE AWARD YOU OUGHT TO GET YOU SHOULD GET AS A CHURCH BUT I THINK IT GOES BACK TO THE KIND OF PEOPLE IN THE CHURCH.
THE PEOPLE HERE HAVE BEEN PEOPLE OF GREAT ACCOMPLISMENT BUT YOU’D NEVER KNOW IT BECAUSE PEOPLE HERE DON’T TALK ABOUT IT.
THE PEOPLE HERE HAVE BEEN THROUGH REALLY HARD THINGS IN LIFE BUT INSTEAD OF BREAKING YOU DOWN YOU LOOKED AT THE PROBLEM AS CHALLENGES AND YOU KEPT ON GOING BUT YOU EVEN BUILT UP SPEED. IT SEEMED THE MORE YOU WERE DEFEATED THE MORE STRENGTH YOU FOUND TO FACE THE NEXT CHALLENGE.
SUE MONK KIDD ONCE WROTE ABOUT RABBI LIEBERMAN AND TELLS HOW HE FELL ASLEEP ONE NIGHT AND HAD A DREAM. IN THE DREAM HE DIED AND GOES TO STAND BEFORE THE JUDGMENT SEAT OF GOD. AS HE WAITS FOR GOD TO SPEAK, HE FEARS GOD WILL ASK HIM, ‘WHY WEREN’T YOU MOSES…OR DAVID…OR SOLOMON?” INSTEAD GOD SURPRISES HIM. GOD SIMPLY ASKS, “WHY WEREN’T YOU RABBI LIEBERMAN?” SUE CONTINUES BY WRITING, “WHEN MY LIFE IS OVER, I DOUBT GOD WILL ASK ME WHY I WASN’T I MOTHER TERESA. THE QUESTION I MOST FEAR IS< “WHY WEREN’T YOU SUE MONK KIDD?” THE MOST GRACIOUS AND COURAGEOUS GIFT WE CAN OFFER THE WORLD IS OUR AUTHENTICITY, OUR UNIQUENESS, THE EXPRESSION OF OUR TRUE SELVES.”
THAT’S THE AWARD I WOULD GIVE YOU. YOU HAVE COME ACROSS AS THE PERSON YOU WERE BORN TO BE. PECULIARITIES, AND ECCENTRICITIES AND STRANGENESS AT TIME. DEMANDING AND THOUGHTFUL AND KIND AND WONDERFUL. YOU HAVE PRESENTED YOURSELVES AS NO LESS THAN OTHER PEOPLE BUT NOT GREATER IN YOUR MINDS. THERE IS NOT ARROGANCE HERE, THERE IS SINCERETY AND CHARACTER.
HOW DO YOU FIGURE A CHURCH WHOSE ENERGY IS SUCH THAT THEY CAN PUT TOGETHER A GARAGE SALE THAT INVOLVES TWO TRACTOR TRAILER TRUCKS TO STORE ALL THE STUFF THAT COMES IN OR AN ALL CHURCH PICNIC WHERE THE HIGHLIGHT IS DUNKING THE MINISTERIAL STAFF IN A WATER TANK BY THROWING PROJECTILES AT A TARGET? HOW DO YOU EXPLAIN A CHURCH THAT THERE IS A PULPIT CONVERTED TO A BASKET LIFT WHERE THE PREACHER HAD TO CLIMB A LADDER TO GET UP TO THE PLACE WHERE THE SERMON WAS PREACHED AND IT BOBBED UP AND DOWN THE CONGREGATION WATCHED, AND HOW DO YOU EXPLAIN A CHURCH WHERE THE YOUTH GROUP ADVENT DINNER THEATER IS BEGUN WITH THE SENIOR MINISTER BEING INVOLVED AS A VIDEO DRIVING ONE OF THE TEENAGERS AROUND AS IF A CHAUFFER DELIVERING A ROCK STAR TO A CONCERT?
WE FOUGTH ABOUT WHETHER THE AMERICAN FLAG OUGTH TO BE IN THE SANCTUARY AND THE BATTLE WAS INTENSE BUT WE WENT OUT FOR BREAKFAST AND CONTINUED TO BE FRIENDS EVEN IN OUR DISAGREEMENT. WE DEBATED OVER THE BUILDING OF A COLUMBARIUM BUT WHEN WE FINISHED IT WAS A BEAUTIFUL GARDEN ENJOYED BY EVERYONE YOUNG AND OLD. WE HAD BATTLES OVER THE KITCHEN AND AT ONE TIME EVERYTHING WAS LOCKED UP AND NOW IT IS OPENED UP FOR COMMUNITY USE.
WE HAVE DISAGREED WITH EACH OTHER AND WE HAVE STAYED TOGETHER. YOU ARE WHO YOU ARE AND I GIVE YOU THE AWARD FOR ANTHENTICITY. YOU ARE THE SALT OF THE EARTH AND THE LIGHT TO THE WORLD.
I GIVE YOU AN AWARD AND I GIVE YOU A WORD.
FINALLY, I WANT TO GIVE YOU A WARNING.
JESUS SAID, “DON’T PUT YOUR LIGHT UNDER A BASKET.” HE SAID, “DON’T THROW YOUR SALT ON THE GROUND TO BE TRAMPLED UNDER FOOT.”
I WANT TO GIVE YOU A WARNING. THERE WILL BE PEOPLE WHO WANT TO PUT THE CHURCH DOWN; PEOPLE WHO WILL SAY THAT THE CHURCH HAS NO FUTURE, DON’T LISTEN TO THEM.
THERE WILL BE PEOPLE WHO THINK IF THE CHURCH DOESN’T DO WHAT THEY THINK THE CHURCH OUGTH TO DO THEY WILL THINK THE CHURCH ISN’T WHAT THE CHURCH SHOULD BE.
THERE WILL BE PEOPLE WHO WILL FORGET THAT THE CHURCH IS ABOUT ALL IF US NOT JUST SOME OF US, DON’T LET THEM CONTROL IT.
DON’T LET ANYONE TELL YOU WHAT YOU SHOULD DO OR WHO YOU SHOULD BE. DON’T LET ANYONE PUT YOU DOWN IN THE CHURCH, OUT OF THE CHURCH OR BEYOND THE CHURCH.
THE CHURCH IS BIGGER THAN ANY ONE OF US AND ITS MISSION IS MORE IMPORTANT THAN ALL OF US TOGETHER.
Wednesday, June 20, 2012
Wednesday's thoughts
The Future of the Church
There is an ongoing debate about the future of the United Methodist Church and the opinions are a different as the people making their opinions known. There isn't going to be one simple answer to this but many options and each to be applied to each particular church. Given the variety of churches in our denomination and given that our church is international the cultural contexts will dictate the direction appropriate to the setting.
There are "church growth" people who think the church ought to take growth as its primary motivation. In truth, at some point we are going to have to address our decline as a denomination. We must pay attention to the patterns of decline and it is important to discover why we have declined and how we might reverse the decline. The concern I have for this approach is that it calls for some practices that lead us to a lack of integrity in the name of growth. We are directed to know how much people give and pledge to the church. I find that invasive and inappropriate and if that is what is required to call the members of the church into accountability I would rather not be part of it. The focus on numbers could also have a chilling effect on the program of the church and could tend to force us to develop a church program that appeals to the least common denominator at the expense of moving the church forward with a program that is launched from a position of excellence and greatness. In other words, if we appeal to what we think people want we may overlook what people need but don't know they want and the church settles for less at a time when it has a chance to reach for the most.
There are worship people who think the church ought to surrender to the will of a shallow theology and a worship quality that encourages a superficial relationship with Jesus Christ and music in worship that is mindless and strange. At First Church Rebecca has developed an alternative worship service that is interesting without being shallow with music that is singable but with words that have theological depth. She and Ryan have elevated alternative worship and have attracted a small, but dedicated, following.
I think we have addressed the church growth issue and the future of the church issue by maintaining a sense of integrity and excellence. It don't see radical change coming with the change of leadership and I am hopeful that First Church will continue to be a leader in the denomination and will continue to prove you can move forward without losing your mind and without surrendering your principles.
If you have thoughts on this write me at charlesschuster@fcfumc.net
If you are willing to share your thoughts with the readers of this blog click on the 'comments' box below.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Charles Schuster
There is an ongoing debate about the future of the United Methodist Church and the opinions are a different as the people making their opinions known. There isn't going to be one simple answer to this but many options and each to be applied to each particular church. Given the variety of churches in our denomination and given that our church is international the cultural contexts will dictate the direction appropriate to the setting.
There are "church growth" people who think the church ought to take growth as its primary motivation. In truth, at some point we are going to have to address our decline as a denomination. We must pay attention to the patterns of decline and it is important to discover why we have declined and how we might reverse the decline. The concern I have for this approach is that it calls for some practices that lead us to a lack of integrity in the name of growth. We are directed to know how much people give and pledge to the church. I find that invasive and inappropriate and if that is what is required to call the members of the church into accountability I would rather not be part of it. The focus on numbers could also have a chilling effect on the program of the church and could tend to force us to develop a church program that appeals to the least common denominator at the expense of moving the church forward with a program that is launched from a position of excellence and greatness. In other words, if we appeal to what we think people want we may overlook what people need but don't know they want and the church settles for less at a time when it has a chance to reach for the most.
There are worship people who think the church ought to surrender to the will of a shallow theology and a worship quality that encourages a superficial relationship with Jesus Christ and music in worship that is mindless and strange. At First Church Rebecca has developed an alternative worship service that is interesting without being shallow with music that is singable but with words that have theological depth. She and Ryan have elevated alternative worship and have attracted a small, but dedicated, following.
I think we have addressed the church growth issue and the future of the church issue by maintaining a sense of integrity and excellence. It don't see radical change coming with the change of leadership and I am hopeful that First Church will continue to be a leader in the denomination and will continue to prove you can move forward without losing your mind and without surrendering your principles.
If you have thoughts on this write me at charlesschuster@fcfumc.net
If you are willing to share your thoughts with the readers of this blog click on the 'comments' box below.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Charles Schuster
Monday, June 18, 2012
Monday's thoughts
What is the future of the church? What is the future of the United Methodist Church? What is the future of First United Methodist Church in Fort Collins?
Those are three very separate questions although you would think they might inspire pretty much the same answer.
I worry about the Christian Church in the world. I fear it will hold onto a doctrine that does not reflect what the original message from which it sprung represents. Christianity had been a call for calm and peace in the world. It had been an interpretation of religion that gave a message of tolerance and forgiveness and joy in life. Much of the Christian faith has become judgmental and mean and exclusive.
I worry about the United Methodist Church in the world. I find our denomination becoming preoccupied with survival. I see some of the leaders of the church working hard to reverse the membership decline by resorting to a hard head count and to techniques to bring the numbers up by catering to the cultural bias rather than following the counter-cultural message of the Gospel. Our primary mission is to be faithful not popular. If we lose our mission in order to attract more members we will lose our focus and we will have forgotten who we are.
I worry about First United Methodist in Fort Collins. I think any time there are major transitions in churches there is concern about the future. Nine years ago there was much to fret over when I arrived. What happened that was healthy and what has made it possible for First Church to thrive is the way in which the people here could look past the differences and were able to embrace each other as brother and sister. It became more an issue about our church than it was a competition over who would control it.
The one point at which I thought we failed to remember that was the year we debated whether the American flag would be in the sanctuary. We had established a compromise at which the preacher who preached the sermon would determine if the flag should be present and the flag would be in the sanctuary four times a year (Flag Day, 4th of July, Memorial Day, and Veterans Day). The debate was divisive and it almost erupted into something very ugly. I think we almost forgot we were a church during that debate. I was sad for the church then.
If First Church can maintain its focus and can continue to show respect for its diversity and differences while holding everything together.
What do you think about the future of First Church, the United Methodist Church, and the Christian Church in general?
If you have thoughts on this write me at charlesschuster@fcfumc.net. If you are willing to share your thoughts click on the 'comments' box below.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Charles Schuster
Those are three very separate questions although you would think they might inspire pretty much the same answer.
I worry about the Christian Church in the world. I fear it will hold onto a doctrine that does not reflect what the original message from which it sprung represents. Christianity had been a call for calm and peace in the world. It had been an interpretation of religion that gave a message of tolerance and forgiveness and joy in life. Much of the Christian faith has become judgmental and mean and exclusive.
I worry about the United Methodist Church in the world. I find our denomination becoming preoccupied with survival. I see some of the leaders of the church working hard to reverse the membership decline by resorting to a hard head count and to techniques to bring the numbers up by catering to the cultural bias rather than following the counter-cultural message of the Gospel. Our primary mission is to be faithful not popular. If we lose our mission in order to attract more members we will lose our focus and we will have forgotten who we are.
I worry about First United Methodist in Fort Collins. I think any time there are major transitions in churches there is concern about the future. Nine years ago there was much to fret over when I arrived. What happened that was healthy and what has made it possible for First Church to thrive is the way in which the people here could look past the differences and were able to embrace each other as brother and sister. It became more an issue about our church than it was a competition over who would control it.
The one point at which I thought we failed to remember that was the year we debated whether the American flag would be in the sanctuary. We had established a compromise at which the preacher who preached the sermon would determine if the flag should be present and the flag would be in the sanctuary four times a year (Flag Day, 4th of July, Memorial Day, and Veterans Day). The debate was divisive and it almost erupted into something very ugly. I think we almost forgot we were a church during that debate. I was sad for the church then.
If First Church can maintain its focus and can continue to show respect for its diversity and differences while holding everything together.
What do you think about the future of First Church, the United Methodist Church, and the Christian Church in general?
If you have thoughts on this write me at charlesschuster@fcfumc.net. If you are willing to share your thoughts click on the 'comments' box below.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Charles Schuster
Friday, June 15, 2012
Friday's thoughts on Sunday's sermon
"When Smoke Gets In Your Eyes"
Three points to this sermon:
1. When smoke gets in your eyes you can't see with your eyes as well but there is a chance you can see with your heart that you are not alone in the struggle. Fort Collins is a wonderful community. Its true character shows through all the time. Since the fire the best character of the community has emerged. We are more of a community now than we have been because what happens to one of us happens to all of us because it could have been any of us if we owned a home in the mountains.
2. There will be a time when the smoke clears and we will be able to notice that what we see is only partial because there is more to see than we see and more to know than we know.
3. There will be a time when there is no smoke and we can see forever. It sometimes takes a lifetime to see forever. For some of us who have had troublesome relationships with our fathers it may take a lifetime to understand him. For those of us who live with unanswered questions it may take a lifetime to have some sense of how those questions can be answered.
Smoke gets in our eyes but the smoke clears and we can see forever.
What do you think about this and how are you dealing with the fire and the threat to the city, to your home, to the homes and lives of your friends?
If you have thoughts on this write me at charlesschuster@fcfumc.net. If you are willing to share your thoughts with the readers of this blog click on the 'comments' box below.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Charles Schuster
Three points to this sermon:
1. When smoke gets in your eyes you can't see with your eyes as well but there is a chance you can see with your heart that you are not alone in the struggle. Fort Collins is a wonderful community. Its true character shows through all the time. Since the fire the best character of the community has emerged. We are more of a community now than we have been because what happens to one of us happens to all of us because it could have been any of us if we owned a home in the mountains.
2. There will be a time when the smoke clears and we will be able to notice that what we see is only partial because there is more to see than we see and more to know than we know.
3. There will be a time when there is no smoke and we can see forever. It sometimes takes a lifetime to see forever. For some of us who have had troublesome relationships with our fathers it may take a lifetime to understand him. For those of us who live with unanswered questions it may take a lifetime to have some sense of how those questions can be answered.
Smoke gets in our eyes but the smoke clears and we can see forever.
What do you think about this and how are you dealing with the fire and the threat to the city, to your home, to the homes and lives of your friends?
If you have thoughts on this write me at charlesschuster@fcfumc.net. If you are willing to share your thoughts with the readers of this blog click on the 'comments' box below.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Charles Schuster
Wednesday, June 13, 2012
Wednesday's thoughts on Sunday's sermon
"Smoke Gets In Your Eyes"
Is there a theological perspective that comes from the tragic turn of events with the fire? Are there some things to be learned from this?
When smoke gets in your eyes you realize that we are all in this together. There is no place where the smoke is not and it doesn't matter who you are the smoke has its effect. If you are a professor or a garbage collector or a preacher or a teacher or a mother of five, we are all in this together.
If you are liberal or conservative or friend or foe we are all in this together. Are eyes are hurting because of the smoke but we are all in this together.
The smoke in our eyes opens our eyes to the fact that we are all in this together.
When the smoke clears we are able to see the future coming and tomorrow trying to be born. When the smoke clears we will be able to think about how far we can see and how clean the air is and how lucky we are.
When the smoke clears and when the smoke gets in our eyes there are things for us to learn and understand.
There is nothing wasted in life. There is nothing that comes to us, good or bad, tragic or wonderful, big or small, that doesn't have some sense of the possibility for something to be learned and celebrated.
Our eyes are wide open and there is smoke in our eyes but we are not broken or defeated we are looking at the possibility for something important to happen.
What good is coming out of the fire in the mountains?
What is there to learn from this?
If you have thoughts on this write me at charlesschuster@fcfumc.net. If you are willing to share your thoughts with the readers of the blog click on 'comments' box below.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Charles Schuster
Is there a theological perspective that comes from the tragic turn of events with the fire? Are there some things to be learned from this?
When smoke gets in your eyes you realize that we are all in this together. There is no place where the smoke is not and it doesn't matter who you are the smoke has its effect. If you are a professor or a garbage collector or a preacher or a teacher or a mother of five, we are all in this together.
If you are liberal or conservative or friend or foe we are all in this together. Are eyes are hurting because of the smoke but we are all in this together.
The smoke in our eyes opens our eyes to the fact that we are all in this together.
When the smoke clears we are able to see the future coming and tomorrow trying to be born. When the smoke clears we will be able to think about how far we can see and how clean the air is and how lucky we are.
When the smoke clears and when the smoke gets in our eyes there are things for us to learn and understand.
There is nothing wasted in life. There is nothing that comes to us, good or bad, tragic or wonderful, big or small, that doesn't have some sense of the possibility for something to be learned and celebrated.
Our eyes are wide open and there is smoke in our eyes but we are not broken or defeated we are looking at the possibility for something important to happen.
What good is coming out of the fire in the mountains?
What is there to learn from this?
If you have thoughts on this write me at charlesschuster@fcfumc.net. If you are willing to share your thoughts with the readers of the blog click on 'comments' box below.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Charles Schuster
Tuesday, June 12, 2012
Tuesday's thoughts on Sunday's sermon
So now we are down to two Sundays and there is more to say than I have time to say it. The concert Sunday was an example of something that is so evident at the church. There is so much talent in First Church and the variety of musical expression was an incredible example of what it means to express our sense of the holy in ways that communicate metaverbally.
Possibly the most glaring error we have made as Christians is the way in which we have tried to speak of God. We have used words that seem anthropomorphic in an attempt to describe God in terms that are human. We talk about God acting or God speaking or God being almost like a human being/superhero type of force when we really don't think of God that way. We pray to God as if God were a "cosmic butler" who can come into our lives and bring us from the brink of disaster to a sense of health and wholeness.
God is more than we can say but clearly involved in what we know. God is the presence we cannot deny but it is difficult to speak of God with any degree of connection to what we think. But it is the case that speaking of God is one of the most difficult tasks we have and it is one of the most important jobs the church has.
Last Sunday Karen Stoody turned a Sunday afternoon into a moment we will never forget by inviting some of the most talented people in Fort Collins to express their faith in music. The expression in the sanctuary was a response to the disaster in the mountains. The music was a prayer to God saying, in music, what none of us could speak with our words.
It was a call to God to be present to us. It was an expression of love and concern for the victims of the fire and a prayer for the safety of the people who came to put it out.
Sunday afternoon was a theological event. It was theology set to music and it was an expression of the ineffable nature of God in ways we all could understand.
It was an honor to be there.
Karen Stoody and her musicans rock!!!!
If you have thoughts on this write me at charlesschuster@fcfumc.net.
If you are willing to share your thoughts with the readers of the blog click on the 'comments' box below.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Charles Schuster
Possibly the most glaring error we have made as Christians is the way in which we have tried to speak of God. We have used words that seem anthropomorphic in an attempt to describe God in terms that are human. We talk about God acting or God speaking or God being almost like a human being/superhero type of force when we really don't think of God that way. We pray to God as if God were a "cosmic butler" who can come into our lives and bring us from the brink of disaster to a sense of health and wholeness.
God is more than we can say but clearly involved in what we know. God is the presence we cannot deny but it is difficult to speak of God with any degree of connection to what we think. But it is the case that speaking of God is one of the most difficult tasks we have and it is one of the most important jobs the church has.
Last Sunday Karen Stoody turned a Sunday afternoon into a moment we will never forget by inviting some of the most talented people in Fort Collins to express their faith in music. The expression in the sanctuary was a response to the disaster in the mountains. The music was a prayer to God saying, in music, what none of us could speak with our words.
It was a call to God to be present to us. It was an expression of love and concern for the victims of the fire and a prayer for the safety of the people who came to put it out.
Sunday afternoon was a theological event. It was theology set to music and it was an expression of the ineffable nature of God in ways we all could understand.
It was an honor to be there.
Karen Stoody and her musicans rock!!!!
If you have thoughts on this write me at charlesschuster@fcfumc.net.
If you are willing to share your thoughts with the readers of the blog click on the 'comments' box below.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Charles Schuster
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