"Working for the Laud"
My grandmother used to say, "Self praise is half scandal" and I think that's true. If we need to blow our own horn to trumpet our own accomplishments then no one will hear us. All they will hear is our need for self-congratulations.
But what do we do about the need for recognition? How do we work around that very basic and human need?
One suggestion is to have an agent. We could find someone who would stand in front of us and other people and be assigned to tell people what we have done. What we may need is a campaign manager; an agent; a press secretary; an advocate.
Sometimes this person is a parent or a spouse or a friend or a family member. We need agents and advocates and we have them.
There are people who are doing that for us and it's important to note that and to appreciate what they do for us or what they have done for us in the past.
Who are your advocates?
Who are the people who can be counted on to be our agents to speak out for us when something needs to be said?
Sunday, in worship we are going to take some time to think about our agents. Sometimes the things they tell us about ourselves are things we would rather not hear. Sometimes they are the ones who lift our spirits when we are down and out. Sometimes they are the ones who speak up for us and we don't even know they are doing it.
In John's Gospel just before Jesus' death on the cross he said to his friend that he would provide an advocate for them. We find these words, "I will not leave you desolate" and "These things I have spoken to you while I am still with you. But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom God will send in my name will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you."
If we are working for the laud we are remembering we don't need to congratulate ourselves. There are people doing that for us and we can let go of the need to do it.
Who is your agent? Your advocate?
If you have thoughts on this write me at charlesschuster@fcfumc.net. If you are willing to share your thoughts with others click on the box below.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Charles Schuster
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Sunday, November 8, 2009
Monday's thoughts
"Working for the Laud"
We are thinking about thanking just now in the church. We are taking the time to thank each group that is involved in the ministry here. Our Commitment Sunday concluded early this year and that left a number of Sundays for us to do something we had not done before; to take the time to thank people who rarely are recipients of gratitude. The fact is there are so many of our members who are working in the background doing what they do without recognition. We wanted to take some time to thank them. This will continue until November 22nd, the Sunday before Thanksgiving Day.
The sermon Sunday will look at an aspect of thankfulness. What do we do and how do we handle not being appreciated for the things we do? Does that stifle our enthusiasm for the task? How can it not?
What does it mean to work for the praise; to work for the laud? Is there a better way to engage ourselves in the important work that needs to be done than expecting to be appreciated, noticed, or thanked?
I think there is a better way. In fact, if we are working for the laud we will be disappointed. Many times we will be overlooked. People are busy with their own efforts. People don't always see what is being done and we find ourselves being bypassed and overlooked.
What is the best motivation to fulfill the important tasks? Is it in the accomplishment with the understanding of a job well done? Is it some sense divine recognition and accomplishment; our labor is not in unnoticed if it is an expression of our faith? Is there a difference between working for the Lord and working for the laud?
What do you think? What motivates you to do the good that you do? If you have some thoughts on this write me at charlesschuster@fcfumc.net. If you are willing to allow others to read your ideas click on the box below.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Charles Schuster
We are thinking about thanking just now in the church. We are taking the time to thank each group that is involved in the ministry here. Our Commitment Sunday concluded early this year and that left a number of Sundays for us to do something we had not done before; to take the time to thank people who rarely are recipients of gratitude. The fact is there are so many of our members who are working in the background doing what they do without recognition. We wanted to take some time to thank them. This will continue until November 22nd, the Sunday before Thanksgiving Day.
The sermon Sunday will look at an aspect of thankfulness. What do we do and how do we handle not being appreciated for the things we do? Does that stifle our enthusiasm for the task? How can it not?
What does it mean to work for the praise; to work for the laud? Is there a better way to engage ourselves in the important work that needs to be done than expecting to be appreciated, noticed, or thanked?
I think there is a better way. In fact, if we are working for the laud we will be disappointed. Many times we will be overlooked. People are busy with their own efforts. People don't always see what is being done and we find ourselves being bypassed and overlooked.
What is the best motivation to fulfill the important tasks? Is it in the accomplishment with the understanding of a job well done? Is it some sense divine recognition and accomplishment; our labor is not in unnoticed if it is an expression of our faith? Is there a difference between working for the Lord and working for the laud?
What do you think? What motivates you to do the good that you do? If you have some thoughts on this write me at charlesschuster@fcfumc.net. If you are willing to allow others to read your ideas click on the box below.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Charles Schuster
Friday, November 6, 2009
Friday's Thoughts
It has been difficult this Veteran's Day Weekend when we think of the murders that have happened at Fort Hood. What would drive someone to think killing is an act of God? How could a man of faith, an army officer, and a health care professional do what he did? What can we learn from this?
We take some consolation from the fact that it is Children's Sabbath this Sunday and we will have our children in church.
What children remind us of and why Jesus said, "Let the children come to me, and forbid them not, for to such belongs the Kingdom of God."
With children they are honest.
With children there is goodness.
Children lead us from honest to goodness to God.
In a related issue Krista Tippett believes we learn to be good by being attracted by beauty. She wrote it this way in her book, Speaking of Faith, "As much as I have protested that virtue alive in the world is not about lovely platitudes, beauty is one of its defining attributes. A passion for beauty has always been at the core of human religious experience. Art, architecture, literature, and music owe everything to religion. The examples begin pouring out if you ponder this for just a second, lush and wild: not just the music of Bach, but the mandalas of Tibetan Buddhism, the calligraphy of the Qur'an and on and on and on."
Do we learn to be good through our passion for beauty?
What do you think? Write me at charlesschuster@fcfumc.net. If you are willing to share your thoughts click on the box below.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Charles
We take some consolation from the fact that it is Children's Sabbath this Sunday and we will have our children in church.
What children remind us of and why Jesus said, "Let the children come to me, and forbid them not, for to such belongs the Kingdom of God."
With children they are honest.
With children there is goodness.
Children lead us from honest to goodness to God.
In a related issue Krista Tippett believes we learn to be good by being attracted by beauty. She wrote it this way in her book, Speaking of Faith, "As much as I have protested that virtue alive in the world is not about lovely platitudes, beauty is one of its defining attributes. A passion for beauty has always been at the core of human religious experience. Art, architecture, literature, and music owe everything to religion. The examples begin pouring out if you ponder this for just a second, lush and wild: not just the music of Bach, but the mandalas of Tibetan Buddhism, the calligraphy of the Qur'an and on and on and on."
Do we learn to be good through our passion for beauty?
What do you think? Write me at charlesschuster@fcfumc.net. If you are willing to share your thoughts click on the box below.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Charles
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
Wednesday's thoughts
"Exposing Virtue; Why are We Good?"
Every year about this time we have, what we call, Children's Sabbath. It is the one time in the year when the focus is on children. We call off Sunday School classes and we build the service around children.
This will be the last Children's Sabbath we will have at First Church. From now on children will be in the Sanctuary and classes will be called off the first Sunday of every month. Why are we doing this?
We have realized something recently. We see it so clearly. If we continue to have our children in the worship service only once a year and if we continue to have them in worship only up until the time of the children's sermon and then we send them out of the Sanctuary they will never know what it means to worship.
We have determined we have been making an important mistake with our children and we are trying to make it right.
First Sunday of every month our children will be in the worship service. They will have a chance to experience worship and can participate in communion with their parents. We will do what we can to make sure the services are meaningful for the children but will not sacrifice what is meaningful for the adults.
Why are we good? We are good because we surround ourselves with those things that remind us to be and do good things.
What do you think about having the children in our worship services once a month? Is this a good idea?
If you have thoughts on this write me at charlesschuster@fcfumc.net. If you are willing to have others read your thoughts click on the box below.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Charles Schuster
Every year about this time we have, what we call, Children's Sabbath. It is the one time in the year when the focus is on children. We call off Sunday School classes and we build the service around children.
This will be the last Children's Sabbath we will have at First Church. From now on children will be in the Sanctuary and classes will be called off the first Sunday of every month. Why are we doing this?
We have realized something recently. We see it so clearly. If we continue to have our children in the worship service only once a year and if we continue to have them in worship only up until the time of the children's sermon and then we send them out of the Sanctuary they will never know what it means to worship.
We have determined we have been making an important mistake with our children and we are trying to make it right.
First Sunday of every month our children will be in the worship service. They will have a chance to experience worship and can participate in communion with their parents. We will do what we can to make sure the services are meaningful for the children but will not sacrifice what is meaningful for the adults.
Why are we good? We are good because we surround ourselves with those things that remind us to be and do good things.
What do you think about having the children in our worship services once a month? Is this a good idea?
If you have thoughts on this write me at charlesschuster@fcfumc.net. If you are willing to have others read your thoughts click on the box below.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Charles Schuster
Sunday, November 1, 2009
Monday's thoughts
"Why Are We Good?"
This is the sermon theme for Sunday November 8th. We are following one of the chapters in Krista Tippett's book trying to determine what makes us do what we should when we are fully capable of doing what we could.
There are times in our lives when we are tempted to act in a way that is to our advantage. We can realize material gain, or added power and prestige. We can come to see great advancement if we act in self interest. Most of the time we can get away with it because we may be the only one who will ever know.
There is something within us that calls us to a higher purpose; that encourages us to a greater good. Why are we good? Why do we act in a way that is to our detriment but to the greater good?
Is it conscience?
Is it upbringing?
Is it God?
I am looking for stories for when we have acted against our self-interest. I am trying to explore the reason why.
If you have thoughts please email me at charlesschuster@fcfumc.net. If you are willing to share your thoughts click on the box below.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Charles Schuster
This is the sermon theme for Sunday November 8th. We are following one of the chapters in Krista Tippett's book trying to determine what makes us do what we should when we are fully capable of doing what we could.
There are times in our lives when we are tempted to act in a way that is to our advantage. We can realize material gain, or added power and prestige. We can come to see great advancement if we act in self interest. Most of the time we can get away with it because we may be the only one who will ever know.
There is something within us that calls us to a higher purpose; that encourages us to a greater good. Why are we good? Why do we act in a way that is to our detriment but to the greater good?
Is it conscience?
Is it upbringing?
Is it God?
I am looking for stories for when we have acted against our self-interest. I am trying to explore the reason why.
If you have thoughts please email me at charlesschuster@fcfumc.net. If you are willing to share your thoughts click on the box below.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Charles Schuster
Friday, October 23, 2009
Friday's Thoughts
There is something about faith that takes us into the depth of life's experience and transforms us. What seems to be bad becomes tolerable. What seems tolerable can become good. What appears good can become formative and great.
It happens at every stage of life. It happens in your childhood years when we are struggling to know what we can and cannot do. It happens in our adolescent days when we battle issue of authority and identity. It happens in our adult days when we are trying to make a difference in life by using what talent and gifts we have and apply them to the world's needs. It happens in our elder hood when we are looking at end of life times.
Can we live our lives full of days?
We can do that at any stage of life and we must.
Faith requires that we come as far as we can see and then we look further. I means we read the bad news in the papers and we hear the bad news as shared and we keep listening.
There is more for us; more to do and more to see and more to experience and we live our lives full of days.
The sermon will focus on Job who lived his life until the end and was full of days. That is the greatest affirmation we can make and that is a life well lived.
If you have thoughts on this subject write me at charlesschuster@fcfumc.net.
If you are willing to have others read your thoughts click on the box below.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Charles Schuster
It happens at every stage of life. It happens in your childhood years when we are struggling to know what we can and cannot do. It happens in our adolescent days when we battle issue of authority and identity. It happens in our adult days when we are trying to make a difference in life by using what talent and gifts we have and apply them to the world's needs. It happens in our elder hood when we are looking at end of life times.
Can we live our lives full of days?
We can do that at any stage of life and we must.
Faith requires that we come as far as we can see and then we look further. I means we read the bad news in the papers and we hear the bad news as shared and we keep listening.
There is more for us; more to do and more to see and more to experience and we live our lives full of days.
The sermon will focus on Job who lived his life until the end and was full of days. That is the greatest affirmation we can make and that is a life well lived.
If you have thoughts on this subject write me at charlesschuster@fcfumc.net.
If you are willing to have others read your thoughts click on the box below.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Charles Schuster
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Wednesday's thoughts
How do we end our lives "full of days"? What does it take to live a life that isn't sheltered but is full of great experiences and wonderful possibilities?
One place to begin is with attitude. If we develop an positive attitude about the things that happen to us we will be able face what happens to us; whatever it is.
What if we looked at life as a teaching platform? What if we considered the things that happen to us as a test of our faith, of our resiliency, of our courage, or of our stamina? Is there not something in the worst of things that could bring out the best in us?
What if we looked at our lives as a privilege and every burden was a challenge and every problem could be seen as an opportunity to do something with what we have been given?
Job and others who have become visible to us by the difficulties they have had to face and the way they have overcome those difficulties remind us that when Christian people read the newspaper and the bad news that is contained, there is a difference with us. We read the bad news but we do not stop reading because we know something good can come of it; something better will result because of it.
Some how in the difficult moments of life we have to know there is something to be learned and there is something that will provide joy and laughter. We laugh or we cry. We laugh until we cry and we cry until we see through the tears to something that lifts our spirits.
How do we turn things around? How do we act on life instead of waiting for life to act upon us?
We strive to live to an old age and we strive to live our lives full of days. There are many ways to do it. How do you think it best? Write me at charlesschuster@fcfumc.net. If you are willing to have others read your thoughts click on the box below.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Charles Schuster
One place to begin is with attitude. If we develop an positive attitude about the things that happen to us we will be able face what happens to us; whatever it is.
What if we looked at life as a teaching platform? What if we considered the things that happen to us as a test of our faith, of our resiliency, of our courage, or of our stamina? Is there not something in the worst of things that could bring out the best in us?
What if we looked at our lives as a privilege and every burden was a challenge and every problem could be seen as an opportunity to do something with what we have been given?
Job and others who have become visible to us by the difficulties they have had to face and the way they have overcome those difficulties remind us that when Christian people read the newspaper and the bad news that is contained, there is a difference with us. We read the bad news but we do not stop reading because we know something good can come of it; something better will result because of it.
Some how in the difficult moments of life we have to know there is something to be learned and there is something that will provide joy and laughter. We laugh or we cry. We laugh until we cry and we cry until we see through the tears to something that lifts our spirits.
How do we turn things around? How do we act on life instead of waiting for life to act upon us?
We strive to live to an old age and we strive to live our lives full of days. There are many ways to do it. How do you think it best? Write me at charlesschuster@fcfumc.net. If you are willing to have others read your thoughts click on the box below.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Charles Schuster
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