"How Do You Do A Bad Job?"
The prophet Isaiah is really three people. Some scholars argue that it's two people but I think a strong point can be made for the fact that there is an Isaiah who wrote before the Exile as Israel was waiting for the end to come and the Assyrians and Babylonians were in line to take them over. Then someone writer who used Isaiah's name wrote the section of Isaiah that happened while the people of Israel were in captive and in exile in Babylon. A third writer, using Isaiah's name, wrote about that time in Israel's history when they were liberated and free to return home. Some scholars believe 2nd and 3rd Isaiah were the same author.
The division of the prophet is as follows:
First Isaiah -- Chapters 1-39 (before the exile)
Second Isaiah -- Chapters 40-55 (during the exile)
Third Isaiah -- Chapters 56-66 (after the exile)
This coming Sunday we will be looking at First Isaiah. We will be thinking about the "call" of Isaiah and how he was called to speak to his people knowing they wouldn't be willing to listen.
On Labor Day weekend I wanted us to think about those jobs we have had to take that we really didn't want. I will have of consider what it is to have to do a job that is impossible knowing you are being set up to fail.
In the troubled economy where we are currently many people have jobs that are like that. They are forced to do work that they know will not succeed but they do it anyway.
How do you work at something with the fear that it is pointless? How do you do a bad job? How do you keep up a positive attitude?
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, August 30, 2009
Monday, August 24, 2009
Monday's thoughts
This Sunday's message is grounded in two scriptures: Proverbs 30:1-4 and Acts 3:1-10. Most of us do not have life all figured out, especially in our theology (knowledge about God) and in our values (how we think, feel and behave). Sometimes life gets rather foggy....our visibility is decreased and clouded, not just with our eyes, but in our hearts and minds. I think this fogginess occurs in our theology and values.I want us to grapple with "life's weather forecast", which calls for "patches of fog". In Acts a miracle occurs at the gate of the temple, as Peter and John offer a lame beggar something more than food, water or money. They tell him to walk, in the name of Jesus. He astonishes all around him as he leaps and runs into the temple. Now, have you had a similar experience? Have you sat at the temple gate with your arms out, wanting something more for others or yourself? And, did it happen?The writer in Proverbs invites all of us to explore the fact we don't have all the answers. Out of his crying need to understand and gain wisdom about life, he poses 4 questions to God, which we will address. They have to do with our values and longing to know more about ourselves, our creation and our God.The overall theme for Sunday will be to "celebrate" our continual questing for life's ultimate answers as we journey "in and out of the fog", which is the title of the sermon.Hope to see you in one of our services. The choir will be robed, which also signals to us that Fall is close.
David Dalke
If you have responses to David write him at ddalke37@cs.com.
If you are willing to have others read your thoughts click on the box below.
We always look forward to your insights.
David Dalke
If you have responses to David write him at ddalke37@cs.com.
If you are willing to have others read your thoughts click on the box below.
We always look forward to your insights.
Friday, August 21, 2009
Friday's Thoughts
Robert Keck was a brilliant theologian and pastor. He was a professor and an incredibly insightful writer. In his book The Sacred Quest he has a section entitled, "The Astronomical Point of View". This is what he wrote:
"Moving from scientific theory to human experience, consider how the view of the planet Earth from the outside changed the astronauts from reductionistic scientists to holistic humanitarians and how pictures of pace taken by those astronauts have changed the rest of us:
American astronaut Edgar Mitchell: 'We went tot he moon as technicians; we returned as humanitarians...My view of our planet was a glimpse of divinity.
Soviet cosmonaut Vladimir Kovalyonok: 'After an orange cloud--formed as a result of a dust storm over the Sahara and caught up by air currents -- reached the Philippines and settled there with rain, I understood that we are all sailing in the same boat.'
Syrian Muhammad Faris: 'From space I saw Earth--indescribably beautiful with the scars of national boundaries gone.'
American John-David Bartoe: 'As I looked down, I saw a large river meandering slowly along for miles, passing from one country to another without stopping. I also saw huge forests, extending across several borders. And I watched the extent of one ocean touch the shores of separate continents. Two words leaped to mind as I looked down on all this: commonality and interdependence. We are one world.'
Indian Rakesh Sharma: 'My mental boundaries expanded when I viewed the Earth against a black and uninviting vacuum, yet my country's rich traditions had conditioned me to look beyond man-made boundaries and prejudices. One does not have to undertake a space flight to come by this feeling.'"
It was an ancient Psalmist who wrote: "How lovely you dwelling-places, O Lord of hosts."
Everywhere we look what do we see? We see God.
If you have some thoughts about this write me at charlesschuster@fcfumc.net. If you are willing for others to read your response click on the box below.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Charles Schuster
"Moving from scientific theory to human experience, consider how the view of the planet Earth from the outside changed the astronauts from reductionistic scientists to holistic humanitarians and how pictures of pace taken by those astronauts have changed the rest of us:
American astronaut Edgar Mitchell: 'We went tot he moon as technicians; we returned as humanitarians...My view of our planet was a glimpse of divinity.
Soviet cosmonaut Vladimir Kovalyonok: 'After an orange cloud--formed as a result of a dust storm over the Sahara and caught up by air currents -- reached the Philippines and settled there with rain, I understood that we are all sailing in the same boat.'
Syrian Muhammad Faris: 'From space I saw Earth--indescribably beautiful with the scars of national boundaries gone.'
American John-David Bartoe: 'As I looked down, I saw a large river meandering slowly along for miles, passing from one country to another without stopping. I also saw huge forests, extending across several borders. And I watched the extent of one ocean touch the shores of separate continents. Two words leaped to mind as I looked down on all this: commonality and interdependence. We are one world.'
Indian Rakesh Sharma: 'My mental boundaries expanded when I viewed the Earth against a black and uninviting vacuum, yet my country's rich traditions had conditioned me to look beyond man-made boundaries and prejudices. One does not have to undertake a space flight to come by this feeling.'"
It was an ancient Psalmist who wrote: "How lovely you dwelling-places, O Lord of hosts."
Everywhere we look what do we see? We see God.
If you have some thoughts about this write me at charlesschuster@fcfumc.net. If you are willing for others to read your response click on the box below.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Charles Schuster
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
Wednesday's thoughts
"It's Time to Gander at the Grandeur"
There is a substantial amount of biblical direction given to us that encourages us to look up to see the grandeur of God in the cosmos. Robert Keck was one of those theologians who believed we can see some things from a higher vantage point than we can ever be able to notice close up.
In his book The Sacred Quest he quotes Edgar Mitchell who said, "We went to the moon as technicians; we returned as humanitarians...My view of our planet was a glimpse of divinity."
Mitchell was so moved by the astronomical point of view that he returned to earth and founded an institute that was devoted to the exploration of consciousness in a completely holistic universe.
What happens when we look and are able to see the immensity of the world? What happens to us when we acquire the sense of wonder and awe.
The Hebrew Scripture calls this "fear of the lord" but the last thing it creates is a sense of terror. It creates a sense of amazement and appreciation. I reminds us how we are part of something large and grand, and it puts us into a perspective that allows us to see that we are small in comparison to it.
Sunday we will glimpse at the grandeur to see what we can see. Where do we take this glimpse? Toward what do we look?
For me it's the night sky when there is not a cloud to be seen and the night is dark and the star shine brightly. It is standing against the night sky and watching a meteor flash before us and it seems so close we feel the need to duck.
Where do you glimpse the grandeur? Where is the wonder of creation most seen for you?
If you have thoughts on this write me at charlesschuster@fcfumc.net.
If you are willing to allow others to read your reflections click on the box below.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Charles Schuster
There is a substantial amount of biblical direction given to us that encourages us to look up to see the grandeur of God in the cosmos. Robert Keck was one of those theologians who believed we can see some things from a higher vantage point than we can ever be able to notice close up.
In his book The Sacred Quest he quotes Edgar Mitchell who said, "We went to the moon as technicians; we returned as humanitarians...My view of our planet was a glimpse of divinity."
Mitchell was so moved by the astronomical point of view that he returned to earth and founded an institute that was devoted to the exploration of consciousness in a completely holistic universe.
What happens when we look and are able to see the immensity of the world? What happens to us when we acquire the sense of wonder and awe.
The Hebrew Scripture calls this "fear of the lord" but the last thing it creates is a sense of terror. It creates a sense of amazement and appreciation. I reminds us how we are part of something large and grand, and it puts us into a perspective that allows us to see that we are small in comparison to it.
Sunday we will glimpse at the grandeur to see what we can see. Where do we take this glimpse? Toward what do we look?
For me it's the night sky when there is not a cloud to be seen and the night is dark and the star shine brightly. It is standing against the night sky and watching a meteor flash before us and it seems so close we feel the need to duck.
Where do you glimpse the grandeur? Where is the wonder of creation most seen for you?
If you have thoughts on this write me at charlesschuster@fcfumc.net.
If you are willing to allow others to read your reflections click on the box below.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Charles Schuster
Sunday, August 16, 2009
Monday's thoughts
Robert Keck in his book The Sacred Quest wrote:
"What do I mean by making my aging more holistic? Well, our culture's bias, as well as our own physical pain and infirmities, tends to make aging simply a matter of the physical body. As a materialistic culture, we have become totally preoccupied with physical aging. My existential attempt is to balance it all out, to be more holistic and consider the mental, emotional, and spiritual aspects of aging as well as the physical and material.
At sixty-five, I cannot play handball as I did when I was twenty-five or forty-five, but I know a long more about life now than I did then. Which is more important? At sixty-five, I am not as capable at throwing a football or a baseball as I was forty or fifty year ago, but I am a lot better at loving than I was then. Which is more important? At sixty-five, I'm not as strong physically as I once was-after all, some of the macho muscle has turned into mucho mush-but I am physiologically stronger in a lot of ways. Which is more important?"
If we look at life as a sacred quest then the journey is as important as the destination and evolving is more important than doing.
This sermon will look at the span of age and what we can and should look for on the journey.
Each age has its blessings.
What is the blessing of the age you are?
What do you anticipate as the blessing coming to you at the next stage of your journey?
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 your response.
Charles Schuster
"What do I mean by making my aging more holistic? Well, our culture's bias, as well as our own physical pain and infirmities, tends to make aging simply a matter of the physical body. As a materialistic culture, we have become totally preoccupied with physical aging. My existential attempt is to balance it all out, to be more holistic and consider the mental, emotional, and spiritual aspects of aging as well as the physical and material.
At sixty-five, I cannot play handball as I did when I was twenty-five or forty-five, but I know a long more about life now than I did then. Which is more important? At sixty-five, I am not as capable at throwing a football or a baseball as I was forty or fifty year ago, but I am a lot better at loving than I was then. Which is more important? At sixty-five, I'm not as strong physically as I once was-after all, some of the macho muscle has turned into mucho mush-but I am physiologically stronger in a lot of ways. Which is more important?"
If we look at life as a sacred quest then the journey is as important as the destination and evolving is more important than doing.
This sermon will look at the span of age and what we can and should look for on the journey.
Each age has its blessings.
What is the blessing of the age you are?
What do you anticipate as the blessing coming to you at the next stage of your journey?
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 your response.
Charles Schuster
Friday, August 14, 2009
Friday's Thoughts
What got Jesus on the mark to do the work God wanted him to do? He waited 30 years. For thirty years he worked as a carpenter and then for three or four years he sprung into action. What got him going?We find that story of the wilderness event when he was tempted to turn stones into bread, when he was invited to jump down from a high place and let God protect him, and when he was told he could rule over all the world. He rejected those options. Was that a dream or a crisis?I think that's what jump started Jesus. I think something happened in his life that made the wilderness event a pivotal time in his life and I think I know what it was. I think I know what caused Jesus to question his values and who tapped into his bliss. I think I know.
Here's what I think:
You know the story of the Good Samaritan? A man beaten and left to die by the side of the road. A priest walks by on the other side. A Samaritan, who was not highly regarded by Jews, took the man to an Inn. Paid for his rehabilitation and was a "good neighbor" Jesus told the story and it's one of the best parables that we have recorded. My grandfather told me once I shouldn't preach a sermon on that parable until I was ready. It is so profound you really have to have lived some serious life to understand it.
I think Jesus was the man who was beaten and left to die. I think his encounter with the devil was his struggle with his values while he was semi-conscious. When he regained full awareness of things he realized what the Samaritan had done. It was then he realized his purpose in life and it was then he put his values together and was able to begin to live his bliss.
There is no way to prove what I have suggested but there was something very intense about that story. I think Jesus actually told it because so much of the meaning of the story is central to his life and teaching. I also think he lived it.
What do you think?
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
Here's what I think:
You know the story of the Good Samaritan? A man beaten and left to die by the side of the road. A priest walks by on the other side. A Samaritan, who was not highly regarded by Jews, took the man to an Inn. Paid for his rehabilitation and was a "good neighbor" Jesus told the story and it's one of the best parables that we have recorded. My grandfather told me once I shouldn't preach a sermon on that parable until I was ready. It is so profound you really have to have lived some serious life to understand it.
I think Jesus was the man who was beaten and left to die. I think his encounter with the devil was his struggle with his values while he was semi-conscious. When he regained full awareness of things he realized what the Samaritan had done. It was then he realized his purpose in life and it was then he put his values together and was able to begin to live his bliss.
There is no way to prove what I have suggested but there was something very intense about that story. I think Jesus actually told it because so much of the meaning of the story is central to his life and teaching. I also think he lived it.
What do you think?
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, August 12, 2009
Wednesday's thoughts
"What Jump Started Jesus?"
This is not a question you hear asked just every day. It's not a question I think I have ever asked but it is a good question and, I think, an important question.
Was it his baptism? When his cousin baptized him and the voice of God was heard to say, "This is my son of whom I am so proud"?
Was it when his mother told him to turn the water into wine at the wedding at Cana? When he asked her, "What has this to do with me?"
Was it when John the Baptist was killed by Herod?
What got Jesus on the mark to do the work God wanted him to do? He waited 30 years. For thirty years he worked as a carpenter and then for three or four years he sprung into action. What got him going?
We find that story of the wilderness event when he was tempted to turn stones into bread, when he was invited to jump down from a high place and let God protect him, and when he was told he could rule over all the world. He rejected those options. Was that a dream or a crisis?
I think that's what jump started Jesus. I think something happened in his life that made the wilderness event a pivotal time in his life and I think I know what it was. I think I know what caused Jesus to question his values and who tapped into his bliss. I think I know and I will try to explain this on Sunday.
What do you think "jump started" Jesus?
If you have thoughts on this write me at charlesschuster@fcfumc.net. If you are willing to have others read your ideas click on the box below.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Charles
This is not a question you hear asked just every day. It's not a question I think I have ever asked but it is a good question and, I think, an important question.
Was it his baptism? When his cousin baptized him and the voice of God was heard to say, "This is my son of whom I am so proud"?
Was it when his mother told him to turn the water into wine at the wedding at Cana? When he asked her, "What has this to do with me?"
Was it when John the Baptist was killed by Herod?
What got Jesus on the mark to do the work God wanted him to do? He waited 30 years. For thirty years he worked as a carpenter and then for three or four years he sprung into action. What got him going?
We find that story of the wilderness event when he was tempted to turn stones into bread, when he was invited to jump down from a high place and let God protect him, and when he was told he could rule over all the world. He rejected those options. Was that a dream or a crisis?
I think that's what jump started Jesus. I think something happened in his life that made the wilderness event a pivotal time in his life and I think I know what it was. I think I know what caused Jesus to question his values and who tapped into his bliss. I think I know and I will try to explain this on Sunday.
What do you think "jump started" Jesus?
If you have thoughts on this write me at charlesschuster@fcfumc.net. If you are willing to have others read your ideas click on the box below.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Charles
Sunday, August 9, 2009
Monday's thoughts
Sermon for Sunday, August 16th
I have been impressed with the writing of Karen Armstrong. I think she as done a great deal of good in bringing people together and helping establish some understanding among religion people. She has written several important book on world religions. Her book A History of God established the fact that Islam, Judaism, and Christianity have violent elements in their history and violent leaders at present but they also are religions that have foundational similarities that can work toward cooperation and peace. She has helped us look beyond the extremists to see the progressive people who are working toward reform. Her books give us a reason for hope.
Her book Through the Narrow Gate tells about her experience as a Catholic nun. Her book The Spiral Staircase is autobiographical and it is largely from that book I will draw my information for the sermon. I want to know what personal history enables someone to have such compassion and understanding to be able to transcend the prejudice that seems to prevail in the post 9-11 world.
Karen had to encounter two very strict institutions. The Catholic Church and living in a convent, and Oxford University and the rigors of academic discipline. She was a failure at both. She had little support at home and yet she comes out of all that with a positive attitude that is open and hopeful.
She was able to climb out of her personal darkness and I think there is something to learn here.
How do we climb out of the darkness in our lives? If you have thoughts on this write me at charlesschuster@fcfumc.net. If you are willing to share your thoughts with the congregation click on the box below.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Charles Schuster
I have been impressed with the writing of Karen Armstrong. I think she as done a great deal of good in bringing people together and helping establish some understanding among religion people. She has written several important book on world religions. Her book A History of God established the fact that Islam, Judaism, and Christianity have violent elements in their history and violent leaders at present but they also are religions that have foundational similarities that can work toward cooperation and peace. She has helped us look beyond the extremists to see the progressive people who are working toward reform. Her books give us a reason for hope.
Her book Through the Narrow Gate tells about her experience as a Catholic nun. Her book The Spiral Staircase is autobiographical and it is largely from that book I will draw my information for the sermon. I want to know what personal history enables someone to have such compassion and understanding to be able to transcend the prejudice that seems to prevail in the post 9-11 world.
Karen had to encounter two very strict institutions. The Catholic Church and living in a convent, and Oxford University and the rigors of academic discipline. She was a failure at both. She had little support at home and yet she comes out of all that with a positive attitude that is open and hopeful.
She was able to climb out of her personal darkness and I think there is something to learn here.
How do we climb out of the darkness in our lives? If you have thoughts on this write me at charlesschuster@fcfumc.net. If you are willing to share your thoughts with the congregation click on the box below.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Charles Schuster
Monday, August 3, 2009
Monday's thoughts
Rebecca McFee is our new pastor. She has been serving a church in Erie, Pennsylvania and is a graduate of Duke Divinity School. She will be preaching her first sermon for us on Sunday, August 9th.
Rebecca brings a wealth of experience to our church. She has served local churches, has worked with college students, has been a hospital chaplain, and has served churches in England, North Carolina, Wisconsin, and Pennsylvania.
She will be preaching a sermon on the philosopher and theologian Rene Descartes. It was Descartes who said, "I think; therefore, I am".
He also said, "An optimist may see a light where there is none, but why must the pessimist always run to blow it out?"
Rebecca has has an interest in some of the classical theologians and she was eager to take on the research that goes with exploring Descartes, who was the philosopher selected for the 9th of August.
We look forward to hearing a new voice and to having an opportunity to see the world and the Christian faith through the eyes and mind of our newly acquired theologian; Reverend Rebecca McFee.
If you would like to communicate with her, for the time being, write me and I will forward your messages to Rebecca as soon as we have her computer set up.
You can write me at charlesschuster@fcfumc.net.
I am happy to pass on your questions and your greetings.
Charles
Rebecca brings a wealth of experience to our church. She has served local churches, has worked with college students, has been a hospital chaplain, and has served churches in England, North Carolina, Wisconsin, and Pennsylvania.
She will be preaching a sermon on the philosopher and theologian Rene Descartes. It was Descartes who said, "I think; therefore, I am".
He also said, "An optimist may see a light where there is none, but why must the pessimist always run to blow it out?"
Rebecca has has an interest in some of the classical theologians and she was eager to take on the research that goes with exploring Descartes, who was the philosopher selected for the 9th of August.
We look forward to hearing a new voice and to having an opportunity to see the world and the Christian faith through the eyes and mind of our newly acquired theologian; Reverend Rebecca McFee.
If you would like to communicate with her, for the time being, write me and I will forward your messages to Rebecca as soon as we have her computer set up.
You can write me at charlesschuster@fcfumc.net.
I am happy to pass on your questions and your greetings.
Charles
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