This sermon turns out to be an exploration into the nature of our Christian faith. I never am quite sure where these sermons will go when I am getting them started. I would not have guess the destination of this one.
The Christian faith has two competing elements.
Here they are:
1. There is a part of our faith that breeds a sense of identity. We are given an understanding of who we are. There is a kind of self-awareness about what it means to be Christian and United Methodist. We have "belonging" and we are part of a mainstream.
2. There is another part of our faith the promotes a sense of receptivity. We are given to explore to learn about others and who they are. There is a kind of seeking beyond the self. We care about knowing who we are but we also seek to learn others and who they are. We look to the margins and we are "be-loving". Our seeking isn't complete until we make our boundaries porous. We really don't understand our position unless we can appreciate other traditions and what is the core of their values.
Christian, United Methodism is a clearly defined approach to religion that seeks clarity by exploring other truth; to confirm or deny the truth we have. We believe faith is a dynamic process and nor a permanent or fixed state.
That's how I see it. What do you think? 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 "comments" box below.
If you wish me to send a rough draft of the sermon tomorrow morning let me know and I am happy to email that to you.
Charles Schuster
Friday, July 30, 2010
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
Wednesday's thoughts on Sunday's sermon
Diana Eck is a feminist theologian who believes that Christian theology has been dominated by some exclusive thinking. She is also a pluralist who has come to appreciate other world religions.
In her book Encountering God we find this thought:
"Liberation theology, feminist theology, and pluralist theology are all major currents in the Christian tradition today. All three are about the redefinition of the we in theological thinking and the renegotiation of the we in our common political and cultural life. They are all attempts to reconstruct more inclusive and more relevant forms of Christian thinking and Christian engagement."
Diana Eck grew up in the oldest United Methodist Church in Montana. The founder of the Iliff School of Theology was one of the founding pastors. Brother Van was a circuit riding preacher who established many of the churches in the west. Brother Van established Diana's church as one of his churches.
From the United Methodist church in Montana Diana was able to launch a life-long study of religion that included significant research among the Hindu people in India. Her observations of other religious traditions, instead of detracting or diminishing her understanding of the Christian faith, deepened it.
What we see with Diana Eck is the example of what it means to grow up in a mainstream in such a way that one is able to see the people in the margins. The stronger our faith is for us the more we are able to look beyond it to see what we all have in common.
The sermon will look at the Christian mainstream and the margins. It will look at the Last Supper and the Foot washing. It will revisit Paul's Athens when he said, "As I was going through your city and looking at the things you worship, I found an altar with the words, 'To an Unknown God.' You worship this God but you don't really know him.'"
What about the God we worship and the God others worship? Is it the same God? Can we move to pluralism in a world where religions collide? Is it possible that God is God of all people?
At the Last Supper Jesus created community with the bread and the cup. Then he turned the community loose with the washing of the feet.
At the Last Supper, in John's Gospel, Jesus gave us identity and imperative.
We celebrate what we have in common and we reach out to those who do not have what we have in common.
What do you think about pluralism? Is Christianity exclusive claim to truth? Do others have it as well?
Write me at charlesschuster@fcfumc.net. If you are willing to have others read your thoughts click on the "comments" box below.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Charles Schuster
In her book Encountering God we find this thought:
"Liberation theology, feminist theology, and pluralist theology are all major currents in the Christian tradition today. All three are about the redefinition of the we in theological thinking and the renegotiation of the we in our common political and cultural life. They are all attempts to reconstruct more inclusive and more relevant forms of Christian thinking and Christian engagement."
Diana Eck grew up in the oldest United Methodist Church in Montana. The founder of the Iliff School of Theology was one of the founding pastors. Brother Van was a circuit riding preacher who established many of the churches in the west. Brother Van established Diana's church as one of his churches.
From the United Methodist church in Montana Diana was able to launch a life-long study of religion that included significant research among the Hindu people in India. Her observations of other religious traditions, instead of detracting or diminishing her understanding of the Christian faith, deepened it.
What we see with Diana Eck is the example of what it means to grow up in a mainstream in such a way that one is able to see the people in the margins. The stronger our faith is for us the more we are able to look beyond it to see what we all have in common.
The sermon will look at the Christian mainstream and the margins. It will look at the Last Supper and the Foot washing. It will revisit Paul's Athens when he said, "As I was going through your city and looking at the things you worship, I found an altar with the words, 'To an Unknown God.' You worship this God but you don't really know him.'"
What about the God we worship and the God others worship? Is it the same God? Can we move to pluralism in a world where religions collide? Is it possible that God is God of all people?
At the Last Supper Jesus created community with the bread and the cup. Then he turned the community loose with the washing of the feet.
At the Last Supper, in John's Gospel, Jesus gave us identity and imperative.
We celebrate what we have in common and we reach out to those who do not have what we have in common.
What do you think about pluralism? Is Christianity exclusive claim to truth? Do others have it as well?
Write me at charlesschuster@fcfumc.net. If you are willing to have others read your thoughts click on the "comments" box below.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Charles Schuster
Sunday, July 25, 2010
Monday's thoughts on Sunday's sermon
b"Our God?"
I am beginning a series of sermons on specific theologians and Sunday, August 1st I introduce feminist theologian and world religion scholar Diana Eck. My intent is to explore the ideas of this tremendous United Methodist Theologian who is a professor at Harvard Divinity School.
This is a quote from Diana Eck:
"Credo is a the word with which the great creeds of early Christendom begin. 'I believe...' we say. The Latin "credo" means literally, "I give my heart". The word believe is problematic because it has gradually changed its meaning from being the language of certainty so deep that I could give my heart to it, to the language of certainty so shallow that only the "credulous" would rely on it. Faith is not about propositions, but about commitment, It does not mean that I intellectually subscribe to the following list of statements, but that I give my heart to this reality. "Believe", indeed, comes to us from the Old English "belove", making clear that this too is meant to be heart language. To say, 'I believe in Jesus Christ' is not to subscribe to an uncertain proposition. It is a confession of commitment, of love."
Diana Eck has a wonderful way to help us define and redefine what we believe. I will, through "Build a Sermon" continue to share some of the insights I discover in my research.
What do you think about her definition of 1. belief 2. faith and 3 belief in Jesus Christ?
If you have some reflects on this write me at charlesschuster@fcfumc.net. If you are willing to share your thoughts with the readers of "Build a Sermon" click on the "comments" box below.
If you would like a rough draft of the sermon at the end of the week let me know and I will email it to you.
Charles
I am beginning a series of sermons on specific theologians and Sunday, August 1st I introduce feminist theologian and world religion scholar Diana Eck. My intent is to explore the ideas of this tremendous United Methodist Theologian who is a professor at Harvard Divinity School.
This is a quote from Diana Eck:
"Credo is a the word with which the great creeds of early Christendom begin. 'I believe...' we say. The Latin "credo" means literally, "I give my heart". The word believe is problematic because it has gradually changed its meaning from being the language of certainty so deep that I could give my heart to it, to the language of certainty so shallow that only the "credulous" would rely on it. Faith is not about propositions, but about commitment, It does not mean that I intellectually subscribe to the following list of statements, but that I give my heart to this reality. "Believe", indeed, comes to us from the Old English "belove", making clear that this too is meant to be heart language. To say, 'I believe in Jesus Christ' is not to subscribe to an uncertain proposition. It is a confession of commitment, of love."
Diana Eck has a wonderful way to help us define and redefine what we believe. I will, through "Build a Sermon" continue to share some of the insights I discover in my research.
What do you think about her definition of 1. belief 2. faith and 3 belief in Jesus Christ?
If you have some reflects on this write me at charlesschuster@fcfumc.net. If you are willing to share your thoughts with the readers of "Build a Sermon" click on the "comments" box below.
If you would like a rough draft of the sermon at the end of the week let me know and I will email it to you.
Charles
Friday, July 23, 2010
Friday's thoughts on Sunday's sermon
Road Trip to Nowhere
Three aspects of the trip:
1. To live we have to leave where we are comfortable
2. To be alive we have to learn to linger when we are in the middle of the journey and are wondering why we are wandering.
3. To find meaning as Christians we will want to look for Jesus while we are traveling.
The most important impact of our being Christian is that we seek to find Jesus in the people around us. Christ figures appear all the time but we have to look for them.
The road trip to nowhere is life.
What do you think about this?
When have you met Jesus and in whom?
If you have thoughts write me at charlesschuster@fcfumc.net.
If you are willing to have others read your thought click on the box below.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Charles
Three aspects of the trip:
1. To live we have to leave where we are comfortable
2. To be alive we have to learn to linger when we are in the middle of the journey and are wondering why we are wandering.
3. To find meaning as Christians we will want to look for Jesus while we are traveling.
The most important impact of our being Christian is that we seek to find Jesus in the people around us. Christ figures appear all the time but we have to look for them.
The road trip to nowhere is life.
What do you think about this?
When have you met Jesus and in whom?
If you have thoughts write me at charlesschuster@fcfumc.net.
If you are willing to have others read your thought click on the box below.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Charles
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
Wednesday's thoughts on Sunday's sermon
"Road Trip to Nowhere"
I've been thinking about road trips and the journey of faith and I've thought about the people who have made heroic steps that have become legendary.
I think of Abraham who left his own country and his own people and traveled to the Promised Land. He heard the voice of God saying that it was time for him to leave his comfort zone and venture out.
I think of Moses and the Exodus and the people who wondered where they were going. They wandered aimlessly. The people met with Moses and said to him, "Why have you taken us out here? Have you taken us out here to die? Were there too many graves in Egypt that you took us out here to die?" It is a hard trip to make if we don't know where we are going.
Our journey of faith involves that two-step process. We have to be willing to leave our comfort zone and we have to have a tolerance to ambiguity and to know knowing where we are going.
We have to be able to leave where we are and we have to be able to go to a place we are not sure about. Otherwise we will stay stuck.
When have you been on a road trip to nowhere and where did your journey end?
Furthermore, whom did you meet along the way?
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
If you would like a copy of the sermon draft Friday indicate that and I am happy to send it to you.
I've been thinking about road trips and the journey of faith and I've thought about the people who have made heroic steps that have become legendary.
I think of Abraham who left his own country and his own people and traveled to the Promised Land. He heard the voice of God saying that it was time for him to leave his comfort zone and venture out.
I think of Moses and the Exodus and the people who wondered where they were going. They wandered aimlessly. The people met with Moses and said to him, "Why have you taken us out here? Have you taken us out here to die? Were there too many graves in Egypt that you took us out here to die?" It is a hard trip to make if we don't know where we are going.
Our journey of faith involves that two-step process. We have to be willing to leave our comfort zone and we have to have a tolerance to ambiguity and to know knowing where we are going.
We have to be able to leave where we are and we have to be able to go to a place we are not sure about. Otherwise we will stay stuck.
When have you been on a road trip to nowhere and where did your journey end?
Furthermore, whom did you meet along the way?
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
If you would like a copy of the sermon draft Friday indicate that and I am happy to send it to you.
Sunday, July 18, 2010
Monday's thoughts on Sunday's sermon
Sermon title
"The trip to Nowhere"
So much of the Biblical narrative in both Hebrew Scripture or Greek New Testament involves a journey. Mary and Joseph took the trip to Bethlehem and then, according to Matthew they fled to Egypt. Moses led the people to the promised land in what was called the Exodus. Abraham left his homeland and traveled to a place he had never been. Adam and Eve were driven out of the garden. Where did they go? How far did they get?
It has struck me when you look at the distance reputed to have been involved in the Exodus and the supposed time it was supposed to have taken that they must have been lost most of the time or it was reported incorrectly. Maybe the time give for the trip was symbolic and never intended to be factual.
How many trips have we taken when we have been lost? How many times have we wandered and wondered where we were, where we were headed,
How many times when we were lost did we come upon something that was strikingly important?
In the sermon I want to think with you about our journey in life and I want to think with you about whether we are moving toward something with purpose or if we are lost and wandering aimlessly.
What do you do when you are lost? I tend to pick up speed and run or drive faster.
If you have thoughts on this please write me at charlesschuster@fcfumc.net. If you are willing to share your thoughts with the congregation click on the "comments" box below. If you would like an email with the sermon draft as it is on Friday let me know and I am happy to send it to you.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Charles Schuster
"The trip to Nowhere"
So much of the Biblical narrative in both Hebrew Scripture or Greek New Testament involves a journey. Mary and Joseph took the trip to Bethlehem and then, according to Matthew they fled to Egypt. Moses led the people to the promised land in what was called the Exodus. Abraham left his homeland and traveled to a place he had never been. Adam and Eve were driven out of the garden. Where did they go? How far did they get?
It has struck me when you look at the distance reputed to have been involved in the Exodus and the supposed time it was supposed to have taken that they must have been lost most of the time or it was reported incorrectly. Maybe the time give for the trip was symbolic and never intended to be factual.
How many trips have we taken when we have been lost? How many times have we wandered and wondered where we were, where we were headed,
How many times when we were lost did we come upon something that was strikingly important?
In the sermon I want to think with you about our journey in life and I want to think with you about whether we are moving toward something with purpose or if we are lost and wandering aimlessly.
What do you do when you are lost? I tend to pick up speed and run or drive faster.
If you have thoughts on this please write me at charlesschuster@fcfumc.net. If you are willing to share your thoughts with the congregation click on the "comments" box below. If you would like an email with the sermon draft as it is on Friday let me know and I am happy to send it to you.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Charles Schuster
Friday, July 16, 2010
Friday's thoughts on Sunday's sermon
If you write and ask for it I will send you a copy of the sermon as it stands on Friday afternoon. Understand it will be a very rough draft and the final sermon will undergo much scrutiny and re-writing. If you want me to send you a copy I am happy to do that.
The sermon is taking some shape today and it seems to focus two contrasting thoughts. In the dog days of summer we think about our lives and we add things up in a manner that may cause us concern.
There are times in the heat of the summer when we think about the renewal of activities in the fall and we ponder the question, "What now?" What can possibly happen next? What will we face and how will we face it? Things can go from bad to worse and they can go from worse to terrible.
The question about the future can be answer by withdrawing in fear or by facing the future with hope and anticipation. We can accept what will happen as a challenge and look forward to it. God is with us and when God is with us there is nothing we need to fear facing.
What now? as a question yields to "Wait now" as a response. We discover our own strengths and face the future with a sense of adventure and challenge and then we remember that things do change and always they change for the better if we wait long enough. "Wait now" is an appropriate response to the dog days of summer and it enables us to be cool cats in the dog days of summer. If we "wait now" when we are worried about "what now" there is a surprise for us and we can look forward to it.
We can use the down time, the slow time to think about how we will face the hard time and the fast pace.
That's how I see it. If you have thoughts or if you would like to receive a copy of the sermon on Friday email me at charlesschuster@fcfumc.net. If you would like to have others read your thoughts click on the box below.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Charles Schuster
The sermon is taking some shape today and it seems to focus two contrasting thoughts. In the dog days of summer we think about our lives and we add things up in a manner that may cause us concern.
There are times in the heat of the summer when we think about the renewal of activities in the fall and we ponder the question, "What now?" What can possibly happen next? What will we face and how will we face it? Things can go from bad to worse and they can go from worse to terrible.
The question about the future can be answer by withdrawing in fear or by facing the future with hope and anticipation. We can accept what will happen as a challenge and look forward to it. God is with us and when God is with us there is nothing we need to fear facing.
What now? as a question yields to "Wait now" as a response. We discover our own strengths and face the future with a sense of adventure and challenge and then we remember that things do change and always they change for the better if we wait long enough. "Wait now" is an appropriate response to the dog days of summer and it enables us to be cool cats in the dog days of summer. If we "wait now" when we are worried about "what now" there is a surprise for us and we can look forward to it.
We can use the down time, the slow time to think about how we will face the hard time and the fast pace.
That's how I see it. If you have thoughts or if you would like to receive a copy of the sermon on Friday email me at charlesschuster@fcfumc.net. If you would like to have others read your thoughts click on the box below.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Charles Schuster
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
Wednesday's thougths on Sunday's sermon
In a time when we think about our lives and what is happening to us and in a time when we are looking back at the past and what has happened to us, we have the opportunity to look ahead.
It is a hot summer and we are in the "dog days" is the year and the temperature is up to the century mark.
We look forward and we work through the heat and we begin to see some things about the "dog days" of our lives.
When we get into life as it comes to us we realize that things are happening fast and we ask, "What next?"
What has happened now but what will happen next. When one thing leads to another and the things that add up are not pleasant we wonder "what next?"
Have we have a chance to ask ourselves what will happen next and we can face that with fear and suspicion or we can face it with joy and hope. I like Harold Kushner's definition of salvation. He writes about salvation in his book, Conquering Fear,
Kushner believes salvation is less of a theological issue and more of a practical issue. "Salvation is God's promise that, even when things are not going well, you may still survive and even flourish."
When confronted with the question, "What next?" our response is, "it doesn't matter because whatever it is we can handle it."
How do you answer the question, "what next?" In the dog days of summer what are you thinking as you think about the future?
If you have some thoughts on this write me at charlesschuster@fcfumc.net. If you are willing to have others read your response click on the "comments" box below. I look forward to hearing from you.
Charles Schuster
It is a hot summer and we are in the "dog days" is the year and the temperature is up to the century mark.
We look forward and we work through the heat and we begin to see some things about the "dog days" of our lives.
When we get into life as it comes to us we realize that things are happening fast and we ask, "What next?"
What has happened now but what will happen next. When one thing leads to another and the things that add up are not pleasant we wonder "what next?"
Have we have a chance to ask ourselves what will happen next and we can face that with fear and suspicion or we can face it with joy and hope. I like Harold Kushner's definition of salvation. He writes about salvation in his book, Conquering Fear,
Kushner believes salvation is less of a theological issue and more of a practical issue. "Salvation is God's promise that, even when things are not going well, you may still survive and even flourish."
When confronted with the question, "What next?" our response is, "it doesn't matter because whatever it is we can handle it."
How do you answer the question, "what next?" In the dog days of summer what are you thinking as you think about the future?
If you have some thoughts on this write me at charlesschuster@fcfumc.net. If you are willing to have others read your response click on the "comments" box below. I look forward to hearing from you.
Charles Schuster
Sunday, July 11, 2010
Monday's thoughts on Sunday's sermon
"Being a Cool Cat In the Dog Days of Summer"
Sermon for July 18th
There comes a time in the summer and in life, in general, when we realize some important things about ourselves. We realize the rush of time and we see how time is precious to us. Usually, it will come at a time when things kind of slow down.
The heat of the summer has a way of doing that to us. It causes us to slow down and take stock of ourselves. It makes us ask questions we wouldn't otherwise ask.
Here are some of the questions the "dog days of summer" pose:
Am I doing all that I can with the life I am living?
Are there other roads I could take?
What if I die tomorrow? How will the world be different because I lived?
Having just returned from the funeral for my step father I realize there are more people I have known who are among the dead than the people I know who are among the living. That realization has important implications. It means the time has come to be very careful about the rest of my life and to make certain that I am not so careful that I fail to live my life out the way it was intended to be lived.
There are certain principles I will observe because of the realization of the finitude that comes in the "dog days of life".
1. If there is something intended to be done; do it now.
2. Worry about what other people think is over; be yourself at all times.
3. Nothing I possess is worth as much as what possesses me; it is time to become free of encumbrances.
4. Very few of the important battles I have fought were important. More important than loss or gain is relationship. Where there is relationship there is never loss and there is always gain.
5. Religion that is hurtful isn't religion. The only faith that matters is the one that encourages growth. Intellectual explanations are merely game playing ploys that keep the heart from beating and the soul from growing.
What realization have you found in the "dog days of summer" or "the dog days of your life"? In the heat of July what in the world are you learning?
If you have thoughts on this please write me at charlesschuster@fcfumc.net. If you are willing to have others read your thoughts click on the comments box.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Charles Schuster
Sermon for July 18th
There comes a time in the summer and in life, in general, when we realize some important things about ourselves. We realize the rush of time and we see how time is precious to us. Usually, it will come at a time when things kind of slow down.
The heat of the summer has a way of doing that to us. It causes us to slow down and take stock of ourselves. It makes us ask questions we wouldn't otherwise ask.
Here are some of the questions the "dog days of summer" pose:
Am I doing all that I can with the life I am living?
Are there other roads I could take?
What if I die tomorrow? How will the world be different because I lived?
Having just returned from the funeral for my step father I realize there are more people I have known who are among the dead than the people I know who are among the living. That realization has important implications. It means the time has come to be very careful about the rest of my life and to make certain that I am not so careful that I fail to live my life out the way it was intended to be lived.
There are certain principles I will observe because of the realization of the finitude that comes in the "dog days of life".
1. If there is something intended to be done; do it now.
2. Worry about what other people think is over; be yourself at all times.
3. Nothing I possess is worth as much as what possesses me; it is time to become free of encumbrances.
4. Very few of the important battles I have fought were important. More important than loss or gain is relationship. Where there is relationship there is never loss and there is always gain.
5. Religion that is hurtful isn't religion. The only faith that matters is the one that encourages growth. Intellectual explanations are merely game playing ploys that keep the heart from beating and the soul from growing.
What realization have you found in the "dog days of summer" or "the dog days of your life"? In the heat of July what in the world are you learning?
If you have thoughts on this please write me at charlesschuster@fcfumc.net. If you are willing to have others read your thoughts click on the comments box.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Charles Schuster
Sunday, July 4, 2010
Monday's thoughts on Sunday's sermon
Sermon for Sunday, July 11th
The title for this Sunday's sermon is: "Grow Where You Are REplanted"
The scriptures are from the Old Testament major prophet Jeremiah, chapter 29, verses 10-14, and the Gospels of Luke 6:37-38 and Matthew 11:25-30.
The theme centers around the farm and the hopes and dreams farmers have as they harvest their crops, and pray for another year where they will be able to live without debt. But, sometimes the wheat is a failure, one is thrust into Plan B. The truth is, Plan A doesn't always work out, whether it is one's relationships, health, death or loss of job. Plan B. How do we adjust to life's crops that fail us?
We have two choices as to how we can live out of Plan B. We can curl up, throw in the towel and thumb our noses at life. Or, we can take a deep breath, embrace our pain and believe, with the comfort of a loving God and the support of those around us, we will make it. Yes, it won't be Plan A, which is now a figment of our imagination. But, it will be a place where we can still grow....replanted.
The title for this Sunday's sermon is: "Grow Where You Are REplanted"
The scriptures are from the Old Testament major prophet Jeremiah, chapter 29, verses 10-14, and the Gospels of Luke 6:37-38 and Matthew 11:25-30.
The theme centers around the farm and the hopes and dreams farmers have as they harvest their crops, and pray for another year where they will be able to live without debt. But, sometimes the wheat is a failure, one is thrust into Plan B. The truth is, Plan A doesn't always work out, whether it is one's relationships, health, death or loss of job. Plan B. How do we adjust to life's crops that fail us?
We have two choices as to how we can live out of Plan B. We can curl up, throw in the towel and thumb our noses at life. Or, we can take a deep breath, embrace our pain and believe, with the comfort of a loving God and the support of those around us, we will make it. Yes, it won't be Plan A, which is now a figment of our imagination. But, it will be a place where we can still grow....replanted.
Friday, July 2, 2010
Friday's thoughts about Sunday's sermon
"Going forth on the fourth"
There are three movements to this sermon that will, hopefully, bring together what it means to be a citizen, "patriot", and the Christian, "prophet".
1. We must never lose our passion for the problem
2. We must always remember to have a propensity for the possible
3. We will want to find a place where we can find a proclivity for peace
Life is about striving and striving. It is about finding a wrong and announcing it. It comes to us that we might be able to organize and structure life so that the wrong is made right. In the end life is more about being than it is speaking and doing. Consequently, sabbath and sacrament are as important as the causes we espouse and the tasks we undertake.
What causes do you have?
What organization will it take to meet them?
How are you taking time to find the center of your being in the midst of the naming and organizing?
If you have thoughts on this please write me at charlesschuster@fcfumc.net. If you are willing to have others read your ideas click on the "comments" box below.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Charles Schuster
There are three movements to this sermon that will, hopefully, bring together what it means to be a citizen, "patriot", and the Christian, "prophet".
1. We must never lose our passion for the problem
2. We must always remember to have a propensity for the possible
3. We will want to find a place where we can find a proclivity for peace
Life is about striving and striving. It is about finding a wrong and announcing it. It comes to us that we might be able to organize and structure life so that the wrong is made right. In the end life is more about being than it is speaking and doing. Consequently, sabbath and sacrament are as important as the causes we espouse and the tasks we undertake.
What causes do you have?
What organization will it take to meet them?
How are you taking time to find the center of your being in the midst of the naming and organizing?
If you have thoughts on this please write me at charlesschuster@fcfumc.net. If you are willing to have others read your ideas click on the "comments" box below.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Charles Schuster
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