The above title was the lead article in the Saturday World Herald. It had a picture of people running into Nebraska Furniture Mart as if this was a major sprint. I was struck by the title of the article and the implications that it implied. Somehow all of our hope is based on what happens with the glut of spending that occurs on Black Friday. I am not against people trying to find ways of saving money or for retailers to make a profit. What concerns me if the reinforcement of excessive spending that created the economic problems that we face today. It was on page three of the newspaper that reported that in New York an employee of Walmart was trampled to death by people breaking into the store. Several other employees were hurt and one lady who was pregnant was likewise trampled that not seriously hurt. Tell me again what is the hope that is in this act. The people became upset that they could not continue to shop after they murdered someone.
I remember reading about pilgrims in other countries that are going to their holy shrines. Sometimes they get excited and trample people often killing some who fall. I would think about that mob psychology and wonder about their faith and compassion for others. Black Friday seems to have recently taken on a similar issue where people are only concerned about themselves and are worshipping the early morning sales. We may have to give employees hazardous pay for risking their lives on this Friday.
I realize that what happened in New York does not happen here. Though one shopper who was interviewed stated that the only reason he was here was for the sale items. Maybe one idea would be to offer products at reasonable prices and have a large number of them on hand so that there is not this stampede to get what one wants.
The other concern I have is that this is a time that we need to remember our hope does not rest in the latest bargain, the cheapest price, the newest gadget but rests in God. What we have or don't have pales in comparison to remembering what God has done for us in coming to us in Jesus Christ. Should not our hope rest in our savior. Could our hope not rest in sharing with others. I hope that the retailers are able to continue to make enough money to offer their services, but I tell you that my hope and I believe our nation's hope rest not on Black Friday but on Easter Sunday.
Saturday, November 29, 2008
Thursday, November 27, 2008
Thanksgiving wishes
Nancy and I want to wish everyone a Happy Thanksgiving. My prayer for all is that this day is one of remembering our blessings, sharing with friends and family, and also sharing with those whose Thanksgiving Day may not be one of abundance.
Eldon
Eldon
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
Preparation for Thanksgiving and Advent
I wanted to share with you some scriptures that came from our inserts for our bulletins called Taking Faith Home. Today the scriptures came from Acts and how the first Christians cared for the needy. As I was reading these scriptures, I was also reading about how this Thanksgiving is going to be a challenge for many families who face lay offs, loss of discretionary money, and foreclosures. There are already even here in Nebraska an increase in people needing help with food. This is especially hard this time of year for families with children to not have enough for even a turkey dinner or to enjoy the time of year but find it instead full of anxiety and fears.
The scriptures are the following:
Acts 2:42-47
41-42That day about three thousand took him at his word, were baptized and were signed up. They committed themselves to the teaching of the apostles, the life together, the common meal, and the prayers.
43-45Everyone around was in awe—all those wonders and signs done through the apostles! And all the believers lived in a wonderful harmony, holding everything in common. They sold whatever they owned and pooled their resources so that each person's need was met.
46-47They followed a daily discipline of worship in the Temple followed by meals at home, every meal a celebration, exuberant and joyful, as they praised God. People in general liked what they saw. Every day their number grew as God added those who were saved.
·Acts 4:32-35
32-33The whole congregation of believers was united as one—one heart, one mind! They didn't even claim ownership of their own possessions. No one said, "That's mine; you can't have it." They shared everything. The apostles gave powerful witness to the resurrection of the Master Jesus, and grace was on all of them.
34-35And so it turned out that not a person among them was needy. Those who owned fields or houses sold them and brought the price of the sale to the apostles and made an offering of it. The apostles then distributed it according to each person's need.
It was interesting as we had discussed in our bible study how difficult it can be to let go of our possessions and focus instead on our relationship to God and to one another. We were reading from the Gospel of John chapter 17. We discussed some of the efforts many are doing to try to make this Thanksgiving truly be one of thanksgiving for those who have faced difficult times. There have been many examples in the news about people coming together to provide dinners for families and even a time to gather as a community to share with one another.
I do feel it is important to celebrate with family and to have a common meal with one another. At the same time, we need to remember those who have little to nothing. I would challenge us to take some of what we would spend on ourselves and to donate a portion of that to a charity of your choice or to the Salvation Army or Open Door Mission and even to the Tri-Community pantry, Together, Inc. There are many whose Thanksgiving could be one of joy rather than one of hunger.
The scriptures are the following:
Acts 2:42-47
41-42That day about three thousand took him at his word, were baptized and were signed up. They committed themselves to the teaching of the apostles, the life together, the common meal, and the prayers.
43-45Everyone around was in awe—all those wonders and signs done through the apostles! And all the believers lived in a wonderful harmony, holding everything in common. They sold whatever they owned and pooled their resources so that each person's need was met.
46-47They followed a daily discipline of worship in the Temple followed by meals at home, every meal a celebration, exuberant and joyful, as they praised God. People in general liked what they saw. Every day their number grew as God added those who were saved.
·Acts 4:32-35
32-33The whole congregation of believers was united as one—one heart, one mind! They didn't even claim ownership of their own possessions. No one said, "That's mine; you can't have it." They shared everything. The apostles gave powerful witness to the resurrection of the Master Jesus, and grace was on all of them.
34-35And so it turned out that not a person among them was needy. Those who owned fields or houses sold them and brought the price of the sale to the apostles and made an offering of it. The apostles then distributed it according to each person's need.
It was interesting as we had discussed in our bible study how difficult it can be to let go of our possessions and focus instead on our relationship to God and to one another. We were reading from the Gospel of John chapter 17. We discussed some of the efforts many are doing to try to make this Thanksgiving truly be one of thanksgiving for those who have faced difficult times. There have been many examples in the news about people coming together to provide dinners for families and even a time to gather as a community to share with one another.
I do feel it is important to celebrate with family and to have a common meal with one another. At the same time, we need to remember those who have little to nothing. I would challenge us to take some of what we would spend on ourselves and to donate a portion of that to a charity of your choice or to the Salvation Army or Open Door Mission and even to the Tri-Community pantry, Together, Inc. There are many whose Thanksgiving could be one of joy rather than one of hunger.
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
Kindness
This Wednesday I will be reflecting on the fruit of kindness. The scriptures that I will be using in the reflection come from Romans 2:1-10 and Ephesians 4:25-5:2. What struck about the idea about kindness is that being kind and supportive of each other comes from God's kindness that God shows to us. Reading these scriptures starting with Romans begins to remind us that we are in the need of God's kindness which leads us to redemption. This is what John Wesley would call previenent grace.
Maybe due to the amount of unkindness that has been displayed in the last few months in our nation regarding the political campaigns and even continuing today, I have been concerned about what can we do to change the toxic atmosphere that we live in. Examples abound not just between political parties but also within the political party. An example is the way Sarah Palin is being treated by the supposedly advisers and even the way she is responding. It is human when one loses an important event to project the blame of the loss onto someone else rather than going on. This can also be the problem with winners as well.
I would like to propose that kindness does come first from God in God's willingness to forgive us our sins. We are to respond to that kindness by being kind to one another. Ephesians 4:29-32 speaks to that. "Let no evil talk come out of your mouths, but only what is useful for building up, as there is need, to that your words may give grace to those who hear. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with which you were marked with a seal for the day of redemption. Put away from you all bitterness and wrath and anger and wrangling and slander, together with all malice, and be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ has forgiven you."
Our nation needs words for building up not tearing down and not laying blame. Wouldn't it be wonderful to work to the point of using our lives, our words, our acts that would give grace to those around us and to share the Kindness that God has shown us.
Maybe due to the amount of unkindness that has been displayed in the last few months in our nation regarding the political campaigns and even continuing today, I have been concerned about what can we do to change the toxic atmosphere that we live in. Examples abound not just between political parties but also within the political party. An example is the way Sarah Palin is being treated by the supposedly advisers and even the way she is responding. It is human when one loses an important event to project the blame of the loss onto someone else rather than going on. This can also be the problem with winners as well.
I would like to propose that kindness does come first from God in God's willingness to forgive us our sins. We are to respond to that kindness by being kind to one another. Ephesians 4:29-32 speaks to that. "Let no evil talk come out of your mouths, but only what is useful for building up, as there is need, to that your words may give grace to those who hear. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with which you were marked with a seal for the day of redemption. Put away from you all bitterness and wrath and anger and wrangling and slander, together with all malice, and be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ has forgiven you."
Our nation needs words for building up not tearing down and not laying blame. Wouldn't it be wonderful to work to the point of using our lives, our words, our acts that would give grace to those around us and to share the Kindness that God has shown us.
Monday, November 10, 2008
Sharing an email that was sent to me
I received this email from one of my congregation members. I was touched by it as I have been looking at ways of living my faith. It is in the little things that make so much difference. Lori thank you for sharing with me.
Several years ago, a preacher from out-of-state accepted a call to a church in Houston , Texas . Some weeks after he arrived, he had an occasion to ride the bus from his home to the downtown area. When he sat down, he discovered that the driver had accidentally given him a quarter too much change. As he considered what to do, he thought to himself, 'You'd better give the quarter back. It would be wrong to keep it.' Then he thought, 'Oh, forget it, it's only a quarter. Who would worry about this little amount? Anyway, the bus company gets too much fare; they will never miss it. Accept it as a 'gift from God' and keep quiet.' When his stop came, he paused momentarily at the door, and then he handed the quarter to the driver and said, 'Here, you gave me too much change.' The driver, with a smile, replied, 'Aren't you the new preacher in town?' 'Yes' he replied. 'Well, I have been thinking a lot lately about going somewhere to worship. I just wanted to see what you would do if I gave you too much change. I'll see you at church on Sunday.' When the preacher stepped off of the bus, he literally grabbed the nearest light pole, held on, and said, 'Oh God, I almost sold your Son for a quarter.' Our lives are the only Bible some people will ever read. This is a really scary example of how much people watch us as Christians, and will put us to the test! Always be on guard -- and remember -- You carry the name of Christ on your shoulders when you call yourself 'Christian.'Watch your thoughts; they become words.
Watch your words; they become actions.Watch your actions; they become habits.
Watch your habits; they become character.Watch your character; it becomes your destiny.
If you do not pass this on to somebody, nothing bad will happen; but, if you do, you would have ministered to someone.
The Will of God will never take you to where the Grace of God will not PROTECT you...
Stay FAITHFUL and be GRATEFUL
Several years ago, a preacher from out-of-state accepted a call to a church in Houston , Texas . Some weeks after he arrived, he had an occasion to ride the bus from his home to the downtown area. When he sat down, he discovered that the driver had accidentally given him a quarter too much change. As he considered what to do, he thought to himself, 'You'd better give the quarter back. It would be wrong to keep it.' Then he thought, 'Oh, forget it, it's only a quarter. Who would worry about this little amount? Anyway, the bus company gets too much fare; they will never miss it. Accept it as a 'gift from God' and keep quiet.' When his stop came, he paused momentarily at the door, and then he handed the quarter to the driver and said, 'Here, you gave me too much change.' The driver, with a smile, replied, 'Aren't you the new preacher in town?' 'Yes' he replied. 'Well, I have been thinking a lot lately about going somewhere to worship. I just wanted to see what you would do if I gave you too much change. I'll see you at church on Sunday.' When the preacher stepped off of the bus, he literally grabbed the nearest light pole, held on, and said, 'Oh God, I almost sold your Son for a quarter.' Our lives are the only Bible some people will ever read. This is a really scary example of how much people watch us as Christians, and will put us to the test! Always be on guard -- and remember -- You carry the name of Christ on your shoulders when you call yourself 'Christian.'Watch your thoughts; they become words.
Watch your words; they become actions.Watch your actions; they become habits.
Watch your habits; they become character.Watch your character; it becomes your destiny.
If you do not pass this on to somebody, nothing bad will happen; but, if you do, you would have ministered to someone.
The Will of God will never take you to where the Grace of God will not PROTECT you...
Stay FAITHFUL and be GRATEFUL
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
Post election
I don't know about any of you but I am so glad this election is over. I am sure that there will be arm chair quarterbacks who will debate ad infinitum about what went right and what went wrong for their candidates. I would like to propose a sabbath from political discussions for at least one day. Instead let us focus on what we can do to bring about healing in a hurting world, peace with justice, and most of all sharing the blessings of grace that have been given each one of us. The presidential campaign has gone on too long and has been so negatively run that it has done more to split and polorize people than to speak to issues that we are facing as a nation. It is time to cease and become the great nation that we can be.
Join me in this cause for at least one day. I would propose that this Sunday be a day of Thanksgiving and healing. For one day let us not talk politics for one day. Maybe it could catch on and we could take a sabbath from political statements and work towards becoming more involved with our families, our churches, synagogues, temples, and even to spend time enjoying this world God has created for us.
We could start early and spread the idea.
Join me in this cause for at least one day. I would propose that this Sunday be a day of Thanksgiving and healing. For one day let us not talk politics for one day. Maybe it could catch on and we could take a sabbath from political statements and work towards becoming more involved with our families, our churches, synagogues, temples, and even to spend time enjoying this world God has created for us.
We could start early and spread the idea.
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