Fits the themes from Hebrews (our recent Sunday message focus):
For as man, [Jesus] is mediator, but as the Word, he is in no middle place, since he is equal to God, and God with God, and together one God. . . .
For us, he is before you [God the Father] both victor and victim, and therefore victor for the reason that he is victim. For us, before you, he is both priest and sacrifice, and therefore priest because sacrifice, making us your sons instead of servants, by being born of you, and by becoming servants to us.
Confessions, 10.43.68-69
Monday, July 13, 2009
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
Saturday, July 4, 2009
Happy 233rd!
A happy 233rd birthday to the USA, amid all the other festivities ... Serena beats Venus in the Wimbleton Sister Slam, Lance rides again in the first day of the Tour de France, and Robin and I remember the 20th anniversary of our engagement (July 1 1989).Some specific thanks to God that our nation values individual civil liberties, that those who protest (and I passed a few protesters on the way back from the beach today) our government are not arrested or killed. Our freedoms of expression and religion are incredible gifts, ones that I am very glad were added to the Constitution in the Bill of Rights. But our 233rd anniversary is not for the Constitution but for the Declaration of Independence. Abraham Lincoln recognized that the Declaration was the first document and that its values (particularly the self-evident truth that "all men are created equal") helped to interpret the Constitution (which at that time did not include slaves among "created equal").
So, I am also thankful for the vision of our founders that continues to shape our history, and to those who risk their lives for these self-evident truths. (Pics are from the Lincoln and WWII memorial, with the Washington Monument in the background, in DC)
Thursday, June 25, 2009
New Member
Meg, presented by Tammy, at the 11:15 service on Father's Day (and Meg's birthday). Congratulations and welcome!
US wins!
For the first time ever, the US national men's soccer team beat Spain. And, it was only the second time our squad has ever won against the current world #1. And, it was in the semifinals of the 2009 Confederations Cup in South Africa. Check out the highlight video!
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
Iconography
From The Clark, an art museum in Williamstown, the Berkshires. An icon by Ugolino di Nerio, circa 1317-1321, of The Virgin and Child with Saints Francis, Andrew, Paul, Peter, Stephen, and Louis of Toulouse (left to right). Click on the detail pics for a better view of the halos and some interesting images in Peter's face.
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
Business & Mission
Two interesting resources:
Our Central PA Conference Mission Coordinator, Ken Mengel, is bicycling across the USA to raise funds for bed nets to prevent malaria. It is part of the Nothing but Nets campaign supported by The United Methodist Church, the NBA, Major League Soccer, and other organizations. Check out his blog, including pics.
Kiva is a non-profit that specializes in providing micro-finance loans to entrepreneurs in the developing world. (They have also recently partnered with micro-finance providers in the USA as well.) It is a wonderful organization. Check out a recent article in the Stanford Social Innovation Review or Robin and my Kiva lender page.
Our Central PA Conference Mission Coordinator, Ken Mengel, is bicycling across the USA to raise funds for bed nets to prevent malaria. It is part of the Nothing but Nets campaign supported by The United Methodist Church, the NBA, Major League Soccer, and other organizations. Check out his blog, including pics.
Kiva is a non-profit that specializes in providing micro-finance loans to entrepreneurs in the developing world. (They have also recently partnered with micro-finance providers in the USA as well.) It is a wonderful organization. Check out a recent article in the Stanford Social Innovation Review or Robin and my Kiva lender page.
Sunday, June 21, 2009
At the Base of the Mount
Saddle Ball Mountain (3247') ... we reached the top and then continued along the ridgeline to the peak of the tallest mountain in Massachusetts, Mount Greylock (3491'). It was our first hike on our vacation week, a refreshing time away - three days of hiking and one at an art museum.
Trembling Hearts
From Augustine’s Confessions, X.39.64:
In all such things and in like perils and hardships, you behold my trembling heart. Over and over, I feel my wounds, not so much as inflicted upon me, but rather as healed by you.
In all such things and in like perils and hardships, you behold my trembling heart. Over and over, I feel my wounds, not so much as inflicted upon me, but rather as healed by you.
Analogically Faulty
"Long separated by cruel fate, the star-crossed lovers raced across the grassy field toward each other like two freight trains, one having left Cleveland at 6:36 p.m. traveling at 55 m.p.h., the other from Topeka at 7:47 p.m. at a speed of 35 m.p.h."
From "Worst Analogies Ever Written in a High School Essay", The Washington Post, cited in Thomas Cathcart & Daniel Klein, Plato and a Platypus Walk into a Bar . . . Understanding Philosophy through Jokes, p 38.
From "Worst Analogies Ever Written in a High School Essay", The Washington Post, cited in Thomas Cathcart & Daniel Klein, Plato and a Platypus Walk into a Bar . . . Understanding Philosophy through Jokes, p 38.
Determinism and Free Will
Moses, Jesus, and a bearded old man are playing golf. Moses drives a long one, which lands on the fairway but rolls directly toward the pond. Moses raises his club, parts the water, and the ball rolls safely to the other side.
Jesus also hits a long one toward the same pond, but just as it’s about to land in the center, it hovers above the surface. Jesus casually walks out on the pond and chips it onto the green.
The bearded man’s drive hits a fence and bounces out onto the street, where it caroms off an oncoming truck and back onto the fairway. It’s headed directly for the pond, but it lands on a lily pad, where a frog sees it and snatches it into his mouth. An eagle swoops down, grabs the frog, and flies away. As the eagle and frog pass over the green, the frog drops the ball, and it lands in the cup for a hole-in-one.
Moses turns to Jesus and says, "I hate playing with your dad."
From Thomas Cathcart & Daniel Klein, Plato and a Platypus Walk into a Bar . . . Understanding Philosophy through Jokes, p 22.
Jesus also hits a long one toward the same pond, but just as it’s about to land in the center, it hovers above the surface. Jesus casually walks out on the pond and chips it onto the green.
The bearded man’s drive hits a fence and bounces out onto the street, where it caroms off an oncoming truck and back onto the fairway. It’s headed directly for the pond, but it lands on a lily pad, where a frog sees it and snatches it into his mouth. An eagle swoops down, grabs the frog, and flies away. As the eagle and frog pass over the green, the frog drops the ball, and it lands in the cup for a hole-in-one.
Moses turns to Jesus and says, "I hate playing with your dad."
From Thomas Cathcart & Daniel Klein, Plato and a Platypus Walk into a Bar . . . Understanding Philosophy through Jokes, p 22.
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
Annual Conference
No, it isn't an educational event or an inspirational event. It is an "entity". In The United Methodist world, the "annual conference" is the main regional identity, led by a bishop and district superintendents. All the clergy, along with delegates from each church (ours is Chris K.) are members of "conference". Once a year (this week, Thursday through Saturday), we get together en masse at Messiah College to conduct business, worship, celebrate ordinations, swap stories, discuss the Scriptures, eat popcorn. I serve, for the first time, as "clergy head teller", a job that gives me permission NOT to sit in my seat. (The tellers count votes, distribute ballots and materials, and keep busy serving the varying needs of the session.) Say your prayers for Chris and I this week, for plenty of rest, for fun along the way, for wisdom for the conference in its business matters.
BCLC yard sale
Great yard sale last Saturday, May 30. Thanks to the BCLC families, the Kitchen Ministry (fabulous apple dumplings, as always), Khris Lehman for her BBQ chicken "experiment", the BCLC staff, church, community ... a wonderful day! And thanks to Dee for the pics.
Baptism
Catching up on posting some pics. Baptism of Collin Matthew, with parents William & Alyssa and grandma Faye, from May 3.
Friday, May 29, 2009
Mother-Child Banquet
A little late on the posting - sorry - but some fun pics from the banquet and our home-grown entertainment. Thanks to George and Dee for the pics.
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
How does your garden grow?
In addition to Sunday worship and the evening PBS concert (excerpted in a YouTube posting), we observed the holiday with two picnic/party gatherings, one on Sunday and the other on Monday, both at our place. Fortunately for us, our friends were willing to get their hands dirty in the flower beds ($3 for gallon perennials at Lowe's over the holiday weekend, plus a bunch of bareroot, fresh dug perennials - mostly Black-eyed Susan and Bee Balm - gifted by a new friend Robin met in the Lowe's checkout line). We love the progression of color, from early bulbs to spring flowering shrubs (the big rhododendron is pictured above) to early perennials to season-long perennials and summer-flowering shrubs. No vegetable garden planned, though we'll grow some herbs and might stash a few odd veggies in some of the remaining gaps. This year, we joined a CSA (Community Supported Agriculture). Each week during the growing season, we'll receive a share of the harvest from a small family farm using organic growing methods and supplying the freshest of local ingredients. We've been interested in doing this for several years, but this is the first time we've done it. Looking forward to some good eating!
Trace Adkins- Til The Last Shot's Fired (Live At National Memorial Day Concert 05/24/2009)
A wonderful conclusion to the National Memorial Day concert on pbs.
Saturday, May 16, 2009
Origin of Species
A great article by the always marvelous Alister McGrath on Augustine, Scripture, science, and Darwin. One paragraph:
Augustine anticipated this point a millennium earlier. Certain biblical passages, he insisted, are genuinely open to diverse interpretations and must not be wedded to prevailing scientific theories. Otherwise, the Bible becomes the prisoner of what was once believed to be scientifically true: "In matters that are so obscure and far beyond our vision, we find in Holy Scripture passages which can be interpreted in very different ways without prejudice to the faith we have received. In such cases, we should not rush in headlong and so firmly take our stand on one side that, if further progress in the search for truth justly undermines our position, we too fall with it."
Augustine anticipated this point a millennium earlier. Certain biblical passages, he insisted, are genuinely open to diverse interpretations and must not be wedded to prevailing scientific theories. Otherwise, the Bible becomes the prisoner of what was once believed to be scientifically true: "In matters that are so obscure and far beyond our vision, we find in Holy Scripture passages which can be interpreted in very different ways without prejudice to the faith we have received. In such cases, we should not rush in headlong and so firmly take our stand on one side that, if further progress in the search for truth justly undermines our position, we too fall with it."
Senseless Violence and CommUNITY
An excerpt below, from the YorkCounts Blog . . . a response to the cross-fire shooting death of Ciara Savage on Mother's Day:
Everywhere I go this week, it comes up: the crossfire killing of 9-year-old Ciara Savage in York on Mother's Day. This tragedy has reverberated through York County like a news event seldom does. And it demands action. Earlier this month, Penn State York held a gang summit, and some powerful speakers made the case that York County needs to find ways to keep our kids safe. But all of their eloquence and passion couldn't come close to making the point the way this senseless death does. And this single incident is tied into a whole range of other issues that stand in the way of making York County a better place to live: improving educational opportunities; providing safe community places for at-risk youth; creating good-paying, family-sustaining jobs that lift people out of poverty; and establishing more affordable housing opportunities across the county.
But on the most basic level, I'll say it again: We need to keep our kids safe. How are we going to do it? The time has passed for letting the passionate volunteers on the gang-prevention coalition try to figure it out by themselves. That group will likely be the leader in developing a broad response, and its next meeting is at 8 a.m. Friday in Penn State York's Conference Center. To join that effort, call Beth Gill-MacDonald at 495-7267 or send e-mail to bxg5@aol.com.
On Sunday, a unity march will bring two sets of marchers to Continental Square: one coming down Duke Street from Crispus Attucks, the other coming down Beaver Street from the Jefferson Center.
(See the entire post.)
Everywhere I go this week, it comes up: the crossfire killing of 9-year-old Ciara Savage in York on Mother's Day. This tragedy has reverberated through York County like a news event seldom does. And it demands action. Earlier this month, Penn State York held a gang summit, and some powerful speakers made the case that York County needs to find ways to keep our kids safe. But all of their eloquence and passion couldn't come close to making the point the way this senseless death does. And this single incident is tied into a whole range of other issues that stand in the way of making York County a better place to live: improving educational opportunities; providing safe community places for at-risk youth; creating good-paying, family-sustaining jobs that lift people out of poverty; and establishing more affordable housing opportunities across the county.
But on the most basic level, I'll say it again: We need to keep our kids safe. How are we going to do it? The time has passed for letting the passionate volunteers on the gang-prevention coalition try to figure it out by themselves. That group will likely be the leader in developing a broad response, and its next meeting is at 8 a.m. Friday in Penn State York's Conference Center. To join that effort, call Beth Gill-MacDonald at 495-7267 or send e-mail to bxg5@aol.com.
On Sunday, a unity march will bring two sets of marchers to Continental Square: one coming down Duke Street from Crispus Attucks, the other coming down Beaver Street from the Jefferson Center.
(See the entire post.)
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
Election
The primary day is coming up - May 19. Two great resources are the county election site, including sample ballots, and the local newspaper Voter's Guide, including responses by candidates to standard questions. Please vote if you are registered. And, if you are not registered, please print and complete the form available at the county election site.
Irrational Exuberance
From an interview with Robert Shiller, author of the book Irrational Exuberance, from Kiplinger's Personal Finance:
Why do you say "stories" are so important in our economic thinking?
Social psychologists argue that the human brain is organized around stories. It's a memory device -- we tend to remember things that are tied to stories. The impact of stories on behavior is a major omission from economic theory. The main story line of the 1990s was the idea that capitalism was triumphant and people didn't want to be left out. The same thing happened with the housing market this decade. People were worried that they'd be left out, so their egos compelled them to take part in the housing boom.
That's probably why the Bible is filled with parables.
Yes, there aren't a whole lot of numbers in the New Testament.
The story of Capitalism's preeminence certainly has taken a beating.
Yes, but our attitude toward business changes from time to time. We hit low points in the 1970s, 1980s and 1990s, and today there's a sense big business was involved in a conspiracy. Anger about that will result in more regulation.
Do you see Americans adopting new values as a result of the turmoil?
It's hard to predict. But I'm hopeful that people will start valuing friendships more and material things less.
See the entire article.
Why do you say "stories" are so important in our economic thinking?
Social psychologists argue that the human brain is organized around stories. It's a memory device -- we tend to remember things that are tied to stories. The impact of stories on behavior is a major omission from economic theory. The main story line of the 1990s was the idea that capitalism was triumphant and people didn't want to be left out. The same thing happened with the housing market this decade. People were worried that they'd be left out, so their egos compelled them to take part in the housing boom.
That's probably why the Bible is filled with parables.
Yes, there aren't a whole lot of numbers in the New Testament.
The story of Capitalism's preeminence certainly has taken a beating.
Yes, but our attitude toward business changes from time to time. We hit low points in the 1970s, 1980s and 1990s, and today there's a sense big business was involved in a conspiracy. Anger about that will result in more regulation.
Do you see Americans adopting new values as a result of the turmoil?
It's hard to predict. But I'm hopeful that people will start valuing friendships more and material things less.
See the entire article.
Friday, May 8, 2009
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
Unpleasant Things
On study retreat at the beach (a pleasant thing, by the way) and polishing off some reading: What's Theology Got to Do with It? by Robinson and The Monkey and the Fish by Gibbons. Also finished up reading in Amos and Ecclesiastes. An interesting note from Ecclesiastes, "the Teacher", on responding to a king: "Do not delay when the matter is unpleasant" (8:3). I was reminded of how easy it is to put off unpleasant but important matters, and how much it helps to have some accountability to "get 'er done". Much better, of course, is the internal drive to accomplish something unpleasant because it is simply the right thing to do.
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