A letter to the editor in our local newspaper was from an atheist who was taking exception to what a vocal Christian had written in the same paper. It was clear from the editorial that all the argumentation and debate had produced no concensus and no faith.
The argumentation and negative results make you wonder if there isn’t a better way to talk about one’s faith. Is debate really that effective? Can you change someone’s mind through debate and elaborate argumentation?
Amazing how important everything seems at the moment. Until…
Illness strikes. Weather destroys. Loss occurs. In a second, everything changes. As in the case of Greensburg, Kansas that was blown away by a mile wide tornado.
Tom Bustos sent me two versions of a header for my blog. I have now posted the second version, called Neon.
I’d love to know what you think. Votes are most welcomed. Leave a comment below about which you prefer.
The alarm went off at 5:30 this morning. Considering it is Saturday, that is obscene. Saturday is my one sleep-in day. But I didn’t have any seconds to spare.
After showering I sat down with breakfast and my remarks for 10:00. I ate breakfast and did some last minute editing. It wasn’t a big deal, but I still needed to make sure everything was copasetic. Done.
My first appointment was at the Junior Olympics. Our Kiwanis club staffs the concession booth and provides manpower for the various events. I couldn’t stay the whole morning because of another event.
It was the second year in a row that I had to leave early. Since our club is small, I felt bad leaving early, but it was unavoidable. Times like this remind me of how important even one person is.
At 10:00 I had to be at the SPCA Dog Walk. It’s an annual fundraiser for their shelter which is a no-kill shelter. I welcome such opportunities because they give me contact with lots of people. I also like Roy and Karyn Johnson who run the shelter.
One of the things that I’ve enjoyed about this church plant is that I get to work at creating community contacts. Too often churches quit doing this as they mature and retreat to private campuses.
I hated getting up at 5:30, but I loved being able to mix with so many people.
A friend of mine contacted me last week. We have not seen each other for years. The e-mail said, “It appears that you and I have arrived at similar places.”
I’d call what he was describing a “philosophical six degrees of separation.” Even though people may be separated by miles and time, they often find that that are linked together by lessons learned, conclusions drawn, and decisions made. Convergence that transcends miles.
Our proximity in spite of distance is not unusual. Others are having similar experiences. Common to all is a basic cynicism that existing church culture cannot be changed and a belief that to reach the world with the gospel requires leaving traditional church organization and going “outside.”
He described his situation and resulting frustrations. I must say, I found it odd to be sitting outside that context. Even though I spent years in it, his context now seems like a distant memory to me. Like recalling a house I used to live in as a child or a place once traveled to.
I hope he has the courage to make needed changes. It is risky business, to be sure, but it is also the path to a more joyful life.
Last Saturday evening Playhouse Merced had its first Season Preview, and it was a lovely evening. Attendees got to see a piece from each of the 12 shows that are going to be presented in the 2007–2008 season.
The Season Preview gave Playhouse Merced an opportunity to showcase its talent and also give the attendees a reason to be curious and delighted about the upcoming season. I think season ticket sales will increase because of it.
One of the things that occurred to me was how much people enjoy any opportunity to come together for fun and conversation. The lobby of the Tower Theater was lined with tables of food. Soft drinks, beer, and wine could be ordered at the theater counter.
I asked a couple of people today if they enjoyed it. The response was unanimous. “We had a good time.”
Laughter and good cheer are contagious.
MonoLogue 