Several Septembers ago we made a trip to this beach house. A former member and young man that I had confirmed had asked that I marry him and his bride on the beach just west of here. It was a joy to be involved! (Though I must confess that I may be a little less thrilled when that same invitation comes from a child that I have baptized!)
The morning before the wedding was to take place I sat in the cottage considering what the preacher might say for this event, eyeing Weather Channel reports that were tracking an incoming hurricane and listening to the winds beginning to pick up outside...when there came a frantic knocking on the front door. A neighbor from across the channel reported that a cleat had pulled away from the dock and the family boat was drifting and threatening to damage the other boats. Together we managed to quickly secure the boat vy walking it up to the next dock where we tied it off in preparation for the coming storm.
I used that image in my sermon on the beach the following day. I mentioned how our human love for one another is never enough to sustain us, but together with God's blessings our relationships can flourish and grow and honor our Maker. God needs a place to attach and anchor His blessings so that we can withstand the storms that are sure to come. God, being a God of covenant, looks to our promises as that place of attachment.
As I look at that same boat this morning my thoughts shift from relationships to the current culture in which we live. Many of us, most assuredly the Gen-Xers, live a largely individualistic existence. Our spirituality is pondered and explored internally. We have no allegiance to or trust of institutions, especially the church. We claim not to understand the complicated dynamics of world politics but don't think we can support our policies abroad, so there is little patriotic allegiance. Our increasing technological capabilities allow us to exist with less and less face time with others. And, as I mentioned earlier in this blogging experiment, there is no meta narrative for younger persons today. We are not connected to any larger story. There is no outside authority, biblical of otherwise, that we turn to for counsel or direction.
When ministering during times of grief Christians often ask, "What do persons do at times like these when they don't have their faith?" Our culture is adrift and in need of anchoring! ...in need of someone to tether it to something (someOne) of eternal value and meaning ...and not just in times of grief. Our way of living is largely disconnected.
The morning before the wedding was to take place I sat in the cottage considering what the preacher might say for this event, eyeing Weather Channel reports that were tracking an incoming hurricane and listening to the winds beginning to pick up outside...when there came a frantic knocking on the front door. A neighbor from across the channel reported that a cleat had pulled away from the dock and the family boat was drifting and threatening to damage the other boats. Together we managed to quickly secure the boat vy walking it up to the next dock where we tied it off in preparation for the coming storm.
I used that image in my sermon on the beach the following day. I mentioned how our human love for one another is never enough to sustain us, but together with God's blessings our relationships can flourish and grow and honor our Maker. God needs a place to attach and anchor His blessings so that we can withstand the storms that are sure to come. God, being a God of covenant, looks to our promises as that place of attachment.
As I look at that same boat this morning my thoughts shift from relationships to the current culture in which we live. Many of us, most assuredly the Gen-Xers, live a largely individualistic existence. Our spirituality is pondered and explored internally. We have no allegiance to or trust of institutions, especially the church. We claim not to understand the complicated dynamics of world politics but don't think we can support our policies abroad, so there is little patriotic allegiance. Our increasing technological capabilities allow us to exist with less and less face time with others. And, as I mentioned earlier in this blogging experiment, there is no meta narrative for younger persons today. We are not connected to any larger story. There is no outside authority, biblical of otherwise, that we turn to for counsel or direction.
When ministering during times of grief Christians often ask, "What do persons do at times like these when they don't have their faith?" Our culture is adrift and in need of anchoring! ...in need of someone to tether it to something (someOne) of eternal value and meaning ...and not just in times of grief. Our way of living is largely disconnected.
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I am now well into the reading of The Missional Church, written by a conglomeration of marvelous authors. I have left the business world now and am back squarely in the realm of theology and ecclesiology. This work is engaging, but a slow 'go.' I look forward to reporting back on it soon.
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After a 55 minute and 10 second conversation with Dell Customer Service on Saturday we determined that the problem with the laptop is a bad read switch. A new palm assembly has been overnighted to the local service tech who is supposed to call my by 11:00 this morning (it is now 11:20) to arrange to come and repair this afternoon. Of course we are operating on "Southern Time" here. Tuesday can often mean "next Tuesday" or "four weeks from Tuesday."
Our plans are to head inland to the family farm outside Salisbury, NC as soon as the repair happens, hopefully today. Then on Monday our itinerary takes us north to a cabin in Maine, a visit with some friends there and more hours of reading. Finding Internet connections becomes a little more challenging at that point, but as I mentioned to Pastor Stephen in an e-note this morning, I suspect that Starbucks has even managed its way to Moosehead Lake.
Blessings and more blessings to you! Thanks again for following along.
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After a 55 minute and 10 second conversation with Dell Customer Service on Saturday we determined that the problem with the laptop is a bad read switch. A new palm assembly has been overnighted to the local service tech who is supposed to call my by 11:00 this morning (it is now 11:20) to arrange to come and repair this afternoon. Of course we are operating on "Southern Time" here. Tuesday can often mean "next Tuesday" or "four weeks from Tuesday."
Our plans are to head inland to the family farm outside Salisbury, NC as soon as the repair happens, hopefully today. Then on Monday our itinerary takes us north to a cabin in Maine, a visit with some friends there and more hours of reading. Finding Internet connections becomes a little more challenging at that point, but as I mentioned to Pastor Stephen in an e-note this morning, I suspect that Starbucks has even managed its way to Moosehead Lake.
Blessings and more blessings to you! Thanks again for following along.
2 comments:
I have friend, who is a missionary in china (shhhh) and he has a picture of himself holding a cup of Starbucks, at the Great Wall during the winter. If they can make it there, I think you'll be about to find one in Maine.
Take lots of pictures!
Considering the 4th and last paragraph.... maybe the 9948 Metcalf CAFE needs to move outside. GodBucks, it's on every corner, in every city. . . .and it's free, the price has been paid. Instead of the expected people at stoplights holding fireboots for donations, we are serving, face to face. Is Metcalf being widened for us? Hmmmmmmm . . . .
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