Category: Uncategorized
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Abundant Scarcity
Sometimes it seems like we live in an oxymoron world. The Covid pandemic has highlighted the fragile nature of all those things held as dependable and constant. For those who worry about the future of their church there is bleak hope. The unknown, if not the questionable future of our church, produces tightfisted generosity. The part of me that wants to show my support and response to God’s love, is woven together with my fear of a thinly crowded church. It conjures up the picture of a neon motel “vacant” sign next to the “all are welcome” banner. It seems…
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Of Letters and Preambles
For me, except for the occasional thank you note and a “Christmas letter” or two, receiving a handwritten letter is becoming increasingly uncommon. Odd really, because nowadays so many people would rather text than talk. When I was dating, writing letters, and sending notes was natural. I actually looked forward to the mail arriving, and excited when the gift of a letter was delivered. There is nothing quite like a well written and carefully crafted letter. If you want to compare generations; how they thought and expressed themselves, read the letters between Jefferson and Adams, of Henry David Thoreau, of…
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Strategic Generosity
Making a gift of stock or mutual funds now, locks in the gains and maximizes a gift to your church. The advantage is not having to pay any capital gains tax on the gift of stock. The 2021 stock market returns are in the double digits, with many portfolios up over 20%! These excellent returns offer wonderful opportunities for planning gifts in 2022. Let’s look at how this works. Debbie Donor is planning to write a check of $5,000 to her church this year. Because her stock portfolio has appreciated $30,000, her financial advisor suggests making a gift of stock…
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The Work of Advent
The Advent season began last Sunday. The liturgist read Psalm 25. It began with the words: “To you, O Lord, I lift up my soul.” The soul which was breathed into me by God I lift up to God as an offering of myself. My mortal human self lifts up to God my immortal soul. For the psalmist, it was how the prayer began. Lifting my soul up to God, which was from God, acknowledges that I am the creature and God is the Creator. It also reminds me that my body is indeed a temple because it contains the…
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The 11th Hour of the 11th Day of the 11th Month
The war to end all wars ended on 11/11/1918. With its end, Veteran’s Day was established. In response to the sacrifice of millions lost in the war, the Paris Peace Conference was convened in 1920 and the League of Nations was born. The League of Nations remained in place for 26 years. After yet another world war, the United Nations was formed at the end of the WWII. As I read human history, I’m not sure if the human animal is wired for peace. The way of peace was rejected and destroyed. Jesus, God incarnate, is the source and essence…
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Honoring Our Saints
On November 1st the Church will celebrate All Saint’s Day. Those saints are remembered, as they have generously bequeathed a legacy of endowed funds to the church that they love. However, I fear that we have taken these legacy gifts for granted by treating the endowed funds as merely a financial gift and the recurring income as a bank deposit. When you and I give to the church, through monies in the offering plate or an electronic transfer of funds, those gifts are brought to the altar to be blessed. It was, in fact, God’s blessing that turned an offering…
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Money Means Nothing
Recently I recalled a conversation I had several years ago with a man while attending a spiritual retreat. He was the same age as my dad and shared his same air of humility. I learned that he was a very successful real estate developer. He had experienced several recessions since the 1970’s, and nearly went bankrupt a couple of times. I commented “That must have been very stressful,” and his response shocked me. He was not troubled because making money meant nothing to him. He told me that he could easily live in a studio apartment. Yes, he enjoyed the…
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Ode to Janet Johnson
We lost a dear friend last week. Janet Johnson was the wife of the late Rev. Dr. Lowell Johnson and a mother of 4 children and 6 grandchildren. Janet was a young 87-year-old in that she never stopped learning, sharing, and serving. Upon entering her home, you would see that her family and faith were at the center of her life. I imagine this could be said of many of us who belong to a community of faith, yet Janet shined a light brighter than most. Janet resided at the Deaconess Abundant Life Communities where she was usually the first…
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Of Marriage Vows & Stewardship
A friend of mine got married last week in a United Methodist Church. It was especially touching for me because this weekend my Carol and I are celebrating our 40th anniversary. I emphasized being married within the church because of the covenantal relationship with Christ. While vows are exchanged in a civil ceremony, they are only stated between the couple. In effect, these vows are a contract between people, whereas the covenant is a relationship between the couple and Jesus. In fact, the church uses sacramental language to highlight this covenant. During the wedding ceremony, the pastor states that the…
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Back to School
Today my grandchildren head back to school, albeit with masks and hand sanitizer. I remember my first days of school. I think of the bus rides to and from school, the games at recess, a hot-lunch or a brown bagged lunch, blackboards that became greenboards – but always chalk, bells to mark time that always seemed to go slower than the summertime, and of course the teachers; all good, some great. There were bullies, but thankfully more friends. Friends that still keep in touch, and sadly my best friend Steve, who I remember only in prayer. In twelve years we…