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"people should have to pay to go to church and theater should be free"
Thursday, October 29, 2009
MORE MUSINGS FROM MEXICOTwo things crossed my desk today, each from my home town of Brewer Maine. The first was an email from a former classmate apprising me of the death of another classmate from High School. The other was an announcement that the Boy Scouts Troop of which I was a member had turned 100 years old. Both of these news items, together, combined to cause a rush of memories of my childhood.
Brenda's death touched me far deeper than any friendship we had during High School. I recall several opportunities when I could have been a better friend and wasn't. You see, Brenda was physically challenged to the point that she eventually became a quadriplegic. She was handicapped even more by the ignorance and intolerance of the community and sometimes me. I don't make apologies for my behavior, or lack of action, to be more specific. I was a kid and moved in different circles than did Brenda. But on the occasions when our paths did cross, I was frequently less than kind and sometimes downright hurtful.
I would love to rationalize my behavior away as that of a young kid who didn't know any better. The problem is, though, I did know better. I was raised to know better. I had been a jerk and knew it. As happens, Brenda and I never connected again after High School, both she and I moved away, me to the Navy, Viet Nam, and marriage, and she (I just found out) to State government, where she was a driving force in Maine becoming aware of the handicapped and their special needs.
Call it karma, fate, or destiny, but 40+ years later I do have the opportunity to atone for whatever slights I did to Brenda. Some of you may know that my wife is now handicapped and dependent on my assistance for her daily needs. God does work in mysterious ways.
The second piece of news was about Boy Scout Troop reaching the 100 year milestone. As a boy and continuing into my teens I was involved in scouting. I was a Cub Scout, Boy Scout (in Troop 1) and an Explorer Scout. These organizations made up much of my 'out of family' life as a child. What I remember most was the freedom to make mistakes, with the expectation that we learned from those mistakes. Each week we were expected to show up at a meeting, dress a certain way, be clean and act right. We performed rituals that included attention to God and Country. We learned to undertake tasks with the expectation that we completed these tasks on time and in the desired format. Our leaders made no secret that the Scouts was a place to learn how to be a 'man'. Weaknesses were challenged but never exploited. Leadership qualities were encouraged and rewarded. We (I) learned that being a good follower was also OK.
I'm not sure that these qualities are taught today. I wonder if children are encouraged to try new things with the possibility of failure. I sometimes see parents talk of failure as a four letter word. The ability to fail builds character. We were allowed to put ourselves in harms way, under supervision, and when we failed, it was a learning opportunity, not a time for ridicule. I still have the scars from a fall onto the “big rockies” while on an Explorer outing to Beach Hill Lake. I was fearless and careless. I lost my footing on a boulder and opened up my knee. Our leader, Gardner Reed, had to leave the group and take me home. I felt terrible. Not for the cut and new stitches, but because I would have to suffer the teasing from my friends. The teasing lasted about a day, the lessons from that day still serve me today.
Recently it seems that the only time I hear about friends from High School is in the obituaries. I guess that is to expected, but not welcomed. I am a better person because of the Scouts. And I can now understand how my choices very often result in consequences unimaginable at the time.
Brenda's death touched me far deeper than any friendship we had during High School. I recall several opportunities when I could have been a better friend and wasn't. You see, Brenda was physically challenged to the point that she eventually became a quadriplegic. She was handicapped even more by the ignorance and intolerance of the community and sometimes me. I don't make apologies for my behavior, or lack of action, to be more specific. I was a kid and moved in different circles than did Brenda. But on the occasions when our paths did cross, I was frequently less than kind and sometimes downright hurtful.
I would love to rationalize my behavior away as that of a young kid who didn't know any better. The problem is, though, I did know better. I was raised to know better. I had been a jerk and knew it. As happens, Brenda and I never connected again after High School, both she and I moved away, me to the Navy, Viet Nam, and marriage, and she (I just found out) to State government, where she was a driving force in Maine becoming aware of the handicapped and their special needs.
Call it karma, fate, or destiny, but 40+ years later I do have the opportunity to atone for whatever slights I did to Brenda. Some of you may know that my wife is now handicapped and dependent on my assistance for her daily needs. God does work in mysterious ways.
The second piece of news was about Boy Scout Troop reaching the 100 year milestone. As a boy and continuing into my teens I was involved in scouting. I was a Cub Scout, Boy Scout (in Troop 1) and an Explorer Scout. These organizations made up much of my 'out of family' life as a child. What I remember most was the freedom to make mistakes, with the expectation that we learned from those mistakes. Each week we were expected to show up at a meeting, dress a certain way, be clean and act right. We performed rituals that included attention to God and Country. We learned to undertake tasks with the expectation that we completed these tasks on time and in the desired format. Our leaders made no secret that the Scouts was a place to learn how to be a 'man'. Weaknesses were challenged but never exploited. Leadership qualities were encouraged and rewarded. We (I) learned that being a good follower was also OK.
I'm not sure that these qualities are taught today. I wonder if children are encouraged to try new things with the possibility of failure. I sometimes see parents talk of failure as a four letter word. The ability to fail builds character. We were allowed to put ourselves in harms way, under supervision, and when we failed, it was a learning opportunity, not a time for ridicule. I still have the scars from a fall onto the “big rockies” while on an Explorer outing to Beach Hill Lake. I was fearless and careless. I lost my footing on a boulder and opened up my knee. Our leader, Gardner Reed, had to leave the group and take me home. I felt terrible. Not for the cut and new stitches, but because I would have to suffer the teasing from my friends. The teasing lasted about a day, the lessons from that day still serve me today.
Recently it seems that the only time I hear about friends from High School is in the obituaries. I guess that is to expected, but not welcomed. I am a better person because of the Scouts. And I can now understand how my choices very often result in consequences unimaginable at the time.
"people should have to pay to go to church and theater should be free"
Saturday, October 24, 2009
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
IF I MAY HAVE YOUR ATTENTION FOR A MOMENT
I was shopping at the local supermarket yesterday and happened to overhear a conversation between a couple. This would not be remarkable except that they were speaking English. And that would not be remarkable unless you remember that I live in Mexico.
Ken and Michele Trapnell are, it turns out, missionaries in a small town south of here. We had a very enjoyable conversation and agreed to exchange email address and web site info.
Over the last two days I have researched this couple and their commitment to Mexico and to Jesus Christ. Both are solid and strong. So here is the reason for this message.
Support this mission!!!
Mexico Medical Missions delivers the goods.
They walk the talk, it's that simple
Please check out their web site.
So, when you're in the next meeting of your church group or social club, or even if you have a calling to help on a personal level, remember Mexico Medical Missions as a place where your energy and resourses will have a maximum impact.
Also, please feel free to forward this message to your contacts across the web. Thanks
"people should have to pay to go to church and theater should be free"
I was shopping at the local supermarket yesterday and happened to overhear a conversation between a couple. This would not be remarkable except that they were speaking English. And that would not be remarkable unless you remember that I live in Mexico.
Ken and Michele Trapnell are, it turns out, missionaries in a small town south of here. We had a very enjoyable conversation and agreed to exchange email address and web site info.
Over the last two days I have researched this couple and their commitment to Mexico and to Jesus Christ. Both are solid and strong. So here is the reason for this message.
Support this mission!!!
Mexico Medical Missions delivers the goods.
They walk the talk, it's that simple
Please check out their web site.
So, when you're in the next meeting of your church group or social club, or even if you have a calling to help on a personal level, remember Mexico Medical Missions as a place where your energy and resourses will have a maximum impact.
Also, please feel free to forward this message to your contacts across the web. Thanks
"people should have to pay to go to church and theater should be free"
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
FINAL ESSAY FOR THE COURSE
THE FOUR GOSPELS
REV. ROBERT JAMES SHAND MS, D.DIV.
http://freechurch.faithweb.com
As a minister of The Free Church of Universal Life, I have a close personal connection to all of the gospels of Jesus the Nazarene. This course both challenged and frustrated me on several levels. After many years of study and research of the “alternate” gospels, I found myself confronted with this seemingly simple interpretation of the four traditionally accepted gospels. The text presented these books in a way that was both simplistic and enlightening. This text even further confirmed my belief that there was only one source for all of these gospels. As presented, the gospels are almost a verbatim narration of one story that was circulated throughout early Christendom. This is not surprising, however. When Jesus sent his followers out to teach in His name, they took with them the oral narrative of the life of Jesus. And in at least one situation, this narrative was written down and circulated to the early Church. The original version of this written story is lost to history. But what we now read as the four gospels of the Bible, I believe, is a close approximation of that early text. That the 4th century Christian leaders who met to determine the “true” Bible saw these four narratives as inspired by God is not that difficult to understand. Imagine being in a crowded room with hundreds of people, each with particular points of view and a cannons of beliefs that seem either too conservative or liberal to those you profess. And during these weeks and months of deliberations four stories seem to surface, each from a different country, written in a different language, and each being put forth as the “truth”. In those days, only one or two generations away from paganism and polytheism in Rome, seeing four documents stating essentially the same exact thing must have seem divine. After much discussion and debate, these early Christian leaders could agree that these four nearly identical stories must present the true account of the life and ministry of Jesus.
This theory is not intended to diminish the importance of the Word. It only highlights the need to read and understand other narratives of the teachings of Jesus. I believe that Jesus the Nazarene was, and is, the Messiah sent by God, the Creator. But, the four gospels do not present the entire teachings of Jesus. In recent history we have been able to see and read other documents which shed more light on Jesus the Nazarene and his life and teachings. These new texts allow for a rethink of the four traditional gospels. It is important to note that none of the new documents suggest anything that pulls the gospels into question or that might diminish Jesus and his teachings. The one exception might be that Jesus may not have actually died on the cross and ascended to heaven, but lived to marry and have children. Even if that was true, it doesn't take away from His message. But that is another essay.
This theory is not intended to diminish the importance of the Word. It only highlights the need to read and understand other narratives of the teachings of Jesus. I believe that Jesus the Nazarene was, and is, the Messiah sent by God, the Creator. But, the four gospels do not present the entire teachings of Jesus. In recent history we have been able to see and read other documents which shed more light on Jesus the Nazarene and his life and teachings. These new texts allow for a rethink of the four traditional gospels. It is important to note that none of the new documents suggest anything that pulls the gospels into question or that might diminish Jesus and his teachings. The one exception might be that Jesus may not have actually died on the cross and ascended to heaven, but lived to marry and have children. Even if that was true, it doesn't take away from His message. But that is another essay.
"people should have to pay to go to church and theater should be free"
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