Haloo.
I am in the office at North Shore right now looking over my new diggs. It ia a sad state of affairs. I know that I should not be so picky, but there is not interenet connection that I can find in the space. The office is part storage room, part communications center (read: fax machine is hidden here). I think it will be fine for 10 weeks. I just know that some of my time will be spent twiddling my thumbs and "being available" for pastoral visits etc at church. I would rather I spend some of that twiddling online. You know?
New Years day was good. We come home around midday. I napped on the couch. Watched Georgia win. Saw most of Michigan's eggregious arsewhoopin'. I feel divided about that one. One one hand I want to support MI because Susie and myriad others are fans. On the other hand, the BCS polls are useless. It was good to see that proven in such a clear way. Huzzah.
Sorry, Susie.
I have been playing with sermon ideas. I do not want to beat a dead horse, but what do you guys think...using Tolkein's quote about the drama and humanity of the Blessed Sacrament, I am thinking that we typically do not perceive it that way. It is a duty and no more. It is an obligation, an ordinance for us Baptists, and no more. We do not bring ourselves to the table. the manger, the cross in any way because we do not realize what it is that has been done on our behalf.
We get more into BCS polls and mega-million dollar blockbuster films than we get into God. I feel like David Cunningham here. That is not alltogether bad, is it?
I do not expect roaring crowds at the elevation. What I would like to proclaim, however, is that the Lord's Supper is a transforming event in our lives. All of who we are, all of who God is, is wrapped up in this event. This is birth, life, death and resurrection in a single moment. Do you need more to move you? If so, maybe you are not paying attention.
Perhaps this is too strong a statement reflecting more of my own frustration and less of what God wants to tell God's people.
Posted by tripp at January 2, 2004 09:36 AMto Justin: Yes, Cool Whip, and don't forget to Kodak.
to Tripp: Just do it. God gave you your own
unique voice. Listen to it and let it out.
All: just saw "The Company" which looks at the
creative process of the Joffrey Ballet of Chicago. Absolutely loved! All this talk of
nuptials, I would gladly "marry" the Joffrey
Ballet of Chicago. The movie has received flack
because it has no plot or storyline. I love that
it doesn't -- it focuses on process and gives glimpses of personal lives. No sensationalized Hollywood. The dance pieces are absolutely wonderful!
Tripp -- how do you know whether or not people are bringing themselves to the table?
Posted by: Megan at January 2, 2004 11:29 AMIsn't it possible that at least some of "your own frustration" has as it's source "what God wants to tell God's people?"
Preach what you're given, bro.
Posted by: Jane Ellen at January 2, 2004 11:34 AMDude,
Just go for it. I have a feeling it may be heard more than you think.
jt
Posted by: justin at January 2, 2004 11:42 AMTripp, does it surprise you that your Baptist contemporaries don't share Tolkien's Catholic enthusiasm for the eucharist? Does the denominational distinction shed any new light?
(If I really wanted to push my luck, I'd ask, why are you so sure you're a Baptist?)
Posted by: Megan at January 2, 2004 12:17 PMTripp, if you're looking for roaring crowds, try Willow Creek. It sounds like you are voicing a fairly common clergy opinion: "Why don't these people take this as seriously as they should?" I had to deal with that as an acolyte director, youth group leader, lector instructor, etc etc etc. We need to avoid projecting our own sense of importance onto other people, let the Spirit work as it will, and be thankful for the people with whom we are in the midst.
Sports teams often reflect the personality of their coaches. Maybe by your preaching on how important this stuff is, that will be reflected in your congregation.
Peace
Posted by: Reverend Ref at January 2, 2004 06:21 PMThanks for the thinking about rooting for my team... after watching our offensive line let Navarre get sacked 8 or 9 times, I'm not sure we deserved it anyway. boo hoo.
Why does our excitement for God have to be in competition with our excitement about other things? I sometimes think that looking at what we already know has been transforming in our lives- but is "safe" to talk about- can help us understand God's transforming power in our lives.
Posted by: Susie at January 4, 2004 09:20 PM