Transitions
Earlier this afternoon I was thinking about the change in my life coming soon. The thought was simple. In 15 days I will no longer be the pastor of a church. Whether this is a permanent shift in my ministry or just one that God wants for a given time, is beyond me. I don't even really want to know the answer to that. All I know is that the call is shifting within, around, and beneath me. It is not the way it used to be, even a few short years ago. I am excited about the possibilities and afraid of the change. (Yes, even those of us who think we are change agents hate change when it happens to us!) Will keep you posted.
So, these two quotes from Laura's blog, Been There...Still There struck home after these months of wondering what God is up to in my life:
"Never think that God's delays are God's denials. Hold on; hold fast; hold out. Patience is genius."
-- Count de Buffon
"Those who turn back know only the ordeal, but they who persevere remember the adventure."
-- Milo L. Arnold
I have noticed a seeming shift in political rhetoric over the years. Perhaps it has always been there and the news media just wasn't as always present with having to fill air-time 24/7/365. But I am truly saddened by the way people on both sides of issues make everything, absolutely everything, into an attack on the opposition. The recent capture of Saddam Hussein is just the latest example. When we should all be rejoicing that he was captured and will hopefully be brought to justice, we have fallen into being so damn picky over everything including whether they should have shown the videos. I understand the concept of "loyal opposition" and the need for there always to be a critical eye from others. I know that the two-party system of democracy encourages disagreement- and should. But there has to be a better way than to ALWAYS be AGAINST anything the other side says or does.
I am not a fan of George W. His arrogance and cowboy attitudes bother me. But I am actually impressed by some of what he has done and applaud his work. Did he lie - or stretch the truth- before the war? Did LBJ lie- or stretch the truth- at the Gulf of Tonkin non-incident? Did FDR know about Pearl Harbor and hide it? Did Richard Nixon- no, not a good one! Reagan and Iran-Contra. Clinton and a lot of things. What we are facing today is a nation that doesn't seem to know how to get along with the opposition. I hope that it is only a temporary thing. I pray deeply that it won't take another 9/11-type attack to wake us up to the possibilities of working together.
[On a note from history- I am also very aware that this has been an American tradition for our entire life as a nation. Last year I read the biography of John Adams and was struck by the incredible hatred and nastiness that went on toward him and others by people we regard as high moral examples of our Founding Fathers. I am not living in a utopian fantasy. I am a realist. But I do think we need to continue to find ways to be civil in our disagreements and be willing to say good things about our opponents when they deserve it.]
RSS?
Phil over at Signposts has requested that I have an effective RSS feed. Gee, I didn't know I didn't. Will be VERY happy to have one that works effectively. Give some feedback and will get it done as a Christmas Gift to the many disappointed fans of PMPilgrim who would like it. I have been thinking about moving this to Moveable Type which I do have or even to Typepad, but have basically been lazy (or cheap.) Perhaps this will spur me into action. :>)
