A MODERN CREED

I recently stumbled across the writings of a British journalist and poet named Steve Turner. He wrote a poem that captures alot of the hypocricy and duplicity in our modern thinking and world. If you like satire you will appreciate this piece; it is both humorous and true
“Creed”
We believe in Marx, Freud,and Darwin
We believe everything is OK
as long as you don’t hurt anyone
to the best of your definition of hurt,
and to the best of your knowledge.

We believe in sex before, during, and after marriage.
We believe in the therapy of sin.
We believe that adultery is fun.
We believe that sodomy’s OK.
We believe that taboos are taboo.

We believe that everything’s getting better
despite evidence to the contrary.
The evidence must be investigated
And you can prove anything with evidence.

We believe there’s something in horoscopes UFO’s and bent spoons.
Jesus was a good man just like Buddha, Muhammed, and ourselves.
He was a good moral teacher though we think
His good morals were bad.

We believe that all religions are basically the same-at least the one that we read was.
They all believe in love and goodness.
They only differ on matters of creation,
sin, heaven, hell, God, and salvation.

We believe that after death comes the Nothing
Because when you ask the dead what happens they say nothing.
If death is not the end, if the dead have lied, then its
compulsory heaven for all excepting perhaps
Hitler, Stalin, and Genghis Kahn

We believe in Masters and Johnson
What’s selected is average.
What’s average is normal.
What’s normal is good.

We believe in total disarmament.
We believe there are direct links between warfare and bloodshed.
Americans should beat their guns into tractors.
And the Russians would be sure to follow.

We believe that man is essentially good.
It’s only his behavior that lets him down.
This is the fault of society.
Society is the fault of conditions.
Conditions are the fault of society.

We believe that each man must find the truth that is right for him.
Reality will adapt accordingly.
The universe will readjust.
History will alter.
We believe that there is no absolute truth
excepting the truth
that there is no absolute truth.

We believe in the rejection of creeds,
And the flowering of individual thought.

If chance be the Father of all flesh,
disaster is his rainbow in the sky
and when you hear

State of Emergency!
Sniper Kills Ten!
Troops on Rampage!
Whites go Looting!
Bomb Blasts School!
It is but the sound of man
worshiping his maker.

A Whole New World

There is a big shift out there in this world. I feel the separation growing between computer users and none computer users in my life. When I was in seminary I focused so much on building a great library so that my sermon prep would not be limited to what I knew. The internet in several ways has made my library much less critical. I have been luggin around boxes and boxes of very heavy books for years in anticipation of someday using them to prepare sermons. I'm a pastor now and I don't use them much at all. I have instant access to the most current scholarly articles and research avaiable to me at my fingertips. Sermon prep is a lot easier. communication and planning are a couple of other things that are changing because of online access. Recently a friend of mine introduced me to a website that is dedicated to enabling people to plan better and meet less. It can greatly reduce the number of meetings in your life. Your weakly, monthly, quarterly calendars can be online and the discussion and input is open to every member of your team who can view and comment on the calendar. It improves comunication. It speeds up how much contact we have. I recently met a young man at church. We invited him to dinner. From the 5 minute conversation I was able to find him online, facebook him, see pictures of his family, visit their family business online and really get a good look at and understanding of him before I even officially had an introductory meeting with him. Our abilty to communicate quickly with others who live online is incredible. Facebook, myspace, and plaxo, are just a few of the websites dedicated to connecting us and keeping us connected. Mass comunication at the touch of a button is here. I'm excited about these changes but I'm also being a little cautious. Not everyone in our faith community has arrived not everyone wants to commit to living life at the touch of a button. Somehow bridging these two worlds is going to be tricky. I do not want to be left behind and I don't want to be a leader who leaves others behind. Who are you introducing to your new world? Are you inviting other generations and family members to be a part of this journey to a new world. My admonission is to slow things down and bring those we love along for the ride. Don't blow by the signs others are left holding that indicate they need direction to even enter the conversation you are having about your new online world.
Invite, share, expalin, and train. Lets make sure everyone who wants to walk with us can. I was so excited awhile back when one of our senior leaders jumped into the mix and created a profile on facebook. She is one of 10 people I'm connected with who are over 60 years old and pushing forward in this brave new world. "Carpe Diem"

seasons

Years ago I saw a tree that marked my soul. Now all other trees get measured by that one. Everything else is compared to this mental image that I have of this luminated beauty in all its fabulous fall regalia. So far none have ever compared.

The first year I moved here (WI) I caught (about) 10 Muskie and 10 big Norther Pike. Nothing has compared since. This year was pretty dismal as far as gettin it done out on the lakes. The season is ending. I'm running outta time! Once again old man winter is shuffling slowly into town. I hate to hear those footsteps.

Sometimes I feel like I have locked myself into a room of discontentment. What is it that drives me to always be looking for the next best thing? There are times When I have unplugged from that pursuit and have felt contentment, appreciation and simplicity come back to me.

The seasons are going to change in my life again. I have never been more aware of how precious time is. I am deploying to Iraq soon. Very soon I will not have time each day to spend with my family. I don't want this change. I am content here. I am happy. Couldn't the Lord just move things around so I wouldn't have to go?

I think I know what is best for me, for my life! I know what I need the most...Don't I? The folly of this whole line of thinking seems so obvious to me when I'm writing about it or talking to someone else about it but in my day to day life I still struggle with acknowledging who is responsible for best moments of my life. I still struggle with giving God glory for the things he has made and the things he has provided.

If I am happy it is because of him. If I see the world's most beautiful tree it was a gift from him and if I catch anything while fising it is because of his wisdom and grace.

Failing to move forward with the Lord, when he leads causes great discontentment.
When we follow the Isrealites we see this in their wonderings. I don't want us to get stuck in this trap. Lead on! Lord I will follow.

Proverbs 19:23 "The fear of the LORD leads to life: Then one rests content, untouched by trouble" (NIV).
Philippians 4:11-12 "I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. 12 I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation" (NIV).