A recent letter to the editor of our local newspaper that has lessons for far more issues than just a noisy train...
“Be careful what you pray for, you just might get it!” is a phrase that comes to mind in the midst of the outcry over the current railroad whistle-gate.
Shortly after moving to our fair city 12 years ago, I heard a presentation from a prominent citizen regarding the benefits of having train service. I scoffed at the idea and questioned the sanity of any corporation that would pay (at that time) close to $1 million a mile to restore rail service.
Fast forward through the years and let the celebrations begin! The efforts were successful and we have restored rail service. What an amazing accomplishment! Except for that annoying whistle that is a legally mandated part of having rail service!
Did anyone not realize or have the foresight to know that with the positive features of having rail service would come the bonus of waiting for trains at their crossings and whistles at all hours? Did those who wanted rail service assume that the trains would run quietly through town at a convenient time when no one would be bothered? The truth is that with progress comes change and with change comes some inconvenience.
I grew up in a town that had not just one train track running through it, but several. My boyhood home still sits three blocks off the tracks. My current residence is three blocks off the track. I hardly notice the whistles and the trains seldom inconvenience me. I suppose I’ve adapted to the change.
My suggestion is that those who are vexed by the noise of the train to do the same. Perhaps ear plugs or noise-cancelling headphones could become a fashion statement? Do they come in Ricebird Red?
With tongue firmly in cheek, I am,
Rev. Keith Gibbons
Friday, February 19, 2010
Friday, February 12, 2010
Three Things That are Never Good for a Pastor
There are three things that can happen in the course of pastoral ministry that are sure signs that you are moving on... They are:
1. Meetings of selected individuals for the purpose of discussing the minister's status with the congregation. The meetings are not openly announced and not every member of the congregation is invited.
2. Having a single family (immediate & extended) make up a large portion of the leadership.
3. Reasons for discontent are easily seen as not the real reasons.
Jesus in Matthew 18:15-17 gives a very clear process of how one is to approach someone with whom they are in disagreement. If followed, there would be a lot less heartache among people.
1. Meetings of selected individuals for the purpose of discussing the minister's status with the congregation. The meetings are not openly announced and not every member of the congregation is invited.
2. Having a single family (immediate & extended) make up a large portion of the leadership.
3. Reasons for discontent are easily seen as not the real reasons.
Jesus in Matthew 18:15-17 gives a very clear process of how one is to approach someone with whom they are in disagreement. If followed, there would be a lot less heartache among people.
Inclusion of Older Posts continued
Thursday, December 4, 2008
"We Don't Have Time for That!"
Typical of last minute Christmas shoppers, a mother was running furiously from store to store. Suddenly she became aware that the pudgy little hand of her three year old son was no longer clutched in hers.
In a panic she retraced her steps and found him standing with his little nose pressed flatly against a frosty window. He was gazing at a manger scene. Hearing his mother’s near hysterical call, he turned and shouted with innocent glee: "Look Mommy! It’s Jesus - baby Jesus in the hay".
With obvious indifference to his joy and wonder, she impatiently jerked him away saying, "We don’t have time for that!" (From "The Wonder of Christmas” by Glenn Pease.)
Amazing, isn’t it? The Creator and Sustainer of the universe has the time to hear and respond to our prayers, meet our needs and give us most of our desires. Yet, we often don’t have time for worship, communion, Bible study and sharing our faith in Jesus with others.
Quite frankly, it isn’t a matter of not having enough time, but a matter of how we choose to live our lives. It is a matter of choosing that which is really important to us and whether we really believe what we claim we believe.
“But when the right time came, God sent his Son …” Galatians 4:4
"We Don't Have Time for That!"
Typical of last minute Christmas shoppers, a mother was running furiously from store to store. Suddenly she became aware that the pudgy little hand of her three year old son was no longer clutched in hers.
In a panic she retraced her steps and found him standing with his little nose pressed flatly against a frosty window. He was gazing at a manger scene. Hearing his mother’s near hysterical call, he turned and shouted with innocent glee: "Look Mommy! It’s Jesus - baby Jesus in the hay".
With obvious indifference to his joy and wonder, she impatiently jerked him away saying, "We don’t have time for that!" (From "The Wonder of Christmas” by Glenn Pease.)
Amazing, isn’t it? The Creator and Sustainer of the universe has the time to hear and respond to our prayers, meet our needs and give us most of our desires. Yet, we often don’t have time for worship, communion, Bible study and sharing our faith in Jesus with others.
Quite frankly, it isn’t a matter of not having enough time, but a matter of how we choose to live our lives. It is a matter of choosing that which is really important to us and whether we really believe what we claim we believe.
“But when the right time came, God sent his Son …” Galatians 4:4
Inclusion of Older Posts continued...
Friday, October 24, 2008
Brussel Spout Theology
Zed grew up in a Brussel Sprout family. In fact, Zed’s family has a long history with Brussel Sprouts. They can trace their digestion of Brussel Sprouts as far back as the 1200’s in Belgium and Northern Europe. Several of Zed’s grandfathers were Brussel Sprout farmers and scholars.
For as long as Zed can remember Brussel Sprouts were served in his family at least twice a week and sometimes more than that! Twice every Sunday and every Wednesday evening was a Brussel Sprout ritual for Zed’s family.
There were times when Zed got tired and bored with Brussel Sprouts, but Mom and Dad (mostly Mom) persisted in explaining the benefits of Brussel Sprouts. Brussel Sprouts are filled with vitamin A, vitamin C, folic acid and dietary fiber and helpful in preventing colon cancer.
As Zed got older, into college, and into life, he decided that he was old enough to make his own decisions regarding Brussel Sprouts. Many of his friends grew up in families where they were allowed to make their own decisions regarding Brussel Sprouts, so he decided that he would do the same. Zed met Nelda and they got married. Nelda grew up in a family that had other preferences regarding vegetables, but their family was as devoted to their vegetable as was Zed’s family. Nelda was happy to let Zed lead, and she agreed to do whatever Zed wanted.
Zed and Nelda began their life together and alternated their vegetables, but never really settled into a consistent pattern. After all, they felt pressured by their parents while they were growing up and were glad to finally be out on their own.
Eventually, Ned and Zelda had two children, Bart and Barb. Both sets of grandparents emphasized the need for regular vegetable consumption for the grandchildren, but Ned and Zelda were content to allow their children to make their own choices.
On special occasions and holidays, Ned, Zelda, Bart and Barb did have Brussel Sprouts. Out of respect for their parents, Ned, Zelda, Bart and Barb did have Brussel Sprouts on Mother’s Day, Father’s Day and some other occasions when they visited back home.
Bart and Barb really enjoyed their time with the grandparents and longed for their parents to serve Brussel Sprouts more often, but Ned and Zelda were set in their ways and always found other things to serve. Brussel Sprouts just aren’t that important to them.
Only time will tell how this story will work out, but the reality is this: Since Brussel Sprouts aren’t that important to Ned and Zelda, it is a near certainty that they won’t be to Bart and Barb.
Note: This story is fiction, although any resemblance to anyone you know is entirely possible. However it isn’t directed at anyone in particular.
Wonder if this has anything to do with church? Consider this from Hebrews: “Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love… not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another…” (Hebrews 10:23-25)
Brussel Spout Theology
Zed grew up in a Brussel Sprout family. In fact, Zed’s family has a long history with Brussel Sprouts. They can trace their digestion of Brussel Sprouts as far back as the 1200’s in Belgium and Northern Europe. Several of Zed’s grandfathers were Brussel Sprout farmers and scholars.
For as long as Zed can remember Brussel Sprouts were served in his family at least twice a week and sometimes more than that! Twice every Sunday and every Wednesday evening was a Brussel Sprout ritual for Zed’s family.
There were times when Zed got tired and bored with Brussel Sprouts, but Mom and Dad (mostly Mom) persisted in explaining the benefits of Brussel Sprouts. Brussel Sprouts are filled with vitamin A, vitamin C, folic acid and dietary fiber and helpful in preventing colon cancer.
As Zed got older, into college, and into life, he decided that he was old enough to make his own decisions regarding Brussel Sprouts. Many of his friends grew up in families where they were allowed to make their own decisions regarding Brussel Sprouts, so he decided that he would do the same. Zed met Nelda and they got married. Nelda grew up in a family that had other preferences regarding vegetables, but their family was as devoted to their vegetable as was Zed’s family. Nelda was happy to let Zed lead, and she agreed to do whatever Zed wanted.
Zed and Nelda began their life together and alternated their vegetables, but never really settled into a consistent pattern. After all, they felt pressured by their parents while they were growing up and were glad to finally be out on their own.
Eventually, Ned and Zelda had two children, Bart and Barb. Both sets of grandparents emphasized the need for regular vegetable consumption for the grandchildren, but Ned and Zelda were content to allow their children to make their own choices.
On special occasions and holidays, Ned, Zelda, Bart and Barb did have Brussel Sprouts. Out of respect for their parents, Ned, Zelda, Bart and Barb did have Brussel Sprouts on Mother’s Day, Father’s Day and some other occasions when they visited back home.
Bart and Barb really enjoyed their time with the grandparents and longed for their parents to serve Brussel Sprouts more often, but Ned and Zelda were set in their ways and always found other things to serve. Brussel Sprouts just aren’t that important to them.
Only time will tell how this story will work out, but the reality is this: Since Brussel Sprouts aren’t that important to Ned and Zelda, it is a near certainty that they won’t be to Bart and Barb.
Note: This story is fiction, although any resemblance to anyone you know is entirely possible. However it isn’t directed at anyone in particular.
Wonder if this has anything to do with church? Consider this from Hebrews: “Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love… not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another…” (Hebrews 10:23-25)
Inclusion of older posts
Wednesday, October 8, 2008
Why Should We Expect Anything Else?
While stopping at the post office this morning, I met up with someone whose outlook on life and the events of this world are always intriguing and challenging (in a positive way) to me.We don’t get to visit as much I would like, so I enjoy the brief times when we do.
I began to vent about the financial messes of the past couple of weeks, the election and the indifference of our world about the things of God. As I vented, this person very calmly stated that they understood that Jesus had said that he was coming back and that the state of the world’s affairs would not be any better than when he left. So why should we expect anything else?
Sometimes the preacher needs preaching to!
As I thought it through, I realized the truth in her statements. Throughout history, God has always responded to the needs of the world when it seemed as if there was no hope. God is always faithful and asks us to do the same.
The world was pretty bad when God called Noah to build the ark.
Israel was in slavery in Egypt before God called Moses to lead them into freedom.
Goliath had Saul’s army terrified and paralyzed as God brought David on the scene.
The Assyrians had Jerusalem surrounded and facing certain defeat as Hezekiah called on God for a miracle.
There was a valley of dry bones come back to life in the days of Ezekiel.
The destroyed walls of Jerusalem and the Temple were rebuilt during the time of Ezra and Nehemiah.
Peter was in jail for sharing the gospel while the Christians prayed and the doors opened.
Paul and Silas were singing in their chains when the chains came loose, the cells opened and an entire family became Christians.
Hebrews 11 is full of examples of God taking care of His faithful people.
So what’s the point? Simply that while we need to be faithful in doing what we know is right and praying that God’s will be done in our nation and individual lives, we must have the faith and trust that regardless of what happens, Jesus is coming again! We shouldn’t expect or be surprised at anything else!
Why Should We Expect Anything Else?
While stopping at the post office this morning, I met up with someone whose outlook on life and the events of this world are always intriguing and challenging (in a positive way) to me.We don’t get to visit as much I would like, so I enjoy the brief times when we do.
I began to vent about the financial messes of the past couple of weeks, the election and the indifference of our world about the things of God. As I vented, this person very calmly stated that they understood that Jesus had said that he was coming back and that the state of the world’s affairs would not be any better than when he left. So why should we expect anything else?
Sometimes the preacher needs preaching to!
As I thought it through, I realized the truth in her statements. Throughout history, God has always responded to the needs of the world when it seemed as if there was no hope. God is always faithful and asks us to do the same.
The world was pretty bad when God called Noah to build the ark.
Israel was in slavery in Egypt before God called Moses to lead them into freedom.
Goliath had Saul’s army terrified and paralyzed as God brought David on the scene.
The Assyrians had Jerusalem surrounded and facing certain defeat as Hezekiah called on God for a miracle.
There was a valley of dry bones come back to life in the days of Ezekiel.
The destroyed walls of Jerusalem and the Temple were rebuilt during the time of Ezra and Nehemiah.
Peter was in jail for sharing the gospel while the Christians prayed and the doors opened.
Paul and Silas were singing in their chains when the chains came loose, the cells opened and an entire family became Christians.
Hebrews 11 is full of examples of God taking care of His faithful people.
So what’s the point? Simply that while we need to be faithful in doing what we know is right and praying that God’s will be done in our nation and individual lives, we must have the faith and trust that regardless of what happens, Jesus is coming again! We shouldn’t expect or be surprised at anything else!
Thursday, February 11, 2010
Why Rev. Elvis?
Some may wonder why (or how) I took on the name "Rev. Elvis."
The story isn't as exciting as I might want it to be... Elvis Presley died on my 20th birthday. The media of that day made such a big deal about "The King" dying that it made me want to puke. You would have thought that someone really important had died!
It wasn't too long after that that restaurants began asking for names for their waiting lists. Not wanting to give my real name (it isn't that special or wonderful, ...sorry mom) in my opinion and wanting to set myself apart from the ordinary, I began using "Elvis." The reverend part about simply because it is the standard title used for ministers.
Thus, Rev. Elvis I am!
Now isn't your life so much more enlightened now that you know! I know mine is!
The story isn't as exciting as I might want it to be... Elvis Presley died on my 20th birthday. The media of that day made such a big deal about "The King" dying that it made me want to puke. You would have thought that someone really important had died!
It wasn't too long after that that restaurants began asking for names for their waiting lists. Not wanting to give my real name (it isn't that special or wonderful, ...sorry mom) in my opinion and wanting to set myself apart from the ordinary, I began using "Elvis." The reverend part about simply because it is the standard title used for ministers.
Thus, Rev. Elvis I am!
Now isn't your life so much more enlightened now that you know! I know mine is!
Rev. Elvis Resurrects!
After a much too long absence, the Rev. Elvis blog returns!
It's a long story, but simply one of not taking the time to keep it updated. Assuming that it must be something of substance and great length each time it is updated.
Ok, the truth is........ laziness! Along with the fact that it had been so long since I even checked it, I forgot my log-in and password information!
I am going to make a concentrated effort to make this work this time!
I hope you enjoy it!
Rev. Elvis
It's a long story, but simply one of not taking the time to keep it updated. Assuming that it must be something of substance and great length each time it is updated.
Ok, the truth is........ laziness! Along with the fact that it had been so long since I even checked it, I forgot my log-in and password information!
I am going to make a concentrated effort to make this work this time!
I hope you enjoy it!
Rev. Elvis
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