Transforming Lent
January 28, 2013
Photo by: Bill Monk
Last Tuesday, Bishop Rob Wright, the Episcopal Bishop of the Diocese of Atlanta, preached at our Candler worship service. One aspect of his message that caught my attention was that of transformation. He conveyed, and I have personally experienced, the reality that our response to God transforms us. While certainly this message would resonate with many in the congregation who have responded to a vocation of ministry, it is not reserved for these. God’s transforming nature is true for ALL people.
Looking ahead to Lent, the bishop asked if chocolates and sweets prevent us from moving forward in your relationship with God, and if not, he wondered why it is these things that we give up for Lent? We were reminded that Lent is about transformation – finding a new way, turning toward God anew. Read the rest of this entry »
“Facts” derail the conversation
January 10, 2013
This space is normally used to post sermons, but today, I was troubled by information I heard while I was peacefully eating lunch… The situation is not unique, but considering the problem our leaders (and their constituents, for that matter) are having with civil conversation about very important matters, I decided I’d post this reflection. At the root of it is the struggle we have in a time of overly-available information, to gain the accurate and appropriate information needed to make thoughtful, reasonable decisions. I welcome your constructive feedback and insights:
While having lunch today at a nearby restaurant I saw a FB post that spoke of another school shooting, this time in California, less than a month after the Sandy Hook tragedy. I looked at the television screens nearby, one on sports, the other on a talk-show; neither with news of this latest shooting. I started looking at the FB post for possible fabrication… you just never know what folks make up these days. But it was true… though, luckily (is that the right word?) the assailant had a shotgun, not a high-powered assault weapon, and therefore, was limited in his ability to carry out a wide-scale massacre.
jodygreenwood 