Ticking away, the moments that make up a dull day

Do you ever feel that you could use a little more time in your day? Our lives have become so hectic, that it has been said that our 24/7 lives have now turned into 48/7. We are constantly on the go, and it is hard to slow down sometimes.

Have you ever thought about what you would do if you were given more time? Maybe it wouldn’t be adding to your day, but maybe if you could be given a break or an extra hour, have you ever thought about what you would do with it? I imagine that most of us would simply do more of the same. Our days are so busy and hectic, some people feel as if they need more time.

Well, I have it for you; more time! But don’t get too excited.

This morning I heard on the news that this year, the people who operate the “world’s clock” are adding some time to our day tomorrow. Those who try to regulate the world’s clock are trying to make a more accurate count based upon the earth’s rotation, seasons, etc.

So, they are adding a second to the clock! They call it a leap second.

No, you aren’t getting one more minute per hour or even 24 more minutes to your day. Just one second! So spend that second wisely.

I find all of that talk interesting from a science perspective, but so inconsequential that it is almost beyond our need. Theologically speaking, however, isn’t it interesting that we must rely on some scientists who sit in a room that must rely on something that is much greater than them – the atom – in order to regulate the clock.

I thought a lot about that as I read Psalm 8 this morning. It is the reading for a New Year’s Watch service. It talks about a sovereign God whose glory is set high above the heavens. That sovereign God is the one who in his love rules over all of our lives and has providentially given us all things – including time.

I hope that over the next few days, you are given some time to given thanks to the one who gives us all time. Give thanks for the year that has past, and the year that is to come. For in it, we are given much by the God of creation.

Please be safe over the next few days, and I look forward to greeting you in worship this weekend.

Please pray for me, and know that I am praying for you.
Greg

Choosy Lovers Choose Jif - I mean Jesus!

Well, it’s official! The church is just another thing for which people shop. A recent study that was released by the Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life, states that more and more people are shopping for churches, and brand loyalty is a thing of the past.

Actually, I am surprised that it took this long for it to be stated in a report, because I think that many people have known it for a long time. In fact, I think that others have done studies that have stated the very same thing, but this story is acting much like Punxsutawney Phil’s pronouncement on February 2nd, it states the obvious.

I read stories on this very topic twice in the past 12 hours. One of the stories from Time Magazine was forwarded to me, and the other appeared in the Post Gazette this morning. Both stories report the findings of the survey conducted by the Pew Forum, but I guess I wasn’t as surprised by the findings as the authors of the articles.

Quite simply, while Americans claim to be religious, almost a quarter of people who responded have “switched” denominations and even faiths during their life time. Christians still dominate the American landscape, but Protestants are losing their majority slowly. Many people experience shifts in their lifetime as families begin to experience church differently than they did in their upbringing.

You have probably seen this in your reality. People may claim to be “Catholic” but do not attend, or “Protestant” but don’t know a denominational affiliation. Most people today will shop for churches that meet the needs of their families or find someplace where “everybody knows their name.”

Branding is a hot topic in church administrative discussions, but the truth is that from this perspective, I think it is probably most important that we do our best as a church at proclaiming Christ and him crucified, and if it is as a Methodist or a Catholic – great. Working for the Kingdom of God should be our most important objective. Transforming lives and families should be our chief goal.

In the twenty-forth chapter of Joshua, I think it talks about this article. "Now fear the LORD and serve him with all faithfulness. Throw away the gods your forefathers worshiped beyond the River and in Egypt, and serve the LORD. But if serving the LORD seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your forefathers served beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD."

If you ask me on a normal day, I’d probably tell you that I’m a United Methodist. However, it is most important for me to be a Christian; to love others, and most importantly to love God. And as for me and my house – we will serve the Lord.

This week in worship we will continue to Follow Christ in our Lenten Journey. My message will be on opening ourselves to the prospect of faith. I look forward to seeing you and greeting you as a brother and sister in Christ as we seek to serve the Lord.

Please pray for me, and know that I am praying for you.
Greg