by Cindy Conners | Jun 23, 2017 | Faith Blog
A Good Example 1 Thessalonians 2:1-17 Sunday, June 18, 2017, 2017 Rev. Dr. Galen Schwarz Do you remember some of those workshops you might have gone to back in the days of your youth? That may be easier for some of us than for others. But they often started off with this round table or round the circle discussion or answer to a different sets of questions. One of the questions I always remember was, who is one of your heroes? I am sure that they were getting at who were the living models of faith or heroism that we might choose to model our lives after. Some of the people would give the names of John Kennedy, Martin Luther King Jr. or Gandhi for this was after all the mid 1970’s. And there would also be a group of wise guys who would say things like: Superman or Spider man, or Wonder woman. Today of course we might answer that question quite a bit differently. Who are the people who made a difference in our lives? What makes a person a good model to follow? I suppose that if we were going to answer that question honestly, it would be that a number of different factors can make us what we are. Education may be part for we have a tendency to respect certain levels of education. Success may be another qualification, for we believe that successful people have a lot to offer those who are trying to be successful. Could it be the trials that a person had to overcome in life that make them who...
by Charlotte Lohrenz | Jun 23, 2017 | Faith Blog
Dear Faith Friends, We have seen so many ancient ruins of history and pre-history. Delphi, Corinth, Epidaurus, and Mycenae in the first six days in Greece! Delphi, as the center of Hellenistic worship, amazes with its sense of sacred place. Mycenae is overwhelmingly large and gives reality to myth. Epidaurus brings Greek public life alive with its impressive architecture and sound projection. It is the simple, quiet ruins of Corinth that touches me deeply. The bema at which the Apostle Paul was brought up on charges of blasphemy, for speaking of a living God, is remarkably unimposing. It helps me recall that it is ordinary lives that walk out with courage into everyday places to tell the good news of Jesus. We don’t need myths and heroes. We are the people of a wondrous God. Blessings on the journey, Charlotte I give thanks to my God always for you because of the grace of God that has been given you in Christ Jesus, for in every way you have been enriched in him…so that you are not lacking in any spiritual gift as you wait for the revealing of our Lord Jesus Christ. – I Corinthians...
by Charlotte Lohrenz | Jun 22, 2017 | Faith Blog
Dear Faith Friends, At some point I thought I would be well-prepared for this sabbatical time. The unexpected surgery my husband had at the beginning of May was the largest change in plans. Then the two weeks before our departure for Greece all of my technology went on sabbatical ahead of me. In the last week, I had to get a new mobile phone, erase and replace my laptop. I was literally restoring computer files at midnight before our 6;30AM departure. It has been a good reminder of how little in my control, as we head out into this adventure of time in Greece, time away, time without the usual work and expectations. Rosina has proved a good muse in helping me see the big stuff and shrug off the small stuff. I pray for the congregation to find that each day brings – no matter how unexpected – a pathway to ministry and life in Jesus Christ. Blessings on the journey, Charlotte A Samaritan, while traveling came near to [the injured man] and … was moved with pity. He went to him and bandaged his wounds…put him on his own animal and took care of him. – Luke...
by faithpc | Jun 15, 2017 | Faith Blog
About a month ago, one of the tragedies of life that could only have happened in this decade struck me. While on vacation I made the mistake of a lifetime. It was to say yes to one of those time share people. In many ways it was far worse. It was a beautiful Florida day. My wife and I had enjoyed most of the day relaxing in the shade of our umbrella-covered beach chair, when I decided that I wanted to go for a swim. That was not a normal decision for me, as I am not really what you would call an ocean swimmer. But off I went into the blue-green water of the Gulf of Mexico. Returning from what really wasn’t a swim but more like a series of splash I walked back to the beach chair and felt something strange. The right side of my swimming suit felt a little heavier than it should, so I reached down to find out why, and then it hit me. I had placed my cell phone in my pocket while I was reading and had forgotten to take it out before I hit the waves. Now most of us know that our lives are on our phones: everything from other people’s phone numbers to secret passwords, to our appointment calendars, sometimes our to do lists, contact with friends, and the places we surf when we have spare time and want to catch up on the news. I certainly know that phones have to be replaced every now and then, as my wife had just had to replace hers. So...
by faithpc | Jun 13, 2017 | Faith Blog
An Adult in Faith Galatians 4:1-7 Sunday, June 2, 2017 At what point to you think you became an adult? I suppose that varies to a certain extent from generation to generation, for that answer may be somewhat contextual. We first start thinking about that when the digits in our age start to number 2. That you see is the age that we can see the big number 16 approaching when we can get our driver’s license. It is difficult for me to remember that back in Kansas where I grew up the age for a driver’s license was 14. Now there were some restrictions on that but it was the freedom to drive to school or work or with a parent in the car. The laws in Indiana are a lot more complicated. To the disappointment of most teenagers in Indiana one must be at least 16 years old. Then you are eligible for a provisional license.). At 17 1/2 years old you are allowed to apply for a provisional permit without taking driver’s education. At 18 years old and older you can apply for a driver’s license without getting a learner’s permit. However, you may not drive with passengers for 180 days after getting your probationary license, unless you are also accompanied in the front seat by a licensed instructor, an individual with a valid driver’s license who is at least 25 years of age or a spouse who is at least 21 years of age. Boy those kids from agricultural states sure had it a lot easier! Some of us are old enough to remember when a person was not an adult and able to vote until we...
