Incoherent Ramblings of an Insane Pastor

This week I watched two different news stories about people who have had a huge impact on the world. The media tends to focus on the negative. When we see something positive, maybe we should take note. Many times we can see the hand of God. Sir Nicholas Winton http://www.cbsnews.com/news/saving-the-lives-of-669-children/ In the months before WW2, Nicholas Winton spent a two weeks vacation in Czechoslovakia that saved the lives of 669 children. With little support from any government or organizations, he stepped up and did what he could do. His work went almost unnoticed because he never talked about it. He never looked for fame because he was just doing the right thing. Even at over 100 years old, he is still building nursing homes and taking care of people who need help. Mitch Albom http://www.cbsnews.com/videos/mitch-albom-on-the-intersection-of-life-and-death/ Mitch Albom, a sports writer, connected with his high school coach who was battling a term...

Last Sunday was Palm Sunday. Every year, when I read the part about Jesus riding on the young donkey, my mind wanders off the topic of the triumphal entry and I think more about the donkey. I know that's odd. Everyone else thinks of people shouting, “Hosanna!” or throwing coats and palm branches, or the people who tried to quiet the crowd. I'm thinking of the donkey. I guess it's the situation that was forced on the poor thing. Everything about that day is bad for a colt donkey. One day he's chillin' with his mom at his home, the next minute someone he doesn't know is untying him and taking him away. Then, even though no one has ever sat on him before, someone throws a blanket on him then they proceed to mount a full grown man on his back. Then he is led down a road lined with crazy screaming people waving clothing and plants in his face. And he's expected to be calm and obey. I don't think that is part of the donkey personality....

My wife and I had a conversation the other day. She was telling me of a knitting site that was really well done ( Ravelry  for you knitting junkies out there).  Anyway, she was telling me that although the site has millions of followers, there are groups that you can join within the site. Some are for people who prefer wool and some are for cotton lovers. Some are for people who knit for children and some are for people who knit for charity. Her viewpoint was that in such a large sample of people from all over the globe, it was natural to group up along likes and dislikes. Then she said something pretty deep. She compared it to the body of Christ. We have one belief in Christianity, that God loves us and sent His Son to die for us. But in that large group we have many different groups of preferences and beliefs. Some prefer casual church and some prefer liturgy. Some are comfortable following strict rules and some are more relaxed. There is nothing wrong with variet...

My beliefs are probably closest to evangelical Christian. (Try not to paint me as a wacko.)  So my kids have similar beliefs. They are working on it daily, just like we all should. Both of them went to a state college and are Science majors. I love their attitude of inclusion of others, never looking down on others because they believe differently. That attitude is a must for a major university. One of my daughters told a story of a class where a professor challenged the (200) students to prove him wrong on an issue of science vs religion. The class, including my daughter sat silent.  Kathrynthetwin I'm sure many left feeling defeated by their silence. I'm sure the professor felt all tingly superior that he dumbfounded the Christians. But there is a huge problem. Too many people think you can't believe in God and science. And furthermore, too many Christians try to make Christianity fit into current scientific thought. I believe there will always be knowledge b...