Conference lgp30::christian-perspective

Ron,

	Now you've got me curious.  I take it you are a layperson,
are you not?  And (not that it's all that important), which denomination?
How is it that you are invited to speak so frequently?

	It's quite an honor and responsibility, I must say!  It speaks
highly of your ability to communicate and to engage your audience.

	I was a Certified Lay Speaker with the United Methodist Church
for about 3 years.  One of those years I was asked to preach 4 times,
which IMHO is quite a lot considering I'm not in the habit of composing
sermons on a weekly basis.

Peace,
Richard

Ron,

How about John 1:35-42, "Where do you live?" from verse 38, and lead it into
the concept that where one lives spiritually affects how well one may be
attuned to the Spirit.

>    Samuel calls out and yet seems to get no answer; yet, he persists in
>    calling four times.

Indeed, Samuel calls out, but thinks it is his master, Eli, who is calling
for him.  And, it is Eli who figures out that it is the Lord who is really
calling Samuel.  Eli, desiring the best for his protege, insightfully
instructs Samuel to answer on the next occurrence, "Speak, Lord, your
servant is listening."

"Your servant is listening" or "Got your ears on?" (bound to entice CBer's)
might be a good title.  Sometimes it takes the guidance of others to point
out what we, perhaps, should have heard all along.  Thank God for our beloved
Community, our friendships and even our enemies!  A chance comment can stay
with us for a lifetime.

Perhaps you might focus on the importance of listening, not only to God,
but to one another.  Another possible title, "Static and interference":
focus on what obstructions there are to hearing the still, small Voice.

Peace,
Richard

    If you know some of the strengths of that congregation, you could help
    them focus on those strengths.  For example:
    
    "Come and see" that *this* church is a caring church.  (List
    specifics.)
    
    "Come and see" that *this* church bears witness to peace and justice. 
    (List specifics.)
    
    This can help with healing.
    
    Nancy

    Ron,
    
    	Thanks for sharing all that!  Let us know how the sermon goes.
    
    Richard

Yes, Ron thanks for sharing.  What a lovely inspirational story - my best to
both you and your wife.

Ro

    Actually, I'm sitting here with somewhat of a sick stomach; perhaps I
    would be better off bringing a bucket to the bathroom and reaching deep 
    down inside of me and letting go - this, a result of realizing the
    irony of preaching the Sunday after the new war began; preaching the day
    before the celebration of the life and witness of Martin Luther King, Jr..
    
    We pray, comfortably in our pews for peace, while defenseless persons and
    children will have their lives snuffed out, while we converge with
    unmitigated force on the powers controlling Kuwait.  We read of Samuel who
    waits as professed servant of the Lord; we read of the deciples who asked
    Jesus where he was staying; and now we drop the bombs in the name of peace.
    
    We give thanks for the MLK's of the world who lived within the turmoil of
    the world; yet, he knew and believed in the fact that although there was
    suffering and pain and grief in the evening -- yet, there would be
    glory in the morning.
    
    My head aches; I feel like a fly caught in the web of life.  Oh God, I
    pray, turn up the brilliance of your light for the world to see.  Turn
    up your brilliance for the world to be drawn to your ways and wishes for
    the world.  Help us in our fallenness to overcome our errant ways.  In 
    Christ's name, we pray.  Amen.

    Ron,
    
    	I appreciate your sharing your feelings so genuinely.
    My prayers are the same as your prayers.
    
    Pax,
    Richard

    Richard (and others),
    
    A few days before we were to go to Vermont, I received a call from the
    church (unfortunately, a "telephone" call).  The pastoral search
    committee is not so sure about a copastorate and wants to rethink this
    notion.  So I suggested that we not preach there until they have come
    to better feelings about the copastorate.  I believe the immediate
    dream is at an end in Shrewsbury.
    
    Although we are disappointed, our earlier plans were to wait until my
    spouse finished seminary prior to listening for a call.  This will be,
    with the help of God, in about two to two and a half years from now.
    
    I, within the last half hour, have just accepted an internal transfer
    to the USS SECG in Maynard.  We will relocate to that area which will
    be significantly closer to Andover Newton and may help my spouse to
    finish a little earlier than planned.  (In any case, it will be easier
    for her.)
    
    My hopes are to maintain a good relationship with our current church
    and to continue as "Pastoral Intern."  I am Deacon of the Mission
    Committee and we are going to begin a project next week aimed at
    investigating, planning and getting a Rumanian child to our country and
    maybe to a family within our church.  Now that the war has begun, maybe
    we should investigate getting an Iragi refugee family here instead.
    
    	Shalom & thanks for the continued interest,
    
    	Ron
    

    Thanks for the update.  Thanks for being here.
    
    Peace,
    Richard