Volume 2 Issue 11

“Are we mistaken in thinking – contrary to all appearances – that ‘theology’, also shaken by the many crises of the human mind, is by no means at the end of its wisdom, by no means bankrupt, but – as a result of the immense labors of generations of theologians through two centuries – is in many ways better prepared than formerly to give a new answer to the question of being a Christian?” --Hans Kung, “On Being a Christian”
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It’s Reader’s Choice this week. The combination of having Mom and Kim visit this weekend with the air-conditioner breaking down last Friday (right now it’s 102 degrees outside and 97 degrees inside) resulted in no “fresh” sermon this week. So, I’m encouraging you to look through the archive for your favorite “stale” homily. I will even enjoy learning from you which one you settle on. If I don’t melt before then, I’m planning to have a new message by next Sunday.
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There’s a new posting from Dad on the Bulletin Board this week, as well as several others that have been receiving positive comments. My good friend from Illinois, Linda, even went so far as to ask if she could contribute financially to the GiC ministry. While my reply was that our costs are so nominal as to make such a generous offer unnecessary, it did get me to wondering about that old principle of counseling that contends that payment is part of the therapy. What is GiC worth to you?
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While I’m asking questions, the next one is posted on the Bulletin Board for your response: “Can you think of a problem for which the Golden Rule is not the solution?” From my last two sermons, you know where I stand. But I freely confess to being idealistic and naive, so here’s your opportunity to set me straight. If you disagree that the ethic of reciprocity is the cure for every human ill, accept this invitation to share your thoughts with the rest of us. You may be surprised to learn that you’ve got company!
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I’ve opened with a quote from Hans Kung, and am still hoping that there will be some “takers” on the idea of tackling this book together. It is available in paperback for $27.00 (new) from: www.amazon.com
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Thank you for allowing this ministry into your home or place of work. My prayer is that this site may become for you a time and place of sanctuary, a way for you to draw nearer to the God of All Creation. Your comments concerning ways that the approach or format could be made more meaningful are always welcome. If you are finding this site to be a source of meaning and inspiration, I hope that you will choose to share it with others. “Joining” the mailing list on the home page will ensure that you receive a copy of this newsletter each week (you are free to unsubscribe at any time).
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Until next week…….Shalom!

Volume 2 Issue 10

“It is only pride and selfishness and coldness that keep us from having compassion. When we ultimately go home to God, we are going to be judged on what we were to each other, what we did for each other, and especially, how much love we put in that. It’s not how much we give, but how much love we put in the ‘doing’ – that’s compassion in action.” - Mother Teresa
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Thank you for allowing this ministry into your home or place of work. My prayer is that this site may become for you a time and place of sanctuary, a way for you to draw nearer to the God of All Creation. Your comments concerning ways that the approach or format could be made more meaningful are always welcome. If you are finding this site to be a source of meaning and inspiration, I hope that you will choose to share it with others. “Joining” the mailing list on the home page will ensure that you receive a copy of this newsletter each week (you are free to unsubscribe at any time).
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This week on the Bulletin Board: “How We Treat People” was received from my cousin Gary B. of Mesa (as opposed to Mary’s cousin Gary B. of Las Vegas). Its content is so germane to my sermonic exploration of the Golden Rule which continues today. In “a letter to George” Montanan Bob Schulze has cleverly captured the way many of us are feeling about what’s going on these days in the nation’s capital. Finally, my coworker and good friend, Marta, has submitted a touching vignette which you’ll find under “Thanks for Your Time!” I thank these folks for sharing, and invite the rest of you to feel free to post your thoughts, ideas and opinions.
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I should have realized at the time that I embarked on the post-Easter exploration of what it means to experience the risen Christ that I would inevitably find myself pulling Hans Kung’s contemporary classic, “On Being a Christian”, from the shelf. Whenever a 720 page tome such as this one manages an average customer rating of five stars, there’s got to be something inside that makes it worth reading (or rereading). I’m hoping that this might be an opportunity to form a virtual book club here at GiC, where through the Bulletin Board those of us reading together can exchange our reactions and questions. The book is available in paperback for $27.00 (new) from: www.amazon.com
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Until next week…….Shalom!

Volume 2 Issue 9

Dear Lord and Father of mankind, forgive our foolish ways;
reclothe us in our rightful mind, in purer lives thy service find,
in deeper reverence, praise.
- John Greenleaf Whittier
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I have long believed that the kind of father Joseph must have been had much to do with Jesus’ radical reference to God as “Abba” (Aramaic for “Daddy”). I, too, am blessed with such an earthly father, and I am grateful for a day set aside to acknowledge how much he has influenced me for the good, and to say “thanks!” Here are wishes for a Happy Father’s Day to all of you who have accepted the noble role of fatherhood by joining with our mothers in giving us life.
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For our readers in the Omaha area we pass along Loyie and Dan’s announcement of the dedication of their labyrinth, “The Remembering Place,” this Saturday, June 21 at 7:30 p.m. Those wanting more information or directions for how to get there (from Las Vegas you head east no later than Thursday) you can e-mail them at: RememberingPlace@cs.com
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“President George W. Bush has got a very serious problem.” So opens John Dean’s article, “The Case for Impeachment.” Whether you lived through it or just read about it in your history books, you’ll remember that Dean is a former Counsel to the President of the United States who came to national attention because of his involvement in Watergate. You can find his provocative argument in its entirety at: www.alternet.org
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Martin E. Marty’s article, “The Sin of Pride,” is now posted on the Bulletin Board. I feel that it is important to remind our readership that the Bush Administration has made evangelical Christianity its centerpiece, not the other way around. As our nation’s historical separation of church and state is systematically dismantled before our very eyes, and as we become increasingly aware of the twenty-first century version of manifest destiny that was used to justify our attack upon another nation, we need the insight of scholars such as Marty to help us better understand how, once again, the name of Christ is being invoked to justify sinful/immoral behavior.
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Thank you for allowing this ministry into your home or place of work. My prayer is that this site may become for you a time and place of sanctuary, a way for you to draw nearer to the God of All Creation. Your comments concerning ways that the approach or format could be made more meaningful are always welcome. If you are finding this site to be a source of meaning and inspiration, I hope that you may choose to share it with others. “Joining” the mailing list on the home page will ensure that you receive a copy of this newsletter each week (you are free to unsubscribe at any time).
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Until next week…….Shalom!

Volume 2 Issue 8

Spirit of the living God, fall afresh on me.
Spirit of the living God, fall afresh on me.
Melt me, mold me, fill me, use me.
Spirit of the living God, fall afresh on me.
--Daniel Iverson
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I had the privilege last night of attending the Commencement Exercises for Rebecca’s good friend (oh, all right! her best friend), Josh. Finding it hard to believe that a year has passed already since Rachel’s graduation, I found myself once again impressed by the extraordinary circumstances under which today’s youths must try not only to survive, but to thrive! In the addresses given by the valedictorians and salutatorians I heard words of gratitude for the present and hope for the future, and (very possibly because I wanted to) indirect testimony to the strength, comfort and courage these young persons draw from their relationship with God. Congratulations, Josh, along with all the classes of 2003!
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In today’s sermon I make reference to Michael H. Hart’s book, “The 100: A Ranking of the Most Influential Persons in History”. This is fascinating reading, even if you don’t always agree with the author’s analysis, and is available in paperback for $15.75 (new) from: www.amazon.com
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I’m hoping to post Martin E. Marty’s article from the March 10, 2003 issue of Newsweek, “The Sin of Pride”, to the Bulletin Board in the not-too-distant future. Even though we are now in the post-Iraqi-war era, Dr. Marty’s pre-war insight into the moral quagmire created by an imperialistic worldview is all the more prophetic. In the meantime, avail yourself of the current postings; and, as always, feel free to add your thoughts and opinions to those that are already there.
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Thank you for allowing this ministry into your home or place of work. My prayer is that this site may become for you a time and place of sanctuary, a way for you to draw nearer to the God of All Creation. Your comments concerning ways that the approach or format could be made more meaningful are always welcome. If you are finding this site to be a source of meaning and inspiration, I hope that you may choose to share it with others. “Joining” the mailing list on the home page will ensure that you receive a copy of this newsletter each week (you are free to unsubscribe at any time).
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Until next week…….Shalom!

Volume 2 Issue 7

The first important element of a personal relationship with God is a sense of humility – a sense that letting God into our lives is not the result of our great achievements but of recognizing our limitations. If we’re too full of ourselves, we leave no room for God. The Biblical definition of idol worship is not bowing down to statues, but worshipping the work of our own hands as the highest achievement and the highest source of value. – Rabbi Harold Kushner, Ph.D.
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Thank you for allowing this ministry into your home or place of work. My prayer is that this site may become for you a time and place of sanctuary, a way for you to draw nearer to the God of All Creation. Your comments concerning ways that the approach or format could be made more meaningful are always welcome. If you are finding this site to be a source of meaning and inspiration, I hope that you may choose to share it with others. “Joining” the mailing list on the home page will ensure that you receive a copy of this newsletter each week (you are free to unsubscribe at any time).
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There is no new “Question of the Week” on the Bulletin Board, as the three that are already there seem to have everyone stymied. I will choose this explanation over the more probable one that there just simply is no widespread interest in the interactive aspect of GiC. Again, I will welcome any input that you may have regarding ways and means of increasing the level of participation in this ministry. In the meantime, the monologue will continue…
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There are, however, new postings to the Bulletin Board that you may find of interest, including an ingenious campaign that has the potential of raising $35 million toward finding a cure for breast cancer. The Bulletin Board truly is yours to post to, with only the obviously prurient censored. Since the theology of GiC understands God to be in and of all things, no subject matter can really fall outside that purview.
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I continue to be impressed with the work of MoveOn. Their ability to monitor and bring to public attention the significant political actions being taken in Washington, D.C., and their ability to electronically link the people with their elected officials in order to make their opinion known, makes this an effort well worth participating in. Link up at www.moveon.org
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Until next week.......Shalom!