I have successfully bypassed Black Friday, Small Business Saturday and Cyber Monday. It wasn't all that hard. Guess I just found other things to do, like spend time with family and watch the Vikings lose again. Being a non-shopper in the first place and a Christmas shopping procrastinator to boot, I'm one of those people that think Dec. 20th, or so is a good time to pick up some holiday gifts.
My neighbors already have their lights up. Judy and I will probably put ours up in two or three weeks. We'll get a last minute deal on Christmas trees, and those of you who get a Christmas card from us know it usually arrives sometime mid-January. I don't begrudge people getting into shopping and Christmas in general. As a matter of fact, I kind of admire those who get into the spirit of the season. And each year I look forward to receiving another CD of "wacky" holiday tunes personally made by a good friend of mine.
I will buy some gifts this season, of course. If nothing else, because my wife's birthday is December 1. I dare not forget it. She made it easy for me, though, when we got married on June 1, exactly six months from her birthday.
In about three weeks the two of us will sit down and make a list of what to get for people. Her 100-year-old grandma is always hard. What can we get her that she hasn't either bought or received in the last century? The kids are grown, so we won't be getting any little toys for them to delight in for an hour or so after they open them up. Right now I think they just appreciate the tuition payments. We've gotten over the idea that we have to buy presents for far-flung relatives we hardly ever see. That leaves a few close relatives and friends, and each other. And what we like, mostly, is just spending time together. Gifts given are symbolic for the most part.
We'll make this list over breakfast at a favorite restaurant. Then we will go on a shopping blitz, kind of our personal Black Friday, and get it all done by 2 p.m. The best part of the day will be breakfast. I know this goes against the grain, but we'll probably have time left over to reflect on the Reason for the Season.
Monday, November 26, 2012
Wednesday, November 14, 2012
Giving
Tomorrow is "Give to the Max" day here in MN. I know other states have it. It is big here. Millions of dollars are raised supporting hundreds of non-profits. We top the nation in giving per capita almost every year.
It seems like every big or little non-profit I have ever given money to has hit me up for more in the last week. I don't blame them. It's part of their job. But I'm not going to give to all of them. How do I decide which ones get some cash this year?
Like most persons, I tend to follow my heart. I had a life-transforming experience in Africa, so they will get some. Certain illnesses run in my family, so they will get some. I've been involved in music all of my life, so the arts will get some. I work in and believe in the local and extended church, so they will get some. But that still leaves a lot of alternatives.
By "alternative" I mean just that. We will all give holiday gifts to loved ones, friends and co-workers. But quite frankly they already have enough. How will I bless those who don't? I could lavish less on those who really don't need what I give them and be more generous to those who do.
Someone once advised me to keep in mind three areas: relief, rehabilitation and development. Relief is sending emergency supplies that are needed because of a natural or human-made disaster. Emergency food or donated blood in response to Hurricane Sandy is an example. Rehabilitation is helping people re-build after the emergency. Helping people rebuild their homes after a earthquake in Haiti is an example. Development is helping people help themselves. Supporting High School education in a country where it is lacking is an example.
I also try to think of three areas: local, national and international. There is need everywhere.
I'll be splitting my money up several ways and in different parts of the world. Nobody will get my max, but several will get something.
It seems like every big or little non-profit I have ever given money to has hit me up for more in the last week. I don't blame them. It's part of their job. But I'm not going to give to all of them. How do I decide which ones get some cash this year?
Like most persons, I tend to follow my heart. I had a life-transforming experience in Africa, so they will get some. Certain illnesses run in my family, so they will get some. I've been involved in music all of my life, so the arts will get some. I work in and believe in the local and extended church, so they will get some. But that still leaves a lot of alternatives.
By "alternative" I mean just that. We will all give holiday gifts to loved ones, friends and co-workers. But quite frankly they already have enough. How will I bless those who don't? I could lavish less on those who really don't need what I give them and be more generous to those who do.
Someone once advised me to keep in mind three areas: relief, rehabilitation and development. Relief is sending emergency supplies that are needed because of a natural or human-made disaster. Emergency food or donated blood in response to Hurricane Sandy is an example. Rehabilitation is helping people re-build after the emergency. Helping people rebuild their homes after a earthquake in Haiti is an example. Development is helping people help themselves. Supporting High School education in a country where it is lacking is an example.
I also try to think of three areas: local, national and international. There is need everywhere.
I'll be splitting my money up several ways and in different parts of the world. Nobody will get my max, but several will get something.
Friday, October 26, 2012
I've never really been interested in horror movies and wouldn't spend my money on them. I know zombies and vampires are more popular than ever, but they just seem strange and boring to me. Halloween was never that interesting to me, either ... UNTIL ... I got appointed to Anoka and Ramsey. You kind of have to embrace it if your'e going to live or work here.
There is a huge parade that takes over this town. I didn't know what to expect when I first went. First of all, there are tens of thousands of people. Secondly, you actually see very few evil characters of any kind. It's just a big old family event. People are just out to have a good time, and I can appreciate that. We'll be out there rain or shine (or possible snow!) with our float and the Northern Light Band.
Halloween has Celtic roots. They had a festival, called Samhain, which means "summer's end." It was basically a fall festival where the farmers would celebrate getting all of the crops in before the cold winter.
Once Christianity became the dominant religion of Europe, thought, the ancient festival took on a Christian flavor. Some in the early church believed the souls of the dead wandered around the earth until All Saints Day. (November 1) All Hallows Eve was the last chance for angry ghosts to gain vengeance on their enemies. So what did Christians do? They put on masks and costumes to disguise themselves.
I think I might actually prefer the Celtic viewpoint. The transition from summer to winter is a transition from life to death. Its a reminder that we are mortal. "Ashes to ashes, dust to dust." Lest we FEAR our mortality, let us embrace the idea that through all of our transitions: God is with us. None of us is God. None of us is immortal. We have a limited time on earth as "creatures" of flesh and bone. It's alright to have a little fund this time of year. But let's not get too carried away. There's a bigger picture.
There is a huge parade that takes over this town. I didn't know what to expect when I first went. First of all, there are tens of thousands of people. Secondly, you actually see very few evil characters of any kind. It's just a big old family event. People are just out to have a good time, and I can appreciate that. We'll be out there rain or shine (or possible snow!) with our float and the Northern Light Band.
Halloween has Celtic roots. They had a festival, called Samhain, which means "summer's end." It was basically a fall festival where the farmers would celebrate getting all of the crops in before the cold winter.
Once Christianity became the dominant religion of Europe, thought, the ancient festival took on a Christian flavor. Some in the early church believed the souls of the dead wandered around the earth until All Saints Day. (November 1) All Hallows Eve was the last chance for angry ghosts to gain vengeance on their enemies. So what did Christians do? They put on masks and costumes to disguise themselves.
I think I might actually prefer the Celtic viewpoint. The transition from summer to winter is a transition from life to death. Its a reminder that we are mortal. "Ashes to ashes, dust to dust." Lest we FEAR our mortality, let us embrace the idea that through all of our transitions: God is with us. None of us is God. None of us is immortal. We have a limited time on earth as "creatures" of flesh and bone. It's alright to have a little fund this time of year. But let's not get too carried away. There's a bigger picture.
Wednesday, October 17, 2012
Studies show that the AVERAGE person tends to think he is better than the AVERAGE person. Nine in ten managers think they are better than the average manager. Nine in ten teachers think they are better than the average teacher. I'm sure its true with preachers and others, too. And nine in ten drivers think they are better than the average driver. And even nine in ten drivers who have been HOSPITALIZED after being in accidents still think they are better than the average driver!
Two men go to church to pray. The first is devout. The second knows he has messed up. The first, part of the 90%, says, "I'm above AVERAGE. Thank God I'm not like those other people." The second, a member of the 10% minority, says, "Lord, be merciful to me." Guess which one God appreciates most?
When my kids do or say something to me they know is wrong, they apologize by saying, "my bad." Seems it might always be better to say that, instead of "my good." On average, that is.
Two men go to church to pray. The first is devout. The second knows he has messed up. The first, part of the 90%, says, "I'm above AVERAGE. Thank God I'm not like those other people." The second, a member of the 10% minority, says, "Lord, be merciful to me." Guess which one God appreciates most?
When my kids do or say something to me they know is wrong, they apologize by saying, "my bad." Seems it might always be better to say that, instead of "my good." On average, that is.
Tuesday, October 9, 2012
Judy and I have just experienced moving. The census bureau says the average American moves once every 5 years. My wife got a new job, so we had to move to a new house that we are required to live in. It's a nice house, and all, but I kind of liked the one in which we spent the last 13 years.
We moved from a two-story house to a one-story, so, including the walk-out basements at both places, we now have about 2/3 the room we used to. That's not a bad thing. The 3 kids are out of the house. And I hear downsizing is trendy now.
We invited some friends over and showed them around. The main floor looks pretty presentable. We didn't show them the storage room in the basement with wall-to-wall boxes filled with junk. Things we don't need. Many things we don't ever use. Things we really never needed. Things that are still in the boxes we packed up 13 years ago and haven't opened since the move before this one. Judy and I have tried to set future dates and times when we will go through it. We'll see how that goes.
It remains me of the guy in the parable of the rich fool who had two many barns. He built a few more, thinking he might "need" the stuff some time. He was a "collector." Collecting is okay. All of us do it. I used to have a really nice collection of model tall ships. Trouble is, they were from an old girlfriend. They "left the harbor" once I started dating Judy. I collect cups and caps now, each with a memory attached.
But hoarding is another thing. Jesus comes down pretty hard on the rich dude, saying: "You fool! You have all this stuff, but you're going to die tonight. What good does it do you?" Or, as I was once heard in an old country song: "You never see a hearse with a trailer hitch."
Maybe I'll hire one of those professional de-clutterers to come and clean out the storage room at $50 an hour. It would probably be worth it. And maybe she knows someone who can also come and de-clutter the rest of my life so I can focus on the things that really matter. Could use a little help there, too.
We moved from a two-story house to a one-story, so, including the walk-out basements at both places, we now have about 2/3 the room we used to. That's not a bad thing. The 3 kids are out of the house. And I hear downsizing is trendy now.
We invited some friends over and showed them around. The main floor looks pretty presentable. We didn't show them the storage room in the basement with wall-to-wall boxes filled with junk. Things we don't need. Many things we don't ever use. Things we really never needed. Things that are still in the boxes we packed up 13 years ago and haven't opened since the move before this one. Judy and I have tried to set future dates and times when we will go through it. We'll see how that goes.
It remains me of the guy in the parable of the rich fool who had two many barns. He built a few more, thinking he might "need" the stuff some time. He was a "collector." Collecting is okay. All of us do it. I used to have a really nice collection of model tall ships. Trouble is, they were from an old girlfriend. They "left the harbor" once I started dating Judy. I collect cups and caps now, each with a memory attached.
But hoarding is another thing. Jesus comes down pretty hard on the rich dude, saying: "You fool! You have all this stuff, but you're going to die tonight. What good does it do you?" Or, as I was once heard in an old country song: "You never see a hearse with a trailer hitch."
Maybe I'll hire one of those professional de-clutterers to come and clean out the storage room at $50 an hour. It would probably be worth it. And maybe she knows someone who can also come and de-clutter the rest of my life so I can focus on the things that really matter. Could use a little help there, too.
Monday, July 23, 2012
It's not where you live ...
It's official. We put the SOLD sign up yesterday. We'll be moving a few miles to the neighboring city of Minnetonka in a couple of weeks. Now its all about packing. Packing up stuff ... and memories of thirteen years in this house. We raised our kids here. Had many family gatherings and friends over. Took in a few additional people from time to time. Loved our neighbors.
One of those neighbors, Dale, came out when the sign went up. We talked about how we were going to miss the house and the neighborhood. He expressed his sadness, too, as we stood and reminisced in the 102 degree heat and humidity.
He had been through a lot. He lived alone for quite a few years after his wife died. His children were grown, so usually he had the place all to himself, until last year, after he got married again. At the end of our conversation he said, "I've learned that its not where you live, but who you live with." I immediately went in a hugged my wife and told her I loved her.
God bless all of those realtors (and ours, especially), but it's not about "location, location, location." It's about "people, people, people." The ones who live in the house with you.. The ones you invite over. The ones with which you share your everyday life. Then ones who are nearest and dearest to you.
There's a message here about God being in the home, too.
One of those neighbors, Dale, came out when the sign went up. We talked about how we were going to miss the house and the neighborhood. He expressed his sadness, too, as we stood and reminisced in the 102 degree heat and humidity.
He had been through a lot. He lived alone for quite a few years after his wife died. His children were grown, so usually he had the place all to himself, until last year, after he got married again. At the end of our conversation he said, "I've learned that its not where you live, but who you live with." I immediately went in a hugged my wife and told her I loved her.
God bless all of those realtors (and ours, especially), but it's not about "location, location, location." It's about "people, people, people." The ones who live in the house with you.. The ones you invite over. The ones with which you share your everyday life. Then ones who are nearest and dearest to you.
There's a message here about God being in the home, too.
Tuesday, June 26, 2012
I heard on the radio that the world is headed for another drought. Regardless of how you feel about global warming, the FACT is - its going to get pretty hot and dry in quite a few spots in the upcoming year. "Hot and dry" translates into the lack of food, which translates into severe hunger and starvation in too many places.
The commentator also mentioned that nations and non-profits will be again lining up to try to help feed people. I'm so pleased to know our denomination (United Methodist Church) will be at the forefront of this effort. Its one reason I came back to the UMC after being elsewhere on my faith journey.
Some might question the value of helping those starving people over there in __________. Others might be suspicious of motives or methodology. Many are able to just set the issue aside. Others may say we have hungry people right here in ________, which is true, and we SHOULD be helping them. The world has enough food to feed everyone everywhere. Yet, it never ceases to amaze me how people come up with reasons/excuses not to do it. Thank God for those who step up the plate (pun intended).
Things get done in this world through partnership. And it is no different when it comes to feeding the hungry. Here in Minnesota, dozens of companies donate money to pay for food staples that are voluntarily packaged and boxed up by thousands of men, women, youth and children through a non-profit named Feed My Starving Children. These boxes are shipped by hundreds of distributors to many countries. One example is the UMC, which ships containers to a dock in West Africa twice a year, among other places.
After the ships arrive, a non-profit, based in Sierra Leone, trucks the food up to a French-supported hospital and feeding center. Norwegian-financed vans are used to pick up emaciated children and their mothers in nearby villages. They stay at the center for a month. The mothers are trained in nutrition by staff from the United Nations Food Programme. Because of their condition, the children eat the FMSC food for the first two weeks. Then the children "graduate" to rice, grown and brought to the hospital by local farmers through a business co-operative initiated by Save the Children. Mothers and (healthy) children return to their village where a worker supported by Catholic Charities monitors their development. Every four weeks the pattern repeats itself.
Businesses, nations, denominations, the U.N. and other non-profits working together to solve a problem and make this world a better place. It takes a village to feed a child.
The commentator also mentioned that nations and non-profits will be again lining up to try to help feed people. I'm so pleased to know our denomination (United Methodist Church) will be at the forefront of this effort. Its one reason I came back to the UMC after being elsewhere on my faith journey.
Some might question the value of helping those starving people over there in __________. Others might be suspicious of motives or methodology. Many are able to just set the issue aside. Others may say we have hungry people right here in ________, which is true, and we SHOULD be helping them. The world has enough food to feed everyone everywhere. Yet, it never ceases to amaze me how people come up with reasons/excuses not to do it. Thank God for those who step up the plate (pun intended).
Things get done in this world through partnership. And it is no different when it comes to feeding the hungry. Here in Minnesota, dozens of companies donate money to pay for food staples that are voluntarily packaged and boxed up by thousands of men, women, youth and children through a non-profit named Feed My Starving Children. These boxes are shipped by hundreds of distributors to many countries. One example is the UMC, which ships containers to a dock in West Africa twice a year, among other places.
After the ships arrive, a non-profit, based in Sierra Leone, trucks the food up to a French-supported hospital and feeding center. Norwegian-financed vans are used to pick up emaciated children and their mothers in nearby villages. They stay at the center for a month. The mothers are trained in nutrition by staff from the United Nations Food Programme. Because of their condition, the children eat the FMSC food for the first two weeks. Then the children "graduate" to rice, grown and brought to the hospital by local farmers through a business co-operative initiated by Save the Children. Mothers and (healthy) children return to their village where a worker supported by Catholic Charities monitors their development. Every four weeks the pattern repeats itself.
Businesses, nations, denominations, the U.N. and other non-profits working together to solve a problem and make this world a better place. It takes a village to feed a child.
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