The Glory of Summer

 

"To plant a garden is to believe in tomorrow" - Audrey Hepburn

Crape myrtle in full bloom - photo submitted by Mike Willock

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Ways of staying connected

Tim Woodcock writes: In these strange times, under the shadow of Covid-19, our economy is temporarily stripped down to the basics. The shopping malls are empty but the parks are full. Our workplaces, schools, and community organizations are migrating into our homes. Everything feels off-kilter. Churches worldwide are asking themselves how can they operate in the absence of regular services and the use of a physical building. This blog is an attempt to make an online space in which the Second Pres. community can stay connected and can offer each other spiritual sustenance and encouragement. I'd like to invite people to share their spiritual insights related to the pandemic experience: spiritual revelations, great and small; new appreciations and evolving understandings; reflections on what you've been reading and watching recently; hopes for the future. If you have an idea of something you'd like to write about, please drop me a line at timwoodcock [AT] speedpost.net . ...
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Speak, Lord. Your servant is listening

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Mike Willock writes: At Second Church earlier this month the preaching text came from 1 Samuel 3, the call of Samuel. It’s a good story: The boy Samuel is serving in the house of the Lord under the old priest Eli at a time when the word of the Lord is rare in the land of Israel. When the lamp of God had not yet gone out, the Lord calls Samuel by name. Samuel runs to Eli, who says, “I did not call you. Go lie down.” When the call comes a third time, Eli realizes God is calling Samuel and tells Samuel to respond, “Speak, Lord . Your servant is listening.” “Speak, Lord . Your servant is listening”. Just six words, but they 1) confirm the relationship between God and Samuel, 2) affirm with conviction that God is still speaking, and 3) that Samuel is ready and willing and waiting to receive and do the word of God. As reformed Presbyterians we know that God still speaks to those who have ears to hear by the power of Holy Spirit, and that God calls us to live out God’s word in love among...
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"You are not you when you are hungry"

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During Sunday's sermon, Rev. Travis referenced a classic commercial for Snickers, starring Betty White as a football player, or at least football player who "playing like Betty White." The ad, which is often mentioned as often of the most memorable ever made, ends with the tagline, "You are not you when you are hungry." The point - the astute theological point - that Travis was making was the Israelites wandering in exile, and lashing out at Moses, are collectively what we might now call "hangry" - grouchy, uncooperative, not their best selves. Perhaps Moses ought to have shown them this video to remind them that "you are not you when you are hungry." Here is a video of the ad, which you may not have thought about in years: You are not you when you are hungry
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