Chuck's Blog

I remember loving this time of year as a kid. I still do but the reasons have slightly changed. The highlight of thanksgiving was always the simple fact that I had 4 whole days out of school. Most of the time my teachers didn’t even give us homework over the break. The idea of a very short week felt incredible!

Oh, how things change. I find myself on monday morning of thanksgiving week wondering how I will possibly get everything done. Thursday will be here before I know it and after a quick blink of the eye, it’s Sunday (the first Sunday of Advent) and the business will not end.

I’m blogging today from the dentist office while I wait on Tyler and Jenna to finish with the first “braces” consultation, impressions and the ringing of the cash register. As I sat waiting for Jenna, Tyler asked me if I used “touch of gray” this morning. After counting to about a hundred or so, I responded with a simple “no.”. He then informed me that I have a lot of gray. I quickly blamed him and moved on.

I’m not sure what causes our hair to turn and I guess it doesn’t really matter. I suppose stress does have something to do with it. As I approach this week of endless “stuff” to do I will be working to change my perspective. Perhaps you would like to join me. We’re entering “the most wonderful time of the year.”. Perhaps I’ll start acting like it.

Peace,

Chuck

Hard to believe that Advent is coming up in just a few short weeks.  As I look over “The Journey” by Adam Hamilton, I can’t help but think about those difficult months those two young kids endured.  We really don’t hear a great deal about that pregnancy and what they went through.  I’m not sure we can truly appreciate those details today.  Our cultures are so different that I really have a hard time comprehending what that must have been like…what it might have felt like…the fear…the anger…the tidle wave of emotion they surely experienced. 

This year at New Haven United Methodist Church we are going to Journey through that time using the book from Hamilton.  I hope to see you this Advent and may your “Journey” be fulfilling.

Chuck

This weekend we will be sending out our pledging opportunities.  This includes opportunities of service within the church.  We have so many areas where folks can serve and become more involved with the work we are doing in the community.  What can be more interesting is the idea of a “stewardship” campaign within the church.  This isn’t anything new, but for some reason we don’t like to talk about it much. It’s not like I don’t know why we don’t like to talk about it.  Everyone has a different idea of what it means to give to God.  The idea of a “tithe” holds strong for some and for others they will quickly point out that it is simply and Old Testament term that is irrelevant for the church today.  As the official Christmas shopping season begins and/or continues over the next few weeks I have to ask myself and urge all of us to ask ourselves about our giving to our creator.  It doesn’t seem to matter what I can actually afford, I still want to give my children the best that I possibly can.  I don’t worry about the amount of money I spend on them, but that I offer them the best.  When we give to God are we striving for the same thing?  Do I give to God working to give my very best, or trying to give what I “have” to give and still have enough left for me to survive?  Or do I come up with a reason to not give to God? 

Where do you stand with these questions? 

If you are looking for an interesting read coming in to the Christmas season, take a look at Mike Slaughter’s blog and his book about Christmas.  It may just change how you think about giving!

Chuck