Tuesday, July 30, 2013

Pocket Stuff

'What has been and what is to be- already is.
And God holds accountable all the pursuits of humanity.'
Ecclesiastes 3:15
The Voice


     Pockets are made for rocks and stuff- every little boy knows this to be true; the little boy in me knows this to be true every time I go for a walk. There will always be, I suppose, the 'perfect' pebble waiting patiently for me... I remember my Mom complaining of "pebbles? in the clothes dryer, again?!" 

     Sometimes, when I think about pocket stuff, I think about Mr. Durisko, my childhood Sunday School teacher. He had a gentle way of teaching. I wonder what he thought about my friends and me- a rowdy mess of boys. He never raised his voice. His kindness was consistent. Parker Palmer said, "...good teaching cannot be reduced to technique; good teaching comes from the identity and integrity of the teacher." 

     Mr. Durisko was a good teacher. 

     I was older, Jr. High I think, when the phone call came. It was a Wednesday night- prayer meeting night. After the meeting Mrs. Durisko stayed at the church for choir practice while Mr. Durisko walked home. I wonder, 'What was Mr. Durisko thinking about when the drunken man veered from the road? Did the driver know he had killed a good teacher?'

     I overheard my Dad tell my Mom about a note found in Mr. Durisko's wallet. It was a list: his wife's dress size, ring size, her favorite colors- important information should he want to surprise his bride with a gift.

     It is a mysterious way in which our lives touch one another. Saints and sinners rummage around together, unaware of the value each holds to a Holy God. 

     Mr. Durisko is still teaching me about the word 'husband'. Thank you, Mr. Durisko.

Saturday, July 6, 2013

What does art have to do with church?



Join us in Savannah, Tennessee
July 19-21
as we address the question-

'What does art have to do with Church?

Here is the schedule:



"Ask yourself first, is this what God truly wants for me, not just what I desire? Being an artist or anything else must not replace your identity in Christ first. If you are certain, then it is a true vocation, and you will have the resources of the universe at your behalf."
Edward Knippers

Thursday, July 4, 2013

Money- God or Gift


"I like to think of the book as
Doctrine meets Dave Ramsey..."


Jamie Munson begins his book Money- God or Gift with a question-
 
What are you
afraid of?

     It is a good lead question for a discussion on money, and Jamie Munson's book provides a good discussion. 

     There is a plethora of books on financial matters and the Christian genre is no exception (my first read was a book by Larry Burkett many, many years ago). So why another book on the topic? Because every generation needs a voice for their time and Jamie Munson has the voice of today. As a young (everyone seems young to me these days) pastor-turned-businessman, Jamie Munson articulates matters of personal finance in an order and manner that anyone can follow, especially young people.

     This is a great book for study groups, book clubs, and even High School classes. The format is designed for a three-week study, complete with a budget template. If you are looking for a financial study guide, Money-God or Gift is excellent.
 
Jamie Munson