Simplify

In a time where we are electronically connected in a moment’s notice to persons near, far, and around the globe, yet, are seemingly unable to carry on a focused, give-and-take conversation with someone face-to-face, the latest film adaptation of the novel, THE GREAT GATSBY arrives at a perfect time.

Recalling my high school and college days when reading the book was required, I view F. Scott Fitzgerald’s novel as an insight into American society and our abundance of things and stuff and possessions, yet, being interiorly so shallow and empty.

We Americans have a lot of crap; so much so, that storage centers are a big business. I am as guilty as anyone with my mini-library of books, dvds, and Pittsburgh sports teams shirts, hats, and jerseys. I know I am part of this when going out-of-town requires far too much baggage and I rarely travel light.

We often used to joke that my mother maintained her child-of-the-depression outlook. She saved and re-used even the styrofoam cups from restaurants, she washed and re-used aluminum foil, and worked culinary wonders with leftovers.

She taught us the lesson of living simply and in doing so living wonderfully. By example, she showed us and we learned well the gift of quiet evenings spent on the front porch just being and talking; how important it is to gather at table and stay at table long after the meal’s conclusion; to take care of things so they last; and the treasures found in flowers, gardens, and the gifts of the outdoors.

I for one need to learn and live these lessons for I have sputtered in my clutter.

sj;

Believe...

Today is the birthday of J.M. Barrie the author of Peter Pan. Although I was never thrilled with the concept of the boy who would never grow up, the message of the power of belief and a place called “Neverland” is appealing.

There is something powerful in the word believe. Fans of serious underdog sports teams put the word on banners, placards, t-shirts, and signs. Yes, I’ve seen them in abundance with the New York Islanders fans.....sigh....

Believe....one has to believe in something and I do believe (pun intended) there is power in that which we hold onto no matter any tangible and intelligent proof to the contrary. Be it one’s faith, one’s family, one’s sports teams, one’s nation --- belief sustains and anchors us.

While in seminary, the first class all incoming freshmen take is “Systemic Theology.” For a large class of students still a bit incredulous about finding themselves in seminary, the course called you to really think about why you believed what you did and asked you to think and reflect about the grounding and why of your beliefs. The class was a bit intense as budding theologians wrestled with the question of what one actually believed and found some long-held beliefs really weren’t that foundational anymore when faced with deep questioning and life experience.

A key exercise in the class was to write a personal “Statement of Belief.” The really cool thing was you wrote another one your senior year before graduation. The hope was that the two belief statements were drastically different and provided evidence that one had matured in one’s faith during their seminary years.

While teaching a Sunday School class on the Apostles Creed, I asked persons to write their own “Statement of Belief” and like all good teachers, I also did the exercise. That was about five years ago. A lot has happened in that time frame. It’s time for me to write another “Statement of Belief.” I invite you to join me.

In what do you believe and why?

sj;