Pastor’s Column. Once upon a time there was a woman married to an annoying man. He would complain about everything. One day he went to the creek with his mule. He complained so much that the mule got annoyed and kicked him to death. At the funeral, when all the men walked by the wife, she shook her head yes, and every time the women walked by she shook her head no. The minister asked "Why are you shaking your head yes for men and no for women?" Her response was, “The men would say how sorry they felt for me and I was saying, ‘Yes, I'll be alright.’ When the women walked by, they were asking if the mule was for sale.” - DJ
Wednesday, November 28, 2012
Tuesday, November 20, 2012
Pastor's Column - Nov. 18, 2012
PASTOR’S COLUMN. Here are the Top Ten Reasons Presbyterians choose the Back Pews:
10. They can see everybody, but everybody can’t see them.
9. Fewer people will hear it if they share an inspiration with their spouse.
8. It won’t be so obvious if they mouth a hymn rather than sing it.
7. They have more time to get their offering ready before the ushers get to them.
6. They are less likely to be caught drifting off during the sermon.
5. It’s easier to kick off uncomfortable shoes.
4. There will be fewer children crawling under the pews to observe their shoes.
3. They can dress more casually than the folks up front.
2. It’s a shorter trip to the restroom.
1. They can bless people going out and coming in to the service.
- from Rev. Denny J. Brake, Raleigh, NC
10. They can see everybody, but everybody can’t see them.
9. Fewer people will hear it if they share an inspiration with their spouse.
8. It won’t be so obvious if they mouth a hymn rather than sing it.
7. They have more time to get their offering ready before the ushers get to them.
6. They are less likely to be caught drifting off during the sermon.
5. It’s easier to kick off uncomfortable shoes.
4. There will be fewer children crawling under the pews to observe their shoes.
3. They can dress more casually than the folks up front.
2. It’s a shorter trip to the restroom.
1. They can bless people going out and coming in to the service.
- from Rev. Denny J. Brake, Raleigh, NC
Monday, November 12, 2012
Pastors' Column - Nov. 11, 2012
Pastor’s Column. There is an advertisement related to our New Testament Lesson today. I haven’t seen it, but others have. It reads, "Now you too can own a Genuine Coin From The Time of Jesus: The Widow's Mite. It’s a minor miracle that this coin has survived, and now people of faith can study, cherish, and protect it for future generations. It’s yet another miracle that they’re so affordable."
Then, the ad goes on to quote our scripture this morning, “He sat down opposite the treasury, and watched the crowd putting money into the treasury. Many rich people put in large sums. A poor widow came and put in two small copper coins, which are worth a penny.” And it finishes up with, "While our limited supplies last, you may order the 2,000 year old Widow’s Mite for only $39.95 plus shipping and handling. Remember this is the genuine coin mentioned in the Holy Bible and it makes a perfect gift for your child, grandchild, or favorite clergyman."
The advertisement makes it sound like you’re buying the actual coin the widow dropped into the temple receptacle. This rip-off reminds me of Wolfman Jack in his younger days. He broadcast from an incredibly powerful radio station in Mexico, just across the border from Del Rio, TX. And he offered hard to get items for sale to people in the Southwest, like autographed pictures of Jesus Christ, not to mention Bibles signed by King James himself. Sometimes he wasn’t so religious. He also sold genuine imitation pearl necklaces.
At the beginning of our New Testament lesson today, Jesus warns about the sort of scribes who “devour widows’ houses.” (We’re dealing with Mark 13: 38-44.) It wasn’t enough that widows in Jesus’ day were almost all poverty stricken, those that had a few coins were on the radar of rip-off artists trying to get them. If Jesus says elsewhere, “The poor will always be with you,” he could also have added, “And so will those trying to rip you off.”
Although taken out of context, these words fit the world in which we live. “Be wise as serpents and innocent as doves.” -DJ
Then, the ad goes on to quote our scripture this morning, “He sat down opposite the treasury, and watched the crowd putting money into the treasury. Many rich people put in large sums. A poor widow came and put in two small copper coins, which are worth a penny.” And it finishes up with, "While our limited supplies last, you may order the 2,000 year old Widow’s Mite for only $39.95 plus shipping and handling. Remember this is the genuine coin mentioned in the Holy Bible and it makes a perfect gift for your child, grandchild, or favorite clergyman."
The advertisement makes it sound like you’re buying the actual coin the widow dropped into the temple receptacle. This rip-off reminds me of Wolfman Jack in his younger days. He broadcast from an incredibly powerful radio station in Mexico, just across the border from Del Rio, TX. And he offered hard to get items for sale to people in the Southwest, like autographed pictures of Jesus Christ, not to mention Bibles signed by King James himself. Sometimes he wasn’t so religious. He also sold genuine imitation pearl necklaces.
At the beginning of our New Testament lesson today, Jesus warns about the sort of scribes who “devour widows’ houses.” (We’re dealing with Mark 13: 38-44.) It wasn’t enough that widows in Jesus’ day were almost all poverty stricken, those that had a few coins were on the radar of rip-off artists trying to get them. If Jesus says elsewhere, “The poor will always be with you,” he could also have added, “And so will those trying to rip you off.”
Although taken out of context, these words fit the world in which we live. “Be wise as serpents and innocent as doves.” -DJ
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