26 of 52 Trip Around The
Sun -
Have traveled 292,168,800 miles.
That’s
half the way Around The Sun.
Thoughts
during the week:
I’ve
tried to rest a little from the thinking this week. Last week was quite stressful
– for them as well as for me, I assume.
I ask
myself, “Am I a believer?” “What does that mean?”
I know
I don’t believe many of the things other believers believe. I do believe
something is going on that is beyond our comprehension, certainly beyond mine.
It seems that to be labeled a “believer,” one must at least pretend to
comprehend – and be committed to lots of details for which I haven’t a clue.
There
have been many evil Gods in history – I conclude that we don’t need one of
those, so I make assumptions that put God in the way of being good only. I
can’t back it up, but I know I wouldn’t like any other kind of God. A God who
would burn my Mom and Dad forever can just take a hike – I will not serve. A
God who would require Mother Teresa to denounce her lifelong beloved religion,
I would not feel to like – though that amount I can accept knowing better
later.
The
Visit:
I’ve
noticed this little church before when we eat at Jack In The
Box. Next door.
It’s
called a “Charismatic” Church in the Yellow Pages. They raise their hands in
the air a lot.
There
was much visiting until the meeting came to order. No formalities to do that –
just started the singing. We sang for fully 35 minutes – many songs – all
projected words with no music.
I Need You - I Need You
- Forgive Me -
Forgive Me
These
were the operative words of one of them – and they all had this character. The need for Jesus to make up for all our inadequacies.
There is a tendency to wail – to beg for forgiveness and salvation. This
congregational singing was not nearly so enjoyable as
I have seen elsewhere. The speakers (loudspeakers) were a little loud to make
it easy to hear the congregational part of the singing. They waved their arms a
lot, but didn’t sing out.
They
believe the time is near. (Joseph Smith also believed this – would probably be
surprised to see what we’re doing 182 years later.)
Music
was by drum set, small organ, KORG keyboard, baby grand piano, violin – and there was a set of conga drums unused. (Wonder
if I missed something.)
After
all the congregational singing, a trio sang. One man – two
women – grand piano.
They
sang like a barbershop quartet (with one missing). They were good, and the song
was called “Now It Is Jesus and Me.” It was very upbeat – and elicited applause
after.
Then
all the children gathered to the front and in the aisle and began singing a
special program for the minister. (I asked if this was his birthday – and was
told that this was “Pastor Appreciation Month.)
After
about five minutes of fun singing – one child doing American Sign Language
along the way (Not well – but trying and proud, though shy at the same time.)
The Pastor was visibly touched – with the children all around him.
And
then at the end, one child sang: “Thank you for serving the Lord – I am the one
that was saved. We love you.” And then several in the congregation said, “I
love you too.” Not together – One at a time. “I love you too.” “I love you too.” “I love you too.”
Then it
was time for the preaching, and at first, he was choked a little – but got it
going in time.
The
topic was “The Lord’s Day.” It, “Sabbath,” does not mean “Saturday,” and it
does not mean “Last Day” or “Seventh Day” either.
It
means “Cease,” “Rest.”
The
Jews have names for the days that are different from ours – Their names mean
First Day, Second Day, Third Day - - - - Seventh Day.
But our
“Sunday” came from old false religions and means “Day to worship the Sun.”
Monday
– “Day to worship the Moon.”
Then he
said Wednesday was for Mercury (?)
And
Saturday is for Saturn.
I
thought, “The reason we don’t have a Pluday is
because we had no Pluto by then. It was too far away for those old telescopes.”
His explanation
of the coming of the Lord’s Day was similar to ours. I know we call this the
Sabbath. He explained that this is the Sabbath – that Sabbath does not refer to
the last day or any day in particular. It’s the day to “Cease” our labors – to
“Rest.”
The
past 26 weeks, the Sabbath has not seemed particularly restful – though there
is a difference from the rest of the week, and it’s a kind of rest from the
normal routine. I’ve seen lots of Mormons giving so much service on this day
and working so hard.
He
talked of how much worse things are today than just back in the fifties – when
we could leave our doors unlocked, etc. I hear this a
lot, and don’t agree with it. I haven’t locked our doors from then until now,
and feel things are better now than they ever have been. I think of the
mistreatment I saw of Blacks during my mission, merely 40 years ago. It is so
much better now. (Still room for progress – but I wouldn’t trade this time for
a hundred and fifty years ago for anything.)
He
talked of how good the fifties were – then worse in the sixties, when God was
taken from the schools, and then worse in the seventies, the eighties, etc.
He said
he knew the end would come in his lifetime. (About my age?)
Healing
and Blessing:
Perhaps
thirty or so people came to the front to line up to receive blessings from the
minister. It was quietly done – you didn’t hear what the minister said to each
– for some, he held their heads in his hands as he talked and prayed. One woman
yelled out with a kind of singing holler that lasted a few seconds. There were
lots of tears among those receiving blessings – and some in the congregation at
large.
There
are many more women than men in the congregation – appeared to be (possibly)
single mothers. Lots of beautiful children – well behaved and
happy. I was sitting near one mother who had seven with her. Turned out
four were hers, and three were friends visiting. One of these was the little
gal who did the signing for the honorary to the minister. (13 years old?)
In his
closing prayer, the minister said, among other things, “Thank You for breaking
Addictions, as You have this morning.”
They
had a potluck at someone’s home after – gave me a map and extracted a promise
that I would come, which I did. They had more food than you could imagine. (I
take that back – You’d have no problem imagining this.)
During
the luncheon, I talked with the minister a little – and found that they take
the Old Testament quite literally. It will be rare to find elsewise.
(According to my spell-checker, I have coined a new word – I like it.)
- Chuck
26 of 52 Trip Around The
Sun -