Wednesday, April 25, 2007

You Are What You Eat, The Complexities of Hunger

I don't know if it is because I am from New York or just because I like their writing, but I read The News York Times nearly every day. Through the wonders of technology, I get to read it on my Palm Pilot at the kitchen table over breakfast. Their were two articles this week that caught me attention and they were both about food. I usually hesitate to post NYT article links on the weblog because you need to sign up at the Times website to read them. But, it is free and if you sign up now, you can read more links I will post in the future.

Here is an excerpt from the first article entitled "You Are What You Grow "

A few years ago, an obesity researcher at the University of Washington named Adam Drewnowski ventured into the supermarket to solve a mystery. He wanted to figure out why it is that the most reliable predictor of obesity in America today is a person’s wealth. For most of history, after all, the poor have typically suffered from a shortage of calories, not a surfeit. So how is it that today the people with the least amount of money to spend on food are the ones most likely to be overweight?

The simple answer is that processed, high fat, junk foods are much cheaper, per calorie than the fresh, healthy foods. Which means, if you are eating on a budget, it is cheaper to eat badly and get fat. My wife and I have talked about this before. When we try to eat right, our grocery bill goes through the roof. We have the choice of making budget decisions to still eat well, but if we were living in poverty the decision would be much more difficult.

The reasoning behind all of this is more complicated and contained in the article. Give it a read:

You Are What You Grow

The other article that drew my interest is on international food aid. (I know, a riveting topic, but this is the sort of thing that interests me.) The reason I draw your attention to this article is simply that it shows how amazingly complex feeding the hungry can be especially on a global basis. It is a wonderful glimpse into government agencies, non-government agencies, American farmers, farmers in poor countries and how the whole mix works together to find the most efficient (and sometimes the most inefficient) ways to feed people who are starving. It was interesting to read of a group that, in order to me more efficient, raises crops and animals in America, sells them here and then sends the money to developing nations to grow their own food.

You can read the article here:

Bush Administration Gains Support for New Approach on Food Aid

peace,

will

Monday, April 23, 2007

This week's sermon

Sunday's sermon is posted if you would like to see it. I have the comments feature turned off on the page that the sermon is posted, so feel free to return to this post to comment.

Sermon #38 - How To Meet the Risen Christ Today

peace,

will

Friday, April 20, 2007

Some Perspective... Worrying about the right things

You have probably heard me say it before, I think we worry about the wrong things. In our media soaked culture, we spend a lot of time thinking and worrying about things that are statistically unlikely to happen, while paying little attention to the things we really should worry about.

I got an email this morning about the dangers of dying from a reaction to toxic mold from eating expired pancake batter, which could actually happen, though the chances are astoundingly remote. I also read the following story in the Washington Post which points out that according to the World Health Organization, the leading cause of deaths of people 10 to 24 worldwide is... do you want to guess? Injuries related to traffic accidents. Check out the whole story here:

Traffic Deaths a Global Scourge, Health Agency Says

We spend a lot of time worrying about terrorism, rare diseases, abductions, and other scary things, and they are real fears, but we spend little time worrying about the more likely scary things: auto accidents, heart disease, diabetes. And these are things we can at least help to prevent by paying more attention when we drive, or taking better care of our health.

Just some things to think about.

Drive safely,

will

Thursday, April 19, 2007

A Week Away, A Week Behind

I am still not convinced that one week vacations are all that helpful. The week before is extra stressful trying to get far enough ahead and the week after is extra stressful trying to catch up. A friend of mine (who gets a bit more vacation than I do) takes all his vacation in one big clump. He takes a whole month off. While there is a little stress getting ready, he finds that once he gets back people have figured out how to get along with out him and there isn't that much waiting for him.

Gotta go, I am a week behind.

peace,

will

Wednesday, April 18, 2007

Where is Pastor Will’s Stole… And Where is Pastor Will?

Every so often someone asks me why Pastor John wears a stole and I don’t. Some people already know and some people don’t think much about it. I thought I would take this chance to address the question since it ties into some things that are keeping me quite busy these days.

First, what exactly is a stole and what is it for?

A stole is a long, narrow strip of colored material worn by ordained elders and deacons as a symbol of their ordination. Ordained elders, like Pastor John, wear the stole around their neck. Ordained deacons, wear stole over their left shoulder only. Stoles are often in the appropriate color of the day or season of the Christian year and are often decorated with Christian symbols.

As United Methodists, we are not always very fussy about details. Sometimes you will see a local pastor (someone who is not yet ordained but has been appointed to serve as a pastor in a local church), a probationary elder (like me, see more on this below) or a probationary deacon wearing a stole. While I have yet to find anything in writing that explicitly forbids this, it is certainly contrary to the symbolic meaning of the stole in our tradition.

My current status as a pastor is that of Probationary Elder. I have been commissioned by the Bishop to serve while fulfilling my period of probation and all of the elements related to it. If all goes according to plan, in June of 2008, the Bishop assigned to the Southwest Texas Conference will lay hands upon me and ordain me as an Elder in Full Connection. A stole will then be placed around my neck and over my shoulders to signify my ordination. Before that, you are not likely to see a stole around my neck.

My ordination in 2008 is a really big deal. (And that is a really big understatement.) It will represent over eight years of work on my part including a discernment process, three years of seminary, psychological evaluations, a theological examination and interviews, three years of probationary ministry and continuing education, mentoring, and spiritual development.

After all I have already done, I am really just starting the big push. Before my ordination in 2008, I need to accomplish a number of things. First, I will need to complete an extensive theological project to be presented to my Covenant Connection committee (the group that oversees my probation.) For my project, I am writing on developing systems for discipleship in the local church based on John Wesley’s understanding of sanctifying grace. Second, I need to write another theological examination to be read by members of the Board of Ordained Ministry. The exam I wrote before my commissioning was around 35 pages. It includes fun questions like, “What does it mean to affirm that “Jesus is the Christ” or, alternatively, “Jesus Christ is Lord” in our modern, religiously pluralistic culture?”

It is typical for a probationer like me to remain at an appointment for the entire length of their three-year probation. Therefore, the cabinet is likely to let me remain at Grace at least through May of 2008. So, it is likely that I will be here, as your pastor, as I am making the last push toward my ordination. This will all be quite a bit to juggle: being a pastor, working on these projects, raising a little boy, being a husband, and somehow staying healthy. But, through God’s grace and your love and support, I will persevere. And if all goes well, you can come and see me wear a stole for the first time on the stage at Selena Auditorium during the ordination ceremony in June, 2008!

peace,

will

Sunday, April 15, 2007

If a world class violinist plays in a subway and no one stops to listen, does he still make a sound?

I read this yesterday in the Washington Post. It is a wonderful article and well worth the read.

Pearls Before Breakfast

peace,

will

What is happening to the bees?

Not that we should panic and stop using our cell phones, but there is an interesting piece about the mystery of the disappearing bees in The Independent (UK)

Are mobile phones wiping out our bees?

will

ahhh...

If you were in church this morning, you may have noticed I was not. I am finishing up my much needed post-Easter vacation. It wasn't filled with much adventure. I spent a couple of days in Dallas visiting family and have spent the rest of the time at home just hanging out.

I haven't accomplished much except finishing a few books. (Stay tuned for reviews) The yard also looks a little better. (If you live in the neighborhood you might notice the giant pile of limbs out front.)

Perhaps I can catch one more nap before I return to work.

peace,

will

Tuesday, April 03, 2007

Holy Week! Part II

Holy Week is a very special, spirit-filled time of prayer and reflection... for many. For me, it seems to be about details. On Easter Sunday, we can expect an attendance of over twice our normal Sunday gathering. For me that means lots of logistical worries. That large a crowd means we worship in two difference spaces, the sanctuary and the gym. Two worship spaces means even more details. This morning, I am working on nailing down a second video projector for the second space.

Easter Sunday is an important day for many reasons. The one I focus on is that with double the worship attendance, there are a lot of people who aren't normally with us. If we can do a great job of showing them worship that is vital and relevant to their lives, if we can truly welcome them and give them an opportunity to experience the risen Christ, they might come back.

Blessings on your Holy Week.

peace,

will

Monday, April 02, 2007

Holy Week!

Holy week has arrived. I hope you will consider taking advantage of the special services we will offer at Grace:

Maundy Thursday - 7:00 p.m. From the United Methodist Book of Worship: On this night Christians commemorate the supper Jesus shared with his disciples before his crucifixion, when Jesus washed the disciples' feet (John 13:1 17) and instituted the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper (Matthew 26:26 29; Mark 14:22 25; Luke 22:13 20; 1 Corinthians 11:23 25).

Pastor John will be preaching.

Good Friday - Service of Tenebrae - 7:00 p.m. From the United Methodist Book of Worship: A Service of Tenebrae, or "Darkness," is based on a twelfth century late night/early morning service and is an extended meditation on the passion of Christ.

I have opted to not have a sermon on Good Friday so that we can concentrate on the Tenebrae. This is a very powerful service all by itself. There will be no need for me to say more.

peace,

will