Communion on the Net

We had a good discussion last week in Forum.  We talked about communion or, as some call it, the eucharist.

I can hear you yawning.

OK, here's the thing.  Communion is a big deal in all Christian denominations.  It comes from Jesus having his last meal in the Upper Room and telling his disciples to drink..."this is my blood."  And eat..."this is my body."

Some churches are very strict, like the Roman Catholics who believe that the bread and wine, after they are blessed, are actually the body and blood of Christ.  This is the most important of the seven Catholic sacraments and a very big deal.  Very sacred and done with great care and ritual.  I have respect for this tradition.

So what did we discuss in Forum?  A Methodist church in North Carolina is starting a "virtual campus" and wants to serve communion "virtually."  As in, "You get your own crackers and Grape Nehi and let's have communion over the Internet."

The College of Bishops has said "no way" and has put a moratorium on sacraments on line.

The minister at this local church has said that, traditionally, the only way his parishioners can receive communion is to be in the physical church between 9 and 11 am on a Sunday morning...."and this is no longer a good business model."

The bishops have said online communion is "irregular, experimental and abnormal."

What do I think?

Communion is extremely meaningful to me.  I want to take it with other people, all in various stages of relationship with themselves, each other and God.  My ministers always invite every person who desires to have a relationship with Christ to come to the table.   You don't have to be a member of our church - or any church.  I like that.

But, some day, I may no longer be able to get to church on a regular basis.  So I think I'd like the option of a "virtual campus."

But, whatever I think, this train is coming down the track so we older folks - instead of clicking our tongues at those young people who are experiencing God in all sorts of virtual venues - better get out of the way.


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How to be Financially Successful in Two (Not So Easy) Steps

On December 21st we took a taxi from Midway Airport to downtown Chicago.  The driver was a young man from Ethiopia.  Here's his story in a nutshell.  He's married with four little kids.  His wife's an RN.  He's going to school and driving the taxi.  When the children were tiny he and his wife never left them at day care.  The parents worked different shifts so one of them was always home.   He told us education is a priority in their home.  Both for the kids and themselves.  They are naturalized citizens.

On a seemingly different note,  a couple of days ago we were listening to economist Clark Howard on the radio as we drove back to Florida from Atlanta.  He said that, on his recent book tour,  he asked the same question all across the country.

Will your children be as well off financially as you are?

Overwhelmingly, the answer was "No."  And the economy seems to bear that out.  The majority of us are getting poorer while a few are getting much richer.

But Clark says, and it's been proven by several studies, including a big PEW study, that there are two huge factors that turn that around.  They are:

1.  Getting an education.

2.  Getting - and staying - married.

The folks in this country who are in the worst shape, by far, are single women with children.

So there you have it.

I think our young Ethiopian cabby friend in Chicago has a good shot at the American dream.  His life is difficult but his priorities are straight.


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Another Lego Star Wars Christmas

Photo from the box

Question:  How many of my four grandchildren (2 boys, 2 girls) in Atlanta love Legos?

Answer:  All of them.

It was another LEGO Christmas.  And more specifically, a Star Wars Lego Christmas.  And, more specifically for my ten year old,  a Princess Leia, Episode VI Return of the Jedi, Jabba's Sail Barge complete with 2 cannons, flick missiles, prison, kitchen, opening windows, Jabba's throne and 4 mini figures Christmas.

Lunch Time Christmas Day

Of course it came in a box consisting of approximately a million pieces.  (I'm thinking a 10 year old kid can never assemble this thing. )

But he did.  And well within 24 hours.  This leaves only about a dozen more Christmas Lego sets in this household to complete.  Grandma contributed four.

A few minutes ago I read a rave review of Jabba's Sail Barge on Lego's web site.  It's titled "Pretty Sweet."  It was written by a 25 year old!

Morning of the 26th.  Done!

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Parenting Skills

I just spent several days at my daughter's house.  She has four kids, like I did.  I marvel at her patience.  She never loses her sense of humor no matter how many times she has to tell them to pick up their toys.

I hope she got this from me.  But I sort of doubt it.

I tried to be patient when my kids were little guys but projects and big messes abounded in our home and getting them to clean up was always challenging.

Once in a while I would fantasize about me being a sheriff, complete with gun and holster.  In this fantasy, after about a dozen times of me saying "clean your room," I would take the six shooter from my holster and say "You, pick up those clothes."  "You brush your teeth."  "And you, you don't even live here, go home."  And in the fantasy they would do it because I was the sheriff and I was armed.

But, of course I never acted out this scenario.

Now, this morning, I read about a 26 year old former tattoo artist who, while in the car on Christmas day with her boyfriend and kids,  decided to stop the fighting in the backseat by pulling off the road, pulling out her .380 caliber handgun from her glove box and firing six rounds into the air.

She was arrested and her six kids are now in protective custody.

A number of issues could be debated in this story.  But here's the take away for me:  Most women fantasize from time to time - about a number of things.  The vast majority of these fantasies should never be acted upon.   And, of course, this woman needs an anger management class ASAP.


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Two Sweet Christmas Stories

Dave and I are on the road again, making our annual Christmas run.  Here are two sweet stories from along the trail.

Five nights ago we stayed in a Comfort Inn in Macon, Georgia.  As you know, I love the big breakfasts these hotels serve.  That morning I went down early to look over the selection.  It was to die for.  Eggs, bacon, danish, waffles, fruit, yogurt, bagels with cream cheese - and the ultimate treat - sausage gravy.

There was only one other traveler in the dining room so I decided to get coffee, read the paper and wait for Dave.  Suddenly the elevator doors opened and teen aged girls poured out.  The doors closed and momentarily two more loads of girls poured out.  All in their jams, Santa hats and socks.

I thought oh, oh!  And I was right.  They demolished the breakfast.  Dave came down and we both laughed at how, within 10 minutes, all of the food disappeared before our eyes.  And I mean all!  Even the boxed cereal.

As it turns out, it was a girls basketball team.  They were happy for the away game but sad to be traveling four days before Christmas.  They made up for it by eating hardily.

But, by some Christmas miracle, it took only about 15 minutes for the staff to replenish breakfast for the the rest of us.  So a happy ending for all

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Three nights ago we were in Chicago.  Our hotel, the Essex Inn, was on South Michigan Avenue.  We decided to walk about ten blocks to Macy's.  It was drizzling rain and the temperature was dropping - but we enjoyed the walk.  Macy's was bustling.  When we stepped outside for the walk back it was much colder and the rain had turned to sleet. 

We were making our way up State Street, arm and arm and holding an umbrella when we slipped.   We went down kind of in slow motion until both of us were sprawled on the sidewalk.  We weren't hurt but we were stunned.  

But, no less than eight people surrounded us, gently, easily, pulling us back to our feet.  They were smiling and gracious.  Some stayed to chat a few minutes, most likely to make sure we were fine.  

And we were.  More than fine even.  So a happy ending for all.

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Now it's Christmas eve.  Dave's in Chicago with grown grandchildren.  I'm in Atlanta awaiting Santa.  And that's as it should be.

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My Very Special Day

Today is my 75th birthday.  So far, it's been fantastic!  I've spent the past year kind of working up to it.  I was born on December 18, 1938.  I remember saving bacon grease in a jar on the stove during World War II.  I remember being in elementary school and listening to General MacArthur's "Old Soldiers Never Die" speech.

I was in Atlanta and South Florida in the 70s doing civil rights work that was so scary we could have been killed but back then we thought we were invincible.

I have lived a long, interesting and, dare I say looking back, impressive life.  I hope the planet has changed a wee bit for the good because I've been around.

I have four children of whom I'm enormously proud, ten grandchildren and one great grandchild.  I love my children's spouses.

I love and respect my brother like crazy.  Likewise his wife and daughter.  And now I share Dave's beautiful family.  All together our kids, spouses and grandkids number 27.

I have friends whom I love like crazy.  The closest ones keep me centered and sane.

I have important work.  I have a deep faith.

And, despite the fact that you are sick of hearing it, I am wildly in love with Dave.  I can honestly say that, after being here for 75  years, I am the happiest I've ever been.  I'm the most fulfilled I ever been.

And I have more to share.

My son shares my birthday.  Tonight, along with other family members, we'll have the ultimate celebration.  I say that even though I just came from a celebration.  Here is a photo taken at our last family get together in October.  That's Scott who is 51 today, and me (did I say I'm 75!)  In Scott's arm is his grandson and my great grandson, Max, who is zero years old.  (Dave's in the background.)

Life goes on.  I no longer feel invincible.  But I do know that there's much more to be done, much more life to be lived and loved.


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Poor Francis Died Today

Like millions of others, I was (and always will be) a huge fan of Pope Francis.  I remembered, this morning that I'd written a couple of blog posts about him along the way.  When I looked them up, to my surprise, I mentioned him in 14 postings.  

I've decided to repost six of them over the next few days.  

The following was written on December 16, 2013

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Last month a popular talk show host called Pope Francis a Marxist.  

Pope Francis was just voted Time Magazine's "Person of the Year."  While I'm not a Catholic, here are some of the names I like to call him:

Francis the Humble.  He chose his name to identify himself with one of the greatest but most humble saints of the church.

Keeper of the Keys to the Kingdom of Heaven.  Again, I'm not a Catholic but I know this became his title when he inherited the throne of St. Peter.

The People's Pope.  Francis is wildly popular among Catholics around the world and has the approval of 58% of non Catholic Americans.

Francis the Peacemaker.

Francis the Compassionate.   While he is holding the line on women's rights and gay rights, he's expressing compassion for all of us.   His most famous recent quote:  "Who am I to judge?"

While Pope Francis is most definitely not a Marxist, he was, as a young man, a nightclub bouncer.  This may help him as time moves on.


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