"Refocusing..."

The debate for the Republican party's presidential nomination aired on Wednesday evening from California. I didn't watch it. There's only so much constant hot air and bickering that my weary psychic can tolerate in any given period of time. Besides, the newsprint and airwaves will be filled to the brim with inexhaustive analysis of each nuance of what was said, not said, meant and not meant. I have decided to give my concerns about the ultimate outcome of this most tiring and uninspiring process permission to take a break...choosing to focus instead on those things that without fail provide me with reassurance and joy...church, family and friends.

Wednesday evening's is fellowship night at the First Baptist Church of St. Petersburg, my home church for the past eighteen years, where over this time my once dark brown hair has slowly converted to silver, my waist line has expanded with the increase in membership, and where my family has cultivated dozens of acquaintances and very special dear friends. Wednesday night supper in the fellowship hall is the mid-week meal that our membership most looks forward to, as the meals are as good if not better than one could consume with relish at your better resturants, and the casual fellowship around the table is always lively and entertainningly enjoyable. Once the evening meal is consumed it's time for choir practice, in which I sing tenor with much gusto and determination if not much talent. The hour and a half is devoted to a lot of singing and an equal amount of cutting up. The atmostphere of fun is lead by our worship minister, who most certainly is profoundly gifted in his music abilities, but a laid-back sense of jockularity that makes the time pass far too quickly. I always leave church Wednesday evenings with an overriding sense of contentment and satisifaction.

At each choir practice we are presented with a front and back newletter that informs we choir members of the music we will rehearsh that evening, up-coming events, ministry concerns, and always a few humorous asides. Last evening's edition included an anouncement for a ficticious "No Excuse Sunday." It read as follows...

"In order to make it possible for everyone to attend church next week , a special emphasis is being placed on eliminating any and all excuses for missing church..."

* Cots will be placed in the vestibule for those who claim, "Sunday is my only day to sleep in."

* Eye drops will be readily available for those whose eyes are tired from watching TV too late on Saturday evening and asprin for those who stayed out too late the previous night partying.

* We will have steel helmets for those souls who still believe that the roof will cave in on them if they show up for church.

* Blankets will be furnished for those patrons who complain that the church is too cold and for those who believe it to be too warm, hand fans.

* Hearing aids are readily available for those folks who protest that the "Preacher doesn't talk loudly enough.'" Conversely, cotton balls will be distributed to those who protest that he "Talks too loud."

* Score cards will be distributed to those who wish to count the hypocrites among us. Take as many of the cards as you'd like.

* We will have a special bus to pick up family relatives so that visting those loved ones on Sunday will not be necessary.

*There will be hot TV dinners available for those who protest that they "Can't possibly attend church services and cook a noon time meal too!"

* One section of our scantuary will be adorned with real grass and trees for those individuals who claim that they best see and experience "God in nature," especially on the golf course.

* Overall the sanctuary will be decorated with Christmas poinsettias and Easter lilies to create a familiar environment for those who have never seen the church without them.

Shakesphere penned, "There's much truth in jest." We each pick and choose those things in life that we wish to devote our time, money and talents to. I and my family derive a great deal of personal satisfaction, joy and fulfillment persuing and experiencing all three through our church in order to worship and serve God by serving others. I become a little peeved with folks who would waste their time and mine trying to justify why they "Don't need church," while infering that I am. Don't offer a critque of a book until you have read it completely. If a person chooses not to invest any part of their lives to a religious practice, so be it, but justify your own decision without criticizing mine. I can't speak for all "Chrisitans," but as I understand and try to practice my Christianity, I do so by believing in and loving God with all of my being and treating and respecting others as I myself would wish to be so treated. Some Christians are better at it than others, granted. But tell me as a personal mission statement, isn't that at least among the better ways to live one's life? Works for me...