November 9, 2008

Dear friends in life and in ministry . . .

My 65th Birthday on Tuesday, November 4th included what I pray will be a gift of hope to our country and our world. The election of Barack Obama as president of the United States reminded the world that America is indeed a place where all things are possible for those who dream big dreams. My dreams and prayers for President Obama and our country is the subject of the first part of my birthday week column.

Because it was written on Tuesday morning - the results were not as yet in and so my remarks were directed at whoever would be elected. But I must admit that I am extremely elated at what occurred on Tuesday and will put the Grant Park celebration on a par with other events that deeply touched me.

The first event occurred over 50 years ago when my family traveled to Florida for Christmas with my grandparents. On this trip, I first encountered signs that divided people into white and "colored." Because we were white, my family could eat in restaurants, stay at motels, use bathrooms and drink from water fountains that "Colored" human beings were not allowed to use.

That visit indelibly "colored" my vision of my country and its being "one nation under God with liberty and justice for ALL." So when early in the campaign Michelle Obama mentioned that "for the first time" she was "proud to be an American" I could understand what she had meant - perhaps more deeply than the shallow thinking political operatives and partisan pundants who immediately took issue with her words and questioned her patriotism.

Other events occurred in the 60s when I worked side by side with black and white students at Monroe Community College. Patty and I were at Brockport State College where "Opportunities Unlimited" - a student "Big Brother/Big Sister" type organization that we had helped to found - was spending a weekend with about 75 junior high students from Rochester's Inner City. That weekend turned out to be the weekend of the Rochester Race Riots. Later that weekend, my radio announcer credentials allowed me to tour the now occupied battlefield that was home to most of the children and young black college students that we had tried to provide an "Opportunity" to imagine a better life. It was a frightening experience.

Previously television video of "Bull" Connors police dogs and fire hoses, church fires, KKK rallies and the assassinations of President John Kennedy, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Bobbie Kennedy had convinced me that there was work to be done if the ideals of the land that I pledged allegiance to - were ever to become reality for African Americans and whatever immigrant group most recently arrived on our shores. The Rochester Riots and later my work as an inner city school teacher ratified that belief.

But on Tuesday night, our Country may have turned a corner many had not dreamed to be possible. The glass ceiling that has for generations restricted African Americans from fully experiencing the American dream crumbled and a brilliant, charismatic, young African American was elected President of the United States of America. Only time will tell - but of all the gifts wished for over 65 years of birthdays - this is the most significant.

God bless America - no exceptions.

TRAVEL WITH US IN 2009
Pat and I invite you to join us on a "Lands of the Bible Cruise" that we've scheduled for November 11, 2009. Follow the link below to download our itinerary. Then, if you are interested, drop me an email and I'll send you a brochures and registration form. (http://www.deaconray.com/travel.htm)

This Week's Column: November 9, 2008

As I Turn 65 . . . Some Thoughts on the New President and How to Stay Young

On Tuesday, as the country selected its new president, I celebrated my 65th birthday. Because our bulletin deadline is Tuesday morning, as I write this column I do not know if my choice for president was elected or not. But regardless, of who moves into the White House on January 20, he’ll find a barrage of challenges awaiting him and will need our prayers to assure that the solutions to these challenges:

· Respect Life from conception to natural death,
· Give a preferential option to the poor,
· Steward and preserve our environment and
· Promote justice, peace and understanding throughout the world.

My prayer for our country and its newly elected president is that the disgraceful partisan name calling and negative spirit that has marked much of this election and divided our country over the past sixteen or so years - would end. Even when we disagree on solutions, the politics of demonizing each other is neither civil or helpful to the nation. Both John McCain and Barack Obama are decent men who love our country and have made enormous personal sacrifices to serve it. The back biting nastiness that has marked both the Clinton and Bush eras has done tremendous damage to this nation. It is time for vision to replace division. And those of us who wish to live as patriotic Americans and true disciples of Christ, should lead the way.
_______________________
Before I finish pontificating, I want to share with you some personal improvement options I’ll be considering as I celebrate the next 25 years or so of my life. If the internet source that provided them is correct (and it often isn’t) these thoughts came from wit and wisdom of recently deceased comedian George Carlin. While some people including myself have occasionally been put off with Carlin’s irreverence, he was a wordsmith whose humor often captured some very powerful insights.

HOW TO STAY YOUNG

• Throw out nonessential numbers. This includes age, weight and height.
  Let the doctors worry about them. That is why you pay "them."
• Keep only cheerful friends. The grouches pull you down.
• Keep learning. Learn more about the computer, crafts, gardening,
  whatever. Never let the brain idle. Remember: "An idle mind is the
  devil's workshop." And the devil's name is Alzheimer's.
• Enjoy the simple things.
• Laugh often, long and loud. Laugh until you gasp for breath.
• Let tears happen. Endure, grieve, and move on. The only person, who is
  with us our entire life, is ourselves. Be ALIVE while you are alive.
• Surround yourself with what you love, whether it's family, pets,
  keepsakes, music, plants, hobbies, whatever. Your home is your refuge.
• Cherish your health: If it is good, preserve it. If it is unstable,
  improve it. If it is beyond what you can improve, get help.
• Don't take guilt trips. Take a trip to the mall, even to the next
  county; to a foreign country but NOT to where the guilt is.
• Tell the people you love that you love them, at every opportunity.
• And always remember: Life is not measured by the number of breaths we
  take, but by the moments that take our breath away.

Not bad words to live by and they reflect some significant Gospel values.

Congratulations Deacon Ed
On Friday night we celebrated the 25 years that Deacon Ed Wight has devoted to God’s service. As I’ve mentioned in a recent Sent to Serve column, balancing the ups and downs of family life with the challenges of ordained ministry - can take a lot out of even the most dedicated deacon. In the five years that I have worked with Deacon Ed, I’ve been touched by his unflinching devotion to the Lord even in very difficult times. He is an example to me and all of us of the power of faith and the fidelity of God. I hope to have pictures of the celebration in next week’s bulletin.

Have a good week. Serve each other well.

Deacon Ray

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Bulletin: November 9th, 2008