Monday, September 23, 2013

What a Wedding Creates

Our daughter married a wonderful man a few years ago. Their anniversary is at this time of year, and I've been thinking about the wedding and what it meant to our family.

By committing themselves to a future together legally, spiritually, and emotionally, they created a brand-new web of relationships that didn't exist before. I am grateful that the host of people who accompanied each of them into their relationship-- relatives, friends, co-workers, mentors--are healthy influences and people of goodwill.

They established a positive climate for everyone in this new web, by making their wedding ceremony and reception activities as much about the supporters gathered there as it was about the couple. Our daughter's wedding was a wonderful event; I look back on it with pride and awe. More important, it created a new community with the potential to bless hundreds of lives in new and powerful ways.

Sunday, September 15, 2013

Ministering to Animals and Pet Owners

Do animals need and deserve attention from the church? If so, how would one go about providing such a ministry? My home church has been exploring this for several years. We have an Animal Ministry and today I saw pets in the pews with their owners, enjoying our regular 11:59 worship service. What an unconventional and mind-expanding sight! A special blessing for animals was held outdoors in the courtyard after the service. Last week, our church held a pet memorial service to comfort people who mourn and miss a deceased pet. I really appreciate my pastors' inclusive concept of ministry. They constantly expand my view of compassion and service.

Saturday, September 7, 2013

High Fructose Corn Syrup

Public pressure has caused some food manufacturers to change their ingredients. It's even common now to see "No high fructose corn syrup" printed right on the labels. What's interesting about that, is that high fructose corn syrup is the exact same thing as cane sugar after it hits our mouths. I would be interested to know who funded the propaganda against corn syrup. This short video gives the best explanation of the facts regarding this controversy.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8RDCnDK2K6Y&feature=youtube_gdata_player