Uncommon Courtesies

Kopp Disclosure

(John 3:19-21)

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    We've got a problem in our church.

    People are afraid of the dark.

    Really.

    Related to the miracle of the last person using the stapler and duplicating machine having exactly the right amount of staples and paper for them obviating any need to consider anyone else may need staples or paper because they had exactly the amount needed and didn't know the stapler and duplicating machine ran out after they used the exact number needed by them, it seems there's never a last person leaving the church to turn off the lights and lock the doors.

    It's a miracle!

    Or people are afraid of the dark...or...

    I had a really neat wedding in Buffalo, New York back in September.  Some of my favorite people were there; and the couple had signs on the way to seating that announced the nuptial as an "unplugged" service.

    It was the first time after about a thousand weddings that I'd ever seen that; and I really like it.

    I've had church ladies in the past direct me to announce no flash photography during the service, which I've always ignored because people like to have keepsakes of such things and I never read anything about cameras at worship in the Bible and never picked up the bill for any of that which means I should be more selective about rubrics as a common courtesy, but cellulars are a lot different and a lot more annoying than some aunt or uncle running up and down the aisle with a flash camera.

    Unless they're powered off, cellulars will start playing Dixie or Eight Days a Week or Sweet Home Alabama or Goodbye Earl or some other loud and obnoxious and inappropriate electronic nightmare during the exchange of vows or committal at the graveside or consecration of sacramental elements or a plethora of other awkward moments.

    It happens!

    Maybe people just forget to turn 'em off...or maybe they don't really care about anybody else but...

    Is it just me or do people seem to, uh, banter and moan a lot more these days?

    Maybe it's terrorism...crime...the specter of November 8...up and down and all around prices at the pumps...or...just gas.

    I don't know.

    All I know is everybody as well as me is noticing it.

    People are crankier than ever before.

    Then there are volunteers.

    Correction.

    There are fewer and fewer and fewer volunteers.

    It doesn't matter if it's the church, booster club, service organization, or...

    Volunteerism is waaaaaaayyyyyyyy down and seems to be about as attractive to most folks as Colin Kaepernick on the sidelines.

    Is there a solution?

    Can anything be done about people whose concerns seem to end with the reflections in their mirrors?

    Sure.

    Jesus provides the answer to every question; and here's His for this one: "Do for others what you would like them to do for you."

    My mother-in-law explained this to her children as common courtesies.

    Apparently, some parents did not do the same.

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Blessings and Love!

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Salt! Shine! Leavenate!

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Look up! Stand up! Speak up! Act up for Jesus!

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