Tag Archives: Generations

Generations of Love

Christmas
December 27, 2018

Scripture Reading: Psalm 148

Kings of the earth and all peoples,
   princes and all rulers of the earth!
Young men and women alike,
   old and young together!
Let them praise the name of the Lord,
   for his name alone is exalted;
   his glory is above earth and heaven.
He has raised up a horn for his people,
   praise for all his faithful,
   for the people of Israel who are close to him.
Praise the Lord! –Psalm 148:11-14

One of the greatest challenges the world faces today is bringing together the young and the old. There are six generations in our world today. We have even tried to name them. The Greatest Generation, Baby Boomers, etc. Each has a different worldview than the other. My mother lived through the Great Depression and she made good use of everything. I gave up buying plasticware and paper plates for my Christmas party to save work because I would find her in the kitchen after dinner digging those items out of the trash and washing them for reuse. Now I know it is not only economical to use regular dishes but better for the environment. Mom was right, this time.

The church always searching for its unique offerings to the world needs to consider that we are a great place to help generations blend together, learn from one another, and create a more loving world.

I must confess I wondered where the adults were when I watched on the news recently as a high school wrestler had his dreadlocks cut off because the referee refused to let him wrestle with them. His teammates attempted to support him, but I saw no one else stepping up to help. He gave up his dreadlocks apparently for his team and he won the match. He had been wrestling all season with the hairstyle It appeared to be a decision of the ref. It appeared to be racism. We must struggle with the question, “Why do we need to make the next generations conform to our worldview?” I remember when one of our church’s youth who is a good musician started singing with the adult choir. One Sunday he arrived with green hair. He was greeted with some smiles, most of us remembering duck tails or ratted hair, but with acceptance as he graced our choir with his lovely voice.  Perhaps the real question with which we need to struggle is “How can we learn through sharing the experiences of the various generations to make this world a better place?”

Prayer: Lord, forgive us when we enforce our taste on others as your taste. Amen.

All scriptures are quoted from the New Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicized Edition, copyright 1989, 1995, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights are reserved.

Ages and Stages of Life

Grandparent and childLent
March 8, 2016

Scripture Reading: Isaiah 43:16-21

Thus says the Lord,
   who makes a way in the sea,
   a path in the mighty waters,
who brings out chariot and horse,
   army and warrior;
they lie down, they cannot rise,
   they are extinguished, quenched like a wick:
Do not remember the former things,
or consider the things of old. –Isaiah 43:16-21

Forgive me, if my backward approach to this scripture seems odd. Yesterday I dealt with the last three verses on becoming a new thing and today I am dealing with the old things that we may need to let go. You see I do not think we can let the old things go when necessary, if we have not accepted the need for the new. I also do not think it is wise to toss the baby out with the bath.

My mother last attended church when we were in the heat of the music wars. She was a strong supporter of singing the new choruses that were popular but she did say to me once, “I do wish they would sing one of the old hymns now and then.”

One of the greatest challenges of our society today is melding the needs of now six generations together each in their differing stages of life and each with differing life experiences. I believe the church has a great opportunity to set the example for the rest of the world in enriching the lives of all through respecting the dignity and contributions of all even among those of markedly different ages.

Prayer: Lord, let us grow together in oneness through sharing our lives with those of all ages and stages. Amen.

All scriptures are quoted from the New Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicized 
Edition, copyright 1989, 1995, Division of Christian Education of the National Council 
of Churches of Christ in the United States of American. Used by permission. All rights 
reserved.