One of the most profound passages in Scripture is John 13.  Before the Passover meal, Jesus humbled himself as a lowly servant and washed his disciple’s feet.  His message was clear.  This was an example of how each of them should humble themselves and serve each other.  He called them to be participants.   Other than Peter, scripture is silent as to the reaction of anyone else in the room.

As a sports fan and a Southerner, Saturdays in the fall mean one thing, college football.  From September through November, fans travel, pack stadiums and generally go crazy cheering for their college teams.  The term “fan” means an enthusiast, and in this context, for a particular sports team.  And even though the word “fan” is slang for “fanatic”, it is in fanaticism where we let ourselves get into trouble.  No where do we see this fanaticism played out more than in the world of social media.

In today’s culture, we are obsessed with having the latest and greatest.  We want the new model, the best that is made.  From homes and cars to the most recent versions of electronic gadgets, we want.  Commercial media feeds this. It tells us that we need “it”; we deserve “it”, and can have “it”.  Our American culture is consumerism.  Don’t believe me?  Take a ride in your vehicle and look around.  Everywhere you look our landscape is filled with restaurants, stores and shops to feed this monster we all have in us.  This lifestyle we have so enthusiastically embraced has spilled over into the one place it shouldn’t, our churches.

In an effort to grow membership and sustain programs, the modern day church took the approach applied in the secular world of using people as volunteers for any and every church activity.
In doing so it created and reinforced the notion that church service is no different than secular volunteerism. 

All those who know me and my family know that we love to vacation at Walt Disney World.  From my first trip as a seven year old in 1972 until our recent anniversary trip, I hold many wonderful memories of the times spent with family and friends in “the happiest place on earth”.

Since returning from our recent mission trip to England I have had time to process our experiences with the wonderful kids of Guisborough.

We arrived safely home yesterday afternoon after a long flight from London. 

Took the train to London this morning.

We began our day today in Guisborough having morning prayer at St. Nicholas Parish Church.

Another great day here in Guisborough, England.   Once again our group divided into two teams.