bierkergaard

I was talking recently with someone who lived as a child through the Depression. He made a comment that he was allocated four sheets of toilet paper per sitting. Times were tough. Money was tight. Four sheets for you. He seemed to relish the freedom of having a whole roll at his disposal. Then, he waxed eloquent how easy we have it in comparison these days. We expect more because we have more, not realizing that a century ago, even the poorest among us would be considered kings. That is not to say that the adversity index is not on the upswing and everyone is on easy street. Yet, it is important to count our blessings, one sheet at a time.

Tonight my Pop brought two strombolis to my house for dinner. His homemade and Berwyn Pizzas. Left (BP) to right (Pop's). Or, as I like to call his shop...Georgios. His name is George. Berwyn Pizza is my brother Steve's fave...he ate a plenitude of BP strom in his youth. Every time Steve bites into a BP emanation, I am sure his spirit travels back to those time of yore when youth reigned. Pop's strom, was actually--in my estimation--better than BP's. He had delicately constructed a flavorful panoply of meat and cheese and veggies, all encased in a flaky dough. Here is the delivery of message in all of this. Often, members of a church expect the religious professionals to do all of the cooking. We in the pews sit there and wait for the oven to open. Maybe the better plan is for us in the laity to learn how to cook those things that appear beyond our expertise. Study the technique, get the right ingredients, and get to work. It is not magic. Like most things it is not go...

Yesterday morning I went for a run. It was quite chilly. Around freezing. I had on three layers of shirts and as long as I kept moving, I was quite warm. The wool gloves and hat helped keep me toasty. I contemplated how family and community are layers against the cold life. For some, family life is in rags. For others, it is well-knit. For most, it is in-between. The Church is ultimately God's protective layer. A mutual confession should create warmth but it is important that the church be on the move and not just sitting frozen in the pews. Action creates warmth. Inaction, despite good doctrine, does little to stay the chill. Romans 12:11 Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord.