thoughts on the news of the day: reviews

hmmm…..

            I am trying to decide this morning what I think about a woman who is being sued by a church in Beaverton, OR because she wrote a bad review of the church on Google.  There are so many questions that have popped into my mind.  Can just anyone at anytime say anything about any Google listing and get away with it?  Can you sue someone because they spoke their truth about a topic on a silly Google site?  What about freedom of speech?  What about freedom of religion?  What is the website’s responsibility in policing listings and reviews?

            Clearly in our country we have laws against slander and libel – but what if the review is solicited?  Can the receiver of the review ask for one and then sue when they don’t like the honesty of the reviewer?  Religion is a less clear field than politics.  We have pretty much hashed out what you can and can’t say about a politician but what about a church?

            Am I asking too many questions?  Didn’t Jesus say “Love one another?”  Why can’t we just all get along, especially in church?

            Oscar Wilde once said, “The only thing worse than being talked about is not being talked about.”  I wonder if attendance in that church is up since the Google review story hit the news.  In an inside out backwards kind of way, it would be interesting to know the real effect of the review and the publicity on the Pastor and the congregation.  At the end of the day, was the church really harmed or did it benefit from the seemingly bad publicity?

            I’m going to have to think about all of this.  But I guess it would be a good idea to check the Google listing and  reviews  of our church every so often, too....  Wonder what people are saying about us!

            hmmm….

thoughts on the news of the day: skateboards

hmmm…..

            There was an article on the web recently about the new explosion of skateboarding for over-40’s.  The new-old skateboarders seem to thrive on the idea of re-living their youth, and the thrill of basically taking their life in their hands.  I admire those kind of people – the ones who train and discipline their bodies to perform amazing feats.  I know of a man in Oklahoma who is training to climb Mt. Kilimanjaro next month.  He runs up and down the steps of a large football stadium to get in shape for the event.  That should get him ready for the climb ahead, at least I am sure he is hoping it will!

             It makes me wonder, what is worth taking a risk?  How is it that we are inspired to tackle amazing challenges and accomplish them?  Sometimes it’s for the money, sure.  And sometimes it is for the honor, glory or because its just the right thing to do.  But most of the time, at least part of the component is this question:  “Can I do it?” 

            Optimistically, I would like to say that we can do anything we put our minds up to do.  Determination is the probably the primary ingredient in accomplishing a goal.  Well.. there’s also courage, strength, patience, love and self-control.  Come to think of it, those ingredients are pretty much the fruits of the spirit. 

            It reminds me of the questions I was asked at my ordination.  “Can you ….?”  The appropriate response is always, “With God’s help. I can.”  That kind of works in all of life.

            hmmm…..

            

thoughts on the news of the day: daughters

  I know yesterday was Mother’s Day, but I thought this Facebook post from my daughter  was worth sharing, even if it is a day late:

“My favorite picture of you and I. That Easter we hardly had anything... But YOU made me the most beautiful Easter dress and basket and I never knew. A couple years later when we were snowed in and the one furnace we had in our small "house" in grandma's backyard barely worked, YOU took me out to build snowmen and made me think it was cool to heat my mittens up in the microwave. When our car got stolen and all my dolls were taken YOU got us that little for escort from Aunt Bev with no ac or radio and created my love for driving with the windows down and music blaring. Of course we used a boom box but I didn't care because YOU put the seat down in the back and made me a "room" in the car. Which I was positive no one else had. YOU taught me that great fashion can be found anywhere. I loved goodwill because I knew my $5 could get me a whole outfit but will never forget the, "we don't buy underwear here speech." My point is... Mom you raised me on nothing and I never knew. It wasn't until a few years ago that I realized most of my childhood you made less than I did right out of college. I have no idea how you did it with such grace, but I wouldn't have had it any other way. These sacrifices were made so that together we could go to seminary and then soon share our talents with the world. I am resourceful because of you. I am a survivor because of you. I know I can do anything because of you and I know love because of you. This was not meant to be sad. It was meant to be a testament to where we came from and where we are now. We did it together, just you and me against the world. Best friends forever. I wouldn't change a thing. I love you momma!