RAMBLINGS WITH RUSS

August 2010

            WE ARE STANDING ON HOLY GROUND!  On our web site www.nestorumc.org you will find a picture that I took of a cross.  It was constructed from snack sticks and jade plant leaves it marked the grave site of a friendly grasshopper.  Pierce the grandson of our buildings care taker Phyllis Schiltz discovered it in the sanctuary.  He planned to take it grandma’s and give it a good home.  But it was too late and the bug died.  Pierce constructed the memorial and buried the grasshopper in front of the Church office.

            It amazed me that an 8 year old boy would want to honor such a brief relationship by creating a memorial to a grasshopper.  It shouldn’t have, because by nature we all want to remember, give thanks, and honor the relationships that mirror our sacred connection to God.  Those of us in the Christian community and other religions are aware of God and we identify places, people and things that are Holy. 

            In the book of Exodus, Moses is instructed to take his shoes off because he is standing on holy ground.  Our States and Federal Governments must agree since they do not tax church land or church income.  There are those who would like to, but they forget the vast amounts of compassion, healthy, homeless, and disaster ministries that are priceless and at risk by their continued attacks on our nation’s religious institutions.  Our Constitution in the Bill or Rights promised that the government would not interfere in the free practice of religion.

            What I see in Pierce’s monument is the expression of the sacred connection between God and God’s creation of all life.  God loves you, as well as the insects that bug us.  We are all part of the Divine Plan of Salvation.  John Wesley the founding force of the Methodist movement asked us to inquire of one another regularly, “How is it with your soul?”  Your home church congregation, your San Diego District churches and the United Methodist Church as well as the entire Christian movement are working to create disciples for Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.  On the local level we have four adult bible study groups, young adult and children’s church school classes, prayer groups, service projects to create sacred symbols of healing comfort and strength in our quilts we provide winter shelters to offer safe spaces, and sources of food aid.  And we hope to continue to expand our action ministries.  Your Nestor Endowment Committee offers opportunities to support a growing scholarship program, as well as Memorials and Personal Stewardship planning.  If you take a look at our advertising pages you will see some who are supporting our communications efforts by offering goods and services that offer health services and products.

            God has created in you a sacred space.  I hope you will open your heart to allow the Son of God to shine in your life.

Blessings,

Russ Locke