Pastor's Message

For July 2010

Thoughts I’d Like To Share ........

            I had hoped that when I read Dr. Kent Keith’s Paradoxical Commandments as the introduction to a recent sermon they would stir some interest and perhaps much reflection.  I was surprised to learn following that worship service more than a few people had heard of the Commandments and in a variety of contexts.  I was also pleased that a number of folks asked that the Commandments be placed in the Newsletter and / or worship bulletin. 

            I would invite you to read through the list and then read it again pausing a while on each.  Let your thoughts focus and drift!  What are these insightful paradoxes saying to you?  Have you found them in your life experience? 

            Each time I go over them they speak to me in different ways.   At times I will smile and laugh at the experiences they bring to mind.  Sometimes I am surprised at the disappointment, hurt and anger they dredge up – reasons to not respond in a positive way anyway! 

            I listened intently to Dr. Keith at the recent Annual Meeting of the Hawaii Conference, UCC.  He engaged the audience in discussion of the Commandments encouraging personal reflection and then a sharing of the meanings found.  As he continued his presentation I found myself contemplating again, and all the more, the demanding challenges faced by those who seek to be Christians.  Not an easy endeavor!  Not what many expressions of the “church” make it out to be.  His voice, his words, his confidence and demeanor were assuring, disturbing and prophetic. 

            Why “do it anyway”?  Because of the meaning it brings to your life!  Don’t go for the glory – go for the meaning!  I hope I long remember how Dr. Keith spoke of Jesus on the Cross.  To unimaginable pain and cruelty Jesus responded in love and forgiveness.  Meaning is found in our loving response to the cruelty of life.   Being a Christian is not easy. Be one anyway!     

The Paradoxical Commandments

People are illogical, unreasonable, and self-centered.

Love them anyway.

If you do good, people will accuse you of selfish ulterior motives.

Do good anyway.

If you are successful, you win false friends and true enemies.

Succeed anyway.

The good you do today will be forgotten tomorrow.

Do good anyway.

Honesty and frankness make you vulnerable.

Be honest and frank anyway.

The biggest men and women with the biggest ideas can be shot down by

the smallest men and women with the smallest minds.

Think big anyway.

People favor underdogs,

but follow only top dogs.

Fight for a few underdogs anyway.

What you spend years building may be

destroyed overnight.

Build anyway.

People really need help but may attack you if you do help them.

Help people anyway.

Give the world the best you have and you'll get kicked in the teeth.

Give the world the best you have anyway.

(Copyright: Dr. Kent Keith, 1969)

 Rev. L. Walter

(page updated  6/30/10)