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Our denomination has moved to an “ethics” package for ministers.  After reading this over, and signing it, we have committed to preach it in our services.  The document itself is designed for official (ie. paid) workers of the C&MA, but with some slight editorial work, works well!

The document has a number of main points, and then sub-points with very pointed outcomes.  This week I will approach the area of relationships.  Love God, love others, love yourself all fit here. 

I particularly like the idea the idea that – “knowing and walking with God will be the principal appetite of my life.”  Since working with committees on drug and alcohol addictions, I’ve come to realize that we all have appetites in our lives.  Some are destructive – we call them addictions.  Others are constructive – we call them what??

I suppose we could say disciplines, others might call them desires and passions. 

So here’s my question to you.  What would you call the appetites of life that are best for us?

I was reminded that anyone born in the 1984 – 2000 generation is considered a millennial.  My son was born in 1984.  He sits on that tipping edge.  Right where the slope starts upwards once again – into a new approach to communication.

We’ve heard that the new generation is computer literate – their source of information flows most often through electronic means.  This generation texts (oops, talks) constantly via cell phones, Facebook sites and twitter.

This is generalized.  Millennials will also fast for an extended period from electronics.  And some will find that a weekly fast is helpful.

Millennials work from story and use media to communicate with each other and the world.  An older approach of “reasoning” and “systematic lists” doesn’t come easily to the Millennial. 

Again, this is a generalization.  My son is logical and works well training others with a systematized approach. 

But many are not.  To them, the point comes through a story that illustrates the point.  Written blogs like this one are being eclipsed by video blogs that are visual.   Email is becoming obsolete as a way of “talking” to each other – that’s being left to Facebook and twitter!

It’s a new world, and we have the great opportunity to work within this world.  I’m excited to do so.  But it does mean a whole new approach to communicating!

My wife continues to deal with a cold that hangs on, hangs out and hangs in.  Today she stepped out for a few minutes and came back a bit exhausted.

Later I talked to my daughter – she has a daughter who has a cold.  And my sister-in-law phoned – her cold continues on.

What do we do as we deal with colds?  We find our minds are a bit confused – or at best slow.  We find our emotions are dampened or heightened – depending on the moment.  We find our spirits feel separated from our bodies – as though we walk behind ourselves.

No wonder our greatest prayer and desire is to place the cold behind us.  May these dis-eases move on quickly.

A week away!  Great times visiting. 

But colds tracking us! 

Jill is watching herself carefully – the coughing is still there but hopefully a bit less intense.  I was in to the office and work for around 11 hours.  Spent the evening doing very little.

And now to bed – hopefully both of us will find our selves in better shape tomorrow!