{"id":106512,"date":"2024-08-11T23:30:31","date_gmt":"2024-08-12T05:30:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.patheos.com\/blogs\/danpeterson\/?p=106512"},"modified":"2024-08-13T22:22:14","modified_gmt":"2024-08-14T04:22:14","slug":"a-gift-for-the-man-who-really-needs-nothing","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.patheos.com\/blogs\/danpeterson\/2024\/08\/a-gift-for-the-man-who-really-needs-nothing.html","title":{"rendered":"A gift for the man who really needs nothing"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<\/head>

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"Bethesda<\/a>
Carl Heinrich Bloch (1834-1890), \u201cChrist Healing the Sick at Bethesda\u201d (1883), oil on canvas, 100 3\/4 x 125 1\/2 inches. Brigham Young University Museum of Art, purchased with funds provided by Jack R. and Mary Lois Wheatley, 2001.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

We are rapidly closing in on the hundredth anniversary of President Russell M. Nelson\u2019s birth. \u00a0I hope he makes it. \u00a0I\u2019m praying<\/em> that he makes it. \u00a0(No, I don\u2019t have any reliable insider information to the contrary; I simply recognize the fact that a man in his hundredth year is, by most post-diluvian standards, really old and that, according to the actuarial data, really old people occasionally die.)<\/p>\n

I expect that you\u2019re aware of the request that President Nelson has made<\/a> to those who might want to celebrate his birthday:<\/p>\n

\n
\n
I am soon approaching my 100th birthday. One of the places where the Savior used the number 100 in the scriptures was the parable of the lost sheep. Though 99 of his flock were safely by his side, the shepherd went in search of the 1 who was lost.<\/div>\n
At age 99, I have no need of physical gifts. But one spiritual offering that would brighten my life is for each of us to reach out to \u201cthe one\u201d in our lives who may be feeling lost or alone.<\/div>\n
Over the coming months I invite you to consider prayerfully: who do you know who may be discouraged? Who might you need to reconcile with or ask for forgiveness? Has one name been on your mind lately, though you haven\u2019t quite known why? As you bring these questions to the Lord, He will inspire you to know how you can reach out and lift one who needs help.<\/div>\n
What a beautiful example the Savior has shown us \u2013 that through each of us ministering to just one within our reach, we can spread the love of Jesus Christ throughout the world. #99plus1<\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<\/blockquote>\n
Unsurprisingly, other officials of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints<\/a> have endorsed President Nelson\u2019s request: \u00a0\u201cChurch Leaders Echo President Nelson\u2019s Invitation to Reach Out to \u2018the One\u2019 for His 100th Birthday: Here\u2019s what Church leaders are saying on social media about President Nelson\u2019s invitation\u201d<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n

This is a great invitation, a marvelous challenge. \u00a0Imagine the impact it would have if every member of the Church were to act upon it. \u00a0Think of the great good that would be done, the benefits that would result. \u00a0I\u2019m trying to take it very seriously and, thus, to fulfill President Nelson\u2019s request.<\/p>\n

And, while I\u2019m at it, you may want to mark this on your calendar: \u00a0\u201cChurch announces broadcast to honor President Russell M. Nelson\u2019s 100th birthday on Sept. 9:\u00a0The 75-minute broadcast will celebrate President Nelson\u2019s life and teachings and his ministry as the church\u2019s prophet since 2018\u201d<\/a><\/p>\n

\n
\n
\n
\n
\"Redjar's<\/a>
Cornwall Congregational Church, in Cornwall, Vermont, dates to 1803.
(Photo by Redjar at English language Wikipedia)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

These announcements allegedly appeared in apparently non-Latter-day Saint church bulletins or were announced at church services. \u00a0I thought them quite funny, and I\u2019ve had a very long day \u2014 four very long days in a row, for that matter \u2014 so I\u2019m sharing them with you. \u00a0Please enjoy:<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n
The Fasting & Prayer Conference includes meals.
\n\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2013
\nScouts\u00a0\u00a0 are saving aluminum cans, bottles and other items to be
\nrecycled. Proceeds will be used to cripple children.
\n\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2013
\nThe sermon this morning: \u2018Jesus Walks on the Water.\u2019 The sermon
\ntonight: \u2018Searching for Jesus.\u2019
\n\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2013
\nLadies, don\u2019t forget the rummage sale. It\u2019s a chance to get rid of
\nthose things not worth keeping around the house. Bring your husbands.
\n\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2013
\nDon\u2019t let worry kill you off \u2013 let the Church help.
\n\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2013
\nMiss Charlene Mason sang \u2018I will not pass this way again,\u2019 giving
\nobvious pleasure to the congregation.
\n\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2013
\nFor those of you who have children and don\u2019t know it, we have a
\nnursery downstairs.
\n\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2013
\nNext Thursday there will be try-outs for the choir. They need all the
\nhelp they can get.
\n\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2013
\nIrving Benson and Jessie Carter were married on October 24 in the
\nchurch. So ends a friendship that began in their school days.
\n\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2013
\nA bean supper will be held on Tuesday evening in the church hall.
\nMusic will follow.
\n\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2013
\nAt the evening service tonight, the sermon topic will be \u2018What Is
\nHell?\u2019 Come early and listen to our choir practice.
\n\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2013
\nEight new choir robes are currently needed due to the addition of
\nseveral new members and to the deterioration of some older ones.
\n\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2013
\nPlease place your donation in the envelope along with the deceased
\nperson you want remembered..
\n\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2013
\nThe church will host an evening of fine dining, super entertainment
\nand gracious hostility.
\n\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2013
\nPot-luck supper Sunday at 5:00 PM \u2013 prayer and medication to follow.
\n\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2013
\nThe ladies of the Church have cast off clothing of every kind. They
\nmay be seen in the basement on Friday afternoon.
\n\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2013
\nThis evening at 7 PM there will be a hymn singing in the park across
\nfrom the Church. Bring a blanket and come prepared to sin.
\n\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2013
\nThe pastor would appreciate it if the ladies of the Congregation would
\nlend him their electric girdles for the pancake breakfast next Sunday.
\n\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2013
\nLow Self Esteem Support Group will meet Thursday at 7 PM . Please use
\nthe back door.
\n\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2013
\nThe eighth-graders will be presenting Shakespeare\u2019s Hamlet in the
\nChurch basement Friday at 7 PM .. The congregation is invited to
\nattend this tragedy.
\n\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2013
\nWeight Watchers will meet at 7 PM at the First Presbyterian Church.
\nPlease use large double door at the side entrance.
\n\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2013<\/div>\n
And this one just about sums them all up: The Associate Minister unveiled the church\u2019s new campaign slogan last Sunday:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u2018I Upped My Pledge \u2013 Up Yours.\u2019<\/div>\n<\/blockquote>\n
\"mklkmflmklsmls\"<\/a>
Political map of Africa (public domain, Central Intelligence Agency), showing tiny Rwanda directly to the east of the Democratic Republic of the Congo.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

This news item worries me on religious freedom grounds, and I wonder \u2014 \u201cThe law requires clerics to have theology degrees\u201d \u2014 what implications it may have for any Latter-day Saint congregations that may be there in the country: \u00a0\u201cRwanda government shuts more than 5,000 churches, claiming code violations: \u2018The government gave us five years to comply and kept giving us reminders. That ended last year in September,\u2019 said Anglican Archbishop Laurent Mbanda.\u201d<\/a><\/p>\n

The economically-minded cynic in me can easily imagine that Catholic and Anglican clergy, who are formally trained for the ministry, might welcome a law that forbids people lacking theological degrees from functioning as pastors and church leaders. \u00a0It\u2019s rather like professional barbers demanding state licensure of people who give haircuts, or taxi drivers seeking the help of the state in limiting (or eliminating) Uber and Lyft. \u00a0Restricting competition has obvious advantages for those who haven\u2019t been restricted.<\/p>\n

But now for an abrupt change of subject: \u00a0 This is nothing short of horrible. \u00a0I\u2019m astonished and appalled that, in at least some circles in Europe and even the United States, it seems to be the 1920s and 1930s all over again: \u00a0\u201cAn open call to murder Jews in a Belgian magazine:\u00a0The pain caused by contemporary antisemitism is partly rooted in the fact that we can\u2019t ignore it.\u201d<\/a> \u00a0How is it even possible<\/em> that such ideas and attitudes still exist? \u00a0Did we really learn nothing from our experience with Hitler and the Nazis?<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/body><\/html>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

\u00a0 We are rapidly closing in on the hundredth anniversary of President Russell M. 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