Faith is a fuzzy thing. We think we see something very clear and we advocate that everyone see the same clear picture. The UMC held its General Conference earlier this year and some interesting statistics were presented:
1. 96% of people living in the U.S. believe in God; 2. 53% of the 96% say it makes
no difference in their living; 3. 60% have no Christian relationship; 4. 80% of 18-30 year-olds have no relationship with the church whatsoever. If you think, as many do, that the UMC would intentionally skew their research I would invite you to read
UnChristian which goes even further in explaining what a poor job believers do in modeling Christ to our culture.
It sure seems that the evil one has figured out how to lure believers in America to sleep. . . . .abundance. We want for very little, it will be interesting to see how faith surveys change if the "recession" we aren't in hangs around for another year. Abundance does not increase faith, easy lives with plenty to eat, every electronic gadget on earth, the latest car, homes large enough to house the entire extended family, and lives so busy we have no time to build a relationship, a true deep, meaningful relationship with anyone. I am not advocating returning to life in the early 20th century or late 19th century but having visited a culture where relationships are first and foremost does make one think about the direction our country has taken. If all your material needs are met in abundance why would you need to trust the unseen God? I can do all things but it doesn't appear that I need Christ to strengthen me. Adversity seems to bring about deeper faith. I have written about my nephew who is, as I write, in Pittsburgh recovering from major surgery. I have learned more about a deepening faith in God through he and his family as they struggle, not only with the present but with the future, to meet the decisions of the day. They take each day as it comes and are thankful for everything God has done, is doing and will do. To watch the relationship that Daniel has built with his nurses, that is Christ working through us and that is how we will impact the world. The latest praise song may make our heart twitter and our eyes mist but in the end it is how we relate to those around us. It appears that Americans don't really want to do the next step in their faith, the hard step, which is to develop a relationship with someone who may not think like they do on every issue. That is the only way we will change the statistics mentioned earlier.
As God created the Hummingbird for a purpose, so too are we created for a purpose. Watching this little character arrive for nourishment was an amazing opportunity. We sat in comfortable rocking chairs at the Funk's Grove Nature Center reading the paper and waiting for this example of creation to appear. Time and again they returned for a brief moment and then moved on. It was truly an amazing experience.
Elkader, Iowa is a wonderful community built along the Turkey River. The bridge in the photo was constructed early in the 20th century by the same methods used in ancient Rome. Wooden arched forms supported the stones until a keystone was dropped into place and filled in the pressure point providing a stable, nearly maintenance free structure. Any community that needs bridges, has access to a quarry at a reasonable distance should consider this method. The bridge was originally built in 9 months but has required almost no follow-up maintenance. We, in the Midwest, typically build using concrete piers with iron beams and a concrete deck which are all constantly hammered by our use of salt, the iron rusts and needs painting, the concrete rots and needs replaced, the taxpayer continues to support the ever growing cycle. Anyway, if you are ever near Elkader, stop and see this bridge.
We have stopped at the abandoned part of Elkport, Iowa. I really can't explain the feelings that go through your mind when walking the neatly laid out streets but only a few buildings survive. This area is in a flood plain and the recent floods in Iowa have caused much damage to the areas we are traveling through. Just like my first trip through here on a bicycle I am drawn to the remaining buildings wondering who lived here, who went to school here, who read these books. What stories could be told by those who once called Elkport home. It was interesting to drive about one-half mile further and see the "new" Elkport, a little higher and safer.
