The Scroll
A Periodic newsletter
for SAM's Lambs
http://www.samslambs.org

Why God Will Never Get Tenure at Any University

1. Only published one book.
2. It was in Hebrew.
3. It had no references.
4. He did not publish it in referenced journals.
5. Some doubt He even wrote it Himself.
6. He is not known for his cooperative work.
7. Sure. He created the world, but what has He done lately?
8. He did not get permission from any review board to work on human subjects.
9. When one of His experiments went awry, He tried to cover it up by drowning all the subjects.
10. When sample subjects do not behave as predicted, He deletes the whole sample.
11. He rarely comes to class. He just tells His students to read the Book.
12. It is rumored that He sometimes lets His Son teach the class.
13. Although He only has 10 requirements, His students often fail His tests.
14. He expelled His first two students for learning.
15. His office hours were infrequent and usually held on a mountain top.

(From faculty members at Kansas State University and instructors at Allen County Community College)

Internet References:

Singles in the Church: Is There Seating For One In The Church?

From The Rev:  We Do Have A Choice 

by Reverend Lance Robbins
Rector, The Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd

Dear Friends;

I've always considered September as a time of new beginnings. The lazy summer is over, schools start up, and the brisk air brings a sense of refreshment and new possibilities. Fall is also a good time to take a personal inventory of our lives. If you are like me, this month ushers in a good time to take a look within. What are some of the aspects of your life you would like to see changed? For many, it could be something as simple and yet as significant as how we feel about ourselves as human beings. So many folks I come in contact with have such a low view of their own sense of worth and importance as human beings. This is sad no matter how you look at tit. The good news is, change is possible.

A noted sociologist Charles Cooley, came up with what he entitled as the "looking glass" theory of the personality. He maintains that our self-concept comes from the person we considered to be the most important in our lives. If that person "built up" your self-worth while growing up, one entered adult life reasonably whole. On the other hand, if that person "built down" your self-esteem, probably you entered life with low regard for self. Cooley points out, however, no matter what impact these important people had on your life, "the past need not be determined by how these people regard us now". Perhaps we had no choice in how we came to think of ourselves in the past, we do have a choice in how we feel about ourselves now.

As I have reflected upon this "theory" for the Christian, the person who defines us now is God. The Lover who knows no bounds and whose creative power knows no end to make us a new creation. We have great worth and value in the eyes of God who loves us, cares for us, and nurtures us, at times, despite ourselves.

Let me end with a poem I recently discovered. In part it reads as follows:

After a while you learn the difference, subtle difference, between holding a hand and chaining a soul,

And you learn that love doesn't mean leaning and company doesn't mean security.

And you begin to learn that kisses aren't contracts and presents aren't promises.

And you begin to accept your defeats with your head up and your eyes open, with the grace of an adult, not the grief of a child.

And you learn to build all your roads on today because tomorrow's ground is too uncertain for plans.

After a while you learn that even sunshine burns if you get too much.

So plant your own garden and decorate your own soul instead of waiting for someone to bring you flowers.

And you learn that you really can endure...that you really are strong,

And you really do have worth.

Peace,
The Rev. Lance D. Robbins
Rector, The Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd.
Webster NY

The Reverend Lance Robbins is Rector for the growing flock at The Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd, 1130 Webster Rd., Webster NY 14580. (585) 872-2281 and co-founder and leader of SAM's Lambs Singles Ministry