Trivial Pursuits Of A Shallow Mind
Life is rather busy at this time, and many quite important things are going on. In the midst of it all, I find myself spending far too much time thinking about some strange and trivial matters. So, I will share a few of these with you, in no particular order of importance.
*It really bothers me to see men leave the public restroom without washing their hands. I've been studying the issue, and would say that as high as 40% do so. Now it is possible for a man to do his “bathroom things” without actually compromising the cleanliness of his hands. But not probable. And I think about what these men do with the same hands: grasp the hands of others, handle money, eat food, and open doors. The latter is a real problem for me, because even though I religiously wash my hands, I still have to touch the knob to the bathroom door. Sometimes I'll open it with a paper towel, and I've even been known to use my foot. And I know it is a bit judgmental, but my opinion of a colleague/associate inevitably is lowered when I know he commits this foible.
*My dog one time “went potty” in the church. It was long ago, at a faraway church which will go nameless. I had to make a quick trip to my office, and he always loved to go places with me, so I let him enter the building and run the hallways while I spent a few minutes at my desk. A couple of days later, the custodian with great gravity told me he found poop on the hallway carpet, and it looked like dog poop. I panicked, fearing I was about to get into big trouble. Then I thought of some extremely out-of-control kids who attended lots of activities at the church. “I know the Martin kids were roaming the church the other day”, I replied with equal concern. And he bought it! From then on, the custodian kept a close eye on those particular kids. I lied, to save my dog from embarrassment. And it has been bothering me for a long time. Thanks for letting me confess.
*The scripture reading for Sunday morning included the word “breasts”. It is a perfectly good word, I know. But I was really uncomfortable with the public verbalizing of the word. I practiced, but still was self-conscious. I think I read it smoothly, and hopefully without undue emphasis. And I know church folk are really just regular people. But I still fear that such words in church are shocking to some. I hope no hearts were caused to skip a beat, or children unduly influenced. Perhaps I should have used the KJV, which substitutes the word “paps”. Yeah, right.
Perhaps I should erase this post?
09.26.06 (10:38 pm) [
edit]
posted by:
TheRockSays (
reply)
post date:
09.26.06 (7:59 pm)
Is that what your congregation is like--refusing to acknowledge naughty parts in the name of conservatism? Do you have any doctors there? How about gynecologist? Midwives?
posted by:
PastorDave (
reply)
post date:
09.26.06 (8:13 pm)
Reply to: TheRockSays
Lighten up, my friend.
You have obviously never been around a genteel, proper, cultivated, traditional Southerner. Language and etiquette is expected to be proper. Dress and manners are of high premium. And, of course, naughty words are never to be used. And I'm not condemning- it is a cultural matter. And I'll take it anytime over some of the rude, crude, cultural behavior that one can easily find among some others.
Doctors, gynecologists, midwives? My particular congregation has a few professionals, but is mostly made up of blue collar, middle class people. Good people. Sinners, of course.
"...refusing to acknowledge naughty parts in the name of conservatism" is not what I refer to. I'm referencing more to the use of proper language in particular social settings. Usually, in a sermon, one avoids the use of certain words. Seldom do I find the need to use the word "breasts".
posted by:
TheRockSays (
reply)
post date:
09.26.06 (8:33 pm)
Reply to: PastorDave
Sorry, didn't mean to offend. But I do have breeding connected to genteel, proper, cultivated, etc, parlance, but from a region nowhere near the Southern United States. True, it is not every day I hear "breasts" in church, and I don't know in what exact context you were using it, but you were reading right out of the Bible, so anyone who would raise an objection (especially a regionally-based one) would have a lot of work to do.
posted by:
PastorDave (
reply)
post date:
09.26.06 (8:52 pm)
Reply to: TheRockSays
Much of the South is "thick" with culture. As Atlanta has become so cosmopolitan, a big struggle in the churches has been to try to be faithful to the biblical understanding that the church is to reach out to all people, including those very different from yourself. A big part of the Southern tradition is Sunday morning church. Until recently, most around here would be expected to attend church services. And there would be an expected tradition as far as how church would be conducted. Much of that is gone now. But some remains in my particular congregation. Many of our men still wear coats and ties, and many of the ladies wear dresses to church. We have a traditional order of worship.
Within such context, there are expected traditions concerning the sermon. It is to be biblically based. It is to reference Jesus. An invitation to Christ and holy living is to be proposed. And, you are expected to speak with refinement and courtesy. No cursing, no sexual innuendo. Now, I know the bible has much to say about some rather crude issues, because life involves these kinds of things. But it is expected these are to be addressed in private, not directly in a public worship service.
I think I've stated the reality pretty much. It may not all be good, but that's the way it is.
posted by:
seochris (
reply)
post date:
09.26.06 (9:28 pm)
Seochris here Pr.
I feel u have expressed innocent feelings. I have faced situations myself when my Moslem peers would wash hands after visiting the public restrooms. This is mainly due to their religious hygiene compulsions. For it was like if I'm in a hurry then I just avoid the ritual else I regularly wash.
Also use of breasts or for that matter names of any adult words is fine if it truly educates the masses and most importantly brings a fear of God in people's life.
But brother u r naughty enough in your confession of you poodl's faux pass, sice u might be too sure that this blog wont be read by that custodian. Right Sir??
posted by:
fractalmom (
reply)
post date:
09.27.06 (6:01 am)
notes and ramblings. PD we all have things we wish we had acknowledged in our past. At least you must have been feeding the dog high quality dog food, or surely you would have smelled the faux pas immediately?
hmmm. the breasts thingy. You will certainly get some backlash there. Now, it would not offend me, but we have many of those blue haired ladies in our congregation as well, and I do know exactly what you speak of. But, as a minister, you can always fall back on scripture and simply state that is is a sin to change the word of scripture so you HAD to read that word.
Interestingly enough, I watched a show on how to detect cults last night. They used a metaphor of math to identify a cult from true Christianity. Addition, they add to the bible. not good. Subtraction, they subtract from either the diety of Jesus, or the coporality of Jesus. Also not good. Multiply, they multiply the things biblicallly needed for Grace and forgiveness of sin. Ditto not good. Divide. - ooops, I forgot, that was right before I fell asleep. Dang it.
As always, dawn
posted by:
bawdy (
reply)
post date:
09.27.06 (11:14 am)
It disgusts me as well that so many don't wash their hands after using restrooms. But even the taps themselves are germ infested. You can't win unless you use paper towels to turn them on.
Next time substitute boobies for breasts. It's fun to say boobies.
posted by:
lorischuster (
reply)
post date:
09.27.06 (4:09 pm)
Ditto on the handwashing...yuck. How cute is Skyler!!! Oh my gosh...I hope you are just spoiling her rotten. I'm trying not to be incredulous about the breast thing...but I don't get people...and I'm not talking about you because I get what you are up against. I showed a part of an I love Lucy video once in children's church to prove a point (it was a wonderful analogy in my ever so humble opinion) and let me tell you --I go so much crap. 1) because it wasn't a Christian video and 2) because Ricky had a cigarette. anyway...I digress. I just wrote about this yesterday--sort of--and how people freak out over the human body. When the garden was still considered paradise, Adam and Eve were naked...how funny it would be...and I DO believe Jesus has a sense of humor... if everyone were naked when we get up to heaven. Sorry this is so long...you hit a nerve.
posted by:
babe4jesus55 (
reply)
post date:
09.27.06 (4:28 pm)
The restroom thing makes me gag. I try to avoid public restrooms if at all possible for that reason. Alot of restrooms these days don't even have paper towels anymore, opting instead for the dryer. What is a germ-a-phobe to do?!
posted by:
PastorDave (
reply)
post date:
09.27.06 (7:10 pm)
Reply to: seochris
I'm not too worried about the former custodian.
And you are right- the dog matter was naughty. I'm happy to tell you that, since that incident, the church has installed new carpetting and as far as I know, no animals or humans have defecated on it. Well, unless the decendents of the Martin kids roam the hallways.
posted by:
PastorDave (
reply)
post date:
09.27.06 (7:18 pm)
Reply to: fractalmom
Let's see...maybe they divide with slide rulers, in obvious disobedience to the scripture which says, "...go forth and multiply" and "...the Lord added to them daily".
My dogs get the finest of dog food, something I learned to provide many years ago. And we take a walk twice per day, after which they each get three biscuits. I love my dogs, and I'm glad I was not forced to choose between my church and my dog. A guy can always find another church.
posted by:
PastorDave (
reply)
post date:
09.27.06 (7:21 pm)
Reply to: bawdy
I never considered the taps to be germ infested. Yes, they are. I think I am going to have to stop using public restrooms. Or, better perhaps, start carrying my own package of rubber gloves. I can put on a pair as I enter the restroom, and then throw them away after I leave. Is that, perhaps, carrying things a bit too far? I think not.
posted by:
PastorDave (
reply)
post date:
09.27.06 (7:25 pm)
Reply to: lorischuster
There is a series of Bible studies based upon videos of The Beverly Hillbillies and The Andy Griffith Show. I've used them, and really they are a lot of fun and rather effective. Now, I Love Lucy has to be one of the worse shows ever to be on television. Surely God cannot use something so bad. I am kidding!
People are rather narrow when it comes to protecting their church traditions. I think it is because of all the forced changes they face everday. At least, they think, church does not change.
I'll head over and read your post. It should be interesting.
posted by:
PastorDave (
reply)
post date:
09.27.06 (7:28 pm)
Reply to: babe4jesus55
I'll tell you what a "germ phobe" must do: Line the stool with TP. Be careful not to touch any bathroom furnishings. Turn on the faucets with your elbows. Wash your hands thoroughly, hold them under the hand dryer for a bit, and then dry them on your pants. Then wait for someone else to open the door, and walk out. Go home quickly to take a shower.
Such is my routine. Does that strike you as unusual?
posted by:
fractalmom (
reply)
post date:
09.28.06 (6:06 am)
Interestingly enough, the American Academy of Pediatricians has come out solidly with the information that we as parents and caretakers shield our children from too many germs and they therefore do not develop the immunity to many common illnesses. I guess we are all safe. Heck, we grew up on processed foods, ate bacon, ate WHITE sugar, rode in cars with metal dashes and without seat belts at incredible speeds and played without supervision in forests, streets and playgrounds with dirt on them.
That being said, I do carry around hand sanitizer in my purse, and I DO wash after using the restroom.
Dawn
