Topic: Faith

Light for our grandchildren

By Rev. Charles Moreland | December 7, 2008 |

My life is upgraded this holiday season; it is a time for cultivating an already good relationship with my five grandchildren. My desire and goal is to make the bond between us an ever growing one. An intimate connection with them will enrich their lives and mine.

On Sunday at church we sang “This little light of mine, I’m going to let it shine.” The lyrics and melody escorted me down Memory Lane. I learned that lively song in a Nazarene Church Sunday school. It was comforting to listen to this music again.

In my life of seventy-plus years, I remember men and women of faith who served as lights in my journey of faith. There were Jack Folson and Henry Meade, who picked me up on Sunday for religious education at the Central Church of the Nazarene. I credit their “light” for assisting me in spiritual pilgrimage as a youth. Through the “light” and inner glow of these influential lay leaders I was attracted to God. Through their patience, compassion and and devotion since I was 16 years old, I continue to sing “…everywhere I go, I’m going to let shine” as a testimonial to the development of my spiritual traits nurtured through wondrous grace. «Read the rest of this article»

Sections: Spirituality | No Comments

Where are your donated dollars going?

By Rev. Charles Moreland | October 5, 2008 |

I confess that I am uninformed about the bottom lines of some organizations, charities, and churches I support with monetary gifts; I am uninformed about their budgets, incomes, expenditures, salaries and employees. I am also dismayed by faith organizations that hire and reward paid positions to direct family members.

In my understanding of stewardship, I learned from my parents and my faith group to give a percentage of my income to helping organizations. I not only believe supporting selecting organizations, I make it my practice to support the St. Louis Zoo, St. Jude Research Medical Center, and World Vision. For some of these gifts I receive a tax deduction. «Read the rest of this article»

Sections: Business, Opinion, Spirituality | 1 Comment »

Our quest for spiritual nourishment

By Rev. Charles Moreland | September 28, 2008 |

For spiritual nourishment, I attend public worship services, view given religious programs, and read uplifting literature.

A few words about uplifting literature: In my spiritual pilgrimage I am discovering my faith rekindled through reading newspapers, magazines, books (fiction and non-fiction), and The Upper Room, a daily devotional guide published by the United Methodist Church.

Today, through prayer and thought the conclusion of the Upper Room devotional energized and encouraged my faith in our Lord.

The prayer is as follows:

“All caring God, we rejoice in being your children. Help us to feel your comfort, your love, your joy, your peace, and above all, your presence.  Amen.”

The thought for the day, inspired by Psalm 139:1-12, is: “God’s presence is a glorious and comforting gift.” «Read the rest of this article»

Sections: Arts and Leisure, Education, Opinion, Spirituality | No Comments

Faith sustains us in tough economic times

By Rev. Charles Moreland | August 24, 2008 |

This year is already marked by financial anxiety in Clarksville, in the United States, and around the world.Global markets are clearly declining in value. As we shop and check out, the total price distresses us; as we fill up with gas (even though that cost is dropping a bit, for now) we are shocked at the cost. As we paid for our gas purchase with our Sam’s Club credit card the price was twice what it was at this time last year.

We are befuddled and and disciplining ourselves on expenditures. We diligently search for ways to reduce our travel. My daughter in Reno is resolved to not use her car one day a week. As we evaluate our financial flight we have a discoerted feeling that this financial problem is not short term, it will not be over in a few months. Our financial nosedive and free fall won’t be over for a year or two. Maybe. «Read the rest of this article»

Sections: Business, Opinion | No Comments

VA Chapels: Open, welcoming to all faiths

By Rev. Charles Moreland | August 17, 2008 |

In our own community, we are fortunate to have a Veteran’s Administration clinic and a short drive to a VA Medical Center in Nashville. These facilities provide outstanding service to all eligible personnel. Even though there is a significant increase in patients, they continue to offer individualized professional medical care.

For three years, I received medical attention from the Clarksville clinic; they were always professional and I was always left with an appreciation of their services. By following their medical advice, my injury from Vietnam and duty in Germany continued to improve.

The VA is also focused on the spiritual welfare of its patients. At the VA Medical Center, Chaplains are on staff and space is dedicated to serve as “chapels.”

The Department of Veteran Affairs requires that their chapels be open to all faiths. This policy is similar to the guidelines in the use of Army Chapels, too. In the Army, the chapel’s religious symbols such as the Cross aren’t afixed to the building as a permanent attachment unless the symbol could be covered when the chapel wasn’t being used for worship. In the Army, a chapel could be and often is another facility for all faiths including Christian. «Read the rest of this article»

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Memorial plaque reflects spiritual belief

By Rev. Charles Moreland | August 10, 2008 |

Resthaven Cemetery

On a Sunday, my 13-year-old grandson and I were on our way to the Unitarian Universalist Church to refresh ourselves spiritually. Since we were early, we detoured to the Resthaven Cemetery on the way. As we walked solemnly and respectfully among the final resting places of hundreds of people, I discussed with him death. After sharing with him about cremation, my select means of disposing of my body, and the traditional burial six feet under the sod, he turned to me and said “Papa, I’ll come to visit your burial place if you have one.” On that Sunday, I experienced a deeper intimacy with my grandson, Brett.

As a veteran, I have a death benefit. If I choose, my survivors could request a military funeral with a flag, firing of the volley, playing of TAPS, a Chaplain from Fort Campbell to say a few meaningful words, and a single gravestone marker. I can be buried at the new Kentucky Veterans Cemetery. These benefits are available even with the increasingly popular cremation. Every American veteran deserves such benefits, especially those killed in action. «Read the rest of this article»

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Bible distribution in school sparks controversy, taunting of Jewish students

By Rev. Charles Moreland | August 6, 2008 |

One of the benefits of a U.S. Army Chaplain’s career was the opportunity to become friends with Jewish personnel, chaplains and retired officers.

Chaplain Joe Messing, of the Jewish faith, was one of my favorite Post Chaplains. At Fort Bliss, he was our religious leader and supervisor as Post Chaplain, attaining the rank of colonel or “full bird,” a rare achievement in the Army. He was fully qualified for both position and rank; many of us, during his sojourn, wished for him a promotion to General and selection of Chief of Chaplains.

My life was enriched through fellowship with Jewish active duty and retired soldiers. Having such a healthy relationship with them, I am disturbed by the discrimination against students in Texas who adhere to the Jewish faith.

In a story from Church and State News, I read that Plano, Texas, students were pressured by classmates to pick up copies of the New Testament and were taunted when they declined. «Read the rest of this article»

Sections: Education, Opinion, Spirituality | 2 Comments

Health impacts the passages of life

By Rev. Charles Moreland | July 20, 2008 |

“A model’s life is over at 21.” This television commercial is a commentary on the brevity of life and on how fleeting are the passages of life. Our young adult passage went by rapidly even though we have fond memories and a storage room of precious memories. At a glance back at that time, there was first the benefit of leaving home tp go to college, seminary and later, to volunteer for the Army. There was my courtship and marriage to Marilyn Page.

The benefits of life are to some degree within our control. Through a dedicated regimen of preventive and proactive care, we can very likely prolong our health and our lives. Through diligent attention, no matter the years, we increase our opportunities for a full life. «Read the rest of this article»

Sections: Opinion, Spirituality | No Comments

Americans United at work

By Rev. Charles Moreland | June 4, 2008 |

Americans United for the Separation of Church and State is dedicated to preserving the rights of individuals under the U.S. Constitution. They are committed to focusing especially on the matter of individual religious expression.

AU is sometimes criticized for representing and supporting individuals whose constitutional rights are being violated. Their mission is to protect Christians, Muslims, Jews, Buddhist Americans and others from civil and religious leaders who restrict the rights of others based on religious belief or disbelief.

Recently the AU defied tradition in two South Carolina school districts where school were allowing religious proselytizing in their schools.

How the AU responded at the request of parents demonstrates their commitment and understanding that the Constitution applies to everyone. This story illustrates their mission in protecting the rights of children regarding proselytizing.

A baptist minister began with merit to help schoolchildren by supplying shoes to the most needy. Such a project up to this point is in keeping with the teachings of Jesus and other faith founders. That’s a positive action deserving of praise. Such a distribution is a holy and sacred act. It is sacrificial compassion.

So you may ask, where is the rub? What is there to object to since good is being done? «Read the rest of this article»

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Fasting: A rewarding challenge

By Rev. Charles Moreland | June 1, 2008 |

Fasting is a ritual practice common to the major religions of the world. In the Christian faith, we hear more about the custom during the holy season of Lent, when we practice self-sacrifice to regain a renewed spiritual perspective for daily living.

fasting is a sacrifice where a person voluntarily abstains from consuming food or drinking liquids. I grew up in an evangelical church environment that suggested and encouraged regular fasting as a means of spiritual growth.

As a teenager in St. Louis, I accepted the challenge of abstaining from one meal a week, a challenge for a 16-year-old boy with a typical appetite. For me, I purposely opted to abstain from the Friday school lunch. To heighten my appreciation for this weekly event, I retreated to a quiet place in the high school for an hour of meditation and reflection. This discipline became a spiritual growth hormone for me. This sacrifice aided my efforts to a good teen and to say no to the temptations of being a junior in high school. «Read the rest of this article»

Sections: Opinion, Spirituality | No Comments

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