Topic: Faith

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, Issues, 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, Issues, 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

“A New Earth” challenges perceptions

By Rev. Charles Moreland | May 30, 2008 |

“Try it. You will like like it.” I heard this often as I was growing up in the Missouri Ozarks. In many unknown or uncertain situations, this advice motivated me; I found it to be positively true when I volunteered to serve as U.S. Army Chaplain, even though there were hardships and challenges in those 20 years.

I still find this advice helpful in my personal life and in my retirement. In this narrative, I have a recoomendation that you will or will not like.

I am recommending a book that may or may not be your “cup of tea,” a book you may not find agreeable. Eckhart Tolle’s A New Earth. It is currently a book of the month selection on Oprah Winfrey’s television show and may be purchased for the low price of $14 (plus tax). Before spending your hard -earned cash on it, remember I do not guarantee that ‘you will like it.” The very opposite is the expected outcome because of provocative insight into our personal lives and what makes us “tick” psychologically, physically and spiritually.

It contains modern interpretations of our dilemma as children of God. Though not exclusively a book on religion, it does provide epiphanies about spiritual experiences, challenges us to a mature faith and discovery of a serendipitous depth to our personal faith. «Read the rest of this article»

Sections: Arts and Leisure, Opinion | No Comments