MORGAN'S MOMENT...
I noted a glazing of the eyes…
   only one stage removed from
   the rolling of the eyes move.
Only the least sensitive among us
   fail to detect the message
   that is not meant for detection.
My words and great thoughts
    are being replaced
    by visions I do not see.
We who carry wisdom of years
    have not a clue    
    about our ability to bore.
I can roll eyes whenever I mention
    life during the Great Depression
    remembering Pearl Harbor
    rationing during World War II
    Viet Nam and Korean wars
    Watts Riots
    assassinations of Jack Kennedy
         and Martin Luther King
         and Bobby Kennedy.
I do better when I forget to remember
    and think to ask what others think
    how far they run
    how the old car is doing
    what it was like to hear Obama
    whether my CD is worth fixing.
One is old with wisdom
    when able to speak with people
    without causing eyes to roll.
— Art Morgan 

BOOK CORNER
Sara Gruen writes an historical novel
in Water For Elephants. Memories are jogged and information added about the Great Depression, circus life, ethnic struggles in the ‘30’s, Prohibition and life in the nursing home.
Compelling reading with great characters, including a Polish-speaking elephant. Some powerful thoughts on aging among other things.
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MOMENT MINISTRIES
April 25, 2008
home address:  25921 SW Airport Ave.
Corvallis, OR 97333   541-753-3942
email at a-morgan@peak.org
GOOGLING
It takes too much time to “Google” so I rarely do it. I was curious to see what they had for “Moment Ministries.” I learned that there are several others in the country using that name. I think we were the first to incorporate.
I started probing into some of the connections and began to uncover lots of things I had almost forgotten we had out there. Most of my booklets are there. Blue sheets and other writings that date back many years are there. Lots of things are there for the world to see. I hope none of my constituents ever runs for office and has to explain friendship with one like me who was known to write audacious ideas.
My probing led to other thoughts. Our webmaster, Bill Gilbert, puts all my blue sheets onto our web site. There are some who regularly check in there. I prefer that people receive the printed version because I think there is more likelihood that they will get an extra minute or two of attention and the possibility that they will get passed around. That’s what happens from what I am told.
Those who want to send a copy to someone can get it from the web page. With patience you can find all back issues by date.
In the summer, when I do not mail, I plan to send e-mail notice of any blue sheets sent to Bill for our web site. People will be able to simply click the connecting www address for the pages to pop up. He even publishes them in blue! You have the option of reading or not.
DELETIONS
It is a moment of reluctance when I have to remove a name from the mailing list. In the last couple of weeks I have had to delete two. One was that of Wayne Coover, a friend from Huntington Park years. Most people never knew that he couldn’t read, but I sent him the blue sheet anyway.
Another who has been on our mailing lists for almost 40 years is Earl Gibbs who died in Texas. We once owned shares in a river drift boat together and even caught fish. I’ll miss his occasional comments to my various thoughts.
THREE SCORE AND SEVENTEEN
I’ve just decided to have myself a party, since no one else has offered. My birthday comes on Friday, May 9, so that’s when it will be. I’m planning to get some word out to any friends that might be around and want to come. I just thought I’d put the word out now so that it won’t be a surprise
TERRY AND MARLENE LORENZEN have a 50th Anniversary party on the 26th and 27th. Morgan’s and Pritchard’s are going to Bend to help. It will be a special moment.
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GOTCHA!

      Do you enjoy those TV political ads? I’ve finally figured out the name of their game. “Gotcha!”
      Assuming somewhat correctly that the average citizen doesn’t give long-term attention to actual big time issues, campaign managers entertain us with a game. We get hooked, wanting to find out the latest gaff or outrage uncovered from the distant past of the opposing candidate.
      The latest allegation doesn’t have to quote the opposition in context or prove that the allegation is true. Insinuation works as well as fact in “gotcha!”
      There is always a hope that something will prove to be the fatal “gotcha” that ends the opponent’s chances.
      I traced my gut reaction to the game back to counseling days.
      If you’ve ever listened to a couple going at each other openly you’ve probably seen the same game. Old hurts that have been “gunny sacked” are brought out of the bag. It can go back and forth. “Gotcha! It’s not easy to endure. It is rare that any of the old stuff matters. Every relationship has a history of things that should not have been said or done. I can’t remember anyone ever winning the “gotcha” game.
      Love “fore-gives.” In the context of a loving relationship it has to be assumed that there will be wrongs and hurts. The past cannot be undone. Some things are best forgotten, or at least not kept as ammunition for the next game of “gotcha!”
      Some people think of religion as a game of “gotcha” played against God.
      The idea is that the Grandfather or Grandmother of the universe is somewhere above or around keeping track of all that we say or do. Someone gave me a woven “Ojo de Dios” to be hung in my house. I’ve just looked quickly at many things hanging on my office wall. Lots of hanging stuff, but the Eye of God is not among them. The closest to it is an olive wood cross that I once bought in Jerusalem.
      With or without a picture of God or Buddha or Jesus or your parent or grandparent, most people still have a subconscious sense of being watched. We don’t get away with anything. Our computer type brains save everything even though we try to delete unwanted memories. There are moments from our childhood that can pop up to remind us that we were not always (if ever!) perfect. Everyone has more “gotcha” moments than we care to think about.
      The question is, do you think that there is a God that remembers all those things you can’t forget?
      This is where the Christian religion comes to a divide. Old time religion preaches a God that demands justice, who monitors each and every failing. The pulpit preached toward “conviction,” so that the hearer would remember all sins past and present, actual and imagined. “Gotcha!” You’re guilty. The solution (preached as good news) is that even though we can’t get rid of all those dark blotches in our lives, God has saved us by sacrificing his only begotten son. Though our sins are like scarlet we are made white as snow.
      That kind of God plays “gotcha” until we admit our guilt then pulls us out of the fire. That idea is at the core of the larger percentage of people who claim to be Christians.
      On the other side of the divide are those who don’t believe in any kind of God or power that plays “gotcha.” The idea of a “gotcha” playing God has made atheists and agnostics out of many thoughtful and questioning people. There are also many “progressive Christians” among them.
      The name “progressive Christianity” has been coined to describe a movement that embraces biblical sources but does not interpret them literally. This makes a huge difference in one’s perception of God. It sees Jesus as a model for what divinity looks like in action. He doesn’t play “gotcha!” As he goes through the country side and mingles with the crowds he doesn’t seem to care about people’s faults. In fact he doesn’t ask about their beliefs. He heals anyone who needs it. He is a friend to all sorts of people, many rejected in the old “gotcha” game. His game was not “gotcha,” but was one of acceptance and forgiveness. “Neither do I condemn you,” he says.
      I’m short-cutting the way the game is played differently by different religious groups. The point is that it’s a bad game. It misses the point where ever it is played. Do you ever play it? Gotcha! We all do, but shouldn’t.
─ Art Morgan, April 22, 2008