MORGAN'S MOMENT...
Watching safely, chair stuffed out of the path,               though easily in ear-throbbing range
      of children by the half-dozen or so
      exploring life at a birthday party.
Out of practice does not diminish awe
      over antics of tiny ones
      unleashed in a small space
      competing for scattered toys.
My mind fogged into futuring visions
      of what my age is leaving
      to their age that they must accept
      for better or worse.
2 billion dollars a day of new foreign debt
      that these little ones and theirs
      must somehow deal with…
      2 billion new dollars a day.
And the world our generation leaves
      less safe than ever
      and a country whose only respect
      is a fear of its military might.
And a society whose love for little children
      does not include assurance
      of well funded public education
      or even medical care for all.
A child screamed at some offense
      as children elsewhere scream
      from hunger and abuse
      and mutilation in war.
So I accepted an invitation to taste
      chocolate soy ice cream
      and sing Happy Birthday
      and wish you many more.
“Whoever causes one of these to suffer it would be better to have a millstone fastened around his neck and be thrown into the depth of the sea.” (Matthew 18:6)
— Art Morgan 


BOOK CORNER
My book club read “The Devil In White City – Magic, Murder and Madness at the Fair that Changed America” by Erik Larson.  If you like gripping history, like the creation of the Chicago World's Fair in 1893, plus an intertwined gruesome serial murder mystery, you might like this book. Gripping though.
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MOMENT MINISTRIES
May 23, 2006
home address:  25921 SW Airport Ave.
Corvallis, OR 97333   541-753-3942
email at a-morgan@peak.org
FROM CARPETED HALLS TO DIRT PATHS
       It's time to move our activities from our home in the Willamette Valley to our rather rustic cabin on Puget Sound where the hallways are outdoor pathways. We “return to the earth” for about four months each year to live quite a different life style. It has been a great place for knowing beach neighbors, some going back to teen age years. We have become pretty intertwined through the years, as have our children and grandchildren. There have been some weddings and memorial services. Ashes and memories of loved ones are scattered on Puget Sound between our cabins and the sunset. We enjoy sharing life with our beach neighbors, although some of them are beginning to build places that make ours look like shanties.
       The other part of our summer is the coming of visitors. Most of our grandchildren have come every year of their lives. Of course children and spouses make the trek most years, as do friends and their families. We have had many happy days on the decks, around the campfire, on the beach, and boating on the water. Did I mention sailing?
       Lots of physical work makes us glad for our winter season workouts at the gym. The computer and email access allow for writing and staying in touch.
       I am still trying to figure the best way of getting out a “Summer Blue Sheet” over internet. I think I will simply send it as an attachment which people may read or not. (and it will be posted here with the other Blue Sheet - Bill )
       If I don't get whatever I happen to write sent out, it piles up and never goes anyplace.  We need to be sharing our ideas to stir thinking and stay in touch at least in our minds.
       If you think I may not have your email address and want to be sure I send you whatever may overflow, contact me at a-morgan@peak.org
       A number have indicated intentions to visit. We like to have an idea about who and when, although it's rarely a problem. We have bunk and bed space for at least 13, plus RV and tent space for overflow.
We are listed in the Gig Harbor phone directory (253) 884 – 2771
Our SUMMER ADDRESS is 2412 N Herron Road, Lakebay WA 98349  Using MapQuest should provide directions, or we'll tell you.
IN CONCLUSION
Again, thank you all for sharing these blue sheet thoughts. Comments have stimulated my thinking. I hope I have answered most of the e-mails and thoughtful notes so many have sent. Credits for pages and thoughts used (even in sermons) and duplicated and otherwise distributed do not need my permission. However, it has been interesting and complimentary ─ and a bit amazing ─ to hear where these words go. Thank you for not telling me when they go neglected into the round file! May your life have precious moments.

 
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THE BLUE SHEET BLOG
The Internet is awash with “bloggers” writing their daily opinions about almost everything. Some have avid readers. Some read “blogs” to the exclusion of daily newspapers.
The reading possibilities are clogged with blogs. I am amazed that people have time to read them.
In fact, it almost astounds me to hear that some people stop during their mail opening process to read the Blue Sheet. Some fanatics make copies or forward it to others.
Sometimes I feel pressure to get something in the mail in order not to disappoint. Thus this last planned mailing of the season. I reserve the right to put out another in mid-June when we will be back in Corvallis for a night or two for granddaughter Grace’s high school graduation.
I will no doubt be sending out reading opportunities via email attachment to a selected list. If you fear you are not on the list and want to be, send me an email. Or, on the other hand, if you fear you are on that list and don't want to be, do likewise.

MORE DA VINCI THOUGHTS
I wrote my take on Dan Brown's Da Vinci book a couple of years ago. I'm surprised at the escalation of interest. I guess it has to do with the movie. As with such things, controversy is good for sales.
I always read the Forward in a book and remember Brown stating most clearly that his was a book of fiction. So why the flap from people finding things in it that are “not true?”
We live in times when truth and fiction are intermingled. Reports from corporate leaders and government officials these days have to be read like the Da Vinci Code. You have to try to separate fiction from fact. In the name of national security you don't have to say, this is Fiction.
As I remember, it was a compelling adventure mystery. It was one chase scene after another from beginning to end. So, forget whether it's true. Enjoy the chase.

BIBLICAL FICTION
While writing about Brown's book I thought about God's book. Shouldn't God have put in a disclaimer just before Genesis begins declaring that at least some of the Book should be read as fiction? Would it help in understanding scripture to know that before you begin? It's like reading a political news story. The average one of us can’t tell fact from fiction.

JOHN WOODEN ON LEADERSHIP
Wooden’s Seven Point Creed
1.    Be true to yourself
2.    Make each day your masterpiece
3.    Help others
4.    Drink deeply from good books and The Good Book
5.    Make friendship a fine art
6.    Build a shelter against a rainy day
7.    Pray for guidance and give thanks daily.


PARTISANSHIP
def. PARTISAN, One who supports or upholds a party, cause, etc.; especially an overly zealous adherent or devotee.
Daytime radio is pretty disgusting, with perhaps the exception of public broadcasting. Nighttime radio may be just as bad, but I'm usually asleep.
What's disgusting is the “overly zealous” partisanship. Is it possible for a non-partisan to discuss a national or world issue with any degree of balance and reason? Even “fair and balanced” is profoundly partisan.
Loyalty is a high virtue among us. Ours is an orange and black town. Yellow and green is not loyal. I find myself cautious about wearing the purple and gold of my alma mater. Loyalty expects partisanship.
Two parties with exceptionally zealous followers are those of politics and religion.
Why is it that ideas are readily embraced according to whether your particular party favors them or not. I was reading a David Broder column on budget busting. He was reporting on a Republican  Senator's speech that no one probably heard. It was “politically unpalatable.”
That means that it went against his party line.
This Senator was talking about paying for the war in Iraq and the costs of homeland security and Katrina:
   “The logical thing one would think about is to ask
    for a temporary tax increase to pay for them….
    instead of saying we will let our kids take care of
    it; we will let our grandchildren take care of it.”
But partisanship wants loyalty to its own principles in spite of logic.
One church that is trying to do something to address lack of civility in both politics and religion is pastored by my friend, Dick Wing. He, along with his recently deceased friend, the well-known Scott Peck, and another named Dick Wood who I do not know, have created a study program called “Faith and American Politics” which seeks to teach the practice of civility in these arenas.
People are beginning to realize that religion, like politics, when practiced by zealous partisans is not only divisive, but destructive. Note Madeline Albright’s book, “The Mighty and the Almighty.”
I haven't seen the study course yet, but I suspect that it begins with some lessons on listening. And I suspect that it includes some lessons on communicating thoughts and truth seeking. And I suspect that it asks people to grow themselves out of partisan habits.
People don't like to hear it, but Jesus was jolting people out of their partisan ways when he urged that we love our neighbor as ourselves, that we pray for our enemies, and that we treat others as we would want to be treated.
The full Broder article appeared in our paper on May 14, 2006. If you want more information about the “Faith and Politics Program” write info@FCchurch.com.