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Hoosier United Methodist News Archives
| Hoosier United Methodist News |
May 2001 |
Mini Homily:
Getting friendly with 'the beast'
By Harold Leininger
For years, I have avoided what young people today would consider a necessity. A computer! For a longer time than I want to admit, I've been encouraged, cajoled and even challenged to break into the world of cyber space. If you walked into my study in recent years, you would see a computer on the right side of my desk, mouse and all. In fact, every office at Calvary has at least one computer. They are all being used except mine. I turned it on once. It frightened me, so it's been collecting dust ever since. For the unsuspecting visitor, it looks like this pastor is computer literate. I'm flying under false colors.
With the unrelenting prodding of our church secretary, Paula, who is a whiz on the computer, I finally started exploring the possibility of acquiring what I would call "the beast." I researched the best I could, agonizing over what kind to buy, and fussing over the amount of money to be to shelled-out. After trips to Best Buy and Circuit City, I began to see the light. In the mean time, I wore out the listening ears of relatives and friends. Finally, after two days deliberation, I took the plunge. Soon there was a large box awaiting me. Inside was a laptop with all the bells and whistles.
When I raised the lid and saw the screen come alive with possibilities, I entered a whole new world. I looked at the six file cabinets to my left and more than 700 books to my right, all of which will be to some extent outmoded. Thin little disks will hold it all! I must confess, I feel like Grandma Moses moving from primitive painting to surrealistic art forms. Now I am beginning Mavis Beacon's CD-Rom class in typing. At least, soon I won't feel like those around me are talking in a foreign language any longer.
The sky is the limit as far as obtaining information is concerned. It's incredible but exciting. After all, the most precious gifts are those which open us to life itself.
Beyond cyberspace there is eternal space. In a way they are intrinsically tied together. When you think of it, the Bible is the menu in the computer telling you how to click on to the eternal in the present. "Your Word is a light to my feet and a light to my path." Ps. 119:105 This highway to the beyond is interactive as well. Prayer is like entering the chat room of the Almighty and in turn receiving divine insight.
I hope you won't put off reading your Bible and kneeling in prayer like I did in avoiding a computer. After all, time is of the essence. They will become your treasured companions as you travel through all the bright days and dark nights of your earth walk.
The Rev. Harold Leininger is pastor of Calvary United Methodist Church in Brownsburg, Ind.
Last updated January 14, 2004