"Between the rise of the front porch in the middle nineteenth century and its decline in the post World War II era, the front porch developed a cultural significance. It represented the cultural ideals of family, community, and nature. As these ideals would decline in importance in American culture, so would the porch." (Copied from a web article entitled: The Cultural Significance of the American Front Porch)

Wednesday already? I suppose it may have something to do with my age, but days do tend to slip up on me. Have you noticed that, or is it just me? Oh well, it is April 24, 2013 and I do bid you greetings from my porch to yours. That would be my digital porch by the way because it's been too many years to count since we had an old fashioned porch well suited for visiting. That doesn't mean we didn't enjoy many wonderful times of fellowship sitting in the porch swing, a rocking chair, or sitting on the steps. But that took place in a time-space-continuum that's very rare in today's busy world, if it even exists at all. That's right. We did actually live back at a time when folks would just drop by for no other reason except to visit. It might be in the early evening hours or maybe it would be on a Saturday or a Sunday afternoon. They might even stay for supper. We didn't feel put out when we rearranged our schedule to accommodate our time of enjoying each others' company. The thought alone in today's overbooked society is pretty scary. That's one reason I do my daily visit here, emanating from the ole blogger ranch's porch swing. I know it can't match the human touch and interactive laughter, but given our situation, it will have to do, yep, it will just have to do.

Speaking of those memories from days gone by, we had what was called Hymnbook Sunday at our most recent gathering of our local fellowship. Songbooks were put into the pew-seats and folks were asked to open them up and find the page and then sing along. Did you know we have teenagers that had never used a hymnbook in service? They were a little slow at first but it wasn't long before they too were holding up those green books and singing along. We typically use the big screen and project the words up there for folks to see, but, this little throwback seemed to have struck a cord with a number of our people. There's all kinds of ways that we connect to our experiences in life. For many, they can remember growing up and using a songbook. If you recall, I mentioned last week how my grandfather would stand with that book in his hand rocking forth and back as he made a joyful noise unto the Lord. For him, it was noise, but to the Lord God of heaven, He was pleased because that noise reflected the heart of unashamed worship. I've read a lot about the challenges of modern times in Churches trying to figure out how to reach the emerging generations. Most experts say that upbeat contemporary music is a major factor in being effective. At any rate, it was still good to look around at folks singing out of those books as they reconnected to their roots and were able to relish those cherished memories from the past.

Yes. I am very much aware that we live as people of the present, the here and now. These trips down memory lane are not intended to make us live in the past, but rather, they help us to be thankful for the foundation handed down to us. Thinking about those 'good ole days' also informs our present day living because many of those old fashioned values and ideas are sorely lacking in our present age. In addition to that, God gave us the ability to remember these things, connect to them, and to enjoy thinking about those people and times that were so special to us. I know we could become fuddy-duddies about it and end up not fulfilling the calling God has for us today. Let's not let that happen because this generation and the next still needs our input whether they are inclined to seek it or not. I think sometimes we've become so fixated on what the experts call being relevant that we forget to be real. Maybe we've over compensated so much in giving folks what we think they want that we've not given to them what they really need, an example of genuine faith lived out in a manner that brings honor and glory to God. It would not be unlike us to end up being so relevant that we rob folks of the clear and unmistakable truths that God has entrusted to us. I think I've served up a full plate of food for thought on a day where we are reminiscing about front porches and hymnbooks. Have a great one and may God bless. Amen.         .....More later.