I ended up in Charleston for a couple of days not too long ago. A couple of high school friends of mine, after all these years, decided they wanted to marry each other on the beach at Kiawah Island. So, I tripped over to hitch ‘em. While I was there, I picked up one of those Visitors’ Guides from the Department of Tourism. And, I found an ad. It called attention to the many things to do while in the Charleston area. With so much to do and so little time, how’s one to know where to start? Do what the locals do, the ad encouraged. Follow the “never-fail plan.” Ready for the plan?

Preacher, say it ain’t so. We’ve already done Lent. You know, I gave up desserts for forty days back before Easter. And now, we’re in the season of fresh tomatoes and food on the grill. Please don’t interrupt me with more talk about Lent.”

I’m not sure what made me grab it, but I reached for a very old book the other day. It was first published in 1974, and in the front of the book, written in my late mother’s hand, are the names of my mother and father and the date 1979. The book was written by a fellow who was a Jesuit priest and an author of some note, John Powell. It’s entitled The Secret of Staying in Love.

They used to refer to distraught people as being “beside themselves.” Our ancient forbears believed that the soul could part from the body. Thus, during times of intense emotional distress, these forbears of ours thought that the soul actually left the body for a time. Interestingly, this is also the source from which springs the expression “out of his mind.” To one degree or another, I think we can all relate. There have been many times in my own life when I have felt “beside myself,” fractured, misaligned, split, torn.

For those of you who love to read, I invite you to stop by my office sometime. One of the fun things we can do is talk about whatever good stuff we’ve read lately.

One of the very helpful books I inhaled a while back is called Shadow Dance: Liberating the Power and Creativity of Your Dark Side by David Richo. Please keep in mind that what Richo refers to as our “dark side” is not necessarily ominous or bad. For him, the dark side refers to any part of us that remains below the surface of our conscious acknowledgment, and that can be good stuff, too!

Since we are right in the middle of our journey through Lent, it may seem a bit premature to write something under the headline of an Easter victory. I am hungry with anticipation!

Of course, I look forward to Easter. For us Christians, it is a day that powerfully holds many of our hopes—for life and for love and for light in the face of death. And, we are always hungering for bright hope.

Embry Hills United Methodist Church is a congregation with a strong tradition and a bright future. And, we are blessed to stand at such a crucial juncture in our church’s life.

Almost fifty years ago, a new Methodist congregation was established in what was then one of the most rapidly-growing suburban areas in the country. And, as is always the case when new congregations are planted, a group of visionary and faithful pioneers commenced to build a congregation that would nourish the hopes and touch the hurts of the community it hoped to serve. Since that time, many devoted sisters and brothers have remained at Embry Hills, sustaining its ministry through good and bad times. We are beneficiaries of these Embry Hills forerunners, who have labored to establish a wonderful tradition of mission and ministry here.

As we stand on the brink of Embry Hills’ 50th anniversary next year, we have the amazing opportunity to serve generations yet to come, just as those faithful pioneers served in ways that have made a difference in our lives.

Once again, the calendar has turned and a new year has arrived. Wasn’t it only three weeks ago that we were welcoming 2009? These years go by so quickly!

2010 promises to be an awesome year at Embry Hills, as we build upon the healing we experienced and the momentum and energy we generated in 2009. Thank you for all you do in support of Embry Hills mission and ministry! You are generous servants.

One of my favorite mentors wrote a book. It’s called A Year To Live: How To Live This Year As If It Were Your Last. Wow, what a book. It has had profound meaning in my life.

One of the spiritual exercises Stephen Levine recommends is what he refers to as “the life review.” Please allow me to quote.

We heard something like this from the Beatles. “I get by with a little help from my friends.” And, a few years later, we heard Bill Withers singing this wonderful invitation: “Lean on me, when you’re not strong, and I’ll be your friend. I’ll help you carry on.” Both now-old songs acknowledge the need that each of experiences to have a hand to hold, especially when times are challenging or painful. That’s what Stephen Ministry does.