Remembering My Mom - Clema Christine (Swerdan) Wallace

 Over the last few weeks, I've been thinking about writing a post about the benefits and drawbacks of nostalgia. Is it helpful or harmful to think about the past? The short version, is that I believe that looking back is helpful - we better understand where we came from and how to move forward. However, it can be harmful if all we do is dwell on the past, and fail to look into the future to create and innovate (I tend to do that...).

Anyway, today is the 11th anniversary of my mom's passing, and I thought it was appropriate to remember her. She was such an amazing influence on my life. She taught me how to do the dishes and clean the bathrooms (and leave down the seat!), but she also taught me how to love people and love God.

I was 21 years old when she passed away, and Emily was only about 8 months. I often think about how she would have felt about our boys and that I was just really beginning to have one of those adult-friend relationships that you have with your parents as you grow older.

I'm thankful for the time that we had, and I'm thankful that she was such a good mom - like resigning from her job my senior year of high school so that she could be a "band booster" and come to my field trips and stuff. I often miss her when I'm stressed, and think about how nice it is to have the unquestioning love and support of a mom. If your mother is still alive, don't take her for granted, and be sure to tell her how much you love her!

Love you and miss you, Mom.
-ted

My mom and her dad, Stephen Theodore Swerdan.

Me and my mom around 1979

Mom, Dad and me around 1984

Mom, me and Charity - 1987

God's Love

I was listening to "How He Loves Us" this morning. No matter how many times I hear that song, it gets to me.

In the context of riots in London, two wars, and a dismal economic outlook, it is important to pause and remember that God loves you. Totally, completely, and overflowing. I know that I needed this reminder. When I lack so much in this temporal life, God has so much to give that is everlasting.

It is easy to see why Paul talked about God the Father pouring out his glorious riches of love and mercy and grace upon us. It is a fountain that will never run dry. When I am in this season of dryness (both literately and figuratively), it is comforting and strengthening to know that there is an endless supply of his living water for our lives.

I pray that you will take a moment today to dwell on this truth, and that His love will be poured out on you in a fresh way this day.
-ted

Rocking Your Theology

Today, I was listening to this story (Evangelicals Question The Existence Of Adam And Eve) and it really got me thinking about my own interpretation of Scripture. In short, the article focused on the ability for scientists to map the human genome and have come to the conclusion that there is no way for all of humanity to have derived from one set of biological parents. If this is true, how would it effect the theology of an individual who believes in a literal Adam and Eve? The overarching question is, of course, "Is the Bible literal or more of an allegory?"

What happens when we have to question the fundamentals of our beliefs? The article pointed out the Church's imprisonment of Galileo Galilei in the 17th century due to his belief that the earth was not the center of the universe. They made the statement that the Protestant Church is in a similar "Galileo Moment" when it comes to accepting or rejecting the Theory of Evolution.

I know that this kind of topic can lead down so many rabbit trails and has so many implications about our faith that it would fill hours and hours of conversation. I have had to work through my own faith, but I'm curious to know how and if you have wrestled with this issue or something similar to it. For me, the strongest implications are for my children. Am I going to teach them what to believe or how to seek the truth?

Ultimately, if evolution is true and the story of Adam and Eve is a metaphor of our own innocence lost, does it change my view or need of God? I think that there are numerous concepts about God and the universe that we don't understand and will change over time, but I think that God is big enough, gracious enough, and wise enough to handle the questions that we wrestle with...

please share your thoughts

-ted