Robert Reich, former U.S. Secretary of Labor, visited various workplaces in America for 6 months administering what he called “The Pronoun Test.” He asked employees general questions about the company. If the answers he received described the company in terms of “they” and “them” he concluded it was one kind of company. If the answers described the company with “we” or “us” he concluded it was another kind of company.

The pronoun test is simple but very revealing. I suspect employers would love to have only employees who see themselves as a member of a team serving together to accomplish a shared mission and purpose. Their workers would use “us” and “we” when discussing the everyday life of the company. Pronouns that indicate personal commitment and devotion to the company would be used when talking about it.

The same principle applies to the way we talk about Jesus. A lot can be revealed by the pronouns used. If I ask the question, “To you, who is Jesus?” Some will say, “He is the Son of God,” or “He is the one who died on the cross and rose from the grave.” Others will say, “He is my Savior and Lord,” or, “He is the one who died for me.” Do you see the difference?  One answer reveals knowledge, the other reveals a relationship. Who is Jesus . . . to you?

Norman Drummond, Chaplain

A day of remembrance? It is difficult to pause to remember those who have lived at the Gardens, but are now no longer living, without stirring up emotions of sadness and worries about our own declining health. Maybe a date of remembrance can encourage seniors living at The Gardens when they know they too will not be forgotten. Every senior who ever sat in our dining room, and strolled down the halls, and worshipped in our chapel, and yelled “bingo!” in our activity room, has left a lasting impression on the lives who live or serve at The Gardens at Calvary.

Memorial Day was originally called Decoration Day in the south and began as a day to decorate the graves of those who had fallen in war. It later became a day for families to travel to visit the old home-church cemetery to decorate the graves of ancestors and honor their memory.

This year The Gardens at Calvary will place a carnation on each table with the name of a senior who died since last Memorial Day. Twenty-seven beloved seniors will be remembered. Together we will allow our lives to be touched by them again. Together we will say a prayer of thanks for them. Together we will remember on Memorial Day.

Norman Drummond, Chaplain

On the Wednesday before Easter one radio talk-show commentator was looking forward to a long week-end (I suppose because he would be off on Good Friday). So, to celebrate the approaching off-days, he played a country tune about having a wild weekend. It seemed to me that the kind of things the singer was planning to do with his free time were a little inappropriate for a middle aged, married commentator who professes to be a Christian, though he often apologizes to his radio listeners that he is not always a good Christian. The song was even more inappropriate, in my opinion, because the up-coming weekend was the holiest weekend of the year! Really! Are you planning to do those things during days when Jesus is on the cross and then lying cold in the tomb? Are you going to have a sinfully, wicked weekend while Jesus is dying for your sins?

Like so many of my judgmental thoughts lately, these thoughts began to point a finger back at me. Are any of my weekend plans going to be more appropriate? Will my time on Saturday reflect a consciousness of the significance of the day? My Savior died! He paid a great price to cover my sin. Will I show any gratitude? Will the day be a special one or will it be just like any other Saturday? What will I do on Easter weekend to honor my Lord? How can I ensure that neither Friday, Saturday, nor Sunday pass without many thoughtful, prayerful, and grateful moments happening often throughout each day? That is my quest: to be aware that these are special days, and perhaps more careful that my actions and activity do not dishonor my Jesus.

Happy Passion Week and Resurrection Sunday!