Join us in a commitment to community

Life Lessons

January 6, 2010

By David Key Lake Oconee Breeze Wed Jan 06, 2010, 08:00 AM EST

A “do it yourself” catalog firm received the following letter from one of its customers: “I built a birdhouse according to your stupid plans, and not only is it much too big, it keeps blowing out of the tree. Signed, Unhappy.

The firm replied: “Dear Unhappy, We’re sorry about the mix-up. We accidentally sent you a sailboat blueprint. But if you think you are unhappy, you should read the letter from the guy who came in last in the yacht club regatta.”

Sometimes in life we get confused about things. One of the things too many of us around Lake Oconee get confused about is the word “community.” We think it applies to a geographical location, or an event or a business enterprise. Or some non-profit organization. No! Community means we know each other and care about each other. We are there for each other in good times and bad. In 2010, I am committed to helping organize and embody “community” here in the Lake Oconee area. There are others committing with me as well. If you are not aware of it, the Lake Welcome Center is under new management and headed in new and exciting ways this coming year. You need to be a part of it. Be on the lookout for special announcements about an “open house” or just come by in the days ahead. Hopefully there will be a slew of activities happening there that will not only be fun, but will help you and me get to know each other and others in this area. Join me in this commitment in 2010 and beyond. It will make Lake Oconee a much better place to live. It will make you and me better people. Wishing you much love and much light.

—The Rev. David W. Key, director of the Baptist Studies Program, is involved in recruitment, admissions, student life, counseling, placement, and development functions for Emory University's Candler School of Theology. He teaches in the Contextual Education program. He is the founding pastor of the Lake Oconee Community Church at Reynolds Plantation. Contact him at (404) 727-6350 or dkey@emory.edu. His

column appears weekly in this space.

Text Only

Life Lessons

Pray for faithfulness in the midst of life’s challenges
Oswald Chambers, in his book “Run Today’s Race,” taught us that faith for my deliverance is not faith in God.

May 17, 2012
Don’t put off the most important thing
As Douglas MacArthur said, in war all tragedy can be summarized in two words, “too late.”

May 10, 2012
What are you delaying in your life?
In the early ‘90s, U.S. News and World Report told us that Chicago learned one price of neglecting the underpinnings of all its economic growth.

May 3, 2012
Find a community and become a part of it
Harry Emerson Fosdick reminds us that the Great Wall of China is a gigantic structure which cost an immense amount of money and labor.

April 26, 2012
Let God be your passion
A woman rushed up to famed violinist Fritz Kreisler after a concert and cried

April 5, 2012
Pray for God’s will and nothing else
At a meeting of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Bobby Richardson, former New York Yankee second baseman, offered a prayer that is a classic in brevity and poignancy: “Dear God, Your will, nothing more, nothing less, nothing else. Amen.”

March 22, 2012
Not too early to make Easter plans
Fritz Kreisler, the famous violinist, once said

March 15, 2012
God calls on you to overcome your obstacles
Do you have a lot to overcome in your life? David Livingstone, the pioneer missionary to Africa, walked over 29,000 miles during his ministry.

March 8, 2012
Are you coasting in life?
Bertoldo de Giovanni was the pupil of Donatello, the greatest sculptor of his time, and he was the teacher of Michelangelo, the greatest sculptor of all time.

February 23, 2012
Will your soul take the high road or low?
John Oxenham wrote the following poem:

February 16, 2012
More Life Lessons Headlines

Life Lessons

Search Results

Join us in a commitment to community

Site Map

Contact Us