The Texas District Pastor's Wives Retreat Committee has announced the theme for the 1999 gathering in September. It is: Ta Da! --- "Bubbling Baskets of Beatitudes." We will refrain from listing the names of the committee to avoid the embarrasment of being associated with such a "cutsie" theme. We are sure that the content will be strongly Biblical, confessional and doctrinal. Certainly, this gathering will avoid all the emotional, touchy feelie, warm fuzzies that are indicated by the silly theme, and will concentrate on the faith and courage that Pastor's wives under the persecution of the world and even the church need to support and serve their husbands, families and congregations.
The invitation card specifies that there will be spiritual growth and "fun" and "fellowship with old and new friends." We don't doubt it. And we are all for fun. Wanna bet that the ladies will decorate baskets for the elderly or the poor? Good, fun Second Table of the Law activities. But what kind of spiritual growth will we be presented here under a theme as whimsical as "Bubbling Baskets of Beatitudes?" Justifcation by grace through faith in Jesus Christ? The Sacredness of the Lord's Table? The Value of the Liturgy as Soul Care? Not likely! Probably more on how to fulfill the beatitudes and bring God's blessings down on you. Turn those Pastor's wives into aggressive little pietists and turn them loose on an already wayward LWML. Stir the emotions with story after story of good works and helpfulness to the needy. I wonder if that will really come to pass?
Bubbl-ing Baskets
(to the tune of Beautiful Savior)
Bubbl-ing ba-askets Of Be-atitudes, This sounds like nonsense 'Cept to our hearts, Alliteration Is our flirtation, We won't learn God, But this fine art Bubbl-ing ba-askets Of Be-atitudes Gushing we come To gush still more, Gushing is how we pray, Gushing is how we play, We're glad this time Won't be a bore Bubbl-ing ba-askets Of Be-atitudes, Who writes this stuff? It must be from God, Cuz this is our retreat, Our leader can't be beat, He is so hip, He is so mod Bubbl-ing ba-askets Of Beatitudes, Time to go now And sow the seed, Of more dissension Too deep to mention Cuz we now know Just who should lead