Paul Harvey 1918--2009

I just heard on the news that one of my heroes, radio legend Paul Harvey, passed away today. Harvey, a long time ABC News radio announcer was, I believe, the greatest wordsmith and story teller of our day…perhaps the greatest to ever grace the radio airwaves. Well known for his daily news reports and commentary called “The Rest of the Story,” he was an aggressive advocate for the moral high ground that is rarely traveled by people in our world today. Harvey was also a born again Christian and would routinely weave his faith into his commentaries. At 90, Harvey had slowed his pace, especially since his wife Angel passed away about a year ago, but now the airwaves will surely seem strangely silent. I want to praise God that he used Paul Harvey to elevate the art of broadcasting and that Paul Harvey was faithful to God’s call on his life. While he will continue to inspire people both in and outside of broadcasting for years to come, the news will never be the same.

Reading Night with Dr. Suess

There are so many things that call for our attention. Last night Anna, Bella, and I went to the Reading Night celebration at the elementary school, which honored Dr. Seuss’ birthday. Anna was whipped into a frenzy wanting to see her teacher twirl a baton while roller skating. She told me it would be a miracle if Mrs. Spees didn’t fall! She did not, and it was a miraculous performance! Bella was intimidated (yes, Bella!) at first by Thing 1 & Thing 2, but soon calmed down and was her usual “bull in a china shop” self. After the opening program, we had to have our pictures taken with the Cat in the Hat (our own Chuck Wright) and find the cookies. It was obvious that much time and effort was put into this event (for many years now) and the payoff is participation. They announced that over 400 attended the event last year and it seemed like there were more last night. Everyone did a great job. Now, I bring this up because there are many things that demand your time and attention, but what is it you participate in? Jesus has called us to be his witnesses. He is one of the demands upon us. He has also invested his own time and blood in you. Are you participating? This is not something you are forced do…God will not make you. This is not something God expects of others…he calls all believers. Some are excited…some are intimidated…but all are called to participate.

Speak Lord

It was 3:40a this morning that God woke me and wanted to talk. I have come to realize certain things about private prayer. Nothing is more important than to learn how to get oneself into that frame and condition to pray. Sometimes you can start yourself off by reading something that will warm the spirit…sometimes God starts us off when the Spirit is ready. Either way, we enter a time of worship in the presence of the Almighty. This morning I woke wondering why and soon found myself toiling over my “Most Wanted List.” I have used it for a couple of days now, and thought it was serving me well. However this morning when I saw the devotional sitting on the coffee table I knew that was why God had stirred my soul. In a time of fervent prayer for my list I found that the morning had slipped by and I was ready to begin my morning routine…prayed up and on time. God does work in mysterious and wonderful ways! I am not sure just yet what God will do this Lent, but I am convinced now more than ever that the Spirit wants to work in the hearts of many, many folks and he has chosen this church, or at least many of us, to be his instruments. Please diligently use your devotional, seek God’s will for your Most Wanted List, and surrender to the leading of the Spirit…God will do the rest.

The Greatest Christians

As we prepare to observe Lent yet again, I found in “Fresh Faith” these words of Jim Cymbala (pastor of the Brooklyn Tabernacle).
“When I was growing up, I thought the greatest Christian must be the person who walks around with shoulders thrown back because of tremendous inner strength and power, quoting Scripture and letting everyone know he has arrived. I have since learned that the most mature believer is the one who is bent over, leaning most heavily on the Lord, and admitting his total inability to do anything without Christ. The greatest Christian is not the one who has achieved the most, but rather the one who has received the most. God’s grace, love, and mercy flow through him abundantly because he walks in total dependence.”
Wow! Kind of gives us a new perspective as we begin this Lenten season doesn’t it? Historically Lent was a time of preparation and instruction and reflection on the central truths of the redemption story. Let us never forget that we (you and I) were in need of redemption, thus we are the ones who have received the most…redemption is one thing we could never achieve on our own.

You Never Forget!

I had some very nice comments about last Sunday’s sermon and the way I used examples from the Battle of Gettysburg in the sermon. It is no secret that I love history, both church and American. It is one of those subjects that I came to appreciate after I was out of school…unfortunately. Regardless, it is part of who we are and offers us many a lesson if we will just pay enough attention to lean them. Someone asked how I knew so much (little do they know I am still a student and have much to learn) about American history, so I thought I would share one of my secrets with you…memorization. Click on this link and you will see what I mean: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oBuPQgV8yBM. Enjoy!

What Do You Want?

Life is full of disappointments. When God doesn’t do what we want, it’s not easy. Never has been…never will be. But faith is the conviction that God knows more than we do about this life and God will do what is right, not what we want. We also know that God will get us through our disappointments. I recall the story of the man who went to a pet store in search of a singing parrot. It seems he was a bachelor and his house was much too quiet. The store owner had just the bird for him, so the man bought it. The next day the bachelor came home from work to a house full of music. He went to the cage to feed the bird and noticed for the first time that the parrot had only one leg. He felt cheated that he had been sold a one-legged bird, so he called to complain. “What do you want,” the store owner replied, “a bird who can sing or a bird who can dance?” Good question for times of disappointment. Now, think for just a moment, what is it you want and how is God meeting those wants?

One Enemy--One Goal

I have become convinced that we Christians are the one of the biggest hindrances to the world realizing the reality of the Kingdom. When I say “we Christians” I am referring to believers of every tribe. It is unfortunate that we are not the example to non-believers that Christ was to all of us. Much more than doctrine, there are jealousies that divide us…and until we repent and are united as one body, I do not believe we will realize the Kingdom here on earth. When 2 Chronicles 7:14 says, “If my people who are called by my name…” I believe God is speaking to people who call themselves Methodist, Baptist, Church of God, Pentecostal…to all of God’s children. If we will not work together for the Kingdom, we will never accomplish what God has called us to do. When one church celebrates a victory, we ought to all celebrate! We have a common enemy and he has tricked us into thinking some of God’s children are more correct or more favored than others. That is satan's speciality: he lies. Truth is I love all my children…equally. And when any of my children are fighting, it causes me distress. Do you suppose that is what our Heavenly Father feels? Unfortunately, the full text of 2 Chronicles 7:14 is, “If my people who are called by my name humble themselves, pray, seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.” May God have mercy on us as we struggle in an ailing land.

No Wonder They Crucified Him!

I’ve been working lately on a sermon series for Lent which will begin this coming Sunday titled, “No Wonder They Crucified Him.” We like to think of Jesus as the “good shepherd” and the one who welcomes the little children, and those are powerful images of him, but he is also the one who came to cause division (Luke 12:51). When we get right down to it, Jesus gave us some hard teachings and he expects us to not only accept them, but to embrace them! And it is unfortunate that just when we think we've conquered one teaching, another comes into focus. You’ve probably learned as I have that I don’t have the strength to walk past that Fatboy without drooling and wishing it were mine! So, how do we remain followers of Jesus Christ when we don’t have the power to totally surrender our lives…to walk away from temptation…to give all we have to the poor…to daily deny ourselves and pick up our cross? I believe the key is not what I can do, but rather what He can do thru me. “Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit says the Lord Almighty” (Zech. 4:6). If you’re still struggling with your sinful nature or trying to conquer the world in your power, start over. Paul writes to us, “You however, are not controlled by the sinful nature, but by the Spirit, if the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Christ” (Romans 8:9). This is not a hard teaching we need to learn, it’s the bottom line!

Hallelujah!

Here’s my Friday post early…not to make up for all the late ones, but Jill and I are taking Hannah to visit a few colleges on Friday and I’ll be away from my laptop most of the day.

Here is a link to a video you need to watch: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bYI_aOyCn9Y
I sent it out to several people, but decided to put it here too. Please watch it…yeah, it’s cute and if you listened to any music in the 70’s & 80’s you’ll love it…but it has a driving point to it and begs the question, “What would people hear if a stethoscope were held to your heart? Yeah, I know that is silly…makes a cute video…but wait just a minute. You believe the text don’t you? “And the mystery is that Christ lives in you, and he is your hope of sharing in God’s glory” (Colossians 1:27b). Well, if Christ does live in us, shouldn’t that change the tune in our hearts? Of course it should! In fact, I really think if Christ lives in us, if he is our hope of sharing in God’s glory, then no one should need a stethoscope to hear Handel’s Messiah ringing from our hearts…it ought to be screaming so loud that others would look at us blocks away wondering what that music is. So back to my question, with or without a stethoscope, what tune do people hear coming from your heart?

Blessed!

I have been tremendously blessed. Earlier this week I attended Covenant Keepers 09 which was held in Belleville. It was the annual gathering of the clergy of the Illinois Great Rivers Conference: a time set aside for spiritual renewal with collogues; to drink again from the well containing the Living Water. I was able to make connections with pastors that I have not seen for several years and I was blessed. I was able to visit with Mike Rayson, whom I count as a friend, and I was blessed. Bishop Palmer preached three sessions to the clergy and I was stirred as I was blessed! My remarks on the evaluation sheet were that this was the best CK I have attended so far…and I have managed to attend every one. Then, just when you might think “it can’t get any better than this,” I was blessed again as I was able to return home to a family and church who at least claimed they missed me! What a tremendous blessing…to be missed…to realize that someone values your presence and desires your interaction. That doesn’t mean we always agree (just ask Jill or any one of the girls) but it does mean that I count myself more whole when you are part of my life. Wow! I may not be many things…but I am truly blessed and it is great to be back home!

Focus

One of the incredible abilities Jesus possessed was to stay focused. In the wilderness, when he received word that his friend Lazarus had died…his life never got off track…he kept his life on course. As Jesus looked across the horizon of his future, he could see many targets. May flags were flapping in the wind, each of which he could have pursued. He could have been a political revolutionary…he could have been content to be a teacher and educate minds…but in the end he chose to be a Savior and save souls. Anyone near Christ for any length of time would hear it from Jesus himself. “The Son of Man came to seek and save the lost” (Luke 19:10). The heart of Christ was relentlessly focused on one task. The day he left the carpentry shop at Nazareth he had one ultimate aim—the cross of Calvary. We are terribly distracted, yet Jesus calls us to focus…to focus on sharing the cross with others. Jesus still seeks and saves the lost, only now he has enlisted us to tell others of our Redeemer. We are not liable for their decisions; we are not responsible for their lack of interest; however, we will be held accountable for our actions (or inactions) which introduce others to our Savior. So, how focused are you?

Seeking God's Will

There are certain practical directions that we must attend to in order to be led into the mind of Christ. First, we must purify our motives. As long as there is some thought of personal advantage, some notion of receiving the praise and commendation of men, it will be simply impossible to find God’s purpose concerning us. Secondly, we must surrender our wills. God does not demand that our wills be crushed out, however He does ask that they say yes to Him. Thirdly, we must inform our minds. God has given us wonderful faculties of brainpower and He wants us to use them. As Wesleyans, we are informed by Scripture, reason, tradition, and experience. Fourthly, we must pray for guidance. We need to spend much time in prayer, not only on our knees, but also in that sweet form of inward prayer in which our spirit is constantly offering itself up to God, seeking to be one with the Holy Spirit. Finally, we must wait on God. It is not easy at times (or perhaps ever for some of us) to stand still and wait on God, but we must. We are often mistaken, thinking that God is not guiding us at all because we cannot see far into the future, but this is not God's method. We only know that the steps of a good man should be ordered by the Lord…not next year, but tomorrow; not the next mile, but the next step; not the whole pattern, but the next stitch in the canvas. If you expect more than this you will surely miss all God has planned for you.

Cover the Globe with Prayer

I found the following in the Jan/Feb 2009 edition of Pray! Magazine, and for selfish reasons wanted to share it with all. Use it to pray for your pastor and for other leaders in the Church. Sorry I am late in getting it posted.
Prayers for Pastors
1. Lord, protect the mind of my pastor from any of Satan’s tricks and evil ways. May he guard and protect the truth he was given with your help (2 Timothy 1:14).
2. Help my pastor keep his eyes, hands, and heart pure so that he can show the people at my church to do the same (Psalm 101:3; James 4:8).
3. O God, make my pastor a faithful and wise shepherd who will watch over the people in my church with a happy, servant’s heart (1 Peter 5:2).
4. God of hope, fill my pastor with joy and peace so that he overflows in the power of the Holy Spirit (Romans 15:13).
5. Thank you, Father, for sending angels to protect and serve my pastor and his family. Assign them to see to it that you will is done in my pastor’s life (Hebrews 1:14).

Recommended Reading

I think I’m going to make it…there is the promise of 60+ degree temperatures for this weekend…and I might just make it. Isn’t it amazing how our outlook changes when we have the promise of something better waiting for us? I can almost hear the robins singing as they construct nests in which to lay their eggs. Now you may think I am delusional (and I may be) but wait just a moment…I have no doubts that soon the temperatures will warm, the trees will bud, the grass will again begin to grow, and we will be hearing the chirping of young robins in the nests. In fact, I would bet the farm on it…and I am not a gambling man. I have the assurance that the cycle of life will begin the regenerative process this spring. It’s the same assurance that I (and all believers) hold for life after death. When confronted by Martha after the death of her brother Lazarus, Jesus said, “I am the resurrection and the life. Those who believe in me, even though they die, will live, and everyone who lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?” Throughout scripture we find Jesus and others declaring that he (Jesus) came so that we might have eternal life. The real question is, “Do you believe this?” If so, then smile, eternal life has already begun for you. If not, might I recommend The Gospel According to John for your reading pleasure…it might just change your life.

On A Mission!

I have talked about our “mission” each Sunday since 2009 began; "To make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world." And I have thus far failed to mention one important fact: we have been given the authority to accomplish the mission we’ve been given. In Mark chapter 6, Jesus sends the disciples out on their own to proclaim and live the life Jesus lives in their presence. They are on their own because Jesus is not traveling with them…or is he? He gives them the command to proclaim, heal, and overcome evil, but he also gives them authority. They are to go in His name, spirit, and power. You and I have been given the same. Our mission may seem overwhelming at times, that is until we remember that with the mission comes authority. We are not in ministry on our own; every true call to Christian mission comes with authority as we go in the name, spirit, and power of God. So when you go representing Christ to your neighbors, family, or co-workers, He is with you. We never go alone, thought at times it might feel that way. Christ’s Spirit is there, offering the words, the strength, the wisdom to witness to his holy name…that is our mission.

Attracting Bugs and Believers!

The past several Sundays I have focused on making 2009 a year of change for the church. That happens by us changing our behavior to some degree, engaging others so they might meet the risen Christ. As United Methodists, we are to “make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world”…that is our world. We have the power and knowledge to accomplish this (both come from the Holy Spirit), however we often lack the will to do it. Oh, I know we will say we want to reach out to others and we want others to come to our church, but quite honestly that is not always the case. You know what happens during the summer months in the evenings when we turn on the lights…we get bugs: swarming, biting, annoying bugs! Too often, when we shine the light of Jesus Christ into our community we will draw people to the Church that are frustrating and annoying…not at all like us! And rather than allow Jesus Christ the time to transform them (which is part of our mission statement) we want to immediately chase them away (or worse yet, zap them!). They’re too much trouble, they don’t fit in, they aren’t sincere, and they aren’t like us. Seems it’s much easier to make excuses than it is to be Christ-like. Unfortunately, by definition, as the “body of Christ” we are to look like Jesus! So does that happen? When others look at you or your church do they see Jesus? I pray we would take advantage of the times to reach lives for Jesus Christ…not chase them away.

Super Witness!

I heard the greatest sports report last Friday on NPR. Yes I listen to sports reports, though it is rare…and at times I listen to NPR. The report I heard was on Kurt Warner. It really wasn’t about football or his skills (who would question his skills, after all his team is in the Superbowl!), but more on how Kurt lives his faith. As I write this, I will state that I will most likely watch the end of the Superbowl (after church…and isn’t the end the exciting part?). I really can’t say I care who wins, but I am watching it to support Kurt. Since his days as a St. Louis Ram, I have been impressed with the emphasis Kurt puts on his faith…on how he lives it publicly. Regardless of the venue, or winning or losing season, Kurt is first and foremost a follower of Jesus Christ. Now it is one thing for me to say that, it is quite another for National Public Radio to say that. The report I heard was very complimentary of Kurt and his faith…on NPR! Now I gotta ask what about you. Whatever it is that you do, when you are at your best, do people comment on how you do your job or how you live your faith? Which is more important to you? Oh, and in case you haven’t heard yet, Kurt and the Cardinals lost the Superbowl…but I’ll bet he still praises God for the day.