The Benediction for 2010

On this the last day of 2010, as we reminisce the events of they year past and look to the possibilities of 2011 something seems to be missing. Oh, there are plenty of resolutions flying around and the work goes on seamlessly…but it feels as if something is lacking. I have racked my mind and perhaps I’ve found it. The benediction…you know the blessing at the end of the service that lets most folk know it’s time to leave. At least in the Christian tradition, the prayer or blessing that closes a service give some finality to the service. Would it not be appropriate to end our year(s) the same way? It really doesn’t matter, at least in my mind, whether it was a tragic or joyous year, prosperous or unfortunate year…this is the final blessing, signaling the completion of 2010. Now, having said that, there’s a lot of pressure to pick the right blessing…after all, just any old blessing will not do to end a year! So again I’ve racked my brain (btw I didn’t get much sleep last night with all this thinking!) and thought of a blessing, one of my favorites, that seems appropriate to both end an old year and start a new. It’s a traditional Gaelic blessing that you may have heard before…it’s my prayer for you as 2010 comes to an end.

May the road rise up to meet you.
May the wind be always at your back.
May the sun shine warm upon your face;
the rains fall soft upon your fields and until we meet again,
may God hold you in the palm of His hand.

New Day Resolutions

I heard a great commercial this morning…actually, it probably wasn’t a great commercial because I can’t recall the product/service…but it had a great line. It asked, “Why don’t we treat every new day with the optimism and enthusiasm that we treat the New Year?” That is a great question! Why don’t we? At least, why don’t we Christians do that? We should you know…our hope remains steadfast in our Lord and Savior every day…not just once a year. Why don’t we get up each morning expecting God to do something great in us? Don’t we expect to meet God each day? Don’t we believe He is capable of doing great things in and through us? Do we not know his will for us? I must confess I am starting to rethink the whole New Year’s resolution thing. Not the exercise and weight loss…but the being conformed to the likeness of Christ thing. Wouldn’t it be a great “New Day” resolution, to this day become more like Jesus in the way I treat others? To be more like Christ in my love of others. To forgive like Jesus forgave. Yeah, we should resolve to be more like Christ, and not just for the New Year, but for each New Day! Then, once we’ve made the resolution, we should ask the Holy Spirit to guide us and give us strength...wouldn't want it to turn out like last years exercise thing!

Christmas Truth

Well, I survived the Christmas season yet another year…I’m not talking about the ‘church stuff,’ though that can sometimes get me down. I am speaking of all the other 'stuff' that goes on in our world. For instance, I heard Cheech & Chong tell the story of Santa Clause on a local radio station for the first time (since then I have found another station to listen to). The sketch had to be 35 years old but I had not heard it until now. I heard those barking dogs, and of course that proverbial favorite, “Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer” (I wonder if it was from that nativity scene in Florida?). I am trying hard not to rant, but I must confess it is hard…hard because there is so much more to this day than the world will recognize. The sad part is there are children and likely others whose first introduction to one of the most holy days of the year was so perverted by our world that they may never come to know the truth it holds. I am reminded of Paul’s words, “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms” Ephesians 6:12. Truer words have never been spoken!

God At Work...Then & Now!

This is a posting from a recent blog I follow by the John Wesley Project (http://dentalmethodist.blogspot.com/):

I love this prayer from the Book of Common Prayer for Sundays, as it reminds us what the real purpose of Sunday worship is. The early Church was for the most part Sabbath keepers on Saturday, the last day of the week, and Resurrection celebrators on Sunday, the first day of the week. I think we should be too, as we lose SO much by conflating the two into one day. Here is the prayer.....

O God, you make us glad with the weekly remembrance of the glorious resurrection of your Son our Lord: Give us this day such blessing through our worship of you, that the week to come may be spent in your favor; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

I lift this up for three reasons…first, for the most part I think we have idealized the first century Church and forgotten the immense struggles they faced. On top of significant issues like circumcision, and eating food sacrificed to idols, when it became apparent that Christianity and Judaism could not co-exist as a single religion, the Christians had a great struggle with when to worship. Reinforces to me the fact it was a God thing the church ever made it off the ground in the first place.

Secondly, I too think we suffer with our mentality of worshipping only one day a week (and for some for only an hour on that one day)! When I read that I was immediately reminded of Grant Norsworthy’s proclamation that worship is a lifestyle, not a specific time of the week or type of music we sing.

Finally, I love the prayer. Instead of asking God to deliver us from our struggles, we should be praying that God will give us the strength and wisdom to get us thru the struggle. Seems to me the latter prayer aligns much more with God’s will than the former.

The Reason...

It frustrates me when I hear someone, especially a believer, say Jesus was born on Christmas Day. That is not correct. Christmas is the day we celebrate Christ’s birth…and there is a big difference! First of all, and everyone knows this, we do not know the specific day that Christ was born, instead the Church chose the date. In the Western world, the birthday of Jesus Christ has been celebrated on December 25th since at least AD 354, replacing an earlier celebration date of January 6th. Christians in the day had encountered many pagan festivals and traditions of the season and changed the date as a means of stamping the pagan festivals celebrated on December 25th out. Unfortunately, they did a poor job of eliminating the pagan festivals…and by trying, created a monster the world now calls Christmas. Secondly, and I think much more important, I hate to hear people say that Jesus was born on Christmas day as it sounds to me like Christmas was an established holiday when Jesus was born! I think the Church is failing to get the correct message out to today’s culture. It’s as if we are trying to incorporate Jesus into the world’s Christmas holiday rather than teaching that Jesus is the reason for this season and the giving we experience is modeled after God’s gift to us! Should we celebrate Christmas? Sure! Should we know why we celebrate? Absolutely…in fact the world should know!

You Go Stephen!

"If this (the USA) is going to be a Christian nation that doesn't help the poor, either we've got to pretend that Jesus was just as selfish as we are - or we've got to acknowledge he commanded us to love the poor and serve the needy without condition and then admit that we just don't want to do it." - Stephen Colbert, The Colbert Report

Wow, what profound words on being a follower of Jesus Christ…and coming from Stephen Colbert! I do not say that to suggest Colbert is a heathen, but I’ve never really found him to be overtly religious on his show, The Colbert Report…funny but not religious. Perhaps we in the church…contrary to our own beliefs…perhaps we do not have the market cornered on spirituality…or maybe at times we just lack common sense. Do you really think when Jesus said to care for the poor he meant for us to throw a hand full of spare change in the Salvation Army’s red kettles…and then buy items for ourselves that we do not need and cannot afford? I know it’s the American way, but make no mistake about it…it is not Christ’s way. Jesus said the world would know us by our love…our love for one another. Which begs the question: Who have you loved today?

Christmas in Haiti

While doing some research on Haiti in preparation for my trip there in February, I came across this info on how they celebrate Christmas. Interesting (hey JW, just wanted to point out there are no reindeers in the nativity scene…lol!). Had I grown up there, my big feet would have paid off!

The Christmas tree has great importance in the celebration of Christmas in Haiti. The Haitians cut pine branches to serve as Christmas trees or they go to the market and get freshly cut trees brought from the mountains just a few days before Christmas. The trees are decorated with lights and bright ornaments. At the base of the Christmas tree they add a big nativity scene which occupies a large part of the living room. The nativity scene depicts the birth of baby Jesus in a cave manger, with Mary, Joseph, baby Jesus, the three wise men, and sculptured stable animals. The realistic touch is given by the hay which is strewn around in the stable. An endearing tradition of Christmas in Haiti is that on Christmas Eve, the children place their cleaned up shoes filled with straw, on the porch or under the Christmas tree for Papa Noel (Santa Claus). Santa Claus removes the hay to fill up the shoes with presents. Christmas day is spent feasting, visiting friends and family and for small children playing with the new toys brought by Papa Noel. All houses in the neighborhood are decorated with lights. People also go to midnight mass. Singing of Christmas carols is common. Children of practically all ages drink anisette on Christmas Eve. Anisette is a mild alcoholic beverage prepared by soaking "anise" leaves in rum and sweetening it with sugar. After midnight mass people have the meals of the "reveillon".

A Social Network Christmas

This is too clever...from Worship House Media...how the Nativity might have unfolded had a social network existed at the time of Jesus' birth. Love it!

Technical Difficulties!

Agggggg! Jill’s cell phone finally died so we ordered her a new one…praise God it was free…but I’ve just spent about 90 minutes trying to activate it. Do I sound frustrated? Verizon gave me an Alltel number to call to activate…when I called it they said, “what?” So I go online to activate and sure enough that won’t work either. Then I call the number Verizon provided for customer service…no option to activate on the menu tree (in between the automated options I am praying for the Lord to take me home!). Finally in desperation I do the online chat. Guess what? She cannot help me, but was able to give me the correct number so I could get assistance to activate this fool thing…which by the way only took about 12 minutes to do manually…after already spending 70+ minutes trying to get to the right person! Praise God for technology when it works…I just pray that we (the Church) do not treat people like this when they are trying to ‘activate’ a relationship with God. Could this be why people leave or feel rejected by the Church? I will be honest, I am real close to tossing Verizon…would be real easy to stay home if I was treated this way by the Church! All I can say (with apologies to Charles Dickens) is “God help us…everyone!” Now that I've calmed down, I think I'll call my bride in the other room and see if the contraption works!

WHAT!!!

I copied the following text from the WALB News 10 website (http://www.walb.com/):

LAKELAND, FL, December 8 (NBC) - There will be no more reindeer games for Rudy. Rudy the reindeer is safe and sound after escaping from a live nativity scene at a Lakeland, FL, church.

Police say they received a call early Tuesday morning about a deer running loose. Personnel at the Highland Park Church of the Nazarene were already on the case.

They chased after Rudy, a 3-year-old reindeer who is named after his famous red-nosed relative, Rudolph. They found him hiding under a nearby elf house.

Rudy's owner packed him up and took him home.

Now, is it just me or is something wrong with that story? Does anyone recall a reindeer in the Nativity scene? I know there was a donkey, and likely some sheep…at least there were shepherds. I’ve seen pictures of the manger scene in the stable with cattle…probably because of the “manger”…seems reasonable to me. I even envision the Magi riding camels…a thought probably induced more by Hallmark than Scripture…but a reindeer? I have a rather vivid imagination, but I cannot visualize a reindeer in the Nativity scene. I wonder if Santa was on the roof? And of all places…at a church! Want to know what's wrong with our world? Same thing that's wrong with the Church! It is no wonder our world is confused with our message and we've lost much of our credibility in today's society…sending that mixed message! I can only hope the real message at the Highland Park Church of the Nazarene was powerful enough to overcome the spectacle.

Come.

Jesus doesn’t primarily say to us, “You must do this” or “Don’t do that.” Instead He says “Come.” As in “Come follow me” (Matthew 4:19)…or “Come to me” (Matthew 11:28). Most of us would often rather go and do something for Jesus than simply come to Him. Perhaps it’s because in His request to “Come” we are not exactly sure where He is calling us, or if we really want to be there, or what He might say to us once we get there. We would often rather be doing something that’s on our own hearts…claiming God has laid it there. Still, if you want to live a surrendered life, and who doesn’t, when the Master says come, we must come. There are fundamentally two types of people in this world: the willing and the unwilling. If Jesus Christ is to be the Lord and Savior of our lives, then we must be willing to come…period. If we will do that, simply come to Him…into His presence…then He will direct us as what we need to do or where we need to go. But it starts with a simple act of obedience…we must come. I am reminded of something I read once, “Partial obedience is actually disobedience.” I pray God will find you both willing and obedient!

Grinch Alert

I found this in the UM Portal (http://umportal.typepad.com/my_weblog/2010/12/grinch-alert.html), a newsletter of the UMC.

In the latest battle of Christmas culture wars, First Baptist Church of Dallas is calling out businesses that aren't acknowledging Christmas in their store displays or greetings.

The Rev. Robert Jeffress, the church's pastor, announced Tuesday the launch of www.GrinchAlert.com where people can post on a "naughty" list the names of businesses that refer only to “Happy Holidays” rather than “Merry Christmas.”

"Too many businesses have bowed down to political correctness," Dr. Jeffress told The Dallas Morning News. "I thought this would be a fun way to call out businesses that are refusing to celebrate Christmas."

The website has brought criticism from area religious leaders, including William Lawrence, dean of the Perkins School of Theology at Southern Methodist University.

"The appropriate thing for Christians to do at this time of year is to find new and more effective ways to extend the love and peace of the season to others, not to insist that such enterprises as commercial businesses put up Christmas trees," Dr. Lawrence said.

What do you think?

Ben Stein on Christmas

I ran across the following portion of a commentary, written and presented by Ben Stein on CBS Sunday Morning back in December 2005, about the observance of Christmas. I like his thinking.

My confession:

I am a Jew, and every single one of my ancestors was Jewish. And it does not bother me even a little bit when people call those beautiful lit up, bejeweled trees, Christmas trees... I don't feel threatened… I don't feel discriminated against… That's what they are, Christmas trees.

It doesn't bother me a bit when people say, 'Merry Christmas' to me. I don't think they are slighting me or getting ready to put me in a ghetto. In fact, I kind of like it. It shows that we are all brothers and sisters celebrating this happy time of year. It doesn't bother me at all that there is a manger scene on display at a key intersection near my beach house in Malibu ... If people want a crèche, it's just as fine with me as is the Menorah a few hundred yards away.

I don't like getting pushed around for being a Jew, and I don't think Christians like getting pushed around for being Christians. I think people who believe in God are sick and tired of getting pushed around, period. I have no idea where the concept came from, that America is an explicitly atheist country. I can't find it in the Constitution and I don't like it being shoved down my throat.

Or maybe I can put it another way: where did the idea come from that we should worship celebrities and we aren't allowed to worship God as we understand Him? I guess that's a sign that I'm getting old, too. But there are a lot of us who are wondering where these celebrities came from and where the America we knew went to.

Hallelujah...at the Mall!

I may now have a new favorite version of the Hallelujah Chorus...not because of the singing, though it is very good, but because of what this video says to me. First, you surely noticed the "choir" looked like the rest of the shoppers...not dressed differently or segregated in a specific corner of the court...isn't that how we believers are supposed to be/act? Secondly, they proclaimed their message boldly, unashamedly, with conviction...isn't that what we believers are supposed to do? And finally, as they sang, people from the crowd joined them (I am sure), and no one from the choir protested…required them to attend an audition or 3 practices, they welcomed them…isn’t that what we believers should do? Oh well, enough…check out this video posted by a friend of mine. It would almost be worth going to the mall for!

Your Gift to God

So here we are, right in the midst of the Christmas season. This is the week your decorating and shopping needs to be completed, there are school and church programs and work parties to attend, and wrestle with those last minute changes. But in all the commotion, have you made time for the One whose birth we celebrate? It gets tough this time of year. We are stressed to the limit…schedules are overloaded…and everyone wants to celebrate, but hardly anyone is celebrating the birth of our Savior. Oh, they might say they are, but let’s look at the fruit. How do you celebrate your child’s birth? You make the day special for them…grant their wishes for their favorite meal or birthday cake…give them special attention with a song and presents…you will even invite family and friends to celebrate the occasion. That’s a birthday celebration, and I am sorry, but rushing from one place to the next, wondering if you forgot someone’s gift, wishing it was over is not how we should celebrate anyone’s birth, let alone the Savior’s. Might I suggest that you give a special gift this year to the Savior…and give it early…today would be a great time to start. Give the gift of your time to God. By that I mean, spend a little more time at your prayer time, listening time, devotion time…just a little more time in the presence of God each day. I do not ordinarily speak for the Almighty, but I am sure He would say, “That’s just what I’ve always wanted!”

In ALL Things Give Praise

There is a song you may have heard of…Praise You in This Storm…performed by Casting Crowns. It is one of those songs that people cling to when they find themselves in the storms of life. With tears in my eyes I have found comfort in it, but we ought not just listen to it when we are being battered…we ought to listen to it daily to remind us of the importance of praise. I think William Arthur Ward was saying much the same thing to a previous generation…"The pulse of prayer is praise.”

As you watch, or listen, here are Mark Hall’s words to the first stanza and chorus...powerful:
I was sure by now, God, that You would have reached down and wiped our tears away, stepped in and saved the day. But once again, I say amen and it's still raining as the thunder rolls I barely hear You whisper through the rain, "I'm with you"and as Your mercy falls I raise my hands and praise the God who gives and takes away.
And I'll praise you in this storm and I will lift my hands for You are who You are no matter where I am and every tear I've cried You hold in your hand You never left my side and though my heart is torn I will praise You in this storm.

Powerful & Effective!

Last night we finished our study on the book of James. One passage, James 5:13-16, gives us a picture of how God intends the church to operate…but unfortunately we often do not. We are told to pray when we suffer and sing songs of praise when we aren’t suffering. We are told to solicit the prayers of the saints, asking them to anoint us when we are in need. We are told to confess and pray and healing will occur when we do. Then James delivers a line that should give us confidence…“the prayer of the righteous is powerful and effective.” If that is so…and I am sure that it is…then why is the Church so often powerless and ineffective? Why aren’t people healed? Why aren’t we praying with every breath? I am one of those who see the stories of believers in the Bible as examples of what believers should be doing today…why else would God want them to be shared? To let us know what God used to do? I don’t think so…I think they are there so we will know how God wants to work through us still today. I believe God still wants to heal people. I believe God still wants to hear our songs of praise. I believe God still wants to forgive sins. I believe God is still able to do all of these things (and more)…but we are the hindering God’s efforts. We don’t intimately communicate with God or listen for (to) a word from Him. I am afraid that many believers have traded the opportunity to meet with God face to face for a time to read about what God has done elsewhere. Don’t misunderstand me; devotionals are good reading, I find them encouraging and uplifting. However, we can never allow them to replace the experience of being in dialogue with the Almighty.

Want a Blessing?

What makes you feel good…really good deep down inside? Is it studying the Bible? Perhaps it’s chocolate? Maybe time alone with God? For me, it’s helping someone in need…to make a difference in someone’s life. Don’t get me wrong, nothing compares to being in God’s presence, but for that feeling of contentment deep inside, it’s knowing I helped someone…regardless of age, circumstance, or need…just being able to serve someone with Christ’s love gives me the most satisfying feeling I have yet to experience. Serving others is Biblically sound, just read Matthew 20:26-28, or Matthew 25:40. I share this because we at Beulah have an opportunity to serve someone in need. George Heckler injured his shoulder and will be having surgery soon. This happened before he was able to cut firewood for the winter…so, this Saturday we will gather at his home at 7am and cut up two large trees that have been felled just to the north of his house. Consider this your invitation. If you’re not doing anything bring your chain saws, wood splitters, & mauls, and join us as we serve a brother in Christ who is in need. You will be blessed…by the fellowship, by God, and by that feeling of contentment deep in your soul!

Praise the Lord!

“Surely the righteous will praise your name…” Psalm 140:13. Why is it we have such a hard time praising God? I mean really…privately…publicly…on the mountaintop…in the valley…every breath that comes out of our mouth ought to be praise for all that we have and do not have. Don’t misunderstand me, I am not being critical of you…I’m being critical of me (actually all of us). There are times when I fail to praise God for something…and it simply tells me that I am not righteous, even though I long to be righteous…I long to praise God with every breath. So why don’t I (we)? Know that I think we ought to resist the tendency to cry out like Paul, “O wretched man that I am!” (Romans 7:21-25)…I don’t want to make excuses, I do enough of that. I want to move my life toward righteousness. So, what’s going on? Is it that I am too worldly? Is it that I am too easily distracted by sin? Do I long to claim the praise for myself? The answer to all of these questions is probably a resounding yes, but during this season of Advent my hope is to more fully realize the amazing love of God for me and return that love in praise. Praise for the blessings and the trials. Praise for the excess and the scarcity. Praise for the promise and the fulfillment found in the birth of a Savior so long ago. Won’t you join me? It’s as easy as saying “thank you Jesus!”

Promise-Keeping God!

This is from “God is in the Small Stuff at Christmas” by Bruce & Stan…good stuff!

Christmas hope is thousands of years old, rooted in the history of the Jews. God had promised them a Messiah who would be their deliverer. They relied upon this hope when enslaved by Pharaoh in Egypt. Sustained by this hope when taken captive by Assyria and again when Jerusalem was destroyed and the Jews were exiled to Babylon. Then during the earthly lifetime of Jesus, with the Jews suffering under the tyranny of the Roman Empire they anxiously waited for the Messiah to lead a political revolt. The birth of Christ was God’s promise to send a Messiah, but few people recognized it as that. They waited for the arrival of a conquering hero, someone tall, holding a sword in his outstretched hand. They weren’t expecting an infant squirming in a hay-strewn feeding trough. Now two thousand years later, God is still in the promise keeping business. The Bible contains promises that God has made and not forgotten: You can turn to Him in times of crisis; He will provide for you in times of need; He loves you as His own child.
Skeptics might say that these are empty promises—nothing more than wishful thinking. But the hope of Christmas proves skeptics wrong. These are promises of the same God who made good on His pledge to send a Messiah. The God who invaded earth with His presence on that first Christmas night to fulfill His promise is the same God who can fulfill His promises to you. God has proved Himself to be reliable. He can be trusted. Thought the difficulties of life might make you question God’s faithfulness, He is a worthy recipient of your hope. Maybe that is one reason He’s given us the hope of Christmas. It is a perennial reminder that God keeps His promises…and you can hang your hope on that.

Thankful...for the Sales!

As we celebrated what some see as one of the greatest holidays in America today, Black Friday, I must quote a friend of mine from a posting he made on Facebook…the Rev. Dr. Ray Long wrote, “The day after we celebrate being thankful to God for all our blessings we push, shove, and race to spend money that we don't have! Only in America!” Well, it looks to me as if it's not only in America, but it certainly is the American way! Unfortunately, he hit the nail on the head…and it’s sad. We (yes, all of us) are so possession oriented that should scare us. Oh, I know God wants us be good stewards of what he has given us, and who shouldn’t want to save money. But more important, I believe, than stewardship is our witness. This is not to say that stewardship is not important, but our witness consists of how we treat others and how we use what God has given us…two elements integral to godly Black Friday shopping…and doesn’t that phrase (godly Black Friday shopping) seem like a contradiction! I guess the news reporters might be following only the antics of heathens…after all, at best our nation is 60% Christian (that is my joke for the 2010 Christmas season!). Yet, my observation today (yes, I went shopping today…though out of necessity, not searching for bargains) was not particularly positive. Regardless, with the holiday behind me (Thanksgiving that is, not Black Friday) I can start my annual Christmas ritual. Tonight, the 1984 version of “A Christmas Carol” with George C. Scott (yeah!).

Thank You Jesus!

Psalm 100 (from The Message) A Thanksgiving Psalm
On your feet now—applaud God! Bring a gift of laughter, sing yourselves into his presence. Know this: God is God, and God, God. He made us; we didn't make him. We're his people, his well-tended sheep. Enter with the password: "Thank you!" Make yourselves at home, talking praise. Thank him. Worship him. For God is sheer beauty, all-generous in love, loyal always and ever.

Give Thanks and Worship!

Recently I have been contemplating Thanksgiving and our observance of this uniquely American holiday. First of all I was reminded of the truth that the Pilgrims came to this nation, not to accumulate wealth, nor for more resources or opportunities, but for freedom to worship God. We often give thanks for our freedoms around national holidays, but we rarely understand the freedom to worship as the most important freedom we possess. I wonder how many in America would leave this nation to pursue freedom to worship elsewhere should we lose that freedom. Then I read a quote from Charles Haddon Spurgeon, a Reformed Baptist preacher from Britain who about 1870 said, "You say, 'If I had a little more, I should be very satisfied.' You make a mistake. If you are not content with what you have, you would not be satisfied if it were doubled." It saddens me to hear people thank God for what they have and turn around and wish they had more. Spurgeon was right; having more will not make us content, that will only feed our greediness. Putting our faith and trust in God is what will make us content…realizing that He will provide our every need as He has promised. As you celebrate Thanksgiving this week, I pray you will be truly thankful and worship the One who not only provides, but who blesses with abundance.

Run to Him!

I received this and know that someone needs to hear it.

Sunday's Coming!

I have been in dialogue with some on how we are to keep the Sabbath. This is not a discussion on the Saturday/Sunday debate, but rather, how do we keep the day holy. What does that look like in the 21st Century? First, let me share with you some history. From the time of Christ to the present day there have been folks called Sabbatarians, known for their elaborate rules for keeping the Sabbath. According to the rules spelled out at the Synod of Elvira in Spain (306 AD), if you missed three consecutive Sundays you could be excommunicated. By the 16th century an elaborate system of rules for church attendance had emerged to the point where it was determined how late you could come to church and still be credited with being present. In the mid-1600s, the English Puritans developed a rule book governing Sabbath activities. Addressed were issues such as how far you could travel on a Sabbath, how to dress, and which homemaking activities were acceptable. By 1656 these rules took up about 13 pages of fine print! So, how should we observe the Sabbath…what’s the rule? Scripture tells us to “Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy” (Exodus 20:8), but what is it to keep the day holy? I am sure every person who reads this has an opinion, but it literally means set apart, or worthy of reverence. I will not suggest what we should do to keep our Sunday’s holy, but rather might suggest that we review our practices…are they taken from a rule book on how to act on Sunday? Do we even consider whether our actions honor God? Have we kept the day holy?

Communication

Interesting concept...listening!

Obsessed with God?

As we concluded chapter 8 (Profile of the Obsessed) in the book Crazy Love, in our Sunday school class last Sunday, Bryan challenged us to consider giving away some of our possessions that distract us, or hinders our relationship with God…a practice worthy of our consideration, but on the surface difficult to do or even start (after all, can’t we use everything?). Here’s my suggestion of how to rid oneself of those unnecessary things and it starts with an attitude of praise. First, think of those possessions that you praise God for…those things that you are truly grateful for and blessed by…I believe God wants you have those (careful, this is not prosperity theology!). It’s been my experience that when we operate in abundance we tend to lose our attitude of praise and the things we have become possessions instead of blessings. Now those things you take for granted, that you do not praise God for, the item you haven’t used for years, or the thing you have several of, why aren’t you praising God for them? It’s one thing to have warm gloves for winter use and to have 4 pair of warm gloves for possible winter use. Have they caused you not to trust God for provision? Are they from God or of your own doings? I offer this guideline, if you cannot praise God for something you have, every time you use it, it is probably removing or at least hindering your reliance upon God…and that is an element of our relationship with Him that we all desperately need.

The Power of Prayer

Oh, how I agree with Edward Bounds’ words from Purpose in Prayer:

"There can be no substitute, no rival for prayer; it stands alone as the great spiritual force, and this force must be imminent and acting. It cannot be dispensed with during one generation, nor held in abeyance for the advance of any great movement—it must be continuous and particular, always, everywhere, and in everything. We cannot run our spiritual operations on the prayers of the past generation. Many persons believe in the efficacy of prayer, but not many pray. Prayer is the easiest and hardiest of all things; the simplest and the sublimest; the weakest and the most powerful; it’s results lie outside the range of human possibilities—they are limited only by the omnipotence of God."
"Few Christians have anything but a vague idea of the power of prayer; fewer still have any experience of that power. The Church seems almost wholly unaware of the power God puts into her hand; this spiritual carte blanche on the infinite resources of God’s wisdom and power if rarely, if ever, used—never used to the full measure of honoring God. It is astounding how poor the use, how little the benefits. Prayer is our most formidable weapon, but the one in which we are the least skilled, the most adverse to its use. We do everything else for the heathen save the thing God wants us to do; the only thing which does any good—makes all else we do efficient. "

Give Thanks...for All things!

I had meant to post this on Friday, but was distracted, so here it is. It’s from Life Together by Dietrich Bonhoeffer and seems really relevant as we enter this season of Thanksgiving (which in reality should be every day).

“In the Christian community thankfulness is just what it is anywhere else in the Christian life. Only he who gives thanks for little things receives the big things. We prevent God from giving us the great spiritual gifts He has in store for us, because we do not give thanks for daily gifts. We think we dare not be satisfied with the small measure of spiritual knowledge, experience, and love that has been given to us, and that we must constantly be looking forward eagerly for the highest good. Then we deplore the fact that we lack the deep certainty, the strong faith, the rich experience that God has given to others, and we consider this lament to be pious. We pray for the big things and forget to give thanks for the ordinary, small (and yet really not small) gifts. How can God entrust great things to one who will not thankfully receive from Him the little things?”

Veteran's Day 2010

Thank you to all who have and are serving...let's consider serving them.

How Can We Not Help?

On Monday Geraldine, Mark, and I spent the afternoon driving to Salem to get yellow fever and typhoid shots for our upcoming mission trip to Haiti. You can tell you are in God’s will when the world thinks you are crazy! A nurse and another lady who was a patient there both told us how they would never set foot in Haiti because of the cholera outbreak, in spite of my telling them of two mission work teams who returned within the last five days with no ill effects. And now there’s hurricane Tomas. My response was, “How can you not help?” I fully understand that not everyone can physically go to Haiti, but some can. Others can financially support efforts there; through whichever aid organization they feel does the best job. Still others can be prayer warriors (I understand from several articles that the morale of the Haitian people affected by the earthquake and now Tomas, is extremely low...they need our prayers), or by supporting efforts to spread the good news of Jesus Christ to people there whose lives are entwined in voodoo and other cultish practices. How can you not help do something? Jesus said in Matthew 25 that whatever you do to the least of these you do to Jesus, and perhaps more important, whatever you fail to help one of the least of these, you failed to do it for Jesus. Those are words that are incomprehensible to those caught up in worldly affairs. Keep us in your prayers as we prepare for our trip next February…and ask God what He would have you do to help the suffering of the people of Haiti.

Surrender

I was reading from Experiencing the Spirit, by Henry & Melvin Blackaby last night and thought someone might need to hear this.
“You may have given your life to Christ, but have you understood that you must yield your life to the work of the Holy Spirit? There is no such thing as a once for all decision in the Christian life; it’s a daily dying to self—daily seeking Him and bowing to His lordship. The key to a growing relationship with God is to release your life to all you know. Don’t worry about the unknown; simply respond to what God has revealed. If you’re faithful in a little, He’ll give you more. Don’t just look toward some future time when He’ll do great things in your life; each step along the journey is special. And each step will open up new opportunities. You’ll discover that the power of the Holy Spirit is profoundly simple. You’ll also find that your relationship with God is uniquely your own. He’ll take you from where you are to where He wants you to be. At the beginning of the journey, you won’t know all the details or where He’s taking you, but you can trust that His will is always best.”

The Sum of Religion

I read this passage from Edwards M Bounds work, The Possibilities of Prayer this morning. Thought you might need to hear it also.
“Prayer is not an indifferent or small thing. It is not a sweet little privilege. It is a great prerogative, far reaching in its effects. Failure to pray entails losses far beyond the person who neglects it. Prayer is not a mere episode of the Christian life. Rather the whole life is a preparation for and the result of prayer. In its condition, prayer is the sum of religion. Faith is but a channel of prayer. Faith gives it wings and swiftness. Prayer is the lungs through which holiness breathes. Prayer is not only the language of spiritual life, but makes its very essence and forms its real character.”
I wondered as I read this how my life might be different today had I realized the importance of prayer earlier in my life. What differences my prayer life might have made in the lives of others I have known or worked with. And while reflection is good, for me it prompts the prayer, “Lord, don’t let me waste today not praying.” I liked that analogy…”prayer is the lungs through which holiness breathes.” It would seem too many in our world have spiritual emphysema.

Revive Us Again...

What is it that is preventing revival from occurring? Right here and now? I know God wants to move…at least all I understand of Scripture indicates that. So what is it that hinders God’s hand? As I have read accounts of previous revivals and biographies of evangelists, it would seem the problem is us…the people of God. We are the ones who will not allow the Spirit to move, in spite of numerous revival services taking place at churches in our area! Here is what I mean to say. In most, if not all, of the great revivals, laity (even more than clergy) played a major part. Every move of the Spirit was preceded by fervent prayer for revival…not by preachers alone, but by the laity. Are you praying for revival…fervently? Visitation…that is visiting from house to house, witnessing to and inviting others to Christ. Have you witnessed to anyone lately, planting seeds of revival? Evangelistic preaching with conviction played a major role in revivals past. I guess this is directed toward the preachers first, but I also think every one of us needs to possess conviction in our words for the Lord. Finally, open-air preaching, or street preaching, was used to reach the lost in many revivals of the past. I know they may not have had the buildings we have today, but too often the church today hides behind their walls instead of making their presence known in the community. I realize there is no “one-size-fits-all” textbook plan for revival…the Spirit moves as the Spirit wills, though a "Revival For Dummies" would be a great book to have at times. I also know we cannot produce revival at will…it is solely the work of the Holy Spirit…but we sure can hinder revival.

Elections are Over...Now of Things Eternal

Aggg! I get so frustrated with people around election time. First, it’s the candidates with all their political babble and mudslinging…then you must wrestle the apathetic attitude of voters. Still in my frustration, my message is we need to engage in the process…we need to do our homework and cast our votes. It’s not a perfect system, but it is our system. It’s the system that so many have died for over the years and others still want to topple today. Don’t like it here? Move to North Korea and see how you like their process! I do not consider myself a patriot, but I do think the greatest threat to this great nation is from within: an apathetic populace guarding their own interests. Perhaps my greatest frustration is the lack of participation by voters in the process. With national voter turnout for presidential elections dropping from 63% in 1960 (isn’t that low enough for a presidential election?) to just under 54% in 2008, yesterday’s turnout in Lawrence County was under 50%. Can people be that disinterested in politics? Perhaps we’ve just become lazy. Regardless, my observation is that we treat God with the same (if not greater) apathy. We are not a Christian nation, but have religiously become a society who are concerned only with “me.” We have so twisted God's word that the “church of what’s best for me” has become a national institution with members sitting in nearly every home and church across the land. Unfortunately, that church lacks the one thing many are looking for and all need: a Savior! Acts 4:11-12 is very clear…me can’t save me!

Gotta Have Priorities!

It’s been a wild few weeks…charge conference meetings & forms…Fall Festival planning… working with youth…small groups…new assistant…not to mention I’ve been wrestling with the seven deadly sins for seven weeks…now I am trying to get immunization shots to go to Haiti on a work trip and well, enough excuses…I’m back at least till I get so busy again that I need to drop something. So during times like this (when one is very busy) we often think we are too busy to spend time with God, or at least we can make it without God easily for a time. I’ve made that mistake before…but over the years I’ve learned it’s then I’m actually too busy not to spend time with God. It’s when you are super busy that you need the guidance of the Holy Spirit to keep you on course, for it’s then you are ever more susceptible to the lies of satan. It’s when we find ourselves in the darkness of confusion and doubt that we need God’s word to provide light for our paths (Psalm 119:105)…and aren’t we commanded to live as children of the Light? So having said that, know that if I stop blogging for a time, I’m busy but I’ve decided I can do without this (blog) more than I can do without my personal time with God & family...until then, maybe I can post every day of November...maybe not.

Citizens Arrest!!

Here is one of the funniest clips from all of the Andy Griffith shows...yet it has a great principle behind it...see James 3:1 and enjoy the clip!

On the Run!

Oh yeah…God is good! Samantha made her way home Friday mid-day and it sure is good to see her. Jill was missing her, but I didn’t realize how much I missed her until I saw her. Then yesterday we all went to Centralia to let Sam visit with her grandmas and cousins. My grandma is doing well. She is at home and recovery is slow, but that is to be expected for someone who is 95! Got a chuckle out of her when she told me how young a 78 year-old woman was and how the 78 year-old should be able to do anything! Now this morning we are getting ready for church…not sure just yet where we'll attend, but I’ve narrowed it down to a couple. I'm guessing right now, our readiness at 8:45 will likely determine whether we attend the church with a 9:30 service or opt for the church with a 10:30 service. Either way I am expecting a mighty move of the hands of God this morning! It is a blessing to have a short family vacation together. Now I just gotta squeeze all I can into the two remaining days before Sam returns to California and the girls turn into pumpkins! Can’t believe I said that…Jill would say before I turn into a pumpkin…either way, God is sooo good!

Blessings Galore!

Talk about blessed! I spent last Tuesday with a dozen others working at Love Packages in Butler, IL. Steve Schmidt is one of my favorite brothers in the faith and the testimonies he shares about how God is at work around the globe are faith-shaping to say the least. Then for me, to be able to put my hands to work (physically) on a Kingdom building activity…well, that is having my cake and eating it too! It’s then I realize how God has abundantly blessed me when I hear stories of others who are doing without the things I take for granted…things like a Bible, or training, or the freedom to worship openly. I am doubly blessed when I am able to help others realize a blessing that God has for them (that would technically make me a blessing)! I am also reminded that the body of Christ (the Church) is made up of many parts, none more important than another, and that by working together we function as a healthy body…and working alone we are incomplete at best, diseased at worse. Don’t misunderstand me, a church or an individual can work for the Kingdom in isolation and God can/will honor that work, but when working with others in the body the work is exponentially used by God. That is by God’s design, not because of anyone's gifts or resources, but because God WANTS us to work together for the Kingdom! All that to say if you want or need a blessing, or want to bless others, check out www.lovepackages.org or search for Love Packages on YouTube to get his story, Steve can usually use the help.

Live Ready...and be Blessed!

Yes, for all concerned, I did survive those nights alone with the girls last week…in fact I am sure I was blessed by it! However, my greatest blessings come from the presence of God…I suspect yours do as well. There is something about sensing the very presence of God, perhaps not physically, but sensing God’s very presence with you or in a service…in a very real way, real enough to want to reach out and touch God…that is a blessing! Or to sense God speaking to you…not speaking generally, but specifically to you! I have shared with some before that there have been times when I am sure God spoke to me audibly. I was alone, so I cannot confirm my thoughts, but then it really doesn’t matter does it? I know that God spoke specifically to me and that is a blessing. I have often wanted God to bless me, wanting to replicate the feeling, but I’ve learned the only way one can come into God’s presence is to intentionally hunger and thirst after His righteousness alone. When God calls to us (as He often does) and we are busy…too busy to stop whatever preoccupies us in order to focus on Him, we have just slammed the door shut in His face. Even worse, we have opened the door for satan! It is our pursuit of God that leads to the presence of God. Smith Wigglesworth said, “You have to live ready. If you have to stop to get ready, you are too late. The opportunity will have gone” (Wigglesworth: A Man Who Walked With God, p. 78). My prayer for us is that we live ready!

So True!

I came across this article and it was credited to Bill Gates. Then I read where it was not from Gates, but from an educator…doesn't really matter...either way there is much truth in this and it is something all kids, including mine, need to know.

11 Rules Your Kids Did Not Learn In School

Rule 1: Life is not fair - get used to it!

Rule 2: The world doesn't care about your self-esteem. The world will expect you to accomplish something BEFORE you feel good about yourself.

Rule 3: You will NOT make $60,000 a year right out of high school. You won't be a vice-president with a car phone until you earn both.

Rule 4: If you think your teacher is tough, wait till you get a boss.

Rule 5: Flipping burgers is not beneath your dignity. Your Grandparents had a different word for burger flipping: they called it opportunity.

Rule 6: If you mess up, it's not your parents' fault, so don't whine about your mistakes, learn from them.

Rule 7: Before you were born, your parents weren't as boring as they are now. They got that way from paying your bills, cleaning your clothes and listening to you talk about how cool you thought you were. So before you save the rain forest from the parasites of your parent's generation, try delousing the closet in your own room.

Rule 8: Your school may have done away with winners and losers, but life HAS NOT. In some schools, they have abolished failing grades and they'll give you as MANY TIMES as you want to get the right answer. This doesn't bear the slightest resemblance to ANYTHING in real life.

Rule 9: Life is not divided into semesters. You don't get summers off and very few employers are interested in helping you FIND YOURSELF. Do that on your own time.

Rule 10: Television is NOT real life. In real life people actually have to leave the coffee shop and go to jobs.

Rule 11: Be nice to nerds. Chances are you'll end up working for one.

I Am Blessed!

What a day…actually what an evening! Jill & McKayla are in Centralia, Hannah went to Sesser for something, and I am here with you know who…both of them! I know there is nothing like quality time with my girls, but remember, too much of a good thing is still too much! Well, we got most of the homework done…took a trunk load of recyclables to Olney and rewarded ourselves with supper out. Once back home we played till dark, took our showers, and just retreated to bed to read before it’s time for lights out. I mention this because this too is life in the Spirit. As I understand God’s will for my life, I am a pastor, but more important a father and husband. Even more important than that, I am a child of God. All of these relationships are important, as are many others, and they are all important to God! In fact, all of my relationships are interrelated. My relationship with God is influenced and enhanced by all of my other relationships and all of my other relationships are influenced by my relationship with God. So then, life in the Spirit is lived at church, at home, at work, when I play, recycle, do homework, and pray. Speaking of which, I gotta go…it’s time for prayers.

Dreaming Like God

Just got home from a strategic preaching conference in Fairview Heights all day today...the best conference I have attended in quite some time! I'm way too tired to share any of it now (16 hour day & my rear is tired from riding!) but you will hear of it in the near future. Until then, here's something to chew on that came out of conversations during the drive there and back. Why would a church settle to be pastor dependent when it could be pastor led (providing of course the pastor is led by the Spirit)? These are two extreme opposite ends of a continuum. One leads to growth, both spiritual and numerical, while the other leads to death, both spiritual and numerical. One should be turned outward while the other has definately turned inward. One is a church and the other is a chapel...so why would a congregation choose to be pastor dependent? I am not sure one answer fits all, but it seems to be a very comfortable place to be, at least if you are not concerned with the future. I have also observed that far too many churches dwell on the past, are stuck in the present, or never dream about their future...and when they do dream, they are afraid to dream God-sized dreams. That seems sinful.

Life in the Spirit

What is life in the Spirit? Is it knowing salvation is of the Lord? Is it knowing that when we face temptation God provides us a way of escape or that our Lord walks with us thru the valleys? For me life in the Spirit is so much more than these. Don’t get me wrong, these are very important; in fact, they are necessary steps that lead to a life in the Spirit. Does life in the Spirit mean one will speak in tongues? Not necessarily, Billy Graham lives life in the Spirit and I do not think he ever claimed to speak in tongues. Is it working miracles? Yes, but not in the sense you’re thinking of right now. Mother Teresa was perhaps the most Spirit-filled person of the last couple of decades, and while she never laid hands on anyone to heal them, she was used by God to heal many. I would define life in the Spirit as a life that loves to do the will of God…a life that is not only transformed, but also transforms others…a life that is love. Here’s the problem with life in the Spirit…too many people settle for much, much less. Believers are satisfied with the hope of salvation, yet struggle with knowing they are saved. Followers settle for the mediocre, lacking the abundant life Christ promises. Some even accept the shackles of religion, missing out on the freedom Christ offers! In short, we stop our journey long before we have arrived. Wesley talked about ‘going on to perfection’ and too many have understood that as us being made perfect…I am of an opinion he was actually referring to us moving toward living life in the Spirit…the perfect Spirit of God. It doesn’t happen the day you profess Jesus as your Savior and Lord, when you are baptized, or become a member of some church. It comes by daily moving forward with the Spirit of God living in you…guiding you…loving thru you.

Too Busy???

Okay, so I’ve been really busy…evidenced by the fact that I haven’t blogged for a week or so and I will soon download three weeks worth of sermons on the website (someone tell David they are there)! That brings me to the point I want to raise today…can we in the Church be too busy with all of the formalities and business of the Church to actually be the Church? Of course we can! It seems I struggle with it weekly, but what do we let go of and what do we hold on too fast? Making disciples (the mission of the church) can happen in many, many things…and specifically evangelistic efforts at times come up short. I have been frustrated with reports and statistics in the past, but I have also used them to advance the Kingdom…there are times I have wanted to scream because of conference requirements, yet I have repeatedly seen the benefits of being connectional. I guess the bottom line is there is value in many things if God wants me to do them…and no value in those things I do contrary to God’s will. That’s a pretty good lesson to learn early in life, regardless of your status, resources, or desire. So here’s what I intend to do…whatever God wants in order to invite others into the mystical relationship of the Father, Son, & Holy Spirit…that might be visiting, preaching, blogging, or even filling out charge conference forms (chringe!).

Go!

I am writing tonight from Marion, IL just after a rousing worship service at Aldersgate UMC. I am here for the Collins Pastor’s Conference, which features Dr. Douglas Powe from Saint Paul School of Theology (I completed my course of study there in 2000). The title of the conference is “Fishing with a New Generation,” and while I am so looking forward to the workshops, tonight’s attraction was worship with Bishop Gregory Palmer. Now, if you have heard Bishop Palmer preach before, you will relate to what I am about to say…if you have never heard him preach, you are missing a blessing needlessly. Bishop Palmer has a powerful way of opening the Word and allowing the Spirit of God to use him in sharing the truth. His text was from Matthew 28 and he came to this conclusion: Jesus, in the authority given to him by the Father, has commanded us to go into the world, preaching, teaching, and baptizing. Additionally, he promised to go with us. The response of the church was to circle the wagons and hunker down! How can we justify our actions? Do we not believe God’s word? Do we not think Jesus will keep his promise to us? Now, stop and think about this for just a moment…what keeps us from fulfilling our commission? Take any of the gospels, the command is clear. In Matthew, Jesus tells us that he will be with us always…to the end of time. This was not a promise to the first century church…it is to all of his disciples…to us. So, what is keeping us from doing what we are told to do?

God Must Feel Frustration Too!

I will confess my frustration with one of my girls (Anna doesn’t want to be identified) who, rather than do what she knows must be done (homework), will constantly choose to avoid it in hopes of either me forgetting or Jesus returning first. This is our daily ritual just moments after getting off the school bus: “Do you have homework?” “Me?” “Yes you, do you have homework?” “You mean from school?” “Yes from school.” “I got some papers for you to look at.” “Good, but do you have homework?” “I don’t know.” “Let me see your planner.” “Why?” “Because your assignments are written in it and I want to know what you need to do.” “Oh, that homework…I’ll do it later.” “No, you will do it now.” “Why?” Well, to spare you the drama, the conversation usually ends soon with both of us frustrated, sitting at the kitchen table…doing homework. I wonder why it has to be this way every night...then I remember what God puts up with in dealing with me. “Do you love me?” “Who me? Yeah!” “Then why do you continue in sin?” “Who me? That’s not really sin…it’s just that…” “If you loved me you wouldn’t want to do that.” “It’s not that I really want to…it’s just that…” It’s about then that God reminds me that anything less than total obedience is really disobedience. My prayer is that I might be as graceful with my children as God is with His.

God At Work

What a privilege I had last Sunday to pray with a young lady and lead her in accepting Christ…and the most amazing thing was that I had absolutely nothing to do with it. It was a lay person in our church who (at a rather inopportune time) asked me if this girl could come to the altar and pray. He had been doing the work…he had made her aware of her need for a relationship with Jesus…he had shared with her the love of God…he had even invited her to the altar! It would have been so easy for me to blow the moment off, but the Spirit told me to meet her there…then God so graciously allowed me to be a part of that joyful moment. He could have even done this without me, but he followed the Spirit and did not. Yes, God is good all the time, even when we aren’t mindful of His goodness! So now I am wondering how often have I blown off the Spirit and missed a moment like that? How often have I stuck to my agenda instead of being flexible enough to follow God? How often are we too busy to see the need or listen to the Holy Spirit? The only response I have is too often. If we miss one single opportunity to follow the Spirit’s lead…whether it is planting seeds or harvesting the crop, we’ve missed the boat! We are out of God’s will…perhaps not far out, but out is out. And when I am out of God’s will, I find I soon try to justify my position and test myself to see if I can go it alone…that is one place I never want to be (again)!

Are You Ready?

The First Hymnal for Atheists

I think Steve Martin may be one of the most talented and clever comedians of our time and he’s at it again. Here’s a clip of his latest composition, “Atheist Don’t Have No Songs,” performed at the Merlefest 2010, accompanied by the Steep Canyon Rangers…it is hilarious!

Pray!

Tonight Grant Norsworthy will be leading a men’s rally here at Beulah. We are using it as our fall kick-off for the men’s group as they begin meeting after the summer off…but in a larger sense, we have invited men from surrounding churches to come and hear Grant and what God has given him. Please, please pray 1) that the men God wants here will show up…we’ve even enticed them with a meal… 2) that Grant receives an anointing and shares what God wants shared…nothing more, nothing less, and 3) that hearts will be receptive to God’s word delivered thru Grant and it would take root. My personal hope is that for each man here tonight there will be a handful of women praying for him. For far too long the Church has been ineffective, due in part to inactive men who are trying to fit God into their busy lives that are caught up trying to make a living in this crazy world. I am not sure I can even imagine what this community, Church, or world would look like if every man would sell out and fully surrender to Jesus Christ. The impact of these men on their children/families, on their peers, on their businesses would be exponential! I think it would equal the impact Pentecost had on the first century Church! So pray, pray that God’s will for each of these men tonight would be realized. Then continue to pray for these men that the fire kindled tonight would never be extinguished.

Living A Lie

This might just explain why so many young women are living life frustrated and depressed. The world is lying to them! I do not profess to be an expert on beauty or fashion...but to me the saddest part of this video is after this young woman was 'transformed' into a beauty, she wasn't good enough for Madison Avenue, so they chose to photoshop the image. That is a very sad statement on our culture. Every person who thinks models and movie stars are 'real' should watch this.

My (Only) Two Pet Peeves!

Okay, I am really put out by those sports figures who will make the sign of the cross as they prepare to do what they do, depending upon the sport, or those who will point to heaven after performing a great feat. I am sorry, I do not see how that glorifies God and I do not think God is overly supportive of any one athlete or sports team. In fact, I have come to believe that making Christian gestures in public has become the equivalent of wearing Christian jewelry...for many it means absolutely nothing. I have seen men and women dressed in a manner that can only be defined as vulgar wearing a cross around their neck or cross earrings...yeah, that's a great witness. Now, having said that there is one thing that irks me even more. In a conversation today someone quoted the old saying, "I would rather burn out for God than rust out for God." I understand the intent of the phrase, but I've got to say I think that mentality is of satan. Either way the result is the same...you are out! I do not believe God's intent is for us to either wear out or rust out...I think God would much prefer for us to engage in effective ministry every day of our lives. Of course to do that one must take care of self and that begins with the admission to self that I cannot do all things in my own power or timing. As good as serving God is, we must care for self so we can continue to perform that ministry for the glory of God and the advancement of the Kingdom. Remember, too much of a good thing is still too much...and that's a bad thing! Minister well.

Is Faith Without Works Really Faith?

This Wednesday we begin a new Bible study on the book of James. We’ve finished our tour of Israel and now it’s back to the Book…how appropriate since that has been my theme for Anna since school’s started! I know you’re busy, but I wanted to invite you to attend since Bible study is much more than reading the Bible, it’s a great opportunity to grow in one’s faith. In the most recent district newsletter, Mike Jones, Cindy’s husband, offered this definition of Bible study and sermon preparation from How to Read the Bible for All It’s Worth, Third Edition. I thought it was well worth sharing with you.
"The believing scholar insists that the biblical text first of all means what it meant. That is, we believe that God’s word for us today is first of all precisely what his Word was to (the first hearers of it). Thus, we have two tasks: First, our task is to find out what the text originally meant; this is called exegesis. Second, we must learn to hear that same meaning in the variety of new or different contexts of our day; we call this second task hermeneutics… To do both tasks well should be the goal of Bible study."
So, as we begin studying this epistle of straw (Luther’s words, not mine!), read each chapter carefully and repeatedly. Consult your commentaries. Let God speak to you and we’ll decide what it meant to the original hearers and what it means to us today. I am confident God will bless our efforts.

Living Revival

I’ve been reading books lately that deal with people experiencing revival…about how we commonly experience the Holy Spirit and the outpouring of the Spirit in our lives. While God works and moves in many different ways and I routinely caution people about putting God in our boxes, Michael Brown in From Holy Laughter to Holy Fire says there are at least six things the Holy Spirit will commonly do in times of revival (p. 246): “The Spirit will sanctify (Hebrews 9:13-14); convict (John 16:8-11); glorify Jesus (John 16:14); deliver and heal (Acts 10:38); empower (Acts 1:8); and refresh (Acts 3:19)” (sorry, just too many Scripture references to include the passages…now you have something to look up). Now if this is a true statement and I would generally concur it is, then I must make another observation. Revival is not something that happens at a single church service or at a particular time or season in one’s life. Revivals are more of a lifestyle than an event…revivals are lived! Revivals do not fade or become passé. They are a continuing work of the Holy Spirit. Jonathan Edwards, the great theologian and preacher of the early 18th Century whose preaching is credited with sparking the Great Awakening in 1733, while I do not agree with all he said or taught, I do think he got this right. “God’s purpose in sending revival is to make men holy.” Remember, that doesn't mean one is perfect, but holy...set apart. Revivals are not to glorify a preacher or church, a denomination or community…they are to make men holy. And men are made holy by a process (sanctification) which often takes a lifetime, not a weekend or a single service to accomplish.

Here I Am Lord, Hug Me!

I’ve been trying to catch up (again) and in the rush of life I wanted to share something with you from last Sunday’s district youth rally which was held at Epworth Campgrounds in Louisville. As Harvest was playing songs for the youth, encouraging them to jump and perform all the motions, Tim paused just a moment between songs and told the kids, “God has a hard time hugging you when you’re bouncing off the walls!” He was encouraging the youth to start the discipline of quiet time with God. As he spoke my mind raced to my life of “bouncing off the walls.” I may not have the energy I had when I was 16, but I can still bounce pretty high…and I still need my quiet time with God. Each of us adults need it perhaps even more than the kids! Over the years we’ve developed…and some of us have perfected…that “I can do it” attitude. In a society that prizes self-sufficiency, we’ve left no room for the interaction and power of God thru the Holy Spirit in our lives. Sadly, it shows in many, many lives…even the lives of believers. People are stressed, frazzled, burnt out, and exhausted. Why? Well for some it’s the pre-schoolers living in their homes…but for too many it is a lack of that one-on-one time with God. That time to praise Him, cry out to Him, and to listen to Him. We all need it…desperately. Without it, we’ll miss His hugs!

Keeping Your Edge...

Early last evening, as I was sweating, working my rear off mowing the grass that will not stop growing…near the end of my chore I noticed something. My mower was doing a terrible job of cutting the grass. In the taller grass, it just ripped through the grass and didn’t cut it at all. When I checked, the blade was dull…very dull. In fact, it would make a butter knife look razor sharp! Now, in addition to being hot and sweaty, I was frustrated because upon a closer examination, the grass looked terrible. I hadn’t invested the time to sharpen the blade and now my efforts did not yield the results I had intended. It was then God spoke to me and shared his frustration with me. Because I am not ‘sharp,’ my witness is not what it should be. O yeah, I do a good job compared to some people…at least I get out there and try…but because I do not invest proper time in the Word or in His presence sharpening my witness, it does not yield the results it could/should…the results God intends. Because my witness, upon close examination, is sloppy and ineffective, God is frustrated with me. Two things I want to life up…first of all, God does not want me to compare my witness efforts to others…that is like comparing apples to oranges. God has called us to witness, not to compare witnesses. Secondly, if I do not continually ‘sharpen’ or spiritually mature, my witness and even my faith will become dull and ineffective. Without the proper maintenance, it might even become like a broken mower stranded among the tallest of weeds. When’s the last time your blade was sharpened?

Revive Us, O Lord!

In speaking with friends recently I posed the question, "What is revival?" It seems to me that too many people think all their church needs (but not them mind you) is a good old fashioned revival. In fact, some will say that if we just scheduled revival services each fall (or spring, or summer, or winter) the way we used to, the church would once again thrive in the community. I see that thinking as a lie of satan! First of all, by its very nature, revival needs to be experienced only once. If you are truly revived it will last a lifetime. And if you are truly revived, you will not wait a year to engage or invite others to your church and Savior…you’ll do it today! Michael Brown, in From Holy Laughter to Holy Fire, defines revival as a time of visitation by the Holy Spirit. “If it is confined to one church, it is not revival. If it is confined to the meetings themselves, it is not revival. If it can all be traced to the efforts of man, it is not revival. If it does not ultimately affect the society, it is not revival” (pg. 235). How arrogant of us to think God would send revival to those at our church alone! True revival does not stay in the church, the Spirit moves from there into the homes and schools and businesses and places of sin to convict and convert (although it would seem there are certainly some churches where conviction is needed!). Study the Reformation, the Puritan and Methodist revivals, the Great Awakening or the Pentecostal outpouring…that is how God works and moves...still today! So throw away your little box (God will not be contained) and get on your knees if you truly want to experience revival, but be careful what you pray for, God just might answer your prayer!

What Dads Need to Do More...

Oh my…we had decided to make today a family day and take Anna & Bella to Holiday World. Fortunately for me, level heads prevailed and we because of the heat changed our plans to a day in Evansville. Eating, visiting the children’s museum, eating, movie, shopping, eating…it was a tough day (but I remain thankful!). The lesson I re-learned today was that the kids really didn’t care where we went, they just wanted to spend the time with Jill and me. It’s kind of like your child unwrapping an expensive present and then you catch them playing with the box (and enjoying it more than the present!). It’s really too bad, but many parents today have bought into Madison Avenue’s philosophy that kids need the biggest and the best if they are going to be normal, and they need even more of it to thrive. All they need is mom and dad’s guidance, care, love and attention. Unfortunately those are the very things many kids lack. Why? It’s hard work! My feet are killing me, but my heart rejoices! Scripture tells us to “train up a child in the way he should grow and when he is old he will not turn from it” (Proverbs 22:6). People quote that text as a reason to teach their kids Scripture, but that is not what it is speaking of. Sure we need to teach children Scripture, but these verses speak of humility, generosity, a good name, and wickedness. It speaks of training them for life, and an important aspect of life is relationships. We also need to be modeling relationships for them, not the least of which is that of parent and child. How else will our children grow to be effective parents?

Are You Thankful?

I have had one of "those" days...you know the ones. Everything went wrong, I accomplished very little, in fact it seems like I lost ground today, but I am thankful. Thankful for so many things and one is that I saw this video of Nick last week and wanted to post it for you today. (Let me apologize to those I told to watch for the blog today and then I didn't post this until now...but part of my struggle today was the lack of internet service after about 9:30 this morning.) I do not know what church Nick goes to, but I have no doubt of his faith! You can search You Tube for more of his inspiring videos...grab a tissue and enjoy.

All Of You!

Well, didn’t that video cool things off??? Wish I could take credit for the cooler weather…but then I would have to take responsibility for the heat we’ve had and that which is still to come! But to something I can control (and I am held accountable for)…in a conversation I was involved in recently, the question was raised, “What does God want from you?” Now this was asked by a full-time Christian worker to other full-time Christian workers (which may be the ultimate oxymoron since God sees us all as full-time Christian workers). I was amazed with the answers that were given. As I understand the Christian life, God does not want your gifts. God does not want your time. God does not even want your ministry. God wants YOU! His claim upon you is total. God’s claim goes beyond ‘ministry’ (although too many ‘Christian workers’ try to separate life and ministry). God’s claim upon you goes deeper than your public life. God is even looking for something more than your private life. God wants YOU…He wants your life, your heart, your desires, your ambitions, your motivations, your thoughts…God longs to be involved with you…in an intimate relationship with you. Holiness is God in me and I in Him. It is a life lost in His love. Holiness is being wholly His. Should we desire anything less? If we do, we are binding the hands of God to work in, around, and thru us. We need to seek God with all of our hearts. We should cry out to Him with tears and praise Him with all that is in us. What does God want from you? All of You!

Hot! Hot! Hot!

Hot enough for you? Hope so, but don't wish it away just yet. I have a video for you that will hopefully cool you off just a bit and offer incentive for everyone to stop complaining about the heat...unless of course you are one of those people who love the winter. Enjoy!

Why We Doing This?

So I’ve blinked and suddenly it is now August…school will be starting soon and the days have begun to grow shorter. Now I am just waiting for the temps to cool…and yes, I will be the one complaining about the cold weather in January! Still, I have been seeking relief from the heat inside and reading. Specifically reading again about an amazing man, Smith Wigglesworth. Reading about Smith, I came across this quote in Wigglesworth: A Man Who Walked With God by George Stormont. “Before visiting door to door was popular in England, Wigglesworth did it. He did not wait for his church to develop a visitation program. He was the program! With a burning heart and unflagging zeal, he sought out people in their homes. He had what has been called ‘20/20 spiritual vision’—Acts 20.20.” Now, as many of us here at Beulah seek direction concerning outreach into our community, it occurred to me that what we really need is not a new or better program, what we need are people who will become the program…people with a desire to see others brought to Christ. We might try many things, programs that are successful elsewhere, but if we do not have in our hearts the desire to see folks come to profess Jesus Christ as their Savior and Lord…if we are doing it because the pastor or someone else wants it...it will never be successful and we will never be a successful church.

It Hurts to Laugh...

First of all, thank you for the compliments on the new look of this blog page…I did make the changes and while I have absolutely no sense of what is ascetically appealing, I was ready for a change. Secondly, concerning yesterday’s cartoon. Some obviously think I do a better job of picking a blog template & colors than I do picking cartoons! Well I thought it was hilarious…but unfortunately true! Too many church folks think the sun rises and sets in their pew and if they do not get their way, it’s their life-long mission to disrupt the church. I’ve said this before, “It’s not about you!” Many forget Jesus also addressed the same problem when Peter wasn't getting his way in Matthew 16:23 and he was very to the point. “Jesus turned and said to Peter, "Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; you do not have in mind the things of God, but the things of men." We should all memorize that verse (Matthew 16:23) and ask God to bring it to our mind the next time we don’t get our way. Now, I do not want anyone to think I am defending preachers, they make mistakes too…besides, it’s not about them either. Fact is, it’s about GOD and it’s ONLY about God! If we (whatever our calling might be) do not have in mind the things of God, we are a stumbling block to Jesus and his redeeming work here on earth. If we are not for Him…working together with one common purpose to point people to Jesus…we are working against Him. I do not know how that could be said any simpler…now relax and laugh…that cartoon’s really funny...and brutally honest!

Ouch!

This is too good…when I’m done laughing (and crying) we’ll talk!

For Heaven’s Sake by Mike Morgan

Health = Change

Recently Shane Bishop (pastor of Christ UMC, Fairview Hts.) made the following post: “Healthy things grow. Growth produces change. Change brings discontinuity. How we deal with discontinuity is our most powerful Christian witness.” As I read that statement, two things rushed into my mind. First, Why do we all profess health yet resist change? I mean, in the natural order of things that statement is dead on…health leads to growth and growth leads to change…that is the way God planned it. But too often we claim to be healthy (people/families/churches/communities, whether we are or not) and we do not want to change…even to the point we sabatoge change…and that isn’t healthy! What’s that all about and isn’t that a powerful Christian witness? Secondly, I am not sure change always brings discontinuity…or that should be our mindset. There is always that potental, but to say always is more a statement on how we do not trust/follow the Holy Spirit than on our perception of reality. Now, I realize that is very similar to what Shane is saying, but let me add this. If we are in tune with the Holy Spirit we will not see change as resulting in discontinuity…in the Spirit we see change as the natural progression of God’s plan for our lives, our church, our families, our witness…as opportunity to glorify God. As I see it, health, growth, & change are all gifts from God. How we utilize them for His glory is our witness...and yes, it is powerful!

Go Cubs...I mean Jesus!

People amaze me…the things they say and do. Most of you know I am not a big sports fan, but I do enjoy watching an occasional game. The Cardinals have been on a winning streak but recently have fallen from grace and to make it worse, the Cubs beat them! I love it…not because I’m a die hard Cubs fan, but because of the reaction of my Cardinal fan friends. Recently I posted how silent all the Cardinal fans were and you should have read the postings. Now, none of this really matters…in fact it doesn’t matter at all, but I find it remarkable that some believers raise such a ruckus over a baseball game and remain indifferent about their Savior. What if…what if people got excited about Jesus? What if they cheered and focused on Him for hours at a time? What if they memorized His stats and…oh my…what if they did the wave in church??? Actually, none of those things matter either because Jesus never asks us to do those things…but He does ask us to be in a genuine relationship with Him and to be His witnesses. As I watch people, my prophetic word is that many people (religious and heathen alike) will be surprised when Jesus returns…but until then, if the Cubs beat the Cards just one more time, I’ll have enough sermon examples to last until I retire!

It's God on the Line...He's Calling You

I’ve been trying to catch up since returning from church camp…the worse thing about leaving is coming back to the mess left behind. Regardless, I can now see the top of my desk in some select spots and wanted to offer you something to ponder. Hanging over the altar in the tabernacle at Beulah Camp is a sign that reads, “God calls sinners to repentance and believers to entire sanctification.” We church folk often realize the importance of repentance and we do a great job of reminding non-church folks of their need for repentance…some think that is our primary purpose in life, but just as important is sanctification and I am sorry to say many struggle with that. 1 Thessalonians 4:7 reads, “For God did not call us to be impure, but to live a holy life.” I’ve said this before, but once saved God has a job for us…if he did not we would instantly be taken home! God wants us to grow in our faith and witness to the Savior. We only do this by becoming sanctified (that is a fancy church word for becoming holy). This does not mean we become perfect, or just better than anyone else, it means we are more Christ-like than we were before…we are changed in such a way that others notice the change in us. So what about you? God has called…has your life changed since you made him your Lord & Savior…or are you just playing Christian?

God At Work!

This has been a good week at JHA…no real problems, the heat has been one of the biggest and we are told relief is coming. But aside from any issues are the blessings on receives when we find ourselves in the presence of God. Beulah campground is a special place when it comes to finding God here. It’s sort of like Bethel where Jacob had the dream of the angels descending and ascending (Genesis 28) and when he awoken, he said, “Surely the Lord is in this place.” The same is said of Beulah, and God has been present and busy this year at JHA! We’ve had wonderful worship and classes and with several kids giving their lives to Christ and even more re-dedicating their lives, but last night God moved in a mighty way. To a visitor it probably didn’t seem like much, but a young man, who's been extremely bashful and reclusive, performed a short skit just before workship…by himself! I am not sure I remember the context or content of the skit…I was bowled over (as was every other adult here) that he got up in front of the assembly and did it. Then to see the joy on his face afterwards as about a dozen other kids congratulated him! Yeah, God is at work here and he’s doing big things! I'll likely forget the messages...I wish I wouldn't, but I'll never forget what he did in that boy!

Hotter!

Okay, did it say it was hot here…well, I got hotter Wednesday! Not only the temperatures, which are brutal, but it’s summer in southern Illinois and we’d likely whine if it were cold. However, the spiritual temperature has risen also. Tuesday I shared that the question Josh brought to us was “What do we do with Jesus?”, the most important question we will ever face. Today he offered us what he says is the second most important question: "What do we do with temptation?" As Josh shared, we all face temptation and will continue to face temptation… regardless of how good, dedicated, or religious you might be…but what do you do with that? Do you surrender to it or do you fight it? God has offered us armor and a weapon to fight temptation with…God has even promised us His strength to fight temptation…so why do so many surrender to it? (on a side note, I find it interesting that those who will surrender to temptation are the same ones who resist surrendering to Jesus as Lord of their lives…but then they are directly related!). Can’t wait to see what today brings; weather forcast is HOT…so is the spiritual forcast!

Hot, Hot, Hot!

Can anyone say hot? If you were with us at Beulah Junior High Alive camp you would know what it is to feel hot. I am not sure what the temp is…or for that matter what the humity level is…but it’s hot. In fact, the spiritual ferver is also been turned up. Josh Mandrel has challenged the kids to make a decision about Jesus Christ, and reminded them that to postpone that decision is in fact a decision! I am not sure what God has in store for us this week, we started with storms on Monday night…big storms (thank God there were no campers here!) and now the heat is on! Pray for us…all 101 youth and adults on the campground…pray that God will move in the hearts of all here so that decisions, whatever they are, are made for Jesus Christ. Hope to have more soon.

God's Been Busy!

What a great weekend…it might have had everything! Great worship with communion…had a baptism…took the youth to Dairy Dee…and had a prayer walk at Lancaster. God was very busy here yesterday (except the Dairy Dee thing...that might have been me and not God)! Since then I’ve been packing for church camp, and I am almost ready...almost. Actually, Jill has been doing much more packing than I have, but I’ve been loading all that she has packed (and one would think we will be gone a month!). I love church camp, especially the junior high age. I have told some before that the junior high kids still listen when I growl, but the truth is they are searching for God and what God wants of them, and are very receptive of God's will. I truly doubt that I have ever witnessed any more attentive people (of any age) than junior high kids when an engaging speaker is sharing God’s word with them. This year at Beulah JHA we have Josh Mandrell as our guest speaker. Josh loves the Lord and has a great ability to speak to kids of all ages. Harvest is back, and I am sure there will be a few surprises as well. So…keep us in your prayers. Pray that Josh and our crew might find kids searching and be able to offer them the life-giving news of Jesus Christ that will change their lives. Pray God continues to have a busy week!

Gotta Start Listening to Jill

Whew…got ahold of some old v8 juice late Wednesday and it fermented in my tummy overnight…as you might imagine, Thursday was an explosive day and just feeling better today. Moral of the story is listen to Jill when she tells you not to drink something that was opened (several) weeks ago (tummy rumbling). But now, God has blessed me with peaches…surely the forbidden fruit that God designed for himself (sorry apple loves, but the Bible doesn’t identify the fruit)! And when it comes to peaches, Southern Illinois peaches are tops…makes me think the Garden of Eden might be closer than most think. Tuesday afternoon on our way back from the mission trip at Cobden, I broke my first and most important rule (to never, NEVER go shopping on a mission trip) and I took the group shopping at Flamm Orchards. Kind of a tradition now, something the Sesser bunch started. What a treat…I had a peach sundae, half-peck of peaches, and a treat fit for royalty alone: peach salsa! This evening as my tummy echos with rumbles from yesterday and the girls (all three) are couped up inside because of the rain, searching for that proverbial line to cross, God has allowed me to escape to paradise with a bowl of peach salsa and chips. Oh yeah! God is so good…all the time!

What Will Today Bring?

I wonder what opportunities today will bring…I’ve already been arguing with Bella about ‘girl’ and ‘boy’ pencils (don’t ask) and trying to wake up Anna so we can get going…must have had a long day yesterday. Soon it’s off to The Sign of the Kingdom to help with food distribution then meet with Sumner pastors for prayer…but back to my original question, I wonder what opportunities I will find today…or what opportunities will find me? Remember though, not all opportunities are equal. In Romans 7:8 Paul says, “But sin, seizing the opportunity afforded by the commandment, produced in me every kind of covetous desire.” This is not a commentary of the misconstrued interpretation of the Law, but rather a reminder that evil offers us opportunities also. In fact, it seems satan is working overtime, because they are everywhere! (Good place to jump in with doctrine on free will, but I’ll refrain.) Still, with the Spirit of God living in us and guiding us, the opportunities for good and for God are so much more apparent (and desired). So, what opportunities will be presented to you and I today…I think the more important question is, what are we going to do with them?

Here I Am Lord, Bless Me!

So here I sit at my computer in the Casa Bethel at Jesus es el Senor UMC near Cobden, IL, preparing a lesson for Tuesday. It’s just after 9pm and with me are a couple of girls who are having severe withdrawl pains from lack of internet service…and a few women so dedicated to sharing the love of God with children that they’re preparing crafts for tomorrow at this late hour, after spending all of last week at Beulah’s VBS. As we work, I am reminded of Jesus’ words from Matthew 25, “Whatever you do for the least of these, you do for me.” I know the kids here at Jesus es el Senor would never be considered the “least” in our world, in fact I suspect they would tell you how blessed they are. But, I also think they lack the blessings that you and I possess (and take for granted). Especially since I find myself doubly blessed on this trip…blessed by the fellowship I’ve experienced with this group and I am confident I’ll be blessed by helping and teaching kids tomorrow. Now, here’s why I mention all of this to everyone at Beulah. All of you need to experinece these blessings too, so we are going to offer several opportunities for you to be blessed next year. Coming to Cobden, going to Love Packages, going to the reservation in South Datoka, even going to the Depot in Baldwin, LA. God is, as I write, preparing several chances for us to be blessed…it is up to us to seize the opportunities. Begin now praying for the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Not everyone should go everywhere, but everyone should go somewhere.