Relationships

There are some things that never change…regardless of the economic climate of our world or the political temperament of our country…people need and want to engage in relationships. I spent the majority of yesterday visiting folks and most everyone welcomes a time to sit and visit with others…even with the preacher! But it’s not the preacher, or me they long to visit with, it’s with anyone! There are so many in our world who, for various reasons, are lonely people. And it’s not just those confined to a nursing home…what with energy costs so high, there are some, young and old, who find themselves unable to get out of the house. We were created as social beings and generally the struggles we face as a community, or a country, only fuel our need to seek out others and share our beliefs and feelings. I think that is why God offers us salvation, not based on works or obeying the Law, but on a relationship with Jesus Christ. It is also unfortunate (or perhaps a scheme of Satan) that we find ourselves so busy. With irregular work schedules, single parent homes, grandparents raising grandchildren, and retirees working for extra income, we are all pulled in many directions and the first thing that usually suffers is our relationships. I am not sure the erosion of any relationship is a good thing, for any reason, but there is one relationship we can never allow to suffer, at any cost!

The Real Issue!

It’s that time of year again that frustration begins to settle in my soul. We are nearing an election, this one happens to be a historic national election, but it could be one to fill local offices. It’s as we enter the final weeks of any campaign that I see people picking a candidate because of their views on a single issue. Usually it is a stance that will benefit the voter, but it’s most always on one issue. It seems there are some problems that trump all others, and while I agree, it’s not social security benefits, political reform, race or the war. Listen to me carefully, all of those are important issues…very important, but until we address root problems in our society we will never solve anything. Scripture reveals for us the value of all creation. Corruption, killing, caring for others, respect, and injustice are no-brainers if we view them thru lenses of Scripture. However, if we used Scripture as a guide, we might have to read it, and even acknowledge there is a Creator. And if, as a nation, we did that, we might realize the corruption we have embraced, which could lead to conviction and revival! But until then I am reminded that Habakkuk wrote, “The just shall live by faith” (2:4). Knowing that, I reject the frustration of the day, believing that God still sits on the throne, regardless of how (or if) we vote in the upcoming election.

Weather & Redemption!

What glorious weather we have been blessed with! I told someone that I could stand eleven months of this type of weather and I would not grumble…much. There is so much truth to that statement that I am ashamed. It is our fallen nature to complain…even when we are being blessed. It is much too easy for us to fall into that negative mindset, even those of us who have been redeemed. Did you hear me? Just think about those words for a moment: we have been redeemed. There is nothing that should affect our countenance; not weather, not illness, not tragedy, and certainly not financial strains. Our future is secure; the victory has already been won on our behalf. Paul said it this way, “I no longer live, but Christ lives in me.” (Gal 2:20). How can we grumble, or have a negative attitude about anything if we realize that it is Christ who lives in us? Peter instructs us to “live our lives as strangers here” (1 Peter 1:17), so we might always hold in perspective the fact we have a home in eternity…our journey here is a short one, so we ought to live it as those “redeemed not with perishable things…but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect.” With that knowledge we ought to praise God regardless!

Changing Ourselves!

I don't make it a habit of stealing articles from others, but a friend of mine, Rev. Steve Brown of DeMaree UMC, penned this for his church's newsletter promoting a sermon series and I felt his words were relevant for us.

“Change” seems to be the watchword in politics, government, the financial world, and culturally in America. But the truth is “change” is hard for most of us. And most of us don't want to admit that we need to change. We would like the world and those around us to change to be more accommodating to us. But we are not sure that we really need to change. We are sure we really don't want to change. So while “change” is the watchword of the year, basically most of us are resistant to making personal changes. Most of us would not admit that as individuals we need to be more loving and show more of the characteristics of love. It requires painful, personal examination to evaluate where and how much we need to change in showing love. And we want to avoid pain at any cost. It is interesting that throughout the New Testament there is much instruction to Christians about the need to be more loving and how to be more loving. It is one thing to say that we love. It is much harder to show love in real life. We probably would not like it, if someone said to us, “Things need to change around here, and to do that we need to be more loving.” Some of the change that we need to make to be more loving seems so basic that we should not need to be reminded about it, but we do.
It is no wonder that Jesus said, “By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” (John 13:35)

Sound Advice for Uncertain Times

It seems unfortunate that we are not able to forgive and forget. I don’t mean the items Jill has on her perpetual “honey do” list…I forget those routinely. I am speaking of the wrongs others have committed against us. I know we learn by mistakes (at least most of us do) and there is tremendous value in that, but to continually remind others of their past sins is wrong and nothing short of judgmental. Forget the issue of not forgiving (that’s a topic for another day), our passing judgment on others not only causes them to question their self-worth, it has been known to cause some to turn from the Savior. That is something I don’t want hanging around my neck, as I believe we will be held accountable for our actions! If we are going to error (and we continually do) then let’s error on the side of grace. Why can’t we allow God to do the judging while we stick to the witnessing? Isn’t that what we are called to do? I don’t know what’s going on in your life, but the next time you find yourself between that proverbial rock and hard spot, remember Jesus’ words. “Let him who is without sin cast the first stone.” (John 8:7) Sounds like pretty good advice.

Praise You in the Storm!

Recently I had the opportunity to reflect upon storms that I have faced in my lifetime. A time not only to identify storms, but also to see if there are any circumstances common to each, or to most storms. Two things became readily apparent to me. First, I have faced lots of storms in my life. It seems we all have. Most people will only think of tragic events as being storms: the death of a loved one, life-threatening illness; those are the storms we readily recognize. However, there are many storms that we weather, some may not be of the same magnitude as others, nevertheless, they are still storms! In identifying them, I was amazed at how many storms I have faced through the years. Secondly, I found one common denominator in all of the storms: God. I was able (looking back) to see God’s hand at work in every storm that I have faced; even before I became a born-again believer! I know hind-sight is 20/20, but it is amazing to see how God worked in my life and in the lives of others to provide for and form me into who I am today. There is much comfort in knowing that God is involved in my life at all times, even during the darkest storms. I am not sure I will ever look forward to going through an encroaching storm, but am sure I will praise God before, during, and after the tempest.

Necessary Evil?

Well, it is charge conference season again. Any long standing member of the United Methodist Church (or for that matter, of any Methodist Church) knows exactly what I mean. It’s a time of filling out forms and finding people to fill positions in the sometimes uncontrollable government of our denomination. Oh, I yearn for a church that would put as much effort into making disciples for Jesus Christ as we put into perpetuating this necessary evil! Why is it we labor over these positions (many of which are unnecessary for some churches) and neglect the command of our Savior to be his witness? Why is it we want our form of government to be proper, but pay no attention to our form of spirituality? There is something fundamentally wrong with a church whose focus is on the business of the church rather than the Savior of creation. Yes, I know we don’t worship the government of our church (at least most don’t), and I realize we must have order…of all people I love order and take heart in the fact we serve a God of order. But the energy we expend that could be directed to the lost and hurting...oh well, soon enough we will be through another charge conference season, praise God!