Making Preparations ...

17 On the first day of the Festival of Unleavened Bread, the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Where do you want us to make preparations for you to eat the Passover?”

18 He replied, “Go into the city to a certain man and tell him, ‘The Teacher says: My appointed time is near. I am going to celebrate the Passover with my disciples at your house.’” 19 So the disciples did as Jesus had directed them and prepared the Passover.

Matthew 26:17-19 NIV

This afternoon has been a whirlwind of activity at the church.  A very different Thursday afternoon from most ... the cleaning crew was in to do their usual work ... but the worship director was also in setting things up in the sanctuary for this evening's service and a crew of ladies from the UMW were into to get things ready in the church for a Community Maundy Thursday Service and Easter Services this Weekend. 

Everyone was working with such great care and lovingly cleaned every spot and tidy every corner in anticipation of this evening and Easter.

While appreciate the extra effort to tidy up the church - the smell of 'lemony' clean is a nice addition to the church, part of me wonders why not every week?  But then I remember, the passage from Matthew and how it ends ...

Olive tree wood model of the Last Supper

When evening came, Jesus was reclining at the table with the Twelve.  Matthew 26:17-30 NIV

Perhaps our efforts are easier on a day like this ... in a week like this ... because we do our work knowing that Jesus will show up tonight as we gather around the table. 

We also know that the tomb will be empty come Sunday and we will celebrate the hope of resurrection. 

Maybe if we could keep the anticipation of Easter alive during the week, it would change how we prepare each and every week for Worship.  The anticipated encounter with the Risen Savior tends to change how you act.

 

Until then, I am thankful for the many hands that have been through the church making preparations for an evening at the Table with Jesus.

Guilt Free Bible Reading Plan: Deuteronomy 13-15 - Selling Jesus ...

If a prophet, or one who foretells by dreams, appears among you and announces to you a sign or wonder, and if the sign or wonder spoken of takes place, and the prophet says, “Let us follow other gods” (gods you have not known) “and let us worship them,” you must not listen to the words of that prophet or dreamer. The Lord your God is testing you to find out whether you love him with all your heart and with all your soul. It is the Lord your God you must follow, and him you must revere. Keep his commands and obey him; serve him and hold fast to him. That prophet or dreamer must be put to death for inciting rebellion against the Lord your God, who brought you out of Egypt and redeemed you from the land of slavery. That prophet or dreamer tried to turn you from the way the Lord your God commanded you to follow. You must purge the evil from among you. Deut. 13:1-5

We usually read these words and use them as a cautionary tale for those outside the church using miracles and signs as reason to listen to them.  But what if the caution was just as relevant to those inside the church - today!

I'm not here to sell you what you want ... just what you need.

Sounds like a sales pitch at the local used car dealer or flea market. But it should be the 'pitch' at your local church. Unfortunately, these days we have turned Jesus into a cure-all, fix-all, end-all, do-all ... for All your problems.  And that's great when Jesus works out like that, but it doesn't work like that all the time. Not all your problems go away (BTW, that was never a promise Jesus gave ... actually He promised quite the opposite).

Perhaps it is easier to see the claims of the false prophets as they masquerade while selling us false hope and quick fixes.  We are even drawn in for a short time, but we never stay long ... the promise never holds up to our reality.

But what about the church?  What about our own testimony?

How often are we left trying to sell "our church" or "our faith" as a means for someone to reid themselves of "their problems". 

The end result is that people will respond, but when the problems return ... they leave once again disappointed in a promise broken.

Perhaps we would better to tell the real story: 

I once was lost, but now am found ... but I still don't really know where I am. 
Maybe you could join me a journey to figure out this thing called faith. 
I don't have all the answers.  My problems haven't all gone away, but I know that God loves me
and I have hope - hope in a better future - a promise of better future - and I am not alone in my struggles.

Maybe if we stopped trying to sell Jesus and instead lived like we loved Jesus ... we would find a lot less people calling us Hypocrites and trying "to put us to death" according to the Law.

A Fool in the Streets of Hagerstown

If any of your fellow Israelites become poor and are unable to support themselves among you,

help them as you would a foreigner and stranger, so they can continue to live among you.

Leviticus 25:35 NIV

 

Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like.  James 1:22-24 NIV

Yesterday, our church distributed food through Gleaner's Mobile Food Pantry.  It was bitterly cold outside and despite our best efforts we had food left over.  The leftovers go to our community Food Pantry to assist families in need.  There was leftover frozen meat, but there were no boxes to put the meat in.  Our pastor suggested that we use a grocery cart from inside the church (used to collect food pantry donations) to transport the meat 3 blocks to the Pantry. We did and with some help the meat was transported to the Pantry.

Brothers and sisters, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. God chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are, 29 so that no one may boast before him. It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God—that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption. Therefore, as it is written: “Let the one who boasts boast in the Lord.”                                                                                                                  I Corinthians 1:26-31 NIV

Learning to the play the fool for 40+ years and loving it !

Over the years, I have done many things in pursuit of serving Jesus.  I have tried many things in trying to be more like Jesus.  Too often the things I do are respectable, honorable, and (well let's face it) they make you look good.  But not today.  Today I was made a fool - a fool serving and living like Jesus.

Perhaps we if we spent more time being foolish and less time being honorable, we understand what it means to truly live like Jesus.


 

 

Why do you do it?

This past Saturday over 600 volunteers gathered inside the Hagerstown Elementary Gym and did something amazing! They packaged 155,520 meals in just over 6 hours. They work in three shifts beginning at 9:00 am and they came from all over East Central Indiana. They came to take part in what is now known as the END HUNGER NOW event.

 

People came alone.  People came with families. The two largest groups of people came from a dozen FFA Chapters and nearly two dozen United Methodist Churches. They all braved the cold and snow and worked side by side. Leading up to the event, a team of people worked to plan this event for over 6 months. It was awesome to see a plan come together.

This event started 3 years ago as an idea for a few people from my church to package a few thousand meals. As they story of the event was told more and more people wanted to be involved and it grew.  What's not to like?  A few hours of volunteering produces a tangible result - a packaged meal.  People even had a chance to sample the final product and were surprised by how good the meal tasted.

 

As the driver behind the event, I get too much credit and all the questions.  The question I am most often asked is "Why do you spend so much of your time on this?"

 

I could tell you about the experience I have had with Gleaner's Mobile Food Pantry here in our community.  I could tell you how hunger lives next door to each of us and most often it affects children.  I could even mention that Gleaner's is a distribution partner for Kids Against Hunger. Perhaps that's why other people come. They know that a portion of the meals we package will be distributed to local food pantries.

 

I could tell you about my involvement with Mission Guatemala and my recent trip there.  I could tell you about the horrendous malnutrition rate in the country and I could tell you about the wonderful work that is being done by Mission Guatemala as a result of the meals provided by Kids Against Hunger.  Perhaps that is why people came as many of the meals we packed will be shipped there.

And while those are good reasons they are not why I am so passionate about this event.  In my ministry as a pastor, I am driven to help people see that how they live out their faith matters in the world.  So often, people are left wondering if having faith even matters. They are even left feeling alone in their struggle to live our their faith.  As a result they get discouraged. 

 

But then an event like this comes along - driven by people of faith responding to the call of Christ to "feed the hungry."  They come together from various backgrounds and different ages. They come with all kinds of unspoken troubles.  And for one glorious time they work together selflessly. They act out love, compassion, humility, and thankfulness.  They become a human expression of Christ.

 

 

I marvel and all the different hands that work together - young, old, small, big, rough, hard, soft, smooth.  I marvel at all the different faces as they laugh and smile. All the people enjoy one another's company. They meet knew people. They discover that they aren't that different.  They discover that faith can matter in this world.  They discover that faith can make a difference. 

 

My hope ... My passion is that they discover that God is a God of Abundance.  And from that Abundance God chooses to love.  Love you ... love me ... and love those we don't yet know.

 

I hope people leave encouraged and inspired to continue to do other good things because in this life ...

How you live your faith matters ... it matters now and forever.

 

Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him. James 1:12

  

 

 

Guilt Free Bible Reading Plan: Exodus 25-26 - Pass the plate ...

 

You are to receive the offering for me from everyone whose heart prompts them to give.

Exodus 25:2b NIV

 

This chapter actually begins with God instructing Moses to tell the Israelites to bring [God] an offering.

 

The word that jumped to me is instruct.

 

That means to furnish with knowledge; to teach; to train; to educate.

It also means to furnish with information; to inform; to apprise.

 

The offering that was being taken was not directed ... not forced ... not demanded ... not under compulsion or guilt.

 

The offering was to come after instruction.

 

When we understand that the offering in our worship services is about our response to God it is amazing what might happen.

 

While we prepare for a Kids Against Hunger Event next week, we discovered we had more volunteers than we had funds to purchase supplies.  What to do?

 

Pray, instruct, and ask.

 

By instructing others discovered they could respond.

 

End result - an unexpected offering of exactly what we needed!

 

God is good.

 

Sometimes we need instruction to be reminded.

 

 

Guilt Free Bible Reading Plan: Exodus 7-8 - Freedom ...

 

Then the LORD said to Moses,

"Get up early in the morning and confront Pharaoh as he goes to the river and say to him,

'This is what the LORD says: Let my people go, so that they may worship me.
Exodus 8:20 NIV

The story of Passover contained in the story of Moses and the Plagues is an important story.  The story of the rescue of God's people from the bondage of slavery is fundamental in understanding our relationship with God. This story provides the backdrop for the sacrificial death of Christ as it frees us from the bondage of sin.

And yet, I wonder if in our freedom we miss the real truth?

We tend to focus so much on God's love for us - God's desire to free us - God's overwhelming grace that I think we forget WHY God did this: Let my people go, so that they may worship me.

We haven't been freed from the penalty of sin in order that we might do whatever we want. NO!  We have been freed from the chains of slavery that we might worship.  Some translations even relate that are freedom was created that we might become servants: Let my people go, that they may serve me.

Having faith is not all that we are called to ... living our faith is where it's at ...

Christ frees us from all that holds us captive in this world SO THAT we can worship God and serve Him with all of our lives.

I am free to worship ... I am free to serve ... I am free to life for Christ!

Guilt Free Bible Reading Plan: Matthew 11 - Show me ...

When John, who was in prison, heard about the deeds of the Messiah, he sent his disciples to ask him, “Are you the one who is to come, or should we expect someone else?” ... ‘We played the pipe for you, and you did not dance; we sang a dirge, and you did not mourn.’  Matthew 11:2-3,17 NIV 

John the Baptist who declared, "Behold the Lamb of God" and baptized Jesus reached a point where he couldn't conceive that Jesus was the One - the Messiah.

Problem is that we have the same problem.  We want Jesus to be the Savior of the World.  The thing is we want Him to be the Savior we want.  We want Him to meet our expectations.

When will we learn that even as we have watered down the Gospel --- played the songs and danced the dances --- the people still reject the idea of Jesus as The Savior.

When John was confused, Jesus reminded John of Scripture and what John had witnessed regarding the life of Jesus.

When the world is confused as to who Jesus is and what it means to follow Christ, what if they could see a group of people living as they believed?

What if the world could see you living what you profess to believe?

What if instead of selling something, we all started living Christ?

Maybe then the world would stop expecting more and instead believe.

Guilt Free Bible Reading Plan: Genesis 39-40 - Hard Times...

Joseph’s master took him and put him in prison, the place where the king’s prisoners were confined. But while Joseph was there in the prison, the Lord was with him Genesis 39:20-21a NIV

This past week I have heard multiple times about how the persecuted church around the globe is growing at a pace far greater than the US Church.  Why is it the church is growing in places where faith is persecuted the most?

In the US we talk about the war on Christianity, but I fear we don't understand what that even means.
In most cases when times get hard for Christians in the United States, we start singing that line from the old Barry Manilow song:

Even now when I have come so far, I wonder where you are

We wonder where God is in the hard times and forget that God is with us in our good times.  But then there is today's reminder in Scripture ...

the LORD was with him

This phrase shows up in the good times and the hard times and we are reminded that no matter our current status (take that Facebook!) God is with us. Take time to consider what that means for you today ...

No matter what is going on in your life .... no matter the status of things ...

the LORD is with you

 

With that knowledge at hand, how will you respond to the opportunities and challenges of today?

 



 

 

for more information on the artist featured in the photo click here

Guilt Free Bible Reading Plan: Genesis 31-32 - Family Traditions ...

The sun rose above him as he passed Peniel, and he was limping because of his hip. Therefore to this day the Israelites do not eat the tendon attached to the socket of the hip, because the socket of Jacob’s hip was touched near the tendon. Genesis 32:31-32

Family Traditions

A mother and daughter who were working together in the kitchen preparing the Easter dinner. They always worked together to make their special traditional family Easter meal. No matter what the mother was doing, it seemed that the daughter was always watching her intently. The mother could even feel her daughters big brown eyes on her without even turning to see if she was in the room. Yet she continued with her task of preparing the meal without even missing a beat or a blink.
As she did every year the mother took the pan out of the cupboard and set it on the counter. Then she went to the fridge and removed the ham that had been defrosting. They had a large ham this year.
It was not unusually large or different then last year's ham. She took the wrapping off and then proceeded to cut about an inch off of either end of the ham. Before the mother even put the ham in the pan the daughter stopped her and said: "Mom why did you cut the ends off the ham?"

The mother stopped in her tracks and pondered the question. She was rather perplexed since no one had ever asked her why she cut the ham that way before. She had done it that way as long as she could remember.  The mother answered her daughter and said: "Well sweetie, I really don't know the answer to your question. Your Grandma always cut the ends off of her ham and I have just naturally done the same thing. I never ever wondered why I did that though. So let's call Grandma and ask her why she cuts the ham that way."

So they grabbed the phone and called Grandma. Then the mother asked her mother if she knew why
she cut the ends of the ham off before placing it in the pan. The Grandmother stopped and became rather quiet. She hadn't thought about her ritual of cutting the ham being anything different then normal. Then it occurred to her that her own mother had done the very same thing for as long as she remembered. The Grandmother suggested that the daughter call her mother and ask her that very question.

So she hung up the phone and dialed the little girl's great-grandmother. After the usual pleasantries she asked her why she cut the ends of the ham off before cooking it. She replied without hesitation and with a smile in her voice along with a little chuckle...... The reason that she cut the ends off of the ham was because back in the early days of their marriage she didn't have a pan big enough to hold the ham. They couldn't afford to buy a bigger pan either. So that was the only way to make the ham fit in the pan.

Why do we do the things we do?

While reading the Old Testament, you constantly come across stories that end with ... and that is why we still do this today ... or and that is why this place is called ... stories have a place in our lives - especially stories of origin.

Stories remind us of what is important.  What stories from your life need to be told?

Take time and today and think about some of your family traditions ... Why do you keep them? What started them?  Tell the story and hopefully you can keep someone from cutting a ham that needs no cutting or at least you can chuckle while they do.

Guilt Free Bible Reading Plan: Genesis 25 - Teaching our Children ...

Isaac prayed to the Lord on behalf of his wife, because she was childless.

The Lord answered his prayer, and his wife Rebekah became pregnant.

Genesis 25:21 NIV

 

Most often when we read the 25th Chapter of Genesis we become engrossed in the story of Jacob and Esau and birthright sold for a bowl of soup.  I confess the same was true for me today until I reread the beginning of the story.

 

What a surprise!  Isaac and Rebekah had the same problem that Abraham and Sarah had - the inability to conceive a child - Soooo, Isaac prayed. It's the Bible that doesn't seem such a big deal, but today, I asked why?

 

Why did he pray?  What made Isaac think God would intervene? That God could intervene?

 

I think Isaac remembered all the stories his Mother and Father told him about his miraculous birth. How God intervened and made them laugh at the idea of having a baby.  How God protected them and provided for them over and over.

 

And so, in that moment of frustration, guilt, disappointment, and even anger ... Isaac prayed.

 

What are you teaching your children?

 

When those moments in life come to them and they are overwhelmed and you are not there physically to rescue them any more - How will they respond? What tools will you have given them to succeed?

 

Abraham gave the gift of prayer to Isaac ... not a bad gift to give!

 

 

 

Guilt Free Bible Reading Plan: Matthew 7 - For Sale ...

I must confess I love trinkets and T-Shirts and gadgets and doo-dads.  I even love a good parody. But, as I Wander through any Flea Market or Christian Book Store I have to ask how far is too far?   At what point have we moved beyond the purpose of sharing the Gospel and glorifying God and ... well let's be honest ... at what point did selling Jesus just become another profit model?    And then when I think I am just being cynical ... I read Jesus words:   "Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it.  But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.  Matthew 7:13-14 NIV Maybe we missed the mark (I think that is actually a definition of sin - Oh my!) when we try to make the road to Jesus easy.  After all while we are trying to woo the masses with our cute marketing schemes aren't we actually trying to make the gate wide?   And yet there are those words from the reading today that are somewhat haunting .... the gate is small and the road narrow.   Why then are we spending so much time trying to widen the road and enlarge the gate?   I believe that God love each of us and desires a relationship with us, BUT there are requirements - even in receiving a gift.   Next time you see one of the cute Jesus things ... take time to ask the person why? and see how wide or narrow the gate is ... and then remember what Jesus said ...

Guilt Free Bible Reading Plan: Genesis 23 - No Freebies ...

Again Abraham bowed down before the people of the land and he said to Ephron in their hearing, “Listen to me, if you will. I will pay the price of the field. Accept it from me so I can bury my dead there.”  Genesis 23:12-13 NIV

I have just started reading Lupton's book Toxic Charity. In the book, Lupton reveals the shockingly toxic effects that modern charity has upon the very people meant to benefit from it. As a church we are trying to figure out how to best help with the growing food poverty problem in our community.  We host a Free Community Dinner every month and have begun hosting Gleaner's Mobile Food Pantry each month as well, but the question that keeps coming back is: Are we helping?

Someone recently reported a conversation they had with someone at our food distribution event:

Food Recipient: Thanks so much for doing this.  It is hard to keep food on the table.
Church Member: I can only imagine how tough that is. You should come to our free monthly dinner.
Food Recipient: Oh that, I've been before.
Church Member: Great. Look forward to having you come back.
Food Recipient: Oh we won't come back. We didn't care for the food.

Here is the problem: The giver can be left thinking the gift was enough without thought as to the receiver's experience and the receiver with no 'skin' in the game can often be left with no dignity or self-respect.  I can't really blame them for how they feel - I like the food.  And while we might struggle with the idea that anyone would complain when something is free - I think that is the point.  When something is free, you really have no ownership.  There is no ownership from the giver or the receiver.

I think that Abraham understood that in the reading for today. While the offer to provide a burial space for his wife was genuine and generous, Abraham wanted to own the space. Ownership is needed.

And all of this speaks to the perspective of charity.  Why are we doing or giving?  To make ourselves feel better or to actually help the people receiving the gifts?

President Kennedy understood that in part when he said, "Ask not what my country can do for me?, but what I can do for my country?"

Is it possible that in an effort to transform the world through acts of kindness we have actually hurt it?

How might we be changed by the idea of ownership in our charitable actions - the ownership of both the giver and the receiver? 

Guilt Free Bible Reading Plan: Genesis 1 - In the Beginning ...

In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters.
Genesis 1:1-2

The earth was formless and empty. If we are honest, we can all relate to that description - formless and empty.  As we begin a New Year, perhaps we are all seeking the same thing - a new beginning - a new direction - form and purpose - a full and meaningful life.

John Wesley, the founder of Methodism, wrote a prayer that has become a part of the service of commitment for a New Year in the United Methodist Book of Worship:

I am no longer my own, but thine.
Put me to what thou wilt, rank me with whom thou wilt.
Put me to doing, put me to suffering.
Let me be employed for thee or laid aside for thee, exalted for thee or brought low for thee.
Let me be full, let me be empty. Let me have all things, let me have nothing.
I freely and heartily yield all things to thy pleasure and disposal.
And now, O glorious and blessed God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, thou art mine, and I am thine.
So be it.And the covenant which I have made on earth, let it be ratified in heaven.
Amen.

I love the more contemporary version that has been written by Craig Finnestad:

I was once mine. From this point forward, I am yours. Make clear my purposes in life.
Place me among my loved ones and expand my heart to love all.
Help me to think the things you want me to think, say the things you want me to say,
and do the things You want me to do, even if it means I am belittled, ignored, or criticized.
Give me people to encourage, serve, and love.
Give me times of peace and rest so I can love and be loved by You.
Let me be a light to a dark world so people can see you working in me.
Make me humble and remind me that everything I have is because of You.
Thank You for times of happiness and prosperity - they are a gift.
Thank You for Your presence and promise in days of sadness and hardship that I may emerge stronger and wiser. Let me discover and embrace Your will for my life.
With joy and in fullness, I give my possessions, my time, and my energy to You and to Your purposes.
Almighty, holy, and blessed God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, You are my true love and I am Yours.

And so it is. Let the covenant I am making here on earth be acceptable and pleasing to You.

Amen.

Perhaps if this would be our prayer each day of the New Year, we could each discover that our lives are filled with meaning and purpose - just as God intended ... in the beginning ...


 

A New Year: A New Resolution

Change [cheynj] become different in some particular way, without permanently losing one's former characteristics

Let’s face it, change is hard no matter how you define it. At this time of the year it is customary to make promises, or resolutions, to improve our lives. The problem is that most of us will break those promises before the New Year is a month old. So let me introduce you to another word:

mul·li·gan [ˈmə-li-gən] a free shot sometimes given a golfer in informal play when the previous shot was poorly played.

In life we could all use a mulligan - especially after a "poorly played" action on our part. When it comes to making changes in our lives, we need things like mulligans. Because when we try to make the right changes in our lives, we often fail.  Let me invite you in those moments of failure to take a mulligan – just start over. The beauty of taking a mulligan is that you can do it without guilt! We could all use a second chance that comes without guilt.

A NEW RESOLUTION

A few years ago, as I read through the Bible, I made a commitment to blog daily based on my readings.  To be honest, it was good for me as a writer, and horrible for me as a person.  I became driven by the need to blog daily and was often overcome by guilt if I missed a day. Perhaps you can relate regarding resolutions you have made?

I want to invite you to read along with me this year.  However, I want you to have a an unlimited supply of mulligans for the year.  Miss a day or a week. That's okay.  Just start again with whatever day we are currently reading - guilt-free. No strings attached. It’s truly guilt-free.
I hope that if you take this approach, you will actually read more of the Bible this year than any other year in your life. Reading through the Bible in a year only takes about 15 minutes a day – but it’s 15 minutes a day that can (and will) change your life forever. 

If the Bible were simply an ancient book, I don't think I would waste my time - remembering reading the Homer's Iliad in HS Senior Literature? (I can honestly say I have never wanted to read that again!)  But this book is God's Word - eternal and true.  The power to change lives is contained in the pages of this book. 

TRAVELING WITH FRIENDS

I dare you to grab a friend and read through the Bible in 2014 – sharing regularly with each other what God is revealing to you.  Traveling alone is fun, but with friends it is an adventure.  Reading together with friends will enhance your experience and keep you accountable.

GETTING STARTED
1. Get a Reading Plan.
    Here is the one I’m using this year. You can use the Bible you already have.
    Print the plan off, put it in your Bible. Download it here.
    For my techie friends. Try the YouVersion App: You can follow this same reading plan on your
    computer, phone or tablet via YouVersion by clicking here. The benefits of YouVersion are that
    it’s free, sends reminders (if desired), is portable (you’ll always have it with you), access to
    multiple translations. If you don’t already have the YouVersion app you can download it here.

2. Invite Some Friends
    Who do you invite you ask?
    How about your spouse, your kids, neighbors, small group, friends from church, family from
    across the country, etc, etc.

3. Start Reading ...

4. Share with others ...

5. I'll be starting my blog as I read along with you beginning Monday January 6th.

Here's to a year of change that will do us all a lot of good!