Notes to Myself

Different can be Good: Love is Weird

2012-01-29T12:13:00.003-05:00

“We are all a little weird and life’s a little weird, and when we find someone whose weirdness is compatible with ours, we join up with them and fall in mutual weirdness and call it love.” Dr. Seuss

Let's face it - Love is weird. Well at least the love as we know it in culture and society. We live in a world where sex and love are the same thing. We live in a sexually saturated culture – images assault us 24/7 - some explicit – some subtle. AS some of called it – a sexual revolution. Truth is it hasn’t been a revolution though it has been slow and mindless change. Remember I Love Lucy? with separate beds and when Lucy was pregnant (Couldn’t use that word on network TV) she was expecting or with child.

We have evolved as a society to the point that we now have the likes of Sex in the City, Desperate Housewives, and Two and Half Men. Most recently with Two and Half Men isn’t funny how we glorify the action of the main character and vilify the actor for behaving the same way in real life.

I don’t believe we are where we intended to be – but we got there one step at a time. Little Steps add up. We got here by believing “It’s no big no deal ... We all live that way ... It’s just entertainment ... It’s normal ... Everybody does that."

Normal looks like this:

65% of husbands and 55% of wives will commit adultery by age forty - Normal.

People who once were so in love, end up in divorce court dividing up possessions – and that is normal.

In our relationships, we judge others by their actions, while we judge ourselves by our intentions. It’s normal

We watch movies, read magazines, read romance novels, believing it all to be normal.

We are taught that to be fulfilled in life you have to meet the one. That’s Normal.

The Bible teaches us that God is the One we are to meet! That’s Weird. And here is the problem we have: Putting God first will not instantly make your marriage perfect or your family perfect. Great marriages do not happen by accident – they always happen on purpose and No family is perfect all the time.

Allow me to meddle into your normal relationships and suggest that it’s time to make them a little weird . . .

Husbands – Don’t be normal. Your wife needs words of affection. You know how to do this – you did it while you dated – some of you even called it ‘pitching woo”
Don’t be normal - “I told her I loved her when we got married and nothing has changed. When it does I’ll let you know.” Words matter – more to women than to men. SO try going beyond I love you. And something to that. I love you BECAUSE . . . when I look in your eyes I still melt like I did the first time we met.

Husbands - Women want to know do you love me today? Be weird and let them know – Daily!

Wives – just as you need to be affirmed by words your husband does as well – truth is most men are insecure. We live in a world where we are only as good as our last accomplishment. In so many ways, husbands are in the process of becoming what their wives see in them and believe them to be. Wives - Men want to know do you believe in me today? Be weird and let them know you still believe in them – Daily!

Now for a husband and wife it is normal to start a family. We could talk about a lot of things that are normal as it relates to starting a family . . . but I want to talk about what is normal for us as parents to wish or hope for our children:

I just want Brandon and Kendra to enjoy their lives. Since Johnny’s on the traveling soccer team, we’re hoping he plays college soccer one day. We just trying to get Ginger and Gabe more opportunities than we ha growing up I hope Bethany gets a good education and a high- paying job We’re just praying the Kevin stays away from the wrong crowd so he doesn’t get sucked into bad things. If Shannon studies hard, I think she can get in to medical school – that would be a dream come true. Natalie keeps bringing home bad boys. We just hope she marries a good man.

Now none of those are bad wishes. In fact you could argue that they are each very good. If that’s your goal and you reach it – you might be very happy. In fact most normal people in the world would be happy with the success. Here is the problem: God didn’t call us to be in the center of the world’s success.

If we raise our children to become well-adjusted, materially comfortable, professionally successful adults, but they don’t know God who created them or live their lives for Christ – then all the success in the world is for nothing.

Weird . . . that’s exactly what Jesus said . . . What advantage do people have if they gain the whole world for themselves yet perish or lose their lives? Luke 9:25 CEB

What if normal as it relates to parenting is pointing our children in the wrong direction? Let me share with you what normal looks like (from a 2009 survey by the Christian Post):

95% of Christians 20-29 attended church regularly elementary and middle school.
Of those only 55% attended in high school
and only 11 % attended while in college

The problem is that as parents (and as the church) we are not equipping our children. We are not teaching them that Church and Faith are relevant to them.

So how do we become weird parents? Or as our children might suggest, how do we become weirder parents?

Your greatest priority as a parent is to gradually transfer your child’s dependence away from you and on to God. Show them what this looks like. Mirror God’s character on a daily basis – live your faith every day not just Sunday morning.

We cannot just remember God at the end of the Day in quickly spoken prayer. We must learn to live aware of God in every moment of the day. God is not a part of our life: God is our life. And we teach this to our children by being willing to have questions, doubts, weaknesses. Share answered prayers as well as unanswered. When you lose your temper – ask for forgiveness.

Unfortunately it is all to normal to separate your spiritual life from your regular life – that‘s normal. The weird reality is that there is no distinction. Everything we do is spiritual. (Taking a test, playing t-ball, going to work, being a parent, etc)

Parents and teachers, we do our children a disservice when we teach them to do what Jesus would do while failing to teach them what Jesus did. So what do we teach them. Teach them what Jesus learned:

Teach them to be stewards of God’s money (Proverbs 3:9-10)
Teach them to carefully select their friends (Proverbs 13:20; I Corinthians 15:33)
Teach them to watch their words (Proverbs 4:24; Luke 6:45)
Teach them to be responsible (Proverbs 6:6-8)
Teach them to guard their minds (Proverbs 23:7; 2 Corinthians 10:5)
Teach them to be generous (Proverbs 11:25)
Teach them to respect God. (Proverbs 1:7; Psalms 111:10)

Jesus was once asked what was in important in our relationships.

He answered . . First Commandment – Love God. Second – Love others as yourself.
Living this way – loving this way – might feel weird at first, but stick with it. Weird is good

Never forget normal isn’t working. Be weird. After all, love is . . . weird.

On the way to Sunday

2012-01-25T14:02:00.004-05:00

1 If I speak in tongues of human beings and of angels but I don’t have love, I’m a clanging gong or a clashing cymbal. 2 If I have the gift of prophecy and I know all the mysteries and everything else, and if I have such complete faith that I can move mountains but I don’t have love, I’m nothing. 3 If I give away everything that I have and hand over my own body to feel good about what I’ve done but I don’t have love, I receive no benefit whatsoever.
4 Love is patient, love is kind, it isn’t jealous, it doesn’t brag, it isn’t arrogant, 5 it isn’t rude, it doesn’t seek its own advantage, it isn’t irritable, it doesn’t keep a record of complaints, 6 it isn’t happy with injustice, but it is happy with the truth. 7 Love puts up with all things, trusts in all things, hopes for all things, endures all things.
8 Love never fails. As for prophecies, they will be brought to an end. As for tongues, they will stop. As for knowledge, it will be brought to an end. 9 We know in part and we prophesy in part; 10 but when the perfect comes, what is partial will be brought to an end. 11 When I was a child, I used to speak like a child, reason like a child, think like a child. But now that I have become a man, I’ve put an end to childish things. 12 Now we see a reflection in a mirror; then we will see face-to-face. Now I know partially, but then I will know completely in the same way that I have been completely known. 13 Now faith, hope, and love remain—these three things—and the greatest of these is love.

I Corinthians 13 CEB

By most accounts this passage written by Paul is considered the greatest definition of love ever written. It is common, or normal, practice to have this passage read during a wedding.

How do so many couples get from this to divorce court?

When did divorce become the norm?

For that matter when did love and sex become synonymous?

We have perverted love in so many ways that there are too many to count!

Based on the current stats from the Journal of Psychology and Christianity 65% of husbands and 55% of wives will commit adultery by age forty.

When did that become the norm?

The problem is that Christians aren't any different. We mirror nearly every societal norm as it relates to divorce, adultery, and pornography.

When did that become the norm in the church?

Why is that we hold up the definition of love in I Corinthians as THE definition and then allow it to be come the exception?

When will we learn to love in this weird way?

How will we love?

Different can be Good: M & Ms

2012-01-22T11:41:00.005-05:00

University of Warwick in England completed a study that discovered that for most people to feel happy about their income, it had to be more than what their friends and colleagues had. It turned out that no matter how much a person earned as long as they knew someone who earned more – they weren’t satisfied. In other words, what they have isn’t enough, no matter how much it is.

And that is NORMAL?!

Shouldn’t surprise us. The writer of Ecclesiastes (5:10) noted ‘whoever love money never has money enough; whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with his income.’ That pretty much sums the normal mindset of people – whatever we have is not enough – there is always room for more to earn – to spend – to buy – to shop – to save. The only way we know we are rich is if you can’t find someone who has more!

The comparative standard of wealth is further complicated by the fact that the vast majority of us don’t consider ourselves anywhere near being rich. If asked, “Are you wealthy? We would respond, “Who me? You have got to be kidding!” And 98% of Americans would respond the same as way.

Here is the rub – roughly 98 % percent of the people in the world’s developing countries would consider America’s poor – rich! We view ourselves as not rich even though we all know people living on less than we have. We also know people who are rich (whether they believe it or not). We fall between – the millionaires and the homeless. But defining rich is hard – it is an ever moving target. We all believe we need something else in order to be rich. A recent Gallup poll indicated that people making $30,000 a year believed that to be rich they needed to be making $70,000. People making $50,000 stated that making $100,000 would be rich. Virtually no one responded that they were rich.

Another study of top earner in the US asked how much would you need to have to feel rich? The most common response – 5 million dollars. Ask someone with 2 million dollars, Are you rich?” and the answer would be – “who me? No way.”

Rich is moving target. Why? Because we don’t feel rich. Besides when we talk about income – is it gross or net(before or after taxes)– with or without insurance? mortgage payment? Car payment? College, braces, car insurance, music lessons, sport camps, you get the idea . . .

So I bring you good news this morning. It’s better than good – it’s great – it’s better than great – it’s amazing. For some it's unbelievable. Here it is: You really are rich.

The truth is we are rich, but we don’t feel that way. How is that possible? I blame it on M&Ms. Oh wait, not the little candies.

No the M&Ms I am talking about our mass media and mass marketing. Advertisers want us to feel rich if we can afford their brands – Mercedes, Lexus, Cartier, Versace. Other marketers want us to feel proud of how cost conscious we are Walmart, Target, Hyundai, Old Navy. Either way we are encouraged to buy, spend, and shop for more. We buy the biggest lie being sold – enough is never enough. The end result is that it is perfectly normal for us to stress about not having enough money, not making enough money, and owing too much money. Recent survey reveals that over half of working Americans live paycheck to paycheck.

Monthly payments? Normal
Credit card debt? Normal
Little or no saving - normal
Paying only the minimum? Normal.
Most common fight amongst couples is money? normal
We spend more than we earn - normal
Want to give more, but can’t - Normal

Recurring theme – normal doesn’t work! What if our whole thought about money is wrong? The Bible states that the streets in Heaven are paved with Gold. Our response is that is awesome! The riches of heaven are overflowing. BUT, what if they are paved with gold because gold has the same value as asphalt?

Who said Gold in heaven has the same value we place on it in this world? Jesus said, "it is more blessed to give than to receive." But we live our lives completely the opposite. We live to gain, to hoard, to keep, to spend on ourselves. And that is normal?! What if we lived weird? Jesus weird.

Stop collecting treasures for your own benefit on earth, where moth and rust eat them and where thieves break in and steal them. Instead, collect treasures for yourselves in heaven, where moth and rust don’t eat them and where thieves don’t break in and steal them. Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. Matthew 6:19-21 CEB

Living weird with regards to our finances simply means where our money goes are heart will follow. But you already knew that. And yet, the average Christian in the US gives a little more than 2% of their income to the church and missions. That means that the remaining 98% goes to the world. Which means 98% of our heart goes toward the world.

Don’t love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in them. Everything that is in the world—the craving for whatever the body feels, the craving for whatever the eyes see and the arrogant pride in one’s possessions—is not of the Father but is of the world. And the world and its cravings are passing away, but the person who does the will of God remains forever. 1 John 2:15-17 CEB

I am proud of Fist Church. In the midst of all that we have done, built, paid for – all that is new . . . we have tithed. Yes as a church we tithe! We give over 11% of our offerings to support missions in around the globe and in Indiana. When you consider the additional giving to missions above beyond we actually give nearly 17% of our total 'church income' away.

Would seem the normal thing to do – but less than half of our churches in Indiana do this? In other words this church is weird! But you already knew that. We haven't always done this. As a church, we got there this past year by making a commitment and making some choices about our priorities. By many other's standards we did some weird things and made some weird choices.

If how we give is a measure of weird we are, then I want to help you become weird. Here are 3 ways you can reveal your heart and become a bit weird:

1) Give Spontaneously. This is the first level of giving. You see a need and you give. This is an impulse or an emotional way to give. Your actions impact others. Why? Because what you are doing is weird. However, if this is the only way you give then your impact is limited.

2) The next level of giving is strategic giving. Strategic givers plan ahead so they can be generous. They are intentional.

But generous people plan to do what is generous, and they stand firm in their generosity. Isaiah 32:8 NLT

Strategic givers ask really weird questions like “How can we be more generous? How can we be a greater blessing to others?” A strategic giver plans their gifts. They are tithers (or moving towards the tithe). They make a pledge to give and then execute their giving plan. The strategic giver also realizes that giving is not something we do. Instead, ‘Generous‘ is who we are and our giving grows out of who we are. And that is a little weird.

3) Finally, there is sacrificial giving. This type of giver is beyond weird. They are crazy. These people believe that the things of this world just don’t matter. More than simply acknowledging that truth with words; they actually use their possessions as tools to advance God’s kingdom. This type of giving doesn’t mean they give away everything. They are just willing to give away more rather than accumulate more. Actually many sacrificial givers are quite wealthy – they just don’t live like being wealthy is their goal. These people delight in what they have, but they also delight in giving spontaneously, strategically, and sacrificially.

When we learn to live as generous people, we become more life Christ – that’s weird. In living this way we act on Jesus’ words: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive’ (Acts 20:35b).

The weird truth is that it is more blessed to give than to receive. It is unfortunate, but true, it is weird to live believing that it is more blessed to give than to receive. It’s also weird to think that we are rich.

What if we lived that way as well?

We might just be a little weird and that is a good thing!

On the way to Sunday

2012-01-18T12:11:00.002-05:00

living large
able to pay for and enjoying a very expensive style of living Vacations in the hot spots, a huge apartment in the city, cars, servants - that's my idea of living large!

When we are honest, we all can admit that we want to be able to live large!

We watch those that do and ponder how we would do it better.

“If I were rich like them, I’d be a better rich person than they are. They spend their money on stupid stuff. I’d never do that. I’d only spend my money on good stuff, the right things, ways to help other people.”

I have a friend who's father earned $16,000 a year. He grew up thinking if I can earn that I'll be rich! That's the problem with Rich - it is an ever moving target.

University of Warwick in England completed a study that discovered that for most people – that to feel happy about their income, it had to be more than what their friends and colleagues had. It turned out that no matter how much a person earned as long as they knew someone who earned more – they weren’t satisfied. In other words, what they have isn’t enough, no matter how much it is.

And still we say,
"If I had that kinda money, I would ___________ instead of _________ ."

Money and wealth are interesting things. They cause us to do, think and say interesting things.

What if our whole thought about money is wrong.

The Bible states that the streets in Heaven are paved with Gold. Our response is awesome that riches of heaven are overflowing. BUT, what if they are paved with gold because gold has the same value as asphalt, but looks better?!

Who said Gold in heaven has the same value we place on it in this world?

Jesus said, "it is more blessed to give than to receive."

But we live our lives completely the opposite.

We live to gain, to hoard, to keep, to spend on ourselves.

And that is normal.

What if we lived weird? Jesus weird.

What if giving was more important?

Different can be Good: Got a minute?

2012-01-16T12:08:00.003-05:00

We live in a time starved society that relentlessly pushes us to the limits. We are constantly pushed to buy more, do more, accomplish more, and conquer more. We are pushed to be more productive, more efficient, and more expedient. We live day to with a rush, rush, rush – hurry, hurry, hurry – more, more, more - mentality and lifestyle. It is insane what passes for normal these days with regard to how we utilize our time and I blame it on the microwave oven.

Families no longer have the time to eat together – and thanks to the microwave – they don’t have to. Actually, we could probably do away with kitchen tables for dining, because the typical family dinner is now a round of Happy Meals grabbed at the drive through in the 15 minutes between ball practice and dance lessons.

For most of us the schedules that we impose on ourselves consume our lives. If we were honest when someone asked, “Are you enjoying life?” we would have to say, “No, and I don’t have time to talk about it!.” And all of this is NORMAL?!

Now, take a deep breath . . . What if? What if instead of concluding that we don’t have enough time to do everything? What if we embraced the truth – no matter how different or weird it might be? We have just the right amount of time:

By his divine power the Lord has given us everything we need for life and godliness through the knowledge of the one who called us by his own honor and glory. 2 Peter 1:3 CEB

We don’t need more time. We just need to use the time we have differently. The truth is we find time for what is important to us (Golf, sports, dinner with friends, haircuts). Everyday most of us say something like . . . “I just don’t have enough time to work out . . . to read the Bible . . . to go to church this week . . . to meet for lunch . . . to add one more thing.” Catch yourself the next time you say “I don’t have time” then tell yourself the truth – this isn’t a priority for me.

Normal people do normal things at a breakneck pace that never leaves enough time to do the important things. Unfortunately as much as we want to believe this pace of life is new to our generation – it was a problem during the time of Jesus as well:

While Jesus and his disciples were traveling, Jesus entered a village where a woman named Martha welcomed Him as a guest. She had a sister named Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet and listened to his message. By contrast, Martha was preoccupied with getting everything ready for their meal. So Martha came to him and said, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to prepare the table all by myself? Tell her to help me.” Luke 10:38-40 CEB

Mary and Martha are both presented with the same opportunity – spend time with Jesus. Mary was no different than Martha – they both had things to do – normal things on the normal daily to-do list. Mary made a deliberate choice. She wasn’t lazy. She chose to focus on what mattered most. Think about it . . . when is the last time you focused on what matters most for even a moment? Mary embraced the moment while Martha was task driven.

We are all too much like Martha: preoccupied, distracted, just plain busy being busy. The things that Martha was doing weren’t bad things. She wasn’t being sinful. We might even say that what she was doing was good and necessary. We would probably do the same thing if Jesus was coming over . . . Got to clean, dust, get out the best china, table linens, new candles, bake a cake, put out the good towels in the bathroom, pretty soap, make a good impression . . . Sound familiar?

Martha’s dilemma is our challenge. We lived convinced that all that we are doing is necessary, good, and right for us to do. We believe that busy is normal. It’s just the way it is.

What if that isn’t normal? What if we are called to live differently? What if we were called to live within a new, and yet weird time zone?

If we follow Christ we are not supposed to be like everyone else. We are supposed to be becoming like Christ – weird huh? In order for us to become weird, we are going to have to change how we think about time. So how do we embrace this weird new time standard in our lives? Allow me to share three ways to embrace Time in your life in a new (albeit weird) way:

Remember Schoolhouse Rock’s “Conjunction Junction”? “Conjunction Junction, what’s your function?” If we want to combat busyness in our lives we need to change our conjunction. Instead of saying “and” we need to learn to say “or.” We need to especially teach this to our children, but they will only learn by what we model to them. There are all kinds of good things we can do. We need to learn to do the best things. We need to learn that we don’t have to do everything.

While normal people add things to their to-do list, perhaps you could do something weird and drop something or start your own to-don’t list. That leads me to my next suggestion for dealing with time:

So be careful to live your life wisely, not foolishly. Ephesians 5:15 CEB

Pretty simple - We are to be wise, not foolish. I think that is another way of saying be weird, not normal. To do this we have to learn to ask better questions of ourselves concerning time. The question isn’t am I free? Or can I? The question should be Is this the best or a wise use of my time? We must learn to say no to good things (or at least say maybe some other time), so that we will be able to say yes to the best things. In this world, we allow too many good things to become the enemy of the best things.

Now, Let’s make this personal. Parents from the moment your children are born the clock is ticking. From that moment until the time they are 18 and moving out or heading to college, you have 940 Sundays (Saturdays, Fridays). By the time they are 9 you only have 520 left. After today, there will only be 49 Sundays left this year. What wise choices will you make with those days? Making wise choices is not easy. Sometimes the wise choice might even be weird by everyone else’s standards.

Finally, we need to learn to take the time to rest. We live as if we are afraid that if we don’t run nonstop, trying everything the world has to offer, that we will somehow miss out on something. We are addicted to busyness. We are dependent on our to-do list. We live as if our lives would end if our list was ever not full. When is the last time you actually rested?

We attack everything with a vengeance. We live in life in high gear. We believe we are ‘not normal’ unless we are exhausted on every level and stressed beyond imagination. We live chained to an ever growing to-do list for work, home, family, activities, shopping, repairs, maintenance, commitments, you name it.

When we do seek rest – we attack with a passion. We put it on our list – take a nap, take vacation, book a trip to the spa. We scheduled it, we plan it, we will rest or else! I know. I have been that person. I even revert to that person from time to time. I used to attack vacations!

Compare that with how weird it is to meet someone who is calm, relaxed, at ease, and peaceful. Our immediate reaction is that I want whatever medication there on?
What if getting rest was your norm instead of needing rest? Would that be weird? In our use of time, we are dreadfully in need of a come-to-Jesus meeting.

Come to me, all you who are struggling hard and carrying heavy loads, and I will give you rest. Put on my yoke, and learn from me. I’m gentle and humble. And you will find rest for yourselves. Matthew 11:28-29 CEB

If we are to be fully alive we need the time to recharge with God. We need to break from the chains of our schedule and learn to embrace resting with God. Remember Eric Liddell (Chariots of Fire)? He refused to run on Sunday. Now that is weird.

What if you made Sunday worship a non-negotiable? What if you were stubborn about keeping a Sabbath hour? Would that be extreme? Would it be weird?

If you want a normal life, do what normal people do.

If you want to know God and walk with Him daily, you are going to have to do what few people are willing to do. You will have to choose to be different:

Eliminates some ‘ands’ – add some ‘ors’
make wiser decisions regarding your time
and learn to take time to rest with God.

People it is time to get weird. Normal isn’t working.

So, if you can spare a minute, let me ask, “What will you do with your time this week?”

On the way to Sunday

2012-01-10T11:51:00.006-05:00

How the average American spends their day:

Remember Schoolhouse Rock’s “Conjunction Junction”? “Conjunction Junction, what’s your function?”

If we want to combat busyness in our lives we need to change our conjunction.

Instead of saying “and” we need to learn to say “or.”

There are all kinds of good things we can do. We need to learn to do the best things. We need to learn that we don’t have to do everything.

Truth is how many more things can we add to our ever increasing to-do list?

But here is the rub, why is that church is becoming one of the 'ors'?

In the eternal perspective of time, shouldn't church and worship be a priority?

What would happen if our spare moments used to play 'Angry Birds' were instead used to pray or read the Bible?

I know it would be weird, but isn't that what were are called to be?

Take a moment and read this Luke 10:38-40

Make a deliberate choice today and spend time with Jesus.

Different can be Good: Normal doesn't work

2012-01-08T11:38:00.003-05:00

When I was first introduced to some of the members of this church by our District Superintendent, I believe he said something like “You will discover that Rodney is not your typical pastor.” Now I have often celebrated that type of introduction, but there are other times that I, like you, just want to be normal. I really don’t want to be different. As a matter of fact, I have been doing a lot of thinking about words like ‘normal’ and ‘different’ lately.

What is normal? By definition it means usual: conforming to the usual standard, type, or custom. It can also mean healthy: physically, mentally, and emotionally healthy. "Not normal" is often used in a negative sense to refer to the improper or sick. A quick test to see if you are normal:

During a visit to the mental hospital, one newspaper reporter asked the Director 'How do you determine whether or not a patient should be admitted to the hospital'.

"Well," said the Director, "we fill up a bathtub, then we give a teaspoon, a teacup and a bucket to the patient and ask him to empty the bathtub'.

'Oh, I understand,' the reporter said. 'A normal person would use the bucket because it's bigger than the spoon or the teacup.'

'No.’ the Director continued, 'A normal person would pull the drain plug. Do you want a bed near the window?'

The question ‘What is normal?’ is often followed up with the question ‘Is this normal?’ I must confess that as I age, I ask the later question more and more. In behavior, normal means not deviating from average behavior. So, what constitutes average behavior? Take a look at these average American stats and see how you measure up:

• The average American consumes 156 pounds of sugar per year.
• The average American consumes 17.9 pounds of bacon per year.
• The average American consumes 50 gallons of soda a year.
• The average American watches 35 hours and 34 minutes of TV each week.
• The average American gets 6 hours of sleep per night.
• The average American consumes 4 pounds of pasta per year.
• The average American consumes 120 pounds of potatoes per year.
• The average American works 46 hours a week.
• The average American wastes 16 hours per week at work.
• The average American consumes 24 pounds of candy a year.
• The average American consumes 13.8 pounds of turkey per year.
• The average American teen “texts” 3000 times per month.
• The average American wastes 40% of their food per year.

I thought I grew up normal, but as I grow older I am not so sure. I played in the street. I played video games in an Arcade and recorded songs off the radio on to a cassette tape. I knew how to program a VCR. I watched cartoons with Cowboy Bob. my bicycle had a banana seat. I traveled in a car w/out air-bags. I grew up without a cell phone, a flat screen tv, surround sound, iPods, Facebook, Twitter, computer or the Internet. I grew up doing what I thought was normal stuff. “But you know what is weird? Day by day nothing seems to change, but pretty soon everything is different” (Bill Watterson creator of Calvin and Hobbes).

I wouldn’t have a problem with our pursuit of being normal, if normal was working. If the pursuit of being normal produced happy people, then I would be all for it. But it doesn’t. Normal doesn’t work because in our effort to be ‘normal’ we are left feeling empty and wanting more.

What if being normal is not what we are supposed to be?

What if we were called to be weird?

Now before we go too far . . . I have to admit that in suggesting we become weird – I want to clarify. After all, isn’t being Christian, weird enough? I am not asking you to become a cable TV, purple hair, bright colored suit wearing, get a blessing by making a contribution, Jeee-zuss! Be healed – weird?

The weird I am talking about is Jesus weird – not people weird. I am talking about the weird that Jesus was talking about when He said,

Go in through the narrow gate. The gate that leads to destruction is broad and the road wide, so many people enter through it. But the gate that leads to life is narrow and the road difficult, so few people find it. Matthew 7:13-14 CEB

Over the years of my life, I have learned to embrace this weird so much that I became a pastor. Weird!

I became a pastor that is described as not your ‘normal’ pastor. Even weirder!

In the coming weeks, I want to challenge you to jump off the normal path and take the narrow, albeit weird, path. I want to talk with you about how we spend our time, use our money, engage in our relationships, and live our faith. We all strive to be normal in these areas, but it isn’t working. As a matter of fact, it is getting harder and harder every day to be normal.

Being normal requires more and more of our time. There are not enough hours in the day to buy, sell, drive, cook, clean, call, shop, eat, plan, study, work, write, review, schedule, and follow through on everything. The effort to be normal leaves you overwhelmed, overloaded, and exhausted. Truth is everybody wants more time, but they want it so they can catch up. Normal is busy and normal is getting busier and busier.

When it comes to money, normal is being in debt - so far in debt that you can’t see your way out of it. Most people are making more money now than they ever have before, and yet the vast majority of us are living paycheck to paycheck. Now more than ever, it is expensive to be normal.

When it comes to relationships, we are so busy, stressed, and exhausted that we seek normal relationships that require little and provide less. In our sexual relationships, premarital sex, extra-marital sex, friends with benefits type sex have all become the norm in our relationships. In our family relationships, we would love to spend more time with our kids, but there isn’t enough time. It would be great to have deep meaningful conversations with our children, families, spouse – but that isn’t how normal relationships work.

Normal even affects our faith and our values. Normal is lukewarm, self-centered, consumer driven. Shallow faith is the norm. God is a means to the end. Normal is claiming to know God, but denying Him by your very actions.

You see, normal isn’t working. So, what if you choose not to coast along the world’s wide-open (normal) road and instead chose to blaze a narrow trail with Jesus as your guide. What if you never had to settle for being normal again?

What if God only asked one thing of you – Be different – Be weird.

and what if being different was good?

This is part of a series of messages inspired by Weird written by Craig Groeschel

On the way to Sunday

2012-01-04T16:26:00.007-05:00

In this new year in my quest to be different, I want to try something new. Each week I will share with you some thoughts (notes as it were) that correspond to the message that is being developed for Sunday morning. In general these blogs come under the heading "On the way to Sunday".

The creator of Calvin and Hobbes, Bill Watterson, is quoted as saying,

“You know what is weird? Day by day nothing seems to change, but pretty soon everything is different”

That is the funny thing about change. We all resist it, but it always comes to us. When we will learn to embrace change as a comforting friend? When we will see different as what God wants for our lives?

Churches struggle with change. Change anything (pastor, music, bulletin, time, carpet color, etc) and people will leave. Studies have shown that people equate the consistency of church with God. Change something at church and it is as if you have changed the essence of God. That is our problem because God was always bigger than whatever we changed. God has always been surprising us with new ways of thinking about God (just read the Bible).

Perhaps if we took God out of the box we put God in more often, we would discover how BIG God really is in our lives.

God seems to be constantly asking us, "What if . . . ?" The question is different for each of us, but the question always causes us to rethink our positions.

What if being like everyone else, what if being 'normal' wasn't what our lives were to be like?

Go in through the narrow gate. The gate that leads to destruction is broad and the road wide, so many people enter through it. But the gate that leads to life is narrow and the road difficult, so few people find it. Matthew 7:13-14 CEB

What if walking this different path made you seem different?

Could we embrace this?

Different can be Good: A Fresh Start

2012-01-01T11:32:00.002-05:00

After today you have 12 months, 52 weeks, 365 days, 525,600 minutes: What will you do with this New Year? A New Year brings for many the dreaded resolutions. The thoughts of being able to begin again, make a fresh start, do a ‘Do Over’, take a mulligan, all bring forth the hope of change for us.

Nearly all of us make resolutions. Over 88 percent of Americans will make at least one "resolution" at the start of the year. Of these resolutions, the most common are: (1) lose weight, (2) save or earn more money, (3) quit smoking, (4) spend more time with family, (5) maintain a budget, (6) find a better job, (7) eat better, (8) become more organized, (9) exercise more, and (10) become a better person. While these are all goals that one should strive for—with 88 percent of Americans setting out to accomplish them each year—less than 20 percent are successful in attaining success in even one of their resolutions.

I believe in the history of time God took a deep breath and resolved to make a change:

The LORD said: The time will surely come when I will make a new agreement with the people of Israel and Judah. It will be different from the agreement I made with their ancestors when I led them out of Egypt. Although I was their God, they broke that agreement. Here is the new agreement that I, the LORD, will make with the people of Israel: "I will write my laws on their hearts and minds. I will be their God, and they will be my people. "No longer will they have to teach one another to obey me. I, the LORD, promise that all of them will obey me, ordinary people and rulers alike. I will forgive their sins and forget the evil things they have done."
Jeremiah 31:31-34 CEV

Jeremiah 31:31-34 is the most quoted passage of the Old Testament in the New Testament. This “new covenant” passage from Jeremiah is the basis for the division of the Old and New Testaments. In the Lord’s Supper, Jesus references this passage when he says, “This is the cup of the new covenant.” Jesus is the new covenant heralded by Jeremiah and the prophets.

Why a new covenant?

In a nutshell: the old covenant was broken and beyond repair. The first covenant was a moral law represented and given in the Ten Commandments. This covenant was broken. This covenant was dependent on the people performing as God dictated.

Jeremiah tells us in Jeremiah 17 that although the law had been given and the consequences for breaking the law known, the people continued to break the law. The people could not overcome their deceitful hearts. In other words, the people were incapable of keeping the law on their own. God needed a new covenant to redeem the people.

This fresh start, this new covenant, was not to be based on external laws, but inward belief. This covenant would not be about the corporate “heart” of the people, but rather it would be based on the “heart” of the individual.

This new covenant would be a promise that we could know God as the prophets knew God – Directly and Intimately. The new covenant was a promise of hope and forgiveness. Restoration under the old covenant had resulted in more laws, more restrictions and ultimately more failure. The harder you tried to get close to God the further you seemingly got.

Through the prophets, God sought and announced this fresh start, this new resolution, this new covenant with His people. As a matter of fact, this new covenant would be for all people – Jews and Gentiles alike.

This New Covenant had 3 major themes:

1)You must think BIG. God is bigger than how we define Him.

What Moses began with the Law, was not being completed in a new way. The deliverance from Egypt, long ago completed, was now requiring a new kind of deliverance from the bondage of sin.

All of these concepts were far beyond the current knowledge of God. They would require new and bigger thoughts.

2)We will not become new people by following some prescribed formula. Only the Eternal can create what is truly new. We are bound by our past. This new covenant was truly new; therefore, we would only be bound by our inability to let go of the past.

3)The law demands what it cannot give, but Grace gives what it demands.

The heart of this covenant is God’s grace and God’s forgiveness.

Do you desire to change?
Do you want a fresh start?
Do you want to be someone new this year?

This new covenant is for you. This new covenant is written on our hearts and delivered to us from God through Christ. I pray that what your heart believes will change how you act.

That is my resolution this year to act in accordance with my heart.

That is God’s resolution for us as well.

What resolutions have you made?

Day 356 a final note from God: Revelation 19-22

2011-12-31T02:56:00.000-05:00

Who knows what the new year will bring?

Are you ready?

There is global warming, rising gas and energy prices, shortages of food and water, disasters on land and sea. There are new diseases and economic uncertainty. Terrorist activity is increasing and banks are failing.

12-21-2012 is the end of the Mayan Calendar.

There are rumors of war, earthquakes, hurricanes, tornadoes, floods, war, famine, poverty, and more. We are surrounded by the signs or so we think.

The conditions in the world have been getting progressively worse for many years.

Have things gotten so bad that the world is going to end?

That has been the story for years, for generations, for centuries.

The one who bears witness to these things says, “Yes, I’m coming soon.” Amen.
Come, Lord Jesus! The grace of the Lord Jesus be with all.

Revelation 22:20-21 CEB

I don't know when soon is . . .

Until then . . . Remember what you have learned in our journey this year:

God loves you!

He sent Jesus to die for you.

How you live your faith matters - now and forever!

Grace to all you in the adventure of faith that lies ahead for us.

Day 355 a note from God: Revelation 12-18

2011-12-30T12:46:00.003-05:00

This calls for wisdom. Let the one who understands calculate the beast’s number, for it’s a human being’s number. Its number is six hundred sixty-six.

Revelation 13:18 CEB

We can not address the mark of the beast without acknowledging the Number of the Beast. The number is 666 in most manuscripts of the New Testament, and in modern translations and critical editions of the Greek text. Although Irenaeus (second century) reported several scribal errors of the number, there is still doubt by some theologians about the original writing, as some recently discovered third century early manuscripts of Revelation read 616. This topic is a source of contention for many church groups and theologians. Most scholars contend that the number 666 is a numerical coded entry that refers to the Roman Emperor Nero. 616 was a coded entry for Nero as well but while derived from using his Latin name.

What does the number mean? Futurist contend that the number would be a number that all currency would be based upon (and you thought the metric system was hard?). Exact interpretations vary widely and many now refer to more current technologies:

•Some interpret the mark as a requirement for all commerce to mean that the mark might actually be an object with the function of a credit card (e.g. implanted RFID tags)
•Some propose that the mark of the beast may refer to a social security number or card
•Others suppose the mark to be a microchip or a tattooed barcode on the human body

Some who take a contextual view of the Book of Revelation identify the Mark of the Beast with the stamped image of the emperor's head on every coin of the Roman Empire: the stamp on the hand or in the mind of all, without which no one could buy or sell. New Testament scholar Craig C. Hill, a Methodist, says, "It is far more probable that the mark symbolizes the all-embracing economic power of Rome, who's very coinage bore the emperor's image and conveyed his claims to divinity. It had become increasingly difficult for Christians to function in a world in which public life, including the economic life of the trade guilds, required participation in idolatry."

The ‘mark’ is also seen as an ironic contrast with the Jewish institution of tefillin – bible texts worn bound to the arm and the forehead during daily prayer. Instead of binding their allegiance to God to their arm and head, these places are instead taken up with the people's allegiance to the Beast.

Whatever the number and the beast represent it is important to understand that it is about choice - your choice - who will you choose to follow? Who will have your allegiance?

Day 354 a note from God: Revelation 5-11

2011-12-29T08:41:00.000-05:00

They took up a new song, saying,

“You are worthy to take the scroll and open its seals, because you were slain, and by your blood you purchased for God persons from every tribe, language, people, and nation. You made them a kingdom and priests to our God, and they will rule on earth.”

Revelation 5:9-10 CEB

I have to admit I don't understand most of this book of the Bible. That is not to say that I am not fascinated by it.

I am also more than skeptical of anyone who claims to know what it all means - even the author didn't understand all that he saw and wrote!

Here is what I do know . . . this is the final chapter of God's revelation to humankind called the Bible. Like any good book the last chapter sums everything up and ties up the loose ends.

God wins!

All the battles that seemed lost - God wins!

All the evil that seemed to prosper loses - God wins!

Oh and Jesus - for those that had faith without seeing - You will see Him!

Every now and then, when the night is darkest, read the last chapter of the book and remembered how everything turns out - it makes the scary parts not so scary!

Day 353 a note from God: Revelation 1-4

2011-12-28T11:58:00.005-05:00

Look, he is coming with the clouds! Every eye will see him, including those who pierced him, and all the tribes of the earth will mourn because of him. This is so. Amen. “I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, “the one who is and was and is coming, the Almighty.”

Revelation 1:7-8 CEB

Before Santa and presents and tinsel and cookies, Advent was a time of preparation for new converts and the message concentrated on the return of Christ - not his first coming.

Perhaps it is okay that Christ's coming gets lost in the modern celebration of Christmas. His coming is really only the prologue to the story.

Easter isn't even the climax of the story - although the sacrifice and forgiveness of sin and the whole atonement thing is pretty awesome!

The climax of the story is the return of Christ!

That is still to come - we are still waiting.

Count the days and be ever ready for just as all the other promises were true -

this one will happen as well.

Day 352 a note from God: 1,2,3 John

2011-12-27T10:20:00.003-05:00

We announce to you what existed from the beginning, what we have heard, what we have seen with our eyes, what we have seen and our hands handled, about the word of life. The life was revealed, and we have seen, and we testify and announce to you the eternal life that was with the Father and was revealed to us. What we have seen and heard, we also announce it to you so that you can have fellowship with us. Our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ.

1 John 1:1-3 CEB

Does this sound familiar?

As you read this passage, did you recall the story of the shepherds at the birth of Christ?

When the angels returned to heaven, the shepherds said to each other, “Let’s go right now to Bethlehem and see what’s happened. Let’s confirm what the Lord has revealed to us.” They went quickly and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in the manger. When they saw this, they reported what they had been told about this child. Everyone who heard it was amazed at what the shepherds told them.

Luke 2:15-18 CEB

Now that you know the story. Share it. Testify to others about it.

This Good News is too Good to keep yourself.

Day 351 a note from God: 2 Peter and Jude

2011-12-25T10:04:00.003-05:00

Remember this day these words from Jude:

Dear friends, I wanted very much to write to you concerning the salvation we share. Instead, I must write to urge you to fight for the faith delivered once and for all to God’s holy people. Godless people have slipped in among you. They turn the grace of our God into unrestrained immorality and deny our only master and Lord, Jesus Christ.

Jude 1:3-4a CEB

On this day of family, presents, Santa, food, ornaments, and celebration - don't allow all of it to crowd out the reason for our salvation.

Merry Christmas!

Day 350 a note from God: 2 Timothy

2011-12-24T12:29:00.003-05:00

From Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by God’s will, to promote the promise of life that is in Christ Jesus.
To Timothy, my dear child.
Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord. I’m grateful to God, whom I serve with a good conscience as my ancestors did. I constantly remember you in my prayers day and night. When I remember your tears, I long to see you so that I can be filled with happiness. I’m reminded of your authentic faith, which first lived in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice. I’m sure that this faith is also inside you. Because of this, I’m reminding you to revive God’s gift that is in you through the laying on of my hands. God didn’t give us a spirit that is timid but one that is powerful, loving, and self-controlled.

2 Timothy 1:1-7 CEB

It's Christmas Eve and thoughts of family and gatherings run through my head. As I read this passage, I cannot help but think of my grandmothers - Bonnie and Claretta.

They were always my encouragers. My grandmother gave me my first Bible. I now have with me my grandfather's Bible that he used to teach SS.

As we grow older we share with others that which has been shared with us. We are entrusted with it - faith.

Tonite I will share the Christmas story with the people of Hagerstown - just as other ministers before me have been doing since 1897 in this space.

I gain courage and strength from those that told the story before me.

What story will you tell?

What story will be remembered from your life?

Merry Christmas!

Day 349 a note from God: Hebrews 11-13

2011-12-23T16:46:00.003-05:00

Faith is the reality of what we hope for, the proof of what we don’t see.

Hebrews 11:1 CEB

We truly are blind to so much in life.

This Christmas take a lesson from the shepherds - take a look for yourself.

Find a church this Christmas Eve (for that matter this Christmas Sunday) and check out the story of grace.

May you discover hope, peace, joy and love.

May you discover the proof your faith needs.

Day 348 a note from God: Hebrews 7-10

2011-12-22T10:03:00.004-05:00

Every priest stands every day serving and offering the same sacrifices over and over, sacrifices that can never take away sins. But when this priest offered one sacrifice for sins for all time, he sat down at the right side of God. Since then, he’s waiting until his enemies are made into a footstool for his feet, because he perfected the people who are being made holy with one offering for all time.

The Holy Spirit affirms this when saying,

This is the covenant that I will make with them. After these days, says the Lord, I will place my laws in their hearts and write them on their minds. And I won’t remember their sins and their lawless behavior anymore.

When there is forgiveness for these things, there is no longer an offering for sin.

Hebrews 10:11-18 CEB

This is why Christmas is filled with Good News.

Christmas occurs within the shadow of the cross.

2000 years ago when Christ was born, the cross was still to come. So give them a break for not fully recognizing the greatness of the small child born in Bethlehem.

We have tried for centuries to earn God's favor. We work hard. We make sacrifices.

All in vain. Forgiveness and connection to God comes through the Cross.

And that journey begins in a manger in Bethlehem.

For those that grieve at Christmas . . .

2011-12-21T18:40:00.004-05:00

For many the thoughts of a merry Christmas are far away. The songs of the season seem to mock us for “it is NOT the most wonderful time of the year.” At least not for everyone . . .

Not when there is a chair that is empty at the table.
Not without that other voice joining yours in the Christmas Carol singing.
Not when the depression seems too much to bear.

Is it the most wonderful time of the year? No, it is not.

Trying to smile and say “Merry Christmas” seems to become more difficult with each passing day. C.S. Lewis once wrote; “No one ever told me that grief felt so much like fear. I am not afraid, but the sensation is like being afraid. The same fluttering in the stomach, the same restlessness . . .”

It is the most wonderful time of the year, only it is not.

Not after you heard the news.
Not when you still feel alone in a crowd.
Not after your loss.

I wish I had something magical to say to you that would make everything all right. Some magical words that could magically bring understanding to this situation: Something like . . . Open Sesame! Abracadabra! or I have Ice Cream!

The truth is I have often found myself in a position as a pastor when people have come to me looking for solutions to their particular problem and I have often said something like, “Just remember . . . there aren’t any magic words.”

The truth is I have found some magical words in this past week. I have found that there are two words that have an amazing ability to become life changing for someone. I hope that as I share them with you that they will be magical for you as well. These words are not magic in a Harry Potter sense, but these words do have the ability to breathe new life into someone. These words can lift burdens, calm fears, and even inspire hope. Timed right, they can become like a warm fire on a cold December evening.

What are these words? . . . I understand.

Think about it. Right behind food, shelter, and clothing, one of our greatest needs is to be understood. How many times have your children stormed off saying, “You just don’t understand!” When you have been in a conflict with your spouse, or boss, or children, haven’t you found yourself replaying the conversations over and over in your head? Searching for that clever thing to say next time so you might be better understood? When you are unfairly criticized don’t you immediately start ranting about all the things your critic doesn’t understand about you or the situation?

When you feel lonely, depressed, or overcome with grief and somebody tells you, “to snap out of it” don’t you instantly mark that person as one who has no understanding? And having done so doesn’t that make you feel even more isolated realizing that no one understands how you feel?

Think about it. Some of our most frustrating moments in life have come when we needed understanding and just couldn’t find it and without understanding we are left feeling empty.

That is why I believe the words ‘I understand’ have so much power. Say these words to someone who is hurting, confused, or neck deep in trouble and watch the reaction. At the very least you get a sigh of relief. A good chance you get a hug. You might even see tears of relief. All because it is wonderful to know that someone understands.

If I were to stand here today and try to express to each of you who are going through difficult circumstances that I understand, I would be a fool. For neither you nor I have the ability to speak understanding into every situation that life presents . . . Well, anyone that is except Jesus:

From heaven the LORD looks down and sees all mankind; from his dwelling place he watches all who live on earth- he who forms the hearts of all, (and) considers everything they do. Psalm 33:13-15 NIV

That is the understanding that Jesus brought with Him and was evident from the beginning of His ministry:

Everyone who heard Him was amazed at His understanding and His answers.
Luke 2:47 NIV

Jesus was able to connect with people. Jesus not only connected with these people but He dramatically impacted their lives. Part of the reason was that He understood them. A perfect example of this is revealed in John 11:

When Mary arrived where Jesus was and saw him, she fell at his feet and said, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother wouldn’t have died.” When Jesus saw her crying and the Jews who had come with her crying also, he was deeply disturbed and troubled. He asked, “Where have you laid him?” They replied, “Lord, come and see.” Jesus began to cry. John 11:32-35 CEB

When we are honest with ourselves, we can admit that we who grieve have asked God the same type of question that Mary asks, “God, why didn’t you do something?”

I am thankful that Jesus didn’t answer the question. As a matter of fact from our perspective HE ignored it. I am thankful because of what he could of said, but didn’t.

He didn’t explain that this death was part of a plan.

He didn’t explain that she had no right to question God’s plan.

He didn’t demand an apology.

The Son of God who had the power to raise Lazarus from the dead didn’t tell her to snap of it and get on with life.

He didn’t chastise for her not having enough faith in Jesus to trust.

Why didn’t He do this? Because Jesus understood that she was filled with grief.

Mary didn’t need a rebuke, she needed someone to understand and that is what he gave her - understanding.

How do we know that He understood? He wept. In that moment there were no magic words – just understanding.

He shared with her - her grief.

And that is the good news of Christmas. God came to be with us – God came to be one of us. God came so that in this moment, God could say, “I understand.”

We are no different than Mary at the tomb of Lazarus. Oh, our circumstances may be different, but each of us comes to a point where we need someone to understand.

Whatever agony you happen to be going through right now, Jesus is acquainted with it. Don’t be fooled by the fact that He walked this earth a couple of thousand years ago. Satan wants you to believe that Jesus didn’t live during our hectic, complicated times, and therefore He can’t possibly understand what you are going through.

Not True. Pain is pain whether you wear sandals and a tunic or Blue Jeans and a T-shirt. Jesus experienced enough pain and rejection to understand yours. When your life is derailed and no one seems to understand. Remember that right now Jesus understands:

He understands your situation.
He understands your pain.
He understands your grief.

Be reminded this day that there is One who understands. He came to us as a baby born in a manger to live a life – to become our savior.

Be reminded this day that there is One who understands . . .

And your life will be changed.

Your faith refilled.

Your joy returned.

And your hope restored.

Day 347 a note from God: Hebrews 1-6

2011-12-21T12:56:00.003-05:00

In the past, God spoke through the prophets to our ancestors in many times and many ways. In these final days, though, he spoke to us through a Son. God made his Son the heir of everything and created the world through him. The Son is the light of God’s glory and the imprint of God’s being. He maintains everything with his powerful message. After he carried out the cleansing of people from their sins, he sat down at the right side of the highest majesty.

Hebrews 1:1-3 CEB

If you have become so familiar with the Christmas story that you find yourself struggling to find meaning in all the familiar passages, then try reading Hebrews Chapter 1 for a different telling of the Christmas story.

Day 346 a note from God: I Peter

2011-12-20T11:17:00.004-05:00

Dear friends, since you are immigrants and strangers
in the world,
I urge that you avoid worldly desires that wage war against your lives

I Peter 2:11 CEB

I have a peculiar habit. When I spend time in prolonged conversation with someone with a specific dialect, I pick it up. I still have phrases and words that I use after living in Texas and Minnesota. I can still revert to broken Russian english after spending time there 20 years ago!

How is that I still have very revealing parts of my life that resemble the places I have lived - even if for but a few short weeks! - but I still struggle to live like a citizen of God's Kingdom?

That is the hard part for us in this world - this is not our home.

So as hard as it is - STOP picking up bad habits!

You were meant to live a life far greater than the one you are settling for . . .

Your passport should state that you are only visiting -

be sure to declare all the baggage that you have picked up -

I know someone who will willing carry it for you . . .

Day 345 a note from God: Titus

2011-12-19T08:27:00.002-05:00

Titus is a short letter that packs a powerful message that we often over look.

But you should talk in a way that is consistent with sound teaching.
Titus 2:1a CEB

We shouldn't sound crazy when we teach the things of God. That would seem to make sense, but apparently some missed this part . . .

Talk about these things.
Titus 2:15a CEB

These things are faith, hope, love. These things are the things that make living a life worthy of the faith we claim. They are not legalism redone. The Pharisees already showed us that path. Apparently some missed the memo . . .

Avoid stupid controversies
Titus 3:9a CEB

Ooops! We missed this one as well.
How many churches have split over dumb stuff?
How many denominations split and divided over the non-essentials?

We still have time to get it right.

Perhaps as we approach the end of our journey reading the Bible this year, we need to commit to reading it all over again in 2012.

Maybe we missed something else . . .

Day 344 a note from God: I Timothy

2011-12-18T17:22:00.003-05:00

While physical training has some value, training in holy living is useful for everything. It has promise for this life now and the life to come.

I Timothy 4:8 CEB

While I wish this was my excuse for mot doing more physical training . . .

What is your excuse?

We spend so much time worrying about our physical fitness for our short time on this earth, while paying so little time to our spiritual fitness which will last forever.

Again, what is your excuse?

Day 343 a note from God: Philippians

2011-12-17T18:01:00.003-05:00

I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.

Philippians 1: 3-6 NIV

I think the church would benefit if we issued shirts like the one pictured to every Christian.

They would serve as a reminder for us to be patient with one another, but perhaps it would also help others understand that we are not perfect - yet.

God promises to continue to work on us until we are made complete.

That's good news and bad news.

Good in that we will be made perfect and complete as God intended.

Bad in that we won't see it in this lifetime.

Don't use it as an excuse, work hard. Live your faith.

Be as perfect as an imperfect human can be.

Let others see the Jesus that is in you - however big or small.

Day 342 a note from God: Ephesians

2011-12-16T13:00:00.004-05:00

In Christ we have bold and confident access to God through faith in him.

Ephesians 3:12 CEB

I think that perhaps we have lost all concept of what it means to be holy.

We throw the word around a lot with out truly understanding its meaning.

God is Holy. Actually, scripture says of God, He is Holy, Holy, Holy.

That is meant to create an image of total perfection.

God is perfect and as such nothing (absolutely NOTHING) with flaw or imperfection may enter God's presence.

How then is humankind to ever gain audience with God with all of our flaws?

No matter how hard we try we cannot obtain perfection.

Enter Christ.

In Christ we have bold and confident access to God through faith in Him.

By faith we are made able to access God.

By faith we are granted holiness.

Think about that the next time someone deems something holy!

Day 341 a note from God: Philemon and Colossians

2011-12-15T15:13:00.004-05:00

See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the elemental spiritual forces of this world rather than on Christ.

Colossians 2:8 NIV

Sounds like the notion of the season - Keep Christ in Christmas.

Never be ashamed of why you celebrate Christmas and as to those traditions . . .

Maybe its worth looking into them so that you can remind others . . .

Jesus vs. Santa #1: The Real Santa

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Day 340 a note from God: Acts 27-28

2011-12-14T15:02:00.005-05:00

My message was that they should change their hearts and lives and turn to God, and that they should demonstrate this change in their behavior.

Acts 26:20b CEB

As Christmas approaches, it is easy to get caught up in the season.

In the past Easter was the celebration that was the high point on the Christian Calendar, but Christmas is the holiday that gets must of the attention now within the church.

I often wonder why?

I think it is because God is an infant at this time of the year and as a baby, God doesn't seem so demanding or unapproachable. Come Easter there is the sacrifice thing and the whole repentance stuff as well.

The reality is that the Jesus of Christmas and the Jesus of Easter are one in the same. Jesus doesn't change.

That's why I like the consistent message of Paul, "If you say you have faith then live it!"

This Christmas don't just claim the arrival of God.

Don't just celebrate the promise of Hope, Peace, Joy, and Love.

Live them. Be them.

Be Hope!

Be Peace!

Be Joy!

Be Love!

Day 339 a note from God: Acts 24-26

2011-12-13T13:04:00.004-05:00

Several days later Felix came with his wife Drusilla, who was Jewish. He sent for Paul and listened to him as he spoke about faith in Christ Jesus. As Paul talked about righteousness, self-control and the judgment to come, Felix was afraid and said, “That’s enough for now! You may leave. When I find it convenient, I will send for you.”

Acts 24:24-25 CEB

This actually went on for two years.

Two years of hearing Paul tell the story of Christ.

Two years of maybe tomorrow.

How long have you been hearing the story?

How long have you put off making a decision?

Isn't it time tomorrow was today?

Day 338 a note from God: Acts 20-23

2011-12-12T12:54:00.004-05:00

When Paul had finished speaking, he knelt down with all of them and prayed. They all wept as they embraced him and kissed him. What grieved them most was his statement that they would never see his face again. Then they accompanied him to the ship.

Acts 20:36-38 CEB

In the day and age of social media and Skype, I don't think we can begin to comprehend this scene.

My wife and I used to grieve whenever we left our son and grandkids in Connecticut. We knew it would be at least another year before we would see them again. But now we see them nearly every week thanks to Skype.

As wonderful as technology is for keeping us in touch with one another. I wonder if we haven't lost the sense of personal connection - the embrace of friendship.

Take time this holiday season to embrace the ones that you love.

They have yet to develop an app for that.

Christmas Family Portrait: The Shepherds

2011-12-11T18:11:00.001-05:00

The holy intersects the common in a field when the angels visit the shepherds:

And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.” And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us. And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger. And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child. And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds.
Luke 2:8-20 KJV

The familiarity of the story of the shepherds can cause us to glamorize the incident or paint a picture of Christmas in a manner that is not consistent with the story. The beauty of the Christmas story is its simplicity that is wrapped around some very intricate theology.

There is only one announcement of Christ’s birth recorded in the Scriptures, only one invitation given by God to anyone to visit Mary and Joseph and the infant Jesus. That one invitation goes to a bunch of - uneducated, smelly, low-class, social and religious outcasts - shepherds.

Let me tell you a bit about shepherds. They were the last people you’d expect God to notice. On the scale of occupational excitement shepherding is no doubt very low on the list. Most of the time, shepherds were “living out in the fields.” This was not a 40-hour a week job. They didn’t come home at night. They were with sheep 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. During the day, they led the sheep to grass and water. They watched while the sheep grazed. The rhythmic baaing of the sheep during the day was only occasionally interrupted by the excitement of a predator – that could be fended off by the effective use of a sling – just ask David. And at night, they actually slept in the sheep pen with the sheep to guard against theft and additional animal attacks.

Being a shepherd was lonely, wearisome, boring and tedious. It did them a lot of contact with sheep (apparently sheep know their shepherd by the sound of their voice). It bears repeating shepherds had lots of contact with sheep - very little contact with people. As a result, shepherds were social outcasts. They were constantly on the move to find good pasture for their flocks and as a result they were commonly looked on with suspicion. They were often accused of being thieves (if something came up missing – it must have been those shepherds). Shepherds were not permitted to give testimony in legal proceedings because their word wasn’t considered trustworthy.

Shepherds were also religious outcasts. According to Jewish religious law, these men were unclean. Their line of work prevented them from participating in the feasts and holy days that made up the Jewish religious calendar. Why? Somebody had to watch the sheep. When everyone else was making the trip to Jerusalem to make sacrifices at the temple, or to participate in one of the annual feasts, they were watching over the sheep. It wasn’t really their fault they just were not able to participate fully in the religious life of any community. As a result, shepherds had the least amount of credibility to speak about religious matters.

Imagine you’re God and you want to announce the most amazing, incredible, joyous news ever; an event which will literally change the course of history – the birth of your only Son, Jesus Christ - the birth of the One who will be the Savior of the whole world - the One for whom the nation of Israel has been waiting and hoping and praying for thousands of years. Finally, He has come! Who do you announce it to? Who do you tell? Who do you invite to come and see?

The point is that it was only the shepherds, the social and religious outcasts that received the announcement and the invitation. Why did God do this? Why did God send announce the birth of Christ to these shepherds, to invite them, and only them, to come and see the child?

I believe that God wanted to show that His love does not discriminate on the basis of class, or wealth, or social standing. God does not respect kings and princes more than hourly laborers, he does not value priests and pastors above the people in the pews. God does not show favoritism; He does not give preferential treatment to one group of people over another. God’s love is available to all on the same basis – faith in Jesus Christ.

In other words, God was demonstrating, by His choice of these humble shepherds to be the first to receive the news of Christ’s birth, that Jesus was not going to be the Savior of only the political and social and religious elite. Jesus was not going to be the Savior only of kings and governors, or popes and priests. Jesus is the Savior of all equally, he doesn’t give preference to any group or any class. Nor does he discriminate on the basis of intelligence, or education, or wealth, or profession, or political power, or social standing, or any of the other qualities that human beings judge by. His love is offered indiscriminately to anyone who will repent and believe, anyone who will trust in Him as Savior.

So, what does all this mean to me? GOOD NEWS!

Perhaps you see yourself as kind of on the outside looking in. I imagine that many nights, as the shepherds sat out in those cold, lonely fields, with nothing but dumb animals to keep them company, they looked over at the village, saw the lights of the homes and heard the faint sound of families, people laughing, and wished they could be a part of that. Maybe you’ve felt that way too. Not one of the “beautiful people,” not especially wealthy or powerful or influential. Not likely to ever see your name in the paper for some great accomplishment – living on the fringes socially.

Maybe when you compare your level of religious observance to others, the comparison isn’t favorable - irregular church attendance, little Bible study, infrequent prayer. You wonder . . . Does God know I exist? Does God have a favorable opinion of me? And you know what? A lot of people, deep down, secretly feel like that. Even people you would think of as “having it all together”. On the surface, everything is going great. But on the inside, you feel like you don’t fit in. You feel like God doesn’t really care, couldn’t care, about someone like you.

If any of that description strikes a chord with you, then I have good news - Great news - the best news possible! God loves you - just like He loved those shepherds. And you are special to Him - just like those shepherds were special - so special that He gave them the incredible privilege of being the first to hear of Christ’s birth, being the first people other than Joseph and Mary to lay eyes on the Son of God, being the first to tell others about Christ.

He didn’t give those privileges to the Roman Caesar or to the Jewish high priest, he gave it to the shepherds. God did this not in spite of who they were, but because of who they were – humble, ordinary people with no high opinions of themselves - simple people who were willing to simply believe what God told them and to simply do what God commanded them.

God is inviting you today, just like he invited the shepherds. Will you believe what He says and do what He asks? Will you acknowledge your need of forgiveness and put your trust in Jesus Christ for salvation? You don’t need to be a genius or a member of the “in” crowd. You just need to believe and obey. Listen to God’s promise:

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” – John 3:16 (NIV)

I pray this Christmas you will make that decision to trust Christ. If you do, take time to tell me about it, so that I can help you with the next step of developing a relationship with Christ.

Day 337 a note from God: Romans 14-16

2011-12-11T18:06:00.002-05:00

I’m introducing our sister Phoebe to you, who is a deacon of the church in Cenchreae.

Romans 16:1 CEB

What part about women in ministry did you want to debate?

Day 336 a note from God: Romans 11-13

2011-12-10T13:55:00.004-05:00

So, brothers and sisters, because of God’s mercies, I encourage you to present your bodies as a living sacrifice that is holy and pleasing to God. This is your appropriate priestly service. Don’t be conformed to the patterns of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds so that you can figure out what God’s will is—what is good and pleasing and mature.

Romans 12:1-2 CEB

I confess I have always liked transformers. I even watched the cartoon while I was in college. I have enjoyed connecting the past with the present by sharing the movies with my son.

There is perhaps a lot of theology to be discovered in The Transformers and Optimus Prime, but I will not go there today.

Paul writes that we are to be transformed. Transformed daily.

I think the problem with transforming is that most Christians try to live like the transformers - doing everything they can to blend in to society - believing that when the moment comes they can transform into a Christian.

It just doesn't work that way! Christ called us to stand out from the world - not to blend in.

We are to be transformed every moment of every day.

That is how it should be in our lives.

That doesn't make for a great movie, but it does make for a great life serving Christ.

Day 335 a note from God: Romans 8-10

2011-12-09T13:00:00.004-05:00

Because if you confess with your mouth “Jesus is Lord” and in your heart you have faith that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. Trusting with the heart leads to righteousness, and confessing with the mouth leads to salvation.

Romans 10:9-10 CEB

There is a lot of doctrine and theology contained in these two verses.

What must we believe to be saved?

Jesus is Lord. This is an admission that Jesus is God. Jesus is divine.

Jesus is raised from the dead. Jesus not only lived, but still lives!

But there is more . . .

To believe (internal/heart) this is not enough . . .

You must also live (external/mouth) it.

What do you believe?

How do you live it?

Shoot me an e-mail and let me know rodney.frieden@inumc.org

Day 334 a note from God: Romans 4-7

2011-12-08T12:33:00.003-05:00

I don’t know what I’m doing, because I don’t do what I want to do. Instead, I do the thing that I hate. But if I’m doing the thing that I don’t want to do, I’m agreeing that the Law is right. But now I’m not the one doing it anymore. Instead, it’s sin that lives in me. I know that good doesn’t live in me—that is, in my body. The desire to do good is inside of me, but I can’t do it. I don’t do the good that I want to do, but I do the evil that I don’t want to do. But if I do the very thing that I don’t want to do, then I’m not the one doing it anymore. Instead, it is sin that lives in me that is doing it.

Romans 7:15-20 CEB

I wonder if this is the rant that Paul gave after someone called him a hypocrite?

What's your excuse?

Day 333 a note from God: Acts 20 and Romans 1-3

2011-12-07T12:16:00.000-05:00

All have sinned and fall short of God’s glory, but all are treated as righteous freely by his grace because of a ransom that was paid by Christ Jesus.

Romans 3:23-24 CEB

In this day and age any discussion of tolerance is often inclusive of a discussion of grace and the church's intolerance. The problem with the discussion is that it is never framed properly.

Paul frames the discussion of grace in the proper manner when he reminds us that we have all sinned and fallen short. Period end of sentence. We are doomed as sinners to God's judgment and wrath. In the face of God's judgment we are shown grace through the sacrifice of Christ.

God is not tolerant of us. God didn't suddenly become fed up with the totality of our sins. No, we ALL have sinned and failed.

Enter Grace.

In the name of tolerance, we need to be able to draw the line and create standards - isn't that what the 10 commandments represents? God's standards.

While you are claiming God's grace, be mindful of why you need it and at what price this grace comes . . .

Day 332 a note from God: 2 Corinthians 10-13

2011-12-06T14:12:00.001-05:00

Finally, brothers and sisters, good-bye. Put things in order, respond to my encouragement, be in harmony with each other, and live in peace—and the God of love and peace will be with you.

2 Corinthians 13:11 CEB

Paul closes his letter to the church at Corinth with advice that is good for any church in any age:

1. Put things in order
2. Respond to encouragement
3. Be in harmony with each other
4. Live in peace

Why do these things?

So the God of love and peace will be with you.

Day 331 A note from God: 2 Corinthians 5-9

2011-12-05T09:18:00.003-05:00

A gift is appreciated because of what a person can afford, not because of what that person can’t afford, if it’s apparent that it’s done willingly. It isn’t that we want others to have financial ease and you financial difficulties, but it’s a matter of equality. At the present moment, your surplus can fill their deficit so that in the future their surplus can fill your deficit. In this way there is equality. As it is written, The one who gathered more didn’t have too much, and the one who gathered less didn’t have too little.

2 Corinthians 8:12-15 CEB

Every week the ushers come forward and pass a plate down each aisle as we take up our weekly offerings.

For the casual observer this must be a strange drama to watch. It must look like a collection of the weekly dues for being a member of the church and benefiting from all the programs. I confess that sometimes we (the church) make it sound like that as well.

The offering is about ministry. The offering supports the ministries of the church.

But, it is not an equal pay system. Each gives as they can.

We give out of our abundance - as we can afford. We work together to provide all that resources needed for mission and ministry.

When we are able to shift our way of thinking from "all that we don't have" to "all that we do have", we will be able to be more generous in our giving and . . .

Our giving will become a natural response to the generosity already shared with us by God through Christ.

Read all of the eight chapter to get a better understanding of the offering's purpose in your church.

Christmas Family Portrait: The Innkeeper

2011-12-04T21:54:00.000-05:00

And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed. (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.) And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:) To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child. And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.
Luke 2:1-7 KJV

The very first Christmas involved an 80 mile trip that most likely took a week for Mary and Joseph to get from Nazareth to Bethlehem. Today, we make such a big deal about the trek to Bethlehem. Yet, AAA estimates that over 92 million Americans will travel farther than 50 miles this Christmas. The average round trip distance covered is over one thousand miles. Most of this traveling will be done in an effort to get home for Christmas. This effort to get home for Christmas is not a new phenomenon. Perhaps traveling at Christmas has roots in the story of Mary and Joseph’s travels, but there are other examples in history:

In November of 1783 after eight years of war, General George Washington was impatient to return home to Mount Vernon for it had been his home since he was three years old. Washington had only been home once for a few days during the war and that visit over 2 years earlier. Washington had retaken possession of New York from the British and had plans to say farewell to the troops and resign his commission to Congress before going home to Mount Vernon and Martha for Christmas. The best laid plans become less likely as every town on the way caused him to stop so they could honor the victorious general. With the war over, doesn’t the soon-to-be President Washington have more pressing matters to take care of rather than worry about being home for Christmas?

In another historic instance, Wilbur and Orville Wright finally achieved their historic airplane flight at Kitty Hawk, North Carolina on a mid-December day in 1903. They then sent home a telegram reporting their success. The telegram concluded with the words, “Home Christmas.” This common message – Home Christmas – seems a bit anticlimactic for one of the most revolutionary inventions in human history?

In the scope of history aren’t these events more significant than getting home for Christmas?

And yet we who have traveled to get home for Christmas, we who have spent that first Christmas away from home, we who have been delayed in an airport, stuck in traffic, stranded at a bus station – we understand.

We all want to be home for Christmas. Even as adults who can no longer return to their childhood home (for one reason or another) – we seek ways to escape to home through our memories captured in kept traditions, on-going rituals, and the purchase of retro-toys! Our desire for a connection to home at Christmas comes squarely in the face of the first Christmas which takes place in a ‘hotel’ far away from a place considered home.

Back to our story - this ‘hotel’ with no room wasn’t a ‘hotel’ as we think of hotels. This was probably a shabby sort of place, perhaps even several hundred years old. It was like the other hotels in the area – dirty, uncomfortable, badly kept, and badly managed. Innkeepers were known in this day for their unsavory reputations – most likely because their places were often used for immoral and criminal purposes. This type of hotel is the sort of place that Mary and Joseph came to tired from their travels.

Now, it would have been obvious that Mary was ‘with child’ and that they had been travelling. This is when the news comes, “no room” (Luke 2:7).

Ever been there? stranded? tired? weary?

I still believe this story is still filled with good news for us! I am glad that all of this is part of the Christmas story - the hotel, the innkeeper, travel, no vacancies. They are all important parts of the story that bring us Good News. We need not clean up this part of the story because the story as it is has much to teach us:

Christmas came in the midst of life as usual. When we think of Christmas, we like to think of angels singing, cattle lowing. and a no crying baby. But the reality is that business was usual – including the unsavory, unsightly not talked about side of the hotel business. Later in life Jesus would bring the message of God’s love to the unsavory, the unsightly, and the never talked about people of life. The message of Christmas is for everyone – in every situation.

There is more Good News. Jesus was born away from home. This should serve as a reminder to us about our true home. Perhaps one of the reasons we are so restless in pursuit of the comforts of home is that we have yet to realize that this is not our home – our home rests in the eternal – and we will not be fully at home until we are with Christ in Heaven.

Finally, one last important bit of Good News comes in this Christmas story:

Christmas comes to those who aren’t even looking for it. As a matter of fact, Christmas comes to those who don’t even want it. The innkeeper gets a bad rap in this story. I believe the innkeeper didn’t refuse a room because he was rude. I believe the innkeeper refused because he was filled up. The inn was probably full in part because of the government officials and soldiers in town due to the census (who btw would have been staying for free). The innkeeper would have undoubtedly preferred the paying customers. Besides who would want the bad publicity for refusing a room to a pregnant woman? I don’t know if it was the same innkeeper who refused the room that gave them shelter in the manger – someone did and that is the important message for us today.

At this time of year, we become so busy with activities, so preoccupied with things and stuff that we inadvertently shut out God. We shut out God – not out of open hostility towards God, but we shut out God simply because our lives are so filled up that there is no room.

That is the tragedy of most of our lives – they are filled up.

We shut out Christ because we are preoccupied. (Even now many of us our thinking of all that things we still need to do, or get done, or shop for, or , or , or).
We are filled up beyond our capacity.

And yet here is the Good News of the Christmas story revealed in a filled up hotel.

This Christmas Jesus will still come saying to you, “I love you. May I come in?”

The question is - Will you make room for Christ this season?

Day 330 a note from God: 2 Corinthians 1-4

2011-12-04T09:51:00.004-05:00

May the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ be blessed! He is the compassionate Father and God of all comfort. He’s the one who comforts us in all our trouble so that we can comfort other people who are in every kind of trouble. We offer the same comfort that we ourselves received from God. That is because we receive so much comfort through Christ in the same way that we share so many of Christ’s sufferings. So if we have trouble, it is to bring you comfort and salvation. If we are comforted, it is to bring you comfort from the experience of endurance while you go through the same sufferings that we also suffer. Our hope for you is certain, because we know that as you are partners in suffering so also you are partners in comfort.

2 Corinthians 1:3-7 CEB

So that's why everything doesn't always work out the way you think it should.

Got it?

Day 329 a note from God: I Corinthians 15-16

2011-12-03T11:08:00.004-05:00

If Christ hasn’t been raised, then our preaching is useless and your faith is useless. We are found to be false witnesses about God, because we testified against God that he raised Christ, when he didn’t raise him if it’s the case that the dead aren’t raised. If the dead aren’t raised, then Christ hasn’t been raised either. If Christ hasn’t been raised, then your faith is worthless; you are still in your sins, and what’s more, those who have died in Christ are gone forever. If we have a hope in Christ only in this life, then we deserve to be pitied more than anyone else.

I Corinthians 15:14-19 CEB

I once was asked by someone, "Do you really believe everything in the Bible?"

This was a bait and switch type of question for what they really wanted to do was debate/argue the validity of scripture.

I turned the tables by asking the same type of pointed question that Paul asked the church in Corinth:

Forgetting everything else for the moment, allow me to ask one foundational question for the whole manner in which you read the Bible will be skewed by how you answer the question:

Did Jesus rise from the dead?

You have to answer that question first and foremost. The rest of the debate hinges on the answer to that one question.

Christmas means nothing without an empty tomb!

Any other debate about scripture is pointless unless the tomb is empty!

So, did Jesus rise from the dead?

Your answer will change your entire world view . . .

Day 328 a note from God: I Corinthians 12-14

2011-12-02T12:25:00.004-05:00

If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing.

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when completeness comes, what is in part disappears. When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put the ways of childhood behind me. For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.

And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.

I Corinthians 13 NIV

This passage of scripture is from Paul’s letter to the church in Corinth. By many it is considered the greatest description of love ever written. It is the most often chosen passage of scripture read at weddings.

I often ask couples that choose this passage, "How then does one love someone in this way?"

I offer this advice:

First, you must always remember that God loves you. He loves you just as you are with all your faults, failings, weaknesses, strengths, good and bad. God loves you. It is this love that will allow you to love yourself just as you are. Before you can love anyone else, you must first love yourself.

Second, in order to love someone with this type of love you must commit yourselves to seeking God’s will in your lives. God will not send you and your spouse in different directions. Trust one another and learn to trust God.

Finally, what you promise on a wedding day, must be renewed and rededicated every day. Each day of your marriage you must decide that you want to love one another and you must decide to remain committed to the vows you make.

Day 327 a note from God: I Corinthians 9-11

2011-12-01T14:27:00.003-05:00

Follow my example, just like I follow Christ’s.

I Corinthians 11:1 CEB

Simple questions for the day,

If every one lived their faith like you lived your faith,
what would Christianity look like?

Day 326 a note from God: I Corinthians 5-8

2011-11-30T18:29:00.003-05:00

I have the freedom to do anything, but not everything is helpful. I have the freedom to do anything, but I won’t be controlled by anything.

I Corinthians 6:12 CEB

Grace and Mercy are wonderful, but I wonder if we have not gone a bit too far in our thinking as it relates to them.

We love in a country founded on freedom and yet we are not free to run into the proverbial theatre and shout, "Fire!"

In the same manner having freedom in Christ (grace and mercy) does not gives us freedom to do anything we want.

Deep Thought for the day: Have you become controlled by grace and mercy?

Day 325 a note from God: I Corinthians 1-4

2011-11-29T11:25:00.004-05:00

What we say is wisdom to people who are mature. It isn’t a wisdom that comes from the present day or from today’s leaders who are being reduced to nothing. We talk about God’s wisdom

I Corinthians 2:6-7a CEB

How many more trusted people in leadership need to fail before we begin to talk about God's wisdom?

It seems God is only at the back half of our conversations.

We use the wisdom of God to perform the autopsy on our failed leaders.

How about we use God's wisdom to perform a biopsy and let God lead from the front.

We can't continue to vilify leaders for their moral failings, while we fail to teach and develop moral fiber in our children.

Christmas Family Portrait: Mary and the Angels

2011-11-28T15:10:00.002-05:00

Ever consider that Christmas comes at the intersection of the most holy and the most common? It truly must have been a most confounding and confusing event for the angels in heaven. Christmas is the ultimate story of God’s love, but it is acted out in a field with shepherds, involves a young girl pregnant and not married, takes place during a tax census issued by the government, involved a delivery in a barn, overcrowded cities and businesses, engages in principal characters that come from insignificant places.

I think all of that and more is what makes the Christmas story so compelling – NOTHING is beyond God’s interest.

We are going to spend the next few weeks looking at some of the compelling people that make up our Christmas Family Portrait. Hopefully, we will see them in a new light and this new light will make this Christmas fresh and new in our lives of faith today.

Mary got up and hurried to a city in the Judean highlands. She entered Zechariah’s home and greeted Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the child leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. With a loud voice she blurted out, “God has blessed you above all women, and he has blessed the child you carry. Why do I have this honor that the mother of my Lord should come to me? As soon as I heard your greeting, the baby in my womb jumped for joy. Happy is she who believed that the Lord would fulfill the promises he made to her.” Luke 1:39-45 CEB

Most often we laud Mary as the one who accepted everything and was “saintly” in her actions. But, there was the scandal with Joseph, there was the gossip, there was the disbelief – surely there were those that find it convenient that an “angel” visited her in the night (no witnesses). This story is not nearly as pretty as we want to make it out.

What does Mary do? She got up and hurried to Elizabeth.

Why? Mary needs what every human needs in a time of crisis – someone to understand.

There are times in our lives that WE just need someone who understands. Understanding doesn’t always come with words – sometimes understanding comes with a look, a nod, an embrace. And we all need that – Mary needed that.

Mary speaks and the Holy Spirit arrives. This is the first report in the New Testament of the Holy Spirit. Here is what is amazing to me – the Holy Spirit arrives in the most ordinary of moments – Two women greeting one another. Carry this picture forward and the Spirit will again arrive and John will speak (John 1:29) when Jesus and John are again united.

Here is another surprise of Christmas – the ordinary is made extraordinary by the presence of God. But that shouldn’t surprise us. God’s promised arrival didn’t come in the form promised by the pretty post card!

God didn’t come to a place of promise – God chose Bethlehem.
God didn’t come to a place of worship – God chose a manger.
God didn’t send the message to the priests or to royalty – God chose a flock? Of Shepherds.

Truly Christmas comes at the intersection of the holy and the most common. And that is Good News for us. We need not (despite all our efforts) improve our ‘dress up’ all that is common in the Christmas story. No matter how pretty you try to make the picture it still takes place in a common place. Ever considered that the prettiest of nativity sets still has sheep and cows!

The day Mary gave birth – no one recorded the date. Contrast that with today. As soon as you announce you are having a child – everyone wants to know when is the due date? We now go as far to plan birth dates with induced labor and scheduled C-sections.

Not so with Jesus. No one really even took notice. But know this – God was not surprised – this was the plan! This plan wasn’t even a secret. God had revealed the plan through the prophets 100s of years in advance.

So here is one more piece of Good News for us in this Christmas Story:

God has a plan.

In the Tedium of your work, during the time of visiting with a friend, in the midst of the routine, while you are practicing the rituals of the season – God will be present.

SO, be open to the surprises! Be open to the unplanned – the unrehearsed. Be ready to celebrate Christmas. Christmas will come and God will be with us. God will be with us even in those moments that aren’t quite as we would have planned and perhaps that is the best news of all.

Day 324 a note from God: Acts 18-19

2011-11-28T15:03:00.004-05:00

They asked him [Paul] to stay longer, but he declined. As he said farewell to them, though, he added, “God willing, I will return.” Then he sailed off from Ephesus.

Acts 18:20-21 CEB

Perhaps Paul was the first Ms. Manners.

Paul teaches us a great lesson of hospitality and being a guest - Don't over stay your welcome and leave them wanting more!

As we enter the Holiday season, keep Paul in mind and don't over stay your welcome.

Visit with friends, drop off presents, but know how to make an exit!

Not sure that was the lesson we were to draw from this passage, but it is a good tip for being a good guest!

Day 323 a note from God: 1 and 2 Thessalonians

2011-11-27T16:16:00.004-05:00

We always thank God for all of you when we mention you constantly in our prayers.

I Thessalonians 1:2 CEB

There is not much we can say that we ALWAYS do.

Yet, here is Paul saying that he always give thanks for these people.

It is good to know that others are praying for you.

It is good to know that others give thanks for you.

It is even better to be the one giving thanks.

It isn't too late to give thanks . . .

Day 322 a note from God: Acts 17-18

2011-11-26T23:59:00.000-05:00

Paul stood up in the middle of the council on Mars Hill and said, “People of Athens, I see that you are very religious in every way. As I was walking through town and carefully observing your objects of worship, I even found an altar with this inscription: ‘To an unknown God.’ What you worship as unknown, I now proclaim to you.

Acts 17:22-23 CEB

Everyone has faith.

It's just interesting when you discover what 'it' is that you have placed your faith.

What do you put your faith in?

What do you worship as most important in your life?

Day 321 a note from God: Galatians 4-6

2011-11-26T20:55:00.003-05:00

If we live by the Spirit, let’s follow the Spirit. Let’s not become arrogant, make each other angry, or be jealous of each other.

Galatians 5:25-26 CEB

It has been said that the church is the only place where we shoot our wounded.

When you read these words in Galatians, you realize how much we have to learn as a community of believers.

Day 320 a note from God: Galatians 1-3

2011-11-24T18:25:00.004-05:00

You are all God’s children through faith in Christ Jesus. All of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek; there is neither slave nor free; nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.
Galatians 3:26-28 CEB

Can't we all just get along?

Day 319 a note from God: Acts 15-16

2011-11-23T14:04:00.003-05:00

Some people came down from Judea
teaching the family of believers,
“Unless you are circumcised according
to the custom we’ve received from Moses,
you can’t be saved.”

Acts 15:1 CEB

Really? Can't be saved?

When did Jesus ever say that?

It is shame that today we have still not learned the lesson from this incident in the early church.

Through the ages (up to and including today) we have ADDED to the Gospel message.

Yes! Added!

In order to be saved you must . . . and we keep make the list longer and longer.

The Reformation tried to end the argument, but it still rages on.

Now we argue in the reverse, you can't be saved and be . . .

Be what?

When was Jesus ever about excluding people from the Gospel?

So let me ask you,

Does your faith add or subtract from the Good News of Christ?

Day 318 a note from God: James

2011-11-22T13:52:00.004-05:00

My brothers and sisters, what good is it if people say they have faith but do nothing to show it? Claiming to have faith can’t save anyone, can it? Imagine a brother or sister who is naked and never has enough food to eat. What if one of you said, “Go in peace! Stay warm! Have a nice meal!”? What good is it if you don’t actually give them what their body needs? In the same way, faith is dead when it doesn’t result in faithful activity.
James 2:14-17 CEB

The book of James has always been one of my favorite books in the Bible. Perhaps because James is so forthright with common sense advice on how to live our faith. James is all about how you live your faith because with out living your faith it is dead.

Every week I end our worship services with the words:

God loves you . . . Jesus died for you . . .
and how you live your faith matters - NOW and Always!

Until today, I had not directly made the connection between my benediction and James.

Good to know that the Bible can so penetrate your life that they become synonymous.

What part of the Bible has penetrated your life?

Day 317 a note from God: Acts 13-14

2011-11-21T12:50:00.003-05:00

On their arrival, they gathered the church together and reported everything that God had accomplished through their activity, and how God had opened a door of faith for the Gentiles.

Acts 14:27 CEB

You probably know the joke that goes: A camel is a horse designed by a committee.

Let's be honest, we all know that business and committee meetings are the least favorite part of church.

We all have thought at some point that the meetings were pointless and that the church would be better off without meetings.

But then we see that from the beginning there were called church meetings!

That is exactly what is happening in this verse. A meeting to report the activity of the church to everyone. If it was important then . . . why would it not be important now?

I think we have allowed corporate culture to influence out church structure. Therefore, we allow meetings behind closed doors to be places where backroom deals are made and plans are plotted behind backs (not that all corporate structures operate that way).

The intent of church meetings was to be transparent and celebratory.

People should know what the church is doing.

People should celebrate the work of the church.

Perhaps we still have something to learn form the early church?

Day 316 a note from God: Acts 11-12

2011-11-20T09:58:00.003-05:00

Once the apostles and other believers heard this, they calmed down. They praised God and concluded, “So then God has enabled Gentiles to change their hearts and lives so that they might have new life.”

Acts 11:18 CEB

Over Reaction.

It seems it has been a part of the church since the beginning.

We jump to conclusions.

We assume.

We pass judgment.

Take a deep breath.

Say a prayer.

Have patience.

Let the spirit speak.

and then . . .

Day 315 a note from God: Acts 9-10

2011-11-19T18:36:00.005-05:00

When Saul arrived in Jerusalem, he tried to join the disciples, but they were all afraid of him. They didn’t believe he was really a disciple.
Acts 9:26 CEB

Inside the church, we 'know' the story of Paul. So, I was struck when I read this verse today. How had I missed it before.

Saul/Paul tried to join, but the disciples responded with fear.

Had they not been with Jesus and learned anything?

What happened to 'I was a stranger and you took me in'?

I then wonder how often we do this today in the church?

How many doors do we close or keep closed out of fear?

How many people have we rejected out of hand?

What has the church failed to do out of fear?

What have you failed to do out of fear?

You have nothing to fear - Remember . . . 'I am with you even til the end of the age'

In the words of a lonely greens keeper . . . .

So, you got that goin' for you - which is nice!

Day 314 a note from God: Acts 7-9

2011-11-18T21:56:00.005-05:00

God gave him the covenant
confirmed through circumcision.
Accordingly, eight days after Isaac’s birth,
Abraham circumcised him.
Isaac did the same with Jacob,
and Jacob with the twelve patriarchs.

Acts 7:8 CEB

This is an interesting comment made by Stephen.

It is a reminder that God used circumcision as a way to remind us of our covenant relationship with Him. It was a means to confirm the covenant and the relationship.

Why is the interesting?

Because today the means to confirm the covenant relationship with God is baptism.

That belief and understanding of the covenant is part of the reason that we baptize infants.

Baptism marks them as part of the covenant.

It does not save them.

Confirmation will hopefully come later with a personal decision.

So, now you know.

Day 313 a note from God: Acts 4-6

2011-11-17T11:50:00.003-05:00

The community of believers was one in heart and mind. None of them would say, “This is mine!” about any of their possessions, but held everything in common.

Acts 4:32 CEB

Ever catch yourself waxing nostalgic and wishing for the “Good Old days?”

Perhaps it is a song on the radio, or the smell of something baking in the oven, or a pending holiday, or a voice that suddenly triggers those wonderful thoughts of the way things use to be. We all have those thoughts or moments.

Sometimes the good old days come with a price tag. I can buy all kinds of retro cool things. With the right amount of cash you can acquire nearly anything.

Even as a church we find ourselves saying, “I wish things were like they used to be when . . . ____________________”

I am sure as the early church struggled that they often wished for the good old days. After all, their leader had just been crucified. Their followers were now scattered and many had become nothing but cowards. Many from the outside must have thought the Jesus movement was over. Many of the believers probably longed for the days when Jesus was with them. Why yes, those were the good old days!

Something happened . . . The Holy Spirit came and reminded them . . .

They became one in spirit and purpose.

We need this reminder.

We need to be able to remember the past and to apply it in our current situation.

We need to not claim ownership of programs or ideas.

We need to avoid "We have always done it this way!" thinking.

We need to be of one heart - one mind - one spirit.

We will disagree. We will debate. We will argue.

In the end, we need to have a common purpose in mind . . .

Love the Lord you God with all your heart, all your mind, and all your soul.
And love your neighbor as yourself

I think I heard someone say something like that a few years back . . .

Sounds like a good place to start.

Day 312 a note from God: Acts 1-3

2011-11-16T17:29:00.004-05:00

The believers devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, to the community, to their shared meals, and to their prayers.
Acts 2:42 CEB

This Sunday at church we will celebrate a Love Feast. This feast is a way to recall the shared meal mentioned in this passage.

Song of Fellowship for the Love Feast

Come and let us sweetly join; Christ to praise in hymns divine
Give we all, with one accord; Glory to our common Lord
Hands and hearts and voices raise; Sing as in the ancient days
Antedate the joys above; Celebrate the feast of love

Happy we as those above; We who keep the feast of love
Urge each other on to press; Toward the crown of righteousness!
Call’d to different climes away; We are in Christ together stay
One in spirit, mind and heart; Parting we can never part

Love Feast Tradition

The song above was written by Charles Wesley in 1740 for the Love Feasts that he and his brother John encouraged amongst the covenant groups of Methodists in England. When we hear the words ‘love feast’ today, we might imagine something from the sixties – flashy colors, platform shoes, and peace signs. But the love feast that John and Charles Wesley celebrated was a passionate part of the Evangelical Revival Movement, begun in 1727 by Count Zinzendorf and the German Moravians. They renewed the practice of the earliest Christian groups, who ate and worshiped together. This practice was called the agape meal from the Greek word which meant an inclusive and unconditional love.

John Wesley first experienced the Love Feast in Savannah, Georgia around 1737 with the Moravians who were working there as well. Wesley’s own diary notes:

After evening prayers, we joined with the Germans in one of the
love-feasts. It was begun and ended with thanksgiving and prayer,
and celebrated in so decent and solemn a manner as a Christian of
the apostolic age would have allowed to be worthy of Christ.

The practice grew among the early groups of Methodists and became an important part of the early American Methodist movement. Vital to the celebration was telling stories of how one was experiencing the transforming love of God in one’s life or in the life of others. Informal singing and sharing of bread with water – a simple meal – were also an important part of the celebration.

Day 311 a note from God: Luke 24 and John 20-21

2011-11-15T13:00:00.005-05:00

After He took His seat at the table with them,
He took the bread, blessed and broke it,
and gave it to them.
Their eyes were opened
and they recognized Him,
but He disappeared from their sight.

Luke 24: 30-31 CEB

Sometimes I think we try so hard to find God that we miss Him in the simplest of things . . .

The travelers on the road spent the day with Christ and did not recognize Him.

It was in the midst of sharing a simple meal that they became aware.

Don't waste today looking for God . . .

Find Him in the everyday things you are doing . . .

God is with you . . .

Day 310 a note from God: Matthew 28 and Mark 16

2011-11-14T12:17:00.003-05:00

When the Sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices so that they could go and anoint Jesus’ dead body. Very early on the first day of the week, just after sunrise, they came to the tomb. They were saying to each other, “Who’s going to roll the stone away from the entrance for us?” When they looked up, they saw that the stone had been rolled away. (And it was a very large stone!) Going into the tomb, they saw a young man in a white robe seated on the right side; and they were startled. But he said to them, “Don’t be alarmed! You are looking for Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He has been raised. He isn’t here. Look, here’s the place where they laid him.

Mark 16:1-6 CEB

When faced with the question, "Is there more to life than this?"

Remember this . . . the tomb is empty!

This is good news!

There is more to life than this realm.

Now, live your life with this hope in mind!

Penn State, Media, and Morality

2011-11-14T06:19:00.001-05:00

Moral Law?

McQueary met "the minimum obligation" of reporting what he saw to his superiors, who are required under Pennsylvania law to report such assaults to authorities. But McQueary "did not in my opinion meet a moral obligation that all of us would have," said the governor, who as attorney general initiated the investigation that led to the charges. (from AP online report)

Here is my problem with the on-going discussion regarding the problems at Penn State:

Much of the discussion seems to circle around the action and inaction of Joe Paterno and McQueary.

If they in deed did act within the law, then the media is now set on convicting them on breaking the moral law!

You have got to be KIDDING ME!!!

The Moral Law!

The media and the left leaning legal system has led the charge to remove the 10 Commandments and anything else religious from the courts and the public eye.

Where did you think the MORAL LAW came from???

I am shocked and disappointed by the child abuse allegations at Penn State.

I am also shocked and disappointed by the double talk from the media.

When we remove the 10 Commandments and the moral teaching from the public realm, why are we so surprise by the lack or morals in our social activity?

I'm just sayin'

Thanks for letting me rant.

Day 309 a note from God: Luke 23 and John 18-19

2011-11-13T21:57:00.004-05:00

One of the criminals hanging next to Jesus insulted him, “Aren’t you the Christ? Save yourself and us!”

Responding, the other criminal spoke harshly to him, “Don’t you fear God, seeing that you’ve also been sentenced to die? We are rightly condemned, for we are receiving the appropriate sentence for what we did. But this man has done nothing wrong.” Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.”

Jesus replied, “I assure you that today you will be with me in paradise.”
Luke 23:29-42 CEB

This passage is interesting in that the thief is promised paradise and yet none of the add-ons for salvation exist . . . baptism, good works, sinner's prayer, etc.

So what gives?

Grace gives.

Faith gives.

The words of the reformation ring out!

Faith and faith alone.

Perhaps if the thief had lived we would have been witness to his baptism, his good works, his prayer life, his faith lived out . . . But alas no.

How are you living your faith?

Day 308 a note from God: Matthew 27 and Mark 15

2011-11-12T19:10:00.004-05:00

When Judas, who betrayed Jesus, saw that Jesus was condemned to die, he felt deep regret. He returned the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders, and said, “I did wrong because I betrayed an innocent man.”

Matthew 27:2-4 CEB

Regret is a terrible thing. Ask the folks at Penn State about that . . .

Perhaps we have been a bit rough on Judas through the years. Theologians have argued through the years that Judas hoped to insite a revolution - Jesus would be king! Instead Jesus is condemned to die and innocent man.

Regret sets in.

Don't let hindsight set in . . . Do the right thing from the start . . . it really is the best way to avoid regret.

How do you know the right thing?

Jesus has given you all the instruction you need.

In case you forget, He has sent the Holy Spirit to remind you.

Day 307 a note from God: John 14-17

2011-11-11T23:54:00.004-05:00

“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
John 16:33 NIV

Following Christ is not a promise that life will be trouble free.

Actually it is exactly the opposite!

So, get on with life!

You can have peace even in the midst of trouble.

How?

Why?

Because Christ has promised to be with you and BTW He has been there and done that.

So, get on with it.

Live your faith.

And to the trouble, I say, "Bring it on!"

Day 306 a note from God: Luke 22 and John 13

2011-11-10T15:38:00.005-05:00

In the same way, he took the cup after the meal and said,

“This cup is the new covenant by my blood, which is poured out for you.

"But, look! My betrayer is with me; his hand is on this table.

Luke 22: 20-21 CEB

Jesus constantly challenges us in our thinking.

Even at the table, during the final meal with His disciples, He confounds us.

Jesus waits until after the meal to confront His betrayer.

That's not how we would do it!

And then again isn't that the point that Jesus makes over and over . . .

Day 305 a note from God: Matthew 26, Mark 14

2011-11-09T13:01:00.003-05:00

Now the Passover and the Feast of Unleavened Bread were only two days away, and the chief priests and the teachers of the law were looking for some sly way to arrest Jesus and kill him. “But not during the Feast,” they said, “or the people may riot.”

While he was in Bethany, reclining at the table in the home of a man known as Simon the Leper, a woman came with an alabaster jar of very expensive perfume, made of pure nard. She broke the jar and poured the perfume on his head.

Some of those present were saying indignantly to one another, “Why this waste of perfume? It could have been sold for more than a year’s wages and the money given to the poor.” And they rebuked her harshly.

“Leave her alone,” said Jesus. “Why are you bothering her? She has done a beautiful thing to me. The poor you will always have with you, and you can help them any time you want. But you will not always have me. She did what she could. She poured perfume on my body beforehand to prepare for my burial. I tell you the truth, wherever the gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has done will also be told, in memory of her.”

Then Judas Iscariot, one of the Twelve, went to the chief priests to betray Jesus to them. They were delighted to hear this and promised to give him money. So he watched for an opportunity to hand him over.
Mark 14:1-10 NIV

Catch the irony in this story?

First a complaint about what a waste the gift of perfume was - it could have been used to help the poor . . . and then a treachorous act is sold.

We humans are a funny lot - we can justify anything we do for money or not . . .

We also cry foul and point to the poor, the hungry, and the homeless . . .

Perhaps we need to pour a bit more valuable perfume on the One we claim to love the most.

I wonder if we loved God with all our heart, mind, and soul . . . what might happen to the poor? What might our money 'buy' then . . .

Day 304 a note from God: Matthew 25

2011-11-08T11:57:00.003-05:00

And they will go away into eternal punishment. But the righteous ones will go into eternal life.

Matthew 25:46 CEB

This statement by Christ is part of a larger story of judgment.

I find it interesting amidst the renewed debate in the Christian community regarding the existence of hell or eternal punishment.

These are the words of Christ - eternal (meaning forever) and punishment (meaning something other than reward).

What was the debate again?

Your choice - read the story again - Are you a sheep or a goat?

Day 303 a note from God: Matthew 24

2011-11-07T12:15:00.002-05:00

But nobody knows when that day or hour will come, not the heavenly angels and not the Son. Only the Father knows.

Happy are those servants whom the master finds fulfilling their responsibilities when he comes.

Matthew 24:36,46 CEB

Are just waiting or you doing something?

What will you be doing when HE returns?

Live your faith!

All Saints Sunday: What's in a name?

2011-11-06T16:45:00.000-05:00

In the United Methodist Church, All Saints' Day is celebrated on the first Sunday in November. It is held, not only to remember Saints, but also to remember all those that have died that were members of the local church congregation. All Saints' Day is the day Christians give thanks for all the good people God has placed in their lives, especially those who are already with God in heaven. It is also a day when Christians give thanks for the presence of the Holy Spirit in their lives and in the lives of all people.

The origin of All Saints' Day cannot be traced with certainty, and it has been observed on various days in different places dating back as far as the 7th century. The feast of All Saints, on its current date, is traced to Pope Gregory III (731–741) in an oratory given in St. Peter's.

We refer to these people as saints not because people are special in and of themselves, but rather it is because they are ordinary, everyday people who allow the Holy Spirit to work through them doing the mighty deeds of the Lord. We are reminded by Martin Luther who writes, "the Holy Scriptures call Christians saints and the people of God. To forget that we are saints is to forget Christ and to forget our baptism."

All Saints then is a day for remembering and giving thanks. As we remember the good people we have known and give thanks for the unending goodness of God in our own lives. Why do we do this? Because it is good to remember and be reminded.

When your name is read years from now, what will people remember?

What’s in a name?

Without the telling of stories the meaning of names is forgotten. That’s the thing with names, with the passing of time names can become meaningless, but each name should be important. The thing that makes any list of names meaningful to us is our connection to the people on the list. No matter what list you read, you must have a connection to it in order to have the names mean something to you. The problem is that with the passing of time, names become unfamiliar or meaningless to us, but each name should be as important today as it was then. Because behind every name there is a story!

If you open your Bibles you will find a number of lists of names:

Genesis chapter 10 lists “The Table of Nations.”
Numbers chapter 1 gives us “The Census of the Nation.”
Numbers chapter 34 lists the “Inheritance of the Fathers.”
Matthew chapter 1 details the genealogy of Jesus and
Nehemiah chapter 3 details the builders of the wall:

Let’s start by looking at the last of these lists:

What’s in a name?

Apparently, not much anymore. It seems names lose their relevance over time and are no longer recognized by us or for that matter the computer. If you run spell check on the above text, there is not a name that gets by it. (80+ names)

This list of names that was once important, with time has become somewhat meaningless. After all, when it is all said and done who were these people and do their names matter? I believe that Nehemiah makes it clear in his writing that it was about the people (the names) and not the wall they were building. Remember that writing materials would be scarce and very costly. Some would think it a waste to record these names at all. Remember that God is not about the numbers or the buildings, but rather God is about the names because names represent people. The list recorded is not a list of the materials used (there are plenty of those), or the specific actions taken, or even the amount of work done. It is simply a record of the people that are now seemingly long forgotten.

I want to look at another list of names recorded in Matthew Chapter One. This list records the genealogy of Christ. It is the passing from one generation to the next of the family heritage, the family name. We often forget to tell the stories of each generation – the story of the passing of names. It is good to stop and remember and to tell the stories. It is also good to remember that we need to teach (and re-teach) each generation.
What’s in a name?
Jesus asked one simple question about a name, “Who do you say I am?” The answer that He sought was “Jesus Christ the living Son of God.” Those that respond with faith and believe are called by the name Christian, or follower of Christ.
God knows you by name. Your name matters to God.

I will never blot out the name of that person from the book of life, but will acknowledge that name before my Father and his angels. Revelation 3:5b NIV

Nothing dirty or defiled will get into the City, and no one who defiles or deceives. Only those whose names are written in the Lamb's Book of Life will get in. Revelation 21:27 The Message

God loves you just as you are not because of what you do and or have done, but just because you exist. It is your belief in Jesus that records your name in the book of life, a place that will allow your name to be recorded and read by God for all eternity.

What’s in a name?

Simply put - everything.

Day 302 a note from God: Mark 13

2011-11-06T11:49:00.003-05:00

As Jesus left the temple, one of his disciples said to him, “Teacher, look! What awesome stones and buildings!”
Mark 13:1 CEB

I think this little tidbit from a moment in Christ's life reveals much about our own lives and how we live our faith.

We miss it. We miss everything.

We are walking with the Savior and looking at the scenery!

We go to worship and come out talking about all that we likes and didn't like. We focused on everything but the reason we came - to worship Christ!

Don't miss the Savior for the building.

I apologize for 'us' (the church) when we fail to point people to Christ and instead we point you towards our programs, our buildings, our activities.

Forgive 'us' - we are still learning as well.

Come for the scenery, but stay for the relationship with the Savior!

Day 301 a note from God: Matthew 23 and Luke 20-21

2011-11-05T13:25:00.004-04:00

Jesus told them a parable. “Look at the fig tree and all the trees. When they sprout leaves, you can see for yourselves and know that summer is near. In the same way, when you see these things happening, you know that God’s kingdom is near. I assure you that this generation won’t pass away until everything has happened. Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will certainly not pass away.
“Take care that your hearts aren’t dulled by drinking parties, drunkenness, and the anxieties of day-to-day life. Don’t let that day fall upon you unexpectedly, like a trap. It will come upon everyone who lives on the face of the whole earth. Stay alert at all times, praying that you are strong enough to escape everything that is about to happen and to stand before the Human One.”
Luke 21:29-36 CEB

When will the world end?

People have been trying to figure that out for centuries. The next 12 months will be interesting as we approach the end of the Mayan calendar in December of 2012.

Jesus says the signs will be known and as easy to recognize as the trees in bloom in the Spring. I think that means we won't argue or debate over the signs seen.

However, more important is the message to be alert. Don't let day to day anxieties leave you heartless (or hopeless)!

In my words, it don't matter what's happenin' around you - just live your faith as Jesus has called you to live. The end will come soon enough - best to be found living faithful!

Day 300 a note from God: Matthew 22 and Mark 12

2011-11-04T13:09:00.002-04:00

The Clean Cup

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“How terrible it will be for you legal experts and Pharisees! Hypocrites! You clean the outside of the cup and plate, but inside they are full of violence and pleasure seeking. Blind Pharisee! First clean the inside of the cup so that the outside of the cup will be clean too.

Matthew 22:25-26 CEB

Just watch the video - enough said.

Day 299 a note from God: Mark 11 and John 12

2011-11-03T12:36:00.004-04:00

They came into Jerusalem. After entering the temple, he threw out those who were selling and buying there. He pushed over the tables used for currency exchange and the chairs of those who sold doves. He didn’t allow anyone to carry anything through the temple. He taught them, “Hasn’t it been written, My house will be called a house of prayer for all nations? But you’ve turned it into a hideout for crooks.
Mark 11:15-17 CEB

I am all for trinkets that remind us of our faith. I have several items I have always had on my desk from high school til today! But when did selling Christian 'whatever' become such a business.

You can buy nearly anything with a 'christian' label to it.

When did putting a fish logo on your car becoming necessary?

Why do we have a Christian Blue Page Book?

When did we start believing that selling Christian products should be profitable?

I wonder how Jesus would respond to the Christian product industry?

When one of the largest Christian publishing companies is owned by News Corp you have to wonder?

If being labeled Christian in America meant being targeted for persecution, how many fish logos would be sold?

When will we tell the story of salvation to a lost world instead of trying to sell it?

Day 298 a note from God: Luke 18-19

2011-11-02T10:16:00.003-04:00

Zacchaeus stopped and said to the Lord, “Look, Lord, I give half of my possessions to the poor. And if I have cheated anyone, I repay them four times as much.”

Jesus said to him, “Today, salvation has come to this household because he too is a son of Abraham.

Luke 19:8-9 CEB

One of the overwhelming questions of faith within the Christian community is "How do I know I am 'saved'?"

How do you know that salvation has requested you?

Jesus provides the answer in this passage when He declares, “Today, salvation has come to this household."

Zacchaeus didn't pray a prayer, walk an aisle, or even get baptized and yet Jesus declares that salvation has come. Why?

Zacchaeus exhibited a life changed. Zacchaeus was transformed!

Want to know if salvation has come to your household?

Does your life exhibit a change?

Do you live a life transformed?

Do you live the faith you claim?

I think that is what Jesus was trying to teach us.

The only way to know if you have faith is to live it.

Got faith?

Day 297 a note from God: Matthew 20-21

2011-11-01T13:26:00.005-04:00

Who said life was fair?

“The kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out early in the morning to hire workers for his vineyard. After he agreed with the workers to pay them a denarion,[a] he sent them into his vineyard. “Then he went out around nine in the morning and saw others standing around the marketplace doing nothing. He said to them, ‘You also go into the vineyard, and I’ll pay you whatever is right.’ And they went.

“Again around noon and then at three in the afternoon, he did the same thing. Around five in the afternoon he went and found others standing around, and he said to them, ‘Why are you just standing around here doing nothing all day long?’

“‘Because nobody has hired us,’ they replied.

“He responded, ‘You also go into the vineyard.’

“When evening came, the owner of the vineyard said to his manager, ‘Call the workers and give them their wages, beginning with the last ones hired and moving on finally to the first.’ When those who were hired at five in the afternoon came, each one received a denarion. Now when those hired first came, they thought they would receive more. But each of them also received a denarion. When they received it, they grumbled against the landowner, ‘These who were hired last worked one hour, and they received the same pay as we did even though we had to work the whole day in the hot sun.’

“But he replied to one of them, ‘Friend, I did you no wrong. Didn’t I agree to pay you a denarion? Take what belongs to you and go. I want to give to this one who was hired last the same as I give to you. Don’t I have the right to do what I want with what belongs to me? Or are you resentful because I’m generous?’ So those who are last will be first. And those who are first will be last.”

Matthew 20:1-16 CEB

This story is absolutely one of my favorites. Perhaps because it is reminder that life isn't fair or better yet that it doesn't matter.

We have learned to determine our satisfaction in relationship to others. Therefore, I am thankful for my health only in relationship to others poor health. We find satisfaction in others getting "what they deserve" while completing forgetting what we deserve.

You want to learn to live a life of gratitude? Then stop living in comparison to everyone else.

Set your own standards. Put on the blinders to others.

Discover that the reward you have been given is what you were promised.

And relish in the fact that God hasn't given you what you deserve!

Day 296 a note from God: Matthew 19 and Mark 20

2011-10-31T10:14:00.003-04:00

It’s easier for a camel to squeeze through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter God’s kingdom.”

They were shocked even more and said to each other, “Then who can be saved?”

Jesus looked at them carefully and said, “It’s impossible with human beings, but not with God. All things are possible for God.”

Mark 10:25-27 CEB

We are so limited in our thinking from God's perspective.

For every negative thought we have God has a positive answer if we would look:

You say: "It's impossible"
God says: All things are possible (Luke 18:27)

You say: "I'm too tired"
God says: I will give you rest (Matthew 11:28-30)

You say: "Nobody really loves me"
God says: I love you (John 3:16)

You say: "I can't go on"
God says: My grace is sufficient (II Corinthians 12:9)

You say: "I can't figure things out"
God says: I will direct your steps (Proverbs 3:5-6)

You say: "I can't do it"
God says: You can do all things (Philippians 4:13)

You say: "I can't forgive myself"
God says: I FORGIVE YOU (I John 1:9 & Romans 8:1)

You say: "I can't manage"
God says: I will supply all your needs (Philippians 4:19)

You say: "I'm afraid"
God says: I have not given you a spirit of fear (II Timothy 1:7)

You say: "I'm always worried and frustrated"
God says: Cast all your cares on ME (I Peter 5:7)

You say: "I don't have enough faith"
God says: I've given everyone a measure of faith (Romans 12:3)

You say: "I'm not smart enough"
God says: I give you wisdom (I Corinthians 1:30)

You say: "I feel all alone"
God says: I will never leave you or forsake you (Hebrews13:5)

Have you threaded any needles with camels lately?

Vital Sign for Living: Just Breathe!

2011-10-30T19:48:00.000-04:00

The secret to long life is found in two simple words: just breathe!

Nearly everyone has a goal of being physically fit. When we are physically fit, we look good, we feel good and we perform at our best each day in every task we undertake. The challenge is in how to become physically fit, because there is no universal solution for physical fitness. What works for one person might not work for another person with different body chemistry and a different body type. In addition, the measure of physical fitness can differ greatly from person to person when physical fitness for one body does not necessarily measure as physical fitness for another. (How to Become Physically Fit by Sara Melone,www.ehow.com)

Change one word and change the meaning . . .

Nearly everyone has a goal of being spiritually fit. When we are spiritually fit, we look good, we feel good and we perform at our best each day in every task we undertake. The challenge is in how to become spiritually fit, because there is no universal solution for spiritual fitness. What works for one person might not work for another person . . . In addition, the measure of spiritual fitness can differ greatly from person to person . . .

While there is no universal solution there are some things that we should be doing in order to increase our spiritual fitness. I would even go as far as to say as there are some things that are absolute must dos. Let’s think of them as the “Just Breathe” things of our spiritual fitness.

MATTHEW 6:5 begins with Jesus saying, “When you pray”. This is not a commandment, but rather there is an assumption that this is something we will do. Prayer is to be part of our lives as much as breathing as to be a part of our living.

Extended further, our very lives, our prayer is to be continually – I think that is what Paul meant when he wrote to the church in Thessalonica and said, “Pray Continually” (I Thes 5:17). For me, that means that our conversations on a daily basis are a prayer to God. In other words. “may what I do this day be pleasing to God” is our prayer every day as we act and go through our day’s activities.

Prayer is at the core of the spiritual activities that we need in order to be spiritually fit. Prayer weaves its way through all our activities. Why? Because at the basic level prayer is simply the means by which we communicate with God and the actions that we take are simply a means to deepen our relationship with God.

Pray is a task that Jesus assumed we would already be engaged in daily. But, remember prayer is not a specific form or a specific set of words. Prayer is unique to each of us. I believe the activity of prayer calls us to a deeper understanding of faith in our lives. The problem for many of us as it relates to prayer is similar to the problem we have when faced with the activity of becoming physically fit - we just don’t have the time, nor have we been willing to make the time. That is why prayer must become a discipline in our lives.

So how do we make prayer a discipline in our lives?

Make an Appointment – set a time
Select A Quiet Place
Have A Contrite Heart
Pray with specifics and mean what you say
Be able to Reflect on your prayers by committing them to paper

Beware! As we seek to build an effective life of prayer, we must be cautious to not make prayer into:

A wish list for personal fulfillment or gain
A one-way conversation
A magic formula or “get of jail free card”
A tool for negotiating with God
An act of self interest with no personal responsibility

I believe an effective and active prayer life within the church congregation will spur us on to more prayer in our personal lives. So, I bring you a personal challenge for your prayer life this morning:

I want to challenge you to spend 5 minutes each day for the next 90 days. I want you to prayer specifically. Not to pray for others; not to pray for yourself; but pray in a conversation with God of thanksgiving, adoration, and confession, asking of God but one thing: to reveal to you a measure of His love in a new way.

As you look at prayer in your life, Can you do this? I believe the answer is yes!

Perhaps a paraphrase of I Thessalonians 5:17 could be borrowed from today’s pop culture - Just Do it!

Scripture cries out to us to pray continually; to just do it!

Jeremiah 33:3 Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know. JUST DO IT!

Matthew 6:6 But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. JUST DO IT!

Luke 18:1 Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up. JUST DO IT!

Colossians 4:2 Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. JUST DO IT!

Luke 6:12 One of those days Jesus went out to a mountainside to pray, and spent the night praying to God. JUST DO IT!

Ephesians 6:18 And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints. JUST DO IT!

I Thessalonians 5:17 Pray continually JUST DO IT!

Finally, as we examine all these vital signs for life . . . worship, study, service, giving, prayer . . .

All of these activities are simple exercises that have far greater implications than we give them credit. The great basketball coach John Wooden told this story that relates:

In our first team meeting two weeks before UCLA’s actual practices began, I would ask players to start toughening up their feet. Waiting until practices began would guarantee blisters. I advised them against scrimmaging. Instead I urged them to start with plenty of sliding side to side, starting and stopping, making quick changes of direction, and sprinting short distances rather than long. This would gradually toughen up their feet. Players understood the need for this. They knew they couldn’t hide blisters. What I didn’t tell them was that by getting their feet ready, they would also get their lungs ready. If they did the drills I recommended, their wind would be in good shape when practices got underway. Players were less inclined to pay attention to their wind. They may have felt it was less detectable. On the first day of practice I wanted UCLA to be able to literally hit the floor running, at full speed for two hours without getting blisters or becoming winded. When we addressed one issue, the other came as sort of a hidden reward.
(Wooden: A Lifetime of Observations and Reflections On and Off the Court)

I think though that’s how God works as well - God gives us simple things to do – worship, study, serve, give, pray . . . these simple directions to act have far greater consequence in our lives. The end result of this simple actions are that we grow to become more spiritually fit.

I ran across these comments by personal trainer, Ajay Middha, this week. He was asked, “What does ‘being fit ‘ mean?” He replied,

Physical fitness is defined as "a set of attributes that people have or achieve that relates to the ability to perform physical activity" In simpler words it is more than being able to run a long distance or lift a lot of weight at the gym. Given that criterion, I would say that a person who can rip telephone books in half but can't jog a mile without wanting to throw up, is not fit. He's strong, but unfit. Being fit is not defined only by what kind of activity you do, how long you do it, or at what level of intensity as they only address single areas. It is my opinion that you need to work on all aspects of fitness. How you do it is your choice

I hope that you have been praying about the commitment- the choices you are willing to make - to becoming more spiritually fit in this coming year. Those commitments are yours to make and keep in the coming weeks and months.

What are you willing to do to become more spiritually fit this year?

Day 295 a note from God: Luke 17-18

2011-10-30T13:40:00.003-04:00

Pharisees asked Jesus when God’s kingdom was coming. He replied, “God’s kingdom isn’t coming with signs that are easily noticed. Nor will people say, ‘Look, here it is!’ or ‘There it is!’ Don’t you see? God’s kingdom is already among you.”
Luke 17:20-21 CEB

Ever been to Disneyland? It really is hard to have a bad day there. Everyone seems so nice and helpful and everything is clean and in its place. When you leave, you long for things to be like that.

I think that too often we get caught up in what the Kingdom of God will be like in the future. We impatiently wait for everything to be made right.

And yet, Jesus says the Kingdom of is already here. We just miss it.

You don't have to wait until Heaven to do the right thing . . . as a matter of fact, I don't think you can.

What are you waiting for?

The Kingdom of God is here and you are a part of it. Get to it . . .

Day 294 a note from God: John 11

2011-10-29T11:22:00.005-04:00

The fountain display at the Bellagio Hotel in Las Vegas is truly spectacular, but then again everything in Las Vegas is designed to be spectacular. That is in part what draws people there. Las Vegas is more than gambling and casinos. Las Vegas is everything to the extreme - shows, performers, neon signs, food, hotels, and fountains.

Our appetite for the spectacular is what makes today's passage so unique.

Jesus began to cry. John 11:35 CEB

There is part of me that wants Jesus to put on a show. How easy it would have been - How spectacular it would have been - how awesome!

But no, Jesus instead mourns at the human loss and then without fireworks or a spectacular show raises Lazarus from the dead.

Good News that the spectacular can be accomplished simply.

I am a simple man and I find comfort that God understands me and can use me (in the simplest ways) to accomplish His work.

Keep it simple - God is spectacular enough!

Day 293 a note from God: Luke 16-17

2011-10-28T14:35:00.004-04:00

The master commended the dishonest manager because he acted cleverly.

Luke 16:8 CEB

Bill Murray in Caddyshack delivers the line, "So I got that going for me."

Along those lines, I recently received this promising e-mail:

Recently, my doctor told me that i have cancer problem. (cancer of the lever and i have partial stroke before) So i don't know now for how long i am going to be here in this earth.Having known my condition I decided to donate this the little fund (3.7 Million Dollars)which i have to a Church or individual that will utilize this money the way I will instruct. I want little fund to be use for orphanages, widows, propagating the word of God and to endeavor that the house of God is maintained.

So, I go that going for me.

The sad thing is good, God-loving people fall prey to these and other scams daily! Apparently we aren't shrewd enough to recognize a scam when it comes our way. Likewise we aren't real good and recognizing good practices when they come our way either.

I love the story Jesus tells in the passage today because it comes with one of those lines that catches you off guard. Did, Jesus really commend someone for their shrewd (albeit underhanded) business practice? The answer is YES!

Why? I think it was to remove the fear of doing business the 'normal' way as a follower of Christ.

For too long now, the church has acted with fear with regards to anything that comes along that resembles the world's business practices. The problem is there are some really good practices the church could learn from.

Right now within the United Methodist Church all churches are being asked to set goals and implement a S.M.A.R.T. action plan. This is a process that is being used throughout the business sector to reinvigorate corporations and help them achieve their goals.

The problem is we have church leaders and pastors that are approaching this with fear and dread as if to say that business practices are invading the church!

I say until we (the church) develop practices for achieving our goals that are worthy of being duplicated by the business sector, let's take their best practices and shrewdly make them our own.

I think God would approve and I know the church will be better off in the years to come because we acted shrewdly in setting and achieving our goals.

Day 292 a note from God: Luke 14-15

2011-10-27T11:10:00.003-04:00

“Or what woman, if she owns ten silver coins and loses one of them, won’t light a lamp and sweep the house, searching her home carefully until she finds it? When she finds it, she calls together her friends and neighbors, saying, ‘Celebrate with me because I’ve found my lost coin.’

Luke 15:8-9 CEB

Our church is wrapping up a series on stewardship and tithing and couldn't help but 'see' a unique picture of tithing in this parable about the Kingdom of God.

One coin is missing out of ten - that is 10% - a tithe.

When it is missing there is alarm! This missing coin is of value.

When it is found there is a celebration. The found coin is worth celebrating.

Jesus didn't teach we should tithe - that might be a shock to some!

Jesus taught that are giving should be cheerful, generous, and sacrificial.

Our giving should be noticed by us as if something was missing!

Our giving should be worth celebrating!

If others learned of your giving, would there be cause to celebrate?

Day 291 a note from God: Luke 12-13

2011-10-26T10:10:00.004-04:00

Again Jesus said, “To what can I compare God’s kingdom?
It’s like yeast, which a woman took
and hid in a bushel of wheat flour
until the yeast had worked its way through the whole.”

Luke 13:20-21 CEB

Faith is to permeate our whole life.

John Wesley started a movement based on the premise that if you have faith your life should be a living example of that faith.

Faith leads to acts of faith. Faith leads to good works.

Faith should create a change in you that others will notice!

Got faith?

Day 290 a note from God: Luke 10-11, John 10

2011-10-25T13:26:00.002-04:00

Nevertheless, don’t rejoice because the spirits submit to you. Rejoice instead that your names are written in heaven.”

Luke 10:20 CEB

It is so easy to get caught up in the accomplishments of men.

We watch athletes win games and hear them say, "I want to thank God . . ."

Here is Jesus reminding the disciples after they have done great and mighty things . . . Don't forget what is truly worth giving thanks for . . . Your Salvation.

As our minds wander towards our plans for Thanksgiving, be mindful to give thanks and rejoice in the salvation you have in Christ. This is far greater than anything else you might be thankful for.

Day 289 a note from God: John 9-10

2011-10-24T21:58:00.001-04:00

Why do you study so much?

He replied, “I already told you, and you didn’t listen. Why do you want to hear it again? Do you want to become his disciples too?”

John 9:27 CEB

There is an old adage that many people miss Heaven by 18 inches - the distance from your head to your heart!

This man understood that when he replied, “I already told you, and you didn’t listen. Why do you want to hear it again? Do you want to become his disciples too?”

I have to admit there is much in the Bible that I do not understand. There is far more that I now understand after taking a step (leap) of faith and trusting God as His word.

We have been at this together now for 288 days! Are you still reading because you are curious to know more? Are you a skeptic?

The question ages ago is still valid today, Do you want to become his disciples?

Begin a relationship with Jesus. Ask God to forgive your mistakes and become a follower of Christ. It's a small step, but it is the first of many that leads to peace and understanding.

Day 288 a note from God: John 7-8

2011-10-24T12:49:00.004-04:00

Jesus stood up and said to her, “Woman, where are they? Is there no one to condemn you?”

She said, “No one, sir.”

Jesus said, “Neither do I condemn you. Go, and from now on, don’t sin anymore.”

John 8:10-11 CEB

We spend way too much of our life living in fear and passing judgment.

The church has forgotten this message taught my Christ.

“Neither do I condemn you.”

We waste so much time on issues and miss the relationship.

Jesus will not be your accuser at the time of judgment.

He will be your Savior.

Well? . . . He will be the Savior for those that know Him.

Do you know Him? Do you have a relationship with The Savior?

Vital Signs for Living: Generosity

2011-10-24T12:30:00.003-04:00

The problem with some of our spiritual health issues are the same as are physical health issues. Just because we breath and have pulse doesn’t mean we are getting the oxygen into our system to be strong and vital. What does that mean to our spiritual lives? What needs to saturate our lives spiritually to be fit?

One day six blind men were walking down a road together in India. As they were walking, they came upon an elephant. Each of them touched it and a direct experience with the elephant. One blind man touched the tusk, a second the trunk, a third an ear, a fourth a leg, a fifth the tail, and the sixth the side of the elephant. The blind men continued on their journey. They began to discuss their experiences with the elephant, and a great argument broke out.

The first man stated that the elephant was like a spear. No, said the second, it was like a large snake – thick with powerful muscles. The third claimed it was like a warm leaf – thin, flat, and flexible. The fourth argued that the elephant was like the trunk of a tree. The fifth said he could hold the elephant in his hand and it felt like a rope. The sixth insisted that the elephant was most like a wall. Try as they might, the men could not agree on what an elephant was like. Each was convinced he was right. Each was convinced the other five were wrong. Who was right? Who was wrong?

We all bring our experiences with God to the table and only when we bring all of our experiences together can we ever begin to truly know God. This morning I want to talk about the elephant in the room and I want to acknowledge that we each bring our own experience to this elephant – generosity, tithing, or stewardship.

Jesus often spoke in parables. In fact the gospels record 39 parables. Over half of these stories dealt with money, greed, or generosity. In fact the bible speaks to these topics over 2000 times. If I were to ask any group of people in a church this morning if they thought it was important (even biblical) to give or tithe to the church, or to give generously – I would suspect that it would be near unanimous agreement by all in attendance. The sad reality is that the numbers belie our gusto to agree.

33% Christians say they can’t get ahead because of rising financial debt

In the past 20 years personal giving has decreased over 8%

Percentage of Income giving in churches was higher during the Great Depression 3.3% vs 2.4% in 2010.

Average giving by a member of a US Church was less than $700 per year or $13/week

Families earning less than $10,000 give 5.5 per cent of their income to charity (not necessarily church). Families earning between $50,000 and $60,000 give only 1.7% of their earnings.

Whether they believe in the principle of tithing or not, few Americans give away that much money. In 2007, research revealed that only 5% of adults gave 10% of their income to charity.

Worldwide, Christian income exceeds $6.8 trillion. It is estimated that if the US church alone would tithe (give 10%) that giving to the church alone would exceed all double total charitable giving in the US.

What might happen here if Christians were committed to the individual concept of tithing?

But could we tithe?

The act of tithing is an act of trust and faith. Financial planners know that. In a recent article in Forbes, entrepreneurial risk taking was discussed around the concept of giving and the 80-10-10 rule.

Save 10% of your income for retirement and rainy days.
Give away 10% of your income to charity.
Spend 80% of your income how you want.

The interesting side effect to this concept for business owners was that their aversion to risk was decreased as they learned that they could indeed save 10% and give away 10%. In addition they discovered they had more than enough to meet their wants and needs and were able to spend the remaining 80% without guilt.

Now hold on a minute, for you that our biblical scholars – the New Testament doesn’t mention tithing?

Tithing is an OT Law, but before you even go there (they actually gave 23% 10 tithe 10 priests 3 as an offering). I would agree that tithing is an OT law. The New Testament ended the reign of the law and in its place brought a new covenant. In the New Testament, I believe Jesus taught the concept of sacrificial giving. Remember Zachaeus, Widow’s mite, Rich Young Ruler? They all gave nearly everything!

Giving should be sacrificial – not so that others will notice your giving, but rather that you will notice. What sacrifices is it to give your leftovers?

Remember the beautiful story of sacrificial giving told by O. Henry in The Gift of the Magi?

God’s the same way. God doesn’t just want your gift: God wants your sacrifice. God wants you to feel so much love in your heart for Him that you wouldn’t think twice about not giving or sacrificing in order to give.

Now, I can give you many reasons to support the concept of giving, but instead allow me to give you just a few reasons that you should not give:

Don’t give if you are giving for show (Mark 12:38-40)
Don’t give if God’s work is not being done (2 Chronicles 31:1-10)
Don’t give if you can’t give freely (Mark 12:41-44)
Don’t give if it is not being done humbly (Luke 18:9-14)
Don’t give if you can’t trust that God will use it (Malachi 3:6-12)

The early church understood all the reasons to give and all the reasons not to give. The book of Acts records there actions:

All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of his possessions was his own, but they shared everything they had. With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and much grace was upon them all. There were no needy persons among them. For from time to time those who owned lands or houses sold them, brought the money from the sales and put it at the apostles' feet, and it was distributed to anyone as he had need. Acts 4:32-35 NIV

This passage from Acts is a powerful example of the faith and trust the early church had among its members. The church took care of every need. Within 15 years of this being written there would be famine and drought and yet this church was able to care for other churches through their collections.

Malachi understood this when God told him: Bring the whole tithe to the storage house so there might be food in my house. Please test me in this, says the LORD of heavenly forces. See whether I do not open all the windows of the heavens for you and empty out a blessing until there is enough. Malachi 3:10-12 CEB

Malachi wanted the people to understand that everything they had came from God and that as they “robbed” God of the offering – they had “robbed” themselves of the blessings that God had in store for them.

I believe Jesus spoke of the same concept when He spoke of the mustard plant beginning as the tiniest of seeds and growing to be one of the hardiest plants around. Jesus said if you only had the faith of a mustard seed you could move mountains.

God has been consistent with His message and His challenge: “Test me on this – You will have enough!”

I want you to hear the call to generosity in our daily living and our financial giving. I also understand that making a leap to tithing is not necessarily a prudent one (and believe that God does as well).

I am not asking for great acts of faith. What we need are small steps of faith. We need cups of cool water given in Christ’s name. We need bags of groceries for the local food pantry given as an offering. We need volunteers who come and clean the church and do the work of keeping up the building. We need people to be willing to trust God enough to give generously - to give sacrificially.

God said through Malachi “Bring into the store house the tithes and offerings and watch what I will do through you!” (my paraphrase)

What if this one time you took God up on the challenge . . .

“Test me on this – You will have enough!”

What might happen to your faith? What blessing might you discover?

Let this be the day, let this coming year be the time they talk of for years to come as the day we began to fully trust God and we became the church that God fully intended us to be.

Day 287 a note from God: Matthew 18

2011-10-22T13:51:00.002-04:00

What do you think? If someone had one hundred sheep and one of them wandered off, wouldn’t he leave the ninety-nine on the hillsides and go in search for the one that wandered off?

Matthew 18:12 CEB

In the church we struggle with change. Some would argue that the church has changed since the dark ages while others would argue that church has changed way too much in the past month.

In order to reach the lost risks will have to be taken. I believe Jesus understood this when he told this story.

The 99 were safe and secure in their surroundings. It would have been easy to stay with them, but the shepherd leaves to find the lost one. He risks the comfort and ease of the 99 for the one.

Perhaps if we were willing to consider the other one instead of ourselves, we wouldn't have worship wars and church splits over carpet color.

Then again, we would have to spend more time worried about someone else instead of ourselves.

Not sure 2000 years later, we understand this parable any better . . .

Day 286 a note from God: Luke 9, Matthew 17, Mark 9

2011-10-21T11:46:00.005-04:00

John replied, “Master, we saw someone throwing demons out in your name, and we tried to stop him because he isn’t in our group of followers.”

Luke 9:49 CEB

This falls in the category of can't we all just get along?

Definition of ECUMENICAL

1) of, relating to, or representing the whole of a body of churches

2) promoting or tending toward worldwide Christian unity or cooperation

Within the greater Christian church we are all called to make disciples - that is the Great Commission. However, somewhere along the line that became the Hokey-Pokey Commission. Take the existing church members turn them all around and let them move from church to church while we pretend that we are growing in numbers. It probably isn't that bad, but there are days it feels like that . . .

When will we stop fighting amongst ourselves?

When will we stop fighting over church members?

When will we actually reach new people with the message of God's love?

Day 285 a note from God: Luke 9, Matthew 16, Mark 8

2011-10-20T14:48:00.002-04:00

Jesus asked them,
“And what about you?
Who do you say that I am?”

Luke 9:20a CEB

For me this is the most haunting of questions that Jesus asks.

How you respond will forever frame how you live your life in relationship to others, the world, and God.

So, who do you say He is?

Day 284 a note from God: Matthew 15, Mark 7

2011-10-19T10:55:00.003-04:00

Jesus replied, “Isaiah really knew what he was talking about when he prophesied about you hypocrites. He wrote, This people honors me with their lips, but their hearts are far away from me. Their worship of me is empty since they teach instructions that are human words. (Isaiah 29:13)

Mark 7:6-7 CEB

The message from God has been consistent and Jesus now reminds them of this.

Worship is empty when it is created by man to benefit man.

Worship is not about religion it is about relationship.

Do you have a relationship with God or are you still negotiating the rules?

Day 283 a note from God: John 6

2011-10-18T13:59:00.003-04:00

Peek a boo!

Jesus replied, “I assure you that you are looking for me not because you saw miraculous signs but because you ate all the food you wanted. Don’t work for the food that doesn’t last but for the food that endures for eternal life, which the Human One will give you. God the Father has confirmed him as his agent to give life.”
John 6:26-27 CEB

I know I have a different sense of humor, but this story just makes me chuckle.

Jesus feeds 5000 the day before and the people want to make Him king. Jesus disperses the crowd and sends His disciples by boat on ahead. During the night Jesus walks across the water (to get to the other side). The people also having heard the day before where Jesus was going make their way there as well.

Then the comedy begins.

People: "What a surprise running into You here! We were just saying to one another I wonder where that guy - now what was His name - Oh yeah - Jesus. I wonder where He has gone to and then there are you are! So what you doing?"

Jesus the one who knows there every thought has to struggle to keep a straight face. He knows exactly why they are there - there looking for another free meal! Ever read the book Feed a Mouse a Cookie?

And with that thought, Jesus begins to teach again about the food that will last.

Ever ask yourself why you go to church?

Do you go because you are expecting something in return?

Do you go and become surprised when God shows up?

Have we become one of the thousand that chase after Jesus hoping to get another free lunch . . .

Or are we able to go to worship to give a gift of praise and adoration to the creator?

When we figure out why we are going, I believe then will we discover that we are no longer hungry for we are fully fed!

Day 282 a note from God: Matthew 14, Mark 6, Luke 9

2011-10-17T09:07:00.004-04:00

He replied, “You give them something to eat.”

But they said, “We have no more than five loaves of bread and two fish—unless we go and buy food for all these people.”
Luke 9:13 CEB

Jesus had to be disappointed in the response from the disciples. After all they had already witnessed. After all they had already done. The couldn't see the opportunity before them.

How often we must disappoint Jesus, when all we can see is scarcity.

How often we fail to see the abundant possibilities that are in front of us.

How many times have we missed the chance to "feed five thousand" because we refused to act - only seeing our limits and missing the possibilities of what we could with Jesus.

Remove the blindfold and see the abundance in your life today.

Vital Signs for Living: Warning! Warning!

2011-10-16T14:30:00.000-04:00

Did you know that only one out of 7 people change their habits after a heart attack!

Warning signs are there to tell us we need to change . . . that we need to take notice! WARNING!!!!

The life’s blood of the church is not offering money or church attendance. It is new followers of Christ. The church is always one generation away from dieing! There lies the problem of any church. We have a mission as a church to support and invite others to Christ. But do we do that?

Our numbers would say not . . .

In the 20 year period 1991 to 2010 We have had 98 new members join our church and 147 leave by death. During that same period Membership at First UMC has decreased by 39.96%. In 1991 we had over 500 members and averaged almost twice what we currently average in worship. IN other words, we have lost over 200 members and dropped by nearly half in worship attendance. Don’t feel too bad though. In 2010 our attendance was only 40% of our membership, but the high in the last twenty years was only 42.5%.

We are also a part of a greater mission. The UMC has a mission to make disciples for the transformation of the world. But do we do that? The data is sadly the same. We have lost over 7 million total members in the last 40 years.

People, we have been doing the same things over and over without results. So, why would we continue doing those thing? In two words – comfort and ease. At least I prefer those two words over this one – insanity! We have spent far too long in the safety of our places of comfort. The warning signs are evident in our church and in our personal lives – our pulse is weak!

“I am not afraid that the people called Methodists should ever cease to exist either in Europe or America. But I am afraid lest they should only exist as a dead sect, having the form of religion without the power. And this undoubtedly will be the case unless they hold fast both the doctrine, spirit, and discipline with which they first set out.” John Wesley

Jesus told this parable: “A man owned a fig tree planted in his vineyard. He came looking for fruit on it and found none. He said to his gardener, ‘Look, I’ve come looking for fruit on this fig tree for the past three years, and I’ve never found any. Cut it down! Why should it continue depleting the soil’s nutrients?’ The gardener responded, ‘Lord, give it one more year, and I will dig around it and give it fertilizer. Maybe it will produce fruit next year; if not, then you can cut it down.’” Luke 13:6-9 CEB

I fear the church, and our denomination, will be cut down and left behind if we do not learn to take risks and heed the warning signs. When I came here as your pastor just over a year ago, I was described to some of you as a pastor with an entrepreneurial spirit. Nice accolade, but what does that mean? It is someone who:

Dreams big dreams
is willing to take risk
Has a plan – Not just a dream but a plan
is Willing to fail
Believes the opportunity to succeed is greater than the risk of failure

So what if we became a church that had an entrepreneurial spirit? A spirit that would allow us to achieve our mission . . . to live . . . to have a strong pulse . . . to show signs of life.

In order to do that – to become that – I believe we must be willing to take risks, but what does that mean?

If failing was not an option for you. What would you try to accomplish? What if as a church we could do the same thing? What would we do? What would we want to be known for? What if we developed new vision? A vision that was willing to focus on the ONE rather than the MANY.

Remember the story of the lost sheep? (Luke 15:3-7) Perhaps we need to worry less about what we might lose in growing and focus more on what might be gained.

And speaking of lost sheep, maybe we need to take the risk of reaching out to our own lost sheep? Did you know that we have well over 100 church members that have not been this church in the past two years? This is the place they once called home. What if a group of church members visited every person on our church roll and dared to invite them to be an active part of the church?

Let me also remind you that we will grow when we actually have new disciples – new followers of Christ. The goal being discussed for the church is to create 12 new disciples in 2012. The church does not grow by borrowing members from other churches or by simply reactivating old members. If we are to be a vital and thriving church, we need to bring new followers to Christ. If we do not, we are but a generation from dying off!

We are stuck in a rhetoric of crisis rather than action. Easy to yell Fire, but there are few heroes willing to run into the fire to rescue the perishing. It is easier to talk of our problems than to risk trying something new. We would rather question the need to have goals – to make plans – we would rather say, “can’t we just be the church.” Why do we need all of this goal setting and planning stuff? My simple answer is “How’s the just being a church been working for you . . .?”

The kinder answer is what are you afraid of? Setting a goal means you might not reach it. That is the kind way of saying you might fail. So what? Wouldn’t you rather try than sit back and do nothing?

People, we need to learn to see the abundance and not the scarcity - you have talked for over two years about what it will mean to be debt free . . . now that it is in sight . . . what are you going to do with the new abundance?

What if we sought a new audience to speak with? An audience of the Least, the Lost, and the Lonely – not a very glamorous audience? Need I remind you that Jesus spent his entire ministry with the undesirables of the community - Fishermen, tax Collectors, Women, Lepers, Sick, Lame, Poor, The unnoticed, Homeless, and the poor. Perhaps we need to take the risk of reaching out to those that are not quite like us – not by inviting them to a meal, but by inviting them to be a part of our family in worship and study. Perhaps we need to reach out to those that we don’t know. We might just discover how similar they are.

I might remind you this new audience still needs to hear the old message: You know the one . . .

This old message needs to come from new people – from all of our people.

If we are to become more spiritually fit as individuals, if we are to become a more vital and thriving congregation then we must be willing to move from our place of comfort and begin to act in new ways.

I was hungry and you gave me food to eat. I was thirsty and you gave me a drink. I was a stranger and you welcomed me. I was naked and you gave me clothes to wear. I was sick and you took care of me. I was in prison and you visited me.’
“Then those who are righteous will reply to him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you a drink? When did we see you as a stranger and welcome you, or naked and give you clothes to wear? When did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?’
“Then the king will reply to them, ‘I assure you that when you have done it for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you have done it for me.’ Matthew 25:35-40 CEB

Risk seeing something more in the life of this church – in your own life – in the coming year. When is the last time you risked anything (time, talent, treasure) for the kingdom of God?

Day 281 a note from God: Matthew 9-10

2011-10-16T12:21:00.003-04:00

Then he said to his disciples, “The size of the harvest is bigger than you can imagine, but there are few workers."
Matthew 9:37 CEB

When confronted with the idea of church growth, how often has the church responded by saying, "We can't grow there isn't anybody else?"

The problem isn't the size of the potential harvest.

The problem is there aren't enough workers to take it all in.

When the body of Christ begins to take seriously the call to make new disciples, then the church will grow it ways it could never imagine.

We need to train the workers.

We need to challenge the workers.

Bu most of all, we need to send the workers into the fields.

Day 280 a note from God: Mark4-5, Matthew 8

2011-10-15T16:49:00.003-04:00

Another man, one of his disciples, said to him, “Lord, first let me go and bury my father.”

But Jesus said to him, “Follow me, and let the dead bury their own dead.”

Matthew 8:21-22 CEB

This is considered by many a perplexing statement by Jesus.

I think it makes sense.

Consider that in life there is always a list of things to do. In this case, attend a funeral.

Jesus simply states that if you are to follow Him that will need to be your priority - not other things!

We can rationalize anything.

It's okay to miss church this week . . .

It won't matter if I skip a week in Bible Study . . .

I can always pray another time . . .

Pretty soon all of our time is taken up and our relationship with Christ is not even on the list of things to do.

That was Jesus' point.

What have you done to make your relationship with Christ a priority?

Day 279 a note from God: Matthew 12 and Luke 11

2011-10-14T12:15:00.004-04:00

They laughed at Him because they knew she was dead.
Luke 8:53 CEB

Headline from recent Magazine: The Church is Dead...
It seems like every time I log-on there is a new report about the decline, decay, or demise of the church. The American church, and the evangelical branch in particular, seems infatuated with news of its own death almost as much as myths of its persecution. Perhaps we like these reports because they keep us in a perpetual state of crisis which fuels the theatrics long associated with our brand of Christianity.
(Christianity Today June 2011)

I am amazed how much 'they' know.

How many people have told you the 'church' is dead? The church is just not a culturally relevant entity today?

Even those of us inside the church can find ourselves questioning the 'life' of the church.

And then I read today's passage. I see Jesus looking at these people who know better . . . she's dead . . . the church is dead . . . go away . . . nothing to look at here . . . give up . . .

It is in that moment that I see Jesus with a wry smile as HE thinks to himself - "wait 'til they see what I have in store for them . . ."

Don't give up! The church isn't dead. I know because Christ hasn't abandoned the church!

Take another look.

Give church a chance this weekend. Try a different church. Try the same one.

Just don't give up!

Jesus hasn't given up yet!

Day 278 a note from God: Matthew 12, Luke 11

2011-10-13T17:16:00.004-04:00

Your eye is the lamp of your body.
When your eyes are good,
your whole body also is full of light.
But when they are bad,
your body also is full of darkness.

Luke 11:34 NIV

There is a computer term that programmers use: GIGO (Garbage In Garbage Out).

It simply means that when a computer doesn't work right it is because it wasn't programmed correctly. A computer only does what it is told to do. When it acts wrong, it has been told wrong.

I think Jesus had that in mind. What you take in will reflect in your life.

There is a children's song that starts "O be careful little eyes what you see."

Same idea guard your life and the input you expose yourself to.

What are your eyes seeing?

What are your eyes reflecting?

Day 277 a note from God: Matthew 11

2011-10-12T16:28:00.004-04:00

At that time Jesus said, “I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children.
Matthew 11:25

Jesus goes on to say something to effect that "if you have seen the Son, you have seen the Father."

Children pick up things from their parents without ever being specifically taught - habits, gestures, etc. They learn these things because they spend so much time with their parents that they pick them up from repeated exposure.

Children are way too smart for their age we often say as they learn things we would have rather not taught them.

Would you want other Christians to learn from your example? Would your example reveal your heavenly Father?

This passage also made me wonder, have I learned anything from God by simply spending time in His presence.

Make time to spend time in God's presence this week. Take a walk, turn off the TV or the radio. Be still.

Learn by observing God at work in your midst!

Day 276 a note from God: Matthew 8, Luke 7

2011-10-11T14:22:00.004-04:00

When they reached Jesus, they said, “John the Baptist sent us to you. He asks, ‘Are you the one who is coming, or should we look for someone else?’”

Luke 7:20 CEB

Too many good people have lost their faith because they suffered through moments of doubt.

Don't let anyone tell you can't have faith and doubt at the same time.

John the Baptist is the one who declared that Jesus was the Lamb of God!

John baptized Jesus.

John was there when God spoke.

And yet, today John is in a jail cell and has doubts.

Jesus doesn't send word to John to "stop doubting!"

Jesus sends word that all you have waited for has come.

Jesus reminds John of all that he has witnessed and all that is being done.

Doubt comes when we lose sight of God.

We need to remember. Our memory keeps God within our line of sight.

When doubt comes . . . Open your eyes and see all that God has been, is, and promises to be.

Day 275 a note from God: Matthew 5-7

2011-10-10T12:01:00.002-04:00

Therefore, stop worrying about tomorrow, because tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
Matthew 6:34 CEB

It is hard to pick just one thing from these chapters in Matthew. This is all part of what is considered my most as the greatest sermon ever preached.

I just really like the idea of not worrying.

I am not a fan of worry. For me it is a wasted emotion.

Stop worrying. Be Happy!

Remember . . . For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. (Jeremiah 29:11)

That is God's promise to you. It might not come today, but you have a future.

Stop worrying. Be Happy!