Anticipation of the New Year

I am so not ready for this new year coming.  I have just gotten used to writing 2008 on my checks and now I have to put 2009.  There are so many things that I want to do and hoped to have them done in 2008.  Now I will put the effort into going forward into 2009.  2008 was a wonderful year for Nancy and I as well as our children and grandchildren.  I am looking forward to 2009 for more of the same.

I do want to share the bible verse for today.  As I do, I would ask that you would reflect on what it says to you and what it can mean for this coming year in your life and the life of your church.

John 1:6-7, "There was a man sent from God, whose name was John.  He came as a witness to testify to the light, so that all might believe through him."  NRSV

What struck me were two statements.  A man sent from God and that he came as a witness to testify to the light.  The first statement about being sent from God.  Have you ever thought that you were sent by God?  Sometimes when I take the time to reflect on this statement, I am awe that maybe God sent me to be a witness.  Scripture states that even before we were born God knew us and had ordained us.  Even as I write this shivers come over me that God would know me and ordain me.  Being anointed by God should answer all questions about what my purpose must be in life.  It is to be a witness for God.

When I was ordained as an Elder in the United Methodist Church and the Bishop and the members of the Board of Ordained Ministry laid hands on me, it was an experience that I will never forget.  Yet, sometimes I may doubt that God laid his hands on me to be His witness.  He has also laid His hands on you.  What is so awe inspiring about this, is that we can be witnesses to God in so many ways.  We can witness in music, in our work, in our play, in our prayers, and in our studies.  God has put upon our hearts that desire to praise God and to share our praise with others.

I don't know how many times I have heard (even sometimes in the past I had said), I can't evangelize.  I don't have the words, I am scared, I am embarrassed about talking about my faith, and I don't want to push my faith onto others.  If we place our faith in our God, God will see us through.  Even if we don't have the words, we can testify in our deeds.  I no longer can say that I cannot do this.  I believe it is the purpose that God has place upon me and placed upon you.  We do not have to be perfect to live to this purpose.

So think about last year 2008, were there times that you witnessed through words or deeds of the glory of God, the light in the dark world.  As we go forward to 2009, are we willing to share the good news with those around us?  That would be a great New Year's resolution.

Peace be with you and those you love.  Talk to you next year.

John 1:1

"In the beginning the Word already existed; the Word was with God and the Word was God." GNT.

This begins the Gospel of John.  The first 14 verses called the prolog frame what the writer of the Gospel wants to say about who Jesus was and his relationship to God.  What I find interesting is that the writer begins with "In the beginning," connecting what is happening with the Incarnate Deity with Genesis 1:1.  Jesus represents this Word translated as Logos in Greek and Sophia in Hebrew.  Jesus is the Wisdom of God.  God spoke and creation happened.  God spoke and Jesus happened.  God continues to speak to us today as each day becomes a new creation.  God's Wisdom is available to us through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus and in the Holy Spirit.  Each gospel starts at a different way of presenting who Christ is.  Matthew starts with a genealogy and talks about Joseph and the birth.  Luke starts with Mary and the birth.  Mark starts with the baptism of Jesus.  Only John presents Jesus as being part of the very act of creation and representing the Wisdom incarnate.

So what makes that so important.  For me, I find it comforting that Jesus is someone I can count on no matter what happens in my life.  Jesus was present prior to creation, in the creation act, lived among us, and continues to be with us.  I don't find much else that has the sense of permanence.  Even in science, what was assumed to be unalterable truth, becomes changed with new discoveries.  Most scientists would admit that there is much they do not know or comprehend.  I believe that even with the new discoveries there are more questions than answers.  When I was teaching sociology at a state college, I remember one sociologist that stated that the social reforms that are seen to solve the problems we face, become the social problems of the future.

There is nothing that lasts forever except God.  I need a foundation that I can depend on that is unshakable and eternal.  That does not mean that there is not change or evolution in creation.  It does mean that there are truths of which we are not completely aware of that is the aim of God.  These truths which as Paul says in 1 Corinthians 13, we only see partially will become evident in God's eternal reign.

So in a world of evolving change, I can find solace that though I believe change is inevitable that there are some truths that do so evolve.  So as I evolve as a Christian I can turn to my limited understanding of those truths as my foundation.  I believe those truths are found in Scripture and are inspired by God's Word or Wisdom to help all of us live a more faithful and fruitful life until the Kingdom comes.  Thanks be to God, in Jesus name.  Amen.

Psalm 147:1

"Praise the Lord!  How good it is to sing praises to our God: for he is gracious and a song of praise is fitting." NRSV

What if every morning and every evening one would start and end the day with singing praises to God. Imagine what the day and evening might be like.  Would you find the day to go easier and your rest at night be better?  I know that when I make the effort to thank God for the day that is yet to come and at night spend time praising and thanking God for the day that was, I sleep better and I find that the day seems to go smoother.  Not saying that there are no problems that come up and that I have to deal with, but somehow I find ways to resolve the issues and am not so turn up by them.  I am more creative and energetic and less tired when I make the effort.  I also noticed that when I get caught up in the daily routine without starting the day off with praise, that I am not as energetic and become more distracted and accomplish less.

Saying that I know that in my life I can get out of habits far more easily than I can get into habits.  For instance, this past week with my children and grand children staying out the house I did not exercise nor was I as diligent in my prayers.  I also have found in more difficult to stay with my eating plan.  So I need reminders to get back on track not only with the physical aspect of my life but also the spiritual.  I need reminding that it is good to sing praises to God and to remember his graciousness.  What a blessing it is to have each day presented to us as a new opportunity and a new creation.  What we choose to do with that day is up to us.  Sing forth praises to our Lord with thanksgiving and exuberance.

I also want to comment on someone who wrote me after the blog last Saturday.  The person mentioned that sometimes it is easier to remember the blessings of God in everyday events when one is not surrounded by an abundance of material things.  I agree that is often the case.  Though I know of those who are able to see beyond things to reach out to God and to share with others.  I mentioned in my comment back that my good friend Dennis who was a missionary often spoke the radical hospitality that he experienced from many people who had very little.  He also stated that they were often so thankful for what we would call the little things.  I also believe that we no matter our social status can take time to be thankful for the blessings of God and to share those with others without judgment.

Psalm 148: 11-13

Kings of the earth and all peoples, princes and all rulers of the earth! Young men and women alike, old and young together! Let them praise the name of the Lord. Ps. 148: 11-13

Are there times that you might feel that others should be responsible for praising God. Sometime I wonder just who is responsible for praising God. It is interesting that whenever I go somewhere, it is often expected that I would be the one who gives the blessing. The psalmist reminds us that we are all responsible for praising God. There are no special people who are to praise God to the exclusion of others. There is no age limit, no gender differences, no social status preferences.
I have been thinking about what are some of the obstacles that interfere with my praising God. I have noticed that lately I have been struggling with focusing on all the negatives in my life. These include not only dealing with other people but also with dealing with myself. Sometimes it seems easier to think badly about me than to acknowledge the things that I do well. I seem to spend more time dealing with the few negative thoughts and feelings than I do with the more positive thoughts and feelings. Much like not praising God for the changes and wonderful people who are close to me. And when I spend so much time dealing with these negative thoughts, I find that I am not as likely to praise God.
The entire Psalm as I blogged last night can fill that piece that I may feel is missing in my life. Recognizing that all of creation is praising God means that even if I have a difficult time doing so and I can lean on others praise to help see me through the difficult times. Having the strength that I can receive from others, I can lift my voice in praise. I hope that in your lives no matter where you are you can lift your voice in praise to the Lord.
Here is my prayer:
God see beyond my flaws and strengthen me to witness to your glory. Let your hand guide me and send me your spirit to direct me. Bestow on me Your vision, your will not mine. Guard me from my self-doubts and lead me to the calm waters. Clothe me in your righteousness. This I ask in the name of your Son, So be it.

Ideas from this coming Sunday lectionary

This Sunday I will be looking at what has moved our lives in 2008 and what will move our lives in 2009. The Psalm I will be preaching on is from Psalm 148. As I was working with the Psalm I came across the following perspective by Stephen Farris found in Feasting on the Word. I was struck by what he had to say even though I am taking a different tack.
He stated that there are two words that seem to sum up the psalm. One is comprehensive: from angels to creeping things, from shining stars to the frost under our feet, all are to praise the Lord. But the second word is exuberance. The psalm is one great shout of gratitude for the goodness of God and the wonder of creation.
He goes on to state that children receive Christmas gifts from grandparents or uncles and aunts and you can make the child get on the phone and say "Thank you," but a good parent instinctively knows that the words alone are not enough. The thanks are incomplete without gratitude.
The question he proposes for us is how do we show our gratitude to what God has done. Is gratitude something learned by seeing others being gracious, being surrounded by others love, and seeing how others treat one another with concern and care?
Another concern is that for many this is a difficult time of the year and sometimes it is hard to find the voice to lift up praises. Kimberly Clayton states, "Sometimes the word or song of praise gets silenced by a lump in our throat, as though we have swallowed too much grief or sorrow or loneliness to utter a sound. What happens when we ourselves are too sad or too weak to offer praise to God? This psalm exclaims that hopeful, comforting message that we are not isolated or alone in our vocation of praise. From start to finish, Psalm 148 places us within a vast, diverse universe where continual praise is being offered to God: Angels and stars, fire and frost, wild and domesticated animals, men and women, young and old, wealthy and poor... join in the terrestrial/celestial symphony of praise. So when our own song or spirit is silenced, praise still fills the space all around us."
I know that for me, I need to remember that God is present whether or not I am present to God. It is hopeful and helpful to remember all that God has done and continues to do in my life. Much like a child needing to remember to be grateful and thankful, so do I and so do you.
I would also like to let people know that starting Sunday I will be offering a reflection on scriptural verses every day for the next year. My desire is to do this daily. In our church, our leaders of the various committees will receive a devotional book and calendar that they will hopefully use in their committee meetings and in their lives. I will be using the calendar "Journeying Through the Days" from the Upper Room. I would like to have those who read this blog to share their insights to the various scriptures that are discussed. We can learn so much from one another. As I can I will try to comment if desired to those who write back. We are on a journey together and can support one another in our coming and going.
God Bless.

Post Christmas

I hope all have had a great Christmas. I know that having all my family, both kids their spouses and all my grand kids was great. On Christmas day they all took off to go to their in-laws and are expected back Saturday-Monday. The mix of family and church often is exhilarating and is tiring at the same time. Today i was able to sleep in for the first time in several days. I was also surprised that over the holiday I lost 2 pounds. So all the cookies and sweets that still around have not shown up yet. Having family who can eat most of them helps.
Christmas eve services went well. I continue to reflect on Jesus' earthly family. They could have complained and refused to listen to God at any time of the story. Yet, they did not and were so open to the changes that God brought into their lives. They risked scandal, people saying judgmental things about them and even calling them names. They traveled in the last month of Mary's pregnancy to a small town giving up their livelihood. They were homeless and jobless. Yet they never complained and made the best of their situation. They never expected anything from others even when they received the gifts that they did.
I wonder if I would be so willing to make the decisions that they did and never complain. Sometimes it makes me reflect on what really matters. Maybe what I got or did not get pales to what Jesus' family faced. There are many families who can identify with the Mary and Joseph. They too are jobless, homeless, and wonder if they will have enough to feed their children. My friend Dennis who was a missionary often spoke of the generous spirit of those who were the poorest of the poor. They would share their meager resources with others. In fact often were more generous than those who had an abundance of resources.
This day after Christmas let us thank God for what God has done for us and ask what is it that we can do for those in our community and throughout the world who may be like Christ's family without jobs and homes.

Merry Christmas- Love came to us this day

To complete the verses on God's love and to celebrate Christmas, the verse for today is John 3:16. "This is how much god loved the world: He gave his Son, his one and only Son. And this is why: so that no one need be destroyed; by believing in him, anyone can have a whole and lasting life (The Message)."
God came to us this day and continues to come to us every day because He loves us. God does not need to love us but the very essence of God is love. What God wants is for us to believe in that love. It is not a matter of judgment, rather it is an opportunity to have a whole and lasting life. Not just in some future event but rather a whole and lasting life today. I like the way Eugene Peterson puts it in The Message paraphrase. We do not need to be destroyed nor do we need to destroy others. Jesus came to us to show that there is another way of living our lives in the full life that God has bestowed on us.
Make this Christmas a pledge to live as believers and to love those around us this day and every day not just family, church, but also those we encounter in our day to day lives.

Love 3

Today's verse is 1 John 4:9. "This is the revelation of God's love for us, that God sent his only Son into the world that we might have life through him."
Is this not what Christmas is about. God coming to us so that we may have life. What more could we ask for. In a world that is full of darkness, the only hope that I see is in the life of Jesus Christ and the promises of the covenant God has written on our hearts. Can you imagine any other power that is greater than God or has done anything in this world to better the world? Some may say science, technology, laws, government have done so. Yet, I would challenge you to look around and say is what we witness in the world what you imagine for your children and their children and their children's children. I don't see what the worldly powers have done to eliminate poverty, to feed the masses, to offer hope in areas of the world where hope is often absent. It is through God that the greater good can happen.
I am not suggesting that there are not religions that twist and manipulate the word of God to fit their own agendas. Rather let us in our belief of our Messiah Jesus live according to his teachings and to God's purposes. Than that revelation of love God has sent can be shared with those around us.

Love 2

Today the scripture on love comes from 1 John 4:7. "Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God."
As I reflect on this season of love and love evident, this verse strikes me about this season. I had written in our newsletter that maybe one of the greatest gifts we could give one another is forgiveness. I believe that the only way we can offer that gift is if we love one another. The love that God shows us in Jesus Christ becomes for me the love that is all encompassing. Knowing that God's love has been extended to me allows me to share that love with others. According to 1 John, that can happen only because we are born of God and know God.
This season of love what are some of the ways that you can extend love to one another. Last Wednesday we talked about having a gentle spirit. In the hustle and bustle of this season, maybe one way we can be a messenger of love is through gentleness, kindness, patience, generosity, peace and most of all filled with joy.

Love 1

I was reading the insert that we have for our bulletins called Taking Faith Home. One of the suggestions was to read certain scriptures each day leading to Christmas Morn as a family and talk about the passage. The ending of the time was to say Our Household is a circle that is held together by God's love. Come, Lord Jesus, and fill us with your love. Amen.
The first scripture verse comes from Psalm 36:5. I am quoting from the TNIV:
"Your love, Lord, reaches to the heavens, your faithfulness to the skies."
Have you thought about the extant of God's love. Especially at this time of year. There is no end to it. A circle is a best way of imagining it if one can imagine a circle the contains all of the universe and beyond. There is no beginning or end to God's love. There is no place that God's love is not. Wherever we may be in our personal lives as well as places, God's love is already there and available. That is what makes this time of year so awesome. God who is present everywhere choose the particular to come to be with us. And in that birth to show us what love can look like for us. Stay tuned for the verse for tomorrow.
May God bless you and your family, friends, and church community during this time of Advent.

The hectic pace of Advent

I was reading in one of my devotionals about the hectic pace of Advent as a call to confession. I found this in This Day by Stookey. I wanted to share it with you as I have felt that push to be so busy that somewhere I have lost some sense of remembering. Here is what Stookey had to say:

The pressures of scheduling, that many people feel during Advent cause us to recall the opening words of a poem by William Wordsworth:
The World is too much with us; late and soon,
getting and spending, we lay waste our powers:
Little we see in Nature is ours.
As we rush from one social engagement to another, as we shop, and travel, and bake, and cook, and decorate, and send cards, and wrap gifts, the world seems far too much with us. And yet, that world is the very world God loved so much as to send Jesus into it! So in some sense the world is not with us enough, if our getting and spending distract us from it.
Ironically, even the Advent tasks of the church can distract us: the many services and the necessary preparation for them, the added social gatherings within the congregation--even these can put us further out of contact with the world God so loves. Thus Advent may compel us to confess:
O Lord, in preparing to see you more fully we have allowed ourselves to be blinded to the presence we are already capable of recognizing. Forgive us for putting, second matters first, for being distracted rather than edified. Remove from us all that competes with your way for us. Quiet us down, that we may be still and know that you are God, that in silence we may hear your Word with new clarity and keep it with new intensity. Grant this for the sake of Jesus, whom we would worship in spirit and in truth. Amen.

Twas a week before Christmas

It is hard to believe that a week from today is Christmas Eve. I am in the preparation for the services that night. At the same time, I am trying to take some time to reflect on where God is leading me. I have felt for a long time that God is leading us to re-examine what is our purpose as a church. A comment was made in a meeting that the purpose for what we do was to fill our pews. I was struck with that statement and failed to comment on that. As I have had time to reflect, our purpose is not to fill our pews but to make disciples of Jesus Christ who will transform our world. In fact I would even go to making committed disciples of Jesus Christ who will transform our world. I am always amazed as to how much emphasis is placed on having numbers rather than disciples making up the church. I believe that if a person is given the opportunity to become a committed disciple of Christ the pews will fill themselves. It is almost having the cart in front of the horse.

Maybe that is why Jesus did not start with building a new church or synagogue but rather started with teaching and living the good news with his followers. His emphasis, especially found in the transfiguration, was not to build tabernacles, temples, or even tents. His commission to us was to make disciples throughout the world, teaching them what he has taught us, baptizing them in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. For three hundred years there were no churches. People met in their homes or in the catacombs. When we who are called to be disciples begin to reach out to others in word and deed, we become what God has ordained.

This Christmas may be a time of reflecting on the stories found in the Gospels about Jesus, not only his birth, but what that may mean for you and I. Take some time this Christmas to spend with family and friends and share the good news of Christ. That will do more to fill the pews than anything else.

Advent article for the church newsletter

I wanted to put the entire article that I had written for our church newsletter. I made copies for the congregation but in the mailing half of what I had written was left off. Actually the first half was repeated twice. So here is the article and the rest of the story.
From the Pastor’s desk December

Everywhere we turn, we are surrounded by Christmas decorations and displays. As we anticipate this holiday season, I would ask what is it that would make the perfect gift for you and your family. We spend a lot of time looking for just the right gift to give to others whether spouses, significant others, children, co-workers and friends. We look to make that gift be special and meaningful. Sometimes we will spend a great deal of time just to find that special gift.
Here at the church we have many opportunities to give to those in our community as well as to children throughout the world to make this holiday season be a special Christmas. We finished our Operation Christmas Child and collected 32 packages to send overseas to children throughout the world. We are collecting new toys and other gifts for the Tri-Community United Methodist Church so that those in our community can share in the choosing of gifts that are so special for children and for children to share with their parents. We are collecting Stocking stuffers of socks, underwear, toiletries for the Open Door Mission and for Together, Inc. We have our mitten and hat tree for children here in Sarpy County. We have many opportunities to share our blessings for so many. This is especially of concern today as the economical worries surround us. Those who are most effected by the recession are those who are the hourly laborers. Omaha has been spared so far from the extreme effects of the economy but many will still have problems getting gifts for their special some ones.
This is also a time of anticipation for us. Throughout Advent, we will be looking at the times and concerns of the early church and the times of Jesus’ birth. They too were difficult times with many worries. What amazes me is that it was in such times that God chose to come to us. That God gave us the greatest gift that any of us could ever have and that was His Son. God gave us the gift of forgiveness. Jesus was born and lived so that he could offer himself as a sacrifice of love, the ultimate act of forgiveness. What a special gift that we have been given. In the midst of our shopping for that special gift for our special some one, I would like to encourage everyone to spend some time reflecting on what it means for us to receive such a gift. Maybe the perfect gift might be to seek out someone and to share forgiveness with them. To no longer hold onto past hurts but to share the love Jesus commanded us to show to one another. We discussed in our bible study the idea would we want to have God act towards us the way we sometimes act towards others.
Advent is the beginning of the church year. So maybe our Christmas resolution would be to give the gift of forgiveness to someone now.
May this Christmas be a joyous occasion. May you find the peace of God’s grace be with you. For in Jesus is that perfect gift for us all, we need no other.
Pastor Eldon
I hope that the message is one that we can all relate. We are called to forgive others as God has forgiven us. Spend some time thinking about that special person that you need to ask for forgiveness and extend the opportunity for reconciliation. That is what God has done in Christmas to us.

Monday morning musings

I am writing this following our children's service. What was wonderful about the service is that the program was the re-telling of the birth story of Jesus from Matthew and Luke. I have had many people comment so often about the Christmas season being one of shopping, feasting, family, and often not one of remembering what the holiday is supposed to be about. Christmas was been preempted by our secular society. What is interesting is that this is not new. I am reading a book on the Battle over Christmas. The author traces the concerns about Christmas throughout history especially looking at 1600's in England and the United States.
The early church did not celebrate the birth of Christ for many centuries. It was only after concerns about pagan celebrations that Christmas began to be celebrated. December was chosen even though from what we can determine in Scripture the actual birth of Jesus probably occurred in the spring nearer to Passover. December was chosen as there was a major Roman festival, Saturnus, around the winter solstice. The festival was one of excessive drinking, immorality. It was also a time when the poor of the people were not expected to work and that the well-to-do were to offer charity to the poor.
The early church struggled with the immorality of the season and came up with the idea of celebrating the birth of Christ at the same time. As one can see, there are similarities in the way we celebrate now as well as then, with the festival. Over the years that tradition continued. In England and the States this continued to be a time of excessive drinking and other vices. In fact the Puritans banned celebration of Christmas in the Northeastern states for over 60 years. Their concern was that Christmas was not scriptually based and led to nothing but problems.
The other major insight about Christmas as we celebrate this holiday in the US is Santa Claus. The idea of Santa probably did not come from the Dutch Saint Nicholas. Our image of Santa was the marketing idea of Macy's in the late 1800's.
Today we have been so inundated with secular and pagan imagery combined with Christian symbols it is difficult to tell where one begins and one ends. To have a festival to celebrate the beginning of the light returning to our hemisphere and for the harvest, is by itself not wrong. To insist that this has to do with the birth of Christ in the way we celebrate, is cause for reflection on all of our parts. Sharing with those who are less fortunate should not be a one time of year process but occur daily. That is why it was so important for us to remember the stories that supposed to shape us. It is not a matter of either or but of and both.

Advent reflection

We have started on our Advent Journey. I continue to reflect on what we discussed last Sunday as being prepared and being awake. We really do know what lies ahead but sometimes we allow ourselves to get so sidetracked that we fail to do what we know we are to do. I guess that this came home to me this morning as I went to a Weight Watchers meeting to weigh in. This is a time of year where if we do not spend time remembering who we are we can easily become so complacent and we fail to do the things that we are to do. I had set a goal of a certain weight by Christmas so that I can live a healthier life. Today I achieved that goal because I kept in mind what I needed to do using the skills the group has taught me. It is one thing to have a goal and another to actually work on that goal. Too often we set goals as to what we want to see and then believe it is going to happen without commitment and work.
The same is true about our church. If we want to truly live to our vision of sharing our gifts and growing the faith, we need to set goals as to what would that look like. Much as I set a specific measurable goal we need to begin the process of doing the same. As we do that, it means that we will often encounter times of trial and times of change. I believe that if we want to grow the faith we need to be willing to commit to doing just that for each of us. We were talking in our bible study group the importance of belonging to a small group. History has shown that any growth in the faith has always started as a small group of believers who commit themselves to live as disciples of Christ. Yet, in most churches that are established churches less than 40% of the people belong to some sort of small group. For you the reader are you involved in some small group whether church related or not that involves a commitment to make the world a better place for all people.
I also believe that when we commit ourselves to God's Will change is going to happen. Structures will be changed and the way we have done things in the past will no longer suffice. The question is are we willing to sacrifice my view to focus on God's call. We pray all the time for God's Will be done. Even in the garden Jesus prayed in anquish as to what lay ahead regarding his passion and he asked God if this cup could be passed but he ended it Not my will but Thine Will be done. As we look at the changes that are coming, we need to look at whether our desires are preventing or building the kingdom.