Wednesday evening reflection

I just got through with my Wednesday evening service.  We have been focusing on the fruits of the Spirit and tonight was on self-discipline.  Rather appropriate for the first Wednesday of the new year.  The main scripture came from 1 Corinthians 9:24-27.  I would invite readers to look it up.  Paul is talking about training like an athlete to run the race to claim the crown that is imperishable.  We talked about how that might be in our lives with the resolutions that we make as disciples.

I wanted to talk about another scripture that struck me.  We have a small men's group that meets on Saturdays at a local coffee shop.  As part of that we have been studying Proverbs, one chapter every day as there are 31 chapters.  I also listen to a podcast that is taking the Proverbs daily and a sister/mother podcast that is going through the Bible in one year.  I would recommend this site as one that informs and builds community and discipleship.  The website is www.dailyaudiobible.com   The verses that struck from January 6th are found in Proverbs 6:16-19.  I will be quoting from the Jewish Study Bible.

Six things the Lord hates; Seven are an abomination to Him:  A haughty bearing, a lying tongue, Hands that shed innocent blood, A mind that hatches evil plots, Feet quick to run to evil, A false witness testifying lies, And one who incites brothers and sisters to quarrel.

According to the notes on these verses the use of ascending numbers is often done for rhetorical purposes which would make the last the most serious offense.  I belong to a group of pastors that meets weekly and we share our celebrations and concerns with one another.  We also hold each other accountable to our calling.  We discussed the concerns that we had about what it means to be a leader within a church and ways that we can stay in the Spirit.  This proverb reminds me that I too am called not to do what the Lord hates.  The proverb goes on to suggest how to not do what the Lord hates.  From Proverbs 6:20-23, "My son, keep your father's commandment, do not forsake your mother's teaching.  Tie them over your heart always; bind them around your throat.  When you walk it will lead you; when you lie down it will watch over you; and when you are awake it will talk to you.  For the commandment is a lamp, the teaching is a light, and the way of life is the rebuke that disciplines."

When you are discouraged, remember the teaching of the scriptures, those who surround you that are supportive, and pray for God's guidance.  God will direct you to where you can receive solace and peace if you are willing to open to the Spirit.

May God be with you this day, strengthen you, guide you, lift you up, and bring to you God's love and mercy.

Baptismal vows

Today is Epiphany when the wise men journeyed seeking Jesus. This coming Sunday is a day when the church remembers the baptism of Jesus. As I was reflecting on this, I recalled my own decision to be baptized. In the United Methodist tradition, we encourage the baptism of infants and later they will take on their vows after confirmation. I grew up in the Christian Church, Disciples of Christ whose tradition was a believers baptism of immersion. I was 15 when I completed my pastor's course and decided to be baptized. Rather than debate which form of baptism is best or at what age, I recall the promises that I made at that time. Promises similar as to what our confirmands when they decide to join the church. I believe that it is important to remember those promises we make and do what we can to uphold them.

The scripture for today is from Mark 1:4, "John the Baptizer appeared in the wilderness, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. NRSV"

When I read this verse this morning, several thoughts went through my mind. The first was how have I lived to the promises that I made not only as a teenager but also as an adult when I joined the Methodist Church. For those who are not Methodists, the promises that every member makes is that they will faithfully participate in the ministries of the church by prayer, presence, gifts, service and witness. We are called to do all of these not just one or two but all five. In my reflections, I began to wonder if I were to be given a grade as to how faithfully I was doing all five what would I get. I would hope that I would get a passing grade if not an above average grade. I hope that I would be doing these promises not just because they are my priestly duties or obligations but are done out of my continuing joy of God.
I find it interesting that I would probably do very well on most of the promises and maybe can improve on a couple. One is witnessing beyond the sermon or bible study. And I mean witnessing like John the Baptist did calling people to repentance for the forgiveness of sins. I would guess that many of us would have some struggles in witnessing in that way. Yet, we are called to do so. We can do so through our willingness to share the good news of Jesus Christ.
Regardless of one's religious background, what grade would you give yourself regarding being faithful in your participation of ministries of your church, temple, synagogue? What a wonder it would be if everyone would spend more time in prayer, more time in participating in their community of faith, more time to sharing the gifts that we have been blessed, more time in service to others, and to witness to all that God has done.

Monday of the new year

Today is the first Monday of 2009. There was research done about Mondays and how people perceived them in a more negative light than say Fridays. The actuality is that Mondays are no worse than any other day of the week. The perception often attaches meaning to the day. Actually that is true about a lot of situations. What we perceive about a certain situation, attaches some sort of feeling and thoughts about that whether positive or negative. I believe that not only our perceptions but also values and familiarity also influences us. Change is often so difficult to deal with because it involves leaving behind our comfort zone and facing something new even if that is going to be better. The new year represents ever cycle new possibilities and how often do we stay stuck with what we have always done even when we know we need to move on.
Jesus often pointed out that he came to do something new and despite healing, feeding, and teaching he met resistance wherever he went. To offer something new, an epiphany of sorts, will generate some resistance no matter how needed the change and how wonderful the change is.
The concern is do we allow the resistance to the new derail the change. And can we do this without judging others as well as ourselves. I believe that we can do both change and allow the resistance to change to inform what we do. To rise above the inertia of doing nothing deals with the verse for today.

Psalm 29.2 KJV "Give unto the Lord the glory due unto his name; worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness."

As we begin to grow and address change, I hope that I and everyone would remember that we are to give glory to the Lord. For me if I keep that in front of me, I can deal with my own resistance and the resistance of others. For it is only for the glory of God that I do what I do.

Let your light shine

I wanted to write down some of what spoke to me about this Epiphany Sunday. The scriptures came from Isaiah 60:1-6 and Matthew 2:1-12. As I talked about, I was moved by an epiphany that I had in reading the scriptures. The prophet spoke that we should arise and seek the light of the Lord which surrounds us. I would have loved to play Michael W. Smith's "New Hallelujah." The chorus of the song says, "Arise, let the church arise/ Let Love each to the other side/ Alive, come alive/ Let the song arise." I believe that 2009 is a time to arise and become committed to what God is calling us to. I feel that God is the God of now and calls to us now. God did not quit at creation, with the Israelites, with Jesus, He is present with us now. We are the light, whether reflected light or spirit led light, that will attract or detract from God.
I believe in small groups that build committed disciples. As I felt about the wise persons who sought the new creation that God radically proposed in Jesus, we too need to seek God's continued glory that surrounds us. We do that by studying scriptures, prayer, putting our faith in action, spending time with other committed disciples, celebrating and praising, and keeping open to whatever new creation that God leads us.
God believes in change and calls us to continue to grow as a disciple. We never stop growing. So as the prophet says, "Get out of bed, Jerusalem! Wake up. Put your face in the sunlight. God's bright glory has risen for you. The whole earth is wrapped in darkness, all people sunk in deep darkness, but God rises on you, his sunrise glory breaks over you. Nations will come to your light, kings to your sunburst brightness. Isa 60:1-4 The Message."
So wake up, seek God's bright glory, and shine.

Sabbath

I have to confess that this morning in the men's group we talked about discipline and commitment and accountability. The bible study we do on Monday's seemed to speak to that this week as well as what we are doing in our group which is to look at Proverbs and we spent time talking about Proverbs 1-3. As we discussed what it had to say there were two verses that spoke most to me. These were Proverb 1.7 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; Fools despise wisdom and discipline. The other verses were 3.5-6, Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not rely on your understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths smooth both of these from the Jewish Study Bible.
As I was preparing my sermon and finalizing that, I realized how true those statements are. Rather than just thinking about how I am going to do something, maybe I need to remember to trust that God knows what needs to be done and if I take the time to open myself up to His will things will go smoother. As you prepare for your time with God remember that God so loves you that he came to us. Have a great Sabbath.

Being a shepherd

Here I am writing on the second day of the New Year. This morning started off maybe not on such a good note. I had to weigh in at Weight Watchers and I knew that it was not going to be what I wanted and I was right. This past week with the children and grandchildren I was not consistent with my weight plan. No one to blame but myself. So today I am back on track and ready to go.
I received a sad note that one of the people that I had confirmed in Paxton mother passed away. She had been diagnosed with ALS when she was pregnant and was not expected to live for more than 4-5 years. Her daughter is 16 before she finally went home to the Lord. No matter how much one can know that our life is mortal and no matter knowing how ill someone is, one is never ready to let go. Knowing that this has happened to many people during this time of year I would ask that any who read this please take time to keep in prayer those who have had loved ones die. Ask that the light of the Lord be with them, surround them, comfort them. God hold them close that they can feel your touch and offer them solace for their grief.

The verse for today comes from Jeremiah 31:10, "Hear the word of the Lord, O nations; proclaim it in distant coast lands. 'He who scattered Israel will gather them and will watch over his flock like a shepherd.'"

Today the image of a shepherd watching over their flock may be anachronistic to most of us. Today in the place of free range ranching we have barb wire, feed lots, and even corrals that keep the livestock confined and often keep the predators out. The idea of the shepherd sleeping outside near his or her flock is unusual. Though ranchers are concerned about protecting their animals so that they can grow and develop. Yet, in scripture the use of the image of shepherds is a common image. One where the shepherd is present near the animals to care and protect them.
I want to share a more modern image. When I was in seminary in Kansas City, I spent Mondays doing volunteer work at Broadway Christian Church in the downtown area. Where the church was located, there were a number of people homeless, drug addicts, prostitutes, and many who were one pay check away from being homeless. The church had started a Micah Project where they would offer a meal for anyone who wanted one, counseling to help with ending domestic violence or to end their life as a prostitute, had a clothes pantry for families, and offer support in whatever the workers could do. What was unique about the program was that it was not a soup line, but the people would come and sit at tables and be waited on. For the two years that I was involved in the program there never was any serious problems with violence though the number of murders in that area was high.
I remember on one of the first few nights that I was there, a man came in for a meal. He was about 6 and half feet tall and weighed probably 250. His hair was unkempt, his clothes were filthy, his body smelled from cigarettes and alcohol. For many he would be frightening to even speak to let alone sit beside. I ended up sitting beside him and had the opportunity to get to know him. I found out from him and from others who knew him that he lived on the street and that he was trying to stop his use of alcohol. The first night that I met him, he asked if he could take a plate of food with him. Normally we could not allow that because of the health department. What we did was make a sandwich and brown bag so that it was wrapped. It was winter and the temperature outside was to be below 20. I asked him what he was going to do with the food and he told me that he was aware of a new person, young who was living on the streets. He had tried to get the young man to come to the church but he refused. This young man had no coat, no blanket, and no food. He had taken his blanket and gave it to the young man and had given him his coat so that he wouldn't freeze. He felt that since he had lived on the street for such a long period of time, he had an obligation to help those who were not able to care for themselves. So he was going to give the person food, warmth, and what little shelter there could be on the streets. Needless to say before he left, we got him a new coat and a new blanket. He was moved that we would care to do this when we did not even have to take the time or effort.
There was something about him that still guides me today. He was a modern shepherd caring for those who were vulnerable. He also told me that when someone dies on the street, one will never hear about it. There is no obituary, often no service, the body is taken to some "potters field" with no one but the others on the street to mourn over them. We made it a point to remember those who had died on the streets of Kansas City and to conduct a memorial service for them.
Who are your shepherds? And who are you shepherding?

Happy New Year

I want to wish everyone a very happy New Year and blessings for 2009. Nancy and I just got back from spending time with a group of special people celebrating this day. The food was excellent, the games fun, but most of all the company was outstanding. I enjoy greatly time spent laughing and enjoying the day with people that we have come to know and to care for.
Nancy and I did not watch the ball come down in NYC. Though I was awakened by the fireworks that started early. Those times of staying up late seem to be passing me by. I did manage to sleep in some this morning before we headed off. I have a group of men from the church that I meet with and we enjoy getting together and sharing with one another. They and the people in the Monday night bible study tend to help me stay the course and to continue to be accountable. From them and my pastor covenant group, I find a source of support for my continued spiritual growth. One of the reasons that I believe so strongly in small groups. It is with a close group one can become more intimate and be more spiritually mature. It is out of that I have committed to writing here daily sharing the bible verse of the day.

Today the bible verse comes from John 1:14-15 "And the Word became flesh and lived among us...John testified to him and cried out, 'This was he of whom I said, He comes after me ranks ahead of me because he was before me.'"

What struck me about this particular passage was John stated that Jesus, who is the Word become flesh, ranks ahead of himself. John was aware that his purpose was to testify about the coming of God's Kingdom into this world. He was aware that he was not the bringer of that kingdom but just the messenger. Today we are the messengers of that kingdom but are not the ones who bring it about. Only God can bring about His kingdom.
Yet, I don't know about you but there are times that I hear about people who might believe that it is what they do that influences the kingdom not what Jesus did. An example is that when I am around other pastors, I hear them speak of the great things that they have done in growing their particular churches. For some of the pastors, I know well enough that I realize they don't mean to take the credit. Though there are others who I wonder about. Sometimes I get the feeling that they feel that it is their work and theirs alone that makes things happen. Maybe one of the reasons that I am sensitive to this is that I can also get caught up in the idea that what happens is the result of my efforts and not give credit to God. I believe that when growth happens, when the kingdom can be glimpsed, is when God blesses the work that we are doing. The adage that there is a God and I am not Him. At best I can be like John the Baptist and proclaim that there is one greater than myself or greater that anyone else that I testify to.
In your life, remember that you and I are the messengers. To what are we testifying? Is it about myself and my opinions or is it about the Kingdom of God? Rick Warren as well as others states that it is not about me or about you, it is about God and Jesus. This new year let it be a time that we can lift up God in ourselves, our families, our church, and our communities. Knowing that the light of God surrounds us.