NOTE: I will be on vacation until June 12th and while I will have computer access the time will be spent with my wife not on the computer. See you when I return. Peace and grace, Pastor Jim
It is never a good thing to compare one generation to another or one era with another. These were different times that required a different set of guidelines. An example is that growing up in Miami we used electric fans in the windows to create a cool breeze through the room. We didn’t turn on the A/C because for one, we didn’t have A/C and secondly, we couldn’t afford to purchase one. Another example, we didn’t spend our evenings sitting before a TV but playing board games or running outside playing hide-n-seek because for one, we didn’t have a TV and secondly, we couldn’t afford a TV. Another example, Mom hung the wash out on the clothesline (she hung a pretty wash) instead of throwing it into a dryer because for one, we didn’t have a clothes dryer and secondly, we couldn’t afford a clothes dryer. Another example, we didn’t run to the store at the drop of the hat, we planned our weekly trips very carefully because we only had one car and Dad had it at work and we couldn’t afford a second car … different era, different priorities, different view of necessities. So it is a little dangerous to make comparisons on how one generation lived verses the present generation.
But … having said that, when the following arrived in my e-mail box it did cause me to pause and thinking that life in a previous time was harder and far more resourceful simply because it was either the way of life then and/or because we didn’t have the financial resources to live it any other way ... besides, much of what we have today hadn’t been invented yet or was just too expensive. It is simply a matter of perspective … therefore, one generation shouldn’t be too smug about what they did or didn’t do because all we have to do is look around us and discover that those of us who are now a part of the “older generation” who grew up not turning on powerful energy consuming contraptions, hanging out our clothes, walking to the store, climbing stairs, using cloth diapers, playing board games or sitting on the front porch in the evening instead of turning on the TV … are NOT still living that old lifestyle. We are enjoying the modern conveniences, but maybe we should give another look at what the previous generation did do and rediscover some of the more simple ways of living that was a part of their era. It wouldn’t hurt … it is just a matter of perspective …
How Wasteful the Older Generation Was ...
Author unknown
In the line at the store, the young cashier told the older woman that she should bring her own grocery bag because plastic bags weren’t good for the environment. The woman apologized to him and explained, “We didn’t have the green thing back in my day.”
The clerk responded, "That's our problem today. The former generation did not care enough to save our environment."
But she was right, that generation didn’t have the green thing in its day.
Back then, they returned their milk bottles, soda bottles and beer bottles to the store. The store sent them back to the plant to be washed and sterilized and refilled, so it could use the same bottles over and over. So they really were recycled.
But they didn’t have the green thing back in that customer's day.
In her day, they walked up stairs, because they didn’t have an escalator in every store and office building. They walked to the grocery store and didn’t climb into a 300-horsepower machine every time they had to go two blocks.
But she was right. They didn’t have the green thing in her day.
Back then, they washed the baby’s diapers because they didn’t have the throwaway kind. They dried clothes on a line, not in an energy-gobbling machine burning up 220 volts – wind and solar power really did dry the clothes. Kids got hand-me-down clothes from their brothers or sisters, not always brand-new clothing.
But that old lady was right; they didn’t have the green thing back in her day.
Back then, they had one radio and, later, maybe one TV, in the house – not one in every room. And the TV had a screen the size of a handkerchief, not the size of Montana. In the kitchen, they blended and stirred by hand because they didn’t have electric appliances to do everything for them.
When they packaged a fragile item to send in the mail, they used a wadded up old newspaper to cushion it, not Styrofoam or plastic bubble wrap.
Back then, they didn’t fire up an engine and burn gasoline just to cut the grass. They used a push mower that ran on human power. They exercised by working, so they didn’t need to go to a health club to run on treadmills that operate on electricity.
But she’s right; they didn’t have the green thing back then.
They drank from a fountain when they were thirsty instead of using a cup or a plastic bottle every time they had a drink of water. They refilled their writing pens with ink instead of buying a new pen, and they replaced the razor blades in a razor instead of throwing away the whole razor just because the blade got dull.
But they didn’t have the green thing back then.
Back then, people took a streetcar or bus, and kids rode their bikes or rode the school bus to school instead of turning their moms into a 24-hour taxi service. They had one electrical outlet in a room, not an entire bank of outlets to power a dozen appliances. And they didn’t need a computerized gadget to receive a signal beamed from satellites 2,000 miles out in space in order to find the nearest pizza joint.
But isn't it sad that the current generation laments how wasteful the old folks were just because they didn't have the green thing back then?
Friday, May 27, 2011
Thursday, May 26, 2011
The aha moment of discovery that we are loved and that we can love
Each of us needs to know that we are loved. Each of us deserves to be loved. Each of us desires to be instruments of love. Each of us wants to be loving … or at least that is my assumption.
This week’s devotional meditations all deal with the instructions to love one another as God has loved us. The aha moment came shortly after my father passed away and my only living brother sat at our table revealing how he and my other brother would discuss their concern for me. You see, what I was trying to deal with was that my mother was a verbal abuser and my dad was a physical abuser. Since I was strong of will and a little more that mouthy I figured I disserved what I was getting. My brother was quick to remind me that maybe there were moments here and there that punishment should have been experienced, but what I was receiving from my parents was more than anyone, regardless how strong willed or mouthy they might be, should be exposed to.
Essentially I grew up thinking that I wasn’t worthy of love. Maybe that is why I ended up becoming a minister because it was in and through the church that I gained some self-worth … it was through the people at church that I was accepted for who I was … it was the people of God that affirmed me … it was within the body of Christ that I discovered what it meant to be home. Thank you church!
So now, with my Master of Divinity degree in hand and my ordination orders hanging on the wall, I stood to proclaim the reality of love and acceptance while still dealing with the ghosts of events past and of the other things that go “bump-in-the-night” when you don’t expect it. I shared the testimony of a saving Savior, an accepting Lord and an approving Father. The aha moment was when I came to realize that one of the major reasons for Jesus Christ is so that we would come to accept the reality of being loved for it is only when we are accepted and affirmed that we are enabled to turn outward to love and accept love.
We are love because we have been loved! … Aha!
This week’s meditations, writings and biblical lessons hit as close to home as anything previously. Within the writings is this prayer authored by Kenneth G. Philer in his book, “A Book of Uncommon Prayer.”
Almighty God, I know so little of what love in its fullness can be. My love is marred by jealously, scarred by envy, limited by selfishness. I withhold love at the slightest provocation, and withdraw myself from involvement with others for fear of being hurt.
Still, I know something of what love can be like. I can remember being forgiven generously and freely by someone I had wronged. I can remember being comforted and cared for when, bruised and battered, I crept home. I can remember being made strong by the realization that someone cared. I am grateful for such experiences, for they tell me what love is about. And if the Lord Jesus be right, to know what love is like is to know what you are like.
If we humans can manifest unselfishness and concern, is it not because such experiences are of the very nature of that which is most important? For out of the heart of the Lord Jesus came the evidences of his love for all kinds of people and his refusal to give up on any of us. I am grateful for that love and for that refusal, for in him I have hope. I can even hope that I may catch more of his Spirit in my life. Will you help me to be more outgoing, less sensitive to slights, and more alert to the feelings of others? Will you help me to be less quick to judge and less righteous in my indignation? Will you help me to be more open to life and to other people? Will you give me confidence enough to be less defensive and less ready to react to rebuffs? Give me steadiness and firmness and true commitment to the life of faith. Amen.
Healing comes in little things and with grand sweeping things. Healing comes when we least expect it and when we have worked our fingers to the bone to achieve it. Healing comes through many channels by the graciousness of knowing and unknowing individuals. Healing stands at the threshold of our hearts to bring peace and fulfillment to our souls. Healing comes and we go, “Aha!” and discover God’s love through Jesus Christ … that we are loved unconditionally. Healing comes when we can turn outward to love others … unconditionally.
Quote for today: It is natural to love them that love us, but it is supernatural to love them that hate us. ~Source Unknown.
This week’s devotional meditations all deal with the instructions to love one another as God has loved us. The aha moment came shortly after my father passed away and my only living brother sat at our table revealing how he and my other brother would discuss their concern for me. You see, what I was trying to deal with was that my mother was a verbal abuser and my dad was a physical abuser. Since I was strong of will and a little more that mouthy I figured I disserved what I was getting. My brother was quick to remind me that maybe there were moments here and there that punishment should have been experienced, but what I was receiving from my parents was more than anyone, regardless how strong willed or mouthy they might be, should be exposed to.
Essentially I grew up thinking that I wasn’t worthy of love. Maybe that is why I ended up becoming a minister because it was in and through the church that I gained some self-worth … it was through the people at church that I was accepted for who I was … it was the people of God that affirmed me … it was within the body of Christ that I discovered what it meant to be home. Thank you church!
So now, with my Master of Divinity degree in hand and my ordination orders hanging on the wall, I stood to proclaim the reality of love and acceptance while still dealing with the ghosts of events past and of the other things that go “bump-in-the-night” when you don’t expect it. I shared the testimony of a saving Savior, an accepting Lord and an approving Father. The aha moment was when I came to realize that one of the major reasons for Jesus Christ is so that we would come to accept the reality of being loved for it is only when we are accepted and affirmed that we are enabled to turn outward to love and accept love.
We are love because we have been loved! … Aha!
This week’s meditations, writings and biblical lessons hit as close to home as anything previously. Within the writings is this prayer authored by Kenneth G. Philer in his book, “A Book of Uncommon Prayer.”
Almighty God, I know so little of what love in its fullness can be. My love is marred by jealously, scarred by envy, limited by selfishness. I withhold love at the slightest provocation, and withdraw myself from involvement with others for fear of being hurt.
Still, I know something of what love can be like. I can remember being forgiven generously and freely by someone I had wronged. I can remember being comforted and cared for when, bruised and battered, I crept home. I can remember being made strong by the realization that someone cared. I am grateful for such experiences, for they tell me what love is about. And if the Lord Jesus be right, to know what love is like is to know what you are like.
If we humans can manifest unselfishness and concern, is it not because such experiences are of the very nature of that which is most important? For out of the heart of the Lord Jesus came the evidences of his love for all kinds of people and his refusal to give up on any of us. I am grateful for that love and for that refusal, for in him I have hope. I can even hope that I may catch more of his Spirit in my life. Will you help me to be more outgoing, less sensitive to slights, and more alert to the feelings of others? Will you help me to be less quick to judge and less righteous in my indignation? Will you help me to be more open to life and to other people? Will you give me confidence enough to be less defensive and less ready to react to rebuffs? Give me steadiness and firmness and true commitment to the life of faith. Amen.
Healing comes in little things and with grand sweeping things. Healing comes when we least expect it and when we have worked our fingers to the bone to achieve it. Healing comes through many channels by the graciousness of knowing and unknowing individuals. Healing stands at the threshold of our hearts to bring peace and fulfillment to our souls. Healing comes and we go, “Aha!” and discover God’s love through Jesus Christ … that we are loved unconditionally. Healing comes when we can turn outward to love others … unconditionally.
Quote for today: It is natural to love them that love us, but it is supernatural to love them that hate us. ~Source Unknown.
Wednesday, May 25, 2011
A pastor's perspective on the DNA-factor - how it controls us and the possibilities for our future
It is intriguing this phrase out of Psalm 128 – “You will eat the fruit of your labor.” Or, within a different context, Galatians 6:7 – “You will reap what you sow.” It is intriguing because we know this as a reality, but live in the hopes that it won’t be true … at least for us … that somehow we can escape this fact of life … maybe this time reality will simply pass us by.
I couldn’t quite put my finger on the problem and neither could many of the leaders of the church. We were right on the edge of great possibilities, but could never reach the horizon. We would get close, but something always erupted to hold us back … and when I say, “erupted” I mean erupted like in a volcanic eruption. This shouldn’t have come as a surprise to any of us since we had discussed the fact that after every board meeting the discussion continued out in the parking lot as the board divided into 3 separate and distinct groups. One of the groups would be against whatever we just passed in the board meeting and would request that the issue be revisited the following month. Were they reaping what they had sown? Were they eating the fruit of their labor … a bitter fruit that would set anyone’s teeth on edge?
And then we had our 25th Anniversary. We invited the founding pastor back to preach on Sunday, but we also had a celebration dinner the night before where some of the charter members told funny stories about the church’s beginning and kind of “roasted” the founding pastor in the process. In his closing remarks, this pastor turned on a light of understanding for all of us leaders. He stated, “I knew that this church would always be a strong church because we never did anything without a good fight!” BINGO … there it was … he had established a negative DNA-factor that was negatively affecting us 25-years later.
We cannot change our personal DNA and I doubt, without a tremendous amount of work and a very long pastorate, can a church change its DNA. The challenge is how can we take what we are given to make it work within the context of our life … that is the “tremendous amount of work” that I was referring to.
After the 25th Anniversary celebration the leaders and each of the pastors that have followed have slowly – often painfully – began the process of learning how to live and work within the DNA that they were given. Twenty-five years later they are still working with it. At times they have become dispirited and discouraged, but they have hung in there, the faithful and committed few. It has helped that there have been a few timely deaths and several of the groups have disbanded, as well as certain members have moved on to other churches. But the struggle continues because the DNA gets past on to the next generation.
Galatians 5:15 states – “If you keep on biting and devouring each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other.” It is hard not to get caught up in all of the “pot-stirring” as one member of my present church shared during our share group, especially when one of the “pot-stirrers” is a spouse of a staff person. All of this just reinforces the DNA-factor of our heritage.
The key is that at all times and in all places to allow Love to reign.
The couple sat before me. Their home, the evening before, looked like a battlefield from WWII. Everything and anything that could have been thrown and broken was scattered across the floor. A truce was made … at least until they could meet with me the next morning, after all it was after midnight and it had been a long day. Besides I didn’t think sitting in the middle of all the rubble was conducive to a good discussion on how to make their marriage work. So here we sat facing each other. Gradually their stories began to emerge of their upbringing, experiences, and background. They had been given bad DNA and their needs were well beyond what little skills I had as a pastoral counselor.
The recommendation was made for them to see a particular counselor in the area. Why this counselor? Well, I had heard about the personality-interpersonal DNA that she was given and saw what she was able to do with it. This couple needed her skills. The result was successful because the counselor shared with them what had worked for her in overcoming negative/destructive DNA.
It requires a tremendous amount of work, tons of patience, a willingness to admit ones failings, a desire to change and truck loads of forgiveness from others … but paying the price of hard work it is possible both as individuals and as a church to begin to reap the fruits of our labors as the DNA changes by the power of the Holy Spirit.
A hymn from the pen of Charles Wesley speaks to this reality: Forgive My Foes? It Cannot Be:
Forgive my foes? it cannot be:
My foes with cordial love embrace?
Fast bound in sin and misery,
Unsaved, unchanged by hallowing grace,
Throughout my fallen soul I fee
With man this is impossible.
Great Searcher of the mazy heart,
A thought from thee I would not hide,
I cannot draw th’envenomed dart,
Or quench this hell of wrath and pride,
Jesus, till I thy Spirit receive,
Thou know’st, I never can forgive.
Come, Lord, and tame the tiger’s force,
Arrest the whirlwind in my will,
Turn back the torrent’s rapid course,
And bid the headlong sun stand still,
The rock dissolve, the mountain move,
And melt my hatred into love.
Root out the wrath thou dost retain;
And when I have my Savior’s mind,
I cannot render pain for pain,
I cannot speak a word unkind,
An angry thought I cannot know,
Or count mine injurer my foe.
I couldn’t quite put my finger on the problem and neither could many of the leaders of the church. We were right on the edge of great possibilities, but could never reach the horizon. We would get close, but something always erupted to hold us back … and when I say, “erupted” I mean erupted like in a volcanic eruption. This shouldn’t have come as a surprise to any of us since we had discussed the fact that after every board meeting the discussion continued out in the parking lot as the board divided into 3 separate and distinct groups. One of the groups would be against whatever we just passed in the board meeting and would request that the issue be revisited the following month. Were they reaping what they had sown? Were they eating the fruit of their labor … a bitter fruit that would set anyone’s teeth on edge?
And then we had our 25th Anniversary. We invited the founding pastor back to preach on Sunday, but we also had a celebration dinner the night before where some of the charter members told funny stories about the church’s beginning and kind of “roasted” the founding pastor in the process. In his closing remarks, this pastor turned on a light of understanding for all of us leaders. He stated, “I knew that this church would always be a strong church because we never did anything without a good fight!” BINGO … there it was … he had established a negative DNA-factor that was negatively affecting us 25-years later.
We cannot change our personal DNA and I doubt, without a tremendous amount of work and a very long pastorate, can a church change its DNA. The challenge is how can we take what we are given to make it work within the context of our life … that is the “tremendous amount of work” that I was referring to.
After the 25th Anniversary celebration the leaders and each of the pastors that have followed have slowly – often painfully – began the process of learning how to live and work within the DNA that they were given. Twenty-five years later they are still working with it. At times they have become dispirited and discouraged, but they have hung in there, the faithful and committed few. It has helped that there have been a few timely deaths and several of the groups have disbanded, as well as certain members have moved on to other churches. But the struggle continues because the DNA gets past on to the next generation.
Galatians 5:15 states – “If you keep on biting and devouring each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other.” It is hard not to get caught up in all of the “pot-stirring” as one member of my present church shared during our share group, especially when one of the “pot-stirrers” is a spouse of a staff person. All of this just reinforces the DNA-factor of our heritage.
The key is that at all times and in all places to allow Love to reign.
The couple sat before me. Their home, the evening before, looked like a battlefield from WWII. Everything and anything that could have been thrown and broken was scattered across the floor. A truce was made … at least until they could meet with me the next morning, after all it was after midnight and it had been a long day. Besides I didn’t think sitting in the middle of all the rubble was conducive to a good discussion on how to make their marriage work. So here we sat facing each other. Gradually their stories began to emerge of their upbringing, experiences, and background. They had been given bad DNA and their needs were well beyond what little skills I had as a pastoral counselor.
The recommendation was made for them to see a particular counselor in the area. Why this counselor? Well, I had heard about the personality-interpersonal DNA that she was given and saw what she was able to do with it. This couple needed her skills. The result was successful because the counselor shared with them what had worked for her in overcoming negative/destructive DNA.
It requires a tremendous amount of work, tons of patience, a willingness to admit ones failings, a desire to change and truck loads of forgiveness from others … but paying the price of hard work it is possible both as individuals and as a church to begin to reap the fruits of our labors as the DNA changes by the power of the Holy Spirit.
A hymn from the pen of Charles Wesley speaks to this reality: Forgive My Foes? It Cannot Be:
Forgive my foes? it cannot be:
My foes with cordial love embrace?
Fast bound in sin and misery,
Unsaved, unchanged by hallowing grace,
Throughout my fallen soul I fee
With man this is impossible.
Great Searcher of the mazy heart,
A thought from thee I would not hide,
I cannot draw th’envenomed dart,
Or quench this hell of wrath and pride,
Jesus, till I thy Spirit receive,
Thou know’st, I never can forgive.
Come, Lord, and tame the tiger’s force,
Arrest the whirlwind in my will,
Turn back the torrent’s rapid course,
And bid the headlong sun stand still,
The rock dissolve, the mountain move,
And melt my hatred into love.
Root out the wrath thou dost retain;
And when I have my Savior’s mind,
I cannot render pain for pain,
I cannot speak a word unkind,
An angry thought I cannot know,
Or count mine injurer my foe.
Tuesday, May 24, 2011
Radical hospitality as illustrated by the life of Bill Ross
The overriding subject matter for my directed mediation this week is “Love One Another.” Today it asked me to think about radical hospitality. Radical is an interesting word – “relating to, or proceeding from the root,” “relating to the origin: fundamental,” “marked by a considerable departure from the usual or traditional: Extreme” – are but a few of the dictionary definitions.
A hospitality that is expressed out of the very core of our being; a hospitality that is simply a reality of our relationship with Jesus Christ; a hospitality that the world views as different and unusual; a hospitality that is more than just making people feel welcomed; a hospitality that doesn’t just go the second mile, but also the third, fourth and tenth extra mile … Radical hospitality.
When I think of radical hospitality I think of Bill Ross. My home church was started on his grandmother’s front porch. When anyone spoke of Allapattah Methodist they spoke and thought of Bill Ross and vise versa. You could use either one to define the other. They were one and the same. Bill showed radical hospitality. He could spot a visitor to the church at first glance. He didn’t need the visitors to stand up and identify themselves. He knew. And if you were absent from church he knew … and this wasn’t a small congregation and there were multiple services on Sunday morning. He simply knew the people because of an incredible love. His radical hospitality was rooted in his relationship with Christ. If Christ loved them then Bill Ross loved them. It was fundamental to who and what he was … and it was extreme.
Bill had a warm handshake, a bear of a hug, and a smile that would melt steel. His laugh would fill a stadium and spill out. Once he had you in his sight there was no escaping. His joy was contagious. You were not in his presence for very long before you discovered the source of his caring and the root of his love … namely, Jesus Christ. He radiated this love.
It was shared at his memorial service that when they sat down for Sunday dinner they never knew how many people would be putting their feet under their dining room table. Could be just the family or it could family plus ten or twelve more. They simply never knew. This “Ross Tradition” started during the war. If anyone showed up in a military uniform they were going to end up at the Ross home for Sunday dinner.
After the war this “tradition” carried over to those young men who attend Emery-Riddle just down the street from the church. And then Bill would start picking up any visitor who attended the worship service. The question was always asked, “Do you have plans for lunch?” It was hard to refuse his offer especially with his arm wrapped around your shoulder and his eyes locked on yours … and that ever warming smile. It was so warm, so inviting, so genuine, so … well, it was just so Bill Rose!
Radical hospitality – doing what nobody else would do, extending a welcome and an invite like nobody else, making the stranger feel like family, caring for the person deeper than they even care for themselves, going beyond the expected, making a difference, imprinting their soul with the outline of Christ – radical hospitality.
With Bill Ross the same radical hospitality was experienced if you visited his little soda shop or was just a stranger on the street. He never met anyone he didn’t instantly love, fell into a deep conversation with and would know your life story before you said your goodbyes. He was genuine, unique and deeply committed to changing the world in which he lived. He was radical in every way. The dictionary must have had him in mind when writing the definition. Was so amazing is that he didn’t have to go out of his way nor force himself to remember or to try … it just flowed from his inner being … his core values. Radical hospitality was as natural to Bill as was breathing.
As Christians were are called to show radical hospitality. As the opening prayer in my weekly meditation guide reads: “Turn our hostility into hospitality and our callousness into care.” What a prayer, what a thought, what a challenge … what a goal!
Quote for today: May peace be with you while you stay, and joy be with you on your way. ~An Irish blessing
A hospitality that is expressed out of the very core of our being; a hospitality that is simply a reality of our relationship with Jesus Christ; a hospitality that the world views as different and unusual; a hospitality that is more than just making people feel welcomed; a hospitality that doesn’t just go the second mile, but also the third, fourth and tenth extra mile … Radical hospitality.
When I think of radical hospitality I think of Bill Ross. My home church was started on his grandmother’s front porch. When anyone spoke of Allapattah Methodist they spoke and thought of Bill Ross and vise versa. You could use either one to define the other. They were one and the same. Bill showed radical hospitality. He could spot a visitor to the church at first glance. He didn’t need the visitors to stand up and identify themselves. He knew. And if you were absent from church he knew … and this wasn’t a small congregation and there were multiple services on Sunday morning. He simply knew the people because of an incredible love. His radical hospitality was rooted in his relationship with Christ. If Christ loved them then Bill Ross loved them. It was fundamental to who and what he was … and it was extreme.
Bill had a warm handshake, a bear of a hug, and a smile that would melt steel. His laugh would fill a stadium and spill out. Once he had you in his sight there was no escaping. His joy was contagious. You were not in his presence for very long before you discovered the source of his caring and the root of his love … namely, Jesus Christ. He radiated this love.
It was shared at his memorial service that when they sat down for Sunday dinner they never knew how many people would be putting their feet under their dining room table. Could be just the family or it could family plus ten or twelve more. They simply never knew. This “Ross Tradition” started during the war. If anyone showed up in a military uniform they were going to end up at the Ross home for Sunday dinner.
After the war this “tradition” carried over to those young men who attend Emery-Riddle just down the street from the church. And then Bill would start picking up any visitor who attended the worship service. The question was always asked, “Do you have plans for lunch?” It was hard to refuse his offer especially with his arm wrapped around your shoulder and his eyes locked on yours … and that ever warming smile. It was so warm, so inviting, so genuine, so … well, it was just so Bill Rose!
Radical hospitality – doing what nobody else would do, extending a welcome and an invite like nobody else, making the stranger feel like family, caring for the person deeper than they even care for themselves, going beyond the expected, making a difference, imprinting their soul with the outline of Christ – radical hospitality.
With Bill Ross the same radical hospitality was experienced if you visited his little soda shop or was just a stranger on the street. He never met anyone he didn’t instantly love, fell into a deep conversation with and would know your life story before you said your goodbyes. He was genuine, unique and deeply committed to changing the world in which he lived. He was radical in every way. The dictionary must have had him in mind when writing the definition. Was so amazing is that he didn’t have to go out of his way nor force himself to remember or to try … it just flowed from his inner being … his core values. Radical hospitality was as natural to Bill as was breathing.
As Christians were are called to show radical hospitality. As the opening prayer in my weekly meditation guide reads: “Turn our hostility into hospitality and our callousness into care.” What a prayer, what a thought, what a challenge … what a goal!
Quote for today: May peace be with you while you stay, and joy be with you on your way. ~An Irish blessing
Monday, May 23, 2011
Reflections on a spiritual journey
Spiritual journeys are interesting. They take on a life of their own. They are somewhat like the cars that are being advertised now that park themselves. You push a button and take your hands off the wheel and the car does the rest. When we place ourselves into the hands of God and stop trying to control the outcome things happen. So it is with my life.
I don’t know why I am amazed by all of this, but I am. In retrospect I look back to 2007. For the previous five years I had been serving as part-time interim pastor to a congregational church. There were a few leaders who desired above all common sense that they wanted to move to a full timer and one from their own denomination. It was not a wise move because of no other reason than the money just wasn’t there to support this effort. I was willing to continue, but that wasn’t in the cards and so, a vote was taken, a new pastor was hired and I moved on. Actually, in celebration of this change and turning 65 I fulfilled one of my bucket list wishes by skydiving. Oh, what a thrill … not all changes are thrilling, but all of them I believe are God created.
Was the hand of God at work here? We began our transition to Bradenton even though we loved our home in DeLand. It wasn’t the best time to move, the DeLand home was nearly paid off, the financial market was moving in the wrong direction and the housing bubble was about to bust. The move was made, we settled in, have rented out the DeLand home wanting for the market to return and began to search for a new church to call home.
A new pastor had come to Trinity, a friend of some years who needed some help. I jumped in with both feet. Before I knew what was happening the volunteer hours were starting to mount up … 10 then 15 then 20 hours per week. Yet, in the back of my mind there was an uneasy tension. Is this really what God wants me to do? Oh, the church was appreciative, but the uneasiness continued to build. A well-timed vacation, that took us out west for about 4plus weeks, allowed some quiet time of reflection. What I was doing for the church a layperson could do and should be doing. A strong feeling over took me … back away and wait. Prepare. I hate waiting … it takes so long!
The growing feeling of unrest continued to grow. Couldn’t put my finger on why, but it just continued to gnaw away at my spirit. I needed to be in a mindset and position for God to use me. I continued to visit in the hospital for the church, but not much of that anymore. A surgery, a couple of other short stays in the hospitals and demands of rehab really slowed me down, caused me to have a lot of quiet time and really pull away from the volunteer visitation position with some grace.
The prayer continued … here I am Lord use me. Then an email arrived followed by a phone call from the pastor. There was a church in need of a part-time pastor and he was recommending me for the position. Here I am Lord use me. Contact with the District Superintendent and before I knew all of the details I had an assignment.
The devotional material for the last several weeks (shared via this blog) had me looking at the Good Shepherd, being a True Disciple and making my home in the Word of God. Be careful what you pray for because God just might start taking you seriously. So now at the age of 68 I take up the responsibility of pastoring another flock, of breaking the Bread of Life for another gathering of Saints, of looking after the spiritual and emotional needs of fellow travelers on this spiritual journey.
Help me to remember that the car parks itself … as long as I take my hands off the wheel. It is not about me, I am not in charge and it is not about what I might wish, desire, want … it is about God and his Kingdom. Yes, I need to run this race. There is a fire burning in my spirit that will not be quenched for if I try to put it out it will truly consume me. As John Wesley shared, “God set me on fire and people from all over England come to see me burn.” May it be so for those in Palmetto and Bradenton and Parrish … may I burn brightly for the Lord!
Quote for today: After three years of ministry, hundreds of miles, thousands of miracles, innumerable teachings, Jesus asks who. Jesus bids the people to ponder not what he has done but who he is. It’s the ultimate question of the Christ: Whose son is he? ~Max Lucado
I don’t know why I am amazed by all of this, but I am. In retrospect I look back to 2007. For the previous five years I had been serving as part-time interim pastor to a congregational church. There were a few leaders who desired above all common sense that they wanted to move to a full timer and one from their own denomination. It was not a wise move because of no other reason than the money just wasn’t there to support this effort. I was willing to continue, but that wasn’t in the cards and so, a vote was taken, a new pastor was hired and I moved on. Actually, in celebration of this change and turning 65 I fulfilled one of my bucket list wishes by skydiving. Oh, what a thrill … not all changes are thrilling, but all of them I believe are God created.
Was the hand of God at work here? We began our transition to Bradenton even though we loved our home in DeLand. It wasn’t the best time to move, the DeLand home was nearly paid off, the financial market was moving in the wrong direction and the housing bubble was about to bust. The move was made, we settled in, have rented out the DeLand home wanting for the market to return and began to search for a new church to call home.
A new pastor had come to Trinity, a friend of some years who needed some help. I jumped in with both feet. Before I knew what was happening the volunteer hours were starting to mount up … 10 then 15 then 20 hours per week. Yet, in the back of my mind there was an uneasy tension. Is this really what God wants me to do? Oh, the church was appreciative, but the uneasiness continued to build. A well-timed vacation, that took us out west for about 4plus weeks, allowed some quiet time of reflection. What I was doing for the church a layperson could do and should be doing. A strong feeling over took me … back away and wait. Prepare. I hate waiting … it takes so long!
The growing feeling of unrest continued to grow. Couldn’t put my finger on why, but it just continued to gnaw away at my spirit. I needed to be in a mindset and position for God to use me. I continued to visit in the hospital for the church, but not much of that anymore. A surgery, a couple of other short stays in the hospitals and demands of rehab really slowed me down, caused me to have a lot of quiet time and really pull away from the volunteer visitation position with some grace.
The prayer continued … here I am Lord use me. Then an email arrived followed by a phone call from the pastor. There was a church in need of a part-time pastor and he was recommending me for the position. Here I am Lord use me. Contact with the District Superintendent and before I knew all of the details I had an assignment.
The devotional material for the last several weeks (shared via this blog) had me looking at the Good Shepherd, being a True Disciple and making my home in the Word of God. Be careful what you pray for because God just might start taking you seriously. So now at the age of 68 I take up the responsibility of pastoring another flock, of breaking the Bread of Life for another gathering of Saints, of looking after the spiritual and emotional needs of fellow travelers on this spiritual journey.
Help me to remember that the car parks itself … as long as I take my hands off the wheel. It is not about me, I am not in charge and it is not about what I might wish, desire, want … it is about God and his Kingdom. Yes, I need to run this race. There is a fire burning in my spirit that will not be quenched for if I try to put it out it will truly consume me. As John Wesley shared, “God set me on fire and people from all over England come to see me burn.” May it be so for those in Palmetto and Bradenton and Parrish … may I burn brightly for the Lord!
Quote for today: After three years of ministry, hundreds of miles, thousands of miracles, innumerable teachings, Jesus asks who. Jesus bids the people to ponder not what he has done but who he is. It’s the ultimate question of the Christ: Whose son is he? ~Max Lucado
Saturday, May 21, 2011
A reflection on the End Time prediction of Harold Camping
It is the morning ritual. Papers (we get two now) come in. I read the first section, glance at the sports and then on to the comics. My wife likes the local section. She reads the obits to see if she knows anyone. Often she does. Running in the background is normally the TODAY show. A cup of coffee or hot tea might be sitting next to my chair. It is the morning ritual. And in the back of my mind, deep within my spirit is always the question, “How are you going to use me today Lord?” And that is followed up by, “Speak for your servant listens.”
This has special meaning today as some crazy Christians are spreading the news, as these fringe groups have in the past, that they know something that scripture says is only known by God – that the world is going to end at 6 p.m. this evening. The Rev. Harold Camping didn’t share if it was eastern, central, mountain or pacific time, but 6 p.m. is nevertheless the time for Jesus’ return. Been there, done that like in 1994 when he used his biblical knowledge to set the date for Jesus’ return … and if you hadn’t noticed, it didn’t happen … and the sun will set this evening and tomorrow will bring a dawning of a new day.
The morning ritual will continue for most of us, but for the crazies they will be disappointed that the prediction didn’t come true. Tears will flow. Believers in this foolishness will drop away … until the next “biblical” scholar comes along with some sort of formula that proves beyond any doubt that he/she has the inside information on the ending time for mother Earth.
From the time of Christ there has always been someone out there that uses their “higher intelligence” to reveal the unknowable truth. Each prediction has gone unfilled as Mr. Camping’s will today. People’s faith will be shaken because it has been misplaced. They have trusted a false prophet. Scripture warns us against listening to false prophets. Jesus had a particular stern warning to the leaders of Israel for leading the people down the wrong path. His warning is still applicable today.
Growing up at Allapattah Methodist in Miami we had a beloved little preacher, A. A. Koestline … Uncle Al. One of his favorite activities in Bible teaching was to pull out this massive wall chart. It must have been 8 by 15 feet. He would stand before it with his long pointer lecturing away about the truth in the book of Revelation. I don’t remember much of what he said. I do remember that us guys would sit on the back row and laugh at his efforts. It wasn’t kind, but every time he would hit the chart we would jump and laugh. He meant well as does Mr. Camping, but these men of God have their priorities misplaced.
Trust is key. Trust God to be God. Allow God to do his God-thing. Follow the teachings of scripture by sharing the Good News that Jesus Christ, the Savior, the Messiah has come into our world. People come into a living relationship with God not out of fear, but out of hope. There is a willingness to accept the relationship when it is based on love and not out of anxiety that the world is coming crashing down around us.
Life is difficult for the best of us most of the time. We don’t need another fear factor introduced that states that the world is spinning out of control. We need a word of hope, a word of promise, a word of possibility, a word of love and of faith.
In my seminary class that dealt with this subject we listed out all the “stuff” that was to take place when the end times does happen. It wasn’t a pretty list. Our conclusion: it isn’t something that we would like to be around to experience. Secondly, wouldn’t it be better to preach the Good News of his first coming. Therein is the joy … a joy that we are Kingdom people and Hallelujah is our song! As a footnote to the class the professor wondered aloud, “Could the resurrection be the second coming? After the Earth did violently shake at his death and a glorious new day, an era of eternal reign, when he came forth from the grave. Could we be living in the day of rejoicing?” I like his kind of thinking!
And the rituals of life continue … just make sure that God is a part of them. Speak Lord your servant listens.
This has special meaning today as some crazy Christians are spreading the news, as these fringe groups have in the past, that they know something that scripture says is only known by God – that the world is going to end at 6 p.m. this evening. The Rev. Harold Camping didn’t share if it was eastern, central, mountain or pacific time, but 6 p.m. is nevertheless the time for Jesus’ return. Been there, done that like in 1994 when he used his biblical knowledge to set the date for Jesus’ return … and if you hadn’t noticed, it didn’t happen … and the sun will set this evening and tomorrow will bring a dawning of a new day.
The morning ritual will continue for most of us, but for the crazies they will be disappointed that the prediction didn’t come true. Tears will flow. Believers in this foolishness will drop away … until the next “biblical” scholar comes along with some sort of formula that proves beyond any doubt that he/she has the inside information on the ending time for mother Earth.
From the time of Christ there has always been someone out there that uses their “higher intelligence” to reveal the unknowable truth. Each prediction has gone unfilled as Mr. Camping’s will today. People’s faith will be shaken because it has been misplaced. They have trusted a false prophet. Scripture warns us against listening to false prophets. Jesus had a particular stern warning to the leaders of Israel for leading the people down the wrong path. His warning is still applicable today.
Growing up at Allapattah Methodist in Miami we had a beloved little preacher, A. A. Koestline … Uncle Al. One of his favorite activities in Bible teaching was to pull out this massive wall chart. It must have been 8 by 15 feet. He would stand before it with his long pointer lecturing away about the truth in the book of Revelation. I don’t remember much of what he said. I do remember that us guys would sit on the back row and laugh at his efforts. It wasn’t kind, but every time he would hit the chart we would jump and laugh. He meant well as does Mr. Camping, but these men of God have their priorities misplaced.
Trust is key. Trust God to be God. Allow God to do his God-thing. Follow the teachings of scripture by sharing the Good News that Jesus Christ, the Savior, the Messiah has come into our world. People come into a living relationship with God not out of fear, but out of hope. There is a willingness to accept the relationship when it is based on love and not out of anxiety that the world is coming crashing down around us.
Life is difficult for the best of us most of the time. We don’t need another fear factor introduced that states that the world is spinning out of control. We need a word of hope, a word of promise, a word of possibility, a word of love and of faith.
In my seminary class that dealt with this subject we listed out all the “stuff” that was to take place when the end times does happen. It wasn’t a pretty list. Our conclusion: it isn’t something that we would like to be around to experience. Secondly, wouldn’t it be better to preach the Good News of his first coming. Therein is the joy … a joy that we are Kingdom people and Hallelujah is our song! As a footnote to the class the professor wondered aloud, “Could the resurrection be the second coming? After the Earth did violently shake at his death and a glorious new day, an era of eternal reign, when he came forth from the grave. Could we be living in the day of rejoicing?” I like his kind of thinking!
And the rituals of life continue … just make sure that God is a part of them. Speak Lord your servant listens.
Friday, May 20, 2011
The supremacy of Christ in the face of life's battles - based on Colossians 1:15-29
Ever get caught up in one of those frenzy “must read” movements that at times sweeps across the country? It is when a book takes on a life of its own and it would appear that you are the only one in your circle of friends who hasn’t read it. Everybody is talking about it. The Internet is filled with bloggers writing about THE book. Colleagues at work are all carrying a copy. You see the book displayed in shop windows. No matter which way you turn there it is. It becomes impossible to avoid coming in contact with the book. The morning talk shows all feature interviews with the author. It is a frenzy. Wouldn’t be great if the book with the highest number of sales year after year became a “must read”?
Scripture: Colossians 1:15-29
Paul writes about the supremacy of Christ using one of my favorite phrases, “…and in him all things hold together”. Then he moves on to address the listener’s relationship with Christ and the reconciliation that has taken place ending with his own testimony of what he has suffered to bring the Word to the people so that they would have a solid relationship with Christ.
Reflection: I like the thought of Christ holding everything together especially when it is applied to all aspects of life. The Sun rises in the morning, the Earth rotates on its axis, gravity continues to function every day, two cells come together multiplying into a new life, the heart continues to beat, eyes see, nose smells, the body takes in nourishment … he holds all things together. It is amazing. It is a blessing. It is a testimony to the supremacy of and central role played by Christ. And our life is never the same again.
Prayer: With profound gratitude, gracious Lord, I accept the reality that my entire existence is a testimony to Christ sitting at your right hand. Help me to never to take any of it for granted. Guide me so that my life with be one of praise. Lead me down the path where I have only one focus, one reality … Jesus Christ himself and the Word which reveals his truth. In the name that is above all names I do pray. Amen.
Further reflection from Companions on the Inner Way by Morton T. Kelsey
“When we get a vision of the God of whom Jesus speaks we will want fellowship with this one who combines the best qualities of a good father and a good mother. We are children. There is no question about Abba’s receiving us. All we need to do is acknowledge our childishness and come. This is the reason why the broken and simple, the poor in spirit, the anxiety-ridden, the mourning, the meek, the unsatisfied and unfulfilled, the hungry and thirsty, the persecuted and ridiculed find it so easy to turn to the God Jesus reveals. Those who are doing quite well on their own and think that they have life securely within their grasp don’t like to admit their ultimate helplessness and come as children before Abba. They don’t feel the need of it. It also may be beneath their dignity.”
The Struggle: I call it the Yin-Yang (often misspelled as Ying-Yang) factor of the Christian walk. When life is great, we are being blessed at every turn, there is harmony in our hearts and all relationship, our health is solid, we get plenty of sleep, and happiness marks our existence … we take God for granted and fail to work on our relationship with him. But when life becomes a little more sticky, when things are not going quite so well, when there is more tension than harmony in our life, when we are disturbed by the things that “bump-in-the-night,” when we could explain our daily life more with sadness than with joy … we turn to God to try to figure out the problem and get back on track. Well, that is my testimony, is it yours? My devotional life is the strongest at the beginning of a ministry than after my feet are on the ground dealing with the variety of issues that start flying at the pastor many at a time … ever faster and faster. When the hours in a day become more hectic and the problems more challenging, when there are threats at every turn … at those very moments when I really need a solid relationship with God I have a tendency to say to him, “Hey, that’s okay. I’ve got this one.” But my energy fails, my dignity crumbles, my abilities become very frail and I get lost. I struggle to keep my focus on his word and his supremacy. I don’t know about anyone else, but I need to remind myself often, daily, hourly that Christ holds all things together and not Martin!
A Story: My oldest brother was dying. The cancer that he had been fighting for more than 10 to 15 years finally was taking over his body. The exercise program that he had created no longer was effective at keeping the dark shadow from his door. The medicine that he was being given was failing to do what the doctors had hoped. As the energy and life was ebbing from his lungs he asked his wife to have her pastor come by the home. Earlier in his life in had been involved in the life of a church. He enjoyed singing in a gospel quartet. The simple activities of the weekly rituals made sense to one who was seeking a meaningful pattern for life. Then he was off to college and his intellect was awakened. He began to ask probing questions. He and the pastor got into some deep discussions. The pastor always lost the debates. My brother turned his back on the church. He had no use for closed minds, pat answers, shallow thinking. He embraced a world that was open to all sorts of answers. And it worked from him most of the time. But now, faced with the quickly approaching inevitability of reality he turned once again to the church and a pastor. The answers that had worked through his adult life no longer worked. The needs were deeper and more profound than a quote one of the many books that he had read. The artistry of his passion no longer sufficed to bring him peace. In the end he needed more and he knew where he needed to turn. It was there in the bedroom of his Miami Shores home that he acknowledged, once again, the supremacy of Christ over his life. His soul found the victory even as his body was losing the battle.
Scripture: Colossians 1:15-29
Paul writes about the supremacy of Christ using one of my favorite phrases, “…and in him all things hold together”. Then he moves on to address the listener’s relationship with Christ and the reconciliation that has taken place ending with his own testimony of what he has suffered to bring the Word to the people so that they would have a solid relationship with Christ.
Reflection: I like the thought of Christ holding everything together especially when it is applied to all aspects of life. The Sun rises in the morning, the Earth rotates on its axis, gravity continues to function every day, two cells come together multiplying into a new life, the heart continues to beat, eyes see, nose smells, the body takes in nourishment … he holds all things together. It is amazing. It is a blessing. It is a testimony to the supremacy of and central role played by Christ. And our life is never the same again.
Prayer: With profound gratitude, gracious Lord, I accept the reality that my entire existence is a testimony to Christ sitting at your right hand. Help me to never to take any of it for granted. Guide me so that my life with be one of praise. Lead me down the path where I have only one focus, one reality … Jesus Christ himself and the Word which reveals his truth. In the name that is above all names I do pray. Amen.
Further reflection from Companions on the Inner Way by Morton T. Kelsey
“When we get a vision of the God of whom Jesus speaks we will want fellowship with this one who combines the best qualities of a good father and a good mother. We are children. There is no question about Abba’s receiving us. All we need to do is acknowledge our childishness and come. This is the reason why the broken and simple, the poor in spirit, the anxiety-ridden, the mourning, the meek, the unsatisfied and unfulfilled, the hungry and thirsty, the persecuted and ridiculed find it so easy to turn to the God Jesus reveals. Those who are doing quite well on their own and think that they have life securely within their grasp don’t like to admit their ultimate helplessness and come as children before Abba. They don’t feel the need of it. It also may be beneath their dignity.”
The Struggle: I call it the Yin-Yang (often misspelled as Ying-Yang) factor of the Christian walk. When life is great, we are being blessed at every turn, there is harmony in our hearts and all relationship, our health is solid, we get plenty of sleep, and happiness marks our existence … we take God for granted and fail to work on our relationship with him. But when life becomes a little more sticky, when things are not going quite so well, when there is more tension than harmony in our life, when we are disturbed by the things that “bump-in-the-night,” when we could explain our daily life more with sadness than with joy … we turn to God to try to figure out the problem and get back on track. Well, that is my testimony, is it yours? My devotional life is the strongest at the beginning of a ministry than after my feet are on the ground dealing with the variety of issues that start flying at the pastor many at a time … ever faster and faster. When the hours in a day become more hectic and the problems more challenging, when there are threats at every turn … at those very moments when I really need a solid relationship with God I have a tendency to say to him, “Hey, that’s okay. I’ve got this one.” But my energy fails, my dignity crumbles, my abilities become very frail and I get lost. I struggle to keep my focus on his word and his supremacy. I don’t know about anyone else, but I need to remind myself often, daily, hourly that Christ holds all things together and not Martin!
A Story: My oldest brother was dying. The cancer that he had been fighting for more than 10 to 15 years finally was taking over his body. The exercise program that he had created no longer was effective at keeping the dark shadow from his door. The medicine that he was being given was failing to do what the doctors had hoped. As the energy and life was ebbing from his lungs he asked his wife to have her pastor come by the home. Earlier in his life in had been involved in the life of a church. He enjoyed singing in a gospel quartet. The simple activities of the weekly rituals made sense to one who was seeking a meaningful pattern for life. Then he was off to college and his intellect was awakened. He began to ask probing questions. He and the pastor got into some deep discussions. The pastor always lost the debates. My brother turned his back on the church. He had no use for closed minds, pat answers, shallow thinking. He embraced a world that was open to all sorts of answers. And it worked from him most of the time. But now, faced with the quickly approaching inevitability of reality he turned once again to the church and a pastor. The answers that had worked through his adult life no longer worked. The needs were deeper and more profound than a quote one of the many books that he had read. The artistry of his passion no longer sufficed to bring him peace. In the end he needed more and he knew where he needed to turn. It was there in the bedroom of his Miami Shores home that he acknowledged, once again, the supremacy of Christ over his life. His soul found the victory even as his body was losing the battle.
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