December 14-20 2014

For the week of December 14-20, 2014, I am asking myself where I have seen love at work.

            I have continued with my P90X2 exercises, Total Gym, and my once a week trip to Anytime Fitness for cardio. I was able to talk to a friend there.

            I had the pleasure of seeing my new granddaughter this week, Edith Annalynn. I see love here.

 

            The reflections in Men of Integrity Magazine had a theme of encouragement. The reflections are from Rob Bentz, The Unfinished Church. An insight he shares is that far too often, believers become critics rather than encouragers. William Barclay said that the world is full of discouragers. We have a Cristian duty to encourage one another. Many a time a word of praise or thanks or appreciation or cheer has kept a man on his feet. Blessed is the one who speaks such a word.

            I preached on Restore Us with Joy, from Psalm 126. Poinsettias were up that day and were beautiful. Had a very nice conversation after worship with a family that I do not have the opportunity to talk with much. I taught SS class for the youth. Suzanne and I went to one of the homes for a small group Christmas party, with friendly discussion and good food all around.

            Worked on sermons, both for next Sunday and for January.

            Some good discussion regarding staffing. Staff meeting. I recorded Faithbreak for Sunday and recording a message for advertisement during the next few days until Christmas Eve.

            The book study group met this week, this time on Mircea Eliade, The Sacred and the Profane. The concern of the book is whether a secular culture is missing something by desacralizing space, time, history, and human life. We had some excellent discussion.

            Throughout the week, I worked in some study that is summarizing some of the themes covered in my book study. My reflections are along the line of the challenge that secular culture is presenting to the churches. I was able to get back to another study for a bit on an examination of Church Dogmatics by Karl Barth.

            I have been amazed how so many Americans seem willing to turn on the people who defend them. I am thinking of the number of people who try to turn incidents of crime into examples of police racism. However, to attempt to use an incident in Ferguson and NYC to create tension between police and community is self-destructive. The police are the very ones who are keeping the communities of both communities safe. Further, to create an atmosphere of such antagonism between the police and the community is to create an environment that pushes over the edge some people, and police will die as the result. One could urge the same thing regarding the CIA. Here are people who have kept us free of a major attack all this time. Yet, we seem to think it OK to turn on them. The real “torture” was what people like Kahlid Sheik Mohammed did in planning the 9/11 attacks. In those early days post-9/11, it truly does not bother me what they did to those involved. The concern was high that a dirty bomb or other such violence was in the works.

            Here is an article I found helpful, both regarding violence from Muslims.

http://www.clarionproject.org/news/massacre-pakistan-least-126-killed-attack-school# 

Here is an article on Sharia Law in Germany.

http://www.clarionproject.org/analysis/thousands-protest-parallel-sharia-societies-germany 

Here is an interesting article on a Gay Marriage matter at a Catholic university.

http://townhall.com/columnists/toddstarnes/2014/12/18/catholic-university-marquette-suspends-professor-over-antigay-marriage-controversy-n1933853/page/full 

Here are some Scripture I have been reflecting upon.

Psalm 89: 1

I will sing of your steadfast love, O Lord, forever;

with my mouth I will proclaim your faithfulness to all generations. 

Luke 1:

⁴⁶ And Mary said,

“My soul magnifies the Lord,

⁴⁷      and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,

⁴⁸ for he has looked with favor on the lowliness of his servant.

Surely, from now on all generations will call me blessed; 

Luke 1:

{35} The angel said to her, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be holy; he will be called Son of God. 

Luke 1:

{37} For nothing will be impossible with God." 

Luke 1:

{38} Then Mary said, "Here am I, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word."

December 7-13 2014

Today, I want to reflect upon my experience of joy this week of December 7-13.

             I remain joyful concerning my physical exercise, the total gym, Anytime Fitness, and P90X. My shoulder continues to heal.

            On a personal note, I finished watching a program called The Tomorrow People. We finished watching 24: Live Another Day.

            Some good study this week on sermons in January. I finished a book, The Meaning and End of Religion, a classic in its field. Good insights throughout.

            I preached from Psalm 85 on restoring us with peace. We are having a wonderful Advent observance. The Family Ministry Team had lunch after worship. What a wonderful and joyful experience that was! The youth small group met and had a wonderful lesson on forgiveness.

            I had some good conversation concerning finances of the church on Monday. I also had a very nice birthday lunch with the staff and Suzanne at Applebees.       

            Triple S had its final program of the year as we studied John 10:21-42. Kayc had some wonderful music for us. The food was wonderful, of course. Yes, it was a joyful time.

            We had a wonderful Trustees meeting and Finance meeting this week.

            I have been spending some time with a family who lost a family member this week. It has its own joy, as she is home with the Lord. The services are on Saturday.

            Good meeting with the Cass County Minister’s Association with some communication with the United Way.

            Good meeting concerning our 11 PM service on Christmas Eve.

            One of our adult small groups met at a home for their Christmas meal. Suzanne and I had a joyful time.

 

I came across an article that involved some of the financial stress of the millennial generation.

http://townhall.com/columnists/michaelbarone/2014/12/10/millennials-n1928991/page/full

 

Here are some scriptures that relate to the theme of joy.

Psalm 126

⁵ May those who sow in tears

reap with shouts of joy.

⁶ Those who go out weeping,

bearing the seed for sowing,

shall come home with shouts of joy,

carrying their sheaves.

 

Isaiah 61:

 The spirit of the Lord God is upon me,

because the Lord has anointed me;

he has sent me to bring good news to the oppressed,

to bind up the brokenhearted,

to proclaim liberty to the captives,

and release to the prisoners;

² to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor

Isaiah 61

¹⁰ I will greatly rejoice in the Lord,

my whole being shall exult in my God;

 

I Thessalonians 5:

¹⁶ Rejoice always, ¹⁷ pray without ceasing, ¹⁸ give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. ¹⁹ Do not quench the Spirit.

November 30-December 6 2014

            For a week in which I am to preach on peace, it has not been a peaceful week.

            I have continued my P90X2 exercise routine, Total gym, and Anytime Fitness. My shoulder continues to improve, but it also continues to hurt. I am not sure what a rotator cuff injury involves, but as long as I continue improving, I will keep at this.

            A couple of birthday dinners this week, one for me (63) and one for Tim (43). Some very nice time with Michael a the Half Moon. David was not present because he was bringing home his new daughter. On December 2, Edith Annalyn Plasterer to my youngest son, David, and his wife Kari. She was 6lbs, 9.5 ounces. With Tim, we ate at Outback, of course, she could get his chicken.

            Sunday, I preached from Psalm 80, around the theme of restoration of hope. I had a difficult conversation after worship. I helped set up computers. Triple S studied John 10:1-21. I had some good conversation afterward with two members of the church. These were some serious conversations.

            Cross~Wind hosted District Conference this year. It went quite different with nomination of persons from the District.

            I went to a “Let’s Talk” event at University of Indianapolis, with Mark Achtemeier speaking around the theme of same-sex marriage. This will be a matter of much discussion over the next couple years.

            Good visit with a couple from the church in their home.

            A good day with Alan Hirsch, author of The Forgotten Ways. Good visit with some colleagues. Having read the book and watched a video, much was redundant. I supposed I might have benefited from some practical ways to follow through on what he said. Of course, it was good to see him in person.

            Some good reading this week regarding the theme of a book study group that is reading Mircea Eliade, The Sacred and the Profane.

 Here are a few scriptures on which I have been reflecting this week:

Psalm 85:

¹⁰ Steadfast love and faithfulness will meet;

righteousness and peace will kiss each other.

Isaiah 40:1

Comfort, O comfort my people,

says your God. 

II Peter 3:

{13} But, in accordance with his promise, we wait for new heavens and a new earth, where righteousness is at home. {14} Therefore, beloved, while you are waiting for these things, strive to be found by him at peace, without spot or blemish; {15} and regard the patience of our Lord as salvation.

November 23-29 2014

            What am I thankful for the week of November 23-29, 2014?

            I am thankful and humbled for the response to the sermon Sunday. It was the conclusion of a series on Getting from Sunday to Monday. This one focused on Opening Yourself to Guidance from God and Am I on the Right Path. We did not leave enough room for notes. However, I hope that having the text available will be helpful. We have also placed the notes in the Newsletter.

            I am thankful for the time spent after worship with Al Kundenreich, a former pastor of one of the predecessor congregations, Market Street. He came to the first worship service. A group met at Westside Diner. He was with Sarah Roos.

            I am thankful for the Thanksgiving dinner that came with the Acts Bible Study this week. Suzanne and I enjoy this group very much. Some good fun.

            Our family had a relaxing dinner at Golden Corral. Yes, they had turkey and all the fixings.

            With a few relaxing days, I spent some time reading what Wolfhart Pannenberg said about Karl Barth in Church Dogmatics. This has been very enlightening. I should say that both authors have been my companion in my theological journey. In particular, Pannenberg has been part of my life since I first encountered him in 1975. Sadly, he died recently. I have also looked up what Paul Ricoeur said about Barth. My, he can be so insightful. He is such a good reader of others. In addition, I wrote an article on Mircea Eliade, The Sacred and the Profane. I also read a little book by Bernard Bosanquet, What Religion Is.

            I have concern for the matter in Ferguson, MO. The successful attempt on the part of some to turn this into a racial matter is disturbing to me. Officer Darren Wilson was not indicted, which says to me that if he did wrong, which I am not convinced he did, it would have been a waste of time and money to pursue further. The fact that there were nine white and three black jurors apparently matters not. The judgment was unanimous. The stealing by Michael Brown, the fact that he tried to get the gun from the officer, the fact that he charged the officer, say to me that he was aggressive and bent on doing harm that night. It does make him a bad person, but he was up to no good that night. Of course, it is always sad when a human being loses his life. What disturbs me more is that so many people are willing to go down this path of racial division. I came across a factual article on why Officer Wilson was not indicted. http://www.policeone.com/ferguson/articles/7782643-Why-Officer-Darren-Wilson-wasnt-indicted/

            A saying I came across, posted by a friend on Facebook, Do not judge me by past. I do not live there anymore.

Here is an article on what Rick Warren at a family conference sponsored by the Pope. http://juicyecumenism.com/2014/11/23/rick-warren-challenges-christians-resist-sexual-revolution/

Here is an article that I found intriguing on the rise of the Dones in church life. http://www.patheos.com/blogs/thegodarticle/2014/11/the-rise-of-the-dones-as-the-church-kills-spiritual-community/

Here is an article on the United Arab Emerits maintaining that CAIR is a terrorist organization. http://www.clarionproject.org/analysis/uae-doubles-down-designation-cair-terrorists

Here is a humorous account of Obama and his use of executive order recently by SNL. http://www.ijreview.com/2014/11/206710-president-obama-gets-schoolhouse-rocked-snl-illegal-immigration-orders/

Getting From Sunday to Monday, 3/4

Getting From Sunday to Monday
3/4 Opening Yourself to Guidance from God / Am I on the Right Path?

Sermon approach

This is not a sermon on thanksgiving or being thankful. Rather, this message is about the deepest way that you and I can express our gratitude to God. We can give our lives as an offering of praise and thanksgiving to God.

As Jesus walked beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen.  ‘Come, follow me,’ Jesus said, ‘and I will make you fishers of people.’  At once they left their nets and followed him.  Mark 1:16-18. 

In calling disciples, Jesus acts relationally, rather than legalistically. His first instruction is not "Here is how you must live." His first words are, "Follow me."

The church has been inviting people through the centuries to make this connection with Jesus. We have too often messed it up. Yet, the mission has always been to invite people outside the body of Christ to connect with Christ and believe in Christ. We want people to connect with the body of Christ so that they can grow as disciples of Jesus (I will make you). We want people to serve Christ and others in in this world (fish for people). It is a simple, but it is not easy.  

From this time many of his disciples turned back and no longer followed him.  ‘You do not want to leave too, do you?’  Jesus asked the Twelve.  Simon Peter answered him, ‘Lord, to whom shall we go?  You have the words of eternal life.’  John 6:66-68. 

Acts 4:32, we read, “All the believers were one in heart and mind.  No one claimed that any of his possessions was his own, but they shared everything they had.” 

In order to bridge the gap between belief and experience, between the head and the heart, between our Sunday pronouncements and our Monday ordinary life, we need to find practical ways to practice the presence of God in our lives. God has placed each of us here for a reason. We might call it our true or authentic self. We need to embark upon the journey of bringing the purpose of God and our lives into closer harmony. We can offer our greatest gratitude to God by opening ourselves to the guidance God wants to bring into our lives.

We discuss listening to God or obeying God. Yet, we struggle with how God guides us and therefore to participate in the transformation God wants to bring into our lives. We need to learn how to go with the divine flow rather than against it.

Last week, I shared about our resistance to change. Now it is time to explore concrete practices that help us in our transformation.

The Walk to Emmaus is a discipleship program within the United Methodist Church built around the Roman Catholic Cursillo. One of the clergy talks discusses the means of grace. One of the images used is that of imagining the spiritual life as a huge house surrounded by light. Opening the "windows" of the spiritual disciplines will let in the Light of God. We do not have to open all the windows at once; we can choose those practices that seem natural to us, that "call" to us. All let the light in.

The book Soul Feast by Marjorie Thompson takes a comprehensive look at each discipline in a "user-friendly" way.

We will review a few of the disciplines briefly:

PRAYER -

Of course, our words are important. We express thanks with words. It is appropriate to approach God with petitions. We need to express the desires of our hearts to God. Yet, our prayer life is incomplete and without real power if we limit it to the spoken word. If we think of prayer as "loving attention to God," it can take an infinite number of forms, depending on our personalities and the need of the moment: Listening to music that stirs us can be a prayer; staring at the water alone; breathing a quick prayer and imaging the breath of God -- all can deepen our connection. We don't have to use eloquent words; in fact, we don't need words at all.

Prayer is relationship and therefore cannot develop only from one side. We need to talk to God, but we also need to listen for God. Prayer is not manipulating God (God is already in our corner!); instead, it is more like building a friendship.

"Be still and know that I am God."  

"Gradually, after deliberately choosing quiet times with God, our heart begins to sharpen its perception of God's presence. The quiet of God begins to speak and direct us, and our heart becomes more finely tuned to the frequency that God uses to speak to us." – Thomas Merton 

SCRIPTURE - For spiritual formation, it is vital to practice reading the Bible in a way that forms us as well as informs us. Academic study has its place; the truth is, however, that we can be Bible scholars and avoid letting scripture transform our lives. To be transformed by scripture, one lets go of all preconceived ideas and allows God to speak personally through the Word. Bear in mind that when the gospel message is read slowly in this way, it becomes not third-class mail, marked occupant, but first- class mail, marked personal.

JOURNALING - Journaling for spiritual growth is not a matter of keeping a spiritual diary of events or writing for publication. Instead, it is getting thoughts, dreams, hopes and feelings on paper without fear, without judgment, and without evaluation. Just work straight from the heart to the page. Oddly enough, over time, it forms a continuing conversation with God. A pattern emerges. If a journal answers just one question, it is this: What is God doing in my life?

            DAILY EXAMEN  - Forms of the daily examen can serve as discernment tools -- good for discovering how you're wired, what your particular personality responds to, what your passions and talents might be. At the close of the day, one explores questions like these: 

 1. What surprised me today?

 2. What touched or moved me today?

 3. What inspired me today?

 4. What was "life-giving" to me today?

 5. What felt "life-taking" to me today?

 6. What did I learn about God and myself today?  

      If you follow Jesus in this way, how will you know you are on the right path?

      Your life becomes an offering of gratitude to God. Here is a simple way of saying it.

      In John 15: 12-13, we read, “My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you.  Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.”  The heart of the reproducer is to help our friends believe in Christ, connect with the body of Christ, and serve Christ and others in the world.  C. J. Mahaney (Humility: True Greatness, 2005) reminds us that true greatness is serving others for the glory of God. Who has helped you to love God, love others, and make disciples? Who has helped you to develop a Christ-centered life, pray, worship, learn, help other Christians, and reach out to others?  

In Matthew 28: 18-20 we find these words: 

(Mat 28: 18-20)  And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.  {19} Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, {20} and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you.  And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” 

Today it seems a good idea to look at the question that accompanies us on the inner journey, and that is, "How do I know if I'm on the right track?"

1. FRUITS OF THE SPIRIT AND THE BEATITUDES - Jesus said: "By their fruits you shall know them." Spiritual growth moves us toward those fruits of the Spirit, listed in Galatians 5:22, 23 as "love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control." Many of us can talk a good game, can recite the creeds, can state unequivocally what we believe (and unfortunately, by extension, what any "good Christian" ought to believe), but the practice of the actual behaviors is a tall order indeed! Another Biblical indicator of fruits of the Spirit can be found in the Beatitudes. This is not to ask, "Do I have these qualities perfected?" but rather am I moving, however slowly, in that direction? 

2. MOVEMENT TOWARD SIMPLICITY - In the spiritual life, less is more. Not only do we have cluttered closets, but we have cluttered schedules and cluttered thoughts, resulting in cluttered spirits. To be honest, we proclaim our "busyness" to one another with some hidden degree of pride, as if our exhaustion were a trophy and our ability to withstand stress a mark of real character. To whiz through our obligations without time for a single moment of mindfulness has become the model of a successful life in our culture. At some unspoken level, we think it makes us seem more important to others and, subsequently, to ourselves.

3. ATTITUDE OF FORGIVENESS - Spiritual growth is punctuated by an ever-increasing willingness to engage in the forgiveness process. It's important to remember that we forgive persons -- not actions. Forgiveness is not condoning! The failure to forgive imprisons and poisons us. As the old adage goes, "Resentment hurts the vessel in which it is stored more than the object on which it is poured!"

4."NATURAL" GRATITUDE- As one grows closer to God, gratitude spreads from a category of "blessings" into every part of one's life. Seeing through the lens of gratitude affects the way we see each moment. As Meister Eckhert counseled, "If the only prayer you ever say is 'thank you,' it will be enough!"

5. MAKE FRIENDS WITH UNCERTAINTY - It has been said that the hallmark of spiritual maturity is an increasing capacity to tolerate ambiguity, paradox and uncertainty. Certainty is an illusion anyway. The ability to tolerate both/and rather than either/or is a sign of growth and deep trust. 

Romans 8:28 "all things work together for good for those who love God and are called according to his purpose."

6. EXPANSION RATHER THAN CONSTRICTION - Spiritual growth is characterized by feelings of expansion and inclusion rather than constriction and exclusion. One gives others a wider berth -- more slack. The heart expands. There is less judgmentalism, more understanding.

7. CLARITY OF SELF - With spiritual growth we become clear about who we are and our part in the plan of God. We become less likely to betray ourselves just to please other people. We are less likely to deceive ourselves.

8. LIVE MORE MINDFULLY - Another marker that you're on the right track is that you are present in the moment -- not immersed in the past and not invested in the future. Many of us are always thinking ahead to the next event. The spiritually mature person savors the PRESENT.

9. LESSENING OF ANXIETY - Our degree of anxiety is directly disproportionate to our degree of faith. Scriptures remind us constantly that worry and faith are incompatible. We are told to "consider the lilies" and "be not anxious, o ye of little faith.." Worry and faith are incompatible.

10. EXHIBITS AUTHENTICITY - We become more REAL, less manipulative, more transparent with our spiritual development. What you see is what you get!

A stream of freedom flows beneath each of the preceding attributes -- a freedom that keeps us centered and reminds us who we are and whose we are. With that sense of floating in the wondrous security of a loving God, we are free to take risks for our faith, confident that God forgives our imperfections and accompanies us in failure and success.

What I'm describing is REAL, gut-level TRUST. And that profound sense of trust in God's benevolent mercy somehow heals the split between our Sunday pronouncements and our Monday experience. We come to understand at a very deep level that God is in all of it -- the light and the dark, the joy and the despair, the beliefs and the experience. As we become grounded in who we are as beloved children of God, a harmony slowly occurs between what we say and what we do. A growing authenticity results. Sounds too good to be true, doesn't it? (Maybe that's why they call it "the good news!") God bless you on your unique journey as you grow toward the person God created you to be.

November 16-22 2014

            What am I thankful for the week of November 16-22, 2014?

          

            What am I thankful for the week of November 16-22, 2014?

            I am thankful for my continued faithfulness to my exercise routine. It has helped me to gain strength in my right shoulder, which continues to hurt. Of course, as I age, the flexibility I gain is important. Yoga, crunches, keeping heart rate up, and Total Gym have been part of my morning routine. I like to get to Anytime Fitness at least once a week. Suzanne and I saw Mockingjay, Part One.

            Steve Scott wrote Faith Afield, a book that, in Men of Integrity Magazine, becomes a theme of a Sportsman’s Guide to Godly Living. I was thankful for the hunting stories this week. The sound of hoof steps on the leaves, the danger of tree stands, and missing the second clay bird in shooting practice, were part of the devotions this week. He pointed out that hunting shows often conclude with a successful hunt, but the hour show is an edited version of a hunt that may have lasted days or even weeks. He then drew the analogy that we often look at the result of the life of a Christian, but do not see the depth of the daily work it has taken to be that admired Christian.

            Sunday was a busy day, of course, delivering a sermon that was part of the series, Getting From Sunday to Monday. I was thankful that during Think Orange, the video said that we want to live out loud by thanking people for what they have meant to us. This let me to look at the messages in January and February differently. Suzanne and I went to Youth Small Group. The next day, it was also touching to have some good some conversation with staff over some new directions. Throughout the week, I was grateful for the time to prepare January and February sermons and look at them in light of a new theme, Living Out Loud. I was thankful for being part of Triple S and its study of John 9 as the Light. I was thankful to hear one of the members of Triple S share how much it meant to her to have this study. One even volunteered that this study of John has been the best she has had a privilege to participate in. Another said that a former pastor, Al Kundenreich, will be present on Sunday. We were invited to join for lunch after worship on Sunday. I was so grateful to have the time with one of our nursing home persons, Ed Kingery. In spite of his debilitating illness, he maintains a strong and vibrant faith. He was happy to receive his Men of Integrity magazine and his prayer blanket. It was good to talk with his wife as well. I also had a meeting with Steve Gwin and Rob McMinn. Several people have mentioned having a late service on Christmas Eve. Steve is willing to work on organizing this service. I will be part of it, but it is nice to have another person work on the music and other pieces of the service. We had a problem with the furnace, and Wes Looker came to talk about that. Dave Morris came by to talk about snow removal for this winter. A good meeting with Logansport Cluster clergy, discussing the mobile food pantry as part of the business. Quite moving to be part of the choir practice on Thursday night.

            I was grateful for the Logansport Cluster ministering to those in need in our community. We sponsored a mobile food pantry on Friday.

 

            I was part of the DCOM interview team on Saturday. I am thankful for a process that seeks to honor God in considering people for ministry. Some serious matters to consider. I am thankful for the call of God upon the lives of people.

            Here are some of the statements that affected me in my sermon preparation in a way that made me thankful that preaching is part of my calling in life

 

- Indecision may or may not be my problem. --Jimmy Buffett.

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Remember Yakov Smirnoff? His standup comedy routine was based on his impressions of the United States after fleeing the Soviet Union. One thing that made a big impression on him was the sheer variety of choices in American supermarkets, after the empty shelves of Soviet-era grocery stores. Here's one of his most famous bits: 
"On my first shopping trip, I saw powdered milk -- you just add water, you get milk. Then I saw powdered orange juice -- you just add water and you get orange juice. And then I saw baby powder, and I thought to myself, 'What a country!'"

In calling disciples, Jesus acts relationally, rather than legalistically. His first instruction is not "Here is how you must live." His first words are, "Follow me."

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Some luck lies in not getting what you thought you wanted but getting what you have, which once you have got it you may be smart enough to see is what you would have wanted had you known. --Garrison Keillor.

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The novelist George Meredith wrote, "Who rises from his prayer a better man, his prayer is answered."

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For 30 years now, in times of stress and strain, when something has me backed against the wall and I'm ready to do something really stupid with my anger, a sorrowful face appears in my mind and asks ... "Problem or inconvenience?" I think of this as the Wollman Test of Reality. Life is lumpy. And a lump in the oatmeal, a lump in the throat and a lump in the breast are not the same lump. One should learn the difference. --Robert Fulghum, Uh-Oh (1991), referencing Sigmund Wollman.

 

God does not create evil; still, He does not prevent it when it is displayed by others, although He could do so. But He uses evil, and those who exhibit it, for necessary purposes. For by means of those in whom there is evil, He bestows honor and approbation on those who strive for the glory of virtue. Virtue, if unopposed, would not shine out nor become more glorious by probation. Virtue is not virtue if it be untested and unexamined - Origen, in Num. Hom. 14.2

Here are some links that I found helpful as well.

http://townhall.com/columnists/thomassowell/2014/11/18/a-legacy-of-liberalism-n1919904/page/full

 

http://www.catholicherald.co.uk/news/2014/11/17/full-text-pope-franciss-opening-address-to-humanum-conference/

 

http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2014/november-web-only/ron-sider-tragedy-tradition-and-opportunity-in-homosexualit.html?start=1

 

http://peopleneedjesus.wordpress.com/2014/11/19/amicable-unity-legislation-for-general-conference-2016/

 

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Some thoughts not related to sermons:

If I were President and thought a law was very bad, I would enforce the law strictly, so that people would see how bad it is.

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A nation of sheep in a world of wolves - Interesting phrase I came across.

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Getting From Sunday to Monday: 2) Barriers to Change

God works on the seeker; John Wesley called it prevenient grace. The seeker will say things like, “There has to be more to life than this.”  The most overheard phrase is, “There are lots of way to God.”  The next big question from the Christian perspective is who is Jesus?  They need to hear the message of Jesus in John 3:5-7:

 

Jesus answered, “I tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit.  Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit.  You should not be surprised at my saying, ‘You must be born again.’”

 

Bridging the gap between Sunday and Monday--between what we say or profess and what we actually do--is a vital journey toward authentic living.

Yet, becoming more authentic is not so much about trying harder as it is about letting go--more about ALLOWING things to happen rather than MAKING them happen. But that sounds much too simple in our performance-oriented culture, where success in anything seems to be a product of enormous effort and well-defined goals.

We are going to discuss barriers to change in our lives spiritually. Yet, the issue of change is in the air. For example, we are learning that many churches that have a long history developed an understanding of itself and ministry in a time when the culture was congenial to the church. Today, about 60% of our friends and neighbors do not have a favorable opinion of the church. It might mean the church will need to consider some changes in light of such a changed reality. Those of us who love Jesus might need to make some adjustments in how we develop relationships with people outside the church. Yet, that can scare us. It might cause us to change.

Yet, will such change come because we try harder?

            In the New Testament, Jesus hinted at the difficulty in controlling or defining the process of spiritual growth. Jesus talked much about the kingdom of God or the kingdom of heaven. One might think he would have come up with a nice, succinct definition of it. Instead, he told stories that we call parables. He offered some puzzling and thought-provoking statements. Therefore, "the Kingdom is LIKE... the lost coin, the pearl of great price, the treasure hidden in the field," etc. He told stories in an effort to explain the unexplainable. Such stories remind us that living within the kingdom calls us to a life different from the values and beliefs of the culture. In the realm of personal spiritual growth, we make little progress by setting goals and seeking to achieve spiritual benchmarks. Scripture tells us that in the Kingdom the "last shall be first," that strength is to be found in weakness, that those who show up at 5 p.m. will get the same rewards as those who toil all day under the broiling sun!

In other words, if we try to grow spiritually using the measuring stick of success in our culture, we will experience repeated frustration. We will try to make it happen by trying harder. Clearly, there must be a different set of standards and methods for the realm of the spirit--those of allowing and participating in God's flow in our lives. Even so, we have a tendency to take the values of "the American Way" (though they work well in constructing a civilized society) and superimpose them on spiritual work. We end up trying to "fix" our moral behavior instead of entering into real transformation from the inside out-- rather like putting a Band-Aid on something that needs surgery!

In order to enter into deep spiritual transformation, we must be open to new ways of thinking. That can be a frightening and disturbing proposition, and we can engage in all types of addictive behavior to protect us from CHANGE. We keep busy, buy more stuff, take fancier trips, get a younger spouse, fill our spiritual lives with projects instead of prayer. Even good works can sometimes stand in the way of spiritual transformation--the good is often the enemy of the best.

There is a simple little story that illustrates the beginning of the process of honest spiritual deepening... as if, following the pattern of Jesus, we are saying, the process is LIKE-- 

 

Once Upon a Puddle 

This is the story about some fish who lived in a very small puddle of water. Hear their conversation: 

"Give me that waterbug!"

 "No, I saw him first!"

 "Get your fins off my supper! He's mine I tell you!" 

And so, every day, the little fish spent their time competing for waterbugs. Their stagnant puddle was cradled between the roots of an ancient oak tree, just beside a flowing river.

But one morning, there was a sudden SPLASH! 

An amazing, brightly colored fish had jumped into the riverside puddle... a fish with golden scales. And --what was most unusual in this particular puddle--he was smiling!

One of the puddle-fishes asked, "Where do you come from?"

The Sparkling Fish smiled brightly, "I come from the SEA!" 

"The sea! What is the sea?" 

The Sparkling Fish was surprised: "No one has ever told you about the sea? Why the sea...the sea is what fish are made for. It isn't like this little puddle; it's endless. A fish needn't swim in circles all day...he can dance with the tides! And it's sparkling clear! The sea is what fish are made for!" 

Then a pale, gray puddle-fish spoke up: " But, how do we get to the sea?  

The Sparkling Fish answered: "It's a simple matter. You jump from this little puddle into that river and trust that the current will take you to the sea." 

Astonishment clouded the puddle-water. At long last a brave little fish swam forward with a hard, experienced look in his eye. He was a Realist Fish. 

He said: "It's pleasant to talk about this 'sea business,' but --if you ask me-- we have to face reality. And what is reality? Obviously, it's day-to-day life--swimming in circles and hunting for waterbugs, Life is hard, It takes a Realist Fish to face facts." 

The Sparkling Fish smiled. "But you don't understand...I've BEEN there. I've SEEN the sea. It's far more wonderful than you can..." But before he could finish speaking, the Realist Fish swam away. 

Next, a fish came up with a nervous twitch in his tail. He was a Scared Fish. He stammered, "You mean, we're suppose to j-jump into that big, swift river over there?" 

"Yes. For a fish who wants to go to the sea, the way lies through that river." 

The Scared Fish's voice trembled in terror..."Look, I'm just an ordinary fish! That river is deep and strong and wide, and I don't know where it goes. Why I might be swept away by the current. If I jumped out of my puddle, I wouldn't have any control over my life. NO! It's too risky for me!" 

The Sparkling Fish whispered, "Just trust ME. Trust that the river will take you some place GOOD..." But before he could finish, the Scared Fish hurried away.

Finally there swam out a very dignified figure in a black robe. He was a Theologian Fish. Calmly, he adjusted his spectacles, saying: "My brother and sister fishes, our distinguished visitor has expressed many views which merit our consideration. However, these puddle-fishes have expressed OTHER views. By all means, let us be reasonable. We can work this out... Why not form a discussion group? We could meet every Tuesday at 7 o'clock, and I'm sure some of the lady fishes would be happy to bring some refreshments." 

The eyes of the Sparkling Fish grew sad.... "No, this will never do," he said. "Talking is important, but in the end --it is a simple matter. You JUMP. You jump out of this puddle and trust that the river will take you to the sea. Who will come and follow me?" 

At first no one moved, But then a few puddle-fishes swam to his side. Together they jumped into the river and the current swept then away to the sea. 

The remaining puddle-fishes began to swim in circles and hunt for waterbugs just like they always had. 

Discussion of Change in the form of letting go

 Change has been part of my life. Around 20 years ago I was in some counselling on some matters, and the counsellor said I was a delight. When I asked why, he said that it may take a while, but you will ponder things we discuss, and once you have the insight you need, you run with it and make the changes you need to make. I suppose I always have operated that way. The church was an important part of my life from about the age of ten, showing a way for me to live different from what I was then learning at home. I knew I needed something else in my life, and it seemed like church and its connection to Christ was what I needed. Thus, I do not fear change. Sometimes, "jumping" seems to be such an enticing and courageous idea. Yet, I still might not jump. I suspect you have trouble jumping as well. WHY don't we do it? Our excuses are familiar:  

•We don't have enough time. (Truth: We always make time for the things we value. Do we ever miss a MEAL? Our spiritual food is more important than physical food!)  

•We don't know HOW. (Truth: There is a plethora of meaningful literature regarding the spiritual journey--our bookshelves are probably lined with suggestions, but we would prefer to read about the journey rather than TAKE it!)  

• We don't want to disturb our relationships by changing into someone "strange" or super-religious. (Truth: becoming spiritually authentic involves growing into who we really are---our uniquely created selves---rather than changing into a spiritual clone of someone else. We become our true Selves!)

•We want to KNOW where spiritual growth might take us. (Truth: We say we want the abundant life, but we want to define that abundance according to what we think we want. . . Like the timid puddle-fishes, we don't trust God to direct our life into something "better than we can ask or imagine.." Ephesians 3:20 Real trust involves befriending uncertainty.)

 •We don't want to CHANGE . (Truth: This is the primary, deep-seated reason we resist growth. We simply don't want our spiritual cages rattled! As human beings, we have a tendency to stay with the familiar --even if it feels phony or unsatisfying to us--rather than take a risk in our own behalf.)

Conclusion

If we decide to take a chance--to allow God an opportunity to work with us--we're likely to sense the need to enter into spiritual disciplines (I sense resistance already!). Rather than think of these practices as boring and insipid, it is helpful to picture our spiritual lives as a huge house surrounded by Light. As we open the "windows" of spiritual disciplines, we let the Light of God in. We don't have to open all the windows at once; we can choose those practices that seem natural to us, that "call" to us, that sound interesting.

The traditional disciplines include worship, Bible study, spiritual reading, fasting, the daily examen, journaling, hospitality, service, and--most of all--prayer. Even gratitude and frustration can be windows to God, if approached as sacred practices. We will review specific avenues of spiritual practice that give God a chance to work with us toward authenticity and transformation. But first, like the brave little puddle-fishes, we must jump with sincere trust, being willing to flow with the Divine current of God's process in, through, and for us.

 

 

 

November 9-15 2014

As I review November 9-15, I am keeping in mind the question of what I learned about God and me this week.

            I have kept up with my exercise program of yoga, total gym, and P90X2. My right shoulder is getting increasingly better. It still reminds me when I get in certain positions that it has not received healing.

            Certain groups for spiritual formation remain important to me. The Men’s Group on Saturday morning has been wonderful sharing.

            The Finance Committee had a difficult meeting. The worship design team had a wonderful meeting.

 

 

            This does not happen often, but this was a learning week for me. On Monday, I had a wonderful meeting with Rob Renfroe leading a discussion of his book, The Trouble with the Truth. Kayc Mykrantz and Peggy Billiard of the staff were present. What he invited us to reflect upon was balancing grace and truth. People will not hear the truth from us unless they also know our compassion for them. Truth matters because the ideas you have will have consequences in your life. He discussed the notion of worldviews, such as Christian, modernist, and post-modernist. Truth is objective rather than subjective, universal rather than relative, unchanging rather than ever-changing. The new absolutes are openness, tolerance, pluralism (all religions teach the same thing, sincerity rather than belief, do not judge me) and being non-judgmental. Jesus called upon people to repent because he loved them. The response of the church to this post modern setting is not to handle the truth either. One reaction is to go on the attack and the other is to be silent. Freud taught us we cannot even get hold of the self, let alone the truth. Protestant liberalism came out of the modernist world view. It boiled down Christianity to the fatherhood of God and the brotherhood of humanity, as well as the sacredness of the self. Behind modernism is Bertrand Russell and Richard Dawkins. Your purpose is to pass on your DNA. It will say that Jesus is my way to salvation, but you may have another way. Evil is not hurting people in the post-modern view. We also discussed the Chris Ritter plan for the UM denomination to dissolve and create two denominations. He ended by encouraging us that all God has even had to work with is imperfect people, sinners like us. The world is not right, so it needs people who dream of what can be.

 

 

            Covenant day proved to be an intriguing day. Bishop Mike invited us to read Life Together, by Bonhoeffer. I quickly learned that it was OK not to have an agenda and trust the process. Some good conversation with Stacy Downing, Tom DeFries, Chuck Britt, and a few others. Bishop discussed form Ephesians 4 on what unites us. It was a particular blessing that it closed with retired clergy to stand around the sanctuary at St. Luke’s and receiving a prayer and anointing. In my case, when I saw Bill Clayton, I went to him, and just asked for him to pray for me whatever he wished. I thanked him for being a true father in the faith for me.

            My reading group met to discuss Malinowski, Magic, Science, and Religion. This was a significant essay that came out of anthropology. An intriguing essay in that it tries to reduce the distance between our experience of the world and primitive humanity. He was also part of the group that shows how religion is always present where humanity is present.

            A wonderful learning with the Peer Mentoring group as we discussed Alan Hirsch. There are are some videos on youtube. The mission of God has a church. A missional church sends its people out into the world and toward people not comfortable with church. He encourages us to develop relationship with unchurched people. The reason is that church is not attractive to a significant percentage of people today, possibly around 60%. He point out that the church has spent $70 Billion on buildings, and the result is continued decline. Hirsch has moved to America because he has come from the American future, Australia, unless it changes. He focuses on cultural distance. The culture has moved away from the church, while the church continued the same ministries. The organizational life of the church built up during a time when culture was close to the church. Yet, even in a largely secular culture, people still believe, even if vaguely, in God, they like Jesus, and they believe in some form of spirituality. The church does not come out so well. The mega church might reach about 40% of the population in America, but what about the rest? Churches are competing for the 40%, so to speak, rather than focusing on the 60%. The missional church is willing to move from the hole they are digging and move to another setting and dig there. Today, on any given Sunday, 18.1% of the American people are in church. In 2025, church attendance will be down to 9%, unless something significant happens. His point is incarnational ministry, finding out where unchurched people are hanging out, and having disciples of Jesus hang out there as well. He referred to Travellers as a possibility. Tampa Underground is another.

 

            Another important part of the week was the completion of study of sermons for May. This is always a learning experience.

            I have been working with a family for a Funeral that will happen on Saturday morning. I do not know the person who died, but I do know the family. It was good to hear them discuss what he meant in their lives. We had a wonderful service. Some good witness from the family, a song, and several stood up to witness as well. A very good spirit throughout. After that, at the same funeral home, Gundrum, I had the opportunity to talk with a member of the former Market Street UMC with the death of her husband. I saw several members of Cross~Wind present at the viewing.

            Suzanne and I are spending some time away once a month, and this was the week. We spent it with friends Fred and Judy Gerhardt in Lansing, MI. A great time. He had a book by Tim LaHaye, Global Warning.

            We also had a nice time with a choir from the Indiana Wesleyan College group that came to Logansport, IN to sing Disney songs. Very nice and many good memories.

 

 

            The Chicken and Noodle Dinner seemed to go well. I helped get out the desserts and collect the trays. A good spirit throughout the evening.