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.