tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-57383786694294590042024-03-28T10:19:05.134-04:00ShanktificationJeremy Shank, South Central Ohio District Licensed Pastor, Church of the NazareneJeremy Shankhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08002720686587186581noreply@blogger.comBlogger110125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5738378669429459004.post-31597724853818904492022-06-12T08:40:00.000-04:002022-06-12T08:40:33.992-04:00Reputation<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhChJsqWS64a2naLUn8YSKiTmm4HIACoeZnfRNREaz5r9ZySNBEvQlgqAMXk0hQJQcINT6z_xyJTsXjCxOiLfPLblQdARwdkzJoUyxNI3rmubEBiYtL4gLVgaNZasmmP_-a1fzx3eZwQSDqK6VTGMtSyWpI7JJceWY6sYCcxmjpLsQLxSZMwtzw4i-d/s720/lots-wife.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="607" data-original-width="720" height="540" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhChJsqWS64a2naLUn8YSKiTmm4HIACoeZnfRNREaz5r9ZySNBEvQlgqAMXk0hQJQcINT6z_xyJTsXjCxOiLfPLblQdARwdkzJoUyxNI3rmubEBiYtL4gLVgaNZasmmP_-a1fzx3eZwQSDqK6VTGMtSyWpI7JJceWY6sYCcxmjpLsQLxSZMwtzw4i-d/w640-h540/lots-wife.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT9Y-wliMsfGQyD-V6cdQB0wh_OtaKXPSjY-MYTmGD88Rp4UYejaZytLqfgYfkJ0DQdIj8UNRG7_KeUsyR0UR16vBn_QPFdFDWrFEbdTUQOCT6fEAWzSXMh_Qgkr_nZPnBXs_mRYkhfNqo8LXGYGX4NOi4LrsyKGk_bGUohgAgRNoEqu9lmluEY73H/s461/Luke%2017.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="259" data-original-width="461" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT9Y-wliMsfGQyD-V6cdQB0wh_OtaKXPSjY-MYTmGD88Rp4UYejaZytLqfgYfkJ0DQdIj8UNRG7_KeUsyR0UR16vBn_QPFdFDWrFEbdTUQOCT6fEAWzSXMh_Qgkr_nZPnBXs_mRYkhfNqo8LXGYGX4NOi4LrsyKGk_bGUohgAgRNoEqu9lmluEY73H/s16000/Luke%2017.jpg" /></a></div><p>I preached this message repeatedly through the years but have never actually gotten the words down on paper in any constructive way. This message has taken many forms and has included material from many different parts of my life and churches I have served and places I have been. The bulk of this message has drawn inspiration from a favorite author of mine, Ken Gire. He has authored more than 20 books, but his <i>Moments with the Savior</i> series has been my absolute go-to for a look into the scriptural word of the Gospels with some well intention-ed liberties taken to fill in the gaps and paint the background around the stories of Jesus that we know so well. On one such occasion, Gire even steps into the Old Testament for a moment to explain one such reference that is made in an illustration used from Luke 17. I have revisited this text when I first enter a church. I have come back to it when I am at a place for a few years. And, I have tried to make sure I stop here again one last time before I move on from a pulpit. While I have drawn heavily from the work of Ken Gire in delivering the message, I have only attempted to manuscript this message once (back in 2012 in my <a href="https://friedchickenandburritos.blogspot.com/2012/02/reputation.html">Fried Chicken and Burritos blog</a>). </p><p>It's time for an update.</p><p>A bit of scriptural history is needed before we arrive at the place mentioned by Jesus. The story that our Savior references comes from Genesis 19. If we back up a few chapters, we see Lot and Abraham having a conversation about who is going to settle where. Both of their camps have grown so large that they cannot find ample ground in which to sustain both of their families and servants and animals. So, they choose. Abram headed to more rocky, hilly, desert like country. Lot eyes the lush, green area known as Sodom. What do we know about the land and area here simply by hearing it's name?</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1FFbeqS8053ql97BT0edtnJrPRyE-ZUWmPBHFnZARiBMCBuhxK0T-a-PeqG6LZxFFAfiVKfGmxf68ERNqGxEHSYddRUbzOCzsZmESa4vig0WpRoM1La-idOjk7IIdGtKtfP2eJr88S0NaDWZdHa7HANW7bq-pKiRhbrn8RLCe0gbER_Bpe8biJP2u/s384/Sodom.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="355" data-original-width="384" height="296" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1FFbeqS8053ql97BT0edtnJrPRyE-ZUWmPBHFnZARiBMCBuhxK0T-a-PeqG6LZxFFAfiVKfGmxf68ERNqGxEHSYddRUbzOCzsZmESa4vig0WpRoM1La-idOjk7IIdGtKtfP2eJr88S0NaDWZdHa7HANW7bq-pKiRhbrn8RLCe0gbER_Bpe8biJP2u/s320/Sodom.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p>The words <i>Sin</i> and <i>Sodom</i> could easily be exchanged in the course of a sentence. This region sat in the southern most portion of the Jordan Valley. To call a place or area "Sodom", in comparative likeness, is said to have begun around 1594 as people would have called other cities out for being living in similar practices. Sodom was well known for it's location, it's excesses and it's growing population. The ways of making money here brought people from all over. It is exactly what brings Lot. He would raise his family here. He would grow his livestock business and become a leader in the community. They thought well enough of his to make him a judge, presiding over the civic affairs of the people. </p><p>The scripture in Genesis 19 recalls the two angelic men who come to the city that day. They find Lot "sitting in the gate", an equivalent for "being a judge". In past years I have used the video series "That The World May Know" - a resource funded and produced by Focus On The Family with the help of Dr James Dobson. Bible teacher and historian, Ray van der Laan, led a crew of students through different places of interest in the Holy Land seeing dig sites and places of historical significance. One such video shows the unearthing of a small city that is believed to have been from the time of King Solomon. There were three chambers on each side, a total of six gates, leading archeologists to believe that it came from the Solomonic period. It is easy to see here the possibility of someone like Lot "sitting in the gate" of a city. As people are coming and going through the entrance of a city like this they would have need of answer to their question. They would need advice. They would need someone to provide judgment on matter of business or personal affairs. That is where we find Lot. </p><p>In years past, this where I have stopped and turned the gaze of the scriptures toward the people in whatever church I have served and asked them to put themselves into the pages of history. What does the world around us think of our lives? What do they know about us? Would our towns and villages ask us to "sit in the gate"? (Most of us would probably run from the notion.) Few of us would want to be put in a place of this stature. As a child, I grew tired of being told what to do. I wanted to spread my own wings, make my own mistakes, answer my own questions. I never got to be a leader. I never got to be in charge. As I progressed through my twenties and into my thirties, I finally got my chance to be up front in the church. Now, after 25 years of pastoral ministry, I can tell you that it's not all it's cracked up to be. There are days I don't even want to darken the doorway. </p><p>Before I get sidetracked with my own historical perspective, let me say that what we need to focus on here is what the world around us thinks of us. Better yet, what they <i>know</i> about us. I've seen many a thought posted across Facebook and on pages listed under "inspirational quotes" that would suggest that it doesn't matter what others think about us. <i>Just live your life and don't worry about what others think of you</i> seems to be the push these days. That is unless you do something or say something that would leave a bitter taste in the mouth of someone who mentions your name. The focus of this Christian life to to lead other people to <i>Christ</i>. What would people say about you? What do people think of you? As they pass you in the grocery store? As they see you walking your dog down the street? As they shake your hand at a football game or community festival? What is going through their mind when they lay their eyeballs on you? I could project a few unfavored thoughts out there. You should get the point by now. What people think of us does matter. Especially when the matter is trying to help people find their way to Christ and become disciples and followers of Him. </p><p>As I pen this message, I find myself working in a direction I had not contemplated before. It seems like I have pushed it here before only to say that our reputation is of utmost importance. What people know about us need to led the way into a way of evangelism where we share Jesus with other people. But, what do we do when our reputation has been tarnished? How can we fix it and restore it if what people know about us has been polluted? Is there any way to make things right? My affinity for superhero movies did not disappoint as I sought for an illustration. The recent blockbuster <i>Dr Strange in the Multiverse of Madness</i> was an inspiration to the soul and the senses. The idea that there are many different universes across space and time is one that can confuse our minds. The notion that redemption is possible is one that transcends both time and space across any universal format. In the course of the movie we find our hero confronted with several characters that fans would find themselves familiar with from the comics. One of them is Professor Charles Xavier, or Professor X, as fans of the X-Men franchise would call him. Many characters in the world of the X-Men seem to have "lost their way" as the good Professor would say. But, the popular ideal that transcends its way into this newest movie is a line that we have heard the leader of the X-Men say repeatedly through the years. "Just because someone stumbles or loses their way, it doesn't mean they are lost forever." Even the friend and enemy of the Professor, the evil Magneto - Erik Lehnsherr, who swore to bring down the world and tear everything in his path apart with his ability to control all thing made of metal, comes back to his friend at the end of the movie franchise in a redemptive role. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7KgMhxfpeLU22pbFVhMCNYbVHNDhOaAtetS5MM4RVbdq5peRm4C-jfClQp96R0YV6OyqCLxK4QzCZUZvD2_y26C6bFgv0jYkyO1uoBWlPRL5CNlkg1rojhIfluPVt7swxgHQBrsi32pTwCxmEyyctzpX4h1GPs9msrLIoEzTdFY7mIlvaeC8tCW1z/s2000/a646099189b6618c240eb8dde7b1819a.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="2000" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7KgMhxfpeLU22pbFVhMCNYbVHNDhOaAtetS5MM4RVbdq5peRm4C-jfClQp96R0YV6OyqCLxK4QzCZUZvD2_y26C6bFgv0jYkyO1uoBWlPRL5CNlkg1rojhIfluPVt7swxgHQBrsi32pTwCxmEyyctzpX4h1GPs9msrLIoEzTdFY7mIlvaeC8tCW1z/w400-h400/a646099189b6618c240eb8dde7b1819a.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p>The imaginative world of movies aside, what makes anyone think that someone can change their reputation? Can we really change what people think they know about us? Although it was made into a movie, the real life events surrounding the life of a New Jersey man named Joe Clark come to the forefront. I have referenced him countless times through the years and quite often in this message on reputation. Joe was known as an angry man. Some called him "Crazy Joe". As a teacher at East Side High in Patterson, NJ the hot headed Clark was known for his tirades against the school district and state government. After walking out of the high school during a heated exchange with the teachers union, we find the central character in his latter years serving as prinicipal of one of the elementary schools. His friend and colleague, Frank Naper, who taught with Joe at Eastside, is then the school district suprintendent. Big changes need to happen at the high school and all over the school district or the state is planning to step in and take over the education system. The only person that Napier sees right for the job is his old pal, Joe Clark. The day Napier comes to talk to Joe as school lets out at the elementary is a focal point of the movie. Frank explains to Joe the situation and wonders if this is the chance to turn things around. Get things going in a direction at Eastside and all over the school district. Joe is less than enthused at Frank's idea. </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="337" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/e9YtJr_C7NQ" width="479" youtube-src-id="e9YtJr_C7NQ"></iframe> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">After a heated exchange. Frank levels with Joe over the truth of the matter. "<i>The truth is for all your talk and all your 'Crazy Joe' routine what have you ever done? Nothing! You're nothing but an insignificant man. It's as if you were never born. Your life hasn't made one bit of difference, and neither has mine. Want to take that to the grave?</i>" For the record, Joe does take the job at Eastside. They do succeed in turning test scores around and making change. But, lasting change is hard. While Clark's tough nosed, rage filled (at times) approach kept tough-to-deal-with students in line, percentages in certain areas - like, reading or math, didn't show any sign of improvement. In fact, they turned worse in some respects. While Clark's methods sought to instill school pride and ownership over one's life, his methods were scrutinized by many. Some said if he hadn't been dealing with poor, black kids in an inner-city situation that his tactics would have never been tolerated. Other praised him for his courage and strength. Joe truly lived by the idea of not caring what other people thought of him. And, yet, after an exchange late in the film with his female vice-principal, Joe does soften a bit and lightens his harsh demeanor.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I tend to make a central point of personal reputation throughout this message. Today I want to truly focus on what we can do to make things different and better concerning our outward display toward others. How can we fix our reputation? How can we turn a corner and start afresh? One of the most telling ways is finding out how hard it is to say you're sorry. Joe Clark actually reaches that place late in the movie. How late in life do we need to find ourselves before the words leave our lips? Another question would be, will the person we need to make things right with actually allow us to make things right? If they will not, then we need to take another approach. Just do the right thing. Begin now with the emphasis to say the right things, act the right way, live life as the person you are supposed to be. Be the husband or wife your spouse needs you to be. Be the father or mother your kids need you to be. Be the brother or sister your family needs you to be. Maybe the door will finally open to allow you to make things right with the other person. Maybe it never will. The desire to fix one's reputation needs to be as important to you as life itself. The need to share Jesus with others depends on it. The need to love your family and church as Jesus loves you if what matters the most. Author and pastor Max Lucado said it best. "God loves you just the way you are. But, he refuses to leave you that way. He wants us to be just like Jesus." Jesus loved other people regardless of their shortcomings, their sins, their attitudes. If we want love and forgiveness for ourselves then we must love other people with that same intention. <br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Now we find ourselves focusing on the church in general. While I have taken the avenue of speaking about our personal lives through much of this message, it is at this point that I bring it around to the life of the church as a whole. The subject of reputation is one that is woven through the scriptures. We see it prominently in Revelation as Jesus speaks with seven different churches about what they are all know for in their regions. Jesus speaks directly to each church about what he already knows of them. The church at Sardis might be the most pertinent for all of us. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1OeJD6TeJEDuSsMQ7xgcK5zv1l-Xzp9b3s8y4_uygn73HyV651ZUNUSakRmNRbwLDxDoli91gRb-zlNi86a3iRvy829RKU4RqeaOL1uuOZiOvMR0ReRQjlHj-zrNnxcTqudvja1oqXhHiVIRbVZk7RizyBiDXC6xzdLndTj9pPauq5ABOaT9HkUYQ/s698/Rev%203.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="585" data-original-width="698" height="536" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1OeJD6TeJEDuSsMQ7xgcK5zv1l-Xzp9b3s8y4_uygn73HyV651ZUNUSakRmNRbwLDxDoli91gRb-zlNi86a3iRvy829RKU4RqeaOL1uuOZiOvMR0ReRQjlHj-zrNnxcTqudvja1oqXhHiVIRbVZk7RizyBiDXC6xzdLndTj9pPauq5ABOaT9HkUYQ/w640-h536/Rev%203.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Joe Clark would have brought the point home. "They say, 'One bad apples spoils the bunch!'" Jesus says the church at Sardis has "a reputation for being alive". Some of the people are awake and focused. By the time we get to verse 4 we see some people who have had their morning coffee. They eyes are open. They know what's going on. But, the ones that are not are making the whole situation harder for the entire group. Our Lord is more direct here than he is with any of the other churches. If our hearts are in the right place, if our focus is where it needs to be, our names will be in "the book of life". If we don't seek to make things right, to repent and turn our hearts, He will come and we won't even realize what is going on. Its that stark and direct. No middle ground there. It is one way or the other. <div><div><br /></div><div>It has been ten years here at Thornville and only a couple years with Hopewell. Sometimes it seems like we haven't accomplished much. "I have found your deeds unfinished in the sight of my God." What is theres till to do? So much! Will anyone be willing to take the Slide show presentation over after Gabby is done in a couple weeks? You ladies who have enjoyed the bible study on Thursday nights; will you continue on and bring others into the fold or will you let it die? I'm not going to be here to pass out hot dogs this fall. Did the notion that we were sharing God's Love with people walking by rub off on anyone? Will the Night live on or will it go by the wayside? There is so much possibility here. </div><div><br /></div><div>The scriptural and historical focus from Luke 17 centers on the character of Lot's wife.</div></div><div><br /></div><div>The subject of reputation truly comes to rest on the matter of looking backwards. This is what we know about Lot's wife. When confronted with the truth that she would lose all she had in Sodom, when told that she needed to press onward and go forth to a new future, she does what any sad and depressed person might do. She turns and looks back. </div><div><br /></div><div>Everything she knew was back there. She raised her family back there. The story from Genesis says that her daughters were planning to get married. There were grandkids in the future. There was a nice comfortable life they had made for themselves. Now, she is being told to leave it all behind. Many a church person finds themselves in the same place. Maybe you have been right where Lot's wife is in this scripture. Maybe you have to learn how to deal with the future. Maybe things change in your congregation. We have to acceps ways of doing church differently. We have to say goodbye to pastors and welcome new families into the fold. There are new songs and new ways to worship. Or, we could hunker down and get all cemented into a way we think thinggs have to be because we are in league with the seven sure words that will kill a church. "We have always done it that way." </div><div><br /></div><div>Seventeen words paint the picture we are looking at today. <span style="font-family: inherit;">"<span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px;">Whoever tries to keep their life will lose it, and whoever loses their life will preserve it."</span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px;">Three words put a caption underneath it. "Remember Lot's wife."</span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px;">And, remember our Savior. Who gave his life for all of us. Who dies for our sins. Who left behind all he had for the sake of others. </span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px;">Reputation Means Everything.</span></span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5738378669429459004.post-1095356103407940982022-06-09T12:56:00.000-04:002022-06-09T12:56:12.165-04:00New Blog<p> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ_DB-0RFEEjOYBRRZuAEDl_krvVomm-8E_-FO86ecjSdDeUWSYvHP3zgE3Ya8Ri4EUCBIjHEoVA3D92DIe1GtcVZApBVbqkzdjBpWa6OCIHyOipn6p7NZvg1NVtnFaIjyx8kJOGKSUbaRE2zhtuxeqqzUFRlGx_aG-dQ4cCJRw3R14o34b3FpkfEd/s1024/Wing_mirror.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="711" data-original-width="1024" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ_DB-0RFEEjOYBRRZuAEDl_krvVomm-8E_-FO86ecjSdDeUWSYvHP3zgE3Ya8Ri4EUCBIjHEoVA3D92DIe1GtcVZApBVbqkzdjBpWa6OCIHyOipn6p7NZvg1NVtnFaIjyx8kJOGKSUbaRE2zhtuxeqqzUFRlGx_aG-dQ4cCJRw3R14o34b3FpkfEd/s16000/Wing_mirror.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blindspottheology.blogspot.com">https://blindspottheology.blogspot.com</a></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td></tr></tbody></table></p><p>As I get ready to transition to the Thurston church, I want to make you aware that I will be working with a new blog. You'll find links on this current site that take you over to it. <a href="http://blindspottheology.blogspot.com">Life in the Blind Spot</a> will be the place you will find my sermon work as I begin afresh at Thurston UMC. Please feel free to share any of my material across Facebook and other social media sites. Please tell everyone about the Blind Spot blog. I'll see you over there 😀<br /></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5738378669429459004.post-55792909250552453902022-06-05T08:39:00.004-04:002022-06-05T08:46:10.841-04:00Black or Cream & Sugar<p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;"> Pentecost Sunday</span></b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;"></span></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><p><b><span style="font-size: x-large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMsZCFIPNSrHsAYExFRXLeBg3eVSSVAZI79ikCtqB3YfxIHPoEk7UxRMtxDRAQ_ZfDVsV1ui-yIZyQPSw0e1B58PpQlP5m0qW8RHnXXmzo8_QWxG8Jj1t8weqOkVG8-G-4cQ2wq0t-o-QSNLTD2dbeetYqulxX3ELhzDYKWqA7u2STppI6Id1Q7X3O/s383/Screenshot%202022-06-05%20at%2007-49-30%20Methodist%20Minister%20powered%20by%20God%20and%20Coffee%20Mug%20Zazzle.com.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="366" data-original-width="383" height="306" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMsZCFIPNSrHsAYExFRXLeBg3eVSSVAZI79ikCtqB3YfxIHPoEk7UxRMtxDRAQ_ZfDVsV1ui-yIZyQPSw0e1B58PpQlP5m0qW8RHnXXmzo8_QWxG8Jj1t8weqOkVG8-G-4cQ2wq0t-o-QSNLTD2dbeetYqulxX3ELhzDYKWqA7u2STppI6Id1Q7X3O/s320/Screenshot%202022-06-05%20at%2007-49-30%20Methodist%20Minister%20powered%20by%20God%20and%20Coffee%20Mug%20Zazzle.com.png" width="320" /></a></span></b></p></div><p style="text-align: left;"></p><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-size: small;">It's time to look again at that incredible day when the church began.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-size: small;">This special moment, however, is hard for some to handle. It's even more delicate when you deal with all the mitigating factors of worship and spiritual gifts and how people have chosen to handle themselves concerning their own natural inclinations toward expressions and emotional outburst. </span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-size: small;">Yes, Pentecost is a tricky time for the Church in general. </span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-size: small;">I liken the whole experience to a cup of coffee.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-size: small;">Either you like coffee or you don't. There's really no middle of the road there. Either you have to have that brown , murky liquid rolling down your throat in the morning or the very smell or thought of being near it just turns your stomach. My wife doesn't even care for the aroma of it. I didn't used to be a heavy coffee drinker, but in my latter years I have come to find it comforting and helpful. </span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-size: small;">Now, if you do like a <a href="https://knowyourphrase.com/cup-of-joe">cup of joe</a>, that opens things up to a much widen discussion. How do you like your coffee? Do you drink it straight black? Do you have to add some cream or sugar or both? (Dear Lord, help us all) I am a decidedly black coffee drinker. It doesn't need anything else put in it. Some old farts would nod their heads in acceptance of this. Some of those same people would never put A-1 on a steak. Never put any condiment on their burger. (Those are separate discussions that we could have later on. I do like my A-1.) </span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-size: small;">For some, looking at the day of Pentecost is no easier than looking at the day Christ died on the cross. Some folks just cannot handle the gore and the bloodshed of the day and would rather that we not even talk about the subject matter. However, just like the day of the Pentecost, the future doesn't happen without the miracle of love and life that God extends to us all in this expression. We have no salvation if Christ doesn't complete the work that is needed at the Cross. The Church, also, has no beginnings without this day of Pentecost. We need it. We need to talk about it. We need to deal with it. Even if it's uncomfortable. </span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-size: small;">Some would take the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on this scriptural day to mean that we can be demonstrative in our human expression. If you've veer been in a Pentecostal or Apostolic worship service, you know that the emotional side of ourselves comes out full force. (And, Pentecost is something shared and used all year round.) That cup of coffee has so much sugar in it I can't even imagine how anyone can drink it. But, that it how some would choose to explain and share their Pentecostal experience. I come from a church background where seeing the day of Pentecost was minimal and without enunciation. I do not recall much of any fanfare or theological importance put on the moment. Then came my time with the Holiness churches. Nazarenes would be your black coffee drinkers. There was no speaking in tongues because people have abused that spiritual gift. We might stand and share a testimony. We might clap our hands occasionally. At camp meeting on the yearly basis, we might see someone run the aisle when "I'm a Child of the King" was sung. But, the whole experience seemed controlled. We made sure our human expression was kept in check. </span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-size: small;">Leads me back to an earlier phrase. How did the term "cup of joe" come to be a thing? <br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;">Well, the origin of this phrase is uncertain. However, there are a
few theories. One of them is as follows: Josephus Daniels, who was
Secretary of the Navy, banned U.S. Navy ships from serving alcoholic
beverages in the year 1914. This ban led to sailors consuming more
coffee (among other drinks) Since
Josephus Daniels was responsible for the ban and thus perhaps being
partly blamed for the growing intake of coffee, they (the sailors)
nicknamed the drink after him, thus it became ‘a cup of joe,’ Joe being
short for Josephus. If you come from a place in your own history where you have felt the controlling nature of the places and people around you, then maybe you see and can apply the illustration into what we think about Pentecost. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">A more plausible sounding theory is mentioned at <a href="https://www.snopes.com/fact-check/cup-of-joe/">Snopes</a>, where it’s
explained that the word ‘joe’ can simply mean ‘an ordinary man.’ For
example, perhaps you’ve heard the term ‘an average joe.’ This term is
used to describe someone who is thought of as being an everyday,
ordinary kind of person. Thus, nicknaming coffee as ‘a cup of joe’ would
indicate that it’s a drink for the common man, or the average person. Here is where I think we miss the mark all over in Christendom concerning the day of Pentecost. It's not about us. Are we looking outward to the common, ordinary world? If you feel the need to express yourself with tongues and speaking, then I encourage you to look to the world around you and see where the message of Christ could be shared. Are you being called into the mission field? Are you being drawn to go serve in an outlying community abroad that could use your gift to help spread the message of Christ? Maybe we need to open up a little more. Maybe we need to add some cream and sugar to our coffee. (I didn't even mention the subject of iced coffee today.) Did you know that there are some where would drink their coffee cold? With ice cubes in it? (What are we Lutheran or something? Presbyterian?) How in the world did that tradition get started? </div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;">Maybe that's exactly what we should be doing with this wild and crazy day.</div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;">Looking into all these other ways of drinking our coffee and asking why. Learning what makes other people tick and what their traditions are all about. There is so much to see and experience in this day that Church began. It is a day for all of us. A day we all can enjoy. </div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;">Pour me a cup.</div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhonv7PDSBdLkgnIftm3GKMaR5xKerUZF4tPTtolW0ZfQ5HfgKB0Kc7NqdkEPtxaiBSBJg1OT0Ny3-bZ1KX8gklQnV9Z3WteB_zub9SdH-9GwEF4Q1FWy8AOpCOk0SyQzb0X9S3nPHqW5F5MdGudMXMRxx_ZRTbBXUwNFYHP29i63Sdb7c8iHenKsWq/s750/0_750x750_Back_Color-White.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="750" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhonv7PDSBdLkgnIftm3GKMaR5xKerUZF4tPTtolW0ZfQ5HfgKB0Kc7NqdkEPtxaiBSBJg1OT0Ny3-bZ1KX8gklQnV9Z3WteB_zub9SdH-9GwEF4Q1FWy8AOpCOk0SyQzb0X9S3nPHqW5F5MdGudMXMRxx_ZRTbBXUwNFYHP29i63Sdb7c8iHenKsWq/s320/0_750x750_Back_Color-White.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /> <br /><p></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span></b><br /></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5738378669429459004.post-4780458232022526272022-05-14T14:58:00.002-04:002022-05-14T14:58:32.120-04:00Behind Closed Doors (or Third Time's a Charm)<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ3ET-jGdO2STo_AcwI_4E00WQtmk5YOEx5rS2_FMVrF0qHtij0lqx6Iy3EmbVnOsZBfVEhMaF0lRiwa8s0lmDMjtYBJpmQG7oT1zEJSlUHOngmMVJq-chmQYeHRZtHOMvVrRAykCBK46EzXx5ziVjsP-2bb4qUEjinLUY4dU4iff7rm2StnVyLVGk/s1000/october-13-lock-key.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="1000" height="160" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ3ET-jGdO2STo_AcwI_4E00WQtmk5YOEx5rS2_FMVrF0qHtij0lqx6Iy3EmbVnOsZBfVEhMaF0lRiwa8s0lmDMjtYBJpmQG7oT1zEJSlUHOngmMVJq-chmQYeHRZtHOMvVrRAykCBK46EzXx5ziVjsP-2bb4qUEjinLUY4dU4iff7rm2StnVyLVGk/s320/october-13-lock-key.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">Behind Closed Doors</span></b></p><p><b><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span></b></p><p><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">OR </span></b></p><p><b><span style="font-size: x-large;"></span></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzNs4wcpycpk2LpDKpcrcorxm2lW8CP6-q1nNv8phMqGHQNd-_4m1YWndcBlesEr4c5lwxoKXuUCHoV8_LBlizmAQQp5A0DQn9c0Nm9BQduE24ISNpoe3ex6LM5Qnz_s6VbD4x4f3fL6366gxTgkGl8duqi1W2dWx-9n8j9d3eIGoU8Md5e9_TUENU/s266/charm.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="190" data-original-width="266" height="190" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzNs4wcpycpk2LpDKpcrcorxm2lW8CP6-q1nNv8phMqGHQNd-_4m1YWndcBlesEr4c5lwxoKXuUCHoV8_LBlizmAQQp5A0DQn9c0Nm9BQduE24ISNpoe3ex6LM5Qnz_s6VbD4x4f3fL6366gxTgkGl8duqi1W2dWx-9n8j9d3eIGoU8Md5e9_TUENU/s1600/charm.jpg" width="266" /></a></span></b></div><b><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /> </span></b><p></p><p><b><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span></b></p><p><b><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span></b></p><p><b><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZCnZ8RDCI2Kk20cx-unRkzDb1KdOnrMTu4QUN1yutjEaaNkMbD3_bI7E1w4ht1XKaeuy2Du_JV-xviVF5bJduCZt8oq9rrDp3YM8aIqtm0O1F9JobKdSyR6nCxQLfG4zu3gfjx3laDQLbHOz281qELEFuAH2oSdrJRY4IUxVDp19p-0w3RWk-icZo/s626/John%2020.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="626" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZCnZ8RDCI2Kk20cx-unRkzDb1KdOnrMTu4QUN1yutjEaaNkMbD3_bI7E1w4ht1XKaeuy2Du_JV-xviVF5bJduCZt8oq9rrDp3YM8aIqtm0O1F9JobKdSyR6nCxQLfG4zu3gfjx3laDQLbHOz281qELEFuAH2oSdrJRY4IUxVDp19p-0w3RWk-icZo/s16000/John%2020.jpg" /></a></span></b></div><b><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></b><p></p><p><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></p><p><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></p><p><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></p><p><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></p><p><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></p><p><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></p><p><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></p><p><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></p><p><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></p><p><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></p><p><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></p><p><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></p><p><span style="font-size: small;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxZLLJkADmUR8bKSqRwuQYcItUBPWwW1jc8cjAUOScgdlLfmv6HdVO52oHU89GjbC4Tlj1HAaSBRwz263u00HR5c3RdkgrlMEE_dG_jCTgIsanQ--raAEXuAhZB0sPU-2S_EiqVAbzRqOsF0oNQXIT-stwuvE9Ht-jLOD9oRYwVqcOCAi2AL8oQjFY/s643/John%2020a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="498" data-original-width="643" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxZLLJkADmUR8bKSqRwuQYcItUBPWwW1jc8cjAUOScgdlLfmv6HdVO52oHU89GjbC4Tlj1HAaSBRwz263u00HR5c3RdkgrlMEE_dG_jCTgIsanQ--raAEXuAhZB0sPU-2S_EiqVAbzRqOsF0oNQXIT-stwuvE9Ht-jLOD9oRYwVqcOCAi2AL8oQjFY/s16000/John%2020a.jpg" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: small;"><br /> </span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: small;">We are headed toward Pentecost coming up June 5th. <br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: small;">We also have some ground to cover concerning Jesus' behind the scenes work. Speaking with disciples. Making public appearances. The usual, encouraging Jesus stuff. It's how he works. God doesn't splash items across billboards or crash through a TV screen to get to us. Many times, God comes in the quiet. He comes when we aren't expecting him. He comes when we have the door locked and we are just trying to avoid everyone. I made mention a couple weeks ago from a resource that stated that Jesus made at least 10 appearances to his Disciples before making the Ascension. One of the most memorable is found in John 20. Three times in the Gospel of John we see this disciples rise to the forefront. We can learn much about our own faith as we take a look at the small discourse we hear from the one known as Thomas. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: small;">John's Gospel is different in many ways. From the non-linear way that the life and ministry of Jesus can be compared to the other three accounts. There are conversations and explanations that can only be found here in John's story. These three mentions of Thomas are a part of that. Who was this man and why is his image one that sticks with us so deeply? There is no doubt that many in our world know the phrase "Doubting Thomas" even if they do not have a religious connection to the words. </span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/_eFe3net82s" width="320" youtube-src-id="_eFe3net82s"></iframe> Nickel Creek - Doubting Thomas</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The idea of someone who cannot accept the truth unless they see it with their own eyes is a concept that seems to go beyond its scriptural origins. Even the bluegrass Nickel Creek captured the spirit of dealing with doubt and faith without going into the full matter of gospel connections. Music seems to be a perfect medium for speaking and sharing this subject matter. Think of all the songs that seem to speak to the matters of struggling with life and truth. My mind immediately drifted back to James Taylor - "Fire and Rain". </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="ujudUb"><i><span>I've seen fire and I've seen rain</span><br /><span>I've seen sunny days that I thought would never end</span><br /><span>I've seen lonely times when I could not find a friend</span><br /><span>But I always thought that I'd see you again</span></i></div><div class="ujudUb"><i><span>Won't you look down upon me, Jesus?</span><br /><span>You've got to help me make a stand</span><br /><span>You've just got to see me through another day</span><br /><span>My body's aching and my time is at hand</span><br /><span>And I won't make it any other way</span></i></div><div class="ujudUb"><span> </span></div><div class="ujudUb" style="text-align: left;"><span> <span style="font-size: small;">Imagine being in the shoes of a person left out of a big moment. Just this past week my son was telling me that his friends left him out of a moment where they played on </span></span><span><span style="font-size: small;"><span><span style="font-size: small;">ahead without him </span></span>in an online game. They were all supposed to work together and go take on the big dragon at the end of the game. Together. Only he got online to find that they had all beaten the big boss and he didn't get to be a part of the fun. Maybe you've been a part of something in your family or even at church. You wanted to help. You wanted to be a part of the planning and the execution of discussed ideas. Only you find out later that the group or family went on without you. It's a lonely, disconnecting thing to feel like you are on the outside looking in. </span></span></div><div class="ujudUb" style="text-align: left;"><span><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="ujudUb" style="text-align: left;"><span><span style="font-size: small;">Even in a group of twelve men, there seems to be an outsider who doesn't fit in. I'm taking my liberties here painting a picture of Thomas as a person who might fill that role. He is called "Didymus" from the Greek. His name, Thomas, means the same thing in Arabic. <i>Twin</i>. There isn't a lot of explanation that goes with the title and it's connection to Thomas. Did he have a twin back home in his family? Was he being compared to one of the other disciples and shown to be similar to one of them? One commentator said that his actual name would have been <i>Judas</i> Thomas. Since there were already two Judas characters in the group - Judas the Zealot and the traitor Judas Iscariot, it seemed like a third mention of the name would only serve to confuse. Thomas was enough and the sharing of his special story cements in our minds a strong correlation to a subject matter we should easily be able to relate. </span></span></div><div class="ujudUb" style="text-align: left;"><span><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="ujudUb" style="text-align: left;"><span><span style="font-size: small;">The disciple only gets a simple recognition in the list of name for those following Jesus in three different places from the Synoptic gospels. </span></span>(Matthew 10:3; Mark 3:18; Luke 6:15) Then there are three mentions of him in actual conversation from the Gospel of John. (John 11:16, 14:5, 20:24-28, 21:2) The first of John's mentions come from chapter 11 during the story of Lazarus at Bethany. It is easy for me to think of these men as little children when they make such outlandish statements, not fully knowing or understanding what they were getting themselves into at the time. Lazarus has died. His body in the tomb. Jesus stays a couple more days in the place where they were before heading in the direction of Mary and Martha. Jesus tells his disciples that Lazarus is "sleeping", trying to illustrate his death. The disciples are recorded as saying "If he sleeps, then he will get better." Have you had those moments where your speaking to your children and they don't get what your saying? You feel like crossing your arms and tapping your foot? Maybe you feel like beating your head against a wall! Then it says in John 11 that Jesus just tells them plainly, "Lazarus is dead." (Knuckleheads) Jesus is glad it went down this way so that he could show them the power of God. We know front the account that Lazarus will rise and many will believe. Thomas seems like he has to say something. "Let us go with him, that we may die also." It's one of those head scratching statements. Earlier in the passage there was talk of the Jews trying to kill Jesus in that region of Bethany. Now, Lazarus has died. What is Thomas referring to here? If they try to kill Jesus again, does he intended to put his life on the line and stand with Christ? It seems at that point in the passage that his words have more connection to the death of Lazarus. Does he wish they were all dead so that Jesus could raise them all up from the grave? </div><div class="ujudUb" style="text-align: left;"> </div><div class="ujudUb" style="text-align: left;">It is in a moment like this that I see a different connection to the word <i>Twin</i>. Is Thomas more like a disciple known as Peter? Peter had this knack for blurting out things and making statements. Peter gets a lot of attention throughout John's account and the place in John 20 where we see Jesus coming to appear to the doubting disciple is right after the Savior has dealt with restoring his close friend. Maybe that is the place where our words come together. maybe Thomas is Peter's <i>twin</i>. It is in John 14 that we see a second mention of Thomas speaking right on point with one of the most well known statements Our Lord will make. It is after the Upper Room meal. Judas Iscariot is off finding and making trouble. Everyone's feet have been washed. Now they are walking toward Gethsemane. Chapters 14, 15 and 16 give us much to ponder as Jesus is having one last teaching moment with his followers. Thomas' words get overlooked in the course of such mighty words from our Master. Jesus is talking about being with the Father. None of them seems to understand what he is talking about and Thomas straight up asks, "Lord, we don't know where you are going, so how can we know the way?" Maybe you can quote hat Jesus say to him by heart. Maybe those words have stuck with you through the years. Maybe they have gotten you out of a jam more than once. If I was in Thomas's shoes, I just know that they are words I would never forget. </div><div class="ujudUb" style="text-align: left;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAtw76thn0e7LSTisnWPrdoyivtom6c8Fv7NGOix6yHgsEZ_6ANmkHWuaEq0PYy2Ra6n-DOMgFB3zwsZgaPUk-VqNXy6WWa5EH-5wnmjpPDyFcHF1AvES3c_r2cDeS5VFlxkKhv_n2-K21OHq-CnW2d_ypI8m-iYERVC8UmH8X7p5GXYvWWsQ1t3Ar/s466/John%2014.6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="261" data-original-width="466" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAtw76thn0e7LSTisnWPrdoyivtom6c8Fv7NGOix6yHgsEZ_6ANmkHWuaEq0PYy2Ra6n-DOMgFB3zwsZgaPUk-VqNXy6WWa5EH-5wnmjpPDyFcHF1AvES3c_r2cDeS5VFlxkKhv_n2-K21OHq-CnW2d_ypI8m-iYERVC8UmH8X7p5GXYvWWsQ1t3Ar/s16000/John%2014.6.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="ujudUb" style="text-align: left;">Imagine being a person who has seen it all. Except for the one thing that you didn't get to see. The one thing that everybody has gotten to see. Expect for you. You were present for all the events. You could probably write a book knowing all that you know. There's just one thing missing that could solidify the entire matter for you and make all that you have experienced truly real. That's where we find this name named Thomas. And, if we are real about it, it's where we find ourselves. Anybody here ever seen Jesus? Have you witnessed anything mighty or earth shattering? Do you have anything you can pull out and point to with certainty? The Apostle John would later write...</div><div class="ujudUb" style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrK4c1htGKMoDaRP9CuLVFp_mJJzGEAspVxPKwOOFONtchuLXAghXmQMYJ0plWySwjK6b3tO4pbRFC4UpmHN4IKXzmxiCE4UxwN56czHsPhG7GpU8cmIzEUrOo6o2qIByWFpi1mpBghi5aQ_8O6nHdj4Emtd376AfjNkE6kFmKKrJ2kTGCQwJaypEk/s476/1%20John.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="344" data-original-width="476" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrK4c1htGKMoDaRP9CuLVFp_mJJzGEAspVxPKwOOFONtchuLXAghXmQMYJ0plWySwjK6b3tO4pbRFC4UpmHN4IKXzmxiCE4UxwN56czHsPhG7GpU8cmIzEUrOo6o2qIByWFpi1mpBghi5aQ_8O6nHdj4Emtd376AfjNkE6kFmKKrJ2kTGCQwJaypEk/s16000/1%20John.jpg" /></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">At that moment in John 20, Thomas is the one who hasn't done that. He hasn't placed his hands in Jesus' side. He hasn't seen the scars and the holes in his Savior's hands and feet. And, Thomas is calling out for it! He wants it. He demands it. He claims that he will not believe unless he gets to be a part of what everyone else has gotten to be included on. But, what God uses as a moment for all to share on, just like he did with the resurrection of Lazarus, he does here also. Didymus. The Twin. We are all Thomas. "Eye has not seen, nor ear heard..." (Isaiah 64.4, 1 Cor 2.9) We are still waiting. Longing. Wanting to be a part of what is to come. Wanting to see it with our own eyes. Hoping. Trusting. Believing. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Thomas gets to be a part of both sides of it. He gets to partake in what his fellow disciples saw with their own eyes. He also gets to be a beacon for those who would come after. He is our Twin. We find ourselves in a place where Jesus could come anytime. We hold on to the belief that he will return. We opened with the hymn "Only Trust Him" this morning. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Come, then, and join this holy band<br />and on to glory go,</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>to dwell in that celestial land<br />where joys immortal flow</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We are all doubting Thomas. We take our promises. We can feel safe knowing our Lord will return.<br /></div><p></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5738378669429459004.post-54972315539702617822022-04-17T08:37:00.000-04:002022-04-17T08:37:47.418-04:00Who Knows What Will Happen<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWNYrwXuCO2QPfGNfDGGphUia3dyDM0ngTnWghcoJMY9-XBWdbhbV4dYpM_8QNZfYNmSZYUZf0z2-QPpH2PUo_Ubb1jDg2pzUF_MzWxVtEhlITAocPSV6Wswnmbn6c2dup0jgx6AKrQS60Tc2sf6iZy52hwdPAXkvTs7vCvRoEtGbRWeZnlv0zL-NE/s486/what%20we%20believe.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="180" data-original-width="486" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWNYrwXuCO2QPfGNfDGGphUia3dyDM0ngTnWghcoJMY9-XBWdbhbV4dYpM_8QNZfYNmSZYUZf0z2-QPpH2PUo_Ubb1jDg2pzUF_MzWxVtEhlITAocPSV6Wswnmbn6c2dup0jgx6AKrQS60Tc2sf6iZy52hwdPAXkvTs7vCvRoEtGbRWeZnlv0zL-NE/s16000/what%20we%20believe.jpg" /></a></div><p></p><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIVlLmK8-TpehSsrgq3hXV7g6_UFOhNtBSKT1aTDvcls7PK0yi_J1XRz8FUSejyerTD2elgg9ed5twMi18D7vtLt7dxd9gNwdvZoAby29ks2-2Vrv6qV2C737VCSS6iE6HYWUrDtgViT-FkpRNygXOp-sNCRRkwGzPdxUjHZijIrvXC-p6vvVq1OY8/s1200/easter-feature.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="667" data-original-width="1200" height="356" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIVlLmK8-TpehSsrgq3hXV7g6_UFOhNtBSKT1aTDvcls7PK0yi_J1XRz8FUSejyerTD2elgg9ed5twMi18D7vtLt7dxd9gNwdvZoAby29ks2-2Vrv6qV2C737VCSS6iE6HYWUrDtgViT-FkpRNygXOp-sNCRRkwGzPdxUjHZijIrvXC-p6vvVq1OY8/w640-h356/easter-feature.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p>It's Easter Sunday and we know what happened. </p><p>We've heard all about the Resurrection. How Jesus rose from the dead. How people came to the tomb and found nothing there but linens and wraps. But, what if you didn't know what was going to happen? Us in the 21st Century have a tendency to become complacent in our faith because we think we understand it all. We think we know what we need and that's all we need to know. We read text off a page. We see what we are told to see. We believe what we have been told to believe. It all becomes so mechanical. This tendency to simply do what we have always done. It becomes ritual. It becomes tradition. It's how we create legacy. It's how history is carried on. Doing the same thing over and over again. </p><p>There's nothing wrong with that. We need repetition. It is how we learn. By doing a thing over and over we create a pattern. Muscle memory. Even habitual memory. The drive this morning is that we create a new appreciation for what happened today by putting ourselves in the shoes of those who had no idea what was going to happen. Oh, they had been told again and again. But, as we should know all to well about our human condition; we don't always get it right the first time. (Or, the twentieth time for that matter.) Sometimes it takes more than a ritual telling of the story for it to sink in. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtJYQUqVarNJstsZ576C8QzyBUbchof1pUqTU1sxPUaMWCAn7edYyEsoMxIoTksZIA11OXjaDVcqTRKfx4UF_FkCEP8QiexF5-3wRf8b-s8Z3KmOg4HCpTQM-apa56nANGrKyUQcPwgt5aL0qFnhmvAbu6rcn7xih2oGmX6nyn74YroKWV7sJRjVJ6/s605/John%2020.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="605" data-original-width="592" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtJYQUqVarNJstsZ576C8QzyBUbchof1pUqTU1sxPUaMWCAn7edYyEsoMxIoTksZIA11OXjaDVcqTRKfx4UF_FkCEP8QiexF5-3wRf8b-s8Z3KmOg4HCpTQM-apa56nANGrKyUQcPwgt5aL0qFnhmvAbu6rcn7xih2oGmX6nyn74YroKWV7sJRjVJ6/s16000/John%2020.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnR29v0IQWC6_w9HlBqpNq-bTTVOroGcBUZYSHticdIw2YvOPSxyieILiHaIxAYST5TYr1CP45G1A-7x28cOuGw4304c8PcwCHHlopkW8iuODDdFadIsTZUydBnSaXi9js74OHG-sdh41r9zg4MVUS4Cl4srBUbvT9Dl409o7raw6_upO0zLQ9btow/s525/Men%20In%20Black.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="111" data-original-width="525" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnR29v0IQWC6_w9HlBqpNq-bTTVOroGcBUZYSHticdIw2YvOPSxyieILiHaIxAYST5TYr1CP45G1A-7x28cOuGw4304c8PcwCHHlopkW8iuODDdFadIsTZUydBnSaXi9js74OHG-sdh41r9zg4MVUS4Cl4srBUbvT9Dl409o7raw6_upO0zLQ9btow/s16000/Men%20In%20Black.jpg" /></a></div><p>Might seem like a silly illustration to use on such a momentous occasion as Easter. But, entertain me for a moment. I am taken back to an interesting film from 1997 called "Men In Black". James Darrell Edwards III is an NYPD cop who has the haphazard chance of chasing an actual alien from another planet, on foot, through the streets of New York City. This encounter brings him into a world of people who have been protecting the planet for some time against threats and beings from other planets. In an offer to join the Men in Black group and become an agent, he is confronted with a mountain of knowledge and information that challenges what he thought he has always known. Agent K, a long time veteran in the organization, has one final talk with James before he makes up his mind about whether he actually wants to step in this world he has discovered. The next day his life is changed. Forever. </p><p>What I want to do this morning is take things from the standpoint of a person who has no idea what is going to happen. A person who thinks he has all the answers and is convinced that things are going to happen a certain way. Even for the Christian who believes in Jesus and has heard the Resurrection story a million times, there are situations in life where the reality that God has everything under his hand and his control needs to become true. The scripture from the Gospel of John says that "the disciple whom Jesus loved" made it to the tomb first. It says that Peter went in first and then John came in after that. The report says that John "saw and believed". The scripture also goes on to share that <i>they still did not understand that Jesus had to rise from the dead</i>. We can believe in Jesus and still not know what we are supposed to know. We can believe that Jesus is Lord and Messiah and not know that fully in our own hearts. There are issues and matters that lie within our blind spots in life. Issues that we are not aware of and matters that we either are not ready to confront or willing to deal with at the moment. </p><p>Driving a car is one of those situation in life that one of the parents in the house is going to have to come to terms with if the child who is of age is going to learn how to do it. More often that not, good ol' dad is the person who gets to be the one that handles the learning and teaching part. Mom, stereo-typically, gets the be the joy-riding person that the child gets to have fun with once they have learned some of the essentials and has a bit of confidence behind the wheel. According to the National Safety Council, one of the <a href="https://www.nsc.org/road/safety-topics/before-your-teen-begins-driving/lesson-10-blind-spots">hardest concepts</a> for a new driver to embrace is that of the blind spot. Just knowing that we should look back over our shoulder and then applying the concept and actually doing it is something that is difficult for a person to accept. The difficulty might come from the fact that we deal with what we can see. The old adage is "out of sight, out of mind". Everything in our blind spot is out of our sight. Who knows what will happen back there. Most of the time we don't see it so we don't even know what is going on. </p><p>The Christian singer/songwriter Larry Norman knew how to deal with just such an issue. Many times people get distracted by everything going on around them. It's not that they have a blind spot to deal with, it is that they are distracted by everything going on around them. What they need is to come back to the central focus of what Jesus has done. Larry was avid about singing in bars. He would witness to people right there in their own comfortable surroundings. A beer in hand or a drink of some kind did not stop him from sharing what needed to be said. However, in the midst of a conversation about Jesus, when the truth about the Savior was bringing their head to turn to that place and see what they needed to see, the person he was witnessing to might ask something along the lines of, "Yea, well what about UFOs?" It's a question that really doesn't have anything to do with what was being discussed. It's a distraction question, meant to do exactly that, and keep a person from having to focus on that glaring item sitting in the blind spot. Well, Larry went and penned <a href="https://youtu.be/_gHKOrfv1nU">a song</a> that addressed that very problem and brought the focus back to a center on Jesus himself.. </p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnOJpjeTcD7WswhWmo53wP2SSC8U8h4lxrrF4PwWBbLYu_vYXLGEXiP6sPwsJk5pJy1Yv2GiBPp56Nq-6alHRqCXkC0GHdznrB5z9ryoi4W51gYZhcIcTRDWmRyDYx7X7SUEKr4Uh9wT4Ja1IucsjAa1CCvHx8FQCAzntQs6mEydvzPhwG8tphEDxF/s275/UFO.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="275" data-original-width="248" height="275" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnOJpjeTcD7WswhWmo53wP2SSC8U8h4lxrrF4PwWBbLYu_vYXLGEXiP6sPwsJk5pJy1Yv2GiBPp56Nq-6alHRqCXkC0GHdznrB5z9ryoi4W51gYZhcIcTRDWmRyDYx7X7SUEKr4Uh9wT4Ja1IucsjAa1CCvHx8FQCAzntQs6mEydvzPhwG8tphEDxF/s1600/UFO.jpg" width="248" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Larry Norman - "U.F.O." (1972)<br /></td></tr></tbody></table>So many of us think we know what is going to happen next. Yet, there are so many situations where we still don't understand. Just like the people Jesus speaks with after his resurrection, we find ourselves in mourning and grieving. We think this is the end and this how the story goes. Then we come across information that can transform our outlook. Do we take it seriously? Do want the answer? How many times do we have to hear it before we actually look into that blind spot and acknowledge the truth? Scripture suggests that Jesus appeared more than <a href="https://answersingenesis.org/jesus/resurrection/the-sequence-of-christs-post-resurrection-appearances/">10 times</a> to his disciples in his resurrected body. Imagine being Thomas. He wasn't there when Jesus first appeared to ten of the disciples. How many of us have looked up at heaven, demanding a sign, and wanting an answer? I'm pushing the envelope beyond the simple matter of just believing in the Resurrection this morning, and I hope you see that. I hope you know that. Because many of us say we believe in the Resurrection, but we don't live like it. How many of us love to tell others what they should do and how they should do it, but can't follow our own advice? How many of us want to be strong, act like we are strong, but when it comes down to it we truly, really don't have the wherewithal to hold our head up when things get hard? <br /><p>Peter. John. Mary. They have no idea what's going to happen. Some followers come to the tomb early. They report back that the place where his body was laid is wide open. The two guys who were closest to this Jesus are the ones who take off running. They get to the tomb, find it just as was told them. They see. They believe. But, they don't understand. For now, that's ok. But we know there's more. If you believe at all this morning, then believe this. You don't understand it all. You don't know it all. You don't have an answer for everything.What you have is an empty tomb, a risen Savior. </p><p>And, that's enough. Understanding comes to those who are patient and wait. </p><p>Just like Jesus taught. Seek. Ask. Find. Imagine what you'll know tomorrow.<br /></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5738378669429459004.post-68046782902801068662022-04-10T08:49:00.003-04:002022-04-10T08:49:21.363-04:00Follow The Broken Heart<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXHjhKw46epMi7Apdmnmqz6sXCyWKyf7UXlZ2CIY5_mJCT1WuIDRmodEBk3BDx0KcwlzSfNu1LLf2W8jl7oLabzTFFRLW1Z2UAFW5aLdLNA1dYSJEq8jP8qRYnUsUdR34ne_NuQFr4z8T3dvH2Etp0ZpEZ5BAatU7c9S5FaH4OmGySawkJth9vo83J/s486/what%20we%20believe.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="180" data-original-width="486" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXHjhKw46epMi7Apdmnmqz6sXCyWKyf7UXlZ2CIY5_mJCT1WuIDRmodEBk3BDx0KcwlzSfNu1LLf2W8jl7oLabzTFFRLW1Z2UAFW5aLdLNA1dYSJEq8jP8qRYnUsUdR34ne_NuQFr4z8T3dvH2Etp0ZpEZ5BAatU7c9S5FaH4OmGySawkJth9vo83J/s16000/what%20we%20believe.jpg" /></a></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqlJOfTp7hdE3xdpRo11EppUXnKrTEX0jtm0OpFCuaul_A9gc8kAZ1hum1-2_vYn12P3ArCKHgJXXKDmTsp-N2bZVU5o3QKRhDOieRKZWw0HoeSUgy5Bh3pbVJCuZ2g9Ho4VQm_R67DazhRFPm2Cl1m-1loGjbKXGXQDpMxK6yRZBXfgNraEF_q_DB/s1734/Palm-Sunday.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="718" data-original-width="1734" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqlJOfTp7hdE3xdpRo11EppUXnKrTEX0jtm0OpFCuaul_A9gc8kAZ1hum1-2_vYn12P3ArCKHgJXXKDmTsp-N2bZVU5o3QKRhDOieRKZWw0HoeSUgy5Bh3pbVJCuZ2g9Ho4VQm_R67DazhRFPm2Cl1m-1loGjbKXGXQDpMxK6yRZBXfgNraEF_q_DB/w640-h265/Palm-Sunday.png" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXTZVfqt-RoCk2s-aQJHR9oyoxMy5Eh1qvZBA4f0anlFCk75pM_49XQ2xPIPb48rna7nJiiT8i8ynr7K9_U_LtMp9FwVoLJsMdGjRwKFa2P_VIToFfnqHJo3uvYdZjfP-XddUz5IMj2lRh9r1bcZcEElW5F25Qy12c2GYamCfSiyaJ8sBlyqAbzdNj/s555/Luke%2019.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="403" data-original-width="555" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXTZVfqt-RoCk2s-aQJHR9oyoxMy5Eh1qvZBA4f0anlFCk75pM_49XQ2xPIPb48rna7nJiiT8i8ynr7K9_U_LtMp9FwVoLJsMdGjRwKFa2P_VIToFfnqHJo3uvYdZjfP-XddUz5IMj2lRh9r1bcZcEElW5F25Qy12c2GYamCfSiyaJ8sBlyqAbzdNj/s16000/Luke%2019.jpg" /></a></div><p>We call it Palm Sunday. The Triumphal Entry. </p><p>Jesus comes to Jerusalem and the people want him to be King. The street is lined with palms as the people see Jesus riding in a colt, a young donkey. They want him to be king. They want him to be the "fixer". The person who makes all their problems go away. The person who rescues them in their hour of distress. But, what does Jesus want? What is it that God wants the people to see and understand? </p><p>We have been covering the subject and doctrine of salvation through this Lenten season. We are almost at the end of that stretch as we come into Palm Sunday focusing on the tears that the Savior shed over a city who missed the point. Last week we were in Bethany seeing Jesus weep with a sister who had lost her brother. Now we see him crying as he looks over this great city of Jerusalem. When you spend all of your time walking through an area or country and become attached to the people it is natural to feel some remorse and discomfort when you know your time in that place is drawing to an end. Jesus knows. He knows that the end is coming and so is the cross. We will see later in the week the great drops of sweat and blood and tears he gives as he cries over the moment that will transpire. Jesus will give his life for our salvation. It is the only sacrifice that will suffice. It is the only proper means of covering our sins and putting things right with the Almighty. </p><p>Jesus is the the bridge. If we thought of God and man being separated by a wide valley or gulf with no way to cross the expanse to the other side, Jesus would be the means to get there. If we are in touch with the moment here in Luke 19, I can't help but be impressed with the notion that Jesus must be feeling the weight of being that bridge. I see his tears as not having the bear the weight of the bridge, but knowing how few have actually take the trek across the expanse. "If you, even you, had known on this day what would bring you peace..." Jesus is bearing the weight of using all his energy and time to speak to a people that refuse to listen. Even the ones in his care as disciples don't fully understand what is about to transpire. It won't be until some time after the event of the next weekend that their eyes will be opened to what has happened. Only then will they see and hear and remember what Jesus has done for them. The washing of feet. The shedding of blood. All the lessons and teaching and scripture shared will come back tot hem in a flood. But, only after. </p><p>Too often we find ourselves in a place of bearing the afterthought. "Hide-sight is 20/20" is the old adage. For many of us, we either can't see what is in our blind spot to acknowledge it and do something about it -or- we simply refuse to do anything about it. Then the moment comes upon us in a sweeping rush of regret and angst. We want to apologize, but it's too late. We want to make changes, but things have already changed and maybe not in a way that is good for anyone. Jesus knows that all of this could be avoided as he stands on the hill looking over Jerusalem. The religious hierarchy will explode with arrogance and pride. The Romans will eventually come and knock down the Temple. Many of the Israelites will be killed or drug away in slavery and servitude. The country will never be the same. The thought of being an independent state standing on its own two feet, governing itself, will be a pipe dream. "As he approached Jerusalem and saw the city, he wept over it"</p><p>There are so many shoes to put ourselves into as we reach through this stretch of scripture. For starters, we want to follow in the footsteps of Jesus. We want to be like him. We want to share in the saving of our world. We want to share the load of giving peace and forgiveness to a world that need to hear the message and understand what it means to know God. Too often, we find ourselves sharing the burden of the prophet Isaiah. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKpGBWzZSLUwDf1qHWptSH5bou3BX6g5USYbTIZ1V2GTlpG3usvRwIfuK_cOPr5WIYxk4ogPgQsOHvHct72vIcCO-MeYsZfVfHqqDoMXxwMecFrVNYy0ySAZpQp_NK6kdgHQxv7ilUc5vdIiBdTlbu9Bk_SBciIcE8uNel0ABuhH4zC2J4BsaGAFr8/s655/Isaiah%206.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="655" data-original-width="606" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKpGBWzZSLUwDf1qHWptSH5bou3BX6g5USYbTIZ1V2GTlpG3usvRwIfuK_cOPr5WIYxk4ogPgQsOHvHct72vIcCO-MeYsZfVfHqqDoMXxwMecFrVNYy0ySAZpQp_NK6kdgHQxv7ilUc5vdIiBdTlbu9Bk_SBciIcE8uNel0ABuhH4zC2J4BsaGAFr8/s16000/Isaiah%206.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBm_kZ7zinYpCD9FmCVicx_a--7WgMhzP6fjn6fT2FKZ31yJZnfFjFuOnCV1pHFepdQAJlsdHLdnCTDzn6SoJbnsTyFdsQto_nFCjeJquHtxiGFJ82Wt3kKo3rXSlwbIY6Kp-gw3H-Z6SapfiPihtgBYgcF9Zat3SFeUf6wYdMX_IQHKfHnw-RExNg/s717/Isaiah%206%20a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="717" data-original-width="485" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBm_kZ7zinYpCD9FmCVicx_a--7WgMhzP6fjn6fT2FKZ31yJZnfFjFuOnCV1pHFepdQAJlsdHLdnCTDzn6SoJbnsTyFdsQto_nFCjeJquHtxiGFJ82Wt3kKo3rXSlwbIY6Kp-gw3H-Z6SapfiPihtgBYgcF9Zat3SFeUf6wYdMX_IQHKfHnw-RExNg/s16000/Isaiah%206%20a.jpg" /></a></div><p>All too often we find ourselves slipping into the shoes of the people. The ones who didn't listen in the first place. The ones who should have known better. The ones who find their land "utterly forsaken". The ones who should have apologized before all of the bad stuff transpired. The ones who should done what was right from the start instead waiting to give some lame apology after the moment has passed. God can see what is going on in our hearts. He knows all. He sees all. There is no escaping that. And, we wait too long, there might not be any way to correct the wrongs we have committed. </p><p>To have eyes like Jesus. <br />To have a heart like Jesus. <br />To see what he sees. To know what he knows. </p><p>To be like him. That is our Goal. <br />To bring salvation to a lost and hurting world.<br /> </p><p>Whether they will listen or not. <br /></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5738378669429459004.post-36274581681044849102022-04-07T08:08:00.000-04:002022-04-07T08:08:27.304-04:00The Arc Of Salvation<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFICx51QX1lF4gCHkTfb3VG6qJx5ZyALIles1WNMMAJXmiNJuA6WlHZ6eMZWzhiyJdS422Hgu9mWqUwzdVMjxDOVoVYO4twJ5t3XfGM1JbYdtyciK0mrrlamCPUrC2M3_MZInEoyJBtfyyaeqWmQ_2r5Ndr7ZRqQu1GVQfU8agk0hbqsNhsHSuS0Pq/s486/what%20we%20believe.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="180" data-original-width="486" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFICx51QX1lF4gCHkTfb3VG6qJx5ZyALIles1WNMMAJXmiNJuA6WlHZ6eMZWzhiyJdS422Hgu9mWqUwzdVMjxDOVoVYO4twJ5t3XfGM1JbYdtyciK0mrrlamCPUrC2M3_MZInEoyJBtfyyaeqWmQ_2r5Ndr7ZRqQu1GVQfU8agk0hbqsNhsHSuS0Pq/s16000/what%20we%20believe.jpg" /></a></div><p></p><p>As we draw closer to Easter and the end of Lent, we continue on with our look at Salvation as one of the central doctrines in our United Methodist system of beliefs. We have tied in with the subject many other issues such as Grace and Faith and Sacrifice. This morning, we look right at the doctrine itself and see it from the perspective of Wesley as we take a look into John 11; this familiar passage when Lazarus is raised from the dead and Jesus has some interaction with two sisters who approach him with different attitudes and words. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-6QaVA4uqCBMl62sPI557-5U-y3WlIjgPAaY0KvHPqIja43guVNFwrMVXHrmt7Mh7SNwQvCU9ty_2QNJiJLCZMdhIRYnrxE959508QQAYbnfnzxFjRCc0YFFecUb9XPjhhJnnXtl_F2ZfehuIaRyrUjJBIF8YZoeDTBZhGQuYxTySa90zKL4yInSk/s1024/101848239_3130383363671516_5330441034610228048_n.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="576" data-original-width="1024" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-6QaVA4uqCBMl62sPI557-5U-y3WlIjgPAaY0KvHPqIja43guVNFwrMVXHrmt7Mh7SNwQvCU9ty_2QNJiJLCZMdhIRYnrxE959508QQAYbnfnzxFjRCc0YFFecUb9XPjhhJnnXtl_F2ZfehuIaRyrUjJBIF8YZoeDTBZhGQuYxTySa90zKL4yInSk/s320/101848239_3130383363671516_5330441034610228048_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p>Wesleyans and Methodists are not the only ones who seek to make some sense of our salvation through means of an "arc" nature. If you do a Google search with jut the words "salvation - sanctification - glorification" you will comes up with many diagrams and pictures as we will find Baptists and Lutherans and even Presbyterians seeking to explain what God has done for us in the incredible offering of Jesus on the Cross. (The pictures here might seem small but you should be able to click on them to enlarge.)</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: right;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGSUU4KaLApq8Wl4ENRygJhtrP2kaHEqDM5kmKn8ZfKXmvgYYZVlXWBc3caEqwEvGRm8Hewo63bFVNpmwfmnXMiIpCSp6tDjGNFHANYvnslfVoGBBOfCxhPOzdziAQWEklpNS3lL7R6-OiX9KNZS_Zb-qRQNK06FS01CzYKGsZbdVa-Lw7T5gO38yw/s592/6a00d8341ccd6a53ef01157062016a970b-800wi.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="344" data-original-width="592" height="186" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGSUU4KaLApq8Wl4ENRygJhtrP2kaHEqDM5kmKn8ZfKXmvgYYZVlXWBc3caEqwEvGRm8Hewo63bFVNpmwfmnXMiIpCSp6tDjGNFHANYvnslfVoGBBOfCxhPOzdziAQWEklpNS3lL7R6-OiX9KNZS_Zb-qRQNK06FS01CzYKGsZbdVa-Lw7T5gO38yw/s320/6a00d8341ccd6a53ef01157062016a970b-800wi.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>This "arc" I am referring to usually includes at least three major points on the road.<br />Our Justification - I usually like to use a reference here to one of my favorite TV shows. Timothy Olyphant plays Kentucky State marshall Raylan Givens who leads with his attitude and gun. After shooting a drug dealer in Florida which winds up sending him back to home state of Kentucky as punishment, he says that the shooting was "justified". The drug dealer pulled first. Givens shot him. In the matter of our salvation, are we justified at all on our own merits to approach God? No we are not. Christ makes it possible. In this case, God pulled first. He sends his one and only son into our world to save us. We need to believe and trust and it is on that basis we find any communion with God at all. <p></p><p>Our Sanctification - You will hear in some Wesleyan circle of belief an explanation of "two means of grace" or two things that happen to us. We are "saved and sanctified" as some older folks might recal hearing from a testimony or two on a Sunday morning. I can still recall some senior Nazarene ladies who would wave the white hankey while crying and sharing about what God had done for them. There is a moment when we find forgiveness and there is a moment where we find separation from sin. It is a moment that deserves deeper explanation and I hope to give it between here and Pentecost. </p><p>Our Glorification - It is finally over. We fins ourselves in the arms of Jesus. We stand before God and hear words like, "Well done, good and faithful servant." We want to be there and see God with a good standing . Our names written in the Lamb's book of Life. There is no more crying or hurting or pain. It is the culmination of our Salvation. </p><p>The whole thing is Salvation. From the beginning where God starts speaking to our hearts. To the moment he begins to draw us in. Till we find forgiveness for our sins. The moment when we surrender and let him be in control. We start to work out all the areas where Jesus needs to lead the way. The three step idea is truly an oversimplification of the process. There is much more that goes into it. In John Wesley's sermons, he would go into much more detail about the process of salvation. Wesley would explain every steps through a series of sermons. If you can get your hands of Wesley 52 standard sermons, it is worth a read through. While diagrams don't necessarily do it justice, this is one of the best I have found. It is from the Taylor County Campmeeting in Butler, GA. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpgxLtVQAt7vV4plsdeoCZD9v5QcBM2i8YmUe4KRId0E3uIbGTwlKYgKgs-3fbyK_3rtZTWOJc7cRQA6vMOYisYHRE3r1lgFxjQV9IqUUqr1IpCG-2h1sdKETqYRd1dvMN1d65oprAH3xTFiBvi04eVUoWQEV3Let8PGSHVRUoh-g5kpdbh0rAgALa/s672/Untitled.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="484" data-original-width="672" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpgxLtVQAt7vV4plsdeoCZD9v5QcBM2i8YmUe4KRId0E3uIbGTwlKYgKgs-3fbyK_3rtZTWOJc7cRQA6vMOYisYHRE3r1lgFxjQV9IqUUqr1IpCG-2h1sdKETqYRd1dvMN1d65oprAH3xTFiBvi04eVUoWQEV3Let8PGSHVRUoh-g5kpdbh0rAgALa/s16000/Untitled.jpg" /></a></div><br /><p>What I want to do this morning is take a look at John 11 and try to see where we find the sisters, Mary and Martha, in this process. Maybe we can do a little introspection on ourselves and determine where we find own souls on this journey to glorification. </p><p>Of course, Lazarus has died. Jesus seems to stay where he is in a nearby village for an extra two days before making the walk to Bethany, to the home of Mary and Martha. We see both sister coming out to meet Jesus on his way in. Both sister speak to him, but with much different tones. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB2YECJxwxPuJDUAm1V4UwlrJVzIKJX3luJEkB9i3TUBGJ_4VNzfT3dVaONwbgFnTEthmO4MX6uTOs7PCrq4v8FxNfjQDStcGzmMWU0gdxzz3YtyJpAd4MkRUMcwN3k-cFET8D9sNu2WYvi9nMV-5C2VjRsW-WQwo5Tpmew0EfMQWSgnvvBoCndAJZ/s671/John%2011.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="443" data-original-width="671" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB2YECJxwxPuJDUAm1V4UwlrJVzIKJX3luJEkB9i3TUBGJ_4VNzfT3dVaONwbgFnTEthmO4MX6uTOs7PCrq4v8FxNfjQDStcGzmMWU0gdxzz3YtyJpAd4MkRUMcwN3k-cFET8D9sNu2WYvi9nMV-5C2VjRsW-WQwo5Tpmew0EfMQWSgnvvBoCndAJZ/s16000/John%2011.jpg" /></a></div><br /><p>Many people believe in Jesus. How they carry out that belief and the internal struggle with the matters going on in the world around them can be a tricky road to navigate. A personal loss like a family member can be one of the hardest areas to overcome. From reading the scripture we can see that there was a closeness between all three members of Lazarus' family and Jesus. The sisters believe that he is the Messiah and Martha clearly states her belief. The picture that has been painted of Martha over the centuries is a gruff one. It is easy to picture her arms crossed, speaking to Jesus in rough tones. "If you have been here, my brother would not have died." Grace is a central element to our salvation as we see the word laid out in the diagram above. God reaches out to us. We, in turn, reach out to him. Often we don't reach out with the same grace that is extended to us. We reach out with shouts and anger and pleas. We demand and makes out wills be known. How we are approaching Christ is ultimately important to our salvation and it is something we learn how to do as we go along. </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTU12pVYlNqGVZLLcPZjZRW2v1SILHzjwKHg1_Xzt7H7mxxEEK7t6o4k-BxmkCArcZ3kmEd6xZRScoF7rOAKyEubrRcAAi-AnE4y_su0ESKcVcH8wGnDPdwKA8AooO9Q3iiX8QnSldm55pjZsn8P2XPL95jnJKstEme8jwe7E8DmdPPDLeof0d7llp/s554/john%2011.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="552" data-original-width="554" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTU12pVYlNqGVZLLcPZjZRW2v1SILHzjwKHg1_Xzt7H7mxxEEK7t6o4k-BxmkCArcZ3kmEd6xZRScoF7rOAKyEubrRcAAi-AnE4y_su0ESKcVcH8wGnDPdwKA8AooO9Q3iiX8QnSldm55pjZsn8P2XPL95jnJKstEme8jwe7E8DmdPPDLeof0d7llp/s16000/john%2011.jpg" /></a></div><p></p><p>As we look at Mary, we see someone who approaches Jesus with their tears instead of the gruff and rough. The scripture suggest that she runs to where Jesus is. The Savior is approaching Bethany but Mary cannot wait. Martha didn't wait either. They both go where he is at that moment. They just approach him with different emotional standings. Mary comes with her heart on her sleeve instead of her arms crossed. On this Arc of Salvation, where do we see ourselves? If we put ourselves in the shoes of these two sisters, would we say we are experiencing grace? Is there need for repentance? Would we find ourselves at a place where we should surrender all to the hands of Jesus? There are many things that go into that arc from the beginning of our journey until we finally arrive in front of God. <br /></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5738378669429459004.post-74367632816743684542022-03-27T08:47:00.003-04:002022-03-27T08:47:34.873-04:00What Would You Give?<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOG4jrMxQHfzRheZ1fRcuAYE5UsKvpnyURWKU1QZkmT-WMV464YLCyme1bjF3xjXpD6yDcgrFQejYTmNiUspiAwhaCSsJ0qzI3-UeUFcxSqD6RnP3DsJRYBHMZUPTdeVSibv4xOauR5uCSY8LjREY2ldTwdPtR3e-11PPD5O9AHPBCdxkWNP-4YKcs/s486/what%20we%20believe.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="180" data-original-width="486" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOG4jrMxQHfzRheZ1fRcuAYE5UsKvpnyURWKU1QZkmT-WMV464YLCyme1bjF3xjXpD6yDcgrFQejYTmNiUspiAwhaCSsJ0qzI3-UeUFcxSqD6RnP3DsJRYBHMZUPTdeVSibv4xOauR5uCSY8LjREY2ldTwdPtR3e-11PPD5O9AHPBCdxkWNP-4YKcs/s16000/what%20we%20believe.jpg" /></a></div><p></p><p>We are taking a closer look at the subject of Salvation as we approach this 4th Sunday in Lent. </p><p>Today, we tie in with the subject of Sacrifice as part of what our Salvation in Jesus means to our faith.</p><p>We touched on a bit of the sacrificial system of atoning for ones sins as we covered Israel's history last week while we were "Learning From The Past". We want to think deeper about what it is that we can give up during this season of Lent. If you ask any good Christina person on the street what they gave up for Lent this year, you might get a variety of responses. "Ha Ha, no i didn't give up anything." to "What in the world are you talking about?" Some folks have never heard of such ridiculous behavior before and would scoff at the idea. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0iDh3uENauBWRTmna09IA8iYI_i5AZHI4ZWDjyDzdtbbQHRWPn5wg2Ta8fFdSyC-OOkMhtl9ufJ6idy8jQmx-vZNLtK14udOCthLAxmiuKsKAVIq1gW3USFcg8xCEvD7JvWLDDUJr5wH_dkvyiEwQ9YPHpMR6nHdf-n0jmkpVDCVOGX8pyEFmxcWy/s498/Lent.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="406" data-original-width="498" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0iDh3uENauBWRTmna09IA8iYI_i5AZHI4ZWDjyDzdtbbQHRWPn5wg2Ta8fFdSyC-OOkMhtl9ufJ6idy8jQmx-vZNLtK14udOCthLAxmiuKsKAVIq1gW3USFcg8xCEvD7JvWLDDUJr5wH_dkvyiEwQ9YPHpMR6nHdf-n0jmkpVDCVOGX8pyEFmxcWy/s16000/Lent.jpg" /></a></div><br /><p>Some might ask if Christians should observe Lent; especially those in a Protestant tradition. The means and practice of Lent truly come from our Catholic background. This time of the year is a special means of trying to draw closer to the Lord through means of sacrificing something that is near and dear to us; something we could go without. Some from the Protestant tradition would see the ritual as a means of control put upon the people by the hierarchy in the Church, and maybe that is true. However, the scriptural presentation of Jesus calling the disciples and asking them to drop what was in their hands and follow Him is a powerful display of what is means to follow in the footsteps of our Savior. This Christian faith is about following Christ and allowing God to make us into people who resemble the same dedication that His Son put into following the Father. So, maybe, we should take this Lenten tradition a bit more serious as we think about what this season culminates in - the death of Jesus on the cross. The ultimate sacrifice as a sign of Love being shared with all of mankind. </p><p>What would you give up is asked to do so in order to be closer to God?</p><p>If you had a chance to lay something down that would take a weight off your shoulders and lessen the burden of this life, what would it be? I'm going throw three ideas at you this morning. They are not three suggestions of things you give up. They are three simple ideas to think about as you continue this thought in your prayer and devotional life. Whatever you give up is between you and the Lord. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_TthkK0bvTzlha-85ZZQfmnGgy9sJod8OREGqCsi7qJd5bm0ula5R3eYkaVwNRL5bVwsPZzAMVB3Sz3m5eSpbANw778ERISwUmqIss3d5jrpwmk2mTbJRYosAL-TeiViXdwMSe6zk4vy3MWD1SPIHzIoO93TfrnAx9FNXzXa_dyrdBcqycl-jqWaG/s629/Matthew%206.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="387" data-original-width="629" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_TthkK0bvTzlha-85ZZQfmnGgy9sJod8OREGqCsi7qJd5bm0ula5R3eYkaVwNRL5bVwsPZzAMVB3Sz3m5eSpbANw778ERISwUmqIss3d5jrpwmk2mTbJRYosAL-TeiViXdwMSe6zk4vy3MWD1SPIHzIoO93TfrnAx9FNXzXa_dyrdBcqycl-jqWaG/s16000/Matthew%206.jpg" /></a></div><p>The first bit of inspiration comes from Matthew 6. I am not suggesting that you fast. I am saying that if you choose to give something up, this bit of scripture might be a good way to approach it. In our world today, with talk shows allowing people to put their face and emotions on display, it is more common place than ever to flaunt and throw our discontent around. Giving up something is never easy and I truly believe our Lord understands the human way more than we know. Change is never easy and for many the subject of giving something up and sacrificing is a huge difference from what we were raised to believe about life. American life can be a big blessing to unfold. Yet, there are those who go without on a daily basis. Without food, or home or family to help and sustain them. it can be a tremendous way to carry on in this world. What could we learn from the life of Jesus about leaving all we knew behind and venturing forward, just clinging to faith and trust in the Father? It is a powerful image that deserve more of our attention.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqTuCQEw_d2B_BvblBdZR7iCIPoH2_9wOTRoOBNeqIq6R3SDmz2DcpI9LDP9bS7FhoUBIEeZ1FGk_xTjSYphWJ9PumwcK7niacSXgAwBEu7wdmpgQcIzmm5NkV8w3xi8VbzYNQC1egYLvttRy0fqHgoC2_LRRVpy3o4G6p75AYIhTLpHy-skCQwgc_/s398/Psalm%2051.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="251" data-original-width="398" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqTuCQEw_d2B_BvblBdZR7iCIPoH2_9wOTRoOBNeqIq6R3SDmz2DcpI9LDP9bS7FhoUBIEeZ1FGk_xTjSYphWJ9PumwcK7niacSXgAwBEu7wdmpgQcIzmm5NkV8w3xi8VbzYNQC1egYLvttRy0fqHgoC2_LRRVpy3o4G6p75AYIhTLpHy-skCQwgc_/s16000/Psalm%2051.jpg" /></a></div><p>Much if the Psalms is either King David or another writer sharing their heart over what is going on in their world on a personal level. It truly is a person sharing their full self with God over whatever is going on in front of them at the moment. Whatever we choose let go of and follow God on should be done with a "broken and contrite heart". In fact, the Psalmist here says that is exactly the sacrifice he is making. His own heart. He puts it all in the Lord's hands and say "Here I am". And, God does not despise that offering. That is exactly the offering God is looking for. He wants us. All of us. All of you. Everything that makes up YOU, God wants it in his hands. There are many situations in life where we hang on to issues, people, hardships, control and we keep it in our own hands instead letting God take it all away. How heavy does the load need to become before we find out we cannot carry it by ourselves, or even at all? "Come to me, all you who are weary and heavy burdened and I will give you rest." God doesn't want us to be burdened with the cares of this life. He wants us to walk in the joy and grace of Jesus. There is no better way to carry on in this world. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3k-vNBI9KNXOSVxb0HUI8xgLbCgyK-XywvI_iI4meH2nbnRycJYt9ZZEmepfRpEXpg4z4dFcghuXtkMpFKsGPHBynup0q8kfCO6hfai6eHGbJwXGZoLvuJbbaSviJvo9QyN-AZMZm5fEW-yZtIr-efdGuS40Qazqt4oIcc_pwTB3lfn-PnAJhS-B-/s547/Luke%209.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="268" data-original-width="547" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3k-vNBI9KNXOSVxb0HUI8xgLbCgyK-XywvI_iI4meH2nbnRycJYt9ZZEmepfRpEXpg4z4dFcghuXtkMpFKsGPHBynup0q8kfCO6hfai6eHGbJwXGZoLvuJbbaSviJvo9QyN-AZMZm5fEW-yZtIr-efdGuS40Qazqt4oIcc_pwTB3lfn-PnAJhS-B-/s16000/Luke%209.jpg" /></a></div><p>Do you want to be a follower of Jesus? There is no doubt that many people believe in Jesus. They believe he exists. They believe in the name of Jesus. The believe the bible and what it presents. They believe the history and authenticity of the scriptures. Do you believe to give up what you have in front of you and follow Jesus with all your heart? John Wesley covered our salvation through a series of steps moments. Wesley would preach a sermon on sacrifice. He would bring a message on repentance. Wesley would talk in another about seeking forgiveness. All seperate items and ideas that needed to be addressed and presented. In all, he covered more than 30 topics in a series of messages all having to do with our salvation. This subject of sacrifice is simply a part of our salvation. Some might look on it as a journey. A journey into a deeper commitment and fulfillment of what it means to become like Jesus. </p><p>What will you give up for Lent? </p><p>God loves you so much that he gave his One and Only Son so that you might know what life is like with God, forever. <br /></p><p><br /></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5738378669429459004.post-68099481938450773462022-03-20T08:40:00.001-04:002022-03-20T08:40:18.341-04:00Learning From The Past<div><p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX6NEGR8E504oACN0Nl6J2NNJ3b261YLivGEwptzo6flJiXb1M7t9GHAD4qPQmngUSRwh18KvQJaWyeA2_PkK1tzxRkIMSZlmI0QBCv5jVZYwsRjTltOtSWGhBmKb_bb1__3belWeb28WyXPryV9IegtuVZkwr1icbt-9FwG0Hj2ojU1pAYt7_XVXN/s486/what%20we%20believe.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="180" data-original-width="486" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX6NEGR8E504oACN0Nl6J2NNJ3b261YLivGEwptzo6flJiXb1M7t9GHAD4qPQmngUSRwh18KvQJaWyeA2_PkK1tzxRkIMSZlmI0QBCv5jVZYwsRjTltOtSWGhBmKb_bb1__3belWeb28WyXPryV9IegtuVZkwr1icbt-9FwG0Hj2ojU1pAYt7_XVXN/s16000/what we believe.jpg" /></a></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG4RwkbusM2W06Bow7xBFdVFAzECO0kl2KPetlaNNt5vd6twdnZg_EFeasiD6nKEKuhLElzhNfVg9sD2p6dkcmvcOwQNY8b3BC5wCknaHNFJ46yhnIo_Vtcxz1A5hq7lXHMUv_55yTdk-aBuYvkG4h6pKKHATm_5XtGCJdzBXs1jhSRsWxV0CkRlwJ/s795/Blog_113_Banner.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="387" data-original-width="795" height="312" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG4RwkbusM2W06Bow7xBFdVFAzECO0kl2KPetlaNNt5vd6twdnZg_EFeasiD6nKEKuhLElzhNfVg9sD2p6dkcmvcOwQNY8b3BC5wCknaHNFJ46yhnIo_Vtcxz1A5hq7lXHMUv_55yTdk-aBuYvkG4h6pKKHATm_5XtGCJdzBXs1jhSRsWxV0CkRlwJ/w640-h312/Blog_113_Banner.jpg" width="640" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">fns360.com - FNS Traning Center</span><br /></div><br /><div><p>The past is an area that sometimes lacks the proper way to define it. <br />Our pasts can make us or break us. Our choices have a way of sticking around and affecting the outcome of the future. We are looking at our salvation right now as part of our United Methodist beliefs and we find ourselves in Romans 10 as the Apostle Paul uses Israel's history as part of the his explanation of what Salvation in Jesus means to their faith. It is a natural part of reading the scriptures to try and find some sort of correlation to our own lives as we seek to make sense of what we are reading. What does it mean to us? How does it apply to us? Lets begin by looking at Romans 10.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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</div><p style="text-align: left;"> Concerning the past, Jesus would say, "Whoever puts his hand to the plow and looks back is unfit for the kingdom of heaven." There is the matter of context to take into account. Sometimes things get lost in translation. Our English language is so definite sometimes and yet so vague at other points. Jesus wants his hearers to leave behind their old lives and follow the Lord. To go back and get wrapped up in ones old sins while trying to forge ahead toward the Kingdom is going to leave the person with a back and forth looking neck that would be comparable to spiritual whiplash. We do need to keep our focus on what is ahead. Then, there is the need to study and learn for the past in order to know what we are dealing with in the future. You've probably heard the old adage, "History has a tendency to repeat itself." We can develop a fear of the past because we are so intent on the idea that we will just repeat all our old mistakes. We need not be afraid. Jesus has us in his hands. There is much he wants to teach us and that includes how to overcome our mishaps and errors. That requires taking a look back at what we have done in order to learn how to do it right the next time. The Apostle Paul isn't afraid to site and quote Israel's history in order to help them understand where they are now in the person of Jesus Christ. </p><p style="text-align: left;">History. The past. It's where we are today as we think about what salvation in Jesus means for us.</p><p style="text-align: left;">The word, past, is multi faceted. You should be able to click on any of the pictures in my blog page today and take a look at the meanings behind how the word is used in our English language. What I found more intriguing as I prepared for this message is how the word was used and not so much how it is defined. It's used an adjective, primarily. Meaning its a description word for the most part. Our <b><i>past</i></b> sins are things people might remember about us. A preposition is a word we use when we want to modify a noun and change it's outlook or meaning. "We drove <b><i>past</i></b> the house." Meaning, we were planning to go to that house but instead we changed what we were going to do. Noun should be self explanatory. It's possessive. It's my past. It's your past. We own it. And, lastly, it's used as an adverb. An adverb is a connector word. These kinds of words bring two things together. We want to take where we have been and connect it to where we are now. <br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhedrBde95mKlCJUdJQVNC827Cg3PYldTFU7xqF8cp-GzhCF2Tb8QEi3IShic7MRRgI2TnkCKyxz2qgmuOz19murXKwu6wk3k6HGB1pvyjljl8rZPnc4jL1F3Kbbgdgmrh_bonvGFTMwedENOG2nMfoDFSU-06dFXADfsM6OQuH7EjIsAJQWaIdXs5i/s733/past%20adjective.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="645" data-original-width="733" height="282" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhedrBde95mKlCJUdJQVNC827Cg3PYldTFU7xqF8cp-GzhCF2Tb8QEi3IShic7MRRgI2TnkCKyxz2qgmuOz19murXKwu6wk3k6HGB1pvyjljl8rZPnc4jL1F3Kbbgdgmrh_bonvGFTMwedENOG2nMfoDFSU-06dFXADfsM6OQuH7EjIsAJQWaIdXs5i/s320/past%20adjective.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p style="text-align: left;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLBCQOofxGM6G3--Jeg_rvA0fyJ7YTsX9Qd_FGZ6g5MvjJ1KJ8l0jdAzncVpTTAEH3NumZG_hYf3RTrRqWKceHcvwBPHolQ98HvGsOtYydstJhJMJsvNkkF9iXZfweC2p_NRX2TAm3yWo5m-eW_tR1wGjNo__n5mj8UUhC_riNPhFtfNxxEiMw2tOw/s591/past%20preposition.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="456" data-original-width="591" height="247" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLBCQOofxGM6G3--Jeg_rvA0fyJ7YTsX9Qd_FGZ6g5MvjJ1KJ8l0jdAzncVpTTAEH3NumZG_hYf3RTrRqWKceHcvwBPHolQ98HvGsOtYydstJhJMJsvNkkF9iXZfweC2p_NRX2TAm3yWo5m-eW_tR1wGjNo__n5mj8UUhC_riNPhFtfNxxEiMw2tOw/s320/past%20preposition.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2Y4KRa5QKmuwgUGbo52G-p-5wovqFHzGM69XRXOOiRkork8qqbGQGbB6W3cI0xdUx8b15aRSDMl5JMZcDDdz3Y3qsfAoQHa_ypQ3aJ-a_9gql_aR55kA0FuR8YLc1kXkaMwPBGifTClcOSnS6qI0JLiIGloZxRR5d8R33piUmWnFpE9nWCeBxpjA1/s570/past%20noun%20adverb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="570" data-original-width="538" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2Y4KRa5QKmuwgUGbo52G-p-5wovqFHzGM69XRXOOiRkork8qqbGQGbB6W3cI0xdUx8b15aRSDMl5JMZcDDdz3Y3qsfAoQHa_ypQ3aJ-a_9gql_aR55kA0FuR8YLc1kXkaMwPBGifTClcOSnS6qI0JLiIGloZxRR5d8R33piUmWnFpE9nWCeBxpjA1/s320/past%20noun%20adverb.jpg" width="302" /></a></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> The past gives us history if we have been in one place long enough. Just this morning as I picked up the church mail for our PO Box in Glenford ( a weekly, Sunday morning ritual for me as I come out the Hopewell church early) there was a letter with the return address for Don Wineman. How long has Don been living in this area? Long enough that all he had to do was write the word "OFFERING" on his envelope and get it stuck into our PO Box. There was no address for the church on the envelope. There was no stamp either. But, there it was in the box today as it got right where it needed to be. He might have walked in and asked them to place it in the PO Box for him.And, they did it for him. I know I tried to get that done once when we lived over in Baltimore. I was told I needed to purchase a stamp. "You mean to tell me that this envelope has to go all the way to Columbus to be processed and then sent back out here, with a stamp on it, just so you can walk it over there and put it in this lady's PO Box?" Yep. I'm not Don Wineman. I'm not well known. I can't make that request. I had no past or history with the post office clerk. She wasn't going to help me with that thing. <br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div><span style="font-size: xx-small;"> </span></div><div><span style="font-size: xx-small;">learningfromthepast.net</span><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRwmIJn4xlQ18lg-vkrN7bbykxqbsxPnrW72jjNgDfUGkGYAc47-t1R2vyVkw8PJCEzTtwbmv5tU5zXfGMkRn8yvd0NA3dV79u5E9Rf4IneMXNanFxwx2_wLnjyRMTRQ7cGnOJGpTIT0xo5T5HfMhaCCWMexlcv-NIG_cwe_8JN97B8X9AbHINd7gq/s601/learning-from-the-past-new-logo-1.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="272" data-original-width="601" height="181" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRwmIJn4xlQ18lg-vkrN7bbykxqbsxPnrW72jjNgDfUGkGYAc47-t1R2vyVkw8PJCEzTtwbmv5tU5zXfGMkRn8yvd0NA3dV79u5E9Rf4IneMXNanFxwx2_wLnjyRMTRQ7cGnOJGpTIT0xo5T5HfMhaCCWMexlcv-NIG_cwe_8JN97B8X9AbHINd7gq/w400-h181/learning-from-the-past-new-logo-1.png" width="400" /> </a></div><div><p>Our past can come into play when it comes to our salvation, as it is described here in Romans 10 by the Apostle Paul. What do we know about the Israelites? Paul makes it clear that they were very in tune with what the law was all about. They sought into it to find the means to be righteous - i.e. be in a right standing or right relationship with God. So much so, that they missed the coming of the Messiah that they knew was going to come and bring them salvation. For us, in modern America, the past may have taught us that being here in this sanctuary is the right thing to do. We are supposed to get up and go to church. That's what we have been taught to do. Where is the connection Jesus? It is a name we have heard over and over. But, do we know Him? Have we given our hearts and lives to Him? Paul is encouraging his audience to not just listen to the past and follow the law, but to actually call upon his name. "Whoever calls upon the name of Jesus will be saved." </p><p>Have you called upon Him? Do you know Him? <br />Do you know what forgiveness means? Have you confessed your sins and surrendered your past?</p><p>It is something to consider as we travel through Lent. </p><p>What will you give up for Lent?<br />Lets start with giving our hearts to Jesus.<br /></p></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5738378669429459004.post-6478201398268920902022-03-13T08:48:00.001-04:002022-03-13T08:48:07.448-04:00Done Deal<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj0qSHz0tJeMrq_dA8U7Wtd4LDla_fVy4wVnNrFTH772fXuw0ewXvrZvkFUsLzQ2ONaaJkUCT7xAY4wR7pBEpsLJshxVed_B1q9_bylrtG0I-Bk5GhNiSnRwYoO8RAhMJENsVI2GTVIHGJ66OeJFIpSWUAtYYho3d_-61_axVCU9trMYw7gEBqV7CAg=s486" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="180" data-original-width="486" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj0qSHz0tJeMrq_dA8U7Wtd4LDla_fVy4wVnNrFTH772fXuw0ewXvrZvkFUsLzQ2ONaaJkUCT7xAY4wR7pBEpsLJshxVed_B1q9_bylrtG0I-Bk5GhNiSnRwYoO8RAhMJENsVI2GTVIHGJ66OeJFIpSWUAtYYho3d_-61_axVCU9trMYw7gEBqV7CAg=s16000" /></a></div><br /><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjx4_aEGIF0HFxj-lbtj6IQNZNm0P455QNBar4fGJsX-cbk9Er-nFhA7TOs3LIPnjNbgz80TB-jnnkfguEen-mplRPbNyt-kk_UgVV_U_Eg8tg39qssJAsEnykimo_GD4EQ8hArs2WHngVXE9DhsiMwNoxFjAUmAlCZdMiAHf2We2D7oIiGUzZ7Y1HS=s1300" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1100" data-original-width="1300" height="542" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjx4_aEGIF0HFxj-lbtj6IQNZNm0P455QNBar4fGJsX-cbk9Er-nFhA7TOs3LIPnjNbgz80TB-jnnkfguEen-mplRPbNyt-kk_UgVV_U_Eg8tg39qssJAsEnykimo_GD4EQ8hArs2WHngVXE9DhsiMwNoxFjAUmAlCZdMiAHf2We2D7oIiGUzZ7Y1HS=w640-h542" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p>Salvation is the deal. </p><p>As we head toward Easter it will be what we are focusing on as we cover our United Methodist beliefs. This should an especially important topic to us as we think about confirmation in this time of the year. Our confirmation class is on its 4th week today. We are following a study by a Nazarene pastor and theologian, Charles "Chic" Shaver, who put together a series of <i>Basic Bible Studies</i> (now known as "The Journey"). Our confirmation group are asked to fill in the blanks with this study as they answer questions while looking up scripture references that correlate to the numbered format. </p><p>One of the scripture we have touched on comes from Hebrews 10. In the midst of our Lenten season and here in the middle of our confirmation time, we are looking at the matter of our salvation as a done deal. It has been covered, taken care of, forever, in the hands of Jesus Christ. Lets look at what the writer of Hebrews has to say on the subject. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgEoSNqp4P83PN_k4fM8UGbnNMMSCClFX-jfDdvQksWpoNAn75OTXWjEtbTq1lvvv1QViwml_PSDLm34zspy68OqUCZICb8FgI99bTzS1J3K-W_AN-lZhPUdpTRS9zclHxv71UmVSZm1_L8z60UVWxs5G1_oljqGHZ8aOSPqqr4ODtpG-AOh6Za0Rhd=s1165" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1165" data-original-width="650" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgEoSNqp4P83PN_k4fM8UGbnNMMSCClFX-jfDdvQksWpoNAn75OTXWjEtbTq1lvvv1QViwml_PSDLm34zspy68OqUCZICb8FgI99bTzS1J3K-W_AN-lZhPUdpTRS9zclHxv71UmVSZm1_L8z60UVWxs5G1_oljqGHZ8aOSPqqr4ODtpG-AOh6Za0Rhd=s16000" /></a></div><br /><p>Maybe we can work with that "fill in the blank" format as we look at the scriptures this morning. If you are following along at home, then it should be easy to see where your answers come from and should go. I'll make it as simple as possible. We are going to have a nice three-point message today. </p><p><u><b>Sacrifices</b></u></p><p>For the entirety of the Old Testament, minus some moments when the Israelites did not have their Temple to worship in, the need for a sacrifice was all important to their religious experience. Every year, a lamb was to be brought to the Temple and offered to the priest who cut it open and give it to the altar and the fire. The smoke of that sacrifice would go up, as symbol of our prayers going up to God. The blood from the lamb would be sprinkled over the altar, a sign of the blood covering and marking us. What the writer of Hebrews notes for us is that law was simply a shadow of what was to come. We need to see the illustration in the moment of sacrifice and put the necessary correlation into the person of Jesus Christ. Jesus was to be the sacrifice for our sins. Refereed to as "The Lamb of God", our Savior took our sins on his shoulders just as the blood from the lamb was supposed to cover a families sins for the coming year. Jesus takes our sins and covered them in such a way that the old system is no longer necessary. There is no need to keep repeating that old system over and over again. It means nothing now. It was simply a sign of what was to come. And, now it has. And, Salvation is open to everyone. </p><p>In verses 2 and 10 from Hebrews chap 10, it has a particular three word phrases that need to stick with us. It is the "meat and potatoes" of this passage. </p><p><span class="text Heb-10-2" id="en-NIV-30136"><sup class="versenum">2 </sup>Otherwise,
would they not have stopped being offered? For the worshipers would
have been cleansed _________________, and would no longer have felt guilty
for their sins.</span></p><p><span class="text Heb-10-2" id="en-NIV-30136"><span class="text Heb-10-10" id="en-NIV-30144"><sup class="versenum">10 </sup>And by that will, we have been made holy through the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ __________________.</span></span></p><p><span class="text Heb-10-2" id="en-NIV-30136"><span class="text Heb-10-10" id="en-NIV-30144">What Christ does for us is done for all time. It need not be repeated annually. It is over and done. The Lamb was sacrificed for our sins and the matter is closed. </span></span></p><p><u><b><span class="text Heb-10-2" id="en-NIV-30136">Priest</span></b></u></p><p><span class="text Heb-10-2" id="en-NIV-30136"> Because of what Jesus has done for us, power and control has been established and founded in His name for all time. When a sacrifice was brought to the Temple it was given to the priest. This is one of the moments where we see Jesus being our All in All. He takes on many roles in our lives and sometimes he wears different hats. I could bring to the surface an illustration of multi-tasking. Anybody here actually good at doing multiple things at the same time. We aren't supposed to text and drive, but some people do it amazingly well. Some folks can't handle chewing gum and walking at the same time. It's even harder to carry on a conversation and watch your favorite television program. We are finite beings and we cannot fathom the ability to handle more than one thing at time. Maybe two or three things can be rolling around in our noggins. How does God do all that he does for us? In the matter of our salvation, he is the sacrifice and he is the priest - at the same time. Lets look closer at verses 11 thru 13. </span></p><p><span class="text Heb-10-11" id="en-NIV-30145"><sup class="versenum">11 </sup>Day after day every ______ stands and performs his religious duties; again and again he offers the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins.</span> <span class="text Heb-10-12" id="en-NIV-30146"><sup class="versenum">12 </sup>But when this ______ had offered for all time one sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the _____________,</span> <span class="text Heb-10-13" id="en-NIV-30147"><sup class="versenum">13 </sup>and since that time he waits for his enemies to be made his footstool.</span></p><p><u><b>Covenant</b></u></p><p><span class="text Heb-10-13" id="en-NIV-30147"> It is important to bring to light what we are doing with God. We are in a relationship with him. We are in a covenant with him. That's a word we aren't very familiar with in our lexicon. We've heard references to marriage vows. We are used to thinking about friendships and close personal relationships with others. What exactly does a covenant mean for us in this religious context?</span></p><p><span class="text Heb-10-13" id="en-NIV-30147"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiw0kPSHWeGxyC17g1vSTgqzstEgfOOtFQv4ks9YtJoSxCFLDfOYkdo1S3xAFpXxD7qf9tJXvhFzeuHQj1BfFumsb9GK0hIvUmdwMySKZA-Jrwt458Iodb_P_Fs6QwFSsOA8wiEjz0L2k0LsBTGvy5ikcr4J_rhl2Ge3QEtxuDUZr8bDrUY2k3xJBB9=s757" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="436" data-original-width="757" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiw0kPSHWeGxyC17g1vSTgqzstEgfOOtFQv4ks9YtJoSxCFLDfOYkdo1S3xAFpXxD7qf9tJXvhFzeuHQj1BfFumsb9GK0hIvUmdwMySKZA-Jrwt458Iodb_P_Fs6QwFSsOA8wiEjz0L2k0LsBTGvy5ikcr4J_rhl2Ge3QEtxuDUZr8bDrUY2k3xJBB9=s16000" /></a></div><br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEidjnxDZKxswIU_3K1lG12ori1i8Qjahw7gVlPQAvEVq-cbHif4u_g-btY9D1rY25zJCWF-8JG_LcM3GFftZX9yoTtQfhqedwdGVuObaMiSmfqa2o2mdAIsTXqWRblKlarEnPTUj0IBZLesWuyxIpO6-laVK53TuEwIAGSMZxICgJXqs-VBOm5pzhww=s465" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="324" data-original-width="465" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEidjnxDZKxswIU_3K1lG12ori1i8Qjahw7gVlPQAvEVq-cbHif4u_g-btY9D1rY25zJCWF-8JG_LcM3GFftZX9yoTtQfhqedwdGVuObaMiSmfqa2o2mdAIsTXqWRblKlarEnPTUj0IBZLesWuyxIpO6-laVK53TuEwIAGSMZxICgJXqs-VBOm5pzhww=s16000" /></a></div>The noun really is what you expect with some legal jargon in just the right places. "a usual formal, solemn agreement." Sometimes written, Sometimes simply verbal between parties. A handshake might ensue. Prayers might be given. <p></p><p><span class="text Heb-10-13" id="en-NIV-30147">The verb side does give us some interesting things to think about. <br />It's one of those words that can go both transitive and intransitive at the same time. Makes me think about how God can be all things to us. If two or parties are involved in this covenant matter, then we can "pledge" to be there for each other. We can lean on each other and find the help we need in the moment we need it. It always go the other way. When we "enter into" it might feel like we are being handed a contract. The contract states that we have certain criteria that we are to uphold. There might be specific things that we have to do in order the covenant to be in effect. If anything get broken or does not get done by us, then we owe something in return. When was the last time you stayed at a hotel? There is usually a contract of some kind hanging on the door inside your room stating what you will charged if anything get broken. If you don't leave the premises by check out time, then you will get billed for another day for the time you spent there. </span></p><p><span class="text Heb-10-13" id="en-NIV-30147">The nice thing about our contract is that Jesus paid it all.</span></p><p><span class="text Heb-10-14" id="en-NIV-30148"><sup class="versenum">14 </sup>For by one sacrifice he has ___________________ those who are being made holy.</span></p><p><span class="text Heb-10-14" id="en-NIV-30148">The subject here should translate to the matter of us following Christ and not doing anything that would run the bill up higher. Not only is Christ putting our sins behind us, he wants us to have a complete change of heart as to how we approach life. We need to walk with him and be amazed at what has done for us and continues to do for us. The hymn writer, Charles Wesley, put it in his own words. <br /></span></p><p><i>"And can it be that I should gain
<br />
an interest in the Savior's blood!
<br />
Died he for me? who caused his pain!
<br />
For me? who him to death pursued?
<br />
Amazing love! How can it be
<br />
that thou, my God, shouldst die for me?
<br />
Amazing love! How can it be
<br />
that thou, my God, shouldst die for me?"</i></p><p>Be Amazed. Walk with Jesus and know what he has done for you. <br /></p><p></p><p></p><p><span class="text Heb-10-14" id="en-NIV-30148"></span><span class="text Heb-10-13" id="en-NIV-30147"></span> </p><p></p><p></p><p><span class="text Heb-10-2" id="en-NIV-30136"></span></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5738378669429459004.post-62209276124920815432022-03-06T13:28:00.000-05:002022-03-06T13:28:01.805-05:00Dynamic Duo<div><p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhl1mxQ1Ul2u1eHH-9fEuQqjZXGZat6BFKEPeaC2Q5ylofB6LrOvPnosHxtkyU7YcOPjK4wI4K4ZphV1erneWgUWpLvVd2ioQN-xaM3k0ptDAs5eQIrJq-DnGhXuxMJ34-xt9UlJp8RJzHkW2sKMiSk_H4raqv2nPSIYDE9BkDXboE6PYlzsRreVqKP=s600" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="545" data-original-width="600" height="291" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhl1mxQ1Ul2u1eHH-9fEuQqjZXGZat6BFKEPeaC2Q5ylofB6LrOvPnosHxtkyU7YcOPjK4wI4K4ZphV1erneWgUWpLvVd2ioQN-xaM3k0ptDAs5eQIrJq-DnGhXuxMJ34-xt9UlJp8RJzHkW2sKMiSk_H4raqv2nPSIYDE9BkDXboE6PYlzsRreVqKP=s320" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p></p><h1 style="text-align: center;">as we continue with</h1><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhpL-ZXcta4L3pfQv-AzgDDP107GVrB_sjUk_2ARCGZZoY9010MMZT7UmEAlfgdvCVG_v9jfaR3Uc09U9by5IlX_S2tmRk8nNqQnsvsSM-T3saQ3LLx80PmyPDNmpCy4VOgNkQ_f-rwX9_FO6H34kAPgxl8_fTkFR-8AbQSyCGJbsHX3tL1HTxR5PXI=s486" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="180" data-original-width="486" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhpL-ZXcta4L3pfQv-AzgDDP107GVrB_sjUk_2ARCGZZoY9010MMZT7UmEAlfgdvCVG_v9jfaR3Uc09U9by5IlX_S2tmRk8nNqQnsvsSM-T3saQ3LLx80PmyPDNmpCy4VOgNkQ_f-rwX9_FO6H34kAPgxl8_fTkFR-8AbQSyCGJbsHX3tL1HTxR5PXI=s16000" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Grace</span></span> & <span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Faith</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: small;">In February, We got some help from our lay speakers, Ray Higdon and Mike Porter as we covered the topics of Faith and Grace. Today, I want to look at them together and see the inter-connectedness of these major tenets of the faith. We find ourselves looking at Ephesians chapter 2 in a very well known passage where the Apostle Paul speaks to our salvation and bring these two word into the center.</span></span></p></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: small;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjnFydXu6Tcpfr4nythTUEu9EnXEUBwY2odHnJVWBt-I20uaIGoZvZN01ZMRViOuSXUPDsk5-K7gUe8oEZtQZnrUDnjLaFTJ3c3Q6gbx4OHaY6KxDBwElJhaDYa4IPxPMHoYyTgRzJfFIVsBbB6W5K_QDyWYn9CJmOw3P1XHmB_HJKFzqaIXb-K-B-_=s605" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="605" data-original-width="583" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjnFydXu6Tcpfr4nythTUEu9EnXEUBwY2odHnJVWBt-I20uaIGoZvZN01ZMRViOuSXUPDsk5-K7gUe8oEZtQZnrUDnjLaFTJ3c3Q6gbx4OHaY6KxDBwElJhaDYa4IPxPMHoYyTgRzJfFIVsBbB6W5K_QDyWYn9CJmOw3P1XHmB_HJKFzqaIXb-K-B-_=s16000" /></a></div></span></span><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: small;">Paul says it twice in the course of this passage. "it is by grace you have been saved" I'm not sure I fully grasped the intensity with which those words are meant to be delivered with, and so, I wanted to understand what grace really is for us. It's one thing to see the definition of a word. It's something else to see it with our own eyes. </span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: small;">There's a woman who frequents the pantry at Hopewell. She and her sister are a couple of characters who make the trek out to the church every month with either the help of a transit bus or with someone else's vehicle. It has been described that if the chance were given to them that they would clean out the pantry in one haul. Someone has to walk with them (which is standard procedure for anyone visiting the pantry) and keep an eye on what they are putting in their cart to make sure they don't clean us out of house and home. Sometimes both sisters come and many times just one of them does the shopping for both of the sister's families. I recall last year when i first began to be integrated into the system at the pantry that I was given the task of working with them as they sat on the bus waiting for their order to be filled. We had the task last year of doing the shopping for all of the pantry visitors. No one was allowed to come inside during the stretch of the pandemic. So, our helpers would go out to the waiting cars and trucks that had lined up with clip boards and papers to walk people through what was waiting downstairs and then we would bring the list inside and go through to get them their items. After bagging it all up, we would bring it out to their vehicle and send them on their way. I got the sisters who just happened to be on a Perry County transit bus that day and it was my first time walking anybody through the 4 pages of items that listed all the food in the pantry. I didn't understand what exactly we were supposed to offer them and I think the sisters knew that. With every section we went through in the paper work, they gladly accepted everything that was offered to them. I marked up the papers thoroughly and brought them down stairs to them team that was waiting to do their shopping for them. A few minutes later, our director spoke up and said I had done the list wrong and I needed to go back out and rework the papers with the sisters. We only offer a few items out of each section and not everything on every line of the paperwork. So, I had go back out and explain that to two grinning sisters in their 60's from rural Perry County that they couldn't have all these items. Grace goes both ways in this instance. From the ones taking advantage of the system and the one who didn't understand how to offer it properly.</span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: small;">God offers his hands and hearts to us even though we don't necessarily get what the proper procedure is for approaching him. And, in matters where it seems like our carnal nature wants to take it all fro granted, God still offers his love to us. We don't deserve it. We can earn it. He just does. The sisters have never been turned down or told to go away. The door is always open for them to return next month. And, there is always plenty of food to share with them. God wants us to draw close to him. His arms are always open for us to receive. What we need to learn is dependence on Him. In drawing close to God we learn that the ways we have been handling things can stop dominating our lives. We are used to taking matters into our own hands in order to get what we want the way we want it. God wants something different. His Grace is the way into a life that is drastically unlike what we know. His ways are not our ways. His Grace is not what we are used to. Maybe it's why change takes so long in our world and when it finally does come to a place where what we need can actually be, we fight it and squabble and holler about it instead of simply letting God lead the way. It's never easy to let God be God. Yet, his arms are still open to us; drawing us closer to where he is at the heart of love. </span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: small;">Now what about faith?</span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: small;">This morning at church was an eventful day, but the thing that grabbed my attention was a competition that had ensued between some of our Sunday School kids. (My son was included in this.) The story of Moses lifting his arms up in the air in the battle with the Amalekites from Exodus 17. As long as Moses kept his arms up, the Israelites were prevailing. But, if his arms came down the Amalekites were winning. The challenege at church today became one of who could keep their arms up above their heads longer.</span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: small;">And, the battle kept up the entire service.</span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: small;">Even after the service, we began refreshment time downstairs in the fellowship hall. The kids still had their arms above their heads. In Moses' story, it took the combined efforts of his brother Aaron and another man named Hur to hold up Moses' arms when they got tired. They also provided a place for Moses to sit down. There is so much grace and faith in the passage that it boggles the mind. Take a moment to read it and see just what we are talking about. Chapter 17 begins with a bunch of grumbling by the Israelites about having water to drink and whether the Lord is actually taking care of them at all. God still does take care of them and go before them into battle. He rescues them, provides for them, and makes a way even though the probably don't deserve any of it. God drawing close to us even though we do not appreciate or understand what He is doing is much of what Grace is all about. Faith is what we need to draw close to God and many time we lack the required need. Still, God is there. And, if that is what is needed for salvation, then how do we make that happens.</span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: small;">We do not. God does. </span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: small;">And, that's why Grace and faith are so important. <br />Draw close to God and he will draw close to you. <br />Have Faith in God, and you will begin to see exactly what it's about.<br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span></p></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5738378669429459004.post-86990077779399725332022-03-02T11:22:00.003-05:002022-03-02T13:49:12.737-05:00Ash Wednesday 2020<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg52lfav7KSEQ2ivM80ESaRrhyor25THyxb74Sr-wJINXCUdCeS2qPJQjDIQHqEkUhfdzTXb7g8BX-ujXIumBWTnFssNiBQMEGqUG7rAT5JWTmi20_ROxsyr0zGTOvJnNuELXs6cZMcndjudO-Etk33JAP75qTajjDTyWjvFP-sU18WX4jVcyIV4KlW=s622" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="421" data-original-width="622" height="217" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg52lfav7KSEQ2ivM80ESaRrhyor25THyxb74Sr-wJINXCUdCeS2qPJQjDIQHqEkUhfdzTXb7g8BX-ujXIumBWTnFssNiBQMEGqUG7rAT5JWTmi20_ROxsyr0zGTOvJnNuELXs6cZMcndjudO-Etk33JAP75qTajjDTyWjvFP-sU18WX4jVcyIV4KlW=s320" width="320" /></a></div> <p></p><p>It's time for Lent to begin and the question I usually pose to all my congregants is, "What will you give up for Lent?"</p><p>It is a tradition long seeded in Christendom. As a Lutheran scholar has noted, Lent is "<span class="ILfuVd"><span class="hgKElc">...a time we set aside each
year to remember the love of God that is poured out through Christ
Jesus on the cross in His death; and His defeat of death, sin and Satan
in Christ's death and resurrection that brings Eternal Life to you." There are many way we could approach Ash Wednesday. If we are speaking about being over-comers of sin, we could certainly speak to the Armor of God and create a M.O.S.H. pit. (March On Satan's Head) I think the intention of Lent, however, is one of remorse and introspection. It is not a time of getting ourselves pumped up for a battle. God will take care of the battle for us. He has already with the death and resurrection of his Son. Lent has with it some connotations of repentance and sorrow. This should be our first means of approach as we draw near to God. Our religious experience is not one where we try to put the emotional side on a mountain top so we feel good about ourselves. The scriptures make it plain to us that if we are to come close to the Almighty we should do so with "sackcloth and ashes". There needs to be some way of stating for our hearts that we know that we do not measure up to the way God intends for humans to be. Maybe we should approach with an "I'm sorry". Maybe we come near with nothing to say at all. We simply come. "Be still and know..." </span></span></p><p><span class="ILfuVd"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj2sHohk8wRFTxYW9PhdFjqe3tMhHXu7cx3hanyQGCvn_5TG_PlW1pXae-H580Xl-56TNSPowJ8Jg7FuvR764Bk4YqvPRXFfkymTXlWqIWYrAOGLhxW-EBMdkRRghy9muNjrtPU12gzRCMjTCRFLoMV-uNmdkIQq48KO2MVo_UJH-LztBfPV6HMyOa7=s526" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="334" data-original-width="526" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj2sHohk8wRFTxYW9PhdFjqe3tMhHXu7cx3hanyQGCvn_5TG_PlW1pXae-H580Xl-56TNSPowJ8Jg7FuvR764Bk4YqvPRXFfkymTXlWqIWYrAOGLhxW-EBMdkRRghy9muNjrtPU12gzRCMjTCRFLoMV-uNmdkIQq48KO2MVo_UJH-LztBfPV6HMyOa7=s16000" /></a></div><br /><span class="hgKElc">God draws close to us as well. God does not come with grand gestures or loud announcements. He simply comes. With our Lenten season comes a time of fasting and praying that many of us seem to misunderstand. Isaiah 58 is one place where God makes an impassioned plea for his people to have a correct mindset on what it is he wanting. It's not about giving up things that have no consequence or meaning in the big picture of life. It is about going with out so that other might have a chance to feel love and acceptance. If we are giving up some kind of food, might we take the time to go see that someone else has food for their family during this time? We seek creature comforts that would make our lives easier yet leave weights and yokes on others that would hold them down and make life harder for them. How could we give shelter to those who need to get in out of the storm of life? This time is not for petty things like giving up chocolate and soda pop. It is for setting our own wants and cares aside and giving ourselves to the life that God intends for us to live. A life that meets the needs of other people and forgets about our selfish wants and desires. </span><p></p><p><span class="ILfuVd"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi7_0G0Jvg30jzl3dInDwGV0D5u4c7zdBxdQEGgGyGupoicU5rLu6rSYhRGKfxzUs4THZRISlTG4LWvvLc_zXI25vY0rXHBvedIuUX9nxqA7yDwYM7HcoN9WZ2bJwBuA-QuV-3XyFaIBa944leWFDX2pm-Su4Se9-4q8lhowj4yay0SyOAvujxNJbUg=s831" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="281" data-original-width="831" height="216" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi7_0G0Jvg30jzl3dInDwGV0D5u4c7zdBxdQEGgGyGupoicU5rLu6rSYhRGKfxzUs4THZRISlTG4LWvvLc_zXI25vY0rXHBvedIuUX9nxqA7yDwYM7HcoN9WZ2bJwBuA-QuV-3XyFaIBa944leWFDX2pm-Su4Se9-4q8lhowj4yay0SyOAvujxNJbUg=w640-h216" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span class="hgKElc">Jesus went without for 40 days. NO food. NO water. NO bread. We often seek for ways that we can follow in the footsteps of our Savior and be like him. That is why these 40 days are important to our journey. Often, Christians will use this time between Ash Wednesday and Easter as a way to re-focus ourselves. Revival meetings are meant to be just that. A way to bring to life something that was dying inside of us. What can you do during this next 6 weeks that would bring you closer to God? If fasting is the way you intend to spend this season, remember the suggestion of John Wesley who would say, "do not get so caught up in the means of fasting that you forget why you were fasting in the first place." Jesus did so in order to put his flesh in line with what the Father wanted of Him spiritually. For many, and I would cast an eye into the arena of our Catholic friends; to suggest that this becomes another means of control. But, so many in our Protestant world have no idea why they are fasting either. Even if the direction from a congregant is to give up something like chocolate or listening to music on the way to work, to often they truly can't give you a good reason as to why they are doing this. We lose sight of where we are headed before we even take off on the journey because we don't understand where we are headed in the first place. </span><p></p><p><span class="ILfuVd"><span class="hgKElc">About 10 years ago, out of the United Kingdom, came a group calling itself <a href="https://www.stewardship.org.uk/">Stewardship</a>. There emphasis was to help people into the means of giving what they have in philanthropic ways to meet the needs of others. What they developed has come to be known as the <a href="https://40acts.org.uk/resources/">40acts Challenge</a>. Throughout the UK and into the world, this interesting group has found ways to contribute and help others who might need some financial means or food or any kind of assistance. I spent this afternoon working it up and came tonight with a 40 day challenge of our own here in this area. Take it as seriously as you want. Edit it in any for or fashion that you want. My hope is that we can look beyond ourselves into our world make it a better place to be. </span></span></p><p><span class="ILfuVd"><span class="hgKElc">With the disposition of Ashes, we are reminded that we are only here on the earth for a short while. Let us give our hearts to Jesus and make the best of the world we have around us. <br /></span></span></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5738378669429459004.post-50129160820899691142022-02-20T08:46:00.002-05:002022-02-20T08:46:49.221-05:00Name Above All Names<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiOzN34PkUhL5rZKGe50-uIbfcFf32_PlUkU9-32g-tOG8RaVUUMPkO2rABeQEXypNTxboLisDtM0vtbIl7XNKr2H-eMsupmrAjUbbxzH3FV-GjjAB9RgFHgXm9d96r26lW98gI9AVYNcLjKiy9tVTdCk4XsU05SWicRQrYWsKxjk-uWw0RsyFemE0Y=s486" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="180" data-original-width="486" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiOzN34PkUhL5rZKGe50-uIbfcFf32_PlUkU9-32g-tOG8RaVUUMPkO2rABeQEXypNTxboLisDtM0vtbIl7XNKr2H-eMsupmrAjUbbxzH3FV-GjjAB9RgFHgXm9d96r26lW98gI9AVYNcLjKiy9tVTdCk4XsU05SWicRQrYWsKxjk-uWw0RsyFemE0Y=s16000" /></a></div><p></p><h1 style="text-align: center;">Jesus<br />Name Above All Names<br />Beautiful Savior<br />Glorious Lord</h1><h1 style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiRnFbmyStE74orq-wTyAOEBs6DvbOx_kLny78F19L5i7PlYFeFA0kKA7BHh6ldo58Qj-FXjac1SXpGWYeowl7ia1nFAQNghhHlf-hwWg7b7xGELkiORYECqG_zv72FSKM5bCpcsbd25DO2dRYX3sTr3_ATrLbDOvtmU77poDFFUv6f54eyKlmp2riJ=s876" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="771" data-original-width="876" height="563" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiRnFbmyStE74orq-wTyAOEBs6DvbOx_kLny78F19L5i7PlYFeFA0kKA7BHh6ldo58Qj-FXjac1SXpGWYeowl7ia1nFAQNghhHlf-hwWg7b7xGELkiORYECqG_zv72FSKM5bCpcsbd25DO2dRYX3sTr3_ATrLbDOvtmU77poDFFUv6f54eyKlmp2riJ=w640-h563" width="640" /></a></div><br /> </h1><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/C7Btc3g0UaU" width="320" youtube-src-id="C7Btc3g0UaU"></iframe> from the father-son duo Aaron~Jeffrey<br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span><div class="ujudUb"><span> </span></div><div class="ujudUb"><span>In Genesis, He's the breath of life</span><br /><span>In Exodus, the Passover Lamb</span><br /><span>In Leviticus, He's our High Priest</span><br /><span>Numbers, The fire by night</span><br /><span>Deuteronomy, He's Moses' voice</span><br /><span>In Joshua, He is salvation's choice</span><br /><span>Judges, law giver</span><br /><span>In Ruth, the kinsmen-redeemer</span><br /><span>First and second Samuel, our trusted prophet</span><br /><span>In Kings and Chronicles, He's sovereign</span></div><div class="ujudUb"><span>Ezra, true and faithful scribe</span><br /><span>Nehemiah, He's the rebuilder of broken walls and lives</span><br /><span>In Esther, He's Mordecai's courage</span><br /><span>In Job, the timeless redeemer</span><br /><span>In Psalms, He is our morning song</span></div><div class="ujudUb"><span>In Proverbs, wisdom's cry</span><br /><span>Ecclesiastes, the time and season</span><br /><span>In the Song of Solomon, He is the lover's dream</span></div><div class="ujudUb"><span>He is, He is, HE IS!</span></div><div class="ujudUb"><span>In Isaiah, He's Prince of Peace</span><br /><span>Jeremiah, the weeping prophet</span><br /><span>In Lamentations, the cry for Israel</span><br /><span>Ezekiel, He's the call from sin</span><br /><span>In Daniel, the stranger in the fire</span></div><div class="ujudUb"><span>In Hosea, He is forever faithful</span><br /><span>In Joel, He's the Spirits power</span><br /><span>In Amos, the arms that carry us</span><br /><span>In Obadiah, He's the Lord our Savior</span><br /><span>In Jonah, He's the great missionary</span></div><div class="ujudUb"><span>In Micah, the promise of peace</span><br /><span>In Nahum, He is our strength and our shield</span><br /><span>In Habakkuk and Zephaniah, He's pleading for revival</span><br /><span>In Haggai, He restores a lost heritage</span><br /><span>In Zechariah, our fountain</span></div><div class="ujudUb"><span>In Malachi, He is the son of righteousness rising with healing in His wings</span></div><div class="ujudUb"><span>He is, He is, HE IS!</span></div><div class="ujudUb"><span>In Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, He is God, Man, Messiah</span><br /><span>In the book of Acts, He is fire from heaven</span><br /><span>In Romans, He's the grace of God</span><br /><span>In Corinthians, the power of love</span><br /><span>In Galatians, He is freedom from the curse of sin</span></div><div class="ujudUb"><span>Ephesians, our glorious treasure</span><br /><span>Philippians, the servants heart</span><br /><span>In Colossians, He's the Godhead Trinity</span><br /><span>Thessalonians, our coming King</span><br /><span>In Timothy, Titus, Philemon He's our mediator and our faithful Pastor</span></div><div class="ujudUb"><span>In Hebrews, the everlasting covenant</span><br /><span>In James, the one who heals the sick.</span><br /><span>In First and Second Peter, he is our Shepherd</span><br /><span>In John and in Jude, He is the lover coming for His bride</span><br /><span>In the Revelation, He is King of Kings and Lord of Lords</span></div><div class="ujudUb"><span>He is, He is, HE IS!</span></div><div class="ujudUb"><span>The prince of peace</span><br /><span>The Son of man</span><br /><span>The Lamb of God</span><br /><span>The great I AM</span></div><div class="ujudUb WRZytc"><span>He's the alpha and omega</span><br /><span>Our God and our Savior</span><br /><span>He is Jesus Christ the Lord</span><br /><span>And when time is no more</span><br /><span>He is, HE IS!</span></div></span> <br /></div><p>What more can I say beyond what these incredible singers have offered to us this morning? <br />Jesus is what the story is all about. Jesus is the central focus of the whole flow of time and history. Without Jesus there is nothing to put our faith into that matters. Following up our message last week on faith and moving into the subject of the name of Jesus today directs us into a very specific direction. Jesus is the only way for salvation. Jesus is the only way to make it into eternal life, spending all eternity with God. I contemplated trying to use all the name we could ascribe to Jesus in the course of today's message, but there just was no way to bring that about. We used to kid back in school about young preachers, like we were, trying to cover the whole bible from Genesis to Revelation in one message. There is just so much to share and so much to say and we want everyone to hear all of it at once and not miss a thing. </p><p>There are a few names or notions about Jesus that we should focus on especially if we are thinking about faith as a current topic of thought. How do you put your faith and trust in Jesus? What areas of life do you find yourself connecting with Jesus? Does your health bring you to your knees and crying out for help? Is it the state of our country and nation and world that makes you want to draw close to him? Is it your family? Do your kids and relatives help you to understand that God is a parent to us and we are his children? There is so much ground to cover here and only a short amount of time to think about it. So, what could we center ourselves on before we head back into our world? What could we take with us that would support us on our journey?</p><p>A few phrases and words from Aaron~Jeffrey's song could be helpful as we think about who God is through the person of Jesus Christ to us.</p><p><b><i>The Breath of Life</i></b> - Do we get up each morning thinking about how God has created this day for us to enjoy? We have life and breath in our bodies because God deems it so. We have today to be His children and part of his family. He has given us other people to enjoy and interact with so we don't have to be alone. There might be time where we wish we were alone after dealing with the people in our world. There might be moments when we need to get away and be alone, with God, and fill our hearts and lungs and body with new breath and fresh spirit. God is here to refresh us and breath new life into us. </p><p><b><i>The Lamb and The Priest</i></b> - When we refer to God as our ALL in ALL, do we truly get that he has taken all of this on his shoulders? We need a way to make up for our sin/sins. We need something to atone for the atrocity. Sin should not be in our lives and there seems to be nothing we can do about it. Jesus takes the sin of the world on his shoulders, on our behalf, and does that for us. In the same instance, we need a priest who can intercede for us. many of us understand the need for and the role that a priest and pastor plays in our religious experience. Jesus takes that role on at the same time he is also being the sacrifice for our sin. And, there is more he does on our behalf and for our well-being. </p><p><i><b>Our Great Physician</b></i> - It's maybe the most poignant phrase to our current world situation and quite the most referred to in our everyday life. We read over and over again how people came to Jesus in need of healing. The lame, their legs and arms not working properly. The blind, unable to see the world around them. The leper, with skin conditions that the world has deemed unclean, making them enable to have human contact with others. But, the healing doesn't stop on just a surface level with what we can see or hear. We need healing in our souls from the harm that sin has done to us. We need the two edged sword from the world to cut us free from bondage we experience. There is a healing in that as well. And, if the healing we seek in this world cannot be found, there is an ultimate healing when we go to meet him. We leave this tragic existence behind and find peace in Glory with Him. Our Lord knows our bodies inside and out. He knows what we need. </p><p>If we spend a few moments in John chapter 3, we see many other words we could use to describe who Jesus is. Do we really understand the awkwardness of someone like Israel's teacher coming to this unknown man and calling him "Rabbi"? But, Nicodemus believed. He was putting his trust and faith in Jesus in that moment. Yes, he comes at night when no one else would see and hear. But, he comes. Later, his faith would be front and center when he is the one who comes for the body of Jesus to bury him, placing the Savior in the tomb. Do you have faith? Do you know where to put it and how to use it? Do you know who to give that faith to as you journey through this life? </p><p>The Beginning and the End. The Alpha and the Omega. <br />The One who above all and in all. Drawing us closer to God, making a way for us to approach. <br /><br />Jesus. Name Above All Names. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/qrtUxlL0Fdk" width="320" youtube-src-id="qrtUxlL0Fdk"></iframe></div><br /><p><br /></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5738378669429459004.post-89060324366260411172022-02-13T08:47:00.006-05:002022-02-13T08:47:52.682-05:00Never Enough<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhcI25FGOHnvsvXkDjF2trdLgtBqPGb2Y-OAR_F1XRP6sMDAEB75aVMs552WFkdpKRXuH0gEzjTNb9SS9jN0kiptUzK1qmRmjOupQuwrHgm4IhnJLTwyy8azodfxhvcMnvLZ89IS_noi4eee9AUhobSIoWa9LPylbAV40qzQPNH00JldJ3vkhawVXYw=s486" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="180" data-original-width="486" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhcI25FGOHnvsvXkDjF2trdLgtBqPGb2Y-OAR_F1XRP6sMDAEB75aVMs552WFkdpKRXuH0gEzjTNb9SS9jN0kiptUzK1qmRmjOupQuwrHgm4IhnJLTwyy8azodfxhvcMnvLZ89IS_noi4eee9AUhobSIoWa9LPylbAV40qzQPNH00JldJ3vkhawVXYw=s16000" /></a></div><p></p><p></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg636_KpCsZIMz_CTCpuKXBszq0qEVHfosiVylOqTSv5urpx_PZmnkih0o20dXCRlPNWCmC7RwCWBMd9Lyw4Vnsz73sQt96IfMzLEcKkUpg-OCWACj-1Zi0SG_jxOgef72SWUUJIAMAW5wInQw-WZfdX9may8w7Sn42WbH5G4RQxcGA2eDR_uF55ET8=s720" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="720" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg636_KpCsZIMz_CTCpuKXBszq0qEVHfosiVylOqTSv5urpx_PZmnkih0o20dXCRlPNWCmC7RwCWBMd9Lyw4Vnsz73sQt96IfMzLEcKkUpg-OCWACj-1Zi0SG_jxOgef72SWUUJIAMAW5wInQw-WZfdX9may8w7Sn42WbH5G4RQxcGA2eDR_uF55ET8=w200-h200" title="Mike & Tiffany Porter" width="200" /><br /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mike & Tiffany Porter<br /></td></tr></tbody></table>Today, I will be hanging around the Hopewell church after the service with their congregation for a Valentines brunch meal. Mike Porter from the Thornville congregation will be filling in for me at their pulpit. I challenged Mike to carry on with our theme of United Methodist beliefs and step into the subject of Faith. I will be sharing on the same subject at Hopewell. (Feel free to compare notes afterwards.) Faith about a broad of a subject in Christendom as you can find. There are so many ways to present this essential element of our lives as we follow Christ. It should be interesting to hear what Mike has to say. I'm already wondering if we will wind up saying similar things in our messages or if we will wander in totally different directions. Someone from the Thornville congregation should have their phone camera handy to broadcast some LIVE Feed out on Facebook.<p></p><p> </p><p>Faith is a wide and deep matter to step into. Where do we even begin to start talking about such a subject as this? If we approach this as a biblical event, then we actually have to go deep into the book - yes, the entirety of the Bible itself, before we come to a good line that could serve as a definition on the subject. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi_56f4uPg2dC7Zdjdllsr8MGZZ-jtyXREg1QqmLQtfd2ZHs4PdSsfLgUbeBPr-0-8qZWO6-E2EsDsyrXfqzG5HouuXc7e8-81-cLAJowHBMZrSSPTvW8AFW3UU5-MUOVspablZN7ihN08w3kLByV4SiNFqFyiBV4gysVLueogX9ZLIJAv1D1ChrTwn=s659" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="270" data-original-width="659" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi_56f4uPg2dC7Zdjdllsr8MGZZ-jtyXREg1QqmLQtfd2ZHs4PdSsfLgUbeBPr-0-8qZWO6-E2EsDsyrXfqzG5HouuXc7e8-81-cLAJowHBMZrSSPTvW8AFW3UU5-MUOVspablZN7ihN08w3kLByV4SiNFqFyiBV4gysVLueogX9ZLIJAv1D1ChrTwn=s16000" /></a></div><p>John Wesley would have put it like this, "<i>Saving faith is a sure trust and confidence which a man has in God,
that by the merits of Christ his sins are forgiven, and he is reconciled
to the favour of God.</i>" If salvation is the center of our dealings with faith and we are trying to apply the verse from Hebrews in that direction, then we might see our saving and redemption as something unattainable. Faith would put the matter into the hands of the Almighty and show us that it is possible. The Apostle Paul would put it directly into that arena and out of the hands of man. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhqmI2BbhUZwMYBvi8vQP7SVvRDNDXLBI6hCdP9g7OP1ZOwyseX6HsDIqT88_znWc4gx3WwkkcGq9V22q_DXLF3RPfI3n8FQiYWrp9KXrYmDMKV52iefuKO9j_N-c1bjyGtjWzLaGUt-T10w4xcYpyseTuAr--a23nqxDHaISTO0PpKHA-ZA9J7Qzif=s677" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="268" data-original-width="677" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhqmI2BbhUZwMYBvi8vQP7SVvRDNDXLBI6hCdP9g7OP1ZOwyseX6HsDIqT88_znWc4gx3WwkkcGq9V22q_DXLF3RPfI3n8FQiYWrp9KXrYmDMKV52iefuKO9j_N-c1bjyGtjWzLaGUt-T10w4xcYpyseTuAr--a23nqxDHaISTO0PpKHA-ZA9J7Qzif=s16000" /></a></div><p>Ray Higdon will take the subject of Grace as he fills in for me on the last Sunday of the month. I think Ray will do a great job of explaining what Grace is from his point of view with all that he has experienced in his life and family. Grace and Faith are, most certainly, gifts of God. Grace has to do with God drawing us to himself. Faith has to do with us reaching out. Many have felt the need to stop and ask God for faith in the midst of a difficult time. You may feel that you do not have faith. I would plead the case that if you just asked God for faith, then you know what it is and your most assuredly have it. it is impossible to reach out to God unless you believe he is there. Faith opens the locked door and allows us to make the plea. </p><p>Bubba Watson is a golf pro and two time Masters champion. In the February-March edition of Guideposts, he shares what faith means to him and how he keeps his focus on what truly matters. We are going to see this short video in church this morning as Bubba shares what his parents taught him. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="371" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Sa52m7JmYo4" width="446" youtube-src-id="Sa52m7JmYo4"></iframe></div><p>Reading through Hebrews 11, we are dropped into a history lesson. We are shown these giants of life and lore with what they have gone through. If you are a sports person, there are a plethora of people we can look to that will inspire and shock our senses with their abilities. Faith can seem like such a mountain to climb. They misguided idea is that only certain people get to make the trek to true faith. That would be a misread of Hebrews 11. What we need to see here is that all of these people mentioned here are just common, everyday folks. The reason they get a mention is because they chose to trust God and put faith before their issues. Whether your hero is Bubba Watson or Michael Jordan or Jesus Christ, what have they put in front of us that inspires us to go forth with faith? A deeper look at the word might help us with that answer.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiAf76_EZDAaEOV6Tq-b0RSKfLmhjLU7OGTwL_oam1ty-MXHLVaWNEMFrjTapmalgLADjYANFnWEe02lh21upJ45TXvXU15WmKWyRnJHkiAaLNMwHyizCT2u_agTVJLBjeH6lvUw4lWlmnePrdTp1lBoxzWnqp1OAxb33jAVK9Skw9HNaLprpaN6R7r=s677" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="602" data-original-width="677" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiAf76_EZDAaEOV6Tq-b0RSKfLmhjLU7OGTwL_oam1ty-MXHLVaWNEMFrjTapmalgLADjYANFnWEe02lh21upJ45TXvXU15WmKWyRnJHkiAaLNMwHyizCT2u_agTVJLBjeH6lvUw4lWlmnePrdTp1lBoxzWnqp1OAxb33jAVK9Skw9HNaLprpaN6R7r=s16000" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgKcd-JXCc8hlzge0KtSU0tQerXYkTIuY_46RQBhGg3DMw0glSZKQ4k7Kfw2ZcGoV-e5jizjkGH7aC3g5udpCEbKFquetu1JTOA07wkIw0IHc7jMZ7HbmTDSp0fP2xjDV9OPLiwp7gv9juWFXBN_9_DWaqdnD1mhbZTetr8W0UMDQOxGUIMgiMOKT5w=s387" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="276" data-original-width="387" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgKcd-JXCc8hlzge0KtSU0tQerXYkTIuY_46RQBhGg3DMw0glSZKQ4k7Kfw2ZcGoV-e5jizjkGH7aC3g5udpCEbKFquetu1JTOA07wkIw0IHc7jMZ7HbmTDSp0fP2xjDV9OPLiwp7gv9juWFXBN_9_DWaqdnD1mhbZTetr8W0UMDQOxGUIMgiMOKT5w=s16000" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p>There are some immediate trigger words that should jump off the page at us when thinking about the definition of faith. How exactly do you define it for yourself? Many of have been taught that its a sin to question God. We should take everything we hear on faith and trust that it is right. However, if we are listening to the last line of the definition, then we see words about having strong convictions. We don't arrive at a place with that resolution unless we take the time to ask questions and seek answers. I especially like the line that speaks to having good intentions. "acted on good faith" What about having faith when everything looks lost and hopeless? "firm belief for something in which there is no proof" The Apostle Paul would say "No one has ever seen God". How do we hang on to a faith in something for which we have never seen before? Have you seen God before? How do you know he is there? Faith is that one essential quality we all need. At the beginning. At the end of it all. Hold on to what is true. Hold on to your faith. And, don't let go. <br /></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5738378669429459004.post-32458382415555704152022-02-06T08:21:00.002-05:002022-02-06T08:21:36.670-05:00Enough For All<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgZqGwb6A7Teofp8vpqw6OaAxyF8UmYucA1EuzIYMK-LugRfPMd0o5rpw_xRQ5TnFoL7pWiWq6yeETJ3eQpocIXVuey_iMWkeTb1v2isjCCouZvQ0wZSj5qjboQJcBzh4jPyuSSyUyhUzHd0AP9nqd54VdIfzGhpu32Y1iJjiWo5BVlRiBIBJpodg2e=s486" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="180" data-original-width="486" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgZqGwb6A7Teofp8vpqw6OaAxyF8UmYucA1EuzIYMK-LugRfPMd0o5rpw_xRQ5TnFoL7pWiWq6yeETJ3eQpocIXVuey_iMWkeTb1v2isjCCouZvQ0wZSj5qjboQJcBzh4jPyuSSyUyhUzHd0AP9nqd54VdIfzGhpu32Y1iJjiWo5BVlRiBIBJpodg2e=s16000" /></a></div><br /><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhHnWmhjMhQehvszOcprfrTMvQFRwBWx_L89C9B0eUmT_1KmIPxIiEEQw6uWDTKZLiUVt2F_-TIZL_9gS5sJDgp0YCRVlSmH8yyPPSIIVYGQw66-rk9t3Wb0pfi9YWyuDwuMtmrBmB53wzsmh52qiM1zL3mIPlZWd3PFhKp5fAU_weK1KHULsjjtrWz=s659" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="387" data-original-width="659" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhHnWmhjMhQehvszOcprfrTMvQFRwBWx_L89C9B0eUmT_1KmIPxIiEEQw6uWDTKZLiUVt2F_-TIZL_9gS5sJDgp0YCRVlSmH8yyPPSIIVYGQw66-rk9t3Wb0pfi9YWyuDwuMtmrBmB53wzsmh52qiM1zL3mIPlZWd3PFhKp5fAU_weK1KHULsjjtrWz=s16000" /></a></div><p></p><p>This morning we are going to partake in communion with a bit of a twist.</p><p>I mentioned two weeks ago, when we were covering the bread as part of this sacrament, that I had been a part of a bread sharing service back in my Nazarene days. We are going to do something similar. I had said that we really didn't do anything with the juice that day. We simply broke big chunks off the loaf that was up front and went and found someone to share that chunk. I'm going to encourage you to do that today. There is also juice here on the table in the Chalice for those who would like to dip their bread through Intinction. There is also a tray with some individual cups here for those who find it easier to share in communion that way. There are some serving gloves here if you think that you should put something on your hands before you touch the bread. The bread is already cut up into some large chunks so that you don't have to do the work of pulling it apart. 😊</p><p>One of my colleagues, Richard Purvis, through means of the Emmaus Walk program, would encourage people to take a BIG chunk. "Get a big ol' chunk of God's Grace!" It's always important to have plenty of bread when you do Communion at an Emmaus retreat. And, if you take as much bread as Richard would suggest, you have to turn around and get that next loaf after 10 or so people come through. There is plenty of bread here today! If you are watching at home and you have no bread, feel free to pause the video, drive down to Kroger and get yourself some bread. The service will be here when you get back.Or, be like Paul, that guy from our group when we studied the United Methodists sacrament book, who only had dried up carrots and apple juice. Let us focus on <b><i>why</i></b> we are here today and not on how exactly we are doing this and what exactly we have been told we are to use. Worship from your heart. Worship in the freedom of the Spirit. Worship like Jesus is sitting there with you. If you think of Jesus as a friend, that should not be hard to do. Lets take a look at the scripture for today.</p><p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEidP13In8oImvo_t4SqqMt2pdrn1fcDAcgfmrSCN8-MUf7jJ3SfPVE1eKz8vg_FPIRT0eOc1HgYEgfPcsB_GesuBJa-1vfqZKqfc8l5jVAjp5NLaO6phr-jogJ3Dmgyri1OLFwhmQ3Sd_Hfg93wV3R3iK8rsIv3ffUuC1qUsSEsRcRoO46_VLGLHku6=s956" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="956" data-original-width="653" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEidP13In8oImvo_t4SqqMt2pdrn1fcDAcgfmrSCN8-MUf7jJ3SfPVE1eKz8vg_FPIRT0eOc1HgYEgfPcsB_GesuBJa-1vfqZKqfc8l5jVAjp5NLaO6phr-jogJ3Dmgyri1OLFwhmQ3Sd_Hfg93wV3R3iK8rsIv3ffUuC1qUsSEsRcRoO46_VLGLHku6=s16000" /></a></div><p>I noted last week that the Gospel writers seem to have different accounts of the Last Supper meal. However, this one is very different. I find it strange that John is the only one who seems to recall the moment. Matthew would have been right there at the table with him. His Gospel seems to focus more on Old Testament Law & Prophecy. So, the historical perspective of the Passover and the connection to the Israelite's history seems appropriate for the style of his writing. Luke is said to have drawn much of his knowledge from Peter and others who would have been descendants of the the times and people surrounding the events of Jesus' life. Still no one brought this moment up. John is said to be "the disciple whom Jesus loved". One of the inner three. Sitting right next to Jesus at the meal. Sometimes its where we are in the moment that causes us to remember what we saw and heard. </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiaNCidB3b5ddPlmP9jXHVNNa-tucaaye1WEBryj0yKA1tKzNKxPVTgRgiV6he_94iq3kg5edQtug1SyuklENCUAPCtQPhOVmSKqXre37xgvHCmlI8hU7bhWwsUjCc6dQVQv_YbEKoTLwoQwuzNQxN_3wKt35A2biXi9-nG7tVG1oKyC7hRxRhNDbR9=s499" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="499" data-original-width="324" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiaNCidB3b5ddPlmP9jXHVNNa-tucaaye1WEBryj0yKA1tKzNKxPVTgRgiV6he_94iq3kg5edQtug1SyuklENCUAPCtQPhOVmSKqXre37xgvHCmlI8hU7bhWwsUjCc6dQVQv_YbEKoTLwoQwuzNQxN_3wKt35A2biXi9-nG7tVG1oKyC7hRxRhNDbR9=s320" width="208" /></a></div>Do you remember your first communion? Do you recall where you were? What church you were in? How old you were when the elements were offered? For me it was nothing spectacular. I was 14. It was back in that Disciples of Christ church in my hometown. After years of watching those trays go past my eyeballs, having to pass them on to the next person, I could finally partake in that crusty wafer and a little cup of juice. I had mentioned a couple weeks back that we would cover the subject of the Open Table here in the United Methodist Church. I grew up with a closed table mentality toward sharing the bread and juice with others. Our cluster group of UM pastors and lay speakers covered this matter in depth through Gayle C. Felton's book in the fall of 2021. Felton would state that since we have this "open table" that it means "there are few, if any, requirements that a person must meet in order to receive" communion when worshiping with a group of United Methodist people. There are literally numerous occasions in the Gospels where we would see Jesus eating a meal and sharing in fellowship with people that society would have deemed them unworthy of such access to God. Felton would also say that it seemed Jesus went out of his way to find and reach out to such people. We have grown up in a world that like to nicely segregate everyone into their own personal area. Many of us have grown up with such walls dividing us into a certain arena where we are told we fit in and belong. This matter of communion has long been used in church surrounding as a way to tell people whether they can actually be with Christina people or not. Joseph Serwach in his blog "The Catholic Way Home" would share just how detrimental that outlook has been for people who question church rule and authority down through the centuries. Communion has been a means of controlling people. If we want access to God, we have to go through those in charge of such treasure. And, if we don't meet their requirements, then we get left out. There is good and bad to this way of dealing with the public. We want unity - around what we believe, around our body of believers, focusing on what matters about God and not simply believing whatever we want. We also want everyone to find their way to God. The old adage that "you can lead a horse to water, but you can't make him drink" could fit in here with a slight adaptation. In some cases it's not that the horse doesn't want to drink, but that he isn't allowed to do so unless the horse is doing exactly what the church says he or she can do. It's a dicey bit of ecclesiastical drama. And, it's necessary. We need to bring people to a right relationship with God on God's terms and not our own. It's God's door we are rapping our fist on. It is God who knocks on the door of our own hearts. We need to keep proper perspective on who we are dealing with as we seek to come closer. That is why so many of our church denominations would have that closed table; in order to ensure that a person is understanding that they need to accept Christ as their Savior before they simply pop some bread and juice in their mouth is essential to our Christian faith. <p></p><p>Where do you find yourself today? Do you know Jesus as Savior and Lord? Do you understand what we are doing as we approach the table? If you do, then come. It's a strange Sunday today as we seek to partake in the Lord's Supper in front of a TV or computer screen. Maybe you have bread. Maybe you just have some dried up carrots. Maybe you have juice. Maybe you have wine. Maybe you have nothing. Come. Draw close. Seek the One who wants to know you. Find solace in the One who can heal all wounds and sure up any broken heart. God wants everyone to come. There is enough for all here at this table. </p><p>"Having loved his own who were in the world, He loved them to the end."<br /><br /></p><p></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5738378669429459004.post-64821769093402973132022-01-31T13:01:00.005-05:002022-01-31T13:01:57.339-05:00Share The Wine<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjG7i4MJOwU-hOlPsXgHFqdYPe4Q0nAT1tEKoVdAs2we2uLIv9nRp5zokbZroUr_lv6r7wyOmoyiSjelwMFoUoiAviW0e-2hdGt9rF3kpR9P2v9C2_G9vn0ihUYmCsukM91Ek6mdZf3_HTp5SzFkpxz-YtlbvxoDn8q0vi8Nu1r2iM-ehNHIK7-yyfq=s486" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="180" data-original-width="486" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjG7i4MJOwU-hOlPsXgHFqdYPe4Q0nAT1tEKoVdAs2we2uLIv9nRp5zokbZroUr_lv6r7wyOmoyiSjelwMFoUoiAviW0e-2hdGt9rF3kpR9P2v9C2_G9vn0ihUYmCsukM91Ek6mdZf3_HTp5SzFkpxz-YtlbvxoDn8q0vi8Nu1r2iM-ehNHIK7-yyfq=s16000" /></a></div><p></p><h1 style="text-align: center;">taking a look at the</h1><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhBoqI7lvBIu9998KVoiQOAK78ryecFMwy0IGv0TDeAgXijh6PqdNZObZKO7EZvyHBh10oW0Qjg6WwZzFjKcXBiLvhJAB8jx0L8kmBn606VBNE1FLznkCl139RkG0pi1_ov3M-oRif_4P0Sk3qf6UUE2wDoGs4a4H3zIGjbCxDwLNinYkY6ndqrYs8M=s1600" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="1600" height="120" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhBoqI7lvBIu9998KVoiQOAK78ryecFMwy0IGv0TDeAgXijh6PqdNZObZKO7EZvyHBh10oW0Qjg6WwZzFjKcXBiLvhJAB8jx0L8kmBn606VBNE1FLznkCl139RkG0pi1_ov3M-oRif_4P0Sk3qf6UUE2wDoGs4a4H3zIGjbCxDwLNinYkY6ndqrYs8M=w640-h120" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><div style="text-align: center;"><blockquote class="quoteBody"><b>Like when you sit in front of a fire in
winter — you are just there in front of the fire. You don't have to be
smart or anything. The fire warms you.</b></blockquote></div><b>
</b><div class="quoteDetails" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span class="quoteAuthor">
Desmond Tutu
</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgNVFKVIm9zDEaQ-roRk7k_I6HY31UUWgNwN72j68JIrKBJsfVaWqiAdobGxEY_ZREi7sFxKpBevM3Z-dsTDuCR0foM2Y-AfNbHfdL9Xv0sif1xNufrJopPr4S6NrHRcVsuFFLSWQUzLXaDzAUbXHfTH9d3kR1EaWdFbJ0UPekcw6iAdpA1-xYQd5ni=s812" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="700" data-original-width="812" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgNVFKVIm9zDEaQ-roRk7k_I6HY31UUWgNwN72j68JIrKBJsfVaWqiAdobGxEY_ZREi7sFxKpBevM3Z-dsTDuCR0foM2Y-AfNbHfdL9Xv0sif1xNufrJopPr4S6NrHRcVsuFFLSWQUzLXaDzAUbXHfTH9d3kR1EaWdFbJ0UPekcw6iAdpA1-xYQd5ni=s16000" /></a></div><p style="text-align: left;">Last week we focused on the bread. This week we look at the wine. Next week we share together. </p><p style="text-align: left;">If the bread symbolizes the Body of our Savior, the Wine is supposed to speak about his blood, shed for our sins. His body was broken, shown to us through the breaking of the bread as the officiant usually pulls the loaf apart into two pieces. Our communion process is rather simple as we only have some bread and a cup before us. The Jewish Sader meal is a much more complex partaking of lamb meat and oil and cracker bread until there is small bite put together that is then dipped into the cup. (If you ever get a chance to be a part of a Sader meal, I highly recommend.) The last part, however, is the cup. And, in our Protestant tradition, we focus on the two elements mentioned in the scripture as Jesus brings his hearers attention to them. I see much of the fellowship we need to have with one another in the communion elements, especially in the bread. What is so special about the wine, then? What kind of experience do we have together as we share in the cup that symbolizes his blood? </p><p style="text-align: left;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjxaN2P1tlHta1tq6H3AfnM-RtfZkouHsrRIb0KTJ7GCfYyrqwnQMdXcukwQqbiqYAeTOUGugImZA63nWBXB8IWoYyS_zuPdJo7ArZEcDXfnQVVQqF4mSfk6yfo_T6_bNg_4bEQMNEcR7Z984n5YL6SQXiDjpHloRaZhKWX6eALhOFP01UJlIjN_Oay=s1000" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="750" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjxaN2P1tlHta1tq6H3AfnM-RtfZkouHsrRIb0KTJ7GCfYyrqwnQMdXcukwQqbiqYAeTOUGugImZA63nWBXB8IWoYyS_zuPdJo7ArZEcDXfnQVVQqF4mSfk6yfo_T6_bNg_4bEQMNEcR7Z984n5YL6SQXiDjpHloRaZhKWX6eALhOFP01UJlIjN_Oay=s320" width="240" /></a></div><p>The <i>foodie</i> in me came out as I was preparing the message this week. I'm sitting in <a href="https://www.champspizzaandpub.com">Champs Pizza and Pub</a> putting some thoughts into the blog post for this week's sermon. I have a Hawaiian Pizza coming to me in a matter of minutes. (I have added mushrooms and jalapenos to my pizza because... I'm a little crazy) And, it comes to me... this is where a great communion service could happen! There is a sharing in the bread and there is fellowship in the wine. What do people do when they are having a drink together? They are usually having a good time! I take to Google to see what I might find with a search of "communion experience wine". I'm hoping there might be some people who have shared their own stories surrounding a time of fellowship with other people in their own personal moment with the Lord's Supper. One of the first results I saw in my search was for the <a href="https://communionwineco.com/">Communion Wine Company</a>. They have a vineyard in Oregon and a Beer and Wine Tasting Bar in Arizona called the <i>Divided Vine</i>. I just felt like there was a story behind the name of the bar and I was intrigued by the concept I read on the opening page of their website. I had to know more about this place. </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiKBPm1zGjMo1oYNWBLPTL5jT72yi8eoCg6vytZ_fADstfWk0O_gptUpeiLcv-ftrDeSIC7itiQCpFIdYb5bYtojVpYPYY_Pofbu78ZgB41kPmPgvgPfkFz3G6rIqAzv-IeUt1corMqwlug7TyWO1ueaHbRob0067m-ajC2V_K0Hmw6TQnX7TolPYH2=s240" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="240" data-original-width="200" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiKBPm1zGjMo1oYNWBLPTL5jT72yi8eoCg6vytZ_fADstfWk0O_gptUpeiLcv-ftrDeSIC7itiQCpFIdYb5bYtojVpYPYY_Pofbu78ZgB41kPmPgvgPfkFz3G6rIqAzv-IeUt1corMqwlug7TyWO1ueaHbRob0067m-ajC2V_K0Hmw6TQnX7TolPYH2" width="200" /></a></div>Because I'm not all that shy, I immediately grabbed their email address and wrote to them. If you visit their site, you will quickly find out that the owners are Jeremy & Michelle Jernigan. They have 5 kids and live in Oregon. Jeremy is a second generation preacher with a passion for sharing and talking with people. The drive of the Communion Wine Company is to bring people together around wine to experience Jesus in new ways. Let me ask you, when was the last time you just sat down with someone and had a drink? When was the last time you experienced fellowship and peace with others around the table? Some might think it too fundamental to think of sharing in wine as we talk about Jesus. There are those in our world who would see something like the Lord's Supper and think, "They served wine. We should drink wine also." (I poked at our Lutheran friends on Facebook today as I prepared for this Sunday. I take no shame in doing so.) There are some who would open a bottle and pour a glass and sit and talk about their beliefs in front of others. This company is pressing it's inspiration into my heart further. After reaching out through email, I got a response from Jernigan. I wanted to know more about the Divided Vine's name and Jeremy responded with, <i>"[It's] is a clever name as half the bar is wine and the other half is beer.
They have the wine list on one wall and the beer list on the opposite
wall. The idea is that there is normally a divide between beer and wine
drinkers
but they want to bring them both together. The owner isn’t a Christian
but he has become an incredible ‘person of peace’ to partner with us and
host our events." </i>I thought the name had to come from some background about our divided nature over things in this country. There is always a chance to bring people together over a glass or a bottle and talk things out. What better place than here? <p></p><p>I reached out again to ask about his own background and personal journey. How did they come up with this idea to do a ministry around a wine company? Jeremy came back to me with, " I was in full-time ministry for two decades and was Lead Pastor of a
megachurch in Portland for three years. I ended up quitting when my
eldership told
me that I needed to stop talking about the things I was talking about.
It made me realize that many of the conversations that need to happen
may not be able to happen inside of our churches. We try and create
space for people to feel safe to explore Jesus
in ways that may not fall in line with their church experiences." He still speaks regularly in churches and has a "foot in both camps", so to speak, as he tries to present Jesus to as many people as possible. It makes me wonder what kinds of things Jernigan had been talking about that would have made his church leaders feel uncomfortable. There is plenty of ground to cover that would probably make others not so easy with the material that needs to be addressed as we try to bring others to Jesus. And, the subject of alcohol would tend to make some feel uneasy as they think about trying to separate their faith from any possibility of drunkenness. But, aren't the people we need to reach right their around some bar stools? I shouldn't need to remind a bunch of Methodist minded people that our founding fathers, some Wesley boys, are historically noted for crafting some hymns that would have followed some tunes that would have been heard from a piano in some places called "bars". "The world is my parish", are the world famously coined and attributed to John Wesley himself. That world would include those not so well thought of places where we might not want to find ourselves going. When was the last time you found yourself inside of a place like Champs Pizza and Pub, especially since it has been expanded and remodeled into the lovely bar it is today? You might find yourself in front of a conversation with an area Thornvillian or Glenfordite that you wouldn't normally see. </p><p>One of my fellow colleagues is Zach Bechtold. He is one of the two guys who does a podcast and blog called Bearded Theologians. (You can guess why.) Yes, Zach is all his bearded glory is the pastor of Grace UMC in Cheyenne, WY. Zach has actively been involved in a bar room ministry with other men in the area who meet for a glass and have a small bible study at a nearby bar. It has been going on for several years and Zach finds it truly rewarding and fulfilling. It has opened him up to people he might not otherwise get to talk with or share. Certainly, the matter of alcohol brings to the surface the need to confront any issue getting drunk. It should be noted: if alcohol is a temptation that is not easily handled in your particular life, then you should avoid this sort of thing. Still, there are people here who need to be reached out to and it take other human beings with self control to work in this area. </p><p>I am able to reference a time in my own life when I needed to do this. For the larger part of my time on this earth, I had not consumed alcohol. It wasn't until I was 40 and living in Thornville that I occasionally would have a beer socially. Prior to that, it never existed in my life. You would have had to go clear back to high school to find a time where I even tried some beer. When my wife and I were freshly married, I would take my car out to her cousin's house for a 6 month look at the brakes. Her cousin was a true blue beer drinker. In the time it took him to look my brakes over, he would probably have 5 or 6 bottles. He would offer me one. I would always turn him down. Then, on one visit, I decided I was going to have one. I had it in my mind that I could show him that you could simply drink one and stop. As he was taking the brake caliper off the driver side, I recall saying to him, "Todd, you know you can have just one and be done, don't you?" As he began to tear into the brake on the passenger side, his response was, "Yeah, I know", as he cracked the top on another beer. I finished my beer and he finished the brakes and that might have been the last time I went out to his house for a brake job. Sometimes, all we can do is be there and be the voice. We can't force change. All we can do is offer the bread and wine and be there for a shoulder, even if they don't want it. </p><p>One of the most fulfilling things I have had the opportunity to do during my time in Thornville is to visit Weasel Boy Brewing in Zanesville. Nathan Zangmeister, bass player for the Wayfarers and one half of our favorite Sunday morning twosome Two by Two, playing guiatr along side pianist Carrie VanSickle, hosts an open mic night at Weasel Boy on the third Thursday of ever month. I have had the pleasure of singing there for several of those nights as the stage is open to local area talent. It has been a pleasure to sing about my faith and share some some songs that make you think. I have also had the joy of sitting and talking with people from all over. Musicians. Zanesville folks. Working people who just need a chance to unwind and relax. I have had conversations about church and God. I have shared music and prayer. Nathan and Carrie have done sets of old songs and classic hymns. You wouldn't think someone could do that in such a setting. But, you can. And, you should. There are people who need to here. There are souls longing for the contact. Ministry is about <i>meeting people</i>. People are everywhere. </p><p>That is just where we are told to go. <br /> <br /></p><p></p><p></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5738378669429459004.post-84298313840068735382022-01-23T08:41:00.002-05:002022-01-23T08:41:39.695-05:00Pass The Bread<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhV7RG3DMlCF-1uApxi9M_2e3ru6Itd27CElF4yG8FcOR2U8m2r7P63PaydV_ljQ-YdLeOpieHwRf7NGeXgUQ9XheSj6cVAegmRS1iV6LomhcLo7FqC6mBSaP_B5l6-ODgTDxWprkT-oANBwHyZTap-tkwb-cTz6dS-3geti9D9sNXvwsgYEQTvx-Zf=s486" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="180" data-original-width="486" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhV7RG3DMlCF-1uApxi9M_2e3ru6Itd27CElF4yG8FcOR2U8m2r7P63PaydV_ljQ-YdLeOpieHwRf7NGeXgUQ9XheSj6cVAegmRS1iV6LomhcLo7FqC6mBSaP_B5l6-ODgTDxWprkT-oANBwHyZTap-tkwb-cTz6dS-3geti9D9sNXvwsgYEQTvx-Zf=s16000" /></a></div><p></p><h1 style="text-align: center;">taking a look at the</h1><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhhTAbM24u4TqXkaSFtSZPNtS5UuJyq_0KHNNuA9Mkhu99Jb3T8LDh0qmnPktxq7-4Ug-90lYWlFsJXci5zeBbC62g_uPJn5zr_-uKNF7qgvD1Fjv6n1J6MHL3FWSmRuqC5V61a0IWAEvv8JK0G6smuo9ECCBoynWIcK4nuaJ-cJhy-I6wEVVtV6h2q=s1600" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="1600" height="120" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhhTAbM24u4TqXkaSFtSZPNtS5UuJyq_0KHNNuA9Mkhu99Jb3T8LDh0qmnPktxq7-4Ug-90lYWlFsJXci5zeBbC62g_uPJn5zr_-uKNF7qgvD1Fjv6n1J6MHL3FWSmRuqC5V61a0IWAEvv8JK0G6smuo9ECCBoynWIcK4nuaJ-cJhy-I6wEVVtV6h2q=w640-h120" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p>Communion. The Lord's Supper. The Eucharist. </p><p>All ways of describing what we are doing as we remember what Christ has done for us. </p><p>What we will look at today and next Sunday are the matters surrounding this sacrament. We have Catholic and Protestant views to hash out. There are specific terms and understanding to take to heart. In this morning's message, we want to focus on the bread and it's meaning for us. Next week we will looks at the wine. </p><p>How many of us grew up in church with the communion elements passing us by because we had not gone through church membership class yet? Maybe that is less of an issue here in the United Methodist Church. When we get to our next Communion Sunday on February 6, we will bring to the surface our open table policy and why we serve the elements to everyone. </p><p>There are some distinctions between the terms you have heard above. These three ways of describing the sacrament need some explanation. I have to admit that I was not fully educated on the differing ways of looking at the Grace that is being extended in this moment. It was a pleasant surprise to come across the writings of author and journalist Joseph Serwach. He is an award winning writer with degrees from Michigan State and Michigan universities in journalism, history and education. He also has focused a particular large part of energy on writing about Catholic beliefs and issues in the church. His blog, "<a href="https://medium.com/catholic-way-home">The Catholic Way Home</a>", seeks to bring people back to the faith in the Catholic tradition. His post titled "Who Gets Jesus?" caught my eye and was a big help in defining these terms for the message today. Serwach's article helped to understand the grammatical way of looking at these terms. He would state that Communion is the <b><i>Verb</i></b> side of the moment while the Eucharist is thought of as the <b><i>Noun</i></b> side. Verbs are, of course, action words. We are doing something with our hands or feet or going somewhere. There is some sort of movement, perhaps. What are we <i>doing</i> in Communion? We are communing, simply being with Christ. It's not a major, heavy action, but it action nonetheless. We are participating. When we come to the altar and take of the elements, most people are encouraged to spend some time with Christ in prayer. It is that much needed One to One time that we need to center ourselves on. So, the Noun part of this would be Christ himself. Christ is here in this moment. Our Catholic friends would explain Holy Communion with an emphasis on the actual person of Christ in the elements that are being presented. For them, this bread and this wine are actually His body and His blood. I'll make more to do about that in a minute. As Protestants, we do not take it that far. We would focus on the presence and person of Christ being here with us. The Holy Spirit is present and we know that God communes with us in person. It is not simply a ritual or rite of passage. It is a personal moment with God. The Verb and Noun explanations can go far in helping us understand what we are doing and being. </p><p>If you take the time to read Serwach's blog post, you will no doubt find yourself at odds with the Catholic beliefs surrounding the actual elements. Our Catholic friends would present the bread and cup as Christ's actual body and blood. They find opportunity to bring control and command to all who would follow the Catholic way in Jesus' words. "This is my body and my blood." As Protestants, I would like to think we see more of Jesus' truth through the power of parable and illustration. That is how Jesus spoke to through who would listen. We should see that continuation when he lifts the bread and the cup. They are not his actually body and blood. To suggest so seems morbid. When Jesus says that this bread is his body, I see opportunity to do exactly what he does command. "Do this in remembrance of me." The real command in the Lord's Supper lies here and not in the reference to the bread and cup. I would suggest to you that the real emphasis in our partaking of Communion lies not in the actual elements that are being served. The true source of Eucharist is in what we are doing as we take the bread and the juice. We are remembering. That's what he asked of his disciples. As Jesus would break that bread it in front of them at the meal, it seems as if he is saying "My body is going to be broken just as this bread is broken in half." A solider would later come and poke a spear in his side, blood and water spilling out and pouring to the ground. His hands and feet will have nails driven through them. Every time we partake of the bread we have a moment to remember what we have learned about what Christ did for us. </p><p>If our Communion is real and true and we are partaking in the Eucharist, actually realizing that Christ is here with us, then the remembering should not simply be biblical and historical, but also personally relevant. What do we remember about what he has done for us? How has God touched our lives? How has He spoken to us? What strength have we gained and what insight has been given? "Do this in remembrance of me." This meal. This breaking of bread. I would plead the case that it is not so much about the elements as that which we are doing with them. </p><p>Especially during this COVID time of worshiping at home in front of a television or computer screen is where you might find yourself in a place with no bread or juice readily available. Through the end of 2021, many of our area UM Clergy were gathering for a weekly meeting surround the book "<a href="https://www.cokesbury.com/United-Methodists-and-the-Sacraments">United Methodists and the Sacraments</a>" by Gayle C. Felton. In the courseof talking through of scriptural focus on the sacramental meal, we had some good rousing discussion about the use of other elements outside the bread and juice we habitually consume. Paul, a lay speaker and recent Course of Study beginner shared how tough it was for him being stuck at home during those months when we were out of the in-person mode of worship. "No one was really thinking about ever having to take communion at home in front of the TV screen," he shared. It was Communion Sunday and at his house he found nothing more than some carrots that were drying up and some apple juice. That would have to do it. Paul shared that the Lord was present with him in the moment. The Lord did not look down upon him on that cold winter morning in December 2020 and say, "Hey, you don't have bread and juice. I can't meet with you." If our Lord truly is a God of Grace, then he meets with us despite our circumstances. He comes to us when we are at our lowest. He comes without legalistic fury or demand for exactness. In return, he asks us to simply come. Come to him regardless of where we are at in life. Come to him without first thinking about what needs to change. Let him handle the change, if there needs to be any at all. "Come unto me all you who and weak and heavy burdened, and I will give you rest." He does not ask us to come to him so he can lay more on our already tired shoulders. He comes to us with glad tidings of great joy. He wants to be with us. If we understand what we are doing around the table, then we want to be with him also. </p><p>There was a service back in my Nazarene days up in Shelby, OH when the Reverend Jay Hawes was our pastor that we took the bread and broke it and <i>shared it</i>. We were encouraged to take a chunk of bread off the loaf and go find someone in the sanctuary to just sit and talk with for a bit. I recall it feeling a bit weird. We didn't focus on the cup that morning. Just the bread. There was an emphasis to remember, but to do in more of a community fashion. It was not a solo partaking of kneeling at the altar. Some groups of two or three that were sharing did wind up going to the altar, all together, in order to pray about something that was on their hearts. Ecclesiastes 4.12 says to us, "though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not easily broken." Yourself. A friend. And, Jesus. We come together in the moment. We stand together. We care for one another. And, we find the hope we need. <br /></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5738378669429459004.post-75668956659794788182022-01-16T08:31:00.000-05:002022-01-16T08:58:54.876-05:00A Jew, A Priest and A Rabbi<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh5sWhYlDOm3zg42QfMcg9dUFU38NTEAy0xAYmVcN5xwv6NJVS7wbYr7MXAf9X4MJ1CQA_CNQQC9_pOgKTl-RZ-eO7qV2Adi3_XMqm6QKzGSD5UOYDVJh4vyY0vUm5Fu1ZCFZcdVNuacxKnKoCsyDLjH2Axw8M0KtZWDKJLzHbe9W_CY1wyc9zbnq2k=s486" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="180" data-original-width="486" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh5sWhYlDOm3zg42QfMcg9dUFU38NTEAy0xAYmVcN5xwv6NJVS7wbYr7MXAf9X4MJ1CQA_CNQQC9_pOgKTl-RZ-eO7qV2Adi3_XMqm6QKzGSD5UOYDVJh4vyY0vUm5Fu1ZCFZcdVNuacxKnKoCsyDLjH2Axw8M0KtZWDKJLzHbe9W_CY1wyc9zbnq2k=s16000"></a></div><p></p><p>Throughout our year of focus on United Methodist beliefs, we will take a moment occasionally to focus on Christian community. In the midst of our time in the Sacraments this month, we pause midway here on the 3rd Sunday to have a moment with the idea of what it means to be in ministry together. </p><p>The subject of sacraments bring us closer to God and, hopefully, closer to one another. As we give ourselves to the Lord in the vows of our baptism, we should see that <b><i>we are all sinners</i></b>. No one escapes the distinction of being separated from the Glory of God because of our sin. Thus, we should see each other in a different light. It is a good place to see scripture like this bit from the Letter to the Ephesians. In the 4th chapter, Paul makes some distinguishing remarks about our Christian beliefs that help us to see the special nature of our relationship with God and each other. It is a notion that will lead us into the subject of Communion and hopefully shed some Grace into our unique spirituality in the Church. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhNp0gnHg1klY5fd6aWrxB6XoZ_x09cOPW2J3AZKhNe3dfdBQ4U7AbRCYX2ghdArejN3sO1WkO1I73O6Phti810hXE-mdYd864TDk-cflC-NE1NhMgkbOLxnJ875bf7J9jZ4UplZU0Ib_I6_vsmfYCwDAtrIBeK0MTGeqIP7HWQRk9PjVVtaiIU3LNw=s575" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="402" data-original-width="575" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhNp0gnHg1klY5fd6aWrxB6XoZ_x09cOPW2J3AZKhNe3dfdBQ4U7AbRCYX2ghdArejN3sO1WkO1I73O6Phti810hXE-mdYd864TDk-cflC-NE1NhMgkbOLxnJ875bf7J9jZ4UplZU0Ib_I6_vsmfYCwDAtrIBeK0MTGeqIP7HWQRk9PjVVtaiIU3LNw=s16000"></a></div><p>It's a time old joke and we have heard it repeatedly. Usually three of some kind of ethically, racial stereotype walk into a bar. Stop me if you've heard it before. Tine and again people like this are the blunt edge of other people's humor. In an interesting way to turn the tide, The Guardian, an online newspaper and reporting service has tried to give people hope by turning the tide and allow people to tell their own stories. Recently, they allowed people in these people, who are usually the butt of the joke, to do a little joke telling of their own. The result was stellar. </p><p>The Reverend George Pitcher, an Anglican priest and journalist, offered a short joke the capsulizes where we are headed this morning. <br><br></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="476" data-original-width="680" height="448" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhChPLOYjRR6DK4YGZHWQ9oKHWQkn0WMxsepY3A3Lsf45Zq4J8fLpkWUiKhh7uq0oYllAgg9JcGG90bXdbssE1ti4c5b9wpiR2J2oRK73CLOw2AkD7LpdMXD8L7gEamfF0SgOm_c4F8nfbYbXDkA_ERXMmwOZBt8dYNeBRmsa67cR4hamBiIXDHyTJK=w640-h448" width="640"></div><p> I could do so much with Ephesians chapter 4. There is so much territory that we could apply this passage to and such much to tag it with; but, what we should do with it is focus on the One whom it is all about. The "all" is where we tend to get lost. "All" encompasses so much. Racial tension. Insensitivity. Lack of unity. The One brings us back to our center. I have wondered why Rev Pitcher didn't cast himself in the light of the joke he told. Why did he cast three different religions into his bit and leave himself out? In our world, it seems we like to throw matters of indifference onto other people and places and make believe it's not a problem for us. Rev Pitcher's joke does bring one problem front and center. While the other two people have issues that require some sensitive attention, we tend to not care about what others think or want. "Make me one with everything." Forget about those guys. Who cares what they need. Just think about me.<br></p><p>We are here in the church to focus on meeting other people's needs. That is what ministry essentially is.I won't bother posting the definition piece from Merriam-Webster today because it is rather disappointing. Traditionally, ministry has been treated as a noun. A proper place or thing. It can be possessive. The <i>Ministry</i> of Defense. The <i>Minister</i> of Perry County, Ohio. It never takes on a verb sense at all in the dictionary. There's no action put into the definition of the word. It's troubling for me to think that the predominant idea behind a word such as this suggests that it's more about place and title than actually doing something, and that for other people. </p><p>My final class in the United Methodist Course of Study (which ended for me some 8 years ago now) was a course titled, "Theology and the Practice of Ministry". It was taught by The Reverend Stan Ling who was formerly the Director of Development for the Methodist Theological School in Ohio. He has also served in different positions for The West Ohio Conference over the years. Rev. Ling had a very open mind about the needs of other people as he taught our class. It was a real game changer for me. The class is intentionally set up as your last class before you graduate the Course of Study and go forward into ministry. What is ministry? I was one of the eager beavers who raised their hand and shared that I had always heard that ministry was truly "meeting people's needs." There is much truth in those words. Much scripture can point to the idea that Jesus met other people's needs above his own. He tirelessly shared and taught and healed. Rev. Ling, however, made it even more intriguing. For him, ministry was simply "meeting people." Right away, we are taken to a moment in John 4 where Jesus meets a woman at a well. He doesn't actually do anything for her. He doesn't touch her or heal her. He just talks with her. He just "meets" her. Right where she is in that moment. </p><p>This past week I took the moment to look up Rev. Ling's contact information and gave him a call. I hadn't spoken to him since that class 8 years ago. I was curious what he was into and if his viewpoint on matters had changed at all. After our introductions on the phone, I asked him what he was doing now and what ministry looked like for him in his current context. He was amused and congratulatory about my call. The timing of such things was perfect fro where he and his wife are at right now. Currently, they are living in the Westerville area and are just "meeting people." He says his wife is really the person who spearheads this initiative. She is the outgoing one. Stan is more an introvert. Together, they simply like to go out and meet other folks. It is in this manner of ministry that they recently came to know a named Mamadu. He is a Muslim and living in the Columbus area. They haven't tried to convert him or witness to him in any formal manner. They simply got to know him on one of there visit to downtown Columbus and have become friends. Over time they have gotten to know his family. One of these visits with Mamadu revealed that his son is almost 4 and has not spoken a word in any language yet. With social disorders and subjects like Autism on the rise in our world, it triggered a serious talk about what could be done for the boy. This past week, because of the Lings intervention and relation with their new friend, they were able to help get the family admitted to Nationwide Children's for an interview that could help figure out why Mamadu's son had not spoken yet. How many of us are willing to do ministry? How many of us would be willing to simply "meet people"? It takes a desire to get involved in the messy parts of other people's lives. All the while working toward the chance to share some of God's Love with a world who needs to know. The One who is above all, and in all. Whose Grace extended outward and draws us closer. </p><p>As we move into our next sacrament on communion next week, let us remember that we are in this together. It's not about ourselves. God calls us all. God uses us all. And, The One did what he did for All. <br></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5738378669429459004.post-18372357102696124652022-01-09T09:01:00.000-05:002022-01-09T10:30:50.420-05:00Paddling Upstream<p style="text-align: center;"> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgmuMuRmizkNUCjVFLMB3DW4myR3PXjqO2HUFinuWs8WX3cTukjKjDC0a5lKlRn7YXnyc5ApGNQ2W_6WjHQ7kLbY2ipQ8lBkYDJZ3rh-XQtYVK1ELfckjTtjw0mb8Gk0yVhi6bM5Nop6qDv0uNy8dFmEYqrtwnXl5RAd9Lv75LDjvPqsTytatvWUcUl=s486" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="180" data-original-width="486" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgmuMuRmizkNUCjVFLMB3DW4myR3PXjqO2HUFinuWs8WX3cTukjKjDC0a5lKlRn7YXnyc5ApGNQ2W_6WjHQ7kLbY2ipQ8lBkYDJZ3rh-XQtYVK1ELfckjTtjw0mb8Gk0yVhi6bM5Nop6qDv0uNy8dFmEYqrtwnXl5RAd9Lv75LDjvPqsTytatvWUcUl=s16000"></a></div><p></p><h1 style="text-align: center;">our 2nd Sunday of looking at the </h1><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhs6u0fUyeCN8dspiPX8_cUsdtj6T4kL3B7rWrloHIel3V_ckckdWSvjuMURo7B2_W1ywO5PB0rgN1hjLtHzgGHiykcvuxVpcGi8Z4hWLca6kVemmieRNCJ19g3qi5EttQXlNL-YK8V4TZxEbOeFBI71joK3e_47XXY9V15ds5P0hO-F02nzmaU7r2u=s1600" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="1600" height="120" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhs6u0fUyeCN8dspiPX8_cUsdtj6T4kL3B7rWrloHIel3V_ckckdWSvjuMURo7B2_W1ywO5PB0rgN1hjLtHzgGHiykcvuxVpcGi8Z4hWLca6kVemmieRNCJ19g3qi5EttQXlNL-YK8V4TZxEbOeFBI71joK3e_47XXY9V15ds5P0hO-F02nzmaU7r2u=w640-h120" width="640"></a></div><p></p><p>We jump into our 2nd Sunday looking at the <b>Sacraments</b> and the matter of <b>Baptism</b>. </p><p>Last week, we covered the basics of the holy plunge into the water. Whether you have been sprinkled or poured upon or dunked into the deep, there should be a desire in our hearts to want to separate from the old life before we knew Christ as we make a commitment to follow Him. This moment we are brought to is conceived and brought to fruition by none other than the Grace of God. God Himself draws us to him. When we approach with faith and trust, we find ourselves becoming a child of God. Jesus set an example for us to follow. Being a child of the Almighty means putting off ourselves (our haphazard wants, our flimsy cares, our carnal desires) and listening to the call from Above. But, what happens if we don't stay the course? What happens if we don't continue to follow Jesus? What if our desires try to pull and tug us in another direction instead the way we intended to go after our baptism? Paul has some words for his Galatian audience about being a Child of God that apply to our subject today.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhwudsodS1muMZhJ1Yuqfcf-o3uTs-Xi8SADI0iyCxK5u1CbICFIarwkaxbGzMZHX9nHVp88biaUqp2loRTetk5_wpraZbw9yfnzE4D3k3VkCh54wIIVuudInO_HuL0bpOoqsbcoMxkcSCHtBiJXuhQy7x5-9k1_SyJbmE0KdjsiUT30BsEr7xGIVUN=s588" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="588" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhwudsodS1muMZhJ1Yuqfcf-o3uTs-Xi8SADI0iyCxK5u1CbICFIarwkaxbGzMZHX9nHVp88biaUqp2loRTetk5_wpraZbw9yfnzE4D3k3VkCh54wIIVuudInO_HuL0bpOoqsbcoMxkcSCHtBiJXuhQy7x5-9k1_SyJbmE0KdjsiUT30BsEr7xGIVUN=s16000"></a></div><p>In an article titled "<a href="https://www.discoverychurch.org/blog/women/the-battle-after-baptism/">The Battle After Baptism</a>", Darci Claggett of Discovery Church in Orlando, FL sites the struggles she has had in her own life following the moment of baptism. She says "<i>My new walk met me with immediate attacks from the enemy. Sin brought me
down again and again leaving me to question whether I had really been
saved. It wasn’t until a couple years after my baptism that one of my
dear friends and mentors taught me that Christ followers are in a
spiritual battle every single day. You see, the enemy doesn’t have to
fight for you when you are already walking with him. But as soon as the
enemy knows you have been washed by the blood of Jesus, he rallies his
army and begins to fight against your salvation.</i>" There's a certain weakness in the law that does not have the power of salvation to hold us up. The law can only point to what is correct and right. And, we can nod and accept that we know what the right thing is to do. Our enemy knows this. Under our own strength, with the light of the law shining into our world, we are powerless to follow. On our own, we cannot do what God wants. It is through believing in what Christ has done for us, through faith and trust in Christ Himself, that we find the help we need. </p><p>Without Christ in our lives, the fight to do what is right can seems like an uphill battle. Imagine what it would be like to fight the current going upstream in a boat? I want to immerse us in the field of analogy and illustration this morning. Too often we gather for a message or a study and we want to simple be told what to believe. Even when we are given a picture image by which to explain something we come away with the matter cemented in our heads. "That's exactly how it is!" Too often we miss the moment to think deeply about something through the use of illustration. Now, lets use this subject of baptism and the idea of not keep instep with our vows and drop our minds into the area of what it would be like to fight and struggle like a salmon going up stream in the American West. What do you know about the life of a salmon fish? Finn Sky has been an avid fisherman since learning to fish with his dad in
the 1990s. He’s caught over 50 species of fish and makes a habit of trying
out as many new techniques and fisheries as he can. His specialties are
salmon and trout fishing, but he also has experience fishing for
tropical and pelagic fish such as marlin and tarpon. Finn <a href="https://finnsfishingtips.com/why-do-salmon-swim-upstream/">wrote a piece</a> just a few months ago in November 2021 about the life and trials of salmon during late September or early October in places like Oregon and Washington. The one thing that seems to intrigue most people is simply - <b><i>WHY?</i></b> Why do these fish fight to go upstream like this? Most of them die in the process and the ones who do make it to their egg laying destination will die not long after they make it. There are lots of simple reasons that seem to make sense. The safety and security of these egg laying areas provides protection for their new salmon. Many more of their eggs will survive if hatched upstream then they would if opened near the ocean where so many predators could snatch them up for a meal. The ocean with its heavy currents can wash away newly laid eggs. Still, it is mind boggling to think that these fish give everything they have to make this trip just to lay some eggs. For distance sake, let find out just how far 2 miles is. The thought might make you wrinkle your eyebrows. It is 2.5 miles from the Thornville United Methodist Church out to Deere Valley on St Rt 204 east of the Village. That really doesn't seem very far. Most folks probably think they could walk there and back in one afternoon. Why would it take these fish weeks to get from point A to point B on the map?</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg0tK1_ulSlXHPB9YrRG0qWLS70mjeRelBg5gtyfXOFgpzl3zzGuTJTNLFGHY_GeXX5_i1SGiUFNhfEV-R7kH-ZnpPjyKhMSTK5nM4f_qaqnP0Xag5h0HoRX-Oy4WWqhxKQvlDJRZlYFJNomf3pt6m2LLUnbS73uW9bmbl3gr0NMuj65c5k5SFkigq9=s724" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="490" data-original-width="724" height="434" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg0tK1_ulSlXHPB9YrRG0qWLS70mjeRelBg5gtyfXOFgpzl3zzGuTJTNLFGHY_GeXX5_i1SGiUFNhfEV-R7kH-ZnpPjyKhMSTK5nM4f_qaqnP0Xag5h0HoRX-Oy4WWqhxKQvlDJRZlYFJNomf3pt6m2LLUnbS73uW9bmbl3gr0NMuj65c5k5SFkigq9=w640-h434" width="640"></a></div><p></p><p>Now, imagine if you will with me that <i>the whole trip</i> is <b>uphill</b>, as if Deere Valley were on top of some distant mountain. We are doing it on foot. These fish are swimming <b>upstream</b>. The current is coming at them, downhill, toward the ocean. To make the matter harder to deal with, some times there are man made dams in the way. These are necessary for the preservation of some rivers and lakes. But, its another obstacle making the trip tougher for the fish. If we were on foot and the wind were blowing hard from the east, right into our faces, how hard would it be to make that up hill walk? I dropped Caleb off at school on Tuesday morning when the wind was blowing really hard from the Southwest. Many of the kids had taken refuge around the corner of the building as they waited for the doors to open and let them in for the day of classes. Have you ever driven your car down the road on a day like that? Even zipping along at 55 MPH it can feel like your car is going to blown off the road. </p><p>You might be thinking, where are you going with all this preacher? That's partially my point. We don't process illustration very well. We want to be told what to believe and we don't want to have to think for ourselves. Can we put ourselves in the shoes of the salmon fish for a moment and liken it somehow to our own uphill struggle in life? What if the whole trip from here to Heaven and being with Jesus were only a simple 2.5 mile trip? But its all uphill with the wind in our face? There's nothing but water crashing against us as we are jumping waves and currents and trying to get over man made barriers put in our path? I say all of this to you today to reassure you of this. <i>There is nothing wrong with you</i>. This is how it's supposed to be. Salmon fish give everything they have for the simple cause of giving birth to new offspring that will venture down stream, back toward the ocean and repeat the same process their ancestors did. Our cause is to reach people with the love and grace of Jesus Christ, giving of ourselves all along the way for the betterment of others. If we can parallel the analogy to our own lives and church, we see the struggle is very similar. High points. Low points. Times where the river is calm. Times where the river is a battle just to stay afloat or alive. The enemy wants us to give up on the trip. The river itself challenges us to keep going. We might lose some people along the way. The destination is always out there in front of us. We keep pressing on until we reach the goal. Until we have reached another person for Christ. Until we see Him face to face. Until we hear "Well Done." </p><p>And the journey will have been worth it. <br></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5738378669429459004.post-82385856191270859922022-01-03T08:47:00.001-05:002022-01-03T08:47:15.104-05:00Commitment in the Water<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEghvUKSiLrtcK5Nq7qQFAjFyfumS38FP4Q2TNAK0RnuvvOQOyMXQa-dN4hfGmJi2vA5SXQCmI2NZRINVjMNmonmCmptZpy4DgHLNmLKtiB8l2EMnZxQiDBx2iWRrw1-oUvd6YDdN3jYRpIO1LD_WUJa_bo7SOMAHxRpHY6GZ-WvpY7vUW8aU2lJsx7v=s486" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="180" data-original-width="486" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEghvUKSiLrtcK5Nq7qQFAjFyfumS38FP4Q2TNAK0RnuvvOQOyMXQa-dN4hfGmJi2vA5SXQCmI2NZRINVjMNmonmCmptZpy4DgHLNmLKtiB8l2EMnZxQiDBx2iWRrw1-oUvd6YDdN3jYRpIO1LD_WUJa_bo7SOMAHxRpHY6GZ-WvpY7vUW8aU2lJsx7v=s16000" /></a></div><p style="text-align: left;"> </p><h1 style="text-align: center;">we start off January with a look at the</h1><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh8y4cdGqCMwMPxecMZ3wPQ3v52WtQGUEx_yUhpYQwiSnMPy5iFA81a4fNYQYlL4GY4hGJqBS64Upph319NQk8olm4h61dpPq5sHH2I4lWNy96zhUVdCMw8b7Uo24Ujew2F0XjC_Ri238AEzcGi9OPEye4Qoh3djO41xEhJol7zHa-nvZv8WAyjFuJ-=s1600" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="1600" height="120" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh8y4cdGqCMwMPxecMZ3wPQ3v52WtQGUEx_yUhpYQwiSnMPy5iFA81a4fNYQYlL4GY4hGJqBS64Upph319NQk8olm4h61dpPq5sHH2I4lWNy96zhUVdCMw8b7Uo24Ujew2F0XjC_Ri238AEzcGi9OPEye4Qoh3djO41xEhJol7zHa-nvZv8WAyjFuJ-=w640-h120" width="640" /></a></div><p style="text-align: left;">It means "something sacred". </p><p style="text-align: left;">There are certain practices in our Christian faith that bring us closer to the Lord in a special, holy way. There are specific actions or ways of living we have seen our Lord and Savior do himself that significance to our faith and our journey in this Christian life that we feel need to be held up as a way of divine connection. A couple of those practices we deem as <i>Sacraments</i>. In the United Methodist Church we focus on Baptism and Holy Communion (or the Eucharist) as those ways of being in touch with God's Grace. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjQImS11-67DDUwIvjgqg0aly0CWuku3_kocnhjnSsJSH4szJfwHgoutWyCVMfPdDbtVPeTeRVxJz0KxL4DPBgrnKveQixXtgHF4zQriKEiwslxHjeJ5g5uvyxOZiG6IQpx4n9Yh7I8aIm31kNsmfxOo_Xonr79TJNha3vrgHbtZHaBBakwOI_4HbgL=s752" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="632" data-original-width="752" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjQImS11-67DDUwIvjgqg0aly0CWuku3_kocnhjnSsJSH4szJfwHgoutWyCVMfPdDbtVPeTeRVxJz0KxL4DPBgrnKveQixXtgHF4zQriKEiwslxHjeJ5g5uvyxOZiG6IQpx4n9Yh7I8aIm31kNsmfxOo_Xonr79TJNha3vrgHbtZHaBBakwOI_4HbgL=s16000" /></a></div><p> </p><p>To take a closer look for yourself at the Sacraments in the UMC, click the banner below.<br /></p><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.umc.org/en/content/united-methodist-sacraments-rites-and-rituals" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="123" data-original-width="1152" height="43" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgORybi6CXi6qBAEK0V9FdESwgLZB0vo8TuoUSiuDz2aLrt_6H-aBKLHyik3EPeBpe3zKtsW8R3zjuPKujCbDD7MwvRTfW__phXNTe0MpaFPEarMCiUDk2bhW-bU8IQM8s-RBzXEtfeYwpj8Up-Zeu05_HFonjsiRPD95CTO0EhJRLLkr55x7d6pG3f=w400-h43" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p>Many of us are doers by any logical sense. We want something we can do to help or make up for what we have done (or not done) in our lives. Many of us have been raised in what we would call a "believers baptism". You might be saying, "Its my decision and my right to be baptized." I was also raised in this tradition. I was baptized when i was 13 or 14. Went through church membership class. Was baptized on Palm or Easter Sunday. Then i stood down front of the congregation to declare my affirmation that I did believe in Jesus Christ. "Do you believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the Living God?" Many of us understand our baptism through such channels of religion. But what if we looked at through another avenue? What if we looked at it through the lenses of God's Grace?</p><p>John Wesley, our theological founder and father of Methodism, would define baptism as "the initiatory sacrament that enters us into covenant with God." We should understand be now what a sacrament is, but do we understand the covenant part? What is it we are getting ourselves into? </p><p>As United Methodists, we come to baptism through means of sprinkling water on the person. This has much to do with our beliefs of infant baptism. We do baptize little one in our tradition. We obviously cannot fully immerse a small baby. So, we have used the method of sprinkling and have given that mode of baptism to everyone. Some traditions pour water over the subject. And, many of us are familiar with the mode of full immersion. In all ways of doing baptism there is water present. Water is important. In an article from 2005 in Good News Magazine, the subject of baptism was front and center with questions about which mode was the correct way and how much water should be used. The question was answered with an interesting take. "As much water as possible." There really is no correct way. We could get all fundamental about it and say that we have do it as Jesus did it. If we come at it from that angle, we miss the point of true baptism. The Apostle Paul really hits the nail on the head here in his letter to the Romans. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiRwta6NqZ_X78EQ_RN58DXSxDBbxRAo6zbZlugwHMUaGd2tdR9yQeYOx4L-LGtyWACFu7G7ehMmK_o2k-23OzKkCeVW-KSkjqZCU3SBgIzHx3EHrYSluZ9UFoNnEmSjWgF6jBlF_P2c9bZMLT2r1522u-m5JyRjtNpJK2dKirFTevMYN_C4wpEpSK3=s699" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="579" data-original-width="699" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiRwta6NqZ_X78EQ_RN58DXSxDBbxRAo6zbZlugwHMUaGd2tdR9yQeYOx4L-LGtyWACFu7G7ehMmK_o2k-23OzKkCeVW-KSkjqZCU3SBgIzHx3EHrYSluZ9UFoNnEmSjWgF6jBlF_P2c9bZMLT2r1522u-m5JyRjtNpJK2dKirFTevMYN_C4wpEpSK3=s16000" /></a></div><br /><p>When we read the bible in our Western tradition, I would plead the case that we read to often looking for what our responsibility is. We like to be in control. We hear about God's grace, but too often look for what we are suppose to do. In our United Methodist view of baptism, we present the sacrament from the realm of God's grace for all. It is an interesting take if you have been brought to look at baptism from the view of responsibility on your part. Yes, there are duties and issues that we must confront in our Christian life. The direction is influenced by the Grace of God. That is where we should begin regardless of the subject matter. God draws us into His presence. He wants to make us a child in his family. Think of baptism as God wrapping his arm around you and making you one of his own. That is something that does not need to be repeated. Once God has made you His child, there is no need to do that over again. Which leads us into some deeper thoughts that will resonate into next week's message. </p><p>The issues of backsliding and re-commitment will come up in the next sermon. I heard an old Nazarene revivalist preach years ago on these matters. He used the analogy of a bus trip. Lets say we are headed up I-71 toward Cleveland. Two hours into the trip, we experience a flat tire. Do we haul the bus all the way back to Columbus to fix the tire and then start the trip all over again. NO! We fix the tire where it is at and we continue heading to our destination. I have been fully immersed twice in my life. That church membership class in my early teens and then when I was 22. We were at a church service near a pond at a congregant's house. I felt I needed to do that. It is something I look back on with great fondness. But, later in life, hearing about God's Grace and becoming his child, I realize that I don't need to do that over and over. If I need reaffirm my covenant and my desire to follow, that is surely needed. We don't need to start the whole trip over again ( and again). </p><p>God will walk with us and share with us until we reach our destination.<br />The journey will be a good one. <br /></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5738378669429459004.post-55640537891980529152021-12-26T08:38:00.003-05:002021-12-26T08:38:54.198-05:00Retelling the Story<div><h1 style="text-align: center;"> one more week until</h1><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhMCBNuKJg3M4XFB53WMcCimBRq9nhQ26jkeVzfw5amFgHtw-_-U4nKrGVN2ixxSgBe5fY54x4wZcM4U6EPKyAP9ah9dTHPLXOZ2O_tRxI3K4S1LvZ8ZuIF-XWlYoO1WRoRvxCU-xKOFBNoie6Im6eWWSw6CFsZNLtidyiNGhqIlYde4NWf9he8Qs9j=s486" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="180" data-original-width="486" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhMCBNuKJg3M4XFB53WMcCimBRq9nhQ26jkeVzfw5amFgHtw-_-U4nKrGVN2ixxSgBe5fY54x4wZcM4U6EPKyAP9ah9dTHPLXOZ2O_tRxI3K4S1LvZ8ZuIF-XWlYoO1WRoRvxCU-xKOFBNoie6Im6eWWSw6CFsZNLtidyiNGhqIlYde4NWf9he8Qs9j=s16000" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjBY9Nl591nPTs_RWz7oeqRRdKgvbo5wTNUjK933p01Z0YjFcP1gWGKuXuUX1NnoQv-nwsTwQ9wsg7jPL0Faz6Y3_Tw3ICYFE-No0sqA2_s9ueAYyffg5pqfzj_IytBTFm9C_DLEm6LTIP2E8pr0MPwvPsvvRvwJCIqTEI6iB1OBl5_QcK_PofaQNoU=s633" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="265" data-original-width="633" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjBY9Nl591nPTs_RWz7oeqRRdKgvbo5wTNUjK933p01Z0YjFcP1gWGKuXuUX1NnoQv-nwsTwQ9wsg7jPL0Faz6Y3_Tw3ICYFE-No0sqA2_s9ueAYyffg5pqfzj_IytBTFm9C_DLEm6LTIP2E8pr0MPwvPsvvRvwJCIqTEI6iB1OBl5_QcK_PofaQNoU=s16000" /></a></div><div><p style="text-align: left;">Its been quite a couple of years, hasn't it? </p><p style="text-align: left;">I don't even know where to begin. Actually the last 3 years since the Special General Conference has been a treat. (Please read as much sarcasm as you can muster into that sentence.) The amount of division and problems that persist in the church and in society feel like they are at an all time high. <br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">But, if we are honest, this world didn't just get messed up in the last couple of years. It's been a jumbled mess of incoherent garbage long before you and I came along. It was a mess when our Savior stepped into our human existence some two thousand years ago. John records the facts in his Gospel stating that, "He came to those who were his own and his own received him not." Have you seen the glory of the Lord in the turmoil and pain of the last couple, three years? It is easy to lose sight of what is important when the trouble around us gets to a boiling point. </p><p style="text-align: left;">John and the rest of the disciples could not have had it easy. They walked everywhere they went. They worked their fingers to the bone trying to make it in a riches or poverty world. In the midst of it all, John records what was important. They saw Him. The saw the glory of the Son of God. Later in his Epistles he would use wording to suggest that they saw it with their own eyes. They laid hands on it. They witnessed the Glory of God in a personal manner and it forever changed their lives. There is nothing quite like some much grounded grace and truth to bring our focus back to a good center. Next year we will spend much of the time focusing on what we believe as United Methodists. Grace and Truth will be subject matter as we go forward. It all starts with what we end with here. The Glory of the Son of God. Who is He? What do you believe about Him? Why is that so important to us? We will take the time understand all of this as we turn the corner into 2022. Won't you come with me? It will mean some extra study. It will cause us to think and reflect. It will move us into a new area in our journey with Jesus. It is a journey, let me emphasize that. We are not here to just sit and wait. We are going somewhere with all this. </p><p style="text-align: left;">The best thing we can do with our lives and our faith is turn the corner and keeps moving ahead. <br /></p></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5738378669429459004.post-9875977935027807792021-12-19T11:29:00.004-05:002021-12-19T11:29:47.090-05:00God of Love<p style="text-align: center;"> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhg8eQgw362dmVdfsY3MW-l1rahWLc-PPkbP-dZ8hB9Z34LejsH2DvoJJINcAviDykcPIuwIYL_cJOAkTgrM1In--MrdhwpOdbkU9B6SHQu_ST9l_XjK5iSmALfIUaBm0ZTall6mifsx1Yng9O8cJD8HaMIJRL5BJZ_Wzrk--rXveWlZu0nLTNVVZWN=s486" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="120" data-original-width="486" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhg8eQgw362dmVdfsY3MW-l1rahWLc-PPkbP-dZ8hB9Z34LejsH2DvoJJINcAviDykcPIuwIYL_cJOAkTgrM1In--MrdhwpOdbkU9B6SHQu_ST9l_XjK5iSmALfIUaBm0ZTall6mifsx1Yng9O8cJD8HaMIJRL5BJZ_Wzrk--rXveWlZu0nLTNVVZWN=s16000" /></a></div><p></p><h1 style="text-align: center;">a precursor to</h1><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgvPTJUjoWJBMOpyAXKQhdeJxKoSJxJHBXVWN8Ny_DnVr8mqch-DGO97xSEROE8m4htsICxVHSycy9V1HMkQa0O8eBusUV3PMYy2qXn55GYimpxCEzm1kiiH4SZlXu-Cv-UxWfWiTo2fBcCQQAQZFNlHhBPFOdo9XDEpj9Jqr6YIH-G0qW2potK9Mmc=s486" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="180" data-original-width="486" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgvPTJUjoWJBMOpyAXKQhdeJxKoSJxJHBXVWN8Ny_DnVr8mqch-DGO97xSEROE8m4htsICxVHSycy9V1HMkQa0O8eBusUV3PMYy2qXn55GYimpxCEzm1kiiH4SZlXu-Cv-UxWfWiTo2fBcCQQAQZFNlHhBPFOdo9XDEpj9Jqr6YIH-G0qW2potK9Mmc=s16000" /></a></div><p></p><p>Everyone does the list of words through Advent in a different order. </p><p>Most normally, you will see the order of Hope, Peace, Joy, Love. <br />I have seen the word Faithfulness go first and then Hope, Joy and Love.<br />Some in their liturgical ordering put Love on the 3rd Sunday and end with Joy.<br />Yet another group will put forgo all of the word we know and speak of Prophets, Shepherds, Angels and Magi. There really is no wrong way to go about celebrating the season Advent. But, the one thing we can do wrong is to leave Love out of the picture altogether. </p><p>If Magi is the 4th Sunday, then we see Love being expressed in its greatest way. <br />Traveling from so far away, they bring gifts that will help the Savior's family make the long trek into Egypt for safety until the boy is old enough to return after the death of Herod. What would you be willing to give in order to bless a family you don't know or have never met before in your life? Love is the ultimate expression of who God is. None of us have met God. And, yet, we seem to have the unexplained connection to this faith and the God it speaks of. </p><p>Nicodemus was a man who knew of the unexplained. It is the whole reason he comes to Jesus at night. He can't get past this nagging feeling that there is something more than what he has been taught to believe and what he himself has taught others to believe. How many of us know how to nod our heads at the correct things to believe? How many of us have been following the correct beliefs in our Christian faith? How many of us truly know what Love is? Jesus shows us what true love is. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEieiUNi5pDdZtyr7sJ5lmvTucziP46D_4T3UY3SUvTyJu2kAc5V_tYpQBkIpBbpV6NzXIojAw_s1RiV5Gsx9V2un_aw0LdI_0FLs9VoNF4_F0htmtd1tynZ0IS3h4E5XX9e-Mb8XKlHWHkBISGU7Cd_33IIVp_TVUGGTCYjmz8xhen6afj0fvJhLH7Y=s634" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="382" data-original-width="634" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEieiUNi5pDdZtyr7sJ5lmvTucziP46D_4T3UY3SUvTyJu2kAc5V_tYpQBkIpBbpV6NzXIojAw_s1RiV5Gsx9V2un_aw0LdI_0FLs9VoNF4_F0htmtd1tynZ0IS3h4E5XX9e-Mb8XKlHWHkBISGU7Cd_33IIVp_TVUGGTCYjmz8xhen6afj0fvJhLH7Y=s16000" /></a></div>Last week we covered joy and we talked about the need to look beyond ourselves in being able to share Joy. Love is another step. If we have Hope and we can share in that with others, good. If we have found Peace because of what we share, good. If we can take the next step into Joy and begin to focus on the well being of others, then we are ready to move into Love. It's what God does with us. He sent his One and Only Son into a world with no Hope, that needed to find Peace, lacking in Joy, all of which could be found in the Love that only God can express. Can Merriam- Webster truly define it?<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgcGEiVPgjTUEMsOg3v5MF_JMaBlpLRKJMB5zriEDx9U-Vv1Baha4QMWXRFnbYShA_T1vBhVi6zgCge-wdDw3FlJxSFQrsoUgP5cU27bO58XeUDVfLXZc_2BdC7XN5jvddZKzwQDwVBkh_2dy3vpP-Q2D5FbHVZFMdU7f6fHd7LIUwGTnu88dDN_11K=s772" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="632" data-original-width="772" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgcGEiVPgjTUEMsOg3v5MF_JMaBlpLRKJMB5zriEDx9U-Vv1Baha4QMWXRFnbYShA_T1vBhVi6zgCge-wdDw3FlJxSFQrsoUgP5cU27bO58XeUDVfLXZc_2BdC7XN5jvddZKzwQDwVBkh_2dy3vpP-Q2D5FbHVZFMdU7f6fHd7LIUwGTnu88dDN_11K=s16000" /></a></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiLHZV2NTAmuZgKlIdlioOQxRr8GEIJRJ9GV7LOgd0SOJG5O6JC7PwZM2TjDV1jfbTemS6kXE02Yjy7uyCj_vmafM19fsqrq7HxNrBAaXt1r6rfSea0D86kaiiKCj7uE07LS4OjrXUqaOh47ixd-bblWKyeoH1D90NjI661u-EGhdRw1Qt8Swh1QNJx=s772" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="639" data-original-width="772" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiLHZV2NTAmuZgKlIdlioOQxRr8GEIJRJ9GV7LOgd0SOJG5O6JC7PwZM2TjDV1jfbTemS6kXE02Yjy7uyCj_vmafM19fsqrq7HxNrBAaXt1r6rfSea0D86kaiiKCj7uE07LS4OjrXUqaOh47ixd-bblWKyeoH1D90NjI661u-EGhdRw1Qt8Swh1QNJx=s16000" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh7nTMLFaewmtD0RqQ4KhEbu499j15lqw-FXBkzMT1mMEZtgfZngyvrB1Kpn5QzDaWBfVls0KEiNNHkSncidUdjLmmKRzv8Dp441_jDHFdTE5Tx5W_Gq-_e3Y30DiPz7WbnzJOVJFMibBoqOm5RUsefLbLpJgIQZUyusuHS8aircEjZ5_O1VMH9c-Gl=s745" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="648" data-original-width="745" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh7nTMLFaewmtD0RqQ4KhEbu499j15lqw-FXBkzMT1mMEZtgfZngyvrB1Kpn5QzDaWBfVls0KEiNNHkSncidUdjLmmKRzv8Dp441_jDHFdTE5Tx5W_Gq-_e3Y30DiPz7WbnzJOVJFMibBoqOm5RUsefLbLpJgIQZUyusuHS8aircEjZ5_O1VMH9c-Gl=s16000" /></a></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhU5BypvQbBP0rEDG7J4FWuNwuj_ERPJPazGZBPfYTX_EH4T1270BxIfF5EvFu63t9vehzoq0AkxTcliNnJ1A9DNeXzCYaDxx-aA3NrkD_RuRNPgt5L-YoBeuua0gDpIc7XjL7oyoBKiDarVPFQWnrBLrh78xdG9MK9xUQ29-Z2uca3QvGAPNIXIs5c=s653" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="653" data-original-width="575" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhU5BypvQbBP0rEDG7J4FWuNwuj_ERPJPazGZBPfYTX_EH4T1270BxIfF5EvFu63t9vehzoq0AkxTcliNnJ1A9DNeXzCYaDxx-aA3NrkD_RuRNPgt5L-YoBeuua0gDpIc7XjL7oyoBKiDarVPFQWnrBLrh78xdG9MK9xUQ29-Z2uca3QvGAPNIXIs5c=s16000" /></a></div><p>Can you gather how difficult it is to define something as exemplary as Love? Much of what we read above centers on the human emotion, the Eros or Greek meaning centers on the human carnal affection. Phileo is a word from the Greek that focus on our human desire to reach out. Agape is the word we use to talk about the Divine. John 3.16 is all about the Agape. God is reaching out to the world. He wants to bring the world close to him. This world doesn't handle change very well, however. Maybe that's why he comes in such a quiet unsuspecting way. Just a few people bothered to pay attention or listen. Too often, that how Love slips past us unnoticed. Our ears and eyes and hearts and minds miss the drawing in from God's Love. Our nature is on an intransitive plane with God. We don't share Love in the same interests or areas. We need to be shaken and moved.</p><p>Let the Love of God move you in this Christmas season. Let is shake you out of complacency into a devotion that moves beyond yourself. Move out into the world and share what God has done for you. <br /></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5738378669429459004.post-89367988916358026782021-12-12T08:42:00.000-05:002021-12-12T10:27:01.633-05:00Star of Joy<p style="text-align: center;"> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj_O-_cM-3BWE_fQ2Let0GfJCSORCZXhEN1smEt6qn_bd0Po_PwPZDwaL8xl1996D-SX0oFcJT1_MxUFLpNA_tlA9VfhuxyhK_z4W8aNYXpRxUdk9eipzhUvuCHAJ2Pgr2R5BEyPiZa5tLEHwba3VFO8xzo9QhoyMKz-k7amYR2CufxfZC6Wgp3Ofa3=s486" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="120" data-original-width="486" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj_O-_cM-3BWE_fQ2Let0GfJCSORCZXhEN1smEt6qn_bd0Po_PwPZDwaL8xl1996D-SX0oFcJT1_MxUFLpNA_tlA9VfhuxyhK_z4W8aNYXpRxUdk9eipzhUvuCHAJ2Pgr2R5BEyPiZa5tLEHwba3VFO8xzo9QhoyMKz-k7amYR2CufxfZC6Wgp3Ofa3=s16000"></a></div><p></p><h1 style="text-align: center;">a precursor to</h1><h1 style="text-align: center;"> </h1><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiu7ZLpRJIV8oVG9kg4LXo4ofPaboi5xnerIO2Jnz5wDN6BAQLXv_iP61HeTlRcmgPqIFjwPVD_kKrFOfm3ID3UC0uJms3n1PeHnoePyXeQYRYdQXoMvHrK1dg5sO2t8Rk83sWczTIgsYnTkU592hGjpdYZ-DUbfmCMg0SqbVrLYaGC2Od5SjgfQdMy=s486" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="180" data-original-width="486" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiu7ZLpRJIV8oVG9kg4LXo4ofPaboi5xnerIO2Jnz5wDN6BAQLXv_iP61HeTlRcmgPqIFjwPVD_kKrFOfm3ID3UC0uJms3n1PeHnoePyXeQYRYdQXoMvHrK1dg5sO2t8Rk83sWczTIgsYnTkU592hGjpdYZ-DUbfmCMg0SqbVrLYaGC2Od5SjgfQdMy=s16000"></a></div><p></p><p>Do you know what Joy is? <br>Maybe you've been happy or excited or even content, but do you know Joy? <br>Lets jump into the third Sunday of Advent and find out what we are in for this morning.<br>Our scriptural focus is set in the book of Matthew as we hear the story of wise men and gifts.</p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhk4ybM2xxKyRI8WG9OaecMFygt1dTJESygKOGWChed3FYwoNDv3eDAjlA7Bd6ToOp9ZD7rLWDHMqfHVRhTYXScCJJ1fDE-Dn38dJnLvhtiHOSOKwBsh_xRa6lxYxvAd_ynGAojoCRfe-nmMp4wnEDjXDwT4ioHsSa04cod_41iY5abZLuHSI7xzcQR=s544" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="309" data-original-width="544" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhk4ybM2xxKyRI8WG9OaecMFygt1dTJESygKOGWChed3FYwoNDv3eDAjlA7Bd6ToOp9ZD7rLWDHMqfHVRhTYXScCJJ1fDE-Dn38dJnLvhtiHOSOKwBsh_xRa6lxYxvAd_ynGAojoCRfe-nmMp4wnEDjXDwT4ioHsSa04cod_41iY5abZLuHSI7xzcQR=s16000"></a></div>Enjoy <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=czZqiQNQ1_Y">this musical selection</a> to go with the message today.<br><p></p><p style="text-align: left;"> Its a story that we will cover more in depth on Christmas Eve.<br>These men come a great distance in order to find a child they believe to be the new King of Israel. Traveling possibly from as far away as Persia, this is a walk/hike cross country. by the time they reach the baby Jesus he more than likely about 2 years old. They have been following a star. This star led them all the way to Israel. How long the trek takes is not clear or certain. But, it definitely was not a simply half day walk. I have shared in the past about Joseph and Mary's walk to Bethlehem and also the two disciples who met Jesus on the road to Emmaus, which most likely was a 7 mile stroll for those men and the Savior. This is a much longer walk. Using our technology available to us at Google Maps, we can find out just how long of a trip these three men were taking. If they were coming from Persepolis, then the capital of Persia (which today is Iran) their trek, most likely, would have taken then on a northwestern route before cutting straight across the heart of Iraq and its capital of Baghdad (which in ancient time would have been Babylon) before coming through the southern portion Syria and then taking a southern route into the northern part of Israel. Driving it, our friends at Google say it can be done in 27 hours. But, we know these men were on foot. </p><p style="text-align: left;"></p><div style="text-align: left;"><img border="0" data-original-height="296" data-original-width="170" height="34" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhPWhcaoHWMVx0Flah3JYAg_fH6p3Gk8v6iGpcLrerRPwXlDvCgxHNO8T9Smcetbd8ZxGBXFmefgVW8yoeUGIuRhH21Suu8ApmUTpp9phodF7p9YR7JJvad4oXiGS53APnY9IGy-qB8tkC5H6yHgopF3fV21s9T10snJZIa5sPkGNNCyTxl5EldgN19=w20-h34" width="20"></div>Clicking on the walking symbol as we use Google Maps for directions shows that the cross country journey would taken a total of 437 hours. That's around 18 and a half days. More than half a month to get there without stopping. With the need for sleep and rest and food, the trip more than likely took these men around a month to get there. However, the scriptures show that they did not arrive in Bethlehem until he is around two years old. When exactly did the star appear? How long did the trip truly take for them? Some details will never be perfectly clear. Some mystery is necessary in order to draw us into the reality of the Savior's birth. I would plead the case that we don't need to know every little detail. What we need to do is believe. That's what drives these three men. Belief that a new ruler has arisen in Israel. Why they feel the need to go so far away from their home on foot to greet a new king who isn't even of their country or, most likely, their belief system, is also a mystery. Some mysteries are wrapped up in joy. Its about time we looked at the word itself and understood what we are getting ourselves into this morning. <br><p></p><p style="text-align: left;"><br></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjW9f2a_L2XSoF5a5gBr_zTeWOpkQWBln4iKMBCiIgoM98RAAt_byJm3anGDqRjhKyU7O1dEd-N1F4X9T_va0uIMQfQst6jpU807e85J6XU6fJckwfIElTXCQRKMbLM7MZeWqKewCRRb9M0_59E3-SCw08m3f40gfoSqo82K0IHv5xfiC91HXAbxIFj=s760" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="629" data-original-width="760" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjW9f2a_L2XSoF5a5gBr_zTeWOpkQWBln4iKMBCiIgoM98RAAt_byJm3anGDqRjhKyU7O1dEd-N1F4X9T_va0uIMQfQst6jpU807e85J6XU6fJckwfIElTXCQRKMbLM7MZeWqKewCRRb9M0_59E3-SCw08m3f40gfoSqo82K0IHv5xfiC91HXAbxIFj=s16000"></a></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj2iEM6OiED_c5WdpKAW9pJaoxwnzTBssyBDoKBdmBfx8T0vgtLtlqYf1nreGY0ATGYo3yImcm86uhfb5NWJnDRFikJ9P4SkbExlEjJi52CEF31Zwau8j2VZoB3uPbu2Ecih3AdKXjmn6gv7k4QPgfWJHFJzNwz2QMSP_sk6Z-2mpg_QlZViNtRKaYz=s690" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="690" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj2iEM6OiED_c5WdpKAW9pJaoxwnzTBssyBDoKBdmBfx8T0vgtLtlqYf1nreGY0ATGYo3yImcm86uhfb5NWJnDRFikJ9P4SkbExlEjJi52CEF31Zwau8j2VZoB3uPbu2Ecih3AdKXjmn6gv7k4QPgfWJHFJzNwz2QMSP_sk6Z-2mpg_QlZViNtRKaYz=s16000"></a></div><p>The scripture from Matthew suggests that the men were "overjoyed" at the sight of the toddler. But, why? What was it about this little boy that caused them to rejoice or be glad? Do we truly understand what joy is? These men who have traveled all this way are believers, plan and simple. We don't understand their full story and we don't have to. All we need to know is that they believe in the coming of this Messiah. And, they have come a really long way to see it with their own eyes. The definition from Merriam Webster suggests that joy is "<span class="sb-0"><span class="dt "><span class="dtText"><strong class="mw_t_bc"></strong>the emotion evoked by well-being, success, or good fortune or by the prospect of possessing what one desires". We covered hope and understood that it is transitive in nature. More than one person can have hope and it seems to transfer. As we covered peace we noted the intransitive nature of it. I cannot give you peace. It is something you seem to have to seek and find for yourself. Joy is noted as being both transitive and intransitive. I can experience "great pleasure or delight", but I can't give to someone else. In the difficulty of explaining such an experience as joy we find there is a transitive nature to it. But, look at the wording here. It's an archaic notion that says "gladden, enjoy". It suggests a different kind of transference. With hope we seemed to simply declare that we have it and someone else declares they have it and then we find that it goes between others. Joy is more than a declaration. There truly has to be something going on between the parties to experience joy as a community of peoples. The story is told of a little boy who went into a 5 and Dime store and asked for two pieces of hard candy. The shop owner noted that the boy was by himself, so why did he need<i> two pieces</i> of candy. The boy exclaimed, "So, I have one to share with someone else." Joy is like that. Jesus, walking with these twelve men for those three and a half years finds joy being with them. </span></span></span></p><p><span class="sb-0"><span class="dt "></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiikzrRE00TtlSvjgGnb1M3TsJR6UhR3eHvM1zxBo1FUz5TFbtb_w9CD86trmSI1wshF89Tvd3jESZUxINOLvdlmG13crfbaDa6XJxeqDFKMxlgkwdekX2D6oXRSFSrpJxJXFk8CS6MNxVwEzF8CQKljopdQlL1TIF0OMe_FB6qo4kGzacWzmqRwoBQ=s447" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="329" data-original-width="447" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiikzrRE00TtlSvjgGnb1M3TsJR6UhR3eHvM1zxBo1FUz5TFbtb_w9CD86trmSI1wshF89Tvd3jESZUxINOLvdlmG13crfbaDa6XJxeqDFKMxlgkwdekX2D6oXRSFSrpJxJXFk8CS6MNxVwEzF8CQKljopdQlL1TIF0OMe_FB6qo4kGzacWzmqRwoBQ=s16000"></a></div><span class="dtText">There are conditions to be met with joy. We need to follow and listen. If our parents are to have joy in us, we need to listen to what they have to say and follow the direction they give. If we care at all about sharing in joy, we need to be around other people and not make it about ourselves and what we want. Joy is simply shared between other when we just enjoy being in the presence of others. I would plead the case that this country has found it hard to feel much joy since the attacks of 9/11 20 years ago. It has been hard to have hope. It has been even harder to find peace. And, there isn't much joy because we have the harder task of feeling comfortable around other people; trusting that they have our backs while we should have theirs. </span><p></p><p><span class="sb-0"><span class="dt "><span class="dtText">What does it mean then to be "overjoyed"? <br>I think of the words to song by the foursome known as Jars of Clay. </span></span></span></p><div class="ujudUb"><i><span>You named me </span><br><span>Who am I </span><br><span>That I should company with </span><br><span>Something so divine </span><br><span>Mercy waits </span><br><span>Overjoyed </span><br><span>Prospects of finding freeing </span><br><span>Freeing me </span></i></div><div class="ujudUb"><i><span>Love is the thing this time I'm sure </span><br><span>And I couldn't need you more now </span><br><span>The way that you saw things were so pure </span><br><span>Overjoyed </span></i><span> - Jars of Clay, Overjoyed (from the album "Much Afraid") [1997]<br></span></div><div class="ujudUb"><span> </span></div><div class="ujudUb"><span>Jesus said to his disciples that if they needed anything to ask in His Name and they would have it. Jesus claimed that if they kept his commands, there would be love to experience and they would know his joy. Jesus' joy came from doing what they Father asked of him. It was a delight for the Son to listen to the Father and work along side of him, doing what the Father wanted. The Son forgot about what He wanted and gave his life for the direction the Father pointed him in. Joy is condition in the sense that we forget about ourselves. That we give of ourselves to "gladden" someone else. It means that we "enjoy" being with other for their benefit, not ours. I challenge to to find out what joy is in this season. It might be the one thing you truly are missing. <br></span></div><p><span class="sb-0"><span class="dt "><span class="dtText"></span></span></span></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5738378669429459004.post-65885918608304011952021-12-05T08:08:00.002-05:002021-12-05T10:27:45.266-05:00Voice of Peace<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FPN0I57uO_s/YZ5VUfJbSLI/AAAAAAAAKGo/klHpbuo_tlcy_KYL6BzYohcJY7mVag_rwCPcBGAYYCw/s486/ADVENT%2B2021.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="120" data-original-width="486" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FPN0I57uO_s/YZ5VUfJbSLI/AAAAAAAAKGo/klHpbuo_tlcy_KYL6BzYohcJY7mVag_rwCPcBGAYYCw/s16000/ADVENT%2B2021.jpg"></a></div><p></p><h1 style="text-align: center;">A precursor to</h1><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZWEp6xI7HL0/YZ5YZx2OdOI/AAAAAAAAKGw/cbzw52NQ7Z46rFfs8FVLQCBSrEG5LvLFACPcBGAYYCw/s486/what%2Bwe%2Bbelieve.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="180" data-original-width="486" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZWEp6xI7HL0/YZ5YZx2OdOI/AAAAAAAAKGw/cbzw52NQ7Z46rFfs8FVLQCBSrEG5LvLFACPcBGAYYCw/s16000/what%2Bwe%2Bbelieve.jpg"></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ToJcSRkmsU8/YajmiFG0JtI/AAAAAAAAKIo/xTUj-CI5uLY6ngIxQfj1dYOjdsLrEZpMQCNcBGAsYHQ/s644/Isaiah%2B40.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="579" data-original-width="644" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ToJcSRkmsU8/YajmiFG0JtI/AAAAAAAAKIo/xTUj-CI5uLY6ngIxQfj1dYOjdsLrEZpMQCNcBGAsYHQ/s16000/Isaiah%2B40.jpg"></a></div><br><p></p><p>We quickly find ourselves two Sundays in as we enter December 5th. <br>It's time to focus on the subject of Peace. I can't hear the word without my brain first going <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kPkTuU9AEm8" target="_blank">here</a>.</p><p><span></span></p><div class="ujudUb"><i><span>Peace like a river flows within me</span><br><span>Love like a waterfall pours on me</span><br><span>I'll never be alone, can't you see</span><br><span>Peace like a river flows on </span></i></div><div class="ujudUb"><i><span> </span></i></div><div class="ujudUb"><i><span>Hope is a fire burning in my soul</span><br><span>Life is eternal with you Lord</span><br><span>Who could ever ask for more</span><br><span>Peace like a river flows on </span></i></div><div class="ujudUb"><i><span> </span></i></div><div class="ujudUb"><i><span>On, thing of all I could have missed</span><br><span>Oh, I just can't get over this</span></i></div><div class="ujudUb"><i><span> </span></i></div><div class="ujudUb WRZytc"><i><span>Faith is a light shining down on me</span><br><span>Mercy is a wind blowing over me</span><br><span>The grace of God has set me free</span><br></i><span><i>Peace like a river flows on</i> - Third Day from the Album "Conspiracy #5" (1997)</span></div><div class="ujudUb WRZytc"><span><br></span></div><div class="ujudUb WRZytc"><p style="text-align: left;"><span>Sometimes there is no better feeling than driving down the road with the radio cranked up listening to some Third Day. That song is a favorite that deserves to be played and replayed. I hope I'm 80 and still able to handle the volume at 30 as I'm trucking down the road listening to that. Sometimes there is nothing better than a good song to bring some much needed peace to my life. </span></p><p style="text-align: left;">What is peace and why is it so important? It is something we crave and desire for ourselves, but at what cost do we pursue peace? What would you give to be able to say you have peace in your heart?</p><p style="text-align: left;">Marion Bond West Was a contributor to Guideposts magazine for an article in the section about People Helping People. She <a href="https://www.guideposts.org/inspiration/people-helping-people/finding-peace-in-a-dog-named-cheeseburger">recalls the events</a> of a hot August day when she met a homeless veteran and his dog named Cheeseburger. </p><p style="text-align: left;">Have you ever felt as if you weren't as close to God as you should be or wanted to be? Marion West shares that his is how she felt on the day she recounted these events. Sometimes we can't find peace because of the situations we find other people in. It was 100 degrees in the sun on that sweltering day in August. Heading home after running some errands, he came across a dog laying on large green duffel bag on the sidewalk outside of an Applebee's restaurant. The homeless epidemic being what it is in our country, its easy to feel overwhelmed with a sense "what do I do and how do I help" when we are confronted with such a problem. Meeting the dog's owner revealed that they were homeless and, in fact, living in the woods in a tent just outside of town. Marion wanted to make sure the dog had water and food, but she couldn't get the dog to respond with her own efforts. After speaking with the owner, he simply helped her to be "introduced" to the dog. This baffled Marion as she was a dog lover and dog usually like her. But, the owner, a man named Johnny, brought her over to the dog and gave a proper introduction. The dog name was Cheeseburger, who offered paw and wagged his tail excitedly as the names were exchanged and Johnny helped her meet his dog. </p><p style="text-align: left;">Introductions can be a simple means of excruciating uncomfortable-ness or it can be a stress reliever (once we get past the awkward beginning). Imagine being in the shoes of a young Jewish girl who suddenly finds herself in the presence of an angel. She is just minding her own business and then a holy messenger shows up telling her that she will be pregnant and have a child. What in the world do you do with that? If someone came busting in my front door and I'm just sitting in the recliner in my living room, I pretty sure I would be instantly frozen with fear. What do I do? What do they want? How do I handle this? The notion of peace is not immediately front and center when a traumatic situation arises or confrontation is imminent. the subject of Joy will find its way into our message next week. I've been baffled by the world of James, the biological brother of Jesus, in the opening words of his letter he states... </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MJeU6D32jzo/Yajm0cP0AOI/AAAAAAAAKIw/tfWuArbn3-0G2nl9XB8XRhNQPZJi4F9fgCNcBGAsYHQ/s799/James.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="429" data-original-width="799" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MJeU6D32jzo/Yajm0cP0AOI/AAAAAAAAKIw/tfWuArbn3-0G2nl9XB8XRhNQPZJi4F9fgCNcBGAsYHQ/s16000/James.jpg"></a></div><br><p style="text-align: left;">I don't know, but Joy is not my first inclination when having to deal with hard times and trials. James says he wants his readers to be "complete, not lacking anything". Peace would certainly be a part of the mix there. However, peace seems to be something we have to find or be in search of. Last week we looked at the word hope. I didn't go into much details about the transitive nature of certain words. Hope had that transitive sense to it. If something is true between parties 1 and 2, and the same thing is true between parties 2 and 3, then it stands to reason the same thing is true for parties 1 and 3 even though they aren't touching or in direct contact with each other. Hope works like that. Hope seems to be something we can share or transfer to one another. I can give someone else a sense of hope. We can share that sense of hope. But, if we are reading our dictionaries properly, we see that peace is used as an intransitive verb. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-d1hbFomzzqM/YakVOZbvJ3I/AAAAAAAAKJA/5lxiE3op5P4vN8CO6cU9RDHWa4RPtfJ1gCPcBGAYYCw/s749/peace.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="736" data-original-width="749" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-d1hbFomzzqM/YakVOZbvJ3I/AAAAAAAAKJA/5lxiE3op5P4vN8CO6cU9RDHWa4RPtfJ1gCPcBGAYYCw/s16000/peace.jpg"></a></div><p></p><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-H4zLR0u0NSo/YakVUJ3utGI/AAAAAAAAKI8/0ky4b501XEYjooPBTXu7f8g18tZFZt57wCNcBGAsYHQ/s394/peace2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="234" data-original-width="394" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-H4zLR0u0NSo/YakVUJ3utGI/AAAAAAAAKI8/0ky4b501XEYjooPBTXu7f8g18tZFZt57wCNcBGAsYHQ/s16000/peace2.jpg"></a></div>I can't give peace to someone else. It is something I have to find for myself. Jesus seems to be the only one who can bestow peace to someone else. "Peace I leave with you. My peace I give unto you. Not as the world gives do I give to you." If you have invited Jesus into your heart and life, then you know how that peace feels inside. I can remember when Jesus came in. I know what it felt like to go to work that night. A smile on my face. Some joy in my step. It's hard to understand. Jesus would say, "The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it is coming from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit."<br><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HmWSBWVH3Ps/Yay04loEb2I/AAAAAAAAKJc/kWCPHPRfkI0Qf8l01ik4ME-Bj9XO9GedACNcBGAsYHQ/s435/John%2B3.8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="379" data-original-width="435" height="279" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HmWSBWVH3Ps/Yay04loEb2I/AAAAAAAAKJc/kWCPHPRfkI0Qf8l01ik4ME-Bj9XO9GedACNcBGAsYHQ/s320/John%2B3.8.jpg" width="320"></a></div></div><div class="ujudUb WRZytc"></div><div class="ujudUb WRZytc"></div><div class="ujudUb WRZytc"></div><div class="ujudUb WRZytc"></div><div class="ujudUb WRZytc"></div><div class="ujudUb WRZytc"></div><div class="ujudUb WRZytc"></div><div class="ujudUb WRZytc"></div><div class="ujudUb WRZytc"></div><div class="ujudUb WRZytc"></div><div class="ujudUb WRZytc"><br></div><div class="ujudUb WRZytc">When peace comes to us in such a nonsensical way, it is also just as perplexing when our peace is stolen from us. This past week I was driving back to Thornville out on St Rt 13. As I traveled north, I passed a truck headed south. Just as we met, the driver tossed a yellow cat out the window. I had no time to stop or hit the brakes. The poor cat landed on its feet but I was unable to avoid hitting it. It is a few days past and I'm still shaken at the thought. I was just going along, minding my business and suddenly... This crazy world we live in likes to rob us of our peace, our joy, our hope. Maybe you woke up this morning feeling fine and headed into your day and something just derailed your heart. A silly fight with your spouse before you headed to work. An unexpected phone call bringing bad news. A conversation with a person you didn't see on your radar. As much as we would like to be in control of all the nonsensical things in our world, we quickly find out we are not. We would like something concrete we can hang on to in the moment. When we find that there is nothing in this world that meets the requirements, we can only go to the One who can give peace. It is in Jesus we find our peace. He is our Hope. He fills us with his Joy. Jesus put himself in the Father's hands and let Him lead the way. Jesus taught us by example what it meant to live in peace with the Father's decisions. Jesus has no idea when he will return. It is all in the Father's hands. When God says it's time, then Jesus will come back. We trust. We hope. We look heavenward waiting for him to come take us to where he is. </div><div class="ujudUb WRZytc"><br></div><div class="ujudUb WRZytc">I'm reminded of words from a favorite song as I close. </div><div class="ujudUb WRZytc"><br></div><div class="ujudUb WRZytc"><div class="ujudUb"><i><span>This is not the land was promised me,</span><br><span>Even as far as my eyes can see,</span><br><span>I'm so wound up I can't even breathe,</span><br><span>I don't want words,</span><br></i><span><i>I just want some peace- </i> Caedmon's Call, from the self titled album (1995)<br></span></div></div><p></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5738378669429459004.post-63674070269700540372021-11-27T23:14:00.005-05:002021-11-28T08:39:47.142-05:00Light of Hope<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FPN0I57uO_s/YZ5VUfJbSLI/AAAAAAAAKGk/e6zc0zzcKrEqgwToFSgaQ4iRva8qkGM8ACLcBGAsYHQ/s486/ADVENT%2B2021.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="120" data-original-width="486" height="99" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FPN0I57uO_s/YZ5VUfJbSLI/AAAAAAAAKGk/e6zc0zzcKrEqgwToFSgaQ4iRva8qkGM8ACLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h99/ADVENT%2B2021.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><h1 style="text-align: center;">A precursor to </h1><h1 style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZWEp6xI7HL0/YZ5YZx2OdOI/AAAAAAAAKGs/GWVRdyen2PQa_ELh7ZczfJMAYVnYFqXKgCLcBGAsYHQ/s486/what%2Bwe%2Bbelieve.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="180" data-original-width="486" height="149" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZWEp6xI7HL0/YZ5YZx2OdOI/AAAAAAAAKGs/GWVRdyen2PQa_ELh7ZczfJMAYVnYFqXKgCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h149/what%2Bwe%2Bbelieve.jpg" width="400" /></a></div></h1><p style="text-align: left;">As we wrap up 2021, I find myself being drawn back to more of a manuscript preaching mode. This means, we are coming back to the blog setting where my time began here in the Thornville church. Now that Thornville and Hopewell are together again in this two point, connectional, sharing ministry (sharing me as their pastor) we find ourselves in a place where both churches will begin to get the same message on Sunday morning. Up until now, I have felt the need to speak to Hopewell on a different plane of thought. I have been with Thornville for 10 years. Hopewell was not in the same place as Thornville, in their relationship with me or as a church. Now, as we get ready to round the corner into 2022, I feel we are ready to take that step. Both churches will get the same message on Sunday. </p><p style="text-align: left;">What we are going to journey into is an explanation of what our United Methodist beliefs are and why we believe them the way we do. This structure of messages going forward can truly begin right here in the season of Advent as we cover these four topics the next four Sundays. Hope. Peace. Joy. Love. These are words and ideals we truly believe in as United Methodists. But, why? What is it about these four words that we hold so dear? </p><p style="text-align: left;">Well, lets get started with the first word on this first Sunday of Advent. </p><p style="text-align: left;">Hope. What is so important about it? What does it mean to have hope? What is it <b><i>you</i></b> are hoping for?</p><p style="text-align: left;">As I have done in previous years, lets delve into the dictionary as a place to begin thinking about what the word means. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tvm4E1c5bCU/YaFERgpH7-I/AAAAAAAAKHI/5KGeFp7H7hs9-Y3XQ6Alqgroso3flk0rwCLcBGAsYHQ/s668/hope.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="550" data-original-width="668" height="526" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tvm4E1c5bCU/YaFERgpH7-I/AAAAAAAAKHI/5KGeFp7H7hs9-Y3XQ6Alqgroso3flk0rwCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h526/hope.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p>There are six entries at Merriam-Webster which includes some biographical and geographical names. I'm sure you've met a girl named Hope or been through a small town somewhere in the Mid-West or deep South that was called Hope. But, what is it to "cherish a desire with anticipation"? Have you ever wanted something happen or to be true? Little ones are hoping that the gifts they are wanting will show up under the tree in just a few weeks. People are hoping some political candidate will rise up and change the country in the way they want. Many of us have heard the famous line from the movie <i>The Shawshank Redemption</i>. Andy Dufresne (played by Tim Robbins) says to his prisoner friend Red (played by Morgan Freeman) <b><i>"Remember Red, hope is a good thing, maybe the best of things, and no good thing ever dies."</i></b> Hope is something that we hang on to because we have this unspoken confidence inside that the thing we hoping for will happen. It will come to pass. For the Israelite, though, there is a matter of words that come to fulfillment. The matter had been spoken about for some time. Through the annals of prophecy words like what we hear from Isaiah chapter 9 come to fruition. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PMSgyyT0RZk/YaFJMEsM54I/AAAAAAAAKHQ/fImbbRkWFJwg5gv_FJzOlNIlDTjzdvf4QCLcBGAsYHQ/s811/Isaiah%2B9.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="811" data-original-width="484" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PMSgyyT0RZk/YaFJMEsM54I/AAAAAAAAKHQ/fImbbRkWFJwg5gv_FJzOlNIlDTjzdvf4QCLcBGAsYHQ/s16000/Isaiah%2B9.jpg" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;"> </p><p style="text-align: left;"> </p><p style="text-align: left;"> </p><p style="text-align: left;">Imagine being in a place where you are at the mercy of those who lord themselves over you. The one thing you would hope for is to be free. You would hope that someone would come and break that reign you find yourself in. This is the plight of the Israelite. Roman rule commands the life of the people of Israel. Rome has control of much of the Middle East during this time frame. Their technology and influence can be felt and seen in the language and architecture surrounding the Israeli people. The freedom the people felt at one time before the punishment in Babylon and at the hands of the Assyrians is long gone. When the Greek world began to press in after their return from Babylon, the persistence is made permanent as the Hellenistic influence changes to the Roman background we read about in our New Testament Gospel setting. As they rebuild their walls around Jerusalem, all they want is to be free again. But, never again will they live as they once did during the magnificent reigns of David and Solomon. They will live heavily taxed and burdened with the cares of Rome pressing into their daily lives. Hope is what they feel as those who trust the scriptures hearing words about One who will come and make things right. </p><p style="text-align: left;">If the people of Israel are hoping for someone who will come and save them, what does it look like in our world to hope? What are you hoping for? Is what you are hoping for realistic? The last line of the definition speaks about "hoping against hope". It's the most unrealistic of hopes because if a person doesn't have any basis for expecting fulfillment then how can they hope for a thing? Yet many a person in our world hope in just such a way. We want things we cannot have. We hope that things will end up the way we want them yet all the while having no grounds for those assumptions to ever find fruition. Scriptural hope finds its basis and grounding in the promises of the Lord. When our God says "I will never leave you nor forsake you." we know that our hope that God will be there beside of us whatever we face or go through will find its way to fulfillment. Many a person who sits in pews, like these you find yourself in this morning, believes that God exists. However, the need to surrender to the Lord, to allow Him rule over the heart, is missing and when the hard times come, we are void of hope. We find despair and misery because we are trusting in ourselves. We want to handle the problem to achieve the outcome we desire instead of trusting God to handle the chaos of our lives. Trust is an essential piece of Hope. It seems strange that part of the definition we read labels the trust part of Hope as "archaic". It's thought of as "old fashioned". Trust is in short supply where people cannot hope. And, people don't truly know what hope is without God in the picture of their lives. </p><p style="text-align: left;">The conversation between Agent Coulson and Steve Rogers in the first Avengers movie from 2012 is must see. It truly lays the ground work for much of what we will see ahead as the Marvel Cinematic Universe unfolds. Riding in a quinjet, talking about everything that is happening since Captain America woke up from 70 years in an icy sleep in the North Atlantic, it is here that Agent Coulson declares some prophetic truth. Agent Coulson took some liberties with updating Captain America's uniform to which Steve Rogers exclaims, "The stars and stripes... aren't they a little... old fashioned." Agent Coulson is always optimistic. "With everything that's happening, the things that are about to come to light, people might just need a little old fashioned."</p><p style="text-align: left;">So, I will leave you with a thought. What is it yoy are hoping for? Does it have a good foundation to stand on or is it on shifting sand that won't hold up under the pressure of life? When the storms come and the rain falls, will your hope be fulfilled? Or will it leave you empty? </p><p style="text-align: left;">Jesus is coming again. That's a hope we can truly believe in. And a hope that we can trust. <br /></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0