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BSA National Jamboree - 24 July - 4 August 2010  Jambo LEADER |
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2005 PASTOR's NOTES [JAN] [FEB] [MAR] [APR] [MAY] [JUN] [JUL] [AUG] [SEP] [OCT] [NOV] [DEC] The Flemish artist Pieter Brueghel has a masterpiece entitled, “Numbering at Bethlehem.” His earthy browns combine with winter snow to depict a typical Flemish village on a cold December day. We see a butcher at work, a merchant selling his wares, a woodman piling his wood for sale, and children playing on a frozen pond. It all looks quite so ordinary until we look at the bottom of the canvas and see a young woman on a donkey being led by bearded man on their way to be counted by the census takers. Breughel reminds us that the Advent of Christ happens in the middle of the routines of life. In the middle of these now short days, when crisp winter air brings us a chill, when most people are struggling with a patience worn thin by hustling crowds, limited budgets, and demanding children, comes an Advent. It does not come with trumpet blasts, or TV News Alerts, it comes in the cries of a baby’s birth. In the midst of that ordinary everyday event God comes among us. In fact it was so ordinary that if not for the Angel’s announcement to the Shepherds (Luke 2:8-14) they would have missed it. If the Wise Men had not been astrologers studying the stars they would have missed it. While the whole cosmos was affected, life itself went merrily along in the humdrum of everyday. You and I go through our routines day in and day out. We mark the mileposts of life; we grieve the painful transitions of life, and move on one day at a time. In these ordinary routine days we wait, anticipate, look forward to the Advent of a Savior. And yet in the midst of our waiting a candle is burning in the darkness. Already the light of God has pierced the darkness of this world. From the first cry of the baby taking his first breath of air there was a proclamation to the world that the Kingdom of God was dawning. Old Herod knew that a baby could change the mundane, routine, lives of his subjects. He was willing to kill a thousand to get rid of the one that threatened him the most (Matthew 2:16). Brueghel is challenging you and me this year to look into the ordinariness of life and see the Advent coming to pass. Yes in the midst of the merchants selling, butchers butchering, and children playing, silently without notice the young woman and the man arrive and the baby will soon be born. Open the eyes of your heart and see the Advent of Christ in your own lives. In John’s Revelation Jesus make it very clear, “Behold, I am coming quickly!” (Revelation 22:7) The Pharisees put Jesus on the spot one day by asking whether it was lawful to pay taxes to Caesar or not. The Pharisees were trying to trap Jesus. You see If Jesus said yes, he was a traitor to the Jews. If he said no, then he was an insurrectionist against Rome. There was no way out – or was there. Jesus did a remarkable thing. He asked for a coin, and then inquired who image was on it. Of course it was Caesar’s likeness – as all Roman coins would have. So Jesus said, “Well then, give Caesar what is Caesar’s and God was is God’s.” (Matthew 22:15-22) This was a brilliant theological move. Caesar just wants your money – God wants your heart and soul. Joe Louis, once the Heavyweight boxing champ was asked who of his opponents hit him the hardest? He replied with a smile, “Uncle Sam.” It is true we all live with taxes. We pay taxes when we buy gas (boy don’t we), when we buy groceries, and when we buy a car. We pay taxes on our homes, our cars, and even on our pets. Caesar demands acquiescence to his demands and then exacts a high price for those who refuse to comply. God on the other hand gave us all things and only asks that we be good stewards with it. Stewardship is defined by three aspects. First, it means that we recognize that we don’t really own anything; it is only ours a little while. Second, it means that we are responsible for what God has given us and to use it wisely. Third, it means that return to God the first fruits to acknowledge that he has given us all things and that we recognize our utter dependence on him. Stewardship is not giving God big gifts (although that could be a part of it), it is rather the attitude and life style of using what we have in positive, moral, and beneficial ways. That includes our time, our gifts and talents, our resources, and our service. You cannot get by with just a check, even a large one, or just teaching a class, or just serving on a committee. Stewardship is a perspective, a worldview, it is the way you look at and live your life. Stewardship is not just a “church thing.” You practice stewardship in your marriage, in your family, and on your job. November is stewardship month and our theme is “Imagine.” Prayerfully imagine what God can do in this church, what can happen here if we all practiced biblical stewardship. For example, somebody would be on his or her knees praying for the church everyday. Someone would be visiting sick, shut-ins, and visitors everyday. We would never have to mention the budget because the bills would be paid and there would be funds to spare for mission. Just imagine with me – a church filled with the joy and wonder of realized stewardship. Take some time this month to really consider what you are giving to God. Hold your calendar, your watch, your checkbook, and your bible in your hands and then remember Jesus’ words, “Give to Caesar’s what is Caesar’s and give to God what is God’s. “For we know that the whole creation has been groaning in labor pains.” (Romans 8:22) We have seen Earthquakes, floods, hurricanes, tornadoes, tsunamis and fires all over the earth. The earth has surely been groaning and we have shared the pain. We have seen death and destruction, the devastation of a whole city, and even the dispersion of thousands of people as the result of the astounding number of natural disasters in the last few years. What message could be found in these events for us? Is God really trying to get our attention or is it just the result of “El Nino’s and “global warming?” Our spiritual ancestors, the ancient Hebrews, believed that nature was a barometer that reflected the attitude of God. Droughts, plagues, famines and few or no children were seen to be the result of God’s anger while bountiful crops and many children were seen to be the result of God’s happiness. However it seems to me that rather than trying to interpret the various good and bad experiences of nature we are much better off spending our time considering how in nature we can see the personality of God. In the power of storms and earthquakes we can see the sovereignty of God. Human beings with all our knowledge and technology to predict and track the storms cannot prevent them. God has sovereignty over all of his creation. In the fires and floods we can see that God is a God that cleans and renews his creation. In the days of bounty we can see that God is a God who provides sustenance for his creation’s well being. In the times of devastation or famine we can see that God is a God who is present with us. Consider the fact that when the children of Israel were in the land of Exile, their homeland in ruins, and their hope at its lowest ebb, Isaiah reminded them that they would see the restorative hand of God at work, even in nature. “For you shall go out in joy, and be led back in peace; the mountains and hills before you shall burst into song, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands.” (Isaiah 55:12) God wants us to see his hands at work. Even as the leaves turn color and die God has the resurrection of spring primed and ready in the buds that are already there behind the dying leaves. This October lets turn our hearts and minds to the wonder and glory of the God who comes on Eagle’s wings, who calms the wind and waves, and who can bring renewal out of utter devastation. Katrina, Ophelia, nor no other storm or catastrophe has the last word. The Lord God has the last word and the word (Logos) that God speaks is a word that creates and recreates, that forgives and restores, and that embraces and reconciles. It is only to a God like that the mountains will burst forth in song and the trees will clap their hands! If I asked you which word would describe how you understand Christ what would you say? For me that word is grace. Jesus offered grace, lived a grace-filled life, and modeled grace for his disciples. When you and I first came to the Baptismal waters, and when we come with others for their baptism it is an experience of grace. Sins large and small, sins that cause pain and suffering, sins that formerly separated us from God are washed away in those baptismal waters. Every time we come to the Lord’s Supper, every time we taste broken bread and drink wine from the cup of salvation it is an experience of grace. Every time the word is read, every time the word is sung, every time the word is proclaimed it is an experience of grace. Christ offered us his grace even before we knew it, “while we yet sinners Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8) Christ also lived that grace. Zacchaeus in the sycamore tree, the woman at the well, the thief on the cross, all encountered the grace filled life of Christ and were thereby transformed. It happens in the same way to us when our sinful lives encounter the grace of Christ. That is precisely why we come back to the baptismal waters, that is why we wait for the word to be read, sung, and proclaimed, and that is why we come back again to that table of grace. When you are longing for grace, when you see the need for it in your own life, when you encounter the free gift of grace in Christ then transformation takes place. Christ also modeled grace. You see he intended for you and me to be a word of grace to other people. Malcolm Muggeridge, the British journalist, one said of Mother Theresa, “she converted me without saying a word.” Yes it is true that the gift of grace makes us aware of our sin, but it makes us even more aware of the loving Savior who will forgive it. I once had a person say to me that they did not deserve to be forgiven. I responded by saying that none of us do. Forgiveness is a gift of grace offered to all who will receive it. If it were only given to those who deserve it none would be given. September is the month when most everything gets back on track for the fall. Let’s mark this September by getting our lives on track by letting the grace of Christ live in and through us as we become words of grace to each other. “Let your line shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in Heaven.” (Matthew 5:16) August is the month that we move from the slow days of summer to prepare for the busy season of autumn. We get ready for school to start back, football and band starts their practices, and the church prepares for Charge Conference. As I think about August though my mind turns to what motivates us. The children are motivated by the excitement (or dread) of a new school year. The football players and band members are motivated by the excitement of a new season. I wonder though – what really motivates the church. Are we just trying to keep the church going, the so called “maintenance mode” mentality? Are we trying to make the church into a social club where we can get together for fellowship but have very little asked of us? Or are we trying to be the “Body of Christ?” Let’s be careful now with that last one, it has all kinds of implications for our lives. If we are the “Body of Christ” in mission we let God take care of the church and we offer ourselves to God’s service. The Body of Christ has a mission and that is to offer the Good News of the Gospel to all people. “Go therefore and made disciples of all nations.” (Matt. 28:19a) Jesus has not asked any of us to focus primarily on church management and survival, or on creating the ethos of the church. Those things belong to his province alone. We are simply to witness his love, share his good news, and provide a place where people can be nurtured in their faith. All of this of course only happens where people have the caught the vision of God’s kingdom and that vision has taken hold of them. You see, that vision of God’s kingdom lifts us up so that we are moved beyond our limited human existence to a Christ inspired limitless future. It has been my prayer these last five years (and I am still praying it) that such a vision will spread across this church. I know that it has already begun to spread because I can see it in the light of so many eyes – and in the motivation that is driving so many to serve the Lord. Vision driven people and a vision driven church are alive with passion for Christ. With that passion in their hearts they are filled with renewed energy and unwavering zeal for the Lord. Vision driven people do not do tasks in the church instead they are involved in ministry. They do not reluctantly take a slot on a committee or task force instead they are committed to serving the Lord. They do not give out of some sense of obligation they give joyfully as an expression of their faith in Jesus Christ. Why don’t you come catch the vision with us and see what God can do with your life too! “All gave some and some gave all.” When I read those words on the Memorial in front of the Fayetteville City Hall I was moved to tears. My mind went back to the smiling face of a young man from my hometown that was killed in Vietnam. I thought about the pictures that Barbara showed me of her uncle who was killed only days before the German Army surrendered in World War II. I thought about the brave men I have known who were veterans of World War II, Korea, Vietnam, and all the wars since. I also thought back to all the days when I was in school and we recited the Pledge of Allegiance, when we sang “America,” and when we studied the Constitution and the Bill of Rights. I can’t help but wonder how many young people today have forgotten the rich meaning of our history. America is not without its many sins, past and present, but its history is a rich tapestry of the struggle for freedom. Apparently though, the freedom and opportunity of this land is not lost on the thousands of foreigners who want to come here and live. Perhaps we have it entirely too good for our own good. It reminds me of the passage from Deuteronomy. “When the Lord your God brings you into the land he swore to your fathers, to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob……when you eat and are satisfied, be careful that you do not forget the Lord who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the land of slavery.” (Deut.6:10-12) July is a month for remembering that we are a free nation, and for remembering how we obtained that freedom and what it costs to keep it. It is also a time to remember that God made it all possible. While we celebrate and remember our heritage as Americans let us also remember our heritage as people of faith. Lets not only send up fireworks into the night sky to celebrate our freedom lets also send up prayers and shouts of praise to celebrate the God who rules all nations. The Psalmist reminds us that, “The Lord is high above all nations, and his glory is above the heavens.” (Psalm 113:4) When I think of summer I think of June bugs and fireflies. When I was a kid we used to catch the June bugs and tie sewing thread to one of their feet and let them fly around. We also caught fireflies in old mayonnaise jars and watched them light up the house when we turned the lights off. Summer days meant cold lemonade and homemade ice cream that we use to make in a hand crank freezer. We all have summer memories. Perhaps yours was swimming in Hope Mills Lake, or eating ice cream at John Henley’s Drug store. Maybe your summer memory was a trip to White Lake, or to the beach. In any event, the word summer conjures up all kinds of memories. One of my favorite memories was going to church camp. I went as a camper and later served on staff. In those experiences I really began to discover God’s presence in the world. From the joyful singing of the birds and the thunder of summer storms, to the bright flashes of lightening in the night sky and the vivid colors of the rainbow I could see God at work all around me. It seemed to me that all of nature was in one way or another praising God. The praying mantis seemed to be praying a blessing before he consumed the bugs he caught, the birds sang a song of thanksgiving after their fill of worms, and even the cicadas chirped a symphony of praise for their freedom of emerging after so many years. If all of nature praises God then so should we. This is how we acknowledge our creator and all that He has done for us. The Psalmist captured this so beautifully, “Praise the Lord from the earth, you sea monsters and all deeps, fire and hail, snow and frost, stormy wind fulfilling his command! Mountains and all hills, fruit trees and all cedars! Wild animals and all cattle, creeping things and flying birds!” (Psalm 148:7-10) As you create new summer memories do not forget to praise the Lord. After all His love toward us is the greatest memory of all“Then, like a wildfire, the Holy Spirit spread through their ranks” (Acts 2:3 Msg). Pentecost was an absolutely unique experience for the disciples.They had already had the experience of living with Jesus, of seeing his miracles, and of hearing his teaching. They had suffered through his crucifixion and were exhilarated by their encounters with the risen Christ. They had all things necessary to carry on the mission of the Kingdom of God except for one. They lacked the empowerment to put all that they had learned and received into practice. That empowerment came on Pentecost. The fire dancing on their heads was a visible symbol of the fire that was ignited in their hearts. They went from being disciples to being fire dancers. In the Pacific Islands they have people called fire dancers. These are men who dance between burning poles as the poles are moved back and forth. Although it became a ritual of entertainment it was originally considered a test of courage, to show that you had the stuff to make it in life. It seems to me that the Pentecost story reveals that those who want to follow Jesus must be fire dancers. Oh we do not have to dance between burning poles, but we do have to let the fire of the Holy Spirit dance within our hearts. When the Holy Spirit dances in our hearts we have been given the power to live out our faith. Jesus himself said, “I have come to bring a fire to the earth and I wish that it were already kindled.” (Luke 12:49 NRSV) Jesus wants to start a fire in our hearts and lives that will never be extinguished. The most amazing thing is that the match that Jesus uses to start that fire is grace. Charles Wesley captured it so beautifully for us, “See how great a flame aspires, kindled by a spark of grace. Jesus’ love the nations fires, sets the kingdoms on a blaze. To bring a fire on earth he came, kindled in some hearts it is, O that all might catch the flame, all partake the glorious bliss. (UMH – 541) I pray that we all catch flame and that the fire that has been kindled in this church spreads throughout our ranks to consume and empower us for the work of God’s Kingdom. “The wilderness and the dry land shall be glad, the desert shall rejoice and blossom; like the crocus it shall blossom abundantly, and rejoice with joy and singing.” (Isaiah 35:1). Isaiah spoke of a day of renewal for Israel, a day when Israel will burst forth like crocuses in the desert. It would be a day of rejoicing and celebration as God restored Israel and declared her glory among the nations. These words were spoken to Israel while they were in exile in Babylonia. There in the darkest days of their captivity come these words of hope. We all need words of hope; we all need renewal. Jesus often went off alone to pray because he needed renewal. Theologian David Lowes Watson says that we Christians would rather keep ourselves busy with the business of church than to deal with the demands of living for Christ. Living for Christ demands so much of our time and our energy that we constantly need renewal. April is a time of renewal for me. There is something about the beauty of the flowers that sets my heart soaring in praise to God. However, just looking at flowers, as beautiful and refreshing as that may be, is not enough to renew our souls. We need worship, we need praise, and we need to rest in the Lord. To be sure the flowers can provide inspiration for us as they appear with their blossoms to be crying out in praise to their creator, lifting up their blooms to Him. However they only serve as a model of praise and adoration. Worship is an intentional effort on our part. Come to worship expecting renewal and look for all the ways God offers it. For a refreshing change try reading Psalms 113-118 and 145-150 while sitting in a flower garden. The words will take on new meaning and power for you. Make it a point of attending our revival; revivals are a marvelous time of renewal for Christians. Remember that old ditty, “April showers bring May flowers,” well this April let’s let showers of renewal in April bring forth rejoicing in May. Remember if God can make crocus bloom in a desert just imagine what God can do in our lives. “By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples.” (John 15:8). The Christian faith is not a feel-good religion that somehow makes us feel better about ourselves. It is a relationship with God that issues in demands upon our lives. All relationships make demands upon us: marriage, parenting, work and vocation. In our relationship with God it is no different. Discipleship is not secret service; it is reaching out to the world, living out our faith in the world, and walking with God on a daily basis. The result of our relationship with God is not just our salvation it is fruit bearing. Jesus told the disciples and us that discipleship is verified by fruit bearing. We need to look beyond ourselves to those around us. Remember the parable of the talents. The man who had one talent given to him kept that talent and did nothing with it and was condemned for not bearing fruit. When I look at the ministry in this church I am seeing some fruit bearing. The number of laypersons who participated on Laity Sunday, the “Burning Bean” Coffeehouse, the 50+ Group, the New Kids in Christ, the Wednesday Prayer Group, and all of the others are all evidence of fruit bearing. It is exciting to see fruit bearing happening in the life of the church. If you feel that your faith is inert, not going anywhere, if you feel a lack of excitement in your faith, if you want to be a fruit bearer, then get involved in ministry and it will happen. As we move through Lent towards the victory of Easter there is no better time to take inventory of our fruit bearing. Moreover there is no better time to discover the grace and love of our Lord Jesus Christ who take our lives, with all of our shortcomings, and turn us into fruit bearing disciples. Come join us – that is what it’s all about. From the wearied look of Washington’s men at Valley Forge to the frightened look of soldiers carrying wounded comrades in Iraq we have seen so many images of our military men and women in battle. In today’s world the Media relentlessly shows and tells only the negative, disastrous, or shadowy pictures of our military. They do not show pictures of soldiers helping people, building bridges, playing with children and treating sick and wounded people. The man who was Saddam Hussein’s personal sculpture melted down three sculptures of Saddam and created a statue of an American soldier kneeling before a rifle and boots that signify a fallen comrade. A little Iraqi girls stands beside the soldier with a comforting hand resting upon his shoulder. The statue will eventually be relocated from Iraqi to Fort Hood Texas. February has been called the month of love. Flowers, cards, and candy are abundantly distributed to those we love in growing abundance. This Valentine’s day I want us all to love the men and women in our military. You can offer them your thanks and appreciation for the job they do. You can send them letters, emails, and cards. Above all you should remember them and their families in your prayers. General Douglas McArthur said, upon the occasion of the Japanese surrender, “War is most abhorrent to the men and women who must fight it.” He also said that it was the most terrible scourge and the worse sin of humanity.” One of the most moving experiences of my life was walking through Arlington National Cemetery. Although I was only 14 years old it etched a permanent memory into my heart. For a long time I could not stop myself from weeping when I remembered that place. We need to be pro-military and anti-war. Yet we all know that as long as sin remains there will be, “wars and rumors of wars.” This February let us remember the men and women who wear the uniform and serve the cause of freedom. I am proud to be a pastor and friend to all those retired and active who have served and are serving. Remember, it was in a soldier’s plea that Jesus found the greatest faith in all of Israel. (Matthew 8:5-13) It all started with some chest pains one night. Then there was the ER Chest Pain evaluation, followed by a battery of tests. Finally Dr. Srinvas Munugoti walked into my room and advised me to have a cardiac catheterization. The next morning they put the catheter into my femoral artery and up to my heart. There he placed a stint in my right coronary artery. While all of this was at once a startling experience it has also been a new beginning. Certainly it was a new beginning for my life in terms of being spared from heart damage and possible death, but beyond that it was a new beginning of how I live my life. It isn’t easy to retrain yourself your personality and your habits when you have been used to going wide open all your life. However, when God wants you to slow down you will slow down. I have discovered though that it is a wonderful experience to learn how to slow down and enjoy life each day. Every day is a gift from God that should be celebrated to the fullest and not hurried through. It is only when we slow down that we can truly experience the wonder of God. That is why the Psalmist long ago echoed God’s exhortation what we are to “Be still and know that I am God.” (Psalm 46:10) We typically think that Sunday is for slowing down and experiencing God in worship. However the Psalmist did not stipulate that we are to slow down on Sunday’s only, his word challenges us to slow down every day. God is doing something on Mondays through Saturdays that wants us to participate in. However we cannot take part in God’s divine activity until we slow down enough to see where God is working and what he is up to that day. It might be in touching the life of a hurting friend or co-worker. It might be in standing up for what is right so that others do not make a terrible mistake. It might be to simply pause and see the beauty that is all around us crying out to be acknowledged in words of praise. As we begin 2005 lets all slow down so that we won’t miss anything that God wants to show us this year. |
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