The moon caught my attention while driving home from the church one night last week. There was this beautiful harvest moon hanging low in the sky illuminating the path which lay in front of me. A perfect setting for this time of year as Halloween is only several days from now. The days are growing shorter which means the holiday season is upon us. Holidays seem to have a unique way of shaping our thoughts. Halloween, for some, marks the beginning of the holidays. Anticipation grows with the special programming that celebrates the holiday season. One of my favorite shows is “It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown” which is why I am craving a Dolly Madison snack cake at this moment. I remember watching this show as a young boy when a commercial break would advertise a product from one of the show’s sponsors. Dolly Madison was a sponsor of the show. These snack cakes inevitably looked yummy. Ever since then I have always craved Dolly Madison snack cakes at Halloween.
Another holiday is the day after Halloween. It also invites specific thoughts due to the nature of why it is celebrated. The name of this holiday is All-Saints Day. On this day we celebrate the lives of those who have been instrumental in building the Kingdom of God. Special emphasis is given to those who have passed away since the last All-Saints Day yet included on this day are all of the saints. Fond memories or specific days often come to mind as we remember the person. At times I find myself smiling or even laughing as I get lost in my memories. The void in my life created by death also makes me cry at times. All-Saints Day is a day we remember those people who have shaped our lives. Who is that saint for you? How does this holiday shape your thoughts?
My calling into ministry would never have been possible if not for specific people in my life. Family and friends have played a crucial role in my spiritual development but one person would have a profound effect upon my calling into ministry. Kevin Treu is, in my opinion, a builder for the Kingdom of God. Let me stop for a second and say that Kevin is still alive (I know he will be relieved with this good news). The saints of the church are not just the past but they are the present and future as well. Kevin Treu taught and still teaches the Friends in Faith Sunday school class at Covenant UMC. By profession Kevin is a professor at Furman University. Through his ability to teach my life would be forever changed. One thing I noticed was the joy and passion he had for teaching Scripture. The Bible came alive for me. Kevin did not lecture which could create a passive environment for us but kept us active through open discussions. I found in me a growing desire to study Scripture deeper all the time not just once a year. This desire led me to hear my calling into ministry more clearly.
Imagine no more death or tears or pain. What would that be like? The saints of the church build the Kingdom of God as they help shape our spiritual journey by using their gifts and talents. Each saint has a gift and through that gift the body of Christ grows. The saints do not serve for their own personal glory but glorify the One who will make all things new. God spoke through Isaiah “O Israel, you will not be forgotten by me…return to me, for I have redeemed you”. Those who serve Christ provide a way for the promise of redemption by God to be experienced in a world of uncertainty. No, I am not a saint but I sure hope to be like them. One day I hope I am counted among them. In the mean time lets you and me stand side by side to provide a firm foundation for the good news so others may experience the Christ who makes all things new. Thank you Saints of the past, present, and future.
Sunday, October 31, 2010
Friday, October 22, 2010
Who's on first?
A couple of years ago I was sitting around the house with my son pulling up different videos of comedians on YouTube. Since Jackson is into baseball I thought he would enjoy “Who’s on first” by Abbott and Costello. This particular skit has to be one of the funniest if not the funniest routines I have ever watched. I thought Jackson just might split a seam as he was laughing so hard. After the clip was over he wanted to watch it again.
Costello wants to know the names of the players on the field. If he knows the names of the players then he can greet them personally should he run into the players on the streets. Abbott, the manager, starts the conversation out by saying “Who’s on first, What’s on second, and I Don’t Know is on third base”. Of course the names do not improve as the left fielder is “Why”, the pitcher is “Tomorrow”, and the catcher is “Today”. After some confusion Costello lays out a scenario, which happens to be correct, and fails to understand what he has just said. Somewhere along the course of this confusing conversation the listener may be thinking that Abbott ought to write everything down for Costello. An even better way could be using first and last names. Costello might make the connection that these are the names of the players and not evasive answers from Abbott. To quote the line from Cool Hand Luke, “What we got here is a failure to communicate”. Ever feel this way in the church?
Communication in the church comes across as a comedy routine. One person is asking questions, another is answering the questions, but the connection between the two parties doesn’t exist. When communications break down frustrations eventually start to surface. In the skit by Abbott and Costello I can sense the frustrations of Costello as he feels the answers are saying a whole lot of nothing. Unfortunately, when breakdowns in the church occur, it is not laughter that ensues but frustration then anger then members leaving to go elsewhere. What may have been seen as a promising witness from the church, instead will eventually see the body of Christ cease to exist.
What can we, Church of the Palms, do to avoid communication breakdowns? If and when breakdowns do occur, how can we deal with them in a most positive manner that is reflective of a Christ-like attitude? Robert Bolton lays out some keys to effective communication in his book People Skills. 1) Be genuine. Educate ones elf on issues in order to see the whole picture. This leads to formulating opinions or thoughts yet we share our feelings responsibly. 2) Non-possessive love. We may not like a person yet we love that person anyway. When we love a person unconditionally the anxiety we experience in disagreements seems to go away. Loving without terms or conditions does not mean we develop favorites but is an expression of respect for another person. Unconditional love is the love most likely to be reciprocated by others. 3) Empathy. Put ourselves in someone else’s shoes to gain a better understanding of what that person is thinking or experiencing. Rather than dismissing another person’s thoughts we actually communicate we care about them.
Proverbs 4:23 Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life. Attitude is everything. While I do not have the answers to solving all the issues we will face in our church I do know together we will overcome those difficult times. As long as we continue to seek God nothing will be too great that cannot be overcome. I look forward to a long and prosperous ministry as we stand side by side witnessing to the Good News of Jesus Christ.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J_gSWTQKE-0
Costello wants to know the names of the players on the field. If he knows the names of the players then he can greet them personally should he run into the players on the streets. Abbott, the manager, starts the conversation out by saying “Who’s on first, What’s on second, and I Don’t Know is on third base”. Of course the names do not improve as the left fielder is “Why”, the pitcher is “Tomorrow”, and the catcher is “Today”. After some confusion Costello lays out a scenario, which happens to be correct, and fails to understand what he has just said. Somewhere along the course of this confusing conversation the listener may be thinking that Abbott ought to write everything down for Costello. An even better way could be using first and last names. Costello might make the connection that these are the names of the players and not evasive answers from Abbott. To quote the line from Cool Hand Luke, “What we got here is a failure to communicate”. Ever feel this way in the church?
Communication in the church comes across as a comedy routine. One person is asking questions, another is answering the questions, but the connection between the two parties doesn’t exist. When communications break down frustrations eventually start to surface. In the skit by Abbott and Costello I can sense the frustrations of Costello as he feels the answers are saying a whole lot of nothing. Unfortunately, when breakdowns in the church occur, it is not laughter that ensues but frustration then anger then members leaving to go elsewhere. What may have been seen as a promising witness from the church, instead will eventually see the body of Christ cease to exist.
What can we, Church of the Palms, do to avoid communication breakdowns? If and when breakdowns do occur, how can we deal with them in a most positive manner that is reflective of a Christ-like attitude? Robert Bolton lays out some keys to effective communication in his book People Skills. 1) Be genuine. Educate ones elf on issues in order to see the whole picture. This leads to formulating opinions or thoughts yet we share our feelings responsibly. 2) Non-possessive love. We may not like a person yet we love that person anyway. When we love a person unconditionally the anxiety we experience in disagreements seems to go away. Loving without terms or conditions does not mean we develop favorites but is an expression of respect for another person. Unconditional love is the love most likely to be reciprocated by others. 3) Empathy. Put ourselves in someone else’s shoes to gain a better understanding of what that person is thinking or experiencing. Rather than dismissing another person’s thoughts we actually communicate we care about them.
Proverbs 4:23 Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life. Attitude is everything. While I do not have the answers to solving all the issues we will face in our church I do know together we will overcome those difficult times. As long as we continue to seek God nothing will be too great that cannot be overcome. I look forward to a long and prosperous ministry as we stand side by side witnessing to the Good News of Jesus Christ.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J_gSWTQKE-0
Wednesday, October 6, 2010
The Least of These
Matthew 25:40 And the King will answer them, 'Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.'
Matthew 25:45 Then he will answer them, saying, 'Truly, I say to you, as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to me.'
A friend was visiting San Francisco and would have an experience he never imagined. Let me first tell you a little about the city by the bay. Just the mention of San Francisco may cause you to picture some of the places or things it is known for. Ghirardelli’s Chocolate Factory, Haight Ashbury (where the hippie movement started and also known for The Grateful Dead), Alcatraz Prison, and Fisherman’s Warf are a few of the places which come to mind. The Golden Gate Bridge, one of the most famous structures, and the two-level bridge, which collapsed during the 1989 earthquake, are a couple of the things that catch the attention of visitors. Enhancing the experience of these tourist destinations is the unusual weather pattern. No matter what time of the year it is cold. The wind blowing off the bay puts a chill in the air that if not prepared you might be uncomfortable. Nor is this a gentle breeze but one that can make you work to walk against it.
During my friend’s visit to San Francisco, he would come upon another attraction of the city no one likes to talk about. He and some co-workers decided to eat at a restaurant located at Fisherman’s Warf. After they arrived at their destination my friend said he had not expected to see what he did. The area was very crowded on a late July day with strong winds coming off the bay. As he and his co-workers examined their culinary options my friend’s attention would be captured by another person. Amid the hustle and bustle of the people traffic a man was sitting down with his legs crossed. Eye contact was made. Etched in the mind of my friend were eyes filled with despair, hopelessness, and a person shivering from the cold wind. Not one person stopped to help much less offer him a jacket or sweatshirt. This image stayed with my friend as he and his co-workers sat in a warm diner and satisfied their tummies. It is hard to eat when someone else is starving. After they ate my friend approached this man, prayed for him, and then took him to get something to eat.
Often we think of mission work as building structures or going door-to-door handing out pamphlets. Two of the many things encompassed by mission work are taking care of an immediate need and witness for the good news. Actions can provide the necessary platform for a verbal witness for Jesus Christ. During a devotional for a youth baseball team this scenario was presented for discussions. It would be some of the parents who provided unique answers. One parent responded by saying, “Give a man fish and he will eat for the day, teach a man to fish and he will eat for a lifetime”. Another adult reinforced this idea by stressing the most important thing is to witness for Christ. In essence, both adults felt if this man got to know Jesus then he would be inspired to clean up, get a job, and provide for himself. What about physical needs? Yes, during the earthly ministry of Jesus were many teachings about God. Spiritual nourishment was in abundance but Jesus also met the physical needs of others. Mission work involves both spiritual and physical needs. I feel as though the two cannot be separated.
Sometimes mission work is thought of as teams going out into the world. While this is true we should not forget mission opportunities can be individual as well. Think about the story of the woman at the well in the Gospel of John. Jesus was by himself. He did not go back to gather a team then teach about God, no he taught about God right on the spot. The moment we pass through the doors of the church as we exit thus going out into the world remember that maybe a mission opportunity will present itself. If we open ourselves to the guidance of the Holy Spirit, we will be made aware, as a congregation and as individuals, of the needs of the community. Mission work is about taking care of the physical and spiritual needs of others. Then maybe, people like the man in San Francisco, will get a foretaste of the Kingdom of God when all of creation is redeemed.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z4wojcSO9Ww
Matthew 25:45 Then he will answer them, saying, 'Truly, I say to you, as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to me.'
A friend was visiting San Francisco and would have an experience he never imagined. Let me first tell you a little about the city by the bay. Just the mention of San Francisco may cause you to picture some of the places or things it is known for. Ghirardelli’s Chocolate Factory, Haight Ashbury (where the hippie movement started and also known for The Grateful Dead), Alcatraz Prison, and Fisherman’s Warf are a few of the places which come to mind. The Golden Gate Bridge, one of the most famous structures, and the two-level bridge, which collapsed during the 1989 earthquake, are a couple of the things that catch the attention of visitors. Enhancing the experience of these tourist destinations is the unusual weather pattern. No matter what time of the year it is cold. The wind blowing off the bay puts a chill in the air that if not prepared you might be uncomfortable. Nor is this a gentle breeze but one that can make you work to walk against it.
During my friend’s visit to San Francisco, he would come upon another attraction of the city no one likes to talk about. He and some co-workers decided to eat at a restaurant located at Fisherman’s Warf. After they arrived at their destination my friend said he had not expected to see what he did. The area was very crowded on a late July day with strong winds coming off the bay. As he and his co-workers examined their culinary options my friend’s attention would be captured by another person. Amid the hustle and bustle of the people traffic a man was sitting down with his legs crossed. Eye contact was made. Etched in the mind of my friend were eyes filled with despair, hopelessness, and a person shivering from the cold wind. Not one person stopped to help much less offer him a jacket or sweatshirt. This image stayed with my friend as he and his co-workers sat in a warm diner and satisfied their tummies. It is hard to eat when someone else is starving. After they ate my friend approached this man, prayed for him, and then took him to get something to eat.
Often we think of mission work as building structures or going door-to-door handing out pamphlets. Two of the many things encompassed by mission work are taking care of an immediate need and witness for the good news. Actions can provide the necessary platform for a verbal witness for Jesus Christ. During a devotional for a youth baseball team this scenario was presented for discussions. It would be some of the parents who provided unique answers. One parent responded by saying, “Give a man fish and he will eat for the day, teach a man to fish and he will eat for a lifetime”. Another adult reinforced this idea by stressing the most important thing is to witness for Christ. In essence, both adults felt if this man got to know Jesus then he would be inspired to clean up, get a job, and provide for himself. What about physical needs? Yes, during the earthly ministry of Jesus were many teachings about God. Spiritual nourishment was in abundance but Jesus also met the physical needs of others. Mission work involves both spiritual and physical needs. I feel as though the two cannot be separated.
Sometimes mission work is thought of as teams going out into the world. While this is true we should not forget mission opportunities can be individual as well. Think about the story of the woman at the well in the Gospel of John. Jesus was by himself. He did not go back to gather a team then teach about God, no he taught about God right on the spot. The moment we pass through the doors of the church as we exit thus going out into the world remember that maybe a mission opportunity will present itself. If we open ourselves to the guidance of the Holy Spirit, we will be made aware, as a congregation and as individuals, of the needs of the community. Mission work is about taking care of the physical and spiritual needs of others. Then maybe, people like the man in San Francisco, will get a foretaste of the Kingdom of God when all of creation is redeemed.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z4wojcSO9Ww
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)