Reflections From Sunday Evening

Today is my son's birthday. We've got some idea of getting the family together later in the week and going to eat but today after church I went down to his place and we just hung out for awhile. Got something to eat, watched the basketball game, visited and just had a nice afternoon. It was nice to spend some time. It's always good to remember some things that were funny. I hope you have opportunity to sit and visit with people you care about.

Along those lines I keep thinking about something Ginger said at the closing this morning. She had us picturing a person several years from now coming to faith over a cup of coffee in the dining hall. It would be a pleasant place with an atmosphere creating "radical hospitality."

I put these two thoughts together -- visiting with my son Bobby and having a nice afternoon with him and the notion of someone yet to be met who could one day become a close friend. Such is the nature of the Christian faith.

We are planning programs, developing ministries and moving forward in building so we may better reach those yet to be reached for Christ.

It's been a good day. I hope you've had a good day too.

Reflections From Sunday Evening

Prayer - Worship - Fellowship - Preaching - Giving - Listening - Smiling - Hoping - Encouraging - Serving - Caring -

Feel free to add to your list of what took place in church this weekend. Children singing and parents beaming with joy. Candles lit - the Light of Christ shining in our midst. What a place.

We also reminded everyone that next weekend we expect a miracle. If you have not indicated that you will take a time for our prayer vigil beginning Saturday at noon please do so. Plan to be part of our all-church service day on Saturday. Make every effort to be in worship next weekend. Prayerfully consider a special gift for our kitchen/dining hall project. Together we make our witness for what God is doing in our midst.

The kitchen/dining hall project gives us an opportunity to create an even more hospitable place where we will gather and welcome others. Today Ginger mentioned the great fellowship that goes on in the kitchen. When we have guests at home we often find ourselves in the kitchen. We look for the same principle of fellowship to be enhanced at Platte Woods.

We have an ambitious project. At the same time we are committed to doing what you are able to pay for. This will be a no-debt project. We are not asking for pledges and long-term commitments. We are asking you for a gift ...

I look forward to next weekend. You want to be there when I ask people to STOP giving so much. It's in the Bible. We will be taking a look at what happens when God's people respond in amazing ways to the grace extended!

It's been the kind of day that makes me look forward to what is around the corner. It's been a great day. I hope you've had a good day too.

Reflections From Sunday Evening

This is a great time of year for a basketball fan (college and high school that is.) I'm checking out conference tournaments today. Along with all our Mizzou fans I'm enjoying the fact that the Tigers won the Big XII tournament yesterday. Our area teams are heading for the NCAA tournament. This week Kansas City will host the NAIA basketball tournament as well as first and second round games of the NCAA regional. Basketball is so much fun.

I watch these teams and realize that I could have played at that level. -- If I had been a little taller - stronger - faster - quicker - more talented - smarter - more athletic -- but I still enjoyed it. (I give credit to John Pauley for that "if I had been...." part.)

OK, so I was not talented enough to play in the big time. I did play at my level and had fun.

There is something else that I may not be the most talented at - preacher - spiritual life - things like that - but here is some good news for people like me. God has done something on my behalf (and yours) that changes everything. We are not evaluated in comparison with others. Because we are not as proficient at prayer as St. Francis of Assisi does not mean we are passed over. I may not be the church planter the Apostle Paul was but God does not "cut" me from the team.
Jesus has done something that makes us all welcome on the team. Through his life, death and resurrection Jesus has opened the way for us to be fully included in the life of faith. All I can do is say yes and thank you.

So this week if you find yourself watching a basketball game remember that we are brought into the way of Christ not because we are more talented than others but because of His grace. Rejoice in the life of grace today.

We did so at worship this morning. It was a good day. I hope you've had a good day too.

Reflections From Sunday Evening

In 1967 we got a new pastor at my home church in Appleton City. Charles Pence was appointed to our church. He was pastor through my high school days and co-officiated at Cindy and my wedding in 1972. He served our church for 9 years through the 1970's.

I actually met him before he became my pastor. I went to church camp in Trenton, Mo., in the summer of 1966 (I think). We were not allowed to have radios or anything like that. (Could you image a week without technology today!) There was this counselor who played his radio every morning. I thought he must be a pretty good guy. A few months later he was introduced as our pastor.

Charlie was a really good preacher. He was a good pastor. He served our church well. I know he also served in Bolivar, Neosho and North Kansas City. A few years ago I was in Rolla for a meeting and went by to visit. He was retired then. I remember a really nice conversation. Some time back Charlie and Joyce moved to Kansas City.

Thursday I got a call from one of his sons who invited me to come by the house and bring communion. They did not think Charlie had long to live. I gathered with that family -- people I have known for 40 years! It has been nearly that long since I'd seen some of them. We got around his bed and talked. He was so pleased to hear Cindy and I will be married 37 years in August. It's always good to find a marriage that sticks. He remembered me introducing him as the best preacher the old Missouri West Conference had. He told me to give Cindy a hug -- he figured of all people she would need one! He was tired. I took a wafer and dipped it in the cup and put it in his mouth. We all participated in the Lord's Supper. I gave him a hug.

This morning his daugher Judy called and told me Charlie passed away around midnight. He was my preacher. I'll always think of his influence.

There was more to this day. I was blessed in worship today. During the 9:30 service I slipped into the balcony and sat with Cindy and Andrea. We don't do that much. Curtis was a blessing with his message on radical hospitality (and how 'bout that video!).

This afternoon I was at the Pack 314 Eagle Scout Court of Honor. Seven young men received their Eagle award. Among them were Zach Hannon, Tom Prinslow and Joe Richey from our church. It is a joy to see young men who have achieved such success at a young age. They have so much life before them. We are in good hands with young men like this.

One day a long time ago Charlie Pence was ordained into the ministry of the Methodist Church. He influenced others. He served well. Today he enters into the eternal kingdom of our Lord Jesus Christ. Others will pick up the call and carry the church forward into the days ahead.
Today I saw the cycle of life. Eagle Scouts just beginning - a beloved pastor resting from his labors. All in all it's been a pretty amazing day. With God's grace it's been a good day. I hope you've had a good day too.

Reflections From Sunday Evening

We have begun the season of Lent. There was great crowd for our Ash Wednesday service. Today we continued with the first Sunday of Lent. This is a time for self-examination, prayer, fasting and repentance. This is a time during the Christian year where we may look at our lives and ask if we sense our love for God is deeper and more meaningfulful that it was a year ago. That is why we ask people to be involved in some form of intentional faith development.

Today we put our focus on passionate worship. I am convinced that it is through our regular participation in worship that we experience God's presence and power in our lives. This changes us and transforms us more and more into the people God has created and called us to be.

I pray that we continue on this road to the resurrection through the days of Lent. God is truly with us, leading us into the freshness of Easter.

By the way - it's halftime of the MU-KU basketball game. KU fans are very happy! Tiger fans are wondering what happened?

So far it's been a good day. I hope you've had a good day too.