Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Sunday, March 28, 2010
Reflections From Sunday Evening
The emphasis of Palm Sunday from today - between the ride to the city and the cleansing of the Temple - Jesus looks over the Holy City - and weeps - He weeps not for buildings or even temples - he weeps for people who are like "sheep without a shepherd" - he weeps for people struggling from day to day - he weeps for people living under oppression - he weeps for those he loves.
Jump ahead - today - Jesus weeps - for people like you and me.
But he need not always weep - joy comes with the morning. There is a possibility of responding to grace . Here is the idea -- "If only....you recognize the (divine) moment of God's coming" - to the world, to the church , to the community, to your life.
As Jesus rode to the city (recognize the Lord's coming) he comes to us today. I pray you recognize the moment of God's coming to you today. May he meet you at the point in life where you need to meet with Him most.
On another note -- received notice from our District Superintendent, Susan Cox, that she will be going off the district and talking a church. It was her desire to return to pastoral ministry. I certainly wish Susan the absolute best.
On another note --- the only number one seed I picked NOT to make the final four was Duke. Right now they are behind by 5 - make that 4 - but they could end up being the ONLY number one seed to make it. I'm glad I don't have to predict these games for any real reason.
It's been a good day. I hope you've had a good day too.
blessings.
steve
Jump ahead - today - Jesus weeps - for people like you and me.
But he need not always weep - joy comes with the morning. There is a possibility of responding to grace . Here is the idea -- "If only....you recognize the (divine) moment of God's coming" - to the world, to the church , to the community, to your life.
As Jesus rode to the city (recognize the Lord's coming) he comes to us today. I pray you recognize the moment of God's coming to you today. May he meet you at the point in life where you need to meet with Him most.
On another note -- received notice from our District Superintendent, Susan Cox, that she will be going off the district and talking a church. It was her desire to return to pastoral ministry. I certainly wish Susan the absolute best.
On another note --- the only number one seed I picked NOT to make the final four was Duke. Right now they are behind by 5 - make that 4 - but they could end up being the ONLY number one seed to make it. I'm glad I don't have to predict these games for any real reason.
It's been a good day. I hope you've had a good day too.
blessings.
steve
Sunday, March 21, 2010
Reflections From Sunday Evening
It is actually a reflection from half-time but that is another matter.
It was another snowy weekend. I suppose it is a good thing all the snows don't come during the week or our students would be in class until time to start next fall! Anyway, we offered Christ to all who shared with us this day.
It is always a joy when the "footprints" dance group shares in worship. Thanks for today.
We celebrated the sacrament of baptism a 9:30 and 11:00. Very meaningful times of witnessing God in action - initiating a relationship that we expect to grow into a life of discipleship.
We finished our series on the Life of Grace. The image I hope you capture is of being "pressed down, shaken together and running over." This passage in Luke's gospel reminds us that Jesus wants people to get "their money's worth" in life. A farmer would take the grain gleaned and pour it out to sell. A person could fill the container to the brim and it would soon settle. Instead of buying a bushel of grain the amount would be a bit short. But Jesus instucts us to pour the grain in the container, press it down, shake it together and repeat. Pour, press, shake, repeat. Until the measure is full and running over.
This is the life of grace the Lord offers.
Even though our attendance was off 100 people or so - frankly some side streets are nearly impossible to navigate - God's grace was abundant and overflowing.
My prayer for you is to experience the fullness of the Lord's love, mercy, grace and generosity - poured out, pressed down, shaken together and overflowing.
Once received go repeat the process into the lives of others.
It's been a good day so far! I hope your's is a great day too.
steve
It was another snowy weekend. I suppose it is a good thing all the snows don't come during the week or our students would be in class until time to start next fall! Anyway, we offered Christ to all who shared with us this day.
It is always a joy when the "footprints" dance group shares in worship. Thanks for today.
We celebrated the sacrament of baptism a 9:30 and 11:00. Very meaningful times of witnessing God in action - initiating a relationship that we expect to grow into a life of discipleship.
We finished our series on the Life of Grace. The image I hope you capture is of being "pressed down, shaken together and running over." This passage in Luke's gospel reminds us that Jesus wants people to get "their money's worth" in life. A farmer would take the grain gleaned and pour it out to sell. A person could fill the container to the brim and it would soon settle. Instead of buying a bushel of grain the amount would be a bit short. But Jesus instucts us to pour the grain in the container, press it down, shake it together and repeat. Pour, press, shake, repeat. Until the measure is full and running over.
This is the life of grace the Lord offers.
Even though our attendance was off 100 people or so - frankly some side streets are nearly impossible to navigate - God's grace was abundant and overflowing.
My prayer for you is to experience the fullness of the Lord's love, mercy, grace and generosity - poured out, pressed down, shaken together and overflowing.
Once received go repeat the process into the lives of others.
It's been a good day so far! I hope your's is a great day too.
steve
Sunday, March 14, 2010
Reflections From Sunday Evening
Well it seems like most of us remembered to set our clocks up and made it to church today. We had a great day of worship. It started with the cherub choir. How can you beat the joy that comes through when kids praise the Lord?
Our worship services feed my soul. I always try to find a part of the service when I can not think about what we are doing next and join in worship. I hope you find the Spirit stirring your soul as well.
I'd like to stress an idea that came out in the message today. Actually there were a couple of things that stayed with me that got mentioned but not fully developed. The first is about the Protestant Reformation and how the emphasis went from the Church influencing the culture to inward reform. So for the last 500 years the Church has been primarily focused within for the purpose of reform and renewal. It's no wonder we have to work so hard to develop outwardly focused churches. Inward looking has been in our dna for 500 years. But God seems to be doing a new thing.
Secondly we can see how God is doing a new thing. Once again we will see the people of God reaching out to influence the world for the gospel of Jesus Christ. As we engage in the life of grace and find our lives being transformed we will become servants in the hands of God to extend His grace to our community and world.
It's been a good day -- Oh yes, I should certainly say congratulations to our KU friends upon getting the number 1 seed in the NCAA tournatment. It's March Madness. I hope you (who like basketball) have a great three weeks. Keep having good days. May they be filled with the Spirit of Christ.
blessings,
steve
Our worship services feed my soul. I always try to find a part of the service when I can not think about what we are doing next and join in worship. I hope you find the Spirit stirring your soul as well.
I'd like to stress an idea that came out in the message today. Actually there were a couple of things that stayed with me that got mentioned but not fully developed. The first is about the Protestant Reformation and how the emphasis went from the Church influencing the culture to inward reform. So for the last 500 years the Church has been primarily focused within for the purpose of reform and renewal. It's no wonder we have to work so hard to develop outwardly focused churches. Inward looking has been in our dna for 500 years. But God seems to be doing a new thing.
Secondly we can see how God is doing a new thing. Once again we will see the people of God reaching out to influence the world for the gospel of Jesus Christ. As we engage in the life of grace and find our lives being transformed we will become servants in the hands of God to extend His grace to our community and world.
It's been a good day -- Oh yes, I should certainly say congratulations to our KU friends upon getting the number 1 seed in the NCAA tournatment. It's March Madness. I hope you (who like basketball) have a great three weeks. Keep having good days. May they be filled with the Spirit of Christ.
blessings,
steve
Sunday, March 7, 2010
Reflections From Sunday Evening
It is an absolute joy for me to be able to work with our staff. I truly appreciated Ginger's sermon today. As we continue to explain the "life of grace" it is important to teach on the various aspects of how we live the faith. Ginger's sermon on "Disciplines" brought me encouragement. I hope you felt that also.
I really appreciated the part about the discipline of fasting. Frankly this is not one of the spiritual disciplines I give the sort of attention to that I could. I do practice this discipline but maybe not in a way that we read in the Bible. I have never gone to the desert or the mountains and fasted for 40 days. That was in our communion liturgy today. This is the season of Lent and we are giving thought to spiritual preparation. But fast for 40 days????
I do fast regularly. I fast breakfast on Sunday's when I preach. That actually started when I was newer at preaching because I usually felt a bit out of sorts due to the excitement of what I was about to do but over time this is become my practice. It does help me get centered on what God is doing.
I have done the Wesley fast at different times. (Evening meal to "tea" time the next afternoon.)
I fasted for 3 days once when I was seeking specific direction from the Lord.
I appreciated the good word today.
While I am bragging on people I also want to express the joy I have working with Curtis and Angie. They have so much going and their vision continues to expand and draw me along. (Anyone up for a food program that could save lives? a mere 90k would do a miracle! - Thanks for that to pray on Angie.)
Curtis has things moving forward with Journey Groups - small group ministry. This is so important for our future as we continue to seek to make disciples for Jesus Christ.
So that was what went on today. Oh yes, I also had the opportunity to spend an hour with our confirmation class today. We talked (I talked) about grace. Jazzed me!
This afternoon 11 young received the highest award the Boy Scounts extend. The Eagle Court of Honor is always a very meaningful time and this afternoon was no exception. It is good to see young live touched and set on a great course for life.
So it's been a good day. The weather is great. The vision is alive. The Lord is at work. I'm eager to see what comes next. I hope you've had a great day too.
blessings,
steve
I really appreciated the part about the discipline of fasting. Frankly this is not one of the spiritual disciplines I give the sort of attention to that I could. I do practice this discipline but maybe not in a way that we read in the Bible. I have never gone to the desert or the mountains and fasted for 40 days. That was in our communion liturgy today. This is the season of Lent and we are giving thought to spiritual preparation. But fast for 40 days????
I do fast regularly. I fast breakfast on Sunday's when I preach. That actually started when I was newer at preaching because I usually felt a bit out of sorts due to the excitement of what I was about to do but over time this is become my practice. It does help me get centered on what God is doing.
I have done the Wesley fast at different times. (Evening meal to "tea" time the next afternoon.)
I fasted for 3 days once when I was seeking specific direction from the Lord.
I appreciated the good word today.
While I am bragging on people I also want to express the joy I have working with Curtis and Angie. They have so much going and their vision continues to expand and draw me along. (Anyone up for a food program that could save lives? a mere 90k would do a miracle! - Thanks for that to pray on Angie.)
Curtis has things moving forward with Journey Groups - small group ministry. This is so important for our future as we continue to seek to make disciples for Jesus Christ.
So that was what went on today. Oh yes, I also had the opportunity to spend an hour with our confirmation class today. We talked (I talked) about grace. Jazzed me!
This afternoon 11 young received the highest award the Boy Scounts extend. The Eagle Court of Honor is always a very meaningful time and this afternoon was no exception. It is good to see young live touched and set on a great course for life.
So it's been a good day. The weather is great. The vision is alive. The Lord is at work. I'm eager to see what comes next. I hope you've had a great day too.
blessings,
steve
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