Sunday, March 25, 2012

Reflections From Sunday Evening

This weekend I was privileged to participate in the interview process for potential bishops in the South Central Jurisdiction. The delegations from Missouri, Kansas East, Kansas West and Nebraska gathered at Platte Woods UMC to spend time with 10 candidates.
This is the fourth time I have shared in the interview process and I truly believe those who are offering themselves for consideration this year are the strongest group I have met. Each bring strong gifts for leadership at a very important time in the life of the UMC.
That said I want to "brag" on the people of Platte Woods UMC. We were the host site for the interviews. Our people excelled at "radical hospitality." I could not be more proud of our church and especially all those who served.
On another note - Today I issued a "what if..." for our church. What if we were to provide clean water for 1 milliion people in ten years? With a sermon on the
"rivers of living water" in the context of our Lenten Water Project it all seems to fit.
When a church feels a nudge from God and claims a vision that requires more than we have to offer in resources and ability, exciting things are on the verge of taking place. I'm not sure how our congregation will respond to "clean water for 1 million in 10 years" but I have a feeling we are going to hear many ideas and see God send forth His Rivers of Living Water that will flood our lives, our church and our world with forgivness, salvation, hope, faith and life.
It's been a good day. I hope you've had a good day too.
steve

Sunday, March 18, 2012

Reflections From Sunday Evening

So we are in the middle of "March Madness." NCAA Basketball tournament is one of the most enjoyable events for sports fans. (yes, even MU fans) This comes in light of Mizzou (number 2 seed) being upset in the first round by Norfolk State (#15 seed.) That was followed by #2 Duke (a true blueblood program) also going out in the first round beaten by Lehigh.
There are more upsets. There are more to come. So what about all this?
Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski has been in basketball for 37 years. Sports provide some of the greatest highs (he has won multiple championships) and some of the greatest lows. Absolutely true.
I remember the high of winning a baseball tournament in Little League. I remember losing to our rival, Montrose, in the semi-finals of our regional basketball tournament. We have all had moments of joy and moments of despair.
I remember the Chiefs losing the 1971 Christmas Day playoff game in double overtime.
I remember the Royals losing game 5 of the 1977 playoffs to the Yankees after taking a lead into the night inning.
I remember the Royals winning the 1984 World Series.
I remember the Chiefs winning their only Super Bowl.
I remember my son missing out on qualifying for state in cross country by one spot.
You get the idea. Sports are filled with ups and downs.
Oh yes, I remember the MU Tigers losing in the NCAA Tournament to Rhode Island one year - another lose to Northern Iowa on the last shot of the game - Tyus Edney (MU fans need no other explanation.)
But overall the wins and loses tend to balance out. The joy of competition prevails. Once the games end and the results are in the wins and losses are remembered but the experiences last forever.
So here is the bottom line. It is better to experience the lows of defeat than never participate. Sports carries with it the possibility of great joy but it requires the great risk of the experience of loss.
I hope you can see the implications for life in general - but for the Christian life in particular. There will be moments of joy and moments of despair. There will be times of gain and times of loss.
Always remember the life is worth living. The faith is worth claiming. Remember - Experience - make your moments in the life of grace.
It's been a good day. I hope you've had a good day too.
steve

Sunday, March 11, 2012

Reflections From Sunday Evening

Lots to talk about this evening - if you want some sports talk. NCAA Basketball Tournament gets under way this week. MU and KU both have number 2 seeds. Two very good teams that have the potential to make noise in the tournament. In addition the conference gets Baylor, K-State, Iowa State and Texas in the dance. Should be fun.
How about some football thoughts? Do the Chiefs have a shot at signing Peyton Manning? My thought - doubtful. One of the things Manning is looking for is a commitment to winning. It is hard to make a case for the Chiefs having shown a strong commitment to winning over the past few years. Hopefully that will change but probably without Peyton Manning leading the way.
Back to basketball. The NAIA tournament (small colleges) tips off with the 75th anniversary event this week. Among the 32 schools earning a place in the national tournamet is Baker University. Baker is the only school in the field that participated in the first tournament. That was probably becaue one of the co-founders of the tournament (along with James Naismith) was Emil Listen, the former coach and athletic director at Baker. They maede a return trip in 1941. Not been back since. I plan to be at Municipal Auditorium and cheer on the alma mater.
It's a good time of year to step back a bit and rest up some. This is a fun time of year for me.
In the meantime I continue reading through the Scriptures along with a large number of our people at church. We continue our series on The Story this coming weekend. Looking forward to seeing you this week.
It's been a good day I hope you've had a good day too.
steve

Sunday, March 4, 2012

Reflections From Sunday Evening

Over 500 copies of The Story are in the hands of the people of PWUMC. Chihldren and Youth versions are being read in addition to the Adult version of The Story. So we have many people engaged in reading the Scriptures during this Lenten season.
The impact of reading the Scriptures is making a difference. One person commented that since beginning to read the faith is in their heart like never before. Very meaningful.
Others have commented about how for the first time they are able to grasp the Story.
This is really encouraging.
We will have a stronger foundation of the Story of the Bible. When we gain a clearer understanding of the foundations in the early part of the Story we may expect to find even more meaning as we read the story of Jesus.
My prayer is that God continue you enrich your reading of the Scriptures through The Story. it's been a good day. I hope you've had a good day too.
steve