Sunday, December 30, 2012

Reflections From Sunday Evening

A few asked me to share some of the books I mentioned this morning. So here is some of what I was speaking about this weekend. I guess I could start with the Hardy Boys and Chip Hilton books. If you have youngsters interested in mystery or sports these would be some vintage books to share. But here goes with what I have been reading this year. I mentioned "The Power of Habit" by Charles Duhigg. This is the basis for the new message series beginning next week. There are ways to overcome bad habits and develop good habits. I will be putting this in a spiritual context for the series. I read a couple of John Grisham novels this year. I don't only read theological material. I have referred to Andy Andrews book, "How Do You Kill 11 Million People?" Joel Manby, CEO of Herschend Family Entertainment contributes the the management/leadership literature. Today people are teaching that you do not motivate or manage with "sticks and carrots" but with affirmation. In Manby's case love is an essential ingredient. Jonathan Merritt wrote "A Faith of Our Own." He represents young evangelicals who are putting their own mark on faith rather than simply continuing the faith of their childhood. I read a novel by Wendel Berry; "Jabber Crow." For any who have rural roots or grew up in the country this will remind you of some familiar ways of life in rural America. Patrick Lencioni wrote "The Advantage." This is another leadership/management book that I found very stimulating. Michael Atchison (a member of Platte Woods) published the novel XL. I personally found it insightful. "Deep and Wide" by Andy Stanley is an important book. I am excited about learning ways to develop a church that people who do not like to go to church will love to attend. I also mentioned a number of podcasts and preachers I listen to. Catalyst podcast with Brad Lominick and Ken Coleman is filled with insights, new books, how churches and ministries are doing social action and many young preachers are featured. Some of the preachers I listen to on my iPod include Andy Stanley, Charles Stanley, John Ortberg, Joel Osteen (mainly for his joke!), Craig Groeschel, Tim Keller, Rick Warren and Bill Hybels. Of course you can always go to the Platte Woods UMC website and listen to our messages. It's been a good day. Getting ready for the new year with snow and all that. It's also been a good year. I think I'll read a little this evening. I hope you've had a good day. steve

Sunday, December 23, 2012

Reflections From Sunday Evening

We had a blessed day at church today. Music is so great! It is always good to be surrounded by such a gracious Spirit. We are gearing up for Candlelight Services tomorrow. We begin at 3 and continue with two services at 5 (sanctuary and Memorial Hall), 7, 9 and 11. Christmas Eve is always a highlight of our year. One of the big discussion questions among some of my clergy peers has been about whether or not it is appropriate to serve communion on Christmas Eve. There is not a true concensus but generally it seems we should do what fits our context. That is pretty obvious. The issue really gets at people who may be coming to the church for the first or the first time in a long time. Frankly holy communion is a bit of an "insider" practice. So practically all the clergy who anticipate "unchurched" people attending are reluctant to offer communion. We will serve communion at our services with the exception of 5 and 9. It is a bit of an experiment. We are trying to be as welcoming to our new friends as possible. We will continue to study and learn. Christmas Day we anticipate serviing 200 meals to people who will be working during the noon hour. We have had a great response to this ministry. Hopefully people will get some down time in the days following Christmas. I certainly plan to enjoy some time with our family. Next weekend we will end the year with a message "What I have Learned This Year." I hope you will join us. I am actually still learning some things and hope to share a few ideas with you. If you do not have your shopping finished better hurry. I think I will head out for one more trip. It's been a great day. I hope you've had a good day too. steve

Sunday, December 16, 2012

Reflections From Sunday Evening

The music of Christmas has the power to life hearts above the sorrow the world thrusts upon us. The music of Christmas has the power to bring light to penetrate the darkness in which we often stumble. The music of Christmas has the power to point to redemption from sin. The music of Christmas has the power to bring our memory of the story to our present experience. The music of Christmas was shared by our Wesleyan Choir this weekend. It was great. Perhaps worship truly does make a difference. Perhaps worship truly does lift the spirit. Perhaps worship is what we must do to be overcomers of sin and darkness. We continue to pray for all those touched by tragedy. We pray "thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven." We see the "kingdom" in the child that was born. Together we continue the way to the manger and trust that once again we will experience the life of Christ in our heart. It's been a grace filled day. I hope you've be touched by grace too. steve

Saturday, December 15, 2012

Sandy Hook Elementary School Reflections

Yesterday when I became aware of the shootings at Sandy Hook Elementary School I wanted to share a pastoral response. I wanted to tell you everything will be alright. I wanted to give you words of encouragement. But that all seems to miss the mark. I've waited 24 hours to share a couple of thoughts with you. I kept waking up in the night thinking about these things. So here is my pastoral reflection for you. First I would remind you that the purpose of life is NOT to arrive safely at the grave. Our responsbilitiy as parents is not to merely deliver our children to teenage years and then to adulthood. And then safely to the grave. Our responsibility is much greater than that. We have the opportunity to instill courage and compassion in our children. We have the opportunity to instill faith in our children. We are able to help develop our children into a life constructed on faith rather than fear. So I encourage you to resist the natural inclination to hold your children closer than ususal and try to protect them from anything that could harm them. I encourage you to take your children with you when you go out today. I encouarge you to take your children to Sunday School and Church tomorrow. I encourage you to see your children off to school Monday like you would had Sandy Hook not happened. Certainly we are responsible for the safely of our children. Never put your children at unnecessary risk. We know that. But the purpose is building people of faith not delivering people safely to the grave. So live your life fully and faithfully and show your children how to do the same. Secondly I mention the idea Timothy Merrill - editor of Homiletics (a preaching journal I read) - put forward. This is the third weekend in Advent. We will be lighting the Advent Candle of Joy this weekend. He suggested we might want to leave the Joy candle unlit, or perhaps light a "grief" candle. This is not a bad idea. I have given it some thought. But I choose not to follow this suggestion. We have been reading a scripture from Isaiah 9 this month. "The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned." (Isaiah 9:2) Christmas really is about more than tinsel and giving presents to one another. Christmas really is about God coming to our world. The Lord - Jesus Christ - the Light of the World - entered into a dark, sinful world. The Lord brings redemption to us. So rather than leave the Joy Candle dim I choose to light the Joy Candle and remind us again that Jesus has come to our darkness and sin to bring Light. Jesus brings to our darkness and sin Hope, Peace, Joy and Love. We will go on with our Choir cantata this weekend. We will sing and worship the Lord. I encourage you to look to the Light of Christ as we walk through these days of darkness. Remember all those families affected by the events of Sandy Hook. We pray God's Light shine into their (and our) darkness. steve

Sunday, December 9, 2012

Reflections From Sunday Evening

A misfit "flees from the familiar to pursue the meaningful." A misfit has culture, people, family, friends, church and who knows who or what else telling them this is who you are, what you are, what you are supposed to be/do. But a "dissatisfied" (with status quo, or perhaps sin, disobedience) flees from the familiar to pursue the meaningful. The meaningful is discoverd in a deeper relationship with Jesus Christ. It is to pursue our calling - find God developing our lives - follow the way of Christ. Have you "settled" into your "normal?" Have you believed that this is just what I do? Have you been convinced that this is simply what I am like? There is good news. "For to us a child is born, to us a son is givine." Pursue the child born, the son given and you will find yourself pursuing meaning. Flee the familiar and pursue the meaningful. It's been a good day. I hope you've had a good day too. steve

Sunday, December 2, 2012

Reflections From Sunday Evening

"The people walking in darkness have seen a great light;" (Isaiah 9:2a) I could spend a great deal of time reflecting on the situation with Jevon Belcher and the Kansas City Chiefs. This tragic event has cast a pall over the city. Catching a brief interview following today's game we catch some of the sense of loss teammates are experiencing. Prayers are with all involved and touched by what has taken place. Sometimes events like this murder-suicide stand out because they happen in places we are more familiar with than other times we hear of things like this. But each day there are tragic events taking place. The first part of our verse certainly rings true throughout the world today. "The people walking in darkness..." But there is more to the story. Death never has the final word. God reserves that privilege. As we enter the season of Advent the second part of our verse stands out. "...have seen a great light." In the midst of hopelessness and despair a light shines. "A child is born, to us a son is given." We have become people of hope. Perhaps a great response to the hope received would be spreading, sharing and extending hope to those around us. Obviously there are many whose lives could be changed forever should they discover the hope the comes through the Light of Christ. Hope. Hope. Hope. Light. Light. Light. A child is born. A Son is given. Because of this even today is a good day. steve