Reflections From Sunday Evening

"Pastor Steve. We don't use page numbers with our Bibles in 3rd grade." That was my take away from the 9:30 service today when we gave our Third Graders their Bible. This is always a highlight. Student after student made their way forward as their name was called and I got to give them a Bible. It became clear that this is more than a token. They will be reading their Bible and learning the stories of faith. I always like to take a moment and challenge the students to read. This year I picked the Gospel of Luke. I asked them to find Luke in their Bible. One girl found it before I did! That's a good sign for 3rd graders - not so much for preachers. I thought it would be helpful to give them a page number so it would be easier to find. When I asked Jessica to tell me what page Luke began on - I had to ask because the print was smaller than I could read - I was told they do not use page numbers to find things in their Bible in 3rd Grade. "Pastor Steve. We don't use page numbers in 3rd Grade." That sounds good to me. This tells me our teachers are going to help the students find their way around the scriptures. They will be learning the stories of the Bible. It all begins with having the scriptures. Step two is reading the scriptures. It is good to have access but until the Word is read it will not become fruitful. We read and then we learn. We study. We listen to the lessons that accompany our Bible reading. We discuss. We discover the meaning of scripture. Over time we become people of the Book! John Wesley (the founder of the Methodist Movement) indicated that God has condescended to make himself known and show us the way to heaven. "He has written it down in a book. Oh at any price give me the Book of God." Third Grade Bible Sunday is more than a time to take a picture of the preacher giving away a Bible to a student. it is the beginning of a great adventure. Now we pray the Word of God mold lives and bear fruit for a lifetime. It begins with the Book of God. By the way, the Bible is good for "big people" too. I told our third graders that I would join them in reading the Gospel of Luke. I believe they will soon be emailing me to tell me what they learned. Any other takers? We read the Word so we may learn the Word and experience the transforming power of the Inspired Scriptures. It's been a good day. I hope you've had a good day too. steve

Reflections From Sunday Evening

Wedding weekend. Blessings on Billy and Andrea Daniels. Just to much to report. Feeling grateful tonight. For those who did not hear Pastor Ginger this weekend - get it on line. An amazing message highlighting the ministries and changed lives through PWUMC. I likened it to a 427 foot home run in the fountains at the "K". (If you don't get the baseball reference ask a friend.) It's been an amazing day. I hope you've had a good day too. Blessings, Steve

Reflections From Sunday Evening

Prayer is a vast matter. Prayer is meant to be part of all of life. Prayer includes lifting our hearts to God in praise and adoration. Prayer includes confessing our sins and needs to God. Prayer offers a way to give thanks to God for all the rich blessings of life. Prayer is how we lift the needs of others to the Lord. Prayer brings us comfort when we hurt. Prayer brings encouragement. The list goes on and on. There is another element of prayer to recognize. While God is certainly in the caring business the primary purpose of our relationship with God is not to be comfortable. As a matter of fact I could make a case that when we pray and hear a word from God it may often be a huge challenge rather than constant comfort. There is a sense in which life is easier when God is silent. This is because when God speaks it is often to call and challenge people. But would you really rather have an easy life or a meaningful life? Today we lifted up the prayer; "Lord, what would you want to do through me?" That is in the context of our capital campaign but it truly applies to all of life. When you see problems in the world you can complain and talk about how bad things are...or say "Lord, what would you want to do through me?" When you see people struggling with marriage, raising children, with work or a host of issues, we can talk about people and feel sorry for them, or pray, "Lord, what would you want to do through me?" When you hold this pray before the Lord I do not believe God will remain silent. But be prepared for a challenge. Lord, what would you want to do through me? It's been a good day. I hope you've had a good day too. steve

Reflections From Sunday Evening

We had a blessed time at church this weekend. Off we go to talk about establishing an environment where people will meet Jesus Christ for decades to come; an environment where people will deepen their love for God and others and grow in faith for years to come. It is always super to experience worship at PWUMC. We talked about gratitude today. I think about what is happening in the world and am reminded yet again of much I have to be thankful for. We gather to worship. Many families get together and go to lunch or home to watch the football game. Certainly we have our ups and downs but by and large life is blessed. I am thankful. Contrast our current experience with the way of life being lived in Syria. I cannot imagine what it is like to live in the midst of a civil war. The reports of death and destruction are devastating. I truly wish I had the right answer for any potential American involvement. The debate continues on whether or not America should initiate a missile attack. Here is merely one more reason I could never be the president of the United States. I have never really considered myself a true pacifist but I have always been deeply troubled by the realities of war. In the last century or so there has been an attempt to develop some "rules" for war. Of course the use of chemical weapons is against the new rules. We can try to "tame" war all we want. The truth is war is an absolutely horrible thing. The realities of war would fit Dante's image of hell very well. War will not be tamed. Some consider war an essential "last resort." Some see war as an appropriate political response to very bad situations. You know the arguments. President Obama must decide if the suspected use of chemical weapons by the Syrian government warrants our involvement through missile strikes. Many Americans are "war weary" and strongly resist any American involvement. Some argue that it is our responsibility to act in the face of evil. There is historical precedent for such involvement. If I get a call this week and am asked what we should do my response would be do not resort to any military option. I would pray we be able to use all means short of force to effect change and peace for people anywhere in the world. That is the opinion of a pastor, not a military leader. I pray the children of Syria will be able to go outside and play. Children in every country should be able to go out and play in safety. I pray families will be able to walk safely down their streets. I pray for peace. I will continue to pray that the River of Life, as depicted in the Book of Revelation, flow from the throne of God and bring peace to the nations. I also will continue to pray for our president and our leaders to make wise decisions. May God step forth and make a way where there seems to be no way. It's been a good day - though the specter of war clouds our joy. I hope you've had a good day too. steve

Reflections From Sunday Evening

A basic point today was that in the midst of obedience or service and/or ministry, we encounter the Lord. If you "wish" ... Just fill in the black. I wish I had faith (or more faith). I wish I could be forgiven. I wish I was a "better" Christian. We have many wishes that relate to our spiritual lives. A great way to make our desires reality is to be engaged in obedient service. In Genesis 12 Abram went to a new land out of obedience to God's call. In the midst of his obedience the Lord appeared to him. It was then that Abram built an altar to the Lord. That would open a whole new relationship between Abram and the Lord. It happened in the context of serving. This coming Saturday we will participate in our Faith In Action day. We will be participating in Serve 13 along with United Methodist churches all over the state. I believe that as you engage in service you will discover the Lord coming to you in a fresh way. Love will increase and faith will deepen. I hope you have a good Labor Day. Today has been a good day. I hope you've had a good day too. steve