Reflections From Sunday Evening

Once again things have turned the corner. Everything is looking up. The sun is higher. The days get longer. We just passed the shortest day of the year.
It is appropriate to celebrate Christmas, the birth of Jesus our Savior, around the Winter Solstice. Light comes. Light lingers longer. Light becomes brighter. The cold and dark of winter will give way to the freshness of spring. Before you know it summer will come then the cycle will start again.
There is a spiritual rhythm to this. When one feels discouraged and confused Jesus comes and brings light. Jesus has a way of extending his grace in life changing ways.
So here we go. Things are looking up. The days grow longer. The cold of winter is yielding to the warmth of spring and summer. And we wrap it all together by celebrating the birth of Christ.
It’s been a good day. I hope you’ve had a good day too.
Steve

Reflections From Sunday Evening

The Christmas cantata is a highlight of our year. Once again Walter Bryant, the Wesleyan Choir, and all those who share their talents provided a true worship experience. This year the Good News Company added to the joy. Thank you all!
We listen and hear the music of patriarchs and prophets. We hear the music of the Psalms. People of faith rejoice with music when we celebrate life. There is music at weddings. There is music at celebrations of death and resurrection. There is music in worship week after week.
Music.
Did the shepherds sing a tune after the visit of the angels?
Did Mary sing to her new born son?
Was there music at the many celebrations we read of in the life of Jesus?
The Book of Revelation seems to have music resounding in heaven.
The music of heaven comes to earth.
Chances are you will play a cd or some medium of your favorite music tomorrow. Music is part of life. Music is at the heart of faith.
We heard the song of Christ today. And we will keep hearing the song of faith. I pray the songs of our Savior ring in your heart always.
It’s been a good day. I hope you’ve had a good day too.
Steve

Reflections From Sunday Evening

A cold does not usually shut me down...except today. I realize preachers need to be able to talk and that was iffy today. So thanks to Jacob and Nancy for taking my responsibilities today.
It was not a wasted morning. I was at church in Atlanta and then joined Platte Woods on-line.
In early days in ministry we would record sermons on cassette tapes. We were doing that here a decade ago. At one church I was on radio. Those preachers who pioneered church on television were visionary. This media stuff seems to be here to stay.
Now churches are going live-stream, on demand, and podcast. To fail to leap into the digital age would be like having great radio when everyone is watching TV. We do not want to be an analogue church in a high def, digital age.
So I watched on-line this morning. The picture was great as was the sound. But of course, it was not like being there. The human touch is not displaced by technology. But technology is a wonderful asset for communicating the Gospel.
It’s been a (I could say so so day) but by grace even today has been a good day.  I hope you’ve had a good day too.
Steve

Reflections From Sunday Evening

The theme this month is Technicolor Christmas. Basically we are moving from the black and white world of tules based religion ( law) to the vivid colors of grace and Spirit.
We talked about moving from gray, drab, colorless living to God’s vivid colors.
Anyway, on the way out of church today a person who was with us for the first time stopped to share with me. For years she had been colorblind until a procedure changed everything. She could see colors!
God graciously sends people our way to bring joy, grace, peace, and color - vivid, living, brilliant color.
It’s been a good day. I hope you’ve had a good day too.
Steve

Reflections From Sunday Evening

We got home from church before the snow got heavy and the roads got bad.  Today made me think about our attitudes toward worship. When we gather we can expect some new insight or idea. Perhaps we feel inspired in our faith. Certainly we love the fellowship with one another.  We keep coming back to gather together.
Days like today tell us to use caution and good judgment about getting out. We live stream our services for days like this. We appreciate church and opportunities to worship the Lord.
There are places in the world that experience challenges to worship other than blizzard conditions. Some people must walk long distances to get to their place of worship. They are generally not challenged by snow but rather stifling heat.
Some people literally risk their lives to gather for Christian worship. That is far past our capacity to grasp.  We are thankful.
But  people keep walking to church. People keep risking. Snow melts and we come back strong. The people of faith are very resilient!
I am watching it snow. I pray for others who are not warm and safe this evening. I thank God for those who inspire.
All things considered...it’s been a good day. I hope you’ve had a good day too.
Steve

Reflections From Sunday Evening

Time to think thanks! Thanksgiving is the national holiday reminding us to be a thankful people. As with many holidays we tend to forget the real reason and simply enjoy time off. While we are at it we go ahead and kick off the biggest consumer period of the year.  But that is another story.
But back to thanks.
We can certainly give thanks for our freedoms enjoyed in our country.
We give thanks for another opportunity to see family.
We are thankful for faith.
Today I am thankful for the way many of you have inspired me.  I thank God for Dale Gay and the grace he shared as we celebrated his wife, Karen’s, life this week.
I am thankful for Bill Vandever and his family as they showed love and grace in June’s Celebration of life.
I am thankful for our church and the way you live the faith and serve so well.
I am thankful for my family and the anticipation of time together. (I will try to run a 5k Thursday!)
And there is much more to come. I want to get a head start on being thankful for all that God has in store.
So, join me in nurturing your gratitude.
It is time to think thanks.
It’s been a good day. I hope you’ve had a good day to.
Steve

Reflections From Sunday Evening

Today we were thinking about generosity.  At the 10:45 Traditional service I invited our veterans to stand.  This being Veterans Day and 100 years since the end of WW1 it seemed like a good idea.  As several of our members stood we expressed our appreciation for their service.
What stood out to me was their living example of generosity.  Those who serve and have served understand giving of themselves for a greater cause.  They understand sacrifice.  They understand being committed to and serving others.  They get it!
Generosity is something that is being lived out in our lives day by day.  In the Church we are asked to live out our generous natures by supporting the mission and ministries of the church.  We give so others may be reached.  We give so others may be served.  We give so a greater good may be accomplished.
The illustration about the post-modern architecture with stairways that go nowhere and pillars that support nothing speaks to many in our culture who view life as meaningless and without direction.  We seek to counter that understanding of life by reaching people for Jesus Christ. 
A generous life with generous love, grace, time, energy, talents, and resources make a difference.
It's been a good day.  I hope you've had a good day too.
steve