Reflections From Sunday Evening

The greatest part of my morning was when a number of people looked me in the eye and said "I WANT to believe." I believe that is all God needs to step into a life in a meaningful way. The invitation was to come and take the hand of a pastor (we were singing "Precious Lord Take My Hand") and say I BELIEVE or I WANT TO BELIEVE. Proved to be a meaningful response to the Gospel. Sometimes people in church are hesitant to admit they have questions and even doubts. I don't think God has a checklist to make sure we have enough right answers, right beliefs or even right behaviors to quality for grace. One of my early mentors, Dr. Jim Buskirk, taught us that "honest doubt may be the beginning of real faith." There are some doctrines, practices and beliefs of the Church that not everyone fully understands. Some have serious doubts about some of the things we believe and teach. But that does not disqualify anyone. God seeks and when we move in His direction He comes to meet us. I Believe. It's been a good day. I hope you've had a good day too. steve

Reflections From Sunday Evening

Today we joined in recognizing and celebrating Ralph Shackelford's 95th birthday. Ralph is a World War II veteran who fought in the Battle of the Bulge. He is great patriot, a great American, a Christian and member of Platte Woods UMC. Ralph is our friend and a long time part of our faith community. Happy Birthday Ralph. Today we continued our series on The Music of Life. We take a different form of music and let that set our context in which we hear the Scripture and find our insights. We have used Jazz, Country and today Rock Music. Some would hesitate to use such a "secular" medium in church. But there is a reason to use various styles and types of music and mediums to communicate the gospel. Today I mentioned that we are operating from the belief that Jesus Christ came to redeem and transform, not only our individual lives or even the entire cosmos, but also culture. I believe Jesus seeks to be the transformer of culture. If we believed Jesus was against culture and came primarily to judge we would not use these various types of music. Our practice is a result of our belief that Jesus seeks to transform all things, even culture. (I did not make this up. Consider H. Richard Niebuhr's classic work "Christ and Culture." It's been a good day. I hope you've had a good day too. steve

Reflections From Sunday Evening

There are a number of things on my mind today. I am thinking about the not guilty verdict for George Zimmerman. I think about the anguish Trayvon Martin's family continues to feel. I appreciate many civic leaders, included Kansas City's Sly James, for speaking words of peace in the midst of a potentially volatile situation. Only those immediately involved in the situation know exactly what happened. However we know that one young man lost his life and another will live with the results of that evening for the rest of his life. Certainly our justice system is not perfect but it strives for fairness. We pray for all involved in this matter. May the peace of God prevail. On a much more pleasant matter -- what a great Vacation Bible School we enjoyed this past week. When you put this week with our previous evening VBS over 500 children were involved in learning the stories of faith and finding friendship with Jesus. We had a great number of adult and teen volunteers. It was an amazing week. Deep appreciation to Pastor Jessica and all who led this week's VBS. Today we had a really good day in worship. Each service was a joy to share. If you have yet to be present for the Music of Life series I hope you make it for Rock and Gospel. Walter does some pretty amazing stuff with these different forms of music. Country was a hit! Today we welcomed Lisa McClellend into our membership through baptism and confession of faith. It is a joy and a sign of God's presence when we share in the birth stages of faith. There is much happening over the next week or two. Approximately 40 of our children will be heading to Wilderness Camp this week. Prayers for Pastor Curtis and Angie with their leadership. We also have a number of other adults serving at camp this week. Pastor Ginger will be in her Course of Study class. Pastor Christine is teaching a class in Course of Study. I too will be teaching at St. Paul School of Theology this week. It's been a good day. I hope you've had a good day too. steve

Reflections From Sunday Evening

I recall a seminary class where we read an author who referred to the "American Captivity of the Church." It was a comparison to the Biblical teaching of the Babylonian Captivity of Israel. It was the first challenge I ever faced regarding my patriotism. Later at another seminary it was questioned whether a person could be a "patriot" and a "Christian." That was another confusing moment. I believed 'of course you can.' So through the years I have worked on understanding my love for country and love for Jesus. Recently I have read some who help me put what I believe in perspective. I look at Jeremiah 29 for my position on God and Country. In Jeremiah 29 the prophet has spoken for the Lord and the people of God are in exile in Babylon. Some people resist. Some feel defeated and confused. But the Lord gives instructions on how to live in a city (nation). "Build houses and settle down; plant gardens and eat what they produce. Marry and have sons and daughters; find wives for your sons and give your daughters in marriage, so that they too may have sons and daughters. Increase in number there; do not decrease. Also seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you into exile. Pray to the Lord for it, because if it prospers, you too will prosper." Here are some insights that emerge from the text and our experience. First I realize that my love for country (patriotism) is secondary to my love for Jesus Christ. I guess I am not a "manifest destiny" person. Tex Sample reminded us that the Chinese Dragon, the Soviet Bear nor the American Eagle will swoop in and save us. Jesus Christ saves us. So the cross stands above the flag. The text in Jeremiah reinforces my love for country. Certainly our nation - nor any nation - is not perfect. But this is the greatest country on the earth. But don't mistake nation for kingdom of God. But we want to love our nation and do all we can to be great citizens and supporters of the freedom we enjoy. Jeremiah puts this in perspective. While the nation may not be everything we wish it were, it is the place where God has planted us. God has given us this place. There will be days when things look troubling. There will be issues we disagree over. But we are followers of Jesus and we are Americans. I believe God has put me here. So I will love country as a follower of Jesus. I will pray for my nation. I will be a full participant in my nation. I will seek the best for my country. I will work for the prosperity of my nation. This is where we live. Through our citizenship and patriotism we fulfill the message of Jeremiah. We too anticipate the peace and prosperity God graciously provides. So God first. Cross lifted high. Nation loved. Flag honored. It's been a good day and a good week. It was a joy to celebrate our Independence this week. Today was a great day to celebrate our freedom in Christ. I hope you've had a good day too. Steve