Reflections From Sunday Evening

Cindy and I are back home from a week in Seattle, Wa. It was a great time away. We saw the Royals win 2 out of 3 from the Mariners. Amazing how many KC fans show up for road games these days! I must admit the Seattle faithful did not seem overjoyed at chants of "Let's Go Royals." The weather was great. We saw the sights. It was simply good to rest up and re-charge. As always good to be home and getting ready to get back to business. I did have the opportunity to get to church this morning. I appreciate Keith Milburn inviting me to share at the Patriotic Service held at the flag pole this morning. It was a good time to remember heritage and celebrate the faith that makes us a "great" people. I also had the privilege of receiving Duane Whorten into membership today. It was a blessing. It was good to step in and have a part in services today. Thanks to our great staff and to Pastor Ginger for preaching this month while I do some other things. I look forward to starting a new message series next weekend and invite you to join in and find some "Defining Moments" in your life. It's been a good day. I trust you've had a good day too. steve

Change our heart O God

I truly wish I had something to say or offer that would change what happened in Charleston. I am at a loss to understand much less speak to this act of violence that struck Emanuel AME Church. It looks like racism is a primary factor. A sacred place engaged in a sacred purpose was violently violated. I wish I could make all this go away. We need change. There are some who grasp the deep need to change systems that produce racism and violence. Please put your minds and hearts to work to effect changes that will produce deeply needed social change. There are some who are experts in providing better safely and security, especially as it relates to churches and non-profits. Please share your expertise so that basic changes may be made in how we go about our lives. There are many, many other factors. Put your heart and mind to work and make a difference. I think about what I have to offer. I am a pastor at heart. I believe faith in Jesus Christ changes our hearts. Faith does not cure all things nor make everything perfect. But I believe that faith has the greatest power and potential to changes lives and in turn change the world. A heart where Christ dwells and is actively at work will be transformed from sin to righteousness. A life prone to racist views may be changed to one who loves and celebrates one another. We in the Church are at an important point. We have brothers and sisters in Christ suffering through an unimaginable experience. Would you do some things with me. Examine your own heart. Where do you find love for God and others rising to the surface? Celebrate that grace that is in you. Where do you find a sense of entitlement, fear, anxiety or even superiority to others. Would you own that? Would you follow the example our Scriptures teach and repent of any things that might even begin to resemble sin. Put your hope and trust in Jesus Christ and ask him to change your heart and life. Once we examine our own hearts could we take new steps to put our love in action? Don't laugh at a racist joke. Look for ways to allow the Holy Spirit to help you with awkward conversations where we lovingly yet firmly challenge the anti-Christ views we encounter. Share the love of Christ with others. Be part of changing lives and changing the world. Use you heart and your mind to make a difference. We are the people of God. God wants much from us. I wish I had more to offer. I feel powerless and even useless in the face of the evil some have experienced first hand and that continues to gnaw at me. But what I have I freely offer. I offer Christ. prayerfully, steve

Reflections From Sunday Evening

Last week we completed our annual conference. All pastors were appointed to continue our service to PWUMC! That certainly brings joy to each of us. Today I sat in the congregation at the 9:30 service and 11:00 NEXT. Wow, do we have some good preaching going on here! It is such a joy to be part of a great team. I did make a sacrifice today. For the first time in two or three years I played golf. I was part of a team that...did not win. But it was a good day and we enjoyed playing. Mainly this was a fund raiser for the church endowment fund. It was a good turnout for the 19th Platte Woods Golf Tournament. On another note...I pulled up to the church late in the week and saw the many trees that have been taken down. Frankly I did not feel a sense of loss when I saw the old parsonage being removed to make way for our new and expanded parking lot. But when I saw the trees...I hate to lose trees. (We had to take a dead willow tree out of our yard in the past few days!) But the good news is that our trees at church are not being lost. The Urban Lumber Company will take our trees that are being replaced. Check out their website and you will see examples of what they do with used trees. The trees that have lined our property for years will be re-purposed and provide beauty and joy for many. When our new parking lot is completed there will be other environmentally friendly landscaping. I believe everyone will be amazed. Today as we look at what is going on at church we see the beginning of new life. Looking ahead it appears pretty amazing. On yet another note...Today Cindy attended her home church in Butler where they were dedicating a new playground which her mom's memorial gifts contributed to. It was a joyful day in many places. It's been a good day. I hope you've had a good day too. steve