Sunday, August 28, 2016

Reflections From Sunday Evening

We were talking about miracles today.  We do not make miracles happen.  We cannot earn or deserve a miracle, or any favor of God for that matter.  But we can nurture our relationship with Jesus Christ and live life in expanding grace.  Then do this.
Receive from God what God desires to give rather than being limited to what we may ask.
Read Acts 3 and look at the story of the beggar who had an encounter with Peter and John.  He asked for money.  That had become the way he thought of getting his minimal needs met.  He looked at Peter and John expecting to get something from them.  Once again his expectations were for a coin or for supper.  But then he heard a great truth.  "Silver and gold I do not have but what I have I give you.  In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth walk."  A miracle followed.
He asked for and expected a coin but he received the possibility for a livelihood.
He asked for and expected supper but he got physically healed.
He asked for and expected something to see him through the day but he got included in the people of God and took his intended place in worship.
He asked for what he had come to expect.  He received what God desired to give.  A miracle.
Expand your vision.  Deepen your relationship with Jesus.  Nurture a sense of expectancy.  Discover what it is to receive from God what God desires to give rather than be limited to what you can ask.
It's been a good day.  I hope you've had a good day too.
steve

Sunday, August 21, 2016

Reflections From Sunday Evening

Could I share an insight into pastoral ministry.  For the most part pastors are known as "preachers".  Most people see pastors in preaching mode more than any other.  But pastoral ministry is actually a life and death matter.  Pastor's are with people at the greatest times of joy.  They are there for births, baptisms and various steps in life.  We celebrate life.
On the other hand pastoral ministry is life and death.  We are present when people pass from here to eternity.
I am thinking of this today because I just learned that a friend of mine, Rev. Dave Hampson, passed away last evening after a lengthy battle with cancer.  I met Dave through Aldersgate Renewal Ministry.  We shared on the board together.  We encouraged one another when we taught workshops.  We shared conversations.  We would see one another once a year but I often thought of Dave.  He was in Kansas City one year and stayed with us.  He was one of the kindest and most dedicated Christians I know.
His passing causes me to think of the great privilege we pastors have of being with people in life and death.  With Dave there is a sense of loss as I continue to pray for Cathy and his family, but there is also a certain hope of heaven.  What an amazing gift of faith the Lord provides!
So I take a few moments today to think about my friend and some of the laughter we shared.  I think about the call of pastor and the awesome privilege of sharing life with a congregation.  I think of how impossible this task would be without the people of God who support, pray and encourage on a daily basis.  It is an awesome thing to share life as a pastor with the Church - the people of God.
It's still been a great day.  I hope you've had a great day too.
steve

Sunday, August 14, 2016

Reflections From Sunday Evening

After a couple of weeks off it was good to get back to church this weekend.  We had a great and engaged group of people in worship.  This is my favorite place to share in fellowship and worship the Lord!
We were able to visit Woods Chapel UMC while off and that was a good experience.  It seemed like I knew as many people there as here at home.  Last week we spent time in Branson.  It ended up a family gathering as we all joined up for a couple of days.  I would say it was totally relaxing and got me all rested up but Cindy is a great planner and kept me moving most of the time!  It was totally fun.
I will admit that "vacation" is a little hard for me.  I take a few days to wind down so I am not thinking about what I "need" to be doing all the time.  I find it difficult to stop the tapes that run through my mind and just take it easy.
I wonder why this is.  Then I think about growing up.  We lived on a farm.  Dad farmed and milked cows.  In those days farmers never got a day off.  (much less a vacation)  The cows came to be milked each morning and evening.  If you were tired you worked anyway.  If you were sick you worked anyway.  If you wanted to go somewhere to do something you milked anyway.  It was constant.  It was a way of life.  (No wonder dad decided to get into insurance and real estate!)
I guess there was a work ethic that was ingrained in me from an early age.  Certainly nothing wrong with that.
But as I continue this life of faith I keep running into Jesus.  He worked and spent himself in service to others.  But he also took the disciples and withdrew from time to time.  That is a good example.
Through the years I have picked up some good advice.  One is "when you get tired rest."  That seems pretty obvious but how many times have I violated that obvious principle?
Rick Warren instructs anyone who seeks to avoid burnout to "divert daily (whatever relaxes you), withdraw weekly (Sabbath), and abandon annually (disconnect).
That makes good sense.  I'm still on the learning curve with these things but as I think about it I had a really good time these past two weeks.  I may try this again one of these days.
It's been a great day.  I hope you've had a great day too.
steve