Sandy Hook Elementary School Reflections

Yesterday when I became aware of the shootings at Sandy Hook Elementary School I wanted to share a pastoral response. I wanted to tell you everything will be alright. I wanted to give you words of encouragement. But that all seems to miss the mark. I've waited 24 hours to share a couple of thoughts with you. I kept waking up in the night thinking about these things. So here is my pastoral reflection for you. First I would remind you that the purpose of life is NOT to arrive safely at the grave. Our responsbilitiy as parents is not to merely deliver our children to teenage years and then to adulthood. And then safely to the grave. Our responsibility is much greater than that. We have the opportunity to instill courage and compassion in our children. We have the opportunity to instill faith in our children. We are able to help develop our children into a life constructed on faith rather than fear. So I encourage you to resist the natural inclination to hold your children closer than ususal and try to protect them from anything that could harm them. I encourage you to take your children with you when you go out today. I encouarge you to take your children to Sunday School and Church tomorrow. I encourage you to see your children off to school Monday like you would had Sandy Hook not happened. Certainly we are responsible for the safely of our children. Never put your children at unnecessary risk. We know that. But the purpose is building people of faith not delivering people safely to the grave. So live your life fully and faithfully and show your children how to do the same. Secondly I mention the idea Timothy Merrill - editor of Homiletics (a preaching journal I read) - put forward. This is the third weekend in Advent. We will be lighting the Advent Candle of Joy this weekend. He suggested we might want to leave the Joy candle unlit, or perhaps light a "grief" candle. This is not a bad idea. I have given it some thought. But I choose not to follow this suggestion. We have been reading a scripture from Isaiah 9 this month. "The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned." (Isaiah 9:2) Christmas really is about more than tinsel and giving presents to one another. Christmas really is about God coming to our world. The Lord - Jesus Christ - the Light of the World - entered into a dark, sinful world. The Lord brings redemption to us. So rather than leave the Joy Candle dim I choose to light the Joy Candle and remind us again that Jesus has come to our darkness and sin to bring Light. Jesus brings to our darkness and sin Hope, Peace, Joy and Love. We will go on with our Choir cantata this weekend. We will sing and worship the Lord. I encourage you to look to the Light of Christ as we walk through these days of darkness. Remember all those families affected by the events of Sandy Hook. We pray God's Light shine into their (and our) darkness. steve

Reflections From Sunday Evening

A misfit "flees from the familiar to pursue the meaningful." A misfit has culture, people, family, friends, church and who knows who or what else telling them this is who you are, what you are, what you are supposed to be/do. But a "dissatisfied" (with status quo, or perhaps sin, disobedience) flees from the familiar to pursue the meaningful. The meaningful is discoverd in a deeper relationship with Jesus Christ. It is to pursue our calling - find God developing our lives - follow the way of Christ. Have you "settled" into your "normal?" Have you believed that this is just what I do? Have you been convinced that this is simply what I am like? There is good news. "For to us a child is born, to us a son is givine." Pursue the child born, the son given and you will find yourself pursuing meaning. Flee the familiar and pursue the meaningful. It's been a good day. I hope you've had a good day too. steve

Reflections From Sunday Evening

"The people walking in darkness have seen a great light;" (Isaiah 9:2a) I could spend a great deal of time reflecting on the situation with Jevon Belcher and the Kansas City Chiefs. This tragic event has cast a pall over the city. Catching a brief interview following today's game we catch some of the sense of loss teammates are experiencing. Prayers are with all involved and touched by what has taken place. Sometimes events like this murder-suicide stand out because they happen in places we are more familiar with than other times we hear of things like this. But each day there are tragic events taking place. The first part of our verse certainly rings true throughout the world today. "The people walking in darkness..." But there is more to the story. Death never has the final word. God reserves that privilege. As we enter the season of Advent the second part of our verse stands out. "...have seen a great light." In the midst of hopelessness and despair a light shines. "A child is born, to us a son is given." We have become people of hope. Perhaps a great response to the hope received would be spreading, sharing and extending hope to those around us. Obviously there are many whose lives could be changed forever should they discover the hope the comes through the Light of Christ. Hope. Hope. Hope. Light. Light. Light. A child is born. A Son is given. Because of this even today is a good day. steve

Reflections From Sunday Evening

I hope you have had a blessed Thanksgiving holiday. I would love for us to take advantage of this reminder and make a new commitment to practice thanksgiving in our daily life. What if tomorrow morning when you got up (and got your wits about you) you began your day thanking God for those things that come to mind? Perhaps this "ritual" of thanks could continue the next day and the next until it becomes a habit. The next thing you know thanks could not only begin your day but also conclude your day. Then the next thing you know you find yourself taking moments throughout the day to give thanks. There is even more. You find yourself not only thanking God but you get even more intentional about saying thank you to people you encounter. Before long you are a different person. One more attitude - one more activity contributes to the Holy Spirit transforming your life. Thank you. It's been a good day. I hope you've had a good day too. Steve

Reflections From Sunday Evening

What do you do on a "short" week? With Thanksgiving this thursday the school week is shortened. Most people will have thursday off from work - unless you are in the "Black Friday" thing. In church life I am never sure what to make of these short weeks. We take the day thursday like everyone else. It is also a great opportunity to do something differnt on friday. But the reality is Sunday comes just like any week and there is the expectation that church goes on and a message is shared. So a short week can be a challenge. But rather than look at a week like this as being short why not simply see it as a "different" week. There are the same number of hours in this week as there are in any week. We merely have a chance to change things up a bit. A short week is an opportunity to step out of a routine that may become rote. A short week is an opportunity to focus on something different than we might in a normal week. A short week is an opportunity to change the pace. A short week is an opportunity to recognize the Lord's presence in our lives with fresh insight. My prayer is that you claim the opportunity to experience the fresh touch of Jesus Christ as we step out of our routines and encounter the Lord is a different way. Be thankful. Enjoy your short week with a full touch of grace. It's been a good day. I hope you've had a good day too. steve

Reflections From Sunday Evening

This weekend I had the opportunity to lead a class on "Theology in the Wesleyan Spirit" for 18 students in the Course of Study. They were primarily part-time local pastors serving in our United Methodist Church. We had pastors from Missouri, Kansas, Iowa, Nebraska and even a person from Washington state. It was a great group and I had a blessed time sharing with them. It is encouraging to find people learning to "think theologically." We all do this. We bring our understanding of God to the decisions and choices we make each day. At least I encourage you to bring God into your decision making process. It truly makes a huge difference. We think theologically when we manage our time and our money. We think theologically when we do something for someone else. I think you get the idea. God is a vital part of all of life. This week remember God is with us not only in worship and "church" things. God is with us in all of life. I pray you experience His presence this week. It's been a good day. I hope you've had a good day too. steve

Reflections From Sunday Evening

Vote. We are afforded this unique privilege as Americans. I am aware of some who indicate they do not like either candidate and will not vote. Some do so as a stragety for change. If enough people refuse to participate in the system it will be reformed. Some would say since they cannot fully support either candidate it would be wrong to vote. There are other reasons why many will stay away from the polls this week. Let me go on record by saying I somewhat understand the sentiments being expressed by the "don't vote" people I respectively disagree. I do not believe anyone may make a system better by non-participation. Vote. We have been working a strategy for renewal/reform in America this past week. Monday through Friday last week nearly 100 people came for morning prayer services. Our "7:14" program has touched many. We will gather one more day - Monday Nov. 5 at 7:14 in the morning. We will look at the final part of 2 Chronicles 7:14 and focus on the promise. "I will hear thier prayers, forgive their sins and heal their land." We dare to believe it is a timeless principle that when we pray God always hears. When we ask God always forgives. When we seek God heals, or restores. Our strategy invovles ordering our lives in Christ honoring, Spirit filled ways. We expect a day to come when political ads will not be name calling and attacks. We expect a day to come when the American people demand that candidates give us their best ideas and plans to implement them in ways that will contribute to greatness as a nation. Vote. After you vote contribute to civility of discourse in the political arena. After you vote believe that you are part of something significant and 25-30 years(7 elections) from now Americans will be operating in a new, reformed, way. May people look back on the election season of 2012 and point to our time as the time when things began to change. Join us in continuing our strategy. Monday morning at 7:14 we gather to pray. Tuesday (election day) participate in our 13 hour prayer vigil as we continue in prayer while the polls are open. On Tuesday night join us at 7:14 P.M. for a "Praise Service." We should work for what we believe in. Support who you will. However we are not praying for our candidate, our party or our cause. We pray that God reign over us. We pray to order our lives in Christ honoring ways. You make a difference. Vote. Pray It's been a good day. I hope you've had a good day too. steve