Reflections From Sunday Evening

Pastor Nancy shared her new word today. Of course she told me  just before I started to preach and couldn’t get the word out of my head.
Coddiwomple.  Spell check does not recognize it but dictionaries do.
Coddiwomple: to travel in a purposeful manner towards a vague destination. It could mean toward an uncertain, or unknown destination.
It is a great word to begin Holy Week. It captures how many of us approach uncertain tomorrows or even the life of faith.
Jesus began his coddiwomple that led to the cross. With Jesus the destination was not vague but had our salvation in view. There could have been surprising twists in the journey, but the ultimate result was clear. The coddiwomple would end at the cross...but then.
We are invited onto our own coddiwomple this week.  There may be some seemingly vague destinations.  What should we make of towel and basin with its call to serve?
What about a Holy Thursday meal with friends? What about our personal view of the cross?
We may not be exactly sure where our faith will take us, but we travel with purpose.
Coddiwomple.
It’s been a good day. I hope you’ve had a good day too.
Steve

Reflections From Sunday Evening

Today I mentioned Skal Labissiere, a professional basketball player for the Portland Trailblazers. It makes me think.
There are 30 teams in the NBA. They have a roster maximum of 15 players. So there are 450 players in the league.
Of the 450 players I would say there are 8 superstars. Actually, there is Lebron and then the rest, but let’s say 8 superstars that are simply a cut above the rest.
Then there are 24 All Stars. The All Star game has 2 teams with 12 players each. 24 All Stars.
These would be included among the 150 starters for the teams in the league.
That leaves 300 players who range from contributing subs, role players, and those who mainly provide people to practice against and play very little. That would include Skal Labissiere and many others.
Here’s the thing about all these role players. They are elite athletes.  Elite players among their peers.
Here’s the thing. As followers of Jesus Christ we really do not have super star or all star Christians. But we are elite. You are an elite person loved by God. The forgiveness and grace of God’s sets you apart. As a child of God humbly accept elite status.
It’s been a good day. I hope you’ve had a good day too.
steve

Reflections From Sunday Evening

Well that was a mess. I just reached for something and knocked over a glass of water. It was not full. It really wasn’t full after I knocked it over. It was just a little water. But a little water affected a Bible, a book, a phone, a table, a chair, a picture, a coaster, and the floor.
Water wiped up. Everything works. The book may look a little funny but still usable. It was a little mess that touched more than you would think.
It made me think. We can make a mess with things we say. Words affect people in ways we would not anticipate.
Our denominational struggles over human sexuality is a mess - that affects many people in ways we cannot fully grasp.
Churches become a mess over many things and the Christian witness is stained.
You can think of messes you have created, contributed to or been affected by. Messes.
So we clean up. Cindy helped me clean up. After all it was her stuff that was affected. (She has actually cleaned up lots of messes for me, but that is another story.)
I won’t liken knocking over a glass of water to the sin nature and the sins that affect all of us,...but sin is a mess and creates a mess.
It requires a thorough clean up to put things back in order.
We clean up through repentance and faith.
We clean up by making amends.
We clean up through reconciliation.
But our efforts fall short. It is only through Jesus Christ we know the true and full answer for our mess.
It’s been a good day. I hope you’ve had a good day too.
Steve

Reflections From Sunday Evening

Spring. March. Sports.
It has been a long winter but hopefully the corner is turned and warmer days are ahead.
March is Madness for college basketball fans. The big schools are playing in front of thousands and millions more on tv. They play over three weekends to determine a champion.  Smaller schools are also competing. The NAIA tournament is played annually in Kansas City. Hundreds, or maybe a few thousand enjoy a very festive tournament that lasts a week.
The sports scene also moves to Opening Day of baseball.
It is a great time of year.
But even in great times there are challenges. The flooding in North Missouri is affecting our neighbors. We will be stepping up to help when needs are identified.
There are many challenges in our world. Sometimes they seem unending with no solution in sight.
But then we remember the rythem of things. The cold of winter yields to spring.
The competition develops character and memories for a lifetime. Lessons are learned that lead to succes in life.
Opening a Day offers a new beginning with hopeful surprises awaiting.
And...the difficult challenges of our lives and world move into a future where God is already at work. We move into the warmth of His grace. We move into the surprising turns that make all things new. God is with us. God is present tense. God will lead us into His future. After all, Jesus is the I Am - present tense - resurrection and life. Walk in faith. Be encouraged.
It’s been a good day. I hope you’ve had a good day too.
steve

Reflections From Sunday Evening

March 17 is Saint Patrick’s day. It is a holy, feast day in the Church in Ireland. The story goes that Patrick was kidnapped by pirates from his home in Britain at age 16. He was taken as a slave to Ireland and was held there until he escaped and returned to Britain.  Later he returned as a Christian missionary and brought the Christian faith to replace a Celtic polytheism. He became bishop and eventually known as the patron saint of Ireland.
Later in history William invaded England and defeated King James ( who happened to be his father-in-law) and became King William of Orange. He saw the transition in England fron Catholicism to Protestantism.
Today the Irish flag is green, white, and orange. On St. Patrick’s Day Irish Catholics wear green and Irish Prutestants wear orange.
That is the brief history lesson and why I wear orange on St. Patrick’s Day.
On another note...
It was good to be in church on a weekend when the sun was shining and the sky was clear. Perhaps spring will soon arrive.
It’s been a good day. I hope you’ve had a good day too.
steve

Reflections From Sunday Evening

Highlights from the weekend.  Saturday 3 young men were recognized as Eagle Scouts. This is a great accomplishment. The church is proud to be the sponsoring unit for Troop 314. We continue to watch young people develop in character and service.
Today 27 students were confirmed in “the faith and fellowship of all true disciples of Jesus Christ”.  It will be a joy to watch these young disciples grow in faith and discover many ways of serving the Kingdom of God. Confirmation is the result of dedicated adult leaders and committed families.
Today Max Bonikowski was presented for baptism. His parents pledged to hold Max in the guidance of the church and set an example that will sustain him as he accepts the gift of salvation for himself.
This afternoon we celebrated the life of Vernon Robinett. His witness and Christ-like character is an inspiration to all of us.
Everyone whose life was touched this weekend was different. There were a variety of gifts and talents. Interests are varied. Goals and dreams are different.
From birth to death we have this in common. The grace of the Lord Jesus sustains all. The Holy Spirit  touches everyone uniquely. It is amazing. We saw it this weekend.
It’s been a good day. I hope you’ve had a good day too.
Steve

Reflections From Sunday Evening

Well, that is only about 9 weekends with bad weather! Still, we had a hearty group out this morning, twice our usual Saturday night crowd and more live stream viewers than ever. So, the Gospel was shared and we worshipped. Signs of the times.

On another note...it has been a challenging week for our United Methodist family. I will give an update tomorrow (Monday) evening at 7:00. It is meant to attempt to walk through the General Conference experience and help see where we are.

On another note...I tend to frustrate people who want me to “take a stand” whether it is in the current debate or a host of other issues. For good or bad I am pastor to many different people with different needs, views, and hopes.

I do not try to “make a point” when we are talking about issues that touch on many people’s relationship with Jesus Christ. My point is the Cross. The Cross points up to God. The Cross points from heaven to earth. The Cross points to the corners of the earth. My point has been made. Now I seek to follow that point in love and holiness; with grace upon grace and the Spirit without limit; with the Fruit of the Spirit and spiritual gifts; in character and conduct. 

My point is to follow Jesus. 

On another note...Yesterday I caught a little bit of the Royals spring training game on the radio. Royals announcer Ryan Lefebvre pointed out that in Arizona it was 75 degrees. Recognizing the anticipated snow, wind, and cold coming to K. C.,  he went on to say, but with the windchill it is more like 74. 

Good days are coming.

It’s been a good day. I hope you’ve had a good day too.

Steve