Wednesday, December 3, 2008

Inside out or outside in

In my home church in Dunkirk, NY there were beautiful stained glass window scenes. Since the church sanctuary was not open and lit every night there was a spotlight shining through the window on a timer so that the people on the outside of the church could see the beautiful scene of Jesus as they passed by. I have noticed some churches have a light shining from the outside to illuminate the beauty of a window seen from the inside. Which means only insiders get to view the beauty on the average day. Of course when an evening service is happening the window would be lit to view by some.

My point is this. How is my life lit by the "Light of the World" so that those looking in may see Him? Our am I simply having a great time - just Jesus and me? Certainly worth pondering in these days we anticipate the coming of our Lord. My friend Aaron and his community of faith are reminding us that Christmas is "Not my birthday" it is Jesus Birthday celebration. My friend Wayne has asked his people to remember the poor and or the people in Uganda this year. So many of us are trying to get off the spending roller coaster and get on the sharing train. My family has made efforts to give to causes instead of to each other - so Uganda, Heifer project, and others have benefitted.

Which way is your window being illuminated?

Monday, November 17, 2008

2008 Mission Uganda Report

On October 19th. myself and 3 others left for Uganda via JFK and Dubai. We arrived on Tuesday 10/21 and met our colleague Rev. Davis Matovu. (Alpha Omega Seminary 2006 graduate and Valdictorian) He and his family housed us for the next two weeks.

During this period we conducted 3 Nexus Seminary Uganda graduations totaling 44 graduates of our 20 course Certificate of Ministry program. This program has the goal of strengthening the rural churches of Uganda by providing a free education for pastors and church elders to train them for the calling they have received from God.

In addition to these graduations we each preached in rural churches in Kasangati/Gayaza and Kikyusa areas. We conducted a one day legacy symposium, taught classes for two groups in process of their certificate training and also met with a new class group in the area called Caini. I was also privileged to meet again with the new church started last year in Kkata which graduated 3 people in the Kayebe group. It was great to see the progress and feel the love of Love of Christ Church.

Our veteran traveler Dr. BJ Norrix returned with me this year and we also had Rev. Wayne Grow and Ray Gilman IV who came as a layman and media specialist. After discussion and retreat with Davis we set some priorities for the coming year.
· Set up another group in Gomba, Kayebe and Luzinga and to start two groups in two new locations.
· Have Davis train several assistant tutors(Nexus Graduates) who would teach some of the classes in place of Davis, but under his supervision.
· Have at least 3 graduations in Fall 2009 and surpass the mark of 100 rural pastors trained. (our goal remains 2000 trained in the next 20 years)
· Produce a Luganda – English parallel Bible and Theological primer for use of our students. Including 300 – 500 word definitions, brief Bible and History summaries. We plan to keep the English level at about the 6th grade level.
· Complete a Nexus Seminary office for Davis, make 20,000 bricks for building a resource center in 2010.
· Pray for all of the above and to pray that Davis will be able to get a visa to travel to the US in Fall 2009.
· Take the next steps in our plan to provide Worship Leader training and set up a special Women’s Studies program.

We thank God for the privilege of this ministry. We are making an incredible difference in the villages and we continue to be some of the first whites that have visited many of the churches and villages we go to. Yet we seem to make only a small dent in the work that needs to be done. It will take so many groups working at training. We feel it so important that we will train women, those with no English and also those whose education stopped at a very early age. Of course, we provide this all at no charge.

Thursday, October 16, 2008

In just a few days we will be taking another mission team trip to Uganda. It is an awesome thing to fall into the hands of the living God and this is the place God has called and convicted me. I am so entirely grateful for the support to church, friends and family. I am awed by the gift that these visits are to me - I learn and grow as I serve and I delight in seeing the effect it has on team members. How can I describe why I do this? As simply as I can say it is this: I go to serve, to encourage and to be remade into what God wants me to be. Yes, we teach, preach and share our gifts and lives with the great pastors and people of a church which is rapidly growing, but I am selfish... I go because of what I learn - in me, of what God is up to and about a totally different culture. Please pray for our team and then pray that as I stay those extra couple days to retreat and pray with Davis God will reveal God's hand for the future of Nexus Seminary Uganda and the work we are called to do TOGETHER.

Thursday, October 9, 2008

Investments

I do not know if we are in the worst economic times since the great depression or not. But I do know that some people are worried and wondering where it is all going. It appears that the government is taking steps to prevent disaster. But there will be some shaking and baking. Louise and I have been through the bankruptcy of a utility company and sadly saw much of an IRA and some stock options disappear. We had also watched the value of that IRA or the stock in it move up rapidly. I remember saying to myself and breathing a little prayer, "Lord, help us not to depend on this more than we depend on you."
We should think long term and remember that values will go up and down. The saddest part right now is those who have stocks, etc. and need them to be healthy to live month to month. So we pray for a quick recovery. I have said several times in the past few weeks (since the weekend that Louise worked most of the weekend when her company needed to assess their risk when Lehman Brothers went under) invest in people. Do some diverse economic investing, but remember that this is life and in life Christians and other good people invest in people. Invest in your family members, your friends, your close associates and invest in people such as mission work, volunteering and serving those who need our help. There is that old Robert Schuller phrase, 'Find a need and fill it."
Thanks to the many friends and family who are investing in Nexus Seminary Uganda. You are investing in eternal matters. You are investing in depth. You are investing in men and women who know nothing of stock, retirement plans and bonuses. they are mostly day to day and as those who do subsistance farming say, "Digging."
"Four things a man must do. If he would make his record true. To think without confusion clearly. To love his fellow man sincerely. To act with honest motives purely. To trust in God and heaven securely." Henry Van Dyke (He also authored Joyful Joyful we adore Thee.)

Friday, August 15, 2008

Not all Lance Armstrong or Michael Phelps

I am just amazed at the skill and accomplishment of athletes like Micheal Phelps and Lance Armstrong. They are almost superhuman. One commentator said that they did not believe that Michael was from another planet(alien) but that he was from the future. Let's remember that the individual is great, but there is a training table, a schedule, a regimen that most of us are not wanting or disciplined to follow.

I just read Lance's team director's book, We Might As Well Win but Johan Bruneyl. Lance is directly quoted as saying he might not have won any Tours De France without Bruneyl and the team that he put around Lance. Not to take away from any star, but this is seldom done solo. It is never done without sacrifice.

You and I are not Lance or Michael. But we can enjoy the achievement and celebrate the big goals and victories they accomplish. We can, through Jesus Christ and his friends, have the heart of a champion and do what we are called to do. Let's also remember to not let good get in the way of great. (collins)

Press on to the upward call of Christ.

Tuesday, August 12, 2008

A Franciscan Blessing

I ran across this quote from A Franciscan Blessing and felt that it spoke to my heart.
  • May God bless you with discomfort at easy answers, half truths, and superficial relationships, so that you may live deep within your heart.
  • May God bless you with anger at injustice, oppression, and exploitations of people, so that you may work for justice, freedom, and peace.
  • May God bless you with tears to shed for those who suffer from pain, rejection, starvation, and war, so that you may reach out your hand to comfort them and to turn their pain into joy.
  • And may God bless you with enough foolishness to believe that you can make a difference in this world, so that you can do what others claim cannot be done.
This was quoted by a man named Craig Groschel at the Leadership Summit. So I lay it out here for my memory bank and for sharing. Let's get riled up somtimes. Let's bang on the doors of heaven in prayer. And let's be fools for Christ who expect to make a difference through Him is some way each and every day.

Saturday, August 9, 2008

Frog foibles

On vacation last month we were at the Jones Falls locks on the Rideau Canal in Ontario Canada. I was talking to the upper lock master. We had just met up with the Wards and Allens who were downbound in a houseboat. As I talked with the lockmaster I noticed a medium sized frog hopping by my feet. It was in the grass and bounce, hop, bounce and then it bounded over the edge of the lock into the waters of the lock below. They had been lowered to receive the upbound boats. I laughed as it flew over and interrupted my conversation to see how it had fared in the 25 foot flight to the bottom. It had managed fine. On many days it would have swam to shore and done whatever frogs do. But, alas, one of the fish in the pool of the lock made it lunch and the last I saw of Mr. frog it's powerful hind legs were dangling out of the mouth of a bass.

Why was the frog hopping that direction? Was it afraid of me? Had it done this death defying leap before and liked it, coming back for more? Did it just not see what was ahead (the frog view is very limited by it's position on the ground in the grass)? We'll never know.

Life lessons? Frog has limited viewpoint, but it hops anyway. Having seen the frog trajedy would that remind me not to take risks? NO! I'll bet it was a glorious flight over the side of that lock wall. God gave me legs, that is what I do.... I jump.

Wednesday, June 18, 2008

The trouble with Tiger

I was watching the interview with Tiger Woods about his knee right after his victory. Did your knee hurt? Yes. Did you go against Dr's orders? No answer. Why? Because golf is what I do.

Why I do many of the ministry things I do is because it is what I do. More correctly it is what I am called by God to do. Funerals, weddings, hospitals, meetings, meetings and visits as well as some crazy schedules. It is what I do.

Now Tiger gets a better payday and he is extremely skilled and obsessively practiced and coached. He will get a break to get the torn tendon and the stress fractured bones fixed up. But it will not be easy because "It is what I do." It is the game, the competition, the pursuit of excellence.

After a board meeting last night I was around wondering what we as a church were going to do. I was seeking God (and I was watching the Celtics humiliate the Lakers) Okay, God, what next? And the answer was sure to come - "pray like never before" and if I had thought that was a fluke or a mishearing I was hit this morning with Col 4:2 "Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful." And if that message was not clear enough I was finishing the book Just Walk Across the Room and got hit with Col 4:2 again in the final chapter "Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful." let me finish the rest
"And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains. Pray that I may proclaim it clearly, as I should. Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity."

So, I got the message. You shall find me more in prayer. IT IS WHAT I DO!
Please pray for BUMC and the Childcare program as well as the next Uganda mission trip departing October 19th. 2 weeks, 3 or 4 graduations and of course hours and hours on the planes.

Thursday, June 5, 2008

Ripping up bushes

Sometimes you have energy to use that needs to be burned off. Many times I have come upon a serious loss(death) or frustrating life situation. The parsonages I have lived in have had bushes in front that were beyond their prime. I "take it out" on the bushes. When you have to pry and cut and dig and strain to get the bushes out and the roots dug you can burn some calories and drip with sweat. But, the job gets done and you have safely sent your frustration into a safe place.

My son in law's sister was hit by a truck and killed accidentally while walking last week. Total accident. A beautiful and spirited young Christian woman is now with the Lord. She was taken too soon and you have to feel bad. But that is life. We celebrated her life and shared some comfort in North Carolina with family and friends.

I have taken out bushes in Frewsburg, Henrietta - Bob Caskey. Fillmore - Angela Cockle. Hornell - too many funerals there and cannot remember which one. Now here in Brewerton.

What do you do with your stuff? Have you found a safe way to get it out?

The good news is that I can now paint the front of the house without working around them. We also then take the time to carefully select new bushes and give new life to the landscape in front of our domiciles.

Shalom, Truly Shalom.

Tuesday, April 29, 2008

LeadNow Conference

I have been to the LeadNow conference which focused on ministry by and with Young Adults. I returned yesterday and was privileged to go with Louise and the Allens. Now I must reflect and then implement some course changes to be more user friendly to our 20-30 somethings. I don't know much but here is the first blush on my experience last week.

By the way I love to go to the emerging generations conference because of the energy, creativity and life that I find there.

Need to do more dialogue with this age group. Need to build relationships. Need to plan things which are active and hands on. Need to seek connecting points. Need to have worship be less predictable, less preachy and more dialogical. Engaging metaphors and stories are important and I can certainly use story more. So this coming week and for the Sundays this month I am working with the metaphor of "Baggage" We all have it. What we do with it counts. What's in your suitcase?

Wednesday, April 23, 2008

Economic Stimulus Check

What it? 100 people in the church tithed their stimulus checks. That would be $6,000 for God's work hear or somewhere needed. (If you get a $600 check)

Everybody is on that bandwagon now. Use it for a downpayment on a new car. You'll look good in that new suit. Take a break at the spa. 2 words.... home repairs. me, me, me, me ....

I am happy to get the check. Many people and places want to help me spend it. But let's all remember God's portion in the middle of this "bonus" from the fed.

Tuesday, April 22, 2008

UM General Conference

A Future with Hope is the theme of the General Conference - the once every 4 years meeting of the body called United Methodist. It begins tomorrow 4/23 and meets in Ft. Worth, Texas through May 3rd. We have lay and clergy delegates from this region who represent us in the voting and in the sharing of our UM Life. First, be in prayer for these delegates who have a rigorous schedule and often some hard decisions to make. Second join me in this prayer - make us creative, passionate, united and fill this body with your Holy Spirit. May there be an awesome and even fresh outpouring of your Spirit upon your people gathered there. May we be open and empowered as Christ Followers for these important days in God's church and world. In the Name of Jesus.

Question - If you have one prayer for the Church what is that prayer?

Wednesday, April 16, 2008

Credit Jonathan

1 Samuel 18:1- 4 After David had finished talking with Saul, Jonathan became one in spirit with David, and he loved s him as himself. From that day Saul kept David with him and did not let him return to his father’s house. And Jonathan made a covenant with David because he loved him as himself. Jonathan took off the robe he was wearing and gave it to David, along with his tunic, and even his sword, his bow and his belt.

Sometimes I think that we do not hear enough about Jonathan as one of the Biblical heroes. Go back a few chapters to 14 and Jonathan is slipping behind enemy lines and making quite a conquest of the Philistines. But in this passage, the capable Jonathan recognizes David as the one who will lead Israel. He makes a covenant with him and honors him with robe, sword, tunic and belt. The one who would be next in line to King Saul recognizes David as the next leader. It is a pledge of mutual loyalty or even more. I see it this way. David, I have your back. I will be the #2 man. I will be what I can to give my strong support to your true leadership.

We will see what develops, but Jonathan does show this loyalty later and is informative and protective of David when he is on the run from Saul. So give Jonathan great credit. When Saul is getting jealous of David, Jonathan is the one who opposes Saul's desire to kill him.

Monday, April 14, 2008

Do you hear what I hear?

The prophet Samuel tells King Saul to destroy the Amalekites completely. Saul and soldiers do battle, they capture the king Agag and they destroy the weak sheep, cattle, etc. but keep the good ones. Saul reports back to Samuel and says, "I have carried out the Lord's instructions." And Samuel replies, "Then what is that bleeting of sheep in my ears...?" The conclusion is that Saul is rejected as king. He is not obedient and he makes his own plans. God delights in obedience.

Before I am too rough on old Saul I probably have to examine myself. When am I guilty of disobedience of God? When do I carry out only part of the calling or plan God gave me? The whole thing kindof reminds me of when you are a kid and you say you have done the chore your parents assigned, but you did it half heartedly or halfway. What is this bleeting of sheep I hear? What is this lowing of cattle? Why have you still put off reconciling with your brother in Christ? What are you waiting for?

Be very careful as you read scripture that you make it so then and there that you do not allow it to speak to your here and now.

Thursday, April 10, 2008

King Wanted

It must be with a grin the the planners of the Bible reading program set up 1 Samuel right at this time. The upcoming income tax deadline. The best part of tax time is when it is done...
So here we go.

1 Samuel 8:10-20 Samuel told all the words of the LORD to the people who were asking him for a king. He said, “This is what the king who will reign over you will do: He will take your sons and make them serve with his chariots and horses, and they will run in front of his chariots. Some he will assign to be commanders of thousands and commanders of fifties, and others to plow his ground and reap his harvest, and still others to make weapons of war and equipment for his chariots. He will take your daughters to be perfumers and cooks and bakers. He will take the best of your fields and vineyards and olive groves and give them to his attendants. He will take a tenth of your grain and of your vintage and give it to his officials and attendants. Your menservants and maidservants and the best of your cattle and donkeys he will take for his own use. He will take a tenth of your flocks, and you yourselves will become his slaves. When that day comes, you will cry out for relief from the king you have chosen, and the LORD will not answer you in that day.”

But the people refused to listen to Samuel. “No!” they said. “We want a king over us. Then we will be like all the other nations, with a king to lead us and to go out before us and fight our battles.

The situation - the "King's cut" taxes, etc. and also "we want to be like everyone else." God has freed them, cared for them, protected them, chastized them and also loved them. But the grass is greener. They want a king. Okay, I am supposed to learn something from this passage. The grass is not always greener when you get to the other side. As this passage says God will let it happen, let us have what we plead for and then let us bear the consequences. Part of growing up.
I don't want to be like everyone else. I want to innovate, be on the edge and take a few risks. BUT I want ABBA FATHER to take care of me too.

What I should be looking for and striving for is to be "Uniquely HIS, uniquely God's man and leader."

In case I do not make a connection before the deadline, "Happy tax day."

Thursday, April 3, 2008

No king

Judges 17:6 "In those days Israel had no king, everyone did as he saw fit." No king, no earthly leader... this could lead to trouble. Of course Israel had great kings and bad kings, so having an earthly king was not always trouble free. Good, moral, loving earthly leaders are usually a positive thing for the growth and good life of people.

Louise alerted me to events in our back yard this morning. A big ole turkey. I don't exactly live in the country. In a few moments we not only had a turkey, we had a parade. 14 of those big beautiful multi meal dinners. They were seeking the remnants of any grain under the bird feeder. The big Tom was just big and he was reviewing the front and back of the parade. He never spread his feathers, he did not have to. He simply lead and spoke as necessary. Two other smaller Toms were 'herding" the rest. Our yellow kitty(killer) was at the patio door in awe. She was so in awe she was not chirping and spitting at them like she does with squirrels, crows, birds and other cats. I could not see the whole but I finally figured out the the small Toms who had their tail feathers spread were warning another yellow kitty to stay away. It was hiding behind the tree in it's own awe. Louise was trying to take pictures and I was studying the process. Eventually the boss led the flock thru the back yard and on to better feeding grounds.

If every one of the turkey did what it saw fit they would be more susceptible to predators and the hit an miss of where the food is. Hopefully Tom and company knew where to find the good stuff. My King is Jesus. I do 'like to do as I see fit' and rely on myself. But I also know that God has placed leaders over me and leaders around me. For the good of the whole flock.

Thank you, God, for the parables of nature and the living lessons all around me.

Wednesday, April 2, 2008

Oh Paul , Oh Paul

1 Corinthians 16:20 - 24 "All the brothers here send you greetings. Greet one another with a holy kiss. I, Paul, write this greeting in my own hand. If anyone does not love the Lord —a curse be on him. Come, O Lord ! The grace of the Lord Jesus be with you. My love to all of you in Christ Jesus. Amen."

This is from the reading plan a few days ago. I love Paul. Some of my favorite Bible verses and thought provoking statements are Paul. But he does get carried away sometimes... a curse be upon ++++. Somewhere else it says, "Bless and do not curse." So that is what we teach. He snuck some fire in there. He said what we want to say sometimes. But we are people called to blessing and not cursing. We also remember that words when out are hard to take back. So we keep trying to "tame the tongue" as James would say.

I had this little book I ordered for my partner Davis in Uganda. It was thru Amazon and send by Gram Gram somebody. On the back of the mailing envelope it had these words. "Dear Book, go upon your way over mountain, plain or sea. God Bless all who speed your flight to where I wish you to be and Bless all those beneath the roof where I would bid you rest. Bless even more the one to whom this book is addressed."

I thought that was pretty good stuff. Although it could have said, "Curse the postals who abuse books and take forever to get things to where you send at too much money. Thanks for the money enjoy this purchase. Curse the weather and the things that hinder good business and competitive deliver..." But it didn't. It sent a blessing and it will go farther than it was even thought.
Blessings, Shalom, Good Health and YEE HAH!

Monday, March 31, 2008

Ever been Gideoned

Judges 6 and 7.
You find out that you are the solution to your complaint. God being your help.
You find out that you want to make a reality check. Is this really God
communicating here? You test with a fleece - God confirms your
suspicions and you are drawn in to the battle, the solution, the
situation. You find that God delights in using the weak to confound the
strong and the small army to do a great battle with God's hand on
protection. "Anyone who is afraid ... go back.. 22,000 men left the
army and 10,000 remained." Then God thins out the ranks to 300 men who
drank from the water properly. Then they go to battle theMidianites and Amalakites who
are described in number as thick as locusts and who had camels as
numerous as the sands on the seashore. Two rather large armies... a lot
more than Gideons 300. But despite the odds God wins the victory and
the praise can only go to God.

How many times have you thought - "just too big, I cannot do it?" Have you had times when God kept pushing you forward anyway? Have you seen the powerful and amazing hand
of God do a mighty thing and been awestruck?

2 Cor. 4:15 reads "All this is for your benefit, so that the grace that is reaching more and more people may cause thanksgiving to overflow to the glory of God."
To the glory of God. That is the goal and the aim. And by the grace of God somehow we benefit, grow, learn, something. The God factor -Gideoned.

Tuesday, February 12, 2008

little things

This may be all over the place. But I have been thinking about how little things lead to other things. In the positive sense - asking, remembering and using a name can mean a lot. A positive impression and going the extra mile can make a connection for someone who has been far from Christ. I can't actually say why Brewerton UMC has been better and having more guests each week since the first of the year, but I like it. No brag here, just some joy in the ole pastor's heart. I do know one thing that is different, over 50 people are reading the Bible daily. Way cool. Some days, especially in Leviticus, that is not a 'little' thing.

For some reason Micah 6:8 drops in my head here - "Do justice, love kindness and walk humbly with your God." Those are not necessarily big things, but their impact can be. This is "what is good and what the Lord requires of us."

We're giving away free ice, snow and cold here in Brewerton if anyone wants any!

Wednesday, February 6, 2008

Salt and Fat

Leviticus 2:13 "Season all your grain offerings with salt. Do not leave the salt of the covenant of your God out of your grain offerings. Add salt to all your offerings." Without salt in your food it seems to lack. Too much salt ruins it. There is the savory part of adding the salt to the grain offering. It completes it. There may be another part we miss. Salt was precious. It may have been more traded and valuable in some places than the grain. (I can see it now, some smart person will put some in Sunday's offering.) In any case it adds value to the sacrifice. IT marks the covenant promise with God.

On to another scripture - I just love this one especially in Lent - ready Leviticus 3:16 "All the fat is the Lord's." My friend, the rather large Rev. Bill Powell, often quoted it "All fat is the Lord's" he was either saying that he surely belonged to God OR that the fat on him was not his, it belonged to God. I prefer the plan that in making the sacrifices the fat was burnt up. So on to the fat burning plan. Exercise, take care of yourself and offer that fat to God!

"Going to the gym?" someone asks. "No, I am going to make an offering to the Lord." He says. ;-)

Monday, February 4, 2008

Sounds you rarely hear

Today as the wind whistled in the trees I heard the sound of the swish of the ice on the branches. It is a unique and rarely(fortunately) heard sound. The ice had formed on Friday night and the temperature and rain did not melt if off entirely yet.

What is the big deal about this? For one thing it is unique and I seldom hear it. I was pleased by the unique sound and joyful in the beauty which was heard in the midst of a potentially terrible thing. Fortunately no big limbs down or power off for days at a time here.

Don't we all need to heed the good amidst the bad? Such is true in our Bible reading. We can be overwhelmed by the wars or the amount of law in the Old Testament, or we can see the purpose and deeper revelation in the passage. What is behind the most obvious in a text? What is this teaching us about God.

In the case of the whispering ice I found a rare and pleasant sound and I am blessed for it.

Tuesday, January 22, 2008

Bible reading blossoming

At 3 weeks into the New Year I want list a few of the effects I have noticed from the upped Bible reading level in our church.
Guys getting together and discussing what they had seen and heard.
People more prepared for daily life, armed with the word and dangerous.
Increased enthusiasm overall.
People waiting for a shipment of study Bibles so they can dig deeper.
Support of each other for keeping with it.
Teens who are interested and want the full package, not a slimmed down version.
People reading together.
A variety of methods, times, places and ways to get it done. When you want it, you find a way.
Increased stirring of the Spirit.
Questions about how to apply what we are reading. Questions about Biblical culture and circumstances.

All in all I am so proud of those who have taken the challenge. We are seeing results in the mission field of Brewerton, NY.

Thursday, January 10, 2008

Urgency

Luke 9:59 "He said to another man, follow me. But the man replied, "Lord, first let me go and bury my father." Jesus said, "Let the dead bury their own dead, but you go and proclaim the Kingdom of God"
Sounds cruel to say that you need to follow and not even bury your father. Nothing says that the man's father has died, just that he is not ready to come right now, he needs to wait and bury his father. If daddy is not dead it could be years and this is an excuse.
The kingdom of God is more important and more ugent than some of our customs and politeness. You don't have to agree with me on this, but I believe that it is more important and urgent than our excuses. "I can't because of this or that."
This whole section of scripture speaks of urgency. Get up, get going, leave the excuses... there is work to be done. There is also a matter of focus. I have been known to spread myself a little "thin" at times and then I am not focused on the most important things. Many things can distract from the best thing- we get to choose.
As I read scripture I read that some dropped their nets and folloowed Jesus. Some wanted to jump in and go to work or learn from our Lord. But others have excuses, questions, arguments to "strain at gnats" and still others work for Him in the contexts where they are already placed.
Do you have a sense of urgency? Does our Church have it? Does our denomination have it? Jesus was urgent... "follow me, let the dead bury the dead, don't look back, if you see your neighbor in need..."
Think on these things. How is your urgency in God's kingdom work these days?

Thursday, January 3, 2008

New Year Bible Reading Program

I said I would post on the Daily Bible readings from time to time. I will not post every day. I can share some of my insights.

Luke 2:51,52 partial "Jesus was obedient to his parents in Nazareth and He grew in wisdom, stature and favor."

As I read about John the Baptist it read that he was filled with the Holy Spirit upon birth. But is says here that Jesus grew. He grew in multiple ways. He did not come out of the womb all "Godlike." He grew. If Jesus grew we all must grow. He grew in 3 ways. Wisdom, stature and favor with God and man. Wisdom - knowledge and smart. Staure - his body grew and matured. Favor- character. These 3 ways are about the complete growing man or woman.
I could dissect these words better. Especially favor.
Application - I am reading and studying a lot and that is for wisdom.
I seek to reform my dietary habits and to exercise so that my body lasts longer and is healthier while I am around. Favor - not to please everybody, but to please God by my moral and menail conduct.
Is there any area where I am slipping? In fact all 3 areas are places of regular battles aren't they?
Prayer - O God, reveal Your heart and plan for me. Help me to be humble and loving. Please keep my anger and arrogance in check so that people can see you and not me.