Nexus Notes

Pursuit of a Bible

2009-07-13T18:50:00.000-07:00

I was greeted in the parking lot this morning shortly after 8am by a women from the church seeking a Bible from the church. No brainer, right? Well I am new to the place less than 2 weeks. I have not unpacked my 25 boxes of books for the office and I do not know where things are in the church. No secretary for another hour and the woman needs/wants a Bible from the church. The church library is still in boxes... no help there. I looked in the chapel... sanitized of any small items that could be taken. Nothing. so I decided to give my packed boxes a look. Maybe, just maybe I had labeled well enough to find what I knew I had. Voila, I found a good condition of the the NLT and gave it to the woman with some Bible 101 teaching.

What makes a person think - I want to read the Bible or "I need to read the Bible" ? Holy Spirit? Something in the air? Another person? A change of heart or circumstance? Don't know, but I do know it can lead to great things. God, send more who are looking for a Bible to read and also a place and people to read it with.

The 30

2009-06-09T05:22:00.000-07:00

Last Sunday was my 30th anniversary for Ordination as Deacon and my 25 anniversary of Ordination as Elder in the United Methodist Church. Oh what things we have seen in these years. I remember some of the benchmarks I thought would be important. I remember some of the dreams. I think I have always focused on souls, but sometimes did not know what process to use. I think I have always wanted to serve God first with a whole heart, but things got in the way. A couple of turning points or change points would be first trip to Uganda - wow, that was a big one. then call to church planting and that was a major step of change. I remain a missionary and that fed into church planting. I have that desire to approach all of ministry as a missionary. I also know that does not sit well with everybody. But I press on.

I believe that I am entering another of those turning points. It will be a good one and a large one. Every appointment I have had called out new and different leadership skills in me. This phase might just be more "coach" than "expert." A coach calls out the best in those on the team. The discipline of a coach is that even if you know how to do what needs to be done you must call it out or call whatever it is out of the ones being coached. We'll see how this goes. And, in this case, again I submit myself to coaching.

There's that funny thing - Tiger Woods - great golfer, millionaire, father... still gets coaching to keep on getting better. Several pastors I respect, learn from and enjoy are getting coached even as they coach others. What am I afraid of?

Counting it a privilege Acts 5

2009-06-03T05:45:00.000-07:00

Friends,
In the book of Acts we find the disciples and the church doing what Jesus charged them to do... Go spread the word of forgiveness and salvation. Check this out... Acts 5:38-41
“So my advice is, leave these men alone. If they are teaching and doing these things merely on their own, it will soon be overthrown. But if it is of God, you will not be able to stop them. You may even find yourselves fighting against God.”
The council accepted his advice. They called in the apostles and had them flogged. Then they ordered them never again to speak in the name of Jesus, and they let them go. The apostles left the high council rejoicing that God had counted them worthy to suffer dishonor for the name of Jesus. And every day, in the Temple and in their homes, they continued to teach and preach this message: “The Messiah you are looking for is Jesus.”
This got me thinking - is what I am up to today of me or of God? Second - Have I ever really felt dishonor for the name of Jesus and rejoiced in suffering for it? I am not thinking of anything right off the top - there was the time I was nearly arrested in Home Depot because of an electrician I had hired to do some work on a building. But real persecution, no. Maybe a bit of stress, too much change, or some frustration ... dishonor, no. Maybe I should work on that? Often I have had privilege and blessing because of the name of Jesus. It is not easy to uproot and move again for the connection and as a UM preacher. But that is not dishonor.
As I come the newest change and appointment to Rome 1st. UMC I say goodbye to some great people and wonderful friends. Most inside the church and thankfully some outside the church. I am engaging a Coach for this changeover process so that I can do my very best in a new congregation. It is exciting, always has been. I get a lot of new energy going into a new appointment. But truly I have a deep desire to be focused on the right things and doing what God wants and not what I think is good.
So we go ... less than a month now. Lots to do. And when I whine or complain or feel sorry for myself let me pause and think - isn't this for the sake of the Name of Jesus?

Shalom,Alan

it all goes in the box

2009-05-05T08:59:00.000-07:00

I think that John Ortberg wrote a study on that subject. With a month and a half to go before moving I have to get it in the box. Should take time to sort, but that is more time consuming. We try to get much done early so that we can enjoy the people the last few weeks. That is what we try to do. Sometimes it even works.

Luke 8 includes the parable of the sower or the farmer. He goes out to sow. The farmer broadcasts the seed - path, rocks, thorns, and fertile ground. as I think of the various places I have preached and pastored it is always true - you scatter seed and some of it boinks and some if it really does grow. When that seed hits the fertile and ready soil.... watch out, you can hardly keep up with the growth in that person and it brings great joy.

Then at the end is the great phrase - HE WHO HAS EARS TO HEAR... LET HIM HEAR. When I read that I go back and always re read the words or story right before it. Extra attention needs to be paid.

Back to the boxes and all but remembering the seed sown here and preparing to sow in a new field called Rome.

Philippians 1 and other

2009-03-10T11:58:00.000-07:00

The letter of Paul to the Philippians is a letter of love and appreciation. He is not pounding on a problem or something similar to many of his other letters. My touch point in this chapter is NLT vs. 21 "For to me, living means living for Christ and dying is even better." The way I remember it in rsv or other is "For me to live is Christ and to die is gain." I often ponder over this one. I remember pondering over it when I had to preach it in seminary. I love life, I want to live for Christ. Heaven is going to be fine, just fine, wonderful, extraordinary... but I can wait. In loving life I am not wanting to avoid heaven. But I am here for a purpose. So I want to be doing that purpose till I die. Ministry keeps me busy and challenged. The current economics are tough on all of us. But we need to live with purpose. I need to live with purpose. I live to support ministry with my friends in Uganda and to see to it that rural pastors get trained. I said without thinking the other day,"I would rather lose my right leg than give up the work in Uganda." I guess that is pretty passionate. I caught this quote today on a leadership CD I was listening to while driving. IF WE ARE NOT ANXIOUSLY ENGAGED IN A GOOD CAUSE WE'VE NO BUSINESS BEING ALIVE ANYWAY. I love the sentiment. I love the passion. I believe it is true and yet to say it does not have a lot of mercy gift in it. I tried to track down the source or at least where it had come from and it appears to have come in part from some Mormon teachings. I can live with that. I just love the passion. So what cause has you anxiously engaged and how passionate are you?

1 Cor 9:22 b Common Ground

2009-02-26T09:06:00.000-08:00

In some other translations Paul says he tried to be all things to all men that he might save some. In the NLT (new living translation) he says he tries to fine common ground. The point of finding common ground - helping others find or take steps towards Christ. To me, that is what it is all about. Common ground for conversation, common ground for relationship. It could be Nascar, biking, rowing, books, beer, music, some craft or collection. We show an interest in them and their life. Does that mean I am going to start collecting Barbie dolls to save the Barbie doll lover, NO? maybe a common concern, maybe just something I can learn from the person to improve my knowledge. Today I simply asked my friend about optical work as he has been an optician. I am not trying to save his soul, I am being human and trying to see if I can bring something of help in vision care to Ugandans at some point. He had a lot to offer in something I know nothing about except that people have trouble seeing, need correct glasses and that I need 1.5 magnification to read things near at hand.

If you google common ground you will find housing, pubs, reconciliation resources, coffee shops, something with gay and lesbian concerns, computer language, a radio show and lots more. As a man, human and pastor I want to find common ground that God may open a door to Godself in Jesus Christ through me. I know a couple of churches and friends that have opened coffee houses named "Common Grounds" great idea and I love coffee and coffee people.

Our president, Barak Obama "No one is exempt from the call to find common ground."

I like it FIND COMMON GROUND and see what happens.

First Corinthians

2009-02-16T06:53:00.000-08:00

1 Corinthians Chpt 1
The Apostle Paul hits the nail on the head. "Let there be no divisions among you." Out with nit picking, out with petty quarrels and power plays. Why? The world is lost, dying and going to hell. Do we hammer out policy? Yes. Do we push to understand and sharpen each other as iron sharpens iron? Yes.
What I have observed in churches and in other organizations is that there is nothing easier for Satan than to start a little fight and blow the whole thing up. Over the years I get lots of excuses from inside and outside the church. I left because they were fighting over... Frequently it involves money, but not always. Nothing stunts or stops church and individual spiritual growth like division. "A house divided against itself cannot stand." Jesus. We had best not be too idealistic on friction. Whenever there are people there will be friction. A good resolved conflict or division is often a strength. But everyone has different tolerance levels for such things.
In the later section of this chapter I find some fun phrases. God uses the foolish to shame the wise. The powerless to shame the powerful and the despised by the world to bring to nothing what the world considers important. Why? So no one can boast in themselves. It's kindof like the trick up God's sleeve - the child that blows your mind by simple kindness, the stereotype that is wrecked in some way and simply when God does a wonder. Let us only boast in Him!

Mark 11, 12

2009-01-16T08:22:00.000-08:00

Playing a little catchup here. In Mark 11 in reference to the
colt/donkey/burro needed Jesus says, "Tell them the Lord needs it and
will return it soon."NLT I love it. And the people with the donkey let
it go - as it turns out for noble use. To be in the grand celebration
of the king of Kings and Lord of Lords. Here's a question - what do we
have that may need to be borrowed for the Lord's use? (Now that is from
preachin to meddlin... it is mine mine mine...) Really? Let us be the
ones to share what we have. My experience is that in the 3rd. world
some things are held much more lightly - as ifsome possessions belong
to the community. I have seen the home chairs of friends brought to the
church so that the big white guy can be honored for visiting, etc.

Next
stop. 11:25 "When you are praying, first forgive anyone you are holding
a grudge against." Let's go with this and some of the parables Jesus
was teaching. IF YOU SEE YOURSELF IN THE STORY pay attention, make
adjustments, figure it out. You don't have all day.

Last stop. 12:24 Two big problems we all must wrestle with -
You don't know the scriptures...
You don't know the power of God. OUCH! Something is needling me here.
Shalom and stay warm. Alan

Mark 9

2009-01-13T15:23:00.000-08:00

Here are some things to look at and ponder.
9:13 But I tell you Elijah has already come and they chose to abuse him just as the scriptures predicted. I believe that Jesus is referring to John the Baptist, who was laughed at, imprisoned and sorrowfully beheaded at the order of a drunken King who paid too much for a dance. Question - can you find in scripture where it is predicted that Elijah would be abused?

9:29 This kind can be cast out only by prayer. This was in response to the disciples not being able to cast out a demon. But here is my question to you. Have you ever said, "Jesus, why could we not ________________?" you fill in the blank. Sometimes I know that I have not been sufficiently to the altar of prayer.

9:49 "For everyone will be tested by fire." No kidding. The scripture may really mean "salted with fire." in a short, but inadequate description of this it means to be purified. I have been purified a few times, how bout you?

Keep reading.

Mark 7

2009-01-09T12:02:00.000-08:00

Jesus is always pointing out hypocrisy and loving, healing and saving rejects.

Mark 6

2009-01-08T08:24:00.000-08:00

Mark 6:5 And because of their unbelief, he couldn't do any miracles among them except to place his hands on a few sick and heal them. And He was amazed at their unbelief.

This does not fit the Jesus I know. I believe he can do miracles and has the power to do miracles if I want to have them or not. But I see the point, why do the miracles if there is unbelief. Kindof like casting pearls before swine. It is not that he did nothing, just that he did less in that area because of the unbelief.

Note - the end of the same chapter 6:56 "... they begged him to let the sick touch at least the fringe of his robe, and all who touched him were healed."

So... this unbelief or belief is a factor in miracles. Jesus may withold them due to a culture of unbelief. What does this say to those who explain the miracles of the Bible with scientific demythologizing or explanations like (they had the sandwiches hidden in their robes and brought them out ... thus creating the multiplication of the loaves and fish)?

What does this say to me when I seem to lack a miracle believing faith... such as "I do not see the finances as being predictably adequate, etc.?" Am I in disbelief? Do I hinder the miracle work of God? I say I believe and I do believe in them. But am I fooling myself with a little distance, a bit of scepticism or simply not having my whole heart in prayer for the miracles we desire?

See the difference in the enviromments at beginning of the chapter and at the end. The Geresene hometown and the Genessaret area across the way. I certainly want to live out and create a space for miracles to happen. How's your miracle quotient?

Mark 4

2009-01-06T05:37:00.000-08:00

The parable of the sower is one of Jesus' parables that he also explains. A sower goes out to sow - some seed falls on path, rocks, birds, thorns and some even in fertile soil. In the parable and in life the sower/farmer sows even though they know some will not yield a result. They still sow the seed. Just like I do both in preaching and in my daily life. But in some cases WOW great fruit. A high yield. But the point is to sow no matter what. One guarantee - no sowing, no reaping. Not even a little.
Wouldn't you love to have a guaranteed evangelism plan or talk that always produces results? Sure, I would too. But that is one of the secrets of the Kingdom. No one plan works for everyone and gets results every time. Here is what I say - we invest ourselves and our lives. In the long run it will pay off. Some of the fruit I see from my ministry is not immediately evident. So, like happened a few months ago, I learn about it 20 years later. Kid you not. Someone tracked me down and told me how my tough love and a corrective measure had turned out well for them 20 years later and they wanted to let me know and thank me. Don't miss the second sowing message in this chapter Mark 4:26 the sower does not understand the growing seed in the ground, but it comes up and there is a harvest.
As in agriculture - I sow and do not always see and understand what is going on underground with that seed and plant. But I do understand when I see fruit or grain and I thank GOD for the growth. It was not me, I was only a part of what God was doing. The one who planted the seed to see if I would grow is watching what I am doing in response to His seed scattering.

This great chorus is by Tommy Walker - He Knows My Name
I have a Maker
He formed my heart
Before even time began
My life was in his hands

I have a Father
He calls me His own
He'll never leave me
No matter where I go

He knows my name
He knows my every thought
He sees each tear that falls
And He hears me when I call

I seem to remember another line to this "He know my every weakness he heals me when I fall." Maybe i made it up I don't know. But I put it out there anyway.

Mark 2

2009-01-02T03:17:00.000-08:00

In Ch. 1 of Mark Jesus encountered satan. In Ch. 2 He starts His encounter with the teachers/Scribes/Pharisees. He knew what they were thinking... I do not think we get the point so much here, we get caught up in the healing (take up you mat and walk) or we are caught up in the help of the 4 friends who get the man to Jesus who could not get there himself. I often miss that first Jesus forgave the man's sin, then he healed him in the body to prove he had the power to forgive. The teachers saw that if Jesus was forgiving sins then he was really claiming some divine authority - this is a no no, this is trouble.

New wineskins - a great name for a new, innovative church. I do not know if there is such a church with that name. Probably is, but there is an association called the New Wineskins Association of Churches. ---

What we have seen is a movement of God’s Spirit across the world which is
transcending denominational lines and drawing millions to meet Jesus Christ
as their Lord and Savior for the first time. New wine of fresh faith in Christ is
being poured out from heaven.
We want to be part of what God is doing. But here at home, mainline denominations struggle with theological confusion, ethical compromise and numerical decline.
We envision a church, therefore, that is theologically clear and passionate because it is based on shared essential tenets of historic orthodox faith.
We envision a church that is brimming over with compassion because we are clear about the Biblical ethics we share.
We envision a church that is missionally driven. Our focus is on outreach, on spreading the gospel in word and deed beyond our walls.
We envision a church that is reshaped in polity in order to serve, not impede, our
mission, in order to deepen trust and accountability. (google new wineskins)
It appears that maybe this group is a Presbyterian reform group. I
must think more about the new wineskins group being based more on the "shared
essential tenets of the the historic orthodox faith." So Jesus is a new wineskin guy - shake the foundations, quit
missing the point, exist for God, not for maintaining the things that seem
to
need to be maintained and do the right thing, glorify God, help
people,
fix the
broken, shake a few trees, be missional. His disciples
will not look like disciples
always looked... or act that way, because they
are reaching new generations,
people groups, etc. for the Lord.. or because
the Lord divinely directed
them
there. Sabbath - another place that Jesus gets in trouble because he is
showing He is Lord of the Sabbath. NLT "The Sabbath was made to meet the needs of
people, and not people to meet the needs of the Sabbath." So let me take a
shot
at it here - Sabbath is for restoration, not obligation. Not what I
can
do for
God, but what God can do for me in a time of rest and
renewal.
There's a New
Year resolution for some of us - take Sabbath or
burn out and
be no good to
anyone, especially to God. Granted, I am the
first one to
admit, it takes some
conscious change and working out. But
the words of
Jesus are still the Word of
God. Figure out Sabbath!!!! His
divine authority
shouts it out. I try to take Fridays myself. Been a bit lax at the end of the
year. So here goes for the New Year 2009. What will re-create me so that I
can
serve God better the rest of the week? Shalom, Alan

Mark 1 Happy New year

2009-01-01T06:44:00.000-08:00

Here we go- reading one chapter of the NT per day and even getting weekends off. My challenge is GO DEEP.

Mark 1 - I am so glad the readings start with the gospel of Mark. It is my favorite. Everything is about the messiah, healing and it all leads to the passion. 1/2 way through ch 8 Jesus predicts his death and challenges to the cross for everyone.

The news - Jesus, the Messiah is coming.
The messenger - John, rough, ready and passionate.
Jesus Baptism - the banner event and the heavens are opened.
Temptation - Spirit compelled, satan organized

Jesus, Messiah, passed the test. He makes the way for us to pass the test. He's our help, our health, and our salvation.

Inside out or outside in

2008-12-03T06:49:00.000-08:00

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?

2008-11-17T12:09:00.000-08:00

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.

2008-10-16T18:25:00.000-07:00

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.

Investments

2008-10-09T03:19:00.000-07:00

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.)

Not all Lance Armstrong or Michael Phelps

2008-08-15T13:19:00.000-07:00

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.

A Franciscan Blessing

2008-08-12T11:37:00.000-07:00

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.

Frog foibles

2008-08-09T04:51:00.000-07:00

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.

The trouble with Tiger

2008-06-18T13:57:00.000-07:00

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.

Ripping up bushes

2008-06-05T12:06:00.000-07:00

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.

LeadNow Conference

2008-04-29T10:46:00.000-07:00

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?

Economic Stimulus Check

2008-04-23T07:33:00.000-07:00

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.

UM General Conference

2008-04-22T05:54:00.000-07:00

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?

Credit Jonathan

2008-04-16T17:20:00.000-07:00

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.

Do you hear what I hear?

2008-04-14T09:16:00.000-07:00

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.

King Wanted

2008-04-10T10:42:00.000-07:00

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."

No king

2008-04-03T10:16:00.000-07:00

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.

Oh Paul , Oh Paul

2008-04-02T13:36:00.000-07:00

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!

Ever been Gideoned

2008-03-31T08:47:00.000-07:00

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.

little things

2008-02-12T15:28:00.000-08:00

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!

Salt and Fat

2008-02-06T13:40:00.000-08:00

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. ;-)

Sounds you rarely hear

2008-02-04T17:32:00.000-08:00

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.

Bible reading blossoming

2008-01-22T05:20:00.000-08:00

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.

Urgency

2008-01-10T08:49:00.000-08:00

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?

New Year Bible Reading Program

2008-01-03T18:16:00.001-08:00

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.

Where You Are, Where You Been and Where You Going

2007-12-24T03:19:00.000-08:00

Most popular gift this year for adults seems to be the GPS. My grandson says, "Get a Garmin." Which is probably a sales slogan. Anyway, we seem to think we want to know where we are. We don't want to get lost. We savor the security of the electronic wizard. We boaters know, "Always have the paper charts in case the electronics go down." Side note, the fancy boats have this autopilot that will take you back the way you came. It remembers the 'waypoints." No, I do not have that fancy stuff.

What about spiritual GPS? Where are you on your life journey? Do you know what the next few turns ahead are going to be? I know where I will be tonight - with Mary and Joseph at the stable of Bethlehem, "She kept all these things and pondered them in her heart." I will also be with family. That is always a joy. I have taken my Sabbath in the midweek the past 2 weeks to examine myself to see where I am and to think about the year to come. All I know for sure is that GPS for me will have to include - going into the Word of God daily, making and singing Christ- centered music, reading other books that push me to be a better pastor and person, getting together with some of the guys in my church, meeting with my accountability group and keeping up the Mission work in Uganda and East Africa.

I am always open to great suggestions of books that will be of help.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year, Alan

My old friend... the shovel

2007-12-13T13:51:00.000-08:00

This is not really a blog with spiritual meaning. At least I don't think it is.

My old friend the shovel. I have been doing battle with the elements some of the day. As winter begins I put the faded red push shovel into my vehicle and it goes where I go. I believe that I have had this shovel longer than my bride. But that is another story. In any case it is an old friend. It is just right. You cannot buy push shovels like it anymore. It takes a lickin and keeps on tickin. Not too heavy and not too light. Comfortable and familiar, it has been with me through 2007 - the winter that wasn't, then WAS. It has cleared ice, snow and slush. It has done walks and driveways and even roofs. It was not with me in the blizzard of 1977, but it was my best friend in March of 1993 - about the last time I cancelled church. Last year the handle started to fall off. Fortunately I caught it in time - shovels are not much of any good without the handle. The current pushers have that metal edge - too much for some circumstances.

But, alas that plastic edge is starting to fail, not that beautiful smooth line it once gave. Maybe a year or two more. Without my old friend maybe I should give thought to not wintering in the snow belt anymore. I always say, "I love the snow and hate the cold." But the truth is that I am not taking the snow as well as I used to. Well, thank you God for the snow. And thank you for the old friend the faded red push shovel. After all, you created everything... and called it good. Right?

Lessons from the Drum Circle

2007-12-03T11:28:00.000-08:00

Some of you know that I have a pretty good collection of African hand drums. These are not commercially made, but handmade in Uganda. My favorites are the long drum and the one that was a gift from a church in the mountains where I was the first ‘muzungu’ aka white who had preached in that church. This last time I brought back a djembe which is the common drum circle drum you see here.

On Saturday our church drummer Craig and I went to a big time drum circle with a pro teacher. This event was in Syracuse with about 55- 60 in attendance. I brought 4 of my own drums and had fun playing, explaining them and sharing them. They are nice conversation starters. We discovered that there is a weekly drum circle on Fancher road in the summer. The person who leads it gave a tentative promise to visit us at our Spirit Moves Café Service in the spring. Craig and I had a blast and I was given an opportunity to work on my rhythm. 3 and ½ hours worth- you can tell from my hands.

Jim Donavan was the teacher. He taught us a few relaxation exercises, a few things about our drums and lots about drumming. Here is what he observed. Playing with a group in a drum circle takes:
Cooperation- work together, no solos, no hot shots.
Competition - Not! It is a non – competition thing.
Clarity - this is about focus, letting other distractions go, getting a clear beat and hit on the proper place on the drum head. Be there and enjoy the pulse.
Calm – playing in group and alone can be relaxing. I happen to focus on getting it right instead of just enjoying and working together as we learn together.

What I learned was that I want to learn the pattern by seeing, but sometimes the pattern goes too fast and the eye cannot quite get it. So you have to hear the pattern. Alan learned to listen AND look. Truthfully, that has always been what I enjoy about Uganda and worship there- hearing it and feeling it. The pulse of the drums catches me up and gets my whole body and heart into the worship time. Yeah, I even dance there too, but that is another topic.

What are you doing to get your full being into what you are doing?

Stubborn or persistent?

2007-11-25T09:19:00.000-08:00

When I do funerals I often come upon a characteristic called stubbornness. I usually say that it is one of my favorites because it is a family heritage of mine. Dad, granddad and so on. Some of us are proudly stubborn and some of us are just stubborn and mule headed. There is stubborn that gets you through tough times and difficulties and there is stubbornness that will not listen to wise counsel, will not change and so on.

We have to be stubborn or at least persistent to get through this life. "Tough times don't last, tough people do." Heard that one a few times. But what about that which I have called stubborn which is really more properly called persistence? Most endeavors fail because they are either not begun or they are not finished. Persistence is what gets us through discouragement or even around it.

Some things about persistence from the book The Centurion Principles:
Destiny has a way of rewarding the persistent.

Persistence means valuing your purpose more than caring about who values you.

Persistence means you live according to the destiny you have been called to rather than the expediency of short - term profit. ( you can make more money, but you cannot buy more years)

Persistence means you have a vision, have been given a vision, or have developed a vision that consumes your waking moments.

Persistence means you are capable of enduring suffering and doubt and derision and even hate. People who are persistent threaten those whose character is too weak to develop this Centurion quality.

Stubborn is stiff, unbending, unyielding, unreasonably obstinate in will or opinion.
Persistence is refusing to give up or let go, especially on a dream or a goal. You keep coming back, don't give up and may even keep learning what you need to know along the way to get the job done.

So are you stubborn or persistent or a hybrid?

I like being stubborn, but maybe I need to be more persistent.

Shalom to YOU.

Holy Spirit Needed

2007-11-20T05:42:00.000-08:00

This is a little long, but it is a quote and I really appreciate the thoughts. We modern day Methodists have seemed a bit shy of the Holy Spirit. We should not be, Wesley certainly was not. I am trying to be more Spirit dependent and more Spirit aware.
A great teacher, Dr. Steven Seamands, has written regarding the Holy Spirit, who is vital to our life and leadership as pastors, “The Holy Spirit is vital. We see this in the Old and New Testaments. When the Spirit comes there is life giving power and it is energizing. The wind is one of the ways we see the Spirit. The diving energy, the life – force, the vitality. This is the Greek understanding of dunamis, the breath of God.”
And then it happened, “Wind, breath, spirit entered them and they came to life and stood up on their feet- a vast army.” Ezekiel 37:10 So it is when the Spirit comes. The dead comes to life, the exhausted have new energy, the weary press on and gain momentum. There is revival, animation and action.
The church is absolutely dependent on the life- giving work of the Spirit. Without the Spirit, it quickly degenerates into a mere human religious institution.
“The presence of the Spirit is vital and central to the work of the Church,” wrote Samuel Chadwick in his classic book, The Way of Pentecost. “Nothing else avails. Apart from Him wisdom becomes folly, and strength weakness… Scholarship is blind to spiritual truth till He reveals. Worship is idolatry till He inspires. Preaching is powerless if it be not a demonstration of His power.”
“Prayer is vain unless He energizes,” Chadwick continues. “Human resources of learning and organization, wealth and enthusiasm, reform and philanthropy, are worse than useless if there be no Holy Ghost in them. The Church always fails at the point of self-confidence. When the Church is run on the same lines as a circus, there may be crowds, but there is no Shekinah. Education can civilise, but it is being born of the Spirit that saves.”
“The energy of the flesh can run bazaars, organize amusements, and raise millions; but it is the presence of the Holy Spirit that makes a Temple of the Living God,” Chadwick concludes. “The root – trouble of the present distress is that the Church has more faith in the world and the flesh than in the Holy Ghost, and things will get no better till we get back to His realized presence and power.”
Dr. Semands of Asbury Theological Seminary also writes, “Oh, how we need the wind, the life- giving power of the Holy Spirit. And, of course, that holds true not only in our life together as believers, in our churches, but also in our personal, individual lives as well. How far will our religious self- determination take us? Not far at all.”

Happy Thanksgiving. So Orange.

New Church Gomba

2007-11-15T08:36:00.000-08:00

I am always amazed at my friends in Uganda. It blows my mind when they set out to do things because they are the right thing. They do them in faith, believing that God will provide and show them the way. Even I have such "in the box" thinking on some of these things, but I try to keep myself stretched out, seeing new and amazing things. Here is a quote from my partner in Uganda with Nexus Seminary. BTW Gomba is 2 hours drive out from the capital of Kampala into the "bush". The roads get smaller, narrower until they are paths....

"we have set out an amazing program for december, a work of faith for that matter. we are doing evangelism course on 11 & 12 th dec and then go on straight into an evangelistic outreach for the rest of the week; there after we shall plant a new church that same week. this will be 2-3miles in the interior from Israel's church. the place is called Sekulo, i visited it monday after class and was struck by the level of drunkenness there. there has never been an outreach in
the place and there are one or two christians there."

Regarding my non "out of the box" thinking I love this quote from Retired Colonel Jeff O'Leary in a book "The Centurion Principles" "Great leaders don't think outside the box-- they bury it. And then they make darn sure none of their followers are tempted to dig it up again." I love it!

Lastly a quote from Thomas Alva Edison - M A Rosanoff "Mr. Edison, please tell me what laboratory rules you want me to observe." Edison "What? There ain't no rules around here! We're tryin to accomplish somep'in!"

More from Centurion Principles in another blog.

Conferencing Challenge

2007-11-13T05:39:00.000-08:00

1 Peter 2:12 "Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us.”

Last night I shared the following with 3 churches gathered in their Annual Business Meeting (called Church Conference) Maybe I said it to scare and challenge myself...

We are United Methodists. Heritage of Jesus, Apostles, Church Fathers, Crusaders, Reformers, Wesleys, Circuit Riding Preachers and the lay ministers who did everything in the church in the meantime. We need each other. We need the Holy Spirit to fall upon us.

These are not easy days for the church. Transitions, transformations, traditions, transplants and transpositions of the ancient harmonies into the tunes of the day.

We have a powerful and loving God.
We have Jesus, the one and only begotten of the Everlasting God.
We have talent and we’d better have faith.

Everything we do in our daily lives is a witness.
People are watching the lives of Christians as never before.
Is our God real?
Does the Church really care or is it just another sales pitch?
Do your words and deeds match up?
Is your life about you or is it about something, someone higher and holy?
Will we serve in our community as a deep expression of our faith?
If we are ‘saved’ does it show? Think on these things. Amen.
1 Peter 1:13 Prepare your minds for action!

Loving What You Do

2007-11-12T03:35:00.000-08:00

I always appreciate people who seem to love what they do. Two recently come to mind. Brett Favre who, by the way, had a great day yesterday while being knocked woozy. A couple seasons ago Brett went on a serious re-conditioning program so that he could play better. He realized he was getting older and needed to be in high level conditioning to play the sport he loved longer. And he certainly is doing that as he breaks records. The other person is a soldier, husband of a friend. He is nearing retirement. His job is training. But he is now called up to return to Iraq. Our conversation with his wife anticipated that he might be feeling poorly. No. He is ready to roll. Loves being a soldier and to quote her, "It is what he does!" I love that.
I love being a pastor. I love the call of God within that call to be a missionary to Uganda. It is what I do. I hope that it shows. There are some potholes along the way that interfere with my journey and make it more difficult if not challenging. But I love what I do, pastoring and working with people. I am also insanely crazy about working in the mission field. That really makes me get up in the morning. The aforementioned D Min degree is a part of being a better pastor and missionary. Shalom.

Books, Books, Books

2007-11-10T04:36:00.000-08:00

I really did not understand the book addiction. I used to read as little as possible. But now I am catching up. My dad would buy books and never get to them, though they sounded good at the time. I found them with markers part way through. I found some of them untouched. I learned a good rule back a while ago. When you buy a book it goes on your desk until you read it. The pile gets too big, then you don't buy more. I like books on tape, but buying them gets real expensive. I now have the books rolling in automatically on Leadership and Amazon and I are good friends. Used books are a cost saver often and I am very grateful for the used classics that are out there for the gleaning which are no longer sold new. John Wesley said to be a person of one book - The Bible. Though he would have placed the church rules Book of Discipline high on the list. He also published many books, hymns, pamphlets. No books from me. Though I do have a great idea for a compelling mystery set in the Thousand Islands. We all must juggle our reading time - fun things, work related and general news and magazines. So many books, so little time....

Degrees and growth

2007-11-09T10:58:00.000-08:00

First Blog. Welcome friends, relatives and neighbors. I have recently decided through much prayer to step out and start a Doctor of Ministry degree. This will involve 3+ years of reading, writing, classes and even the ominous Dissertation Defense. Why go through this? Well, simply put, I am not getting any younger and I need to keep growing. So the study plan is the way to go. I cannot claim to make a family first since step daughter Anna is now a math PHD and son Ben is now a Dr. of PT - physical therapy. I also know that my brother has a head start on his PHD in History. So here we go. Keep on learning. Keep on growing.

I read recently that the amount of knowledge and information is growing very fast. Business methods are changing rapidly. This book said that the average person must be retrained 4 times in their lifetime. Maybe it is even more times than that. I am not sure which number retraining this is for me, but I had better get going on it. Shalom.