October 28, 2012

This morning’s News Leader has a great story about Wesley members painting yesterday at Rare Breed during the Springfield area “Make a Difference Day.” As we are emphasizing serving today in worship, this is great timing, and a good example of how our members regularly serve throughout the year in various ministries.

I am waking up refreshed and ready for the day. Yesterday I started at the Men’s breakfast, and then took two of our members flying over Springfield. In the afternoon I worked around the house, exercised at the gym, and then worked in my study a little before retiring early for bed.

Today Dwight Chapman will bring the morning message about serving, the national director from Rainbow network in Nicaragua will bring greetings, and all our ministries are emphasized with displays throughout the lobby. It is an exciting day. This afternoon our children’s ministries host a friendly Halloween party in the gym, after which I head to Columbia for the BOM meeting on Monday and Tuesday.

I Corinthians 13 (from today’s Upper Room)

Love is the greatest gift, attribute, characteristic of the Christian life. This chapter falls immediately between Paul’s discussion of spiritual gifts in chapter 12, and his clarification on prophecy and tongues in chapter 14. It is refreshing and instructive for me to read chapter 13 this morning. I usually read it in the context of a wedding, and speak about it.

Guide me today, most holy Lord as I seek to embody a life of love and good work. May kindness and care be the nature of my life and ministry. Guard me from anything that would reduce love expressed through my earthly journey.

October 24, 2012

"There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit. There are different kinds of service but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but the same God works all of them in all men." (I Corinthians 12:4-6)

Today at this training for the Board of Ordained Ministry, we will be considering an assessment tool that will help us in the work of assessing gifts, service and working of potential pastors. I look forward to becoming familiar with it.

Yesterday I ran three miles before dinner, and tangled with a minivan whose driver did not see me when she pulled out as I crossed in front of her. I slammed my hands on her hood and prepared to vault across, and she responded quickly to brake. The end was benign, but caused me to think again how careful pedestrians need to be, assuming that drivers will not see them.

I am affirmed as a pastor and as a servant leader in the annual conference through attending this training event and networking with others. These are big responsibilities, and God has gifted and equipped me to undertake them with authenticity and aptitude, calling and giftedness. Guide me today most Holy Lord as I learn and am equipped to serve.

October 20, 2012

It is a beautiful clear, cool fall morning. My schedule is flexible today, with writing and preparation on tap. My favorite Greenway was reopened yesterday, having been closed 3 years for the construction of the hwy 60-hwy 65 interchange, and I will get on it this morning for perhaps a 10 mile trek. Last night I went for a walk around 8:00 and the night was still, with the stars sparkling and the quarter moon low in the west. Monday I head out early for Dallas, a long-anticipated trip for training of BOM chairs, registrars and staff from all states.

II Cor 5 (from today’s Upper Room) What a rich chapter! The first 10 verses address the concepts related to “the earthly tent which is our house” and the preference to “be absent from the body and to be at home with the Lord.” (Verse 8) With Paul, it is my ambition to be pleasing to the Lord, whether here in this earthly tent or in His presence in glory. I am reminded that “each one [will] be recompensed for his deeds in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad.” (Verse 10) Verses 11-19 describe life when “the love of Christ controls us” (verse14) when the old things are passed away, all things have become new and the one who is in Christ is a new creation (verse 17). Thus, being reconciled to God through Christ, “he has committed to us the word of reconciliation” (19) and we become his ambassadors of reconciliation.

The last verse leaves much to meditate upon: “He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.” Today Bruce Baxter is becoming the righteousness of God in Christ, living in Springfield Missouri, married to Audrey Holmgren, father of David and Bethany, pastoring Wesley United Methodist Church and chairing the Missouri Conference Board of Ordained Ministry. This is the day that the Lord has made, I will rejoice and be glad in it!

October 19, 2012

The high today is predicted to go only to 56 degrees. It will be windy, but not as strong as yesterday. My meetings went well yesterday and I was able to complete many items on my to-do list. I have today and tomorrow to make progress on writing and other preparations. Last night I wrote Riad a Facebook message, and also commented on a photo on Jed Smock’s page. He wrote me back that it was indeed taken in Wilmore, where he spoke at Asbury University. His report will be posted today.

This morning I will read scripture and also a sermon by John Wesley, #116 about why Christianity has been ineffective. I discovered this sermon in a document recommended by the Commission on Higher Education.

Isaiah 26 Verse 3 – I have memorized this in the King James Version: “Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.” I have experienced this to be true – I have lived in this peace which results from a mind fixed on God, a heart that trusts in God alone for salvation. This chapter from Isaiah is rich with imagery and promises. Reading it this morning I feel renewed and recharged as a member of your people, those who seek your face and obey your word, investing our lives in your kingdom’s advance on earth.

Wesley “Causes of the Inefficacy of Christianity” sermon 116

Is there no balm in Gilead; is there no physician there? Why then is not the health of the daughter of my people recovered.” Jer 8:22 Wesley relates this question to his generation and asks “Why has Christianity done so little good in the world?” This is a great sermon, and I will continue to benefit from reading it this morning.

October 18, 2012

Tuesday night Audrey and I hosted our life group which is made up of several of the new members who will be joining Wesley on Sunday. I drove late into the night on Tuesday to Excelsior Springs where I co-led a Wednesday morning session at the RIM retreat (Residents in Ministry) for the board of ordained ministry with Mark Dumas. Last night our facilities study committee met and had a good session in which I made a presentation about Granger UMC in Indiana, highlighting their children’s space. Today I will write, prepare, plan and meet. I have four appointments with leaders, and no evening commitments. I hope to get a flu shot on my way to work out later in the afternoon. Mark 12 (Upper Room) This chapter contains parables and teachings of Jesus. The final 4 verses (41-44) contain the account of Jesus taking a seat (in the temple) opposite the treasury, and watching people as they put their money into the treasury. He commented on the widow who put in two small copper coins: “Truly I say to you, this poor widow put in more than all the contributors to the treasury; for they all put in out of their surplus, but she, out of her poverty, put in all she owned, all she had to live on.” There is a clear stewardship message here, and as I preach on giving on Sunday, I will consider the meaning of this passage. Pastor ministry is complicated. As I read this chapter of scripture, various images flash in my mind of people and situations that are currently involved in the church, and in my imagination I can picture similar situations in faith communities down through history, including in Jesus’ day. Today my role seems like two small copper coins, and I know that what I have to offer, dedicated to God’s glory, will be received by Him and multiplied, just like the small boy’s lunch of 2 fish and 5 loaves, and the five small stones of David. Thank you Lord for the promises of scripture and your Spirit speaking to my spirit this morning. Guide my steps as I serve You with all that I am today. Use my obedience to your glory.

October 13, 2012

We are having a garage sale this morning. It starts at 7 am, and I need to put out a couple of signs, move the cars and motorcycle to the road, and help Audrey and Tammy move the items from the garage onto the driveway, making room to walk. We will see how it all pans out. James 1 (suggested by today’s Upper Room devotional) “This is pure and undefiled religion in the sight of our God and Father, to visit orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world.” (Verse 27) I have always appreciated the practical wisdom and direct instructions provided by James in this epistle. After he introduces himself in verse 1, he says “Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance.” He lived and wrote during fierce persecution of the young church. I live in America during relative prosperity as the mainline church is shrinking on every side. It is way too easy to be a follower of Christ. I desire to live closer to the edge, trusting God for miracles and daily direction. “And let endurance have its perfect result, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.” (Verse4) Yes Lord! I desire to be perfect and complete, and am willing to undergo whatever it takes. I will live today as your servant, seeking to do and live your will. In every interaction, every thought, every action, I will honor You.

October 12, 2012

John 14 was my devotional text, suggested by today’s Upper Room. It is the beginning of the second half of the gospel of John. Chapters 1-13 could be labeled “The eternal word incarnated coming to bring God into man.” Chapters 14-21 could be labeled “Jesus crucified and Christ resurrected…” (I find the outline prepared by Witness Lee as published in the Recovery Version to be quite helpful!) John 14 is very familiar to me, as I read it often in the context of leading a funeral. It is good for me to read it devotionally, and to listen for God’s word to Bruce Baxter. This morning I received comfort from the promises the Jesus goes to prepare a place for me. I also noted His boldness in stating that the Father was in Him, and He in the Father. He stated that we who follow after Him will do even greater works than He did. I paused at this sentence and considered the greater works I might be doing, and realized that I can certainly grow in this area. As I was waiting for this laptop to fire up, I picked up Charles Jefferson’s The Minister as Shepherd and continued where I had left off, reading about the shepherd as physician. I think the Holy Spirit is leading me to pay more attention to this aspect of ministry. Yesterday afternoon I called and spoke with Norm and Ruth D., who live in the Wright City area. I was waiting on a watch battery, and we had a great 15 minute conversation. I have been intending to call them for over a year. Norm is 84 and they have been married 61 years. It was great to hear their voices and to reconnect, albeit ever so briefly. Norm made the motion at the 1976 Charge Conference of Green Trails United Methodist church to approve me as a candidate for ordained ministry. Guide me today, most Holy Lord as I follow in your footsteps, with an openness to doing even greater things than you did during your earthly sojourn. May my life be fruitful today.

October 11, 2012

I will pray with another pastor later this morning at 7:30, partnering to live prayer filled lives as husbands, fathers, shepherds, and evangelists. The weather turns cloudy with patches of fog and rain today. I have a delightful lunch appointment and the rest of the day unscheduled, which will allow for writing, planning, and pastoral phone calls. I love being a pastor, and at times it is overwhelming. I completely trust in God’s grace and mercy, which supports me and equips me to pastor this large flock called Wesley UMC. Luke 14 (from today’s Upper Room) I come to God’s Word this morning with an expectancy, an openness, and a readiness to hear what the Holy Spirit will say to me. Jesus was invited to the house of one of the leaders of the Pharisees on the Sabbath to eat bread. In this context he taught eternal truths. First, it is okay to heal on the Sabbath, or to rescue your son from a well. Second, he taught that when you are invited to a banquet, it is better to take the lowest seat, and then be invited to a better seat by the host, than to take the best seat, and then have the host remove you because he has someone else designated to sit in that seat. “For everyone who exalts himself shall be humbled, and he who humbles himself shall be exalted.” (Verse 11) Third, when you invite guests to a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled the lame and the blind, instead of your friends, family or rich neighbors. He states that you will be blessed and “repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.” (Verse 14) Fourth, through a parable he taught that many people make excuses for not showing up (being present) when invited to a big dinner. The master desires his house filled, so commands his servant to compel the poor, crippled, blind and lame to come to his banquet, noting that none of those invited shall taste of the dinner. Sunday I am preaching about the importance of being present, of showing up. I was imagining this parable yesterday afternoon, with plans to look it up today. Here it is in my devotional reading! Fifth, while going along the way Jesus taught about the cost of discipleship, comparing it to building a tower or preparing to go to war. He concludes: “So therefore, no one of you can be My disciple who does not give up all his own possessions.” Today I will work on writing the Spring 2013 material, which will include Bonhoeffer’s work The Cost of Discipleship. I thank you for your Word to me today. Lord, it is so timely, so relevant, and speaks so clearly to my heart, my head, and my soul. Use me as your servant today, obedient to all your teachings, filled with grace and wisdom as your servant leader. Guard me from anything that would distract me from following you and being fruitful. Next, I will read on prayer from John Ed Mathison's Treasures of the Transformed Life. Audrey and I are reading daily selections on the same day, as John Ed suggested when he was with us last month.

October 9, 2012

I do not understand frost and dew. My car is dripping wet with dew, but on TV the weather reports the dew point at 37, with the temperature at 42. I expect there is some logical connection. As I stepped outside to get the paper, I heard footsteps in the dark, and then a runner yelled out “Good morning Pastor Bruce” I yelled back (softly) “keep it up” as I wondered who that might be. Our garage is set up for the sale this Saturday, which makes it crowded and barely enough room for the motorcycle, which I will be riding to work today. There is much work to be done today, and I am looking forward to it. My pastor’s pen will introduce our new Executive Director of Operations. Worship planning will take some preparation for me to lay out the coming weeks. Tonight I co-host a life group with Bigelows, and tomorrow I have meetings with the Executive Staff and Executive Leadership team. The work of the Board of Ordained Ministry has some details which need attending, and I am continuing to develop the Life Group material for the spring of 2013. Psalm 34 “I will bless the Lord at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth.” (1) This Psalm repeatedly blesses me in its expression and admonitions. “I sought the Lord and He answered me.” (4) For 38 years I have been seeking the Lord, and He has answered me in beautiful ways. “O taste and see that the Lord is good;” (8) Yes! “They who seek the Lord shall not be in want of any good thing.” I have never been lacking any good thing. My instructions for the day – verses13-14: “Keep your tongue from evil, and your lips from speaking deceit. Depart from evil, and do good; seek peace, and pursue it.” My reminder for the day – verses 15 and 22: “The eyes of the Lord are toward the righteous, and His ears are open to their cry.” “The Lord redeems the soul of His servants; and none of those who take refuge in Him will be condemned.” Thank you Lord for Psalm 34. It blesses me this morning, reminding me of your love and beauty, instructing me and promising me your presence and your provision. This Tuesday is dawning as a pretty regular day, it is the day which you have made and I will rejoice and be glad in it. Guide my every hour, every conversation, every ounce of preparation and follow-up.

October 8, 2012

I am up and at ‘um before 5 am. I am watching the Farm Report which precedes the morning news. I will cover the mums to save them from the frost for the next few weeks. The news says we are at 33 degrees here in Springfield. These hardy flowers tried to bloom in the Spring, and we cut off the buds so they would bloom in the Fall, which they have in glorious fashion. This unusually early cold snap will break today, with the high near 60, and warm for the next several days. There is frost on my car’s windshield, but not yet on the grass around the flowers. Perhaps the warmth of the ground is involved. I do not really understand frost! What shall I do with today? It is my day off, with no church related work scheduled. I will call a church member about her father’s death yesterday in his church in Illinois, and I will send out a group email to my life group with details about tomorrow’s first meeting. I worked yesterday afternoon making phone calls and invitations. Audrey and I will do some work around the house and yard to get ready for our weekend company, Rick and Ardell Oliver. We will also continue to prepare for our garage sale, postponed from last Saturday to next Saturday. I have been thinking a lot about Malcolm and Olwen, I will give them a call this morning. I plan to go on an 8 mile run, as part of my preparation for the Turkey Trot, 6 weeks away. It is a good incentive to increase my training intensity. Last year, 2011 I finished in 26:50 (8:40 per mile), almost 2 minutes better than my 28:47 in 2010. I placed 1110th overall, 34th out of 181 men my age (55-59). (excerpted from my 2011 journal). Perhaps a good goal this year would be to split the difference, say aim for a 27:50. If I do longer conditioning, and some speed work, running 5-6 days a week for the next 6 weeks, this might be possible. Since the marathon in February, I have had no incentive to train. I have been doing maintenance workouts, with a few timed miles. I would say that I have a decent conditioning base to work from. The thought of spending more than an hour on my day off running has not appealed to me, but today it does. I will hit the road at 6:30, with my reflective vest. Colossians 3 This is a great chapter! It has nuggets from beginning to end. “If then you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth. For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God.” (verses 1-3) As I begin this day, I am seeking the things above. I am setting my mind on the things above, because I have died and my life is hidden with Christ in God. In the ordinary course of a day, week, month or year, life is pretty ordinary for me. It is so helpful to have this admonition to redirect my thoughts and orientation toward eternity, and the reality today of heaven, God’s kingdom, and spiritual things. Last night Audrey and I watched the movie Valkyrie, starring Tom Cruise as Claus Schenk von Stauffenberg. The plot is based on the true story of the plot to assasinate Hitler in 1944 and take over Germany from the Nazis. Bonhoeffer was remotely involved in this effort. I have been reliving the plot overnight, thinking about the sacrifice that von Stauffenberg made to initiate the plot, which failed and resulted in his and hundreds of others being executed, some by torturous means. The peace and calm of the society I live within is such a contrast to the violence, danger and sacrifice of the era of WWII. Colossians 3 reminds me to daily “set my affections on things above, not on things of the earth” (KJV). The war of good and evil continues, and God has given me a role in this struggle. Verse 16 – “Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God.” Yes, I will cultivate the word of Christ living within me. I will teach and admonish. And whatever I do in word or deed, I will do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father. (Verse 17) Mine is the privilege to live this day with an eternal focus, a heavenly mindset, indwelt with the word of Christ. Guide me today, most Holy Lord as I live for you, obey your word, and do everything in your name.

October 7, 2012

Prayer is like a pilot light – it is hidden, constant and fires up the heater! Here in Springfield we have just had our first frost of the season. This morning I am beginning a series entitled “Thirsting for More” with today’s topic being prayer. I will examine the teaching of Jesus from the Sermon on the Mount, and suggest a very practical way to remember some categories. I am thirsting for more of God, today and every day. I want to know Him better, to serve Him more fully, and to be increasingly fruitful. Gordon MacDonald has written a great article reflecting upon the serenity prayer, used with powerful results in the Alcoholics Anonymous circles. It is attributed to Reinhold Niebuhr, but some think it originated before him. This is the prayer: “God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.” MacDonald says the first part is surrender, the second is courage, and the third is wisdom. I have never found this brief prayer of much help. I have read it, and understood its value, but I don’t know that I have ever prayed it. I respect Gordon MacDonald, so I might try praying this brief prayer. Matthew 6 “Be especially careful when you are trying to be good so that you don’t make a performance out of it. It might be good theater, but the God who made you won’t be applauding. When you do something for someone else, don’t call attention to yourself.” (Verses 1-2, The Message) This whole chapter is practical advice on living the God-pleasing life. Jesus observes that it is always a temptation to live the “people-pleasing” life instead. In the Jewish world into which he was born, the three most important ways to please God were giving alms, praying, and fasting. For each one he cautions the believer to not make a show of it. As I post this blog I am wondering if I am making too public my thoughts and actions. Hmmm. I will ponder this. My goal has been to be transparent, and to give a window into my daily activities and my thoughts. I see how this could easily convert to pleasing people and making a show out of what I do. I have enjoyed reading the spiritual journals of pastors and leaders, so I have for a couple of years been posting most of the content of my journal. Lord, my desire is to please you. You have appointed me to serve among people as a pastor, and I am thankful for this vocation. Guard me from taking my eyes off of You, empower me to be the most fruitful pastor I can be in this brief life, praying in secret, serving with obedience.

October 6, 2012

We have postponed the Garage Sale until next Saturday. I feel I like have the gift of a morning, that I was planning to spend helping in the garage sale. Last night the St. Louis Cardinals beat the Atlanta Braves in a one-game Wildcard playoff game, 6-3, helped by a Infield Fly rule called by the outfield umpire in which the St. Louis shortstop failed to catch the pop fly, and the Atlanta manager played the rest of the game under protest. Last night Audrey and I watched the 2011 movie Jane Eyre, and images from that movie flashed through my mind during the night. This morning the paper reports that the woman’s body found floating in Truman Lake was that of the 15 year-old girl from Willard, Khighla Parks, described as a run away. There is a similarity between the movie and this real life tragedy. Pondering this news my mind wonders to the question of how could someone have saved this girl? What type of relational outreach could have helped her through the difficult mid-teen years? What kind of abuse and neglect did she suffer at home? I have been reading Wikipedia about Lord Bryon, as I was reading about Jane Eyre and its author Charlotte Bronte. She and her siblings developed “Byronic” heroes for fun, and when she wrote Jane Eyre under the pen name Currer Bell she subtitled it “An Autobiography.” “The Byronic hero presents an idealized, but flawed character whose attributes include: great talent; great passion; a distaste for society and social institutions; a lack of respect for rank and privilege (although possessing both); being thwarted in love by social constraint or death; rebellion; exile; an unsavory secret past; arrogance; overconfidence or lack of foresight; and, ultimately, a self-destructive manner.” (From Wikipedia) Lord Byron wrote Don Juan and based largely upon his own experiences. So, now it is 7:15, we have not been inundated with disappointed garage sale shoppers, and I feel that the morning has really now begun well. I will turn to scripture and prayer. I will read the first day of Treasures of the Transformed Heart devotionally. Proverbs 6 (because today is the 6th) This Proverb continues the advice to the young men of Solomon’s court. Such practical wisdom - don’t be liable for other people’s debts, and be diligent in your work, like the ant, not sleeping all the time like a sluggard who will become impoverished. Verses 16- 19 list 7 things that the Lord hates – these should be noted well – a proud look, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief, a false witness, and the one who sows discord among brethren. Verses 20-23 emphasize keeping the commandments, binding them upon one’s heart. Verses 24-35 basically say – do not be like Lord Bryon! These verses warn of the dangers of adultery, of the destruction that comes to a man who is sexually involved with a woman who is not his wife. Every man should regularly read these verses. Guide me today, most holy Lord as I live to serve you in all that I say and do. Guard me from anything that would distract me from your will and purposes. May your Word and you commandments be always in my mind, on my lips, guarding my heart. Use me to lift others and to encourage all who need it. This is the day which you have made; I will rejoice and be glad in it.

October 1, 2012

This morning I will meet several pastors across Missouri for a motorcycle ride. Travelling up Hwy 44 I will meet a pastor in Waynesville, then we will meet other pastors at 94 and 19. Lunch will be in Jefferson City, and eventually I will spend the night in Columbia for a meeting with the bishop and the Mission Council tomorrow. Yesterday I worked hard to prepare for being gone on Tuesday, recording a teaching session, writing a small group discussion guide, making phone calls and meeting with various groups. At home around dusk I mowed the front lawn while Audrey fixed a delicious fish dinner. The sermon yesterday addressed the topic “How to be humble when you know you are right.” It was well received as the completion of a three-part series aimed at preparing us to be Christ-like during this election season. It is a joy to preach the Word across the church family in all 4 Sunday morning worship services. Mark 12 Various parables and conversations of Jesus. Verses 29-31 contain his answer to the question about which of the commandments is the foremost of all? He quoted scripture stating that the “Lord our God is one” (Deut 6:4) “and you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength (Deut 6:5). He continued with “The second is this, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’” (Lev 19:18) This answer impressed the scribe who asked it, and down through the centuries has informed and shaped the followers of Christ with a focus upon loving God and loving people. Of the ten commandments, the first four concern loving God, the next six concern loving people. Guide me today, most holy Lord as I live to love you and to love others. May the fellowship of pastors on motorcycles be rich and uplifting. Keep us safe as we ride.