February 26, 2013

Pastor John Ed Mathison describes a high school reunion, where several classmates in their 40s were discussing their lives since graduation. One of them obviously had made a lot of money. There is a question that sometimes gets asked, which is not necessarily polite, but among close (or formerly close) friends it sometimes surfaces. “What do you make?”  One of these men asked this question, and after various answers one of them who was a high school teacher said “I make a lot of students see a better future for themselves. I make students think, dream, and question the status quo. I make students read, read, read. I make an average student realize that he can become something in life if he will take his God-given talents and utilize them…. You asked me what I make – I make a difference.”  (When God Redefines the Possible John Ed Mathison 2012 pages 65-66.) When I read this during my devotions at home a few days ago, I immediately valued the perspective of this teacher. Throughout our society, teachers make a huge difference in the lives of their students.

Our mission as a church is to make disciples of Jesus Christ who worship, care and serve. As the body of believers called Wesley United Methodist Church we focus all of our energy, our time, our gifts, our facility and our resources upon making disciples. We do this in the new-member process, in the children, youth, and adult discipleship ministries, through the college-aged ministries, through music and worship, preaching and teaching, and serving with hands and hearts around Springfield, and around the world. This past Sunday, in the Moore Gathering Area, a friend of mine who has been worshiping at Wesley for several weeks said, “Bruce, you realize that what is happening here [at Wesley] is a movement of God’s Spirit, this is not simply the church being an institution.”

I believe that God is calling each one of us to make a difference in the world. In the vocations we choose, in the way we spend our time and how we invest our resources. We make a difference when we impact people in positive ways. Lord, us me today to make a difference. Guard me from trying to save my life. Push me beyond the comfortable. 

February 25, 2013

I was to be on the road to Columbia today to present the case for our Wesley UMC grant request for college aged ministry, but that has been postponed due to predicted heavy snow across the state. We are expecting to get an inch or two beginning with rain around noon today. Now I have this regular day off, or Pastor's sabbath in which to rest, relax and get ready for the week. I will finish up getting the guest room ready after we painted it last week, and I will do some reading and writing, along with exercise. We are looking forward to our son David, and his wife Danelle coming to visit this weekend.

In Exodus 5-6 Moses visits Pharaoh with a request to let his people go, and the ruler responds with an edict to make the Israelites find their own straw and keep the brick quota where it was. This results in much hardship for the slaves, and their appeal for relief is rejected. Moses prays and asks God why their lives got harder as a result of his obedience. As I follow God's leading, I must realize that obedience to His will does not always result in easier, but sometimes results in a harder life.

In an article related to these chapters, the Chronological Life Application Study Bible has a note about the great pyramids in Egypt. It says that they were built between 2700 and 2200 BC, almost 1000 years before the Israelites arrived in Egypt. This dispels the suggestion that the Israelites as slaves had a hand in building the pyramids. They remain as true marvels of human ingenuity and achievement. It is very interesting to ponder antiquity and the lives people lived so long ago. The Bible sheds light on human history, and there is so much more history beyond the scope covered by the pages of Holy Scripture. For me, one side affect of reading the Bible is an increased awareness of the last 3500 years of history, especially as it relates to the Middle East.

Guide me today, most holy Lord as I navigate this day with all its opportunities and challenges

February 23, 2013

Saturday morning, 5:35 am Springfield, 19 degrees. I just read Exodus 3 – The call of Moses at Mt. Sinai from the burning bush – God reveals His name – YHWH – to Moses with specific instructions to go to Egypt, gather the elders, and speak to the Pharaoh. God gives the promise that Moses and the Israelites will come to Mt. Sinai to worship. This is a powerful chapter in the story of Moses, and ultimately of the people of Israel. John Wesley’s Aldersgate experience, and the millions who follow Christ through the Methodist connection pales in connection to the 3000 years of Jewish history. However, every single human encounter with God has eternal and far-reaching possibilities.

Yesterday I had a strong desire to journal. As I visited Hiram in the hospital, and was driving home to pick up Audrey for the evening, my mind was on the edge of deep thinking, and I sensed I needed my journal to help me sort it out. So now it is 5:43 am on a Saturday, and I have 45 minutes or so before I need to get ready for the hospital call and then Men’s group.  I had planned to be gone these three days with my son David in Kentucky, cutting firewood and spending time together. I got sick, and the weather turned hazardous, and we cancelled the trip. My doctor prescribed an antibiotic, Audrey and I painted the guest room during the inclement Thursday, and we will finish it today. I attended a funeral Friday morning for one of the dear saints of Wesley, Dean Stumbaugh.

Today I will pray with a young mother who will be having her cancerous thyroid removed and then attending the men’s group where Riad will give us an update from his trip to Syria. Tonight I will stop by Wesley as our youth perform the first night of dinner theater, which we will attend tomorrow night. I am glad not to miss these events. Sunday I am not preaching, and we will receive a large new member class, including the baptism of one young adult. On Monday I drive with Kerner to Columbia to present our application for a conference grant for our college ministries. 

Thank you Lord for this season of pastoral leadership. Guide my thinking, my praying, my decisions, my ministering that like Moses and John Wesley, I might obediently follow your leading, whether to a mountain to pray, to a small group Bible study, or elsewhere. I worship your holiness and am thankful to be called your servant. 

February 21, 2013

At 4:55 am I walked (carefully) out to get the paper, and there was a slight amount of ice covering the road and grass. It seemed like a whimpy amount for all the forecasting of a winter storm, but enough to make me glad I do not have to drive on it. Now that I am sipping hot lemon tea with honey, the rain is hitting our skylight, and the wind is beginning to howl. With the temperature at 27, this rain will continue to coat the area with ice, and if it continues the wind will begin to take down trees and power lines.  Now this is a winter storm! Schools are cancelled, the church office is closed, and Springfield will hunker down for a change of pace. I could be sleeping in, but my body seems ready to be up.

Job 40 – 42

Job repented with a truly contrite heart (42:1-6). God rebuked Job’s three friends, Eliphaz, Bildad and Zophar. Job prayed for his friends, and then “the Lord restored his fortunes. In fact, the Lord gave him twice as much as before!” (42:9-10) “So the Lord blessed Job in the second half of his life even more than in the beginning. For now he had 14,000 sheep, 6,000 camels …(42:12).  After slogging through all the speeches and replies of this book, it is great to get to the end and remember that God is uniquely above everything, and not to be argued with. It is also very good to see Job blessed and to see him prosper for his remaining 140 years.

As I read this final chapter of Job, I thought about a book given to me last November by a couple at Wesley. It is called The Blessed Life, and it has been on my nightstand ever since. I have just now read the introduction and the first chapter. It is by Robert Morris, and it is his account of how God has blessed his life as he and his wife over an 18 month period listened to God and gave everything away, including their cars and house. God blessed them with even more than they gave. He defines the blessed life as “having supernatural power working for you” (Page 27) and being cursed as “having supernatural power working against you.” This book, written in 2002 about the blessed life will be an interesting read. Ted Haggard is one of the endorsers, and so I read this book with discernment, holding it before God, comparing it to scripture, reason, experience and tradition.

Thank you Lord for this wintery day in the Ozarks. Keep us all safe and guide us even as travel is treacherous today. Thank you Lord for the blessed life, now 30 years of marriage, ministry, and family. Lead us into your future by faith, and I follow with joy and excitement walking with You. 

February 18, 2013

Job 32-34

Elihu is a fourth friend of Job. He is younger than the other three, and has been listening to the arguments back and forth before he speaks. He is respectful, and he is the only one of Job’s friends that God does not rebuke or refute. In Job 34:37 is the heart of Elihu’s commentary to Job “For you have added rebellion to your sin; you show no respect, and you speak many angry words against God.” It seems that Elihu names the sin that Job is ultimately guilty of – exalting himself to be equal with God – rebellion.

In the news this morning are two tragic stories – the shooting death of Reeva Steenkamp, the girlfriend of Oscar Pistorius, the double amputee who was an Olympic track star who is accused of murder, though he claims it was mistaken identity of an intruder.

The second story is the suicide death of country singer Mindy McCready. She has struggled with personal demons for a long time. Her boyfriend died of a gunshot on her front porch last month, and she was questioned as a suspect, his death is still under investigation. She recently fought for custody of her 6 year old son.

From Job to the morning news, people struggle with suffering and the search for meaning in life. If only everyone would trust God the way Job did, even though he exalted himself, he eventually repented and was blessed by God. Listening to the recent interviews with Mindy McCready I could imagine the missing part of her life was a surrender to God and a willingness to discover the meaning of her life in the context of God’s will and purposes.

The church continues to have a vital role as leaven in society – as Philip brought Nathanael to Jesus, so a vital authentic congregation of believers should be available to all troubled people who could find hope for daily living. My challenge as a pastor is to lead and equip such a church and inspire many other faith communities. This is a continual process, of each day, each week, each year being faithful and open to God's spirit in order to represent Christ in the culture and provide a healthy body of unselfish, outwardly focused disciples just like Philip!

Guide me today, Holy Lord on this national holiday, president's day. Guide my writing of the newsletter article, guide my preparation for the Wednesday evening life group as I continue to extend invitations. Guide my thinking, my planning, my rest and my recreation, even as this throat seems to be housing an incipient cold. In Jesus' name I pray, amen.

February 16, 2013

The roofs and lawns are lightly dusted with about a half inch of snow. I do not remember this being predicted, and it is beautiful. David tells me that St. Louis is bracing for a possible winter storm on Wednesday. I had a good 3 mile run yesterday afternoon. It was 39 degrees and I was dressed for it. My throat is funky, and I have had one cup of “Throat Coat” tea instead of my first cup of coffee. I will wage war on whatever is happening in the back of my throat. Bethany sings her live audition at Cincinnati’s conservatory today, and then flies tomorrow to Baltimore where she auditions at Peabody on Tuesday.

Job 31 – This is his final speech. He lists ten things he has never done, as he lays out his case that he does not deserve the tragedies that have befallen him. These are ten areas for every person to predetermine to avoid sin:

1.     Never lust after a young woman. 2. Never lie or deceive anyone. 3. Never be seduced by neighbor's wife. 4. Never be unfair to servants. 5. Never be stingy with the poor – with widows or orphans or the homeless. 6. Never trust, feel secure in or gloat over wealth. 7. Never worship the sun or the moon. 8. Never rejoice when disaster strikes enemies. 9. Never turn away a stranger. 10. Never hide your sins for fear of public opinion.

This list is a great guide and a good example of intentional living by a God-fearing person. The problem Job has created for himself is that he wants to present his cause to God, and wants to argue his case before the Almighty. He sins by exalting himself to the level of God, and in the following chapters God will turn him back to his rightful place.

Today I will visit with two families about baptism, and I will conduct a wedding at five p.m. The rest of the day will be invested in perfecting the message God has given me for tomorrow, and preparing mentally and physically for the four morning worship services. This is the day that You have made, I will rejoice and be glad in it! Thank you Lord for the gift of this day. Use me as your servant, communicating Your grace and your care. 

February 15, 2013

My meeting yesterday in Columbia with the Mission Council of the Annual Conference went well, and provided a good reason to ride the Kawasaki 360 miles. It was chilly, but my heated gloves and other gear kept me reasonably comfortable. Bishop Schnase and I met before the Council meeting about Board of Ordained Ministry matters. In addition to the business of the Annual Conference, it was good to catch up with various friends around the table. Bishop Schnase opened with devotional thoughts gleaned from a radio broadcast “Ted” which referred to the sinking of the whaling ship Essex in 1820 and the options the crew had of heading for an island rumored to be inhabited by cannibals, or for South America. They chose the latter, and ended up becoming cannibals in order to survive. The point of the devotion was that we use our imagination to turn our fears into stories, and usually we fear the most spectacular, but it is the ordinary that we should really be concerned about. He applied this to life in the church.

Today I will devote myself to writing Sunday’s sermon, to developing my Wednesday life group, and to preparing for tomorrow’s wedding at Wesley, including tonight’s rehearsal. Last night Audrey and I exchanged cards, shared some candy, and enjoyed a movie at home from a Jane Austen novel called Mansfield Park. Even though I dosed through the movie, Audrey kept me informed of the important elements, and I was awake for the ending. 

Job 28- 30

Job’s final reply, and this is hard to read with all that he recounts about his life, his previous joys, his present pains. He describes the technology of his day which enables men to dig mineshafts and mine ore unseen to the birds, and he describes God as the source of wisdom. Reading chapters from Job each day in my devotions has caused me to consider his plight and to consider suffering. My life is similar to Job’s before he was stricken. I have not suffered in the ways he did. I appreciate that my life could be stricken on any day, and I trust that I would respond with faith and hope in God.

Guide me today, most holy Lord as I serve you faithfully as a pastor in Springfield. Guide me thoughts, my preparation, my interactions, my choices. Use me today as Your servant, sensitive to the leading of Your Spirit. I anticipate that Your hand will guide my every effort, and that You are even now preparing the way of this day. In Jesus precious name I pray, amen. 

February 13, Ash Wednesday, 2013

I have been awake for awhile, and finally got out of bed at 3:15 a.m. The light snow falling is beautiful, and it is collecting on the grass like powdered sugar, even as it melts on the roads and sidewalks. The high is supposed to hit 50 today, and as the sun comes out this afternoon, it will melt all the snow. In Big Bear, California, where my parents honeymooned and I played in my first snow (according to the 8 mm films!) there was a dramatic end to a violent killing spree. Apparently Christopher Dorner, the rogue LAPD cop who allegedly has killed 4 people died by a self-inflicted wound as the cabin he was holed up in went up in flames. The burning cabin and the unfolding story were hard to ignore on live television as we ate dinner and started our evening. President Obama came on with the State of the Union speech as the cabin was still in flames and before there was any confirmation of the final results in Big Bear.

This morning I will stop by the youth room at Wesley and consecrate the communion elements, then I will pray at Mercy hospital with Carol as she goes in for a knee replacement, then I will stop by St. Paul UMC downtown where Pastor Kerner is offering ashes to college students in the Green Room ministry. We have an executive staff roundtable at 10:15 am, and then the Ash Wednesday service at 6 pm followed by the final new member class. This afternoon I will work on my evening message and my Sunday message, as I will be travelling to Columbia tomorrow for the Mission Council meeting with the Bishop and other leaders of the Annual Conference.

Job 22-24

In chapter 22, Eliphar makes some good statements. His words in verses 6-11 remind me of Jesus’ teaching about the final judgment, the sheep and the goats, and those who fed, clothed, and cared for the poor, and those who did not. (Matthew 25) Even though Eliphar falsely assumes that Job has ignored God and thus his punishment, Eliphar makes some good observations about God, and judgment, obedience, surrender, and God’s omnipotence.

In chapter 24, Job asks why the wicked are not punished. In verses 10-12 he observes that the poor harvest food for others while they themselves are starving. This brings to mind the plight of many in Central and South America, where coffee and sugar plantations have taken the good land, and the workers are poorly paid for their labor. The land would support adequate local agriculture to supply the residents with food, except for the multi-national companies that own the plantations. This morning our medical team from Springfield is waking up in Nicaragua, preparing for another day of caring for the poor throughout the villages served by Rainbow Network. This ministry, founded by Keith Jaspers, uses a local structure that requires participants to be involved in ways that contribute to their own benefit from the programs of nutrition, housing, economic development through micro-loans, and medical treatment. Keith has told me that he picked Nicaragua because of its level of poverty, the government’s willingness to accommodate (which seems to have deteriorated lately) and its accessibility to travel from the USA.

As I write this early morning journal entry, I am pondering my Lenten disciplines. My regular disciplines include reading scripture every day before I eat breakfast, fasting on Fridays until the afternoon, tithing our income, praying daily, and pastoring the flock. Sometimes I give up soda for Lent, which provides me with a sacrifice that regularly presents itself as a reminder to pray. Sometimes I take on an additional discipline. This morning I am feeling that giving up soda will be my Lenten discipline, along with the others that I already observe.

Lord, on this day which Christians around the world focus on their intentional preparation for Easter, I pray that you would guide me as your servant in all my interactions and endeavors. I recommit myself to following your path and your will for my life. Thank you for this day, and this season.

February 12, 2013

(Job 20-21) Zophar makes his second speech and Job replies. Zophar makes some good points about the godless, but he misapplies them to Job. Job increases his confrontation with God for being unfair. As I have been reading this book in my devotions for several days, and it will be a few more until I finish, I am finding many applications in my life and thought about this book.

It has now been a little over 24 hours since the Pope has announced he will resign as of February 28. Throughout the day yesterday, and on the news this morning there is speculation about who the next pope will be. I have heard a couple of leaders say that what the Catholic Church needs is an evangelist, that the one who follows Peter in this office needs to be a great communicator of the Good News. Someone has said that the Roman Catholic Church is an institution that needs to become a movement again. There is talk about how Western Europe is spiritually dry, but Africa and Central-South America are alive and growing. These comments could be applied also to the United Methodist Church! It is interesting to watch this process for electing a pope unfold as I am part of the leadership in my denomination.

I just spotted the first pair of Eastern Bluebirds, the state bird of Missouri. I have three nests around the house, and yesterday I noticed sparrows hard at work in the nest on my back fence facing north. I was cheering the pair of bluebirds on, hoping they will fight for the nest mounted on a support of my deck, facing south. In past years I have not had the nests out this early, but this year I left them up all winter.

Today we will have staff prayers at 9:15 and at noon lunch to honor Dutch and his work among us. We will have our regular Tuesday morning worship planning meeting, minus Jeff who will be assisting in payroll, and minus Rochelle who is with the medical team in Nicaragua. Guide me today, most Holy Lord as I serve You as shepherd and as evangelist. 

February 11, 2013

Pope Benedict has just announced that he will step down from being pope next month. He said that at 85 he has noticed in the last few months a decline in his energy resulting in his inability to perform the office entrusted to him. This will be the first time in 600 years that a pope has resigned or retired before dying. In our American culture, retiring early used to be such a big goal so that people could do what they wanted. I have adopted the Bob Buford approach to “finishing well” and expect to work through my 60s and 70s doing that which is fruitful and fulfilling, using the gifts and experience God has given me. Pope Benedict and others, including my parents, have provided a model of working into their 80s. Dr. Kalas was president of Asbury Seminary in his 80s.

I have just been reading about Pope Benedict on the internet, which led me to read about the Augsburg Confession, which drew me into reading about Martin Luther and then John Calvin. It is interesting for me to survey these church leaders from my couch here as the sun rises in Springfield in 2013.

Job 17- 19

In these tedious chapters of Job maintaining his innocence and his friends accusing him of sin, there is a refreshing affirmation offered by Job: “But as for me, I know that my Redeemer lives, and he will stand upon the earth at last.” (Job 19:25) Yes, I affirm with Job that my Redeemer lives, Jesus Christ, who was raised from the dead and who will come again in power and glory. I have not suffered the losses that Job did. My life has been blessed with good health, good family, and adequate resources. I realize that any of these could be lost in a single day, and that they are gifts from God. I desire every day to be invested in pleasing Him and accomplishing His will.

Guide me today, most Holy Lord as I designate this Monday as my “sabbath” and seek to rest as you have prescribed. Guard me from busyness, guard me from sloth, guide me on the path of restoration and replenishment that I might serve you with all my energy for a prolonged season. I give you thanks for strengthening Bethany in her audition at USC yesterday, her first of three across the country as she applies for admission to a Masters degree program in Vocal Performance. 

February 10, 2013

The whistling wind and blowing rain are comforting sounds, as I sit here in the family room at 5:30 am with the fire burning and my coffee brewed. I look forward to worship today, with a combined sense of anticipation and apprehension. This combined sense is a normal feeling, and it is part of the burden I carry for preaching. I begin the six-part Spring Training series today, subtitled “The Basics of Grace.”  I will read the various scriptures in which God is described as “slow and anger and abounding in mercy” for my devotions.

Psalm 103:1-14 Bless the Lord and do not forget all his benefits:

            Forgives all your iniquity

            Heals all your diseases

            Redeems your life from the pit

            Crowns you with steadfast love and mercy

            Satisfies you with good as long as you live

            Works vindication and justice for all who are oppressed

            Merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.

            He will not always accuse

            He does not deal with us according to our sins

            Nor repay us according to our iniquities

            As the heavens are high above the earth – so great is his steadfast love toward those who fear him

            As far as the east is from the west he removes our transgressions from us

            As a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear him

            For he knows how we were made; he remembers that we are dust.

Psalm 145:8

             86:5

Exodus 34:6

Numb 14:18

Nehemiah 9:31

Joel 2:12-13

            “Yet even now, says the Lord, return to me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning; rend your hearts and not your clothing. Return to the Lord, your God, for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love, and relents from punishing.”

Thank you Lord for your gracious nature. Thank you for forgiving me, and relenting from punishing me as I deserve. Guide me today as I seek to teach about your grace and lead people to accept in a personal way your forgiveness.

February 9, 2013

It is tedious to read Job. His “friends” make accusations against him that are partly true, and partly misapplied truth. He defends himself to them, and to God. In chapters 14-16 the frailty of life, the omnipotence of God are emphasized. As my bird clock sings out 8 am, I am very aware of the passage of time. I desire to invest my life well. As a pastor and leader I have opportunities everyday to encourage, uplift, teach and bring the eternal truths of God’s word to the lives of men and women, boys and girls.

Today at Wesley there will be two sessions of Upward closing celebration, in which the clear Gospel message will be communicated, along with an exciting motorcycle and bicycle stunt performance. My work throughout the day will include phone calls, attending the morning closing celebration, and continued work on my message for tomorrow. Last Saturday we had the Leadership Experience Reunion and I assisted in refereeing an Upward Basketball game.

Last night Audrey and I saw a movie – The Silver Linings Playbook which was a good presentation of two families experiencing mental illness. The main character (Pat) just returned from 8 months in a resident treatment program after assaulting the man caught in the act of having an affair with Pat’s wife. He is in the custody of his parents and we see that his dad also has untreated mental issues. The movie has rough language and at least one objectionable scene, but seems to do a fair job of portraying the struggles of adults challenged with bi-polar disorder and seeking to get their lives back to normal.  This movie brought to mind a recent episode I experienced involving a person ranting and raving, and the experience of many who have family and friends struggling with sanity.

Guide me today, most Holy Lord as I seek to follow in your steps with obedience, patience, insight, inspiration and diligence. I am your servant, clay in the potter’s hands. 

February 8, 2013

Even though reading Job is tedious, each of the last several days I have gotten additional insights. In today’s reading (Job 11-13), I am reminded that just because a person knows some of the characteristics of God, it is very possible to misapply and erroneously accuse someone. Zophar is a prime example. The statements he makes about God are true, but his assumptions about Job are false. The notes in the Chronological Life Application Study Bible tell the reader that often the simple physical presence of a friend is better than words that try to explain a situation. This is good advice to pastors also. I have known some pastors who are similar to Zophar.

Yesterday I had lunch with a young friend who is pursuing a career booking bands and musicians into different venues in Springfield. He is the son of one of my childhood friends, and he inquired about being baptized. I look forward to continuing that conversation and guiding him further in his faith development. He is one of the 3 persons on my 3.3.3 prayer card.

Last night we had a very good meeting of the Church Administrative Council. This was the first of the new year, and for the teaching section I handed out copies of some of the pages from the 2012 Discipline, and reviewed the purpose of the Church, and the role of the Administrative Council. I reminded the council that the Book of Discipline is legally our bylaws, and also that Wesley is uniquely one of the largest 150 churches in the denomination, which is mostly comprised of tens of thousands of small churches. We learned that 2012 was a strong year of financial giving, and also that the facility study committee will have a recommendation later this year about the needs for building expansion, especially in the children’s area, and also involving auditorium and additional room for youth ministries, with the needs for dedicated prayer space and adult Sunday School classes also considered.

Today my main task is to work on the sermon for Sunday, which is the first of the Spring Training series. I will start at the office, and then after I have prepared what is needed for the bulletin, I will head somewhere away from the flow of church activities in order to think and write. Today at 4 pm we have a funeral at Wesley, officiated by Jim Massey. I will attend and support the family of our Upward Basketball coordinator, whose stepfather is the deceased.

Guide me today, most Holy Lord, as I joyfully lean into this Friday in the Ozarks. Use my mind, my heart, my experience, as your instruments, filled with your spirit to accomplish your purposes through my work as a pastor. In the powerful name of Jesus I pray. 

February 7, 2013

Much to do today! I will begin with scripture, reading a couple more chapters from Job. I will work on Sunday’s sermon, and at 7:45 am I will pray with Bob. We pray once a month for an hour. We begin by simply stating where we are, in our spiritual walk, with our families and with our churches. Then we enter a season of prayer for each other. It is spiritually refreshing.

Job 9-10

In these two chapters Job responds to Bildad, and states clearly his understanding of God, and names his misery. In verses 32-35 Job acknowledges that he is only a mortar, and muses “if only there were a mediator between us, someone who could bring us together.”  1800 years or so later, Jesus Christ would be born, and would become the mediator, dying on the cross for our sins. I am so thankful that Job expressed himself and it is recorded in this book bearing his name.

In chapter 10 Job frames his plea to God, and expresses his understanding of what follows death “a land as dark as midnight, a land of gloom and confusion, where even the light is dark as midnight.” (10:22) The good news is that Jesus has gained the victory over death, filled with His presence it is a land of light and incredible life beyond the grave. I am thankful for the glimpses we get of eternity through the scripture, and the hope we have for eternal life in Jesus Christ.

Guide me today Lord, through the meetings, planning, and ministry of this day. Increase my faith, direct my thoughts, use my words. 

February 6, 2013

I was awake this morning from 4:40 on, and at 5 it was natural to roll out of bed, rested and ready for the day. There are two emails I need to send early this morning, and I will work on Sunday’s sermon along with prepare for the book study I will attend at noon with a group of pastors. We are postponing our monthly executive staff roundtable so that some of the staff can attend the 11 am funeral for Peggy Lee’s husband.

Job 6-8

Job’s reply to Eliphaz, his cry out to God, and then Bildad’s first speech to Job. Reading these three chapters I observe that the theme developing by Job’s friends is that he and his children must have forgotten God, and thus the destruction. If he will only turn back to God and confess his sin, all will be well again. Job does not buy this argument. He knows that he has not ignored nor sinned against God, so he cries out to God, and disputes with his friends. I see in this current generation a temptation to provide easy answers, to ignore complex situations, and to implement systems of theology that are popular, but flawed. Guide me Holy Lord in all the ways I seek to follow you with obedience and faithfulness.

Yesterday I experienced a series of mishaps with the motorcycle. It began as I was easing it out of the garage and knocked the right saddlebag off. After parking it in the garage, I inadvertently left the key on and ran the battery down. Last night I examined the saddlebag, charged the battery, and repositioned the vehicles. The saddlebag is repairable, but the fix is not obvious to me. I might ask Steve to have a look at it, or I might have the guys who installed my running lights have a go at it. I hope to be on the bike today, with my old KLR top bag to carry my laptop, and the two hard saddlebags removed. I will be dressed for a funeral, but the weather will be nice. I hope to ride it to and from Columbia next Thursday, as I have the Mission Council with the Bishop and other conference leaders on that day. 

February 5, 2013

Today I have a regular Tuesday of being the lead pastor of Wesley United Methodist Church, with Staff prayers, worship planning, and management meetings. Tomorrow I will host the executive staff roundtable and the executive leadership team, both preparing for the Thursday evening Church Council Meeting. This weekend David and Danelle will visit, and I hope to have my message well in hand so I can spend quality time with them.

I feel somewhat rested, even though I worked intermittently throughout my day off yesterday. There is some work that just must be done – such as getting a staff update worded accurately, making sure a luncheon is in the works, talking with a pastor with whom I left a message on Friday, and writing my pastor’s pen before bedtime in order for the newsletter production schedule to go more smoothly today. I worked around the house, cooking lunch over an open fire, fixing dinner, loading some firewood to give away, etc. In the afternoon I took a motorcycle ride down along lakes Tanycomo and Bull Shoals, ending up in Branson and then home. It was a good, reflective, enjoyable ride of 110 miles over 3 hours.

Job 4-5

Eliphaz is Job’s first friend to respond. He asks “doesn’t your reverence for God give you confidence? Doesn’t your life of integrity give you hope?” This question assumes that a person can please God and be justified based on their own good works. There is a measure of truth in the assumption that if a person reveres God and does good works, there can be confidence, but this is not the basis for pleasing God. In 4:17 Eliphaz asks “Can a mortal be innocent before God? Can anyone be pure before the Creator?” He is getting around to accusing Job of sinning as the reason he is suffering, but these questions also point the reader to the fact that no one is pure before the creator, and we all need the saving power of Jesus Christ.

On page 100 of the Chronological Life Application Study Bible there is a great chart of all the friends, their advice, Job’s response, and God’s response. This is a great summary.  

Guide me today, most holy Lord as I serve as one of your undershepherds, pastoring the flock in Springfield. Use me, lead me, empower me, give me insights, inspire me, constrain me, and propel me into this day full of faith, hope and love. Amen.

  

February 4, 2013

I have the gas fireplace burning, coffee brewed and the day stretching before us. Audrey and I enjoyed watching Downton Abbey as the Super Bowl was in its fourth quarter. I recorded it and will watch the fourth quarter this morning. I was at church last night during the youth super bowl party, and my extroversion kept me in personal conversations rather than watching the game. I had great visits with several adults and a couple of youth.

The rain just intensified, and it occurred to me that it is Monday. The song about rainy days and Mondays just shot through my mind, so from the internet here are the lyrics:

Talkin to myself and feelin old,

Sometimes I'd like to quit
Nothin' ever seems to fit
Hangin' around
Nothin' to do but frown
Rainy days and Mondays always get me down

In contrast to this song, I have always enjoyed Mondays, even before I designated it as my sabbath, and I find rainy days to be cozy and restorative as the moisture replenishes the earth. So for me, rainy days and Mondays usually fill me up with goodness and leave me refreshed. Karen Carpenter was the lead singer as The Carpenters recorded this song. Hers is a tragic story of a person with a great voice and a personal struggle that ended with her death resulting from "heartbeat irregularities brought on by chemical imbalances associated with anorexia nervosa." She died at 32 having struggled with diets and eating disorders for a long time. 

Job 2 -3

Job suffers physically, having lost his sons, daughters and all his wealth in chapter 1. His wife encourages him to curse God and die. He asks her if we should only accept good from the hand of God, and not also trouble. Three friends come to visit him and sit silently with him for 7 days. According to my Life Application Bible there was a tradition that when visiting a person in grief, you did not speak until the person spoke. The simple presence of a friend is comforting, and often words become trite. The ministry of presence we call this today.

The book of Job reminds me that unexpected suffering, loss without explanation is part of the human experience. Job models a faithful response until later in the book. My life has been blessed in so many ways. As I read this book, simply because it falls next in the Chronological Bible, it alerts me to the possibility (which I am usually already aware of ) that unexpected loss could occur at any time. I have two healthy young adult children, a lovely wife of 30 years, my own health,  a nice house, a solid vocation, and resources being stored for retirement. I am thankful for each aspect of my life, and I hold it loosely. Job provides perspective, it keeps me focused upon God, with my purpose of serving God, being faithful to Him until my last breath.

Guide me today, most Holy Lord as I live to serve and please You, my creator, redeemer, sustainer. May the fullness of Your will be accomplished in this day through my life. 

February 3, 2013

This morning I will consider the topic of romance in the Bible. There are a few examples, a statement in Proverbs that it is a mystery, and a strong implication that God’s plan was for human romance to point to Christ and the church. We will celebrate Holy Communion, and just before the end of the service we will have fun reminding folks that next week we start the Spring Training – The Basics of Grace series. My hope for this morning is that each of us draws closer to Christ and more open to God’s presence in this human experience.

Yesterday we had a very good Wesley Leadership Experience Reunion. John Twitty, retired CEO of City Utilities spoke to us about leadership, Pam Hedgpeth taught about change, and I shared scripture applying aspects of technical and adaptive change to our personal lives. Afterward I refereed an Upward Basketball game, as this was the last weekend of our season.

Guide me today, most Holy Lord as I shepherd and lead worship among your precious church, Wesley United Methodist in Springfield Missouri.