8-8-10 Sunday, 5:58 am Springfield
I am looking forward to bringing the morning message today. It has been five weeks, and I am ready. I always desire to be more prepared, but I have worked long and hard on this message for today. Guide me Lord as I serve you in faith, teaching from your word and investing my life in the lives of others.
Psalm 134:1-3
“Come bless the Lord, all you servants of the Lord, who stand by night in the house of the Lord! Lift up your hands to the holy place, and bless the Lord. May the Lord, maker of heaven and earth, bless you from Zion.”
Yes, today we gather at 922 W. Republic Rd. to bless the Lord, singing hymns, encouraging hearts, teaching and learning. It is great to also expect that the Lord will bless us, the One who made heaven and earth.
I am your servant, most holy Lord. Guide my steps, my words, my thoughts, my actions today.
Sunday, August 8, 2010
Saturday, August 7, 2010
August 7, 2010
8-7-10 Saturday, 10:00 am Kansas City
Unexpectedly I have spent the night in KC. Allen drove the church bus, and I rode along to pick up our team returning from Honduras. They were delayed leaving Honduras and thus missed the connection in Houston where they spent the night. They will arrive here around 2.
I had a great morning run. Not knowing the area I set off to explore. I chanced upon a running club’s 18 mile workout, joining it at about the 4 mile mark. It was most interesting trying to figure out what I was doing, who they were, how the course was marked, whether I should drink water from their aid stations, etc. I ended up running further and faster than I expected. Rather than run 5 or 6, I ran 7, and that with no walking. The power of community is amazing! This will provide a great metaphor as I ease in to my sermon on cults.
Rev 22:18-21
A warning not to add to nor subtract from any of the words of this book (Revelation). Deut 4:2 has a similar warning from Moses: “You must neither add anything to what I command you not take away anything from it, but keep the commandments of the Lord your God with which I am charging you.” Tomorrow as I teach about Christ-followers and Mormons I will apply this scripture – the last three verses of the Bible to our consideration of the followers of the book of Mormon.
Verse 20 “The one who testifies to these things says, ‘surely I am coming soon.’ Amen. Come, Lord Jesus!” These words create an expectation of Christ’s return. It is healthy to expect him to return soon. Next week I will consider the Jehovah’s witnesses, whose early leaders set exact dates for his return, none of which proved to be true.
Guide me today, Holy Lord, as I follow you and lead others to a closer walk with you as together we build your kingdom.
Unexpectedly I have spent the night in KC. Allen drove the church bus, and I rode along to pick up our team returning from Honduras. They were delayed leaving Honduras and thus missed the connection in Houston where they spent the night. They will arrive here around 2.
I had a great morning run. Not knowing the area I set off to explore. I chanced upon a running club’s 18 mile workout, joining it at about the 4 mile mark. It was most interesting trying to figure out what I was doing, who they were, how the course was marked, whether I should drink water from their aid stations, etc. I ended up running further and faster than I expected. Rather than run 5 or 6, I ran 7, and that with no walking. The power of community is amazing! This will provide a great metaphor as I ease in to my sermon on cults.
Rev 22:18-21
A warning not to add to nor subtract from any of the words of this book (Revelation). Deut 4:2 has a similar warning from Moses: “You must neither add anything to what I command you not take away anything from it, but keep the commandments of the Lord your God with which I am charging you.” Tomorrow as I teach about Christ-followers and Mormons I will apply this scripture – the last three verses of the Bible to our consideration of the followers of the book of Mormon.
Verse 20 “The one who testifies to these things says, ‘surely I am coming soon.’ Amen. Come, Lord Jesus!” These words create an expectation of Christ’s return. It is healthy to expect him to return soon. Next week I will consider the Jehovah’s witnesses, whose early leaders set exact dates for his return, none of which proved to be true.
Guide me today, Holy Lord, as I follow you and lead others to a closer walk with you as together we build your kingdom.
Friday, August 6, 2010
August 6, 2010
8-6-10 Friday, 6:45 am Springfield, 72 degrees, partly cloudy on my deck with humming birds feasting on sugar water.
This morning the team in Honduras is packing their bags for the long trek home. I will ride in the church bus with Allen to pick them up at the Kansas City airport this evening. Yesterday at the Willow Creek Leadership conference live broadcast to Springfield there was an emphasis made for church-to-church partnerships, organized by Compassion International. We have two such partnerships, with an Honduran and a Mozambique congregation. I am planning to lead a team to Mozambique in the coming year. It is vital for us to nurture these relationships and to benefit from the spiritual fruit growing in both places.
I Cor 2:6-3:4
Paul is writing to a church which he founded. He addresses the manner in which he speaks to them, using words formed by the power of the Holy Spirit, and not using the wisdom of this world. He states that he still must speak to them as spiritually immature, giving them “milk” and not “meat” because (3:3) “you are still controlled by your sinful nature. You are Jealous of one another and quarrel with each other. Doesn’t that prove you are controlled by your sinful nature? Aren’t you living like people of the world?”
Yesterday Adam Hamilton was one of the speakers at the Leadership Summit. God has been using him in powerful ways since he founded Church of the Resurrection in 1990. Yesterday his topic concerned the temptation and fall of church leaders, particularly into sexual sins. He did a great job, and his words were filled with spiritual power and wisdom.
This weekend I have the privilege of bringing the gospel message to the Wesley congregation. I will begin a three-part series on religious cults. My goal is to allow the Holy Spirit to guide my words so that Christ is lifted up, believers are encouraged, and seekers are given a clear presentation of God’s grace and invitation to follow.
Guide me holy Lord as I walk with you today. Thank you for this portion of your word which feeds my soul and is sweeter than the liquid in the hummingbird feeder. I desire to be ever growing in maturity and fruitfulness as I journey down this earthly path.
This morning the team in Honduras is packing their bags for the long trek home. I will ride in the church bus with Allen to pick them up at the Kansas City airport this evening. Yesterday at the Willow Creek Leadership conference live broadcast to Springfield there was an emphasis made for church-to-church partnerships, organized by Compassion International. We have two such partnerships, with an Honduran and a Mozambique congregation. I am planning to lead a team to Mozambique in the coming year. It is vital for us to nurture these relationships and to benefit from the spiritual fruit growing in both places.
I Cor 2:6-3:4
Paul is writing to a church which he founded. He addresses the manner in which he speaks to them, using words formed by the power of the Holy Spirit, and not using the wisdom of this world. He states that he still must speak to them as spiritually immature, giving them “milk” and not “meat” because (3:3) “you are still controlled by your sinful nature. You are Jealous of one another and quarrel with each other. Doesn’t that prove you are controlled by your sinful nature? Aren’t you living like people of the world?”
Yesterday Adam Hamilton was one of the speakers at the Leadership Summit. God has been using him in powerful ways since he founded Church of the Resurrection in 1990. Yesterday his topic concerned the temptation and fall of church leaders, particularly into sexual sins. He did a great job, and his words were filled with spiritual power and wisdom.
This weekend I have the privilege of bringing the gospel message to the Wesley congregation. I will begin a three-part series on religious cults. My goal is to allow the Holy Spirit to guide my words so that Christ is lifted up, believers are encouraged, and seekers are given a clear presentation of God’s grace and invitation to follow.
Guide me holy Lord as I walk with you today. Thank you for this portion of your word which feeds my soul and is sweeter than the liquid in the hummingbird feeder. I desire to be ever growing in maturity and fruitfulness as I journey down this earthly path.
Thursday, August 5, 2010
August 5, 2010
8-5-10 Thursday, 7:20 am Springfield 74 degrees, thunderstorm.
As is sometimes my practice, I was watching the Today show to catch up on world events. My satellite signal was just interrupted by the thunderstorm in progress. The story on air was about 40 billionaires who, invited by Warren Buffet and Bill Gates have pledged to give ½ of their wealth to charity, rather than pass it on to their heirs. This is a lot of money, and a wise plan. Hopefully this will provide examples for folks with lesser fortunes to consider leaving portions to good causes, such as the church, while providing an appropriate amount for their heirs.
Today is the last working day for the team in Honduras. I will be praying for them that the weather is adequate for them to finish the work at hand. Yesterday I was in contact with the Mozambique coordinator about beginning to prepare for leading a team from Wesley to visit our partner church and womens' shelter.
Ezra 1-2
King Cyrus of Persia (modern Iraq) proclaims that Israelites may return to their land and rebuild the temple. These scriptures list the gold, silver and other items, and the names of leaders and people who were involved. This was a massive movement and restoration. This book of Ezra and also Nehemiah will describe the details, the difficulties and the decisions that were involved in this exciting time.
Today as many as 20 leaders of Wesley will participate in the 2 day Leadership Summit hosted by Willow Creek. I am looking forward to this more than I usually have, as this is my 5th experience with this summit. Adam Hamilton will be one of the presenters. Guide me Lord as I serve you on this stormy morning.
As is sometimes my practice, I was watching the Today show to catch up on world events. My satellite signal was just interrupted by the thunderstorm in progress. The story on air was about 40 billionaires who, invited by Warren Buffet and Bill Gates have pledged to give ½ of their wealth to charity, rather than pass it on to their heirs. This is a lot of money, and a wise plan. Hopefully this will provide examples for folks with lesser fortunes to consider leaving portions to good causes, such as the church, while providing an appropriate amount for their heirs.
Today is the last working day for the team in Honduras. I will be praying for them that the weather is adequate for them to finish the work at hand. Yesterday I was in contact with the Mozambique coordinator about beginning to prepare for leading a team from Wesley to visit our partner church and womens' shelter.
Ezra 1-2
King Cyrus of Persia (modern Iraq) proclaims that Israelites may return to their land and rebuild the temple. These scriptures list the gold, silver and other items, and the names of leaders and people who were involved. This was a massive movement and restoration. This book of Ezra and also Nehemiah will describe the details, the difficulties and the decisions that were involved in this exciting time.
Today as many as 20 leaders of Wesley will participate in the 2 day Leadership Summit hosted by Willow Creek. I am looking forward to this more than I usually have, as this is my 5th experience with this summit. Adam Hamilton will be one of the presenters. Guide me Lord as I serve you on this stormy morning.
Wednesday, August 4, 2010
August 4, 2010
8-04-10 Wednesday, 8:10 am Springfield, 75 degrees, sunny
Last evening I drove a borrowed car to St. Louis and back with a friend who drove my Explorer towing my trailer, as we went to retrieve my ailing Kawasaki. It will go to the shop today, for diagnosis of electrical problems, regular maintenance, and the installation of two new tires. I got home after midnight, and am dragging just a little. Today we will meet as a team and consider the planning for Spring 2011, and in the afternoon several of us will consider the main lobby area – its flow, content, etc.
II Chronicles 35
Josiah organizes the largest Passover celebration since Samuel. 30,000 lambs and young goats plus 3,000 cattle were provided by the king for the people’s Passover offerings. The priests, Levites, musicians, all took a role in celebrating this great feast remembering God’s hand in delivering His people from Egypt.
Interestingly, in verse 20 the current king of Egypt, Neco, comes marching with his troops heading for a battle at Carchemish on the Eupharates River (modern Iraq?). Josiah musters troops to go out and oppose his cutting through the area, and Neco sends word that God has told him to hurry. Josiah ignores Neco’s request to let them pass, and in disguise gets shot by an archer and then dies. Verse 22 affirms that God had indeed spoken to Neco!
Guide me Lord as I listen for your guidance and trust you to lead my steps, and direct my decisions today.
Last evening I drove a borrowed car to St. Louis and back with a friend who drove my Explorer towing my trailer, as we went to retrieve my ailing Kawasaki. It will go to the shop today, for diagnosis of electrical problems, regular maintenance, and the installation of two new tires. I got home after midnight, and am dragging just a little. Today we will meet as a team and consider the planning for Spring 2011, and in the afternoon several of us will consider the main lobby area – its flow, content, etc.
II Chronicles 35
Josiah organizes the largest Passover celebration since Samuel. 30,000 lambs and young goats plus 3,000 cattle were provided by the king for the people’s Passover offerings. The priests, Levites, musicians, all took a role in celebrating this great feast remembering God’s hand in delivering His people from Egypt.
Interestingly, in verse 20 the current king of Egypt, Neco, comes marching with his troops heading for a battle at Carchemish on the Eupharates River (modern Iraq?). Josiah musters troops to go out and oppose his cutting through the area, and Neco sends word that God has told him to hurry. Josiah ignores Neco’s request to let them pass, and in disguise gets shot by an archer and then dies. Verse 22 affirms that God had indeed spoken to Neco!
Guide me Lord as I listen for your guidance and trust you to lead my steps, and direct my decisions today.
Tuesday, August 3, 2010
August 3, 2010
8-3-10 Tuesday, 6:30 am Springfield, 77 degrees, clear, humid.
The high was 100 yesterday, and is forecast to do the same today. I had a good visit in St. Louis with my son David and his wife Danelle, and I bumped into Rick and Ardell Oliver, whose car I ended up driving back to Springfield when my motorcycle developed electrical problems. Today is the August primary. I will vote on my way into the office, and after Scripture I will read up on the candidates, and the ballot issues.
II Chronicles 33:14-34:33
The reigns of Manasseh, Amon and Josiah. Manasseh turned from his evil ways and restored the altar of the Lord, sacrificing upon it. “He also encouraged the people of Judah to worship the Lord, the God of Israel. However, the people still sacrificed at the pagan shrines, though only to the Lord their God.” During Josiah’s reign, and the remolding of the Temple, the scroll of the Word of God is found, and he realizes that his people have not been obeying that Word. Sacrificing at pagan shrines would be an example of well-meaning but uninformed Jews disobeying God’s Word which is clear about only offering a sacrifice at the temple.
Is there any similar practice in our culture, in which well-meaning people ignore the Word of God? I continue to ponder the commandment about honoring the Sabbath. There are those who today keep it in a legalistic manner. Are they more pleasing to God? It could be that tithing is a current neglect, and caring for the poor, etc. By reading scripture every day, and reading through the scripture in a year there is less risk that a person or a people will lose touch with God’s will the way these Israelites did when the scripture was simply lost in the temple, and not read by anyone. I value God’s word, and as I prepare to preach a series of messages examining religious cults I will emphasize the value of daily searching God’s holy Word.
In the last several days I have witnessed God’s hand at work powerfully in the timing of my steps and the events that have unfolded. Interestingly, I can go weeks without any special sense of God’s leading as I simply live obediently and serve faithfully. Then, as I have recently experienced, there is event after event that demonstrates the clarity of God’s active leading in my life. Thank you Lord for the ebb and flow of my awareness of your presence and your power. I live today in the full expectation that my steps are ordered by you, and that there is nothing that is “coincidental”. I walk by faith, investing my life in serving You. May your kingdom come, today, on earth as it is in heaven. Amen.
The high was 100 yesterday, and is forecast to do the same today. I had a good visit in St. Louis with my son David and his wife Danelle, and I bumped into Rick and Ardell Oliver, whose car I ended up driving back to Springfield when my motorcycle developed electrical problems. Today is the August primary. I will vote on my way into the office, and after Scripture I will read up on the candidates, and the ballot issues.
II Chronicles 33:14-34:33
The reigns of Manasseh, Amon and Josiah. Manasseh turned from his evil ways and restored the altar of the Lord, sacrificing upon it. “He also encouraged the people of Judah to worship the Lord, the God of Israel. However, the people still sacrificed at the pagan shrines, though only to the Lord their God.” During Josiah’s reign, and the remolding of the Temple, the scroll of the Word of God is found, and he realizes that his people have not been obeying that Word. Sacrificing at pagan shrines would be an example of well-meaning but uninformed Jews disobeying God’s Word which is clear about only offering a sacrifice at the temple.
Is there any similar practice in our culture, in which well-meaning people ignore the Word of God? I continue to ponder the commandment about honoring the Sabbath. There are those who today keep it in a legalistic manner. Are they more pleasing to God? It could be that tithing is a current neglect, and caring for the poor, etc. By reading scripture every day, and reading through the scripture in a year there is less risk that a person or a people will lose touch with God’s will the way these Israelites did when the scripture was simply lost in the temple, and not read by anyone. I value God’s word, and as I prepare to preach a series of messages examining religious cults I will emphasize the value of daily searching God’s holy Word.
In the last several days I have witnessed God’s hand at work powerfully in the timing of my steps and the events that have unfolded. Interestingly, I can go weeks without any special sense of God’s leading as I simply live obediently and serve faithfully. Then, as I have recently experienced, there is event after event that demonstrates the clarity of God’s active leading in my life. Thank you Lord for the ebb and flow of my awareness of your presence and your power. I live today in the full expectation that my steps are ordered by you, and that there is nothing that is “coincidental”. I walk by faith, investing my life in serving You. May your kingdom come, today, on earth as it is in heaven. Amen.
Sunday, August 1, 2010
August 1, 2010
8-1-10 Sunday, 6:08 am Springfield, 74 degrees, cloudy, very pleasant.
I have been up for an hour, making coffee, checking email, writing to Audrey in Honduras. I am now on the back deck, with humming birds visiting the feeder every minute, a crow on the neighbor's peak, and the automatic sprinkler watering the backyard next door. I will read the daily scripture, then get ready for the day. I will aim to be at church by 7:15 am ( a little early since I am the only full time pastor at Wesley today.)
Romans 15:1-22
Verse 13 “I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit.”
I have been meditating upon this verse. I will walk today filled completely with joy and peace, overflowing with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit. This is not a pipe dream nor an unreachable goal. I truly do experience being filled completely with joy and peace. As a servant of Christ, I desire to lead others to this same confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit.
Thank you Lord for this day of pastoral ministry. I thank you for those who have prepared to bring the Word and lead in the sacraments. Guide me as I serve throughout the morning, and prepare for the upcoming series and intensity of the daily pastoral office. In the precious name of Jesus, amen.
I have been up for an hour, making coffee, checking email, writing to Audrey in Honduras. I am now on the back deck, with humming birds visiting the feeder every minute, a crow on the neighbor's peak, and the automatic sprinkler watering the backyard next door. I will read the daily scripture, then get ready for the day. I will aim to be at church by 7:15 am ( a little early since I am the only full time pastor at Wesley today.)
Romans 15:1-22
Verse 13 “I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit.”
I have been meditating upon this verse. I will walk today filled completely with joy and peace, overflowing with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit. This is not a pipe dream nor an unreachable goal. I truly do experience being filled completely with joy and peace. As a servant of Christ, I desire to lead others to this same confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit.
Thank you Lord for this day of pastoral ministry. I thank you for those who have prepared to bring the Word and lead in the sacraments. Guide me as I serve throughout the morning, and prepare for the upcoming series and intensity of the daily pastoral office. In the precious name of Jesus, amen.
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