11-7-10 Adoption Sunday, 5:35 am (standard time begins today!) Springfield, 40 degrees, clear.
Audrey’s phone rang at 5:00, with nobody on the other end. She is trying to get another hour of sleep. I have a cold that has settled in my throat, and the hot coffee feels good as it loosens me up for the day.
Romans 8
Verse 15: “For you have not received a spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received a spirit of adoption” I desire to communicate this truth today, that as we celebrate what God has done, we live out of this spirit of adoption, not earning our way, not proving our worth. Wesley describes three states of the soul: asleep – carnal, not trying to live right or please God; legalistic – aware of God’s rules, God’s will, and trying by good works to gain God’s favor lest his judgement be applied; adopted – living in the free gift of his grace, pleasing him out of response and desire.
Lord, as my body struggles with the onset of this cold, empower me to do your will, to preach your word, to serve the church this morning in the power of your Spirit.
Sunday, November 7, 2010
Saturday, November 6, 2010
November 6, 2010
11-6-10 Saturday, 6:12 am Springfield, 25 degrees.
Hurricane Tomas slammed into Haiti yesterday, where more than a million people are still in tents after the January earthquake. I cannot imagine the heartbreak and suffering of these people and those who serve them. As I sit here in my comfortable, safe, warm house and view the images of flooding through the tent communities, I feel insulated from the suffering, but clearly aware of the need. Through our apportionment and second mile giving, the United Methodist Church is at work in Haiti, where two of our leaders (Sam Dixon and Clint Rabb) died in the earthquake in January. The world is now “flat”, and daily I desire to invest my time, energy and resources to produce the greatest fruit.
Hebrews 7:18-28
This section continues describing Jesus as the ultimate high priest, who is once and for all, who does not need to offer sacrifices for his own sins, nor does he need to be replaced when he dies, as he will live forever. “He is the kind of high priest we need because he is holy and blameless, unstained by sin. He has been set apart from sinners and has been given the highest place of honor in heaven.” (verse 26)
A note in the Wesley Study Bible under this section states that “Wesley was clear that all Methodist activity should be founded in Christ, be derived from Christ, grow in Christ, and lead to Christ. Christ’s life, death and resurrection serve as the ultimate self-revelation of God, and of God’s grace, love, and intention for us all.” It is spiritually profitable for me to focus on Jesus in the office of high priest, as he now makes intercession for me and for the church at the Father’s right hand.
I just googled the television show “Then Came Bronson”, and discovered it was produced in 1969-1970. I remember watching it and have often wondered about it. The plot consists of a newspaper writer whose friend takes his own life, and thus Bronson buys back his Harley from the widow, and sets out alone. He helps people along the way as a catalyst for change. I should get the book or the dvd of the pilot movie. Interesting that I should think of this today. I have been reading
American Saint by Wigger. It could have been titled "Then Came Asbury!"
Guide me Lord as I serve you, worship you, and represent you today.
Hurricane Tomas slammed into Haiti yesterday, where more than a million people are still in tents after the January earthquake. I cannot imagine the heartbreak and suffering of these people and those who serve them. As I sit here in my comfortable, safe, warm house and view the images of flooding through the tent communities, I feel insulated from the suffering, but clearly aware of the need. Through our apportionment and second mile giving, the United Methodist Church is at work in Haiti, where two of our leaders (Sam Dixon and Clint Rabb) died in the earthquake in January. The world is now “flat”, and daily I desire to invest my time, energy and resources to produce the greatest fruit.
Hebrews 7:18-28
This section continues describing Jesus as the ultimate high priest, who is once and for all, who does not need to offer sacrifices for his own sins, nor does he need to be replaced when he dies, as he will live forever. “He is the kind of high priest we need because he is holy and blameless, unstained by sin. He has been set apart from sinners and has been given the highest place of honor in heaven.” (verse 26)
A note in the Wesley Study Bible under this section states that “Wesley was clear that all Methodist activity should be founded in Christ, be derived from Christ, grow in Christ, and lead to Christ. Christ’s life, death and resurrection serve as the ultimate self-revelation of God, and of God’s grace, love, and intention for us all.” It is spiritually profitable for me to focus on Jesus in the office of high priest, as he now makes intercession for me and for the church at the Father’s right hand.
I just googled the television show “Then Came Bronson”, and discovered it was produced in 1969-1970. I remember watching it and have often wondered about it. The plot consists of a newspaper writer whose friend takes his own life, and thus Bronson buys back his Harley from the widow, and sets out alone. He helps people along the way as a catalyst for change. I should get the book or the dvd of the pilot movie. Interesting that I should think of this today. I have been reading
American Saint by Wigger. It could have been titled "Then Came Asbury!"
Guide me Lord as I serve you, worship you, and represent you today.
Friday, November 5, 2010
November 5, 2010
11-5-10 Friday, 7:00 am Springfield, 30 degrees
Hebrews 7:1-17
Jesus is a priest after the order of Melchizedek. This chapter describes the role that Melchizedek (king of justice) played in the life of Abraham. It also briefly describes the priestly roles given through Moses to Aaron and the tribe of Levi. Verse 17 is a quote from Psalm 110:4, a prophecy concerning Jesus: “You are a priest forever in the order of Melchizedek.”
Jesus fills many roles, and this morning I will focus on His priesthood. As the high priest, He also was the sacrifice, and also was the temple. His once and for all offering for sin has led to each of us participating in the “priesthood of all believers”. So, as a pastor, I serve some “priestly” roles in the congregation, and I encourage, empower, lead people to take hold of the role each of us has of representing God to those who do not know Him yet.
Today I dedicate to working on my sermon for the weekend, and at 2:00 I have a visit with one whom I baptized a few weeks ago. Guide me Holy Lord as I live and serve you today!
Hebrews 7:1-17
Jesus is a priest after the order of Melchizedek. This chapter describes the role that Melchizedek (king of justice) played in the life of Abraham. It also briefly describes the priestly roles given through Moses to Aaron and the tribe of Levi. Verse 17 is a quote from Psalm 110:4, a prophecy concerning Jesus: “You are a priest forever in the order of Melchizedek.”
Jesus fills many roles, and this morning I will focus on His priesthood. As the high priest, He also was the sacrifice, and also was the temple. His once and for all offering for sin has led to each of us participating in the “priesthood of all believers”. So, as a pastor, I serve some “priestly” roles in the congregation, and I encourage, empower, lead people to take hold of the role each of us has of representing God to those who do not know Him yet.
Today I dedicate to working on my sermon for the weekend, and at 2:00 I have a visit with one whom I baptized a few weeks ago. Guide me Holy Lord as I live and serve you today!
Thursday, November 4, 2010
November 4, 2010
11-4-10 Thursday, 7:40 am Springfield, 37 degrees, windy.
Ezekiel 10:1-11:25 (yesterday at lunch with John Strong I learned that Ezekiel was the topic of his dissertation at Union)
11:16b “I will be a sanctuary to you during your time in exile.” God himself will be a sanctuary to a people who are scattered far from the temple, which has been destroyed. I believe this is still true, that God is a sanctuary to those who call upon his name.
11:19-20 “And I will give them singleness of heart and put a new spirit within them. I will take away their stony, stubborn heart and give them a tender, responsive heart, so they will obey my decrees and regulations. Then they will truly be my people, and I will be their God.”
It would be interesting to write an essay engaging the topic of vision, leadership, building programs and the place of God. I am thinking of the famous building programs in the Bible – Noah’s ark, the tabernacle, the temple, Nehemiah’s reconstruction of the walls, all in light of Ezekiel’s 11:16 “I will be a sanctuary to you…” Interestingly, Jesus did not lead any type of building project, even as He used the imagery of cornerstone and foundation. Down through history, great buildings have been built, in Europe and America, and Egypt etc., at great cost and sacrifice. I need to continue in this vein as I ponder leadership, vision, God’s future and the body of Christ.
Thank you Lord for this sunny, windy, chilly November day. Guide me as I serve you with joy!
Ezekiel 10:1-11:25 (yesterday at lunch with John Strong I learned that Ezekiel was the topic of his dissertation at Union)
11:16b “I will be a sanctuary to you during your time in exile.” God himself will be a sanctuary to a people who are scattered far from the temple, which has been destroyed. I believe this is still true, that God is a sanctuary to those who call upon his name.
11:19-20 “And I will give them singleness of heart and put a new spirit within them. I will take away their stony, stubborn heart and give them a tender, responsive heart, so they will obey my decrees and regulations. Then they will truly be my people, and I will be their God.”
It would be interesting to write an essay engaging the topic of vision, leadership, building programs and the place of God. I am thinking of the famous building programs in the Bible – Noah’s ark, the tabernacle, the temple, Nehemiah’s reconstruction of the walls, all in light of Ezekiel’s 11:16 “I will be a sanctuary to you…” Interestingly, Jesus did not lead any type of building project, even as He used the imagery of cornerstone and foundation. Down through history, great buildings have been built, in Europe and America, and Egypt etc., at great cost and sacrifice. I need to continue in this vein as I ponder leadership, vision, God’s future and the body of Christ.
Thank you Lord for this sunny, windy, chilly November day. Guide me as I serve you with joy!
Wednesday, November 3, 2010
November 3, 2010
11-3-10 Wednesday, 7:49 am Springfield, 37 degrees.
The mid-term election is over, most results are in, and the U. S. Congress is changed – the Republicans have taken 60 seats from democrats in the house, and 6 seats in the senate. Audrey and I voted yesterday and faced a long line at the poll. I was glad to see such a strong turnout for a midterm election.
Hebrews 5:1-14
Jesus is the high priest designated by God in the order of Melchizedek (verse 10). Hebrews teaches that Jesus was not only high priest, but also the sacrifice, and the temple. This epistle sets out many deep truths. Verses 11-14 address the inability of the recipients to grasp difficult truths because they are “spiritually dull and don’t seem to listen” (verse11). As a pastor, I embrace the role of teaching members to be spiritually sharper, able to more than just milk, but digest spiritual meat. This is required in a church whose mission is to “develop more fruitful disciples of Jesus Christ who worship, care and serve.
Lord, guide me into the “solid food, for those who are mature, who through training have the skill to recognize the difference between right and wrong.” May this day be yours completely as I lead, share, teach and direct the life of Wesley UMC.
The mid-term election is over, most results are in, and the U. S. Congress is changed – the Republicans have taken 60 seats from democrats in the house, and 6 seats in the senate. Audrey and I voted yesterday and faced a long line at the poll. I was glad to see such a strong turnout for a midterm election.
Hebrews 5:1-14
Jesus is the high priest designated by God in the order of Melchizedek (verse 10). Hebrews teaches that Jesus was not only high priest, but also the sacrifice, and the temple. This epistle sets out many deep truths. Verses 11-14 address the inability of the recipients to grasp difficult truths because they are “spiritually dull and don’t seem to listen” (verse11). As a pastor, I embrace the role of teaching members to be spiritually sharper, able to more than just milk, but digest spiritual meat. This is required in a church whose mission is to “develop more fruitful disciples of Jesus Christ who worship, care and serve.
Lord, guide me into the “solid food, for those who are mature, who through training have the skill to recognize the difference between right and wrong.” May this day be yours completely as I lead, share, teach and direct the life of Wesley UMC.
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
November 2, 2010
11-2-10 Tuesday, 7:20 am, Election Day! 47 degrees, cloudy, scattered showers.
I have just discovered that I have double booked lunch tomorrow. I will need to cancel one of them. When this happens, my rule of thumb is to honor the first commitment made, and also to take into consideration the impact of canceling. In this case, it is not as complicated as sometimes, because the first commitment made (a month ago) was to a long-time friend for lunch, and the second commitment ( a couple of weeks ago) was to attend a luncheon with pastors around a book study. I somehow failed to place on my google calendar the lunch with John – I suspect I made a technical error by not scrolling to the bottom and hitting “save” on my new Droid.
Hebrews 4:1-16
There is a rest for the people of God. This chapter of Hebrews has always been a blessing to me. As I “rested” on my Sabbath yesterday I was mindful of the rest promised to God’s people. This chapter is teaching much more than a weekly rest, it is reminding us that God has prepared a rest from works-righteousness. This is a rest to be entered into by faith, something which the Israelites failed to to.
Related to this rest, verse 12 makes a profound statement about the Word of God; “For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is shaper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires.” I experience the Bible, God’s word as being alive and powerful. Daily it impacts me in soul and spirit, exposing my innermost thoughts and desires. Yesterday I was mindful of the inductive Bible Study that Audrey has developed to teach older youth how to study the Bible for themselves. We need to get this developed into a form that can be published, as I think it is a valuable tool.
Guide me this week, most holy Lord as I journey through this “land between”, keeping you at the center, being mindful of those around me, and taking one day at a time.
I have just discovered that I have double booked lunch tomorrow. I will need to cancel one of them. When this happens, my rule of thumb is to honor the first commitment made, and also to take into consideration the impact of canceling. In this case, it is not as complicated as sometimes, because the first commitment made (a month ago) was to a long-time friend for lunch, and the second commitment ( a couple of weeks ago) was to attend a luncheon with pastors around a book study. I somehow failed to place on my google calendar the lunch with John – I suspect I made a technical error by not scrolling to the bottom and hitting “save” on my new Droid.
Hebrews 4:1-16
There is a rest for the people of God. This chapter of Hebrews has always been a blessing to me. As I “rested” on my Sabbath yesterday I was mindful of the rest promised to God’s people. This chapter is teaching much more than a weekly rest, it is reminding us that God has prepared a rest from works-righteousness. This is a rest to be entered into by faith, something which the Israelites failed to to.
Related to this rest, verse 12 makes a profound statement about the Word of God; “For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is shaper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires.” I experience the Bible, God’s word as being alive and powerful. Daily it impacts me in soul and spirit, exposing my innermost thoughts and desires. Yesterday I was mindful of the inductive Bible Study that Audrey has developed to teach older youth how to study the Bible for themselves. We need to get this developed into a form that can be published, as I think it is a valuable tool.
Guide me this week, most holy Lord as I journey through this “land between”, keeping you at the center, being mindful of those around me, and taking one day at a time.
Monday, November 1, 2010
November 1, 2010
11-1-10 Monday, 6:55 am, 52 degrees, high clouds.
Hebrews 3:1-19
The writer continues to utilize the examples of the Old Testament to inform the followers of Christ. Yesterday in my sermon, “The Land Between” I also utilized the experiences of the Israelites to inform today’s Christ-followers. Verses 12ff: “Be careful then, dear brothers and sister. Make sure that your own hearts are not evil and unbelieving, turning you away from the living God. You must warn each other every day, while it is still ‘today,’ so that none of you will be deceived by sin and hardened against God.”
Today, for me, is a day of Sabbath rest. In the rhythm of my week, Monday is the best day to rest from my labors, as God rested on the seventh day of creation. Last week I forfeited Monday’s rest to driving and meeting with the Board of Ordained Ministry in Columbia. It is good to have a regular day set aside. However, there is an aspect to Sabbath that feels like a waste of time, or an indulgence. There is a sense of “ought to”, with the long list of things that I “ought to” do. I know this is one of the tensions of the spiritual life, to waste time according to God’s plan and experience His redemption of that day.
Guide me today Lord, as I make sure that my heart is not evil nor unbelieving, and that I do not turn away from You, the living God. Use this day and me your servant to accomplish your will and purposes. I am yours, most holy Lord.
Hebrews 3:1-19
The writer continues to utilize the examples of the Old Testament to inform the followers of Christ. Yesterday in my sermon, “The Land Between” I also utilized the experiences of the Israelites to inform today’s Christ-followers. Verses 12ff: “Be careful then, dear brothers and sister. Make sure that your own hearts are not evil and unbelieving, turning you away from the living God. You must warn each other every day, while it is still ‘today,’ so that none of you will be deceived by sin and hardened against God.”
Today, for me, is a day of Sabbath rest. In the rhythm of my week, Monday is the best day to rest from my labors, as God rested on the seventh day of creation. Last week I forfeited Monday’s rest to driving and meeting with the Board of Ordained Ministry in Columbia. It is good to have a regular day set aside. However, there is an aspect to Sabbath that feels like a waste of time, or an indulgence. There is a sense of “ought to”, with the long list of things that I “ought to” do. I know this is one of the tensions of the spiritual life, to waste time according to God’s plan and experience His redemption of that day.
Guide me today Lord, as I make sure that my heart is not evil nor unbelieving, and that I do not turn away from You, the living God. Use this day and me your servant to accomplish your will and purposes. I am yours, most holy Lord.
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