9-17-11 Saturday, 6:21 am Springfield, 54 degrees, light rain.
It is good to wake up early on this Saturday. I am looking forward to meeting with folks at Wesley who have expressed concerns about various aspects of church life. They met with our lay leader on Aug 30 and I will be responding this morning. I will be continuing to develop my sermon today, as well as meeting with a family concerning the baptizing of their infant daughter tomorrow. Yesterday I officiated at the funeral of Jeff Kessler. Tomorrow we host a team whose task is to present goals to our college aged ministry, similar to the prescriptions in the HCI process.
Galatians 3:10-22
Paul strongly admonishes the Galatian believers to live by faith, and not to rely upon “works”, or obedience to the law as the ground of their right-standing with God. In verse 11, he quotes Habakkuk 2:4b “but the righteous live by their faith”. Paul states definitively in verse 12 that “the law is not of faith”.
In verse 19 the apostle asks the question: “Why the law then?” His answer: “It was added because of transgressions, having been ordained through angels by the agency of a mediator, until the seed should come to whom the promise had been made.” In verse 16 Paul had specified that the “seed” in the promise to Abraham is Christ.
So, on this mid-September weekend I will walk by faith, not by sight. Jesus has taken upon himself the curse of the law and I live through faith in Him. Guide me holy Lord as faith results in good works which bless and draw more people to accept your love in Jesus Christ. Use me today, most holy Lord.
Saturday, September 17, 2011
Friday, September 16, 2011
September 16, 2011
9-16-11 Friday, 7:44 am Springfield, 52 degrees, cloudy.
Yesterday was a long, strenuous and fruitful day of pastoral ministry. I began with an 8:30 worship planning meeting in which we zeroed in on the theme and material for spring 2012. We plan to produce our own small group DVD based on a study guide by Michael Slaughter. I spoke with his assistant yesterday requesting some copyright permission. I met with a worship leader at 11 to discuss the flow of the sanctuary worship services. At noon three pastors met with a leader to discuss aspects of the overall life of Wesley. In the afternoon and early evening I ministered to various family members involved in the tragic death of a 42 year-old father of three. Back at church I stopped by the Leadership Experience in which one of our leaders was teaching about evangelism, and I finished the evening with a two-hour church council meeting. Today I will prepare for the funeral, work on the Sunday service, and then conduct the funeral, graveside, and be with the family at the meal.
Galatians 2:17-3:9
Paul is directly confronting the Christians of Galatia with the power of Christ’s death and resurrection for salvation, contrasted with the emptiness of legalism. Some false teachers had infiltrated this region and were teaching that a gentile must first become a Jew in order to become a Christian, and that strictly following the Jewish laws and regulations was part of following Christ. Paul states clearly that we are “justified by faith in Christ, and not by doing the works of the law because no one will be justified by the works of the law.” (2:16) Paul presents the powerful example of Abraham who was not justified by keeping the law, “believed God, and it was reckoned to him as righteousness.” (3:6)
Even in the various expressions of the body of Christ today there is the tension of faith and works. The apostle James addresses this in his epistle, and I am convinced that to the end of time serious followers of God will struggle to balance the faith in what God has done through Christ, with the obedience that requires a transformation of life in response to the Gospel. As I prepare to preach a series of messages in October called “Beyond Normal” I must strive to keep the balance of faith and works. I will be addressing the issues of time, relationships, sex, money and values.
Guide me today, most precious holy Lord as I serve you with joy as a pastor in America in this 21st century. Use me as your instrument of peace and comfort. Give me vision for pastoring beyond the horizon. I see your hand of mercy and will sing of your love forever.
Yesterday was a long, strenuous and fruitful day of pastoral ministry. I began with an 8:30 worship planning meeting in which we zeroed in on the theme and material for spring 2012. We plan to produce our own small group DVD based on a study guide by Michael Slaughter. I spoke with his assistant yesterday requesting some copyright permission. I met with a worship leader at 11 to discuss the flow of the sanctuary worship services. At noon three pastors met with a leader to discuss aspects of the overall life of Wesley. In the afternoon and early evening I ministered to various family members involved in the tragic death of a 42 year-old father of three. Back at church I stopped by the Leadership Experience in which one of our leaders was teaching about evangelism, and I finished the evening with a two-hour church council meeting. Today I will prepare for the funeral, work on the Sunday service, and then conduct the funeral, graveside, and be with the family at the meal.
Galatians 2:17-3:9
Paul is directly confronting the Christians of Galatia with the power of Christ’s death and resurrection for salvation, contrasted with the emptiness of legalism. Some false teachers had infiltrated this region and were teaching that a gentile must first become a Jew in order to become a Christian, and that strictly following the Jewish laws and regulations was part of following Christ. Paul states clearly that we are “justified by faith in Christ, and not by doing the works of the law because no one will be justified by the works of the law.” (2:16) Paul presents the powerful example of Abraham who was not justified by keeping the law, “believed God, and it was reckoned to him as righteousness.” (3:6)
Even in the various expressions of the body of Christ today there is the tension of faith and works. The apostle James addresses this in his epistle, and I am convinced that to the end of time serious followers of God will struggle to balance the faith in what God has done through Christ, with the obedience that requires a transformation of life in response to the Gospel. As I prepare to preach a series of messages in October called “Beyond Normal” I must strive to keep the balance of faith and works. I will be addressing the issues of time, relationships, sex, money and values.
Guide me today, most precious holy Lord as I serve you with joy as a pastor in America in this 21st century. Use me as your instrument of peace and comfort. Give me vision for pastoring beyond the horizon. I see your hand of mercy and will sing of your love forever.
Wednesday, September 14, 2011
September 14, 2011
9-14-11 Wednesday, 5:31 am Sedalia 60 degrees, with 50% chance of thundershowers.
On this day 23 years ago my beloved wife gave birth to a precious daughter who we named Bethany. Today she is a college graduate, living in the Los Angeles area, a follower of Christ who is serving Him with all her life, using the beautiful voice that God has given her to be a blessing to many. Yesterday as I was running 7 on the Katy trail a couple with bicycles laden with gear approached. I asked them where they were headed, and when they replied “California” I shouted back down the trail “I have a daughter in L.A.!” I feel the distance from here to there, and I have a great peace that Bethany is in the center of God’s will for her life.
Galatians 1 (One Year Bible reading plan for today)
“Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, who gave himself for our sins to rescue us from the present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father.” (Verses 3-4) In this one sentence is enough spiritual meat to chew on all day! God’s grace – what a gift. His unmerited favor, not earned nor deserved. Religious people under the old covenant, church people under the new covenant are so easily deluded into thinking that we deserve God’s favor because _______ (fill in the blank). Israel was chosen by God’s grace, and the church is purchased by Christ who gave himself for our sins. Our lives of faith must always be lived in the light of His grace.
Peace – shalom – God’s gift. As we are being rescued “from the present evil age” living in the middle of God’s peace is a promise and a blessing. I have begun to read Erik Larson’s In the Garden of Beasts, an historical account of William E. Dodd and his family upon his appointment in 1933 as U.S. Ambassador to Germany. The “evil” of that age was not yet fully comprehended by the history professor from the University of Chicago, but would unfold during coming months. We would like to think that in 2011 in America we do not live in “the present evil age” from which we need rescuing, but that fact is that until Christ comes again, the Evil One has great power on earth.
On Friday morning I will officiate at a funeral of a young father whose family are members at Wesley. It will be a difficult time for this family which has endured much. Grace and peace from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, who gave himself for our sins to rescue us from the present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father” will be the basis, as it is for every funeral.
Psalm 58
“Do you rulers indeed speak justly? Do you judge people with equity? No, in your heart you devise injustice, and your hands mete out violence on the earth.” This was graphically true of the Nazi rulers in the 1930’s, and in various ways is lived out all through time. As the Psalmist counts on God to avenge the wicked he concludes in verse 11 “Then the people will say, ‘surely the righteous still are rewarded; surely there is a God who judges the earth.’”
Guide my steps today, O You who judges the earth. May I fully live in your grace and peace, under the shadow of your wings. Your righteousness is like majestic mountains – lead me in your righteousness most Holy Lord as I wake up in Sedalia, learn from Ben Witherington, travel to Springfield and share your grace and peace with families in turmoil.
On this day 23 years ago my beloved wife gave birth to a precious daughter who we named Bethany. Today she is a college graduate, living in the Los Angeles area, a follower of Christ who is serving Him with all her life, using the beautiful voice that God has given her to be a blessing to many. Yesterday as I was running 7 on the Katy trail a couple with bicycles laden with gear approached. I asked them where they were headed, and when they replied “California” I shouted back down the trail “I have a daughter in L.A.!” I feel the distance from here to there, and I have a great peace that Bethany is in the center of God’s will for her life.
Galatians 1 (One Year Bible reading plan for today)
“Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, who gave himself for our sins to rescue us from the present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father.” (Verses 3-4) In this one sentence is enough spiritual meat to chew on all day! God’s grace – what a gift. His unmerited favor, not earned nor deserved. Religious people under the old covenant, church people under the new covenant are so easily deluded into thinking that we deserve God’s favor because _______ (fill in the blank). Israel was chosen by God’s grace, and the church is purchased by Christ who gave himself for our sins. Our lives of faith must always be lived in the light of His grace.
Peace – shalom – God’s gift. As we are being rescued “from the present evil age” living in the middle of God’s peace is a promise and a blessing. I have begun to read Erik Larson’s In the Garden of Beasts, an historical account of William E. Dodd and his family upon his appointment in 1933 as U.S. Ambassador to Germany. The “evil” of that age was not yet fully comprehended by the history professor from the University of Chicago, but would unfold during coming months. We would like to think that in 2011 in America we do not live in “the present evil age” from which we need rescuing, but that fact is that until Christ comes again, the Evil One has great power on earth.
On Friday morning I will officiate at a funeral of a young father whose family are members at Wesley. It will be a difficult time for this family which has endured much. Grace and peace from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, who gave himself for our sins to rescue us from the present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father” will be the basis, as it is for every funeral.
Psalm 58
“Do you rulers indeed speak justly? Do you judge people with equity? No, in your heart you devise injustice, and your hands mete out violence on the earth.” This was graphically true of the Nazi rulers in the 1930’s, and in various ways is lived out all through time. As the Psalmist counts on God to avenge the wicked he concludes in verse 11 “Then the people will say, ‘surely the righteous still are rewarded; surely there is a God who judges the earth.’”
Guide my steps today, O You who judges the earth. May I fully live in your grace and peace, under the shadow of your wings. Your righteousness is like majestic mountains – lead me in your righteousness most Holy Lord as I wake up in Sedalia, learn from Ben Witherington, travel to Springfield and share your grace and peace with families in turmoil.
Tuesday, September 13, 2011
September 13, 2011
9-13-11 Tuesday, 7:49 Sedalia (Converge Conference for Pastors)
Ben Witherington is one of the keynote teachers, and is doing a great job. Last night I had dinner with other members of the Asbury Seminary Alumni Leadership for Missouri as we planned for this coming year led by Jim Voigt. Today I am looking forward to the morning sessions, and during the free time this afternoon I hope to run 7 on the Katie Trail.
Psalm 57
“I will praise you Lord, among the nations; I will sing of you among the peoples. For great is your love, reaching to the heavens; your faithfulness reaches to the skies. Be exalted, O God, above the heavens; let your glory be over all the earth.” (Verses 9-11) These words from this Psalm are my prayer this morning. Thank you Lord for your word and for language to praise your great and holy Name. Lead me in your righteousness, guide my steps today, most holy Lord.
Ben Witherington is one of the keynote teachers, and is doing a great job. Last night I had dinner with other members of the Asbury Seminary Alumni Leadership for Missouri as we planned for this coming year led by Jim Voigt. Today I am looking forward to the morning sessions, and during the free time this afternoon I hope to run 7 on the Katie Trail.
Psalm 57
“I will praise you Lord, among the nations; I will sing of you among the peoples. For great is your love, reaching to the heavens; your faithfulness reaches to the skies. Be exalted, O God, above the heavens; let your glory be over all the earth.” (Verses 9-11) These words from this Psalm are my prayer this morning. Thank you Lord for your word and for language to praise your great and holy Name. Lead me in your righteousness, guide my steps today, most holy Lord.
Monday, September 12, 2011
September 12, 2011
9-12-11 Monday, 5:34 am Springfield, 58 degrees.
II Cor 12:11-21 (One Year Bible)
Paul continues to defend his ministry and his apostleship to the recipients of this letter. In verse 20 he states his fear that when he comes to visit this church he will find “quarreling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, factions, slander, gossip, arrogance and disorder.” It seems too easy for the body of Christ to participate in these activities. Why do people in churches quarrel? Why are their factions? What is the source of gossip? Perhaps this one verse contains a window into the downside possibilities of every faith community. A goal for pastors and church leaders is to guard against these tendencies with measures to emphasize the upside opportunities of grace, humility, self-control, unity, truthfulness, maturity, and order.
Psalm 56 (One Year Bible)
The author is asking God for mercy in the midst of enemies and adversaries. He says “when I am afraid, I put my trust in you. In God, whose word I praise – in God I trust and am not afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?” (verses 3-4) This is a great reminder for every child of God – what can mere mortals do to me?
Guide me today Lord as I navigate the role of pastor, leader, teacher, servant. Bless the work of Converge as United Methodist pastors gather in Sedalia for teaching, encouragement, fellowship. Strengthen the community through the mission of Wesley in Springfield to develop more disciples of Jesus Christ who worship, care and serve.
II Cor 12:11-21 (One Year Bible)
Paul continues to defend his ministry and his apostleship to the recipients of this letter. In verse 20 he states his fear that when he comes to visit this church he will find “quarreling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, factions, slander, gossip, arrogance and disorder.” It seems too easy for the body of Christ to participate in these activities. Why do people in churches quarrel? Why are their factions? What is the source of gossip? Perhaps this one verse contains a window into the downside possibilities of every faith community. A goal for pastors and church leaders is to guard against these tendencies with measures to emphasize the upside opportunities of grace, humility, self-control, unity, truthfulness, maturity, and order.
Psalm 56 (One Year Bible)
The author is asking God for mercy in the midst of enemies and adversaries. He says “when I am afraid, I put my trust in you. In God, whose word I praise – in God I trust and am not afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?” (verses 3-4) This is a great reminder for every child of God – what can mere mortals do to me?
Guide me today Lord as I navigate the role of pastor, leader, teacher, servant. Bless the work of Converge as United Methodist pastors gather in Sedalia for teaching, encouragement, fellowship. Strengthen the community through the mission of Wesley in Springfield to develop more disciples of Jesus Christ who worship, care and serve.
Sunday, September 11, 2011
September 11, 2011
9-11-11 Sunday, 6:04 am Springfield, 58 degrees.
“Evil is real, and so is courage” is the banner across the headline news this morning as our nation remembers the attacks of 9-11 ten years ago today. This morning in worship I will be teaching about prayer, answering the question “why pray?”
My short answer is “because God is listening and will act on our behalf.” This begs the question of the immutability of God, or does God change His mind and alter His course because of the prayers of humans? I have a friend who is writing a Ph.D. dissertation on this question, and it’s main impact is on the passion and urgency of prayer.
I will pray today and every day because I believe and have experienced that God is listening. The Bible teaches that “the effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much” (James 5:16)
Lead me Lord in your righteousness as I teach and encourage Wesley to pray.
“Evil is real, and so is courage” is the banner across the headline news this morning as our nation remembers the attacks of 9-11 ten years ago today. This morning in worship I will be teaching about prayer, answering the question “why pray?”
My short answer is “because God is listening and will act on our behalf.” This begs the question of the immutability of God, or does God change His mind and alter His course because of the prayers of humans? I have a friend who is writing a Ph.D. dissertation on this question, and it’s main impact is on the passion and urgency of prayer.
I will pray today and every day because I believe and have experienced that God is listening. The Bible teaches that “the effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much” (James 5:16)
Lead me Lord in your righteousness as I teach and encourage Wesley to pray.
Saturday, September 10, 2011
September 10, 2011
9-10-11 Saturday, 6:27 am Springfield, 61 degrees, partly cloudy
Yesterday Audrey and I had a great day travelling with the Sojourners from Wesley to Branson, and then dinner and desert with Wesley leaders. It was really good for me to have time to visit and become better acquainted with several people with whom Pastor Jim Massey shepherds. Audrey is always delightful and encouraging to the people around her. Around 10:00 last night I went for a 2 mile run. Today I will meet with various folks, work on my sermon, exercise, and this evening assist with the movie night at Wesley, showing Letters to God.
Psalm 5 (text for sermon tomorrow)
“Give ear to my words, O Lord; give heed to my sighing. Listen to the sound of my cry, my King and my God, for to you I pray. O Lord, in the morning you hear my voice; in the morning I plead my case to you and watch.” (Verses 1-3) In his devotional commentary on the Psalms George O. Wood points out the difference between a sigh and a cry. In Verse 1 David asks God to pay attention to his sighing – that thought often accompanied by exhaling as a memory of the past or fear for the future drifts across your spirit with a somewhat passive physical response. In Verse 2 he asks God to listen to the sound of his cry. This is a more active and stronger form of calling out. If you are drowning, you cry out for help. David identifies the role of the One to whom he is praying – “my king and my God”. As a king himself, David knew the power and authority available to help his subjects.
Romans 8:26-27 “Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we ought, but that very Spirit intercedes with sighs too deep for words. And God, who searches the heart, knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.” These verses inform me that the Holy Spirit in me is guiding my unformed prayers as I sigh, and searching my heart helps me pray according to the will of God. Lately I have been sighing as I ponder the church and the recent “dust up” among folks who are not happy. I sense God leading my steps, words and actions and I will continue to trust Him.
Lead me Lord, lead me in your righteousness, make my paths straight that I might accomplish your will and purposes. On this Saturday in September I desire to be used by you as I walk through the day, and I desire to pray without ceasing before your throne. Thank you for the gift of prayer.
Yesterday Audrey and I had a great day travelling with the Sojourners from Wesley to Branson, and then dinner and desert with Wesley leaders. It was really good for me to have time to visit and become better acquainted with several people with whom Pastor Jim Massey shepherds. Audrey is always delightful and encouraging to the people around her. Around 10:00 last night I went for a 2 mile run. Today I will meet with various folks, work on my sermon, exercise, and this evening assist with the movie night at Wesley, showing Letters to God.
Psalm 5 (text for sermon tomorrow)
“Give ear to my words, O Lord; give heed to my sighing. Listen to the sound of my cry, my King and my God, for to you I pray. O Lord, in the morning you hear my voice; in the morning I plead my case to you and watch.” (Verses 1-3) In his devotional commentary on the Psalms George O. Wood points out the difference between a sigh and a cry. In Verse 1 David asks God to pay attention to his sighing – that thought often accompanied by exhaling as a memory of the past or fear for the future drifts across your spirit with a somewhat passive physical response. In Verse 2 he asks God to listen to the sound of his cry. This is a more active and stronger form of calling out. If you are drowning, you cry out for help. David identifies the role of the One to whom he is praying – “my king and my God”. As a king himself, David knew the power and authority available to help his subjects.
Romans 8:26-27 “Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we ought, but that very Spirit intercedes with sighs too deep for words. And God, who searches the heart, knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.” These verses inform me that the Holy Spirit in me is guiding my unformed prayers as I sigh, and searching my heart helps me pray according to the will of God. Lately I have been sighing as I ponder the church and the recent “dust up” among folks who are not happy. I sense God leading my steps, words and actions and I will continue to trust Him.
Lead me Lord, lead me in your righteousness, make my paths straight that I might accomplish your will and purposes. On this Saturday in September I desire to be used by you as I walk through the day, and I desire to pray without ceasing before your throne. Thank you for the gift of prayer.
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