Yesterday I accomplished three significant goals – I ran the equivalent of 12 miles (6 on the road, plus 60 minutes on the elliptical), I replaced the leaking valve on our hot water heater, and I changed the oil and filter on the Concours. My body is sore (in a good way) from the workout, the leaking hot water heater is now leak-free (started leaking last winter), and after 6000 miles my motorcycle has new oil, but it was leaking a little from the oil filter, which I probably will have to reinstall.
I retired early, and continued reading the biography on Jefferson Davis. I am up to 1862 as the writer describes his pursuit of the civil war on all fronts. The local Wilson’s Creek battle was mentioned as an early victory for the south. In retrospect the brutalities and losses of war seem so stupid. The gallantry and heroics are appealing to boys and men, but the death, destruction, and ruin are tragic. However, the reality is that humanity is prone to fight and kill; a well-trained, well-resourced military is necessary for defense and protection. As we celebrate veterans’ day this week, I am thankful for those who have served, and those currently in uniform.
Hebrews 9 – The True Tabernacle
The writer describes the earthly tabernacle, given by God to Moses and for the people. This tabernacle had an outer area where people worshipped and brought their sacrifices, and an inner, holy of holies area that once a year the high priest entered, covered with blood for his own sins and the sins of the people. In verse 24 the writer continues: “For Christ did not enter a holy place made with hands, a mere copy of the true one, but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us now was it that He should offer Himself often, as the high priest enters the holy place year by year with blood not his own. … So Christ also, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, shall appear a second time for salvation without reference to sin, to those who eagerly await Him.
Lord, I eagerly await your appearance a second time. Living between your first and second appearance is a joy and a responsibility to share your gospel with all who will receive it. It is so incredible that you died for me, your holy life for my sinful soul. May my life be a testimony of your grace, today and every day.
Tuesday, November 8, 2011
Monday, November 7, 2011
November 7, 2011
I am still benefitting from the extra hour this weekend due to the time change. I am always amazed at how much difference an hour makes, both in the fall and then in the spring. Yesterday was a very good day of worship, communion, and fellowship. In the afternoon and evening I rested, read more of Cooper’s biography of Jefferson Davis, made some phone calls, and watched parts of a movie with Audrey. Today I will utilize this day off to get in a 12 mile run, work around the garage and basement, and perhaps start writing our family Christmas letter.
Hebrews 8
Jesus is the high priest, made perfect forever. He has taken his seat at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens, a minister in the sanctuary, and in the true tabernacle, which the Lord pitched, not man. (Verses 1-2) The earthly tabernacle, constructed by Moses as a result of a vision when he was on the mountain, and the systems of the “old” covenant are imperfect, a shadow of the reality of heaven.
Jesus is the “mediator of a better covenant, which has been enacted on better promises. For if that first covenant had been faultless, there would have been no occasion sought for a second.” (6,7) The writer of Hebrews proceeds to quote at length from the prophet Jeremiah, chapter 31, verses 31-34 in which there is the promise of a new covenant. God says: "I will put my laws into their minds, and I will write them upon their hearts. And I will be their God, and they shall be my people.”
We are now living in the days of this new covenant. I have the privilege of ministering, serving under the better covenant, as have all believers since the day of Pentecost. Serving as a pastor at Wesley church, I see God in the person of the Holy Spirit writing his word upon people’s hearts. Guide me holy Lord as I serve you during this brief earthly journey, until I take my place before the throne of the Majesty in the heavens. May this day be a day filled with your grace as I breathe in your love and live fully through this gray November Monday.
Hebrews 8
Jesus is the high priest, made perfect forever. He has taken his seat at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens, a minister in the sanctuary, and in the true tabernacle, which the Lord pitched, not man. (Verses 1-2) The earthly tabernacle, constructed by Moses as a result of a vision when he was on the mountain, and the systems of the “old” covenant are imperfect, a shadow of the reality of heaven.
Jesus is the “mediator of a better covenant, which has been enacted on better promises. For if that first covenant had been faultless, there would have been no occasion sought for a second.” (6,7) The writer of Hebrews proceeds to quote at length from the prophet Jeremiah, chapter 31, verses 31-34 in which there is the promise of a new covenant. God says: "I will put my laws into their minds, and I will write them upon their hearts. And I will be their God, and they shall be my people.”
We are now living in the days of this new covenant. I have the privilege of ministering, serving under the better covenant, as have all believers since the day of Pentecost. Serving as a pastor at Wesley church, I see God in the person of the Holy Spirit writing his word upon people’s hearts. Guide me holy Lord as I serve you during this brief earthly journey, until I take my place before the throne of the Majesty in the heavens. May this day be a day filled with your grace as I breathe in your love and live fully through this gray November Monday.
Sunday, November 6, 2011
November 6, 2011
My goal this morning is to teach and demonstrate that the purpose of worship is to focus upon God and to get our focus off ourselves. In the sanctuary we will sing “O Worship the King”, “Glorify Thy Name”, “Majesty, Worship His Majesty”, and close with “Take Our Bread”. In the gym we will sing “Today is the Day”, “My Jesus I Love Thee”, “Consuming Fire”, and close with “The Heart of Worship”.
I love this Sunday on which we set our clocks back one hour. On a normal morning, this would be 6:20 am. As a pastor I always find Sunday mornings too short, and the time seems to go by too fast. So, I will read scripture, pray, worship and study my sermon as I prepare to lead worship for 1000 people this morning in four worship services.
Psalm 150
Praise the Lord! Praise God in his sanctuary; praise him in his mighty firmament. Praise him for his mighty deeds; praise him according to his surpassing greatness! Thus the Psalmist begins the final Psalm in the Hebrew worship book. This morning I will be teaching about worship, and telling the Matt Redmon story of his writing “The Heart of Worship”. John Wesley wrote “Christ the Lord is Risen Today.”Charles Wesley wrote thousands of worship songs. Martin Luther wrote “A Mighty Fortress is Our God.” Rick Warren begins his classic “Purpose Driven Life” with the sentence “It is not about me.”
On this first Sunday in November, I am looking forward to the faith community gathering, to celebrating the Eucharist, and to expending all my energy in ministry. Guide me Holy Lord, in your surpassing greatness as this servant seeks to glorify thy Name in all the earth.
I love this Sunday on which we set our clocks back one hour. On a normal morning, this would be 6:20 am. As a pastor I always find Sunday mornings too short, and the time seems to go by too fast. So, I will read scripture, pray, worship and study my sermon as I prepare to lead worship for 1000 people this morning in four worship services.
Psalm 150
Praise the Lord! Praise God in his sanctuary; praise him in his mighty firmament. Praise him for his mighty deeds; praise him according to his surpassing greatness! Thus the Psalmist begins the final Psalm in the Hebrew worship book. This morning I will be teaching about worship, and telling the Matt Redmon story of his writing “The Heart of Worship”. John Wesley wrote “Christ the Lord is Risen Today.”Charles Wesley wrote thousands of worship songs. Martin Luther wrote “A Mighty Fortress is Our God.” Rick Warren begins his classic “Purpose Driven Life” with the sentence “It is not about me.”
On this first Sunday in November, I am looking forward to the faith community gathering, to celebrating the Eucharist, and to expending all my energy in ministry. Guide me Holy Lord, in your surpassing greatness as this servant seeks to glorify thy Name in all the earth.
Saturday, November 5, 2011
November 5, 2011
11-5-11 Saturday, 8:31 am Springfield, 45 degrees, cloudy
It is fully November - A gray sky, muted colors and cold. This is one of Audrey’s favorite months, and together we enjoy very much this feel of autumn and preparation for the holidays. Today I will work on my sermon, work on preparations for Thursday’s church conference, exercise, and contact three folks as their pastor. Yesterday I made three pastoral calls, including one nursing home, one “homeless” couple, and one couple in their home. I appreciate the flexibility of a pastor’s schedule, and a key to fruitfulness is using days such as this without meetings to accomplish the roles and make progress toward the goals on one’s missional job description. This is my 29th year as a pastor, and I am growing, learning, challenged, and fruitful. It is hard work, and for those who are called, God supplies exactly what is needed.
Hebrews 7:1-17
As the writer in chapter 6 introduced the concept of Jesus as “a high priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek”, he writes more completely about Melchizedek and the office of high priest in this 7th chapter.
In Genesis chapter 14 the account is given of Abram using his 318 trained men to chase down the kings who raided Sodom and abducted Lot. Upon the recovery Lot and all the other people from Sodom along with their goods which had also been stolen, the king of Sodom went out to meet Abram, and “Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine; now he was a priest of God Most High.” According to the writer of Hebrews, Melchizedek was “without father or mother, without genealogy, without beginning of days or end of life, resembling the Son of God, he remains a priest forever.” (Verse 3)
Tomorrow I am preaching about worship, that it is more than music, more than money, more than Sunday morning. I will incorporate this incident with Abram and Melchizedek in the section about worship being more than money. The fact that Abram gave him a tenth of the plunder implies faith and worship. Melchizedek preceded the Levitical priesthood. He became “a priest not on the basis of a regulation as to his ancestry but on the basis of the power of an indestructible life.” (verse 16)
Guide me today most Holy Lord as I serve You alone, filling the role of pastor through the faith community called Wesley United Methodist Church here in Springfield, in the waning days of 2011. Guide my sermon preparation, my phone calls, my writing, my discernment that your kingdom may come and your will be done today through me.
It is fully November - A gray sky, muted colors and cold. This is one of Audrey’s favorite months, and together we enjoy very much this feel of autumn and preparation for the holidays. Today I will work on my sermon, work on preparations for Thursday’s church conference, exercise, and contact three folks as their pastor. Yesterday I made three pastoral calls, including one nursing home, one “homeless” couple, and one couple in their home. I appreciate the flexibility of a pastor’s schedule, and a key to fruitfulness is using days such as this without meetings to accomplish the roles and make progress toward the goals on one’s missional job description. This is my 29th year as a pastor, and I am growing, learning, challenged, and fruitful. It is hard work, and for those who are called, God supplies exactly what is needed.
Hebrews 7:1-17
As the writer in chapter 6 introduced the concept of Jesus as “a high priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek”, he writes more completely about Melchizedek and the office of high priest in this 7th chapter.
In Genesis chapter 14 the account is given of Abram using his 318 trained men to chase down the kings who raided Sodom and abducted Lot. Upon the recovery Lot and all the other people from Sodom along with their goods which had also been stolen, the king of Sodom went out to meet Abram, and “Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine; now he was a priest of God Most High.” According to the writer of Hebrews, Melchizedek was “without father or mother, without genealogy, without beginning of days or end of life, resembling the Son of God, he remains a priest forever.” (Verse 3)
Tomorrow I am preaching about worship, that it is more than music, more than money, more than Sunday morning. I will incorporate this incident with Abram and Melchizedek in the section about worship being more than money. The fact that Abram gave him a tenth of the plunder implies faith and worship. Melchizedek preceded the Levitical priesthood. He became “a priest not on the basis of a regulation as to his ancestry but on the basis of the power of an indestructible life.” (verse 16)
Guide me today most Holy Lord as I serve You alone, filling the role of pastor through the faith community called Wesley United Methodist Church here in Springfield, in the waning days of 2011. Guide my sermon preparation, my phone calls, my writing, my discernment that your kingdom may come and your will be done today through me.
Friday, November 4, 2011
November 4, 2011
11-4-11 Friday, 4:54 am Springfield, 38 degrees, clear
It is good to be up early. I am looking forward to the time change this weekend, not only because we essentially “gain” an hour, but also because the sun will rise an hour earlier. These days the sun is not even up at 7:40. In the evening, the sun will set an hour earlier, around 5:15 making for longer evenings.
Hebrews 6
“Let us press on to maturity…” The opening verse of this chapter leads the reader to consider the discipleship pathway, the pursuit of a “grown up faith”. This is one of the strong emphases of my teaching and leading, that each of us who follow Christ must be growing in our walk. For the writer of Hebrews, in verse one he cautions readers to not be “laying again a foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God, of instructions about washings, and laying on of hands, and the resurrection of the dead and eternal judgment.” (Verses 1-2)
Verses 18-19 encourage us to take hold of the hope that is set before us. “We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure.” I treasure this metaphor of hope being the anchor of the soul. Without hope there is drifting and uncertainty and no direction. With hope, even in the midst of a storm there is the expectation that beyond what can be seen, a better future exists. On Sunday preceding Thanksgiving my sermon topic is “Thanksgiving and Hope”, and I am looking forward to examining the ways that hope shapes one’s outlook and daily living.
Guide me today most holy Lord as I live with the hope of life with You inside the curtain. May my steps be ordered by you, my thoughts taken captive by you, my words be according to your will and purposes.
It is good to be up early. I am looking forward to the time change this weekend, not only because we essentially “gain” an hour, but also because the sun will rise an hour earlier. These days the sun is not even up at 7:40. In the evening, the sun will set an hour earlier, around 5:15 making for longer evenings.
Hebrews 6
“Let us press on to maturity…” The opening verse of this chapter leads the reader to consider the discipleship pathway, the pursuit of a “grown up faith”. This is one of the strong emphases of my teaching and leading, that each of us who follow Christ must be growing in our walk. For the writer of Hebrews, in verse one he cautions readers to not be “laying again a foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God, of instructions about washings, and laying on of hands, and the resurrection of the dead and eternal judgment.” (Verses 1-2)
Verses 18-19 encourage us to take hold of the hope that is set before us. “We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure.” I treasure this metaphor of hope being the anchor of the soul. Without hope there is drifting and uncertainty and no direction. With hope, even in the midst of a storm there is the expectation that beyond what can be seen, a better future exists. On Sunday preceding Thanksgiving my sermon topic is “Thanksgiving and Hope”, and I am looking forward to examining the ways that hope shapes one’s outlook and daily living.
Guide me today most holy Lord as I live with the hope of life with You inside the curtain. May my steps be ordered by you, my thoughts taken captive by you, my words be according to your will and purposes.
Wednesday, November 2, 2011
November 2, 2011
11-2-11 Wednesday, 7:00 am Springfield, 50 degrees.
Our life group was a good experience last night. Having arisen at 4:45, run 3 miles, and worked all day, I was not necessarily looking forward to going. Audrey got sick in the afternoon and was not able to attend. There were ten of us, mostly in our 40s and 50s at various places along life's journey. We caught up on each other’s lives and finished the six-part study on Weird. We will begin an Advent study next week.
Today will be a fairly normal Wednesday, with the addition of my attending the 8:30 pm college student worship service downtown. I have not yet attended this service which began the end of August. We have our church conference next week, and I am thankful that we have a strong pastoral and staff team to prepare for this. Lonely were the days when it was all on my shoulders to prepare for the annual church conference as the solo pastor of a couple of small churches, or as the lead pastor of a new church start (SunRise in O’Fallon).
Hebrews 4
The great theme of this chapter is “entering His rest”. And this rest is great and different from the rest that Joshua led the Israelites into when they occupied the Promised Land. The first verse says: “Therefore, let us fear lest, while a promise remains of entering His rest, any one of you should seem to have come short of it.” This rest is multifaceted, and the heart of it appears to be resting from our striving earn or do, and accepting the provision that God has offered. The last verse of the chapter says: “Let us therefore draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and may find grace to help in time of need.” What a balanced chapter! Beginning with words such as fear, promise, coming short; it ends with the words grace, mercy, help in time of need. This is the longing of the human heart, the desire of the human condition.
Verse 12 is a great statement and reminder about the characteristics of the word of God. “For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.” I have found this to be accurate and true about the Bible, the word of God. I need the thoughts and intentions of my heart exposed regularly by the living and active word. Every day I open myself to God by reading His word, and gain confidence to draw near to the throne of grace.
Guide me today, holy Word made flesh that my thoughts and intentions, my soul and spirit laid open before You may be shaped, molded, fashioned, and applied to building Your kingdom, furthering Your cause in this short finite time of my earthly existence. This world seems so secure, with sturdy houses and all our needs met – food, clothing, shelter, security. And I realize how temporal this all is in light of Your coming kingdom and reign over all things. Help me live today for eternity.
Our life group was a good experience last night. Having arisen at 4:45, run 3 miles, and worked all day, I was not necessarily looking forward to going. Audrey got sick in the afternoon and was not able to attend. There were ten of us, mostly in our 40s and 50s at various places along life's journey. We caught up on each other’s lives and finished the six-part study on Weird. We will begin an Advent study next week.
Today will be a fairly normal Wednesday, with the addition of my attending the 8:30 pm college student worship service downtown. I have not yet attended this service which began the end of August. We have our church conference next week, and I am thankful that we have a strong pastoral and staff team to prepare for this. Lonely were the days when it was all on my shoulders to prepare for the annual church conference as the solo pastor of a couple of small churches, or as the lead pastor of a new church start (SunRise in O’Fallon).
Hebrews 4
The great theme of this chapter is “entering His rest”. And this rest is great and different from the rest that Joshua led the Israelites into when they occupied the Promised Land. The first verse says: “Therefore, let us fear lest, while a promise remains of entering His rest, any one of you should seem to have come short of it.” This rest is multifaceted, and the heart of it appears to be resting from our striving earn or do, and accepting the provision that God has offered. The last verse of the chapter says: “Let us therefore draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and may find grace to help in time of need.” What a balanced chapter! Beginning with words such as fear, promise, coming short; it ends with the words grace, mercy, help in time of need. This is the longing of the human heart, the desire of the human condition.
Verse 12 is a great statement and reminder about the characteristics of the word of God. “For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.” I have found this to be accurate and true about the Bible, the word of God. I need the thoughts and intentions of my heart exposed regularly by the living and active word. Every day I open myself to God by reading His word, and gain confidence to draw near to the throne of grace.
Guide me today, holy Word made flesh that my thoughts and intentions, my soul and spirit laid open before You may be shaped, molded, fashioned, and applied to building Your kingdom, furthering Your cause in this short finite time of my earthly existence. This world seems so secure, with sturdy houses and all our needs met – food, clothing, shelter, security. And I realize how temporal this all is in light of Your coming kingdom and reign over all things. Help me live today for eternity.
Tuesday, November 1, 2011
November 1, 2011
11-1-11 Tuesday, 5:40 am Springfield, 49 degrees.
Yesterday I successfully completed 11 miles but it wasn’t pretty. I ran the Greenway from National and Sunshine west, through the park near Horton Smith, etc. I averaged 10:15 a mile for the first half, and about 11:50 a mile for the second half. My body feels the aftermath of this effort. Last night was a pleasant evening of receiving Trick or Treaters. Families came by as Audrey and I sat on our driveway with a fire burning in our portable fireplace. The pleasant smell of pine filled the neighborhood. Today I have a typical Tuesday, with a couple of extra meetings in the afternoon. Tonight our life group meets.
Hebrews 3
Jesus, “the apostle and high priest of our confession” is compared and contrasted with Moses. Both were faithful to Him who appointed them. “Moses was faithful in all his house as a servant…but Christ was faithful as a Son over His house whose house we are, if we hold fast our confidence and the boast of our hope firm until the end.” (Verses 5-6) The writer of Hebrews compares and contrasts Jesus with angels in chapters 1-2, and here in chapter 3 with Moses. Writing to a predominately Jewish audience, this author is building a strong case for Christ.
Verses 12-19 provide personal application for the teaching. “Take care, brethren, lest there should be in any one of you an evil, unbelieving heart, in falling away from the living God. But encourage one another day after day, as long as it is still called ‘Today,’ lest any one of you be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin. For we have become partakers of Christ, if we hold fast the beginning of our assurance firm until the end.” (Verses 12-14)
Guide me today, Holy Son of God, precious Lord, as I encourage your followers through the pastoral ministry. May I be faithful in all your house as a servant, building up the body with love and sound doctrine. Use my words, my actions, my thoughts, my planning to glorify your holy name, and bring many to your saving grace, rescued from the deceitfulness of sin.
Yesterday I successfully completed 11 miles but it wasn’t pretty. I ran the Greenway from National and Sunshine west, through the park near Horton Smith, etc. I averaged 10:15 a mile for the first half, and about 11:50 a mile for the second half. My body feels the aftermath of this effort. Last night was a pleasant evening of receiving Trick or Treaters. Families came by as Audrey and I sat on our driveway with a fire burning in our portable fireplace. The pleasant smell of pine filled the neighborhood. Today I have a typical Tuesday, with a couple of extra meetings in the afternoon. Tonight our life group meets.
Hebrews 3
Jesus, “the apostle and high priest of our confession” is compared and contrasted with Moses. Both were faithful to Him who appointed them. “Moses was faithful in all his house as a servant…but Christ was faithful as a Son over His house whose house we are, if we hold fast our confidence and the boast of our hope firm until the end.” (Verses 5-6) The writer of Hebrews compares and contrasts Jesus with angels in chapters 1-2, and here in chapter 3 with Moses. Writing to a predominately Jewish audience, this author is building a strong case for Christ.
Verses 12-19 provide personal application for the teaching. “Take care, brethren, lest there should be in any one of you an evil, unbelieving heart, in falling away from the living God. But encourage one another day after day, as long as it is still called ‘Today,’ lest any one of you be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin. For we have become partakers of Christ, if we hold fast the beginning of our assurance firm until the end.” (Verses 12-14)
Guide me today, Holy Son of God, precious Lord, as I encourage your followers through the pastoral ministry. May I be faithful in all your house as a servant, building up the body with love and sound doctrine. Use my words, my actions, my thoughts, my planning to glorify your holy name, and bring many to your saving grace, rescued from the deceitfulness of sin.
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