The presidential election occurs in 3 days, and the polls indicate that it will be very close. The future health of the United States is precarious. My trust is in God, and in Him the future is secure. Some trust in chariots, and some in horses, but we will remember the name of the Lord our God! (Psalm 20:6-7)
Psalm 20
John 6:35-40
“Jesus said to them ‘I am the bread of life, he who comes to me shall not hunger, and he who believes in me shall never thirst.’” I have experienced the sustenance of the Lord. I believe and trust in Him. My needs are met.
Thank you most Holy Lord for the living Word. The scriptures this morning remind me that you are my source of strength and the foundation of my hope. I do not trust in government, politics, money or military might. I do not trust in my own strength or abilities. I trust in you, and your strong arm to protect and guide. Reveal yourself today as I listen and learn with a small team from Wesley. Bless Audrey and Bethany as they spend the next two days together in southern California.
Audrey arrived safely last night in Los Angeles for a three-day visit with Bethany, and I have gotten up before 5 am to lean into this Saturday. I will read scriptures, pray, get ready and then hit the gym and church on my way to the seminar with Jim Griffith on how to reach new people, hosted by Kingsway.
Saturday, November 3, 2012
Sunday, October 28, 2012
October 28, 2012
This morning’s News Leader has a great story about Wesley members painting yesterday at Rare Breed during the Springfield area “Make a Difference Day.” As we are emphasizing serving today in worship, this is great timing, and a good example of how our members regularly serve throughout the year in various ministries.
I am waking up refreshed and ready for the day. Yesterday I started at the Men’s breakfast, and then took two of our members flying over Springfield. In the afternoon I worked around the house, exercised at the gym, and then worked in my study a little before retiring early for bed.
Today Dwight Chapman will bring the morning message about serving, the national director from Rainbow network in Nicaragua will bring greetings, and all our ministries are emphasized with displays throughout the lobby. It is an exciting day. This afternoon our children’s ministries host a friendly Halloween party in the gym, after which I head to Columbia for the BOM meeting on Monday and Tuesday.
I Corinthians 13 (from today’s Upper Room)
Love is the greatest gift, attribute, characteristic of the Christian life. This chapter falls immediately between Paul’s discussion of spiritual gifts in chapter 12, and his clarification on prophecy and tongues in chapter 14. It is refreshing and instructive for me to read chapter 13 this morning. I usually read it in the context of a wedding, and speak about it.
Guide me today, most holy Lord as I seek to embody a life of love and good work. May kindness and care be the nature of my life and ministry. Guard me from anything that would reduce love expressed through my earthly journey.
I am waking up refreshed and ready for the day. Yesterday I started at the Men’s breakfast, and then took two of our members flying over Springfield. In the afternoon I worked around the house, exercised at the gym, and then worked in my study a little before retiring early for bed.
Today Dwight Chapman will bring the morning message about serving, the national director from Rainbow network in Nicaragua will bring greetings, and all our ministries are emphasized with displays throughout the lobby. It is an exciting day. This afternoon our children’s ministries host a friendly Halloween party in the gym, after which I head to Columbia for the BOM meeting on Monday and Tuesday.
I Corinthians 13 (from today’s Upper Room)
Love is the greatest gift, attribute, characteristic of the Christian life. This chapter falls immediately between Paul’s discussion of spiritual gifts in chapter 12, and his clarification on prophecy and tongues in chapter 14. It is refreshing and instructive for me to read chapter 13 this morning. I usually read it in the context of a wedding, and speak about it.
Guide me today, most holy Lord as I seek to embody a life of love and good work. May kindness and care be the nature of my life and ministry. Guard me from anything that would reduce love expressed through my earthly journey.
Wednesday, October 24, 2012
October 24, 2012
"There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit. There are different kinds of service but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but the same God works all of them in all men." (I Corinthians 12:4-6)
Today at this training for the Board of Ordained Ministry, we will be considering an assessment tool that will help us in the work of assessing gifts, service and working of potential pastors. I look forward to becoming familiar with it.
Yesterday I ran three miles before dinner, and tangled with a minivan whose driver did not see me when she pulled out as I crossed in front of her. I slammed my hands on her hood and prepared to vault across, and she responded quickly to brake. The end was benign, but caused me to think again how careful pedestrians need to be, assuming that drivers will not see them.
I am affirmed as a pastor and as a servant leader in the annual conference through attending this training event and networking with others. These are big responsibilities, and God has gifted and equipped me to undertake them with authenticity and aptitude, calling and giftedness. Guide me today most Holy Lord as I learn and am equipped to serve.
Today at this training for the Board of Ordained Ministry, we will be considering an assessment tool that will help us in the work of assessing gifts, service and working of potential pastors. I look forward to becoming familiar with it.
Yesterday I ran three miles before dinner, and tangled with a minivan whose driver did not see me when she pulled out as I crossed in front of her. I slammed my hands on her hood and prepared to vault across, and she responded quickly to brake. The end was benign, but caused me to think again how careful pedestrians need to be, assuming that drivers will not see them.
I am affirmed as a pastor and as a servant leader in the annual conference through attending this training event and networking with others. These are big responsibilities, and God has gifted and equipped me to undertake them with authenticity and aptitude, calling and giftedness. Guide me today most Holy Lord as I learn and am equipped to serve.
Saturday, October 20, 2012
October 20, 2012
It is a beautiful clear, cool fall morning. My schedule is flexible today, with writing and preparation on tap. My favorite Greenway was reopened yesterday, having been closed 3 years for the construction of the hwy 60-hwy 65 interchange, and I will get on it this morning for perhaps a 10 mile trek. Last night I went for a walk around 8:00 and the night was still, with the stars sparkling and the quarter moon low in the west. Monday I head out early for Dallas, a long-anticipated trip for training of BOM chairs, registrars and staff from all states.
II Cor 5 (from today’s Upper Room) What a rich chapter! The first 10 verses address the concepts related to “the earthly tent which is our house” and the preference to “be absent from the body and to be at home with the Lord.” (Verse 8) With Paul, it is my ambition to be pleasing to the Lord, whether here in this earthly tent or in His presence in glory. I am reminded that “each one [will] be recompensed for his deeds in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad.” (Verse 10) Verses 11-19 describe life when “the love of Christ controls us” (verse14) when the old things are passed away, all things have become new and the one who is in Christ is a new creation (verse 17). Thus, being reconciled to God through Christ, “he has committed to us the word of reconciliation” (19) and we become his ambassadors of reconciliation.
The last verse leaves much to meditate upon: “He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.” Today Bruce Baxter is becoming the righteousness of God in Christ, living in Springfield Missouri, married to Audrey Holmgren, father of David and Bethany, pastoring Wesley United Methodist Church and chairing the Missouri Conference Board of Ordained Ministry. This is the day that the Lord has made, I will rejoice and be glad in it!
II Cor 5 (from today’s Upper Room) What a rich chapter! The first 10 verses address the concepts related to “the earthly tent which is our house” and the preference to “be absent from the body and to be at home with the Lord.” (Verse 8) With Paul, it is my ambition to be pleasing to the Lord, whether here in this earthly tent or in His presence in glory. I am reminded that “each one [will] be recompensed for his deeds in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad.” (Verse 10) Verses 11-19 describe life when “the love of Christ controls us” (verse14) when the old things are passed away, all things have become new and the one who is in Christ is a new creation (verse 17). Thus, being reconciled to God through Christ, “he has committed to us the word of reconciliation” (19) and we become his ambassadors of reconciliation.
The last verse leaves much to meditate upon: “He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.” Today Bruce Baxter is becoming the righteousness of God in Christ, living in Springfield Missouri, married to Audrey Holmgren, father of David and Bethany, pastoring Wesley United Methodist Church and chairing the Missouri Conference Board of Ordained Ministry. This is the day that the Lord has made, I will rejoice and be glad in it!
Friday, October 19, 2012
October 19, 2012
The high today is predicted to go only to 56 degrees. It will be windy, but not as strong as yesterday. My meetings went well yesterday and I was able to complete many items on my to-do list. I have today and tomorrow to make progress on writing and other preparations. Last night I wrote Riad a Facebook message, and also commented on a photo on Jed Smock’s page. He wrote me back that it was indeed taken in Wilmore, where he spoke at Asbury University. His report will be posted today.
This morning I will read scripture and also a sermon by John Wesley, #116 about why Christianity has been ineffective. I discovered this sermon in a document recommended by the Commission on Higher Education.
Isaiah 26 Verse 3 – I have memorized this in the King James Version: “Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.” I have experienced this to be true – I have lived in this peace which results from a mind fixed on God, a heart that trusts in God alone for salvation. This chapter from Isaiah is rich with imagery and promises. Reading it this morning I feel renewed and recharged as a member of your people, those who seek your face and obey your word, investing our lives in your kingdom’s advance on earth.
Wesley “Causes of the Inefficacy of Christianity” sermon 116
Is there no balm in Gilead; is there no physician there? Why then is not the health of the daughter of my people recovered.” Jer 8:22 Wesley relates this question to his generation and asks “Why has Christianity done so little good in the world?” This is a great sermon, and I will continue to benefit from reading it this morning.
This morning I will read scripture and also a sermon by John Wesley, #116 about why Christianity has been ineffective. I discovered this sermon in a document recommended by the Commission on Higher Education.
Isaiah 26 Verse 3 – I have memorized this in the King James Version: “Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.” I have experienced this to be true – I have lived in this peace which results from a mind fixed on God, a heart that trusts in God alone for salvation. This chapter from Isaiah is rich with imagery and promises. Reading it this morning I feel renewed and recharged as a member of your people, those who seek your face and obey your word, investing our lives in your kingdom’s advance on earth.
Wesley “Causes of the Inefficacy of Christianity” sermon 116
Is there no balm in Gilead; is there no physician there? Why then is not the health of the daughter of my people recovered.” Jer 8:22 Wesley relates this question to his generation and asks “Why has Christianity done so little good in the world?” This is a great sermon, and I will continue to benefit from reading it this morning.
Thursday, October 18, 2012
October 18, 2012
Tuesday night Audrey and I hosted our life group which is made up of several of the new members who will be joining Wesley on Sunday. I drove late into the night on Tuesday to Excelsior Springs where I co-led a Wednesday morning session at the RIM retreat (Residents in Ministry) for the board of ordained ministry with Mark Dumas. Last night our facilities study committee met and had a good session in which I made a presentation about Granger UMC in Indiana, highlighting their children’s space. Today I will write, prepare, plan and meet. I have four appointments with leaders, and no evening commitments. I hope to get a flu shot on my way to work out later in the afternoon.
Mark 12 (Upper Room)
This chapter contains parables and teachings of Jesus. The final 4 verses (41-44) contain the account of Jesus taking a seat (in the temple) opposite the treasury, and watching people as they put their money into the treasury. He commented on the widow who put in two small copper coins: “Truly I say to you, this poor widow put in more than all the contributors to the treasury; for they all put in out of their surplus, but she, out of her poverty, put in all she owned, all she had to live on.” There is a clear stewardship message here, and as I preach on giving on Sunday, I will consider the meaning of this passage.
Pastor ministry is complicated. As I read this chapter of scripture, various images flash in my mind of people and situations that are currently involved in the church, and in my imagination I can picture similar situations in faith communities down through history, including in Jesus’ day. Today my role seems like two small copper coins, and I know that what I have to offer, dedicated to God’s glory, will be received by Him and multiplied, just like the small boy’s lunch of 2 fish and 5 loaves, and the five small stones of David.
Thank you Lord for the promises of scripture and your Spirit speaking to my spirit this morning. Guide my steps as I serve You with all that I am today. Use my obedience to your glory.
Saturday, October 13, 2012
October 13, 2012
We are having a garage sale this morning. It starts at 7 am, and I need to put out a couple of signs, move the cars and motorcycle to the road, and help Audrey and Tammy move the items from the garage onto the driveway, making room to walk. We will see how it all pans out.
James 1 (suggested by today’s Upper Room devotional)
“This is pure and undefiled religion in the sight of our God and Father, to visit orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world.” (Verse 27) I have always appreciated the practical wisdom and direct instructions provided by James in this epistle. After he introduces himself in verse 1, he says “Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance.” He lived and wrote during fierce persecution of the young church. I live in America during relative prosperity as the mainline church is shrinking on every side. It is way too easy to be a follower of Christ. I desire to live closer to the edge, trusting God for miracles and daily direction.
“And let endurance have its perfect result, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.” (Verse4) Yes Lord! I desire to be perfect and complete, and am willing to undergo whatever it takes. I will live today as your servant, seeking to do and live your will. In every interaction, every thought, every action, I will honor You.
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