12-31-10 Friday, 7:47 am; 39 degrees, sunny.
Yesterday while Audrey and Bethany were shopping at the mall, I went to Borders book store and found a book called The Spiritual Classics which summarizes the works of 25+ writers and leaders. It seems to be a very helpful synopsis, well written and useful as I grow in spiritual formation. Now to finish the last two chapters of Revelation.
Rev 21
John is taken in the Spirit and views New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven as a bride prepared for her husband. God is the temple, God’s glory the light. The gates of the city never shut by day, and there won’t be any night. Nothing dirty or defiled will get into the City, and no one who defiles or deceives. Only those whose names are written in the Lamb’s book of Life will get in. This chapter should be read by anyone who is contemplating the end of life or its eternal nature. Reading this puts the here and now into perspective.
Rev 22
Continuing the vision, the Angel showed John the river of life, as it flowed from the Throne of God and the Lamb, down the middle of the street. The tree of Life (compare with Gen, garden of Eden) was planted on each side of the River, producing 12 kinds of fruit, a ripe fruit each month. The leaves of the Tree are for the healing of the nations. God’s servants will offer God service – worshiping, they will look on his face, their foreheads mirroring God.
Given the urgency of the times, verse 10 instructs us not to put this prophecy away on the shelf because time is just about up. “Let the evildoers do their worst and the dirty-minded go all out in pollution, but let the righteous maintain a straight course and the holy continue on in holiness.” (Verse 11) Yes! Come, Master Jesus! (verse 20)
I desire to live my life with the expectancy and hope of the reality of this vision of eternity. Even as I enjoy the benefits of living in a well-ordered society, affluent with all that I and my family need, I keep the vision of heaven on my mind, and this spurs me on to even greater devotion to Christ and commitment to the cause of making fruitful disciples who worship, care and serve.
Yesterday I was reading chapter 2 of Steve Rankin’s manuscript “The trajectory of Christian Maturity”, and also the book Real-life Discipleship by Jim Putman. At the bookstore yesterday I also picked up a book about the D-Day invasion, which describes the origin of the Army Rangers. This morning I was musing about a parallel concept of developing spiritual “special forces”, those who go above and beyond the regular work of disciples. Hmmm. In the coming year I will do focused develop of disciple-making in the church. Guide me holy Lord as I invest this last day of 2010 in light of eternity.
Friday, December 31, 2010
Thursday, December 30, 2010
December 30, 2010
12-30-10 Thursday, 5:56 am
Yesterday we went out to breakfast with Joyce and Frank, after watching the Today show in bed. I think I forgot to read scripture before eating breakfast. I will not beat myself up too severely, but will launch into scripture here and now. I am finishing up Revelation, and the Minor prophets. As I was waking up, I was picturing Don Bounds, and Mildred Hilme. I am not sure why, but am praying for both of them this morning.
Rev 20
The binding up of Satan for 1000 years, the reign with Christ of those beheaded for their faith. Next the Devil is released for a short time, in which he deceives millions, who attack the Beloved City, but are destroyed by fire from heaven. The devil, the Beast and the False Prophet are hurled into the lake of fire and brimstone, in torment around the clock for ages without end. The white throne judgement is described, with the books where opened, including the Book of Life. “The dead were judged by what was written in the books, by the way they had lived.” (verse 12b)
Reading this, I wonder about Hitler, about the holocaust, about future deceptions, and future Armageddon. The book recording my life is still open, with much yet to be recorded. I desire to live fully for Christ and the church, investing daily my energy, time, emotion, mind, heart, strength in advancing the kingdom of God. As I rest during this break at the end of the year, restore and refresh me, most Holy Lord.
Malachi 1
God of the angel armies is not pleased with the worship offered by the priests and the people of Israel. They have minimized worship, and the temple, and the animals they bring for sacrifices are not their best. I take note of this indictment against the chosen people, and will guard against it in my life, and in the life of the church which I have the privilege to pastor. Guide me Lord as I seek to worship you in spirit and in truth, offering the very best I have in praise of your Holy Name.
Yesterday we went out to breakfast with Joyce and Frank, after watching the Today show in bed. I think I forgot to read scripture before eating breakfast. I will not beat myself up too severely, but will launch into scripture here and now. I am finishing up Revelation, and the Minor prophets. As I was waking up, I was picturing Don Bounds, and Mildred Hilme. I am not sure why, but am praying for both of them this morning.
Rev 20
The binding up of Satan for 1000 years, the reign with Christ of those beheaded for their faith. Next the Devil is released for a short time, in which he deceives millions, who attack the Beloved City, but are destroyed by fire from heaven. The devil, the Beast and the False Prophet are hurled into the lake of fire and brimstone, in torment around the clock for ages without end. The white throne judgement is described, with the books where opened, including the Book of Life. “The dead were judged by what was written in the books, by the way they had lived.” (verse 12b)
Reading this, I wonder about Hitler, about the holocaust, about future deceptions, and future Armageddon. The book recording my life is still open, with much yet to be recorded. I desire to live fully for Christ and the church, investing daily my energy, time, emotion, mind, heart, strength in advancing the kingdom of God. As I rest during this break at the end of the year, restore and refresh me, most Holy Lord.
Malachi 1
God of the angel armies is not pleased with the worship offered by the priests and the people of Israel. They have minimized worship, and the temple, and the animals they bring for sacrifices are not their best. I take note of this indictment against the chosen people, and will guard against it in my life, and in the life of the church which I have the privilege to pastor. Guide me Lord as I seek to worship you in spirit and in truth, offering the very best I have in praise of your Holy Name.
Monday, December 27, 2010
December 27, 2010
12-27-10 Monday, 6:55 am Springfield, 15 degrees, clear and cold!
Yesterday was a very good Sunday. Bruce Boehmer did an excellent job preaching, and over 700 people attended Wesley the day after Christmas. I made four significant pastoral visits, one in my office following the last worship service, one at a family’s home, and two at the hospital. I was privileged to be used by God in these lives discussing deep matters of life’s hurts, addictions, frailties, and eternity.
Rev 18:1-24
This chapter contains the vision John had concerning the destruction of Babylon, the great city with which the kings of the world committed adultery. The merchants of the world grew rich selling her all the materials she consumed in her luxurious lifestyle, and it was destroyed suddenly, leaving the world’s sellers without a buyer, and the kings of the world dismayed. As I read this chapter, several thoughts run through my mind – 1. The consumerism of our economy, especially now that the access to the world’s markets and suppliers is so direct. 2. Individual extravagance, compared to a simple life of basic needs. 3. Wondering what city or nation will become the Babylon of this chapter.
A few nights ago Audrey and I watched a 30 minute television show about a monastery in Europe whose CD of Gregorian Chant has hit the top 10 charts. This show was a good look at the monastic life. I have been influenced by Benedictine spirituality since my days in seminary when I was introduced to Thomas Merton and his monastery near Louisville. Dennis Okholm has written Monk Habits for Everyday People which makes application of the practices of monasticism for protestants. This is one intentional way to avoid the excesses of Babylon.
Guide me today Lord as I prepare for this next week. I am mindful of the consumer luxury infused in this culture, and I desire to live faithfully for you in every way, every day.
Yesterday was a very good Sunday. Bruce Boehmer did an excellent job preaching, and over 700 people attended Wesley the day after Christmas. I made four significant pastoral visits, one in my office following the last worship service, one at a family’s home, and two at the hospital. I was privileged to be used by God in these lives discussing deep matters of life’s hurts, addictions, frailties, and eternity.
Rev 18:1-24
This chapter contains the vision John had concerning the destruction of Babylon, the great city with which the kings of the world committed adultery. The merchants of the world grew rich selling her all the materials she consumed in her luxurious lifestyle, and it was destroyed suddenly, leaving the world’s sellers without a buyer, and the kings of the world dismayed. As I read this chapter, several thoughts run through my mind – 1. The consumerism of our economy, especially now that the access to the world’s markets and suppliers is so direct. 2. Individual extravagance, compared to a simple life of basic needs. 3. Wondering what city or nation will become the Babylon of this chapter.
A few nights ago Audrey and I watched a 30 minute television show about a monastery in Europe whose CD of Gregorian Chant has hit the top 10 charts. This show was a good look at the monastic life. I have been influenced by Benedictine spirituality since my days in seminary when I was introduced to Thomas Merton and his monastery near Louisville. Dennis Okholm has written Monk Habits for Everyday People which makes application of the practices of monasticism for protestants. This is one intentional way to avoid the excesses of Babylon.
Guide me today Lord as I prepare for this next week. I am mindful of the consumer luxury infused in this culture, and I desire to live faithfully for you in every way, every day.
Sunday, December 26, 2010
December 26, 2010
12-26-10 Sunday, 6:15 am Springfield, 19 degrees, windy
I am looking forward to worship this morning. Bruce Boehmer will be preaching, and I will be in each service, doing the welcome, the morning prayer, the benediction. Ed is out sick today, as he was for Christmas Eve. Bethany is singing with Lauren and Rochelle, and Priscilla is playing the piano and leading some of the congregational hymns.
Yesterday, Christmas day was a wonderful holiday around the Baxter house. David and Danelle were with us, as was Bethany. We slept in until about 9, after the 5 Christmas Eve services. We opened presents until about noon, and then got ready for hosting the Collettes for dinner. After a beautiful ham dinner with all the sides, we enjoyed pie and coffee, fudge and candy as we watched from beginning to end “It’s a Wonderful Life”.
Rev. 17:1-18
John is taken in the Spirit to see the great judgement of the harlot riding a scarlet beast with 7 heads and 10 horns. The angel leading John explains some of the judgement. Reading these verses reminds me of the unseen realities, and of the cosmic end times. I am living today in a period of relative calm but even so I understand the vulnerability of world power and the susceptibility of world rulers to corruption, etc.
Guide me today Lord as I lead the church called Wesley on this Sunday (boxing day in England), as we worship and adore your Holy Name, and offer our lives as your servants.
I am looking forward to worship this morning. Bruce Boehmer will be preaching, and I will be in each service, doing the welcome, the morning prayer, the benediction. Ed is out sick today, as he was for Christmas Eve. Bethany is singing with Lauren and Rochelle, and Priscilla is playing the piano and leading some of the congregational hymns.
Yesterday, Christmas day was a wonderful holiday around the Baxter house. David and Danelle were with us, as was Bethany. We slept in until about 9, after the 5 Christmas Eve services. We opened presents until about noon, and then got ready for hosting the Collettes for dinner. After a beautiful ham dinner with all the sides, we enjoyed pie and coffee, fudge and candy as we watched from beginning to end “It’s a Wonderful Life”.
Rev. 17:1-18
John is taken in the Spirit to see the great judgement of the harlot riding a scarlet beast with 7 heads and 10 horns. The angel leading John explains some of the judgement. Reading these verses reminds me of the unseen realities, and of the cosmic end times. I am living today in a period of relative calm but even so I understand the vulnerability of world power and the susceptibility of world rulers to corruption, etc.
Guide me today Lord as I lead the church called Wesley on this Sunday (boxing day in England), as we worship and adore your Holy Name, and offer our lives as your servants.
Friday, December 24, 2010
December 24, 2010
12-24-10 Friday, 7:20 am Christmas Eve! 31 degrees, very light rain.
Today we expect 1700+ worshipers in the 5 services, beginning at 3:00. The pastors and worship team are prepared, and I am looking forward to each aspect of this peak day of ministry and outreach to those asleep in their faith, and those who are nominally churched, as well as the committed – fully devoted followers of Christ. I will work on my sermon here at home for a couple of hours this morning. I am feeling more prepared than usual for family gift giving tomorrow, as my presents are wrapped, and I have inserted surprises into stockings.
Psalm 143:1-12
I picture this could be the prayer of many who will come tonight – “losing all hope” (verse 4); “thirst for you as parched land thirsts for rain” (verse 6); “my depression deepens” (verse7); “let me hear of your unfailing love each morning” (verse 8); “rescue me from my enemies” (verse 9); “may your gracious Spirit lead me forward” (verse 10) “bring me out of this distress” (verse 11); “in your unfailing love, silence all my enemies” (verse 12).
It is good for me to read this Psalm as giving voice to the cries of the hearts of those who will come tonight seeking something, and needing the unfailing love of God to fill and raise up and give hope for this life and the life to come. Guide me as I bring a message of hope and light for all the world.
Today we expect 1700+ worshipers in the 5 services, beginning at 3:00. The pastors and worship team are prepared, and I am looking forward to each aspect of this peak day of ministry and outreach to those asleep in their faith, and those who are nominally churched, as well as the committed – fully devoted followers of Christ. I will work on my sermon here at home for a couple of hours this morning. I am feeling more prepared than usual for family gift giving tomorrow, as my presents are wrapped, and I have inserted surprises into stockings.
Psalm 143:1-12
I picture this could be the prayer of many who will come tonight – “losing all hope” (verse 4); “thirst for you as parched land thirsts for rain” (verse 6); “my depression deepens” (verse7); “let me hear of your unfailing love each morning” (verse 8); “rescue me from my enemies” (verse 9); “may your gracious Spirit lead me forward” (verse 10) “bring me out of this distress” (verse 11); “in your unfailing love, silence all my enemies” (verse 12).
It is good for me to read this Psalm as giving voice to the cries of the hearts of those who will come tonight seeking something, and needing the unfailing love of God to fill and raise up and give hope for this life and the life to come. Guide me as I bring a message of hope and light for all the world.
Wednesday, December 22, 2010
December 22, 1010
12-22-10 Wednesday, 5:34 am Springfield, 25 degrees, windy, clear – Saturn bright in the eastern sky.
Yesterday was a full and fruitful day. The funeral lunch for the James family was so well done, the visitation and funeral of Louise James in the sanctuary went well and was well attended, and the graveside committal service was a meaningful conclusion to the process. Last night 40 staff and spouses gathered for the Christmas party at Riad’s restaurant, with great energy and good conversations around the tables.
This morning I will join our team which welcomes students to York Elementary School. Later today we will meet to coordinate final details of Christmas eve services. Dave Synder is predicting 1-3 inches of snow on Christmas eve, with maybe some freezing rain. This developing weather could provide a great ambiance to the evening services, and could also impact attendance. There are television and radio ads inviting people to the five services. This evening David and Danelle will join us for dinner, and begin a visit that will last through Christmas afternoon. It will be great to see them again. Last year their Christmas visit was cancelled because of the inclement weather.
Rev 12:18-13:18
The beast with 7 heads and 10 crowns comes up out of the sea. A second beast with two horns and the voice of a dragon comes from the earth, builds a statue of the first beast, makes it speak, and causes everyone to worship the statue. In order to buy food, everyone must have the mark of the beast on their forehead or their right hand, its number is 666. This vision of the end times with the mark of the beast is the topic of much speculation. Could it be related to future use of bar codes or micro chip technology that is scanable and will be required for commerce? How close are we to these end times?
This morning I am convinced that the best way to live is with the expectation that the end times could be near at hand, and my life should be ordered accordingly. I do not think it is helpful to speculate about every detail, and which country or leader might be part of this vision. I realize that the world as I know it could melt away in a moment, and this fuels the intensity and focus of my journey today. Complacency is one of the most dangerous enemies of the church, and reading this chapter today compels me to zealously guard against it. Guide my steps, my words, my thoughts, my planning today in ways that bring honor to the King of kings and advance the Light of the world in this generation. Amen.
Yesterday was a full and fruitful day. The funeral lunch for the James family was so well done, the visitation and funeral of Louise James in the sanctuary went well and was well attended, and the graveside committal service was a meaningful conclusion to the process. Last night 40 staff and spouses gathered for the Christmas party at Riad’s restaurant, with great energy and good conversations around the tables.
This morning I will join our team which welcomes students to York Elementary School. Later today we will meet to coordinate final details of Christmas eve services. Dave Synder is predicting 1-3 inches of snow on Christmas eve, with maybe some freezing rain. This developing weather could provide a great ambiance to the evening services, and could also impact attendance. There are television and radio ads inviting people to the five services. This evening David and Danelle will join us for dinner, and begin a visit that will last through Christmas afternoon. It will be great to see them again. Last year their Christmas visit was cancelled because of the inclement weather.
Rev 12:18-13:18
The beast with 7 heads and 10 crowns comes up out of the sea. A second beast with two horns and the voice of a dragon comes from the earth, builds a statue of the first beast, makes it speak, and causes everyone to worship the statue. In order to buy food, everyone must have the mark of the beast on their forehead or their right hand, its number is 666. This vision of the end times with the mark of the beast is the topic of much speculation. Could it be related to future use of bar codes or micro chip technology that is scanable and will be required for commerce? How close are we to these end times?
This morning I am convinced that the best way to live is with the expectation that the end times could be near at hand, and my life should be ordered accordingly. I do not think it is helpful to speculate about every detail, and which country or leader might be part of this vision. I realize that the world as I know it could melt away in a moment, and this fuels the intensity and focus of my journey today. Complacency is one of the most dangerous enemies of the church, and reading this chapter today compels me to zealously guard against it. Guide my steps, my words, my thoughts, my planning today in ways that bring honor to the King of kings and advance the Light of the world in this generation. Amen.
Tuesday, December 21, 2010
December 21, 2010
12-21-10 Tuesday, 6:20 am Springfield – 41 degrees, cloudy.
There is a lot to be done today! We have staff prayer at 9, worship planning at 10:15, a funeral lunch at 11:30, funeral at 2, and staff Christmas party from 6-9. Lord, give me the strength, wisdom and courage to do all that needs to be done to serve you with joy today.
Rev 12:1-17
This is a most interesting chapter. It involves the vision of a woman giving birth, and opposed by the dragon. Jesus is clearly the child that is born, and Satan is the enemy. There is great tumult, great conflict that ensues, with specific details. This chapter reminds me of the real and present conflict in this world of the powers and principalities warring against God and the people of the Way. I must never forget this unseen, but very present darkness, and struggle in every way, fully utilizing the spiritual power of the weapons described in Ephesians 6.
Dr. Jim Combs, (now attending Wesley) has written a study guide to Revelation entitled Rainbows from Revelation, which I find helpful. His interpretation of this chapter is that it is partly a flashback, and mostly a look into the future conflict during the tribulation. This is one among many interesting possibilities. This book of Revelation is so valuable for the believer to study, ponder, read, absorb. And, I observe that many people avoid this book of the Bible because of its complexity, and because of the conflict that it describes, still to come on earth.
Guide me Lord as I live out this season of my life, during this period of history on earth. Even as the moon was fully eclipsed by the earth last night, guard me from this present darkness, and may the light of Christ never be eclipsed by anything that would come between me and your eternal light. Amen.
There is a lot to be done today! We have staff prayer at 9, worship planning at 10:15, a funeral lunch at 11:30, funeral at 2, and staff Christmas party from 6-9. Lord, give me the strength, wisdom and courage to do all that needs to be done to serve you with joy today.
Rev 12:1-17
This is a most interesting chapter. It involves the vision of a woman giving birth, and opposed by the dragon. Jesus is clearly the child that is born, and Satan is the enemy. There is great tumult, great conflict that ensues, with specific details. This chapter reminds me of the real and present conflict in this world of the powers and principalities warring against God and the people of the Way. I must never forget this unseen, but very present darkness, and struggle in every way, fully utilizing the spiritual power of the weapons described in Ephesians 6.
Dr. Jim Combs, (now attending Wesley) has written a study guide to Revelation entitled Rainbows from Revelation, which I find helpful. His interpretation of this chapter is that it is partly a flashback, and mostly a look into the future conflict during the tribulation. This is one among many interesting possibilities. This book of Revelation is so valuable for the believer to study, ponder, read, absorb. And, I observe that many people avoid this book of the Bible because of its complexity, and because of the conflict that it describes, still to come on earth.
Guide me Lord as I live out this season of my life, during this period of history on earth. Even as the moon was fully eclipsed by the earth last night, guard me from this present darkness, and may the light of Christ never be eclipsed by anything that would come between me and your eternal light. Amen.
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