It is good to be up early, to have the gas fireplace on and a fresh cup of coffee. I will open the Word as I prepare for this day which the Lord has given me. I have several meetings, including a breakfast, Christmas eve planning, potential staff interview, directors staff and program budget planning, and a site visit to a pastor’s church who is up for ordination this spring.
1 John 1
“The Word that gives life was from the beginning, and this is the one our message is about. Our ears have heard, our own eyes have seen, and our hands touched this Word.” (Verse 1) The apostle John is writing about his first-hand experience with Jesus, the Word made flesh. Last night at our life group we read the first verses of the Gospel of John in which the apostle describes how God sent the Word from the beginning. This word truly is life-giving and full of light and love.
“But if we live in the light, as God does, we share in life with each other. And the blood of his Son Jesus washes all our sins away.” (Verse 7) Living in the light is the habitation of the believer. Darkness is the residence of evil and all who desire to hide their sins. It is curious to me how in the church there exists angst and conflict in a community of light. This happens down through history and across cultures. Thomas Merton experienced it in his monastery, I witnessed it in seminary, I see it in churches across Missouri, including Wesley. The key seems to be to continue to live in the light and to shine the light into every dark corner.
Guide me today most holy Lord as I live in the light of your love and carry that light into every meeting, every relationship that I share today and each day during this holiday season.
Wednesday, November 30, 2011
Tuesday, November 29, 2011
November 29, 2011
Yesterday I ran 6, including a timed mile which I completed in 7:48. According to Galloway’s marathon math, this indicates I could complete a marathon, running at a hard pace, in about 4:25. Galloway suggests that his readers consider a different approach to marathoning – running for fun at a slower pace. I have completed 3, always with a time goal in mind. I have dreaded the long runs the last 15 years, and I have never taken nutrition along the way in a marathon. I am going to try Galloway’s run-walk-run method, extending my long runs further out than before and at the slower pace he recommends. I will also allow 2 weeks between long runs for recovery. I have in mind that I could run the Feb 5 marathon in around 4:30. My stated goal is to complete a marathon in each decade, and the pace is only secondary. Qualifying for Boston would be great, but would require a 3:40 (8:23/Mile) for my age group.
2 Peter 3
The apostle continues in his teaching about the Lord’s return to judge the earth. He gives practical instructions to the readers of his letter: “My friends, while you are waiting, you should make certain that the Lord finds you pure, spotless, and living at peace. (Peace is the advent theme for this 2nd week.) Don’t forget that the Lord is patient because he wants people to be saved. This is also what our dear friend Paul said when he wrote you with the wisdom that God had given him.” (Verses 14-15)
Pure, spotless, living at peace – This is clear, applicable instructions to any believer on any day. For Bruce Baxter this means a regular monitoring of thoughts, actions, and relationships. As a maturing believer, 34 years into this journey, attention to my thoughts, actions and relationships is at the center of my discipleship, and this fresh reminder this morning is like polishing the existing metal, so that it does not grow tarnished. I do have thoughts that pop into my thinking that I regularly expel, like the blood system wraps up and expels germs. My actions are always public and my goal is complete authenticity in living a blameless life. There are some relationships that are difficult, mainly within the church with folks who don’t like some aspect of the decision making or worship service. I endeavor to live at peace with everybody, as much as lies within me.
Peter’s final verse, our last record of his thoughts before he was executed for his faith: “Let the wonderful kindness and the understanding that come from our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ help you to keep on growing. Praise Jesus now and forever! Amen.” My desire is to keep on growing through the wonderful kindness and the understanding that come from Jesus Christ. It is always a possibility that believers will slow down or stop growing. I need to make sure I do not get into a rut and lose the cutting edge of spiritual growth and development.
Guide me through this day, most precious Lord. Lead my thoughts, actions, and relationships that each may be reflective of your wonderful love and peace.
2 Peter 3
The apostle continues in his teaching about the Lord’s return to judge the earth. He gives practical instructions to the readers of his letter: “My friends, while you are waiting, you should make certain that the Lord finds you pure, spotless, and living at peace. (Peace is the advent theme for this 2nd week.) Don’t forget that the Lord is patient because he wants people to be saved. This is also what our dear friend Paul said when he wrote you with the wisdom that God had given him.” (Verses 14-15)
Pure, spotless, living at peace – This is clear, applicable instructions to any believer on any day. For Bruce Baxter this means a regular monitoring of thoughts, actions, and relationships. As a maturing believer, 34 years into this journey, attention to my thoughts, actions and relationships is at the center of my discipleship, and this fresh reminder this morning is like polishing the existing metal, so that it does not grow tarnished. I do have thoughts that pop into my thinking that I regularly expel, like the blood system wraps up and expels germs. My actions are always public and my goal is complete authenticity in living a blameless life. There are some relationships that are difficult, mainly within the church with folks who don’t like some aspect of the decision making or worship service. I endeavor to live at peace with everybody, as much as lies within me.
Peter’s final verse, our last record of his thoughts before he was executed for his faith: “Let the wonderful kindness and the understanding that come from our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ help you to keep on growing. Praise Jesus now and forever! Amen.” My desire is to keep on growing through the wonderful kindness and the understanding that come from Jesus Christ. It is always a possibility that believers will slow down or stop growing. I need to make sure I do not get into a rut and lose the cutting edge of spiritual growth and development.
Guide me through this day, most precious Lord. Lead my thoughts, actions, and relationships that each may be reflective of your wonderful love and peace.
Monday, November 28, 2011
November 28, 2011
2 Peter 2
The apostle raises the issue of false teachers in the church. He reminds the readers that in the former days false prophets spoke to the people of Israel. It seems that these false teachers are like Balaam, who have gone down the wrong path and are motivated by selfish ambition and pleasure. As I read this chapter it stands out as being beyond my experience. In my ministry I have not faced this problem in the church. I am aware that across Christianity there are false teachers, but I have not had to deal with this other than at a philosophical level.
My goal is to daily search the scriptures, to constantly hone and sharpen my understanding of scripture and the pastoral ministry. I am blessed to be appointed to Wesley, a church with a rich and healthy history, and a bright and promising future. Leading into the healthy future with a clear mission and vision is a joy and is all consuming.
Guide me holy Lord on this Monday.
The apostle raises the issue of false teachers in the church. He reminds the readers that in the former days false prophets spoke to the people of Israel. It seems that these false teachers are like Balaam, who have gone down the wrong path and are motivated by selfish ambition and pleasure. As I read this chapter it stands out as being beyond my experience. In my ministry I have not faced this problem in the church. I am aware that across Christianity there are false teachers, but I have not had to deal with this other than at a philosophical level.
My goal is to daily search the scriptures, to constantly hone and sharpen my understanding of scripture and the pastoral ministry. I am blessed to be appointed to Wesley, a church with a rich and healthy history, and a bright and promising future. Leading into the healthy future with a clear mission and vision is a joy and is all consuming.
Guide me holy Lord on this Monday.
Saturday, November 26, 2011
November 26, 2011
“The end of all things is near; therefore be serious and discipline yourselves for the sake of your prayers. Above all, maintain constant love for one another, for love covers a multitude of sins. Be hospitable to one another without complaining. (I Peter 4:7-9)
“Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, so that he may exalt you in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him, because he cares for you. Discipline yourselves, keep alert. Like a roaring lion your adversary the devil prowls around, looking for someone to devour. Resist him, steadfast in your faith…” (I Peter 5:6-9)
These two sections, from chapters 4 and 5 speak to me on this dreary Saturday: Be serious and be disciplined. William Law wrote A Serious Call to a Devout and Holy Life (1729) and this book strongly impacted John Wesley. For me today, the admonition to be serious resonates with my orientation and practice of the last 34 years. Today that means to carefully apply myself to the preparation of the word for sermon tomorrow and funeral tonight. It means seriously applying myself to each interaction with people throughout the day, knowing that I bring the presence of Christ to each conversation. To be disciplined for me today means to stay focused on priorities. As I scanned my journal from 2006 looking for marathon notes I realized the steps I outlined in early January, which had I pursued with discipline would have ended up the year further ahead. Training for a marathon always involves discipline, which then can be applied to other endeavors. For me, it has to be writing and developing resources.
Resist the devil – this admonition reminds me that “we labor not against flesh and blood but against powers and principalities… This life is a spiritual conflict, the devil is real, evil is present and as a follower of Christ I must live this life as a soldier in an armed conflict.
Guide me holy Lord as I navigate this day. Thank you for the words of your servant James, as they admonish me to be serious, disciplined, and to resist the evil one.
Today I will work hard on my sermon for tomorrow, visit a nursing home at the request of Norma’s daughter, meet with a couple about their January 14th wedding, and conduct the funeral for Jim Morris in Rogersville at 6 pm. My legs are a little tired from the 6 miles yesterday, and I am encouraged from reading Galloway’s book on marathon training and his technique of run-walk-run. He suggests training on the long run at a pace 2 minutes a mile slower than a person’s optimal marathon pace.
[The following is a excerpt from my 2006 journal concerning that marathon]
4-9-06 Sunday 8:00 pm Columbia Missouri
I have completed my third marathon, with my family attending and supporting.
I finished in 4:37 and change. I am relatively pleased with the performance, would always liked to have done better. I signed up for the 4:20 pace team, ran with them til 5 miles, lost track of the pace leader, then from 7 til 15 was about 3 minutes ahead of the 4:20 pace. I completed the half marathon in 2:07, right at my time for last year, when all I was running was the half. In fact, last year I was so relieved to turn with the half-marathoners at the 9 mile mark, knowing there was no way I could have completed 26. Today, when they turned for the half, I had a sense of relish and excitement at the thought of completing the whole.
At 17 ½ the pace leader and 4 or 5 others passed me, and I could not pick up my sagging pace. I did not hit a recognizable wall, and in fact welcomed the 18 mile marker, feeling pretty well. I missed seeing the 19 mile marker, and was struggling by the time I got to the 20.
I knew I would finish, and reveled in the fact that I was running further than ever in 10 years. My legs and my pace struggled from that point forward. A guy named Dave told a couple of good jokes, which helped me pick up the pace. I finished up running with a day-trader from orange county who was really running awkwardly due to a tight groin muscle. A volunteer on a bike even asked him if he needed assistance, which he declined. It was so good to see my family near the finish line, which I tried to discern for several blocks, and then appeared sooner then I expected. It was such a blessing to have my family with me Saturday night and Sunday.
“Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, so that he may exalt you in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him, because he cares for you. Discipline yourselves, keep alert. Like a roaring lion your adversary the devil prowls around, looking for someone to devour. Resist him, steadfast in your faith…” (I Peter 5:6-9)
These two sections, from chapters 4 and 5 speak to me on this dreary Saturday: Be serious and be disciplined. William Law wrote A Serious Call to a Devout and Holy Life (1729) and this book strongly impacted John Wesley. For me today, the admonition to be serious resonates with my orientation and practice of the last 34 years. Today that means to carefully apply myself to the preparation of the word for sermon tomorrow and funeral tonight. It means seriously applying myself to each interaction with people throughout the day, knowing that I bring the presence of Christ to each conversation. To be disciplined for me today means to stay focused on priorities. As I scanned my journal from 2006 looking for marathon notes I realized the steps I outlined in early January, which had I pursued with discipline would have ended up the year further ahead. Training for a marathon always involves discipline, which then can be applied to other endeavors. For me, it has to be writing and developing resources.
Resist the devil – this admonition reminds me that “we labor not against flesh and blood but against powers and principalities… This life is a spiritual conflict, the devil is real, evil is present and as a follower of Christ I must live this life as a soldier in an armed conflict.
Guide me holy Lord as I navigate this day. Thank you for the words of your servant James, as they admonish me to be serious, disciplined, and to resist the evil one.
Today I will work hard on my sermon for tomorrow, visit a nursing home at the request of Norma’s daughter, meet with a couple about their January 14th wedding, and conduct the funeral for Jim Morris in Rogersville at 6 pm. My legs are a little tired from the 6 miles yesterday, and I am encouraged from reading Galloway’s book on marathon training and his technique of run-walk-run. He suggests training on the long run at a pace 2 minutes a mile slower than a person’s optimal marathon pace.
[The following is a excerpt from my 2006 journal concerning that marathon]
4-9-06 Sunday 8:00 pm Columbia Missouri
I have completed my third marathon, with my family attending and supporting.
I finished in 4:37 and change. I am relatively pleased with the performance, would always liked to have done better. I signed up for the 4:20 pace team, ran with them til 5 miles, lost track of the pace leader, then from 7 til 15 was about 3 minutes ahead of the 4:20 pace. I completed the half marathon in 2:07, right at my time for last year, when all I was running was the half. In fact, last year I was so relieved to turn with the half-marathoners at the 9 mile mark, knowing there was no way I could have completed 26. Today, when they turned for the half, I had a sense of relish and excitement at the thought of completing the whole.
At 17 ½ the pace leader and 4 or 5 others passed me, and I could not pick up my sagging pace. I did not hit a recognizable wall, and in fact welcomed the 18 mile marker, feeling pretty well. I missed seeing the 19 mile marker, and was struggling by the time I got to the 20.
I knew I would finish, and reveled in the fact that I was running further than ever in 10 years. My legs and my pace struggled from that point forward. A guy named Dave told a couple of good jokes, which helped me pick up the pace. I finished up running with a day-trader from orange county who was really running awkwardly due to a tight groin muscle. A volunteer on a bike even asked him if he needed assistance, which he declined. It was so good to see my family near the finish line, which I tried to discern for several blocks, and then appeared sooner then I expected. It was such a blessing to have my family with me Saturday night and Sunday.
Friday, November 25, 2011
November 25, 2011
Turkey trot in finished in 26:50 (8:40 per mile), almost 2 minutes better than my 28:47 last year. I have always known that regular workouts increase one’s capacity, but it is refreshing to see the benefit in actual results. I placed 1110th overall, 34th out of 181 men my age (55-59).
I Peter 3:
“Honor Christ and let him be the Lord of your life. Always be ready to give an answer when someone asks you about your hope.” (I Peter 3:15) This is a simple, direct admonition with infinite implications. To honor Christ and to let him be the Lord of your life is the gist of discipleship. This is the heart of the life of faith. I desire to fully live out this instruction from Peter. He might not have had me in mind 2000 years ago when he wrote it, but in God’s infinite capacity He knew me. Even as I search the results from yesterday’s turkey trot and am amazed at the detail and capacity of the technology that records and reports the results, I believe that God knows everything all the time, a capacity that is unimaginable.
My hope is built on nothing less than Jesus’ blood and righteous. I dare not trust the sweetest frame, but wholly lean on Jesus’ name. The words of this great hymn of the church are my words this morning as the sky begins to lighten with the dawn of a new day. Guide me today most holy Lord as I honor you and live patiently with you as Lord of my life. Use me to teach and demonstrate this lordship to others near and far.
I Peter 3:
“Honor Christ and let him be the Lord of your life. Always be ready to give an answer when someone asks you about your hope.” (I Peter 3:15) This is a simple, direct admonition with infinite implications. To honor Christ and to let him be the Lord of your life is the gist of discipleship. This is the heart of the life of faith. I desire to fully live out this instruction from Peter. He might not have had me in mind 2000 years ago when he wrote it, but in God’s infinite capacity He knew me. Even as I search the results from yesterday’s turkey trot and am amazed at the detail and capacity of the technology that records and reports the results, I believe that God knows everything all the time, a capacity that is unimaginable.
My hope is built on nothing less than Jesus’ blood and righteous. I dare not trust the sweetest frame, but wholly lean on Jesus’ name. The words of this great hymn of the church are my words this morning as the sky begins to lighten with the dawn of a new day. Guide me today most holy Lord as I honor you and live patiently with you as Lord of my life. Use me to teach and demonstrate this lordship to others near and far.
Thursday, November 24, 2011
November 24, 2011
In 45 minutes I leave for the Turkey Trot. Last year it was a great experience, and I am hoping to enjoy it again today. I have been training harder this year than last, as I prepare for the Feb 5 marathon, and I am in an older (55-59) age group than I was last year. I will pick up Lauren and her friend from Wales Natasha at 6:45. Then this afternoon we will host the Collettes for dinner. Yesterday was quiet around the office, and I made good progress in several areas.
I Peter 2:11-3:7
“Dear friends, you are foreigners and strangers on this earth. So I beg you not to surrender to those desires that fight against you.” (I Peter 2:11) This world is not my home, a fact that I remember often. Peter does not specify what the desires are that fight against the “pilgrims”, but they relate to the desires of the flesh and ego for gratification, pleasure, status, fame, and too many more to name. On Sunday my sermon is titled “How to wait with hope” and I will address the issue of combating “those desires that fight against you.”
“If you are a husband, you should be thoughtful of your wife. Treat her with honor, because she isn’t as strong as you are, and she shares with you in the gift of life. Then nothing will stand in the way of your prayers.” (I Peter 3:7) It is good for me always to be reminded to be thoughtful, as this does not come naturally. I am so very thankful to be married to Audrey, and will treat her with honor all the days of our life together as pilgrims on this earth.
Thank you Lord for this national day of gratitude. I am thankful for your Word and for you Spirit. Fill me and use me for your purposes today, and every day.
I Peter 2:11-3:7
“Dear friends, you are foreigners and strangers on this earth. So I beg you not to surrender to those desires that fight against you.” (I Peter 2:11) This world is not my home, a fact that I remember often. Peter does not specify what the desires are that fight against the “pilgrims”, but they relate to the desires of the flesh and ego for gratification, pleasure, status, fame, and too many more to name. On Sunday my sermon is titled “How to wait with hope” and I will address the issue of combating “those desires that fight against you.”
“If you are a husband, you should be thoughtful of your wife. Treat her with honor, because she isn’t as strong as you are, and she shares with you in the gift of life. Then nothing will stand in the way of your prayers.” (I Peter 3:7) It is good for me always to be reminded to be thoughtful, as this does not come naturally. I am so very thankful to be married to Audrey, and will treat her with honor all the days of our life together as pilgrims on this earth.
Thank you Lord for this national day of gratitude. I am thankful for your Word and for you Spirit. Fill me and use me for your purposes today, and every day.
Wednesday, November 23, 2011
November 23, 2011
“Be alert and think straight. Put all your hope in how kind God will be to you when Jesus Christ appears.” (I Peter 1:13, Common English Version) This is the scripture for today in the One Year Bible, and it is my theme for Sunday’s message. This week is the first Sunday of Advent, with the traditional theme of hope. Last Sunday my message was on Thanksgiving with Hope, and Sunday my title is Waiting with Hope. To be alert, to think straight and to put all my hope in how kind God will be to me when Jesus Christ appears could be the heart of Sunday’s message.
My approach during these almost 30 years of pastoring has been to daily read and meditate upon the scriptures, specifically to hear God speak to me, to feed my soul, and to frame my day in God’s will. I am careful not to read scripture only looking for sermon ideas. But on days like today, when my theme has long been established, and the daily reading speaks directly to that theme, there is a great merging of pastoral preparation and personal practice of holy living. So what does it mean for Bruce Baxter to be alert and think straight?
Audrey and I have awakened early on this day before Thanksgiving. The house was stuffy with the thermostat set to 71. We should keep it overnight to 68 or lower. It is programmable, but that always seems so complicated. I might revisit my attempt to maximize its capability by programming it. Just like the thermostat, each of us humans has greater capacity than we normally use. Often it is great calamity or conflict that draws the most out of us. My opportunity, and the same for each living person is to every day live to the fullest, in ways that please God. Today is the first day of the rest of my life, and I will take a “long view of this short life.”
In Mark 13:32-37 Jesus says “take heed, be on the alert, … it is like a man away on a journey…put his slaves in charge, assigning to each one his task.” It is so easy to lose the alertness necessary to please God. Jesus said “be wise as serpants and harmless as doves.” Watching, paying attention, noticing what is happening all around is the instruction of Jesus to his disciples, and in Peter’s letter to believers who did not know Jesus in the flesh. My message to Christ followers and to seekers is to pay attention, think straight and wait with hope for the return of Jesus Christ, and to the present working of God in the world.
Henry Blackaby wrote Experiencing God and his main theme was for the reader to look around and observe what God is doing in the world, and to jump in and participate.
“Behave like obedient children. Don’t let your lives be controlled by your desires, as they used to be. Always live as God’s holy people should, because God is the one who chose you, and he is holy.” (I Peter 1:14-15) In verse 24 Peter reminds the reader that the scripture says “Humans wither like grass and their glory fades like wild flowers… but what the Lord as said will stand forever.” I will be officiating at a funeral on Saturday of a man who died Monday morning of a heart attack, after leading an 8 o’clock meeting at his office. I am very conscious that on any given day, Christ might return, or this human heart might stop beating. Guide me today Lord as I seek to be alert and think straight, putting all my hope in how kind you will be to me when Jesus Christ appears.
My approach during these almost 30 years of pastoring has been to daily read and meditate upon the scriptures, specifically to hear God speak to me, to feed my soul, and to frame my day in God’s will. I am careful not to read scripture only looking for sermon ideas. But on days like today, when my theme has long been established, and the daily reading speaks directly to that theme, there is a great merging of pastoral preparation and personal practice of holy living. So what does it mean for Bruce Baxter to be alert and think straight?
Audrey and I have awakened early on this day before Thanksgiving. The house was stuffy with the thermostat set to 71. We should keep it overnight to 68 or lower. It is programmable, but that always seems so complicated. I might revisit my attempt to maximize its capability by programming it. Just like the thermostat, each of us humans has greater capacity than we normally use. Often it is great calamity or conflict that draws the most out of us. My opportunity, and the same for each living person is to every day live to the fullest, in ways that please God. Today is the first day of the rest of my life, and I will take a “long view of this short life.”
In Mark 13:32-37 Jesus says “take heed, be on the alert, … it is like a man away on a journey…put his slaves in charge, assigning to each one his task.” It is so easy to lose the alertness necessary to please God. Jesus said “be wise as serpants and harmless as doves.” Watching, paying attention, noticing what is happening all around is the instruction of Jesus to his disciples, and in Peter’s letter to believers who did not know Jesus in the flesh. My message to Christ followers and to seekers is to pay attention, think straight and wait with hope for the return of Jesus Christ, and to the present working of God in the world.
Henry Blackaby wrote Experiencing God and his main theme was for the reader to look around and observe what God is doing in the world, and to jump in and participate.
“Behave like obedient children. Don’t let your lives be controlled by your desires, as they used to be. Always live as God’s holy people should, because God is the one who chose you, and he is holy.” (I Peter 1:14-15) In verse 24 Peter reminds the reader that the scripture says “Humans wither like grass and their glory fades like wild flowers… but what the Lord as said will stand forever.” I will be officiating at a funeral on Saturday of a man who died Monday morning of a heart attack, after leading an 8 o’clock meeting at his office. I am very conscious that on any given day, Christ might return, or this human heart might stop beating. Guide me today Lord as I seek to be alert and think straight, putting all my hope in how kind you will be to me when Jesus Christ appears.
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