January 28, 2013

Yesterday was a very good Sunday of worship, witness and discipleship. My message on Biblical Friendship was well received. This morning I will head to the office to work on Easter planning and other tasks ahead of my next two days in Columbia for the Board of Ordained Ministry. I will leave very early tomorrow in the Volkswagen, returning Wednesday evening. I took some time off yesterday afternoon and evening, in preparation for this long week without a break. I made 4 good landings in the stiff breeze at the airport, now that the plane is back on line after its required “Annual” necessitated the replacement of a fuel line. I had not flown since November, and now I am night and day current until the end of April.

Genesis 43-45

This is the continuing story of Joseph, now ruling Egypt because of his work with the Pharoah’s dream, and the famine that has set in across the region. God has prepared all of this for the moving of Jacob’s family to Goshen in Egypt. Even though I am familiar with this story, it was thrilling to read about how Joseph introduced himself to his brothers who sold him into slavery. This story builds my faith in God’s guidance and direction for all of His children, including this pastor in Springfield.

Guide me today, most holy Lord as I serve you with joy and follow your leading. 

January 25, 2013

My mother was born on this day in 1926, 87 years ago. My father never could remember if the first birthday which he celebrated with her made her 26 on the 25^th or 25 on the 26^th. I remembered her birthday because it was Christmas plus one month. She died 4 ½ years ago, and I miss her. She was a great support and encourager. I have no regrets about my relationship to her and my responsibility for her as she needed my help and my decisions in her last few months. My family and I are the beneficiaries of her hard work, planning and generosity. We own homes, cars and have education because of her vision. I plan to hand on the same legacy, carefully managed to the future generations of Baxters. She did an incredible job of starting over and recovering from her addictive, abusive family of origin. I have benefitted from her intentionality, as has Audrey, David and Bethany. Guide me Lord, on this her birthday, as I give myself away.

Genesis 39-41

These chapters contain the account of Joseph – sold into slavery, favored by God in Egypt, thrown into jail on the false accusations of Potiphar’s wife, forgotten in jail after interpreting dreams of cupbearer and baker, then remembered when Pharaoh has dream of seven fat cows swallowed by seven skinny. Joseph is placed in charge of Egypt for 7 fat years, and then administers reserves during lean years, leading up to his brothers coming to buy grain from Egypt.

Additionally, I read Rankin, Aiming at Maturity, pages 68-70 about spiritual maturity, including a list on page 70 of qualities exhibited by a Christian who is growing to maturity. I am now planning to use the preparation of my Lenten sermons on the basics of grace to develop into a book that will accompany the videos and study guide.

I am yours today, most Holy Father. I desire to emulate Joseph in faithfulness, integrity, fruitfulness, and patient trust in Your will and Your timing. Guide me today as pastor of the wonderful church called Wesley in Springfield. In Jesus Name, amen. 

January 19, 2013

San Jose, Costa Rica - Saturday Morning, 4:50 am

Audrey and I are here with the Asbury Seminary "Ascent" retreat. This morning we will be joined by as many as 3,000 Costa Rican Methodists at a rally to celebrate what God has been doing through His people called Methodists in this country. I was here in 1985 with a Volunteer In Mission team, and since then the Autonomous Methodist Church in this country has continued to blossom, primarily under the leadership of Bishop Luis Fernando Palomo and his wife Zulay. After the rally this morning, we will visit the Methodist Seminary here, founded by Bishop Palomo and now in a partnership with Asbury Seminary.

My Internet connection has been intermittent, and thus I have not blogged in several days. I have been reading through Genesis in my morning devotions, and today I have read chapters 29-30. This account of Jacob travelling  to the area his mother Rebekah was from is most interesting. He is motivated to do so because his brother Esau is furious with him, and ready to kill him. At Paddan Aram, he meets Rachel, his cousin and agrees to work for his uncle Laban for 7 years in payment to marry her. Those years "seemed like only a few days to him because of his love for." At the wedding, he was deceived by Laban who gave away his older daughter Leah to Jacob, who then agreed to work another 7 years to marry Rachel.

God used all of this in making Jacob (who would later have his named changed by God to Israel) to be the father of 12 sons, who became the patriarchs of the people of God. Jacob fathered these 12 sons through his two wives Leah and Rachel, and their two handmaids, given to him as wives, Bilhah and Zilpah. It still seems odd to me that God ordained this polygamy. This is one of the mysteries I accept and hope to understand more fully in the hereafter.

Guide me today, most Holy Lord, as I celebrate with brothers and sisters here in Costa Rica the work you are doing of salvation and the advancement of your Kingdom through the people called Methodists. Amen.

January 14, 2012

On this day in Chicago Audrey Jean Holmgren was born to Glenn and Mary Ellen Holmgren. We will celebrate today as we pack for our trip. I am ready to be away for a while. I feel the weariness of working 7 days a week without a break, as I worked through the holidays with funerals and working on the Spring Training materials and videos. This morning I will officiate at the funeral of a dear mother and grandmother, Fern DeForest. I will also write my newsletter article and tidy up tasks on my desk, including Board of Ordained Ministry details. I also should back up this laptop before this trip. I do not plan on taking it, but instead using Dropbox and other avenues, along with my portable keyboard for the Droid.

Genesis 22-23

Abraham makes the 50 mile trip with Isaac from Beersheba to Mt. Moriah following God’s instructions. What a struggle this must have been with a heavy heart. At the last minute God spoke to Abraham and provided a sheep for the sacrifice when he saw that Abraham truly trusted God and would be obedient at all costs. This incident has always been a little troubling to me as I wonder how many unstable people have thought God was speaking to them to sacrifice loved ones or even strangers. We know that Abraham walked with God, talked with God and obeyed God. The critical component is authenticity – how does a person know that it is God giving direction, and not another voice – the voice of self or even worse, the voice of evil? This is why I always caution people to consult spiritual friends when they feel God is directing them to take an unusual action.

I am about to send a booklet to press, the first of its kind that I have prepared. It is titled Spring Training – The Basics of Grace. I have ambivalent feels about it, desiring it to be the most useful tool it can be. Whenever I write, I always desire the end result to be more complete, thorough, etc. We will produce it and leave the results to God. The sermon series I preach will augment the content of the booklet.

Guide me today, most Holy Lord as I serve you as a husband, father, and pastor. Bless the work of the church in all its many functions today, especially in the comfort of the family which grieves the death of a loved one. Empower me to speak words of comfort and hope. 

January 13, 2012

The roads are dry, the trees have a thin layer of ice. My garage door creaked as it was raised, because it faces north from whence the wind blew during the freezing rain last evening. I am so surprised that the roads are dry. I was fearing the worst – ice covered side roads at least. So travel to church this morning should be safe, but it will be a Sunday of low attendance as the weather is quite inclement. I am up early and energized by the adverse conditions. I will meet with the hospitality team at 7:30.

Ruth 1

The account of Ruth and Naomi is the backdrop for my message this morning – “On the Edge of Contentment and Chaos.” I will be exploring how our emotions are critical to our functioning, and steps that we can take to draw back from emotional chaos, no matter what happens around us. I pray that this message will strike at the hearts of many who are on this cliff, or who know someone who is. I will close by telling the story of Horatio Spafford, who suffered terrible loss and wrote the hymn “It is well with my soul” at the very spot where his 4 daughters drowned. My goal is to provide Biblical tools for dealing with the difficulties of life, resulting in more satisfying, abundant life, and hope for the world to come. 

Guide me today, most Holy Lord as I serve you pastoring, teaching, preaching. Use my interactions, words, expressions and presence to communicate your love, hope and peace to the people who venture out on this cold morning. 

January 10, 2013

It is good to be up and at ‘um this morning before 6 a.m. I will pray with Bob at 7:45, lead a spring 2013 meeting at 10, attend a mission blitz meeting at noon, and then work on video and written material for Spring Training in the afternoon and evening.

Genesis 15 – 17

“And Abram believed the Lord, and the Lord counted him righteous because of his faith.” (15:6) Paul refers to this as proof that Abram lived by faith, which was the source of his righteousness, not by his works. But as James reminds us, “faith without works is dead,” and so we see in Abram’s obedience, including his circumcision and that of all the males in his household, that his faith was put into practice.

Living out my life by faith and obedience is my goal. I desire to pour every ounce of energy, every moment of time, every creative thought to pleasing God. As I have been justified through salvation, and am being continually sanctified through God’s Holy Spirit, I submit this day to God’s holy purposes. Even as it is a somewhat ordinary Thursday in the Ozarks, I know that God is at work, and is partnering with His servants.

Guide me today, most Holy Lord. I thank you for your Word and for the gift of faith. May my steps be ordered by you, and directed upon your path. Today your 7 servants from Wesley will return from Honduras, where they have been serving you. Bless their travel and reentry into American culture. I give you thanks for Wesley United Methodist Church, and the Missouri Annual Conference. Use me today, most holy Lord.

January 9, 2013

Late yesterday afternoon Audrey and I spent two hours outside removing the Christmas lights. The temperature was in the 50s and the work was very pleasant. This was a year in which we really enjoyed the lights, and though it was a chore to take them down, it was very fulfilling. When the rain started about 8 pm, I was glad that we had essentially finished the work. There are just a few more strands on some of the low front bushes.

Genesis 12 – 14

The chapters describe the wonderings of Abram as he obeys God by leaving his family in Haran and travelling south into what would become Israel. He is forced into Egypt by a famine, and lies about Sarai. He tells the Egyptians she is his sister and gives her as wife to Pharaoh. When Egypt is struck with plagues, they discover she is Abram’s wife and send them all away. Abram and Sarai journey back into the land of Canaan.

These chapters remind me of the importance of following the visions God gives. I must continue to be open to and act upon visions God has given me. I believe He still directs the steps of his servants, giving us the option to obey or ignore his leading. As we prayed in the Covenant prayer, I am serious about surrendering to God’s will and purpose, whatever that means. Guide me today, most holy Lord.