Christmas Blessing

I got up early this morning and started writing.  In fact, I've written and deleted at least three different posts for today.  I wanted to address current issues like Newtown, political issues like "the fiscal cliff," theological issues like the end of the world hype, and personal issues like surgery.  But, all the paragraphs sounded like the "Wa Wa Waaa" of Charlie Brown's teacher.

I've wasted a lot of time getting to the place where I write this Christmas blessing:

May Christ bless you with the ability to mourn with a pure heart, the confidence to face each day as a piece of eternity, and the humility to celebrate complete surrender to Him.

May Christ be the center of your celebration and reveal himself as present in each of your life moments and situations.

May Christ lead you to a place of calm and rest so that the warmth of his grace can be received for what it is - free.

May Christ show you his face through people who you share Christmas with and may he release you to love them the way that he does.

May you find a special encounter with Christ that brings a spark of growth to your soul and greater measure of anointing to your words.

May you have a Merry Christmas.

Pastor Dave    

Celebrating

It's Christmas.  Can I encourage you to try something?  Save the political and defensive banter about the growing trend of removing Christ from culture until after the season.

There's a news story every day about some atheist group flexing their muscles and it's really easy to buy into the fear and anger.  Did you know that Jesus doesn't need you to stick up for him?

There's a time and a place for policy and culture… but it's Christmas.  Let everyone else have the red-faced arguments.  Avoid standing in a hill of arrogance or a pit of discouragement because of the presence or absence of a manger scene.  Don't freak out with a "happy holiday."  Live the grace of the Christ we celebrate.

God came to earth.  Not everyone noticed.  Most didn't care.  A few stood in awe.  But, He came.

Not everyone believes that.  But their lack of faith doesn't have the power to reduce the evidence of the presence of my faith. When you hear a story of someone being offended by a figurine in a wooden manger, listen to yourself smile and say, "I believe."  When you hear a news story about some stupid city that rewrites a song so the word "Christmas" isn't said, smile and say, "I believe."  Rather than getting mad because some people don't believe, savor the season and enjoy the fact that you do.

The New Year will hold time for debates and expressions of frustration for a secular driven culture that is running from God, but it's Christmas.  Just have fun celebrating Christ.

Maybe that's the long way of saying, "It's a party - lighten up."

Celebrating,

Pastor Dave

Preparations

How much energy do you spend getting ready for the Christmas holiday?

The list includes (but is not limited to): decorations, food, gifts, cards, vacations, family, housework, wardrobe, traditions, that little sign that says, "He's the Reason for the Season."  There's so much to do.

I guess what I'm wondering is, how much energy and planning do I give to my relationship with the One I am celebrating on the 25th?

Events require energy, and I'm not saying that's bad.  I'm just thinking about how I turn my world upside down for events and have a hard time finding the energy to invest in my walk with God.

If I were to have lunch with you and ask you, "What 5 things you're doing to be ready for Christmas?" how quickly could you spill them out?  If I were to have lunch with you and ask you, "What are 5 things you're doing right now to grow in the Lord?" how would you respond?

In fact, I'll just ask it - "What are 5 things you're doing right now to grow in the Lord?"

Merry Christmas,

Pastor Dave

Listening

"Lord, I've tried to listen for you this week.  Sometimes I remembered to remember and sometimes I forgot to remember.  My days are kind of like that.

I heard you through the voice of a broken person that didn't know what to do.  You pull a soul close to you through the storm but, it's hard to feel your hands when it seems like we're sinking.  We stood in faith that you were there.

I heard you in the soft whisper as I listened to your Word as I went for a walk.  You surgically extracted a few words and sowed them into a gap in my spirit.  I like when you anoint old words and find new ways apply them to me.

I heard you when I went for a drive and turned the music off so we could have a quite ride together.

I heard you when I had meetings to go to that were hard.  During them you reminded me of how blessed I am and how much I love the church I attend.  I drove back to my town thankful.

I heard you when I dangled my feet over the cliff called Overwhelmed.  You called me away from the cliff and gave me freedom and empowerment.  Freedom to not go beyond my filling and empowerment to use my filling up.

I heard you in the celebration of good news from a doctor.

I heard you when you provided enough at just the right time.

I heard you when I read.

And in between all those times I knew you were there even if I was to busy to include you on purpose.

Lord, I have a lot of friends who need to hear from you too.  Thanks for talking with them.  Thanks for drawing them a little closer this week so that they can hear you anew this weekend.  Thanks for not giving up on us when we're too distracted to hear you.  Thanks for being with the ones that can't hear you yet, and the ones who are too afraid to listen.  Thanks for your voice.

Listening,

Servant Dave    

Ministry Lessons part 2

Last month I started to address lessons from 25ish years of ministry.  I did a “part one” but remembered I didn’t give you the second half. 

Reminder from last month:
1. People are different.  There’s no room for a “one-size-fits-all” ministry.
2. It’s not mine.  I participate in the call, I don’t own it.
3. I’m not an island.  Healthy relationships are crucial.
4. What matters needs to matter.  Too much energy is give to what doesn’t really matter.
5.  Learning never stops.  I still feel like a rookie.

The rest:
6. Baggage doesn’t eliminate me 
The past haunts people in the pews and people in the pulpit.  When I read through the Bible and scan through history there is an interesting pattern of God using broken people with a lot of baggage.  God doesn’t count someone out who has baggage, but He won’t let us pretend we don’t have it or treat it as if it’s no big deal.  

7. It’s a lot easier without baggage 
I so rejoice in the choices I could have made and didn’t.  It’s a lot easier to not pick baggage up than it is to put it down.  Choices matter.  The choices I’m making right now could be tomorrow’s baggage or today’s victory.  We can choose to live in such a way that stops baggage from accumulating.     

8. Humility counts
There’s way too much “meism” in ministry.  It’s my vision.  I am the leader.  I call the shots.  I deserve….  Arrogance doesn’t stop being a sin when you’re in ministry.  In fact, it’s uglier in ministry.  The voice of authority and the voice arrogance will not sing a duet.  God gives one and sin gives the other.  One builds on a rock, the other builds on sand.  Humility counts.    

9. The issue is fruit 
You can be so talented and gifted that it leaks out of your ears, but the issue to God is fruit.  A right heart will be used by God to produce right fruit.  The church of America does entirely too much whining about the culture and not enough ministering to the culture.  Both actions produce fruit, it’s just that one of them produces rotten fruit.  Finish this sentence, “To God the obvious fruit of my life/ministry is___________.”  

10.  The Word
I am a student of the Word of God.  Not just my favorite sections that speak to my hot spots - all of it.  The story of the message of Christ involves all of the Word, and so should my own story.  People don’t need me, they need the God who is writing my story and longs for them to see His role in theirs.  For me looking to the Word with fresh eyes and open ears is two steps beyond crucial.  

Still Learning,

Pastor Dave

Listening

(Dear Friday Thoughters - Last week was Ministry Lessons part 1.  I know this should be part 2 but the Lord really put this on my heart.  I'll come back to finish Ministry Lessons next week.)

I really don't like it when we take the words of God out of context to make us feel better (He doesn't either).  But, this verse came up in my devotional time, "Your ears will hear a word behind you, "This is the away, walk in it," whenever you turn to the right or to the left." (Isaiah 30:21)

The words from Isaiah fit a specific promise of the Lord to a group of rebellious people who will go through judgment and be restored.  It's filled with a lot of history and theology.  It's a promise from a covenant God of grace that paints a wonderful picture of the result of repentance.  It involves nations, sin, idolatry and renewal.

I'm not into all that right now.  I just need a God who will talk to me.  I need a God that will walk close enough to me to see when my steps are leading to a cliff or quicksand.  I need someone who doesn't force me or push me.  I need a Guide.

I've talked with a friend who is hurting right now.  My heart is broken for him.  I believe that his God and mine wants to whisper to him through the hurricane.  I believe that God has a word for him.

Then, as well as thinking about my childhood friend, I thought of the huge weight that so many of us are living under, about the steps some of us are taking.

So, I write a simple call to all who may read these words, no matter what you're going through right now - listen for the Lord. Listen for the sound of One who loves you best.  Listen for the calm voice of grace.  Listen for the passionate scream of warning.  Listen for the voice who formed you and refuses to give up on you.  Listen through the bangs and cymbals, through the distractions and explosions.  Listen for the Voice.

It may be you've not listened before.  There are no qualifications.  Your ears do not need to be holy to hear from One who is.  Tune Him in.

It's possible it's been a while since you've listened because you don't like what you hear.  Think that through.

It could be that you haven't followed up on the last time He spoke to you.  Step to the plate.

There might be a name He wants to put on your heart.  There might be a love song He wants to sing to you.  There might be a step He longs for you to take (or not take).

By the way, if you listen and hear nothing... it may be He's just telling you what can separate you from His love.

Hearing,

Pastor Dave

 

Ministry Lessons (part 1)

I realized this morning that my vocation in ministry is about twenty-five years old (I started when I was twelveish).  I was just thinking of some random lessons.

1.  People are different
In a way young ministers are told that but then we're trained as if it's not true.  People have different stories and a range of starting places with faith.  There's not a one-size-fits-all ministry style or discipleship program.  The Bible is filled with people who are radically different.  That's either a mistake God made or part of the design.  Ministry makes more sense if I assume the latter is true.

2.  It's not mine
This is a hard lesson.  I know because I'm not done learning it.  It seems I spend a lot of time having the Spirit remind me that I'm a servant not a co-owner.  I can't take credit for the work of the Spirit and I can't receive blame for the activities of the enemy.  About all I have is a responsibility to be obedient.  It's His Kingdom, and His Church, and His invitation to me to participate.  It's pretty much all His.

3.  I'm not an island
I need relationships.  Because relationships are so important to all of us it's a good idea to be sure I can do them in a healthy way.  Too many ministry people are finding themselves emotionally and spiritually bankrupt because they don't do right boundaries in ministry relationships.  I can't honor Christ and hate people.  I can't serve Christ and ignore people.  I can't hear from Christ and misuse people.  On the other hand, I can't follow Christ and idolize people.  Relationships in a godly way… that's the deal.

4.  What matters needs to matter
Too often we've bought into the lie that we can determine what's most important.  People who are followers of Christ relinquish our right of priority setting.  That's been done for us.  Part of the challenge of ministry (life) is knowing what God's priorities are and keeping my energy on those.  I can feel my relationship with God getting stale when I confuse what matters to me with what matters to Him.  If my highest priority is having the right car I can count on the fact that God and I are focused on different things.

5.  Learning never stops
I didn't know much when I started in ministry and I'm finding that what I've learned doesn't give me permission to stop learning.  Maybe that's part of why I'm in a Doctoral program now.  There are a lot of different ways of learning, but I must make sure that the blade is always being sharpened.  I think one of the great things about observing and learning is that it fits with the design of God.  We were wired to learn.  It's important that I honor the Creator by doing what I was created to be able to do.

Pastor Dave

I gotta tell you, I hate it when….

How would you finish that sentence?

Maybe a better question would be, how would God finish that sentence?  I have it on pretty good authority that God hates some stuff.

Consider the following:
Haughty eyes - is there pride or arrogance in how I look to others?
Luke 18.11 The Pharisee stood up and prayed about himself: 'God, I thank you that I am not like other men—robbers, evildoers, adulterers—or even like this tax collector.

Lying tongue - do I speak words that are a foreign language to God?
John 8.44 You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father's desire. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies.

Hands that shed innocent blood - do I judge and punish unfairly?
Leviticus 19.15 Do not pervert justice; do not show partiality to the poor or favoritism to the great, but judge your neighbor fairly.

A heart that devises wicked schemes - does my heart plan to benefit me at the cost of others?
Matthew 5.8  Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.

Feet that rush to evil - do I hurry to live and proclaim holiness?
Isaiah 52.7 How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation, who say to Zion, "Your God reigns!"

False witness who pours out lies - do I misrepresent the truth about another person?
Deuteronomy 5.20  You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor.

Person who stirs up conflict - do I weaken the call to unity?
John 17.23 I in them and you in me. May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.

My good authority is Proverbs 6:16-19.  My challenge?  I should not have as a behavior what God hates.  'Cause that would be really stupid.

Taking Inventory,

Pastor Dave

 

News

Sometimes it's hard to know what to pray.  I looked this morning at a news website that must have a had 153 links to the latest news stories on their homepage.  The stories ranged from the NFL news to terrorism news, and from a new weight loss plan to deficit plans.

And polls… there are polls on who believes the polls.  Has anyone noticed that right and wrong aren't addressed as much as "what Americans want?"  A politician can vomit out their favorite position of the day and if they say it's "what Americans want" it seems to make it a sound position.  The reason we know what Americans want - polls.  A sample of 1,900 out of 314,466,258 is supposed to be an accurate reflection of what the collective want?

And since when is what we want "right" because we want it?

I read through the news and it's overwhelming.  Sometimes it's hard to know what to pray.

Psalms 25:4-5
Show me your ways, O LORD, teach me your paths; guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long.

That's a pretty good prayer to have for a day.  Christians doing that - That is news.

Psalming my day,

Pastor Dave

 

Looking Ahead

Birthdays and anniversaries are funny things.  I suppose people look at them in different ways, but for me they cause me to look ahead more than behind.

Leah and I just celebrated 30 years of marriage.  We talked most about the new season of life we are entering.

Not long ago I celebrated my %#th birthday.  There was a lot of thought put into the future.  There have been moments of reminiscing and remembering, but not a much as looking ahead.  Events are good adjustment times.

The Midland Free Methodist Church was formed in 1912.  This year is our 100th birthday.  There are no big parties planned. There is not a big trip down memory lane.  The best way to celebrate is to look ahead.

This is not to minimize the importance of the past.  I'm grateful for the handful of people 100 years ago that had a passion for Midland, and the countless people who have invested their lives through good times and bad.

But, it's time to listen well and look ahead.

Eager,

Pastor Dave

Reminded

This week I went to the dentist on Monday, the optometrist on Wednesday, the infusion center on Thursday, and I have an appointment today (Friday) to investigate damage to my rotator cuff.

I liked Tuesday.  I didn't visit a Dr. of anything.

As a result of this week of reality I have come to the conclusion that I will never get a contract to be a professional pitcher, quarterback, or trick water skier.  I also now know I will not be a fighter pilot.  This is a hard realization for me.  The dream is fading.

This calls for rethinking the future.  In the absence of a 100 million dollar sports contract I will have to change my retirement plans of buying an island.

Facts:
I will not throw a football 85 yards or a baseball 130 miles per hour.
I will not be a trick water skier in shark infested waters.
I will not fly F14d Super Tomcat fighter jet.

But apart from those things, I still feel my life has reason.  I have a lot to do that doesn't involve me having to be 30 years younger, 20 pounds lighter, perfect vision or more feeling in my legs.  I get to follow Christ today!  I get to know his grace and empowerment!  I get to be his hands and feet, and maybe even his voice in someone's life!

All the Dr's can give me is good news or bad, but today I am a follower of Christ. That's worth more than throwing a football 85 yards, pitching a baseball 130 miles per hour, doing a triple summersault behind a boat, or flying a jet at mach 2.

Jesus loves me, this I know.
For the Bible tells me so.

What's a silly dream that you've given up?
Do you ever need to be reminded of your value?

Reminded,

Pastor Dave

 

God In Politics

I had a conversation yesterday with a friend of mine.  We have a professional relationship, but a mutual respect that causes me to think of him as a friend.  We don't talk much about politics or faith but today he wanted to ask what I thought about the issue with the Democratic convention's hubbub over having the word "God" in their party's platform.    

 

It's been on the news to the point of annoying.  Bloggers raced to the keyboards with eager fingers.  Atheists hyperventilated with a possible move of reason and Evangelicals readied their voices for outraged protest.

 

The phrase in discussion is, "we need a government that stands up for the hopes, values and interests of working people and gives everyone wiling to work hard the chance to make the most of their God-given potential."   

 

Interesting - when we are allowed to talk about God it's about us.

 

God is about making us successful.  He's about strengthening us so that we can live the "American dream."  The Almighty's purpose is synonymous with a healthy financial portfolio.

 

This may be an overstatement but if that phrase would have been left off I think we would have been more offended than God. 

 

"Sitting down, Jesus called the Twelve and said, "If anyone wants to be first, he must be the very last, and the servant of all." (Mark 9:35)

 

I think what God's view of "God-given potential" and what we have manufactured as a "God-given potential" are two very different things.

 

I told my friend that what saddens me is that God is about personal relationship not political maneuvering.  The line between those two is being blurred to our detriment and God's disappointment.  

 

I understand that the issue is bigger than I paint it and includes the nation of Israel as well, but I just find it interesting we had a vote to use His name even though we refuse to submit to His reign.  The first is a waste of time if we ignore the latter.

 

I think THAT's the point.

 

Pastor Dave

 

 

Making Sense of It...

I was thinking about how much we dislike what doesn't make sense.

Today I listened to people argue about how many jobs had been lost or created during the Obama presidency.  Their numbers were as different as whipped cream is from wallpaper.  That gap doesn't make sense to me.

Yesterday I did my monthly M.S. treatment.  While the nurse was cramming a needle the size of a Big Gulp straw in my arm we casually talked about a medication I stopped taking because I didn't need it anymore.  He told me that some Neurologists think you should never stop and others say you should only take it when you need it.  That difference doesn't make sense to me.

I have a wiper on my wife's car that's broken.  It will wipe one direction and then not return.  It just hangs off the windshield as if it were waving at the world.  Why did one break?  They've both been used exactly the same amount from the moment the car was born.  They both have faced the same weather.  They both were made with the same specifications.  Everything wears out, but why did just one of them transform from a wiper to a waver?  That reality doesn't make sense to me.

We don't like it when things don't make sense.  "I don't like onions and love onion rings."  My wife and I have had that conversation.  I know I have issues that don't make sense to others.

My conclusion - the alphabet of faith has to have letters in it we can't pronounce to be faith.  If not, it would be impossible to grow.  God is present in questions too.  Faith is required to have dark shadows of the unknown.  Maybe we fixate on the shadows to the degree it's impossible to bask in the sun.  I know the shadows are there.  I'm ok with that.  It's better for me walk in the light than to complain about the shadows.  When HE wants me to see there, HE'll show me.That makes sense to me… kinda.

Welcoming Feedback:
What doesn't make sense to you about faith?
Can you find peace in questions?
What doesn't make sense to non-faithers about faith?

Pastor Dave

Reflecting & Trusting

It’s a quiet Thursday night.  TV’s off.  No music playing.  Leah’s at Ann Arbor.  It’s me a book, my Bible, my laptop, and a cup of coffee.

Do you get reflective when it’s quiet?  I do.  Not the “look at old photo albums” kind of reflective when you mourn how fast time is going (which is the same speed since creation).  The kind of reflective where I look back and look ahead.

Here’s what I’m thinking about tonight.

1.  I’ve got nothing to whine about.
I wonder if busyness teaches us to take for granted what we should be celebrating.  Too often I don’t take time to really reflect and be thankful.  It seems that it takes less effort to let my mind wander into reasons to complain.

I won’t list what is causing my heart to be thankful right now, it ranges from the really obvious to the private.  As I flip through the pages of blessings in my mind I realize everything is not flawless, but I’ve got nothing to whine about.

2.  I’m never alone, fear is always there to keep me company.
But, Pastors don’t have emotions… especially yucky ones, do they?  This one does.

This is not the time for a religious cliché.

Fear is always around sometimes as parasite and sometimes as a flesh eating elephant.  It may hide behind a thought or it may hide everything else behind it - but it knows when to show up.

I don’t think we are supposed to run from it or pretend it’s not there.  I think the best move is to hold on to the Truth.  Fear doesn’t like that, it feeds on non-truth or twisted truth.

3.  It’s hard to imagine the depth of God’s love.
I don’t know why he loves me so much.  I know me and I’m not that impressed.  When I look back I can think of a few reasons to give up on me.  When I look ahead I can imagine a few more that will come up.  When I look at right now I know He sees both directions and keeps loving.

4.  I really like my church.
We make mistakes.  We’ve got our flaws.  We can’t stand in the “we do everything right” line.  But, I love who God is making us.  We’re people that are growing.  We’re people who need grace and know where to get it.  I can’t imagine me anywhere else right now.

5.  The Holy Spirit is still the Holy Spirit.
I need Him.  We need Him.  As I look to the new season I wonder how many actions I will do that are fully dependent on Him.  I wonder how many times I will quench His work.  I wonder how many times He will whisper to me at just the right moment.

It’s been a very busy summer.  A wonderful summer.  I’m reflecting on the summer and trusting for the fall.

That’s not a bad way to spend a quiet night.

Pastor Dave

I'm In Good Hands

Last week I told you of a possible root canal.  It included my graphic exaggeration of what I expected that surgery to include.

It turns out my doctor (who said I might have shingles) and my dentist (who said I might need a root canal) were both wrong.

I called my neurologist and talked with him a few minutes and he said, "I know exactly what's going on.  You have trigeminal neuralgia."

I said, "a what?"

One of the cranial nerves has lesions on it that cause a "very interesting" pain in my cheek.  I am now on the right direction for treatment and am doing fine.

But, here's the sermonic application - I wonder how many times I misdiagnose stuff that's going on in my spirit.  I almost took steroids that wouldn't help or had a root canal that I didn't need.  How many times do I take steps to ease a pain in my soul and I'm not treating the real cause of the problem?

Avoiding people, but not dealing with anger.

Changing my environment, but not dealing with my own sin.

Blaming others for crippling fear.

Puffing myself up to hide what's not really hidden.

Jeremiah recorded these words, "The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure.  Who can understand it (17.9)?"

The next verse answers the question, God.

I misdiagnose me all the time.  Then I find my way to God who reminds me, "I know exactly what's going on.  That's not what you need, this is what will ease the pain."

You would think that with the amount of time that I spend with my soul that I would be the most qualified to diagnose problems.  It turns out that I am the least qualified.  The Creator of my soul is much more knowledgeable on soul health than I am.

He knows that someone else can't see the real problem, and I can't be honest enough to get to the issues.  The Great Physician knows what's wrong and knows how to fix it.

I trust my neurologist to help me with M.S. symptoms.

I trust my Lord God to help me with what lasts forever.

I'm In Good Hands,

Pastor Dave

 

In the Chair

My dentist told me there's a root canal in my future.  I disagreed with her, "No, there's not."  She smiled, "Yes, there is."  I said, "No, there's not."  She said, "Yes, there is."  She's not a good listener.

I had pictures in my mind of the procedure that went like this-
The sweet lady takes a pair of vise-grips and sterilizes them in gasoline.  Then she clamps on any random tooth, rips it out, and soaks it in rubbing alcohol.  While my tooth is soaking she takes her DeWalt drill with the 1/2inch bit and drills a hole where the tooth was and fills the hole with a really expensive epoxy.  She then pounds the tooth back in place with a rubber mallet and I gargle with Lysol.

That's a root canal in my mind.  "Thanks, I'm busy that day.  And that one.  And that one too.  How's February 35th, 2087 look for you?"

I put off what I don't want to experience.  Even if it's needed.

Have you ever done that with God?  Me too.

Have you ever wrongly assumed what God is going to do?  Me too.

Have you ever let your imagination lie to you about God?  Me too.

God's fix for what is dangerous in my soul has nothing to do with vise-grips or Lysol.  But, He is very interested in removing poison.  In fact, he's passionate about it.  He knows the damage that it can cause.  Grace works better than rubbing alcohol and the death/resurrection of Christ is more effective than a DeWalt drill.

Surrender is not as bad as I think it is.  Hidden sin is worse than I know.  I've got an appointment for right now.

In the chair,

Pastor Dave

 

What exposes your need for God?

Most Christians readily admit their dependence on God's interaction with their lives.  It is more difficult to act on something than it is to admit it.

People who are dependent on God…

1. Talk.
How are we at talking with the Lord?  Really?  This is not trying to get Him to do something for us; it's about letting Him do something in us.  We can't be dependent on someone we are too busy to talk to.

2. Wait.
How are we on waiting on the Lord?  Sometimes I ask and then do what I want.  It felt good to ask God's opinion, but it's not my fault if He doesn't respond quickly or clearly enough.  I asked.  Guidance requires listening.

3. Act.
What would happen if we fully lived what we already knew?  My need for God is revealed inside of my living for God.  Do I act in a way that demonstrates my willingness to follow a new revelation of God?  God is unlikely to reveal the unknown to a person who hasn't acted on the known.

4. Applaud.
Praise is too often neglected.  It's not about me thanking God for stuff that I like.  It's about recognizing God because of who He is.  Applause and complaint are determined by my level of current enjoyment not by the constant that is God.  

 
5. Growth.
Farmers know about success by the level of growth and resulting fruit.  Isn't that what Jesus called followers to?  Growth and fruit.  One doesn't happen without the other.  People who know and act on their need for God are people who grow in Him and let Him work through them.

Today I woke thinking heavy thoughts.  I thought about our need for God as a church.  I thought about my need right now.  I wondered how obvious our need is.


Needing God,

Pastor Dave

 

To a Dad of a Princess

This weekend my daughter is getting married.  I will walk her down the aisle and deliver her hand to the hand of another man.  My life is going to change at the end of a 30 second walk in lead shoes.  While music is playing and people are whispering about her dress, how nervous the groom looks, and taking bets on how many words I say before I have to blow my nose, I will be in the volcano of soul that no one else can visit.  I'm dad.

This is a day that I have longed for her and dreaded at the same time.  In that confusion I thought about a few things, in no particular order, that I would say to other dads who know that day is coming when they too will take the lead shoe walk.

1.  Know that you are training your daughter how to be treated by a man through the way you treat your wife.  I can't think of many things I want more for my daughter than to know real love.  Since that is what I want her to know - it's mandatory I show her what it looks like.  Lectures don't help here, consistent life long visuals do.

2.  Avoid grumpy attitudes. When I dropped my daughter off at college the only words I said on the way home were, "I don't care what you say, I'm not going to her wedding."  I was a mess (so they tell me, I have largely blocked the whole thing out).  But, the Lord had some words with me about my attitude… a couple of years later.  He reminded me that complaining about His plan for her joy is not wise.

3.  Pray for the unknown "puke-face."  To stand on the platform of "no one's good enough for my daughter," is to argue with God.  How much better to come to God as your princess is growing and repeatedly pray for the man God has for her.  Pray that he makes good choices, pray that he would be protected, pray that God would protect and prepare your daughter for him.  Pray for your daughter to have discernment.  [side note: when you know he's the one you've been praying for he's not so puke-facy anymore]

4.  Remember who your vows apply to.  My job with raising my children is temporary.  They will always be my children, but the role of "raising" is temporary.  I need to be sure my marriage is not defined by the children - they move.  After Prince Charming comes to take the Princess the King the Queen should be ready to be in the castle alone… and that's fun!

5.  Talk about sex.  Age appropriate.  Age appropriate.  Age appropriate.  Dad's need to rescue sex from the culture of "everyone's doing it" and the culture of "it's of the devil."  Both cultures miss God's plan.  It's impossible to hide her from Hollywood's distortion (unless you don't allow any movies, radio, tv, books, computers, iPhones, magazines, or friends).  So, watch for teachable moments.  Expose the lies as lies and watch for the right moments to talk about God's design.

6.  Teach her not to compromise.  God's best is worth waiting for.

For the record - I am proud of my daughter and the woman of God she is.  I am proud of her for waiting for God's plan, and when she saw it, for not dragging her feet.  I am proud to welcome into the family the man that treated my daughter as she needs to be treated.

I'm wearing lead shoes to the wedding in my spirit, but that's ok when you're floating from seeing God's plan unfold for two people you believe in.

The Dad,

Pastor Dave

 

Seven thoughts for Fathers on Father’s Day

First, remember that your children will include your behavior in their understanding of God.  Perhaps this is unfair and maybe even unhealthy - but it's still going to happen.  They will mix the earthly father and the heavenly Father.  Be a good representation of God for them.

Second, every single day you teach your children about marriage.  Daughters are learning how they should expect to be treated and sons are learning how to treat their future wife.  School is always in session on this one.  Teach them well.

Third, we are too easily robbed of joy in the journey.  The stress of life, guilt, responsibilities, bills, fear, and false expectations live rent free in our minds with a host of relatives.  When that happens, the simple joy of growing together gets lost.  Laughing together is more important than most of what we call "important."

Forth, the job of dad is temporary, it only lasts as long a your heartbeat does.  When your heartbeat stops you don't parent anymore.  Until then… parent.

Fifth, our day became official over forty years after Mother's Day was made official.  Let's face it; our day is a mercy day.  "We gave moms a day it's only fair that dads get one too."  I wouldn't recommend complaining about this because the "number of hours of labor" card will be played.  They win.

Sixth, Mother's Day is one of the five highest church attendance days in the year and Father's Day is one of the five lowest. That says something about our priorities that I think we should examine.

Seventh, thanks.  Thanks for giving of yourselves.  Thanks for investing in your family.  Thanks for caring about your children and dreaming about their future.  Thanks for protecting them and being willing to lay your life down for theirs. Thanks for standing up for what you know is right and teaching your kids to do the same.  Thanks for having the desire to grow and learn from your mistakes.  Thanks for letting God work in your life.

Pastor Dave

Summer 2012

This summer I plan to: 

1. Get to know my neighbors.
I have experienced the grace and generosity of God and am aware of the mandate to show both.  God has put each of us where we are for a reason.  If I believe that, I also have to believe my neighbors are where they are for a reason.  Neighboring relationships give the believer the chance to reflect God.

2. Do four weddings in five weeks.
My daughter is kicking off the summer wedding season.  This is a unique blessing that I have yet to fully grasp.  I have a hunch it will be like grasping a downed electric line in a rain storm.  It's one thing to, "give your daughter in marriage."  I think, "I now pronounce you husband and wife," will be like donating two kidneys at once.

3. Serve Midland.
This Fall is the 100th birthday of the Midland Free Methodist church.  We are going to celebrate through the summer by serving our community.  There are a lot of ways to celebrate a birthday.  Most of them have to do with looking back.  This birthday is going to be celebrated mostly through the call to "look out."  The best way to honor the God of the Church is to be His hands and feet to those around us.

4. Camp and Conference
July includes the annual camp and conference for the Eastern Michigan Free Methodist Church.  A few of us have been working with the Superintendent to organize and prepare for what God is going to do as a result of gathering to focus on Him.  The 13th through the 21st are going to be busy days.

5. Start a Doctoral program.
In August I start a Doctoral program.  This will begin 3 years of increased level of work and preparation that will challenge every aspect of my life.  I am excited about the practical lessons I will learn that will have direct and immediate impact on my ministry.

6.  Wonder where the summer went.
In a couple of weeks VBS starts and then it will be Fall.  It's all going to go so quickly.  I have determined to stay calm and not let busyness push me away from God.  It's amazing how often we complain about how busy we are as if it has nothing to do with our decisions.  Busy or casual God deserves His role in our lives.

7.  Get ready for the Fall
There are going to be a number of adjustments in our ministry this Fall.  The summer is a time to get some projects done and get ready for a new season.  For example:  We are only $5,000ish from being able to redo the floor in the entryway and hallway without a negative impact on our budget!  We'd love to have that done this summer.

So, that's my summer - how's yours looking?

Pastor Dave

 

Thoughts for Graduates...

I remember when I graduated from High School.  The Emancipation Proclamation had wet ink.  Shakespeare was just starting his new hobby of writing.  The day before I graduated something weird happened at some tower called Babel.  It was a while ago.

Do you remember when you were at less than a quarter of your life span?  What would graduates of yesterday tell graduates of today?
Here's a few that came to my mind:
1.  Don't do camel spirituality.They can go long distances without water in dry places.  Our spirits were designed to have regular deep drinks of the Bible and prayer.  If you haven't developed good habits with God - start.
2.  Avoid mellontophobia develop hamartophobia.Ok, to be honest, the first one isn't a real word… but it should be.  It's made of the Greek words for "future" and "fear."  Don't panic about your future, follow Christ into it.  God will never expect more than that.The second word is made of the words for "sin" and "fear."   A sin phobia would be good to develop.  Culture has always tried to normalize what offends the holiness of God.  If it ticks God off it would be best not to become comfortable with it.
3.  Lift sex out of the sewer.God has a wonderful design for everything he created.  The boundaries aren't because He wants to limit your joy; it's because he knows how to provide the greatest joy.  There is nothing better than an exclusive, baggage free sex life with a person you're going to spend the rest of your life with in marriage.  Don't cheapen sex.
4.  Drive with the pedal on the floor.(Please note this is a metaphor not a driving tip)Apply yourself.  Work hard at what you're doing.  Give your roles your best.Student?  Learn aggressively.Employee?  Work as if each moment was a praise to God.Christian? Give God everything.Unfortunately culture trains you to find the line of "good-enough" and live just south of it.  There are too many people who feel they are entitled for something without responsibility.  Work hard and know when to rest.
5.  Never swim with a bag of cement in your arms.That's not a metaphor.  I think it's just good wisdom.
6.  Celebrate the journey.You are facing what everyone older than you has already faced - growing up.  You might have a cell phone with more computing ability than NASA had thirty years ago, but soon it will be worthless.  Someday your kids will laugh at your music, clothes, and iPod.  Humility and joy are closely related.  Both of them travel well with you through life.
7.  Note the power of this one.We are often looking at the moments that have passed with regret or longing.  We spend a lot of energy looking at the moments we can't see yet trying to manipulate their content.  Note the power of the moments you have right now.  Include God in your moments now and He'll take care of the ones in the rear-view mirror and the ones beyond your vision.
What else could graduates of yesterday tell graduates of today?

Pastor Dave

Friend

Did you read the touching story of profound friendship this week?  Apparently in upstate New York one man showed bravery and the other loyalty.

24-year-old friend, "A,"  told 25-year-old friend, "B," that he wanted  to know what it felt like to get shot.  So friend "A" talked friend "B" into shooting him in the leg with a .22-caliber rifle.  It took a lot of convincing, but friend "B" gave in - what are friends for?

It takes a lot of guts to ask someone to shoot you.  He's the brave one.  Unless you're a solider who has been shot by an enemy rifle that had a bullet the size of friend "A's" fist; Unless you've faced pain out of duty more than twisted curiosity;  Unless you define bravery as more than talking someone into doing something stupid to you.

Friend "B" is the loyal one.  He's the one sitting in a jail cell for reckless endangerment because he let his buddy convince him to pull the trigger.  That's loyalty.  Unless you know what it's like have a broken relationship because you refused to do the wrong thing;  Unless you're a person who puts wisdom and principle ahead of a friend's call to help them self-destruct;  Unless you define loyalty as wanting the best for someone you care about.

For the record, in the stories I've read and heard no one has given the label brave or loyal to either "A" or "B."  In fact the attitude is mocking disbelief.  But why?

Isn't that what kindness and non-judgmental attitudes lead us to?  It's wrong to say anything is wrong.  Unless you're the one that says nothing's wrong and someone disagrees with you - then that person is wrong about anything being wrong (it's the old argument that there are absolutely no absolutes).  When desire trumps common sense and selfishness is bigger than morality the rules have to be ignored or changed. 

To my friends:  I won't shoot you so you know what it feels like.  I won't stab you in the eye with a fork because you want to wear a pirate's patch.  I won't tell you you sing like an angel and should be on American Idol because… you shouldn't.  I won't walk with you off a cliff so you don't have to fall alone.

To my friends:  I won't remain silent if you're letting sin ruin your life.  I won't help you ignore God.  I won't tell it's not your fault if it is and I won't pretend with you that this life is more important then the next one.

I will do my best, empowered by God, to be a friend that points you to Christ, shows you what following Him looks like, and speaks the truth in love.  I risk everything on the truth, even our friendship.  That's bravery and loyalty.  We all need friends like that.  

Friend,

Pastor Dave

YES!

This week a number of area pastors met with Midland's Mayor, Maureen Donker.  She is asking us to work together to impact our city.

I have a few observations from that meeting:

1.  That's not fair.  It's not realistic to ask Baptists, Lutherans, Reformeds, Methodists, and Charismatics to play together.  We've worked so hard at ignoring each other.  We have nothing in common.  Ya, there's the Jesus thing - but is that really enough?

2. It's too late.  There is an invisible line that is the, "It's Possible to Change" line.  When you've crossed it there's no hope of making a real difference.  There are too many big issues that range from poverty to prideful wealth, no one can help either of them really.  We've been who we are for a really long time.  The "It's Possible to Change" line is in our rear view mirror.  Ya, God has all the power in the universe - but would He waste it on us?

3.  I don't want to.  Building relationships take time.  I have enough of them already in my circle of friends.  Add too many people to a circle and it ends up changing shape and before you know it, it's oblongy.  I don't know what that really means and it doesn't make any sense but, it's a goodish argument because it's mine.  Ya, I know others have been called by God to unity - but did He really expect me to do it?

4.  I don't get enough out of it.  There's the whole, "What's in it for me?" issue to deal with.  If I'm going to invest my time in it and talk to my church about it I need to know that it will result in an immediate dual "moreness."  More hind-ends in seats and more dollars in the plate.  We may impact the city, but what about my statistics?  Ya, I know God said His Kingdom is more important than my kingdom - but does he really intend for me to agree with Him?

5. I've never done that before.  There is a sacred buffer that is part of religion.  We can make minor adjustments but the buffer keeps us from getting too far from where we've been.  The buffer is our previous experience.  It protects us from excess, heresy,  and discomfort… effectiveness… obedience… faith….  Ya, I know that God is not always honored by the way we've done it - but is it a big enough deal that I should change me?

6. Blah, blah, blah.

There's a call that will be coming to those who call MFMC their home (and those who don't).  I'd like to say that it's the result of a group of brilliant theologians who have discovered some new way of doing church.  But it's really a call that is almost as old as humanity.

We're going to learn from Christ how to be a neighbor.  It's time to relearn the lost art of neighboring.  Midland is asking us to do it.  But even more, the Christ of the great commission is asking us.

Note: the answer to the questions above - "yes."

Yesing,

Pastor Dave

 

Weird

I know it's always been part of the game but for some reason a migration really bugs me.  It's not a migration of bugs or birds (not literally anyway).  It's a migration of people… politicians.

It doesn't matter which side of the political aisle you sit on; "Everyone's doing it" is just as thick of wall to hide behind as an adult as it was when we were in Jr. High.

Now that it's a sure thing who the Republican nominee is going to be the headlines are reading, "_________ supports Romney."

I think that should have to be declared at the beginning.  An "out of the six that are going to campaign for the nomination I support_______ for the following reasons" statement would tell me more about what you believe and why.

As it is, it feels like filling out a bracket for March Madness in May.  "After careful thought, deliberation, and weighing the stats, I believe that I will vote for the team that won."

Before I throw a stone too hard I have to realize there's a mirror in the direction I am aiming.

It's easier to assume and proclaim, "that was God's will," leaving a situation than it is to seek Him and discern His will before I get there.  Romans 12:2 tells me that submitting to the transformation of God is so that I would know His "good, pleasing, and perfect will."

Wading into the pool of discovering the will of God is more work, requires more faith, and takes more time.  But isn't that what we're supposed to do?  Watching for signs, listening for confirmation, knowing the leading, waiting for direction, following the will - those are actions that require faith in and communion with God.

I wonder how many of my decisions would be different if they were made after a season of seeking God.  I wonder if I could risk being confident in Him before rather than blaming His sovereignty after.  I wonder how that would impact other people.

But, that's kind of weird.

God and I like weird.

Seeking His Will,
Pastor Dave

spectatorism

Last week I read that one of the former executive chairman of Google claimed that today more content is created in forty-eight hours than was produced from the beginning of history to 2003 (Len Sweet, Viral).

 

The web world has made it so anyone with a decent cell phone has volumes of information about Athanasius, Menno Simmons, and Karl Barth.  It's easy to find out about people who influenced Christianity.

 

We can read about some of the core theological doctrines that have sparked debate from the foundation of the church.  Today anyone with a connection to the web has more content about humanity, God, faith, and life than ever before.

 

Here's my concern for young and old in the age of limitless information at our fingertips- it's still human nature to not allow transformation.

 

Every generation has had a hard time with "spectatorism."  Insight without fruitful activity.  We learn to be active enough to have an opinion and… that's all. 

 

Now, imagine that infecting the church and followers of Christ.  I respond to the death of Christ the same way I do the death of Dick Clark - information and opinion.  I understand who God is the same way I understand who a presidential candidate is - information and opinion.  I surrender to the Holy Spirit the same way I surrender to my favorite social media - information and opinion.

 

I am not anti-technology; I believe it is a tool that could be used to touch the world with faith (as well as it being a trap that would drown a person in sewage).  

But, isn't habitual "spectatorism" in the church hypocrisy?  

 

Philippians 3.16 Only let us live up to what we have already attained.  Paul's call to the church was to live what you know and keep learning more.  The problem has never been the information or the medium that information is transferred through - the problem has always been getting us to live it well. 

 

This morning my thoughts are questions - Am I overreacting?  Where does grace fit in this?  How do I know when I'm stuck in "spectatorism?"  What should be done?

 

Questioning,

 

Pastor Dave

A post-Easter blessing

"Grace and Peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ." Paul gave that blessing to the church in Philippi in the beginning of his letter to them (1:2).

That's a good post-Easter blessing.

However, as a pastor that is ministering to a church 2000 years later, I feel I could give a better blessing.  We are a more advanced culture (we have twitter).  We are a better educated culture (we have a government regulated school system).  We are a more civilized culture (we have Levi's and Lexus).  We are a healthier culture (we have ingredient labels and pedometers).

Paul was trained by Gamaliel, but I have Master's degree and Google.  I feel qualified to proclaim a post-Easter blessing with more depth and bigger teeth.

Here we go -
"Success and happiness to you!"
"Ease and prosperity to you!''
"Fun and enjoyment to you!"

Wait, I'm not done.  I wear pants, not a robe.  I've read the Purpose Driven Life.  I own a Wii.  I can do this.

"Clarity and confidence to you."   (imagine cricket sounds here)

It's amazing to me how advanced I think I am and how shallow my misconception leaves me.

Can we do any better than living the grace shown to us and the peace given to us by God's plan of redemption?  If we truly received both grace and peace wouldn't that make a difference?  Have we fully learned that God is the only source both?

No matter what your week has held, I have a blessing to speak into your life.  Regardless of the unknown future you are facing, there is a blessing that could change your life and the lives of those you come in contact with throughout your post-Easter days.

Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. (imagine trumpet sounds here)

Receiving it,

Pastor Dave

 

Good Friday

What's so "good" about it?  That was the question I saw online from someone who didn't understand the designation of Good Friday.

To be honest - it's a fair question.

There are many who feel this day used to be called "God's Friday."  What we say when we part ways with someone, "good-bye," is a shortening of what used to be "God be with you."  Maybe that happened over time with this day.

It could rightly be called God's Friday; it's the day that he offered his sacrifice for the sins of the world.  This was a day justice wasn't just and God's plan brought pain to the heavens and earth.

Some thoughts:

It was a good close.  The system of sacrificial offerings of animals for fellowship with God was ended.  The final offering was final because it was Perfect and fully accomplished what all others couldn't.

It was a good starting point.  From the cross, a new starting point of sacrifices was established.  Now human life is offered in a complete way through faith in the One who was the sacrifice for us.  We can identify and participate in the new way opened to us by the cross.

It was a good offering.  The sinless Lamb offered for us all was also the mighty Warrior that took the attacks of hell on himself. The Son of God became the deposit place for the sin of the world because he was the only One who was good enough to receive it.

It was a good foundation.  Paul said, "I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me." (Galatians 2:20)

This is a good Friday.  I've had good days.  I've eaten good meals.  I've enjoyed good laughs.  This "good" is deeper.  This is the kind of good that changes the world and those who inhabit it.  This is the kind of good that can't be replaced or improved on.  This is the kind of good that would divide eternity and transform humanity.  This is the kind of good that I can't live without.

Today is a serious look at the price of salvation and the call of Christ.  This Friday is Good.  Only God could take cruelty, blood, death, and mourning and use it for the good of us all.

Living Because of Good Friday,

Pastor Dave

Overwhelmed Thoughts

This morning my wife and I talked about the sermon for Sunday over breakfast.  

I spent most of yesterday on a single verse.  I prayed about it.  I read about it.  I wrote it out.  One verse.  The more time I spent with it the bigger it got.  I looked at the moon with a telescope and realized it was 238,855 miles away.  I was trolling on top of an ocean that was three miles deep.

I came to a few conclusions:

1.  I am woefully under-equipped to discuss some things about God.  Who am I to assume that I could take a role of teacher when the topic has anything to do with God?  A license given to me by a denomination doesn't seem to carry the needed weight.  Degrees on top of a bookshelf don't give enough insight.  Human understanding?  Talent?  Ability?  Learning?  There is never enough to qualify me to take God's name on my lips let alone teach anyone else about him.

2.  Experience doesn't help.  I've taught through the Easter season for years.  I've felt the weight of saying the same thing in a unique way.  I've choked on the vomit of my own self importance.  "There's got to be a way I can…"  Experience doesn't make that weaker - it makes the temptation less recognizable.  When I am the most important character in any sermon preparation little value can be expected. 

3.  Too many of us are numb to what we half-know.  "I know the story and what came before it and what comes after."  We are satisfied with what we remember from what we knew rather than expecting what we've never seen in what we've looked at a thousand times.  We've read it and heard it until we are the horse that could walk the trail blindfolded… so we do.  As a result we miss the sunrise - which is why we were on the trail to start with.  Whenever the story of Christ doesn't cause awe we only know half the story.  

4. It could be different.  Somewhere in the land of schedules and expectations, in the midst of pressures and frustrations, in the noise of disappointment and self imposed demands, is a park bench of awe.  We could go there.  We could sit.  We could gaze into the depth of grace and be hypnotized by its bottomlessness.  We could find a worship that is from a place in our spirit that includes passion.  We could see how far away the moon really is and marvel at the fact that we are still enjoying its cool reflective light.  It could be different.

So, I will keep working on the verse that is too big for me.  I will keep reading the words that are too deep for me.  I will trust that the Holy Spirit will break off a piece of the universe and give me a piece that is small enough for my limited mind to digest.  I will share that meal with you.  Come full, leave fuller still.

Overwhelmed,

Pastor Dave

Dear God

Dear God,
Easter is my favorite time of year.  I love Spring.  It's a great season for sports.  It's fun to get outside again.  People are happier in the Spring; it's like Christmas without the snow.  Thank you for Easter.
Your Acquaintance, Dave.

Dear God,
Thanks for your note.  I understand that Easter is about more than Spring.  I think this Easter I'd like to be a better person.  I think I'm going to do something holy that I normally wouldn't do.  Do you have any ideas?
Your Pal, Dave

Dear God,
Thanks for your note.  Do you have any other ideas?  I was thinking more along the lines of baby steps, like reading my Bible more or inviting someone to church again.
Your Buddy, Dave

Dear God,
Thanks for your note.  Wow!  I knew Easter was about your Son coming to life but I didn't realize it had that much impact on me.  You're saying that the power that brought Christ back from the dead is the same power that brings me out of sin and into a new life that is fully surrendered to you?  If that's true than Easter is huge!  It's more than history - it's life!
Your Friend, Dave

Dear God,
Thanks for your note.  Victory isn't something I think of much in my spiritual life.  It belongs in sports.  It belongs in politics.  It even belongs in arguments, but I haven't thought much about how you have planned for my victory over what holds me back. I didn't realize I was trying to live a defeated Christian life.  I didn't know that there was no such thing.  This is a different year.
Your Servant, Dave

Dear God
Thanks for your note.  Easter is my favorite time of year!  I love the reminder of Christ's power at work in my life!  I love knowing that he was willing to give his life for my sin.  I love the thought of him standing outside of an empty tomb proving to the world that you have more power than sin and death.  I love the fact He invites me to a relationship with you so I can know that power both now and forever!  Thank you for Easter!
Your Follower, Dave

 

Boycotting Boycotting

This is just my personal opinion but, I'm boycotting boycotting.

Apparently a group recently tried to organize a boycott of JCPenny for having Ellen Degeneres as their spokesperson (the boycott has since been lifted).  The problem? Ellen is a lesbian and by using her in their commercials the corporation was being "anti-family."

Here's why I'm boycotting boycotting:
1. The "fight fire with fire," "hit 'em where it hurts," attempt at strong-arming people into living according to godly standards is... not godly.  The gospel is not best carried through the vehicle of manipulation.

2. It's almost impossible to have integrity.  Ellen works for Warner Brothers.  Why didn't they call for a boycott on all of their movies and programs?  She did a voice on the cartoon Finding Nemo, was that anti-family?  What about the network her daily show is on?  Often boycotts don't have the integrity to be thorough.

3. We pick our issues.  We decide what single issue is most offensive to God.  What about the spokespeople that live profoundly immoral heterosexual lifestyles?  I am not in favor of redefining marriage any more than I am of repealing the law of gravity, but there are many issues that are equally offensive to God and I'm kind of annoyed at some "Christian" organizations that take the name of my faith and attach it to their agenda.

4.  We are very moody.  We like a boycott that doesn't too negatively impact us.  "I'm going to get my shoes at…."  If Christians are going start refusing to do business based on morals we had better be ready to make some drastic lifestyle changes.  It takes a few clicks online to find out about the hiring practices of oil companies that make the gas we buy.  With a moment of searching you can find out about the lifestyle of CEO's of the restaurants we like to go to.  It wouldn't take long to learn about the lives of some of the people that own our grocery stores.  Boycotters get your signs ready, buy a bike, and grow your food!  We like to make statements that don't inconvenience us.

5.  It hasn't worked.  Let's quit finding ways to show the world around us that we are angry people.  I'm not suggesting that we give up and don't care.  I'm suggesting that the method of a "we're-right-you're-wrong-change-or-else" boycott doesn't seem be congruent with the call to engage and reach the culture.

Now, I know that some will not agree with me.  This is not the official position of the Free Methodist Church or even the Midland Free Methodist Church, this is just Dave listening to the world mock our behavior and ignore our Savior again.

Boycotting Boycotting,

Dave 

 

Hostility

Sometimes hostility is really appropriate.

Possible Hostile Moments:
1. "I asked for ______ to be done and it wasn't… again."
2. "The person in front of me drove under the speed limit."
3. "I forgot to 'spring ahead' Saturday night."
4. "The neighbor kid started a garage band."
5. "You spent how much?"
6. "It's not fair!  All my friends are…"

Sometimes hostility is really appropriate.  Just none of those times!

Peter wrote, "Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.  Resist him, standing firm in the faith…(1Peter 5:8-9).

The word resist in the original language is defined as, "to oppose someone, involving not only a psychological attitude but also a corresponding behavior — to oppose, to be hostile toward, to show hostility."

How do you be "hostile" to the enemy of your soul?  Does it involve anger and shouting and satan camouflage so you can sneak up on him?    Do I get to call him names and tell him where to go?

Peter gave the weapon for aggressive hostility against the enemy of our souls, "standing firm in the faith."  Hostility to Satan has little to do with my reaction to him, it has to do with my position in Christ.

If "the faith" was faith in the stock market that would not bug Satan.  If it was faith in our own talent or ability it would have no impact.  If we stood firm in the faith of our knowledge he'd yawn while devouring.  But, we are hostile to the enemy of our souls by standing firm in our faith in Jesus Christ the risen Lord.

So, if we can share a focused definition on hostility as the byproduct of standing firm in Jesus, if we can acknowledge that it's not a focused hostility but a focused faith, if we can trust the fact that it's the victory of Christ not our muscles that the enemy cannot confront - then let's get hostile.

Having a Hostile Day,

Pastor Dave

Engaged

I watched my daughter try on wedding dresses yesterday.  I handled it quite well.  They handed me a box of tissues once, but I didn't require any medical attention.  To be honest, I didn't do the flash back thing.  I didn't mourn.  I didn't wrestle with how much smaller the years seem in the rearview mirror.  I sat in awe and watched.  All that other stuff happened last night when I tried to sleep.

Thought 1.  I thought about the worst day of my life.  I remember dropping her off at college and driving home.  I can't spend a lot of time on that memory or I break out in hives.

Thought 2. I thought about how proud I am of her.  I've had that feeling a lot from my kids.

Thought 3. I thought about a lot of laughter.

Thought 4. I thought about some of the storms we've walked through together as individuals and as a family.

Thought 5. I thought about the years I've spent praying that the Lord would protect her for the one he has for her and that he would protect that person for her.  I thought about the thread of God's grace that ties a dedicated infant and a wedding together.

Thought 6.  I hugged my wife and thought about what an amazing mom she is.

Thought 7.  It took a while, but I got to the mirrors.  Watching her stand on a platform looking at the woman reflected in the mirrors.  Then, God showed up this morning and taught me.

I don't think we let God be the proud parent.  Sometimes we are so critical and angry about who we are and what we aren't that we can't receive the beaming love of the Father.  He doesn't look at the redeemed through their sin, he looks through the perfect sacrifice of his Son.  I have been clothed with righteousness in Christ.

I heard God ask me why I don't bask in love and pride as he looks on.  Numerous times Bre and I locked eyes yesterday and I smiled and gave a small nod.  She was amazing.  I think I need to be robed in the beauty of Christ and let God look on and be proud.

Church - be ready, stand in the mirror, wear Christ, smile big, and receive the Father's nod.

Revelation 19.7  Let us rejoice and be glad and give him glory!  For the wedding of the Lamb has come, and his bride has made herself ready.

I know Bre is glowing, but so am I.

So is God.

Engaged,
Pastor Dave

Baby Talk

I made numerous trips to the hospital yesterday. It included good news and bad. The day ended holding a baby close to my chest. As I held her I thought about the heart that was healing from surgery one floor up, the cancer that was claiming its home two floors up, the snow storm that was coming, the stuff going in Syria, the fact that the sign needs to be changed again, the gas pric….

No I didn't. To be honest, reflecting back, I don't remember thinking about anything.

Holding that new life did something. That one day old girl didn't erase everything else, make pressure go away, or protect me or anyone else from anything. But, somehow for 5 minutes she captivated my thoughts from everything else. Tons of potential in a 7 pound body.

Innocent. Needy. Helpless. Holy. She opened her eyes a few times. She grunted. Then she helped me with my sermon for Sunday.

Jesus said to Nicodemus, you're not anywhere near the kingdom unless you're "born again." (John 3) Innocent because of the grace of God. Needy for the direction of God. Helpless without the Spirit of God. Holy through of the presence of God.

I've been thinking. We're following the Lord into a ministry of growing people in Him, but we need to hear the call to be born again. Some of us may have tried to learn to ride a bike in the womb. Birth - then bike.

For some, it may be that's why sin is so hard to leave, empty religion has such a tight hold, faith is shallow, forgiveness is impossible, and transformation has been reduced to self-adjustment. Maybe we've turned being born again into being a better person. Maybe we've surrendered those words to the abuses of the past or sacrificed them on the altar of "there are no absolutes" - I want them back. Born again. Born from above. New Life. Saved. Words that reveal the changed life of following Christ.

I don't hunger for them because they are relevant or old fashioned, but because Jesus said "no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again." I'm glad that baby and I had a talk. She had a lot to say.

OK with Baby Talk,

Pastor Dave

Other

Last week we asked people at our church what they worried about.

The point of the question was not to get information so I could pull out the Jesus gun of Matthew 6 and fire off, "Jesus said not to worry."  I wasn't setting people up so I could sweep in with a Paul hammer and hit them with, "Do not be anxious about anything."  Worry is a topic that requires grace, teaching, and the Holy Spirit's work.  It's not the place for a surprise attack.

We gave four options to choose from; future, money, health, or other.  Of those who answered, it turned out that "other" was marked more than the other three.  Future was next, followed by health, and last was money.

Do you know where my mind went when I was told that?  I can imagine the issues of the future - I've got a bunch of those concerns.  I can imagine what someone might have been thinking with health things - I'm in the middle of some.  I can imagine money issues - I have a house and car payment too.

My mind was caught up with the "other" and what that represented.  Then I thought about the fact that we all have areas of life that don't fit into someone else's three neat categories.  Maybe we all have "other" in our worlds.  Those life elements that seem to bring us the challenges that we didn't expect and don't feel equipped to handle.

Even the ones who identified a specific area on Sunday have an "other" that doesn't fit in anyone's category.

Maybe that's what Jesus was doing when he invited the people who were "weary and burdened" to come to him.  Maybe he was reaching to the people who had the "other" stuff in their life that gets heavy.

"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.  Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls."  (Matthew 11:28-29)

Jesus didn't preach against the causes, he spoke to the result - weary, burdened.  He gave them the answer, "Come to me, take my yoke, learn from me."

Resting from the other,

Pastor Dave