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