Caesar vs. The Baby

"In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree"

"Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you…"

Caesar didn't care how his decree impacted people, the Baby would grow to care for every soul.

Caesar took without concern, the Baby would give without regret.

Caesar's decree turned to dust, the Baby's words still live.

Caesar's authority would be taken from him, the Baby's would never fade.

Caesar invested in a kingdom that has fallen, the Baby built one that is still growing.

Caesar gets a verse in Luke, the Baby got the pages of eternity past and future.

Caesar's power is represented by what he could take, the Baby's power is seen in what he gives.

Caesar was limited to the "Roman world," the Baby helped glue the universe together.

Caesar unknowingly participated in prophecy, the Baby willing fulfilled prophecy.

Caesar pointed to himself, the Baby pointed to his Father.

Caesar's name was Gaius Octavius, the Baby's was Emmanuel.

Caesar was the grandnephew of Julius Caesar, the Baby was the Son of God.

Caesar reigned in Rome 43 years, the Baby will reign forever.

Caesar was laid to rest and stayed there the Baby only visited a tomb.

Caesar will never return, the Baby….

Merry Christmas,

Pastor Dave

 

Morning Prayer

David:
"Jesus, I woke this morning thinking about you, your church, and your birthday.

You are the ruler of my life and all that is. You have the authority to right all my wrongs, bless me with all that I desire, and teach me all that I need to know.

Your church is the place that we gather, worship, and meet with you. It's the spot in my life where I connect with those who are like-minded and can celebrate your blessings.

And your birthday is the time of year that giving is the norm."

Jesus:
"David, when you woke this morning I asked you to think about me, my church, and my birthday. But you were unable to.

You view me as a dispenser of what you think you need and want and forget that I came to seek and save the lost and to serve them through you. You're not really thinking of me when you're focused on what I can do for you.

You still see my church as a building and Christian Club that I go to hang out in with my fans. My church is people who follow me into the dark places of the world and show the broken what I look like.

And "my birthday" is reduced by you when you just think about what people you love want and finding it at the lowest price possible."

David:
"Help me think of you, your church, and your birthday in a way that honors you."

Repeating that last line,
Dave

Birth Story

Jesus and I sat this morning talking about our births. He asked me to tell him about my birth story. I asked, "why? My story is no where near as cool as the one you have."

He said, "I love hearing birth stories."

I grinned and said, "All right, but it's all second hand information, I don't really remember much about it."

I told him about Hannibal, Missouri, and my dad stopping traffic in front of the hospital to announce to strangers, "It's a boy!" We laughed about the copy of the bill from the hospital given to my parents for $184.45 for my birth.

"But, Jesus," I said, "This season is about your birth. It's about shepherds and angels, magi and mangers, a virgin and a construction worker… your birth story is amazing!"

I was surprised we were talking about my story while sitting in my newly decorated living room with lights, a tree, color, manger scenes, and stockings. The room screams his story!

Before I could start with my questions he asked one first, "Is your life limited to a hospital bill and an excited father?"

"No," I answered. "I don't think so."

"David don't lose my life in the story of my birth. Don't worship my birthday, worship me.  Don't idolize history, invite me into yours right now. Always remember my birth story is directly related to your birth stories."

He sat forward and smiled as he leaned toward me. The excitement was obvious on his face, "Now, tell me about the other one."

His excitement was met by my confusion, "The other one what?"

"David, I had a birth story so that you could have two. Tell me about the other birth story."

We spent the rest of our time talking about my new life because of his life, my spiritual birth because of his physical one. It was a great morning.

As we sat back to catch our breath from storytelling I said, "Hey Jesus... happy birthday."

He grinned and said, "to you too David, you too."

Talking with Jesus,

Pastor Dave

Thank-filled

Is there a time when gratitude reveals our selfishness?

Things I am thankful for: electricity, a car that works, food I like, clothes, money, a nice tv, my iPhone, family, raspberry m&ms, friends, etc, etc, etc.

It's good to be thankful for "stuff" and some people.  It's just that I'm wondering why a spirit of gratitude has be to attached to "things."

The obvious problem with Thanksgiving being glued to stuff, and even people, is that both of them aren't sources of joy, they are causes.  Causes that don't have the power to provide gratitude.

Electricity can't give me gratitude, I'm just glad it's here (and really put out when it's not). My car doesn't have joy in it that it gives me, I give it value and am thankful when it works. Even family can't give me joy.

Please understand I am thankful for people and things and will celebrate that next week.  But, my relationship with God is both a reason for gratitude and a source.

By living as a follower of Christ my spirit is changed so that I am thankful in Him and He teaches me how to have a thankful heart and live a thank-filled life.

I'm thinking there's a difference between being thankful for something and being a thankful person.

Let's be thankful people.

Pastor Dave

 

Know More or Miss Knowing

What would happen if people judged you by your big toe? Not even both of them, imagine complete judgement of who you are based on just one toe on the left foot.

The website 'dates-r-us' would ask people to send a photo of the big toe on the left foot. No face. No profile. Just Big Lefty. How accurately would people be able to judge you based on that one slice of visual information?

What if the cover letter on you resume was a portrait of Big Lefty. The prospective employer would look at the toe and make a conclusion based on the wealth of information gleaned from that digit on your foot.

Both silliness and injustice (and in my case fear - there's a reason I never wear sandals) seem to scream in our spirits.  "That's not right!  There's no way to know someone from such a limited exposure! My toe doesn't reveal enough about me! My toe doesn't tell you the whole story!"

Do you know that we do that to God all the time?  Based on a limited view, a small window, an event, or even a single bible verse.

That's how things get taken out of context in the bible. I focus on  a toe and assume I know the person.  The bible is a story. The Christian journey is a story. We err when build our judgement on less than the whole.

Look at the whole story of Christ. Hear him hum through the events in the bible before he was born. Watch him walk in the gospels and fill the air with his song. Listen to his Holy Spirit empowered echo in the birth of the church, and tune in to the choir as his musical score continues in and through us.

His big toe is great, but get to know more than that or you'll miss knowing him.

Still Getting to Know Him,

Pastor Dave

 

Waking up...

I imagined a conversation with Jesus.  It started with me asking him about his will on a decision that needs to be made. I needed a "yes" or "no" answer. The dialog unfolded like this:

Jesus: Have you noticed that you can't worry and be thankful at the same time?

Dave: I guess I hadn't thought about it. But, that doesn't answer my question.

Jesus: Lately worry get's your attention and gratitude is just a passing thought.  That needs to be turned around.

Dave: I guess I hadn't thought about it. But, that doesn't answer my question.

Jesus: Here's the problem, what you worry about and what you are thankful for have too much in common - they're both temporary. The wrong one is consuming your thought life.

Dave: I guess I hadn't thought about it. But, that doesn't answer my question.

(One of us was stuck in the conversation. Like many times I want an answer and Jesus wants me to ask a different question.)

Jesus: The answer is, "It's time to wake your thanker up."

Dave: That answer doesn't fit my question.

Jesus: You're right, which do you think is wrong, my answer or your question?

(I imagined the odds of me being right and Jesus being wrong. They didn't seem to be that good.)
Jesus: Answers to your questions live inside the expression of being a thankful spirit.  You have things you are thankful for, but you are not being a thankful person when you carry worry. Sometimes your thanker sleeps while your worrier screams.  Wake your thanker up.

Dave: I understand, but what about my question? What should I do? What is the Father's will?

Jesus: Now that's the right question.

(He pointed to a verse in the bible on the table)

Jesus: What is the Father's will for you in this situation?

"Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." (1 Thess. 5:18)

Jesus: The Father's will is discovered from inside a life that is in me.  Being in me will keep your thanker from sleeping. So the answer is, "yes." The question is, "Will God guide me in this decision if I remain thankful for his love and grace."

Waking up,

Pastor Dave

 

It's Time to Wake Your Thanker Up!

I was thinking about a message for our sign at the church. With Thanksgiving around the corner I wondered if maybe it was time to remind people to be thankful, but I want to say it in a way that was not… normal.

"It's Time to Wake Your Thanker Up."

The picture of this made me smile. In my mind a see a high school student that has to be ejected out of bed to start the day on Monday morning. With grunts, groans, and pleas for "Five more minutes" the day begins knowing that it may not be until second period that this student will notice where they really are.

Sound familiar?

I wonder, if our thanker is like that? If we start now will our thankful spirit be awake by the week before the eating-football-watching day?

We might start out groggy but we'd be in full stride by Tuesday knowing that Friday marks the beginning of another year of gratitude hibernation.

What if we didn't let our thanker go back to sleep this year?  What if gratitude somehow became the rhythm of the dance of life? What if I spent a year looking deep in my spirit and found a place of genuine thanksgiving that poured out verbally on those I come in contact with?

Idea: Today we wake our thankers up and teach them to see people and situations differently.

Idea: Spend the next month exercising our thankers.

Idea: Don't let them go back to sleep.

Thankful,
Pastor Dave

 

Invisible

Dave: Lord, I had breakfast this morning with a pastor friend. We sat there long enough that I realized if we had been driving in a car the same amount of time we could have hit the state line. It didn't seem that long. I enjoyed our visit. It was fun to share stories about how we're seeing you move and discuss how we could get out of your way so that you could move more freely. I've been thinking about my visits with you. They don't seem to last that long. It's hard to talk when one of us is invisible.

The Master: I've been trying to get you to understand that you've been invisible for a while.  Your mind seems too distracted.

Dave: Um… I was talking about you. I can carry on a conversation with someone on the other side of the table. It's more difficult to have a conversation with someone whose seated at the right hand of the Father.

The Master: Have you ever talked with yourself?

Dave: All the time… usually not out loud.

The Master: How did you sit across the table from you and have that conversation?

Dave: I didn't have too. That's different.

The Master: You have thoughts and dialog in your spirit all the time. I'm asking you to include me in them. Let me be part of the stream of thoughts that run through your mind. Let me speak to you through my Word. Let me walk with you through the halls, run with you in the field, and dance with you when you celebrate. I am only invisible when you don't include me.

Dave: So can I talk with you about my fear of….

The Master: I'd love to have you talk with me about that. Stop being invisible and we could spend a lot of time together.

Dave: OK, here goes. Lord, I know that you have a lot of grace, but I'm afraid that…


Excuse me I'm having a conversation here,
Pastor Dave

Bride

Leah and I have been married for over 31 years. She is my bride.

Now, I could go into a long list of reasons why I love her, respect her, and am attracted to her, but it's not needed and most likely would not be entirely appropriate.

I'm thinking from a different angle. Imagine a really stupid person coming to me to complain about her. They might have their list of things that bug them about my wife and why they are unhappy with her.  That would be a stupid person (I'm sure the word stupid is somehow not p.c. and offensive - but it fits).

I am honest enough to admit that my wife is not flawless, but you can't unjustly criticize her - I chose her. It was a good choice that, given the opportunity, would be made again without hesitation!

If we can imagine why I would stick up for my bride, why would we not assume that Christ would to the same?  He chose her. He gave his life for her. He promised to return for her. He wrote his eternity to include her.

I think we should be careful how we talk about her.

I think we should be sure not to ignore her.

I think we should be part of her and let him prepare us for himself.

Jesus is better at sticking up for his bride than I am mine.  I'd give my life for mine, he already did. I'd get mad if you complained about mine, I wonder if he does too…

Husband and Bride,
Dave

 

I sat in the Flint airport listening to the repeated announcement about not letting someone put anything in your baggage and not smoking. Note - Repeated.

A different voice came on the intercom and said, "Tracy, Paul would like to ask you to homecoming. He would like you to text him with your answer."

As I sat thinking there are ladies that would find that romantic or original, but I'm sure there are many who think the guy's a punk.

The truth is; it matters not one molecule what we think. What matters is what Tracy thought.

Then it hit me. I'll never know! I didn't see a young girl giggle and grab her phone.  I'm never going to know if Paul and Tracy are going to homecoming!

The public announcement forced me into the edge of their private world without letting me know the rest of the story.  I wanted a follow-up announcement. "Security, please remove the crying boy from the ticketing area."  Or, "Congratulations Tracy and Paul!"

I was forced to use my imagination. I laughed at the thought that Tracy's Dad was there seeing his daughter off… then met Paul in the parking lot. Backfire.  Medic! It's not good when I'm left to my imagination.

I decided it's not healthy for me to know part of the story. God's inviting you.  Say yes!

Enjoy the love of God today. He wants to spend time with you.  He wants to know you and he wants you to know him.

That story is in your hands.

Pastor Dave

Who I've Never Met

I haven't met one yet. It's not like I haven't looked, I just haven't met one. I wonder if the whole thing is some twisted myth.

Rumor has it they are real and living among us. But, I've never laid eyes on one in my entire life. I don't think anyone has ever gotten a picture of one either. I don't think they're real.

It's assumed that they could mix in with the rest of us, but if they were real I don't think they would blend in. No, if they really existed they would stand out like a bulldozer in a Corvette parade. I'm sure I've never met one.

Please understand, I have met some who claim to be one of them - but, I don't believe them. I have had people go out of their way to convince me that they are one. They have a list of reasons why I should think they are one - but I don't buy it.

Some people have convinced themselves that they are one of them. But, just because someone thinks they are one doesn't mean they are. No matter how disappointed they are I have to tell them they are wrong and pretending doesn't change anything.

I have never laid eyes on one... ever. I just don't believe they exist.

I suppose I could keep looking, but I'd just be wasting my time. The rumors are wrong. And if you think you are one you're doing nothing but playing games.

A person that God doesn't love? They just don't exist.

Amazed,

Pastor Dave

9-20-13

There's a problem with how we look at our faith journey - we expect respect. In some ways respect is the golden calf that we bend our knee to. When it's not granted we either respond by sulking in or lashing out. 

Lance Ford wrote, "Once we agree to be God's slave, he gives us the assignment of serving other humans. And humans do not treat servants and slaves well." [Lance Ford, Unleader, (Kansas City, Beacon Hill, 2012), 96.]  

There's a problem. God wants us to be his slave and serve others, while we want to be respected and successful. 

I wonder if our nation's history makes it harder to follow Christ. We have the embarrassing blemish of human slavery in our photo album and we've spent years trying to undo its impact. Slavery is undesirable. In fact since 1863 it's illegal. Our denomination was in full support of that.  We are about human freedom.

But then there's the God thing. While we proclaim, "no one owns me!" God looks for a slave. While we demand our right to be treated well God asks us to serve.

I am a "Free Methodist" that is in bondage to the call of Christ. I have the right to… serve. One man should never own another man, unless that Man built the universe. 

Never turn down serving God to be a success to humans. It's a rotten trade.

Thinking,

Pastor Dave

 

 

Thinking...

For my birthday I got a set of noise canceling head phones. It really is amazing to walk while I listen to the Bible and hardly even hear cars drive by. I learned a few big lessons quickly.

Lesson 1. Just because you can't hear it - doesn't mean it's not there. This is important to keep in mind when crossing intersections.

Lesson 2. I really don't have eyes on the back of my head.  Sharing a sidewalk with runners and bikers can be interesting when you have no idea they're coming up behind you.

Lesson 3. Internal noise is louder than external. Noise canceling headphones don't work on fear, worry, distraction, or confusion. If anything, those get even louder.

I learned lesson one by assuming a car saw me, but he had his "pedestrian canceling glasses" on. No big accident, I didn't get hit, but the heart rate of two people increased for a moment.

I learned lesson two by having a runner go by me. He had no idea that when he was instantly 24 inches away in my peripheral vision I would scream like a little girl on the inside and jump high enough to touch the roof of a six story building.

I learned lesson three by listening to the Bible and thinking about a book I'm reading. There is no correlation between the decibel level of external noise and internal noise. One doesn't cancel out the other.

I  am thinking about contacting Bose and seeing if there is an internal noise canceling upgrade available. My guess is… no.

I have to control the volume and content of stuff going in-between my ears and Bose can help me with the stuff outside of them. To ask questions about either of those I can contact either the manufacture of the headset or the Manufacture of the head.  One doesn't know me, the Other loves me.

Paul told the Philippians about noise canceling:
Philippians 4.8  Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.

Thinking about such things,

Pastor Dave

Jubilee!

It's my Jubilee day today.

In Jesus' day 50 years represented a full measure of years. It was when a man would reach a new level of respect and be seen as fully mature. My bible encyclopedia says that 50, "conveys a sense of completion and the wisdom of long experience."

Yep, that's what it says. I don't like the word "completion."

Observations:
I think my thumb has arthritis in it.
My chin is a picture of the diversity of black and white (I wonder if I can get a government grant).
The prescription on the top of my glasses is different than the bottom.
I actually don't think that retirement is too far away to even imagine.
I've said the words, "I remember when that store was a farm."
I eat bran cereal and vegetables on purpose. (not at the same time)
My dentist is younger than I am - a lot.

But, as I sit in my office I can feel dignity leaking out of the cells of my body and congealing in my brain transforming me into… a grown-up fifty year old. I will wake up Saturday and be Rev. Dale David Kessler. I probably will no longer laugh at sitcoms or play loud games with my family.  I will stop liking action movies.  The day after tomorrow I will no longer tease people and I will only wear "outfits." I will drive slow and not eat spicy food after 4:00 pm. I can feel it.  It's h a p p e n i n g.  I ' m  g  e  t  t  i  n  g    m  a   t   u   r  e   e   e   e.

At one point Jesus was teased because he wasn't fifty (John 8:57).  Today I am. The Pharisees would think I was mature!  I like that even less than the word "completion."

Here's my conclusion, Jesus loves me and I will serve him with all that I am. So, I guess nothing's different at all.  I'm ok with that.

Jubileeing,

Rev. Dale David Kessler (or to my wife, "Davey Baby")

 

Remembering the Main Thing

May 24th, 1738 John Wesley went to a meeting where Luther's preface to the book of Romans was being read.  He said in his journal that at 8:45 the part about a change in a heart through faith was being read when he felt a strange warmth in his heart. "I felt I did trust in Christ, Christ alone for salvation: And an assurance was given me, that he had taken away my sins, even mine, and saved me from the law of sin and death."

His next entry states that he "began to pray with all my might" for those who were his enemies and persecuted him.

The entry after that was, "I was much buffeted with temptation, but cried out, and they fled away."

A touch from God led to a change in behavior which led to an attack of the enemy.  We are not a lot different from John Wesley are we?

Today I write with a hunger in my heart.  Maybe I'm tired, maybe I'm excited about studying on the topic of holiness, maybe I'm being sentimental, but I long for a "warming" for us.

Too often the Church pouts, complains, or even hates what's going on in America or even around the world, but we don't give ourselves the same inspection that we give to others.  We are better at knowing what "they" need than we are at being honest about what we need.

We need the people of God to have personal, intimate, life-changing encounters with God.  We need men and women of faith to let the transforming power of God change their theology and empower their hands.  We need a renewal inside the church so that culture will be impacted by the ripples of holiness.  We need people that will know what they believe and let that belief be so infused with the Spirit that it changes how they live and think.  We need to be warmed, the kind of warmed that leads us through the responding temptation.

This weekend it's good to remember those who gave their lives for our freedom.  It's even better to remember those who encountered Christ and let God change the world through them.  It's even better to remember Christ.

Remembering the Main Thing,

Pastor Dave

Learning

"When you love that which God loves, you act with him, you join yourself to him.  When you love what he dislikes, then you oppose him and separate yourself from him.  This is the true and right way: Think what God loves and love it with all your heart."

William Law, A Serious Call to a Devout and Holy Life, (1728)

One of my favorite classic books is "A Serious Call" by William Law. I found myself looking through it again as I prepare for this weekend.  This time reading these underlined sentences I noticed in a new way the words, "you act with him."

I wondered, why not "you act like him?"  Why use the participatory word, "with?"  Then I thought about the news I watched this afternoon.  The political stories are filled with accusations and excuses.  The courtroom stories are filled with accusations and excuses (are we ever going to stop seeing OJ in court?).  Everyone seems to be pointing a finger and those who aren't are attempting to discredit the pointers.    

I thought - we don't know how to act WITH God.  That assumes close observation.  It assumes proximity.  It assumes interaction.  The lack of acting with God is evidenced by the accusations and excuses, immorality and selfishness.

Here's what I'm thinking, acting with God is the direct result of loving what God loves. That is deeper than knowing what he loves, it's running in tandem with him.

Holy living means I value what God loves (yes, that applies to that person to).

Learning,

 Pastor Dave 

 

Friday Thoughts

Sometimes I sit and hear from the Lord on what to write.  Sometimes I pull from the experiences of the week.  Sometimes I'm flat out silly and just feel like blowing off a little tension. Sometimes my soul sits in a quiet and dark room and I have no idea what to say.

I've done too many funerals and not enough baby dedications and baptisms this year.  

Maybe it's better to address what I know rather than what I feel.   

• I know that there is a Redeemer. 

• I know that I'm never alone. 

• I know that most of what doesn't make sense - doesn't have to. 

• I know that God doesn't have the same questions about me as I do about Him. 

• I know that God's love for me isn't dependent on my understanding of life's events. 

I don't always have to feel faith to keep it.  I don't always have to have answers.  I don't always have to see the hand of God or feel it to know that it's still nearby.  I don't have to see Him to worship Him.

Grace,

Pastor Dave

   

A Super Day

Today I will pull on my tights and cape.  I will catch a bus full of kids that has fallen off a bridge and fly it to safety.  I will jump to a bank that is being robbed and gather the criminals, their bullets bouncing off my chest, and deposit them in jail.  I will fly to New York and stop a terrorist from hurting anyone by grabbing his bomb and flying it out of earths atmosphere so that it explodes far enough away that the planet is safe. I will grab a tornado and guide it away from civilization. Then… I will have breakfast.

-or-

Today I will follow Christ with all that I am and know there is nothing I could do to earn his love.  I will enter this day with faith that matters and quietly know that God is God and I am not. I will thank him for his blessings and even talk to him about some of my concerns.  I will read the Bible and let its truth read me. I will look at what needs to be done and ask for his strength to do it, and then, in advance, promise not to let what remains undone ruin my night. Then… I will have breakfast.

One of those days would make a boring movie, but a great life.  One of those won't make the paper, but would be applauded by God.  One of those is more likely than the other.  Too often both of them are imaginary… one doesn't have to be.

Having a Super Day,

Dave

A Walk with Jesus

{A few years ago I wrote out this imaginary walk with Jesus.  Here's part of it.  It fits right now.}

One day I had to walk to the funeral home because a friend had died.  It wasn't until the walk home that I realized I wasn't walking alone.  I guess I knew the Master was there, we just hadn't talked much since I got the news. So, like throwing a rock through a window the first words broke out, "I just don't get it." 

Jesus just walked with me and let me talk.

"It makes no sense!  He had a family, a future.  It's not like he died of old age."  The tears that were too ashamed to reveal themselves in front of everyone snuck out and boldly raced down my face.

I looked over.  The Master wept also.  He told me once he cried every time I did, I just never saw it before. "Death wasn't in the original plan you know."

I knew he said something, but it didn't register.  Hopelessness grew in my verbiage, "All could I say to his family was, 'I'm sorry'."

"Are you?" 

"In ways that go deeper than words can say." 

"Then 'I'm sorry' was the perfect thing to say," he returned in a way that slightly calmed my spirit.  "They don't need an answer you don't have.  They need to know they're not alone."

That just didn't seem like enough to me.  I pushed my mind trying to think of better words I could have given them, "But what about something more holy like, 'God needed an angel.'"

The Master shook his head, "That's not holy, it's a lie.  Death doesn't happen to populate heaven with winged creatures in white robes."

"What about 'he's in a better place?'" I retorted.

We continued taking slow steps as he continued to explain, "The fact that you miss your friend is not lessened by religious statements of where he is."  

I remembered overhearing one of the church people at the funeral home, "What about, 'God does these things to teach us?'"

The Master quickly replied, "That's not comfort, it's cruel.  Do you believe that the Father would actually do that so that loved ones could learn some lesson?"

I shook my head.  

He followed with two questions that seemed difficult to answer, "Why is it you feel you have to say something profound?  Would my saying the right thing to you right now cause sorrow to disappear?"

I answered both questions, "I don't know.  It's pretty hard to imagine."  No words can erase this kind of pain.  Nothing was louder than my inner mourning.  Words can't be big enough to fill the gap of a friend.

"Is it possible your greatest need is not a cliché to paint over pain?  Is it possible that sorrow is part of the way you have been knit together so that you have even more in common with my Father?"

"Why would my pain give me something in common with your Father?  How could God know about the pain of a senseless death of a friend?"

The Master stopped and put his hand on my elbow.  I turned toward him as he slowly lifted up his hands.  The sleeves of his robe exposed the scars on his wrists from the nails that were driven through them.  My eyes darted from his eyes to his wrists as my spirit caught a fraction of the pain the Father must have gone through to witness the mistreatment of his son.  

Words would have been a distraction.

"The Father knows the pain of loss also," the Master whispered.

I had something in common with God... pain.  Nothing else needed to be said we continued walking.  I was glad he was near.  I still had questions and I still had clouds of pain in the core of who I was, but the Master said the Father isn't afraid of shadows.

I noticed my driveway and home out of the corner of my eye.  We kept walking.

Mourning,

Pastor Dave 

Visiting the Swamp

One day I found myself in a swamp.  I don't know how I got there, but that's where I was.  It seemed that just a few steps ago I was skipping stones on the water as I played on the beach with my friends.  But, with a click of a second hand I was transported to this smelly, dark hole. The smell of the life giving ocean was replaced with the stench of life sucking stagnation.

I couldn't believe how much energy it took to pull my foot out of the muck and move it inches forward, only to replace it into what gladly grabbed hold of it again as if this time it would never be released.

I could breathe ok, I just didn't want to.  Taking air in meant that what was left of my senses would want to punish me for allowing such tastes and smells in.

Then it hit me!  I'll ask God to put me back on the beach! I took a deep breath of the foul air and with all that I was I screamed out, "God, I'm right here!  Hey God, will you turn the swamp into a beach?" I listened for an answer, but the hisses of snakes and belches of toads was all I heard.

One more step. One more attempt to get God's attention. One more moment of being a swamp creature.

Finally, after hours of effort and inches of progress I stopped trying to move my feet. I couldn't even find the place in my spirit where energy used to live.

Instead of loud words a whimper came out, "I loved the beach you made for me, but I hate this swamp and I'm mad that you're making me walk through it.  On the beach I could feel your pleasure, but here it seems that only snakes and toads find a song."

I found a little more voice, "If I tell you that I love you will you burst through the darkness with your light and lift me from the swamp?  Will you answer my questions about why I had to come here?  If I say the right thing will you lift me out and carry me back to the beach?"

I learned that silence is loudest when you're in the swamp.

I had to push the next words out, in fact, they weren't even words, they were slurred moans, "I still believe in you even though I can't hear you."

"Dancer, I believe in you too." The words came from a few feet away.

"Is that you Jesus?  Did you come to lift me out?"

"Dancer, I'm not on the outside looking in, I'm walking through this swap with you."

"Will I get out?"

"Yes, we will dance again, but we will never be the same.  The swamp is not strong enough to keep you and noise of toads and snakes will not be the last song you will hear."

I heard the voice, but couldn't see him.  I didn't even know which way to look, "I'm thirsty."

"For what, the beach?"

I thought for a moment and tried to swallow to see what my taste buds were really longing for, "I long for the beach, but it's deeper than that.  I want... you."

Psalm 42.1-3, 11
As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God.   When can I go and meet with God? My tears have been my food day and night, while men say to me all day long, "Where is your God?" (11) Why are you downcast, O my soul?  Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.

Matthew 11.28 "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.


Visiting the swamp too,
Dancer

Good Friday with Jesus

Jesus and I sat at a quiet coffee shop while I read His letter to me. When I sat back to think about what I was reading the following conversation took place.

Jesus: David, do you know who you remind my Father of?

David: No, I don't.  I hope it's not Peter.  I hope you can't see denial in me waiting to come out when questioned by a little girl.

Jesus: No, it's not Peter.

David:  Is it Thomas?  I know that I still have more doubt than I should, but I'm working on it.  I'm trying to hav…. No, no, it's not Judas, is it?  I'm sure I wouldn't sell you out for a few coins. Wait! It couldn't be Caiaphas, could it?  Am I so blinded by my position and religion that I've missed you?

Jesus:  Not Thomas, Judas, or Caiaphas.  David, think more carefully.  Who does the Father think of when he sees you?

David: (thoughtful pause while we both drink from our coffee cups) Barabbas!  He was the one that deserved to die and got out of it.  Do I resemble him?  Does He see a lucky chump who didn't get what he deserved?

Jesus: Lucky chump? (Jesus didn't like that guess.  He put his coffee down, sat back, and shook his head.)  David, you're thinking like you think.  Try thinking like I'm teaching you to think.  Think with the mind I'm giving you.  Who do you remind my Father of?

David: Brad Pitt?

Jesus: Um, No.

David:  I don't know.   I know I am loved and don't deserve it.  I know that I mess up far too often.  I know there are too many scars that I have and have caused.  But, I don't know who I remind the Father of.  (Jesus sat forward and almost whispered to make sure I was listening)

Jesus:  The cross and the tomb where not just places I had to go, they became tints of color that shade everything He sees. He can't see my people without seeing them through the grace of the cross or the victory of the tomb.  Everyone who follows me is seen through the grace and victory I bought for you.

Try it again.  Who do you remind the Father of?

David: You?

(Jesus smiled and nodded as he finished his coffee.)

Jesus and I stood from the table where we were seated and pushed our chairs back in.  I got to the door first so I opened it and let him through.  As he walked by he looked at me, grinned, and shook his head, "Brad Pitt?"  We like laughing together.

It was a Good Friday.

Pastor Dave

 

4000 Diseases

I just listened to a really smart person explain that there are 4000 diseases that have a known molecular structure. Two-hundred and fifty of those diseases have a drug that cures them.  Imagine going to work knowing that you have 3,750 discoveries left to go.  Imagine knowing that each discovery takes about 25 years to come to completion.  That's almost 94,000 years! Pack a lunch.

What about the 4,000 diseases that cause distance between us and the Creator? Don't we spend much of life trying to ignore, out run or forget what is wrong?  Aren't we trying to discover new ways to be at peace?  Isn't there a constant effort to find out what's wrong and do our best to fix it?

Easter.

There are over 4,000 diseases that have attached themselves to our soul, but there is one Repair.  There are countless sins and faults that try to keep us from knowing God, but there is one Antidote.

I guess a lot of life is knowing what's wrong and how to fix it.  God does.  I can't.

By the way, 94,000 years aren't needed.  One moment.  One step.  One Savior.

Healed,

Pastor Dave

Note: this is personal and I have a request at the end.

Last weekend I started feeling an increased numbness in my legs.  MS never leaves; it just lets you learn to live with it and then reminds you that you're not in control.

By Wednesday evening I asked my wife to pick me up from a meeting that I drove to because as I walked from the building to the car I knew it wouldn't be safe to drive home (The brake is harder to push than the gas. Maybe the former is even more important than the latter).

Wednesday afternoon I called my Neurologist.  Wednesday night he called me back.  8 a.m. Thursday morning I was in his office. Thursday after my appointment I was in the infusion center for the first of 5 days of stuff - steroid stuff.

Here's 3 things I know:
1. My label has not changed - I am a follower of Christ who has MS; I am NOT MS who is a follower of Christ.  I want people to see Christ first even if MS is sometimes more obvious. MS impacts how I walk right now not where am I going.  When I can't point to Christ I am no longer a pastor.

2. see 1.

3. see 2.

I've been on this physical journey since 1988. It has been two years since I have had a set back, the longest span since this all started.  I'm still able to get around - just less graceful.  I understand the cliche "cow with a crutch." A cow is never graceful, but with a crutch it's less so.

Sunday I intend to talk with my fellow followers about Jesus.  I'll do it from a stool close to the floor, a high platform messes up my equilibrium.  I'll do it pointing to Jesus.  I'll do it with all the anointing that God may choose to bless me with.

Here's my requests to those who are MFMCers.
Many of you are new since my last run in with this gunk.  Please know that your pastor is "fine."  I love you and I long for you to see Christ with me, to hear from Christ with me, and to follow Christ with me.

The other thing I'm really feeling led to say is; if you know someone who is hurting, someone who doesn't know how to trust, someone who can't find faith, someone who needs to know they are not alone, someone who needs to know followers of Christ deal with "it" too, someone who might hear a word from a person who isn't flawless - invite them this Sunday.

Something in my spirit believes this is a very important season for us.  I'm asking you to pray for Sunday and watch for the Holy Spirit to bring someone across your path to invite.  I'm asking to pray for my anointing not just my legs (no maybes about it, the former is more important than the latter)

Fellow Follower,

Pastor Dave

 

Time Change

The borrowed hour must be given back Saturday night.  Officially at 2:00 AM clocks are to be turned to 3:00 AM.  The hour we gained four months ago must be given back. 

There will be no babies born between 2:01 and 2:59.  That hour does not exist.  If a child is born at 2:56 it is really 3:56.  Which is less of a problem than when we gain an hour.  

Time change is powerful.

Example: If a woman is delivering twins and the first baby comes at 1:32 and the second one is delivered at 2:06, time goes back at 2:00, so it is listed on the certificate as 1:06.  The second born is legally the first born (by the way - that happened in 2007).

Example: I always find it interesting that the Sunday that we lose and hour is one of the lowest attended Sundays of the year.  People go to bed at night intending to be in church in the morning, but… "We'll go next week." 

Time change isn't powerful enough. 

Example: If you're scheduled to do something you really don't want to do at 2:15, it still needs to be done even if there is no 2:15. 

Example: If you did something you shouldn't have done at 2:39, it is still done even if 2:39 was skipped.

It's powerful, but not that powerful.

I watched the end of basketball game the other day in which the last 3 minutes on the game clock took over 15 minutes to play!  That's confusing.  Time seems to slow to a snails pace during the movie The Notebook and it seems to match the speed of light when I'm laughing with friends. That's confusing too.

Time is powerful, but we forget Whose it is.  The truth is the movement of a clock has no inherent power.  It changes nothing.  Time is God's, it's not ours to manipulate.  We can talk about how we "waste" it or "save" it, but time is God's. I would be wise to ask him how to "live" it.

Live the time he gives you.

26,032,320 minutes into life,

Pastor Dave

Leaders and Servants

The world needs leaders!  

• Leaders that are strong men and women who know what determination is and shows what it looks like
• Leaders who have a vision and are well skilled at selling it
• Leaders who will not be tripped up or distracted by the petty or insignificant
• Leaders who can build an organization with mission in mind and success in their blood 
• Leaders who know how to attract people that will come in behind them and join the advancing parade
• Leaders who reek of confidence and self control
• Leaders who will take up the cause and never give up 

The world needs leaders!

Jesus wants servants!  

• Servants that are meek men and women who know what humility means and shows others what it looks like 
• Servants who will follow His vision and are willing to lose their lives living it
• Servants who will not overlook those everyone else calls petty or insignificant
• Servants who can participate in a living organism with surrender in spirit and grace in their blood
• Servants who know how to invite people to stand with them and join the eternal journey
• Servants who reek of dependence on the Supernatural and death of self
• Servants who will take up the cross and never let go 

Jesus wants servants!   

Each church body has one head.  His name is Jesus.

Serving,

Pastor Dave

In Awe

Sometimes it's best to really consider current events.  So this morning, as I woke, I wanted to write a note on something that would speak to what is going on right now.

Having just been on a tour of the Midland Law Enforcement Center, guns came to mind. Maybe it's time to share my opinion on gun control.

Nah.

With tax day coming up it would seem fitting to address our nation's addiction to spending more than we make.

Too obvious.

It's always interesting to talk about something that involves the political views of some movie star. That mixes two current events into one!

Really don't give a rip.

I'm looking out the window and it's snowing again.  Perhaps climate change, hurricanes, and meteors would be good topic.

It just sounds boring to me.

So here's the current event that I'm going to address.  The event that as I woke the news didn't report on, talk radio isn't ripping apart, and the web-world isn't gossiping about.  The event that comes to mind this morning will not be changed by a law, a new tax code, an overpaid actress, or an approaching ice age / warming.

Ready?

What could be more current than God's love for us?  If it sounds too cliché the fault is in your understanding of it.  There is nothing more important.  Nothing.  This topic impacts what goes beyond our capacity to understand - eternity.

It kind of makes sense that the biggest current event has been the same through history.  If the Roman world would have understood it what took place in coliseums and temples would have been very different.  If we would really understand it what takes place in our "coliseums" and "temples" would be very different.

The event to consider this morning is the depth of God's love for you.  If you need something more specific - think of what we will remember on the 29th of March and what we will celebrate on the 31st of March.

That's current. And it will be tomorrow. And the day after that.  And...

In Awe,

Pastor Dave

 

Why

As I was blowing the neighbors driveway out I found myself asking a question.  "Why are you doing this?"

A few reasons came to mind and not all of them were super spiritual.

1. I like to do stuff like that because I can.  In 1988 I was told I may not be able to walk within ten years.  It's twenty five years later and I enjoy being able to do what I can do.

2. I like looking at a blanket of snow a foot deep and cutting a path through it.  There's something manly about throwing snow with an engine powered machine.

3. I need to be able to get out and I don't want to have to get stuck in my own driveway.

4. I want to be nice.  I'm a neighbor.  Whatever else that means, it has to include helping.

6. Jesus did. I know he didn't walk Exodus Street in Nazareth to clear driveways of snow, but he did extend a hand to those who needed it - ask the crippled man who couldn't get to the pool.  My snowblower didn't heal anyone  

    today, but it did make their lives a little easier.

7. It's a time to talk with the Lord.  It's a time to think on his word.  It's a time to let him speak into my life.  It's a time when phones aren't heard and the "stuff" can wait.

8. It's a way of getting ready for Jesus to do more in my life.  Surrender to Christ includes service to others.  When I serve it puts my spirit in a position that God can get to.

I guess we all have those things (even if we don't have a snowblower) that remind us why we are doing what we are doing.  Why do we get involved in the world around us?  Because Jesus wants us to.

I'm thinking today that there is always a way to touch someone close to us in the name of Christ, even if we don't say his name out loud.

Get ready for God to start something new as we head into the Easter Season!

Preparing my Heart for Him,

Pastor Dave

List of Confessed Sin God Remembers

Thankful, 

Pastor Dave

s;; o jsbr yp fp od nr pnr ogg!

A while ago I was logging a quote from a book on my laptop.  The laptop sat on my lap (‘cause… it’s laptop not a shouldertop), the book sat open on the arm of the chair, and I typed as I read.

When I finished the paragraph I looked back to the screen… it was’t what I expected.  My fingers were not on the “home keys” when I started.  I realize this might not make sense to the thumb driven text world, but for those of us to sat through Typing 101, “home keys” are a big deal.  Missing them changed everything.  Example: “All I have to do is be one off,” becomes, “s;; o jsbr yp fp od nr pnr ogg!”

This causes problems on many levels.  Spell check had no idea what to suggest.  Musicians can transpose a key up as they play, but it takes a lot more work to transpose a  “key” to the left as you read.  I had completely lost the intent of the original words.

S;; o jsbr yp fp od nr pnr ogg!

The distance of less than an inch changed everything.  All I have to do is be one off.  

Followers of Christ that are one off send a messed up message too.  They are trying to be like Christ, but there are just being like a person who they admire.  They are trying to worship Christ, but they are worshipping the church, Christmas, the cross, or even the Bible.  They are trying to control their temper, but controlling other people is as close as they get.  They are trying to sin less, but they are not trying to stop doing the sin.

All I have to do is be one off and my message is intelligible.  

Please understand that I am not ignoring grace or expecting us to be flawless.  I am calling for us to consider are our spiritual fingers on the “home keys” of Christ?  Are we starting with an accurate view of him?  Are we learning of him?  Are we living as he called us to live?  It’s about Jesus.

One off and Jesus becomes Krdid, and Krdid won’t help any one.  

Follow,

Pastor Dave   

A New Start Conversation

David: Lord, we're a few days into the new year and I'm wondering if there is such a thing as a false start.  Sometimes the race doesn't start well and I stumble.  Could you blow the whistle and call us back to the line again?

Jesus: No.

David: But Lord, I had a whole list of things that I was going to do this year to be a better person and I've already messed some of them up.

Jesus: Yep, you did.

David: So, let's erase a few days and make it 1.1.2013 again!

Jesus: No.

David: Fine!  I'll just settle for being what I was last year, again.  Maybe I can be a better person in 2014.

Jesus: No.

David: Our conversation seems to be stuck.  Do you want me to be a better person or not?

Jesus: Not

David: ?

Jesus: I want to help you be more like me.  This is not about you being a better you; it's about me being me through you.  For that you don't need to be a better person you just need to get out of my way.

David: So can we start over so I can get out of your way?

Jesus: No.

David: We don't seem to be getting anywhere.

Jesus: You don't need to rewind the clock, my grace is not about reliving the past; it's about the past not dictating today.  Start now and let me take care of the first eleven days.

David: That makes sense.  So can we talk about me winning a billion dollars now?

Jesus: No

 

Changes

To some people change is the spice of life, to others spice causes heartburn.  But, it keeps happening… everywhere.

 

Personally, I'm dealing with the changes that are a result of not being thirtyish anymore.  They know me at the pharmacy.  I'm one of those people who have multiple scripts for multiple symptoms.  I've been on a MS treatment that I have done very well with for two years that will have to be changed this year.  My medical insurance changed.  I need a new roof on my house.  

 

Change is part of the passing of time.  No one can keep things the same.  I think God designed it that way.  Even in the very basic step of a journey with Christ there is change, "unless you change and become like little children (Matt 18:3)."  

 

My journey starts with change and I am called to keep changing.  In 2Peter the readers are given some of the attributes of being a follower of Christ and told that we are to "possess these qualities in increasing measure (1:8)."  Change happens.

 

We don't make adjustments for the sake of an adjustment, we do so to answer a call of Christ, to be conformed to His nature, and reflect His grace to those around us.

 

There are some adjustments we are making as a fellowship.

 

1.  If you were in church last week you noticed that the set up was quite different.  The plan is/was to do this for the month of January.  To be honest, it may go longer than that.  I heard many very positive comments about the atmosphere.  I like being on the floor, we're on journey together; I liked looking into your eyes.  

 

You could help by coming early and filling in the far seats.  Let's be polite hosts and not require our guests to have to search for a seat on the other side of the building.  

 

We'll see how this unfolds as temporary or more permanent and what other adjustments will need to be made.      

   

2.  Last Sunday we also took the offering in a different way.  There are black boxes at each of the doors where your tithes and offerings can be put.  There are multiple reasons for this that don't need to be spelled out in this form.  

 

One issue is privacy.  When a check or money is put in the plate it is often visible.  We want to protect the privacy of those who are responding to God.

 

There is also a time issue and staffing issue.  It takes time in the service and takes man power to recruit ushers each week as people walk in for the service.  This is much more streamlined.

 

This is also less uncomfortable for the many guests that came to our church.

 

It's God money, be obedient, be generous, give with a heart of gratitude no matter what the form.   

 

3.  We're also making some adjustments in the area of outreach.  We need to get the body more involved.  It's too easy to assume the church is supporting workers and local para-church ministries and remain inactive.  We are going to learn together how to be more involved.

 

Quickly there will be an area for information made available and we will encourage everyone to participate in offering support in some form to someone who has given their life serving in the name of the Lord.   

 

I am very excited about this year.  I've never been more appalled at the culture and more excited about the Kingdom of God.  This is going to be a year of effectiveness as we listen to the Spirit and follow in faith!

 

It's 2013!  Let's keep changing together.

 

Pastor Dave