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