4 Thoughts for Friday

Thought #1.

About the time we think we are in control and have built a life that cannot be shaken a river and a tornado remind us of how vulnerable we are.  The elements are different, the result the same - devastation.

 

Thought #2.

I'm am constantly amazed how impossible it is to disagree in a civil way.  For some reason disagreement must include personal attacks.

 

Culture. If someone doesn't like the new "American Idol" they say, "they stink, they can't sing, - the whole thing is rigged."  Why can't I just say, "it wasn't my favorite" and move on?

 

Politics.  It's not enough to disagree and let content carry the argument.  There must be distortions and personal attacks.  Rather than engage in a discussion they shut down the opposing view.  The result is warfare between the political and non-political.  The political spend their time trying to convince the non-political that they are representing them while they make a career of discrediting each other.  Meanwhile the non-political ignore them and try to pay their bills.

 

Faith.  In my own life I have probably crossed lines with the recent end of the world predictions.  Rather than attack an 89 year old man I don't know why can't I just say, "I don't agree and would recommend you weigh carefully what is said?"  Why does disagreement have to include insult?

 

Thought #3

Saturday, the 28th of May, will be the 273rd anniversary of a key experience of Methodism.  It was on that day that John Wesley was at a meeting when he felt his heart "strangely warmed" because he realized that he did trust Christ and Christ alone for his salvation.  It was an event that personalized a faith that was institutionalized in his life.

 

What started a warming was kindled into a flame and became part of the fires of revival across England.  As I think about that 273 years later I wonder whose heart God is warming now?  Who is the person that will realize that they can't earn salvation?  Who is the person that will embrace victory over sin?  Who is the person who will answer the call to live a transformed life that is the beacon of unity for the body of Christ and the draw for those who don't know?

 

I wonder, who is God getting ready for a new move of His Spirit? (Note: see Isaiah 6:8)

 

Thought #4

"Jesus, thank-you for people who have given their lives for my freedom.  Today I remember them.  This weekend I am filled with gratitude for young people whose lives were cut short so that I could be free.  This weekend I think of families who are in need of the grace of Your presence because of an empty chair at the table.

 

Not all war is just.  Not all warriors have good motives.  But, somehow I can't help but think that we have learned from you that some things are worth giving your life for."

 

Freedom.

 

Have an Anointed Memorial Weekend,

 

Pastor Dave

It’s Friday

It's Friday.  Tomorrow is the return of Christ.  I know, because I read it on the internet.

 

I am tempted to quote Bible verses and enter the arena of debate with Harold Camping of Family Radio (note: not Family Life Radio of our area).  But, to be honest it's an arena I that have no interest, desire, or call to enter.

 

Harold says, Saturday at 6pm the Rapture of the church is to take place.  According to the Family Radio web-site, complete with a daily countdown, "the Bible guarantees it."

 

So I thought I'd share my plans for the day.  Today I am going to write out some of the bills and get them in the mail.  I am going to finish writing the sermon for Sunday.  I just finished a book, Rethink Your Life by Stan Toler, today I'll skim back through it and log some quotes.  Today I'll go for a walk.  I'll follow up on some phone calls that need to be finished.  Today I'll pray and read from the Psalms. I'm on Psam 24.

 

Today I'll hold my tongue and not be angry about a false prophet that makes a public mockery of Christ, His return, and the Word of God (like he did in 1994 the last time he said the Bible guaranteed the return of Christ).  Today I'll pray that God will do and continue to do real work in the midst of people who are distracted and mislead.  Today I'll live for Christ.

 

Tomorrow at 6 pm Leah and I will have dinner with some new friends and together we will pray about our future and the sermon for Sunday.  Tomorrow I will face the day without fear, excitement, or disdain because of a man's prediction.

 

The unique thing about the return of Christ is that we are to always be ready for what we can never predict.  We are to have faith in the One returning not the one mathematically determining when it will happen.  We are to live in awe of the mystery of God's kingdom not in arrogance of a claim to have a hidden insight.

 

"Hey Harold, you might be right, it might be tomorrow.  It might be today.  It might be Sunday.  The return of Christ might be when my great great grandchild has his 65th birthday."

 

"That's not the point."

 

"Be ready."

 

"That's the point."

 

 

Maranatha,

 

Pastor Dave

 

It’s time for humility

I'm treading boldly and carefully as I write this.

 

This week the completion of a military mission resulted in the death of Osama bin Laden.  I felt the pride that many felt at the extreme price our military pays to complete missions with expertise.  We owe much to those who are underpaid and overworked yet serve our nation at the risk of their lives.

 

My pastoral opinion is not addressing issues of justice or revenge.  I will not take a side on "torture" in this writing.  I will not second guess the actions or results of things of which I have such limited insight.

 

My issue - This week I really felt we revealed an ugly side of our nation.  From the New York headline that read, "Rot in Hell" to the speech the President gave in which he said, "America can do whatever we set our mind to."

 

I miss humility.  I felt as if we were celebrating by toasting with a cup of poison.  Humility doesn't avoid victory, it experiences it with an awareness of how fragile victory is.  Humility would be aware of how limited our success really is.

 

Maybe we haven't had it for a long time.  Maybe I long for what we haven't had.  Success that is celebrated in arrogance is cheapened.  It's that way with sports. I've felt it in the awards of stars. I've seen it in business.  And, most unfortunately, we've seen it in the church.  How we take loss says something about our character, as does how we respond to victory.

 

Here's the deal - the President ended his speech with "May God Bless America."  But can He?  We want to know God's blessing in our homes.  We want God to bless our church.  We want God's blessing.

 

But, God's blessing does not find itself resting where there is the absence of humility.

Personally, I have no problem with what was done.  I do not condemn the action, I am saddened by the attitude.

 

America can do whatever it sets its mind to.  Quit spending more than we have.  Quit politicizing every action.  Quit pushing faith into the arena of fable.  Quit pointing the finger at others.  Quit demanding God remain silent until  we claim His blessings.  Quit with the arrogance that has caused the downfall of so many cultures.

 

America can do humility.

 

The church must show them how.

 

Ezekiel 33.11 Say to them, 'As surely as I live, declares the Sovereign LORD, I take no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but rather that they turn from their ways and live. Turn! Turn from your evil ways! Why will you die, O house of Israel?'

 

Please note - this verse does not find its most accurate application in the terrorist, its most accurate application is found in the life of the people of God.  The nation that called to God for blessing.

  

It's time for humility,

 

Pastor Dave