Great Expectations - Rev. Darryl Duer
Sunday, December 30, 2012
Tuesday, December 25, 2012
Christmas is just the beginning...
Christmas Eve Message from Rev. Michael Smith
The message of Christmas is something that we need each day. It is not meant to be put away with the rest of our Christmas decorations. In fact - Christmas is just the beginning.
Wednesday, December 19, 2012
The Manger
“We cannot
approach the manger of the Christ child in the same way we approach the cradle of
another child. Rather, when we go
to his manger, something happens, and we cannot leave it again unless we have
been judged or redeemed. Here we
must either collapse or know the mercy of God directed toward us. The throne of God in the world is not
on human thrones, but in human depths, in the manger. Standing around his throne there are no flattering vassals
but dark, unknown, questionable figures who cannot get their fill of this
miracle and want to live entirely by the mercy of God.”
-
Dietrich
Bonhoeffer
Merry Christmas
Sunday, December 16, 2012
Simeon's Search
Luke 2.
How long would you be willing to wait for the fulfillment of God's promise in your life?
Learn a lesson on faith from Simeon.
Monday, December 10, 2012
Zechariah's Son
During the season of Advent we hear familiar Christmas stories with the whole host of characters represented. By now I am sure you heard about Zechariah or there was some reference to John the Baptist made during one of your worship services. This is all pretty standard stuff. You can read Zechariah's story in Luke chapter 1.
Here are a few fundamental things I wanted to highlight about the Zechariah story:
1. He was a priest
2. He was doing his duty in the temple
3. He was at the altar
4. An angel appears...
This is what the angels says in Luke 1: 13-17
“Do not be afraid, Zechariah; your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you are to call him John. 14 He will be a joy and delight to you, and many will rejoice because of his birth, 15 for he will be great in the sight of the Lord. He is never to take wine or other fermented drink,(V) and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit even before he is born. 16 He will bring back many of the people of Israel to the Lord their God. 17 And he will go on before the Lord, in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the parents to their children and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous—to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.”
I italicized verse 16 for a special reason. So often when we think of John the Baptist we talk about his weird clothing and lifestyle. Or we focus upon the role of the preparation for Christ that was his calling. He will indeed bring back many of the people of Israel to the Lord their God. I just wanted to take a moment to think about where this message was given and whom it was given to.
Picture the scene: Zechariah burning incense at the altar of the temple of God. He is doing his priestly duty. But isn't his priestly duty to help bring people to God in the first place? It is as if the angel Gabriel gives the message to Zechariah that his son is going to do the very thing that he (and his generation) were not doing. I wonder how that might have felt? If you read the rest of the story, obviously there are more important issues at hand. The miracle of Elizabeth's conception, the setting-apart and special naming of the prophet to lead the way for the Savior, etc. I mean his mind must have been blown at the very fact that he was going to have a son in the first place, rather than what he was going to do. You see this in his reply and questioning of the angel which ultimately leads to him being silenced for the duration of the pregnancy plus another week. But I don't want to miss this subtle point.
There are things that our children are going to do that we are not able to do. Particularly for those who are serving in the area of ministry, it is a humbling reality to face and understand that one day our children will reach those who we were not able to. Why is this the case? In order to reach someone who has never been reached, you must do what no one else has done. Even if it seems out of the ordinary. Reference: John the Baptist.
Though I think it might come across as a bit rude (sorry Gabriel), the message to Zechariah is actually still a message of hope. Your son is going to do great things for God, even though we know it will cost him his life - like the majority of the prophets of God. This is my hope for my son - that he will do even greater things than myself, and be able to accomplish the areas of my weakness and lacking. There is always hope.
Here are a few fundamental things I wanted to highlight about the Zechariah story:
1. He was a priest
2. He was doing his duty in the temple
3. He was at the altar
4. An angel appears...
This is what the angels says in Luke 1: 13-17
“Do not be afraid, Zechariah; your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you are to call him John. 14 He will be a joy and delight to you, and many will rejoice because of his birth, 15 for he will be great in the sight of the Lord. He is never to take wine or other fermented drink,(V) and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit even before he is born. 16 He will bring back many of the people of Israel to the Lord their God. 17 And he will go on before the Lord, in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the parents to their children and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous—to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.”
I italicized verse 16 for a special reason. So often when we think of John the Baptist we talk about his weird clothing and lifestyle. Or we focus upon the role of the preparation for Christ that was his calling. He will indeed bring back many of the people of Israel to the Lord their God. I just wanted to take a moment to think about where this message was given and whom it was given to.
Picture the scene: Zechariah burning incense at the altar of the temple of God. He is doing his priestly duty. But isn't his priestly duty to help bring people to God in the first place? It is as if the angel Gabriel gives the message to Zechariah that his son is going to do the very thing that he (and his generation) were not doing. I wonder how that might have felt? If you read the rest of the story, obviously there are more important issues at hand. The miracle of Elizabeth's conception, the setting-apart and special naming of the prophet to lead the way for the Savior, etc. I mean his mind must have been blown at the very fact that he was going to have a son in the first place, rather than what he was going to do. You see this in his reply and questioning of the angel which ultimately leads to him being silenced for the duration of the pregnancy plus another week. But I don't want to miss this subtle point.
There are things that our children are going to do that we are not able to do. Particularly for those who are serving in the area of ministry, it is a humbling reality to face and understand that one day our children will reach those who we were not able to. Why is this the case? In order to reach someone who has never been reached, you must do what no one else has done. Even if it seems out of the ordinary. Reference: John the Baptist.
Though I think it might come across as a bit rude (sorry Gabriel), the message to Zechariah is actually still a message of hope. Your son is going to do great things for God, even though we know it will cost him his life - like the majority of the prophets of God. This is my hope for my son - that he will do even greater things than myself, and be able to accomplish the areas of my weakness and lacking. There is always hope.
The Magi's Search
Matthew 2: 1-12
Hope - seek it, find it, offer it.
Hear the history of why the '3 Kings' made the journey in the first place. It wasn't just about a star...
Tuesday, December 4, 2012
Herod's Search
Matthew 2 -
Who was Herod? What led him to do the unthinkable? What does this story teach us about God? What does it teach us about ourselves?
Monday, December 3, 2012
A Sufjan Christmas
"In between hipsters and God is Sufjan Stevens." This time of year draws me back into the mystery of not only the Incarnation, but the wondrous mind of Sufjan Stevens. What a weirdo, but I love him. Take for instance his recent compilation - Silver & Gold where we find the following carol. The first 1:20 is standard odd Sufjan with different instrumentation to the carol of the bells. Then all of a sudden comes the beauty of Sufjan- his poetry and melodic story telling. Great stuff. It just wouldn't be Christmas in the Smith household without him.
"Carol Of St. Benjamin The Bearded One"
I can see you there
Oh, in the snowbank
With a snowman at your side
In my heart and in my spirit I concede
The things you want in life you have to really need
This is a matter of life
Only parents cry
Oh, when they want to
Show the world they're still alive
And in my heart and in my spirit I believe
The draft beneath the doorframe comes to challenge me
This is a matter of life
Oh, be kind to me
Oh, Benjamin who
Keeps his hands inside his sleeves
And in my heart and in my spirit I can read
The way he brushed his beard against the cedar tree
Keeping his eyes upon me
I can see you there
Oh, in the snowbank
With a snowman at your side
And in my heart and in my spirit I can see
The things you want in life you have to really need
Oh, in the snowbank
With a snowman at your side
In my heart and in my spirit I concede
The things you want in life you have to really need
This is a matter of life
Only parents cry
Oh, when they want to
Show the world they're still alive
And in my heart and in my spirit I believe
The draft beneath the doorframe comes to challenge me
This is a matter of life
Oh, be kind to me
Oh, Benjamin who
Keeps his hands inside his sleeves
And in my heart and in my spirit I can read
The way he brushed his beard against the cedar tree
Keeping his eyes upon me
I can see you there
Oh, in the snowbank
With a snowman at your side
And in my heart and in my spirit I can see
The things you want in life you have to really need
Wednesday, November 28, 2012
Choose Joy
A Thanksgiving Message from Philippians 4.
We may not able to control the circumstances, but we can, by grace, rejoice no matter what the circumstances may be.
Monday, November 26, 2012
letting go of the lions
My son has a toy lion that he will not let go of. It is small enough to fit in his hand and he takes it everywhere - the tub, to bed, you name it. Right now it is his favorite thing in the whole world. So you can imagine how upset he was yesterday when he couldn't find it. It must have somehow loosened from his death-grip and fell to the ground on the way from the car into the house. Luckily, we found it and all was well with the world - at least for my son.
This is a cute part of him being 2 years old. This little toy lion, which probably isn't even worth a quarter, is priceless to him. He loves it and needs it wherever he goes. This is a cute thing now, but I bet it won't be very cute if he is still carrying it around when he is 18. We indulge his little favorite toy because we know that it will most likely be short-term. He will move on, find another toy, and we will adjust to make sure he develops an appropriate relationship with these toys.
During this season of year we are reminded of the great traditions that we have. They shape who we are and even who we are yet to become. They are a part of us and we cannot separate ourselves from them without some collateral damage. (I was upset in not being able to fulfill my annual Thanksgiving tradition of falling asleep on the couch after the meal.) In our lives we carry around these special things but there are also times when we need to learn to let them go. We cannot carry around our 'lions' forever.
The struggle, particularly in the church concerning tradition, change, and the cultural shock of a new pastoral leader is that we don't want to let our 'lions' go. These lions mean a great deal to us, but honestly we look a bit ridiculous carrying around our lions as grown adults. Much like if I had a blanky still, or my favorite bedtime toy monkey sitting next to me in my office. There are some things that we must learn to let go of - as hard as it may be.
What lions are you carrying around still?
What have you done that needs to be undone?
What have you learned that needs to be unlearned or relearned?
Take a lesson from Jesus - He did not consider equality with God something to be grasped. You don't see Him clinging, reaching, and refusing to let go. Let the lions fall, because you may never know what you may be able to obtain next.
This is a cute part of him being 2 years old. This little toy lion, which probably isn't even worth a quarter, is priceless to him. He loves it and needs it wherever he goes. This is a cute thing now, but I bet it won't be very cute if he is still carrying it around when he is 18. We indulge his little favorite toy because we know that it will most likely be short-term. He will move on, find another toy, and we will adjust to make sure he develops an appropriate relationship with these toys.
During this season of year we are reminded of the great traditions that we have. They shape who we are and even who we are yet to become. They are a part of us and we cannot separate ourselves from them without some collateral damage. (I was upset in not being able to fulfill my annual Thanksgiving tradition of falling asleep on the couch after the meal.) In our lives we carry around these special things but there are also times when we need to learn to let them go. We cannot carry around our 'lions' forever.
The struggle, particularly in the church concerning tradition, change, and the cultural shock of a new pastoral leader is that we don't want to let our 'lions' go. These lions mean a great deal to us, but honestly we look a bit ridiculous carrying around our lions as grown adults. Much like if I had a blanky still, or my favorite bedtime toy monkey sitting next to me in my office. There are some things that we must learn to let go of - as hard as it may be.
What lions are you carrying around still?
What have you done that needs to be undone?
What have you learned that needs to be unlearned or relearned?
Take a lesson from Jesus - He did not consider equality with God something to be grasped. You don't see Him clinging, reaching, and refusing to let go. Let the lions fall, because you may never know what you may be able to obtain next.
Wednesday, November 21, 2012
turkey and gratitude
"Gratitude ... goes beyond the "mine" and "thine" and claims the truth that all of life is a pure gift. In the past I always thought of gratitude as a spontaneous response to the awareness of gifts received, but now I realize that gratitude can also be lived as a discipline. The discipline of gratitude is the explicit effort to acknowledge that all I am and have is given to me as a gift of love, a gift to be celebrated with joy." -- Henri J. M. Nouwen
"For most of the world it will be just another day.
For most Americans it will be a day for gluttony and football.
For lots of Americans it will be a great day for family and friends to gather.
For less Americans it will be a time of actual gratitude.
For too many Americans it will be a day of homelessness.
For those who are Christians it will be just another day of living the life of continual thanksgiving." - Steve Blakemore.
Remember tomorrow as we gather around the table - that our attitude, prayers, and overal thankfulness should be part of our daily reality, rather than a once a year thing. Happy Thanksgiving! We indeed have much to be thankful for!
Tomorrow -
"For most of the world it will be just another day.
For most Americans it will be a day for gluttony and football.
For lots of Americans it will be a great day for family and friends to gather.
For less Americans it will be a time of actual gratitude.
For too many Americans it will be a day of homelessness.
For those who are Christians it will be just another day of living the life of continual thanksgiving." - Steve Blakemore.
Remember tomorrow as we gather around the table - that our attitude, prayers, and overal thankfulness should be part of our daily reality, rather than a once a year thing. Happy Thanksgiving! We indeed have much to be thankful for!
Monday, November 19, 2012
The Friends we Keep
A study at the book of Job and his relationship with his three friends.
How are you helping those who are hurting during this time? What can we learn to do and what not to do from these three friends.
Wednesday, November 14, 2012
The Blessing of Pain
How could pain ever be a blessing?
Mark 1: 40-42... hear a familiar story retold in a new way.
Even in pain we can find comfort.
Wednesday, November 7, 2012
the day after
"No matter which candidate you voted for last night, you were not voting for a savior, only a president." - Dr. Steve Blakemore
I am frankly tired of all of the ramblings people are putting on Facebook concerning the election. If we thought the advertisements and commercials for the politicians were bad, then we are not even listening to ourselves with the amount of garbage we are putting on social media.
I am frankly tired of all of the ramblings people are putting on Facebook concerning the election. If we thought the advertisements and commercials for the politicians were bad, then we are not even listening to ourselves with the amount of garbage we are putting on social media.
Dr. Blakemore has it right. Let's keep things in perspective folks. I will say this and only this - I have never felt more ashamed in all of my life to call myself a Christian than this morning. Maybe it's because the prevalent use of social media has multiplied the witness (good or bad) of our opinions and thoughts. The blatant misrepresentation of Scripture, poor theology, and the overall blinding personal preference is overwhelming to me. What's the issue, really? So we don't like the President or the way things are? Or is it that you placed your hopes and dreams in this one man? Foolishness. Since he let you down as all people will do, you found yourself another person to place your hopes. Mitt is going to change things for the better, you thought. Christians particularly have ignored the fact that before Mitt took the bull by the horns you were calling him a heretic. All of a sudden his religion is much closer to yours now because he affirms your political ideals. Strange bed-fellows indeed.
So let's all just calm down a bit. Remember the words we speak because we cannot take them back. I know that I don't like being misquoted, so I would think that God doesn't like it either. Stop trying to make the Bible say what you want it to say and let it simply speak. Remember that our Gospel is winsome next time you are being a jerk on social media. So I will have to refrain for a bit from telling strangers that I am a pastor because all they will think of is some of the ridiculous things that are happening today. Please, don't make my job any harder. Love one another - yes, even on the day after.
Tuesday, November 6, 2012
After the Storm
After facing a great devastation we seek to find hope and encouragement in our new sermon series, After the Storm.
What does Jesus do after He speaks peace to the storm?
Mark 5
Monday, November 5, 2012
voting and choosing
What a drag to sayAt least I still have yesterday
Show me something I can beAnd play a song that I can singMake me feel as I am freeSomeone come speak for me
As we go to the polls we are faced again with the struggle of having to choose from basically two people. I know there are other candidates out there, but let's get serious - at the end of the night its Red or Blue.
I have heard many comment about the struggle of having to choose to vote for someone who really doesn't capture their full picture of what they would want in a President. It's difficult to find that person actually. It's tough to capture the entire spectrum of thought, experience, and preference for people. This impossible task is placed upon all leaders, whether they lead a country, business, non-profit, or even a church. In the end we want someone to show us something that we can be, I want them to speak for me.
But instead of letting them speak for me - because they do not know what it's like to be uniquely me, I speak for myself through choice. What do you do when your choices seem limited and are not your preferences? I believe you still choose - maybe not in the way everyone think though.
I know that there are a lot of people thinking and praying through this decision. Will you commit yourselves to pray and think just as hard when its all done, regardless of who wins?
Show me something I can beAnd play a song that I can singMake me feel as I am freeSomeone come speak for me
As we go to the polls we are faced again with the struggle of having to choose from basically two people. I know there are other candidates out there, but let's get serious - at the end of the night its Red or Blue.
I have heard many comment about the struggle of having to choose to vote for someone who really doesn't capture their full picture of what they would want in a President. It's difficult to find that person actually. It's tough to capture the entire spectrum of thought, experience, and preference for people. This impossible task is placed upon all leaders, whether they lead a country, business, non-profit, or even a church. In the end we want someone to show us something that we can be, I want them to speak for me.
But instead of letting them speak for me - because they do not know what it's like to be uniquely me, I speak for myself through choice. What do you do when your choices seem limited and are not your preferences? I believe you still choose - maybe not in the way everyone think though.
I know that there are a lot of people thinking and praying through this decision. Will you commit yourselves to pray and think just as hard when its all done, regardless of who wins?
Wednesday, October 31, 2012
tough times
Any easy answer during a difficult time such as this is no
answer at all. However, I believe
that a path forward is found as long as we move forward together. Are we willing to be people who stand
together during difficult times? The highlight of my day today was found in a text message
from a college-aged student that asked where she could serve. She didn’t care where or what, but her
first response was here I am – how can you use me?
On September 9th 2012 I shared my 3rd
Anniversary Sunday message with you.
I have come to appreciate this special day as part of our congregation
because this serves as our ‘state of the union’ address. This is the one Sunday when we not only
celebrate our heritage, but look to the future. If you didn’t get a chance to listen you can download at http://tumc.libsyn.com/anniversary-sermon
This year I set before us a challenge: to intentionally
listen to our community. Instead
of rushing in and trying to put a program together to meet a need that isn’t
there, I wanted us to pause, reflect, and listen to people’s stories. This has to be done intentionally
however and to make sure to engage with many in the act of sacred listening. Well, it seems that our opportunity for
not only listening is upon us.
We are surrounded by devastation, heartbreak, and loss after the wake of
Hurricane Sandy. This is an
opportunity for us to be the people of God for those in need. What will be our response now?
Saturday, October 27, 2012
Wednesday, October 24, 2012
Rest
Rev. Darryl Duer begins our series of Revival services with a look at what it means to have Unrest...
Tuesday, October 16, 2012
threefold vision
"A vision without a task makes a visionary; a task without a vision is drudgery; a vision with a task makes a missionary.
Isaiah had a vision in three dimensions. It was an upward vision - he saw the Lord; an inward vision - he saw himself, and an outward vision- he saw the world.
It was a vision of height- he saw the Lord high and lifted up. A vision of depth- he saw recesses of his own heart. And a vision of breadth - he saw the world.
A vision of holiness. Oh, beloved! How this generation of believers needs the vision of God in all His holiness! A vision of hellishness - 'I am undone... unclean!' and a vision of hopelessness- implied by the words 'who will go for us?'
In this hour - when the average church knows more about promotion than prayer, has forgotten consecration by fostering competition, and has substituted propaganda for propagation - this threefold vision is imperative."
Leonard Ravenhill - Why Revival Tarries Bethany House: Minneapolis, 1959, 28-29.
Isaiah had a vision in three dimensions. It was an upward vision - he saw the Lord; an inward vision - he saw himself, and an outward vision- he saw the world.
It was a vision of height- he saw the Lord high and lifted up. A vision of depth- he saw recesses of his own heart. And a vision of breadth - he saw the world.
A vision of holiness. Oh, beloved! How this generation of believers needs the vision of God in all His holiness! A vision of hellishness - 'I am undone... unclean!' and a vision of hopelessness- implied by the words 'who will go for us?'
In this hour - when the average church knows more about promotion than prayer, has forgotten consecration by fostering competition, and has substituted propaganda for propagation - this threefold vision is imperative."
Leonard Ravenhill - Why Revival Tarries Bethany House: Minneapolis, 1959, 28-29.
Monday, October 15, 2012
The Body
1 Corinthians 12 -
You are the Body of Christ...
what would this phrase mean to the Corinthian Church? What does it mean for us today?
Tuesday, October 9, 2012
Vine and Branches
"I am the vine, YOU ARE the Branches."
John 15
Discover what it means to be connected to Christ
Monday, October 8, 2012
weary in doing good?
Why is doing good something that would lead to weariness? Ultimately I feel that when you do good there is a great exchange of life that happens. When you do something you are passionate about and it benefits the lives of others, certainly there is an encouragement of the heart. However, I am also aware that in even doing 'good' it can become difficult and a person can become weary. Are you weak and heavy laden? Cumbered with a load of care? You should never be discouraged, take it to the Lord in prayer.
Don't give up - don't ever give up in doing good.
Galatians 6:9 Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. 10 Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.
Don't give up - don't ever give up in doing good.
Galatians 6:9 Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. 10 Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.
Tuesday, October 2, 2012
Monday, October 1, 2012
Christianity and Politics
As promised, here is a copy of the TOP TEN that I shared this Sunday in church. Courtesy of Morgan Guyton @MAGuyton on Twitter.
Ten Things Christians Need to Remember About This
Election Season
1. People in both
political parties go to church. God
is neither a Democrat nor a Republican. No political party has a monopoly on
the will of God and there are good, Christian people who affiliate with both
parties.
2. Talk radio and
cable “news” only want ratings — it’s about the money. Remember, we live in a time where news stations would
rather incite than inform the electorate if it means better ratings.
3. Those who argue
about politics don’t love their country more than others. Our passion for issues comes out of a deep and abiding
love for country. Just because someone disagrees with you does not mean they
somehow hate the country.
4. Thinking a
party’s platform is not flawed is a mistake.
A lot of wheeling and dealing goes into forming a party’s platform. Compromises
are made and it quickly becomes a document for a large group of constituents.
This means it attempts to please everyone in one way or another. Think of it as
more of a work-in progress.
5. Scripture tells
us to pray for governing leaders (2 Timothy 2: 1-4) and to respect those in
authority (Romans 13: 1-7) — whether we voted for them or not. When we mock or denigrate current or future leaders, the
Holy Spirit is grieved. Christians are called to offer a witness to the world
that rises above name-calling and insults. Period.
6. Don’t be
paranoid. America has functioned and even
thrived under both Democrat and Republican leadership. God is the only one
truly in charge. Great leaders come in all shapes and sizes. We will not fall
apart as a nation as a result of a single election.
7. Stop saying, “This is the most
important election in our history.” We’re not nearly as unique as we might want
to think we are. There will be
another election and another one after that. We’re all striving to grow and
become a better nation with every election.
8. Don’t spread
those toxic political e-mails. Be
the one to stop the circulation of propaganda-driven materials. Lovingly ask
friends to stop sending them to you and be a witness for civility.
9. Don’t circulate
partisan materials at your church.
Encouraging people to vote is good. Telling them who to vote for from the
pulpit or any other sacred space is not why the church exists.
10. Hold a prayer
service the day after Election Day.
With Election Day on a Tuesday, this could be a great way to use your weekly
Wednesday time at church. Hold a service of prayer. Open your church all day
for people to drop in and pray. Distribute liturgy and prayers for our nation
and encourage people to make that a part of their day. We are the church, and
that means we’re a people called to prayer.
Friday, September 28, 2012
little lady.
Everyone has a nickname. Whether it is public knowledge or not...
I find it beautiful how nicknames get created. A friend of mine from seminary perfected the art of nickname giving. His nicknames always developed or grew for the person. For example, one night I heard him call his wife Boba. Her name is nothing close to anything like this so I asked, why do you call her Boba?
"Well", he said, "it started out as Baby, Babe, Bebe, Be, Bo, Bobo, Boba Fett, Boba."
I am sure we all have a nickname or terms of endearment for those we love. My son is often called Sonny-Sonny or Buddy more often than his actual name. So when my daughter was born it didn't take too long for my wife to give her a unique title - "little lady." We were in the hospital still and I remember her saying it and liking it immediately. I thought it might have been just a passing comment, but the more I hear it, I like it. This is what she is to us. I am sure this may not stick her whole life, but for now this is what expresses our love for her.
Do you think the same would be true with God and the relationship with us? Certainly God knows our name, but I wonder if we are called something different in the quiet moments of intimacy with God. God calls you ______.
"Your name shall no longer be Jacob, but Israel - for you have striven with God and man and have prevailed."
I find it beautiful how nicknames get created. A friend of mine from seminary perfected the art of nickname giving. His nicknames always developed or grew for the person. For example, one night I heard him call his wife Boba. Her name is nothing close to anything like this so I asked, why do you call her Boba?
"Well", he said, "it started out as Baby, Babe, Bebe, Be, Bo, Bobo, Boba Fett, Boba."
I am sure we all have a nickname or terms of endearment for those we love. My son is often called Sonny-Sonny or Buddy more often than his actual name. So when my daughter was born it didn't take too long for my wife to give her a unique title - "little lady." We were in the hospital still and I remember her saying it and liking it immediately. I thought it might have been just a passing comment, but the more I hear it, I like it. This is what she is to us. I am sure this may not stick her whole life, but for now this is what expresses our love for her.
Do you think the same would be true with God and the relationship with us? Certainly God knows our name, but I wonder if we are called something different in the quiet moments of intimacy with God. God calls you ______.
"Your name shall no longer be Jacob, but Israel - for you have striven with God and man and have prevailed."
Wednesday, September 26, 2012
Church Words
Our Youth Pastor (Rev. Wil Kaufmann) shares from 2 Corinthians 1: 3-14
What words do we use and what language best communicates who we are as a church?
Are we sensitive about our language for those who don't speak our church language?
Tuesday, September 18, 2012
Demand for a King
The kingdom of God will never arrive on Air Force One.
This is something important to remember during this time in our country. Where do we ultimately place our trust?
Discover how we got to where we are... 1 Samuel 8.
He Sang
Where has the prophetic voice gone? I am not speaking about the the sign-wearing, judgment-spewing, bullhorn-blasting folks in Times Square - but faithful men and women who willing to say 'thus saith the Lord.'
Do they exist today? Where can you find them?
Peter Bradley Adams - "He Sang"
Sunday morning on crowded road
I saw a man standing alone
He faced the mountains, his hands were raised
Like some prophet, his eyes in a blaze
Oh bring me the day
When the sun broke on his face
And he sang "glory"
And the sun would rise
He sang, "glory", with fire in his eyes
Above the engines and the shuffle of feet
His voice it carried over the trees
He sang for his children he sang for his home
And he sang for me though he didn't know
Oh bring me the day
When the sun broke on his face
And he sang "glory"
And the sun would rise
He sang, "glory", with fire in his eyes
Do they exist today? Where can you find them?
Peter Bradley Adams - "He Sang"
Sunday morning on crowded road
I saw a man standing alone
He faced the mountains, his hands were raised
Like some prophet, his eyes in a blaze
Oh bring me the day
When the sun broke on his face
And he sang "glory"
And the sun would rise
He sang, "glory", with fire in his eyes
Above the engines and the shuffle of feet
His voice it carried over the trees
He sang for his children he sang for his home
And he sang for me though he didn't know
Oh bring me the day
When the sun broke on his face
And he sang "glory"
And the sun would rise
He sang, "glory", with fire in his eyes
Wednesday, September 12, 2012
9/11 reflection
As we remember and reflect upon the events of September 11, 2001- I know that we can all remember where we were and what we first felt. While time is a healer, we are still aware of the deep hurt of those who have lost loved ones in this tragedy. Time away from this horrific day has allowed for us to be able to pause and reflect/remember. Many have been writing blogs, posting on facebook, and updating twitter concerning the anniversary. I wanted to share with you some beautiful words from a friend that I attended High School with. Dr. Thomas Edge shares,
"Many people will note the lives lost eleven years ago, the sacrifices of soldiers and military families, the importance of first responders. It is right and proper that we do so. But we must remember, in our system of government, that every citizen has a role to play in the defense of liberty. If we truly mourn those lives lost on September 11, 2001, we must devote ourselves to an engaged citizenship, one which holds public servants accountable and which brings all voices to the political conversations guiding our country. If we value the soldiers who answer the call of duty, we must be ever vigilant against those who would ask us to sacrifice the liberties we are supposedly defending thousands of miles away. If we celebrate the actions of first responders, we must consider and reconsider our own responses to crises like 9/11, whether we view such moments as an excuse for our hatreds and fears, or as another challenge we shall overcome together."
"Many people will note the lives lost eleven years ago, the sacrifices of soldiers and military families, the importance of first responders. It is right and proper that we do so. But we must remember, in our system of government, that every citizen has a role to play in the defense of liberty. If we truly mourn those lives lost on September 11, 2001, we must devote ourselves to an engaged citizenship, one which holds public servants accountable and which brings all voices to the political conversations guiding our country. If we value the soldiers who answer the call of duty, we must be ever vigilant against those who would ask us to sacrifice the liberties we are supposedly defending thousands of miles away. If we celebrate the actions of first responders, we must consider and reconsider our own responses to crises like 9/11, whether we view such moments as an excuse for our hatreds and fears, or as another challenge we shall overcome together."
Tuesday, September 11, 2012
Anniversary Sermon
At Tabernacle we celebrated 209 years of history and heritage.
Each Anniversary Sunday, Pastor Michael delivers a 'state of the union' type sermon. This is where we celebrate the past year's successes in ministry and look forward to another year. This is a vision casting message with details about upcoming programs, sermon series, and vision.
Tuesday, September 4, 2012
Swallowed in the Sea.
What good is it to live with nothing left to give
Forget but not forgive, not loving all you see
The streets you're walking on a thousand houses long
That's where I belong and you belong with me
not swallowed in the sea.
In light of today's message we see that the book of Jonah isn't just about a big fish...
Thursday, August 30, 2012
affirmation vs information
What do you prefer, affirmation or information?
I would bet that most of us, because we are Americans, would think that we desire information over affirmation- but the opposite is actually true. We watch certain news programs based off of our current political interests. What do these programs do? They do not inform, but rather they affirm our already given presuppositions. People watch Rush not because he is 'informing' them of groundbreaking information, but because he is affirming their already given ideas about something. The same is true for Rachel Maddow... not ground breaking stuff either. Whether it is Rush or Rachel, CNN or FOX, we watch what we watch based on what we want to hear rather than what we want to learn. Maybe this is too large of a 'blanket statement', but check yourself next time a piece of information actually informs you and it goes against the grain of your thought. Is that person just a crazy liberal or a right-winged dinosaur? Unfortunately we have gotten to the place in our country where we cannot learn anything from anyone, especially if they think differently than us.
Because I am a United Methodist... (shout out to my methoblog colleagues) this is an issue we need to address as well. We are some of the most self-congratulatory people in the world. I would bet that if at the beginning of each annual conference everyone would stand up and thank one another ONCE or give only one standing ovation for the entire group, then we would be able to cut DAYS off of our time in holy conferencing. We like to affirm what we already know and already are. We will affirm one another even if the information tells us that we shouldn't. Now I am not saying that we shouldn't celebrate because we do far to little of this in our denomination to begin with. We need to celebrate the areas of effectiveness and ministry. However, I am also aware that again we have ignored the information at our hands describing the state of our church because certain people presented it to us. Why did Call to Action fail? What about Plan UMC? How do we feel about the role of bishops now? How do the bishops feel about many who question their authority? All of this struggle is found because we only want affirmation and if someone thinks differently than us - (remember this works both ways) - then we are blinded to the truth of the information. "You shall know the truth, and the truth shall set you free.... well depending upon who says it."
I would bet that most of us, because we are Americans, would think that we desire information over affirmation- but the opposite is actually true. We watch certain news programs based off of our current political interests. What do these programs do? They do not inform, but rather they affirm our already given presuppositions. People watch Rush not because he is 'informing' them of groundbreaking information, but because he is affirming their already given ideas about something. The same is true for Rachel Maddow... not ground breaking stuff either. Whether it is Rush or Rachel, CNN or FOX, we watch what we watch based on what we want to hear rather than what we want to learn. Maybe this is too large of a 'blanket statement', but check yourself next time a piece of information actually informs you and it goes against the grain of your thought. Is that person just a crazy liberal or a right-winged dinosaur? Unfortunately we have gotten to the place in our country where we cannot learn anything from anyone, especially if they think differently than us.
Because I am a United Methodist... (shout out to my methoblog colleagues) this is an issue we need to address as well. We are some of the most self-congratulatory people in the world. I would bet that if at the beginning of each annual conference everyone would stand up and thank one another ONCE or give only one standing ovation for the entire group, then we would be able to cut DAYS off of our time in holy conferencing. We like to affirm what we already know and already are. We will affirm one another even if the information tells us that we shouldn't. Now I am not saying that we shouldn't celebrate because we do far to little of this in our denomination to begin with. We need to celebrate the areas of effectiveness and ministry. However, I am also aware that again we have ignored the information at our hands describing the state of our church because certain people presented it to us. Why did Call to Action fail? What about Plan UMC? How do we feel about the role of bishops now? How do the bishops feel about many who question their authority? All of this struggle is found because we only want affirmation and if someone thinks differently than us - (remember this works both ways) - then we are blinded to the truth of the information. "You shall know the truth, and the truth shall set you free.... well depending upon who says it."
Tuesday, August 28, 2012
Friday, August 24, 2012
my place.
I am fascinated with the word "place". It seems so obscure yet at the same time so known. I feel that a 'place' is where we all find ourselves, but how often do we desire to be in a different 'place'?
John Mayer says - "now and then, I pace my place. I can't retrace how I got here."
On Sunday, Rev. Darryl Duer will be continuing in our Coldplay series looking at the song - In My Place. He will be sharing about three different places from the perspective of Elijah, Zaccheus, and Jesus. Join us in worship, find your place. Tabernacle has a place for you.
John Mayer says - "now and then, I pace my place. I can't retrace how I got here."
On Sunday, Rev. Darryl Duer will be continuing in our Coldplay series looking at the song - In My Place. He will be sharing about three different places from the perspective of Elijah, Zaccheus, and Jesus. Join us in worship, find your place. Tabernacle has a place for you.
Monday, August 20, 2012
Low.
"You see the world in black and white, not painted right."
We look to the prayer of Jesus in John 17 where he asks for unity to be among those who believe. In a world of black and white we often miss this prayer.
Friday, August 17, 2012
I've always wanted to be a Tenenbaum.
We are invited into a relationship with God, we are adopted into God's family. One of my favorite movies is The Royal Tenenbaum's. It is a story about divorce, reconciliation, and family. (It has an all-star cast and phenomenal soundtrack by the way.) One of the story lines is about Margo Tenenbaum (played by Gweneth Paltrow). She is the adopted daughter of Royal Tenenbaum, and you know this because whenever her father would introduce his children, he would always introduce her as the adopted daughter. It is not hard to see why she would develop troubles as an adult with such a self-image. Her love interest in the movie is their next door neighbor Eli Cash, (played by Owen Wilson) who would always spend time at the Tenenbaum house. He also longed for a place in the family. One interesting point about his is that he would send his college transcripts home to the Tenenbaum house rather than his own parents. You can see that he too comes from a troubled family situation.
One of my favorite parts of the movie is when Eli says, "I've always wanted to be a Tenenbaum." This is when he gets to the end of his rope and he sees that he is a person in need of help. Right after he says this, Margo says, "Me too." You may be saying to yourself... big deal its just a line in the movie. In fact this is such an important theme and part of the movie that the composer, Mark Mothersbaugh (of Devo fame) wrote a separate piece of music with the same title. I've always wanted to be a Tenenbaum."
With God - you do not have to be on the outside any longer. We must remember how we are invited into a relationship with God, in the Spirit, through the Son. But God never introduces us as His adopted kids. We are just the children of God- period.
Romans 8: 14-17
"For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God. The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.” The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory."
Monday, August 13, 2012
The Hardest Part
What's the hardest part of the Christian life?
In Romans 7 we see a struggle between the good we wish to do and the actual action that we wish we would not do.
Are you a Romans 7 or Romans 8 person?
We look contextually at what Paul is trying to say in Romans 7...
Sunday, August 5, 2012
perfect space
I believe that we all are trying to find a place to belong and a place to fit in. Even the non-comfortists have their own place. The time of extreme individuality is not so far removed from the categorical classification of our own subsets of community.
Jesus invites us to share in community with Him, and with one another. He not only invites us to share in His love, but to become his 'friends'. Abraham and Moses are the only two in the Old Testament that are described in such an intimate way with God. I wonder, do you feel close to God in such a way?
We are created by and for community. You have a place in God's family and there are brother and sisters in Christ that are waiting to connect with you. I believe we have a longing for relationships... with God and with one another. Take advantage of an opportunity to share your life with someone else.
"I wanna have friends that I can trust,
that love me for the man I’ve become not the man I was.
I wanna have friends that will let me be
all alone when being alone is all that I need.
I wanna fit in to the perfect space,
feel natural and safe in a volatile place." - The Avett Brothers.
that love me for the man I’ve become not the man I was.
I wanna have friends that will let me be
all alone when being alone is all that I need.
I wanna fit in to the perfect space,
feel natural and safe in a volatile place." - The Avett Brothers.
Wednesday, August 1, 2012
speak for me.
As much as we like to believe we have our own voice, where does our voice come from? We do not live in a vacuum, so the influence of others is seen even in our own unique longing to communicate what we feel as individuals. We rely on others to communicate for us. Someone has to speak for me. I cannot fully describe that which is in my heart. As much as I would try, I seem to fail to convey that which is most important for me to express. What is so wrong about relying on another to point to the truth we wish to speak? If you were going to try and communicate what sin was, why would you leave out the distinct voice of David from Psalm 51? I am thankful that there are others that God can use who are much more creative than myself to express great eternal truths that come from an individual, but speaks for a community. Our voices are important but they are never just for us. We need to perhaps speak for someone else who is not able to say what they wish to say. We need to show others what we can be, play songs others can sings, and speak for those in need of a voice.
Well they're celebrating broken thingsI don't want a world of broken thingsYou can tell that something isn't rightWhen all your heroes are in black and white
What a drag to sayAt least I still have yesterday
Show me something I can beAnd play a song that I can singMake me feel as I am freeSomeone come speak for me
Well they're celebrating broken thingsI don't want a world of broken thingsYou can tell that something isn't rightWhen all your heroes are in black and white
What a drag to sayAt least I still have yesterday
Show me something I can beAnd play a song that I can singMake me feel as I am freeSomeone come speak for me
Sunday, July 22, 2012
bible quiz - John Mayer Edition
Throughout this summer we are looking at how the band Coldplay communicates biblical truth throughout their music. The creativity of musicians/writers always astounds me. I bet that if you were asked, you might not be able to tell the difference between what is the Bible and what are the lyrics. Let's give it a try...
(Much thanks to Jon Acuff for originally posting this quiz.)
1. Is this passage John Mayer or the Message Bible?
Then they get in all their shopping sprees. At day’s end I’m ready for sound sleep,
2. Is this passage John Mayer or the Message Bible?
Belief is a beautiful armor, but makes for the heaviest sword
3. Is this passage John Mayer or the Message Bible?
Now we see everything that’s going wrong, with the world and those who lead it
4. Is this passage John Mayer or the Message Bible?
I dare to believe that the luckless will get lucky someday.
5. Is this passage John Mayer or the Message Bible?
She takes you in with your crying eyes, then all at once you have to say goodbye
6. Is this passage John Mayer or the Message Bible?
You should have seen that sunrise with your own eyes, it brought me back to life
7. Is this passage John Mayer or the Message Bible?
I’m tired of all this—so tired. My bed has been floating … on the flood of my tears.
8. Is this passage John Mayer or the Message Bible?
Take all your wasted honor, every little past frustration, take all of your so called problems, better put them in quotations.
9. Is this passage John Mayer or the Message Bible?
She says the bible is all that she reads and prefers that I not use profanity
10. Is this passage John Mayer or the Message Bible?
And I will walk outside on my own into the light, the kind of clarity that only comes to me on Sunday’s shine, Sunday’s shine
11. Is this passage John Mayer or the Message Bible?
I’ve thrown myself headlong into your arms— I’m celebrating your rescue.
12. Is this passage John Mayer or the Message Bible?
He comes up empty. A string of zeros.
13. Is this passage John Mayer or the Message Bible?
Someday I’ll fly, someday I’ll soar
14. Is this passage John Mayer or the Message Bible?
Nightly he strolls in our garden, delighting in the flowers, until dawn breathes its light and night slips away
15. Is this passage John Mayer or the Message Bible?
You tell me where to go and though I might leave to find it, I’ll never let your head hit the bed without my hand behind it
How did you do? Did you score a perfect 15 for 15? Check your answers at http://www.jonacuff.com/stuffchristianslike/2008/01/answers-to-the-john-mayer-bible-quiz/
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