The Smith Group

Canadian Stephen Smith

2012-02-06T11:26:00.003-05:00

The dorm at Wesley Biblical Seminary was not very big. So you can imagine how funny it was to have 2 Stephen Smith's in the same dorm. So the nickname 'Canadian Steve' just seemed to fit and it was as if Canadian was his first name. He fit right in with us. He was very bright and I think he used that to his advantage. Every time I saw him, he was hanging out, playing video games, or chilling in someone else's room. We had several classes together, but one I will never forget was Hebrew. It was me, Canadian Steve, and another student. He was a great help to me. It is little moments such as these that I will remember and think fondly upon. He always brought a smile to my face because he was quirky, weird, and funny. Stephen - you will be remembered not only for these traits, but for your love of Christ. A love that took you across the sea to spread the message of the Gospel. Your life was cut too short, but you went as one who was faithful to their calling.

Often when we hear about Missionaries who die on the field we only think of those in the past, or maybe those who are older in years. People are still giving their lives for the sake of Christ, even young people. See you on the other side Canadian Steve.

Below is a piece of writing that Stephen Smith left us with: This and so much more.

'Send me!'. Shall I go? Shall I dare to claim a faith that seems so high, so courageous? I have not the portfolio of Jeremiah nor the ascention of Isaiah. I'm not wet - like Jonah.

Shall I really dare to simply put one step in front of the other as if I, like some weathered patriarch, can claim the legacy of the ages, the mantle of service to the Most High? Shall I walk resolutely like they who endured the harshest tests and miraculous circumstances?

Who am I to claim divine sponsorship? Do I really believe I should be written (etched in stone!) in the annals of faith - me, a weak, failing student who is likely as not to bring the whole thing down on my own head? The arrogance! To claim such a heritage! I should rather go home and leave the work to those truly called, to those found in auspicious occasions!

But I can no more abandon this quest than Samuel could unhear the whisper. I know not why I should be chosen for this highest of honors, but I know nothing else but that I must say 'yes'.

Don't pencil me in with Isaiah or near Job. Please, if I must adhere to this calling, simply find room for me in the appendix, under 'those who tried their best, but were otherwise unremarkable'. I dare not hope for more.

But to dream of such faith! That I might open my eyes and see His truth laid out before me! That I might open my mouth and speak words that melt stubborn hearts! That I might extend my step in action and find my footing sure, not rocked by self-doubt. That would be a service worth commissioning.

If you would have me, Lord, I will do it. I aspire to your highest calling, because you demand it of me. Who am I to deny you who makes of man - even a man such as I - what you will?

brief update

2012-01-27T17:39:00.002-05:00

Reflections from Vacation:

Even though I am out of state and have tried to unplug from some of the busyness and stress of ministry, I have found a great sense of renewal and understanding of the power of relationships in ministry. My heart echoes Paul's words... 'So while I am not with you in the flesh, I am with you in spirit'. I have been praying for many in our congregation who are particularly going through some tough times. You are remembered.

I have been able to rest and spend a great and wonderful time with my family and friends. Part of the renewal process is not just sitting on the couch and napping (even though I was able to do that, and it was GREAT). Renewal is about finding the parts of life and ministry that gives you energy. So even though I am on 'vacation' I have been working. For instance, I have attended an intensive class on nonviolence and social change (future posts on this to come). I have gone to a workshop presented on the '6 Faces of the Biblical Church'. I am leading an Affinity Night as part of the Natural Church Development process for a church in Indiana. I am still going to attend a discipleship event tomorrow as well. These things bring creativity and new life to me as well.

So how do you spend your Sabbath day? Is it just about resting or finding parts of our life where we can focus and see what brings life to us?

moment for music.

2012-01-18T16:24:00.002-05:00

So now that I am on vacation and have a little bit of time to write and think about random things, I wanted to share some of my favorite parts of music. This is not so much about the genre, but more some of my favorite parts of songs. These are just some of my random musings and ideas so take them for what they are. Here are a few songs (in no particular order or or importance) that must be in your iPod.

1. Ruby Tuesday

- the beginning part of this song is the BEST! I like the chorus and all, but that is not what makes it what it is. It is the first few lines. If you don't believe me, then watch the Royal Tenenbaums. Wes Anderson uses this to introduce a dialogue between two characters and the power is seen in just the few seconds of its use.

2. Neil Young's Philadelphia

- what else is there to say about this. Absolutely beautiful. The vocals are eery, painful, and beautiful all at the same time. Piano is simplistic and you can just picture him sitting there playing it. Love the whole thing, but as promised here is my favorite part: when he says, 'sometimes I think that I know what love's all about'.

3. Layla

- forget the guitar riff, the best part is the end where the piano kicks in. The supposed story about this song is that Clapton wrote it as a way to express his love to the woman he loved. Unfortunately, I believe this woman was George Harrison's wife. For me, I like to picture that this was his way to say something without saying it. The lyrics of the song may have communicated something, the piano part communicates something much deeper for me.

4. Under Pressure

- forget the riff that was borrowed by Vanilla Ice for his hit. The best part of this song is the bridge where the guitar kicks in and they almost scream 'why can't we give love one more chance'! That's just great.

5. Fly by Nick Drake

- the cello haunts me still. You will hear it as the introduction to the piece. If that doesn't get you, then the first line is 'please, give me second grace.' Perfect.

in His hands

2012-01-11T10:56:00.002-05:00

Do you remember the children's song.... "He's got the whole world in His hands?"

The simplicity of the melody and text tries to overcome a complex and often troubling reality of how to reconcile a troubling and suffering world with a loving God. This is the question that many wrestle with. If God is good, loving, etc., then why... fill in the blank.

Such a study is entitled Theodicy. And while it is a very large concept and a deep question to discuss, we want to step into this conversation this Sunday at Tabernacle UMC. As part of our 'Questions' series, we are seeking to find an answer to our question of, "why is there suffering in the world?"

The hymn writer reminds us that, 'this is my Father's world.' Join us as we seek truth together.

prayer

2012-01-06T12:33:00.003-05:00

Why do prayers go unanswered?

How do we reconcile the relationship of how prayers are answered and God seems silent at others?

This and more questions concerning prayer will be discussed this Sunday at Tabernacle UMC. Join us.

Something to think about this week in preparing your heart....

“I asked God for strength that I might achieve. I was made weak that I might learn humbly to obey. I asked for health that I might do greater things. I was given infirmity that I might do better things. I asked for riches that I might be happy. I was given poverty that I might be wise. I asked for power that I might have the praise of men. I was given weakness that I might feel the need of God. I asked for all things that I might enjoy life. I was given life that I might enjoy all things. I got nothing that I asked for, but everything I hoped for. Almost despite myself, my unspoken prayers were answered. I am, among all men, most richly blessed.”

World War II Admiral, Chester Nimitz

new year.

2012-01-02T12:33:00.002-05:00

This time of year we look ahead. We hope, we dream, we vision. If you still make 'resolutions', let me encourage you to not think of what you want to do in 2012, but to think of who you want to be in 2013. Begin with the end in mind, and this will shape how you can proceed in how to make it happen.

Here are a few thoughts on Vision from an earlier post:

Andy Stanley says,

"When your memories exceed your dreams, the end is near. I don’t want to be an expert about the last 15 years of ministry. We can’t be satisfied with the status quo even when it is good. If the vision doesn’t drive it, then the past does. When the past drives your ministry, it will lead to irrelevance and will lead to an end. Success breeds complacency, Complacency breeds failure."

It is challenging to see past next weekend. When we get caught in the daily routine of life the temptation is to become too microscopic in our vision and we analyze every detail. This is not bad, but the temptation is there to lose the bigger picture. The opposite could happen when we see to telescopically. Our vision is too big that the details never get taken care of. Either way, in all of these things is the idea that it is thinking forward that allows for us to grow. We can not move in a healthy direction if we continually look backwards.

Have you thought beyond next weekend? Do you still dream? Allow for God to give you your 'life picture' and where you would desire to see yourself in the future.

Christmas & Incarnation

2011-12-25T08:51:00.002-05:00

"When God's Son took on flesh, he truly and bodily took on, out of pure grace, our being, our nature, ourselves. This was the eternal counsel of the triune God. Now we are in him. Where he is, there we are too, in the incarnation, on the cross, and in his resurrection. We belong to him because we are in him. That is why the Scriptures call us the Body of Christ."

-- Dietrich Bonhoeffer

In light of this statement, remember that as Paul stated - truly God is the one IN whom we live, move, and have our being.

Merry Christmas! Christ has come to us. Christ will come again.

a step back this Christmas

2011-12-13T10:59:00.002-05:00

“It helps, now and then, to step back and take the long view. The kingdom is not only beyond our efforts, it is even beyond our vision. We accomplish in our lifetime only a tiny fraction of the magnificent enterprise that is God’s work. Nothing we do is complete, which is another way of saying that the kingdom lies beyond us. No statement says all that could be said. No prayer fully expresses our faith. No confession brings perfection. No pastoral visit brings wholeness. No program accomplishes the church’s mission. No set of goals and objectives includes everything. This is what we are about: We plant seeds that one day will grow. . We water seeds already planted, knowing that they hold future promise. We lay foundations that will need further development. We provide years that produces effects beyond our capabilities. We cannot do everything, and there is a sense of liberation in realizing that. This enables us to do something, and to do it very well. It may be incomplete, but it is a beginning, a step along the way, an opportunity for God’s grace to enter and do the rest. We may never see the end results, but that is the difference between the master builder and the worker. We are workers, not master builders, ministers, not messiahs. We are prophets of a future not our own.”

Oscar Romero cited in Victor Hunter, Desert Hearts and Healing Fountains, Chalice Press, 2003.

Thanks to Dr. Ben Hartley from Palmer Theological Seminary for sharing this with me.

what child is this?

2011-12-05T18:36:00.003-05:00

If this is the season in which we celebrate that God comes to us, then we must take some time to reflect upon the nature of such a revelation. Who is this one then that comes with the ultimate purpose to save? What was it like for him to become one of us in order to redeem us?

Philippians 2: 5 -8

In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death—even death on a cross!

The omnipotent became fragile; the omniscient one didn’t even know the ‘day or the hour’; the omnipresent one became a temporal being in history, time, space, and in a human body. This is living and stepping into mystery.

Dietrich Bonheoffer says, “The child in the manger is none other than God himself. Nothing greater can be said: God became a child. In the Jesus child of Mary lives the almighty God. Wait a minute! Don’t speak; stop thinking! Stand still before this statement! God became a child! Here he is, poor like us, miserable and helpless like us, a person of flesh and blood like us, our brother. And yet he is God; he is might. Where is the divinity, where is the might of the child? In the divine love in which he became like us.”

Indeed, God knows what it is like to go through struggle, pain, separation, and hurt. He feels our joys and sorrows for He became one of us in order to save us. There is no greater story of hope for us than this. Live in this reality, that God decided to save us by entering our world. Tell God what you feel and what you are thinking, for He not only knows, He understands. This is the message of Christmas.

Only at Christmas Time

2011-12-02T20:38:00.000-05:00

Here are some lyrics from one of my favorite musicians, Sufjan Stevens.

Only at Christmas time

Only a tree to climb

Only at Christmas time

If you can read the sign

Only at Christmas time

Everything lost will find

Only at Christmas time

We remember that, 'cursed is anyone who hangs on a tree'. There is no Calvary without Bethlehem. Merry Christmas.

Tis the Season

2011-11-20T19:51:00.002-05:00

"It's the most wonderful time of the year."

Get ready folks for the absolute deluge of lawn ornaments and decorations to be put up. I know it is not even Thanksgiving yet, (only a few more days till Turkey Time) but it is still coming.

Obviously, as we poke fun at the festivities, they do speak to a greater reality of light entering the darkness. This Sunday we begin the season of Advent. This is a time in the church where we take some time to prepare our hearts for the coming of Christ. It is a way to indeed remember the reason for the season - sorry, I know that is full of cheesiness.

Join us during this season as we look at the Journey - walking the road to Bethlehem. Hear the familiar story in a new way and have your heart stirred during this beautiful season. Keep posted to the blog as I share a few other devotional thoughts to prepare our hearts for Christmas.

Not Equal Amount, but Equal Sacrifice

2011-11-14T17:28:00.002-05:00

Often in the church we become confused whenever we speak of finances. It is often communicated in ways that seek to fulfill a need rather than meet the purpose.

The temptation is to focus upon the urgent rather than the important.

As many of you may know, we are looking to eliminate our only debt as a congregation. We want to enter 2012 debt free and we have asked our congregation to pray and discern how they can sacrifice and stretch in their giving. We have asked for equal sacrifice, not an equal amount. We could have divided it up and said, 'Ok each family take ____ amount and we can do it.' No. For me, this is not biblical.

Look at the Widow's Mite. This is not about amount, it is about sacrifice. So you need to know that whatever amount you give on November 20th - God will honor it if given with a cheerful heart and is a reflection of your values and heart. Let's put our treasure where our heart is.

I encourage you to continue to pray this week and know that when we come to church this coming Sunday, it will be day that will forever change our future. Get excited, the best days are yet to come.

owner/manager

2011-11-05T12:07:00.003-04:00

A Prayer:

"Lord, am I honoring You as owner and CEO/CFO of the assets You've entrusted to my care? Or am I treating You as a mere financial consultant, to whom I pay a fee (2%, 10%, or...)? Have I been acting as if I own the store and You work for me, rather than recognizing that You own it and I work for You?

"The land is mine and you are but aliens and my tenants." (Leviticus 25:23)

quote to ponder...

2011-10-23T22:40:00.002-04:00

As God's managers of the resources entrusted to us... how do you respond to the following quote?

"We buy things we don't need, with money we don't have, to impress people we don't even like."

- Dave Ramsey

Is there anything on your shelf, in your house, or in your car that you can see as an example of this? Now that we have talked about some of the theological and biblical understandings of Stewardship (God owns it all, we are His managers), how do we adjust the way we handle God's resources?

Let's get practical here.

Step 1 - Act your wage. If you can't pay for it, you shouldn't buy it.

Step 2 - Need versus Want. Asking this question will help prioritize our purchases.

more to come...

Fast Food for the Soul

2011-10-19T21:49:00.003-04:00

On our leadership retreat this past week, I was presented with this great image....

Fast Food for the Soul.

We have settled for:

French Fried Places: It is the building, location, or other structure that has taken our focus more than the ministry of Christ. While a place is essential - it is not central to the ministry.

Big Mac Personalities: Is your church focused on Christ or is it based around the personality of the preacher?

Supersized Programs: Often programs get the most of our attention and we have forgotten to move people further in their walk with God.

Apple Pie People: Often we are scared to move forward because it is unfamiliar and not the usual. We want people to know who we are and to know who everyone is...

Fast food is not good for you. Neither is fast food for the soul. Where have we fallen into these temptations as leaders of the church?

Al Davis - Steve Jobs

2011-10-10T21:35:00.003-04:00

I was listening to Colin Cowherd on ESPN radio as I was driving up to school today and he had a short commentary on Al Davis. For some reason, it really hit home with me and with some of my ideas and line of thinking. For those of you who know me, I am a NUT for organizational development books or ideas. I just can't get enough of them and continue to try and stretch myself to read, grow, and be a better leader. Check this out....

What is the difference between Al Davis and Steve Jobs? Both are iconic in their personalities and well-known and loved by many. Both men this week have passed away and left a legacy behind them. Though they both have a rebellious spirit like most true entrepreneurs have, they are different in the end.

Al Davis went from being not very relevant or cared for one day to another day being made an icon for his affect on the NFL. Forgotten, then immortalized in 24 hours. Steve Jobs had a continue affect and is being called the Einstein of our day. What is the difference? Both pushed past the boundaries of their perspective field into the future. The difference is...

Al Davis saw the future of the NFL, worked to get there, but STOPPED. Steve Jobs continually pushed and moved forward with each product and idea. He saw the future, got there, and then continued to dream. For those of you who still dream out there.... what will you do when you get to your preferred future? Will you stop or keep moving forward?

vince young

2011-10-03T19:39:00.003-04:00

Dear Vince,

Next time you want to speak to something you know nothing about.... remain silent. How about your dream team now? I love the fact that he thought that if you just get a bunch of good players put them on a team, and then it would just work. They didn't even play a game and he called them a dream team. Reality hurts doesn't it.

Teamwork is so much more than that. Reference Patrick Lencioni's "5 Dysfuncations of a Team" to learn more about how to grow as a team...

Take a lesson from Vince - next time you want to speak to something you have no experience in; don't.

philadelphia...

2011-09-26T14:07:00.002-04:00

There is nothing like driving through the streets of Philadelphia listening to Neil Young's 'Philadelphia'. This has to be in the top ten of most beautiful songs ever written.

As I was driving, I was contemplating how Jesus looked at the region in which he lived and how he viewed it in light of the history of the people of God. For me, certain places bring up certain emotions. Feelings of home, joy, warmth, and peace.

Jesus left heaven to make earth his home. This Sunday, we are going to look at how Jesus viewed the regions and peoples around him. Put on a favorite piece of music, look at Matthew's Gospel, and join us on Sunday to see where home really is.

3 kings?

2011-09-21T12:22:00.002-04:00

For so long we have looked at the '3 kings' in Matthew 2. We have sang the songs, and even recreated them in our Christmas Pageants. But Matthew 2 is not just a Christmas story. In fact, what Matthew was trying to communicate had nothing to do with the '3 kings'. Rather, he uses this group as part of his larger story.... Matthew 2 is about 3 groups of people rather than the three kings.

Herod -

Magi -

chief priests and teachers of the law -

This Sunday, as part of our Great Suggestion sermon series, we will discover and go deeper into a familiar story of our faith. Join us.

the great suggestion

2011-09-12T20:37:00.002-04:00

The Great Suggestion

How has the Great Commission ever become the 'great suggestion'? At Tabernacle, we take the words of Jesus very seriously when He asks us to, "Go and make disciples of all nations." In fact we base our lives, mission, and purpose around it. Some may believe that the Great Commission is just a tagline to the end of Jesus' ministry. However, if you look closely with us through the Gospel of Matthew, you will see it is something that defines who Jesus was. Join us in this journey together.

learning to fly

2011-09-03T09:31:00.003-04:00

"life is a preparation for eternity." Rick Warren

This week at Tabernacle we are going to investigate what it means to "learn to fly".

Søren Kierkegaard the Danish religious philosopher and minister, wrote a multitude of works in the middle of the 19th-century. Among his papers, is a story he wrote entitled the Tame Geese. In this story he asks one to imagine that these geese could, like us, talk and think and do the kinds of things that we do.

The geese went to church every week. Each week they were inspired by a powerful, motivating sermon by the high goose. The sermon always went the same. The high goose would tell the assembled geese of their high destiny and about what a high goal the Creator had appointed geese for he had given them wings. As he said all this, the geese would honk and squawk their approval. The geese curtsied and the ganders bowed their heads in honor of the great words. With their wings, the high goose told them, they could fly anywhere they wanted around the world. They were most pleased to hear this. And each week after church, as they dispersed, the geese would ...waddle ... home.

I want to fly. Some glad morning when this life is o'er. I'll fly away.

patience

2011-08-27T19:55:00.002-04:00

As we sit and wait for this storm to hit us, I want to encourage you to be in prayer. Many pray for different things during a time or natural disaster or crisis, but I wonder how often we pray for patience?

I don't know what will happen to our house or to our church. I don't even know when we will be allowed back into the county, so I must be in a mode of waiting. In this waiting, I need patience. In the rebuilding process we must be patient.

Tomorrow we will not be in church, but that does not mean that we cease to be the church. Love those around you. Care for those in need. No matter what happens, we will move forward together.

I want to encourage you to remember your church this week. Many churches are having to cancel their services which means that the offering which supports the ministry of the church will not be taken. We give to God through the ministry of the local church so lives could be changed. The ministry will continue and it needs your support. Please consider this in your giving.

the waiting...

2011-08-15T14:02:00.002-04:00

"The waiting is the hardest part."

How are you at waiting? This Sunday at Tabernacle we will discuss what it truly means to wait and why we are called to do so. As we prepare to worship together, I want to draw your attention to a beautiful quote by Paul Tripp. Dwell upon these words...

“Waiting on God isn’t about the suspension of meaning and purpose. It’s part of the meaning and purpose that God has brought into my life. Waiting on God isn’t to be viewed as an obstruction in the way of the plan. Waiting is an essential part of the plan. For the child of God, waiting isn’t simply about what I’ll receive at the end of my wait. No, waiting is much more purposeful, efficient, and practical than that. Waiting is fundamentally about what I’ll become as I wait. God is using the wait to do in and through me exactly what He’s promised. Through the wait He’s changing me. By means of the wait He’s altering the fabric of my thoughts and desires. Through the wait He’s causing me to see and experience new things about Him and His kingdom. And all of this sharpens me, enabling me to be a more useful tool in His redemptive hands”

Isaiah 40: 28-31

“Have you not known? Have you not heard?
The Lord is the everlasting God,
the Creator of the ends of the earth.
He does not faint or grow weary;
his understanding is unsearchable.
He gives power to the faint,
and to him who has no might he increases strength.
Even youths shall faint and be weary,
and young men shall fall exhausted;
but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength;
they shall mount up with wings like eagles;
they shall run and not be weary;
they shall walk and not faint.”

Gospel & Tom Petty

2011-08-09T13:20:00.002-04:00

A lot of people have been coming up to me and asking me, "What is the world does Tom Petty have to do with the church?" These are all people who haven't been able to make it out on Sunday, but I believe if you come you will discover for yourself. I want to encourage you to come on out and find out how the Gospel and Tom Petty are much closer than we would think.

This Sunday we are looking at the song, Refugee.

He says very simply - You don't have to live like a refugee.... Find out more this week at Tabernacle.

J.U.N.E. Project

2011-08-05T22:29:00.002-04:00

It has been a great week up here in Pottsville and Reading, PA. Over 145 people have been serving these communities all week in different mission projects while having a lot of fun throughout. The theme was beautiful - "How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news."

Check out more about the JUNE Project at www.juneproject.org

This Sunday at Tabernacle - Love is a Long Road.

I won't back down.

2011-07-26T15:57:00.002-04:00

John Wesley said, ""Give me one hundred people who fear nothing but sin and desire nothing but God, and I care not whether they be clergy or laity, they alone will shake the gates of Hell and set up the kingdom of Heaven upon the earth."

Jesus said that he will establish the church and even the gates of Hades will not overcome it. This Sunday at Tabernacle we are going to be encouraged by our Summer Pastoral Assistant (Joshua Friedeman), on how we can stand firm in our faith.

Tom Petty said,

I won't back down, no I won't back down

You can stand me up at the gates of Hell

but I won't back down.

wildflowers...

2011-07-20T11:23:00.004-04:00

"You belong among the wildflowers,

you belong somewhere close to me.

Far away from your trouble and worries,

you belong somewhere you feel free."

Where are you? God asked this question to Adam and Eve in the Garden while they were hiding. I wish to ask you the same question. Tom Petty says we belong among the wildflowers. Are you there? Maybe we have to learn what the wildflowers are first.... come this Sunday to find out.

thoughts on vision

2011-07-11T13:34:00.002-04:00

Andy Stanley says,

Have you thought beyond next weekend? Do you still dream? Allow for God to give you your 'life picture' and where you would desire to see yourself in the future.

independence...

2011-07-04T18:42:00.002-04:00

On this wonderful holiday where we celebrate freedom and independence as a nation, often the church takes this theme and tries to run with it. For instance, a sign down the road says, "Jesus can give you spiritual independence." While I believe this is true, and I understand what they are trying to say, I want to say that the opposite is also true. Jesus gives us spiritual dependency.

Now when we speak of freedom it is true to say that Jesus sets one free. But does that freedom separate one from a relationship of depending upon God? Does Jesus set one free then all of a sudden we don't need Him anymore? Certainly this is not the case.

This sunday at Tabernacle we are continuing with our Gospel and Tom Petty series where we will address this issue of depending upon God. Petty says, "I aint never gonna let you down, all you got to do is trust me.... I'm depending upon You. Don't let me down, I'm depending upon You." Our freedom comes with the freedom to choose Him each day.

truth

2011-07-02T17:25:00.002-04:00

"then you will know the truth, and the truth shall set you free..."

What truth is Jesus talking about? Further in the Gospel of John we see how truth is personified when Jesus himself says that He is the truth. But the readers wouldn't have known that as they read John 8 - where we get the above quote.

Is it possible for truth to be outside from our frame of reference? How do you react when you hear the phrase, "All truth is God's truth."

What does the truth set us free from or free to do?

These questions and many more tomorrow at Tabernacle UMC.

when God speaks

2011-06-24T17:00:00.002-04:00

This Sunday at Tabernacle we are finishing our series entitled "When God Speaks". The premise of our study together has been a focus upon the response of people when God speaks to them. We have looked at the heroes of our faith who have responded by saying, "Here I am".

What happens when instead of this phrase being the response of the people of God, it is the very message that God says Himself. What do we do when Jesus says, "Here I am."? Find out this Sunday....

Contemporary 8:30 am

Traditional 11 am

Sunday school for all ages at 9:45 am

www.tumc-erma.org

peace child

2011-06-20T07:42:00.000-04:00

There is a missionary story the talks about how some missionaries went to a culture where Judas was seen as the hero of the Gospel story because that culture celebrated cunning. Being shocked at the applause that Judas got, the missionaries didn't know how to communicate the Gospel and had to rethink their approach.

That is until one day two sides of the tribe were fighting when all of a sudden a mother gave up her child to the other side. The fighting stopped instantly. Puzzled at the event, the missionaries came to the realization that there is one thing stronger than division, a parent's love. This is known as offering a "peace child." The missionaries then had their story to tell.

congrats

2011-06-14T12:29:00.002-04:00

Congratulations to all those who are graduating in the next week or two. Remember that we are a people that are called to love God with our heart, soul, MIND, and strength. Your academic achievements are an act of worship unto God.

We need Christians who are preparing and prepared for a life of service in this world. They need to be trained and equipped to do God's work in the world. Your graduation (particularly those from High School) is just the beginning of a lifetime of learning, growing, and developing. So as you listen to the typical graduation speech (oh the places you'll go ala Dr. Seuss, or the Road Less Traveled bit), remember that the world is waiting for you. Will you be ready to serve them? Will you be prepared and have your mind sharpened? This is just the beginning, get ready.

might be a while...

2011-05-31T15:42:00.002-04:00

due to my broken arm typing is slow and frustrating...

so it might be a while for a blog update. be patient, i will be back & better than ever soon

speak, Your servant is listening.

2011-05-23T22:15:00.002-04:00

let your ear be attentive to the voice of my supplications....

when was the last time our ears were attentive to what God desired to say? This Sunday at Tabernacle, we are going to investigate what it means to have a listening ear. With this comes a new perspective. As we prepare to worship together this week - I encourage you to read 1 Samuel 3 to prepare.

See you on Sunday.

we're still here.

2011-05-21T19:09:00.002-04:00

Let me put my 'shocked face' on. I have to admit that when the clock struck 6 p.m. EST I turned on the evening news to see what the coverage would be. Was there a natural disaster somewhere? What would the news say?

We have been saturated with today's date, May 21st 2011. This was going to be the judgement day before a period of 5 months of trials and the end of the world. Right. Sadly, many are worried about the so called prophesy and it has led to fear for many. Though the second coming will be an actual event, I disagree with those who believe that this leads to an overall positive message about it.

As for me - I wish that guy would just shut up. The problem is that people believed him, even though an earlier prediction for the end of the world has already come and gone. I can't wait to hear his response to how this date didn't work out. Maybe it was wrong mathematical calculations again. So, with all of the theological and biblical answers that I could use to prove the absurdity of this guy's claim, let me close with these words from the group Public Enemy...

"Don't believe the hype."

hide and seek.

2011-05-14T20:30:00.003-04:00

Does God play hide and seek? At times we may feel this way, but then we would be in good company with the Psalmist and even Jesus himself. Although at times it feels as if God cannot be found, the revelation of God shows us something much different.

God does not play hide and seek because He desires to make Himself known. Romans 1 reminds us of natural revelation - ²⁰ For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse.

Jesus himself in seen to be the special revelation of God. If you want to know who God is, or what God is like - look at Jesus. He reveals the Father, according to John.

So if God desires to make Himself known - what will be our response when He speaks to us?

Join us at Tabernacle UMC as we seek to discover such a reality.

roll away the stone

2011-05-11T23:25:00.000-04:00

I honestly didn't hear of Mumford and Sons until I saw them with Dylan at the Grammys. I am sitting here about to go to bed after finishing my final paper of the semester celebrating with a little bit of folk rock. Nobody can jam on an acoustic guitar like them... well maybe the Avett Bros. Here are the lyrics to a striking and very seasonal song for us... Enjoy.

By the way - shout out to Jim Reilly from Tabernacle UMC for having a straight connection to the blog from his Ipod Touch!

Roll away your stone, I’ll roll away mine
Together we can see what we can find
Don’t leave me alone at this time,
For I am afraid of what I will discover inside
You told me that I would find a home,
Within the fragile substance of my soul
And I have filled this void with things unreal,
And all the while my character it steals

The darkness is a harsh term don’t you think?
And yet it dominates the things I seek
It seems as if all my bridges have been burned,
You say that’s exactly how this grace thing works
It’s not the long walk home that will change this heart,
But the welcome I receive at the restart

The darkness is a harsh term don’t you think?
And yet it dominates the things I seek
The darkness is a harsh term don’t you think?
And yet it dominates the things I seek
The darkness is a harsh term don’t you think?
And yet it dominates the things I seek

Stars hide your fires,
And these here are my desires
And I will give them up to you this time around
And so, I’ll be found with my steak stuck in this ground
Marking its territory of this newly impassioned soul
But you, you’ve come too far this time
You have neither reason nor rhyme
With which to take this soul that is so rightfully mine

Summer Pastoral Assistant

2011-04-28T14:35:00.004-04:00

Dear members and friends of TUMC,

It is with great pleasure that I introduce to you our summer pastoral assistant, Joshua Friedeman. I have known Josh for 10 years and he is a great young man of God. We are going to be truly blessed by his presence and ministry with us this summer. Some of his areas of responsibility will be leading worship at the 8:30 service, working with the children's, youth, and college-aged ministries, and other areas of technology and worship planning. You will get to meet him in person on Memorial Day Weekend and he will be with us through all of June and July. Please take advantage of getting to know this young man this summer. I do need your help: If you are able to providing housing or able to host Josh for the summer please contact Pastor Michael. This is going to be a great summer at Tabernacle.

ANNOUNCEMENTS and a few pieces of information for you to consider....

A Ladies Tea sponsored by United Methodist Women - Saturday, April 7th. contact church office for more information.

May 15th - Usher, Greeter, and Welcome Team Training - 12 noon. Guest Speakers are scheduled and lunch will be served.

'today was a good day'

2011-04-26T09:54:00.002-04:00

Back in the 90's, Ice Cube released a mellowed out track where he walks one through a typical day in his life. The hook and tag was, "I gotta say, today was a good day."

As those who now journey beyond the cross of Christ and the empty tomb we are left with the reality of everyday life. The events which we just celebrated are real and true for daily living and for today's events just as they were last week in the midst of our Holy Week experiences.

What makes today a good day? Often we remember that 'today is the day the Lord hath made, let us rejoice and be glad in it.' Certainly we believe this and understand that today is a day that we have not yet seen before. In this comes gladness and rejoicing because God's mercy is new every morning. Is that enough to make it good?

Or is goodness then defined by experiences or joys throughout the day? Does a nice lunch, or watching a funny TV show, or talking to a friend define a good day? Could we be able to walk someone through our typical day and as they see our decisions, choices, and impact on others they would be able to confidently say, 'today was a good day.'

Do good today.

Can you make it 3 days?

2011-04-14T13:44:00.001-04:00

Matthew 27: 3-5
When Judas, his betrayer, saw that Jesus was condemned; he repented and brought back the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priest and the elders. He said, “I have sinned by betraying innocent blood.” But they said, “What is that to us? See to it yourself.” Throwing down the pieces of silver in the temple, he departed; and he went and hanged himself.”

It is difficult to wait. The psalmist said, “I waited patiently for the Lord, and He has heard my cry.” How are you in your waiting? I find that most of the time, patience is often hard to come by. Isaiah talks about those that “wait upon the Lord, shall renew their strength. They shall mount up with wings as eagles.” Adam Hamilton asks the question, “What is Judas waited three days before taking his life?” How would the world be different? Imagine the testimony and story he would have. He sold Jesus out to death for thirty pieces of silver. He had come under the power of the tempter and enemy of God, and did not resist. He had done the unthinkable. But grace would have abounded. God’s sufficiency of grace would have been available to even the betrayer. We learned how Jesus fed Judas before revealing that he was the betrayer. Would Jesus not love and forgive Judas? You and I know he would- because He has done so with us. What are you waiting for? Can you make it through the night? Could you wait for three days?

Servant of All

2011-04-05T09:47:00.000-04:00

The Measure of Greatness

²⁴Also a dispute arose among them as to which of them was considered to be greatest. ²⁵Jesus said to them, "The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them; and those who exercise authority over them call themselves Benefactors. ²⁶But you are not to be like that. Instead, the greatest among you should be like the youngest, and the one who rules like the one who serves. (Luke 22: 24-26)

²The evening meal was being served, and the devil had already prompted Judas Iscariot, son of Simon, to betray Jesus. ³Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God; ⁴so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. ⁵After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples' feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him. (John 13: 2-5)

From an early age we discover how to distinguish between the popular and the unpopular, the normal and the different, the leaders and the followers. Just imagine the disciples as they are arguing about which of them was considered to be the greatest around the ‘Last Supper’ table. In the midst of the arguing like little middle school boys, Jesus – the Lord of all - gets up from the table and shows them what greatness truly is; Service. John shows us how he takes a towel and wraps it around his waist. Jesus pours water into a basin and washes the disciple’s feet. “The one who rules should be like the one who serves.” What are you doing with what influence you have in this world? Are you lording it over others or using it to serve others? Jesus gave us the example and said, ‘Now that you know these things, you are blessed if you do them.”

My God - why have you forsaken me?

2011-03-26T18:10:00.002-04:00

If you look at Jesus throughout the Gospels, He is particular in how He refers to God. Jesus calls him, Father. This speaks to the relational character of God more than it does about God's gender. Don't get too caught up in whether God is male or female. The point of it all is that God is relational and God's being should be understood in such a way. So if Jesus is continually saying, 'my Father this and my Father that... if you've seen me-you've seen my Father, no one comes unto the Father but by me, my Father is the vinedresser, here is how you should pray - our Father, etc. Then what is the importance that now from the cross Jesus says, 'My God'?

This phrase from the cross is understood in context from when Jesus quoted Psalm 22. Certainly he wouldn't want to misquote David... but one of the helpful realities about the mystery of Christ being both fully God and fully man is that this phrase connects us to Christ. Jesus cries out in the same way we would. Psalm 22 says that God will not always chide and that God does not despise the afflictions of the afflicted. Jesus became our affliction. Have you ever felt forsaken? Jesus understands. He could have easily adjusted the psalm and say, Father, why have you forsaken me? But he wanted to point us to a deeper truth that our cries echo the same as Christ himself. In our psalms of lament, never forget that though suffering or pain, or even sorrow would last for the night, joy comes in the morning. A lament in only a lament because it ends with a feeling of trust and praise. Future generations will indeed speak of the one who draws us to Himself and calls us brother. Oh forsaken one - look to the cross and find your forsaken Savior.

Word From the Cross

2011-03-09T22:30:00.004-05:00

"Father, forgive them for they don't know what they're doing."

Why didn't Jesus just simply say, "Father, forgive them." That would have done the trick don't you think? Here is Jesus who is barely able to breathe because of the strain of the cross and the asphyxiation it was causing... and he decides to say this whole thing.

What is sin? The reality is that we really don't know what we are doing. While this verse could certainly be interpreted within its context, what if we viewed the role of sin in our lives in such a way? If we really knew what sin did and what it caused, then I would hope that there would be a longing for repentance and renewal. So I guess that in essence we don't really know what we are doing do we? But thanks be to God that there is forgiveness there. The areas of my life where I simply do not know what I am doing is still in need of forgiveness.

Having a disconnect between the head understanding of sin and the walk of a believer living in sin is a classic example of not having a clue. We understand what sin is and what it does to the relationship with God, but we still hate our neighbor. We truly do not know what we're doing. Forgive us Lord even for those things.

Revival

2011-02-22T09:52:00.002-05:00

Beginning this Sunday we are having a very special time in the life of our church. I don't know what comes to your mind when you think of the word 'revival', but I want to invite you to see for yourself at Tabernacle.

This is something we all need as part of our faith journey. Services begin on Sunday Morning, February 27th at 10:15 am.

Evening Services Sunday through Wednesday are at 7 p.m. A children's program is provided.

Join us.

Spring Training

2011-02-14T10:33:00.002-05:00

Even though it is still Winter... Spring Training is upon us. For the past several years the Philadelphia Phillies have been at the top of the discussion board about their potential for another winning season. This year the expectations are high with the acquisition of Cliff Lee. It is again, 'World Series or Bust' time for the Phillies.

At Tabernacle, we have some similarities. Our expectations are high, and we are also winning. We are on the path to winning and this is an exciting trip to be on. I encourage you to join us as we discover the winning elements of our ministry.

District Day of Learning

2011-02-02T19:32:00.003-05:00

I mailed off my final project for a class I took in January and it is such a relief to be finished!

One of the other areas of focus on my vacation is to prep for two seminar classes I am teaching at the District Day of Learning on February 13th in Ocean City, NJ.

One class is called - "An Administrative Council that WINS" and the other is, "Listening to Outsiders". One of the joys about the preparation process is team teaching with a friend, Sarah Lee. I have discovered that you need to find areas of your life where you gain energy while giving energy. Teaching is one of them for me. Teaching on these particular topics also brings me such joy that I feel strengthened after each class.

If you are interested in attending the District Day of Learning on February 13th, please contact Cheryl in the Church office. 884.3574

Hope all is well with you!

See you soon.

The King's Speech

2011-01-28T16:42:00.002-05:00

There has been ALOT of buzz around the new movie, 'The King's Speech', starring Colin Firth. Being at the top of the Oscar nominations, I wanted to go see for myself.

Here is a little known fact about me: I am the BEST at picking the winners for the Oscars. Every year, challengers step up only to get beat down by my prediction prowess. So here is a little piece on insider information about the upcoming Oscars.

While the King's Speech is a GREAT movie and I highly recommend it, it will not win best picture. But, Colin Firth will win best actor. If for some reason he does not, then the Academy got it wrong.

One of the subtle but beautiful parts of the movie is the look at the character of leadership and the ability to lead through words. Words have tremendous power and they can either harm or heal. I don't want to spoil or ruin any parts for you, but I encourage you to check it out.

I am enjoying my vacation and hope all is well with you. See you soon.

Take care,

Vacation update

2011-01-25T15:55:00.003-05:00

I went to see True Grit. Great movie! Here are some highlights...

The movie begins with Proverbs 28:1... The wicked flee when no man pursueth:

The movie also has a musical variation and theme from the hymn, "Leaning on the Everlasting Arms". It is throughout the entire movie, and you have to stay during the credits to hear the sung version. Enjoy!

forgiveness.

2011-01-14T20:11:00.002-05:00

This week at Tabernacle: Forgiveness.

"If you think that I could be forgiven - I wish you would." Counting Crows.

Below is a quote from Rev. Adam Hamilton, pastor of The United Methodist Church of the Resurrection. He says,

“It is unfortunate that sometimes Christianity is associated with guilt. To many people, we’re known for preaching guilt – but a Christianity obsessed with guilt is no Christianity. We must understand and be clear about our sin. If we are not aware of our sin we go on hurting others, living self-absorbed little lives. But the purpose of preaching about sin is to bring healing. People don’t study medicine so they can tell people that they are sick! Doctors study medicine so that they can heal those who are sick. But they can’t offer healing until the patient understands they are sick. So it is with Christianity – we speak about the human struggle with sin in an attempt to diagnose the spiritual malady that afflicts us all. But the goal is not to tell you that you are sick, but to offer you the medicine that makes you well. It is not to simply ask the question, but to lead you to the answer! Yes, we’re all sinners and this is a serious issue. But God is a God of grace and mercy!”

A long december.

2010-12-31T14:14:00.002-05:00

Beginning on January 2nd.

I invite you to join me at Tabernacle as we begin 2011 with hope. Please have a safe and happy New Year's Eve tonight! The next few weeks are based off of the song 'a long december' by the Counting Crows. Below are the full lyrics to the song. We will be using some of these allusions as we see how the Gospel brings Hope for a new Year.

This week - living hope.

January 9 - passing moments.

January 16 - forgiveness.

January 23 - a new day.

A long December and there's reason to believe
Maybe this year will be better than the last
I can't remember the last thing that you said as you were leaving
Oh the days go by so fast

And it's one more day up in the canyons
And it's one more night in Hollywood
If you think that I could be forgiven
I wish you would
(Na na na, etc. yeah)

The smell of hospitals in winter
And the feeling that it's all a lot of oysters, but no pearls
All at once you look across a crowded room
To see the way that light attaches to a girl

And it's one more day up in the canyons
And it's one more night in Hollywood
If you think you might come to California
I think you should
(Na na na, etc. yeah)

Drove up to Hillside Manor sometime after 2 a.m.
And talked a little while about the year
I guess the winter makes you laugh a little slower
Makes you talk a little lower about the things you could not show her

And it's been a long December and there's reason to believe
Maybe this year will be better than the last
I can't remember all the times I tried to tell myself
To hold on to these moments as they pass

And it's one more day up in the canyon
And it's one more night in Hollywood
It's been so long since I've seen the ocean
I guess I should
(Na na na, etc. yeah)

Special Events

2010-12-18T10:53:00.003-05:00

There are a lot of exciting things happening at TUMC in the next few weeks...

Dec 19th -

Christmas Breakfast - 9 am

Combined Worship Service - Sanctuary - 10:15 am

Special Children's Program - 6 p.m.

Dec 24th - Candlelight Christmas Eve

7 p.m and 11 p.m. Worship

7 p.m. - Traditional Worship led by organ and choir

11 p.m. - relaxed atmosphere with music led by our praise team.

Dec 26th -

No Sunday School

Combined Worship Service - Sanctuary - 10:15 am

January 2nd - A Long December Sermon Series Launches!

We hope you will join us during this beautiful season of hope.

Joy to the World

2010-12-05T20:49:00.002-05:00

Isaac Watts, the great hymn writer, who also wrote 'When I survey the Wondrous Cross' penned the famous Christmas Eve hymn. You remember it right....

Joy to the world, the Lord is come, let earth receive her king.

Let every heart prepare him room and heaven and nature sing.

What's interesting about this hymn is that it was not originally intended for Christmas, but more for the Second Coming of Christ. This is what Advent is - a preparing. We not only prepare for the coming of Christ at Christmas, but we prepare to receive Him as returning King . Advent is a good season to prepare for both honestly. Is there room in your heart? Jesus said to be ready and to keep watch. Be prepared. He desire to come to you, and He is coming again. When we sing this hymn with lit candles celebrating the birth of Christ, remember the hymn writer wants to turn our attention to when Christ returns. Amen.

Only at Christmas Time

2010-11-28T16:29:00.003-05:00

Here are some lyrics from one of my favorite musicians, Sufjan Stevens. He will be on constantly from now through the Christmas Season.

Only at Christmas time

Only a tree to climb

Only at Christmas time

If you can read the sign

Only at Christmas time

Everything lost will find

Only at Christmas time

We remember that, 'cursed is anyone who hangs on a tree'. There is no Calvary without Bethlehem. I love how he puts the line - "only a tree to climb." I want to remember while I am shopping that not only is Jesus the 'reason for the season', or that he was 'born that man no more may die', but that he climbed the cross for me. This is a beautiful song mixed with beautiful and thought provoking lyrics. Merry Christmas.

Thanksgiving

2010-11-24T13:45:00.002-05:00

Happy Thanksgiving!

We had a great Community Thanksgiving Service last night! Thank you for those who participated. Here are a few thoughts from John 13:

¹ It was just before the Passover Festival. Jesus knew that the hour had come for him to leave this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end. ² The evening meal was in progress, and the devil had already prompted Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot, to betray Jesus. ³ Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God; ⁴ so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. ⁵ After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him...

¹² When he had finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and returned to his place. “Do you understand what I have done for you?” he asked them. ¹³“You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and rightly so, for that is what I am. ¹⁴ Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. ¹⁵ I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. ¹⁶ Very truly I tell you, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. ¹⁷ Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.

As you gather around your table, how are you going to show the full extent of your love? Will you choose to serve rather than being served? Think about those around the table with Christ - Peter the denier, Judas the betrayer, the other deserting disciples. He has set for us an example. When we choose not to serve, we are saying that we are greater than the Master. Do you want God's blessings in your life this Thanksgiving? Serve. You will be blessed if you do these things. Happy Turkey Day.

Measure of Greatness

2010-02-22T14:48:00.001-05:00

Also a dispute arose among them as to which of them was considered to be greatest. Jesus said to them, ‘The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them; and those who exercise authority over them call themselves Benefactors. But you are not to be like that. Instead, the greatest among you should be like the youngest, and the one who rules like the one who serves.’” (Luke 22: 24-26)
“The evening meal was being served, and the devil had already prompted Judas Iscariot, son of Simon, to betray Jesus. Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God; so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him.” (John 13: 2-5)
From an early age we discover how to distinguish between the popular and the unpopular, the normal and the different, the leaders and the followers. For those who know me, it is not a shock that I was not one of the popular kids in school. But what is most fascinating as I reflect is that even in the realms of ‘nerddom,’ there are still distinguishing marks that separates u. First chair, section leader, president of the Thespian Society, drum major, Dungeon Master- Okay, that last one was for the really geeky kids out there.
We, like the disciples, want to know our place in the pecking order of life. Just imagine the disciples as they are arguing about which of them was considered to be the greatest around the ‘Last Supper’ table. In the midst of them arguing like little middle school boys, Jesus – the Lord of all – gets up from the table and shows them what greatness truly is; Service. John shows us how he takes a towel and wraps it around his waist. Jesus pours water into a basin and washes the disciple’s feet. “The one who rules should be like the one who serves.”
I’m greater than you are. Funny statement isn’t it. Why do we push others down thinking it will raise us up?
Let me give you an old Delanco illustration… My summer on permanent staff was great. I was the lifeguard that summer. It was several years and a few pounds ago. When I was taking my life guarding courses before the summer they taught us how to approach a drowning victim. It was pretty much like attacking them. Seriously. When someone is drowning they panic – obviously. As they panic they will pull the lifeguard (the very person who is trying to help them) under the water in an attempt to remain above it. Clearly, you cannot save someone if you are pulled under yourself. So they taught us all sorts of moves on how to block and maneuver our way to get to a place of safety where we can get ahold of the victim and bring them to safety.
My instructor told me, if that doesn’t work, punch them in the face. Seriously, true story.
Whenever we argue about who is greatest, whenever we put our own interests first, we are in contrast to the purpose of God in our lives. Jesus said that the servant is not greater than the master. So whenever we say that taking up the towel is just not “our thing,” we are saying that we are better than Christ. Don’t put people down in an attempt to raise yourself up.
As we enter the Season of Lent in the church, I want to ask you – What are you doing with the influence you have in this world? Are you lording it over others or using it to serve others? Take some time during this season to reflect and to serve. Jesus gave us the example and said, “Now that you know these things, you are blessed if you do them.” Let us not be only hearers of the Word, but doers. Serve somebody today.

Principle of the Path

2010-02-01T16:13:00.006-05:00

"Direction, not Intention, Determines Destination."

Andy Stanley, Author and Pastor of Northpoint Community Church

This is the principle of the path.

Do you remember Dorothy and her little dog, Toto? She wanted to get home, and there was this guy in OZ who was a Wizard - Hence the name of the movie - who would help her get home. In order to get there she had to do something.... "Follow the Yellow Brick Road." If she would follow this road it would lead her to OZ. In fact, if you or I wanted to get to OZ, then guess what... we have to follow the yellow brick road. The reason Dorothy got there is because she followed this road. The direction determines destination. There was nothing special about Dorothy. She didn't have to be brilliant - she was traveling with a guy with no brain. It had nothing to do with her character - one guy didn't have a heart. She didn't need to be particularly brave- in fact, one guy didn't have any courage at all. She got to OZ because that is where the yellow brick road led. This is the principle of the path. She could have intended to get there or wished or dreamed with all of her heart, but unless she started out skipping down this road (as munchkins sing her out), she would never have gotten there.

Here is the reality as Morpheus stated in The Matrix... "There is a difference between knowing the path, and walking the path." Solomon says it like this...

"The wise see danger and take refuge, the foolish keep going and suffer for it." Proverbs 27:12

What seperates the wise and the foolish, and ultimately us as we include ourselves into this story, is not that one saw the danger and one didn't. It is what they did in response to it. It is what you do when you see danger that determines whether or not you are a biblical fool. Both saw the danger - the wise changed their direction. The foolish kept going, they didn't change their path, and Solomon gives us this promise - they suffer for it.

Have you ever been lost? It is a scary feeling when you realize that you have no idea where you are and are possibly headed in the wrong direction. Funny thing about being lost... rarely do you ever keep going in the same direction. You turn around, exit, change your direction.

I think if we are honest with ourselves, we all have good intentions. We all want to be headed in the right direction. But the principle of the path teaches us that it is not about how we feel or what we would want. It is about whether or not we are headed in the right direction or on the right path. This principle can apply in so many areas of your life if you would let it.

Do you want to grow in your faith? Are you on the right path to get you there?

Do you want to excel in school? There is a path for that - be on it.

Do you want to be financially secure? You may have to change your behavior in order to be on the right path. This may not be easy and you may not see results right away.

The difference between you and everyone else is going to be found in whether or not you can look past next weekend. Most people can't. But if you can see how choices today affect tomorrow, and you know that there are consequences to your actions, then you can be on a path- the right path. The direction of that path will determine your destination- the end result. Have a fun journey.

Power in the Beard

2009-11-09T11:05:00.005-05:00

There must be power in the beard. It is a mystical strength that I am unable to attain. Reference by cute baby face.

What makes a great musician? Is it the skill of the instrument? The beauty of tone in the voice? The depth of lyrics in songwriting? ... Or is it the beard?

Some say that William Fitzsimmons might try and 'rip off' Iron and Wine's classic look of the bearded troubadour, but I tell you they are distinct in their style and musicality. Gotta love both of them.

Only at Christmas Time...

2009-10-28T16:23:00.005-04:00

I am one of those people that believe you should only watch Christmas movies or listen to Christmas music after Thanksgiving. So it’s not as if I want to skip Thanksgiving, but before you know it, our culture will be inflating those annoying inflatable Reindeer and Snowmen and placing them on their lawns. Oh by the way, if have one of those inflatable things I should probably apologize for calling them annoying, but let’s be honest; they are! So sorry, no apology from me.

In case you didn’t know it – Christmas will be here on December 25th. Did you plan? Did you save for those presents? Our culture today has made Christmas be something so much more extravagant than ever before. Christmas is now commercialized. You can have Christmas on credit. Pay for gifts with money you don’t have, to give to family and friends who don’t need them, or will never use them. Whose birthday are we celebrating on Christmas anyway? Christmas is not your birthday.

Here at St. Peter’s, we recognize that Christmas is Jesus’ birthday. This year, we want Christmas to be different for you. We want for you to experience the true meaning of Christmas. We desire that you take the time to spend with family and friends instead of rushing around the mall. Give gifts that have an eternal impact rather than a temporary feeling. What if you bought one less gift and gave the money to missions? What if you asked for people to donate to missions instead of giving you a gift card, sweater, tie, or candle? Would you really miss those gifts? Would the joy of a life changed or community impacted be enough to give your heart such joy this Christmas season. We live in a world where people do not experience many ‘silent nights’. You can make a difference in someone’s life through your giving this Christmas.

So if you haven’t started shopping yet, then I want for you to read again the previous paragraph before you do. As you are out in the stores with your long list of things to buy, I want you to pause and ask yourself if this gift you are giving has any lasting impact. Would you consider giving to missions instead?

Last year, Christmas was different for me. As my family and friends opened the cards, I was filled with such joy as I could see that they really loved the gift we gave them. My father was a teacher for 38 years, so we gave a gift for a student in the Dominican Republic to attend school. He was really touched. My mother-in-law works in a mammography office so we donated towards chemotherapy treatment for a friend in the Dominican Republic who was suffering with breast cancer. The picture of the woman who is cancer free now sits on the mantle with pictures of the rest of the family. There are many other stories like this I could share. But I have found that not only did we get to help others through giving to missions, but we gave a lasting gift to our family and friends. You can make this Christmas different. Start now.

Michael Vick

2009-09-15T10:08:00.002-04:00

There is a new #7 in town. I waited for a while now to respond to the Michael Vick situation, but I figured it was time.

Everyone knows I love the Eagles. Everyone knows I love my dog. But the Michael Vick controversy is about him playing a game and about his crime. It is about our response to it. I love watching people say how he deserves a second chance, but then put conditions upon it.

'Well, as long as it is not for my team... or he can be a landscaper, but he shouldn't be allowed back in the NFL.'

It has forced us as Christians to look at what forgiveness is and how far we are willing to extend it. The issue is that the Philadelphia Eagles have shown more morality and Christlike character than the church has. I don't want my favorite team to take the first step in doing what is right. That is great and all, but it isn't their role. It is mine.

So people can stand on the street corner with pictures of this and that, and slogans like, "Hide your beagle, Vick's and Eagle", but the question we all have to wrestle with is whether or not we would deserve a second chance. I am glad God isn't like us in this respect. I don't understand why God forgives and continues to reveal his faithfulness to us. God has given me more than a second chance, so why would I not be willing to forgive others?

Look- what he did was absolutely terrible. You can't get around that. But I can't call myself a follower of Christ and extend nothing but a cold shoulder to Vick or anyone else. Forgiveness is not easy or simple for us it seems. We cannot let go of our own agendas or frailties in order to look at someone the way God would.

These are just some of my thoughts for now. It is a thought provoking and heart stirring issue. Hard to deal with.

Book Review

2009-08-25T10:19:00.002-04:00

Crazy Love - by Francis Chan.

I heard Pastor Chan speak at Catalyst about two years ago and was really impressed. I don't think he was the best speaker at the conference, but he certainly stood out. He was so passionate about helping others in their relationship with Christ that it just poured out of him. It was almost as if he couldn't stand up straight because of the pain of the moment. He was that into it. That same passion comes out in his book, Crazy Love: Overwhelmed by a Relentless God.

We recently finished an adult study on the book, and I have seen some positive fruit from it. Each chapter is a challenge and I encourage anyone who reads it to do so with a partner or in a group. A lot of times we are challenged and we simply read it and move on. But if you study this in a group setting, it forces you to wrestle with the issues and to deal with them. You cannot hide. While I don't agree with every single line of the book, (I don't think we ever will), I would still recommend it. Make sure you get it and study it with your group.

Beyond VBS

2009-08-13T16:10:00.002-04:00

Just a few more days till VBS. Ahh yes, the beloved time in the summer where kids from throughout the church and neighborhood come to learn about Jesus' love. This year we are doing Crocodile Dock. It is a good theme this year and it should be fun with the kids. But here is me being me again...

What is the next step beyond VBS because in my opinion, I think it has run its course. Now I don't know if this is a blanket statement for all churches, and I still think it is working well for my church. But if we could have a weekend away to think about this subject, I wonder what we would come up with...

What is the next step in children's ministry? What will be the thing that connects generations, particularly a new and upcoming one, into the life of the church? Is that VBS' role? So as I jump into the Bayou I can't stop from thinking... what's next?

Disney

2009-07-08T11:07:00.004-04:00

In preparing for a week in Disney with the family I can't stop from thinking about good ole Walt. Don't get me wrong, Mickey is great, but check the following out below...

"If you can dream it, you can do it" - Walt Disney

Walt Disney died before Disney World in Florida was completed. On opening day in 1971, almost five years after Disney’s death, someone commented to Mike Vance, creative director of Walt Disney Studios, “Isn’t it too bad Walt Disney didn’t live to see this?” “He did see it,” Vance replied simply. “That’s why it’s here.”

Craig Groeschel- It: How Churches and Leaders can get it and keep it. Page 48.

Proverbs 29: 18- Where there is no vision, the people perish.

“Worse than being blind would be able to see but have no vision.” -Helen Keller

Dave Ramsey Study

2009-05-05T15:31:00.002-04:00

Life. Money. Hope.

I have been blessed to be able to download this free resource from http://open.lifechurch.tv

It is a 3-week study that looks at the Basics of Biblical Finance, Breaking the Bondage of Debt, and The # 1 Myth about Money. The Sunday School class and Small groups have really responded well to this series. I would recommend to anyone who wants to teach on Stewardship or on God's way of handling money.

Dave's Financial Peace University is a great program as well, but if you are looking for something smaller to introduce your church to Dave Ramsey. This is the way to go! Enjoy.

Trust, Trust, Trust.

2009-04-21T15:52:00.003-04:00

Psalm 122
I was glad when they said to me, “Let us go to the house of the Lord.” And now we are standing here inside your gates, O Jerusalem. Jerusalem is a well built city, knit together as a single unit. All the people of Israel- The Lord’s people- make their pilgrimage here. They come to give thanks to the name of the Lord as the Law requires. Here stand the thrones where judgment is given, the thrones of the dynasty of David. Pray for the peace of Jerusalem. May all who live this city prosper. O Jerusalem, may there be peace within your walls and prosperity in your palaces. For the sake of my family and friends, I will say, “Peace be with you.” For the sake of the house of the Lord our God, I will seek what is best for you, O Jerusalem.

We have spent the past week in the beauty of the mountains of Los Cocos, so once again, my heart has been led to the Psalms of Ascent. They are a special group of songs that people of the Jewish faith would sing as they would travel regularly to the holy city of Jerusalem. Jesus and his disciples would have sung these songs as part of their travels. We are reminded that they are called the Psalms of Ascent because Jerusalem was built on top of a hill or mountain, so they would literally sing these Psalms as they ascended to the top of the hill.

Listen again to how the writer described the city they were traveling to…
Jerusalem was a well built city, a single unit, so the Jewish people would take a lot pride in their craftsmanship. They built a great city to honor God. It held such importance in the lives of the people that if you were “God’s people”, you would make a pilgrimage their yearly if not more often. Jerusalem is where the thrones of judgment sit and it is the representative place for the line of the greatest king in the history of their people. Jerusalem is the city that decides and rules that which is right in the eyes of God and the people. Jerusalem is a city where one can prosper, and ultimately it is the great representative of peace. If there is peace in Jerusalem, there will be peace in their lives.

What a description, what a picture, what hope they had. So picture now, Jesus and his disciples singing this song as they walked up the hill. If only Jerusalem would be what they wished it to be. If only their expectations came true about their beloved city. If only.

Jerusalem, however, was not always what its people desired or thought it was. Look at how Jesus describes the beloved city in Luke 13:34 - O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones God’s messengers.

Interesting isn’t it. Just imagine, Jesus singing a song about the glory of Jerusalem from the Psalms, then in the midst of his teaching and ministry in the Gospel of Luke, he corrects Jerusalem’s leaders and brings an indictment against the city itself as those who kill prophets and stone the messengers of God. But before we get to ahead of ourselves thinking that Jesus only came to judge the city, listen to what he says next in verse 35. “How often I have wanted to gather your children together as a hen protects her chicks beneath her wings, but you wouldn’t let me.”

So what happens now to Jerusalem and us when we don’t let Jesus gather us? “And now look, your house is left to you, empty and desolate.” For I tell you this, you will never see me again until you say, Bless the one who comes in the name of the Lord.”

You see, here is the key issue. Jesus wants to bring us close to himself. Will we let him? Jesus will not force us, but when we resist God’s love and close our hearts, we are left just like Jerusalem, empty and desolate. So it should not surprise us when we try to meet the need in our hearts with things other than Christ, and at the end of the day we still have a space to fill. Nothing will satisfy the desire of our hearts like the love of Christ. It is a very place that God created in us for his own Spirit to reside. But people fill it with all sorts of things. Even things which we would consider to be “good” will not meet that need at the end of the day.

Jerusalem is not a bad place, but when the focus is moved from God to the city, there will never be peace. Are we ultimately going to put our trust in a city, nation, or system, or will we put our trust in the Lord? Will we allow for him to bring us to himself?

Towards the end of Jesus’ ministry he sang this song again. Here is how Luke describes the scene this time. Luke 19: 41-44 – But as they came closer to Jerusalem and Jesus saw the city ahead, he began to cry. I wonder if Jesus weeps over our lives. I wonder if we have built ourselves up to such glory that we don’t even need the Savior anymore. We don’t need to listen to God’s voice so we kill the prophets, we stone God’s messengers, and we push away anyone that would want to speak truth into our lives. So our savior rides in, cries, and tells us like it is. Jesus said in the very next verse, “I wish that even today you would find the way of peace. But now it is too late, and peace is hidden from you. Before long your enemies will build ramparts against your walls and encircle you and close in on you. They will crush you to the ground, and your children with you. Your enemies will not leave a single stone in place, because you have rejected the opportunity God offered you.

Jesus sang this song and then entered the city in a Triumphal Entry. The people were so excited that they threw their coats at his feet and waved palm branches in the air. They thought Jesus came back to restore their city, they thought that Jesus came to restore their nation, they thought wrong. Jesus came to restore their hearts. Jesus came to restore their lives. But many then and still today, “reject the opportunity God is offering.” Today, for us, let it not be so. God is offering each one of us an opportunity to recognize the peace that he gives. He is offering us a life that is lived close to Jesus where he can bring us to himself. God is offering salvation to us today. God is offering his grace which is free to all. We must trust him. We must not resist. We must not reject him.

There is a song that says, “Jesus, Jesus, how I trust him, how I have proved him over and over. Jesus, Jesus, precious Jesus; O for grace to trust you more." Trust Him today.

New Artist on the Rise

2009-04-09T11:01:00.002-04:00

If you haven't heard of him yet, then you must listen to William Fitzsimmons. He is truly one of the greatest new folk artists on the rise. Learn more about him at http://www.williamfitzsimmons.com/

New Album- Sparrow and the Crow: My Review

William branches out a bit musically by adding new instruments and flavors to his songs. A thematic album with an overwhelming sense of authenticity and openness leads the listener down a path of self-reflection. There is a nice mix of songs, but William stays true to the singer/songwriter genre by giving us at least one good ole fashioned acoustic song. You can picture him all alone simply with his guitar doing his thing. I would love to see this album performed live. His skill is evident on the recording, but it is live that you really see William at his best on the guitar. In my humble opinion, and I know it is humble... he is simply the BEST acoustic player I have ever seen. All he needs now is to get rid of the floppy winter hat and move to a skull cap approach and he would be Seacrest and TRL ready.

Favorite Song off the Album: Tough Decision, but recently I always go first to "If you would come back home." Fantastic.

Take a listen and Enjoy!

Sermon Series-

2009-04-01T11:48:00.001-04:00

When God Speaks

Sermon Series: St. Peter's UMC

April 19-May 17

Are you listening?

Thoughts on the Church

2009-04-01T11:24:00.003-04:00

Brand new to Blogging.... First entry ever. (I know, I am about a decade behind).

I am currently reading a book entitled, 'Who Stole My Church: What to do when the church you love tries to enter the 21st Century.'

It has been very interesting so far, and I can't comment too much because I haven't finished it yet, but let me make a comment or two just on the title...

This is where we find ourselves today isn't it... at least in some mainline denominations.
We are so concerned about the church that we forget to be the church. Why does the church exist? Who does it exist for?

What happens in unhealthy systems is that the system loses its vision. There is no longer a problem to solve or a need to meet. So the system begins to run simply out of the basis and context of the past operating systems. 'We do things this way and for this reason', but it seems that no one can accurately explain why. Emotional attachments are made with the people in the system and they begin to fall in love with the way things were, or the way they still want things to be now. They want church to be for them today what it was for them yesterday. But the problem is... what about the church of tomorrow. And here then lies part of the issue to address: Church isn't working for the younger generation anymore. They don't want what they had as a child. They don't want what their parents or grandparents have. They want their own way to express and define Christian Community.

So we as a church already in the 21st Century, try to move there. We are about 20-30 years behind the curve. Healthy organizations have some form of updating or change every quarter to year, while we only have a change when there is a new pastor.

But look at the title again: Who stole? my? church?
Stole: People feel that the church is being taken out from under them, and you know what... they are right. If you have failed to do anything to meet the need in a community or to be who God has called the church to be, then I am all for church stealing. If someone won't take the necessary steps to do what has to be done, then someone will.
My: Is it yours... really? Come on.

These are just a few thoughts. The book is really interesting though and I encourage you to read it, because your mainline parishioners are either reading it themselves, or they are saying it.

Take care,