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 9^th 2012 I shared my 3^rd 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?  

Rest:5

Final installment on our series of Rest with Rev. Darryl Duer

Check out this episode!

Rest:4

Rev. Darryl Duer - Revival Series on Rest

Check out this episode!

Rest:3

Our series on Rest continues with Rev. Darryl Duer

Check out this episode!

Case for Rest

Sunday PM

Rev. Darryl Duer - Revival Services

Check out this episode!

Rest

Rev. Darryl Duer begins our series of Revival services with a look at what it means to have Unrest...

Check out this episode!

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.

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?

Check out this episode!

Vine and Branches

"I am the vine, YOU ARE the Branches."

John 15

Discover what it means to be connected to Christ

Check out this episode!

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.

Salt and Light

Matthew 5 -

Who are we? 

You are the salt of the earth and the light of the world...

Check out this episode!

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.