True Freedom

Since today is the 4^th of July I have been thinking a lot recently about freedom and what it means. When I think about I understand that freedom means many different things to different people. For our forefathers, freedom meant living a life free from the tyranny of government and rule of England. For many African-Americans freedom has meant being treated as an equal human being. For many women freedom has meant contributing to society in ways that God has called them—and not just in ways that man has said women should live.

But the most important freedom that I can think of is that of Christian freedom. What is it? What does it mean to be free in Christ? Well, Jesus spoke about being free to the Jews during his ministry. In the gospel according to John he says, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” (8:31-32). Unfortunately, the Jews of the time didn’t seem to understand what Jesus was saying because they argued with him on their need to be free. And we do that today too, don’t we? We sometimes feel we don’t have the need to be free. The Jews said, “We are Abraham’s descendants and have never been slaves of anyone. How can you say that we shall be set free?” (8:33) They didn’t understand what we need to be FREED FROM.

Jesus explains: “I tell you the truth, everyone who sins is a slave to sin. Now a slave has no permanent place in the family, but a son belongs to it forever. So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.” Friends, I hope this Independence Day you will be able to see how much we NEED Christ to free us from our sins. The most poignant truth that John Calvin taught holds firm today: that we are totally deprived. We are sinners in the best and worst sense of the term.  Christ came to free us from the sins we have committed and the punishment therein.

What a wonderful gift we have been given by our Heavenly Father—freedom in the truest and best way! May we celebrate our own freedom with the same flare, fireworks, friends, family & food we do on the Fourth!

Have a safe and happy 4^th and rest in your Christian Freedom!

Holy Moments?

Sometimes I believe the most important role of a pastor is to help people see the Holy Moments in their lives. We are challenged with so much in our lives: setbacks in work, death of family members, challenges in finances, loneliness, etc. You name it we have to go through it in our broken and imperfect world. Unfortunately, the media doesn't help us out with this either. They help to bring about the devastation we feel by reporting on mostly negative things in our lives and sensationalizing every story out there.

Is it possible that we've gotten a little weary of the negative? Is life really as a bad as they all say?

There's a company out there that produces a clothing line entitled, "Life is Good" You can check it out at www.lifeisgood.com It is designed to help promote a positive outlook on life. I only have a hat from them, but I like to wear it on specific days when I feel the world has been handing us only bad news. The reality is that yes, we should have a more positive outlook on life, but we she also be looking for the good in life. I would go so far as to say we need to be looking for the GOD in life.

Sometimes I believe the most important role of a pastor is to help people see the Holy Moments in their lives. God is all around us and wants us to acknowledge Him

. I believe walking a journey of faith means that we're ever more aware of the "good" one in our lives. Moses was told to take off his sandals because the ground in front of the burning bush was considered holy ground. So I wonder, where are the Holy grounds in your life? What are the Holy moments in your life? 

My sister-in-law (and brother) just had their first child and I can't help but to be excited for them (not just that they've taken over the duty of populating the world with 

Parkers) because many would say that a birth of a child is a Holy moment. I would agree...but what about others?

I remember a particular moment in my life when I traveled with a group of my friends to Ghost Ranch in New Mexico. At the top of Chimney Rock I had a Holy moment...I know it and was able to share it with those there. A very special time. God was there, friends

were there, and the sight was spectacular! 

Have you had moments like this where not only did you know God existed, but that you felt close to God? Was it a Holy moment? Did you take off your shoes? How did you respond?

May we always seeking those special moments, remember they are Holy, and maybe--just maybe--we'll find them more appearing more frequently in our lives.

The Spiritual Life Week #1

As we begin our class entitled, "The spiritual life" I will be sharing some questions brought up here and invite you to engage in any of these discussions as well. 

One question that we discussed at a good length is, "Where do you look for spiritual answers to questions you may have?" Many may expect that people would go to a church, but the reality is we may not feel comfortable to do that. So then, where else do you look? Books, Magazines, TV, movies??

Secondly, How do you know if the Holy Spirit is leading you? For so many people not knowing if they're being led is a difficult struggle. So, what do you think???

 

Building Community

Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, was one of the two who heard what John had said and who had followed Jesus. The first thing Andrew did was to find his brother Simon and tell him, “We have found the Messiah” (that is, the Christ). And he brought him to Jesus.

(Luke 1:40-42)

            If you’re like me you’ve heard a million times the phrase, “I’m Christian, but I don’t go to church.”  When I hear this not only does it make me cringe, but it also makes me sad. You see, being a Christian means that we are called into being a community with others. When we think that we can “go it alone” we will eventually realize that we need the support, prayers, care, nurture, uplifting and even accountability of other Christians who are on that same journey of faith.

            Even when the great Billy Graham would go around to provide evangelistic messages and revival meetings for communities, there would always be some follow-up with a church.  When I was in Oklahoma I received a letter from Franklin Graham after a family from our congregation attended his service in Tulsa.  Mr. Graham was simply following up with me as they mentioned they were involved in the church and that I was their pastor.  I have to admit that I was impressed at the wonderful connection within this community of believers.

            In the same way Jesus established the new church as he called his disciples.  The text (above) from Luke is one of my absolute favorite texts in the Bible as it shows people coming to follow Jesus because others brought them along.  First John, the Baptist, is pointing the way to Jesus, and Andrew (along with another disciple) goes over and begins to follow Jesus.  No sooner than he does this he begins to bring along his brother, Simon Peter…the one whom Jesus said he would build his church on…the Rock!  What a great gift to be able to introduce your friend, sibling, or other relative to Jesus—and almost as important to that is the community that is built up within that group!

            So this leads us to the second part of Vision 2009 which is our necessity and desire to Build Community within our congregation.  I realize that we have had many new members join the church these last three years and we have also lost some members to death, moves, and transfers.  I also realize that with two very distinct worship services it may become difficult to get to know one another and feel a sense of community in the congregation.  This is difficult to do in any larger group, but when you have a membership as large as ours it becomes even more important to be intentional about building community.  It is our hope and prayer this year that through joint worship services, focus on our neighborhood groups, and various fellowship gatherings—in addition to our regular classes, workshops, and fellowship groups (like 39’ers, Sandwich Folks & 2040) we will continue to build the community in the congregation where Christ is our Shepherd!  May God grant us blessings and peace!

Spiritual Questions??

Tonight a very neat group of 20+ adults are gathering in a room of our building beginning a journey talking about "The Spiritual Life". I am looking forward to this group because I know there are those who have some serious spiritual questions. So I wonder: What are your Spiritual Questions? 

If you have some and want to ask those questions here...feel free. No one will judge or belittle ANY question or they will be removed from the site. I am not claiming to know anything or even have an answer in particular for you, but I'd like this to be a free space for you to ask your question. Maybe there will be more information we can share with each other and continue and we journey together down this path...

Changed Lives

"If I had my life to live over again, I would live it to change the lives of people. Because you have not changed anything until you have changed the lives of people."

 -- Warren Webster.

 

"Come, see a man who told me all that I ever did. Can this be the Christ?" - John 4:29. Many Samaritans from that town believed in him because of the woman's testimony, "He told me all that I ever did." - John 4:39.           

            As we begin this New Year, I have been struck by an outstanding vision and feeling of God’s presence in our midst. In the next few weeks you will hear this vision be painted for you in various ways: retreats, meetings, sermons, etc. To begin this year, though, I want to join with the millions of people that are looking at 2009 as a good time for a change. Many are looking at the leadership of our country and are hoping for a change for the better. Many of you have made New Year’s resolutions to lose weight, exercise more, make more money, spend more time with family, or not think about killing a co-worker as much, or whatever it is you are resolving for the year. For us, the New Year brings an opportunity for change.

            Recently, one of my good friends from college has gone through some dramatic change. Without delving too much into his personal life, let’s just say that Jesus has changed his life for the better and it has dramatically affected every element in his life. His outlook on things is better, his communication to people-better, his trust, anger, resentment, and fear—all better because Jesus has become a major part of his life—something he wasn’t before.

            In the scripture passage above Jesus meets with a woman in a community that was an outsider. Because of her wrongful acts the community looked down upon her, but Jesus didn’t. He welcomed her into his life and spoke directly to her situation—without judgment. In an instant Jesus changed her life! He does that to everyone, but sometimes we forget and the change fades. Soon we may find ourselves lost again, spinning our wheels, or just doing things without any knowledge of why we do it.

            So this year I want to ask you: How has Jesus changed your life? Has he healed you? Resurrected you? Spoken deeply into your situation? Welcomed you without judgment? As we begin this New Year if we can’t put a finger on what it is Jesus has changed in our lives maybe we need to ask Him to come back INTO our lives that we may live through Him and be changed by Him. 

            May the one with the power to change lives live in you and continue his marvelous work!

Is this real?

I know that this particular election has gotten out of hand. Greek columns, half-hour spots, verbal jabs, and now nooses? Good grief! 

The Rev. Gradye Parsons, stated clerk of the
General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), has
issued a statement condemning the hanging of effigies of
Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama and
Republican vice presidential nominee Sarah Palin.

The full text of Parsons’ statement: 

We share with countless others a particular sadness that
effigies of Barack Obama and Sarah Palin have been found
with nooses around their necks. A threatening symbolic
attack on any candidate stands out as a grotesque throwback
to a time when such brutality could be threatened with
impunity. We appreciate the efforts of others to denounce
this offense and reaffirm the effective ideals which govern
our civil society.

On the eve of a popular “scary” holiday, however, we also
encourage all citizens to “take the noose out of
Halloween,” as the display of hung figures can engender a
moral numbness to actual tragedy and dishonor. While for
some the noose is a painful reminder of the contemporary
incidence of suicide, its associations with racial
injustice and vigilante mobs remain too strong to ignore. 

One of our Church’s statements of faith, the Confession of
1967, affirms that God “breaks down every form of
discrimination based on racial or ethnic difference, real
or imaginary. … Therefore the church labors for the
abolition of all racial discrimination and ministers to
those injured by it.” Whichever way our national
presidential election may go, we encourage all citizens to
respond to the “better angels of our nature” in repudiating
such threatening gestures.

 I honestly can't believe that we still live in a society where they use nooses...even for jokes! This is just wrong. I hope and pray that the next 6 days will pass by quickly and without much more turmoil. May God be with us and forgive us for such immature, unChristian, and cowardly actions.

Peace out...