Life in the Way

Facebook questions related to new sermon series called “Ch-ch-change.”

This week I am starting a sermon series on changing spiritual direction. Each week I will post a question related to that weeks coming sermon, so that you might contribute at a deeper level. I welcome your comments here and preferably on Facebook. This weeks question is:

The first stage could be considered precognition or the unknown, which poses the challenges of how one might recognize something that they are not even aware of. In the past, what was something you learned that surprised you because you weren’t even aware of it? How did you eventually come to know what you didn’t know?

Tags: change, Sermon

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Proverbs 4:7a

The beginning of wisdom is this: Get wisdom.

How about that for some advice. This verse really is a challenge not for those who can hear it, but for those who think they are wise enough not to hear it.

Tags: bible, Proverbs, wisdom

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Day 2: Proverbs Chapter 2

Proverbs 2:11-
Discretion will protect you, and understanding will guard you.

Discretion – Ability or power to decide responsibly. The power of free decision within clear legal bounds.
Understanding – Superior power of discernment; enlightened intelligence.

Interesting… I’ll have to look at the Hebrew later and see what is behind the English translations.

Tags: Bible Study, Proverbs, spiritual discipline

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Proverbs in a month.

I have begun reading Proverbs. There are 31 chapters in the book, so I am doing a chapter a day. I will post some of my favorite verses and welcome your comments.

Proverbs 1:1-7-
The proverbs of Solomon son of David, king of Israel:
for gaining wisdom and instruction;
for understanding words of insight;
for receiving instruction in prudent behavior, doing what is right and just and fair;
for giving prudence to those who are simple, knowledge and discretion to the young—let the wise listen and add to their learning,
and let the discerning get guidance—for understanding proverbs and parables, the sayings and riddles of the wise.
The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction.
Proverbs 1:20-
Out in the open wisdom calls aloud, she raises her voice in the public square
Proverbs 1:32-33-
For the waywardness of the simple will kill them, and the complacency of fools will destroy them; but whoever listens to me will live in safety and be at ease, without fear of harm.”

Tags: bible, Proverbs, spiritual discipline

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Sad News.

If you were at Monroe Community Church worship a few weeks ago, you heard me talk about Farrah Fawcett as my childhood crush. Sad news from The New York Times…

June 25, 2009, 1:03 pm
Farrah Fawcett Dies
By The New York Times

Michael Nagle for The New York Times

Farrah Fawcett, an actress, television star and pop-culture phenomenon whose good looks and signature leonine hairstyle influenced a generation of women and, beginning with a celebrated pinup poster, bewitched a generation of men, died on Thursday in Santa Monica, California, according to Paul Bloch, her spokesman. She was 62 and had been battling cancer since late 2006.

To an extraordinary degree, that fight was played out in public, generating enormous interest worldwide. Her face, often showing the ravages of her illness, became a tabloid fixture, and updates on her health became staples of television entertainment news.

In May, her cancer battle was chronicled in an NBC primetime documentary, “Farrah’s Story,” some of it shot on home video. An estimated 9 million people viewed it. Ms. Fawcett had initiated the project with a friend and producer, Alana Stewart, after she first learned of her cancer.

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Back to the old theme…

While I want to thank Kate for her input (and I am working on something reflective of my tires, goggles, and sneakers) I am going to say with my old theme until I am ready to release the new and improved and custom theme for my blog. I am also working through some consistent material as I continue my journey in the Way focusing specifically on theology, sports, children, and church.

BTW, Kate may God bless you as you train for your first tri.

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What to put on top…

I have a great idea for a custom wordpress theme that would be a combination of things that speak to me and about me. I would love to have a theme that combines a beach with ancient scroll with a modern type of notebook and custom lettering that is my own handwriting. Tall order! It would take me hours. I am not looking for a new hobby/project right now, so I found my current theme that is working for me right now. One of the things I like about it is that the pictures on the top are easily changed and customized. So, what do you think I should put on the top to customize it for me?

Tags: personal, wordpress theme

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Keeping Friends and Loving Those Who Persecute You.

Jesus said, "Love your neighbor as yourself." (Matt 22:39 and elsewhere)

My daughter and son were talking on their way to school when my son said that one of his friends doesn’t like him anymore.  My daughter responded with some great advice for him.  She said that she is having a similar problem with one of her friends and that you just need to keep trying to be their friend.  It struck me that this little 8 year old was able to give my son advice like this.

As I thought about her words I thought about numerous times when Jesus was challenged by situations and stayed true to Truth.  Love your enemies, go a second mile, give your shirt as well, and even by his example of going to the cross for those who are persecuting him.  He continued to work for reconciliation (even for the world) through love.

There have been times in my life when I have given up on relationships because of one reason or another.  I think we all do, but but what would it mean to be like Christ?  What would it be like if we just keep trying to be their friend?

Jesus challenges us to love one another, and often as adult we try to rationalize that by doing loving acts without loving.  Relationally, what would be the impact if instead of sending money to the soup kitchen to feed the homeless we invited them to our homes?  Instead of sending money to help we sent ourselves?  I know it sound impractical, but so was the idea of resurrection and eternal life.

Tags: freinds, kids, love, Matthew 22:39, Mission

Posted in Family, Mission, Random Thoughts, Scripture | 2 Comments »

Feed my sheep…

I recently listened to "A Week Later: Peter – Redeemed and Called" by Rev. Jeff Clinger from last Sunday at The United Methodist Church of the Resurrection, Kansas City and was struck by Jesus’ words to Peter in John 21:15-17.  Personally, I am preparing a message series called "Bail Me Out."  It is focused on the current economic situation our country is facing and the Biblical principles about finance.  One of my main points is that God is the provider and sustainer of all that is.  When I was listening to these words, it hit me, you can’t feed sheep without any resources.  There was another illustration that I heard on Bloomberg radio .  It was a commercial for real estate and it went something like this, "the government can print more money, but they can make more land."  What a great point!  Our sustenance comes from God!  All that we are and have comes from God!  So to feed Jesus sheep, Peter and each of us must look to God first!

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Ancient Chanting in a Modern Era

We were on our way to take my 3 year old to pre-school this morning and I put on All Of Me from VMusic .  And within a couple of repeats all three of my kids began sing out, "Lord I hear you call me.  Breathe your life deep in me.  Take all of me!"  I just praised God for the moment and then began to sing with them.

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Going paper free on Sunday morning.

What would it look be like to go into church and worship without using any paper.  No hymn books, no bulletins, no redundant schedules.  Could you email, post on the web, and show in the screen everything that needed to happen?  I know there are churches that are doing it, why not us?

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Legislation: Clergy Salaries and Efficiency Standards

I have been talking with a few people about two issues that I feel could have an important positive impact on the mission of the UMC – to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.

In a nutshell, the first issue deals with clergy compensation.

• What if an annual conference paid clergy directly based on years of service with incentive bonuses?

It would allow bishops to appoint purely on the missional need of a church regardless of size and salary.  Currently, the smaller churches that have much potential have lower salaries, so they continue to get green pastors.  What would happen if the clergy salaries was part of the share ministry billing and paid clergy directly?  Has any conference(s) ever done or attempted anything like this.  What are the pros and cons?

Second, I think our conference as well as all the conferences should begin to pass legislation regarding new/existing building and efficiency standards.

• New Buildings: What would happen if our conference passed legislation that required all churches built after 2012 to have a 0 carbon imprint?
• Existing Buildings: What would happen if our conference passed legislation requiring all existing building to become 25% more energy efficient by 2012, 50% by 2016, and 75% more efficient by 2020?

The environmental impact and ethics of the UMC moving in this direction are self explanatory.  The right reasons aside, the churches that comply would receive instant savings in reduce energy expenditures and in turn would begin to see a reduction in share ministry fund expenses because their overall expenses would decrease.  So, the faster a church gets energy efficient, the faster the same church receives the biggest reduction in shared ministry funds expenses.

What are your thoughts or experiences with these issues?

For nothing is impossible with God.

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I Have A Dream

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John 1:50-51

Jesus said, "You believe because I told you I saw you under the fig tree. You shall see greater things than that." He then added, "I tell you^{[l ]} the truth, you shall see heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man." (NIV)

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The Revenge of the 12 Days of Christmas

Well, a few years ago we started celebrating the 12 Days of Christmas with our kids.  This year was wonderful.  In many ways it was smoother than the past few years.  But, in other ways I feel like I am just starting to recover from it.  I have not been blogging because I have been so wrapped up in Christmas.  My work load this year wasn’t overly ambishious.  I think it was a combination of not being spiritually focussed and consumed by consumerism.

Anyway, Christmas and Epiphany have been celebrated for yet another year – the tree is gone, decor away, and the house nearly beck to normalcy.  I wish I was more focussed on the devotional aspect of the 12 days this year, but there is always another one to come.  Now back to the blogging.

How was your Christmas?

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Proverbs 30:21-23

There are three things that make the earth tremble—
no, four it cannot endure:
a slave who becomes a king,
an overbearing fool who prospers,
a bitter woman who finally gets a husband,
a servant girl who supplants her mistress.

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Nahum 3:5

“I am your enemy!”
says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies.
“And now I will lift your skirts
and show all the earth your nakedness and shame."

- Wow, I love reading the prophets!  How’s that for imagery!

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Jonah 1:14

Then they cried out to the Lord, Jonah’s God. “O Lord,” they pleaded, “don’t make us die for this man’s sin. And don’t hold us responsible for his death. O Lord, you have sent this storm upon him for your own good reasons.”

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Proverbs 29:24a

If you assist a theif, you only hurt yourself.

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Revelation 3:20

Look!  I stand at the door and knock.  If you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in, and we will share a meal together as friends.

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