The Work of Christmas

While the Hermes family is still in the midst of giving thanks for the generosity of Epworth in the Christmas season (including personal thanks for the gift from the congregation) we are also looking forward to the possibilities of the coming new year. Visions of what God can be doing in Kalispell through and with us are overwhelming in the most positive and exciting sense. It is hard knowing that we have to balance the beginning of our year with looking at some serious cuts in our spending habits to bring ourselves into line with the tithes and offerings that we have had committed but as long as we keep the work of Christmas before us I am sure we will find incredible joy in the coming year.


When the song of the angels is stilled,
when the star in the sky is gone,
when the kings and princes are home,
when the shepherds are back with the flocks,
then the work of Christmas begins:

to find the lost,
to heal those broken in spirit,
to feed the hungry,
to release the oppressed,
to rebuild the nations,
to bring peace among all peoples,
to make a little music with the heart…
And to radiate the Light of Christ,
every day, in every way, in all that we do and in all that we say.
Then the work of Christmas begins.

-- Howard Thurman, adapted

My Soul Magnifies the Lord

It is interesting to me that as adults we occasionally lose vision for our future. We get to a point where we can’t imagine things changing for us. We’re too old to start over (although quite often there is less truth to that than we imagine.)


When a baby is born that spark of life fills us again with greater vision. The vision is not just for the baby but for our whole world and ourselves in particular as we dream about the difference we can make with God’s help.

Luke 1:46 And Mary said, "My soul magnifies the Lord, 47 and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,

Luke 1:51 He has shown strength with his arm; he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts. 52 He has brought down the powerful from their thrones, and lifted up the lowly;

At Christmas we try and regain that spark of hope and vision for how the world can be.

Think back to your dreams for your own life or for our world. Remember that God is not some distant judge watching from afar. God is the very power of being itself still made flesh among us today. New life, new possibilities are constantly created among us. Rejoice!

More symbols of the Christian tradition

This one who God sent to redeem us was called in the Hebrew tongue, the Messiah: In Greek he was called the Christ. Thus the church used the first two Greek letters in the word Christos for the Chi Rho, a monogram for the Savior who would bring in the rule of God. This Christ is the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end.


Likewise, early Christians took the first three letters in our Lord’s given name, Jesus, to form the monogram of IHS or IHC.

More Chrismons

Faithful, over hundreds of years, the Hebrews awaited the day of God’s salvation. Never did they entirely lose hope. Their symbol of faith was the Creator’s Star (also know as the Star of David) that symbolized one God who acts in the world in creation and the six days of creation. It also represents the heritage God chose for Jesus to be a part of.


Again and again, the Hebrew prophets foretold the joyful time of the Lord’s deliverance.

The wilderness and the solitary place shall be glad for them and the desert shall rejoice and blossom as the rose. Isaiah 31:1

Hence the symbol of the Christmas Rose. But what kind of events would herald God’s act of redemption? Would there be great disturbances upon the earth? Would a heaven-sent King vanquish the armies of powers and principalities?

No, in one story there was only a star seen by some wise ones, foreigners at that. In another story the announcement comes to some humble shepherds, and a newborn babe in the manger of a Bethlehem stable.

God works in surprising ways to bring us to the warmth and joy of forgiving love.

Symbols of the Christian jouney - Chrismons

The tree itself, green throughout the year, is a symbol of eternal life. The lights speak to us of the Light of the World, the Christ who came at Christmas.


Our first Chrismon is the Orb – a symbol of the earth. It also represents all of us who are earth-dwellers. Circled in gold, the Orb promises a glorious day for tired, old earth and its burdened people – the day when God shall come and dwell among us, and humankind shall live as God intends.

A season of Hope or a season of Dread?

Better watch out! 2012 is coming soon. (At least to a theater near you.)

 

The doomsayers, the fear mongers are already working up their next end of the world scenarios. Like the 1970’s “Late Great Planet Earth” or the more recent popular “Left Behind” series the mood proclaimed is that Jesus is coming soon and this time he’s really cheesed off. Sometimes our theology come across as Jesus as the great Santa from whom you better watch out, you better not pout, you better not cry. I’m telling you why … He knows when you are sleeping. He knows when you’re awake. He knows when you’ve been bad or good so …

 

Luke 21:25-36 25 "There will be signs in the sun, the moon, and the stars, and on the earth distress among nations confused by the roaring of the sea and the waves. 26 People will faint from fear and foreboding of what is coming upon the world, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken. 27 Then they will see 'the Son of Man coming in a cloud' with power and great glory.

 

For my money there is enough real threat in the world without people with hell and damnation if they don’t believe just right

 

 

 

• When people are still losing their jobs or can’t find adequate employment
• When mounting debts cause some to choose between feeding their family or paying the doctor’s bills
• When farmers are struggling with a decade of drought (whether as a result of human caused global warming or natural cycles of our planet)
• When hurricanes and Tsunamis devastate coastal towns
• When addictions and/or violence ruin families
• When cancers and life threatening blood clots, car accidents or worries for our children fill us with fear and depression

 Advent is the time to loudly proclaim the Good News and the Hope of the Christmas season. It is precisely when things look their worst the God is most noticeably with us!

 

Jeremiah 33:14-16 The days are surely coming, says the LORD, when I will fulfill the promise I made to the house of Israel and the house of Judah. 15 In those days and at that time I will cause a righteous Branch to spring up for David; and he shall execute justice and righteousness in the land. 16 In those days Judah will be saved and Jerusalem will live in safety. And this is the name by which it will be called: "The LORD is our righteousness."

 

Christ the King Sunday

I can easily preach a sermon on the general theology of what it means to name Jesus as king/lord and the good points of that metaphor and the potentially dangerous misinterpretations of the king language.

It’s another thing (and a more important thing) to really ask what does it mean to me personally? When I say Jesus is my King what specifically does that mean? How does it affect the way I live my life. That’s the real question that I’ll try and take more intentional time to articulate on Sunday.

Jesus is King of Kings, Lord of Lords

This is a familiar phrase to church folks especially at both Christmas and Easter but what does it really mean to us?

This Sunday, Nov. 22, is the last day of the church year. (Nov. 29 is the first Sunday of Advent which is the beginning of the church year.) The question is raised for those who have been through the church year cycle, “Now that you have heard of Jesus’ life and teachings, death and resurrection is your allegiance with yourself or your government and its status quo or is you allegiance going to be with Jesus?”

Consecration Sunday was one of the ways we demonstrate our allegiance.

What does it mean for us to say that Jesus is King of Kings and Lord of Lords? The closest any of us have probably come to a king is the King of Spades in a deck of cards or to a boat load of fries at Burger King.

There are dangers in the use of King language. It is too easily taken literally as political power and the power of control and manipulation. Jesus has to actively reject and flee from that notion of king:

John 6:15 When Jesus realized that they were about to come and take him by force to make him king, he withdrew again to the mountain by himself.

John 18:36 Jesus answered, "My kingdom is not from this world. If my kingdom were from this world, my followers would be fighting to keep me from being handed over to the Jews. But as it is, my kingdom is not from here."

I Pledge Allegiance …. To whom? To what?

As a church we do make the declaration that Jesus is our Lord and then once again throughout Advent and the rest of the church year we will again explore what that really means to the way we live our life. What kind of King is Jesus?

Join us for this great ADVENTure!

Consecration Sunday

We will have a single combined worship service this Sunday at 10am. Dinner following. Hope to see you there!

What do we see in our neighbor?

As I tried to actually see people yesterday I noticed fathers and mothers dropping off their children at daycare. Some come in tired just moving through the start of the day. Some come in energized feeding of the energy of youth. One young man even helped his son get back in the minivan so he could take a larger more dramatic leap out of the door into the parking lot and then they raced up to the door. Sometimes there are tears in separation. Often there is a crowd at the waving window as the parents go off to work. Family is so important.


Later in the day I was in the doctor’s office getting some vaccinations so I could volunteer in the hospital chaplain’s program and while there I observed a man about my age barely able to get out of his chair and walk to the back even with the aid of his wife and a cane. There but for the grace of God go I.

On the way down from the hospital I stopped in to visit Olive Simpson in Buffalo. Her daughter Bev was there whom I had met more than once but never really had a chance to talk to individually. Lesson: Olive is ready whenever her time is ripe. We are not designed to live forever and at some point we recognize that and embrace the fullness of the cycle.

Later that night youth group and choir I was pleased to see them helping to get ready for this weekend’s bazaar and also noticing that I don’t know all of them. I hope that will always be the case assuming that they are bringing in new friends on a regular basis.

Jesus observed everyone from the wealthy to the poor widow and made sure the disciples knew that God valued each of the just as they were. The only condemnation in Jesus’ teaching is set aside for those who take advantage of others while making a show of their faith.

On trying to see as Jesus might see

Mark 12:41 He sat down opposite the treasury, and watched the crowd putting money into the treasury. Many rich people put in large sums. 42 A poor widow came and put in two small copper coins, which are worth a penny.


It is easy for me at least to be caught up on my own thoughts so much of the day that I don’t see people in any deep sense.

My goal tomorrow is to be a people watcher. I know I will see families bringing their children in to Daycare. I have a couple of appointments of people dropping in to see me. I’ll be at Toastmasters and the up at the Summit to get my shots so I can be a volunteer chaplain on call in the ER or ICU at night. Then I might go over to the mall or some other public shopping area and try and see people as they are.

Before we can learn anything about ourselves or our society or make any judgments about our lives we have to take the time to sit down and look around.

Family Fun

We had in the neighborhood of 150 people attend the All Hallows Eve event last night.

1 Corinthians 15:54 "Death has been swallowed up in victory." 55 "Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?"

Here is a direct link to some of the pictures.

http://epworth.yacumc.org/Hallows.html

Riddikulus!

Psalm 23:4 Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I fear no evil; for you are with me; your rod and your staff-- they comfort me.


One of the first times I took my son trick-or-treating we only made it to 3 houses. At that 3rd house a teenager was lying on a lawn chair dressed as a straw filled scarecrow. After going past him and getting up to the door he would jump up and come over with the candy to give out. It scared Sky so much we were done for the night.

I remember the discussion we had afterward about how vampires and ghosts and zombies are not real and the trick to making us less scared of them is to learn to laugh at them.


The idea of mocking Satan is not new. Martin Luther said, “The best way to drive out the devil, if he will not yield to texts of Scripture, is to jeer and flout him, for he cannot bear scorn” and Thomas More said, “The devil…the prowde spirite…cannot endure to be mocked”. It is no wonder C.S. Lewis uses these quotes in his epigraph to The Screwtape Letters.

For All the Saints

This Sunday is All Saints Sunday and we will be honoring especially those of our church family who have died in this past year. We'll have a candle lit for them

Please remember in your prayers:
Harold Van Dusen
Clark Fontaine
Kay Wheeler
Don Zerbe
SuEllyn Campbell
Keith Albright

Outlaw Christmas and Haloween?

Did you know that Christmas is a Pagan holiday? Its origins are a festival called Saturnalia. Beginning on December 15th, the Romans held this seven-day celebration in honor of Saturn, god of agriculture. The winter solstice often fell around December 25 on the Julian calendar—following these seven days of feasting, revelry, and merrymaking. To commemorate the lengthening of days marked by this solstice, many Romans also enacted rituals that glorified Mithra, the god of light from ancient Persia.


Maybe we should outlaw Christmas in our churches

The Roman Catholic Church had the habit of absorbing pagan traditions into Christendom, soon converting this holiday commemorating the birth of the sun god into Christ Mass, a ceremony honoring the birth of the Son of God, whose actual date of birth is uncertain.

Halloween or All Hallow Eve is a similar story. The Celtic festival of Samhain (sow en) was a festival marking the beginning of the winter or Dark half of the year. The day before Samhain is the last day of summer (or the old year) and the day after Samhain is the first day of winter (or of the new year). Being “between” seasons or years, Samhain was (and is) considered a very magical time, when the dead walk among the living and the veils between past, present and future may be lifted in prophecy and divination.

You can begin to see some of Halloween’s traditions.

The church again chose to absorb and transform the holiday rather than fight it outright. It began as a tradition of honoring those people who gave up their life for their faith – the martyrs. All Saints Day or All Hallows Day. The Night before All Hallows Day thus becomes All Hallows Eve or Halloween.

Romans 8:38-39 38 For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, 39 nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

We are going to absorb Halloween by laughing at death and other things that cause us fear. At our Wednesday night dinner and party and again on Sunday with our recognition of the saints in our life that have died in this past year.

What do you pray for?

Today’s “Bliss” comic shows a grown man kneeling beside his bed in prayer “What part of ‘Porsche 911 Targa 4S with direct fuel injection and VarioCam Plus’ don’t you understand?!”

As I visit in the hospital I ask people what they would like us to pray for. Not surprisingly I never hear requests for fancy cars or fame. When the illusions of control are gone we are humbled by the simple requests for strong legs, simple breathing and the chance to be at home with our loved ones. In this very insight we are made well regardless of whether the fever goes down or the cancer goes into remission.

Mark 10:51-52 51 Then Jesus said to him, "What do you want me to do for you?" The blind man said to him, "My teacher, let me see again." 52 Jesus said to him, "Go; your faith has made you well." Immediately he regained his sight and followed him on the way.

Lord Have Mercy

Mark 10:49-51 And they called the blind man, saying to him, "Take heart; get up, he is calling you." 50 So throwing off his cloak, he sprang up and came to Jesus. 51 Then Jesus said to him, "What do you want me to do for you?"


What do you want from Jesus? Do you have the courage to ask?

Sometimes we don’t ask because we are afraid of appearing selfish. (Other people are in more need than me.) Maybe we are afraid we might actually get what we pray for and then our lives will change. (If our troubles define us we might unconsciously choose to remain as we are.)

I don’t believe that prayer will heal every cancer or eye disease but I do believe that if we bring our real problems along with our fears, doubts and anxiety to God then we can be made whole through our faith.

Will you come and pray with us this Sunday?

P.S. Look for the latest newsletter on “Current News” tab of our web page: epworth.yacumc.org

Lay Leadership

It’s time for us to look at the leadership of our church for the coming year.


Mark 10:43-44 but whoever wishes to become great among you must be your servant, 44 and whoever wishes to be first among you must be slave of all.

How will you be in ministry this year?

This coming week the Lay Leadership team of our church will begin its work of nominations for church offices but more than that it will attempt to help each of us articulate a call to ministry.

Isaiah 6:7-8 "Now that this has touched your lips, your guilt has departed and your sin is blotted out." 8 Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, "Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?" And I said, "Here am I; send me!"

Just as we are asked to give a portion of our income to God’s work so we can also tithe our time.

Your ministry may or may not be directly in or through the church but it is a Call in the service of Christ. Still, the church does need people’s help and your dedication is what moves us beyond the One-Man-Band model and into the beauty of the Orchestra working together for Christ.

Where are you going to be in ministry this coming year? Don’t necessarily wait to be asked. Volunteer!

One Man Band or an Orchestra?

A one man band can be quite an entertaining novelty but no matter how talented the single musician might be the combined richness of sound of a 100 piece orchestra is in a class of its own.


Pastors and lay leaders of the church sometimes are tempted to be a one man band for Christ but in doing so we actually do a disservice to the church. The church should be about helping people find their calling in service and ministry and giving them opportunities for expression of that call.

Mark 10:43-44 whoever wishes to become great among you must be your servant, 44 and whoever wishes to be first among you must be slave of all.

This coming week the Lay Leadership team of our church will begin its work of nominations for church offices but more than that it will attempt to help each of us articulate a call to ministry.

Isaiah 6:7-8 "Now that this has touched your lips, your guilt has departed and your sin is blotted out." 8 Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, "Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?" And I said, "Here am I; send me!"

Your ministry may or may not be directly in or through the church but it is a ministry in the service of Christ. The orchestra of God depends on the harmony of all of the voices under the direction of Jesus woven together into the composition God is writing.

Where are you going to be in ministry this coming year? Don’t necessarily wait to be asked. Volunteer!

Called to ministry

I’m spending the early part of my week at the Board of Ordained Ministry meeting in Three Forks Mt. Here we are listening to the faith stories of three people in the process of being ordained as pastors in our church. Each candidate gets to preach before the board, discuss papers they have written on their overall theology, and discussing their experiences in practical matters of serving local churches.


Candidates for ordained ministry must write responses to a variety of questions from “How do you understand the following traditional evangelical doctrines: (A) repentance; (B) justification; (C) regeneration; (D) sanctification? What are the marks of the Christian life?” and “What effect has the practice of ministry had on your understanding of humanity and the need for divine grace?”

This afternoon we heard Mark Calhoun (serving in Polson) preach for us. Tomorrow we’ll get to talk to him about his papers, his preaching and the practice of ministry. Then we’ll either recommend him for ordination or refer him back for more study/reflection.

If anyone is interested I’ll share the whole list of questions candidates have to respond to and you can do some thinking about how you might respond.

From Birth to Death

Even as I have been praying for children this week I had the blessing of meeting some of those on the other end of the journey. I was privileged to hear stories from Bernie Alt who is at the Veterans home in Columbia Falls. He comes alive as he speaks of his life with the Forest Service.

While the Children’s Sabbath is important we need to be careful not to fall into the trap of worshipping youth at the expense of those grown. This includes the things we do around the church. Not everything should be geared towards the youngest generation. One of our visitors this past Sunday was a woman who is looking for another church because her home church offers nothing but a contemporary worship music experience.

Learning from Children

As we continue to reflect on the Children’s Sabbath recall this book by Robert Fulghum.


All I really need to know about how to live and what to do and how to be I learned in kindergarten. Wisdom was not at the top of the graduate school mountain, but there in the sand pile at school.

These are the things I learned:

• Share everything.
• Play fair.
• Don't hit people.
• Put things back where you found them.
• Clean up your own mess.
• Don't take things that aren't yours.
• Say you're sorry when you hurt somebody.
• Wash your hands before you eat.
• Flush.
• Warm cookies and cold milk are good for you.
• Live a balanced life - learn some and think some and draw and paint and sing and dance and play and work every day some.
• Take a nap every afternoon.
• When you go out in the world, watch out for traffic, hold hands and stick together.
• Be aware of wonder. Remember the little seed in the Styrofoam cup: the roots go down and the plant goes up and nobody really knows how or why, but we are all like that.
• Goldfish and hamsters and white mice and even the little seed in the Styrofoam cup - they all die. So do we.
• And then remember the Dick-and-Jane books and the first word you learned - the biggest word of all - LOOK.

Everything you need to know is in there somewhere. The Golden Rule and love and basic sanitation. Ecology and politics and equality and sane living.

Take any one of those items and extrapolate it into sophisticated adult terms and apply it to your family life or your work or government or your world and it holds true and clear and firm. Think what a better world it would be if we all - the whole world - had cookies and milk at about 3 o'clock in the afternoon and then lay down with our blankies for a nap. Or if all governments had as a basic policy to always put things back where they found them and to clean up their own mess.

And it is still true, no matter how old you are, when you go out in the world, it is best to hold hands and stick together.

Children's Sabbath Sunday

Our new website is being fleshed out more each day! Check out our new online calendar link: epworth.yacumc.org


This Sunday we will celebrate Children’s Sabbath. Our new Cherub choir will sing at both services.

Of course we will welcome the children and be glad for their presence but welcoming them is not enough. We must protect them. Let’s start just by being aware of some of the problems:

Each Day in America
2 mothers die in childbirth.
4 children are killed by abuse or neglect.
5 children or teens commit suicide.
8 children or teens are killed by a firearm.
33 children or teens die from accidents.
78 babies die before their first birthdays.
201 children are arrested for a violent crime.
404 children are arrested for a drug crime.
928 babies are born at low birthweight.
1,154 babies are born to teen mothers.
1,240 public school students are corporally punished.*
2,224 babies are born without health insurance.
2,367 high school students drop out.*
2,479 children are confirmed as abused or neglected.
2,583 babies are born into poverty.
4,184 babies are born to an unmarried mother.
4,520 children are arrested.
18,493 public school students are suspended.
* Based on calculations per school day (180 days of seven hours each)
From the Children’s Defense Fund website, http://www.childrensdefense.org/

Let’s celebrate the ministries of our Kalispell churches:

First Presbyterian Church is active in various Habitat for Humanity projects and has a newly revitalized Care Team ministry which goes beyond simple visitation to help with such things as rides to doctor visits and meal support in times of crisis.

Bethlehem Lutheran is excited about their participation in a statewide Montana Synod Prison Ministry at Montana State Prison in Deer Lodge.

Whoever is not against us is for us

Mark 9:40-41 Whoever is not against us is for us. 41 For truly I tell you, whoever gives you a cup of water to drink because you bear the name of Christ will by no means lose the reward.


This coming Sunday, October 4, we celebrate World Communion Sunday.

I’ll be soliciting information this week on the favorite ministries of other churches around our area. I would invite you to post comments on some of important ministries that you have seen/participated in at different times in your faith life.

Check the pastor’s blog regularly during the week and see what I am learning. epworth.yacumc.org. (This is a link to our new web page! Pastor’s blog is a link off of it.)

Peace,
Steve Hermes
Continually creating an inclusive and accepting family of God by modeling our lives after Jesus the Christ.

Blogs and Web pages

Sorry for the limited blogging these past two weeks. I've been developing our main web page. Check it out at epworth.yacumc.org

A Definition of Sin

For some people sin means “breaking the rules” for which you deserve punishment. The weakness of this definition is that all one needs to do is to change the rules and then you’re OK. If the church says its OK or you can find a passage of scripture to support your position then you act without guilt even if it harms someone else.
A better definition of sin is “broken relationship.” Broken relationship between yourself and God, yourself and another or within your self. Even if we are not technically in the wrong, if broken relationship is experienced, sin is present.

John 3:17  "Indeed, God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.

Look for further discussion in the coming days and on Sunday, but is divorce sin? I would say that by definition it is sin. It is broken relationship. The divorce itself is likely not the sin, however. The brokenness is the process leading up to the divorce. Indeed, sometimes the divorce is the step towards healing the brokenness. As they say, all marriages may be born in heaven, but many of them are currently living in hell.

Who do you say I am?

From “Hello” and “How are you” to “Where do you live?” “Do you have family nearby?” and “What do you do for fun?” we get acquainted with each other.

To move from acquaintance to friend we must seek insights into values, behaviors and character. And even in a relationship of 50 years there can be surprises and insights to be gained.

First Jesus asks, “Who do people say I am?” (Mark 8:27)

But the deeper question is “Who do you say I am?” (Mark 8:29)

Getting to know Jesus is similar. We are introduced by friends or family. We learn basic information in worship or Sunday school. But the real relationship develops over a lifetime. One of the challenges with Jesus (as well as our long term friends) is to be open to the idea the Jesus is more than we first thought or imagined. If we try to keep Jesus in a tightly defined box of our theology we may be surprised when he turns to us and says “Get behind me Satan for you are setting your mind not on divine things but on human things.” (Mark 8:32)

Join us in worship Sunday and we’ll talk about the many faces and relationships we have with Jesus.

A Pastoral Letter to the Whole Church

I loved the firefighter's tribute today to remember 9/11 and thought I'd review our Bishop's response from 8 years ago. Here it is for your reflection:

Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ,

Grace and peace be to you in the name of our Lord, Jesus Christ.

The sad and terrible events in the United States of America, on Sept. 11, 2001, and beyond, compel us to speak words of hope and peace to United Methodist people in the 120 annual conferences in more than 50 countries of the world. Stunned and shattered by terrorist attacks in the United States and the threat of bioterrorism, we, your bishops, call upon the church to join us in seeking solidarity with victimized peoples throughout the world.

Our fervent and constant prayers are for those who grieve because they have lost companions and loved ones; for military chaplains and for those persons who are providing the ministry of presence, comfort, healing and hope; for public servants and countless volunteers who have demonstrated selfless generosity; for all who are redemptively reaching out to those persons who have been erroneously connected to terrorism; for the people who have been placed in harm's way and their loved ones; for President Bush and the leaders of all the nations that they may have wisdom and courage to lead people toward justice and peace. We pray for innocent victims who have experienced injuries, loss and death. We also pray for those who wish to do harm. We pray that violence, terrorism and war will cease. We ask you to join us in prayer.
We are extremely concerned for the thousands of people who live in fear and terror and those displaced by war and poverty. We sincerely believe that every conceivable effort must be used to protect those who are innocent and most vulnerable. We are persuaded that we must use the spiritual and human resources of The United Methodist Church to respond in a loving and caring way. We commend churches around the world for their contribution to the appeal, "Love in the Midst of Tragedy," and all other humanitarian offerings.

We, your bishops, believe that violence in all of its forms and expressions is contrary to God's purpose for the world. Violence creates fear, desperation, hopelessness and instability. We call upon the church to be a community of peace with justice and to support individuals and agencies all over the world who are working for the common good for all of God's children. We also call upon the church to study and work toward alleviating the root causes of poverty and the other social conditions that are exploited by terrorists.

As people of the resurrection, we believe that peace has been achieved in Christ; however, this peace is yet to be fully realized in human relationships. The message of the resurrection is that love is stronger than all the forces of evil. Furthermore, it is only sacrificial love, not war, which can reconcile people to God and to each other. We call upon the church, leaders, nations and individuals around the world to make room for love so that the patterns of our common life might reveal God's justice.

We offer this letter with the wondrous promise of Advent ringing in our ears: "But the angel said to them, 'Do not be afraid; for see I am bringing to you good news of great joy for all the people.'" (Luke 2:10)

Peace
Bishops of The United Methodist Church

Lord, Keep your arm around my shoulder and your hand over my Mouth

Will you help teach Sunday School?

James 3:1 “Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers and sisters, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness.”

Isn’t that a great way to start out the Sunday school year? “Thank you for volunteering your time to be the spiritual leader’s of our youth and by the way … watch out!”

“Don’t you know, pastor, that it is hard to find people willing to teach. You can’t afford to scare them away and be careful how much you ask of them because they can and will just quit. ”

There is some possible truth to that worry. We are all very busy people. The last thing we need is grief and guilt about the things we volunteer for. But I also think that we tend to underestimate people. I do believe that God calls us to service and we both can and will rise to the level of expectation God has for us. Teaching is an important job. We are planting the seeds and defining the image of God for people that they will have for a lifetime.

Companions in Christ study

I am going to be blogging this week (and consequently preaching on Sunday) from a third text from James

James 3:8-9 8 but no one can tame the tongue-- a restless evil, full of deadly poison. 9 With it we bless the Lord and Father, and with it we curse those who are made in the likeness of God.

But I want to use this first post to advetise a a study I am goin to lead called “Companions in Christ” This is not a Bible study in the direct sense. It is a small group experience in Spiritual Formation in which we wil explore classic spiritual practices and develp new daily patters that will open our lives to a deepening relationship with God and with each other.

In an initial round of sign ups I got mostly requests for Monday evenings although I am willing to also lead a segment on Monday mornings if there is adequate interest. Give me a call if you would like to hear more about it.


Peace,
Steve Hermes
Continually creating an inclusive and accepting family of God by modeling our lives after Jesus the Christ.

What is the good of that?

James 2:15-16 If a brother or sister is naked and lacks daily food, 16 and one of you says to them, "Go in peace; keep warm and eat your fill," and yet you do not supply their bodily needs, what is the good of that?

When someone says “I’ll pray for you” one of my common internal reactions is a kind of sarcastic “that’s nice.” I suppose it’s because I often don’t believe that the person is really going to stop and spend any real time in prayer for me. What I hear in the statement is not “I’ll pray for you,” but rather “well, good luck with that.”

As I am honest with myself my cynical attitude is mostly addressed to my own inconsistency in following through on prayers for others and making prayers turn into concrete help.

Lord, continue to move me toward authentic living.

Blessed are the Poor

James 2: 5 Listen, my beloved brothers and sisters. Has not God chosen the poor in the world to be rich in faith and to be heirs of the kingdom that he has promised to those who love him? 6 But you have dishonored the poor. Is it not the rich who oppress you? Is it not they who drag you into court? 7 Is it not they who blaspheme the excellent name that was invoked over you?

I first met George Baldwin in the 1980’s when I was in Seminary at Drew Theological School in Madison NJ. At that time in his life he was living in Nicaragua with a farm co-op. Because he as American and spoke good English he had been sent to lobby congress to stop funding the Contras in their terrorist war against the people of Nicaragua. While he was in the area he toured the local seminaries telling his story of life and ministry.

Rev. Baldwin had been raised in Montana and served in local churches there for a few years before going on to teach at the seminary level. A spiritual crisis hit him in his midlife and he began to see that his faith and his life were not in harmony. He decided that he needed to be the rich young ruler who sold all his possessions and gave them to the poor. So he moved to live and work with the poor of Central America.

"It’s easy being a Christian in Nicaragua. It’s up here in the U.S. where it is hard. In Nicaragua no one has much of anything and what they do have they share freely with their neighbors. It is only up in North America that we are so protective of our wealth that we can’t live into the Kingdom of God."

Luke 6:20 20 Then he looked up at his disciples and said: "Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God.

Not just hearing or knowing

This from Robin Meyers:

Knowledge is not redemptive. Indeed, sometimes we can know the truth, and it will not set us free. Ask a smoker, for example, if he knows that tobacco is addictive and death-dealing, and he will say yes. Ask a cheating spouse if he or she knows what the affair could cost, and the answer is yes. Ask a teenager if she knows what drugs and alcohol can do to destroy her future, and she will almost always say, “Yes, I know.” Obviously “knowing” is not enough, and one of the great divides in the church could be overcome if we got one thing straight: the truth of which Jesus speaks is wisdom incarnate, not intellectual assent to cogent arguments made on behalf of God. Indeed, a quick glance around this broken world makes it painfully obvious that we don’t need more arguments on behalf of God; we need more people who live as if they are in covenant with Unconditional Love, which is our best definition of God.

Faith and Good Works

From John Wesley:
"We are doubtless 'justified by faith.' This is the cornerstone of the whole Christian building . . . but [good works] are an immediate fruit of that faith ...So that if good works do not follow our faith, even all inward and outward holiness, it is plain that our faith is nothing worth."

Many people are quick to quote Martin Luther’s calling of the book of James as the “Epistle of Straw” but they don’t know the context in which Martin Luther said this nor do they know that he defended James at other times in his life.

Paul wrote, "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith," and we are "created in Christ Jesus to do good works" (Ephesians 2:8, 10 New International Version). James summarized this concept simply and concisely, telling us that "faith without works is dead" (James 2:20).

How is the relationship between faith and good works played out in your life?

Doers of the Word

James 1: 19 You must understand this, my beloved: let everyone be quick to listen, slow to speak, slow to anger; 20 for your anger does not produce God's righteousness. 21 Therefore rid yourselves of all sordidness and rank growth of wickedness, and welcome with meekness the implanted word that has the power to save your souls. 22 But be doers of the word, and not merely hearers who deceive themselves.

It is easy to complain about things. It is much more challenging to actually do something about it.

It is one thing to want to do something and another entirely to know what to do and how to do it.
One of the roles of the church is to provide a place and a structure to be in active mission. We provide opportunities to serve.

Here is the challenge for this week. If someone asked you how they could be in service through our church this next week – what would we tell them?

Help me out – leave a comment on the blog or email me back:
10 ways to be in ministry this week

A morning prayer

This is the prayer I quoted in Sunday's sermon which is credited to Edward F. Markquart's mother:

“O God, this morning I come into the stillness of your presence to begin this day with you, so that out of this moment, I may take with me a quiet serenity and strength to last me all day long. I have come to find wisdom, so I do not make any foolish mistakes. I have come to find peace, so that nothing would worry or upset me all through today. I have come to find love so that nothing would make me bitter, unforgiving or unkind. I have come to find justice, so that I would always work for the poor and disadvantaged in the world. I have come to begin this day with you, continue it with you, and end it with you, so that this would be a day which has nothing to regret. Here this morning prayer, for Jesus’ sake. Amen.”

Peace and Faith

Ephesians 6 15 As shoes for your feet put on whatever will make you ready to proclaim the gospel of peace. 16 With all of these, take the shield of faith, with which you will be able to quench all the flaming arrows of the evil one.

Peace: In the Christian Way we don’t vanquish our enemies; we love them until they are won over. Our enemy is not the flesh and blood person but the harmful ideas and actions. We must not ever return evil with evil but return evil with good thereby dismantling the patterns of anger and violence that are directed at us.

Faith: Faith is not ideological belief. Faith is trust and allegiance. You can believe in UFO’s. You can believe in Jesus and not follow. When evil is assailing us the defense is to let God defend us. Trust in the way of Jesus even if it looks like the cross is coming because even if it does, the resurrection is also coming. Better to die under attack and let the power of resurrection rebuild us than to live but leave the way of Jesus.

Struggles with evil

Ephesians 6:12 For our struggle is not against enemies of blood and flesh, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers of this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.

Baptismal vow #1: “Do you renounce the spiritual forces of wickedness, reject the evil powers of this world and repent of your sin?”

Let’s face it, there is evil in our lives. We all do face struggles on a regular basis. How will we persevere?

Ephesians 6: 13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, so that you may be able to withstand on that evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm. 14 Stand therefore, and fasten the belt of truth around your waist, and put on the breastplate of righteousness.

Truth: Telling the truth may not keep you out of trouble but it will keep you from unnecessary and even worse trouble. When it comes down to it you can’t stop people from attacking you but you can choose to be truthful always. Then at least you have your honor and you inner self of integrity will keep you from deep soul wounds.

Righteousness: Right living. Enough trouble comes our way naturally without it being caused by our own self damaging behaviors.

Help me out this week: When has Truth protected you from evil? How about righteousness, proclaiming the gospel of peace, faith, salvation, Spirit (word of God).
My devotional time this week will be on this list from Ephesians. Leave some comments on any one of these aspects of the spirit and how they protect you from the evils of this world.

Thank God for the ministers of the church

I can’t say how grateful I am for people like Marvin Northcutt who has a personal and pastoral relationship with the Fontaine family and is willing and able to preside at Clark’s funeral this Thursday. Or how wonderful it is to know with complete assurance that Pat Freebury and others have the hospitality ministry handled. Or how nice it is to trust that the training of people in Stephen’s ministry also equips the general church folk to be caring listeners.

As you can imagine it is very strange to be the pastor and be 2500 miles away during this important time in the life of the church. But it is a humbling reminder that ministry is never solely about the appointed pastor. It is the whole church family and the Spirit of God working through all of us that really makes the difference.

Life, death and resurrection are with us constantly both literally and metaphorically. While I will certainly be in prayer tomorrow you will be the resurrected body of Christ for the Fontaines and each other. Thanks be to God.

Comfort Food

There is nothing like a slice of freshly baked bread, toasted and then covered with cheese and melted in the microwave to remind me of the farm in Paradise. Every culture and every family probably has their own version of comfort food whether its mashed potatoes and country fried chicken or creamy chowder and biscuits.

Sunday morning worship has an element of comfort food: good music, faithful friends, beautiful sanctuary. But faith goes beyond simple comfort and provides real meaning a purpose to life.

John 6:51 I am the living bread that came down from heaven. Whoever eats of this bread will live forever; and the bread that I will give for the life of the world is my flesh."

The soul food that we have in Jesus is available to us in prayer and study, mission and service.
We’ll be thinking this week about the ways we are spiritually fed.

Join us for worship on Sunday morning.

CANNIBALS?

John 6:53 So Jesus said to them, "Very truly, I tell you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you.

Bruce D Prewer writes:

In all developed civilisations, the eating of human flesh has been regarded as repugnant. You may recall that true account of a plane crash in the high snows of the Andes, where the survivors only kept alive by finally agreeing to eat their dead companions. They achieved it by overcoming violent feelings of revulsion. Some of their first attempts ended with much vomiting. The very thought is repugnant to us.

There was an unfortunate rumour circulating around the Roman Empire in the 1stC of this era. It was a rumour which led people to despise Christians, and made it much easier for authorities to launch vicious persecutions against them. This rumour had it that Christians were cannibals. It was reported that when they met early in the morning of the first day of the week for their religious observances, they ate human bodies and drank human blood.

It is not difficult to see how this rumour started and took off. Anyone who listened in on a Christian service, even standing outside the door, might well draw that conclusion. They might hear a person reading the words from a letter of Paul about the Lord’s Supper: “This is my body......eat this remembrance of me. This is my blood....do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.” Or later on they may have listened to them reading from John’s Gospel: “I tell you plainly: Unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you. ” You can understand how such words may have shocked outsiders.

Also there is no surprise that Jesus shocked his listeners when he first used similar words. “He who eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life.” It sounded like cannibalism to those critics who were present that day.

Fruits of the Spirit

Only one posting this week as I am away at the family farm in Paradise. I will be in worship on Sunday we will be reflecting on the Fruits of the Spirit.

If your faith generates strife, jealousy, anger, quarrels, dissensions, factions … then one has to ask if we are truly living in the spirit of God.

Galatians 5:22-23 the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, and self-control.

For comments I would suggest sharing with the rest of us some of the things in your faith journey that bring you love, joy, peace … etc.

For the Building up of the body of Christ

Ephesians 4: 7 But each of us was given grace according to the measure of Christ's gift.
11 The gifts he gave were that some would be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some pastors and teachers, 12 to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ,

Many Gifts – some sing in the praise band, some in the choir; some work on work with children and youth, some visit those who are ill; some bake cookies for VBS. All are called to use their gifts for the building up of the body of Christ.


I think we can expand our thinking a bit as well. You are God’s gift to the world! Do you use it to build people up or tear them down? At the office do you manipulate things to make yourself look better even at the cost of a coworker? In politics do you find yourself rehearsing all the things the government is doing wrong or do you ask yourself how you can help make things better. Negative campaigns do work in politics and in organizations. You can get your agenda through but only at the cost of your integrity.

Ephesians 4: 15 But speaking the truth in love, we must grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, 16 from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by every ligament with which it is equipped, as each part is working properly, promotes the body's growth in building itself up in love.

Anoymous Postings

Don't feel you have to go through the process of creating an account to be able to read and post here. If you're cautious about such things or simply don't want to wade through the electronic paperwork then don't.

It is polite, however, to sign your name on any comment. What we want to avoid is the use of this blog format to post ideas that we would not be willing to say in love and in person. Also, when someone contributes an especially thoughtful comment it would be nice to be able to follow up with them in person and hear more!

P.S. - no we haven't gotten any negative comments yet - just heading off potential situations.

Unity not Uniformity

This morning I am praying through these words from Susan Hylen - Mellon Assistant Professor of New Testament , Vanderbilt University:
In Ephesians, unity is not the same as uniformity. The mystery of God that is revealed in Christ and results in the reconciliation of Jews and Gentiles does not obliterate the distinctions between these different groups. Instead, what is made known through the church is "the wisdom of God in its rich variety" (3:10). Part of the call of 4:1-16 is to tolerance, or "bearing with one another" (4:2). The assumption is not that all distinctions will cease, but that even with the persistence of differences, the church may nevertheless grow together as a body.

I don’t think I would even want uniformity. The only way we learn and grow is by listening to others who have different experiences. (OK, if I am honest with myself I do want people to agree with me for the most part or at least agree in spirit, but that's for comfort and assurance that I am at least generally on the right track.)

The key to hearing each other in our differences is the use of “I” language. “I think…, I believe…, Here is my experience …” When we start saying “Thus says the Lord …” we cut off dialogue. The challenge is trying to hear our own attitudes that can be saying “thus says the Lord …” even when we don’t mean to be quite so dogmatic.

The solution (as usual) is to maintain the humility and patience of Jesus.

Ephesians 4:2-3 with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, making every effort to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

People of Sacred Worth

Ephesians 4:1 I therefore, the prisoner in the Lord, beg you to lead a life worthy of the calling to which you have been called, 2 with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, 3 making every effort to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. 4 There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to the one hope of your calling, 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism,

Is there anyone who really likes conflict? Certainly there are some people who seem to live in it more regularly than others but I doubt if anyone really enjoys it. Still it is a reality in all relationships in our lives.

I think back on the last Communion service we had at Drew Theological School where I went to Seminary. During a normal chapel service I would tend to sit toward the front just to the left of the altar area. This particular service, however, I arrived late and found myself in the back row. I recall watching my classmates going up to the front for Communion and was suddenly filled with a joyful insight. There, going up for Communion and preparing to disperse across the country to serve as pastors in churches, were people I had lived with, studied with, prayed with, sometimes argued with and disagreed with for three years. I was especially struck by a few people with whom I had frequently disagreed with. As I watched them take the Bread and the Cup God filled me with Grace and I did know that there was one Lord, one faith, one baptism.

The key to maintaining the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace is to act with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing one another in love. If we can truly see each other as people of sacred worth then we will find love even in our differences.

Listen for this song this coming Sunday:

I can see the God in you
In every single thing you do
God is love and love is true
And I can see the God in you

Can you see the God in me?
I know sometimes it’s hard to see
But if you look you will agree
That you can see the God in me

Celebrating God’s Abundance in Times of Recession.

Mark 6:41-43 41 Taking the five loaves and the two fish, he looked up to heaven, and blessed and broke the loaves, and gave them to his disciples to set before the people; and he divided the two fish among them all. 42 And all ate and were filled; 43 and they took up twelve baskets full of broken pieces and of the fish.

The current recession may (hopefully) be coming to an end according to those who watch the leading economic indicators. And while I don’t think we can compare these last two years to the Great Depression there are some spiritual connections.

In times of economic stress our inclinations for self protection get enhanced. The fear is that there will not be enough. (Enough for retirement, enough for college tuition, enough to live the comfortable life we are used to.)

The Good news of God’s Abundance is that even small amounts can be blessed by God and made into more than enough. Scarcity is a negative emotion that comes out of fear and the idolatry of self preservation. Learning to give generously in the face of uncertainty can be a spiritually growing opportunity that blesses everyone.

The truth is we may have had to adjust our lifestyles. Even in the church we may have to adjust the way we do ministry. But we will always find a way to be the body of Christ for each other. We will always be reaching out in concern and service to the world and celebrating the life, teaching, death and resurrection of Jesus.

Too many good stories

This happens to me sometimes:

Monday morning I’m sure I know the Biblical text that I’m going to reflect and pray and preach on for the next Sunday (this week it’s the story from John 6 about the little boy who shares his loaves and fishes). Then in my opening studies an alternate text presents itself that is also wonderful. (The Old Testament reading for this coming week is the story of David and Bathsheba.)

David and Bathsheba is an engaging story full of intrigue, lust, deceit, corruption of power, repentance. The loaves and fishes is a great story that reminds me that with God’s help in opening our hearts there is always enough.

So I guess you’ll have to follow the blog throughout the week and see which story ends up capturing my spirit for our worship on Sunday.

In the meantime how about dropping some comments on the topic of ‘How is it with your soul?’

How is it with your soul?

This post is less for my reflections and more for yours. Post a comment with an anecdote that has lifted your spirit - or - an “I’ve always wondered about …” question - or - a prayer request.

Share your spiritual journey with us this week.

The purpose of Rest

Sometimes one’s planned rest periods don’t work out.

Mark 6:33-34 33 Now many saw them going and recognized them, and they hurried there on foot from all the towns and arrived ahead of them. 34 As he went ashore, he saw a great crowd; and he had compassion for them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd; and he began to teach them many things.

I give thanks for the nature of God revealed in Jesus that puts compassion as one of life’s highest goals. Multiple times in the gospel Jesus is moved to action by compassion; compassion for people’s physical suffering, for their hunger, for their times of mourning, for their spiritual feelings of being lost and cut off.
Still Jesus continues to seek times of rest and solitude. Why? Because he knows that even the most compassionate among us can suffer compassion burnout.

I try and take Fridays as a day of rest. If there is a funeral or other significant crisis in people’s lives, however, I will always make that a priority. Then I am careful to find some other time both for myself and my family.

For a nice laugh, check out this video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TyNyHLCppMA

Give it a Rest

Mark 6:30-34 30 The apostles gathered around Jesus, and told him all that they had done and taught. 31 He said to them, "Come away to a deserted place all by yourselves and rest a while."
Resting is not easy for many people Our self worth is dependent on what we produce – how may things we can get done. But can you have a “productive” day of rest?

Exodus 20:8 8 Remember the sabbath day, and keep it holy.

Intentional/planned/regular rest periods are much more effective than working till you’re exhausted then trying to play catch up.

I remember a long hike I took with my son when he was 11. He was running up the trail ahead of me and having a great time – a true bundle of energy. A couple of miles into the hike, however, he hit the wall. He was tired, he “hated hiking” etc. We stopped for a long rest and lunch but in truth he never regained his joy.

The next time we went hiking I was smarter. I told him 20 minutes into the hike that I was getting old and tired and needed to rest and he would have to humor me and wait for me. That day we hiked 6 miles altogether and he never broke spirit.
Even in the pursuit of something as wonderful as service to others in Christ’s name we have to watch and plan for the care of our own spirits long before we get tired. Then we shall mount up on wings like eagles, run and not be weary, walk and not faint.

So what are we doing?

Would you help me put together a laundry list of all the various things we do in the name of Christ through Epworth UMC?
Here is a start from things just this last week:

• Stephens Ministry visitors
• Smith Memorial Day Care
o Grandma Pat’s story Thursday
o Pastor Steve’s singing time
• Youth on Mission trip
• Praise Band
• Hospital Calls
• Prayer Chain
• Emmaus Gatherings
• Intermountain Children’s home offering

This is only scratching the surface – add a comment about the various things you are doing or things you know others are doing!

Just keeping busy - or – Doing God’s work?

Mark 6:30-31 30 The apostles gathered around Jesus, and told him all that they had done and taught. 31 He said to them, "Come away to a deserted place all by yourselves and rest a while."

I doubt if any of us are bored very often in this day and age. The important thing is to look at what we are doing and ask ourselves if we are just doing busy work or if we are doing the work that Jesus sent us out to do. It’s kind of like counting calories, however. Don’t just assume you know what you are doing, try keeping a running journal of actual time spent:
7:15 – arrive at church and get settled in the office cleaning up the paper from Sunday morning (check for leftover cookies in the downstairs refrigerator)
7:45 – call up Blog files and clean them out getting ready to write up on a regular basis (hopefully)
8:15 – call the hospital and see who is in from our church.
8:30 – Blog some more and ask ‘did I miss anything’ – answer: how about a morning devotional from my “Pilgrim’s Almanac”

Give it a try, see if you learn anything about yourself!

Back on the Road to Emmaus

Luke 24:13-15 13 Now on that same day two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem, 14 and talking with each other about all these things that had happened. 15 While they were talking and discussing, Jesus himself came near and went with them,

As we pick up the ongoing conversation let me hear some of your thoughts and visions. What is it that we as a church do best? What new directions/ministries could we be developing?

Add a comment and join in the conversation!

Random Cultural Connections

On Twitter you could become a follower of Jesus.
On Facebook you could become his Friend.

If Jesus is your Friend - what would you write on his wall?

The True Friend

"Friends always show their love. What are brothers for if not to share troubles?"
- Proverbs 17:17
"Some friendships do not last, but some friends are more loyal than brothers."
- Proverbs 18:24
"Forsake not an old friend; for the new is not comparable to him: a new friend is as new wine; when it is old, thou shall drink it with pleasure."
- Sirach 9:10
"An honest answer is the sign of true friendship."
- Proverbs 24:26
"A friend means well, even when he hurts you. But when an enemy puts his hand round your shoulder - watch out!"
- Proverbs 27:6
"Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labor. For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe to him that is alone when he falleth; for he hath not another to help him up."
- Bible: Ecclesiastes
"The greatest love a person can have for his friends is to give his life for them."
- John 15:13
"A friend is one who strengthens you with prayers, blesses you with love and encourages you with hope."
- sent by Chris
""A faithful friend is a sturdy shelter; he who finds one finds a treasure."
- Sirach 6:14

Hello Friend of Jesus

John 15:15 5 I do not call you servants any longer, because the servant(2 does not know what the master is doing; but I have called you friends,

Martin E. Marty asks a poignant question: "What's so special about friendship?" He remarks that we "fall into" love but we don't "fall into" friendship, although we can "fall out of" friendship. 1 We have to work at friendship; friendship has to be cultivated; it has to be a mutual and mature relationship. When we fall into love, we walk on cloud nine, while being friends may often mean walking through dark valleys together. Martin Marty cites Gabriel Marcel who views a friend "as a way of being more than doing," one who is "being at the disposal of someone else." Being a friend means "being available"-a sharing of life, knowledge, and self. Being available "involves an attitude, a posture, a signaling that draws on the deepest elements of the self." Such a person can engage and endure "creative schedule interruptions." A friend is one you can count on. In short, friendship makes demands: be there-- availability in life or death situations, in birth or grave encounters of another kind. A friend is even disposed to lay down his life for other friends. Can we be this kind of friend for others? God is such a friend and so is Jesus who calls us "friends," not servants. Thus, "Friend" can well serve as a root metaphor for "God."

What to take on the journey

I'm a book collector but how many of them have I reached for in the past 7 years.

"How To Become A Bishop Without Being Religious"
"Sex Death and Flyfishing"
"Meeting Jesus Again for the First Time"

These are no-brainers. They will be out on my desk wherever I go. But how about "The Systematic Theology of Paul Tillich" or "Christology in Context" that I haven't opened in 20 years?

In truth, the Internet is a wealth of information including the complete works of John Wesley and links to article from the Christian Century etc. from years gone by.

What would you take with you?
What books have been so influential that you would not want to leave them behind?

Make a comment - lets see what each other is reading.

Strangers in the morning

Walking the mile to church this morning at 6am I am seeing the glory of the Wind River mountains and already missing them. Then I remember the views across the lake from Inspiration Point at our camp near Rollins. God is good everywhere.

Riding up the sidewalk in front of me comes a woman and child on bicycles. I move to the side - they move to the side. Its one of those dances we have in tight hallways both moving in front of each other again. We both laugh and she is charming. God is found in everyone.

Hearing things through the gapevine

Word spreads fast in a close knit church. Long before I could tell most people about the appointment change the grapevine news had done its work.

For some people this can feel like a negative gossiping sort of thing but I prefer to see it as a sign that we are truly connected with each other. Caring spreads as easily as gossip. The trick is to refuse to participate in harmful talk and challenge it when we see it without doing away with loving connections between people.

As long as we stay connected to the True Vine and share only in the things that bear good fruit then God's blessing is upon us.