tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-71790522942123307212024-02-08T05:17:14.525-06:00Pastor Jack's BlogThoughts and Comments from Rev. Jack WallaceSenior Pastorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05379670430129222150noreply@blogger.comBlogger50125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7179052294212330721.post-60999790040558632082010-06-03T08:47:00.000-05:002010-06-03T08:47:26.241-05:00Live or Die<em>If we live, we live to the Lord; and if we die, we die to the Lord. So, whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord.</em> — Romans 14:8 NIV<br />
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We just celebrated Memorial Day weekend, remembering those who gave the ultimate of sacrifice for our freedom and honoring those who serve in our armed forces to stand in the gap for our protection and freedom. I was also moved by the Spirit this past Sunday when we gathered around the new Memorial Prayer Garden on the south side of the church building. We dedicated the garden to the service of God and then, Lane Smith led us in singing “In the Garden” a cappella. In all of these moments of remembrance, I personally remembered of my own mortality and an episode I experienced two years ago.<br />
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“You are going to the hospital!” proclaimed my doctor. These are words that many of us may have heard or will hear in the future. These words bring anxiety. After hearing these words, along came sirens of the ambulance--familiar sounds living near the fire and police departments in town--but this time the sirens were to transport me to the hospital. <br />
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Declaring you have unresolved chest pain causes others anxiety and others to jump into action to care for the person in distress. There you lay with the myriad EKGs, IVs, BP checks, doses of nitroglycerine, etc., with time moving so quickly, yet in slow motion. During these crisis-like times, though, the big question is always present. The question comes in many forms but interpreted as, “Is this going to be my last breath?” <br />
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As I laid on the gurney bouncing along Highway 82 (I believe that was the route), I came to a renewed resolution in my mind. The resolution connects to what Paul declared in the scripture above. As I bounced along, I discovered a peaceful assurance that if this was my last breath or not, I had the best of the best. Either way, whether seeing the light of a hospital room or seeing The Light, I was in the comfortable presence of Jesus Christ. Either way I can sing, <br />
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<blockquote><span style="color: blue;">And He walks with me and He talks with me, </span><br />
<span style="color: blue;">And He tells me I am His Own. </span><br />
<span style="color: blue;">And the joy we share as we tarry there, </span><br />
<span style="color: blue;">None other has ever known.</span></blockquote>Celebrating holidays such as Memorial Day helps remind us of the sacrifice of others but it also reminds us of the assurance of the gift of Christ’s sacrifice for our freedom from sin and death and we are His.<br />
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<strong>Prayer:</strong> <em>God of Wonders, thank you for loving us and giving us your Son, Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior that provides the assurance of whether we die or we live we belong to you. Give us the courage and strength to live out that assurance and pass it on to others. May we live this day as the first day of the rest of our life in You. Amen.</em>Senior Pastorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05379670430129222150noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7179052294212330721.post-41655733142783737772010-05-04T20:57:00.005-05:002010-05-04T21:05:38.674-05:00Well-formed Maturity<div align="left"><strong>Read: Romans 12:1-2<br /></strong><em>Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. (NIV)<br /></em><br />Back in the ‘70s and 80’s, I experienced what is still known in the Boston Bay area of Massachusetts as the “T.” The T (MBTA) is a commuter rail, similar to the DART Light Rail, has various lines covering the eastern part of Massachusetts from the South Shore to the North Shore. Some of you may have experienced the T in your lifetime.<br /><br />Well, after a recent conversation with our witty youth director, Kevin, about being renewed and reformed in Christ’s image, I recalled from my feeble mind several experiences on the T while traveling to and from Fenway Park for Red Sox baseball games. I believe the route I took traveled along the Green Line from the South Shore, Weymouth/Quincy area to west downtown at Fenway Park.<br /><br />I remember at each stop along the route more and more baseball fans took their spot in the commuter rail car. After just a few stops the car was filled to capacity. All the seats were taken, and passengers were stuffed in standing positions like sardines. Personal space was nonexistent for about a thirty minute commute.<br /><br />The cheers and excitement of fans and supporters of the Red Sox escalated. How quickly every passenger got caught up in the excitement! In fact, it was not wise to proclaim you were a fan of the Red Sox’s opposing team of that day. In other words, you conformed to the Red Sox fans surrounding you. On the return trip, depending on whether or not the Sox won and how keyed up the passengers were after hot dogs, peanuts, and beer, it was even more important to conform to being a Sox fan.<br /><br />Interestingly, when you exited the train at Fenway Park or at your home destination on your return trip, you had the free will to return to your normal position for or against the Red Sox. Essentially, you conformed to the character of the Red Sox fan while on the train and became yourself when off the train.<br /><br />Kevin and I agreed this is the way we sometimes deal with our support, position, and character as a Christian. We are a strong Christians around other Christians, especially when we are at church or at a church event where peer pressure to be a Christian is high. However, as soon as we are seemingly away from other Christians and placed in a worldly situation we conform to the world.<br /><br />Paul reminds us in our scripture text that our belief in Christ should permeate each area of our life, and God gives us the strength not to succumb to the world. Listen to how Peterson’s The Message says it in Romans 12:1-2:<br /><br /><em><span style="color:#000099;"><blockquote><em><span style="color:#000099;"><blockquote><blockquote><em><span style="color:#000099;"><blockquote><blockquote><p><em><span style="color:#000099;">So here's what I want you to do, God helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary life—your sleeping, eating,<br />going-to-work, and walking-around life—and place it before God as an<br />offering. Embracing what God<br />does for you is the best thing you can do for him. Don't become so<br />well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking.<br />Instead, fix your attention on God. You'll be changed from the inside out.<br />Readily recognize what he wants from you, and quickly respond to it. Unlike<br />the culture around you, always<br />dragging you down to its level of immaturity, God brings the best out of you, develops well-formed maturity in you. </span></em></p><p></span></em></span></em></span></em>May we have the courage to allow God to help us not to so fit in to the culture or fall into sin that people can’t tell we are Christians. May we allow God to bring the best out of us and develop us to well-formed maturity. O God, please help us. Amen.<br /><br />Grace and peace,<br /><br />Pastor Jack </p></blockquote></blockquote></blockquote></blockquote></blockquote></div>Senior Pastorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05379670430129222150noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7179052294212330721.post-16210140361992439382010-01-08T21:02:00.002-06:002010-01-08T21:16:06.858-06:00Praise You in the Storm<strong>Read: Matthew 8:22-26<br /></strong><br />Here it is a new year and our hope is everything in life will flow smoothly. Yet, the reality is that we go through life with the calm and the storms flowing to and fro. Just as soon as we experience the calm of life, unexpectedly the storm comes raging over us. As I look back through my life it is permeated with this ebb and flow between calm and storm.<br /><br />However, as I reflect, there is one thing that has remained constant and unchanging in the journey: God’s love for humanity. In spite of the storms, God’s love in Christ remains present and sure. Recently, my oldest grandson, Eric “EJ,” wrote an essay that encompasses this presence and assurance of God’s love in three things he knows:<br /><br /><div align="center"><em><strong>Three things that I know about God</strong> </em></div><p><span style="color:#3333ff;"><span style="color:#3333ff;"><span style="color:#3333ff;"><span style="color:#3333ff;"><span style="color:#3333ff;"><span style="color:#3333ff;"><span style="color:#3333ff;"><span style="color:#000000;"><em></em></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></p><p><span style="color:#3333ff;"><span style="color:#3333ff;"><span style="color:#3333ff;"><span style="color:#3333ff;"><span style="color:#3333ff;"><span style="color:#3333ff;"><span style="color:#3333ff;"><span style="color:#000000;"><em></em></span></p></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><div align="left"><em>Three things I know about God are that he knows everything in the world, he put Jesus in my heart and God loves me. I know that God knows about everything going on in the world because he can be in every place at the same time. Jeremiah 23:23 says I am God who is near and not far away. I know God put Jesus in my heart because John 3:16 says “For God so loved the world, he gave his one and only Son so whoever believes in him will live life eternally.” I know God loves me because John 3:16 says “For God so loved the world” and I am part of the world. I also know this because John 6:44 says “No one can come to the father unless he draws them to Him.” This means God chose me. If he chose me, he must love. Psalm 139:14 says I will give thanks to you for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. I praise God everyday because he made me in amazing and wonderful ways. Wouldn’t you like to know God like I do?<br /></em></div><div align="right">By Eric Hohler (age 8)<br /></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"> </div><div align="left"> </div><div align="left">EJ’s wisdom is assurance for all of us. If we can only remember these three things we can successfully ride through the calm and the storm and praise God. As Casting Crowns sings:<br /></div><div align="left"><blockquote><span style="color:#3333ff;"><em>And I'll praise you in this storm<br />and I will lift my hands<br />for You are who You are<br />no matter where I am<br />and every tear I've cried<br />You hold in your hand<br />You never left my side<br />and though my heart is torn<br />I will praise You in this storm<br /></em></span></blockquote>From “Praise You in This Storm”<br />words by Mark Hall/music by Mark Hall and Bernie Herms </div>Senior Pastorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05379670430129222150noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7179052294212330721.post-91863412057869472472009-09-16T15:33:00.001-05:002009-09-16T15:34:53.346-05:00Little Child Come to Me<strong>Read:</strong> Luke 24:13-31<br /><br /><em><span style="color:#000099;">“I know what I'm doing. I have it all planned out—plans to take care of you, not abandon you, plans to give you the future you hope for.”</span></em> Jeremiah 29:11 (The Message)<br /><br />I pulled into the parking garage and walked down the breezeway toward the Margot Perot tower of the Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Plano. I pressed the elevator button to travel to the third floor. This was not any ordinary hospital visit this time. I was about to enter the neo-natal intensive care unit to visit our newest family member of First United Methodist Church.<br /><br />I arrived at the nurse’s station of the secure wing of the floor and signed in to enter the unit. The RN checked my ID and authorized me to go down the hall and enter through the large locked double doors. I passed through the entrance and other nurses cordially greeted me. I approached the hand-wash station, scrubbed my hands, applied anti-bacterial gel, and began walking down the hall, passing cubicles that held tiny pre-mature babies. Each child had his or her own story to tell. In some of the rooms, moms cuddled their little bundles. Several of the infants had tubes and wires attached to them to monitor their vitals or provide nourishment. But that did not matter to the moms or the nurses who were busily dedicated and committed to caring for some of the smallest human beings created by God.<br /><br />I rounded the corner slowly and asked for more directions to the little person I wanted to visit. The nurse directed me toward a room with a crib…and there she was…a tiny bundle of joy, the newest family member of FUMC. Indeed, there she was - a 4 lb 9 oz, 17 inch little girl, wrapped in swaddling with a brown satin bow on her beautiful, hair-adorned head. Tiny nose, tiny mouth, and precious, quietly sleeping eyes… She was a precious creation of God who was brought into this world with a plan, a hope, and a future (Jeremiah 29:11). Here was little Marlie Rae Krueger, being cared for by a dedicated nurse, but most importantly, a dedicated, committed, and loving mom who was on a dinner break.<br /><br />As I gazed upon Marlie and said hi to her, I could only imagine what great things were in store for her. Marlie was birthed into a wonderful and loving extended family. Even though Marlie could not speak, I imagined she might say, “Thank you for loving me. Thank you for giving me a life with a plan, with a hope, and a future.”<br /><br />As I gazed upon Marlie, I was overwhelmed with the thought that God loves us in the same manner. We were born with a plan, a hope, and a future. God cares for us in the same manner, if we will only realize it.<br /><br />Later, I saw Marlie’s momma, Kaylie, touch Marlie with gentle hands, assuring her that momma was there with her and caring for her. I remembered that God does the same for us if only we will recognize his touch. Jesus said “Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for such is the kingdom of God.” Oh, if we could only remember.<br /><br /><strong>Prayer:</strong> O Lord Jesus, thank you for reminding us to come as a child and feel your touch of assurance and care and a plan with a hope and a future. Bless Marlie, Kaylie, and family, as you nurture and touch them with your care. Amen.Senior Pastorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05379670430129222150noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7179052294212330721.post-43047312969028094432009-09-15T20:00:00.001-05:002009-09-15T20:01:56.105-05:00Opened EyesRead: Luke 24:13-31<br /><br /><em>“When he was at the table with them, he took bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them. Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him, and he disappeared from their sight.” Luke 24:30-31 (NLT)<br /><br /></em>It is amazing to me how often I have participated in receiving Holy Communion over my fifty-seven plus years. As a child, there was the small plate with wafers & the tray with tiny cups of juice that passed between adults down the pew. As I sat with my mother & siblings, my mother gave each of us a wafer & cup. Everyone ate the wafer at the same time & did the same with the cup. I can still hear the cups being placed into the wooden racks on the back of the pews.<br /><br />Then there were the times of coming forward to the base chaplain & his assistants at the Navy Chapel to receive the matzo dipped into the chalice. I also remember the times of gathering around a massive altar and kneeling on the rail that surrounded it. The pastor & assistants went from one celebrant to another giving the bread & small cup before saying a few words of scripture & a table blessing before all stood to return to their seats.<br /><br />I recall the times gathered at Isle Du Bois State Park on an all-church campout during Saturday evening worship. One at a time, we received a piece of home-baked bread and & juice to fill our souls before we filled our bellies at a delectable potluck picnic.<br /><br />More recently, I stood in the chancel area observing the people coming to the front of FUMC Whitesboro to receive their piece of bread, dip it in the chalice, going to the kneeling rail to pray, & returning to their seats.<br /><br />In each of these situations, everyone was invited to partake in the mystery of the faith, “Christ has died, Christ is risen, Christ will come again.” No matter how much we understand the meaning & significance of this blessed celebration, we still know that there is mystery. How could the Son of God give his lifeblood for our sin? How could the Son of God love us unlovable people so much to do what He did?<br /><br />These questions became evident this week as I was in Carter Blood Center in northwest Plano prepared to give double platelets. I discovered that I was unable to give platelets because I had taken my daily preventative aspirin less than forty-eight hours previous. I was disappointed. However, the nurse at Carter said I could still give whole blood & be eligible for platelet donation in two weeks. So, I gave one unit of my whole blood as a gift of life for someone I do not know.<br />As the phlebotomist held up the bag for my unit donation, I saw the bag bulging with my blood. Wow, one unit of my blood for someone else, and Christ gave all of his. Part of the mystery of the faith overwhelmed me again. He gave all his blood. I realized again, that every time I came to the table, whether or not I understood or remembered, I celebrated that He gave it all.<br /><br />We may recall a time we came to the Table of the Lord in the past or it may have been recently. However, this week there is a place at the table for me, you, & for all, again. May we celebrate with expectation the mystery of the faith, “Christ has died, Christ is risen, Christ will come again.” He gave it all.<br /><br /><strong>Prayer:</strong> O Lord Jesus, prepare our hearts to receive Your gift of love, the mystery of the faith, again. Amen.Senior Pastorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05379670430129222150noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7179052294212330721.post-11217783901200435042009-08-04T14:58:00.001-05:002009-08-04T15:01:01.002-05:00PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE<div align="center"><strong> Read:</strong> Philippians 4:8-13 </div><div align="center"><br /><em>“Keep putting into practice all you learned and received from me—everything you heard from me and saw me doing. Then the God of peace will be with you.” Philippians 4:13 (NLT)<br /></em></div><div align="left"><br />I had an amazing experience this past week. I took a few days of vacation to travel to Oshkosh, Wisconsin to experience Airventure 2009, an international fly-in and air show, for my first time. Rick and I met two of my brothers from Pennsylvania and spent two full days at Whitman Airfield in Oshkosh. We walked a total of thirteen miles of exhibits, aircraft static displays, and watched flight demonstrations of aircraft from all eras. The gazing at loops, barrel rolls, hammerhead stalls, and Cuban eights, was permeated with food, fellowship, laughter, teasing, and food, again. What a grand time in 75-degree days and nights in the 50s. Our time in Oshkosh was a grand time that concluded with my brothers declaring Rick as adopted into the family.<br /><br />Did I say what a grand time it was? There were so many thrilling moments, especially during the flight demonstrations. However, there was a time when we said, “Seen one loop, you’ve seen them all.” Many times, we stated, “I don’t know how they do it?” “How do they keep doing snap rolls, inverted, spins, and outside loops, without losing their sense of direction?” The answer became simple: Practice, practice, practice!<br /><br />As I reflected on the pilot performances, I discovered it is the same for our lives as Christians. How do we get through the loops, barrel rolls, and spins in life? Practice, practice, practice! Paul reminds us in Philippians 4:8-13, the importance of practicing our faith in Christ in order to do life. If I do not practice the faith when things are going well, then it becomes more difficult to make it through the major maneuvers of life.<br /><br />Now, am I saying I practice the faith well all the time? By no means, however, I do know when I have, life’s aerobatics are much easier to handle. May God help each of us practice our faith daily so we may experience the God of peace being with us.<br /><br />By the way, Rick discovered how family of origin affects who we are as individuals. Seeing my brothers interact filled in the blanks of who I am.<br /><br /><strong>Prayer:</strong> O Lord Jesus, may we do our best to daily practice our faith in you in order to fly in life with its aerobatics. Help us practice, practice, practice. Amen.<br /><br />Grace and peace,<br /><br />Jack </div>Senior Pastorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05379670430129222150noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7179052294212330721.post-10917263004366032342009-07-02T10:35:00.003-05:002009-07-02T10:39:58.249-05:00The River of Life<strong>Read: Proverbs 3</strong><br /><div align="center"><br /><em><span style="color:#3333ff;">“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him and he will make your paths straight.” Proverbs 3:5-6 (NIV)<br /></span></em></div><div align="left"><br />I have recently been planned a huge family reunion in June 2010 in honor of what have been my mother and dad’s 95th and 96th birthdays respectively. One of the activities we hope to participant in as a family is whitewater rafting. Thinking of the possibility, I drifted back in time.<br /><br />I love to shoot rapids. I remember shooting rapids in a sixteen-foot aluminum canoe as a teenager. Of course, during that time, the rapids were probably category I or II in strength, but they seemed like Category IV from our perspective. As a teenager, it was a thrill, a heart-pumping, adrenaline-flowing moment as my brother and I came toward the first swell, water splashing in our faces, veering around one large boulder, and another. We paddled like crazy listening to each other above the “roar” of the Delaware River around Washington’s Crossing. At the end of each run, we took a deep breath and relaxed in the calm of a smooth flowing pool below, baling out the water we took on in the previous rapids. Oh what a wonderful remembrance! In fact, as I type this, my heart feels the exhilaration again.<br /><br />As amateurs, we discovered some of the keys to the successful conquer of those rapids. They are not limited to directional control or float with or ahead of the current, but also, looking ahead and not to the side or behind. Furthermore, in the process, there was the reciprocal trust of my brother and me as we traveled along the river.<br /><br />It is the same as life. The river of life is like shooting the rapids of a twisting, descending riverbed. The river of life has a guide who wants us to listen to his instructions and plan. The Guide, calls out to us over the roar of the rapids, the noise of the riffles, and the peacefulness of the calm pools, calling us to trust him with our whole heart. Thus, Proverbs 3:5-6 reminds us to trust the Guide in our run in the river of life.<br /> <br /><br /><strong>Prayer:</strong> <em>O Lord Jesus, may we remember to trust you with our heart as we travel within the river of life with you as Guide. May we be an instrument of your guidance to others who travel along their rivers of life. Amen.</em></div>Senior Pastorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05379670430129222150noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7179052294212330721.post-26490785147042291002009-06-16T08:19:00.002-05:002009-06-16T08:23:15.689-05:00Renovation<div align="center">Read: 2 Corinthians 5:16-18</div><div align="center"><br /><em>“This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!.”</em> 2 Corinthians 3:17 (NLT)</div><div align="left"><br /><br />There was scraping and hammering all through the house beginning at 6:30 a.m. each morning these past two weeks. Contractors replaced rotted soffits and fascia boards with new lifetime concrete board, and roofers replaced a leaking roof. The parsonage refurbishment of the roof is underway.<br /><br />What is interesting about the projects is the contractors are not just making cosmetic replacement of surface items to make the house look first-class. Rather, the work teams have gone below the surface to the structure beneath. They replaced rotted and broken wood frame and support. The roofing contractors replaced all the original decking with energy saving heat barrier OSB board, and thirty-year shingles overlaying the structure.<br /><br />This work reminds me that Christ is in the renovation business, also. Rather than just working on the cosmetic, outward appearance of our lives, Christ wants to work on the framework below. Through the work of the Holy Spirit, true renovation begins in our heart, mind, and soul. The Holy Spirit wants to go the root and foundation of our lives and renovate, or in Wesleyan terms, sanctify. Renovation (sanctification) of the framework produces transformation within and without. Renovation (sanctification) of our heart, mind, and soul produces the good fruit of the Spirit (see Galatians 5:22-23). Remember the Scripture above: <em>“This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!”</em><br /><br />Just like in renovation of a home, the great thing about this renovation (sanctification) is we have free choice to accept the work or not. I hope and pray we accept the renovation (sanctification) of the Spirit in our lives, beyond the ascetics on the outside.<br /><br /><strong>Prayer:</strong> O Lord Jesus, thank you for being in the renovation business. Give us courage to allow you to continue the renovation (sanctification) process in our lives from this day forward. Amen.<br /><br />ReTHINK Church in grace and peace,<br /><br />Jack</div>Senior Pastorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05379670430129222150noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7179052294212330721.post-271272963668977102009-06-01T10:37:00.003-05:002009-06-01T10:53:58.188-05:00Our Elderly<div align="center"><strong><em>Read: Colossians 3:12-17</em></strong></div><strong><em></em></strong><div align="center"><br />“And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” Colossians 3:17 (NRSV)</div><div align="left"><br /><br />I know I repeated the scripture reading above from my last Jack’s Journal. The reading is apropos for what became intriguing for me in the past week. As I was in the office last week, Rev. Glyn Rives, our Pastor Emeritus, stopped to visit. He asked me, “Jack, did you see the article in the latest edition of the United Methodist Report on Aging Well?” I told him, “Not yet, but I would.”<br /><br />As soon as I returned to my desk, I sat down and read the article written by Missy Buchanan. After reading the article, I remembered that about six months previous, I contacted Missy Buchanan to see if she would come to at FUMC Whitesboro and share some of her insights from her book, Living with Purpose in a Worn Out Body (Upper Room Books). I am pursuing this discussion opportunity again for I cannot remember whose turn it was to call one another.<br /><br />In the mean time, aging well is forefront in my mind and the mind of many others. Missy is correct in that our attention to the elderly as a society and the church, especially, could always use some improvement. We do emphasize reaching out to young families and children, and our elderly are the first to endorse this knowing it will keep the church active and alive after they pass to eternity. While we wait for Missy Buchanan to come to FUMC Whitesboro, please read the article below taken from the UM Reporter by permission, through the lens of Colossians 3:17 above. Maybe, just maybe, God is calling you to be involved in the development of new ministries for our elderly…we are all going to be there sometime in the future…quicker than we think.<br /><br /><blockquote><p><span style="color:#6600cc;">AGING WELL: Are we talking about aging? Missy Buchanan, May 21, 2009<br />Missy Buchanan<br />By Missy Buchanan Special Contributor </span></p><p><span style="color:#6600cc;">Recently I spent an afternoon cruising the blogosphere to see what Methodists are saying about the aging population. </span></p><p><span style="color:#6600cc;">First I typed in older adults. Not much there. I searched for elderly. Nothing except an occasional story that mentions an elderly person. I tried senior adults, aging, nursing home, assisted living, frail and homebound. I gave it one last shot with gray. Nothing to make me think that the aging population was on the radar of blogging Methodists. </span></p><p><span style="color:#6600cc;">Not long after, I heard from two conference chairpersons of Older Adult Councils in different parts of the country. Both mentioned how hard it was to get people to serve on the council. “It seems like no one is really interested,” said one. </span></p><p><span style="color:#6600cc;">I recalled a conversation I’d had with the minister of a small United Methodist church. He confessed: “I don’t really like visiting with older people because most of them just want to talk about superficial things.” Ouch. </span></p><p><span style="color:#6600cc;">That led me to explore some United Methodist-related seminaries to see how they are preparing students for ministry to and with older adults. Mostly I discovered reading lists about aging as part of a pastoral-care curriculum, but not much else. </span></p><p><span style="color:#6600cc;">All of that seems to beg the question: With an aging population and a church that is graying even faster, why aren’t senior adults a hot topic of discussion? </span></p><p><span style="color:#6600cc;">There’s a lot of important conversation about declining membership and the need to reach young adults and young families. I get it. Really, I do. Our denomination’s<br />future depends on it. </span></p><p><span style="color:#6600cc;">Still, I worry that church leaders are discussing older adults only in reference to dwindling church numbers. In fact, I’ve heard conversations that were like a finger pointed in the wrinkled faces of seniors, as if older adults should be blamed for growing old and dying. Now I am no theologian, but I’m pretty sure that’s not what Jesus had in mind. </span></p><p><span style="color:#6600cc;">Thankfully, the denomination recognized in 2000 the need for a Center in Aging and Older Adult Ministries. Executive director Dr. Rick Gentzler is working hard to support the needs of a graying society. </span></p><p><span style="color:#6600cc;">But how many local churches are using those resources and developing effective older-adult ministries? </span></p><p><span style="color:#6600cc;">Sometimes even figuring out how to talk about older-adult ministry is confusing. When you refer to older adults, who is it are you talking about? Active seniors? Frail elderly? The banner of older adults stretches across both—and every gray head in between. The first group is boarding the bus for Branson while the other is slowly shuffling behind walkers. </span></p><p><span style="color:#6600cc;">My 29-year-old daughter attended a funeral recently for her husband’s grandmother in another state. Knowing only a handful of people, she migrated to a group of elderly men and struck up a conversation. “They reminded me so much of<br />Grandaddy,” she said, speaking fondly of my father, with whom she’d had a special relationship. </span></p><p><span style="color:#6600cc;">That got me to thinking. Maybe that’s a way for ministers, laypersons and seminaries to think anew about older adults. As someone’s beloved parents or grandparents. As people with names, feelings and stories to be shared. As time-worn children of a loving God. </span></p><p><span style="color:#6600cc;">Perhaps then we will give them more than lip service or a gift basket. Perhaps then we will realize that ministry to older adults involves building and maintaining<br />relationships. And that takes time and effort. </span></p><p><span style="color:#6600cc;">May is Older American Month [we missed it at FUMC]. The United Methodist Church is encouraging congregations to honor senior members with an Older Adult Recognition Sunday. That’s a good start, but it’s not enough. </span></p><p><span style="color:#6600cc;">After the calendar turns to June, what then? Who will hold the hand of the lonely widow who has no family? Who will read faith stories to the one whose eyes have dimmed? Who will sit with the bedridden man and remind him that Jesus loves him? Who will do this for the least of these? I pray it is us.<br /></span></p><p align="right"><span style="color:#6600cc;">Ms. Buchanan, a member of FUMC Rockwall, Texas, is the author of Living with<br />Purpose in a Worn Out Body (Upper Room Books).</span><br /><em><span style="color:#6600cc;">Used with permission © 2009 UM Reporter</span></em><br /></p></blockquote><br />Prayer: O Lord Jesus, thank you for blessing our lives with our elderly. May we not forget them and thank them for their ministry in both past and present. Touch our hearts and remind us of our responsibility of ministry with our elderly. May your life shine through us and become a “touch from God” to our elderly. Amen.<br /><br />ReTHINKing Church in grace and peace.</div>Senior Pastorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05379670430129222150noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7179052294212330721.post-8047706574450985862009-05-12T11:10:00.002-05:002009-05-12T11:14:44.139-05:00Say and do unto Christ<div align="left"><strong>Read: Colossians 3:12-17<br /></strong>“And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” Colossians 3:17 (NRSV)<br /><br />I cannot believe that I turned 57 this week. Each year that clicks off in my life, I sit in awe of the time past and the Grace of God. Yesterday, as I sat in my devotional time in my office at home, I began to journal the following:<br /></div><blockquote>I’m 57 today by Your (God’s) grace. Thank you for creating me and never giving up on me. Thank you for giving me my mother and father and my siblings. Thank for giving me a wonderful, caring wife, children, and grandchildren. You’ve blessed me so. If this was my last day on this earth, I’ve been blessed beyond belief. Thank you Lord Jesus.<br /></blockquote>It is by God’s grace that I made it to 57. It is by God’s grace that I feel so blessed. It is by God’s grace that I have the confidence of life beyond death. In the meantime, it is by God’s grace that He calls me, and in fact all of us, to become more and more like his Son, Jesus Christ, serving Him from the heart. It is by God’s grace in that we are to do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. It is by God’s Amazing Grace that we become “a touch from God” and live life as Bill Hybels relates:<br /><br /><br /><blockquote><span style="color:#000099;">It should never be said of Christians that as workers they are half-hearted,<br />careless, tardy, irresponsible, whiney, or negligent. [Behavior] like that<br />embarrasses God. It brings reproach on Him. At work, Christians should epitomize<br />character qualities like self-discipline, perseverance, and initiative. They<br />should be self-motivated, prompt, organized, and industrious. Their efforts<br />should result in work of the very highest quality. Why? Because they’re not just<br />laying bricks; they’re building a wall for God’s glory…They’re not just driving<br />a tractor; they’re [plowing] a strait furrow for God’s glory…Christians must<br />strive every day to be beyond reproach in all their marketplace dealings and<br />practices.<br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><em>from Celtic Daily Prayer: Prayers and Readings from the<br />Northumbria Community. New York: HarperCollins, 2002.<br /></em></span></span></blockquote><br />Interestingly, no matter how old we are, whatever we do, in word or deed, God calls us to do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.<br /><br /><strong>Prayer:</strong> O Lord Jesus, thank you for blessing our lives. Help each of us as we prepare for our call to eternity, to live as unto you and be thankful. May your life shine through us and become a “touch from God” to others. Amen.<br /><br />ReTHINK Church in grace and peace,<br />JackSenior Pastorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05379670430129222150noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7179052294212330721.post-56344790949665463952009-04-26T21:02:00.002-05:002009-04-26T21:06:40.473-05:00Extravagant GenerosityRead: Galatians Chapter 5<br />“By contrast, the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.” Galatians 5:22-23a (NRSV)<br /><br />Recently, we began a new journey of “ReThink Church” where we investigate and discover the answers to the question, what if the word church was not a noun but rather an active verb? What would we do as individuals and as the Body of Christ if we came and celebrated who God is, and what God has done on Sunday, and take action with God in Christ – do church – through us in our communities the other six days of the week? We would definitely discover how God calls us to action as the church in our sharing.<br /><br />Bishop Robert Schnase speaks of the Five Practices of Fruitful Congregations, radical hospitality, passionate worship, intentional faith development, risk-taking mission and service, and extravagant generosity. One of the practices that intrigue me, especially in our perceived economic demise, is extravagant generosity. Bishop Schnase is on target in reTHINK Church, during these perceived times where fear rather than hope prevail. I am encouraged by Bishop Schnase words of remembrance in Five Practices: Extravagant Generosity (study book):<br /> <br /><blockquote><em><span style="color:#3333ff;">Every sanctuary and chapel in which we have worship, every church organ [or piano] that has lifted our spirits, every pew where we have sat, every Communion<br />rail where we have knelt, every hymnal from which we have sung, every praise<br />band that has touched our hearts, every church classroom where we have gathered with our friends, every church kitchen that has prepared our meals, every church van that has taken us to camp, every church camp cabin where we have slept – all are the fruit of someone’s Extravagant Generosity…Generosity is the fruit of the Spirit, a worthy spiritual aspiration (Schnase, Robert. Five Practices: Extravagant Generosity, Abingdon Press, 2008, page 8).<br /></span></em></blockquote><br />Extravagant generosity is just what the Christ orders during these times to recapture the hope before us. How is our extravagant generosity of time, talent, prayers, presence gifts, service, and witness going to affect those who come along with us, behind us? What are we going to do now to improve our extravagant generosity, to open hearts, open minds, and open doors for the Kingdom of God to come upon us? How is our extravagant generosity going to affect our rethinking of church? May we produce the fruit of the Spirit, generosity…extravagant generosity! Christ would have it no other way as we ReTHINK Church.<br /><br />ReTHINK Church in grace and peace,<br /><br /><br /><br />JackSenior Pastorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05379670430129222150noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7179052294212330721.post-30187749522041359312009-03-27T12:13:00.003-05:002009-03-27T12:37:15.507-05:00That Horrid EventRecently, I heard a comment from a concerned person, "I think the crucifixion of Christ is too graphic for my children." This of course is not the first time I heard this type of comment. Our liturgical calendar leads us through Lent and into Holy Week where we hear more and more about the suffering, crucifixion of Christ in preparation of the Resurrection event.<br /><br />I still remember how hard it was for Marlane and I to share the reality of Jesus' suffering and death with our children...yes, it would definitely be a PG14 or R rating for some of the accounts and surmises of the this horrendous event that changed the world. Yet, that did not stop us from sharing it with our children. If our children could ask the questions, and they did, they deserved the answers.<br /><br />It is pretty interesting how we as adults, and even some of our children sitting with us, have no problem with viewing CSI shows, reality TV, horrendous horror stories concerning murder, death, suicides, and the like. Yet, when it comes to the suffering and death of Christ, we want to avoid as much as possible, and gaze upon the empty cross only. We want to avoid any mention or thought of what Christ has done for the world. We definitely want to jump from the Hosannas of Palm Sunday to the Hallelujahs of Easter Sunday, and sidestep the passion of Christ.<br /><br />But that is not what God would want us to do. God wants us to know and understand what God's sacrifice of His Son meant for us. God wants us to imagine and experience what Jesus went through to bring meaning to our celebration of Holy Communion, Jesus' body and blood given for the forgiveness of sin. God gave it all...and we should teach it to other adults and to our children.<br /><br />Yes, the Passion is a terrible and horrid event in the life of Christ, but the event was for us. If others or our children as questions about the suffering and death of Christ, we should be prepared and readily give an explanation, and give them the rest of the story toward the Resurrection. Let's not avoid the reality. People love "reality" shows and we have a true reality that transforms lives and the world. Don't be afraid of the passion of Christ, but embrace it with a humble spirit and share it with others.Senior Pastorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05379670430129222150noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7179052294212330721.post-88915423304631425742009-03-17T16:08:00.003-05:002009-03-17T16:12:45.910-05:00ReTHINKing Church<span style="color:#000099;"><em>"Then the King will say to those on his right, 'Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. 35For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, 36I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.'” Matthew 25:34-36 (NIV)</em></span><br /><br />Our economy has been a bit shaky over the past several months and it affects all of us to some degree. Many of us concern ourselves over how the economy may affect us directly, i.e., being laid off, companies or people not needing our services. Yet, God calls the church to be a verb and not a noun, especially in these times. What if we answered that call to be a church of action? What if we were more than a building that houses people for a weekly holy huddle? What if we did church in our community throughout six days of the week and then on Sundays, we celebrated with God what the church did in the previous days? What if…?<br /><br />One opportunity to answer the “what-if question” for FUMC to be a verb, a word of action, is through financially assisting indigent people in time of need. During these down times of our economy, we receive an increase in viable requests for assistance in the community. Two local entities, the Whitesboro Ministerial Alliance (WMA) and Your Neighbors’ House (YNH) try to assist people in need. The Ministerial Alliance provides minimal assistance to people with gasoline vouchers, prescriptions, food vouchers, and occasional one night stays at Victorian Inn. However, the rules of the ministerial alliance are very stringent due to the availability of funds and ensuring that people do not abuse the system. Furthermore, Your Neighbor’s House assists with food needs on a once per month basis. As a church, we contribute $100 per month to Your Neighbors House. Both the WMA and YNH do a wonderful job with their limited resources and parameters of assistance.<br /><br />These organizations’ subsistence helps many people, but is insufficient in some cases. Persons become unemployed through layoffs or medical difficulties and need help with rent or utility bills. Since the WMA and YNH does all they can do, we believe FUMC is called to go the extra mile and further assist those in need.<br /><br />Janice McKee is assisting Finance and our church office with guidelines to provide additional assistance through our designated “Benevolence Fund.” In the next several weeks, details will be published, but the next Communion Rail Second Mile Offering (Sunday, April 5th) will go towards the designated “Benevolence Fund” to begin to assist qualified, indigent people of Whitesboro.<br /><br />Bottom line, our reaching out to the community needs is what Jesus calls us to do in the scripture text above. The bottom line will allow us to be accused and convicted of being benevolent. Our mission outreach in our own back yard is one way we transform the word church from a noun to a verb – reTHINKing church!Senior Pastorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05379670430129222150noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7179052294212330721.post-31249357525763559442009-02-17T16:00:00.002-06:002009-02-17T16:14:16.091-06:00The root source of the problemRecently, I viewed my blog from a link on our church website and happened to rediscover that a favorite link listed in my blog was the United Methodist Portal. One of the top articles that flashed in a text box was from Rev. Adam Hamilton, pastor of Church of the Resurrection in Leawood, Kansas.<br /><br />The article expressed exactly what I felt about our current financial woes in our country. Woes that are beginning to have a trickle down affect in our local economy, and of course, a trickle down affect on our psyche. So, below is the wisdom of Rev. Hamilton’s article, which we should take to heart.<br /><br /><em><blockquote><p><strong><span style="color:#000099;"><em>Reprinted with permission from the United Methodist Reporter.</em><br /></span></strong></p><p><span style="color:#000099;">Stress. Anxiety. Fear. These words capture the state of mind of many in<br />America today. </span></p><p><span style="color:#000099;">In recent months we have witnessed dramatic market losses, the collapse of the world’s largest insurance company, the largest savings and loan failure in banking history, and numerous bankruptcies and mergers. Every day seems to bring more economic uncertainty. </span></p><p><span style="color:#000099;">Recently the American Psychological Association released a survey of 7,000 American households showing that 80 percent of us were stressed about the economy and personal finances. Half were worried about their ability to provide for their family’s basic needs; 56 percent were concerned about job stability; 60 percent reported feeling angry and irritable; and 52 percent reported laying awake at night worried about this. The report concluded, “The declining state of the nation’s economy is taking a physical and emotional toll on people nationwide.” </span></p><p><span style="color:#000099;">Deregulation of financial industries, subprime mortgages, the housing bubble and even fraud are the principle culprits in what has been described as the worst economic disaster since the Great Depression. </span></p><p><span style="color:#000099;">But beneath all of these are the deeper sources of the current crisis. These ultimate causes are not financial but spiritual. </span></p><p><span style="color:#000099;">At least five of the seven deadly sins came into play both on Wall Street and Main<br />Street: gluttony, greed, sloth, envy and pride. These led to absurd economic<br />practices that bordered on the criminal. </span></p><p><span style="color:#000099;">It was not simply the CEOs and Wall Street types who danced to this tune. It was every one of us whose 401(k)s prospered by their efforts. More than that, it was every one of us who abandoned financial wisdom and prudence and borrowed beyond our capacity to repay in order to buy houses, cars and whatever our hearts desired. </span></p><p><span style="color:#000099;">We used tomorrow’s money to finance today’s lifestyle. We stopped saving, took the equity out of our homes and charged as if there were no tomorrow. But tomorrow did come. And many Americans woke up with an economic hangover. </span></p><p><span style="color:#000099;">As we watched the stock market plunge, savings evaporate and home values plummet, there was a collective sense that it was time to say, “Enough.” When the economic house of cards began to fall most of us knew intuitively that things had to change. We had focused too much of our energy and resources on acquiring more and newer, bigger and better. </span></p><p><br /><span style="color:#000099;">The funny thing was, all of our efforts at consuming did not increase our joy in<br />life—if anything it tended to rob us of joy and increase our stress. </span></p><p><span style="color:#000099;">I want to invite you to rediscover truths previous generations knew—wisdom that was drawn from the pages of Scripture. Joy and contentment, I will suggest, are found in simplicity and generosity, in faith and in pursuing your purpose in life. I’m<br />not advocating that any of us live in poverty, but that we cultivate contentment<br />and re-evaluate what constitutes the “good life.” </span></p><p><span style="color:#000099;">There is no sin in having wealth. Money itself is morally neutral. It can be used for good or evil. It is the love of money that the Scripture says is a root of all kinds of evil. The problem arises when we make the acquisition of wealth and material possessions our focus in life. Jesus was right to warn us that we cannot serve both God and wealth—only one can be most important in our life. </span></p><p><span style="color:#000099;">The government has a role to play. But the primary problems that led to the economic crisis are spiritual and require a change within the individual. </span></p><p><span style="color:#000099;">The New Testament has a word for what is needed—metanoia, usually translated “repentance.” It means a change of mind and heart that results in changed behavior. </span></p><p><span style="color:#000099;">My hope is to invite readers to see our money and our possessions with new eyes remembering, as Jesus taught, “One’s life does not consist in the abundance of possessions” (Luke 12:15). </span></p><p><span style="color:#000099;">If we ignore these lessons, our nation will be right back where we are today within a decade. Biblical truths, combined with practical financial wisdom, will guide us<br />to a different future—a future in which we’ve learned to say, “Enough.”<br /></span><br /></em></p></blockquote><p>Pastor Hamilton, thank you for your words. And God, please forgive us with your grace and restore to us the joy of your salvation.<br /><br />Grace and peace in trying times,<br /><br />Pastor Jack</p>Senior Pastorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05379670430129222150noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7179052294212330721.post-4550852094137153722009-02-08T13:44:00.000-06:002009-02-08T13:46:21.512-06:00Thanks for being the Body of Christ<em><strong>1 Corinthians 12:12-20</strong><br /></em><br />Paul shares with us the importance of every believer fulfilling their responsibility of working together as the body of Christ. When the church takes this responsibility seriously, the church functions as the Body of Christ.<br /><br />I saw this in action in the past two weeks. First, I observed a large number of people; members of the body at FUMC shared their gift of hospitality during our hosting of the Sherman-McKinney District Leadership Training on Sunday, January 25. Thank you to all the men and women who made this a very successful happening. Thank you for answering Christ’s call to serve.<br /><br />The second example occurred this past Sunday. While Marlane and I were celebrating our anniversary and enjoying our time with family, the Body of Christ was in action. I heard worship was wonderful. Sgt. Rick Morris preached, Rev. Glyn Rives consecrated Holy Communion, and numerous lay people shared their gifts of leadership as the Body of Christ, As a result, worship touched lives and encouraged the people to continue to be the Body of Christ in action.<br />It is so wonderful to hear the witness of so many of you that FUMC was the Body of Christ, the church just as it should be. Thanks to each of you for being the Body of Christ. God bless all of you.<br /><br />Serving together,<br />Pastor JackSenior Pastorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05379670430129222150noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7179052294212330721.post-18445049380980263052009-01-20T15:49:00.000-06:002009-01-20T15:51:16.084-06:00Waiting and TrustingI have been thinking about my daughter Meri. Meri is in the window to give birth to her second child, our sixth grandchild, and second grandson. She is well on the way. Marlane and I sit patiently waiting for “the” phone call. Okay, I sit and wait but not patiently. Every time my phone vibrates, rings, chimes (for a text or voicemail), I immediately check the caller ID. When I see it say “Meri Arthur,” the adrenaline flows, heart rate increases, and I scramble to see what the message or word is from the expectant daughter. In fact, my heart is racing right now!<br /><br />I cannot wait for that moment when we head to Las Colinas Medical Center with the family…two grandfathers and grandmothers, along with aunts and uncles, to see the birth of a baby boy. Even my daughter, Meri, is ready but reminds me again and again…”We don’t have control, Dad.”<br /><br />I is comforting that no matter how much we believe we are in control, or even think we are, events such as a birth of a child reminds us who is in control. Let me clarify, even with planned procedures for moms to have babies (inducing labor, c-sections, etc.) we do not know the exact time of a birth till the baby takes his or her breath. So then, let’s face it, being in control is one thing that many of us want or practice.<br /><br />However, in times like these, it is comforting to know that God is in control. It is comforting to know that no matter what, God is in control. God calls us to trust Him in all things; easier said than done. Yet, may we remember Proverbs 3:5-6, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your paths.”<br /><br />It will be great when our grandson, Frank IV, Li’l Tankie, arrives, but in the mean time, I will trust. In the mean time your life, I hope you will trust.<br /><br />Grace and peace,<br /><br />JackSenior Pastorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05379670430129222150noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7179052294212330721.post-85698158617599927402009-01-05T15:02:00.002-06:002009-01-05T15:05:44.989-06:00Whatever You Do!Yes, we are in the season of resolutions and I declared in a round-about way this past Sunday that Colossians 3:12-17 is a prescription for a resolution of our lives. When Paul the Apostle says, “Whatever you do, in word and deed, do in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ,” I believe he is stating the template to bring long-lasting resolve that is transformation of our lives.<br /><br />Reflecting on this template recently made me realize two ministries that Marlane and I participated in our marriage that brought about long-lasting resolution (not saying these two are the only ones or the cure-alls of our relationship, nor we practiced them continually in our lives). Furthermore, these two ministries affirmed what I experienced as a Master Chief in the Navy, as a pastor in the United Methodist Church, and as a husband for almost 37 years. These two ministries helped resolve the relationship struggles caused by two major areas, namely financial difficulties and marriage communication difficulties. I believe that these two major reasons for couple and family struggles which in turn affect the wellbeing of both our society and our churches.<br /><br />In order to address the financial difficulties, the first ministry is becoming a proponent of Dave Ramsey’s Financial Peace University. I discovered that those who understand the biblical precepts for financial management and giving, and place them into practice, experience financial peace. This financial peace positively affects a couple’s relationship and the dynamics of the associated family, church, and society, one family at a time.<br /><br />By the way, a Financial Peace University class is beginning again on Sunday, January 11th, for 13 weeks at the church and it truly blesses those who participate. You still have time to sign up with Duane Boone at 940.783.3850. Give him a call today!<br /><br />In order to address the marriage communication difficulties, Marlane and I discovered a long time ago the effectiveness of Marriage Encounter. A Marriage Encounter weekend away applies biblical precepts of communication and gives the marriage partners the insights and tools to truly communicate with one another out of love. This ministry was just what the doctor “Jesus” ordered for our lives some time ago. We enjoyed the time away from our kids and spending one-on-one time with one another. We found that when we communicate with one another in effective and loving means, life is so much better. The encounter of Christ in our encounter with one another helps us solidify our marriage together with Christ.<br /><br />By the way, a Marriage Encounter Weekend is coming up February 20-22 in Dallas. Call me today about the weekend at 214.212.6090 and/or see more information in this newsletter.<br />I guess what is on my mind is this, “Whatever we do, in word and deed, may we do it in the name of the Lord Jesus” and I guarantee you that you will have resolve and transformation in your life.<br /><br />Grace and peace,<br />Pastor JackSenior Pastorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05379670430129222150noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7179052294212330721.post-71430266735123007302008-12-23T11:22:00.002-06:002008-12-23T11:26:15.020-06:00First Sunday After Christmas Devotional December 28, 2008<div align="center"><strong>Connected Each Day<br />John 15:1-17<br /> </strong></div><em>[Jesus said]"I am the Vine, you are the branches. When you're joined with me and I with you, the relation intimate and organic, the harvest is sure to be abundant. Separated, you can't produce a thing.</em> — John 15:5 The Message<br /><br />This may be the case for you – the Year 2007 moved by so quickly. I just got comfortable with writing the date, celebrating the birthdays and anniversaries of the year, and another year is two days away. The first day of the New Year is around the corner.<br /><br />Yet, is not each day the beginning of a new year? It was once said, “Today is the first day of the rest of your life, and today may be the last day of your life.” Yes, each day is the beginning of a new year for each of us.<br /><br />This was true for my dear mother. Even when life was hard and waning, especially in her last few months, she would always approach each day as the first day of the rest of her life. She lived by the psalmist’s words, “This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it” (Psalm 118:24).<br /><br />My mother took on each day by connecting to Jesus, The Vine. She knew to nurture her relationship with the Vine to remain spiritually healthy, bearing fruit, regardless of the weather of life.<br /><br />What an example to follow.<br /><br /><strong>Prayer:</strong> Lord Jesus, you are the vine of my life. This being the first day of the rest of my life, may I begin it with remaining connected with you. Amen..<br /><br /><div align="center"><strong>Thought for the Day</strong><br /></div><div align="center">What spiritual discipline does God call me to practice to stay connected beginning in my New Year? <br /><br /><strong><em>Prayer Focus:</em></strong> People developing spiritual disciplines.</div>Senior Pastorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05379670430129222150noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7179052294212330721.post-45421220957221838592008-12-15T21:18:00.002-06:002008-12-15T21:24:31.333-06:00Advent Devotion for December 21<div align="center"><strong>Save Me<br /></strong></div><div align="center">Matthew 1:18-25 </div><div align="left"><br /><em>She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.”</em> — Matthew 1:21 NIV<br /><br />I still remember the day my wife and I went and saw the motion picture “The Notebook” in the theater. It was a difficult movie for me when I discovered it was about a wife who struggled with dementia. As my wife and I looked on, we saw my mother and father’s situation but in a role reversal to the characters.<br /><br />While my family and I looked through our parent’s household effects after my mother died, I discovered the reason why my dad wrote a book about his life. It was not only for his family but it was his own Notebook for memory.<br /><br />One of the chapters in his notebook described his struggles with faith (his young father died on Christmas Eve when Dad was fourteen). He wrote, “I tried to accept Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior many times and I never had any lights or sirens go off or a drastic change in my life.” I responded to my dad, “Dad, accepting Jesus as your Savior is only necessary once. There were no lights or sirens when you came to Christ because there wasn’t very much God needed to change in you.” He gave me a big smile and hug.<br /><br />I believe he silently read his Notebook to capture his faith, because Dad knew the Babe in the Manger who saved him from his sins.<br /><br /><strong>Prayer:</strong> Dear God, thank you for being the Babe who is Savior in my life. Amen.<br /></div><div align="center"><strong>Thought for the Day<br /></strong>Who needs to hear about the babe in the manger who saves ?<br /> </div><div align="center"><strong>Prayer Focus:</strong> People who lost a loved one around Christmas</div>Senior Pastorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05379670430129222150noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7179052294212330721.post-73171076029275364832008-12-08T20:18:00.003-06:002008-12-08T20:29:49.033-06:00Devotional for Third Sunday of Advent, December 14th<div align="center"><strong><em>He Dwells Among Us<br /></div></em></strong><div align="center">John 1:1-5, 14</div><div align="center"></div><em>The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.</em> – John 1:14 NIV<br /><br /><br />I will always remember the day my eighty-nine year old father, suffering from vascular dementia, came to visit my family and me for the last time before he died. He was a retired private pilot and RVer who traveled all over the United States. When he arrived at the DFW International Airport this last time, he had no inclination where he was; a location he frequented many times past.<br /><br />The whole stay was difficult for him. His once familiar surroundings were now strange to him. Only after one hour or so being awake, did he recognize his wife, my wife or me. Dementia is so devastating for all.<br /><br />During that stay, I drove my father and mother to the church I served to give them the opportunity to see the baby grand piano they donated in memory of my sister. Dad, in a rare lucid moment stood over mother’s shoulder as she played <em>Jesus Loves Me. </em>He sang along with her with tears on his cheeks, declaring that day, Jesus dwells among us! Emmanuel!<br /><br /><strong>Prayer: </strong>Emmanuel, no matter what my state of mind, I know You are with me. Amen.<br /><br /><div align="center"><strong>Thought for the Day</strong><br />How can I help someone see and feel the presence of Emmanuel? </div><div align="center"><br /><strong>Prayer Focus:</strong> People suffering with dementia</div>Senior Pastorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05379670430129222150noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7179052294212330721.post-42636748062598485732008-12-02T21:44:00.001-06:002008-12-02T21:48:07.852-06:00Advent Devotion for December 7th<div align="center"><strong>Whom Shall I Fear?<br /></strong>Luke 1:47-55<br /><em>His mercy extends to those who fear him, from generation to generation. – Luke 1:50 NIV<br /></em><br /></div><div align="left">The man came to the church office with fear in his eyes and he wanted to see a pastor. As I led him into my office I did my normal safety checks with people coming off the street who I did not know.<br /><br />As we sat down, knowing the gentleman was high on drugs, he began to tell me his story with tears rolling down his face. I realized that he was a man who was desperate for help from God. He admitted he was high and he was running on the wrong path to destruction. He was afraid of what was happening and he said that he just felt his truck pull into the church parking lot.<br /><br />He realized that he only had one thing to fear and that was fear of the Lord. He knew that he had run from God for too many years and it was destroying his life. At that moment, the prodigal came to his senses and rededicated his life to Jesus Christ. At that moment, he realized the necessity of the fear of the Lord, not a scared fear, but a reverent and obedient fear.<br /><br />At that moment, one man came home to his Lord whose mercy and grace extends to those who fear Him.<br /><br /><strong>Prayer:</strong> O Lord, help us who follow you fear you out of reverence and obedience this day and throughout our lives. Amen.<br /><br /></div><div align="center"><strong><em>Thought for the Day<br /></em></strong>Who is God going to place in my presence who needs to fear the Lord?<br /><br /><strong><em>Prayer Focus:</em></strong> Those who need to meet the Savior and Lord</div>Senior Pastorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05379670430129222150noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7179052294212330721.post-71912325749943033702008-11-26T11:51:00.004-06:002008-11-26T12:08:04.561-06:00Advent Devotional for November 30th First Sunday of Advent<div align="left"><em><strong>He Gave His Word<br /></strong>Isaiah 11:1-11<br /></em><span style="color:#000099;">The life-giving Spirit of GOD will hover over him, the Spirit that brings wisdom and understanding, The Spirit that gives direction and builds strength, the Spirit that instills knowledge and Fear-of-GOD. – Isaiah 11:2 MSG<br /></span><br />I still remember how disappointed I was when I discovered that my father was not perfect. I saw my father as God in my young life, one who never made mistakes. Even though I cannot recall the circumstances, I know that I was shocked and devastated.<br />However, that did not affect my love for my father. My dad always kept his word. I do not ever recall a time when my dad never followed through on a promise, whether it was a punishment for my bad choices or behavior, or rewards and accolades for good behavior. If my dad said he would do something for his family or a friend, he always followed through.<br />I must confess, along with many of us, that it is difficult to keep a promise like my father. In fact, our society seems to live on broken promises. Yet, we have God our Father who will never leave or forsake us, for “the life-giving Spirit of God will hover over [us].” That is the Spirit of a Promise-Keeping God.<br /></div><div align="center"><strong>Prayer:</strong> Dear God, help me to keep the promises I make to you and to others. May I learn to follow through. In Jesus name, Amen.<br /></div><strong></strong><div align="center"><strong>Thought for the Day<br /></strong>Where is God calling me to make and keep a promise today?<br /></div><strong></strong><div align="center"><strong>Prayer Focus:</strong> People who break promises</div>Senior Pastorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05379670430129222150noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7179052294212330721.post-19756631589380698932008-11-18T10:00:00.001-06:002008-11-18T10:03:50.894-06:00Doing Our Part in ObedienceLast week, Mitch Ward, presented to us our current financial situation, our budget for 2009, and some of the capital needs for the future. Mitch did a wonderful job with the presentation. Even though we are slightly in the red with our income vs. expenses, we still have all our obligations met. Thank you for stepping up your giving to help with the opportunity before us. In fact, I thank all of you for giving to our mission to “make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.” <br />However, I know our economy seems to be in a downturn and I realize that times are difficult. We seem to have less spending income in our pockets. I also know there are many obligations in our homes, with high utilities, registration fees for kid’s activities and sports, increasing food costs, car payments, mortgages, rent, and gasoline eating away at our household income. Unfortunately, some of us have even been laid off from work, and there is an immediate need for pulling the purse strings. It seems that we just can’t give as much as we would like because so much more is being spent for basic needs and wants. In fact, for some of us, our daily expenses have significantly reduced the leftover funds we intended for giving to others. <br />The words below are not for those who have their giving in order; God truly thanks those who follow His command on giving. It is interesting though, that many of us have our giving a bit backwards. God commands us to give our first fruits. Some of us have made poor choices financially or experienced a financial crisis that placed us in a situation of not being able to give as much as we would like or as God desires. Many times, out of fear or desperation, we end up giving our leftovers. But the fact is, we have a God who forgives us and calls us in faith to turn around from our disobedience and work each day toward giving our first fruits to God. Please listen to God’s promise in II Corinthians 9:6-15 (The Message):<br /><em><blockquote><em><span style="color:#000099;">Remember: A stingy planter gets a stingy crop; a lavish planter gets a<br />lavish crop. I want each of you to take plenty of time to think it over, and<br />make up your own mind what you will give. That will protect you against sob<br />stories and arm-twisting. God loves it when the giver delights in the giving.<br />God can pour on the blessings in astonishing ways so that you're ready for<br />anything and everything, more than just ready to do what needs to be done. As<br />one psalmist puts it, He throws caution to the winds,<br /> giving to the needy in reckless abandon.<br /> His right-living, right-giving ways<br /> never run out, never wear out.This most<br />generous God who gives seed to the farmer that becomes bread for your meals is<br />more than extravagant with you. He gives you something you can then give away,<br />which grows into full-formed lives, robust in God, wealthy in every way, so that<br />you can be generous in every way, producing with us great praise to God.<br />Carrying out this social relief work involves far more than helping meet the<br />bare needs of poor Christians. It also produces abundant and bountiful<br />thanksgivings to God. This relief offering is a prod to live at your very best,<br />showing your gratitude to God by being openly obedient to the plain meaning of<br />the Message of Christ. You show your gratitude through your generous offerings<br />to your needy brothers and sisters, and really toward everyone. Meanwhile, moved<br />by the extravagance of God in your lives, they'll respond by praying for you in<br />passionate intercession for whatever you need. Thank God for this gift, his<br />gift. No language can praise it enough!</span><br /></em></blockquote></em>May we cheer and shout Hallelujah; may we be exuberant and blessed in our living and in our giving; may we be excited how God smiles on us as we meet the mission of the church to make disciples of Jesus for the transformation of the world. <br />Doing our part in cheerful obedience, Pastor JackSenior Pastorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05379670430129222150noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7179052294212330721.post-20672352167956229222008-11-03T08:08:00.002-06:002008-11-03T08:12:06.088-06:00Future and Hope<p><em>“For surely I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord, plans for your welfare and not for harm, to give you a future with hope.” Jeremiah 29:11<br /></em><br />This scripture is one that we see placarded in many places. It is very common to walk into a Christian bookstore and see novelties with this promise engraved on them. This scripture is one that truly reminds us that just as God knows the plans for the people, Israel, God knows the plans of welfare and a future with hope for each of us and for First United Methodist Church Whitesboro.</p><p>FUMC lives out this promise through several happenings:</p><ul><li><br />We witnessed the love of Christ for our children during our celebration of Children’s Sabbath with Celia Whitler. We remembered our responsibility for nurturing God’s children, giving them a future with hope.<br /></li><li>This past Sunday we remembered those who passed on to glory in the previous year, when we celebrated All Saints Sunday. We remembered the legacy of friends and loved ones in the faith and remembered the plans of a future with hope God calls us to live out and pass on to others<br /></li><li>We will celebrate the ministry of the church in the past year, and make decisions for the future with hope that God calls FUMC. We gather this coming Sunday, November 9, 2008, during both services and Sunday School at our annual Church Conference. We will celebrate how God led us on his plan and where God’s plans will take us in the future.</li></ul><p>The annual Church Conference is open to all persons who attend FUMC. Each full, professing member of FUMC may exercise their right to vote on reports and decisions brought before the body. Dr. Clara Reed, our new District Superintendent of the Sherman-McKinney District will preside over our conference.<br /><br />For those of you not familiar with this process, each year the local congregation of the United Methodist Church meets to discuss what the church accomplished in mission and ministry in the past year, and provide the mission and vision of the church in the year(s) to come. Various program directors and coordinators will present this information to the conference during both worship services.<br /><br />During the Sunday School hour, the administrative items are presented and/or voted on by the members of the church conference. The administrative items include presentation of the annual cost of ministry (budget); approval of pastor’s compensation report; approval of the Lay Leadership’s nomination report of leaders of the church; approval of continuance of Lay Speakers, and candidates for Ordained Ministry; first reading of members who are inactive and have not responded to contacts in regard to their continued membership; and other items deemed necessary. Dr. Clara will preside over the proceedings of the church conference.<br /><br />Prayer: O Lord Jesus, thank you for the people of First United Methodist Church, and for the opportunity to be in Christian conference through our annual Church Conference. May we discern your future with hope. May we pray together:<br /><br /></p><blockquote>Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name.<br />Thy Kingdom come, thy<br />will be done, on earth as it is in heaven<br />Give us this day our daily<br />bread.<br />And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass<br />against us.<br />And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.<br />For thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory, forever. Amen</blockquote>Senior Pastorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05379670430129222150noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7179052294212330721.post-81895501504282187702008-10-24T15:31:00.002-05:002008-10-24T15:37:17.240-05:00Celia Whitler and Children's SabbathThis Sunday God will bless us with the presence of Celia Whitler sharing her voice and life with us during both worship services. Her emphasis will be concerning Children’s Sabbath that we will celebrate. Children’s Sabbath is a time for us celebrate how God blessed us with children and how God calls us to bless and support our children, nurturing them in the loving care of a loving God. Celia and her acoustic guitarist, Will Dyer, will share the importance of good stewardship of God’s gift of children, the children of God.<br /><br />During our time together, we will remember our responsibility to support children in mind, body, and soul. Through teaching and modeling God’s grace and love, God calls us to care about his children’s physical and emotional needs. Whether through Safe Sanctuary, meeting the children’s needs for food, clothing, and shelter, our call of God is to live out what Jesus said, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these” (Matthew 19:17).<br /><br />In Matthew 6:19-24, the writer shares three teachings of Jesus during his Sermon on the Mount. The first is storing up treasure in heaven. Jesus does not explain how we go about this storing, but I would imagine one primary way is how we nurture the children in our families, community, and the world. The second is the proclamation that our eyes are the windows of our souls and the light of Christ enters and exits through them. This allows each of us to see through the eyes of Jesus Christ. Thus, how do we see our children through the eyes of Christ rather than our own? The third is we cannot serve to two masters. Thus, are we spinning wheels trying to serve two or more masters? If we serve one master, Jesus Christ, how does that affect our nurturing of our children?<br /><br />Yes, these teachings of Jesus are stirring and challenging for each of us. As we come to celebrate Children’s Sabbath, may God challenge each of us to do our part to store up treasures in heaven through our children. O Lord, forgive us when we treat our children as possessions or interruptions in our lives. Forgive us when we place our welfare above theirs. Work within us and encourage us to see you through the eyes of your children. Amen<br /><br />Grace and peace to all,<br /><br />Pastor JackSenior Pastorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05379670430129222150noreply@blogger.com0