Pastor Jack's Blog

Live or Die

2010-06-03T08:47:00.000-05:00

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. — Romans 14:8 NIV

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.

“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.

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?”

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,

And He walks with me and He talks with me,
And He tells me I am His Own.
And the joy we share as we tarry there,
None other has ever known.

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.

Prayer: 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.

Well-formed Maturity

2010-05-04T20:57:00.005-05:00

Read: Romans 12:1-2
Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. (NIV)

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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:

So here's what I want you to do, God helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary life—your sleeping, eating,
going-to-work, and walking-around life—and place it before God as an
offering. Embracing what God
does for you is the best thing you can do for him. Don't become so
well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking.
Instead, fix your attention on God. You'll be changed from the inside out.
Readily recognize what he wants from you, and quickly respond to it. Unlike
the culture around you, always
dragging you down to its level of immaturity, God brings the best out of you, develops well-formed maturity in you.
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.

Grace and peace,

Pastor Jack

Praise You in the Storm

2010-01-08T21:02:00.002-06:00

Read: Matthew 8:22-26

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.

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:

Three things that I know about God

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?

By Eric Hohler (age 8)

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:

And I'll praise you in this storm
and I will lift my hands
for You are who You are
no matter where I am
and every tear I've cried
You hold in your hand
You never left my side
and though my heart is torn
I will praise You in this storm

From “Praise You in This Storm”
words by Mark Hall/music by Mark Hall and Bernie Herms

Little Child Come to Me

2009-09-16T15:33:00.001-05:00

Read: Luke 24:13-31

“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.” Jeremiah 29:11 (The Message)

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.

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.

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.

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.”

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.

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.

Prayer: 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.

Opened Eyes

2009-09-15T20:00:00.001-05:00

Read: Luke 24:13-31

“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)

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.

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.

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.

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.

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?

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.
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.

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.

Prayer: O Lord Jesus, prepare our hearts to receive Your gift of love, the mystery of the faith, again. Amen.

PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE

2009-08-04T14:58:00.001-05:00

Read: Philippians 4:8-13

“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)

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.

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!

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.

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.

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.

Prayer: 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.

Grace and peace,

Jack

The River of Life

2009-07-02T10:35:00.003-05:00

Read: Proverbs 3

“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)

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.

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.

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.

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.

Prayer: 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.

Renovation

2009-06-16T08:19:00.002-05:00

Read: 2 Corinthians 5:16-18

“This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!.” 2 Corinthians 3:17 (NLT)

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.

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.

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: “This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!”

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.

Prayer: 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.

ReTHINK Church in grace and peace,

Jack

Our Elderly

2009-06-01T10:37:00.003-05:00

Read: Colossians 3:12-17

“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)

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.”

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.

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.

AGING WELL: Are we talking about aging? Missy Buchanan, May 21, 2009
Missy Buchanan
By Missy Buchanan Special Contributor
Recently I spent an afternoon cruising the blogosphere to see what Methodists are saying about the aging population.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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?
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
future depends on it.
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.
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.
But how many local churches are using those resources and developing effective older-adult ministries?
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.
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
Grandaddy,” she said, speaking fondly of my father, with whom she’d had a special relationship.
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.
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
relationships. And that takes time and effort.
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.
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.
Ms. Buchanan, a member of FUMC Rockwall, Texas, is the author of Living with
Purpose in a Worn Out Body (Upper Room Books).
Used with permission © 2009 UM Reporter

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.

ReTHINKing Church in grace and peace.

Say and do unto Christ

2009-05-12T11:10:00.002-05:00

Read: Colossians 3:12-17
“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)

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:

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.

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:

It should never be said of Christians that as workers they are half-hearted,
careless, tardy, irresponsible, whiney, or negligent. [Behavior] like that
embarrasses God. It brings reproach on Him. At work, Christians should epitomize
character qualities like self-discipline, perseverance, and initiative. They
should be self-motivated, prompt, organized, and industrious. Their efforts
should result in work of the very highest quality. Why? Because they’re not just
laying bricks; they’re building a wall for God’s glory…They’re not just driving
a tractor; they’re [plowing] a strait furrow for God’s glory…Christians must
strive every day to be beyond reproach in all their marketplace dealings and
practices.
from Celtic Daily Prayer: Prayers and Readings from the
Northumbria Community. New York: HarperCollins, 2002.

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.

Prayer: 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.

ReTHINK Church in grace and peace,
Jack

Extravagant Generosity

2009-04-26T21:02:00.002-05:00

Read: Galatians Chapter 5
“By contrast, the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.” Galatians 5:22-23a (NRSV)

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.

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):

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
rail where we have knelt, every hymnal from which we have sung, every praise
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).

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.

ReTHINK Church in grace and peace,

Jack

That Horrid Event

2009-03-27T12:13:00.003-05:00

Recently, 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

ReTHINKing Church

2009-03-17T16:08:00.003-05:00

"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)

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…?

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.

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.

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.

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!

The root source of the problem

2009-02-17T16:00:00.002-06:00

Recently, 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.

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.

Reprinted with permission from the United Methodist Reporter.
Stress. Anxiety. Fear. These words capture the state of mind of many in
America today.
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.
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.”
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.
But beneath all of these are the deeper sources of the current crisis. These ultimate causes are not financial but spiritual.
At least five of the seven deadly sins came into play both on Wall Street and Main
Street: gluttony, greed, sloth, envy and pride. These led to absurd economic
practices that bordered on the criminal.
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.
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.
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.

The funny thing was, all of our efforts at consuming did not increase our joy in
life—if anything it tended to rob us of joy and increase our stress.
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
not advocating that any of us live in poverty, but that we cultivate contentment
and re-evaluate what constitutes the “good life.”
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.
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.
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.
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).
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
to a different future—a future in which we’ve learned to say, “Enough.”

Pastor Hamilton, thank you for your words. And God, please forgive us with your grace and restore to us the joy of your salvation.

Grace and peace in trying times,

Pastor Jack

Thanks for being the Body of Christ

2009-02-08T13:44:00.000-06:00

1 Corinthians 12:12-20

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.

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.

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.
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.

Serving together,
Pastor Jack

Waiting and Trusting

2009-01-20T15:49:00.000-06:00

I 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!

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.”

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.

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.”

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.

Grace and peace,

Jack

Whatever You Do!

2009-01-05T15:02:00.002-06:00

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.

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.

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.

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!

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.

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.
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.

Grace and peace,
Pastor Jack

First Sunday After Christmas Devotional December 28, 2008

2008-12-23T11:22:00.002-06:00

Connected Each Day
John 15:1-17

[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. — John 15:5 The Message

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.

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.

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).

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.

What an example to follow.

Prayer: 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..

Thought for the Day

What spiritual discipline does God call me to practice to stay connected beginning in my New Year?

Prayer Focus: People developing spiritual disciplines.

Advent Devotion for December 21

2008-12-15T21:18:00.002-06:00

Save Me

Matthew 1:18-25

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.” — Matthew 1:21 NIV

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.

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.

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.

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.

Prayer: Dear God, thank you for being the Babe who is Savior in my life. Amen.

Thought for the Day
Who needs to hear about the babe in the manger who saves ?

Prayer Focus: People who lost a loved one around Christmas

Devotional for Third Sunday of Advent, December 14th

2008-12-08T20:18:00.003-06:00

He Dwells Among Us

John 1:1-5, 14

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. – John 1:14 NIV

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.

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.

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 Jesus Loves Me. He sang along with her with tears on his cheeks, declaring that day, Jesus dwells among us! Emmanuel!

Prayer: Emmanuel, no matter what my state of mind, I know You are with me. Amen.

Thought for the Day
How can I help someone see and feel the presence of Emmanuel?

Prayer Focus: People suffering with dementia

Advent Devotion for December 7th

2008-12-02T21:44:00.001-06:00

Whom Shall I Fear?
Luke 1:47-55
His mercy extends to those who fear him, from generation to generation. – Luke 1:50 NIV

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.

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.

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.

At that moment, one man came home to his Lord whose mercy and grace extends to those who fear Him.

Prayer: O Lord, help us who follow you fear you out of reverence and obedience this day and throughout our lives. Amen.

Thought for the Day
Who is God going to place in my presence who needs to fear the Lord?

Prayer Focus: Those who need to meet the Savior and Lord

Advent Devotional for November 30th First Sunday of Advent

2008-11-26T11:51:00.004-06:00

He Gave His Word
Isaiah 11:1-11
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

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.
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.
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.

Prayer: 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.

Thought for the Day
Where is God calling me to make and keep a promise today?

Prayer Focus: People who break promises

Doing Our Part in Obedience

2008-11-18T10:00:00.001-06:00

Last 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.”
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.
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):
Remember: A stingy planter gets a stingy crop; a lavish planter gets a
lavish crop. I want each of you to take plenty of time to think it over, and
make up your own mind what you will give. That will protect you against sob
stories and arm-twisting. God loves it when the giver delights in the giving.
God can pour on the blessings in astonishing ways so that you're ready for
anything and everything, more than just ready to do what needs to be done. As
one psalmist puts it, He throws caution to the winds,
giving to the needy in reckless abandon.
His right-living, right-giving ways
never run out, never wear out.This most
generous God who gives seed to the farmer that becomes bread for your meals is
more than extravagant with you. He gives you something you can then give away,
which grows into full-formed lives, robust in God, wealthy in every way, so that
you can be generous in every way, producing with us great praise to God.
Carrying out this social relief work involves far more than helping meet the
bare needs of poor Christians. It also produces abundant and bountiful
thanksgivings to God. This relief offering is a prod to live at your very best,
showing your gratitude to God by being openly obedient to the plain meaning of
the Message of Christ. You show your gratitude through your generous offerings
to your needy brothers and sisters, and really toward everyone. Meanwhile, moved
by the extravagance of God in your lives, they'll respond by praying for you in
passionate intercession for whatever you need. Thank God for this gift, his
gift. No language can praise it enough!
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.
Doing our part in cheerful obedience, Pastor Jack

Future and Hope

2008-11-03T08:08:00.002-06:00

“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

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.

FUMC lives out this promise through several happenings:

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.
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
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.

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.

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.

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.

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:

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name.
Thy Kingdom come, thy
will be done, on earth as it is in heaven
Give us this day our daily
bread.
And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass
against us.
And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory, forever. Amen

Celia Whitler and Children's Sabbath

2008-10-24T15:31:00.002-05:00

This 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.

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).

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?

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

Grace and peace to all,

Pastor Jack

sorry

2008-10-15T17:18:00.003-05:00

Funny thing happened at the office today. I had two people say, "I posted a comment to your blog but it was now responded to or published." Well, I didn't know I had to approve the comment for publishing...duh. So, I apologize for the difficulty. I just approved the two comments on the last blog entry. Thanks for your comments and make a great day in the Lord.

Jack

PS. A new post will arrive this evening.

Praying On Behalf of Others

2008-10-07T10:22:00.003-05:00

Read: Matthew 6:5-15
“But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.” Matthew 6:6b

I remember sitting in a Worship class in seminary. The class discussed the development of worship from the early church to the present. The professor had us discover the meaning of the architecture of sanctuaries. We discovered what the placement and design of the narthex, nave, and chancel area signified in our worship. For example, the item that was place central or forefront in the chancel area declared what was most important; such as if it was the pulpit, then preaching the Word was most important, if it was the Communion table or altar, then the sacrament of Holy Communion was most important, etc.

However, we also learned the importance of styles of worship. We United Methodists participate in what is known as a liturgical church. Liturgy means work of the people and in a United Methodist Church, we believe the emphasis is in the work of the people, their participation in worship; such as singing of hymns and spiritual songs, reading of acts of worship during Holy Communion, and praying prayers in unison.

When the professor led our discussion concerning the unison prayers, I balked in my mind saying, “I don’t know why we say the Lord’s Prayer in church each and every Sunday in worship. When you say it so much, you lose its meaning and power.”
I cannot recall if I posed that very question or some fellow seminarian did for others and me that day. I do remember the professor’s response that changed my heart and mindset concerning reciting the Lord’s Prayer in each service. Paraphrasing Dr. Faille he stated, “The reason we are to recite the Lord’s Prayer aloud and in unison is that there are always people in our pews who cannot say the Lord’s Prayer themselves. If we take seriously our mission as a liturgical church to reach out, then we recite the prayer on behalf of the one who does not know the prayer or the one, due to life situations, is unable to recite the prayer at that moment in life.”

Wow! What a transformation of my own heart and mind! It is a pleasure and honor to know that when I recite the Lord’s Prayer each Sunday with the people, that I am saying it for the child, youth, or a struggling mother, dad, or grandparent who is unable to pray. Furthermore, oh how wonderful it has been when the people said the prayer on behalf of me in my times of struggle, turmoil, or loneliness. In either case, the persons who pray the prayer, enter into their room, close the door, and pray to the Father on behalf of another. Therefore, our prayer is to the Father, in the name of Christ, is not so much for ourselves but rather on behalf of the people.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank you for teaching us to pray. May we enter into our closet now, close the door, and pray:

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name.
Thy Kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory, forever.
Amen.
Grace and peace,
Pastor Jack

I guess attitude is everything.

2008-01-15T20:55:00.000-06:00

Well, my friends, it is coming close to the time where Marlane and I travel to Whitesboro to serve the congregation of First United Methodist Church. The next few Sundays will be difficult for most us, whether Wylie UMC or Whitesboro FUMC or the pastors and their families who are moving.

As I reflect over the years we have been together, I discovered the river flowed and there was always white water, a symbol of movement. We are thankful for the movement of the water, though. As we shot the rapids together many feelings were felt by all, some good, some not so good; some excited, some worried.

Yet, the rapids were the rapids.and so it is for the way of life. If there is movement of the water, the river, there is life. Attitude makes a difference in the ride down the river of life. One of our staff shared this quote from Chuck Swindoll that says this well:

“The longer I live, the more I realize the impact of attitude on life. Attitude, to me, is more important than facts. It is more important than the past, the education, the money, than circumstances, than failure, than successes, than what other people think or say or do. It is more important than appearance, giftedness or skill. It will make or break a company... a church... a home. The remarkable thing is we have a choice everyday regarding the attitude we will embrace for that day. We cannot change our past... we cannot change the fact that people will act in a certain way. We cannot change the inevitable. The only thing we can do is play on the one string we have, and that is our attitude. I am convinced that life is 10% what happens to me and 90% of how I react to it. And so it is with you... we are in charge of our Attitudes.”
Charles R. Swindoll
Philippians 4:4-8 says a similar message...please read it today. As we are in transition as a church family and pastors may we all take "charge of our Attitudes." "Think on these things" my friends. Forgive us Lord, for those times when our attitude hasn't been what you want it to be. Let's shoot the rapids.
Grace and peace,

Jack

The Living Light

2007-12-24T11:15:00.000-06:00

My friends,

This blog entry is for those of you, like myself, who are experiencing Christmas for the first time without a loved one. I finally broke down this morning, Christmas Eve, grieving the recent loss of my mother. Christmas was her most favorite time of the year with her family. We celebrated 54 Christmases together, whether or not I am able to recall them or they were in person or just a long distance phone call. Yet, I will always remember the times we went to the Candlelight service together when I was a little boy. and Mother passedthe Candlelight of Christ to me. What a warm, peaceful, and joyous time for both her and me.

But this Christmas, Mother, is celebrating in Heaven rather than on earth. When a friend of mine in Wylie UMC and I were consoling one another about the loss of our mothers, he gave me the below poem written by Wanda Bencke. I wanted to share it this evening at Candlelight but it would be too hard for most of us. So, I share it with you today (you can google the poem and it will direct you to the poeam and a link for Wanda's website...please thank her for the words of promise and encouragement). Wanda, I thank you also.

Christmas in Heaven

I see the countless CHRISTMAS TREES around the world below

with tiny lights like HEAVEN’S STARS reflecting on the snow.
The sight is so SPECTACULAR please wipe away that tear

for I am spending CHRISTMAS WITH JESUS CHRIST this year.
I hear the many CHRISTMAS SONGS that people hold so dear

but the SOUND OF MUSIC can't compare with the CHRISTMAS CHOIR up here.
I have no words to tell you of the JOY their voices bring

for it is beyond description to HEAR THE ANGELS SING.
I know HOW MUCH YOU MISS ME, I see the pain inside your heart

for I am spending CHRISTMAS WITH JESUS CHRIST this year.
I can't tell you of the SPLENDOR or the PEACE here in this place

Can you just imagine CHRISTMAS WITH OUR SAVIOR face to face
I'll ask him to LIFT YOUR SPIRIT as I tell him of your love

so then PRAY FOR ONE ANOTHER as you lift your eyes above.
Please let your HEARTS BE JOYFUL and let your SPIRIT SING

for I am spending CHRISTMAS IN HEAVEN and I’m walking WITH THE KING.

Merry Christmas to all of you and may God and your loved one be ever so present with you in this time of year.

Grace and peace,

Jack

Great Expectation and Wonder

2007-12-23T06:54:00.000-06:00

I thank my colleague, Dr. Roy Spore, for most of the thoughts below. Please read on.

The time has come. In the tumult of the last few weeks we have strained to hear a voice of hope calling us to new life. We have heard the scriptures call us to that hope. We have prayed for the Holy Spirit to enter into our hearts and our lives. We have decorated our homes with the signs of the season and we have adorned our hearts with love for others. Our minds have focused on the glory about to break forth into the world. We feel that we are ready for God’s new gift of grace.

Monday night we will gather in the worship center to bring our waiting and watching to an end. We will greet one another with warm wishes for a Merry Christmas. We will think of those who cannot be with us and those who are no longer with us and we will offer up our love for them. As the darkness and cold fill the world around us, we will warm ourselves amid family and friends. We will remember with fondness and tears the times we have been together and we will anticipate new and exciting times before us. We will sing the old familiar carols that hold a special meaning on this night. We will hear that old familiar story read again, our minds saying the words in concert because it is so much a part of our faith. And in all this, we will find our hearts strangely warmed.
Then the lights will go down and we will, once again, hear the words from John’s gospel: “In the beginning was the Word ….” The light from a single candle will pass from hand to hand, candle to candle, as the worship center takes on a mystic, warm glow and we sing the haunting, yet comforting, phrase “Silent Night, Holy Night ….” Then we will sing “Joy to the World” as we look upon the lighted candles. At the singing of the last verse, we will raise our candles in celebration of glory to God in the Highest and peace on earth. Then we will remember the Word, “…and the light shines in the darkness and the darkness has not overcome it.” Somehow we will know that the light of Christ has come to us again and burns bright within us. And in all this, our celebration will be complete. Merry Christmas.

Pastor Jack

psalm from the Advent Devotional

2007-12-08T14:00:00.000-06:00

Just as many of you, I have been encouraged and intrigued by our First Annual Advent Daily Devotional writer's witness. Reading the first week's devotionals was rich in God's grace. I am sure the words were of encouragement for all who read them, as they were for me.

I took the liberty to copy the "Thought for the Day" for each day below and it seems they could be similar to the Psalms. Read them together yourself and see if they are not a psalm of encouragment for you:

Where is God calling me to make and keep a promise today? - Jack Wallace

Even though we do not ask for it soon enough, help is always available for any situation - Jim Clark

Paul instructs us in 2 Corinthians 10:5, "Take every thought captive to obey
Christ" so that we may focus on the path ahead of us. Staying focused means
keeping in prayer, Bible study, and accountability in fellowship - Heather Haynes

We do not need to doubt God’s plan for our lives; God knows the plan for our lives and we need to put all our trust in him - Katie Haynes

Let God open your eyes - Kathryn Raebel

Turning what seems to be a difficult task into a letter of love will plant seeds for God’s kingdom - Larry Johnson

God will wrap His arms around us and gives us Peace and Hope when we
think we just can’t go one more step - Terri Chesser
May God continue to bless in the reading of the devotionals in the days ahead, and thank you to all made submissions for this year's devotional.

Respite care in Christ

2007-11-26T09:59:00.000-06:00

Busy is the best way describe the month of November for the staff and leadership of Wylie UMC. The planning of the Advent Season, Church Conference, coupled with the many meetings necessary to accomplish the planning seemed never ending. Add all this to the normal daily routine and exhaustion was on the horizon. Pastor Donna and I were amazed the other day when we realized we had no evening meetings on the Monday before Thanksgiving.

Then the Thanksgiving Holiday came upon us, and it was exactly as needed for all of us on the staff and leadership. We took the opportunity to break away from church work and rest in the work of the Church, rest in the grace and presence of Christ. I believe I can speak for everyone on the staff and leadership of Wylie UMC, “We thank God for our time off from church work to be with our families and friends for respite care in Christ.”

Sure Thanksgiving is past and the staff is back in the office diligently working on the day-to-day routine and preparing for an exciting church conference on Sunday, December 2 at 12:15 p.m. The staff and leadership are wrapping their minds and hearts around the exciting ways that God’s presence and power worked through Wylie UMC in this past year. Yes, it is very busy, but as we continue to do the church work so that the work of Church can come to fruition – “Making disciples for Jesus Christ.”

Now I know that we at the church are not the only busy people and that each of you are entering one of the busiest seasons of life. May we all be encouraged with a scripture we recently studied as Eugene Peterson wrote in The Message:

Celebrate God all day, every day. I mean, revel in him! Make it as clear as you
can to all you meet that you're on their side, working with them and not against
them. Help them see that the Master is about to arrive. He could show up any
minute!

Don't fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns. Before you know it, a sense of God's wholeness, everything coming together for good, will come and settle you down. It's wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the center of your life. Philippians 4:4-7

Take a deep breath of the Spirit and pray, receiving respite care in Christ Jesus.

Grace and peace,

Jack

All Saints Celebrations November 4th

2007-10-30T10:39:00.000-05:00

Many times, I stated that this life is a journey to prepare us for our journey home to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. When we become followers of Christ Jesus we become a priesthood of believers whose residence is not this world.

But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people
belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of
darkness into his wonderful light. Once you were not a people, but now you are
the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received
mercy.

Dear friends, I urge you, as aliens and strangers in the world, to abstain from sinful desires, which war against your soul. Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us. 1 Peter 2:9-12 NIV

My friends, as we continue on this journey as strangers and aliens awaiting our call home, we will have a blessed opportunity to celebrate those who went home in this past year. On Sunday, November 4th at all the worship services we will celebrate those who finished the race, kept the faith and received their reward before Christ. We will celebrate the saints, the priesthood of believers who celebrate at the great banquet feast.

I know my mother is a stranger no more to this world and she finished her race. Marlane and I look forward to honoring her. May we take the opportunity to do the same for those loved who went home since November 1, 2006 (see an associated article concerning the celebration in this issue of The Witness).

Grace and peace,

Jack

the comfortable journey

2007-10-08T08:51:00.000-05:00

My Friends on the journey:

I was encouraged to blog on a daily basis over the next several days about my thoughts and words of encouragement as I traveled this part of my journey after the loss of my mother.

So, I would like to share two experiences I recall from my previous week while I was with my mother on my "last" short visit.

As Mother sat in her wheel chair on Friday, September 28th, she had just been given the word from me and her new hospice nurse that she would not be going home to her house again. Mother stated that she understood and that she was unable to care for herself anymore. Besides, she was receiving wonderful care in Pine Run Nursing Home. The hospice nurse told her that she would be given a comfortable journey from this point and whatever she wanted to help her in this to just ask. Mother and I both had tears, again.

My mother then proceeded to talk about taking journeys with her husband, Bill, all over the continental U.S. and Puerto Rico. She then leaned back in her wheelchair and said, "I have one more journey to make!" She looked up to the sky and declared, "Do You [God] hear me?!"

She then told us that she would love to be able to paint again. She was an accomplished artist but due to macular degeneration she was unable to exercise her artistry. She described a scene of a beautiful snow-covered mountain peak with a stream and evergreen trees in the foreground that surrounded a meadow (she described with hand movements). She then quoted Psalm 121:1-2

I lift up my eyes to the hills—where does my help come from?
My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth.

She showed that in spite of what was going on it life, in spite of her circumstances or physical health, she knew her Lord and Maker would help her. And her Lord and Maker did. She reached the apex of the mountain, her eternal home.

The amazing thing is mother lived this all her life and not just in the comfortable journey she experienced at age ninety-two. Oh, if only I could do the same now.

On the journey,

Jack

Don't quit, keep lifting!

2007-09-03T07:08:00.000-05:00

It is quite interesting how ministry for Jesus Christ can be very challenging. When Christ says, “Take up your cross and follow me,” we have some difficulty doing such a thing. Each of us are called to be disciples of and for Christ and there are times we want to give up, or abandon the call. Yet, I found in my own life, inspiration and encouragement through Christ came just at the right time. God gives a word of support and motivation through people close to us and on the same journey when we need it most as a disciple.

So it was for me this past week. A colleague of mine, Rev. Sam Caldwell, Pastor, Lakeway UMC, Pottsboro, TX, shared his previously published article as inspiration for me and several other colleagues in ministry. Pastor Sam gave me permission to share these words of encouragement with each of you as disciples of Jesus Christ. I pray it will bless you as much as it blessed Marlane and me.

On Saturday, at the Memorial Service for Bishop Rhymes
H. Moncure, Jr., our worship was inspired with the grand new pipe organ at First
UMC Richardson and the singing of the hymn “Lift High the Cross!” The cross led
the processional and was carried by a layperson from First UMC Commerce. What an honor to lead such a processional and carry the cross of Jesus Christ. Following the cross were the acolytes, also in bright robes, carrying three large altar
candles which represent the three persons of God, a sister deacon carrying the
Bible, worship leaders from all across the United Methodist connection, and then
a succession of Bishops and other Presiding Elders.

It was a joy to me to get to sit in the congregation and worship with Cathy, Cammy, and Aubrey. As a pastor, I seldom get to just be a part of the congregation and worship with my family. But at this point in my story, I have to admit that it is a challenge for me to sit in worship without analyzing and evaluating what is going on. The focus was on the cross as we stood singing ,

“Lift high the cross,
the love of Christ proclaim,
‘til all the world adore
His sacred Name”.

As the cross-bearer approached the stand on which the cross was to be placed, it became apparent that the cross pole did not fit into the base. A few awkward smiles ensued and a little struggling and turning. The shiny brass cross at the top of the pole reflected and flashed light all around as they tried to figure out how to connect it with the base. The processional continued and few noticed… or maybe everyone noticed.

Before long it appeared they had given up and that our brother Wyman would need to stand there for the entire service and hold up the cross. I saw him gaze into the congregation toward his pastor Lisa, who no doubt was the one who had nominated him for this honor and gotten him into this mess. “Well imagine that!”, he might have been thinking, “In front of all these people, and the whole world on live webcast, here I am--stuck with this cross!”

A cross can be a dangerous thing. People have made great sacrifices because of a cross. People have been killed with crosses. Martyrs have given their lives because of a cross, thieves have been redeemed on crosses, and in one life-changing case, a
mother gave her son on a cross. Jesus Christ, the savior of the world and me,
suffered at the hands of an rough-hewn crowd and a unruly cross.

A cross can be a dangerous thing. The cruel history of this kind of capital punishment says that the person’s hands and feet were nailed to the cross while on the ground and then the cross was erected and placed into a base—a hole—fashioned in the hard ground. Fitting that cross into its base must have been even more awkward.

A cross can be a dangerous thing. Yet we are stuck with it. We can’t put it down. We are not sure we want to hold it constantly, every day, every moment. But once we carry it for a little while, we find that there is not a way to gracefully put it down. We may try to lay it aside. We may try to trade it for a smaller cross or a more comfortable one or one that is easier to carry. But in the continuing journey of faith and ministry, we are stuck with the cross. With Jesus we know that the
cross is where we are headed, again and again. That’s one reason it’s hard to
make disciples of Jesus Christ. And be one.

Yet Jesus has shown us a way beyond the cross. We are disciples of a risen Lord! Every dying corner on our good Fridays is illumined by the Light of the World on Easter Sunday. The empty cross is the symbol of the risen, living Christ for whom we live and die. It is this Christ for whom our Bishop and brother Rhymes lived, died, and now lives again. He calls us to live this resurrection life--even
now!

Lift high the cross! It is an honor to carry it. And to hold on to it. We are disciples of the Living Christ! But a cross can be a dangerous thing.

Yes, the cross can be a dangerous thing. May we keep the courage to lift high the cross at Wylie UMC and in our community anyway!

Grace and peace,

Jack

Where there is no vision...

2007-08-21T07:45:00.000-05:00

What a wonderful visioning weekend experienced by all who participated in “On the Road to Glory” mission and vision event that culminated on August 12 after worship. The week’s discussions in our small groups and Sunday Schools were affirmations of God working through his people at Wylie UMC. The sharing of thoughts, ideas, and dreams by people in not only these small groups but especially during the group sessions on Sunday afternoon, are valuable to the development of God’s vision for Wylie UMC and the fulfillment of her God-given mission “we are called to make disciples of Jesus Christ.”

Our leadership is collating the information and consolidating the insights over the next few weeks into a working plan for mission and vision. Our leadership hopes to provide initial feedback to the congregation in a handout. Our ushers will distribute the handout at worship on Bring ‘em Back Sunday (Back- to-School), August 26.

May we remember, “Where there is no vision, the people perish” Proverbs 29:18 and the visioning process is always morphing. Therefore, the work of vision is a never-ending process. God asks us to take the visioning process seriously, a process that requires time and energy. May we also remember, this visioning is a process that helps us answer the question Rev. Pat Beghtel-Mahle shared with us, “What does Wylie UMC want to be known for in the community.”

The mission and vision event the past week may have ended, but our visioning process never ends. My friends, we are always On the Road to Glory, so may we encourage one another as we travel on the road together. Remember, Jeremiah 29:11 “‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the LORD, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future’.”

Letting down the nets

2007-06-26T09:36:00.000-05:00

I re-read the story of Jesus calling Peter and his fellow fisherman to let down their nets after an all night fishing venture in Luke 5:1-11. I can really relate to Peter in his moment with Jesus concerning fishing skills.

When Marlane and I traveled to Pagosa Springs, Colorado last summer our intent was to fish for at least three of five days. The three days we trout fished comprise the waters of the Piedra River, San Juan River, East Fork of the San Juan River, and the best fishing hole, the headwaters of the South Fork of the Rio Grande River on the east side of Wolf Creek Pass. What a glorious time whether or not catching any fish.

However, it was until I did some investigation of the proper fly patterns and techniques and the best times to fish that I was successful in the catch. Matching the hatch and fly presentation were the most important parts of this type of fishing for brown, rainbow, and native cutthroat trout. After the instruction and insights from various area experts and observation of the different stretchs of water, I became more successful in catching fish (of course there were times they weren't feeding or I spooked the fish). Listening to the indigent fisherman though was very beneficial to catching some beautiful fish (yes, I released them all back to the waters).

It is the same for us as Christians. We must listen to Jesus on where to fish and on what to use for bait and how to present the bait to attract and make the catch. Jesus called Peter and his fishin' buddies to be fishers of people...the same call for each of us as disciples. May we listen to Jesus the master fisherman, learn from him, and go fishin' his way with determination, passion, presentation, and patience. Oh, and by the way, may we catch and release the "fish" for fishing for others and not catch and consume the fish.

Fishin' together,

Pastor Jack

As I was preaching Sunday

2007-06-25T15:42:00.000-05:00

My friends:

As I was preaching on Sunday morning at the early service, I declaring how God calls us to be a means of God's grace to those who are ill or imprisoned. I also suggested that Jesus was not only thinking of the physically ill or actual prisoners for crimes, but also those who are ill and imprisoned in their spiritual lives. That we would have empowered living and be set. I reminded each of us that Jesus declared that he is the truth and the truth will set us free (John 8).

Then as the sermon was coming to a close, the story of Lazarus rising from the tomb, came to my mind (and it was not written in my notes). I shared how after Jesus called Lazarus out of the grave, Jesus commanded the people to unbind him from his grave clothes...we should do the same for the people who are resurrected by the grace of Jesus Christ, help unbind them.

Well, I had a few details mixed up about the number of days in the grave and I couldn't remember where the story was located yesterday...forgive me. Here it is now in NIV. Enjoy, learn and be transformed by Jesus who called you out of your grave and had people help unbind you and me.

John 11
The Death of Lazarus
1Now a man named Lazarus was sick. He was from Bethany, the village of Mary and her sister Martha. 2This Mary, whose brother Lazarus now lay sick, was the same one who poured perfume on the Lord and wiped his feet with her hair. 3So the sisters sent word to Jesus, "Lord, the one you love is sick."
4When he heard this, Jesus said, "This sickness will not end in death. No, it is for God's glory so that God's Son may be glorified through it." 5Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus. 6Yet when he heard that Lazarus was sick, he stayed
where he was two more days.
7Then he said to his disciples, "Let us go
back to Judea." 8"But Rabbi," they said, "a short while ago the Jews
tried to stone you, and yet you are going back there?"
9Jesus answered, "Are there not twelve hours of daylight? A man who walks by day will not stumble, for he sees by this world's light. 10It is when he walks by night that he stumbles, for he has no light."
11After he had said this, he went on to tell them, "Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep; but I am going there to wake him up."
12His disciples replied, "Lord, if he sleeps, he will get better." 13Jesus had been speaking of his death, but his disciples thought he meant natural sleep.
14So then he told them plainly, "Lazarus is dead, 15and for your sake I am glad I was not there, so that you may believe. But let us go to him."
16Then Thomas (called Didymus) said to the rest of the disciples, "Let us also go, that we may die with him."
Jesus Comforts the Sisters
17On his arrival, Jesus found that Lazarus had already been in the tomb for four days. 18Bethany was less than two miles[a] from Jerusalem, 19and many Jews had come to Martha and Mary to comfort them in the loss of their brother. 20When Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went out to meet him, but Mary stayed at home.
21"Lord," Martha said to Jesus, "if you had been here, my brother would not have died. 22But I know that even now God will give you whatever you ask."
23Jesus said to her, "Your brother will rise again."
24Martha answered, "I know he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day."
25Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; 26and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?"
27"Yes, Lord," she told him, "I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, who was to come into the world."
28And after she had said this, she went back and called her sister Mary aside. "The Teacher is here," she said, "and is asking for you." 29When Mary heard this, she got up quickly and went to him.
30Now Jesus had not yet entered the village, but was still at the place where
Martha had met him. 31When the Jews who had been with Mary in the house,
comforting her, noticed how quickly she got up and went out, they followed her,
supposing she was going to the tomb to mourn there.
32When Mary reached the place where Jesus was and saw him, she fell at his feet and said, "Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died."
33When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who had come along with her also weeping, he was deeply moved in spirit and troubled. 34"Where have you laid him?" he asked.
"Come and see, Lord," they replied.
35Jesus wept.
36Then the Jews said, "See how he loved him!"
37But some of them said, "Could not he who opened the eyes of the blind man have kept this man from dying?"
Jesus Raises Lazarus From the Dead
38Jesus, once more deeply moved, came to the tomb. It was a cave with a
stone laid across the entrance. 39"Take away the stone," he said.
"But, Lord," said Martha, the sister of the dead man, "by this time there is a bad odor, for he has been there four days."
40Then Jesus said, "Did I not tell you that if you believed, you would
see the glory of God?"
41So they took away the stone. Then Jesus looked up and said, "Father, I thank you that you have heard me. 42I knew that you always hear me, but I said this for the benefit of the people standing here, that they may believe that you sent me."
43When he had said this, Jesus called in a loud voice, "Lazarus, come out!" 44The dead man came out, his hands and feet wrapped with strips of linen, and a cloth around his face.
Jesus said to them, "Take off the grave clothes and let him go."

The Devil Made Me Do It!

2007-06-22T11:45:00.000-05:00

Just before being ordained as an elder in the United Methodist Church I had the opportunity to spend and seventy-two-hour retreat with Bishop Bruce Blake, our bishop for the North Texas Conference at that time. In one of our discussions our expressed how when good things were happening for the Kingdom of God here on this earth, in our communities, in our churches, that Satan works overtime to destroy and sabotage the plans for the growth of the Kingdom. Bishop Blake confronted me on that position and stated that even though Satan was a real, he did not want to give him top billing or lots of press time, or credit. He stated that it was people’s actions that were contrary to God’s will and commandments that was more the problem to emphasize.

Now I did take Bishop Blake’s wisdom to heart and understand his position. However, sometimes we need to some tangible blame on why we have acted a certain way; some of us have said in the past, “the devil made me do it.” Well, I don’t believe that either. I do believe, that Satan does work overtime to seek and destroy and to sabotage, yet, it is our actions or inaction, giving in to temptation and sinning against God that is the real problem.

I have said and observed in the past that Jesus gives us a blueprint for life within God’s will and commandments...whether it is the Greatest Commandment in Matthew 22: 37-39, or Matthew 25:34-40 “done it unto the least of these,” or the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 5-7, especially the Beatitudes in Matthew 5. These are just some of the viable components of God’s blueprint of behavior for us all as disciples of Jesus Christ.

However, the other day I received a very provocative email that cut to my heart approaching the Beatitudes from not God’s blueprint but from Satan’s blueprint (not to give Satan top billing). These statements challenge all of us and verify what Bishop Blake declared, “people’s action contrary to God’s will and commandments. Please read these statements with an open heart to God’s transforming Spirit in each of our lives:

If Satan were to write his beatitudes, they would probably go something like this:

Blessed are those who are too tired, too busy, too distracted to spend an hour once a week with their fellow Believers -- they are my best workers.
Blessed are those Believers who wait to be asked and expect to be thanked -- I can use them.
Blessed are the touchy who stop going to church -- they are my missionaries.
Blessed are the trouble makers -- they shall be called my children.
Blessed are the complainers -- I'm all ears to them.
Blessed are those who are bored with the minister's mannerisms and mistakes -- for they get nothing out of his sermons --ALRIGHT!!!!
Blessed is the congregation member who expects to be invited to his own congregation -- for he is a part of the problem instead of the solution.
Blessed are those who gossip -- for they shall cause strife and divisions that
please me.
Blessed are those who are easily offended -- for they will soon get angry and quit.
Blessed are those who do not give their offering to carry on God's work -- for they are my helpers.
Blessed is he who professes to love God but hates his brother and sister -- for he
shall be with me forever.
Blessed are you who, when you read this think it is about other people and not self -- I've got you too! YES!!!

Now this is not pointing fingers at you who read this, but rather a challenge for each of us. I do know that I am able to point at myself in these statements. May God give each of us the strength to not give Satan a foothold and become part of the saboteur’s plan to shrink the Kingdom of God. God please help us to live up to Your blueprint as a disciple of Jesus Christ.

Grace and peace,

Pastor Jack

who is your idol

2007-05-22T16:17:00.000-05:00

My friends in Christ:

Each of us have our favorite TV shows. The list may be long...Oprah, Dancing with the Stars, anything CSI, Survivor, Heroes, Law and Order, and the like. However, one show I have never watch full length was American Idol. As far as I'm concerned American Idol represents a false meaning of what should be an idol. In fact, American Idol is just what it sounds to me, false placement of dedication and devotion.

I though it important to share with permission, an article from a brother in Christ, Bob Ess wrote on this issue during a time of reflection that challenged me and will challenge all of us concerning idols. Read on.

Who is your ‘American Idol’?

The most popular show on television today is ‘American Idol’. I’m sure you’re familiar with it. Singing auditions are held, some go to Hollywood, then there is the final 24, then the final 12 and all the while we vote for our favorite singer until there is just one left standing. The winner receives a recording contract and finds the doors of the music world swung wide open for them.

The winner from season four, Carrie Underwood, has won dozens of awards since winning in 2005, including three Grammys in 2007. Say what you will about the show, but it’s ability to skyrocket an unknown’s career is without question. It can take a shy, unknown 19 year old girl from Oklahoma and make her a star of the highest caliber in just months.

One aspect I find interesting about ‘American Idol’ is the lengths people will go just to get their face on television. You’ve seen them; the kid who roller skates in the audition room in a clown suit who can’t carry a tune in a bucket, the angry young lady, usually dressed in next to nothing, who is convinced she is the next Idol and then is shocked to learn that the judges don’t agree. And then the heartwarming stories of those who have had rough upbringings or are suffering under tough circumstances – these are the underdogs we pull for, although they likely have little chance as well.

But what I find most fascinating is that the word ‘Idol’ is right there in our face, and we likely don’t even give it a second thought. ‘American Idol’. Hmmm. Let’s look at that from a little bit different perspective.

I can think of dozens of American Idols, and none of them are singers. There’s the pursuit of money, a job with more power, the Mercedes, Lexus or Infiniti, the bigger home, the brighter jewelry, the sexier mate, pornography. Even church. Church? How can church be an idol?

Church can become an idol when we let what WE think is best or right for the church overtake our priority (and the commandment!) to be a Christ follower. Too often our concern is what the preacher is preaching on, the number of services, the time slot for the services, when Sunday School will be held, how we spend our finances, how the pastors spend their time among their flock. Are those things really and truly the end goal of following Christ?

Shouldn’t we, instead, use our time to find and feed the poor instead of complaining about who said what in Sunday School this morning? Shouldn’t we, instead, use our time to house the homeless instead of complaining about what the pastor did or did not wear in service this morning? And shouldn’t we, instead, do all that we can to discover God’s will for our lives, instead of bickering and fighting over those things that are of this world and are temporary? Five years from now, is it really going to matter what you thought about what should be the correct size of a church committee? Five years from now, and for eternity, it is truly going to matter if we helped ‘the least of these’.

Let us not idolize those things which are of this world. That does not honor God. Let’s honor God by making Him our number one priority.

Matthew 25:34-40 is a good read for us at this point. Thanks, Bob, for your thoughts and for helping remember the importance of honoring God our number one.

Grace and peace,

Jack

Praise You in the Storm

2007-04-26T14:54:00.000-05:00

My friends in Christ,

I am sitting in Zale Lipshy Hospital with Marlane, my wife (so far three days during this stay), awaiting a healing of her neck pain and arm numbness that she has suffered for the past five weeks. It’s been a tough ordeal for her especially since she has a high threshold of pain. I know that I would be curled up in the fetal position, whimpering, and wanting to be sedated to the maximum possible, but not the case for Marlane.

As we await the new procedure – injection of steroid into her spine, and the known associated risks of internal bleeding, infection, and paralysis – I am reminded of Psalm 46:1-5 in The Message:

God is a safe place to hide, ready to help when we need him.
We stand fearless at the cliff-edge of doom, courageous in sea storm and earthquake,
Before the rush and roar of oceans, the tremors that shift mountains. Jacob-wrestling God fights for us, GOD of angel armies protects us.
River fountains splash joy, cooling God's city, this sacred haunt of the Most High.
God lives here, the streets are safe, God at your service from crack of dawn.

Oh how important it is to know and remember and proclaim that God is ever present within our storms. As the song “Praise You in the Storm” recorded by Casting Crowns states:

Praise You in This Storm
words by Mark Hall/music by Mark Hall and Bernie Herms

I was sure by now, God,
You would have reached down
and wiped our tears away,
stepped in and saved the day.
But once again, I say amen
and it's still raining as the thunder rolls
I barely hear You whisper through the rain, "I'm with you"
and as Your mercy falls
I raise my hands and praise the God
who gives and takes away.

Chorus:
And I'll praise you in this storm
and I will lift my hands
for You are who You are
no matter where I am
and every tear I've cried
You hold in your hand
You never left my side
and though my heart is torn
I will praise You in this storm

Marlane and I have shed many tears in this storm and we are saying our Amens. It is my hope that you can do the same. Also, even in the moments when we seem to not be able to praise Him in the storm, we know we have the rest of the Body of Christ to do the praising for us. Lord, thanks for catching our tears and being a safe place to hide. Amen…again, again, and again!!!!

what do we make of it

2007-04-18T08:13:00.000-05:00

My friends:

It's been some time since I wrote in this blog. And here it is the week of the masaccre at Virginia Tech. Listening to the testimony of Mr. Ryan Clark of his giving heart and smile that could make everyone smile. Ryan was a senior with a 4.0 GPA, three majors, and pursuing a PhD. He gave his life to his fellow students and gave to children at Camp Big Heart, reaching out to those special needs campers. Ryan gave his life when he encountered the gunman in his dorm. He gave his life but it is so raw and so hard to deal with such a tragedy.

I know that many of us are affected by such an incident and we all want to go into lockdown. I am especially aware of those of you who have you children away at college, hoping it is a safe environment, wanting to bring them home, and yet, know they need to remain at school. I am keenly aware of those of you from my generation who are having flashbacks concerning similar incidents on our college campuses. It just doesn't make sense and we are all crying out in some way, "WHY?"

I believe it appropriate to share some encouraging thoughts from Timothy Merrill, executive editor of Homiletics.

GOD LEFT THIS PLACE A LONG TIME AGO
What happened at Virginia Tech was very technical, methodical, very precise.
But the aftermath was anything but. It was very human, very non-technical, very passionate.
Henry Brinton, Senior Minister at Fairfax Presbyterian Church in Fairfax, Virginia, and past Senior Writer for Homiletics and still a regular contributor, says that his congregation has seven VT students-all unharmed-and a number of VT grads among their members. They are shocked.
And so are we.
T.S. Eliot said in The Wasteland that "April is the cruelest month, breeding/ lilacs out of the dead land."
It would appear he's right. This incident occurs within days of the 8th anniversary of Columbine. We couldn't have imagined that after Columbine we'd be pulling dead bodies out of the dead Blacksburg ground yet again and in such awful numbers.
There's a scene from the Oscar-nominated film of last year, Blood Diamond that's provocative. The movie is set in 1999 Sierra Leone while a civil war rages fueled by conflict diamonds which are sold to pay for weapons. Leonardo DeCaprio plays Danny Archer, the anti-hero, a mercenary with something of a conscience, who-along with good guys and bad guys-is hunting for this huge pink diamond. The Revolutionary United Front (RUF) meanwhile, is leveling entire villages, chopping off the hands of some so they can't vote in elections, and snatching young boys to become soldiers in the rebel army.
In a quiet moment of reflection while mayhem explodes around them, Danny Archer chats with a journalist, Maddy Bowen, and reveals that his "Mum was raped and shot and . Dad was decapitated and hung from a hook in the barn. Sometimes I wonder . will God ever forgive us for what we've done to each other? Then I look around and I realize. God left this place a long time ago."
When events like the carnage at VT happen, it shatters our peace, it intrudes upon our consciousness, it interrupts and irritates and saddens and shocks, and we wonder if indeed God hasn't left this place a long time ago.
To get at this question, let's go over a few things:

1. WHY ARE WE SURPRISED?
One online media resource splashed the word WHY? over the web page pictures of the horror. The bigger question is "Why not?" Why wouldn't this sort of thing happen from time to time in our culture?
It's happened before: Columbine, which was followed by other schoolyard shootings in subsequent years around the country. Amish country last fall, postal shootings, workplace violence, the McDonalds massacre a number of years ago, the Texas clock tower murders of 16 passersby by Charles Whitman, the Manson murders, and more.
Judy Muller on NPR's "Morning Edition" (it will be on their web site later today once they have cycled through their West Coast broadcasts) recalled a remark made to her following the Columbine shootings. A woman at the 'makeshift memorial' of flowers and teddy bears that appeared almost immediately said, "The really sad thing is that we already know what to do." Muller went on to talk about all the public rituals and so forth that we now know must follow such events. We've done it before. We've buried our children.
2. IN THE AFTERMATH OF THIS VIOLENCE, WE CAN EMPATHIZE WITH OTHERS WHO LIVE WITH VIOLENCE EVERY DAY.
Not to minimize, but to place in perspective, consider those who live with violence that even exceeds what happened in Blacksburg, Virginia, on Monday. In Baghdad, the Gaza Strip, Jerusalem, the West Bank, Darfur, the Sudan, and elsewhere, children of God suffer and die on a daily basis in human-generated violence.
3. WE CAN'T SHIELD OURSELVES IN ANY ABSOLUTE SENSE FROM RISK.
Americans, perhaps more than any other people in the world, are a risk-adverse people. We try to protect ourselves from EVERYTHING AND ANYTHING. You can review the examples-some ridiculous-here. This impulse tends to overlook the luxury of being able to protect ourselves from what are sometimes innocuous dangers-compared to the real horrors we too frequently ignore or to which we turn a blind eye-that our fellow human beings endure incessantly.
4. PARENTS ARE THE POWER.
We must remind our parents that they HAVE THE POWER. We must ask fathers to be men and develop a spine and backbone. We ask parents to love each other and to love their children, even if that means saying NO to them-and believe me, it does.
Granted, some psychos and cold-blooded killers come from good homes and loving parents. Some people are born without a conscience, and others, for reasons we don't really understand, manage to bury it, despite loving homes.
Yet nurture IS an important component. This is an opportunity, not to blame parents, but to empower parents to be: PARENTS. The Virginia Tech shooter was a student from Centreville, Virginia, just a few miles from Brinton's church. "It appears that he was the classic loner-a mystery to everyone," says Brinton. "Parents are not doing their jobs when they allow their children to withdraw from a community of support and accountability."
5. WHAT WOULD JESUS HAVE US DO NOW?
The answer to this question is in the Gospel [John 21:1-19] text for this Sunday.
It's Eastertide. If you're feeling like "God left this place a long time ago," you're right. It's Eastertide. The tomb is empty. He left THAT place, only to visit us in a NEW PLACE.
The opening verse of the Gospel reading says that "Jesus showed himself again to his disciples."
THAT'S what Jesus wants to do this Sunday morning with your congregation: To show himself again to his disciples. The text goes on to say, "And he showed himself in this way."
So WHAT WAY is Jesus going to show himself to us?
Peter's response in verse three is to say, "I'm going fishing."
That's often what we do in situations like this. We simply want to get back to what we were doing before: fishing or shopping.
Jesus says, "Feed my sheep."
That's all we can do right now. But is there anything else?
But we're called to be feeders. Henry Brinton is working with his staff to gather Virginia Tech students, along with their families and friends, for an evening of conversation and prayer. It's so important to respond to these events as a community and to look for where God is at work and to look for where God is at work in the aftermath of violence and death. "We need to affirm that God always gives the gift of new life," he says, "and that God can reclaim Virginia Tech as a place for kids to grow in knowledge and faith."
God has left the tomb already, and God is with us now. Amen.

There will be a special time of remembrance this Sunday for the victims of Virginia Tech and for our lives and society at all three worship services. Jesus is Resurrected!

Grace and peace,

Jack

Call to Produce

2007-03-01T16:33:00.000-06:00

Dear Friends in Christ,

As we continue through the calendar year at Wylie UMC, I want to encourage you to give of your time and energy to pray and work for healing and reconciliation within our community. Healing, forgiveness, and reconciliation are the characteristics of the Church, the Body of Christ, and Christ calls us to practice these virtues with one another.

Over the next year, we must work towards healthy change and new and deeper levels of strength, moving towards unity in Christ. This requires all of us to go to our knees before the throne of God. We should go to His throne as members of the family, the family of Wylie UMC and the family of God.

As our family journeys forward to make disciples of Jesus Christ, let me encourage each of us to search for the grace to forgive and to receive forgiveness where needed. I am aware that we have some differences of opinion among us, but if we work “to keep the main thing, the main thing (Jesus Christ and His mission),” those differences will be resolved. I am also aware that God calls all of us to become producers of the Gospel rather than just consumers. I recall the famous words of JFK as a template for our call as Christians in the Church, “…ask not what your (God’s) [Church] can do for you—ask what you can do for your (God’s) [Church].”

In order to be better producers and begin fulfilling God’s call to repentance and reconciliation, we must start with prayer. Prayer is foundational and prayer is crucial to the ministry and mission of Wylie UMC. So as one of the pastors of Wylie UMC, I encourage all of us to…

Pray for a spirit of kindness with honesty, truth and love (Ephesians 4:15-16).
Pray for the courage to ask the hard questions and to resist the easy answers.
Pray for a discerning spirit among the bodies and for the gift of Wisdom and Love to permeate each gathering (1 Corinthians 13).
Pray for the reconciliation of conflicts and broken relationships.
Pray that all of us will be "encouraged in heart and united in love" (Colossians 2:2-3).

As the Holy Spirit leads us in particular directions of prayer, may we covenant to pray the words of the following scripture over our meetings, small groups, Sunday School classes, worship, meals, choir practices, band practices, and our own lives in the days, weeks, and months to come:

Colossians 3:12-17 (NIV)
Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

O God, may we be true to your Word. Amen.

Grace and peace,

Pastor Jack

Note: I am indebted to Dr. Ellsworth Kalas, Interim President, Asbury Theological Seminary for his wise words and inspiration of this challenge for Wylie UMC.

thought provoking article from a colleague

2007-02-23T07:42:00.000-06:00

My Friends in Christ:

The current issue of our local edition of the United Methodist Reporter contained an article in the Faith Forum section from a colleague, Rev. Andrew Thompson. The article sturred my soul to evaluate our commitment to Christ and His Church, and I hope the Spirit challenges each of our souls. Rev. Thompson's article is included in its entirety by his permission and permission of UMR. Thank you, Andrew Thompson.

Grace and peace, Pastor Jack

GEN-X RISING: Growing out of a 'country-club commitment'

Andrew C. Thompson, Feb 20, 2007

Ever heard of a "country-club commitment"? It's the kind of commitment people make when they join a country club. First, they shop around looking for the club that has all the right amenities: a nice golf course, a fancy restaurant, indoor tennis courts and a swimming pool for the kids. When they find the country club that suits them best, they join. They show up to play golf and eat at the restaurant when it suits them. And they give money to keep themselves in good standing with the club. Of course, if anything ever happens that really irritates them -- say, a new manager in the Pro Shop that they don't like or another club member who makes a callous remark -- they just withdraw their membership and find another nice club down the road. That's the country-club commitment. But of course, the country-club commitment doesn't just apply to actual country clubs. You can substitute "country club" with the word "church." Change out all the images, too, so that "restaurant" becomes "worship service," "swimming pool" becomes "youth group," and so on. Sound familiar? It should. American Protestants treat their churches like they were made for their entertainment. We approach life in the church as if it existed solely to meet our "needs." We live in the world of the Almighty Individual, where personal prerogative is supreme. And so, we are willing to change churches the way we might decide one day to shop at Macy's instead of JCPenney. It is also an attitude that comes from an almost non-existent understanding of discipleship. For those of you who have joined a church before, do you remember what you pledged? If you joined a United Methodist Church, you made a vow to be loyal to the church and to support it with your prayers, your presence, your gifts and your service. It is a promise that should be considered as serious as our marriage vows. And once we have made it, the only proper reason for a transfer of membership is a permanent move to a city too far to commute on Sundays. In a way, the prevalence of the country-club commitment represents a supreme form of cynicism about the church-a cynicism that says that the church is not about Jesus Christ, rather, it's about me. As I was reminded by a fellow pastor recently, such cynicism is "both easy and empty." It's easy because it only requires a commitment that imitates the standards of the surrounding culture. The cynical Christian is the one whose discipleship hinges on the fragility of his ego. At the slightest instance of discomfort or unhappiness, he pulls up stakes and moves on. And it's empty because those who fall into such cynicism become spiritual nomads. They convince themselves they will be happy and fulfilled when they find the "right" congregation. So they wander from church to church, never realizing that the real problem is with themselves. Such carefully constructed consumer egos do not need to be stroked and coddled; they need to be obliterated. We should remember that the church is the same institution the New Testament calls the Bride of Christ (Rev 21:2). With such a high pedigree, it is unbecoming for us to treat her as a prostitute, to be used and discarded as we see fit. We should also remember that we are a fundamental part of that Bride. Our membership in her does not call for a country-club commitment. It calls for a covenantal commitment, where the pledge made is understood to be lifelong. Only with a covenantal commitment can we begin growing into real Christian maturity. Only then can we resist the temptation to act like petulant children, gathering up our paper dolls and going home when we grow tired or cranky. And only then can we enter into a relationship of true love, forgiveness and reconciliation with our brothers and sisters in the household of faith. Our reward for such maturity will be great indeed: a deeper relationship with the Bridegroom who beckons to us.

The Rev. Thompson is working on a doctoral program at Duke Divinity School. He blogs at www.genxrising.com.

Copyright 2007 UMR Communications. Reprinted with permission."

for me and for you

2007-02-17T13:30:00.000-06:00

My fellow walk across the room journiers:

As I recall mentioning several weeks ago, I read one Proverb chapter per day for that associated day's date. Well, reading Chapters 15-17 challenged me. These chapters were a wonderful plumbline, measuring tool, and instrument of correction and encouragement. There was almost a sense of getting back to the basics of faith in action.

However, I confess, I fell into a trap while reading several of the verses. In my mind I began to comment or judge the verses. You may have done something similar as this: "This verse applies to me, but this next verse or phrase applies to (name or group)," and you fill in the blank.

For instance, look at Proverb 15:1-5 from Peterson's paraphrase The Message, and see if you don't have the propensity for the same:

1 A gentle response defuses anger, but a sharp tongue kindles a temper-fire.
2 Knowledge flows like spring water from the wise; fools are leaky faucets, dripping nonsense. 3 God doesn't miss a thing—he's alert to good and evil alike.
4 Kind words heal and help; cutting words wound and maim.
5 Moral dropouts won't listen to their elders; welcoming correction is a mark of good sense.

Yes, this is terribly wrong. If scripture is for transformation of the reader, then scripture is to judge, challenge, convict, encourage, uplift, etc., the reader. When we read scripture it is not to build a case against another, but to primarily build a case of correction and encouragement for self.

Lord God, forgive us for those times when we read your transforming Word and see how it can transform others, rather than transform our own heart, mind, and soul. Fill us with your grace-filled Word today, being transformed as you deem necessary. In the transforming name of Christ. Amen.

Grace and peace in the journey,

Pastor Jack

investment

2007-02-01T12:48:00.000-06:00

My "walking" brothers and sisters:

For the first time in about six to eight weeks, at least before Christmas, I attended True Grit Men's Bible Study at Starbucks Murphy this morning. It was hard to get up and go, but I was glad to be there with the other six brothers around the table. They asked me to introduce myself to them since they had forgotten my name and what I did for a living...this was all in jest of course (at least I hope). What a wonderful reunion, for sure.

During my absence, the group traveled through Luke to Chapter 19 and verse 13. We read through the rest of the chapter, taking turns reading, as usual. We returned for discussion to verses 13-27 pertaining Jesus sharing that the kingdom of heaven is like ten servants who were given a king's funds and charged by the king to be good stewards of the funds while he was gone. A lesson on responsibility was about to ensue.

The facilitator posed the first question, "In what areas of your life do you best exhibit responsibility?" We sat their in silence, each of us wondering in our minds (especially my own mind), "what areas of my life do I best exhibit irresponsibility?" It was funny how everyone readily identified with the negative side of the question rather than the positive. Several of us began to think how we are more responsible in some areas and less responsible in others. Jobs for which we are paid show more responsibility than tasks at home or with family.

But it was agreed that the scripture related to how we as disciples are stewards of the life-saving, transforming faith of Jesus Christ. We are given the Single Greatest Gift to share and invest in the lives of others. So then, are we investing the Gift or holding on to it for ourselves? Are we responsible in investing the Gift expecting a return on the investment, ten-fold, five-fold, etc? Or are we receiving the Gift and burying it, hiding it from others, or squandering it for self-preservation? Good questions that were answered at the table, making us think about our investment for the kingdom.

However, when I had my devotional/quiet time later that morning, I read Eugene Peterson's introduction to Proverbs and Proverb 1 in The Message. The investment theme continued. As Peterson pointed out, we are called not only for the saving faith of Christ, to give us heaven as our eternal home, but we are called to be obedient, seek wisdom, share that wisdom, have Christ become Lord. We are responsible to have our lives transformed and in turn fulfill Christ's call in the Lord's Prayer to bring God's "kingdom on earth as it is in heaven."

O God, may we not only receive your Single Greatest Gift of Jesus as Savior but also as Lord. May we not only receive your Single Greatest Gift, but share the same with others, investing it in the live of others, being obedient, seeking wisdom. In the name of the One who walked across the room to us. Amen.

Walking Across the Room together with the Spirit and each other,

Pastor Jack

Just Walk Across the Room

2007-01-30T09:40:00.000-06:00

Christ-followers who walk:

As I ventured through the first few days after sharing with you our journey from Bill Hybels' Just Walk Across the Room, I discovered many folks that God place along my path in my Zone of the Unknown, that is, outside my Circle of Comfort. During these times I had a heightened sensitivity to the prompting of the Holy Spirit asking me to be natural in my reaching out...that is, befriending folks, and meeting them where they are.

I wish I could tell you that I ventured into the Zone of the Unknown each of those times. Lord forgive me, when I disregarded your whisper and made excuses.

However, I hope you would agree, isn't it amazing when we tune in to the Holy Spirit and hear the whisper promptings? Isn't it amazing how God uses these simple communications to reach out beyond our Circle of Comfort, to those hurting, lost, in chaos, depressed, have no meaning in life, and for some, very far from the God who loves them?

Some of you may have said to yourself, "I am not worthy to reachout to someone in that Zone of the Unknown." You are right, not one of us is worthy, but rather, it is through the love and forgiveness of Jesus Christ we are able to reachout; I am reminded that those who reached out to me weren't worthy either.

Some of you may have said, "People who stand outside my Circle of Comfort (Sunday School class, or new visitor in worship, a co-worker, etc.) don't want me to talk to them, or reachout to them; they want to be anonymous." Maybe this seems correct in your mind, but didn't someone reach out to you and you were thankful he or she did? Especially when you visit another church for worship, don't you feel rejected when no one steps out of their Circle of Comfort and welcome you?

Just a thought for you and for me. Jesus took the walk toward us in the form of someone else...thank you, Jesus...we are called to do the same, one step at a time.

By the way, did you mail your "God Used You to Help Point the Way" postcard to thank the one who walked toward you and helped point you to faith in Jesus Christ? I hope so...it's not too late.

Walking together in Christ's walk,

Pastor Jack

it's about time

2007-01-23T09:06:00.000-06:00

"It's about time" is a phrase that many of us use or hear each day of our lives. I believe that right now, when you see this blog, some of you might say, "It's about time, Jack. Blogs are for regular entries of thoughts for the day or week." Yes, it's about time that I write in this blog and I'll try to be more "regular" with entries in the future.

Yet, this phrase, "it's about time," is one that we mull over time and again. Think with me on this:

It's about time...

you put gas in the car
you got your car inspection updated
you completed that report
you made that important phone call
you cleaned up you room
you washed the dishes
you got home from work
you got home from the church meeting
you began to eat more nutritiously
you started to exercise
you spent time in God's word
you spent time each day in prayer and meditation

and on and on.

The interesting thing that strikes me today, that no matter what we do, we will always be able to say to others or to our selves, "It's about time."

I believe God feels the same way, but God conveys this phrase's feeling in a different manner. God conveys the phrase not in a judgmental way, but rather in a gracious way. This is how I hear God say, "It's about time:"

"Jack, I am so glad that you are spending time with me, spending time reading My Word, communicating with me in prayer and meditation. I have longed for this time to hear you, and in spite of your absence, I have not been absent from you. Please remember I always love you."

Yes, Lord, it's about time, I've spent time with you. Thank you for your time and patience with me and for giving me your grace. Please be as gracious with each of us today, especially those who have not spent time with you.

Grace and peace,

Pastor Jack

P.S. I began re-reading the Book of Proverbs again in my devotion time--a devotional process I learned when I first became a Christian. There are 31 chapters in Proverbs, one for each day of the month, and I read one chapter for each corresponding date of the month. If the month has 30 days or less, then I read the remaining chapters on the last day of the month, i.e., 30th day I read chapters 30 & 31. I encourage you to do the same and receive the richness of God's instruction for abundant living in God's grace. Furthermore, I read Proverbs for the first time in Peterson's paraphrase, The Message. Peterson's words are very powerful. Proverbs 23 touch my heart this morning, this Proverb touches you, also. Yes, it's about time.

2007-01-13T06:11:00.000-06:00

Well my friends in Christ, I hope all is well in Wylie. I am on the internet checking the weather info for the DFW while I'm waiting in the concourse at Lexington Blue Grass Airport for my noon flight home. I was up at 3:30 a.m. to be driven to the airport to try to get on an earlier flight to DFW to beat the "forcasted" ice storm. When I arrived at the ticket counter I discovered the early flight was cancelled. The ticket agent wouldn't tell me why, but I imagine it was weather related and the same will happen with my flight at noon.

So the possibility of spending another night or two in Kentucky is very real. Oh well, Holiday Inn Express here I come. At least safety of flight, and landing, is paramount for me.

This is another good example of an unexpected event in life. Life is so filled with unexpected events, yet, our omniscient God sees our unexpected life, always. Our omniscient God is waiting to see how we react to the unexpected...as a mentor at school reminded me again this week, attitude is everything on my part. Even when the unexpected poses questions that may be unanswered God is still with us and watching our response.

Of course I am the first to say that I do not always practice this truth. However, when the unexpected comes, may I, and may we, be faithful to ask the questions, and know God is faithful to embrace us and celebrate with us when the answers to come. It boils down to our attitude in Him, that is, an attitude of gratitude is what God awaits from each of us.

Lord Jesus, thank you for being with me in the unexpected of life. May I see you and listen to you in the unexpected of the day and have an attitude of gratitude. May I also share this attitude with those around me, especially the frustrated and stressed. May my attitude of gratitude encourage the ticket agents who will be working with those passengers who are on the receiving end of the unexpected events of traveling today. Amen.

Make a great day and week in the Lord,

Pastor Jack

God is good all the time

2007-01-10T14:04:00.000-06:00

While I am Kentucky attending school Asbury Theological Seminary I received word that we were blessed by God again in our stewardship. I heard that we paid out all our apportionments, paid our bills, and had cash in bank at start of the first year. God is good all the time; all the time God is good.

Even though this data is great for year end celebration, cost of ministry continues on each month. I hope and pray we continue to support the cost of ministry, making an investment in transforming lives as disciples of Jesus Christ and spur us on in the mission to make disciples of Jesus Christ.

May God again bless each of you in your part of the ministry.

Grace and peace,

Jack

PS. I saw snow for the first time in a year.