All Saints Celebrations November 4th

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

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!

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...

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

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

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!

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