Tuesday, November 30, 2010

all things new

A loud voice from the throne says "See, I am making all things new."
   I stood gazing out the window towards my favorite tree, a Japanese maple that anchors our front yard, and as I stare a single crimson leaf falls to the ground.  It catches my eye.  Then, as if on cue, another leaf is loosed and heads to the earth.  No more than a few seconds pass, when yet a third leaf falls.  All of them added to the chaos of leaves beneath the tree, which are connected the leaves in the driveway, which appear to spill into the street.  Suddenly I notice they run on from yard to yard, as if they all of the world right now is covered in leaves and straw.  It is a mess.  To top it off, the temperature outside declares it is winter weeks before our calendars make it official.
   Truth be told, all of this has nothing and everything to do with what is actually happening in the world, doesn't it?  Leaves are trivial.  The state of my front yard means nothing when compared to the state of the affairs in the world.  We watch closely as nations engage in gunboat diplomacy over issues of nuclear weapons, while others turn a blind eye to horrendous human rights violations.  Children are being taken, jobs are being lost, confidential briefs are being leaked, and tornadoes are knocking buildings and people around. To mention nothing of cancer, consumerism and the holidays, or any of the other concerns that warrant our prayers.  What part of all of this looks like 'God making all things new'?  
   Yet nevertheless, the scriptures throughout proclaim that God's singular agenda in the world is restoration.  God is about re-creation.  God is about redemption.  Jesus refers to the fact it will happen with certainty (Matthew 19).  He then says, later, that it is not for us to know the times or the seasons (Acts 1). 
   So, we are left to wait. With leaves falling and the world seemingly falling, as well, we wait.  But it is not an idle waiting.  It is one busy with anticipation.  What will God's redemption look like?  How will it come, and will we notice at first?  This is the essence of worship in Advent.  
   I look forward to seeing you in worship this Sunday, Scott

One Way to Get to Thankful

Tuesday, November 16, 2010

A Celebration of Consecration Sunday

Sunday was great. We had a great congregation in worship with us. The music was awesome. The Rev. David Haygood’s message was inspiring, funny and right on. Finally, we had a great meal, offering the powerful encouragement that comes when sisters and brothers fellowship together around a table.  Just a few days out from Thanksgiving, we would all agree we have much for which to give thanks.
The Bible talks at length about giving and offerings. It says that every person is to give back to God. As I see it, giving is commanded by God while written commitments are desired by the church. Commitments help the church to make plans for ministry and be good stewards. Commitments can also help a person to set goals and be personally accountable. The question before us is, “How is God leading you to respond to what God is doing in your life?”  In my life, making a pledge is an important, holy moment.
Rev. Haygood was so right in making it clear that what is right for one family does not apply for everyone.  Some individuals are just starting the regular habit of giving to God’s Ministries – we were there not many years ago – while other persons and families have considered ways to move beyond the tithe.  I know for a fact that age or income level has no bearing on where a family might be in this practice.  It is of little importance what has gone on in the past.  What matters to God is the effort you make in the present.  The Apostle Paul affirms this in Scripture, 
“Each of you must give as you have made up your mind, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.”  2 Corinthians 9:7
Grace and Peace to you, Scott

Tuesday, November 9, 2010

A Note Saying Thank You

   I read a while back about a fellow in Nemo, Texas, who decided to thank some people around him.  He chose garbage workers and the crews who help us keep our homes, yards, and streets clean.  He took a picture of his 20-year-old garbage can and mailed it, along with a letter of thanks, to the head of the sanitation department in Dallas.  A few days later he got a letter in response, thanking him for his letter but admitting it had caused a problem in the office.  Though they had been in operation for decades, his was the first thank-you letter they have ever received and they had no place to file it!  
   We talk about saying thanks in the church all the time. It often sounds churchy, too.  Of course, we say thanks to God, who is the giver of all good things.  We are to be thankful for life and the abundance of blessings we have and continue to receive from God.  But could it be that the concept of giving thanks might be expanded?
   There are some people around us who deserve to hear 'Thanks' from time to time.  I can think of teachers, public safety workers, nurses, and custodians.  The list is extensive.  Most of us think about those whose contributions, now, make a difference, now, in our lives.  But what about saying thanks to those who served before?
   I want to say thanks to our nation's Veterans.  For those whose service, and sacrifice, made a difference then.  I hope we are all aware that their service continues to make a difference now. For those who serve now, and for those with loved ones serving, thank you.  Truth be told, if we all wrote a letter for every moment, every instance, every milestone that we were able to experience because of the freedom given us by the Veterans of our nation's military, there would not be a building large enough to file them all.
   May we be those counted as thankful.  Grace and Peace to you, Scott

Tuesday, November 2, 2010

Campaign to Change The World: One New Marriage At A Time

  As I type this, polls are open across our country.  People are voting here in of Epworth, as we host our neighborhood Polling Precinct, for the first time.  But we know elections are larger than one day, with monies and months spent gaining support, getting out the vote, garnering endorsements, and even a little time spent going over the issues.  State records show that as of today, contributions of $174,125 were made to campaigns from within the bounds of our local Zip Code, 31904, alone.  
   People give money and give time to campaigns because they believe their efforts will mean something.  What if we approach other aspects of life with the same passion as political campaigns?  
   Our church, as of last month, has joined the ranks of 100 other local churches to campaign for a cause as important and critical as any in our country: healthy marriages.  More specifically, we want marriages to get started in intentional ways that lead to sustainable, great, relationships.  Because we know that the home is the very fabric of who we are.
   We have joined a local, grassroots collaborative known as Right From the Start.  In 2008, concerned community leaders came together to launch a community wide initiative designed to strengthen marriages and families in the Columbus Region.  It is based on  a highly successful model from Chattanooga, TN.  In the end, Right From the Start seeks to increase, to a substantial degree, the percentage of children being raised by their moms and dads in healthy families. If we are successful in achieving this objective, fewer children will be at risk and our communities will be safer and better places to live and work. 
   Our church is committed to this sort of campaign.  We are want couples engaged to be married to go through premarital counseling, in addition to the 2-3 sessions I expect of every couple marry, in order that they get started right.  We want to offer classes, education, and inspiration to couples of all stages of marriage to continue to do the hard work of staying in a relationship.  We do this because the scriptures tell us it is the very stuff of our souls.  Jesus reminds us from Genesis that in marriage "two become one," (Matthew 19).  Whether in singleness or marriage, we want every person to life abundantly.  We believe this is a partnership that can better help that happen.
   Grace and Peace to you, Scott