Read, Ponder, Pray

   John Wesley wrote to John Trembath in 1760, "Whether you like it or not, read and pray daily. It is for your life; there is no other way; else you will be a trifler all your days, and a petty, superficial preacher." Don't be petty and don't trifle away your days.

   I believe Wesley was correct, but on Sunday I extended his word of counsel far beyond the preacher's in the room. These words are true for every person who has uttered the prayer asking Jesus to be Lord of their life. Reading from the Bible each day, or close to it, is required of those who are striving to be like Christ...which is what the very name Christian means.

   A classical spiritual practice, grounded in the Word of God, has become the way I begin most of my days. It is called lectio divina, and is available to every person I know. As an indication of the small number of items needed to get started, I brought in the end table and lamp from the front room of our home; it doesn't take much! A place to read and reflect, a Bible, and possibly a devotion guide to help you get stared are all that is required. As for time, I sometimes read and pray for 12 minutes and other times an hour passes. It honestly depends on my day and how I am led.

   Father Luke Dysinger offers this concise method of practicing lectio divina:

• Read. Turn to the text and read it slowly, gently. Savor each portion of the reading, constantly listening for the “still, small voice” of a word or phrase that somehow says, “I am for you today.” Do not expect lightning or ecstasies. In lectio divina, God is teaching us to listen, to seek him in silence. 
• Ponder. Take the word or phrase into yourself. Memorize it and slowly repeat it to yourself, allowing it to interact with your inner world of concerns, memories, and ideas. Do not be afraid of distractions. Memories or thoughts are simply parts of yourself that, when they rise up during lectio divina, are asking to be given to God along with the rest of your inner self.
• Pray. Whether you use words, ideas, or images—or all three—is not important. Interact with God as you would with one who you know loves and accepts you. Give to God what you have discovered during your experience of meditation and found within your heart.

   It is my deep prayer that this model, once practiced by every Christian in the world, would draw you closer to His Presence. Grace and Peace, Scott

A Difficult But Golden Rule

  In Matthew 7:12, Jesus says, “In everything do to others as you would have them do to you; for this is the law and the prophets.” We commonly refer to it as its new name, the Golden Rule.  While that title might have only been attached to it for around 400 years, the concept itself dates back probably 3000. 

   A maxim similar to the Golden Rule is found in the teachings of various sages; Socrates among the Greeks, Buddha and Confucius among the Orientals and Hillel among the Jews 
in the period of wide-spread rabbinic tradition before the time of Jesus. What is interesting, though, is that many of the other teachers do not shape this ethic of reciprocity in the same 
direction as Jesus. Their maxims are often written in a negative and passive voice. They say: “Do not do to others what you would not have done to you.” It is a rule of not doing, rather than of doing (Peoples New Testament, 1891).
   Can you see the difference? While both lift up the need to consider others in your interactions, the negative commandment is asking you to do no harm. The positive commandment, however, asks you to do good, as well. While they sound similar, and in many ways are, they can also be very different.
   This was the scripture that we talked about on Monday at our Youth Bible Study. The High 
Schoolers seemed to get it immediately. It is one thing to pass by the person in the hallway, clearly having a bad day, and not contribute any more to their grief. It is an entirely different thing to stop and seek to come to their aid. Jesus’ version of this universal commandment places the burden on us to take the initiative, not passively watch and keep separate. This makes the rule more difficult to follow. The pace of our modern world, with demands and agendas and expectations that never seem to abate, instead only seemingly increasing, adds the the challenge of taking the initiative in the lives of others to do good.
   With all of the attention paid on the first phrase, it is easy enough to pass right over Jesus’ last words in this sentence. What is that part about law and prophets? If you consider that for a Jew at the time of Jesus, and still today, the law and the prophets were the center of the authority for living and ethics,  Jesus is making a bold statement. Jesus is suggesting that this Golden Rule somehow captures the essence of God’s Word to humanity. That is a big deal. We should  pay attention. 
   I think Jesus elevates this singular verse above many others because it is a brilliant, yet subtle, reminder that the whole world does not center around us. There are others here, too. We must live together. We must take second sometime and we must sacrifice often. We must think of others because we want to be thought of. This is opposite idolatry, so talked about and put down in the Old Testament, at a time when too many of us idolize self. It is not about ‘me’. Very often, this is a very difficult rule to follow.
   Grace and Peace to you, Scott

the Bible challenge

   This past Sunday I preached on the ways that the Bible does not gain authority. Its it not perfect for science, it forgets some of the details of ancient history, it contains any number of errors on the geography of the ancient world, and the manuscript copies of the Bible contain literally tens of thousands of errors that only further push it from the ranks of somehow perfectly composed and translated into our modern world. As for theology, there are even a few sections in which is seems to compete with itself: Paul's writings on the value of marriage and later on women participating in worship both immediately come to mind.

   I continue to read good books about the Good Book as I am preparing for the teaching series this month on the authority and place of the Bible. This week I learned about its great value as the only existing document of colloquial Greek from 2000 years ago. Yet, that in itself is not enough to gain its place as a document worth granting highest status of authority in our lives and in the church. Surely, the Bible gains its power to speak words of truth to us more than just being a great resource for how the world of Alexander the Great would greet each other on the street. Right?

   Of course, it does. The Holy Scriptures holds a place of authority in my life, a sinner in need of redemption, and in the life of every saint and sinner for 3000 years precisely because they tell the story and point the way to God and the work of God through the life and ministry of Jesus Christ. The Bible is not perfect in any number of ways, but it tells the story of one who is perfect in love and mission to redeem the world. The Westminster Confession of Faith says it this way, the authority of Scripture "depends wholly on God." The Bible has authority from the ultimate authority. The God who made heaven and earth.

   William Barclay, the popular Scottish author, minister and theologian of the 20th century, literally finished his 142 page primer on the Scriptures with just such a thought:

1. The Bible is the word of God, because it is the place where the broken relationship between man and God is repaired. 
2. The Bible is the word of God, because it was written by men who new God, because they loved him and obeyed him. 
3. The Bible is the word of God, because it tells the self-revealing, saving acts of God, culminating in the event of Jesus Christ. 
4. The Bible is the word of God because in it and in it alone we are confronted with the life and teaching of Jesus Christ.

I am excited to go even deeper in the coming weeks around how the power of God's Word is available to shape and increase our very lives. 

   Grace and Peace, Scott

Epworth People

   Sam was smiling, and nodding his head like a person who wants someone to see notice them. When my eyes landed on him, he flashed his smile and then proudly held up the note he had scribbled to me. I had to squint to make out the words: "We didn't go ice skating with Talon and Gavin." We had kicked around plans to go down to the rink at the Civic Center for one of their public sessions last week with some boys we have met through Little League baseball, but both families got busy and it never happened. What was most note-worthy about Sam's remembrance of this omission on his social calendar was its timing. This is what he was thinking about at 11:25 AM during worship this past Sunday morning.
   Sam is funny, loves to laugh, and is smart. He never forgets anything. He has an uncanny ability to remember song lyrics and, of course, conversations with his parents! He is respectful of his elders, but he also wants to contribute. Epworth has encouraged participation by young people of all ages in worship and small groups like Sunday School and Children's Church. They know they will be heard and that their opinions are valued. This is so important and Christ-like. 
   So, if Sam is thinking about what he did not get to do on Thursday, what is everyone else thinking about on Sundays? 

_________________________

   A truth that can get lost when we gather for worship at our appointed time is that the one hour of worship at Epworth is only one hour - our members and our guests approach our sanctuary filled with thoughts and emotions. Some carry hurt. Some carry the excitement of what will be. Some are holding on to grief or loss. Some have had great weeks and others not so good. I promise you that these truths are not lost on me. I want the part I play to be one that of encouragement and building people up. I want Epworth to be a place where the truth of God's Word are shared with a kind spirit. But I only play a small part in the overall experience that people have when they arrive here. 
   Epworth people are the first to greet guests and long-time members in the parking lot and at every entrance. Epworth people are the ones who extend a warm handshake and a kind word to those sitting in the pews. Epworth people stand as ushers and sing in the choir. Epworth people are the ones who lead Sunday School classes and invite others to join them. [And if you are not inviting others to join you, what does it say about your excitement about what you are doing for that hour?] Epworth people are those who after departing worship go out and come into contact with literally thousands of people and can influence them for good with their witness. Epworth people make up Epworth. 
  What a blessing to those who arrive at our church with a host of thoughts and emotions and burdens that they are met by Epworth people. Grace and Peace, Scott 

Loving Those Who Believe Differently

   Tuesday at Epworth captured, in a microcosm, the current state of affairs in our world. Our church was filled with people of very differing opinions. People on the left and the right. To be honest, there were some who walked through our front doors that align themselves well past the normal left and others so right as to not be able to see the center. 

   Tuesday was election day. Epworth is a polling place for a few large neighborhoods here in Columbus. 

   Everyone has opinions. Most people have thought-out beliefs. Lots of people hold strong convictions. None of this is news to you or new to the world. 

How are we to live in a world so divided? Jesus answers that in Matthew 22 with the Great Commandment: Love God, Love Neighbor and Love Yourself. So, how can we love those who are so different? To me, this is as pressing a question as any in 2012 with lines drawn on so many issues and topics. 

   I don't offer a quick or easy answer, but do offer a glimpse into our own history for how this question has been dealt with in the past. John Wesley, the founder of the Methodist movement, published a sermon in 1771 titled Catholic Spirit, using the term catholic like it was first used to describe the Christian Church in the early 2nd century and emphasize its universal scope. In it Wesley is speaking to those who live with the knowledge that not every person thinks or acts the same. He says, 

"Though we cannot think alike, may we not love alike? May we not be of one heart, though we are not of one opinion? Without doubt, we may. In this all the children of God may unite, even though they retain these smaller differences. These remaining as they are, they may help one another increase in love and in good works."

Wesley then frames the rest of the sermon around a brief exchange in the Old Testament between Jehu and Jehonadab in 2 Kings 10:15. 

   I wants to share what the Rev. Kevin Watson, a UM seminary professor in Seattle, shared about Wesley's sermon when he said:

Wesley is making the case for charity and a hermeneutic of generosity towards others. He is realistic in his acknowledgment that people will not agree about everything.... The sermon reminds me of the room for growth I have in loving those with whom I disagree. And it reminds me that it takes work, it is not something to merely be vaguely affirmed.... He is actually saying that Christians should be close-minded in their own beliefs, but generous and charitable with those with whom they disagree. Put differently, Wesley is arguing for certainty in the specifics of one’s faith that comes from careful thought and examination of the options and not a devaluing of the role of doctrine in order to have a bigger tent. (read more here)

   I believe the same. We can love others in ways that show the love of God. First, spend real time in learning what you believe. Second, do look for the value in the other person even if you don't agree with the words they are saying. Don't be reduced to the name-calling and separating that is so prevalent today. Finally, be open to the fact you can be wrong. There are countless choices, votes, ballots, discussions, and topics. We will be wrong on some. We can be loving in all of them.

What We Do For Children

What Is Happening

  The tragedy and scandal at the Penn State University football program continues to make headlines as the findings of various investigations are released and now as punishments and consequences are meted out. At the center of this tragedy are the actions of assistant coach Jerry Sandusky and the inactions of head coach Joe Paterno, along with the school's president and others in key leadership positions. The scale of this story is enormous. That it happened at one of the most highly respected universities in the country is shocking. That the all-time winningest coach at the top level of college football would be involved is even more so.
  The ramifications of what is being uncovered are far-reaching. My initial reaction from nearly a year ago was that this will reshape not just college athletics or the world of sports, but nonprofits and all organizations that serve in and around children. I continue to pray for the families of the victims and the entire community that is grieving.
  This tragedy, like the shooting deaths in Aurora, Colorado last week, is unsettling. I think it gives us reason to clearly define what it is we believe.

What We Believe

  The Bible tells us that every person is created in the image of God and therefore has great and immeasurable value in the eyes of God, the Creator of the universe (Genesis 1:27-31). Jesus goes on to define a right relationship with God as one that is like a father and child (Matthew 6:9). He goes on to say that entrance into heaven hinges on changing to have childlike characteristics (Matthew 18:3). Finally, Jesus speaks a word of woe to anyone who would cause one of these "little ones" to stumble. The church is a collected group of people who are seeking to live by the Kingdom values taught by Jesus and found in the Scriptures, but also who are teaching and confirming such grace-filled living in the others who are welcomed on the journey (Ephesians 1:18-23). Embodying the love and radical grace of Jesus is what it means for the church to be the 'Body of Christ' in the world.

What We Do (in response to our beliefs)

  A number of years ago, our church council adopted a Safe Sanctuaries policy, similar to the one required of every United Methodist Church in South Georgia, to be intentional about protecting children, our church, and our volunteers. It sets some minimums for both recruitment of volunteers (time involved at church, background checks, etc.) and establishes policies about how children are supervised (at least two approved persons present, no groups in rooms without windows or open doors, etc.). We continue to live into what this means for our church.

  In addition to our volunteers, the Conference required a day-long session of Sexual Ethics training for clergy serving United Methodist churches every three years. Scott is scheduled to attend his third round of this in September of this year.

  Starting this year, we have adopted the principles of ORANGE ministry with children and families. ORANGE is about the church's commitment to partner with families to shine the light of Jesus into the lives of the next generations. Families are first in the line of influencers of children, so we want to help them train up children in the best possible way. This means we are encouraging more participation by adults in children's ministry events instead of less. We love families of every size (family is 1+)!

  Beyond just policies and practices, we pray. We pray for those who have been hurt by the world and for those not yet reached by God's love. We pray for every child in our care and prepare for all of those who will arrive someday. We pray that as we teach and model the love of God we know we are also greatly loved.

Adding It All Up

   I loved being gone, but I am glad to be back. It is a wonderful thing to return home to a great community and an even better congregation where we know we are called to serve and grow in serving together.
   As many of you know, Julie, the boys, and I spent the better part of a week in Lake Junaluska, NC for our Carruth family reunion. Over 55 cousins and relatives gathered around kickball, fireworks, food, sliding down a mountain stream, kayaking, food, telling stories, and then plenty of food and desserts. 
   We returned from there and then last week Julie and I flew to visit friends at their home in Las Vegas. Jay and Amanda were in our youth group a decade ago and have grown to be some of our best friends. He serves in the US Air Force and she works as a pharmacist. They welcomed us like family and showed us the sights. As we approached home when it was all over, my mathematical instincts took over and I tallied the following numbers:

• 0 lost at the casinos in Las Vegas. 
• 1 book read. (Henri Nouwen's The Return of the Prodigal Son)
• 2 Sundays away from worship with the people of Epworth meant 2 Sundays worshiping with the people of GOD in other places. We attended a bilingual service at Julie's home church in Roswell and then a contemporary service in Las Vegas where Jay and Amanda attend. 
• 3 kayaks carried my father, my son and myself across Lake Junaluska for an hour as we raced and splashed each other. 
• 4 hour excursion to see the amazing scale and engineering prowess of the Hoover Dam.
• 5 hours of little sleep in the D-Terminal of the Las Vegas Airport waiting on the next flight after the first one left without us!

   I had to laugh as we were traveling home and tallying up our time away. These numbers are not very impressive. Considering how long we were gone and the places we visited, they are kind of small, to be honest. Some things defy accounting. Some things are too big for numbers. 
   Instead words will suffice: Amazing friends, Beautiful wife, Crazy boys, Magnificent GOD. While these are all true here at home it is nice to know they are true when we are away from home, as well.
   May the GOD who bids us come and follow Him into a life so abundant that numbers often fail be with you in your goings and comings. Grace and Peace, Scott

Jesus Wants More Than 'Like' From Us

Scott: I was thinking about a sandwich. Which do you like the most: the grouper, the trout, the catfish, or the flounder?

Maggie: I don't eat fish. 

Scott: (my face now showing a puzzled look) 

Maggie: It is because I work here and serve it all the time.

   I enjoy talking with the servers working in restaurants. Beyond just "How are you doing?", I often ask them about their favorites or seek recommendations for entrees. Such was the case last week in North Carolina, as our family sat down with friends at a place known for good seafood in Waynesville. The above dialog was just a portion of what we talked about, but I was fascinated by this specific response.
   You can see the irony in her explanation. Could you imagine if persons in other professions made the same statements? What would we think about the dentist who doesn't practice brushing because she works with teeth all the time? What about the mechanic who doesn't maintain his car because he's around cars all day? 
   Of course, it is perfectly okay for Maggie to have opinions about fish. But what if the same logic was extended to someone in the church? What if the pastor responded to a question about the Bible with "I don't read it much because I am around it all the time"? Or worse, what about the church member who professes not to believe in Jesus because they're inundated by books, stories, and testimonies about him? Suddenly, the irony becomes tragic. 
   The truth is, Jesus doesn't want us to like him. Jesus is not content with us simply preferring God over a variety of options. The call of a Christian isn't about preferences or tastes. Jesus wants love. Love this is about total commitment. Love that is about practicing that which you believe. Jesus wants us to do the one thing: trust in God, above all else. This is the journey of discipleship. We are called to live so others would see in us a reflection of the One who made us. Could you imagine if, with our freedom, we chose to be counted as believers but denied practicing the stuff of our beliefs? The truth is, the world looks at the church and that is exactly what they see: people who attend and even serve a product that they themselves do not practice or even like! Mind you, this does not describe everyone, but it describes enough believers that the world has a difficult time being convinced otherwise. Instead, may they know we are Christians by our love. And our forgiveness. And our restraint. And our sharing. And our joy.

"By our purity, knowledge, patience, and kindness we have shown ourselves to be God's servants - by the Holy Spirit, by our true love" 2 Corinthians 6:6