Love in a global pandemic

   The world needs love. 

   I give a copy of Gary Chapman's The Five Love Languages as one of two books for study to every couple preparing for marriage with whom I meet. I've been doing this for nearly twenty years, and the truths he offers in it are still being received with sincere delight by a second generation of couples. He proposes that each person is built the same: to be loved. However, each person receives and experiences love in one of five broad ways, or languages: quality time, physical touch, acts of service, giving & receiving gifts, and words of affirmation.

   Earlier this week, as our staff was talking through how we could extend the love of Jesus out to our congregation and to our community, in particular to healthcare workers, we came to the realization that expressing love through the first two of these languages is essentially taken away during this global pandemic. Quality time and appropriate physical touch are not safe, outside of the relationships we have at home.

   For our staff, it meant more brainstorming of ideas on how to care and keep people safe. For our homes, it makes me think that it is even more critical now that we express love to each other in this upside season. Everyone is off their routine and that includes some of the places and relationships from whom we receive love.

   The world needs love. And Christians are called to provide it, through the abundance of the love we have received from God. John 13:34 says, "I give you a new commandment: Love each other." 

   Grace and peace, Scott

From Scripture to Song to a Spirit-led Church

   It is probably silly, I know, but one of the many cherished things that my Grandfather passed down to me is a collection of poems and clippings that he typed out from notes of his own past sermons. I look through them from time to time and this week came across one that caught my eye. Of course, it is not a poem but a beloved song. My Grandfather even wrote in the name of the composer, Peter Scholtes. This is the clipping...

   I love this. I love that he loved it. Indeed, John 13:35 said it perfectly, "This is how everyone will know that you are my disciples, when you love each other." I believe this is what the church is about: one in the Spirit, walking hand in hand, working with each other, with all praise to the Father. 
   I love serving a church that puts all of this on display, so regularly. This has been our history, this is certainly our present, and I am so excited about our future.
   Grace and peace, Scott

November 9 Matters More

   Is anyone out there tired of the 2016 Election Season? One reason is its length. The first candidate to formally organize a committee to explore a run for the presidency did so on November 20, 2014 - 720 days before next week's election day. The first person to formally declare their candidacy did that in March 2015, 597 days before election day. The length is not the only thing that has wearied Americans; another reason is the tone. Mudslinging is a polite description of what candidates and their surrogates have been throwing in every direction. Take heart, November 8 is almost here.
   Yet, I believe with everything in me that November 9 matters more. Most likely, in the wee hours after the polls have closed on Tuesday, someone will be declared the winner. However, despite the election coming to a conclusion, 40% of the country will feel like losers. Think about it; apart from the election season, most surveys find that 40% support one party, 40% support the other, and the remaining 20% are independent or support a third party. So, the end of the election does not end the division and the frustration many Americans are having. It will not be over on Tuesday.
   I believe November 9 matters more. For one, we have to be a united nation, again. But, for Christians, our toughest job starts Wednesday: to witness to the to love of God and truth of Jesus. The Holy Spirit comes so that we would be witnesses to the ends of the earth (Acts 1:8). Jesus said, "everyone will know that you are my disciples, when you love each other" (John 13:35). Sing the tune in your head as you read these words: They will know we are Christians by our love. We are not called to be Republicans by our Facebook posts or loyalty to Fox News. We are not called to be Democrats by our yard signs or window decals. We are called to be Christians. People will know it by our love.
   Every person you meet on November 9 and forward will need to hear something good...
Tell them God loves them.
Tell them you love them.
Tell them we are still united.
Let us be kind, for our witness matters more than winning. #Nov9mattersmore
   Grace and peace, Scott