PK's Corner

Begin again

2011-12-29T07:52:00.000-08:00

Genesis 1:1 “In the beginning God created…”

What better place to start the year than with the start of the bible? “In the beginning God created...”, these powerful words start the book that is the foundation of religion for most of the people around the world. It is within the covers of this book that we can see a chance for a new beginning.

God is the god of new beginnings. God created and then nurtured this world and creation. God cleaned up the mess we made many times and still shows love towards us. We read about Noah, and God saving humanity, and about Joseph and God saving Israel. We read on and see how kingdoms were given beginnings, and people over and over given new beginnings. Then we see the ultimate in new creations, Jesus Christ, God’s son, the word made flesh, sent to earth to save the world.

God is not done creating, and that is the assurance we have in Christ. This New Year can be a new opportunity to be a new creation in Christ. The question you have to ask yourself is, “am I truly happy this way?” If you aren’t then it is time to be created in the image of Christ.

Beginning is what it’s all about. Can you be a new creation in Christ? Do you want to be? God is ready to begin again, and all you have to do is ask.

Amen

Gifting

2011-12-01T07:09:00.000-08:00

2nd Timothy 1:6a “For this reason I remind you to rekindle the gift of God that is within you…”

The holidays are upon us. We run around in a frenzy worrying about what gift to give who, how we are going to pay for it and what will we do if Aunt Martha gives us another of her “special” fruitcakes. In essence, the time of celebration becomes a time of worry and concern.

But we need to stop the frenzy and remember the gifts that God has given us. We live in a time of Gospel Illiteracy and Spiritual Malnutrition. For those of us who grew up in an earlier tradition, we may not remember not knowing about Jesus or the Nativity, but there are whole generations who only know Christmas as a time to shop and get gifts.

We have been given a gift that needs to be shared. As the church ages it, we need to be aware that the new people coming in may not know about Christ, and it is up to us to teach.

When people come into the church, they first need fed and nourished, not put to work. We as a church need to be willing to teach and help the younger generations to grow in Christ. We have been given the gift of experience and knowledge and wisdom.

To all of us who have some age on us, this is a reminder that our job is just getting started, our call has been given, and Paul is reminding us that we have a gift that needs to be shared.

If you are worried about the gift you can give to those around you, give of the knowledge and love you have for the church. Help the younger generations grow and know Christ, so that when they are where you are, they can lead the next generation.

We have all been called to be the gift, it’s time to answer that call.

Amen

Heartbreak

2011-10-28T09:27:00.000-07:00

Pk’s Corner November 2011

2 Corinthians 2:4 “For out of an extremely troubled and anguished heart I wrote you with many tears…”.

This past week I was challenged, and I bring that challenge to you. The question is; What breaks your heart? My answer came as not a surprise but a confirmation as to why I am a minister.

As I look out over the congregation on Sunday mornings, I see empty seats. As I drive home after the service I see children playing, restaurants full, and the stadiums filled to over flowing with sports fans waiting for the kickoff. My heart is broken.

You see, the empty pews are not about numbers on our rolls, nor are they about the amount of money the church has received in the collection. What grieves me is that an empty pew represents a person that may die in their sin.

As a church we are called to go and make Disciples of Christ, but our churches are getting emptier and emptier over the years. The older folks are dying off and the younger folks seem to be attracted to worldly pursuits. Our economic times dictate working on the Sabbath just to keep food on the table.

People are dying, not knowing about a loving caring Christ that can give them eternal life. The empty pew grieves me, and troubles my heart, for there is a person out there that has not heard of Christ. The empty pew means a lost person is still lost. Someone out there will spend eternity in hell because that pew is empty.

The Holy Spirit saves, let’s get that straight, but the church provides a safe loving place so people can develop and grow that relationship with Christ. But if they are not there, how can they know.

And how can they come unless we bring them, invite them, love them enough to open our hearts and doors to them.

So the question I have for you, is your heart broken enough to point a soul to Christ? Who is truly responsible for those who die in their sin, simply because they haven’t heard? Why haven’t they heard? Why haven’t you told them?

As Christians we are all responsible for our brothers and sisters eternity. Will you let God call the lost through you, or are you satisfied with the extra space in the pew?

Amen

God's Memo

2011-09-29T07:44:00.000-07:00

Pk’s Corner October 2011

Psalm 119:11 “Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee”. (KJV)

We live in a time of “Biblical Illiteracy”. What this means is that so many so-called “Christians” have yet to read the word of God. Sunday Schools don’t seem to be requiring memorization of verses and people seem to insist that the Bible is irrelevant to today’s culture.

Obviously, if you believe it is irrelevant, then you have not read or studied the bible. It is amazing to me the quotes I hear that are attributed to the bible, when in reality they came from Ben Franklin, or even Carl Sagan. How many times do we quote the bible, and really have no clue if that quote is really in there?

The Bible is the love letter from God. In its pages are biographies, and adventure. You will find romance and intrigue, philosophy and law, health and well being. It can give you a diet plan and a life plan. It can tell you what is coming and share with you what has been. It can change your life, but only if you read and study it. The Psalmist knew how important those words are.

When was the last time you took a bible to church? When was the last time you even opened the covers to see what was there? When did you attend a class that helped you to learn more about the bible? Bible study is a fundamental element of spiritual and church growth.

If you are not already, join a bible study, or start one. Read, dig, enjoy and hide those words in your heart. The last thing you want to hear on Judgment day is God saying “Didn’t you get my memo?”

Amen

Romans and Christians

2011-08-30T08:25:00.000-07:00

PK’s Corner September 2011

Psalm 105:4 “Seek the Lord and his strength; seek his presence continually.

This past weekend, our youth group participated in an annual event that we host called “Romans and Christians”. In this game, we find a large field and set up a light. The object for the youth is to find the light, and then go and bring others to the light. The trick is to avoid the “Romans”: these are the adult leaders with flashlights. If caught, the Christians (youth) must go to prison where they must share their faith story and convert the guard to Christianity in order to leave. Each year the attendance has increased and this year we hosted 79 youths.

The kids will tell you how fun and exciting it was to run in the dark and avoid getting caught, but I think the most important thing was the jail time. Here, the youth have an opportunity to share what they believe and why. In seeking the light, they find reason for following the light of the world.

What about you, how often do you seek the Light? How often do you take time to share your faith journey? Or do you?

Sometimes we forget that the Light is actually seeking us, wanting to bring us out of the darkness. Have you heard the call, have you seen the Light? If not, take time to know the Light of the world, and if so, then share that story with someone, for the Light is seeking them also.

Amen

The Prime Directive

2011-07-28T06:16:00.000-07:00

Pk’s Corner August 2011

The Prime Directive:

Deuteronomy 6: 4 “Hear of Israel! The Lord is our God, the Lord alone. And you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your strength”.(NLT)

In the Sci-fi programs “Star Trek” there is one thing that binds all the story lines together, and that is the “Prime Directive”. The prime directive dictates that the travelers cannot and will not interfere with a developing civilization, in any way. Thank goodness we have a different prime directive.

Our prime directive is to whole heartedly love God. We are called to make God the center of our universe, not just an afterthought. Notice that the scripture does not say “You will love the Lord your God with only the upper part of your heart”. No, we are called to love God with every fiber of our being, to put our all into love and worship of this God who only gave us the best

This prime directive was reiterated when Christ was asked “What is the greatest commandment”. The point is, we are supposed to be focused on God all of the time, not just some of the time. Even in church we must remember the reason we are there, and that is to bring honor and glory to God. We cannot allow ourselves to get bogged down by worldly ideas of success, nor let the world convince us that God is just “out there”. We need and must have a God centered life in ourselves and our church.

Now, you are given the prime directive. When you read the scripture, instead of Israel, put in your name. You see, God has called you to love God all the time with everything you have. The really cool thing is that God has already started loving you with everything God has. We must love God, because it is the only way to truly know what love is all about.

Listen up world, you must Love God with everything you have and are. Amen

Pray

2011-06-30T06:28:00.001-07:00

Pray

Acts 1: 14a “All these with one accord were devoting themselves to prayer…”

Prayer according to Webster is the act of addressing a divinity or earnest request. We as believers in the Way know that prayer is talking with God. Prayer is the conversation that heals, assures and leads us in our lives, and yet we tend to overlook this vital part of our spiritual lives.

We belong to a God who wants to be part of our lives. God didn’t create us and then say “Go away, you bother me”. God is truly interested in us and desires relationship, and the key to any relationship is COMMUNICATION.

Jesus taught us to pray, and practiced it every day. We too are called to lift up prayers to God. In my own life, if there is no prayer, life gets skewed. Prayer is what keeps the way straight and the eye focused on the Kingdom of God.

As members and friends of Doniphan UMC, I urge everyone to lift up prayers, for the church, for the community of faith, for one another. But don’t just talk, listen and hear what God has to say. Make time everyday to be alone with God, if necessary write it in your schedule. Prayer is truly the engine of faith. Prayer can bring peace, and change to your lives, it can bring strength and triumph, and it will bring you closer to God.

If you don’t believe me, believe the Bible, and if you haven’t started, get on your knees and just talk with God. You see, God answers knee mail.

Amen

Petra

2011-05-31T08:28:00.000-07:00

Matthew 16:18

And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not prevail against it. (NRSV)

Simon, was renamed and called Peter. This is a rendition of the Greek word for “Rock” or Petra. I find it interesting that Jesus states that this rock, on which the church is built will be so strong that the gates of Hades will not prevail.

Think about what Jesus is saying. The gates of Hades implies that Hades is static, not moving, that it is truly a dead place, a place of stagnation. It has gates and thus it cannot move, nor be moved, but must stay where it is. Hades will not improve or live. It isn’t meant to improve, but just rot. Anything that stays in one place too long tends to rot and wither, and thus you have a vision of Hades, eternal rot and death within the walls.

But the church is built on a rock. In ancient times, rocks were the projectiles of choice used to break down city walls. With the Church being built on the Rock, we are called to break down walls of stagnation and death, to roll through hate and oppression. The church is supposed to be a movement to help people know Christ, not a fortress to keep people out.

This call, and the Great Commission reminds us that we are called to move. The Church is a place of dynamic work, not stagnating death and we, who are on the rock, are called to knock down those gates, for they cannot and will not prevail.

The Church in Christ is what Rocks the world.

Amen

Hope, Patience, Prayer

2011-05-03T07:19:00.000-07:00

Romans 12:12 (Contemporary English Version)

12Let your hope make you glad. Be patient in time of trouble and never stop praying.

I once listened to a motivational tape by Zig Ziglar. One of the comments that he made was ,”if you have hope in the future then you have power in the present”. This is a truth that is often overlooked by the church and feared by a sinful world. For you see, hope allows us to see that our current situation is temporary. We can be patient in time of trouble because we have hope in a future hapiness.
In Christ, we are given hope through a bloody cross and an empty tomb. Our God ended our fear of death, and for the world, that is the only fear it can truly hold over us. Hope is what let us see the end of death and the beginning of true life. Hope is what allows us to continue on, even in the face of the impossible.

But hope cannot do it all alone, it also takes something else. Communication with the giver of hope is essential in feeling hope in our lives. Prayer is that communication with God that strengthens us and assures us that we can make it through troubling times. Jesus taught us to pray, and showed us that talking with the Father is absolutely essential in our walk of faith. If we do not talk with God, then we tend to listen to the world and its message of death.

Prayer is the key to life, because through prayer, we know hope, and with hope is the power to be patient in times of trouble. What this country needs, and what we need is deliberate, focused, purposeful time with the Master, in essence prayer.

Amen

Not Enough?

2011-03-29T08:50:00.000-07:00

PK’s Corner April 2011

Matthew 14:18 “Bring them here to me.” (HCSB)

The feeding of 5000 people with just 5 loaves and 2 fish is truly a remarkable feat. It is even more remarkable when we realize that they only counted the males of the group. Truly this is a miracle of enormous proportions.

But, the one thing I have learned in my Christian journey is God does not work in a vacuum. There was a teaching here, and all too often we miss it. This small lunch was not enough to feed more than one person. It was so small, the disciples were almost apologetic in when they brought it too Jesus. But Jesus knew better. He knew that something great can come out of something small.

God can take our weakness and turn it into the greatest of strengths. God is glorified when we give God everything, including what we consider small and worthless. The greater gift in the temple was the widow’s mite, not the overflowing bags of gold. The one lamb was more important than the flock, the broken prodigal meant more than all the servants, and yes the fish were more filling than all the burgers money could buy.

When we give with all we have, when we give up everything , that is when God is glorified. The boy gave out of his poverty, the widow gave her last two coins, the Syrian woman, her last ounce of dignity and Jesus gave his last drop of blood.

All these gifts, given even though there was nothing else, is the giving God desires, the letting go of all we hold dear.

Give God your all, not just your best, but you’re worst also, not just you joy, but your pain. Even if we think it is insignificant, God can turn it into Glory.

If you doubt that, look at what God did to an instrument of torture called the Cross.

Amen

It is Written

2011-02-24T09:28:00.000-08:00

PK’s Corner March 2011

Isaiah 49:16a “ See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands;”

“I will never forget you…” how many melodramatic movies have had that line. “I will never forget you…” are supposed to be words that bring comfort in a time of sorrow, and often they are a promise that is kept. But humans do tend to forget, and time heals wounds of the heart.

But imagine someone who wants to remember you so much that they are willing to carve you name in their hand. This is what God does; our name is in God’s hands. We can never be forgotten or forsaken because God knows us.

We are never alone. God holds us in the palm.

And if you think about, how did our name get engraved on God’s palm, could it be with a rusty spike at a place called Golgatha? Be assured, God never forgets God’s children. The question is, are you a child of God?

Amen

Epiphany

2010-12-30T07:56:00.000-08:00

Matthew 2:10 “When they saw the star had stopped, they were overwhelmed with joy”.

Epiphany is the time of discovery. We celebrate this end of the nativity season with the stories of the Maji, of Simeon and of Anna. All of these people were promised a glimpse of the kingdom in the sight of Jesus the Christ.

When the Maji came to the house of Joseph and Mary, they were overwhelmed with Joy, here they had traveled so long and almost always at night to visit this new born king of the Jews. They saw in their own writings and prophecies the salvation that this little child would bring. For them, this was the pinnacle of their lives, they had given so much for this journey, and now they were rewarded with the gift of God’s son.

Can you imagine being overwhelmed with joy by coming to the house of the Lord? When was the last time you walked into a house of worship in expectation of meeting God? When was the last time you knew the true joy of being in the presence of God with you fellow worshipers?

In the year to come, I pray that our churches will become places of overwhelming joy. I pray that we can look forward to being in the presence of God when we are together in worship. I hope that we become a people that will put Christ first and lets the church be the focal point of the Christ first attitude.

In church, there can be overwhelming joy, but for that to happen, you need to know God. Let this be the year that God fills you with joy and kingdom purpose.

Amen

War?

2010-12-07T08:39:00.000-08:00

PK’s Corner December 7, 2010

John 11:35 Jesus Wept

69 years ago, on a Sunday morning, the United States of America was forced into a war that had been going on since 1939. The unprovoked attack on Pearl Harbor was to change the lives of those who fought and those who lived during the war. It would also change the world, and even today we are realing from the effects of that war.

Consider this: The total killed at Pearl Harbor was 2402 military and civilian personnel. Of that 1177 were aboard the USS Arizona. Total American Casualties for the war from that day to August of 1945 were 418,500 both military and civilian.

For the world from 1939 to 1945 there were over 70 million persons killed of that 25 million were military casualties, the rest were civilian. Over 6 million of those died in the gas chambers and furnaces of the Concentration camps. The Second World War was a truly world war. There was no place on earth that was not affected in some way by the war. Economically it led to rationing and in some places starvation. Civilly whole towns were wiped out, never to rise from the ashes. For the family, it led to the eradication of whole generations and family names. Almost 9% of the population was destroyed in that war. Most of that population were guilty of only being in the wrong place at the wrong time.

And yes, Jesus wept. How could he not, to see his children harming one another over petty things such as politics, and power? Today we still argue over the trivial stuff, when we should be loving our neighbor and loving our God. What have we learned, wars still happen, people still look out for themselves, governments still exert their power and bask in that power. Petty dictators still kill the innocents in the name of ethnic cleansing. What have we learned?

How many families were broken by this war, and are still healing even today. Like the oil that still leaks from the USS Arizona, we still bleed. When will we learn?

Wars will always be around us, Peace will always be elusive, unless we as Christians and followers of Christ start loving and caring as Christ did for us. What can you do today, that will stop someone from making war? What can we do today, that will celebrate the Prince of Peace and the Lord of Life?

For humankind, stopping war may be impossible, but with God all things are possible.

Amen

Plans

2010-12-01T12:54:00.000-08:00

Jeremiah 29:11 “ For I know the plans I have for you , declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not evil, to give you a future and a hope” (ESV)

Life can get us down. With work, or unemployment, we can get pretty run down. We run ourselves ragged trying to meet the obligations, juggling kids, career, family and church. We get run down, and if we are not careful, we start trudging into automatic mode. We have a hard time seeing hope or a brighter future. We stop noticing God, and just live from day to day. The grey melancholy of drudgery starts taking over our minds and our dreams

This was the case with Israel, the invading army was taking over, it would only be a matter of time. The population was in survival mode, and stopped living. Hope seemed to be gone. Yet Jeremiah gets this message “I have a plan for you, and it means hope and goodness and the bad going away”

I read this passage and I realize that God has a plan, for you and for me, and God isn’t through. When we give ourselves over to God’s will, we are in the plan God has for us and for creation. This plan is one of Hope and Love and Peace.

When things get tough and we get down, we need to remember the promise God has for us. God isn’t done with us because God has a plan for all of us.

Amen

Regret or Comfort

2010-10-28T08:31:00.000-07:00

PK’s Corner November 2010

1 Peter 1:24-25, “For, "All men are like grass, and all their glory is like the flowers of the field; the grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of the Lord stands forever." And this is the word that was preached to you.”-

To paraphrase a line from a favorite movie, “Life is short, if anyone says differently; they are trying to sell you something.” The one thing we share with all of creation is the limited time of life on this earth. We cannot live forever and neither can those around us. But, the word of God is the infinite factor in this finite world.

The Word is summed up in 3 phrases: A: Love God, B: Love Neighbor, C: Love one another. There is not enough time for us to live otherwise. We can’t know what tomorrow will bring. The one working beside us may not be with us to later. A loved one could be taken in tragedy or sickness. Will the parting word that you said be ringing in your ears as words of regret or comfort?

The word of God is meant to love and care, and we cannot afford to waste our lives in any other way.

I urge you, as the stresses of this Holiday Season approach, to follow the example Christ has set before us. If there is something between you and a loved one, if your last word was less than loving, no matter who is at fault or whatever the issue, reach out in love. Let these words of Christ be your guide, for they are forever, “Love one another as I have loved you”.

Amen

Benediction

2010-09-30T09:15:00.000-07:00

PK’s Corner October 2010

Benediction

Jude 1:24-25 “ Now to him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of His Glory, to the only God, our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory majesty dominion and authority, before all time and now and forever. AMEN

Benediction is the blessing of separation and peace. Time and again we see in the New Testament words of blessing that leads to separation of the worshipers.

Why are these types of words so prevalent in the New Testament? The answer; Christianity is not meant to be a static belief. It is not meant to be confined to the church buildings or seminarian discussions. The Gospel (Good News) is meant to be carried beyond the borders of our walls.

Go was the word Christ used as he was raised into heaven. Go- Make- Baptize, all action words meant to change the world. Benediction isn’t meant to be the end of worship, but the beginning of mission. It is, if you will, a transitional statement that sends us into the world to make disciples. Not the starter, nor the brake, but the clutch that gets the Gospel bus into gear. Amen

Made for Good

2010-08-26T07:40:00.000-07:00

Ephesians 2:10 “For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do."

When God created he said it was good. That statement included us, we were made for good.

When we think about the 2 commandments of loving God and loving our neighbor, we must realize God has meant us for good. The world we live in gives us ample opportunity to do good, but we don’t always take advantage of that opportunity. We are selfish when we were made to be selfless. We try to bend all things to our will, rather than rejoicing in God’s will. We have become egocentric, when we should be Christocentric.

The point is we were made for better things than we have currently settled for. The only way to become the good works we are supposed to be is to invite Christ into our hearts.

Don’t resign to being less than God has planned for you, let Christ in.

Amen

Burdens

2010-07-29T08:06:00.000-07:00

Psalm 55:22

“Cast your burden on the lord, and he will sustain you; he will never permit the righteous to be moved.”

The key word in this passage is burden. What is a burden? For most of us, the definition is whatever is bringing us down. The world weighs us down with so many negative things. Bills, debt, disease, work, and war are just some of the worries that keep our focus off of God. But are all of our burdens negative?

What about our hopes, our dreams, our plans, our children and their future? Burdens are not just the negative parts of our life, but also the positive parts that stand in the way of getting to know God. God calls us to put all, everything on God, not just the issues and items that depress us, but also all that inspire us. You see, this is the raw material God can use to bless the world, so casting those burdens on God is seeking to reconcile to God’s plan. On the TV show “American Picker” what I see as a junk pile the pickers call “collections”. In that pile is trash and treasure, and the pickers go through and seek or advise on what to do with the stuff.

Our burdens consist of trash and treasure, Give them both to God and let God pick through all of it to bring out the best in our lives. Let go and Let God.

Amen

Faith

2010-06-29T06:48:00.001-07:00

Psalm 138:8 (New International Version)

⁸ The LORD will fulfill his purpose for me;
your love, O LORD, endures forever—
do not abandon the works of your hands.

Faith is all about becoming raw material. When we trust in God, we are becoming the basic ingredients of a fabulous work of craftsmanship.

God has a purpose for all of us; a purpose only God can fathom. Faith frees us up to be a part of that purpose. When we look to God, we must be willing to submit to the work of God’s hands. This may mean casting away parts of our old life. This may mean leaving what we know behind. It may also mean doing things we did not know was possible.

To have Faith means to become raw clay and let God work on us, not just once, but continuously. We must be willing to be molded and remolded time and again until we hear the Master say “Well Done”.

This is living in Faith.

Amen

Focus

2010-05-27T07:14:00.001-07:00

PK's Corner

Acts 20:24 (Contemporary English Version)

²⁴But I don't care what happens to me, as long as I finish the work that the Lord Jesus gave me to do. And that work is to tell the good news about God's great kindness.

Focus, that is what Paul had, ha was focused from the time in Damascus to the outskirts of Rome. He remained focused even with the stoning, beatings, lashings, ship wrecks, jail time, lynch mobs and all the way up to meet the heads mans sword.

But what is truly remarkable isn’t so much that he was focused, but that he was focused on the kingdom of God. He focused only on the task that was given to him, to share the Good News of Jesus Christ.

We too are given a task. As the body of believers, we are called to make disciples; which includes sharing the Good News of Christ. We are supposed to continue to the work of Paul in making disciples.

My prayer for each of us this summer is that as a church, we can refocus on sharing the Good News. Here at Doniphan UMC, the ground work for the kingdom is being laid every day, but we, the inheritors of the task at hand, need to refocus and take on the single-mindedness that Paul displayed throughout his ministry, the focus on sharing the Good News.

It’s time to Focus and pray that we can finish the task ahead for Christ.

Amen

Living Redeemer

2010-04-29T07:20:00.000-07:00

PK’s Corner

Living Redeemer

Job 19:25

“I know that my Redeemer lives and that in the end he will stand upon the earth.”

Poor Job, here he is, after the loss of his fortune, family and health, listening to his “friends” and wife who tell him to confess to his sin, and Job stands righteous. Instead of wallowing in self-pity, Job proclaims the greatness of God. Though racked by pain and anguish, Job still loves God and walks in God’s light.

How many times in our lives have we wondered if God is with us? When tragedy strikes, do we ask about God’s presence? When that dreaded diagnosis is given, do we proclaim the greatness of God or do we say “Why me”? Maybe we can learn much from Job.

You see, we serve a living God, one that never leaves us, even though we may leave God. Jesus has promised to be with us always, and that promise has never been broken. Just because we feel alone, doesn’t mean we are alone. For God does not abandon, but redeems.

The challenge to you, let the first words of your day be “I KNOW that my Redeemer lives”, and then live in that knowledge.

Amen

God's Anger

2010-03-25T09:30:00.000-07:00

Psalm 30:5 “For his anger is but for a moment and his favor is for a lifetime. Weeping may tarry for the night, but joy comes with the morning”.

Anger is a word of passion, and a word that denotes a human like response. The ancient and modern pagans often regard their gods as arbitrary beings. The pagan gods may or may not like you, whether you have done anything wrong or not. Your karma may be against you or the cards stacked against you. The non-believers hope is to get through without notice. When a pagan god or deity does interact, it is to control or stoke a massive ego.

But to have a God who is passionate about the relationship between God and creation is unheard of in the pagan ways. Our God is such a God. God has a passion for us, and while anger to the pagans means destruction, to the Christian, God’s anger leads to a healthier relationship with God.

You see, God does not get angry with the sinner; God’s anger is against the sin. God’s passion is for us to have a healthy and long relationship with God through Jesus Christ. The sin is hated, but the sinner is loved.

God’s anger, so brief, and so focused against sin

God’s favor, life long, focused on the sinner.

God is so Good.

Amen

Frail Humanity

2010-02-25T09:19:00.000-08:00

PK’s Corner March 2010

Psalm 51:3 “For I know my transgression and my sin is ever before me.”

The 51st Psalm is particularly relevant for the time of Lent because it talks about our human frailties and weakness. The author of this Psalm was considered by God to be “A man after God’s heart”. David basked in the favor and glory of God, and yet he committed adultery, murder and deceit in the cover up that led to the writing of this Psalm. As awful as his crimes were, God still loved him and forgave him.

We too are frail beings, whether clergy or congregation, we all fall short of what God calls us to be. Maybe there is something that we said, we wish we could unsay, or maybe there was an action taken that we would take bake. Regardless of what we may have done, God is a forgiving God, and is willing to forgive us if we just ask.

Only one is truly good and that is Jesus, we fall short, but we don’t have to stay there because God is ready to move us on through his son Jesus Christ. As we go through this time of Lent, rather than wallow in the transgression we may have committed, let us bask in the forgiving love of Jesus Christ, and be the children he would have us to be.

Amen

Worthy or Worth it?

2010-02-02T06:13:00.000-08:00

PK’s Corner February 2010

Worthy or Worth It.

Matthew 8:8: The Centurion answered “Lord, I am not worthy to have you come under my roof; but only speak the word, and my servant will be healed.”

This is probably one of the most beautiful scenes in the Bible. Here is a Roman Centurion asking Jesus to just speak so his servant can be made whole, a person realizing the presence of God in his midst and knowing that his life is not ready for the holy. Not only is this a beautiful scene, but it also shows the short comings of humanity. You see, we all have this mistaken belief that somewhere out there is somebody who is worthy to stand before God, and have God in their lives.

In the modern world we hear the centurion’s words with a bit of different flair. “I’m not good enough to go to church, I don’t want to be around all those hypocrites, I have gone too far to be saved, Jesus doesn’t want me”, all of these comments just show how little we understand God.

True, no one is worthy to approach God, and that is precisely why God came to us in Jesus Christ. We could not, so God did, and we will not, but God still does. It is the fact that we aren’t worthy that God makes a way for us to have a relationship with God.

Folks, I don’t know where you are, but I know where God is. God wants a relationship with you, even if you think you are not worthy, God thinks you are worth it.

Amen

New Year

2009-12-31T09:00:00.001-08:00

PK’s Corner January 2010

Revelations 22:13 “I AM, the ALPHA, the OMEGA, the BEGINNING, and the END, the FIRST and the LAST!”

War, Poverty, Political unrest, Human rights violations, Pandemic and Epidemics; all of these and more were found at one time or another in our headlines in the year 2009. All too often we have been reminded of the badness that has been going on in this past year, and we look to 2010 with trepidation. We would like to think we have a handle on things, but the truth is, we don’t know what to expect in 2010.

But why should we expect to have a handle on something we have no control over. God created the world and was there from the very beginning, and God is in control. For every bad thing the papers and news services told us about, lives were being changed. In Doniphan alone, new lives were brought into the world, hope was given, cures happened, lives were changed, all because God is.

The great I AM was with us in 2009 and will be with us every step of the way into 2010. God is in control, because God is Alpha and Omega.

Here’s to a Godly and world changing 2010

Amen

Be on Guard

2009-11-27T08:09:00.001-08:00

PK’s Corner

Luke 21: 34a “Be on guard so that your hearts are not weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and the worries of this life…”

The geo-political world is in upheaval; our own government seems to get more and more out of touch every day. Our savings are at an all time low and unemployment is on its way to an all time high. The voice of doom and gloom is being broadcast on all channels and in all of our hearts. Despair is being heard loud and clear, and hope seems to have abandoned us.

Or has it?

Jesus gives us this word, “Be on Guard…” be on guard against dissipation (i.e. in over extravagance or in squandering), in drunkenness and in worry. Isn’t it interesting that the three things that can separate us from heaven are an overindulgent lifestyle, drunkenness and worry? Right now the biggest problem we have in our faith walk in Christ is worry.

This worry is showing up in the ministries of the church. People are hoarding their time and talent for fear that there will be an ultimate lost, but Christ assures us that we cannot let this happen. We must live lives that exude generosity and love.

In order to dispel worry, we must first have faith in God. I once read that faith is not stepping out into nothingness, but listening and obeying that voice that says the ledge is there, even if we can’t see it.

Now is the time for faith, not fear. So “Be On GUARD! Amen

cost

2009-10-29T06:16:00.000-07:00

P.K.’s Corner

1 Corinthians 6:20 “For you were bought with a price; therefore glorify God with you body!”

“Honey, we need to pay for some things at the school.” My wife said to me as I was getting ready to go to the office. It turns out that in order for my kids to participate in the activities of school, certain things must be paid for, T-shirts, bus fare, miscellaneous sales items and clothing to match the team. It seems every time I turn around, there is another cost to having 3 kids in school. Don’t get me started on the other bills, payments and costs that keep going up in this “growing” economy. If you ask me the only thing growing is the cost of living, and soon even air will be sold at a premium.

But, then I try to look at things in perspective, and I ask myself, “What is the true price I would be willing to pay for my children, or for my neighbor?’ I realize that all the money in the world does not compare to the price God paid for my freedom. When I think of Jesus paying the ultimate price so that I could be free of sin and death, then the bills and the dues and the costs seem trivial. For you see, I have been redeemed by blood and I am now a free child of God.

Yeah, times are tough, but were it not for the redeeming sacrifice of Jesus Christ, times would get a lot tougher. We have been bought with a price, a price none of us could afford, and yet the redeemed are stamped “Paid in full”

Thank you Jesus.

Amen

Assuming

2009-09-29T12:38:00.000-07:00

P.K.’s Corner

Assuming

Luke 24: 18b. “…Are you the only stranger in Jerusalem who does not know the things that have take place there in these days?”

On the road to Emmaus, two of Christ’s followers were talking about the events of that first Easter day. On their minds they had the crucifixion and then that very morning, the body of Christ was missing. Their thoughts were focused on these events and the teachings that Jesus gave them.

A stranger comes up and literally asks, “What is going on?” To these men, they assumed everyone knew what happened. They were not ready for someone to not know. Fortunately, it was Jesus who was there and explained all that happened.

As followers of Christ, it is easy to assume that every person in America knows about Jesus. In fact we think missionaries should go to a foreign country rather than minister in our own back yard. The sad fact is people don’t know Jesus. Our cities and towns are full of people who are literally ignorant of even the basics of the Bible. We, the church have for years assumed that people knew what we were talking about, and our neighbors have no clue of what the Gospel even is. We have only our selves to blame.

For us, that is the challenge, to stop assuming that others know Christ and to assume the responsibility of sharing the word of God. Folks, people’s souls are at stake, and God’s kingdom is coming. Share the gospel with everyone you meet, even if you think they know it. If they have heard it before, that’s okay, it’s a message worth repeating.
Amen

Heritage

2009-08-27T08:04:00.001-07:00

Heritage
P.K.’s Corner
Joshua 4:6 “so that this will be a sign among you. In the future when the children ask “ What do these stones mean to you?’ you should tell them.

The Israelites had just crossed over the Jordan into the Promised Land, but before the priests could come out of the water, one more task had to be done. Stones were gathered and set up in a pile. This pile was to be a memorial for the future generations to remind them of the greatness of God.

Change is a part of life. In fact, without change there is death, so in order to grow we must change. But change is often the hardest and most stressful part of life. When we get into routines, we don’t like to get out of them because that is just too hard.

Our never changing God does not expect us to stagnate, but to be transformed, and God expects churches to change so that the word can be given to all people. But, we are also called to reflect on the pile of stones by the river; Why? Because that pile of stones points to God and to the future God has for us. We don’t build a temple to maintain the stones, we more forward to glorify God.

Heritage allows us to see where we have come from, and that is something we must never forget, because it is in that journey that God has interacted and guided us. But, we cannot dwell in our heritage, because God calls us to God’s kingdom.

We must never forget the greatness of God, so that we can live in the greatness of God. This is Heritage.

Amen

Our Own Path

2009-07-30T06:52:00.000-07:00

John21:22 “Jesus said to him,” If it is my will that he remain until I come, what is that to you? Follow me!”

Scenario: God calls you to ministry, but you say, “God, I am no John Wesley, so I can’t be a minister”. Comparing ourselves to another is not the way to follow Christ. Jesus was basically telling Peter to not worry about where John was going, Peter needed to worry about doing what Peter was called to do.

Christ calls each of us to follow him, and each of us will have a different path to follow. The eventual destination will be the Heaven, but until then we give ourselves to Christ and go where he sends us. For some that will be the pulpit, for others it will be the coffee shop. No one persons ministry will be the same, and it is wrong for us to think we are called to be exactly like someone else. The only person we are to emulate is Christ himself.

Don’t let the talents of others keep you from following Christ. Christ has a special job for you, one that no one else can do, and your task is to “Follow him”.

Amen

Witness

2009-06-30T07:25:00.000-07:00

P.K.’s Corner
John 17:23 “… so that the world may know that you have sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.”

In the final chapters of Christ before the crucifixion, Jesus prays for the disciples. But in that prayer, Christ points out that he has been a witness for the love of God in the world. In fact, Jesus’ entire ministry was proof of God’s love and Christ was the witness. Soon, it was going to be the disciple’s turn to witness to the world.

Have you ever thought about what it means to be a witness? We think of courts and evidence and CSI, but it is more than just telling the truth. To be a witness for Christ means living for Christ. You see we must be a walking billboard of God’s love of God’s creation. But in order to be a witness, we must first believe in the Way, the Truth and the Life.

The key to being a witness for Christ is having a relationship with Christ. We are called to witness to the world, but unless we believe, our witness is impugned.

I guess the question we must keep asking ourselves is “What kind of witness am I for Christ.

Amen

Here I am

2009-06-02T10:48:00.000-07:00

P.K.’s Corner
Isaiah6: 8 “Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? And I said “Here am I, Send me.”

Isaiah had a vision, and in it God was looking for someone to take his words of warning and hope to the people. But, there were no takers, and Isaiah at first felt unworthy. But the key was not Isaiah’s worthiness; it was his willingness and availability.

Have you every been asked to do something and the first thing that comes to your mind is “I can’t do that.” One of the greatest lessons I ever had came from my boss when I was working in her insurance agency. She asked me if I could go out and measure some houses for a quote and then follow up with a letter and phone call. I had never done anything like this before, and I said, “I don’t know how, so I can’t” to which she said, “You mean you don’t know how and are willing to learn”. What a great lesson from a loving boss, and God is the same way. When we say we can’t, God says, “no you can’t yet, but when the time comes you will because I will be with you”. God is willing to invest the time into us so that we can be instruments of His Grace.

This month stop hiding behind excuses and stand up with Isaiah and say, “Here I Am, Send me. Let God know that you are available, that you are here. There are plenty of opportunities, don’t let them pass you by. Amen

You give...

2009-04-28T10:21:00.000-07:00

P.K.’s Corner
Matthew 14:61“They do not need to go away, you give them something to eat”.
Picture the scene, 5000 + people scattered out on the hill side listening to the words of Jesus. The day is getting long, and many have not eaten. You can almost hear the stomachs growling from hunger. Concerned for the people, maybe out of fear of a riot, the disciples suggest the people be sent away in order to find food.

The disciples find some food, and a young boy willing to share it.

Jesus blessed the food, and all were fed. But, the one act that allowed the feeding of the 5000 is the initial act of a young lad sharing his food. You see, Jesus cannot bless what has not been shared.

In our churches, people share their talents, and we are blessed by beautiful music, artistry, bible studies and fine meals. These folks who share understand that in order to be blessed, you must share and give up something of yourself. Just as the young lad gave up his meal, so we are called to give up ourselves. The young lad did not go hungry, and we will not be left alone if we share what God has given us.

If we trust in God, and offer what we have, even if it is fish and bread, the world will be blessed.

Think about it.

God Bless

Pastor Kent

hating life

2009-03-26T07:19:00.000-07:00

P.K.’s Corner
John 12:25 “those who love their life will lose it, and those who hate their life in this world will keep it for eternal life”.

This morning during my prayer time, I face the back of the church. In the middle window of the back chapel wall is a window that was installed in 1906. In the center are these words…”ALL FOR CHRIST”.

Jesus tells us that if we love this life, we lose everything, but if we life for Christ, we gain everything. This verse is a call to follow Christ, not just in thought, but also in action and in life. We must be willing to give up our very lives for the cause of Christ, to give all for Christ.

Which do your prefer, your life, or Christ? That is the simplicity of the question; we are called to choose what we wish to do with our lives. How do we give up our lives? How do we live in Christ? In the Methodist tradition it is by our prayers, our presence, our gifts, our service and our witness. It is in essence the willingness to give up ourselves and give all to Christ.

The church needs ministers, not just in the pulpits, but also in the congregation. We need to be more than pew setters; we need to be doers and givers and prayers, and sharers and livers of the word. We need to think first of Christ and live the life he offers us. The world needs the hope we have and the mercy Christ gives. We need to hate this life so much that we are willing to give it up to Christ. We need to love Christ so much that we can give everything we have and are.

We have challenges in plenty, and only through Christ can we face these challenges, but only if we are willing to “hate our life in this world”.

God Bless

Pastor Kent

Lent

2009-02-26T06:23:00.000-08:00

P.K.’s Corner
Psalm 51: 16,17
“For you have no delight in sacrifice; if I were to give a burnt offering, you would not be pleased. The sacrifice acceptable to God is a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.

The Lenten season is upon us. For the next few weeks, the churches that follow the Liturgical Calendar will be sharing in Lenten sacrifices. But, contrary to popular belief, giving up something is not the intent of Lent.

The Psalmist points out how sacrifice alone is not pleasing to God. Just going through the motions of holiness does not bring us closer to God. Showing up at church, reading the bible, while all worthy activities mean nothing if you do not have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. You can fast for 40 days, give up all of your income, live in rags to show how pious you are, and with out giving yourself to Christ, those actions are naught.

Lent is meant to make room for God in our lives. We give up something that takes us away from God. The ultimate abstinence if you will would be to give up our selves. The broken spirit, the one that says I am yours, dear Lord, that is the sacrifice God will rejoice in.

Lent is not a time of self-deprivation, but a time of self-forgetfulness. God’s call to us is to focus on God, not on ourselves.

If you are going to give up something during these 40 days of lent, why not give something to God that God desires most, You.

Amen
Pastor Kent

If you choose

2009-02-10T08:48:00.000-08:00

Mark 1:40 “…if you choose, you can make me clean”.

This excerpt is taken from a discourse between a leper and Jesus. Picture if you will a man, begging to be clean. It would have been so easy for Jesus to just walk the other way. I’m sure the disciples would have rather been somewhere else. In this one statement, the leper expressed his faith in the abilities of Jesus.

“If you choose”, are words not meant to shame our Savior, but to acknowledge that life and death, health and sickness, are all in the realm of his glory. In order to have a full relationship with God, we must realize that it is up to Jesus to make us clean.

As we read on in the story, Jesus chose to make the leper clean. Like the leper, our sins make us unclean. A leper is cast out from society, and sin keeps us away from knowing God fully, yet Jesus chooses to cleanse us so we can know God. Jesus will clean whatever it is, so that we will no longer be cast out from the kingdom.

The only thing separating us from God is our inability to ask Jesus to come into our hearts and wash away the muck and grime that sin has put there. When we ask, we hear those words in verse 41, “I do choose. Be made clean.” The wonderful thing about Jesus is this; He will choose to make you clean.

Have you asked?

Pastor Kent

Resolve

2008-12-30T08:20:00.000-08:00

Joshua 24:15 “ But if serving the Lord seems undesirable for you, then choose for yourselves whom you will serve…”

I know what you are thinking, what a verse to start of the New Year with, but there is a reason for this.

We are entering into a New Year, and with that comes the annual tradition of New Years resolution. Many of you have made resolutions, and many of you have probably already broken them. The question I have is, what is your resolution for your soul?

Joshua told the Israelite nation that they needed to resolve whom they would follow; this was not the time to be wishy-washy. This call comes out to us to resolve whom we will serve, will it be God or the World. Can we resolve to choose to serve God this year, or will we fall off the resolution bandwagon and go back to serving the world.

This year is going to present all sorts of new challenges. We have new leaders; we will have new laws, and new guidelines. There will be new prices, and new unemployment. There will also be new ways to entertain our selves and new ways to get into trouble. But more importantly there will be new ways to minister to the lost and lonely.

Choosing whom we serves will allow us to focus on what is important to us. If we choose to serve the world, the hungry will remain hungry, the poor will remain poor, the lost will stay lost and the sick will die. But, if we choose this day to serve God, then the lame will walk, the blind will see, the lost sheep will be found, the hungry will be fed and the sick will be cured.

The way Joshua’s speech ends is what I pray your response will be, for it is my response. “As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.”

Happy New Year and May God continue His blessings on you.

Pastor Kent

Keep Awake

2008-11-28T09:35:00.000-08:00

P.K.’s Corner
Mark 13:37 “And what I say to you I say to all: Keep Awake”

In Mark, Jesus warns us that when he returns we will not know until it happens. There is no way to guess or be sure of the second coming, so we must be awake and ready for the return. Unfortunately we have forgotten how to stay awake and we have become spiritual sleepwalkers.

Our physical bodies require rest, this gives the body a chance to repair and refresh for the coming day. Even when we sleep, our bodies are hard at work repairing the damage of the day and preparing for the day to come.

In our spirituality, we tend to just sleep and not let our spirit be refreshed. Instead of resting and allowing the spirit to heal, we just shut down and do nothing to strengthen the spirit. We fall asleep, and it is a non-productive sleep.

Our spirits need to be re-energized on a regular basis. This is done through Church attendance, Sunday school, Bible Study, Devotional time and prayer. Only through these activities can our spirit be refreshed and ready for the challenges to come.

In the upcoming season, it is easy to get so caught up in the Christmas preparation that we forget to be ready for the kingdom. We let our spirits lag and fall in disrepair, and then we sleep. Jesus calls us to refresh, not pass-out, to prepare, and not fall down in fatigue, to be ready for the King of Kings.

Are you sleepwalking, or re-energizing?

Pastor Kent

Give Thanks

2008-10-28T06:55:00.000-07:00

Psalms 107:1 O give thanks unto the Lord for he is good, his steadfast love endures forever.

Last night, we had our Charge Conference. For those who may be new to this, this is the meeting where the church gathers to approve paperwork and plans for the coming year. It is also a chance for the District Superintendent to hear what has been happening in the church. During this sharing time I was told to not say a thing and let the members of the church share the good news. Those that were there shared many of the things that we had done over the year.

You, the Doniphan United Methodist Church, have been a loving, caring, committed family for Susan, the kids and I. The love that you expressed last night, and the love you continue to show confirms to me that this is the right place to be.

Throughout this year, Doniphan UMC has gone outside of itself. More kids than ever have attended church camp, for the 2nd time we sponsored a mission camp to an out of state disaster zone. You looked into your hearts and showed the love for the down trodden and handicapped through the PET vehicle project. You have shared in community ministries and have fed and housed over 2 dozen people this year. You have supported the local food pantry and continue to look for ways to help out those less fortunate. In essence God is working through every person in this congregation to reach every person outside of these walls. This is why I give thanks.

This past month, you shared your appreciation for Susan and I with a gift for Pastor Appreciation Month, and we feel truly blessed.

God is truly working here, and will continue, I give thanks for you, for what God is doing through you and for what God will do.

God Bless all of you.

Your Brother in Christ
Pastor Kent

His Will

2008-08-28T07:36:00.001-07:00

PK’s Corner

1John 5:14
And this is the confidence that we have in Him, that, if we ask any thing according to His will, He heareth us. (KJV)

When was the last time we considered God’s will for us? Think about it, when did we last get on our knees and say, “God, I am available for what ever you have for me.” I would hazard to say that it has been a while, if ever.

You see, prayer is not about talking to God, it is about sharing with and listening too God. To follow God, is to desire to do God’s will. We try to tell God what to do, but we fall short in trusting God with our lives.

Trust is the issue. We trust a doctor who “practices” medicine, yet we have a hard time trusting the very person who created us. We know our will, but we do everything we can to avoid learning God’s will. We set up our plans, and curse God when those plans go awry, forgetting that God was not in those plans from the very beginning.

The next time we pray, lets take time to hear God. God is always reaching out to us, through His word, His spirit, His creation. We are the ones without excuse for not doing His will.

Pastor Kent

contentment

2008-07-31T07:51:00.000-07:00

Philippians 4:11 “Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content.” ESV

“It is HOT!” That seems to be the most common phrase of the “dog days” season in Missouri. Temperature and Humidity go through the roof, and the heat index keeps us thinking about how cool we could be if we stayed home. Contentment is hard to find when you are sweaty and hot and uncomfortable.

Paul points to us that he had to learn to be content with whatever situation he was in. When following God, he never knew where he would go next. Sometimes he went to a city just to preach, sometimes he also had to work (making tents) while he was preaching, but all the while he remained content. I believe he remained content because he knew God had a purpose for him.

When we become discontent with our spiritual life, we need to look at what is at the base of that discontent. Have we decided that God is no longer in charge? Have we stopped being in awe of God’s goodness? Have we stopped listening to God’s call for us? Paul remained content because he was always focused on God, so maybe our discontentment is due not to God forgetting us, but because we forgot God.

Yes, we can be content in the heat, and the cold and the uncomfortable, but to be content means accepting God’s way as the only way.

God Blessings to you all.

Pastor Kent

Church

2008-07-01T06:38:00.000-07:00

PK’s Corner
July News Letter
Ephesians 1:23 “And the Church is His body, it is filled by Christ, who fills everything everywhere with His presence.”

The last couple of weeks have been busy, and not just busy, but BUSY. Two weeks ago Susan and I had the privilege of taking 7 youth to Beaumont Texas to assist in Hurricane Rita Clean-up. This past week was Vacation Bible School and 25 adults assisted in teaching 65 Children the love of Christ. It was awesome.

Church was in Beaumont and Church was here at Vacation Bible School. Throughout the summer, Church will be on campgrounds around the country, in cities of urban blight, in communities recovering from floods and famine with the help of the church. Where ever Christ is shown, taught, or spoken, there is church.

We often equate Church as the place we go to one day a week for about an hour, but it is more than that, Church is the body of Christ, and thus is anywhere two or more are gathered in the name of Christ. It isn’t where you are, but why you are. The important thing though is to let yourself be part of the Church.

Wherever you go this summer, keep in mind that you are part of the awesome body of Christ, and when you do anything in the name of Christ he is there.

Pastor Kent

Try, just try

2008-05-29T06:32:00.000-07:00

Matthew 25:25a “So I was afraid”

I must ask your forgiveness for using just a part of the scripture, but actually the whole text is pertinent to the PK’s corner. So when you get a chance look up Matthew 25: 14-30.

We try to wrap out minds around why the 3rd servant was treated so badly, what had he done that was so wrong? He did not lose anything and the master lost nothing, so why the anger?

The answer to this is the 3rd steward did not even try. Life is full of setbacks, disappointments and failed efforts. These are the things that make up the human condition. The worst thing to do is to give up and not try. When the talents were handed out, they were given according to ability. The 5 talent guy, could handle 5 talents, the 2 talent guy could handle 2 talents and the 1 talent guy showed the ability to the master to handle that talent. But the 1 talent guy failed because he was afraid, (at least that was his excuse). Fear of loss, fear of retribution, fear of not winning, all these things figured into his decision to not try. Ultimately his failure to even make an effort caused him to fail.

God encourages us to try, to make an effort, to reach our potential, but too often we don’t try for fear of failing, or looking bad, or just being different. To follow Christ is to put yourself out there, and trust that God will give you the ability to succeed. We cannot stay at home and say, “What’s the use?” Too many people do that already, God calls us to go beyond ourselves and take the one talent and help others.

Imagine the response if the one talent guy bought food for the poor and needy, or helped to build a hospital, or used the talent to pay debts for his workers, that would have been a worthy investment that would have surpassed the 5 talent guy.

It may seem that we have an uphill battle in sharing the Good News, but we have to try, failure to try is not an option.

Amen

Sanctuary

2008-04-29T09:16:00.000-07:00

Psalm 84:2 “Even a sparrow finds a home and a swallow, a nest for herself where she places her young near Your altars, Lord of Hosts, my King and my God.”

As I walked into my office this morning I looked at the tree that is next to the steps. In it was a nest and on that nest sat a mourning dove. Her soft eyes watched me with caution, not sure of my intentions. I just stood and looked at her.

In looking at the location of the nest, it is next to a wall and is protected from the north winds, a good location to raise young. I find it fitting that this dove would find sanctuary so near to God’s house. Eventually other birds will build and are building nests around this place, all seeking protection in the presence of God.

Wouldn’t it be wonderful if we followed the example of this dove, to seek shelter in the presence of God. The community of Christ offers us protection from the harsh winds of the evil one. God offers to cover us as a mother hen would cover her chicks, if we but ask.

As this summer progresses and we go about our lives, do not forget that there is a place of refuge, a place for rest, a place of safety, a place that is part of the body of Christ. Don’t forget the church.

Amen

because you love...

2008-04-24T07:57:00.000-07:00

John 14:15 "If you love me, keep my commandments".

This statement portrays the beauty of the Christian belief. Love. In the laws of Moses, you were commanded to obey. If you did not obey, bad things would happen. You obeyed the Mosaic laws to prosper and to avoid hell.

Many ministers and churches today preach that if you don't live right, you will go to hell, so you must live right in order to get to heaven. Basically a rewards program. But that is not what Jesus taught, he taught love.

Here is another way to read this "Keep my commandments, for no other reason than that you love me." The Love of Christ should be the only motivator for obeying Christ. He tells us that because of his love for us he brings comfort and peace, but that is for those who love him.

We need to ask ourselves, why do we obey Christ, why do we go to church, why do we read the bible? If the answer is not "Because I love God' then we need to do a serious rethink of our faith.

Love is the only reason and motivation to follow Christ. If you love him... well you finish the sentence

Amen

I AM

2008-04-16T07:49:00.000-07:00

John 14:6 "Jesus said to him,"I AM the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the father except through me."

Powerful and often disturbing words. To some these words are elitist, to others the are only for followers of Christ and are not meant for non-believers. I believe that these words are for all. That to truly come in to relationship with God the father, you have to come to the Son first.

Jesus Christ was sent as the final sacrifice of salvation. Christ was able to bridge the chasm between our sinfulness and the perfection of the Father. When we approach God, we must first come to Jesus, for he and only he can be our advocate and only his atoning blood can make us clean.

When we look at the Holy Spirit, we see the comforter who points us to Jesus. We come to Jesus for his saving grace and by believing in him, we are washed white as snow and presented to the Father. The Father has prepared the banquet in which we may feast for eternity.

This offer is given to everyone, no one will be able to say they were not given a chance, the Holy Spirit sees to that. People choose, have chosen and will choose whether to follow the light, or stand in the darkness. The Holy Spirit shines that light to Christ, who is the way.

Paul would later write "That at the name of Jesus every knee will bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the Glory of God the Father" (Philippians 2:10-11) Some will bow in triumph and some in defeat, but there will come a time when the whole world will bow, and confess, because Jesus is THE way THE truth and THE life. There is no other way to come to the Father and share in eternal life.

Amen

In His Prayers

2008-03-26T07:40:00.000-07:00

John: 17:20 " I pray not only for these, but also for those who believe in Me through their message."

One of the statements we as believers share is " you are in my prayers." Often this is said when we find out that someone is in hardship or has fallen on rough times. Today's scripture tells us that we are in Jesus' prayers.

Talk about a wonderful place to be, to be prayed for by the very person to whom we pray, the son of God. When we lift people in prayer, we are also mindful of them, and this verse tells us that Jesus has his thoughts on us. Jesus thinks of us, because he loves us.

This is good news to share, that we have a savior that loves us so much he thinks and prays about us. The world view is, "out of sight out of mind", but God's view is always in sight and mind.

Truly we are loved.

Amen

and Peter too.

2008-03-21T07:25:00.000-07:00

Mark 16:7 " But go, tell His disciples, and Peter to, "He is going ahead of you to Galilee; there you will see HIm, just as He told you.'"

In the passion story, Peter turned on Jesus. Peter thought of himself as Jesus' right hand man, he was the rock of the church, thus the name Peter (a play on the Greek word "Petra" or rock). Here is the one who was the support of Jesus. But on that night before the crucifixion, Peter turned on Christ. In order to save his own skin, Peter denied, denounced and cursed any association with Jesus of Nazareth.

But at the Resurrection, the Angels tell Mary to make sure Peter knows. Why, because even though Peter could not forgive himself, Christ had already forgiven him. Peter was human, and subject to human frailties, and Christ knew the love and strength in Peter's heart. Peter could not live a life of regret for one bad decision.

This is the promise Christ gives to us. He does not expect us to live a life based on our bad decisions. Christ expects us to live a life based on the hope of the resurrection. All we need do is to ask for forgiveness. Christ offers us life and he calls out to his disciples, and you and me too.

Amen

Forget it

2008-02-25T07:07:00.000-08:00

Jeremiah 31:34b
"For I will forgive their wrongdoing and never again remember their sins"

One of the problems of being human is trying to forget the wrongs that are done against us. We forgive, but that memory just seems to keep popping up its ugly head. We find it impossible to truly forget the wrong.

That is what's so awesome about our God. He has the ability to truly forget. When we confess our sins to him, and seek forgiveness, those sins are cast on the sea of forgetfulness. God never brings them up again, because they were paid for on the cross.

You see, to paraphrase a statement I heard, God doesn't hold anything over our heads, because his desire is to hold us in his hands.

God truly can forgive and forget. Go and do likewise.

Amen

Letting God

2008-01-24T07:01:00.000-08:00

Genesis 50:20 "Even though you intended to do harm to me, God intended it for good...".

Oswald Chambers once wrote "God doesn't tell us what He is going to do, He shows us who He is...". When we look at the story of Joseph, it isn't until the end of the book that we come to realize that all that Joseph went through was dictated by God.

When we give ourselves to Christ, we agree to allow God to work in our lives, even if we can't see what the result will be. Heeding God's call is not about what is best for us, but what is best for the Kingdom.

When God is in your life, good is going to be the eventual result. Let God show you who He is.

Amen

Seeing the Kingdom

2008-01-09T07:30:00.000-08:00

Matthew 16:28 "Truly I tell you, there are those standing here who will not taste death before they see the Son of Man coming in his Kingdom" (NRSV)

Something extraordinary happened last Sunday. In a single church building, over 600 people from many diverse Christian denominations gathered to worship, praise and lift up a little girl in prayer.

In Doniphan, the community has come together to build a house that can be used by families with special needs children. It is called the Tiffany House, because of the insperation of one very sick and very loving little girl.

When I stood on that stage and shared with the crowd, I glimpsed the kingdom of God. Because I saw the body of Christ, and felt the moving of God's spirit on that crowd. Gone were the denominational designations, gone was the hurt of church breaks, gone was the animosity of superior belief. We all stood as equals before God, and acknowledged ourselves as made in the image of God.

I ask that you keep this community in your prayers as we long for a continuation of this revival. God is doing great things here, and throughout the world.

Dear Lord, keep the fire of revival lit in your world, and help us to fan the flames so that truly the world will know that thou art God. Amen

tested

2007-12-27T09:04:00.000-08:00

Hebrews 2:18
" Because he himself was tested by what he suffered, he is able to help those who are being tested."

Look into any other religion of the world, and you will not find a God who has gone as far as ours has. God came to earth as a little baby in the incarnation of Jesus Christ. He grew with us, suffered the bodily ailments that come with living. He went hungry and thirsted, and he felt compassion for his children.

The God I serve is one who knows the trials and tests I am going through, because he traveled the same road. As the writer of Hebrew tells us, he is able to help us who are being tested.

We start a new year next week. There will be many tests in the months ahead, but be assured, God is there to go through the tests with you, if you but ask.

Help is right where you are.

Amen

Stones:

2007-12-07T08:29:00.000-08:00

Matthew 3:9 "Do not presume to say to yourselves, 'We have Abraham as our ancestor'; for I tell you, God if able from these stones to raise up children to Abraham' (NRSV)

Many times we look at church as our redemption, or to our parents who go to church as our redemption. It is amazing that when I ask if someone knows Jesus Christ personally and have been saved the answer I get is "Well, I go to church." That isn't what I asked.

Just going to church is not enough to escape the wrath to come, we must have a relationship with Jesus, and the only way to do that is to believe the Jesus is the risen Savior and he will wash away your sins if you ask.

I realize this is a secular blog place but for many of you who may read this in passing, seriously consider where you will spend eternity. God desires your presence at his table, not in the pit. It isn't enough to be good, or go to church, you must believe. In this season of advent, look forward to the kingdom that is coming and believe.

God's love to you all
Pastor Kent

Get Ready

2007-11-30T09:37:00.000-08:00

Matthew 24:44 "therefore you also must be ready for the Son of Man is coming at an unexpected hour"

If you read this whole passage, it can put a scare into you, until you realize that Jesus is talking about life. He talks about how two will be working in a field and one will be taken, and the other left, or two women will be grinding and one will be taken and the other left. This is more about everyday life than about the end times.

Humans are finite beings, that means we have a beginning and an end. We don't know when that end will come, so we must always be ready for it. For the Christian, that means prayer, worship, praise, and sharing the Good News. We don't know when we will die, and we don't know when others will die, all we know is that we must spread the Good News.

The sad thing is when a friend you plan on witnessing to dies before you get a chance to share with them. That very thought should be enough to break our hearts. Christ desires for no one to be condemned, He desires for all of his children to feast at the banquet, but there will be those who will choose not to go. We do not choose for them, but we are to give them the chance to say yes or no to Christ.

During this Advent Season, let's give of our selves and share the good news, so that everyone can be prepared.

Amen
Pastor Kent

Thanks

2007-11-20T12:26:00.000-08:00

Psalm 107:1
"Give thanks unto the Lord for he is good, his love endures forever"

Thanksgiving, the time of year where we stop to remember what it is we have to be thankful for. In the next couple of days, we will either be traveling, or preparing for travelers. Our families and/or friends will be coming to a feast and turkey and dressing will be abundant.

At least that is the traditional idea. For many, it will be a time of loneliness and hunger. For many it will be a hard time trying to think of something to be thankful for. For those who have lost loved ones, it will be a lonely time, for those who are sick, it will be a painful time How do we share God in times like these?

We do it by sharing of ourselves. Yes, we have family, but is it bad to open our doors to non-family? Yes we have friends, but is it bad to open our doors to new friends? We who believe, know God is good, but what of those who don't know God?

God's love endures forever, but it only shows itself through those who love their neighbor. Go and be that person.
AMEN

Don't get tired

2007-11-14T10:35:00.000-08:00

2 Thessalonians 3:13
"Brothers and sisters, do not be weary in doing what is right." (NRSV)

"We were doing that, but it didn't do any good, so we stopped". How many times have we heard this or a similar phrase? How many good programs have stopped because people got tired of not seeing results?

Successful ministry is a difficult thing to measure. Too often, the mainline denominations measure success by the number of people in the pews on Sunday, or the amount of money in the coffers, but is that the true idea of Christian success? I wonder.

Churches are responsible for doing good things, and this does not stop just because the church did not get a pat on the back. We are called by Christ to love our neighbor and therebye are called to do everything we can to share that love. Getting tired and being retired is not an excuse. If we call ourselves Christian, then we are to run the race in full, not just halfway.

A baseball coach tells the players to run hard all the way to the base, because there is no guarantee that the baseman will catch the ball. God calls us to run and work hard all the way, because this world needs to hear the Good News, and there is a lot of work to do.

Don't get tired and keep on going until you hear the master say "Well Done!"
Amen

Good Paths

2007-11-06T12:09:00.000-08:00

Jeremiah 6:16
"... stand by the roadways and look. Ask about the ancient paths: Which is the way to what is good? Then take it and find rest for you lives..."

This is one of my favorite verses, because it encourages us to look to the old ways, or ancient teachings for the good way. I believe God is telling us that the old truths are still the truth, and just as God is never changing, so His word is never changing.

We live in a modern world, and many in this world are willing to say the Bible is an archaic book that teaches nothing relevant to our lives. But, what the world does not realize is that the basic teaching of the Bible is "Love the Lord, and Love your neighbor". The Bible is a love story of a creator for his creation. The act of Jesus coming to earth and dying on a cross is an act of love that has no boundaries.

To me, the Bible is the good path, and thus it brings rest. All that is necessary for salvation is found between the covers of the Bible. This good path is ours by God's grace.

Heavenly Father
Creator of Love
Maker of Earth
And all that's above.
Guide us down
The path that is best
And bring us home
To your Heavenly Rest.
Amen

A Glimpse

2007-10-30T09:21:00.000-07:00

Luke 9:27 "I tell you the truth, some people standing here will see the kingdom of God before they die".

Have you seen the kingdom of God, or have you been too busy to notice it? The world would have us put on blinders that keep us from seeing the awesome reality of our God. I have seen glimpses of the Kingdom. Sometimes its a glimpse through a child's smile, or in the prayer of a friend. Sometimes I get a glimpse of the kingdom in watching people come together to help out another, or just in holy conversation.

The point is, the kingdom is here and is coming. God provides us many opportunities to see and be apart of the kingdom. So look around you and notice the kingdom of God.

Amen
Pastor Kent

Children of God

2007-10-29T10:56:00.000-07:00

Job 22:27 "You will pray to him and he will hear you."

On Mondays, I make rounds at the local nursing home. My final stop on the rounds is the Alzheimer's unit. All to often the conversation with the residents is broken thoughts and imagined stories. Many of these people came from fruitful full lives, and now you see shadows of former selves.

I was honored with an invitation to share in lunch at this unit. The head nurse asked me to pray. The thing I found was that many of the residents stopped what they were doing or saying when they heard it was time to pray. A few of them even said AMEN with me.

I was blessed to see that God is still acting in these peoples lives. Even though their minds are wondering some distant place, God is still walking with them. They still feel God's presence, even if they don't know where they are.

It also showed me that you never know what the future may hold, but that when you call upon God, he will hear you.

God's blessings to you

Pastor Kent

God vs. the world

2007-10-26T17:10:00.000-07:00

Psalms 2:2 "The kings of the earth stand up and the rulers take counsel together: against the Lord and against his Anointed.

The interesting thing about this verse is it was written 3000 +/- years ago. David is the reputed author, (and I do not doubt that).

The world today seems to have so many rulers and kings ready to stand against God. These are the same people God created, and his creation is in rebellion. My question is why? Why do so many people seem to hate, or at best disregard God?

In exploring world religions, I have found on thing in common with all religions and uncommon in Christianity. That word is control. Every non-Christian and non-Judaic religion is based on power and keeping someone under control. Whether it is the caste system of the Hindu or the extremism of Islam, it boils down to an issue of control over the populace.

Christianity is different. Christ sees in us all an image of creation. This is the image we are made in. Man, Woman and Child are all equally precious in his sight. Where others would kill, Christ calls for us to heal. Where others call for doing harm, Christ calls for giving hope. Where others seek revenge, Christ calls us to forgive. This call to love is frightening and threatening to those in power.

But what is even more threatening is the idea of selflessness. Christians are called to love our neighbor, and to meet the needs of others before we see to the needs of our self. We are called to be servants. Christ washed feet, and we are to do likewise. I hazard the thought that no other founder of the world religions would give their life for people they did not know, but Christ did. (Yes and he does know them.)

We are called to love, and through this love, no matter how many times the kings and rulers take counsel, God's love will always be triumphant.

God's Love to you

Pastor Kent

opportunity

2007-10-25T08:00:00.000-07:00

Luke 18:9-14

I just finished reading the parpable of the Pharisee and the tax collector, and I realized that the Pharisee failed in a way we may not have considered. The Pharisee had an opportunity to share the love of God with the tax collector.

I wonder how often we miss those opportunities. How many times have we praised God for not letting us be like that person who is living on the street, or the person who is in trouble?

We are called to make disciples, and preach the good news to all nations. We are called to love God and show that love by loving our neighbor.

My prayer is that God will remove the blinders from our eyes and help us to recognize all the opportunities that God gives us to share his love with our brothers and sisters around the world.

Yes, we are blessed, but through that blessing we are called to be a blessing.

Prayer:
Lord, open our eyes, to see the needs, open our hearts to hear the cries, open our hearts to lead us to lift up, heal, feed, clothe, and help all those in need. Let our lives be the proof of your love in this world. AMEN

Just a note, those of your who are members of the Doniphan UMC are welcome to make comments and such about the service or ideas that will improve our worship and service.
thanks

Pastor Kent

A new day:

2007-10-24T06:09:00.000-07:00

Have you ever had a problem with your self-esteem. It seems we listen to people and they are quick to tell us our problems. I find my self complimenting my children on a game well played and then in the same breath saying "But you could have..." In my own experience, I was hurt to hear the conditional compliment and yet I do the same thing with my children.

But regardless of what people say I am reminded of a scripture passage in Genesis "So God created human beings in His image, in the image of God, He created them male and female" (Genesis 1:27 NCV).

As a created being in God's image, we are made in the likeness of God, and thus our image is blessed. Sometimes it is hard to see that blessedness when we feel so low. God continues to tell us that he loves us. We are of such great worth that He is willing to die for us.

Low self-esteem will keep lifting its ugly head throughout our life, but God is always there to remind us how precious and beautiful we truly are. We just need to listen.

Have a good and Godly Day.

Pastor Kent

1st time

2007-10-23T09:58:00.000-07:00

Here goes! This blog is not going to be about me, but about getting the word of God out to others. Many of the opinions expressed on this blog will be mine and they will be prayerfully applied. For those of you that read this, feedback is welcome, I hope that God can work through me so that this will be an edifying and blessed sight.

Each day we have a choice as to whom we will serve, Joshua presented and ultimatum to the Hebrews and then stated that no matter what, he and his family will serve the Lord. (see Joshua 24:15). We all have that same choice, and it is a daily choice. Prayer, bible study, holy conversation, doing good deeds, all show whom you serve. Choose and choose wisely for the choice you make today, will affect your eternity.