Who is this?

Luke 2:11 "For unto is born this day in the City of David, A Saviour, who is the Messiah, the Lord."

It was dark, the announcement told

To people standing in the cold

Wondering why the light and shout

What could be so great for angels to come out?

 

A child is born, a savior give

Sent to die so we could live

But where is this child of fuss?

Why come yelling to folks like us?

 

In Bethlehem, Oh little town

In a Stable cold and brown

Find the babe, yes babe I said

Lying in a manger bed.

 

This makes no sense,

To send us thence

For a king in no manger should lie

With cattle giving the lullaby

 

This boy will indeed grow

And as a man will show

How sins need not kill

For death is not God’s will.

 

In all this time of mess and fuss

The child still comes to us

Calling us to believe and obey

For God was in that manger hay.

 

From Susan, Gavin, Lexi, Abby and Me, Merry Christmas everyone.  May God shower you with blessings in this season and all the year through. 

The Mount

PK’s Corner                                                

October 2014

Mark 9:2 …”Jesus took with him Peter and James and John, and led them up a high mountain apart, by themselves”...

I consider Oswald Chambers one of the greatest devotional writers ever.  I regularly go to “My Utmost for His Highest” for guidance and support.  On this 1st day of October he expresses an issue near to my heart.

It is the mountain top.  Jesus led his disciples to the top of the mountain to take time to be apart from the world.  He didn’t take them all, only a small portion of the group.   It was there that they encountered God, on God’s term.  It was there they saw the truth of eternity.   Though Peter wanted to stay, Jesus told them they needed to go back into the valley.

Chambers tells us that we are not made for the mountain; we are made for the valley.  “We are built for the ordinary stuff we are in and it is there we prove our mettle.”  We go to the mountain not to be taught, but to be made. 

There are 4 campgrounds in Missouri owned by the Missouri Annual Conference.  We have been informed that those campgrounds will be shut down.  I won’t get into particulars or such, but suffice it to say that many are upset and hurt.  We who support camping on those campgrounds are being told we should not worship property.  But, it is not about property worship, it is about Holy Places.

Jesus took the disciples up the mountain because although God is in the world, they needed a far off place to encounter God a Holy Place.  A Holy Place is somewhere set aside to encounter God.  We need Holy Places, we need set apart areas, and we need mountains with campgrounds on them.  We need to encounter God on God’s terms.

Places set aside for God are places where we can be made.  It is there that we are prepared for the valley. 

I ask you to pray for our Camp Program, our Camp committee and our Bishop as they all try to navigate this tumultuous sea.  Maybe the decision can be reversed and we can continue encountering God in these Holy Places.  If not, then pray that we listen to God for his will.  God will make a way to encounter Him.

Amen

 

A Portion Meant for Mission

September 2014

Matthew 25:37

Then the righteous will answer him, “Lord, when was it that we saw you hungry and gave you food, or thirsty and gave you something to drink?

 

I am a United Methodist Minister, and I am glad, and maybe a little bit proud, to be part of such a wonderful organization.  As of right now, there are over 13 million members worldwide.  The UMC is in North and South America, Asia, Russia, Europe, England, Australia, the Philippines, Africa and other parts of the world.  The exciting thing is while we are worldwide; each church supports every other church in ministry and mission.

While I serve this church in Doniphan, I share in serving churches all around the world.  Many decisions of ministry that are made here will affect members thousands of miles away.  This denomination supersedes race and color while focusing on sharing the Word of God and meeting the needs of our brothers and sisters.

The UMC is often one of the first to arrive at a place of disaster.  We are usually the last to leave as we support those in need.  Right now we have representatives in harm’s way in areas where there is war and Ebola.  Currently there are members of the UMC preparing to go to earthquake stricken areas around the world.   We also minister in areas of unrest in our own neighborhoods.  In Ferguson we have ministers and counselors behind the scenes trying to bring about peace and reconciliation. 

We are a connectional church.  As part of that connection, we are our brothers and sisters keepers.  We are called to love our neighbors and that means supporting them in any way we can.  We have a program called Apportionments.  It is through this giving that we can do all the ministries we are called to do.  Apportionment is a way that each church can share in these overwhelming ministries to the world.  With the apportionment program, we can end hunger, quench thirst and bring better living conditions to people around the world.  We can offer education and reconstruction.  We can help people be the people God has called them to be.

Whether you are a part of Doniphan UMC or another church, please take time to learn and support the missional giving opportunities.  We live in a time where even a drink of water in God’s name will bring people to Christ.  Let’s offer that water and bring Christ to everyone.

Amen

Fox in the Henhouse

PK’s Corner                                                  Fox in the Hen House

August 2014

II Timothy 4:3-4 “For the time is coming when people will not put up with sound doctrine, but having itching ears, they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own desires, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander away to myths.”

Foxes are clever creatures.  They find ingenious ways to secure food for themselves and their litters.  Sometimes they have been known to hide in the hen house of an unsuspecting farmer, only to kill a chicken or take off with eggs.  Having a fox in the hen house is a formula for disaster.

So it is with the church.  Today most of our leaders are truly sincere in their faith.  They preach the Gospel and show us the way to live in Christ.  They encourage dialogue and gathering in Christian settings.  They acknowledge the Cross and realize that we are all sinners, without one plea.  They teach and preach a God of love and hope.  They show how to change in Christ and how to have a deeper relationship with Christ.  They teach dependence on Christ and love for one another.  These are the ones who focus on becoming more like Christ,   but… 

There are a few foxes that have taken or have been given leadership roles.  They are in it, not for the glory of God, but to justify their own sins and wants.  These are the ones who try to tell us that what is said in the Bible doesn't really apply to us, it was for another time.  They try to convince us that the Bible is an archaic collection of stories and myths.  They ignore or even deny the cross and what was done there. They try to teach a “new” understanding that turns out to be the same old rhetoric used to justify their particular cause.  These are the ones who focus on making Christ more like them.

This is nothing new.  In fact in Paul’s day he felt he needed to encourage Timothy to stick to what he knew, even when others wanted something else.  There is hope.  We as a church can say “Enough”.  As a congregation, we can demand the Gospel be preached in the pulpits.  We can say we want Orthodoxy (right teaching) not Pop Psychology.  We can say no to the world and yes to the Risen Christ.

Only by focusing on God in all things, joining together in worship and study, can we even hope to keep the fox out of the hen house.  But although the fox is in the henhouse, Christ is at work redeeming the world.  And that is GOOD NEWS.

Amen

 

vacation

PK’s Corner                                                  

June 2014

Hebrews 10:25   ^“Don’t stop meeting together with other believers, which some people have gotten into the habit of doing. Instead, encourage each other, especially as you see the day drawing near.”  (CEB)

“School’s out, School’s out, teacher let the mules out.  One jumped in, one jumped out and one jumped in the sour kraut”.  Thus went a rhyme my grandmother taught me to celebrate the last day of school.  The longing for freedom from teachers, books and forced activities seemed to come to fruition.   Even today, as adults, we look forward to the “vacation” season.  We plan trips for the family, outings on the rivers and lakes in our area.  We plan as much leisure time as we can fit into the 104 days of summer vacation.  But soon we are back in the fall schedule of school, and work and indoor activities.

While we may take a vacation from work and school, and look forward to separate ourselves from the ordinary life, we need to remember that God is not taking a vacation from us.   I realize for many, attending church is not even on their radar as they make the vacation plans, but it should be.

You see, we should never take a vacation away from the ones we love, and if we love God, then God should be part of our vacation plans.  If we claim Christ as our savior, then Christ should be considered in our planning.  Vacation time is a perfect time to see other congregations, to see different ways of worship and explore new ways to get closer to God.  Even as a minister, I make it a point to attend church when we travel, and I find it refreshing and enlightening. 

I encourage you to make Worship and going to Church part of your vacation plans.  I know you will find it refreshing, invigorating and restful, because when we can be where God is, we are refreshed.

Enjoy your summer, but keep God in it.

Amen. 

 

For whom the promise is…

PK’s Corner                                          

May 2014

 

Acts 2:39 “³⁹For the promise is for you, for your children, and for all who are far away, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to him.’

Resurrection day has past.  It was a day of celebration and of hope.  Many churches were full to overflowing.  Vatican City saw record crowds as people waited to hear the words of the Pope.  In Jerusalem, Christians celebrated with prayer and praise from sun up to sun down.  Around the world people celebrated the resurrected Lord.

Have you ever really thought about who Christ died for?  Have you ever considered the ramifications of eternal life?  Have you really thought about who God wants in heaven?

Noted scholar and teacher, David Lowes Watson, once stated that God is at work saving the universe.  The resurrection of Jesus Christ proves that, for the resurrection is meant to give EVERYONE hope in life eternal.  Hope is universal, but it will not be received universally.  There are many who will refuse the hope and salvation that comes from Jesus Christ.  To hope for universal redemption is to hope that everyone will have a relationship with Christ.  The reality is, many will never desire to know Christ, nor will they want to serve him. For us, who are believers, this is not an excuse, but a call to action to share the Good News of Jesus Christ with everyone we encounter.

As followers of Christ, we are called to offer Christ to all people, everywhere we go.  We are called to share the Good News of a Risen Savior, and the promise of eternal life.  We are to tell the world that God is a God of mercy and love, not a god of retribution and punishment.  Easter is meant for all people, not just the few, but for everyone.

Now is the time to join with the saints of the ages both past and present and proclaim the empty tomb, the risen Christ, and life everlasting.  Do not be silent, but shout it out; Christ lives so we may have life.  This promise is for you, for your children and for all who are far away…

Amen

 

Irregular

PK’s Corner                                                  

April 2014

Acts 17: “And Paul went in, as was his custom, and on three sabbath days argued with them from the scriptures,”

 

It’s that time of year again.  It is the time of year to prepare to go to church.  It seems for a vast number of people attendance to church is a twice a year thing, with a few special events added in.  The crowds at Easter and Christmas is often double, triple and even quadruple the number of people that go to church on a weekly basis.

 

Why is that?  When we read about Paul and the other apostles we see that they are in worship as much as possible.  The founder of Methodism, John Wesley, worshiped as often as he could and encourages us to do the same, yet we have this disparity of attendance throughout the year.

 

Using the excuse of work or no time doesn’t really cut it because when you look at the sports arenas and other venues of entertainment on the Lord’s day, you will see capacity crowds, (granted there are exceptions like the White Sox and the Met’s games).  Still why is it that people limit the amount of time they are in God’s presence?

 

Our God is a God that desires to be with us, and wants us to be with him.  He has made himself available through his son Jesus the Christ.  But for whatever reason we seem to think of worship as a burden.

 

Worship is a gift, gathering together to discuss and learn and yes, argue over scripture is a gift that Christ died to offer us.  We are blessed to be able to worship and gather in God’s name.

 

For those of you that worship regularly, God bless you, you know of the blessing I am talking about.  For those that are irregular in worship, try it more often.  Worship brings us together in the presence of God, and we are lifted up while lifting up one another.

 

Don’t let this Easter be one of the two times you go to church.  Make worship of God your priority.  I mean after all you are God’s priority.

 

Amen

Meeting

March 2014

Hebrews 10:24-25 “And let us consider how to provoke one another to love and good deeds, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day approaching.”

 

Lent is almost upon us.  That time of year we use to reflect on the past year’s shortcomings, and focus on Christ’s love and forgiveness in our lives.  Ash Wednesday starts it off on March 5^th, and for the next 40 days, we are called to repent and renew our commitment to Christ. 

 

Don’t you find it interesting that the writer of Hebrews encourages us to provoke one another to love and good deeds and to meeting together?  If you look in the average house of Worship, you will find many an empty seat.  But most people in our communities say they have a faith in God yet refuse to join in corporate worship. 

 

 I believe too many people are convinced that they can worship God without being in community, and that is totally wrong.  John Wesley once said that there is no holiness but social holiness, and contrary to the belief of many in our denomination, that did not mean that social work was to take precedence over worship.  Wesley knew how important it is for us to gather as fellow believers.  He insisted on weekly meetings and weekly worship services.   For the pastors, there was the quarterly and annual conferences to strengthen the connection.  At no point were we ever to go it alone.   It seems in America today, many of us want to be spiritual lone wolves and act like John Wayne, (okay Church Norris) in our worship.  We feel the need to go it alone. 

 

But, Hebrews tells us differently.  We are to meet together, to provoke one another, to encourage one another. 

 

Brothers and Sisters, you do not have to be alone.  God has provided a faith community for you.   You who are believers are called to meet and encourage and you too will be encouraged.  During this coming Lenten season, commit to meeting and provoke others to share in worship and study.  Continue to pray for one another and the church and may God bless you always.

 

Amen

Disciple

February 2014

Luke 6:13 “And when day came, he called his disciples and chose twelve of them, whom he also named apostles”:

When you ask what we as Christians are supposed to be doing, the answer should be making disciples.  The problem with that answer is two-fold; first, what is a disciple and second, how can we make disciples if we refuse to be disciples?

In regard to the first problem, my definition of a disciple is a follower of Christ who is so into Christ that everything he/she strives to do reflects Christ.   As a Methodist, we are in constant training to love God with all our heart, soul, and mind and to love our neighbor as ourselves.  We don’t always get it right, but becoming a disciple is a continual process it is not a onetime thing.

The second problem, (pardon the redundancy) is more problematic.  How can we make disciples if we ourselves will not become disciples?  Attending church once a week is not being a disciple.  Doing a good deed here and there is not being a disciple.  Just being a nice person is not being a disciple.  If we truly desire to make disciples for Christ, then we must become disciples of Christ and that requires following Christ, knowing Christ, learning from Christ and listening to Christ.

 How can we expect someone to take up a cross that we refuse to bear? The Pharisees did that and you know where that got them.  How can we expect someone to learn something if we refuse to study?  How can we expect people to have a deep relationship with Christ if we are not willing to dive into that very relationship?

I have heard that not everyone can be a disciple, but I believe that is a flawed statement.  I believe everyone is called to be a disciple in the context God has for them.  I believe that every person that we come in contact with can be a disciple, but we must first be disciples. I also believe that if our churches truly desire to be disciples, then you will see a revival of epic proportions.  If we truly desire to follow Christ, then the world will change, hunger will be no more, poverty a memory, homelessness a thing of the past.  Following Christ will change everything.

Ultimately becoming a disciple is a response to Christ’s act of salvation in our lives.  So now is the time to respond to what Christ has done in your life, and bring others to him.  Let’s be the disciples Christ is calling us to be.

Amen