Shelter

PK’s Corner                                                                                                                     May 2013

Psalm 61:4 “Let me abide in your tent forever,
find refuge under the shelter of your wings”.

Yesterday, I looked out of my window and noticed that in the bush just outside a nest had been built, and on the nest was a Mourning Dove.  She sat there in that place of relative safety and quiet warming her eggs.  She was looking at the window and may have spied me, but she remained calm and quiet.

The bush outside is in a sheltered place.  It is on the end of the house where there is shelter from the wind and rain.  This is probably the best place for a nest and this bird knew that.

God offers us refuge in a world that is fraught with storms and upheavals.  But we seem to desire standing in the storm than finding shelter in God’s wings.  When you consider that almost one half of the people in any given town is unchurched, then you must realize that there are many who do not know what true shelter is.

God calls us to abide in him, to seek protection from the storms of life and find refuge in his holiness.  Why do we not listen, and for those of us that do, why are we not sharing that good news with others?

God calls out to us to take shelter, to ease our burdens and to simply believe on him.  I pray that someday we can all find refuge under the shelter of his wings, but until then, we need to show people where that refuge is.

The Mourning Dove got it right, why can’t we?

Amen

Ministry

PK’s Corner                                                   

 July 2012       

Isaiah 41:10 “Do not be afraid, for I am with you, do not be afraid, for I am your God…”

On June 9, 2012, a stage in my journey of faith and ministry came to a junction.  I was ordained an Elder in full connection in the United Methodist Church.  This event was the culmination of 7 years of seminary, 4 years of preparation, 3 years of provisional status and untold hours of prayer by me and those around me.  All this was within 13 years of ministry as a local pastor.

The route to ordination is not an easy one, nor is it meant to be. It is one that requires much study and soul searching.  There are many times of disappointment, heart break and questioning of God’s call in our lives.  Yet through it all a still small voice said to me “Fear not, I am with you, be not dismayed…”  It has been a long journey, and it is just the beginning.

Now a new chapter begins, one that calls me to be more accountable, more careful, more caring and more passionate about the flock.  Now I stand not just before a congregation, but I answer for the whole church.  Now I am an authority where before I was under the authority.

The implications of ordination for me are awesome to contemplate.  The world to which  I am called to minister is bigger, the issues more profound, and the urgency more severe.  But that is the call I answered and will follow.

We are all called to ministry in the church, some to ordained, others to service, others to love, but all are called.  For me, my path is before me, to go where God calls the church to send me, to make disciples for the salvation of the world.  But what about your path, what has God called you to do.  Have you heard the still small voice that says “fear not”?  Have you trusted in God to hear his call for your life?

I challenge you to listen to God and to his call for your life.  Ordination may not be for everyone, but everyone is called to serve God, what is your call?

Amen

Know It

PK's Corner   May 2012                             

Hosea 4:6 “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge”.

“A little knowledge can do a lot of damage”, I heard this statement once from a doctor who had just finished treating an infected wound.  The patient felt he knew enough to heal the wound, but he was incomplete in the cleaning, and the wound became infected.

Our spiritual journey runs the risk of being an infected wound.  If we are not continuing our learning and growing in Christ, then we run the risk of being “destroyed for lack of knowledge”.

In the world today, there is much incomplete knowledge of the bible and its teachings.  Many times we quote the bible only to find out our quote wasn’t even in the bible to begin with.  Pride also steps up and even in us ministers; we will neglect our studies because we feel we “know it all”.

We can never know it all and that is why Christians must be constant in study.  God is worthy of knowing, and learning about.  We cannot rely on our own abilities to share the Good News of Christ; we must study constantly so we can share the word, for all things necessary for salvation are in the bible.  There is no secret knowledge, it is all available to us, but we must be willing to study and grow in Christ.

Lack of knowledge will destroy a church and a soul.  If we act without knowledge of Christ, we run the risk of sharing a limited savior to a world that needs all of Christ.  

If you proclaim to know Christ, then get to know him.  Prayer, study, worship, service, praise, are just a few of the hallmarks of a true Christian life.  Don’t neglect your studies, because the world needs to know the truth.

Amen

Peace

PK’s Corner :                                                         March 2012




Mark 4:39 “He woke up and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, ‘Peace! Be still!’ Then the wind ceased, and there was a dead calm.”

The world is not a peaceful. Political, social and economic events are over riding the spiritual peace in our lives. Watching friends and family hurt because of the storms in life brings the storm into our own lives.

All too often we go to Jesus in prayer and scream at the top of our lungs, “don’t you care that we are about to drown and die”. Our lives are so busy and we try to make ends meet and things are not working out.

Jesus’ response to us, “Peace, be still”, these are not words to take lightly, for what storm will swallow the savior, and what bad can overcome the blessing of Christ. Christ can bring peace, but we need to listen to that still peaceful voice.

Later Jesus would say ‘Peace, be with you” and he gives us peace, but we have to be open to it. The storms of life are nothing compared to the peace of Christ. The world cannot give us peace nor does it want to, for the world has kicked up the storm. Only Christ can give true peace and calm the storms in our life.

Let you heart be open, be not afraid, let Christ give you peace. If you give him your all; your fears, your concerns, your regrets, your hopes, your dreams, and yes your life, then you will truly feel the peace of Christ.



Amen

Fear not.

PK’s Corner February 2012



Isaiah 41:10 “Do not fear, for I AM with you…for I am your God. I will strengthen you…”



As we continue in our journey through this New Year, there is still an element of fear. We fear the unknown. We fear the power of others. For many of us, there is an innate fear of the political process.

But that doesn’t need to be. Isaiah, sharing Gods word to Judah, reassures them of God’s presence in their lives. There was much to fear then, nations sought to conquer and destroy the people of God and yet God says, “I AM with you.”

God is with us, always, there is no need to fear. Jesus even assured us before going into heaven that he would be with us “even to the end of the age.” We are never alone, and we need not fear what tomorrow will bring, for God is with us and God will strengthen us.
Are you living in fear, is the night too dark, or the road too harsh, turn to God, for God is our strength and redeemer. With God there is no need to fear, there is only wonder, awe and absolute love.

Do not fear, for God is near.

Amen

Begin again

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

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

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

Romans and Christians

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

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

Not Enough?

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

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

War?

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

Benediction

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

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

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

      

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

Living Redeemer

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

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

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