Vol 4 No 19 - Heritage

On May 24, a young (35) pastor went to a small group meeting for prayer and study, and, well, let me quote his journal entry for the day:

In the evening I went very unwillingly to a society in Aldersgate Street, where one was reading Luther's Preface to the Epistle to the Romans.  About a quarter before nine, while he was describing the change which God works in the heart through faith in Christ, I felt my heart strangely warmed.  I felt I did trust in Christ, Christ alone for salvation, and an assurance was given me that he had taken away my sins, even mine, and save me from the law of sin and death.

Little could anyone imagine the absolute change upon the world this one incident held in a London meeting room would have on the world.  I doubt anyone could truly grasp the magnitude that John Wesley's conversion would have not only in the life of the world then, but the impact that it has had even in your own life, for out of this experience John & his brother Charles would be led to form the Methodist movement.

This Sunday, May 24, 2009, we will be observing Heritage Sunday in the life of our congregation.  Rev. Lynn Malone will be our guest preacher for the day, and Lynn will be preaching to us about the importance of building upon the foundation laid for us long ago.

As Rev. Wesley learned 271 years ago, one never knows what God will do when the faithful gather.  This being a holiday weekend, it may be tempting to 'take a pass' on worship; we would be wise to take advantage of every opportunity we can to be in worship and fellowship with the body of Christ.  After all, note that Wesley went 'very unwillingly', and went on to have God do some truly transformational work that has impacted you over 270 years later.

What's God ready to do with your unwillingness?

See you Sunday!

Lamar

Vol 4 No 18 - Responsible Parenting

While looking over my cell phone bill the other day, I ran across a notice a notice that offered an optional plan called "Smart Limits for Wireless" available to parents who would like to control a number of things on the plans in their account, including:

1. Number of text and instant messages

2. Dollar amount of downloadable purchases
(ringtones, games & more)

3. Amount of Web browsing usage allowed per billing cycle

4. Times of day the phone can be used for messaging, browsing and outbound calling

5. Who the phone can call or text (incoming and outgoing) by blocking or allowing certain numbers

6. The access of content inappropriate for children

As I go through this list, I can see a number of relieved and satisfied parents who take advantage of this to be responsible parents, and I see a number of frustrated children who know that mom & dad 'just don't get it.'  But I also see a parallel to the relationship between God and the people of God.

Even the most well-meaning of Christians at time chafe under the expectations that have been laid out for those of the Christian faith.  Due to the life that we have been called to pursue, we cannot always do what we want when we want.  Through our submission of our will to God's, we too have limits under which we operate - many at times that get in the way of our desires.  We have the responsibility to, in all things, seek God with all that we have, and offer to him all that we are.

Much like children who chafe under restrictions that are placed on them by parents, the people of God have a long history of rebelling against God's guidance and direction.  However, thank God that there are guidelines for our lives - that we are not just out there to do what we want.  Like responsible parents, God places limits on the desires of our flesh not to oppress us, not to be 'unfair', not because God 'doesn't get it', but because God's love for us is also a protective love that seeks to have what's best in store for us, even when we cannot see those things for ourselves.

See you Sunday!

Lamar

Vol 4 No 17 - Mother's Day

Normally, your Mid-Week Message is composed on Wednesday mornings, but while sitting here watching television with Erin this evening, I saw the most ridiculous commercial that got us talking about worship this Sunday.  One of the seemingly endless jewelry store ads shown during this week every year, it reminded viewers that "You only have one day to celebrate mom - so make it special."  How utterly stupid and absolutely contrary to not only good sense and manners, but also to the Christian faith that we profess to live under.  This mindset, however, is one of the reasons why this Sunday, Mother's Day, is one of the most dangerous for pastors and also one of the most misunderstood days in the life of the church.

I will never forget the first Mother's Day that I had in my first post-seminary appointment.  We were in the midst of the Easter season, and I preached from the lectionary texts for the day.  It was about two o'clock that afternoon when my phone rang, and the matriarch of the congregation was on the phone asking me why I did not preach about mothers on Mother's Day.  Who did I think I was?  After all, "People go to church on Mother's Day with mom expecting a sermon on motherhood, moms, and how great it all is."  Her tone indicated that there was no way I could give an answer that would satisfy her, but she did get me thinking:

How should we communicate to people that the church is to be a place of worship - worship of God, not anyone else (even mom)?  

How should we communicate that if you have to wait until Mother's Day to let mom know how much she means to you then you don't have much of a relationship with mom to begin with?  

How should we communicate that when the church makes a big deal about the oldest mother and the youngest mother that chances are very good that there are women sitting in the pews who are inwardly weeping (if they show up at all on this day) because they know that they will never be a mother, never have a chance at the award for oldest, youngest, or most prolific mother?  

How do we communicate that while Mother's Day is the day on which the most phone calls are made that there are women in our midst who will not get that phone call from a beloved child this year because they had to endure every mother's nightmare of outliving their child?  

How do we communicate that there are many mothers and children who have no relationship at all and all that this day does is bring pain and sorrow for pain that in some cases goes back decades?  

How do we communicate this message to those for whom for whom Mother's Day is hard because they will not be able to call mom this year since mom has passed away?

This Sunday, as is the case every Sunday, we will gather to worship God.  We will gather to give thanks for everything that God has done, is doing, and will do.  Mother's Day will be recognized - but in the context of a God who is much bigger than anything we can imagine.  Let us remember that Sunday, like every day, is not about any one or anything but the triune God.

Planning to make a big deal about mom on Mother's Day?  Why wait.  Call mom now.  Write mom now.  Send flowers now.  Don't wait to be prompted by Madison Avenue.  Planning to hide from the world on Mother's Day because of the pain of the day?  Know that I am in prayer for you now.

Either way, join us for worship this Sunday as we explore again the God who not only provides the great things in life, but also is big enough to get us through the most difficult times in life.

See you Sunday!

Lamar

(Ed. Note: This column originally appeared in the May 9, 2007 edition of the Mid-Week Message.  In what is becoming an annual tradition, it is re-published today for your reflection and consideration as you prepare to come for worship this week.  Be sure to read below the article for important information about upcoming activities in our congregation.)