Vol 5 No 23 - Ordinary?

It can get lost in all the buzz, can't it?  So many things going on - a three-day weekend, school letting out in many places, summer travel season starting, gas prices rising, vacation planning - you get the picture.  Especially this year, we can forget a most important component of our weekend celebration, one that should be a focal point of this weekend's activities.

I am, of course, talking about Trinity Sunday.  Having celebrated Pentecost Sunday last weekend, we are now in what has historically been known as Ordinary Time - that season from now until Christ the King Sunday where we live out a life in anticipation of Christ's second coming.  The first of these Sundays is known as Trinity Sunday.  We particularly celebrate the fullness of the Trinity today because, in a way, we have come "full circle" from expectation from the Father (Advent), to incarnation and ministry of the Son (Christmastide, Season after Epiphany, Lent/Easter) to the outpouring of the Holy Spirit (late Eastertide through Pentecost).

This weekend is so important for all of us, not only for the informal transition to summer - and the celebration of Trinity Sunday - because of our nation's observance of Memorial Day.  For many reasons, I am fond of Memorial Day, since it calls us to remember that, as a society we didn't get to where we are without the sacrifices of others.  In the midst of all your other Memorial Day activities, take the appropriate amount of time this weekend to honor those who died in service to others.  Remember in your prayer their families and those still grieving their loss.

Even with all the other activities going on, this weekend is first and foremost all about remembering the sacrificial work of others.  Sunday, we will remember and celebrate the work of the Triune God (father, son, and spirit).  Monday, we will observe an appropriate remembrance of those who sacrificed their lives for others.  Every day, we will give thanks to God for our many blessings (seen and unseen).

See You Soon!

Lamar

Vol 5 No 22 - Do I Have To?

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 we 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 saved me from the law of sin and death.

In his own hand, from his journal entry for May 24, 1738, Rev. John Wesley records the account of his assurance of salvation in Christ.

Worship this Sunday will focus on the joy of celebrating Pentecost Sunday, and I think it is wonderful that our secondary observation will be Heritage Sunday, that time every year on the Sunday before May 24 where we give thanks to God for the life and ministry of John & Charles Wesley.  The events of one of these days, the sending of the Holy Spirit on Pentecost, directly influenced the other - for the assurance that was given to Wesley was indeed the work of the Holy Spirit.

To me the most striking thing about this is his attitude.  Wesley wasn't seeking to go hang out with this group of people, joining together for study.  He was, as he said, going 'very unwillingly' to a society (think modern-day small group), and wound up with the assurance of salvation through the gift of the Holy Spirit.

There's a strong word in this that has nothing to do with the institution of Methodism or it's history or even John Wesley himself: The Holy Spirit acted to bring about the assurance of salvation to a man who wasn't even wanting to be there.

This is probably the most important thing to remember in a society (and even some of us who are reading this e-mail) wherein we'll 'go to church' or 'go to Bible study' when 'I feel like it' or 'the Spirit moves me.'  THANK GOD John Wesley didn't use his emotions as a barometer to measure whether or not he should engage in the life of the Christian community.  

The question is, do you? And if you do, then ask yourself if you have any idea what you may be missing?  Wesley went 'very unwillingly' and wound up, through the grace of Christ by the power of the Holy Spirit, literally changing the world, including YOUR life.

Wonder what the Holy Spirit has in store for us this week?  Bring a friend for worship this week, and be sure to stay afterward for the joy of fellowship over our covered dish lunch (main course provided).

See You Soon!

Lamar

Vol 5 No 21 - The Infantile Church

"...[A]nd you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."

These words from the first chapter of Acts are, as Luke records it, the last words of Christ before he ascended into heaven.  We will hear these words set in the larger context of Acts 1:1-11 as we observe Ascension Sunday during worship this week.  Thinking and praying about these passages, I was reminded once again how easily we can lose the majesty and splendor of the ascension with so much focus on the birth of the church at Pentecost.

Yet the ascension is a core tenet of our faith, a value shared across the church ever since it's founding.  We affirm our belief in the resurrection both in the Nicene and Apostle's creed.  Affirming our belief in the ascension of Christ into heaven is affirming our belief in the hope that Christ has fulfilled all that was promised, giving us hope for Christ's coming again in glory to bring about the new heaven and new earth.

I'm very excited about celebrating Pentecost Sunday on the 23rd.  It will be a great day of joy in our congregation as we worship together and dine together immediately afterwards.  Let's not rush it, though, and miss another very important observance - an observance filled with hope and joy about what was, what is, and what is to come.

See You Soon!

Lamar

Vol 5 No 20 - National DAY of Prayer (?)

I'm honored to do it, of course.  It's always a privilege to join together with the local officials, clergy, and citizens at City Hall to observe the National Day of Prayer (tomorrow, noon).  

Reading some of our media websites this morning, however, I have been reminded once again how divisive this day has become in our culture, and it makes me kind of sad to see it come.

Relax, I'm not opposed to it.

And, quite frankly, I'm not surprised that many who do not share the Christian faith (or any faith, for that matter, since prayer is part of many different religious traditions).  Honestly, the question of what kinds of religious observances the state should endorse (or sponsor) is a healthy part of the discourse any society should have in the enacting and implementation of the laws and norms with which we govern ourselves.

But it does strike me how violent people's emotions get in this discussion.  What struck me this morning was not the opposition to this day (for two reasons: 1 - these objections come every year, and 2 - they really should surprise no one).  No, I was saddened to see how militant and angry some within the Christian tradition are about various government officials (at all levels) choosing to participate in, not participate in, or even observe, the National Day of Prayer.

This saddened me because I firmly believe that when we, the Christian church (of all denominational stripes) get supremely giddy or supremely angry due to an official of a secular, earthly kingdom choosing to observe or not observe a National Day of Prayer, we have given them too much power.

As people who live through the lens of Easter, those whose citizenship is ultimately found in the kingdom of God, not the kingdom of man, we must remember that EVERY DAY for us is a Day of Prayer.  EVERY DAY is a day for us to pray for our nation - it's citizens and it's leaders - to follow God's will.  EVERY DAY is a day for us to gather with one another to pray for our communities to be places where the glory of God shines.

Oh, and if we have to rely on a governmental decree to mark or a governmental place to hold the National Day of Prayer, does that say more about the government or more about us?

As I said at the beginning of this message, I'm glad that we hold this observance at City Hall, and I really look forward to being there.  If the day comes where elected officials choose not to participate, or governmental property is not available, it should really make no difference.  It should make no difference because when God's people are truly called to a time of prayer, then we will gather.  Period.

See You Soon!

Lamar

Vol 5 No 19 - More than a Day Off

How interested are you - intentionally, willfully, joyously, and with as much pride and sense of accomplishment you can manufacture - in breaking one of the ten commandments?

How many times do you - intentionally, willfully, joyously, and with as much pride and sense of accomplishment you can manufacture - break one of the ten commandments and brag about it to your friends & neighbors, co-workers & family?

Chances are, you probably do it more than you realize.  Chances are, you probably have done it today.  Trust me.  You have.  I have.  We all have.  And the sooner we admit it, the healthier (and more honest) we all will become.

Now, I know there are some of the ten commandments that we break and don't want anyone to know, and we don't think anyone will ever know.  This one, however, is different.

Which one am I talking about?  Remember the sabbath day, and keep it holy. Six days you shall labor and do all your work. But the seventh day is a sabbath to the Lord your God; you shall not do any work—you, your son or your daughter, your male or female slave, your livestock, or the alien resident in your towns. For in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them, but rested the seventh day; therefore the Lord blessed the sabbath day and consecrated it.

Why do I say that we are so boastful about our ignorance of this particular commandment?  What is the second most popular topic of conversation (#1 - The Weather)?  How busy we are.  We can't wait to talk about what we have going on and how much we have to accomplish.  Ask someone how they are, and chances are good the answer will be, "busy".  Even when we are trying to plan leisurely activities, we are busy.

I'm currently doing some study about the sabbath, and it has reminded me once again about the necessity of a 'holy rest', a time that is 'consecrated' by the Lord.  How 'bout we all take some time to be intentional about spending the sabbath as a day of holy rest, consecrated by the Lord for his glory, rather than a day away from our routines wherein we are still filled with 'to-do' lists and mundane busy-ness around our house, our camp, or at some other place?

Or are we content to just blow off one of the Ten Commandments, rationalizing away our willful ignorance of something God cared so much about that he laid it in stone?

See You Soon!

Lamar

Vol 5 No 18 - Unfamiliar Familiarity

Looking ahead to worship this weekend, our service will be centered around probably the most familiar of all scriptures, Psalm 23.  Sitting here this afternoon, however, I must admit that this week's worship does cause some challenges unique to this passage.  The familiarity of this passage makes it, in fact, harder not easier to prepare, for almost everyone has their preconceived notion of this texts meaning.

But then again, isn't that part of our problem with understanding any scripture we encounter, either through worship, prayer, study, or by any other means?  Once we get in our head what a particular passage is all about, it's quite difficult for us to change our minds.

How much does this thinking get in the way of us allowing God to show us more of the divine grace and Mercy?  

We KNOW after all, that this particular passage is what is supposed to be read at funerals, correct?  (Or is it?)

We KNOW that the valley of the shadow of death has to do with when we die and go on to heaven, right?  

We KNOW that God is going to stick it to our enemies when we read that he prepares a table for us in the presence of our enemies, right?

This is, after all, what this passage is talking about...us...isn't it...?  (HINT: It very well may, but probably not in the way you may think.)

Tell ya what - take a long, hard look at it again.

And, while we are at it, let's take a good, long, hard look at our relationship with Christ.  Let's see what areas we are taking for granted, what presuppositions we are bringing in that might not necessarily be accurate upon further reflection.

See You Soon!

Lamar

Vol 5 No 17 - Easter People

Every day to us is Easter,
with its resurrection song. 

When in trouble move the faster
to our God who rights the wrong. 

Alleluia! Alleluia!
See the power of heavenly throngs.

Back in the saddle again, after a week away for some time off and a two-day meeting, I am quick to note how easy it is to jump back into the routine, and how comforting routine can be when we are out of it for a while.  Even though Sabbath time is important, and even though as an elder in our conference I have responsibilities to the conference as well as the local church, I must admit that I really missed the daily routines of life and seeing many of you here and there.  What a privilege it is to serve a congregation where I could not wait to get back.

As I write you this morning, I can't seem to get our opening hymn for this upcoming week, Easter People Raise Your Voices, out of my head (and not just because it is good, theologically sound, well-written, and composed in my lifetime).  Verse 3, quoted above, is a great statement of faith about those of us who are living post-resurrection lives of faith in anticipation of Christ's second coming.

Every day to us is Easter, with its resurrection song - The resurrection song is triumph over death.  The resurrection song is transformation - the people of God, if not transformed, have not truly journeyed through the resurrection.

Just because we celebrated Easter Sunday a couple of weeks ago does not mean Easter has come and gone for another year.  On the contrary - for us, every day is Easter.  Every day is a day of transformation.  Every day is a day where we live secure in the reality that death has been defeated, and has no power over us.  Every day is a day where we live not in fear, but in hope.

Go forth, dear friends, and live as Easter People.  Live as ones for whom Easter is not a once-a-year observance, but a way of life!

See You Soon!

Lamar