Never Give Up!

“Let us not grow weary in doing what is right, for we will reap at harvest time, if we do not give up.” (Galatians 6:9)

I’m sure you’ve heard it many times before:  “Good things come to those who wait.”And this is certainly true.  However, “waiting” does not necessarily mean that we are (or need to be) passive or inactive during our time of waiting.  That’s why “active waiting” is just another way to describe the concept of perseverance, and it’s something that truly makes a difference when we practice it.

Perhaps you know the true story of the man who lost his job in 1832.  In that same year, he ran and was defeated for  State legislature, as well.  His business failed a year later (in 1833), and was finally elected to the State legislature in 1834.  His sweetheart died in 1835, and he suffered a nervous breakdown in 1836.  He was defeated for Speaker of his State House in 1838, defeated for nomination for U.S. Congress in 1843, and then elected to Congress in 1846.  He lost his re-nomination for Congress in 1848, was rejected for Land Officer in 1849, defeated for U.S. Senate in 1854, and defeated for nomination for Vice President in 1856.  He was again defeated for the Senate in 1858.  But in 1860, Abraham Lincoln was elected 16^th President of the United States.  Now that’s perseverance!

The scripture above reminds us that no matter what challenge, difficulty, obstacle, or negative mindset we face, perseverance will usually enable us to achieve what we set out to do.  And this is especially true when we trust in God to see us through -- “God plus me make a majority,” I’ve also heard it said.

So, what seemingly insurmountable challenge are you facing in your individual, family, or church life that needs perseverance?  If you ask, God will give you the strength and resources to persevere if you will but trust in Him.  We need only be BOLD in perseverance to see the victory of God in our midst!

[Read more about our“be BOLD” capital campaign HERE]

Remember, God loves you and so do I!

The Value of Sacrifice

“I will not offer to God that which costs me nothing.” (2 Samuel 24:24)

To “sacrifice” means to give up something we hold dear in order to gain someone else even more valuable.  Although this is an idea and practice that’s considered archaic and unrealistic in today’s self-centered, narcissistic world, if we think about it, sacrifice is really at the heart of any great culture/society. 

For example, as Americans we’ve built our freedoms and liberties as a nation on the sacrifice of men and women of our past, many of whom have given their very lives for the freedoms we now enjoy.  The same can be said of both our Christian faith and of the story of our own church here at East Cobb UMC:  the faith we possess and the church we have today is the result of the life sacrifices of our forbearers before us.  And the same can be said of the sacrifices our parents made so that we could have an education, clothes, food, etc.

The bottom line is that all we have and enjoy in life today can be said to result from the sacrifices of others.  So, our world is just fooling itself when it claims that “sacrifice” is an archaic and out-of-date practice in today’s contemporary world.

The story is told of an old Japanese farmer who had just harvested a rice crop that would make him rich.  His farm was on a high plain overlooking the village at the ocean's edge.  A mild earthquake had shaken the ground, but the villagers were used to that, so they took little notice.

The farmer, looking out to sea, saw that the water on the horizon appeared dark and foreboding.  He knew what that meant --- a tidal wave.  "Bring me a torch, quick, " he shouted to his grandson.  Then he raced to his stacks of rice and set them ablaze.

When the bell in the temple below rang the alarm, the people scrambled up the steep slopes to help save their neighbor's crop.  But the farmer met them at the edge of the plain, shouting "Look! Look!" The saw a great swell of water racing towards them.  As it crashed ashore, the tiny village below was torn to pieces.  But because that farmer willingly sacrificed his harvest, hundreds of people were spared.

Again, sacrifice is when we give up something valuable in order to gain something more valuable.  As we prepare for the Commitment Sunday of our “be BOLD” capital campaign [Read more about it HERE], it’s important for us to take stock of what valuable thing(s) we’re willing to sacrifice (like our finances) so that something even more valuable (God’s vision for our church) can come to pass for future generations

[CLICK HERE to read ideas about how you can be more sacrificial in your financial giving to God’s church].  How are you going to “be BOLD” in Sacrifice for God’s kingdom?!  Remember, God loves you and I do, too!

The "Bold" Gift of Love

“And now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; and the greatest of these is love.” (1 Corinthians 13:13)

“Though I may speak with bravest fire,

 And have the gift to all inspire,
 And have not love, my words are vain,
 As sounding brass, and hopeless gain.

 Though I may give all I possess,

 And striving so my love profess,
 But not be given by love within,
 The profit soon turns strangely thin.

 Come, Spirit, come, our hearts control,

 Our spirits long to be made whole.
 Let inward love guide every deed;
 By this we worship, and are freed.”
          [–Hal Hopson, from The United Methodist Hymnal, #408]

If there’s ever been a time when we needed to practice bold love, it’s today!  We can have all the “correct” theology, do all the “right” religious rituals, worship God the “correct” way, hold all the “right” political views, etc.  But in the end, we believe as Christians that if we don’t put love into practice boldly, then we’ve missed the point!

Bold love means we love people more than “correctness,” that we practice loving those who we don’t necessarily agree with -- that we love those who are unlovely, unlovable, unlikeable, and just plain “wrong”!  For one example of how Christians are called to “love boldly” even those with whom we disagree, READ HERE my article about the Muslim response to the recent violence in Boston, MA.

In the meantime, remember that we are called to “be BOLD” in love -- in our demonstration and practice of love, both for God and for others.  May our bold practice of love begin to make a positive difference in our families, community, and world!

How will you “be BOLD” in loving God and loving others?  (Read more about our “be BOLD” capital campaign HERE) Remember, God loves you and I do, too!

Local Muslim Response to Recent Boston Violence

Many of you are already aware of our church’s commitment to Interfaith dialogue as one way to tangibly demonstrate the love of Jesus to others, even when we don’t necessarily agree with all their beliefs or practices.   After all, loving others is not limited merely to those who worship, believe, or look like us, or who have the same politics or religious practices as us.  Instead, the religion of Jesus Christ builds bridges of peaceful dialogue with others across all kinds of cultural, racial, theological and religious lines.

That’s why, in light of the recent violence and terrorist acts in Boston supposedly motivated by Islam, I’m happy to share the response of the “Atlanta Islamic Speakers Bureau” (from the same speaker who came to our church in 2012 to share about Isalm) to those events as a way of encouraging further dialogue and love with our Muslim neighbors.  (By the way, this response was shared with us today by a leader of the East Cobb Islamic Center just around the corner from our church):

ISB Condemns Terrorist Act in Boston, Commits to Interfaith Dialogue

This has been a difficult last few weeks for us, both as Americans and as Muslims. We were all horrified as our country was again attacked by extremists in Boston. Additionally, and sadly, those same extremists attempted to justify their heinous actions by citing Islam, in direct contravention of everything that we know and believe to be the true nature of our religion. A sentiment that is very well expressed by comedian, writer and producer Dean Obeidallah, “I’m a Muslim, and I hate Terrorism.”

Indeed, these last few weeks have tested us as communities and as a nation. But as so often has happened in the past, we as a nation have begun to pull together to heal and mourn the national loss of lives. Thankfully, this seems to be a strong national characteristic that all Americans share - irrespective of heritage or religion. When challenged, we fall back on the ideals that have come to define and unite us. And so our hearts are with those who lost loved ones and who were negatively impacted by what happened. …

These tragedies serve as a reminder that we need to appreciate and love people around us…. The ISB sends well wishes to the Orthodox and Coptic Christians who celebrated Palm Sunday on Sunday, April 28 and will celebrate Easter on May 5. Finally, I would like to send love and appreciation to all ISB friends and readers.  Sincerely,

            --Soumaya Khalifa, Executive Director, ISB Atlanta (in their March 2013 online newsletter)

Please pray for our Muslim brothers and sisters as they discern how to deal with those who use Islam inappropriately, and pray for ourselves that we may know how to demonstrate true Christian love to and for them. It’s what Jesus would do! Remember, God loves you and I do, too!

The World Is A Better Place Because...

“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 6:8)

From time to time, all of us give excuses for not stepping out and being daring to help win a dying world to Christ. But think about how the world is a better place because of how some people in history said “yes” to God:

    The world is a better place...

            ...because Michelangelo didn't say, "I don't do ceilings."

            ...because Moses didn't say, "I don't do rivers."

            ...because Noah didn't say, "I don't do arks."

            ...because Jeremiah didn't say, "I don't do weeping."

            ...because Amos didn't say, "I don't do speeches."

            ...because Ruth didn't say, "I don't do mothers-in-law."

            ...because David didn't say, "I don't do giants."

            ...because Peter didn't say, "I don't do Gentiles."

            ...because Mary didn't say, "I don't do virgin births."

            ...because Paul didn't say, "I don't do letters."

            ...because Jesus didn't say, "I don't do crosses."

                                                            [--Dr. Leonard Sweet]

Generosity is about saying “yes” to God and answering His call to help “make the world a better place” as we offer to Him use of our spiritual gifts, talents, resources (financial or otherwise), personality, dreams, and even our experiences.  Remember that we are who we are today because others ahead of us were generous with who they were and what they had. 

God has already said “Yes!” to each of us by the giving of His own son Jesus for us – we’re called to say “Yes!” back through the offer of ourselves.  So, how will you say “yes” to Him by helping to make the world a better place through your church?  How will you “be BOLD” in Generosity?  (Read more about our “be BOLD” capital campaign HERE)  Remember, God  loves you and I do, too!

Describing Church

“The righteous are as bold as a lion." (Proverbs 28:1)

What kind of church do we want?  Many people would answer that they want a church that "meets our needs."  Of course, this is certainly one aspect of what a church should provide.  But the church that attends only to perceived needs of its people is probably missing out on the fullness that God created them to have.  Consider the words of a book I once read that posed the question this way:

"Wouldn’t it be wonderful if, just for a day or two, our churches were described as... risky; revolutionary; dangerous; ruthlessly honest and open; unconditionally loving; radical; rowdy; not quite off the page, but certainly in the margins; challenging; adventurous; unpredictable; curious; life-changing; stirred up; paradoxical; a place that will accept you just as you are; contagious; flat out crazy in love with God; people who make lots of mistakes because they take new risks; people who are free to be themselves and even admit their doubts; people who pray unceasingly; people who laugh, cry, and feel all their feelings; people who are willing to be fools for Christ's sake..."
         [--From the book Through the Wilderness]

I don't know about you, but that’s the kind of church I want to be a part of, because that's the kind of faith we're called to have as Christians not only in today's world, but throughout the history of the church.

Today, however, I’m especially thankful that it also accurately describes our church -- East Cobb United Methodist Church -- as we embark on a 24-month spiritual and financial campaign called “be BOLD” that will begin to give us the resources we need to take the next step in God’s vision for our church.

CLICK HERE to find out more about our “beBOLD” campaign -- what it is, why we’re doing it, and why we’re doing it now.

In the meantime, my prayer is that each of us will live into the description above of God’s church as we seek to be BOLD for Him! Remember, God loves you and I do, too!

Look For The Helpers & Trust God

“My refuge and my fortress; my God, in whom I trust” (Psalm 91:2)

In light of the dual tragedies in West, Texas and at the end of the Boston Marathon earlier this week, it’s helpful to remember that belief in God does not keep us safe from harmful things, but that even in the midst of harmful things, God is here with us.  What we have to do is look for His presence even in those situations.

Many of you may have already read or seen the quote from  Mister Rogers’ Parenting Book that went viral after the Newtown, CT tragedy.  In case you haven’t, I share it again in response to the Boston bombing as words of hope:  “When I was a boy and I would see scary things in the news, my mother would say to me, 'Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping."  [--From Huffintonpost.com, April 16, 2013, “Look for the Helpers”]

So, where is God in the midst of tragedy?  He is literally “in the midst of tragedy” in and through the actions of “helpers,” and through the prayers of people like you and me. Along this same line, Psalm 91 expresses this same kind of confidence in God’s protection -- a protection that’s not for our physical well-being, but a protection of our souls and spirits, assuring us of God’s presence even in the midst of tragedy:

“You who live in the shelter of the Most High, who abide in the shadow of the Almighty, will say to the Lord, ‘My refuge and my fortress; my God, in whom I trust.’ For he will deliver you from the snare of the fowler and from the deadly pestilence; he will cover you with his pinions, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness is a shield and buckler. You will not fear the terror of the night, or the arrow that flies by day, or the pestilence that stalks in darkness, or the destruction that wastes at noonday.”

So, I encourage and invite you to join me in being a “helper” by praying for the people of Boston.  Our Sanctuary will be open this Wednesday (April 17) from 5-7pm for drop-in prayer for this very purpose.  I hope you will join me then.  And always remember that God loves you and I do, too!

Jesus Is On the Loose!

“The Lord has risen indeed, and has appeared to Simon!’ Then they told what had happened on the road, and how he was known to them in the breaking of the bread.” (Luke 24:34-35)

A few years ago, Bishop Mike Coyner (a Bishop in our United Methodist Church) shared an experience he had while leading a  children’s moment during worship in which he was talking with the children about Easter.  He asked “What did it mean that the tomb was empty?”  And without missing a beat, one of them  replied enthusiastically “It means that Jesus is on the loose!”

Mike takes it from there:  “That child was right.  Easter is not about worshipping a Risen Christ who is captured in our stained-glass windows, or in our wonderful choir cantatas, or in beautiful Easter lilies, or even in dynamic sermons proclaiming ‘Christ is Risen!’  No, Jesus cannot be contained in our celebrations of Easter.  He is on the loose!  He is out ahead of us!  He is already leading the way into new life.  In fact, the message of Easter seems to be, ‘You just missed him.  He was just here, but he is gone already.’  What do we do with such a Jesus?  He won’t stay long in any one place.  He is always moving on to the next place of need.

I heard a story a few years ago about a church that voted to open its doors to a homeless shelter.  This caused quite a controversy in that staid, respectable, religious congregation.  In fact, one woman who opposed the idea confronted her pastor in great anger by yelling, ‘If Jesus knew you were letting those dirty people into our church, he would roll over in his grave!’  She had missed the whole point of Easter:  Jesus isn’t in his grave.  He is on the loose.  And he is leading us to do ministry in hard places, with difficult people, in circumstances that are not easy…..

So, let’s take time to celebrate Easter.  But then let’s hurry on to try to catch up with Jesus, because he’s still on the loose!”

[--Bishop Mike Coyner, cited in the newsletter of Trinity-on-the-Hill UMC (Augusta, GA) April 20, 2001, Vol. 48, Issue 15]

Remember, God loves you and I do, too!

Introducing "be BOLD"!

One of the characteristics of the people of God is boldness. Whether it’s Moses boldly leading the people of God out of Egypt, or King Solomon boldly leading the people to build the Jerusalem Temple, or the apostle Paul boldly planting new churches throughout the Roman Empire, it’s clear that God’s people are called to be bold in word, faith, and action.

 

One-hundred-forty-one years ago, our predecessors demonstrated such boldness when they stepped out to establish a new Methodist faith community in the eastern part of Cobb County — the result was our church. And since that time, we’ve continued to seek and find bold ways to connect and share Christ with our community.

 

But although our current programs, ministries and facilities have served us well, in the future they will be increasingly ineffective in connecting us to the changing people and needs of our local and world community. Our buildings are dated, our parking lot is in disrepair, and many of our spaces no longer meet the growing needs of both our own congregation and of those in our community who connect with us through them.

 

That’s why I’m pleased to introduce BE BOLD, a 24-month spiritual and financial campaign that will begin to give us the resources we need to more boldly connect with our community into the future through a series of construction initiatives to add new ministry space and update our current ones.

 

You’ll find here various links to information about the campaign, including:

 

1) Our MAIN CAMPAIGN BROCHURE

 

2) A “FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS” Brochure

 

3) The pamphlet “How to Make An Over And Above Gift to Your Church”

 

4) A “ONE PAGE SUMMARY” of the campaign purposes

 

5) A link to our main CAMPAIGN VIDEO

 

Remember that we as God’s people are called to boldness. At East Cobb UMC, we already have a bold past, we live boldly in the present, and we’re called to be bold for our future. So, as we embark on this journey, I invite you to join me in BEING BOLD for God!

 

Pastor Brian

Spring Garden

“For everything there is a season, and a time for very purpose under heaven: a time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted…” (Ecclesiastes 3:1-2)

Springtime is the time to begin to plant things.  Some of us plant flowers, bushes, grass, trees, etc. We fertilize them, water them, and hope that it doesn’t turn cold again before they begin growing.  It’s a wonderful time of the year, when plants and trees begin to bud and eventually bloom, and when we prepare for the coming of summer.

But in addition to planting physical gardens, have you considered that Springtime is also a great time to plant spiritual gardens for ourselves, as well?  The following is a playful rendering of that kind of planting that’s been around for a while, but I share it again in the hopes that it will not only bring a smile to your face but also a warmth to your soul.  This Springtime, in your heart…

Plant three rows of peas:

            Peace of mind; Peace of heart; Peace of soul

Plant four rows of squash:
            Squash gossip; Squash indifference;
            Squash grumbling; Squash selfishness.

Plant four rows of lettuce:
            Lettuce be faithful; Lettuce be kind;
            Lettuce be happy; Lettuce love one another

Plant at least three rows of turnips:
            Turn-up for service when needed;
            Turn-up to help one another;
            Turn-up the music and dance.

Also plant five rows of thyme:
            Thyme for fun; Thyme for rest; Thyme for yourself;
            Thyme for your family; Thyme for worship.

Then, after you’ve finished planting, water freely with patience and cultivate with love.  Remember that you reap what you sow, to plant lots of good seed, that there may be much fruit in your spiritual garden!

Always remember that God loves you and I do, too!

He's Alive!

“Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here, but has risen!” (Luke 24:5)

Growing up as a young Christian, I remember one of the most meaningful songs I heard on the radio was a Contemporary Christian rock ballad by Don Francisco called “He’s Alive!”  It later went on to become the 1980 Dove Award’s Song of the Year. Because it is written in ballad form, you don’t need to know the tune to enjoy the power of its words:

“The gates and doors were barred and all the windows fastened down,

I spent the night in sleeplessness and rose at every sound,

Half in hopeless sorrow half in fear the day,

Would find the soldiers crashing through to drag us all away.

Then just before the sunrise I heard something at the wall,

The gate began to rattle and a voice began to call,

I hurried to the window and looked down to the street,

Expecting swords and torches and the sound of soldiers feet,

There was no one there but Mary so I went down to let her in,

John stood there beside me as she told us where she'd been,

She said they moved him in the night and none of us knows where,

The stone's been rolled away and now his body isn't there.

We both ran toward the garden then John ran on ahead,

We found the stone and the empty tomb just the way that Mary said,

But the winding sheet they wrapped him in was just an empty shell,

And how or where they'd taken him was more than I could tell.

Something strange had happened there but what I did not know,

John believed a miracle but I just turned to go,

Circumstance and speculation couldn't lift me very high,

Cause I'd seen them crucify him and then I'd watched him die,

Back inside the house again all the guilt and anguish came,

Everything I'd promised him just added to my shame,

But at last it came to choices I denied I knew his name,

Even If he was alive it wouldn't be the same.

But suddenly the air was filled with a strange and sweet perfume,

Light that came from everywhere drove shadows from the room,

Jesus stood before me with his arms held open wide,

And I fell down on my knees and clung to him and cried,

He raised me to my feet and as I looked into his eyes,

Love was shining out from him like sunlight from the sky,

Guilt and my confusion disappeared in sweet release,

And every fear I'd ever had just melted into peace.

He's alive, He's alive, He's alive and I'm forgiven,

Heavens gates are open wide.

He's alive, He's alive, He's alive and I'm forgiven,

Heavens gates are open wide.

He's alive, He's alive, He's alive and I'm forgiven,

Heavens gates are open wide.   He's alive!”

[--Written & performed by Don Francisco, 1980 Dove Award Song of the Year

© Warner/Chappell Music Inc., Universal Music Publishing Group]

May the news that Jesus is alive bring hope and joy to your life today!  Remember, God loves you and I do, too!

I Am A Christian

“Then the father said to him… ‘We had to celebrate and rejoice, because this brother of yours was dead and has come to life; he was lost and has been found.” (Luke 15:2)

“When I say... ‘I am a Christian,’ I’m not shouting ‘I’ve been saved!’”

I’m whispering ‘I get lost!  That’s why I chose this way.’

When I say... ‘I am a Christian,’ I don’t speak with human pride.

I’m confessing that I stumble – needing God to be my guide

When I say... ‘I am a Christian,’ I’m not trying to be strong.

I’m professing that I’m weak and pray for strength to carry on.

When I say... ‘I am a Christian,’ I’m not bragging of success.

I’m admitting I have failed and cannot ever pay the debt.

When I say... ‘I am a Christian,’ I’m not claiming to be perfect,

My flaws are far too visible but, God believes I’m worth it.

When I say... ‘I am a Christian,’ I still feel the sting of pain,

I have my share of heartache which is why I seek His name.

When I say... ‘I am a Christian,’ I do not wish to judge.

I have no authority – I only know I’m loved.”
         [--Attributed to Maya Angelou, this poem was actually written by Carol Wimmer in 1988,
             and it is cited here from the book Chicken Soup for the Christian Family Soul]

Remember, God loves you and I do, too!

The Story of Saint Patrick

“During the night Paul had a vision: …a man of Macedonia pleading with him… ‘Come over to Macedonia and help us.’” When we had seen the vision, we crossed over… being convinced that God had called us to proclaim the good news to them.” (Acts 16:9-10)

If there ever was an example of God’s compassionate grace at work in our world, the man known today as Saint Patrick (387-460 A.D.) certainly was it.  One of the first Christian missionaries to Ireland, his ministry there is said to have eventually led to the conversion of the entire island to Christianity.

Born to a Christian family in Roman Britain, at age 16 he was captured and carried as a slave across the water to Ireland.  While in captivity, he remembered and began to practice the Christian teachings of his parents and grandparents, and his own faith slowly grew.  Six years later he escaped and returned to Britain.  Back home, however, he experienced a vision in which he saw Irish people begging him to “come walk” with them and teach them the faith of Christ.

So, he returned to the place of his enslavement -- this time voluntarily as a missionary -- and began preaching and teaching the ways of Jesus to the inhabitants of the island, and supporting the work of those Christians already living there.  Even though his work was challenged in the early years, within a few decades, he was respected throughout Ireland, converting many important leaders, including sons of various Irish kings.  As a result, he became the first Bishop of Ireland and eventually its patron saint.

He is remembered today for many things:  using a shamrock to teach people about the Holy Trinity of God (Father, Son & Holy Spirit); supposedly banishing all snakes from Ireland (there are none there); the famous St. Patrick’s cross; his walking stick growing into a tree; and for his mythical debates with pagan warrior kings from Ireland’s past, convincing them of the truths of Christianity.

In honor and remembrance of his life and ministry, today every March 17^th (the date of his death) is celebrated around the world as Saint Patrick’s Day.  Although many places ignore or downplay his religious influence and teachings, as Christians we should take time to give thanks for the life and ministry of one who brought God’s Grace to an entire nation. Remember, God loves you and I do, too!

Life Saving Station

AWe are what he has made us, created in Christ Jesus for good works.@ (Ephesians 2:10)

The following modern parable was told by the Rev. T.O. Wedel of the Washington Cathedral about the light houses and Alife-saving stations@ still found along North Carolina Outer Banks.  As you read, consider how the lesson it teaches could be applied both to the older son in the parable of the prodigal son (Luke 15), and to us today:

            AOn a dangerous sea coast where shipwrecks often occur, there was once a crude little life-saving station.  The building was just a hut, and there was only one boat, but the few devoted members kept a constant watch over the sea, and with no thought for themselves they went out day or night tirelessly searching for the lost.  Many lives were saved by this wonderful little station, so that it became famous.  Some of those who were saved, and various others in the surrounding area, wanted to become associated with the station and give of their time and money and effort for the support of its work.  New boats were bought and new crews were trained, and the little life-saving station grew.
            Some of the members of the life-saving station were unhappy that the building was so crude and so poorly equipped.  They felt that a more comfortable place should be provided as the first refuge of those saved from the sea.  So they replaced the emergency cots with beds and put better furniture in an enlarged building.  Now the life-saving station became a popular gathering place for its members, and they re-decorated it beautifully and furnished it exquisitely, because they used it as sort of a club.  Fewer of the members were now interested in going to sea on life-saving missions, so they hired life-boat crews to do this work. 
            However, the life-saving motif still prevailed in the club decoration, and there was even now a liturgical life-saving boat in the room where club initiations were held. About this time a large ship was wrecked off the coast, and the hired crew brought in boat loads of cold, wet, half-drowned people.  They were dirty and sick and some of them had black skin and some had yellow skin.  The beautiful new club was considerably messed up.  So the property committee immediately had a shower house built outside the club where victims of ship wrecks could be cleaned up before coming inside.  At the next meeting, there was a split in the club membership.  Most of the members wanted to stop the club=s life-saving activities as being unpleasant and a hindrance to the normal social life of the club. 
            Some members insisted upon life-saving as their primary purpose and pointed out that they were still called a life-saving station.  But they were finally voted down and told that if they wanted to save the lives of all the various kinds of people which were shipwrecked in those waters, they could begin their own life-saving station down the coast.  So they did.
            As the years went by, however, the new station experienced the same changes that had occurred in the old one B it, too, evolved into a club, and yet another life-saving station was founded.  History continued to repeat itself, and if you visit that seacoast today, you will find a number of exclusive clubs along the shore.  Shipwrecks are still frequent in those waters, but most of the people now drown!@

As we welcome new guests each week at our worship services and other activities, I hope you=ll remember our true purpose and Areason for being@ as a congregation at East Cobb United Methodist Church.  Far from being an exclusive Aclub@ just for “older sons (& daughters),” we are a life-saving station for our world and community!  Remember, God loves you and I do, too!

Amazing Grace

“By grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God." (Ephesians 2:8)

AAmazing grace! How sweet the sound that saved a wretch like me!

I once was lost, but now am found; was blind, but now I see.

'Twas grace that taught my heart to fear, and grace my fears relieved;

How precious did that grace appear the hour I first believed.

Through many dangers, toils, and snares, I have already come;
'Tis grace hath brought me safe thus far, and grace will lead me home.
                   [-John Newton, from The United Methodist Hymnal, #378]

Many of us probably grew up learning the words to this famous and popular hymn of the church.  Even those who didn't learn its lyrics have probably heard its haunting melody played or sung at some point... by famous singers, at music festivals, and even at funerals and memorial services (often via bagpipes).  But while this song easily moves our spirits, often today I find that its words are also easily taken for granted. 

In her book Putting the Amazing Back in Grace, Ann Weems explains:

            A...What worries me still is how easily we in the church forget the poetry of God, how easily we in the church extract the amazing from grace, how easily we turn Hosanna in to ho-hum and belief into bureaucracy and righteousness into rules. Addicted to our agendas, bound to our budgets, we fail to remember that the Love of God is written upon our hearts.... Jesus told the people to love their enemies, and the people were amazed. He told them to have compassion for strangers, and the people were amazed. He overturned the tables of the moneychangers, and the people were amazed. He told them to pray for those who persecuted them, and they were amazed. He told them to set the captives free, and the people were amazed. He broke the rules, and healed on the Sabbath, and the people were amazed.... I don't know how we ever got so un-amazed.  The amazing thing is this: Even now Jesus speaks... Even now we can touch the hem of his robe and be healed. Even now we can share our bread and our wine with a starving world. Even now God the poet pours grace upon our heads... Even now we can be amazed."
                  [-Ann Weems, Putting the Amazing Back in Grace(Trade Cloth, 1999)]

How about you?  Have you remembered what's so amazing about God=s grace?  Have you allowed that grace to turn your "ho-hum" into Hosanna?  An addiction to rules into righteousness?  A fumbling with life's awkward "prose" into God's profound "poetry"? 

The amazing thing is that God's grace touches each of us in unique ways. If you're willing, I invite you to respond back to this message and share in 1-2 sentences/phrases how God's grace has uniquely touched you.  Remember that God loves you and I do, too!

Worship First

“I was glad when they said to me ‘Let us go to the house of the Lord’” (Psalm 122:1)

 

Corporate worship is the very heart of the Christian faith.  Through it we both glorify God and lift ourselves up, we connect both with God and each other through prayer and praise, are reminded of our calling to be God’s hands and feet in the world around us. No wonder the Bible continually talks about the importance of corporate worship for the life of a disciple, for it can be fairly said that Christian faith begins and ends with worship.

 

No other Christian tool fulfills the purpose or accomplishes the mission that worship alone can. As important as Sunday School classes, Bible studies, and other small groups are to our spiritual and relational growth as Christians, they were never intended to be a substitute for weekly worship with the whole body of Christ. And while the various ministry programs and events that we sponsor and host as a church are all important ways to connect with and serve others, programs and events alone will never grow the church -- only worship can do that.

 

It should trouble us, then, when some Christians treat worship like an “optional extra” -- a part of their faith that is either attended to only sporadically, or in sometimes skipped altogether.  In some cases, folks attend a Sunday School class, Men’s or Women’s group, Bible study, etc. but then go home and skip worship.  What they don’t realize is that by doing so they are starving their spirit and (if they stay away long enough), it will spiritually cripple their walk with God.

 

But not only is worship the life-blood of those who claim to follow Jesus, but it’s also usually the first portal that visitors and guests experience of our faith community (and even when it’s not the first one, it’s always the deciding one in eventual faith decisions).

 

Consequently, we have no more important task as Christian disciples than that of both participating in and helping develop and grow worship at our church.  So, what are YOU doing to foster these?  First and foremost, are you yourself participating regularly in worship at East Cobb UMC?  If not, why not?  And second, what are doing to help grow and develop worship?  Have you invited someone to attend and sit with you?  Or do you only invite them to programs, events, and your own small group? God’s church grows in direct proportion to how its people make worship a priority.  So, is worship first for YOU?  Remember, God loves you and so do I!