U.P. (Unleashing Potential)

How do we reach our fullest potential as people of faith? It’s not by staying in our comfort zones, supporting the status quo, or remaining who we already are. Instead, we achieve it by intentionally stretching ourselves in new ways, allowing us to become and accomplish what God created us to be and do!

Join us this October 6-20 for an inspiring worship series where we will explore three key areas that can help us grow and thrive:

• Christian Community
• Sharing Our Faith and Serving Others
• Generosity

Each of these provides unique opportunities for us to grow beyond our current selves, empowering us to unleash and achieve our fullest potential for God.

Invite your friends, neighbors, and loved ones to join us as we embark on this journey of growth and transformation together.

 

The Farmer's Donkey - the Value of Persistence

 "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)

There are many things in life that cause frustration. Whether it’s problems at work, school, with a spouse, other family members, or even at church or in our community, our difficulties and challenges can be so overwhelming that at times we may feel that we just want to quit! A few years ago, a ministry colleague sent me the following story that reminded me of the value of never giving up.  I pass it on in the hopes that you’ll find it valuable, as well: 

“One day a farmer's donkey fell down into a well. The animal cried piteously for hours as the farmer tried to figure out what to do. Finally, he decided the animal was old, and the well needed to be covered up anyway; it just wasn't worth it to retrieve the donkey. He invited all his neighbors to come over and help him. They all grabbed a shovel and began to shovel dirt into the well. At first, the donkey realized what was happening and cried horribly. Then, to everyone's amazement he quieted down.

A few shovel-loads later, the farmer finally looked down the well, he was astonished at what he saw. With each shovel of dirt that hit his back, the donkey was doing something amazing.  He would shake it off and take a step up. As the farmer's neighbors continued to shovel dirt on top of the animal, he would shake it off and take a step up. Pretty soon, everyone was amazed as the donkey stepped up over the edge of the well and happily trotted off! 

Life is going to shovel dirt on you, all kinds of dirt. The trick to getting out of the well is to shake it off and take a step up. Each of our troubles is a stepping-stone. We can get out of the deepest wells just by not stopping and never giving up! Shake it off and take a step up. 

I know so many people have been in a well, they have had to shake off the dirt and take the step up until they have made it to the top. Right now, I also know a lot of people that feel like they are falling into the well...it is my hope and prayer that they will have the courage and strength to shake the dirt off and step up. Life is tough, but God will always help us to find our way to the top of the well. The key is to trust Him, shake the dirt off and take that step up!” 

May God give each of us the strength to do just this no matter what problems or challenges we encounter.  Remember, God loves you and so do I!

 

Our World Community

“Go into all the world and proclaim the good news to the whole creation.” (Mark 16:15)

Some of you may have seen the following article that made the “email rounds” a number of years ago, but I find it particularly pertinent and timely in our task and calling as Christians in light of the hosting and playing of the XXXIII^rd Olympiad in Paris, France:

“If we could shrink the earth’s population to a village of precisely 100 people, with all the existing human ratios remaining the same, then the world would be compromised of...

57 Asians

21 Europeans

8 Africans

14 from the Western Hemisphere, both north and south

52 would be female and 48 would be male

70 would be nonwhite and 30 would be white

70 would be non-Christian and 30 would be Christian

6 people would possess 59% of the entire world’s wealth,

and all 6 would be from the United States.

80 would live in substandard housing

70 would be unable to read this article

1 would have a college education

1 would own a computer

50 would suffer from malnutrition

1 would be near death, and 1 would be near birth.

So, if you woke up this morning with more health than illness, then you are more blessed than the million who will not survive this week.  If you have never experienced the danger of battle, the loneliness of imprisonment, the agony of physical torture, or the pangs of starvation, then you are ahead of 500 million other people in the world.

If you have food in the refrigerator, clothes on your back, a roof over your head and a place to sleep, then you are richer than 75% of the world.  If you have money in the bank, in your wallet, and spare change in a dish someplace, then you are among the top 8% of the world’s wealthy.  If you can read this message, then you are more blessed than over 2 billion people in the world that cannot read at all.”

Of course, my point in sharing this article is NOT for us to be prideful about (or even just thankful for) our “blessings”, lest we find ourselves inadvertently wearing the attitude “Lord, I’m thankful I’m not like them!” (read Luke 18:9-12).

Instead, I share this to heighten our awareness of the great diversity of our world (a diversity not only highlighted by the quadrennial Olympic Games, but all around us in our own community), and the great task and calling we have as Christians to help transform it for the better.

I once read that Christians are not called to “make a difference” in the world, but that we are instead called to “be the difference” in our world.  The way Jesus said it, we are to be the “salt” and “light” of our world (Matthew 5:13-14).  How are you being salt and light -- “the difference of God” -- in your part of our world?  Remember that God loves you and I do, too!

Thoughts About "Christian" America

“Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord….” (Psalm 33:12)

As we celebrate America’s birth, I invite us to remember that for most of its history, our nation was and has been distinctly “Christian” in spirit (even if not always in practice).  This is the source of the popular phrase “Christian America.”

It does not mean that every American was, or is (or needs to be) a Christian in either belief or practice.  Nor does it mean that those who are/were are from immune from hypocrisy, misuse, and misappropriation of the gospel in their practice of faith. Nor does it mean that people cannot or should not hold viewpoints and offer opinions which differ from Christian values or principles.

On the contrary, saying that America has historically been "Christian" merely reflects to the reality that the prevailing ideals, values, and attitudes of much of its history has either been taken directly from, or are generally in accord with, those of orthodox Christianity.  Historian Sanford Cobb once wrote that "The religious quality of a people is... determined by [their] spirit and life" [Cobb, The Rise of Religious Liberty in America, p.524], and a study of America’s historic “spirit and life” reveals the presence of ideals, values and principles rooted and grounded in Christianity. 

For example, in its early history, political ideals like Natural/"Inalienable" Rights, government by consent, the concept of limited government (AKA the “separation of powers”), and even prevailing assumptions about the nature and duties of government all are philosophically rooted in content and concepts that come directly from the Bible.  What’s more is that the sources of these ideals -- from the values of the Puritans to the effects of the "First Great Awakening” to the origins of our educational systems, and even to the nature and concept of “Civil Law” -- were similarly distinctly Christian in principle.

My point here is that while America can in no way claim now to be (or to have ever been) a “Christian nation” in practice (after all, we are flawed like all other nations and peoples), nevertheless it’s spirit, character, and strength has always lay in its reliance (even if at times tacitly) upon the ideals, values and principles of Christianity. 

So, my prayer is that as we celebrate our nations’ heritage and freedoms, we would remember and celebrate the God who gives them, and recognize that without our corporate acknowledgement of His work and presence in our national life, we not only turn our backs on what has made us great in our past, but we also jeopardize our present and future by doing so.

Thomas Jefferson put it this way, “Can the liberties of a nation be thought secure when we have removed their only firm basis, a conviction in the minds of the people that these liberties are of the Gift of God? That they are not to be violated but with His wrath? Indeed, I tremble for my country when I reflect that God is just; that His justice cannot sleep forever" [Jefferson, Notes on the State of Virginia, Query XVIII, 1781-1782, p. 237; Paul Leicester Ford, The Writings of Thomas Jefferson, Vol. 3, p. 267].

Remember that God loves you and I do, too!

(P.S., If you’d like more information on the history and biblical basis for the ideals and values of early America that I’ve talked about above, please contact me and I can share notes and a handout with you)

When God Created Fathers

“Fathers, don’t exasperate your children by coming down hard on them. [Instead,] take them by the hand and lead them in the way of the Master.” (Ephesians 6:4, The Message)

When the good Lord was creating fathers, He started with a tall frame. A female angel nearby said, "What kind of father is that? If you're going to make children so close to the ground, why have you put fathers up so high? He won't be able to shoot marbles without kneeling, tuck a child in bed without bending or even kiss a child without a lot of stooping.” And God smiled and said, "Yes, but if I make him child-size, who would children have to look up to?"

And when God made a father's hands, they were large and sinewy. The angel shook her head sadly and said, "Large hands are clumsy. They can't manage diaper pins, small buttons, rubber bands on ponytails or even remove splinters caused by baseball bats." And God smiled and said, "I know, but they're large enough to hold everything a small boy empties from his pockets at the end of a day, yet small enough to cup a child's face."

And then God molded long, slim legs and broad shoulders. The angel nearly had a heart attack. "Boy, this is the end of the week, all right," she clucked. "Do you realize you just made a father without a lap? How is he going to pull a child close to him without the kid falling between his legs?" And God smiled and said, "A mother needs a lap. A father needs strong shoulders to pull a sled, balance a boy on a bicycle or hold a sleepy head on the way home from the circus."

God was in the middle of creating two of the largest feet anyone had ever seen when the angel could contain herself no longer. "That's not fair. Do you honestly think those large boats are going to dig out of bed early in the morning when the baby cries? Or walk through a small birthday party without crushing at least three of the guests?" And God smiled and said, "They'll work. You'll see. They'll support a small child who wants to ride a horse… or scare off mice at the summer cabin or display shoes that will be a challenge to fill."

God worked throughout the night, giving the father few words but a firm, authoritative voice and eyes that saw everything but remained calm and tolerant. Finally, almost as an afterthought, He added tears. Then He turned to the angel and said, "Now, are you satisfied that he can love as much as a mother?"

And the angel shut up…
[--Attributed to Erma Bombeck]

If you haven’t already, be sure to take time to thank God for the fathers of your life -- those who are biological, and those who are like fathers to us. Remember, we honor God as we honor them! And never forget that God loves you and I do, too!

Seven Reasons Why I Love the United Methodist Church

 

“By grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God -- not the result of works, so that no one may boast.” (Ephesians 2:8-9)

In the Bible, the number seven is often used as a symbol of perfection.  I will leave to your interpretation whether or not you feel that’s applicable to what I’m writing here.  However, as a life-long United Methodist Christian, I can honestly say that the tradition in which I was raised, found Christ, and have -- ever since – grown in my faith is as close to this as humanly possible.   Yes, it absolutely has its share of flaws and shortcomings, just like any other church.  But I would say about United Methodist Christianity what Winston Churchill once said about democracy:  it is “…the worst form of government [or in this case, Christianity] except for all the others that have been tried.”  Other Christians may (and do) find meaning in other expressions/forms of Christian faith:  Baptist, Presbyterian, Lutheran, Roman Catholic, Pentecostal, Global Methodist, AME, non-denominational, etc.  But for me (and many others), United Methodist Christianity is the best and most biblical form, and does the best job in helping us to understand, practice, and grow in our faith in Christ. 

To help you understand where I’m coming from, let me share “Seven Reasons Why I Love the United Methodist Church.”  I love it because of…

1)         Its View of God -- not only does it believe that God exists as three-in-one (the Holy Trinity), but talks about a God whose defining characteristic is not judgement or condemnation, but agape LOVE for all, and whose primary desire is the restoration of a relationship with each and every person and part of Creation by way of salvation through his son Jesus.

 

2)         Its View of Grace – United Methodist Christians understand God’s one Grace as being manifested in three movements throughout the process of Christian salvation:  prevenient, justifying, and sanctifying grace.  In addition, we understand that God has given us various “means of Grace” (like prayer, worship, the Sacraments, Christian fellowship, etc.) to impart these manifestations of grace.

 

3)         Its dynamic view of the authority of Scripture – in United Methodist Christianity, we believe in the primacy of scripture – that it is the inspired word of God, and should be the first source of authority in our lives.  However, we also understand and acknowledge that – like a ballroom dance in which scripture always takes the lead – it also interacts with other sources of authority, as well (such as tradition, personal experience, and common sense/reason). That means that we must always take these others into account when reading and interpreting scripture.

 

4)         Its View of the Church – we understand that the church is an imperfect, broken, human institution which is a continual “work in progress.”  Yet, since it was instituted by Jesus himself, it is, nevertheless, God’s “ark”, created to protect and save us from the struggles and challenges of life in this world.  As St. Augustine supposedly once said, “the Church is like Noah’s ark:  if it weren’t for the raging storm outside, you wouldn’t be able to stand the stink inside!”  In God’s church, not only do we find spiritual safety, but a place where we can grow with God and others.

 

5)         Its embrace of both faith and reason – many Christian traditions want their followers to strictly adhere to a set “statement of faith” or creed which leaves little or no room for questions.  I am thankful that in United Methodist Christianity, we don’t have to “check our brains at the door.”  Instead, like the experience of the apostle Thomas, in our tradition there is an important place for questions and healthy doubt which can lead to deeper and more lasting faith.  In this view, faith and science are not opposites but merely complements to each other, and each one helps us to know more about God and the world which God created.

 

6)         Its gracious Orthodoxy – the founder of Methodism John Wesley once wrote “Though we may not all think alike, may we not all love alike?” (from his sermon Catholic Spirit).  I’m proud of the fact that while we United Methodists hold to the essentials of orthodox Christian faith (for example, read our essential “Doctrinal Standards and Theological Task” and “Articles of Religion” HERE), at the same time we seek to practice a graciousness about how we interpret and apply those.  Unlike the Pharisees, Sadducees, and Scribes of the Bible (and unlike some Christian traditions today), we United Methodists practice a more inclusive, “catholic spirit” that allows Christians of deep conviction and faith to “agree to disagree” about non-essentials of faith, while agreeing on the essentials.  While it’s not certain that John Wesley ever said this, we practice the spirit of what a famous quote regarding Christian belief supposedly said:  “In essentials, unity; in non-essentials, liberty; in all things, charity (love).”

 

7)         Its Missional character, carried out via “connection”  -- no church or Christian is an “island” by themselves.  Wesley himself wrote that there is no such thing as “solitary” Christianity.  Instead, Christians and churches are meant to live and do ministry in relationship and connection with one another.  That’s why in United Methodist Christianity, our churches and ministries are connected together for mission and ministry in the world.  Each local church is merely a franchise outpost of that connection, and it’s why we move our Pastors every so often (because a healthy church should not be built around the Pastor but around God’s people in that place!).  While my family and I don’t always enjoy moving, we realize that – like the apostle Paul in his missionary journeys -- it is more biblical, and in the end will create stronger, healthier churches and better Christians as we seek to share Christ with the world.

If you are either new to our tradition, or just want to know more about these characteristics that I’ve just described, I invite you to purchase and read the book I wrote specifically about this several years ago called Christianity the Wesleyan Way (Foundery Books 2020), available either from AMAZON.COM or COKESBURY.COM.  It will help you better understand what it means to believe and practice life as a Methodist Christian by delving more into the spiritual background, history, beliefs and practices of Methodism, and the back of each chapter even contains simple questions either for personal or group reflection and discussion.

In the meantime, always remember that God loves you and I do, too!

Historic U.M.C. Decision to Become a More Intentionally Inclusive Church

 “Do not judge, so that you may not be judged. For with the judgment you make you will be judged, and the measure you give will be the measure you get. Why do you see the speck in your neighbor’s eye, but do not notice the log in your own eye? Or how can you say to your neighbor, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ while the log is in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your neighbor’s eye.” (Matthew 7:1-5)

As many of you already know, yesterday (May 1) our United Methodist Church’s General Conference (the top decision-making body of our denomination) overwhelmingly passed a historic vote to remove the 40-year old ban in our Book of Discipline prohibiting the ordination of “self-avowed, practicing homosexuals”, and to allow clergy the right to perform same-sex weddings if desired (read the full news HERE).  And on May 2 it also adopted a revised set of Social Principles that eliminate harmful language related to the LGBTQ community, such as the phrase “the practice of homosexuality… is incompatible with Christian teaching” (read that article HERE).

While these decisions are not really a surprise, it does represent a significant shift in the way we do our church business.  Now, individual persons, local churches, and Conference Boards of Ordained Ministry throughout our denomination have the authority to allow the Holy Spirit to help them determine for themselves the readiness of all clergy for ordination, and of all couples for marriage, regardless of their sexual identity. This is a decision, I should note, that is similar to a vote in the 1920s to allow divorced persons in our denomination to become clergy, and a similar vote in 1956 to allow women to become fully ordained clergy. 

While I recognize that not all will agree with these decisions, I, for one, celebrate these changes, and believe it will enable us to truly become a more inclusive church and denomination than we’ve been in our past.

                              Several Clarifications

Still, there are several things I think are important to clarify about these decisions:

(1) These decisions do NOT mean that the U.M.C. now officially endorses the practice of homosexuality.  To the contrary:  rather than prohibiting it outright (as before), it now neither prohibits nor endorses either gay ordination or same-sex marriages. Instead, we now officially recognize that Christians of deep faith and conviction interpret scripture differently regarding this subject. Some of our members (including some of you) still hold more "traditional/conservative" views on these subjects, while others (including others of you) hold more "progressive/liberal" views on these, while still others (including others of you) hold to a more middle-ground/"centrist" view.   And that is okay.  We can be a church that welcomes all of these views.  But regardless of where we find ourselves personally, this change recognizes that as Christians of God's grace, we can afford to “think and let think” about this and other non-essential subjects, since it is not at the heart of our faith or doctrine. 

(2) To my point above, these changes do not in any way alter any part of our Book of Discipline referencing essential Christian beliefs or doctrines (what are called our “Doctrinal Standards and Theological Task”, which include our “Articles of Religion,” all of which are the backbone of our belief and doctrine – read these HERE.) Again, since these subjects fall under parts of our beliefs which are not fundamental to our belief or doctrine, United Methodist Christians are allowed to think, believe, interpret scripture, and practice faith differently about this subject (and many others) as long as they hold to the essential orthodox teachings found in these Doctrinal Standards and Articles of Religion.  As one who -- for the past eight years -- has been a member of our own North Georgia Conference’s “Board of Ordained Ministry”, I can attest that these essential standards and doctrines are what our ordination interviews and process are focused on when we interview potential clergy for ordination.  This change now means that our Conference Boards of Ordained Ministry (such as ours in North Georgia) will no longer need to consider a person’s sexual identity (by itself) to be a prohibiting factor in their ordination – if they are orthodox in their beliefs and practices, and they otherwise pass the interview process, then they will be eligible to be ordained in our tradition.

(3) As anticipated, the secular press only reported the sensational part of these stories, rather than their fullness, potentially leaving readers with only a partially true version of what was decided (read the USAToday version HERE and the FoxNews version HERE).  I find it fascinating that these failed to report the passing of legislation which explicitly protects the right of clergy and churches not to officiate at or host same-sex weddings if they do not wish to, and that our supervisor (what we call our District Superintendents and Bishops) can not penalize clergy or churches for holding — or refraining from holding — same-sex weddings.  These are important pieces of this decision, because (as mentioned above) it further decentralizes the authority over this subject and gives individual laity, clergy, churches, and Conferences the authority to decide for themselves the readiness of a person for marriage and/or ordination (rather than being mandated “from above”).  As our own Bishop Robin Dease put it in her response to these votes, “Local churches can continue to serve and operate the way they have always done. There is no move to force the local church or clergy to do anything they are not prepared or willing to do” (Read her full response HERE).  The lack of this information in the secular news articles I believe gives a slanted view of the decisions and can potentially cause harm by enticing readers to conclude that these decisions were more radical than they actually was (yes, they were historic, but not radical!)

(4) Finally, three additional sets of legislation were also passed that rarely got reported in the secular press, either:

(a) One is the fact that the disaffiliation clause (Paragraph 2553 from the 2019 Book of Discipline that allows for local churches to leave -- or “disaffiliate” -- from our denomination) was deleted from this year’s Discipline.  This means that churches are no longer allowed to disaffiliate under this policy -- the rationale being that the time for misinformation, division, hurt, and distraction from the cause of Christ caused by this provision is over; and the time for healing and once again focusing on the work and call of Jesus in the world is now.   

(b) In its place is a new policy describing how churches may RE-affiliate with the U.M.C. who had previously left because the denomination was too restrictive and non-inclusive in its practice.

(c) Also adopted is a series of policies that decentralizes our whole denomination into world regions (aka the “Regionalization Plan”). Under this, assuming 2/3 of our Conferences ratify this change at their meetings this summer, each U.M.C. region throughout the world (i.e., North America, Africa, Europe, Asia, etc.) will have the authority to set its own guidelines and laws regarding non-doctrinal subjects (such as same-sex weddings and ordination), while at the same time being united under our common Doctrinal Standards and Articles of Religion. This legislation, in effect, recognizes and protects world United Methodism from being centrally controlled or dictated to from the United States, with each region now allowed to set its own guidelines regarding things not central to our doctrine.

Read more about all three of these decisions HERE .

Where Does That Leave Us?

Again, I recognize that we have church members (perhaps some/many of you reading this) and also local churches who still hold more traditional views and interpretations of scripture on this subject.  And we also have church members and local churches who are even more progressive on this subject than what General Conference decided.

However, my aim in sharing this news (and, I believe, the aim of the General Conference decisions) is/was NOT to change your mind or say that you are wrong in those views, but merely to encourage, invite, and allow us as a God’s people to be open to being able to “agree to disagree” on subjects like these, while still doing ministry together as a body of Christ.

Yes, these changes are certainly historic, but at the same time I believe they represent a new opportunity for us to be the church that Jesus established 2000 years ago – a church not defined by who is worthy enough to get in or not, but by how we include and invite ALL to a life-changing experience with Jesus.  As such, my goal is to be Pastor to everyone here at Cornerstone U.M.C., regardless of where you find yourself politically or theologically on this (or any other) subject.  Whether you are “traditional/conservative” “progressive/liberal”, “centrist/moderate”, Republican, Democrat, Independent… I value being and want to be your Pastor, if you will allow me to do so. The only thing I ask is that we all work together (challenging though it may be at times) to love and include all people, regardless of their beliefs, politics, practices, or sexual identity – to fulfill our church’s purpose of “building a Christian community that reflects the love of Jesus.”

In the end, as my scripture at the beginning of this article points out, we all are imperfect, broken humans (i.e., sinners) saved only by God’s free and inclusive grace – a grace that we ALL need (regardless of our sexual identity or practice), and towards which we are all called to claim and live in!  God bless you as you serve Him through our church!

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

In Christ,

Brian

 

THE SOLAR ECLIPSE and GOD’S HOPE

"What has come into being in [Jesus] was life, and the life was the light of all people. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it.” (John 1:3-5)

One of the great experiences that I had with fellowship staff, family, and friends this past Monday, April 8^th was to watch the partial solar eclipse together outside from the church parking lot.  While we here in Georgia did not have a total (100%) eclipse like some places experienced around in the U.S. west and north of us, it was still an impressive sight and experience! (You’ll see in this article some of the pictures I took of the partial eclipse with my own telescope).

For the 10 or so minutes that the sun was blocked 81% by the moon, we all noted that even though it was not a total eclipse, there was still a palpable temperature drop, and the sky was noticeably dimmer – it felt sort of like dusk on a Fall evening.  Perhaps you were outside that afternoon during the time of maximum blockage (3:01pm here in Georgia) and experienced something similar! 

But as awesome as this was, its transient nature reminded me of the very first Easter… just as the life, love and hope of God’s “Son” got “eclipsed” by the “darkness” of death and evil from the cross on Good Friday, the reality was that was only temporary.  Instead, just as the sun eventually reappeared shining at full strength on Monday afternoon after the end of the solar eclipse, so God’s “Son” resurrected Jesus reappeared on Easter morning “shining” his full light, love and hope again, as well.

In the same way, just as there are times in which the light, love and hope of God gets eclipsed in our own lives by “dark” things like tragedy, death, disease, division, racism, violence, war, fear, and so much else, those things do not last either – the “light” of God’s love, hope, and peace eventually win out and drive the dark away! 

So, when God’s light is “eclipsed” by darkness in your life, don’t give up hope – its only temporary; his “Son” will soon shine again!  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 number of years ago, now deceased United Methodist Bishop Mike Coyner 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]

My prayer is that wherever you find yourself this holiday season, you would remember that Easter is not a holiday on a calendar, but a spiritual event that should impact and guide all that we do and say as his followers.  Despite the reality of sin, turmoil and evil in our world, Jesus is still “on the loose”, working in the lives of those who will claim him.  Is he “on the loose” in YOUR life?

Remember, God loves you and I do, too!

The Old Rugged Cross

“For the message about the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.” (1 Corinthians 1:18)

“On a hill far away stood an old rugged cross,
The emblem of suffering and shame;
And I love that old cross where the dearest and best
For a world of lost sinners was slain.

O that old rugged cross, so despised by the world,
Has a wondrous attraction for me;
For the dear Lamb of God left his glory above
To bear it to dark Calvary.

In that old rugged cross, stained with blood so divine,
A wondrous beauty I see,
For' twas on that old cross Jesus suffered and died,
To pardon and sanctify me.

Refrain:
So I'll cherish the old rugged cross, ‘Til my trophies at last I lay down;
I will cling to the old rugged cross,  And exchange it some day for a crown.”

[--Verses 1-3 of hymn “The Old Rugged Cross,” #504 in The United Methodist Hymnal, by George Bennard]

This Holy Week, it is good for us to remember how God used the cross of Christ as a tragic and ironic instrument for the salvation of all humankind, and how through that cross, God’s great, wondrous love was shown to/for each of us! Jesus suffered and died there so that you and I might have victory and life today as Christians. Our salvation might be free to us, but it cost Jesus everything! Blessed is Jesus, who allowed himself to be nailed to a cross for your sake and mine! Remember, God loves you and I do, too!

What Is God Saying to You?

Who am I? Where am I going? How does God fit into my life? How can my relationship with God help me through tough times?  These are a few of the questions we’ll be exploring at Cornerstone United Methodist Church in a new worship series called “VOICES OF LENT.”  

Shared during worship February 25-March 24, we’ll explore some of the spiritual themes of the Christian season of “Lent,” and how these can sustain and empower us in our lives today.

February 25 -- The Voice of Belonging (Mark 1:9-11)

Discovering our identity in Christ

March 3 – The Voice of Invitation (Matthew 14:22-32) 

                                    Learning how to answer God's calls

March 10 -- The Voice of Awe (Exodus 20:1-20)

Discovering the purposes of God’s law

March 17 -- The Voice of Forgiveness (Psalm 51:1-17)

Discovering the power of forgiveness

March 24 (Palm/Passion Sunday) -- The Voice of Silence (Mark 15:34-39)

Learning to trust God through difficult and trying times

 

L E N T

“Since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight and the sin that clings so closely, and let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus....” (Hebrews 12:1-2).

LENT.  No, it’s not just something that sticks to your clothes.  Instead, Lent is also a season of the Christian year in which we not only prepare our lives for the Easter message of life, death, suffering, and resurrection, but are also encouraged to identify with Christ by allowing us to be used by him as vehicles of God’s grace to others.

The word “Lent” itself comes from the Anglo-Saxon word lencten, which means "spring" -- a reference to the "new life" that Christ brings to us, just as spring brings new life to nature.  For the forty days prior to Easter (beginning this coming Ash Wednesday, February 14th and culminating with Good Friday, March 29th), Christians are invited to focus upon how we practice following Christ in every arena of our lives: home; on the job; at church; in our finances; and in our relationships with others.

And because of its emphasis upon the sacrifice of Christ, Lent has traditionally been a time in which Christians are encouraged to give up worldly things in order to replace them with spiritual things.  As the above scripture reminds us, we are to “lay aside the weight(s) and the sin” that keep us from being the spouse, the friend, the work/schoolmate, etc. that God desires us to be.

What things hinder and interfere with you being the person who God created you to be?  worry?  jealousy?  envy?  bitterness?  pessimism?  fear?  pride?  a bad habit?  gossip?  a judging spirit?  Whatever it is, Lent invites us to give it up -- to junk it -- and, in its place, “look to Jesus” to equip us with those things (love, joy, patience, kindness, forgiveness, etc.) that can help us to “run with perseverance the race [of life] that is set before us.”

Remember, God loves you and I do, too!

1 Corinthians 13 for Today

 “Now faith, hope, and love remain—these three things—and the greatest of these is love.” (1 Corinthians 13:13, CEB)

Today in worship, I invite our congregation to read together in unison a re-write of the famous “love chapter” from the apostle Paul in 1 Corinthians 13:1-13 that I wrote.  Here are its words in case you want to re-read it or share it with others…

            “If I worship God in a certain style that I know to be the ‘appropriate’ one, but look down my nose at others who worship differently, or have different skin color, politics, or cultural heritage, then I’m nothing more than a loud, ringing, obnoxious cell phone in a quiet, romantic restaurant.

            If while at church, I speak to all my closest friends each and every week, but fail to go out of my way to welcome the stranger and the guest, then I’m like a tourist at the Grand Canyon who’s only concern is that there’s no WiFi in my hotel room.

            If I do things ‘by the book’ in my church committee or ministry meeting, but ignore the spirit of love that that book represents, then I’m no better than a freight train intentionally running over an innocent bystander.

            If I’m convinced that I’m theologically ‘correct’ about what the Bible says, but don’t manifest those beliefs through my respect and love for others with whom I disagree, then in the eyes of God all my ‘correct’ beliefs count for precisely nothing.

            The heart of Christianity is love and humility in all things.  Acting in love is more important than being ‘right.’  Sharing Christ’s love is more important than whether or not we always get our way.  Love will never fail -- it’s to be the primary motivation for all we say and do in God’s church.

            In the past, when we were young Christians and a young church, we took pride in being gatekeepers of tradition; in not allowing new ideas, new ways of thinking, and new, different people from affecting us too much.  But now that we’re growing up and maturing in our faith, we know we can’t continue to act the way we used to.  Love requires that we give up our old, immature ways.

            So now these three remain: FAITH to trust God through changes and new things and new people; HOPE that we don’t have to be who we used to be; and LOVE which enables us to live and act more Christlike along our life's journeys.  But the greatest of these is self-giving, self-sacrificing, God-like LOVE.”

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

Back to the Basics

Who is God?  Why believe in Jesus as God’s son?  Why do we need the church?  How is the Bible to be an authority in our lives? Invite your friends and family January 7 - February 11, 2024 as we explore answers to these questions and more in a new six-week sermon series called “Christianity 101." Come rediscover how the basics of Christian faith can help guide you in life!

 January 7 -- I AM  (Exodus 3:13-15)

The character and nature of God in our lives

 January 14 -- Who Am I?  (Mark 8:27-30)

The purpose and role of Jesus in our faith

 January 21 -- Got Spirit? (Luke 3:15-17,21-22; Acts 1:8)

The function and role of the Holy Spirit

 January 28 – Navigation (2 Timothy 3:14-17)

The Bible as God’s navigation system for life

 February 4 -- Body Parts (1 Corinthians 12:12-27)

The purpose and need for the Church in our faith

 February 4 – The Heart of It All (Matthew 22:37-40; John 13:35)

The heart of Christianity as a love of God and neighbor

O God, Our Help In Ages Past

“Lord, you have been our dwelling place in all generations…” (Psalm 90:1)

January 1st marks the beginning of new year.  But where is the future going?  What unknowns await us?  What will happen this coming year in our community? …in our church? …in our nation?  What will happen in our personal and family lives?

Whatever happens, I am comforted by the fact that there is nothing that we might face that’s bigger than the God we serve.  In 1708, Isaac Watts wrote one of the most famous of his hymns to remind people of his day of the faithfulness of God in the midst of the unknowns of the present:

God, our help in ages past,

our hope for years to come,

our shelter from the stormy blast,

and our eternal home.

Under the shadow of thy throne,

still may we dwell secure;

sufficient is thine arm alone,

and our defense is sure.

Before the hills in order stood,

or earth received her frame,

from everlasting, thou art God,

to endless years the same.

A thousand ages, in thy sight,

are like an evening gone;

short as the watch that ends the night,

before the rising sun.

Time, like an ever rolling stream,

bears all who breathe away;

they fly forgotten, as a dream

dies at the opening day.

O God, our help in ages past,

our hope for years to come;

be thou our guide while life shall last,

and our eternal home.

            [--Isaac Watts (1708), UMHymnal #117]

As we begin this new year, always remember that the same God who has been with and for us all in our past will guide and direct us in our future, no matter what it holds.  And never forget that God loves you and I do, too!   

Sing We Now of Christmas

"The Shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen…” (Luke 2:20)

“Sing we now of Christmas, Noel sing we here
Sing our grateful praises to the maid so dear.
Sing we Noel! The King is born, Noel!
Sing we now of Christmas Sing we here, Noel!

From the Eastern kingdoms come the wise men far
Bearing ancient treasure following yonder star.
Sing we Noel! The King is born, Noel!
Sing we now of Christmas Sing we here, Noel!

From the distant mountains hear the trumpet sound
With angelic blessings on the silent town.
Sing we Noel! The King is born, Noel!
Sing we now of Christmas Sing we here, Noel!

Come let us surround him on this magic night
Gather here around him wondrous babe of light.
Sing we Noel! The King is born, Noel!
Sing we now of Christmas Sing we here, Noel!”

[--Traditional French Carol, The United Methodist Hymnal #237]

Whether you can “carry a tune” or not, I pray that you will have a song in your heart as you listen for hope in the coming of Christ in your life this Christmas!  Remember, God loves you and I do, too!

WAITING...

“Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord!” (Psalm 27:14)

I don’t know about you, but I have never been very good at waiting. Whether it is waiting in those long lines at stores or waiting on a parking space in the parking lot, it often seems that the closer something is, the more difficult it is to wait for it. In fact, our impatience seems built right into our culture and society – these days, Christmas carols and decorations appear even before Halloween!

Yet, the Christian season of ADVENT (from the Latin adventus, “coming” – a reference to the “coming” of Jesus in the past, present and future) encourages us to learn the hard and difficult lesson of waiting, of watching, of anticipating, and of expecting good things still to come. It encourages us to learn to wait for God to reveal Himself in His own way and time.

In the weeks leading up to our daughter Jennifer’s birth over twenty-eight years ago, Trish and I both were very much on edge. The due date arrived, then passed, and I remember thinking constantly, “How much longer, Lord?!” I’m sure it was the same for the early Hebrews as they waited for the Messiah to be born, probably also thinking, “How much longer, Lord?!” And it’s the same for us today as we often ask of our problems, “How much longer, Lord?!” Maybe it’s God’s way of trying to remind us that some of the best things in life (including true, genuine fulfillment, contentment, and joy) often come only through long, hard waiting.

So, during this Advent season (which begins this coming Sunday, December 3rd), I invite us all to let God teach us to wait… with patience, anticipation, and joy. One tool that can help us “wait” and prepare for the coming of Christmas is through our use of what is called an “Advent Wreath” — a circle of four candles which are progressively lit during the four Sundays of Advent, culminating in the lighting of the central white (Christ) candle on Christmas Eve. CLICK HERE for an order for an Advent Wreath lighting that you can download and use each week leading up to Christmas.

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