THE KINGDOM

“To you has been given the secret of the kingdom of God…” (Mark 4:11)

As we continue our series The Prayer of Jesus, we’re reminded this week of importance and priority that God’s kingdom needs to take in our lives. I’m reminded of a song by Christian musician Michael Card that speaks of the paradoxical nature of that kingdom…

“So near and yet still so far, far away

So close, and yet still to come
Concealed, the seed is mysteriously growing
In hearts that will listen and hear
A treasure that's hidden, a pearl of great price
A fortune for fools who believe

(CHORUS:)

A kingdom of beauty, a kingdom of love

A kingdom of justice of justice and peace
A kingdom that holds all the wilds of creation
A kingdom where children will lead

For now this kingdom's a land of the lowly

A place for the tired, plundered poor
Now our gentle King comes in peace on a donkey
But then on a charger for war
A battle in heaven, a war on the earth
To shatter the long darkened siege

(CHORUS)

Not by our own strength

And not by power of might
But by His Spirit it comes
Blinded eyes will see
And deafened ears will hear
The praise from the lips of the dumb”

(CHORUS)

[--Michael Card, “The Kingdom”, from his album The Word: Recapturing The Imagination (1992)]

May the mystery and beauty of the kingdom of God grow more and more within each of us as we seek to follow him!  Remember, God loves you and I do, too!

All About Me???

"Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility regard others as better than yourselves. Let each of you look not to your own interests, but to the

interests of others." (Philippians 2:3-4)

Part of our new series on “The Lord’s Prayer” challenges each of us to consider how much our lives as Christians are often wrapped up (even unintentionally) in the self-centeredness of our society and culture.  As part of this, I want to share several additional observations: the first from The Lord’s Prayer itself; the next two from readings that challenged me in my own thinking.

DID YOU KNOW…?

You cannot say The Lord’s Prayer and even once say “I”

You cannot pray The Lord’s Prayer and even once say “my”

Nor can you  pray The Lord’s Prayer and not pray for another

For when you ask for daily  bread, you must include each other

For others are included in each and every plea

From beginning to the end of it, it does not once say “me”!

            [-From a 1984 Fayetteville First UMC (GA) newsletter]

“The fastest growing religion in the world is not Islam or Christianity… but radical consumerism.  It promises transcendence, power, pleasure, and fulfillment even as it demands complete devotion.… American Christians have incorporated their devotion to consumerism with their Christian faith.  Yet every step we make towards [it] is one step farther off the path of Jesus the Liberating King.”

[-From Advent Conspiracy by Rick McKinley and others, pp. 21-22]

“The greatest enemy of hunger for God is not poison but apple pie. It is not the banquet of the wicked that dulls our appetite for heaven, but endless nibbling at the table of the world. It is not the X-rated video, but the prime-time dribble of triviality we drink in every night… For when these replace an appetite for God Himself, the idolatry is scarcely recognizable, and almost incurable.”

            [-From A Hunger for God: Desiring God through Fasting and Prayer by John Piper, p. 11]

Wow!  Strong words that cut right to our heart -- or more precisely, right to our behaviors and practices!  Still, it’s the call we’re asked to follow.  So, may God give us the courage, power, and boldness to seek this kind of true freedom in his Holy Spirit in each of our lives!  Remember that God loves you and I do, too!

LENT: A Time To FAST and FEAST

“Blow the trumpet in Zion; sanctify a fast; call an assembly” (Joel 2:15)

Several years ago, Dr. Kevin LaGree, former Dean of the Candler School of Theology at Emory University, once shared a message about the spiritual disciplines of the Christian season of Lent (the 40 days before Easter), which we begin this coming week.  

Most of us are familiar with the custom of “fasting” (e.g., giving up) certain things during this period, especially certain types of food.  But Dr. LaGree also pointed out that the taking on of certain spiritual things is just as vital as the things that we “give up.”

During that message, he said, “Lent is a time to FAST from certain things and FEAST on others.  For example, during Lent, we should….

FAST from judging others; FEAST on Christ dwelling in them.

FAST from discontent; FEAST on gratitude.

FAST from complaining; FEAST on appreciation.        

FAST from bitterness; FEAST on forgiveness.

FAST from discouragement; FEAST on hope.

FAST from apathy; FEAST on enthusiasm.

FAST from suspicion; FEAST on truth.

FAST from thoughts that weaken; FEAST on promises that inspire.

FAST from idle gossip; FEAST on purposeful silence.

FAST from problems that overwhelm; FEAST on prayer that sustains.”

LENT is indeed a time for both fasting and feasting.  My prayer is that in the weeks and days of this season before Easter, each of us will take time to look deep within our lives to discover those things from which we need to FAST (give up), and then to FEAST (take on) every good thing that can draw us closer to God’s presence, plan, and purpose.  Remember, He loves you and I do, too!

H O M E

“At that time, I will bring you home, at the time when I gather you… when I restore your fortunes before your eyes, says the Lord.” (Zephaniah 3:20)

“Though you are homeless, though you’re alone

            I will be your Home.

Whatever’s the matter, whatever’s been done,

            I will be your Home.

 

I will be your Home. I will be your Home.

In this fearful, fallen place, I will be your Home.

When time reaches fullness, when I move my hand.

            I will bring you Home.

Home to your own place in a beautiful land,

            I will bring you Home.

 

I will bring you Home.  I will bring you Home.

From this fearful, fallen place, I will bring you Home.

I will bring you Home.”

 

            [--Michael Card, “I Will Bring You Home”, Album The Word: Recapturing the Imagination

                (Birdwing Music, 1992)]

 

As we as a church prepare to host our first week of “Family Promise” guests, my prayer is that we will all remember the meaning and value of “home” and how God Himself seeks to be “home” for each of us, regardless of what kind of roof we have over our heads. Remember that God loves you and I do, too!

 

LOVE ABOVE ALL

“No matter what I say, what I believe, and what I do, I’m bankrupt without love.  Love never gives up.  Love cares more for others than for self. Love doesn’t want what it doesn’t have. 

 

Love doesn’t strut, doesn’t have a swelled head, doesn’t force itself on others, isn’t always ‘me first,’ doesn’t fly off the handle, doesn’t keep score of the sins of others, doesn’t revel when others grovel, takes pleasure in the flowering of truth, puts up with anything, trusts God always, always looks for the best, never looks back, but keeps going to the end. Love never dies....

We don’t yet see things clearly.  We’re squinting in a fog, peering through a mist.  But it won’t be long before the weather clears and the sun shines bright!  We’ll see it all then, see it all as clearly as God sees us, knowing him directly just as he knows us! 

 

But for right now, until that completeness, we have three things to do to lead us toward that consummation:  TRUST steadily in God, HOPE unswervingly, LOVE extravagantly.  And the best of the three is LOVE.”

            [--1 Corinthians 13:3b-8a,12-13, from THE MESSAGE]

As we conclude our series on developing healthy intimate relationships (marriages, friendships, family relationships, etc.), the Bible tells us that the principle and practice of unselfish, self-giving love should guide all we say and do.  So, my prayer for both myself and for you is that not only would we experience this kind of love from God in our own lives, but that we would share it with and show it to others that we love, as well!  Always remember that God loves you and I do, too!

10 Habits of Happy Couples

"By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another" (John 13:35)

1. Go to bed at the same time

2. Cultivate common interests.

3. Walk hand in hand or side by side

4. Make trust and forgiveness your default mode

5. Focus more on what your partner does right than what he or she does wrong

6. Hug each other as soon as you see each other after work

7. Say “I love you” and “Have a good day” every morning

8. Say “Good night” every night, regardless of how you feel

9. Do a “weather” check during the day to see how their day is going.

10. Be proud to be seen with your partner.

[--My appreciation to one of our members for sharing this article from a Psychology Today article by MarkGoulston]

 

As we continue our series Love, To Stay, I hope you’ll consider how you practice the equivalents of these in all your relationships, but especially with the people to which you are closest! Remember, God loves you and I do, too!

State of the Church

“And day by day the Lord added to their number those who were being saved.” (Acts 2:47)

One of the responsibilities that all United Methodist churches have at the first of each year is to give a statistical accounting of their annual ministry.  As this data was prepared for our “2013 Year-End-Report” to the North Georgia Annual Conference, I thought you might be interested in what I consider to be some of the highlights:

            • Total number of new members in 2013: +56

            • New members joining in 2013 by profession or reaffirmation of Christian

              faith: +29

• Number of persons baptized (all ages): 19

            • Net growth of ECUMC church membership in 2013: +40

            • Church membership as of December 31, 2013: 1012 (the highest thus far in our

               church’s history)

            • Average attendance for all worship services during 2013: 362

            • Average attendance in all Sunday School classes during 2013: 249

• ECUMC diversity: percentage of membership not from Anglo-Caucasian origin: 

  10.07%

            • Number of persons engaged in mission: 143

            • Number of persons served in mission: 30,152

 

            • Number of family units financially supporting our church’s mission & ministry: 268

            • Total offerings received:  $750,873

            • Amount spent in 2013 on program ministry and operational expenses (excludes

              salaries): $217,528

            • Amount given during 2013 for local, state, and world mission ministry: $145,499

            • Current value of all church-owned buildings & property: $5,804,581

            • Amount given thus-far towards "be BOLD" capital campaign: $416,899

As you can see, the statistics reveal that great things are happening at East Cobb U.M.C., with more great things still to come.  So if you haven’t already, I pray that this year you and your family will “get in” on what God is doing in our midst as we seek to carry out our mission of being “A Mosaic of God’s Family: Gathering; Growing; and Going”!  Remember, God loves you and I do, too!

Sacrifice In Relationships

“Instead of each person watching out for their own good, watch out for what is better for others.” (Philippians 2:4)

In preparation for my current series on building healthy intimate relationships, one of our fellow East Cobb UMC members shared the following devotional with me from Joyce Meyer ministries (www.joycemeyer.org).  Although the language is couched in terms of marriage, the principle of sacrifice certainly applies to any committed, intimate relationship. And this week as we’re discussing God’s plan for sexual intimacy, I believe it has special meaning, as well:

“Early in our marriage, God had to teach me that truly loving Dave meant that sometimes I would have to make sacrifices. Up until that point, I only wanted my way and was very much like the noisy gong mentioned in 1 Corinthians 13.

Love is the highest form of maturity. It often requires a sacrificial gift. If love doesn't require some sort of sacrifice on our part, we probably don't really love the other person at all. If there is no sacrifice in our actions, we are most likely reacting to something nice they did for us, or simply pretending to be kind to gain some control over them.

It is important to understand that true love gives of itself. So our decisions should always have our spouse's interests at heart. When you do, you're giving of yourself.

God's desire is for husbands and wives to love each other sacrificially and unconditionally. This means you don't get your way all of the time. But the good news is, when a husband and wife sacrifice their selfish desires, they will have a triumphant marriage!”

             [--From Joyce Meyer’s daily devotional, cited the devotion for “Day 237 of 365” at

                     www.bible.com, shared by an East Cobb UMC member]

My prayer as we continue our series Love, To Stay is that you will remember to both value and practice the spiritual discipline of sacrifice as you seek to build intimate relationships that can last a lifetime!  Never forget that God loves you and I do, too!

10 Reasons God Created Eve

“With the rib taken from the human, the Lord God fashioned a woman and brought her to the human being…” (Genesis 2:22)

     10. God worried that Adam would always be lost in the garden because He knew men would never ask for directions.
      
      9. God knew that Adam would one day need someone to hand him the TV remote because men don't want to see what is on TV; they want to see what else is on TV.
      
      8. God knew that Adam would never buy a new fig leaf when the seat wore out and therefore would need Eve to get one for him.
      
      7. God knew that Adam would never make a doctor's appointment for himself.
      
      6. God knew that Adam would never remember which night was garbage night.
      
      5. God knew that if the world was to be populated there would have to someone to bear children because men would never be able to handle it.
      
      4. As Keeper of the Garden Adam would never remember where he put his tools.
      
      3. The Scripture account of creation indicates that Adam needed someone to blame his troubles on when God caught him hiding in the garden.
      
      2. As the Bible says, "It is not good for man to be alone", he only ends up getting himself in trouble.
      
      And the NUMBER ONE reason...

      1. When God finished the creation of Adam he stepped back, scratched his head and said, "I can do better than that."

           [--From htttp://jokes.christiansunite.com/Men_vs._Women/10_Reasons_God_Created_Eve.shtml]

As we continue our series Love, To Stay, I hope you’ll remember to look for the blessings and for the value in the differences between men and women, instead of letting them simply be a source of frustration!  Remember, God loves you and I do, too!

Love, To Stay... For Everyone

“This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.” (John 15:12)

This weekend we’re beginning a new series called “Love, To Stay” (based on a book by Adam Hamilton of the same title) in which we’ll be exploring biblical perspectives on love, sex, grace and commitment in intimate human relationships, and what it takes to create and sustain healthy, meaningful intimate relationships across the course of a lifetime. 

And while I’ll be using marriage (the most sacred of all human relationships, and the metaphor God most commonly uses in the Bible to talk about his relationship to us) as the primary lens through which to talk about these issues, it’s important to know that this is not a series exclusively for married people, or even for those who want to get married in the future. Instead, both singles and married folks, young and old, those currently in committed relationships and those who’re not, can all benefit from this series.

If you’re single and never married, you’ll gain insights that can help you have successful intimate relationships in the future (whether you want to get married or not).  If you’re a widow and/or widower, not only can this series help you in your current friendships, but can encourage you to share the wisdom you learned in your marriage with those who need it in their own marriages today.

Those who are currently married will obviously benefit from the things we’ll be talking about, as well, whether you’ve been married for one year or 60!  In fact, one reason I felt led by God to share this series in the first place is the struggles shared with me in pastoral counseling by many married couples of all stages over the last few years from our congregation and community.

And finally, all people (singles and married alike) will gain insights from this series that can help enhance the friendships and family relationships they have in the present. 

So, you see, I’m designing this series with everyone in mind, regardless of your age, marriage status, or stage in life.  I pray that you will come expecting God to do wonderful things with and through you in your current and future intimate relationships, and that He will open your mind and heart to new ways that you can create love that stays and lasts a lifetime!

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

P.S.  As an added bonus to our married couples, please mark your calendars and watch the bulletin for two additional relationship-building opportunities we’ll be offering in conjunction with this series:

(1)  “Love, To Stay Marriage Encounter” event (February 21-22): A Friday night-Saturday marriage enrichment seminar hosted by Rev. Jim Higgins.  Cost is $45/couple.  Pre-registration required.

(2) Personalized opportunities to renew your marriage vows:  look for upcoming dates in late February-early March for 30 minute renewal times hosted by Pastor Brian for you and your spouse to renew your vows.  Free, but reservation will be required.

 

Hark! The Herald Angels Sing!

“And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God and saying, ‘Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace among those whom he favors!’” (Luke 2:13-14)

“Hark! The herald angels sing,

“Glory to the newborn King;

Peace on earth, and mercy mild,
God and sinners reconciled!”

Joyful, all ye nations rise;

Join the triumph of the skies;

With th’angelic host proclaim, “Christ is born in Bethlehem!”
Hark! The herald angels sing, “Glory to the newborn King!”

Christ, by highest heaven adored; Christ, the everlasting Lord;

Late in time behold him come, offspring of a virgin’s womb.
Veiled in flesh the Godhead see; hail th’incarnate Deity,
Pleased with us in flesh to dwell, Jesus, our Emmanuel.
Hark! The herald angels sing, “Glory to the newborn King!”

Hail, the heavenborn Prince of Peace! 

Hail the Sun of Righteousness!
Light and life to all he brings, risen with healing in his wings.
Mild he lays his glory by, born that we no more may die,
Born to raise us from the earth, born to give us second birth.
Hark! The herald angels sing, “Glory to the newborn King!”

            [--Charles Wesley, 1739, The United Methodist Hymnal #240]

Today our music and worship arts ministry reminds us to celebrate the coming of the Christ-child through music during their annual Christmas Cantata.  Whether or not you can sing personally, I pray that you will have a song in your heart this holiday season for the coming of Christ in your life as you celebrate as the angel host did 2000 years ago!  Remember, God loves you and I do, too!

Christmas Mission Offering

"[You are to] do good, to be rich in good works, generous, and ready to share, thus storing up for themselves the treasure of a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of the life that really is life" (1 Timothy 6:18-19) 

The following is a copy of a letter from myself and our Finance Chairperson Judy Jones that our whole congregation will receive by mail this week (if not already).  I share it again in the interest of encouraging your participation...

---------------------

Dear ECUMC Family & Friends,

These are challenging yet exciting times in our personal lives, in the life of our country and in the life of our Church as well.  When we read the newspaper, watch TV or surf the internet, or even review our investment statements we are often getting bad news.  So, let us instead share some incredibly good news about how your investment in God’s work through your church enabled us to achieve its mission in 2013.  Your gifts have enabled us to…

****Reach over 350 people each week through our three principle worship services, Wednesday Night Supper, and other opportunities for fellowship and networking  …GATHERING to embrace God and others

***Impact over 400 people weekly through 40+ small groups and community ministry resources, including continued significant growth of our Lighthouse Academy Daycare Center… GROWING in faith, hope and love

***Welcome 55 new members and over 175 regular guests (topping 1000 members for the first time in our history), and be in ministry to over 500 people weekly through various local church mission ministries, and to even more through special opportunities like Mountain T.O.P., annual Great Day of Service, M.U.S.T., and others  …GOING into our world to serve and share Jesus

Consequently, the Christmas season is an ideal time for us to pray about ways we can share in year-end giving that will make a real difference in people’s lives:

(1) First, regarding our 2013 General Ministry Fund, we celebrate your faithfulness this year that has enabled us to stay “in the black” nearly all year long.  Thank you!!!  But even if you are up to date on your annual financial commitment, don’t forget that now is a great time to make additional gifts in order to take advantage of current tax laws.

(2) As one idea for this, we are excited to continue the new ECUMC Christmas tradition of designating offerings collected at our Christmas Eve services as a Christmas Mission Offering. This year the focus of that offering will be Family Promise of Cobb County, a new ministry with which we will be partnering in 2014 to help eradicate homelessness here in our own community – the ministry is described in the attached brochure HERE.  We ask that, in the spirit of Christmas, you prayerfully consider giving “over and above” your general fund tithe or gifts to this special offering during one of our three Christmas Eve services (or before if you won't be in town).  Please mark your checks/envelopes “Christmas Mission Offering”, or donate online HERE.

Thank you for your faithfulness in praying for, attending, serving in, and giving financially to His Church this year.  We trust that God will honor your faithfulness as you continue to grow in His kingdom.  We wish you, your family, and all your loved ones a Merry Christmas and a Happy 2014!

 

A D V E N T

"Behold, I am sending my messenger to prepare the way before me, and the Lord whom you seek will suddenly come to his temple...” (Malachi 3:1)

For many Christians today, the idea of seasons of the Christian year is a new thing. But the church has used them for nearly 2000 years to remind us of spiritual realities that often get lost in our secular and pagan world. For example, many of you may already know that in the Christian calendar, the four weeks prior to Christmas Day are considered a season separate from Christmas.

Known as “Advent” (from the Latin adventus, which means “coming”) these four weeks celebrate and remind us of aspects of faith which are related to but definitely distinct from Christmas. Advent is one way we can remember the true “reason for the season” by being pointed to and prepared for the various “comings” of Jesus in and through time:

(1) In The Past ...as a babe in Bethlehem. We listen to Old Testament prophets who promised a coming Messiah

(2) In the Present ...as the one who comes and meets us in our hearts and lives today

(3) In the Future ...as the one who will come again to make all things new and to establish His kingdom upon the earth once and for all.

During this season, we use the colors blue (representing hope) and purple (representing royalty) to remind us of the hope that Christ brings as our reigning King, and light an Advent wreath to remind us that we wait for the coming of Jesus, the “Light of the world.”

This year at East Cobb UMC, our celebration of Advent can help us understand the true meaning of Christmas, and prepare our hearts for the Christ-child. It will be a great time to invite friends and neighbors to church, as well as a good time to get back to church yourself! So don’t miss out on how God wants to bless you as we begin celebrating Advent on December 1st! I’ll see you then! Remember, God loves you and I do, too!

What I'm Thankful For?

“In everything give thanks, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”  (1 Thessalonians 5:18)

This past year I have had much to give God thanks for.  Here are just a few.  I am thankful...

...for a wife who models the love of God by loving me just as I am, warts and all!

…for a daughter who makes Trish and I proud not only because of what she does but more 

importantly because of who she is and the beautiful woman of God she’s become.

...for parents who raised me in church to love, understand, and eventually follow the ways of God.

...for a church family who loves, supports, and prays for both my family and myself daily.

...for all of my fellow staff members -- Jim P, Cindy, Peter, Frieda, Rob, Jim H, Leanna, Nancy, Bronwyne, Lee, Barbara, and Nicole -- who, together with me, share in the cause and work of Christ through our church.

…for church members who love me in spite of the fact that we “go over” in worship far too many Sundays due to long-winded preaching!

...for Sunday School and Bible study teachers/leaders who live out their faith in the selfless way they lead and teach.

...for committee and ministry team leaders and members who give “above and beyond” to the work of Christ through their participation in and leadership of our church’s ministries.

...for the “behind-the-scenes” members of our sound, multi-media ministries and those who help prepare our bulletins and newsletters in the essential work that they do.

...for the members of our praise team, adult, children’s and youth choirs for the blessing and inspiration they share through their music.

…for all the volunteers and staff of our church nursery who give tirelessly of themselves to make sure our children are safe and happy.

…for the members of our Kenyan congregation who remind us of our calling to be Jesus to the whole world, even when that world is here among us!

…for the staff and teachers of Lighthouse Academy, in keeping us in touch with the needs of the community that we are tasked to serve.

...for church members who roll up their sleeves and pitch in to be part of "the answer," rather than whining about what someone else is not doing to fix "the problem."

...for all the great volunteers who lovingly help in all of our Sunday night and Wednesday evening activities.

...for church members who are willing to make God a priority through their financial giving to His church.

…for our “be BOLD” capital campaign and new Building Committee that will advance the vision of our church into the future.

...for fellow Christians who’re willing to step outside themselves by participating in serving and/or sharing ministries both locally and/or overseas.

…most importantly, for God who gave his son for me to give me forgiveness and salvation when I didn’t deserve it, and for giving me life and hope in the midst of a hectic world!

Of course, there’s many, many more, but have you “counted your blessings” lately?  When you do, I’m sure you’ll find that, like me, you have many things for which to “give thanks.”  Let us all strive to live out our thankfulness this Thanksgiving holiday!  Remember, God loves you and I do, too!

FOR WHAT ARE YOU THANKFUL???