The Waiting

“After [Jesus’] suffering, he presented himself alive to them by many convincing proofs, appearing to them during forty days and speaking about the kingdom of God. While staying with them, he ordered them not to leave Jerusalem, but to wait there for the promise of the Father.” (Acts 1:3-4)

I don't know about you, but when I got word this past Monday that our Bishop asked that we not gather for worship until at least June 22nd, I was disappointed and more than a bit frustrated! While I totally understand the reasoning from a health perspective, and certainly don't want us to resume worship until it is safe to do so, nevertheless after nearly six weeks in quarantine I was (and perhaps like you, still am) impatient for life to return to "normal."

The problem is:  more than likely, "normal" will never be the same again.  Like our world after Pearl Harbor, or after the assassinations of JFK, MLK Jr, and RFK in the 1960s, or even after the attacks of 9-11, today’s health crisis will probably usher in all sorts of changes in how we see and do life in our world, some of which we cannot yet even begin to comprehend.  Sure, as Christians we know that God is with us in the midst of this change. But what does it all mean?  And how do we prepare for it?

In many ways, I think this is exactly what Jesus' Disciples may have been feeling and experiencing during the days immediately after the first Easter Sunday.  I’m sure that they, too, longed for life to return to “normal.” But for them, as for us, “normal” would never be the same again – their lives (and indeed, the history of the world itself) would be forever changed by the reality of Jesus’ resurrection.

And also like us, they, too, experienced Christ’s presence in those days.  Yet even there, the scripture above reminds us that Jesus himself set boundaries on what they could and could not do during this period of time.  Namely, like us not being allowed to leave our homes, they weren’t to leave Jerusalem, but instead to “wait” for the promise of the Father, which we later learn would come in the form of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost.

So, all of this got me thinking about the “waiting” which is the inevitable characteristic of all “in-between” times in life:  for the Disciples, the 40 days between Easter Sunday and Pentecost Sunday; for a pregnant family, the 9 months between when they find out about the pregnancy and when the baby is actually born; and for all of us today, the time between the beginning of shelter-in-place restrictions and their end.

And it occurred to me that times of waiting are most always times of preparation for what comes next!   As the Disciples were waiting in Jerusalem, God was preparing them for being sent out as missionaries after Pentecost.  As a pregnant family waits for the birth of their child, God prepares them for how their lives will be different after the birth.  And for us today, if we allow Him to do so, I believe that God wants to use this time of waiting (where we are all cooped up in our homes) as a time of preparation for the “new” life that will follow.

After all, when this is all over, we’ll probably be doing any number of things in new ways:  school; concerts; sporting events; shopping; plays; and even church will be different!  But even though God is not the cause of this crisis, perhaps God wants to use it to remind us what is really important and essential in life and what’s not, and how we can live differently in order to truly prioritize life around those vital things.

No, very few of us like to “wait.”  We are, instead, typically a very impatient people, because we live in an “instant” world where everything can be had immediately.  Yet, without the preparation that takes place during times of waiting, we can’t really face the “new” realities that life often throws at us. 

So, rather than lamenting being cooped up, or spending time trying to find someone to blame for it, perhaps we should instead ask: “God, what are you trying to teach and prepare me for during this time of waiting?”  When each of us can truthfully answer that, then maybe… just maybe, we’re finally ready to leave our quarantine and face a new world!  Remember, God loves you and I do, too!

Listening To & Hearing From God

"Your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying  'This is the way, walk in it.' Whenever you turn to the right hand or whenever you turn to your left" (Isaiah 30:21)

This coming Sunday (April 26) I was originally scheduled to meet with the youth of our church to have them ask me faith questions and let me respond to them.  Of course, with our shelter-in-place orders, I won’t be meeting with them in person.  However, in its place, our Student Director instead invited me to video myself answering questions from them that they shared with her. (If you want to see the whole video, click HERE). 

They asked really great questions, and one of those was: “How do I hear from / listen to God?”  We all know that there are many voices that speak to us in our world today, telling us where we should go, what we should do, and how.  As Christians we know we’re “supposed” to listen to/hear from God for this kind of direction.  Yet,  many of us are either so confused by the many other voices around us that we can’t discern God’s voice, or we may not really have an idea of how to recognize His voice in the first place.

So how exactly DO we “listen to” or “hear from” God, regardless of what age we are?  How can we recognize His voice in the midst of so many competing voices around us?  While what I shared in my video with our youth is slightly different than what I share here, nevertheless there are at least six basic filters that I often use to help me determine which things I’m hearing are from God or not.  I offer them to each of you now: 

1) Scripture (2 Timothy 3:16-17): Is what you’re “hearing” consistent with God’s word found in the essence of the Bible?  As taught by Jesus, the “voice of God” will never contradict the spirit of “love for God and love for others” found in holy scripture (Read Luke 10:25-28).

2) “Gentle Impressions” of the Holy Spirit (Hebrews 8:10-11):  Sometimes we sense certain “nudges” or “impressions” in our inner heart/spirit that are an indicator of the voice or calling of God.  With practice using the other filters (along with our own experience), we’ll increasingly come to recognize the ones that are from God vs. the ones coming merely from our own desires or from non-godly sources around us.

3) Godly counsel from others (Proverbs 11:14):  Sometimes God’s voice speaks through the wisdom and advice of others.  What are others telling you about God’s voice?

4) A sense of God’s peace (Colossians 3:15):  The voice of God can often be determined “after the fact” by a sense of “peace” about a decision or direction that you’ve “stepped out on faith” to take. You may or may not experience this before or at the time you’re making the decision, but once made, an inner “peace” comes over you and your “gut” tells you that it will all be okay

5) “Coincidental” confirmation through circumstances (Matthew 18:16 and Acts 18:1-3):  Sometimes things just “happen” to us at the right time -- timing that seems fortuitous and very coincidental.  In my experience, employing eyes of faith can help us see that there are really no “coincidences” -- that God works through all things that happen to us in life (even the things that He didn’t cause), and often these seeming “coincidences” are God’s way of confirming our direction; of saying “this is the way; walk in it!”

6) Repetition!  (Mark 12:1-6) Do you continually keep “hearing” or sensing the same idea or thought over and over that you are supposed to do something?  As long as it is not inconsistent with the overarching law of love in holy scripture, it’s probably God trying to tell you something!  For example, you may think that God is “speaking” to you in a scripture you read, which is then confirmed by counsel given to you by someone, affirmed through a “coincidental” happening.  So, you step out in faith and try it, and a great sense of “peace” overwhelms you. And that’s when you realize:  yes, that was God speaking!

Of course, it hopefully goes without saying that all of these filters are merely tools that need to be used in conjunction with PRAYER -- intentional time to both talk to God and space to listen for God.  As you and I practice these more and more, we’ll come to increasingly be able to correctly discern the voice of God in our lives.  Remember, God loves you and I do, too!

All I Need to Know I Learned from Noah's Ark

“Then God said to Noah and to his sons with him, ‘As for me, I am establishing my covenant with you and your descendants after you’” (Genesis 9:8-9)

Lesson One: Don’t miss the boat.

Lesson Two:  Remember that we are all in the same boat.

Lesson Three:  Plan ahead.  It wasn’t raining when Noah built the Ark.

Lesson Four: Stay fit.  When you’re 600 years old someone may ask you to do something really big!

Lesson Five: Don’t listen to critics, just get on with the job that needs to be done.

Lesson Six:   Build your future on high ground.

Lesson Seven:  For safety’s sake, travel in pairs.

Lesson Eight:  Speed isn’t always an advantage.  The snails were on board with the cheetahs.

Lesson Nine: When you’re stressed, float a while.

Lesson Ten: Remember the Ark was built by amateurs -- the Titanic was built by professionals.

Lesson Eleven: No matter the storm, when you are with God there’s always a rainbow waiting.

It’s good to know that no matter what we face – including a pandemic -- God is here for and with us, and that we can be here with each other (even if virtually)! Remember, God loves you and I do, too!

GOD HAS WON!

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

                 “The strife is over, the battle done;

                                          The victory of life is won;
                                          The song of triumph has begun: Alleluia!

                                          The powers of death have done their worst,
                                          But Christ their legions hath dispersed;
                                          Let shouts of holy joy outburst: Alleluia!

                                          The three sad days are quickly sped;
                                          He rises glorious from the dead;
                                          All glory to our risen Head: Alleluia!

      Lord, by the stripes which wounded thee,

                                         From death's dread sting thy servants free,
                                         That we may live, and sing to thee: Alleluia!” 

                               [--Original 1695 Latin lyrics translated by Francis Pott in 1861,
                                      from The United Methodist Hymnal, #306]

For over 2000 years Christians have celebrated the glorious resurrection of Jesus!  He rose that we might have life, and have it more abundantly!  He rose that we might know that he walks and talks with us even now!  He rose to tell us that "everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die"!  He rose to prove once and for all that he is our champion who has already won the victory!  

Whatever it is that you face today that looks and feels like “death” -- whether a broken relationship, being unemployed or cut back in your job due to our healthcare crisis, being unsure of your financial situation in general, illness or other health problems, or any other number of things --  remember that Jesus rose to give you victory over it!  Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!

Remember that God loves you and I do, too!  Happy Easter!

Psalm 121 - A Musical Reflection

For today's blog, I invite you to listen as I sing the words of Psalm 121 in both Hebrew (it's not perfect pronunciation, so I ask for grace!) and in English.  It's actual title is "My Help (Psalm 121)", and it is one of my all-time favorite songs by contemporary Christian singer and songwriter Michael Card from his 1990 album The Way of Wisdom.

If you tune in to our church's "Good Friday" online service tomorrow night (April 10, 2020), you will hear me sing this as the very ending of that service. 

In its original context, like many of the Psalms, it was a hymn that Jewish pilgrims sang on the way to the annual Passover celebration while travelling from the low-lying basin of the Jordan River westward up into the hills where lay their destination -- the holy city of Jerusalem.  This is the origin of it's subtitle "A Song of Ascents" -- meaning that it was to be sung while "ascending" into the hills in which Jerusalem sits.  I pray that you are blessed by its simplicity and the comfort of its message, especially in today's crisis:

LISTEN TO TO BRIAN SING HERE

Psalm 121:  A Song of Ascents

​¹ I lift up my eyes to the hills—from where will my help come?
² My help comes from the LORD, who made heaven and earth.
³ He will not let your foot be moved; he who keeps you will not slumber.
⁴ He who keeps Israel will neither slumber nor sleep.
⁵ The LORD is your keeper; the LORD is your shade at your right hand.
⁶ The sun shall not strike you by day, nor the moon by night.
⁷ The LORD will keep you from all evil; he will keep your life.
⁸ The LORD will keep your going out and your coming in from this time on and forevermore. 

As we journey towards Easter, never forget that God loves you and I do, too!

Brian's Book Now Available!

About two years ago, I was approached by one of the coordinators of our denomination’s “Course of Study” school (which trains local pastors for ministry in the United Methodist Church) to write a book on the history, theology, and practices of United Methodist Christianity. I’m excited to say that that book -- Christianity the Wesleyan Way:  Principles and Practices for Life and Ministry -- has now been published and is available for purchase!

Even though it was originally written to be used as a text for the “Course of Study” students of United Methodism, I believe its content will be beneficial and accessible for anyone interested in learning about the unique and fascinating beliefs and practices of Wesleyan/Methodist Christianity.

WATCH A SHORT VIDEO ABOUT THE BOOK

FIND THE BOOK at AMAZON.COM

FIND THE BOOK at COKESBURY.COM

FIND THE BOOK at my PUBLISHERS FACEBOOK PAGE

The book's description at Amazon.com says that…

“This book walks readers through the heart of the history, theology, and practices of early Methodists by using select primary source material and instructive diagrams. In addition Germano summarizes the spiritual, historical, and sociological context of Wesley's England in order to help readers understand primary themes of Wesleyan theology and practice. At the end of each chapter, discussion questions and set-off key principles highlight core concepts and make the content easy to embrace and comprehend.”

Cokesbury.com (the publishing arm of the United Methodist Church) describes it as…

An overview of the life and theology of John Wesley and the distinctives of Methodism with application for ministry.

What does it mean to be and live as a Methodist? What is unique about a Wesleyan way of believing and practicing Christianity? And what can the life and ministry of John Wesley teach us about living a faithful Christian life?

Using selected primary source material, interpretive discussion, and instructive diagrams, Germano walks readers through the heart of the history, theology, and practices of the ministry of John Wesley and the early Methodists. He then suggests some practical implications for how this faith can be lived out in our world and undergird church ministry. The author summarizes the spiritual, historical, and sociological context of Wesley’s England, in order to help readers understand the primary themes of Wesleyan theology and practice. End-of-chapter discussion questions and at-a-glance boxes make the content easy to comprehend while at the same time introducing and highlighting core concepts.”

Among other things, the book unpacks nine complete sermons written by John Wesley as a way to introduce major Wesleyan themes, concepts, and practices, along with twenty-five illustrations and discussion questions at the end of each chapter to make those concepts more accessible.  The overall layout of the book is as follows:

Part One: Introduction to Early Methodism

Chapter 1. The Spiritual Context of Wesley’s England

Chapter 2. The Life and Legacy of John Wesley and the Early Methodists

Part Two: The Christian Life and Wesley’s “Way of Salvation” (Via Salutis)

Chapter 3. Turning to God: The Work of Prevenient Grace

Chapter 4. Becoming a Christian: The Work of Justifying Grace

Chapter 5. Growing in Salvation: The Work of Sanctifying Grace

Part Three: The Means of Grace and the Sacraments

Chapter 6. The Means of Grace

            Chapter 7. The Sacraments:  Christian Baptism; and The Lord’s Supper

Part Four: Toward a Uniquely Wesleyan Paradigm of Ministry

Chapter 8. Characteristics of a Wesleyan Life and Ministry

(the unique shape of Wesleyan Theology and of Wesleyan Practice)

Chapter 9. Conclusion

Appendix: The Cultural Context of Wesley’s England and Early Methodism’s Response

A big “thank you” to B.N. and my Course of Study students through the years, all of whom encouraged me to write this book, my proofreaders T.G. and H.K., along with my publisher K.A., editor J.R. and the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry’s Foundery Books for all their support and help in making this book possible!

I pray that it will be a great benefit to all who have a passion for learning and practicing the uniqueness of Wesleyan Christianity in today’s multi-religious world.

Forgiveness

“[Peter asked Jesus] ’How often should I forgive? As many as seven times?’ Jesus said… ‘Not seven times, but, I tell you, seventy times seven.’”  (Matthew 18:21-22)

"It’s the hardest thing to give away

And the last thing on your mind today
It always goes to those who don’t deserve
It’s the opposite of how you feel
When the pain they caused is just too real
It takes everything you have just to say the word…

Forgiveness

Forgiveness

It flies in the face of all your pride

It moves away the mad inside
It’s always anger’s own worst enemy
Even when the jury and the judge
Say you gotta right to hold a grudge
It’s the whisper in your ear saying ‘Set It Free’

Forgiveness, Forgiveness
Forgiveness, Forgiveness

Show me how to love the unlovable

Show me how to reach the unreachable
Help me now to do the impossible

Forgiveness, Forgiveness

Help me now to do the impossible: Forgiveness

It’ll clear the bitterness away

It can even set a prisoner free

There is no end to what it’s power can do

So, let it go and be amazed
By what you see through eyes of grace
The prisoner that it really frees is you

Forgiveness, Forgiveness

Forgiveness, Forgiveness

Show me how to love the unlovable

Show me how to reach the unreachable
Help me now to do the impossible
Forgiveness

I want to finally set it free

So show me how to see what Your mercy sees
Help me now to give what You gave to me
Forgiveness, Forgiveness.”

            [--Song “Forgiveness” by Matthew West, from his album Into the Light (Lyrics HERE)]

While our PraiseTeam did not get the chance to share this song with you during worship this past Sunday due to Gwinnett County's Shelter-In-Place orders, since our focus that day was on the importance of forgiveness (click HERE if you would like to watch the service again), its words are certainly appropriate for all of us!  

I pray that as you read them, you will be moved (as I was) to be even more a person of forgiveness!  Remember, God loves you and I do, too!

Things We Won’t Take for Granted in the Future

“Consider the lilies, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not clothed like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, how much more will he clothe you—you of little faith!” (Luke 12:27-28, NRSV)

“When this is over, may we never again take for granted:

• A Handshake with a Stranger

• Full Shelves at the Store

• Conversations with Neighbors

• A Crowded Theatre

• Friday Night Out

• The Taste Of Communion

• A Routine Checkup

• The School Rush each Morning

• Coffee with a Friend

• The Stadium Roaring

• Each Deep Breath

• A Boring Tuesday

• Life Itself

When this ends, may we find that we have become more like the people we wanted to be, we were called to be, we hoped to be, and may we stay that way — better for each other, because of the worst.”

Many of you may have already seen this poem by author, speaker, and syndicated columnist Laura Kelly Fanucci, but someone share it with me today and I wanted to pass it on to you for your comfort and inspiration.  It has already been shared several hundred-thousand times on Facebook and Instagram, and I pray that you are touched by it as I was.

While its words do not explicitly promote Christian faith, I believe its sentiments certainly parallel those of Jesus in the scripture reading from Luke 12 (above). There, he is reminding his followers not to take for granted God’s presence in the gifting of even what may seem to be the simple, ordinary things around them, and therefore to trust Him to take care of us in the midst of anything more than that, as well. May we all do the same!

Remember that God loves you and I do, too!

NOTE: Fanucci herself is a devout Roman Catholic Christian, and you can read more about her at her website HERE).  Also, for more details about the story behind this poem, read HERE.

P.S. Don't forget to join me at McKendree UMC for online worship at 10:30am each Sunday HERE

The Space Between The Logs

“Jesus said to them 'Come away to a deserted place all by yourselves and rest for a while.' For many were coming and going, and they had no leisure even to eat” (Mark 6:31)

I don't know about you, but even in the midst of our social distancing isolation, the last week or so has seemed quite frantic and hectic in my world.  Like many of you, I've had what seems like virtual meeting after virtual meeting, an overload of emails to answer and respond to, phone calls to make, and all while doing my usual sermon preparation and ministry work.  The crisis we're in has caused many of us to feel overwhelmed and on edge because we are so busy and overworked, even in a virtual world (perhaps because of it!) 

Yet, as the short scripture above reminds us (and also think about the story of Mary and Martha in Luke 10:38-42), we can often become so busy doing "good things" (even church things) that we forget to take time out occasionally to be spiritually "fed," and consequently find ourselves stressed and under intense pressure. 

So, one thing that we are all in need of even in the midst of this crisis is the need for at least a little bit of sabbath rest -- time away from our work (whatever that work is) and have time for ourselves, time to be with our families, and time to be with God.  Author Judy Brown reminds of this need in an excerpt from one of her books: 

“What makes a fire burn

is space between the logs,

a breathing space.

Too much of a good thing,

too many logs

packed in too tight

can douse the flames

almost as surely

as a pail of water would.

So building fires

requires attention

to the spaces in between,

as much as to the wood.

When we are able to build

open spaces

in the same way

we have learned

to pile on the logs,

then we can come to see how

it is fuel, and absence of the fuel

together, that make fire possible.

We only need to lay a log

lightly from time to time.

A fire grows

simply because the space is there,

with openings

in which the flame

that knows just how it wants to burn

can find its way.”

[--Poem “Fire,” by Judy Brown in Leading From Within, by Sam M. Intrator and Megan Scribner, eds.]

None of us will be able to be at our best for others if we don't take at least a little time and space for ourselves and our families and with God. This is akin to what we sometimes hear on a plane flight, where they tell us that "in case of emergency, put on your own mask first before trying to put someone else's on."

We are certainly in unprecedented times, and to get through at least last week it may have required some of us to work what feels like 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. But over the next few days and weeks, I want to encourage and invite us all NOT to allow those patterns to become a new routine. If we do, we risk starving our souls of the oxygen of God's presence that we all need, or becoming too much like Martha and not enough like Mary. God bless you as you trust in Him! And always remember that God loves you and I do, too!

What's NOT Cancelled

“I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 8:38-39 

I don’t know its origins, but the following is a reminder of what – even in the midst of our health crisis -- we still have to be thankful for…

“So much has been and will continue to be, for some time, cancelled: sports events, concerts, plays, worship services, rallies, travel, meetings, classes, family gatherings, and so much more.

However –

Love has not been cancelled.
Mercy has not been cancelled.
Prayer has not been cancelled.
Attentiveness has not been cancelled.
Goodness has not been cancelled.
Thanksgiving has not been cancelled.
Loving relationships have not been cancelled.
Music has not been cancelled.
Conversations have not been cancelled.
Learning has not been cancelled.
Courage has not been cancelled.
Families have not been cancelled.
Faith has not been cancelled.
Hope has not been cancelled.

And … God’s presence with us, has not been cancelled.”

I pray that you will take comfort in the fact that no matter where you are, with whom you are, or what is happening to others all around you, we can trust and depend on God’s presence and the presence of His gifts above to get us through whatever challenges we are facing!

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

Health Crisis Update - March 18, 2020

In keeping both with the recommendations of the CDC and our own Bishop’s office, McKendree UMC’s facilities will continue to remain closed through at least the end of March. The very first of the three “General Rules” of early Methodism was to “do no harm.” Suspending in-person worship and other group gatherings at our facilities is one way we are doing that, and it’s also a way for us fulfill 1 John 4:7 (“love one another”) by being considerate of others’ concerns for medical safety. We will be constantly re-evaluating things in the midst of this fluid and constantly changing situation, so stay tuned for more information as it becomes available.

In the meantime, please join us for several opportunities for virtual worship and ministry, including:

1) Online worship experiences

Join us ONLINE each Sunday at 10:30am for a live-streamed, hope-filled, interactive worship opportunity. We’ll have music, prayer and opportunities for family interaction, and an inspiring message. Worship with your family, and invite your friends and neighbors to do so as well! Bookmark your browser and join us each Sunday on McKendree’s LiveStream Worship YouTube channel HERE.

2) Community Care

Between now and the end of March, I and Pastor Ryan will be reaching out via phone to check on our Homebound members and those of whom they are aware are “at risk” medically and/or economically. During these calls we may discover needs for various forms of assistance.

If you are healthy and willing to assist in this ministry by possibly doing simple errands like purchasing food or medicine that can be dropped off at someone’s doorstep, please contact Pastor Ryan so that we can compile a list of volunteers.

Related to this, if you or someone in your social network or neighborhood needs any kind of basic help, please let Pastors Brian or Ryanknow so that they can be added to the list of those needing assistance.

3) Creative ways to stay connected

Our staff is continually discussing creative ways to minister to our church family and community. Check the church Facebook page and the church webpage often for more information and opportunities on creative ways that we can "Do life together, Connecting all through Christ"! (Families of our Preschool will also want periodically to check out our Preschool Facebook site for information, news and ideas, as well),

4) Daily Family Devotional Time

One thing this crisis encourages us to do is reconnect with those closest to us in our family. What better way to do this than to read a daily devotional together? "The Upper Room" devotional has been around for 84 years in over 100 countries, offering daily hope through scripture readings and stories of God's work in the lives of ordinary people.

So each day, I invite you to start off your day together in your home either in person or via Skype, Facetime, or some other social media platform and take turns reading (out loud) to each other that day's daily scripture, devotional and prayer from the Upper Room website HERE -- you can also sign up to receive it via email daily, and there is an app for it for both Apple and Android devices. Allow this crisis to help you start a new family tradition of faith with this simple act.



Finally, please know we understand that some may feel the efforts we are doing as a church to address this crisis are too extreme, while others will feel that they are not extreme enough. We ask for your grace and understanding as we try to navigate and chart the best and most faithful response to this crisis.

God is “bigger” than this virus or this crisis, and even though it may cause disruption to our ordinary routines, always remember that “neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 8:38-39).

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