Of One Heart

We sometimes speak of being of "one mind" but that seldom happens. Because we are human beings we have different opinions about everything. Our Christian Faith and how we live out that Faith included. A look at the different Christian Churches and the many different ways that we worship ample evidence of differing opions. Last week during the local CROP Walk I was talking to a young lady who apparently was not currently affiliated with any church. We were talking about the differences that so often mark modern life. The observation was made and I think this is particularly true of the church: "We often chose to focuse on our differences rather than what we hold in common." John Wesley once wrote, "But as to all opnions which do not strike at the root of Christianity, we think and let think." He applied this principle to style of worship,forms of church government and even to the manner in which the sacraments are administered. Those of us who call ourselves "Methodist" would do well to follow his wisdom. Clearly we will never be of the same mind on all matters. What then is the basis of our unity and working together to share God's love in Jesus Christ? In a sermon he called "Catholic Spirit" John Wesley says that while we can not always be of one mind, we can be of one heart." Using II Kings 10:15 as his text he says, "Is your heart true to my heart, as mine is to yours? If it be, give me your hand." It is a great sermon and so appropriate even today.

Keep Praying

Keep Praying. It seems like a simple admonition. In my younger days I would sometimes tell people I would keep them in my prayers. My intentions were always sincere. But sometimes I would find I forgot that simple promise. At some point I found a better way to express my intention to pray for people. Now I say, "I will pray for you as God's Spirit reminds me of you and your concern." My experience is that as God reminds me I do pray. It has been a great blessing for me to be part of a great chorus of prayers resonating at the Throne of Grace. We have seen real miricles. God works through prayer and often uses modern medical technology as well as his own "touch".

Right now our family is praying for our grandson, Zak. Doctors have discovered a problem with the function of his kidney's that can be controled with medication. Once that hurtle was overcome a new problem emerged. Little Zak is having difficulty keeping formual in his tiny tummy. The Doctor's have scratched their heads and offered different explanations which sometimes conflict with each other. Right now he is home from the hospital with a change in his medication and formula. It is the hope that this change will solve this digestive dilema. We are hoping and praying that he can keep his formula in his tummy so that it can pass through his digestive tack. And most importantly begin to gain weight again.

The most important thing we can do his keep praying! I am following the counsel I have given to others. Prayers for my little buddy Zak!

Retirement

By the looks of my blog this is my annual post. Perhaps after I am retired I can do a better job. We made the decision (in January) to retire at the end of June after our annual conference. Our actual last Sunday will either be the the 2ND or 3rd Sunday of the month. I am waiting to hear the exact date.

Well, retired, I am kind of growing into the idea. After much prayer, thought, and thinking we decided the time was right for us. We have 36 years serving churches in the West Michigan Conference of the United Methodist Church. I also get credit for 2 years in seminary. In some ways it seems like a long haul and in other a short run. But the time is right and we have sensed God's leading. We have plans but perhaps more about that in another blog.

We are grateful to all the churches we have served over the years. I was greatly honored to be the pastor of each one. We have special appreciation for the UMC of Reed City where we have been the past 3 years. What a blessing for us to finish so near to where my Dad grew up and where there are relatives in the church and community. We are indeed grateful.

In this post I want to affirm the power of prayer in helping us make important decisions in our lives. Long ago I read something that Charles Allen wrote in one of his books. He said (in my words) when we are committed to doing God's will God will in his own way and own time reveal that will to us. As we prayed we sensed God's leading. At the time I thought, how foolish it would be to seek God's direction and then after receiving it to ignore it.

Well, we are at the beginning of a new adventure. Mary and I want to fulfill our remaining commitments but we are also anxious to see where the Lord will lead us.

Sunday Sermon, March 7

The sermon this week is part of a series on Elijah from I Kings 19. The prophet was a great man of God yet he experienced disappointment, discouragement, and even depression. James says he was man of passions like our own. Simply put, what happened to him can happen to anyone of us.

It seems "Mountain Top" experiences sometimes make us more vulnerable. Eventually we have to come down to the valley and face the realities of life. I have learned much about myself by studying Elijah and his relationship with God. One factor in Elijah's experience was his failure to succeed (by his definition). Elijah expected a new revival to sweep the land. Instead he encountered a wicked queen who was even more determined to take his life.

I was reminded (again) that God calls us to be faithful (not necessarily successful) and to trust him and leave the results in his hands. Discouragement comes when we take our eyes off him and his will.

March

Wow! As I get older time seems to move faster. Is that possible? I as surprised to see how long it has been since I posted. I have deleted those earlier posts and will start again. Sometimes I feel like a blog (at least mine) is like a diary, the only one who reads it is the blogger. That's not a complaint but an observation. Having said that I still want to develop the habit/discipline of blogging on a regular basis.

The month of February was busy. Several committees, DCOM, CCOM, and Albright Camp Site Committee met this month (6meetings), I enjoy serving on these committee but sometimes would rather be back at Reed City working in our church.

Beginnings

November 29, 2008

Stating what is obvious but often forgotten, someone once said every journey begins with the first step. What this seemingly wise person forgot to mention is how hard that first step can be. For me this blog is the beginning of a new journey. And this first posting is my first step on that journey.

I have to admit blogging is an experience I never anticipated. If someone had suggested to me a year ago that I would be writing my own blog I would have laughed. But here I am taking that first step. And surprisingly this first blog has been more difficult than I thought it would be. After all as a pastor I do lots of writing. In some ways I feel like a young child struggling to take those first steps. But I am hopeful that as I continue at least some of the anxiety will be diminished.

Since this is my first post I want to explain the purpose and goals of this blog. In July of 2008 I was appointed to be pastor of the United Methodist Church of Reed City. Hopefully very soon a link will be posted at the church's website connecting it with my blog. This will be just one more tool to help me communicate with the members of my congregation.

My goal is to post on a regular basis (more often then once a month). The topics will change and may reflect whats happening in the church, my own personal life, and the vision that God is giving me for our shared ministry together. I want this blog to be more personal and less formal. For the most part I will be writing in the first person and sharing my own personal view and not necessarily the views of the United Methodist Church or the United Methodist Church of Reed City.

I am very excited about using this blog to communicate with family, friends, and most importantly my church family. I do welcome comments and feed back. I am smiling as I write this: "But please me kind."

Finally, I want this blog to be an expression of my personal faith in God. In future blogs I hope to reveal more of myself and my faith journey. At the end of our contemporary worship service we often sing the chorus, "God is Good." More than any other time in my life I believe those words to be true.

To all who have taken time to read this blog, May God bless you.