Merry Christmas

Good Morning.  And Merry Christmas!!!

I just woke up in the Fairfield Inn in Titusville Florida.  In an hour I am driving the rest of the way to Jacksonville to spend Christmas with my family at my daughter's house.

When I woke up a bit ago, I turned on the TV and what was on???  Christmas from the Marble Collegiate Church in New York.  I don't know anything about that church, but let me tell you that their rendition of O Holy Night and Silent Night brought me to tears.

I don't think I have ever cried at 5:45 in the morning before.  I am still crying.  I am so blessed!!!

And I feel thankful.  I am thankful for another Christmas.  63 of them so far!!!  I am thankful for God's love and for every person that has ever loved me.

Last night at Ft Pierce First UMC we had a lovely Candlelight Service.  The choir was the bomb!  The sermon was great!  At the end we sang Silent Night.  It reminded me of all the years that we sang it in Princeton and Woods Chapel.  I cried last night as I thought of all of those years of Christmas Eve, and I thought of all of you who loved me over the years.  And I cried as I thought of my new friends in Florida who have welcomed me and loved me and made me a part of their church family.  It was a Holy Night for sure.  

We may have to cover our faces, but no one can make us cover our hearts.

I love you all and I wish you a very Merry Christmas!

The discipline of acceptance

A friend asked me to listen to a pod cast.  It was an interview with a pastor named John Mark Comer.  One of the things that he was talking about was slowing down your life.  Decluttering your life.

He spoke of the discipline of acceptance.  Usually we think of spiritual disciplines as prayer, fasting and Bible study.  But there are many others such as solitude, meditation and evidently acceptance.

By acceptance, he means to train ourselves to learn to accept what we cannot change.  When we fight and fight in life to get things the way that we want them, we never find peace.  There are some things that we just cannot change.

My parents are deceased.  I can't change that.

My daughters moved away.  I am not in charge of that.

I want my gall bladder back.  Too bad.

My hair is falling out.  Nothing I can do.

What Comer calls acceptance, St. Ignatius calls independence and  freedom.  It is also what the French mystics called detachment.  A finding of freedom, by letting go of the outcome.  Just learning to live with out trying to control things.

We can fuss and fight over every little thing in life that doesn't go our way, or we can make friends with the difficulties and come to peace with them.

This week of Christmas may you find a slower pace and a peaceful heart.

It's a beautiful day in God's world, be sure to see the good.

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sermon audio from 12-20-20

 Good morning.  Here is the link from the sermon from last Sunday if you want to listen.

Have a great day!!!

Click here to listen

Paul Harvey - letter from God

 This has been around for a while, as Paul Harvey died in 2009.  I had never heard it before.  Thanks to my friend Bruce for sending it along.  If you would prefer to hear Paul Harvey's voice read it, the link is here:

Click here to hear Paul Harvey read the letter

My Dear Children (and believe me, that’s all of you),

I consider myself a pretty patient Guy. I mean, look at the Grand Canyon. It took millions of years to get it right. And how about evolution? Boy, nothing is slower than designing that whole Darwinian thing to take place, cell by cell and gene by gene. And I’ve even been patient through your fashions, civilizations, wars and schemes, and the countless ways you take Me for granted until you get yourselves into big trouble again and again.

I want to let you know about some things that are starting ticking me off.

First of all, your religious rivalries are driving Me up a wall. Enough already! Let’s get one thing straight: These are your reli­gions, not Mine. I’m the Whole Enchilada; I’m beyond them all. Every one of your religions claims there’s only one of Me (which, by the way, is absolutely true). But in the very next breath, each religion claims it’s My favorite one. And each claims its bible was written personally by me, and that all the other bibles are man-made. Oh, Me. How do I even begin to put a stop to such complicated nonsense?

Okay, listen up now: I’m your Father and Mother, and I don’t play favorites among My Children. Also, I hate to break it to you, but I don’t write. My longhand is awful, and I’ve always been more of a “doer” anyway. So all your books, including the bibles, were written by men and women. They were inspired men and women, remarkable people, but they also made mistakes here and there. I made sure of that, so that you would never trust a written word more than your own living Heart.

You see, one Human Being to me — even a Bum on the street — is worth more than all the holy books in the world. That’s just the kind of Guy I Am. My Spirit is not an historical thing, it is alive right here, right now, as fresh as your next breath.

Holy books and religious rites are sacred and powerful, but not more so than the least of You. They were only meant to steer you in the right direction, not to keep you arguing with each other, and certainly not to keep you from trusting your own personal connection with Me.

Which brings Me to My next point about your nonsense: You act like I need you and your religions to stick up for Me or “win souls” for My Sake. Please, don’t do Me any favors. I can stand quite well on my own, thank you. I don’t need you to defend Me, and I don’t need constant credit. I just want you to be good to each other.

And another thing: I don’t get all worked up over money or politics, so stop dragging My name into your dramas. For example, I swear to Me that I never threatened Oral Roberts. I never rode in any of Rajneesh’s Rolls Royces. I never told Pat Robertson to run for president, and I’ve never ever had a conversation with Jim Bakker, Jerry Falwell, or Jimmy Swaggart! Of course, come Judgement Day, I certainly intend to…

The thing is, I want you to stop thinking of religion as some sort of loyalty pledge to Me. The true purpose of your religions is so that you can become more aware of Me, not the other way around. Believe Me, I know you already. I know what’s in each of your hearts, and I love you anyway with no strings attached. Lighten up and enjoy Me. That’s what religion is best for.

What you seem to forget is how mysterious I Am. You look at the petty little differences in your scriptures and say, “Well, if this is the Truth, then that can’t be!” But instead of trying to figure out My Paradoxes and Unfathomable Nature — which, by the way, you never will — why not open your hearts to the simple common threads of every religion?

You know what I’m talking about: Play nice with one another. Love and respect everyone. Be kind. Even when life is scary or confusing, take courage and be of good cheer, for I Am always with you. Learn how to be quiet, so you can hear My Still, Small Voice (I don’t like to shout). Leave the world a better place by living your life with dignity and gracefulness, for you are My Own Child. Hold back nothing from life, for the parts of you that can die will, and the parts that can’t, won’t. So don’t worry, be happy (I stole that last line from Bobby McFerrin, but who gave it to him in the first place?)

Simple stuff. Why do you keep making it so complicated? It’s like you’re always looking for an excuse to be upset. And I’m very tired of being your main excuse. Do you think I care whether you call me God, Yahweh, Jehovah, Allah, Wakantonka, Brahma, Father, Mother, or even The Void or Nirvana? Do you think I care which of My Special Children you feel closest to — Jesus, Mary, Buddha, Krishna, Mohammed or any of the others? You can call Me and My Special Ones any name you choose, if only you would go about My business of loving one another as I love you. How can you keep neglecting something so simple?

No I’m not telling you to abandon your religions. Enjoy your reli­gions, honor them, learn from them, just as you should enjoy, honor, and learn from your parents. But do you walk around telling everyone that your parents are better than theirs? Your religion, like your parents, may always have the most special place in your heart; I don’t mind that at all. And I don’t want you to combine all the Great Traditions into One Big Mess. Each religion is unique for a reason. Each has a unique style so that people can find the best path for themselves.

But My Special Children — the ones your religions revolve around — all live in the same place (in My Heart) and they get along perfectly, I assure you. The clergy must stop creating a myth of sibling rivalry where there is none.

My Blessed Children of Earth, the world has grown too small for your pervasive religious bigotries and confusion. The whole planet is connected by air travel, satellite dishes, telephones, fax machines, rock concerts, diseases, and mutual needs and concerns. Get with the program! If you really want to help Me celebrate the birthday of My Son Jesus, then commit yourselves to figuring out how to feed your hungry, clothe your naked, protect your abused, and shelter your poor. And just as importantly, make your own everyday life a shining example of kindness and good humor. I’ve given you all the resources you need, if only you abandon your fear of each other and begin living, loving, and laughing together.

Finally, My Children everywhere, remember whose birth is honored on this day you call Christmas, December 25th, and the fearlessness with which He chose to live and die. As I love Him, so do I love each one of you. Now, I’m not really ticked off, I just wanted to grab your attention because I hate to see you suffer. But I gave you Free Will, so what can I do now other than to try to influence you through reason, persuasion, and a little old-fashioned guilt and manipulation? After all, I Am the original Jewish Mother. I just want you to be happy, and I’ll sit in The Dark. I really Am, indeed, I swear, with you always. Always. Trust In Me.

Your One and Only,
GOD 

In His Time

I have known many well meaning Christians in my life who love to talk about "God's promises." Personally, I am not a fan of the song, "Standing on the Promises."

In effect what some folks are doing, is selecting a particular scripture and determining that this is a promise from God that can be claimed by them. They think that if we believe hard enough and have enough faith, that God is forced to abide by the promise.

There are several problems with this kind of thinking:

1. No consideration is give to the context of the supposed promise.
2. Reality does not bear up the infallibility of such promises.
3. God cannot be forced to do anything.

A good example of such a promise is Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

I remember a young mother telling that she was claiming this promise. The problem is that this statement was made to Old Testament Israel, not to American Christians. Over the years, even though she continued to stand on this promise, her family has had all kinds of trouble. Did she not believe enough?

Now let me shift gears. There is at least one passage of scripture that I do consider a promise. In Ecclesiastes 3:11 "He makes all things beautiful in His time."

I have a friend, Lynn who ends each email with the phrase, "everything will be all right in the end. If things are not all right, then this is not the end."

I don't believe that we can control God. I don't believe that we can manipulate him by claiming promises. I believe that we live and we die. Some have beautiful lives of privilege. Others have lives filled with pain. We don't know why one life goes one way and why another life goes another. But we can trust God in all things and know that in the end, it will be beautiful. In the end, everything will be ok. God makes all things beautiful in His time.

It's a beautiful day in God's world, be sure to see the good.
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A Cult

Someone asked me the other day, what makes a church a cult?

I would answer this way... There are several notable characteristics of a cult.

1. They believe that their way is the only way.
2. And, related to #1, If you are not in their group, then you are out.
3. Control is exerted on the members. People are pressured and guilted to stay in the group.
4. Members of the group are pressured and manipulated to do things that they may not want to do.
5. If you leave, you are shamed and shunned.
6. There is no accountability to a higher authority.

If you are in such a group, get out.  I can tell you from experience that it is not easy to leave, but the sooner you start the journey of departure, the better.  You will learn to love the feeling of freedom.

It's a beautiful day in God's world, be sure to see the good.
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Grief

A young man grew up in our church.  He is the age of, and friends with my children - thirty something.  Five years ago he got married.

Last week he and his wife went to the hospital to have their first child.  There were complications.  The baby died.  The next day their were more complications.  His wife died.

A young man who went to the hospital with hopes and excitement for an expanded family, went home alone.

Horrible.  Brutal.  Inconceivable. Grief.  We are all grieving with him and his extended family.  Please pray for him.

Grief.  We want to fix it.  It cannot be fixed.  Don't try to fix people who are grieving.  Everyone has a right to grieve.  They have a right to feel what they feel and to work through it in their own way.  This is not a time for platitudes or foolish statements about God's will.  This is a time for love.  This is a time for hugs.  This is a time to sit with the grieving person and just be there.  Nothing needs to be said.  Nothing can be said.  Any words are just foolish.

If you get a chance to be there for a grieving person, just be there.  Don't try to fix things.  Just let your soul sit with their soul.

No place

Luke 9:58
“Foxes have dens to live in, and birds have nests, but the Son of Man has no place even to lay his head.”

Yesterday Dick and I delivered sandwiches to the homeless in Ft. Pierce. Often it is a fun time when we talk to the mostly guys. Dick and I joke around a lot.

Yesterday was different. I was overcome with a feeling of sadness that these folks have no place to go at night. What ever their story, however they got to this place in life, it is just very sad that they don't have a house or a bed or a pillow.

We met a new young woman at the park who had been cutting herself. Moved with compassion, Dick went back to her and gave her his number at the church. [see attached photo]

The world would be a better place if there was more empathy and compassion.  And you know we can't do much to encourage compassion in others, but we are personally responsible for the level of compassion that we personally show.

The world needs more kindness.

The Kettle

Yesterday I went to the grocery store.  A mother and son were ringing the bell for the Salvation Army.  The boy was about 5 years old.

I got out a dollar.  I never pass a kettle.  I had the dollar in my hand and the young man reached out his hand.  I gave him the dollar and he put it in the kettle.  Then he offered me a small wrapped candy cane.

I asked his name.  Eli.

I said, Eli, why don't you keep this candy cane and eat it later if that is ok with your mom.  He looked at mom.  Mom nodded her approval.  He got a big smile on his face.  I said Merry Christmas.  They said Merry Christmas.

As I walked away I heard Eli say, "Mom, I like that guy."

Moral of that story... It is not that hard to be liked.  A little kindness goes a long way.

It's a beautiful day in God's world, be sure to see the good.

Thankful for...

 The other day I was talking to a couple of ladies at church about making some phone calls.  One agreed to help, the other said that she would love to help but that she only has one working vocal cord and it is very hard for people to understand her over the phone.

I inquired about her story.

She said that she woke up one day and could not talk.  No one could figure out why.  After about three weeks, the doctor got one of the vocal cords to work.

I thought to myself.... "Wow.  I have never woken up in the morning and said thank you God that I can talk."  I know that this woman has.

And I wonder about all of the things that we should be thankful for that we don't even think about.

Thank you God that I can talk.

It's a beautiful day in God's world, be sure to see the good.
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Do we really want to learn?

 So I was sitting in my office at church the other day and my eyes fell onto the shelf which holds my favorite books.

• Illusions by Richard Bach
• Walking on Water by Anthony DeMello
• The Orthodox Heretic by Peter Rollins
• The Velvet Elvis by Rob Bell

I thought of how many times I recommended these books to people.  I thought of how many of these books I had given to people.

Many went unread.  I think that many people, many pastors, want to do better, but won't read to improve.  I myself would sometimes fall into that category.  We just think we know what to do.  We know best.  We don't need someone to hold our hand.  Pastors can be particularly guilty of this because they feel called or they feel that God leads them.  No outside help is needed.  Even when they see that they are failing, they often will not seek to change.  We are all just creatures of habit.

So I appeal again to myself and to anyone who reads this... Read things from time to time.  Listen to a pod cast.  Come to believe that others can help you and actively try to glean lessons from them.

Most of my aha moments came from the work of others.  I should be reading more.  We are never to old to grow.

It's a beautiful day in God's world, be sure to see the good.
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softball

back row - Gary Vaughn, Doug Hawley, me, Kent Chappelow, Stu Elliott, Jon Cundiff
Front row - Bruce Letner, Joe McMurtrey, Robin Fisher, and Darren Evans
Not pictured, Matt Swanson

I had a dream last night.

I was in Kansas City.  I was in Home Depot.  I started to run into guys from church that used to play in our softball league.  At the height of our softball heyday, we had 12 teams in a league, all from our church.  I find it hilarious that the teams were all named for roadkill.  The Snappers, the Armadillos, the Porcupines, the Woodchucks, etc.

Among the guys that I ran into in my dream were Tyler Stephenson, Paul Dodds, and three others who remained unidentified.  

We chatted softball.  We chatted the old days.  We chatted the glory days.  Bruce Letner used to tell me that we would play until we were 70.  I had to quit at 55 because my knee could no longer take it.

Oh, the fun we had playing ball, hanging out and telling stories.  I am smiling as I write of it now.

And here is the beautiful thing.  The past may be in the past, but no one can take the past from you.  No one can rob you of the memories.  And when you meet your old friends from your old memories, whether in person or in a dream, it all comes back.

I thank God for every person that I have known that was a delightful part of my past.  If you are reading this, you are probably one of them.  Or you could be a part of my present as well.

I thank God for good friends and good times.

It's a beautiful day in God's world, be sure to see the good.
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A comforting song

When I was 20 years old, my Pastor was Wayne Bateman. Wayne has gone on to be with the Lord, but when he was alive on this earth he had a really big heart for God.

I ran across this song the other day that he loved to sing. I found the words comforting, especially in the time of a pandemic.

Just to have a touch Lord from you
It'll help in hard trials I go through
Tho dark may be the night
It brings a ray of light
When I get a touch lord from you

O Lord in you I know I have a friend
You promised you’d go with me to the end
When night begins to fall
And I hear your gentle call
Then I know I'll have a touch lord from you 

When this feeble heart will cease to beat
And they lay me in some flowery bound retreat
Though my body turned to clay
In the grave I shall not stay
I'll come forth at a touch lord from you

Just to have a touch Lord from you 
It'll help in hard trials I go through 
Tho dark may be the night 
It brings a ray of light 
When I get a touch lord from you 

It's a beautiful day in God's world, be sure to see the good.

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Thankful

 I have always loved cars.  I love to work on the motors and I love to drive them.  I have been fortunate with cars.  My Dad bought me my first car when I was 16.  It was a 63 Ford Galaxie that got 8 miles to the gallon and about the same on a quart of oil.  He gave $100 for it. It had 100,000 miles on it when I got it.  It was worn out, but I loved it.

Over the years we have had lots of different cars.  How nice it is as I have gotten older that we can afford newer cars that are more dependable.

I guess I tend to take having a car for granted.

Yesterday I drove into Ft. Pierce to work at the church.  I noticed a fellow riding a three wheeler about a mile from the church.  I didn't think much of it.

I met Dick for breakfast and then we were off for our Monday sandwich delivery.  Before we started our rounds, I had to stop by the grocery store to get some chips and tangerines.

When I came out of the store I was walking towards my car.  I noticed the man on the red three wheeler that I had seen earlier that morning.  He was loading groceries from his grocery cart into the basket on his trike.  He had rode over a mile [at least] to get groceries.  Then he had to ride home again.

I was struck.  I was struck by how difficult life is for so many, and how east it is for so many more of us.  

I stopped and looked at my car.  I suddenly felt what a privilege it was/is to own a dependable car.  I paused to give thanks for my car.

We have so much.  We have so much to be thankful for.

It's a beautiful day in God's world, be sure to see the good.