los pinos

A friend from church was thinking about her life and our village in Nicaragua.  She had been reading the Los Pinos blog that Bill Carpenter writes.  She sent me this email.

Here is a link to the Los Pinos blog:
http://wccnicblog.blogspot.com

Here is her Email-

Hi Jeff,

I wanted to share some thoughts with you.

I have been reading the Los Pinõs blog and thinking about how the people there live.  Last night I was lying on my bedroom floor thinking the bed was kind of hard.  (I'm getting old.). And then I thought about the fact that I had a wood floor with carpet padding and carpet. The people in Los Pinõs have mud floors, as I understand. Then I thought about how I have a/c and heating and no bugs and no rain to deal with inside.  Not true in Los Pinõs.  Then, and this is the one that really gets me, I looked under my bed. I saw my dog all stretched out on her fluffy dog pillow, and it occurred to me that my dog is living so much more comfortably than those people.  My DOG is living better than them!!!!  Wow!  It makes me feel guilty for thinking I ever wanted more.  What a blessing and upgrade the new housing is going to be for the village.  I was thrilled to read they will be getting water in their new houses!  This is a great mission!  So glad to be a part of it. 

She continued later........what of plumbing and cooking and laundry!  And my bedroom is larger than the homes that they live in.  We are so blessed.

Yes dear friends, we are blessed.  And I don't want you to feel guilty, but I do want each of you to understand that we are stewards, not owners.  God has given us these blessings so that we can do his work.  Thank you for all the ways that you have generously engaged in the work of the Lord.

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

quote

A friend sent me this picture of TV's Fred Rogers with this quote:

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

the giving group

On November 5, 2011 - I posted this.........

Last week I wrote one day about how difficult it can be to ask folks to give. Part of the reason for that is that sometimes the responses that I get from folks can be pretty painful.

So, I have this dream that we create a club. A club of folks that don't mind if Jeff sends them an email from time to time and asks if they want to help with some project financially. A group of folks that see the joy in giving. They may not help with every request, but they at least are not offended by Jeff asking, and are glad to be a part of the team that makes special things happen.

Is there any body out there that would like to be a part of such a team? We do need financial help with projects from time to time, and I would love to have some folks that would welcome the opportunity to show leadership in this way.

I would send an email about this no more than once per month. Everyone is welcome, regardless of the size or ability of a gift. Let me know if you want to be on the team.

Here we are almost three years later.  The offer is still open. I said in November of 2011 that I would not send a request more than once a month.  I think I have sent two requests in almost three years.  I would hope that everyone would like to know about or be involved in the opportunity to help with special projects.  If you would like to join the giving group, please email me at jeffb@woodschapelchurch.org

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

new paint

Amy Bartlett, missions director

Oh the blessing of a new coat of paint!  Our new Missions Center building at 4201 NE Lakewood Way is getting a new coat of paint.  Very exciting!!  I am so appreciative of the volunteers who give their time to keep their church looking beautiful.

I find it personally rewarding to rake, mulch, paint, plant or do anything that makes a place look better.  If you like doing such things, let me know as there are always projects at church that help the place look better.



Ivan [yellow shirt in other picture]
Frank, Kent and Ralph are painting!

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



speculation

Beware of speculative theology. 


Speculative theology is a teaching based on one or two scripture passages.  Often you will find many divergent views around such topics, simply because people are making it up as they go along.  A hapax is a word that is included only once in a document or set of writings. 


An example of this in the Bible is "millennium."  The word itself is not in the Bible although a thousand year reign of Christ is mentioned in Revelation 20.  Books and books have been written on the topic when it is barely mentioned in scripture.


Now I certainly believe in the second coming, but people have spent years discussing the millennium and the second coming and for what?  They have wasted their lives speculating on future things instead of focusing on living life in the here and now.  That is the worst thing about speculation......... we waste our lives wondering and thinking about things that we can not know when we could have been living our lives centered around the main themes of the Bible like loving God and loving others.


I guess the second coming is more interesting to some people than living a life of love.  I find that sad.


But we don't have to live that way.  Set aside your second coming books.  Set aside your worries about the future and live life today.  We won't get another chance at it.  Today is our only chance to live the life of love today.


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

be careful what you eat

Just because someone tells you that something is good for you does not mean that they are right.  People will tell you all kinds of things.  Preachers tell people all kinds of things.  Not all of it is true.


1 John 4 says that we should test the spirits.  Is what you are being taught historically true?  Is what you are being taught rooted in the good news of the gospel or in fear?


I find it so interesting that if you tell someone something long enough, they will start to believe it.  You can tell them green is blue.  They will fight you for a while.  Their children won't and their grandchildren will believe that green has always been blue.


There are things that some churches teach that have been taught for 100 years so everyone swallows the stuff as if it has always been true, when the church goes back another 1900 years prior to the particular teaching!


Test the spirits.  Keep your paradigm open so that you can walk away from fabrication and walk towards the grace of God.


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

birthday card

A thought on seeing the good. 

I received a birthday card from a friend that said:  "Let's not worry about the mile markers of life, but while we're here, lets enjoy the wonderful scenery."  Happy Birthday.

I love it.

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

The phone

Beware, ye that seek to do good deeds, sometimes they get very complicated.

It was Good Friday and I was leaving our subdivision to run some errands.  Friday is my day off, so it is ok for me to run errands.  Although no pastor is ever off on Good Friday.  Anyway, I am running errands.  About two blocks from my house I see a cell phone lying in the road.  I stop to pick it up.  Possible mistake.

I find a number to call in it and leave a message that the phone can be picked up at the church office.  I am just going to drop it off there.  When I get to the church, I see that the office is closed because it is Good Friday.  There is not a car in the lot, so I can't tell the phone owner to pick it up at church.

Then the owner calls me from another phone.  He doesn't own a car.  Can I please drive the phone out to him?

Oh brother.  Here we go.  So now I am driving the truck [10 miles to the gallon] on a very busy day to return a phone that I could have just left in the street.  I have to meet the guy at 87th and Blue Ridge.  Do you know how to get to 87th and Blue Ridge from Lee's Summit?  There is no easy way.

Well, I get to the meeting place and hang around for a while.  No taker.  I ask several people if they are looking for a phone.  Nope!  I am getting frustrated.  Finally he shows up, I give him the phone and take off.

Back to my day, what ever was so important about my schedule, I don't know.  When it was all said and done, I was glad that I helped the fellow.  He looked like he needed someone to help him.

I have come to believe that it is better to help one time too many, than to not help someone who may really need your assistance.

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

Ministerial Candidate

Last week I was visited by a member who has felt the call to ministry.  We talked about next steps and how we can help her along with the process.

Although it is difficult and painful to have our friends go away and serve other churches, it is very exciting when they do.  One of the most exciting things to me about being a pastor is to watch others go into the ministry.  It is like extending the reach of our church exponentially!

Please encourage those who may have the gifts for ministry, and if you are considering it yourself, please give me a call.  You will probably make my day!!

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

calendar

For my birthday I received a very delightful calendar from a friend who knows about a pastor's life.  Can you read the days on the top?

Believe me, it does seem as if Sunday comes at least 3x per week.

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

Duty and Devotion

After Sunday's sermon on the topic of devotion, I had a talk with someone about the difference between devotion and duty. 

First of all, I don't ever want to make anyone feel guilty on Sunday.  It is God's job, not the pastor's, to make people feel guilty.  In my opinion, there is enough guilt in the world, and it is a really bad motivator.  Jesus never guilted anyone into anything.  He motivated people out of love.

This is what I would say about the difference about duty and devotion.  Duty is based on an obligation.  Devotion is rooted in love.  We all have duties, but God calls us to devotion.

I hope that helps.

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

Why cats hate birthdays

Saturday afternoon I opened a few cards and a couple of presents.  Just me and Cathy as the kids are all over the country right now.

Cats are interested in paper and bows, until this happens.  I catch them and I tie on the ribbons.  A couple of times around the head, the belly and the tail, then tie it off in a good strong knot.  Then they freak out, run off, hide, flip over and generally have an increased heart rate.

Oh the small joys in life.  This is me getting even for how this one whines every morning outside my door at 5am.

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

Birthday!

Saturday was my birthday.  I got some ornery cards.  I always do.  I don't understand it.  I opened the card from my sister in California.  Out popped this picture.

I have never seen in before, but I remember the moment.  I was standing in front of my 63 Ford Galaxie 500.  Gosh I loved that car.  I was getting ready to go to a 50's dance.  Even in 1974 the 50's were glamorized.  I was 17 years old.  I have never seen a picture of my car before.

It was so exciting to get this picture!  I am still smiling about it.

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

wrong again

I was wrong again.  Well, sort of.  My intentions were good, but I did not present the entire picture.  This is a common malady any time a person tries to say or write anything.

If you write about working hard in your marriage, then someone rightfully asks about situations of abuse.  If you tell people to save money for the future, someone rightfully asks about those who live below the poverty line.  It is hard to address every angle of a situation.

On Saturday I posted about the saying, "you can't want something for someone that they don't want themselves."  A writer correctly called me on this.  Explaining that in her job, she has to see the good in people and inspire them to more than they thought they might become. 

Wow.  I thought.  I better be doing that as well.  Helping people see their gifts.  Helping them see what they don't see in themselves.  Preachers better do that.

But there are those rare times when you have beaten your head against a wall so many times that you finally realize that there will be no movement on a thing until the person that you wish to help desires to move.  You can't lose the joy in your life trying to help people that refuse to be helped.

I wonder if I just did it again?  I hope not.  I really do see both sides of this.  Keep working, keep loving, keep inspiring, just remember that ultimately they are responsible for who they become.

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

seeing the good

There is generally so much more good than bad.  Although we don't like it when things don't go our way, there is still lots of good. 

How can we train ourselves to see the good?

I wrecked the car - sad.
No one was hurt - the good.

Moles are living in our yard - sad
It's a great summer so far for grass - good

I have a cat that is annoying me - annoying.
I have a cat that likes to be scratched -  good.

My friend is sick -  sad
My friend is adjusting to the situation - good.

My friend may die - sad
I have to remember that we are not promised for ever.

I don't understand God - sometimes sad.
God is good.  Very good.

There is far more good than bad in this world.  Can we train ourselves to see it?

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

sayings

Sayings.  Old Sayings.  I love them.  They are generally wise.  I heard a good one yesterday.  Here it is:  "you can't want more for someone than they want for themselves."

Well, I guess you could, but what is the point?

The saying means this- A person will only rise to the level of their own personal aspirations. 

If you have higher aspirations for them than they do, you are wasting your time.   They have to want a thing themselves before it will ever come into being.

That helps me relax a bit.

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

July 4

I have many memories of the 4th of July as do most of you.  As a kid:  fireworks, swimming, and watermelon.  As an adult:  fireworks and being with friends.  It is a day to remember the blessings of being an American.

As a country, we have not always done the right thing.  But as a country, we have also done a lot of good.  I believe that the world is a better place because America is here. 

How wonderful it is to live in a land where you are able to disagree.  We are not the same as each other, and we are not forced to pretend that we are.  You may not agree with every politician or every decision, but I proudly declare today that we are very blessed to live here. 

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

ahh the many uses

outdoor volleyball at Woods Chapel

Ahh the many uses of the Woods Chapel property. When I grew up, churches were only used on Sunday morning and Wednesday night. What a waste! One of the things that I love about our church is that there is always something going on in the building or on the grounds.

Work out classes. Daycare. Bible Study. Quilters group. Divorce recovery. Worship. Band practice. Boy Scouts, cubs, girl scouts. 12 step groups. Youth group. Missions groups. Food pantry distribution. Prayer group. Receptions. Dinners. Choir, bells and Gospel choir practice. Sunday School. Weddings. Walkers. Counseling. The prayer wall. The stations of the cross. The pavilion. Walking the labyrinth. Concerts. Walk a thons. Jazz band. ROTC. Disciple. The Story. Movie nights.

And on and on it goes.

I love it that the building and grounds are used for so many things! Anytime someone comes here, they have a chance to begin the process of being connected to Jesus Christ.

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

enough of Dad

My daughter and son that live here in town wanted to go try out the new Raytown Campus.  This is great!  We have actually sent someone out there to preach that my kids want to listen to! [Mike Scott]

The problem with this is that they were worried about hurting my feelings.  I am just glad that they want to go to church.  I told them, you guys have been listening to me since the day you were born- they have probably heard all of me that any one person needs to hear in this life.  I told them- there is no harm in going to the Raytown Campus.

Please keep Mike Scott, Wendy and the Raytown Campus in your prayers.

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

meal

The bishop told the young man who was interested in becoming a pastor: "You will be bruised, and you will be broken, and you will be crushed.  It won't be a lot of fun, but you will make good meal."

For corn to become useful for bread, it must be broken and crushed.  Sometimes we can never be used by God until we allow him to break us of our arrogance and selfishness.

You may be broken, but the result of brokenness is always good meal - something that is useful to feed others.

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

Father's Day

I had a wonderful Father's Day last week.  I have three wonderful kids.  My daughter Allison mailed her present to me.  I liked it when I opened it and saw the front.  A KC Royals shirt!  When I saw the back, it made me cry......

Do you think when I go to the game that the coach will want to put me in?

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

as the deer

As the deer longs for streams of water, so my heart pants for you O Lord.  Psalm 42

This little fawn and his momma were drinking at the stream behind our home.  It was really sweet.  It reminded me of this song:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-gaT4q9eJ1U

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

tips

I recently stayed at a hotel overnight.  I have never seen this done before, but the ladies that clean the rooms left a nice note.  I have attached a picture.

I never met them or saw them.  This kindness on their part was, I am sure, a kindness in hopes of making a tip.  I am ok with that.

Although I never worked in an industry where people get tips, all three of my children have done so.  I have left tips my entire life, but when you know someone that is a server at a restaurant, you tend to leave more. 

One of my pet peeves is when people are mean to the servers.  It usually is not their fault that the food is late, and besides, they are good people who need someone to love them.

We leave 20% at a restaurant.  I left the cleaning ladies $5.  I should have left them more.  To hoard one's wealth causes the heart to shrivel.  To live a generous life brings daily joy.

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


comparing

I was surprised when I entered the ministry by how many Pastors love to talk about how good they are doing.  I have always found it annoying.  I don't think the point of ministry is to put others down.  In the ministry of Christ, we are all co-laborers.  It is not my ministry, it is the ministry of Christ.   The apostle Paul wrote-

We do not dare to classify or compare ourselves with some who commend themselves. When they measure themselves by themselves and compare themselves with themselves, they are not wise.
2 Corinthians 10:12

There will always be some churches larger and some churches smaller.  Some more, and some less healthy than yours.  Don't compare, just stay on mission.  We cannot make this life about us for we are all servants of Jesus Christ.

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

wisdom

I got a card when I graduated from high school.  I still remember the message.  On the outside it said, "For your graduation present I was going to give you money."  On the inside it said, "but  then I remembered - wisdom is its own reward."

Wisdom is its own reward.  A very interesting statement indeed.  Something to ponder.  Wisdom is its own reward.

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

comment

Hi.  Many  comments to the blog are posted annonymously.  Sometimes I would like to have further conversation with those of you who comment.  On Tuesday, June 17th someone posted this comment:

Anonymous has left a new comment on your post "to be or not to be":

I'm sure you've probably already discovered that almost every way Jesus thinks tends to be the opposite of how we think. Do we really know Him? Sometimes we don't act and think like it.

To the empathetic side of those who continually want to put themselves out front in the limelight, and have others think they are so good and important, many of them are acting out what they're feeling down inside. That is that they actually feel very unimportant. God bless those who have low self esteem and need to be noticed by acting important at the expense of others.

Jesus never had to act important, because He knew who is was.

If you posted this, I would like to have a cup of coffee with you [you are not in trouble :-)].  Please send me an email at jeffb@woodschapelchurch.org

I thank you all always for your readership and the thoughts that you share here as well.

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

new gutters

Hallelujah!!  We have new gutters going up on our church!!

When I was a kid, I attended a church that had lots of weeds growing up in front of it.  It became known as the church with the weeds.  A terrible nickname!

Well the snow fall has damaged our gutters over the years and the gutters have been looking bad.  Someone called us the church with the bad gutters!  Well, we have been working on this problem for over a year, dancing with companies and the insurance company.  Many of you have asked what was up with the gutters.  Everyone involved with the project is thrilled that the old ones are coming down and the new ones are going up.

Sometimes it take time to work thru issues in life.  You just keep plugging away and after a while- voila! success.  Never give up.  Keep at the task.  Perseverance is a spiritual gift.

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

new churches

This is the week that some pastors are appointed to new churches.  The last time I was appointed to a new church was June 9, 1994.  Sometimes pastors ask me, "what should they work on first?" Or, what is a game plan for a new appointment?

To answer those questions, I would say this:
1.  love the people
2.  preach good sermons
3.  chart the course - what will the church be about?
4.  build a team
5.  work like a dog

In my opinion, all 5 of these things need to be present.  If any one of them is missing, the results can be very problematic.  These five things are what I tried to do when I moved to every church I was assigned to by the Bishop.  It is still what I am trying to do.

At Annual Conference this past June 9th, Pastor Shawn was assigned to North Cross UMC.  Let's keep Shawn in our prayers.  Pastors Wendy, Sherri and Jeff were all reassigned to Woods Chapel.  We also welcome to our staff Pastor Dave Hackett.   

Thanks for all that you do to be the church and to follow Jesus Christ.

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

ants

ants grouping around Terro

I have the option to monetize this blog, but I have never seen the benefit of that.  I just can't imagine how giving you the option on this blog to click a link for some product will help with what I am trying to do here.  But I want to tell you about my favorite ant killing product.  It is called Terro.  You simply put a few drops on the ground and ants go to it like a bird for a berry.  They can't resist it.  They drink it up and then go off and die.

Every year I run into a pile of ants here or there.  I never worry though.  Just a few drops and they gather for the feast.  Pretty soon, they are gone.

close up of ants feeding

I share this story not because you may need to buy a good ant product.  I share this story because we humans also often run way to quickly for things that taste good at first, but are not good for us in the long run.  Don't be tempted by every little thing that comes along.  Some of it is not good for you. 

Be wise in your living.  Don't jump at every bargain.  Don't fall for every offer.  Protect yourself from sin.   Don't chase everything that the world offers.  Look for the truly good stuff.  You will be glad that you did.

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

favorite quote

I don't know why I love this quote, but I do...

Julius Caesar is leading his army in Gaul [France].  Part of them are crossing a river and part of them are setting up camp when they are attacked on three sides by an army of northern people called the Nervii.  Caesar was able to get a hold of the situation, fight them off and win the day.  When asked how he managed this situation while so much was going on, he simply said:

"Everything had to be done at once."

Sometimes my life feels like that.  You just do it.  You do what you have to do.  You face the challenge.  No complaining.  Get up and go.  I think that makes a huge difference not just in the outcome, but in how a person feels about their living.  We cannot be dominated by difficulty.  It may not go away, but we keep pressing on toward the goal.

Sometimes we rest.  Sometimes, everything has to be done at once.

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

fear not

One of the most widely used phrases in the bible is "fear not."  There is probably a good reason for that.  We humans fear many things.  When I was a kid, I was afraid of the Bogey man and scary movies.  Today, I am still afraid of scary movies, but adult living brings so many other fears.

We fear change.  We fear challenge.  We fear anything that upsets the status quo.  We fear the unknown. And oddly at the same time, we fear failure. 

So many of the things that we need to succeed, we are afraid of.  We fear failure, but are more afraid of change.  So we end up failing many times because we did not have the determination to succeed.

Fear not.  Make the most of your opportunities.  Take advantage of the doors that are open to you.  Make good decisions, but don't be afraid to make them. 

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

leadership

So much is written about leadership.

No one will follow you where you do not go.  The first person that you ever lead is yourself.  If we think that the church looking nice is important, then we need to help with work days.  If we think that giving to the church is important, than we need to set the example.  If I think working hard is important, then I need to do so. 

No one will follow you where you do not go.  "Do as I say, not as I do" is a disastrous way of leading people.  Leadership is not telling, it is doing.  If you are doing the right things, good people will notice, and they will follow.

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

whats coming

Sometimes we have no idea what is coming and we are totally unprepared for it.

Not too long ago I saw a pregnant cat.  I don't know for sure but it looked like it might have been this cat's first go round with the cycle of life.  No one can teach a momma cat what to do.  I am sure it comes as quite a surprise when their belly starts to hurt and suddenly these little tiny babies pop out.  But animals seem to know what to do and they take to the new challenges pretty well.

I wish that we humans were as good at accepting change.  At any time, you or me, we might be involved in something that is getting ready to change.  Maybe we don't know it, maybe we are unaware, but change is coming for all of us.  Are we shocked by it?  Angered by it?  Or do we say, "Oh, look.  Our family is getting bigger."  What ever the change, change is inevitable.  We can fight it or we can welcome it.  We can get all stressed over it and complain, or we can take to it like a momma cat with her first litter of kittens.  It's a choice.   It's a choice to see the good.

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

to be or not to be

So much is written about how we live, and so few pay attention to it.  To read and to think is such a blessing!  Hamlet contemplates the value of life and says, "to be or not to be, that is the question."  Socrates said, "the unexamined life is not worth living."

One of the things that I find troubling, and I think Jesus did as well, is the inability for some to be honest about who they are.  Some humans want to take to themselves position and authority at the expense of others.  This is wrong and you can smell it a mile away.

Pretentious is defined as:
Claiming or demanding a position of distinction or merit, especially when unjustified.
Making or marked by an extravagant outward show; ostentatious.

In God's economy, the humble are exalted.  When we have to insist that we are something, then we are putting on masks.  True life is lived for all to see.  Healthy people are not afraid to know and be known, just as they are.  One of the things that I love about our church is that for the most part, the people there are just themselves.  No one is trying to show that they are smarter or better than anyone else.  Everyone is welcome.  It seems to be recognized that we are all on this journey of life together.

It is refreshing to know people that are real.  It makes me happy to know that I know you and you know me, warts and all.  That is life, lived together, and it is marvelous.

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

discontent

In Bill Hybel's book Holy Discontent, he makes the case that our discontent fuels vision.  The things that we are bothered by should be pushing us to action.  Instead of complaining about a thing, if it really bothers you, do something about it.

What in this world gets stuck in your heart?  Hungry people?  Lonely People?  Depressed people?  People without God?

What pulls on your heart?  Don't ignore it and don't simply let it make you feel badly.  Let your discontent fuel the vision of your life.  Do something about it.  You will be happy that you made the effort.  You can't do everything, but you can do something.

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

who are you

If someone asked you, who are you?  What would you say?  If they asked you to boil down some of your driving principles, what would you say?

I was challenged by this thought the other day and the following came to my mind.  I am predisposing the fact that I am a Christian, I love God, I love my family and I seek to love my neighbor.  With those things as givens, I came to these three thoughts about what I think about the chance to live this life:

1.  live from the heart
2.  make the most of your opportunities
3.  never quit

If someone asked you what you were about, what would you say?

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

Grace and Truth

Any time I talk about grace and love, I run into someone who wants to talk about truth.  To them, the idea is this:  truth trumps grace.  Grace is only good in their mind when someone abides in the truth.  But I ask, whose truth?  They will insist that their interpretation of the Bible is true.  But what some people call truth becomes a hammer to hurt people.  This is exactly what Jesus fought against.  Real truth draws people toward our father.

I am all in favor of truth, but I think we need to be very careful.  Most people understand grace.  You can feel it and it feels good.  It is rooted in love.  It is unchanging.  Grace and love are universally identified by humans.

Truth is a little different.  Some of what I thought was true when I was 18, I no longer believe to be true.  Truth can also be a matter of opinion.  Even on biblical passages, people have so many opinions on the truth.  Truth was never meant to be a hammer.  If Jesus is the truth, then somehow truth is connected to love because Jesus is the man of love.

I believe in truth, but I think the list is much smaller than we think.  To me it boils down to something like this:
God loves you.
He sent Jesus.
Receive that.
Love back.
find the joy.
Share the joy.
live the joy.

Gosh that sounds a lot like grace.  I am not going to spend much time arguing with people about grace and truth.  At one time in the past I spent a lot of time arguing with people.  I have lived the life where I thought I knew the truth and I would push it on others.  All I did was hurt people.  Today, I choose the life of grace.  It feels much more like the life for which humans were created.

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

social issues

Ahh, the great social issues of the day.  Some Christians love to fight over them.  I am not one of them.  I assume that you, like me, have considered them deeply and have your own opinions and feelings.  I respect your thoughts, even if I don't agree with them.

Your opinions on social issues are not a litmus test for whether or not you are welcome in our church.  Everyone is welcome in our church.  Period.

Our church is not about social issues.  It is not about who you vote for or what party you belong to.  Our church is about the kingdom issue.  There is only one kingdom issue.  Do you know what it is?  It is love.  God is love.  Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength and love your neighbor as yourself.

The great social issues of the day existed in Jesus time.  Homosexuality, the death penalty, gambling, etc.  In fact Jesus has some experience with the death penalty, and his clothes we sold at his crucifixion by lots.  The issues existed in his day, but he never addresses them.  He does however, have much to say about love.

You will not hear many sermons on social issues from me.  I did not go into the ministry to try to get you to think like me.  I went into the ministry to help you on your journey with Jesus Christ.  I remain committed to this goal.

In today's world, many people are staying away from the churches.  I wonder why?  Is it possible that outsiders are tired of the fighting?  I encourage all Christians everywhere to pursue Christ and on all other issues: think and let think.  We should be spending our time and energy on living a life of love.

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

your faith story

Do you ever get to feeling dry?  Do you ever feel like God is far away?  I think we all get this feeling from time to time.  It makes us feel sad, forlorn and discouraged.

Often this comes from being too busy.  It is a sign that we need to slow down.  Sit down.  Take a deep breath.  Spend some time with our Father.

Think back over the years and remember your faith journey.  Remember all the times that he has been there for you.  Remember the moments of hope, the moments of embrace, the moments of joy!

God has never left us, nor will he.  Our sense of closeness to him is all about our perception, our awareness, and our willingness to spend time and listen.

Right now, take some time.

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

the little things

I am sure you have heard the phrase, “Today is the first day of the rest of your life”. Now the question is how I will respond to that simple truth. How will I go about my day? What things will get in the way of me doing the right stuff… the good stuff? Many opportunities will come my way today to do the things that are not selfish but giving, but will I see all of them or will I be immersed in my own thoughts and ways. Will I laugh, will I spread joy, and will I do the little things that make a big difference? The little things are everywhere every day.....

 Peace,

Lion’s Den Man

God's Truth

From an author I enjoy….
“Sometimes we hear people use the phrase God’s truth. This phrase is a problem. It’s best not to use it. Why? Because what other kind of truth is there? If it’s true, then it’s from God. Science, art, politics, history, psychology, biology-all truth is God’s truth. (A nod to Thomas Aquinas there, as well as Arthur Holmes.) To say something is God’s truth implies that some truth belongs to God and then there is another kind of truth, that apparently doesn’t belong to God. Not helpful. If it’s true, it has only one source, God. Some things that are labeled Christian aren’t true, and some things that aren’t labeled Christian are true. Some atheists say lots of things that are true, and some Christians are full of it.”

I hope what I hear and read is true, but I know this will not always be the case and so I must test what I have learned. I hope I am always open minded and willing to study new thoughts, listen and discuss other ideas (a big part of the testing process). Pursuing the truth, gaining knowledge and understanding are vital to growth. If I fail to do so I put up walls and my own understanding becomes my truth. I create a box. I think God is saddened by those kinds of boxes.

Peace,

Lion’s Den Man

keep it simple

 

Psalm 23 (KJV)

 ¹ The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.

 Psalm 23 (NIV)

 ¹ The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing.

Psalm 23  (TLB)

¹ Because the Lord is my Shepherd, I have everything I need!

 

I shall not want, I lack nothing, I have everything I need!

Peace,

Lion’s Den Man

 

salvation

"Salvation is not something we do, it is something that is done to us when we become empty and free."  Richard Rohr

You can't earn it.  You can't demand it.  In fact, salvation demands that we empty ourselves.  There will never be room for the Holy Spirit as long as we are all consumed with our selves.

I have come to believe that you can't simply will away the practice of being self-consumed.  We only stop thinking about ourselves when we begin doing for others.  It is in giving that we receive.  The very joy that we could not take to ourselves, comes rushing in when we give ourselves to be the hands and feet of Jesus.

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

curious

A friend wrote to me about a change that she was sensing as she was growing older.  She was becoming more curious and in my words, less judgmental.  I agree.  I am experiencing the same thing.  The older I get, the more I want to look past what I think I know, and see the amazing facets of God's truth in this world.  I want to leave the God that I forced into the box of my own creation and find the God that brooded over the face of creation and formed the universe by his hands.

When I think of worship these days, I think of getting lost in the bigness of God.  The amazing-ness of God.  In order to do that, I have to release my boundaries that I have put on his shape.

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

baptism

Someone posted a question on why Methodists Baptize babies.  There are many churches with many different kinds of doctrines.  If you grew up in a church that did not baptize children, you were probably taught-

1. baptism is about your decision
2. baptism can be repeated if you sin bad enough and want to be baptized again.
3. the early church did it this way

What I would tell you is this:
1.  baptism is about God's promise before its about your decision. If it about us being good followers of Jesus we better get baptized every day.
2.  you are baptized into Christ, there is never a need for rebaptism.
3.  the teaching of some churches called "believers baptism or adult baptism only" is a late comer to Christian Theology.  The early church always baptized children.  there is no scriptural evidence for adults holding their children until later to be baptized.  There is evidence however that entire households were baptized.

you may find this article from my website helpful to read -
http://www.jeffbrinkman.com/TH_Baptism.html

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

confession

I am so encouraged by the story of King David.  He made some big mistakes, but then he sought forgiveness.  God loved him in spite of his short comings.  He was called a man after God's own heart.  Warts and all, God loved him!

For anyone  out there who may need to make a confession, David provides a great prayer in Psalm 51:10-12

Create in me a pure heart, O God,
    and renew a steadfast spirit within me.
 Do not cast me from your presence
    or take your Holy Spirit from me.
Restore to me the joy of your salvation
    and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.

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

Historic Woods Chapel

Several have asked me if there is a connection between our church and the white frame church on the corner of 291 and Woods Chapel Road. 

Woods Chapel Road is named after the historic white frame church.  Our church is named for being on Woods Chapel Road.  The white frame church was Presbyterian.  Here is a brief history of the building:

HISTORY OF THE CHAPEL

Located at Wood’s Chapel Road and 291 Highway,

Woods Chapel has long been a familiar historic landmark in eastern Jackson County.

In 1861, land was deeded to John S. Woods and 2 others as trustees for a Cumberland Presbyterian Church to be located between the communities of Lee’s Summit and Blue Springs. The present building was erected in 1875 to replace the original log building on the same site.

The Presbyterians met in the building until the 1930s. The KC Presbytery then sold the building to a person who planned to raze it. The local Ladies-Aid-Society, who had met in the building since 1910, were aghast. They proceeded to purchase the building in 1945 and continued to use it until donating it and the grounds, in 1982, to the Friends of Missouri Town 1855. The Chapel now serves as a meeting place and social hall for the Friends.

A kitchen and restroom, as well as heating and air conditioning were added to the building, however, the handmade pews and pulpit are original to the building, as are the dark wood wainscot and ceiling. Originally there was a cast iron stove in the center of the room for heat, and kerosene chandeliers hung from hooks, which are still visible on the ceiling. The cemetery at the rear of the church is the final resting place for many of the early church members.

 

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

guilt

I did something the other day that I felt badly about.  No one to apologize to, it was just about me and a choice that I made.  The next day I felt bad.  I felt guilty.

I stopped my self.

I know it was wrong.  I won't do it again.  I asked for forgiveness.  Now why is this guilt here?  The answer is that it should not be.  If we are forgiven, then the guilt should go away.  Period.

Why waste a piece of today feeling guilty about something that you did yesterday?  Apologize.  Say your prayers.  Move on.  Life is short.  Today is another chance to live.  LIVE!  Don't poison today with bad feelings about yesterday.  Get up, get after it and live this day to the fullest without the ball and chain of yesterday's errors.

It's a beautiful day in God's world.  It is waiting for you.  Be sure to see the good.

top five regrets

A friend sent me this link after last week's sermon.  We were talking about how we will be remembered and how we might look back on our lives.

http://topinfopost.com/2014/05/12/top-5-regrets-people-make-on-their-deathbed

Here are the top five regrets that people share on their deathbed:

1. I wish I’d had the courage to live a life true to myself, not the life others expected of me.
This was the most common regret of all. When people realise that their life is almost over and look back clearly on it, it is easy to see how many dreams have gone unfulfilled. Most people had not honoured even a half of their dreams and had to die knowing that it was due to choices they had made, or not made.
It is very important to try and honour at least some of your dreams along the way. From the moment that you lose your health, it is too late. Health brings a freedom very few realise, until they no longer have it.

2. I wish I didn’t work so hard.
This came from every male patient that I nursed. They missed their children’s youth and their partner’s companionship. Women also spoke of this regret. But as most were from an older generation, many of the female patients had not been breadwinners. All of the men I nursed deeply regretted spending so much of their lives on the treadmill of a work existence.
By simplifying your lifestyle and making conscious choices along the way, it is possible to not need the income that you think you do. And by creating more space in your life, you become happier and more open to new opportunities, ones more suited to your new lifestyle.

3. I wish I’d had the courage to express my feelings.Many people suppressed their feelings in order to keep peace with others. As a result, they settled for a mediocre existence and never became who they were truly capable of becoming. Many developed illnesses relating to the bitterness and resentment they carried as a result.
We cannot control the reactions of others. However, although people may initially react when you change the way you are by speaking honestly, in the end it raises the relationship to a whole new and healthier level. Either that or it releases the unhealthy relationship from your life. Either way, you win.

4. I wish I had stayed in touch with my friends.
Often they would not truly realise the full benefits of old friends until their dying weeks and it was not always possible to track them down. Many had become so caught up in their own lives that they had let golden friendships slip by over the years. There were many deep regrets about not giving friendships the time and effort that they deserved. Everyone misses their friends when they are dying.
It is common for anyone in a busy lifestyle to let friendships slip. But when you are faced with your approaching death, the physical details of life fall away. People do want to get their financial affairs in order if possible. But it is not money or status that holds the true importance for them. They want to get things in order more for the benefit of those they love. Usually though, they are too ill and weary to ever manage this task. It is all comes down to love and relationships in the end. That is all that remains in the final weeks, love and relationships.

5. I wish that I had let myself be happier.
This is a surprisingly common one. Many did not realise until the end that happiness is a choice. They had stayed stuck in old patterns and habits. The so-called ‘comfort’ of familiarity overflowed into their emotions, as well as their physical lives. Fear of change had them pretending to others, and to their selves, that they were content. When deep within, they longed to laugh properly and have silliness in their life again.
When you are on your deathbed, what others think of you is a long way from your mind. How wonderful to be able to let go and smile again, long before you are dying.
Life is a choice. It is YOUR life. Choose consciously, choose wisely, choose honestly. Choose happiness.

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

rain

What do you think?  Is it "rain rain go away, come again another day" or "April showers bring May flowers."  Is your response to rain one of joy or despair? 

Into each life a little rain must fall.  The Bible teaches us that the trials that we face in life teach us patience. 

Rain in also symbolic of the move of God.  It is seen in the Scripture as a blessing to the land, the crops and the people.  Christians have spoken for years about the rain of the Spirit.  The gentle healing rain of the Holy Spirit falling onto our hearts.  The rain of the Spirit softens our hearts and prepares us for the move of God.

A little rain in your life?  Maybe God is up to something.

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

bicycle

Earlier this week, I took my first bicycle ride of the season.  I should have done this months ago, but we get so busy - you know?  It was great.  A six mile loop around the neighborhood at 630am.  This was my first outing on my new hybrid bicycle.  It is a 1996 model Giant brand bike that I bought off Craig's list.  Yes it has a big puffy gel seat!

I love bicycles and bicycle rides.  I am not sure why, but I always have.  My first job in 1972 was at a bike shop in San Jose.  I was president of the bike club in high school.  I once rode 120 miles in one day.  But, my first ride of the season this year.......only six miles, but it was great.  I enjoyed it so much.

I hope you have some things that bring you joy and get you some exercise.

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

you

I was thinking of you the other day.  A word came to my mind - delightful.  I thought of how delightful it was to have you as my friend.

Delightful is such a happy word.  Such a good word that is full of joy.  It makes me happy to think of you.  I am blessed to have you as my friend.  I am totally delighted by the opportunity.

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

Auschwitz

Auschwitz.  The word stops me in my tracks.  My brain is derailed.  What ever I was doing, what ever I was thinking has come to a complete stop.  The horror of Auschwitz is so painful to think about.


I was flipping thru the channels the other night and landed on a show about a family of little people who all went to the camp.  Because they were musicians and because they were  used in experiments, they all survived.  Almost unheard of that an entire family would survive.

I was hoping to watch some entertaining show, but when that came on, I was pulled in.  The story is deeply painful but also captivating.

It is hard to know where to go, after pondering this except I think someone once said, "never again."  Never Again.

And I think of who I meet today and how I will treat them.  Kindness is so important.   Every person is valuable in this life.

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

people in ministry

One of the things that I love about our church is the number of people that have gone into the ministry from Woods Chapel or who have found growth and encouragement while on our staff.

I think every now and then we should celebrate these folks:  Sandy Nenadahl, Kate McClain, Bob Jeppson, Stacie Williams, Clay Withers, Shawn Franssens, Jennifer Biggs, Sherri Swanson, Gina Kennedy, Wendy Minshall and others.

Currently we have at least two people that I know of in the candidacy program:  Steve Elkins and Mike Scott.

For our church to help others move through our system and out to another church is a wonderful gift.  It is a way that we can exponentially expand our reach.  Please encourage anyone who is in or is thinking of going into the ministry. 

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

cell tower

Several have asked so I thought I would take a moment to bring you up to speed on the cell tower situation at church.  It is off the table.  The contract we that we had with the phone carrier allowed them to pull out for any or no reason.  They decided that technology is changing too fast right now and so they cancelled the installation.

Several had asked and I just wanted you to know.

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

Memorial Day gift

My oldest daughter came to visit for Memorial Day weekend.  I have not seen her for months.  She asked if I could pick her up at the airport.  Everyone loves her and at least three people took off work so they could horn in and go pick her up from the airport too.  But No!  I want to pick her up!  She asked me!

When she came out of the secure area, I hugged her and cried like a baby.  We had a great drive from the airport.  We had a wonderful lunch together, and then we went home.

It's been a great visit.  I hate to see her go back, but it was great to have her this weekend.  Having a family is a wonderful gift.

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

heavy

Someone mentioned that one of my posts last week was heavy.  Probably so.  Some of the daily posts sometimes feel light to me as well. 

Life has it's times doesn't it?  Happy, sad, funny, heavy, lost and found - we find it all.  Sometimes we wish that we never had ups and downs, but what would that life be like?

Personally I find that the changes of life turn me towards our Father.  The joys and concerns are all part of the daily dance of life.

Today we will be gathering in worship at Woods Chapel to celebrate again the presence of God in the midst of our lives.  Some will arrive happy, some heavy, some ambivalent.  God is with us through it all.

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

generosity

Oh the joy of living a generous life!  Recently I have witnessed some amazing generosity.

• people working on the landscape team
• people building the wall in the old mission building to make space for the youth
• someone gave money for the new youth worship area
• someone donated their employees time to the church
• someone is going to cut out some bad concrete for free
• someone gave carpet
• someone repaired gutters and soffits
• someone spent the day on the paint crew
• someone joined the hospitality team
• someone joined the security team
• families in Nicaragua have been adopted
• donations were made for a car wash

On and on this list could go.  I am amazed at the kindness of each of you.  I know it makes for a happy life when people live generously.  You guys rise to the top of incredible.  Thanks for all that you do for the kingdom of God.

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

beyond my control

There is a thing that is happening, and it is beyond your control.  You wish it were different, you wish that you could fix it, but you can't.  Welcome to the human race.

Each of us have a choice in life, to worry about what we cannot control, or to put the thing or the person into God's hands.  Worry will leave when trust in God arrives.

Worry leaves when trust arrives.  It sounds simple.  It might be.  But it does not seem that easy to me.  And so I keep striving to do right, to make a difference, and to leave the rest to God.

God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things that I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.

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

woe to those

[I will begin by saying that I am writing this part tongue in cheek.]

Woe to those.
Woe to those who read unacceptable authors for you may be indoctrinated with heresy.  Woe to you who read history for you may learn things that will confuse the present.  Woe to you who question the status quo for questions debilitate everything.  Woe to those who do or think anything outside of what I think is acceptable.

[That is the end of the tongue in cheek.]

I used to think the way I described above.  When I was in my 20's I knew it all.  Today I still run into people who think that they know it all.  They think that they know what is right and what is wrong without a shadow of a doubt - for everyone.  Life is black and white to them. 

Let me ask some questions.  Are questions allowed?  They better be or your life system is in great jeopardy.  Is it possible that in my 56 years I have missed a few things?  You bet it is possible.  It is not only possible, not only likely, but the fact is that none of us have it exactly right.  Some people find comfortable lives by putting hard borders on the God that lives in the box that they created for him.  I would tell you that great lives come into being by heartfelt consideration of all things.  The greatest believers have some doubts.  No author gets it right every time.  Just because someone wrote something that I don't agree with does not mean that we should never read their books or that they should be rejected by the latest inquisition.

Bases of power have a great history of telling us what they want us to know.  Great organizations and great people, not only allow, but encourage questions.  Never be afraid to take a new look at a thing.  God is bigger, much bigger than our ideas about him.

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

dead mower

Our mower finally died.  Actually it runs great, but the wheels keep falling off, so we had to spring for a new one.  We had this mower for 12 years.  It was a good mower, but the hills took their toll on the rear wheel drive.  I bet I fixed it ten different times.  In the last few years I have had to buy new gears for it every single season.  No more.  Now it is someone else's problem.  I put it out on the street one morning.  Free mower. When I came home for lunch it had already been picked up by it's new owner.

By the way, did I tell you that I am a lucky guy?  My wife likes to mow the grass.  She gets mad at me when I do it.  So now she has a new mower with wheels that work.

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

self disclosure

So I am going to tell you something that no one knows.  I don't think my kids know this.

When I was a kid I had a baby doll.  Her name was Ethyl.  I carried her around all the time.  I played baseball and did boy things too, but I had a baby doll.  My Dad used to give me grief about Ethyl.  He wanted me to get rid of her.  I wouldn't do it.  Then one day he took her away and pitched her.  I was sad.  For about ten minutes.  Then my life went on with out Ethyl. 

Occasionally I think of Ethyl and smile.  It was a long time ago.

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

Grandpa

If you have ever watched a grandpa rocking on his porch and thought, "how sad" did you ever wonder what he was thinking?  What is he thinking about you and me? 

What if he is finally past trying to figure everything out?  What if he laughs at us thinking that we know something?  Or better yet, what if he is not even worried about us and what we think. 

What if he is finally at last resting, relaxing, enjoying and celebrating life. 

It's a beautiful day in God's world, relax and see the good.

Hugs

From my friend Ami-

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