a great gift

Yesterday I visited the home of a couple in our church. They were having an open house for their wedding anniversary, only they did not know it. It was a surprise to them and for them. Someone loved them so much that they threw a surprise anniversary party for them.

Here is the kicker.......it was their children, who are in college that threw the party! Imagine that, your kids who are in college love the parents so much that they send invites to their friends and create a surprise celebration.

Amazing.

I hope my kids don't read this. I would never want them to throw a party for the parents simply because someone else's kids did.

I imagine those parents going to bed last night, commiserating on the day. Giving thanks for the amazing gift of love that they received. That is a good thought.

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

dogs are not man's best friend

At least not this dog. He is out playing in the yard yesterday. He will not come inside. I call to him from the deck to come in. It is getting dark. It is getting cold. He doesn't care. He wants to run around, bark at his friends and eat who knows what. He has a new little jacket that he is wearing and he thinks that the other dogs think he is cool when he wears it.

I am honest with him. He needs to come in because his mom is coming home. Now I am telling you, he knows who his mom is, and he is always very excited to see her. She has been gone all week and I think saying the word "mom" will get him in. He does not budge.

[the picture to the left was taken later after i got the bum in the house, it is Lou the dog wearing his new jacket, waiting for him mom to come in thru the door. he has not seen her for 4 days and he can hear her in the garage.]

Now, back to the story........He won't come in for his mom, So, I take out the big guns. His brother, Mr. Scotty is coming home from college. They are fast friends. I call to Lou the dog and tell him that Scotty is coming home. That should do it, and he does make a feinting movement toward the stairs but then decides better of it and actually sits down in the grass.

I have used my best weapons. Mom is home and Mr. Scotty is home. The dumb dog will not come in. So, I utter the secret word: "treat." He immediately breaks off the games with the neighbor dogs, leaving them without even saying goodbye. He spits out whatever is in his mouth and breaks on a dead run for the stairs. Bowling over me and any cats that are in the way, he stands whimpering by the treat cabinet. That cabinet has many other things in it, the humans call it the pantry, but for Lou the dog, it is the treat cabinet.

I get the special treat out, he does his little dance. I give him the treat. He wolfs it down in about 4 seconds. But, at least now he is inside where he needs to be when his mom and mr. Scotty come home. But what is the deal? This is man's best friend? No, for this dog at least.....it's all about the treat. He is a bum. He is nobody's best friend, it is all about his stomach. But he does provide some interesting entertainment from time to time.

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

joy

Joy. I awake today with joy.

The joy of seeing an old friend. The joy of having someone that you can say anything to. My wife is coming home today. The joy of having those in your life who forgive your sins. The joy of children that are starting to get it. The joy of a less commercial Christmas. The joy of pastor friends. The joy of the persnickety, elusive, reclusive cat that for some reason today wants to sit on my lap.

The joy of having a church home. The joy of watching people being generous. The joy of someone gathering around because you are simply nice to them. The joy of FPU. A cup of coffee. Disciple Bible Study. The joy of so many people that have called me this season and want to help families in need.

There is so much good. I awake today with joy on my mind, and I thank God for that.

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

I hear you don't have a church

I hear that you are a reader of this blog, but that you don't have a church that you attend. Let me take a moment today to invite you to Woods Chapel.

I know that you, like 80% of the rest of America, have been hurt or guilted by some church in the past. At Woods Chapel, we do not deal in guilt. Jesus did not attempt to win people by guilt or fear. It is a bad motivator. It is human attempts to manipulate people. The message of Jesus is so strong, so powerful, that it wins people simply because it is such good news. No guilt or fear is needed.

You are loved. You are forgiven. You are free. You are not required to do anything. God already did it all. What you do at church is all based on your loving response to this God who fills you and leads you, from the inside out.

You don't have to have the right clothes. People at Woods Chapel dress in all ways. No one will even notice what kind of car you drive, what kind of clothes you wear, or what your tattoo says.

Whatever worries or hurts from the past have kept you from attending church, I pray that you give this place a try. There is a joy that comes from being a part of a great group of amazing people. The music is awesome. The mission work continues to astound me. We have excellent programs for children and youth. The thing that you may have been missing in your life, you will find in the hearts of the people and in the presence of Christ.

Please come give us a try. Be sure to introduce yourself to me when you visit, because I want to personally welcome you.

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

missions

Missions: helping others in need. Living outside of one's self. Being other centered for the sake of Christ.

Missions is not something that the missions people do. It is not something that the missions department does. Missions is what all Christians do.

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

the generous life

Anytime I tell a story in church about a generous act that some person did, there is always someone else who says, "well, I could never do that." No, I cannot give that much money. No, I was not here when a certain sacrifice was made in the past. No, I was not able to adopt a child for Christmas. Such things people will say. All reasonable comments, and all true.

Well, let us take generosity out of the hands of the extravagant and put it into the hands of simple sincerity. No one cares about the size of a gift. No one judges another by how impressive a particular act may be. The widow's mite.

Generosity is an act of the heart. If it is not of the heart, then it is not a generous act. Every person can act generously. To give your time. To bake cookies for another. To share a meal with a friend. To shovel the snow off someone else's porch. To put the magic blue water in their car for their windshield. To loan someone a pair of gloves. To smile at them and hug them. Smiles and hugs are free and they are abundantly available in a generous heart.

Do not worry about big or small, quiet or noisy. Just act out your living in a generous fashion. As God has acted on our behalf in Christ, we can act to touch others. Begin with something small. That is where it all starts. A willing heart, making room for the comfort of another.

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

cantata

A great big thank you to everyone who sang in the cantata or played in the orchestra. Cathy and I enjoyed it so very much. I know this is a great deal of work to do each year. I liked what Kris said at the end, "this is the music department's gift to each one in the audience."

Thank you for the gift. Thank you for the beautiful sounds and wonderful message. And somebody thought that the attendance would be light. Ha! Great attendance, great night. What a blessing.

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

a blessing

Over the past 52 years, I have seen almost every Christmas special at least once. Most of them, it has been years since I have watched them.

This year, since the sermon series is touching one of the great Christmas specials each week, I have been watching them all.

It has been such a blessing to watch the Grinch, charlie brown, and the Christmas Carol [1951 version with Alistair Sim].

These stories speak to the hearts of people. That is why they are famous. Be sure to take some time this year to sit down and watch them all. It's a wonderful life. The Christmas story. Joyeaux Noel. You will be blessed by the work of God through these movies and TV specials.

Make the time to do it. Don't miss the blessing.

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

hacked

Well, I don't know what to think or do about this, but there is something funny going on with this blog. Yesterday when I posted, "the end of winter" everything looked fine. Today as I look at the post from yesterday, the word "degrees" is highlighted in green and it looks like a link. Don't click on it. I don't know what it is. When I hover my cursor over it, it appears to be a link to something with the university of Phoenix.

Now is it possible that somehow the word "degree" has been obsconded by the University of Phoenix so that when it appears, it makes a link to their program? I guess that is possible, but I just don't know.

Please just read the posts and don't click on any links in the text that seem strange. I did not put the link there and I will try to figure out how to get rid of them.

[update- I think I have figured it out. The group that hosts this blog used to offer an ad program that you could select to be a part of. I never did. I did not want the readers of this blog to be solicited with anything. Now it appears that the ad program is being forced onto those who write blogs. I will keep trying to get it removed, but in the meantime, don't click on any links in the body of the text.]

In the mean time, it's a beautiful day in God's world, be sure to see the good.

the end of winter

When I was young I liked winter. The colder the better. It might be 30 degrees and I would not even wear a jacket. I loved to throw snowballs and sled down the hills. I prayed for snow days.

Now, the world is different. When it is 70 degrees I want a jacket. I never leave the house in the winter without jacket, hat, gloves and all. I have a Russian winter hat that this so ridiculous looking, but I don't care because it is so warm.

These days, this is the best thing that I can say about winter. It is all going to be over March 1st. Just hang on for a few months and March will be here, then all the snow will be gone and the weather will turn a corner.

In the mean time, I try to enjoy the beauty of the snow and thank God for being alive even when it is so very cold.

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

suicide

To the one who is thinking about this...... I beg you to stop and think. Think about the fact that things can and will get better. Think about all the good that you will miss. Think about the empty hole that you will leave behind. The sorrow that others will feel is immeasurable. We humans are all in this dance together and when someone intentionally quits, the collective soul of the community is hurt. We can help you. Reach out to a friend. Reach out to anyone. Reach out to me.

See. See. SEE. See the good. See the beauty of the snow. Watch the children playing. See the bird on the tree branch. Listen to it's song. Sit with a pet, scratch it's back. Go for a walk. Think of everything that you will see, think of everything that you will do. Think of everything that you can be.

You are wanted. We want you to live. I want you to live. Think, See, Listen.

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

bell ringing

This Saturday, Dec 12th our church has 4 spots open for anyone that wants to ring the bell for the Salvation Army. Our shifts are at Walmart in Lees Summit, 2 hour shifts from 12-2; 2-4; and 4-6.

If you would like to help, please send me an email at jeffb@woodschapelchurch.org

As you know this is one of my favorite things to do. It is such a joy to see the happy faces of people who are helping the needy. It is so cool to see parents teach their children to be generous. It is also a very very easy way to help the least of these.

Let me know if you want to help on Saturday.

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

quiet time

One of the things that I love about Christmas is the opportunity that it affords to sit by the tree. No TV. No music this time. Just the wind on the windows, the tick tock of the clock. No worries, no thoughts particularly.

Morning, evening, day or night, it works all the same. Just a sense of thankfulness. For today. For daily breath. For Christmases past. For the lights on the tree. Light is pretty cool to look at. The simple twinkle of a star in the sky, a light on the tree, a lighthouse on a rocky shore.

I am hopeful that you have a chance to sit by a Christmas tree and wonder. We are never too old to wonder. Wonder in amazement of the goodness of God, the glory of God, and the mysteries of God's world.

I am thinking too much now. I am going to go back to the quiet of the tree. Days go better with a little time of quiet.

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

your church

Your church really shone bright yesterday. What nice crowds attended all of the services. The branch has a good crowd and the pancake breakfast thrown by the new church was well attended.

In the evening 600+ came out for the children's pageant. It was awesome. So many angels and shepherds. Interestingly, 3/4 of the children in the pageant were not even born when this building was built.

I am so pleased to see this wonderful event each year as it takes our children through the story of Jesus' birth. It could not have been better.

After the pageant, the night in Bethlehem was packed. Every tent had oodles of children who were participating in candle making, rug weaving, and more. One of the greatest things that a church can do for it's children is to instill in them a sense that their church is a good place.

Thank you one and all for everything that you did to make yesterday awesome and everyday at WCC a blessing.

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

sunday morning

The Sunday Morning gig. Since I only work 1/2 day a week, I thought I might tell you what I do on Sunday morning.

Wake at 545. Pray. Shower. Dress. Make a pot of coffee. Collect pile of stuff to take to church. Drive to church, listen to "Religion on the Line" on 710am radio on the way. Park out by the dumpsters. Walk thru the deer and the cold to the east door.

Unlock east door and turn on lights. Open my office and fire up the computer. print the sermon. Go make a pot of coffee. Turn on the WCTV TV's. Adjust volume. Open office and turn on copier. Check mail.

Go back to office. type blog. Answer any emails that must be answered on Sunday morning. Review sermon. Line by line. Does it make sense. God is this is? [it tends to be a bit late for that question, but you always have to ask it.]

Go get a cup of coffee. Meet with media person. Discuss slides and scriptures to post during sermon. Go thru check list to leave office and go to sanctuary. Things that I must not forget: Bible, pen, sermon notes, props if any, water bottle if needed, baptismal certificates if any, new member cards if any, prayers, keys, Rolaids, halls, and a name tag.

Go to sanctuary at 740. Sound check. Pray for all who will sit in the pews that day. go over bulletin to make sure I have all the announcements ready.

Shake hands before 8am. Lead service. Preach. Service over, shake hands, bathroom, water fountain. Back to sanctuary for 905. Shake hands before service. Lead service. preach. Service over, shake hands, bathroom, water fountain. Back to sanctuary for 1010. Shake hands before service. Lead Service. Preach. Service over, shake hands, bathroom, water fountain. Back to sanctuary for 1115. Shake hands before service. Lead service. Preach. Service over, shake hands. Often a baptism at 1215.

Back to office. put stuff away. Drive home. On the way home, thank God for the awesome opportunity of being able to share his love with others. Lunch and a nap. 6 1/2 days off, then we do it all over again next Sunday.

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

patience

Patiently waiting for the fulfillment of our dreams. That is where I find myself sometimes. I remember in 97 when we were just talking about a new building on the highway. One of the things that we dreamed about was a walking trail around the pond. A place where people could go for a walk amid the trees and find a place to sit and welcome the presence of God.

I was so excited a few years ago when the walking trail was cut in and mulched. Gardens sprung up along the trail. This year a fountain was installed in the pond and the mulch on the trail was replaced with asphalt.

There are plans in place for the completion of the trail, along the north end of the property to the back corner by the Cancer Center, south along the east fence, finally making a right turn and ending back at the parking lot.

Future pieces of the trail will include [if we are patient] benches and stations of the cross and a prayer labyrinth.

One of the pieces that was always present on the drawings of the walking trail was a shelter house. Over the years the name shelter house has been taken over by the name "pavilion." Well, patience pays off, for today, the pavilion is being erected. Awesome! Cool! It may take a few Saturdays, but it is going to be great.

Take some time, even in the cool winter months, to enjoy the trail, the gardens and the fruit of the years of labor.

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

several times a week

Several times a week I talk to people who are down, worried, concerned, depressed. God is going to get them, they think. They have not been good enough. They have been trying but they just know that it is not enough.

If you have ever felt this way, let me ask you a question. Is this how you want your children to feel? No. You know it's not. Absolutely not. You want your children to do the opposite. You want them to get up in the morning and be filled with joy. You want them to know that they are loved, even when they do dumb things. You want your children to celebrate the goodness of life.

Is our heavenly Father so different?

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

reflections on my life

The following stuff is what woke me up the other morning.............

When I am gone, tell them these things.

Tell them that the house was decorated with blue and green outdoor lights at Christmas, with one red bulb near the top. Just because life is like that.

Tell them that I was the pied piper of animals. When I went to the basement they would all follow me and pile on in hopes of a good nap. I could scratch a cat and send it to heaven. I will be a cat masseuse in my next life.

Speaking of cats, tell them we had a cat named "the fat one."

Tell them that I loved Anthony Demello stories. In fact tell them one, tell them the one about the ghosts and the medals or the one about the sheeply lion.

Tell them that I loved people. I wanted to love them as God loves them and help them see the joy of being alive.

Tell them I loved softball. Have one of the Armadillos tell about the time I was bracing for a collision at the plate and the runner jumped completely over me and landed with both feet on home plate.

Tell them that I once beat Robin Fisher in bowling.


Tell them that I loved afternoon games at Royals stadium with friends.


Tell them I was a tool guy. I had eight hammers and every variety of tool that God had ever invented.


Tell them that Bruce Letner taught me how to replace disc brake pads on cars and that I got pretty good at it, especially after I bought the special tools.

Tell them that I loved jokes. Bad jokes. Me and Gayle Kelley. Tell them about Paddy O'Furniture and Napoleon's thanksgiving.

Tell them that I loved to paint houses.


Tell them that I loved Kansas City. St. Louis. Chicago. Ft. Lauderdale. San Francisco.


Tell them that I loved the mountains, the beach, palm trees. Swimming pools with fountains. Hot tubs.


Tell them that I loved Rob Bell and Hubert Neth. Tell them that they made me a better man.


Tell them that I loved to help big tough men learn to show the warmth within their hearts.


Tell them that I love a pickup truck and all of the things that you can do with one.

I loved cars. It was a sickness. I would buy and old car and spend a year fixing it up and then would not know what to do with it. I love mustangs and motors and brakes and tires. Body work, oil changes, brake jobs and wiring.


Tell them that I loved music. The Messiah. Fernando Ortega. Old time rock and roll. Bob Seeger, ELO, REO Speedwagon, Pink Floyd, and one we go.


Tell them that I loved trees. Oak, maple, red bud, weeping cherry, japanese maple, ash, aspen pine and more. I love them all.

I love redwood trees. Yosemite. John Muir woods. Henry Cowell Redwoods state park. My soul comes out of my body when I walk among these giants. Scatter my ashes there, I want to be apart of helping these beautiful specimens of the greatness of God grow even taller.

Tell them that I loved to plant stuff. Sedem, tulips, ajuga, english ivy, indian grass, mums, tomato plants, and the list goes on. Tell them that when you plant things and watch things grow, you are participating in the work of God.

Tell them that I loved cable cars, morning fog, highway 1, the old time amusement museum, Scoma's, the golden gate bridge, Alcatraz, Pier 39 and watching the boats on the bay.

Tell them that I loved the wine country, and I didn't even drink the wine. Well I did one time, when I was 17, but that is another story. I love the rolling hills, the beautiful vineyards. The smell of the air in the morning, and being there with Cathy.

Tell them that it was a privilege to be a pastor. To love people and to try to help them come to believe that God loved them.

Tell them that my greatest joy was to see the lights come on in their souls.


Tell them that I learned. I grew. I changed. I wanted to be all that God had called me to be.


Tell them that I had a growing desire to help the poor. To go to the places where people had nothing, and give them food and water. Tell them that God increased the compassion in my heart for those who are the "least of these."

Tell them that I would rather give away that junk than have a garage sale. The joy of giving is worth more than the small amount of money we would make.

Tell them that I so valued my friends. In my early years, friends did not come easily, so I deeply valued each of my friends.

Tell them thank you.


Tell them that I loved your mother.

Tell them that no man was ever more proud of his children.


Tell them that I am not afraid to go to the next life. It is already here, now, all around us. Eternity is just into the next dimension. We will all go there sometime, and I have been privileged to see enough of it in this life, that it is just going to feel like going home, and I assure you, I will be there, waiting for you.


When I am gone, tell them these things.

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

compelled to write

I woke up at 4:30am and could not go back to sleep. Thoughts were rolling through my mind. I could not stop them. I had to write. I got up and wrote was was going through my mind.

When you are constantly looking for inspiration, this is a good thing. Sleepless nights with thoughts on your mind to write about are good things. May God give me many more of them.

I will post what woke me up tomorrow. It may not mean much to you, but it sure did fill my mind in the early hours. Today I just want to celebrate the joy of being alive and being awake with joyful thoughts.

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

Christmas

Nothing can keep Christmas from coming. The Grinch tried to stop it, but it is unstoppable. My entire family was home over the weekend, now they are gone.

I am alone, but I am pressed. It is time. The tree must go up. So, I put up the tree by myself. Well, two cats helped. Anytime that you put out a ladder, the cats show up to climb it.

I put on my favorite Christmas music. King's College singers. I got the tree out and I set it up. Alone. But that is ok.

We are never really alone if we know what Christmas is about.

Don't let anything steal your Christmas joy. Don't let anything get in the way of the most wonderful time of the year.

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