quote

"It has take me my entire life to learn that almost everything is none of my business."
                                                                   Richard Rohr


So, I don't have to fix everything.  I don't have to solve everything. I don't have to speak into everything.  I can, on occasion, just live my life and mind my own business.


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

I'm ok

I met with a friend last night who was very concerned that I was ok.  "ok."  Well I was raised German Lutheran.  I am not used to people wondering if you are ok.  You just get up and go.  That is what you do.

But in case anyone wondered, yes my wife is on the road 2-3 weeks per month.  Yes we are taking on the Blue Springs Church. Yes, it is summertime and folks are on vacation.

I am ok.  All is well.  You know the old saying, when the going gets tough......

All is well.  Really it is.

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

fears

Most fears are unfounded.  Most of what I am concerned about,  I will not even remember a week from now.

I am not suggesting that you should walk down dark alleys on purpose, but most of what we fear is imagined in our brains.  We have been hurt in the past and we expect to be hurt again.

Consider the amount of energy and tension that you allow to be created in your heart and mind over a particular thing.  How does it compare to the size of the issue?  What is the worst that can happen?  We worry too much.  We give too much power to our fears.

God is with us.  Who can be against us?

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

Born Again

"Born Again."  Here is a phrase that is quite Biblical.  Read John chapter 3.  It is also a phrase that Christians have used to hurt people, both non-Christians and fellow Christians as well.  Bad idea.  If you don't do your faith exactly as they think that you should, then you are not born again.  They are in, and you are out.  As if they are in charge of who is in and who is out.

Interesting thing about the notion of being born again though is this... to be born again, one must die to the old self.  One must give up the notion, that I am right, that I know and you don't.  To be born again is to be born of the Spirit.  My old opinions now must fade away.

Before we were born again, we judged others, we insisted on our way, and we were always right.  After we were born of the spirit, we stopped trying to be in control.  We accepted others where they are at.  We simply let God's love shine through us.

Die to self.  Born to God.  = Good stuff.

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

see the good

Yikes.  Uh Oh. 

I had a new thought and I don't like it.

I have written for years with the tag line, "it's a beautiful day in God's world, be sure to see the good."  Here is my new thought...... that line, as challenging as it is to me and my way of thinking, carries with it an implication that somehow my opportunity each day is to look past circumstances and see the good.  It has occurred to me that a part of that thinking is very self consumed....

Oh, we have so many problems, God, help us to see the good.  Oh, I have an old car, I have an old knee, I have a whatever, my air conditioner is out.  God help me see the good.

Yikes.  When you think about the rest of the world, we have so much.  I have an old car?  Most people in the world would love to have my car.  I have a rusty truck?  Most people would want the truck and never see the rust.  I have a bad knee?  I also  have insurance, doctors and hospitals to take care of that knee anytime I actually decide to stop complaining about it and get it fixed.  My a/c is out?  Most people in the world would love to live in my home.

I am reminded of a quote from Jen Hatmaker's book Interrupted, we are "far too consumed with worthless things."  Let me go on, what an embarrassment for us to laugh about "first world problems."  What if we stop worrying about our worries anyway- most people in this world would love to have our problems.  What if we train our brains to look and see the issues of others and act to help them, and only give 30 minutes a day to worrying about our issues?  Now that would be seeing the good.

When we start thinking like this, maybe we will do all that we can to stop simply consuming, and actually make the world a better place for others.

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

are you open to ideas that are different?

Are you open to ideas that are different than what is currently in your brain?  The Holy Spirit cannot change those who are unwilling to change.  We must open our minds if God would drag us out of our self-centered world views and help us see the world as he does.

Once upon a time a man had a conversation with an embryo. 

He said, “Hey, look at you.  All curled up in a ball with your eyes closed.  Wake up.  Shake it off.  The world outside is vast and intricate.  There are wheat fields and mountain passes and orchards in bloom.  At night there are millions of galaxies, and you don’t want to miss the beauty of sunlight or the joy of friends dancing at a wedding.”

Why little embryo do you stay cooped up in the dark with your eyes closed?”

The embryo answers:

There is no “other world”  I only know what I’ve experienced.  You must be hallucinating.

Are you open to ideas that are different than what is currently in your brain?

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.  I would also remind myself and all of us that we have an obligation to give out of our abundance to care for others in the world.  God has not blessed us simply for us to consume the blessings. 

When we remember the starving people around the world and actually do something to help them, well, that is something to celebrate.  Happy 4th.  Happy life - for everyone in God's world.

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

Old Glory

Tomorrow is the 4th of July, which brought this to mind. For years I have gone on a camping and floating trip with some friends. A few years ago a new tradition was introduced. Close to day’s end, as things begin to settle down, we retire a flag that has served well but is ready to be destroyed in a dignified manner.  It is a ceremony.  One at a time we each take part of the flag and share words about those we know and don’t know who have served as patriots in and out of uniform. The pieces are laid on the fire and as it burns we close singing God Bless America then a moment of silence.  It is a good and powerful feeling. 

Happy Independence Day.  Thanks to those who have made this celebration possible.

Peace,

Lion’s Den Man

1992-Last of the Mohicans

One of my all-time favorite movies. Maybe because it is about a simpler view on life. Maybe because it displays pure love between souls, or because it shows a life based on integrity. Maybe all of the above and more. The scene near the end always hits me hard. A father and his son, and how the father feels for the son, and how he does what is needed for the son. He seeks to honor his son and avenge those who took his son’s life. All this, because it feels to be the right thing to do…..

It is a human movie with human themes and I can’t draw a comparison to God and the Son except to say that we, as a people, love vengeance and how it makes us feel whole….for the moment. But, God unconditionally loves us and needs none of that…..that is what makes life as a follower so very hard at times to do and understand.

Peace,

Lion’s Den Man

three steps

I often wonder what it would be like to be fully invested in life. To live freely.  What would I being doing differently. What thoughts would guide my days? It seems the older I get the more I think about this and the more I realize it is what I need.

Richard Rohr writes, “We become free as we let go of our three primary energy centers: our need for power and control, our need for safety and security, and our need for affection and esteem. “  

That’s a tall order but I couldn’t agree more.

Peace,

Lion’s Den Man

babies

Everyone loves babies.

Since my wife isn't around feeding me all the time, I have started frequenting Taco Night at Brew Top.  I watched this momma bird build the nest, then sit on the nest, and finally......... babies!!  First you could not see them, only hear them....... now, they are big and fat and I wonder how they all fit in the nest.

This picture reminds me of the nursery rhyme "there was an old woman who lived in a shoe, she had so  many children, that she didn't know what to do."  This mother bird must be very harried........ triplets........ loud, noisy, hungry triplets.  No wonder momma birds finally kick the babies out of the nest.

Keep your eyes open for the wonders of nature, the wonders of God's world.  They are all around you.

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

my lucky day

Do you hate waiting in line?  Do you notice that you always pick the slow line?  I always seem to get behind the person who wants to write a check, or the person who is lonely and wants to talk to the checker, or the person who has picked up an item that does not have a price tag.  If you see me in the store, say hello, but never get in line behind me.  If you do, you will be sorry because I never choose the right line.

Well, the other day, I hit the jackpot.  Not only was there a line open with no waiting, there were three!!!  And the employees at Price Chopper all looked happy, as if they were glad to be there and glad to help me.  How delightful!

It was a great moment.  I had to take a photo of it.  May I remember moments like this the next time the line is 5 people deep at some store.

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

fear or faith

There is an all church meeting tonight at 5pm in the main campus sanctuary.  And so the topic of today's blog.

Fear or faith.  We humans are faced with the decision every day.  Churches and organizations face similar decisions.

Having done my due diligence, do I step out into an opportunity, or do I shrink back?  Do I opt for safety or am I willing to stretch for the kingdom.

Ahh, the kingdom.  Let us make no mistake- the kingdom of God is never about our comfort or us having enough.  It is entirely, completely, 100% about us discomforting ourselves for the sake of the mission.

What might God ask of you?  What might God ask of your church?

Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.  Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.  Gal 5:9-10

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

another campus for Woods Chapel?

We announced in church on Sunday that the conference was asking us to take on another campus.  There will be a meeting on Sunday night June 28th at 5pm in the sanctuary to hear about this and ask any quesitons that you may have.  

Here is a Q&A sheet about the opportunity.

St. Peter UMC

Q&A Packet

St. Peter UMC in Blue Springs has closed, primarily due to lack of finances and a decline in attendance.  The Conference Office has asked our church to consider stepping in to help. 

St. Peter is located on the south end of Blue Springs, which is rapidly expanding.  Hundreds of homes have been built over the past few years, with plans for many more to built in the area.  The Conference Office wants to keep a Methodist presence along 7 Highway, as they know this is a prime mission field for the United Methodist Church. 

Rather than start a brand new Methodist church in the building, the Conference Office has asked Woods Chapel Church to start a third campus, thus creating Woods Chapel Church – Blue Springs Campus.  This strategy of asking growing, vibrant churches to create additional campuses has been successful in Missouri and in other states, and the Conference plans to continue this strategy in the future. 

1.    What does this mean in the near future? 

The St. Peter congregation, with advice from the Conference Office, voted to close their church but continue holding a heritage worship service each Sunday in their building until a new church is started in the building.  WCC will begin holding the heritage service on Sunday, June 28 and will continue this service each Sunday morning as long as attendance is approximately 20 or more and giving is regular.  If attendance dips below that threshold for several weeks in a row, or giving stops, we will look at discontinuing the service and asking the church attendees to attend one of our services at WCC.

2.    What does a heritage service look like?

WCC will provide a pre-recorded sermon.  We will provide musicians, a sound technician, and hospitality.  Services will have the same format as WCC 9:05 sanctuary worship.  The music at St. Peter has been contemporary using a piano and instruments, and this will continue.  The time of the service has not been determined.  Services at St. Peter were previously held at 10:00 am.

3.    How will we advertise the heritage service to the community?

We will not advertise this service to the community or invite others to join us.  This heritage service is strictly for the current St. Peter members who do not want to leave their church building and are waiting for a new church to be started there.  We are simply helping out during this time period and are not trying to grow the service.

4.    When will we officially start the new Woods Chapel Church – Blue Springs Campus?

The timetable is very tentative at this point.  The Conference Office has suggested the following:

·         Hold the heritage service for nine months to build trust with the attendees.

·         Appoint a campus pastor for the Blue Springs Campus with a tentative start date of January 2016.

·         Discontinue the heritage service in the summer of 2016.

·         Launch the new Woods Chapel Church – Blue Springs Campus in October 2016.

           

5.    Who owns the building, land, and assets now that St. Peter has closed?

All assets now belong to the Conference Office.  Transfer of ownership to WCC would take place effective January 1, 2016.

6.    What is the financial status?

The church does not have any money.  The total debt is $200,000.  A parsonage will be sold for approximately $150,000, leaving $50,000 of remaining debt.

7.    What is the size of the property?

The church owns approximately 6.8 acres.  In addition to the land the building sits on, the church owns the empty land behind the church and eight-tenths of an acre along 7 Highway to the south of the church. 

8.    What is the condition of the building?

The building is in great condition.  Paint and décor has been updated.  The church has a commercial kitchen, a large fellowship area, and a sanctuary which seats approximately 250.

9.    Who maintains the building and grounds during the heritage service period?

WCC staff and a team of WCC members will maintain the property, with service and maintenance bills being paid by the Conference Office until January 1, 2016. 

10.  Who pays the utility bills during the heritage service period?

The Conference Office will pay the utility bills until January 1, 2016.

11.  Who pays the speakers and musicians during the heritage service period?

The Conference Office will pay until January 1, 2016.

12.  Will an offering be received at heritage services?

Yes, an offering will be received, and the money will help pay for utility bills.

13.  Will there be any Sunday school classes or weekday programming at the building during the heritage service period?

No.  We will invite heritage service attendees to attend programming at WCC during the week.  We will provide a copy of our bulletin each Sunday so that they can hear about the various opportunities. We will not print any separate publications for the heritage service.

14.  Who will provide pastoral care for the heritage service attendees?

Pastoral care will be provided by our team at WCC.  The heritage service attendees will call the main WCC phone number for pastoral care. 

15.  Will the conference help with finances in 2016?

Yes, the conference will provide $300,000 for the new campus, with $125,000 the first year, $100,000 the second year, and $75, 000 the third year.  This grant is intended to be used for ministry and music staff, and facilities and maintenance costs.

16.  How will a campus pastor be chosen for Blue Springs?

The conference will work closely with WCC to determine the best fit for a campus pastor.  It may be a current pastor from WCC or a new appointee. 

17.  What is the role of the campus pastor from January until the new church launch?

Beginning immediately, the campus pastor would work to build interest at the main campus and make connections in the community.  This could be done at the main campus by inviting interested parties to cook outs, bible studies, social hours and such.  This could be done in the community by getting involved and known in the community via Rotary, Chamber and the local schools.

18.  What is the role of the campus pastor after the launch?

The campus pastor will be onsite most Sundays, leading the worship.  We envision this campus being a video venue, meaning the sermons will be brought by the Senior Pastor via video approximately three Sundays a month.  The campus pastor will preach 9-12 times per year at the satellite campus and several times a year at the main campus.  The campus pastor will provide pastoral care and officiate funerals, weddings, and baptisms. 

19.  What will happen during the summer of 2016?

The summer of 2016 will be a quiet period, meaning there will not be any worship services or programming at the Blue Springs campus.  This time will be used to make changes to the building so that it looks and feels like WCC. 

20.  What renovations will be needed?

The signage will need to be changed.  Minor façade changes may be made to give the building more curb appeal.  Interior decorating changes will be made to mimic the feel of WCC’s main campus. 

21.  What programming will there be for children and students after the launch?

Children’s Sunday school and nursery will be held each Sunday.  We are also exploring a parent’s day out.

22.  How will we invite people to the new church?

The first step will be identifying our current WCC attendees that live in the mission field around the Blue Springs campus.  We will gather this group together and gauge their interest in becoming missionaries in their own neighborhood by attending the new campus.  This ‘launch team’ will be crucial to the success of the new launch by inviting their neighbors and friends to the new church.  In addition to the campus pastor’s efforts to engrain him/herself in the community, we anticipate mailers, events, small groups, and missions efforts. 

23.  What recommendations have we received from the Conference Office for the new church launch?

a)    Choose the right campus pastor who is engaged with the community.

b)    Maintain communication with the main campus so that all campuses are working together for the common mission.

24.  When will we have to start paying apportionments for the new campus?

Apportionments would be paid beginning in 2020.

It's a beautiful day in God's world, don't be afraid of change, and don't be afraid of being stretched.  God is with us - be sure to see the good. 

I am normal

I don't tell people that I am a pastor.  Many people have no idea what to do with that knowledge and they start to act weird when they find out.  I love it when members introduce me as "their friend, Jeff."  I love it when months or years later, a person finds out that I am a pastor....... They got the chance to know me as a person, without the trappings of being a minister.  When I am introduced as someones pastor, I always follow up with, "but I am normal."

I am normal.  What does that mean?  It means that many people have a preconceived notion that pastors are going to guilt them or pressure them or act holier than thou.  I refuse to do these things.  I don't wear the ministry garb, I won't guilt you and I am certainly not holier than anyone else.

We are all on this journey together.  We are all the same.  Pastors are people too.  They are all normal, whether they know it or not.

Thanks for keeping me around to be your pastor, and thanks for allowing me to be normal.

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

so what

I don't want to minimize sin, but some people will never let a thing go.  They suffer for years over something that they have asked for forgiveness for many times- as though God might grant forgiveness if we keep pestering him.

You only have to ask for forgiveness once.

 A long time friend thanked me for something.  He said that at a time when he shared his deepest hurts, his biggest sins, I said, "so what."

What have you done?  What evil secrets are in your past?  Go to our Father, ask for forgiveness, then let them go.  You did a bad thing?  So what.  You are forgiven.

Accept the simple gift that God actually does forgive you and he separates us from our sins as far as the east is from the west.

God is good, all the time.  Bad things?  So what.  God is with us and God is for us.  If God is for us, then who can be against us?

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

Insecurities

Insecurities run rampant.  I don't like how I look so I dye my hair, I get hair implants, I have plastic surgery.  I can't wear the same outfit again.  I must have a new, fresh and flashy look at all times.  I must drive a cool car, I must be seen on the outside to be hip and together.

And on the inside, person after person that I meet is hiding behind a curtain of insecurity.  How sad.  How very very sad.  Oh, if you knew how much God loves you!  Oh, if you knew how beautiful he thinks you are!

We need to think less about what others think of us and more about what God thinks of us.  We are loved and accepted into the household of faith.

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

Charleston

I finally decided to write a few words on this topic...... it is such a painful one.

Nine people shot dead at a Methodist Church in Charleston.  Murdered.  Executed.  Why?  Because a very young man decided that he hated another race.

We shake our heads.  We take a deep breath and wonder who could do such a thing.  We pray for the families of the victims.  We pray for the family of the killer.  Although part of our brains does not want to do so, we pray for the shooter.  May God reach in and change his heart.

Hatred is ugly.  Very ugly.  May we all do everything that we can to eradicate it from our hearts and minds.  May God's love prevail.........

joy

Joy.  I received an email from a friend last week that reminded me that there is a joy in doing God's work.

We think joy is found when we do what we want.  That is a form of taking - sort of a "I will do what I want, and that will make me happy." 

There is a different kind of joy that comes when we do God's work.  When we give ourselves to him, believing that the greater joy comes when our priority is no longer what we want to do but what he wants. 

Not my will but thine be done.  Missing some joy in your life?  Ask God who you can touch for him today, get about doing it, and see if you don't find the joy rekindled.

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

Father's Day

Today is Father's Day.  Hip hip hooray!  It is a day to feel proud of my kids.  It is a day to be happy for the gift of having children.  My children are the best and I love them very much.  I want them to know that I am proud of them every single day of my life.

I was 38 years old when my dad told me for the first time that he loved me.  I want my kids to know that they are loved, every day, every moment of their lives.  Even if they are having a bad week or a difficult time with something, they are dearly loved.

May each of us understand that God feels the same way about us.  We don't always get it right, sometimes we get it wrong, but we are loved, dearly loved by our heavenly Father.

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