Friday, August 22, 2014

Don't Disconnect until the download is done

   Jesus tells us that if we want to truly love, the way he loves, we need to stay connected. He used the vine and the branches as his illustration. I think we know if we disconnect before the download is done, we lose the file. I hate it when that happens. And in the olden days of dial up, you could get bumped before the download was finished, or you can have a momentary blip in the electrical current to put your computer on restart and lose the file. It's not fun, and it can be truly nerve wracking.

   Life is too hectic these days, to try to go a long time on old energy and perspectives. Needing a regular update, infusion of spiritual power and resources is a really good idea. Jesus suggested it a long time ago, but we usually prefer our own solutions. So let's work on staying connected to the Vine.

   We had the sound technician come to church yesterday. It was amazing how he plugged his laptop into our system and could test and read all the variables to the system. He could make adjustments in his laptop for maximum output. It was illuminating to watch. But like my conversation with you, it will require an update soon. It's based on Windows XP. There are only four churches in this companies' client list still using the old system. The others have upgraded. Some day, when we have lot's of money, it would be nice. He was telling me of a church that records and videos their services for their service men and women overseas. It's on their church's website, and when ever the soldiers need a touch of home, they can watch the service online, see the people, hear the message and the choir, and know that they are being prayed for. The world is constantly being upgraded. Jesus urges us to remain connected to him for the latest spiritual resources.

   So what can we do to remain connected to the Vine. Here is what Jesus said. "I am the true vine, and my Father is the vineyard keeper. He removes any of my branches that don't produce fruit, and he trims any branch that produces fruit, so that it will produce even more fruit. You are already trimmed because of the word I have spoken to you. Remain in me, and I will remain in you. A branch cannot produce fruit by itself, but must remain in the vine. Likewise, you can't produce fruit unless you remain in me... If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask for whatever you want and it will be done for you."  (John 15: 1-7 Common English Bible CEB)

   Wow, if we remain in his influence, if his words and teachings are kept current in our hearts, we will produce fruit, we will grow, and in the very last part, our prayers will be answered.

   So we need to figure out if we are truly and deeply connected to the vine, or whether we have to prune some things in our lives, so that we can be a healthy branch with lots of fruit? It may start with some tough questions about pruning, cutting back what gets in the way of our connection with Jesus?

   Are we so busy, we don't have time to read the Bible for spiritual direction? Are we confused by the Bible and what it says? Do we need to find the best places in the Bible for good guidance? Do we need a version of the Bible that we can actually understand?  That sounds like a good reason to join a Bible Study. This fall we offer one on Monday nights, an entry level, you don't need any prior knowledge of the Bible to be able to be in the class. So one of the major connections is to be in meditation with Scripture.

   One of the great blessings of connection is a community of faith, a group, of spiritual pilgrims traveling towards a deeper faith life by helping each other. Sometimes we get so busy we don't have time for the worship connection. Maybe our pruning could involve our Sunday schedule, so we can have time for worship. Here we have two elements of connecting, worshipping God and loving our neighbors, two powerful ways to keep us connected to the Vine.

   One of the connections, with a promise of ask what you want and it will be done, is prayer. How much time do you pray? It's a good habit to develop, and like habits, it takes some work. Start out with some more prayer time, At meals, when getting up, when lying down, when waiting for the coffee to fill your cup. when you are on hold on the phone, when you are watching the little beach ball on your computer screen spin around. I pray at red lights, but always with my eyes open, I don't like getting beeped at by the driver behind me. Traveling up and down Old Georgetown Rd, there are lots of prayer moments. You will be surprised how much more prayer you can get in on a regular day. And then when you purposely set time aside for prayer, it will seem even better and a more fruitful endeavor for you.

   Well that should give you some ideas to think about. Blessings on your connections to the real source of love and an awesome life, Jesus Christ.

Pastor Jeff

Wednesday, August 13, 2014

Going to Miss Robin Williams

   I was shocked by the news of Robin Williams death this week. He always made me laugh and I am a little troubled by the fact that we are the same age. What a loss.

   There are some excellent blogs and commentaries out there on his life and impact, and I simply can't do them justice. I can reflect on some of my thoughts related to how he touched my life however.

   Patch Adams, the true story of a United Methodist Doctor, whose methods brought some vitality and life back into the lives of those suffering mental illnesses and challenges. His fresh attitude made a difference for his patience until the powers that be cut resources for it to continue. Some people just can't handle new things. A sign of Jesus about fresh wine in fresh wineskins, so that they won't be ruined.

   Peter Pan, every grownups dream about staying as a kid for as long as possible. In our spiritual world we need to keep a childlike attitude. Jesus would take a child and place him in the midst of them, and tell his disciples and followers that it was an attitude like a child that would help them enter the kingdom.

   Dead Poet Society, with it's famous line 'carpe diem' meaning cease the day, take advantage of what is before you now. Spiritually we always wait, we don't think now is the right time to take that plunge, that leap of faith, that total level of trust and walk on water. Jesus was a teacher like Robin was in this movie. He was identifying and drawing out of his students the ability to write and experience life and love and passion that was not the norm for some of them. I kept seeing Jesus pushing and identifying and encouraging a passion and connection and commitment to life with God, just like the movie. And just like in the movie, the style of that teaching gets squashed in the end. Jesus was crucified by the authorities who did not like the direction he was heading. Sound familiar?

   Concerts for famine/hunger etc. Robin really cared about helping people and was willing to share his time and talent to help others. The world desperately needs people who are similarly committed to making a difference in the lives of others. The faith of a follower of Jesus will urge us to continue to think and to pray for those who struggle and suffer. The faith of a follower of Jesus will connect to projects, and missions, and efforts to be a blessing for others who need the help. It will take a complete and total dedication, something Robin demonstrated by his involvement in these concerts for others.

   One of the great components for me was his incredible creativity and his willingness to be so about the idea, the sketch, the crazy insight or moment that he was in, that he brought you right along with him.  I see some of that creativity in my working on Sunday's sermon about the help Jesus promised us would  be available in the Holy Spirit. The Counselor, Ombudsman, supporter, informer, coach etc. The Spirit of Jesus available to make a difference in us. To help us fully develop the character and personality of Jesus. And it will take a type of abandonment of your senses, a letting go of our guard on our souls and learn, to live with such joy of spirit.

   Robin, to me, seemed filled with that creative Spirit that I did admire. And I want to be inspired and filled with the creative Spirit of Jesus. And I want everyone I know to become familiar with and filled with the Holy Spirit to help them become fully developed followers of Jesus. It's a stretch I know, to think of Jesus and Robin Williams, and the Holy Spirit in the same paragraph in a pastor's blog. But it makes sense to me. There are times I wish I had his commitment to his character, to his driving force. Think of the magnificent examples of inspiration that energy and humor and creativity would add to the face of Christianity.  I saw a bumper sticker yesterday that simply said "lighten up" Don't we need that sometimes.

   I think I've been around the Holy Spirit enough to know that being funny and laughing can be a good thing. A joyful spirit is good medicine, the Proverbs promise us. Laughter has great medicinal powers. It sends endorphins rushing through our systems that can do really good things to help us healthy wise. We can be about bringing joy to others.

   I pray for Robin's family, his friends, those whose lives he touched and those who are dealing with the horrible pressures he lived with, that we might find comfort and hope in the midst of this tragedy.

Blessings on your journey through all of this.

Pastor Jeff


Monday, August 4, 2014

On Packing the U Haul with Abram

   This past Sunday I provided a glimpse into Abram' call to leave Haran and move toward the promised land. He was asked by God to leave behind all the familiar elements of home, family, security of the community and the multiple gods of the area, and venture to a new place, just based on the word of God, "I will show you." Pretty scary stuff for most of us. But the response of Abram, to go from his home and trust God to lead him to parts unknown are considered the hall mark, or the bedrock of faith. St. Paul writes that Abraham's faith in God was counted as Righteousness, even before Jesus came along. It was that kind of ultimate faith in God that really makes a difference.

   So what kind of challenges does God give us today, that might approach the type of request to get up and go with God that Abram faced 3900 years ago? I think learning to trust that God will provide rather than depending on our ability is a lot like that. We do feel secure in our own ability, our own handling of our choices and issues and situations, that we almost push God out of the equation and loose out on the benefit and the blessings of faith. Abram was blessed with descendants, though a long time coming, land, though he didn't really feel like it belonged to him at first, and the blessings that the whole world we eventually know in the descendent of Abraham, Jesus Christ.

   I want to encourage us to think more about God, than about our challenges that we get overwhelmed with. We often look at the problems we face and the size of the challenge, than the size of God and what God can do. It takes a leap of faith to learn to trust that God can work this out. And it takes a while to get there. It is not easy, but it's worth doing. We live in a world that has taught us and reminded us, and overwhelmed us with the idea, that it's all about us, and what we can do! We only relate to God in the absolute emergency situations when all our resources fail. Why do we wait so long, when God is going to help us from the beginning, just not in the way we thought it might be handled.

   Faith in God needs to be developed to trust God that much. Trust in God will come when we take the time to be in connection with God. The connection occurs in several areas. Worship, giving God credit for all that has been created and all that God does. Nourishing the soul, is taking time to pray, and have a "give and take" conversation with God about the EVERYTHING of life. Prayer and meditation is reflecting on the Psalms and Proverbs, and teachings of Jesus and the disciples that we can find in the New Testament. We need to slow down so that our souls can be nourished, we are killing ourselves with hurry. Abram had to wait ten years, from age 90 to 100 before his wife Sarah gave birth to the promised son, Isaac. Waiting is not easy for any of us, that's for sure. But then if we are not careful, time flies by so fast, we celebrate a birthday with bigger numbers than we ever imagined.

   Besides finding many ways to nourish the soul in meditation, prayer, reflection on what God is doing, reading good books on spiritual life, we also can connect and Embrace our neighbors. God has given us others who have experience the faithful life, who can share their journey and pilgrimages with us so we can grasp what God is doing. The more we know about one another from a divine relationship perspective, the blessings of their knowledge and experience can help us. I encourage you to consider finding a small group Bible Study or Sunday school class this fall to help nourish your soul.

   The way God knew that Abram was going to have faith, was his willingness to pack up and go toward the land that God would show him. It was in action, that faith was demonstrated. We too can share our resources and share our time and energy in serving others, that will demonstrate our faith and trust in God and what God would like us to do. There are hundreds of ways to grow in faith by sharing your money, your time, your ideas, your experiences, your energy, your love, your availability in the life of helping to bless others in the life of the church. If you don't live near to North Bethesda UMC, I know there are other churches out there that will help you to grow in your faith if you get involved. Live by faith, trust God to show you where.

   Keep praying and asking God to speak to you, and when God nudges you, get going, pack your u-haul with faith.

Blessings

Pastor Jeff