The Rush to Hallow Thank Mas

   In reading the gospels again, I am struck by how many times Jesus encourages us to see things differently than the world around us does. Reformation, transformation, renewal of our faith is all wrapped up in that seeing how to live in this world differently, so that we can be more like Christ.

   Martin Luther in 1519 had an idea about renewing the church by reconnecting us to the Bible as the source of life. His tacking 95 Thesis (complaints and fixes) about the church started the Reformation. We are protestants because of that. His major contribution  was translating the Latin, Greek and Hebrew scriptures into everyday German, so that his church participants could read it for themselves and live a life following the teachings of Jesus and learn it for themselves, and not be depended upon the priests teaching alone.

   All my efforts as the pastor of this church and all my efforts for my whole ministry of 38 years, was to help people hear from God directly by helping to make the scriptures clearer and more available to each individual. We end up slipping back into just what the priest says if we are not digging into the Bible for ourselves. It might not be a bad idea to look for and buy The Story  and read it for a fresh perspective.  The Story is a readers' Digest like version, where the most important parts of the Bible are left in, so you can read it with all the helpful components available. You might also want to get into a small group where you can ask questions and learn from others just like you, who may be further along the road than you are spiritually.

   We have many ways to nurture your knowing and connecting to God through the regular reading of the Bible. There are many daily Bibles to choose from, there are many online reading lists. There are many email programs you can sign up for and have a message and a devotional sent into your inbox, that you can read whenever during the day.

   We are losing a battle of faith by not having a clear impression in our own minds about what living with and like Jesus should be. Eighty percent of Christians say they do NOT read their Bibles on a regular basis.We are bombarded by political adds on issues that twist the truth. We see movies and watch television where the decisions that the characters make in the story are so off from a follower of Jesus would do that sometimes I am truly embarrassed to be watching them. It fuels my desire to spend more time with God in study.

   Speaking of reading the Bible, I had a conversation the other day about preaching and it stirred up an idea for me. You might like to know how I decide what to preach on and what shapes the sermons. It’s a journey for sure. I'm using a book by Thomas Bandy, called The Uncommon Lectionary, a book that highlights for pastors, the 52 most important stories about the Bible for those who don't know a whole lot. And 52 important stories followers of Jesus need to have in their system.

   My sermon preparation usually starts during the summer in trying to decide what the upcoming Sundays during the season of September to May are going to look like. If I can plan out a nine to ten month outline schedule, and I begin to collect articles or stories and illustrations that might come in handy when I get to that week's message. I make the list available for people, because I could always use some research assistants. If that's something you would like to do, let me know.

   I pick up the most important Sundays first, like Labor Day and World Wide Communion Sunday and All Saints Day and begin to prepare for them. The HallowThankMas rush (Halloween,Thanksgiving, Christmas) has a power and set of messages all it’s own.  So the message is based on how we can understand what God is doing to help us to feel God's love, God's grace, God's mercy, and how we can demonstrate those qualities in our own lives. St. Paul said, "Have this mind in you that was in Christ Jesus."  (Eph. 2: 5)

  We continually look to know God and share God’s love with one another. Blessings on your faith journey this month.

Pastor Jeff

I Just Want to Celebrate

   Allow me to share what a wonderful day this past Sunday was for us. We joined together in remembering that it's world wide communion Sunday. So we had a great variety of music, the Anthem came from South Africa, and the gathering for communion by standing around the outside wall of the sanctuary to make one big circle was very symbolic of our congregation's origins and the nature of the church of Jesus Christ in the whole world. As brothers and sisters of faith, we form one big circle. We sang the Lord's Prayer together in the circle holding hands and were reminded that this is God's will being done on earth as it is in heaven.

   Not only that, but we left the worship to go to an International Pot Luck Supper. Our diverse congregation brought food to share, from all over the world. Each dish was named for where it came from. It was an awesome feast. We sat down together and shared a heavenly banquet. Just like the kingdom of God is going to be. A chance for all of us to get to know one another and to share what God has done for us and with us. It was a fantastic moment, and I am so glad we had this chance to do so. I am extremely thankful for the chance to do this, and grateful for the many hands that made this work. Our fabulous kitchen crew made the gift of hospitality very obvious for this. THANK YOU all.

   The message that started this off, was the feeding of the five thousand by Jesus. It was fitting that there were twelve baskets full of leftovers, all coming from the lunch of a little boy, who was willing to share it. Put in Jesus hands, miracles are possible. The pot luck dinner had leftovers as well, just let us know that God does provide. Jesus also had a chance to encourage his disciples to get involved in this effort to feed others. We need to know we are going to be asked to share and work with Jesus on lots of challenges. This feeding the 5,000 was another sign that with God's help, all things are possible.

   The miracle is also a part of the work that Jesus does in spite of his own challenges. He was apart from the crowd to grieve the recent death of his cousin, John the Baptist. John was just beheaded by Herod, because Herod was angry at him for teaching the truth about his lifestyle choices and decisions. Jesus went out into the wilderness to pray and recover from this loss. His own disciples had just come back from a major missions trip into the surrounding villages and needed a break to recover from their work. It was supposed to be a time for rest for all of them.

   But Jesus was discovered to be nearby, so a huge crowd gathered around him. And he had compassion on them, and healed their sick, and taught them about the kingdom of God. He saw their loneliness, their pain, their uncertainty and helped them to see God in the middle of all of this. It's only natural that when the day ran out, it was time to get something to eat. Jesus wanted to help them with that problem too. The disciples are more like us, why don't you send the people away, so they can get their own meals and leave us alone for a while.

   No, Jesus said, you give them something to eat. The lesson is that we are in a world where people need help and Jesus is asking us to do something about it. And just when we think we don't have the tools or resources to respond, he challenges us to trust him. So look around and see people who need help, and offer to comfort, to listen, to heal, to provide for them, knowing that God will fill the need and you need not worry about how. Miracles are possible when we begin to do what Jesus asks of us.

   May you see miracles with Jesus encouraging you to do something for others.

Blessings on your journey of faith.

Pastor Jeff

Can These Bones Live? Only God Knows!

   One of the best stories in the Old Testament is the story of Ezekiel and the Valley of Dry Bones. We have songs and stories related to the bones rattling back to life. Shake Rattle and Roll!

   Ezekiel is a priest in exile, dragged away from Jerusalem and living in Babylon, far away from home and has experienced the loss of his lively hood, and his comfort zone, and the relationship to God that was so much a part of the Temple in Jerusalem. But God is awesome and even in exile, God speaks to Ezekiel and begins to reassure him. The visions, the experiences, the moments with God help all who have felt loss, to be strengthened.

   So where have you felt like a dry valley full of sun bleached bones? When have you felt like all is lost, there is no point to going on? When have you sensed that your prayers aren't going anywhere? Are there times you feel exhausted to the point you can't move and you feel like this valley is about your life? Ezekiel is invited to speak God's word to those bones.

   And the toe bone is connected to the foot bone, and the foot bone is connected to the ankle bone, and the ankle bone is connected to the leg bone, and the leg bone is connected to the knee bone, and the sound of rattling and snapping together fills the valley. Muscle and sinews appear, and then they are covered with skin, until the whole person is reassembled, like a mighty army asleep in the valley, Ezekiel discovers.

   Then God asks him if they will live? And Ezekiel is wise enough to know he should answer with another opening for God to work,  "Eternal Lord, certainly You know the answer better than I do" (The Voice) And God answers, and tells Ezekiel to speak the word of the Lord to them. To call for the wind (rauch-breath, spirit, wind) and they come to life. The Spirit of God inhabits them and they are alive. See God says, this is the people of Israel, their hope and life will be restored.

   So, can you let the Word of God spread over you to help you come alive? Can you let the Spirit of God come in and bring you back from the dead? Jesus did the same thing with Lazarus, when he ordered the stone rolled away and he shouted, "Lazarus, Come Forth." God has the power to bring back to life that which was dead. Are you ready to come back to life?

   The vision of Ezekiel tells us that God's word, like the story of Creation when God said, "Let There Be...." and it was, is going on still. God's word put into motion by the Holy Spirit brings us to life. God can restore, resurrect, redirect, renew, revitalize, refresh each of us. The Word comes to give us life. Jesus even said he had come so that we might have abundant life. God desires to bless and restore us. His Word will direct us and help us. This is pretty exciting stuff, don't you think?

   The latest Pew Research poll tells us that 72% of the USA population believes that faith is loosing it's influence. It's as if we have been counted out as a valley of dry bones. But the Message proclaims that God is in the renewal, resurrection and transformation business. God wants to bring us to fully alive in God.

   May your prayer life be revived. May your study of God's word bring you a fresh perspective. May the Word in Jesus' life bring you a new sense of hope and joy and abundance of grace and mercy.

Blessings

Pastor Jeff

Sermon on the Mount

   Hello Blog Readers. This coming week we are going to have a special service following the complete Sermon on the Mount. This is Jesus' best sermon and reflects the essential elements of who he is and what he leaves to us to follow. We are having a "Lessons & Carols" type of service to make sure we hear the full and powerful message from Jesus. We have several of our youth reading portions of the scripture. It will be a memorable celebration.

   One of my absolute favorite ways to see and hear the sermon on the mount is with the Visual Bible: Matthew. The visual Bible is a video that covers the whole Gospel of Matthew word for word but in story and with Jesus in locations that are similar to where Jesus was in his sharing the message. The actor who plays Jesus is so full of life and energy, that he is one of my favorite portrayers of Jesus. I would highly recommend you try to find a Visual Bible and watch this yourself sometime. They are available in Christian bookstores and Amazon has several of them. The Visual Bible is available for Matthew, John and Acts.  It all started with the movie Jesus, which has been seen by more people around the planet than any other movie in history. The movie Jesus is done by the Visual Bible people on Luke, but it was edited down to make it a more reasonable length.

   One of my fond memories in the ministry was doing the Sermon on the Mount at a lake in Centennial Park in Howard County as a part of a church service and picnic after the worship. Standing by the lake I had a chance to say what Jesus would say on several occasions. It was a lot of fun. One of the reasons it was a fond memory for me was that for some people, they had never heard the sermon all together. We usually break it up in worship, read a few verses, the preacher talks about it and we hear another part later on in the year. And if you follow the lectionary in worship, it's in year A and you don't get parts of it until the fourth year when year A rolls around again.

   The sermon starts with the first 12 verses that we are more familiar with, the Beatitudes, Blessed are the..... But Jesus goes on to talk about far more than that. He teaches us about gratitude, about prayer, about caring for others. It really is the essential teaching and the game plan for every Christian. So I challenge you to read it for yourself sometime. Matthew, chapter 5 and 6 and 7. Find a new version to read it, perhaps. The Message will really help you to hear it differently than you may have been used to. If you can't put your finger on a Bible right away, go to www.Biblegateway.com and you can read it there in whatever version you would like.

   A quick walk through includes what it really takes to be Happy. Then comes the idea that you are salt and light, a better way to make the world whole and peaceful. Jesus tells us how important the law is, like Moses with the Ten Commandments, but he reminds us it's the essence of the love of God that makes a difference. Jesus is full of surprises in that he takes excuses we make about all kinds of things and "ups the anti", raises the stakes, in other words he tells us somethings are far more important than we make them. When we are angry, it's like murder, when we lust, it's like adultery, when we say something, it should stand as a guaranty. He talks about divorce, pledges/commitments, retaliation, and love.

   He warns us about showy religion, showy prayer, showy fasting, when we are trying to look better and more faithful than we really are. He warns us about too much dependency on treasurers that can be stolen or rust and get eaten by moths. He reminds us of serving our neighbors to bless them. He warns us how dangerous worry can be. He tells us not to judge one another, like we want to so often. He offers us great ways to get to God, as easy as asking, seeking, knocking to connect with God in prayer. He warns us that it take more effort to concentrate on doing what he asks of us, which makes it a narrow gate. But faithfulness brings fruit and good things.

   Finally he warns us not to be hypocrites. He doesn't want his people to be accused of messing up other people's relationship to God. If we listen and put it into practice, he reassures us that we will be the one who built his house upon the rock. When the wind blew, and the rains came and the waves came up, the house on the rock stood firm. But if we ignore God's directions, we are building on the sand, so that when the rains come, and the wind blows, and the floods come, the house on the sand goes SPLAT!

   "When Jesus finished these words, the crowds were amazed at his teaching because he was teaching them like someone with authority and not like their legal experts."  (Matt. 7:28-29 Common English Bible.)

   So come and join us for this service. But more importantly, read the sermon all at once, and then pick the things you will start to do as Jesus says.  Blessings on your adventure, your pilgrimage, your journey as a follower of Jesus.

Pastor Jeff

Bible for Dummies

   Have you ever been overwhelmed when reading the Bible? Lots of people are. They feel confused, lost, and even irritated by the challenge of knowing what this all means. You are not alone. And you don't have to stay that way either.

   Starting on Monday Sept. 8 at 7 pm, I'll be leading a Bible for Dummies type of class. There is even a book by that title, as well as The Idiot's Guide to the Bible, and The Bible for Blockheads. I just purchased a Bible with the Flyover subtitle, a guide, a path, to important parts without having to worry about all of the pages in between. We would love to have you join us at North Bethesda UMC located in Bethesda on 10100 Old Georgetown Rd. at Lone Oak Drive. We are located between the Beltway and Rt. 270. The class will meet on Monday nights at 7 and starting soon, Thursdays at 1:30 pm.

   I've been teaching introductory classes for years and I find that folks really appreciate the chance to get an overview. The class is like a Grand Sweep, a way to see the important introductory stories in Genesis and Exodus, to become familiar with the prayers of Psalms. The know how to learn about Jesus, and the first century church. Even Revelations is looked at to help people see some kind of insight into the message written in a way that hints at what God can do. A long time ago I learned in a Trinity Bible Study that the three points of the trinity are also a good way to read the Bible. What does it say, you have to start there, what does it mean, and how does it apply to me, or what can I do now that I know this?

   I will help you find other resources for study as well. There are guide books, Who's Who, Atlases, and hundreds of other books that might help you find your way into the resources, including internet resources and help, that God can give you for dealing with life. The stories are about real people who heard from God and tried to do what he suggested or asked of them. All of the characters in the Bible except Jesus, had flaws, made mistakes, tried to do things their way first and many other typical, real, usual mistakes that we normal people do. You will find yourself in good company.

   I try to lead the class and share my experience with Scripture, but the class is based on the questions people have, so that we focus on what the needs of the participants are. I've read the Bible cover to cover every year, using the One Year Bible, for about 25 years. I learn something new each time I read it, and surprise myself when I do discover those new elements, or a new emphasis that I may have forgotten from a previous reading. My wife Elaine, accuses me of having a membership in a Bible of the Month club. Not quite true, but I do have most of the version/translations/paraphrases in my collection. I'm always amazed that the notes, and other information that is added to the latest edition of the Bible.

   I look forward to teaching this class again. You are invited to join. Perfect attendance is not required. You should be able to get good stuff from the class whenever you can attend. BYOB, bring your own Bible, that way you can find the material in your own copy. Blessings on your adventures in learning about what God can offer us for meeting the challenges and situations we face.

   Pastor Jeff

 

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

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