Patience - A Virtue and a Necessity

This is my car - a 1991 BMW 325i. When I bought it, I had intentions of it just being a beater car, cheap but dependable transportation. The more I've messed with it, tho, I've found out that the two owners before me took pretty good care of it. So while I wouldn't give it classic status, it really doesn't look bad. It drives like a dream (goes way too fast and corners like a Porsche), and will be the closest that this preacher ever comes to driving a luxury sports car. It was a steal for what I paid for it, and still a steal even considering the money (a little over a $1000) I've put in it to restore it. Much cheaper than car payments in this day and age - all my vehicles are paid for!!!

One of the reasons I bought the car was to tinker with something. It's an old hobby I've always enjoyed (I have a '93 motorcycle too). But, just like any hobby or endeavor, nothing is ever perfect or peachy.

I've got a hesitation problem in the engine, but only when it's warm. So, I've spent about 20 minutes a day trying to eliminate problems one by one. So far, no luck.

I've put in new plugs and plug wires. Replaced the oxygen sensor. Cleaned and tested the idle control valve. Checked and rechecked vacuum lines. Checked the catalytic converter. Sprayed carb cleaner around areas to check for good seals. There are still plenty of other things left to check: air flow meter, thermo-time switch sensor, engine timing, knock retard sensor. I'm praying it's not a bad ECM (computer). Yes, the car's old, but it does have a computer - and they aren't cheap. If I don't have any luck in a few days, I'll give in and go to a real mechanic.

However, I know that, just like me, he'll have to be patient. These problems rarely fix themselves - they need time, examination, and discernment. Sometimes, there is no quick fix (even when you hook up the diagnostics to the computer!). Bet you know where I'm going with this now...

Lenten disciplines call for patience. Hearing what God might be saying to us requires patience. And working with others, in making disciples and doing Kingdom work, requires patience. We humans require some tinkering on occasion.

I found the following prayer for patience. It is a good one - and an honest one:

Gracious God, it’s so hard to wait. To wait for new things to happen in my life. To wait for you to answer my prayers. To wait for the open doors that may lead me into a new way of being. During the time of waiting, it seems that all I can think of is having what it is I am waiting for. At times I feel weary of asking and waiting, and I wonder if you really hear my prayers at all, if you are ignoring me, or if you are simply refusing to give me my heart’s desire. A part of me knows that you want my best, and that your time is not my time, but Lord, it is still so hard to wait. Deepen my trust, O Lord, during the times when my heart longs for what can only come in the fullness of time. Give me a calm assurance that your will for me is grander than anything I could ever imagine. Still my mind and heart in your love so that I am mindful of the grace you are draping around me every single day, every single moment. I ask this for the sake of your love. - ©1999-2007 explorefaith.org

In the name of the One who is patient with us, even Jesus Christ our Lord.

Pax,
Sky+

Cuz I Got Tired of Seeing It - And It Needed to be Done

This is a picture of a fan belt that has been lying around near the intersection of Calvert Dr. and Reidland Rd. (next to Huck's Convenience Store) since before Thanksgiving. Somehow, between tornadic winds, torrential rains, highway salt trucks, and snow plows, the darned thing just wouldn't go away. I told myself yesterday that if I saw it today, I would pick it up and throw it away. So I did.

I remember reading Kathleen Norris' little book, The Quotidian Mysteries once, about how healing and redeeming it can be to make something clean again. That goes hand and hand with servant ministry, I think. Most of us have associated the image of a towel and basin as the Christian symbol for servant ministry - and particularly in the Lenten Season, a reminder to us of Jesus washing the feel of the disciples.

So now I have one more image of servant ministry: an old fan belt out in the middle of the street that had been out there for four months. I wonder how long we've neglected some of God's children...

Pax,
Sky+

What REALLY Matters

As much as I am a political cynic, it has been difficult not to pay attention to the political happenings of late. Republicans and Democrats alike are divided on candidates. Political pundits find themselves at odds with polls and their readers and listeners. Many Republicans are arguing over the definition of “conservative” (which points to the problem of labels). Some Democrats can’t decide if voting against Sen. Obama means one is racist or voting against Sen. Clinton means one is sexist (again, a problem of labels). The upcoming political conventions do not promise to bring anything other than more divisiveness. Some people are even threatening not to vote. If the polls are correct, our country is very polarized in its opinions and political leanings.

Ya think? (Insert a grin and a “Well, duh!” here).

I think the growing dissatisfaction among Americans is because something is missing in their lives. I share the opinions of others when I say that I think people are missing something to believe in and something to count on. And I believe that something is God.

Most people believe in a Supreme Being. But less than 50% of Americans are churched. The top four reasons, according to research: (1) “What am I going to get out of it?” (2) “Church feels like a clique – I don’t belong and I feel like people really don’t want me there.” (3) “The Church is more interested in my money than me.” (4) “What about my baby and children? Is the Church’s childcare trustworthy?”

Guess what? These aren’t theological or doctrinal reasons – they are practical reasons.

In the weeks to come, we are going to be talking about restructuring our church in the way we program and do business. I want us to center on three things: (1) How can we best make disciples and change lives? (2) How can we transform the community we live in? (3) How can we renew the church?

At the church leadership training day last Sunday, I was reminded of a Latin phrase I haven’t heard since seminary: Ecclesia reformata semper reformanda. That was the phrase of the Protestant Reforma-tion: the Reformed Church must always be reforming. In other words, if we are to be a vital church, we must always be reforming. Change is inevitable in a changing world. What we must be willing to do is constantly remind ourselves: It is not about what we want to do; what does God want us to do?

That might be a good prayer to center on in our Lenten journey: What does God want us to do?

Pax,
Sky+

Keeping A Holy Lent

I hope this doesn’t sound strange… but I actually look forward to Lent. It’s a time when we focus our church life around prayer and preparation and discipleship. Not that we don’t do those things all year long, but this season helps us to hone our faith tools for our walk with Christ.

There will be plenty of opportunities in church life to assist in your keeping a holy Lent. Here is a Lenten schedule for Reidland UMC:

Ash Wednesday: Morning Prayer, 9:30, Choir Room

Ash Wednesday Service, 6:30, Church Sanctuary

Each Sunday morning of Lent: Eucharist, 9:15-9:30 AM, Church Sanctuary (except March 2nd)
Each Wednesday Morning: Mid-Morning Prayer, 9:30 AM, Choir Room (coffee follows)

Holy Week

Monday: Morning Prayer, 9:30 AM, Church Sanctuary
Tuesday: Morning Prayer, 9:30 AM, Church Sanctuary
Wednesday: Morning Prayer, 9:30 AM, Church Sanctuary
Holy Thursday: Service of Word, Table, and Servanthood, 6:30 PM, Sanctuary
Good Friday: Service of Tenabrae (Shadows), 6:30 PM, Sanctuary
Holy Saturday: 36-Hour Prayer Vigil, Midnight Fri/Sat thru 6 AM Easter Morning
Easter: First Service: Community Sunrise, 7 AM, Reidland Baptist Church (serves in lieu of the 8:15 service)
Second Service, 10:45 AM, Church Sanctuary

We will be inviting individuals to sign up for 30-minute slots during the 36-hour vigil on Holy Saturday, with a list of church ministries, programs, and sick/infirm/shut-in church members to pray for and about.

Join me in keeping a holy Lent – in the name of Christ.

Pax,
Sky+

Living Together – Being Disciples

Note: This is an excerpt from this week's church newsletter.

We live today in a world of growing isolation, frantic activity, and desperate violence, where paradoxically, we find ourselves longing for both solitude and companionship, intimacy and community. Some of us may look back to times when life seemed to make sense and relationships were more certain. Whether or not such times ever existed, we nevertheless long today for relationships that acknowledge who we are and who we want to be. We want someone to hear us, to hear our hearts beating, to hear our deepest longings—even longings of which we dare not speak. - Sondra Higgins Matthaes, Faith Matters

I am proud of you as a congregation.

This weekend, I mentioned to you by email that there was a couple who had visited our church a few times who had had a death in the family, and that it would be an extension of hospitality to let them know that we were grieving with them, as they had no church family.

Many of you went to the funeral home. Some stayed for the funeral. I want you to know as your pastor, I am very proud. More importantly, your Lord is pleased. The only warning I will give you is that disciples often beget disciples. Never underestimate the power of even small actions.

Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." - Matthew 28:18-20

As I shared with you Sunday, the Greek word for disciple is mathetes, and a good definition would be this one: “an adherent, a learner, a pupil, a follower, someone who pays close attention to and attempts to implement what they have been taught from their teacher.”

So you see – a disciple isn’t just a convert or someone who puts their name on a membership roll. A disciple is a devoted follower of Jesus. If Jesus comforted those who mourn – then so should we.

Again… I am very proud of you.

Sky+

Pooling Their Gifts - No Sacrifice At All

Just when I think something can't be improved...



Hint: If you're not a fan of Eric Clapton, Mark Knofler, and Elton John - you won't like it. And shame on you. Put your headphones on or turn up your speakers.

If you'll look throughout the video, Clapton messes with John the whole time... and at about 2:45-3:00 of the video, you see that even Elton gets tickled by Knofler's riff, and then blown away by Clapton's guitar playing. Man o man o man... simply awesome. What gifts God gives us!

Sky+

In for the Long Haul

We all make New Year’s resolutions that we usually end up breaking. Diets, television habits, being more involved in something, spending more time with loved ones. They, like the things we say we will give up for Lent, are often temporary or short term.

But what about for the long haul? Our faith walk and discipleship require more than just temporary or short term sacrifices and actions. It’s life long. And we choose to keep the resolutions we make, just as we consciously choose how to live out our discipleship.

We have seen witness to that in years past. Our church has been actively involved in mission work to Alabama and Mississippi the past two years to aid victims of Hurricane Katrina. Yes, that was two years ago. Had some folks not been committed for the long haul, the victims that are still homeless and in despair would now be receiving no help at all.

As human beings, we are very short-sighted and our memories are short-term. We often choose to ignore or rationalize the challenges and opportunities that confront us daily on our walk with Christ. These were the very things the Apostle Paul warned us about when he shared with us the costs of discipleship.

I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing. – 2 Timothy 4:7-8

But being in for the long haul has its rewards, too. There is joy in finding that God can use us as a part of His plan. And there is peace in knowing that our sacrifices, just as Jesus’ sacrifice, are not in vain, and that we are redeemable people.

So make some good resolutions this year. But make some that will stick. And more importantly – make some that will, in the long haul, make a difference in God’s Kingdom.

Pax,
Sky+

A Christmas Card

I love Christmas decorations; I love to drive around and see how people have decorated their homes, or steal a glance in the living room when I am in someone’s home during this season. For one, I think the season is worthy of such preparation, decoration, and celebration. The other reason is that when it comes to decoration, arranging lights or furniture, and other such things, I am a real clod. Between being color blind and having no artistic abilities, it’s simply not my gift.

In this season, may those of us who don’t decorate enjoy the décor of those who do. May those of us who can’t carry a tune in a bucket listen joyfully to those who can. And may all of us prepare the way for the Christ child, every day of our lives.

Merry Christmas to all, and God bless us – everyone.

Pax,
Sky+

True Community

I have been a United Methodist pastor for 20 years, and lived in various communities: the foothills of Georgia, metro Atlanta, and in various towns and cities in Western Tennessee and Kentucky. However, last Saturday evening I witnessed community like I've never seen it before.


Every year at this time, Marshall County (KY) High School sponsors the annual "Hoopfest" - a high school basketball tournament that USA Today identified at one of the Top Ten places to see high school hoops. It is a VERY big deal: over the years it has attracted teams like Oak Hill Academy (Mouth of Wilson, Va.) and Mater Dei (Los Angeles). Six of USA TODAY's Top 25 boys teams played in the event in 2003. Notable players who have played at Hoopfest include Carmelo Anthony, Dan Langhi, Barry Goheen, Mary Taylor Cowles. Marshall County's own Howard Beth, the girls basketball coach, has a 647-104 record. This year, Oak Hill Academy was there once again, along with Chicago Hales Franciscan, DeMatha (Maryland), Chicago Simeon, and Chicago Whitney Young H.S. (where a young man named Marcus Jordan plays... son of Michael Jordan). Over the years, coaches like Tubby Smith and Roy Williams have come to scout teams.

The final game is on ESPN on December 13th - the #1 and #2 ranked high school teams in the nation: Oak Hill Academy vs. St. Benedict's (New Jersey). The Hoopfest website is here.

It's great basketball. And I was honored to be selected to officiate a game there Saturday night. But that wasn't the real blessing of the evening.


There is a young man who is on everyone's prayer list in the Jackson Purchase Area of Kentucky: Gunner Gillespie. Gunner has an inoperable tumor on his brain stem. He's a handsome 7-year old boy who has been fighting all of his life, being born premature and enduring the struggles that premature babies often have. And now Gunner is fighting for his life, undergoing treatments at Vanderbilt Children's Hospital. Gunner is the son of Gus and Janna, both teachers at Marshall County H.S. Gus is also the boys basketball coach. Here begins the real blessing.

Anyone who has even been to Reed Conder Gymnasium knows that the primary color there is orange, and on a game night the gym is all orange (which is actually comforting, having grown up in Tennessee myself). But at Hoopfest this year, the usual orange was subdued by yellow - yellow shirts that had been screened with a picture Gunner had drawn of the Little Engine That Could: "I think I can, I think I can."

I'm not talking about a few shirts. Reed Conder seats 6,000, and they are at capacity for Hoopfest. Now I know I'm a preacher, and preacher estimates can be highly inaccurate, but I'm guessing there were over 1,500 "Gunning for Gunner" t-shirts.

Not just Marshall County folks were wearing them. Teams from around the nation came out of their locker rooms to warm up wearing them. Fans all over the gym were wearing then. Marshall County boys played Rose Hill Christian on Saturday, and Rose Hill's coaching staff all wore Gunner t-shirts the whole game. Bruce Pearl, men's coach at the University of Tennessee, was wearing a Gunner T-shirt.

People bought T-shirts. Officials signed over checks. That money will certainly go a long way to help Gunner and the Gillespies. But I'm thinking about all of the people wearing those shirts: one of the most competitive atmospheres in all of high school basketball, yet showing that even in this tough, win-at-all-costs sports community, there are things that transcend sports and winning. Seeing all of those t-shirts won't just raise some money - it will raise Gunner's spirit and the spirit of his family.


I am frequently told that I don't smile very much - that I seem stoic and seem to wear a frown a lot. As you can tell in this picture, I was having a great time (I'm holding the ball, standing next to one of my partners, Mike Wooten - click on the pic and you can see more of those Gunner T-shirts). I think seeing all those yellow shirts out there reminded me that life is very, very precious - and to be celebrated for its joys.

Many of you who know me know that I usually conclude worship services with the following benediction. It continues to mean more and more to me:

My brothers and sisters: life is short,
and we do not have much time
to gladden the hearts of those who travel with us.
So be quick to love, and make haste to be kind,
In the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Amen.

True community lifts each other up: when things are at their worst, Christians are at their best. Such is the Body of Christ.

God bless you Gunner. I think you can, too.

Pax,
Sky+

Enduring the Preparation

Besides this, you know what time it is, how it is now the moment for you to wake from sleep. For salvation is nearer to us now than when we became believers; the night is far gone, the day is near. Let us then lay aside the works of darkness and put on the armor of light; let us live honorably as in the day, not in reveling and drunkenness, not in debauchery and licentiousness, not in quarreling and jealousy. Instead, put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires. – Romans 13:11-14

For those of you who have been in the Church for a while, you know that Advent is the season of preparation – and you probably know the story well enough to preach it yourself. Advent and Lent have a lot in common: preparation, examination, discipline, patience. I would add to this list endurance.

One of the trips I made in England was to Epworth, where John Wesley’s father Samuel was parish rector at St. Andrew’s Anglican Church, and the town where the Wesley’s children grew up. Everyone knows that Wesley started the Methodist movement, but some forget that it was not without cost. Wesley’s work was frowned upon by the Anglican Church, because Wesley was ministering to the poor and commoners and preached “to the masses” (something considered “vile”), and he was banned from every pulpit in England – including his home parish. So when Wesley did preach at his home church, it was while outside, standing upon his father’s tomb – where he couldn’t be banished since it was family property. (You can click on the picture to see a larger view)

Two things: (1) We are not "just ourselves" – we stand upon someone’s shoulders. Wesley preached standing on top of his father’s tomb – the man who literally gave him life and whose legacy propped him up to stand tall for the faith. (2) God does not promise to spare us suffering, but He does promise to be ever-present in our lives and our faith.

Preparation is sometimes arduous and frustrating – some things will get in our way, some people will try to trip us up, and it is very easy to grow weary and wonder if Jesus will ever come! The tension – and the miracle – of the Advent season is that we prepare not just for the Christ who is coming, but the Christ who has already come. He came to save us – and comes to save us still.

Pax,
Sky+

Don't Squander Your Gifts

I love music as much as anything in my life. While some folks think it would be a tragedy to lose your eyesight, I think I would go crazy if I lost my hearing. The fact that hearing loss runs in my father's family causes me fear from time to time.

I am a frustrated musician; while I am able to play a variety of musical instruments (piano/keyboard, organ, guitar, low brass instruments including the trombone), I was never accomplished at any of them. Moreover, I really wanted to be a vocalist. I had a good boy soprano voice, but that soon changed to a deep voice that is a bit nasal and harsh. I took lessons, but got frustrated. My range and my stamina are quite limited.


Worse, my standards are incredibly high. I can take headphones and listen to music and find the mistakes. I can also listen for hours upon end to good music and good voices. One of my favorite musical arrangements was during the 80's when Canadian singers united for "Tears Are Not Enough," a famine-relief song co-written by Bryan Adams, David Foster, and Jim Vallance (the best in their day) that brought some of the greatest and unique voices in music together: Gordon Lightfoot (remember "Sundown" and "Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald"?), Anne Murray, Joni Mitchell, Neil Young (he actually sang on-key), Bryan Adams, Corey Hart, Bruce Cockburn, Mike Reno (lead singer of Loverboy). Geddy Lee (yes, of Rush) brings one verse home with his incredible voice. All of these folks I mention have unmistakable voices. I wanted a voice like that. (video here, history and better audio here)

God didn't give me that gift. However, he did give me gifts unique to me. While I won't be cutting a record (I guess burning a CD, now) anytime soon, I can lead a hymn. I can strum a guitar well enough that my daughter and I can sing together. If I practiced for a few weeks, I could probably work up an organ voluntary for church. Last year I played the tuba in a Christmas brass ensemble (maybe my swan song). Those are musical gifts. I'm a fair preacher, a good pastor, and a capable administrator. I'm not the highest rated basketball official around these parts, but I enjoy it and so far no one's told me to hang it up.

When it comes to the Church - I fear that we squander our gifts. Bishops and district superintendents whose hearts are in the local church instead of administration. Parish pastors and priests whose gifts would be better suited in hospitals and institutions. Laity who instead of being put on a church committee would rather serve in the background building Habitat for Humanity houses or other hands-on work. Youth who can read scripture and witness. Older adults who are gifted with working with teenagers. And the list goes on.

Sometimes, we are "elevated" to posts we really don't have the gifts for. And sometimes, we spend time wishing we had the gifts others have when in fact God created us uniquely to fit in harmony with the world, instead of at variance.

I would have loved being the lead singer for Rush. For all I know, Geddy Lee might have wanted to have been a rabbi. But I suspect that God knows what He is doing. My mother wasn't supposed to be able to have children; against the odds, she did. Geddy Lee's parents were both Polish Jews who, against odds, survived the Dachau and Bergen-Belsen concentrations camps. For some reason, the odds were defied so that I might be a clergyman and Geddy might be a singer. And we are, as the Psalmist said, "Fearfully and wonderfully made."

Rock on, Geddy. Thank you, God, for both of us - and our gifts.

Pax,
Sky+

Honest Doubt

It may come to a surprise to you that your pastor occasionally has his doubts and weaknesses. Let me be the first to say that I certainly do. The first time I buried a teenager I was angry with God. When a tornado went through the parish I served, I doubted God. And there are days, even now, when I wonder if I’ve been faithful to the grace I’ve been given. Theological doubts, weakness in ability and faith, doubting of faith and self-confidence – these are real. And as I have read the spiritual giants and eminent divines of the faith, I realize that they had their doubts too.


John Wesley had this struggle all of his life. Not even a year after Wesley’s heart-warming Aldersgate experience, he wrote these words on January 4, 1739:

My friends affirm that I am mad, because I said I was not a Christian a year ago. I affirm I am not a Christian now. Indeed, what I might have been I know not, had I been faithful to the grace then given, when, expecting nothing less, I received such a sense of forgiveness of my sins as till then I never knew. But that I am not a Christian at this day… For a Christian is one who has the fruits of the Spirit of Christ, which… are love, peace, joy. But these I have not.

It is very easy for those who take up the cross of Christ and practice radical discipleship to get discouraged, for this reason: any intentional attempts at practicing radical discipleship will bring opposition. And sometimes, the battles within the Church are harder than the ones outside of the Church.

Do our doubts in faith mean something is wrong with us? Hardly. One of the ways our faith is made stronger is through self-examination. And the good news is that not only Scripture, but also the experience of those saints who also dealt with struggle are instructive for us. It is a pipe dream to think that life will not have struggles – that’s simply not realistic. But it is realistic to expect God to be walking with us in our struggles.

In fact, God holds us in the palm of His hand - and doesn't let go.

Pax,
Sky+

Torn Between Two Loves

Later they sent some of the Pharisees and Herodians to Jesus to catch him in his words. They came to him and said, "Teacher, we know you are a man of integrity. You aren't swayed by men, because you pay no attention to who they are; but you teach the way of God in accordance with the truth. Is it right to pay taxes to Caesar or not? Should we pay or shouldn't we?"

But Jesus knew their hypocrisy. "Why are you trying to trap me?" he asked. "Bring me a denarius and let me look at it." They brought the coin, and he asked them, "Whose portrait is this? And whose inscription?" "Caesar's," they replied.

Then Jesus said to them, "Give to Caesar what is Caesar's and to God what is God's." And they were amazed at him. – Mark 12:13-17

I love being an American citizen. I have an American flag and Kentucky state flag that hangs in my garage. My father and two uncles served in the Korean War and World War II, respectively. As I prepare to leave for England, I realize that America, despite its quirks, is a great place to live. We are indeed a melting pot, and our diversity makes life interesting and fun.

I also know that my baptism called my allegiance to Christ above all – even country. I leave for the polls today to vote – something I don’t always enjoy doing. And as I get my keys to get into my car, I will also see my jury summons for U.S. District Court. I have jury duty for 60 days starting December 3rd.

Could I get out of jury duty? Maybe. Do I have to vote? Of course not. One of the privileges of being American is the right not to vote. But citizenship, just like discipleship, has responsibilities too. If we love God, out of gratitude for sacrificing His son we take things on. As the writer of James noted, “Faith without works is dead.” The same goes for citizenship: we need to be involved in our communities. Fire departments need volunteers. Communities and cities need council members, commissioners, and representatives. And out of gratitude for those who have sacrificed for our country, we ought to vote. Even if we write in Mickey Mouse’s name.

I wrestled for a long time about faith and politics. I came to the conclusion a few years ago that Christians ought to make darned good citizens. Yes, sometimes our faith will clash with our citizenship. As I was taught in counseling classes: you can’t ever get rid of conflict – you just learn how to manage it. It’s okay to give the things that are Caesar’s to Caesar. Just be sure you give to God what is God’s.

Pax,
Sky+