Needing (and worth) Saving

You might get, from the current activities at Abbeville Methodist, that we are into this thing called beauty.  Not beauty as the world sees it, but beauty that God has and is creating.  I believe that this is one of the many ways God transforms, teaches, leads, awakens, and restores us.

Do you remember when God looked at his creation and said, "It is good?"  While I am pretty sure we have done much to mar, pollute, pervert, and re-purpose this world, I am even more sure of God's creative capacity to save it.  The world needs saving, and the world is worth saving.  After all ... "God so loved the world, that he gave His only begotten Son, so that whosoever believeth in Him will not perish but have everlasting life (John 3:16)."  There it is, in the verse many of us know by heart.  God is in the active and persistent practice of saving the world.  He said it, and I believe it!

So ... how do we (just a faithful group of people who are in this journey together) get into where God is working, in this "saving the world" thing?  Just a few thoughts:

1. Goodness - Remember that Genesis 1 quote (above) "It is good!"  From where and whom is goodness measured?  I think it is God!  God defines good.  And how can we be, act, do good?  We can "be" God's people, we can "act" with goodness.  We can "do justice, love mercy, and walk humbly with God."  You do remember, of course, that goodness is a fruit of the Spirit.  And we are only able to accomplish goodness by the work of the Spirit.  If we leave it up to our reactions, our controlling nature, our pridefulness, our goodness will look just like our righteousness ... filthy rags.  God wants to look at His Church and say, "It is good!"

2. Grace - Grace is an unwarranted, undeserved, and unbelievable gift from God.  We don't deserve forgiveness, but our faith/belief in Jesus (as Lord and Savior) allows us to receive this gift from God.  Grace is a byproduct of God's amazing love for us.  He loved people so much, He made a pathway for His work of salvation, and amazingly, He believes we are worth saving.  So give thanks, and pass grace along as you walk through life.

There is a song called "So Will I" that holds these words ... "As You speak, a hundred billion failures disappear, where you gave Your life so I could find it here, if You left the grave behind You, so will I.  I can see Your heart in everything you've done, every part designed in a work of art called love. If You gladly choose to surrender, so will I.  I can see your heart eight billion different ways, every precious one, a child You died to save.  If You gave Your life to love them, so will I."  Our response to God in us, in our Church, in our world, is to paint the beautiful picture of goodness and grace ... so that our Savior (who thinks we are worthy) can look out on His Church and say, "It is good!"  

Artemis and Bad Cats

When most people hear the word “Artemis,” they think of either NASA’s lunar mission or the Greek goddess of hunting, childbirth, and wild animals. I, however, think of an orange cat we owned over 20 years ago.

Now, it’s fitting that the goddess Artemis ruled over wild animals—because our Artemis was a wild animal. One minute she was sweet, purring, and curled up like a Hallmark card… and the next minute she was a full-blown, demon-possessed ninja. 

This cat sent two family members to the ER. Every single one of us was injured (by Artemis) at some point. We didn’t own Artemis—Artemis allowed us to live in her house under constant threat.

The final straw? She launched herself onto Christopher’s face and nearly removed his eyelid. That earned us a trip to the Children’s Eye Hospital in Birmingham—and Artemis a one-way ticket out of our lives. I’m fairly certain she is now curled up comfortably somewhere near the fireplace in Satan's den, feeling completely at home.

But as we think about Easter—and what comes next—the Artemis mission (the NASA one, not the feline terrorist) got me thinking about something deeper: the dreaming, the work, and the anticipation behind something truly monumental.

Here’s where that leads us:

1. Marvel at the Moment - We are living in a time where something like the Artemis mission is possible—and that’s amazing. But let’s be honest—it doesn’t even come close to Easter.

The Resurrection is not just impressive—it is unprecedented. Yes, people like Lazarus and Jairus’ daughter were raised… but they died again. Jesus didn’t just come back—He defeated death itself.

As Charles Wesley wrote in 1739, “Christ has opened paradise.”

The curtain was torn. The barrier of death was shattered. Jesus didn’t just walk out of the tomb—He stepped into our reality and made a way where there was no way.

And here’s the miracle: we don’t just admire it… we follow Him through it—all the way to the Father’s house.

2. Plan for the Promise - Every space mission begins with a vision. But between vision and launch, there’s a lot of work.  Calculations. Training. Design. Preparation. No one just “wings it” to the moon.

And neither do we.  As a church, we’re planning - VBS, choir and art camp, youth and children’s events. There’s excitement, anticipation, and yes… a lot of spreadsheets and meetings.

But behind all of that are two powerful reminders:

The Ascension (May 14): “You will be my witnesses.”

Pentecost (May 24): The Spirit comes, and the Church is ignited.

Those are our “launch moments.”

We are not just planners—we are witnesses.

We are not just organized—we are empowered.

We are not just busy—we are built to fly.

3. Take Out the Trash - Years ago, working with the Incline Railway in Chattanooga, we got new rail cars… and discovered they were too heavy to safely operate. So we did something unexpected—we stripped off every ounce of unnecessary weight.

Turns out, if you want something to move… you have to lighten the load. That’s not just engineering—that’s Scripture. Hebrews tells us: “Let us strip off every weight that slows us down.”

To escape Earth’s gravity, a rocket must reach 17,600 mph.

To live the life Christ calls us to—what weight do we need to remove?

Fear?

Bitterness?

Comfort?

Control?

On Sunday, we talked about “removing the grave clothes.” Lazarus needed help getting unwrapped.

Jesus left His behind in the tomb.

If we want to move forward—if we want to launch—we can’t keep dragging death with us. If we’re going to step into what God is calling us to:

We must marvel at the Resurrection

We must plan with purpose and expectation

We must let go of what weighs us down

And through it all, we never lose sight of our power source:

The same Jesus who walked out of the grave ... is the One who calls us to rise, move, and follow.

So let’s get ready. We’re not just sitting in the pews. We’re on the launchpad.

Loosed!

The story of Easter is a story of being loosed!  Jesus is released!  Jesus moves out of the tomb!  Jesus leaves the grave clothes behind!  He is unbound to do what God is calling Him to do!

This isn't a first.  Remember Jesus telling Lazarus to "come out" and his friends to "remove the grave clothes?"  Remember the disciples releasing (untying) the little donkey for service to Jesus.  And, there is the empty tomb on Easter morning, where disciples and women find the tomb unoccupied, because Jesus is already releasing His Church to teach, baptize, and release the Gospel message into the world. 

This brings to mind the things we hold inside, even though we, as Christians, have been born from the dead, had our grave clothes removed, we have been untied for service to our Lord, and we have been called to leave the tomb that held our death. I wonder why I encounter so many angry people every week?  Is it uncertainty over events?  Is it personal or family issues?  Is it the fact that we choose to judge our own lives based on our perception of how others see us?  Is too much social media leading us into a frenzy?  Or are all of these things summed up in the fact that we are trying to live in a tomb we have been released from?

People ... the stone has been rolled away!  The grave clothes have been removed and left behind!  The doorway is right there, ready for us to walk out!  All we need to do is leave! ... and maybe that is our post-Easter task!  Leave the tomb.  Maybe we need to leave our tombs one at a time.  So, a few preparatory questions ... what are MY tombs that Jesus has rolled the stone from?  

1) pride? Pride will cause us to fall (Proverbs 16:18)

2) fear? Perfect love (Jesus) can drive away fear (1 John 4:18)

3) worry? Jesus said, don't spend any life in a spirit of worry (He's got this), 

4) negative influences? I know I am meddling now, but you need to (especially those of us with addictive personalities) be willing to let Jesus roll away those stones and then you (we have a part in this) need to walk out of that dark place of death.  If your social media makes you angry, walk away!

Do you know what all of those things above will do?  They will kill relationships, they will stifle joy, they will impede the work of the Holy Spirit in your life, and they will cause the whole world to miss the beauty you bring into the world and into the Church!  The beauty of Easter is that disciples and women who came to the place where Jesus was buried didn't find any body!  The tomb was empty!  The grave clothes were left behind!  The glory of the Lord and the beauty of Christ walked out into a world that needs Him!  Share the song!  "Up from the grave He arose, with a mighty triumph o'er His foes!"

Remembering and Rejoicing

At 1st Service this coming Sunday, we will sing a song called "Christ Our Hope In Life and Death."  WOW, does that shout Easter morning!  And what a roller coaster for women and disciples that day!

Here are the words to that song (Keith & Kristyn Getty, Matt Papa)

What is our hope in life and death? Christ alone, Christ alone.

What is our only confidence? That our souls to Him belong.

Who holds our days within His hand? What comes, apart from His command.

And what will keep us to the end? The love of Christ in which we stand.

Oh, sing hallelujah, Our hope springs eternal, Oh, sing hallelujah.

Now and ever we confess ... Christ, our hope in life and death.

What truth can calm the troubled soul? God is good, God is good.

Where is His grace and goodness known? In our great Redeemer's blood.

Who holds our faith when fears arise? Who stands above the stormy trial?

Who sends the waves that bring us nigh, unto the shore? The rock of Christ.

Oh, sing hallelujah, Our hope springs eternal, Oh, sing hallelujah.

Now and ever we confess ... Christ, our hope in life and death.

Unto the grave, what will we sing? "Christ, He lives, Christ, He lives!"

And what reward will Heaven bring? Everlasting life with Him.

There we will rise to meet the Lord. Then sin and death will be destroyed.

And we will feast in endless joy. When Christ is ours forevermore.

Oh, sing hallelujah, Our hope springs eternal, Oh, sing hallelujah.

Now and ever we confess ... Christ, our hope in life and death.

Oh, sing hallelujah, Our hope springs eternal, Oh, sing hallelujah.

Now and ever we confess ... Christ, our hope in life and death.

Words to remember ... and words of rejoicing!  So, here is our question.  How, when, and why do you rejoice?  Does your pride keep your praises suppressed?  Walk humbly and sing!  Does your business cause you to be down?  Ciroe Ten Boom said, "If the devil can't make us bad, he'll make us busy."  Do other people impact your ability to praise?  Paul said to "work out YOUR salvation," which (I think) means you focus on Jesus, not other people.  Whatever is keeping you from praising, I have some beautiful homework ... Psalm 103:1-5.  We praise because God is worth praising ... it is not situational!  Remember ... rejoice!  He is risen!  He is risen, indeed!  AMEN

Calm Before the Storm

Last week I was out on the deck at the parsonage, talking to Lee on my cell phone.  When we ended the conversation, I looked to the west, and dark clouds were looming.  It was calm, but it was clear a storm was coming.  That is the context and attitude of Palm Sunday. 

Jesus has just made His final circuit around the Holy Land.  He had been to Samaria, across the Jordan to the East, up through Jericho, and to Bethany (home of Lazarus).  Now, He enters Jerusalem for a week that begins with "Hosanna ... blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord."  A seeming triumph will be turned on its head, and betrayal, torture, mocking, denial, and death will follow.  Palm Sunday is the calm before the storm.

There are so many lessons of Holy Week.  Lessons about the person of Jesus.  Lessons about us and our nature.  Lessons about the amazing forgiveness of God.  Lessons about seeing the storm and seeing through the storm to God's good and holy plan.  Here are a few takes from a country preacher:

1. Shallow sense of false security - Some Jews thought they were about to be delivered from Roman occupation by Jesus.  Judas was one of these, and he was quick to sell Jesus out after Jesus didn't fit his political agenda.  As I look at our current political structure and parties, I don't see a lot of Jesus there.  I wonder how many are willing to sell Jesus out, following their ideology, and ditching the Jesus who is the source of their salvation?

2. Sitting in the seat of mockers - "Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stands in the path of sinners, nor sits in the seat of the scoffers (Psalm 1:1)." Jesus was mocked by some (including the Pharisees) for entering the city on the back of a donkey.  Because people were looking for a mighty warrior on a charger, they missed the Savior who came to fight and win a battle they didn't even perceive.  They missed their blessing.  

3. Raising a hallelujah - Some looked past the donkey, past the meek itinerant preacher, and saw what the rocks, the earth, and all creation saw.  "Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it (John 1:3-5)."  They saw the one who made them, and the God who was light itself.

These are 3 of the responses on Palm Sunday.  Which will you choose?

Reprise

In music, there is a term for a repeated passage.  That term is "reprise."  In Scripture (Bible study), there are several terms for repetition.  They include:

Refrain: One or more lines repeated at intervals, such as in Psalms.

Inclusio: A "bookend" structure where a passage begins and ends with the same phrase, highlighting the material between them.

Chiasm (or Chiasmus): A structure where ideas are repeated in reverse order (A-B-C-B-A), often focusing on a central, crucial point.

Anaphora: The repetition of a word or phrase at the beginning of successive clauses or verses, commonly found in poetic sections and the Beatitudes.

Leitwortstijl (Key Word Style): The deliberate repetition of a key word or root throughout a narrative to emphasize a theme.

In life, there are things that warrant repetition.  We 'reprise' each Sunday as we live out the rhythm of life in the Church using liturgy (the Apostles Creed, the Lord's Prayer, the Church year).  But there are some daily life-related 'reprise' moments I find myself both needing and applying.  And Lent is just the time for me to remind myself about these things.

This morning, I am reflecting on two 'reprise' moments I need to remember often.  The first of these is one that is posted in the church office.  It was coined by John Wesley, and it is as applicable today as when it was first penned by John Wesley.  Methodists are called (by Wesley's instruction) to follow 3 Methodist Rules.  They are 1) do no harm (don't hurt others in your words or actions), 2) do all the good you can (Galatians 6:9 says don't get tired of doing good), and 3) stay in love with God (I'll address this with the 2nd reprise moment).  Reflect on these active and positive things, and consider how YOU are doing.

The second reprise moment is caught up in what we will speak about in the Maundy Thursday service.  The word 'Maundy' comes from the Latin word mandatum, meaning not discretionary.  John 13:34-35 says, "A new commandment I give you: Love one another.  As I have loved you, so you must love one another."  Not a suggestion for Christians ... a commandment.  We are not given an out for those we do not like.  We are not given permission to exclude those who annoy us or push our buttons.  Reflect on this good word, and consider how YOU are doing.

This is a hard word, and an uphill struggle for us these last few miles in our Lenten journey.  Let's unpack and apply this as we follow Jesus ... not our hearts, desires, feelings, and/or emotions.  Love as Jesus loved ... not my words, but those of the one we say we follow.  This is ESPECIALLY important to remember when we are stressed, struggling, and going through personal crises.

You are probably saying, "I've heard that before."  Yep ... you have! AMEN

A Word About Holes

Haggai 1 describes a society that has gone off the rails.  The society has forgotten what is important.  They fill themselves with emptiness, and they hope their stones will be turned into bread.  My Bible Study had a good discussion today about this.  We all remembered those times that we wanted God to bless our plans, our stuff, our choices, and our priorities, even when they are outside of God's plan.

The nation is Judah, the southern kingdom of Israel.  It was 520BC, and the people had returned from exile in Babylon.  God had delivered them out of exile, and He had given them some level of prosperity.  They had crops to plant, food to eat, plenty to drink, warm clothing, and wages to put into their pockets.  Still the people seemed to live hand-to-mouth.  "You have planted much but harvest little. You eat but are not satisfied. You drink but are still thirsty. You put on clothes but cannot keep warm. Your wages disappear as though you were putting them in pockets filled with holes (Haggai 1:6)!"

Here are some statistics.  A 2025 debt.com survey reported that 69% of Americans live paycheck to paycheck.  Another report said that 41% of Americans couldn't cover a $1,000 emergency without borrowing.  This is in a country that ranks 2nd in affluence after accounting for cost of living.  It seems Haggai 1:6 describes us!  

The "Lord of Heaven's Armies" (our Lord) says, in Haggai, there is a reason for this.  It isn't more money, crops, stuff, and/or wealth.  God calls the people of Judah to account for neglecting the God who brought them out of exile, stood by them while they were strangers in a foreign land, and heard their cries of despair.  God's clear message is ... "get outside of self."  How do we do this?

Here are some ways we can respond to God's call in the days ahead:

1. We can invest in things that require time, energy, money, effort, and inconvenience.  God's house is built when we place His Church above our comfort.

2. At our Mission's Auction this week, we can give generously, and we might just get something we want in the process.  Bid online, and/or buy a ticket and be at the auction in person.  This auction thrives when we (as the Church) show up.

3. We can be alert for needs described by our Trustees, as they faithfully work to maintain the facilities of the Church.

In Haggai, the people placed their needs 1st, leaving God's house with the leftovers.  El Roi is the Hebrew name for "the God who sees."  God sees our hearts, and He certainly sees our priorities.  I have heard people say, "God understands my circumstances."  Yes, he does.  And He calls you, me, and all of us to do what John Wesley did all his life ... make all you can, so you can save all you can, so you can give all you can.  Lent and Missions week are great times to look outside of ourselves and give to what God is doing.  I hope God can count on you!  Maybe the holes in your pockets can become mended and whole!