Monday, July 25, 2022

Past The Buzzards

The other day I was traveling down Alabama Hwy. 10, coming from Prattville (a funeral) to Abbeville.  At night the stretch of road is known for deer and dents.  But during the day, the power poles and trees sport the Alabama State Bird ... yes, the buzzard.  The buzzard is an odd and interesting bird.  It is really a member of the hawk family.  Like its fellow raptors, the buzzard has keen eyesight that can (according to Google) spot a carcass from 4 miles away.  They gather in groups called wakes and they are a necessary part of a healthy ecosystem.  They are nature's cleanup crew.  But, for sure, they are nasty things!

As I looked at the top of a power pole, I saw 2 buzzards perching and waiting (it's how they roll!).  As I looked at them with thoughts about their presence being an omen of bad things, I looked past them and saw a beautiful sky, the colors approaching sunset, and a reminder that God is in the business of renewal, restoration and the beauty of grace!  It was a great thought!

Elisha and his servant were confronted and surrounded by the enemy (Syrians).  In 2 Kings 6:17 Elisha prays "O Lord, please open his eyes (the servant) that he may see."  Elisha is praying that in the midst of confusion, conflict and danger, the servant would see God's provision and deliverance.  According to 2 Kings, "the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha."  So, a few observations:

1. In the midst of facing conflict and unpleasantness, God is already here.  We are in uncharted waters of decision, division and difficulty.  There are lots of buzzards, including the humanist theology, progressive world-view and political "wokeness" that permeates our society.  It is hard to see past all of this, but I am praying that we (God's servants) can look past the obstacles to the goal.  God is providing, God is speaking and God is living in us, His Church.

2. In the midst of facing conflict and unpleasantness, God is working for our future.  In the 2 Kings story, God provides a plan that leads Elisha to a place of protection and victory.  The enemy is led to Samaria and the Syrian soldiers open their eyes to certain defeat and probable death.  God provides a way, and God gives the victory.

3. In the midst of facing conflict and unpleasantness, God remains graceful.  God, in this story, "prepares a table before them in the presence of their enemies."  The king of Israel feeds the Syrians, and sends them home.  Even the Syrians find beauty beyond their conflict.

We have buzzards galore.  They include people who mean us harm, a worldview that is against our families and children, old prejudices that need to be left behind, disobedient bishops, conferences, seminaries, boards/agencies and even our own conference.  We feel surrounded and persecuted.  But, we must look past all of these things.  We must persist in our efforts to do what God is asking us to do.  We must lift our eyes to the hills, for our help comes from the Lord, the maker of heaven and earth.  We must plan for the days ahead, knowing God will be in those plans.  We must resist becoming buzzards ourselves, and apply a grace that will teach those who oppose us.  We must look past the buzzards on the pole, and see the beauty of a sunset and the promise of a new day.  Randy 

Monday, July 18, 2022

It's Time

In Job 38:11 God is talking to Job after Job has requested an audience with God (because Job believes he has been unjustly punished).  In God's little discussion with Job, God asks Job a very good question.  God establishes the "pecking order" at the beginning of the chapter when Job, full of questions for God, is told by God, "I will question you and you will answer."  This is not the dialogue Job wants, but God is God, and Job learns pretty quickly God makes the rules.  Here are a few of the questions Job is asked:

1. "Where were you when I laid the foundations of the earth (v. 4)? The question is rhetorical ... God knows exactly where Job was!

2. "Who laid its cornerstone  (v. 6)?"  Again, God knows this answer too.

3. "Who shut in the seas with doors, when it burst out from the womb, when I made the clouds its garment and thick darkness its swaddling band and prescribed limits for it and set bars and doors, and said, 'this far you shall come and no farther ... here your proud waves shall be stayed' (v. 8-11)."

God asks many more questions of Job, without an answer from Job.  Because Job has no adequate answer ... God is God.  Let's spend some time on that last question.  "this far and no farther."  There comes a time when a line is drawn and a stand is taken.

Drawing lines in the sand reminds me of a childhood fight I had because of an argument over scuppernongs and muscadines.  In Wikipedia, scuppernongs are described as "a large variety of muscadines."  9 year olds in North Carolina didn't have Wikipedia ... we didn't even have air conditioning!  So, over this little thing, I punched Chris Venable in the nose.  It was not a proud moment, but kids will be kids.

But what do we do about God's words to Job?  Job 38:8-11 indicates that God creates limits for a purpose, whether we understand it or not.  It (in some pretty beautiful imagery, from what theologians would like to tell you are 'primitive' people) paints a picture of knowledge, intent and purpose as God creates the natural order of the world.  I (and Job for that matter) cannot really tell you how all this was done, but God's action here is one of those things bound up in the passage that says "My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts, and my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine (Isaiah 55:8-9)!"  When God says, "where were you" when all this happened, I think Job is starting to get the point.  There is a creator God, and it isn't Job.  There is a purpose in the universe, but it is beyond Job's ability to fathom.  There is a higher authority that is wiser, more powerful, and more loving than we can even grasp.  Powerful enough to create everything we can see and not see, and loving enough to remove our sins "as far as the east is from the west (Psalm 103:12)."

So ... a quick few thoughts.  1) Do we believe God is wiser than us?  My answer is yes ... His word (Scripture) proclaims this, His action in history demonstrates this (Tradition), my life with God solidifies this (Experience) and my mind, while unable to fully grasp God's vastness, understands this (Reason).  2) Do we believe God knows more than we do?  My answer is yes ... because my choice is to either follow the whirlwind of the world or stand on the solid ground of God.  3) Do we think we (people) can devise a better plan for our world?  This one is a no-brainer!  Humanism does not work, along with a lot of other 'isms' we have tried.

As I look at Job's story here, he (Chapter 40:4) says, "I place my hand over my mouth."  Maybe that is what Adam and Eve should have done, rather than listening to the serpent say, "your eyes will see and you will be like God (Genesis 3:5)" ... this far and no farther!  Maybe this is what we need to say as the proud waves of humanism flow over our church and our nation trying to drown the church in societal wisdom ... this far and no farther!  Maybe, when we hear our own church say "there will always be a place for orthodox believers" (while simultaneously teaching humanism in lieu of Scripture, and overflowing the bounds God has wisely set for a Church He has called out of the world) we need to say, this far and no farther.  Will we, as God's Church, here to save the world by Christ's power, follow the two oldest lies in human history ... "did God really say that (Genesis 3:1) and "your eyes will see, and you will be as God (Genesis 3:5)."  For me, I say ... this far and no farther.

Monday, July 11, 2022

Discernment and Decision

The dictionary definition of discernment is very short and pointed.  Discernment is "the ability to judge well."  Over the past months we have been in a state of discernment.  That discernment has been related to an understanding of 1) who we are as a United Methodist congregation, 2) who we should be as a church and 3) what decisions we need to make so that we can do the work/ministry/worship God has planned for us.  While we should be in a constant state of discernment, this time seems stark, different and important.  We must enter this time in both prayer and in the word of God.

Paul, in speaking to Timothy, knows discernment is important.  God has called Timothy and Paul is sending his friend (that he loves as a son) out into a chaotic world.  Paul knows that this world will not be merciful or graceful to Timothy.  But Paul also knows that Timothy has been doth gifted and equipped for the task.  And Paul's advice is for Timothy to carry with his the tools of discernment.  In Chapter 3 of 2 Timothy, Paul sends Timothy with this advice, " ... you have known the Holy Scriptures that make you wise for salvation through faith in Jesus Christ.  All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work."  The advice is sound in a world that needs foundation and discernment.

So, back to the three questions.  Who are we as a United Methodist congregation?  We are good and faithful followers of Jesus with a rich heritage, solid theology and a missional mindset.  Our UM Discipline is, in the Articles of Religion and in statements about the complex issues facing our people and nation, orthodox (conforming to what is generally accepted as right and true).  We can say the creeds without reservation.  We can preach and profess the truth, foundation, sufficiency and necessity of Jesus Christ. 

Who should we be as a congregation?  Paul tells Timothy while the world is operating in opposition to Christ and God, the Church must be different.  Where the world sows hate, the Church sows love.  Where the world says "every man for himself," the Church becomes willing to give up its life for the salvation of others.  Where the world says, "find yourself" the Church says (as Paul shared with Timothy) find "salvation through the savior, Jesus Christ."  And when our denominational structure becomes the wing of a political party, the Church remains true to the foundation of Scripture and Discipline.

What decisions do we need to make so that we can conduct what Paul calls "the good works God has equipped us for?" We do some things that are very "Methodist."  Our Trustees develop/maintain facilities and long-term resources for ministry.  Our Staff Parrish Relations Team makes sure we have people to do this work.  Our Finance Team makes sure that we secure funds for the ministry of the church.  

This is who we are and who we will be.  The old song, "I Have Decided" says, thou none go with me, still I will follow. We (our congregation) must decide whom we will follow.  We will do what Paul says to Timothy in 2 Timothy 3 ... 1) we will look around at the brokenness of the world and know that we live/speak/love into that world as a light, 2) we will reflect on our foundations from God's word and from the people who poured that word into us and, 3) we will choose the context out of which we will "do the good works God has planned-out for us."  Let's choose well!  Randy

Discernment

The dictionary definition of this term is very short and pointed.  Discernment is "the ability to judge well."  Over the past months we have been in a state of discernment.  That discernment has been related to an understanding of 1) who we are as a United Methodist congregation, 2) who we should be as a church and 3) what decisions we need to make so that we can do the work/ministry/worship God has planned for us.  While we should be in a constant state of discernment, this time seems stark, different and important.  We must enter this time in both prayer and in the word of God.

Paul, in speaking to Timothy, knows discernment is important.  God has called Timothy and Paul is sending his friend (that he loves as a son) out into a chaotic world.  Paul knows that this world will not be merciful or graceful to Timothy.  But Paul also knows that Timothy has been doth gifted and equipped for the task.  And Paul's advice is for Timothy to carry with his the tools of discernment.  In Chapter 3 of 2 Timothy, Paul sends Timothy with this advice, " ... you have known the Holy Scriptures that make you wise for salvation through faith in Jesus Christ.  All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work."  The advice is sound in a world that requires foundation and discernment.

So, back to the three questions.  Who are we as a United Methodist congregation?  We are good and faithful followers of Jesus with a rich heritage, solid theology and a missional mindset.  Our UM Discipline is, in the Articles of Religion and in statements about the complex issues facing our people and nation, orthodox (conforming to what is generally accepted as right and true).  We can say the creeds without reservation.  We can preach and profess the truth, foundation, sufficiency and necessity of Jesus Christ.  But, we are connected to many other UM clergy, conferences, bishops, agencies and even curricula that are inconsistent and even in opposition to the UM Discipline and the Scripture that supposedly support them.

Who should we be as a congregation?  Paul tells Timothy while the world is operating in opposition to Christ and God, the Church must be different.  Where the world sows hate, the Church sows love.  Where the world says "every man for himself," the Church becomes willing to give up its life for the salvation of others.  Where the world says, "find yourself" the Church says (as Paul shared with Timothy) find "salvation through the savior, Jesus Christ."  And when our denominational structure becomes the wing of a political party, the Church remains true to the foundation of Scripture and Discipline.

What decisions do we need to make so that we can conduct what Paul calls "the good works God has equipped us for?" We do some things that are very "Methodist."  Our Trustees develop/maintain facilities and long-term resources for ministry.  Our Staff Parrish Relations Team makes sure we have people to do this work.  Our Finance Team makes sure that we secure funds for the ministry of the church.  And, in the midst of all of these "good" problems, we must try to maintain/develop facilities, hire people and raise funds while the tenor of brothers and sisters all over our nation ignore, oppose and even mock the UM Discipline and the Scriptural basis upon which the Discipline is founded.  "Good works" are hampered because the leadership and the structural support of our denomination has chosen to live in opposition to our basic tenants.  And our friends, neighbors, potential employees and community sees the disconnect.  We must decide/discern who we are and where we are going.

We must judge well.  Randy

 

Sunday, July 3, 2022

For Teaching

2 Timothy 3:16 says God's Word, "Scripture ... is useful for teaching."  As I studied this passage I thought about how many teachers we have in our congregation.  I can name well into the teens and I am probably missing a few folks, but I shouldn't need to tell our teachers that teaching, studying and learning are important things.  And in the life-or-death nature of God's gift of Scripture, it is vitally important.  So, what does teaching require?

Teaching requires something worth teaching.  Do you believe that the Bible is worth teaching?  Do you think Scripture is of value?  I believe both of these things!  Paul, in 2 Timothy 3, is both warning Timothy and encouraging Timothy.  The warning relates to 1) people who only will love self and money, 2) people who will hate what is good, 3) people who will be prideful, 4) people who will act religious but reject the power God gives them to follow godliness.  Paul warns Timothy to stay away from people like that!  But Paul also encourages Timothy.  Paul says to follow Scripture (the teaching of Scripture) so he will be prepared for the good work God intends.

Teaching requires someone worth teaching.  Paul spends much time instructing Timothy.  Paul writes letters to all of the churches he has planted.  The content of that teaching is 1) Scripture, 2) how Scripture informs the context of life, and 3) how the power of Scripture can give abundant life in the midst of strife/persecution and difficulty.  Who is worth receiving this good word?  All people who are willing to listen.  Jews, Gentiles, Greeks, slaves and free.  Paul wants to give this beautiful free gift to everyone!

Finally, teaching requires a teacher.  If you remember the Gospels, what was Jesus often called?  Teacher!  If Jesus is the one who authors and perfects our faith, isn't He worth following?  I believe so. For, as Karl Barth observed, "Jesus doesn't just give us a recipe to show us the way to God as other teachers do.  He IS the way!"