Miller, Music and Memorial Day

As a pastor, I am reminded often of the importance of keeping the morale of the troops high.  In 1944, in what was probably friendly fire, a band director (who had entertained over a million troops) lost his life serving his country.  He sacrificed his life for all of us.  Last year, on a trip to Washington DC, I learned that his empty grave and memorial headstone (MH 464A) is located in Arlington Cemetery.  Miller earned the Bronze Star for "meritorious service as Commander of the Air Force Band."  His headstone was, at his daughter's request, placed in Arlington National Cemetery in April of 1992.

The idea of sacrifice has become less evident in our society as we have gotten a bit too self-focused.  But let's think for a bit.  Two weeks ago we honored mothers, who know the idea of sacrifice all too well as they give time, energy and life for their families and children.  They invest tears and all kinds of love just so their children will grow up right.  Now we remember those in our military who have given the ultimate sacrifice so that our freedom and our country could exist and thrive.  That fact alone should call us all to thanksgiving and gratitude for all who have donned the uniform.

But let's not forget that we are here today because of the value and virtue of a sacrifice made for our freedom and life ... freedom from the oppression of sin and life from Jesus' death.  All of this should cause us to place value and reverence on the ideal of sacrifice.  We should clamor to be in our church to celebrate and be witnesses to God's gift to us.  We should place God's house and God's gift in its rightful place in our hearts and in our priorities.

Jesus told us, on the night He was betrayed, '"This is my body, which is given for you.  Do this in remembrance of me."  In the same way, he took the cup of wine after supper and said, "This cup is the new covenant between God and His people, an agreement confirmed by His blood."' (1 Cor. 11:23-25).  How can we, as Christians, read this and hear it every time we celebrate Communion and not remember Jesus' sacrifice, given in the battle for our very souls?  Twila Paris asks a question in a song about two soldiers, "What did He die for, when He died for you and me, made the sacrifice, so that we could all be free, I believe, we will answer all to heaven, for the way we spend our priceless liberty, look inside and find the answer, what did He die for, when He died for me?"  AMEN

Milestones and Life

This coming Sunday we will have several celebrations.  We thought about separating the two events but decided that they might be very appropriate.  So ... here goes.

First, as always, view all of this in the context of Scripture.  Moses is giving his "pastoral charge" to his stiff-necked people.  They are crossing the Jordan to take the land.  He is not permitted to go, but he loves the people he has shepherded for over 40 years.  He gives them some advice I believe we should take to heart.  "Today I give you the choice between life and death, blessings and curses.  Now I call on heaven and earth to witness the choice you make.  Oh, that you may choose life, so you and your descendants would live. You can make this choice by loving the Lord your God, obeying Him and committing yourself firmly to Him.  This is the key to your life (Deuteronomy 30:19-20)!"  These two groups and two events can flow and be viewed in the blessing of God's word.  I will pray that they are.

Our first celebration is the 100th birthday of Etoil Matheson.  We are all excited to share this rare and special time, and (if you know Ms. Etoil) you will be excited too.  She is one of my life-blessings.  It is not uncommon for me to receive an email from her about the message or music on any given Sunday.  Her comment will always be positive, uplifting and gracious, because she is a lady filled with God's grace.  And, at 100, she will be viewing the streamed service on Facebook.  

The second celebration is our annual recognition of Seniors that have a relationship with Abbeville Methodist.  At our 2nd service we will have a formal recognition, a presentation of the Will and Agnes McLain Scholarship, and a re-presentation of the Sally Ezzell Boys and Girls Club Scholarship.  We celebrate this milestone in the lives of these young people and wish them God-filled futures.

As I read Moses' words again, I thought of the testimony from my friend Jenny Wilson, as she shared about life and her battle with cancer.  She commented about her life becoming busy, work-oriented and tiring.  Each day would end with collapsing into the evening, and she had little extra energy for her work in the church.  Then cancer came visiting, with treatments, diagnoses and chemotherapy.  It was a shocking and difficult time, but Jenny stepped back and listened to God.  What she heard related directly to what Moses told his people thousands of years ago.  Paraphrasing (apologies to Jenny), Jenny reflected on how HER life became stressful, difficult, unmanageable and Jenny-focused.  It happened a little at a time, but this way of life became her everyday routine.  Post-diagnosis, Jenny came to realize she could live HER life or live for HER Lord and Savior, Jesus.  She couldn't do both, and only one of those paths offered peace and life-abundant.  For ... "the Lord IS your life (Deuteronomy 30)."

Etoil made this choice long ago and knows that God has called her to life in the Church.  Jenny has made that decision too.  Whatever days these two amazing women have, God will be there to guide, comfort and be a very real presence.  For these graduating seniors, I offer them the choice Moses offered a people who will enter the land God has promised.  "Choose life, for the Lord is your life."  Living for self is an empty dead end ... living for Jesus is a battle, a journey and a blessing.  Choose life!  AMEN

Cheerleaders

In this world of critical people, way too much "mean" and way too little understanding of grace, enter cheerleaders.  I was watching a football game last fall and our team was not winning.  Still, our cheerleaders went out between plays and encouraged, uplifted and kept us grounded in the hope 1) we could do better and 2) the game might not be the most important thing happening in our lives.  Cheerleaders are beautiful reminders of something we might have missed in Scripture.  And they might just remind us of that special day coming this Sunday (Mother's Day)!

Hebrews 12:1-2 seems pretty simple on the surface.  "Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles.  And let us run, with perseverance, the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith."  For this blog today, let's think about that "great cloud of witnesses as our cheerleaders.

I read this passage in the context of Mother's Day and realized that, for many of us, mama was our greatest encourager and cheerleader.  In relation to the passage, I dug down to what that cheerleading looks like.  To those of you who had a mama, like mine, that was for me, this passage means one thing.  Mama encouraged, corrected and loved me through all parts of life, even at those times when I didn't do so well.  For those of you who didn't have a mother who was your cheerleader, I have some good news.  God, in the context of love, nurture and presence, has always been there for you.  God, in Genesis 1, created ... and the passage specifically says, "God created people in His image ... in the image of God He created them ... male and female He created them."  If your mama did a great job of reflecting this godly image, I am grateful for you.  If your mama was less than stellar at this, you have a God who stands in this place, ready to give you everything you need for success.  For we all were created in God's image.

For me, I think of our families, our mothers and our fathers as part of that multitude of cheerleaders that help us as we move through life.  Sometimes their encouragement is spot on, and sometimes it isn't what we want or need.  But God has created, in Jesus, a leader that is able to fill every missing gap and see every missing need.  He is the one who began our faith.  He is the one leading the cheerleaders to encourage and equip us.  And He is at the end of our race, ushering us into His place where we will worship, love and cheer eternally.  It is a good plan, because none of us are left without someone to look up to at our time(s) of need.  Thank you , God, for cheering us on and keeping us on the journey to follow You!  AMEN

Friends

I am thankful for friends.  That may be a bit cliche'ish, but it is true.  Wednesday Ashley Eiland will facilitate Bible study while I am in a meeting.  This Sunday morning, Judy Cassidy will share her testimony and information about her trip to the Holy Land.  Both the Bible Study and the messages on Sunday are in great hands of gifted and faithful friends.

When we share friends "in Christ" we share a life that is not bound by geography and time.  These friends are eternal ... and they are people with whom we will share life and worship in God's kingdom both here and when Jesus comes in His final victory.  Paul knew this when he wrote ... "I thank God every time I remember you.  In all my prayers for you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the Gospel from the first until now, being confident in this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Jesus Christ (Philippians 1:4-6)."

God completes us together.  He fulfills His work through and in us.  And to God be the glory for giving us those with whom we share the work and message of the Cross!  AMEN

Unimpeded!

Isn't it great when you go through life unimpeded?  You are with the tide!  You are downhill!  The river is flowing in your direction and there are no obstacles in your way!  Maybe not!  Here is a story and a passage to consider.

When I played AAU basketball as a 14 year old, I was pretty tall for my age.  I was already 6'2" and weighed a massive 147 lbs.  Yes, a mountain of a man!  Anyway, because I was tall I got the task of jumping center at the start of the game.  The referee threw up the ball to start the game and I tipped the ball (I was 3" taller than the little guy I was jumping against) and actually got the ball.  I remember looking up and having an unimpeded path to the basket.  I took that ball and (reveling in applause and teammates) I headed straight for the basket, easily getting the layup.  I then learned why I was unopposed and why (and what) people were yelling.  The people and my teammates were saying, "wrong way!"  What I thought were screams of encouragement were actually howls of laughter.  But I DID get that basket ... 2 points for the other team.

I write this blog for two groups of people.  The first group are those people who want life unopposed ... unrestricted ... unimpeded.  I think of Jesus' words ...  "Go in through the narrow door!  The door is wide and the road is easy that leads to hell.  Many people are going through that door (Matthew 7:13)."  It is popular and our human nature to seek the path of least resistance.  But, like a teen on a basketball court, sometimes there is no opposition because the path is the wrong way.  Our standard for judging our path should not be the degree of opposition ... it should be the degree of consistency with God's Word.  There are many popular paths that we can choose, and no one will oppose us.  Jesus said, choose the narrow door ... it is worth the tight squeeze and the resistance!

The second group of people I am addressing are those facing difficulty and opposition.  John 16:33 says, "I have told you this so you will have peace in me.  Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows.  But take heart, because I have overcome the world."  The world has rainbows and ice cream, but the world (in the natural state of life) also has troubles, opposition, and obstacles.  I have found the latter to be most true for the people of God.  Find Biblical leaders, proclaiming truth to the world, and I will show you trouble, strife and resistance.  Show me a God-led journey, and I will show you evil-led opposition.  In John 15/16, Jesus reminds us that worldly people don't like truth, and they don't like the work of Jesus.  Jesus said they would hate His disciples ... put them out of the synagogue ... and they would even  kill some of them.  My friend Karl Stegall shares (in an address to his church in Montgomery) talks about being shunned and persecuted for having orthodox/traditional views.  I have personally heard him demeaned by conference leadership and insulted by people he thought were friends.  So goes life for those who tell the truth and follow Scripture.

If you are unopposed and unimpeded, be careful.  You might watch where you are going.  You might be going in the wrong direction!  Randy

Barking Dogs and Wagons

While I am admittedly a cat person, I do like dogs and lots of dog people.  I am not a great fan of the dogs that live up the hill from the parsonage (they bark a lot) and not having dogs relates more to the fact that they are a bit high maintenance.  But I think that the "living creatures" that are around the throne in The Revelation might just be some of our cats and dogs that have (as a friend put it) "crossed the rainbow bridge."

The reason barking dogs came to mind today is that one of my friends (who was ordained Elder the year I was born, he is 91) has a saying I like for lots of reasons.  Walter says, "the dogs bark but the wagons move on."  In these words, I envision a wagon train in an old western, breaking camp with lots of activity, motion and barking dogs.

Last Sunday I reminded us that the Easter story should call us to action to be the Church Jesus authored.  "Go to Galilee," He told the disciples.  "Make disciples" (i.e., 'multiply and grow MY Church') he told all of those who had come to hear the marching orders of their Lord and Savior!  I am sure there was a lot of discussion among those gathered.  Some probably tried to interpret what Jesus said in the context of their desires.  Some might have walked away, realizing that making disciples is hard, and sometimes thankless, work.  Some did what the 11 apostles resolved to do ... they "acted" (that's what Acts is about).

Barking dogs constitute those 1st two groups of folks (and a lot of people in the Church today).  Not to retrace the ground we have travelled, but there are a lot of people who reframe Jesus into their mindset and convenience.  And some have walked away from teachings that Paul called "sound doctrine (2 Timothy 4:3)."  We disaffiliated from the United Methodist Church over the issue of the cultural relevance, applicability and authority of what Jesus said.  Let's take a bit of Matthew 28 and unpack this (Matthew 28:18b-20) ... "All authority in heaven and 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, even to the very end of the age."  1) Jesus (not us, denominations, governments, schools, media, etc.) has all authority ... 2) Go and make disciples of all nations (we are moving, missional and mobilized by our leader) ... 3) baptizing them in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit (people are called into the church and into relationship with God [the Trinity] and one another) ... 4) and teaching them to obey everything I commanded you (we teach people to obey Jesus in their love for Him) ... 5) I am with you always, even to the end of the age (Jesus is permanent ... as long as we don't choose to expel Him from our lives).  Barking dogs like to listen to their own voices, but they are not happy when the wagons move on toward their ultimate destination.

Other people (you can read about their story in Acts) believed, followed, worked and moved on with the wagons.  Remember these few things ... the "wagon train," in my little parable, is the Church.  The Church will always have barking dogs, upset when things start moving again.  That's ok ... we can love them and hope that they choose to "come on along."  But often we can't stay where we are and follow God to our destination with Him at the "end of the age."  Love, Church, Follow and Life are all things that move forward.  My feet (those dogs bark too often) and my faith must move with Jesus, who has laid out the race for me, for us and for the whole Church.  I look forward to the journey with each and every one of you!  Randy

Stranded in The Moment

We often hear secular advice about living life from some pretty unreliable sources.  These include Facebook and other social media, news media, social discussions and agenda-driven political/social sources.  We hear phrases like "live for today," "follow your heart,"  and "live in the moment."  Each of these has a morsel of truth, just enough to get us hooked into the emotion of our response.  But as we leave Easter and Holy Week, I am counting on you/us to desire more than just a few cliché phrases to guide us along.  We learned, from the Resurrection Story, that there is more to life than just following popular societal trends.  We SERVE a Risen Savior.  We FOLLOW Jesus, "the author and perfecter of our faith (Hebrews 12:2)."  We "STRIVE toward a goal (Philippians 3:14)."  This is not "living in the moment" in which we are "tossed to and fro by every wind of doctrine (Ephesians 4:14)."  Let's unpack these.

Easter morning taught 11 disciples and others (especially the women that went to the tomb [Luke 24]) that they cannot stay in the moment ... they SERVE a Risen Savior. Jesus, and the angels at the tomb, called people to action.  Jesus sent the women to tell the disciples what had happened.  The angels and Jesus told the disciples to go to Galilee for further instructions.  It would have been easy to revel in the resurrection moment, for this moment is the pinnacle of history.  Mary holds on to Jesus in John 20:17, but Jesus says, "do not hold on to me."  Jesus has things to do, places to be, and work to accomplish.  We serve a Risen Savior, He's in the world today!  Relish the moment, and move with Jesus as He writes the story!

Easter morning reminds all that encounter Jesus that God's plan is moving toward a planned and prophesied conclusion.  Jesus wants to perfect our faith (Hebrews 12:2), but this is not possible when we insist on staying where we are.  Last week I had the honor to be at the practice rounds and par 3 contest at the Masters.  It was a high moment, and I will never forget being part of history as 3 hole-in-ones were made in a 20 minute span (2 consecutively by the same player).  It was a once in a lifetime experience, and it was wonderful and very appreciated.  But in the beauty of that moment, my mental picture of it all is something I will carry ... but they (the Augusta National management) won't let me hang out there.  We had Maundy Thursday, Tenebrae and Easter Morning!  There was work, preparation, prayer, cooperation with fellow workers (thank you all!) and there was the reality that my wonderful moment was not a place I could be stranded.  Mary, the disciples and the story needed to move on, because there is a reality out there we must never forget ... Jesus will return!  When that happens, I want to be serving and following!

Easter morning reminds us of something ingrained in the people called Methodists ... process.  Process involves effort and striving! As I rode by the Henry County Fair (really??? on Holy Week???) I saw the whirling rides.  They are fun for a moment, but then people move on for the next thing that gives them a rush of excitement.  Nothing against fairs, rides and fun, but did you ever notice how much a fair ride is like our living of life?  We want to move from one emotional, recreational and spiritual high to the next.  Some of these experiences are exciting.  Some are destroyers.  Some are less than the dream.  But life happens between those high ... most of life in fact!  Paul (Philippians 3:14) reminds us to focus on the goal ... the prize defined by God.  Hebrews 12:2 reminds us to focus on the savior, the one who draws us forward to life and that "great cloud of witnesses" at the end of our race.

Michael Card calls Jesus "eternity stranded in time."  Maybe we forget that we too are created for eternity and that we get a little too comfortable (or hopelessly stuck) in the moment.  We forget the goal, the race and the Risen Savior at the end of the journey.  Paul and Jesus knew that the army of the Lord cannot stay in one place, making it easy for the enemy to locate us and pick us off one by one.  The "process" and the "movement" is our calling, our goal, our anointing and our mental health.  Because when you are focused on Jesus, it is hard to be focused on self.  Get off the tilt-a-whirl and get into life.  We were made to serve, follow and strive!  Randy