A Somber Week...

This week — Holy Week — is filled with grief and sadness over the injustice carried out as Jesus was wrongful convicted and executed. So Holy Week is always a somber week, but the bombings in Brussels on Tuesday took this somber week to a different level for me.

On Tuesday, you couldn’t turn on the radio or TV or go online without being inundated by images and coverage of the three explosions detonated in the Belgian capital that killed at least 34 people and injured 100s more. When that kind of pain, suffering, injustice, and senseless killing of innocent people are on display right in front of your face, you can feel the shadow of darkness close in.

These attacks remind us that we live in a Good Friday world. It was on Good Friday over 2,000 years ago that so many people, who had found the hope and promise of a brighter and better world in Jesus, had their dreams crushed. Their hope was smothered as they watched the Messiah put to death on a cross.

In Mark’s Gospel we are told that darkness overshadowed the land from noon until 3 p.m. I feel like the world is once again under a cloud of darkness. Overcome with grief and fear, how will we respond? As followers of Jesus Christ — as people who have Easter hope, the hope of resurrection — how are we going to respond individually and as a community?

We can all shake our heads in disbelief and sorrow. We can pray for our brothers and sisters in Brussels. We can pray for comfort for all those who lost a neighbor, friend or family member. We can pray for peace, for healing for all those injured physically and psychologically. As we hear the stories and see the images through eyes filled with tears, we remember that our tears are joined with God’s, weeping for the brokenness and suffering in His world.

Then, I remember that Sunday is coming. I cling to my faith, knowing that on the third day Jesus rose from the dead. I hold on to the promise that evil and hate never have the final word. I know the resurrection is coming for us and for our world through Jesus Christ — love wins!

Snow Day

Snow in Texas is rare.   Most of the time it is ice.  

Thursday morning I woke up to a beautiful sight. It was 2 a.m. and snow was falling.  I looked out the kitchen window into our front yard and watched the snowcoming down as I heated a bottle for Righteous. It really is awe-inspiring to watch as the snow covers the tree branches, the cars, the street with its breathtaking white artistry.

 Later that morning, during my morning reflection, realizing the snow had once again slowed down the pace of life; I was reminded of Psalm 46:10 –

“Be still, and know that I am God!
    I am exalted among the nations,
    I am exalted in the earth.” (NRSV)

The snow had forced me to stop, to slow down.  

I am reminded of what God said to Job to "stop and consider the wondrous works of God." (Job 37:14)

Today the sun is shining and we are back to the busy schedule. But I encourage you to take some time to be still.  To stop, take stock of the wonderful creation around you and, if it's snowing (or raining or sunny ...), to slow down and recognize God's power. 

Take a few minutes and read Job chapter 37 and consider what God wants to share with you today.

Valentine's Day

Valentine's Day is Saturday! Some people can’t wait and have been planning on how to celebrate for weeks if not months. Why? Because they love to celebrate love. But others dread it. They feel obligated to prove their affection for their significant other. And then there are those who wish to skip the day altogether because Valentine's Day reminds them they are single.

 I remember last year, I spent Valentine's Day volunteering at my kids' school. Part of my job was taking flowers and cards to different rooms. One of my deliveries was to a student in first grade—six red roses. The students were gone to Specials, so several of the first grade teachers were visiting in the hall and became very curious when I went into the classroom I did. They all said the teacher would be right back. I told them it wasn’t for the teacher but a student. You could see the let-down when I told them it was for a student. They thought this single first grade teacher had someone new in her life.

 How are you feeling?

 I must confess I have mixed emotions about Valentine's Day. Not because I don’t want to celebrate love, because I do. I have the love of my wife of almost 16 years, I have the love of my beautiful children and my extended family and friends. And I have the greatest unconditional love of God through Jesus Christ that I can celebrate on Saturday.

 I struggle with the influence of the 18 billion dollar holiday. I can get flowers for Allison on Valentine's Day or I can buy them on the day after for 75% off and afford to shower her with flowers on other occasions, which she deserves. Seriously, if you don’t believe me, go to Kroger on Sunday. But if I save the money, I feel horrible. Why? Because I didn’t do what is expected (by culture) to give cards, flowers, and chocolates—all of which are temporary.

Hear me say buying gifts for Valentine's isn’t inherently wrong – and sometimes they are the perfect gifts – but there are so many other ways I can communicate my affection for my wife and kids. But I still feel all the trappings of buying traditional gifts.

As I am writing this blog post, this verse on love came to me: "Jesus said, No one has greater love than to give up one’s life for one’s friends" (John 15:13). In the 15th chapter, John reminds us of how great God’s love is for each and every one of us, and reminds us that the greatest of love is not shown through material items, but through giving completely of ourselves. Maybe the best gift I can give this Valentine's Day is of myself, through intentional acts.

Whether your desk is filled with flowers and chocolates or you're rolling your eyes at it all because you're without a special someone this year, remember this: You are loved by God completely, and that's what matters. And if you are still looking for the best gift to give, consider giving intentional acts which show those you love that they are worthy of your whole being.

The Puzzle of Life

One of the things we did as a family when I was growing up was work on jigsaw puzzles. It would take weeks. The first step was always laying out all the pieces and turning them right-side up. The next step involved putting all the edge pieces together. Then, we would look for large sections of the puzzle that had the same color pattern. We would work together, and slowly but surely, the final image would begin to emerge. One of the great things about working together on a puzzle was that we all saw different things along the way. Each person helped fill in missing sections that the rest of us hadn’t been able to figure out. It took all of us, and if we had missed any single piece, it mattered to the outcome—the picture would be incomplete. I don’t know about you, but at times, my life reminds me of a gigantic jigsaw puzzle. I work hard to put all the pieces together – kids, marriage, work, friends, family, church, and ministry – but it can all become a bit overwhelming. I don’t think I’m the only one who feels this way. We all work hard to lay out the many pieces of our lives so they will ultimately form a cohesive picture. We try to get a framework of what life is to look like, then we start putting everything together. But then something inevitably happens that causes a piece to be misplaced, or keeps us from clearly seeing the big picture. It is at these times that we need others to help us see the pieces we are missing, to see the picture from a different angle, or to connect pieces of life that we had not yet realized fit together. Life is not intended to be spent alone. God created us to be in relationship with Him and with each other. This is why, as a church, we want everyone to be part of an intentional small group. This is why we structure the leadership of the church in teams. We need each other. Every piece matters, and we are better when we work together. We need our spouses, partners, children, friends, neighbors, small group members, and colleagues to help pick up the pieces, and to better see God’s vision for our lives. I am grateful for my wife, Allison, the Faith staff, my friends, my extended family, and my colleagues who have always been there to help pick up the pieces, who have seen things I could not see, and who stepped in to help connect parts of the big picture for me. They have all gathered around the table with me and helped put together the pieces of a beautiful life. Who are you grateful for this week? How might God be calling you to help with someone else’s puzzle?

Rivals

PC vs MAC

Xbox vs. Playstation vs. Wii

Texas vs. Texas A&M

iPhone vs Android

Pepsi vs Coca Cola

I am sure you could list a bunch of other rivals throughout life. And the list could get really personal for me. My high school’s biggest Rival was the Fayetteville Bulldogs. Every year our game was billed as the battle of the Dogs. It was a week filled with tons of trash talking and us vs them statements. I wasn’t friends with any of them. However, my first week of college, I meet several of them, and discovered we had a lot in common. We became great friends.

It is crazy, but any rivalry is going to lead to winner vs loser attitudes which clouds our judgment.

I remember 100’s of commercials growing up about how x number of people choose coke over Pepsi in taste test. I remember taste tests being held in grocery stores, at the state fair, and other venues. Everyone had a preference. You were either with them or against them. Who is the winner in your book?

Pepsi or Coke, PC or Mac, or Texas or Texas A&M.

As Debra talked about in her Sermon on Sunday, “us” vs “them” has been around since the beginning of time. It is recorded throughout our biblical history. What I find profoundly challenging is that “us” vs “them” or “winner” and “loser” attitudes might be part of human nature, but it is not what God intends. In fact, Jesus came into the world to teach of a different reality. A world in which there is no partiality, no winners or losers, but a world where every knee will bow, every tongue confess, that Jesus is Lord. We are all children of God, we are all family, we are all part of “us”, and there is no “them”.
I think the challenge for us is to begin to see or dream of the unity we have in God, father, son, and spirit. Think about it.

Can you imagine what it might be if we didn’t talk about others as “them”, and ourselves as “us”?

Can you imagine what it would be like if we saw our neighbor not as them, but as us?

Can you imagine Aggies and Longhorns living in harmony?

Seriously what if we stopped talking about the other Christians, or the other churches, and we started talking about the body of Christ, about our brothers and sisters in Christ? What if we didn’t see others in the world, but saw brothers and sisters?

What rivalry do you need to let go for the sake of the Gospel?

"People travel to wonder at the height of the mountains, at the huge waves of the seas, at the long course of the rivers, at the vast compass of the ocean, at the circular motion of the stars, and yet they pass by themselves without wondering." St. Augustine

Light Bulb Moments

Passionate Worship

When The Light Bulb Went Off!

“The Word, Passionate, expresses an intense desire, an ardent spirit, strong feelings, and the sense of heightened importance,” says Bishop Robert Schnase in his book, Cultivating Fruitfulness (Abingdon Press, 2008 p. 25).

Worship could be described as intentional time given in community so that we might experience and encounter God.

I can say that I have been going to worship/church since I was born. My dad was a Methodist pastor and we were in worship every week and in worship multiple hours. I thought that was what everyone did. I was bored at times. I was sleepy at times. I was like every other kid, I thought. I sang in the children’s choir and rang bells. When I got older I went to youth group.

Worship wasn’t bad, in fact the music was familiar, and I liked to sing, but it wasn’t “fun.” (Except for children’s time) Worship was just something I did. Maybe you can relate… but by the time I was in High School things changed a little. I had been in a few pretty cool worship services… you know one of those services where everything just felt electric or like it was just for me. I remember some of those worship service were with special guest or special music where the music just lifted you out of your seat. Still others were on a retreat or mission trip. Most involved eating bread and sharing the common cup. Have you been there too?

I continued to go to church, throughout my college years. It was later in my life, I found myself longing for more of those moments, and I wondered why it wasn’t that way every week in worship. In talk with some of my friends about worship and how I just don’t get anything out of it some weeks, that The light bulb went off. One of my friends said, worship is not all about you and you get out of it what you put in. POW! What was my attitude like on those Sunday’s, how was I participating? Even later in my seminary training on leading worship, I was taught the audience of worship is not the congregation, but God. Everything we do in a worship service is done to give honor and glory to God.

Light Bulb…

Passionate worship isn’t about the style of music!
Passionate worship isn’t about being in a certain location!
Passionate worship isn’t about the sermon!

Passionate worship is you and me, the whole church who have gathered in that space at that exact time, to encounter and experience God! The way I worship today, was changed by these light bulb moments…

What is one of your Light bulb moments about Passionate Worship?

1st Birthday...

The pictures speak for themselves!

I love my 1 year old little boy!

Worship Wars....

I am constantly watching, reading, and talking about the importance of relevance in worship. I am really interested to see this debate about worship reverence vs. relevance will turn out. This debate has caused a great divide in the church and sometimes in single congregations. So I invite you to check out the following promo video and join me on September 1, for an online 2:00 p.m. CDT for this historic event and the beginning a new conversation about the future of worship in the church.

http://www.lifeway.com/RvR/

I will be post my thoughts on the subject following the event. I will hope to see you and talk with you along this journey. Until them...

What is your top 25 Worship Tunes for 2009?

I want to know what you think?

2009 Top 25 Praise Songs from CCLI

1. How Great is Our God
2. BLessed Be Your Name
3. Here I am to Worship
4. Open The Eyes of My Heart
5. Shout to the Lord
6. Holy Is the Lord
7. You Are My King
8. Forever
9. Lord, I lift Your Name on High
10. Come, Now is The Time to Worship
11. God of Wonders
12. Everlasting God
13. You Are My All in All
14. We Fall Down
15. The Heart of Worship
16. You’re Worthy of My Praise
17. Breathe
18. Trading My Sorrows
19. Beautiful One
20. In Christ Alone
21. I Give You My Heart
22. Days of Elijah
23. Friend of God
24. Better is One Day
25. Above All

I would love to here what others think of this list... What would you keep, delete, and add?

More on Health-care...

As I promised I would continue to post about this topic: Healthcare. I took a part of Jim Wallis' Aug 12 post on his blog. I hope the resources might also be useful to you all. You can also follow the hyperlink to read Jim's entire blog post.

- Peace

Rodney

(Taken from Jim Wallis Blog)
Today, right now, let’s join together making the health-care debate factual, worthy of our families and communities. Let’s put the special interests on notice that we want real health-care reform, not misinformation and fear-mongering.
Sojourners has created a rapid response Web site where you will find what you need to fight for the truth: Sojourners’ Health Care Reform Resources.

Other Links

SIGN Sojourners’ Health-Care Creed and let Congress know you stand for values-based reform.

SHARE Sojourners’ Guide to the Health-Care Reform Debate with your church and neighbors.

DISTRIBUTE Sojourners’ two-page flyer with health-care reform facts and values at your small group or Bible study.

USE the messages and talking points that Sojourners has created in your discussions with others.
CALL your Members of Congress today, toll-free, at #1-866-279-5474 and ask them to vote for health-care reform.

We must act.

Rethink Church: Ecology/Theology (UMC)

When you ask someone what is church, you get a ton of different answer. I am proud to be part of a movent of pastors and churches that are willing to ask tough questions and to look critically at the future of "the church."

This UMC ad is just one example of rethinking church.

I will be posting more about this topic in the weeks and months ahead. I will also be preaching a sermon series in which I will address several different ways we can rethink what we are doing in the chruch. The series begins on September 20, 2009.

I am looking forward to sharing this part of my journey as I talk with other followers of Jesus radical message and how we can look at church as a verb and not just a place we belong or come to.

Peace,

Rodney

Prayers for our Government leaders....

The discussion or maybe I should say debate on health care is getting crazy. I am hearing all kinds of things... what is true and what is a lie? I really want to know. Do you? I want the voice of faith to come to the table, because the health care issues facing our country can not be ignored. I know it effects my family in a major way. How it should be dealt with is still very debatable. So I felt like I should share some answers to questions.

Please Note: This is just one source, but at least it does give credible sources from which the answers are drawn. Unlike a lot of the rumors I am hearing on the street, in coffee shops, and waiting in line at the grocery story, these responses can be researched by you personally by following the links. Please stay informed and don't let people tell you what is going on, but check it out yourself.

Peace,

Rodney

Top Five Health Care Reform Lies

Lie #1: President Obama wants to euthanize your grandma!!!

The truth: These accusations—of "death panels" and forced euthanasia—are, of course, flatly untrue. As an article from the Associated Press puts it: "No 'death panel' in health care bill."⁴ What's the real deal? Reform legislation includes a provision, supported by the AARP, to offer senior citizens access to a professional medical counselor who will provide them with information on preparing a living will and other issues facing older Americans.⁵

Lie #2: Democrats are going to outlaw private insurance and force you into a government plan!!!

The truth: With reform, choices will increase, not decrease. Obama's reform plans will create a health insurance exchange, a one-stop shopping marketplace for affordable, high-quality insurance options.⁶ Included in the exchange is the public health insurance option—a nationwide plan with a broad network of providers—that will operate alongside private insurance companies, injecting competition into the market to drive quality up and costs down.⁷

If you're happy with your coverage and doctors, you can keep them.⁸ But the new public plan will expand choices to millions of businesses or individuals who choose to opt into it, including many who simply can't afford health care now.

Lie #3: President Obama wants to implement Soviet-style rationing!!!

The truth: Health care reform will expand access to high-quality health insurance, and give individuals, families, and businesses more choices for coverage. Right now, big corporations decide whether to give you coverage, what doctors you get to see, and whether a particular procedure or medicine is covered—that is rationed care. And a big part of reform is to stop that.

Health care reform will do away with some of the most nefarious aspects of this rationing: discrimination for pre-existing conditions, insurers that cancel coverage when you get sick, gender discrimination, and lifetime and yearly limits on coverage.⁹ And outside of that, as noted above, reform will increase insurance options, not force anyone into a rationed situation.

Lie #4: Obama is secretly plotting to cut senior citizens' Medicare benefits!!!

The truth: Health care reform plans will not reduce Medicare benefits.¹⁰ Reform includes savings from Medicare that are unrelated to patient care—in fact, the savings comes from cutting billions of dollars in overpayments to insurance companies and eliminating waste, fraud, and abuse.¹¹

Lie #5: Obama's health care plan will bankrupt America!!!

The truth: We need health care reform now in order to prevent bankruptcy—to control spiraling costs that affect individuals, families, small businesses, and the American economy.

Right now, we spend more than $2 trillion dollars a year on health care.¹² The average family premium is projected to rise to over $22,000 in the next decade¹³—and each year, nearly a million people face bankruptcy because of medical expenses.¹⁴ Reform, with an affordable, high-quality public option that can spur competition, is necessary to bring down skyrocketing costs. Also, President Obama's reform plans would be fully paid for over 10 years and not add a penny to the deficit.¹⁵

We're closer to real health care reform than we've ever been—and the next few weeks will decide whether it happens. We need to make sure the truth about health care reform is spread far and wide to combat right wing lies.

Can you forward this email to your friends today? And remember, also post it on Facebook by clicking here: http://www.moveon.org/r?r=51746. And on Twitter, by retweeting: @MoveOn Check out the Top 5 Health Care Lies—and How to Fight Back. http://bit.ly/Bncs5

Thanks for all you do.

–Nita, Kat, Ilya, Michael and the rest of the team

P.S. Want more? Check out this great new White House "Reality Check" website: http://www.whitehouse.gov/realitycheck/ or this excellent piece from Health Care for America Now on some of the most outrageous lies: http://www.moveon.org/r?r=51729&id=16782-10068386-COJVoWx&t=1

Sources:

1. "More 'Town Halls Gone Wild': Angry Far Right Protesters Disrupt Events With 'Incomprehensible' Yelling," Think Progress, August 4, 2009.
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=51733&id=16782-10068386-COJVoWx&t=2

2. "Fight the smears," Health Care for America NOW, accessed August 10, 2009.
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=51729&id=16782-10068386-COJVoWx&t=3

3. "Palin Paints Picture of 'Obama Death Panel' Giving Thumbs Down to Trig," ABC News, August 7, 2009.
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=51728&id=16782-10068386-COJVoWx&t=4

4. "No 'death panel' in health care bill," The Associated Press, August 10, 2009.
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=51747&id=16782-10068386-COJVoWx&t=5

5. "Stop Distorting the Truth about End of Life Care," The Huffington Post, July 24, 2009.
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=51730&id=16782-10068386-COJVoWx&t=6

6. "Reality Check FAQs," WhiteHouse.gov, accessed August 11, 2009.
http://www.whitehouse.gov/realitycheck/faq#i1

7. "Why We Need a Public Health-Care Plan," The Wall Street Journal, June 24, 2009.
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=51737&id=16782-10068386-COJVoWx&t=7

8. "Obama: 'If You Like Your Doctor, You Can Keep Your Doctor,'" The Wall Street Journal, 15, 2009.
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=51736&id=16782-10068386-COJVoWx&t=8

9. "Reality Check FAQs," WhiteHouse.gov, accessed August 10, 2009.
http://www.whitehouse.gov/realitycheck/faq#r1

10. "Obama: No reduced Medicare benefits in health care reform," CNN, July 28, 2009.
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=51748&id=16782-10068386-COJVoWx&t=9

11. "Reality Check FAQs," WhiteHouse.gov, accessed August 10, 2009.
http://www.whitehouse.gov/realitycheck/faq#s1

12. "Reality Check FAQs," WhiteHouse.gov, accessed August 10, 2009.
http://www.whitehouse.gov/realitycheck/faq#c1

13. "Premiums Run Amok," Center for American Progress, July 24, 2009.
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=51667&id=16782-10068386-COJVoWx&t=10

14. "Medical bills prompt more than 60 percent of U.S. bankruptcies," CNN, June 5, 2009.
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=51735&id=16782-10068386-COJVoWx&t=11

15. "Reality Check FAQs," WhiteHouse.gov, accessed August 10, 2009.
http://www.whitehouse.gov/realitycheck/faq#c1

Sources for the Five Lies:

#1: "A euthanasia mandate," The Washington Times, July 29, 2009.
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=51732&id=16782-10068386-COJVoWx&t=12

#2: "It's Not An Option," Investor's Business Daily, July 15, 2009.
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=51743&id=16782-10068386-COJVoWx&t=13

#3: "Rationing Health Care," The Washington Times, April 21, 2009.
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=51742&id=16782-10068386-COJVoWx&t=14

#4: "60 Plus Ad Is Chock Full Of Misinformation," Media Matters for America, August 8, 2009.
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=51734&id=16782-10068386-COJVoWx&t=15

#5: "Obama's 'Public' Health Plan Will Bankrupt the Nation," The National Review, May 13, 2009.
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=51744&id=16782-10068386-COJVoWx&t=16

New Webstie....

First Methodist has a new website. If you haven't already checked it out yet I hope you will.

www.fumcr.com

And of course THE SOURCE has all new look as well. Kyle has created a blog for the source which keeps everyone up with what music we are using each week in worship. So please come on by and take a peek at all the new stuff online both at the church and with The SOURCE.

I hope to see you in worship Soon.

Rodney

Taking up the cross... What Tension

How do we deal with Jesus teaching on what is required to be his disciple?

Especially when he says things like:  

• hate your father, mother, brother, sister, and even life itself (Luke 14:26) 
• Sell all your possessions and give everything to the poor (Luke 18:22; 14:33)
• deny oneself and take up your cross and follow me (Luke 14:27)

And Jesus told the crowds if they did not do these then they could not be his disciples.  If that is true I am not sure I could be one either. This question of the cost of discipleship has tension in my life as a modern day pilgrim and follower of Jesus.  I count myself as a group who has for years called themselves disciples.

I have always believed there are some costs and difficult requirements.  And I think all Christians should count the cost of discipleship.  The cost of discipleship is something we have to consider if we are going to follow Jesus.  Who meets Jesus high requirements beyond those disciples in the bible?  

Most of the time, when we talk about modern examples of person who meet these requirements we think of martyrs.  A couple of persons who I think of that have given it all away and followed Jesus are Mother Teresa and Dietrich Bonhoeffer.  

Here is where the tension comes.    

Let me be frank, when I hear those names and read of their journey as a disciple, I am in awe.  I could only wish I was that brave.  I was living as humble and selfless life as Mother Teresa or as bravely as Dietrich Bonhoeffer.  I know that I don't measure up.  

When I look at other stories in the bible and I find Jesus praising others who never gave everything up or gave up their life for him.  Read the story of Zacchacus (Luke 19:1-10) or the Roman Centurion in Matthew 8:5-13.  Jesus tells the Roman that he has shown greater faith than all of Israel.  And Zacchacus is praised for his radical change in life, but neither would they are no mother Teresa or Bonhoeffer.  

So which is better?  Which one is a real disciple?  Does one of sacrifice or way of life make one better more a disciple?  What is the cost of discipleship today?  

In taking up my cross in today world mean that I must give everything away or give up my life?Do I have to sell my house and car?    Or can I just be a strong person of faith.  A person who goes to church, gives to the poor, and shares the message of Jesus love.  I can do that?  Can I play it safe? 

Believe me I want to take care of my children and my wife.  If I get to choose I want to be one the great people of faith Jesus highlights, but who didn't have to give everything away.

What is the cost of Discipleship?  I think it can cost you all you have and even life itself.  But then what am I suppose to do to be Jesus Disciple?  

I wonder if the better question, what will it feel like to hear the words, "Well done my good and faithful servant?" We all will have to account for our lives one day.  What will it feel like to hear the words, "well done my good and faithful servant.   

Count the Cost...

Take up your cross and follow me... (Luke 9:23)

What does this mean?

How do we do this daily?

Read Luke 14:25-33

Then give me your thoughts.

What level are you...

Every time I attend the ballet or a Broadway show in Dallas, I notice in the program a list of donors that have helped make it all possible. They are listed in categories like: Platinum, Gold, Silver, and Bronze. Each of these levels come with a price tag. It is not just the arts that uses these titles, but also institutions of higher education use a similar system to categorize the giving of Alumni. The higher status metal is equated with a higher about of monetary support given to the organization.

Have you ever wonder if these categories have a positive or negative aspect?

Should churches adopt these practices in their work and publications?

I don't think so.

I think any system like this once again sets up a hierarchy So because someone who gives 1 thousand is greater than someone who gives 100. What if the person who gives a thousand in a millionaire and the person who gave 100 is clerk at a gas station? Who is the greatest? Who should be at what level?

Do you know what level you are at? Have you allowed some list or organization to put a label on your status in it's membership?

What do you think?

Status...

Who is the greatest?

At some where along the journey of life we all have thought about greatness.  Some of us may have dreamed of being a great athlete.  Some of us dreamed of being great doctors or nurses.  This week as part of the self reflection of lent, I have been considering the mistake the disciples made of arguing about who was the greatest (Mark 9:33-41).  

I also have been thinking about how easy it has been to be sucked into the culture of consumerism in which products, possessions, and bling all are symbols of greatness or success.  

I am making a list of frequent purchases, buying habits, and regular activities that reflect a desire for acquiring status above "the least of these."  Take a few minutes and try to do this.  How could you make any adjustments to your buying habits during lent as an intentional response to Jesus call to be servant of all.

Lent 2009 - Enough

This week I have been thinking more about the mistake the disciples made of thinking they did not have enough food for the crowd that had gathered in Matthew 14:13-21.

If you have time today, take a moment and read Matthew 15:32-39.  Then I would invite you to compare and contrast these two similar stories.   What are some of the differences?

• The number served went from 5000 to 4000.
• The number of Days people had been with Jesus

What else?

Is it the same amount of food?

Is it the same amount left over?

The disciples still are worried about having enough.  I wonder does that mean that they didn't learn from the first time they witnessed Jesus feed the large crowd?  If so why?  

Is there something else we can learn from the disciples in this story?

Their question of "Where can we get enough bread in the desert to feed so great a crowd?" is  different.  The first time they said, "we have nothing but five loaves and 2 fish." (NRSV)  So are we still dealing with the same mistake?  Could this be the same situation just being told again?

What I see in both situations is the disciples misunderstanding of what is enough.  And isn't that true for us today?  Don't we constantly struggle with the question of how much is enough?  How much do we need to retire?  How much do we need in savings?  How much room do we need for our family?  How much room do we need in our next car?  

So I challenge you to think about what the culture around us says is enough.  Then talk with someone about what guidelines or criteria do you use in assessing what is enough in your own life and family.

Then maybe for lent you can give something up?  

You know... Give something up that you have enough of or maybe stop getting something you have enough of already.  Do you really need another pair of Shoes?  Do you really need another tie?  Do you really need another shirt or pair of socks?  

Then give something away to someone who needs it more than you or buy something for someone else instead of yourself.

Just a thought.

Lent 2009

Have you given anything up for lent?

Have you committed to self reflection and denial for the 40 days leading up to Easter?

For all who attended Ash Wednesday Service, I challenge us to consider entering Lent AT OUR OWN RISK... The challenge was not just to give something up, but to take something on.  For example if you give up just 30 minutes of t.v. a day, but then to fill that 30 minutes with prayer or bible reading.

I have taken on the discipline of weekly reflection and writing here on my blog about the mistakes the disciples made while they were following Jesus and how we might learn from those mistakes.

On Sunday, I share one of the most known miracle stories in the bible.  Jesus feeding the 5000.  I want to suggest that the disciples made two mistakes.

1.  They wanted to send people home because it was getting late and it was close to meal time.

2.  They made the mistake of thinking they didn't have enough resources to feed the people.

Follow up Questions:

Here are some questions that I am reflecting on and using in my prayer time this week:

1. How much is ever enough?
   
2. How much Jesus is enough in our lives?
3. What is one problem or situation that you see or hear about that you want to see change, but feel like you are helpless with?

• Once you have that situation(s)...  Pray about it this week.
• Ask God to give you a dream or a creative solution
• Take time to listen for God and look for God

1. Then ask how could God multiply yours and others resources to make a difference.

If you get a chance reread Matthew 14:13-21 and see these mistakes the disciples made.

I look forward to share another entry with you tomorrow.