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Old Testament Lesson
Zechariah 2:1-13
In much of the Old Testament, God is distant. He tells Moses stand, and he can see the backside of God's glory when he passes (Exodus 33). Moses does speak with God face to face, but only Moses. God is the Temple, in the Holy of Holies. God is in the Ark of the Covenant, which was so holy that if you touched it would die. God is too strong and powerful. God is far away.
Yet in this passage, we see the promise of what we have in Christ. God is not far away. God is not impersonal. God is in our midst. God is with us. God in just a far away holy God that we can't know or touch. God is our friend, our companion, our guide, the lover of souls. Today, rejoice, for God is with us. He is as close as our next breath, and through faith we can reach out and touch Him.
New Testament Lesson
Revelation 3:14-22
Ah, the great condemnation of Laodicea. They were neither hot not cold. They were just lukewarm. Isn't it odd that God would rather have someone work against Him than to be only halfway for Him? Why is that? God doesn't just want part of us, He wants us all. He doesn't just want an hour on Sunday, He wants all our week. He wants to convert all that we are into who He wants us to be.
And, if He only has part of us, that will never happen. It isn't until we are completely His that He can completely change us. For instance, how many of us have given a prayer concern over to God, and then took it right back and continued to worry about it. The reason why we have no peace over that issue is because we have only paid lip service to handing it over. It isn't until we truly give our concerns to God, and leave them there, trusting in Him, that we will have the peace we crave.
Likewise, it isnt' until we are fully His that we can truly know the fullness of His grace. So today, lets be hot for God. Let's not be lukewarm. Let's be completely on fire for Him, and in doing that, we'll know the life and peace He longs for us to have.
Gospel Lesson
Matthew 24:32-44
Today, live expectantly in reality of Christ's coming. Be looking all around for Jesus in your midst. Look for Him in areas of service. Look for Him in ares of obedience. Look for Him all that you do today. He is returning one day, we don't know when. But, we do know that today, in some way, we will each have an opportunity to serve Him. Today, look for that chance. And, when it comes, take advantage of it! Today our Lord will come to each of us with a chance to serve. Today, may we do what He leads us to do.
Tuesday, December 18, 2007
Monday, December 17, 2007
Singing
This is my newest article for the Southern Sentinel, entitled "Singing"
I heard someone say that can’t wait to get to heaven, because when they get there, and they join in the heavenly choir, they know for once, their voice will sound good. I understand that thought. Some folks question if I can preach. No one questions that I can’t sing. I wish I could. But, unfortunately, that gift went to my wife. And to the choir at First United Methodist. And, to a lot of folks here in this town. But, not to me.
But, in this time of year, I feel like singing. There is just something about the Christmas season. It is something about this time of year. Maybe it is the sparkle in a child’s eye when they see Santa Clause around town. Maybe it’s the joy that ripples throughout town while watching a parade around the square. Maybe it’s the hairs on the back of neck being raised when you hear a Christmas song sung in the just the right way.
But, whatever it may be, in this time of year, we just feel like singing. Now, that is not to say that everyone feels that way. For some of us, this is not the happiest time. Perhaps it’s the first Christmas without the one we love. Perhaps this time of year brings back bad memories. Perhaps we’ve been struggling and there is not as much under the tree as we’d like.
It’s then that the truth behind the songs that are sung becomes most real. We sing not in praise of Santa or the tree of the family or anything else. We sing in praise of the fact that unto us a Babe was born. One was born to save us from our sins, to teach us to love each other, and to love us.
This year, sing out. Sing not because life is perfect or easy. Sing not because we have everything we want. Sing not for any of these reasons. Sing because you are loved! You are precious in God’s sight. You are of a sacred worth! You have been given a gift that is great than anything you could ever imagine!
You have been loved by a Mighty God. You are loved by a Might God. That is why we feel like singing.
I heard someone say that can’t wait to get to heaven, because when they get there, and they join in the heavenly choir, they know for once, their voice will sound good. I understand that thought. Some folks question if I can preach. No one questions that I can’t sing. I wish I could. But, unfortunately, that gift went to my wife. And to the choir at First United Methodist. And, to a lot of folks here in this town. But, not to me.
But, in this time of year, I feel like singing. There is just something about the Christmas season. It is something about this time of year. Maybe it is the sparkle in a child’s eye when they see Santa Clause around town. Maybe it’s the joy that ripples throughout town while watching a parade around the square. Maybe it’s the hairs on the back of neck being raised when you hear a Christmas song sung in the just the right way.
But, whatever it may be, in this time of year, we just feel like singing. Now, that is not to say that everyone feels that way. For some of us, this is not the happiest time. Perhaps it’s the first Christmas without the one we love. Perhaps this time of year brings back bad memories. Perhaps we’ve been struggling and there is not as much under the tree as we’d like.
It’s then that the truth behind the songs that are sung becomes most real. We sing not in praise of Santa or the tree of the family or anything else. We sing in praise of the fact that unto us a Babe was born. One was born to save us from our sins, to teach us to love each other, and to love us.
This year, sing out. Sing not because life is perfect or easy. Sing not because we have everything we want. Sing not for any of these reasons. Sing because you are loved! You are precious in God’s sight. You are of a sacred worth! You have been given a gift that is great than anything you could ever imagine!
You have been loved by a Mighty God. You are loved by a Might God. That is why we feel like singing.
Advent: Monday, December 18, 2007
We've been fighting computer problems this morning here in the office, so today just an Old Testament reading.
Old Testament Lesson
Zechariah 1:7-17
One of the constant themes of the Old Testament Readings during the season of Advent is that in spite of the sin of the people; in spite of their turning away, God is sending a new hope. God is sending someone that will bring about peace and hope and love. God is sending someone that will restore things to the way that it ought to be and bring about the life that God wants for His people to have.
So, even in the midst of our wilderness wandering, God is there. Even when we've turned away, God is there. Even when we feel like we've lost our way, God is there. He is always calling us back home, calling us unto Himself, calling us back to life.
Even now, in this moment, He is calling back. Come on home, even now.
Old Testament Lesson
Zechariah 1:7-17
One of the constant themes of the Old Testament Readings during the season of Advent is that in spite of the sin of the people; in spite of their turning away, God is sending a new hope. God is sending someone that will bring about peace and hope and love. God is sending someone that will restore things to the way that it ought to be and bring about the life that God wants for His people to have.
So, even in the midst of our wilderness wandering, God is there. Even when we've turned away, God is there. Even when we feel like we've lost our way, God is there. He is always calling us back home, calling us unto Himself, calling us back to life.
Even now, in this moment, He is calling back. Come on home, even now.
Thursday, December 13, 2007
Advent: Thursday, December 13, 2007
Old Testament Lesson
Amos 9:1-10
We see the Lord's judgment coming stronger and stronger in this passage until it is nearly about to explode. And then He says, but I will not destroy all of the House of Jacob. Even this, in this moment of wrath from God, there is grace extended. Even this, when God is most likely to rain down judgment upon those that have turned away; He says that if they will turn back, they will be saved.
Even in that dark moment, grace is there. So is it in our lives.
New Testament Lesson
Revelation 2:8-17
One of the overriding themes we see in Revelation is that the people will not be spared from suffering. Just because you follow the Lord, it does not mean that it is all a bed of roses. In both of the churches mentioned in this letter, they had been faithful. And yet, they had suffered with persecution and trouble. So, even in the lives of the faithful; trouble will come.
That is why we hold fast to Jesus, so that when the time of trouble comes, we'll be ready. Remember, His grip on us is always there, even in the storm.
Gospel Lesson
Matthew 23:13-26
And we contrast God's grace with the lives of the Pharisees. God extends grace, God extends mercy, God extends hope and salvation and grace. And the Pharisees extend judgment and self righteousness and legalistic pride. May we offer that grace of God, not the judgement of the Pharisees.
Amos 9:1-10
We see the Lord's judgment coming stronger and stronger in this passage until it is nearly about to explode. And then He says, but I will not destroy all of the House of Jacob. Even this, in this moment of wrath from God, there is grace extended. Even this, when God is most likely to rain down judgment upon those that have turned away; He says that if they will turn back, they will be saved.
Even in that dark moment, grace is there. So is it in our lives.
New Testament Lesson
Revelation 2:8-17
One of the overriding themes we see in Revelation is that the people will not be spared from suffering. Just because you follow the Lord, it does not mean that it is all a bed of roses. In both of the churches mentioned in this letter, they had been faithful. And yet, they had suffered with persecution and trouble. So, even in the lives of the faithful; trouble will come.
That is why we hold fast to Jesus, so that when the time of trouble comes, we'll be ready. Remember, His grip on us is always there, even in the storm.
Gospel Lesson
Matthew 23:13-26
And we contrast God's grace with the lives of the Pharisees. God extends grace, God extends mercy, God extends hope and salvation and grace. And the Pharisees extend judgment and self righteousness and legalistic pride. May we offer that grace of God, not the judgement of the Pharisees.
Wednesday, December 12, 2007
Advent: Wednesday, December 12, 2007
Old Testament Lesson
Amos 8:1-14
We see here in this passage the Lord is mad because the people are going to church. That's a little odd. He says He is tried of their festivals of their offerings of all the things that they do that are the form of religion. That is not what He wants. He wants a broken and humble heart.
Believe me, I'm a preacher, church is a good thing. I hope everyone that reads this will be in church this coming Sunday. We each need desperately what church can provide. But, the point of faith is not just to go to church, it is to become more Christ like. Church is not the end of our faith, it is just the beginning. Church helps to shape us so that we can go into the world and be salt and light.
The Lord wants our hearts. He wants our love. He wants all that we are. The people in this text went to the temple, but didn't give Him their hearts. May we go to Church, but may He also have our hearts.
New Testament Lesson
Revelation 1:17-2:7
In each of the seven churches of Revelation, we see the Lord critique what is happening. In Ephesus, we see Him tell the people that they had lost to their first love. Lotsof things compete for our attention in life; lots of things pull at our time, at our wallet, at our schedule, at our souls. May we never let all the things that pull at us take us from our first love.
Gospel Lesson
Matthew 23:1-12
We see one of the greatest criticisms Jesus had of the religious leaders was their pride. Jesus over and over again told His people to be humble. To serve. To not boast. To be lowest. For if we humble ourselves, it will be God that will lift us up. But, if we walk around proud, as the word tell us, it is the pride that goes before the fall.
May we remember that our Lord came to serve and not to be served. And, may we do the same.
Amos 8:1-14
We see here in this passage the Lord is mad because the people are going to church. That's a little odd. He says He is tried of their festivals of their offerings of all the things that they do that are the form of religion. That is not what He wants. He wants a broken and humble heart.
Believe me, I'm a preacher, church is a good thing. I hope everyone that reads this will be in church this coming Sunday. We each need desperately what church can provide. But, the point of faith is not just to go to church, it is to become more Christ like. Church is not the end of our faith, it is just the beginning. Church helps to shape us so that we can go into the world and be salt and light.
The Lord wants our hearts. He wants our love. He wants all that we are. The people in this text went to the temple, but didn't give Him their hearts. May we go to Church, but may He also have our hearts.
New Testament Lesson
Revelation 1:17-2:7
In each of the seven churches of Revelation, we see the Lord critique what is happening. In Ephesus, we see Him tell the people that they had lost to their first love. Lotsof things compete for our attention in life; lots of things pull at our time, at our wallet, at our schedule, at our souls. May we never let all the things that pull at us take us from our first love.
Gospel Lesson
Matthew 23:1-12
We see one of the greatest criticisms Jesus had of the religious leaders was their pride. Jesus over and over again told His people to be humble. To serve. To not boast. To be lowest. For if we humble ourselves, it will be God that will lift us up. But, if we walk around proud, as the word tell us, it is the pride that goes before the fall.
May we remember that our Lord came to serve and not to be served. And, may we do the same.
Tuesday, December 11, 2007
A Whispered Prayer
Here's my newest article for the Southern Sentinel
A Whispered Prayer
My daughter has recently learned to say the blessing. We’ve always said one before we have eaten together. That’s how I grew up. My dad would always say a prayer over the meal before we would eat. It’s all I know. So, as I now have my own family, I took to saying the blessing when we would sit down to eat. Plus, I’m a preacher, and that’s what preachers do. I always joke that during this time of year when we sit down to different meals with different families, I pray for food. Literally. I pray, I get to eat. As my cousins joke, “Andy, you get paid to do it anyway!”
But recently, that’s recently changed. My three year old, Sarah, she has learned the old blessing that so many of us learned in our childhood, “God is great, God is good, let us thank Him for our food. By His hands we are fed, Give us Lord our daily Bread. Amen.” And, now I’m bragging, but for a three year old, she does pretty well. And, I’ll also brag, it makes me really proud of her when we sit to eat at the house, or with complete strangers, when she bows her head and says the blessing for us.
But, she doesn’t say it very loud. She’s young, she’s a little quiet, and unlike her dad, she doesn’t have a loud voice. Sometimes, it can be hard to hear what she is saying when she prays.
Bill Moyers once was asked to give a blessing when Lyndon Johnson was President. Moyers said the prayer, but not very loudly. After the blessing the President commented, “Moyers, I couldn’t hear what you said.” Bill Moyers replied, “Sir, I wasn’t talking to you.”
I don’t care if my daughter ever says her prayers loud enough for me to hear. She’s not talking to me. She’s talking to God. So is it with all of our prayers. When you pray, you are talking to no one else, but our Father in Heaven.
Today, take time to talk to God. Don’t worry about what you will say. The words don’t matter anyway. What matters is the heart. Take time to talk to God. He wants to hear from us. Today, let us whisper that prayer. It doesn’t matter if anyone hears or not. God hears. And He’s who we are talking to anyway.
More FUMC pics
You can click here to see some more pictures of our children's Christmas programs from this past Sunday, as well as some pictures of our yearly Plumb Pudding Party!
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