PASTOR'S MUSINGS
Pastor's Musings October 2011
As I shared last Sunday, there are those time that we think that we can do it all by ourselves.
That comes from the realization that as I continue to the work of a Pastor, I am still a spouse, a son, a brother, uncle, step-father, grandfather and great-grandfather. While doing all of those things, I have been care-taking my wife as she recovers from surgery.
There are those times that all the tasks seem to be overwhelming. It’s then that I have to slow down, look at the situation, and decide how to move forward. There are those things I can do, but for the most part, I need to rely on others - whether it is family, church staff, or church members - all doing there part, allows me to know and be aware that we are all on the journey together.
As you journey, continue to be aware the you are not alone. Others are with you and in those relationships we all experience the love of God.
Continue to know and experience God in your life this day and every day!
(Just as an aside for my own information - I would appreciate any comments about my musings. It would help me to know what may or may not be important or challenging to you. Thank you in advance and God’ Blessings! - Pastor Marty: pastorspsp@zoomtown.com)
Pastor's Musings September 2011
Last Sunday we took time to remember the 9/11 Anniversary. During Worship, we had inspiring music, including an anthem that had been written in response to the 9/11 incident. The other music was inspirational as well. We had the balloon release by the Sunday School outside to end our Worship. During the Service, I used a number of resources during the Prayer of the People.
I think that after the day was over, the thing that struck me most was the prayer. If you were with us, you remember that there was a section that included a phrase that said, “God remembers”. It followed a reading of the numbers of all those who died that day: passengers on the planes, individuals within and without the towers, the first responders, the terrorists and others.
For me, as on the Sunday that followed 9/11/01, I was again overwhelmed by the loss of life by so many innocent people. As I read off the statistics, I could feel again the overwhelming sense of helplessness by what had happened.
But, as the prayer continued and we together we prayed the Lord’s Prayer, I began to be again more aware of God’s presence among us – the gathered congregation, as we remembered together, as God remembered.
That was the purpose of the prayer resource – to be reminded that even in the darkest moments of living (as we go through the valley of the shadow), God is with us. And not only is God with us, but God remembered, God remembers, God continues to remember!
THANKS BE TO GOD!!!
(Just as an aside for my own information - I would appreciate any comments about my Amusings@. It would help me to know what may or may not be important or challenging to you. Thank you in advance and God=s Blessings! - Pastor Marty: pastorspsp@zoomtown.com)
Pastor's Musings August 2011
The summer is half over and the weather is reminding us that is indeed summer. This is not my favorite time of the year. Summer, however is a good time to the year to take it easy and relax. This is the time many of us take vacations and spend much time out of doors to enjoy the longer days. Unfortunately, too many of us take a vacation from God as well. It seems to me that since we have time to relax we should put that time to good use and reflect upon what God has done for us.
Summer is a time when we really see God’s hand at work in nature. This is the time when things are growing and getting green. This should remind us that we, too, should be growing and not only in physical stature but spiritually as well. It is a sad commentary on our faithfulness when we don’t grow when all of nature around us is growing.
We need to remember that God doesn’t mark us because of what we have done but because we have been faithful. The bottom line for God is the degree of our faithfulness in our efforts for God. Let us not take a vacation from our dedication to God and being faithful to God. God doesn’t take a vacation from us and our needs. Whenever we call upon God, God is always ready to respond to us. This should be our attitude to God as well.
The summer is a good time for us to do some serious Bible reading study. God’s Word speaks to us in many ways but only when we take time to allow God to speak to us God’s Word can’t do anything for us if we don’t look to it for guidance and instruction. God is as near to us as we will allow God to be, so let us not keep God off at a distance.
- Let us seek to find God’s will for us in our day to day living.
- Let us look to God’s word for power and direction.
- Let us seek the peace of mind and peace in the world that God has in store for us.
This peace can only come to us when we are faithful to our calling as peacemakers. God’s Word can bring us this peace if only we will open ourselves up to the moving of God’s spirit in our lives.
(Just as an aside for my own information - I would appreciate any comments about my musings). It would help me to know what may or may not be important or challenging to you. Thank you in advance and God's Blessings! - Pastor Marty: pastorspsp@zoomtown.com)
Pastor's Musings May 2011
In my last posting I spoke of our Lenten journey and how we see God in our daily living.
Since then, we have now journeyed through Lent and past Easter and into the Easter Season.
I still am seeking God’s presence - are you? With all the rain and little time to work in the yard or to plant flowers, etc. And with the cool weather, I haven’t really gotten into the Spring mood as yet.
But that doesn’t mean that we don’t continue to look for God. There is a small contingent of folks who have wanted to continue the Living the Questions Series we began during our mid-week Lenten programs. We are finding out every week how our faith can be challenged and how our understanding of God is challenged.
The Liturgical Calendar is moving us toward Pentecost, which we will celebrate on June 12 - the day we celebrate the Gift of the Spirit on the disciples and the ingathering of all those folks who heard the Word of God and responded.
As you continue on your journey of faith - how do you prepare yourself to meet the day? Are you leaving your home with “expectation”?
Expectation of experiencing God?
Expectation of sharing with neighbor, friend or family?
Expectation of working or playing within creation?
Expectation of knowing intimately the presence of the Spirit of God?
Continue to live you live in EXPECTATION of God’s every moment, of every day presence in our lives!
Pastor's Musings March 2011
We are now on our Lenten Journey towards Easter. It is a time of 40 days when we can take time to reflect on our relationship with God.
As we journey, I would ask you to be more aware of God’s presence in your life.
Where do you see God?
- in the beginning of spring with the greening of the grass and plants?
- in the changing weather and temperature?
- in the antics of the animals (birds, squirrels, etc.) in your yard?
- in your relationship with family?
- in your relationship with neighbors and friends?
- It is difficult to remember God when shoveling snow or driving through it.
- It is difficult to remember God when watching all the athletes as they compete.
- It is difficult to remember God when I’m holding my dog while she suffers a seizure.
- We have had two great musical presentations in our Worship experience: on June 7 we had Handbell Soloist, Kristine Stout from Joybell Theater and Gift Ship in Nashville, Indiana. On June 28 we had Kevin Sharp, Motivational/Inspirational Speaker and Platinum Country Recording Artist share his music and story.
- I have conducted three funerals since my return from vacation. One for a long time member and two for community persons.
- The congregation honored my 25 years of Ordination to the Christian Ministry on July 5 by having a special Worship experience and reception.
- It may be one who is lonely and needs to be reminded there are others.
- It may be one who suffering a loss and know that others care.
- It may be one who is dealing with a decision and just needs someone to share.
What are your expectations of God? And have you not looked close to you and missed the obvious?
Sometime when I least expect it, God’s presence is revealed when I am doing everyday tasks.
Let us continue to be on the journey together and experiencing God each day.
Blessed Lenten Season to you!
Pastor's Musings February 2011
Can you believe the weather we have been having here in Cincinnati? Snow every week, cold temperatures, occasional ice. Not that I mind the weather, it comes with the territory when you live where there are changes in the seasons.
What I don’t understand are those who chronically complain about the weather, are afraid to go out when it either snows or gets cold (and conversely won’t come out when it gets too hot in the summer). I just get up in the morning - look out the window - and deal with whatever it’s going to be that day.
What I do know is that the presence of God is always there, no matter the day or the weather. Whatever we do in life, God’s presence is constant. God will be with us in the middle of the winter or the middle of the summer.
Instead of constantly complaining about what we can control, we need to utilize our energy on what we can control - which is what we do with our lives.
What are you doing to do with your life today?
Pastor's Musings January 2011
Happy New Year to all! It is my hope and prayer that you experienced God is special ways this Christmas Season past!
This first two Sundays of the New Year has allowed me to reflect on what we are about in the life of the church.
The first Sunday during Worship we installed the Church Council for 2011 and the officers of other organizations. We as the gathered congregation, agreed to support these individuals as they work to guide the church through the new year and guide the ministry’s that we are about at St. Peter & St. Paul United Church of Christ. It is part of the business aspect of the church that needs to be done to keep the church functioning.
The second Sunday during Worship we acknowledged the beginning of the Epiphany Season. We heard the story of how the magi or wise ones arrived and presented the child, Jesus, with the gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. In response, we celebrated the Sacrament of Communion. As the gathered congregation, we Worshiped together to celebrate the Sacrament of Communion as we were called to do as followers of Christ. Our participation in Communion is what we do in response to God’s call to Worship together on a regular basis.
For us to function as a congregation, we need to be about both of the above activities. It is my hope that during the 2011 year that all of us will participate in one or both of these activities. Our participation together is what allows us to continue to be the church in our community.
What makes a church is our participation together in all activities. May we continue to be a congregation that ministers to our community!
Pastor's Musings November 2010
I have been lax about writing something for this page since September. For that I apologize.
Since the last time, I have been on vacation and spent time with grandchildren, great-grandchildren. We have as a family celebrated birthdays (my 60th) and anniversaries (my brother and sister-in-laws 25th). We have lamented the loss of loved ones who could not be present at these and other events that have occurred.
I’m sure that you have also done similar things with family and friends. As we begin that time of the year when we approach Thanksgiving; then Advent and move towards Christmas, how do we continue to be aware and cognizant of God’s presence in our lives?
v Last Sunday was All Saints Sunday and as I read off those names, I realized all the people whose lives I have touched and conversely - all the lives that had touched me. How many times we forget that God’s Presence comes to us in the relationships we have with other people. My interaction with folks allows me to know God in ways that I may not have thought about. I have in my 26 years of ordained ministry been blessed in many ways in experiencing the presence of God in a variety of ways.
It is my hope that as you journey through the rest of this year and all that it offers, that you will, too, be able to experience God. Experience God through your family, your friends, your neighbors, the check-out person at the grocery, the person who helped you at the Home Depot or Lowes, and even through those that you might not even have thought about.
v Be aware of God’s presence in your lives!!
Until next time - Happy Thanksgiving, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year (just in case I’m not on time getting another of these written)
Pastor's Musings September 2010
As we enter into the fall season, we begin looking for those signs of change. But really, I think we are looking for some sense commonality. We are seeking to get back on some type of schedule, something we can be sure of; something that gives a sense of stability to our lives.
Our times together at church do that. Whether it is when we are together on Sunday morning (Bible study, Fellowship time, Worship), or when it is during an organization meeting (social or business), it is a way to justify our existence.
As human beings, we like routine. Deep down inside we crave that. We like it in our daily routine, we like it at work, we like it at meetings, we even like it in our Worship order.
In actuality, I believe, we need to remember and to be reminded that God is the constant in our lives. God is always there, no matter what else is going on in our lives - no matter where we happen to be.
Even when our normal or seemingly normal lives are disrupted, we can turn to God. When we do that, we are acknowledging that we are in need of someone beyond ourselves - that someone, I call God.
At those moments when we feel that there is nothing else to do - GOD IS THERE - for you and for me.
Pastor's Musings August 2010
In speaking about the nature of God in his book, “People of the Lie”, M. Scott Peck says the following: “The point is that God does not punish. To create us in His image, God gave us free will. To have done otherwise would have been to make us puppets or hollow mannequins. Yet to give us free will God had to forswear the use of force against us. We do not have free will when there is a gun pointed at our back. It is not necessarily that God lacks the power to destroy us, to punish us, but that in His love for us He has painfully and terribly chosen never to use it. In agony He must stand by and let us be. He intervenes only to help, never to hurt. The Christian God is a God of restraint. Having forsworn the use of power against us, if we refuse His help, He has no recourse but, weeping, to watch us punish ourselves.”
It is important that we have an understanding of how God operates in creation. Many of us ask, “Why did God do this or that to that person?” or “Why did God allow such a thing to happen?” The truth of the matter is that allows us the freedom to make mistakes. I don’t believe we would like it any other way.
We need to remember that we bring many of our own problems on ourselves by our sinfulness. Although Jesus came to forgive and put aside our sins, the consequences and results of our sins still remain. God stand always ready to help us but God won’t change history just to make us feel better. We need to be aware that we must be responsible for the consequences of our actions. We need to remember that God is nearby to help but we must take responsibility for ourselves. God loves us and hope we will strive to do what is right.
(Just as an aside for my own information - I would appreciate any comments about my “musings”. It would help me to know what may or may not be important or challenging to you. Thank you in advance and God’s Blessings! - Pastor Marty: pastorspsp@zoomtown.com)
Pastor's Musings July 2010
The late Lord Cherwell, one time professor of physics at Oxford University and scientific advisor to Winston Churchill during the second World War, did something during World War I which was very admirable.
At that time any pilot who got into a spin would crash and usually lose his life. The professor studied the problem and managed to convert the aerodynamics of a spinning dive into a mathematical formula. He presented a case for correcting a tail spin. The officials were interested in his findings but felt that it would be too risky to ask any pilot to test this theory on the strength of a mere formula.
The Cherwell said, “Teach me to fly, and I will prove to you that the theory if true.” Within three weeks of qualifying, he flew to a great height and deliberately put himself into a spinning dive. The formula worked as he pulled the plane out of the dive in plenty of time. Then he went on to show that it also worked in a counter-clockwise direction.
The faith that shatters doubt is action commitment. It involves taking a risk. It is, as one person put it, “not belief in spite of evidence, but life in scorn of consequences.” The only way to be sure that Christ is all He claimed to be is to cease being a spectator and become a participant. Take a step toward Christ, however small it might be!
In our society we have become spectators in the game of life. The Christian is called to be more than a mere spectator of life. He is called to be a participant. We have, as an example, Jesus who came to earth and lead the way for us. He has showed us how we ought to live. His life was one of obedience and of service. He invested himself in the world for each and everyone of us. We can’t call ourselves Christian and then sit back and observe life as it passes us by. We must be in the front lives living our lives for one another as Jesus lived his life for us. No other response is acceptable from us.
(Just as an aside for my own information - I would appreciate any comments about my “musings”. It would help me to know what may or may not be important or challenging to you. Thank you in advance and God’s Blessings! - Pastor Marty: pastorspsp@zoomtown.com)
Pastor's Musings June 2010
I know I am writing this at the end of May and just entering into June. But I have been thinking about the upcoming Memorial Day holiday and the 4th of July celebration that will be fast approaching. There are always many things offered to help us to celebrate our freedom and independence. There are parades, fireworks, special events, concerts and picnics.
Independence Day is an important day in the life of our country. It marks the freedom of our people to choose for themselves. It marks the beginning of a concept of freedom of choice, and freedom to do what is right. The church has flourished in the free atmosphere of the United States. The United Church of Christ is a denomination that grew up in this atmosphere of freedom. Today this freedom has potential of being lost as we have become lazy.
Our country is founded on the principle of searching out and doing what is right. The Stamp Act of the 18th Century was seen as a wrong in the life of the people. The church in this century should be carrying on the tradition of questioning what is going on in our church, our country, and our world. We have, I believe, a responsibility to question and challenge the world around us.
The church needs to bring a Christian witness to bear on the society around us. God called us to be agents of justice, mercy, and righteousness. There is much in our world that needs to be changed and we need to search our hearts, our consciences, and souls to do all that we can to improve the world in which we live, and to bring our world closer to God. Each of us have opportunities to witness to our faith daily. We have opportunities to do our part to rectify some of the wrongs of the world. The process begins when we change the way we treat the people we meet.
(Just as an aside for my own information, I would appreciate any comments about my "musings." It would help me to know what may or may not be important or challenging to you. Thank you in advance and God's Blessings!
Pastor Marty
pastorspsp@zoomtown.com
Pastor's Musings May 2010
As I write this we are entering into the month of May. We are in the midst of Spring and Summer is fast approaching. We have experienced beautiful weather and cool, rainy times, as well. Summer brings with it the promise of family outings, vacations, swimming, picnicking, etc. Along with all of this is also God's promise in nature. As the weather grows warmer, the greening of nature is becoming more and more evident. We ought to take heart at the fulfillment of God's promises in creation.
The new life which emerged in Spring is coming to fullness of life with the coming of Summer. This is the same process that our faith needs to go through We need to allow God to bring our faith to fruition. The faith we have is as fragile as the young seedlings that we take care of early in the season. We take care of the seeds God places in our hands but all we can do in the final analysis is to sit by and watch as God goes to work. The same is true of our faith. God plants the seeds of faith in each one of us. We take care of the seed by nurturing it within ourselves but the final growth remains in God's hands.
Paul, when writing to the Corinthians, in 2 Corinthians 4:7, says we have this treasure in earthen vessels. This treasure is two-fold in nature. First, it is a treasure of ministry to one another. Second, it is a treasure of faith. God's Spirit resides in us uniquely having been breathed into us at creation. We need to take care of the seed of faith that we have in our earthen vessels.
As we approcach the Summer of 2010 I would encourage you to reflect on the faith that God has graciously bestowed upon you. Within each of us is a yearning for completeness and wholeness. This is a yearning for God's Spirit to become alive in each of us. May you cultivate God's presence and grow in that Spirit. God wants us to grow in faith and will assist us in our efforts. May we provide a suitable atmosphere for our faith to grow and come to fullness of life.
(Just as an aside for my own information - I would appreciate any comments about my "musings." It would help me to know what may or may not be important or challenging to you. Thank you in advance and God's Blessings!)
Pastor's Musings April 2010
As we enter into the Season of Easter, I was thinking of all the ways that God has come to us in our lives. Most of the time it is through other people.
I ran across a test that challenges us about what we know and thought I would share it with you:
1. Name the five wealthiest people in the world.
2. Name the last five Heisman trophy winners.
3. Name the last five winners of the Miss America contest.
4. Name ten people who have won the Nobel or Pulitzer prize.
5. Name the last half dozen Academy Award winners for best actor and actress.
6. Name the last decade's worth of World Series winners.
How did you do?
The point is, none of us remembe the headliners of yesterday. These are no second-rate achievers. They are the best in their fields. But the applause dies. Awards tarnish. Achievements are forgotten. Accolades and certificates are buried with their owners.
See how you do on this one:
1. List a few teachers who aided your journey through school.
2. Name three friends who have helped you through a difficult time.
3. Name five people who have taught you something worthwhile.
4. Think of a few people who have mad eyou feel appreciated and special.
5. Think of five people you enjoy spending time with.
6. Name half a dozen heroes whose stories have insired you.
Easier?
The lesson?
The people who make a difference in your life are not the ones with the most credentials, the most money, or the most awards. They are the ones that care.
The people most important to us are the ones we know, the ones we interact with on a regular basis, the ones that are a part of our lives.
Now that you have named who they are, don't forget to thank them for their contribution(s) to our life - no matter how small - it will make their day, AND YOURS.
May you continue to know God's presence through those who are in your life.
Pastor's Musings February 2010
Here we are in February - the Lenten Season has begun. Outside it’s snowing - AGAIN! We’ve been watching the Olympics on TV when we can. Our dog’s health is failing and she’s on two different medications.
And I think: What a diverse world we live in!
As I prepare to journey through this Lenten Season, looking at the life of Jesus on the road to Jerusalem, I am very aware that I live in the world with other distractions, including the ones I listed above.
As I look at those situations, I thank God for the many ways in which to see God’s presence. Sometimes, I think that we only remember Jesus’ journey when at church or during a devotional time.
For me the challenge is to stay focused on my journey with Jesus and to let that impact the rest of my life. I face the world, look at it, and think: how blessed those athletes are at the Olympics, the snow graces the world with a beauty in shades of white, and the allegiance I have received from my dog.
How do you see the world? Are you aware of God’s presence in all situations? During your Lenten journey I pray that you will continue to remember how God is in all your experiences.
Pastor's Musings January 2010
One of the most important needs in life is hope. Hope energizes us. It provides the strength and courage to go on when life is a great struggle. It gives us visions of new ways to do work or organize society so that people can be helped. It enables us to imagine that we could be different and gives that great energy needed to try to change. Hope helps us to persevere.
Hope is a creation of God. Usually we think of creation in terms of the physical world and plant and animal life. Recently it has seemed to me that hope is a much more important part of God's creation. Having just gone through Advent, Christmas and into Epiphany, Jesus' birth into the world offered unmeasurable hope to the whole world.
As we look back at God's relationship with the people of God in the Old Testament, we see God offering hope of a new society where people could live in peace and justice and not be slaves.
The prophet Isaiah speaks to people in exile, away from families and things that give meaning to life - and offers wonderful poetic images calling the people to hope again, to look for their God. Some hear. With hope and hard work and much suffering, life goes on. New possibilities are born.
Jesus announced the coming of the Kingdom or Realm of God. He showed the authority of God over all that is made, especially over all that distorts God's purposes and block God's ways. Then Jesus is killed and his followers are in confusion and despair. Easter is the celebration of the return of hope. No power in creation is able to overcome the love of God.
Life and hope are God's creation and God can recreate them - resurrect them. With that power we can be new, our world can be different and better. Let's join God in working for that life where all are cared for and become the full persons God intends them to be.
Pastor's Musings December 2009
I was able to write something early - something I don't always get done. So Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you!
With the recent front that moved through bringing the gale force winds, I got to thinking about September 2008 and the wind storm we had that day.
Isn't the wind a curious thing? I don't yet really understand from where it comes. I know what it can do. It can be violent and destructive or it can be gentle and sweet. In the case of a sailboat, it can become the energy to glide a vessel effortlessly across the water. The power of the wind can be borrowed to turn great windmills to pump water or provide electric power. It can be used to fly a kite. It always determines the direction a hot air balloon will fly.
One thing is certain and that is that the wind will blow where it wants to blow. We can tag along with our sails, our windmills, our kites or our balloons. There is nothing we can do though to make the wind do what we want, but we can learn to cooperate with it.
God's Holy Spirit is like the wind. The Spirit is there to give direction to our lives, power to our witness, and strength to our faith. You cannot turn on or turn off to the Spirit when it is convenient because God is not like water flowing from a faucet. Instead, God is like the wind which we cannot control but with which we can cooperate. Like the wind, God's Spirit will move without regard to our decisions or whether or not we find it convenient. We can each be part of that movement if we are only willing to open our lives to God and to God's call. As a result, our Creator's unseen energy will flow through us and move us to go places and do things we never before thought possible.
Maybe, if I can't pilot my own sailboat or hot air balloon, or fly my own kite, I can at least be God's instrument in this life.
Pastor's Musings December 2009
I am writing this two days before Thanksgiving. So, the first thing is to wish you Happy Thanksgiving. I pray that you are able to share the day with family and/or friends and be thankful for the many blessings that God has given you.
Sunday November 29th, we begin the Season of Advent, the four week journey towards Christmas. I would hope that during this four week journey that you live life the way the Scriptures ask us to.
That is: Watch, Wait, Prepare, Anticipate
Society says that we need to start Christmas the day after Thanksgiving and is over on December 26th. Whereas, in the Church, we have a build up of 4 weeks that allow us to watch, wait, prepare and anticipate the celebration of the birth of Jesus. Following that are the Twelve Days of Christmas culminating in Epiphany when we can take time to not only celebrate, but to relish in the presence of God which has come to us.
So, my friends:
- How are you watching for the coming of Christ? Do you see him as you journey through life? Are you even looking? Do you see him in others or in the creation through which you journey every day?
- How are you Waiting? Are you an anxious person or patient? Are you busy or are you just idle, not doing anything?
- How are you Preparing? Are you worrying more about your house, the presents, the outside decorations that you are about remembering Jesus' birth? Are you preparing your faith for the celebration on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day?
- How are you Anticipating? Are you ready for Jesus coming again into your life or are you worrying about the gifts you may or may not receive?
Again, we need to remember the adage, "Jesus is the Reason for the Season." Enjoy time with family and friends, take time to Worship throughout the season, but on Christmas Day - take time to offer a prayer thanking God for the gift of Jesus!
I wish each and every one of you a Merry Christmas!
And if I don't get back to this in time - Happy New Year as we enter 2010!
Pastor's Musings October 2009
It is that time of year again, Thanksgiving. This is the time we set aside each year to give thanks to God for all the many blessings we have received. We pause at our dinner tables to give thanks for family and friends who have gathered for the holiday. We reflect back over the past year and what God has given to us. This is a good thing to do, but it is hardly enough. Once a year is not a proper response to God's goodness and love.
We usually give thanks to God when we feel that God has come through for us on a specific prayer request. These seem to be demonstrate results that we can be thankful to God for. These tend to be at very dramatic times in our lives. It is well that we do give thanks at these special times. Again, this is hardly a proper response to the God who created us.
We need to cultivate an ongoing thankfulness for the many daily blessings that come our way. We must thank God for beauty, love, peace, friends, life, and even for God's presence. All of these daily blessings are hard to remember in the light of the special things God does for us. Let us pause, at some time each day, to reflect on what God has given to us so that we can be truly thankful. It is so easy to overlook the blessings God has in store for us.
It is important for us to remember the original significance of Thanksgiving. The Pilgrims had a hard and difficult time in the New World. We have tended to romanticize the events surrounding the first Thanksgiving. Granted they were thankful, but their feast was much less than most of us will be sitting down to on Thanksgiving. The Pilgrims knew the real meaning of Thanksgiving. It would do each of us well to strive for this kind of Thanksgiving.
There is so much in our lives that we need to be thankful for that every day should be Thanksgiving Day. It is to our shame that we aren't more thankful than we are. As we proceed towards the Thanksgiving holiday, let us be thankful for God's ongoing care and concern for us. Let us use every spare moment at our disposal to think about what it is we have to be thankful for. All we have is God's gift to us although we have earned everything. We only use the talent(s) that God gives us to have the things we have. Let us thank God that God does care for and about each one of us.
Pastor's Musings August 2009
Summer is coming to an end - at least I hope it is. Following is a musing I had after reading Paul’s letter to the church in Corinth. It is more detailed than what I usually write, so please bear with me.
Hear the words of Paul, in his first letter to the church in Corinth: “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love God - but God has revealed to us by the Spirit.” (1 Corinthians 2:9-10) These are words of power and encouragement for people of faith everywhere. We often find ourselves full of questions and doubts about what is going on in our lives. The key words, I believe, in this passage are “for those who love God”. If we truly love God, and strive to follow the road of love, God will lead us to depths of understanding and ministry.
God has limitless power to make a significant difference in our lives if only we will allow God room in our living. All too often we put limits on what God can do for us because of the barriers we put in the way. If only we were open to the moving of the Spirit, we would find there are many things we think to be impossible that we could and should be doing. God wants us to live our lives by the principle of love no matter what the consequences appear to be. I firmly believe that God will take care of us when we have the courage to love one another.
To love one another is not an easy road to travel but the rewards are great to those who will dare to walk with God’s presence. Paul tells us that we have no way of knowing, from an intellectual perspective, what God has in store for us. Our knowledge and understanding only comes from the revelation of the Spirit. As we walk with the Spirit we gain insights into what God has for us.
Paul also says that only we know our inner most secrets and the Spirit knows the inner most secrets of God. The important thing is that we have received the Spirit of God and not the spirit of the world, so therefore, we can a least get a glimpse of God’s gifts to us. As we open ourselves to the moving of the Spirit, we can begin to know what God is leading us.
In 1 Corinthians 13:12, Paul says that we now see dimly in a mirror but later we will be able to see better. The image of God we see comes more clearly into focus when we walk in love to God and all people. To love as God loves makes us vulnerable and, hence, uncomfortable. But when we have taken the chance and loved us God has called us to love we have experienced the warmth of God’s grace.
There is no better way to walk than the way of love. When we love, we can see what God has prepared for us. It is then that the eye, ear, and mind of faith is at work within us.
May God continue to work in and through you!
Pastor's Musings July 2009
Since my last "Musing" there have been a variety of situations that have stimulated my thinking.
In all these situations I was honored to have been present - either as a congregation/audience person or as the Pastor. In all these situations I was struck by how God was working through all these events.
I was moved by the music of Kristine and Kevin, by the testimony of Kevin, by the families who allowed me into their inner circle in a very emotional time, and by all those who offered support of my Ordained Ministry.
Have you ever wondered whether what you do or say matters or means anything? I am continually finding out that it does! In all that we do, God is present and allowing us to be in relationship with one another.
I felt God through the music I heard and sang, the words that were shared to me and by me, the emotions that were present. God comes to us in so many ways that allows us to be the human beings we were created to be.
May God continue to speak to you in a variety of ways so that you may be assured that you do not journey alone.
GOD IS STILL SPEAKING!
Pastor's Musings June 2009
In my previous “Musing” I asked how you may see God in your life. This time, I am asking you how you respond to knowing or feeling God in your life?
On Pentecost, I preached about how God’s Spirit showed no partiality on that first Pentecost and continues to not show partiality today. The Holy Spirit comes to each of us, no matter who we are: old, young, tall, short, married, unattached, working or not.
The Spirit is given by God to be available to each of us. And each of us is given a specific and individual message to share. No one else can share the message of how God has touched you - except YOU! I can’t do it, your spouse can’t do it, your children or anyone else.
And if you don’t share it, who will? I mean, are you going to let that special message from God to you remain only with you? Being a Christian is about sharing what we have with others. If we can’t share our reason for being in Worship or being involved in ministry - what are we doing?
You message needs to be shared with others.
Do not assume, my friends, that only certain people possess the ability to share God’s Word. Each one of you has the potential to be an angel, that is, a “Messenger of God, to someone else. Let us continue to support one another in our journey of faith together.
Let us continue, together to be God’s people to each other!!
Pastor's Musings May 2009
I wrote in our May newsletter about nearsightedness and not being able to see the whole picture. I didn't go into detail, but only related that I know what is is to be nearsighted.
I have worn glasses since I was in the second grade. It was one of those teachers who move you from the front of the row to the back every grade period. Well, I made it to the back sometime during the school year and what do you know, I couldn't read the black board (I know, we still had black boards when I was in school.)
My parents took me to get glasses. I remember that I had bifocals and kept trying to "step up" where there was no step. As I grew accustomed to them, I began to notice things that I hadn't seen before. Wires between telephone poles, individual leaves on trees, the grill work on the steeple of the church. No wonder I had become a voracious reader! That's all I could see!
Ergo, my point of not being able to see the larger picture. As you continue through life this Spring and into Summer, do you only see the flowers in your yard?
Do you notice the entire scope of God's Creation? Do you help only those who are in your purview or do you offer a word or help to all those whose path's cross yours? How do you see God in your life, not only today, but tomorrow and tomorrow and tomorrow?
May God's blessing continue to be made known to you!
Pastor's Musings March 2009
We have moved into the Season of Lent - that time when we follow Jesus on his journey to Jerusalem.
I preached the other week about how we respond to Jesus' call. During Lent we tend to traditionally "give up" certain things - candy, alcohol, smoking, special desserts, etc. I raised the question of what is it that we really need to "give up"?
The point of doing that is to be reminded that when we want whatever it is we "give up", that we move our minds to Jesus and his journey to Jerusalem. To be reminded of his life and what he did and continues to do in our life.
I proposed in my sermon that instead of giving up any particular thing, that we should "give up everything". We should turn our entire life over to God through Jesus - and in doing so, we "give up" those things that separate us from God. What we "give up" then, is not something we really want, but something we don't really need in our relationship with God.
As we continue in this Lenten Season, can you "give up" everything? Can you turn you life over to God through Jesus in order to understand better what God has in plan for you?
May God's blessing continue be made known to you!
Pastor's Musings February 2009
I can't believe it - it's already February - where did the time go?
Didn't we just celebrate Christmas and then New Year's?
And then we had all that snow, ice, wind and c-o-l-d temperatures.
This year we have a little time between Epiphany and the beginning of the Lenten Season. It's almost as if we have a little hiatus between Liturgical Seasons.
Sometimes we need that "down time". I believe that we get up in the rush of the holidays or the family traditions or our work schedule. We begin to just go through the motions, not really paying attention to what we are doing, why are we doing, and who are we really trying to impress.
- So, when we do we remember that we are God's?
- And when do we remember that what we are doing with our life is honoring God?
I suppose that I am suggesting that during this time before Lent begins and we get caught up in that schedule, that we slow down (like we did during the Level 3 Snow Emergency) and re-connect with God.
Turn off the TV, put down the remote and DVD's, turn off the radio, logoff the Internet and take time to be with God. Use a devotional or read a portion of Scripture and think on it.
- Does it speak to you?
- How does it speak to you?
- Does it challenge you?
- Does it bother you?
- Will it make you consider making changes in your life?
After you wrestle with those questions and others that you may raise yourself, turn to God in prayer. Be open to God and the response that you may receive and the way in which you may receive it. God speaks to us in many ways and we need to be open to them (others, Scripture, something we read, music, nature, etc.)
May you continue to be aware of how God is part of your life!!
Pastor's Musings December 2008
I wish everyone a joyous Christmas Holiday!! It is my prayer that you all experience the presence of Christ during this time of the year.
Following is the article I wrote for our 2009 Annual Meeting coming up in January. I thought that it might challenge some as we prepare to look at a New Year.
As we enter into this New Year of 2009, we have many challenges before us in our world. A new president is in office, we are still engaged in armed conflict in varied places throughout the world, the economy is causing everyone to look at making "life-style shifts", and we are afraid of what the future may hold.
As we live in that world, we need to have a sense of what is important, especially spiritually. How do we see God in our daily lives? How does God's presence impact our decision making as we journey through this world? On what are we grounded as we deal with events and situations that seem to be out of our control?
As we begin a new year together as the church, we need to look again at what we feel we are about as a community of faith located in this particular place at this particular time. We need to really (and I mean R-E-A-L-L-Y) look deep down inside and decide what is truly important to us as the community of faith we call St. Peter & St. Paul United Church of Christ.
We need to re-think our meaning, purpose, vision and ministries. Are they reaching people? Are they learning about God's presence in their lives? Are they being challenged to think about the importance of God in one's life? Are our ministries meeting the needs of the people in our community? Are we open enough to allow the people of the community into our lives? Are we truly sharing the Good News with those who need to hear it most?
I keep thinking of when Jesus was born - in a manger (almost not), where no one really cared if his family could have a place to stay. Jesus came in what the Bible describes as "lowly birth" or in today's terms, "poor as dirt". What Jesus did with his life defined the relationship we have with God and others in God's name. But in today's world, how much of that do we really believe?
I don't have any answers, but I do know that we need to walk together towards a different understanding of what is to be church.
Pastor's Musings October 2008
We are almost through October and heading for November, so thought I would address a word study that I have looked at over the years.
Have you ever noticed the similarity between the words think and thank? It is not just a coincidence. The word thank was derived from a very ancient form of the word think. The same thing is true in the German language. The word "denken" (to think) is related to the word "danken" (to thank).
Unless you happen to be a person who enjoys etymology for etymology's sake, you may be saying to yourself, "Well, so what?" Personally, I believe that thinking is still very much a part of thanking. Stated another way, those who do not give proper thanks are not really thinking.
Many of us may have learned how to thank people for things we have been given directly. Unfortunately, some people never thank God because they do not think that God gave them anything. The truth is that everything we have has been given to us indirectly by God. Even the money we earn with our own hands is the result of God giving us the ability.
The month of November stands out on the calendar for having one day set aside specifically for thanksgiving. I hope that you will enjoy that day as much as I do and also that you will remember to give thanks throughout the whole year.
Pastor's Musings
September 2008
Can you believe it? Here we are already into September. I am writing this on Thursday, September 11, 2008. As I thing about that date, I consider all the changes that have come into not only my life, but our lives since that date in 2001.
Our lives are changed in how we pack to travel, how we have to have proof of citizenship for drivers licence's, passports, etc. We are more aware of our surroundings, we are in line for security (airport, sporting events, even political gatherings - like when the Presidential candidates have been in our area). We all know someone in our family or neighborhood that has someone in the armed forces serving in Iraq or having served.
What this is saying to me, is that change is always occurring in our lives. And not always in the way that we would like it to be. Part of the human psyche is that we do not like to be out of control and definitely not changing what we feel is comfortable.
So, how does God enter into how we deal with the change that is always occurring in our lives? The major changes I mention above and the small changes we deal with every day?
When you are confronted with a change in your life, how do you react? Do you react without thinking? Or do you see how this change may help you to understand life or to see how God is speaking to you?
It is always a challenge to understand how God is working in our lives. I’ve come to the realization that God is most likely to be working through the changes in my life than in the everyday routine - and that is because I am challenged to take another look at what is happening to me. Usually, I begin to understand, after a bit of frustration, that God is wanting me to view the situation in another way, and in doing so, come to another way of understanding God.
In the changes that are occurring in your life, do you see or understand God? I pray that you will continue to experience God through the changes in your life!
Pastor's Musings - July 2008
Since my last writing, much had happened in our world and within the life of the church. The Easter Season has come and gone, we have celebrated Pentecost and the coming of the Holy Spirit into the world through the disciples. As we continue to strive to live as followers of Jesus and call ourselves Christians we need to also be aware of the Spirit. As you journey through the day, do you see or experience the Spirit in your life? As you journey through the day, what are you expecting the Spirit to do or be in your life?
Do you go through life “expecting” the Holy Spirit to be present?Do you have “expectations” about how God will be working in your life?What are your “expectations” about how God enters into your life?
Usually, we have preconceived ideas of how God functions. I am challenging you to go through life not living in the past, but looking toward tomorrow with “expectation”.
It is my hope and prayer that you will continue to know and experience God each and every moment of each and every day.
Pastor's Musings March 24, 2008
Christ is risen!! Alleluia! Christ is risen indeed!
We have just celebrated Jesus’ Resurrection on Easter. I pray that you may have not only celebrated but felt the presence of the living Christ in your life.
But now we are in that time we call post-Easter, the time following Jesus’ resurrection when he appears not only to the disciples, but to others, as well.
On Easter Sunday it is easy to feel and get caught up in the emotion of the moment. And now, it’s back to the old, every day grind. And we begin to forget about how we felt on that Easter Sunday morning. On Easter Sunday, we should not just feel and get caught up in the moment, we need to be changed or transformed. We should leave the Worship experience different than when we entered.
Every time we come into Christ’s presence, we are changed. It may not be a dramatic change, but it will be something that will give us pause, to stop and think, to look at the world in a different way. It may mean being challenged to try something new and different, maybe even uncomfortable.
As we continue through this Easter Season towards Pentecost hearing those stories about Jesus and how he continues to encounter those who believe, may you continue to encounter Jesus Christ in your life. God’s blessings to you as you continue to search and to journey!
Pastor's Musings February 28, 2008
First a prayer as we gather:
O God, we have begun our Lenten Journey this year. As we look are challenged to look again at our relationship with you, we pray for your Spirit to be with us. May we be able to recognize your presence in all we do. Amen.
On February 6th we began our Lenten Journey this year. Can you believe that it came so early this year?
During these weeks as we move toward Holy Week and Easter, we need to be re-evaluating our relationship with God. As we follow Jesus’ life towards Jerusalem and ultimately the cross and death, we need to ask ourselves - What is important to me in this life?
As you and I live in this world, there are many obstructions, many temptations that draw us away from our focus on Jesus and our relationship with God.
As you journey through this world:
How do you see others?
How do you understand circumstances in which you find yourself?
How do you respond in any given situation?
Do you allow the presence of God to assist you in your decision making process or do you try to do it on your own?
As we journey this year, be more aware of God’s presence in your life and turn to God for guidance.
May you continue to be blessed with God’s presence this Lenten Season!
