July 1, 2023

 

Serve Like Jesus

 

What does the Bible say about serving others? Jesus gave us a perfect example.

 

It was just before the Passover Festival. Jesus knew that the hour had come for him to leave this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end.

² The evening meal was in progress, and the devil had already prompted Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot, to betray Jesus. ³ Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God; ⁴ so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. ⁵ After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him.

⁶ He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, “Lord, are you going to wash my feet?”

⁷ Jesus replied, “You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand.”

⁸ “No,” said Peter, “you shall never wash my feet.”

Jesus answered, “Unless I wash you, you have no part with me.”

⁹ “Then, Lord,” Simon Peter replied, “not just my feet but my hands and my head as well!”

¹⁰ Jesus answered, “Those who have had a bath need only to wash their feet; their whole body is clean. And you are clean, though not every one of you.” ¹¹ For he knew who was going to betray him, and that was why he said not every one was clean.

¹² When he had finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and returned to his place. “Do you understand what I have done for you?” he asked them. ¹³ “You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and rightly so, for that is what I am. ¹⁴ Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. ¹⁵ I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. ¹⁶ Very truly I tell you, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. ¹⁷ Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.” – John 13:1-17

 

True faith translates itself into action.

 

We’re to love God, love others, care for others, and live our lives in such a way that we point others toward Jesus.

 

How does Christian service and community service differ? Both are good things. The difference is that Christian service points others in the direction of Jesus. We are to mirror the life of Jesus and the love of God.

 

Who do we serve? Only Christians? Only those the world deems to be worthy?

 

³¹ “When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his glorious throne. ³² All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. ³³ He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left.

³⁴ “Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. ³⁵ For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, ³⁶ I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’

³⁷ “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? ³⁸ When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? ³⁹ When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’

⁴⁰ “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’

⁴¹ “Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. ⁴² For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, ⁴³ I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.’

⁴⁴ “They also will answer, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?’

⁴⁵ “He will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.’

⁴⁶ “Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life.” – Matthew 25: 31-44

 

What would happen if we lived our lives as though we truly believed that? How would that change how we live? How would that change the world that lives around us?

 

A generous person will prosper;

whoever refreshes others will be refreshed. -- Proverbs 11:25

 

How many times do we tell ourselves, and others, that we can’t afford to tithe? We can’t afford to give to others? We can’t possibly share a meal or clothing or anything else, especially our time?

 

Whoever is kind to the poor lends to the Lord,
and he will reward them for what they have done. -- Proverbs 19:17

 

Do you help the poor? Even those you don’t deem worthy? What’s the difference between enabling someone and truly helping them? Maybe it’s buying food instead of giving money.

 

The generous will themselves be blessed,
for they share their food with the poor.

-- Proverbs 22:9

 

Service changes us. It causes us to look beyond ourselves and see others and their needs. I once had someone say that the men’s group would NOT help an elderly widow because she had family that could help her. That family wasn’t helping but she was deemed unworthy because they should have helped her.

 

Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. -- Romans 12:10

 

Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. -- 1 Peter 4:10

 

 

Does everyone have the same gifts? Should everyone serve in the same way? Laurel is a talented photographer so she’s using her gifts. We all have gifts. And we all have a choice to use those gifts in a way that causes others to see Jesus.

 

You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh^; rather, serve one another humbly in love.

-- Galatians 5:13

 

Who wants to be first? Who wants the accolades of being the lead singer in the band or the largest financial donor? Who wants to be sought after and praised?

 

 ³⁵ Then James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came to him. “Teacher,” they said, “we want you to do for us whatever we ask.”

³⁶ “What do you want me to do for you?” he asked.

³⁷ They replied, “Let one of us sit at your right and the other at your left in your glory.”

³⁸ “You don’t know what you are asking,” Jesus said. “Can you drink the cup I drink or be baptized with the baptism I am baptized with?”

³⁹ “We can,” they answered.

Jesus said to them, “You will drink the cup I drink and be baptized with the baptism I am baptized with, ⁴⁰ but to sit at my right or left is not for me to grant. These places belong to those for whom they have been prepared.”

⁴¹ When the ten heard about this, they became indignant with James and John. ⁴² Jesus called them together and said, “You know that those who are regarded as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. ⁴³ Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, ⁴⁴ and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all. ⁴⁵ For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” -- Mark 10:35-45

 

Jesus talked a lot about service. So did the Old Testament.

 

“Shout it aloud, do not hold back.
    Raise your voice like a trumpet.
Declare to my people their rebellion
    and to the descendants of Jacob their sins.
² For day after day they seek me out;
    they seem eager to know my ways,
as if they were a nation that does what is right
    and has not forsaken the commands of its God.
They ask me for just decisions
    and seem eager for God to come near them.
³ ‘Why have we fasted,’ they say,
    ‘and you have not seen it?
Why have we humbled ourselves,
    and you have not noticed?’

“Yet on the day of your fasting, you do as you please
    and exploit all your workers.
⁴ Your fasting ends in quarreling and strife,
    and in striking each other with wicked fists.
You cannot fast as you do today
    and expect your voice to be heard on high.
⁵ Is this the kind of fast I have chosen,
    only a day for people to humble themselves?
Is it only for bowing one’s head like a reed
    and for lying in sackcloth and ashes?
Is that what you call a fast,
    a day acceptable to the Lord?

⁶ “Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen:
to loose the chains of injustice
    and untie the cords of the yoke,
to set the oppressed free
    and break every yoke?
⁷ Is it not to share your food with the hungry
    and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter—
when you see the naked, to clothe them,
    and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood?
⁸ Then your light will break forth like the dawn,
    and your healing will quickly appear;
then your righteousness^[a] will go before you,
    and the glory of the Lord will be your rear guard.
⁹ Then you will call, and the Lord will answer;
    you will cry for help, and he will say: Here am I.

“If you do away with the yoke of oppression,
    with the pointing finger and malicious talk,
¹⁰ and if you spend yourselves in behalf of the hungry
    and satisfy the needs of the oppressed,
then your light will rise in the darkness,
    and your night will become like the noonday.
¹¹ The Lord will guide you always;
    he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land
    and will strengthen your frame.
You will be like a well-watered garden,
    like a spring whose waters never fail.

-- Isaiah 58:1-11

 

¹⁴ What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them? ¹⁵ Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. ¹⁶ If one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? ¹⁷ In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead. -- James 2:14-18

 

We’re good at praying, aren’t we? Or, at least, we’re good at telling people we’ll pray for them. What would happen if we actually put hands and feet to that prayer? If our deeds matched our words?

 

Ashley Boggan, the top executive of the United Methodist Commission on Archives and History spoke recently to the Council of Bishops. She urged them to become like John Wesley, to be proactive, provocative and prophetic, rather than merely reactive to organizational and ecclesial needs.

 

Wesley wasn’t always at the forefront of change. She noted that he resisted preaching outside of the confines of a church – until he witnessed George Whitefield preaching to thousands in the seaport city of Bristol, England.

 

 

 Whitefield had met the masses where they were. He was reaching those who had been forgotten, discarded, irrelevant. Wesley saw this and changed. Wesley wrote that “at four in the afternoon, I submitted to ‘be more vile’ and proclaim in the highways the glad tidings of salvation.” Boggan also noted that in doing this Wesley directly and openly violated the church law of his day.

 

This isn’t to slam churches or the need for worship. But it’s an acknowledgement that the people we most need to reach today don’t feel that the Christian faith, that Jesus Himself, is relevant today. Maybe, just maybe, it’s because they see so many people proclaiming a faith they do not live.

 

We have a wonderful opportunity to get involved in many, many different ways. There’s a need for substitute teachers in the children’s department and substitute workers in the nursery. Vacation Bible School needs volunteers. The senior ministry needs substitute bus drivers.

 

Our pastor would like to begin a homebound communion ministry. Perhaps it would mean visiting one person or couple each month to give them sacraments that the pastor has already blessed.

 

There’s also a desire to rekindle the nursing home ministry. It would involve a program the first Sunday of each month. We would serve communion, offer a devotional and sing some of the older hymns.

 

The choir needs more people. Always. There’s a need for additional volunteers to package and distribute food every month at the food pantry.

 

I hope everyone will consider how they can intentionally serve others as Jesus did. We are, after all, meant to be His hands and feet.

 

February 7, 2023

 

Financial Gain

 

If anyone teaches otherwise and does not agree to the sound instruction of our Lord Jesus Christ and to godly teaching, they are conceited and understand nothing. They have an unhealthy interest in controversies and quarrels about words that result in envy, strife, malicious talk, evil suspicions and constant friction between people of corrupt mind, who have been robbed of the truth and who think that godliness is a means to financial gain.

– 1 Timothy 6:3-5

 

Paul didn’t use soft words. He’d just written about slaves having respect for their owners and then he went right on to false teachers, unrest and money. God surely shows us exactly what we need and when.

 

I’ve written about our divided local church and the path toward a vote on disaffiliating from the United Methodist Church. There are those who insist it’s over “traditional values” but the hard truth is that it’s all about money. And power. Oh, and control. It’s coming from people who think it’s okay to write a check, tell everyone else how to run the church, and then most of the time don’t bother to even show up. And it’s about judgmental people who point fingers without bothering to exam themselves.

 

At times I beat myself up for my own judgmental attitude. I struggle with anger at the pointlessness of it all. Where is Jesus in all this? Why do people think it’s okay to blame others for all the church’s flaws when they don’t bother to show up?

 

Money. Money. Money. There unfortunately are people who truly believe that money should give them the right to “own” church property. There are those who truly believe that money should give them the right to control all the decisions in the church, whether it’s hiring, Bible studies or various ministries.

 

I am a thorn that keeps drawing blood. Jesus’ blood. Because I believe that the church and all its properties belong to God. I believe that Jesus Himself should dictate hiring and Bible studies and all ministries.

 

I could provide my “credentials” if you will. I could talk about family history and ministry activities and volunteer hours. But why? I do what God calls me to do. I have nothing to brag about other than what Jesus has done for me.

 

We are stewards of what God has placed in our care, whether people or things. There are those who would destroy what is His because of their own greed and lust for power. It’s nothing more than a business deal to them.

 

I have no idea how it will all turn out. Satan seems determined to destroy what God has built. His minions are hard at work, spreading lies and constantly causing unrest. Deep inside, a peace fills me. This battle belongs to God.

January 28, 2023

 

How Did Jesus Do It?

 

“But to you who are listening I say: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.” – Luke 6:27-28

 

Oh, Jesus! How did you do it? How did you love people intent on betraying you? How did you forgive people intent on destroying your temple for money and power and greed?

 

It’s not as though Jesus didn’t know. He did. He chosen the twelve. He broke bread with all of them, including Judas, knowing that he’d be betrayed for 30 pieces of silver.

 

Money. Why does it seem like all these years later it still controls the hearts of men and women who proclaim the name of Jesus and still seem intent on betraying him? Will we “sell” our church for the privilege of excluding people made in His image?

 

Disaffiliation from the United Methodist Church has nothing to do with Jesus and the Bible. It has everything to do with men and women who are afraid of anyone who might be different. It’s about power and control. And let’s not forget money. Because those with the most money have the power and control of the church. No female preachers. No homosexuals. No to anyone who might look different than them.

 

And, yet, Jesus loves them. He calls us to forgiveness. He tells us to pray for them. He commands us to do good to those who would harm us. I look around at all the false disciples and see heartache and betrayal. Jesus sees those created in the image of God.

 

 It’s not too late. I remind myself that God can make a way when no way seems possible. I search scripture for passages of His Glory showing up at the last minute. I know this battle isn’t about buildings and endowments. I know it’s about souls and eternal life. This battle isn’t mine to fight.

 

Still, I struggle to do my part. I don’t want to love people who seek to harm our family. That’s what it is. Family. Now it’s torn apart and, regardless of the disaffiliation vote, nothing will ever be the same. Maybe that’s the point. Maybe Jesus wants to make us broken bread so that He can remold us into something far better than we could ever have done ourselves.

January 27, 2023

 

Who’s in Charge?

 

After I looked things over, I stood up and said to the nobles, the officials and the rest of the people, “Don’t be afraid of them. Remember the Lord, who is great and awesome, and fight for your families, your sons and your daughters, your wives and your homes.” – Nehemiah 4:14

 

In many ways it’s a fight between those who have money and power and those who are regular people. Factor in people who want to be part of the money and power group and it appears a landslide toward disaffiliation from the United Methodist Church. But God has never been One to sit on the sidelines while people try to destroy His church.

 

What’s going to happen? I really don’t know. It’s impossible to predict what God will do. He could leave people who claim to know Him to their own devices. He could allow evil to rise up and use His name to further themselves. Or He could raise His might against those who seek to control what is His.

 

Satan is doing his best to destroy what God has built. At least that is what appears to be happening. I wonder now how long Satan has been a part of this church. How long have people masqueraded as Christ followers all the while only knowing the darkness of evil in their hearts?

 

People are afraid. They follow like little puppets, assured that going against those in power will result in destruction. They’ve witnessed the business dealings, the legal proceedings, the horror of opposing a ruling class that appears unstoppable. This is the Deep South. This is still a small town. Certain families are in charge.

 

Until they’re not. If we truly believe in the Gospel, if we truly know that God judges our hearts, if we truly understand the power of the Holy Spirit, then how can we give up without a fight?

 

I’ve seen miracles happen. I’ve witnessed God showing up in the midst of the impossible. I’ve watched as those who seemed untouchable were brought low by the mighty power of Jesus.

 

I have no idea how this will end. But I do believe that in this moment God has called me to stand still and watch His mighty sword. Perhaps Whatever happens, I follow Christ. I call on Him for strength and wisdom. I pray for light to guide the way. His will be done.

January 24, 2023

 

Beware of Your Words

 

“Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven.” – Luke 6:37

 

She sat in the very back, watching it all. When the pastor began praying, she began talking about how awful he is and listing all that he had done to harm her church. She is furious at him for what she believes he hasn’t done. She doesn’t see the need to look in the mirror.

 

A few years back she needed, and received, grace. She was fired from her job because of harsh words that deeply hurt a child. Her church, the very one she attends, extended grace and helped her heal. This church even offered her a job that led to her restoration in her chosen field.

 

And now she sat back and condemned a man for doing his best in an awful situation. She rarely lifts a finger to do anything but judge. She’s blaming someone else for all that she sees wrong. She believes, as do others, that a new pastor will fix everything. It won’t because the problem isn’t the pastor. The problem is her and all the others who expect more from one person than he can possibly give. The problem is that we all have forgotten about serving others.

 

We are so quick to judge, aren’t we? We tell ourselves we’re entitled to our opinion and we are. But the Bible reminds us repeatedly to watch our words. The tongue can do so much harm, especially when the devil is in our hard hearts.

 

Our church is discussing disaffiliation from the United Methodist Church. One reason is that many have formed a wall against a pastor doing his best. Is he perfect? Absolutely not. None of us are. We forget that sometimes. We also sometimes forget that we are called to serve with our hands and feet and not just with our checkbooks. We are called to love. And we are warned not to judge.

 

I don’t know what will happen to our church. Only God knows. I’ve no doubt, though, that the Holy Spirit is grieved by all the anger and hatred permeating throughout the hearts of His people.

January 23, 2023

 

Be A Church That Loves

 

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

– 1 Corinthians 13:4-7

 

Our United Methodist Church is going through a discernment process right now. It isn’t pretty. The official reason is over “traditional values.” We are, in essence, going to vote about the loss of things that we haven’t yet lost. It is, as one member noted, like divorcing your wife because she might be unfaithful in the years to come.

 

That’s the official reason. The unofficial reason, the underlying issues, are money, power and control. Those who have stepped up and offered to “buy” the church back from the United Methodist Trust, are upset with a pastor who stands up to them. They are furious – and, yes, I witnessed the angry outburst – that their money doesn’t currently guarantee their control over what happens in the church.

 

The church is split, following one group or the other. Many haven’t bothered to research the issue on their own. They honestly don’t even realize that the United Methodist Church as actually fairly conservative. The are afraid of homosexuality, environmental issues and gun control discussions.

 

Church divisions aren’t new. The Apostle Paul addressed the divisions in the Corinth church with letters we know as 1 Corinthians and 2 Corinthians. Those books have taken on new meaning as the lies and misinformation fuel fears about what “might” happen. It seems that in all that discourse we have forgotten to love each other.

 

We think of 1 Corinthians 13 as the “wedding scripture” because we hear it often at weddings. The original text was written to a church that was fighting amongst itself. The members were tearing each other apart in their efforts to be right. They’d forgotten what Jesus said about loving each other.

 

My church is no different. The ugliness has nothing to do with Jesus. The foundation for this journey isn’t about doing God’s will or following the Bible. I pray that those involved, myself included, will open their hearts to truly discern the will of God.

July 27, 2022

 

A Church Divided

 

Jesus knew their thoughts and said to them, “Every kingdom divided against itself will not stand.” – Matthew 12:25

 

The letter was nasty. It was made even more so because it came from a retired pastor who had served for many, many years. I suppose retirement unleashes all the pent-up anger that a serving pastor must not express. But, alas, the heart has a way of revealing itself.

 

The diatribe was racist, sexist and divisive. It was meant to destroy. It was aimed at the United Methodist Church where he had served for so many years.

 

Many rallied around in support of his words. A local, beloved pastor shared it as truth. As gospel. As an opinion we should all support. The entire spectacle was sad and disheartening.

 

Are we, as Bishop Graves said, true United Methodists or are we so focused on the “traditional” and “progressive” labels that we’ve lost our way? We are called by God, saved by Jesus and led by the Holy Spirit. We’ve lost sight of that.

 

There are days that I fear for our church. I fear for the body of believers who have become more like Pharisees and less like Jesus. They are focused on traditions and rules and self. They shout out Bible verses, refusing to acknowledge context or intent. It is impossible to reason with someone filled with anger and hatred. It is impossible to love others, even those who don’t look like us, when we are determined to push them away and keep them in “their place.”

 

Love. Such a simple word and yet so powerful. We focus on things of the world because we don’t truly have His love for others deep in our hearts. We resist change because we are determined to get our own way, regardless of the cost.

 

We are called to love others. We are challenged to go and make disciples. We are to be the hands and feet of Jesus. We are to assist the poor and the needy, widows and orphans. But when we focus on ourselves we miss all of that.

 

The United Methodist Church will survive. The body will divide into those who love and follow Jesus and those who love and follow themselves. It’s a hard truth and it hurts. But the church that Jesus Christ Himself began will live on until the day when He returns in His Glory.