Dec. 12, 2011
Dear brothers and sisters, I close my letter with these last words: Be joyful. Grow to maturity. Encourage each other. Live in harmony and peace. Then the God of love and peace will be with you. Greet each other with Christian love. 2 Corinthians 13:11-12
Paul ends his letter with a benediction similar to what he often uses to close most of his letters. Today, I want to focus on the first command. The others are all good too – but today I was struck with the only 2 – word command of the bunch in these two great verses: Be Joyful. My first thought upon reading those words this morning were: there isn’t much joy around today.
In this season of Advent and Christmas – it doesn’t seem like there is much joy in our world, in our country, or in our community. Christmas joy seems to have been misplaced by Christmas stress. Christmas joy seems to play a second fiddle to Christmas running. Christmas Joy appears to be lost amidst the busyness, the buying, and the bulging waistlines of our overfull Christmas lives. I have had enough.
Today I want to reaffirm something I’ve long known, and again forgotten – Joy is a choice. Today I will choose joy. No more frowns when invited to a party I’d just as soon skip. No more nonsense about being so busy this time of year. (We are exactly as busy as we WANT to be). No more “bah humbug for me!” I’m making a choice to live today in the joy that comes with/from Jesus. “Joy to the world – the Lord is Come”.
God – I’m going to need your help. I’m not on some crusade to spread joy to the world, as if that is my new “mission of the week” - I just want to have that inner sense of peace that comes from a source of real joy found only in Jesus. Yes, I want to grow into a mature person, yes, I want to be an encouragement to others, yes, I want to live in harmony and peace (oh, I really want that), and yes, I want to greet my fellow travelers with Christian love; but mostly today, the rest of this Christmas season (the rest of my life) – I’d like my life to reflect a bit more of the Joy I believe you give to those who choose to receive it! I choose JOY!

Dec. 7th, 2011
So to keep me from becoming proud, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger from Satan to torment me and keep me from becoming proud. Three different times I begged the Lord to take it away. Each time he said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me. 2 Corinthians 12:7-9
I am not quite sure why Paul has felt the need to spend the better part of 3 chapters of this second letter defending his life, character, and ministry. He has gone to almost overbearing lengths to remind the people in Corinth that he has the right to boast about his success, faithfulness, and abilities. But in the middle of this 12th chapter, he mentions this “thorn in his flesh.” Scholars have debated what this was, exactly, and there is no real consensus. Some believe it was a malady of the eyes, some believe it was another disease. All we really know for sure was that it was a physical disability for which he prayed 3 times to be delivered. He was unsuccessful in his prayers.
I find it a rather sharp indictment on the “health and wealth” proponents that the great Apostle Paul was not healed from this clear and crippling ailment. How can people believe that every faithful prayer for healing will be answered by God – when the greatest of Apostles apparently went to his grave with this disability untouched by God? I certainly claim no corner on the market of understanding God’s ways when it comes to healing – but it seems odd to me that Paul was not healed, and some modern day preachers would lay it in Paul’s own lap for a lack of faith, belief, or saying the right words.
What I must learn today from this passage is how Paul came to accept and understand this “thorn”. He accepted it as part of God’s plan to keep him humble, and to relieve from him any sense that all his boasting of his abilities was in any way his own doing. God was the one, who made Paul successful, and because of his weaknesses God’s grace became all sufficient, and God’s power received all the credit. I know I have some “thorns” in my flesh as well. (Most of my own ill-choosing) – but thorns none-the-less. I know my human frailties embarrass me at times, I know my humanness gets me in trouble too often – but Paul helps me understand that my weaknesses may not be just thorns to be jettisoned – but the very platform necessary for God to do God’s amazing work. Out of (not in spite of) my human weaknesses, God’s power is most effectively displayed. Maybe our broken efforts to work for God are not being hampered by our weaknesses…but actually part of God’s plan in the first place.

Dec.1st, 2011
I hope you will put up with a little more of my foolishness. Please bear with me. 2 Corinthians 11:1
This second letter from Paul to his beloved church in Corinth is especially personal. Paul goes into some great details about how they are conducting themselves in the church he helped start there in the great city of Corinth. But this chapter is even more personal. It makes me think that even though this book was “inspired by God” as the entire Bible was; it might need to be given a different “weight” as we interpret it. Not to say it’s not God’s Word, but I don’t think we can read it and make sense of it apart from its pretty obvious and local context.
That being said, this first verse made me laugh today. It could be my constant prayer as I think about my life and my ministry, especially here at Legacy UMC these past 15 years. I know there have been some great movements of God in those 15 years. We’ve seen God change lives – but we’ve also had a lot of fun! I know I’m not the smartest tack in the ‘pastoral box’, and I know I’ve made lots of mistakes along the way…but I also know that part of being a follower of Jesus for me is the overflowing joy He brings – that unfortunately for some – spills out of me and my life in fits of foolishness. It has been so much fun to develop my passions in life (hunting and golf) into some church activities that might even qualify as “ministry”.
I heard a quote long ago that has come back to my mind today: “Human beings take themselves way too seriously – and don’t take God near serious enough.” I think that has been true at times in life – but I want to work on that trend as a goal for today – and maybe the rest of my life. A good reminder for me today.
So, if my foolishness has been or might be an affront to you today – I’m sorry. If other expressions of my humanness have disappointed or frustrated you – I’m sorry. If I’ve failed to live up to some expectation you’ve had of me, or of ministers in general – I’m sorry. I am who I am, and I have what I have because of Jesus Christ. I know that I’m a fool for Christ – and today, at least today, I am one on purpose!

Nov. 29th, 2011
We are human, but we don’t wage war as humans do. 2 Corinthians 10:3
I’m not sure how or if this text will relate to what I’m about to write – but it just might.
Another sleepless night has left me bereft the discretion necessary to write this morning without malice, anger, and much frustration. I’m sorry if that offends or strikes you as odd – but if it does; you may not want to read further.
Another attack has sidelined my joy yesterday, last night and today. I know that my job is no greater/lessor, neither harder/easier; nor prone to more/less troubles than any of yours, but I’m about done in with the negative b.s. that seems to accompany my feeble attempts to do the right things, in the right ways, for the right reasons. Ok – I know I’m not above reproach, I’m not perfect, I’m not disqualified from the rants and ravages of human people – but I’ve about had all I can take right now. Not even a $1.4 million gift can offset the very human and personal hurt that has been hurled my way in recent days.
Another disgruntled member of my church has chosen to add her disapproval of my very (willingly acknowledged), human attempts to fulfill God’s calling on my life; by reminding me just how pathetic and even “unchristian” have been said attempts. She noted my intentional harm done to members of her family, and her best friend – and demanded the removal of her membership from our church. Ok, fine, you don’t want to be a member of our church – but do I really need to be crucified for my apparent lack of caring? Do I need to receive the outrage of your frustration? Do I deserve the hatred and vengeful reminder that – yes – I am human? Maybe I do – but I’m sick and tired of taking these backhanded cheap-shots, and being expected to smile about it because, well you know, I’m a “Christian” and the “Pastor”, and the customer is always right…right?
My thanksgiving was hijacked by a different offended member family who didn’t want to give to the building project – ok, fine – yes, you have the right not to support the building project – but why does that prompt within you the necessity to write me a nasty letter reminding me that my pathetic leadership in this church for the past 15 years has resulted in a church that is only focused on money. They demanded the removal of their membership, wishing only to be retained as ‘visitors’ – and they would decide if they will continue in this church or go find another one that is “focused on God” – not money. Good luck with that. I know lots of churches focused on God – that require no money to operate! Good luck with that. (Is it just me or is there some irony that in 30 years of ministry I’ve never heard one accusation about being “focused only on money” from anyone who was actually attempting to practice good and faithful stewardship?)
I know I’m not supposed to be surprised when sinners act like sinners, but I’m still quite shocked when people who are supposed to be followers of Jesus – can be so mean, thoughtless, and cruel. I know there are sucky parts to every job – but the sucky parts of this one get the best of me sometimes. I know that God is at work in many other people’s lives through this church and my attempts at ministry – I’m not seeking sympathy or approval – I KNOW that God has called me to this – and were it not for that fact – today…I’d answer my original calling to be a taxidermist! Tomorrow will be a better day.

Nov. 23rd, 2011
Remember this – a farmer who plants only a few seeds will get a small crop. But the one who plants generously will get a generous crop. You must each decide in your heart how much to give. And don’t give reluctantly or in response to pressure. “For God loves a person who gives cheerfully.” And God will generously provide all you need. Then you will always have everything you need and plenty left over to share with others. 2 Corinthians 9:6-8
Paul continues in this chapter to instruct (and thank) the believers about the importance of being generous with all God’s blessings. Here he reminds us of the age old principle that we shall reap what we sow. If we sow generously, we’ll reap a generous harvest…etc. I’m maddened by the way TV preachers have high jacked this passage and principle and have made it one of their primary ways of raising money. I bet it makes honest preachers hesitate to even preach this passage because of our disgust with being associated or linked with the nonsense that passes as “religion on television.” What a shame – on both accounts. 1) that the TV preachers distort the truth of this passage and make its application and fulfillment all about sending money to pad their tailor-made silk suit pockets, or line their posh homes drive-ways with more expensive cars! Shame on them for so much opulence in the name of God! They are an embarrassment to me and to the Kingdom of God.
2) It is a shame that the “Big Hair Channels” have laid claim to this and other verses about money which then inhibits others from authentically preaching the messages that so many people so desperately need to hear. Many in our wealthy society need to learn better how to be generous. I’m also saddened that this issue has been prostituted by our political systems and turned into a Rep. vs. Dem. Idea! God has created in the DNA of ALL human beings the need and desire to give. When we focus that giving only on ourselves or our small circle of friends, we’ve missed the point. I’m not advocating socialism, but you cannot deny that Jesus spent a major part of his life teaching about the value of giving – and we in this “Christian America” have converted that into “it’s all about getting!”
On this Thanksgiving Weekend – I’m grateful for all that God has given me. I know I don’t even know ALL that God has given me; but I appreciate even what I don’t know! Because of that – I am grateful for the opportunities that continually come my way to give. Thanks, God, for the privilege of giving – help me to do more.