you have all you need

You have all you need. Do you believe that? Or, like many people tell yourself, "If I only had _______" then I could, or then I would ________.

Is that you?

Recently at the Desert Southwest Annual Conference of the UMC, held in Glendale, AZ, we were confronted with that very reality. In his sermon to the Annual Conference, Bishop Gregory Vaughn Palmer, the President of the Council of Bishops of the UMC, the Bishop reminded us that in fact we do have all we need. We have the leadership, we have the facilities, we have the $$$$. Now the money may remain hidden in people's pockets but nonetheless, we still have all we need!

What more do you think you need in order to do what God has asked? Would God ask you to do anything, or call you to a task and not give you the very means to acheive it?

You have all that you need. Do you believe it?

If you're not connected, you're dead!

Recently, the network was down at the church. Computers couldn't connect to the printer, they couldn't connect to the internet, they couldn't connect to eachother. If you have never experienced this sort of thing, I will tell you it is not only frustrating, but debilitating. The irony of all this was early that day I had heard an editorial piece on NPR about how dependent on technology our culture had become. Little did I know how real the commentators words would become to me that day.

If for a moment you think that this is no big deal, consider this. Can't print, can't email, can't access the church financial or personal contact records. There were moments where we actually were standing, looking at one another wondering, "What do we do?"

I began to reflect on the importance of being connected. Being connected is everything, isn't it? When we are not connected we are dead! It is not only of central importance to who we are in our culture, but we are as people, as Christians.

We are hyper connected! Through our cell phones we can call around the world. No wires, a piece of plastic this size of a deck of cards allows us to call Africa (did that yesterday)! Disconnected yet connected!

On the same NPR station, I heard this AM that in our financial crisis people are having to make choices about their money. Of course, we all are. They are choosing to stay connected. They are choosing HDTV and cell phones over other discretionary items. People want and need to be connected. Communications satellites are being launched to increase and improve our connectivity. The cost for this is in the Billions of dollars. Why to pay so much for connectivity? Because being connected is everything.

How is it the same for us as Christians? Being connected in community, is everything. Created to love and be loved, created differently and distinctive to be radically interdependent upon one another, that is what Paul would say as he calls us a body. Every part needs every other part. Connectivity, it's not an option. If you are not connected, GET ON IT! Without, you're dead.

Who don't I have to love?

Do you remember your neighbors when you were  a kid?  I do.  I remember every fence I could climb over without worry.  I remember who not to bother.  I remember what houses I could walk into without knocking.  Those days are long gone. 

I have been thinking recently about neighbors, and what it means to be a neighbor.  Not only a local neighbor, but a global neighbor.  Living in Arizona, bordering Mexico, we are daily facing the question of what it means to be a neighbor.  I can't help but wonder how are we doing as a neighbor.   

The questions about what it means to be a neighbor and be a good neighbor are not new.  When Jesus was asked this question, those asking were essentially asking, "Who don't I have to love?"  After all, Jesus had commanded "love your neighbor."  It's the natural question isn't it.  Ok then, if I am to love my neighbor, who exactly are we talking about here?  Because if you can identify for me, who is and who is not my neighbor that will give us clarity as to who exactly we have to love.  And Jesus, if you will tell us who exactly these neighbors are, that will bring us great relief.  

Jesus replied with a story, we call it the story of the Good Samaritan.  

If you don't know it the story is about a man, presumably a Jewish man who was traveling on a road and was mugged, robbed, and  beaten.  As he lay on the side of the road, literally left for dead some people came by.  First a priest.  Not wanting to be bothered, the priest literally went out of his way, across the road to avoid being near the victimized man.  

The second person, a Levite, or a temple assistant, did the same thing.  

But then a Samaritan came along.  This doesn't appear to be any better news for the dying man. Samaritans and Jews hated each other.  This hate was rooted in religious and cultural differences.  The Samaritan however surprises us and cares for the man, puts him in his car (okay on the back of his donkey) takes him to a hotel, pays in advance and vows to return and pay for more incurred costs.  

In closing the story, Jesus asks, "Which of the three was neighborly?" 

That's the story.  .. . . . .Jesus says go and do likewise?  

This does nothing more than raise more questions for me. . .. I do not have the answers.  

But consider.  

Who is my neighbor?  Who do I have to love and not love?  

Who are those so different from us, culturally, religiously, or otherwise to which we have failed to extend mercy and grace? 

Head on collision

It is interesting how live converges sometimes, how conversations, circumstances and events collide. Two such events hit head on yesterday in my life.

 

My lunch appointment yesterday was a long overdue one. I met with my friend and mentor Dr. Kelly Bender, Sr. Pastor of Paradise Valley UMC. Kelly is someone I respect and have the highest regard for. I always find myself either with hand-written or a mental list of things I want to discuss with Kelly because the time with him is so valuable. Over the past 8 years or so that we have met, we find ourselves often talking about leadership, church polity, and in our meeting yesterday, our culture of affluence. We discussed Walter Bruggeman's contention that consumerism more than a result of marketing strategy. Consumerism is a "demonic spiritual force" that has a hold on our culture, and the question for us does the gospel have the power to help us withstand it. Wow! This was published by Bruggeman and Old Testament scholar 10 years ago.

For dinner my wife and I met with our friends Michael and Christina Bernardino. Michael and Christina are educators in the public school system and they themselves, are enough reason for me to believe in the public schools. I can't say enough good about them. Our conversation, also touched on the culture of affluence and how it impacts our young people. Christina who has taught Spanish at a High School in suburban Phoenix, AZ shared this story with me.
When asked what their favorite holiday was, her Spanish speaking students, many first and second generation Arizonans answered, "Mother's day." Second, they said, "Father's day." Her English speaking American students when asked their favorite holiday responded, "Christmas." Secondly they responded, "Birthday."

Perhaps Bruggeman is right, that consumerism is a demonic spiritual force. As such it would seem his demonic spiritual force has a pretty firm grasp of our young people. What are your thoughts?

Do you really want God to move?

Was listening the Perry Noble at the unleash conference this AM.  He got me thinking.   

Do you really want God to move?  I mean really?  Think about that for a minute. . .

I think most people who pray to God and ask God to "move" don't fully comprehend what that means.  Most people are too controlling to really be open to God moving.  Take the early church in ACTS.  The church went from 120 to over 3,000 the next day.  God moved and things spun out of control!  Just imagine it.  Everything that was in place went out the window that day.  Are you ready to throw everything out the window?  

Do you really want God to move in your life?  In your church?  

Are you ready for things to spin out of control?  Ask for God to move, and hang on!

Betrayal . . ..

Betrayal and rejection are such a harsh words . . .  they are sharp, they cut and they cut deep.  

Fear of betrayal and rejection can keep us from the richness that life offers.  "I have been hurt one too many times. Why should I even bother?"  "I'll never get it, why should I apply?  Are you kidding, I don't think I could take another rejection letter."  

 Joseph (yes the one with the technicolor dreamcoat;  Found in the book of Genesis 37 and following) knew betrayal.  he knew the worst kind.  His brothers in their jealousy not only conspired to betray him but did so.  

Joseph's brothers first cast him into an empty well.  They sat down for a celebratory meal looked up to see some tribesman coming.  When they decided that throwing him in the pit wasn't good enough they fished him out and sold him to the nomadic  tribesman for 20 pieces of silver.  

Most of us can't imagine what that kind of betrayal would feel like.  Even in the face of it as the story would go on to tell Joseph didn't let betrayal get the best of him.   

Joseph did a few things that most of us can learn from.

1.  He held fast the vision God gave him

2.  He maintained a vital relationship with God.

3.  He never compromised his character

4.  He maintained  a strong sense of empathy

You can read about Joseph in Genesis chapters 37-50 (one of my favorite in the Bible).  You can also come hear more about how Joseph faced betrayal this Sunday at Trinity Heights. . . ..

See you Sunday

Some thoughts on small groups. . . .

Small groups are nothing new.  In fact they are very Biblical and very Methodist.  However, for many, if not for most in United Methodist circles the notion of a small group in which we do life, mission and ministry together is new if not totally foreign.  Sure we have heard about small groups more and more in the last 10 years, but really what is it all about?  I confess it has been since graduation from seminary that I have become more and more aware of the small group movement in the church.  With every passing day I see how important they are.  

 

As you pray about becoming a part of a small group here at THUMC consider the following:

1.)  The church was first and foremost a gathering of small groups.  Acts 2:42-47  It was in Acts where the people gathered in homes, met in the temple courts, they ate together, worshipped, were committed to the Apostle's teachings and to prayer.  It is when we gather together, study together, eat together and pray that true life change happens. 

2.)  Small groups are more than book learning.  We have been good at Sunday School and Bible Studies where we come and consume data.  Small groups are where we learn more importantly the great commandments of Jesus.  It is where we truly begin to love God and neighbor more deeply.

3.)  Small groups are mission outposts.  Small groups are places where people with a common heartbeat, work together to be salt and light in a hurting world.  Think about the possibilities here.  If every group in the church were to work together for mission.  WE would increase our work exponentially.  Missions is not a committee it is something we all do.  

These are just some ramblings. . . if you want to talk more about small groups you can reach me at    doug@thumc.com    

You are God's masterpiece!!!

Recently my 10 year old came to me and asked me about her name. Her name is Kallie, short for Kalenda.

She was learning about names and wondered about her own name, what it meant and what were the implications. She came to concerned because somewhere on the internet she looked up her name and found that it meant "Art." Actually I found that it means beautiful or lovely. I have to confess I didn't know what it meant when we named her, but she has grown into her name quite well.

Her concern came as she processed what her name implied for her. She had been learning about naming and that in Jewish culture your name is reflective of your character. The last thing she wanted to be was a piece of art, a statue, or a motionless thing hanging on a wall. I held back my laughter! It makes me chuckle still, but really she was pretty upset.

I paused and told her, but you are Art. That was the last thing she wanted to hear. But you are I insisted. "Do you know what art is?" I asked her. It is an expression of the creators heart! We have art in our home from people in our church and as I look at it I see the hearts of those fine people. As I look at my daughter, I see a piece of the heart of our creator.

I have to wonder, are not each of us, God's masterpiece? A work of art! Beautiful, lovely, an expression of the creator's heart?

Control what's in you . . .

Yesterday as I was doing some of my daily reading I was caused to stop and reflect more than usual.  Here is what I read from John Maxwell's, Daily Reader.  

 ". . . one of the greatest coaches who ever lived said, Do not let what you cannot do interfere with what you can do. . . .

As you move forward on the success journey, you need to remember what happens in you is more important than what happens to you.  You can control your attitudes as you travel on the journey, but you have no control over the actions of others.  You can control what you put on your calendar, but you cannot control today's circumstances.   Unfortunately the majority of the fear and stress that people experience in life is from things that they can do nothing about.  Don't let that happen to you"  

John Maxwell

I suppose this so clearly spoke to me because I am guilty.  I am guilty of letting the world get the best of me.  I too often allow events, circumstances, other people's actions, the list goes on. . . cause me to be angry, stressed or unhappy.  

I believe we have a choice how we respond.  We have a choice to respond in a way that is of God, or a way that is not.  We can choose to be victims or we can be over-comers.  We can be build up with words or tear down those around us with words.  What will it be?   If Christ is alive in you, let his light shine, no matter what might come your way today.  Be a blessing and let the one who is alive in you be what the world sees today.    

Peace-